Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 UN Security Council condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan Xinhua) 09:51, March 28, 2024 UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday condemned Tuesday's heinous and cowardly terrorist attack near Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani. The members of the council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the governments of Pakistan and China. They wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, said the council in a press statement. The council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the governments of Pakistan and China, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard. The council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. The attack occurred Tuesday when a vehicle from the Dasu Hydropower Project, being constructed by a Chinese company in the province, was attacked by terrorists. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS) Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots Newspaper: Generals are gone, Armenia PM has decided to hand over some Tavush Province settlements to Azerbaijan Volvo launches its last diesel car US First Lady writes childrens book about her cat Almost 1 child in 6 is cyberbullied in Europe Foreign Ministry: Upcoming Armenia-US-EU high-level meeting not directed to any third party Zakharova on Azerbaijan weapons supply to Ukraine: Main thing is that something similar doesnt appear about Armenia Russia MFA spox: Future of entire South Caucasus is only tool for France Zakharova: Everything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed Russia MFA spox: We do not use the term Zangezur corridor Wings of Tatev opens a new tourist season Parliament speaker: Armenia not waiting to become EU membership candidate Alen Simonyan: Russia needed twice as much as we needed Russian border guards presence in Armenia Armenia legislature chair: I don't think Russian border guards will protect us if Turkey attacks Armenia does not join CSTO statement condemning terrorist attack in Moscow Region Armenia parliament head: What we want at this time is to get the border with Azerbaijan No discussion at this phase regarding Armenia's EU membership, legislature speaker says Armenia parliament chair does not rule out that Azerbaijanis will attack Armenia has calculated the risks if Tavush Province defense line collapses, legislature head assures Parliament speaker: No part of Armenia territory is subject to negotiation Armenia PM, France delegation discuss processes taking place in South Caucasus Moscow Region terrorist attack death toll rises France lawmakers visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan France ambassador, French MPs visit Armenias Sotk gold mine Lemkin Institute expresses concern that Azerbaijan regime may get revenge upon Armenian captives AraratBank places its 27th issue of dollar bonds 2.5-year-old girl in critical condition after falling into boiling water container in Armenias Byureghavan Friends of Armenia Network report: Offering Armenia EU candidate status would be important signal US State Department reveals objectives of upcoming Blinken-Pashinyan talk Newspaper: Azerbaijan leader reprimands Armenia PM Nikolay Konashenok, who tried to fly to Armenia, is taken into custody for 14 days for petty hooliganism Ancient boats built with advanced construction techniques discovered in Italy lake Iran's supreme leader receives Hamas politburo chief in Tehran Olivier Decottignies The right of return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians is being violated today FSB: Primary data received from detainees in Crocus terrorist attack case confirm Ukrainian trace Tigran Balayan to Toivo Klaar: Azerbaijan is gearing up for new aggression against Armenia Iran's ambassador to Russia: Next meeting of 3+3 platform may take place as early as this year Armenia nuclear plant, Rosatom Service directors sign contract on new cooling systems for plant Armenia President: We have warm relations with Greece, this is also related to our history, principles, beliefs Kirill Komarov: Rosatom can offer Armenia nuclear reactors with capacity of 50 to 1,000 MW Armenia PM is presented Military industry Committee 2023 activity report US, UK, Ukraine are involved in Moscow Region terrorist attack, Russia official says State Department: US supports South Caucasus countries sovereignty, territorial integrity Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia NATO discussing possibility of shooting down missiles near alliance borders Justice minister on returning Azerbaijani who crossed Armenia border: Political decision enabling correct positioning Switzerland launches 10-year project of CHF 9 million in Armenia Britain's Supreme Court rules over Assange's extradition to US Anne-Laurence Petel: We reaffirmed France's support for Armenian democracy Premier: Armenia has been ready to implement liberalization of visa regime with EU for long time Nikol Pashinyan: Highways, railways, pipelines, cables must enter Turkey from Azerbaijan via Armenia Four Seasons raises luxury in the Caribbean, Mediterranean with launch of its first yacht Astronomers accidentally discover 49 new galaxies in just 3 hours Winston Churchill had painted painting in honor of his favorite whiskey, Johnnie Walker Italys Florence fights to protect dignity of Michelangelo's David Internal legal grounds being created for Armenia to apply to ICC in connection with Azerbaijan's war crimes European Union responds to Azerbaijan statements on EU-US-Armenia trilateral meeting There may be life on Venus, claims new research Russia MFA: Friends of Armenia Network report objective is to tear Armenia from Russia, EAEU Yerevan to host 2027 World Weightlifting Championships Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri is only guarantee of Armenia's sovereignty, Russia MFA says Siranush Sahakyan: Hard to convince international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan on Armenian captives matter Siamese twins Abby, Brittany Hensel from TLC reality show get married Lawyer: Ruben Vardanyan gave international resonance to Karabakh issue, earned Azerbaijans hatred Artificial intelligence will fail easy tasks Bill Gates Armenian woman is appointed state minister in new Palestine government Lawyer: Azerbaijan uses matter of Armenian captives, hostages for political purposes Ameriabank named the Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance magazine Irina Shayk shows up in killer image to Swarovski campaign International law expert: Azerbaijan should at least promise autonomy so that Armenians can return to Karabakh Ombudsman: There are 20 Armenians left in Nagorno-Karabakh AJCN: Sugar in bread, rice, pasta can cause insomnia in women, study finds There will be a total solar eclipse on April 8: How long will it last? Robert Downey Jr. plays 4 characters in new HBO series Armenia ex-ombudsman: Azerbaijan pursued goal of de-Armenianizing Karabakh from very beginning Tom Cruise breaks up with Russian socialite because of her ex-oligarch husband Russia TV programs Evening with Vladimir Solovyov and Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia US State Department to Zakharova: Turbulence in South Caucasus is fueled by Russia's actions in recent months Demi Moore proves again that age is just a number Former head of bankrupt FTX crypto exchange has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, with confiscation of $11 billion Miami Open: Pairing of women's final decided Beyonce eats spaghetti with hands on her private jet, makes fun of memes about her cowboy look Miami Open: Carlos Alcaraz out unexpectedly Apple will present new iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets in early May: What changes will they have? Selling Sunset TV series star chooses strange, revealing outfit for playing golf Mayo Clinic: Taking aspirin for asthma can cause coughing, wheezing Russia FM: Putin was surprised by Armenia PM Pashinyan's decision to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan Lavrov: PM Pashinyan invited EU mission to Armenia, promising Azerbaijan that it will be for 2 months Legislature head: Armenia will attend for first time the gathering of EU countries parliament speakers Armenia parliament speaker: We are trying to defend our country by all possible means Iraqi security services eliminated a high-ranking IS member Armenia parliament speaker: Our ally Russia left us all alone at most critical moment Lebanon to file a complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli strikes on south of country Armenia legislature head: We are not going to concede anything that is ours The Lancet: homeless people are more likely to develop dementia at a young age Planet not far from Earth could potentially be habitable ocean-planet Clinton and Obama to participate in Biden's campaign fundraiser Armenia legislature speaker to meet with Azerbaijan counterpart again Rebel Wilson hopes to spread 'positive message' by revealing she lost her virginity at 35 Media: Powerful explosion hits Somalia's capital city France detains 2 suspects for sending bomb threats to lycees What is the best camera smartphone in 2024? CIES: World's most expensive footballers named Military aircraft crashed into the sea near Sevastopol SciAdv: taking medication for ADHD may weaken the heart White House: US passed detailed data on terrorist attack threat to Russian Federation Lavrov: EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission Wine Story: How to choose right wine for Easter? 5 most beautiful living buildings in the world: One of them is located in Armenia (photo) Mash: A mass round-up of migrants began in Moscow and the region Members of the European Council's Political and Security Committee to visit Armenia "Napoli" is ready to increase Kvaratskhelias salary by 3 times EU envoy: We already have attracted 60M to develop Armenias educational sector Armenia ruling force MP: We are EAEU member, in parallel we work towards integration with EU, other markets Food Bioscience: dark chocolate supports growth of beneficial gut bacteria Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Mahmoud Abbas approved the new government of Palestine Labor, social affairs minister: Increase in number of 3rd and subsequent children recorded in Armenia FFA and the UN Refugee Agency announce the launch of the refugee team MP: Euronest urged EU to develop specific proposals on how to respond to Armenia's European aspirations Armenia government humanitarian aid reaches Gaza (PHOTOS) Powerful sun flare triggers rare phenomenon that was last seen in 1942 Abu Dhabi plans to create paradise for gamers: World's first eSports island Latest Navitimer watch celebrates Breitling's historic connection to aviation, space Nature Neurology: Chemicals in baby wipes can damage brain structures, study shows Armenia government makes allocations to hold events for Parajanov, Aznavour 100th birth anniversaries Hackers find new method to flood iPhones with notifications that they use for phishing attacks: What to do? Armenia to provide $300,000 to Japan for earthquake relief Armenia MP: Euronest called on EU to increase humanitarian, financial aid for forcibly displaced Karabakh children Yerevan ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan is founding political party Martin Scorsese to host, produce 'Saints' for Fox Nation Azerbaijan ombudsperson meets with dozens of Armenians remaining in occupied Karabakh capital Stepanakert Southgate does not guarantee Rashford's participation in Euro 2024 Karl Lagerfeld's futuristic Paris apartment sells for $10.8M Qatar Airways has introduced first virtual flight attendant operating in AI Russia MFA spox: Armenia is being turned into tool for implementing dangerous plans of the West Odell Beckham Jr. breaks up with Kim Kardashian because of her desire to start family with him Europeans for Artsakh discusses upcoming actions toward protecting Karabakhs interests Armenia to provide humanitarian aid to 1.5 million people displaced from Gaza Julia Roberts to star in thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino Mourinho wants to take helm at a national squad Pashinyan: Some circles forcibly displaced from Karabakh are taking steps that create threat to Armenias security Michael Jackson's 3 kids hit red carpet in honor of late father Budget iPhone SE 4 to receive 6.1-inch OLED screen from Chinese manufacturer Secretary General: Armenia, indeed, has not recently participated in CSTO Secretariats work State Department disagrees with Azerbaijan comments on upcoming US-EU-Armenia meeting Griezmann recovers from injury, ready for game against Villarreal Kim Kardashian is sued over furniture President: Document to dissolve Karabakh republic was only way to save compatriots Real to extend contracts of Nacho, Vazquez Student, 21, dies of bird flu in Vietnam WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The inaugural results from the multiyear Global Flourishing study reveal intriguing relationships between religion and how well peoples lives are going. Future administrations of this survey will interview the same 200,000 individuals contacted for the first study. This longitudinal approach offers researchers an unprecedented opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of these relationships in ways that multicountry, cross-sectional surveys cannot. What Is Human Flourishing? The primary interest of the Global Flourishing study is human flourishing, which is a multidimensional construct. The study includes 12 survey questions measuring six domains of flourishing identified in previous research: happiness and life satisfaction physical and mental health meaning and purpose character and virtue close social relationships financial and material stability These self-reported responses can be averaged into an index ranging between zero and 10, where zero is the absence of flourishing and 10 is comprehensive attainment.1 The mean flourishing score falls between 6.5 and 8.0 in most of the 21 countries and one territory where data are collected. The mean score was below 6.5 only in Turkiye and Japan, and above 8.0 only in Indonesia. In the United States, the mean score was 7.11.2 What Is the Association Between Religion and Human Flourishing? In addition to a host of social, demographic, economic, political and psychological measures, the Global Flourishing study asks questions about spiritual and religious beliefs and practices that may be linked to human flourishing. The results from the first wave of data collection for the Global Flourishing study suggest certain aspects of religious observance and practice are associated with higher flourishing scores. The flourishing score for those who identify as spiritual, religious or both is statistically higher on average than those who identify as neither, both with and without controlling for other factors. However, the difference when controlling for other factors is small (less than 0.06 points). The association with flourishing is substantively larger for religiosity and religious service attendance. In terms of religiosity, the average flourishing score is 0.23 points higher for someone who says religion is an important part of daily life than someone who does not when controlling for other factors. In terms of attendance, the average flourishing score is 0.41 points higher for someone who attends at least weekly than someone who never attends. (See the PDF at the end of the article for the regression results.) While religiosity and religious service attendance are associated with higher levels of flourishing, context is useful to understand the magnitude of the relationship. For instance, aspects of an individuals economic situation are well-known predictors. Controlling for other factors, the flourishing score for someone who reports: being employed by an employer is, on average, 0.22 points higher than "unemployed and looking for work living comfortably on present income is, on average, 2.02 points higher than someone finding it very difficult Another aspect worth observing is how the relationship between these predictors and human flourishing varies across countries and territories. For instance, the correlation between flourishing and religious service attendance ranges significantly. Accounting for other factors, including participation in secular community activities, no notable difference in flourishing exists in Indonesia and Tanzania among those who attend religious services at least once a week compared with those who never attend. In contrast, the average flourishing score difference between those who attend services at least once weekly and those who never attend is largest in the Philippines (0.67 points) and Turkiye (0.73 points). ###Embeddable### Bottom Line The Global Flourishing study offers data to researchers interested in understanding what factors facilitate human flourishing for over 200,000 individuals. Regarding the relationship between religion and how well peoples lives are going, the inaugural wave of data will help researchers: isolate what aspects of religion and spirituality promote which domains of human flourishing establish the conditions moderating these associations across diverse societies examine whether childhood religious participation is associated with present flourishing These results are only associations. The public release of subsequent waves will allow researchers to undertake causally oriented analyses that are only possible with longitudinal panel data. For example, researchers can better assess evidence of whether more frequent religious service attendance causes greater human flourishing by tracking changes in this relationship among the same individuals over time. Moreover, because of the large sample size, the Global Flourishing study will make it possible to examine the degree to which adherents of different religious traditions, including those with no religion, do or do not flourish over time in different cultures and contexts. The Global Flourishing study is a public good premised on the open science principles of transparency, replicability and equality. Researchers can access these data by submitting pre-analysis plans with the Center for Open Science. Download the regression analysis. To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on X. For complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Appendix 1 Country Dataset Details in the Global Flourishing Study Methodology report. [1] VanderWeele, T. J. (2017). On the promotion of human flourishing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(31), 81488156. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1702996114 [2] VanderWeele TJ, Fulks J, Plake JF, Lee MT. National Well-Being Measures Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Online Samples. J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Jan; 36(1):248-250. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06274-3 Chen Y, Cowden RG, Fulks J, Plake JF, VanderWeele TJ. National Data on Age Gradients in Well-being Among US Adults. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022; 79(10):10461047. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2473 ###Embeddable### 00:06 The Congress has complained to the Election Commission against the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'misleading' advertisements and posters promoting various government schemes and sought their removal. The opposition party also sought action against the alleged violation of poll code by senior BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying no action was taken by the EC on issues raised by them earlier. A delegation of Congress leaders, including Mukul Wasnik, Salman Khurshid, Supriya Shrinate and Gurdeep Sappal, had met the EC and raised nine issues before the poll panel. Khurshid had said the party complained to the EC on the manner in which campaigning is being done by the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls. "People are pained at the manner in which the BJP is issuing advertisements and posters. We have objected to the manner in which the government schemes are being promoted with the prime minister's photograph and such a campaign during polls cannot take place. The EC has already taken note of such things and has assured us to take up our complaints," Khurshid said. He hoped that the EC will come forward and use its powers to act against the complaints to ensure a level playing field during the polls. Shrinate had said, "We have raised nine such issues before the EC and we hope that it will take action on such fake news and misleading advertisements to ensure a level playing field." Shrinate also alleged that the BJP is running a campaign on 2G issue and is trying to create an illusion. "The courts have also said that there is no culpability on the 2G issue, and running such a video after 10 years is objectionable. We have raised our complaint against the content and have urged the Election Commission to remove such a campaign. "Secondly, the campaign that Modi ji has got the (Russia-Ukraine) war stopped. We have urged the EC to stop such kind of videos to misguide people. We have also raised misleading video using the army, which is banned as the model code is in force," she said. Shrinate claimed that a letter seeking support for a 'Viksit Bharat' written by the prime minister is being circulated on social media and WhatsApp by the BJP and they had complained against it. The EC has said that some issues have already been dealt with, she said. She also alleged that the BJP is using religious issues and other leaders like the prime minister and union minister Shobha Karandlaje. -- PTI Buckminster Fullers legacy: Thomas T.K. Zung, a former student of noted futurist, architect and designer R. Buckminster Fuller (shown in his dome home library) will present a lecture on Fullers legacy April 7 at SIU Carbondale. (Photo of R. Buckminster Fuller provided by Morris Library) SIU to host lecture highlighting R. Buckminster Fullers work on April 7 by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. A free, public presentation on the work and legacy of noted futurist, architect and designer R. Buckminster Fuller by one of his former students is set for Sunday, April 7, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Noted architect Thomas T.K. Zung, president and senior partner of Buckminster Fuller, Sadao, and Zung Architects, will present The Dymaxion World of R. Buckminster Fuller at 3 p.m. in the Quigley Hall Auditorium, Room 140B. There will be a reception and an opportunity to meet with Zung immediately after the presentation. Media advisory Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend the presentation by noted architect Thomas T.K. Zung. For more information on the event or to arrange for interviews, contact Elizabeth Donoghue, assistant director, University Honors Program, at elizabeth.donoghue@siu.edu or 618-525-3099; Judy Ashby, secretary, RBF Dome Home NFP at judybug2@frontier.com or 618-549-5578 or Ben Lowder, RFB Dome Home board member, at benlowder@hotmail.com or 217-503-5800. Sponsored by SIU Carbondales School of Architecture, SIU Sustainability, the University Honors Program, the city of Carbondale and the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home Not-for-Profit organization. Zungs presentation is one day before the April 8 total solar eclipse. Zung is the sole remaining architectural partner who worked with Fuller on notable geodesic dome designs, including the Spruce Goose, Epcot Center, the Flys Eye Dome and more. He serves as an advisory board member for the Buckminster Fuller Institute and the Fuller Dome Home nonprofit. Dymaxion, coined by Fuller, is a combination of the words dynamic, maximum and tension. Zungs lecture will include slides and videos as he draws on his personal experiences of collaborating with Fuller. The presentation will include video of Fullers dymaxion car in action, along with Fullers concerns for spaceship earth much of that research was completed while Fuller was at SIU. Fuller (1895-1983) was recruited to SIU by then President Delyte Morris and Harold Cohen, a professor in the design department, and joined the university in 1959. Zung has six patents based on Fullers work and will display one of Zung and Fullers last patents, the Hang-It All storage unit, at the lecture. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Zung has published two books relating to Fuller. Signed copies of Call Me Trimtab: Navigating Spaceship Earth with R. Buckminster Fuller, an easily accessible guide to Fullers inventions and ideas and Anthology for a New Millenium, whose second edition was published by SIU Press, will be available in limited supply. Donations for the books will benefit the work of the Fuller Dome Home nonprofit. In 2021, SIU's Morris Librarys Special Collections Research Center received Fullers personal library of more than 3,000 volumes as part of a donation of artifacts and furniture to the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Not-For-Profit. The organization acquired Fullers personal library and original house furnishings from his estate, with the goal of reinstalling the furnishings and library as it was in the 1960s to the dome home at 407 S. Forest St. in Carbondale, where Fuller and his wife, Anne, lived, from 1960 to 1971. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed confidence in India's economic growth momentum during a parliament election convention organised by Thiruvananthapuram BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Sitharaman highlighted the country's robust economic performance, citing three consecutive quarters with growth rates exceeding 8 percent, with the third quarter registering a remarkable 8.3 percent growth. Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Three continuous quarters, we have had more than 8 per cent growth. 8.3 was quarter three." Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman emphasised the resilience of the Indian economy amidst challenges, asserting, "If the economy, after all the trouble, has reached this level, then we are confident that we can sustain growth momentum." Acknowledging the collective effort required for sustained growth, Sitharaman urged every state to actively participate in India's economic development. She emphasised that the growth trajectory transcends political boundaries, benefiting the entire nation and its youth. Sitharaman noted the increasing attractiveness of India to investors, attributing it to the growing potential of the middle class. Sitharaman said, "We need every state to actively participate in this. It is the growth of India, not just of one party or state. It is India's youth who will derive benefit from it. Today investors are coming to India because they see the potential of middle class growing." Highlighting the pivotal role of the middle class in driving economic expansion, Sitharaman emphasised the importance of maintaining their purchasing power. She projected a significant rise in the middle-class population by 2030, with an estimated 70 crore people, further increasing to 100 crore by 2047. Sitharaman underscored the immense potential for economic activity and service sector growth in India, emphasising the need to capitalise on these opportunities. "Purchasing power in the hands of the middle class is intact and as a result of demand grow, that by 2030 we will have 70 crore people in the middle class and by 2047 this number would go to 100 crore," stated the Finance Minister. Sitharaman reiterated that India holds vast potential for growth, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to sustain this trajectory. She emphasised the government's commitment to supporting economic growth, noting that since 2020, there have been no increases in taxation rates, whether direct or indirect. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership was hailed for maintaining fiscal stability while fostering an environment conducive to growth. Sitharaman said, "There is so much activity to be done, so much production to be done, so much service sector growth to be seen. The potential lies in India and therefore we need to importantly see how we can sustain this growth." She added, "This growth post 2020 has been achieved without any increase in any taxation anywhere. Prime Minister Modi clearly has not increased any rates, direct or indirect." (ANI) Union Minister Hardeep Sing Puri on Thursday lauded the performance of India's public sector enterprises during recent years, which were earlier perceived as relative laggards in comparison to their private counterparts. Speaking specifically about the strong performance of PSUs in sectors like petroleum and natural gas, Puri, who holds the Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas portfolios, said their remarkable growth even surpassed their counterparts in the private sector. "Market has gone up 43 per cent and all the PSUs OMC, they have registered multiples of 43 per cent like 120 per cent and 160 per cent, there must be going something right," Minister Puri said speaking at the Times Now Summit 2024. Notably, Oil India shares rose about 130 per cent, BPCL 78 per cent, ONGC 80 per cent, GAIL 72 per cent, and Indraprastha Gas 123 per cent, over the past one year, respectively, which is much above the benchmark Sensex and Nifty, which rose in the range of 27-31 per cent. Further, speaking at the TV channel's event, the minister hoped that BJP as a party will get support from areas which were regarded as remote from "us" - the party BJP. "I have watched 2014 and 2019. This time I am watching something else, I am seeing ground swell of support for a party from the areas which was regarded as remote from us- West Bengal and South India. How much of that ground support translates into seats is to be seen." Speaking of electoral bond, he termed the instrument to be "gifts" for political parties. "Every morning you get up and you get gifts thrown up from the other side. These are gifts which come our way, electoral bonds was one of them. We suddenly discovered a party who got 303 seats got 3000 crores worth of electoral bonds and a party with hardly any seats got 1600 crores. I have been overseas, tell me any system across the world where democracy works without political funding," he explained. The electoral bond scheme, which the Supreme Court struck down recently, was introduced in 2018 so that anyone in the country could donate money to political parties anonymously. (ANI) Global aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has signed a multi-year engine services agreement with FLY91 for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the PW127M engines that power its fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop passenger aircraft, according to a press release. FLY91, India's new regional airline brand by Just Udo Aviation Private Limited, intends to increase its fleet by the end of 2024 to provide local connectivity to underserved cities in the country. "Availability is a key factor by which airlines are evaluated from a customer service perspective," said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada. "The ability of a commercial aircraft to take off as scheduled often depends on the readiness and reliability of its engines. We have 40 years of experience in the maintenance of the PW100 engine family and we're confident we can help FLY91 enjoy excellent dispatch reliability for its ATR 72-600 fleet and fully meet passenger expectations." "The agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada is a significant step in assuring we can provide our customers with dependable regional air travel from our base at Goa's Manohar International Airport," said Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FLY91. He further added, "We are committed to reliable, sustainable, and scalable air transportation services to build India's regional connectivity. We strongly believe that our ATR aircraft powered by P&WC's PW127M engines will help us achieve just that." Pratt & Whitney Canada is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the PW100 engine family which powers 90 per cent of all regional turboprop aircraft operating today in the 30- to 90-passenger category. PW100-powered regional turboprop aircraft consume 25 to 40 per cent less fuel and avoid an equal measure of CO2 emissions than similar sized jets on typical regional routes of 350 miles or less. The P&WC Customer Service network consists of 50 owned and designated facilities, supported by approximately 2,000 P&WC employees around the globe. (ANI) He also shared a series of pictures with his family on Instagram, including his parents, grandparents, and other relatives, captioning it "My Backbone." https://www.instagram.com/p/C5BRe5fI1pz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== In photos of his visit to the Siddhivinayak temple, Elvish can be seen paying obeisance with his friends. Elvish was granted bail by Gautam Buddha Nagar District Court five days after his arrest. He was arrested on March 17 by the police along with five others and all were charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and Section 120A (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. Later, the police arrested two more suspects in the case who were identified as Ishwar and Vinay, both residents of Haryana. and said to be known to Elvish. An FIR was registered against six people, including Elvish Yadav, at Noida's Sector 49 police station for allegedly supplying snake venom suspected to be used as a recreational drug at a rave party in Noida. The case was later transferred from Noida's Sector 49 police station to Sector 20 police station. (ANI) After the Election Commission of India issued show cause notice to BJP MP Dilip Ghosh for his remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state's minister Shashi Panja demanded strict action against him. "The Election Commission had assured us yesterday that they will look into it... Dilip Ghosh always uses this kind of language and that is why we said that some severe action has to be taken against him..." said West Bengal minister Shashi Panja. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India issued a show cause notice to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh for his offensive and insulting remarks about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Election Commission found that the remarks of Dilip Ghosh are violative of MCC provisions and the ECI advisory dated March 1, 2024. BJP MP Dilip Ghosh, on his morning walk in Durgapur, West Bengal, on March 26, said, "When Didi (CM Mamata Banerjee) goes to Goa, she calls herself the daughter of Goa. When she goes to Tripura, she says that she is the daughter of Tripura. She should first identify her own father." Acting on the complaint from the All India Trinamool Congress, the Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Dilip Ghosh, MP from West Bengal for his objectionable and disrespectful comment against Mamata Banerjee while addressing the press, which was broadcast and widely circulated by various news media channels. The Commission has found the comments to be offensive, insulting and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Commission's advisory dated March 1, 2024. The Commission has sought his response by 17.00 hrs of March 29, 2024. As per clause (2) of Part I 'General Conduct' of the Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates, criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programmes, past records and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortions shall be avoided. Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh demanded that Dilip Ghosh's candidature for the Lok Sabha elections be cancelled. "We have three demands (before the Election Commission). First, the CO should give a show cause notice to him. Second, his explanation behind saying this should not be considered. The only point to consider is whether he has said it or not. And he said it. Thirdly, we demand that he be suspended within seven days and his candidature (for the Lok Sabha elections) be cancelled. This is because he is spreading pollution and instigating others," Kunal Ghosh said speaking to ANI on Wednesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Dilip Ghosh from Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency in this election. (ANI) Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in Beijing. Noting the Netherlands has become a veritable "gateway" for China-EU cooperation, Xi said China is ready to maintain exchanges at various levels with the Netherlands, adhere to communications and dialogue, and pursue mutual benefits and win-win results. China is willing to expand imports of high-quality goods from the Netherlands and welcomes Dutch enterprises to invest in China, said Xi, adding it is hoped that the Dutch side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises. Xi urged the two sides to promote traditional cooperation in such fields as agriculture, water conservancy and energy, and tap the potential of cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transformation and silver economy, among others. He also expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and encourage educational, cultural and sub-national exchanges. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Netherlands in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to jointly address global challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, said the Chinese president. Xi stressed that economic globalization may encounter headwinds, but the historical trend will not change. There is no way out for "decoupling and breaking the chain," and opening-up and cooperation are the only choice. He said China always believes that the mindset of zero-sum game characterized by binary opposition has long been a thing of the past, and a genuinely secure world should be one featuring deep integration and interdependence. Creating scientific and technological barriers and severing industrial and supply chains will only lead to division and confrontation. The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress, said Xi, adding China will continue to pursue a win-win approach, open wider to the outside world at a high level, and share development dividends with all parties. Xi said China maintains a continuous and stable policy towards Europe and regards Europe as an important pole and cooperative partner in a multipolar world. It is hoped that the Netherlands will continue to play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and the development of constructive relations between China and Europe, he added. Noting that bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and China shows huge potential and prospect, Rutte said that "decoupling and breaking the chain" is not a policy choice of the Dutch government, since any act undermining China's development interests will only boomerang. He said the Netherlands values friendly ties with China, adding that the country is willing to deepen its partnership with China, facilitate personnel exchanges, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and carbon emission reduction, and enhance coordination at the G20 and other multilateral occasions, as well as on international and regional hotspot issues. As Assam BJP leader Kamakhya Prasad Tasa filed nominations for Lok Sabha polls, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the party will win with a margin of 3 lakh votes. Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is contesting from the Kaziranga constituency. Roselina Tirkey, the Congress candidate for Kaziranga parliamentary constituency, filed her nomination papers in Golaghat on Tuesday. "Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is filing nominations for Lok Sabha polls today. A large number of people have come here to bless him. We will win with a margin of 3 lakh votes," Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Jorhat Parliamentary constituency (Assam) and sitting MP Topon Kumar Gogoi, accompanied by numerous supporters, filed his nomination papers at the Jorhat district commissioner office on Wednesday for the first phase of the parliamentary elections. The Congress party has fielded its party MP, Gaurav Gogoi, from the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. Before filing his nomination, the MP, along with thousands of supporters from the constituency, took out a huge rally from the Jorhat Court Field through Jorhat city.Addressing his supporters, he said, "Last time, the BJP won from this constituency. This time, the party has given me the ticket from the Jorhat Parliamentary Constituency. I will win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by two lakh votes." The MP was accompanied by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma, Cabinet Minister Jugan Mohan, Ajanta Neog, Keshab Mahanta and several other top-level BJP leaders during the filing of nomination papers. The Jorhat Parliamentary Constituency (Assam) also consists of ten assembly segments. The constituencies are Jorhat, Titabar, Mariani, Majuli, Teok, Sivasagar, Nazira, Demow, Sonari and Mahmara. Ranjit Dutta, the BJP candidate for the Sonitpur parliamentary constituency, filed his nomination papers on Wednesday with the returning officer at Tezpur in Assam's Sonitpur district. There are a total of 14 parliamentary constituencies in Assam. Elections for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will take place in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7. Meanwhile, the election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 7 of the 14 seats in Assam. Both the Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) claimed three seats each. During the 2019 elections, the BJP increased its seat count to 9, while the Congress maintained its three seats, and the AIUDF won a single seat. (ANI) "For the last five years, I was working on the ideas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, my ideology was no different. My husband MLA Ravi Rana also supported the BJP government in Maharashtra. PM Modi supports those working at the ground level, he gave me the ticket. BJP has honoured my hard work, and we will fulfil our resolve of crossing 400 by winning the election...I will work as a dedicated worker of the BJP," said Navneet Rana. Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, "...She has supported every work done by PM Modi and accepted every bill that was presented in the parliament...Her joining the BJP will strengthen the party..." Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Navneet Rana from Amravati in Maharashtra and Govind Karjol from Chitradurga in Karnataka. Both seats are reserved for candidates from the Scheduled Caste community. Rana was elected from Amravati in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. After marrying BJP politician Ravi Rana, Navneet Rana began her career in politics. In 2014, she ran in her first election from Amravati on the NCP platform, however, she was unsuccessful. Later, running as an independent candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rana was chosen to represent Amravati. The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 303 seats, while Congress won 52 seats. (ANI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that she would not contest the Lok Sabha election, adding that Bharatiya Janata Party asked her to contest the polls from Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh. "Party did ask me, after thinking over a week or days, I just went back to say ...may be not. Because my party president asked me, would you want to contest somewhere in the south-option is somewhere in South, Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh", said Nirmala Sitharaman while speaking at the Times Now summit. "But I don't have that kind of money to contest, I also have a problem because whether it is Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, there is also going to be a question of various winability criteria that they use, are you from this community or from that religion. I said no I dont think I am going to be able to do it. The party was graceful enough and I am very grateful to accept my argument, and I am not contesting", the Union Finance Minister said. When asked why she does not have enough funds to contest elections, Sitharaman said, "My salary, my earnings, and my savings are mine and not the Consolidated Fund of India." Nirmala Sitharaman has served as the Union Defence Minister. In 2014, she was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. She has also served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs and later the Minister for Commerce and Industry with Independent Charge. As the Defence Minister, Sitharaman is credited with expediting the decision-making process relating to procurement in defence sector. She constituted a Defence Planning Committee to formulate an "action plan" to effectively overcome with various security challenges facing the nation. Sitharaman joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2008 and has served as a national spokesperson for the party since 2010. Sitharaman was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on August 18, 1959. She completed her graduation from Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College, Tiruchirappalli and obtained her M.A. (Economics) from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. On March 2, Bharatiya Janata Party released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi again.Of 195 candidates, 34 are Ministers from Centre and States, while two are former Chief Ministers who are on the list. Home Minister Amit Shah will contest from Gandhinagar, while Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will contest from Porbandar. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar will contest from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from Dibrugarh, Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh. Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's daughter Bansuri Swaraj has been fielded from New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow, Smriti Irani will again contest from Amethi. Ajay Mishra Teni,MOS Home will again contest from Khiri. BJP leader Alok Sharma to contest from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh while former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to contest from Vidisha. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined BJP from Congress in 2020, to contest from Guna in Madhya Pradesh. (ANI) Ahead of Lok Sabha election, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that State Congress is ready for the Lok Sabha elections, adding Congress will win all six Assembly seats in by-elections. "We are ready for the Lok Sabha elections. Congress will win all six Assembly seats (where by-elections are being held)...", said Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. The by-election will be held in Himachal Pradesh as six Congress MLAs resigned from the party and joined the BJP. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhu on Monday said that the fact that the BJP announced all six Congress rebels as candidates for by-elections has proved that they were involved in horsetrading in Rajya Sabha elections. Speaking on the occasion of his birthday at his official residence in Shimla, Sukhu expressed hope that the Congress party will win in Parliamentary polls and Assembly by-elections in the state. "This has proven that they have done horse trading in Himachal Pradesh, they tried to destabilize the government here with money power but they could not do it with the grace of God. The people of the state will teach them a lesson as they have played with the sentiments of the people of the state. They were elected on the Congress symbol and voted in favour of the BJP candidate. On June 1, the people of the state will teach them a lesson that this kind of politics is not liked by the people. In Dev Bhumi, people have faith in God. Now this is a battle of justice and injustice. We shall win the elections," said CM Sukhu. Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh said that the decision on distributing tickets will be made after talking to the high command and holding a meeting in the national capital on April 5 and 6. Pratibha Singh said, "Today, we had a meeting of the Coordination Committee. Senior leaders attended the meeting, and everyone's opinion was heard. We will take it to the high command so that, they too make a decision on tickets soon, so that we can launch our candidates on the field and win. She further said that in the meeting held today, discussions were held on the new candidates who would be given the ticket. "Discussions were held on the new candidates who would be given the ticket. A meeting has been called once again on April 5 and April 6 in Delhi. We will take our opinions to the high command. Their decisions would be followed," she further added. She further said that in the meeting held today, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri and senior members of the party were present.The ruling Congress is yet to announce its Lok Sabha candidates from the state. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and bypolls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs and their eventual switch to the BJP will be held on June 1. (ANI) After receiving information regarding a medical emergency on tug 'ABS Anokhi' on Tuesday, ICG interceptor craft IC-121 immediately rushed from ICG Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre at Veraval in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, it said in a statement. 47-year-old crew member K Ponnusamy was evacuated from the tug located around 10 kilometres from Veraval, the Indian Coast Guard said. "India Coast Guard MRCC Mumbai received a distress call from Tug ABS Anokhi for 47 yr old critically sick crew member. Swift action by ICGS IC-121 from Veraval ensured prompt evacuation and medical aid. The patient was safely transferred to Government Hospital," the ICG said. Earlier on February 20, the ICG safely evacuated a Mexican national who suffered a heart attack onboard a passenger vessel off the Goa coast. A medical evacuation at sea was successfully executed by the ICG Ship C-158, ensuring the safety and well-being of Mexican national Fernando Cruz Mendez (53). The coast guard received a message from Celebrity Millennium, a passenger vessel, about a medical emergency around 7.25 pm on Monday, around 40 km from the coast, he said. A passenger had suffered a heart attack onboard the vessel, which was proceeding towards Mumbai. The Coast Guard Headquarters in Goa immediately diverted ICGS C-158, which was on area patrol. (ANI) Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Marandi said, "First of all, I would like to thank Naveen Patnaik for placing his trust in me and fielding me from Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat. I thank him and my party. I joined the party in 2014 and since then till date I have received good responsibility. This time too, I have received one," he said. He emphasized his commitment to work for the welfare of the tribal communities in the region. "I want to work especially for the tribals. The area from where I belong is dominated by a huge tribal population. I am happy to have received this opportunity to serve them," Marandi said. During the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Marandi is pitted against BJP leader Naba Charan Majhi for the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat. BJP candidate Bishweswar Tudu had won the seat in 2019 General Election by securing 483,812 votes. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday announced the first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. Naveen Patnaik will re-contest from the Hinjili Assembly constituency for a sixth term. BJD General Secretary Pranab Prakash Das has been pitted against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the BJP in Sambalpur. Hours after joining BJD, the Biju Janata Dal announced Manmath Routray, son of Congress veteran leader Suresh Routraya, as the Lok Sabha candidate from Bhubaneswar. Former Odisha Congress MLA Anshuman Mohanty, who joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on February 16, will contest the election from the Kendrapara Lok Saha seat. Pradeep Kumar Majhi, who left Congress on October 22, 2021 and joined BJD later on, is a nominee from Nabarangpur. The Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, which comprise 21 constituencies, are set to take place in four phases. The voting dates have been scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of Erode MP and senior Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader A Ganeshamurthi, who died in a Coimbatore hospital early this morning. In his condolence message, the Tamil Nadu CM said that losing Ganeshamurthi was painful for him. "I was shocked and in pain after knowing the news of Ganeshamurthi's demise. He started his political career in the DMK and worked well. Later, he joined Vaiko. Losing Ganeshamurthi is painful and can't be expressed. Condolences to his family, friends and MDMK cadres," Stalin said. Doctors at Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital (KMCH ) declared him dead at 5.05 am on today and the body was sent to the government hospital at Perundurai in Erode for postmortem. Ganeshamurthi allegedly attempted to take his life on March 24 at his residence in Periyar Nagar, Erode. He was rushed to a local private hospital, where he received initial treatment. Later, he was transferred to Coimbatore, where he passed away. Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy, Modakurichi MLA C Saraswathi, former minister KV Ramalingam and MDMK general secretary Vaiko were among those who visited him in the hospital. Ganeshamurthi, a three-time MP from the Erode constituency, was a senior functionary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). He contested from the Erode parliamentary constituency on the DMK's rising sun symbol in the 2019 general elections. For the upcoming general elections, the MDMK and DMK decided to field Durai Vaiko, the son of MDMK general secretary Vaiko, as the party's candidate. MDMK party founder Vaiko, who rushed to Coimbatore, said, "He was happy with the seat (party ticket) issue. He met me twice. We never expected him to make such a decision. He was in a good mood. I cannot believe that he took such a step and passed away. We pay our deep homage." In 1984, he was made the Erode district secretary of the DMK and was elected on DMK ticket from Modakuruchchi Assembly segment in 1989. He joined MDMK led by Vaiko after the parent party split in the early 1990s. Elected to the Lok Sabha twice on MDMK ticket, first from Palani in 1998 and then from Erode Parliamentary constituency in 2009, Ganeshamurthi had participated in various party agitations and had gone to prison. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday dismissed any connections to the seizure of a huge consignment of narcotics at the Visakhapatnam port earlier this month. Stating that the opposition has falsely accused YSRCP, he alleged that the company belongs to the father-in-law of the state BJP President, Purandeshwari's sons. Speaking about the case, the Andhra Chief Minister said, "Recently, the CBI caught a drug container in Visakhapatnam, which arrived from Brazil. All opposition parties are falsely accusing the YSRCP. However, the company belongs to the father-in-law of the state BJP President, Purandeshwari's sons. They were previously associated with the company." "If any crime occurs, they (opposition) falsely accuse the YSRCP. Even NTR was betrayed," said Reddy. The YSRCP chief also said, "Chandrababu and his associates have received direct support from one national party and indirect support from another. They have even managed to gain support from my sister against me. I am alone. All these parties have allied to fight against me. I only have the support of the public and God." The seizure of a huge volume of drugs from a container at Visakhapatnam port sparked controversy in the state ahead of the elections. While opposition parties blamed the YSRCP, the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh charged that the management of the company involved in the import of the suspected contraband had links with the BJP and TDP leaders. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained a shipping container containing 1000 bags of inactive dried yeast of 25 kg each, totalling 25000 kg, at the Visakhapatnam Port earlier this month. According to an eight-page report filed by the CBI, the plastic bags in the container contained pale yellow powder which was subjected to examination under the NCB Narcotic Drugs Detection Kit to identify the presence of any narcotic substance. As per the defined procedure for the identification of the presence of cocaine or methadone by Test E and the presence of opium as per Tests A and B for the presence of "marijuana, hashish, and hashish' oil, the NCB drug detection kit was used. During examination by the drug detection kit, the Test E colour indicative of the positive result of cocaine or methaqualone came positive for all 20 bags taken out randomly from each of the 20 pallets. On being asked, the importer's representative feigned innocence and informed the CBI sleuths that they had imported this item for the first time and were unaware of its composition. "During the process of examination, various officers of the Andhra Pradesh government and port employees gathered at the site, causing a delay in the CBI proceedings," said the CBI's report. (ANI) Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath on Thursday took a potshot at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav saying he should apologise to the people of Chhindwara. The former CM posted on X, "Today, I read in the newspapers that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is saying that everything is wrong in Chhindwara. This is an insult to the people of Chhindwara and foul play with the identity of Chhindwara. Chief Minister, you are calling the tribal community, the youth, the respected women, the labourers and farmers of Chhindwara a mess. You should immediately apologise to the people of Chhindwara for this grave insult to Chhindwara. The people of Chhindwara, however, will never forgive you for this act". CM Yadav visited Chhindwara on Wednesday to participate in the nomination rally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Vivek Bunty Sahu from the Chhindwara Parliamentary seat. The CM also addressed a public gathering on the occasion and launched the attack against Nath. BJP Candidate Sahu is contesting against Kamal Nath's son and the lone Congress MP in the state, Nakul Nath from the seat. The election will be held here in Chhindwara in the first phase on April 19 with five other parliamentary seats which include Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla and Balaghat in the state. The nomination for the first phase was started on March 20 and March 27 was the last date to file papers for these six parliamentary seats. Besides, the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be March 30 for the first phase of polls. The Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled to be held in the first four phases of the total seven phases dated April 19, April 26, May 7, and May 13. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, citing Supreme Court verdicts, has written to the Speaker of the HP Assembly, urging the acceptance of the resignations of three Independent Legislators, Hoshiyar Singh, KL Thakur and Ashish Sharma. Though acknowledging that the Raj Bhawan lacks authority in this matter, Shukla stated that he acted merely as a messenger by forwarding the letters to the Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania. The Governor emphasized that his role was limited and highlighted previous Supreme Court decisions, including those regarding Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, which support the requirement for the Speaker to accept resignations. "I have written a letter to the speaker Quoting the supreme court's order that the speaker has to accept the resignation. The Supreme court has earlier given the same decision on the matter of Karnataka another matter of Shivraj Singh vs Speaker Madhya Pradesh Assembly" said the Governor. "I got to know that the speaker has called all three members for the same. I can't disclose the contents of the communication between Raj Bhawan and Assembly. The order says that if the member resigns in physical presence, then it is clear and defined what will be the act of the Speaker," Shukla added further. "After giving letters to the Secretary, all 3 legislators came to accord me the letter as well, I took their letters and sent them to the Speaker of the Assembly. They wanted me to intervene, but on this matter 'Raj Bhavan' could not intervene at all. The decision will be taken by the Speaker only," he said. On March 22, three independent MLAs, namely Hoshiyar Singh from the Dehra Assembly constituency, KL Thakur from Nalagarh Assembly constituency, and Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur Assembly constituency, tendered their resignations. However, the Speaker has not yet accepted their resignations. (ANI) Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by "independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support," to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. He noted that China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and in exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide due assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka's economic and social development. He said that both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, especially that of the two flagship projects, the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. China and Sri Lanka should also work together to enhance logistics, energy and industrial cooperation, and promote exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture-oriented tourism and marine economy. China will continue to import more high-quality specialty products from Sri Lanka, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and hopes that the business environment in Sri Lanka will be fair and transparent, Xi said. He added that China is willing to advance cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction, to help the country with economic transformation and upgrading, and with sustainable development. The two sides should continue to maintain the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of both sides, uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi stressed. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Noting that Sri Lanka and China enjoy a traditional friendship, Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka adheres unswervingly to the one-China principle, unequivocally follows the policy of friendly cooperation with China, and gives China priority on its diplomatic agenda. He expressed appreciation for China's assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty, saying that projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have boosted Sri Lanka's economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region. Sri Lanka will take part in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, said Gunawardena, adding that the country will work with China to promote bilateral friendship, expand cooperation on trade and economy, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields, and improve international and multilateral communication and coordination. Delhi Police rescued five abducted children aged between 4 and 10 years and arrested the kidnapper within 24 hours, officers said on Thursday. The kidnapper was identified as Setu Verma (22), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, the police informed, adding that the rescued children were reunited with their families. According to the police, sub-inspector Prithi Singh, assistant sub-inspector Udhar Namdev, fellow ASI Jai Singh and home guard Rakesh were at Narela railway station around 6.30 pm on March 18 when they spotted a youth roaming around with five children. Growing suspicious about the youth's intentions, they proceeded to quiz the children. However, seeing the officers approach him, the youth, along with the children, fled the spot. "The children were asked (where they were headed) and it was learned that they were going for their tuition classes. In the mid-way, the kidnapper coaxed them, fed them crunchy chips and kidnapped them. Thereafter, the kidnapper brought the children to Narela Railway Station with (their) school bags, planning to take them to his native place," read an official release by Delhi Police. The police then checked the children's notebooks and found the name of their school. They got in touch with the school's Principal, who informed them that the children were from Shehshah village in the Kundli police station area of Sonepat, Haryana. "Accordingly, their parents were contacted and (it was) found that they were also frantically searching for their children. A case under Section 363 of IPC was registered at the Sabzi Mandi police station and an investigation was taken up," the release added. All five rescued children, along with their parents, were produced in court and their statements were recorded under Section 164 of CrPC. After due process, the children were handed over to their parents, the police said. "Thereafter, a search was launched for the accused. The Technical Team of the Railway Unit, comprising ASI Ajit Singh, head constable Hari Kishan and constable Yogender, was assigned to track the kidnapper. The team, with its technical acumen, arrested him. His identity was later revealed as Setu Verma, a resident of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, and aged 22," Delhi Police added in its release. During interrogation, he revealed that he worked in a candle manufacturing factory in Delhi and wanted to sell the kidnapped children at his native place. "During the course of investigation, the test identification parade of the accused, Setu Verma, was conducted by the learned court, during which the children identified the kidnapper. TIP is sufficient evidence to fix the culpability of the kidnapper," the release added. A further investigation is underway at the abductor's native place to look for associates, if any, the police said, adding that the former has been taken on police remand for further leads. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday expressed confidence in the BJP victory in the state saying, "I am fully confident that the lotus will bloom everywhere in Uttarakhand." "I am fully confident that the lotus will bloom everywhere in Uttarakhand. Modi ji has given the slogan of this time, '400 paar'. This is not just a slogan but his belief. When the results come on June 4, we will achieve this target," CM Dhami said. He made this statement while speaking at a public gathering in Betalghat held in support of BJP candidate Ajay Bhatt for the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Lok Sabha seat. The Congress has fielded Virender Rawat as its candidate from the Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar Constituency. He said, "Our candidate from the Lok Sabha constituency, Ajay Bhatt, has done a lot of work for the state while being a minister at the Center." Emphasising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affection for Uttarakhand CM Dhami stated, "Our Prime Minister has a special attachment to Uttarakhand. The central government has approved schemes worth more than one and a half lakh crores for the state. Our government is also dedicated to the development of the region. Today, development works worth Rs 2000 crore have been approved in Nainital. Rs 28 crores have also been approved for the master plan of Kainchi Dham. A substantial amount has been approved for road development in Kaladungi." "In Dehradun, the Lakhwar dam was not being built for five decades and the Jamrani dam was also not being built, but with the blessings of Modi ji, both of these have been approved," he added. He said that "a satellite center of AIIMS is being built in Udham Singh Nagar and the land of HMT has also been transferred to us. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, we have also resolved to develop Uttarakhand." CM Dhami, while attacking the Congress party in Uttarakhand, said, "The Congresspeople do not know anything. Congress has committed many sins while in power in the state. Their black deeds have tarnished the Devbhoomi." The Chief Minister said, "We have fulfilled the promise of the Uniform Civil Code made during the elections. We have enacted the country's most stringent anti-copying law. In the past two years, we have provided employment equal to the last 22 years. We have freed government lands from encroachment under land jihad. Anarchy was spread in Banbhulpura, but we sent every person who did this to jail. If anyone creates a ruckus or arson in the state now, we will not spare such people." CM Dhami praised the decisions made by PM Modi in the last 10 years, stating, "PM Modi has implemented the CAA law, removed Section 370 from Kashmir, and completed the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Surgical strikes were conducted inside Pakistan after attacks within the country. The Ujjwala Yojana has reduced gas prices by Rs 100 and provided three free cylinders to poor families in the state over the last two years. Many people are receiving housing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana." He said, "Congress ruled the country for over 60 years but did not work, only engaged in corrupt deeds. I urge the people to ensure a big victory for BJP candidate Ajay Bhatt." Lok Sabha elections in the five parliamentary constituencies of Uttarakhand will be held on April 19. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a strong presence in Uttarakhand, the BJP has won all five seats in the hilly state in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The 2024 general elections will be held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI) Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation met the State Election Commission in Lucknow on Thursday. The delegation met under the leadership of the BJP state president of Uttar Pradesh Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary. While speaking to the media after the meeting with the State Election Commission, Chaudhary said, "We gave suggestions to increase the vote count in the upcoming polls. There must be proper arrangements keeping in mind that the elections will be held in summer. Proper water facilities must be there. The people who are 85 years old or above must be dealt with special care." He further emphasised that the BJP delegation has raised the issue that the voter slips get properly delivered to every family in the state. Taking a jibe at the Samajwadi party, he said that SP has made Azam Khan their star campaigner. "It shows the mentality of the Samajwadi party. They can also make Mukhtar Ansari their campaigner. There is a lot of infighting in their party," he added. Lashing out at the Congress party, he said that they had escaped from the state. "People know the reality of their alliance," he added. Notably, Uttar Pradesh, which sends the maximum number of MPs, 80, to Parliament, will vote in all seven phases. Voting for phases one and two will be held on April 19 and April 26. Next, the state will once again poll in phases three and four on May 7 and May 13. The Uttar Pradesh electorate will also vote in phases five, six and seven on May 20, May 23 and June 1 respectively. The votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI) After BJD leaders Bhatruhari Mahtab and Sidhant Mohapatra joined the BJP, Biju Janata Dal leader Muzibulla Khan on Thursday called them a "big zero" and said that the leaving of the two leaders wouldn't impact the BJD in the Lok Sabha elections. "That won't impact the BJD... Post isn't everything. He (Bhatruhari Mahtab) claims to be the founder member of the party, if you are the founder member, do something for the party, and if there is something wrong within the party that you think, you should try to resolve that. But, leaving the party and joining others is wrong," Khan told ANI. "The second MP (Sidhant Mohapatra) wasn't very close to politics, he came as a film star in the BJD and won twice. Now, he left as well but that won't have any impact on the party as he never raised his voice for Odisha in the parliament in 10 years. I think those who left the BJD and joined the BJP are a big zero," he added. Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Sidhant Mohapatra joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the national capital. Six-time Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who recently resigned from the BJD and has been representing the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat since 1998. Meanwhile, Damayanti Beshra joined the BJP at the party's national headquarters here in the presence of party national general secretary Vinod Tawde, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP's Odisha chief Manmohan Samal, and national vice president Baijayant Panda. After joining the BJP, Sidhant Mohapatra said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's double engine government has to be brought in Odisha." Mohapatra said, that the development that Odisha needs has not happened yet and as PM Modi always says that there should be a 'Double-Engine' government, and Odisha must have a double engine government. "After being 25 years in government, we all expected development in Odisha, but the kind of transformation we thought of while joining the BJD, didn't take place in the state. The double-engine govt that PM Modi talks about is now needed in Odisha. Whatever responsibility the central leadership gives to me, will do that (on contesting 2024 elections)," he told ANI. Meanwhile, soon after joining the BJP, Padma awardee Dr Damayanti Beshra and former BJD leader Sidhant Mohapatra met BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi. In the recent past, several BJD leaders have quit the party for the BJP. Among those who resigned were 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. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) emerged as the dominant party, securing 20 out of the 21 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a single seat. 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 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, which comprise 21 constituencies, are set to take place in four phases. The voting dates have been scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. (ANI) Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his criticism of the party over a lawyers' letter to the Chief Justice of India against a "vested interest group," saying the PM's brazenness in orchestrating an assault on the judiciary under the guise of defending it is the "height of hypocrisy." Earlier, PM Modi took a swipe at the Congress and said that "to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture." Contesting PM Modi's comment, the Congress leader said that all the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years is divide, distort, divert, and defame. "The PM's brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy! The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is but one example. The Supreme Court declared them to be unconstitutional - and it is now proved beyond doubt that they were a blatant instrument of fear, blackmail, and intimidation to force companies to donate to the BJP," Ramesh posted on X. "Instead of giving a legal guarantee to MSP, the Prime Minister has given a legal guarantee to corruption. All that the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years is divide, distort, divert, and defame. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon," he added. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also reacted to PM Modi's remarks on Judiciary and said that it is not proper form for the PM to comment on our judiciary. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi you are obviously not aware, but it is not proper form for the PM to comment on our judiciary. However, as you consider India's institutions to be your personal property I have some questions for you," Kharge stated. "Why did 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against "destruction of Democracy" by your regime? Why was one of the judges nominated by your Govt to the Rajya Sabha? Why has your party fielded a former high court judge from West Bengal for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? Why did you bring the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) that was struck down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court?" Kharge asked. "Modi ji, India's institutions are the property of India's people. You are personally responsible for usurping their powers and weakening our country. The Congress party helped build and nurture these institutions. Thousands of our workers and leaders gave their lives for them. We will take these institutions back from you and return them to the people of India," he stated. Meanwhile, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat on Thursday alleged that these senior lawyers put pressure on the Supreme Court on the electoral bond issue. A group of lawyers have written to CJI D Y Chandrachud alleging that efforts were being made 'to belittle and manipulate courts for personal and political reasons' and urged the Supreme Court to act. "I think the Supreme Court knows that from where pressure is being put as a few years back the justices of SC did a press conference and told from where the pressure is coming. These senior lawyers put pressure on the Supreme Court on the electoral bond issue...But today, when SC did not agree with them, then they are trying to do things the reverse," Brinda Karat posted on x. PM Modi took a dig at Congress and said that "to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture." "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary"--they s shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi posted on X. BJP leader and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia said that it is a positive initiative by the legal fraternity. "It is a matter of concern for every citizen because judiciary is a pillar of democracy and there is a certain lobby that has vested interest. They have political interest in weakening the judiciary, They makes objectionable remarks against the judges of the honourable Supreme Court High Court and the lower judiciary and they try to weaken the judiciary and create pressure on the judges so that the judgement that are delivered are delivered in their favour," BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia said. "The judges are doing their job. They are doing their job honestly and in the interest of our democracy. So therefore this letter is welcome for the reason that it shows the legal fraternity does not approve of the conduct of such lawyers who indulge in passing objectionable remark, against sitting judges of the judiciary and this will not be tolerated". Bhatia futher said "Advocates related to opposition parties like Congress, AAP and others, the kind of pressure they put on Judiciary and the objectionable comments they make on Judges without any proof, is worrisome. This letter depicts the public emotions. I have witnessed that if the judgement comes in their favour then they do 'wah wah' of the Judiciary and in against if the verdict is passed then they do 'hai hai' of the Judiciary and the judges become 'dishonest.' A leader like Rahul Gandhi says that the Judiciary is run by one or two people is highly unfortunate, therefore, this letter is a positive initiative." More than 600 lawyers addressed a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud , expressing serious concerns against the actions of a specific interest group aiming to undermine the judiciary's integrity. The letter has been signed by prominent lawyers including senior advocate Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swaroopama Chaturvedi, Bar Council of India's Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, Supreme Court Bar Association President Adish Aggarwala, among others. This group, according to the lawyers, is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. These actions, they argue, pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes. The lawyers highlighted several concerning methods, including the propagation of false narratives about a 'golden era' of the judiciary, aimed at discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts. The accusations include 'bench fixing', disrespectful comparisons of domestic courts to those in lawless regimes, and direct attacks on judges' honor. The letter accused that the tactics employed by the interest group involve selective criticism or praise of court decisions based on their political agenda, described as a "My way or the highway" approach. Concerns have also been raised about political flip-flopping, where politicians alternate between accusing individuals of corruption and defending them in court. The letter further highlighted, the use of underhanded tactics and the dissemination of false information to influence judicial appointments and outcomes. The lawyers note the strategic timing of these tactics around election periods, drawing parallels to similar activities in 2018-2019. Senior members of the bar have requested the Supreme Court to take protective measures against these attacks to maintain the judiciary's integrity. The letter calls for a united stand in support of the judiciary to ensure it remains a strong pillar of democracy, urging decisive leadership in addressing these challenges. (ANI) National President of Lok Janshakti Party Chirag Paswan on Thursday expressed confidence in the NDA's success in Bihar and asserted that there is no doubt about winning all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "We will get 40 out of 40 seats in Bihar. There is no doubt about it. In 2019, when we were 3 parties, we had won 39 seats out of 40. And as of today, we are 5 parties and the enthusiasm among the people shows that we will easily cross the target of 40 seats in Bihar and 400 seats in the country," Chirag told reporters. Earlier today, Chirag Paswan met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, state deputy CM Samrat Choudhary in Patna. Meanwhile, several candidates of National Democratic Alliance are filling their nominations from their respective Lok Sabha constituencies. On March 18, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced seat-sharing in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-(U) 16. Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Aawam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) will contest one seat each. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD (U), and LJP, dominated the 2019 elections by winning 39 out of 40 seats. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD, INC, and RLSP, managed to secure only one seat. The BJP won 17 seats with a vote share of 24.1 per cent, JD(U) won 16 seats with a vote share of 22.3 per cent, and LJP won 6 seats with a vote share of 8 per cent. The INC could only secure one seat with a vote share of 7.9 per cent. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. 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. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack on the TDP-BJP-JSP alliance and said that the three parties have directly formed an alliance to fight against Jagan Mohan Reddy. This remark by Andhra CM was made while he was addressing a public gathering at the Government Degree College grounds, Bommala Satram, Nandyal. "Three parties have allied directly to fight against Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP. Indirectly, the Congress Party is part of this alliance to fight against me. I am alone fighting for the welfare of weaker sections empowerment." CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said. "Are you ready to establish a double-century government? This election is not merely to elect MLAs and MPs, but rather for the empowerment and development of weaker sections," he said. Speaking about the development work of his government, Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "Everybody, discuss with your family members about Jagan governance and decide to cast your vote. This election should be the last one for Chandra Babu Naidu. Everybody knows about Jagan's governance. In 58 months, I have transformed villages and wards and set up secretariats for their welfare. Volunteers are distributing pensions to the beneficiaries at home ahead of sunrise." "Government hospitals have been transformed and are serving the public. Medicines are supplied according to WHO standards. A government college is under construction in Nandhyala district. The Arogya Sri limit has been extended up to 25 lakhs. 1700 ambulances and 104 vehicles were purchased to serve the needy. The concept of family doctors and village clinics has been set up in the span of 58 months. This achievement is only possible with our government," he added. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy held the 21-day 'Memantha Siddham' (We are all ready) campaign in Kadapa district ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the state. Following a heartfelt tribute to his father and former CM YS Rajasekhar at Idupulapaya, CM Jagan commenced his 'Memantha Siddham' yatra through the lively streets of Vempalli in Kadapa district. CM Jagan Reddy, alleged TDP Chief and former CM Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh BJP Chief Purandeshwari were involved in the recent mega drug haul at Vizag port. "Recently, the CBI caught a drug container in Visakhapatnam, that arrived from Brazil. All opposition parties are falsely accusing the YSRCP. However, the company belongs to the father-in-law of the state BJP President, Purandeshwari's sons. They were previously associated with the company. If any crime occurs, they falsely accuse the YSRCP. Even NTR was betrayed," said CM Jagan Mohan Reddy. He alleged that Chandrababu and his associates have received direct support from one national party and indirect support from another. "They have even managed to gain support from my sister. I am alone. All these parties have allied to fight against me. I only have the support of the public and God," he said. He said that the YSRCP government has strived for good governance for the last fifty-eight months. Grama Sachivalayam and Ward Sachivalayam have been established across the state. "On the first of every month, beneficiaries receive pensions, even if it is a holiday. Our volunteers distribute pensions to 66 lakh beneficiaries, which reflects YSRCP's commitment. We provide a pension of three thousand rupees, unmatched by any other state. It costs 24 thousand crores annually on pensions. Without corruption, beneficiaries directly receive pensions through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)," said CM Jagan. 21 districts and 148 assembly constituencies are expected to be traversed by the bus tour. In the Srikakulam district of the north Andhra region, in Icchapuram, it will come to an end. The state of Andhra Pradesh is set to hold elections on May 13 for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats. The vote counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI) Highlighting India's efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has had the opportunity to talk to Moscow "very frankly and bluntly" on the issue. He also said that India has been used by others in 'passing messages' during the conflict. Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Malaysia, was interacting with the Indian community during an event. "I go back to India tomorrow, I have the foreign minister of Ukraine visiting me the day after that. We have also been the country who have the opportunity to talk to the Russians very frankly and bluntly on this issue (Russia-Ukraine conflict). On different aspects, others have used us to pass messages," Jaishankar said. "The same thing applies when it comes to the Gaza-Israel conflict as well. This is not an issue of a moral cop-out. This is an issue today of appreciating that real life actually has a whole lot of complexities and that the considered answers, the sustainable answers, cannot be very angular. They cannot pick some facets to the exclusion of other facets," he added. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has always condemned civilian killings and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In a major statement, PM Modi told President Putin that "this is not the era of war" on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan last year. The statement even made to the G20 communique under the presidency of India. On March 20, PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will be coming for a two-day official visit to India, during which he will discuss bilateral ties as well as cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest. He will arrive in India on Thursday. He is visiting India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Meanwhile, Jaishankar is on a visit to Malaysia, followed by the ones in Singapore and the Philippines. Earlier in the day, the EAM met Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, the President of the Malaysian Indian Congress and appreciated their support for New Delhi-Kuala Lumpur ties. "Met with Tan Sri @TSVigneswaranSA, President of @MIC_Malaysia and its members. Thanked them for their continued support towards nurturing closer India-Malaysia ties," he posted on X. Jaishankar also received Saraswathy Kandasami, the Vice President of the People's Justice Party or the KEADILAN, in Kuala Lumpur. "Received YB Senator@KSaraswathy24, Vice President of@KEADILANand other senior members earlier today in Kuala Lumpur.Appreciated their commitment for deepening cooperation in various domains," he stated. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 28 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. During the meeting, which was held as part of Sheikh Abdullah's working visit to Prague, the two sides discussed ways of boosting bilateral relations and joint cooperation. The two minister reviewed avenues of developing the UAE-Czech cooperation in a number of fields, including economic, investment and development, in a way that serves the mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed that the UAE attaches great importance to strengthening its ties with the Czech Republic across various domains, praising the continuous development in the levels of joint cooperation between the two countries. For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic welcomed the visit of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and his accompanying delegation, expressing his country's aspiration to develop cooperation relations with the UAE at various levels. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Jan Lipavsky touched on recent developments in the Middle East region, especially in the Gaza Strip, and its humanitarian repercussions. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the importance of consolidating all regional and international efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire, which contributes to protecting the security and safety of all civilians and enhances relief efforts made to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. He further highlighted the importance of strengthening international cooperation to end extremism, tension and violence in the region, in addition to the urgent need to protect the lives of all civilians and intensify humanitarian support for the people of Gaza in a way that contributes to alleviating their suffering. The meeting was attended by Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs, and Dr. Ghalia Ali Al Humaidan, Charge d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in the Czech Republic. The meeting was also attended by Jiri Kozak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. (ANI/WAM) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold a meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faiz Isa today, on the matter related to the IHC Judges' letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), as reported by ARY News. According to sources, PM Shehbaz, along with Law Minister Nazir Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan, will meet the top judge today at 2 pm on the premises of the Supreme Court. This comes after the CJP sent a message to PM Shehbaz over the matter of the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court on 'interference in judicial affairs', the sources said. Earlier, the Supreme Court held a full court meeting on Wednesday to deliberate on a letter by the six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges about the alleged interference of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with "judicial functions," ARY News reported. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, among other top court judges, attended the meeting that lasted for over two hours in the federal capital. The development took place after the bar associations and legal experts called for a probe into the letter. On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges urged the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to convene a judicial convention over the alleged interference of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in judicial matters, according to Geo News. All seven judges of the IHC, except Chief Justice Amer Farooq, wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council and all judges of the Supreme Court, highlighting, how senior ISI officials have been influencing judicial proceedings and pressuring judges. "We are writing to seek guidance from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) with regard to the duty of a judge to report and respond to actions on the part of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation, as well as the duty to report any such actions that come to his/her attention in relation to colleagues and/or members of the courts that the High Court supervises," the letter read. This came days after the apex court declared the removal of former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui illegal and directed that he may now be considered a retired judge, as reported by Geo News. "Justice Siddiqui had been removed after he had publicly alleged that operatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence ("ISI"), led by Major General Faiz Hameed (DG-C of ISI), were determining the constitution of benches at IHC and interfering with proceedings of the Accountability Court Islamabad," the letter added. (ANI) Flash Nine people were killed and seven others injured on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes targeting several towns and villages in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Military sources, who spoke anonymously, said that one of the raids targeted a house in Lebanon's southwest village of Tayr Harfa, killing two Hezbollah fighters and three members of the Islamic Health Authority and injuring three civilians. The Islamic Health Authority, an association affiliated with Hezbollah, was established in 1984 during the civil war and the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. Operating as a public utility, it offers first aid and has centers across the country. According to the sources, another raid targeted a house in the town of Naqoura in southwest Lebanon, killing a member of the Amal Movement and three members of the Islamic Al-Risala Scout Association affiliated with the Amal Movement and wounding four civilians. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters attacked the headquarters of Israel's 769th Brigade in the Kiryat Shmona barracks with dozens of rockets, as well as several other Israeli sites, including the Ruwaisat al-Alam, Branit, MisKav Am, and Ramim. The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 388 people on the Lebanese side, including 247 Hezbollah members and 73 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. In his meeting with the Malaysian minister, EAM discussed bilateral cooperation in the digital sector. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Concluded my program in Malaysia by meeting Digital Minister @GobindSinghDeo. Discussed digital cooperation, including exchange of best practices and exploring business opportunities." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1773166259540013505?s=20 Jaishankar was on a two-day official visit to Malaysia from March 27-28, followed by the ones in Singapore and the Philippines. During his official visit to Malaysia, EAM paid a courtesy call on Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim and conveyed greetings on behalf of PM Modi. "EAM paid a courtesy call on H.E. YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and conveyed him greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Modi. He thanked Prime Minister Anwar for his support in deepening bilateral ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement. He also held a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and discussed wide-ranging topics of bilateral cooperation in various sectors. Ministry said, "EAM held bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, H.E. Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan. The two leaders held wide ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture and education. They also exchanged views on issues of regional and global interest. EAM also met H.E. YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital." "During the visit, EAM held a round-table meeting with the CEOs and leaders of industry. He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia and praised their contribution towards India-Malaysia ties," it added. Malaysia is a key partner for India in ASEAN and our Act East Policy. EAM's visit to Malaysia provided an opportunity to reiterate its commitment to further develop the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, MEA said. (ANI) The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) interviewed the ship's captain, his mate, the chief engineer, and one other engineer onboard the merchant vessel MV Dali, which struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a press conference on Wednesday. Providing an update on the callapse of the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, Hornandy said there were 21 crew members and two pilots onboard the Singapore based Dali cargo ship when it crashed into Baltimore's Key Bridge. The nodal investigating federal agency informed that the two pilots on board the Dali at the time of the collision will be interviewed on Thursday and the board will try to determine what occurred onboard the Dali and also look at the structure of the bridge itself. A preliminary timeline of what led up to the Key Bridge collapse was also shared with information from the Voyage Data Reporter (VDR). Marcel Muise, the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, shared the events as they occurred. He informed that the ship departed around 12:39 a.m. (local time) and had entered the channel by 1:07 a.m. At 1:24:59 ET, numerous aural alarms were recorded on the ship's bridge audio. At 1:26:02 ET, steering commands and rudder orders were recorded on the audio and the ship's pilot made a radio call at 1:26:39 ET for tugs in the general vicinity to assist. This was detailed as the first sign of needing help. Around this time, the MDTA duty officer was called regarding the blackout. At 1:27:04 ET, the pilot ordered for the port anchor to be dropped and made additional steering commands. At 1:27:25 ET, the pilot issued a radio call, reporting that the Dali had lost all power and was approaching the bridge. The chief investigator also said that the recording were in a foreign language and are currently being analyzed. According to the NTSB, the investigation will take 12-24 months. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said the investigation would be a "massive undertaking". She added that the NTSB will not hesitate to issue urgent safety recommendations during that time frame, and a preliminary report is expected in only two to four weeks. Asked about the condition of the containter ship, Jennifer Homendy said: "It is pretty devastating certainly, seeing not just what is going on with cargo containers but looking at what were three bridge spans that are pretty much gone. "It is utter devastation, and when I look at something like that, I am thinking not about the container ships or traffic getting backed up and running on the bridge, I am thinking of the families who have lost loved ones and the families waiting to reunite with loved ones and what they must be going through." Hormandy also confirmed that the Dali container ship currently has power. "They (crew) are not sitting in the dark, but it cannot move," the chief concluded. As the investigation proceeds, Deputy Commandant for Operations for the US Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Peter Gautier, highlighted that the crew, predominantly including Indian and Sri Lankan members, is cooperating with what they need. Vice Admiral Peter Gautier further said that these crew members are still there and are engaged in the dialogue and the investigation. "The crew is cooperating with what we need. They remain on board and are predominantly an Indian crew, with one Sri Lankan crew member on board. They're still there and very much engaged in the dialogue and the investigation," he said. The Singapore-flagged vessel collided with one of the pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland, leading to its collapse on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the bodies of two men were pulled from the Patapsco River as officials announced that they would cease recovery operations, citing safety concerns for divers and an inability to reach the additional vehicles that might be trapped within the structure of the bridge. US President Joe Biden has also lauded the prompt action by personnel on board the cargo ship 'Dali', which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to plunge into the river below sending several people and vehicles into the water. Shipping company Synergy Maritime Group, which managed the Singapore-flagged freight ship in a statement on Tuesday that the entire 22-member crew of the vessel are Indians. Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel, prompting the local authorities to close the bridge to traffic before the catastrophic impact, a move which "undoubtedly" saved lives, President Biden on Wednesday said during his comments at the White House regarding the Baltimore bridge collapse. Moreover, among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US, are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. (ANI) Taiwan Defence Ministry detected 20 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels around its nation and entered Taiwan's northern, south-west, and south-east regions between Wednesday (6 am (local time) to Thursday 6 am (local time). According to the Taiwan Ministry of National Defence's statement, Taiwan forces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond. In a post on X, the ministry said, "20 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, SW, and SE ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1773191663684309143?s=20 Earlier, Taiwan Air Force Command announced that it carried out an integrated air defence exercise to enhance the overall effectiveness of defence operations, Taiwan News reported. The Taiwan Air Force Command said it would continue to enhance training intensity considering the frequent intrusions by Chinese military aircraft and vessels into Taiwan's air defence identification zone and nearby water. It further stated that these efforts are made to fulfill regional security and defence operation needs, safeguard airspace and protect the homeland. On Wednesday Taiwan had reported detecting 15 PLA aircraft in various types (including J-16, Y-8, UAVs, etc.). A statement from the Ministry of Defence said that 11 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the north, central and southwest parts of Taiwan's ADIZ in conducting joint combat patrol. Meanwhile, a United States congressional delegation's visit to Taiwan from Wednesday to Friday is part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement Thursday. According to the AIT, the delegation is being led by Republican congressman Jack Bergman and includes Democratic congressmen Donald Norcross and Jimmy Panetta. During their three-day visit, the delegation will meet with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other significant issues of mutual interest, the AIT said. Bergman currently chairs the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, with Panetta serving as a member, while Norcross serves as ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement Wednesday, the delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim. (ANI) Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba who arrived in India on Thursday, said that his two-day official visit will look to boost bilateral ties between the two countries and build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I began my visit to New Delhi upon @DrSJaishankar's invitation. The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties. Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will pay specific attention to the Peace Formula," Kuleba said in a post on X. During Kuleba's visit he will discuss bilateral ties as well as cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Official engagements of the visiting leader include meetings with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri to discuss matters pertaining to the bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Kuleba is also expected to interact with the business community in India. The visit comes days after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 20 in which the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Ukraine partnership in various spheres. While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi reiterated India's people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.Modi highlighted that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between the parties. He added that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. Zelenskyy appreciated India's continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine and expressed gratitude for India's support for Kyiv's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid its war against Russia, adding that India's participation at the peace formula meetings is very important for Ukraine. "It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland," Zelenskyy posted on X after the conversation. Zelenskyy has called for an international peace summit, and Switzerland earlier this year said it would host the meeting. Last year, Zelenskyy presented Ukraine's 10-point peace formula to world leaders at the G20 Summit in Indonesia's Bali. The 10-point peace formula includes a path to nuclear safety and food security, a special tribunal for alleged Russian war crimes and a final peace treaty with Moscow. Meanwhile, Modi in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 20 congratulated him on his re-election. While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi reiterated India's consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. In May 2023, PM Modi held in-person talks with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. (ANI) According to the AIT, the delegation is being led by Republican congressman Jack Bergman and includes Democratic congressmen Donald Norcross and Jimmy Panetta. During their three-day visit, the delegation will meet with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other significant issues of mutual interest, the AIT said. CNA reported that the Bergman currently chairs the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, with Panetta serving as a member, while Norcross serves as ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement Wednesday, the delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, President-elect Lai Ching-te and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim. The visiting delegation is the second bipartisan delegation of the House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations to visit Taiwan, after the one led by then Vice Chairman Stephanie Murphy in 2022, the ministry said. In the statement, the ministry extended its warm welcome to the delegation, adding that the visit shows high support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation. (ANI) Stating that India is proud of its "robust and independent" democratic institutions, the Ministry of External Affairs called the remarks by US State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as "unwarranted", adding that any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable." This comes after US State Department doubled down on its remarks that that they encourage "fair, transparent and timely legal processes" on the issue, a day after a US diplomat was summoned to communicate India's "strong objections" to the earlier remarks. Addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Yesterday, India had lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior official from the US Embassy with regards to the comments made by the US State Department." He further emphasised that mutual respect and understanding is imperative for the foundation of international relations and urged the states to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of other countries. "The recent remarks by the US State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, the legal process are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fair democracies, should have no objection in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its robust and independent democratic institutions," Jaiswal said. "We are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller was asked about his response to India's summoning US diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of Congress party's bank accounts, to which he said that they are following these actions closely. "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections," Miller added. "And we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues," he stressed. Prior to this, India summoned the German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest against their foreign office spokesperson's remarks on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Last Friday, a spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, when questioned on the arrest of Kejriwal, said that he was entitled to a fair trial. Making a strong statement against the German Foreign Office spokesperson's remarks, India said that it sees these remarks as interference in India's 'judicial process' and 'undermining the independence' of the Indian judiciary, the Ministry of External Affairs said last week. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Thursday extended the custodial remand of the Delhi Chief Minister by four more days till April 1. (ANI) Expressing doubts over the future of the Shehbaz Sharif-led ruling coalition in Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the new government will not be able to deliver and collapse if people take to the streets, Geo News reported. Appearing on the Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath' on Wednesday, Fazlur Rehman said, "The parliament will likely be a rubber stamp. The challenges are too many and this government will not be able to meet them. Ultimately, the politicians will take the responsibility for all the failures." The JUI-F chief said it was strange that the "crime is committed by someone else and the politicians take its responsibility", adding that the JUI-F was planning to hold a protest against those institutions that had made the polls a 'game', according to Geo News report. Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced his decision to boycott the by-polls to the National Assembly and provincial assembly seats. He said a movement will be launched from Balochistan after Ramzan on April 25 against the alleged rigging in the general elections. "Our stance is clear-cut that the 2024 general elections are rigged. And our target would be the force that altered the results. This government came into being based on results that we do not accept," he told Geo News. Maulana Rehman said they had objections to concerns flagged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the election results of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. "[Earlier] The issues with the PTI were ideological and not election-related," he said. The JUI-F chief said for the time being, his party had not decided to join hands with the PTI. However, he acknowledged a change in the attitude of the Imran Khan-founded party, terming it a good thing, according to the Geo News report. Rehman emphasised that it was a 'positive attitude' and there was no issue if PTI and JUI-F joined hands. He added that during his meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former PM Nawaz Sharif, he told him that he viewed him as a "new blue-eyed boy". Last week, PTI founder and former PM Imran Khan said the incumbent Shehbaz Sharif government would not last more than four to five months, The News International reported. Speaking to reporters at the Adiala jail at Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's major coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), betrayed a lack of confidence in the ruling coalition by not joining the federal cabinet. "The establishment, caretaker government, and the Election Commission are all one and everything is based on lies," the former PM added. (ANI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to discuss the allegations levelled by Islamabad High Court judges accusing the country's spy agencies of interfering in judicial matters, Geo News reported. PM Sahrif is accompanied by the attorney general and the law minister during his visit to the Supreme Court. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is also present during the meeting. The meeting comes after six judges of the IHC --Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz -- wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to convene a judicial convention over the matter of the alleged interference of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, in judicial affairs, according to Geo News. The letter further underscored that the code of conduct for judges prescribed by Supreme Judicial Council provides no guidance on how they "must react to and or report incidents that are tantamount to intimidation and interfere with judicial independence". Earlier on Wednesday, a full court meeting of the apex court was held in the federal capital to deliberate on the judges' letter that sought guidance from the SJC "with regard to the duty of a judge to report and respond to actions on the part of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with the discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation." The two-hour huddle, convened by Chief Justice Isa, took place after bar associations of Sindh, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as senior lawyers demanded a probe into the letter which arguably might have serious consequences for the country's judiciary, as reported by Geo News. Separately, a plea has also been filed in the apex court seeking an open court investigation of the Islamabad HC judges' letter. The constitutional petition, submitted by Mian Dawood Advocate, calls for the constitution of an empowered commission to investigate the "premediated" letter. Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded an "impartial inquiry" into the allegations raised by Islamabad High Court judges of alleged interference by ISI in judicial matters. The PTI has called the letter a "charge sheet" and has also requested security for the judges who made the allegations. (ANI) Meena currently serves as Director in the Ministry. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. In a press release, MEA stated, "Ministry of External Affairs Shri Sita Ram Meena (YOA: 2008), presently Director in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger." "He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," it added. Notably, bilateral relations between India and Niger are cordial, according to MEA. The bilateral activities between the two nations gained momentum after India's Mission in Niamey was opened in May 2009. Niger opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 2011. (ANI) Hitting back at China over its comments on the investigation into the foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India and the United States are capable of dealing with any issues between the two countries. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, added that there is no role for any "speculative comments and gratuitous advice" by "unrelated third parties." This comes after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a press conference, said that the relevant countries must observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations. "China noted the reports. We hope relevant countries will earnestly observe international law and the basic norms governing international relations," Jian said. Addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday, the MEA spokesperson said, "India and the United States, as two countries adhering to the rule of law, are capable of dealing with any issues that we have between ourselves. There is no role for any speculative comments and gratuitous advice by unrelated third parties." Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. As per the US Justice Department indictment, an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed, had recruited the Indian national to hire a hitman to allegedly carry out the assassination of Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. Last year, India formed a committee to inquire into the allegations of the foiled assassination plot. In December last year, US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer acknowledged India's establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the plot to allegedly kill Pannun in the US. (ANI) You are here: World Flash A delegation from Russia's External Intelligence Bureau, led by its Director Sergey Naryshkin, visited Pyongyang in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from March 25 to 27, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday. During the visit, Ri Chang Dae, the DPRK's minister of state security, held talks with Naryshkin, the report added. Tel Aviv [Israel], March 28 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women released a "Unity" video intended to increase awareness about the barbaric acts of violence committed against women during the October 7th massacre. The video calls on the international community, including women's rights organizations and international human rights organizations, to condemn the events "in a clear voice and act in solidarity for women's rights." Despite the ceaseless activity of government bodies, civil society organizations and private citizens, even five months after the massacre, women's rights and human rights organizations, and other official bodies in the international community, do not "utter a firm voice of condemnation of the crimes and another clear voice of solidarity with Israeli women" said the authority. (ANI/TPS) The French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, held a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday. He stressed that Telangana is already a destination of choice for many firms and expressed willingness to do more together for innovation, student mobility and language teaching. In a post shared on X, Thierry Mathou stated, "Excellent first meeting with Hon'ble CM @revanth_anumula, on the day we inaugurate the Bureau de France in #Hyderabad! #Telangana is already a destination of choice for many companies. We are keen to do more together, for innovation, student mobility & language teaching." https://twitter.com/thierry_mathou/status/1773374581379572158 Earlier in the day, Thierry Mathou inaugurated the Bureau de France in Hyderabad. He emphasised that this expansion of the network was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron with the goal of scaling up cooperation with Telangana across all sectors. Located in Hyderabad, the Bureau de France will facilitate exchanges between entrepreneurs and startups. In a post on X, Mathou stated, "Very proud to inaugurate today the Bureau de France in #Hyderabad! This expansion of the network in India was announced by President Macron with the goal of scaling up cooperation with #Telangana across all areas and particularly key sectors such as tech and space." "With our shared focus on innovation, it's only natural that the Bureau is located in @THubHyd, where it will facilitate exchanges between our entrepreneurs and start-ups, besides providing consular services to French citizens in Telangana," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Thierry Mathou, said that he felt proud to inaugurate the Bureau de France in Hyderabad and shared that France is the first country to have an office in T-Hub. "I am very proud to inaugurate today the Bureau de France in Hyderabad. The fact that France has decided to expand its network in India is a reflection of our confidence and ambition for the future of Indo-French ties. I want to thank all the Indian partners who have made this possible, particularly T-Hub and the Government of Telangana," he said. According to the release, the decision to establish a Bureau de France in Hyderabad, and a Consulate General of India in Marseille, was announced by French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, in Paris on 14th July 2023, and reiterated on January 26, 2024, during Macron's State visit to India on the occasion of India's Republic Day. The Bureau de France in Hyderabad is a branch office of the Consulate General of France in Bangalore, whose jurisdiction covers Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.It is located in Hyderabad's T-Hub, the largest innovation campus in the world. T-Hub's proven framework has nurtured over 2,000 startups and spearheaded 100+ innovation programs, underscoring its commitment to entrepreneurial success and collaboration. With the opening of this Bureau, France seeks to create more connections with Telangana's thriving innovation ecosystem, promote business ties in sectors such as space, tech and industry, and facilitate scientific and research exchanges. During his visit to Hyderabad, he also visited space startup company Skyroot Aerospace. Taking to X, Thierry Mathou stated, "France is natural partner of India's booming private sector boom. Very impressed by my visit of space start-up @SkyrootA and its promising collaborations with French companies on satellite launches & space connectivity for developing countries." He also visited French company Groupe SNCF's subsidiary in Hyderabad. In a post on X, he stated, "Thank you for the warm welcome @groupekeolis! A subsidiary of France's @GroupeSNCF, the firm is the Operations & Maintenance contractor for Hyderabad Metro. Glad to see the concrete results of our cooperation for faster, cleaner & greener urban transport." (ANI) SOUTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) $1.8 billion is a lot of money. South Carolina state officials found it in a mystery account this week. The discovery has leaders scratching their heads about not only its source but where its supposed to go. It does raise several questions about what is actually going on and who is ultimately responsible, says Kirk Randazzo, the Political Science and Department Chair at the University of South Carolina. The issue is between two different state officials State Treasurer Curtis Loftis and Comptroller General Brian Gaines. Their offices are supposed to hold each other accountable and ensure the accuracy of state finances. Loftis says he invested the money in the mystery account, making nearly $200 million in interest for the state. That led to questions about why he didnt inform lawmakers about the money. Athletics and Ethics: NC sports betting calls attention to fan and player behavior But Loftis says its not his job to report that information. Communication broke down between the treasurer and the comptroller general and it was the comptroller general who found the $1.8 Billion, Professor Randazzo said. This is an individual who has been appointed to that position just within the last year. So as part of his hand of getting up to speed, hes been going through the books and making sure that all the money is accounted for. And hes the one that found this additional revenue. Gaines reported the issue to state lawmakers. Both leaders must testify before the state senate finance committee about what happened. Gaines told Queen City News in a statement: The existence of the fund is not the issue. The fund is designated as a non-reportable pass-through fund that should always maintain a $0 balance. The $1.8 Billion was never removed by the Treasurers Office (which controls the fund) from the fund and assigned to the appropriate fund. The issue is what was the source of the $1.8 Billion and in what fund does it appropriately belong. The Comptroller General is committed to working with any stakeholders to resolve this matter on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina. CG Gaines is focused on measures to mitigate potential accounting errors in the future, and staff are working to implement recommendations provided in the Mauldin and Jenkins report. That absolutely could affect the budget, because it means that theres a $1.8 Billion basically debit coming to the state at some point in time, Randazzo said. Governor Henry McMaster says the news doesnt inspire confidence but hes glad no money was lost. Thats a lot of money. And theres no need to hurry up and try to spend money. We dont know where it was supposed to go or what the purposes were supposed to be. Anything else. At this point, I think we need to find that out. But we are its its a blow to confidence, but oh, we get better after things like this, the Governor said. Queen City News reached out to the Loftis office but did not receive a response back in time for this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Colorado developer is looking to build a massive data center on nearly 1,000 acres in the West Valley, adding to the region's accelerating prominence in high-tech. But not everyone is on board. Denver-based Tract is asking Maricopa County to rezone 529 acres near Buckeye from rural and residential to industrial to allow for the construction of a Northwest Campus data center. Maricopa County documents originally showed the campus would cost about $12.8 billion to build, but a company representative said the development cost is expected to be closer to $14 billion. For its South Campus, Tract is also looking to rezone 435 acres from residential to industrial. The South campus will sit adjacent to the Northwest Campus. The property is located just south of Roosevelt Canal. To the east is Tuthill Road, and to the west is Perryville Road. It crosses over both Yuma Road and Jackrabbit Trail. The site lies in unincorporated Maricopa County, although it is surrounded by Goodyear to the east and Buckeye to the north and west. According to the company's website, Tract is a data center land acquisition and development company. The data center would focus on managing massive physical infrastructure projects and the associated growth of cloud infrastructure. According to documents submitted to the county, the data center will significantly contribute to the economic growth and vitality of the county. It will provide 280 to 300 full-time employment positions, which will be skilled trade or engineering roles. The company cites the median wage of around $97,000 for IT positions in the United States in 2021. The massive data center would generate for Maricopa County about $81 million per year in real and personal property taxes and over $1.6 billion over a 20-year period for both the proposed Northwest and South campuses, the company said in its application documents. And there wont be much of an issue with traffic. Data centers have less of an impact on traffic than residential or commercial uses, the application noted. Because the land is currently zoned for residential use, there would be more traffic under the current zoning. Data hubs don't create a large number of jobs, so not a large number of commuters. Shot of Data Center. Tract and its future clients will also be responsible for any road improvements needed. If it gets that far. Neighboring cities are pushing back on the proposed data center. Both the cities of Goodyear and Buckeye wrote letters of opposition to the county, citing concerns about traffic and building heights. In an email to the county in November, Buckeye Principal Planner Ken Galica said the data center will not be compatible with the land use designation in nearby Buckeye, which is residential. Galica cited the citys clustering of light industrial land uses, which includes data centers, in certain areas as opposed to placing them in the center of residential areas. Approval of this project would not only result in a visual/aesthetic discontinuity between the project and surrounding neighborhoods (planned and existing) but would also serve to physically disconnect those more similar uses, negatively impacting trail networks, safe routes to school, etc., Galica wrote in the email. A Buckeye spokesperson said the city doesnt have further comment. In December, Goodyear Contract Senior Planner David Williams wrote a letter of opposition to the county. In Goodyear, the city has architectural design requirements, with buildings also being subjected to a 50-foot height limitation, Williams wrote. The site would be bordered by Goodyear just to the east. And that section is currently designated for a neighborhood in the citys General Plan. Because the section of Buckeye to the north is also designated for residential, the data center would be practically surrounded by residential land. Williams also expressed concern over potential noise so close to residential areas, as well as the project needing to contract with Rural Metro for fire service needs, as it doesnt fall in the service area of either Buckeye or Goodyear. In a response filed in city documents, Tract said the concern is regarding the location of the project rather than the project itself. The response reiterated that the data center will generate less traffic than residential areas and will not require use of municipal water or sewer supply and is the best use of the land. Technical Engineer and Project Administrator Using Computer in Modern Data Center Server Room Facility. Due to concerns about the building's height, Tract reduced the maximum height from 110 feet to 60 feet. According to city documents, the South and Northwest campuses will have groundwater rights to about 4,000 acre-feet, which will be accessible from wells. An acre-foot of water is about 326,000 gallons, generally enough to support a few households for a year. The proposed development on the Northwest campus will require about 1,300 acre-feet of water. The property has grandfathered groundwater rights, which enables the developer to consider the site. To qualify, the plot of land had to have been irrigated with groundwater between 1975 and 1980. The rights have to be purchased along with the land. The proposed Tract data center would be part of the region's rapid growth in that industry. Phoenix is the second-largest data center market in the nation in terms of new capacity leased by users, according to a report released by real estate firm JLL. The Phoenix metro has 2.8 million square feet of data center space under construction, and during the second half of 2023, there were leases completed on 748 megawatts of data center capacity, according to JLL. Its very active on the development side here, Carl Beardsley, JLL managing director who specializes in data centers said. As soon as a site has confirmation of power, its sellable. But, the power demands of a data center could be the constraining factor for data center development, he said. In order for a site to be viable for a data center, it has to have reliable access to large supplies of power, which have become more difficult to come by, and the process now takes much longer, he said. Growth in artificial intelligence and reliance on mobile technology will continue to fuel the need for data centers around the country, he said, making it difficult to forecast what demand and construction needs will be in the next few years. We need data centers to live the lives that we now live, he said of peoples reliance on smartphones and other technology used in daily life. Much of the space that is under construction now has already been leased, so net new data center space likely wont come online until 2025, Beardsley said. Some major technology companies, like Google, Meta and Microsoft, have built their own data center facilities in the Phoenix metro, but Beardsley said that is unlikely to be a trend going forward. The development cycle is far too long for the tech companies, he said, meaning they might opt for space developed by companies that specialize in those projects. The Phoenix metro has about 6.9 million square feet of existing data centers, according to JLL. More than 2.8 million square feet is under construction and another 2.7 million square feet is planned. Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: $14B data hub proposed near Buckeye, locals not on board LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is working to confirm the presence of wolves near the northern edge of the state after a sighting on March 17. A helicopter crew working on a moose collaring project spotted what were believed to be three wolves near Merritt Mountain, about two hours north of Elko. The mountain is near the Idaho border, nearly nine hours north of Las Vegas. This embedded content is not available in your region. A search last week identified tracks in the area, and the freshest tracks led in the direction of the Idaho border. NDOW biologists continued ground surveys, and measured track dimensions consistent with a wolf. The biologists then installed trail cameras, collected scat, and explored locations for opportunities to collect hair samples. The collected samples were sent off for DNA testing and the test results are expected within the next several days, according to a news release. We are doing all we can to gather information regarding this sighting and will keep the public updated as we learn more information, NDOW Director Alan Jenne said. Nevada is not a historic habitat for wolves, and weve had very few confirmed sightings in the state. Wolves are not known to reside in the state of Nevada, but we know that they may occasionally cross state lines for brief periods. Wolves used to range across parts of Nevada but were wiped out decades ago, according to Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. He called the possible return a major homecoming for one of Nevadas most iconic native carnivores. Im thrilled to welcome wolves back to the Silver State and I hope wildlife officials make sure theyre given the room they need to roam, Weiss said. Wolves are a symbol of the wildness of the West, and Nevada is as wild as it gets. Their return shows why its so important to let wolves continue to recover under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. According to NDOWs news release, the agency is committed to working with all applicable state and federal agencies to ensure public safety amidst this incident, and the department will continue to ensure that Nevada ecosystems and natural resource industries are not negatively impacted by the presence of wolves in the state. Nevada is preparing for its first-ever moose hunt this fall, but additional details about what the helicopter crew was doing were not available. A report by The Associated Press indicates officials have estimated the moose population in the state at around 100. No more than three hunting tags are expected to be issued, officials said. But thats three more than some Nevadans would like to see. Why a moose hunt at all? Stephanie Myers of Las Vegas asked at a recent wildlife commission meeting. We want to see moose, view moose. Not kill moose. Aerial surveys are now backed by radio-tracking collars biologists have fitted on four bull moose and nine cows since 2020. In some spots, males significantly outnumber females. Removing a bull or two might improve herd dynamics, according to Cody McKee, an NDOW specialist. The exact number of permits will be determined in the coming weeks, but McKee anticipates no more than three. Only Nevadans can apply for the inaugural hunt, which will help guide decisions about future endeavors. Government biologists admit they dont fully understand why the moose have moved so far south, where seasonal conditions are warmer and drier than they traditionally prefer. It seems to be opposite of where we would expect to see moose expansion given their ecology, said Marcus Blum, a Texas A&M University researcher hired to help assess future movement. He analyzed aerial surveys, individual sightings and habitat to project growth trends. Six feet tall at the shoulder and up to 1,000 pounds, moose live in riparian areas where they munch on berry bushes and aspen leaves along the edges of mountain forests native to the northern half of Nevada. They usually avoid places where temperatures regularly exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The Nevada study documented moose spending nearly half their time in areas where that thermal threshold was exceeded about 150 days a year, while climate change models suggest the threshold will be surpassed by another 14 days annually by 2050, Blum said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Soho-5000 comet identified Monday appears in the smaller white box in the upper left hand corner of the NASA image captured by the SOHO spacecraft. Photo courtesy of ESA/NASA/LASCO G2/UPI March 27 (UPI) -- A citizen scientist in the Czech Republic on Monday identified a new comet while examining an image captured by the exploratory SOHO spacecraft, which raises to 5,000 the number of comets it has helped discover, NASA reported. The unnamed comet is part of the Marsden group of comets that obit the sun about every 5.3 years, according to NASA. The comet group is named after Brian Marsden, who was the first scientist to discover the comet group using the European Space Agency's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, commonly referred to as SOHO. NASA said the Marsden group of comets likely is a subset of the larger 96P/Macholz comet. SOHO is an international exploratory spacecraft tasked with examining the sun. It also has identified 5,000 comets over the past 28 years, which NASA says makes it the world's most prolific comet hunter. The European Space Agency and NASA jointly launched SOHO in December 1995 on its mission to study the sun and its outer corona. SOHO uses a scientific tool that blocks the Sun's immense light to enable scientists to study the sun's corona and its environment. The spacecraft's special instruments enable SOHO to fly relatively close to the Sun, which makes it one of the few spacecraft capable of viewing comets that also fly very close to the sun. Without the special viewing instrument, the sun's bright glare would hide them from view. Several comets only are visible when the sunlight makes them bright enough to see when using the types of instruments included on the SOHO spacecraft, according to NASA. The comet identified Monday is the 75th belonging to the Marsden group that the SOHO spacecraft has identified. The 5,000 comets identified using the SOHO spacecraft represents more than half of all known comets. When the SOHO mission first launched 28 years ago, it began identifying comets at a rapid pace, which caused NASA to fund its Sungrazer Project, which enables anyone to identify and report comets revealed by SOHO images. NASA refers to comets that fly very close to the sun as "sungrazers." Hanjie Tan is the citizen scientist who identified the 5,000th comet and participates in the Sungrazer Project, NASA said. Tan is from Guangzhou, China, but is working on a doctoral in astronomy in Prague. Tan has participated in the Sungrazer Project since he was 13 and is the project's youngest person to discover a comet. Since joining the project in 2009, Tan has identified more than 200 comets. "I love looking for comets," Tan told NASA, "It's really exciting to be the first to see comets get bright near the Sun after they've been traveling through space for thousands of years." Before the Sungrazer Project got underway, NASA says only a couple dozen comets were known to fly near the sun. The project identified its 2,000th comet in 2010, which then was the record for most comets identified by a single instrument. Five people from the Delaware, Ohio area, including a 7-month-old, died Tuesday in a crash in Pennsylvania, according to the Fayette County, Pennsylvania coroner. Five people from the Delaware area, including a 7-month-old, died Tuesday in a crash in Pennsylvania, according to the Fayette County, Pennsylvania, coroner. Harold Nibert, 55, Bradley Thivener, 47, Krystal May, 36, Amanda Dawson, 33, and 7-month-old Kullen Dawson died in the crash, Coroner Bob Baker posted on his Facebook page. Related article: Columbus man dies after being struck by a hit-and-run SUV in Forest Park East Authorities received a call about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday about a crash in Wharton Township, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, near the West Virginia border. The five victims of the crash were all in the same car, according to the coroner. Nibert was eastbound in a black Honda Accord when his car crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a semi head-on. All of the occupants died at the scene. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 Delaware, Ohio residents, including infant, killed in Pennsylvania crash Five Republicans are running for the nomination for the 92nd state Legislative District as the seat is being vacated by incumbent Dawn Keefer. The five candidates are: Marc Anderson, Matthew Davis, Holly Kelley, Zachary Kile and Chris Wyatt. Whoever wins the nomination in the April 23 primary will face Democratic candidate Dan Almoney in the general election. Keefer, a Republican, is running for senator in the 31st District. The seat is currently held by Republican Mike Regan, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election. The 92nd District covers the boroughs of Dillsburg, Goldsboro, Lewisberry and York Haven and the townships of Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Newberry, Warrington and Washington. The York Daily Record asked the five candidates a series of questions on a variety of topics, including the state budget, school funding and legalizing recreational marijuana. Each question had a 300-word limit, and the responses were not edited. Here's what they had to say: Marc Anderson Marc Anderson is running for the Republican nomination for the 92nd state House seat. Age: 53 Campaign website: Andersonforpahouse.com X (formerly Twitter) account: N/A Campaign Facebook page: facebook.com/andersonforpahouse Instagram: instagram.com/andersonforpahouse/ Occupation: Teacher Primary residence/municipality: Carroll Township What are the issues that motivated you to run for the 92nd District seat? It wasnt an issue which first motivated me to run; it was people. I was motivated by students, friends, and community members who have faith in me to serve the 92nd District our state with honor. Ronald Reagan indicated that a candidate should have to be talked into running for office which was the case for me. I simply responded to the call of the people to serve. All of the issues I am most passionate about fall under the umbrella of limited government and the protection of individual liberty. Our Founding Fathers intentionally created a system of government with clearly defined limitations, in order to protect the individual liberty of the governed. The power and influence of government should be restrained and our Commonwealth's enormous bureaucracy must be reduced. The U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions should be interpreted through an originalist lens. Describing the constitutions as "living, breathing" documents does not mean the documents should be adapted to conform to the continuous fluctuation of cultural "norms." Living and breathing refers to the documents' foundational principles, which are applicable to all times. The foundational protections as outlined in the constitutions ARE NOT negotiable. Currently the number one threat to our republics foundation is the security and integrity of elections. Federal law and Article VII of the Pennsylvania Constitution call for an election day, not an election season. To protect against fraud early voting should be limited to absentee ballots, which should be issued to those who cannot physically make it to the polls. A picture ID should be required to vote at the polling place. Non-secure elections undermine the most basic and foundational element of our republic. Our election process MUST be trustworthy and accurately record the will of the electorate. Do you support legalizing recreational marijuana in Pa.? If so, how would you use the tax proceeds of such sales? No, I do not. As a teacher I continually see students who are not meeting their potential due to a dependance on drugs. Making marijuana legal will not make it safer nor will it lessen the influence of the criminal element behind the production and distribution of the drug. Every person impacted negatively by harder drugs, to include thousands of unnecessary deaths, started by smoking a joint or bowl. But, even if an individuals drug use does not progress beyond marijuana, he or she, specifically young people become addicted to the high which eventually controls them. Funding good things by encouraging destructive behaviors sets a dangerous precedent, and I do not believe it is responsible governance to do so. In addition, the those who promote the good use of taxes from these behaviors rarely come to fruition. If you were a member during this legislative session, would you support Gov. Josh Shapiros budget proposals? Where would you differ with his plan? Absolutely not. The governors budget is a non-starter. Dawn Keefer, who has been courageously opposing irresponsible government spending throughout her career in the house indicated that in her first year the PA budget was 32 billion and has increased significantly since. No reasonable person can deny that going from 32 to 48 billion in seven years is bad policy and fiscally irresponsible. These increases and the deficits which will follow are absolutely unsustainable. This is not a complicated issue. Just like any household or business, the government cannot spend more than it takes in. Deficit spending is a tremendous threat to the financial security and quality of life for all Americans, present and future. The governors online budget is nearly 900 pages of spending proposals, but I have yet to hear Governor Shapiro promote even a handful of proposed spending reductions. In order to avoid deficits, we must be bold. We should eliminate all non-essential regulatory boards and commissions used by government officials and bureaucrats to benefit their own, personal economic growth. Our commonwealth has hundreds of agencies and departments which can be consolidated for greater efficiency and many can and should be eliminated entirely. Its not difficult for the average citizen to see how our state government wastes money. When leaving PA, the gas gets cheaper and the roads get smoother. Our bureaucracy is too big and too wasteful, and Governor Shapiros budget is evidence that he is perfectly satisfied with the unsustainable status quo. Do you support efforts to reform the funding formula for charter schools in Pa.? No child should be robbed of opportunity simply due to his or her address. Public schools throughout the Commonwealth have a wide range of success and failure, therefore, we must give students trapped in failing schools additional options. We should not require kids to attend an inadequate school incapable of meeting their needs and providing them with opportunity to maximize their potential. School choice is not a threat; it's an opportunity for all schooling options to compete and improve. However, the opportunity for students and parents to choose must be planned and orderly, not chaotic. Often well-intentioned solutions have unintended consequences. Wise planning and implementation must be an element of choice. Local control of schools should be maximized and state and federal influence should be minimized. School policies should never supersede parental rights, schools should be first and foremost student focused, and school officials, to include administration and boards of directors, must be accountable to the taxpayers. Outside influences such as associations, unions, and advocacy groups should not drive policies, curriculums, or operations of any publicly funded school. Why are you the best candidate for the Republican nomination in this race? The conclusion of the Declaration of Independence reads with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. The founders included this statement because they believed the fight for freedom and the establishment of the American republic relied heavily on faith, sacrifice, and integrity. When the suggestion was first made that I consider running in the 92nd District, I quickly put on the mental breaks. I love being a teacher at Northern High School. Serving the families of our community over the past 25 years has brought me tremendous joy and contentment. The reasons I feel I must give up what I love and pursue this uncertain path are faith, sacrifice, and honor. I have faith in the Providence expressed by the founders and will be a leader will promote policies which reinforce a commitment to foundational values in order to sustain strong families and healthy communities. I believe sacrifices must be made, not by the hard-working citizens of the Commonwealth but by the irresponsible bureaucrats and elected officials who have created a bloated state government which serves themselves. I will work and sacrifice on behalf of my constituents to serve them, not the other way around. Finally, the most important reason I am running to represent the 92nd District is the restoration of sacred honor. My political resume is limited in the traditional sense. Ive never owned a business, Ive never run for or held political office, and my service in the military created little fanfare, but Ive worked incredibly hard to earn the trust of all those who know me and will continue to do so for all who call Northern York County, home. https://www.youtube.com/@PAEconomicGrowth Matthew Davis Matthew Davis is a 22 year-old York County native running for Pennsylvania Representative in the 92nd District. Age: 22 Campaign website: MatthewDavisForPA.com Campaign Facebook page: Matthew Davis For State Representative https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555200372665 Occupation: Communications Coordinator Residence: Dover Township What are the issues that motivated you to run for the 92nd District? Im motivated to run because I see poor leadership in government, rising costs, exploding budgets, and elected officials voting in favor of themselves or lobbyists, not the people who elected them. Pennsylvania is truly an amazing state, but we are losing our youth to other states with lower taxes and more opportunities. I want to fight for the people of my district. I want to support our youth, businesses, farmers, first-responders, veterans, truckers - everyone. I want to represent the people, the way an elected Representative should. I want to encourage the next generation of conservatives to stand up and fight. The future is here, and while Harrisburg is not nearly as bad as the elected nursing home in D.C., young voices need to get engaged and lead the charge. Do you support legalizing recreational marijuana in Pa.? If so, how would you use the tax proceeds of such sales? As a Representative, I believe my job would be to support what the people of my district support. I personally do support legalizing recreational marijuana because it takes power and money out of the hands of drug dealers and allows for a safe product to be sold that buyers know is not laced with fentanyl or any variety of dangers. With that being said, I would be hesitant to support legislation changing the legality of recreational marijuana until there is a manner of providing immediate sobriety testing for traffic stops and workplace safety. However, as I stated at the beginning, a Representative must support that which the people support. If a majority of the 92nd District disagrees with my opinion, then I cannot in good faith support the legalization of recreational marijuana (which is true of any issue, not just marijuana) because my job is about what my constituents want, not what I want. If you were a member during this legislative session, would you support Gov. Josh Shapiros budget proposals? Where would you differ with his plan? Were I a member of this legislative session, I would not support Gov. Shapiros budget proposal. First and foremost, I believe we need to cut the scope of bureaucracy. Far too many regulations affecting the way our people and businesses manage their lives are enacted by unelected bureaucrats. That kind of power largely belongs with the General Assembly and the local governments people who are elected to represent, create, and uphold the laws. On the topic of elected officials, I believe we should cut the salaries of our state elected officials quality people who truly want to serve the people dont need such a large incentive to do the job. Do you support efforts to reform the funding formula for charter schools in Pa.? I support efforts to reform all education in the Commonwealth. It doesnt matter what your opinion on charter vs. private vs. public education is, I think we can all agree that education as a whole is failing our students in Pennsylvania. I support working for a reformation of the educational curriculum focusing on common sense and empowering our students to succeed and to live as engaged citizens following graduation from secondary education. With that being said, I certainly support the growth of competition between educational institutions to push each further, so I do support looking for ways to increase accessibility to a quality education for every child of God, but that means fixing our existing systems rather than throwing money on a fire and watching it burn rather than extinguish the flames. Why are you the best candidate for the Republican nomination in this race? I am the best candidate for the Republican nomination in this race because I am fighting for the future of my generation and the ability to build and grow a home in the community I know and love. I understand that leadership is not about taking charge of those in your care, but taking care of those in your charge. As Representative, I would prioritize service to the district, both in Harrisburg and in the community. I would seek to move the district office, towards the center of the district, or open a second one if feasible on the eastern side of the district to increase accessibility for and engagement with constituents. I wouldnt be walking into the capitol thinking I know all of the answers; meaning that my mind will be open to new ideas and will be focused on conversing with the people. Further, I am the only candidate with experience in Harrisburg working in Communications in the House, I formed relationships with Representatives and staff, and figured out just how Harrisburg works, or doesnt. Our district has a history of strong leaders, who were willing to speak and fight when it mattered most. That history must continue as a young man passionate about this Commonwealth and ready to fight for the future, I will not back down from a challenge. I dont have money, I dont have back-alley connections, what I do have is a passion for serving my community, and I see no greater honor than fighting for my community in Harrisburg. 10th Congressional race: Democrats hoping to unseat Scott Perry agree on 1 thing: They all say he has to go Holly Kelley Holly Kelley is seeking the Republican nomination for the 92nd state House seat. Age: 57 Campaign website: www.hollykelleyforstaterep.com Campaign Facebook page: www.facebook.com/hollykelleyforstaterep.com Occupation: Business Owner, Golden Rentals of Dillsburg Primary residence/municipality: Dillsburg Borough What are the issues that motivated you to run for the 92nd District? As a 4th generation Northern York Countian, I have served my community in several ways. As a member of Dillsburg Borough Council for 18 years, I have been a steward of taxpayer money and worked to maintain a community of safety and prosperity. As a business owner in our 20th year, I will fight for a Pro-Business PA. Job training, job creation, building and maintaining a viable workforce, reducing regulations, and enacting a fair tax plan for pro-business growth will be at the top of my priorities. I will work to bring transportation funding to Northern York County. Our district is in a throughfare from Washington DC, Baltimore, and New York, bringing concerns of trafficking to our district. I will support funding for our law enforcement and first responders providing them with the tools necessary to keep us safe. Do you support legalizing recreational marijuana in Pa.? If so, how would you use the tax proceeds of such sales? I do not support legalizing recreational marijuana. If you were a member during this legislative session, would you support Gov. Josh Shapiros budget proposals? Where would you differ with his plan? Spending through our savings and funding the expansion of and creating new government programs will lead to future tax hikes. We cannot hedge the future of the Commonwealth on such a philosophy. Paychecks are stretched too thin, and the districts residents are already feeling the pinch at the pump, grocery store and their goods and services needed to sustain their families. We cannot overlay unaccounted for spending on the backs of the residents of the 92nd and the state. Do you support efforts to reform the funding formula for charter schools in Pa.? The entire educational funding formula should be addressed with fair and equitable funding across the board, removing the hold harmless clause and having the money follow the student to the program which best suits the child. Why are you the best candidate for the Republican nomination in this race? I have pride in my community and Im stepping up once again to do my part. My 18 years of experience in municipal government, 30 years as a Sales Engineer in the telecommunications industry, 20 years as a small business owner, and 15 years in public service to my community and working to elect our local and statewide Republican candidates, all have prepared me to be an effective leader in Harrisburg on day one. I know the 92nd district and I will fight for the quality of life of my neighbors. As an experienced leader in Northern York County, I have the background, the relationships, the work ethic, and the unwavering determination to be the next state representative you deserve. On April 23rd, I ask for your vote in the Republican primary. Zachary Kile Did not respond. Chris Wyatt Did not respond. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Where 5 Republicans seeking the 92nd state House seat stand on issues BALTIMORE The cargo vessel that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday was carrying 56 containers of hazardous materials and had more than 1 million gallons of fuel on board at the time of the collision, raising concerns, though authorities said there was no immediate threat to the environment. On Wednesday, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters a senior hazmat investigator had reviewed the cargo and identified via the Singapore-flagged Dalis ship manifest that 56 containers on board at the time held 764 tons of mostly corrosives, flammable, and miscellaneous hazardous materials, including lithium-ion batteries. The 984-foot ship, carrying 4,700 cargo containers, was minutes into a 27-day journey to Sri Lanka when it collided with the bridges support column at 1:27 a.m. on Tuesday. Homendy said during the Wednesday news conference that she observed some containers in the water and others still on the ship that were breached significantly but that it was too dangerous to remove the submerged containers. There was a visible sheen on the water surface when investigators boarded the ship, raising questions about what hazardous materials may have leaked into the river, and potential impacts upon the water, air, and surrounding communities. An EPA spokesperson said on Thursday that the Coast Guard, which it is assisting during the investigation, attributed the sheen to a discharge of gasoline during the initial collision. A sheen indicates a small amount that cannot be removed through EPA procedures, spokesperson Kelly Offner said via email. She referred additional questions to the Coast Guard, which did not immediately respond Thursday. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier said during a separate Wednesday briefing at the White House that the ship contained over 1.5 million gallons of fuel. Thirteen containers on the ships bow, which is resting on the bottom of the river, were destroyed when the bridge collapsed. Industrial hygienists said the 13 containers contained perfumes and soaps in a Thursday statement provided by the Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Maryland State Police. Another two containers containing nonhazardous materials fell overboard the ship, according to Gautier. Jay Apperson, an MDE spokesperson, said via email the agency was conducting water samples of the river both upriver and downriver of the collision site, and would assist first responders to mitigate any environmental concerns. Authorities from Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, and Maryland State Police said in a joint statement on Thursday that they had established a 2,000-yard safety zone to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential hazards associated with salvage work. They have also set up booms to contain potential oil spread. At this time, no atmospheric hazards have been detected and the Unified Command continues to ensure safety, the statement read. Upal Ghosh, a hydrologist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, said environmental officials first priority would likely be making sure none of the intact containers were breached, and to ensure the remaining containers did not fall off during salvaging efforts, as the boat is in a very precarious position. The 56 containers are a fraction of the thousands of containers on board the ship at time of the collision, which means any potential leakage could be small scale, Ghosh said. Authorities will also need to determine any potential impacts it may have upon divers looking for four missing construction workers who are presumed dead after falling into the water after the bridge collapsed, he said. Officials identified two people, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, on Wednesday after divers recovered their bodies from a submerged pickup truck. If you have containers that contain oily material, those things will, if they are breached, be releasing over time, Ghosh said. Over time, any oil spills could begin to impact sea life, like crabs, clams, and worms. I would think if there is a release that goes down into the sediments under the water, it would be a local impact right there, he said. _____ (Baltimore Sun reporter Christine Condon contributed to this article.) _____ Three familiar offshore wind projects and one new one have emerged as contenders for contracts through the new Massachusetts-Connecticut-Rhode Island multi-state solicitation for offshore wind power. Wednesday was the deadline for developers to submit proposals for consideration under New England's largest wind power solicitation to date. Offshore wind developers Avangrid Renewables, SouthCoast Wind Energy and Vineyard Offshore all submitted bids. The power cable landings planned for or considered for Cape Cod beaches, as outlined in the new submissions, are ones already announced by the companies in Falmouth, at Dowses Beach in Osterville and at Craigville Beach in Centerville. Wind turbine blades sit on a barge on March 2 at the Vineyard Wind 1 construction staging facility at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. A sister project to Vineyard Wind 1 is among the four submissions made on Wednesday in a multi-state bid solicitation for more offshore wind power. Cancellation of contracts last fall Avangrid and SouthCoast last fall cancelled previous contracts in Massachusetts and Connecticut, citing economic reasons that made those agreements no longer financially viable. They are seeking better terms under their new bids. Both companies are presenting iterations of their earlier projects in lease areas south of Martha's Vineyard: Park City Wind, Commonwealth Wind and SouthCoast Wind. Vineyard Offshore is putting forth a brand new project eyed for the eastern-most lease area 29 miles south of Nantucket. The company is a subsidiary of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, which shares ownership with Avangrid of Vineyard Wind 1 an 806-megawatt project that has five of 62 planned turbines now fully operational and sending power to the grid via Covell Beach in Centerville. The Healey-Driscoll Administration will review bids over the coming months, and coordinate with Connecticut and Rhode Island to evaluate multi-state projects that would increase benefits for the region, lower costs, and enhance project viability," Massachusetts Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony said in a statement. Decisions are expected to be released on Aug. 9. What are Avangrid's proposals? Avangrid, a member of the Iberdrola Group, on Wednesday submitted multiple proposals for the tri-state solicitation, both to the states as a group as well as individually to each state. The company has renamed its previous projects, Park City Wind and Commonwealth Wind, as New England Wind 1 and New England Wind 2. Combined, the projects would deliver a little more than 1,800 megawatts to the ISO New England grid that brings power to the region. Avangrid Vice President of Development for Offshore Wind Ken Kimmell on Wednesday said the company is promoting its New England Wind 1 project, formerly Park City Wind, as the one closest to putting shovels in the ground. For that reason, one of the company's proposals submitted on Wednesday is for New England Wind 1 only, allowing the states to choose it individually because of its immediacy. "With nearly all local, state, and federal permits in hand, all interconnection rights secured, and a project labor agreement signed with a skilled, local, union workforce, Avangrid is ready to go," Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said in a statement. New England Wind 1 would deliver 791 megawatts, which is less than the 804 megawatts originally proposed. "It has to do with the grid and what the capacity is of the grid," Kimmell explained. "This is something we worked through carefully with Eversource." Avangrid's second proposal combines New England Wind 1 with New England Wind 2, formerly called Commonwealth Wind, into a single bid. Like the New England Wind 1 project, New England Wind 2 would bring ashore slightly less power, about 1,079 megawatts, than the originally proposed 1,200 megawatts. New England Wind 2, which is still proposed to land at Dowses Beach in Centerville, is only offered as a combined project with New England Wind 1 "to capture important economics of scale and support significant grid upgrades," according to Avangrid. Kimmell said if the New England Wind 1-only bid is selected, the company would expect to re-bid for the second project during a later wind power solicitation. He said some highlights of the company's plans include an already-signed labor agreement for New England Wind 1, and an associated plan for a new offshore wind marshalling port in Salem the company is poised to provide $30 million in upfront investment, and $100 million in lease payments to jump-start that development. What is Vineyard Offshore planning? Vineyard Offshore is proposing a 1,200-megawatt project with a target of becoming operational in 2031. It would make landfall in New London, Connecticut and interconnect with the New England power grid in Montville, Connecticut. Like Avangrid, Vineyard Offshore similarly submitted proposals to each state separately, as well as to the three states together. As part of the bid, the company is also highlighting investments in the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal planned to be the staging site for wind turbine installation, "providing hundreds of union jobs and boosting an emerging offshore wind workforce and supply chain on the North Shore." Vineyard Offshore additionally plans to source secondary steel components for foundations internal and external platforms, boat landings, and more from Riggs Distler & Company, working at its current operation in the port of Providence or at a new site under development in East Providence. Our project will deliver more than $2 billion in economic benefits, create opportunities for workers and local businesses, and build on partnerships with local governments, organizations, and institutions across all three states, and we have the local support to show for it," said Vineyard Offshore CEO Alicia Barton in a statement. What is SouthCoast Wind 1? SouthCoast Wind Energy, owned by OW Ocean Winds, put in a bid Wednesday for its 1,200-megawatt SouthCoast Wind Project 1. It would land in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and connect to the New England grid at Brayton Point in Somerset, with an aim to deliver first power by 2030. The company has the capacity to produce up to 2,400 megawatts in its lease area, located more than 30 miles south of the Vineyard and 20 miles south of Nantucket. For the current wind solicitation, though, the company chose to focus on bidding its first 1,200 megawatts because SouthCoast Wind 1 "is well-advanced in its permitting at both the federal and state levels," said SouthCoast Wind Director of External Affairs Rebecca Ullman in an email Wednesday. The company has a host community agreement with Portsmouth, Rhode Island to land the first 1,200 megawatts there for routing to Brayton Point, with an option for the remaining 1,200 megawatts, if needed. At present, Falmouth remains an alternative option for eventually landing and connecting the second 1,200 megawatts to the grid; however, "due to uncertainty around ISO-NE grid capacity and the extent and timing of necessary grid upgrades in Falmouth, SouthCoast Wind is looking closely at Brayton Point for delivery of the full lease area capacity of 2,400 megawatts," Ullman said. If Falmouth is ultimately pursued, though, a landing site on Worcester Avenue at Falmouth Heights would be the preferred landfall, according to Ullman. Central Park and Kite Park have also been investigated. Heather McCarron can be reached at hmccarron@capecodonline.com, or follow her on X @HMcCarron_CCT Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod cable landing plans retained in offshore contract rebids Satellite images show China's mock-up of Taiwan's presidential office at a desert training site. It is not the first time China has built such mock ups, which indicate a readiness to use force. China has also built mock ups of US warships in the desert for apparent target practice. Out in the desert at a military training site, China has built a mock-up of a key area of Taiwan's capital city where the presidential office and other government buildings are located, satellite images show. The mock-up, like others before it, seems to indicate China's intentions and focus, though its use is uncertain. China often engages in aggressive and coercive behavior that alarms its neighbors, is pursuing a significant military build-up and modernization effort, and has never renounced the use of force as an option for achieving unification with Taiwan. Images of the mock target, located in the desert in the Alxa League area of northern China's Inner Mongolia, began circulating on social media earlier this week. Taiwanese defense analyst Joseph Wen posted the satellite image, as well as a map comparison of the real area in Taipei, on Monday. Wen noted that while China had previously created a replica of Taiwan's president's office building at another area, specifically Zhurihe, this mock up covered much of the office's surrounding area and was located at what appeared to be an aerial bombing and gunnery training range. When compared to an actual map of the area, the mock-up looks relatively realistic, with the roads and the presidential office's surroundings closely resembling the real place in Taiwan's capital city, Taipei. Satellite images provided by Planet Labs to Business Insider show the site, which is still there, has been there since at least December 2022. Satellite image dated December 2022. Image Planet Labs PBC It is unclear though when exactly the mock-up was built, but it's not the first. Making Taiwan's presidential office and US warships in the desert Back in 2014 and 2015, satellite images showed the other mock-up of Taiwan's presidential office at Zhurihe, also in Inner Mongolia, and a video broadcast by CCTV in July 2015 captured Chinese troops practicing an assault on the fake building, The Diplomat reported at the time. The office mock-up was a convincing replica. Imagery from China-based web portals showed troops entering the building conducting some sort of raid. A general view of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei. Walid Berrazeg/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images When asked by reporters on Wednesday about the images of the Bo'ai Special Zone mock-up that surfaced this week, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said that any country could imitate another's facilities and area, adding that Taiwan's military could also conduct military exercises in simulated locations. Indeed, this kind of training isn't necessarily unusual, but it nonetheless signals intent. China has also been documented building mock-ups of US aircraft carriers and other warships at training sites, likely to test and improve its missiles. Experts have long warned about the increasing stockpiles and capabilities of its Rocket Force and what role those assets would play should the the US and China go to war, be it over Taiwan or for some other reason. Fresh worries about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan The images of the mock-up at Alxa League have surfaced at a time of renewed concern about possible Chinese aggression against Taiwan. Amid China's assertiveness at sea and in the air, demonstrated by unpredictable military drills, fiery run-ins with Philippine boats, and close calls with US aircraft, there continues to be concern about a potential invasion of Taiwan. Just last week, US Navy Adm. John Aquilino, the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, told the US Armed Services House Committee that China was building its military up at a scale not seen since World War II and was on track to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. People watch a video about China's military advancements at the Military Museum in Beijing on March 3, 2024. GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images China often employs economic, diplomatic, and militarily aggressive and coercive tactics toward Taiwan, such as pressuring countries that interact with the island or routinely flying fighters and bombers around it, forcing a response. In response to Taiwan's election earlier this year, China has turned up the pressure, and ongoing military drills in Taiwan have prompted warnings from China. Taiwan elected a new president, the Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te, the current Vice President, in January. It's a historic win for the DPP, which has now been in power for three consecutive terms. It was also China's worst case scenario. The DPP has navigated a tricky situation since gaining power in 2016, trying to preserve status quo with Beijing while maintaining Taiwan's autonomy. Though China is generally opposed to the elections, Beijing would have preferred the Kuomintang's Hou You-ih, who is not pro-Beijing but has an outlook on relations with China that is softer than DPP's. Read the original article on Business Insider Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith, from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. Mr Loughton said members of the group were furious the Government had not alerted them to the attempted hack - DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images Around 40 China hawks only found out they had been targeted by Beijing hackers after reading about it in a US press release, it has emerged. Ministers have been accused of not being fully honest with MPs about the scale of the Chinese state-backed operation, after further information was disclosed by Washington. On Monday, Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister, announced that as well as a major hack on the Electoral Commission, a group of MPs had been spied on by China. Four MPs and one peer were called in for a briefing with Parliaments head of security, where they were given additional information about Beijings attempts to target them. But on Monday evening, the US Attorneys Office issued a press release that detailed how the Chinese group called APT31 which is subject to new sanctions by the US and UK sent malicious tracking-link emails to government officials across the world who have been critical of Beijing. Among the identified targets were email accounts of members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (Ipac), a global group of parliamentarians with hawkish views on China, which is co-chaired by Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader. The targets included every European Union member of Ipac, and 43 United Kingdom parliamentary accounts, most of whom were members of Ipac or had been outspoken on topics relating to the [Chinese] government, according to the US Attorneys Office. Tim Loughton MP, a former minister and China hawk, said his fellow Ipac members were furious that they had only found out about this via a US press release rather than from the British Government. They werent fully honest with us. We only found out from America that 43 people were hacked, Mr Loughton said. The head of security in Parliament owes them an explanation did they even know? Why did the US seem to know and not them? Ipac is a network of legislators around the world but its secretariat is in London. Luke De Pulford, founder and executive director of Ipac, said that what the Government announced on Monday only scratched the surface. He added: We have a lot of MPs wondering why they werent told about it. We got a little heads up at the time about it from another European government but we didnt know anything of this scale had taken place until yesterday when it came out in the US press release. No one warned us. The US thinks the whole thing was focused on us and our memberships. We are scratching our heads as to why the security services havent told us. They are meant to be protecting us. A bunch of MPs felt they were out of the woods yesterday but it turns out they were in fact targets of an attack. They want to know if they are at risk and they want to be reassured. We need more support, we need enhanced digital support for people at greater risk and much better cyber security. A government source stressed that the 43 parliamentary accounts mentioned by the US Attorneys Office were not necessarily all MPs and included a number of parliamentary staff. Ipac is a global network of legislators but its secretariat is headquartered in London - DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images They added that the responsibility for notifying MPs about possible cyber breaches lay with the parliamentary security team, who are independent of the Government. A second source, with knowledge of MP security arrangements, said these were intentions rather than successful attempts to hack peoples accounts. It came after the US and UK exposed a global Chinese hacking plot that targeted White House staff and the state department as well as British MPs and the Electoral Commission. The attack on the UKs electoral watchdog was identified in October 2022, but the hackers had first been able to access the commissions systems for more than a year since August 2021. It exposed the personal data of 40 million voters as the commission held the name and address of anyone in the UK who was registered to vote between 2014 and 2022, as well as the names of those registered as overseas voters. 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. Fourteen members of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard provided a color guard and performed a Missing Man Prisoner of War table ceremony, gun salute and ceremonial flag folding on March 23 during a veteran appreciation event at Codys Original Roadhouse on State Road 200. The Missing Man POW table will be displayed inside the restaurant. The restaurant also has a We Love You, Veterans wall inside, complete with service members photos and memorabilia as part of the restaurants ongoing veteran appreciation program. The MCMHG regularly provides military honors funeral services for veterans including performing services at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The veterans wall at Cody's in Ocala. Jim Neri, 76, an Army veteran whose service included radioman in the Vietnam War, joined the ceremony at the restaurant, 8169 SW State Road 200. I love that my fellow veterans are being honored (and especially) the POWs who didnt come back, he said. MCMHG captain and retired Navy Sr. Chief Don Kennedy opened the ceremony and spoke about serving on the aircraft carriers Forrestal and Nimitz. He recounted once seeing a smaller ship sailing nearby, a destroyer, disappearing temporarily while totally immersed by a wave during a hurricane. Thats when I decided I wanted to be career carrier man, he said. Kennedy said veterans give the best years of their lives and often face emotional and financial challenges and sometimes carry scars for their service to country. He also remarked on the camaraderie shared by veterans. Veterans deserve recognition and to never be forgotten, Kennedy said. Army Command Sgt. Charles Dodge recited a Missing Man POW table ceremony which described items on a small table including a red rose symbolizing the blood of sacrifice and a lemon symbolizing the bitter taste of those who never return. MCMHG members gave a gun salute and an American flag was folded and presented to Josh Musikantow, director of operations for the restaurant. It doesnt seem right to honor veterans only two time a year, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Veterans should be honored every day, Musikantow said. According to Department of Veterans Affairs figures, 37,478 veterans were living in Marion County in 2020. The restaurant offers veterans 15% off their meals with proper identification and veterans eat free on Veterans Day. MCMHG bugler and Navy veteran Charles Calhoun played revelry as the American flag was raised and played taps near the close of the ceremony. Fran Calhoun, Charles Calhouns wife, represented the On Top of the World Veterans Club. She is also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at nearby American Legion/Ralph J. Greene Post 354. The restaurant has a tall roadside flagpole which flies the American flag and a POW/MIA (Missing in Action) flag and supports the MCMHG and the OTOW Veterans Club. A number of veterans were on hand for the event. Navy veteran, Tim Parker, served in the Navy from 1979 to 1985, including service on the battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62) from 1982 to 1985. Parker served as an electrician in one of the ships giant gun turrets. Parker was aboard the ship when it sailed to Beirut, Lebanon, following the 1983 terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks there which claimed the lives of 241 U.S. military personnel, according to the U.S. Department of State at state.gov. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Miller, who served from 1959 to 1980, was dressed in uniform for the event and Navy aviator Mike Montesano also joined the gathering. Several veterans and guests rode motorcycles to the event, including J.P. Moure and Jose Colon. Karen Arbuckle, president of the Ladies Auxiliary at American Legion/Ralph J. Greene Post 354, was on hand and her husband, Gary, MCMHG member and incoming post commander, was part of the ceremony. Several Codys Original Roadhouse employees including Natasha Duncan and kitchen manager Jim Schwartz joined the ceremony. Philly Levay, a member of restaurant management, was busy after the ceremony inside the restaurant. County Commissioner Michelle Stone, at the ceremony, said the restaurant owners are philanthropic and support non-profits in the county. She indicated the hearts of the owners (Allen and Amy Musikantow and their son, Josh Musikantow) are in the community. Josh Musikantow and Scott Kassapis, Codys Original Roadhouse director of finance & marketing displayed a large quilt honoring medical , military and first responder personnel donated to the restaurant during the gathering. Josh Musikantow stated the restaurant supports veterans groups including the MCMHG and OTOW Veterans Club. John J.J. Johnson served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He pointed to his photo on the veterans wall inside the restaurant. James Cunningham, Vietnam War era veteran, remarked on the honor and commitment of veterans and said the restaurant went over above in doing extra for veterans. This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Veterans are always honored guests at Cody's Original Roadhouse in Ocala Construction of a $900 million Corning Inc. manufacturing facility will soon break ground in Saginaw County, Michigan to meet increasing demand for solar power. The new manufacturing facility located in Richland Township is expected to create 1,100 jobs, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in announcing the project. Starting wages are expected to exceed the median wage for the region and employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Whitmer said Corning Inc. chose to locate the facility in Michigan over competing sites in the Midwest and Northeast. Michigan's talent pool and commitment to onshore critical clean energy supply chains were cited as factors. Corning Inc. also has a chemical processing facility in Hemlock, Michigan involved in the semiconductor and solar industries. "Corning has a long history of innovation and civic engagement," said MEDC CEO and MSF Board President Quentin Messer, Jr. "We are excited to welcome the company to Michigan to author the next chapters in its storied history right here in the Saginaw region moving forward. Polysilicon, a key material for solar, is manufactured at Corning Inc.'s Hemlock Semiconductor facility in Michigan. The Corning, N.Y.-based company is building a new solar manufacturing facility in Saginaw County, Michigan. New Corning Inc. facility will create solar components Corning Inc. is undertaking the project on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, Solar Technology LLC. The new Saginaw County facility will be dedicated to the creation of U.S.-made solar components, capitalizing on Corning Inc.'s capabilities in materials science. We are grateful for the strong leadership, collaboration and support from Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature and the State of Michigan, said Scott Forester, Corning Inc., division vice president and Solar Technology program executive. These approved incentives helped confirm Michigan as the natural choice for this new endeavor. The planned facility will create thousands of local jobs and advance the goal of expanding access to U.S. renewable energy solutions. More: Former Corning Inc. Headquarters Building, others sit empty. What's next for company in Corning? Michigan Strategic Funds support the project Michigan is supporting the project with incentives through the Michigan Strategic Fund totaling over $100 million. Approved incentives include: A $68 million performance-based Critical Industries Program grant through the Strategic Outreach and Reserve Fund. A 15-Year State Essential Services Assessment Exemption valued at $12.3 million. A $29 million Strategic Site Readiness Program grant to Thomas Township for public infrastructure, road improvements and related expenses. A property tax abatement from Richland Township is also expected in support of the project. Officials project over $5.6 billion in new personal income will be generated over 20 years by the direct, indirect, and induced jobs from the project. This article originally appeared on The Leader: Corning expands in Michigan with up to $900 million for solar facility The Easter rabbit has much the same night roving habit as Santa Claus, the Wilmington Evening Journal commented on March 29, 1918, and somewhere between midnight and Easter sun-up he scampers around the house and lawn and hides an Easter egg or two, of most distracting, brilliant hue for everyone in the family. Easter customs, like those of Christmas and Santa Claus, evolved from a number of religious and folklore sources that changed over time and locale. The origin of Easter egg hunts in Delaware In Delaware, a century, ago, the Evening Journal reported that the Easter bunny left a series of brightly colored, uncooked eggs scattered around the house. On Easter morning, the family embarked on a hunt for the eggs, often marked with the intended recipients name, until they had a basket full and it was time to cook. The newspaper suggested three egg recipes, including Brer Rabbit Eggs, an egg and milk mixture covered with grated cheese and baked; Egg Croquettes, chopped hard-boiled eggs, butter, and white sauce, formed into balls, rolled into cracker crumbs and fried; and Easter Egg Toast, chopped hard-boiled eggs, spread on toast and covered with white sauce. Delaware beaches were booming for Easter in Roaring '20s In Delaware, during the Roaring '20s, many people visited the beach during the Easter season. In 1928, the holiday fell on April 8, and well before Easter, the Hotel Henlopen was busy making arrangements for the expected crowd. The Milford Chronicle noted, [The] Hotel Henlopen after opening many extra rooms for the great Easter holiday, were still unable to accommodate the enormous crowd. Extra help had to be added in the kitchen to supply the demands of the several hundred extra meals which were served. The beachfront hotels guest did not come for an early season dip in the cold surf. The Milford newspaper reported, Dancing, dancing and more dancing was what everybody did Saturday night, April 7th at Hotel Henlopen. The ball room was decorated in the Easter colors of purple and white, with ducks and rabbits hanging over the orchestra corner, which made everyone have the Easter spirit. The dances at the Hotel Henlopen continued during the week after the holiday, and the Milford Chronicle commented on April 20, 1928, [E]verybody comes to Hotel Henlopen for dancing. Easter Mondays dance drew a large crowd from everywhere. Wednesday nights dance was well attended by young folks of the surrounding towns, and the regular Saturday nights dance was the largest of the season. Everybody looks forward to Hotel Henlopens Saturday night dances for a good time. Bridge collapse stuns residents: Francis Scott Key Bridge 'connected family, communities, jobs' in Baltimore Cape Henlopen dunes added unique touch to Easter egg hunts A custom unique to the Lewes area was to trek over the high dunes of Cape Henlopen on Easter Monday. In the shadow of the lighthouse, Easter eggs were rolled down the slopes of the dunes to the delight of young children who chased after them. When all of the eggs were exhausted, the children and some of the adults capped the festivities by rolling themselves down the slope of the steep dune. The lighthouse made a convenient gathering point for the Easter egg roll, but even after the collapse of the beacon, crowds continued the annual ritual. Michael Morgan Eight years after the lighthouse fell, the Milford Chronicle noted, For more than 100 years beyond the recollection of any living resident, school children, accompanied by parents, have gone to the sand dunes to roll eggs down the slope where the Henlopen lighthouse [once stood] ... Although the lighthouse has gone, having fallen into the sea in 1926 after 162 years of facing the encroaching waters of the ocean, the Easter Monday pilgrimage to the dunes continues each year. Heated responses to west OC pier plan: Plan for new west Ocean City pier draws heated responses at Salisbury session Principal sources Evening Journal, March 29, 1918. Milford Chronicle, April, 13, 1928; April 6, 1934. Hazel, Brittingham, Lantern On Lewes, Lewes: Lewistown Publishers, 1998, p.31. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Easter in Delaware: Uncooked egg hunt, and a roll down Henlopen dune BALTIMORE Divers braving the frigid waters of the Patapsco River near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday found two bodies of missing construction workers inside a red pickup truck. Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland Butler identified the victims as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, originally from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, of Dundalk, originally from Guatemala. The bodies of four other members of the crew, who were working on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when a cargo ship plowed into it about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, are still missing. Immigrant assistance and advocacy group CASA identified two of those still missing as Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a husband and father of two who was originally from Honduras and lived in Owings Mills, and Miguel Luna, a husband and father of three originally from El Salvador. The bow of the massive Sri Lanka-bound ship, the Dali, was at the bottom of the Patapsco on Wednesday afternoon, weighed down by a piece of the bridge that once carried thousands of commuters across the harbor each day, until its demise early Tuesday. The 984-foot ship has over 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil and lube oil on board, as well as about 4,700 cargo containers, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the White House. The ship is stable, and none of the roughly 50 cargo boxes containing hazardous materials that its carrying has gone overboard, Gautier said, noting there was no threat to public safety. The Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers are trying to assess how to clear the channel to minimize the economic impact of the ongoing halt to operations at the Port of Baltimore, following President Joe Bidens directive to get the port up and running as soon as possible, Gautier said. Given the magnitude and importance of this response, its going to be very, very aggressive, he said. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and Coast Guard crews have boarded the ship, while divers plunge into the water and units conduct underwater surveys using remote operating vehicles, Gautier said. The evening before, authorities called off a search-and-rescue operation for the six men presumed to be dead after they fell with the bridge into the water. Officials said Tuesday evening that they were transitioning to a recovery operation due to the frigid waters and because they did not believe the construction crew members would be found alive. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore vowed that officials would help the mens families find closure by putting resources toward finding the victims bodies. Two crew members survived the collapse and were rescued Tuesday morning, one of whom was treated and released from the hospital, according to officials. The six victims unaccounted for are construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge when the container ship struck a support column, causing the expanse to collapse. Baltimore Fire Capt. Scott Parrott, who is on the dive team, said a highway inspector was on the bridge near the time of impact and was able to run back to the end of the bridge to safety. Parrott said the inspector had valuable knowledge of the construction site and was able to help the dive team map out the debris field, giving them an idea of where to look. Even though hed been through a very traumatic experience, he was able to be an essential part of our initial response and our initial dive profile, Parrott said. I commend him because he was very shaken up. He almost died. That man is a very special man. He was able to fight the fear and really help us out. At a news conference, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said the inspector was a contractor by the Maryland Transportation Authority from Eborn Enterprises Inc. in Windsor Mill. Wiedefeld said construction workers were alerted they needed to move off the bridge as law enforcement stopped traffic but did not specify how workers would have been notified. In addition to those searching for the workers, crews from the transportation safety board and the FBI were also in the water to collect evidence. The boards chair, Jennifer Homendy, said Wednesday morning that investigators had boarded the Dali overnight and would board again Wednesday to get electronic logs and components perishable evidence that will go away as the collapse is cleaned up. The focus is what do we need for our investigation whether its from the vessel or from the highway, from the bridge structure identifying those, securing those before we do any sort of analysis, she said. A spokesperson for the board said later Wednesday that investigators had recovered data from the black box, known as a Voyage Data Recorder. Investigators were also developing a list of witnesses they sought to interview, including the cargo ships 22-member crew, which is still on board, according to a spokesperson for Synergy Marine Group, the Dalis management company. In addition to the crew members, a local pilot and an apprentice were on board, according to Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association. Local pilots, mariners who are highly trained in navigating local waters, assist ship crews in getting through testy harbors. The job, which Diamond described as the pinnacle of a mariner career, requires extensive, arduous training. A pilot was at the helm of the Dali when it appeared to lose power early Tuesday morning, causing the ships steering and propulsion systems to fail, Diamond said. The pilot did everything he could by contacting authorities and steering the ships rudder to the left once its backup generators kicked in, though the ships engines were still inoperable, he said. The ship also dropped anchor. Those maneuvers gave authorities the extra time to shut down bridge traffic, he said. Speaking with reporters Wednesday morning, Moore said that he cannot stress enough the heroism of the rescue and recovery teams who have braved the Patapscos frigid waters since Tuesday. He said the divers are in dark waters where they can only see a foot in front of them, navigating mangled metal in a place where people are believed to have died. Moore said Tuesday that he had met with the families of the missing workers and promised to use every possible asset at our disposal to make sure they find a sense of closure. One employee of the highway construction company, who was not involved in the incident, Jesus Campos, said his missing co-workers were of Hispanic descent and were replacing concrete on the bridge at the time of the collision. The workers are all employees of the Hunt Valley firm Brawner Builders, according to Jeffrey Pritzker, its executive vice president. The General Consulate of Guatemala in Maryland said in a Facebook post Tuesday that two of the missing workers were from that country. One of the workers was identified by family members as Miguel Luna, a Salvadoran father of three who has lived in Maryland for 19 years. He and his five missing co-workers were the subject of Masses and vigils across the city Tuesday. We are CASA, an immigration advocacy organization, identified a second victim Wednesday as Maynor Suazo Sandoval. He migrated from Honduras over 17 years ago and was an active member of CASA in Owings Mills. A former Brawner Builders employee, Bobby Knutson Jr., identified a third victim as Alex Hernandez, a Mexican native and foreman of the construction crew. At a vigil Tuesday evening at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Baltimore City and Baltimore County officials appeared alongside faith leaders, thanking first responders for their efforts and promising to support the impacted families. We can only imagine what is going through [the families] minds and through their hearts and through their bodies, said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. We have to lift them up, not just today, not just tomorrow but for the foreseeable future. Catholic Archbishop William Lori, alongside other bishops, held a Mass in honor of the men on Tuesday. Father Ako Walker, a priest at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Highlandtown, offered prayers in Spanish for the families at a Dundalk vigil. ________ (Baltimore Sun reporters Cassidy Jensen, Darcy Costello, Hayes Gardner and Christine Condon contributed to this article.) ________ Northern Vermont will soon be flooded with thousands of tourists eager to witness a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse on April 8. But despite being one of 13 states in the path of totality, and therefore a prime viewing location for East Coast residents, Vermont is notorious for its cloudy April skies. As Vermonters and tourists alike finalize plans for where they are going to gather on April 8, the question is how visible will the eclipse be? The answer, although not yet set in stone, may come as a disappointment to the most fervent eclipsophiles in the Green Mountain State. "Total Eclipse" by artist Mike Konrad, part of the "Phased" exhibition at The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington. What's the probability of clear skies the day of the eclipse? For people hoping for an unobstructed view of the eclipse, cloudy weather has the potential to ruin their day. If its cloudy, you wont be able to see the shadow of the moon crossing in front of the sun, or the corona of the sun behind the moons shadow during the duration of totality, Green Mountain Clubs eclipse webpage says. A thread 1) Our forecast for this time in 2 months is dark! All jokes aside, today marks just 2 months until the solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024! As the date of this rare phenomenon approaches, we thought we would share some climatology for April 8th. pic.twitter.com/BPEtpPNi77 NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) February 8, 2024 Unfortunately for individuals hunkering down in Vermont, clear skies arent likely, according to Lead Meteorologist Maureen Hastings of the National Weather Service (NWS) in South Burlington. According to NWS Burlington, the average Vermont day in April experiences 60% to 80% cloud coverage, described by Hastings as mostly cloudy skies. At the very least well experience some cloud coverage on April 8, Hastings said. On a more positive note, Vermont skies tend to be the least cloudy during the afternoon, which is when the eclipse will reach totality this year. However, NWS Burlington predicts that between noon and 4 p.m. on April 8, Vermont will only experience mostly clear skies (20% or less cloud coverage) for 10% to 20% of the time. Temperature is connected to cloud coverage Temperature can also impact cloud coverage. Based on historical data, 60% of days sporting temperatures between 32 and 50 experienced full cloud coverage in Vermont. Clear skies, on the other hand, are much more likely to occur when temperatures rest above and below that 18-point margin. Currently, Burlington is expected to boast a high of 56 and a low of 40, according to a 10-day weather report from The Weather Channel. Vermont eclipse chasers should be prepared to remain mobile and ready to move quickly to another location if clouds move in, according to nationaleclipse.com. Hasting pointed out, however, that its still too far in advance to say for absolute certainty what the weather will be like during the eclipse. She said meteorologists will have a better sense of Vermonts skies a week before the event and high confidence in their predictions three days in advance. Regardless of how many clouds are in the sky, the world will temporarily fade to black. No matter what, you will experience darkness falling for around three minutes of the afternoon, the Green Mountain Club wrote. Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Chances of Vermont eclipse viewing being obscured by clouds TWO RIVERS Two Rivers police organized a large-scale search operation March 28 utilizing drones in an attempt to locate missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue. About 70 teams of drone operators, primarily from police departments and sheriff's offices from across Wisconsin, helped with the operation, Two Rivers Police Department said in a news release. Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation also assisted Two Rivers police and fire departments in checking "areas of interest." A large search operation has been ongoing in the Shoto area for the past week, police said. That search has included help from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local farmers and local agricultural businesses, police added. The last update from the police about Elijah was released 10 days ago when they revealed Elijah's blanket had been found earlier in the investigation near Goodwin Road. Police and area firefighters examine ditches along State 310 near Johnston Drive during the search for a missing 3-year-old boy Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Two Rivers, Wis. Elijah Vue was reported missing Feb. 20. Elijah was reported missing Feb. 20. Daily search efforts since that day by local, state and federal law enforcement have included canvassing of urban and rural neighborhoods; searches of rivers, shores and a landfill in Calumet County; and K-9 teams checking and rechecking various areas. Two Rivers Police Department also sent a Wisconsin AMBER Alert, which is an emergency child abduction alert, for Elijah a few hours after he was reported missing, and that alert is still active. Elijah is also listed as missing on the Wisconsin Department of Justices Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults. Vigil held for Elijah Vue: Elijah Vue vigil in Two Rivers sends message of positivity and hope for the missing 3-year-old Wisconsin boy Civilian volunteers in Manitowoc County still search for the child. In the March 28 news release, Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert said, "We encourage participation in coordinated and legally permissible search efforts for Elijah. "We will continue our search efforts while also investigating the circumstances regarding the disappearance of Elijah Vue and will release information as we can," he added. Elijah Vue's mother and her boyfriend face child neglect charges over his disappearance. Katrina B. Baur, Elijah's mom and a Wisconsin Dells resident, was arrested in February after Elijah was reported missing. Jesse Vang, a 39-year-old Two Rivers man who police say was in a relationship with Baur, was also arrested. Vang told police he fell asleep while Elijah was standing next to his bed praying as a form of punishment the morning of Feb. 20. When Vang woke up, he said Elijah was gone and he called 911. Vang is expected to appear in Manitowoc County Circuit Court March April 4 for a preliminary hearing. Baur faces a felony charge of chronic child neglect, a second charge of felony child neglect involving a different child, and two misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer. At a previous court date for Baur March 22, she plead not guilty to all charges. Her next appearance in court is scheduled for April 26. Missing Wisconsin children: Elijah Vue is one of more than 30 missing children in Wisconsin Do you have information about Elijah Vue? Police describe Elijah as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 3 feet tall and has a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a dark-colored, long-sleeve shirt and a pair of red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes. If you have information that could help the Two Rivers Police Department find Elijah Vue, contact their tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information via the Crime Stoppers app P3. There is a combined $40,000 reward from the city of Two Rivers, Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for any information that leads to finding Elijah or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his disappearance. Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Elijah Vue missing in Wisconsin: Police use drones, search near Shoto A federal judge on Thursday sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison for his leading role in one of the biggest financial scandals in American history, capping the stunning fall of the former cryptocurrency magnate and one-time Washington megadonor. Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York handed down the sentence almost five months after a jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty of orchestrating a massive fraud centered on his crypto empire. Bankman-Fried was also ordered to pay $11 billion. Bankman-Fried faced a maximum of 110 years in prison, though prosecutors had pressed for 40 to 50 years. His attorneys had argued that he should be sentenced to five to seven years. Just two years ago, Bankman-Fried was the biggest name in crypto and an up-and-comer in campaign-finance circles, raising millions from Silicon Valley investors and speaking of one day owning Goldman Sachs. In Washington, he pushed to sway crypto regulatory debates and donated lavishly to political campaigns in both the 2020 and 2022 elections. "The goal was power and influence," Kaplan said at the sentencing hearing, while discussing what he called Bankman-Fried's "act" to be "the good guy" of crypto. Now, his prison term is a reminder of the stakes in prosecutors ongoing crackdown on the crypto market. Anyone who believes they can hide their financial crimes behind wealth and power, or behind a shiny new thing they claim no one else is smart enough to understand, should think twice, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement following the sentencing. Since Bankman-Frieds crypto exchange FTX collapsed, federal authorities have accelerated their clampdown on the industry with charges against several other prominent executives and firms alleging fraud and the facilitation of money laundering, including for the purposes of terrorism and narcotics trafficking. At the same time, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have swept through the market with civil cases against some of the largest crypto companies. Bankman-Fried was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy tied to the operations of the now-defunct FTX. Prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he siphoned billions of dollars in customer money to finance his lifestyle, a sweeping political influence campaign and risky bets by Alameda Research, a crypto trading firm he founded prior to FTX. In turn, the FTX founder became the face of crypto. Often wearing a t-shirt, shorts and sneakers, Bankman-Fried spoke at conferences alongside the likes of former President Bill Clinton and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair. His picture was plastered across advertisements and on magazine covers, as FTX swelled into one of the worlds largest crypto companies with its eyes set on traditional finance. And Bankman-Fried touted the goal of giving away his mounting fortune. A pillar of his activity revolved around Washington and shaping the future of crypto policy, an effort that came as the market sought legitimacy from both lawmakers and regulators. Bankman-Fried hired several former regulators to help FTX navigate agencies like the SEC and CFTC, as well as Capitol Hill. He regularly met with lawmakers charged with overseeing the agencies. And he handed out millions in campaign contributions emerging as a new financial force in the nations capital. He was among the top financial backers of now-President Joe Biden in 2020. Bankman-Fried later donated almost $40 million to super PACs and campaigns during the 2022 midterms, mostly to Democrats. Kaplan said Thursday that the donations extended to the right as well "through straws that wouldn't come back to him." At the sentencing hearing, Bankman-Fried apologized for the fallout of FTX's collapse and said he "made a series of bad decisions" while running the company. "I'm sorry about what happened at every stage, things I should have done and said, things I shouldn't have," he said. "I failed everyone that I care about and everything that I care about too." But Kaplan said that while Bankman-Fried has acknowledged the mistakes he has yet to say "a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes." "He knew it was wrong," Kaplan said. "He knew it was criminal, he regrets he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught, but he's not going to admit anything, as is his right." The 25-year sentence which would put Bankman-Fried in his late 50s upon release was of little surprise to former federal prosecutors. "It's just a giant fraud," said Daniel Silva, a former federal prosecutor who is now a shareholder at Buchalter, a law firm. "The amounts are so significant that you're looking at a sentence over 20 years." U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams called the fraud unprecedented. His deliberate and ongoing lies demonstrated a brazen disregard for customers expectations and disrespect for the rule of law, all so that he could secretly use his customers money to expand his own power and influence, Williams said in a statement. The scale of his crimes is measured not just by the amount of money that was stolen, but by the extraordinary harm caused to victims, who in some cases had their life savings wiped out overnight. Mark Botnick, a spokesperson for Bankman-Fried, confirmed that there are still plans to appeal the November verdict. We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son, Bankman-Frieds parents Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried said in a statement shared by Botnick. Bankman-Frieds attorneys had urged Kaplan to impose a lighter sentence before his ruling. In briefs to the court, they wrote that a sentence of 63 to 78 months would allow him to still lead a meaningful life and contribute to the neediest in society. They cited the case of Michael Milken, the so-called Junk Bond King of the 1980s who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud and ultimately served two years in prison. Milken has since become a prominent philanthropist. For crypto critics, the Bankman-Fried case has been a harbinger of the dangers they see lurking within the nearly $3 trillion market and a warning of the need for companies to fall in line with the rules of agencies like the SEC. Todays sentencing of SBF to 25 years in prison sends a message to the entire industry, especially the crypto kingpins, that the law applies to them, as it must, and that even crypto crooks will do hard time for their crypto crimes, Better Markets CEO Dennis Kelleher said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) used Bankman-Fried's sentencing as a chance to double down on the need for tougher crypto rules. "It's time white collar criminals are held to account, but lawmakers are still pushing [Bankman-Fried's] schemes," wrote Warren, a vocal skeptic of the crypto industry, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We need tough rules to crack down on crypto crime." Yet, despite Bankman-Fried's one-time power over the market, the crypto world has largely shrugged off his case. Executives and lobbyists have instead pushed to distance the high-flying industry from Bankman-Frieds crimes. His misdeeds, they say, were not an issue of crypto as much as they were outright fraud. "Fraud is fraud, whether it's involving crypto or other assets," said Andrey Spektor, a former federal prosecutor and current partner at law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. "You can't lie to people, and that's really what the bottom line is." One day after the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, two bodies were recovered from the Patapsco River, leaving families of those missing or presumed dead mourning in the aftermath. "Divers recovered two victims of this tragedy trapped within the vehicle," said Col. Roland Butler, Jr., superintendent of Maryland State Police, at a news conference on Wednesday. Maryland State Police identified the two victims as 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, who was originally from Mexico, and 26-year-old Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, from Guatemala. Divers found the men on Wednesday morning in a red pickup truck that was submerged in water about 25 feet deep. The Key Bridge collapsed during the early hours of Tuesday morning when a large container ship that had recently left the nearby Port of Baltimore lost power and slammed into one of its supporting columns, causing the entire structure to tumble into the water and taking people and vehicles along with it. Everyone on the bridge at the time of the collapse was part of a construction crew filling potholes along the span. The bridge had been open to traffic through the night, but, minutes before the ship struck that column at around 1:30 a.m., officials said the crew onboard issued a mayday call that gave Maryland responders enough time to block drivers from entering the span. A view of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge after a collision with a cargo ship in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. / Credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images Ahead of the collapse, police can be heard on scanner traffic discussing the possibility of construction workers on the bridge. "If there's a crew up there, you might want to notify whoever the foreman is and see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily," says the dispatcher in audio from a Maryland Transportation Authority Police channel, which was shared on the website Broadcastify. Two people were rescued from the river shortly after the collapse. One was unharmed, while the other was hospitalized with injuries and later released. The bodies recovered Wednesday were only two of six people missing. After reviewing sonar scans, officials say they firmly believe the four whose bodies have not yet been found are likely trapped inside vehicles encased in rubble underwater, conditions too dangerous to dive in. Among those still missing is Miguel Luna, a father of three who came to the United States 19 years ago from El Salvador in search of a better life. The 40-year-old left for work at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening. "He's supposed to come in the morning back home, and never come," said Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA, a nonprofit human rights organization that advocates for immigrant communities. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, another missing worker, was days away from celebrating his 35th birthday when the bridge collapsed. Described as the light of his family, Sandoval leaves behind a teenage son and 5-year-old daughter. He was identified as a Honduran citizen by Honduras' Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Garcia. Sandoval's eldest brother said their family is in "tremendous agony." Father Ako Walker, a Baltimore priest, has been mourning with the families. "They were out there working, sacrificing for their families. And unfortunately, they may have paid the ultimate sacrifice," Walker said of the victims. Moises Diaz, a 45-year-old construction worker for Brawner Builders, told CBS News he was slated to work but had swapped shifts. He knew all of the victims and is mourning colleagues he says were like family. "We shared food, we shared everything," he said in an interview in Spanish. Immigrants make up nearly 40% of construction workers in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metro areas. Local officials and worker advocates who have been speaking to CBS News on the ground point out that it is likely that same community will be relied upon to rebuild the Key Bridge. Eye Opener: Investigators reveal new details about the Baltimore bridge collapse Mega Millions $1.3 billion winning ticket sold in New Jersey Inside the effort to clear the Baltimore bridge wreckage The mother of John Barnett, a former Boeing quality manager-turned-whistleblower who died earlier this month, told CBS News she holds the aircraft manufacturing giant responsible for the grinding treatment that ultimately left her son despondent. "If this hadn't gone on so long, I'd still have my son, and my sons would have their brother and we wouldn't be sitting here. So in that respect, I do," Vicky Stokes said when asked if she places some of the blame for her son's death on Boeing. Barnett had been in Charleston, South Carolina giving testimony in his whistleblower case against the embattled aerospace company, when on March 9 he was found dead in his car in the parking lot of his hotel. He was 62. Police are still investigating his death, which the coroner has called an apparent suicide, just before he was set to resume providing deposition testimony against Boeing, which he had accused of repeatedly ignoring safety issues. Stokes and her son Rodney Barnett said they do not want to comment on whether they believe he died by suicide until the investigation by the Charleston police department concludes. They told CBS News in their first television interview that they want to see John Barnett's legacy of fighting for the safety of the flying public preserved. "He thought of himself as trying to do the right thing. And that's what bothered him, that nobody would listen as to what was going on there," his brother, Rodney Barnett, told CBS News. John Barnett worked at Boeing for 32 years, the last seven of which he served as a quality manager. He became a whistleblower at the South Carolina factory that builds the 787 Dreamliner. He resigned from the company in 2017, citing job-related stress. Over that time, he developed concerns about the way the company was operating. Before resigning, he filed an administrative complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The agency said it had no reasonable cause to believe Boeing violated whistleblower laws. He then filed a lawsuit in 2021, alleging a litany of safety concerns. Among them: stray titanium shavings falling into electrical wiring, defective oxygen tanks and managers urging him to cut corners. Rodney Barnett said his brother told him that rather than address his concerns, the company subjected him to retaliation for speaking out, alleging that he was "embarrassed at meetings; he would be called out." Rodney said his brother was not the type of person to back down. In the 2022 Netflix documentary "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing," John Barnett claimed his managers retaliated against him for speaking up. "Boeing quit listening to their employees. So every time I'd raise my hand and say, 'hey we got a problem here', they would attack the messenger and... and ignore the message," he said in the film. Boeing has said it reviewed and addressed quality issues that John Barnett raised before he retired in 2017. The company said in a statement to CBS News: "We are saddened by Mr. Barnett's passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends." His death occurred in the middle of litigation and came just as Boeing was grappling with weeks of negative headlines about its safety culture specifically, repeated problems with its 737 Max planes, including a midflight blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines plane. John Barnett worked on a different plane, but raised similar concerns, according to his attorneys Brian Knowles and Rob Turkewitz. "He wasn't trying to hurt Boeing," said Turkewitz, who told CBS News he believes whistleblower laws that apply to aerospace workers need to be strengthened. "He was trying to save Boeing. He saw this coming and he said, 'You know, this is all going to come down on Boeing.'" Turkewitz said he called on Congress to reform a whistleblower law to allow Boeing employees to more expeditiously resolve their whistleblower complaints. He said the years John Barnett spent fighting his case took a toll. In the days before he died, Barnett was deposed by Boeing's lawyers and Turkewitz said the testimony forced Barnett to re-live painful memories. "That was wearing on him," Turkewitz said. "I think it all came back to him. Barnett's family told CBS News they are trying to carry on John Barnett's whistleblower case, which is expected to head to trial in September. Knowles said continuing the case is about "justice and accountability". Amid the ongoing image and safety crisis, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he will be stepping down at the end of 2024. This story has been updated with additional information and quotes. 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. Mega Millions $1.3 billion winning ticket sold in New Jersey Baltimore bridge collapse timeline: What happened before, during and after How AI powered robots are helping small farms fight labor shortages EVANSVILLE Five people will decide if CenterPoint Energy gets to raise rates for local customers to a price many have said is simply unaffordable. And each of them make more than $100,000 a year. The Courier & Press recently reported ahead of a Feb. 29 public hearing who each of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission members were, how long they'd been on the IURC, and the nature of their previous votes. That didn't include their salaries, however. Each commissioner makes at least three times Evansville's median household income, according to census data. Their salaries are: Jim Huston, chairman: $163,424.68 Wesley R. Bennett: $152,339.10 Sarah Freeman: $152,339.10 David Veleta: $152,339.10 David Ziegner: $152,339.10 People fill the afternoon session of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commissions public hearing on CenterPoints electric rate increase request at the The Old National Events Plaza in Evansville, Ind., Feb. 29, 2024. IURC promises 'just and reasonable rates'; public tells them to 'do your job' During that hearing, and in the more than 2,000 public letters submitted officially by the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor earlier this month, multiple local customers asked the IURC to do its job. In the mind of customers, that boils down to denying the increase based on the IURC's own mission statement: "An advocate of neither the public nor the utilities, the Commission is required by state statute to make decisions in the public interest to ensure the utilities provide safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates." The "just and reasonable rates" are where local residents, and local officials, get stuck. On Feb. 29, residents pleaded with the IURC to say no to the increase which would take a residential electric bill for 1,000 kilowatt hours from $207.20 to $253.40, according to the OUCC. Just do the right thing, they said. Letters, now a part of the official record, show customers simply telling the IURC, "do your job." "(I) would hope you all would do your job and not allow them to keep raking your citizens over the coals," a letter from a Evansville resident stated. "It is your job to ensure an unchecked and monopolized corporation does not take advantage of the people of Indiana and so far you have failed us," another wrote. Customers will find out likely in the fall what the IURC decides. This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: 5 people decide if your CenterPoint bill jumps. Here's what they make Former Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 82 years old. Lieberman died in New York City "due to complications from a fall," his family said in a statement. "His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the statement read. Lieberman, a prominent Jewish politician who represented Connecticut, was Al Gore's running mate on the Democratic ticket in 2000. A political maverick who ultimately became an independent, he also nearly joined former Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential ticket as his running mate. The two were friends and were both defense hawks, advocating for a muscular U.S. posture abroad. Lieberman became a player on the political scene again in recent years as the founding chair of the No Labels party, which is weighing launching a "unity ticket" in this year's presidential race, though no major candidates have said they plan to join. Lieberman "meant so much to so many," No Labels said in a statement following his passing. "He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a senator and a statesman. He was the founding chairman and moral center of the No Labels movement. "His unexpected passing is a profound loss for all of us," the statement continued. "Senator Lieberman was a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others. As a four-term senator, he led passage of transformative bipartisan legislation that made America's air and water cleaner, that made us safer after 9/11, and that expanded equality and opportunity for all," the statement continued, in part. "Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled," No Labels added. "But we are honored to have known him and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had." Lieberman's funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, his family said. PHOTO: Senator Joe Lieberman poses for a portrait in Beijing, on Oct. 15, 2023. (The Washington Post via Getty Images) MORE: Joe Lieberman, Doug Jones face-off over No Labels' chances with 2024 'unity' ticket Lieberman's former running mate, Al Gore, released a statement on X saying he was "profoundly saddened." "I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family," Gore's statement read. "Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. That's why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he'd start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.' And doing things Joe's way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first. "His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: 'I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing.' Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate. "It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I'll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America," Gore's statement concluded. Former President George W. Bush released a statement, calling Lieberman "one of the most decent people" he met in Washington. "Laura and I are saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington," his statement read. "As a Democrat, Joe wasn't afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I'm grateful for Joe's principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe's example of decency guides our Nation's leaders now and into the future." In a statement on X, former President Barack Obama expressed his condolences. "Joe Lieberman and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. He also worked hard to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family," his statement read. Connecticut lawmakers honored Lieberman after news of his death broke. "Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman's sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "On world and national stages, he helped to define and frame an era of history," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement. "He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service. He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went." Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who beat Lieberman in the 2006 Senate Democratic primary but then lost to him in the general election when Lieberman ran as an independent, said they had ideological differences but honored Lieberman as "a man of integrity and conviction" and that "we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy" after their race was over. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called his longtime friend's passing "devastatingly sad." "Just heard of my dear friend Joe Lieberman's passing. As I am just now leaving Israel, so many emotions. This is devastatingly sad. I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of America's interests as we saw it," Graham said in a statement. "To Hadassah, I know your heart is broken, but please understand your legion of friends love you dearly. To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey. I look forward to sharing more thoughts about this wonderful man and the incredible life he lived. "The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are," Graham said, adding: "Rest in peace, my dear friend. From the Last Amigo." Lieberman was the first Jewish American on a major party's presidential ticket and was known for his Jewish observance. "Sen. Joe Lieberman was a true trailblazer, and represented the hopes, aspirations, and ideals of the Jewish community in the United States," the Jewish Federations of North America wrote on X. "As the first member of the Jewish community to run on a major party presidential ticket, he broke barriers and showed us what was possible, and always did so while holding strong to his values and moral outlook. Jewish Federations mourn his passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time." The National Council of Jewish Women also mourned the loss of Lieberman, writing on X: "A trailblazer as the first Jewish candidate on the national ticket of a major party, he championed abortion access, LGBTQ+ equality and gun safety. Our communities are safer because of his leadership. May his memory be for a blessing." "Joe Lieberman was a true mensch and a great American," former Sen. Norm Coleman, chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said in a statement. "Time and again, Senator Lieberman put principle over politics. He was a shining example of all that's good and decent about public service. And he was a committed and proud Jew who served his country with distinction... I am proud to have known Joe and the Republican Jewish Coalition was proud to work with him over the years." ABC News' Rick Klein, Kelsey Walsh, Mariam Khan and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Legislature is one vote away from asking Arizonans if they want to vote like it's 1990. House Concurrent Resolution 2032 would abolish early voting, curb the use of vote centers and revert to election day-only voting at a precinct. It needs a vote of the full Senate to be sent to the November ballot, where voters would get the final say. The proposal would cap years of efforts to reverse many of the election changes made in the name of voter convenience and efficiency. Election officials call this "the big one" of 2024's suite of election-related legislation. That's because of its potential cost and wide-ranging changes to how Arizona votes. Early voting has been practiced in Arizona for more than three decades. How do Republicans want to change Arizona's voting laws? HCR 2032 would: Scrap early voting and replace it with absentee-only voting. That would mean most voters would have to cast their ballots at the polls on election day. Dial back the use of vote centers in Maricopa and Pima counties, but allow them to continue in the state's other counties as long as the population remains below 500,000 people. Vote centers allow people to vote anywhere within their county of residence. Establish voting precincts of up to 1,000 voters. If precincts are in place in Maricopa and Pima, county authorities could then also authorize vote centers. While the debate over precincts and vote centers has been rolling all legislative session, the abolition of early voting is new. Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, added the provision during the last meeting of the year of the Senate Elections Committee, which she chairs. She did not offer any explanation for her amendment. Sen. Wendy Rogers attends a joint House and Senate election committee hearing at the state Capitol in Phoenix on Feb. 23, 2023. Early voting has been practiced in Arizona for more than three decades, and is highly popular. In this month's presidential preference election, 95% of the vote in Maricopa County came in by mail or early voting, according to preliminary statistics. But many Republicans in the wake of the 2020 presidential election have eyed the ability to vote early or by mail with suspicion. That culminated in a 2022 lawsuit from the Arizona Republican Party, which argued the practice was unconstitutional. The courts disagreed, and the practice continued. The ballot referral would outline exceptions for mandatory voting at the polls. Absentee voting would be allowed for disabled people, those age 65 and up, voters living outside the state and are enrolled in an out-of-state college, overseas voters and active military members and their family members. Those voters would have to request an absentee ballot from their local county election office. They could cast it in person at early-voting sites set up for absentee voters or return it by mail. Vote centers are another election practice that has grown in popularity, in part because they allow people to vote at any center within their county, instead of being limited to their home precinct. The proposal was puzzling to Sandy Bahr, director of the Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club. I dont understand why you want to do anything at all that discourages voting," Bahr told the Senate Elections Committee. She predicted the measure would fail if it gets placed on the ballot, given the popularity of early voting. But I encourage you to save time and reject it today, she said. But Alan Skillicorn, a Fountain Hills City Council member, said the current system has led to long lines and delays. That is discouraging, he said, and amounts to a form of voter suppression. He supported the measure, which passed the committee on a party-line vote with Republicans in support and Democrats opposed. What issues do election officials see with the proposal? The proposal to revert to precinct voting in the state's largest counties has technical hurdles, election officials say. Jen Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, put it succinctly when she addressed the elections committee March 18. We just dont have the places and the people," she said. To keep precincts at 1,000 voters, Maricopa County would need about 2,500 precincts, Marson told lawmakers. Currently, the county has 935 precincts and 235 vote centers. Pima County would need to more than double the number of existing precincts to 626, she said. When Maricopa County was still using precinct voting in the mid-2000s, election officials couldn't find enough places to house the 1,148 precincts required at that time, Marson said. Even attempts to double up precincts at one location failed to produce enough locations, she added. The increase in precincts would demand an increase in election workers, a population already in short supply, Marson said. Counties have struggled to recruit volunteers for election tasks, due to increasing harassment and threats from people upset with elections and how they are run. Other GOP election bills appeared fated for veto While the current session has produced dozens of other election-related bills, many are presumed to be doomed to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' veto stamp. Most of the bills that are still active have passed strict party lines, with unified Democratic opposition, a signal to Hobbs to reject the measures. For example, Senate Bill 1097 would require school board candidates to declare their party affiliation, a move that Democrats argued against. Currently, school board races are nonpartisan. Rep. Laura Terech, D-Phoenix, said playing up party affiliations only makes voters more cynical about school board policies. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, criticized Democrats for complaining the bill would harm democracy, arguing politics is part of a functioning democracy. Other bills focus on vote center restriction or the return to precinct-only voting. But their provisions have been captured by HCR2032, which bypasses the governor and goes straight to the ballot if it gets approval from the full Senate. Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republicans want ballot measure scrapping early voting Social media was buzzing this Holy Week with a video of former president and the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump selling a God Bless the USA Bible. For $59.99, Americans can have what I believe, as an evangelical pastor, is the inspired Word of God but also the texts of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance and the chorus to a Lee Greenwood song. I sincerely hope the former president is not just endorsing the Bible but also reading it especially as it relates to how God calls us to treat immigrants, because there are important messages there for all of us. Immigration is a significant theme throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "ger," best translated as immigrant, appears 92 times. And were not just to welcome immigrants but to also love and care for them, as well as seek justice on their behalf. God calls us to emulate his love for people who are made in his image. The Israelites are repeatedly told to remember their history as mistreated foreigners in Egypt in a way that builds empathy for others. As a people descended almost entirely from immigrants, that is an important message for Americans as well. Trump's legal problems are costly. Will he have money to campaign? Immigrants have important roles in the Bible Many of the heroes in the Bible were immigrants. Abraham left his homeland on a divine promise then crossed borders again, fleeing famine. Moses fled Egypt to live in Midian and named his first son Gershom, which means a foreigner there. Ruth, a Moabite immigrant in Israel, became part of the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus. Former President Donald Trump is selling the God Bless the USA Bible. Jesus, of course, was the most important immigrant in history. Carried by Joseph and Mary, he escaped violence in his homeland and found refuge in Egypt an experience similar to that of more than 35 million refugees around the world today who have fled their homes because of persecution. As Jesus followers, we are called to see ourselves as strangers whove been welcomed in by Gods kindness. Gods welcome of foreigners has inspired our congregation in Indiana to welcome refugees and immigrants in our community. But were not unique: More than one-third of evangelical Christians say theyve been involved in immigrant ministry. 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. That doesnt mean we all agree on the best public policy solutions. The Bible never tells us what the ceiling on annual refugee admissions should be. It doesnt prescribe how to both ensure order and safety and protect the vulnerable from injustice. Americans want a religious president. They just don't see Trump or Biden that way. Evangelicals say immigration policy should reflect biblical values But more than 9 in 10 evangelicals agreed in a recent poll by Lifeway Research that U.S. immigration policy should reflect the biblical convictions that immigrants are made with dignity in the image of God (not animals, as the former president has labeled some.) Lifeway Research also finds that 78% would support legislation pairing improvements to border security with an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who meet certain requirements. And 71% say the United States has a moral responsibility to welcome refugees, along with 91% who want immigration policies to protect family unity. I have reservations about a president profiting from the Bible, especially when the Bible is bundled with foundational national documents in a way that suggests they are equally inspired by God. Im thankful to live in this country, but if we really want God to bless the USA, we should read the Bible carefully, reflect Gods concern for immigrants and pursue policies consistent with its teachings. Jeff Schultz is the co-lead pastor of Faith Church in Indianapolis. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump is selling Bibles. I hope he reads what it says about immigrants Its not uncommon to see remnants of a tire or debris on the sides of Iowa interstates. Less common? A ring tucked inside in a box. But thats exactly what Zachary Ahrens and Jacob Kamerling discovered on Interstate 80 in March, said Johnny Shanahan, highway maintenance supervisor with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The two highway technician associates are part of the overnight crew in Coralville with the DOT, tasked with removing debris on the shoulders or in ditches along the interstate. Their unique discovery led to the reunion of a ring intended for one employees 40th anniversary with a Kansas-based company. Who does the ring belong to? Iowa Department of Transportation staff discovered a ring along Interstate 80 in Coralville in March 2024 and returned to Kansas-based company IBT Industrial Solutions. Shanahan reached out to the owners through the contact information found inside the abandoned FedEx package. We try to practice really good customer service at the DOT, he said, adding its well worth their time helping return someones property. An email popped up in the inbox of Christin Trepkowski, a talent and organizational effectiveness consultant with IBT Industrial Solutions, saying they had her ring. More specifically, a ring that was intended for an employee's 40th anniversary with the company: Bryan Schroer, operations support manager. I did not know that it was gone, she said. That was really shocking to me. IBT, headquartered in Kansas, is a distribution company founded 75 years ago. Whenever you think about how your Amazon packages get to you, theres a whole crew of people behind that with conveying, delivery and then the products themselves, we support them, said Tracie Biggerstaff, senior director of marketing. We support the warehouse facility, the drivers, all of the moving parts that make our lives on a day-to-day basis comfortable. Did the ring get returned? IBT Industrial Solutions staff show their rings commemorating 40 years with the Kansas-based company. Yes, and the ring is in "perfect condition," too. IBT was built on family, work-life balance and community, Biggerstaff said. CEO Jeff Cloud, whose grandfather started the company decades ago, presents these rings to employees whove had a tenure of 40 years, both Biggerstaff and Trepkowski explained. Biggerstaff, in an email, said there are 395 employees with IBT and that 24% have been with IBT for more than 20 years. Schroer is part of the nearly 10% of staff with 30 to 40 years at the company. While Trepkowski said IBT would have realized the ring had gone missing and reordered it, these custom-made pieces of jewelry take about six to eight week to produce and deliver. That would have meant cutting it real close to having the ring in time for Schroers anniversary. Instead, Iowa DOTs discovery meant no disappointed employees or delayed anniversary ceremonies. Our company being built on values, our hearts were just overwhelmed with joy whenever we saw other people expressing the same kind of ethics and values that we hold so dearly to us, Biggerstaff said. Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa DOT returns employee's 40th anniversary ring with IBT in Kansas WASHINGTON Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) this week came up with a new excuse for why reporters keep writing hes found no evidence incriminating President Joe Biden. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Comer told a Fox News radio host, is working with the Deep State whos working with the liberal mainstream media to try to indoctrinate into peoples minds that theres no evidence. Comer has griped about the media coverage of his impeachment inquiry all along, but describing it as a deep state conspiracy is new. Its also telling, because its ridiculous and it shows his tendency toward exaggeration, which is why reporters are always pointing out that actually, hes got no evidence. And thats why hes so mad. To take one example, Comer complained Monday on Fox News that he had proven Biden received $250,000 thanks to global influence peddling by his family members cashing in on the last name hed made famous. The committee revealed in October that it had obtained bank records showing two payments, one for $200,000 and another for $40,000, from James and Sara Biden, the presidents brother and sister-in-law, to an account connected to Joe Biden, in 2018. Comer trumpeted evidence of a direct payment to Joe Biden. He claimed it was dirty money James Biden only earned because his brother was in on the scheme. But the checks said loan repayment on the memo line, and, as HuffPost reported at the time, other records in the committees possession suggested Joe Biden had previously sent the same sums to James and Sara Biden. So what it really looked like was Comer caught Joe Biden loaning his brother money at a time when he was flush with cash from his 2017 memoir. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, told a Fox News radio host that Attorney General Merrick Garland is working with the "Deep State whos working with the liberal mainstream media to try to indoctrinate into peoples minds that theres no evidence" in his impeachment inquiry. Tom Williams via Getty Images Comer refused to accept that the money was a repayment, because the initial transfers from Joe Biden to his brother arent marked as loans, there is no written loan agreement, and no interest was charged. As Comer put it to HuffPost in November, Loan my ass. Last month, lawmakers asked James Biden about the payments during a closed-door interview as part of the impeachment inquiry. I repaid two loans that I secured from my brother, James Biden said, according to a transcript, adding that he needed the money for outstanding bills that I had. He said he knew he could ask his brother because of the millions hed earned from his book. Republicans obtained bank records showing James Biden received $200,000 from Americore, a bankrupt health care company that hired him as a consultant, on the same day he repaid the same amount to brother. (As part of a settlement stemming from the firms bankruptcy proceedings, James Biden agreed to pay back $350,000 of the $600,000 the company paid him.) Lawmakers also interviewed Carol Fox, Americores bankruptcy trustee, who said she had no evidence that Joe Biden had been involved in his brothers work with the company, or that the two had even spoken about it. A staff attorney asked Fox if she had seen anything where James Biden informed Americore that he was going to take the $200,000 that was purportedly a loan and give it to Joe Biden? Fox said, I did not. Regarding the $40,000 James Biden repaid his brother, Republicans have called it the proceeds of Hunter Bidens $5 million deal with a Chinese energy conglomerate, arguing James Biden was only able to make the payment because weeks earlier he had received $150,000 from his nephew, who said he paid him as a consultant on the project. And theyve suggested Joe Biden knew where the money was coming from because he briefly met one of the Chinese nationals involved. Rob Walker, a former business partner of Hunter Bidens, testified in a closed-door interview that Joe Biden met the executive in 2017 at a group lunch in a Washington hotel. Heres the rub: Walker said Joe Biden popped in for 10 minutes, and the Chinese nationals present might have been impressed, but the elder Biden had a habit of checking in on his son, whose life at the time was falling apart under the weight of a crack cocaine addiction. I think that from time to time he liked to lay eyes on his son who was in and out of sobriety, Walker said. He told lawmakers he didnt think Joe Biden even really knew why they were there and that the elder Biden said, Good luck in whatever you guys are doing. Several other former business partners testified to a similar pattern. Hunter Biden would get a call from his dad, and instead of leaving the room, he would put him on speakerphone, even if business associates were present, and Joe Biden would talk about the weather. None have said they observed Joe Biden actually talk business or express any familiarity with what his son or brother were doing. In his own deposition, Hunter Biden furiously rejected the idea he had funneled money through his uncle to his father. Youre acting as if theres, like, a dollar here that somehow was traced all the way down to here to repay a loan that you guys say that my father made to him, Biden told lawmakers. All I know is this: My father was never involved in any of my business, ever. Never received a cent from anybody or never benefited in any way. Never took any actions on behalf in any way. On Fox News radio this week, Comer described the money Joe Biden received from his brother as part of the familys global grift without even bothering to ridicule the idea that Joe Biden had previously lent his brother the money. This all revolves around Joe, because not only have we proven Joe got $250,000, a quarter of a million dollars of that money, but Joe met with all the people that were wiring the Bidens money, even though he lied and said he never met with any of them, Comer said. Theyre bad people in bad countries who were being investigated for corruption. (Joe Biden has denied that he ever discussed business with his son and his sons associates, according to Republicans own rundown of his past statements. Comer and his colleagues maintain that Joe Biden saying good luck to a family members business associate is tantamount to talking business with that person.) Comer went on to suggest all the money Joe Bidens family members received amounted to foreign bribes. He did not mention that Republicans main bribery allegation against Joe Biden that he received $5 million from a Ukrainian oligarch evaporated last month when the Justice Department said an FBI informant with ties to Russian intelligence had made it up. It had been Republicans most compelling piece of evidence. In addition to calling the media part of a deep state conspiracy to defend Joe Biden, Comer lashed out at reporters whove traveled to his Kentucky district to report stories about his own use of Hunter Biden-style shell companies to make financial transactions. The reporters visiting Kentucky, Comer claimed, wore effete footwear and walked in a dainty manner. They stand out like a sore thumb, they can tell when they get out of the car and see their little Gucci slippers that theyre not from my Red Wing boot-wearing hometown, Comer said. They waddle in there, you know, tiptoe in there to the court, and they do all these open records requests and they wont do anything on Biden. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas talks in his chambers at the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S. June 6, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst SEARCH "SCOTUS" FOR THIS STORY. THE IMAGES SHOULD ONLY BE USED TOGETHER WITH THE STORY - NO STAND-ALONE USES. IMAGE FOR USE AND PUBLICATION ONLY AS PART OF REUTERS SUPREME COURT "Marble, drape and justice: inside the U.S. Supreme Court" PHOTO ESSAY UNTIL AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2017. The email went out to members of Justice Clarence Thomas law clerk network late last month celebrating his newest addition to an exclusive club. The justices selection needed no introduction. Crystal Clantons clerkship for OT 24 was announced by Scalia Law today! wrote an assistant to Virginia Thomas, the justices wife, who is known as Ginni. The email referred to the 2024 October term of the court, and the tone was jubilant: Please take a look at these posts of congratulations and support. Consider reposting, replying or adding your own! The Thomases and Clanton, 29, a conservative organizer turned lawyer, have built such a close relationship that the couple informally refer to her as their nearly adopted daughter. Clanton, who was previously accused of sending racist text messages, including one that read I HATE BLACK PEOPLE, has lived in the Thomas home, assisted Ginni Thomas in her political consulting business and joined her in a girls trip to New York. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times In 2019, at the Thomases urging, Clanton enrolled at Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in Virginia, where Clarence Thomas has taught. She received a full merit scholarship, according to another judge who later hired her. Her upcoming Supreme Court clerkship, one of the most coveted jobs in the American legal profession, is the latest triumph in her redemption from a highly publicized 2017 controversy over the racist messages. The blowup led to her departure from a group she helped build, Turning Point USA, which seeks to increase the influence of conservative students on college campuses across the country. For Thomas critics, his selection of Clanton as a clerk is blatant favoritism, if not nepotism, particularly for a justice already under an ethics cloud for revelations about his gifts and travel from wealthy benefactors. To his defenders, Thomas is showing admirable willingness to take in a young conservative and shield her from a firestorm of attacks for text messages that he and other supporters say were fakes designed to malign her. Either way, his decision is another example of the justice landing himself in public controversy, this time by hiring his wifes former employee and a virtual family member primarily known outside the justices circle for allegations that she sent anti-Black texts. Friends say Clantons hiring also reflects Thomas sympathies to a young woman under siege, as he has been, from what he has long viewed as a sanctimonious liberal elite. Justice Thomas knows what a racist is, Mark Paoletta, a close friend and frequent defender of the Thomases, wrote on social media, adding, I will take his word and judgment any day of the week. The justice, he added, has survived Democrat racists in DC who have attacked him for 40 years because he does not conform to their racist demand that he must think a certain way based on color of his skin. The Thomases and Clanton did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Ethics experts say there is nothing in the Supreme Courts new ethics code that prohibits a justice from hiring someone accused of racism, or even a close family friend. Court watchers point to other recent selections of clerks, such as Justice Elena Kagans decision to hire Attorney General Merrick B. Garlands daughter (although she will not start work with the justice while her father is attorney general). In the early days of the Supreme Court, justices sometimes hired their sons as law clerks to assist them with cases, and law clerks often worked out of justices homes. But the federal judicial code of conduct which the Supreme Court is not bound to follow advises judges to avoid favoritism and to exercise the power of appointment fairly and only on the basis of merit. A 2016 advisory opinion cautioned against a judges giving the appearance that someone may gain an advantage in hiring because of the persons broader connections to a judge. It seems clear that Justice Thomas acted improperly in hiring someone to whom he is so close that he describes her as something akin to a family member, said Kathleen Clark, a legal ethics expert at Washington University in St. Louis. While this hiring probably does not violate the nepotism statutes, it is the type of favoritism prohibited by the code. Throughout his career, Thomas has shown a preference for clerks who have overcome adversity. He has often reached beyond Ivy League law schools and looked for evidence of grit and determination. I like clerks from modest backgrounds, he said in a speech a decade ago. Im from a modest background. I truly believe theyre special kids who for some reason keep at it every day, in spite of the odds, get up every day. Nobody gives them a break, but they keep going. Clanton was raised in Gurnee, Illinois, a middle-class suburb of Chicago, by her grandparents, whom she revered as role models. Theyre perfect examples of strength, grace and kindness, she told the website futurefirstlady.com in 2015, which highlighted her as a Weekly Conservative Woman. A lesser-known part of Clantons story is an early family tragedy. In December 1994, a few months before she was born, Clantons biological father, a construction worker, was acquitted by a jury on charges that he had fatally battered her 18-month-old brother, reported at the time by The Chicago Tribune. Clantons mother asked for a protective order against Clantons father, and it was granted, court documents show, when Clanton was 1 year old. Years later, when Clanton was 14, her grandmother wrote in a court filing that she had raised Clanton since she was 6 months old. The court records do not shed light on the role Clantons mother played in her upbringing. Clanton was an honor roll student at her high school in Gurnee, and competed in community beauty pageants and contests for future business leaders. She was always politically inclined, but fears about President Barack Obamas election nudged her toward activism. I heard my family talking about all the ways Obamas policies were going to make it harder for them to get ahead, she said in the 2015 interview. I thought it was unfair and I didnt like the direction Obama wanted our country to go, so I decided to do something about it. That something was joining Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, a young conservative activist, out of his parents house in the Chicago suburbs. Clanton was an active member through her college years at Marquette University in Wisconsin. She became national field director, appeared on Fox News, made inroads at other universities and wrote several articles for an affiliated website, including 5 Things Hillary Really Said. The rise of Donald Trump supercharged the group. Kirk became a political sensation as the organization attracted some of the biggest names in the conservative world. Among them was Ginni Thomas, a Turning Point advisory board member, who in the summer of 2016 delivered a speech to more than 400 conservative women at the groups Young Womens Leadership Summit in Dallas. It is unclear when Clanton first met Ginni Thomas, but the two likely would have crossed paths at the summit, which Clanton helped organize. By then she was on a rise of her own. Clanton had become the top lieutenant to Kirk, who in a February 2016 post on Twitter, now X, lavished her with praise. He shared a picture of a packed room of organizers and wrote: See this? This was created thanks to Clanton and her amazing leadership. Without her, there is no TPUSA. That fall, Clanton was quoted in a Time magazine article titled The GOPs Young-Women Whisperers. But by the summer of 2017, she was gone from Turning Point. A clue to her departure came in December that year. Jane Mayer of The New Yorker reported that Clanton had sent text messages to another Turning Point employee, including the racist one with profanity. Clanton, who would have been about 20 when the messages were sent, told The New Yorker that she did not recall the messages. Kirk told the magazine that Turning Point assessed the situation and took decisive action within 72 hours of being made aware of the issue. Since then, Clanton has not spoken publicly on the issue, possibly because of a confidentiality agreement she has with Turning Point. But Kirk has adjusted his account, and asserted that Clanton was the victim of a former Turning Point employee who created fake text messages to smear her. Kirk and Turning Point have not publicly provided evidence for that assertion. In the explosive aftermath of the text messages, Ginni Thomas told her husband of the horrible way Clanton had been treated at Turning Point, Clarence Thomas wrote in a 2021 letter, and asked that she be allowed to live with us. The justice who had been through his own media firestorm in his confirmation hearings when Anita Hill, a former subordinate, accused him of earlier sexual harassment agreed to take in Clanton. And she lived with us for almost a year, he wrote. It was not easy at first. In the beginning, Clanton was understandably distraught and depressed and felt overwhelmed and was ready to give up, the justice wrote. It was excruciating to watch her suffer so deeply, not knowing how to erase the smear or show that her life was not over. She was also facing, Clarence Thomas wrote, the terminal illness of her grandmother, who was not expected to live another year. (Clantons grandmother died in April 2018.) Clanton worked for Ginni Thomas as a project manager at her political firm, Liberty Consulting. She handled data, helped clients and assisted nonprofits. In May 2019, Thomas hinted at her protegees progress. Shes the wind in my sails, Thomas said in a speech to the Council for National Policy, asking Clanton to stand for recognition. By then Clanton had applied to the Scalia Law School. Renamed in 2016 in honor of Justice Antonin Scalia as part of a $30 million deal with conservative donors, the school has built close ties with Supreme Court justices, including Thomas, who has taught there in recent years. Clanton started at the school in the fall of 2019. It is unclear whether she was still living with the Thomases at that point, but the school was only a half-hour from their home and Clanton was as close as ever to the couple. They listed her on their family page in an annual printed clerk directory as their nearly adopted daughter, and prominently featured her in photos in the Thomases annual Christmas letters. During the girls trip to New York, Clanton joined the group at Broadway shows and in singing karaoke. In the meantime, Clarence Thomas set in motion the chess moves for a Supreme Court clerkship. In Clantons second year, he reached out to Judge William H. Pryor Jr., chief judge of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Atlanta. Pryor has sent roughly two dozen clerks to the Supreme Court, mainly to conservative justices. Thomas told Pryor, the judge later recounted in a letter, that like him, Crystal had overcome a lot of adversity early in life to go to and succeed in law school. The justice told him, he wrote, that there had been false media reports about her and that the stories were contrary to his assessment of her character. Pryor had already hired clerks for the year, but he recommended two lower-court judges who both offered Clanton clerkships. She chose Judge Corey L. Maze, a Trump appointee to U.S. District Court in Alabama, and went to work for him after her graduation from law school in May 2022. (In the Thomases holiday newsletter that December, Clanton was featured in a swearing-in photo with the caption Admitted to the AL bar, and in a cap-and-gown portrait as Crystal Clanton (near daughter). The next year she went to work for Pryor, a high-profile jurist whose decision to hire her reignited the text message controversy. Democratic lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., raised concerns that someone accused of racism would be so highly placed in the court system. They demanded an investigation into the hiring decisions by both Pryor and Maze. These two federal judges hired an individual with a widely reported pattern of racist and bigoted conduct, the lawmakers wrote in a November 2021 letter to Chief Justice John Roberts and Judge Charles Wilson, who was then the most senior active judge on the 11th Circuit. In the eyes of the public, she will be one of these judges closest advisers with special access to the judicial decision-making process. Pryor defended his decision in a letter to Wilson. Clanton, he said, was highly qualified, had received a full merit scholarship to law school, was in the top 5% of her class and received the top grade in a summer course taught by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. A law school spokesperson declined to answer questions about Clantons tenure at the school, citing student privacy laws. Judge Debra Ann Livingston, who investigated the matter, said she did not find evidence that the judges had engaged in misconduct, concluded they had done proper due diligence and dismissed the matter. After further review by federal judges, the inquiry was officially closed in October 2023. In the fall, Clanton will join three other clerks for Thomas as he begins his 34th term on the court. c.2024 The New York Times Company Gov. Tina Kotek signed legislation Wednesday that should reopen hiking and recreation sites that were previously closed by restoring liability protection for cities and counties. Kotek signed Senate Bill 1576, which includes an amendment to temporarily restore the legal power of recreational immunity a law that protects landowners who open their land for recreation. State Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, sponsored the legislation. The law was thrown into question last July when Oregons Court of Appeals ruled the city of Newport couldnt use recreational immunity to dismiss a lawsuit from a woman who sued the city after slipping and breaking her leg while crossing a trail bridge. The ruling sparked a wave of trail closures from cities worried about an uptick in lawsuits they couldnt afford to fight. The Short Beach Trail in Oceanside was closed by Tillamook County over concern it could lead to a lawsuit, following a decision by Oregon's Court of Appeals. The signing of Senate Bill 1576 allows trails like it to reopen. CIS Oregon, which provides insurance to most Oregon cities and counties, said the court had effectively ended recreational immunity and local governments should consider closing trails. In response, some 22 trails were closed, mostly on the coast. A number of other trail projects being planned were also put on hold, multiple city officials said. SB 1576 temporarily reverses that. SB 1576 allows cities to open, and keep open, trails, bridges, and staircases to allow Oregonians and their guests to recreate without carrying extra liability and risk for the public, said Scott Winkels, a lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities which pushed for the bill. After Kotek signed the bill, CIS Oregon said cities were free to reopen trails. Because SB 1576 went into effect immediately, all trails that were previously closed due to the Fields v. City of Newport court decision can now be reopened without undue risk to local government budgets and programs," the insurance company said in a statement. "CIS previous advice to close improved trails is rescinded." The company added: "CIS is very happy to encourage local governments throughout Oregon to let their constituents know that all trails and recreational opportunities are open for business once again and will remain open throughout the summer season. The bill, which was only meant to be a temporary fix, sunsets in 2026. A working group is expected to take up a longer-term fix to recreational immunity in the coming year and bring forward legislation in the longer 2025 session. We look forward to working in the 2025 legislative session towards a durable solution to protect access to free recreation, Winkles added. The main opponent of the bill was the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, which has argued cities and counties should not enjoy such broad protection from lawsuits. Recreational immunity "further reduces the financial incentive for cities, counties and the state to keep our families and communities safe," the advocacy group previously said. "They will now have no responsibility to maintain safe trails, bike lanes and parks." Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Gov. Tina Kotek signs bill reopening hiking trails on Oregon Coast Joe Lieberman independent four-term U.S. senator and Al Gores Democratic running mate in 2000 died at the age of 82 on Wednesday, due to complications from a fall in New York, according to a statement from his family. The first Jewish candidate on the national ticket of a major party, Lieberman made a reputation for himself as someone who spoke in favor of abortion rights, gun control and gay rights but, after the attacks of September 11, 2001, gained a bit of heat for his support of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and staunch views on foreign policy. Reacting to the news of his death, Senator Lindsey Graham posted a lengthy tribute to X (formerly Twitter), in which he referred to Lieberman as his "dear friend," writing, "I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of Americas interests as we saw it." Signing off, "From the Last Amigo." Barack Obama admitted to not always seeing eye-to-eye with Lieberman in his own statement to social media, but praises him for his "extraordinary career in public service," writing, "He also worked hard to repeal 'Dont Ask Dont Tell' and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do." Remembering him as "a man of devout faith," Senator Mitt Romney celebrates him as "a dedicated public servant, and defender of American values." And Senator Susan Collins from Maine included a video with her send-off, writing, "A student from Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay, Maine just this afternoon asked me who the favorite person was that I have worked with in my career. I said Joe Lieberman." A student from Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay, Maine just this afternoon asked me who the favorite person was that I have worked with in my career. I said Joe Lieberman. pic.twitter.com/4zUibFIjVr Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 27, 2024 Al Gore had this to say: I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family. My heart goes out to Hadassah, Hana, Matt, Rebecca, Ethan, his sisters, and all those grieving his loss. Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. Thats why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when hed start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatras My Way. And doing things Joes way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first. His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: "I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing. Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. Ill remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America. Satellite images show workers have spelt out 'I love UAE' with piles of dirt next to the new airstrip on Abd al-Kuri island - PLANET LABS PBC A mysterious runway on a tiny island guarding the entrance to the Red Sea has appeared with I love UAE next to it in giant letters seen from space. No country has publicly claimed the construction taking place on Abd al-Kuri island, a Yemeni stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images show workers have spelt out I love UAE with piles of dirt next to the runway, using an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. It comes as Yemens Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, which has become a key chokepoint. Both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to which it leads have become an international battleground. A runway could potentially allow a nation to project its power into the area. The construction comes as the presence of troops from the Emirates in the Socotra island chain to which Abd al-Kuri belongs has sparked clashes in the past. The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that any presence of the UAE on Socotra island is based on humanitarian grounds that is carried out in cooperation with the Yemeni government and local authorities. The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to all international endeavors aimed at facilitating the resumption of the Yemeni political process, thereby advancing the security, stability, and prosperity sought by the Yemeni populace, it added, without elaborating. The Yemeni embassy in Washington and Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, did not respond to questions. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC, analysed by AP, show the runway, running north to south, measuring some 3km - PLANET LABS PLC Abd al-Kuri is about 21 miles (35km) in length and about 3 miles (5km) at its widest point. It sits closer to the Horn of Africa than it does to Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest nation, which has been at war for years. Along that widest point sits the airstrip construction. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analysed by the Associated Press (AP) showed trucks and other vehicles grading the runway on March 11. Images of the site from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday showed vehicles in different positions and active work being done there, possibly including paving the site. The runway, running north to south, measures 1.8 miles (3km). A runway of that length could accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft, even some of the heaviest bombers. There has been increased activity on Abd al-Kuri island, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water - PLANET LABS PBC Construction initially could be seen in the area in January 2022, with a diagonal, shorter runway being carved out of the sand, according to Planet Labs imagery. The first signs of construction of the longer north-south runway were in July 2022, but work was halted. This month, theres been increased activity on the island, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water, and the movement of heavy vehicles. That work corresponds with a report last week by Abu Dhabis state-linked broadcaster Sky News Arabia, which claimed to quote an anonymous US defence official as saying America had strengthened our missile defenses on Socotra Island in anticipation of the rebels attacking US bases. Socotra is the main island of the Socotra chain, about 130km from Abd al-Kuri. The US military told the AP it was not involved in the construction on Abd al-Kuri, nor was there any American military presence elsewhere in Yemen. US special forces have launched raids in the past in Yemen, while a two-decade American drone strike campaign has targeted the countrys al-Qaeda affiliate. There also werent any air defence batteries immediately discernible around the Abd al-Kuri island site in satellite imagery. However, what appear to be piles of dirt at the site had been arranged to spell I love UAE just east of the runway. Long been a strategic port The island of Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the rare Dragon Blood tree, has long been a strategic port given its location on a key East-West trade route from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. The Soviet Union once used Socotra as an anchorage for both its surface fleet and submarines when South Yemen, a Communist nation based in Aden, ruled the island from 1967 until 1990. The island since has felt far removed from the chaos that has gripped Yemen in the decades since. A Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE entered the Yemen war in 2015 on behalf of the countrys exiled government and has been caught in a grinding, nearly decade-long conflict since. In 2018, the UAE deployed troops to Socotra island, sparking a dispute with Yemens exiled government. Two years later, clashes broke out between Yemeni separatists backed by the UAE and other forces there. Meanwhile, Iranian-linked media and the Houthis have alleged, without providing evidence, that the Emiratis allowed Israel to operate from Socotra. Israel has not acknowledged any presence there, and the Israeli prime ministers office declined to comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Semafor Signals Insights from Le Monde and Politico The News The presidents of France and Brazil launched a submarine made in the South American nation using French technology, as the two nations strengthen their defense ties. Emmanuel Macron is the first French president to visit Brazil in 11 years after ties between Paris and Brasilia deteriorated during Jair Bolsonaros presidency. The submarine launch follows Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announcing a $1.1 billion plan to protect the Amazon. Other more thorny subjects such as regional trade deals and Russias war in Ukraine are also expected to feature in talks during the French leaders trip this week. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Presidents look to signal political alignment Source: Le Monde The meetings between Macron and Lula send a signal to politicians in France, Brazil, and beyond: By meeting with Macron, a left-leaning European, Lula is sending a message to right-leaning and centrist politicians in his coalition government, French newspaper Le Monde noted. Meanwhile, Macron is hoping to pull the rug out from under his own opposition by standing with one of the worlds most popular left-wing figures, just over two months before the European elections, the paper noted. France and Brazil diverge on key issues Source: Politico For months, Macron has opposed Brazilian beef exports and blocked a trade deal between Mercosur, South Americas biggest trading body of which Brazil is a member , and the EU in an attempt to placate angry French farmers who feel their products are being undermined. Paris is hoping to avoid conversations about the deal during Macrons trip, but diplomats familiar with the meetings believe that talks about beef exports will inevitably come up, Politico reported. The nations dont just diverge on trade: Lula has so far said he would remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine war, while Macron has pushed for Western nations to up their commitments to Ukraine. Separately, Lula has described Israels military campaign in Gaza as a genocide, a marked shift from many Western countries. Macron and Lula have a vision of the world that is not necessarily the same, but they are each taking steps towards each other, one political scientist told Politico. A coalition of mayors and high-ranking city officials from across the country were in Memphis to discuss solutions to crime on Thursday. Though the sessions were private, The Commercial Appeal took a look at some of the major cities that will be represented at the Black Mayors' Coalition on Crime forum to look for similarities between them and Memphis. The confirmed attendees are: Mayor Mitch Colvin: Fayetteville, North Carolina Mayor Jaylen Smith: Earle, Arkansas Mayor Julian McTizic: Bolivar, Tennessee Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah: Washington, D.C. Mayor Eddie Melton: Gary, Indiana Mayor William Rawls Jr.: Brownsville, Tennessee Mayor Courtney Welch: Emeryville, California Mayor Tishaura Jones: St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba: Jackson, Mississippi Mayor LaToya Cantrell: New Orleans, Louisiana NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick: New Orleans, Louisiana Mayor Beverly H. Burks: Clarkston, Georgia Mayor Frank Scott Jr.: Little Rock, Arkansas Chief Operating Officer Lisa Y. Benjamin: Atlanta, Georgia Mayor Rex Richardson: Long Beach, California Mayor Cory Woods: Tempe, Arizona Mayor Leonardo Williams: Durham, North Carolina Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Brian Williams: Los Angeles, California Maj. Torrie Tellis, CMPD: Charlotte, North Carolina Memphis tops the list of homicides in 2023 Chief among Memphis' crime concerns in 2023 were homicides, which reached an all-time high. America as a whole, however, saw homicides drop compared to 2022. Of some of the major cities represented at the summit, Memphis was one of three that saw an increase in homicides last year, and the Bluff City saw a greater overall change positive or negative than any of them. Memphis had the highest homicide rate and flat out most homicides in 2023 compared to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, Charlotte, Durham, Little Rock, and Long Beach. Memphis had 386 homicides last year, according to early data from the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission. The next highest on that list was Los Angeles with 327. But, when accounting for population, Memphis had a homicide rate of 6.24 homicides per 10,000 residents. Los Angeles had 0.86 homicides per 10,000 residents last year. Here were the homicide rates in 2023 for some of the other cities, per 10,000 people: St. Louis: 5.51 New Orleans: 5.22 Washington, D.C.: 4.04 Little Rock: 3.11 Atlanta: 2.70 Durham: 1.45 Charlotte: 1.06 Los Angeles: 0.86 Long Beach: 0.58 Memphis, along with Washington, D.C. and Durham, were the only cities of this group to see homicides rise from 2022 to 2023. New Orleans, which had just seen one of the highest homicide rates in the country in 2022, had one of the biggest declines in homicide rate. Here is a comparison of each city's change in homicide rate from 2022 to 2023: Memphis: 53.17% increase Washington, D.C.: 34.98% increase Durham: 8.89% increase Charlotte: 11.21% decrease Los Angeles: 16.58% decrease St. Louis: 21% decrease Atlanta: 21.05% decrease Little Rock: 22.22% decrease New Orleans: 27.44% decrease Long Beach: 27.78% decrease How do some cities stack up to Memphis in major crime areas? Though being an outlier in rising homicides, Memphis was not alone in having a high number of aggravated assaults, motor vehicle thefts and car break-ins. Data collected in 2022 from the same cities, with the exception of Los Angeles, for which data was not available, showed most of the cities that will take part in the crime forum had at least 1,000 aggravated assaults, 1,000 car thefts and more than 5,000 car break-ins. Comparing data between different states can, however, be difficult due to differences in the classification of offenses. For example, car thefts in California often fall under a grand theft auto statute. In 2022, which was the last time a complete data set could be located for these cities, St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans had the three highest stolen vehicle rates. Memphis, however, was just outside that top three when it came to car break-ins, and St. Louis, Atlanta and New Orleans were at the top. When it came to aggravated assaults in 2022, Memphis had the highest rate per 10,000 residents and had about 37% more aggravated assaults when taking into account its population than the next-highest city. Memphis came in with a rate of 200.08 aggravated assaults per 10,000 residents, Little Rock had 146.4 aggravated assaults per 10,000 residents and St. Louis had 120.49 per 10,0000 residents. Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Black Mayors' Coalition on Crime met in Memphis: How rates compare County workers and lawmakers have some choice words to describe the 25-year-old state information system used to manage child protection cases and social service programs: Slow. Archaic. A nightmare. "It's the most vulnerable people that we have in the state of Minnesota that are in this system," Pine County Commissioner Terry Lovgren said. "They need the most care, they need the most help, and we can't give it to them because we are working on a broken system." Gov. Tim Walz recently proposed spending $15 million to update the Social Services Information System (SSIS). It was one of the biggest items in his supplemental budget plan. County officials say more efficient technology could save child protection workers who are in high demand and short supply hours every week, allowing them to spend more time with kids and families. And lawmakers and advocates stressed that without a technology update, some other efforts at the Capitol to improve child welfare must remain on hold. But the money Walz proposed is only a portion of the estimated $80 to $100 million needed for a full SSIS replacement. Half of that money could come from a federal government match, said Tikki Brown, assistant commissioner for children and family services at the Department of Human Services. Last year, lawmakers devoted $2 million to analyze SSIS issues and look at what new system would entail, she said, and they will have a report out in the fall. If lawmakers approve the $15 million, Brown said it would allow the state to start building a framework for a replacement system and help "stabilize" the existing system to prevent crashes that have become more frequent in recent years. The system will shut down for hours, or even crash for a full day. County and tribal government workers will lose what they had been writing because the technology often doesn't automatically save it. Nothing can be copied and pasted, so staff must laboriously enter the same information again and again. The "spinning wheel of death" is a familiar sight as screens slowly load. Modernizing SSIS is complex, DHS officials said, because agencies use it to manage many types of services. It is primarily used for child welfare information, such as maltreatment reports, out of home placement plans and adoption information. However, local agencies also rely on it to administer a multitude of other programs, including adult and child mental health services and waiver programs for the elderly and people with disabilities. A 'first step' for child welfare changes The $15 million for SSIS is the only child protection-related item in Walz's spending plan. The governor said he would propose funding to recruit and retain more caseworkers after a Star Tribune series last year examined child protection system failures that led to repeat abuse and deaths. DHS worked with counties to revise Walz's initial proposal and fund the most pressing needs, Walz spokeswoman Claire Lancaster said. The governor's supplemental funding plan this year is a limited adjustment to the two-year budget state leaders passed last spring. "This funding is a first step that will help address immediate needs within the child welfare system allowing workers to spend less time on IT and more time with kids and families," Lancaster said. "We plan to revisit the issue in a budget year." The cumbersome system forces child protection workers to spend about 45 minutes longer than they should have to entering data about a child, Lovgren, of Pine County, estimated. Among the time-sucking problems: workers must repeatedly type up the same parent's details for every child in a family. "That's 45 to 50 minutes that they could be spending with that family and making sure that the children are safe and they are in a good place and the family is OK," she said. A more efficient information system may change the number of child protection workers counties need, said Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury. With limited state dollars available this year, she said spending money on SSIS upgrades makes the most sense as it seems to impact everything else. Mitchell is co-chair of a Legislative Task Force on Child Protection and said technology issues have come up again and again whenever lawmakers ask why something can't be done. Some bills at the Capitol this session have been deemed "impossible to implement," because of the system's limitations, said Joanna Woolman, with the Institute to Transform Child Protection at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She said the system is getting in the way of legislation that would ensure kids in foster care are notified of federal benefits when their parents die and is keeping ombudsperson offices from getting data they need to investigate issues. The technology also prevents the state from figuring out what is or is not working in the child protection system, Woolman said, because they cannot easily pull trend data on adoptions, racial demographics or the speed of court process. "Child protection is really sensitive, important, high-emotion work," said Laura Bartsch, a child and family intake supervisor in Dakota County. "If we don't have the best, most accurate information or equipment systems to work with, I feel like that's a liability on how we're serving families." County officials said they hope improvements to SSIS will help them retain staff. They noted that young employees, who recently graduated from college and are passionate about working with kids and families, end up particularly flummoxed by the antiquated technology. Across Minnesota, child protection workers are juggling higher-than-recommended caseloads and thousands of social work jobs remain unfilled. Scott County's child protection division had a 40-50% employee turnover rate in recent years, said Deputy Health and Human Services Director Suzanne Arntson,who does exit interviews with departing employees. "Every one of my staff that have left either attribute SSIS as the primary driver, or a secondary [reason]," she said. One morning last year, DHS staff visited Scott County. They had planned to sit with county workers and see what it is like to work with the technology, Arntson said. Instead, the system was down the entire time they were there. Minnesota's four-year graduation rate dipped slightly this year, with about 83.3% of high schoolers earning their diplomas on time tempering a rebound seen last year when graduation rates ticked back up to levels similar to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders at the Minnesota Department of Education say the small decrease is due, in part, to errors in tracking students, particularly when they transferred schools. That finding "re-emphasizes the need for schools to keep track of and report every single student during their high school career," the state Education Department wrote in a news release announcing the graduation rates this week. The data also shows slight decreases in the graduation rates for Black, Asian and Latino students and students learning English. In 2022, the graduation rate for Black students jumped to its highest rate ever, 73.5%. Though it dipped to 72.1% in 2023, it still represents an upward trend over the past five years as the state has tried to narrow the achievement gap. The graduation rate for white students and students identifying as two or more races increased in 2023, and the rate for American Indian students and students receiving special education remained largely unchanged from the previous year. "High school graduation is a crucial milestone for every student in our schools; it's essential for individual success and the well-being of our communities," Education Commissioner Willie Jett said in a news release. He highlighted recent initiatives around literacy, student mental health and supporting students' needs as ways the state is working to increase graduation rates. Graduation rates are "an important indicator of the success of our education system," said Michael Rodriguez, dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. According to the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey, most students aim to graduate: Just 1% of the state's students in grades eight, nine and 11 indicated on the survey that they did not plan to graduate from high school. "The hard reality is that not all students are supported at the same level to meet those requirements," Rodriguez said. Is your browser's JavaScript enabled? This web page uses JavaScript to dynamically display certain elements. If you are seeing this message, it likely means that JavaScript is not enabled in your browser. To get the full experience, please enable JavaScript on this device if possible or access it on a different device. According to a recent study by HouseFresh, a national publication focused on indoor air quality, North Carolina saw the second biggest increase in wildfire acreage in 2023. Last year, Arizona had the most significant increase of wildfire acreage, followed by North Carolina. The Tar Heel State had just 11,181 acres burn in 2022, but in 2023 that number jumped to 70,339 acres or 529% over the previous year, the study found. Arizona had an increase of 70,733 acres burned. David Poole, the North Carolina Forest Service division supervisor, watches as the ground smolders at the Poplar Drive Fire on Nov. 8. Western North Carolina counties experienced a drought in 2023 that contributed to the state's total with several big wildfires in the first part of November. The largest wildfire was the Collett Ridge Fire in Cherokee County, with 5,505 acres burned, according to the U.S. Forest Service. More: Great Smoky Mountains NP roads, campground remain closed, others open after 85 mph winds The North Carolina Forest Service reports Buncombe County had 113 wildfires that burned 182.5 acres, and Henderson County had 72 wildfires that burned 512 acres. N.C. Other counties with more than 100 acres burned were as follows: Transylvania County: 30 fires for 107 acres Macon County: 38 fires for 141 acres Jackson County: 65 fires for 484.6 acres Madison County: 54 fires for 243 acres Forest Service spokesperson Philip Jackson said human activity was to blame for 99% of all the state's wildfires in 2023. That wasn't the case for the Collett Ridge Fire, which began on Oct. 23 due to a lightning strike, according to the U.S. Forest Service, but it was the case for the Poplar Drive Fire, which began Nov. 3 following a resident's debris burn. A helicopter flies over Andrews as smoke billows from the Collett Ridge fire, November 7, 2023. "The majority of those fires were due to carelessness and escaped debris burns," Jackson said. "We ask and strongly urge folks to pay close attention to the weather and to refrain from burning on dry and windy days when relative humidity levels are low." He said anyone who wants to burn a large amount of debris needs to obtain a burn permit through any N.C. Forest Service office and can do so online at the Forest Service's website (www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit) or at an authorized permitting agency. More: Florida man charged with starting Edneyville wildfire, Forest Service reports "A fire should never be left unattended, and folks need to stay with their fire until it is completely out," he said. "Folks should also be equipped with a steel rake or shovel and a water source to help control their fire. Keeping a phone close by is a good idea as well." Jackson also pointed out that a debris burn is "vastly different than a prescribed burn conducted by professionals with an approved burn plan and a burn boss on site." Prescribed burns are carefully planned in advance and are mostly weather-dependent, Jackson explained. "If weather parameters are not met the day of a planned prescribed burn, well scrap our burn plans for that day and wait for a day when weather and fuel conditions are better suited for a prescribed burn," he said. "If temperatures, wind direction and speed, fuel conditions and humidity levels arent conducive for a prescribed burn, we wont do it." More information about the HouseFresh study is available by going to https://housefresh.com/american-wildfire-index. Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Study: NC had 2nd-largest increase wildfire acreage burned in 2023 During the event at OUC as part of Women's History Month several local figures spoke on the importance of women in politics. CHILLICOTHE Ohio University Chillicothe recently held an event as part of Women's History Month where community members gathered to learn more about the history of women in politics. Guests were able to watch a screening of "Trailblazing Women in Ohio Politics," a WBGU docuseries, which looks at the achievements and barriers broken by women of both political parties in Ohio. Highlighted figures include the first female Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the first African American female lieutenant governor in all 50 states, and the longest-serving woman in the U.S. House of Representatives. After the screening, several important local figures spoke on the importance of women in politics. The panelists were Stacy Brooks, Senior Judicial Attorney for the Ohio Supreme Court; Kristal Spetnagel, Chillicothe City Auditor; Dr. Jean Kearney, former Chillicothe City Council Member; Alicia Gray, former Chillicothe City Council Member; Nancy King; former Chillicothe City Council Member, and first woman to hold that office; Margaret Planton, former Mayor of Chillicothe, and first woman to hold that office. Chillicothe City Council learns about hate speech in recent meeting In the screening and on the panel the women talked about how they started their path in politics. Some were approached by others to run and some had a feeling inside them that made them run. Kearney, for example, said she knew she had to run to make a difference as she had never seen someone like her holding any power. "If not me, who?" Kearney asked herself. While she and the other women on the stage faced many struggles, like being labeled bossy and called names when they spoke up, all of them knew they needed to run and give politics a chance so that they could be able to help those like them. When asked how to get more women interested in politics Brooks said it is important to keep asking women to run and giving them those opportunities they may have never thought about. She said it is also important to foster connections at any stage, just because a woman is not running for an election does not mean she can't be involved in politics. "Whether you're in office or not you can make a difference," said Planton. Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_ This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Locals speak on the importance of female voices in politics Russian President Vladimir Putin says his forces will shoot down any Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets given to Ukraine, claiming that the nuclear-capable aircraft wouldnt change the situation on the battlefield. Speaking to Russian air force pilots late Wednesday, Putin said Moscow has no intention of attacking any countries in NATO but that F-16s could be targeted wherever theyre located if theyre being used against Russian forces. Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located, Putin said, according to Reuters. Putins No. 1 Ally Appears to Expose Kremlin Terror Story as Total BS Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said F-16s were on schedule to be in the skies over Ukraine by mid-summer. He added that pilot training is going well but acknowledged that much more training for both pilots and engineers would be required because the transition from Soviet-type aircraft to Western-type aircraft... requires major changes in everything. Kyiv has been asking for the fighter jets for months, with countries including Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreeing to donate their F-16s to Ukraine. The Pentagon in August announced that the U.S. would start training Ukrainian pilots on the American-made aircraft in Arizona, part of a larger international training program run alongside European allies. The decision came after President Joe Biden had publicly said he did not think Ukraine needed F-16s earlier in the year. If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield, Putin said Wednesday. And we will destroy the aircraft just as today we destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers, he added. Putin also claimed Russia has no aggressive intentions toward NATO states. The idea that we will attack some other countryPoland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scaredis complete nonsense, he said. Its just drivel. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The following article describes suicide prevention, suicide and the impact of suicide loss. This content may be difficult for people who have experienced suicide loss or who are having thoughts of suicide. Please call 988 24 hours a day if you need assistance. Help is free and confidential. Suicide and agriculture have gone hand-in-hand for longer than most farmers publicly admit. "They have one of the highest rates of death by suicide," said Ty Higgins of the Ohio Farm Bureau. Males in the agriculture industry had a suicide death rate of 43.2 per 100,000 between 2010-17, compared to 27.4 for other occupations, according to a 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Higgins learned that reality bluntly in the 1980s while growing up on his family's dairy farm. "We would sit around the table at supper and we would hear about a farmer taking his or her life, and that's as far as the conversation went," he explained. "The topic was talked about in whispers back then." But the Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance has finally brought farm suicide awareness to the forefront, offering much-needed resources to farmers, farm families and rural communities. Pennsylvania: Crawford County farmer shares common story of stress, depression 'A higher risk of death by suicide' Stress and depression can be found in ag operations of all sizes across the Buckeye State, from micro farms to thousand-acre spreads. "The average farm in Ohio is 170 acres," Higgins said. "About 60 to 70% of farmers have off-farm jobs to supplement their farms." Most of them love what they do: delivering calves or piglets in the dead of a winter night, praying all summer for the right amount of rain, and always helping a neighbor even at the most inconvenient of times. Stress and depression can be found in ag operations of all sizes across the Buckeye State, from micro farms to thousand-acre spreads. They may not have degrees or licensures, but they each have a lifetime of experience filling in 24 hours a day as their own veterinarians, mechanics, carpenters, meteorologists, biologists and economists. "They do everything on the farm, including sitting in the cab of a tractor or combine for days at a time with just them and their thoughts," Higgins said. "Sometimes that can put them in a bad place." Despite their seemingly limitless talents, farmers cannot be their own mental-health counselors. At times, that's what they need more than anything else. "Farmers simply don't have control over the weather, the markets, something catastrophic happening on the farm or even family issues," Higgins said. "There are so many factors that go into agriculture that puts farmers in a higher risk of death by suicide." 'We realized that we needed to do more' The darkest season for many came in 2019. Endless rain had delayed planting, first by weeks, then by months. In the middle of June, a lot of farmers finally gave in and sowed their seed in thick mud. Some never planted. "They were struggling," Higgins said. "They weren't sure what to do with themselves." The farm bureau that year joined with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio State University to support the state's farmers. "As time went on, we realized that we needed to do more," Higgins said. A field of Ohio corn sits flooded in 2019 after a spring of endless rain. The partners then created the Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance, relying heavily upon advice from outside the ag community. "We brought in the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation," Higgins said. "They really helped us see where we needed to go with this conversation." Member organizations have since grown to include Ohio Corn & Wheat, the Ohio AgriBusiness Association and Farm Credit Mid-America. "It's really come a long way at breaking down the stigma of mental health," Higgins said. "We're seeing farmers be a little bit more comfortable with hearing about mental health and farm stress and reaching out if they do have issues." 'It's about that family's legacy' Growers, ranchers, dairymen and the like are often hard to reach because their anxieties are not rooted in making ends meet. "For the farmer, it's not just about their livelihood. It's not just about bringing in money for the family," Higgins said. "It's about that family's legacy, what weight that might carry if you come to a point where you begin to realize that you might be the one that ends that family legacy on the farm because of factors you have no control of." Hopelessness suffocates those who believe they are powerless to overcome life's present obstacles. "Farmers don't realize that they're so much more than their farm, that their value is not in dollars or acres or bushels," Higgins said. "Their value is in their family: who they are as a father, as a a sister, as a grandparent. That's their true value, and that's what we're hoping farmers see if they seek help." Resources are available 24/7 for those in crisis Spring can be challenging each year. Portions of the last harvest sit unsold as commodity prices drop. Planting dates approach while input costs rise. Skies are cold and gray and wet. "They're not the only one going through what they're going through," Higgins said. "There are a lot of farmers that are struggling right now." Ty Higgins, spokesperson for the Ohio Farm Bureau In a small town, there's concern that parking your truck outside a psychiatrist's office will only spark rumors about the family name. "There's also an issue of pride in agriculture that they don't need to go seek help, that they'll take care of themselves like they take care of everything else on the farm," Higgins said. "But this is a different ballgame. This is something that requires someone that can talk to you that understands what you're going through." If the demons are at their strongest and it seems the only way out is permanent, dial 988 any time 24/7 to call an operator from the national crisis lifeline. Counselors there speak English and Spanish. When things are a little more calm, farmers are encouraged to fill out an online ag stress survey at go.osu.edu/farmstresssurvey. Responses will allow Ohioans to better help one another, Gov. Mike DeWine said in an Ohio Department of Agriculture news release. "This survey will provide valuable help to numerous communities," DeWine said. "I urge our farmers and beyond to answer these tough but necessary questions. You wont only be helping yourself; youll be helping your family and friends." To read more about handling stress, farmers can visit three sites: u.osu.edu/farmstress, gotyourbackohio.org and farmstateofmind.org. Resources there are designed to connect those in need with the appropriate help. Anyone who has an agricultural background and now works in mental health is encouraged to contact either the Ohio Department of Health or the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to see how they can help with the Ohio Agricultural Mental Health Alliance. Friends, family and neighbors are all encouraged to keep an eye out for the state's farmers and reach out to those who may be having a hard time. "Get farmers to the help that they need as soon as they need it so we don't have another tragedy on the farm like we've seen so many times over the past two years," Higgins said. "Getting them to someone to talk to professionally is the hardest part." ztuggle@gannett.com 419-564-3508 This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio farmers can access suicide prevention resources any time Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said members of the European Parliament had been paid by the network [Getty Images] A Russian-backed "propaganda" network has been broken up for spreading anti-Ukraine stories and paying unnamed European politicians, according to authorities in several countries. Investigators claimed it used the popular Voice of Europe website as a vehicle to pay politicians. The Czech Republic and Poland said the network aimed to influence European elections. Voice of Europe did not respond to the BBC's request for comment. Czech media, citing the countries intelligence agency BIS, reported that politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary were paid by Voice of Europe in order to influence upcoming elections for the European Parliament. The German newspaper, Der Spiegel, said the money was either handed over in cash in covert meetings in Prague or through cryptocurrency exchanges. Pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk is alleged by the Czech Republic to be behind the network. Mr Medvedchuk was arrested in Ukraine soon after the Russian invasion, but later transferred to Russia with about 50 prisoners of war in exchange for 215 Ukrainians. Czech authorities also named Artyom Marchevsky, alleging he managed the day-to-day business of the website. Both men were sanctioned by Czech authorities. Poland's intelligence agency said it had conducted searches in the Warsaw and Tychy regions and seized 48,500 (41,500) and $36,000 (28,500). "Money from Moscow has been used to pay some political actors who spread Russian propaganda," BIS said in a statement. It added that the sums amounted to "millions" of Czech crowns (tens of thousands of pounds). The alleged propaganda network "aimed to carry out activities against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," BIS said. BIS did not name the politicians allegedly involved. However, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo alleged they included members of the European Parliament. "It came for example to light that Russia has approached MEPs, but also paid [them], to promote Russian propaganda here," Mr De Croo told Belgian MPs. The Voice of Europe website was offline on Thursday. An archived version of its homepage showed several articles highlighting internal divisions within European countries and expressing scepticism about support for Ukraine. These included: "Protest in Prague: people's voice against corruption, military support for Ukraine, and government", and "Ukraine's army faces a mounting troop shortage amid ongoing challenges". Voice of Europe had more than 180,000 followers on Twitter/X. The publication did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Peter McAleese was a mercenary in conflicts such as Rhodesia [Two Rivers Media] Peter McAleese, the mercenary soldier who took part in a daring attempt to kill the Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar, has died at the age of 81. The Scot led a team of British mercenaries who, in 1989, travelled to the criminal empire of the world's most dangerous man in order to assassinate him. Escobar was the leader of the Medellin drugs cartel in Colombia and one of the wealthiest villains in history. He was the biggest manufacturer and distributor of cocaine in the world, responsible for as much as 80% of the global trade in the drug at that time. Ex-SAS operative McAleese was recruited by a rival Colombian cartel to take out Escobar. Three years ago, the documentary, "Killing Escobar", told the story of the ultimately unsuccessful mission - and the man behind it. [BBC] WATCH NOW - Killing Escobar was produced by Two Rivers Media and is currently available on BBC iPlayer [BBC] Filmmaker David Whitney said McAleese, who was born in Glasgow in 1942, was a "complex man" who had a lot of "inner turmoil". He was brought up in Riddrie - on the outskirts of Scotland's biggest city - and in the shadow of its infamous prison Barlinnie, where his father - a "very tough and violent man" - spent time. In the film, McAleese said: "I was trained to kill by the Army but the fighting instinct came from Glasgow." McAleese said he left home and joined the Army at 17 to find a way to channel his aggression. He enlisted in the Parachute Regiment and went on to become a member of the elite 22 Regiment SAS. Pablo Escobar was one of the wealthiest and most dangerous criminal gang bosses in the world [Getty Images] He served in Borneo with the SAS, fighting in ferocious jungle warfare, before leaving the British Army in 1969, a decision he described as the worst thing he ever did. McAleese drifted from job to job "not fitting in". He said he felt lost and his aggression became worse to the point where he was sent to prison for assaulting a girlfriend. On his release, McAleese sought to recreate the buzz of his military career by finding action as a "mercenary" in the Angolan Civil War and later in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), as well as South Africa. He met Dave Tomkins in Angola in 1976. Tomkins was not a regular soldier but he knew how to make deals and supply weapons. The unlikely pair became great friends and it was Tomkins who approached McAleese about the mission to kill Escobar. Peter in the South African defence force in the 1980s [Two Rivers Media] Jorge Salcedo, a part of rival Colombian drug gang the Cali cartel, was co-ordinating the attack and he wanted Tomkins to recruit a team to carry it out. McAleese was the first person he asked. "You don't get asked to assassinate Pablo Escobar unless you have got the right experience," said McAleese. "I had no morals about killing him," he said. "I have never looked upon it as murder. I looked upon it as a target." The Cali cartel was confident that Escobar could be killed when he went to his luxurious Hacienda Napoles ranch. A young Peter McAleese's ID card during his mercenary days in Africa in the Seventies [Two Rivers Media] The huge estate included a zoo full of exotic animals, a collection of old and luxury cars, a private airport and a bullring. McAleese flew over the ranch for reconnaissance and agreed that it could be done. The mission was a goer. Tomkins recruited a team of 12 mercenaries, people he had worked with before or who had been recommended. They were helped through customs by Jorge Salcedo and the Cali cartel bankrolled their stay. Each of the men were on $5,000 a month plus expenses but Tomkins was getting a $1,000 a day. The mercenaries during training in Colombia for the assault [Two Rivers Media] The 2021 documentary had access to video footage shot by Tomkins which includes the men playing with great wads of cash. At first they stayed in the city of Cali but they were in danger of bringing too much attention to themselves so they moved out to a ranch in the countryside where they were provided with a huge cache of weapons. "It was like Christmas," McAleese said. "Everything we needed weapons-wise was there." The mercenaries trained hard for their mission but only Tomkins and McAleese knew who the target was. Before the others were told, one of the group dropped out and was allowed to go home. He sold his story to the newspapers but did not give the names or details of the operation. As the attack got closer the men moved their training into the jungle so they could practice with weapons and bombs without being heard. An original photo of the team training for the assault [Two Rivers Media] The attack plan involved two helicopters flying into the compound at Hacienda Napoles as the mercenaries shot their way through Escobar's massive security operation to kill the drug lord, bringing back his head as a trophy. When they heard from an informant that Escobar was at his ranch they set off for the target. But the attack was never to happen. The helicopter carrying McAleese and Tomkins crashed as it flew low through the clouds over the Andes, killing the pilot. Promises to God The others survived but McAleese was too badly injured to get off the mountainside. He lay for three days in excruciating pain until he was rescued. Escobar heard about the attack plan and sent his men on to the mountain to find them. "If Pablo had caught me I would have had a long, drawn out, painful death," McAleese said. Instead he escaped and tried to make good on the promises he had made to God while he was lying on the mountainside. In 2021, Peter McAleese said he had many regrets but he has found peace [Two Rivers Media] McAleese admitted he was a "dirty, lowdown, scumbag of a man" and he realised he had to change. But it was not his actions in war zones he regretted, he said, but instead it was his failure as a husband and a father. "I have an awful lot of regrets and none of them are in the soldiering side of my life," he said. In the documentary three years ago, he said he had finally found peace at the age of 78. Pablo Escobar, meanwhile, was shot dead in 1993 while on the run from the authorities. This story was originally published in March 2021 and has been re-published on the death of Peter McAleese. Reports that Germany could ban dachshunds led to hand-wringing from lovers of the breed (file picture) [Philipp Guelland/Getty Images] "Sausage Dogs to be banned in Germany," screamed headlines in the UK this week. Germany's biggest-selling newspaper Bild went full circle, fascinated by the panic: "Brits Fear for the German Sausage Dog." The story arose from the German Kennels Association (VDH), which has launched a petition against a draft law that aims to clamp down on breeding that leads animals to suffer. Will the dachshund or any other breed be banned? The short answer is no. Under the proposed Animal Protection Act, certain traits would be defined in dogs that can cause "pain, suffering or damage". The VDH fears this could lead to a ban on breeding sausage dogs, because their short legs and elongated spine can lead to knee, hip and back problems. Other breeds, such as bulldogs or pugs, which can have breathing problems, could also be targeted, says the association. "No dog breeds will be banned," a spokesman for the Green-led agriculture ministry told me bluntly. "We want to prevent breeders from deforming dogs so much, that they suffer." The government's argument is that dog breeds are continually developing and at risk of having increasingly extreme characteristics. So breeding dogs with specific traits, such as skeletal abnormalities, that lead to suffering, poor health or a short life expectancy, would no longer be allowed. "Just because people find something new or aesthetically pleasing, animals shouldn't be tormented," said the ministry's spokesman. So-called "torture breeding" has been illegal in Germany for three decades. But until now the law has been vague and open to interpretation. This new draft would give precise scientific criteria about what sort of breeding can lead to an animal suffering. Existing animals would be able to be kept but would not be allowed to breed or exhibit in shows. "Torture breeding" is not in the interests of the dog, the owner or the breeder, argues the government, given that everyone wants these animals to live normal, healthy lives. "There will always be sausage dogs," the spokesman said. "We will just never see any with legs one centimetre long." Dachshunds, which can be translated as "badger dogs", were bred in Germany for hunting. Their short legs and long body helped them burrow into holes. Michael Lazaris of Vets on the Common, in London, says many as one in five Dachshunds suffer from intervertebral disc disease because of their elongated spines. Dachshunds can also suffer from chronic hip and knee problems due to their short legs. Dr Lazaris advises buying puppies from responsible breeders and says that many genetic diseases can be bred out "by not using dogs with those specific health problems". This is essentially the aim of the new German draft law. Meanwhile the German branch of animal rights organisation Peta is indeed calling for a ban on 17 breeds, including sausage dogs, pugs and French bull dogs. English bull dogs are also on Peta's list. An online petition calling for the draft law to include these breeds has almost 70,000 signatures so far. Later this year the draft version of the Animal Protection Law will be put to the German cabinet and then to the Bundestag, Germany's parliament. With key regional elections across eastern Germany in September, there are bound to be more stories about bossy Greens supposedly banning well-loved German traditions. This story has legs. Former President Donald Trump on Thursday attended the wake of slain New York Police Department Officer Jonathan Diller, whom officials say was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop earlier this week. "What happened is such a sad, sad event, such a horrible thing," Trump told reporters afterward. In brief remarks, he reiterated his condolences for Diller's death and used the wake to focus on a frequent campaign season message about crime and public safety. "We have to stop it. We have to stop it," Trump said. "We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently, because this is not working." According to the NYPD's citywide crime statistics for the month of February, "incidents of shootings, murder, and other bellwether crimes in New York City were markedly reduced again in February compared to the same month last year." The department went on to report that overall crime throughout the five boroughs "continued its downward trajectory, dipping another 1.1%." MORE: Trump indicates he'd testify in hush money trial, says a conviction could 'make me more popular' PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference after attending the wake of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller, on March 28, 2024, in New York. (Frank Franklin II/AP) On Monday, Officer Diller approached an illegally parked vehicle with another officer and asked the two suspects, Lindy Jones and Guy Rivera, to move their car, according to police. Officials say the two men refused to roll down their windows -- and instead of showing their hands as requested, Riviera allegedly shot Diller. Diller was rushed to the hospital where he died. Earlier Thursday, 34-year-old Rivera was charged with murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. His arraignment timing is unknown as he remains at Jamaica Hospital where he is being treated for a gunshot wound to the back after Diller's partner shot him after he allegedly fired his weapon. It's not clear if he has an attorney who can comment on his behalf. Jones, 41, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm. During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors highlighted his violent history and missing court dates in arguing for holding him without bail. Judge Maria Gonzalez agreed Jones poses a flight risk and remanded him. It's also not clear if he has an attorney. PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump arrives for the wake for New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa, Long Island, N.Y., March 28, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz attended the arraignment in the courtroom packed with police officers, including Chief of Patrol John Chell. Both suspects have a lengthy criminal history: Jones, who has had 14 prior arrests including attempted murder and robbery, was out on bail in connection to a separate crime, police records indicate. Rivera was previously arrested by the NYPD 21 times, according to police records. Trump on Thursday seized on the fact that the suspects charged in connection with Diller's killing have criminal records. "They don't learn because they don't respect. They don't," Trump said of Rivera and Jones. "They're not given the respect, the police are the greatest people we have. There's nothing and there's nobody like them and this should never happen." MORE: Trump faces major financial disadvantage against Biden as legal bills eat into allies' cash: Filings On Tuesday, Trump, who also repeatedly commemorated slain police officers while he was in the White House, posted on his social media platform to mourn the death of Diller and rail against the alleged shooter, highlighting his prior arrests. Trump also spoke by phone with the officer's family while they were at a funeral home on Tuesday. After the wake on Thursday, Trump talked about meeting with Diller's wife and their child, saying their baby "doesn't know how his life has been changed." PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump arrives for the wake for New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa, Long Island, New York, March 28, 2024. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Trump endorses line of Bibles -- after selling shoes, NFTs and more Trump's appearance also comes on the same day as President Joe Biden's fundraiser in New York, which was planned well in advance of Thursday's wake. At the fundraiser, Biden will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The event is expected to rake in a "historic" sum for a single event with more than $25 million, according to the Biden campaign. Trump and the Republican Party's joint fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, next week is expected to raise at least $33 million, sources familiar with the event told ABC News. PHOTO: Friends and family arrive at a wake for New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed while making a routine traffic stop, at a funeral home in Massapequa Park, N.Y., March 28, 2024. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Trump's campaign swiped at Biden for his "glitzy fundraiser" with "elitist" supporters on Thursday, though the White House has said that Biden spoke with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to share his condolences about Diller's killing and offer any support as needed. The former president, who has been spending time away from the campaign trail, was in New York earlier this week for a court hearing in his criminal trial there involving hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. He denies any wrongdoing. On the trail, Trump has frequently accused prosecutors of focusing on going after him rather than attempting to combat violent crime in the city, a claim which prosecutors reject. He has used Officer Diller's death to emphasize this point as he rails against crime in New York City. Trump attends NYPD officer's wake as he highlights crime on the campaign trail originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Thats all, folks. After an already lucrative month, Vermont took home an additional and final $28.5 million in congressionally directed spending for the fiscal year on Saturday, March 23. The states second batch of earmarks part of a $1.2 trillion appropriations package passed by the U.S. Senate on the same day is set to be distributed across 21 projects that address prominent Vermont challenges, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, addiction and childcare. Some projects are town-specific, while others are regional or statewide. These projects will make a huge difference across our state by creating green jobs and funding sustainable infrastructure projects, investing in training and education programs to bolster our healthcare workforce and supporting mental health initiative to create healthier communities, said Sen. Peter Welch, I-Vt. U.S Sens. Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch during a March 18, 2024 press conference about federal funding. Welch, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., helped secure $74 million for nearly 60 Vermont projects in the first round of Congressionally directed spending on March 8. In total, the Green Mountain State is on tap to receive over $100 million in earmarks. Round Two: Which Chittenden County projects are being funded? Burlington University of Vermont ($1,999,000): to provide educational and research funding for existing community schools and establish three new community schools. Cathedral Square Corporation ($1.7 million): to connect Vermont Support and Services at Home (SASH) program participants with mental health clinicians. Williston Vermont State Colleges System ($5.9 million): to renovate and expand the Oral Health Sciences program at Vermont State University. Vermont Healthcare Information Technology Education Center ($996,000): to help provide training, on-site learning opportunities and career pathways for 60 apprentices at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Winooski Community Health Centers of Burlington ($3 million): to renovate the centers Winooski office, including doubling its medical and mental health space and integrating and expanding the dental practice next door. Vermont Student Assistance Corporation ($296,000): to create a program to prepare and funnel talented Vermonters into sought-after navigation support jobs. Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Sanders, Welch: Chittenden County gets federal funds for projects WORCESTER The Worcester Public Library has been named one of 15 libraries as a finalist for the 2024 National Medal of Museum and Library Service. "It's like the Oscars for libraries," said Worcester Library staff member Sulma Rubert-Silva. The medal is awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to museums and libraries that have provided exemplary service to their communities. The Worcester Public Library was nominated by U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester. "It represents a culmination of all the amazing work the staff of the library have done," said Executive Director Jason Homer during the announcement made Wednesday afternoon at the library. If chosen, Worcester would be the first library from Massachusetts to be awarded the medal. "I could not be more ecstatic and proud of the staff," said Stephanie Pasha, president of the library board. "They have worked so hard and they deserve the opportunity to finally get national recognition for their creativity, their enthusiasm and their commitment to the citizens of Central Massachusetts." Pasha said the past few years have seen a focus on increased awareness of the library in the community, especially through the hiring of Homer and community relations manager Linnea Sheldon. "Really just telling the community, 'We're here for you,' " said Pasha, when discussing what set the library apart from other institutions in the state, such as the Boston Public Library. "I love the BPL, but you don't see them doing too much to connect with the community," she said. "When we hired Jason Homer a few years ago, our directive to him was to be external." While the library's more quirky programs such as fee forgiveness in exchange for cat pictures have made headlines in The New York Times, Homer believes efforts to help the community's vulnerable populations are what set the Worcester library apart. Over the last year, he said the library has hosted immigration clinics with lawyers providing pro bono legal help in navigating the immigration system, as well as brought in social workers and public health resources such as the Road to Care van from UMass Memorial Health. We werent expecting this many people, said Jason Homer. Two bounce castles along with cupcakes were set up in the librarys Saxe Room following the announcement. "We've really taken a commitment to our community and our community has seen it and our congressman as seen it," Homer told the Telegram & Gazette. There are a total of 30 National Medal finalists, divided into 15 libraries and 15 museums. The winners will be announced in May, with representatives from the winning institutions attending a ceremony at the White House this summer with the first lady. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Public Library named finalist for national award A 36-year-old Council Bluffs man was charged Wednesday in connection with a scheme that defrauded a man out of $40,000, according to court documents. Vipulkumar Chaudhary was charged with unlawful taking of $5,000 or more and attempted unlawful taking of $5,000 or more. According to the probable cause affidavit, the Lincoln Police Department arrested Chaudhary on Monday at about 2 p.m. in a Hy-Vee parking lot located at 5010 O St. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Police believe Chaudhary is connected to a fraud that saw a 27-year-old Lincoln man lose $40,000 after someone claiming to be an inspector with the Federal Trade Commission requested it and asked for his cooperation in a "secret operation," according to the affidavit. Capt. Todd Kocian said at a Monday press briefing that the victim made three withdrawals totaling $40,000 and met with a "government informant" at the Hy-Vee parking lot at 50th and O streets. According to the affidavit, the man turned over the money to a man in a mask and sunglasses riding in a black Honda Accord with Illinois license plates. Investigators with LPD contacted the suspect and an additional $30,000 was requested. Police conducted undercover surveillance of the Hy-Vee parking lot where they were scheduled to meet again. Chaudhary was observed by police entering the parking lot in a black Accord with Illinois license plates on Monday. He was taken into custody shortly after arriving in the parking lot and was taken to the Lancaster County jail, according to the affidavit. Judge Laurie Yardley set Chaudhary's percentage bond at $200,000, meaning he would have to pay $20,000 to be released. A group of workers is hitting the road to fill many needs for local motorists chief among them is filling potholes. We actually fill potholes the year round, said Curt Whittington, the street and sewer supervisor for the City of Council Bluffs. The work isn't appealing, and it can be dangerous, with motorists talking on their phones, texting or otherwise being distracted around workers. Its not everybody who wants to do that, Whittington said. Its getting worse all the time. Their attention is not focused on what is ahead of them." Council Bluffs crews spent Tuesday in a training session on work zone safety, Whittington said. For the safety of the workers, the city has strobe lights on the vehicles, plus theres a large sign on the trailing vehicle urging motorists to slow down for pothole workers. We would like to think that drivers have common sense and would slow down, but not all the time, Whittington said. John Rasmussen, Pottawattamie County engineer, shared concerns about the safety of road crews. "Its always appreciated when drivers are slowing down, Rasmussen said. On Wednesday, city crews were filling potholes on West Graham Avenue, East Pierce Street and 35th Street north of Broadway. The rather mild winter has created fewer potholes this spring, Whittington said. This year has been somewhat lighter in terms of numbers of potholes because of the milder temperatures less freeze/ thaw cycles and less moisture over the winter," Whittington said. "We are keeping on schedule with complaints. Our goal is to have them filled the same week they come in. Rasmussen said the area has weathered worse winters, and he's hopeful for an easier pothole season. Recent rains, however, have created more work for his road crews, he said. Currently, county crews are temporarily filling potholes with asphalt on paved roads and using road graders to grade out holes on gravel roads. The countys road system is made up of 959 square miles, the second largest in Iowa. The Secondary Roads Department covers 251 paved two-lane miles and 1,231 unpaved two-lane miles. Money for county pothole repairs comes out of the roads and transportation budget, which totaled a little over $18.5 million in the current fiscal year. During this time, Whittington said that the city is using a cold mix asphalt, a product purchased that is used in cold and wet weather. We actually will use three different materials depending on weather conditions for filling potholes, he said. In addition to the CMA, his crews will apply a hot mix asphalt primarily in the summer when asphalt plants are open. There is also RAP, recycled asphalt pavement, which is reheated along with a rejuvenator thats used when HMA is not available in above freezing and dry pavement conditions. That saves us a lot of money, Whittington said of RAP. All three materials used hardens very quickly within minutes after compaction. As far as the number of potholes, areas that have more salt applied are usually worse, along with areas with higher traffic counts, he said. Priority is given to areas with the highest daily traffic as it impacts the most people, Whittington said. On average, we will have five to seven people filling potholes on any given day and up to as many as 20 in years with extreme weather fluctuations. Both officials said their departments receive reports of potholes from the public, as well as workers who find them while out on jobs. We also routinely run all our snowplow routes looking for them, Whittington said. We dont budget an amount strictly for potholes as it falls under street maintenance in our budget, but it costs over $20,000 per year. Though patching potholes is important, city crews fill other street needs as well, he said. Public Works does devote a lot of time to potholes, but it should be mentioned that these people are part of the same crews that are involved with others to pave your streets, plow your streets, fix your sewers and all the other aspects of Public Works," Whittington said. "We do not have any one group specifically dedicated to a single task. America is home to 336 million people across 50 states and the District of Columbia. Yet the 2024 presidential race will be decided by seven states with less than a fifth of the U.S. population. These states will get most of the attention. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is reminding the public that it is unlawful to place political campaign signs or any signs on state highway and interstate right-of-way areas. This includes intersections, medians, entrance and exit ramps, sidewalks and the ditches and lands t Chinese premier holds talks with Dutch PM Xinhua) 09:55, March 28, 2024 Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte on Wednesday in Beijing, vowing to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. Li said that since the establishment of the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in 2014, the development of relations between China and the Netherlands has been on a fast track, with fruitful cooperation in various fields and tangible benefits for the two peoples. China is willing to work with the Netherlands to continue to carry forward the spirit of open and pragmatic cooperation, promote the steady development of bilateral relations and achieve more win-win results, Li said. He said that China and the Netherlands are both committed to free trade and should continue to open wider to each other and strengthen practical cooperation. This will help consolidate and deepen bilateral relations, serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples and inject more stability and certainty into the world, he added. "The two sides should continue to expand the scale of economic and trade cooperation, tap the cooperation potential in artificial intelligence, green transformation and silver economy, and strengthen innovation cooperation in offshore wind power, photovoltaic power generation and hydrogen energy to provide stronger impetus for the development of the two countries," Li said. He said that China will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, and welcomes more Dutch companies to invest in China. It also encourages more Chinese companies to invest and develop in the Netherlands, and hopes that the Dutch side will provide more convenience for Chinese people to visit the Netherlands, he added. On China-Europe relations, Li said China always believes that cooperation should be the mainstream of China-Europe relations, and partnership is the most correct positioning for both sides. China welcomes Europe to share the opportunities of China's mega-scale market and hopes that Europe will prudently introduce restrictive economic and trade policies and use trade remedy measures, Li said, adding that China is willing to work with the Netherlands to promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Europe relations. Rutte said that the open and pragmatic partnership for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results over the years. He said the Dutch side cherishes its friendship with China, adheres to the one-China principle, and is willing to strengthen mutual learning, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China, and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Stephen Sunderman president of Sunderman Family Farms, a Norfolk-based family cow-calf and cattle feeding operation has been elected to the Platte Institute Board of Directors. The institutes board of directors is responsible for overseeing the organizations mission and budget. The boards members represent different regions of Nebraska and are elected to three-year terms, which can be renewed with approval of the board. For more than 10 years, Sunderman has served on the board of the Nebraska Cattlemen Association. In addition to his work with the Nebraska Cattlemen Association, Sunderman also serves as chairman of the Greater Norfolk Economic Development Foundation, Norfolk Area Economic Development Council, as well as chairman of the Madison County Republicans. Stephen is someone who will help Platte Institute expand our reach as well as deepen our ties to agriculture. As a sixth-generation farmer and rancher with a background in economics from the University of Chicago, we are excited to welcome the diverse skill set Stephen brings to this position, said Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute. Sunderman said hes looking forward to serving on the board and helping the state grow. Nebraska has the opportunity to be the best state in the nation to live, work, and start a business, but to do that we must unlock our full potential, Sunderman said. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The African Development Bank said it has allocated $4.5 million to back projects in 14 African municipalities. In a statement, the bank said that 500,000 dollars- as part of the same funding -will be earmarked to improving the quality of urban governance including through the launch of a capacity-building and consulting program to enhance municipal finances and solvency in six large pilot cities in Africa: Nairobi, Dakar, Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Lagos. The aim is to maintain the support program for municipalities and help them identify and access new sources of public and private finance, AfDB said. The second part of the program will target urban planning and will receive funding of $900,000, it said, adding that the funds will be spent to extend the African Cities Program to six new cities in addition to 13 already benefiting. This program involves the design of effective urban action plans and identifying priority investment projects worthy of support from donors including the African Development Bank. The third part, worth $2.8 million, will focus on preliminary studies for projects (feasibility studies in some cases and detailed technical studies in others), including Water-related projects adaptation to climate change. Such projects include sewerage and water drainage in Maroua (Cameroon), sewerage networks in Accra (Ghana), drinking water treatment in the Cairo region (Egypt), coastal works in Nouakchott (Mauritania), and climate-resilient infrastructure planning in Cape Town (South Africa), it said. Launched in 2019, the Urban and Municipal Development Fund acts as facilitator and accelerator of infrastructure projects, promoting a comprehensive approach that fosters synergies between sectors, building capacity of local stakeholders and encouraging dialogue with public and private donors. The UN chief has called for reparations over the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people during the 15th to 19th century as a way to tackle its legacy in todays society, including systemic racism. Top United Nations officials, including its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the General Assembly on Monday (25 March) paid tribute to the millions of men, women and children who suffered as a result of the transatlantic slave trade, one of most devastating chapters in human history, according to the UN News. During the period of almost five centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported by European ships and merchants and sold into slavery to toil on plantations in the Americas, mostly in the Caribbean and Brazil. It is inconceivable that the enslaved were cruelly regarded as mere commodities for sale and exploitation, the UN chief said. Together with their children born into slavery, perpetuating the vicious cycle of bondage and suffering enduring untold horrors at the hands of their oppressors, Guterres added. In September last year, the UN released a report calling on countries to consider financial reparations for transatlantic slavery, a move that has been hailed as a significant step forward by campaigners. According to the report, none of the countries involved in the transatlantic slave trade had comprehensively accounted for the past and addressed the legacy of the mass enslavement of people of African descent for more than 400 years. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a new strategy for Morocco for the 2024-2029 period after consultation with Moroccan authorities, the private sector, civil society, and shareholders. The Banks country strategy supports private-sector-led economy by enhancing competitiveness and promoting Moroccos reform agenda. It also aims to strengthen social cohesion, reduce regional disparities for more inclusive growth, and speed up Moroccos green economy transition through more sustainable energy, water, and infrastructure. Antoine Salle de Chou, EBRDs Head of Morocco, said: the new strategy is a key milestone for the Bank and Morocco. It will guide our investments and policy dialogue over the coming five years to help deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country. The new five-year strategy supports Moroccos private investments and New Development Model. To achieve this goal, the EBRD will use its financing tools and advisory initiatives to help Moroccan corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate further into global value chains and develop capital markets. It will also promote deeper regional integration and help the country anchor its position as a gateway to Africa. The Bank will support Moroccan government in its comprehensive reform of state-owned enterprises and support the expansion of its promising public-private partnership program. The strategy pays particular attention to ensuring that growth benefits everyone, and particularly improve women and youth economic inclusion. The European Bank will seek to improve access to finance and advisory for women and young entrepreneurs. It will also help reduce regional disparities and support the provision of critical infrastructure services and economic opportunities in the regions affected by the 8 September 2023 earthquake. During the previous strategy period, the EBRD deployed 1.6 billion to help Morocco carry out its entrepreneurial projects. The Bank invested 730 million in key infrastructure projects, provided 700 million for public services and infrastructure, and invested 100 million to advance capital markets development. Mohammed VI mosque in Conakry will welcome its first worshipers on March 29, underscoring the strong spiritual ties between the Moroccan and the Guinean people. The mosque, ordered by the Moroccan King, will open during the Friday prayer with the participation of eminent Moroccan and Guinean scholars, the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema said in a statement. An Iftar will be held the same day at the mosque, hosted by the Moroccan embassy in Conakry and the Foundation. Works to build the mosque were launched in February 2017 during King Mohammed VIs visit to the country. The religious edifice has a capacity to host 3000 worshippers and spans over 1 hectare. In addition to the prayer hall, the mosque complex includes a conference room, a library, a Quranic school, a commercial area, an administration, and green spaces. Morocco has over the last decade trained Imams from across Africa on the lofty values of tolerant Islam, championing tolerance and co-existence. Morocco and Italy signed an agreement to mutually recognize the driving licenses delivered by their respective authorities. The agreement would spare holders of Moroccan driving licenses administrative hurdles, notably in view of the large Moroccan diaspora in Italy. Spain was the latest EU country with whom Morocco had signed a driving license mutual recognition agreement. The Moroccan transport ministry had signed similar agreements with near 20 countries in Africa and the Arab region. The agreement would also make it easier for Moroccan drivers to access the EU market which is under a shortage of truck and heavy weight drivers. The International Crisis Group has warned that a gradual escalation of hostilities over the Sahara issue could spark a broader conflict in the region. The Algeria-backed Polisario group could launch more attacks on Moroccan territory, targeting foreign economic interests, says the Brussels-based think-tank in its assessment of serious global conflicts risks. The deadly attacks targeting civilians, intentionally or unintentionally, could flare, especially as younger disillusioned Polisario members dissent with their chiefs may be tempted to escalate attacks, adds the ICG in its conflicts tracker, an early warning tool designed to help prevent deadly violence. Morocco will likely continue to use drones in the military zone against Polisario militia infiltrators, which could spark an accidental escalation, especially if Algerian nationals (who drive through the territory to transport goods to Mauritania) are killed, says ICG report, noting that Algeria could engage retaliatory steps against Morocco, potentially fueling a direct military confrontation. Civilian deaths on both sides could trigger retaliatory attacks, while Israels military operations in Gaza could stoke anger within Polisarios youth wing against Morocco, which has normalized relations with Israel, warns the Crisis Group, an independent NGO committed to preventing wars and resolving deadly conflicts. Tit-for-tat attacks between Morocco on one hand and the Polisario and its main ally, Algeria, on the other, may also increase the risk of a regional escalation, though a major conflict is unlikely, says the document. If war erupts however, it will divert resources away from migration control in both countries, fueling irregular departures to Europe, and encourage the Polisario and Algeria to target economic infrastructure in Sahara, say the analysts of the think-tank. Furthermore, the stalled UN-led political process could also lead to direct confrontation between Morocco and Algeria, affecting the whole Maghreb and Sahel regions. Gov. Jim Pillen Wednesday signed two bills enabling Nebraska to claim some $1.4 billion in extra federal Medicaid funds so the states troubled hospitals can better afford to treat low-income patients. The Legislature gave 45-0 final approval March 21 to North Platte state Sen. Mike Jacobsons Legislative Bill 1087. The governor also signed a companion appropriations measure, LB 1087A. The U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services now must sign off on the plan, which would make Nebraska the 45th state to charge assessments to hospitals as matching funds to unlock greatly increased federal aid to the federal-state Medicaid program. Hospitals will nominally be charged 6% of their gross income, an amount the state will initially cover to start the extra Medicaid dollars flowing. That $581 million amount then will come back to the state with the first enhanced federal payments and move back and forth between the state and its hospitals every three months along with the extra Medicaid assistance. Nebraskas top hospital officials, including Ivan Mitchell of North Plattes Great Plains Health and Mel McNea of Scottsbluffs Regional West Medical Center, have said rural hospitals are especially struggling to stay open or maintain patient services due to the states current low levels of federal Medicaid reimbursements. LB 1087 took effect immediately upon Pillens signature, clearing the way for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to seek final federal approval for the higher reimbursements. Also Wednesday, a Lincoln County-inspired effort to provide county emergency aid for cash-strapped peacetime veterans found a home in a bill bound for first-round debate. The Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 6-0 to advance LB 1300, a 39-page combination of several bills that includes the veterans aid proposal introduced as LB 869 in January. The measure would remove a 135-year-old legal limit on county emergency or burial financial aid for struggling veterans to those who served during a period of war. Tom Gann, Lincoln Countys veterans service officer, and County Commissioner Micaela Wuehler began working last fall to rally other counties behind removing that limit. Gann told his countys commissioners that federal definitions of the starting and ending times of various conflicts was preventing county relief for most veterans who served between the 1975 end of the Vietnam War and the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War with Iraq. Gann said Thursday that the measure now contained inside LB 1300 will open more opportunity to assist the county veterans service officers statewide to help the veterans in need in our local counties. He thanked Wuehler, leaders of other counties and their veterans service officers who helped advance his effort. Our office looks forward to helping those veterans who otherwise may not have qualified for the county assistance, Gann said. In other Unicameral action this week involving bills by western Nebraska lawmakers: Senators gave 44-0 final approval Thursday to Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibachs LB 894, which says people running for county sheriff must have a valid law enforcement officer certificate before filing for election. The same applies to candidates for appointment to finish unexpired sheriffs terms. Pillen Wednesday signed LB 43, which includes Gordon Sen. Tom Brewers First Freedom Act. Initially introduced as LB 277, it lets Native American public school students wear tribal regalia at school functions and prohibits state restrictions on religious groups during a state of emergency that are greater than those imposed on other groups. Another part of LB 43 says local government boards must give the public a chance to speak whenever they meet in open session. Jacobsons LB 851, which lets companies with fewer than 150 full-time equivalent employees qualify for state grants to pay for college internships, was sent to Pillen on a final 45-0 vote Thursday. An annual audit of Nebraska's state agencies suggests the Department of Health and Human Services the state's largest and among its most troubled agencies likely mishandled tens of millions of state and federal dollars last fiscal year. For 12 months from July 2022 through June of last year, the department handed out millions in taxpayer funds through various programs without verifying whether the care providers and individuals receiving the money met the criteria to field grants or if they used the money for its intended purpose sometimes violating state and federal requirements, Auditor Mike Foley announced Tuesday. Internal investigators working in two separate HHS divisions failed to "safeguard adequately Medicaid funds entrusted to the agency," Foley said in a Tuesday news release, outlining the latest in a series of damning audits of the state agency responsible for administering hundreds of millions of federal health care and welfare funds. Last month, Foley flagged "flagrant abuses" of a Medicaid program administered by HHS that has been plagued by "longstanding fraud." His office's latest probe of HHS was part of a 280-page report auditors issued last week detailing audit results of every agency, but the longtime state auditor took particular aim at HHS in part because it accounts for roughly 40% of state spending, he said. In their annual audit of the agency, auditors found HHS paid out $21.4 million in pandemic-era federal funds meant to be used for employee retention and recruitment for state developmental disability providers, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. But the agency failed to verify that the care providers that received the funds actually used the money for employee recruitment or retention programs calling into question the legitimacy of the use of the funds. A test of 25 long-term care facilities revealed the misuse of $20,153 in Medicaid funds by HHS, which failed to verify recipient income and resources to ensure payees were eligible for Medicaid. The small sample size suggests as much as $31.7 million in tax dollars were at risk of being misused in the same manner statewide, Foley said. HHS also paid out $32,000 in suspect costs under the Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant program. In one case, the department granted $5,000 in student loan reduction to one woman for having her masters degree but the supporting documentation provided showed that she didn't have a master's degree and hadn't completed a class since 2012. Foley said the sample size of the Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant audit suggests as much as $5.3 million in grant funds were mishandled statewide under the program. Under the same program, HHS paid out $163,622 in violation of federal and state requirements due to a combination of a lack of supporting documentation, duplicate payments or payouts in excess of the amounts authorized. In one case, Foley said, HHS approved a payment to a child care provider for school-aged children who claimed to be caring for children for 12 to 15 hours per day for six days a week, logging a majority of their hours when the children would have been in school. "Shockingly," Foley wrote, "previous audits of (HHS) have produced similar findings for the past 17 years." Foley's office also reviewed 26 cases investigated by internal HHS investigators tasked with probing potential fraud. The examination by auditors revealed that investigators failed to resolve five of the cases, at least two of which weren't sufficiently investigated, Foley said. Even as he blasted HHS in his news release, Foley said he had faith in the department's new CEO, Steve Corsi, who Foley said "inherited an agency with some major issues" when Gov. Jim Pillen appointed him to lead HHS in August. "I have high hopes for a rejuvenated and invigorated DHHS," Foley wrote Tuesday. Corsi began his tenure at HHS in September four months after the scope of Foley's latest audit of the agency ended and was narrowly confirmed by the Legislature after about 90 minutes of debate Monday. His nomination was marred by Corsi's online engagement with anti-LGBTQ social media posts and his initial failure to disclose his ties to a consulting firm that was awarded a $10 million no-bid contract with the state months before Pillen hired Corsi, who worked at the firm up until days before his employment with the state began. In his own statement in Tuesday's news release, Corsi pledged that HHS "can and will resolve (the) issues" Foley's office had highlighted. We will do the work and make the changes necessary to ensure tax dollars are spent both wisely and appropriately," Corsi said. The audit report comes less than a month after Foley's office accused HHS of approving tens of thousands of dollars of "questionable" payments to providers who sometimes billed the state for personal assistance services they could not have possibly rendered through a Medicaid-funded program that auditors have been raising alarm over for nearly a decade. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer In December of last year, Ariel, a 24-year-old content creator in New Jersey, received a message from a French digital-marketing company called Arcads. Ariel makes her living doing marketing videos for brands, who hire her through platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. Arcads had a slightly different request. They asked if Id be willing to take part in their AI technology campaign, Ariel said. They gave me a couple of prompts and said, Talk as long as you can. She sent them the material. Later, the company reps came back with feedback and specific requests for clips filmed in different environments. They wanted walk-and-talk video. They wanted different settings. They wanted her sitting in a car. It wasnt that much work nine videos in total she was paid for it, and it felt like something new and interesting. On Tuesday, months later, Ariel got a message from a friend with a link to a video posted on X. It had millions of views and thousands of responses and had become the subject of an intense and very strange debate between AI boosters, AI skeptics, and thousands of other assorted strangers with theories of their own. The preview contained her face. Is this real? her friend asked. When I watched the video, I genuinely thought it was one of my UGC (user-generated content) videos, she said. The style, delivery, and location were all familiar. Ive done so many, I lose track, she said, and companies post her influencer-style videos on their social-media channels all the time. Then she listened to the text: an awkward, trollish rant about body odor and deodorant pitching a brand of cleaning wipes. She knew shed never worked with this company and watched the video more closely. It was her, but not quite. Shed encountered her AI clone in the wild. It honestly just threw me off a little, she said. It had been a while since she thought about the AI company, and she hadnt seen any of its work before this week. Now, through Arcads, clients were hiring an automated Ariel to do brand videos, and one of them had gone viral. Arcads had been honest about its plans, and Ariel felt she was fairly compensated and hadnt been misled. Still, she said, It just caught me off guard. How couldnt it? What turned the video into the social-media controversy du jour wasnt so much the videos content as a couple of imprecise captions, which launched it into the center of the churning online discourse about the future of AI. First, there was the original, from the founder of the client company: Its terrible but I still think its wild that this can all be done with AI. Imagine in 6 months A classic social marketing post, honestly vague and teasing, with an unclear subject-poster relationship and a strong connection to an unrelated trend. From there, it got picked up by a bunch of AI influencers, whose breathless posts (Its so over ) really took off: Youre not gonna believe this. its all AI. and you can leverage this in your marketing too. imagine what we will be able to do 1 year from now pic.twitter.com/RQ8DJNYRzW Linus Ekenstam (@LinusEkenstam) March 26, 2024 Linus Ekenstams post started drawing skeptical responses from his audience of AI optimists and doomers. This clearly wasnt AI, some said, in the sense that it wasnt generated by AI from scratch even the most advanced unreleased video-generation software from OpenAI cant do something quite like this. Others decided that the post was fake, by which they meant the video it contained was not fake. They found Ariels Fiverr page, shared similar videos that shed made, and concluded that the clip was a commission masquerading as a digital avatar. Ive gotten so many people messaging me on Fiverr and on Instagram asking if Im real, Ariel said. People Ive worked with in the past! In comments and community notes, people, including Ekenstam, sorted things out: The video wasnt entirely AI-generated, in the sense that the base imagery is real video of a real person, but the facial movements and voice were synthesized. Users started commissioning weirder, glitchier videos from cyber-Ariel (the caption here is misleading the actual cost of the video was 10): Paid the 100 for @arcads_ai so you don't have to pic.twitter.com/Xa80nCuIIA Misch Strotz (@mitch0z) March 26, 2024 Still, lots of viewers remained unconvinced, or rather, quite convinced of whichever theory of the video theyd settled on before the video scrolled off their phones forever. To AI enthusiasts, this sort of thing is old news. Arcads isnt a big player in AI this weeks attention crashed the service, and its main proposition seems to be collecting and digitizing UGC professionals into a stable of licensed talent but its product is based almost entirely on technology from HeyGen, which has been available to the public since last year and which just raised a round of funding at a $440 million valuation. HeyGen offers characters of its own that users can use to make corporate videos, ads, or anything else that needs a talking head. Crucially, it also has the ability to create puppet avatars from short clips, a feature I tested out a few months ago. From 30 seconds of grainy, poorly lit webcam footage, it synthesized a slightly robotic avatar with my upper body and face, something like my voice, and an unrecognizable but semi-plausible set of facial movements. Nobody I know would confuse it for me, but in the right context, they might confuse it for a person. This week, in The Atlantic, Louise Matsakis described the bracing experience of seeing her own HeyGen avatar speaking in perfectly translated Chinese. By merely uploading a selfie taken on my iPhone, I was able to glimpse a level of Mandarin fluency that may elude me for the rest of my life, she wrote. HeyGen is a real company with customers who see some opportunity in creating what are basically sanctioned corporate deep fakes: individualized videos from executives to clients, customized video and email ads, internal communications, and seminars. (If you want a picture of the future, imagine an uncanny AI avatar leading a workplace harassment-training module about reading subtle social cues, forever.) What HeyGen does, and what Arcads is doing with HeyGen, also represents a safe-for-work, aboveboard take on a technology that lots of people find distressing, or worse, for a variety of reasons. Nonconsensual explicit deep fakes are now so easy to make that theyre a problem not just for public figures but at middle schools. Phone scammers are recording short conversations and then using voice synthesis to target family members. The ease with which record companies and movie studios can capture and reproduce digital likenesses voices, faces, bodies has artists rightfully worried and was a major issue driving last years Hollywood strikes. The existence of HeyGen demonstrates how accessible this sort of thing has become. Anyone who posts videos to TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube is providing more than enough training material for someone to make a pretty good clone. Having the subject onboard, as Ariel was here, doesnt resolve the essential strangeness of whats going on or account for how people actually consume and encounter media. A simple ad turned into a disorienting and frequently nasty argument between thousands of people, for an audience of millions, not just about whether or not the video was real, but about what it even means to be real, eventually scattering participants across a range of conclusions from approximately everyone has lost their minds about this to were all going to die. The videos short trajectory tells a slightly different story than the one you commonly hear from politicians, experts, and pundits about deep fakes and disinformation: While people will certainly be manipulated by AI-generated political content, the more significant consequence of this technology will be that it sows doubt about everything else, establishing a conspiratorial default around videos of people in general. There are clear limits to HeyGens technology as it exists today, and while it will certainly improve, its unclear by how much and at what. Its good enough to create plausible marketing videos, so long as their audiences arent too familiar with the actor. Ariel isnt primarily an influencer, in that she isnt selling clients access to an audience. Instead, they post her videos themselves, for audiences that understand her as something between a spokesperson, a reviewer, and an influencer that they dont know, but assume others do. The baseline artificiality of this arrangement would seem to make it a better target for automation, which companies like Arcads clearly think it is. Ariel, surprised as she was by the video, isnt concerned. It will definitely automate some things, she said. But Im not worried about competing with myself Im a completely different being than that AI version of me, she said. It cant do the same hand gestures or the various different things that make me me. So far, Ariels first encounter with self-automation has gone the other way the videos meta-virality has resulted in more business. Its weird, but I am grateful for it because so many more people have reached out asking if I can make videos for them. Its boosted my profile, she said. Shes still working with Arcads. I have a very animated personality, and people saw that, and they were interested. Shes booking a lot of fresh work on Fiverr and is now talking with the founder of the wipes company, whom she hadnt been in contact with before, and who wants to keep riding this wave. Ariel is now the new face of the brand, she said, and theyll be making videos together, this time with a camera. Joe Lieberman waves upon his arrival on the floor of the Democratic National Convention at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 15, 2000. Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images Joe Lieberman was active in politics right up to the end. The former senator was the founding co-chair of the nonpartisan group No Labels, which is laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign on behalf of a yet-to-be-identified bipartisan unity ticket. Lieberman did not live to see whether No Labels will run a candidate. He died on Wednesday at 82 due to complications from a fall. But this last political venture was entirely in keeping with his long career as a self-styled politician of the pragmatic center, which often took him across party boundaries. Liebermans first years in Connecticut Democratic politics as a state legislator and then state attorney general were reasonably conventional. He was known for a particular interest in civil rights and environmental protection, and his identity as an observant Orthodox Jew also drew attention. But in 1988, the Democrat used unconventional tactics in his challenge to Republican U.S. senator Lowell Weicker. Lieberman positioned himself to the incumbents right on selected issues, like Ronald Reagans military operations against Libya and Grenada. He also capitalized on longtime conservative resentment of his moderate opponent, winning prized endorsements from William F. and James Buckley, icons of the right. Lieberman won the race narrowly in an upset. Almost immediately, Senator Lieberman became closely associated with the Democratic Leadership Council. The group of mostly moderate elected officials focused on restoring the national political viability of a party that had lost five of the six previous presidential elections; it soon produced a president in Bill Clinton. Lieberman became probably the most systematically pro-Clinton (or in the parlance of the time, New Democrat) member of Congress. This gave his 1998 Senate speech condemning the then-presidents behavior in the Monica Lewinsky scandal as immoral and harmful a special bite. He probably did Clinton a favor by setting the table for a reprimand that fell short of impeachment and removal, but without question, the narrative was born of Lieberman being disloyal to his party. Perhaps it was his public scolding of Clinton that convinced Al Gore, who was struggling to separate himself from his bosss misconduct, to lift Lieberman to the summit of his career. Gore tapped the senator to be his running mate in the 2000 election, making him the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate of a major party. He was by all accounts a disciplined and loyal running mate, at least until that moment during the Florida recount saga when he publicly disclaimed interest in challenging late-arriving overseas military ballots against the advice of the Gore campaign. You could argue plausibly that the ticket would have never been in a position to potentially win the state without Liebermans appeal in South Florida to Jewish voters thrilled by his nomination to become vice-president. But many Democrats bitter about the loss blamed Lieberman. As a near-vice-president and one of the leaders of the Clintonian wing of his party, Lieberman was an early front-runner for the 2004 presidential nomination. A longtime supporter of efforts to topple Saddam Hussein, Lieberman had voted to authorize the 2003 invasion of Iraq, like his campaign rivals John Kerry and John Edwards and other notable senators including Hillary Clinton. Unlike most other Democrats, though, Lieberman did not back off this position when the Iraq War became a deadly quagmire. Ill-aligned with his party to an extent he did not seem to perceive, his presidential campaign quickly flamed out, but not before he gained enduring mockery for claiming Joe-mentum from a fifth-place finish in New Hampshire. Returning to the Senate, Lieberman continued his increasingly lonely support for the Iraq War (alongside other heresies to liberalism, such as his support for private-school education vouchers in the District of Columbia). In 2006, Lieberman drew a wealthy primary challenger, Ned Lamont, who soon had a large antiwar following in Connecticut and nationally. As the campaign grew heated, President George W. Bush gave his Democratic war ally a deadly gift by embracing him and kissing his cheek after the State of the Union Address. This moment, memorialized as The Kiss, became central to the Lamont campaigns claim that Lieberman had left his party behind, and the challenger narrowly won the primary. However, Lieberman ran against him in the general election as an independent, with significant back-channel encouragement from the Bush White House (which helped prevent any strong Republican candidacy). Lieberman won a fourth and final term in the Senate with mostly GOP and independent votes. He was publicly endorsed by Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani, among others from what had been the enemy camp. The 2006 repudiation by his party appeared to break something in Lieberman. This once-happiest of happy political warriors, incapable of holding a grudge, seemed bitter, or at the very least gravely offended, even as he remained in the Senate Democratic Caucus (albeit as formally independent). When his old friend and Iraq War ally John McCain ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, Lieberman committed a partisan sin by endorsing him. His positioning between the two parties, however, still cost him dearly: McCain wanted to choose him as his running mate, before the Arizonans staff convinced him that Liebermans longtime pro-choice views and support for LGBTQ rights would lead to a convention revolt. The GOP nominee instead went with a different high-risk, high-reward choice: Sarah Palin. After Barack Obamas victory over Liebermans candidate, the new Democratic president needed every Democratic senator to enact the centerpiece of his agenda, the Affordable Care Act. He got Liebermans vote but only after the senator, who represented many of the countrys major private-insurance companies, forced the elimination of the public option in the new system. It was a bitter pill for many progressives, who favored a more robust government role in health insurance than Obama had proposed. By the time Lieberman chose to retire from the Senate in 2012, he was very near to being a man without a party, and he reflected that status by refusing to endorse either Obama or Mitt Romney that year. By then, he was already involved in the last great project of his political career, No Labels. He did, with some hesitation, endorse Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. But his long odyssey away from the yoke of the Democratic Party had largely landed him in a nonpartisan limbo. Right up until his death, he was often the public face of No Labels, particularly after the groups decision to sponsor a presidential ticket alienated many early supporters of its more quotidian efforts to encourage bipartisan problem-solving in Congress. Some will view Lieberman as a victim of partisan polarization, and others as an anachronistic member of a pro-corporate, pro-war bipartisan elite who made polarization necessary. Personally, I will remember him as a politician who followed sometimes courageously, sometimes foolishly a path that made him blind to the singular extremism that one party has exhibited throughout the 21st century, a development he tried to ignore to his eventual marginalization. But for all his flaws, I have no doubt Joe Lieberman remained until his last breath committed to the task he often cited via the Hebrew term tikkun olam: repairing a broken world. This week, The Atlantic published an account of how the war between Israel and Hamas has convulsed a campus (in this case, that of the author, Stanford sophomore Theo Baker). The most explosive details in the story showed activists endorsing violence or anti-Semitism, which has fed directly into the cycle of anger and fear felt by both Jewish and Muslim students. This has predictably set off the same progressive eye-rolling that occurs any time the mainstream media reports on crazy things happening on the left. Incredibly brave for the son of the NYT White House correspondent to put out a piece narcing on his fellow students and teachers, snarked Daniel Boguslaw, a reporter at the Intercept, a staunchly anti-Israel publication. (Baker is the son of two successful journalists, though he made his reputation breaking a scandal that toppled Stanfords president.) Numerous complaints described Baker as a snitch picking on unimportant targets. The argument that nobody should pay attention to what left-wing radicals are saying on campus is totally at odds with the message that progressives have been frantically sending since almost immediately after October 7. A slew of stories has covered the anger felt by the young progressive left at the Biden administration. Those stories have been filled with pleas from organizers that Biden heed the protesters demands. Dont blame us. [Biden] needs votes from Arab Americans, from people of color, from progressive Jews, and from young people. He only won Michigan by 150,000 votes in 2020, so politically we have a moment where we can raise our voices, said Andy Levin, a leader of the push to get Democrats to vote uncommitted in the Michigan primary. Waleed Shaid warned that Biden is not representing the 80 percent of Democrats who want a cease-fire, or the Muslims and Arabs and young people whose votes put him in office and are now out protesting his policies in the streets. There are two popular notions on the progressive left that seem intellectually irreconcilable. The first is that the media should stop scrutinizing radical left-wing ideas by progressive college students and political activists. The second is that the Democratic Party must heed the demands of progressive college students and political activists. The first idea has a longer pedigree. When I wrote about the rise of illiberal left-wing thought in progressive spaces nine years ago, a common response from progressives who didnt wish to defend the ideas I criticized was that it was not worth attention or concern because it was just youthful high jinks from college teens. This dismissive response has aged poorly. It was not even true at the time: Many of the incidents in my story concerns adult professionals, not college students. In any case, it was obvious that the driving force was not age but ideology. But the exasperated pose of dismissing criticism of young radical activists has not gone away. It is irresistible as a way to smooth over tensions within the progressive coalition, or any coalition. When your allies say or do something you cant defend, but you dont want to cause a rupture, the path of least resistance is to insist their actions are unimportant and dont require scrutiny. This has been the method mainstream Republicans have used to ignore just about every one of Donald Trumps offenses. Of course, the fact that the allies wont denounce the behavior of their allies is the biggest giveaway that the behavior isnt marginal. If it was limited to a handful of powerless kooks, theyd be free to call it out. On the left, progressive-coalition managers spent years denying the campus left was worthy of attention before declaring its anger an emergency that Joe Biden had to attend to. The left went from too powerless to merit scrutiny to too powerful to be ignored overnight, without even a day in between when it was fair game for criticism. Obviously, young people deserve more grace than middle-aged adults, and shouldnt be permanently defined by thoughtless positions they took at the outset of their intellectual formation. But you can grant them some forbearance and also have confidence that their wildest impulses will likely mellow at least somewhat over time, while still taking seriously the ideas they are absorbing and spreading. Taking the activist left seriously on Gaza does not mean defining the whole movement by its most extreme manifestations. Many of the progressive activists angry with Biden are motivated purely by humanitarian sympathy with the Palestinian people. (Indeed, we ought to distrust anybody who isnt troubled by the death and suffering that Israel and Hamas have inflicted on innocent Palestinians.) But those extreme manifestations are an important and hardly marginal element of the movement. The eliminationist rhetoric and hecklers-veto tactics described in Bakers story are standard features in the movement. This week, Salma Hamamy, president of the main pro-Palestinian student group at the University of Michigan, shared (and then deleted) a social-media message stating, Until my last breath, I will utter death to every single individual who supports the Zionist state. Death and more. Death and worse. (The University sent an email denouncing the message.) While she may be an undergrad, Hamamy is hardly anonymous. She was one of four undergraduates to receive the University of Michigans Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award honoring students who best exemplify the leadership and extraordinary vision of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Michigan Daily endorsed her campaign for student-council president. State, national, and international newspapers have quoted her warning Biden to change course and citing her as an example of the kind of progressive Democrats have to placate. Last month, the New York Times jointly profiled her and a pro-Israel activist in a story presenting both as searching for common humanity. As dusk neared, they walked alone to a nearby campus building and sat together on a bench. Maybe this would be a chance to recognize one anothers humanity, the Times reported. He needed to know why anti-Israel protesters had not forcefully condemned the deaths of Israeli civilians. I think that mystery has been cleared up. No serious person is proposing that Biden go all the way to denouncing Israel as an illegitimate settler-colonist entity. There is room to debate degrees of movement within his stance. The point is that the amount of attention thats been devoted to presenting left-wing pro-Palestinian activists as a powerful and even potentially decisive faction in national politics implies the need for a proportionate level of scrutiny of their ideas. To insist these activists only matter when you are touting their influence, and then to deny their power when they receive scrutiny, is a tactic posing as an ideal. The ironically named Stop the Steal rally of January 6, 2021. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Hanging over the 2024 presidential rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is the possibility of another contested result. Aside from a handful of liberal pundits who have fantasized about Congress refusing to certify a Trump victory on grounds that the 14th Amendment bans high federal office for past insurrectionists, the major reason for worry emanates from the horrible example set by Trump in 2020 and by his ever-more-adamant if still unsubstantiated claims that the race was rigged. Theres no reason to assume hell accept defeat in 2024, particularly now that hes beginning to repeat some of his 2020 hogwash about voting by mail being inherently fraudulent and his even older fabrications about Democrats relying on illegal votes from noncitizens. Even more fundamentally, the central message of Trumps 2024 campaign is that he represents the overwhelming majority of Americans, who long for his brand of American greatness, against the self-perpetuating power of corrupt elites who illegally denied them a second Trump term. A graceful acceptance of defeat seems extremely unlikely. Rolling Stone is reporting that the Biden campaign is examining a comically long list of nightmare scenarios that might develop. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, to a considerable extent. But while Trump remains entirely capable of trying to steal the presidency, his options have narrowed. Several of the tactics he used four years ago are now more or less off the table. Most obviously, Trump will not have the office of the presidency or its powers at his disposal, and hell be trying to conquer, not retain, the White House. Thats a handicap that should not be underestimated. When he claimed a grossly premature victory on Election Night in 2020, it was from the East Room of the White House, which may have enhanced the authenticity of this banana-republic move. More importantly, throughout his effort to overturn his defeat, he had access to the resources of the U.S. Justice Department (although its operatives cooperated with him to widely varying extents). All that will be lost to him in 2024. Also beyond his reach is an option he considered but was reportedly talked out of taking in 2020: ordering the U.S. military to seize voting machines in the search for phantom voter fraud. So too is the more drastic step some feared of Trump invoking the Insurrection Act and deploying military units to suppress protests against his election thievery. More generally, if some sort of institutional paralysis grips Congress or the U.S. government in implementing a 2024 election defeat for Trump, inertia will favor the incumbent. Its easier to hold power than to seize it. One particular byproduct of not being in power makes Trumps planned maneuver in Congress on January 6 a nonstarter: The vice-president who will count electoral votes is Kamala Harris, not Mike Pence. So there will be no gavel-wielding president of the Senate sending it back to the states for an unconstitutional redo of election certification. Pence wouldnt do Trump this favor; Harris wont either, of course. Other options available to Trump in 2020 have been removed or at least limited by the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, enacted by Congress with significant bipartisan support to address the events of January 6 and some of the confusion that preceded it. That new law makes it clear the vice-president who presides over the electoral vote count is acting simply as a clerk, not a judge. But more importantly, the ECRA provides clear direction on who has the power to certify electors at the state level, heading off the fake electors gambit the Trump campaign attempted via friendly legislators in 2020. It also provides for expedited federal judicial review of disputes over certification of electors so that they are resolved long before Congress confirms the results. And it strengthens the presumption that each state will only certify electors pledged to the candidate who wins its popular vote. Overall, it appears the joint session of Congress to confirm the presidential results will be a less fruitful avenue for MAGA mischief in 2025, though we dont know which party will control Congress at that time (Democrats controlled both chambers in 2021). An even bigger legal change since 2020 has been the relatively more restrictive attitude of the states toward voting by mail now that the COVID-19 pandemic has more or less ended. The 2020 Trump campaign constantly claimed that the institution of temporary no-excuse absentee ballots or unsolicited distribution of mail ballots to all registered voters either constituted or encouraged voter fraud; their challenges typically failed as federal and state courts deferred to determinations by state and local election officials on public-safety needs. Now, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states that temporarily relaxed excuse requirements for voting by mail have reinstated them. That means fewer mail ballots and fewer grounds for lawsuits alleging ballot fraud. Similarly, most states that sent unsolicited mail ballots to all registered voters in 2020 have stopped doing that; the only battleground-state exception is Nevada. One mail-ballot issue that bears watching in 2024 is the practice in 17 states of allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted. While in 2020 the federal courts generally dismissed complaints against this procedure on grounds of COVID-related delays in mail-delivery service, there hasnt been a definitive ruling on the argument that allowing late receipt of mail ballots represents an unconstitutional extension of Election Day. There are only, however, two battleground states (Nevada and North Carolina) that have a postElection Day cutoff for mail ballots. Its worth noting that due to Democrats remarkably good performance in 2022, election deniers had less opportunity to monkey with election laws in the last two years. As New Yorks Eric Levitz noted after the midterms: Democrats gained four new trifectas, won bitterly contested governors races (in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and deep-red Kansas), fought off Republican supermajorities in the North Carolina House and the Badger States assembly, defeated every single election denier campaigning for secretary of State in an Electoral College battleground, and did not lose control of a single state legislative chamber. That last feat is especially noteworthy: In every midterm election since 1934, the presidents party has forfeited at least one statehouse to the opposition. So what new election-coup tactics could Trump pursue in 2024? There is one terrifying possibility: the deployment of MAGA bravos to disrupt the casting or counting of Election Day votes in order to justify nondemocratic methods of determining the presidency. To put it another way, the more legislators and judges close off nefarious legal methods of subverting an adverse election result, the more Trump and his supporters may be tempted to resort to good old-fashioned ballot-box-stuffing violence. It would be immensely helpful to secure as many pledges against this lurch into open authoritarianism as possible among Republican elected officials and party leaders. And as an added safeguard, Joe Biden might want to win by a landslide. Photo: New York Daily News/NY Daily News via Getty Images On Wednesday, NYPD officers shot and killed a 19-year-old man in Queens after he had called 911 while experiencing a mental-health crisis. Officials say that Win Rozario brandished a pair of scissors at the officers who responded to the scene and approached them, prompting them to fire their weapons. However, family members of Rozario have disputed the departments official account of events. Heres what we know so far. What do authorities say happened? During a press conference after the shooting, NYPD chief of patrol John Chell told reporters that two officers arrived on the scene in Ozone Park, Queens, at 1:40 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from a man in mental distress. He said the officers entered the second-floor apartment and that the scene became hectic, chaotic, and dangerous. As the officers tried to take the man who made the call, 19-year-old Win Rozario, into custody, he pulled a pair of scissors out of a nearby drawer and began to approach them. The two officers then fired their Tasers, striking him. But according to Chell, Rozarios mother went over to aid her son and knocked the Tasers charges off his body. At this point, the male picked up the scissors again, came at our officers. They had no choice but to defend themselves, discharging their firearms, Chell said. Rozario was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Chell said the incident was captured on body-worn cameras but did not indicate if that footage would be released. The department later shared a photo of the pair of scissors that Rozario is alleged to have held. This is the weapon (scissors) that was in the possession of a 19-year-old male while he was lunging at NYPD officers. https://t.co/X9kGIhoErh pic.twitter.com/O5XAnx6Taw NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) March 27, 2024 In response to a reporters question, Chell said the officers were not accompanied by a crisis-management team, saying that the pair responded to the scene within two minutes and the situation quickly escalated. (City residents can request a mobile-crisis team, a nonpolice group of behavior-health professionals, by dialing 988 if they believe that they or a loved one are in crisis. The teams can direct police or first responders to take a person into custody if theyre believed to be a danger to themself or others.) What has the victims family said? In an interview with the New York Times, the victims 17-year-old brother Utsho Rozario said their mother was holding his brother the entire time, in contrast with the NYPDs account of events. As my mother was still hugging him, they shot him with the Taser, he told the outlet. So they shot him with the Tasers, and my brother didnt really go down. So one of the cops pulled out a gun and shot him as my mother still hugging him. Utsho echoed that account in an interview with the New York Daily News. He told the paper that he let the two officers into their home and asked them to be gentle with Win, and that he didnt see his mother knock the Tasers prongs out. Its on the body camera, so we will see, he told the outlet. The Rozario family immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh in 2014. According to Wins relatives, he was a graduate from John Adams High School and had dreams of joining the military. We want justice. My son was innocent. My son had a little mental problem, but the police werent listening to us, Francis Rozario, the victims father, told the Daily News. Whats the reaction from local politicians? Councilmember Lynn Schulman, who represents the district where the shooting took place, said in a statement that Win Rozario was failed by the system. Win called 911 in mental distress, but instead of receiving the help he needed, he was shot and killed at his home by police after an altercation, she said. Instead of a police response, mental health professionals should have been sent to him. My Statement on the Police Involved Shooting in my district today pic.twitter.com/HYSAQgOmI2 Lynn Schulman (@Lynn4NYC) March 28, 2024 Public advocate Jumaane Williams echoed Schulmans words, saying that another family is needlessly mourning. Whats clear (or should be to those serious about safety) is that what were collectively doing isnt working and is putting everyone in harms way. Period, he wrote on social media. 20 items in this article Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers Anyone who has shopped at an online retailer with no physical storefronts knows how hard it can be to figure out where to begin. There are dozens upon dozens of options that all seem as worthy as the next, but the reality is that products from any given brand are not all created equal. When you shop as regularly as we do, you learn that many brands just do some things better than others. Quince, the five-year-old start-up that seems to make a little bit of everything, is one of those brands. Given the companys expansive and growing inventory (which includes everything from kids clothing to jewelry to luggage) and how young it is, weve been pleasantly surprised by how good so many of its products are. In fact, Quince items appear in our Best in Class guides across multiple bedding and clothing categories, including cashmere sweaters, jumpsuits suitable for sleep and socializing, and supersoft linen for lazy mornings. Here, weve compiled all of the products from Quince that our writers and editors have recommended on the Strategist. To help you sort through it all, weve organized this by bedding, clothing, loungewear and activewear, and outerwear and accessories. Bedding Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set, Queen $100 $100 Quinces percale sheets earned our Best in Class crown for the very best cooling percale sheets, which are perfect for the warmer nights (or anyone who sleeps hot). Lauren Ro, our in-house bedding expert, says the sheets are the crispest and most lightweight of all the bedding I have tried over the years yet still very smooth and nice to touch. They are competitively priced at $100 for a queen-size set and kept Ro cool during a summer heat wave with just the ceiling fan on, no AC. $100 at Quince.com Buy Quince Bamboo Sheet Set, Queen $110 $110 The brands cooling bamboo sheets are also Strategist-approved. The first thing I noticed was how cool and silky they felt just like real silk, Ro noted while testing them. She ultimately named them the best affordable cooling organic-bamboo sheets because they also drape nicely, hold up well in the wash, and make sleeping feel incredibly luxurious. $110 at Quince.com Buy Quince European Linen Sheet Set, Queen $170 $170 Linen bedding has been a hot commodity over the past decade, and Quince makes our very favorite set thanks to its quality and affordable price. Strategist writer Dominique Pariso is a self-proclaimed hot sleeper and compares the brands linen to a gauzy linen button-down youd throw on at the height of July heat, describing it as superlight with a slightly textured weave. The set includes a fitted and a flat sheet along with two pillowcases. $170 at Quince.com Buy Quince European Linen Pillowcases From $40 for 2 From $40 for 2 For a smaller update to your linen closet, consider our favorite affordable linen pillowcase, which comes in a set of two for $40. On top of their Strategist-approved softness, the pillowcases are prewashed, made of 100 percent European flax, and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning theyre free of harmful chemicals, reports Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen. From $40 for 2 at Quince.com Buy Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase From $45 From $45 Were also big fans of Quinces silk pillowcase, which Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst declared the best silk pillowcase overall. Silk pillowcases offer multiple hair and skin benefits, including cutting down on frizz, helping preserve hairstyles, and avoiding split ends, which Denton-Hurst observed during testing. She appreciates its convenient zip closure and range of colors as well as Quinces generous return policy: Youll have 365 days from the date of purchase to decide if its right for you, Denton-Hurst says. From $45 at Quince.com Buy Quince Eza Recycled Performance Rug From $130 From $130 While Quinces selection of Strategist-approved bedding is extensive, it also sells a solid rug that caught the attention of Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens. Its fibers are made from recycled bottles, and its available in two colors a textured navy blue and slate gray as well as five sizes. Since the rug is made to order, it will arrive seven to eight weeks after purchase. From $130 at Quince.com Buy Clothing One of Quinces most well-known items is its wildly affordable cashmere crewneck, which is our favorite affordable cashmere sweater for both men and women. Arielle Avila, our resident cashmere expert, describes it as supersoft with a slight slickness to it. It also has detailed ribbing on the neck, cuffs, and hem. After owning the womens cashmere sweater for about a year, Avila did observe some pilling on the sleeves and at the waist but pilling will almost always eventually happen with cashmere sweaters and is usually fixable with a fabric shaver. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Polo Sweater $80 $80 Quinces Mongolian-cashmere polo sweater is another one of our best-in-class sweater picks. Avila found herself reaching for it especially frequently during the fall because its breezy and has a somewhat less conventional cut. She describes it as having the same lightweight and buttery softness as Quinces crewneck and a just-as-good price. $80 at Quince Buy Quince Tencel Rib Maternity & Nursing Button-Front Dress $60 $60 When Quince released its maternity collection at the beginning of 2023, many styles, including this V-necked button-front dress, sold out within a couple weeks. The brand has since restocked its selection, so this flowy and comfortable dress, which caught our eye for its 90s-style design, is available in a deep sky blue, heather gray, and black. Its made from supersoft Tencel, so you can look elegant without sacrificing comfort. $60 at Quince Buy Loungewear and activewear Given that Quinces bedding is so beloved, it only seems logical that the brand would also make stellar pajamas. This duo makes up our favorite silk-pajama pant set, and Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo describes its texture to be like blueberries or grapes early in the morning that have a little frostiness to their skin. She has found that the separates are temperature regulating, too, helping to hold heat on chilly nights and maintaining a nice airiness on warm ones. Quince Washable Silk Pajama Short $50 $50 If silk shorts are more your speed, consider this pair that Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla tested. Theyre especially well suited for those who like to show a little leg: Even on her five-foot-two frame, Pardilla says the shorts are definitely on the cropped side. But she says the shorts are impressively well made, especially for the price. $50 at Quince.com Buy Quince French Terry Modal Jumpsuit $40 $40 Pardilla named this all-in-one the best lounge jumpsuit and the best sleep jumpsuit because it is supersoft, worn-in, and doesnt pill in the wash. She especially likes it for summertime because without sleeves and with a low V-neck and keyhole in the back, the style is actually pretty airy. And when she wants to wear it in public, she can adjust the waistband a little higher for a more tailored effect or lower for a laid-back and looser look. $40 at Quince Buy Outerwear and accessories After testing a number of jackets for our guide to the best parkas, Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie reports that Quinces down parka is an almost identical Super Puff dupe, offering a similar logoless anonymity and minimalist silhouette for nearly half the price. It even has thumbholes, fuzzy pockets, and a removable hood, the latter of which Gillespie says might actually be an improvement on the Super Puffs design. 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. (AFP via Getty Images) This article first appeared in our partner site, Independent Arabia The coup-born government of Burkina Faso unveiled a bill aiming to revise the constitution and abolish the use of French as an official language. This development raises the question of whether we are witnessing the end of this languages golden age in the African Sahel, after a series of military coups undermining the military, diplomatic and economic influence of Paris. Burkina Faso is far from being the only state in the African Sahel that is actively reviewing its dependence on the French language. Indeed, Mali preceded it in this regard when it dropped French as an official language last June. This represents a setback for the language that France worked for decades on promoting and enshrining through the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF). In a region rich with dozens of indigenous languages and dialects, French was successful as a unifying lingua franca after countries in the region gained independence from France in the 1960s. Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune had considered the French language to be a spoil of war. The End of an Era After the French put an end to their military presence and diminished their diplomatic presence, the coup-born authorities in the African Sahel now look to ending the influence of the French language in the region. Following in the footsteps of neighbouring Mali, Burkina Fasos new bill, which was months in the making, stipulates the demotion of the French language, relegating it to the rank of "working language, according to Le Monde. Nigerian political analyst, Nyossa Djimrao told Independent Arabia, The decisions of Burkina Faso and Mali represent the end of an era during which this language served France, entrenching its influence over its former colonies in the African Sahel. France imposed this language on its colonies, which is why I believe that the decision to abandon it is both revolutionary and beneficial. Such steps will be replicated by other countries like Niger, which is in complete political and diplomatic harmony with Ouagadougou and Bamako, Djimrao added. Story continues In 2022, France was compelled to remove its forces from Mali, then Burkina Faso, and later Niger. It also declared the end of its Barkhane military campaign, which it waged in an attempt to minimize the influence of terrorist groups that perpetrate bloody attacks in the region. The Deep Divide Launched in 2013, the campaign did not succeed in achieving any progress in the fight against terrorist groups, which led countries of the region to place their bets on Russian private military company Wagner to contain these groups instead. Many citizens, particularly those in favour of the wave of changes taking place in the African Sahel, perceive dropping French, with all the trappings of Paris and what it represents as a welcome step, Djimrao said. The French government therefore has to accept this as a fait accompli, although its language will be considered of secondary importance and will not be completely excluded. The setbacks suffered by France and French diplomatic, cultural and military institutions are not confined to the Sahel. They extend to other countries such as South Africa and Algeria, both of which traded French for English. These developments reflect the deep divide between Paris and capitals of countries in the African Sahel in the post-coup era. This shift could have economic repercussions, especially considering French exports to former African colonies in the last decade have declined to 5 percent, having previously stood at 8.7 per cent in the years following independence, according to official statistics. Not an End French analysts believe on the other hand that linguistic changes witnessed in the Sahel are unsurprising given the rise of the English language across the world. They note that French will continue to remain in use as a secondary language in these countries. French is spoken by over a hundred million people on the African continent, which is home to around 1.2 billion people. France works on promoting of the French language through the OIF, which it views as an effective tool to achieve this end through cultural activities. While French authorities and the OIF are yet to comment on this move, Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security Studies (IPSE) notes the decision of authorities in Ouagadougou will not eliminate the French language, which will remain a secondary language spoken by many in Burkina Faso, in addition to approximately 39 other local languages. Speaking to Independent Arabia, Dupuy goes on to say what is more important in my opinion is the way President Ibrahim Traore exploited the issue of French and Francophonie in his country to revise the constitution and pave the way for a referendum on a new constitution not inspired by France and its values. The French languages golden age has not ended yet in the Sahel region, as it is still adopted by official administrations and groups. Other countries, such as Ghana, are also seeking to strengthen their use of the French language. With the use of its language waning, military partnerships ended, and diplomatic missions hounded, many wonder whether France will find a way to return to Africa, a continent vast swathes of which were called French Africa for decades. Perhaps, this continent will instead be the scene of the formation of a new multipolar world order, as Russia and China attempt to fill the vacuum left by Paris withdrawal. Reviewed by Tooba Ali and Celine Assaf It has been one week since Gov. Kay Ivey signed the legislation known as the anti-DEI bill into law, impacting every public university and school in the state. The Alabama House of Representatives and Senate passed SB 129 and Ivey signed it into law. Set to go into affect on Oct.1, the bill prohibits universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies from sponsoring diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and programs. My administration has and will continue to value Alabamas rich diversity," Ivey said. "However, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses or wherever else for that matter to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe. The bill prohibits certain public entities from directing or compelling any students, employees or contractors "to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to a divisive concept," or requiring "its students, employees, or contractors to attend or participate in any diversity, equity, and inclusion program or any training, orientation, or course work that advocates for or requires assent to a divisive concept." The bill features a list of eight "divisive concepts," including "that meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist," and "that individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin." The bill is set to go into effect in the middle of what will be the fall semester for universities across the state. For the school systems and universities in the area, right now they are looking into the legislation, with little in terms of official action yet. AU continues to evaluate implications of the bill In a statement sent to the campus community on March 20, Auburn University said it was evaluating the implications of the bill that will affect DEI offices and the use of state funds to sponsor DEI programs and activities. Auburn highlighted that the bill did not prohibit the following: "instruction associated with accreditation standards; performing research, scholarship, extension, outreach programs; the offering of academic support services, engaging in clinical trials or providing medical, mental or any health care or clinical services targeted to support individuals of any specific demographic." Auburn University went on to state the following: "The bill explicitly states that it does not prevent "student, staff, or faculty organizations or associations from hosting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or discussions that may involve divisive concepts, provided that no state funds are used to sponsor these programs. As a land-grant university, Auburn is committed to delivering exceptional experiences and support to all of our students with particular emphasis on providing access and opportunity to the citizenry of Alabama so that they benefit fully from an Auburn education. We work hard each day at Auburn to create an environment where our faculty, staff and students are welcomed, valued, respected and engaged. We remain committed to providing these exceptional experiences while continuing to support academic freedom and freedom of expression. As always, Auburn will act consistently with applicable state and federal law." Auburn University currently has an Office of Inclusion and Diversity. Taffye Benson Clayton serves as the inaugural vice president and associate provost for Inclusion and Diversity. AU also published a DEI strategy overview. During the legislative process, the AU's Office of Government Relations and General Counsel provided updates and guidance to AU leadership including representatives from its four governance groups. Among those who held additional discussions were the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, leaders from Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Institutional Effectiveness, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, deans, faculty and key alumni. A status update was shared with the University Senate and with the Presidents Leadership Council last week. The statement read as follows: "In the coming weeks, the Provosts Office through the Division of Institutional Effectiveness will continue to work to ensure that our commitments to access and opportunity are upheld and are consistent with applicable law. We are resolute in our mission to deliver exceptional student experiences and to provide support to all of our students with particular emphasis on providing access and opportunity. As always, we will continue to embody the values of the Auburn Creed." ASU reaffirmed its commitment to equality Meanwhile, Alabama State University reaffirmed its commitment to equality and opportunity. ASU's statement reads as follows: "I affirm that our institution has consistently served as the people's University. The ethos of equality and fairness is deeply embedded within our core values and nothing will cause us to forgo them," university president Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. said in a statement. "Our institutional history is a testament to our enduring commitment to overcoming challenges while staying true to our principles. We remain dedicated to upholding this legacy and ensuring that Alabama State University continues to be a beacon of opportunity for all." Southern Union State Community College is part of the Alabama Community College System and said that the legislation is still being reviewed. SUSCC's statement read as follows: "The Alabama Community College System is currently reviewing the recently passed legislation and any impact it may have on our colleges and remain committed to remaining true to our core values for student success and our ability to be a safe and welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff." As for public schools in the area, Auburn City Schools said it was studying the legislation and had no comment at this time. Lee County Schools and Opelika City Schools also declined to comment at this time. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox, so it came a bit early this year. Residents across the Opelika-Auburn area look forward to church service, scavenger hunts and other enjoying other Easter activities. Events for all ages are popping up all across the community. You can enjoy live music and food trucks at the Auburn Azalea Festival or take your kids out for playtime at the Loose Parts Mobile Playground. Heres a list of things you cam do this weekend: Friday Auburn Outdoors Easter Weekend Sale: At 8 a.m. Friday, Auburn Outdoors Rental Center will have an Easter Weekend Sale until midnight. Pick up and an egg for a rental discount anywhere from 10%-100% off. For more information, visit recwellness.auburn.edu. Saturday Auburn Azalea Festival: The Davis Arboretum will host its annual Azalea Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event is free, open to the public and will have fun activities for children, live music, food trucks, Arboretums spring native plant sale and more. For more information, visit aotourism.com. Loose Parts Mobile Playground: You can hang out with people from the Child Care Resource Center, Live Well Alabama, and O Grows Farmers Market for outdoor fun at the Loose Parts Mobile Playground from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit allevents.in. Botanic Easter Egg Hunt & More: Botanic in Opelika will have an Easter egg hunt and more from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event offers live music, yard games, a cake walk, an egg toss, photos with the Easter Bunny and more. For more information, visit shopbotanic.com. Stone Free: Join Auburn Pitts Bar & Grill's Stone Free event from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The night will be full of rock classics. For more information, visit allevents.in. Mother-Son Date Night: Mothers and sons have been invited to a night of music, food, dancing, photo booth fun, games, prizes and more at Frank Brown Recreation Center in Auburn. The celebration will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Standard tickets costs $30 and it costs $5 for each additional child. For more information, visit tickettailor.com. Sunday Easter Brunch at The Marriot at Grand National: You can enjoy an Easter brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mariott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National. The buffet includes a carving station, cold bar, omelet station, kids depot, desserts and more. Reservations costs $85 per adults and $39 for every child between the ages of 7 and 12. It's free for children 6 years old and younger. For more information, visit aotourism.com. There has been increasing talk about the potential for hydrogen flight in recent years, as aviation companies look to decarbonise their operations. As passenger electric flight looks increasingly difficult to achieve, due to the heavy weight of existing electric batteries, airlines are exploring the potential for powering planes using hydrogen. To achieve this, they will need the backing of governments worldwide, as well as significant public and private investment in research and development in the hydrogen and aviation industries. Aviation is categorised as a hard-to-abate industry, which still relies heavily on fossil fuels. In 2022, the global aviation industry contributed around two percent of the worlds carbon emissions. This figure is expected to continue growing as the demand for air travel increases in the coming decades unless an alternative, green energy source can be scaled for mass use in the industry. Member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation have pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, meaning that they must invest heavily in research and development into alternative energy sources to power flight, including electric batteries, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels. In September, three major aviation companies Airbus, Rolls-Royce and EasyJet, joined forces to launch the Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) to prepare infrastructure, policy, regulatory and safety frameworks for when the first hydrogen-powered aircraft takes flight. Other HIA members include British parts maker GKN Aerospace and Denmark-based green energy company Orsted. The group hopes that the government will work with it to develop the necessary regulations and standards required to safely achieve hydrogen flight in the next decade. The CEO of EasyJet, Johan Lundgren, stated of the alliance, It would be unforgivable if actually the aircraft were available ready to fly and we could operate them, but actually, it got hold back because some of these policies weren't really in place. This month, EasyJet joined other HIA members to urge the government to invest in hydrogen-powered flight. Lundgren has repeatedly highlighted the astonishing progress in hydrogen flight technology and believes there could be flights using the technology by the end of the 2030s. The HIA hopes that the U.K. will be at the forefront of hydrogen-powered aviation, but it will need support from the government to achieve this. The group published a report calling for public funding to support its aims of decarbonising aviation using hydrogen, detailing the steps required to support this objective. It emphasises the need for adequate sectoral regulation, infrastructure development, a skilled workforce and the research and development of hydrogen aviation technology. The report provides the first comprehensive U.K. roadmap for the development of hydrogen-powered planes and could help the industry to decarbonise in the coming decades. Lundgren stated, [The report is] the first time weve had everyone across the board saying whats needed, from experts across the field, setting out actions by timeline before we can see hydrogen aircraft in the sky at a large scale. He added, its the first time weve had everyone across the board saying whats needed, from experts across the field, setting out actions by timeline before we can see hydrogen aircraft in the sky at a large scale The breakthroughs in hydrogen-powered technology happening across the UK are truly astonishing but these advances will be inconsequential if we fail to complement them with the appropriate skills, infrastructure, investment and regulation needed. However, Lundgren believes the industry will require a staggering investment from public and private sources to achieve its goals. While the HIA is optimistic about the potential for hydrogen flight, it acknowledges that it has a multitude of technical challenges to overcome to achieve its aim. Hydrogen is still extremely difficult to store and transport. High levels of investment will be needed to develop the infrastructure required to produce, store and transport hydrogen before it can be considered for use in aviation. Further, at present, only around one percent of the worlds hydrogen is considered green, with most of it still being derived from fossil fuels. Greater investment will be needed not only in hydrogen-powered flight but in the expansion of the green hydrogen industry as a whole. This should not, however, deter the U.K. government from preparing the regulatory system and infrastructure required to support hydrogen flight. The aviation companies in the HIA are all optimistic that they will achieve hydrogen flight in the coming decades, with Airbus aiming to launch a 100-seat hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035. EasyJet hopes to develop similar planes by 2040 and Rolls-Royce believes it can develop the hydrogen technology required to power small-mid size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards. With major aviation companies working together to achieve low-carbon flight, it could help the U.K. lead the way in hydrogen aviation technology over the next decade, providing the blueprint for others to follow. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: University of Nottingham researchers have successfully transformed CO2 into methanol by shining sunlight on single atoms of copper deposited on a light-activated material, a discovery that paves the way for creating new green fuels. The international team of researchers from the University of Nottinghams School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, University of Queensland and University of Ulm have research has been published in the Sustainable Energy & Fuels Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The material design is made up of copper anchored on nanocrystalline carbon nitride. The copper atoms are nested within the nanocrystalline structure, which allows electrons to move from carbon nitride to CO2, an essential step in the production of methanol from CO2 under the influence of solar irradiation. In photocatalysis, light is shone on a semiconductor material that excites electrons, enabling them to travel through the material to react with CO2 and water, leading to a variety of useful products, including methanol, which is a green fuel. Despite recent progress, this process suffers from a lack of efficiency and selectivity. Lab demonstration of CO2 reformed to methanol. The press release page has a 12 second video of the formation taking place. The study paper, open access as of posting has a very informative Introduction starting the papers discussion. Though, it is possible to convert CO2 to useful products, traditional thermal methods rely on hydrogen sourced from fossil fuels. It is important to develop alternative methods based on photo- and electrocatalysis, taking advantage of the sustainable solar energy and abundance of omnipresent water. Dr Madasamy Thangamuthu, a research fellow in the School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, who co-led the research team, said, There is a large variety of different materials used in photocatalysis. It is important that the photocatalyst absorbs light and separates charge carriers with high efficiency. In our approach, we control the material at the nanoscale. We developed a new form of carbon nitride with crystalline nanoscale domains that allow efficient interaction with light as well as sufficient charge separation. The researchers devised a process of heating carbon nitride to the required degree of crystallinity, maximizing the functional properties of this material for photocatalysis. Using magnetron sputtering, they deposited atomic copper in a solventless process, allowing intimate contact between the semiconductor and metal atoms. Tara LeMercier, a PhD student who carried out the experimental work at the University of Nottingham, School of Chemistry, said: We measured the current generated by light and used it as a criterion to judge the quality of the catalyst. Even without copper, the new form of carbon nitride is 44 times more active than traditional carbon nitride. However, to our surprise, the addition of only 1 mg of copper per 1 g of carbon nitride quadrupled this efficiency. Most importantly the selectivity changed from methane, another greenhouse gas, to methanol, a valuable green fuel. Professor Andrei Khlobystov, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, said: Carbon dioxide valorization holds the key for achieving the net-zero ambition of the UK. It is vitally important to ensure the sustainability of our catalyst materials for this important reaction. A big advantage of the new catalyst is that it consists of sustainable elements carbon, nitrogen and copper all highly abundant on our planet. This invention represents a significant step towards a deep understanding of photocatalytic materials in CO2 conversion. It opens a pathway for creating highly selective and tuneable catalysts where the desired product could be dialed up by controlling the catalyst at the nanoscale. This work is funded by the EPSRC Programme Grant Metal atoms on surfaces and interfaces (MASI) for sustainable future which is set to develop catalyst materials for the conversion of three key molecules carbon dioxide, hydrogen and ammonia crucially important for economy and environment. MASI catalysts are made in an atom-efficient way to ensure sustainable use of chemical elements without depleting supplies of rare elements and making most of the earths abundant elements, such as carbon and base metals. ** This might be the most important news in decades. If a little sunshine exposed to CO2 and water can produce a fuel and chemical precursor the worlds energy problems would be solved. Using recycled CO2 and water over and over again endlessly using sunshine to power the process would end the global warming issue, the contests for production, economic power, resource control and wild variations in price. ADVERTISEMENT That is such a list of wonder that its very hard to imagine it could ever be possible. But we are another step closer. We dont know how long nature took to discover the value of hydrogen and carbon linked into molecules . . .we do know its been working for life on earth for hundreds of millions of years. By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy and Fuel More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A lot of Europeans will be passing through Turkmenistan this year. So says Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. Meredov last week embarked on a five-day trip that took in Belgium and Italy. In Brussels, he met with an array of important euro-panjandrums, including European Commission vice presidents Valdis Dombrovskis and Margaritis Schinas, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and Simon Mordue, the chief foreign policy advisor to European Councils president. The end result of all this business was the signing on March 18 of a protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Turkmenistan and the EU. A press release from the European Unions diplomatic service described this as a significant milestone no less. Back in Ashgabat, Meredov briefed President Serdar Berdymukhamedov at the March 23 Cabinet meeting that there are plans for EU representatives to visit Turkmenistan on a regular and systematic basis this year. One key purpose of such dialogue is to create a framework agreement on energy cooperation. This is the bureaucratic groundwork that will have to precede any long-term natural gas delivery deals. But there are other strands to this cooperation, as Meredov outlined in a Brussels roundtable on private sector partnerships between Turkmenistan and the European Union. Turkmenistan is eager to tap European expertise and investment to develop its hydrogen energy potential, continue addressing its methane emission problems, and process natural gas in ways that will make the commodity more broadly marketable. Another speaker at the roundtable, Gregory Lecomte, head of the Central Asia unit at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, had some complimentary things to say about the work Turkmenistan has done to improve access to information on the legislative framework for investment. This may sound like a detail, but its important for potential foreign investors, he said. On the negative side of the ledger, Lecomte cited complaints of investors about the justice system. When contracts go wrong, a foreign company has little realistic legal recourse within Turkmenistan. We suggest the government look at building a stronger and efficient judiciary for alternative dispute resolution for foreign investors, he said. A likely possible outcome of such recommendations may be Turkmenistan exploring the creation of an analogue of the Astana International Financial Center court in Kazakhstan, a ring-fenced legal playpen in which foreigners can hash out their disputes. Regular Turkmen citizens, meanwhile, must make do with good old-fashioned injustice. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom drew attention in a statement issued on March 25 to how the Turkmen government has been trampling the rights of Muslims, most notably those who deviate from the states preferred interpretation of Islam, during the holy month of Ramadan. Officials charged with enforcing the rules do not seem to know if theyre coming or going. RFE/RLs Turkmen service, Radio Azatylk, has reported that pupils in secondary schools and higher educational institutions in some parts of the country are being prevented from observing the fast by being forced to drink water. Meanwhile, management at state bodies in the Lebap province are telling staff that they should fast so as to follow the example set by the former president and now-National Leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov (the father of the current president). Drinkers are having a hard time of it too. Police officers in the Mary province were reportedly going around confiscating liquor from stores at the start of Ramadan and will presumably be holding onto it for safekeeping until it is permitted to indulge again. There is no law banning the sale of alcohol during Ramadan. The second part of Meredovs European tour took him to Rome, where he met with deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, whose portfolio includes transportation and infrastructure. Conversations in the Italian capital culminated with the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the ports of Turkmenbashi and Naples. Quite what shape this cooperation will take was not stated, but it can be assumed management at the former port is eager to draw expertise from the latter. Turkmenbashi is designed to handle up to 17 million tons of cargo per year. The Naples port system, which is constituted of three ports, last year handled 31 tons of cargo, so the scales are very roughly similar. Interest in Turkmenbashi stems from the perceived need among boosters of the so-called Middle Corridor route to expand capacity everywhere possible. The Turkmen port is currently operating at a fraction of its potential. The mold of what could be happening here was set by a test initiative in December 2022, when a train pulling 46 carriages loaded with copper concentrate was dispatched from eastern Uzbekistan, across to Turkmenbashi, where it was rolled onto a ferry, through to Azerbaijan and Georgia, where it was loaded onto another ferry and then finally unloaded in Burgas, Bulgaria. The entire point of Turkmenistan shelling out $1.5 billion on turning Turkmenbashi into a bells-and-whistles intermodal transshipment port was to facilitate this very kind of traffic, but the results so far have been disappointing. The Europeans look eager to give this initiative another heave. On March 20, farmers in four of the countrys five provinces were assembled to participate in the ritual start to the cotton-sowing season. A fifth province, Dashoguz, starts on March 27. Fully 600,000 hectares have been set aside for cotton cultivation this year. That is up from the 580,000 hectares of 2023. This is a striking choice given how thirsty a crop cotton is and seeing how water security is looking a little dicey these dayas in light of Afghanistan pushing ahead with its Qosh-Tepa Canal, which is drawing its reserves from the same Amu Darya River upon which Turkmenistan relies so heavily. The government has not spelled it out, but it appears like last years cotton harvest was not a great success. The downstream consequence has been felt by the likes of the Bayramaly oil-manufacturing plant in Mary province, which has had to lay off 70 employees, according to Vienna-based Chronicles of Turkmenistan. Workers still in a job are being offered pay in kind since cash is tight. ADVERTISEMENT The websites sources say the factory ran into financial trouble because of declining yields of cotton, which is pressed to make cooking oil. Exports are weak as Turkmen oil is perceived as being low in quality. What is sold domestically retails at subsidized rates and does not turn a profit. Similar layoffs are expected at factories elsewhere in the country, Chronicles said. Meanwhile, Berdymukhamedov the elder, the National Leader and de facto co-president, has his mind on far more important matters. On March 23, he was busy inspecting his pet project, the new city of Arkadag, which was named in his honor. In trademark fashion, he checked on the appearance of lampposts, gazebos and window frames to ensure they matched his tastes. Window frames installed [at buildings in Arkadag] must comply with international standards, he insisted. Aerial shots of the city, which was inaugurated in June 2023, showed it to be entirely empty. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: More than 20% of the total global refining capacity is at some risk of closure as refining margins are set to weaken alongside demand, while carbon taxes could also burden many refiners, Wood Mackenzie has said in a recent report. Overall, based on expected net cash margins in 2030, Wood Mackenzie has identified 121 out of 465 screened refining sites at some risk of closure. This represents a cumulative 20.2 million bpd of refining capacity, or 21.6% of the global capacity last year, WoodMacs analysis showed. The energy consultancy sees refiners in Europe and China at higher risk of shutting down because of worsened economics. European refineries will see their net cash margins decline from 2030 due to the unwinding of free allowances for carbon emissions, while transport fuel demand in developed countries is expected to begin to decline from next year onwards, according to WoodMacs analysis. China will see liquid demand peak by 2027 and start to fall as the country actively electrifies their road transport. Non-OECD countries will enjoy continued demand growth beyond 2030, but their refiners will not be immune as global demand for transport fuels falls, researchers and analysts and Wood Mackenzie wrote. Europe could also see its long-standing fuel export trade volumes with Nigeria tumble after the start-up of the Dangote Refinery, Africas biggest, earlier this year. The trade, estimated to be worth $17 billion each year, could be threatened by soaring output at the Dangote refinery, traders and analysts told Reuters earlier this month. The Dangote refinery, with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), is expected to meet 100% of Nigerias demand for all refined petroleum products, and will also have a surplus of each of the products for export. Meanwhile, oil majors have recently announced upcoming closures of European oil refineries that would be converted into biofuels-making facilities. The latest include Enis refinery in Livorno, Italy, and Shells oil refinery at the Wesseling site in Germany which will be converted into a production unit for base oils. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nineteen new cooperation agreements in the areas of oil gas, infrastructure, and finance have been signed in recent days between Iran and Russia, a senior source who works closely with Irans Petroleum Ministry told OilPrice.com last week. These build upon the key enhanced cooperation themes laid out in the new 20-year comprehensive cooperation deal between the two countries to which Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, gave his official approval on 18 January. That deal, and the new agreements on top of it, in many ways continue to run in parallel with key elements of the all-encompassing Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement, as first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject and analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. One area, particularly in focus, is increasing their cooperation and control in the global gas sector. Given that the two countries occupy the number one and number two positions in the worlds largest gas reserves table, respectively Russia with around 37 trillion cubic metres (tcm) and Iran with about 32 tcm they are in an ideal position to do this. In July 2022, Russia laid the foundations for this enhanced gas cooperation with Iran with a US$40 billion memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between its flagship gas giant, Gazprom, and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). This was seen by the Kremlin as a significant step towards enabling Russia and Iran to implement their long-held plan to be the core participants in a global cartel for gas suppliers in the same style as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for oil suppliers. With its foundation in the current Gulf Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), this Gas OPEC would allow for the coordination of an extraordinary proportion of the worlds gas reserves and control over gas prices in the coming years. Together, Russia, Iran, and Qatar account for just under 60 percent of the worlds gas reserves, and they were the three countries instrumental in the founding of the GECF, whose 11 members control over 71 percent of global gas reserves, 44 percent of its marketed production, 53 percent of its gas pipelines, and 57 percent of its LNG exports. Its long-term mission statement, agreed in Moscow, is to: Enhance the role of GECF in the global energy scene in order to support the sovereign rights of Member Countries over their natural gas resources, to maximize their value for the benefit of their people, and to promote their coordination on global energy developments with a view to contributing to global sustainable development and energy security. Oilprice Exclusive: An Interview With OPEC Sec. Gen. al-Ghais The 2022 Gazprom MoUs highlighted that the new Russia-Iran gas alliance is aimed at controlling as much of the two key elements in the global supply matrix as possible gas supplied over land via pipelines and gas supplied via ships in liquefied natural gas (LNG) form. According to a statement at that time from Hamid Hosseini, chairman of Irans Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union, in Tehran: Now the Russians have come to the conclusion that the consumption of gas in the world will increase and the tendency towards consumption of LNG has increased and they alone are not able to meet the worlds demand, so there is no room left for gas competition [between Russia and Iran]. He added: The winner of the Russia-Ukraine war is the United States, and it will capture the European market, so if Iran and Russia can reduce the influence of the United States in the oil, gas and product markets by working together, it will benefit both countries. The Gazprom plan that is moving ahead now includes giving its full assistance to the NIOC in the US$10 billion development of the Kish and North Pars gas fields with a view to the two fields producing more than 10 million cubic metres of gas per day. Another element is that Gazprom will also fully assist with a US$15 billion project to increase pressure in the supergiant South Pars gas field on the maritime border between Iran and Qatar. A third part is that Gazprom will provide full assistance in the completion of various LNG projects and the construction of gas export pipelines. And the final element is that Russia will examine all opportunities to encourage other major gas powers in the Middle East to join in the gradual roll-out of the Gas OPEC cartel, the Iran source exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Russia wants to build up other countries reliance on its gas supplies again, and it is also looking to help Iran build out its LNG capabilities, so that these can be utilised from the Middle East to add to Russias own supplies of LNG that are focused on the Arctic region, he said. Russia sees gas as the optimal product in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, so controlling as much of the global flow of that will be the key to energy-based power over the next ten to twenty years, and LNG has become the worlds emergency gas supply, following its invasion of Ukraine, he added. At the end of January, Irans Petroleum Ministry announced that it will commence 1.5 million metric tonnes per year (mtpy) of LNG production at a medium-sized plant at Asaluyeh in 2026. As exclusively related to OilPrice.com by the Iran source, these are part of much bigger plans to further monetising its huge gas resources and secure greater geopolitical power by becoming a top global exporter of LNG, as analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. Although the Asaluyeh LNG project will start with just a 1.5 million mtpy plant, it is to be built on the site of the original much-larger Iran LNG Project around Tombak Port, around 30 miles north of Asaluyeh itself, focusing on gas from the North Pars gas field. Located 120 kilometres southeast of the southern Bushehr Province, the North Pars field has around 59 trillion cubic feet of gas in place, with a conservatively estimated recoverable volume of gas of approximately 47 trillion cubic feet. It was established early on that at least 100 million cubic metres per day (mcm/d) of output could be achieved within less than 12 months of proper development with all the gas recovered to be channelled into LNG production of at least 20 million mtpy. An early entrant to the original Iran LNG Project was the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in September 2006 with the NIOC before slow progress prompted the NIOC to suspend the deal. At that point, German chemicals giant Linde Group took over the main development of the Iran LNG Project. Within a relatively short time, it had 60 percent-completed the US$3.3 billion flagship LNG export facility that was set to produce at least 10.5 million mtpy of the liquid gas, with expectations that it would take less than a year to finish. Again, though, due to the reimposition of sanctions, progress on the project stalled again. It was at that point in 2018 that Gazprom first became seriously involved in Irans nascent LNG sector, looking to implement a two-fold joint strategy regarding Irans gas, as also analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. The first part was a gas cooperation roadmap between the two companies, and the second part detailed the construction of Iranian LNG facilities in partnership with Irans Oil Industry Pension Fund. Initially, this would allow Gazprom to, in effect, take over from Linde on the existing 60 percent-complete LNG complex and later to be integral in the construction of the mini-LNG complexes. Iran and Russia reasoned that mini-LNG complexes with production capacities ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 tons of LNG per year, compared to a typical large scale plant capacity of between 2.5 and 7.5 million tons per year would be less vulnerable to U.S. or Israeli attacks. Gazprom would take payment for its work from the sale of gas both from this complex and from part of the output from fields feeding gas into it. At that time it was envisaged that the North Pars LNG development would need around US$16 billion in investment comprising US$5 billion in the upstream sector and US$11 billion in the downstream sector (mainly LNG plants) to achieve the first phase LNG output of at minimum 100 mcm/d and the drilling of the 46 wells that this would entail. This is still the ballpark figure that Iran is working with. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A group of warships from Russias Pacific Fleet have crossed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and have entered the Red Sea, Russian state media reported on Thursday, citing the press service of the Pacific Fleet. The area is crowded with ships from Western Navies which are looking to protect commercial ships from the attacks launched by the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen. The Russian detachment included missile cruiser Varyag and frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, which crossed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and entered the Red Sea, the Pacific Fleets press service said, without clarifying the reason except that the warships came from the Gulf of Aden, where they had drills on various scenarios of the actions of a mock enemy. The Russian warships were carrying out assigned tasks as part of a long-distance sea campaign, Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian Pacific Fleets press service. Tensions in the region have been high since early this year, when the Houthis intensified attacks on commercial vessels crossing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait en route to and from the Red Sea, forcing many ship owners and operators to suspend the Suez Canal/Red Sea route for transporting goods from Europe to Asia and vice versa. Just this weekend, Houthi forces struck a tanker owned and operated by a company based in Hong Kong, the U.S. Central Command has reported, calling the vessel Chinese. The Huang Pu, which was sailing under a Panamanian flag, was targeted with five anti-ship missiles on Saturday, CENTCOM said. The ship sent a distress signal but did not ask for assistance, the U.S. Naval Institute cited Central Command as saying. The maritime transport disruption due to the attacks is diverting ship traffic along the longer route between Asia and Europe via Africa, pushing global demand for oil higher, and tightening inventories. The situation may well contribute to a deficit later in the year, according to some analysts. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Rising crude imports from Russia in Asias top importers, China and India, are estimated to push total Asian oil imports to a 10-month high in March, per data from LSEG Oil Research reported by Reuters columnist Clyde Russell. This month, higher arrivals of Russian crude to the top-importing markets in Asia are set to boost Asian crude imports to 27.48 million barrels per day (bpd), which would be the highest level in 10 months. The estimated import volumes in March would be higher than Asias 26.70 million bpd imports in February and the 27.18 million bpd arrivals in January this year, according to the LSEG Oil Research data. The higher arrivals would also be the result of oil prices below $80 per barrel at the time when cargoes were nominated and purchased. But the recent rise in oil prices to above $85 per barrel Brent could slow down imports into China and India, and other Asian importers, in the coming months, Reuters Russell notes. Early on Thursday, Brent Crude traded at above $87 per barrel as prices were set to book a strong quarterly gain in the first quarter. WTI prices have increased by 14% since the start of the year, topping $82 per barrel earlier this week. Brent Crude has gone from around $78 per barrel at the start of the year to over $87 per barrel this week. While rising oil prices could mean slower imports in Asia in April and May, the March imports are set to be the strongest for the continent in 10 months, led by a jump in Chinese imports. Stranded cargoes of Russias Sokol crude, previously headed to India but idled off South Korea and Singapore since the U.S. stepped up sanctions enforcement, have started to make their way to China, beginning to clear a backlog of more than 10 million barrels of the grade sitting on tankers at sea. The worlds top oil importer is expected to import as much as 11.75 million bpd of crude in March, up from 11.16 million bpd in February and 10.44 million bpd in January, per the data compiled by LSEG Oil Research. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: To boost its energy transition efforts, India is betting on acquiring lithium and copper assets overseas and is sending a delegation to search for such resources in Chile, a top producer of both critical minerals, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a source at the Indian government. We are interested in buying assets. We are trying to facilitate private and government-owned companies to acquire assets in other countries as well, the anonymous source told Reuters. Chile is the worlds biggest copper producer and the second-largest producer of lithium, and India is now keen to explore procuring resources from assets in Chile. India has already signed an agreement with Chiles neighbor Argentina, also a large lithium producer. Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia have large resources in the so-called Lithium Trianglea lithium-rich region of the Andes, encompassed by the borders of the three South American countries. Earlier this year, India signed an agreement with the state-owned enterprise of the Catamarca province in Argentina for a lithium exploration and mining project in the province. The government-created company that signed the agreement in Argentina, Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), is a joint venture of three state-held enterprisesNational Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL). Under the supervision of Indias Ministry of Mines, KABIL has the task to ensure supply side assurance of critical and strategic minerals and mineral security of the nation. KABIL is mandated to identify, explore, acquire, develop, mine, process, and procure strategic minerals outside India for supply primarily to India, to meet domestic requirements for battery metals, including lithium and cobalt. So KABIL plans to send next month a delegation to scour for assets in Chile, according to the source who has spoken to Reuters. The Indian firm is also in discussions with the government of another major lithium producer, Australia, for a potential acquisition of a lithium mining asset there, the source added. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: East African neighbors Kenya and Uganda have reached an agreement to end a bitter dispute about oil imports via the Kenyan port of Mombasa to landlocked Uganda. For years, Uganda has imported fuels from Kenya via Kenyan companies and middlemen. Kenya has been importing fuels and selling them to its neighbors in East Africa. Last autumn, Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni accused Kenyan resellers and middlemen of inflating fuel prices by up to 58% and said Uganda has been cheated by the fuel resellers to a huge loss for the country, the BBC reported at the time. For years, Uganda has been importing 90% of the fuel it consumes from oil marketing companies in Kenya, which sell it to their Ugandan subsidiaries. Now Kenya has agreed to allow Ugandas state oil firm Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to receive a license to import petroleum products via Mombasa, Kenyan media report. Licensing UNOC to import refined petroleum products ends a row that has lasted for months and saw international courts involved in lawsuits. Early this year, Uganda sued Kenya at the East African Court of Justice after Kenya denied in November a license to Ugandas UNOC to operate in Kenya and handle oil product imports headed to Uganda. The oil import row escalated to strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries. Now the dispute is coming to an end, according to local media. You will see Unoc getting a licence and then we will see how to work together because usage of our pipeline is an opportunity for us, Davis Chirchir, Kenyas Cabinet Secretary in charge of Energy and Petroleum, was quoted as saying. ADVERTISEMENT UNOC will use Kenya Pipeline Companys infrastructure so there will be no loss of opportunity for Kenya, he added, noting that We are working closely with Uganda to resolve the challenge. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: U.S. benchmark crude gained over $2 on Thursday as U.S. crude inventories tightened and OPEC+ vowed to keep the output cut status quo as tensions continued to flare in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine. At 4:23 p.m. ET on Thursday, U.S. crude benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) trading up 2.05% at $83.02, while global benchmark Brent crude was trading up 1.61% at $87.48. WTI has gained 14% so far this year. This weeks inventory data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed a U.S. crude oil stockpile build of 3.2 million barrels, compared to the previous weeks draw of 2 million barrels. In both cases, the data showed a draw in gasoline inventories, helping to support oil prices. That data, released on Wednesday, put downward pressure on oil prices initially. However, after some time to digest the data, which analysts said was a smaller increase than anticipated for this time of year, prices shifted into rally mode. "We ... expect U.S. inventories to rise less than normal in reflection of a global oil market in a slight deficit," Reuters quoted SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop as saying. "This will likely hand support to the Brent crude oil price going forward." Also putting upwards pressure on oil prices is the continued intensification of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has focused most recently on energy infrastructure. A Ukrainian drone attack last week on a Russian refinery operated by state-run Rosneft has resulted in a production shutdown after damage to the refinerys crude processing capacity. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on oil refineries in Russia in recent weeks, which have reduced Russian refining capacity, and which, reportedly, have the White House concerned about rising international prices. Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries in recent weeks have taken out as much as 600,000 barrels in daily processing capacity in Russia. On Thursday, JP Morgan suggested that oil prices could rise further, pointing to Russias decision to impose additional curbs on production. Russia's actions could push Brent oil price to $90 already in April, reach mid-$90 by May and close to $100 by September, they wrote in a note, as quoted by Investing.com. ADVERTISEMENT OPEC is meeting again next week and expectations are that it will leave its production policy unchanged. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The recent rally in oil prices is pushing the benchmarks towards a quarter of gains thanks to the OPEC+ output cuts. WTI, according to Bloomberg, has added 14% since the start of the year, topping $82 per barrel earlier this week. Brent crude has gone from around $78 per barrel at the start of the year to over $86 per barrel this week. Whats interesting in the latest movements in oil is that prices earlier today moved up despite the Energy Information Administration reporting an estimated build in crude oil stocks for the latest week, as well as another one in gasoline. Normally, these builds would be taken as signals of weaker demand but it seems traders are not taking these signs literally this time and are buying more oil instead of selling. The anticipation of rate cuts, especially in the United States, is also acting as support for prices as lower rates stimulate stronger demand for crude. The first rate cut by the Fed is expected in June although the Fed itself has not set any date for it. JP Morgan analysts pointed to Russias decision to impose additional curbs on production, suggesting this could lift prices further and soon. Russia's actions could push Brent oil price to $90 already in April, reach mid-$90 by May and close to $100 by September, they wrote in a note, as quoted by Investing.com. The prediction probably assumes that the rest of OPEC+ will continue producing less oil, too, as signaled repeatedly by cartel officials. OPEC is meeting again next week and expectations are that it will leave its production policy unchanged. ADVERTISEMENT On the demand side, meanwhile, the picture is one of strength. Demand conditions remain firmer than expected in the US and China, Standard Chartered analyst Han Zhong Liang told Bloomberg. Especially in China, demand is looking increasingly positive following recent data releases. The latest from the worlds number-one oil importer is higher industrial profits suggesting economic growth is gathering momentum. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A refinery in southwestern Russia owned and operated by state oil giant Rosneft has been taken offline and all production stopped, due to damage following a drone attack from Ukraine last week, Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting sources in the industry. Rosnefts Kuibyshev oil refinery in the region of Samara on the Volga River was hit by a drone attack this weekend and had already halted half of its crude processing capacity after one of the two primary crude refining units at the facility caught fire. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on oil refineries in Russia in recent weeks, which have reduced Russian refining capacity, and which, reportedly, have the White House concerned about rising international prices. The United States has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt its drone attacks on Russian oil refineries due to Washingtons assessment that the strikes could lead to Russian retaliation and push up global oil prices, the Financial Times reported last week, citing sources familiar with the exchange. 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 the CERAWeek conference in Houston last week. So that will probably take down exports by a couple of hundred thousand barrels, so to me, its a distillate problem, the executive added. According to Reuters estimates, the amount of Russian oil refining capacity that has been taken offline due to Ukrainian drone strikes is 14% of Russias total refining capacity. ADVERTISEMENT Calculations show that 900,000 barrels per day of refining capacity have been taken offline by drone strikes, Reuters reported on Tuesday. This includes Lukoils Norsi and Volgograd refineries, and Rosnefts Kuibyshev and Ryazan refineries, among others. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The City of La Vista has chosen Mike Schofield as the citys next chief of police/director of public safety. Schofield, a 33-year law enforcement veteran and current division commander of the Shoal Creek Patrol Division of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, will join the department on Monday, June 3. Schofield has held a variety of positions within the KCMO Police Department and has valuable experience and extensive knowledge in the areas of detention operations, patrol/criminal interdiction operations, community-oriented policing, counter-drug intelligence analysis, criminal investigations, planning for major event operations, patrol deployment strategies, intelligence-led policing and information technology management. Schofield has an Executive MBA with an emphasis in organizational leadership from Benedictine College; Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security and a bachelors degree in business management from Baker University. After an extensive search, it is a privilege to appoint Mike Schofield to serve as La Vistas next chief of police, said Mayor Douglas Kindig. His impressive background and leadership experience give me complete confidence that he is the right person to guide and shape the future of our police department. I am impressed not only by his genuine nature but his thorough understanding of the critical issues and priorities impacting law enforcement and our community. We look forward to working with him and welcoming him to La Vista. Schofield rose to the top of a field of highly qualified candidates for this position and was one of three finalists who recently visited La Vista and interacted with residents during a community forum. The opportunity to join the La Vista Police Department is an absolute honor and privilege, Schofield said. The dedicated men and women of this police department have been performing exceptionally well, and I am committed to building on the outstanding leadership provided by Capt. D.J. Barcal this past year or so. I look forward to the opportunity to become more acquainted with the community and to work collaboratively with the officers and professional staff of the department. Together, we will carry on our shared mission to ensure the safety of the La Vista community. Schofields official start date in La Vista will be June 3, and the city council will vote to approve his appointment at its meeting on Tuesday, June 4. He will become La Vistas fifth Police Chief. COUNCIL BLUFFS In the world of heart and vascular medicine, health care providers know that time often is of the essence when treating patients. Officials with Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs say a new $6 million cardiovascular suite that opens Monday will allow those providers to deliver more care more efficiently to patients in Council Bluffs and southwest Iowa, while still leaving room for growth. The 5,700-square-foot suite, carved out of existing space between the hospitals emergency room and radiology department, is larger than the current space and will bring staff members that are now scattered in different locations together in one place, said Marcia Keith, the hospitals cardiovascular service leader. The new space includes two larger catheterization labs, a minor procedure room, four patient care rooms, a private patient consultation room, a dedicated family waiting area and staff offices, locker room and break area. It also includes all new equipment. We felt like moving to a new space made the right sense, said Keith, who has been with the cardiovascular program for 35 years. Dave Burd, the hospitals president and CEO, said Mondays opening is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people who have the dedication and passion to do great things for the people they serve. It really reinforces Methodist Jennie Edmundsons commitment to folks not only in Council Bluffs, but in our entire region in southwest Iowa, he said, ... and to providing the highest quality of care specific to cardiovascular services that we possibly can. The project was funded by hospital and Methodist Health System dollars as well as a capital campaign through the Jennie Edmundson Foundation. Keith said the team first moved into its current space in the 1980s. Technology has changed a lot since then, and the program had outgrown the smaller existing catheterization rooms. That restricted what the team could do for patients in terms of growth and offering new procedures. Several groups involved in heart and vascular care work out of the space. The hospital added a new cardiologist last fall and an interventional radiologist about two weeks ago. So we know theres going to be growth there, she said. Through its outreach programs, the hospital works with smaller hospitals and clinics throughout a large and largely rural area of southwest Iowa. Hospital staff visit some of those locations, and they send patients who need a higher level of care to Jennie Edmundson. The hospital also is a receiving program for patients suffering heart attacks. A dedicated transfer line, established about 10 years ago, connects directly to Jennies emergency room, streamlining the transfer process. For heart attacks, the American Heart Association has set a gold standard of 90 minutes for clearing blockages, she said. So far in 2024, the hospital has an average door-to-balloon time of 45 minutes for local patients. For transfer patients, the gold standard is 120 minutes. The hospital currently is right at its internal goal of 100 minutes. Time is muscle when it comes to heart attacks, Keith said. The new suite will make work flow more efficient in a number of ways, she said. The new catheterization rooms, for instance, have exactly the same equipment. Each of the old ones have limitations, which can create conflicts in scheduling procedures. Dr. Robert Armbruster, a cardiologist, said the old rooms were crowded. The larger ones will allow the team to bring in more technologies, including new pumps. And having supplies within the suite means he wont have to send someone running when he needs something. Were going to have access to a lot of tools, a lot of equipment, he said. Were going to move fast. Burd, the hospitals CEO, said the upgrade helps position the program for the future. When you combine the strong and phenomenal medical staff and team that we have at Jennie Edmundson, now with the investment in the new cardiovascular suite, we are positioned to grow and ... to meet the communitys needs for many years to come, Burd said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 Paraprofessionals in three Nebraska districts are getting the chance to become classroom teachers through a new program that provides college credit for their work. State education officials on Wednesday announced the launch of the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program, which will help paraprofessionals become licensed teachers in the Westside, Lincoln and North Platte districts. The program was created to address the continuing educator shortage in Nebraska. At the start of the 2023-24 school year, the state had at least 908 teacher positions either left vacant or filled by an unqualified employee, an increase from 769 the previous year. Last year, lawmakers allocated $1 million for the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program as part of Legislative Bill 705, which funded many initiatives targeting the shortage. The Nebraska Department of Education is using the money to pilot the program in three districts that already have existing grow your own para-to-teacher programs, said David Jespersen, department spokesman. We didnt want to start directly from scratch, he said. The apprenticeship program wont replace the existing para-to-teacher initiatives in Westside, Lincoln and North Platte, but instead will add another way for even more paraprofessionals to become teachers. Selected paraprofessionals will be able to enroll in undergraduate teacher education programs for free. The districts are partnering with Midland University, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and Chadron State College to provide the college courses. Other school districts, including the Omaha Public Schools, have had similar para-to-teacher programs for years. One key difference under the new apprenticeship program is the ability for paraprofessionals to receive college credit while already working in the classroom with their supervising teacher. Its too early to know how many paraprofessionals will be able to be included, but yearly cohorts could range anywhere from 10 to 15 staff members, said Andrea Haynes, assistant superintendent for Westside. It reinforces that the best way to grow high-performing teachers is to have individuals spend time in classrooms, Haynes said. We know that for lots of different occupations, we want individuals to have their boots on the ground doing the work every day. And this apprenticeship model allows our (paras) to spend more time in the classroom as (paras) and get credit for that towards their teaching certificate and degree. Westside launched its own para-to-teacher program in 2022 through Midland University. Similar to the apprenticeship, it provides free tuition to obtain a teaching degree with an optional endorsement. Shelly Sip is one of those future teachers at Westside. Shes wanted to be a classroom teacher for more than 15 years, but has instead spent that time as an educational assistant Westsides version of a paraprofessional because she didnt have enough funds to get her degree. She entered the districts para-to-teacher program last year. It wasnt enough to just be an assistant. I wanted more. I wanted to be in front of the room. I wanted to make the lesson plans, Sip said. (Westsides program) is the only reason I was able to go to college. Every year, I (was) like, I want to go. I look at my funds dont have them. As soon as I found out about this program, I knew thats what I wanted. Brian Maher, state education commissioner, said the future of the program is murky once the $1 million is gone, though the funding should last about two years. He said school districts might have to take on the expense of the program for it to be sustainable. I think if (the apprenticeship program) goes particularly well given the teacher shortage-slash-crisis that we have I wouldnt be surprised to see school districts themselves fund programs like this once that million dollars is spent, Maher said. While the program helps get more teachers in classrooms, Maher said, he acknowledged that it wont address the entire educator shortage in Nebraska. In fact, the state already has a shortage of paraprofessionals. If our only answer to fill the teacher vacancies is to rob the educational assistants, or paraprofessionals, weve just shifted the problem, Maher said. What we really need to do is to make sure that everybody understands this is a great profession this is something thats awesome to be a part of. And we need to fill both buckets, quite frankly. Right now, were robbing Peter to pay Paul. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 As threatened, the City of Omaha did not send representatives to a Douglas County 911 Users Group meeting Wednesday, signaling a widening rift between the city and county over the countys hiring of a former deputy Omaha police chief. They (the county) have forced us to consider other options for 911 services, City Attorney Matt Kuhse said. An interlocal agreement between the City of Omaha and Douglas County for 911 services expires at the end of the year. Both parties were expected to begin renegotiating it soon. The rift over the countys hiring of former Deputy Chief Greg Gonzalez as deputy 911 director is throwing the agreement into doubt. Its unclear what it would take for the city to leave the agreement, where they would get 911 services if not from the county and how much it would cost. Any new interlocal agreement would require Omaha City Council approval, which is not guaranteed. Gonzalez retired from the Omaha Police Department in 2022 after falling out of favor with Police Chief Todd Schmaderer and Mayor Jean Stothert after his wife, Police Capt. Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez, sued Schmaderer and the city for retaliation over a discrimination complaint she had filed. She won the case in federal district court and on appeal. The city must pay nearly $1 million in damages and attorney fees. Kuhse and Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, who narrowly defeated Gonzalez in a contentious election for sheriff two years ago, have taken issue with the countys hiring of Gonzalez without consulting the 911 Users Group. Thats an advisory board of officials from the cities and towns served by Douglas County 911. Kuhse and Hanson said their issues are over the process, not the person. They said the county should have conducted a more thorough background check than the usual basic check it did through the Nebraska State Patrol. But an attorney for Gonzalez called the citys actions naked retaliation against Kathy Gonzalez and her husband. This is a page out of Washington hardball politics that Ive never seen in Omaha before, and Ive lived here 67 years in a political family, said Tom White, a former state senator who also represents Belcastro-Gonzalez. The cost to taxpayers for this petty vengeance could run into the multiple millions, White said. It would cost the city millions to replace the equipment Douglas County has purchased, that taxpayers have purchased. Kuhse said the citys position has nothing to do with the lawsuit or retaliation or the perception that Kathy Belcastro-Gonzalez and Greg Gonzalez have that Chief Schmaderer is out to get them. He said the city already spends about $8.2 million a year on Douglas County 911 services, about 85% of the cost of operating the system. Thats because most calls come from within the City of Omaha, where the vast majority of Douglas Countys population lives. Douglas County Administrator Patrick Bloomingdale has said the county followed the same process in hiring Gonzalez it has used to hire deputy 911 directors in the past. Kuhse had told county officials that representatives of the Mayors Office and Omaha Police and Fire Departments would not attend meetings with Douglas County 911 unless they were assured that Gonzalez would not be there. Wednesday was the first meeting of the 911 Users Group since Gonzalez started work about a month ago. City of Omaha representatives did not attend. The meeting was called off because only four of the eight members were there. Hanson attended. He was promoting a resolution to declare no confidence in the hiring and vetting process. Hanson sat next to Gonzalez before the meeting and during the brief time it took to determine there was no quorum. After the meeting, Hanson said it was unfortunate that more members had not attended. He said he hopes Omaha doesnt leave Douglas County 911. Hanson said he also hopes for a renewed emphasis on valuing the input of all the members of the 911 Users Group. And number three, I do hope that what also results is an appropriate vetting process, whether its currently for any newly hired individual in a position of confidence and authority in 911 but definitely moving forward, Hanson said. Douglas County Board Vice Chair Mike Friend, a member of the Users Group board, said he hopes the city and county can start communicating again and solve this difficult situation. County Board Chair Roger Garcia and board members Chris Rodgers and P.J. Morgan also attended the meeting Wednesday to observe. Friend said he had confidence that Bloomingdale and 911 Director Kathy Allen had followed the standard operating procedure and had not deviated from established processes in hiring Gonzalez. I know Patrick, Friend said. I know his skill. I know his quality. I also know Kathys skill and quality. I trust these two individuals. If I didnt, then maybe wed be heading in a different direction. Close Omaha firefighter Ryan Loewenstein holds the American Flag during a 9/11 memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Rosemary Brown (left) hugs Jim Love at Memorial Park after a 9/11 memorial service for first responders on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Jim Love is a retired Omaha firefighter who went to a memorial service soon after the Sept. 11th attacks in Rockaway, NJ where he met the mother of George Cain, a firefighter who lost his life in the attacks. Love always pays his respects to the flag that bears Cain's name. From left: James Shade, Kevin Wiese and Don Udhus form the pipes and drums for the Sept. 11th memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Shade and Wiese are Omaha police officers. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert speaks at a Sept. 11th memorial for first responders while Omaha Fire Chief Bernard Kanger (center) and Omaha police chief Todd Schmaderer (right) listen at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Omaha police officer Darci Tierney gets hugs from Saint Margaret Mary students after a Sept. 11th memorial for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Omaha police chief Todd Schmaderer spoke early at the event and invited the children in attendance to hug a first responder. Students from Brownell-Talbot School observe a minute of silence at 9:11 AM during a Sept. 11th memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Omaha remembers 9/11 at Memorial Park service The 450 or so people who gathered on the steps at midtown Omahas Memorial Park on Thursday morning marked the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington D.C.., and Pennsylvania. They commemorated the surprise attacks that killed 2,977 people with one minute of silence at 9:11 a.m. The crowd at the event, organized by the local First Responders Foundation, included students from nearby Brown-Talbot School and St. Margaret Mary; numerous firefighters and police officers, led by police Chief Todd Schmaderer and fire Chief Bernie Kanger; Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning; Thomas Metz, special agent in charge of the FBIs Omaha division; and Mayor Jean Stothert, who signed a proclamation designating Sept. 11, 2014, as a day of remembrance. Volunteers put up 2,977 small U.S. flags on the parks greenspace just north of Dodge Street. Omaha firefighter Ryan Loewenstein holds the American Flag during a 9/11 memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Rosemary Brown (left) hugs Jim Love at Memorial Park after a 9/11 memorial service for first responders on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Jim Love is a retired Omaha firefighter who went to a memorial service soon after the Sept. 11th attacks in Rockaway, NJ where he met the mother of George Cain, a firefighter who lost his life in the attacks. Love always pays his respects to the flag that bears Cain's name. From left: James Shade, Kevin Wiese and Don Udhus form the pipes and drums for the Sept. 11th memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Shade and Wiese are Omaha police officers. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert speaks at a Sept. 11th memorial for first responders while Omaha Fire Chief Bernard Kanger (center) and Omaha police chief Todd Schmaderer (right) listen at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Omaha police officer Darci Tierney gets hugs from Saint Margaret Mary students after a Sept. 11th memorial for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Omaha police chief Todd Schmaderer spoke early at the event and invited the children in attendance to hug a first responder. Students from Brownell-Talbot School observe a minute of silence at 9:11 AM during a Sept. 11th memorial service for first responders at Memorial Park on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Whether they were stationed on a Navy destroyer or flew B-52s, Vietnam veterans at an event Thursday in Bellevue had plenty of stories to share about the personal impact of the war. A panel of four veterans representing the Army, Marines, Air Force and Navy were featured in the Voices of Vietnam event hosted by Bellevue Universitys Freeman/Hozier Library and the Military and Veteran Services Center. As it took place the day before Vietnam Veterans Day, the event was a timely way to honor those who served in Vietnam, Jerome Richardson, the military liaison at the center, said as he introduced the veterans. Today were here to recognize these gentlemen, he said. But they represent, each one of them, a branch of service where we had hundreds of thousands of our service members serve in the Vietnam era and so we want to recognize them as well. George Parks spoke about his time in the Navy aboard the USS Isle Royale and later on the USS Berkeley, a guided-missile destroyer positioned off the coast of Vietnam. Parks told the story when the ship was headed toward the coast of Vietnam without a working gun mount. He said he remembers the North Vietnamese forces started shooting at the ship and everyone went running. We had no guns operating, but we still had to keep going, he said. And at that time, I felt like that we were waiting to get hit any minute and nothing to defend ourselves with. Parks said he felt his prayers to God were answered when the North Vietnamese forces for some reason stopped shooting and he was able to make it out alive. Retired Lt. Col. Bill Robinson was commissioned in the Air Force to conduct B-52 bombing operations in Vietnam. He spoke during the event about the time when a plane he was flying in had severe battle damage and the crew decided to eject. We started to bail out of the aircraft, and when it came my turn, when I pulled the handle to eject nothing happened, he said. Robinson said he was eventually able to climb out of the hole where his partner had ejected from before the plane went down. I made it out and so did he, he said. That was an interesting day. Retired Lt. Col. Jeff Flagg served 25 years in the Army, which included a year in Vietnam and a year in Cambodia. He spoke at the event about working in mechanized infantry and how little he knew about the political climate surrounding the war until he stepped off the plane after returning from Vietnam. Politics was not something we talked about at all in Vietnam, he said. Joel Schneider, who served for nearly a year as a combat field radio operator in the Marine Corps, talked during the event about the difficulty of grappling with what happened in Vietnam and the journey of recovering after coming back from the war. I think looking back, my real trauma started when I came home, he said. Schneider said he worked for several years as a peer support specialist for veterans and he believes avoiding isolation is key to recovering from PTSD and trauma. Recovery is possible, he said. And you can thrive beyond your illness. Photos: Restored UH-1 Huey transported to Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers included a dose of abortion politics in a package of tax cut bills Thursday, voting to offer income tax credits to people donating to crisis pregnancy centers. But it remains to be seen if Legislative Bill 937, the multimillion-dollar tax package introduced by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, can survive the next two rounds of consideration, given the states fiscal constraints. The package cleared first-round debate on a 40-0 vote. Were running out of time and were running out of money, warned State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, who sat out the vote to advance the bill. Others said they would vote to keep the package alive until the Legislature gets an updated cost estimate for it, then start the process of deciding what measures the state can afford. Lawmakers have room to increase spending or cut taxes by about $20 million per year before sending the budget into the red. If every bill that has cleared at least one round of debate were to pass, the state general fund would be nearly $370 million in the hole by June 30, 2027, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office. That total does not include the cost of LB 937 or bills awaiting first-round debate. $2 million in tax credits for pregnancy center donors While some senators expressed uneasiness about the size of LB 937, which has 12 other bills amended on to it, the biggest controversy concerned a piece of the package that would allocate up to $2 million for tax credits to benefit people who donate to crisis pregnancy centers. Such centers, called pregnancy help organizations in the bill, help women who carry pregnancies to term. They are typically nonprofits that offer supports and services from an anti-abortion perspective. The provision was based on LB 606, introduced by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston last year. She also introduced legislation last year aimed at banning abortion after the first six weeks of pregnancy. Lawmakers ultimately passed a bill to ban abortion after 12 weeks gestation. On Thursday, Albrecht said pregnancy centers are needed more than ever, following the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 decision to let states decide whether or when to allow abortion. She introduced the measure to provide support for the centers. What these centers are all about is helping women, she said. They are helping the state of Nebraska. But opponents accused the centers of providing misleading information in their quest to stop women from seeking abortions and said the centers lack the medical expertise of other reproductive health centers. Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington also argued against providing tax credits for the full value of a persons donation. She said that amounts to a state appropriation to the centers. If you get all your money back for that, its not charity, she said, adding: We have so many tax credits now and all of these special interests get tax credits, what does the regular guy get? Bostar offered an amendment that would have expanded the pregnancy center tax credit to other organizations that help pregnant women. His amendment would have allowed tax credits for donating to organizations that refer for, recommend or promote abortions, while still barring credits for groups that provide, pay for or cover abortions. But Albrecht admently opposed the change, saying she did not want the credits going to any group that might refer women to abortion providers. Bostars amendment failed, with 17 votes in favor and 24 against. Lawmakers then voted 28-15 to include the pregnancy center tax credit in the bill. Other provisions of LB 937 would provide or expand income tax credits for people who care for elderly or disabled family members, biodiesel producers, making movies or videos in Nebraska, using sustainable aviation fuel, hiring or providing services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, donating to food banks, maintaining short-line railroads and installing reverse osmosis systems in homes. Another provision would benefit organizations that buy up and forgive medical debts for low-income people. Lawmakers also added an amendment to exempt diapers, for people of all ages, from sales taxes. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN A Nebraska lawmaker says he will not attend a public hearing later Thursday on his possible censure for invoking a colleague's name into his reading of a graphic rape scene earlier this month. State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings issued his statement Thursday morning in response to Legislative Resolution 335, proposed by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh filed the resolution in response to Halloran's comments, which occurred during debate of a bill that would have made changes in state law dealing with obscene materials. Halloran said in an email Thursday that he would not attend the hearing because he didn't want to "give credence" to it. He said the process violates two legislative rules, and is an internal matter that should not be public, let alone live-streamed. If voted out of committee, the censure resolution would be put to a vote by the full Legislature, and require 25 votes to pass. While Cavanaugh acknowledged that censure is little more than a scolding, she said it would show that the body acknowledges that what Halloran said was "abhorrent." "Sen. Halloran must be held accountable," Cavanaugh said. "And this body must stand up for dignity and integrity." Halloran said the Nebraska Legislature's process calls for lawmakers to be "called to order" during floor debate if someone believes their words to violate legislative rules. He also said the censure resolution violates the Nebraska Constitution, including a section stating that members of the Legislature shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for words spoken during debate. Instead of attending in-person, Halloran submitted written testimony in which he defended his actions. He said Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh, John Cavanaugh and George Dungan were not paying attention to his floor speech, and said he used their names as a means of getting them to listen to him as he read from a memoir of a sexual assault survivor Lucky, by The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold. He said the book was available in some schools. "All three noted Senators were not listening to the graphic language that our school children are exposed to," Halloran's testimony said. "So I called out their names to get their attention." Halloran also said he was addressing and looking at John Cavanaugh when said "Sen. Cavanaugh" not Machaela Cavanaugh. Thus, Halloran wrote, "this was not sexual harassment of any kind!" Halloran has asked for the hearing to be cancelled in a letter to Speaker of the Legislature John Arch and Executive Board Chair Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island. Halloran was criticized for his words last week by lawmakers across the political spectrum and the general public. Aguilar filed a complaint against Halloran under the Legislature's workplace harassment policy. This complaint launched a formal investigation that will lead to recommendations for possible repercussions for Halloran, which Aguilar said Thursday was still underway. Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, who co-sponsored the censure resolution with Cavanaugh, said she did so because she had no confidence that leaders in the Legislature truly wanted to hold Halloran accountable. She said Nebraskans deserve to see the matter handled quickly and publicly, rather than being swept under the rug. "If we cannot take immediate action on something that is said on camera to the entire state, our policies are not sufficient," Slama said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers launched Wednesday into a long-awaited debate about Gov. Jim Pillens plan to cut property taxes by raising state sales taxes. But they adjourned for the day before reaching a vote on Legislative Bill 388, the tax-related portions of the plan. They are not expected to resume debate until next week, after State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area asked for a pause until at least Tuesday. Linehan said she doesnt believe the bill is in trouble, despite stiff opposition to the sales tax increase, both within the Legislature and from numerous outside groups. She said she wanted the pause to correct drafting errors in the proposal and to figure out better ways to convince colleagues. At least one opponent predicted the measure would fall short of the number of votes needed to cut off the current filibuster and advance to the second of three rounds of consideration. I dont believe theres 33 votes for cloture because otherwise people wouldnt be reaching out to get my support, said Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard. He warned that senators who vote for the proposed 1-cent sales tax increase would be booted out at the next election, citing the history of Nebraska governors who have supported tax increases. But Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth predicted that senators would be targeted for defeat if they dont support the bill, saying lack of action would amount to a vote for continued property tax increases. I find it disingenuous when everybody says the sky is falling because were going to tax your Dr Pepper, he said, nodding to the proposal to tax pop and candy. Pillens plan, as amended by the Legislatures Revenue Committee, would increase the state sales tax rate and add taxes to several goods and services, bringing in an estimated $650 million a year when fully implemented. That revenue would be added to money now allocated to provide income tax credits to offset school property taxes paid. The combined total would be distributed to schools and, because of existing revenue caps, would drive down school property taxes. Estimates from the Governors Office show the result would cut school taxes by more than 45% statewide. LB 388 also would put new property tax revenue caps on counties and cities. Supporters of the measure touted the property tax savings, which they said would outweigh any downside from boosting sales taxes. Among them, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha said every person she talks with has been fine with the sales tax increase, as long as they were guaranteed a property tax reduction. She said sales, income and property taxes are out of balance, with state sales taxes accounting for the smallest total of the three. Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha argued that the proposal would be an overall tax reduction, not a tax shift. He offered some hypothetical examples showing that the property tax cuts would outweigh the sales tax increases. But the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank, provided other examples showing that some Nebraskans would pay more in taxes under the plan. The results depend on whether a person owns property or rents and, among property owners, whether they have been claiming the income tax credits for school property taxes. Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln led off the opposition. Like those who followed him, his biggest concern was the sales tax rate hike. He said the increase would hurt local businesses, fall most heavily on low- and middle-income Nebraskans and harm the state. Another opponent, Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, said the proposed 6.5-cent rate would put Nebraska in the top 10 for state sales tax rate. It would tie for ninth highest in the country. Among the states neighbors, Nebraska would tie with Kansas for the highest rate. Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he liked the proposal to exempt residential utilities from sales taxes but opposed the overall rate increase. He questioned the plan to tax lottery tickets, asking if that would reduce money for education, and took issue with taxing pop and candy and putting a 100% tax hike on CBD and hemp products. Overall, I dont think this benefits poor people, he said. Outside the legislative chamber, opposition to the sales tax increase came from major business groups, including the Nebraska, Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, and Washington County chambers of commerce and the Nebraska Federation of Independent Business. Implementing taxes on one group to alleviate the burden on another is not good public policy, the chambers said in a statement. Americans for Prosperity has launched an advertising campaign against the sales tax increase. The Platte Institute and OpenSky, Nebraska think tanks from opposite ends of the political spectrum, also are against it. As amended, LB 388 would increase the state sales tax rate by as much as 1 cent, to 6.5 cents total, and add taxes to more goods and services. The state rate increase could end up being less than 1 cent, based on a trigger mechanism included in the bill. (Local sales taxes are in addition to the state rate.) The trigger depends on overall state revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30. The sales tax rate will be 1 cent unless year-end revenues top the latest projection by 3.5%, plus $116 million. If they hit that level, the sales tax increase would be cent. If they are up 3.5% plus $233 million, the increase would be cent, and so on. The most recent revenue projection, set in late February, calls for revenues of $7.02 billion for the current fiscal year. LB 388 also calls for adding taxes to pop and candy, lottery tickets, veterinary care for pets and other pet services, moving and storage services, dry cleaning, games of skill, hemp and CBD products, vaping products, cigarettes and advertising services offered by businesses with gross revenues of more than $1 billion. However, as McKinney noted, the package would remove sales taxes from residential utility bills as a way to help lower-income families. Linehan said the intent is to pair LB 388 with legislation from the Education Committee to provide for the distribution mechanism. Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the Education Committee chairman, said the committee is working on a proposal, but it is not expected to reach the full Legislature until next week. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 LINCOLN Nebraska lawmakers gave differing interpretations Thursday of what happened earlier this month when State Sen. Steve Halloran worked the names of several colleagues into his graphic description of a rape. State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, who heard Halloran refer to Sen. Cavanaugh as he read the rape passage from a book, said she felt sexually harassed. She told a legislative committee that his actions were profoundly offensive and a stain on decorum and decency. But Halloran said in written testimony that he was only trying to get senators to pay attention to his argument. If I am guilty of anything, it is of working zealously to protect Nebraskas children, exercising my First Amendment right of free speech in debate on the legislative floor, the Hastings lawmaker wrote. The Legislatures Executive Board held a public hearing Thursday on Legislative Resolution 335, which Cavanaugh introduced. It calls for Halloran to be censured for his comments. The board is tasked with handling disciplinary matters. Cavanaugh was the only testifier. However, the resolution received over 500 online comments 269 supportive and 251 opposed. If the committee approves the resolution, the full Legislature would vote on it, with 25 votes needed to pass. Cavanaugh acknowledged that censure is little more than a public scolding, but she said it would show that the body acknowledges that what Halloran said was abhorrent. If we dont move this forward we are, in fact, condoning this type of speech, Cavanaugh said. Halloran: This was not harassment The controversy began last week when Halloran spoke to support Legislative Bill 441, which seeks to remove current protections that make it harder to prosecute K-12 educators charged with providing obscene materials to minors. That bill was ultimately blocked by a filibuster. Halloran had quoted extensively on the floor from a graphic rape scene from a memoir of a sexual assault survivor Lucky, by The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold. He said the book was available in some schools and called that inappropriate. And he repeatedly interjected the names of senators into his reading of explicit sexual passages. Thursday, in his written testimony, Halloran said he was trying to get the bills opponents to pay attention to the books content. He also claimed that he was referring to Cavanaughs brother, Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, along with Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, who had both spoken against the bill earlier in the day. This was not harassment, Halloran wrote. It was me doing my job representing my constituents by responding to earlier comments that we were conflating (content) that was obscene with what I dont like. Halloran wasnt present for the hearing. Dungan and John Cavanaugh did attend but did not testify. In an email, Halloran said he didnt attend because he didnt want to give credence to a hearing that he claims violates two of the Legislatures rules. In addition, Halloran asked legislative leaders to cancel Thursdays hearing, and requested the hearing not be livestreamed to the public. The hearing was livestreamed anyway. Halloran said the Legislatures process calls for senators to be called to order during floor debate if someone believes their words violate legislative rules. He also said the censure resolution violates the Nebraska Constitution, including a section stating that members of the Legislature shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for words spoken during debate. Cavanaugh: Protected speech still has consequences Halloran mentioned several other incidents where Nebraska lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to censure each other, including two incidents in which Cavanaugh was threatened with censure. He also referred to a 2020 incident when former Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha posed a hypothetical situation in which he would sexually assault Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, and noted he was not subject to disciplinary action. Cavanaugh herself referenced this incident during the Executive Board hearing, and apologized to Slama, who sits on the committee. Cavanaugh said she and the rest of the Legislature failed Slama by not punishing Chambers. Slama, in turn, apologized to Cavanaugh for not pushing the Legislature to move more quickly on Hallorans comments. You had so much courage in the face of this that I did not have, Slama said. Slama argued that the Legislature needs a clearer policy and procedure when dealing with incidents like this. She argued that a legislative staffer who is faced with the same type of language in a more private setting would likely be pressured to stay silent. Meanwhile, Sen. Raymond Aguilar of Grand Island, the Executive Board chair, has filed a complaint against Halloran under the Legislatures workplace harassment policy. This complaint launched a formal investigation that could lead to recommended discipline for Halloran. Aguilar said Thursday the investigation was still being conducted. Halloran has criticized Aguilar for announcing the investigation, saying it should have been handled privately. Aguilar said he made the public announcement because the incident happened in public. Slama co-sponsored the censure resolution with Cavanaugh and said Nebraskans deserve to see the matter handled quickly and publicly, rather than being swept under the rug. If we cannot take immediate action on something that is said on camera to the entire state, our policies are not sufficient, Slama said. The issue has spurred strong opinions online from both sides. Earlier this week, the Nebraska GOP issued a call to action in a social media post, asking people to submit comments opposing the resolution. The (Nebraska Legislature) is considering jeopardizing free speech on the floor AND violating their own rules on how to handle speech on the floor that is objected to, another post from the state party said. Halloran supporters have said that punishing him would be a violation of free speech rights. Cavanaugh said that was why she didnt seek Hallorans expulsion, one of the possible punishments the Legislature can pursue. She said a censure motion serves as a statement that the Legislature disagrees with his words, but doesnt come with any further repercussions. It is protected speech, she said. But protected speech still has consequences. Cavanaugh requested that the committee vote immediately on censure, but Aguilar declined. He said a vote on Thursday would be too emotional, and wanted to give members the long weekend to mull over the proposal and potential amendments they may add. He said he expects a vote on Tuesday, but wasnt certain. Said Cavanaugh: The longer this takes, the more harm you are causing. This story has been updated to reflect that several senators did not testify during the hearing. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024 Thugs working for politicians yesterday prevented many registered voters from voting in the rerun election that held in the state. The armed thugs allegedly took over polling units, turning back supporters or agents of opponents. Rerun election was slated in polling units spread across 28 local government areas in the state after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the March 3 governorship election held in the state inconclusive. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, was leading in the inconclusive election with a margin of over 26,000 votes after polling 1,014,477 votes, while Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 987,810 votes. Over 120,000 voters were to participate in the rescheduled poll yesterday. There were reports of incidences where hoodlums took over some polling units, preventing registered voters from exercising their civic rights. Our correspondents observed that in Gama ward of Nasarawa Local Government, which has over 40,000 voters, thousands of weapon-carrying hoodlums, majority of them wearing the APC agents tag, took over the polling units, forcing the PDP supporters into hiding. A resident, Yau Alhaji Gama, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the hoodlums that took over the streets were brought in to intimidate residents. I swear to God, all these people you are seeing are not from this area, they are only here to cause mayhem, he said. Reports from the state on the eve of the election quoted residents as saying that thugs were being brought into the state in droves by politicians planning to use them to rig the poll. Residents of Gama claimed they saw strange faces in the area from the time of morning prayer. They said the strangers later took over the polling units in Gama, brandishing weapons and unleashing terror. It is not possible to identify yourself as a PDP member here, not to talk of an agent. You cant hang any PDP tag here, a Gama resident said. Pressmen were not spared the harassment as thugs attempted to lynch journalists under the umbrella of states Correspondent Chapel who were at Suntulma Primary School polling unit, Gama ward, to cover the exercise. A correspondent of The Authority newspaper, Mr Madu-Jerry Buchi, was rescued by security personnel after the hoodlums threatened to attack him for taking pictures. At Masaka polling unit in Dala Local Government Area, three people were reportedly injured in a clash involving supporters of the ruling party and the opposition PDP. It was gathered that voting was made impossible for supporters of the opposition PDP as armed thugs harassed anyone showing sympathy for the party. A PDP supporter who insisted on voting for the party, Dahiru Saad, was attacked causing him to lose two teeth. Policemen present at the polling unit did nothing to save the situation. A police officer, who declined to give his name, told our correspondents that they could not interfere because they were not carrying arms. At Nahadatu polling unit in Gwammaja ward, there were fears of a likely clash due to massive infiltration of hired thugs into the voting point. At Takai Local Government Area, there were reports of the presence of heavily armed political thugs who disrupted the election in favour of the ruling party. An observer who identified himself as Dr Babaye Liman said he saw over 500 armed thugs snatching ballot boxes as well as ballot papers. The situation was the same at Minjibir, where voters complained of intimidation from unknown thugs who came into the town from other places. Thugs attack 2 commissioners However, the commissioners for information and finance in the state, Malam Muhammad Garba and Alhaji Aminu Dan-Amu, allegedly came under attack by thugs suspected to be supporters of the PDP. The suspected thugs allegedly molested the information commissioner at Yalwa polling unit in Dala Local Government and smashed his vehicles windscreen. His counterpart of the finance ministry, Dan-Amu, was allegedly attacked at Dogon-Nama polling unit in the same Dala Local Government. Also said to have been attacked was APCs elder, Alhaji Liti Kul-Kul, who was trailed to his family house and assaulted. Confirming the incident, the information commissioner said: I was personally attacked by PDP thugs at Yalwa polling unit and the windscreen of my car was smashed. I am sure the attack emanated from the pronouncement of the Kwankwasiyya leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who said all PDP members are agents and security men. This is the danger of such statements, especially by leaders. We have Kwankwaso on tape urging his supporters to be agents and security men at polling units. This is wrong and unacceptable, he said. The PDP, however, dissociated its members from the attack on the two commissioners and the APC elder. Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, Alhaji Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the spokesperson of the PDP gubernatorial candidate said their supporters were peace- loving people; hence they could not attack anybody. We only came out during the rerun election to protect ballot boxes and ensure that each vote counts. Our people did not attack anybody during the election. We neither attacked any commissioner nor identified anybody as target for attack during the election. We are peace-loving citizens, he said. Cancel Kano rerun poll PDP Meanwhile, the PDP has called for the immediate cancellation of the resrun election in the state. In a press briefing, the acting chairman of the party in Kano, Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, described the exercise as a charade, saying, What we have in Kano is nothing but sham. The chairman accused the APC of mobilising thugs to take over all the 280 polling units in the state. As I address you now, we have reports that some of our agents have been killed, vehicles burnt, property destroyed in Doguwa, Nasarawa, Minjibir, Dala and Tudun Wada local government areas. These, with other infractions, made us to completely lose faith in the whole exercise, and therefore, call on the INEC to cancel these elections, Bichi said. The PDP headquarters also called for the cancelation of the supplementary election over what it termed the disruption of polls and bloodletting. In a statement yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said all material facts on the rerun poll in the state showed that rampaging APC thugs violently took over polling units, attacked and chased away voters and engaged in massive thumb-printing and ballot stuffing. The INEC is already aware that the police arrested the Kano State commissioner for special duties, Muktar Yakasai, alongside APC thugs he led to disrupt election in Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of the state. Also, the INEC is already aware of how APC thugs attacked voters in polling units in Gama area, during which four PDP members were feared killed and many more injured before they carted away ballot boxes for stuffing for the APC. The PDP cautions the INEC to note that in this circumstance, any result they come out with from this convoluted electoral process will be a sham and will surely be rejected by the people of Kano State. It is completely reprehensible that the APC and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje would resort to violence and bloodletting as a means to attempt to hold on to power after they have been rejected by the people. The PDP, therefore, charges the INEC to save the nation from crisis by cancelling the Kano supplementary election, as failure to do so is not in the best interest of our dear nation, the PDP stated. Kano rerun peaceful Police The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Micheal Anthony Obizi, has described Kano rerun election as peaceful. Obizi, who was deployed to Kano for the purpose of the rerun poll, said the election recorded minor violence. He explained that the reports on various social media platforms were purported by some elements in order to cause chaos in the state. We have arrested only 10 people for various election offences and they will be charged to court as soon as we finish investigation. So, as far as police are concerned, the election is peaceful, he said. He said there was no report of death from the affected 24 local governments where the rerun election was conducted. On the alleged taking over of the some polling units by thugs, Obizi said: If it is true that some thugs took over some polling units, how did INEC find its way to bring election materials and officials to the polling units? The DIG assured that police would maintain its ground in protecting the lives and property of the Nigerian citizens. He said there was no cause for alarm as far as security was concerned, adding that everything was going smoothly. Similarly, a coalition of foreign and domestic election observers has described the just concluded rerun election in Kano State as peaceful. Addressing a press conference, leader of the coalition, Chinyere Manukwem, said even though there were violence at few polling units in Dala and Gama, the rerun poll was generally peaceful. Manukwem also expressed satisfaction with the level of security arrangement during the poll. The Kano State police command has confirmed the arrest of 74 suspected political thugs over various election offences. Confirming the arrest, the police public relations officer in the state, DSP Haruna Abdullahi, said the suspects were arrested at various polling units where the rerun election held. He said the thugs were arrested for ballot box snatching, unlawful possession of Parmanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and public disturbance, among other offences. Abdullahi said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as police finished investigation. Sokoto In Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal relocated to Kuchi town in Kebbe Local Government Area for the supplementary election. Kuchi, which has the highest number of cancelled votes in the last governorship election in the state, is one of the areas where the rerun election took place. The governor was said to have relocated to the area in the early hours of Saturday. There was massive deployment of security forces in the area, our correspondent reported. It was a herculean task controlling crowd in some polling units that witnessed massive turnout of voters for the election in Sokoto metropolis. There was chaos at Rijiyar Danfarijo Magajin Gari B ward 009 in Sokoto North Local Government Area following an alleged display of thumb-printed ballot papers by PDP stalwarts, which was opposed by APC supporters. Police had to fire teargas to restore order. Plateau In Jos, the capital of Plateau State, there was rowdiness and a short altercation between security agents and youths at polling unit 027, Unguwan Abuja, Tudun Wada II in Jos North Local Government Area when mobile police officers attempted to disperse youths from the voting area. Our correspondent, who was at the polling unit, observed that the youths insisted that they were, by law, allowed to wait till the end of collation as long as they were orderly. The polling unit had 1,297 registered voters. Source: DailyTrust The Federal Government Monday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to issue a bench warrant for Innoson Nigeria Limiteds chairman Mr. Innocent Chukwuma and two of his employees. They were charged in a fraud case before Justice Ayokunle Faji. The Police charged them with an alleged N2.4billion shipping fraud, but the Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case. Others named in the charge are Charles Chukwuma, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk Lines and Anajekwu Sunny. The prosecution is praying the court to order the arrest of Innoson Motors Chairman and his staff for failing to turn up to take their plea in the criminal charge. Yesterday, Chukwuma and his staff were absent. Prosecuting Counsel Mr. Julius Ajakaiye moved an application urging the court to order the absent defendants arrest. He said the charge was served on them through a court-ordered February 8, 2016 substituted service following the AGFs take-over of the case. Read Also: Court rejects certificate forgery suit against Bindow Ajakaiye said since then, the third and fourth defendants had been coming to court, while the first, second and fifth defendants have refused, failed and neglected to appear in court till date. Consequently, he said the defendants were yet to take their plea and should therefore be compelled to appear. He added that an April 12, 2016 amended charge could not be served on the absent defendants. Ajakaiye urged the court to grant his application by ordering their arrest. But defence counsel Chief George Uwechue (SAN) Prof. C. Mbadugha prayed the court to dismiss the application. They argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to issue the warrant against the defendants because they were not properly before the court. They said the application offends Order 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, adding that there was no proper service on their clients. The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring to unlawfully falsify shipping clearance documents. They were accused of uttering (presenting) the allegedly falsified shipping documents as collateral to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to allegedly obtain a loan of N2.4billion. The Federal Government claimed that the defendants committed the offence at Apapa wharf on October 10, 2013. The alleged offence is contrary to sections 1(2) (c) and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation 2004. Justice Faji adjourned until July 3 for ruling. A brother to the victim, revealed that Mainta, an officer with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), was brutalised when he went to the station to secure the bail of an accused person. Police officers at the Area Commands office in Potiskum, Yobe State, have been accused of assaulting a corrections officer, Abubakar Umar Mainta. The family of the victim said he had been admitted at a hospital in Potiskum. Dr. Suleiman Said, a brother to the victim, told Daily Trust that Mainta, an officer with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), was brutalised when he went to the station to secure the bail of an accused person. He explained that one Abdullahi Aji Bulama, a police corporal, refused to receive a court summons in a case of criminal complaint against him after they (a victims family) took an assault case to court. He said after filing a direct criminal complaint, a bailiff was directed to serve Corporal Bulama with the criminal summons, but that on his arrival at the area command, the Area Commander, Mohammed Musa Zayyanu, prevented the bailiff from serving Bulama and directed him to go and serve the Commissioner of Police in Damaturu. When contacted, the spokesman of the Yobe State Police Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkareem, said he was not aware of the court summons. The PPRO explained that a court summon should be issued to the office of the Commissioner of Police or legal department of the command because they were the senior offices to handle legal issues and not the area command. A man identified as Usman Abubakar reportedly died during a fight that occurred at Isale Koko, Ojagboro area, Ilorin in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident, which happened last Wednesday and claimed the life of the deceased, was a result of the combat between him (the deceased) and another man identified as one Omotosho Jimoh of Elekoyangan area, Oke-Suna, Ilorin, who is now at large. The incident, according to the police, was a result of a minor issue that degenerated into combat and later led to the death of Usman. A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer read, The Kwara State Police Command is saddened to report a tragic incident of culpable homicide which occurred on March 20, 2024, in Ilorin. At about 2030hrs on March 20, 2024, Mr. Adebayo Ahmed, a resident of Isale Koko, Ojagboro, Ilorin, reported a distressing incident involving his son, Usman Abubakar. It was reported that on the same day, around 1930hrs, Usman engaged in hand-to-hand combat with one Omotosho Jimoh of Elekoyankan Area, Oke-suna, Ilorin, over a minor issue. Tragically, during the altercation, Usman Abubakar slumped and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Immediately, the scene of the crime was visited, and the necessary documentation was carried out. However, the family of the deceased has declined to release the body for autopsy, insisting on burial according to Islamic rites. Presently, the suspect, Omotosho Jimoh, is at large. The Kwara State Police Command has initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter, and efforts are underway to apprehend the suspect and ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident. Ejire-Adeyemi said the Command assured the public that efforts were being made to bring the perpetrators to justice. In March 2023, a male adult slumped and died during an argument over a parking space at a supermarket on Admiralty Way in the Lekki area of Lagos State. Operatives of the Edo State Police Command, in October 2023, arrested a 21-year-old man identified as Ononomeh Badamasi over the circumstances surrounding the death of a 52-year-old man, Orumidayo Awolowo, who went to demand money owed him. The Lagos State Police Command also confirmed last month that a man, Adebayo Adeseko, and his girlfriend, Sarah Adesanya, died after fighting in their apartment. Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, urged the people of the state not to panic, reaffirming his administrations commitment to safeguarding residents lives and property. Speaking during a solidarity visit by members of the Family Support Group to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara vowed to use all legal means to enhance and safeguard the collective aspirations of the people, asserting his right to fulfill his tenure. Represented by the state Head of Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara assured the group, comprising Rivers youths, women, and men from all senatorial districts and local government areas, of his administrations dedication to good governance and quality service delivery. He stated, The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this administration. Highlighting ongoing infrastructural projects, Governor Fubara emphasized the governments commitment to youth empowerment and inclusivity, promising to maintain empathy and support for the people. In his remarks, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr. Henry Abraham, commended the violence-free and credible 2023 elections, pledging unwavering support for Governor Fubara and urging all members to defend their votes and stand by the governor. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says Julius Abures re-election as chairman of the Labour Party (LP) is an illegality. Abure was re-elected LP chairman on Wednesday at the partys national convention which was held in Nnewi, Anambra state. Ikechukwu Emetu, deputy governor of Abia state and chairman of the convention, declared Abure as the winner. The convention was attended by party chairmen from the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT), members of states and national assemblies as well as representatives from LGAs. The re-election of Abure came a week after members of the NLC picketed the LP secretariat in Abuja. The protesting NLC members demanded the postponement of the partys national convention. The labour body accused Abure of financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of NLC, and of unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party. Reacting to Abures re-election, Benson Upah, spokesperson of the NLC, said the whole exercise was a charade. It is an illegality, a nullity. The whole exercise was a charade! Nothing can legitimise such brazen impunity, The PUNCH quoted Upah as saying. READ ALSO: Just in: Abure re-elected LP National Chairman amid rumble Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it did not monitor the national convention of the Labour Party (LP). Rotimi Oyekanmi, media aide to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by the electoral umpire. Oyekanmi did not specify why INEC did not monitor the convention. The convention was initially slated for March 29 but was later changed to March 27. The leadership of the party had said the date was changed because the initial day falls on Good Friday, a very important date for the Christian faithful across the world. On March 17, the house of representatives caucus of the LP called for the suspension of the convention to enable the party to properly plan the event. The crisis within the Labour Party (LP) appears to have escalated following reports of a takeover by its Board of Trustees (BoT). At a convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, Julius Abure was reelected as National Chairman, alongside the reelection of several national officers of the party. However, in a statement released yesterday, the partys BoT Chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor, expressed concern over the takeover, asserting that it occurred after the expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abure. Ejiofor emphasized the need to prevent any leadership vacuum within the party. He further stated that the BoT, in conjunction with key stakeholders, would soon outline the procedures for conducting an all-inclusive and comprehensive national convention, citing a Federal High Court consent judgment delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole on March 20, 2018. This judgment recognized the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the rightful owner of the LP and mandated the organization of an expansive national convention. Ejiofors statement reiterated the BoTs commitment to fulfilling the agreement signed between former LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, the NLC, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on June 27, 2022, mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While commending LP members for their dedication to the partys ideals, the BoT pledged to initiate processes promptly for an all-inclusive national convention, contrasting it with the recent events in Nnewi. The convention, according to the statement, would commence with grassroots congresses and would be conducted transparently, involving INEC, media, civil society, security agencies, and the general public. The BoT also commended LP leader Mr. Peter Obi and other key stakeholders for abstaining from the events in Nnewi. They reassured all stakeholders of their commitment to reviving and repositioning the LP as a vehicle for the socio-political advancement of the country and its people. The military high command announced on Thursday morning that eight individuals are wanted in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama Community, Delta State. The wanted persons include a professor named Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, a woman identified as Mrs Igoli Ebi, Reuben Baru, Akata Malawa David, and four others. Major-General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed this during an ongoing press briefing at Defence Headquarters, Abuja. He clarified that no bounty has been placed on the wanted individuals. Buba urged stakeholders and traditional rulers, particularly in the Niger Delta region, to assist the military in apprehending those declared wanted. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when troops from the 181 Amphibious Battalion, stationed in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were ambushed and killed by youths during a peace mission to Okuama Community. This came after a communal crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State. The incident sparked nationwide outrage, leading to the burial of the slain officers at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday. The burial ceremony was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials. Ningi, in a letter through Falana, accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of violating his clients fundamental right to fair hearing. Femi Falana Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, (SAN) has called for suspended Bauchi lawmaker, Sen Abdul Ningi to be reinstated into the Senate. Ningi, representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended on March 12, 2024, by the senate for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion. Ningi, in a letter through Falana, accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of violating his clients fundamental right to fair hearing. He advised Akpabio to his Ningis suspension or be reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC. The human rights lawyer disclosed that Akpabio caused him to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14. In a letter dated March 25, 2024, addressed to Akapbio, the lawmaker said that the Senate President pronounced him guilty and suspended him. At the end of the trial, you pronounced our client guilty and declared, the letter reads in part. That the Senate do suspend Senator Abdul Nigin (Bauchi North) for three months and he should forfeit all his entitlements and be disallowed from the precincts of the National Assembly Complex during the period of the suspension. He should also apologise to the Senate in writing, thereafter the senate can consider his remorse and recall him, part of his letter read. The government of Bauchi State has applauded Daben Kasuwa community in Ganjuwa Local Government Area (LGA) for safeguarding a fallen trailer loaded with grains against looting. For a commendable display of integrity, the community was awarded 200 bags of rice and millet as a token of appreciation. This act of communal vigilance became widely acknowledged following a viral social media video that captured the villagers protecting the overturned truck from potential looters. Governor Bala Muhammad, represented by the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Abdu Hassan, during the reward ceremony, lauded the residents of Daben Kasuwa for their exceptional behavior, contrasting sharply with recent incidents of mass looting in various parts of Nigeria fueled by rising food prices and widespread hunger. The governors accolades were specifically directed towards the youth of Daben Kasuwa, acknowledging their role in positively distinguishing the LGA and Bauchi State at large. On behalf of the community, Sarkin Daben Kasuwa Malam Sanusi Sale expressed gratitude towards the states recognition and reward. He highlighted the communitys long-standing record of peace and low crime rates, and seized the opportunity to appeal to the government for the provision of essential services such as clean water, education, electricity, and healthcare facilities in Daben Kasuwa. A Nigerian lady, Olajumoke Peperenpe has taken to X to talk about how she made the difficult decision to call off her wedding two years ago. In a post, the lady said it was undoubtedly one of the toughest choices she had ever made but she is grateful to God for the strength to navigate the challenging time. She said that entering a toxic marriage will lead to scrutiny, lots of tears, and a meaningless life, and encouraged people to prioritize themselves in any relationship. She advised those in toxic relationships to leave and not care about what the world thinks. See Posts Below; The Nigerian Army has declared eight people wanted in connection with the recent tragic killing of 17 soldiers in Delta State. KanyiDaily had reported how a commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers were killed during a peacekeeping mission in Okuama Community on March 14. The 17 slain soldiers were among the troops deployed to restore order between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta. Reports indicate that the attackers subjected most of the deceased soldiers to horrific acts, including beheading and dismemberment. Profiles of the slain soldiers have been published by the Nigerian Army, offering insights into their lives and service to their country. In a circular shared on the Facebook page of the Nigerian Army on Thursday, March 28, the Defence Headquarters declared eight persons wanted over their roles in the soldiers killings. According to the circular, the people declared wanted include Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (also known as Amagben), and Akata Malawa David. Additionally, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Ogenerukeywe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi, the only woman among the suspects, are also wanted by the authorities. During a briefing, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Delta and nearby states, to provide credible information to assist in the arrest of the eight people allegedly responsible for the tragic incident in Okuama community. General Buba emphasized the militarys resolve to arrest the perpetrators of the reprehensible act in Delta and reiterated their commitment to rescuing all kidnapped and abducted victims across Nigeria. The release of the list came hours after military authorities buried the 17 slain soldiers in a ceremony attended by President Bola Tinubu, governors, federal lawmakers, and other dignitaries. By Izunna Okafor, Awka The Management of the Anambra State Library Board has received the donation of eight thousand (8,000) books of different genres from a US-based medical doctor, Dr. Eugene Nwosu. The official handover of the donated books, which held at the hometown of the donor in Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of the State, was grace by the State Library staff and stakeholders of the community. Speaking during the handover, the representative of the donor, Chief Onyejeli Paul-Mary said the major reason behind the gesture was not just to encourage the Library Board, but to also contribute to expansion of knowledge among the populace through reading. According to him, the benefactor, Dr. Nwosu and his wife, Mrs. Mary Nwosu, are also the Founders of the Goodness and Mercy Foundation, a charity-based and community-based organisation through which they have contributed significantly to the general development of the community and personal growth of the indigenes. He revealed that the donor had also recently donated about two thousand books to different schools in the area and beyond, even as he expressed optimism that these magnanimous gestures of the benefactor would spur and motivate people to take reading seriously as a major source of information. Contributing, a classmate of benefactor and member of the community, Chief Sir Nkem Obu, commended the State Library for its roles in spreading knowledge, which, he said, was the reason the Obu Family has remained unwavering in supporting the Library and its services since many decades ago. While recounting his reading experience, Chief Obu, a retired staff of the Nigeria Liquified and Natural Gas (NLNG), however, regretted that there is now a huge drop in the reading culture in the society as it is today, with its resultant effects; even as he encouraged the Library Board not to relent. Regrettably, the youths no longer read; everybody wants to make it through the quickest way. But one thing these young ones dont understand is that when one reads, he learns and acquires new knowledge, and that knowledge, no one can ever take away from him. People must begin to take reading seriously, he said. Responding, the Director, Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Obioma Obalum, commended the books donor, Dr. Nwosu, for showing concern in supporting the Library to eradicate illiteracy and promote a society where reading is held in a highest esteem. She further assured that the books would be put into good use, to ensure the full realization of the aim of the benefactor. The State Librarian further encouraged others to emulate the gestures, while also assuring that the Library is always open for fruitful collaboration and any partnership that will help it achieve its objectives. Also present at the event were the Librarian in Charge of the Ajali Branch Library, Mrs. Peace Onwuanyi; as well as another stakeholder from the community, Barr. Uka Noel Obu, among others. The official symbolic hand over of the book to the Library Director, formed the highpoint of the event. Related The Editor of FirstNews, a Lagos-based online news platform, Segun Olatunji, has regained his freedom 12 days after he was reportedly abducted by gunmen suspected to be from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Secretary-General of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, who confirmed the release of Olatunji in a brief statement, said he was handed over to the Guild in Abuja by operatives of the security agency. Olatunji was picked up at his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos on March 15 by gunmen numbering about 10 and whisked to an unknown destination. READ ALSO: Kidnapping: former editor escapes abduction after collecting flyer in Lagos His abduction raised a lot of questions from concerned Nigerians and media colleagues who demanded to know his offense and whereabouts. It was later found out that he was arrested by the DIA and was in their custody all the while. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) wrote petitions calling on President Bola Tinubu to activate the powers of his office as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to direct the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to either produce or release the journalist or charge him to court. Shortly after the IPIs petition on Wednesday, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, told some editors that the military had confirmed that Olatunji was in their custody over an undisclosed offence. The NUJ, while condemning Olatunjis abduction, had said it was a threat to freedom of the press and a sad reminder of the danger being faced daily by journalists in the line of duty. The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Thursday, ordered the immediate closure of a KFC outlet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos for allegedly discriminating against the son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, Debola, who is a person living with disability. The discrimination against Debola was brought to light following a social media report that he was denied access into the eatery on account of his condition. The social media report said a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), Debola Daniel, alleged discriminatory treatment he received at the KFC outlet located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, which spurred the management of FAAN to take the action of shutting down the outlet. The victim himself had also on Wednesday, taken to his social media pages to lament maltreatment he got from the fast-food outlet at MMIA, with details of the humiliating experience which he said was discriminatory due to his disability. In the narrative, Debola said he was denied entry into the KFC outlet due to his use of a wheelchair. Today I chose KFC what a colossal mistake. I entered the restaurant with 4 other travel companions consisting of my brothers and wife. The security personnel at KFC, Samuel, greeted me by name as Ive been there multiple times. READ ALSO: CBN/FAAN: Sen. Ali Ndume warns against doing things as if Nigeria is Lagos Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till who was apparently the manager called out loudly, NO WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED. Normally, I would let these things slide but not today. When calmer heads prevailed, my wife and brother Mayowa went back and under the guise of buying some food and while audio recording, she questioned the lady again and the lady reiterated her position that the business does not allow wheelchairs into their premises. You cannot treat people this way. There are approximately 27 million Nigerians living with some form of disability. Thats over 13% of the country. 1 in 6 people on the planet are disabled. You MUST NOT treat people this way. So my question to @kfc @kfcnigeria is simple: this represent your approach to disabled customers or will you be looking into this? Am I not human enough for KFC? Debola wrote. A statement issued by FAANs Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, stated that the decision to shut down the eatery was in line with the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that, a person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person. The statement further explained that the MD/CEO of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, had to intervene swiftly by deploying a management team comprising Orah, the Regional Manager South West, Sunday Ayodele, Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, to investigate the allegation against KFC. It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred, the statement said. Five suspects, suspected to be involved in a significant cocaine-smuggling operation, have been apprehended by anti-narcotics detectives in Kenya. This followed the interception of a woman at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) carrying 57 pellets of cocaine concealed in her private parts. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in a statement on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, said the primary suspect, Apoko Damaris Adhiambo, had concealed the pellets in her underwear when she was flagged down at JKIAs terminal A1 central screening area just before boarding a Madagascar-bound plane on Tuesday. Upon interrogation, the suspect revealed she was recruited into the cocaine smuggling syndicate by one Harriet Asaba, a woman living in Nairobi. Using forensic technologies, detectives tracked Asaba to Accra Road in Nairobi and arrested her. A womans stratagem to traffic 57 pellets of cocaine to Madagascar by escaping the grip of our security apparatus at the Jomo Kenyatta Intnl Airport proved futile last night, when anti-narcotics detectives noted the nose candy stuffed in her under garments and rerouted her travel itinerary to a police cell, the statement read. In the 10.30pm interception, Apoko Damaris Adhiambo, 32, was flagged down at terminal A1s central screening area, as she checked in to board Kenya Airways KQ 256 flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar. A body scanner at the checkpoint revealed suspicious items concealed around her privates, triggering a quick search that saw over 600g of the highly addictive gak discovered. A spot test conducted on the discovery was positive for the coca product. After a moment of interrogation by female anti-narcotics officers, Apoko revealed to have been recruited by a Ugandan national identified as Harriet Asaba who resided within the Kenyan Capital. Deploying forensic technologies, detectives traced Asaba to Accra Road in Nairobi CBD and effected her arrest. In the painstaking pursuit to break the entire syndicate, the second suspect led officers to Free Area Hotel building and into the VIP Beauty Shop, where a meticulous search was conducted and another 33 pellets of crack found. Therein, three more suspects namely Nangonzi Shirah (a Ugandan national), Esther Wanjiru, 24 and Sophia Kathambi aged 24 were also rounded up. Presumptive test on the second recovery also tested positive for Cocaine, weighing approximately 396 grams. Whereas prosecution processes have been instigated on the arrested suspects, further investigations are ongoing jointly with the InterPol team to track down the recipients of the drugs at Antananarivo. A former aspirant for Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Simon Oshi has called on supporters of critic, Verydarkman to be calm because he will soon regain freedom. Recall that Verydarkman was some days ago arrested by the Nigeria Police Force on charges bordering on cyberbullying. He has been in custody for days now. In a recent post via the image-sharing platform Instagram, Honourable Simon Oshi called for calm amidst the critics dark times. He assured that they critic will soon be released. The statement reads; LETS TEAM UP TO PLEAD WITH THE NIGERIAN POLICE. I Hon Simon Oshi To the lovers and well wishers of our very own VDM, I want to sincerely applaud the commitment and show of love by a lot of his followers and celebrities. I on the other hand, have been at the active run of every activity here in Abuja since my attention was drawn to the issue by Big smart, Ive explored all my influential contacts and engaged with his legal team. I want to assure everyone that, hell return in good health and sane mind. I want to equally implore all my followers and Nigerians to keep it sane online with the Nigerian police force Soo peace can be restored in earnest. This will equally compliment our plead. The predicament is not about Samclef, Tonto Dike or Iyabo Ojo. The situation has left their control a long time ago. Lets all be on same page, soo the NPF can forgive him as expected. VDM is our own and should be protected at all cost. God bless Nigeria, the entertainers and NPF. HON. Simon Oshi. Emeka Rollas, the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has provided reassuring updates regarding the health of veteran actor Zack Orji. KanyiDaily recalls that Zack Orjis health crisis began when he collapsed on December 31, 2023, and was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit of the National Hospital in Abuja. On Monday, rumors regarding the actors death circulated on the internet, prompting Emeka Rollas to swiftly debunk the false speculations. In an Instagram post, the AGN President confirmed Orjis well-being, describing his death rumour as the work of mischief-makers. Speaking to Afia TV on Wednesday, Rollas revealed that the 64-year-old actor underwent two successful brain surgeries and is currently in stable condition. The AGN president, however, disclosed that Zack Orji will require further medical evaluation abroad post-surgery. Rollas described the spread of death rumors as inhumane, stressing the need for responsible behavior, particularly in sensitive matters concerning an individuals health and well-being. He said: Becacue of the internet age, people just want to grow their page and they can spill nonsense, that was why somebody woke up yesterday morning and said Zack has passed on and I quickly reacted. Zack is never in a position of seriously needing attention as to speak, if not because of privacy I would have just connected him on the phone here, you will see him. He just needs a post-surgery evaluation abroad which we are gradually putting together money to send him abroad for that. He has survived two brain surgeries, he is in good health, and he is speaking, For somebody to wake up and say that Zack has passed on, is inhuman. Zack Orjis death rumour comes shortly after the demise of another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor, due to kidney failure. There are emerging innuendos how northern leaders allegedly created bandits to force former President Goodluck Jonathan out of office, who are today terrorizing the North West Nigeria. Report had it that the plot was hatched in April 2014, when some northern leaders purportedly consulted Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to build militia. The Miyatti Allah National Chairman was alleged to be engaged to recruit foreign mercenaries. About 2,000 Fulani fighters were said to be recruited within one month from Mali, Senegal, Niger Republic, Chad, Libya, Burkina Faso, etc. Another set of 4,000 militia were alleged to be camped in Niger and Chad for reinforcement. One of the governors was said to have provided training camps for the foreign mercenaries. The sponsors were said to have instructed the mercenaries: the British handed Nigeria over to us, the Fulani, at independence. The land (Nigeria) belongs to us. We must reclaim what belongs to us. The mercenaries were alleged to be trained and assigned to six camps in Ekiti, Benue, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Borno states ready for battle. Fortunately or unfortunately, there was no resistance to the loss of the 2015 election by former President Jonathan, thus, there was no more job to be done by the mercenaries. Subsequently, the purported sponsors abandoned the mercenaries in the various camps; no food and essential supplies. The relationship between Miyatti Allah, the said governor and a later minister in the first tenure of this government was said to have been broken. The governor had declared that they were not needed anymore and should go back. The mercenaries were said to have commenced killings in the governors state to warn him of the danger of the broken contract. The Mercenary at the various camps decided to go about to find food for themselves by robbing people, going into farm lands, kidnapping. Miyatti Allah leaders were alleged to make efforts to reach the governor and minister to persuade them to provide money to pay off the mercenaries and send them back to their homes but no success. The mercenaries, therefore, abandoned their various camps. The narrator noted that the mercenaries were later branded Bandits by northern leaders to separate them from the Fulani Herdsmen, Boko Haram and others. As the massive destruction and killings by the bandits intensified, Northern leaders and some officials of the federal government demanded the Miyatti Allah to intervene and remove the Bandits from Nigeria. Miyatti Allah allegedly demanded N150 billion to settle the bandits and evacuate them. The government, however, promised to offer N100 billion. Unfortunately, that didnt solve the problem. The ideas of RUGA and e-registration of illegal migrants in Nigeria approved President Buhari was said to be initiated to resettle the mercenaries to end their violence in the country. Post Views: 7,293 The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMM) has announced temporary suspension of its free Zakzaky street protests. The federal government had last week proscribed the group following a federal High Court ruling, describing it as a terrorist organisation. Members of the Islamic organisation have been protesting against the continuous detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, who have been in detention for over three years. The IMN leader and his wife have been in detention since their arrest in December 2015, following a violent clash between his followers and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state. Spokesman of the IMN, who announced the suspension of the protests in a statement on Wednesday, said the action was to allow room for some new openings aimed at resolving the problem. He said the decision to suspend the protests was taken in good faith, adding that it is out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problem, looks genuine. The statement said: The Islamic Movement in Nigeria do hereby announce to the general public and the international community that it has temporarily suspended its Free Zakzaky street protests to allow for some new openings into the resolution of the problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order made by the federal government this week. It has taken this step in good faith out of respect for some eminent people and groups, whose input in the resolution of the problems appears genuine and we sincerely hope an amicable way could be found to solve the crises surrounding the illegal detention of our leader for almost four years now. INEC Chairman Yakubu declares winner at 4:39am Muhammadu Buhari has won the presidential election. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Mahmood Yakubu at exactly 4:39am declared Buhari winner of last Saturdays election. The President won 15,191,847 votes to retain his job. His closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 11,262,978. Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate won in 19 states. Atiku won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Buhari will collect his Certificate of Return at 2pm today. The commission adjourned its collation and announcement of results at the International Conference Centre, Abuja at 12.16am after taking the results from Rivers State the last to come in. It adjourned till 3am. Yakubu said the commission wanted to beat its 2015 record when it concluded the process at 4am. Buhari, who was at the APC Presidential Campaign Council secretariat this morning, thanked Nigerians for giving him the opportunity to continue to serve. With him were: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rotimi Amaechi, among other party leaders. Yesterdays collation opened with Niger State, which went to the APC with 612,371 votes. PDP scored 218, 052. There were 2,375,568 registered voters across the 15 local government areas of the state and 911, 964 voters were accredited. The state recorded a total vote of 896,976 and 851,937 valid votes. Forty-five votes were rejected; 71,200 were cancelled. In Jigawa State, Buhari scored 794,738 as against Atikus 289, 895 votes. With 27 local government areas, Jigawa had 2,104,889 registered voters; 1,171,801 were accredited to vote; 1,149,922 voted. Of the votes, 1,106,244 were valid and 43, 678 were rejected. The APC candidate also won in Kaduna State with 993,445 votes as against PDPs 640, 612. Atiku fought back in Anambra State, garnering 524,738 votes as against APCs 33,298. He won with a slim margin in Oyo State where the PDP polled 366,690 as against APCs 365,229. Atikus home state, Adamawa, gave the PDP 410,266 votes. Buhari got 378,078. The 21 council areas in Adamawa had 1,959,322 registered voters; 874,920 voters were accredited. There were 811,534 valid votes; 49,222 were rejected. The President won in Bauchi with 798,428 votes. Atiku scored 209,313. Valid votes were 1,024, 307; 37,648 were rejected. Votes cast stood at 1,061, 955 The APC beat the PDP in Lagos State with 580,825 votes; PDP scored 448,015. The ruling party also secured victory for his candidate in Ogun State where it scored 281,762 as against PDPs 194, 655. The registered number of voters in the Gateway State was 2,336,887; 613,399 were accredited and 605,938 voted. Edo State, with 18 local government areas and 2,150,127 registered voters, went to Atiku with 275, 691 votes. Buhari scored 267,842 votes. For the poll, 604,915 were accredited. There were 560,711 valid votes. The rejected ballot stood at 38, 517, leaving the total vote cast at 599, 228. The number of votes that were cancelled in 48 polling units stood at 42,176. In Benue State, PDP got a narrow victory margin over the ruling party with 356,817 votes as against APCs 347,668. Edo, with a voter population of 2, 391,276, has a total vote cast of 763,872. The valid votes were 728,912. The rejected votes were 34,960 and 122,989 votes were cancelled in 172 polling units. Atiku won Imo State with 334,923 votes as against Buharis 140,463 votes. There were 2,037,569 registered would-be voters; 585,741 were accredited to vote. The valid votes were 511,586 and 31,191 votes were rejected. The number of votes cast stood at 542,777; 63,048 were cancelled in 97 polling units in 12 council areas. Plateau State also gave its vote to Atiku who scored 548,665. Buhari scored 468,555. The state had 2,423, 381 registered voters and 1,074,042 were accredited. The valid votes were 1,034,853 of which 1,063,862 voted. The number of rejected votes stood at 28,009. Kano went to Buhari who scored 1,464,768 against Atikus 392,593. The Northwest state, where 5,381,581 were registered to vote, recorded the highest turnout with 2,006,410 accredited voters. The votes cast were 1,964,751. The valid votes were 1,891,134. The rejected votes were 73,617 and the cancelled votes were 43,900, across 69 polling units. Katsina, Buharis home state, also went the way of Buhari, who scored 1,232,133 against Atikus 308,056. It has 3,219,422 registered voters and 1,628,865 were accredited for the election. The total valid votes in Katsina is 1,555,473 and 1,619,185 cast their ballots. The rejected votes were 63,712 and the cancelled votes stood at 12,027. Taraba went to the PDP with 374,743 votes as against APCs 326 996 votes. The total registered votes were 1,777,105. The accredited voters stood at 756 111. The valid votes were 712 877 and 28,687 were rejected. The Federal Government has said it will make a scapegoat out of hip hop star, Augustine Kelechi popularly known as Tekno, for promoting nudity in public space. The announcement follows scenes of four nude women dancing in a moving van on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge in Lagos during a video shoot by the musician. The artiste, in the four-minute video, was seen throwing money perceived to be dollars at the nude women. The government expressed disappointment that despite ongoing investigations into the anomaly, Tekno went ahead to release the offensive video. A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, said Tekno would be used as a scapegoat to teach others a serious lesson. He said, We commend the police for arresting Tekno for the shameful misconduct. The same person who was granted bail on health ground went ahead to release the controversial video. We are now warning him to desist from this shameful conduct which is not part of our culture. No single person is bigger than Nigeria; whether he likes it or not, we are going to use him as scapegoat to send a strong signal that this government does not tolerate nonsense and immorality. Section 136 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, states that any person, who commits any act of gross indecency with another person in public, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to three years imprisonment. The Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency has since suspended the advertising agency whose display truck was used in shooting the video. An apprentice at a tailoring shop in Lagos, Adenike Fatai, reportedly committed suicide just three months after her boyfriend identified as Bayo Atanda also killed self. The 25-year-old indigene of Kwara State who lived with her mother at Igbekele Street, Iyana Cele bus stop, Shibiri area of Lagos State has reportedly been battling depression since her boyfriend died and she took a poisonous substance suspected to be sniper. Though she left no suicide note, a quick check on her Facebook page revealed that she engaged in posts which centred on death and depression. It was further learnt that her trauma was heightened by her late boyfriend family and friends allegation of causing his death. Tawa, Adenikes mother who confirmed her death told Punch that she met her dead after she returned home from evening prayer. She said, That day, she finished cooking around 7pm and ate. She was outside after eating while I went to the mosque. Around 8pm, she came to the mosque to collect the key to our apartment and I told her to check the shop. On getting home some minutes after, I saw her lying on the floor with a bottle of sniper beside her. I called for help but it was late. She was learning tailoring in her sisters place in Ikorodu. All of a sudden, her boss sent her away. She told me she had got another place to learn the vocation in Orile and that she would be living with a friend. I asked her to come and learn it at my place but she refused. Whenever I asked to see the friend, she would say she was not around. It was when I threatened to disown her that she told me she was living with her boyfriend. I tried to convince her that what she did was wrong, but she said the mans (Bayos) house was close to where she was learning tailoring. I met with the man and he said he really wanted to marry her. He looked very gentle. We were planning the introduction when he died. On a Sunday around 11pm, my daughter called me and started crying on the phone. She said Bayo drank sniper. They took him to the Lagos Island General Hospital, but he died the following morning. That time, she said she would follow him and I tried to caution her. Tawa admitted that Adenike got depressed after her boyfriends death and even relocated to Ikorodu area of Lagos state. She however said she (Adenike) returned after her condition improved. I never thought she was thinking of suicide because she looked happy. Some clerics warned us that death was hovering around her and I prayed over it. I learnt she called somebody that evening and told the person that she wanted to go and meet Bayo and that she would drink sniper. I dont know the kind of love she had for him. There was a day a friend of Bayo called her and accused her of killing him. I told her to ignore them. The mistake I made was that I should have changed her SIM card, she added. Also confirming the death of his daughter, Adenikes father said he never knew she was battling depression. Idris said he only spoke to her on the phone since he separated from her mother. NAN The Buhari Volunteers Network (BVN) has initiated a round table discussion across the country in a bid to interact with students and the civil society on the need to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term. Mr Olayemi Success, National Coordinator, BVN, in a statement on Tuesday said the group had taken note of the achievements of the president and had decided to sell them to the public. Buhari Volunteers Network is the Network of young people and professionals with firm belief in everything President Muhammadu Buhari represents, including his achievements, integrity, style of leadership and his anti-corruption stands. Our aim is to see him re-elected as the President of Nigeria on Feb. 16, the statement quoted Success as saying. According to Success series of activities including media talk shows, rallies and Round Table discussion with major stakeholders amongst the students, the youths and civil society, are the strategies adopted for the campaign. He listed some of the achievements of the current administration, noting that no other candidate would be able to match what President Buhari had achieved in less than four years. Success also said in the statement: Our strategy is to basically showcase the achievements of this government in the last three and half years with facts, figures and reality on ground. Furthermore, we compare and contrast among the available options. Without any doubt, the fight against corruption is yielding results already to the extent that the image of our dear nation in the international community has greatly improved. Many countries that were not willing are now eager to do business and invest in Nigeria. People are more ready than ever to do things or serve the nation with integrity knowing that if one is caught in corruption he or she will be dealt with irrespective of status, religion or tribe. The infrastructural development in todays Nigeria is unequalled, ranging from roads and rail to power, and many more are wearing new and highly improved look across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Surprisingly and unbelievably, queues in our fuel stations especially during festive periods have completely vanished not just from the cities alone but at every nook and cranny of the nation. We are sure that this achievement alone must have offended many corrupt elements in the society who will wish the continuation of the old order. He expressed optimism that the round table which held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the week would move to South-East and South-South before the end of campaigns in line with INECs campaigns timetable. Students at the centre reciting the Quran According to a report by Premium Times, the Kano State Government on Wednesday shut down a notorious children torture chamber and rescued 36 chained inmates from the facility. Daiba, located in Rijiyar Lemu quarters in Dala Local Government Area of the state, was shut down late Wednesday after state officials found children in chains at the centre. Premium Times had reported how the proprietors of other such centres in Kano were shutting them down and dismissing the students to escape the attention of the authorities. Earlier, the state government had set up a committee to check the centres operating in the state with a view to regulating their activities. The head of the committee, Muhammad Tahar, told Freedom Radio that the Daiba centre was notorious for chaining and torturing its inmates. He said the committee stormed the centre with the support of the Hisbah (states moral police) and found some inmates being tortured. He advised parents to come forward and identify their children who were rescued from the centre and taken into the custody of Hisbah. The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna, said he was unaware of the operation. Please contact the Hisbah, he said. President Muhammadu Buhari had condemned the ill-treatment of children at the centres. On torture chambers, in this day and age, no responsible democratic government would tolerate the existence of torture chambers and physical abuses of inmates in the name of rehabilitation of the victims. The president commended the efforts of the police in exposing human rights abuses by individuals and criminal groups and said he was optimistic that the efforts would be sustained to check illegal activities of such nature. Mr Buhari appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and assist security agencies in crime prevention and control by reporting the existence of criminal activities in their communities. VP, Yemi Osinbajo Some aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who were unceremoniously relieved of their duties late last year, have been recalled a report by Daily Independent has revealed. The report revealed that instead of returning to their previous posts in the Presidential Villa, the aides have been redeployed to various ministries where they were assigned new roles by the supervising ministers. Speaking on Tuesday evening, one of the affected aides said some of them were recalled in December 2019 while some also got redeployed in January 2020. We have all been recalled but not to our former posts. We have all been redeployed to ministries and we will be reporting to the ministers. We are no longer under the Office of the Vice President. It is not what we expect but it is better than what happened before when our appointments were terminated abruptly. Some of us were recalled late last year while some of us got our letters in January this year. I have since returned to Abuja and resumed in my ministry. Also speaking, another of the affected aides said it took a serious intervention from prominent Nigerians before they were recalled. It was just divine because we have all lost hope. The media also did not help matters as they were reporting that there is a rift between the vice president and the president and he may resign or be impeached. But we thank God for his grace and the intervention of eminent Nigerians including our then boss, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who really fought for us to be recalled. I have also resumed in a ministry, she said. When Daily Independent contacted some ministries, some top officials confirmed that some of the affected aides are in the ministry. A top official in the Ministry of Information and Culture said, Yes, some of them are with us here. They resumed in January this year. Another top official in the Ministry of Transport also confirmed that some of the affected aides were redeployed to the ministry. The names of the affected aides are: Ajibola Ajayi, daughter of former governor of Oyo State, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. She was appointed Special Assistant (Legal) to the President (VPs Office) in August 2019. She was a former SA to the President on Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) (VPs office), from October 2015 to May 2019. The others are Lanre Osinbona (SSA, ICT); Imeh Okon (SSA, Infrastructure); Jide Awolowo, grandson of Obafemi Awolowo (SA, Oil and Gas); Lilian Idiaghe (SA, Research, Legal and Compliance); Arukino Umukoro (SA, Niger Delta); Bala Liman Mohammed (SSA, Economy); Edobor Iyamu (SSA, Niger Delta); Dolapo Bright (SSA, Agro Allied Value Chain); Toyosi Onaolapo (SA, Community Engagement); Gambo Manzo (SA, Political); Bisi Ogungbemi (SA, Political Matters); Edirin Akemu (SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment); Akin Soetan (STA, Economic Matters); Aondaver Kuttuh (Technical Assistant, Rule of Law); Ife Adebayo (SA, Innovation), and Yussuf Ali (SA, Power Regulations). The rest are Tola Asekun (SSA, National Boundary Commission); Morakinyo Beckley (SA, Off Grid Power); Yosola Akinbi (SSA, NEC); Tochi Nwachukwu (SA, Power Privatisation); Bode Gbore (SSA, Political); Abdulrahman Baffa Yola (SA, Political); Kolade Sofola (SA, Infrastructure); Ebi Awosika (STA, Community Engagement); Muyiwa Abiodun (SSA, Power); Forri Samson Banu (SA, Entrepreneurship); Bege Bala (SA, BPE); Feyishayo Aina (SA, Community Engagement); Halima Bawa (SA, Community Engagement); Nkechi Chukwueke (SA, Community Engagement), and Ilsa Essien (SA, Media). The sack, according to reports, was masterminded by President Buharis Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. The incident which happened while President Buhari was abroad jolted the sacked aides as their access tags were reportedly seized by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). One of the affected aides had lamented last year that they had suffered physical, emotional, financial and psychological trauma by their sack which, they believed, was done without President Buharis knowledge. It would be recalled that the presidency, while reacting to the rumoured sack in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, had said an unprecedented overhaul of the nations seat of government was ongoing and had resulted in a number of political appointments either revoked or not renewed in Buharis second term. The exercise, which, according to him, was ordered by the president, was meant to streamline decision-making, cut down multiple authorities and reduce the high cost of administering the nation. It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the presidency has an oversized and bloated workforce, which acts as a drag on efficiency, he had said. Upon his return to the country, President Buhari explained that the aides were not sacked but they were redeployed to a new ministry. He described what happened as a re-organisation and not a sacking, stressing that, a new ministry has recently been created, that is, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. They said 35 people were sacked in the Vice Presidents office but we just created a ministry and we reorganised but people are giving it an ethnic and political dimension. It is unfortunate, the president had said. Dear Ndi Imo and fellow Nigerians, On Tuesday 3rd March 2020, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave a ruling rejecting our application to set aside its earlier judgement of 14th January 2020 on the Imo State governorship election. This is certainly not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for and I know how disappointed you must feel. While it is disheartening to note that your desire to introduce good governance has been halted, at least for now, it is also gratifying that our modest efforts have not gone unnoticed. I therefore feel a sense of pride and gratitude for the wonderful energy and commitment that we deployed together to secure the mandate that has now been brazenly stolen from us. Permit me to use this opportunity to thank all those who played one role or another in this historic quest for justice and truth. I must thank members of the diplomatic community for voicing their concerns for the stability of our country. I commend the Chairman and Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their vanguard role and leadership during this period. In particular, my special thanks go to all Imo citizens for their uncommon support, solidarity, and collective outrage. Never have a people been so united and committed to a cause. You prayed, fasted, marched, protested and even cried. You sacrificed your time, resources, and endeavour for this just cause. On this matter, the people of Imo State collectively rose to demand for justice and fairness. Imo people rose up in defence of their right to elect leaders of their choice. Our people resoundingly rejected oppression and power grab, defied imposition, injustice and tyranny. I salute Imo people for this display of courage in the face of oppressive state power. I will forever be in the debt of Nigerians of all walks of life, across ethnic, religious and political divides, senior citizens, journalists, civil societies, ordinary men and women of good conscience, who added their voice to condemn the injustice done in our case. These are people unknown to me personally but who could not bear the illogic of turning number four to number one on the basis of a fraudulently procured result, and appealed to the Supreme Court to save itself and our judiciary. Whatever may be the personal injury I suffer as a result of the miscarriage of justice, my main concern in this whole tragic episode is not about me. It has always been about the implications this judgement could have for the future of our democracy and the right of the electorate to have their votes count. If institutions that are critical to the entrenchment of rule of law could thwart the wishes of the people in a cynical manner, where lies the future of our democracy? That was why I sought a review of the Supreme Court judgement. Even though justice was not served at the end, the well articulated dissenting judgement delivered by His Lordship, Justice Centus Nweze, has vindicated our stand. I am sure that history and posterity will be kind to him. To those who are rejoicing about their successful political fraud at the expense of Imo people, as well as their collaborators, let me leave them with the immortal words of the late journalist, Dele Giwa: No evil deed will go unpunished; any evil done by man to man will be redressed; if not now then certainly later; if not by man, then by God for the victory of evil over good is temporary. We believe that God will render the ultimate judgment. He has been with us through this peaceful struggle. And our future is in His hands. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to members of our legal team who pushed the frontiers of electoral jurisprudence to advance our constitutional democracy. I wish also to thank my team of committed colleagues who served in various capacities during our administration. It has been a great privilege to serve the people of Imo State as Governor. I am proud to have been the recipient of their genuine mandate. I will forever cherish the support, solidarity and cooperation given to me during my tenure. My belief in the ultimate triumph and supremacy of the will of the people remains intact. I pray God to bless and reward all those who stood firm on the path of justice and fair play. On a personal note, I accept trials and difficulties as part of life as they enable one to become wiser and more sympathetic to the plights of others in similar circumstances. But I am firmly resolved NEVER to give up on the struggle for a better Imo State. And for a better governed Nigeria. May God bless Imo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you and God bless. HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HONOURABLE EMEKA IHEDIOHA, CON. There was mild drama recently at a restaurant in Ebute Metta area of Lagos, as a lady openly accused her boyfriend of duping her. According to her, the man borrowed N15,000 from her for his sachet water business, with the promise of returning it and giving her an additional N15k for her birthday slated for yesterday. However, the man reneged on their agreement and instead tricked her again on Monday, to meet him at a hotel in Costain, where he had s*x with her. The Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. ( Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has urged Lagosians to avoid living close to close to dangerous areas such as petroleum pipelines and gas depots . Obasa gave the counsel while commissirating with victims of Abule Ado gas and pipeline explosion ,which occured on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local government area of the state. The Speaker, in a statement released by his media team said his heartfelt sympathy goes out to the people who lost their lives, valuables and property in the unfortunate incident. I advise Lagosians to be safety conscious at all times by making sure that they avoid living close to dangerous areas such as petroleum pipelines and gas depots . I pray that God in His infinite mercy will grant you all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of your loved ones and property. We on our own part, as part of the government will do everything possible to avoid such a disaster and collosus loss of lives and properties in future, he added. BLOOMINGTON As the Lenten season ends this Sunday with Easter, the Muslim community around Bloomington-Normal and McLean County continue to celebrate and fast for Ramadan. "The month of Ramadan is a way to create that sense of piety and God consciousness in the public and the private," said Sa'ad Palwala, imam of the Islamic Center of McLean County. "The main purpose of us fasting, first, is because its a commandment of God. God has told us to fast, so we fast. Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims and it commemorates the revelation of the Quran the central religious text of Islam while individuals fast from food and drink as well as marital relations during the sunlit hours as a means of being closer to God. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 355 days, meaning the beginning of Ramadan shifts its date every year on the Gregorian calendar. This year Ramadan is from March 10 through April 9. Palwala, 35, said Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to fast both physically and spiritually by avoiding negative acts such as gossip, slander, lying or arguing. This becomes an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual improvement that carries over throughout the rest of the year. If we are aware of God at all times, that will make us good citizens, Palwala said. Hundreds of Muslim individuals and families congregated at the Islamic Center of McLean County on Saturday to break their fast at sundown with dates, falafel and fruits, followed by a fuller meal after their evening prayers. Palwala, who is originally from India and moved from Canada to Bloomington five years ago, said the community has been growing with people moving into the area to work for companies like Rivian Automotive, Ferrero and the health care facilities, or building their own businesses. In 2014, the Islamic Center of Bloomington-Normal and Masjid Ibrahim combined to form the ICMC. Two years later, the center found it did not have enough room to accommodate all Muslim families in McLean County for Islamic celebrations and religious schooling. So that year, center leaders spent $320,000 to purchase six acres of land for a new space near Olympia Drive and Wicker Road. By 2018, the center had raised $750,000 to build an 8,000-square-foot multi-purpose hall, which features a prayer area, classrooms and a gymnasium. Sheheryar Muftee, president of the board of directors at the Islamic Center of McLean County, said about 250 families and some 2,000 individuals take part in their prayer services and events and utilize the space as a safe haven to socialize and gather with other individuals from the community and other religious faiths. Tariq Niazi, 40, who is originally from Pakistan and is a doctor in pain control medicine with OSF HealthCare, said he has been visiting the center since 2014 with his family after moving to Bloomington, and it has been a positive experience with enough activities for kids to take part in and prayer services to attend. We have food on our table, our kids are safe, so we are very blessed and we always pray for those who are suffering and that those people can get out of suffering, Niazi said. Islam means peace, and extremists are everywhere in any religion, but what we have here is a peaceful religion where we respect each others' values. Youssef Hussein, 23, who is originally from Saudi Arabia and is a junior computer science major at Illinois State University, said his family moved to Bloomington from Schaumburg in 2016 after connecting with individuals at the center to help find housing in the area. Youssef, a member of the Muslim Student Association at ISU, said the faith is accepting of others from different backgrounds and invite those who are interested in joining their prayer services and events to learn more about Islam through experiencing it. Our morality is our grounds for competition. How we look, where we come from, what our past is, what our future might hold is of no discrimination to us, Youssef said. Were all here equally, to come together and celebrate this wonderful month. Asyah Hussein, 23, vice president of the Muslim Student Association at Illinois Wesleyan University and a senior biology major, said Wednesday in a phone interview that she goes home to her family in Springfield on the weekends to attend prayer at their local mosque. Asyah, whose family was originally from Palestine and Lebanon, said some people have misconceptions about fasting; it is not about suffering but more about being thankful for your life and for those around you. It makes the hardship feel less, because Palestinians are experiencing so much more, and you cant even imagine what theyre going through, Asyah said. You feel so much more blessed for the position that God has put you in. Sulaiman Sultan, 42, who is originally from Pakistan and has been living in Bloomington for four years, said it may not be a big city, but the community is active, vibrant and united. Sultan, a nephrologist with RenalCare Associates who works with both hospitals in the Twin Cities, said he and others are always looking to educate others on Islam and the community through conversations to help people better understand who they are. The biggest thing we have to see is that before religion, were all humans, and thats the core for us, Sultan said. This Ramadan can bring all Muslims, including all Americans, to be united for a common cause, and thats peace. Sayer Abbed, 47, who is originally from Palestine and grew up in Gridley, said he and his family are fortunate to have a space like the Islamic Center because he remembers traveling to Champaign or Peoria, but now he is just five minutes away from the center. Abbed, who is a performance analyst at Ferrero, said the center was his father's favorite place to be before he passed away two years ago, and even his childrens friends will join them for Ramadan dinner, attend services and participate in fasting because they want to learn more and experience it for themselves. We educate the kids, but I think its different this year. ... For us, its a choice not to eat, (but) in Palestine, they have no choice, Abbed said. They dont have that luxury of being able to go to the store and pick up whatever they want or go into a restaurant. Abbed and others shared the sentiment of this years Ramadan having a profound effect on everyone as the war between Israel and Hamas continues, noting the lack of a ceasefire and limited humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Its not a religion thing anymore. Its a humanitarian crisis, and we all need to speak up about it, Palwala said. We have hope in God, that God brings more peace in this world rather than war, and we want a ceasefire in Palestine. Muftee said with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians suffering from hunger, over 30,000 reported dead and thousands more reported missing since Oct. 7, it can make celebrating Ramadan difficult, but they will still celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, on April 6 just like every year, as they are required. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Israel has killed over 32,000 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them women and children, citing Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. AP said in January that over 1,200 Israelis had been killed in the conflict; a more precise and updated number was not available Wednesday. We will be happy and sad, and during the remainder of Ramadan, we will be devout and spiritual, but our hearts are broken, essentially, Muftee said. Its very somber and every prayer people are crying; people are praying for Gaza and every time we eat, we remind people that (Palestinians) dont have food to eat. Palwala said the best way for people to learn more about the Muslim community, religion and values is to simply reach out and share in conversation with a Muslim or visit a mosque to better understand the views of others. Dont be shy; talk to another Muslim and come break fast with us. Wed love to share our views with others, Palwala said. The Prophet, may peace be upon him, he said seek knowledge from the cradle to your grave. Additionally, the center is raising funds to build its own masjid or mosque in the community, with approximately $268,000 raised of their $500,000 goal. Palwala said this is to create a safe haven for youth and give them a place where they can enjoy learning and practicing their religious beliefs with others, with all growing together. Theres always space for improvement. Theres always space for learning, so we should always look at things with an unbiased view you got to look at it through your own eyes and see for yourself and you will get a better picture, Palwala added. To learn more about the Islamic Center of McLean County, visit icmclean.org. Who was there? Photos from Music as Medicine The Performers: Dr. Daniel Brownstone, Dr. Jerry Antonini, Dr. Darrell Looney, Dr. Susan Sheppard, Dr. David Skillrud, David Horine. Dr. Frank Han. Dr. Tom Kelly (standing on piano bench) Dr. Daniel Brownstone Darrin Burnett David Horine. Dr Frank Han Dr Darrell Looney. Dr David Skillrud Dr Frank Han Dr Jerry Antonini Dr Susan Sheppard Dr Tom Kelly Dr. Darrell Looney Laurie Burke, Pam Janssen Dr David Skillrud, Deb Grieco Cheryl and Mike Whelan, Darrin Burnett, Dr Jerry Antonini Dr. Susan Sheppard, Dr. Tom Kelly, Dr. Ric Sabbun Dr David Skillrud. Larry Dietz Dr Kathy Bohn, Dr Tom Nielson, Deb Grieco George and Joy Szmaj, David Horine Larry and Marlene Dietz Peggy Hundley, Joy Szmaj, Kristina Marshall, George Szmaj Dr. David Skillrud Tim Leighton, Frank and Angie Hoffman Tracy and Les Halloway Marlene Gregor, Marilyn Blank Amy and Jeff Otto David Horine Stephen Goodwin, Sandi Zielinski, Marilyn Mertz Carolyn and Duane Yockey Dave and Joan Wochner, Larry Dietz Dr Jerry Grieco and Deb Grieco Laurel Schumacher, Debra Brownstone, Jan Wohlwend, Natalie Dugan Jason Francis, Jenna Francis, Emily Schiller Vicki Tilton, Anne Waldorf, Tim Tilton, Jim Waldorf Dave and Jo Ann Schappaugh John Carter, John Wohlwend Debra and Dr Daniel Brownstone Herm and Fran Brandau John Carter with his Guest Conductor Award Dr Jerry Antonini The Musicians: Dr Daniel Brownstone, Dr Jerry Antonini, Dr Darrell Looney, Dr Tom Kelly, Dr Susan Sheppard, David Horine, David Skillrud and Dr Frank Han LINCOLN Heartland Community College, 2201 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln, will host a workshop for students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2. The free workshop is open to high school seniors and prospective college students, along with their parents, for the 2024-25 academic year. Heartland financial aid and Illinois Student Assistance Commission representatives will lead the workshop, help students and parents fill out the form, and answer questions about financial aid options. Attendees are asked to bring a driver's licenses of state ID, 2022 federal income tax forms and W-2s, amount of any untaxed income received in 2022, and parents' 2022 federal income tax forms and W-2s, unless you are married, born before Jan. 1, 2001, supporting a dependent, a ward of the court or an orphan, or served active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. RSVP is required by visiting heartland.edu/lincoln or calling 217-735-1731. The best weekender bags for your spring getaway 1. The ReNew Transit Weekender 2. Catalina Deluxe Bag 3. Metro Weekender 4. Stevyn Duffel Bag 5. Viaje Weekender Bag DECATUR Tim Gleason is leaving the Twin Cities for a return to Soy City. Officials announced Thursday that Gleason, who served as Decatur city manager from 2015 until he left in 2018 to take the same job in Bloomington, will return to Decatur to succeed retiring City Manager Scot Wrighton. The news comes just days after Gleason confirmed on WJBC radio he had been offered the job in Decatur as well as a town manager role in Arizona. Gleason said he needed "to make a decision sometime in the very near future." The future is apparently now. Pending approval by the Decatur City Council next week, Gleason would start his new role May 6. His salary would be $230,000 with six weeks paid vacation and a $650 monthly vehicle allowance that will be transferred to a deferred compensation retirement plan, according to a statement from Decatur officials. He is expected to have a year to establish permanent residency in Decatur, with $20,000 toward relocation expenses. Gleason's new salary will be a 15% increase from Wrighton's and a 4.7% increase from his last raise in Bloomington. In September, the Bloomington City Council approved an amended employment contract for Gleason with a 5% increase in salary from $209,224 to $219,685 and an extra week of vacation time. Over the past six years, Gleason has led the city through a $25 million expansion of the Bloomington Public Library, historic investments into the city's sewer and water infrastructure and what could be a $25-$30 million investment into downtown streetscape improvements. Gleason said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe complicated his life when she reached out late last year to gauge his interest in the Decatur position because I do care so much for this community. He had already applied for the position in Arizona and also could have stayed in Bloomington. He said the depth and the maturity of the council that I will be serving was an important factor in his decision as well as his familiarity with existing staff. I know the community, I know the staff that we have, I know the elected body, Gleason said. And it's a great situation for me professionally and personally to step right back into this. So it actually became an easy decision. Gleason said he has no plans to bring any of his top-level Bloomington staff back with him to Decatur. Some staff, including then-Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus, joined Gleason in Bloomington after he left Decatur in 2018. Moore Wolfe called Gleason "the entire package," adding that "it would be very difficult to come up with someone better to come and fill this role at this time." "We know him (and) we trust him," Moore Wolfe said. "So we're not going to miss a beat." Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said he planned to confer with the City Council to determine whether it makes more sense to hire Gleason's replacement externally with the assistance of a hiring firm or use the city's human resources department to aid in finding a replacement. "If you hire a firm, you have to pay them some money so that's definitely a consideration, (but) if you have the human resources department do it, that means it takes up a significant amount of their time to do it," Mwilambwe said. "Those are all things we'll have to consider." The announcement of Gleason's departure from Bloomington comes just shy of a year after the City Council created an additional deputy city manager position, which was filled by Jeff Jurgens, who served as Bloomington's corporation counsel for 10 years. At the time, Gleason said he oversaw 13 city departments and divisions while the Deputy City Manager Tyus handled other duties and special projects. A restructuring was needed as part of an ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency and oversight, so the second deputy city manager role was created to share departmental oversight and other responsibilities, he said. After Thursday's announcement, Mwilambwe said he expects the city manager's office to have the same structure after Gleason leaves. "Ever since we've had another deputy city manager, that structure has worked very well, and I don't anticipate a change to that, particularly in light of the largest budget we've had but also having so many projects," Mwilambwe said. Jurgens told The Pantagraph upon Gleason's departure, "Bloomington's dedicated staff will keep the City running smoothly. From essential services to community projects, were committed to serving our residents and keeping Bloomington thriving." "I'm happy that Tim had this opportunity to come up and I wish him the best of luck," he added. In neighboring Normal, City Manager Pam Reece said she believes Decatur city officials made a good choice in bringing Gleason back to replace Wrighton. He has a history of being successful there, so congratulations to him and the City of Decatur for finding the right person for the job, Reece said. Weve had a pretty good relationship, and I am happy for him. Reece said Gleason started in Bloomington just a few months after she began her time in Normal in 2018, and since then, she has found him to be very responsive, always reachable and open to having conversations about both municipalities. She added that the town is always willing to partner and assist Bloomington in their search for a new city manager, but she believes the city has a strong leadership team to find a suitable replacement and the relationship between the Twin Cities will continue to grow. Gleason was the only candidate who was seriously considered for the Decatur position, which Moore Wolfe acknowledged was "a little bit unusual." The City of Decatur hired GovHR, a Northbrook-based headhunting firm, to aid with the search. But when the firm, which was retained for $18,500, reached out to Gleason and he expressed interest, the council decided to hone in on him. "Had we gone ahead with our full process of bringing in candidates to interview when Tim was interested and we were very interested in him, it would have been disingenuous," Moore Wolfe said. Gleason's familiarity with the community means that it can maintain momentum, she said. "A lot of times when you have a new person who comes in from out of town, they've got to really get to know other community leaders, they've got to figure out how you say 'Eldorado,'" she added, referring to a well-traveled street in Decatur. "Tim will be able to walk in, pick up the keys from Scot (Wrighton) and keep things moving forward," she continued. "We're not going to have a lag." Gleason previously served for more than two decades as a police officer in Pekin. He later was a deputy director at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. And he was city administrator in Washington, Illinois, for two and a half years before taking the city manager job in Decatur the first time. Pantagraph reporter Mateusz Janik contributed to this report. From the archives: Gallery: Tim Gleason's career as Decatur city manager 032615-dec-loc-citymanagerpic2 051915-dec-loc-citymanagerpic Web only library board 112015-dec-loc-library sweeneysuit pic 0413 Decatur opportunity zones 060618-blm-loc-1manager 060618-blm-loc-5manager 060618-blm-loc-6manager 060618-dec-loc-gleason 061918-blm-loc-2blmanager Gleason and Bloomington aldermen ROCKFORD Authorities have announced charges against a 22-year-old Winnebago County man after a stabbing rampage that killed four and wounded seven others Wednesday afternoon in Rockford. Christian Soto was charged, Rockford officials said at a Thursday press briefing. Soto faces 11 charges of murder and attempted murder and two charges of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, according to Winnebago County Sheriff records. Court records show Soto lives about a block from where he allegedly attacked 11 people, killing four, including a mail carrier, in a southeast Rockford neighborhood. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara identified the dead as Romona Schupbach, 63, Jacob Schupbach, 23, Jay Larson, 49, and Jenna Newcomb, 15. Early Thursday, Craig Garr stood in his driveway in that neighborhood and watched a tow service load his Jeep Grand Cherokee onto the bed of a truck. Blood still splattered his driveway. It was on his door frame, on his yard decorations and especially on two rocks that were usually by his front door but on Thursday were lying near a set of deep tire tracks on his front lawn. He is 74 and has lived on Winnetka Drive for 45 years. Garrs mail came early Wednesday afternoon. It was two pieces. Just after the letters came through the slot, Garr said he was in his computer room and heard a commotion, like a garbage truck. I looked out my window and I saw a guy hovering by my window. And then I saw the mail guy down there and he was just beating the (expletive) out of him, he said. And I said, What are you doing? And the guy said, he stole money from me.' Then the letter carrier, Larson, rolled over. He recognized Garr. He said, call 911.' Garr said the man beating up the mailman saw he had the phone in his hand and made for the front door. Garr shut and bolted the door so he couldnt get in the house. From his window, Garr said he saw the man continue to attack the mailman before getting in a black truck. He floored it, like down to the ground, and ran over the mailman, Garr said. Smashed my car. Then he put it in reverse and backed over the mailman in my yard. He did not sleep Wednesday night. Residents in the area on Wednesday night feared for the lives of their neighbors and mourned the neighborhoods popular mailman, whom they believed was killed in the attack. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd confirmed that a mail carrier had been involved in the massacre and the U.S. Postal Service had a representative at the scene Wednesday evening. Tracy Smith spent much of the night poring over video footage from her home doorbell system, her dog pacing at her feet. She played back a snippet of tape from 12:55 p.m. over and over, watching a figure cross the screen. Yep, thats him, she said. Smith, 56, has lived near the intersection of Cleveland and Holmes since the late 1990s and said the mailman had worked the block for years. He would smile and wave at the front door even if he couldnt see someone in the home, she said. Rockford Ald. Mark Bonne, 14th observed that residents of the area would be likely to know their mail carrier well: This neighborhood still has door-side mailboxes so the mail carrier walks the route and is on your doorstep every day. A vigil honoring the victims was planned for Thursday afternoon. Mayor McNamara announced that Flinn Middle School, 2525 Ohio Parkway, would be open for those seeking counseling and support between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. SPRINGFIELD Lawmakers on Wednesday heard testimony on a handful of proposals in front of the Illinois Senates Health and Human Services Appropriations committee. A bill sponsored by Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, would create a task force to look at the feasibility of implementing a guaranteed income of $1,000 per month to certain Illinoisans regardless of immigration status including parents, those who recently gave birth or adopted children. Former Chicago Ald. Ameya Pawar, now senior adviser at the progressive-leaning Economic Security Project, testified in favor of Senate Bill 3462. Wages haven't gone up enough to cover the rising costs of everyday goods like groceries, gas and school lunches, and guaranteed income can help families afford what they need, Pawar said. This is one of the first states in the country to actually have a conversation on guaranteed income. For one year, the City of Chicago ran a pilot program that gave 5,000 residents a $500 monthly stipend, with no strings attached. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on the program last June. Health care workforce The committee also heard multiple proposals that would use state money for recruiting and retaining workers in Illinois health care industry. Among them were SB 3399, sponsored by Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, which would increase the wages of frontline, non-executive workers who provide services for those with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Advocates from the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities estimated it would cost the states general revenue fund $60 million. Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, is sponsoring SB 3593, which outlines about $40 million for a grant program to recruit new hires and directly award bonuses to certified mental and behavioral health care providers, including registered nurses, medical assistants, and emergency medical technicians. Jud DeLoss, CEO of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, backed the bill, arguing those in the field are generally underpaid and need a competitive wage. Child Care Assistance Program Nakisha Hobbs, CEO and founder of the youth social service organization It Takes A Village Family of Schools, said low-income families would benefit from SB 3626, which extends eligibility periods for Illinois Child Care Assistance Program, or CCAP. The bill is also sponsored by Villanueva and would allow parents to rely on state-funded services for longer periods of time during their childrens first years. This bill, essentially, is asking is that the CCAP eligibility periods be more aligned with the other sources of funding, Hobbs said. She also said the measure would provide stability for children who we care about we know that between the ages of birth and 5 that's when children's brains are developing the most. Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center Grace and peace beloved, it is with a grateful heart we share this heartfelt message addressing the recent vandalism of our beloved Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church campus. The substantial damage we experienced is an unfortunate reminder of the hurt and pain our community faces and is proof that now more than ever the commandment to "love thy neighbor" is not just a mere thought. It is in this season that words cannot express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of support, prayers, and countless expressions of unity we at Mt. Pisgah have experienced during this trying time. This experience has been a reminder of the bountiful love, strength, and resilience that exists within our Bloomington-Normal communities. Your unwavering support, by the Godly connection expressed, has provided us with intentional comfort as God continues to give us the strength to endure and conquer the challenges we are facing. The extensive damage and destruction done to our outside entry area as well as within our house of worship has temporarily impeded access to our building and yet we trust God in it all. We are extremely thankful to Pastor Trey Haddon and our Faith Friends at 2nd Presbyterian who have opened up their hearts and their doors to us, allowing us to continue having our in-person Sunday worship experience. During this time of transition for repair and restoration of our building, our weekly in-person Sunday worship services will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be held at 2nd Presbyterian Church at 404 North Prairie, Bloomington. As a committed ministry, we recognize and acknowledge the financial burdens that lie ahead, as we enter this next phase of restoration and renewal of our house of worship. We are especially thankful to all of you who have sent and expressed an interest in providing financial support and donations to us at this time. If you would like to make a financial contribution, there are several ways you can do so: Online Donations: The following online giving platforms are available Zelle - MPBC Phone- 309.391.4642 / Email- mtpisgahblzelle@gmail.com Venmo - @MtPisgahBaptist-Church ChMeetings - mtpisgah.chmeetings.com In-person donations: Donations can be made during regular church worship services or by dropping your check or money order off in the MPBCs drop-in mailbox. Mail-in donations: You may send your check or money order donation by mail to: Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 801 W. Market St, Bloomington, Illinois 61701. Please make checks payable to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church If you have any questions about donations toward the restoration efforts, please contact trustee Cheryl Fluker at cdf819@aol.com or Sister Takesha Stokes at mtpisgahclerk@yahoo.com. We thank you for your continued support, partnership in prayer, and generosity God bless you. Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has led a delegation to Ejisu in the Ashanti Region for the One Week observation of former MP for Ejisu and Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah. The Ejisu MP passed away recently and the customary One Week observation was held in his hometown, Onwe. Thousands of mourners from the Region stormed his hometown for the traditional remembrance which precedes the main funeral. As news went round of Dr. Bawumia's arrival, scores of people rushed to catch a glimpse of him leading him in a procession from the streets to the funeral ground amidst cheers. Dr. Bawumia, accompanied by his wife, Samira, exchanged pleasantries with dignitaries including traditional rulers. It turned emotional when the Vice President got to the dais reserved for the widow and family members of the deceased. The Vice Preaident's delegation included the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah and a number of government appointees. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Youth Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Salam Mustapha, has sent a strong caution to the Director of Special Duties for the Movement for Change, Hopeson Adorye, over his criticism of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In a recent Facebook post, Salam Mustapha noted what he said are vile attacks by Hopeson on Dr. Bawumia, who is the NPPs flagbearer. While noting their history together during Hopeson Adoryes time as an NPP member, Salam warned that he would not relent on putting their relationship aside in the wake of his attacks on Dr. Bawmumia. Myself and you have known each other for a very long time, at least since 2011 there about. We have done so many operations together, some were very sensitive. We worked together in the famous Young Patriots team which took on the NDC in those vile days of vitriolic language on Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with the likes of the late John Kumah. In short, you know so well. Today, my message to you is simple. Take Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia out of your mouth. He will not be your chewing stick. No. He will not. I will put my brotherhood with you aside and we will do it the young patriots way if you attack our Flagbearer again, portions of his post said. According to the youth organiser, while he has respect for the Flagbearer of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen, also a former senior member of the NPP, he is willing to return the actions of Hopeson Adorye. You have a presidential candidate, we have not attacked him. It is just out of respect for him but that can be thrown to the dogs. And he will feel taste of the medicine you're giving to our Flagbearer. You know me, this is the nicest I can be, he added. But in a response, Hopeson Adorye took to the comment section of the post to write Bring it on my brother. Hopeson Adorye has recently called out Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for failing to save the Ghana cedi against major trading currencies despite boasting about it in opposition. In a Facebook post on March 25, 2024, he included a direct jab at Bawumia, stating, "He was restoring the value of the cedi in 2014 in opposition but cannot restore the value in government." Source: ghanaweb.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 Former General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has responded to the calls on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP presidential candidate, to announce his Running Mate soon. The period for the declaration of the Running Mate for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) remains sketchy as none of the campaign team members of Dr. Bawumia is willing to specify the date that the Vice President will unveil his partner into the December polls. However, names like Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Manhyia South lawmaker and Energy Minister, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff, Yaw Osei Adutwum, Education Minister, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, former Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency and a host of others have dropped for consideration. As pressure mounts on Dr. Bawumia to make public his Running Mate, John Boadu wonders why people are so eager compelling the Vice President to select his partner in the soonest possible time. John Boadu, now the Director-General of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, delivered a brief message to those making the demands. "Vice presidential candidate is not up for contest, meaning nobody can say it is my turn or it is my right. If you want to become President, go and contest the elections. Didn't we open nomination for presidential candidate?...Vice President is just a heart away from the President. So, you who want to become a President, why didn't you file it when we opened our nominations?", he stated. 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. Featured Video Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has suggested that there may be additional information about the health status of the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, that the Ahwois are not disclosing to the public. Reacting to the viral video and news reports on what Kwesi Ahwoi said during a party at the Ahwois' office at Labone to affirm Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's nomination as the National Democratic Congress's running mate, Amidu indicated that those words were not merely wrongly spoken. He explained in his latest epistle that it is not possible that Kwesi Ahwoi, who is a former Minister for The Interior, a former Ambassador to South Africa, and is skilled in security, intelligence, and diplomacy, could misspeak unless there is more he knows about Mahama's health. Inferring that the Ahwois have a bigger plot up their sleeves and for which reason John Mahama should be careful, even with the nomination of Prof Naana Jane, Martin Amidu said that all of these go to show how consumed that family is with its desire to control the NDC. "The Ahwois and their cohort were so carried away by the success of hoodwinking John Mahama into nominating their surrogate as his running mate for the 2024 elections that they could not wait for the flagbearer to formally outdoor his running mate to the rank and file of the NDC. The Ahwois decided to exhibit their ownership of the NDC by organizing a special celebration of their feat in achieving the renomination of their surrogate, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, as the NDC running mate at their offices on Church Street, Labone. "Kwesi Ahwoi, who had assumed the spokesmanship for the Ahwois and their cohort of the Church Street cabal, was so carried away with excitement that he made public what the cohort had been saying in the dark and whispering in the private rooms of their kitchen cabinet. "John Dramani Mahama's date of birth is 29 November 1958, while that of the Ahwois' surrogate, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, is 22 November 1951. Consequently, if the Ahwois and their Church Street cohort are already thinking of John Mahama's passing before the end of his four-year term, then there must be something they are privy to about John Mahama's health status that Ghanaians do not know. "The possibility that in addition to whatever health problems of John Mahama may be known to the Ahwois and their cohort, is there also a kitchen cabinet plan to send John Mahama to sleep early, like Professor Mills, should he perchance win the 2024 elections, to make assurance double sure that their enterprise for their surrogate to become President before 2024 and, therefore, face no opposition for the nomination for 2028 NDC flagbearership?" he wrote. Martin Amidu further indicated that the supposed riposte from Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to Kwesi Ahwoi immediately he made those 'prepare to be president because anything could happen' was not genuine. He added that she only made those comments to smartly dissuade attention from the real intent of the Ahwois, who he described as a surrogate of the founding members of the National Democratic Congress. "It was a crafty conspiratorial way of wishing John Mahama good health as a way of not giving out the plot of the Church Street cabal. One just has to read Lady Macbeth's reception of Duncan King of Scotland and the plans already laid out for his treasonous murder that night in Shakespear's Macbeth to understand the theatrics that was unfolding at the Church Street celebratory drama of the Ahwois," he added. Source: ghanaweb.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 Lawyer and member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako Marfo, has described as worrying continuous attacks by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. According to him, the Chief Justice cannot be everyone's favourite but the NDC's deliberate attack must be condemned. To blame the Chief Justice, I don't understand it. You may not like the woman, no problem, but you can't accuse her of being biased when a plaintiff is not flowing its case, Lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo told NEAT FM's morning show, 'Ghana Montie' in an interview. His comment was after the NDC criticized Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for what they term as "palpable bias" in scheduling political cases in the country. According to the NDC, the Supreme Court has not displayed impartiality in arraigning and adjudicating "political cases" brought before it. This criticism follows the Supreme Court's decision to schedule a hearing for Wednesday, March 27, 2024, on a writ filed by Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor at the Supreme Court. Dafeamekpor seeked to restrain the Speaker of Parliament and the Chamber from vetting and approving certain ministers of State referred to the House for consideration and appointments. In a statement signed by the NDC's General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, the party expressed intrigue over the prioritization of the Dafeamekpor case for hearing, especially ahead of the case of Richard Dela Sky v. Parliament of Ghana and the Attorney-General. But lawyer Gary Nimako said their claims are frivolous. Listen to the interview below Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Atik Mohammed has scolded President Nana Akufo-Addo over his dismissal of the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The former PNC General Secretary wondered why the President failed to stop the GRA boss, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah from continuing service and enjoying the benefits thereof, knowing very well the latter had overstayed his retirement. He noted that Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, up until this Wednesday, March 27, was at post serving in his capacity as Head of GRA for over 2 years despite reaching his retirement age of 60 years. To Atik, the Commissioner-General committed an illegality which the President chose to condone. He disclosed that though Ghanas constitution permits the President to award a contract to a retiree to extend his/her service, in Rev. Owusu-Amoahs case, he wasnt issued a contract; hence his continual stay in office constituted an illegality and wondered why President Akufo-Addo, a lawyer of good standing, would undermine the rule of law. You should be influenced or guided by the law in whatever you do but the President sat unconcerned for 28 months and the man also remained in office while knowing that he is overstayed his retirement. Instead, he refuses to go home despite not given a contract. He remained in office, drawing salary, making commitments on behalf of GRA. This is unacceptable. And these are the cases that the CHRAJ and other allied agencies should be interested in. On what basis did he continue to draw salaries and allowances and all the benefits that came with the office?, he fumed. Atik stressed; The President in particular cannot tell me hes unaware the Commissioner-General remained at post without contract. GRA Boss Dismissal On the immediate dismissal of Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Atik asked what happens to the 8 months of illegal stay in GRA? What happens to that? He also slammed the President for replacing the GRA boss with Mrs. Julie Essiam saying this woman who has been brought as replacement is equally guilty. She is also 61 years old. For the whole 1 year she was in office, she was heading one of the divisions without contractThis illegal has also been regularized to replace this man, Atik exclaimed. Atik Mohammed made these submissions on Thursdays Kokrokoo show on Peace FM. 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. Featured Video Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, the lawyer for the South Dayi Member of Parliament (MP) and plaintiff, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, has discredited the account of a court bailiff who told the Supreme Court that the legal team for Defeamekpor failed to receive a process from the court. According to the court bailiff accounts under oath, Mr. Samoa Addo had instructed the staff at his legal office not to receive the court documents being served on the plaintiff. However, Samoa Addo, in an interview with Alfred Ocansey on 3FMs Prime News, said the bailiff lied to the Supreme Court, hence his decision to release CCTV footage from his office detailing how things occurred. He said, This bailiff called in the morning at exactly 10:50 am yesterday [March 26]. At that time, I was not in the officeso I sent him the number of Mr. Rockson and said, Call Mr. Rockson and serve him with whatever process you have. He received the message at 10:57 am, acknowledged and said received with thanks. That was the last I heard from the said bailiff, he said, adding that the bailiff came to his office but he was not aware that he was [being] filmed by the CCTV cameras. I have released the CCTV recording of his entire period within our office, including the voice audio for you to listen to exactly the interaction between himself and my front desk staff. According to Samoa Addo, the interaction between the bailiff and the staff was simple, adding that the bailiff put the court document on a table and left without proper notice. "My front desk people told him that they have seen my name on it, he should wait for me to come because I was not in the office at that particular time. Then he told them he was making a phone call and then he was going to returnnobody had signed the processhe left the process there and never came back, he explained. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on March 27, dismissed the injunction application filed by Dafeamekpor against Parliaments approval of ministerial nominees by President Akufo-Addo. In a unanimous decision, the Apex court said the injunction application was frivolous and an abuse of the court process. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Michael Jacksons three children made a rare red carpet appearance together to honor their late father. On Wednesday Prince, 27, Paris, 25 and Bigi, 22, attended the preview night of MJ: The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. All three of Michaels kids were dressed to impress, with Prince, 27, wearing a black suit and matching tie with a maroon button-down shirt. Bigi, 22, matched his older brother in a black suit of his own. He completed the look with a white collared shirt and no tie. MJ: the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of Michael, and follows the musician throughout the making of his Dangerous World Tour in 1992. The show was scheduled to premiere on Broadway in 2020, but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production opened at the Neil Simon Theatre in February 2022, and has since been nominated for 10 Tony awards, winning four including Best Actor in a Musical in 2022 for Myles Frosts performance as Michael. 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 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: Random cleavage model. A random break in a chain of type c generates two primer fragments, which are elongated to give rise to two chains of type c. Credit: (2024). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91397.2 Scientists have long pondered the beginnings of life on Earth. One theory is that RNA, which is ubiquitous across all domains of life, played a central role in early life. Similar to DNA, RNA possesses the ability to store genetic information. However, to initiate life's processes, early RNA must have also possessed the capability to self-replicate and catalyze biochemical reactions independently, without the assistance of specialized enzymes. Previously, it was unclear how a molecule this complex could arise without any precursors. However, in a new study published in eLife, Alexei Tkachenko, a physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Sergei Maslov (CAIM co-leader/CABBI), a professor of bioengineering and physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describe their model that demonstrates how such a molecule could gain functionality. "RNA is very preserved across all organisms. So, it's like a smoking gun that RNA has a central point in life," explained Tkachenko. "The problem is that modern RNA is very finely tuned and complex, so we wanted to see how life might emerge from something much simpler." While modern RNA relies on enzymes for replication and catalytic activity, the origins of these enzymes themselves remain a puzzle. However, the discovery of ribozymes, RNA molecules exhibiting enzymatic properties, suggests a plausible pathway for the emergence of early functional polymers. The challenge lies in understanding how these ancient RNA molecules could have possessed the ability to "cut" other molecules, a crucial step in the replication process of DNA and RNA. "Experiments have shown that a cleavage ribozyme, which relies on only a handful of conserved bases to do its job, can emerge spontaneously with no prior information, if the experimenter artificially selects for things that cut other things," said Tkachenko. "The problem is that it's not clear how evolution would select for something that cuts things, essentially selecting for a destructive enzyme." To tackle this question, the researchers devised a model simulating basic RNA molecules devoid of enzymatic activity. Within this model, random bond breakage was allowed to occur, mimicking real-world chemical processes. The researchers observed that breakage led to more copies of the polymer that was broken, meaning that molecules capable of self-cleavage would have been favored by evolution due to their ability to replicate. Maslov illustrated this concept with an analogy, likening the process to cutting an earthworm in half, where both halves regenerate into whole organisms. "In principle, if you wanted to make many earthworms from one earthworm, you would just start cutting them one by one," explained Maslov. "The same idea is why cutting would be selected for in RNA, because when it's cut it regrows itself from individual building blocks. And that was the connection, to explain why the first ribozyme was selected to cut thingsbecause cutting is how RNA exponentially grows." But how does catalytic activity arise from such simple beginnings? In a second model, the researchers demonstrated how RNA molecules could evolve into complex ecosystems with functional properties, where different polymers in these ecosystems cleave and replicate each other. Their model simulated a pool of polymer chains competing for nucleotide "building blocks," and cutting other polymers they encountered. Polymer chains pair in specific ways (such as the A-T nucleotide pairing in modern DNA), and as such, the chains in the simulation formed template and complementary strands, essentially working together. "Pairing rules are the basis for how information is preserved and propagated in the future," said Maslov. "And it's also important for function, because it gives way to hairpins in the strands that lead to a three-dimensional shape, and these are the ones which are capable of enzymatic activity." Polymer replication in the model occurred based on temperature being cycled between hot and cold phases (typical in day-night cycles), suggesting that ancient polymers may have relied on such cycles to grow. Nonorganic surfaces such as rocks may have also facilitated this process. These findings offer compelling insights into the natural emergence and selection of ribozymes with enzymatic activity, shedding light on a crucial aspect of early life evolution. The researchers advocate for experimental validation of their models to confirm their predictions. Additionally, they acknowledge the discrepancy between bidirectional growth in their model and the unidirectional growth observed in DNA and RNA replication in real life. Alexei says they plan to continue adjusting the model to see if they can find variations which would result in unidirectional growth. "It is not a coincidence that Carl Woese, who our genomic institute is named after, used pieces of ribosomal RNA to make his trees of life," said Maslov. "RNA inside ribosomes is universal to every single organism from bacteria to archaea to eukaryotes like you and me. This paper definitely doesn't solve the problem of origin of life, but it fills a tiny gap in our understanding of how early RNA may have functioned to bring about life." More information: Alexei V. Tkachenko et al, Emergence of catalytic function in prebiotic information-coding polymers, eLife (2024). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91397.2 Journal information: eLife 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 An international subcommittee of geologists recently voted to reject a proposal to make the Anthropocene an official new geological epoch, defined by humanity's enormous impact on the planet. Assuming some protests do not overturn the ruling, it will now take another decade for the decision to be reviewed. That may seem a long time given climate change concerns, but it is of course far less than a blink in planetary terms. The Earth can certainly wait, even if we can't. But sometimes big ideas like the Anthropocene take time to find meaning in our lives and perhaps their answer. How do I know? Let me tell you a story. Nine years ago, I was in Munich visiting friends. We went on a family outing to the Deutsche Museum, a world class celebration of technology and engineering in a vast building on an islet of the River Isar. The entrance was framed on either side by very tall vertical banners, fluttering in the breeze. Each blue-green banner had an image of the Earth with a thumbprint overlay. And in bold white lettering, variously: "Welcome to the Anthropocene / Willkommen in Anthropozan." The subtitle read: "The Earth in Our Hands." I had to forgo the exhibition because my family wanted to see just about everything else. But even as I stood on the steps at the entrance, with my young son clutching my hand, it struck me as a curious title. Why would anyone welcome anyone to the Anthropocene? Who would really want to go to that party? The invitation was, well, distinctly uninviting. Why 'welcome'? I have thought about this troubling invitation on and off in the intervening years. Was "welcome" being ironic or even cynical perhapsan invitation of despair and inevitability? But that contradicted the ethos of the museum and the academic Rachel Carson Center which co-hosted the exhibition, where insight, learning and practical science are celebrated. So my question has remained: why "welcome"? I finally realized an answer during a recent conversation with my Ph.D. student Houda Khayame who is building on work between myself and colleague Ray Ison to explore how systems thinking and acting in the Anthropocene might improve governance of our environment. We were talking about how geologists have been searching for a "golden spike" in the mud or soil or Earth's geological record as evidence of the Anthropocene ever since the term was popularized in 2000. I found myself advising that the only thing that really matters about the Anthropocene is that it reframes ourselves as a part of the human-earth dynamic. The evidence for the Anthropocene is not in the soil or mud. The golden spike is to be found in our heads. It is in the way we think about our human relationship to the Earth. As soon as I had said it, I realized I had found the answer to the invitation that had been patiently waiting for a reply many years before in Munich. The invitation was to welcome the Anthropocene in a positive sense because until we do, we will not be in a position to alter our thinking to address the global agendas we face as we change the planet. To welcome the Anthropocene as an idea is to reframe our relationship with the planet and move away from being recipients to active creators of the world we live in. In moving away from geology I would also shift terminology from "golden spike" to "golden thread" since this is both a more pleasing image if we are talking about heads and ideas and is also less dependent on the measurement and graphics of science. Importantly, a thread connects the different parts of our lives and can be extended to connect with others. The Anthropocene doesn't depend on geology The geologists' rejection of the Anthropocene is understandable in their need for scientific evidence. It may seem to be a missed opportunity, but it does not really matter because how we live in and experience the world does not depend on a signal in the geology. Indeed, even in their official rejection, the International Union of Geological Scientists noted the Anthropocene as a concept is part of popular culture, as evidenced by the museum exhibition but also various artworks and books. The extent to which the Anthropocene really exists depends on our recognition and acceptance of the golden thread that we are all in an active back and forth relationship with the Earth. A socio-ecological relationship that has and will continue to shape our human-environment past, present and future. Although I regretted missing the exhibition, I realize now that I did not need to see it. The banner at the entrance was enough to spark the inquiry. Accepting its welcome offers us the potential to make huge, golden strides in how we think about ourselves and our environment, and how we might live more sustainably. Welcome, at last, to the Anthropocene. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Emissions of SF 6 in China. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46084-3 To achieve the aspirational goal of the Paris Agreement on climate changelimiting the increase in global average surface temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levelswill require its 196 signatories to dramatically reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Those greenhouse gases differ widely in their global warming potential (GWP), or ability to absorb radiative energy and thereby warm the Earth's surface. For example, measured over a 100-year period, the GWP of methane is about 28 times that of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and the GWP of sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) is 24,300 times that of CO 2 , according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. Used primarily in high-voltage electrical switchgear in electric power grids, SF 6 is one of the most potent greenhouse gases on Earth. In the 21st century, atmospheric concentrations of SF 6 have risen sharply along with global electric power demand, threatening the world's efforts to stabilize the climate. This heightened demand for electric power is particularly pronounced in China, which has dominated the expansion of the global power industry in the past decade. Quantifying China's contribution to global SF 6 emissionsand pinpointing its sources in the countrycould lead that nation to implement new measures to reduce them, and thereby reduce, if not eliminate, an impediment to the Paris Agreement's aspirational goal. To that end, a new study by researchers at the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Fudan University, Peking University, University of Bristol, and Meteorological Observation Center of China Meteorological Administration determined total SF 6 emissions in China over 2011-21 from atmospheric observations collected from nine stations within a Chinese network, including one station from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) network. For comparison, global total emissions were determined from five globally distributed, relatively unpolluted "background" AGAGE stations, involving additional researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and CSIRO, Australia's National Science Agency. The researchers found that SF 6 emissions in China almost doubled from 2.6 gigagrams (Gg) per year in 2011, when they accounted for 34 percent of global SF 6 emissions, to 5.1 Gg per year in 2021, when they accounted for 57 percent of global total SF 6 emissions. This increase from China over the 10-year periodsome of it emerging from the country's less-populated western regionswas larger than the global total SF 6 emissions rise, highlighting the importance of lowering SF 6 emissions from China in the future. The open-access study, which appears in the journal Nature Communications, explores prospects for future SF 6 emissions reduction in China. "Adopting maintenance practices that minimize SF 6 leakage rates or using SF 6 -free equipment or SF 6 substitutes in the electric power grid will benefit greenhouse-gas mitigation in China," says Minde An, a postdoc at the MIT Center for Global Change Science (CGCS) and the study's lead author. "We see our findings as a first step in quantifying the problem and identifying how it can be addressed." Emissions of SF 6 are expected to last more than 1,000 years in the atmosphere, raising the stakes for policymakers in China and around the world. "Any increase in SF 6 emissions this century will effectively alter our planet's radiative budgetthe balance between incoming energy from the sun and outgoing energy from the Earthfar beyond the multi-decadal time frame of current climate policies," says MIT Joint Program and CGCS Director Ronald Prinn, a co-author of the study. "So it's imperative that China and all other nations take immediate action to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, their SF 6 emissions." More information: Minde An et al, Sustained growth of sulfur hexafluoride emissions in China inferred from atmospheric observations, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46084-3 Journal information: Nature Communications 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: Only a simple finger prick is needed to provide a sample, which can be mailed to a lab for white blood cell counts and other measurements. "This technology is likely to have additional applications in infectious disease such as detecting levels of virus and parasites in the blood and more generally in detecting markers of health and wellness," says Charlie Mace. Credit: Charlie Mace When you need to measure white blood cell counts, it usually involves trips to clinics and expensive equipment for analysis. Likewise, checking water quality for contaminants can be a lengthy process. But now Tufts researchers are coming up with ways to do some of these tests that greatly lowers cost and makes them more widely available. They are using something ubiquitous: paper. Their innovative paper-based tests for monitoring personal health and environmental safety eliminate the need for expensive laboratory equipment, and can be conducted by anyone, anywhere. Known as paper analytical devices, they can be manufactured cheaply, stored for long periods of time, distributed for use in remote areas, and used to collect critical information when and where it is needed the most. They also each represent a technology platform that can be extended to measure other markers for health and the environment. Take one of the most vital measurements in health care: the blood cell count. Measuring white blood cells alone gives clues to everything from infections to autoimmune disease to cancer. Although sample collectiona blood drawseems simple, it requires a visit to a clinic and access to centralized clinical laboratories for analysis. Large populations of peoplethose who are homebound or live in remote locationsdo not have that access. Charlie Mace, associate professor of chemistry, thought of a way to help. He and his team created a paper device called a patterned dried blood spot card, in which the paper is engineered with channels and collection zones that measure out defined volumes of blood and allow it to dry in place for later analysis. The research is published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. All users need to do is collect blood at home with a finger prick and mail the sample to a lab, which measures the amount of DNA that is unique to the white blood cells, and indicates the number of cells present. "Methods to collect blood on paper cards already exist, but they have suffered from inaccuracy because both the material and the user introduce variations that affect the measured volume of blood," said Mace. "The patterned cards solve that problem, and the way we measure countswith instruments that quantify DNA rather than whole cellsmeans we don't depend on the cells arriving intact." Through local collaborations, Mace's work on this and other paper analytical devices has reached South Africa, Ghana, and other African countries, as well as South America. "People in remote and low-income regions tend to have reduced access to health care, which makes it all the more important to come up with cheaper and easier ways for them to monitor indicators of health," said Mace. "This technology is likely to have additional applications in infectious disease such as detecting levels of virus and parasites in the blood and more generally in detecting markers of health and wellness." Upon contact with sweat, the lactate-responsive dots change color from yellow to dark red as a sign of lactate concentration, while the nonreactive reference circles in each corner provide markers to correct for lighting artifacts when the color intensities are measured using a phone camera. Credit: Courtesy of Silklab A sweaty indicator of health Fiorenzo Omenetto, Frank C. Doble Professor of Engineering, and his team at the Tufts University Silklab created a paper analytical device that can measure lactate, also known as lactic acid, in sweat. A paper on this innovation was published in Advanced Sensor Research. Lactate measurements can indicate oxygen deficiency and be used as a predictor of mortality in trauma patients. For athletes or workers in physically stressful conditions, lactate provides a quantitative measure of muscle fatigue, as well as fitness and conditioning levels. Omenetto used bioreactive inks derived from silk fibrointhe building block of silk fiberscombined with enzymes that process lactate to trigger a color change when it is present. The inks are printed on small circular paper tabs, which are stuck to skin using a common transparent film used for wound dressing. The color of the tabs shifts from yellow to dark red depending on the concentration of lactate in the sweat. Those color shifts are measured using a smartphone camera and have accuracy comparable to results using expensive laboratory equipment. "The silk fibroin has a remarkable ability to stabilize the enzymes in the ink, so the patches have a very long shelf lifeover two years under refrigeration so far," said Elisabetta Ruggeri, EG25, who led the development of the paper devices. "The method can be expanded to make inks that measure other elements in sweatto get a more complete profile of the person's health and performance with a panel of paper tabs. It's like wearing a laboratory on your skin." Gold standard for water testing Throughout the world, poor water quality and waterborne diseases are serious problems and affect millions of people. Now Sameer Sonkusale, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and the Tufts University Nano Lab have developed a novel paper analytical device that can detect and measure bacterial contamination in water. This research was published in ACS Sensors. A paper card with multiple sample channels can detect bacterial contamination in water supplies using a color change detection app on a smartphone. Credit: Sameer Sonkusale The method uses gold nanoparticles attached to an antibiotic called polymyxin that binds to gram negative bacteriathe usual suspects in water contamination. When bacteria are present, they bind to and aggregate the gold particles in the device. As the gold particles collect, they begin to change their color from a reddish-pink to blue. A smartphone camera and an off-the-shelf app called ColorAssist allow measurement of the color shift and can quantify the level of bacteria in the sample. In fact, in the same paper analytical device, the researchers created another collection zone that quantifies the presence of nitrite, another dangerous contaminant in water. Printing and melting in a wax pattern creates testing zones and channels on the paper device. In this way, one device could be designed to test for a large number of different contaminants in a water sample. The use of gold nanoparticles, rather than enzymes or antibodies, ensures that the paper tests are stable and can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration. Despite consisting basically of a piece of paper and a smartphone, the tests are comparable in accuracy to commercial and laboratory assays. There are many advantages to these inexpensive, easy-to-use water quality paper devices, especially for monitoring water in remote areas of the world where sanitation infrastructure is lacking. The paper devices can also monitor water used to wash produce and alert users to any potentially harmful food-borne pathogens. For the military, access to clean water is fundamental to operations, and a simple, light, inexpensive paper-based test for water quality could be a vital asset. Sonkusale's paper device has health applications beyond testing water quality, too. "Detection of urinary tract infections is unfortunately a very common problem, particularly among women and the elderly," he said. "We can put an easy-to-use paper-based test in the hands of every susceptible patient, and with early detection save many lives since infection can often progress to sepsis if not caught in time." More information: Allison J. Tierney et al, Hematocrit-Independent Sampling Enables White Blood Cell Counts from Patterned Dried Blood Spot Cards, Analytical Chemistry (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04439 Elisabetta Ruggeri et al, PaperBased Wearable Patches for RealTime, Quantitative Lactate Monitoring, Advanced Sensor Research (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adsr.202300141 Kawin Khachornsakkul et al, Gold Nanomaterial-Based Microfluidic Paper Analytical Device for Simultaneous Quantification of Gram-Negative Bacteria and Nitrite Ions in Water Samples, ACS Sensors (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01769 Journal information: ACS Sensors , Analytical Chemistry 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: Saltmarsh in the Ribble Estuary. Credit: Stefanie Carter While the marshes may have meant danger for Pip in "Great Expectations," these wetland habitats are important wildlife havens and mitigate climate change. However, since Dickens's celebrated novel was published in 1860, 85% of England's saltmarsh has been lost as land has been claimed from the sea for agriculture, development or coastal flood defenses. This has resulted in the release of greenhouse gases as well as the loss of biodiversity and natural buffer zones protecting properties and infrastructure from flooding. The introduction of a carbon credit scheme, enabling companies to invest in the restoration of the UK's degraded saltmarshes and voluntarily offset their greenhouse gas emissions, would be viable, a study led by the UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has found. A partnership of scientists, charities and financial experts investigated the feasibility of a Saltmarsh Carbon Code, similar to the existing Peatland and Woodland codes, which would create a rigorous and scientifically-based voluntary certification standard for saltmarsh carbon to be marketed and traded by UK companies. This would assure buyers of carbon credits that the climate benefits being sold are real, quantifiable, additional and permanent. The independent study found the introduction of a UK-wide code and carbon credit scheme would be feasible, and provide a pipeline for private investment to contribute to restoration projects, providing there was also some level of public financing in restoration projects. So far, there has been relatively limited saltmarsh restoration in the UK, with the majority of schemes to date providing compensatory habitat for damage to designated sites due to development. However, there is an increasing interest by companies in carbon credits, which could accelerate saltmarsh restoration. At present, the UK only has about 45,000 hectares of natural saltmarsh remaining. It is estimated that these accumulate up to around 700,000 metric tons of CO 2 a year and the top 10cm of UK saltmarsh soil hold a total of around 2.3 million metric tons of carbon. The total amount of carbon sequestration could increase with effective restoration, which usually involves managed realignment of coastline by deliberating reflooding land to restore a coastal wetland habitat. Saltmarshes trap and bury atmospheric carbon in the sediment beneath them and the vegetation that grows on them. UKCEH wetland scientist Annette Burden led the study, which also involved WWT, RSPB, the University of St Andrews, Bangor University, SRUC, IUCN National Committee UK, Finance Earth and Jacobs. She says, "Saltmarshes can play an important role in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. Restoring sites across the country would support progress towards our net zero targets and provide vital habitat for wildlife, including overwintering migratory birds and commercially important fish species such as Seabass. "The introduction of a Saltmarsh Code would pave the way for private investment to support projects that have some public financing but would not otherwise happen." Varying factors such as ground conditions, design complexity and compensation to landowners mean the cost of restoration can be unpredictable, even after restoration work has begun, which is why public financing is considered essential to cover some of the costs. The research team looked at how much of the cost of the planned restoration of RSPB Old Hall Marshes in Essex could be covered by private investment and reviewed whether carbon finance could have raised enough funds for the managed realignment of WWT Steart Marshes in Somerset which was carried out in 2014. The analysis found that with grants, the WWT Steart Marshes scheme would have been able to generate market rate returns for equity investors, and therefore attract sufficient investment to be financially viable. The project team is now developing a pilot Saltmarsh Code for further testing, with the hope that a saltmarsh carbon credits system could be introduced in 2025. The feasibility study and more information about the ongoing work on the Saltmarsh Code are available on the UKCEH website. UKCEH has produced a podcast on the role and importance saltmarshes as part of its Counting the Earth series, as well as a saltmarsh factsheet. Scientists are establishing the first network of greenhouse gas monitoring stations on saltmarshes around the UK coast. These flux towers will measure how much carbon dioxide gas is captured from the atmosphere and stored as carbon within the saltmarsh ecosystem. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Maldives, a chain of 1,192 tiny islands in the Indian Ocean, is on the frontline of a battle for survival. China has sent more than a million bottles of water from melting Tibetan glaciers to the Maldives, officials said Thursday, a gift from the world's highest mountains to a low-lying archipelago threatened by rising seas. The Indian Ocean nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands is on the frontlines of the climate crisis, with salt levels seeping into the land and corrupting potable water, leaving it dependent on desalination plants. Scientists say glaciers in the Himalayas are melting faster than ever due to climate change. The Maldives foreign ministry said the water was a gift from Yan Jinhai, the chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region, or Tibet, lying more than 3,385 kilometers (2,100 miles) away on the far side of the world's highest mountain range. The consignment of mineral water packed into 90 sea containers arrived last week and had been unloaded in the capital Male, a port authority official said. "The Chairman of Xizang Autonomous Region announced his wish to donate 1,500 tonnes of drinking water... during his official visit to the country in November," the Maldives foreign ministry said in a statement. 'Water shortage' The ministry rejected allegations on social media that the imported water was for the consumption of pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power last year on an anti-Indian platform. Map of the Maldives. "The government of Maldives has decided to utilize the water to provide assistance to islands in case of water shortage," it said. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned in 2007 that rises of 18 to 59 centimeters (7.2 to 23.2 inches) would make the Maldives virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century. Muizzu promises his country80 percent of which is less than a meter (three feet) above sea levelwill beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation and building islands higher. The congested capital island of Male has already run out of groundwater for drinking and depends on expensive desalination plants to supply the local population. A fire at the water purification plant in Male in December 2014 disrupted supplies for almost a week, causing panic. Both India and regional rival China rushed ships to produce drinking water until the desalination plant was fixed. Better known for its white sand beaches and luxury tourism, the Maldives also straddles strategic east-west international shipping routes. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of influence but the Maldives has shifted into the orbit of Chinaits largest external creditor. Muizzu visited Beijing in January, when he signed a raft of infrastructure, energy, marine and agricultural deals, while India began withdrawing military personnel operating surveillance aircraft this month after they were ordered to leave. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Hunters are requested to provide samples in an effort to monitor for chronic wasting disease. Credit: (BC Wildlife Federation), CC BY Things are moving quickly, and they need to. On March 13, the Government of British Columbia announced that it would be harvesting 25 deer in the Kootenays. This announcement came six weeks after chronic wasting disease (CWD)a 100% fatal disease of cervids (deer, elk, moose, caribou)was first detected in the province. Unfortunately, for a disease like this, in efforts to protect many animals, some will die. CWD is incredibly difficult to manage and nearly impossible to eradicate. Infected animals don't show symptoms for about 18 months, which means that an animal's appearance or behavior doesn't necessarily reflect whether it has CWD or not. An infected animal continuously sheds the infectious agenta protein called a prioninto the environment in their saliva, feces and urine, and through their bodies when they die and decompose. These prions stay infectious for years, although researchers still don't know for how long. To make matters worse, there is no way to disinfect or burn these prions away. And so, reducing disease spread is still the best approach to minimizing impacts on cervids and the people who rely on them. Removing animals Preventing CWD spread often involves removing animals from the environment, among other regulatory measures such as restricting the transport and disposal of road-killed cervids in affected areas. This is partly because the samples tested for CWD (tonsils, lymph nodes) cannot be collected from live animals. Managing the spread means removing the animals most likely to be infected. The B.C. provincial government is planning to remove 20 mule deer (mostly male) and five male white-tailed deer, which have been found to be more likely to be infected in other provinces and U.S. states. While removing infected animals decreases potential spread, even removing and testing uninfected animals can provide valuable information about who is most likely to be affected (cervid species, sex and their location) which in turn can inform management. Even in instances where there is agreement about removing animals to mitigate CWD, how many, where, when and how they are removed is contentious. That's because the number of animals removed depends on management goals, as well as ecological and ethical considerations. For example, determining the percentage of animals infected with CWD would require sampling many animals (in the hundreds) to ensure infected individuals are captured while prevalence is low, such as when only one percent of animals are infected. However, large-scale removals understandably cause concern for the future of cervid populations. These approaches are also challenging to sustain, and can be ineffective in the long term when they lose community support. Management programs might sample fewer animals in efforts to gain more information surrounding where infected animals are found. This is the case in B.C., where only 25 animals are being harvested. Planning and preparation Deciding where to remove animals requires careful planning based on where CWD has been found, how likely it is to spread, and the cultural, ecological and economic importance of cervids for local communities. Managers focus on areas close to confirmed casesin the case of B.C., a 10-kilometer radiusand areas where there are large or dense populations of cervids like in cities. Given that an infected deer was found just south of Cranbrook, B.C., there is growing concern about the potential spread of CWD to the city. According to our research, community involvement is essential for effective CWD management. Management plans can involve government removal through sharpshooting, hunter-harvest and special hunts which allow for limited harvest outside of the hunting season. In B.C., members of Yaqit aknuqiit (Tobacco Plains Indian Band) are leading the removal of deer, and all animals that test negative for CWD will be used by the community or donated to food banks. Sustainable management Hunter-harvest is a critical component of sustainable CWD management. Beyond removing infected animals and providing samples for testing, local hunters, trappers, and community members bring valuable knowledge and support, helping to implement sustainable strategies that reflect communities' values and needs. CWD management programs that prioritize listening to those most affected help to build trust and make better decisions about where to focus efforts. In wildlife management, there will be disagreements. Management is complex and contains uncertainties: what works in one region might not work in another. We must acknowledge these uncertainties, while recognizing the need to act quickly. The experiences of other jurisdictions in managing CWD contain valuable lessons about the potential impacts of CWD on conservation, economic stability and food security. Early action is the best chance we have to minimize the impacts of this disease on cervids, the people who rely on them and the ecosystem. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: CC0 Public Domain At the end of each semester in his traffic engineering class, Northeastern University professor Peter Furth gives a lecture about transportation of the future. "I say the most important thing to expect for the future is congestion pricing," says Furth, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. New York City took a major step toward that future on March 27 when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved the final proposal for congestion pricing. The program is expected to start in June. Congestion pricing attempts to reduce traffic and pollution by charging prices to drive in certain parts of a city. It has been done in London, Stockholm and Singapore, Furth says. New York City's plan will be the nation's first, charging most drivers a $15 toll for entering much of Manhattan below 60th Street. Trucks would pay $24 or $36, depending on their size. Taxi fares would go up by $1.25, and Uber and Lyft fares by $2.50. Officials expect the plan will reduce traffic in one of the world's busiest commercial districts by 17%similar to other cities with congestion pricingwhile also raising money for public transportation. The plan still faces lawsuits that could derail it, but New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed last month that "it will happen." Furth thinks it's about time. "In an affluent societyand that's what we are and that's what we're becoming more and morepeople don't like waiting in line," Furth says. "But that's what we do in traffic. We sit around and wait, and the only alternative to that is pricing." Furth explains that each person adding to road congestion contributes to delays experienced by all. Ifas the adage goestime is money; then we are effectively costing other drivers money by joining traffic. "There's only one way to find out if your convenience is worth the cost you impose on others and that's to put your money where your mouth is," Furth says. "If your time is worth it, put up the money." Congestion pricing is not without opposition. Dozens of residents in a Manhattan neighborhood have filed a class-action lawsuit. The United Federation of Teachers and New Jersey lawmakers are among others who have also filed suits. The Coalition in Opposition to Congestion Pricing says the program is "an unfair, regressive tax that places undue financial burden on families, the elderly, and the mobility impaired." The group says congestion pricing will increase the cost of all goods and services in the Central Business District, hurt office occupancy and tourism in the area, and areas outside the border will see increased traffic. As to concerns that congestion pricing would harm low-income workers, Furth says that he disagrees. "People who are really poor don't own a car, and will benefit from the transit improvements that are financed by congestion pricing. The people who are affected are those who own a car, who are paying insurance, who are paying thousands of dollars in repair bills," Furth says. "They should not have a right to impose delay on other people without paying for it." Furth also says that demand for traveling by car is "more elastic" than what people generally believe. "There's something magic about putting a price of $10 or $15 on it and people will say, 'Hmm, I found a way to avoid it,'" Furth says. Instead, Furth says congestion pricing will primarily affect the wealthy who willingly pay the price of driving, and the revenue it produces can be used for any number of things: improvements to public transportation, infrastructure projects, street beautification projects, subsidies for low-income workers and more. As for congestion pricing in other American cities, Furth says license-plate reading technologysuch as those used on the Tobin Bridgeenables such plans to be put in place. And he mentioned several good candidates, including Boston. "I don't know of any movement to do it," Furth says. "But Boston needs it." Credit: NASA/FUSE/Lynette Cook Universe Today has had some fantastic discussions with researchers on the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, astrobiology, solar physics, comets, planetary atmospheres, and planetary geophysics, and how these diverse scientific fields can help researchers and the public better understand the search for life beyond Earth. Here, we will investigate the unique field of cosmochemistry and how it provides researchers with the knowledge pertaining to both our solar system and beyond, including the benefits and challenges, finding life beyond Earth, and suggestive paths for upcoming students who wish to pursue studying cosmochemistry. But what is cosmochemistry and why is it so important to study it? "Cosmochemistry is the study of space stuff, the actual materials that make up planets, stars, satellites, comets, and asteroids," Dr. Ryan Ogliore, who is an associate professor of physics at Washington University in St. Louis, tells Universe Today. "This stuff can take all the forms of matter: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Cosmochemistry is different from astronomy which is primarily concerned with the study of light that interacts with this stuff. There are two main benefits of studying actual astromaterials: 1) the materials record the conditions at the time and place where they formed, allowing us to look into the deep past; and 2) laboratory measurements of materials are extraordinarily precise and sensitive, and continue to improve as technology improves." In a nutshell, the field of cosmochemistry, also known as chemical cosmology, perfectly sums up Carl Sagan's famous quote, "The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." To understand cosmochemistry is to understand how the Earth got here, how we got here, and possibly how life got wherever we're (hopefully) going to find it, someday. Like all scientific fields, cosmochemistry incorporates a myriad of methods and strategies with the goal of answering some of the universe's most difficult questions, specifically pertaining to how the countless stellar and planetary objects throughout the universe came to be. These methods and strategies primarily include laboratory analyses of meteorites and other physical samples brought back from space, including from the moon, asteroids, and comets. But what are some of the benefits and challenges of studying cosmochemistry? "One of the primary benefits of cosmochemistry is the ability to reproduce measurements," Dr. Ogliore tells Universe Today. "I can measure something in my lab, and somebody else can measure either the same object, or a very similar object, in another lab to confirm my measurements. Only after repeated measurements, by different labs and different techniques, will a given claim be universally accepted by the community. This is difficult to do in astronomy, and also difficult using remote-sensing measurements on spacecraft studying other bodies in the solar system." Apart from the crewed Apollo missions to the moon, all other samples from space have been returned via robotic spacecraft. While this might seem like an easy process from an outside perspective, collecting samples from space and returning them to Earth is a very daunting and time-consuming series of countless tests, procedures, precise calculations, and hundreds to thousands of scientists and engineers ensuring every little detail is covered to ensure complete mission success, often to only collect a few ounces of material. This massive effort is tasked with not only ensuring successful sample collection, but also ensuring successful storage of the samples to avoid contamination during their journey home, and then retrieving the samples once they land in a capsule back on Earth, where they are properly unpacked, cataloged, and stored for laboratory analysis. To demonstrate the difficulty in conducting a sample return mission, only four nations have successfully used robotic explorers to collect samples from another planetary body and returned them to Earth: the former Soviet Union, United States, Japan, and China. The former Soviet Union successfully returned lunar samples to Earth throughout the 1970s; the United States has returned samples from a comet, asteroid, and even solar particles; Japan has successfully returned samples from two asteroids; and most recently, China succeeded in returning 61.1 ounces from the moon, which is the current record for robotic sample return missions. But even with the difficulty of conducting a successful sample return mission, what can cosmochemistry teach us about finding life beyond Earth? "Cosmochemistry can tell us about the delivery of the ingredients necessary for life to planets or moons via asteroids or comets," Dr. Ogliore tells Universe Today. "Since we have both asteroid and comet material in the lab, we can tell if primitive pre-biotic organic compounds may have been delivered by these bodies. Of course, this doesn't mean life on Earth (or elsewhere) started this way, only that it is one pathway. Detection of life on another world would be one of the biggest discoveries in the history of science. So of course we'd want to be absolutely sure! This requires repeated measurements by different labs using different techniques, which requires a sample on Earth. I think the only way we'd know for sure if there was life on Europa, Enceladus, or Mars is if we bring a sample back to Earth from these places." As it turns out, NASA is actively working on the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, for which Dr. Ogliore is a member of the MSR Measurement Definition Team. The goal of MSR will be to travel to the Red Planet to collect and return samples of Martian regolith to Earth for the first time in history. The first step of this mission is currently being accomplished by NASA's Perseverance rover in Jezero Crater, as it is slowly collecting samples and dropping them in tubes across the Martian surface for future retrieval by MSR. For Europa, while there have been several discussions regarding a sample return mission, including a 2002 study discussing a sample return mission from Europa's ocean and a 2015 study discussing a potential plume sample return mission, no definitive sample return missions from Europa are currently in the works, possibly due to the enormous distance. Despite this, and while not a life-finding mission, Dr. Ogliore has been tasked to lead a robotic mission to Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io, to explore its plethora of volcanoes. For Enceladus, the Life Investigation for Enceladus (LIFE) mission has had a number of mission proposals submitted to return samples from Enceladus' plumes, though it has yet to be accepted. But what is the most exciting aspect about cosmochemistry that Dr. Ogliore has studied during his career? "In my opinion the most important single measurement in the history of cosmochemistry was the measurements of the oxygen isotopic composition of the sun," Dr. Ogliore tells Universe Today. "To do this, we needed to return samples of the solar wind to Earth, which we did with NASA's Genesis mission. However, the sample return capsule crashed on Earth. But did that stop the cosmochemists?! Hell no! Kevin McKeegan and colleagues at UCLA had built a specialized, enormous, complicated instrument to study these samples. Despite the crash, McKeegan and colleagues analyzed oxygen in the solar wind and found that it was 6% lighter than oxygen found on Earth, and it matched the composition of the oldest known objects in the solar system: millimeter-sized calcium-aluminum inclusions (CAIs) found in meteorites." Dr. Ogliore continues by telling Universe Today about how this result was predicted by Bob Clayton at the University of Chicago, along with crediting his own postdoc, Lionel Vacher, for conducting a research project that built off the Genesis results, noting, "This was a really fun project because it was technically very challenging, and the results put the solar system in its astrophysical context." Like the myriad of scientific disciplines that Universe Today has examined during this series, cosmochemistry is successful due to its multidisciplinary nature that contributes to the goal of answering some of the universe's most difficult questions. Dr. Ogliore emphasizes that analysis of laboratory samples involves a multitude of scientific backgrounds to understand what the researchers are observing within each sample and the processes responsible for creating them. Additionally, this also includes the aforementioned sample return missions and hundreds to thousands of scientists and engineers who partake in each mission. Therefore, what advice can Dr. Ogliore offer to upcoming students who wish to pursue cosmochemistry? "Biology, chemistry, geology, physics, math, electronicsyou need it all!" Dr. Ogliore tells Universe Today. "If you like learning new things constantly, then planetary science is for you. It is good to get a very broad education. This will serve you well in a number of careers, but it is especially true for planetary science and cosmochemistry. I get to work with people who study volcanoes, and mathematicians working on chaotic motion. How cool is that?!" All things considered, cosmochemistry is both an enormously challenging and rewarding field of study to try and answer some of the most difficult and longstanding questions regarding the processes responsible for the existence of celestial bodies in the solar system and beyond, including stars, planets, moons, meteorites, and comets, along with how life emerged on our small, blue world. As noted, cosmochemistry perfectly sums up Carl Sagan's famous quote, "The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself." It is through cosmochemistry and the analysis of meteorites and other returned samples that enable researchers to slowly inch our way to answering what makes life and where we can find it. "Meteorites are the most spectacular record of nature known to mankind," Dr. Ogliore tells Universe Today. "We have rocks from Mars, the moon, volcanic worlds, asteroid Vesta, and dozens of other worlds. Iron meteorites are the cores of broken apart planets. These rocks record processes that occurred four and a half billion years ago and fall to Earth in a blazing fireball traveling at miles per second. You can follow various blogs that track fireballs, and even calculate areas where meteorites might have fallen. If you ever have the opportunity, go try to find one of these freshly fallen meteorites. The odds are long, but it is worth a try. I have not found a meteorite myself yet, but it is a life goal of mine." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Identifying terrorists by analyzing their online activities is an approach that is sometimes at odds with international law, especially if the outcome is death. A study has documented this problematic legal and ethical issue. These days, virtually everyone leaves footprints in the digital world. Terrorists are no exception. Intelligence agencies realized this a long time ago in the wake of the 9/11 attacksbefore Facebook and even before Myspace, when forums reigned supreme on the Internet and mobile phones were just in their infancy. The United States made extensive use of this digital windfall to track members of Al-Qaeda, and other countries soon followed suit. Since then, social network analysis (SNA) has become an indispensable tool in digital tracking. It is used as much to catch local criminal groups as to track down terrorists in countries at war. SNA is also used in military operations designed specifically to kill suspected members of terrorist organizations, for example by means of drone raids. A team of lawyers and sociologists from the University of Geneva has shown that such preventive use raises serious questions in international law and probably leads to a significant number of errors. Their study, which was recently published in the Journal of Conflict and Security Law, is the first to combine sociological methodology with legal analysis. By analyzing a body of reports and academic articles by historians, lawyers and journalists, the team assessed how often SNA is used in anti-terrorist operations, how it is used and for what ends. These are questions that are often frustrated by the armed forces' lack of transparency, particularly as regards war situations, such as in Syria or Afghanistan. Contact with terrorists doesn't make you a terrorist too Since 11 September 2001, anti-terrorist operations have often been assimilatedfrom a legal perspectiveinto international conflicts. But as Michael Moncrieff, lead author of the study, points out, the fight against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan or Daesh in Syria is different in nature from a traditional conflict. "In the Russia-Ukraine war, there is a clear distinction between the combatantsyou know who's who. That's much less clear in the war against terrorism." In conflict situations, however, there is a requirement under international humanitarian law that you must know who you're dealing with. Especially if you are intending to eliminate them. The law draws a fundamental distinction between fighting forceswho, from a legal perspective, are the sole legitimate targets of actionand everyone else. De facto, "some groups that are considered terrorists fulfill the criteria for 'organized armed groups,'" explains study co-author Pavle Kilibarda. "They can therefore be deemed to be engaged in armed conflict and considered legitimate targets under international humanitarian law." But if an individual is affiliated with a terrorist group, does that make them a combatant by defaulteven if, for example, they are not directly engaged in hostilities? Moreover, how do you determine what constitutes affiliation? These are thorny questions, especially as information from the ground frequently contains little about anti-terrorist campaigns. The role of SNA is often to compensate for precisely this lack of information. In broad terms, an individual's affiliation with a given group is determined by the type of relationship (family, friend, acquaintance) or how often they have contact with a particular known or presumed terrorist. The authors believe that from a legal perspective, such proximity criteria are not sufficient to incriminate an individual. "Even if someone has repeated online contact with a terrorist, that does not necessarily make them a member of the group," Moncrieff believes. Drone attacks solely based on digital traces SNA use is particularly problematic if it is the sole criterion on which operations to kill terrorists are based. "It's a very different situation from criminal enquiries, where SNA can be used to identify suspects as a prelude to questioning them and establishing their guilt," Moncrieff explains. "A drone raid is by nature final and irreversible." According to the researcher, witness reports tend to indicate that such errors have occurred relatively often, particularly in Afghanistan. Although the armed forces are rarely transparent about their operations, numerous indicators converge to suggest that SNA is widely used in anti-terrorist operations. According to certain experts on the ground, 90% of drone attacks are at least partially the result of social network analyses. Similarly, witness statements obtained from several independent studies suggest that it often requires very little for an individual to be designated a terrorist and eliminated. For example, American veterans of the Afghanistan conflict report that people were targeted for the sole reason that they had been in the company of a terrorist. However, Moncrieff does not believe that this means SNA should be banned as a weapon in the fight against terrorism. "It can be very helpful in understanding the organizational features of terrorist groups, anticipating what they are going to do and determining who is collaborating with whom." But on-the-ground use indicates that it is often employed to determine individuals' affiliation with groups on the basis of proximity. Sometimes, a simple online exchange is sufficient. "For this reason, SNA should never be the primary or even the only tool used in decisions as irreversible as physical elimination." More information: Michael Moncrieff et al, Social network analysis and counterterrorism: a double-edged sword for international humanitarian law, Journal of Conflict and Security Law (2024). DOI: 10.1093/jcsl/krae002 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: Structure of SOT spin-LED. Credit: Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07125-5 Scientists have used electrical pulses to manipulate magnetic information into a polarized light signal, a discovery that could revolutionize long-distance optical telecommunications, including between Earth and Mars. The breakthrough, described in a study published in Nature, involves the field of spintronics, which aims to manipulate the spin of electrons in order to store and process information. The researchers applied an electrical pulse to transfer this spin information from electrons to photons, the particles that make up light, allowing the information to be carried great distances at great speed. Their method meets three crucial criteriaoperation at room temperature, no need of magnetic field and the ability for electrical controland opens the door to a range of applications, including ultrafast communication and quantum technologies. "For decades we were dreaming of and predicting room-temperature spintronic devices beyond magnetoresistance and just storing information. With this team's discovery, our dreams become reality," says the study's co-author, Igor Zutic, SUNY Distinguished Professor of physics at the University at Buffalo. The study was led by the Jean Lamour Institute, a joint unit of France's National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Lorraine. Other contributors represent universities and institutes in France, Germany, Japan, China and the United States. Spintronic devices could replace conventional electronics In spintronics, which has been used successfully in magnetic computer hard drives, information is represented by electron spin and, by its proxy, the direction of magnetization. Ferromagnets, such as iron or cobalt, have an unequal number of electrons whose spins are oriented either along or against the magnetization axis. Electrons with spin along the magnetization travel smoothly across a ferromagnet, while those with opposite spin orientation are bounced around. This represents binary information, 0 and 1. The resulting change of the resistance is the key principle for spintronic devices, whose magnetic state, which can be considered as stored information, is maintained indefinitely. Just as a fridge magnet does not need power to remain stuck to the door, spintronic devices would require much less power than conventional electronics. However, akin to taking a fish out of water, spin information is quickly lost and cannot travel far when electrons are taken out of the ferromagnet. This major limitation can be overcome by utilizing light through its circular polarization, also known as helicity, as another spin carrier. Just as humans centuries ago used carrier pigeons to transport written communication farther and faster than could be done on foot, the trick would be to transfer electron spin to photos, the quantum of light. Spin-LEDs meet three criteria The presence of spin-orbit coupling, which is also responsible for the spin information loss outside of the ferromagnet, makes such transfer possible. The crucial missing link is then to electrically modulate the magnetization and thereby change the helicity of the emitted light. "The concept of spin-LEDs was initially proposed at the end of the last century. However, for the transition into a practical application, it must meet three crucial criteria: operation at room temperature, no need of magnetic field, and the ability for electrical control," says the study's corresponding author, Yuan Lu, senior CNRS researcher at the Jean Lamour Institute. "After more than 15 years of dedicated work in this field, our collaborative team has successfully conquered all obstacles." The researchers successfully switched the magnetization of a spin injector by an electrical pulse using the spin-orbit torque. The electron's spin is rapidly converted into information contained in the helicity of the emitted photons, enabling a seamless integration of magnetization dynamics with photonic technologies. This electrically controlled spin-photon conversion is now achieved in the electroluminescence of light-emitting diodes. In the future, through the implementation in semiconductor laser diodes, so-called spin-lasers, this highly-efficient information encoding could pave the way for rapid communication over interplanetary distances since polarization of light can be conserved in space propagation, potentially making it the fastest mode of communication between Earth and Mars. It will also greatly benefit the development of various advanced technologies on Earth, such as optical quantum communication and computation, neuromorphic computing for artificial intelligence, ultrafast and highly-efficient optical transmitters for data centers or Light-Fidelity (LiFi) applications. "The realization of spin-orbit-torque spin injectors is a decisive step that will greatly advance the development of ultrafast and energy-efficient spin-lasers for the next generation of optical communication and quantum technologies," says co-author Nils Gerhardt, professor at the Chair of Photonics and Terahertz Technology at the Ruhr University in Bochum. More information: Pambiang Abel Dainone et al, Controlling the helicity of light by electrical magnetization switching, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07125-5 Journal information: Nature 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: CC0 Public Domain A study of economic indicators in the wine industry across the European Union has shown significant variation between member states. Many of these are influenced by factors such as vineyard size and specialization. Writing in the Journal for Global Business Advancement, a team from Cyprus explains how they used the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) methodology to examine the economic indicators crucial for assessing the financial health of wine-producing farms. Aleksandra Figurek, Alkis Thrassou, and Demetris Vrontis of the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, EU, focused on metrics such as farm net value added (FNVA), FNVA per annual working unit (AWU), farm net income (FNI), and family farm income (FFI/FWU) for wine producers participating in the FADN. The team's analysis provides insights into productivity and profitability by looking at the ratio between total output and input utilization, including intermediate consumption and specific expenses. Despite this diversity between EU member states, the FADN methodology uses a standardized framework for analyzing financial performance. It is this that allowed the team to identify best practices and areas for improvement, which could be useful for various stakeholders across the wine industry in different parts of the EU. The transition to the Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) for many wine producers highlights the opportunity to expand data collection efforts to include environmental and social practices. This integrated approach enables a more comprehensive assessment of agricultural performance, which could help stakeholder decision-making at the local, micro, and macro levels. Additionally, the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (2023 to 2027), which prioritizes environmental sustainability and support for smaller farmers, aims to align agricultural growth with ecological and technological goals while enhancing competitiveness. The data analysis could thus help evaluate the efficacy of the CAP. This research shows how new data methodologies can be used to study what programs are improving economic performance in wine production across the EU. By using such data-driven insights and seeing how this fits in with the ever-changing policy frameworks, the EU wine industry might at once address the challenges it faces and capitalize on the opportunities for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global market. More information: Aleksandra Figurek et al, Economic performance of wine production in EU: a multi-indicator comparative analysis, J. for Global Business Advancement (2024). DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2023.137469 Provided by Inderscience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The proposed iridium-based compound can effectively store "electrons" from hydrogen and hold them in solid state at room temperature for months. These stored electrons can then be released to catalyze cyclopropanation reactions that do not produce metal waste. Credit: Kyushu University/Seiji Ogo Researchers from Kyushu University have developed a hydrogen energy carrier to address some of the biggest hurdles in the path toward a sustainable hydrogen economy. As explained in a paper published in JACS Au, this novel compound can efficiently "store electrons" from hydrogen in a solid state to use in chemical reactions later. Hydrogen is a promising source of clean energy with a lot of untapped potential applications in industry and everyday life. Unlike conventional fuels, hydrogen can be used to generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases. It can also be used in various chemical reactions such as hydrogenation, that is, as a source of hydride ions or hydrogen atom electrons. However, storing and transporting hydrogen in either gaseous or liquid states is extremely challenging, requiring expensive equipment and cooling systems. Professor Seiji Ogo from Kyushu University's WPI-International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy (WPI-I2CNER) has been developing innovative solutions to these problems. In their most recent study, Ogo and his colleague from Kindai University took inspiration from nature to develop an iridium-based compound with peculiar and remarkably useful properties. "We have been actively exploring hydrogen energy carriers that can be easily synthesized and used as-is. These compounds are based on the hydrogenase enzyme found in nature, which can catalyze hydrogen into protons and electrons at room temperature," explains Ogo. "A core idea of our approach that led to a breakthrough was to view hydrogen not as a source of negatively charged hydride ion or hydrogen atom, but as electrons." After carefully examining many combinations of metal ions and organic ligands, the research team crafted an iridium-based compound which, when exposed to hydrogen incorporates it into the metal center after losing an iodide ion. In this way, the proposed compound can effectively extract and store electrons from hydrogen. These changes are readily reversible under the right conditions, and the stored electrons can be easily extracted and used in chemical reactions to synthesize valuable molecules. In this study, the researchers focused on using the electrons stored in the compound to catalyze cyclopropanation reactions. Cyclopropanes are molecules with a three-membered carbon ring structure and represent important structural units in various pharmaceutical drugs and organic compounds. However, conventional cyclopropanations have produced large amounts of waste metals as byproducts. The proposed hydrogen energy carrier circumvents this issue entirely. "The cyclopropanation reactions performed in our study use hydrogen rather than metals as the reductant and thus produce no metal waste. This is a major advantage of the proposed compound over established techniques," remarks Ogo. Notably, this study also marks the first time that a reaction between hydrogen and alkeneshydrocarbons containing a carbon double bondproduces cyclopropanes rather than the much simpler alkanes. After extensive testing, the team found that the proposed energy carrier can capture electrons from hydrogen and store them for over three months in a solid state at room temperature. In future work, Ogo and colleagues plan to focus on developing a similar energy carrier using iron-group elements, which are cheaper and more abundant than iridium. By promoting industry-academia collaborations, their next efforts will aim to develop scalable solutions for practical problems surrounding upcoming hydrogen economies. "We sincerely believe that the present achievement will contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society," concludes Ogo. More information: Seiji Ogo et al, Cyclopropanation Using Electrons Derived from Hydrogen: Reaction of Alkenes and Hydrogen without Hydrogenation, JACS Au (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00098 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: Light probing a chiral graviton mode in a fractional quantum Hall effect liquid. Credit: Lingjie Du, Nanjing University A team of scientists from Columbia, Nanjing University, Princeton, and the University of Munster, writing in the journal Nature, have presented the first experimental evidence of collective excitations with spin called chiral graviton modes (CGMs) in a semiconducting material. A CGM appears to be similar to a graviton, a yet-to-be-discovered elementary particle better known in high-energy quantum physics for hypothetically giving rise to gravity, one of the fundamental forces in the universe, whose ultimate cause remains mysterious. The ability to study graviton-like particles in the lab could help fill critical gaps between quantum mechanics and Einstein's theories of relativity, solving a major dilemma in physics and expanding our understanding of the universe. "Our experiment marks the first experimental substantiation of this concept of gravitons, posited by pioneering works in quantum gravity since the 1930s, in a condensed matter system," said Lingjie Du, a former Columbia postdoc and senior author on the paper. The team discovered the particle in a type of condensed matter called a fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) liquid. FQHE liquids are a system of strongly interacting electrons that occur in two dimensions at high magnetic fields and low temperatures. They can be theoretically described using quantum geometry, emerging mathematical concepts that apply to the minute physical distances at which quantum mechanics influences physical phenomena. Electrons in an FQHE are subject to what's known as a quantum metric that had been predicted to give rise to CGMs in response to light. However, in the decade since the quantum metric theory was first proposed for FQHEs, limited experimental techniques existed to test its predictions. For much of his career, the Columbia physicist Aron Pinczuk studied the mysteries of FQHE liquids and worked to develop experimental tools that could probe such complex quantum systems. Pinczuk, who joined Columbia from Bell Labs in 1998 and was a professor of physics and applied physics, passed away in 2022, but his lab and its alumni across the globe have continued his legacy. Those alumni include article authors Ziyu Liu, who graduated with his Ph.D. in physics from Columbia last year, and former Columbia postdocs Du, now at Nanjing University, and Ursula Wurstbauer, now at the University of Munster. "Aron pioneered the approach of studying exotic phases of matter, including emergent quantum phases in solid state nanosystems, by the low-lying collective excitation spectra that are their unique fingerprints," commented Wurstbauer, a co-author on the current work. "I am truly happy that his last genius proposal and research idea was so successful and is now published in Nature. However, it is sad that he cannot celebrate it with us. He always put a strong focus on the people behind the results." Graviton modes and inelastic light scattering. Credit: Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07201-w One of the techniques Pinczuk established was called low-temperature resonant inelastic scattering, which measures how light particles, or photons, scatter when they hit a material, thus revealing the material's underlying properties. Liu and his co-authors on the paper adapted the technique to use what's known as circularly polarized light, in which the photons have a particular spin. When the polarized photons interact with a particle like a CGM that also spins, the sign of the photons' spin will change in response in a more distinctive way than if they were interacting with other types of modes. The new paper was an international collaboration. Using samples prepared by Pinczuk's long-time collaborators at Princeton, Liu and Columbia physicist Cory Dean completed a series of measurements at Columbia. They then sent the sample for experiments in low-temperature optical equipment that Du spent over three years building in his new lab in China. They observed physical properties consistent with those predicted by quantum geometry for CGMs, including their spin-2 nature, characteristic energy gaps between its ground and excited states, and dependence on so-called filling factors, which relate the number of electrons in the system to its magnetic field. CGMs share those characteristics with gravitons, a still-undiscovered particle predicted to play a critical role in gravity. Both CGMs and gravitons are the result of quantized metric fluctuations, explained Liu, in which the fabric of spacetime is randomly pulled and stretched in different directions. The theory behind the team's results can therefore potentially connect two subfields of physics: high energy physics, which operates across the largest scales of the universe, and condensed matter physics, which studies materials and the atomic and electronic interactions that give them their unique properties. In future work, Liu says the polarized light technique should be straightforward to apply to FQHE liquids at higher energy levels than they explored in the current paper. It should also apply to additional types of quantum systems where quantum geometry predicts unique properties from collective particles, such as superconductors. "For a long time, there was this mystery about how long wavelength collective modes, like CGMs, could be probed in experiments. We provide experimental evidence that supports quantum geometry predictions," said Liu. "I think Aron would be very proud to see this extension of his techniques and new understanding of a system he had studied for a long time." More information: Jiehui Liang et al, Evidence for chiral graviton modes in fractional quantum Hall liquids, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07201-w Journal information: Nature 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: Positions of all the pulsars in M62, plotted as east-west () and south-north () offsets from the center of the GC. Credit: Vleeschower et al., 2024. Using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, an international team of astronomers has detected three new millisecond pulsars in the globular cluster Messier 62 (also known as NGC 6266). The finding was detailed in a research paper published March 18 on the pre-print server arXiv. Pulsars are highly-magnetized, rotating neutron stars emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The most rapidly rotating pulsars, with rotation periods below 30 milliseconds, are known as millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Astronomers assume that they are formed in binary systems when the initially more massive component turns into a neutron star that is then spun up due to accretion of matter from the secondary star. In the paper, a group of astronomers led by Laila Vleeschower of the University of Manchester, UK, reports the discovery of three new pulsars of this type in Messier 62, or M62, which is known to host seven binary pulsars. The finding was made as part of the TRAnsients and PUlsars with MeerKAT (TRAPUM) project. "Using MeerKAT, we have discovered three new millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the bulge globular cluster M62: M62H, M62I, and M62J," the researchers wrote. The three newfound MSPs are binary systems. Therefore, all of the 10 pulsars identified in Messier 62 turned out to be binaries. According to the astronomers, the fact that only binary pulsars have been detected in Messier 62 is surprising, in contrast to what is observed in other known GCswhere isolated pulsars are easier to find. M62H has a spin period of about 3.7 milliseconds and a dispersion measure of 114.7 pc/cm3. Its companion has a minimum mass of approximately 0.00236 solar masses (2.5 Jupiter masses), which makes M62H a binary with the lightest companion known to date in a GC. The orbital period of the system was measured to be 0.133 days. M62I rotates once in approximately 3.3 milliseconds and its orbital period is about 0.51 days. The pulsar has a dispersion measure of 113.35 pc/cm3 and its companion has a minimum mass of 0.15 solar masses. The collected data also allowed the astronomers to derive the characteristic age of M62I, which was found to be at least 278 million years, and the surface magnetic field that is estimated to be lower than 795 million Gauss. When it comes to M62J, it has a spin period of 2.76 milliseconds and its dispersion measured was found to be 111.98 pc/cm3. Given that the researchers were unable to obtain a timing solution for M62J, the rest of its properties remain unknown. Besides the detection of three new pulsars in Messier 62, the authors of the paper also updated long-term timing solutions, with a data span of over 23 years, for six previously known pulsars in this cluster More information: Vleeschower et al, Discoveries and Timing of Pulsars in M62, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2403.12137 Journal information: arXiv 2024 Science X Network China emerges as leading source of foreign investment in Tanzania: officials Xinhua) 09:56, March 28, 2024 Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian speaks at the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) DAR ES SALAAM, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. The remarks were made at the closing session of a one-day China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in the port city of Dar es Salaam. Tausi Kida, the permanent secretary in the President's Office responsible for Planning and Investment, said that from January 2021 to December 2023, the Tanzania Investment Center registered 256 Chinese projects worth about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. The top five sectors for these projects were manufacturing, commercial building, agriculture, transportation and services. Tanzania has made significant strides in improving the investment climate culminating in tangible achievements, including the attraction of more than 11 billion U.S. dollars in projects led by Chinese investments, creating more than 114,726 jobs, said Angelina Ngalula, chairperson of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian commended the Tanzanian government's determination and proactive measures in attracting investment and promoting economic development. "We are confident in Tanzania's future development prospects." Zhu Chonglie, secretary of the Communist Party of China Jinhua Municipal Committee, emphasized the traditionally friendly relations between China and Tanzania. He said that the forum aimed to contribute to building a closer high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. In closing the forum, Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango highlighted China's long-standing role as a leading strategic investor and major trading partner of Tanzania. He noted that the growing FDI and trade indicate that Tanzania is a rewarding investment destination for Chinese investors. During the forum, four memoranda of understanding were signed between Chinese and Tanzanian enterprises, as well as between Chinese and Tanzanian public institutions. People attend the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) People attend the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango speaks at the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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: An illustration of the Europa Clipper spacecraft, which will head to Jupiters moon Europa. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft, headed to Jupiter's ice-covered moon Europa in October 2024, will carry a laser-etched message that celebrates humanity's connection to water. The message pays homage to past NASA missions that carried similar messages. As the president of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or METI, International, I helped design the message on Clipper with two fellow members of our board of directors: linguists Sheri Wells-Jensen and Laura Buszard-Welcher. METI International is a scientific organization dedicated to transmitting powerful radio messages to extraterrestrial life. We collected audio recordings in 103 languages, and we decided how to convert these into waveforms that show these sounds visually. Colleagues from NASA etched these waveforms into the metal plate that shields the spacecraft's sensitive electronics from Jupiter's harsh radiation. I also designed another part of the message that visually depicts the wavelengths of water's constituents, because water is so important to the search for intelligent life in the universe. Etching messages into spacecraft isn't a new practice, and Clipper's message fits into a decades-old tradition started by astronomer Carl Sagan. In 1972 and 1973, two Pioneer spacecraft headed to Jupiter and Saturn carrying metal plaques engraved with scientific and pictorial messages. In 1977, two Voyager spacecraft headed to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune bearing gold-plated copper phonograph records. These records contained tutorials in mathematics and chemistry, as well as music, photos and sounds of Earth and greetings in 55 languages. NASAs design for the Clipper message heading to Jupiters moon Europa. Water words As water is essential for life on Earth, searching for its presence elsewhere has been key to many NASA missions. Astronomers suspect that Europa, where Clipper is headed, has an ocean underneath its icy surface, making it a prime candidate for the search for life in the outer solar system. Part of the Clipper message features the word for water in 103 languages. We started with audio files collected online, but we then needed to analyze those and find an output that could be engraved on a metal plate. I ended up going back to some of the techniques I used in some of my early psycholinguistic research, where I explored how emotions are encoded in speech. The 103 spoken words we recorded represent a global snapshot of the diversity of Earth's languages. The outward-facing side of the Clipper plate shows the words as waveforms that track the varying intensity of sound as each word is spoken. Each person whom we recorded saying the word "water" for the waveform had a connection to water. For example, the lawyer who contributed the word for water in Uzbek"suv"organizes an annual music festival in Uzbekistan to raise awareness of the desertification of the Aral Sea. The waveform for the Catalan word for water aigua is etched on the Clipper plate. It also appears on NASAs website. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The native speaker of the Catalan water word"aigua"hunts for exoplanets, discovering potentially habitable planets that orbit other stars. The Drake Equation Clipper's message also pays homage to astronomer Frank Drake, the father of SETIthe Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligenceby bearing the Drake Equation, his namesake formula. By drawing on scientific data, as well as some best guess hunches, the Drake Equation estimates the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in the galaxy currently sending messages into the cosmos. By one widely quoted estimate, there are a tenth as many of these extraterrestrial civilizations as one's average lifetime in years. If civilizations survive for a million years, for example, there should be about 100,000 in the galaxy. If they last only a century on average, scientists would estimate that about 10 exist. Radio astronomers study the universe by examining the radiation that chemical elements in space give off. They spend much of their time mapping the distribution of the most abundant chemical in the universehydrogen. The Europa Clipper spacecraft, to be launched to Jupiters water world moon in October 2024, includes a tantalum metal plate laser-engraved with the word for water in 103 languages from around the world. Each word is shown as a waveform. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Hydrogen emits radiation at a certain frequency called the hydrogen line, which radio telescopes can detect. During Project Ozma, the first modern-day SETI experiment, Drake looked for artificial signals at the same frequency, because he figured scientists on other worlds might recognize hydrogen as universally significant and broadcast signals at that frequency. The water hole As our team developed our water words message, I realized that the message would only make sense if it were discovered by someone already familiar with the contents inscribed on the plate. The Drake Equation would only make sense if someone already knew what each of the terms in the equation stood for. The Europa Clipper will crash into Jupiter or one of its other moons, with Ganymede or Callisto the leading candidates. But if for some reason the mission changes and it survives that fate, then humans far in the future with a radically different cultural background and different language conventions may retrieve it millennia from now as an ancient artifact. To ensure we had at least one part of the message that a distant future scientist might be able to understand, I also designed a pictorial representation of the same frequency that Drake used for Project Ozma: the hydrogen line. We engraved this on the Clipper plate, along with a frequency called the hydroxyl line. The Drake Equation is inscribed at the top of the inward-facing side of the plate bearing the Clipper message. It is written in Frank Drakes handwriting. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The inward-facing side of the Europa Clipper message includes wavelengths of the hydrogen and hydroxyl emission lines. These represent the components of water. The band of frequencies between these lines is called the 'water hole.' Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech When hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH) combine, they form water. Scientists call the range of frequencies between these lines the "water hole." The water hole represents the part of the radio spectrum where astronomers conducted the first SETI experiments. We displayed the hydrogen and hydroxyl lines using their wavelengths in the Clipper message. The metal plate also has diagrams showing what hydrogen and hydroxyl look like at the atomic level. We're hoping that future chemists would recognize these chemical components as the ingredients of water. If they do, we will have succeeded in communicating at least a few core scientific concepts across time, space and language. Waveforms let our team tie the messages on the two sides of the Clipper plate together. On the water words side, over a hundred words are depicted by their waveforms. On the other side, the wavelengths of hydrogen and hydroxylthe constituents of waterare etched into the plate. METI International funded the collection and curation of the water words, as well as my design of the hydrogen and hydroxyl lines, providing these to NASA at no cost. While designing the message for the Europa Clipper, we got to reflect on the importance of water on Earth, and think about why astronomers feel so compelled to search for it beneath the icy crust of Jupiter's moon Europa. The spacecraft is scheduled to enter Jupiter's orbit in April 2030. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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 A new analysis of adolescent TV and films on Netflix suggests that too often, it shows misleading depictions of pain, portraying pain as something arising only through a violent act or injury. Instead of trivializing the experience, it could do more to educate young people about much more common, everyday pain. Adolescents watching popular Netflix shows such as Stranger Things and Sex Education or films such as Spiderman: Homecoming are exposed to an average of 10 incidents of pain every hour, according to new research from psychologists in Canada and the UK. A new study analyzed how characters' experiences of pain were depicted across different media aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds. The team behind the research was interested in assessing what painful incidents characters experienced as well as how the characters themselves and others around them responded to painful incidents. This is the first time research has examined how pain is portrayed in adolescent media, despite adolescence being the developmental period when chronic pain typically emerges. Their analysis looked at 10 trending / popular films and six television series from 2015 in North America featuring adolescent protagonists. They include Sex Education, Stranger Things, Enola Holmes, and To All The Boys I Loved Before. Over the 10 films and six television series (which equated to over 60 hours of footage), the researchers identified 732 painful incidentsa mean of 10.24 incidents of pain per hour. Violent pain or injury being the most common type of pain depicted occurring in more than half of instances (57 %). Boy characters more likely to experience pain in comparison with girl characters (77%). Boys are often portrayed as heroic figures coming to the rescue, being twice as likely than girls to help sufferers. Girls were often portrayed as being more emotional than boys in response to witnessing pain. White characters are depicted as pain sufferers more often than characters with a racialized identity. (78% of white characters suffer pain, compared to 22% of racialized characters suffering pain). When a person from a racialized identity experienced pain, they were more likely to experience pain caused by another person (80%). Examples of everyday pain (e.g., a character falling over or bumping their knee) and chronic-type pain (i.e., headache, abdominal pain, backache), being much less common (represented in only 21% and less than 1 % of incidents respectively.) A general lack of empathy from other characters in responding to pain. They commonly responded to sufferers with criticism (24%) and humor (10%). Dr. Melanie Noel of the Department of Psychology at The University of Calgary, who led the research, explains why this research matters. "Media is one of the most powerful engines of influence on children's development and could be harnessed to address pain and suffering in the world. Stories matter. Fictional stories can matter more in some cases than real-life stories. So, let's create stories to reflect the world we want to see: A humane, diverse, inclusive, equitable, compassionate, and caring world." Dr. Abbie Jordan of the Department of Psychology and Centre for Pain Research at The University of Bath emphasizes the importance of accurately representing pain experiences. "If we're not showing the types of pain that adolescents might typically experience, like back pain and menstrual pain, then we're trivializing pain. We're not doing a great job of enabling them to think about how to manage pain, how to talk about pain, and how to show empathy when other people experience pain." "This research matters because if every film and television series shows a boy being a 'tough guy' when they experience pain and a girl as a 'damsel in distress' in need of saving, they might think they have to be like that in real life. This depiction reinforces old-fashioned ideas about gender and is misleading." The lack of empathy displayed by characters in the media could also play out in real life. Research suggests that when people see kindness in media, they start mirroring this behavior themselves. On the flip side, watching violent, painful acts can make people care less about others' pain. The study also highlights the need for more realistic depictions of pain and diverse representations of pain sufferers. Dr. Jordan explains the findings: "Sadly, we anticipated an overrepresentation of pain in white individuals compared with people of color, highlighting the underrepresentation of pain in marginalized groups. Our findings really highlight the importance of pain researchers working with the media to find better ways to represent the experience of pain and how individuals respond to pain in others, particularly around marginalized groups." The findings echo a previous study examining how young children's (aged 46 years) pain is portrayed in popular media. Now, the researchers are calling on Netflix to listen to their findings. Dr. Noel said, "I want Netflix to take this seriously and get excited and inspired to influence millions of children around the world directly. They have a monumental opportunity to influence the compassion and humanity we see in our children and our future world." Dr. Jordan said, "We would love to work collaboratively with Netflix and movie/television creators on increasing the representation of girls and people of color in instances where the pain is experienced and start a dialogue around how to more realistically respond to pain in others, thinking about pro-social behaviors and displaying empathy." The findings are published in the journal Pain. More information: Allison Cormier et al, The sociocultural context of adolescent pain: portrayals of pain in popular adolescent media, Pain (2024). DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003216 Journal information: Pain 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: Various traumatic injuries in one of the individuals studied: a) perimortem penetrating fracture in right parietal produced by blunt force trauma; b) cut mark in right superciliary arch relating to sharp force trauma, and perimortem injury relating to stone flake, which remains embedded in right wall of nasal pyriform aperture; c) healed linear penetrating fracture and cut marks in left zygomatic bone relating to sharp-blunt force trauma, and healed nasal fracture. Credit: Luis Pezo-Lanfranco The transition from the fifth to the fourth century BCE (Before the Common Era) seems to have been a critical period for the Central Andes, a region now part of Peru. Researchers have found evidence of turbulence during the passage from the Middle Formative period (1200400 BCE) to the Late Formative period (4001 BCE). Political disintegration and intergroup violence were apparently part of the context, possibly associated with a shift from theocracy to secular government. A new study, published in the journal Latin American Antiquity, consistently reinforces these suppositions. The study was conducted by a team of Peruvian, Colombian and Brazilian researchers led by Peruvian bioarchaeologist Luis Pezo-Lanfranco, then affiliated with the Biological Anthropology Laboratory at the University of Sao Paulo's Institute of Biosciences (IB-USP) in Brazil. "We made a detailed analysis of the skeletal remains of 67 individuals excavated at a burial ground dating from the period 500400 BCE and located in the Supe Valley region, a few kilometers from Caral, a famous ceremonial center that functioned between 2900 and 1800 BCE. There we detected injury patterns characteristic of repeated events of interpersonal violence. Among the individuals examined, 80% of the adults and adolescents died from inflicted traumatic injuries," Pezo-Lanfranco told Agencia FAPESP. He currently works in the Department of Prehistory at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Spain. Perimortem injuries to the skull, face and chest observed in several individuals are compatible with lethal, probably intercommunity, violence, whose victims included children. "Our hypothesis is that a group of strangers came to the community and committed the murders. After the aggressors left, the murder victims were buried by their own people with the usual funeral rites, as suggested by the burial patterns," he said. Perimortem means at or near the time of death. Bone damage in perimortem injuries shows no evidence of healing. Bone damage in antemortem injuries shows evidence of healing. Although perimortem trauma was the most frequent type of injury among the adult skeletons studied, as well as some of the child remains, many examples of antemortem trauma were also found, and several individuals displayed both, suggesting the occurrence of at least two violent events during their lives. The first led to injuries that healed, while the second killed them. "The markers point to exposure to repetitive and lethal violence during the course of their lives," Pezo-Lanfranco said. The most frequent injuries were depressed fractures of the cranial vault, other maxillofacial fractures, thoracic fractures (mainly in ribs and scapulae), and "defensive" fractures of the ulna (forearm, indicating an attempt to parry a blow). Sixty-four of the 67 individuals studied were buried in a fetal position: 12 in dorsal decubitus (lying on their back), four in ventral decubitus (on their stomach), seven in left lateral decubitus (on their left side), and 41 in right lateral decubitus. The fetal position is a recurring burial pattern in prehistoric and ancient communities worldwide. Given its association with the womb, some experts believe it reflects the expectation of rebirth after death. Besides the signs of violence, the analysis of the bones showed a high incidence of non-specific stresses and infectious diseases, possibly associated with adverse living conditions due to a combination of a shortage of resources and population growth. The simplicity of most of the grave goods also points to poverty. Many of the skeletons were buried with plain cotton fabric, woven mats and basketry, gourds containing vegetables, cotton seeds and roots, necklaces, and pottery. "Stable isotope studies showed that staple crops were the basis for their subsistence," Pezo-Lanfranco said. Competition for scant resources in the Supe Valley region was probably a major factor in the collapse of the Chavin culture, which spread through Peru's mountains and coast between 1200 and 500 BCE. Its center was Chavin de Huantar, a monumental ceremonial site in northern Peru in the Maranon River basin. The Maranon rises in the Peruvian Andes at about 5,800 m, first flowing northwest and then turning northeast to meet the Ucayali and become the Upper Amazon and Solimoes in Brazil. "The Chavin system reached exhaustion during the Middle to Late Formative transition, around 500400 BCE. Several ceremonial centers, including Chavin de Huantar, were desacralized and abandoned. Political formations organized around the religious sphere disintegrated, perhaps characterizing the decline of theocracy and the emergence of secular government," Pezo-Lanfranco said. The Chavin people worshipped a "zooanthropomorphic" deity resembling a man-jaguar. Gods that combine animal and human attributes are featured in many ancient cultures around the world, including those of Crete, India and Egypt. In a purely speculative approach, some scholars think they may be later re-elaborations of prehistoric shamanic traditions in which the virtues of tutelary animals are syncretized in the figure of the shaman. This hypothesis cannot be confirmed on the basis of existing knowledge. The name of the Chavin man-jaguar god is unknown. Unlike ancient civilizations in the Old World, the Andean people who worshiped the deity left no written records that could be deciphered to furnish more detailed information. It is worth stressing that the period in question preceded the formal establishment of the Inca Empire by almost 2,000 years. Founded by Pachacuti in 1438 CE (Common Era), the Inca Empire was the ultimate expression of thousands of years of Andean civilizations, yet it lasted for less than 100 years. The Spanish executed the last reigning Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, in 1533, and in 1572 captured and killed Tupac Amaru in Vilcabamba, where he had been leading the resistance. For the researchers who conducted the study, the results are particularly important because of what they reveal about an era of ancient Andean history that has so far been poorly documented. Few burial grounds from the period in the Central Andes have been excavated, and still fewer have been found to contain remains as well-conserved as these. Their conservation is due mainly to the dry climate in the region, permitting detailed observation of injuries in almost intact bones. "The study belongs to a field we call the 'bioarchaeology of violence,' which helps understand the nature of interpersonal conflict around the middle of the first millennium before the common era," Pezo-Lanfranco said. "On the other hand, data from the same analysis, to be published soon, offers several answers regarding factors in this society that modulated morbidity and mortality, which developed in the hypothetical context of population pressure and political transition associated with the collapse of belief systems in a highly resource-poor environment." More information: Luis Pezo-Lanfranco et al, Bioarchaeological Evidence of Violence between the Middle and Late Formative (500400 BC) in the Peruvian North-Central Coast, Latin American Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.1017/laq.2023.38 Provided by FAPESP 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: Aerial image of Southern Resident killer whales taken in the Salish Sea off southern Vancouver Island during health research by SR3 SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research. Images by John Durban and Holly Fearnbach using a non-invasive drone authorized by research permit 22306 issued by the US National Marine Fisheries Service. Credit: SR3/NMFS Research Permit 19091 Scientists have resolved one of the outstanding questions about one of the world's most recognizable creatures, identifying two well-known killer whales in the North Pacific Ocean as separate species. The research is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Killer whales are one of the most widespread animals on Earth. They have long been considered one worldwide species known scientifically as Orcinus orca, with different forms in various regions known as "ecotypes." However, biologists have increasingly recognized the differences between resident and Bigg's killer whales. Resident killer whales maintain tight-knit family pods and prey on salmon and other marine fish. Bigg's killer whales roam in smaller groups, preying on other marine mammals such as seals and whales. (Killer whales actually belong to the dolphin family.) Bigg's killer whales, sometimes called transients, are named for Canadian scientist Michael Bigg, the first to describe telltale differences between the two types. He noted in the 1970s that the two animals did not mix with each other even as they occupied many of the same coastal waters, which is often a sign of different species. The finding recognizes the accuracy of the listing of Southern Resident killer whales as a Distinct Population Segment warranting protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2005. At the time, NOAA described the distinct population segment as part of an unnamed subspecies of resident killer whales in the North Pacific. Now a team of scientists from NOAA Fisheries and universities have assembled genetic, physical, and behavioral evidence. The data distinguish two of the killer whale ecotypes of the North Pacific Coastresidents and Bigg'sas separate species. "We started to ask this question 20 years ago, but we didn't have much data, and we did not have the tools that we do now," said Phil Morin, an evolutionary geneticist at NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center and lead author of the new paper. "Now we have more of both, and the weight of the evidence says these are different species." Differences between two killer whale types in the North Pacific Ocean that new research recognizes as the first separate species of killer whales. Killer whales had long been known as one worldwide species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Uko Gorter Genetic data from previous studies revealed that the two species likely diverged more than 300,000 years ago and come from opposite ends of the killer whale family tree. That makes them about as genetically different as any killer whale ecotypes around the globe. Subsequent studies of genomic data confirm that they have evolved as genetically and culturally distinct groups, which occupy different niches in the same Northwest marine ecosystem. "They're the most different killer whales in the world, and they live right next to each other and see each other all the time," said Barbara Taylor, a former NOAA Fisheries marine mammal biologist who was part of the science panel that assessed the status of Southern Residents. "They just do not mix." Recognizing new species The Taxonomy Committee of the Society of Marine Mammalogy will determine whether to recognize the new species in its official list of marine mammal species. The committee will likely determine whether to accept the new designations at its next annual review this summer. The scientists proposed scientific names for the new species based on their earliest published descriptions in the 1800s. Neither will keep the ubiquitous worldwide moniker, orca. The team proposed to call resident killer whales Orcinus ater, a Latin reference to their dominant black coloring. Bigg's killer whales would be called Orcinus rectipinnus, a combination of Latin words for erect wing, probably referring to their tall, sharp dorsal fin. Both species names were originally published in 1869 by Edward Drinker Cope, a Pennsylvania scientist known more for unearthing dinosaurs than studying marine mammals. He was working from a manuscript that California whaling captain Charles Melville Scammon had sent to the Smithsonian Institution describing West Coast marine mammals, including the two killer whales. While Cope credited Scammon for the descriptions, Scammon took issue with Cope for editing and publishing Scammon's work without telling him. (See accompanying story.) The Smithsonian Institution had shared Scammon's work with Cope, and a Smithsonian official later apologized to Scammon for what he called "Cope's absurd blunder." The neotype skulls for Bigg's killer whale, Orcinus rectipinnus (left), and the resident killer whale, Orcinus ater (right). The Bigg's killer whale skull is more robust and has a wider rostrum (beak), which are presumably adaptations for feeding on larger prey such as marine mammals. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Southwest Fisheries Science Center Species reflect ecosystem The contested question of whether Southern Residents were distinct enough to merit endangered species protections initially drove much of the research that helped differentiate the two species, said Eric Archer, who leads the Marine Mammal Genetics Program at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center and is a co-author of the new research paper. The increasing processing power of computers has made it possible to examine killer whale DNA in ever finer detail. He said the findings not only validate protection for the animals themselves, but also help reveal different components of the marine ecosystems the whales depend on. "As we better understand what makes these species special, we learn more about how they use the ecosystems they inhabit and what makes those environments special, too," he said. The new research synthesizes the earliest accounts of killer whales on the Pacific Coast with modern data on physical characteristics. They also use aerial imaging (called photogrammetry), and measurement and genetic testing of museum specimens at the Smithsonian and elsewhere. While the two species look similar to the untrained eye, the evidence demonstrates they are very different species. They use different ecological niches, such as specializing in different prey, said Kim Parsons, a geneticist at the NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle and co-author of the new research. Recent research with drones and precise aerial photos has helped differentiate Bigg's killer whales as longer and larger. This might better equip them to go after large marine mammal prey. The smaller size of residents is likely better suited to deep dives after their salmon prey, said John Durban, an associate professor at Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute. He leads killer whale drone research with Holly Fearnbach, a researcher at SR. The different prey of the two species may also help explain their different trajectories. Southern Residents are listed as endangered in part because of the scarcity of their salmon prey. Bigg's killer whales, by contrast, have multiplied while feeding on plentiful marine mammals, including California sea lions. While killer whales represent some of the most efficient predators the world has ever seen, Durban said science is still unraveling the diversity among them. The identification of additional killer whale species is likely to follow. One leading candidate may be "Type D" killer whales identified in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Other killer whales in Antarctica also look very different from the best-known black and white killer whales. This reflects a wider diversity within the species, said Durban, who has used drones to study killer whales around the world. "The more we learn," he said, "the clearer it becomes to me that at least some of these types will be recognized as different species in due course." More information: Phillip A. Morin et al, Revised taxonomy of eastern North Pacific killer whales (Orcinus orca ): Bigg's and resident ecotypes deserve species status, Royal Society Open Science (2024). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231368 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas. Pointing to the still paltry share of renewable energy in global supply, the head of Saudi Aramco described the current energy transition strategy as a misguided failure on Monday. "In the real world, the current transition strategy is visibly failing on most fronts," Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser said at the CERAWeek conference in Houston. Fossil fuels accounted for 82 percent of global consumption last year, according to a report from consultancy KPMG cited by Nasser, who noted that the International Energy Agency has said oil demand could hit a record this year. "This is hardly the future picture some have been painting," Nasser said. "All this strengthens the view that peak oil and gas is unlikely for some time to come, let alone 2030," added Nasser, alluding to a medium-term target that has been seen as a potential phaseout date for crude. Joining Nasser in speaking skeptically of an imminent energy revolution was ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods, who said "we're not on the path" to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. "One of the challenges here is that while society wants to see emissions reduced, nobody wants to pay for it," Woods said. Nasser called for policies more in tune with the "real world." While alternative energy can reduce emissions, "when the world does focus on reducing emission from hydrocarbons, it achieves much better results," Nasser said. Last year's COP28 conference included a call for a transition away from fossil fuels. But Nasser said the world should "abandon the fantasy of phasing out oil and gas and instead invest in them adequately reflecting realistic demand assumptions." 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Max Fischer from Pexels Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school students are not achieving their potential. A previous review in 2019 estimated that 10% of the state's students were gifted but that up to 40% of those students were not meeting their potential. Other studies have suggested about 50% of gifted students are underachieving. Our new research found teachers tend to focus their tailored approaches toward helping students performing below standard, rather than their gifted peers. Our study also looks at how gifted students can be better supported at school. What does 'gifted' mean? There are lots of different ways to be gifted and different definitions of a gifted child. Gifted students are generally understood to have natural abilities well above their peers of the same age. This roughly puts them in the top 10% of their age group. Many Australian school systems, such as NSW and Victoria, base their understanding of gifted students on the work of Canadian educational psychologist Francoys Gagne. Gagne says giftedness occurs across various domains, from intellectual to physical, creative and social-emotional. Signs a child may be gifted include reading or manipulating numbers before they start school, being very knowledgeable about topics of interest, and making connections easily. Gifted students can also have an acute interest in social justice, a mature sense of humor and enjoy hypothesizing. Or they may show advanced skill in the arts or sporting activities. A student is seen as underachieving when there's a significant mismatch between their ability and their performance in assessments. Our research Our research was a scoping review looking at 38 studies from 2000 to 2022. It examined what teachers and schools have done to meet the needs of high-achieving students. A scoping review is a study that maps out all the available evidence on a topic. The review included studies from around the world, including Australia, the United States, England, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Singapore. It found while teachers try to meet all students' needs, their tailored efforts tend to be geared towards supporting students who are not meeting basic standards. This means gifted student may not get sufficient help at school to support their own particular needs. Instead, they may be directed simply to work on their own or take on "class helper" roles if they finish their tasks early. How can gifted students be supported? Teachers of course need to have the time, resources and school support to get to know each individual student and to offer appropriate programs. Provided teachers have these things, our study identified multiple teaching approaches that can have a positive impact on gifted students. They can be used in both primary and secondary schools. The emphasis is on collaborating with students, tailoring content for individual students and being flexible. Some specific approaches include: exploring a topic in greater depth or breadth with a student assigning tasks that specifically tap into a student's interests giving open-ended tasks that allow for problem-solving giving students a choice in how a topic should be investigated having students work through the curriculum at a faster pace skipping content if a student has already mastered it encouraging students to explore topics across different disciplines (for example, studying a novel as a piece of literature, from a historical perspective and as a basis on which to explore a health issue raised in the text) providing access to role models and experts to extend learning. There are other reasons students can underachieve It is also important to note there are other reasons why gifted students may not meet their potential. There may be issues with a student's confidence at school or motivation. Or they may have attitudes towards teachers or school that negatively impact their learning. Or they may not be identified as gifted, if they come from a socioeconomically disadvantaged or culturally diverse background, or if they have a disability such as dyslexia or autism that makes schooling challenging. Very narrow definitions of "gifted" may also mean students are not picked up as high-achieving if they don't perform above expected in certain assessments. If parents think their child is showing signs of being gifted they should contact their child's teacher or school to talk about specific support. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Schematic illustration of designing two-dimensional room-temperature multiferroic materials through d-p spin coupling and symmetry-breaking hexagonal heterocycles. Credit: Li Xiangyang A research group led by Prof. Li Xiangyang from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has theoretically predicted a series of multiferroic materials that can be applied in room-temperature environments by utilizing the d-p spin coupling combined with center-symmetry-breaking organic heterocycles in two-dimensional (2D) Cr-based metal-organic frameworks. The results are published in Nano Letters. Multiferroic materials, characterized by the coexistence of two or three ferroic orders, have emerged as a key research platform, driving advances in information storage, sensing technologies, electronics, and energy conversion. The advent of 2D materials has revitalized the field of multiferroics, promising thinner, more efficient, and versatile functionalities. However, despite significant progress in the field, the number of 2D multiferroics with room temperature magnetism is still notably low. To overcome this challenge, the researchers proposed a novel approach to achieve 2D room-temperature multiferroics in 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by exploiting the d-p spin coupling in combination with center-symmetry-breaking six-membered heterocyclic ligands. Using this method, they investigated 128 different 2D MOFs and discovered three unique multiferroic materials: Cr(1,2-oxazine) 2 , Cr(1,2,4-triazine) 2 , and Cr(1,2,3,4-trazine) 2 . All of these materials exhibit both ferrimagnetism and ferro/antiferroelectricity at room temperature. The room temperature ferrimagnetic order is thought to arise from the strong d-p direct spin coupling between Cr cations and ligand anions. Specifically, Cr(1,2-oxazine) 2 exhibits ferroelectric properties, while the latter two exhibit antiferroelectric properties. Impressively, each of these materials possesses suitable barriers for polarization switching. "Our study provides a promising platform for the design of 2D room-temperature multiferroic materials," said Prof. Li Xiangyang. More information: Qingqing Feng et al, A Route to Two-Dimensional Room-Temperature Organometallic Multiferroics: The Marriage of dp Spin Coupling and Structural Inversion Symmetry Breaking, Nano Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00210 Journal information: Nano Letters 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 Mola CubeSat from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) was successfully launched into orbit on March 21 by the National Reconnaissance Office, riding aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Credit: Brady Kenniston / Rocket Lab In the dark, early morning sky of March 21 over NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility on the Virginia coast, a Rocket Lab Electron rocket carried a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) manifest featuring three collaborative research missions into low-Earth orbitincluding the latest piece of home-grown space hardware from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). Led by Associate Research Professors Dr. Wenschel Lan, principal investigator, and Dr. Giovanni Minelli, co-principal investigator, from NPS' Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG), the Mola CubeSat mission which launched into space aboard NROL-123 includes two payload experiments built by NPSa terahertz imaging camera (TIC) and an LED on-orbit payload (LOOP)and a radio transmitter built by New Zealand's Defense Science and Technology unit. NPS Department of Physics Associate Professor Fabio Alves, along with Associate Professor Drago Grbovic and Professor Emeritus Gamani Karunasiri, have been leading the effort to advance the TIC and the technology behind it. Since 2018, an NPS campus collaboration between the Sensor Research Lab and the Small Satellite Lab has allowed faculty and students to develop a series of flight payloads to demonstrate this cutting-edge technology. The LOOP, built by Ph.D. candidate U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Dillon Pierce, is the first step towards an optical tracking and communications capability. The long-term effort seeks to advance NPS research into free-space optical communications for CubeSats and small satellites, using highly directional optical lasers to increase speed and security of low-earth orbit (LEO) communications while avoiding congested radio frequencies. The initial experiment with LOOP is to visually observe the ultra-bright LEDs on the satellite. Plans are to eventually track LOOP with a 70-centimeter optical terminal telescope based atop the roof of NPS' Spanagel Hall. "The NPS mission is to educate our warrior-scholars, and Mola will certainly continue to achieve that objective," said Lan. "Over the past few years, we have integrated this research into Space Systems coursework so that students can work with real spaceflight hardware as part of their regular curriculum in addition to thesis research. We've also had a great experience working with our Five Eyes partners, and it has given us a chance to collaborate with our colleagues on campus as well." Mola's payloads are directly supported by NPS' Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) network, a Department of Defense-sponsored effort that began in 2011 at NPS. Over the years the SSAG has developed partnerships with nine other tracking facilities, leading to a community-based, U.S. government sponsored ground station network for small satellites, or SmallSats. These include three other DOD service universities, civilian institutions, industry partners, and governmental agencies across the country, working within a distributed operations network that share tracking responsibilities via parallel ground stations. The MC3 project contributes to an important collaborative relationship of the Five Eyes (FVEY), an intelligence alliance between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries are parties to a treaty for joint cooperation in signals intelligence, and the MC3 network plans to eventually collaborate with the FVEY International SmallSat Command and Control Network (ISC2N). By chance, Minelli and SSAG Faculty Associate for Research Alex Savattone were in Auckland, New Zealand for the NROL-123 launch. "We're in Auckland for a face-to-face meeting to support the FVEY program. Mola's launch was fortuitous for us as one of Mola's main objectives is to demonstrate communications with the FVEY ground stations," said Minelli. The first few hours after Mola was launched were intense and exciting, as the team looked to establish communications with the satellite. And it worked out very well. "The team, led by Dr. Wenschel Lan and Dr. Gio Minelli, had acquisition of data from the CubeSat on the first pass after deployment," said Dr. Jim Newman, SSAG chair. Dr. Wenschel Lan and Dr. Giovanni Minelli from the Space Systems Academic Group at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) prepare the Mola CubeSat small satellite for its March 21 launch by the National Reconnaissance Office. Credit: Javier Chagoya / U.S. Navy It may sound simplebut it isn't, with many procedural steps that had to be completed once the Electron rocket deploys its payloads in low earth orbit (LEO). "When the spacecraft is ejected, it will power itself up," explained Minelli before the launch. "It will turn on its GPS receiver to determine its position. Its star tracker will take pictures of the stars, determining the satellite's orientation based on a preloaded star map. If the battery levels are sufficient, the satellite will then turn on its reaction wheels and attempt to stabilize itself, with its solar panels facing the sun." Emotions during the launch and deployment of Mola were somewhat tense, as both students' and researchers' years of hard work had been building up to that moment, when the satellite passed over NPS, ready to try to communicate about 90 minutes after launch. "It's been a long roadwe originally wrote the white paper describing this concept in 2019. Eventually we got funded, navigated the pandemic, and built it," said Minelli. "We're a very small team and there is a lot of us put into a mission like this. Every team member and student contributed significantly, otherwise this wouldn't work." Hands-on, experiential student learning has been a core priority of SSAG since its establishment in 1982. This latest launch builds on NPS' first foray into launching satellites into space. Back in the 1990s, long-time SSAG Chair Dr. Rudy Panholzer led the design, development, build, and launch of PANSAT, or Petite Amateur Navy Satellite. The program supported more than 50 master's degrees and educated many others. PANSAT was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-95 in 1998, the same flight that included former Project Mercury astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, and it performed beyond all expectations. With a battery life and on-board systems estimated to operate for about 36 months, PANSAT remained in communications with NPS ground stations for almost eight years! The SSAG team has launched payloads on the Space Shuttle, several CubeSats, small satellites, and innovative CubeSat deployment technologies. And Mola and future projects are now poised to continue building on this important flight history. According to Lan, this history has in the past and will in the future support naval-relevant learningdeveloping affordable space assets that are not only learning opportunities for students, but will also demonstrate scalable technologies for naval and defense operations in space. "One of our goals for the SSAG is to have satellites that the students can operate for learning spacecraft operations," Lan said. "We've had so many students contribute to Mola already, and the next few cohorts will continue to reap the benefits." Naval capabilities in the maritime domain depend increasingly upon effective knowledge and skills, such as those taught at NPS, to deploy and operate systems in the space domain. "NPS provides the kind of hands-on learning experience with direct mission application that our Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, benefited from himself when he was an NPS Space Systems student, and we intend to continue to offer our students such opportunities in the future," said Newman. Provided by Naval Postgraduate School This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain When large numbers of gray whales began washing up along North America's Pacific Coast nearly six years ago, marine scientists could only speculate on the reason: Was it disease? Ocean pollution? Increasing ship collisions? Many of the doomed cetaceans looked skinny or emaciated, while others looked torn up by orcas. Some had clearly died after being struck by a ship, or getting entangled in fishing gear. Still others provided no discernible clues. Nowafter more than 700 gray whales have washed ashore in Mexico, Canada, California and other U.S. states since late 2018new research published in PLOS One suggests the culprit was a critical drop in food availability in the mammals' Arctic and sub-Arctic seafloor feeding grounds. What remains unclear however is whether this malnutrition was caused by a change in the ocean, or the whales themselves. "Did something happen to their food supply in those years that put them under acute nutritional stress and which resulted in a lot of whales being in really poor condition and dying?" asked study co-author Padraig Duignan, a pathologist at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. "Or did the number of whales in the population build up to such a level that they have competed with each other for food and then again, a proportion of the population died off because they couldn't compete for the available resources?" The research builds on an investigation that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched in early 2019, after declaring the whale deaths an unusual mortality event, or UME. Researchers, observers and stranding coordinators across North America began working togetheralerting one another to strandings; sending crews to document and collect tissue samples; and performing necropsies (the animal form of an autopsy). The NOAA investigation recorded 690 dead whales since Jan. 1, 2019. However, researchers suspect the true number is thousands more than that. Most whales die at sea and sink to the seafloor, far beyond the sight or reach of humans. Joshua Stewart, a quantitative ecologist at Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, who was not an author on the paper, estimates the gray whale population was reduced by half during the most recent mortality event. "The population is 14,000 down from 27,000 or so," he said. "That's a big drop." NOAA declared recently that the die-off was over. Every year, California gray whales make a roughly 13,000 mile round-trip journey from the chilly waters of the Arctic to the balmy lagoons of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, and back again. During the summer months, they feed on a smorgasbord of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as shrimp-like copepods, that flourish in the mud and sand of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Here they mate and fill their bellies, readying themselves for the long trip south to the warm, protected nurseries of the shallow Baja estuaries. Along the way, they dodge ships and fishing equipment, navigate polluted waters, and hide from hungry orcas. They also have to contend with biotoxins and infectious diseases. So when researchers began looking at the whales' bodies, they tried to determine which of these various calamities was the primary cause of the population die-off. Although other gray whale die-offs have occurred along the Pacific Coast, they have been less closely researched. In 1999 and 2000, 651 whales stranded onshore, but only three whales were necropsied. Another die-off in the late 1980s was studied even less. This time, however, the scientific investigative team was largespread across three nationshighly coordinated, and had access to new technologies, such as drones, which enabled them to create a more thorough picture of the whales who died, and those that remained alive. "I think funding was a big part of it as well," said Stephen Raverty, a veterinary pathologist with the Marine Mammal Research Unit in British Columbia, and lead author of the study. "It's really afforded an opportunity to respond to these animals. And then we're always trying to get the information back to the First Nations community or sharing it with the public. And I think that engages more people to actually want to contribute and participate in these efforts." He also gave a nod to co-author Deborah Fauquier, a veterinary medical officer with the National Fisheries Service's Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, Md. He said Fauquier was instrumental in organizing the sharing of information across nations, departments and individuals. But even with such resources, studying whale die-offs is difficult. Despite the hundreds of whales that washed ashore, researchers could only properly examine 61. That's because the majority of reported carcasses were either discovered weeks or months after the animal had diedand were far too decomposed for proper analysisor they were located on remote islands, inaccessible coves, or the prows of ships at sea. Of the 61 whales they examined, researchers determined the cause of death in just over half. Sixteen were severely emaciated and likely died of starvation; 11 died of blunt force traumaalthough two of those whales were also extremely underweight; at least three bore fatal wounds from killer whales and two were tangled in fishing gear. Overall, 18 whales were considered emaciated, 27 deemed "thin," nine average and two fat. In the five others, nutritional state could not be determined. One thing that was clear: The die-off wasn't due to disease. Large animal die-offs are often due to biotoxins, viruses or bacterial infections. The avian flu currently circulating around the globe is one example. The domoic acid outbreak during the summer of 2023, which killed hundreds of sea lions and dolphins, is another. "We didn't find any evidence of anything that looks like an infectious disease," said Duignan. "There were no telltale signs of infection of any kind. And we did do a lot of testing for viruses, bacteria, toxins, and there was nothing significant." Now, the question is whether the gray whale population will recover, continue to decline, or has hit a level that is sustainable, considering the massive changes occurring in their summer feeding grounds. Raverty noted that during this latest investigation, reports of unusual feeding behavior by the whales was observed relatively frequently. While the biological mantra had always been that gray whales feed only on bottom-dwelling organisms in the northern seas during the summer monthsand fast for the rest of the yearreports came in of gray whales filter feeding and skimming krill off the surface, in places such as San Francisco Bay. The ability of gray whales to adapt has long been knownbut the frequency with which these behaviors were occurring suggested to some an immediate adaptive reaction to lack of food, or possibly behaviors no one had ever really paid heed. That's partly what is so exciting about this research, said Raverty. It enabled scientists to build a baseline upon which they can now make comparisons. "If we look at another five or 15 years, if we get another recurrence," he said, they'll have this data with which to compare. As for the future and population recovery? "The way I think about this is ... these whales aren't going away. They're not going to go extinct," Stewart said. "But if the environment becomes much more marginal, we might just not see as many whales as we have had in the past when we had really robust, productive Arctic [seafloor] habitats." More information: Stephen Raverty et al, Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) post-mortem findings from December 2018 through 2021 during the Unusual Mortality Event in the Eastern North Pacific, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295861 Journal information: PLoS ONE 2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Headshot of a Formica cinerea queen. Credit: Giulia Scarparo/UCR An ant colony is sustained through complex social dynamics, with each memberthe queen, males and workers (sterile females)contributing to the greater community. Some species add complexity to this dynamic with the addition of rather small queens. Researchers at UC Riverside tackled why these additional queens are present by focusing on complex genetic structures, called supergenes, in the community. These supergenes control the origin and duplication of the petite queens in one ant species. The results of their study are available in the December issue of the journal Current Biology. "We were intrigued by the tiny queens," said senior author Jessica Purcell, associate professor in the Department of Entomology at UCR. "It's a great system (multiple-queen ant colonies) to study the evolution of supergenes, which exist in many types of organisms." Supergenes vary in size but consist of a cluster of genes on the same chromosome that are linked. The supergene suppresses recombinationa common shuffling of genes during cell divisionand transmits and preserves the architecture of the supergene from generation to generation. These mega genes are associated with traits, or phenotypes, expressed by many organisms, including migratory patterns in fish and birds and the number of queens in an ant colony. While not common in all ant colonies, Purcell and her colleagues focused on the small queens in one ant species, Formica cinerea, which is common throughout Europe, spanning from Spain to western Siberia and from Scandinavia to the Balkans. These ants are beneficial, happily spending their days munching on spiders, mites and even sugary aphid poop. The research team identified the presence of two supergenes that increase the colony queen count and control queen size. The queen is the most important and largest ant in the colony. The queen has wings and can fly away, but her primary role is to lay eggs to grow generations of workers, males, and her successor. Workers live for about six months and spend their time foraging for food and caring for the brood. Males have a shorter lifespan; they rarely leave the colony and mate once with a future queen. Tiny queens obtain their power from a supergene that formed about 23 million years ago and determines whether colonies have one queen or multiple queens. The researchers found another supergene responsible for ant size. The two supergenes together produce additional queens that are 20% smaller than a typical ant queen. First author Giulia Scarparo sampling Formica ants in South Dakota, USA, summer, 2023. Credit: Jessica Purcell/UCR This pairing can have a considerable effect on the colony. "Ants are social insects and create huge colonies where nestmates are related to each other, and colonies works well together to raise their relatives," said Giulia Scarparo, an entomology post-doctoral student and first author of the study. "In a polygyne (multiple queen) colony, the relationship between nestmates is lower. The presence of many unrelated nestmates can lead to reproductive conflicts among workers. " The researchers suggest the conflicts that arise from these combined supergenes may help the colony expand and survive. Establishing an independent colony requires the queen to fly to a new location and use her body reserves housed in the wing muscles and body fat to raise the first brood of workers. This strategy is risky and can lead to the death of the queen, and with her the colony. Tiny queens lack the energy reserves to establish a new colony, but they can join existing colonies. This raises new questions to consider regarding the ongoing cooperation among groups who are not genetically related. "The discovery of supergenes associated with microgynes (small queens) is the first discovery of this type," said Scarparo. "We think these kind of queens can be socially parasiticsocial insects that take advantage of other social insects. Microgynes could be a good starting point to understand the evolution of social parasitism, and we may have a supergene driving this lifestyle." Purcell and Scarparo were joined on this project by Alan Brelsford, an assistant professor of biology, and Marie Palanchon, a graduate student in Purcell's lab. The article is titled "Social antagonism facilitates supergene expansion in ants." More information: Giulia Scarparo et al, Social antagonism facilitates supergene expansion in ants, Current Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.049 Journal information: Current Biology 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: UK net emissions fell largely due to reduced gas use. UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.4 percent in 2023, largely due to a reduction in the amount of gas used in power stations, according to official data published on Thursday. Net emissions of all greenhouse gases were estimated to have been 384.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023, compared to 406.2 million tonnes in 2022, the government's provisional figures showed. Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 6.6 percent annually to 302.8 million tonnes, part of a 52.7-percent decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. The UK government said the figures showed that the country was halfway to reaching net-zero emissions. "This latest drop in our emissions follows the UK's achievement in becoming the first major economy to halve its polluting carbon emissions," said Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho. The UK government's target is to reach net zero by 2050. Gas use for electricity generation fell 21.1 percent in 2023, "primarily due to higher electricity imports from France, as well as UK electricity demand continuing to decline", said the report. The reduced demand is mainly due to "greater efficiency resulting from improvements in technology and a decline in the relative importance of energy-intensive industries", it added. High energy prices are also likely to have been a factor, with less fuel being used to heat buildings and by industry, said the report. Nuclear and renewables accounted for 56.7 percent of fuel used for electricity generation in 2023, up from 22.2 percent in 1990. Domestic transport remained the largest source of UK emissions, accounting for 29.1 percent in 2023, almost all of which are from carbon dioxide, the main source being the use of petrol and diesel in road vehicles. However, the sector's emissions decreased by 1.4 percent in 2023, the first fall since 2020 when travel was heavily restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Germany in January reported a 9.8 percent fall in carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 due to the sharp decline in coal consumption and crisis in its industrial sector. And France last week said its domestic greenhouse gas emissions had fallen by 4.8 percent over the same period. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Swarm of toroidal polar topology appearing from the liquid background. Credit: Yang et al. Magnetic and electric dipoles, objects with two oppositely charged ends, have a similar symmetrical structure. One might thus assume that they exhibit similar internal structures and physical states. Researchers at South China University of Technology in China recently showed that this is not always the case, by examining the topology of an emerging ferroelectric liquid-matter state with polarized helices, known as the "helielectric nematic state." Their findings, published in Nature Physics, show that this state has a spontaneous toroidal polar topology generated through a flexoelectric effect that favors a specific form of splay deformation of polarizations. While ferroelectricity in the nematic phase was hypothesized for decades, it was only experimentally demonstrated in 2020, by a research group at University of Colorado Boulder. This team successfully observed this elusive liquid crystal phase in RM734, a chemical compound synthesized by a research group at the University of Leeds in 2017. "In collaboration with a chemist, Prof. Huang, our group started designing highly polar and fluidic liquid crystal materials and understanding their structure-property relationships in 2019, which still needed to be established at fundamental levels," Satoshi Aya, the corresponding author of the current paper in Nature Physics, told Phys.org. "We built on the pioneering works of Mandle and Goodby (RM734 molecule) and a Japanese group at Kyushu University led by Prof. Kikuchi (DIO molecule). Notably, both RM734 and DIO were found in 2017, nearly at the same time." Up until recently, Aya and his collaborators have been compiling a molecular library containing various ferroelectric nematic and new polar liquid crystal materials. By analyzing materials in this library, which now includes approximately 300400 materials, they were able to identify polar phases and unexpected phase transitions that lead to the formation of previously unknown polar topological structures. "As a particular case, we found some ferroelectric nematic materials with relatively low shape anisotropy but high polarity can directly go from the isotropic liquid to the ferroelectric nematic phase in 2020," Aya explained. "This allowed us to spontaneously generate ferroelectric nematic droplets floating in the isotropic liquid background. The spatial confinement leads to several unique polar topological textures, some known as polar merons, whose formation was attributed to be mainly driven by polar interactions in the ferroelectric fluids." The phase previously uncovered by Aya is driven by a conventional Frank elasticity, as well as flexoelectricity and depolarization field effect. This interesting discovery inspired them to further explore the competition between polar interactions and liquid crystal elasticity in the phase. Zoomed toroidals. Credit: Yang et al. "In our recent study, we initially aimed to understand how chirality would be coupled with the flexoelectricity and depolarization field effect," Aya said. "Therefore, we doped chiral dopants into the ferroelectric nematic molecule used in one of our previous papers published in Nature Communications. Of course, at the beginning, we did not expect such a lovely, unprecedented texture to appear." In their recent study, Aya and his colleagues employed two primary experimental techniques. First, they used a second-harmonic generation interferometric microscopy, leveraging a nonlinear optical response that emerges in systems where the inversion symmetry is broken. This first method allowed them to visualize the polar orientational field in their sample. Subsequently, the researchers used a technique called polarized fluorescent microscopy to double-check the orientational field obtained by second-harmonic generation interferometric microscopy. "Interferometric microscopy and polarized fluorescent microscopy are complementary methods," Aya explained. "While the former probes the head-to-tail inequivalent (polar) orientational field, the latter captures the head-to-tail equivalent (nonpolar) orientational field." Overall, Aya and his collaborators gathered very interesting observations. First, they showed that unlike crystal-based ferroelectric materials, in which only one or two strong polar interactions dominate and compete with the lattice strain, ferroelectric fluids balance interactions with much greater freedom. "This delicate balance can lead to multiple influencers determining the topological details," Aya said. "For example, in simple words summarizing the current case, the competition between chirality and confinement judges whether an in-plane and untwisted field is favored; flexoelectricity determines where domain walls should be generated; and finally, depolarization field dictates what type of polar orientational field should be generated around the domain walls." The physical process observed by Aya and his colleagues has several stages, in which different interactions contribute to details of the materials' final topology. Their findings suggest that combinations of polar and liquid crystal interactions with different magnitudes could lead to a diverse range of unfamiliar polar topologies. Building on this insight, researchers could soon set out to observe new polar topologies, by designing molecules with different shapes and polar properties. "The second key implication of our findings is that the depolarization field is a vital factor that affects the electric-field-driven dynamics in confined ferroelectric fluids," Aya said. "This message is very important. Imagine you now have a uniform alignment of the polar orientational field to a particular direction in free space. If one applies a DC electric field antiparallel to the polarization, it is easy to expect that the polarization field will reorient to the field direction, as verified by the UC Boulder group on ferroelectric nematics in 2020. "We found that this scenario does not hold for the confined nematics. A similar work, but with a slightly different process, was also published one year before our publication." Another zoomed image of toridals. Credit: Yang et al. Aya and his collaborators found that the topological structure observed by the group at UC Boulder does not apply to confined nematics, where nontrivial depolarization fields can develop via complex spatial polar orientation fields. In the phase they observed, both the space charge due to the splay deformation of the orientation field and the interracial charge created on interfaces or near orientational singularities act as the source of the depolarization fields. "On one hand, one has to realize this matter when they do experiments using ferroelectric fluids, especially when they want to judge to which direction the polarization orients by using electric field (as the Boulder group did)," Aya said. "On the other hand, as a naive perspective, I guess the nontrivial depolarization field can also be considered as a tool for generating complex polarization patterns (so topological engineering or topological switching) that would be impossible by using complex electrodes." This recent work by Aya and his collaborators could soon pave the way for further studies investigating the polar-interaction-driven toroidal polar topology they uncovered. In addition, it could open new opportunities for the development of switchable ferroelectric-liquid-matter optoelectronic devices. "Of course, it isn't easy to shed light on the mechanism working behind forming unique topologies only from the experimental side," Aya said. "In this perspective, along with developing new molecules with different balances of interactions mentioned above, we will and have been working on developing a theoretical background for polar nematic fluids and exploring new polar topologies by adjusting the balance between polar and liquid crystal interactions. Moreover, designing polar topological networks towards topological ferroelectrics is also very challenging." In some of their previous studies, the researchers showed that a complex polar orientational field is an advantageous feature for the realization of systems exhibiting a nonlinear optical amplification known as phase-matching. As part of their future research, they would like to build on their findings to facilitate the potential development of these systems. "Polarization engineering in crystal-based ferroelectrics is known to be very difficult," Aya added. "Thus, developing previously impossible polarization engineering in polar fluids and therefore enabling the fabrication of highly efficient nonlinear optical devices will be one of our follow-up targets." 2024 Science X Network 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: Cnemaspis vangoghi sp. nov., in life A adult male (holotype, NRC-AA-8342). Credit: Photos by Akshay Khandekar, ZooKeys (2024). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.117947 You've probably seen nature depicted in art, but how often do you see an artwork hiding in nature? When they saw the back of a lizard in the Southern Western Ghats, a group of scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation in India were reminded of van Gogh's "Starry Night." As soon as they figured out it was a new species, it was only apt to name it in honor of the famous painter. "Cnemaspis vangoghi is named for Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (18531890) as the striking coloration of the new species is reminiscent of one of his most iconic paintings, 'The Starry Night'," explains Ishan Agarwal, who took part in the study to describe the new lizard. Males of the species have a yellow head and forebody and light blue spots on the back and they live among rocks and occasionally buildings and trees. Together with his fellow researchers Akshay Khandekar and Tejas Thackeray, they found the new species during an expedition in April 2022 to the the Southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India. Now, they have published their findings in the journal ZooKeys. "Tamil Nadu is an exceptionally biodiverse state and we expect to name well over 50 new species of lizards by the time we are done [with our expeditions]," Ishan Agarwal says. "I also had more than 500 tick bites during that summer trip, with the highest densities in the low-elevation, dry forests of Srivilliputhur, where the new species are found." Cnemaspis vangoghi. Credit: Akshay Khandekar Cnemaspis vangoghi is a small-sized gecko that can reach 3.4 cm in length. It was described as new to science together with another species of its genus, Cnemaspis sathuragiriensis, named for its type locality the Sathuragiri Hills. "The two new species are distributed in low elevation (250400 m asl.), deciduous forests of Srivilliputhur, and add to the five previously known endemic vertebrates from Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India," Ishan Agarwal explains. They are diurnal and mainly active during the cool hours of the early morning and evening, found largely on rocks. So far, they have only been found in very restricted localities, "an interesting case of micro-endemism in low-elevation species," he notes. More information: Akshay Khandekar et al, Two new species of the Cnemaspis galaxia complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the eastern slopes of the southern Western Ghats, ZooKeys (2024). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.117947 Journal information: ZooKeys 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: Lanie, an English silver Labrador retriever, has made a full recovery after being treated at the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital for a rare autoimmune disease. Credit: Jason Nitsch, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing and Communications Having two autoimmune diseases is unusual for a dog, but having three is exceptionally rare. When Lanie, an English silver Labrador retriever, began showing signs of another illness less than a year after the diagnosis of her first two autoimmune diseases, her owners acted quickly, taking her to their local, trusted emergency veterinary clinic. The clinic used every tool at its disposal to help Lanie but ultimately determined that she needed more advanced diagnostic equipment than it could provide. The clinic recommended her owners, Anthony and Clara M. Simpson, take her to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) at Texas A&M University. While Lanie is now back to good health, thanks to the Internal Medicine and Soft Tissue Surgery teams at Texas A&M, the journey to diagnosing her mystery ailment took a few unexpected turns along the way. A double diagnosis The Simpsons' desire to bring a puppy into their family was sparked after work travel became more frequent for Anthony in 2022. After bringing Lanie home from her birthplace in Ardmore, Oklahoma, they bonded quickly with their silver pup and became a family of three. "We can't imagine our lives without her now," Clara said. "There is nothing better than coming home to Lanie, who is always happy to see us and makes us smile, regardless of the kind of day we have had." A month after bringing Lanie home, the couple noticed something was not quite right. Lanie was almost 3 months old, which meant she should have been an energetic puppy; instead, she was lethargic and uninterested in just about everything. The Simpsons' pursuit of care for Lanie led them to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS), a large emergency clinic in Houston. There, Lanie was diagnosed with Juvenile Cellulitis (puppy strangles)a rare autoimmune disease that typically affects puppies up to 6 months of ageas well as Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD)an auto-inflammatory disease of the bones. "Dr. Rhonda Dixon, the doctor who treated Lanie at GCVS, is a Texas A&M alumna," Clara said. "She was incredible and diagnosed Lanie after just one day and said that having puppy strangles and HOD at the same time was a very rare thing. Even so, she reassured us that both issues were treatable, and we were able to bring Lanie home soon after." Out of the frying pan, into the fire With Lanie back in good health, the family of three settled back into their daily routines. For Lanie, this included gathering the neighbors' weekly newspapers on her daily walks, letting Clara dress her in new bandanas, playing fetch and Frisbee as much as possible, taking an occasional weekend road trip, and documenting her life on her Instagram account. "Then Sept. 9, 2023, rolled around," Anthony said. "It was a Saturday afternoon, and Lanie would barely open her mouth. She always wants to eat, so we knew something was going on." A trip to the local emergency clinic determined Lanie hadn't eaten something she shouldn't have, but that visit ultimately left the family with more questions than answers. "That's when the emergency veterinarian said, 'Have you thought about Texas A&M?'" Clara recalled. "She let us know that Texas A&M has veterinarians who specialize in all the different parts and pieces of veterinary medicine. And she mentioned that no matter what they find, the vets at Texas A&M can direct her to the right people within the same facility." The following morning, the Simpsons drove from their home in Houston to College Station. "We walked in, and it wasn't scary or chaotic; it was actually pleasantly calm," Clara said. "We were greeted with a smile, and everyone we met with that afternoon was very kind and patient. As much as it pained us to leave her, there was no doubt we were leaving her in the best hands." Solving a mystery Lanie was initially seen by the SATH's Emergency & Critical Care Service before being referred to Dr. Jessica Herman, a resident on the Small Animal Internal Medicine service. Sunday evening, her neck and face began swelling and continued to do so throughout the week, which meant she needed a diagnosis and treatment plan sooner rather than later. "It was up to us to try and establish the underlying cause of the swelling and fever she was experiencing," Herman said. "The difficulty in this diagnosis lies in the location of her swelling, which was under the chin, where we have salivary glands, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lymph nodes and more; it is a very busy area that participates in supporting and moving the head, chewing, swallowing, breathing and talkingor, in Lanie's case, barking. We had to figure out if her swelling was a tumor, an abscess, or a foreign body like a sock." Herman's first move was to order a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which allowed her team to get an inside look at Lanie's neck and head in three dimensions. The CT helped identify where Lanie's swelling was located internally, and the team enlisted Small Animal Radiology's help to collect samples from the swollen tissues that were continuing to get bigger using an ultrasound-guided technique. "While the microscopic evaluation of these samples showed inflammation, we could not tell if the inflammation was due to a bacterial infection," Herman said. "For that, we had to loop in our awesome Soft Tissue Surgery team." From there, surgery resident Dr. Chanel Berns performed a surgical biopsy in the pursuit of answers to Lanie's mystery illness and rapid, severe swelling. "When I performed the surgery, it was clear that her lymph nodes were the problem," Berns said. "They were swollen to about 7 centimeters, whereas, typically, lymph nodes are less than a few centimeters." From the biopsy, Lanie's Internal Medicine team was able to diagnose and confirm her condition with senior clinician Dr. Genna Atiee as canine sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis. "When we break down the words in her diagnosis, it's easier to understand how her experience with puppy strangles led to her third autoimmune disease," Berns said. "Sterile means there's no underlying infectious disease, so no bacteria or fungus. Steroid-responsive means that all the swelling she had would clear up with proper steroid treatment. And lymphadenitis just means swelling of the lymph nodes. Lanie shows off her Texas A&M bandana after returning home. Credit: Clara Mechelle "So, in short, she had swelling that wasn't being caused by an ongoing infection but, rather, likely resulted from her experience with puppy strangles," Berns said. "Her body was trying to fix a problem that didn't exist and triggered a new autoimmune response." Herman explained that sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis is similar, and may be related, to puppy strangles and that the two diseases often come together. "Given her history of autoimmune diseases, it is safe to say that her immune system is not entirely normal," she said. Lanie's veterinarians determined the best steroid treatment for her condition and began seeing a rapid reduction in her swelling after application. "All three of the diseases Lanie has had in her lifetime are rare, but the sterile steroid-responsive lymphadenitis is very uncommon," Berns said. "Lanie's case was so dramatic because you could see from one day to the next how quickly she was either getting worse or better with her swelling. "Thankfully, once we knew what we were treating, she had a very quick response to the treatment," she said. "We started to see results in reducing her swelling within days, and if you see her now, you'd never know she experienced an autoimmune disease, much less three." Reuniting the family After a week at the SATH, Lanie was able to return home, where she's finishing up her treatment and enjoying the life of a happy, healthy pup again. "Thankfully, Lanie responded beautifully to the steroids we started and is living as a happy pup," Herman said. "However, some dogs will require multiple immunosuppressants to keep their disease in check. As we taper Lanie off her steroids, we hope to see her lymph nodes remain normal, but we are taking it very slow just in case." In the meantime, Lanie is back to enjoying her evening walks to the neighborhood park, eating all of her favorite foodsespecially fresh fruitand sharing her journey with the world. "I don't think that there will ever be enough words to tell her Texas A&M veterinary team how grateful we are," Clara said. "I've always heard that you should take your pets to Texas A&M and to make sure that your vet is an Aggie veterinarian. And now that we've experienced their level of care and compassion, we get it100%. We have seen firsthand how they treat the families and the animals under their carethey understand that they're more than pets; they're family." 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: Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII said that majestic marine mammals should be given inherent human rights. The King of New Zealand's Indigenous Maori people made an impassioned call Thursday for whales to be granted the same legal rights as people in a bid to protect the hallowed yet vulnerable species. Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII said that majestic marine mammals should be given inherent human rights, such as having a healthy environment, to allow the restoration of their populations. "The sound of our ancestor's song has grown weaker, and her habitat is under threat, which is why we must act now," King Tuheitia said in a rare public statement. New Zealand has previously passed laws granting legal status to natural features such as rivers and mountains that are important to the Maori people. The Mount Taranaki volcano and Whanganui River, both in New Zealand's North Island, are seen by the Maori as both ancestors and of spiritual importance. They were both granted personhood in 2017. The status has since been invoked to slow or overturn development projects and to force consultation with local groups. King Tuheitia said granting whales the same status would act as "a cloak of protection for our taonga (treasure), our ancestor -- the whales". The statement was jointly issued with the high chief of the neighboring Cook Islands, Travel Tou Ariki. The leaders are advocating for Indigenous knowledge to be combined with science for a "more holistic approach" to whale conservation. Establishing protected marine areas would be a "crucial" step, they added. 'Vital role' The leaders want Polynesian nations who share "a love for the vast Pacific Ocean" to help. "We can no longer turn a blind eye," high chief Travel Tou Ariki said. "Whales play a vital role in the health of our entire ocean ecosystem. Their decline disrupts the delicate balance that sustains all life in Te Moana (the sea)." "We must act with urgency to protect these magnificent creatures before it's too late." Whales are some of the largest mammals on earth, with blue whales measuring up to 100 feet (30.5 meters) and weighing up to 200 tonnes, the same as roughly 33 elephants. Yet their size doesn't protect them. Six of the 13 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable, according to conservation group the World Wildlife Fund. The Maori, like other Polynesian groups, are believed to have originated from islands around modern-day Tahiti, but currently make up about 17 percent of New Zealand's population, or about 900,000 people. The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand in 1642 brought colonization, anti-Maori discrimination and pitched warfare that was eventually stopped through the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty, signed between the British and hundreds of Maori chiefs, is seen as the founding document of New Zealand and established British control over the country. But it also granted the Maori the same rights as British subjects and authority over "taonga" or treasures that can be intangible. 2024 AFP By Nasratu Kargbo Residents in different parts of the capital, Freetown have expressed frustrations over the challenges they go through to access this basic amenity and expressed dissatisfaction at the way they say the problem has been overlooked by the authorities. A resident from Grassfield in the Eastern part of Freetown Memunatu Bundu explained that water difficulty is an age-old problem in the community. She said they get access to tap water only during the rains but that the tap stopped running since November, and will only open in the coming rainy season. Explaining the challenges residents of the community face, Bundu said they normally fetch water from water wells and run unhygienic water under bridges. She spoke of experiencing itching skin, diarrhea, and other health issues all due to the contaminated water she drinks. The experience of Osman Hassan Kamara at the Hill Top community in Hill Station is not different from that of Bundu. According to him, residents main source of accessing water is through boreholes, with individual owners of the wells requesting money before one can fetch water. Sometimes the wells dry up, and they would have to sit and wait till the water comes up, with some people mostly kids, having to hang around late into the night, just to have some, Kamara narrated. He said distance is also another problem, explaining he has to come down the hill and climb up which takes him 20 minutes. Commercial bikes have become very useful in transporting water for those who can afford to pay the high fares. And they charge depending on the purity of the water; those for drinking and cooking cost more than less pure water that is generally meant for laundering, flushing, or washing. The young man also mentioned that there is a Nigerian who sells water from two huge stationary tanks but said he is not consistent. He said the man brings water after a week or two, and when he does, the place is swarmed by people with jerry cans. In the case of the Moiba Community in Kissy, their problem according to Isha Mansaray is the lack of proper management of the community dam which supplies water into homes in the community. She explained that because of the dusty environment the water changes colour in the dry season. She said they have to allow the particles to settle down before they could use the water. Mansaray noted that the water problem in her community has resulted in other bigger challenges such as teenage pregnancy, dropouts, accidents, etc. This basic amenity is now a business for many; prices vary from one community to the other. According to sources, in Grassfield the price per jerry can is five hundred Leones, whilst at the Hill Top, it could be one, two, or even four thousand Leones per can, depending on the purpose of the water. Residents of Moiba pay five hundred Leones for two jerry cans. In all the communities visited, the people appealed for the timely intervention of the authorities concerned, saying they are faced with a water crisis that is having a telling effect on their daily lives. Despite strides to address the situation by the government and development partners through projects like the Millennium Challenge Cooperation water project to communities in Freetown, water scarcity remains a perennial problem in the Freetown Municipality and surrounding areas. Copyright Politico Online 07/03/22) , Cookies . cookies. Warren County may allocate as much as $1 million for a Joseph B. Warren Museum to be completed in time for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. $800,000 of this investment will be drawn from occupancy tax. The price is a steep increase from the original estimates. The Warren County Historical Society hopes to complete the project in 2025 to capitalize on tourist dollars during visits to the area to commemorate the American Revolution anniversary in 2026. However, several county officials believe the price tag to renovate this museum is too steep. The projects initial concept plan was estimated at $600,000, but rising costs to labor and materials, as well as a costly asbestos removal inflated the price. Three years ago we started out with a simple little renovation on a building that we own, and it already exists, and now were up to basically a million dollars for this renovation, Queensbury Supervisor At-Large Brad Magowan said during the Warren County Tourism and Occupancy Tax Coordination Committee meeting, Tuesday morning, March 26. The occupancy tax used to primarily finance the project is a tax placed on each nights stay at local hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast and short-term rentals. Occupancy tax money comes from all the tourists and the visitors that come from Warren County to the summer through the winter, Lake Luzerne Town Supervisor Gene Merlino explained. Merlino chairs what is commonly called the Occ Tax Committee. Queensbury Town Supervisor and Occ Tax Committee member John Strough agreed that the bid of $1 million was a lot of money for this particular job, but that the museum should be approved. Theres a time element to this. We all want to see this come to fruition. It will be a primary asset, Strough said. The museum will be adjacent to the Warren County Historical Society building at 50 Gurney Lane in Queensbury. The building will be renovated to be period accurate and include several Warren artifacts and memorabilia provided by Shane Newell, author of Joseph Warren and the Boston Rebellion (2019). Dr. Joseph Warren was one of the most fervent and active revolutionaries both behind the scenes and on the front lines in the decade leading to American independence. Dying a year before the Declaration of Independence, Warrens contributions to the causes of freedom and liberty have been obscured over the centuries, according to the Dr. Joseph Warren Foundation. Warren was the first American martyr killed in action during the battle of Bunker Hill, according to the foundation. Warren is the namesake of Warren County, though there is no evidence that he has ever entered the county. Strough has been a significant proponent for preserving this piece of history. I think Warren County and people who want to visit Warren County will certainly visit the Joseph Warren Museum, especially since its unique. I know of no other in the countrymuseum or institutiondedicated to Joseph Warren. Thats a sin, he said. Warren County initially looked at state grants to help finance the project, but were unsuccessful. There are almost zero grants available for museums. Grants go to infrastructure projects, health, mental health, human services. We werent successful in finding any grant that would offer any significant money beyond maybe $500 or $600, Warren County Administrator John Taflan told the committee. The renovations price tag notwithstanding, the museum could boost tourism, especially those who visit for historical purposes. The last study that we had showed 38% of the visitors who visit the area visit because they want to see cultural assets like museums and historic spots. This certainly would be on the top of the list going forward, Strough said. We award money all the time to events that come and go. This event is permanent. Once this is done, its there forever, Thurman Town Supervisor Debra Runyon added. Another issue with the $1 million bid is that the costs are not broken down into specific estimates for siding and windows, for example. Its a lump sum contract. These were not unit price bids. So youre not going to see the siding cost $20 per linear foot. Thats not how its broken out. Its a lump sum price, said Kevin Hajos, Warren County Superintendent of Public Works. Hajos and his team oversee the project. The remaining $200,000 will be paid from a line item in the 2024 budget specific for use on the Joseph Warren Museum, according to Warren County Treasurer Christine Norton. The project was unanimously approved by the Occ Tax Committee. The museum must go before the Warren County Finance Committee and the Warren County Board of Supervisors for final approval. The Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for April 19. ALBANY Representatives from the Adirondack Park Agency and the Lake George Association sparred-off in Albany Wednesday as the APA sought an appeal of a ruling last year by State Supreme Court Judge Robert Muller. They met before the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. At the heart of the matter is the assertion by the association, and upheld in Mullers original ruling, that the APA illegally approved the Lake George Park Commissions permit application to use the herbicide ProcellaCOR in areas of Lake George. They argued that the APA did not hold an adjudicatory hearing to debate the merits of the chemical treatment, but they should have. ProcellaCOR is used to kill the invasive plant Eurasian watermilfoil, a freshwater weed that chokes out bays and shallow waters if left uncontrolled. The methods used to control it thus far have been to cover the lake bed with tarps and to have SCUBA divers harvest the weeds using specialty vacuums. Joshua Tallent, assistant attorney general with the Office of New York State Attorney General, argued in favor of the APA. He asserted that the APA was not under obligation to hold such a hearing, and that the burden of raising substantive concerns over the use of the treatment was not met by the association. Thomas West, founder and managing partner of The West Firm, urged the third circuit appellate court to uphold Mullers previous ruling on behalf of the association. He pointed to the fact that similar hearings had been held for other chemical treatment proposals, which had set the precedent to do the same for ProcellaCOR. Each side had 10 minutes to state their case before the panel of four Supreme Court Appellate Judges. If the ruling is upheld, it would require the APA to schedule an adjudicatory hearing before approving new permits for the treatment, a process that could add months or even years to the Lake George Park Commissions plans to use the herbicide. If the appeal works, and Mullers ruling is reversed, then the commission would be able to move forward with the treatment as early as this summer. The case was overseen by Justices Sharon Aarons, John Egan Jr., Stan Pritzker, and Lisa Fisher. A decision in the matter is expected within the coming weeks. The Lake George Association had argued in the original lawsuit that the size of Lake George and the nature of its currents would lower the herbicides efficacy and even potentially spread the herbicide out of the two bays that had been planned for a pilot study. The LGA also argued generally that the Lake George Park Commission, which must get the permits approved by the Adirondack Park Agency, did not know just how well and even if the herbicide would work in Lake George. On the other hand, the state-run Lake George Park Commission had argued that the herbicide had been safety tested and had been proved effective in all other lakes where it had been used. The LGA still has questions about the potential risks involved in using the chemical, but the point they made in todays appellate hearing is that they should have been able to ask those questions at an adjudicatory hearing, a hearing the association believes the APA skipped. Today, the APA argued that they never needed to hold the hearing, so the permits that were issued to the park commission should not have been revoked. <&rule> <&rdpEm><&rdpStrong>Correction, editors note: When the story was first posted, we referred incorrectly to the court in which the appeal was heard. It has been corrected. ATLANTIC CITY The citys high school principal is facing official misconduct charges after she allegedly failed to report child abuse, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Thursday. Constance Days-Chapman is charged with official misconduct, hindering apprehension of another, obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse. The charges may have cost Days-Chapman her chairmanship of the citys Democratic Committee. A student informed a school staff member in January that they were being physically and emotionally abused by their parents and they had previously brought up the issue to Days-Chapman, the Prosecutors Office said in a news release. The staff member informed Days-Chapman, who denied the student had told her about the abuse, the Prosecutors Office said. However, she said she would report the issue to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Days-Chapman then met with the juveniles parents at their home and informed them the student told staff about the abuse. Witnesses of the conversation between the staff member and Days-Chapman left with the impression she was going to report the abuse. Search warrants served at Atlantic City mayor's home Law enforcement officers were at the home of Mayor Marty Small Sr. on Thursday morning serving search warrants, his attorney said. But it was later determined Days-Chapman failed to report the abuse, as required by law and school district policy, according to the Prosecutors Office. Court documents allege Days-Chapman didnt report the incident for the purpose of protecting the juveniles parents from being investigated. The school district declined to comment. Days-Chapman also is the president of the citys Democratic Committee and in 2021 headed up Mayor Marty Small Sr.s reelection campaign. Smalls wife, LaQuetta, is the school districts superintendent. In a statement Thursday, Atlantic County Democratic Chair Michael Suleiman said he had asked Days-Chapman to take a leave of absence from her role as the Democratic municipal chair pending the outcome of her case. The charges against Ms. (Days-Chapman) are serious and disconcerting, Suleiman wrote. He said he would work with Atlantic City Democrats to identify an interim chair. Days-Chapman is due in court at 10 a.m. April 24. ATLANTIC CITY Some of the citys kindergartners through eighth graders Wednesday showed off their passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and math at the Boys & Girls Clubs fifth annual STEAM Expo. Held at the Chelsea Club on Sovereign Avenue, club members showed off various projects, including Lego, robotics and hydraulics. Club CEO Charles Wallace said the club is proud of its annual STEAM event. Our commitment to fostering innovation and creativity drives us to host these types of engaging events, where families and individuals of all ages can explore, learn and be inspired, he said in a news release. From interactive workshops to captivating demonstrations, our STEAM team is committed to offering unforgettable experiences that ignite curiosity and celebrate the power of knowledge. (Our staff is) the best, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team here at the Club. The Boys & Girls Club is a nonprofit that has provided the citys youth an after school outlet for more than 50 years. There are three locations the Chelsea Club (215 N. Sovereign Ave.), the Teen Center (317 N. Pennsylvania Ave.) and the Drexel Club (1010 Drexel Ave.). It offers programs ranging from STEAM to education to sports. First lady Tammy Murphy, who ended her U.S. Senate bid Sunday, declined Wednesday to throw her support to the new Democratic front-runner, Rep. Andy Kim. In her first public comments since she suspended her campaign, Murphy repeated her reason for withdrawing from the increasingly divisive race that Democrats must retain the seat. I will not sink to a level where I am going to literally attack and take down a fellow Democrat in a year thats as absolutely existentially important as this one, she said. Weve got Donald Trump trying to get into the White House again. Weve got to maintain control of the Senate. Weve got to flip the House. And oh, by the way, here in New Jersey, we have some really consequential, down-ballot races that I did not want, in June, to have whoever the candidate should be emerge damaged and have our party so splintered. She pointed to the political prognosticating site The Cook Report, which on Monday declared New Jersey solid Democrat now that Murphy dropped out of the Senate race. That is what I was after. That is why I did what I did, she said. Still, she did not endorse anyone for the seat now held by indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, saying: I am not making any news on that today, no. There are three candidates in this primary right now Patricia Campos-Medina, Larry Hamm, Andy Kim, she said. They all need to make sure that they are reaching out to the voices that need to be raised and that they are going to consider how they will reflect those voices and what theyre going to do for them. Testa pushes bill to crack down on squatting: Political briefs State Sens. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic; and Doug Steinhardt, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren, called Tuesday for the Senate to advance their bill to criminalize squatting," or the unlawful use of a building. Murphy spoke to reporters after addressing members of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, a new body that held its inaugural meeting Wednesday at the New Jersey Economic Development Authoritys offices in Trenton. Maternal and infant health has been her signature issue as New Jerseys first lady. She told reporters she ended her campaign Sunday because nominating petitions were due Monday. If I was going to take a step back and it was for unity the last thing I could do is have my name printed on that ballot and confuse the voters in June, she said. Its not fair. How can I do that to people? So once I realized what a bloody, expensive, and just divisive path I was going to have to go down, I then realized: OK, its got to be now. Murphy teared up when asked if her first run for office had soured her on ever seeking an elected post again. I feel the burden of all those who believed that we can get to a better place, she said, recounting fundraisers, talks, and other events shes had to cancel since Sunday. I have people who wanted to meet on the ground who were making plans, and Ive let a lot of people down on that front. Still, she added, I would absolutely do it again. Theres just no question I would do it again. Gov. Phil Murphy called for a cease-fire in Gaza Wednesday, lamenting the tens of thousands killed and scores more at risk of starvation in a statement that one prominent Muslim critic called an empty gesture of support. Murphy noted that the death toll continues to mount during this month of Ramadan, a holy time for Muslims, causing deep pain and despair in Palestinian, Arab American, and Muslim communities. Today, I am adding my voice in support of the Biden Administrations efforts to secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire by all parties that includes the release of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas, Murphy said in a statement. Such an agreement will allow desperately needed humanitarian aid food, water, medical supplies, and more to flow into Gaza, saving potentially thousands of lives. The governor also called for the dismantling of Hamas and the release of hostages Hamas has held since attacking Israel in October. At this pivotal juncture, we must recognize that the current course of conflict is taking too great of a toll, he said. A ceasefire by all parties will end immediate hostilities, help pave the way for meaningful stability in the region, and set us on a path to a two-state solution, which will ensure long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire Middle East. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said they welcome any call for a cease-fire and appreciated the governors successful effort to bring home some Palestinian Americans from Gaza. But the groups executive director, Selaedin Maksut, called Murphys statement an empty gesture of support because it comes nearly six months and several thousand Palestinian bodies late. Law enforcement says it's working to keep Atlantic City Muslims safe during Ramadan As Ramadan approaches, local, county, state and federal law enforcement went over what they would be doing to keep the city's Muslim community safe during the religion's holiest month of the year. Israels campaign in Gaza has come under intense criticism, with critics accusing it of blocking humanitarian aid even as it bombs bakeries and other food infrastructure. Israel has blamed United Nations officials for delaying aid to the people in Gaza and Hamas for stealing supplies. More than 32,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gazas health ministry. New Jerseys Palestinian community has had nearly 3,000 family members killed, according to CAIR-NJ. While it is important and necessary to call for a ceasefire, it is no longer enough, Maksut said. Governor Murphy must do better to fight for justice for his American-Muslim constituency. Maksut also questioned Murphys motive, saying several Muslim and Palestinian groups have called for a boycott of the iftar an evening meal after daily Ramadan fasting the Murphy administration typically holds annually at Drumthwacket, the governors mansion. CAIR-NJ and more than 40 mosques and Muslim groups are participating in the boycott. The Governors words also deflect from the root cause of violence in Gaza and continues to play a role in the anti-Muslim bigotry we see by shifting blame, Maksut said. To call Israels war on Gaza a humanitarian crisis is to erase history. This is not a natural disaster; it is a genocide with a government to hold accountable. DES MOINES Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird's office says an audit of the state's victim services program is delaying a decision on whether the state should continue to reimburse emergency contraception for sexual assault victims. The Iowa Attorney Generals Office said the audit, which has held up funding for emergency contraception for victims of sexual assault, is in its final stages and a report would be released soon. "That audit is ongoing. Until that review is complete, payment of these pending claims will be delayed, Alyssa Brouillet, communications director for the office, said in a statement. Bird paused the funding when she took office 14 months ago while awaiting the results of the audit to decide whether to continue those payments. Federal regulations and state law require Iowa to pay expenses for sexual assault victims who seek medical help, such as the costs of forensic exams and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Though the payments are not explicitly required by law, it has been the states longtime practice to cover the cost of emergency contraception from the victim compensation fund, which comes from fines, fees and penalties paid by criminals. No taxpayer dollars go into the fund. In rare cases, the fund also has paid for abortions for rape victims. Birds office said in April of last year that it was reviewing the practice to evaluate whether this is an appropriate use of public funds." The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to questions from The Gazette about the scope of the audit, how it was conducted, why its taken so long, whats delaying the release of the report and when a decision will be made whether to continue payments. Bird on Tuesday walked away from a group of reporters at the Iowa Capitol who asked to speak with her. The current status of the audit was first reported by The Des Moines Register, which filed an open records request in October. After five months, Birds office completed the records request but declined to release the document to the Register, citing a section of Iowa public records law that excludes preliminary documents from disclosure. Victim advocates, including the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, have urged Bird to continue using the programs funds to cover emergency contraception and abortion. They say cost should never be a barrier for rape victims seeking medical care, including contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy or abortion. Bird has not publicly said why she paused reimbursement for those services, and her office has not identified particular concerns. State auditor condemns AG for using audit to justify halting payments Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, held a news conference Wednesday to condemn Bird for using the audit to justify halting payments for care provided to victims of sexual assault and rape. He clarified that his office is not and has not been asked by the office to conduct the audit. We are not performing any such audit. There is no third party performing any such audit. There is no audit going on here, Sand said. There might be an internal review. But again, this is a decision (made on) Day One in the Attorney General's Office. Sand noted other state agencies routinely conduct audits without suspending operations. It's worth pointing out you don't stop doing something without suspecting massive fraud just while you're getting an audit or review done, right? Sand told reporters. He said there's been no suggestion whatsoever that money from the victims compensation fund has been misspent during the decades under former Attorney General Tom Miller when the state was providing reimbursements for sexual assault survivors use of emergency contraception. Sand said Birds decision to pause payments is a disservice to sexual assault survivors. He said many of those helped by the fund are juvenile victims of sexual abuse. And the trauma and the pain that the attorney generals decision is putting victims through in this case literally makes my skin crawl, Sand told reporters. And this sort of word choice is simply a way to help her avoid accountability for her own decision to quit paying for emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors. Planned Parenthood echoes auditor Mazie Stilwell, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa, said its absolutely deplorable that sexual assault survivors in Iowa have gone more than a year without state-covered emergency contraceptives all because of politics. As of August of last year the most recently reported figures from Birds office more than 160 reimbursement requests for emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors were pending approval from the Iowa Attorney Generals Office. The backlog of requests for Crime Victim Compensation Funds at that time totaled approximately $7,500. The reimbursement requests came from hospitals and pharmacies across the state, with several dating as far back as 2020. One includes a case of child abuse. The State Auditor and Planned Parenthood are flat wrong, Brouillet, Birds press secretary, said. It is a shame that the auditor is playing politics with a critical audit of victim services and blasting misinformation to boost his own profile. We will publicly release the report once it is final. Bird has been a vocal opponent of abortion. But sexual assault nurse examiners, along with other victim advocates, have emphasized that emergency contraceptives are not abortion pills. The medication delays or prevents ovulation, preventing a pregnancy from occurring, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Polk, Johnson counties paying for help Sexual assault nurse examiners who care for victims after their attack say they have continued to provide emergency contraceptives to those who request them. They also have pledged to take steps to ensure that the cost of the medications will never fall on victims. Polk and Johnson counties have set aside funding to help cover those expenses in their area while the state program remains in question. To date, $2,319 has been spent in Johnson County, said Katy Rasmussen, coordinator for the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team. Initially, hospitals and pharmacies either agreed to cover the cost or held off on submitting claims while awaiting the outcome of the audit. But once a year had passed, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics decided to go forward with billing Johnson County for the costs they had been holding, Rasmussen said. We are incredibly fortunate that Johnson County agreed to give us funding to cover this cost, she said. Some hospitals are still sending bills to the Attorney Generals Office. Some have agreed to cover the cost for patients. And many victim advocates are exploring fundraising options to pay for it, Rasmussen said. Shannon Knudsen serves as the coordinator for sexual assault nurse examiners for Polk and Story counties. Knudsen said she is working with a pharmaceutical company to develop a statewide voucher program where the company would directly donate medications, including emergency contraception and prescriptions to treat sexually transmitted diseases, to pharmacies who dispense them to victims of sexual assault. Victim care providers said the longer the payments are halted, the less optimistic they remain that funding will ever be reinstated. The lack of communication of any timeline has made it very difficult to navigate next steps, Rasmussen said. Many of the programs and services the team provides to victims are grant funded and have faced budget cuts the past few years. We have limited time and resources to do this work, and without clear directions on when this will end, it is difficult to determine how much effort to devote to finding other solutions, Rasmussen said. Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services has announced that its Board of Trustees has appointed Sean Wolfe as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 27, 2024. This decision is part of the hospitals ongoing commitment to ensuring effective leadership during this transitional period. It also allows Jennifer Brown, who has been serving as Interim CEO following the departure of our previous CEO, to resume her duties as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr. Wolfe will assume administrative responsibilities for the hospital, Prairie Pines Lodge, Western Community Health Resources, and Legend Buttes Health Services. Sean Wolfe is the current CFO at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, and looks forward to helping Chadron during this time of transition as the Hospital fills its executive vacancies. He is originally from South central Nebraska and attended Chadron State for his accounting education. Following college, he worked in public accounting for nearly five years before becoming the controller, and eventually CFO, of the hospital in McCook, where he has been for over 15 years. Community Hospital in McCook has helped other hospitals in the region during times of transition and has long included in its mission the philosophy that, for the healthcare industry in rural America to be strong, we must be willing to assist each other whenever possible. These partnerships are beneficial for both facilities involved as ideas and best practices can be shared and valuable relationships are built. In his role as Interim CEO, Mr. Wolfe will oversee all aspects of Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services operations, working closely with our dedicated team to maintain the highest standards of patient care, safety, and satisfaction. He will also collaborate with the hospitals Board of Trustees and Leadership Team to ensure continuity and stability during this transition. He will also maintain his status as CFO at Community Hospital in McCook. We are confident that Mr. Wolfes leadership will guide us through this interim period with integrity and excellence, said Curt Plooster, Board of Trustees President. His commitment to our mission, vision, and values, combined with his track record of success, makes Sean an ideal choice to lead our organization during this time. Mr. Wolfe expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, I am honored to serve as Interim CEO of Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services, and am committed to building upon the hospitals exceptional patient care and service to the community. Together with the dedicated staff and leadership team, I am confident that we will continue to deliver high-quality healthcare to those we serve. Gregory Landers, a 53-year-old man accused of shooting and killing 30-year-old Acey Morrison at a mobile home north of Rapid City in Aug. 2022, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to manslaughter, drug and firearm charges. A grand jury indicted Landers on Feb. 8, about a year-and-a-half after Morrison was shot at Landers' Country Road residence. A few days after the shooting, law enforcement stated the homeowner now identified as Landers reported the shooting, underwent an interview and remained cooperative. In Jan. 2023, investigators handed their case over to the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office. The indictment charges Landers with first-degree manslaughter, unauthorized ingestion of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by someone with a former drug conviction. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested him on Feb. 14 in Decatur, Indiana. He was in Pennington County Court March 7 for his initial appearance. Circuit Court Judge Heidi Linngren arraigned Landers on the charges Tuesday. Landers, who appeared with his defense attorney, Matthew Rappold, said he understood his rights, the charges against him and the potential penalties. First-degree manslaughter is a class C felony with a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $50,000 fine. The drug ingestion charge is a class 5 felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The firearm charge is a class 6 felony with a maximum sentence of two years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine. Landers is held on a $50,000 cash only bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at 3:30 p.m. April 23 for a motions hearing. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem issued a statement Tuesday calling for the Biden administration to conduct single audits of all federal funds given to the nine Oceti Sakowin tribes in South Dakota. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Comptroller Gene Dodaro, Noem asked for comprehensive single audits of federal funds given to the nine tribes in South Dakota. The second-term Republican governor asked for an OMB Circular-A-133 audit, which is an organization-wide financial statement and federal-awards audit of a non-federal entity which expends $750,000 or more in federal funds per year. If single audits of these tribes have been occurring, it is not transparent, as single audits are not publicly available, Noem said in the March 26 letter. I encourage members of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs and U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to demand a review of each single audit, inquire as to why an audit is not complete, and report on how each tribe is managing audit findings to improve eligibility for federal programs. Tribes are already required by law to have audited financial statements and compliance audits. The Single Audit Act requires an annual audit of all non-federal entities that spend over $750,000 in Federal Financial Assistance, including tribes, every fiscal year. Records from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, a searchable database of organizations, show prior to 2020 a majority of the nine tribes in South Dakota regularly completed detailed audits. Following 2020, the process became difficult for tribes, according to leaders. An influx of funding for COVID-19 relief caused issues backlogging the process and overwhelming the treasurers. In a Jan. 2024 Oglala Sioux Tribe Tribal Council meeting, Treasurer Cora White Horse reported the 2020 audit is estimated to be completed by May 2024, the 2021 audit by Aug. 2024 and the 2022 audit by Dec. 2024. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe all completed audits for the 2022 fiscal year, the most recently available period. The Rosebud Sioux Tribes 2022 and 2021 audits are available to the public and can be downloaded via the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. In the statement, Noem said she is calling for a financial audit to verify the need for more law enforcement funding provided to tribal nations while also reiterating her claim that drug cartels are operating on tribal land in South Dakota. Noems letter referenced Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Outs Dec. 20, 2023 testimony to the U.S. Committee on Indian Affairs in support of OSTs lawsuit against the federal government. In the testimony, Star Comes Out cites a lack of law enforcement presence to drug cartel movement on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Noem did not respond to a request for comment, instead referring back to the March 26 press release. I stand ready to advocate for more public safety dollars and have even shown a willingness to use state resources to fill the gap that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has left. But there must be accountability and transparency to further these efforts, Noem said in the letter. On March 13, comments made by Noem at town hall meetings in Mitchell and Winner sparked outrage among tribal governments in South Dakota. During the Mitchell town hall, Noem attributed low graduation and attendance rates to a perceived lack of parental involvement. At the Winner town hall, she alleged tribal governments are benefitting from cartel presence on their reservations. In the days following these comments, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe all condemned Noems statements. Governor Noems wild and irresponsible attempt to connect tribal leaders and parents with Mexican drug cartels is a sad reflection of her fear-based politics that do nothing to bring people together and solve problems, said Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire in a March 20 press release. Alkire added only seven police officers patrol the over one-million-acre Standing Rock Reservation. Currently, only two officers can patrol the reservation's 12,000-person population at one time. The Oglala Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe have previously voiced similar issues. Both reservations have a limited number of police officers to patrol reservation lands despite their vast land bases. On Jan. 31, Noem first claimed cartels are operating on tribal land in South Dakota specifically the Pine Ridge and Lake Traverse reservations. Following these allegations, Noem was banned for a second time from the Pine Ridge Reservation and held a meeting with the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate in which she apologized for naming the tribe. Following Noems March 13 comments, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman Garrett Renville reiterated his request that no tribal governments be singled out when discussing drug cartel and law enforcement concerns. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe are partnering to bring better broadband access to the Lake Traverse and Crow Creek reservations. On March 22, the two Dakota nations released a joint press release detailing a major broadband plan to increase high-speed internet access across both reservations. The project aims to establish a 5G network, or a faster cellular network through a fiber optic network that improves the speed and quality of the service to connect communities around the reservations with reliable internet access. The partnership between the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in particular has the potential to affect between 5,000 and 10,000 people, according to Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman Garrett Renville. We have a lot of new leaders in the Great Plains and one of the things we discussed is working together, Renville said. Were stronger as tribes when we come together and work together. The more tribes that work together, the better. The two Dakota nations began meeting in the summer of 2023 and have now partnered to apply for a grant of approximately $25 million from the National Telecommunications Information and Administrations Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Renville said he brought the idea of the broadband initiative to Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Peter Lengkeek in the summer of 2023 and they began working together on the grant. The TBC program offers $3 billion to tribal governments for broadband deployment and development. Once grant money is dispersed this fall, the two Native nations will begin working to install new fiber cables and connect rural areas on the two reservations with reliable internet access. High-speed internet access remains a large issue in Indigenous communities, especially rural communities. While 99% of households in urban areas have access to broadband service, only 65% of housing units on rural tribal land have the same level of access, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The barriers affecting broadband access and development in Indigenous communities can often be attributed to a lack of investment in tribal communities and complications with the vast rural environment. A majority of tribal lands across the United States are located on rough terrain or very rural areas. Rural communities are sparsely populated, increasing the cost for businesses to service the areas; the same goes for areas with rough terrain, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Data from the Federal Communications Commission and Bureau of Indian Affairs indicate that about 74% of rural non-tribal land is covered by at least one broadband provider offering fiber, cable or wireless technology that provides adequate internet usage. However, only about 47% of tribal communities have the necessary broadband coverage. On the Lake Traverse Reservation, most sites tested had poor or no connection and many of the worst performing sites for internet service were around Agency Village where the central tribal government and emergency services are located. Certain areas are complete dead spots and that can create issues with law enforcement, Renville said. Even in South Dakota we have a number of ambulatory services that use telehealth and this will improve that. The proposed project could also aid in digitizing agricultural practices on both reservations. With better internet connection, farmers can access real-time data, precision tools, and online resources to increase productivity. Having this available to us will be a game changer for everything, Renville said. Mining exploration company U.S. Critical Materials Corp. announced a significant discovery of the critical mineral gallium in the Sheep Creek mining exploration area in a press release last week. However, the finding was initially reported by the company almost a year ago. The corporation described gallium as essential to national security efforts. Currently, the U.S. is 100% dependent on imported gallium. Most of that comes from China, a nation that recently placed export restrictions on gallium and other minerals frequently relied upon in tech and national defense. Gallium is used for semiconductors, smartphones, satellite systems and defense systems. U.S. Critical Materials said the deposit of high-grade gallium could be mined profitably in its 6,700 acres of claims in Sheep Creek. The area is 13 miles south of Painted Rocks State Park and about 36 miles south of Darby. U.S. Critical Materials prime gallium claims average over 300 ppm (parts per million) and go as high as 1,370 ppm, U.S. Critical Materials President James Hedrick said. Gallium can be separated profitably at 50 ppm. U.S. Critical Materials looks forward to being the primary gallium producer in the United States." The corporation has previously described the site as the highest-grade rare-earth deposit in the country. Rare-earth minerals are typically used in technology devices. In a February interview, the U.S. Critical Materials Director Ed Cowle told the Ravalli Republic and the Missoulian he planned to submit a plan of operations for exploratory work by this spring with a prediction made for April. Cowle did not expect a permit for drilling to be secured this year though. The company envisions mining to be operational in about five years. Gallium is relatively common in Montana, although concentrations of the mineral vary. A fact sheet produced by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (MBMG) shows several dozen sites where its expected to occur as part of other sphalerite deposits in Montana, as well as a byproduct from past operations at the Columbia Falls aluminum plant. While the recent press release by the company touts the outstanding quality of the gallium found in Sheep Creek, the grade of the mineral cant be considered consistent throughout, according to MBMG Economic Geologist Adrian Van Rythoven. Before drilling takes place, evaluations of deposits are largely premature and fail to represent the area as a whole. Van Rythoven has been to Sheep Creek himself and has evaluated samples there. Are there rare-earth deposits there? Van Rythoven said. Yes, there is and there is high-grade gallium in some spots. Is it exceptional? Exceptional if you only look at the high-grade stuff. But we know that's not the entire deposit. Van Rythoven said its hard to determine the economic viability without any actual drilling taking place yet. The company has only explored roughly 25% of the considered mining site. Most recorded samples of gallium originate from rocks picked up on the surface or from past mining passages made for niobium, another critical mineral, in the 1950s. As noted by the company in the past, the environment has yet to be disturbed. The press release has the corporation describing the finding of gallium as a major discovery, with media outlets covering it as such. A recent Huffington Post article, for instance, was titled The U.S. may have just scored a win against China in the Battle over a key mineral around the reported discovery. Yet a document by Hedrick on the U.S. Critical Materials website had already announced the past results of gallium samples at Sheep Creek nearly a year ago. A difference between the two is that the initial document described a higher average gallium content in samples than the press release did. In the document released in June, the gallium claims sampled averaged 692 ppm. The press release last week said prime samples averaged just over 300 ppm. "We chose to be more conservative in the recent report and just include the recent data," U.S. Critical Materials Director of Operations Rachel Winn said in a statement to the Ravalli Republic. "What prompted the announcement was the fact that we were encouraged by various interest groups to announce these facts based on China placing export restrictions on gallium." Stock prices surged for its publicly traded partner company after the corporations announcement Thursday. U.S. Critical Metals Corp., which the company is partnered and shares executives with, saw its stock nearly double on the Canadian Securities Exchange following the announcement Thursday. U.S. Critical Materials Corp. is a shell company with ownership traced to Canada. As previously reported by the Missoulian, leaders of the company have a history of fraud. Two of the leaders, CEO Geoffrey Williams and Director Cowles, allegedly breached fiduciary duties and were fired from the U.S. Rare Earths Inc. after violating federal law. Another, Director Harvey Klebanoff, otherwise known as Harvey Kaye, was convicted and sentenced for illegally manipulating Magic Marker Corp. stock. U.S. Critical Metals Corp. is based in Vancouver and is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, requiring the company to meet certain disclosure laws. Its typical for mining exploration companies to be based in Canada. About two-thirds of capital for mining exploration is raised on the securities exchanges based in Canada, according to Van Rythoven. Van Rythoven describes himself as pro-mining, with a background in the mining industry and rare-earth minerals. Still, he expressed frustration with some of the misleading nature of the U.S. Critical Materials press releases on Sheep Creek. He said rare-earth mining is necessary for the life Americans want to live and Montana has great potential for that, but he understands residents' concerns with a potential mine in the Bitterroot National Forest. Montana has very high potential to be a supplier of critical minerals, Van Rythoven said. So, the geology is really good. I always joke rocks are easy, people are hard. The big problem that we have is that mining is sometimes a dirty business. It's gotten a lot better from a hundred years ago, but there is no mine that has no impact to the environment. Conservation groups have previously called on the U.S. Forest Service for a complete environmental assessment involving the public before the approval of any activities on the mining site last February. Researcher Philip W. Ramsey, who has previously presented his research on the U.S. Critical Materials and the Sheep Creek mining exploration area to local citizens, told the Ravalli Republic the company doesnt need to go destroying the environment for a mineral like gallium that is common in Montana. He described the recent reannouncement of discovered gallium as an attempt to stay relevant by the company. In a recent letter shared with the Ravalli Republic, Ramsey said exploration companies should look to abandoned mines for gallium production, instead of creating new mines. Montana hosts dozens of abandoned mines whose waste sites are prospective sources of gallium, Ramsey stated. Lets not risk our water, our economy, and our way of life for an element that we could get from abandoned mines. By reprocessing mine wastes, Montana can advance with rare-earth element and gallium production, enriching and cleaning our state at the same time. Rachel Lowitt will travel more than 60,000 miles this summer alone in her role as Miss Teen Rodeo Montana. In an effort to help pay for getting to and from all of the events and rodeos she's set to attend this year, she's organizing a fundraiser called Under A Vintage Sky on Saturday, April 6, in Hamilton. The 2023 Corvallis High School graduate was Ravalli County Rodeo Queen 2022-2023 and crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Montana on Jan. 13. My job is to promote rodeo and be the state ambassador for that through January, Lowitt said. Im booked every weekend from June through September, so that is pretty exciting and Im working on my Real Estate license as well. Being Miss Teen Rodeo Montana is a volunteer position in the Miss Rodeo Montana nonprofit organization, so she's raising funds to help her get to all the events. This fundraiser is really important because it is the only opportunity I have to raise funds for all the traveling I have to do, Lowitt said. Every year every Miss Teen Rodeo Montana has to hold a fundraiser in her hometown. This is a classic banquet-style fundraiser. Dinner will be great. It is going to be catered by the Bitter Root Stock Farm with a beef carving station or chicken option. Under A Vintage Sky will have dancing with live music from Nashville 406, live and silent auction items, door prizes, a vintage shirt and boots contest, games and a pie auction. I believe I have over 50 auction items as of now, she said. Ill have 20 live auction items. People throughout the valley have been very generous. I have sponsor tables sold as well as regular tables. Pangea [Bar & Restaurant] from Missoula will be doing my cash bar. Lowitt will act as emcee for the event. Usually girls have an emcee, but I will do that part as I love to public speak, she said. I will be up there most of the show running the event and announcing auction items. I am working for the vintage shirt and boots contest as a fun interactive thing I want to do with my guests. Im trying to get a local rodeo clown to be the judge. She said vintage clothing and boots can be old or just look old. People can dress up and enter the contest if they want, Lowitt said. It will be fun. The decorations will be vintage with old saddles and neon signs. Lowitt was an active member of 4-H for 10 years, showing livestock, horses and competing in shooting sports. She was also successful in four years of FFA and graduated from CHS with honors in agriculture education as well as a state degree in FFA. She competed in career and leadership development events and qualified for national competition twice, and held chapter officer positions for two years including reporter and vice president. Lowitt works full time doing clerical work at a medical practice and part time at a local ranch. She is dedicated to agriculture, horses, and leadership and is taking a gap year to decide what is next. Ive been scouted for horse training and am working on massage therapy and acupuncture certifications, Lowitt said. I decided that selling Real Estate is where I want to go. I would love to sell ranch properties and keep that lifestyle relevant in the state. I am trying to do as much as I can this year with my title. She is really, really excited for the fundraiser that she has been working on all spring, she said. I think it is going to be one of my most memorable moments of the year because it is such a big deal, Lowitt said. I think organizing it will give me skills Ill use all my life. It is an experience that not everyone gets to do so Im taking advantage of it. It should be really fun, Im really excited. Lowitt said she had the option to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo USA. I didnt want to take it that far, so it is just the state title, she said. I only travel in state Miss Rodeo Montana travels out of state so we have coverage everywhere. She does her own fundraising and I do mine. I am ecstatic to fill the role as Miss Teen Rodeo Montana and am eager to travel around the state meeting new people and growing as a person. I hope to leave an impact of positivity with those I meet. To reserve tickets to the Under A Vintage Sky Miss Teen Rodeo Montana fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, in the Bedford Building, 222 S. Second Street, in Hamilton, contact Lowitt at 406-802-4446. Montana utility regulators finalized their review of NorthWestern Energys 20-year resource plan this week, but not until commissioners amended out staff concerns about the plan being deficient and falling short of the law, widely recognized best practices, and the commissions own rules. Montana Public Commissioner Jennifer Fielder described the changes as rounding off some of the rougher edges of the recommended conclusions offered by staff, which had criticized NorthWesterns integrated resource plan as less transparent, accessible, and analytically rigorous than Montanas planning statutes and the Commissions 2023 planning rules require. Still, the PSC cautioned NorthWestern that the commission could have been more stern. There was information requested by staff that NorthWestern wouldn't provide as legally required, which could have revealed how the 20-year-plan impacted customers bills, either because of available tax credits that weren't considered, or market sources of electricity that could have been cheaper than what was in the plan. "I was particularly concerned and troubled by the fact that we have identified through staff that the commission itself requested information from Northwestern Energy and that NorthWestern Energy declined to provide that information," said Commissioner Jim Brown. "To me, that is problematic because it undermines not only our statutory requirement, but it also undermines what we are fairly charged by the Legislature to do, which is to investigate utilities to make sure that they're meeting their obligations, under Montana law." The commissions official review was approved 4 to 1, with dissenting commissioner Ann Bukacek explaining that NorthWesterns integrated resource plan, or IRP, was sufficient, as far as she was concerned, and that any criticism of the utilitys 20-year plan was unwarranted. Bukacek then presented a slide show, during which she contemplated the meaning of deficient and why the term shouldnt be applied to the 20-year plan of the states largest monopoly utility, which has about 400,000 metered electric customers. I believe in this IRP; Northwestern energy has fully explained, justified and documented what we need to perform our duties at the PSC. It didn't fully explain whether they use the No. 2 or 3 pencil, or the brand or model of computer they use. It didn't have another minutia, Bukacek said. I don't think any of us here would think that type of information is necessary for full disclosure. Integrated resource plans are common fare in the world of regulated utilities. The plans are filed every two or three years to provide regulators and the public with a look at what generation a utility expects to draw its power from. Resource plans filed by utilities in Washington and Oregon six years ago, for example, offered first looks at investments in the Montana renewables that have since been made. Regulators decide whether a plan is sufficient and make recommendations for changes, either to the plan of the moment or a future. Resource plans are not legally binding, which makes a utility commissions official opinion of an IRP one of the least consequential things it issues. Montana law requires an opportunity for public comment. More than 500 people attended meetings on NorthWesterns latest plan. Most of those commenters objected to the utilitys plans to increase its energy generation from fossil fuel resources, specifically NorthWesterns plan to double its ownership share of Colstrip Power Plant to 444 megawatts, while also bringing online a new, 175-megawatt gas fired power plant in Laurel later this year. Commissioners also raised concerns about NorthWesterns Colstrip plans, namely that the utility made no mention of additional transmission to accommodate its doubled capacity share of Colstrip. Also, future coal costs and capital expenditures at the power plant werent contemplated despite acknowledgement that a changing regulatory environment could close Colstrip in less than six years. It was Fielder who produced the opinion that edited the staffs more pointed criticisms. She also included additional questions for the utility. Fielder wanted NorthWestern to account for any costs related to lowering future carbon emissions to determine whether the plans were cost effective. The commission requested that NorthWestern consider in future planning the use of high efficiency conductors in its transmission infrastructure to curb energy loss. County Commissioners from across Montana appreciate the widespread support that Senate Bill 442 enjoyed throughout its legislative process. Marijuana revenues are new to Montana, and the bills thoughtful distribution of this higher-than-expected new revenue stream included some funding for county roads. Bipartisan and impactful legislation backed by such a wide variety of Montanans is a rarity, and we commend Sen. Lang and the bills many proponents for their efforts. Even after Gov. Gianforte exercised his right to veto, we were confident the Legislature would overturn it. The governors veto letter made clear his belief that State revenues should solely fund State projects. No governor in the history of Montana has ever taken such a State-centric position that blatantly disregards the needs of Montanans. Public infrastructure benefits Montanas economy, the states revenue, and Montanas citizens and visitors alike. The veto letter stated that SB 442 would create a slippery slope by utilizing state funds for local infrastructure. However, Montanans have always benefited from State resources provided to local governments for assisting with bridges, the secondary road system, and access roads to recreational sites, to name a few. Given that the state relies almost exclusively on federal funding and gas taxes to maintain the State jurisdictional road system, the governors position that whats ours is ours is ill-informed and inaccurate. It is not how our state has operated in the past and doesnt recognize the fact that ALL Montanans benefit from infrastructure investments, no matter where the money comes from, even the States General Fund. SB 442 doesnt create a slippery slope. It provides new dollars to help meet longstanding infrastructure needs. Gov. Gianforte didnt just veto the bill. He tried to invent a new pocket veto, which was specifically rejected by the framers of our constitution. There is no scenario where a governors veto cannot be checked by the Legislature, and that check is an important part of Montanas separation of powers doctrine. If a governor vetoes a bill while the Legislature is in session, the Legislature can override that veto. If the veto comes when the Legislature isnt able to review that action, it is sent to the Secretary of State to poll members of the Legislature. The procedural framework is simple and straightforward. Every governor in Montana has followed this constitutional process. Yet when asked to submit the bill to the Secretary of State for polling, this Governor refused. The litigation surrounding SB 442 sought to protect the Legislatures authority under the Montana Constitution, a right that was violated by the Executive Branch, which in turn required the Judicial Branch to intervene and mandate the Executive Branch into compliance. Any twisting or spinning of the case is pure political gamesmanship. The Court Order is clear. Judge Menahan stated, At the time the Senate voted to adjourn, few if any legislators were aware of the governors veto. Following adjournment and a request from the bill sponsor, Jacobsen refused to initiate the post session override procedure, claiming she had not received a copy of the governors veto and a statement explaining his reasons for doing so. The legislature was thus deprived of an opportunity to override the veto of Senate Bill 442 and draft the policy contained therein into law. We respect the right of the governor to veto legislation. We respect the rules established by the Legislature on how they conduct their business. We respect any legislators vote on the poll being conducted on the veto of SB 442. But we do not respect the political spin that when a governor fails to allow the Legislature the opportunity to review his veto action and the Court is required to compel him to allow the Legislature their constitutional duty that it somehow justifies a legislator refusing to participate in the poll. As local elected officials, we take our oaths seriously. We have jobs to do, serving our constituents and our communities. State Senators and Representatives take the same oath and serve the same constituents. SB 442 was good policy when it passed by a supermajority in both the House and Senate. It was good policy when the Executive exercised his veto authority. It was good policy when the Court ordered the Secretary of State to poll the legislators. And if those legislators evaluate the merits of the bill and vote according to their constituent needs, it will become good policy for the State of Montana. If legislators decide to play politics and cite claims about separation of powers as an excuse to sabotage SB 442, then it is clear that those legislators are more concerned with engaging in political games than they are working to represent you. The Court ordered the Governor to abide by the separation of powers and respect the role of the Legislature by issuing the veto poll. And as legislators return their ballots on this critical issue, we would urge you to watch carefully to see how your local legislator votes because a vote to support SB 442 is a vote in the best interests of Montanans, and a vote to let the Governors veto stand is proof your local legislator is ignoring you, and just playing politics. Kathmandu, Nepal, March 27, 2024: Application for Miss Nepal 2024 has opened from Wednesday. The Hidden Treasure, the organizing agency of the Miss Nepal 2024, has announced the opening of applications for Miss Nepal 2024 through a press conference at Hotel Himalaya in Kupondole Height, Lalitpur. According to the Hidden Treasure, Nepali women, between the ages of 18 and 27, and above 53 in height can apply for the competition. The application will close on May 14. Being around a narcissist can be emotionally draining and destabilizing. You may be desperately in search of a fix or cure for their behavior, especially if they're a loved one of otherwise close to you. "Narcissists are very, very hard to treat," says Sarah Davies, counseling psychologist and author of "Never Again Moving On from Narcissistic Abuse and Other Toxic Relationships." "As far as they're concerned, there's nothing wrong with them, and it's everyone else's fault, problem, and responsibility. For that reason, they're very unlikely to ever go to therapy. If they do, it's usually to continue finger pointing and remain in the victim mentality." Which means, for your own sake, cut out that individual out. "You need to gently remove yourself from the relationship," Martin shares. "It doesn't have to involve lots of drama but move them to the farthest, most outer part of your life as possible." If you're dealing with a narcissistic sibling, for example, do what you can to keep interactions at a minimum. Make alternative plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and explain the situation to your parents to avoid further upset. "Say, 'I love seeing you, but I need to limit the time I spend with my sibling'," Martin suggests. "It's about damage limitation." But we all know cancelling someone IRL is easier said than done. How to cope when a narcissist is unmovable If they're not going to change, and cutting them out isn't in the cards, what can you do to keep from sinking under the weight of their load? These slices of advice will help put daylight between you and them. Know what you're dealing with "Once you can recognize their behaviors, it can take the power out of getting pulled into an abusive relationship with a narcissist," states Davies. "See it and label it in your own mind: 'Ah, that's what they're doing.'" Don't feed the me-me-me "Narcissists love positive attention, but also thrive on negative attention even if someone is criticizing them and talking about them negatively," Martin reveals. "They don't really care what the attention is, as long as they're getting it. So, in dealing with a narcissist, you have to minimize attention." Set firm boundaries If a narcissistic friend keeps putting you down, say to them, "If you insult me again, I'm going to leave" and stick to your guns. "If you're consistent, those boundaries will act as a repellent and they'll move onto somebody else," Davies says. Use flattery when necessary "You'll rarely win by challenging," says Martin. "Manage them in a way where you get what you want, but allow that person to still feel special." For example, if a narcissistic sibling insists on pushing their way to the center of a family photograph, you could say, "Oh, but your top would be accentuated if you stand by this vase over here." Reflect their behavior back on them Try a phrase such as, "I can see you're trying to guilt trip me." Essentially, this pulls the rug out from under their ploy and pulls some of your power back. But Davies does caution that, if you get too confrontational, you could be hit with point blank denial and finger pointing. Let go of trying to fix them We've all seen and maybe even been the partner who stays in a relationship because they're in love and thinks they'll be able to fix what's wrong. With a narcissist, this kind of thinking will only bring more pain. "You'll never change a narcissist," says Martin. "They can be very charming and display vulnerability but it's all an act." Give yourself some extra love and care If you're feeling worn down, frustrated, or even hopeless about the situation, we hear you. It's a lot to go through. It's vital to remember the way a narcissist behaves and makes you feel is not your fault. "They will work to diminish your self-confidence and devalue you, in order to raise themselves up," says Martin. "Accept that, but never internalize it. It's their problem." To counter their negativity, make sure to take extra good care of yourself. Call your friends, take a vacation, splurge on some new underwear do all those little things that bring you joy. If your relationship with a narcissist is having severe impacts on your life, it's a good idea to seek the help of a mental health professional. They'll be able to help you process your feelings and steer you toward the right resources. ___ Greatist is the fastest-growing fitness, health and happiness media start-up. Check out more health and fitness news, tips, healthy recipes, expert opinion, and fun at Greatist. (c) 2020 Greatist. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The growing data center industry has gained a foothold in Hanover County after supervisors this week approved permits and rezoning for a 1,200-acre park. The green light paves the way for Hanovers first data centers. Denver-based Tract, a developer specializing in data centers, is planning a technology park exclusively for data centers on Hickory Hill Road, northeast of Ashland. Tract representatives said the park would have between 30 and 38 buildings once finished. The final site plan is subject to adjustments from the concept presented to the board of supervisors. County tax projections say the park would offer an estimated tax revenue of around $40 million per year, over the first five years. Its 20-year estimate totaled almost $1.8 billion in tax revenue. Supervisors said the project had the potential to take care of many growing financial needs in the county for schools, public safety and social services. The board on Wednesday unanimously approved three requests from the developer. The land was rezoned from agricultural to limited industrial. A conditional-use permit will allow for a public wastewater pumping station, multiple electric substations and for lithium-ion batteries for energy storage. A special exemption was given to allow for buildings that are up to 110 feet tall, or about a 10-story building. The development faced opposition from residents in Ashland and the Beaverdam District, who worried about how a large project would impact the countys rural character, along with what they see as unknowns in safety. Stoneman faces criticism on issue Beaverdam Supervisor Jeff Stoneman was criticized by some residents who said he had run for office on a campaign of protecting the countys rural character and curbing development. Its been brought up that we need to keep Hanover rural and some of us ran on that as a campaign, Stoneman said. I cant think of a way that you can do that better than sticking to the comprehensive plan, the placing of growth in areas where it is designed to go. That area of Hickory Hill Road is designated as an economic development zone in the plan. No one wants to see their taxes go up. The way to shift that burden is through these types of developments, Stoneman said. I am still fighting to preserve and protect Hanovers rural character by making sure our farmland is not encroached on by these types of developments. Ashland Supervisor Faye Prichard said this data center approval has to be one and done and that the county should create a restriction on the number of other data centers. I think one campus of data centers is probably a good thing for the county, Prichard said. If youre going to protect the rural character of a place, you cant do it by putting a data center on every corner. I would like to see us restrict the number. Residents in favor of the project said it would provide a boost in construction jobs while imposing a relatively small impact compared to other industrial projects that could use the property. Centers popping up across commonwealth Data centers have become a major focus of Virginia economic developers, largely because of their boost to a local tax base. The Richmond area is uniquely positioned along the already-constructed infrastructure for power and fiber optic cables. Three subsea cables two from Europe and one from South America come ashore in Virginia Beach and travel west along the Interstate 64 corridor to eastern Henrico County before traveling up Interstate 95 into Northern Virginia. Data centers have also become a flashpoint in local and state politics, especially in parts of Northern Virginia, where residents are concerned that the facilities are too close to areas of historic and natural significance. The projects have also been criticized as being major consumers of electricity, especially given that their power needs have typically come from carbon emitters specifically power plants fueled by coal, natural gas or oil, which contribute to climate change. Residents opposing the development largely took issue with the loss of agriculturally zoned land, potential disaster from lithium-ion batteries catching fire, noise, and the 110-foot height allowance. One resident questioned the reality of tax revenue projections. Another worried about Dominion Energy increasing peoples bills to cover the cost for power. The overall tax projections are based on total power usage at the site about $7 million per megawatt. At full power, the park is projected to be a 2,400-megawatt site. Also, a $250,000 tax would be levied on each server cabinet. Traffic concerns from many also focused on one specific turn on Hickory Hill Road that will now host industrial and construction vehicles. A traffic analysis showed that the number of trips per day would increase from around 200 to 6,000-plus. The developer is paying $3 million to Hanover for road improvements in the area. Tract also said it is covering the costs and training to prepare the fire department for any blaze at its facilities. Top five weekend events: Maymont Easter, Easter on Parade, NASCAR Easter on Parade Maymont Easter Secretariat Day NASCAR Chesterfield Restaurant Week A teaching assistant at Meadowbrook High School was charged with assaulting a male high school student, Chesterfield Police said Wednesday. Police said the incident took place on March 21 and involved a juvenile male student at the school. Police obtained a warrant that day. The teaching assistant charged is Travonna Kenyear of Richmond. Kenyear, 57, was released on a summons. The charge is a misdemeanor. Kenyear has no prior criminal record. Reached by phone, Kenyear described being shocked that shes being charged with the offense. She said the juvenile in question is a severely autistic student with whom shed been working for three years. On Monday, Kenyear said he was severely agitated, but said that his agitation never led her to hit him. Im a grandmother of five. I would never, ever harm a child, Kenyear said. Kenyear said the charge has come as a shock to the whole department, and that shes received an outpouring of support since she was placed on administrative leave Monday. Im in disbelief that its happening. Theyve taken this charge far too far, Kenyear said. Shawn Smith, spokesman for Chesterfield County Schools, said via email Wednesday that the employee will not return to the school division pending adjudication of the charges. Shes set to be arraigned on April 10 in Chesterfield General District Court. Top five weekend events: Maymont Easter, Easter on Parade, NASCAR Easter on Parade Maymont Easter Secretariat Day NASCAR Chesterfield Restaurant Week Mayor Levar Stoney presented his eighth and final budget to a crowded City Council chambers Wednesday afternoon. The proposed $2.9 billion 2024-25 fiscal year budget prioritizes city employee raises, public education and poverty mitigation. If approved, the proposed budget calls for increasing the citys general fund to roughly $1 billion, a 5% increase from the previous years budget and the first time the fund has topped the billion dollar mark. The general fund is essentially all of the taxes collected the previous fiscal year. While the general fund has grown, this years overall proposed budget is roughly $100 million less than the previous year. Despite this, there are no proposed changes to real estate or personal property tax rates, which will remain at $1.20 per $100 of the assessed real estate value and $3.70 per $100 assessed personal property value. Richmond consumers could see, however, an up to 4% increase in their utility rates. The previous year saw those rates increase by 9%. We certainly do not have every dollar we need to fix all of our problems, Stoney said. But, there is no doubt, we have grown as a city. We have persevered. We are stronger than before. This years budget focuses heavily on funding city employee raises and neighborhood services. It calls for a 4% pay increase to all employees, guaranteed a $20 minimum wage, and a $9.1 million allocation for police, firefighter and emergency services raises. According to Stoney, if approved, the overall $17 million proposed for employee raises will account for one of the highest minimum wage rates among cities in the Commonwealth. Stoney also wants to use $500,000 to restructure the current Department of Human Services. He said this would bring in additional management to oversee the all-encompassing department and help things run smoother. A proposed $5.6 million will go toward information technology enhancements including $2.3 million to fully automate RVAPay, the citys online payment website, and an additional $1 million to modernize the 311 call center. The proposed budget calls for $21 million to go toward paving streets, bridge maintenance, sidewalk maintenance and adding new bike lanes. A proposed $10 million will go toward making improvements to Browns Island and an additional $13 million has been set aside to fund the Shockoe Project, a planned 10-acre memorial site and slavery museum in the citys historic Shockoe Bottom. Additionally, this years budget calls for funding a number of children and family services-related items, including an additional $15.8 million for Richmond Public Schools for a total of $237 million. The mayor has also proposed $1 million toward the citys first Child Care and Education Trust Fund to provide child care to folks who cannot afford it along with an additional $4 million to fund various after-school programs, community centers and youth violence prevention programs. These investments are about activating our communities and creating strong foundations for our children and families to thrive. As long as I am your mayor, we will continue to put our kids first, Stoney said. In an effort to mitigate poverty, this years budget includes funding for either new programs or those piloted through the American Rescue Plan Act that the city has decided to continue to fund. This includes $1 million to the Family Crisis Fund, which has so far helped nearly 1,000 Richmond households stay afloat. Likewise, there are several proposed funding streams for affordable housing initiatives. The proposed budget accounts for a $10 million annual commitment for affordable housing projects, as well as an additional proposed $4.2 million for shelter-related services to provide care for the citys homeless population as well as allocating $1.5 million toward its eviction diversion program. If approved, the city will also see $5 million allocated to the Creighton Court redevelopment. While the mayor met before the City Council, the council did not comment on the presentation. Over the next couple of weeks, the City Council will hold public work sessions to dive into the proposal. The next meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m., on Monday, April 8 in City Hall. The council anticipates making a final decision in May. This has been the most collaborative budget process since we changed the form of government in the early 2000s, Stoney said. I hope we are setting a new standard for how future councils and administrations can work together on what is probably our most important duty. Close 05-31-1967 (cutline): City Hall is backdrop as crowed gathers at ground-breaking for its replacement. 08-31-1979 (cutline): Peeling paint, fallen plaster are signs of deterioration at Old City Hall. 06-27-1967 (cutline): A bulldozer works today around a heavy vault, uncovered near Ninth and Broad Streets during the excavation for the new City Hall. The present City Hall is in the background, across the intersection of 10th and Broad Streets. The vault is at the site of the former headquarters of Home Beneficial Life Insurance Co., which moved in 1950 to the 3900 block W. Broad St. The building later housed the city Department of Public Utlities. Other buildings in the block housed a different office of Home Beneficial, now located a block west; a fire station, and Richmond Motor Co., now at 4600 W. Broad St. The Life Insurance Company of Virginia is in the background. 08-13-1970 (cutline): Richmond's old City Hall just wasn't built for the modern age symbolized by the aircraft which seems about to hit it, so the new marble facade at left is rising to replace it. The slick newcomer is due for completion in mid-1971, but fate of its venerable granite neighbor across Broad Street is still, like the jet, up in the air. 01-15-1961 (cutline): Basins were once installed in City Hall Offices. Workers who tended fires had to wash their hands. 10-28-1984 (cutline): Richmond's Old City Hall was praised, criticized at national conference. 02-08-1959: Old City Hall 05-04-1950 (cutline): Part of overflow crowd that attended housing project hearing at Richmond City Hall. 03-14-1952 (cutline): Richmond's City Hall shows its age--Coffman (left), Smorto point to latest crack in base. 10-14-1968: Repairs at Old City Hall building. 10-06-1989: Old City Hall from above 10-06-1989: Old City Hall 12-15-1975 (cutline) Ornate staircase is one of many 'treasures' in Old City Hall. Despite National Historic Landmark designation, future is cloudy. 05-31-1967 (cutline): Mayor Crowe, Vice Mayor Mundle, City Manager Edwards and School Board Chairman Calkins crossing Broad St. with shovels over their shoulders, toward site of new City Hall. Each will have a shovel--two chrome-plated, plus two old ones (with the dirt of '88 still on them), used in the groundbreaking for present City Hall. 06-24-1983: Old City Hall 01-15-1961 (cutline): Twisting stairway leads to City Hall tower. Sightseers haven't climbed them for years. 01-13-1984: Workers in close ducts at Old City Hall. 02-05-1984: Old City Hall From the Archives: Richmond's Old City Hall A look back at Richmond's Old City Hall. 05-31-1967 (cutline): City Hall is backdrop as crowed gathers at ground-breaking for its replacement. 08-31-1979 (cutline): Peeling paint, fallen plaster are signs of deterioration at Old City Hall. 06-27-1967 (cutline): A bulldozer works today around a heavy vault, uncovered near Ninth and Broad Streets during the excavation for the new City Hall. The present City Hall is in the background, across the intersection of 10th and Broad Streets. The vault is at the site of the former headquarters of Home Beneficial Life Insurance Co., which moved in 1950 to the 3900 block W. Broad St. The building later housed the city Department of Public Utlities. Other buildings in the block housed a different office of Home Beneficial, now located a block west; a fire station, and Richmond Motor Co., now at 4600 W. Broad St. The Life Insurance Company of Virginia is in the background. 08-13-1970 (cutline): Richmond's old City Hall just wasn't built for the modern age symbolized by the aircraft which seems about to hit it, so the new marble facade at left is rising to replace it. The slick newcomer is due for completion in mid-1971, but fate of its venerable granite neighbor across Broad Street is still, like the jet, up in the air. 01-15-1961 (cutline): Basins were once installed in City Hall Offices. Workers who tended fires had to wash their hands. 10-28-1984 (cutline): Richmond's Old City Hall was praised, criticized at national conference. 02-08-1959: Old City Hall 05-04-1950 (cutline): Part of overflow crowd that attended housing project hearing at Richmond City Hall. 03-14-1952 (cutline): Richmond's City Hall shows its age--Coffman (left), Smorto point to latest crack in base. 10-14-1968: Repairs at Old City Hall building. 10-06-1989: Old City Hall from above 10-06-1989: Old City Hall 12-15-1975 (cutline) Ornate staircase is one of many 'treasures' in Old City Hall. Despite National Historic Landmark designation, future is cloudy. 05-31-1967 (cutline): Mayor Crowe, Vice Mayor Mundle, City Manager Edwards and School Board Chairman Calkins crossing Broad St. with shovels over their shoulders, toward site of new City Hall. Each will have a shovel--two chrome-plated, plus two old ones (with the dirt of '88 still on them), used in the groundbreaking for present City Hall. 06-24-1983: Old City Hall 01-15-1961 (cutline): Twisting stairway leads to City Hall tower. Sightseers haven't climbed them for years. 01-13-1984: Workers in close ducts at Old City Hall. 02-05-1984: Old City Hall The State Board of Education on Thursday voted to publicly rank each Virginia school in a system with at least four performance categories, which could lead to a star rating. In mid-January, Marshall Haine, owner and operator of Family Eye Care Center of Virginia in Ashland, received a check in the mail and went to the bank to deposit it. It was a routine task, Haine said, and he didnt think anything of it until the bank kicked the check back as stale-dated too old to cash or deposit and he was hit with a $12 fee and left with an unusable check worth a good amount of money. As it turns out, the check had been written and postmarked in May 2023, Haine said, and took over 8 months for it to make its way through the U.S. Postal Service to his optometry practice. It expired while still en route. And it is not the first time this has happened. We have checks go missing all the time, Haine said. Even (USPS employees) will tell you its crazy. USPS officials repeatedly have declined to discuss the state of mail service in Virginia, which ranks dead last among U.S. states for on-time delivery of first-class mail, according to the main watchdog agency that oversees the post office. Internal issues appear to be a factor. External threats, such as mail theft and fraud, also are on the rise. For people like Haine, the problem goes far deeper than mere statistics and rankings. He relies on the post office to run his practice, but lately, the institution has been a dam on progress that threatens the survival of local businesses, he said. Theyre strangling business Virginians regularly depend on the USPS to exchange checks, bills, tax documents, jury summons and medications. In statewide elections in 2023, over 825,000 Virginians about 33% of all eligible voters in the state voted by absentee ballot. The service is a critical part of American democracy and the economy, according to elected officials, and the impacts of its failures are profound. Haine said he knows this all too well. His practice is medical in nature, which means he regularly receives checks from insurance providers. He also often pays contractors electricians, plumbers and others who keep his clinic open and functioning via mailed checks. Family Eye Care Center of Virginia has been in business for 40 years, Haine said, and, historically, mailing checks has not presented an issue. But lately, he has noticed a steep decline in mail efficiency and efficacy. Haine estimated that roughly 20% of the checks he mails to vendors simply vanish without a trace, forcing him to rewrite them. Checks sent to him from insurance companies also disappear, he said, meaning he has to reach out to the companies and get the checks reissued. Haine said he has had nearly $6,000 worth of checks go missing in transit with the USPS in recent months. The issue is hurting his practice. In addition to costing him extra time and labor, Haine said he has been charged late payment fees and lost out on interest. Its death by a thousand cuts, Haine said. Theyre strangling business. Theyre killing progress. (Someone) needs to do their job. Getting the runaround Business owners are not the only ones hurting. Milo Triana Sox, who lives in an apartment complex in western Henrico County, said he ordered an engagement ring from a vendor on the website Etsy in early September. He was planning to use the ring to propose to his partner, and was looking forward to what he hoped would be a beautiful moment. That moment still has not happened. Sox said he received a notification that the ring had been delivered, but when he went to his mailbox, it wasnt there. He and his partner have had mail go missing frequently since they moved to their apartment in 2022, Sox said. But an engagement ring is no ordinary piece of mail, so he contacted the local post office to get help. Sox initially was assured by a USPS representative that the ring had been delivered on the day and time they said it was, he said. Then he was told that it probably had been returned to the sender. He reached out to the vendor, who told him that the ring had not made it back. So Sox called the post office again, this time to open a complaint. A week went by, Sox said, and he heard nothing. To his astonishment, when he called the post office a third time, he was informed that his complaint had been marked as resolved and closed. A representative told him that USPS records indicated Sox had been contacted and informed the complaint had been closed, but Sox says no such thing ever happened. Sox spoke with a manager, who explained how confusing (the) apartment complex is, and how its nobodys fault, he said. The manager was rude and dismissive, Sox said, and did not seem to be interested in helping him. Sox still has no idea where the ring ended up and, at this point, said he does not believe he will ever find it or receive compensation. He said he feels like he is getting the runaround from a system that is essentially built to gaslight people who are struggling. Im really frustrated, he said. Being in poverty, every dollar that we spend is pretty carefully thought (out) Spending hours on the phone going through an automated system, talking to countless people who cant give you any answers, and even being yelled at by local managers is really disheartening. What the hell is going on? Haine and Sox are two of the dozens of Richmond and Virginia residents who have reached out to the Richmond Times-Dispatch to share their mail-related horror stories. David Lipp, of Chesterfield County, said he struggled to obtain a disabled parking placard through the mail after undergoing two knee-replacement surgeries in as many months. Lipp waited over a month for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to receive his application after he mailed it in on Jan. 9. Eventually, he went to the DMV himself and stood in line with his walker so he could deliver the form in person. It makes you not want to mail anything, Lipp said. Meanwhile, in Henrico, Lucy McCown said sensitive medical records that her doctors mailed from VCU Medical Center to her home in the West End took over a month to reach her and inexplicably left the state on the way. According to tracking information provided by McCown to the Times-Dispatch, the CD containing the records traveled from Richmond to Greensboro, N.C; back to Richmond (where it sat for about a week); then to Norfolk; and then finally back to Richmond. The crazy journey, as McCown described it, lasted from Dec. 21 until Jan. 30. My daughters medical (and) personal information was on there, McCown said. If theyd fallen into the wrong hands The stories go on. Richmond-area residents report that they have stopped paying bills, renewing subscriptions and memberships, banking and exchanging gifts via the USPS. Late payment penalties and stop check orders also represent a chronic nuisance. To Robert Casasnovas, of Midlothian who said he had to close a bank account and open an entirely new one after someone stole and attempted to deposit a check he had mailed the trouble with mail service is no trivial matter. Too much business, transactions and peoples lives happens through the Postal Service, Casasnovas said. What the hell is going on with the mail in Richmond? From the Archives: Mail in Richmond More than 6,000 forest firefighters battling 116 fires around Mexico Mexico City, Mexico More than 6,000 forest firefighters are currently battling 116 active fires around Mexico. The National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) reported the figures Wednesday, which were announced by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during his daily press conference. Civil Protection public servants are standing by so that if necessary, evictions can be carried out and people protected, he said regarding the large number of current fires. Of the total number of fires recorded at the moment, he said, more than 20 are located in the State of Mexico. In that state, the largest fire, which is located in Valle de Bravo, has been controlled. A second fire reported in the municipality of Jilotzingo reactivated Wednesday morning and is being fought again by firefighters. Due to the ongoing fires, Lopez Obrador said that the Secretariat of National Defense will deploy more members in the region. Photo: Conafor What we want is to be vigilant so that the number of fires does not increase and we can get ahead in this drought season that, since it has not rained, there is dry grass for the fires, he explained. Photo: Conafor During the Wednesday press conference, Lopez Obrador reported that already this year, four people have lost their lives. They were a police officer, a brigadier and two community members, he said. Weve come a long way since Mark Noll lamented the scandal of the evangelical mind in 1994. Or have we? Perhaps we have to go back to the 19th century before we can make progress in the 21st. While the long 19th century gave birth to a variety of intellectual movements, it also saw its fair share of anti-intellectualism. The fallout from the Second Great Awakening was one such example; this era of American religious life witnessed the rise of pietism and biblicism, both of which called into question the value of both classical theological education and church history as a guide to biblical interpretation. In the early 1800s, large crowds gathered at encampments throughout upstate New York, with many traveling long distances to witness great preachers deliver long and stirring sermons on hellfire and damnation. Among the most popular of the orators was Charles Grandison Finney (17921875), a former lawyer turned Presbyterian minister (despite many doubts about Presbyterian theology), and the most famous of the itinerant preachers of the Second Great Awakening. Finney, at a towering 63, was known for his theatrical performances during these camp meetings and his controversial use of what was called the anxious bench, a practice of pressuring congregants to come forward during a service to experience conversion. Figures like Finney would come to determine the general direction of American evangelicalism and the role that big personalitiescelebrity preacherswould play in it. In many ways, Finney represented the culmination of pietistic trends working their way through the various Protestant sects. Pietism was a movement that originated in Germany in the 17th century with the publication of Pia Desideria by Jacob Spener and emphasized introspection and a turning away from the formal rituals of the institutional church. It was a reaction against scholasticism that marginalized formal worship in favor of small groups called conventicles and that saw no need for, or at least made secondary, the confessional standards of the Protestant churches. Pietism was effectively a way of doing religion on the fly, with personal conviction and feeling leading the way. As Daryl G. Hart details it in The Lost Soul of American Protestantism, the legacy of the Second Great Awakening and its pietist leanings is an anti-creedal, anti-clerical, and anti-ritual bias seen in much of evangelicalism today. In America, pietism grew with biblicism, an approach to biblical interpretation that divorced the text from the commentary of church history. It sought to ignore what previous eras and the great theologians of the past had to say. Preachers who had no formal theological education, like Finney, argued that since neither Jesus nor the apostles had seminary training, neither did they.* All this produced a huge anti-intellectual tendency in the broader American culture that historian Richard Hofstadter traced back to this period. This combined with the disestablishment of state churches in the American project of religious liberty and a populist movement in American politics during the reign of Andrew Jackson. Enter John Williamson Nevin, a graduate of Old Princeton and professor at Mercersburg Seminary, the denominational seminary of the German Reformed Church in the 19th century. Nevin, together with his colleague Philip Schaff, constructed the Mercersburg Theology, a project of retrieving the classical Christian theological traditions of the Reformed and patristic periods. Nevin sought to bring back the intellectual heft of the Reformation to the Protestantism of his day. This relied on a catechetical approach to the faith and was expressed in High Church liturgical renewal. He opposed subjective introspection that was advocated by pietists in the Second Great Awakening and promoted what he called a sacramental and educational religion, which he believed was to be found in the confessions and catechisms of the Protestant churches. He dismissed men like Finney as quacks who had engaged in novel methods of conversion that required little more than histrionics to make up for their lack of theological grounding and pastoral skills. Nevin displayed academic rigor in his theological debates, highlighting and drawing from both the Reformational traditions and the ancient church fathers. In fact, history played a significant role in his polemics with renowned Princeton theologian Charles Hodge over the Reformed doctrine of the eucharist. Hodge embraced a very symbolic view of the supper, while Nevin argued for the view held by John Calvin, one of a mystical presence mediated by the Holy Spirit. While Nevins engaged in a number of battles like these in his own day, his educational rigor, intellectual curiosity, and quest for history and tradition remain a blueprint for many Christians today seeking a Protestantism with more substance. Nevins doctrine of the church also motivated him to write on questions of the churchs relation to the state. His ideas in this area developed over the course of his career, and he finally came to embrace a conception that drew both from his magisterial Reformed heritage and the German philosophical tradition. Nevin argued that there were two spheres in creation: a common sphere and a divine sphere. The common sphere was made up of kingdoms and rulers throughout all times and ages. This sphere was used by God to rule over His creation in a common way that kept creation from devolving into chaos. The divine sphere was that of the church, by which God revealed His will for redemption and salvation and realized it through the officers of the church who performed word and sacrament ministry. Nevins High Church Calvinism pushed him to make hard distinctions between church and state so as not to corrupt the role each one had to play in the natural order by confusing vocations. Protestants, especially of the confessional kind, would do well to learn some of the lessons of Nevin and his career. On the one hand, Nevin was in ways limited by the intellectual trends of his time, including his frequent overdependence on German sources like Hegel, which he absorbed from the work of Schaff and Friedrich A. Rauch. He embraced Schaffs idea of the historical development of the church, which some say led to his denomination, the German Reformed Church, to merge with the German Evangelical Synod in North America, later to be absorbed (through a series of further mergers) into what is now the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal mainline churches in the U.S. I think most of that legacy of liberalization, however, is more the work of Schaff and his contribution to the Mercersburg project. On the more positive side, Nevins engagement with the history of Christianity recovered both Calvins doctrine of the Lords Supper and a serious reliance on the Heidelberg Catechism, one of the traditional doctrinal standards for the Reformed tradition. As revivalism turned many away from the confessions and creeds of the church toward personal experience, Nevin pointed students and congregants to ecclesiastical documents that had already stood the test of time and provided structure and assurance for their adherents beyond mere feelings. Nevin also worked hard to rewire Protestants so they could view themselves as having an organic connection to the medieval and ancient church, as part of a Great Tradition. He criticized what he called the Puritan theory of church history that fostered a high level of skepticism about anything having to do with rituals and high sacramentalism. Nevin is largely a forgotten figure today, relegated to seminary classrooms and to study by those interested in his project of theological retrieval. His struggles with his own tradition and his emphasis on high educational standards for the ministry are instructive for contemporary encounters with biblicism and pietism that remain so prominent in American religion. And his work on church-state relations are also instructive for those tempted to meld the two as part of the culture wars. Nevin in many ways was ahead of his time, and his intellectual rigor and engagement with classical sources of the Christian faith can provide a way forward for confessional Protestants today as they struggle to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. * Ironically, Finney would go on to found Oberlin College and become a professor of systematic theology there. Perhaps not so, Oberlin is generally regarded as one of the most radical colleges in the United States today, having long ago cut away its more fundamentalist, biblicist roots. No one was hurt on Wednesday morning when a Tennessee driver plowed her car into Wythevilles Waffle House, police said. It was the third incident in the past few years involving a car crashing into a town business. According to the Wytheville Police Department, 61-year-old Robin Noe of Kingsport, Tennessee, said she was pulling into a parking space in front of the Waffle House when her foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator, causing her to crash through glass and into the building. Officers were dispatched to the 1,400 East Main St. business at 3:47 a.m. Police said the investigating officer found no signs of driver impairment and no charges were placed. The private property crash was reported to insurance companies. On Feb. 28, town officers investigated a similar wreck at Wythevilles Dollar Tree. Two people were injured when a 71-year-old woman drove her Ford Taurus through the front of the business after mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal. At the time, the 360 Commonwealth Drive business still had up plywood from a 2023 crash involving a 92-year-old woman who drove into the store. No one was injured in that incident. Big tech is taking the standard American lunch to a new level in Christiansburg, where drones will drop a burger, fries and drink just outside the door of many homes and businesses. A couple of keystrokes entered into the DoorDash app will notify the local Wendys to cook the food, which crews hook to a drone that travels up to 65 mph at an altitude of a few hundred feet. Wing Aviation, an unmanned aircraft subsidiary of Google with a Christiansburg hub, partnered with the popular online food ordering and delivery business DoorDash to launch the service last week. Its a first for the collaboration in the U.S. Wing has been operating a drone service for delivery of certain products since 2019. Of the new development, You will get a warm Baconator delivered to your front yard, said Cosimo Leipold, Wings head of partnerships, who added that the goal is expansion to other merchants and locations through the partnership. We want tens of thousands of these planes flying around. To date, Wing has not disclosed how many drone flights it makes over any certain amount of time in Christiansburg. The availability of drone-delivered food within a portion of town limits is not lost on local officials who previously approved construction of a drone hub, which Wing calls its nest, between a Dollar Tree and a furniture store. Now citizens can get fast food faster, Town Manger Randy Wingfield said through a spokeswoman. The technical details are intriguing. Although the drone travels at several hundred feet in the air, it eventually drops to between 15 and 20 feet above its destination. An onboard system feeds out a string holding the order tote until the goods reach the ground where the system, sensing that there is no longer tension on the line, unhooks the payload. The customer does not have any contact with the drone system. DoorDash maps the movement of the order and displays the estimated time of arrival in minutes. The time elapsed between order and arrival averaged 17 minutes during 20,000 completed operations with DoorDash in Australia, while the best time in Christiansburg so far was seven minutes and 12 seconds, Leipold said. Wing builds its own drones and its personnel monitor the flights, though they do not control the aircraft, which Leipold described as highly automated. If an aircraft breaks or becomes disabled, it is programmed to land safely, he said. The fuselage is made of plastic foam, the rotors made of plastic, he said. There 18 units capable of carrying a payload of two and a half pounds to points within 6 miles of the store during operating hours Wednesday through Sunday, Leipold said. Though drone delivery is free during rollout, officials expect to charge a fee later. We can get to you quite quickly and we can get to you quite cheaply, Leipold said. I think thats meeting a very clear customer need. He added: There is something to say about proving to the world this technology is real and its ready for primetime and ready for scale It is real. It is not a one-time thing. It is not a PR thing. An 88-year-old man charged with bankruptcy fraud in connection with his real estate development business pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Richard Hamlett is accused of filing skeleton bankruptcy petitions on behalf of his companies three times over two years, with no intention of following up on the proceedings, in an effort to prevent foreclosures of his property. After a judge in the Roanoke division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court dismissed the first two cases in 2022 and 2023, Hamlett returned to the court yet again this time pretending to be someone else as he filed another case, a federal indictment alleges. When confronted by a suspicious deputy clerk, Hamlett is accused of doubling and tripling down on his wrongdoing by lying under oath in a court hearing and later to the FBI, according to court documents. Hamlett was once married to the movie star Debbie Reynolds, who died in 2016. Reynolds, who starred in a variety of classic movies including Singin in the Rain in 1952, lived part-time with Hamlett in their home on Sugarloaf Mountain southwest of Roanoke. After their 12-year marriage ended with a divorce in 1996, Hamlett filed for bankruptcy in an effort stop the collection of a Nevada courts order that he pay $8.9 million to Reynolds, based on loans she made to him that were not repaid. Hamlett presents no danger to public safety and is not a risk to flee, Assistant Public Defender Ben Schiffelbein said in asking U.S. Magistrate Judge Kailani Memmer to set a personal recognizance bond without imposing additional conditions of release. Although Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff did not ask that Hamlett be detained, he argued for tighter supervision by the court. He has repeatedly flaunted judicial orders in the past, and he has repeatedly been dishonest, Scheff said. Memmer ruled that personal recognizance was not sufficient, based on allegations in the indictment and other court documents, and imposed an unsecured bond of $10,000. She also set a trial date of May 30. A roundtable of community leaders sent the visiting Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., back to Washington on Wednesday with ideas to nurture the up-and-coming scientific research sector in Roanoke. Research and innovation ongoing in Roanoke helps improve the world at large, while creating opportunity for economic development here at home, said local leaders in health, education and government. Thats the type of impact surrounding the work inside Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located along the Roanoke River at the foot of Mill Mountain, where Warner finished a multi-day visit to the region. Its an area of the city that has grown rapidly in the past decade. Research expenditures exceeded $418 million at Virginia Tech overall last year, continuing an upward trend, said Michael Friedlander, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institutes executive director. Founded in 2010, research focuses at Fralin Biomedical include heart disease, obesity, childrens health, brain cancer and brain disorders, he said. The institute itself had more than $170 million in active grants and contracts as of September. Were off to a good start, Friedlander said. Theres a lot going on. Warner said those research expenditures, largely funded through grant money, were less than $100 million when he was governor 20 years ago. You guys should be so proud, Warner said. Weve got to put a lot of capital forward to stay extraordinarily competitive. Toward that end, the state government last year committed $90 million to attracting, retaining and developing the framework for a Virginia Research Triangle, between Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond and elsewhere. And federal money can help too, Warner said. Even though where I work is sometimes dysfunctional, Warner said. The one area we can still get to some bipartisan agreement is when things fall into the national security umbrella. Warner, who is chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence, said the definition of national security is changing, shifted by artificial intelligence and other technological advancements. National security is no longer simply who has more tanks and bombs, ships and planes, Warner said. It is increasingly dominated in a variety of technology domains. That technology includes the semiconductors that power electronics, the energy that people consume, and even the active ingredients in medicines, he said. Those are some areas where the national government wants to encourage domestic production. I think youre going to see a lot of funding rushing this way, Warner said, adding that the region is a finalist for federal grant money to support development of a technology hub. Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said the universitys partnership with Carilion Clinic only continues to build momentum. Were here together, Sands said. We have a shared commitment to advance the future of this region. Carilion Clinic CEO Nancy Agee said travel infrastructure, including the interstate corridor and regional airport, are important for future growth potential. Our partnership is thriving, Agee said. Together I think we really are transforming this region. Warner said one of Roanokes opportunities is its quality of life, outdoor beauty, connectedness, culture, and now a diverse research community. He asked how to tie newly forming companies to the region, preventing them from headquartering elsewhere when they spin off from the research happening at Virginia Tech. Warner also asked for ideas on how to get a major brand to set up an outpost operating in Roanoke. Erin Burcham is president of Verge Alliance, which strategizes how to grow the regional economy. She said the region is building out assets intended to attract and retain business, especially related to the biotechnology sector. Weve come so far in a very short amount of time, Burcham said. Especially in the last four years. And more work is being done to increase the regions attractiveness, she said. Were building a new sector, Burcham said. Were transforming the Roanoke and New River Valley into a very high innovation economy. RICHMOND Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced he has vetoed seven more bills, including measures to set up a legal market to sell cannabis and bills to increase the states minimum wage. In 2021 the state made it legal for adults to possess and use small amounts of cannabis, but did not authorize buying or selling, and a black market has emerged in the void. Youngkin has long said that he was not interested in setting up a legal market for sales. The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians health and safety, Youngkin said in a statement Thursday. States following this path have seen adverse effects on childrens and adolescents health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue. The cannabis bills were Senate Bill 448, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, and House Bill 698, sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax. Youngkin said the legislation Virginia lawmakers passed also does not eliminate the illegal black-market sale of cannabis, nor guarantee product safety. Addressing the inconsistencies in enforcement and regulation in Virginias current laws does not justify expanding access to cannabis, following the failed paths of other states and endangering Virginians health and safety. Youngkin also vetoed Senate Bill 696, sponsored by Sen. Angelia Williams Graves, D-Norfolk, which would require a hearing to review reducing sentences for individuals currently incarcerated or on community supervision for felony marijuana convictions. Youngkin said in his veto message: This bill grants eligibility to a significant number of violent felons who have already received a full and fair hearing. He added: Now is not the time to allow an imprudent resentencing process that undermines public safety. Youngkin also vetoed Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and House Bill 1, sponsored by Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, that would increase the minimum wage from the current $12 an hour to $13.50 on Jan. 1 and $15 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2026. Today I am also vetoing bills that would implement drastic wage mandates, raise costs on families and small businesses, jeopardize jobs, and fail to recognize regional economic differences across Virginia, Youngkin said. The governors veto statement echoes concerns Republican lawmakers expressed when the minimum wage proposals were debated in the legislature this winter that the mandate would be a burden to small businesses in different parts of the state. A one-size-fits-all mandate ignores the vast economic and geographic differences and undermines the ability to adapt to regional cost-of-living differences and market dynamics, Youngkin wrote. The bills would have continued Virginia on a trajectory first outlined four years ago. The governor also signed 100 more measures. Youngkin, on a record-shattering pace, has now vetoed 87 bills this year and a total of 128 partway through the third year of his term. Democrat Terry McAuliffe held the previous modern record for a Virginia governor, vetoing 120 bills in his four-year term from January 2014 to January 2018. Youngkin is plowing through hundreds of bills that the legislature passed in the session that ended March 9. The governor faces an April 8 deadline to sign, veto or seek to amend legislation. Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond April 17 to take up the governors vetoes and his proposed amendments. Democrats hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate and a 51-49 edge in the House, which means they likely will not have the two-thirds vote they would need to override any of his vetoes. Approval of an amendment requires a simple majority. The administration announced the actions a day after the public collapse of the $2 billion proposed arena project in Alexandria that was Youngkins top legislative priority. Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBAs Washington Wizards and the NHLs Washington Capitals, joined D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to announce a proposed deal that would keep the teams in Washington until 2050. Hard feelings between Youngkin and Democratic leaders over the arena project now overshadow their action on the two-year budget for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Attorneys for Hunter Biden have asked a judge to toss out the tax case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. DARLINGTON, S.C. Three Darlington County School District students are finalists for the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. Marcus Sostak of Hartsville High School along with Thomas Hopwood and Jacob Kiker of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology recently received notice of the prestigious selection. Sostak, Hopwood and Kiker now await the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announcement later this spring of the 7,140 winners of National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million total. Sostak is a diploma candidate in HHS International Baccalaureate Programme. After graduation, he plans to attend the Honors College at the University of South Carolina and major in Computer Science. In his IB courses, he takes Information Technology in a Global Society Standard Level. He also chose to write his 4,000-word essay on evaluating the effectiveness of Indias Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles policy. Hopwood is a member of Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society), National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Environmental Club, and Math Club. He tutors students in math and serves as a tutor in the Writing Lab. After high school, he plans to attend either Clemson University or the University of South Carolina to major in psychology and, eventually, pursue medical school. Kiker is a member of the Academic Challenge Team, the Math Team, the National Honor Society, and the Beta Club. He has held all As in all 12 years of school. He plans to attend a four-year college to major in biomedical engineering. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 320 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSCs goals of honoring the nations scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence. South Carolina 4-year-olds who participate in a state-funded, full-day 4K Child Early Reading and Development Education Program are more likely to demonstrate readiness on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, according to the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee. State-funded 4K is beneficial for kindergarten readiness for pupils in poverty, which is the target population of students identified as at-risk pursuant to Section 59-156-110 of the SC Code of Laws, according to a committee report. The EOCs evaluation included 57,804 kindergarten students who were enrolled during the 2023-24 school year. Of those students, 34,878 were designated as pupils in poverty (students who are transient, a runaway, in foster care, homeless, or have been Medicaid-eligible or qualified for SNAP or TANF services within the last three years). Of the designated pupils in poverty, 14,294 participated in the Child Early Reading and Development Education Program during the 2022-23 school year. Of those students, 37% demonstrated readiness on the KRA an assessment used to determine if a child entering a S.C. public Kindergarten/5K classroom has the knowledge and skills to meet South Carolinas kindergarten academic standards. Of the pupils in poverty who did not participate in the early reading program, only 27% demonstrated readiness on the KRA. The report also assessed state-funded, full-day 4Ks impact on preparing students with disabilities for kindergarten. It was found that 19% of students with a disability who participated in the early reading program demonstrated readiness on the KRA, compared to 16% of students with disabilities who did not participate in the program. South Carolinas investment in state-funded, full-day 4K continues to grow as does the number of students participating in the early reading program. The state spent $106,698,962 on 4K for the 2022-23 fiscal year, which was the largest investment to date. The EOC commends the General Assembly in prioritizing 4K education through increasing funding to help prepare our states children for kindergarten, EOC Chairwoman April Allen said. The EOC is charged with evaluating the early reading program in accordance with Provisos 1.48 and 1A.26 of the 2023-24 General Appropriations Act. To continue improving state-funded, full-day 4K the EOC recently recommended that $14.1 million of funding be used to expand early reading program to accommodate more students as well as providing Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training for early childhood teachers and assistants. If interested in finding a publicly funded program for your preschooler, visit https://palmettoprek.org/. ORANGEBURG, S.C. As a business management major, South Carolina State University junior Cedrina Richardson knows that her education could lead her in any number of directions. So, she considers getting practical experience before graduation essential to finding the right career path. Thats why she was among the first students to arrive at the SC State Career Centers Internship Day Fair in Belcher Hall on Thursday. My goal for Internship Day is to look into different companies to see what the consist of and learn what different opportunities they have for college students, Richardson said. An internship is important to my future because at this time, I'm a junior. I have maybe a year and a half left in school, so an internship will help me see things I like or maybe I dont like. In the future, I will know because I can say I did that in college. While she has thoughts of going into health care management, Richardson is keeping her mind open about other paths a business management degree could take her. So she was stopping by the tables of several businesses and agencies at the fair. If not health care, it will be companies with great communicators and organizers. Thats what I am looking for in an internship, she said. Thursdays fair represented the second-annual Internship Day sponsored by the SC State Career Center. Director Joseph Thomas said even in the age of videoconferencing and other advanced technologies used by employers and recruiters, having so many employers visiting the campus could still make a difference for students. Anytime you have an opportunity to talk with a representative from a company in person, youre halfway there, Thomas said. When you can get someone in person, it takes on a different tone, and you are able to express yourself in a different way. Along with practical experience, an internship often gives a student a path right into a full-time position. One employer at Thursdays fair with that in mind was Rummel, Klepper & Kahl LLP (RK&K), an engineering and construction management company involved in the South Carolina Department of Transportations Interstate 26 widening project just south of Columbia. We do project management construction engineering inspection, which includes everything from materials testing to ensuring the contractor is installing things per the clients specifications verifying the materials they are using, the quantity of materials they are using, the payments for the work thats performed, anything the SCDOT is looking for us to do, said Jeff Howard, RK&Ks construction engineering inspection manager. Howard said the company planned to hire an engineering intern from SC State to work with the I-26 project, so the fair was an opportunity to find candidates. Hopefully, its one who is in the construction path in civil engineering, and we would have them come through the program for a one-year or two-year internship and then hire them when they come out, Howard said. That will give them a solid base for construction management for the future. SC State graduate student Paul Omulokoli, who will graduate in May with a Master of Science in transportation and highway engineering, dropped off his resume at RK&Ks table and had a length conversation with the companys representatives. With what Ive learned here at South Carolina State, I have gained a lot of knowledge toward the advanced technologies that can be used in transportation and a higher understanding of the concepts and principles that are applied in transportation engineering, said Omulokoli, who completed his undergraduate studies in his native Kenya. So, I am looking forward to going into the field to get more practice and also to gain more certifications as a professional engineer. Thursdays event featured internship, co-op and part-time job opportunities for current students, as well as recent SC State graduates, from 16 agencies and employers. Along with RK&K, they included: Exhibits seized during the raid by the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). (PHOTO: CCID RMP) SINGAPORE Five individuals, believed to be part of a syndicate targeting Singaporeans with job scams, were arrested in a joint operation between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) in Kuala Lumpur last week. The syndicate is believed to be linked to at least 40 Singapore police reports, involving losses totalling more than $820,000, the Singapore police said in a media release on Wednesday (27 March). The police "carried out extensive investigative probes and shared information with the RMP in order to detect and dismantle job scam crime syndicates targeting Singaporeans". "The efforts paid off when the Malaysian criminal syndicate that was operating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was located," the Singapore police added. Officers from the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the RMP conducted a raid at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur on 20 March. Three men and two women aged between 23 and 28 were arrested for suspected involvement in laundering proceeds from scams, including job scams, aimed at Singaporeans. "Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate started their scam operations early this year," said the Singapore police, adding that the RMP had remanded the five Malaysians for further investigation. Between 1 October 2023 and 31 January this year, over 3,000 individuals fell victim to job scams, resulting in losses totalling at least $45.7 million. Rising threat of job scams David Chew, director of SPF's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), highlighted that job scams ranked as the top scam type of the cases reported in 2023 and the second in terms of losses to victims. He also said the number of cases involving such scams has continued to rise in 2024 and is "a crime of serious concern". "To counter this transnational scam threat, the SPF works closely with the RMP to detect and deter these transnational syndicates who target our citizens," Chew added, thanking Malaysia's CCID team for their support in tackling the syndicate. Story continues "We will continue to take tough action to afford these criminals no safe haven. Working with our foreign counterparts, we will detect, disable and bring to justice criminal syndicates wherever they choose to operate," he added. The Singapore police said that public vigilance is the best defence against the persistent threat of job scams. It reminded members of the public to be wary of proposals on dating apps or social media platforms. These proposals may offer easy commissions for tasks such as boosting products on e-commerce platforms, completing surveys or generating traction on social media. "You should never pay money into unknown bank accounts to earn a commission for your work," the Singapore police said, at the same time reminding the public never to relinquish Singpass credentials as part of a job application. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Holy Week Services Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport, invites the public to Holy Week and Easter Services. Maundy Thursday services will be on Thursday, March 28, at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. with Holy Communion. Good Friday services will be on Friday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Easter Sunday services with Holy Communion and the Hallelujah Chorus on Sunday, March 31, at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast served 7:30 to 10 a.m. United Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd., will hold services for Holy Week. Maundy Thursday service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28; Good Friday service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29; and service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Easter Sunday services will be a sunrise service at 7 a.m. and regular service at 10 a.m. with an Egg Bake Breakfast following the sunrise service. Augustana Lutheran Church, Sixth and Court streets, will hold worship services throughout Holy Week, including Maundy Thursday on March 28 at 7 p.m., Good Friday on March 29 at 7 p.m., Easter Vigil Saturday on March 30 at 7 p.m., and Easter Sunday on March 31 with breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and worship of the Risen Lord at 10 a.m. Grace United Methodist Church, 1735 Morningside Ave., will host Holy Week services. Services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday will be at 7 p.m. The Easter worship service will be at 10 a.m. All services at Grace Church are open to the general public. St. Mark ELCA, 5200 Glenn Ave., will hold Holy Week services this week with Maundy Thursday worship at 7 p.m. on March 28, Good Friday worship at 7 p.m. on March 29, and Easter Sunday worship at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on March 31. Living Faith Lutheran Church, a new ELCA congregation in Le Mars, meets at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ, 858 7th Ave SE, Le Mars, will hold Easter Sunday Worship at 11:15 a.m. on March 31. Monthly Carmelite Board Meeting The monthly Carmelite Board Meeting will be held Monday, April 1, at the Carmelite Monastery, 2901 S. Cecelia Street with Mass at 7 a.m. and refreshments at 8 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., the rosary will start at 9 a.m. and prayers with the Sisters at 9:15 a.m. Honorary members are always welcome. Leonetti to keynote Mens Conference National Catholic speaker, youth minister, parish mission leader, author and Des Moines Catholic radio host Jon Leonetti will be the keynote speaker for the April 6 Mens Conference in Le Mars, Iowa. The Men of the Cross conference is co-sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City and the Le Mars All Saints Catholic Parish Mens Ministry group. Leonetti shared that he will be talking to the conference participants about humans being created in Gods image and likeness, as described in the book of Genesis. He pointed out that humans are the highest form of Gods creation. Men of the Cross will include three keynote presentations from Leonetti, two 30-minute breakout sessions, lunch and Mass at 2 p.m. with Bishop Nickless. The Plymouth County Pork Producers will be providing a pork chop lunch for the men, which has become an annual favorite for the participants. Bower explained the breakout speakers will include the Rev. Zach Jones, the Rev. Michael Erpelding and Daniel Swalve, parishioner and father of young children. To register for the conference, participants can go to scdiocese.org/mensconference. Cost is $40 per person if registered by March 22. After March 22, the fee increases to $50 per person. Fathers and sons registering together will receive a $5 discount off of each registration. The conference will be held at All Saints Catholic ParishSt. Joseph Church, 605 Plymouth St. NE in Le Mars. Carmelite Shower of Roses Luncheon and Card Party All parishioners and friends are invited to attend the annual Carmelite Shower of Roses Luncheon and Card Party on April 9 with doors opening at 11 a.m. Free will donations accepted. The event will take place at St. Michael Parish Center, 2223 Indian Hills Drive. The day includes a light luncheon: chicken salad on lettuce, croissant, a dessert bar, coffee and ice tea. Cards may be played until 3 p.m. following lunch. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets until 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $1.00 apiece and winners will be announced at 2:15 p.m. The Luncheon and Card Party is sponsored annually by the Carmelite Board members to assist the Carmelite Nuns of Sioux City. Please come and enjoy an afternoon of fun, food, cards and socialization. For more information please call 212-0248 or 898-6267. Citywide confessions Sacred Heart Parish, 5010 Military Road, will hold citywide confessions from 7 to 8 p.m. on June 18 in an effort to encourage the Catholic faithful to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). The Rev. Tim Friedrichsen of Sacred Heart Parish will lead the confessions. Food pantry St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Douglas St., will have its food pantry open from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays. HARTINGTON, Neb. Maybe a jury to hear Jason Jones' murder case can be found in Cedar County, maybe not. But prosecutors said the only way to find out is to leave his trial here and begin the process, even if it takes several days to choose a jury. "The best way to determine if you can pick a fair and impartial jury is you have to try. I don't think time-consuming, tedious and difficult is the standard we use to change venue," Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Sandra Allen said during a Thursday hearing in Cedar County District Court. The August 2022 shooting deaths of four Laurel, Nebraska, residents has left potential jurors with strong feelings about the case and Jones. After nearly 70% of the 200 potential jurors who received a supplemental jury questionnaire said they believe Jones is guilty and many saying he deserves the death penalty, his attorney filed for a change of venue, saying it would be impossible to choose a jury to give Jones a fair trial. Todd Lancaster, of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy in Lincoln, reiterated his argument Thursday, citing responses that referred to his client as a "fruitcake," "nutjob," "psychopath" and "scumbag." Some said they could set their opinions aside, but it would be up to the defense to prove Jones is not guilty, rather than the state prove his guilt. "There is a deep and bitter hatred toward Mr. Jones in this community," Lancaster said. "There are a number of people who already in their mind believe Mr. Jones is guilty and have expressed that opinion to other people." Lancaster also cited extensive media coverage the case has received as a reason to move the trial. Allen said media coverage has not been sensational or biased against Jones, who did not attend Thursday's hearing. "I don't recall ever reading anything that was misleading," she said. District Judge Bryan Meismer said he'd issue a ruling at a later date. He asked both sides for location preferences if he were to order the trial moved. Allen prefers it to remain in the Sixth Judicial District, suggesting Blair in Washington County or Fremont in Dodge County. Lancaster said Dodge County could work and suggested Aurora in Hamilton County in central Nebraska. He and Allen both said Dakota County could be a possibility, but Lancaster said it's in the Sioux City media market, which has seen extensive coverage of the case. Though it's not certain where it will take place, Meismer scheduled trial for Sept. 9 so he and the attorneys could block the expected three weeks for trial on their schedules. Jones, 44, has pleaded not guilty to four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson for the shooting deaths of Michele Ebeling, 53, in her home and Gene Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet Twiford, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, in their home and setting both houses on fire. Prosecutors have filed notice they would seek the death penalty if he is found guilty of first-degree murder. Lancaster has asked that references to Gene Twiford's veteran status and church involvement and his daughter's developmental disability not be allowed at trial. He said that information "just pulls at the heartstrings of the jury" and is irrelevant to the facts of the case. Allen said those details show who the Twifords were, and testimony about Dana Twiford's disability would explain to jurors why she lived with her parents and show her vulnerability. Meismer said he'd issue an order giving the state some latitude to ask witnesses about those issues, but it would be limited. Authorities responded to a fire in the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2022, at 209 Elm St., where they found Ebelings body with two gunshot wounds. A second fire at the Twiford home at 503 Elm St. was reported soon after, and responders found the family members' bodies, all with gunshot wounds. Jones, who lived across the street from Ebeling, was arrested at his home about 24 hours later and airlifted to a Lincoln hospital for treatment of serious burns. Hes being held without bond at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Investigators found empty .44-caliber shell casings near Ebelings body and a Ruger handgun registered to Jones, plus credit card receipts for gas and gas cans, in the Twiford home. Jones' wife, Carrie, 44, has been charged with and pleaded not guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony. She is accused of aiding and abetting the death of Gene Twiford. Carrie Jones had been scheduled for a pretrial hearing Thursday, too, but the hearing was continued upon the request of her attorney. She will be tried separately from her husband, and a trial date has not been set. She remains in custody in the Antelope (Nebraska) County Jail. FOSTORIA, Iowa Clay County authorities responding to a domestic disturbance call discovered marijuana growing in a Fostoria home. The Clay County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the home in the 400 block of First Avenue Southwest on March 19. Upon arrival, a sheriff's deputy met with Lucas Richardson and Amber Wells and observed marijuana growing inside the home. The two were arrested and transported to the Clay County Jail, where officers found methamphetamine hidden inside Wells' shirt. Deputies executed a search warrant at the home and found more meth and marijuana, plus guns and drug paraphernalia such as a scale and plastic baggies. Richardson, 41, and Wells, 37, both were charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and failure to affix a drug tax stamp and single counts of possession of contraband inside a correction facility and possession of drug paraphernalia. SIOUX CITY -- Missouri River Historical Development awarded $50,000 in grants Thursday to support a variety of community events in Woodbury County. It's the first time MRHD has offered a grant cycle exclusively for community events. Local governments and tax-exempt organizations were eligible for up to $10,000 to develop, market, and implement new or existing events that are open to the public with free or low-cost admission. Community events are vital to placemaking and enhancing quality of life," MRHD President Sarah Kleber said in a statement. "This grant will help events that are accessible to the public be successful and provide organizers with much needed support for a wide range of interests and events. Saturday in the Park, the annual free music festival in Grandview Park, received the largest award, $5,000. The Port of River-Cade was awarded $4,000 for the organization's Bluegrass Festival. MRHD, a nonprofit gaming organization that holds the state license for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, collects 4.25% of the casinos gaming revenues for distribution to local governments and nonprofits. Since 1989, MRHD has invested over $52 million in the community. Below are the names of grant recipients, the community event and the awarded amount. Saturday in the Park, Inc. -- Saturday in the Park $5,000 River-Cade -- Bluegrass Festival, $4,000 Sioux City Tabletop Gamers -- Sioux City Tabletop Gamers Spring & Fall Game Conventions, $3,500 Siouxland Chamber Foundation -- Downtown LIVE Outdoor Concert Series, $3,500 Siouxland African Association -- Embrace Our Heritage (EOH), $3,000 Vangarde Arts -- Vangarde Arts Alley Art Festival, $3,000 Art Center Association of Sioux City -- Free Family Art Day, $3,000 Great Plains Action Society -- The 3rd annual Red Sky Nation Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives Pow Wow, $3,000 Anthon Community Development Corporation -- Anthon Kids Day, $2,500 Golphstok, Inc. -- Golphstok Music and Arts Festival, $2,500 Siouxland District Health Department -- Community Health Fair, $2,500 Danbury Community Club -- Danbury Corn Days, $2,500 Crittenton Center -- Siouxland Digs Kids 2024, $2,500 City of Moville -- Moville Days, $2,000 City of Sioux City -- Siouxland Trail Festival, $2,000 Old 20 Community Development Corp. -- Cushing Ice Cream Social, $2,000 City of Lawton -- Lawton Street Dance, $2,000 Sioux City Museum & Historical Association -- Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead at the Museum, $1,500 SLOAN, Iowa The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has come closer than ever to the long-sought return of two tracts of Missouri River-adjacent land seized by the government decades ago. The Winnebago Land Transfer Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Randy Feenstra at the end of February last year, passed the House last month. An identical bill was introduced into the Senate in November by Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer and co-sponsored by Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts. The bill, under which the land would be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Winnebago Tribe, remains in the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. "What was really cool is that we were able to see it pass in the House, and then, a couple days later, our chairwoman, Victoria Kitcheyan, testified to that Senate committee," said Winnebago Tribal Communications Officer Garan Coons. Winnebago Bend A faded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sign is shown Wednesday at Winnebago Bend Wildlife Area. The Corps seized the land from the Winnebago Tri Shifting boundaries The tracts, roughly 1,600 acres generally referred to as the Winnebago Bend and Snyder Bend, are situated largely in Woodbury County, with a smaller part in Monona County. The land lies near the tribe's WinnaVegas Casino west of Sloan. One of the parcels is west and southwest of the casino along the Missouri River's Winnebago Bend. The second area is northwest of the casino along Snyder Bend. Originally the land was part of the Winnebago Reservation, created by treaty in 1865, and the land was in Nebraska, not Iowa. Over time, the Missouri River shifted, leaving some of the original reservation on the Iowa side of the border, including the Winnebago Bend and Snyder Bend land. In the 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers condemned Winnebago land on both the Nebraska and Iowa sides for riverbank stabilization and a planned recreation project. The recreation project never materialized, and the tribe won a federal court decision in Nebraska that stopped the condemnation there. The court found that federal law required that any acquisition of the tribe's land must be done through a formal act of Congress. Winnebago Bend A gunshot-damaged wildlife management area sign is shown Wednesday at Winnebago Bend Wildlife Area. The area is 1,600 acres of Nebraska land n But while the Nebraska land was given back, the Iowa tracts remained in the lurch. Efforts over the years to give the land back -- including a 2017 effort spearheaded by then-Rep. Steve King to have the land transferred to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the tribe -- were not successful. Officials respond After more than 100 years on the reservation, in 1975, the Army Corps of Engineers took portions of the land along the Missouri River away from the Winnebago Tribe," Feenstra said in a statement. "Thats why I introduced the Winnebago Land Transfer Act which recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives to make things right by returning the land to the Winnebago Tribe where it rightfully belongs. During this process, Ive gotten to know many people in the Winnebago Tribe and have learned about the great work they are doing in agriculture, business and community development. From my conversations, the Winnebago Tribe plans to use this land for conservation open to the public, and Im excited to see how they will not only improve the land, but also support our community. Under the Corps' management the land has been used for wildlife conservation. Hunters of game and wild mushrooms have long favored the land, a relatively virginal stretch of trees, marshy grass and sand dunes. The 2017 attempt to give control of the land to the Bureau of Indian Affairs prompted concern that hunters would lose access to the ground, despite the tribe's assurances that this would not happen; Tribal Councilman Isaac Smith said in 2017 that hunters "don't have anything to worry about." Winnebago Bend A faded US Army Corps of Engineers sign is shown Wednesday at Winnebago Bend Wildlife Area. The area is 1,600 acres of Nebraska land north of New control There will, of course, be a Winnebago conservation agency entering the mix if the land is transferred back to their stewardship. But except for the change in agency oversight in and of itself -- a different jurisdiction handling hunting licenses and so forth -- Coons said not much will change for hunters. "We, as a tribe, here on the Nebraska side, have a Wildlife & Parks Department. And they're gearing up to be one of the ones to oversee that," Coons said. "And, to my understanding, everybody's kind of anticipating that it's going to pass, and so there's a lot of agreements in place where the Iowa DNR is going to help out the Winnebago Wildlife & Parks Department, turn it over to them, and then they'll have the staffing." There is one stipulation in the bill: The land cannot be used for casinos. The return of the land enjoys the broad support among senators of both Iowa and Nebraska. The decision to condemn and seize land from the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska was a classic case of the government walking back on its promises, Ernst said in a statement. That's why Im fighting to right this wrong, place the 1,600 acres of Iowa-controlled land into a trust, and return it back to the Winnebago people. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was wrong to seize this land through eminent domain in the 1970s. After decades of inaction, its time for us to make this right. My legislation will return this land to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and I look forward to getting this bill to the Presidents desk, Fischer said in a statement. Ive had many conversations with the leaders of the Winnebago tribe over the years, and Im confident returning this land back to the Winnebago people is the right move," Grassley said in a statement. Missing the action There is one tribal leader who wanted very much to see the return of the land, and who worked on it for many years, but won't be able the fruits of these efforts: The late James "Louis" LaRose, who died in November at 81. "He heard that it was going to go before the House, and then a couple days later he passed away," Coons said. "And so, it was really cool to see that he was able to hear about it. But unfortunately he didn't make it to see it being returned to the Winnebago Tribe." Roger McMullan, of Salt Lake City, is a lifelong enthusiast of the periodical cicada and author/illustrator of the new graphic novel "Cicadapocalypse," aiming to educate young, curious minds about the mysterious and fascinating insect. The graphic novel is packed with cicada facts and a thrilling, fun narrative that children will enjoy. Lee Enterprises chatted with Roger to dispel some common misconceptions about the beady-eyed little insect and help us understand the local impact when the cicadas invade starting this May. His graphic novel is due out in April and can be pre-ordered at the link: https://mcmullanhouse.org/portfolio/cicadapocalypse/ Lee Enterprises: How will the cicada emergence affect the day-to-day operations for farmers in the ag industry? Is it true they add nutrients to the soil? Roger McMullan: Cicadas tend to live where there are trees, so they likely won't affect agriculture. And again, they aren't locust and won't bite, sting, chew or otherwise affect plants. Some female cicadas, when laying eggs, can damage saplings or small bushes because they lay their eggs in pencil-size branches, but this isn't a problem with mature trees. Their exuviae (shells), wings, and carcasses indeed enrich the soil, and the insects' emergence holes also provide aeration of the soil. LE: How do cicadas help out our ecosystem? RM: The aeration of the soil, the nutrient enrichment from their bodies and the fact that they feed a massive amount of other animals. While there is often a boom in population of cicada predators when they emerge (or the year or so after), there is also often a crash because the cicada food source isn't there the following year. LE: People often complain about the loud mating call, and there seems to be some credence to it with decibels reaching close to 100 decibels. What kind of decibels have you personally recorded? Should sensitive people wear ear plugs? RM: This is true. I have not personally recorded it, but most people report decibels in the mid 80s to mid 90s, which is similar to a lawn mower or motorcycle. Like any loud noises, if you plan for prolonged exposure, ear plugs or other noise cancelling devices are recommended. LE: Will our gutters be full of cicadas? RM: It depends on the density of the population, but it's definitely possible. The majority of actual insects tend to dwell in the trees or on plants. LE: How does the laying of eggs affect tree populations? RM: Only small saplings can be damaged and can be covered in cloth netting to stay safe from being damaged by the females laying eggs. LE: Does the cicada emergence cause problems at the zoo? RM: Most animals eat them and enjoy them, so I'm not aware of any problems. I've seen some people mention their dog eating too much and throwing them up... LE: Should people attempt to use pesticides on them? RM: No. Pesticides are generally harmful for everyone. Going back to your question about the ecosystem, pesticides trickle up the food chain and kill the animals you love so very much. You can get a summarized version in this fantastic comic by Rosemary Mosco. In addition, cicadas won't harm you, your plants or anything else! You'll harm yourself more with pesticides than they would harm you. LE: Do they bite or sting? Are they poisonous? RM: They don't bite or sting, and they aren't poisonous or venomous. The closest thing to harm they could do is maybe poke you with their beak, looking for sap, but it wouldn't draw blood or leave a welt. LE: Though rare, there are news reports of cicadas causing actual motorcycle and car crashes. Is this a cause for concern? RM: I am skeptical of these reports, but any large insect could inhibit your vision. Have you ever had a grasshopper or even a butterfly across the windshield? It's a similar phenomenon. But cicadas generally don't swarm, they just hang out. So while you might get one or two across the windshield, it wouldn't be like a swarm of locusts or mayflies. I was similarly skeptical of the reports about cicadas showing up on doppler radars or delaying Biden's plane. LE: Mating season is over. Smelly cicada carcasses are everywhere. What should one do to rid their backyard of the smell? RM: Let nature do its work. Compost is stinky too, but it makes amazing soil, and the smell dissipates in a few weeks. If you really want to mess with your ecosystem, you can always pick up every single one of the stinky cicadas and put them in your compost pile or bury them to centralize the smell. There are also lots of great natural flowers you could plant to help mask it to some degree. Coffee grounds also make good compost and help reduce smells. DES MOINES The chair of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee said Davenports handling of public records was disgraceful and perplexing after the committee heard testimony about the citys decision to approve nearly $2 million in settlement agreements with staff without a public vote in 2023. On Wednesday, lawmakers on the committee heard from people involved in related legal disputes with the city of Davenport over public records and requests for information about the agreements, which included a $1.6 million settlement with former City Administrator Corri Spiegel. Rep. Brooke Boden, R-Indianola and the committee chair, pointed to the extensive legal action Davenport has taken as it resists requests to provide documents about the separation, questioning the use of taxpayer dollars. As a representative of the people from my district and the state of Iowa, I am personally disappointed in Davenports decision on how to handle requests in those matters, and I personally do not want to see any governmental body getting comfortable with this course of action, she said. Davenport city officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The Davenport City Council approved the settlement agreements last year without a public vote, and the city did not make Spiegel's agreement public until more than a month after it was approved, and after the Nov. 7, 2023, election that included city offices. The council also approved settlement agreements between $100,000 and $200,000 with two administrative employees. The citys separation with Spiegel included $1 million for emotional pain and suffering because of prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials over the previous eight years. In December, two months after the agreements were signed, the Davenport City Council voted to ratify the agreements in an open session. Quad-Cities residents Allen Diercks and David Ezra Sidran, both of whom are involved in lawsuits with the city, testified at the meeting. Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which is seeking to intervene in Sidrans case, also testified. Pointing to Iowas open meetings law, Evans told lawmakers there may be times that a city council needs to meet in private when discussing terms of a settlement agreement or other personnel matters. But the approval of the agreement, Evans said, should have been done in an open meeting. The issue with Davenport is that they skipped that one important element at the end of the process, which was making a decision in public, he said. And the law is plainly clear there, even if they choose not to abide by it. Davenport interim City Attorney Brian Heyer said in December that the decision to eventually approve the agreements in open session was made on the advice of outside legal counsel. Diercks sued the city in January, alleging the city broke the law in approving the settlements and they should be voided. Sidran, who has requested numerous records, was sued by the city, which is asking the court to determine whether a letter sent by Spiegel to the City Council is a public record. In a news release, the city of Davenport said it named Sidran a defendant only because he requested the records and not in an attempt to discourage requests. "The city of Davenport is neither seeking to recover anything of value from Dr. Sidran, nor to obtain any type of order from the court prohibiting Dr. Sidran from engaging in any activity related to the city," the news release said. Mike Meloy, an attorney representing Diercks, said that Davenport has been challenging any effort by the public to obtain more information about the settlements. Something doesnt smell right here, ladies and gentlemen, he said. Why is the city fighting so hard to keep these matters from the public eye? Meloy asked committee members to investigate the matter and ask the Iowa attorney general to investigate Davenports conduct. State Auditor Rob Sand has also subpoenaed for documents from the citys meetings around the separation agreements, which the city has resisted in court. Lawmakers want more information The oversight hearing was requested by Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, who introduced a bill this year to strengthen Iowas open meetings and records laws. Mohr said he was frustrated that the city had not given answers to questions from lawmakers and the public about its handling of the separations. He said he thought the hearing was a good first step toward getting that information. I simply think we need to use every level of government that we can to try to get answers to the questions about the building collapse, about the $2 million payout to the city employees, he said. The citizens of the Quad-Cities, particularly Davenport, who are footing the bill for those tax dollars, they need answers to those questions. Mohr said he hoped the Senate took up the public records bill the House passed last month. Davenport officials were not invited to the hearing Wednesday. Boden said since the city was in pending lawsuits it might be more difficult to get them to testify. Boden said she would like to get more information about the issue from city officials and other stakeholders. While she said she wants the Senate to pass the Houses open records bill, she said she is not sure if the committee will recommend any further specific action on the subject this year. There are a lot of people to hear from. There are a lot of things to take care of, she said. But if its something we need to do, something we need to take up, we will. Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque and the vice chair of the committee, said she hoped the committee hearing pushed the Senate to pass the open records bill. I would hope that this would give our Senate counterparts a real opportunity to think about the law that we just passed to them around educating all government entities on these issues, she said. Photos: Gov. Reynolds tours site of The Davenport collapse 060523-qct-nws-collapse-07.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-09.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-17.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-11.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-05.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-02.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-01.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-16.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-10.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-13.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-06.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-04.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-03.jpg DES MOINES Iowa House lawmakers are looking to update the disability compensation rules for police and firefighters to fix what they see as a flaw in state law. House Study Bill 745, which passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, would extend disability coverage for Iowas police and firefighters to include disabilities caused by long-term physical stress and mental health conditions. The bill changes the states pension program for professional police and firefighters, which covers police departments in 49 of Iowas larger cities and fire departments in 38 of those. A past Iowa Supreme Court ruling found that state law currently only allows police and firefighters to receive disability benefits if their disability can be traced to a specific incident, said the committees chair, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton. Disabilities that appear after decades on the job, caused by work duties like carrying heavy equipment, are not covered. The bill would specify that any disability that was caused by the employment is covered, regardless of if it is linked to a specific incident. The bill would also add disability coverage for mental health conditions caused by traumatic incidents on the job, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike the physical disabilities, the condition would need to be traceable to a specific traumatic incident or incidents to be covered. Firefighters and police supported the bill during a subcommittee on Thursday, saying the long-awaited proposal was necessary to ensure that Iowas police officers receive the same coverage as those in the private sector. Brandon Phlanzer, the secretary-treasurer of Iowa Professional Firefighters, said that coverage for PTSD was a growing need for firefighters. Some of the things we have to deal with on a regular basis and even some of the abnormalities of witnessing everyone's worst day as our regular day (can be traumatic), he told lawmakers on Thursday. So that part of recognizing the PTSD component is a huge benefit and a huge component of this bill. The bill would raise costs for cities, which would need to offer more disability coverage through insurance. The Iowa League of Cities, which represents hundreds of cities in the state, is registered against the bill. The Metro Coalition, representing the states 10 largest cities, is undecided. Iowa League of Cities lobbyist Daniel Stalder said smaller cities with shrinking populations would have trouble keeping up with the cost increases in the bill. The bill passed unanimously out of the committee on Thursday. Rep. Eric Gjerde, D-Cedar Rapids, said expanding the coverage for those covered under the law has been needed for a long time. It has been a long time coming, and its really all about recruitment and retention, and ensuring that we honor the work that the public servants in our communities do, he said. Bill comes as cancer benefits stall in Senate The bill comes as House lawmakers continue to pursue legislation expanding the disability coverage for firefighters who develop cancer on the job. House File 2482, which the chamber passed in February, would have covered all cancers under a firefighters disability benefits rather than the specific list that is currently covered. The Senate did not take up the bill before a legislative funnel deadline last month. Sen. Jason Schultz, the chair of the Senate State Government Committee, said he did not have enough time to research the cost impacts of the bill before the deadline. Schultz said he does not expect to take up the bill this year, but may look into it further in future years. To open the taxpayer to every cancer currently known and discovered in the future is an open blank check that takes more than five days to determine the cost, he said. Kaufmann said he is still interested in getting the cancer coverage bill to move in the Senate, but he said the latest bill was broader and another way to get something done to improve public service benefits. He did not rule out amending the bill to include cancer benefits. It covers more things and it does more things than the cancer bill, which is very very important, but a more singular issue, Kaufmann said. This is a more broad-based issue that covers more folks. Tom Barton of the Gazette Des Moines Bureau contributed. More police are using your cameras for video evidence More police are using your cameras for video evidence DES MOINES Significant changes to the funding and operations of Iowas nine area education agencies that provide support to schools plus an increase in state school funding and a boost in teacher pay were signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds. The area education agency changes reflect a goal set out by Reynolds during her Condition of the State address nearly three months ago. However, what she signed into law is a stripped-down version of what she originally proposed after strong backlash from advocates for special education and AEAs. During a bill-signing ceremony in her formal office at the Iowa Capitol, the Republican governor said the new law will improve special education for students with disabilities, and called the changes meaningful and necessary reform. She said while the AEA system worked well for some students, that hasnt been the experience for all students. Some schools havent used some of the AEA services despite being forced to pay for them. Others have felt that they didnt receive the quality that they expect, Reynolds said. And many schools, urban and rural, large and small, have raised concerns about a lack of transparency regarding the cost of AEA services. Democrats vehemently opposed the changes to Iowas area education agencies, arguing from the start that significant alterations were unnecessary. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, from Windsor Heights, who leads the minority party in the House, again criticized Reynolds and Republicans for approving the legislation. When you look at the celebration (Reynolds) is having, I want you to think about the families who have so much uncertainty now as theyre wondering what will happen to the (AEA) services in their communities, what will happen to their kids who are getting AEA services. There are so many questions, Konfrst said. What the new law will do The new law will: Increase state funding for Iowas K-12 public schools by 2.5% in the next school year, which is a $119 million increase for a total of $3.8 billion, according to the states nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. Raise the minimum salary for a first-year public school teacher in Iowa from the current $33,500 to $47,500 in the 2024-2025 school year and $50,000 the next year, and set a minimum salary for teachers with at least 12 years of experience to $60,000 in the upcoming school year and $62,000 the following year. Budget $22 million in the upcoming school year and $23 million the next year to address other veteran teachers salaries, and $14 million to help boost the pay of educational support staff, like paraeducators. Make many operational and funding changes to the area education agencies: keep some funding for special education and other education and media services with school districts instead of sending the funds directly to the AEAs; move special education oversight from the AEAs to the state education department; and create a task force to study and recommend future changes to AEAs. AEA changes in the law Area education agencies oversee education of Iowa students with disabilities and offer media and consulting services to schools and students in their boundaries. Currently, federal and state special education funding goes directly to the nine agencies. AEAs also receive property tax funding for media services and other education services for schools in their region. Once the new law is fully implemented in the second year, 10% of state funding for special education services will remain with school districts for them to use, while 90% will continue to flow directly to the AEAs. In the second year, all state funding for other education services and media services will go directly to schools which could use that money for AEA services or to get them from another entity. The law also creates a division in the Iowa Department of Education up to 53 new full-time equivalent positions to provide oversight of special education services provided by the AEAs. AEA debate reaches conclusion Reynolds proposal to overhaul the agencies, a system created five decades ago by lawmakers, drew strong opposition from educators and parents of students with disabilities who worry it will hurt special education in the state. Most school superintendents also expressed opposition, although some said they are in favor of having more control of their special education dollars. The final proposal was the result of weeks of negotiations between Reynolds and majority Republicans in the House and Senate, and discussions with AEA officials and school superintendents. While this bill has been the focus of much discussion and debate, it has also presented opportunities for insightful conversations and meaningful compromise, Reynolds said. When it comes to legislation that offers so much potential for the future of our state, I appreciate knowing that there is a willingness to keep the lines of communication open and to continue to work together to reach a compromise. That took place from the very beginning of the session, and I thin we ended in a really good place. The compromise, House File 2612, was approved by only Republican lawmakers. All Democrats and some Republicans voted against the overall bill because of their objections to the AEA provisions. Democrats said they also opposed the 2.5% school funding measure, saying it is insufficient. They expressed support for the teacher pay boost, and criticized Republicans for combining the provisions into one bill. The reason teacher pay was included in the final package is to hold teacher pay hostage, and so that they can do exactly what theyre doing now, which is to say that some (Democrats) didnt vote for teacher pay, Konfrst told reporters. There was more wrong with this bill than there was right with this bill. Sen. Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Pella who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said the new law will make changes to AEAs that are modest and fair but necessary, and will not threaten the viability of the AEA system. He said it also will add accountability and transparency that he says is currently lacking. The AEAs have done a tremendous amount of good for many, many years in Iowa, and all of us are appreciative of that, Rozenboom said at the bill-signing ceremony. As Ive said many times, there are a thousand bright stars in the AEA constellation. But the world has changed since the AEAs were created in 1974, and reform is needed. Rep. Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull who managed the bill in the House and has a 5-year-old daughter with autism who receives special education services from an AEA, said superintendents, school board members, teachers, private school officials and parents of students with disabilities all were involved in discussions with lawmakers during the legislative process. We are improving on a system that will see increases and outcomes for our students, Wheeler said. Sen. Pam Jochum, from Dubuque, who leads the minority party Senate Democrats, issued a statement thanking what she said were thousands of Iowans who expressed their opposition to the AEA changes. Parents, educators, students, and community leaders changed the course of this legislation, Jochum said. They prevented Republican politicians from fast-tracking this bill and exposed Gov. Reynolds misplaced priorities. The major changes in the new law go into effect July 1. Three teaching tips from a top pre-K educator Three teaching tips from a top pre-K educator SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota officials said Thursday they will investigate a disturbance at a state prison in Sioux Falls that they say resulted in at least one officer getting assaulted the day before. I have directed the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to work with the state Department of Corrections to investigate the disturbance at the State Penitentiary," South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a statement. Jackley said he intends "to prosecute those responsible for any harm done to correctional officers, other inmates, and state property to the fullest extent of the law. South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem said a correctional officer was assaulted Wednesday and taken to a hospital because of some tablets that were removed from prisoners, KELO-TV reported. According to KELO-TV, Noem said she was extremely proud of the corrections officers for getting the situation back under control. She added that inmates were using the electronic tablets for nefarious reasons." They were not being used, in all situations, to just contact home," Noem said. They were being used for other purposes that were not good and not legal. A memo from March 20 on the Department of Corrections website said tablet communication features including phone calls, messages and pictures have been suspended since March 8 on all department tablets statewide due to an investigation pending resolution." Inmates still have access to wall phones to contact their attorneys and families, according to the memo. South Dakota officials say they are investigating a disturbance at a state prison in Sioux Falls that resulted in at least one officer getting assaulted and going to a hospital. State Attorney General Marty Jackley said Thursday he wanted to prosecute the people responsible for any harm done to correctional officers, other inmates and state property to the fullest extent of the law. South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem said the officer was assaulted because electronic tablets were taken away from inmates. She said the inmates were using the tablets for nefarious reasons. A cargo ship rammed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the span to collapse and presumably killing six construction workers. On Wednesday, a day after the early-morning crash, officials with the National Transportation Safety Board boarded the ship and planned to recover information from its electronics and paperwork while divers searched for the bodies of workers who were still missing. Here's what we know so far about the collapse: WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED? The operators of the Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash early Tuesday saying the vessel had lost power. But the 985-foot-long (300-meter-long) ship still struck one of the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) bridge's supports at 8 knots, which is roughly 9 mph (15 kph). That caused the span to break and fall into the water within seconds. Eight construction workers were filling potholes on the bridge when the crash happened. Two were rescued soon after the collapse. Divers recovered the bodies of two others and the other four are presumed dead. Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said they were working in the middle of the span when it collapsed. The U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday that the ship underwent routine engine maintenance in the port before it lost power. An inspection of the Dali last June at a port in Chile identified a problem with the ships propulsion and auxiliary machinery, according to Equasis, a shipping information system. The deficiency involved gauges and thermometers, but the websites online records didnt elaborate. A standard examination conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York in September didnt identify any deficiencies, according to the Equasis data. Given the vessels massive weight, it struck the bridge support with significant force, said Roberto Leon, a Virginia Tech engineering professor. The post can resist the impact by bending, Leon said, but cannot absorb the energy brought by such a humongous ship. Last June, federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition. But the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said. If a bridge pier without adequate protection is hit by a ship of this size, there is very little that the bridge could do, Leon said. Federal and state investigators have said the crash appears to have been an accident. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE MISSING? Two of the construction workers who were on the bridge were rescued. The bodies of four of the six others were still missing Thursday. Searchers recovered the bodies of 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and 26-year-old Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera on Wednesday. They were in a pickup truck submerged in about 25 feet (7.6 meters) of water. The workers came to the Maryland area from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, according to diplomats from those countries. One worker, 38-year-old Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, came to the U.S. from Honduras nearly two decades ago. His brother described him as an entrepreneurial and hard-working husband and father of two. And El Salvadors foreign minister, Alexandra Hill Tinoco, posted Wednesday on X that one Salvadoran citizen, Miguel Luna, was among the missing workers. The ship is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd., which said all crew members, including the two pilots, were accounted for and there were no reports of injuries. The ship's warning enabled authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span. Plus, the accident occurred at 1:30 a.m., long before the busy morning rush. The bridge carried an estimated 30,800 vehicles per day on average in 2019. WHAT IMPACT COULD THIS HAVE? The collapse will almost surely create a logistical nightmare, shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore and snarling cargo and commuter traffic. The port is a major East Coast hub for shipping. The bridge spans the Patapsco River, which massive cargo ships use to reach the Chesapeake Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean. The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic. President Joe Biden said he expects the federal government to pick up the entire rebuilding cost. His administration approved $60 million in emergency federal aid to pay for debris removal and other initial costs. This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a commercial salvage company have been surveying the site as they plan the salvage operation, according to U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Cynthia Oldham. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said Friday that the first goals are to reopen the shipping channel and remove the ship. The Maryland Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard surveyed the damage Friday morning. Teams worked through high winds while determining how to safely cut the trusses which weigh between 3,000 to 4,000 tons into lighter sections that can be removed by four heavy lift cranes supplied by the U.S. Navy, according to Moore. In the coming weeks, the governor hopes to have 10 tugboats, seven floating cranes, nine barges, eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats in the water. The collapse is not likely to have a big effect on worldwide trade because Baltimore is not a major port for container vessels, and proves more important when it comes to goods such as farm equipment and autos, said Judah Levine, head of research for global freight booking platform Freightos. But jobs for roughly 2,400 members of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333 could dry up until shipping traffic resumes, according to Scott Cowan, the union's president. Cowan said union leaders are working with elected officials to fund compensation for longshoremen in the meantime. Authorities must also now handle a sheen in the water after some of the 56 containers onboard that were carrying hazardous materials were breached. Among the hazardous materials were corrosives, flammables and lithium ion batteries, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. But the Key Bridge Joint Information Center said Thursday that theres no immediate environmental threat and that air monitoring has shown no volatile organic compounds. Adam Ortiz, the EPA's regional administrator in the Mid-Atlantic states, said Friday that ongoing monitoring has not given any indication that the water contains materials hazardous to humans. HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN? From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions, with a total of 342 people killed, according to a 2018 report from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Eighteen of those collapses happened in the United States. Among them were a 2002 incident in which a barge struck the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, sending vehicles plunging into the water. Fourteen people died and 11 were injured. And in 2001, a tugboat and barge struck the Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel, Texas, causing a section of the bridge to tumble 80 feet (24 meters) into the bay below. Eight people were killed. This story has been updated to correct that there were more than 56 containers on the ship, but that 56 contained hazardous materials, and to correct that crews were working to cut up trusses of the collapsed bridge, not the vessel that ran into it. Lea Skene, Brian Witte and Sarah Brumfield contributed reporting. The wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is still protruding out of the Patapsco River after the structure suffered a massive collision with a container vessel, Dali, which was on its way out of the Port of Baltimore early Tuesday morning. Several construction workers who were on the bridge at the time are now presumed dead, and for the port, one of the busiest along the Eastern Seaboard, a long disruption is now expected. As the initial shock from the footage of the incident has started to fade, the questions have piled up: How could the bridge have been so vulnerable? Why do we let massive ships like that through such tight passes? Even if the ship lost power, how could it not have had a mechanism to stop in time? Who will ultimately take the blame? Salvatore Mercogliano is a maritime historian, professor, and the host of a YouTube channel, Whats Going on With Shipping?, that exploded in popularity during the Suez Canal disaster, and he is the person you want to explain all of this to you. Over the phone, he told me what made the bridge so susceptible to collapse, why ships like Dali arent even considered that big anymore, and the misconceptions that are prevailing in the aftermath of the incident. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aymann Ismail: Can you help someone like me, who has an only marginal understanding of maritime disasters, to understand how a bridge could collapse the way it did in Baltimore? Salvatore Mercogliano: When the bridge was built 50 years ago, it wasnt designed to take any sort of hit at all. Ships were much smaller at the time, and the distance in the channel between the two pillars that straddle the channel was seen to be far enough apart. The problem here is, a ship the size of the Dali, which isnt even a big ship today, is much more massive than was perceived possible in 1977. Without a series of concrete blockswhat they call dolphinsfurther out to deflect the vessel, then a hit like that is going to bring that pillar down. And the nature of the construction of that bridge is such that if you knock out one leg, its like removing the key piece in the Jenga set: The whole bridge is going to come down. Advertisement I find it interesting that you described the ship as not that big. Ive heard it described as hugelonger than a horizontal skyscraper. Its 900 feet long. It weighs 115,000 tons. But to go back to Ever Given in the Suez: Ever Given is 1,300 feet long and 200,000 tons. A Dali carries 10,000 containers, and the Ever Given carries 20,000. Dali doesnt even come close to registering as a big container ship. Its basically a medium-sized one. Advertisement Have those ships gotten much bigger in recent years? And in turn, does that make them more dangerous? We move more cargo by volume and velocity as quick as we can, with very little time in between. Believe it or not, its much safer sailing than ever before. We dont have sinkings or accidents as much. But because of the pressure of the global shipping cyclewere moving everything so fastthat means that when accidents do occur, they tend to be very big and very dramatic. Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to keep pace, especially in the U.S., where, if you look at the $3 trillion infrastructure bill, less than 1 percent was spent on anything maritime-related. And shoring up infrastructure like the bridge, putting dolphins in or reinforcing those areas, is not seen as a really critical point, especially because there is other critical infrastructure that needs to be fixed. This bridge wasnt going to fall down unless the ship hit it. The ships crew warned about power loss, and thankfully, traffic on the bridge was halted. But some construction workers apparently did not get off in time. Can you explain the protocol for situations like this? And would you say that those protocols were correctly followed? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alert came from the two Chesapeake Bay pilots who were on board. Pilots operate under both federal rules and state or local rules. Loss of power on a ship depends on rules in the states pilots association. Fortunately, the senior pilot on this vessel sounded the mayday and was able to contact not just ships in the area but also his dispatch, who in turn was able within four minutes to get word to the Department of Transportation crew up on the bridge and alert them. Its a remarkable performance. It really is. The fact that only six people lost their livesif this had been rush hour, it would have been dozens, if not hundreds, lost. The pilots reacted very quickly. Which is a big difference from what we saw two years ago in Baltimore, when Ever Forwards pilot was distracted by his computer and missed the turn and grounded the vessel. That was very different and really shows the professionalism of the Chesapeake Bay pilots here. Advertisement Was there anything more the pilots could have done? I assume it takes a good amount of lead time to stop a vessel like this. I know it takes a truck hundreds of yards to slow down and stop at a red light. Is that comparable to stopping a ship like the Dali? Advertisement Advertisement Youre talking about miles. When they lost power, this ship was two-thirds of a mile from the bridge. It could not stop in that distance. Even throwing the engine on full stern was not going to stop this ship. Its just sheer momentum. And thats the problem. I sailed for many years, and the worst sound you ever hear on a ship is silence because that means nothings working and youre in the hands of inertia, wind, and current. It is terrifying. I guarantee you that this was the most terrifying four minutes in the lives of that crew ever. This would have happened in slow motion. Ten knots is not very fast, but its fast enough. And it would have been absolutely horrific. Advertisement How long do you expect we will need to wait until we know for sure what happened? Youre dealing with international shipping, so youre dealing with a Singaporean vessel with a Singapore flag thats leased to a Danish company that the classification society is Japanese, the insurance is British with an Indian crew on board that is coming out of the Port of Baltimore in federal waters controlled by the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers. Its a mess. Its an absolute mess. Its a horror story. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate What Will Happen to Traffic in the Wake of the Baltimore Bridge Collapse? Read More I know you mentioned that installing dolphins farther out could have made a difference, but are there any other technologies or methods that could have prevented this? Advertisement Bow thrusters didnt work. Dropping the port anchor didnt work. Theres not a lot that stops 115,000 tons coming at you except for the main engine. And when you lose the main engine, theres not a lot you can do, even if you had tugs alongside it. Tugs dont follow the vessel out; thats not standard operating procedure. But even if you had the tugs there, they would have to have been hooked up. I know tugboat operators. They would gladly put their tug in the way to prevent this from happening. But Im not exactly sure that they would have been able to push that vessel clear at that time because of the sheer momentum, inertia, and kinetic energy that that vessel had. Advertisement Advertisement President Biden said the U.S. government would pick up the costs of repairing the bridge, but who would be liable in a situation like this? If the ship is Singaporean and it was leased by a Danish company, who would you blame? Advertisement I mean, were still litigating Ever Given. The litigation here is going to be tremendous because if Im sitting on a ship right now and I cant get in the Baltimore, Im suing the ship itself, Im suing Dali, Im suing the operating company, Im suing Maersk, Im suing everybody. The amount of liability here is going to be astronomical, which means insurance is going to be dealing with this. And it will go on for years and be tried in courts in Maryland, overseas, and everywhere you can imagine. Advertisement This is akin to the guy delivering packages to your house from Amazon at Christmas, driving a rental car, and he runs you over. Who do you sue in that case? Do you sue Amazon for delivering the package? Do you sue the driver? Or do you sue the rental company that gave them the car? And in maritime law, you sue everybody. Its a mess. Earlier, you said that ships are safer than ever. But judging from the recent news cycles, it feels as if theres been an increase in maritime disasters, especially with shipping vessels. If thats not true, can you explain why it feels as if were hearing about them much more often? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a report put out every year by a group called Allianz that tracks maritime accidents over the past decade. There is a literal decrease. Its safer than ever to be shipping. But we see them more often now than ever before because the system is pressured so much with that volume and velocity of cargoso when accidents do happen, like I said, they tend to be very big. Advertisement As ships continue to get bigger, are you worried about incidents like this happening more often? As long as the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal will accept them, and as long as you can get insurance for them, if you build it, they will comebigger and bigger. As a matter of fact, one of the big things that were seeing right now is a fear that because ships are diverting around Suez, that removes the restriction on length. Ships were restricted, basically, to under 400 meters. Well, if we dont have to go through the Suez anymore, maybe well build bigger. Advertisement The crazy part is, now that Baltimore doesnt have the bridge, theyll build a bigger bridge so they can bring bigger ships. And thatll be the irony here. Theyll build the bridge big enough so that they can get the biggest ships underneath it. What else is everyone getting wrong about this? Advertisement The shipping industry has been taken out of the limelight. Weve moved the ports out from downtown. So, to most people, shipping is an invisible industry, so they dont understand it. And what knowledge they may have is either outdated or from popular culture. And in truth, the shipping industry is a very safe industry. It is highly regulated. But at the same time, its a very backward industry, a very conservative industry, with a small c, in that it resists change at times. So, I think people look at things and wonder why ships are going underneath bridges without tugboats. Well, 99.999 percent of the time, ships do that without an issue. Advertisement Its just what we take for granted. When I fly on an airplane, I want to see the pilots going through the checklist. I want to see them kicking the tires. I want to make sure that damn plane is safe for me to get on. Yet the first time I ever try my brakes on my car is when I get to a red light. I dont even check at all for tires on my car. I just get in and drive. You get very comfortable with technology. People are just not familiar with shipping. They may go on a cruise. They may be familiar with small boats. So its outside the parameter. Plus, we have exported and outsourced our shipping, and so its not even American anymore. I think thats the biggest issue. One of the reasons I started my YouTube channel was to explain it to people. Im a very big proponent for my industry. I really want people to understand shipping and the role it has. You know, 1.5 million mariners kept the world supplied during COVID. I dont think they get the attention they really deserve. Even so, unfortunately, rules and regulations in the maritime industry are written in blood. So you have to have kind of these disasters to understand things. And so I think its very important not just to talk about the disasters, the negatives, but to talk about the positives. I always try to mix the two together. I just want to be known as the Jim Cantore of maritime disasters. I dont want to be the guy that shows up every time theres a maritime disaster. The chances of dying in a cataclysmic air accidentyou and your fellow passengers consumed by a molten fireball, cascading down toward the Earths surfaceremain astoundingly low. Roughly 115,000 commercial airplanes take off and land every day, and a significant number of them are made by Boeing, which holds a 42 percent market share in the industry. So, despite those two criminal, reputation-altering 737 Max disasters in 2018 and 2019, and a slew of nonfatal but viscerally horrifying mechanical failures that have recently beset the company (door plugs detaching over the Pacific Northwest, tires flinging off hulls, cockpit issues causing passengers to ricochet off the ceiling, and so on), the odds are good that when you step onto a Boeing aircraft, you will safely arrive at your destination. And yet, despite those logical assurances, when I booked a trip down to Miami earlier this week, I did everything I could to guarantee my spot on an AirbusBoeings eternal French nemesis, and a company that is not currently mired in spiraling controversy. (If youre curious, JetBlue maintains a fleet made up entirely of Airbus planes, and they fly to South Florida from New York multiple times a day.) I have been afflicted by a fear of flying my whole lifeon long-haul trips, I tend to spend most of the duration staring at the live map glowing on the back of the seat in front of me, constantly calculating just how far I am from the nearest airport in case of an emergency diversion. But over the past few months, my phobia has become a mainstream malady. It seems as if everyone, even those freaks who claim to enjoy the quaking of turbulence, is doing what they can to avoid suspect Boeing engineering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im flying down to Houston in late April, and most of the flights that went there were on United, and a lot of them that matched up with the times were all on Boeing, Andy Hirschfeld, a reporter based in New York, told me. I knew it was incredibly unlikely for anything to happen, but youre not hearing any stories about Airbus right now, so I booked a ticket on JetBlue. Thats a risk in its own right. Theres only one or two flights to Houston from New York a day on that carrier. If it gets delayed or canceled, Im screwed. Hirschfeld is lucky that his circumvention of Boeing required him only to find another flight. Others are going to far more drastic measures to allay their fears. Ellory Smith, a comedian in Los Angeles, told me that for an upcoming trip to Phoenix, she is considering making the brutal six-hour drive on Interstate 10, rather than boarding a Boeing jet. Its probably more dangerous to drive, she said. [But] vehicular death is so baked into our lives, whereas a plane crash is still shocking. Im with her. An 18-wheeler decimating my Toyota Corolla into a pile of glass and chrome sounds, frankly, so much more appealing than getting sucked out of a porthole at 30,000 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Derek Robertson, another journalist and a friend, told me that he added almost $1,000 worth of airfare for a work trip to this years SXSW to ensure that he would be sitting on an Airbus safe and sound. (Im not going out like that, he said.) And last week, NBC tracked down a number of passengers who went so far as to switch their Boeing flights, after they were booked, to aircraft they found more reassuring. Leonyce Moses, a consultant in Virginia, ate a $70 fee for the trouble. It was worth it for my safety, she told NBC. In other words, Americans are in the midst of a Boeing reckoning. We may not fear death, but we certainly fear death like that. Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not you find this to be rational behavior or a ridiculous overreaction likely hinges on your own assessment of the drama. As stated, midflight catastropheseven during this concerning swoon in aviation historyare incredibly unlikely. By the time you have finished reading this article, several Boeing jets will have completed their journeys, with no incidents to report. Still, the outrageand subsequent soft boycottof Boeings product is fairly understandable. This many botches in such a short time frame is unconscionable, and there are real questions about the increased financialization of the companys culture, which some have claimed has diminished its aerospace roots. Public pressure has mounted to the point that the companys CEO, Dave Calhoun, resigned on Monday, so clearly Boeing is feeling the burn. (Should I mention the whistleblower who turned up dead from a gunshot wound? Im trying to avoid New World Order ideation here, but, well, you know.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate What Flight Safety Experts Say About Flying Right Now Read More However, if youre the sort of person who wants to avoid Boeing aircraft regardless of the likelihood of a safety debacle, I asked Blaise Waguespack, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who specializes in the air travel industry, about the best ways to secure ourselves a seat on an Airbus when we purchase airfare. The solution is pretty simple: Just research the nitty-gritty logistical specifics of your flight, which are easy to find if you know where to look. When you book travel on Kayak or Google Flightsperhaps the two biggest third-party airfare retailers in North Americathe specific model youll be boarding, Waguespack notes, is typically listed in the minor transactional details, a quarter of a scroll down the page. For instance: I just pulled up another New YorktoMiami flight in early May on Kayak, and in faint gray lettering on the itinerary, I can read that Spirit would be booking me on an Airbus 321 on the trip down and a 320neo on the way back up. Youll be able to find similar clarity on most airline homepages as well. I put the same query into United and read about the many, many Maxes that would happily ferry me down to South Florida. (Yikes!) Advertisement Advertisement All that information is there, said Waguespack. If youre a loyal flyer and you know your airline has a mixed fleetwhere sometimes youre on an Airbus and sometimes youre on a Boeing, like United and Deltaif you expand the search parameters, youll be able to see the plane type. However, if you dont want to go through that rigmaroleand if you want to avoid extreme edge cases, like your Airbus getting swapped out for a Boeing at the last minute due to a cancellation or a delayWaguespack recommends simply looking up the fleet makeup of whatever airline youre set to travel on. (As mentioned, JetBlue is a Boeing-free airline; same with Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant.) Yes, booking on Spirit to avoid boarding a Max is quite the devils bargain, but its nice to have the option. Advertisement For what its worth, Waguespack has a slightly more measured take on the recent rash of Boeing-related dysfunction. He notes that many of the incidents that have made headlines occurred on United flights that were using Boeing engineering. Does blame lie with the manufacturer or the airline? The chicken or the egg? Waguespack doesnt have the answer. Right now nobody does. So, until they do, and the abyssal depths of Boeings protocol degradation are revealed for all to see, I wont be taking my chances. Send me home ensconced in the dulcet rumble of an Airbus jet. Nobody wants to spend the entirety of a flight side-eyeing the emergency exit. Somewhat lost in the debate around abortion pills and oral arguments that took place at the Supreme Court in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine on Tuesday was one deeply uncomfortable truth: The very notion of what it means to practice emergency medicine is in dispute, with anti-abortion doctors insisting upon a right to refuse treatment for any patient who doesnt meet their test of moral purity. Indeed, the right asserted is that in the absence of certainty about which patients are morally pure, the doctors want to deny medication to all patients, nationwide. In public, the plaintiffs in this casea group of doctors and dentists seeking to ban medication abortionhave long claimed they object to ending unborn life by finishing an incomplete or failed abortion at the hospital. But in court, they went much further. Their lawyer, Erin Hawley, admitted at oral argument that her clients dont merely oppose terminating a pregnancythey are pursuing the right to turn away a patient whose pregnancy has already been terminated. Indeed, they appear to want to deny even emergency care to patients whose fetus is no longer alive, on the grounds that the patient used an abortion drug earlier in the process. And they aim to deploy this broad fear of complicity against the FDA, to demand a nationwide prohibition on the abortion pill to ensure that they need never again see (and be forced to turn away) patients whove previously taken it. This is not a theory of being complicit in ending life. It is a theory that doctors can pick and choose their patients based on the moral distress they might feel in helping them. It should come as no surprise that the same judge who tried to ban mifepristone in this case, Matthew Kacsmaryk, has also attempted to legalize anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in health care nationwide. This is the ballgame: weaponize subjective religious beliefs against secular society to degrade the quality of care for everyone. If you cant persuade Americans to adopt hardcore evangelical views, exploit the legal system to coerce them into it anyway. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine is at once embarrassingly frivolous and existentially important. Dont let the jokes about how silly the Comstock Act seems, or how speculative the theory of standing is, get in the way of taking a serious look at the claims on offer. The plaintiffs say they are terrified that one day, a patient may walk into their emergency room suffering complications from a medication abortion prescribed by some other doctor. This patient may need their assistance completing the abortion or simply recovering from the complete abortion, which these plaintiffs deem complicity in sin. And they say the solution is either a total, nationwide ban on mifepristone, the first drug in the medication abortion sequence, or a draconian (and medically unnecessary) set of restrictions that would place mifepristone out of reach for many patients. (The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled to reinstate those restrictions at their behest.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a twisted line of logic, one that should never have reached the Supreme Court in the first place. But it is also a product of the courts past indulgence of outlandish claims about moral complicity. As was made plain in the oral arguments and briefing, activist doctors are no longer satisfied with personal conscience exemptions already granted under state and federal law; they now insist that nobody, anywhere, should have access to the abortion pill, in order to ensure that they themselves wont have to treat patients who took one. At a minimum, they say, they should be able to radically roll back access to the pill in all 50 states to reduce the odds that one of these handful of objectors might someday encounter a patient who took it. This extremist argument lays bare the transformation of the idea of complicity from a shield for religious dissenters to a sword for ideologues desperate to seize control over other peoples lives and bodies. Advertisement At oral arguments, several justices pressed Hawley, who argued on behalf of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, with an obvious retort: Why cant her clients simply refuse to treat these hypothetical someday patients on the grounds that they cannot help end the life of a fetus or embryo? After all, federal law guarantees doctors the right not to have to provide an abortion if doing so is contrary to his religious beliefs or moral convictions. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh secured assurances from Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, early in the arguments, that under no circumstances could the government force any health care provider to ever participate in an abortion in violation of their conscience. Justice Elena Kagan asked Prelogar: Suppose somebody has bled significantly, needs a transfusion, or, you know, any of a number of other things that might happen. Would the plaintiffs object to treating them? Prelogar said the record was unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley, who is married to far-right Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, then approached the lectern and cleared up any confusion: Yes, she insisted, treating a patient who has undergone a medication abortion violates the conscience of the plaintiff physicians even if there is no live fetus or embryo to terminate anymore. Completing an elective abortion means removing an embryo fetus, whether or not theyre alive, as well as placental tissue, Hawley told Kagan. So the plaintiffs dont object just to taking a life. They also object to the mere act of removing leftover tissue, even from the placenta. Of course, these doctors must remove dead fetal tissue and placentas all the timefrom patients who experienced a spontaneous miscarriage. By their own admission, the plaintiffs regularly help women complete miscarriages through surgery or medication. Those women they will gladly treat. Other women, thoughthe ones who induced their own miscarriage via medicationare too sinful to touch. Before the plaintiffs can administer even lifesaving emergency treatment, they need to know the circumstances of this pregnancy loss: Spontaneous miscarriages are OK; medication abortions are not. Advertisement Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, too, zeroed in on this admission. She told Hawley that she had thought the objection was to participating in a procedure that is ending the life [of the fetus]. Hawley told her no: Any participation in an abortion, even through the indirect treatment of a patient without a live fetus, violated the doctors conscience. So, wait. What about handing them a water bottle? Jackson asked. Hawley dodged the question, declining to say whether helping a patient hydrate would constitute impermissible complicity in sin. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Anti-Abortion Movements Biggest Fear Read More All this is reminiscent of Little Sisters of the Poor, a case about a Catholic charitable group that was afforded an exemption from the Affordable Care Acts contraception mandate. The Little Sisters were asked to check a box signaling to the government that they could not comply with the mandate, at which point the government would step in to cover their employees. But the Little Sisters refused, viewing this actionthe checking of a box to opt out of coverageas complicity in abortion because it would in turn trigger government payment for contraception (which they viewed as abortifacients). The Supreme Court and the Trump administration ultimately indulged the Little Sisters claim. Advertisement Advertisement Here, we have emergency room physicians asserting that they will not participate in lifesaving medical intervention unless they approve of the reason for the pregnancy loss. Presumably, if the pregnant patient is an unwed mother, or a gay or transgender person, the doctor would be similarly complicit in sin and decline service. Seen through this lens, since one can never know which sins one is enabling in the ER, each and every day, a narrow conscience exemption becomes a sweeping guarantee that absolutely nobody in the country can ever have access to basic health care, let alone miscarriage management. (Of course, these plaintiffs might focus only on one set of sins they see as relevant.) In a country effectively governed by Kacsmaryk and his plaintiff friends, a gay person suffering a stroke could be turned away from any hospital because of his sexual orientation, all to spare a doctor from a glancing encounter with prior sin. As Tobias Barrington Wolff, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, put it to us in an email, this unbounded view of complicity is part of enacting the social death of people and practices you abhor, which in turn can contribute to the material death of people and practices you abhor. Advertisement Advertisement One of the most exhausting lessons of post-Roe America is that being pro-life definitively means privileging the life of the presumptively sin-free unbornor even their dead remainsover the life of the sin-racked adults who carry them. This is why women are left to go septic or to hemorrhage in hospital parking lots; it is why C-sections are performed in nonviable pregnancies, at high risk to mothers; its why the women who sued in Texas to secure exceptions to that states abortion ban are condemned by the state as sinners and whores. And its whyin the eyes of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicineit is a greater hardship for a physician to waste precious moments scrubbing in, scrubbing out of emergency surgery, as Hawley put it, so long as they dont believe that the emergency warrants their professional services, than it is for a pregnant person, anywhere in the country, including in states that permit abortion, to be forced to give birth. Advertisement Advertisement At oral argument, Hawley explained that her clients have structured [their] medical practice to bring life into the world. When they are called from their labor and delivery floor down to the operating room to treat a woman suffering from abortion drug harm, that is diametrically opposed to why they entered the medical profession. It comes along with emotional harm. The emotional harm alleged here is that unless these doctors approve of the specific circumstances of the ER visit, they violate not only their own medical preference but also their religious convictions. But they will never truly know enough about the sins of their patients to be able to shield themselves against being a link in a chain of subjective lifelong sin. And to be a doctor, especially an emergency physician, should be to understand that your patients private choices and spiritual life are not really open to your pervasive and vigilant medical veto. This deep-rooted suspicion of patients deemed insufficiently pure for lifesaving treatment didnt begin with the availability of medication abortion. It will assuredly not end there. After this weeks oral argument, few court watchers believe the Supreme Court is now ready to limit the Food and Drug Administrations authority to approve mifepristone, a drug used in more than half of all abortions, as opponents of abortion sought. At oral argument in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, it did not appear that the plaintiff doctors persuaded the court that the law inflicted injuries that would give them standing to sue. The reason for the justices skepticism is not hard to find. The doctors built their case on a mountain of remote possibilities. Patients might suffer complications from mifepristonea drug with an impressively low complication rateand might seek treatment at emergency rooms, where the plaintiffs may happen to practice, when the plaintiffs might not be able to find another physician willing to intervene. And all of that might mean that the plaintiffs would have to act in violation of their conscience. But then again, it might not. Thats why this case seems dead on arrival: The justices seemed unwilling to engage in the sort of rank speculation the plaintiffs have in mind. If this chain of hypotheticals is enough, anyone can bring a constitutional challenge to any drug approval or any law. But the case was also a vehicle for advancing ever more expansive conscience-based arguments that have become common currency among Christian conservativesclaims of the kind we have seen in well-known cases like the 2014 Hobby Lobby decision recognizing conscience objections to the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act or even last years ruling in 303 Creative v. Elenis that allowed a conservative Christian graphic designer to refuse to make custom websites for same-sex weddings. Advertisement Today, those with conscience-based objections seek more than to pray or dress in conformity with religious belief. They object to laws providing Americans access to health care or freedom from discrimination. Compliance with these laws, they claim, would make the objector complicit in the assertedly sinful conduct of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Objectors bringing this new generation of complicity-based conscience claims invite courts to deny other Americans the protections of the law. In the FDA case, the plaintiffs do not even seek an exemption from the law; through an expansive standing claim, the doctors claim the only way the court could protect their conscience is to strike down FDA approvals providing all Americans access to medication abortion. Simply having mifepristone on the market, they argue, risks making them complicit in abortion. Advertisement Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson zeroed in on the problems with this argument. She observed that Erin Hawley, the attorney for the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, had identified a broad and narrow idea of conscience. The narrow reading was straightforward: participating in a procedure. This reading had problems of its own: In fact, no doctor was obliged to prescribe mifepristone, and in any event, federal law provides doctors conscience protections. Yet Hawley didnt think complicity ended there. Jackson seemed confused. Did Hawley mean that a handful of other doctors who participated in post-abortion procedures, such as the removal of tissue, were also complicit? Or was Hawley asking the court to recognize the complicity claims of someone who worked in an emergency room where abortions took place, or handed an abortion provider a water bottle? Advertisement Jackson spotlighted a defining feature of conscience-war claims that one of us (Reva Siegel), writing with Douglas NeJaime, has identified: Conservatives assert ever-expanding complicity-based conscience claims, urging the government to accommodate their claims without making any provision for other Americans who would lose the protection of law. Appealing to the value of conscience obscures the material and dignitary harm that accommodating the objection inflicts on others. Related From Slate The Unimaginable Horror of a Trump Restoration Read More Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar stressed this point: While the plaintiffs could not say their conscience had been or would be harmed, their claim to conscience obscured harm done to a variety of other parties. That includes the FDA, which had its own scientific judgments displaced, and the pharmaceutical industry, which relies on the FDA approval process to ensure some sort of uniform industry standards. First and foremost, it includes, as Prelogar noted, women who need access to medication abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Conscience claims have been alluring to conservatives because, like colorblindness, they allow conservatives to speak as a minority, and to assert traditional family values as individual freedom claims. But there is a telling shift. When groups like Alliance Defending Freedom asserted complicity-based conscience claims at the time of Hobby Lobby, they worried about losing in a Supreme Court that was far less conservativeand about alienating a Republican Party that still prioritized electability rather than ideological purity. Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, ADF talked not only about protecting women or safeguarding conscience; it made claims around the Comstock Act, a symbol of Victorian sexual morality focused not on protecting fetal life but on discouraging illicit sex, that ADF seeks to reinvent as a de facto national abortion ban. ADF argued that FDA could not have had the authority to approve telehealth abortions in 2021 because the Comstock Act bars the mailing of abortion pillsand indeed, any abortion-related item. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito both seemed interested in transforming the 1873 Comstock Act into an abortion ban that American voters would never choose to enact. Alito seemed shy about mentioning Comstock by name, instead referring to the hard-to-recognize number in the U.S. Code. Thomas was not so reserved, all but telling attorneys for Danco, the maker of the name-brand mifepristone, that the Comstock Act barred the mailing of the drug. Advertisement The very fact that ADF wants to talk about the Comstock Act is remarkable. It seems unwise to hitch the anti-abortion movements star to a 19th-century anti-vice movement known for Comstockery: censoring political speech, undermining democratic norms, and condemning any form of sex not intended for procreation. Voters have already rejected state abortion bans. Just imagine what most Americans would make of it if an already unpopular Supreme Court interpreted a law from 1873 as a sweeping, punitive zombie abortion ban. But worrying about the publics reaction assumes the movement is seeking to persuade voters rather than simply looking for ways to use power to enforce traditional family values and punish those who become pregnant or might provide them medical care. Anti-abortion groups are planning to revive enforcement of the Comstock Act if Donald Trump wins the presidency, claiming they would not need Congress to act. The argument in the mifepristone case was a potent reminder of why conservatives have gravitated to conscience claimsand demonstrated the hidden harms that these claims can inflict on other Americans. But the conversation at the Supreme Court this week also suggested that conservatives are preparing to express the values underlying complicity-based conscience claims more openly. As it gains power, members of the anti-abortion movement seem increasingly ready to take off the mask. A federal judge sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison on Thursday. The already jailed founder of FTX just turned 32; if he serves 85 percent of his sentence, hell be free after 21 years, when hes 53. Bankman-Fried is preparing to appeal his conviction last fall on seven fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges, but most everyone agrees that this effort is a long shot. His sentencing ends his time in the spotlight as Americas newsiest financial crook. (At least among convicted ones.) Before imposing the sentence, Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed the most potent arguments by Bankman-Frieds defense team and made clear his anger at Bankman-Frieds behavior leading up to and during his trial. Bankman-Frieds lawyer spoke, and then Bankman-Fried did, too, focusing largely on the harm hed caused to FTXs employees who had staked their careers on him. He awkwardly alluded to an argument he has made since FTX collapsed, that customers couldve gotten their money back if hed been given more time to fix the situation instead of ceding control to a bankruptcy team. Prosecutors argued he still hadnt accepted responsibility, and it looked like he hadnt. Kaplan noted Bankman-Frieds lack of remorse and habit of lies and evasions at his trial. Then the judge sent him away. Its a stiff sentence, though Bankman-Fried may have thought it would be even longer given what the judge said about him before handing it down. Bankman-Frieds sentencing presented an odd situation. Ordinarily, an influential component of federal sentencing is a presentence report from the probation officers, who submit a recommendation to the judge alongside the requests of prosecutors and the defense. The presentence report for Bankman-Fried called for 100 years out of a maximum 110, a term his lawyers called barbaric and that even the prosecutors for the Southern District of New York found too aggressive. Bankman-Frieds team asked the judge to sentence him to six and a half years or less. Prosecutors countered at between 40 and 50 years. Advertisement There was another plausible reason for lowering the sentence, though: A recent rebound in crypto prices and the head-down work of FTXs bankruptcy staff have seemed poisedthough not certainto recover all of the money that FTXs customers lost when Bankman-Frieds fraudulent management of their assets brought the exchange down. Bankman-Frieds lawyers seized on that. But it didnt work, both because Kaplan found Bankman-Frieds teams arguments unpersuasive and because he found Bankman-Fried himself to be such a problematic defendant that a grand show of leniency was out of the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that Bankman-Fried didnt have some case for it. As his lawyers argued, he was a first-time offender, and one player on a whole team of admitted felons. Plus, the most sympathetic group of his victims, FTXs depositors, may still get back much or all of what they lost as a result of his crimesthough according to federal sentencing guidelines, that recovery isnt supposed to matter. Bankman-Fried is clearly a weird, weird dude whose lovable qualities are an acquired taste. His lawyers and allies repeatedly hammered that point before the sentencing in letters and memos to Judge Kaplan, who had broad leeway in the case. Advertisement Martin Auerbach, a former SDNY prosecutor who has practiced in Kaplans courtroom and now does white-collar defense work for the firm Withers, said that appealing to those qualities was the defenses best argument. I think what they correctly perceive is that the judges impression of their client is far from feasible for Bankman-Fried to get a lighter sentence, he told me before the sentencing. Bankman-Frieds lawyers literally kicked off their sentencing memo with an attributed Abraham Lincoln quote: I dont like that man. I must get to know him better. Auerbach thought it was the strongest part of the brief. Before Kaplan ruled, Bankman-Frieds top lawyer called him a beautiful puzzle. Advertisement Advertisement The aim was to portray Bankman-Fried as an oddball who wasnt out to hurt people (his lawyer even noted his veganism, stretching to make that case) and just ended up making mistakes. There was a difference between Bankman-Fried and, for example, Bernie Madoff. In a Ponzi scheme, investors are guaranteed to lose their money. In Bankman-Frieds fraudulent ploy to speculate at his hedge fund with FTX customers money, the goal was that he would not lose their money and could return it to them on demand. Didnt work! But that was the idea. Madoff was a vicious, selfish sociopath who conducted a fraud in which the outcome of people losing money was virtually inevitable, Auerbach told me. What Sam Bankman-Fried did was take peoples money and secretly make bad bets. Advertisement Advertisement The seeds were therenot to make the case that Bankman-Fried was innocent or a victim of circumstance, but that he was the type of thieving fraud worthy of some extra consideration. That Bankman-Fried is still staring down a quarter century behind bars is a testament to everything else about his case: the extraordinary scale of the fraud, what it did to victims, and how lousy a defendant he was. Advertisement Advertisement Bankman-Fried hired a fresh team of lawyers for the sentencing, and they did their best to make reasonable-ish points in his favor. But all of them had holes, and some were gaping. Even the point that FTX depositors were on the verge of getting their money back had major shortcomings. The government first noted that exchange customers werent the only victims, that investors and lenders had lost billions, too. They argued that other crooks (including Madoff) have had their damage lessened by bankruptcy trustees who work feverishly to recover funds, and that Bankman-Fried did not deserve credit for their work. Advertisement Most importantly, the prosecutors pointed out the opportunity cost of FTX melting down when it did. On Nov. 1, 2022, almost immediately before FTXs public troubles began, Bitcoin traded at just over $20,000. It now trades at over $70,000. FTX depositors may get back the value of their deposits from the time of the bankruptcy, but theres no indication theyll get what they missed out on by not having access to their money during a booming market in both crypto and equities over the past 17 months. The government pressed this point in its own filings and via victim impact statements. One FTX customer who said the situation had shattered my sense of financial security and stability was particularly incensed about the idea that they might somehow be made whole if they got back the 2022 value of their crypto. The stolen property, now worth much more, should rightfully be returned in its current value to truly make the victims whole, the customer urged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaplan agreed with the prosecutors and the victims. He rejected wholesale the Bankman-Fried teams argument about loss, noting that it wasnt limited to customers, and that a fortuitous run-up in the value of some cryptocurrencies bears no relation to the gravity of the crimes that were committed. (There was no broadcast from the courtroom throughout this proceeding, but Inner City Press shared his remarks.) The whole argument about calculating loss might have been window dressing. The most obvious problem Bankman-Fried faced throughout his trial was the mountain of evidence and cooperative testimony against him. But next most obvious was his obnoxious behavior as a defendant, which prosecutors made sure to remind the judge of as they urged the stiffer sentence. (Not that Kaplan needed a reminder.) Kaplan sent Bankman-Fried to jail before the trial, revoking his bail, because Bankman-Fried had tampered with witnesses, prosecutors argued, and violated an agreement not to use a VPN. And indeed, Kaplan found that Bankman-Fried had attempted to tamper with witnesses. Advertisement There is no positive way for a person to go about being convicted of seven felonies. Yet once the trial began, Bankman-Fried did not score style points. He was often evasive. He struggled to counter a cohesive narrative from his co-conspirators that he was a puppetmaster, not a fool. And given his convictions and his testimony on the stand, it logically followed that he had lied in his testimony. Rachel Maimin, a former SDNY prosecutor, told me all of that behavior would fit into a mosaic that informed his sentence. When Kaplan explained himself from the bench on Monday, he confirmed that he found Bankman-Fried had perjured himself on the stand three different times. Where this all was heading was predictable from the second Bankman-Fried started foolishly talking to the press late in 2022, and it only got more predictable as prosecutors tore him up with his own words during cross-examination. Moments before issuing the sentence, Kaplan brought up a November 2022 press interview with Bankman-Fried as evidence of Bankman-Fried being two-faced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The FTX Saga Twist That Might Save SBF in Sentencing Read More Prosecutors rolled out even more evidence before sentencing that made Bankman-Fried look like more of a calculated villain than an in-over-his-head kid. They shared brainstorming docs from Bankman-Frieds Google Drive, where he plotted different public-relations strategies to buttress his image and find other parties he could blame for FTXs meltdown. Go on Tucker Carlsen, come out as a republican, was one idea he jotted down. Come out as extremely pro crypto, pro freedom, was another. Other ideas included blaming FTXs lawyers and bankruptcy team and leaning into certain narratives. Every conceivable thing that Bankman-Fried couldve done to make himself a less appealing recipient of leniency in sentencing, he did. He flaunted pretrial rules, lied on the stand, and committed his most cynical self-preservation tactics not just to paper but to a searchable Google account. Short of typing out an email with the subject line I do not give a shit about my victims and hope theyre all poor now, he could not have given better ammunition to people who wanted to see him in prison for a long time. What choice did the judge have? Kaplan probably has a negative view of the way this young man didnt learn certain basic life lessons that allowed him to do what he did, Auerbach said. And that it is now incumbent on the judge to teach him those life lessons. Tax scammers are inundating small businesses with phishing emails. Cybercriminals are attempting to trick the self-employed and small business owners into handing out their social security numbers. The scams are being carried out with just the email address of small business and self-employed tax filers. Researchers at cybersecurity experts Malwarebytes Labs uncovered this latest tax-related scam. They warn that the small business targets are likely to receive an email urging them to quickly go to a site to apply for an IRS employee identification number (EIN) or Federal tax ID number, which are required for small businesses to file their federal income taxes by April 15. When on the website, the small business owner is asked to enter personal information, including their Social Security number. As Malwarebytes Labs note, a comprised social security number (SSN) poses as a major problem. A SSN stays with you for a lifetime and is closely tied to your banking and credit history. Adding a persons SSN to the scammers data could create far more opportunities for identity theft and fraud, the report notes. The scammers also have the audacity to charge small businesses for providing them with a tax ID number, despite such a service being offered for free by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Self-employed tax filers are being advised to be wary of receiving emails with the irs-ein-giv.us domain. Protecting Your Small Business During Tax Filing Season There are several steps small business owners can take to protect their business during tax filing season, when cyber fraud is typically high. Never share a SSN or any form of tax documents with unknown parties. Do not give anyone access to your computer. Always collect their information and call the back if necessary. Use secure passwords and never share them. Do not open attachments unless you are expecting them. Double-check rush demands as scammers tend to use urgency to rush people into making a mistake. Utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) when filing taxes online. Use a tax preparing service which requires a complex password, username and MFA to access the account. Keep all software on a PC updated. Tax return season can be stressful enough for small business owners. Staying vigilant and aware of scams can help reduce the risk of filers becoming the victim of tax fraud. Diane Oliver Duvall, age 76, from Aquasco, MD, passed away on March 20, 2024. Diane was born June 20, 1947, to William and Cora Oliver in Maryland. Diane was blessed with two children, Ellen Camargo of Chandler, AZ, and William Duvall IV of Upper Marlboro, MD. She found fulfillment as a project manager working for the Federal Government in Washington, DC. After 42 years of employment, she retired. After retiring, she found joy in activities such as bowling, reading, and playing the organ and accordion. Spending time with her son and visiting her daughter and granddaughters in Arizona brought her great happiness. Above all, family and friends held the utmost significance in her life. Diane was predeceased by her parents, brother William Oliver, and sisters Evelyn Richards and Sylvia Grimes. She is survived by her children and granddaughters, Isabel Camargo and Sarah Camargo, as well as nieces, nephews, and numerous friends, all of whom will deeply miss her. The family will receive friends for the visitation on Thursday, March 28, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Brinsfield Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Another visitation will be held the following day, March 29th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Immanuel United Methodist Church, 17400 Aquasco Rd, Brandywine, MD 20613 with the service to immediately follow. Interment will follow after the service in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Immanuel United Methodist Church. https://brookfield-immanuel.org/giving/ Several museums and galleries in Bratislava are open, free of charge, on the first Wednesday of the month. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Music | Museum | Concert Music Primates Palace (Primacialny palac) (Source: Courtesy of Spectacular Slovakia) Modlinger Symphony Orchestra April 6, at 19:00 in the Hall of Mirrors of the Primate's Palace, Primacialne nam. 2 Flutist Eric Lamb works on the international scene as a soloist, chamber player and teacher and teaches at the Friedrich Gulda Music School in Vienna. Come to the music performance for the overture "L'Italiana in Algeri". The entrance is free, but you need to register for a ticket. Registration: pressburg-kf@bmeia.gv.at. https://en.frame.mapy.cz/s/camorogeho Museum Slovak National Museum. (Source: Courtesy of Spectacular Slovakia) Museum exhibitions April 3, all the museum addresses can be found below; opened from 9:00 till 17:00. Almost 10 museums and galleries in Bratislava are open, free of charge, on the first Wednesday of the month. You can visit the History Museum, Natural History Museum, Esterhazy Palace or the Transport Museum. The Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Culture of the Carpathian Germans, and Museum of Hungarian Culture in Slovakia are parts of the Slovak National Museum (SNM), for example. They are all located at the same address in Bratislava. Below you can see a map with all the museums in Bratislava that will be open for free on April 3. https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1VFUKom8FdsAgNZVPMc5HSUFHFZbRibU&ehbc=2E312F Concert VSMU's Music and Dance Faculty in Bratislava. (Source: TSS) Musica con Gioia April 3, at 17:00 in Dvorana Concert Hall (Zochova 1). An unconventional chamber concert, celebrating the life and works of Professor Frantisek Novotny, with the participation of his graduates and current students. In addition to traditional works for violin and piano, compositions of less common violin arrangements will also be performed. The fresh and contemporary presentation - including a musical surprise - will bring an extraordinary experience to both long-time listeners of classical music and those who attend concerts only occasionally. Reservation of the free entry via e-mail: info-htf@vsmu.sk. https://en.frame.mapy.cz/s/gusugevobe If you have tips for free events in Bratislava or you would like to share your hiking or cycling trip ideas with readers, let me know at kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. The Legendary Coffee Exchange is back. In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition, Cafe Importss roaster coffee swap returns to the Specialty Coffee Associations Expo in Chicago next month for more in-person coffee trading, community building, and the chance to win a new Ikawa sample roaster. Announced yesterday, March 27th, the Legendary Coffee Exchange will operate like in previous years. Roasters who plan on attending Aprils SCA Expo can sign up for free on the Cafe Imports website, where they will get paired up with another participating roaster. Then at Expo, the roaster will drop off a bag of their own roasted coffee of their choosing (8-16oz preferred) at the Cafe Imports booth. Later, they will pick up a bag from their counterpart. From there, the roasters get to enjoy the rest of Expo and have the rest of April to cup the coffee they received. Cafe Imports will put them in touch with their roaster partner and they will be able to discuss the coffees. Once its all concluded, the green coffee importer will send out a survey to participants to see what worked and what didnt. As they have done in the past, Cafe Imports has teamed up with Ikawa to give away the all-new Ikawa Pro 50 Sample Roaster to one lucky participant. The drawing will occur on the last day of Expo, Sunday, April 14th at 10:00 am via Instagram Live. The winner will be contacted and handed a new sample roaster to take home with them in short order. Sign-up for the event is completely free, and pre-registration is open through April 10th via the Cafe Imports website. On-site registration will be available at the companys booth (1436). Coffee drop-off begins at the start of the show on Friday and runs through the end of the day on Saturday. So get ready to swap til you drop! For more information, visit Cafe Importss official website. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/billionaire-financier-george-soros-overtaken-by-trump-in-list-of-worlds-wealthiest---report-1117591872.html Billionaire Financier George Soros Overtaken by Trump in List of Worlds Wealthiest - Report Billionaire Financier George Soros Overtaken by Trump in List of Worlds Wealthiest - Report Sputnik International Soros defenders often deflect criticism by accusing his detractors of antisemitism, but a cursory analysis of his outsized global influence demonstrates his conduct is ripe for critique. 2024-03-27T23:47+0000 2024-03-27T23:47+0000 2024-03-28T00:23+0000 george soros donald trump ukraine russia national endowment for democracy (ned) trump media & technology group orange revolution maidan maidan square regime change https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/06/09/1096142807_0:207:2909:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_d36823f99b2a263276f8ad6b1910429e.jpg Billionaire financier George Soros has been overtaken by former US President Donald Trump on Bloombergs index of the worlds richest people, it was revealed Tuesday.The US news outlets updated rankings showed the prominent liberal donor at number 378 on the list with an estimated $7.16 billion net worth. Trump was ranked just above Soros at the 377th slot in the ranking.The former US presidents net worth more than doubled this year after his Trump Media & Technology Group merged with Digital World Acquisition Corp. Trump Media & Technology Group owns and operates the real estate moguls Truth Social online platform, where Trump took refuge after being banned from Twitter (now X). His increased wealth also places him above figures like Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus and Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings.Soros net worth has changed little in recent years as the 93-year-old former hedge fund manager devotes his attention to social causes. Hes perhaps best known in Europe as The Man Who Broke the Bank of England; his short sale of the British pound sterling netted him $1 billion in profit during the UKs 1992 Black Wednesday financial crisis.The wealthy financiers political giving has made him a controversial figure. A 1991 article in the Washington Post dubbed Soros an overt operative of US-backed regime change operations in Europe. Alongside US government organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Soros funnels his massive wealth towards pro-Western activists who help bring down Russian and socialist-aligned governments.Author William Blum describes a striking example of such tactics in his 1995 classic Killing Hope. When voters returned popular socialist parties to power in post-communist Albania and Bulgaria, the NED lavished opposition groups with millions of dollars to foment political unrest. Massive protests forced the collapse of both governments, which were replaced by neoliberal parties committed to economic reforms in the interest of Western capital.After their economies were hollowed out, Eastern European countries were then integrated into Western institutions like the European Union and NATO, further surrendering their sovereignty to leaders in Washington and Brussels.The strategy was repeated again and again over the next several years, with donors like Soros pouring millions into ostensibly pro-democracy causes. Soros helped fund two such color revolutions on Russias border, once during Ukraines so-called Orange Revolution in 2004 and again during the 2014 Maidan coup. In both cases elected leaders aligned with Russia were overthrown in favor of pro-Western governments that dramatically shifted Ukraines political allegiances.The reconstruction was later found by a Ukrainian court to be a complete fabrication, a piece of deliberate fraud and disinformation that allowed Soros to interfere in Ukraine with deadly consequences.Soros has since poured his resources into influencing US politics, funding organizations that promote censorship on social media in the name of combatting disinformation and lobby for sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela. In 2022 Soros was the single largest donor to Democratic Party-aligned causes, just above disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried.The influential billionaires defenders often claim criticism of Soros is antisemitic, but a cursory analysis of his outsized global influence demonstrates his conduct is ripe for critique. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240306/orban-to-discuss-with-trump-prospects-of-peace-in-ukraine---foreign-minister-1117153281.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221125/us-ned-global-meddler-and-rightful-heir-of-cia-1104671859.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240129/george-soros-spending-millions-to-help-turn-texas-blue---report-1116458534.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg george soros criticism, trump soros, trump richer than soros, george soros political donor, george soros political interference, george soros europe, george soros donations, george soros regime change, george soros us foreign policy, george soros ukraine coup, george soros orange revolution https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/russias-electricity-exports-to-kazakhstan-up-20-china-down-75-in-q1-yy-1117603041.html Russia's Electricity Exports to Kazakhstan Up 20%, China Down 75% in Q1 Y/Y Russia's Electricity Exports to Kazakhstan Up 20%, China Down 75% in Q1 Y/Y Sputnik International Electricity exports from Russia to Kazakhstan grew by 20% in the first quarter of 2024 year-on-year, but fell by 75% to China, while the highest volumes were supplied to Mongolia, Russian energy holding company Inter RAO said on Wednesday. 2024-03-27T10:21+0000 2024-03-27T10:21+0000 2024-03-28T10:21+0000 world russia kazakhstan electricity supplies electricity https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/16487/65/164876585_0:159:2993:1842_1920x0_80_0_0_64a109992416fc8946e5d48758bedb03.jpg "There are good areas. As for Kazakhstan, we have increased supplies by 20% compared to last year. As for Kyrgyzstan, which was not present in the first quarter of the previous year, we also had no deliveries [there in 2024]. As for Mongolia, which is beating the record of records in the first quarter at the moment ... [we] probably [supplied] twice as much," Inter RAO management board member Alexandra Panina told journalists on the sidelines of the ATOMEXPO-2024 International Forum in the Russian resort city of Sochi. At the same time, Russia's electricity exports to China decreased by 75% in January-February year-on-year, Panina said, adding that "this is the most unfavorable factor that was registered in the first quarter" and that such a situation "may prevail over a long period of time." Several factors account for the decrease of year-on-year electricity exports in the first three months of 2024, which are expected to reach 2.1 billion kilowatts per hour, Panina said. To resume supplies through the Amur-Heihe transmission line from Russia to China, which have been stopped since November 2023, the volume of power supplies through the need needs to reach at least 75 megawatts, but such free volumes of electricity are not currently available for export, she explained. The decline in Russia's export supplies to China is also due to an increase in domestic electricity consumption in Russia's Far East and to a high accident rate, Panina stated. ATOMEXPO is the largest international forum on nuclear energy devoted to the current state of the global nuclear industry and trends for its further development. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240313/brics-powers-russia-iran-and-china-flex-military-muscle-in-massive-naval-drills-1117308975.html russia kazakhstan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's electricity exports, russia to kazakhstan, russian energy holding https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/supplies-of-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-will-not-change-situation-on-battlefield---putin-1117592957.html Supplies of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine Will Not Change Situation on Battlefield - Putin Supplies of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine Will Not Change Situation on Battlefield - Putin Sputnik International F-16 fighter jets, even if Western countries supply them to Ukraine, will not be able to change the situation on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. 2024-03-27T23:12+0000 2024-03-27T23:12+0000 2024-03-28T03:13+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine crisis vladimir putin russia ukraine ukrainian crisis ukrainian conflict us arms for ukraine f-16 fighter jet https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1b/1117591513_0:0:3070:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6b3e881083daf2d5ee19bf46f9a55ec0.jpg The head of state had a conversation with military pilots during a working trip to Torzhok in central Russia's Tver Region. He said that if these fighter jets are launched from the territory of third countries, they will become a legitimate target for Russia. The president also said the F-16s will be destroyed just like other Western equipment delivered to Kiev.Putin praised the work of combat aviation in the special operation zone and assessed it as perfect.During a working visit to the Russian town of Torzhok in the Tver Region on Wednesday, Putin met with military pilots and widows of Heroes of Russia who participated in the special military operation in Ukraine. The president was asked how he assesses the actions of Russian combat aviation in the course of the special operation.Putin added that the Russian military aviation carries out very hard work. The president also praised the work of army and bomber aviation, as well as military transport aviation, and said they fight fearlessly. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230521/russia-would-ruin-f-16s-reputation-by-destroying-jets-sent-to-kiev-1110506754.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International weapons for ukraine, f-16 for ukraine, aid to ukraine, funding of ukraine, f-16 jets, f-16 aircraft, financial aid, military aid, aid fund, russia wins, ukraine loses, fighter aircraft https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/could-ethnic-strife-in-the-baltic-states-fuel-the-next-war-1117594742.html Could Ethnic Strife in the Baltic States Fuel the Next War? Could Ethnic Strife in the Baltic States Fuel the Next War? Sputnik International Ethnic Russians are being targeted by nationalist governments in the Baltics, creating a potentially explosive dynamic. 2024-03-28T01:47+0000 2024-03-28T01:47+0000 2024-03-28T01:47+0000 analysis latvia russia nord stream emmanuel macron ukraine nazi ss anti-russian policy anti-russian bias https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117594908_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_a95bb7fd7d5c24cae9bfa55948d75547.jpg Recent statements by French President and aspiring Emperor Emmanuel Macron have generated speculation the proxy war between Russia and the West could escalate to a new and dangerous phase.To the consternation of other European leaders, Macron has repeatedly suggested France may send soldiers to the Donbass to avert the collapse of Ukraines diminished armed forces. Other countries would likely hesitate to join the French president in his quixotic endeavor, but analyst Scott Ritter speculates the increasingly anti-Russia Baltic States might be among the first to contribute troops.Tensions are already growing in the Baltics between nationalist forces and ethnic Russians who, as in other Eastern European countries, make up sizable minorities. Could racial strife lead towards violent conflict in the Baltics as it has in Ukraine? Journalist Dan Lazare joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program Wednesday to examine that question.I think the comparison [to Ukraine] is absolutely, absolutely, appropriate, said Lazare. All through Eastern Europe you have essentially nationalist regimes that have targeted their Russian-speaking residents as somehow disloyal or somehow contrary to the national project and have implemented various forms of discrimination. It's especially severe in Latvia, but it's also the case in Estonia and Lithuania.Leon continued reading from the piece in Der Speigel, recounting the story of a Latvian woman whose cousin received a government letter declaring he must immediately leave the country for the protection of national security. Federal agents appeared at his door shortly after, giving him one hour to pack before sending him to a detention center to be deported to Russia.It's outrageous, said Lazare. Latvia for the Latvians. Where have we heard that before?All these countries have extensive minorities linguistic, religious, etcetera, he noted. The US has been playing footsie with this kind of nationalism, and it's disastrous. It's led to one war and it'll lead to others.Lazare described a dynamic in the Baltics similar to that of Ukraine during World War II, where pro-Soviet citizens supported the Soviet Union and nationalist regimes sided with the fascist Axis.In Latvia I believe the veterans of a World War Two SS battalion staged yearly parades, to the applause of bystanders. In Latvia, amazingly enough, elderly war veterans who served in partisan units many of them Jewish have been prosecuted for war crimes, believe it or not. So this is absolutely explosive, and it's been percolating for years, he said.Lazare warned the conflict in the Donbass is reaching the most dangerous stage as Ukraine approaches its inevitable defeat. That panic could take explosive forms, the journalist said, with majority-Russian areas in Latvia, Estonia, and elsewhere potentially becoming flash points of violence.He added that Ukraines loss should cause people throughout the continent to question why the United States is plunging the region into war. The US played a key role in destabilizing Ukraine with their support for the Maidan coup, which installed a Russophobic regime in Kiev. The event led to an armed conflict in the countrys Donbass region, compelling Russia to eventually intervene as the coup government turned its military on separatist forces.The US again escalated tensions with the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline, Lazare claimed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/claims-about-russias-alleged-plan-to-attack-europe-after-ukraine-are-nonsense---putin-1117592612.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230907/nato-drills-to-show-russia-the-alliance-owns-baltic-sea-as-some-involved-countries-lack-potential-1113178751.html latvia russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg latvia, russia, nord stream, emmanuel macron, ukraine, nazi, ss, anti-russian policy, anti-russian bias, anti-russian sentiment, anti-russian campaign, anti-russian hysteria, anti-russian policy, political prosecution, freedom of speech, censorship, social media censorship https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/ctbto-chief-on-us-maintaining-readiness-to-test-all-parties-expected-to-honor-moratorium-1117602814.html CTBTO Chief on US Maintaining Readiness to Test: All Parties Expected to Honor Moratorium CTBTO Chief on US Maintaining Readiness to Test: All Parties Expected to Honor Moratorium Sputnik International The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) expects all parties to the treaty to observe the moratorium, CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd told Sputnik, commenting on the US policy of maintaining readiness to conduct nuclear tests. 2024-03-28T10:16+0000 2024-03-28T10:16+0000 2024-03-28T10:17+0000 world george floyd russia ctbto national nuclear security administration (nnsa) sergey ryabkov us france https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102323/69/1023236964_0:165:1141:806_1920x0_80_0_0_cb2706cf7e1580ab8dca72bb065a2ca0.jpg Speaking at the Brookings Institution earlier this month, Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) at the US Department of Energy Frank Rose said that under US law, the American government is "required to maintain the readiness to test should the President direct us to." However, NNSA is of the opinion that, given the investments the US has made in stockpile stewardship, it does not need to return to testing, Rose stated. On October 10, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said there were signs of the US preparing or at least having prepared "to the last" nuclear tests in Nevada. On October 18, the US conducted an explosive underground experiment at the site where it had previously tested nuclear weapons but denied it was a nuclear test. The experiment came hours after the Russian lower house passed a bill revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). In December, US National Nuclear Security Administration chief Jill Hruby said that the United States is not preparing any nuclear tests at the Nevada National Security Site, adding that Washington had "nothing to hide" with regard to its experiments at the location. Russia remains a party to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty with the same obligations and rights, despite the country withdrawing its ratification, Floyd said.Floyd added that he continues to engage with the Russian permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna.The CTBT is a multilateral accord that bans nuclear weapon test explosions and all other nuclear explosions for civilian and military purposes. The treaty was adopted in 1996 but has never gone into effect, as it would require ratification by all 44 countries that had nuclear power or research reactors at the time it was signed. Of the nine recognized nuclear powers, only France and the United Kingdom have signed and ratified the treaty. The US signed the treaty in 1996, but the Senate refused to provide its consent in 1999, thereby blocking its ratification. On November 2, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law to revoke the ratification of the CTBT. The Kremlin said that the move was meant to restore parity with the US. Putin said in March that Russia is not ruling out doing nuclear tests if the United States conducts them first.Of the nine recognized nuclear powers, only France and the United Kingdom have signed and ratified the treaty. The United States, China, and Israel have signed but not ratified the treaty, while India, Pakistan, and North Korea have neither signed nor ratified it.Robert Floyd said that he calls on North Korea to keep its 2018 pledge to refrain from nuclear tests.The secretary said that he "urges DPRK to continue to abide by its 2018 pledge not to conduct nuclear tests."Floyd said that during his visit to Seoul, South Korea in August, he messaged Pyongyang his willingness to meet with North Korean officials to discuss their concerns and underscored that signing the treaty would be a "major confidence-building measure." https://sputnikglobe.com/20231102/vladimir-putin-signs-bill-revoking-ratification-of-ctbt-1114657904.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231020/us-conducts-chemical-explosion-at-nuclear-test-site-on-day-russia-pulls-out-of-ctbt-1114343779.html russia france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty organization, us policy, nuclear tests https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/eu-devises-deal-to-extend-tariff-free-ukraine-trade-amid-raging-farmers-protests-1117599030.html EU Devises Deal to Extend Tariff-Free Ukraine Trade Amid Raging Farmers' Protests EU Devises Deal to Extend Tariff-Free Ukraine Trade Amid Raging Farmers' Protests Sputnik International Against a backdrop of widespread farmers protests, embattled EU ambassadors have come up with a compromise plan for an extension of tariff-free trade measures for Ukraine for another year. 2024-03-28T09:28+0000 2024-03-28T09:28+0000 2024-03-28T09:28+0000 world european union (eu) tariffs ukraine poland european parliament world trade organization (wto) grain grain exports europe's farmer protests https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117597853_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_4fe8986d6b42ccbd511ff47029a28b48.jpg Against a backdrop of widespread farmer protests, embattled EU ambassadors have come up with a compromise plan for an extension of tariff-free trade measures for Ukraine for another year.According to a statement by the Belgian EU presidency, member states ambassadors to the EU ("Coreper") reached a qualified majority to approve the provisional agreement to extend the deal until June 2025."Ambassadors agreed on a new compromise to extend trade measures (ATM) for Ukraine, securing a balanced approach between support for Ukraine and protection of EU agricultural markets," the presidency announced on social media. It added that the proposal would be presented to the European Parliament for a "swift" resolution.However, it is estimated that the more "hardened" position outlined in the deal will see Kiev lose about 330 million annually, as per reports.The text of the agreement has been "tweaked" sufficiently to introduce a greater amount of safeguards," or import caps, on products such as oats, maize, groats, eggs, poultry, sugar, and honey. All of these would be subject to tariffs, should their import to the EU bloc exceed the average volumes of the past three years. The reference period for the import volumes is to be extended back to the second half of 2021, media reports cite insiders as saying.The text of the compromise deal reportedly contains a rather vague term that implies expedited application of "remedial measures" by member states in the event of market destabilization. Put plainly, this could ease the introduction of national bans. In a disappointment for Poland, France, and Hungary, the latest compromise proposal reportedly doesnt include potential restrictions on wheat.The new compromise signed off on by EU ambassadors followed an agreement reached by negotiators from the European Parliament and the European Council on March 20. At the time, they opted to extend the temporary suspension of duties on exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to the European Union until June 5, 2025. It was added that the European Commission could take any necessary measures if imports from Ukraine lead to significant disruption to the EU market or the markets of one or more EU countries. "The regulation also provides for an emergency brake for particularly sensitive agricultural products, namely poultry, eggs, and sugar," the parliament said, adding that European lawmakers "secured the expansion of this list to include oats, maize, groats and honey" and also "attained firm commitments from the Commission to take action if there is a surge of Ukrainian imports of wheat."The European Parliament lawmakers also "ensured that the Commission would act faster - within 14 days instead of 21 days - if trigger levels for the automatic safeguards were reached."As the current preferential trade agreement is set to expire on June 5, the stage was set for bitter wrangling between members of the 27-state bloc. The EUs whatever-it-takes solidarity with the regime in Kiev has been sorely tested over the chaos that opening the floodgates to Ukrainian food imports has brought. Ukraine has been enjoying a veritable export bonanza over the past two years, flooding Europe with cheap grain, seed oils, and other foodstuffs, which has been difficult for local farmers to compete with. But the deluge has given rise to huge backlash, in some countries more than others, and, thus, the wrangling over how to extend the trade preferences.The extra rounds of negotiations between member countries were needed as the EU found itself split on the matter. Eastern European countries like Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, later joined by France, Italy, and Austria, have all adopted a restrictive position on the debate. The Baltic States, Germany, and the Netherlands have been resisting any tightening of the preferential trade deal with Ukraine.After the Ukraine conflict escalated, in June 2022, the 27-member EU bloc "magnanimously" scrapped all restrictions, including customs duties and quotas, on Ukrainian food goods. It was to be expected that such a move might backfire and that it did, triggering the anguish of local farmers, which reached boiling point by mid-2023. With the floodgates to cheap Ukrainian imports flung wide open, Kiev was able to offload its cheap foodstuffs in European countries, saturating the market and causing the local farmers to argue that low-cost cereals were bringing down prices, filling up storages, and presenting unfair competition. Moreover, in April 2023, a scandal broke out in Poland over the import from Ukraine of what was referred to as "technical grain," not intended for consumption.Last year, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia all slapped overnight bans on a range of agricultural products coming from Ukraine, with Bulgaria and Romania warning they were prepared to follow suit. Kiev filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over unfair trade practices. In response, Polish President Andrzej Duda responded by calling Ukraine a dangerous drowning man that threatens to drag Europe down with it into oblivion. Despite taking flak from both Brussels and Kiev, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have maintained their bans. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240320/eu-partially-extends-suspension-of-duties-on-ukraines-agricultural-exports-until-june-2025-1117437982.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240309/enough-is-enough-why-poland-seeks-to-strip-ukraine-of-eu-trade-benefits-1117229160.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240321/fact-check-is-russia-really-to-blame-for-eus-food-frustration-1117469847.html ukraine poland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko eu tariffs on ukraine, food crisis, food crisis, farmer protests, farmers protests, farmers' protests, farmers' unions, haystacks and piles of manure, farmers protests, farmers demonstrations, farmers in europe, farmers protest in europe, european farmers, energy crisis in europe, sanctions against russia, economic crisis, energy crisis, growing prices, nord stream sabotage, nord stream, sanctions failed, sanctions backfired, ukrianian grain, ukrainian food, import from ukraine, ukrainian coflicts https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/hypocritical-us-shelf-claims-risk-sparking-conflicts-in-arctic-1117599574.html Hypocritical US Shelf Claims Risk 'Sparking Conflicts' in Arctic Hypocritical US Shelf Claims Risk 'Sparking Conflicts' in Arctic Sputnik International Its very hypocritical of the US to demand adherence to international law while not following other international regulations when it suits them, Mikael Valtersson told Sputnik. 2024-03-28T10:23+0000 2024-03-28T10:23+0000 2024-03-28T17:02+0000 analysis environmental control system (ecs) us arctic continental shelf united nations commission on the limits of the continental shelf https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117600094_72:0:2929:1607_1920x0_80_0_0_e80427cc39c8c035ce0ec3c9b2e15095.jpg It is very hypocritical of the US to demand adherence to international law while not following other international regulations when it suits them, Mikael Valtersson, former air defense officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, told Sputnik.This is especially true when the matter concerns a practical enlargement of US territory, the former Sweden Democrat politician added.He added that the "US behavior without acceptance of any international considerations or decisions by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf makes US complaints on other breaches towards international law much weaker."Moscow sent a demarche to Washington after the US unilaterally secured rights to the seafloor in seven of its regions, the Foreign Ministry said on March 25. According to the ministry, Russia said that it did not recognize the changes in the US ECS (extended continental shelf) during an ongoing session of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica."The US' unilateral steps do not comply with the rules and procedures established by international law [] A corresponding demarche was sent to the American side via a bilateral line in past," the ministry said.As the US is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it cannot petition the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to validate its exclusive maritime claims to the area. Accordingly, the US government has resorted to making unilateral claims, with potential disputes with other states resolved on an ad-hoc basis.Clarifying the essence of Article 76, which the US is citing to support its claim to the extended ECS, Mikael Valtersson told Sputnik:According to Article 76 of the UNCLOS, coastal states can have an extended continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles limit that defines the continental shelf of coastal states. Every coastal state has the right to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 200 nautical miles out from the coastal baseline of the coastal state, even if the continental shelf doesn't reach 200 nautical miles. Beyond the EEZ, coastal states can have an extended continental shelf if there really is a physical continental shelf stretching beyond. However, this ECS can't go beyond 350 nautical miles from the coastal baseline, even if the physical continental shelf continues beyond 350 nautical miles.The analyst specified that in the case of the EEZ, the coastal state controls both the sea bottom and the sea above, while the ECS extends its jurisdiction only to the sea bottom. Over the past decades, the US has been conducting oceanographic research into the outer limits of its continental shelf to prove that the physical part of it stretches beyond 200 nautical miles.Furthermore, by bypassing the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the US "undermines the established international process, thereby raising doubts about the credibility and acceptability of its extended continental shelf limits, Hong Nong underscored. She added that the nature of the legal framework governing the determination of extended continental shelf boundaries "highlights the crucial role of the CLCS as a credible institution tasked with evaluating the validity of such claims.It should be noted that both Russia and China are parties to UNCLOS, and have repeatedly criticized the US for selectively interpreting arguments and stretching interpretations in a manner that disrupts the internationally accepted order, the expert noted.While the United States hypocritically censures Chinas policy in the South China Sea, and challenges Russias legal claim over the Northern Sea Route, its own actions may create confusion within the international community regarding the role of UNCLOS and other customary international law, Hong Nong stated, pointing out:While one can anticipate criticism of the US claims to an ECS in the Arctic, Washingtons allies will probably not act against US interests if it can show compelling proof that they have a physical continental shelf extending up to 350 nautical miles. The US will set a fait accompli and on its own decide its ESC, Mikael Valtersson added.This behavior [by the US] will probably lead to less adherence to international laws and regulations by other nations, and risk leading to heightened tensions and even conflicts between coastal states. We all remember the Cod War between Iceland and the United Kingdom in the 1970s, when Iceland singlehandedly adopted an EEZ stretching 200 nautical miles from its coast, but the UK refused to accept that decision, Valtersson recalled.However, the defense expert noted that the risk of practical confrontation in the Arctic between Russia and the US is probably low, since the ECS lies close to the US and far from Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240325/russia-sends-demarche-to-us-over-extension-of-continental-shelf-1117538768.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231224/russia-lambasts-us-unacceptable-claims-to-arctic-shelf-1115789768.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231225/bypassing-unclos-why-us-extended-continental-shelf-claims-are-tricky-1115807227.html arctic Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko why has the us extended its continental shelf claims in the arctic, what is the continental shelf, russia demarche, continental shelf, russia demarche us, us continental shelf, https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/is-there-connection-between-crocus-city-hall-attack-and-wests-interests-in-central-asia-1117616386.html Is There Connection Between Crocus City Hall Attack and West's Interests in Central Asia? Is There Connection Between Crocus City Hall Attack and West's Interests in Central Asia? Sputnik International The Crocus City Hall terror attack could be aimed at sowing ethnic tensions in Russia and driving a wedge between the nation and Central Asian states, experts believe. 2024-03-28T18:57+0000 2024-03-28T18:57+0000 2024-03-28T19:01+0000 russia world moscow concert hall attack joe biden central asia moscow russian federal security service (fsb) russian armed forces opinion ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/18/1117520331_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0ecd334256c151527f969be8db8ec9b7.jpg It is no coincidence that the masterminds behind the Crocus City Hall terror attack in the Moscow region picked terrorists associated with ISIS* originating from Central Asia, Sputnik's pundits say."That is, to drive a wedge between us, Russians and Tajiks, as well as other migrants. Subsequently, this could decrease the motivation of the aforementioned nationalities participating in the special military operation," he explained.Popov noted that many Russian citizens of Tajik and Uzbek origin, as well as representatives of other ethnic groups, are serving in the zone of the special military operation as soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces.In the wake of the Crocus City Hall tragedy, the Russian special services have detained 11 people in connection with the terrorist attack. The suspected executors of the heinous crime are citizens of Tajikistan, a Central Asian country bordering Afghanistan. Shortly after the attack ISIS took responsibility for it.The reason is that migrant workers are usually vulnerable to both legal and psychological pressure, making them an easy prey for jihadi recruiters.Tajik authorities immediately launched an investigation into the four suspects believed to be directly involved in the shooting spree, a source in Tajik police agencies told Sputnik on March 26.According to Popov, the reaction of Dushanbe, which immediately provided assistance to Russia in the ongoing probe, clearly indicates that the attempt to undermine Russia's relations with Central Asian nations has failed.Central Asia is of Strategic Importance for the WestThe strategic importance of Central Asian countries for the West have taken on a new significance after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the beginning of the special military operation, according to Sputnik's commentators.Following the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the Pentagon had maintained a considerable presence in the Central Asian region, establishing military bases in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan which were eventually closed in 2005 and 2014.Prior to the botched pull-out from Kabul in August 2021, the Biden administration sought to extend its presence in the region by transferring the US military to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. However, the attempt did not bear fruit.After the launch of the special military operation, Central Asian states emerged as logistics hubs for Russia, as Moscow redirected its trade from the West to East in the aftermath of sweeping sanctions introduced by Washington and its allies against Moscow.In addition, the Western special services could be seeking to open a "second front" in Central Asia in order to thwart Russia's advance in Ukraine, according to Popov. He does not rule out the West trying to use Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to accomplish those goals.Last October, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov warned about the US and UK special services efforts to create a "belt of instability" on Russia's south-eastern borders by recruiting jihadists of all stripes including ISIS fighters.The FSB reserve colonel suggested a possible connection between the Crocus City Hall terror attack and the West's interests in the Central Asian region."I see clearly that this is one of the [their] integral operational tasks," Popov said. "That is, to weaken our allied or neutral relations with countries in the region and develop some kind of unfriendly relations between Russia and the region. And also, perhaps, to further strengthen its influence in these countries through the work of the special services and, as a result, to deploy bases and military contingents in these countries."*a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russian-investigators-has-evidence-of-crocus-terrorists-connection-with-ukrainian-nationalists-1117613926.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240325/in-bed-with-jihadists-and-neo-nazis-why-crocus-city-hall-terror-attack-cast-slur-upon-west-1117544799.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240216/west-seeking-to-create-hotbed-of-instability-in-central-asia---russian-security-council-1116819826.html russia central asia moscow ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova crocus city hall terror attack, tajik nations with connection to isis, isis took responsibility for crocus city hall attack, west's interests in central asia, us withdrawal from afghanistan, us wants to set military bases in central asia https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/israeli-strike-in-southern-lebanon-kills-4-injures-6-people---reports-1117596175.html Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon Kills 4, Injures 6 People - Reports Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon Kills 4, Injures 6 People - Reports Sputnik International At least four people have been killed and another six have been injured in an Israeli strike on a cafe in the southern Lebanese city of Naqoura, Al Mayadeen broadcaster has reported. 2024-03-28T03:14+0000 2024-03-28T03:14+0000 2024-03-28T03:14+0000 world palestine-israel conflict israel lebanon hezbollah drone strike hamas drone warfare civilian casualties civilian deaths https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117596252_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7b4df06dd41af5c49d0159dc846db341.jpg The victims of the attack have been taken to the Lebanese-Italian Hospital in the city of Tyre, where dozens of citizens have donated their blood for those in need, the report said on Wednesday.A local source told Sputnik that the strike had been launched from a drone, and the cafe has suffered damage. He added that ambulances have been evacuating the wounded to hospitals in Tyre. Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah has been exchanging airstrikes with Israel since October 2023, as the situation in the region deteriorated dramatically after Israel announced a military operation against Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has said some 100,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in southern Lebanon because of Israel's shelling. Israel has also said that about 80,000 residents of northern Israel have found themselves in a similar situation. israel lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lebanese-israeli war, israel strikes lebanon, israeli-lebanese war, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes, israel-hamas war, israel-palestine war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/joint-drills-of-china-iran-russia-essential-for-regional-security---defense-ministry-1117615980.html Joint Drills of China, Iran, Russia Essential for Regional Security - Defense Ministry Joint Drills of China, Iran, Russia Essential for Regional Security - Defense Ministry Sputnik International Joint exercises of the naval forces of China, Iran and Russia strengthen cooperation between the three nations and play an important role for regional maritime security, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday 2024-03-28T16:04+0000 2024-03-28T16:04+0000 2024-03-28T16:04+0000 military wu qian china russia gulf of oman chinese defense ministry russian defense ministry iran military drills https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117615810_0:2:2500:1408_1920x0_80_0_0_1c7e3e6b79a885eccf029c4ded753a2e.jpg The navies of the three countries held the drills, titled "Maritime Security Belt-2024", from March 11-15 in the Gulf of Oman. The drills were aimed at practicing safety in maritime economic activities, including the liberation of a ship captured by pirates, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It was the sixth time the drills were held. The spokesman also declared the readiness of Beijing to "develop maritime security cooperation and contacts with all parties, and to make new and greater contributions to the maintenance of regional peace and stability." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240313/brics-powers-russia-iran-and-china-flex-military-muscle-in-massive-naval-drills-1117308975.html china russia gulf of oman iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia china military cooperation, russia china joint drills, russia iran military cooperation, russia iran joint drills https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/macrons-proposed-escalation-in-ukraine-risks-nuclear-annihilation--experts-1117595458.html Macrons Proposed Escalation in Ukraine Risks Nuclear Annihilation Experts Macrons Proposed Escalation in Ukraine Risks Nuclear Annihilation Experts Sputnik International French President Emmanuel Macron has dramatically raised the stakes of Western intervention in the Ukraine proxy war. A group of former intelligence professionals say hes risking the world as we know it. 2024-03-28T03:40+0000 2024-03-28T03:40+0000 2024-03-28T04:11+0000 emmanuel macron joe biden russia france ukraine nato us-russia relations world war iii b-1 bomber analysis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/03/1112378043_5:0:1456:816_1920x0_80_0_0_36edddf0d9d4d881dd8e4ff10c807ee6.png Independent media outlet Consortium News published a memo from the group Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity this week warning of the consequences of French President Emmanuel Macrons increasing bellicosity towards Russia.France is reportedly preparing to dispatch a force of some 2,000 troops roughly a reinforced brigade built around an armored battalion and two mechanized battalions, with supporting logistical, engineering, and artillery troops attached into Ukraine sometime in the not-so-distant future, the article reads. This would be introducing combat troops of a NATO country into a theater of war, making them lawful targets under the Law of War.Former US security analyst David Oualaalou joined Sputniks The Critical Hour program on Wednesday to discuss the sobering memo and Macrons perilous descent into madness.France is saying all this because they wanted to show that we still matter after being kicked out of Africa, Oualaalou added the European power has recently been expelled by Niger, Burkina-Faso, and other former colonies. In the case of Ukraine, that's a different ballgame altogether and Russia is not going to tolerate that.The analyst noted Macron has received pushback over the plan within his government and throughout Europe.A dramatic scene unfolded over the Barents Sea Tuesday as a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet escorted the bombers away from the countrys border. The Russian defense ministry released a statement confirming their response to the inflammatory act.To me personally it looks nothing more than specifically a provocation, said Oualaalou of the event. What are we provoking the Russians for, given we already have tensions with Russia? Why are we escalating this to the point of sending a bomber near Russia's border? And not [just any] type, that's the B-1 those are the major ones.Oualaalou saw Macrons threatened intervention in the Donbass conflict in a similar light.Should this move forward it's not going to bode well for the French soldiers, he warned. And it's just going to add more fuel to the fire.It appears the French public would also reject Macrons proposed escalatory move. A recent poll found 68% of French people believe his comments about sending Western troops to Ukraine were wrong.It wouldnt be the first time the French president has defied public opinion. Large street protests have been common after the former banker rose to power in 2017, with citizens rejecting his raising of the retirement age and attacks on labor rights. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/macron-trying-to-go-backwards-to-days-of-imperial-france-1117419288.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russias-mig-31-fighter-escorts-2-uss-b-1-bombers-over-barents-sea--1117560303.html russia france ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 John Miles https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/19/1116388787_0:0:1316:1316_100x100_80_0_0_77e70d36afd983012b1c5d38ddb84156.jpg macron king, macron nuclear annihilation, macron nuclear war, macron nuclear armageddon, macron ukraine escalation, macron troops to ukraine, macron 2000 troops, us bomber russian border, us bomber provocation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/most-americans-disapprove-of-israels-military-actions-in-gaza-poll-reveals-1117606027.html Most Americans Disapprove of Israel's Military Actions in Gaza, Poll Reveals Most Americans Disapprove of Israel's Military Actions in Gaza, Poll Reveals Sputnik International A Gallup poll this month has revealed that 55 percent of Americans oppose Israel's military offensive, marking a 10 percent increase since November 2023. 2024-03-28T14:08+0000 2024-03-28T14:08+0000 2024-03-28T14:08+0000 world americans joe biden palestinians michigan un security council (unsc) democrats republicans russia israel https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0f/1116808309_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_ea470b093ccdf11ef0bf541f795a1552.jpg Most Americans oppose Israels military operations in Gaza, with support falling from 50 percent in November to 36 percent this month, according to a new poll.In the latest Gallup survey conducted between March 1 and 20, 55 percent of US respondents said they oppose Israels offensive a 10 percent increase from four months earlier. Roughly nine percent expressed indifference towards the issue.Support for Israel's military action in Gaza reveals a stark partisan divide, with 64 percent of Republicans backing the war, compared to only 18 percent of Democrats.Both parties have witnessed a decline in support since November, when 71 percent of Republicans and 36 percent of Democrats were in favor of the military campaign. Support among independents also fell significantly during the same period, falling from 47 percent to 29.Gallup's findings show increasing dissatisfaction among Americans towards Israeli policy in Gaza over the past five months. Gaza health officials and the United Nations report that over 32,000 Palestinians, including nearly 14,000 children, have died in Gaza since the conflict broke out.In January 2024, an AP-NORC poll showed that half of American adults believed Israel's military response in Gaza had "gone too far," up from four in 10 in November. Public disapproval rose across political party lines, with Republicans gaining 15 points, independents 13, and Democrats five.A recent Pew Research Center survey in February revealed that 58% of Americans consider Israels reasons for fighting Hamas valid, but the way Israel is carrying out its response to Hamas October 7 attack has a more mixed evaluation. Only about 38% of US adults think Israels conduct of the war has been acceptable.Anger over Gaza's mounting death toll is resulting in disapproval of President Joe Biden's handling of the crisis. This month, Chuck Schumer, US Senate majority leader, called for new elections in Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza.The Biden administrations belated shift after nearly six months of Israels military actions in Gaza shows growing unwillingness to unconditionally support Tel Aviv. After blocking three draft resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, the US recently introduced a resolution that didn't pass at the UN Security Council due to strong opposition from Russia and China. The document contained certain provisions that potentially allowed Israel to continue its military operations.On March, 22, Russia's UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused Washington of trying to "sell a product" to the Security Council by including the term "imperative," while the draft was "deliberately misleading the international community." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/us-israel-rift-widens-amid-tense-back-and-forth-over-gaza-war-1117575379.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/us-vetoes-gaza-ceasefire-profits-from-arms-sale-on-same-day-1115505751.html michigan russia israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg new gallup poll, gaza war, israel military offensive in gaza, israel military action in gaza, gaza conflict, palestinian-israeli conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russia-adds-crocus-city-hall-attackers-to-list-of-terrorists-1117611869.html Russia Adds Crocus City Hall Attackers to List of Terrorists Russia Adds Crocus City Hall Attackers to List of Terrorists Sputnik International Russia has added four Tajik citizens who attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow last week to the list of terrorists and extremists, the Russian Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring) said on Thursday. 2024-03-28T13:20+0000 2024-03-28T13:20+0000 2024-03-28T13:20+0000 russia russia krasnogorsk moscow moscow concert hall attack https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/18/1117520331_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0ecd334256c151527f969be8db8ec9b7.jpg The service added Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Shamsidin Fariduni, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda and Muhammadsobir Fayzov to the list of terrorist and extremists, according to its registry. A shooting occurred on March 22 in the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the city of Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow, followed by a massive fire. A Sputnik correspondent reported that a number of gunmen in camouflage broke into the music hall, shooting people point-blank and throwing incendiary bombs. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said that at least 143 people were killed as a result of the terrorist attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russian-investigators-seek-arrest-warrant-for-8th-suspect-in-crocus-terror-case-1117554472.html russia krasnogorsk moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International crocus city hall concert venue, russian federal financial monitoring service, list of terrorists https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russian-foreign-intel-service-says-head-naryshkin-visited-north-korea-from-march-25-27-1117601406.html Russian Foreign Intel Service Says Head Naryshkin Visited North Korea From March 25-27 Russian Foreign Intel Service Says Head Naryshkin Visited North Korea From March 25-27 Sputnik International Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin paid a visit to North Korea from March 25-27 to meet with State Security Minister Ri Chang Dae, the SVR said on Thursday. 2024-03-28T09:40+0000 2024-03-28T09:40+0000 2024-03-28T09:40+0000 world sergey naryshkin north korea russia svr https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/03/1093560367_0:185:3078:1916_1920x0_80_0_0_49422472e17708e159b149b92e513333.jpg "Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director S. Naryshkin visited North Korea from March 25-27. [Naryshkin] held detailed negotiations with North Korean Minister of State Security Ri Chang Dae in Pyongyang. Topical issues of the development of the international situation, ensuring regional security, deepening Russian-North Korean interaction in the context of attempts to increase pressure from external forces were discussed," the SVR said in a statement. The negotiations were conducted in a warm friendly atmosphere and demonstrated the unity of approaches to the discussed problems, the statement, which was the first official report of a SVR head visit to North Korea in history, added. The sides widely and seriously discussed measures for further boosting cooperation "to cope with the ever-growing spying and plotting moves by the hostile forces," North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240116/russian-fm-lavrov-holds-talks-with-north-korean-counterpart-1116190328.html north korea russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian foreign intelligence service, sergei naryshkin, north korea, state security minister ri chang dae https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/russian-governor-reveals-how-us-abrams-tank-was-knocked-out-near-avdeyevka-1117599699.html Russian Governor Reveals How US Abrams Tank Was Knocked Out Near Avdeyevka Russian Governor Reveals How US Abrams Tank Was Knocked Out Near Avdeyevka Sputnik International The servicemen of the special forces brigade, regularly supported by the Orel region, have shot down an American Abrams tank near Avdeyevka during an offensive, the regional governor Andrei Klychkov said in his telegram channel. 2024-03-28T10:27+0000 2024-03-28T10:27+0000 2024-03-28T10:27+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine sergei shoigu avdeyevka orel russia abrams tanks m1 abrams tank m-1 abrams tank ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/14/1117447982_0:28:1131:664_1920x0_80_0_0_5be894fc0a67f1b7a7078d74f92698e3.jpg The special forces brigade shot down an American Abrams tank near Avdeyevka during the course of an offensive, Andrei Klychkov, governor of the Oryol region that regularly assists the military, said on his Telegram channel.Klychkov confirmed that the American tank was knocked out near the town of Berdychi during the ongoing offensive by Battlegroup Tsentr. He mentioned that the servicemen shared a video showing the tank's destruction, and he commended them for their success. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240320/russian-scout-who-destroyed-us-made-abrams-recalls-what-it-was-like-1117441413.html avdeyevka orel russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International orel region, abrams tank, american abrams tank, shot down an american abrams tank https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/soros-shady-terror-ties-why-billionaire-advised-us-to-ditch-al-qaeda-offshoots-terror-label-1117610102.html Soros Shady Terror Ties: Why Billionaire Advised US to Ditch al-Qaeda Offshoots Terror Label Soros Shady Terror Ties: Why Billionaire Advised US to Ditch al-Qaeda Offshoots Terror Label Sputnik International Last weeks terror attack on a Moscow concert venue has opened a Pandoras Box of allegations by Russian officials accusing Western intelligence agencies and governments of secretly cooperating with, coordinating and masterminding the activities of international terrorist groups. Occasionally, however, Western actors don't even bother to hide it. 2024-03-28T15:34+0000 2024-03-28T15:34+0000 2024-03-28T16:07+0000 analysis syria washington idlib george soros james jeffrey bashar assad open state foundation (osf) international crisis group al-qaeda https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107093/56/1070935671_0:205:3300:2061_1920x0_80_0_0_85c3e52fe5d46cac5388f673609ab1c4.jpg Billionaire financier and civil society philanthropist George Soros soft power empire needs no introduction, with his Open Society Foundations (OSF) grant making network active across the planet including major global insecurity hotspots.In Syria the Middle Eastern country rocked by a decade plus-long CIA-sponsored dirty war, Soros has taken a deep and personal interest in the ouster of President Bashar Assad, with the OSF sponsoring an array of legal and humanitarian initiatives, and offering PR support for the White Helmets the media-savvy civil defense organization characterized by independent journalists as al-Qaeda* Civil Defense over its documented ties to jihadists.So deep is Soros interest in the Syrian crisis that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to pen a series of articles in the Financial Times and Project Syndicate on the subject, accusing Russia of engaging in war crimes by striking terror strongholds, explaining why the 2016 operation to liberate Aleppo from jihadist control was actually a bad thing, and arguing that Moscow was no ally against ISIS* for the West (notwithstanding the outsized role Syria, Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon's Hezbollah militias have played in crushing ISIS and other jihadists operating across the Middle East over the past decade compared to the US 'anti-terror coalition').Creative IdeasSoros obsession with the fate of Syrias radicalized rebel groups can be better understood when exploring the type of policy advice given to US administrations by non-profits linked to the financier. In February 2021, the International Crisis Group a Soros-funded Brussels-based think tank, released a strategic blueprint for the then incoming Biden administrations Syria policy, recommending that Washington lift its formal terrorist designation against Heiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)* - the Syrian al-Qaeda offshoot which dominates Idlib the last stronghold of anti-Assad rebels in the country, and scale back military operations against the group.The think tank assured that HTS had actually broken with transnational jihadist networks and now seeks entry into the realm of political engagement on Syrias future, and that the terrorist label on the group by the UN Security Council presents a major obstacle.The purpose of lifting the terror label against a group tied to fanatics held responsible for the worst-ever terror attack on US soil becomes clear further down, with the ICG expressing concern over US drone strikes on Idlib-based terror leaders, and what it said was the short-sighted assumption in Washington that the rebel regions return to Syria might be desirable from a counter-terrorism perspective.The think tank made similarly bold recommendations in 2023, urging Turkiye and Western powers to "strengthen the 2020 ceasefire between Idlib militants and Damascus to prevent Syria from restoring control over its internationally-recognized territories.The same year, coincidentally, leading HTC militant Abu Maria al-Qahtani urged al-Qaeda to formally disband and create a united front for operations against Iran. On top of that, Idlib became a strategic conduit for the recruitment of jihadist fighters flowing to Ukraine to fight Russia, among them the Ajnad al-Kavkaz* group, known to have engaged Russian forces in the Battle of Bakhmut.President Assads successful breakout from regional diplomatic isolation in May 2023 and Syrias return to the Arab League has undoubtedly pressured Washington to intensify efforts to legitimize the HTS with support for the terrorist wildcard not only helping to assure the continued partition of Syria, but using the region to prevent Syrian-Turkish normalization, and thus fueling Ankaras drift from the Western orbit.Birds of a FeatherWhether thanks to Soros lobbying or due to internal considerations, the Washington permanent state apparatus is known to have adopted many of the International Crisis Groups recommendations.In an explosive March 2021 interview with PBS, James Jeffrey, the Trump-era Syria point man who boasted openly about deceiving the president on the size of the US military footprint in Syria, and blocking orders to withdraw from the country, praised the HTS as an organization the US could cooperate with.Certainly the behavior of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham since Ive been observing them in 2018 is they dont go after civilians, Jeffrey said, recalling his personal efforts to lobby a waiver on the resumption of the delivery of humanitarian aid in HTC-controlled areas by USAID the same year.I had to be very careful that I was not seen as someone who was advocating support for HTS, which was why I was horrified when [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov fingered me, hoping that it wouldnt be picked up by anybody else, because there was a lot of controversy about this Syria policy, Jeffrey admitted.Pro-Terror Public-Private PartnershipSyria and its Russian and Iranian anti-terror allies have for years accused the United States of covertly aiding the jihadists in the Syrian dirty war, training former Islamist militants at the al-Tanf garrison and the US-occupied northeastern territories, evacuating militant leaders aboard helicopters, and openly mingling with the jihadists. In 2018, now late Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani urged Irans diplomats at the UN to publicly slap Western powers in the face with evidence of US collusion with Daesh in Syria and Iraq. Two years later, the anti-terror commander was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad.Soros involvement in shaping US policy in Syria, outlined above in some detail for the first time, sheds new light on the role American billionaires pet think tanks can play to influence efforts to patch up the faltering Western liberal hegemonic order.* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/billionaire-financier-george-soros-overtaken-by-trump-in-list-of-worlds-wealthiest---report-1117591872.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russian-intelligence-services-kept-eye-on-wests-effort-to-weaponize-isis--1117565239.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230522/line-in-the-sand-assad-wont-meet-erdogan-until-turkish-troops-exit-syria-1110522503.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20201113/what-withdrawal-senior-official-boasts-about-openly-lying-to-trump-to-keep-us-troops-in-syria-1081158526.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20200224/us-statements-on-possible-agreement-with-terrorists-in-syria-unacceptable---lavrov-1078394684.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231128/soros-poured-15m-in-dark-money-into-biden-linked-non-profit-1115245744.html syria washington idlib Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov is george soros backing terrorists in syria, how is george soros tied to al-qaeda https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/the-us-and-islamists-a-history-of-connivance-1117611979.html The US and Islamists: a History of Connivance The US and Islamists: a History of Connivance Sputnik International As the United States and allies refute any discussion of their connections to the terrorist attack in Moscow, one should be reminded of a historic fact: in all major wars of the last 45 years the U.S. and allies played into the hands of Islamists. 2024-03-28T18:41+0000 2024-03-28T18:41+0000 2024-03-28T18:41+0000 world bashar assad muammar gaddafi zbigniew brzezinski nato islamists libya syria afghanistan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101942/02/1019420272_0:0:4896:2754_1920x0_80_0_0_21197cd1d3c09bbd07889470aeb30095.jpg Western politicians and mainstream media maintain the narrative that the terrorist attack on innocent concert-goers at the Crocus City concert hall was solely orchestrated and executed by ISIS*.The branch of the terrorist group, which previously had been active mostly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, is named ISIS-Khorasan*.The Russian officials do not dispute that the actual killing was done by radical Islamists. However, President Vladimir Putin said the real question is who ordered the attack.Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies and investigators point to direct links between the terrorists and Ukraine, implicating the United States and its allies as potential beneficiaries. But any attempt to challenge or question the narrative of strictly Islamist nature of the terrorist attack is portrayed by Western mainstream media and politicians as deliberate distortions of truth in Russia's political favor.We invite Russia not to instrumentalize this attack. There is no evidence whatsoever of any involvement on the Ukrainian side, said Italys foreign minister Antonio Tajani downplaying the fact that the terrorists tried to flee to Western ally Ukraine, viewing it as a safe haven.Denying the involvement of its client-state Ukraine in the crime, the Western media stresses the difference between the humane West and the brutal ISIS. However, a closer look at recent history shows that the US and their allies often 'instrumentalized' the Islamist militants for their own ends. Three well documented examples are the wars in Afghanistan, Libya and Syria.AfghanistanDuring the so-called Soviet stage of the endless war in Afghanistan in 1979-1989, the US collaboration with the jihadist fighters against the pro-Soviet Afghan government and the Soviet army in Afghanistan was so obvious, it was only formally denied by Washington. Later on volumes were written about operation Cyclone the code name for the CIAs covert program to arm and finance the Afghan mujahedin between 1979 and 1992.The CIA acted as the wars quartermaster, arranging supplies of weapons to mujahedin, wrote historian Conor Tobin from the University College Dublin in his book The United States and the Soviet-Afghan War, 1979-1989, published in 2020.US aid to the Afghan mujahideen, whose leaders were later accused by Human Right Watch of murdering tens of thousands of Afghans in the 1990s, is now recognized and documented by US government as a historical fact.US aid to mujahedin started flowing in July 1979, six months before December 1979, writes historian Julie Lowenstein from Yale University in her book US Foreign Policy and the Soviet-Afghan war. Zbigniew Brzezinski admitted in his interview in 1998 that this financing increased the probability of a Soviet attack. This attack was not a catastrophe for US foreign interests, but rather a result of a successful American provocation.In the same interview to Le Nouvel Observateur in 1998, Zbigniew Brzezinski, who in 1979 was president Carters National Security Advisor, explained that the idea was to make Afghanistan a Soviet Vietnam, pitting against Russia young Islamist fanatics not only from Afghanistan but also from other countries.LibyaThe intervention by the US and its allies in Libya in 2011 is the second-best documented example of collaboration between the West and Islamist movements. The collapse of the revolutionary state founded by former leader Muammar Gaddafi under NATOs bombs cost Libya 10 years of civil wars and at least 25,000 dead from Islamist violence.The destruction of Libya in civil wars between 2011 and 2021 was part of a pattern of US action against the countries getting in the way of the decision-makers in Washington.First the US supported the protests against the government in the name of democracy, and when the peaceful protests morphed into violent confrontation, the NATO allies launched a humanitarian intervention. All of that happened in 2011, when the Middle East and North Africa was going through the turbulent period known as the Arab spring.When the Islamists were encircled by Libyan forces in Benghazi at the start of the war, the US and NATO came to their rescue. Army positions were bombed by French planes and later by the aviation of most NATO member states. This was justified by the need to save civilian lives.In reality, Western claims of an imminent massacre by Gaddafi of civilians did not stand up to an even casual scrutiny, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote in 2016. Numerous other critics backed that argument, saying that the Western bombing prevented peace negotiations, encouraging anti-government Islamist forces to push for total victory.Unfortunately, the American method of presenting allied Islamists as victims of dictators worked, and the NATO bombing campaign in support of Islamists started, followed by NATOs ground intervention in March 2011.The meaning of the expression protecting civilians was spun to mean that a full-blown Western assault against Libya was justified, wrote Abraham Abrams, an author of a book about Islamist rebellions in the Arab world.After Colonel Gaddafis violent death in the hands of Islamists in October 2011, openly celebrated by Hillary Clinton "We came, we saw, he died" Libya was plunged into 10 years of violence which only ended in 2021, having destabilized all of North Africa.After every victory by Islamists, Google Maps immediately renamed Libyan (and later Syrian) geographical locations in honor of the fallen jihadists. Historian Abrams sees this as proof of the connivance of Islamists not only with USG, but also with the Big Tech.SyriaDuring the civil war in Syria (2011 2020) the US and EU supported and armed jihadists against the government of President Bashar Assad. Western pressure on Assad inadvertently contributed to the rise of ISIS. The might of terrorist state reached its peak in 2015 and its territory then continued spreading across Syria and Iraq.There is much evidence that the Islamist rebellion in Syria was not spontaneous, but was prepared and guided by the US and the UK.The former French foreign minister Roland Dumas recalled that several years before the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011 he was told by the British and American diplomats about their governments desire for change regime in Syria by means of an Islamist rebellion.I was in England two years before the violence in Syria And I met with top British officials, who confessed to me that they were preparing something like that in Damascus, Dumas wrote in his memoirs.In the first days of the rebellion in 2011, Washington Post reported that the US ambassador in Syria, Robert Ford, traveled uninvited to the uprisings bloody epicenter [in the city of Hama], where he held a series of discreet meetings with opposition Islamist leaders.Later Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested why the US elite chose 2011 as the moment for regime change. A few months earlier Assad had refused to let the Qatari government build a gas pipeline through Syrian territory. In his article for Politico, Kennedy explained Assads refusal by the suspicion that some money from this project could go to Islamists:It was at the moment when Assad rejected the Qatari pipeline that military and intelligence planners reached consensus that fomenting a Sunni jihadist uprising in Syria against Assad was a feasible way forward, Kennedy wrote.The US launched a bombing campaign against ISIS only after US citizens were executed in 2014, but the terrorist group continued to spread through most of 2015.* ISIS (also known as ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/russian-intelligence-services-kept-eye-on-wests-effort-to-weaponize-isis--1117565239.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230213/us-plans-to-send-terrorists-to-russia-and-cis-countries-to-target-officials-intel-service-says-1107363476.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240325/how-us-facilitated-creation-of-terror-groups-like-isis-1117546249.html libya syria afghanistan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Dmitry Babich https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/0e/1116778495_0:120:720:840_100x100_80_0_0_9bf47040bc46073fb920d272be7bc29d.jpg islamists, usa, support, collusion, libya, syria, afghanistan https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/uk-unwilling-to-extradite-assange-to-us-while-risk-of-death-penalty-remains---tory-peer-1117609808.html UK Unwilling to Extradite Assange to US While Risk of Death Penalty Remains - Tory Peer UK Unwilling to Extradite Assange to US While Risk of Death Penalty Remains - Tory Peer Sputnik International The government of the United Kingdom will not want to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States as long as he could still face the death penalty there, Lord Richard Balfe, a Conservative member of the UK Parliament's House of Lords, told Sputnik. 2024-03-28T12:54+0000 2024-03-28T12:54+0000 2024-03-28T12:54+0000 world julian assange tony blair united kingdom (uk) wikileaks london https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/1c/1080599767_0:151:1600:1051_1920x0_80_0_0_ff05df0f0d93027684f6a61ea0f6458e.jpg On Tuesday, the High Court of Justice in London ruled that Assange has a real prospect of success on three of the nine grounds of appeal. The court asked the US government to provide assurances that the WikiLeaks founder would be able to claim the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedoms related to religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. The court also asked to ensure that Assange would not be prejudiced at his trial due to his nationality, and that he would not face the death penalty. The next hearing is scheduled for May 20 if the parties submit the necessary documents. When asked about the High Court's decision, Balfe stated that the UK-US extradition treaty signed by the Blair government has a reputation of being flawed and placing uneven responsibilities on the UK as opposed to the US. The lawmaker stated that he in no way supports the past actions of Assange, stressing the importance of passage of confidential information between governments for conducting international diplomacy and that "sometimes difficult decisions need to be taken and examples need to be made." Assange, an Australian citizen, was transferred to London's high-security Belmarsh prison in April 2019 on bail breach charges. In the US, he faces prosecution under the Espionage Act for obtaining and disclosing classified information that shed light on war crimes and human rights violations committed by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If convicted, the WikiLeaks founder could face up to 175 years in prison. One of the last means of preventing his transfer to the US may be an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Assange lost his previous appeal at the UK High Court last June. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/is-biden-administration-slow-rolling-assange-case-to-keep-journalist-in-limbo-1117573772.html united kingdom (uk) london Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International united kingdom, wikileaks founder julian assange, uk parliament's house of lords, death penalty https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/us-fails-to-share-all-data-on-terrorist-threat-with-russia-to-not-reveal-sources---reports-1117602360.html US Fails to Share All Data on Terrorist Threat With Russia to Not Reveal Sources - Reports US Fails to Share All Data on Terrorist Threat With Russia to Not Reveal Sources - Reports Sputnik International US intelligence agencies did not provide the Russian side with all the information they had about the threat of a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow Region, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing European and US security officials. 2024-03-28T10:06+0000 2024-03-28T10:06+0000 2024-03-28T10:30+0000 russia moscow concert hall attack russia moscow region russian investigative committee us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/18/1117519963_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_87556db0c962551c0b66d8b0c1e63fe0.jpg The adversarial relations between the US and Russia prevented Washington from sharing more information about the terrorists' plan beyond what was necessary, as the feared that Russian authorities might learn their intelligence sources or methods of work, the newspaper added.Moscow is not aware of the information provided by The New Yolk Times that Washington has failed to share all information about the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall with the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.A shooting occurred on March 22 in the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the city of Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow, followed by a massive fire. A Sputnik correspondent who witnessed the attack reported that a number of gunmen in camouflage broke into the music hall, shooting people point-blank and throwing incendiary bombs. The Russian Investigative Committee said at least 143 people were killed as a result of the terrorist attack. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240326/initial-information-from-crocus-city-hall-attack-suspects-proves-ukrainian-link---fsb-1117564739.html russia moscow region Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us fails to share all data, terrorist threat, attack at crocus city hall https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/watch-russian-aerospace-forces-mi-28-helicopters-attack-ukrainian-units-1117604220.html Watch Russian Aerospace Forces Mi-28 Helicopters Attack Ukrainian Units Watch Russian Aerospace Forces Mi-28 Helicopters Attack Ukrainian Units Sputnik International The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing the crews of the Mi-28 helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces Army Aviation successfully carrying out strikes against Ukrainian units. 2024-03-28T11:30+0000 2024-03-28T11:30+0000 2024-03-28T11:30+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine video russian defense ministry ukraine russia mi-28 mi-28n night hunter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117604526_0:0:1004:565_1920x0_80_0_0_f63bd8569cfea5ee8c69124b629ab2ad.jpg The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage showing Russian Mi-28 helicopter crews successfully carrying out strikes against Ukrainian units.The Mi-28 is equipped with advanced avionics, night-vision systems, and a powerful armament suite, including a 30 mm cannon and missiles for engaging ground targets. Its twin-engine design and high maneuverability make it a formidable asset for Russia's Armed Forces, contributing to their overall air superiority and effectiveness in modern warfare. ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Russian Aerospace Forces Army Aviation Mi-28 helicopter crews successfully deliver strikes at AFU units Sputnik International Russian Aerospace Forces Army Aviation Mi-28 helicopter crews successfully deliver strikes at AFU units 2024-03-28T11:30+0000 true PT1M53S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian defense ministry, mi-28 helicopters, attack ukrainian units Global parliamentary leaders call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza Xinhua) 09:59, March 28, 2024 GENEVA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The situation in Gaza was top of the agenda at the 148th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) here on Wednesday. On the last day of the Assembly, IPU President Tulia Ackson and Secretary-General Martin Chungong issued a joint statement on behalf of the global parliamentary community, calling for "an immediate ceasefire in Gaza." They urged the relevant authorities on all sides" to take "urgent action to alleviate the suffering of the people in the region, including women, children and the elderly, who have been caught up in the fighting." They also called for the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." The statement also emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and reiterated the leaders' strong disapproval of any violence directed toward civilians. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240328/which-western-companies-took-biggest-hit-from-break-with-russia--1117609456.html Which Western Companies Took Biggest Hit From Break With Russia? Which Western Companies Took Biggest Hit From Break With Russia? Sputnik International Blindly complying with US-driven sanctions against Russia over its special military operation in Ukraine has come at a huge cost for a host of Western companies. Newly-released figures show the extent to which the measures have backfired. 2024-03-28T16:10+0000 2024-03-28T16:10+0000 2024-03-29T10:15+0000 western sanctions against russia russia responds to western sanctions russia ukraine danone heineken renault bp shell exxonmobil https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1c/1117613500_20:0:3661:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_2203567ddce1cb22b108260f14d13e60.jpg Complying with the Wests sanctions targeting Russia has cost over 200 foreign companies more than 100 billion ($107,5bln) in writedowns and lost revenue. That is according to a Reuters analysis of company filings and statements and research from the Yale School of Management.The volume of losses racked up by companies that left Russia increased by one third since the last such tally in August 2023.The previous analysis showed that companies ranging from fast food chains to carmakers, technology and pharmaceutical firms lost over $80 billion while exiting the Russian market.Sputnik took a look at some of the companies that took the biggest hit from their break with Russia.ExxonMobilExxonMobil announced its intention to withdraw from the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia's Far East in March 2022, declaring force majeure in April and significantly reducing oil and gas production.On August 3, the company announced that it was planning to transfer its operating activities on the project to another legal entity in the wake of the Ukraine crisis. Subsequently, President Vladimir Putin issued an instruction to establish a new national operator for the oil and gas project to replace ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Exxon Neftegas Limited, which owned 30 percent of the shares.On October 17, 2022, the US energy giant fully exited Russia after Putin ordered the effective expropriation of Sakhalin 1 assets from ExxonMobil-led operator Exxon Neftegaz after Western companies pulled out of their Russian investments. Equity interest was transferred to Russian registered operator Sakhalinmorneftegaz-Shelf.When ExxonMobil ceased operations, it abandoned assets estimated to be worth around $4 billion at the end of 2021.ShellShell disclosed in April 2022 that it would be writing off between $4 and $5 billion in the value of its assets after leaving Russia. The British-based multinational oil and gas company had previously estimated that Russia write-downs would reach $3.4 billion. When Shell closed its Russia-based operations, it exited joint ventures with the countrys state-owned gas company Gazprom and ending its then-involvement in the Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline project.BPAnother British oil and gas 'supermajor', BP dumped a near-20 percent stake in Russian oil producer Rosneft in 2022. At the time it warned that potential losses could amount to as much as $25 billion. In May of that year BP announced that it had lost more than $20 billion in the first quarter of 2022, mostly due its divestment from the Russian energy giant."Loss attributable to BP shareholders in the first quarter was $20.4 billion compared with a profit of $4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2021," BP said in its 2022 first-quarter financial report, adding that its decision to exit its 19.75 percent shareholding in Rosneft and other joint projects with Rosneft in Russia resulted in the loss of $1.5 billion and $24 billion in pre-tax charges.AppleUS computer and consumer electronics company Apple closed its headquarters in the country in March 2022. The technology firm was estimated to have lost about $3 million a day in iPhone sales, according to media reports at the time.Apple also reportedly paid a 1.2 billion-ruble ($13.6 million) antitrust fine to the Russian Federation treasury. In the case with Kaspersky Lab the US tech giant was faulted for abusing its dominant position in the mobile application market. Earlier, the Arbitration Court of the Moscow District, following two lower instances, confirmed the legality of the decision of the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS).RenaultFrench automaker Renault estimated losses from leaving the Russian market at $2.3 billion in May 2022.Renault had made the decision to sell all its shares in Renault Russia to Moscow City entity and its 67.69 percent majority stake in AVTOVAZ to NAMI (the Central Institute for Research and Development of Automobiles and Engines) reportedly for just one ruble last year although reportedly a six-year option to buy it back. Renaults Russian sales through AVTOVAZ reportedly represented 12 percent of its revenue.VolkswagenThe German car giantr stopped making cars in Russia in 2022. It then sold its assembly plant in Kaluga, the companys components and leasing divisions to a Moscow-based dealership called Avilon in May 2023. Volkswagen spent 774 million ($835m) building the Kaluga plant, however, Avilon paid about 125 million ($135 million) for it, according to Russia media.Mercedes BenzThe costs of the German automaker Mercedes-Benz from the suspension of business in Russia in the first half of 2022 reportedly reached 709 million ($706m). In the passenger car and truck segemnts, losses reached 658 million ($710m) and 51 million ($55m) respectively, the company's financial statements detailed. The firm first stopped manufacturing in and exporting to Russia in early March 2022. It fully withdrew from the Russian market and sold shares in its subsidiaries to a local investor in 2023.NissanThe Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer took an estimated $700mln loss in handing over its business on October 2022 to a state-owned entity for a nominal price of just 1($0.97).McDonald'sRussia was one of the fast-food giants largest international markets. The company reportedly directly owned 84 percent of its 847 restaurants in the country. Its exit from Russia in April 2022 triggered an overall revenue drop by three percent to $5.8 billion in the second quarter of 2022. Profits fell by nearly half due to a $1.2 billion charge related to the sale of the Russian business, the company stated.McDonald's estimated financial loss after leaving Russia was purportedly about $50 million monthly, stemming from operational costs, including continuing to pay staff, leases, supply chain costs and other expenses. The chain was later bought by Russian businessman Alexander Govor for a "symbolic amount" and rebranded under the name "Vkusno i Tochka."StellantisThe multinational automotive manufacturing corporation suspended its operations in April 2022. A Stellantis spokesperson later told Reuters it had lost control of its entities in Russia at the start of 2024, recognizing a loss of 144 million ($155.75 million), including 87 million ($94m) of cash and cash equivalents. Stellantis had a Russian factory in Kaluga, established in 2008 as a joint partnership between Citroen and Peugeot.OSTC GroupThe UK company ceased its business operations in Russia in March 2022. Previously, the finance and payments firm reportedly generated revenue in the country of $425 million.HeinekenThe Dutch brewer announced plans to exit its Russian business on March 28. In Russia, the Heineken concern produced beer under the brands 'Three Bears', 'Zhigulevskoye' and Amstel. It had estimated its assets in Russia at 475 million (over $489 million). Heineken completed its exit from the country by selling its operations there to Russia's Arnest Group for a token one euro in 2023. The company had announced that as a result of exiting Russia, it expected cumulative non-cash exceptional losses amounting to 300m ($323m).CarlsbergWhen the Ukraine crisis escalated, the Danish brewer first suspended production of beer under its brand in Russia, and then announced a halt to investments and exports to the country. In October 2023 it announced it was in the process of selling its Baltika Breweries subsidiary before management was taken over by the Russian state in July, 2023. All shares of the Russian-based breweries, 100 percent-owned by foreign companies, were transferred to the temporary control of the Russian Federal Agency for State Property Management. Carlsberg reportedly took a 9.9 billion Danish crown ($1.41 billion) write-down on Baltika in 2022.DanoneThe French yoghurt maker said on March 24 this year that it had received Russian regulatory approvals needed to sell its Russian business to Vamin R LLC. Danone estimated losses from the deal at 1.2 billion (about $1.3bln). In October 2022, Danone announced that it had planned to transfer the effective control of its "Essential Dairy and Planted-based" business in Russia and deconsolidate its operations in the country.In July 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that transfers foreign shares of Danone Russia to the temporary management of the Russian Federal Agency for State Property Management. In line with the decree, the agency took control of foreign assets of the Russian subsidiary. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220503/bp-reports-massive-loss-in-q1-after-withdrawing-stake-in-russias-rosneft-1095228940.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230227/apple-paid-12mln-antitrust-fine-in-kaspersky-lab-case-1107844799.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220729/renault-estimates-losses-from-leaving-russian-market-at-23-billion-1097923119.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220612/mcdonalds-returns-to-russia-under-rebranded-name-vkusno-i-tochka-1096250700.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220825/western-companies-suffer-70-billion-losses-after-exiting-russian-market-1099972884.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230716/foreign-shares-of-danone-russia-moved-under-russias-temporary-management-1111924140.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240316/russian-economy-strengthened-by-defense-spending-and-western-sanctions-1117369680.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko which companies lost the most after leaving russia, sanctions against russia backfired, which western companies took biggest financial hit from break with russia, which western brands have left russia, The Regional West Board of Directors recently announced Matt Larsen, CEO of Vistabeam, as the third community member added to the board. Jeanne McKerrigan, who has served as director of development for Regional West Foundation since 2021 and was the controller for Regional West Health Services, was recently named Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Chadron State College. As CFO, McKerrigan will hold a position on the Regional West Board of Directors as a non-voting member. McKerrigan joins the Regional West executive team, which includes: Mel McNea, MHA, who serves as Regional West Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Prior to joining Regional West, McNea was CEO at Great Plains Health in North Platte until his 2021 retirement. He is well regarded in the Nebraska health care community after serving as a transparent leader and advocate for health care excellence for many years. Amanda Vick, MBA, BSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer (COO), joined Regional West in 2019 as Chief Nursing Officer. She has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Vick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado State University, Ft. Collins. Dr. Serozan Amroliwalla has been a physician with Regional West Physicians Clinic-Internal Medicine since 2017. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Regional West Medical Center. Amroliwalla earned a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica, and completed internal medicine residency training at Griffin Hospital, Derby, Connecticut. Paul Butler, Chief Information Officer, has many years of health care experience with information technology, IT project development, implementation and management, and other IT leadership experiences in hospitals and health care facilities throughout his career in the Los Angeles metro area. Butler joined Regional West in June 2021. Erika Carmody, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), has worked at Regional West since 2010, serving as assistant director of the Birth and Infant Care Center and director of the Birth and Infant Care Center and Pediatrics. Carmody earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Margo Ferguson, MT, MSOM, CPHQ, Chief Quality Officer, has been with Regional West since 1992. After starting her career as a medical technologist at Regional West, she has served in a number of leadership roles within Regional West Laboratory Services and the Quality department. Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Management from Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska. Paul Hofmeister, Vice President General Counsel, is responsible for overseeing all legal functions of Regional West. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Hofmeister has been with Regional West since 2011. Andrew Holloway, Regional Wests Chief Development Officer, has been with Regional West since 2022, and previously served as executive director of Regional Services. Holloway earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Creighton University. Dr. Jeffrey Holloway, FACS, has been a physician at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics since 1998. He currently serves as acting President of Regional West Physicians Clinic. Holloway earned a medical degree at George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, and completed general surgery residency training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. Stacie Kallsen, M.Ed, SHRM-CP, Regional West Chief Human Resources Officer, has worked in Regional Wests Human Resources department since 2016. She most recently served as administrative director of Human Resources. Kallsen earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Colorado. Craig Krentz, Regional West Chief Network Executive, has worked at Regional West for 20-plus years. During that time, he has worked as assistant lab director/lab director, most recently serving as executive director of Ancillary Services. Krentz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science at Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in business administration. Marisa Nicol, RN, Regional West executive director of Emergency Services, has been with Regional West since December 2021. Prior to her current role, she served as assistant Chief Nursing Officer. Nicol is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in nursing (MSN) from Regis University, Denver, Colorado, and will graduate in 2025. Gering Police arrested a 32-year-old Gering man Wednesday on suspicion of child abuse after a 1-year-old child suffered life-threatening injuries while in his care. Tyler Green has been charged with committing child abuse with intent resulting in injury to a child, a Class II felony, in Scotts Bluff County Court. He was arraigned on charges Wednesday and bond has been set at $1 million. According to an arrest affidavit, Gering Police and medical personnel were called to a Gering home where a 1-year-old child had been reported to be vomiting blood. A caller told dispatchers that the child, a boy, had a lot of blood coming out of his mouth and had gone limp. The caller described the boy as not responsive, but was breathing. At the scene, a Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs deputy spoke to the caller, who was identified as Green. Green told the deputy that the child had diarrhea and had made a mess on the floor and the walls. He said he had given the child a bath to clean him, and he had begun vomiting blood. The man told the deputy he had called for the childs mother, who was downstairs, to bring him his phone to call 911. However, according to the arrest affidavit, the deputy found Greens story to be inconsistent as he didnt observe any mess from the child having suffered from diarrhea or water in the bathtub. He did observe a drop of blood in the bathroom. The deputy also told an investigating officer that the child had a lot of blood around his mouth and a contusion on the left side of his head. Medical personnel treating the child at Regional West Medical Centers Emergency Room told police that he suffered bruising and lacerations to his genital area. He also had a lowered body temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The child had to be given a blood transfusion and after a CT scan, he was transported to Childrens Hospital in Colorado for additional treatment. Police interviewed a Regional West doctor who told police that the boy had suffered a crushing injury to his genital area and lacerations. He suffered several contusions and hematomas to his face, lower back and chest. The doctor said he had also observed bruising on the childs buttocks and legs. The boy suffered internal injuries with bruising to the lungs, as well as blood in his lungs. A CT scan showed that the child had suffered a hypoxic brain injury, which would be caused by the the childs brain not getting enough oxygen, police said in the arrest affidavit. According to the arrest affidavit, the doctor told police the mechanism of injury appeared intentional and that the amount of bruising ... would be on par to having the child put in a clothes dryer and turned on. Police arrested Green at his home and interviewed him at the Gering Police Department. They also interviewed the childs mother, who told police that Green and she had been drinking earlier in the evening and he had an altercation with his former wife. The woman told police she had gone to bed when she was awakened to Green screaming and observed him holding the child, wrapped in a towel. She said she and Green then called 911. Green also allegedly told police that the had been the one caring for the child and that the childs mother had been downstairs when the injuries would have occurred. Two other children who were in the home were placed into the care of a relative. Green is scheduled to next appear in court on March 28, 10 a.m., for a preliminary hearing and bond review. He is being represented by Scottsbluff attorney Stacy Bach. The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour will land at Statesville Regional Airport, April 30 through May 2. B-29 Doc, one of 1,644 B-29 Superfortress aircraft built by the Boeing Company in Wichita, Kansas, during World War II, will be available for ground and cockpit tours, as well as B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides during the tour stop in Statesville. When you can climb inside a historic aircraft and experience real-life history in person, its inspiring, said Statesville Airport Director John Ferguson. We are thrilled to be able to host B-29 Doc and give people a chance to see this incredibly rare warbird. B-29 Doc Flight Experience tickets are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides. Ground and cockpit tour tickets will be available for purchase on the days of the event at the gate. While the aircraft is on the ground, visitors will be able to climb inside the cockpit through the forward bomb bay to get a look inside one of only two B-29 Superfortresses still airworthy and flying today. The legacy of our nations airpower during World War II was built on aircraft like the B-29 Superfortress, said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. Being able to showcase and honor the legacies of the men and women who designed, built, flew and maintained B-29s and other warbirds provides a unique and up-close experience to learn about our nations history. The tour stop in Statesville will be in the middle of a six-week tour for Doc, which will launch out of its home base in Wichita, Kansas, in mid-April for tour stops in seven states, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio and Indiana. More information about the B-29 Doc tour schedule is available at www.b29doc.com/events. Event Details for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour B-29 Doc will arrive at Statesville Regional Airport April 29 and will be available for ground and cockpit tours, April 30 and May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides will be available April 30 and May 1 at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. both days. Ride flight tickets are on sale now via www.b29doc.com/rides. Admission for ground and cockpit tours will be $10 per person or $20 per family. Tickets for ground tours will be available at the gate. Public entrance for the event will be at Statesville Regional Airport, 238 Airport Road, Statesville. The United Way of Iredell County announced the launch of HIVE, which stands for Helping Iredell Volunteers Engage. This new volunteer center is focused at offering a new generation an opportunity to volunteer in the community. Local partners and organizations will be able to promote awareness of their needs and other events through HIVE, allowing residents to find and respond to opportunities on the website volunteer.uwiredell.org. Area businesses and residents can sign up online and personalize their volunteer experience by selecting opportunities they connect with. HIVE functionality allows them to receive notifications of needs and events that match their skills, interest and talents to build their volunteer resume, and they can review their contributions and hours given back in the community. Whats the buzz all about? We are thrilled to announce the launch of HIVE in Iredell County, says Dawne Clark, board president of the United Way of Iredell County. Coming out of COVID, one of the biggest needs organizations and partners shared with the United Way was the reduction of volunteers engaging in the community. Our hope is that HIVE adds additional value to our partners and the community. HIVE offers multiple benefits, according to Linda Wahlberg, site manager for HIVE and director of administrative operations at the United Way of Iredell County. As a volunteer, you will be able to find a menu of opportunities that connect you to causes that speak to you; as an agency or organization you can bring awareness to who you are, what you do and utilize the power of HIVE to find volunteers or announce your events. We are hopeful that HIVE will be the bridge that brings our volunteers and partners together, and as its reach grows Iredell County, residents will see the positive results it promises our community. We are incredibly excited to introduce the HIVE Volunteer Portal to our dedicated volunteers and supporters, said Tanae McLean, Mooresville Graded School Districts chief communication officer. As part of our strategic plan we are working to develop a comprehensive volunteer program. This innovative platform embodies our commitment to this goal by simplifying volunteer engagement. With HIVE, our volunteers will be able to connect, collaborate, and catalyze positive change. MGSD cannot thank the United Way of Iredell enough for their partnership. By working together, we are able to expand the impact of our collective efforts to create a better community. Why should you volunteer? Volunteering offers positive benefits! In addition to having a positive impact on the places and people in our community, it can bring new meaning and purpose to your life, increase your self-esteem and well-being, and improve your relationship building plus networking skills. It also provides opportunities to connect with new people who share like-minded values. The expertise, energy, and experience of volunteers is what helps our community sustain essential programs and services our partners provide to those in need. How HIVE works for you Personal connection Through HIVE, a space has been created for members of the community to explore local agencies and connect with volunteer opportunities that speak to them. Sometimes that is helping at a food bank. Sometimes that is collaborating with a group putting backpacks together for school-aged children. There are numerous ways to give back in the community as a volunteer and the United Way of Iredell County is working hard to support opportunities for anyone who wants to get involved. Corporate engagement Sometimes it is difficult to find a volunteer opportunity for large groups so this resource can help. If you are part of a company or civic group, team or club looking to engage in giving back to an agency in need contact HIVE directly to discuss what types of opportunities can be curated for you, utilizing the power of HIVE to organize and manage your teams event. To learn more about HIVE, go to volunteer.uwiredell.org to register as a volunteer or agency. Austria and Denmark are working together to push for the resumption of deportations to Syria, according to al-Souria Net. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has discussed plans to resume deportations of refugees to Syria, aiming to designate Damascus and its surrounding areas as safe. In an interview with OE24 on Wednesday, Karner emphasized efforts to reinstate deportations to Syria promptly. We are collaborating with Denmark to push for the resumption of deportations to Syria, citing the perceived safety of the Damascus region, Karner stated. He clarified that current returns to Syria and Afghanistan are not enforced but rather voluntary or through deportation to a third country. If refugees have established connections in other countries, such as Bulgaria, they may be deported there, he added. Karner stressed the objective of enabling deportations to Afghanistan and Syria once again. According to UNHCR statistics, Austria is home to approximately 58,000 Syrian refugees, forming the largest portion of the total refugee population of 146,000. Recent calls in some European nations advocate for declaring certain areas in Syria as safe for refugee deportations. Denmark led the way in 2019 by designating Damascus and its surroundings as safe zones and subsequently revoking temporary protection for Syrian refugees from these areas. In March 2023, Denmark expanded the list to include Tartous and Latakia governorates, citing improved security conditions. Despite the UN classification of most Syrian regions as unsafe, Denmark stands as the first EU nation to deny refugee status to Syrians. Meanwhile, Cyprus has intensified efforts to persuade the European Union to establish safe zones in Syria to repatriate Syrian refugees and stem the refugee influx into Europe. Cypriot Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou recently urged the EU to reassess the Syrian situation following a surge in asylum seekers from Syria to Europe. Cyprus has become a migration hotspot towards Europe since the closure of the Turkish route to Greek islands under a 2016 agreement between the EU and Ankara. Human rights reports caution against deporting Syrians back to their homeland, citing documented cases of returnees facing violations, including arrest, enforced disappearance, and torture. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The head of the Central Bureau of Statistics stressed the significance of not solely enumerating migrants but also comprehensively understanding their demographic characteristics. The head of the Central Bureau of Statistics, Adnan Humaidan, announced on Thursday ongoing efforts to draft a memorandum of understanding between the bureau and the ministries of foreign affairs and interior. Humaidan clarified that the objective is to foster cooperation and coordination regarding the count of Syrian migrants residing abroad, as reported by the pro-regime newspaper al-Watan. He emphasized the pivotal role of diplomatic missions in this endeavour, stating, We have reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing our readiness to facilitate the execution of this initiative. Furthermore, he underscored the Ministry of Interiors pivotal role in tallying migrant numbers, as it oversees monitoring the movement of residents entering and leaving Syria through the Immigration and Passports Department, alongside civil status functions. Humaidan stressed the significance of not solely enumerating migrants but also comprehensively understanding their demographic characteristics, such as age, workforce participation, and gender distribution. He highlighted the lack of precise demographic information on migration thus far. The credibility of statistics regarding Syrias population issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics came under scrutiny in 2022, according to reports al-Watan. Data from the Central Bureau indicated that Syrias population at the outset of 2020 stood at 28.840 million, with civil status records indicating 14.437 million females compared to 14.403 million males. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari writes a message of condolences at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 27, 2024. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed condolences to Chinese citizens killed in a terrorist attack while visiting the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. (PID/Handout via Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed condolences to Chinese citizens killed in a terrorist attack while visiting the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. In a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Zardari assured that the terrorists involved in the gruesome act would be apprehended, and his country would not let terrorists undermine Pakistan and China's shared goals for peace, prosperity and security in the region. Five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani were killed when a vehicle from the Dasu Hydropower Project, being constructed by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday afternoon, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan confirmed in a statement. Jiang said that the builders of the Dasu hydropower project and other China-Pakistan cooperation projects have made outstanding contributions to the economic development and improvement of people's livelihood in Pakistan, and it is unjustifiable for terrorists to carry out criminal attacks against them. "China has noticed that the entire Pakistani society has formed a strong momentum to condemn terrorism. We hope and believe that this momentum will be transformed into effective measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan," he added. China requires Pakistan to speed up the investigation, severely punish the perpetrators, make the terrorists pay the price they deserve, and urges Pakistan to implement anti-terrorism operations as soon as possible to form a strong deterrent to terrorist forces, the Chinese ambassador said. "China is willing to continue to promote bilateral cooperation with Pakistan, expand the social foundation of China-Pakistan friendship, and squeeze the living space of terrorist forces," he added. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level emergency meeting on the same day, which was attended by Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief Ministers, chief secretaries and inspector generals of police of respective provinces, according to Prime Minister's Office. The meeting decided to use all the resources of the state to conduct a thorough joint investigation of the Dasu terrorist attack and vowed to bring perpetrators of this barbaric act to justice swiftly, a statement said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Among the appointments is Major General Muhammad Khalif al-Muhammad, who has been designated as the commander of the Second Corps. The Assad regime has recently announced new appointments to officer positions at the command level, drawing criticism due to the appointees involvement in numerous battles against the Syrian people and their extensive criminal records, marked by atrocities committed in various cities and towns across Syria. According to the regimes media report on Wednesday, Bashar al-Assad, the commander-in-chief of the army and armed forces, issued an administrative order detailing the appointments in the army commands. Among the appointments is Major General Muhammad Khalif al-Muhammad, who has been designated as the commander of the Second Corps. Muhammad previously served as the commander of the 17th Infantry Division, originating from the village of al-Owaina in the Ghab Plain, northwest of Hama Governorate. Additionally, Major General Adam Fayyad has been appointed as the commander of the 18th Division, hailing from the village of Jarnaya in the western countryside of Homs. Furthermore, Major General Muhammad Hassan Nayouf has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Third Corps, with roots in the countryside of Baniyas, Tartous Governorate. Major General Fouad Muhammad Hamdan has been named Chief of Staff of the Fourth Corps Storming, originating from the village of Maarin al-Salib in the countryside of Masyaf, southwest of Hama. Earlier in January, Bashar al-Assad appointed Qahtan Khalil, known as the butcher of Daraya, as the director of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate, succeeding Ghassan Ismail, who had held the position since July 2019. Additionally, several individuals with notorious records from the years of the revolution have been elevated to leadership positions within Assads forces. This includes Brigadier General Thaer Ahmed Ajeeb, now serving as the chief of staff of the Third Division Armored, Major General Akram Ibrahim Suleiman, appointed as the commander of the 24th Division Air Defense, Major General pilot Adel Jadallah Qaisar, now heading the Air Force Staff, and Major General Pilot Tawfiq Ahmed Khaddour, appointed as the commander of the Air Force and Air Defense. Security Studies Officer Killed in Southern Quneitra Sector On Wednesday, an official responsible for security studies in the southern sector of Quneitra was killed by unidentified assailants. According to reports from the correspondent of Zaman al-Wsl, the non-commissioned officer in the Military Security, Muhammad Habib Koussa, also known as Abu Habib, was fatally shot by unknown gunmen in the village of al-Maalaqa, located south of Quneitra. Koussa succumbed to his injuries immediately. Activists have indicated that Koussa, who held the position overseeing security studies in the southern region of Quneitra governorate, had previously survived an attempt on his life involving an explosive device detonating. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. President Bashar al-Assad has promulgated Law No. (12) for the year 2024, focused on safeguarding electronic personal data within the digital sphere, SANA reported. This legislation marks a significant step forward in the protection of citizens privacy online, setting forth rigorous guidelines for the collection, processing, utilization, and transfer of personal data, according to the pro-government agency. It adds that the primary objective of this law is to fortify the confidentiality of personal information traversing the digital network and to establish a robust legal framework to penalize unauthorized activities involving personal data. In a bid to deter such illicit acts, the law prescribes stringent financial penalties that can escalate to as much as 12 million Syrian Pounds (SYP), alongside possible imprisonment terms of up to three years for violators. Syrians Face Dire Conditions in Turkish-Occupied Safe Zone Human Rights Watch has reported dire conditions for Syrians deported or coerced into returning to Tel Abyad, a Turkish-occupied district in northern Syria. Between January and June 2023, a significant increase in the number of Syrians being sent back to this area was observed, with claims of voluntary return often masking the true nature of these deportations. Research indicates that since 2017, Turkish forces have been involved in forcibly returning thousands of Syrian refugees, sometimes under the guise of voluntary returns, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Tel Abyad. The region, under the control of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army since 2019, is described as lacking in basic humanitarian conditions, with severe restrictions on access to livelihoods and safe passage to other parts of Syria. Deportees have reported being separated from their families, detained without cause, and coerced into signing documents they do not understand. The lack of operational crossing points has left many relying on dangerous and costly smuggling routes to escape. Turkeys efforts to establish safe zones in northern Syria have been criticized due to the proliferation of human rights abuses and potential war crimes committed by Turkey-backed armed groups. A Human Rights Watch report highlighted the involvement of Turkish forces in overseeing such abuses. Interviews with deportees reveal a bleak picture of life in Tel Abyad, with many struggling to find work, shelter, or enough food to survive. The situation is made worse by the absence of adequate humanitarian aid and the high risk and cost associated with smuggling routes out of the area. Despite international law obligations, Turkeys actions have led to increased suffering for those deported to Tel Abyad, raising serious concerns about the protection of human rights and the principle of non-refoulement. Mazloum Abdi: Three parties are attacking northeast Syria The General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, stated that three parties are attacking areas under his forces control in northeast Syria, namely Turkey, the Syrian regime, and the Islamic State organization, Enab Baladi reported. Abdis comments came during the Future Syria Party conference held on Wednesday in the city of Raqqa in northeast Syria. He added in his recorded speech on Wednesday, March 27, that Turkey continues to attack the areas in northeast Syria in an attempt to create instability in it, and force its inhabitants to migrate from it. Abdi referred to the Syrian regime and its allies also trying to destabilize the region through their direct security interventions, and attempts to create discord among the components of the region and societys categories. He considered that the danger of the Islamic State organization is still present and poses a threat to the peoples of the region and the whole world. The SDF commander said that the daily security operations in partnership with the allies (International Coalition Forces) carried out by his forces against the organization, have prevented the Islamic State activities from getting out of control. How German money funds war crimes in Syria DW published a detailed report showing how Syrians residing in Germany face the paradox of contributing financially to the Assad regime through mandatory passport fees, despite fleeing the governments oppression. Activists and Syrians argue that the German governments requirement for Syrian nationals to obtain new passports directly funds a regime sanctioned by Germany itself. Syrians seeking to integrate and acquire German citizenship, like Adam Yasmin, resist this requirement due to ethical objections and personal histories of persecution. Germanys policy, deemed as contributing between 14 million to 37 million annually to Assads government, contrasts with earlier practices where Syrians were issued alternative identification. The shift towards uniformity in passport rules across German states, particularly following directives by former Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, has heightened scrutiny and criticism of this approach. Advocacy campaigns like #DefundAssad highlight the financial boon these passport fees provide to the Assad regime, emphasizing the need for policy reconsideration. Comparatively, other EU countries offer more lenient approaches towards Syrian refugees, not requiring them to renew their Syrian passports and acknowledging the unreasonableness of interacting with the regime they fled. Efforts to challenge and change the current German policy face resistance, though no new legislation is neededmerely a reinterpretation of existing rules. Critics argue this policy not only undermines Syrians attempts at integration but also inadvertently supports a regime responsible for widespread human rights abuses. Who is Taher al-Kayali, targeted by a new wave of U.S. sanctions? Taher al-Kayali, a key figure entangled in the intricate web of illicit trade and political dynamics within Syria, has emerged as a central player in the global drug trafficking ecosystem, particularly in the smuggling of Captagon and hashish. Through his company, Neptunus LLC, al-Kayali has not only facilitated substantial operations that span across the Mediterranean but also played a pivotal role in sustaining the financial mechanisms of the Assad regime. His acquisition and use of cargo vessels for smuggling purposes highlight a sophisticated network aimed at distributing these narcotics from Syria to various destinations, including significant hauls intercepted by Greek authorities. Al-Kayalis actions have attracted international sanctions and scrutiny, underscoring the complex interplay between illicit trade and geopolitical stability in the region. This profile delves into the depths of al-Kayalis operations, tracing the impact of his activities from the Mediterranean shores to the broader implications for global security and the ongoing conflict in Syria. The Central Figure in Global Drug Trafficking Taher al-Kayali stands as a prominent figure deeply entangled in the complex web of illicit trade and political dynamics within Syria. His significant role in the global drug trafficking ecosystem, especially in the smuggling of Captagon and hashish, has been critically impactful. Through his company, Neptunus LLC, al-Kayali has orchestrated extensive operations across the Mediterranean, playing a crucial role in sustaining the Assad regimes financial mechanisms. His strategic acquisition and utilization of cargo vessels for smuggling purposes underline a well-organized network aimed at distributing narcotics from Syria to various global destinations, including substantial hauls intercepted by Greek authorities. These actions have drawn international sanctions and scrutiny, highlighting the intricate relationship between illicit trade and geopolitical stability. Impact on the Assad Regimes Underpinnings Kayalis engagement in a vast network of illicit trade significantly affects the political and financial foundations of the Assad regime. His leadership of Neptunus LLC, a Syria-based entity, has been instrumental in carrying out operations with wide-reaching regional and international ramifications. The acquisition of vessels like the cargo ship Noka for smuggling large quantities of Captagon and hashishkey financial supports for the Assad regimewas exposed when the Noka was intercepted in 2018 en route from Latakia to eastern Libya. This operation uncovered al-Kayalis expansive role in drug trafficking, shedding light on the scale and scope of his influence. Legal Repercussions and OFAC Designation In response to his significant contributions to the Syrian governments support network, al-Kayali and Neptunus have been designated under Executive Order 13582 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This designation aims to disrupt the financial and logistical networks bolstering the Assad regime. Al-Kayalis prior criminal convictions in Italy for smuggling stolen cars and luxury yachts illustrate a long history of engagement in illicit activities across continents. Despite these legal challenges, his return to Syria and the establishment of ventures like Ocean World Shipping and Oriental Shipping Fleet demonstrate his skill in navigating the grey areas between legitimate business and criminal enterprises. The Naples Connection and the Captagon Shipment The narrative of al-Kayali took a significant turn in Naples, where in 2020, Italian authorities confiscated the second-largest Captagon shipment in history at the port of Salerno. This seizure, initially linked to a Syrian company allegedly associated with ISIS, sparked debates about the drugs final destination and the real entities behind their production and distribution. Subsequent investigations identified al-Kayali as the architect of this enormous drug shipment to Salerno, highlighting his central role in the international narcotics trade. Unraveling a Complex Illicit Network Investigative efforts by Cecilia Anisi, post al-Kayalis return to Syria, have unveiled an extensive network, particularly his establishment of Neptunus near the Latakia port in partnership with Mustafa Al-Haj Hussein. The interception of the Nouka ship by the Greek Coast Guard, filled with Captagon and hashish, and revelations about Mahmoud Al-Dajs role in Libya waiting for the shipment, reveal a sophisticated web of illicit trade spanning multiple countries and involving high-risk operations. Conclusion: The Intersection of Organized Crime and Political Power Taher al-Kayalis comprehensive profile illustrates a figure at the intersection of organized crime and political power. His continued operations within Syria, despite facing international sanctions, underscore a persistent challenge in combating the fusion of crime and governance. His adeptness at leveraging connections and expanding his business ventures amid sanctions exemplifies the complex battle against networks that influence both the economic and political landscapes in the Middle East and beyond, highlighting the enduring and multifaceted nature of such engagements in regional and global contexts. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. On April 1, Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce is getting a new CEO. Bonnie Delaney has a certificate of completion from Harvard Business School in Organizational Leadership and more than 25 years of experience working for her decades-old Oregon-based family auto parts business, Baxter Auto Parts Inc.. After that, Delaney worked as the national marketing director for Florida-based automotive wholesale distributer National Performance Warehouse until 2023. The previous CEO Bill Marcum retired in February 2023. Karen Sisson has filled in as interim CEO since Marcums retirement, and will continue working with the chamber in a resource role to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. Board of Directors President Jason Gentemann said he anticipates Delaneys leadership record will be an asset to the chamber and the Kelso-Longview community as a whole, and her attribute as a consensus-builder aligns with the boards goal for membership recruitment, retention and relationship building. She has a background in business ownership so she understands the issues that are important and will create value to members, said Gentemann in a press release to The Daily News. She also has the skills necessary to manage the chamber activities and ensure its long-term success. Its been more than 35 days since Robyn Green saw her child Nathan (Carter) Green, a 26-year-old Longview woman with autism, leave their Columbia Heights home on Feb. 20. Now, she is asking the public to help find her. Robyn Green told The Daily News her adult child, who goes by Carter, left her residence at Columbia Heights on Cascade Drive at about 11 a.m., heading to the ATM with plans to meet friends and then travel to Tacoma that evening. The following day, the family reported her missing. Carter Green is listed as missing by the Washington State Patrols missing persons website, which states she is 6 feet and 5 inches tall, weighs 195 pounds and has brown hair and eyes. Longview Capt. Branden McNew said Carter Green has also been entered into the polices national database on missing people. He said a police report says Carter Green was last seen walking 10th Avenue near Florida Street. According to Robyn Green, she contacted one of her daughters friends hours after she went missing, but learned she never arrived. At the time of her disappearance, Carter Green was wearing a black hoodie with black joggers, black combat boots and a scarf around her head. Her mother said Carter Green has autism along with other mental health issues. Robyn Green said her daughter sometimes believes her friends are attempting to harm her, or suspects people are rearranging her belongings. Carter Greens wallet, containing all of its contents, was found Feb. 28 at the parking lot of Brunos Pizza, located at 1108 Washington Way. Robyn Green described her child as unemployed, socially isolated and rarely going off alone. When Carter Green does venture off by herself, its only for a few hours. Robyn Green said there have been sightings of Carter Green around the Kelso area, including the Safeway near the mall and Starbucks near Interstate 5. Robyn Green said shes been experiencing dreadful sleepless nights, and when she does sleep, shes haunted by nightmares as her childs location remains unknown. She compared her misery to having her heart torn out. To report information about the case, contact the state patrol at 1-800-543-5678 or the Longview Police Department at 360-442-5800. The countys millions of dollars in state-collected money to pay for housing projects is down to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The county now has a little over $400,000 in document recording fee revenue, after allocating about $2.7 million Tuesday to a Kelso affordable housing project and a Longview youth shelter, and $1.5 million toward Longview retirement home Campus Towers and new affordable housing project Sunrise Village last year. The county developed a surplus of the fee revenue mandated by the state to use on housing projects prior to 2022 as home sales increased, at one point reaching $5.1 million in reserves. With crawling local home sales, those fees added to certain local licenses and documents such as liens and deeds, have dropped off in the past year, meaning the county will have less of a pool to allocate to future affordable housing projects. But for now, the county has plans for the remaining funds. County Commissioner Dennis Weber told The Daily News the county is considering using the money to help with operating costs for a local severe weather shelter. The county is also looking to organize a contract with the Salvation Army to allow the organization to be reimbursed for purchasing ready-to-eat meals. The state is watching us, and the fact that were willing to help with these projects, that gives us extra points with them, Weber said. Where is the money going? Last year, the county commission gave its approval to fund Campus Towers, Sunrise Village and the affordable housing project on Catlin and Main, and in April of last year, Community House on Broadway Director Frank Morrison came to them asking for help funding a homeless youth program. On Tuesday, Cowlitz County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a contract to build the Kelso affordable housing project, and 2-1 to approve a contract to help build the Longview youth shelter. Commissioner Arne Mortensen was the lone no vote. Mortensen said during the meeting that he was voting no on the Community House on Broadway contract because it wasnt a housing project. The two buildings off Caitlin Street to hold Kelsos library, a community center and 40 affordable housing units is set to get $695,000 in document recording fee revenue to go toward constructing the affordable housing units. The county-sourced funds are only to be used to develop the housing, since the money is earmarked for housing and homelessness-related projects. The youth shelter, with 12 beds for boys and 12 beds for girls, is set to receive $2 million for construction costs. The shelter, to be located on 12th Avenue in Longview nestled between Mackins Longview Auto Body and the old location of The Carriage restaurant and lounge, is intended to fill a gap in shelter need, where unaccompanied minors can go to stay the night instead of living on the street. Alan Brassfield, vice president of the Community House Board of Directors, said during the meeting that the countys investment into this youth shelter is a crucial part of diverting people away from drugs and the criminal justice system. I have dozens, if not hundreds, of friends who have used Community House as a stable stepping stone to get recovery, buy houses, find jobs and pay their taxes in our community, Brassfield said during the meeting. Community Houses renovation of the facility will include demolition and asbestos abatement, furnishing, fire system and electrical work, as well as retrofitting the kitchen/dining area to be utilized by sheltered youth, both to accommodate them making their own meals as well as to serve as a job training space. Included in the grant agreement for the facility Community House is required to provide documentation ensuring that the grant is covering renovations not currently being paid for by any other source of funding. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In a new book co-edited by UdeM's Catherine Regis and Jean-Louis Denis, experts from a dozen countries and a dozen disciplines argue for a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. Companies need to stop designing new artificial-intelligence technology just because they can, and people need to stop adapting their practices, habits and laws to fit the new technology. Instead, AI should be designed to fit exactly what people actually need. That's the view of 50 global experts who've contributed research papers to "Human-Centered AI," a new book co-edited by two Universite de Montreal experts that explores the risksand missed opportunitiesof the status quo and how it can be made better. One important way would be through legal mechanisms, now woefully inadequate to the task, said contributor Pierre Larouche, an UdeM law professor and faculty vice-dean who specializes in competition law. Treating AI as "a standalone object of law and regulation" and assuming that there is "no law currently applicable to AI" has left some policymakers feeling inadequate to an insurmountable task, said Larouche. "Despite the scarcityif not outright absenceof specific rules concerning AI as such, there is no shortage of laws that can be applied to AI, because of its embeddedness in social and economic relationships," he said. The challenge is not to create new legislation but to extend and apply existing laws to AI, he argued. That way, policymakers won't fall into the trap of "delaying tactics designed to extend discussion indefinitely, while the technology continues to progress at a fast pace." Montreal lawyer Benjamin Prud'homme, vice-president of policy, society and global affairs at the UdeM-affiliated Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute), one of the largest academic communities dedicated to AI, agrees. He urges policymakers to "start moving away from the dichotomy between innovation and regulation (and) that we acknowledge it might be okay to stifle innovation if that innovation is irresponsible." Prud'homme cited the European Union as an example of being pro-active in this regard, via its "very ambitious AI Act, the first systemic law on AI, (which) should be definitively approved in the next few months." Co-edited by UdeM professor and health law expert Catherine Regis and UdeM public-health expert Jean-Louis Denis, along with the University of Cambridge's Maria Luciana Axente and Osaka University's Atsuo Kishimoto, Human-Centered AI brings together specialists in disciplines ranging from education to management to political science. The book examines AI technologies in a number of contextsincluding agriculture, workplace environments, health care, criminal justice and higher educationand offers people-focused approaches to regulation and interdisciplinary ways of working together to make AI less exclusive of human needs. University of Edinburgh philosophy professor Shannon Vallor points to increasingly popular generative AI as an example of technology which is not human-centered. She argues the technology was created by organizations simply wanting to see how powerful they can make a system, rather than making "something designed by us, for us, and to benefit us." Other contributors to the new book look at how AI is impacting human behavior (via Google, Facebook and other platforms), how AI lacks data on minorities and hence helps marginalize them, and how AI undermines privacy as people ignore how their information is collected and stored. 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 fluorescence micrograph taken from the open BioSR super-resolution microscopy dataset (above & left) is compared to the same picture that has been CVDM-reconstructed (below & right). Image depicts fluorescently labeled F-actine cytoskeletal proteins. Credit: A. Yakimovich/CASUS, modified image from the BioSR dataset by Chang Qiao & Di Li (licensed under CC BY 4.0) Generative artificial intelligence (AI) might be best known from text or image-creating applications like ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion. But its usefulness beyond that is being shown in more and more different scientific fields. In their recent work, posted to the arXiv preprint server and scheduled to be presented at the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), researchers from the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) in collaboration with colleagues from Imperial College London and University College London have provided a new open-source algorithm called Conditional Variational Diffusion Model (CVDM). Based on generative AI, this model improves the quality of images by reconstructing them from randomness. In addition, the CVDM is computationally less expensive than established diffusion modelsand it can be easily adapted for a variety of applications. With the advent of big data and new mathematical and data science methods, researchers aim to decipher yet unexplainable phenomena in biology, medicine, or the environmental sciences using inverse problem approaches. Inverse problems deal with recovering the causal factors leading to certain observations. You have a greyscale version of an image and want to recover the colors. There are usually several valid solutions here, as, for example, light blue and light red look identical in the grayscale image. The solution to this inverse problem can therefore be the image with the light blue or the one with the light red shirt. Analyzing microscopic images can also be a typical inverse problem. "You have an observation: your microscopic image. Applying some calculations, you then can learn more about your sample than first meets the eye," says Gabriel della Maggiora, Ph.D. student at CASUS and lead author of the ICLR paper. The results can be higher-resolution or better-quality images. However, the path from the observations, i.e., the microscopic images, to the "super images" is usually not obvious. Additionally, observational data is often noisy, incomplete, or uncertain. This all adds to the complexity of solving inverse problems making them exciting mathematical challenges. The power of generative AI models like Sora One of the powerful tools to tackle inverse problems with is generative AI. Generative AI models in general learn the underlying distribution of the data in a given training dataset. A typical example is image generation. After the training phase, generative AI models generate completely new images that are, however, consistent with the training data. Among the different generative AI variations, a particular family named diffusion models has recently gained popularity among researchers. With diffusion models, an iterative data generation process starts from basic noise, a concept used in information theory to mimic the effect of many random processes that occur in nature. Concerning image generation, diffusion models have learned which pixel arrangements are common and uncommon in the training dataset images. They generate the new desired image bit by bit until a pixel arrangement coincides best with the underlying structure of the training data. A good example for the power of diffusion models is the U.S. software company OpenAI's text-to-video model Sora. An implemented diffusion component gives Sora the ability to generate videos that appear more realistic than anything AI models have created before. But there is one drawback. "Diffusion models have long been known as computationally expensive to train. Some researchers were recently giving up on them exactly for that reason," says Dr. Artur Yakimovich, Leader of a CASUS Young Investigator Group and corresponding author of the ICLR paper. "But new developments like our Conditional Variational Diffusion Model allow minimizing 'unproductive runs,' which do not lead to the final model. By lowering the computational effort and hence power consumption, this approach may also make diffusion models more eco-friendly to train." Clever training does the trick, and not just in sports The "unproductive runs" are an important drawback of diffusion models. One of the reasons is that the model is sensitive to the choice of the predefined schedule controlling the dynamics of the diffusion process: This schedule governs how the noise is added, too little or too much, wrong place or wrong timethere are many possible scenarios that end with a failed training. So far, this schedule has been set as a hyperparameter which has to be tuned for each and every new application. In other words, while designing the model, researchers usually estimate the schedule they chose in a trial-and-error manner. In the new paper, the authors incorporated the schedule already in the training phase so that their CVDM is capable of finding the optimal training on its own. The model then yielded better results than other models relying on a predefined schedule. Among others, the authors demonstrated the applicability of the CVDM to a scientific problem: super-resolution microscopy, a typical inverse problem. Super-resolution microscopy aims to overcome the diffraction limit, a limit that restricts resolution due to the optical characteristics of the microscopic system. To surmount this limit algorithmically, data scientists reconstruct higher-resolution images by eliminating both blurring and noise from recorded, limited-resolution images. In this scenario, the CVDM yielded comparable or even superior results compared to commonly used methods. "Of course, there are several methods out there to increase the meaningfulness of microscopic imagessome of them relying on generative AI models," says Yakimovich. "But we believe that our approach has some new unique properties that will leave an impact in the imaging community, namely high flexibility and speed at a comparable or even better quality compared to other diffusion model approaches. "In addition, our CVDM provides direct hints where it is not very sure about the reconstructiona very helpful property that sets the path forward to address these uncertainties in new experiments and simulations." Gabriel della Maggiora will present the work as a poster at the annual International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) on the 8th of May in poster session 3 at 10:45. A short pre-recorded talk on the paper is available on the website. The conference is organized this year for the first time since 2017 again in Europe, namely in Vienna (Austria). Whether attending on-site or via video conference, a paid pass is required to access the content. "The ICLR uses a double-blind peer review process via the OpenReview portal," explains Yakimovich. "The reviews are accompanied by scores suggested by peers; only highly scoring papers are accepted. The acceptance of our paper, therefore is tantamount to high regard by the community." More information: Gabriel della Maggiora et al, Conditional Variational Diffusion Models, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2312.02246 Journal information: arXiv 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: CSIRO Foundation models, the technology underpinning the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), could boost Australia's productivity, bolster our economy, and transform industries according to a new report by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. Trained on vast amounts of data and able to perform wide-ranging, complex and generalized tasks, foundation models power AI products such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Copilot and Google's Gemini. At least 125 foundation models have been developed worldwide over the past few years with most coming from the United States (73%), China (15%) and Europe. Most are made by private-sector technology corporations. CSIRO's report on AI foundation models provides an accessible overview of the fast-moving global foundation model landscape, outlining opportunities to minimize risks and maximize their benefit for Australians. Lead author Dr. Stefan Hajkowicz said beneath the hype lies the potential to localize this global technology and improve a broad spectrum of Australian industries and services. "We've all been impressed by the way these models can write a wedding speech or a poem. But the speed, power, and colossal scale of the data analysis they can achieve has the potential to help us solve our greatest challenges, boost productivity and save lives," Dr. Hajkowicz said. "A foundation model for health care for example could help us untangle complex, hidden relationships in patients' health records, helping us reduce the 140,000+ medical misdiagnoses in Australia each year due to human error." Professor Elanor Huntington, CSIRO's Digital, National Facilities & Collections Executive Director, said building Australia's sovereign capability in this new class of infrastructure requires an integrated approach. "While there are significant benefits to fine-tuning existing models in terms of cost and the speed of innovation, using foreign models poses security and reliability risks," Professor Huntington said. "It may also result in tools that aren't culturally appropriate in an Australian context, or that don't realize the benefits for our workers that we want to see." Opportunities for Australia to maximize the positive impact of foundation models to benefit our citizens could include developing public sector AI models, democratizing access to high-performance computing, sharing datasets, promoting skills uplift, as well as fostering international collaborations. "Australia needs to be alert to the risks and opportunities presented by this game-changing technology, and we hope this report will help make foundation models more accessible, start conversations and inspire further growth in our nation's foundation model capabilities," Professor Huntington said. More information: Artificial Intelligence foundation models: Industry enablement, productivity growth, policy levers and sovereign capability considerations for Australia. www.csiro.au/en/research/techn dation-models-report 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: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, center left, is escorted out of Magistrate Court following a hearing in Nassau, Bahamas, Dec. 19, 2022. Bankman-Fried, charged with a host of financial crimes, was arrested in the Bahamas on Dec. 12, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File Sam Bankman-Fried went from cryptocurrency golden boy to the face of the industry's collapse. The founder and former CEO of the massive cryptocurrency exchange FTX was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday after being convicted of fraud for stealing at least $10 billion from customers and investors. The collapse of one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world shook the digital currency world and sent prices plunging. Here is a timeline of how it happened. 2022 Nov. 2: Coindesk reports Alameda Reseach, Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency trading firm, holds a large amount of FTT, a token issued by FTX, suggesting the finances of the two are intertwined and Alameda faces a cash crunch. The report spooks participants in the crypto market. Nov. 6: Rival cryptocurrency exchange Binance announces that the firm plans to sell all its holdings in FTT. The price of FTT tanks. Nov. 8: Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said his company had signed a letter of intent to buy FTX because the smaller exchange was experiencing a "significant liquidity crunch." That deal would be contingent, however, on a look at the books at FTX. The price for bitcoin tumbles 13%. Nov. 9: Cryptocurrency prices plunge and after getting a closer look at the finances of FTX, Binance retreated and said there would be no acquisition. "In the beginning, our hope was to be able to support FTX's customers to provide liquidity, but the issues are beyond our control or ability to help," Binance said in a statement. Bitcoin prices drop another 14%. Nov. 10: Cryptocurrency lender BlockFi announced it is "not able to do business as usual" and was pausing client withdrawals as a result of FTX's implosion. Nov. 11: FTX files for Chapter 11 and Bankman-Fried resigns. John Ray III, a long-time bankruptcy litigator who is best known for having to clean up the mess made after the collapse of Enron, is named the new CEO. In its bankruptcy filing, FTX listed more than 130 affiliated companies around the globe. The company valued its assets between $10 billion to $50 billion, with a similar estimate for its liabilities. Bitcoin falls 10%. Nov. 17: Ray gives a damning description of FTX's operations under Bankman-Fried, from a lack of security controls to business funds being used to buy employees homes and luxuries. Nov. 30: As part of a media blitz, Bankman-Fried tells New York Time's Andrew Ross-Sorkin, "Look, I screwed up," and didn't knowingly misuse clients' funds. Dec. 12: Bankman-Fried is arrested in the Bahamas, where FTX is headquartered. Dec. 13: The U.S. government charges Bankman-Fried with a host of financial crimes, alleging he intentionally deceived customers and investors to enrich himself and others, while playing a central role in the company's multibillion-dollar collapse. Federal prosecutors said Bankman-Fried devised "a scheme and artifice to defraud" FTX's customers and investors beginning the year it was founded. He illegally diverted their money to cover expenses, debts and risky trades at Alameda Research, and to make lavish real estate purchases and large political donations, prosecutors said in a 13-page indictment. Dec. 22: Bankman-Fried's parents agreed to sign a $250 million bond and keep him at their California home while he awaits trial. 2023 August 11: Judge revoked Bankman-Fried's bail and sent him to jail after concluding he had repeatedly tried to influence witnesses against him. Oct. 3: Jury selection began for the trial. Oct. 27: Bankman-Fried took the stand in his trial. He again acknowledged failures but denied defrauding anyone. Nov. 3: Bankman-Fried is convicted of fraud for stealing at least $10 billion from customers and investors. 2024 March 28: Bankman-Fried is sentenced to 25 years in prison. Bitcoin has roared back from a massive sell-off during the scandal. Prices are up nearly 70%. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. NAIROBI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday donated 940 mobile devices to be used to digitize immunization processes in Kenya. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO country representative in Kenya, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the tablets will go a long way in enabling vaccinators to improve the quality and verifiability of immunization data in the country. "Addressing the data quality gaps will result in the increase in the immunization coverage and better management of vaccine stocks," Diallo said. He noted that the mobile devices will replace paper-based documentation for vaccinations, thereby reducing significant data errors. The UN health agency also donated 150 pieces of clothing for use by trained national responders to enhance Kenya's public health emergency response. Susan Nakhumicha, cabinet secretary in the Ministry for Health, said that the donation from the WHO will be a boost for the work of the National Vaccine and Immunization Program. The Kenyan official added that the tablets will help enhance the data quality for decision-making on Kenya's immunization program by closing the gaps that have been experienced before in data collection and transmission. Elk River Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report) by 5.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 304,705 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 16,763 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF comprises about 6.3% of Elk River Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 2nd largest holding. Elk River Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $32,984,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 118,698.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 738,286,464 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $69,871,431,000 after acquiring an additional 737,665,005 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 21,166,236 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,003,173,000 after buying an additional 140,493 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 17,414,739 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,642,732,000 after purchasing an additional 1,214,523 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 13,473,730 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,270,977,000 after purchasing an additional 76,899 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 11,422,572 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,077,491,000 after buying an additional 372,791 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Stock Performance Shares of IJR traded up $2.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $109.45. 3,966,772 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,534,600. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $106.19 and a 200-day moving average of $100.56. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 52 week low of $87.32 and a 52 week high of $110.55. The stock has a market cap of $76.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 1.15. About iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Professional Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm acquired 4,183 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $206,000. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Kathmere Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 19.5% in the 3rd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 7,248 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $296,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185 shares during the last quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 410.5% in the 3rd quarter. Stoneridge Investment Partners LLC now owns 67,480 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,757,000 after purchasing an additional 54,262 shares during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LP purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $4,967,000. United Services Automobile Association lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 13.7% in the 3rd quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 97,906 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,000,000 after purchasing an additional 11,825 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 61.7% in the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 121,937 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,983,000 after purchasing an additional 46,525 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance WFC traded up $0.38 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $57.99. 3,287,090 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,954,689. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $36.27 and a 12 month high of $58.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market cap of $205.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.19. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $52.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $46.94. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.30). The firm had revenue of $20.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.72 earnings per share for the current year. 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 $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.05%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on WFC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $54.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. HSBC upped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and issued a $51.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $51.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $55.85. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Algoma Steel Group Inc. (TSE:ASTL Get Free Report) Director Eric Stuart Rosenfeld acquired 1,926 shares of Algoma Steel Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$8.43 per share, with a total value of C$16,236.18. Algoma Steel Group Price Performance Shares of ASTL traded up C$0.25 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching C$11.67. 21,153 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 58,916. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$11.09 and a 200 day moving average price of C$10.81. The company has a market cap of C$1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.84 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.83. Algoma Steel Group Inc. has a 1 year low of C$8.64 and a 1 year high of C$13.54. Get Algoma Steel Group alerts: Algoma Steel Group Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Algoma Steel Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.19%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$15.25 to C$16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Beacon Securities cut shares of Algoma Steel Group from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$11.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$16.00 to C$15.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Cormark dropped their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$17.50 to C$17.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ASTL Algoma Steel Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Algoma Steel Group Inc produces and sells steel products primarily in North America. The company provides flat/sheet steel products, including temper rolling, cold rolled, hot-rolled pickled and oiled products, floor plate, and cut-to-length products for the automotive industry, hollow structural product manufacturers, and the light manufacturing and transportation industries; and plate steel products that consist of rolled, hot-rolled, and heat-treated for use in the construction or manufacture of railcars, buildings, bridges, off-highway equipment, storage tanks, ships, and military applications. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Algoma Steel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Algoma Steel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays downgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA Free Report) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Stock Up 1.0 % Shares of BBVA opened at $11.84 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $70.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.53, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria has a one year low of $6.47 and a one year high of $11.85. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.09. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 29th. The bank reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $8.01 billion for the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 27.15%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria will post 1.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be given a $0.1695 dividend. This is a positive change from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. This represents a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 8th. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentarias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.42%. Institutional Trading of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BBVA. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 237.7% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 4,120 shares of the banks stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,900 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 139.8% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 3,906 shares of the banks stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,277 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 124.8% in the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 6,859 shares of the banks stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 3,808 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.96% of the companys stock. About Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (Get Free Report) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by stock analysts at Bank of America from $82.00 to $115.00 in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the technology companys stock. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 12.82% from the companys previous close. BWXT has been the subject of several other reports. Truist Financial reissued a hold rating and set a $95.00 price objective (down from $110.00) on shares of BWX Technologies in a report on Monday. StockNews.com cut shares of BWX Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.00. Get BWX Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BWXT BWX Technologies Stock Up 1.7 % Shares of BWX Technologies stock opened at $101.93 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a current ratio of 2.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.32 billion, a PE ratio of 37.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.73. BWX Technologies has a 52-week low of $60.17 and a 52-week high of $107.18. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $81.92. BWX Technologies (NYSE:BWXT Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The technology company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.07. BWX Technologies had a net margin of 9.85% and a return on equity of 32.38%. The firm had revenue of $725.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $659.42 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.93 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that BWX Technologies will post 3.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On BWX Technologies Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of BWX Technologies by 1.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,884,236 shares of the technology companys stock worth $141,280,000 after purchasing an additional 32,664 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in shares of BWX Technologies by 11.3% during the third quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 67,250 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,042,000 after acquiring an additional 6,853 shares during the last quarter. EAM Investors LLC bought a new position in shares of BWX Technologies during the third quarter worth $1,621,000. Barometer Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in BWX Technologies by 100.5% during the third quarter. Barometer Capital Management Inc. now owns 48,340 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,625,000 after purchasing an additional 24,230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in BWX Technologies by 59.8% during the second quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 702,397 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $50,271,000 after purchasing an additional 262,722 shares in the last quarter. 94.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. BWX Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) BWX Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells nuclear components in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Government Operations and Commercial Operations. The Government Operations segment designs and manufactures naval nuclear components, reactors, and nuclear fuel; undertakes fabrication activities for missile launch tubes for U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BWX Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BWX Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caledonia Mining (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating restated by investment analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Caledonia Mining Price Performance CMCL stock traded up $0.18 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $11.01. The stock had a trading volume of 35,335 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,496. Caledonia Mining has a 52 week low of $8.91 and a 52 week high of $17.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The firm has a market cap of $141.26 million, a P/E ratio of -13.94 and a beta of 0.68. Get Caledonia Mining alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caledonia Mining A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in Caledonia Mining by 148.4% during the second quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,603 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,555 shares during the period. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Caledonia Mining by 87.8% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,888 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management purchased a new stake in Caledonia Mining in the first quarter worth about $57,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Caledonia Mining during the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in Caledonia Mining in the second quarter worth approximately $63,000. 31.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Caledonia Mining Company Profile Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interest in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; Bilboes, gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, a drop of 97.5% from the February 29th total of 20,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 117,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. China Merchants Bank Stock Performance China Merchants Bank stock traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $19.92. 52,241 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,649. The businesss 50-day moving average is $18.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.72. China Merchants Bank has a 12 month low of $15.57 and a 12 month high of $26.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $100.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.03 and a beta of 0.39. Get China Merchants Bank alerts: About China Merchants Bank (Get Free Report) Further Reading 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. Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD Free Report) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,589 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Cornell Pochily Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in General Dynamics were worth $413,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GD. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in General Dynamics by 0.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,423,961 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $4,955,023,000 after acquiring an additional 133,061 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in General Dynamics by 12.0% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 16,360,526 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,615,185,000 after acquiring an additional 1,755,276 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in General Dynamics by 0.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,932,541 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,136,986,000 after acquiring an additional 39,597 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in General Dynamics by 6.5% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,228,831 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $962,711,000 after acquiring an additional 259,855 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanders Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of General Dynamics by 0.4% during the third quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 4,017,057 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $887,649,000 after purchasing an additional 17,061 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.14% of the companys stock. Get General Dynamics alerts: Insider Activity at General Dynamics In related news, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total value of $8,551,750.05. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 773,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $204,569,860.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Phebe N. Novakovic sold 32,355 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $264.31, for a total value of $8,551,750.05. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 773,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $204,569,860.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Mark C. Roualet sold 73,330 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, January 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.75, for a total value of $19,414,117.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 149,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,502,023.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently commented on GD shares. UBS Group lifted their price target on General Dynamics from $286.00 to $296.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on General Dynamics from $283.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. StockNews.com cut General Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, February 3rd. Finally, Alembic Global Advisors cut General Dynamics from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $296.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Monday, January 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $271.69. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GD General Dynamics Stock Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:GD traded up $0.78 during trading on Thursday, reaching $282.68. 114,605 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,047,192. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.92. General Dynamics Co. has a 1-year low of $202.35 and a 1-year high of $284.75. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $269.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $251.54. The firm has a market cap of $77.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.68. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.68 by ($0.04). General Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.61% and a net margin of 7.84%. The firm had revenue of $11.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.58 earnings per share. General Dynamicss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. General Dynamics Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 10th. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be given a $1.42 dividend. This is a positive change from General Dynamicss previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.01%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 11th. General Dynamicss dividend payout ratio is presently 43.93%. About General Dynamics (Free Report) General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BOAO, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- World leaders and senior officials of international organizations on Thursday praised Asia's economic success and called on all countries to stick to solidarity and cooperation to meet global challenges. During a speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the meeting takes place against a backdrop of unprecedented global uncertainty, fueled by geopolitical turbulence and economic upheavals, and "the outlook is not very promising." One of the major challenges facing the world economy is "the ongoing trade tensions between major economies, protectionist policies, and escalating trade disputes that disrupt global supply chains, hamper economic growth, and undermine investors' confidence," he said. Asia's economic achievements are a testament to the region's resilience, innovation, and determination, and it is "well positioned to continue driving global growth and development in the years to come," he said. The Boao forum has emerged as an embodiment of the Asian innovative approach to achieving universal economic progress and has also established itself as "a prominent symbol of China's commitment towards global development," said the president. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in his speech that the Boao forum represents countries that produce almost 50 percent of the new investment in renewable energy. "It is a promise for the future," he said. Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King of Cambodia, told the opening ceremony that it is the responsibility of Asia to maintain peace and security in the region to ensure that poverty alleviation does not reverse course and future development with shared prosperity can be better fostered. Asia has made great strides in development and serves as an engine of growth, especially during a difficult period, said Hun Sen. "It is essential for our region to work together to maintain this positive momentum," he said. "Our actions should be guided by the principle of a rules-based multilateralism that works for all of us, not just for any particular group of nations; we should continue to strive for deeper integration and better connectivity, rather than decoupling and disruption," Hun Sen said. In an increasingly interconnected world, no nation can thrive in isolation, and neither should any nation be isolated from economic and financial engagement with the rest of the world, said Nauruan President David Adeang. "We must build bridges instead of walls and work toward a more integrated and connected world for all the people; we should be inclusive and engaging and look towards maximum economic and financial participation," Adeang said. "So that no country, large or small, despite whatever development status, is left behind." Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit said sustainable development continues to be a pressing issue for the international community, given the high levels of inequality, poverty and marginalization among countries. "We need to work together to pull our strengths and move faster toward achieving peace and sustainable development. We need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between countries in order to provide effective responses to the financial, economic, and social crises faced by many countries around the world," Skerrit said. Daren Tang, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, said: "I'm seeing more and more countries, especially emerging economies and developing countries, turn to innovation, creativity, technology, and digitalization to drive growth and development." "Asia has emerged as a major driver of ideas and innovation," he noted. Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), said: "Countries across Asia are dynamic, innovative and powerful drivers of global economic development and growth." "Asia will contribute about 60 percent of global GDP (gross domestic product) growth this year," the OECD head said. He called on all countries to work together to encourage globalization, tackle climate change, and seize opportunities created by the digital transformation of our economies and societies, while better managing associated risks, challenges and disruptions. ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM Get Free Report) CAO Dean A. Chin sold 5,465 shares of ABM Industries stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.89, for a total value of $245,323.85. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 19,972 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $896,543.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. ABM Industries Stock Performance ABM Industries stock opened at $44.40 on Thursday. ABM Industries Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $37.61 and a fifty-two week high of $53.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.48. The stock has a market cap of $2.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.36 and a beta of 1.15. The firms fifty day moving average price is $41.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.86. Get ABM Industries alerts: ABM Industries (NYSE:ABM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The business services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $2.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.01 billion. ABM Industries had a net margin of 3.15% and a return on equity of 12.88%. The firms revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.79 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that ABM Industries Incorporated will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. ABM Industries Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 4th will be issued a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 3rd. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.03%. ABM Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 23.02%. A number of equities analysts have recently commented on ABM shares. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of ABM Industries from $43.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. StockNews.com lowered ABM Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, February 3rd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, ABM Industries currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $45.20. Read Our Latest Report on ABM Institutional Investors Weigh In On ABM Industries Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ABM. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in ABM Industries in the first quarter valued at approximately $284,000. Bank of Montreal Can raised its stake in shares of ABM Industries by 2.2% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 21,837 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,000,000 after acquiring an additional 473 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of ABM Industries by 53.8% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 35,527 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,636,000 after purchasing an additional 12,425 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of ABM Industries by 2.2% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 193,026 shares of the business services providers stock worth $8,887,000 after purchasing an additional 4,196 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in ABM Industries by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 60,453 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,860,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246 shares during the period. 91.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About ABM Industries (Get Free Report) ABM Industries Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of integrated facility, infrastructure, and mobility solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through Business & Industry, Manufacturing & Distribution, Education, Aviation, and Technical Solutions segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ABM Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABM Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. reduced its stake in DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DV Free Report) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 470,485 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,100 shares during the period. DoubleVerify makes up approximately 8.3% of Laurus Investment Counsel Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. owned about 0.28% of DoubleVerify worth $17,304,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of DoubleVerify during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of DoubleVerify by 241.7% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,056 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 747 shares in the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of DoubleVerify during the 2nd quarter worth $42,000. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of DoubleVerify during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of DoubleVerify by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,567 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 632 shares in the last quarter. 97.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get DoubleVerify alerts: DoubleVerify Price Performance DoubleVerify stock opened at $32.91 on Thursday. DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $26.23 and a one year high of $43.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $37.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 80.27, a PEG ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 1.01. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DoubleVerify ( NYSE:DV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $172.23 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $171.85 million. DoubleVerify had a return on equity of 7.29% and a net margin of 12.48%. Sell-side analysts expect that DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. will post 0.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. DV has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Macquarie raised DoubleVerify from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $40.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, March 11th. Bank of America lowered their target price on DoubleVerify from $47.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 29th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $42.00 target price (down previously from $44.00) on shares of DoubleVerify in a report on Friday, March 1st. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on DoubleVerify in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. They issued an overweight rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on DoubleVerify from $43.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, DoubleVerify presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.50. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DV Insiders Place Their Bets In other DoubleVerify news, insider Andrew E. Grimmig sold 50,924 shares of DoubleVerify stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.51, for a total transaction of $1,706,463.24. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 39,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,322,572.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Andrew E. Grimmig sold 50,924 shares of DoubleVerify stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.51, for a total value of $1,706,463.24. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 39,468 shares in the company, valued at $1,322,572.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Julie Eddleman sold 900 shares of DoubleVerify stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.30, for a total value of $27,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 137,668 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,171,340.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 62,480 shares of company stock valued at $2,086,690 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 3.27% of the companys stock. About DoubleVerify (Free Report) DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc provides a software platform for digital media measurement, and data analytics in the United States and internationally. The company provides solutions to advertisers that enable advertisers to increase the effectiveness and quality and return on their digital advertising investments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for DoubleVerify Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DoubleVerify and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $131.00 to $132.00 in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the energy exploration companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price target points to a potential upside of 2.90% from the stocks current price. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on EOG Resources from $157.00 to $147.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on EOG Resources from $134.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. Mizuho decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $150.00 to $138.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on EOG Resources from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $140.20. Get EOG Resources alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on EOG Resources EOG Resources Stock Performance EOG traded up $1.89 during trading on Thursday, reaching $128.28. 1,562,129 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,471,829. The stock has a market cap of $74.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.84 and a beta of 1.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $116.01 and a 200 day moving average of $121.41. The company has a current ratio of 2.44, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. EOG Resources has a 52 week low of $106.32 and a 52 week high of $136.79. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The energy exploration company reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.14 by ($0.07). EOG Resources had a net margin of 31.40% and a return on equity of 25.38%. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.18 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.30 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that EOG Resources will post 11.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EOG Resources Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 77.6% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 238 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Peoples Bank KS bought a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 530.0% in the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 252 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. 89.91% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. EOG Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Pacific Financial bought a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 205 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,237 shares of the companys stock valued at $939,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its position in Jacobs Solutions by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 9,344 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,213,000 after buying an additional 1,104 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its position in Jacobs Solutions by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 40,132 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,209,000 after buying an additional 1,224 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in Jacobs Solutions by 21.0% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 97,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,647,000 after buying an additional 16,938 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Richelieu Gestion SA increased its position in Jacobs Solutions by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Richelieu Gestion SA now owns 18,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,352,000 after buying an additional 3,308 shares in the last quarter. 85.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Jacobs Solutions Stock Performance Jacobs Solutions stock opened at $152.90 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $144.25 and a 200-day moving average of $135.96. The firm has a market cap of $19.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.73. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.00 and a 1-year high of $153.01. Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend Jacobs Solutions ( NYSE:J Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.46. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 14.57%. The company had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.67 earnings per share. Jacobs Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. This is a positive change from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.71%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,486 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $817,414.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 57,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,527,717. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Jacobs Solutions news, EVP Patrick Hill sold 5,486 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total value of $817,414.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 57,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,527,717. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of Jacobs Solutions stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.00, for a total transaction of $274,096.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,261,068. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on the company. Truist Financial assumed coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They set a hold rating and a $154.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. KeyCorp began coverage on Jacobs Solutions in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating for the company. Finally, Argus upped their target price on Jacobs Solutions from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $154.27. Read Our Latest Stock Report on J About Jacobs Solutions (Free Report) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co reduced its holdings in General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 3.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,149 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 178 shares during the quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in General Electric were worth $657,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its stake in General Electric by 10.9% in the 3rd quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 109,332 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $12,087,000 after acquiring an additional 10,722 shares during the last quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. raised its stake in General Electric by 159.8% in the 2nd quarter. D1 Capital Partners L.P. now owns 1,455,000 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $159,832,000 after purchasing an additional 895,000 shares during the last quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. increased its stake in shares of General Electric by 51,152.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. now owns 22,551 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,493,000 after acquiring an additional 22,507 shares during the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,846,000. Finally, Cambridge Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in General Electric in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $6,285,000. 74.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get General Electric alerts: General Electric Stock Down 2.8 % Shares of General Electric stock traded down $5.04 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $175.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,825,940 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,010,961. The firm has a market capitalization of $191.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.91, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.28. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $150.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of $129.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. General Electric has a 1-year low of $93.47 and a 1-year high of $180.36. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $19.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.27 billion. General Electric had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 13.95%. General Electrics revenue was up 15.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.24 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that General Electric will post 4.57 earnings per share for the current year. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. TheStreet upgraded General Electric from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on General Electric from $148.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded General Electric from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the company from $166.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, March 8th. Citigroup increased 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. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on General Electric in a research note on Thursday. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $150.54. Read Our Latest Research Report on GE Insider Buying and Selling In related news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.55, for a total transaction of $1,843,615.55. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,339 shares in the company, valued at $6,552,351.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 22,055 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.87, for a total value of $3,195,107.85. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,284 shares in the company, valued at $8,153,863.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Michael J. Holston sold 13,601 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, 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. 0.66% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. General Electric Profile (Free Report) General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. H.B. Fuller (NYSE:FUL Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Wednesday. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. H.B. Fuller had a net margin of 4.13% and a return on equity of 12.73%. The business had revenue of $810.42 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $823.04 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.55 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. H.B. Fuller updated its FY24 guidance to $4.15-4.45 EPS and its FY 2024 guidance to 4.150-4.450 EPS. H.B. Fuller Price Performance Shares of H.B. Fuller stock opened at $82.60 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.26. H.B. Fuller has a fifty-two week low of $62.57 and a fifty-two week high of $83.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $78.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.30. The company has a market cap of $4.48 billion, a PE ratio of 31.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.52. Get H.B. Fuller alerts: H.B. Fuller Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were issued a $0.205 dividend. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 6th. H.B. Fullers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.66%. Analysts Set New Price Targets FUL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Vertical Research initiated coverage on shares of H.B. Fuller in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $88.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of H.B. Fuller from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of H.B. Fuller from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of H.B. Fuller in a research note on Friday, January 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $84.20. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on H.B. Fuller Insider Buying and Selling at H.B. Fuller In other H.B. Fuller news, VP Heather Campe sold 13,243 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total value of $1,020,373.15. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 20,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,572,282.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP Muhammad Shahbaz Malik sold 14,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.28, for a total transaction of $1,067,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 9,089 shares in the company, valued at approximately $693,308.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Heather Campe sold 13,243 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.05, for a total transaction of $1,020,373.15. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 20,406 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,572,282.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 30,693 shares of company stock valued at $2,353,357 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.96% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On H.B. Fuller Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FUL. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in H.B. Fuller by 25.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 425,162 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,170,000 after acquiring an additional 85,716 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of H.B. Fuller by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 999,922 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $68,445,000 after buying an additional 55,005 shares during the period. Luminus Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of H.B. Fuller during the 1st quarter worth approximately $3,396,000. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in shares of H.B. Fuller by 150.1% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 34,336 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,455,000 after buying an additional 20,608 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of H.B. Fuller during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $996,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.93% of the companys stock. H.B. Fuller Company Profile (Get Free Report) H.B. Fuller Company, together with its subsidiaries, formulates, manufactures, and markets adhesives, sealants, coatings, polymers, tapes, encapsulants, additives, and other specialty chemical products in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, India, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for H.B. Fuller Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for H.B. Fuller and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE:IDA Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $93.80. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TheStreet downgraded IDACORP from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Guggenheim downgraded IDACORP from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $93.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on IDACORP from $100.00 to $94.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on IDACORP from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 21st. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on IDACORP from $99.00 to $88.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. Get IDACORP alerts: Get Our Latest Report on IDA IDACORP Price Performance IDACORP stock opened at $92.40 on Thursday. IDACORP has a one year low of $86.43 and a one year high of $112.96. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $90.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $94.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.98, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.55. IDACORP (NYSE:IDA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The energy company reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.01. IDACORP had a return on equity of 9.06% and a net margin of 14.79%. The firm had revenue of $411.95 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $429.84 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.83 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that IDACORP will post 5.32 EPS for the current year. IDACORP Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were paid a dividend of $0.83 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.59%. IDACORPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 64.59%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its stake in shares of IDACORP by 297.6% during the third quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 35,572 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $3,332,000 after buying an additional 26,626 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in shares of IDACORP in the second quarter worth about $777,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of IDACORP by 10.3% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 278,698 shares of the energy companys stock worth $26,100,000 after purchasing an additional 26,068 shares during the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of IDACORP by 10.8% in the third quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 466,661 shares of the energy companys stock worth $43,703,000 after purchasing an additional 45,585 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of IDACORP by 216.8% in the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 12,251 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,147,000 after purchasing an additional 8,384 shares during the last quarter. 89.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. IDACORP Company Profile (Get Free Report IDACORP, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, purchase, and sale of electric energy in the United States. The company operates 17 hydropower generating plants located in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon; three natural gas-fired plants in southern Idaho; and interests in two coal-fired steam electric generating plants located in Wyoming and Nevada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for IDACORP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDACORP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC reduced its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report) by 15.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,006 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,451 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $980,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. FLC Capital Advisors purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $202,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,404,000. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 8,190 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $564,000 after acquiring an additional 921 shares during the period. ARQ Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 10.7% in the 3rd quarter. ARQ Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,642 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $320,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period. Finally, New Republic Capital LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,204,000. 79.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance EFA stock traded down $0.18 during trading on Thursday, hitting $79.86. The company had a trading volume of 3,163,337 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,578,917. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $76.75 and a 200-day moving average price of $73.14. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1-year low of $65.68 and a 1-year high of $80.06. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Professional Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IMTM Free Report) by 1.8% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 27,135 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 485 shares during the period. Professional Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF were worth $930,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IMTM. LPL Financial LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 47,142 shares of the companys stock worth $1,411,000 after purchasing an additional 1,188 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 159.9% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 145,186 shares of the companys stock worth $4,345,000 after acquiring an additional 89,313 shares during the period. Armbruster Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 6.5% in the 3rd quarter. Armbruster Capital Management Inc. now owns 412,870 shares of the companys stock worth $11,090,000 after acquiring an additional 25,224 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 406.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 194,288 shares of the companys stock worth $5,219,000 after acquiring an additional 155,914 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 16.7% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 907,961 shares of the companys stock worth $24,388,000 after acquiring an additional 129,733 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of IMTM traded down $0.08 on Thursday, reaching $39.28. The stock had a trading volume of 62,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 225,252. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.76 billion, a PE ratio of 11.82 and a beta of 0.78. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $36.90 and a 200 day moving average of $34.19. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $30.38 and a twelve month high of $39.36. About iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF The iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA Momentum index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries, ex-US. The momentum-selected stocks are weighted by market cap and momentum. IMTM was launched on Jan 13, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IMTM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IMTM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 26,346 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 50% from the previous sessions volume of 53,037 shares.The stock last traded at $29.22 and had previously closed at $29.16. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Price Performance The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $28.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $27.90. Get John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund alerts: John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.80%. Institutional Trading of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Company Profile Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 85.3% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,195 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 93.3% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,295 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 625 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $93,000. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at $208,000. Finally, Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $220,000. 19.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the public equity markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across the financial services sector. Read More Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TOKYO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Japanese drugmaker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical on Thursday disclosed that the number of death reports has risen to four upon consuming supplements with red yeast rice, or beni-koji, produced by the company. Two deaths were newly confirmed by the Osaka-based pharmaceutical giant after being contacted by their families on Wednesday, according to the company's latest announcement. Both deceased individuals had previously taken the company's product named beni-koji choleste help, a type of granules advertised with the effect of lowering cholesterol levels. One consumer showed symptoms of kidney disease at the time of death, while the other had been taking the product since 2021. Personal information such as their age and gender was not disclosed by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical. As the health issue escalates, the Osaka city government on Wednesday issued recall orders for three products containing yeast-fermented rice subject to voluntary recalls, and according to local media reports, the city government plans to issue disposal orders after the completion of the process based on the Food Sanitation Act, suspecting harmful substances. According to Japan's health ministry, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said that 106 individuals have been hospitalized upon consuming the supplements, with approximately 3,000 inquiries voicing health concerns received by the company's helpline as of Wednesday. The beni-koji linked to health issues especially kidney damage was manufactured at Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Osaka factory. While the company suggested that unexpected mold-derived ingredients may have caused the problem, no specific cause has yet been identified. Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as C$33.71 and last traded at C$33.63, with a volume of 245729 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$33.43. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the stock. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Evercore raised their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$36.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$34.00 to C$38.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Veritas Investment Research restated a reduce rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$35.00 to C$40.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$35.80. Get Manulife Financial alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on MFC Manulife Financial Trading Up 0.8 % The firm has a market capitalization of C$61.02 billion, a PE ratio of 12.81, a P/E/G ratio of 12.56 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 2.58, a current ratio of 3.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 45.69. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$31.36 and its 200 day moving average price is C$28.17. Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported C$0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.84 by C$0.08. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 20.05% and a return on equity of 11.57%. The firm had revenue of C$14.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$10.24 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Manulife Financial Co. will post 3.6849162 EPS for the current fiscal year. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.75%. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 27th. Manulife Financials payout ratio is 61.30%. Insider Transactions at Manulife Financial In related news, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,317 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total value of C$108,664.92. In other news, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 10,294 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$337,231.44. Also, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,317 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$108,664.92. Corporate insiders own 0.03% of the companys stock. About Manulife Financial (Get Free Report) Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 30,023 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $103,000. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NOK. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Nokia Oyj during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nokia Oyj during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nokia Oyj during the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Nokia Oyj by 265.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 9,505 shares of the technology companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 6,905 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Nokia Oyj by 236.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 11,382 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 7,995 shares during the period. 5.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Nokia Oyj alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on NOK shares. Barclays lowered Nokia Oyj from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a report on Friday, January 19th. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Nokia Oyj in a research report on Friday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Nokia Oyj from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of Nokia Oyj in a research report on Friday, January 12th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $5.10 to $3.40 in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Nokia Oyj has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $5.06. Nokia Oyj Trading Down 1.7 % Shares of NYSE:NOK traded down $0.06 during trading on Thursday, reaching $3.54. 14,515,783 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 15,017,122. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.09. Nokia Oyj has a 52-week low of $2.94 and a 52-week high of $4.97. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss fifty day moving average is $3.57 and its 200-day moving average is $3.52. Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The technology company reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.03). Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 7.60%. The company had revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.66 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.16 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Nokia Oyj will post 0.38 EPS for the current year. About Nokia Oyj (Free Report) Nokia Oyj provides mobile, fixed, and cloud network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Network Infrastructure, Mobile Networks, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. The company provides fixed networking solutions, such as fiber and copper-based access infrastructure, in-home Wi-Fi solutions, and cloud and virtualization services; IP networking solutions, including IP access, aggregation, and edge and core routing for residential, mobile, enterprise and cloud applications; optical networks solutions that provides optical transport networks for metro, regional, and long-haul applications, and subsea applications; and submarine networks for undersea cable transmission. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Moodys Co. (NYSE:MCO Free Report) by 8.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,911 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 350 shares during the quarter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Moodys were worth $1,527,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Moodys in the second quarter valued at about $45,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in Moodys during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $153,532,000. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Moodys by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 73,752 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $25,645,000 after purchasing an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. White Pine Capital LLC acquired a new position in Moodys in the third quarter valued at approximately $244,000. Finally, Walter Public Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Moodys by 24.3% during the 4th quarter. Walter Public Investments Inc. now owns 37,072 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $14,479,000 after purchasing an additional 7,250 shares during the period. 92.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Moody's alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MCO shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of Moodys from $430.00 to $414.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $450.00 target price on shares of Moodys in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Moodys from $340.00 to $375.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Moodys from $420.00 to $410.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Moodys from $455.00 to $420.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $390.42. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Robert Fauber sold 2,547 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $376.50, for a total value of $958,945.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 54,099 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,368,273.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock. Moodys Price Performance Moodys stock traded up $4.30 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $394.54. 133,769 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 714,498. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $386.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $362.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 1.74. The stock has a market cap of $72.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.27. Moodys Co. has a one year low of $290.98 and a one year high of $407.62. Moodys (NYSE:MCO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The business services provider reported $2.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.33 by ($0.14). The firm had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.48 billion. Moodys had a return on equity of 55.23% and a net margin of 27.16%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.60 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Moodys Co. will post 10.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Moodys Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.86%. This is a positive change from Moodyss previous quarterly dividend of $0.77. Moodyss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.95%. Moodys Profile (Free Report) Moody's Corporation operates as an integrated risk assessment firm worldwide. It operates in two segments, Moody's Analytics and Moody's Investors Services. The Moody's Analytics segment develops a range of products and services that support the risk management activities of institutional participants in financial markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Moody's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moody's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 0.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,591 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group makes up about 1.4% of Parisi Gray Wealth Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Parisi Gray Wealth Managements holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $3,470,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kraft Davis & Associates LLC grew its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 3.4% in the third quarter. Kraft Davis & Associates LLC now owns 577 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $294,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.6% in the third quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,217 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $614,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC grew its position in UnitedHealth Group by 0.8% during the third quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 2,456 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $1,238,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Bensler LLC lifted its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 0.3% during the third quarter. Bensler LLC now owns 7,293 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $3,677,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TX boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Texas Capital Bancshares Inc TX now owns 1,695 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $855,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. 87.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Trading Down 0.3 % NYSE UNH traded down $1.27 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $491.83. The companys stock had a trading volume of 311,961 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,038,452. The firm has a market capitalization of $453.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.54. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $503.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $518.79. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 52-week low of $445.68 and a 52-week high of $554.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.98 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $94.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.39%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.34 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.82 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th were issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.54%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays started coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an overweight rating and a $551.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America reiterated a buy rating and issued a $675.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, March 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $596.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $610.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $579.33. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UnitedHealth Group Insider Activity In related news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 32,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,977,233.31. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,236 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.48, for a total transaction of $597,581.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 9,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,527,306.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total value of $451,127.82. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,977,233.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. About UnitedHealth Group (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG Free Report) by 46.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,279 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 14,730 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in Dorian LPG were worth $758,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 63.8% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 417,493 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $11,995,000 after acquiring an additional 162,663 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Dorian LPG by 10.5% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 798,371 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $22,937,000 after acquiring an additional 75,584 shares in the last quarter. Ibex Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Dorian LPG during the 3rd quarter valued at $510,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Dorian LPG by 37.7% in the 3rd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 218,491 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $6,277,000 after buying an additional 59,850 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in Dorian LPG in the 3rd quarter worth $1,060,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the companys stock. Get Dorian LPG alerts: Dorian LPG Stock Performance NYSE LPG traded up $0.24 on Thursday, hitting $37.69. The stock had a trading volume of 50,688 shares, compared to its average volume of 989,976. The companys 50-day moving average is $37.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.99. The company has a quick ratio of 3.29, a current ratio of 3.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market cap of $1.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.97 and a beta of 1.13. Dorian LPG Ltd. has a one year low of $19.20 and a one year high of $49.54. Dorian LPG Dividend Announcement Dorian LPG ( NYSE:LPG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The shipping company reported $2.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.27 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $163.06 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $154.49 million. Dorian LPG had a net margin of 55.02% and a return on equity of 33.59%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.29 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 7.29 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a None dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 27th. Investors of record on Monday, February 5th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. Dorian LPGs dividend payout ratio is presently 26.56%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have commented on LPG shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Dorian LPG in a report on Thursday, February 1st. DNB Markets lowered shares of Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $44.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $40.25. Get Our Latest Report on Dorian LPG Insider Activity at Dorian LPG In other Dorian LPG news, CEO John C. Hadjipateras bought 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.58 per share, with a total value of $212,900.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,777,740 shares in the company, valued at $75,696,169.20. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 15.90% of the companys stock. About Dorian LPG (Free Report) Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LPG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dorian LPG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dorian LPG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE lowered its stake in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM Free Report) by 18.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,360 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 300 shares during the period. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DEs holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $274,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 46,227 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $6,915,000 after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares during the period. Aviva PLC increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 14,762 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $2,140,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 391,118 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $56,712,000 after acquiring an additional 1,049 shares in the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 1,415.9% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 2,092 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $303,000 after acquiring an additional 1,954 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management bought a new stake in Williams-Sonoma during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $292,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.29% of the companys stock. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on WSM. UBS Group boosted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $195.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Loop Capital boosted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $220.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 15th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $260.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $200.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $261.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $249.31. Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma In other Williams-Sonoma news, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 1,145 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.06, for a total transaction of $330,973.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 6,966 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,013,591.96. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.92, for a total value of $4,038,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 525,509 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $106,110,777.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 1,145 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.06, for a total transaction of $330,973.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,966 shares in the company, valued at $2,013,591.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 41,145 shares of company stock valued at $10,044,174 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 1.0 % Williams-Sonoma stock traded up $3.11 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $317.13. The stock had a trading volume of 475,175 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,065,022. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.66. The firms 50 day moving average is $237.47 and its 200 day moving average is $195.61. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a one year low of $109.44 and a one year high of $319.70. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $5.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.06 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $2.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 12.25% and a return on equity of 55.15%. Williams-Sonomas quarterly revenue was down 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $5.50 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 15.37 earnings per share for the current year. Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 19th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 18th. This is an increase from Williams-Sonomas previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio is 24.71%. Williams-Sonoma Company Profile (Free Report) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Threadgill Financial LLC increased its stake in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,644 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. Deere & Company comprises approximately 1.0% of Threadgill Financial LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Threadgill Financial LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $1,457,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. raised its holdings in Deere & Company by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 53,191 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $21,552,000 after buying an additional 3,776 shares during the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 5.6% in 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 during the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Deere & Company by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 236,696 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $89,322,000 after purchasing an additional 5,485 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board raised its position in Deere & Company by 6.9% during 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 purchasing an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenline Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Deere & Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $265,000. Institutional investors own 68.58% of the companys stock. Get Deere & Company alerts: Deere & Company Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:DE opened at $409.23 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $379.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $381.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a current ratio of 2.05. Deere & Company has a one year low of $345.55 and a one year high of $450.00. The firm has a market cap of $113.91 billion, a PE ratio of 11.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.03. Deere & Company Announces Dividend Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.19 by $1.04. The firm had revenue of $10.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.30 billion. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 44.60% and a net margin of 16.38%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Deere & Company will post 27.41 EPS for the current year. The business 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 dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Deere & Companys payout ratio is currently 17.12%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on DE. Melius Research reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Deere & Company in a research note on Monday, January 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $430.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $450.00 to $435.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 16th. Melius cut shares of Deere & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective 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. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Deere & Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $431.69. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on DE Deere & Company Profile (Free Report) Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trueblood Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 1,477 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $360,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. 86.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: Becton, Dickinson and Company Stock Performance BDX traded up $0.92 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $247.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,093,910 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,475,061. The stock has a market cap of $71.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.77, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $239.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $245.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a twelve month low of $229.85 and a twelve month high of $287.32. Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement Becton, Dickinson and Company ( NYSE:BDX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.39 by $0.29. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.57% and a net margin of 6.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.73 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.98 EPS. The companys revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.94 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 90.05%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, SVP Thomas J. Spoerel sold 282 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.29, for a total transaction of $67,197.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 2,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $542,348.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BDX. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $301.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $269.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $310.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $279.17. Read Our Latest Research Report on Becton, Dickinson and Company About Becton, Dickinson and Company (Free Report) Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BDX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report) had its target price cut by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $178.00 to $170.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the transportation companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective would suggest a potential upside of 14.55% from the companys current price. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $165.00 to $156.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 21st. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $140.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of United Parcel Service from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of United Parcel Service from a c rating to a b- rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $164.57. Get United Parcel Service alerts: View Our Latest Report on UPS United Parcel Service Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSE:UPS traded up $1.08 during trading on Thursday, reaching $148.41. The stock had a trading volume of 2,223,445 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,377,859. United Parcel Service has a one year low of $133.68 and a one year high of $197.80. The company has a market capitalization of $126.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.01, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $150.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $152.28. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.46 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $24.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.40 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 7.37% and a return on equity of 39.46%. United Parcel Services revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.62 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that United Parcel Service will post 8.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Eva C. Boratto bought 1,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $142.30 per share, with a total value of $199,220.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 1,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $199,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On United Parcel Service Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. RB Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 2,689 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,162,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 10.0% during the 1st quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $264,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $515,000. Finally, Stevens Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter worth approximately $701,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About United Parcel Service (Get Free Report) United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. See Also Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. decreased its stake in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 5.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 13,218 shares of the companys stock after selling 800 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $533,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Altria Group by 1.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock worth $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Altria Group by 5.2% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock worth $974,000 after purchasing an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $141,690,000 after buying an additional 89,334 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $498,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group restated a sell rating and set a $36.10 target price on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $46.82. Altria Group Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of Altria Group stock traded up $0.10 during trading on Thursday, hitting $43.76. 4,468,984 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,716,633. The firms fifty day moving average is $41.34 and its 200-day moving average is $41.53. The stock has a market cap of $77.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.58, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.65. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.06 and a 52 week high of $48.04. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.18 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Altria Group Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 85.78%. Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 1st that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Altria Group Company Profile (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MOGADISHU, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Thursday that Somalia is hosting 38,642 registered refugees and asylum-seekers as of February. About 67 percent of them are women and children, 30 percent are school-age children (6-17 years), and 26 percent are women and girls of reproductive age (13-49 years), the UNHCR said in its latest update released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. "The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers, or 66 percent, are from Ethiopia, followed by Yemen (29 percent), Syria (4 percent), and other countries (1 percent)," it said. According to the UNHCR, most of the refugees and asylum-seekers reside in urban or peri-urban settings across the Woqooyi Galbeed and Bari regions in northern Somalia. It said 9,046 former refugees have returned to Somalia from their countries of asylum, mostly from Yemen, followed by Kenya, since January 2020. "From the total number of refugee returnees, 3,652 individuals have been directly assisted by UNHCR, mainly through the voluntary repatriation program from Kenya and the assisted spontaneous returns program from Yemen," the UNHCR said. The UN agency said 68 Somali refugees have returned to Somalia in 2024. It added that more than 800,000 Somali refugees and asylum-seekers are also hosted in neighboring countries and a further 3.9 million persons are internally displaced inside Somalia due to conflict and natural disasters. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its position in Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Free Report) by 37.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 425 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.s holdings in Northrop Grumman were worth $199,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NOC. London Co. of Virginia acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman during the 3rd quarter worth about $165,786,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 74.7% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,174,556 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $517,028,000 after buying an additional 502,060 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 19.7% during the 4th quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 16,515 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $7,731,000 after acquiring an additional 2,723 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 2nd quarter valued at about $59,403,000. Finally, Phraction Management LLC acquired a new position in Northrop Grumman in the 3rd quarter worth about $677,000. 83.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Northrop Grumman alerts: Northrop Grumman Trading Up 0.2 % Northrop Grumman stock traded up $0.88 during trading on Thursday, reaching $478.24. 256,235 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 940,874. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $457.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $461.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The company has a market capitalization of $71.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.58, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.34. Northrop Grumman Co. has a 52-week low of $414.56 and a 52-week high of $496.89. Northrop Grumman Announces Dividend Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The aerospace company reported $6.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.80 by $0.47. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 5.23% and a return on equity of 23.07%. The company had revenue of $10.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $7.50 EPS. Northrop Grummans revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Northrop Grumman Co. will post 24.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 26th were paid a $1.87 dividend. This represents a $7.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.56%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 23rd. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.49%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on NOC shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Northrop Grumman from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the company from $541.00 to $473.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Northrop Grumman from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Northrop Grumman from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $450.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on Northrop Grumman from $560.00 to $540.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, TheStreet cut Northrop Grumman from a b+ rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $494.33. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Northrop Grumman Insider Transactions at Northrop Grumman In other news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $430,103.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,137 shares in the company, valued at $1,863,180.69. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CAO Michael A. Hardesty sold 955 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $430,103.35. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,137 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,863,180.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Kathryn G. Simpson sold 1,273 shares of Northrop Grumman stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $450.37, for a total transaction of $573,321.01. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,231,761.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 3,149 shares of company stock worth $1,421,147. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Northrop Grumman Company Profile (Free Report) Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Northrop Grumman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northrop Grumman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM Free Report) by 17.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 205 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 44 shares during the period. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.s holdings in EPAM Systems were worth $61,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of EPAM Systems by 0.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,791,017 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,736,395,000 after acquiring an additional 19,130 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in EPAM Systems by 9.7% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,358,373 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $979,544,000 after buying an additional 385,196 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in EPAM Systems by 9.1% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,471,924 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $733,197,000 after buying an additional 206,636 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its stake in EPAM Systems by 2.2% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,764,856 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $523,474,000 after buying an additional 38,642 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in EPAM Systems by 4.1% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,299,265 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $385,376,000 after buying an additional 50,627 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.58% of the companys stock. Get EPAM Systems alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently commented on EPAM shares. Wolfe Research raised shares of EPAM Systems from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $355.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Susquehanna upped their price target on EPAM Systems from $300.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on EPAM Systems from $250.00 to $236.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Scotiabank raised EPAM Systems from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $265.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of EPAM Systems from $312.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, EPAM Systems presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $325.33. EPAM Systems Price Performance Shares of EPAM traded down $0.19 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $276.18. 187,947 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 522,190. The stock has a market cap of $15.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 11.69 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 4.79 and a current ratio of 4.79. EPAM Systems, Inc. has a 1-year low of $197.99 and a 1-year high of $317.50. The company has a 50 day moving average of $294.67 and a 200-day moving average of $273.19. EPAM Systems (NYSE:EPAM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The information technology services provider reported $2.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.14 billion. EPAM Systems had a net margin of 8.89% and a return on equity of 15.53%. EPAM Systemss quarterly revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. Analysts expect that EPAM Systems, Inc. will post 7.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, SVP Sergey Yezhkov sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total value of $2,416,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 12,770 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,857,050.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Sergey Yezhkov sold 8,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total value of $2,416,320.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,770 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,857,050.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Balazs Fejes sold 3,470 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $301.93, for a total transaction of $1,047,697.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 13,334 shares in the company, valued at $4,025,934.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 16,820 shares of company stock valued at $5,101,117 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 3.20% of the companys stock. EPAM Systems Company Profile (Free Report) EPAM Systems, Inc provides digital platform engineering and software development services worldwide. The company offers engineering services, including requirements analysis and platform selection, customization, cross-platform migration, implementation, and integration; infrastructure management services, such as software development, testing, performance tuning, deployment, maintenance, and support services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EPAM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EPAM Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EPAM Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wayfair (NYSE:W Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Citigroup from $73.00 to $85.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Citigroups target price suggests a potential upside of 22.55% from the companys previous close. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on W. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and issued a $88.00 price objective (down from $93.00) on shares of Wayfair in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Wayfair in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Wayfair from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. Raymond James upgraded Wayfair from a market perform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $65.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Wayfair from $55.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong 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 $75.00. Get Wayfair alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on W Wayfair Trading Up 2.6 % W stock traded up $1.77 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $69.36. The stock had a trading volume of 721,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,307,255. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $56.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $55.38. The company has a market cap of $8.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.54 and a beta of 3.27. Wayfair has a 52-week low of $29.51 and a 52-week high of $90.71. Wayfair (NYSE:W Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported ($1.46) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.54) by $0.08. The company had revenue of $3.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.10 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Wayfair will post -3.39 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Wayfair news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 984 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.58, for a total transaction of $59,610.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 117,841 shares in the company, valued at $7,138,807.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Wayfair news, CEO Niraj Shah sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.90, for a total transaction of $599,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 249,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,923,306.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Thomas Netzer sold 984 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.58, for a total value of $59,610.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 117,841 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,138,807.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 81,300 shares of company stock worth $4,591,396. Company insiders own 26.81% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Wayfair Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Wayfair during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Wayfair during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Wayfair during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. BluePath Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Wayfair during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale bought a new stake in shares of Wayfair in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. 89.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Wayfair (Get Free Report) Wayfair Inc provides e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company offers approximately thirty million products for the home sector. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites consisting of Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Wayfair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wayfair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 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First filed four years ago, the lawsuit contends that Congress improperly delegated its power to seize private property to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees construction of interstate natural gas pipelines. After finding there was a public need for the pipeline, FERC then passed its eminent domain authority on to Mountain Valley. In what the landowners say was a violation of the separation of powers doctrine, Congress gave FERC massive legislative power to decide when and where private property will be seized, a petition filed with the Supreme Court states. Worse yet, Congress put no restrictions on that delegation, the document states. Instead, it gave the agency a blank check. The landowners face long odds. The Supreme Court agrees to hear oral arguments in only about 80 cases of the 7,000 to 8,000 appeals filed each year. But the high court has already ruled in favor of the landowners once, sending a dismissal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia back for additional review last April. Their attorney, Mia Yugo of Roanoke, expressed hopes for another victory. It could be months before there is a decision making it uncertain what impact a ruling favorable to the landowners would have on Mountain Valley, which says it plans to complete construction by the end of June. However, target dates have been pushed back for years. And even if a win comes too late to help the plaintiffs Cletus and Beverly Bohon of Montgomery County, Wendell and Mary Flora of Franklin County and Robert and Aimee Hamm of Roanoke County Yugo said it would limit FERCs eminent domain powers for future projects. Mountain Valley invoked the controversial practice which traditionally has been used by the government to seize property for public projects to take property from about 300 landowners in Southwest Virginia for its pipeline, a private venture. In court papers, attorneys for the company said the landowners arguments were simply a rehashing of the same flawed theories that have been rejected in the past. A law passed last year by Congress fast-tracked completion of the pipeline and forbade the kind of legal action challenges to government permits issued to the Mountain Valley that has delayed the project for six years now. The current lawsuit, however, makes constitutional arguments that Yugo says should be heard. Attorneys for Mountain Valley and FERC cited the recent law, a provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act that raised the governments debt ceiling, in asking that the landowners case be dismissed. In a decision last month which is now being appealed to the Supreme Court the D.C. appeals court did not rely on the law in reaffirming its earlier decision to throw out the lawsuit. Instead, it ruled that a U.S. District Court judge lacked jurisdiction to hear the case on other grounds. Nonetheless, Yugos petition asks the Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional while adding that is not necessarily required to reach a decision on the merits of her case. Landowners should get their day in court, she said, even if its four years overdue. RED CLOUD The National Willa Cather Center will host an afternoon of Nebraska history and art in celebration of National Nebraska Day from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 5. At 1 p.m., author and historian Gail Shaffer Blankenau will discuss her book, Journey to Freedom: Uncovering the Grayson Sisters Escape from Nebraska Territory, published in March by University of Nebraska Press and available from the National Willa Cather Center Bookstore. The event is free of charge and a book signing will follow at 2 p.m. From 2:30 5 p.m., guests are encouraged to take a guided tour of the newly restored Willa Cather Childhood Home, a town tour of Cather-related sites, or hike the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie on their own. Optional guided tours are ticketed in advance at WillaCather.org/Tours or from the bookstore upon arrival. The American Bittersweet exhibit, on the life and work of Willa Cather, is free and adjacent to the bookstore. At 5 p.m. guests are also invited to a reception with artist Jonathan Goodding in honor of his exhibit, Beneath the Wide-Open, on display in the Red Cloud Opera House Gallery from through May 11. The exhibit and artist reception are free of charge and light refreshments will be served. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. In Journey to Freedom, Blankenau provides the first detailed history of Black enslavement in Nebraska Territory. The book details the 1858 escape of two enslaved Black women Celia Grayson, 22, and Eliza Grayson, 20 from the Stephen F. Nuckolls household in southeastern Nebraska. John Williamson, a man of African American and Cherokee descent from Iowa, guided them through the dark to the Missouri River, where they boarded a skiff and crossed the icy waters, heading for their first stop on the Underground Railroad at Civil Bend, Iowa. Their escape and the violence that followed prompted considerable debate across the country and led to the Nebraska legislatures move to prohibit slavery. Blankenau is a professional genealogist, historian, speaker and author. She holds a masters degree in history from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and in 2023 she received the James L. Sellers prize for her article about the Grayson sisters in a volume of Nebraska History magazine. Blankenau lives in Lincoln. Goodding is a Lincoln artist whose vibrant paintings are infused with the energy, form, and grandeur of the Midwestern sky. With vigorous marks and bold colors, Goodding recreates a dynamic and awesome horizon that is familiar to all who live and visit the Great Plains. Both original pieces and prints of Gooddings works are for sale. A digital gallery is available at www.willacather.org/events/beneath-wide-open for those who can not attend in person. Goodding trained in painting and printmaking at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is drawn to the landscape he grew up in. As a native Nebraskan, he seeks to express the beauty and grandeur that God designed into wide-open Midwestern skies. Programming at the Red Cloud Opera House is made possible through a basic support grant from the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Red Cloud is a Certified Nebraska Creative District identified by the Nebraska Arts Council. For more information, visit WillaCather.org/Events. In a packed courtroom Wednesday with an overflow room of friends and family watching in the next building, a Lincoln man was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for shooting his neighbor to death in response to a minor car accident. First, Karsen Rezac, 24, turned to face Kupo Mleya's family and loved ones and offered an apology. "My actions led them to have to say goodbye to such a kind soul, a father and a son, way too soon," Rezac said of Mleya, who lived a block away from him though the two never had met. "This is nothing less than a tragedy, one that I take full responsibility for." He said he wished he could take back what happened. "This horrendous act that I've committed, I would have never thought I would be capable of," Rezac said. Prosecutors said at 12:20 a.m. Dec. 23, 2022, Lincoln police were called to South 20th and Washington streets on reports of the sound of a crash, then several gunshots. Officers found Mleya, still in the drivers seat, with gunshot wounds to his head, his Jeep Patriot riddled with bullet holes and the drivers window shattered. The 38-year-old Lincoln man died at the scene. Police quickly tied the crime to Rezac, who had driven away, leaving his SUV parked nearby with damage to its passenger side and a window consistent with debris left at the scene and gunshots. A search turned up nine spent casings and a 9mm Glock handgun in the center console. When investigators interviewed Rezac the next day, he told police he was backing out of his driveway when the Jeep "slammed" into him and he "freaked out" and grabbed the 9mm handgun in the center console. Last month, Rezac pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for it as part of a plea agreement. In court Wednesday, Rezac said he has come to realize that his demons need to be addressed, instead he suppressed them with substance abuse. He said he plans to work to improve himself during his prison term. Lancaster County Attorney Patrick Condon said Mleya's family literally had come from across the world to attend the sentencing: from South Africa and Zimbabwe to Japan and Texas. He said what they all wanted was for Kupo to be there. "You can't do that. So I'd ask that you punish Mr. Rezac with a lengthy sentence. Hopefully this will provide some closure for Kupo Mleya's family and friends," Condon said. Aside from keeping the community safe, he said, it also will let others know the "serious consequences they face when they engage in his kind of conduct." Then, Lancaster County District Judge Lori Maret said she was provided a lot of information that might have given an explanation how they had arrived at that fateful evening. "But still not a why," she said. Maret said Rezac had depression and anxiety and suffered personal losses, but he had the resources to deal with his mental health problems. When he was 17, he had another case involving substances and firearms, which was transferred to juvenile court. "At that point, I wondered why exactly did you feel that you needed to obtain another firearm just a couple months prior to this incident," the judge said. "Throughout all of the information that I received, there's no information about 'the why' for that question." She said Rezac had settled into a victimhood seen in this culture among people his age. Though he had access to resources and medication, he still used marijuana, cocaine and mushrooms, which only made his bad situation worse. "Nobody wins here today," Maret said. "The safest place for the community is with you not in it." And she announced Rezac's sentence, with the sounds of muffled crying and quiet sighs throughout the courtroom. Outside the courtroom, family and friends hugged and shared tears. Some wore T-shirts commemorating Mleya, whose memorial drew hundreds. Mleya, a native of Zimbabwe, emigrated to the U.S. to attend school. He had a daughter and had worked at the Lincoln bike shop Cycle Works, at Frontier Harley-Davidson and as a groundskeeper at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he was a student in the late 2010s. Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 4. Christopher Karmazin Vietnams steel major Hoa Phat 'confident' about China competition By Lan Do Thu, March 28, 2024 | 4:00 pm GMT+7 Senior officials of major Vietnamese steel maker Hoa Phat are confident that the company can deal with Chinese competition, given the attention theyve paid to their costing. The officials expressed their confidence while answering questions from more than 200 investors at the Hoa Phat Dung Quat complex in Quang Ngai province on Tuesday. How will the firm deal with cheap steel prices from China" was the most prominent and concerning question at the meet. Nguyen Viet Thang, general director of Hoa Phat, which is listed on the HCMC Stock Exchange (HoSE) as HPG, answered that competing with Chinese steel has been a top priority for the firm since early days. China was the world's largest steel producer, producing over 1 billion tons per year; and it was also the world's largest consumer of steel, he noted. Senior officials of major Vietnamese steelmaker Hoa Phat answer questions from investors at the Hoa Phat Dung Quat complex, Quang Ngai province, central Vietnam, March 26, 2024. Photo courtesy of Hoa Phat. Thang said that when China was growing at 7-8% per year in the past, it was consuming large amounts of steel and only exported a small amount. But the situation has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Over the past three years, China's economy has slowed significantly, especially amidst a real estate crisis. The situation has created a big surplus of steel, requiring Chinese enterprises to export more. As a result, competition has heated up. Thang acknowledged that the competitive pressure from Chinese steel has become more apparent of late. Vietnam imported almost 1.8 million tons of iron and steel from China in the first two months of 2024, a threefold increase year-on-year, accounting for 70% of overall imports. However, Thang said he was certain that Hoa Phat can compete with Chinese steel since we have always kept an eye on production costs. With the global raw material structure, Hoa Phat steel can completely compete with Chinese steel." Anti-dumping tax While Hoa Phats executives showed confidence in their ability to compete with products from China, they expressed worries about unfair competition. After suffering losses the previous year, many Chinese steel companies were ready to sell their products for very low prices in order to make ends meet. Reiterating Hoa Phats confidence, Thang said: We only object when there is unfair competition." Hoa Phat and Formosa, another steel major, have submitted a proposal on March 19 to impose an anti-dumping tax on HRC steel from China, Thang stated. "As far as Hoa Phat is concerned, our position is straightforward: we will urge agencies to assist the homegrown manufacturing sector if we see indications of dumping. We think the government will support, as steel is the industry's backbone. The petition for anti-dumping duties on HRC steel is being reviewed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for authenticity and comprehensiveness. BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The 14th Beijing International Film Festival is scheduled for April 18 to 26, with Serbian director Emir Kusturica chairing the international jury for the Tiantan Award, organizers have said. A total of 15 films will contend for this year's Tiantan Award, selected from a record-breaking application pool of 1,509 films from 118 countries and regions, according to a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Brazil was invited to be the guest of honor at this year's event, as 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. A number of Brazilian filmmakers and representatives of film and TV companies will attend the festival, with a series of Brazilian movies set to be screened in Beijing. During the festival, over 240 domestic and international films with diverse themes will be shown across more than 20 theaters in Beijing and its neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province. Launched in 2011, the festival aims to boost exchanges between global industry players. It has attracted increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market. People run through the streets of Port-au-Prince as bullets fly. (Photo: Reuters) A prominent Haitian gang leader who escaped prison earlier this month has been shot dead by police - as political groups appear to be getting closer to finalising a transition council in Haiti. Ernst Julme, known as Ti Greg, was the head of Delmas 95 which is part of Jimmy "Barbecue Cheriziers alliance of gangs. Julme was shot by police a day after Makandal, another gang leader, was killed in a suspected resurgence by a vigilante group called Bwa Kale, police and sources have told Reuters. The death of Julme marks a setback for Cheriziers "Viv Ansanm alliance of gangs that hopes to take over more parts of Port-au-Prince. Haiti entered a state of emergency on 3 March after Cherizier called for criminal groups to unite and overthrow the countrys Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Attacks by powerful gangs on key government targets had begun on 29 February across Port-au-Prince, with gunmen having burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the countrys two biggest prisons, releasing 4,000 inmates. Last week Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed reports that political groups in Haiti had selected all members of a transitional council set to assume presidential powers ahead of future elections in the country. The council, intended to bring together Haitis fractured political class, is mandated with appointing a replacement for Henry, who announced his resignation on 11 March as gang violence prevented his return into the country. The council will also wield certain presidential powers until the transition plan was brokered in Jamaica by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), alongside representatives of Haitis government and opposition. The nine-member council was initially expected to be finalised within a couple of days of Henrys resignation, but some Haitian political factions were unable to unite behind one representative. One party rejected the plan altogether then backtracked, while groups left out of the plan criticised 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. Meanwhile, heavy gunfire continued to be heard throughout Port-au-Prince and people could be seen fleeing to where many of them do not know. Amidst it all, the UN, other international bodies and embassies (including the USA) have been evacuating staff and other foreigners by helicopter because Haitis main airport is not secure. (Source: Sky News) THEFT OF PIGLETS Lyron Prince, 37 years, a Labourer of Mesopotamia was arrested and charged with the offence of Theft . Prince is accused of allegedly stealing seven (7) piglets valued at $700.00ECC, the property of a 43-year-old resident of Richland Park. The offence was committed at Richland Park between 6:15 p.m. on February 22, 2024 and 5:30 a.m. on February 23, 2024. Prince appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Thursday 21st March 2024 and pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail in the sum of $1000.00 with one surety and warned not to have any contact with the virtual complainant. The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Mesopotamia Magistrate Court for trial on April 5, 2024. POSSESSION OF SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES On 20.03.24 Police arrested and charged Courtney Phillips, a 25-year old Labourer of Edinboro with Unlawful Possession of two (2) 12-gauge shotgun cartridges without a licence issued under the Firearms Act. Phillips was arrested about 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday 20 March 2024 during an operation conducted by the police in Edinboro. The defendant appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Thursday 21st March 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was granted bail in the sum of $5000.00ECC, with one surety and was placed on a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at his home of residency. He was further ordered to report at the Central Police Station every Monday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Serious Offences Court for trial on August 12th, 2024. WOUNDING On Wednesday 20th March 2024, police arrested and charged Eldon Browne, a 58-year-old Labourer of Rillan Hill with the offence of Wounding. According to the investigations, the accused allegedly unlawfully and maliciously wounded a 25-year-old resident of Rillan Hill by chopping him on the left side of his face with a cutlass. The offence was committed at Rillan Hill on August 14, 2021, between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Browne appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Thursday 21st March and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was ordered not to have any contact with the complainant. The defendant station bail continued and the matter was adjourned to June 17, 2024, for trial. (Source: RSVGPF) Jahbery Jacksons trial was never heard by a jury. He was found not guilty upon the evidence heard during a voir dire (trial within a trial). A 26-year-old Campden Park/Redemption Sharpes man was freed of a murder charge on Monday before the substantive trial could get underway. The case collapsed after Justice Richard Floyd sitting at High Court 1 agreed with defense lawyer Kay Bacchus-Baptiste that all three statements the accused, Jahbery Jackson, gave to the police were inadmissible based on the way they were taken. Jackson, also known as Michael Richards, was charged with the November 14, 2018 murder of 56-year-old shopkeeper Sabitree Lyttle, also known as Ileen, who was shot and killed while she was in the shop that she and her husband operated in Hollywood, Redemption Sharpes, East Kingstown. Upon conclusion of a voir dire (trial within a trial), held in the absence of the jury, Justice Floyd ruled that the three statements, one in relation to the notes the police took when Jackson was arrested; another in relation to the electronic interview and a third (one) which was taken at the scene of the crime, should all be withdrawn from the jury. His ruling in this regard was founded primarily on the basis of the frame of mind of the accused at the time the statements were taken, and therefore to include them would be unfair and unreliable. The Judge also ruled that the interviews the police conducted with Jackson were done in breach of the Act which deals with the interviewing of suspects for serious crimes. Following Justice Floyds ruling, Prosecutor Richie Maitland, indicated that the Crown was withdrawing the charge against Jackson. As a result, Justice Floyd recalled the 12-member Jury and directed them to return a formal verdict of not guilty. The defence arguments During the voir dire Bacchus-Baptiste argued that the entire way the police dealt with her client was unfair and all three statements should be excluded in the interest of justice. She pointed out that the Act in relation to the interviewing of suspects for serious crimes states that when interviewing vulnerable persons, it must be done in the presence of an appropriate adult such as a relative, lawyer, or religious minister. But the Crown admitted that this was not done. The lawyer said that Jackson should have been regarded as a mentally vulnerable person because the records show that he was suffering from psychosis, and when he was discharged from the hospital, the authorities there recommended that he get follow-up treatment, but their recommendation was not followed. She noted that his discharge letter which would have the evidence of his psychosis, was placed on his case file to go to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), but according to investigator Sergeant Casanki Quow, it was not disclosed, and when Maitland was questioned he said he never saw it. Bacchus-Baptiste said that when she asked for the station diary she discovered that Jackson was acting unusually, in such a way that should have alerted the police that all was not well with his mind. She noted that Dr. Karen Providence, who was called as a witness for the state at the voir dire, seemed biased in favour of the state, and attempted to walk back, (abandon) her own medical report. Bacchus-Baptiste said that it was only at the last minute while speaking to Jackson, she discovered that he was hospitalized while in police custody because the records from the hospital showed that he injected poison. The lawyer said that Jackson, in his statement to the police, said that he did not commit the murder and he pointed to two other men as having done so. She added that on the day of the crime, Jackson related that the men told him to look out for them which he ignored, and he had no knowledge of what they were going to do. He described those men to the police who indicated that they were known to them, but the men were never arrested far less charged. Once again, Major St. Clair Leacock, NDP Shadow Minister of National Security, has chided the government for its lack of urgency in addressing the crime situation in SVG. The latest but still unconfirmed homicide in the country has not gone unnoticed by the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP). Commenting in the aftermath of the discovery in Belmont of the body of a seventeen-year-old female Kemeisha Haynes of Murray Village, Vice President of the NDP and shadow Minister of National Security, Major St. Clair Leacock said, not for the first time, "The government does not have any sense of urgency or purpose when it comes to tackling crime. Leacock, Parliamentary Representative for the Central Kingstown Constituency went to add, "This should be a wake-up moment for the government and the country. We need to stem the tide of violent crime. We need a plan to stamp out crime. That means more police in targeted areas, more advanced crime fighting techniques and more international cooperation to stop the flow of guns into the country. In a release that shared Leacocks comment, the NDP cited that in 2023, SVG recorded 55 homicides, the worst on record, and that between 2012 and 2023, police reported that there were 408 murders in the country during that period, 147 (36.03%) of which were solved. This is simply not good enough and undermines public confidence in law enforcement in SVG, the NDP said. To date this county has recorded nine homicides. Of these, five were shooting deaths, two stabbings, one slashed throat and one yet to be described. Of those killed, six were males and three were females including a one-year-old. Caribbean Life, the largest Caribbean-themed newspaper in the United States, last Wednesday honoured Vincentian executive Atiba T. Edwards with its Impact Award during a gala ceremony at Terrace on the Park in Corana, Queens, New York. Edwards, who was born in Kingstown and grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, was recently appointed president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Childrens Museum. "Receiving this award is a great moment in time, Edwards told THE VINCENTIAN afterwards. "It captures the impact Ive been able to have and, more importantly, it helps to create a network as I learn of other people of the Caribbean Diaspora who are impacting communities. "This award also helps to amplify that which Ive been able to do with great teams and support, so that many others can see possibilities and representation, he added. Edwards was among 41 honorees feted during the papers annual Caribbean Impact Awards. Caribbean Life said the Awards "recognize the achievements and contributions of outstanding individuals born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean background who have made the most impact in their respective career fields, ranging from healthcare to the arts to advocacy to entrepreneurship. "The celebrated honorees are committed to creating and framing the path for incoming immigrants and inspiring generations to come, it said. Victoria Schneps-Yunis, chief executive officer and publisher of Schneps Media, Caribbean Lifes parent company, said: "We are pleased to acknowledge the many extraordinary achievements of the Caribbean-Americans we are honoring tonight, who continue to significantly impact life in the United States, particularly New York. " Amanda Tarley director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Events and Programs at Schneps Media, who coordinated the event said, "Every year, we look forward to bringing this event to you, she said, thanking the honorees for their "endless efforts. Dr. Nelson A. King The VINCENTIANs US Correspondent and senior writer for Caribbean Life, who has been writing for the Brooklyn-based paper since its inception in 1990, when he was a senior, with dual majors in Political Science and Journalism, at Brooklyn College, City University of New York served as Master of Ceremonies during the near four-hour-long event. Last December, Edwards, along with fellow Vincentians Soca Monarch and Cultural Ambassador Delroy "Fireman Hooper and Claudette Thomas-Butler, a philanthropist, were honored during the 40th anniversary gala celebration of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian group Vincentian-American National Charities, Inc. (VINCI). When he was confirmed in November last year as president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Childrens Museum, Edwards became the first Black to head the museum since it was founded in 1899. "We can do what we want to, Edwards told patrons in his acceptance speech, at the VINCI gala, to loud applause and a standing ovation. "Mom, dad, I made it; I reach. Afterwards, he told THE VINCENTIAN that he felt "a tremendous amount of generational pride in that both my family and extended family have come out to roaring applause, but also a community that knows the hard work ahead, and showing up and offering support in whatever way needed. "As I move into this next chapter, I know that I have an amazing team, community and country that are rooting for me, said Edwards, who acted as president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Childrens Museum, since mid-August, following the departure of Stephanie Hill Wilchfort. Even though she was physically present at the event, Edwards mother, Cornelia Edwards, said, inter alia, in a pre-recorded video message that her son attended the Bronx High School of Science and the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in industrial engineering and another in liberal arts. On returning to Brooklyn, she said Atiba worked at JP Morgan Chase as the first Rastafarian analyst, then at the Bank of Nomura, followed by six years as the co-lead of the Brooklyn Collegiate School. Vincentian women have never been afraid to show their art and craft skill, now they are taking their work to another level. Women in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are helping to ensure a better organized Vincentian society. This was pointed out by Education Minister Curtis King in his address at a Project Showcase at the High Court yard last Tuesday. Some fifty booths were on display, highlighting women engaged in a variety of sectors/endeavours. King expressed pleasure with the involvement of the Republic of China (Taiwan)who financed the Womens Empowerment Project out of which came last Tuesdays Showcase. He recognized that the attention given to women has enabled them to "break barriers, challenge norms, and pave the way for progress, to the extent that "they have sown seeds of economic independence that will yield abundant fruits. Economic power, King declared, is a liberation tool that encourages people to work together to build a stronger society. H.E. Fiona Huei-Chun Fan, Ambassador of the Republic of China to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, identified the project as a "catalyst for development of the society. She described it as opening closed doors for the 306 persons who benefitted from training in the Womens Empowerment Project since its inception in 2020, as a response to the inertia of the Covid-19 pandemic and the displacement caused by the eruption of La Soufriere. The Ambassador was pleased that in addition to the number of women who received the training, 209 other persons have benefited from the venture and she disclosed that $1.3 M has been generated as a consequence of the project. A taste of progress If there is an example of the impact of the Women Empowerment Project, the Vincy Klus Inc. is an example. That entity acts as a coordinating agent for a number of ventures. It works on behalf of a number of outlets involved in a range of agriculture (including hydriophonics), manufacturing and service oriented enterprises. Marvo Morgan spearheads the Thriller Sound System which was on display at the Court Yard venture. Morgan sees herself as part of a "one stop department when it comes to staging any event. Diamond Dazzle Event caters for any occasion. They turn your dreams into reality whether it be planning a wedding or arranging rentals, among other things. Business woman Zanelle Wilson vouched for the value of the Offering National Support Internship Training and Employment (ON-SITE), launched March last year. Wilson pointed out that with the ON-SITE venture, it is no longer "business as usual and cited it as "the stuff success is made of. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves thanked the Republic of China for their support and assessed their injection as being in sync with the policies and objectives of the government. As far as Dr. Gonsalves was concerned, womens empowerment is a "centre piece of the government. BOAO, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator on Thursday called on Asian nations to stay united, jointly stand against unilateralism and extreme egotism, oppose confrontation between different camps, and prevent the region and the world from becoming an arena for geopolitical fighting. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024. (TBTCO) - Chi can co ien thoai di ong, gui cau hoi en Cong giao tiep cua Cuc Thue Binh inh hay cac trang mang xa hoi nhu Zalo, Facebook, nguoi nop thue se uoc ho tro quyet toan thue tren moi truong ien tu theo nguyen tac 24 gio/7 ngay va theo chuan dich vu ho tro thue 5 sao. Mua quyet toan thue tai Binh inh ang dien ra suon se, thuan loi va hieu qua. Along with systemic barriers, social norms impede a Czech womans journey to the top at the countrys leading companies. While unemployment remains low and the economy among the strongest in Central Europe, a disparity persists when it comes to female leadership in the Czech Republic. Whether in politics, the arts, or business, Czech women remain bound by traditional roles. Two-thirds of European Union countries either have laws mandating quotas for women in corporate boardrooms or support this goal through other means. In the Czech Republic, ranked in several surveys as one of the least gender-balanced countries in Europe, the government last month presented a draft bill proposing steps for more gender balance in corporate leadership positions. Czech parliamentarians must now consider the bill, and they dont have much time: by years end, all EU countries must adopt into national law the blocs 2022 directive on improving corporate gender balance. The directive requires that companies with more than 250 employees must balance gender representation of their boards, so that by mid-2026, 40 percent of nonexecutive directors, or 33 percent of all directors, are members of the underrepresented sex. The directive applies only to companies with net turnover of more than 50 million euros or total assets exceeding 43 million euros. Just five Czech companies currently meet all the criteria, according to the governments synopsis of the bill: two banks, the state-controlled CEZ power giant, the soft drink maker Kofola, and tobacco company Phillip Morris. The bill states that if a company does not meet the requirement, it must give preference to an under-represented candidate, but if it refuses, the candidate can pursue legal action. Additionally, the Czech National Bank will monitor the status of the five companies affected by the bill and can impose fines for non-compliance. With the Czech Republic trailing behind Germany, Norway, and other European nations that have adopted similar legislation, experts say the country must reduce the traditional double burden on women of both raising their children and having a career. Systemic norms in the nation, such as that double burden, have had a long-term impact on low female representation in decision-making positions, say critics. Andrea Hermanova, 31, a human capital consultant at professional service provider Deloitte, said the legislation is controversial for some Czechs she has spoken with, who are convinced leadership positions will no longer be determined by skill and qualifications. She said this is often misunderstood about quota laws. Its not at all about creating a new position that is for a woman and we say, Wow, congratulations, you have a vagina and now you can be in the leadership, Hermanova said. The thing is that what you should do is start creating conditions for women to be able to get into this position. Hermanova, a strong advocate for compatible and flexible jobs for mothers, said the Czech Republics outlook on childcare is a challenge that faces women who want to move into leadership positions. Working Mothers Czech mothers are entitled to three years of maternity leave and the right to return to their previous job, or an equivalent position. Most mothers take the entire three years despite wanting to return to work, Hermanova said, partly because of a shortage of nursery schools for children younger than three. Part-time jobs are scarce, she added, erecting another hurdle for women who wish to ease back into work during their maternity leave. This is isolating for women who have a career break after six or seven years of work experience because taking significant time off for childcare limits them from being considered for management positions, she said. At this point, you have to look at your programs for integrating women back to work after maternity leave. You have to look at management processes. Along with systemic barriers, social norms also stand in the way of women seeking top corporate positions. Klara Kaliskova, an assistant professor of informatics and statistics at the Prague University of Economics and Business, said the entrenched system of long maternity leave sways the decisions of many women on going into leadership positions prior to having children. In the Czech Republic, very often, young women after they finish college dont want to go for high-paying, progression jobs [that offer opportunities for advancement], because they expect to have kids, Kaliskova said. They say When I have kids, my career has stopped. She added that beyond legislating for quotas, like the gender bill now on the table, other steps are needed to enable women to rise through the corporate ranks. She said some companies are realizing they need to provide more flexibility like scheduling meetings earlier in the day so employees can take care of their children in the evening without missing work. A Collective, Yet Divided Workforce Lenka Simerska, who heads a gender pay gap project at the Ministry for Labor and Social Affairs, said the nations ranking in the Gender Equality Index 25th out of the 27 European Union countries makes no sense because women have traditionally been active in the labor market. She said the inequality in both the gender pay gap as well as leadership positions is quite sad because its a must for Czech families to have women working. There should be a logical ratio of women who will be reaching top positions, leadership positions, managerial positions, and hand in hand, this goes with salary growth, Simerska said. We are lacking women at the top, which means there is less contribution to the overall average of womens salaries and, therefore, we have this huge gender pay gap. Simerska said the Czech labor market is hugely segregated because professions tend to be socially divided for men and women, with women tending to follow paths to healthcare, social work, administration, or teaching. In female-dominated fields, however, she said men still occupy leadership positions. The Czech Republic is shooting itself in the foot because its keeping part of the labor force and capable people away from their potential, Simerska said. Some companies may struggle with preparing women for leadership positions and women with relevant experience may be lacking, she said, noting a similar bottleneck in Norway, where such factors meant that a 2008 quota for corporate boards could not be met. Even with this slow start, Norways legislation the worlds first gender- parity quota law for companies encouraged conversations about male dominance in the workforce in Europe and inspired countries like Iceland, Greece, France, and Germany to adopt their own legislation, according to a 2019 report from the Nordic Council of Ministers. EIGE photo. Theres always this risk that with a quota, some companies might just comply with the legislation because of pressure, said Fianna Jurdant, a senior policy analyst with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). But this kind of top-down approach can work, she said, if thats what you need at the beginning to get things started like in France and Italy. Jurdant said companies who adopted similar rules have far surpassed the original quota goals because it makes good sense to increase diversity in upper management. Progress by Legislation While some EU countries adopted gender quotas under pressure, one neighbor of the Czech Republic did pass its own legislation before the EU required it. Though Germany has yet to reach gender parity, which would take years to achieve, the country has propelled forward into advancing gender equality for women on boards since 2015, when the percentage of women on boards was just half what it is now, according to the EUs European Institute for Gender Equality. EIGE each year releases its Gender Equality Index. The 2023 edition graded Germany at 67.6 out of 100 points in the economic power category. This measures gender equality in decision-making positions by comparing the proportions of men and women on boards of large companies and the nations central bank. This score is well above the EU average of 59.1 points. Meanwhile, former Eastern bloc countries like Czechia and Hungary were graded at 30.2 and 26.2 points, respectively. German initiatives to achieve better gender balance in the workforce began in 2015 with a legal quota of at least 30 percent of both genders on the supervisory boards of specific companies listed in the bill. Germanys economic power score has almost doubled since 2015, when EIGE pegged its score at 33 points, meaning more women have access to economic power as executive board members. A 2022 law extended the quota requirement to executive and administrative boards of publicly traded companies. The eight EU countries that have adopted mandatory gender quotas for listed companies and 10 that have tried less legalistic means to improve gender balance are well ahead of the nine member states that have not taken any substantive action, according to EIGE. Kristen Anderson, the CEO of the Brussels-based nonprofit European Women on Boards (EWOB), said data from May 2023 shows that Germany reached up to 39 percent of women in board positions, while in states like France and Italy which who also adopted their own legislation women now make up more than 40 percent of board members. It took 10 years for the EU to approve the women on boards directive, which in its initial form met with strong opposition from some member states opposed to such a social change imposed from above, Anderson said. Quibbles over the word quota should not overshadow the truth that legislation has led to more womens representation in high corporate management, she added. I dont like to think of it as a quota because sometimes I think quotas have bad baggage around them, Anderson said. Think of it as a target. If you want to achieve something, you put in a target, you take steps to address it, and you measure that youre making progress. Its like any good business practice. Spillover Effects Anderson said the big hope for the EU directive is that diversity on boards will cascade down from large companies to smaller companies, as happened when non-EU Norway passed a gender balance law for all companies. She said firms should be smarter in analyzing the makeup of their boards, especially C-suite jobs like CEO and CFO, where progress is slow. EIGEs findings on womens economic power closely match other surveys such as those from the World Economic Forum and EWOB, whose most recent gender diversity index surveyed 668 European companies. Just 50 of those companies were led by a female CEO, and women chaired the boards at just 9 percent. On the plus side, twice as many women held executive positions at female-led companies than those headed by men, according to EIGE. It seems to me that if you really believe, and you should, that the research shows diverse teams perform better, then you should be really looking at that when you have a board opening or if youre going to expand your board, Anderson said. She added that when companies hire diverse candidates strictly for publicity reasons or to meet legislation, these hires who may have a lot to offer are likely to leave because they will not be taken seriously. It isnt so hard to take those first steps of setting an attainable goal to be met over a few years, contrary to some who think it a daunting challenge, said Anderson, a veteran of some 15 years experience working to promote diversity and inclusion in her prior jobs. Its all about progress and not perfection, Anderson said. No ones expecting anyone to meet their numbers in one year. Lydie Lake is a student of journalism and political science at George Washington University and currently an editorial intern with Transitions. EVANSTONDenice Wheeler of Evanston, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2024 surrounded by her family, fulfilling 94 vibrant years. Denice was born Denice Dallin on July 24, 1929 in Springville, Utah to Glen L. Dallin and Elizabeth Marie Jolley Dallin. The family moved to Long Beach, California when Denice was three years old. Her parents, along with her brother, Leon, and sister, Delpha, provided her with love and security and many exciting opportunities in church and music. After graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Denice attended Brigham Young University where she met her future husband, Douglas Ray McIntire. The couple married in 1949 and had three beautiful children: Shelley Marie, Mark Douglas, and Gregory Wayne. Denice and Doug went their separate ways after some years, and Denice went on to further her education, teach at South High School, and run several modeling schools in Salt Lake City. In 1965, Denice met Joe Wheeler while playing the piano and organ at the Jolly Roger Restaurant in Evanston, Wyoming, and the two married in 1968. Following Joes death in 1984, Denice became evermore involved in her community. She was involved with AARP, Bear River Commission, Utah Friendship Force, Pioneer Theatre Board, and International Board of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, to name just a few. She started Western Discovery van tours and was able to share her love of the Western States with many travelers. Denice traveled to 54 countries and 49 states and was tour director for over 100 tours. She also managed to author and co-author several books on a variety of subjects. Denice was preceded in death by husband, Joe; ex-husband, Doug; grandson, Daniel; and son, Greg. She is survived by daughter, Shelley; son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Nadine; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren (and counting). Denice will be remembered for her generosity and unwavering devotion to her family and friends. Her strong will and love of adventure will carry on for generations to come. Family, Friends, and Fun. A Fabulous Life. FOLLOWING a spate of robberies at its outlets across the country in just over a year and a half, Massy Stores yesterday replaced the firm responsible for its security. G4S Secure Solutions Trinidad Ltd yesterday assumed the role of security provider for Massy Stores, replacing Amalgamated Security Services Ltd. An elderly man visiting Trinidad from Canada has been murdered in his familys home by intruders. The body of Hilton Smith, 75, was found on Friday on a bed. His mouth was gagged, and his feet and hands tied. Last Tuesday, 17 prison officers and six inmates were injured at the Port of Spain prison. Social media had described the incident as a riot, but when contacted by the Express, Commissioner of Prisons Deopersad Ramoutar downplayed the event, stating in a media release later that it was all in a days work for the prison officers who are at times, undervalued, and unappreciated. Everyones injuries were said to be minor, although all the officers involved were still sent on sick leave. KHARTOUM, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Member of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council and Deputy General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Shams-Edin Kabashi, on Wednesday stressed the ability of the army to achieve victory against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "The Sudanese army is backed by its people," said Kabashi when addressing officers and soldiers at the Eastern Military Area in Gedaref State in eastern Sudan. "The Armed Forces are in their best conditions at all fronts... and is capable of achieving victory, which is close." "The current battle is for restoring the dignity of the Sudanese people, and everybody is party to the Sudanese army's victory against this rebel militia," he said. Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023. About 13,900 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, according to recent estimates released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Larsen Baker: Isaac Figueroa, of Larsen Baker, has earned the SIOR office and industrial designation awarded by the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. Those who earn the SIOR designation are considered to adhere to the highest levels of accountability and ethical standards. To achieve the designation, Figueroa completed at least five years of creditable experience in office and industrial real estate, met education requirements, and demonstrated professional ability, competency, ethical conduct and personal integrity. Pima Community College: Laurie Kierstead-Joseph, the assistant vice chancellor for Pima Community Colleges Adult Basic Education for College and Career, has been named Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Kierstead-Joseph has served adult learners for 25 years, removing barriers for students and implementing successful programs at PCC and nationwide. Adultcare Assistance Homecare Tucson/Sun City: Adultcare Assistance Homecare has been honored with the Best of Home Care Leader in Experience award from Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm. The award honors agencies that reach unparalleled levels of satisfaction among clients and caregivers. Qualifying for the recognition requires evaluation, including the completion of a minimum of two client and two employee satisfaction surveys per month over the previous year, earning both Provider and Employer of Choice Awards, and maintaining the status of HCP Trusted Provider for at least 12 consecutive months. Long Realty: Long Realtys Lisa Bayless and Debbie Goodman-Butler have been honored as the winners of the Samuel H. Woods Community Service Award and the Barrington L. Long Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively. The awards are meant to highlight Long Realty agents or staff that have lived up to the companys values. The honor that went to Bayless, of the Oro Valley office, recognizes exemplary commitment to community service and selfless acts. She has lent her support to local organizations and events, including the Heros Memorial, OV Economic Outlook and the Oro Valley Police Departments K9 program. The Barrington L. Long Lifetime Achievement Award received by Goodman-Butler celebrates significant contributions to the field of real estate and exemplary leadership. During her nearly 50-year tenure with Long Realty, Goodman-Butler has shaped the careers and success of countless individuals. PHOENIX Schools whose administrators dont impose discipline at least three out of every four times requested by a teacher would lose academic standings under the terms of legislation given preliminary approval Wednesday by the state House. SB 1459 is needed to ensure that schools remain a proper environment for education, said Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix. As a former school teacher, I can tell you, first-hand, that the success of a teacher is tied to the ability to control and maintain order in the class, he said. What the legislation does, Gress said, is preclude any policies that discourage teachers from sending disciplinary referrals to the office. And when these disciplinary referrals are sent to the office, teachers should have an expectation that administrators will take action on those referrals, he said. Ive heard from too many teachers where they write up referrals and nothing is done, Gress continued. And many kids are able to run roughshod all over the school and distracting the learning from too many kids that are wanting to get an education. The enforcement mechanism behind all this would require the state Board of Education to lower a schools letter grade if it did not implement disciplinary actions in at least 75% of the total number of student discipline referrals submitted by teachers in a single year. Only if a school had a reasonable justification for falling below that figure would there be no penalty. The voice vote on SB 1459 came over the objections of several Democrats who said this is an issue that is best dealt with by each local school board. Bringing in the state Board of Education, they said, is inappropriate. But Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, said she sees a darker motive in the proposal which already has cleared the Senate. She pointed out that each school gets a rating of A through F, one that is based on academic performance and year-over-year improvement. Parents can use those ratings to determine whether to send a child there. It is my opinion that this bill has been put forward in order not to support teachers but in order to make it so that theres an easier way to have more public schools with D and F grades to support some of the rhetoric that we hear that public schools are failing our students, Gutierrez said, an argument that has been used by some to support the use of tax dollars to let parents send their children to private or parochial schools. The issue of student discipline gained wider attention last year because of calls by state schools chief Tom Horne. He said that he had met with principals at high-performing high schools across the state to see what advice they could offer. And Horne said the first thing they mentioned was getting a handle on discipline, with the need to sometimes take tough actions like suspensions and expulsions. That, he said, got the message across to other students that there were limits on behavior. I do appreciate that Superintendent Horne is listening to teachers, said Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, a former school teacher. She said it is clear that it isnt just salaries that has resulted in a high turnover of people in the profession. A lot of people are leaving right now because classroom behaviors have accelerated, Pawlik said. And its really hard to be a teacher right now. She said, though, that the answer is not to put in punitive measures like reducing the academic grade of a school. We need to consider class size, Pawlik said. We need to consider, are our new teachers given mentors, she continued. Do we have appropriate staffing of our schools that includes mental health providers, that includes paraprofessionals. Rep. John Seaman, D-Casa Grande, said the legislation to put the issue of policing school disciplinary policies in the hands of the state Board of Education is overkill. He said if a teacher is having an issue with a principal not supporting a discipline recommendation, the next step should be to go to the local school board. And Seaman, who has been a teacher and a principal and a former Mohave County school superintendent said it is then up the the local board to talk to the administrator and make change in their philosophy. But Gress, also a former teacher and school board member, said whats in the legislation is necessary. If you want to talk about supporting teachers and protecting them in their profession, this bill is it, he told colleagues. We stand by our teachers to say that you have the right to maintain order in your classroom and that when appropriate discipline is necessary school administrators need to follow suit. The measure needs a final roll-call vote in the House. It then needs to be reconciled with a slightly different version that already has been approved by the Senate. The Arizona Army National Guard has broken ground on a new readiness center on Tucsons southeast side to support two transportation units. The state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, which includes the Arizona National Guard, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, March 27, for the new Tucson Readiness Center at 8015 S. Rita Road. The readiness center, being built on about 34 acres with completion expected in late 2025, will support the training and operations of the Arizona Army National Guards 222nd and 2220th Transportation Companies. The 2220th Transportation Company is located at Army Guards Valencia Road armory and will move to the new Rita Road location, a DEMA spokeswoman said. The 222nd Transportation Company is based in Mesa. The two medium-truck companies, part of the Glendale-based 1120th Transportation Battalion, transport bulk items including water, ammunition, vehicles, palletized items and cargo containers, with the capability to deliver materiel over long distances and to remote sites over difficult terrain. PHOENIX State lawmakers are moving to forbid public schools from allowing students to shower with anyone other than those with sex organs of the same gender. Foes of the proposed law say this is a problem that really doesnt exist. Beyond that, they say the remedy a private place to shower offered for transgender students whose gender identity does not match their sex as assigned at birth is likely unworkable, as schools simply dont have such facilities. Senate Bill 1182 spells out that schools must limit shower facilities to those for biological boys and separately those for biological girls. It defines that as determined by anatomy, physiology, genetics and hormones existing at the time of the persons birth. The proposal, given preliminary House approval Wednesday, says schools must provide a reasonable accommodation for those who, for any reason, are unwilling or unable to use a multi-person shower designated for that sex. The student would have to submit satisfactory evidence of the persons sex to the school. Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, who wrote the proposal, said its a way of protecting the privacy of students while still accommodating transgender youths. That accommodation is defined as either access to a single-occupancy shower room or use of a shower room reserved for employees. But Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, D-Tucson, who teaches physical education at Tucson High School, said theres a flaw in that. We do not have private showers in the school that I teach at, nor have I ever seen private showers in a public school, she told colleagues. Nor, Gutierrez said, are there shower facilities for staff. We dont have enough keys to go around for every teacher to even have a key to a staff bathroom, she said. Kavanagh, who was not part of the House debate on Wednesday, told Capitol Media Services afterwards that he doesnt see a problem. They could designate a single sex group shower for use by certain students who do not align with their biological sex, he said. That would mean setting aside times for each student whose biology does not align with their gender identification to use one of the multi-occupancy showers, Kavanagh said. Whats lost in all of this, said Rep. Patty Contreras, D-Phoenix, is what she said is the larger question of having students shower together at all. I dont know anyone who likes showering next to a naked stranger, regardless of their sex, she said. I would be surprised if anyone in this body liked showering in front of their peers in high school or even today, for that matter. Contreras said it would be different if there was no link to gender. If this bill simply said that if a person requests a private shower space that must be provided, then I would support it, she said. I would think that every student would request a private shower. But its less than clear whether any student could request a private shower even if there is one available given the wording of the legislation. Rep. Maria Sandoval, D-Goodyear, called the requirement to provide proof of sex a show me your papers to shower provision. Rep. Seth Blattman, D-Mesa, said Republicans have an obsession with sexual organs. He pointed out that Kavanagh also is the sponsor of another measure, which would require schools to notify parents if a student seeks to be addressed by a pronoun that differs from their biological sex. Kavanagh said he accepts the label, but not in the way that Blattman suggests. I am obsessed with our children, especially our young teenage girls, not being in school showers and locker rooms where the sexual organs of members of the opposite sex are on display, he said. The issue of genitalia also figured into how Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, the mother of three girls, said she views the issue. There have been young girls that have been victimized in bathrooms, and even by young men who use this as a loophole to enter a womans bathroom and potentially harm a girl, she said. So for me, if theres even the slightest chance that someone, a male with a male part, could go into the locker room where my daughters are getting dressed between PE or whatever, and start to undress in front of them, and show their male part to my youngest daughter whos going to be going into middle school next year, I do not want to even take that chance of something like that happening to any of my daughters, Jones said. That drew a reaction from Rep. Lorena Austin, D-Mesa, who is non-binary. I dont agree with the comparison of sexual predation amongst this community and being labeled as such, Austin said. I think its dangerous, its harmful, Austin said, adding that if lawmakers are focused on this there is a documented sexual predator running for president of the United States. Gutierrez said the legislation appears to be more about politics than an actual problem. She said students dont shower after gym because there simply isnt the time before they need to be in their next class. Rep. Laura Terech, D-Phoenix, said the decision is even more basic than that. Students are not forced to shower in Arizona schools, she said. And most students choose not to shower if the only option is a multi-occupant facility because its uncomfortable to be naked in front of your classmates, regardless of their gender. Whats really behind the bill, said Terech, is this misinformed narrative that transgender students are a threat to their classmates. The data shows the opposite is true, she said. They are among the most vulnerable of Arizonas kids, being more susceptible to bullying, abuse and mental-health-related consequences of being mistreated. Rep. Tim Dunn, R-Yuma, acknowledged that students may not shower after gym classes. But he said it remains a real issue. When you have after-school activities and you have a 13-year-old, a 14-year-old freshman in high school coming to participate in an after-school volleyball event, and then you have another person thats 19 or 20 thats transgender and walking into the same showers because hes participating in something else after school, I just think its pretty black and white that you should be able to have reasonable accommodations for both sides, he said. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: As I run to be your next Pima County Attorney, I am compelled to address the recently revealed crucial issue concerning the ethics of my opponent, Laura Conover. Initially, I intended to allow the State Bar diversion process to unfold as it should without any comment from me and allow the voters to make their decision based on comparing our respective abilities to perform the job of Pima County Attorney. Sadly, Ms. Conover has chosen to include me in her comments to the public regarding her run-in with the State Bar. I cannot let her unfair and untrue accusations against me go without response. Ms. Conover has attempted to disparage me by falsely associating me with the person who filed the State Bar charges against her. She made unfounded claims about my relationship with this person and even tried to comment on my personal life. Everything she stated about me is a lie. My professional dealings with her have been marred by similar falsehoods and accusations. An attorney who consistently demonstrates a propensity for dishonesty, a lack of accountability, and a penchant for shifting blame is unequivocally unfit for the position of Pima County Attorney. The Pima County Attorney needs to embody the principles of accountability and honesty. After all, the Pima County Attorney is the top law enforcement officer in our county with enormous power for good or bad. Recent revelations have brought to light Ms. Conovers professional misconduct. The State Bar of Arizonas disciplinary investigation into Ms. Conovers conduct necessitated her enrollment in a Diversion Program to avoid formal discipline, underscoring the gravity of her actions. Ms. Conovers refusal to accept responsibility is the biggest concern to me and the voters. In a press release dated March 13, Ms. Conover offered neither an apology nor any substantive facts for the electorate to assess her conduct. She offered no explanation about why she entered into a Diversion Program or her withdrawal from the Louis Taylor case. Instead, Ms. Conover chose to deflect blame onto those who brought these issues to the State Bars attention. She misled the public by claiming no misconduct was found by the Bar, a statement clearly contradicted by the facts. As the primary election approaches, I urge the voters of Pima County to consider our respective records. The role of prosecutor is one of immense responsibility, where accountability is paramount. If we demand responsibility from those we prosecute, then we should demand that same responsibility from ourselves. Moreover, setting aside her professional misconduct and misrepresentations, even in her best moments, Ms. Conover fails to meet the standards required for managing this critical public office tasked with keeping us safe. Pima County residents understand the first responsibility of their County Attorney is public safety. While things like distributing gun locks, restorative justice programs, and litter abatement are all good, they are not the County Attorneys primary responsibility. We need and should demand an experienced prosecutor who will restore public safety as goal number one. This means eliminating the unacceptable backlog in pending criminal cases that are clogging our courts; it means eliminating delays in accountability for those who have committed crimes in our community; it means eliminating dangerous drugs like fentanyl that are destroying so many lives in our community; it means restoring the faith of local businesses by prosecuting those who repeatedly steal from them; it means restoring public confidence that their top prosecutor is dedicated to their welfare and safety. Ms. Conover has failed in every one of these responsibilities. I invite you to evaluate the facts, consider the implications for our community, and cast your vote for Mike Jette, a candidate committed to integrity, responsibility, and the safety and prosperity of our county. www.mikejette.com. Why is the City Council not doing its job? For the past several weeks, the call to the council has been Gaza vs. Israel. Now, a resolution may go to the study session. Our council, all Democrats, are NOT toeing the party line. Our Democratic President has put on the table, as well as Israel, peace initiatives that bring the hostages home. Hamas has rejected it. Why are you working on an agreement against your own party? We have more important issues like an $18 million deficit in our city budget. What does an agreement prove? What a waste of time. Please consider no resolution and just do the government work we elected you to do. Support your party and our President. This is soapbox diplomacy. Just stop this. You have the authority to do so. It undermines the President. Show up at council on April 9 to voice your concerns. Andrew Kunsberg East side Copper World dangers Hudbay Corporations 2022 Preliminary Economic Study for the proposed Copper World mine complex details their plans to use sulfuric acid to process copper ore. Its seldom mentioned or publicized, but millions of gallons of excess acid will be produced, which will be transported by truck from the mine site for resale. How will Hudbay respond to hazmat spills near the many schools, businesses and homes along the haul route? Another East Palestine, Ohio scenario? Mass evacuations? Or, once the trucks leave the mine, they are no longer their responsibility? Does this sound like a good idea to anyone living in Pima County or to the emergency responders that have to clean it up? Whats more important, a few hundred jobs and Hudbays profits or our safety, health, public welfare and tourism? Ruined views forever, heavy truck traffic, toxic dust, toxic spills, toxic stormwater runoff, draining and polluting our aquifer; the dangers from this ill-conceived mine menace just keep piling up! For more disturbing facts, visit www.rosemontminetruth.com. Rick Johnson Sahuarita Unrealistic oversimplication of global issues Re: the March 25 letter Bidenflation. This letter oversimplifies a global issue, laying blame at the feet of President Biden. The letter writer laments the rising cost of eggs and finishes with, Looking back, eggs were consistently priced while Trump was in office. On the same day was a story on the declining numbers of seals and sea lions globally. Root cause? Avian flu. Quote: 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. So, is the root cause for the rising cost of eggs Bidenomics or a global flu outbreak that has killed millions of chickens that lay those eggs? Like so many of the challenges we face, this is a complicated issue. We run risk if we oversimplify a complicated world. Needed is a broader lens to assess the safest, most accurate and fact-based path forward. Jennifer Jones Downtown Is America for sale to the highest bidder? As a registered voter in Arizona, I am deeply concerned about our countrys future! Has anyone really thought about the price of another Trump presidency? North Korea, China and Russia, among others, only care about our demise. They will all contribute to another Trump presidency. They will own Trump, and the price we will pay will be the end of democracy as we know it. Beware of false prophets! Our countrys soul is at stake. President Biden is a good man with only love for our country. Choose wisely. Pamela Fauxbel Green Valley Border chaos Re: The March 25 editorial cartoon by Al Goodwyn The cartoon depicted President Biden sitting on a switch marked executive action, implying he could throw a switch at any time and use executive action to stop undocumented immigration, but refused to do so. This is simply untrue. 8 U.S. Code 1158 says, Any alien who is physically present in the United States, irrespective of such aliens status, may apply for asylum in accordance with this section. Last month, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that would have increased funding to screen asylum seekers and significantly strengthened border security, but on orders from Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to give the bill a hearing because Trump didnt want President Biden have a win on the border issue. Trump and the House Republicans dont want the border crisis solved because its such a good issue for them. Roger Voelker Southeast side You said it, you own it Re: the March 22 letter Why would any woman vote Republican?. Last week, I read a letter to the editor that quoted a response from Arizona State Senator Sonny Borelli regarding whether he would oppose efforts to restrict access to emergency contraceptives. His response was, Like I said, women should not need contraceptives because Bayer invented aspirin. He continued, Put it between your knees. It was vulgar, archaic, disrespectful, disdainful and so very misogynistic. Maybe he thought this was an amusing reply. It was not. Most women were not laughing. I found it insulting. Perhaps the women in District 30 felt the same way. What kind of man who swore an oath to stand up for and represent his constituents, makes such an uncaring and callous remark? What other things will he be willing to take away from women? We cant be sure, but we now know what he is willing to say. Our reply is that thousands and thousands of women and men say this: We will remember in November, Mr. Borrelli. You can count on that! Sally Mayersohn Northwest side Why I will be voting for Jette It is so disappointing and unsettling to learn that Pima County Attorney Laura Conover engaged in unethical and unprofessional conduct and has to be monitored by the State Bar for a year to make sure she completes remedial classes and modifies her behavior. I supported Conover in the last election and had high hopes. But we continue to learn more about the problems she has retaining staff in her office and now this! The good news is that there is an election coming up in July, and we can vote her out. I recently learned that a lawyer named Mike Jette is running for County Attorney. He is challenging Conover in the July Democratic primary. Mr. Jette is an experienced, ethical prosecutor with an unblemished professional record. This is why I will be voting for Mike Jette for County Attorney. Kathleen McNaboe Downtown What really matters Our school system is giving up and starting to shut down. I have nothing good to say about Tom Horne, but if you look at the big picture, he is a symptom but not the problem. In Arizona, we treat education like waste treatment or prisons. Its something that must be dealt with, but spend as little time or money as possible. We need to start over. We need a leader that wants to make things better. Most of all, we need to change our mindset to a good education for everybody is a good future for everybody. Spend the money, support the staff and keep politics and religion out of schools. The goal would be to have a state that all teachers would want to work in. Maybe try paying $10,000 off their college debt or paying a retirement fund for every year they teach in Arizona. Robert McNeil 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 Atticus Finch, the small-town lawyer at the heart of To Kill a Mockingbird, states several times his belief that the only way to understand another person is to get inside their skin and crawl around for a while. This philosophy has guided his dealings with his friends and neighbors in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, for years, allowing him to explain away some of the less-than-salutary words and actions of these good people. Its one reason why his young daughter refers to him as the most decent, honorable person in town. And its also the reason why the world as Atticus Finch believes it to be is irrevocably shattered when he takes on the task of defending a Black man accused of attacking and raping a young white woman. Aaron Sorkins adaptation of Harper Lees Pulitzer Prize-winning novel opened Tuesday at the Tulsa PAC, presented by Celebrity Attractions. Lees novel has rightly become a classic work of American literature, and Sorkins play while it has its flaws is likely to become a staple of the American theater. It reworks Lees novel into a powerful and affecting piece of theater that had Tuesday nights audience alternately roaring with laughter and gasping at some of the hard truths this story contains. The novel is narrated by Jean Louise Finch, better known as Scout (Maeve Moynihan), and Sorkin maintains that structure, although he divides the narration among Scout, her older brother Jem (Justin Mark), and their newly made friend Dill (Steven Lee Johnson). Doing this gives an additional layer to the storytelling, as each one of the characters views the world through unique perspectives the cynicism of Jem, the cockeyed optimism of the savant Dill and the earnest innocence of Scout. Sorkin scrambles the timeline of the novel so that the trial of Tom Robinson (Yaegel T. Welch) is truly at the center of the plays action. It is through flashbacks that we learn about the Finch family, and how Atticus Finch (Richard Thomas), whos taken to property law after a couple of unsuccessful criminal cases years earlier, agrees to take over the defense of Tom Robinson. Atticus is confident the case is winnable and the prosecution has nothing to prove that Robinson is guilty, other than the accusations of the victim, Mayella (Mariah Lee), and her violent, racist father Bob Ewell (Ted Koch). But Atticus confidence in his own abilities to control whatever situation he finds himself in, whether it be confronting a group of Ku Klux Klan-types outside the county jail, or arguing his case in court, fails him. Its Scout who calls out one of the masked miscreants bent on violence, who defuses the mob by recognizing an individual and putting into action a lesson Atticus taught her, that a mob is where people go to escape their conscience. And when Tom Robinson states the whole truth of why he was on the Ewells property on the night in question, Atticus begins to realize that as empathetic as he imagines himself to be, he is incapable of knowing what it means to be a Black person living in the Deep South in 1934 or, for that matter, in 2024. To Kill a Mockingbird certainly bears Sorkins imprint, evidenced in the fast-paced, overlapping dialogue; the finely honed, sparkling wit (and there are a lot of funny moments in this play); and the sharply drawn characters. It also has moments in which Sorkin indulges in his penchant for preaching to the choir, couching bromides in elevated language, delivered with enough righteous force to make these ideas sound reasonable and easily effective. One thing that helps counter this is the way Sorkin treats the character of Calpurnia, played by Jacqueline Williams, the Finch familys long-time cook who tries to school Atticus on the realities of life for Black people. Williams is captivating in the role, able to speak volumes with a turn of her head, a gesture of her expressive hands or a tart phrase. The three adult actors portraying the child are very convincing in their roles, with Johnson the most memorable as Dill, mixing non sequiturs and aphorisms with great comic timing. Koch takes on the reprehensible Bob Ewell with a fearless energy, while Welch as the accused Tom Robinson embodies the characters effort to be strong in the face of crippling fear and terror. Mary Badham, who played Scout in the 1962 film version, makes the most of her brief turn as the tartly racist Mrs. Henry Dubose, while Jeff Still is great as the wily Judge Taylor. But in the end, this is Atticus Finchs story, and Thomas is excellent in the role. His Atticus is no pillar of integrity or wisdom, but rather a more human creation. There is a febrile energy underneath the down-home folksiness that fuels what he says, as if he knows he can talk his way out of any predicament. And when words dont work as they should, Thomas lets the cracks in Atticus Finchs facade show in subtle ways. Its something that runs through the closing statement Atticus makes at the trials end how five simple words could doom an innocent man, because of the hate and contempt that has been allowed to fester in this little town of Maycomb, Alabama. We cant go on this way, Thomas as Atticus Finch says in his conclusion. And hes right. But we have. And that is why a story like To Kill a Mockingbird, so effectively presented in this play, is a story that needs to be told and retold until that lesson is finally learned. To Kill a Mockingbird continues with performances through March 31 at the Tulsa PAC. For tickets: 918-596-7111, tulsapac.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 Tulsa-based hip-hop artist Steph Simon announced his fifth full-length album, The Tulsa King: Everything The Light Touches, will be released on streaming services Monday, April 1. The 12-song project is a north Tulsans Lion King tale, according to Simon, and features songs written and performed by Simon with production by Angelo Estes, George Young, Papa, Matt Leon, Sam Lang and Dez Ward. Songs were recorded in Tulsa at Tisway Studios (with special thanks to Regina Tisdale) and at McLain Titans Studio at McLain High School. Simon built the recording studio at McLain and created and leads a nonprofit school program that allows students to learn all aspects of the music industry. This album is really about telling my story, and the journey I have been on as an artist and a human, Simon said in a news release. The Lion King is one of my favorite movies, and the tracklist of the album is connected to the narrative of that film while telling my own story of progression, evolution and fulfilling my destiny. Simon is excited for the world to hear his story on the album. Im blessed to have accomplished so many of the goals that I set out for when I released my first album in 2016, and I think you can really feel the progression in my new music, he said. Ive gone from the hyper local level to the majors and being featured in The New Yorker and Rolling Stone with Fire in Little Africa; and Ive gone from a little pawn to a Tulsa King. Simons discography also includes Fire in Little Africa, Born on Black Wall Street and Visions From the Tisdale. The new album features vocals and lyrics by Simon with guest appearances by the legendary West Coast indie rapper Murs, plus Oklahoma artists Yung Thirty, Emani, Grand National, Chris The God MC Cain, Stategang Vince, Jeezmino and Shaun Simon. Steph Simon said it was an honor to have a song with Murs, a well-known hip-hop artist who, since 2022, has been coming to Tulsa to mentor local hip-hop artists like Simon through his Groundwaves program. Murs coming to Tulsa to mentor artists like myself is big for the town, Simon said. Growing up I always watched how he and other artists moved independently and wanted to model that. Hes one of my favorite artists so its crazy to say I know him and have a record with him. Simon has a few festival headlining performances scheduled this spring before heading to Los Angeles for the summer to record and develop new projects. Fans can catch him at Norman Music Festival April 26 in Norman, at Carney Fest April 27 in Tulsa and at Mayfest May 11 in Tulsa. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. JUBA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners on Thursday appealed for 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 to meet the needs of 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in East African countries. The UN Refugee Agency and its 123 partners called for renewed support for South Sudanese refugees living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda with the new funding appeal. Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR's regional director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region, said significant strides and laudable efforts have been made over the last 10 years by partners. "This year's Regional Refugee Response Plan builds on the incremental progress made and demonstrates that if given the resources, humanitarian aid combined with investments in resilience -- for both refugees and the host communities that welcomed them -- will facilitate longer-term solutions," Belde said in a statement. The UNHCR said a similar number of people living in local communities in the five asylum countries will benefit from services and support provided through a Regional Refugee Response Plan. The plan will build on inclusive policies led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC), and align with pledges made by governments, the private sector and donors made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum last December. According to the UNHCR, since the start of the conflict in South Sudan over 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs compounded by dire food shortages, continued insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, have kept South Sudanese refugees in exile and prompted new displacement. Four consecutive years of flooding have also destroyed homes and livelihoods, triggering further cross-border movements, it said. The plan also aims to support the efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection services, including the prevention of and responses to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. Balde said several countries in this region are certainly experiencing complex challenges that often demand significant financial requirements. "However, the people of South Sudan deserve our attention and support so they can contribute meaningfully to their societies and gain skills for when they eventually are able to return home," he added. UNHCR said while the war in Sudan has forced nearly 200,000 South Sudanese to relocate to safer areas within Sudan and hundreds of thousands of others to return to their country prematurely, more than 2 million remain in need of international protection in the region. Crawford Goldsby was big, strong and a "bloodthirsty mad dog who killed for the love of killing." Before he was hanged at the age of 20, he was asked if he had any final words. "I came here to die; not to make a speech," he told the executioner at Fort Smith as a black hood was placed over his head. A few minutes later, Goldsby dropped through the gallows' trapdoor as 2,500 spectators watched. Goldsby's short but spectacular criminal career was over as he became one of the 83 prisoners hanged by order of U.S. District Judge Isaac Parker, who called him "the wicked man of crime." You may never have heard of Crawford Goldsby. But you may have heard of Cherokee Bill, the name given Goldsby after a shootout near Fort Gibson in which a sheriff's deputy was killed. Even his mother used that name for her son during the remainder of his short life. Goldsby, reported by some to have killed a man when he was 12, became the most feared and best known outlaw in Indian Territory. Cherokee Bill's criminal career began when he was 18 after he and a brother became involved in a brawl at a dance. A couple of days later, he waited for the man he believed started the brawl and shot him as he arrived for work. Goldsby fled, incorrectly believing his victim had died. He later teamed up with Jim and Bill Cook, who were wanted for horse theft. The Cooks soon formed a gang that included Goldsby and several others. Although they were wanted for various crimes, the Cooks and Goldsby wanted their shares -- $265.70 each -- of the $8.5 million the federal government paid the Cherokee Tribe for the 6-million-acre Cherokee Strip. Because they were apprehensive about going to Tahlequah to collect the money, they persuaded the operator of a lodge to pick up their money. After she delivered the money to the three bad men, they were met by Sheriff Ellis Rattling Gourd and seven deputies, and a gun battle left Deputy Sequoyah Houston dead and Jim Cook wounded. Cook later recovered. The sheriff and a posse returned to the house the next day and asked an employee if Goldsby had been involved in the shootout. "No, it was Cherokee Bill," she said, and Goldsby had a new name. Some sources say Goldsby gave himself that name; Bill meaning "wild hand" in the Cherokee country. Others claim the gang leader gave him the name. The gang roamed around Indian Territory for the next two years, robbing banks, stores and trains. Goldsby, believed to have killed seven to 13 men, including his brother-in-law, became the most feared and wanted criminal in Indian Territory. Goldsby was not an expert marksman but was a quick shooter. "I shoot so fast I get 'em rattled," he once confided. "They can't hit me and then I take my time and get them." Cherokee Bill's career neared an end when he was 19 and had the same interests as most other young men: women. He had a special interest in a woman named Maggie Glass, a relative of Isaac Rogers who served as a deputy at times. At the request of the sheriff, Rogers invited Cherokee Bill to his home near Nowata for a rendezvous with Maggie. The next morning, Rogers and another man captured Cherokee Bill and took him to Nowata and a deputy U.S. marshal, who loaded him into a wagon and headed toward Fort Smith. At every community they passed through, they were met with an impromptu celebration in honor of his capture. At Wagoner, the group posed for a picture. Cherokee Bill was convicted and sentenced to hang. He attempted to escape with a pistol that had been smuggled into his cell, killing a deputy during a gun battle in which he fired about 40 rounds. He was indicted again for murder, and a jury deliberated for only 13 minutes before finding him guilty. Judge Parker sentenced him again to hang and Goldsby was executed on March 17, 1896. Visiting with his mother and others in his cell, Goldsby asked Deputy Marshal Ed Reed, a son of bandit queen Belle Starr, to "see that nobody runs over my mother." The execution was postponed until 2 p.m. to allow his sister to arrive and visit briefly with him, and then Goldsby told jailers, "I am ready to go now most any time." Photograph research by Rachele Vaughan. Like this column? Read all the columns in the Only in Oklahoma series from the Tulsa World Archive. Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY A forensic auditor for the state testified Thursday that Epic Charter Schools student Learning Fund was used to pay more than $375,000 in personal credit card charges by one of the schools co-founders who received at least $23 million from the school. During the fourth day of the preliminary hearing in the massive racketeering and embezzlement case against Epic Charter Schools co-founders David Chaney, 44, and Ben Harris, 48, and longtime CFO Josh Brock, 42, the director of forensic audits for the Office of the State Auditor and Inspector said she and her team analyzed credit card statements for two personal credit cards used for all purchases for the schools student learning needs. Brenda Holt said credit card purchases identified by Epics own attorneys as the personal expenses of David Chaney added up to $817,000, but $377,000 of that was paid from the Epic student Learning Fund rather than by Chaney himself. The personal expenses included charges at the clothing store Mens Warehouse, StubHub ticket exchange and resale company, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks, AT&T, Uber, and political campaign donations to former state superintendent and gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister. Chaney, Harris and Brock were arrested and charged in June 2022 in Oklahoma County District Court under the Oklahoma Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, Act. The criminal case, now being prosecuted by the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office, alleges 15 counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, computer crimes and conspiracy to defraud the state. Yet to testify is Brock, who has already waived his right to a preliminary hearing and whose formal arraignment is set for April 3. His attorneys have told the Tulsa World he is expected to testify in hopes of obtaining a plea deal with prosecutors that would result in his receiving a sentence of probation only. All week, Chaneys and Harris defense attorneys have contended that much of the taxpayer monies their clients are accused of misappropriating had actually become private funds once they were received into the bank account of Chaney and Harris private management company, Epic Youth Services. But state law enforcement contends that Epics student Learning Fund was Oklahoma taxpayer funding intended only for the education of public school students enrolled in Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma. Holt said she and her team zeroed in on the student Learning Fund in their year-long process of conducting a forensic audit on Epic because of multiple questions and concerns they encountered. But she said Epic resisted all State Auditor and Inspectors Office requests to review the student Learning Fund. In October or November 2019, she said, Harris asked auditors to meet with him and his attorneys. Holt said that at that meeting, Harris told her that my review of that would impose on his business model, and some other discussion was made. We wanted to inquire about the number of employees EYS had and how they managed the Learning Fund. Mr. Harris would not give us that answer. He told us: If we told you how many employees we have, the Legislature would bludgeon us about our fees. Another statement Mr. Harris made was, Something you will find is EYS has not ever profited from the Learning Fund and (that) they have taken no payments from the Learning Fund. Holt said that ultimately the auditors office was able to assist in the analysis of student Learning Fund records and credit card statements in coordination with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Holt said her team later discovered that EYS, which was receiving 10% of all state and federal revenue to the school as compensation, had only three people Chaney, Harris and Brock managing the school, and she said that seemed insufficient. They were to manage and administer the school, Holt said, referring to EYS. We determined that the Learning Fund was a process of purchasing and handling student transactions, purchasing curriculum. We became concerned the school was hiring the employees to handle the Learning Fund. The contract was for EYS to manage the school, manage the Learning Fund. Why are state employees doing that with state computers, state facilities? So that became a concern. Holt also testified that under EYS management, Epics charter school in Oklahoma was improperly bearing the costs of administrative duties EYS was contracted and compensated to carry out, as well as improperly bearing the administrative costs of an Epic-affiliated charter school in California with Oklahoma taxpayer-funded school employees. All salaries and benefits were paid by the state of Oklahoma, and they were members of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. Its further proof that they are full state employees, Holt said. We determined that $2 million had been paid by the state of Oklahoma to manage the Learning Fund. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Epic Charter School: Tulsa World reporting and investigating since 2019 Day 4: Epic Charter Schools paid co-founder's personal credit card charges, forensic auditor testifies Day 3: Epic Charter Schools co-founders never reported millions on tax returns, auditor testifies Day 2: Epic Charter Schools finance official testifies about payment concerns Day 1: Use of 'legal eagles' shows no criminal intent, defense argues in Epic Charter Schools preliminary hearing Evidence, testimony by CFO expected at weeklong preliminary hearing for Epic founders Former Epic CFO waives preliminary hearing; attorney says plea deal in works Epic co-founders agree to preserve bank account assets prosecutors want forfeited For first time in many years, state board suspends teacher certificates for breaking contracts Oklahoma teacher bonus program maxed out at 578 recruits, including 117 from other states Oklahoma AG worries Epic Charter Schools founders still have taxpayer money Co-founders, CFO facing additional charges Epic founders get preliminary hearing date in criminal case Board chairman who oversaw overhaul of Epic leaving Epic governing board issues apology, payment of Anti-SLAPP judgment Former state auditor and GOP chairman says Epic scandal facilitated by Republicans 'gutting' Ethics Commission Epic Charter Schools co-founders, former CFO charged in elaborate scheme to defraud and embezzle from taxpayers State finds major issues with Epics recent student attendance, administrative bonuses Independent annual audit critical of Epic co-founders' final year of school management Epic could consider name change as consolidation advances Board rejects application for new online school Yet another lawsuit filed in Epic Charter Schools' messy divorce from co-founders Oklahoma House passes virtual charter school reforms Epic board moves to consolidate administration to save millions Epic Charter Schools to end appeal of $500k legal judgment for former state senator Inside the newsroom: Jason Collington talks about the latest in Epic Charter Schools investigative audit with Andrea Eger Audit makes some lawmakers question voucher push Epic Charter Schools leaders reveal intention to consolidate its two schools Epic Charter Schools investigative audit makes some lawmakers question voucher push Attorney general sends Epic Charter Schools case back to Oklahoma County DA State auditor to lawmakers: Epic Charter Schools mismanagement is largest abuse of taxpayer funds 'in the history of this state' Epic among 3 virtual charters losing $58.9 million after 'significant decline' in students Epic Charter Schools: 'Very serious crimes' being investigated by multiple agencies, with new school leaders assisting State to Epic Charter Schools: $9.1 million is correct amount owed back for excessive admin costs Epic responds to new allegations of wrongdoing Resigned Epic board member answers questions about new 'whistleblower' allegations against school Epics Charter Schools board vice chair resigns, asks for investigation into misconduct State Department of Ed, school sponsors investigating new Epic allegations Epic to cut staff after losing 60% of new students driven there during pandemic, Oklahoma's largest online school says State auditor says Epic criminal investigation 'far from over,' predicts charges Epic founders 'gaslit a lot of people, and it's time to stop,' new chairman says of charter school financials Epic Charter Schools audit prompts investigative audit at OK Department of Education Oklahoma virtual school board members resign unexpectedly Epic gets three more months to tackle issue of sharing of employees between two separate schools with only one governing board Epic settlement monitor says Learning Fund billing didn't match enrollment Epic's overhauled governing board inks licensing agreement Epic Charter Schools approves $335.5 million budget Epic now wants in on spending records State Auditor won in court State auditor wins access to Epic's spending records Epic governing board severs all ties with co-founders' for-profit firm and California school Charter school reforms related to Epic investigation sail through Oklahoma House Oklahoma virtual charter school board could reinstate member House leadership moving forward with multicounty grand jury recommendations House leadership taking up multicounty grand jury recommendations Multicounty grand jury blasts use of private accounts for taxpayer money School Board ends Epic termination proceedings as part of deal Epic Charter Schools board accepts final list of demands Board gives Epic's governing board final list of demands State virtual school board member sues Epic Charter Schools slapped with new $10.5 million penalty Epic Charter Schools board makes 11th-hour attempt to settle termination proceedings Epic board votes to change secret Learning Fund Legislation to negate board decision would send medical marijuana money to some charter schools Statewide virtual school board sets termination proceedings House to get legislation addressing issues raised by charter schools decision TPS demands state board rescind vote on state funding lawsuit Majority of state ed board votes to settle years-old charter schools lawsuit State board's deadline for $11.2 million repayment by Epic passes with no payment State Senate, House hear no bills related to Epic Charter Schools audit findings Epic co-founder's audit recommendations make it into legislation Termination proceedings against Epic Charter Schools delayed once more $11.2 million repayment from Epic Charter Schools to state is delayed; public records lawsuit stalls Epic Charter Schools adding human, financial resources to address deficiencies ID'd by state auditor School funding adjusted: Tulsa County districts down $31 million; Epic gains $156 million School finance chiefs call on state leaders to intervene before hike in funding to Epic Charter Schools Two board members barred from all Epic Charter Schools matters over conflict-of-interest concerns Epic Charter Schools' board amends contract with for-profit management company, directs accounting practice changes Governor removes board president leading inquiries into Epic Epic Charter Schools gets a pass on accreditation downgrade Lawmakers call for audit of State Department of Education Tulsa lawmaker vows systemic overhaul Epic Charter Schools governing boards respond to recent actions by two state education boards Epic Charter Schools board member resigns amid state audit fallout Education policy leaders from state Senate, House reflect on Epic Charter Schools audit findings Statewide Virtual Charter School Board member is relative of Epic co-founder Statewide Virtual Charter School Board votes to begin contract termination process against Epic Charter Schools State education board demands $11.2 million back from Epic Charter Schools over state audit findings Lawmakers announce joint hearing on Epic Charter Schools audit Oklahoma AG's Office takes reins in Epic Charter Schools investigation State education board calls special meeting on Epic Charter Schools audit Superintendent Hofmeister responds to accountability failures cited in state audit of Epic Charter Schools 'Epic owes Oklahoma $8.9 million': Improper transfers, chronic misreporting found by state auditor's investigation Officials call Epic audit findings 'concerning,' 'deeply disturbing,' 'troubling' Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Epic Charter Schools targets state senator again in pre-election email to parents Epic Charter Schools founders and backers keep up campaign influence spending amid state investigations Then-State senator sued by Epic Charter Schools awarded legal fees plus $500,000 in sanctions Enrollment already up 77% across Oklahoma's six virtual charter schools amid COVID-19 pandemic Epic co-founder claims innocence in new video address amid back-to-school student recruiting drive Epic becomes Oklahoma's largest school district as pandemic pushes virtual enrollment Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board wants to weigh in on court case involving Epic State Chamber says no conflicts of interest in legal filing despite Epic Charter Schools' membership, school founder on Chamber board of directors Epic Charter Schools' for-profit management firm refuses to release documents to investigators, Oklahoma attorney general says 'Our kids have become a piggy bank': Epic Charter Schools shields $50M in taxpayer funds from public scrutiny Lawmakers accuse Epic of intimidation attempt with defamation lawsuit against state senator Epic Charter Schools sues state senator who questioned student attendance and funding, accusing him of slander Epic Charter Schools promoting itself with multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, plus $9,000 per month shopping mall playground sponsorships OSBI investigating new allegations of forgery by Epic Charter Schools' co-founder and CFO, willful neglect by board members How does Epic Charter Schools stack up academically? Check out student proficiency test scores Epic Charter Schools' expansion into Texas in limbo amid new revelations about criminal investigation Tulsa lawmaker uses rarely invoked legal provision to attend closed-door meeting on Epic Charter Schools investigation, educators New records reveal Epic Charter Schools' sponsor was in touch with state auditor for months before scandal Governor requests state audit of Epic Charter Schools; school's sponsor already in touch with state auditor Records show FBI has also been looking into Epic Charter Schools, along with federal education investigators State superintendent reacts to Epic Charter Schools investigation; online school official claims innocence State senator raises new questions about Epic Charter Schools and oversight by Oklahoma State Department of Education Leadership change at Oklahoma's largest virtual charter school likely necessitated by new transparency, conflict of interest law State Senate passes new transparency reporting requirements for virtual charter schools; bill headed to Gov. Stitt next State education officials deny clearing Epic Charter Schools in investigation, despite school's new claims Epic Charter Schools, school reform and funding needs on the minds of Tulsa Republicans at Friday event with State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister New transparency reporting requirements for virtual charter schools advance to state Senate Parents, students pack Capitol to tell lawmakers about 'the array of reasons to choose Epic' 15 people with ties to Epic Charter donated $180,000 to 78 candidates for state office Epic Charter Schools under investigation by state, federal law enforcement agencies A study in contrasts: Most Tulsa County districts lose students while virtual numbers soar 496 Tulsa Public Schools students left for EPIC virtual school since August. TPS to lawmakers: Regulation is needed Skyrocketing student enrollment nets Epic Charter Schools nearly $39 million more in midyear adjustments to state funding for public schools Epic Charter Schools co-founder audit recommendations make it into legislation Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY Less than 24 hours after the release of the full autopsy, State Superintendent Ryan Walters characterized the death of an Owasso nonbinary student as a tragedy that was used by a left-wing mob to promote an agenda. During his opening remarks at Thursdays Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Walters said he was heartbroken for the loss and would be praying for those impacted by the death, but he did not say Nex Benedicts name. He also said a woke, left-wing mob used the teenagers death to make outrageous claims. The Owasso High School sophomore, who identified as nonbinary and preferred masculine or gender-neutral pronouns, died Feb. 8, one day after a fight in a school restroom. I will never back down to a left wing mob, he said, drawing derisive laughter from meeting attendees. I will never lie to our students or allow a radical agenda to be forced on them. The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released Benedicts full autopsy and toxicology report Wednesday. The autopsy report cites suicide as the cause of death due to combined toxicity of drugs commonly known as Prozac and Benadryl. The medical examiners report referenced nonlethal injuries sustained in the fight, as well as Benedicts previous medical history, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-harm (cutting), and chronic tobacco and marijuana abuse. Walters remarks were referenced during the public comment period by multiple commenters who expressed frustration and fear for the safety of LGBTQ+ students. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Legislature received a letter signed by more than 350 individuals, civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups calling for an investigation into both Walters and the state agency he leads. Im not a woke mob, Jakob Lavicky said. Im queer and nonbinary. Im born and raised in Oklahoma. I care so much about the people in this state. Citing gender-based bullying, Lavicky also called on the Oklahoma State Department of Education to launch a House Bill 1775 investigation into Benedicts death. Owasso Public Schools is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights. Adopted in 2021, House Bill 1775 bans teaching that one race or gender is inherently superior. It also prohibits causing a student to feel guilty or uncomfortable because of their race or gender, as well as teaching that anyone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or otherwise. I dont want people who look like me and identify like me to die, Lavicky said. Those concerns were echoed by state Rep. Mauree Turner. The only nonbinary member of the Oklahoma Legislature, Turner said they frequently hear from students across Oklahoma but that many of the letters and emails recently sent to their office had expressed fear and frustration. Serving our youth is one of the highest privileges anyone can hold, Turner said. To shame not only the title of an elected position but also the youth and families of Oklahoma you serve cant help you sleep better at night. Please think about how we are watching a genocide take place. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today In an effort to bring in more teachers, Tulsa Public Schools will be partnering with the city of Tulsa to offer signing bonuses for the coming school year. As part of Monday nights consent agenda, the board approved offering one-time signing bonuses of $3,000 for teachers who are new to the district, already have a standard teaching certificate and sign a 2024-25 provisional contract with the district by May 30. The board also approved a $1,000 signing bonus for people who do not have a teaching certificate but commit by April 30 to participating in the districts teacher preparation program, Tulsa Teacher Corps. The funding for those bonuses comes from Vision Tulsa, a tax package initially approved by voters in 2016. Vision Tulsa included $10 million earmarked for Tulsa, Jenks and Union public schools to use for teacher recruitment, retention and training, with distribution amounts based on student enrollment within the Tulsa city limits. Those incentives are in addition to the $2,000 sign-on bonus being offered for teachers who are certified to teach certain subjects where the district has struggled to find educators, including special education, secondary math, secondary science and world languages. When asked by the board, Superintendent Ebony Johnson said the district currently anticipates needing to fill 633 certified positions for the 2024-25 school year, including 100 positions that are already vacant. The sign-on bonuses do not extend to support staff, including classroom-based positions such as paraprofessionals and teachers aides. Contract negotiations for the 2024-25 school year are underway between TPS and the collective bargaining unit for the districts support employees, the American Federation of Teachers No. 6049. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Kevin Canfield Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today A development and financing assistance agreement approved Thursday for an $800 million data center in far east Tulsa calls for the city to receive in excess of $62.5 million for infrastructure in that area. The funding was one of several new pieces of information included in the contract unanimously approved by the citys economic development arm, the Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity. The parties to the agreement are the city of Tulsa, TAEO also known as Partner Tulsa and the developer. The actual company behind the project, known as Project Anthem, has yet to be made public, but the legal name of the developer is listed on the agreement as Atmoss LLC. The Delaware-based foreign limited liability company was established in November, according to Oklahoma Secretary of States Office records. Offsite construction of the project will begin on or before March 30, 2026, followed by onsite construction and substantial completion of the data center on or before Dec. 31, 2030. Thursdays action marks a significant step forward for the project, but it remains contingent on the City Councils approval of a 25-year Tax Incentive District for the roughly 340-acre project site south and west of the intersection of 11th Street and the Creek Turnpike. It would be the first commercial project to break ground at Fair Oaks Industrial Park a 2,000-acre development area at the heart of the citys efforts to establish a hub for the advanced mobility industry. Advanced mobility technology refers to such things as drones, batteries for electric vehicles, self-driving vehicles and related industries. Under the terms of the development agreement, the developer of the project would cover all costs on the project site, including approximately $25 million in public infrastructure. The $62.5 million-plus would be used to fund infrastructure in the broader planning area around the Project Anthem site. This pilot mechanism, a payment in lieu of taxes, effectively, really allows us to participate in the upside of the companys investment, TAEO Executive Director Kian Kamas told the board. So not only do they have to make this initial $25 million investment in infrastructure funds, then they have to make the $62.5 million dollars in payments. But then theres also, as they continue to invest in the site, theres a revenue stream thats pegged to their investments in machinery and equipment. And I think thats what we found to be so novel is that weve delivered a benefit that really allows them to keep investing in Tulsa via the abatement, but as they make those investments, we get to capture a revenue stream that allows us to invest heavily in infrastructure. Under the terms of the development agreement, the developer would begin making the payments in lieu of taxes when the TID is activated, which typically occurs when a project is near completion. The developer will pay $5 million annually for the first five years the TID is in effect and then $2.5 million annually for the next 15 years, according to the agreement. In addition, the developer will pay 1/10th of 1% of the market value of all personal property on the project site for the life of the TID. The TID would be in place no more than 25 years, and the new property owner would receive an 85% annual exemption on the companys property tax bill. The 15% that would be collected is estimated to raise a total of more than $36 million over the life of the TID for the city of Tulsa, Wagoner County, Catoosa Public Schools and other affected taxing entities, according to the TID project plan. During the four-year construction period, the project is expected to generate up to $3.3 billion in economic activity and more than 5,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, according to planning documents provided to the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. In the first year of operation, the data center is projected to generate up to $50 million in direct and indirect economic activity. Once operational, the data center is expected to employ 50 full-time workers. A data center generally refers to a physical structure that houses a companys digital data and includes such things as servers, storage drives and network equipment. Until Thursday, there had been no public records naming the company behind Project Anthem, and the attorney representing the developer has said it is too early in the project to disclose that information. However, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently announced or begun construction elsewhere of several data centers that fit the general description of Project Anthem. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Tim Stanley Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Tim Stanley Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today In one of her first chances to speak to a Tulsa audience, the states top mental health official opened up about her new job, her thoughts on leadership, and her own family experiences with mental health. Allie Friesen, a Tulsa native who took over in January as commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, took part Wednesday in a panel discussion on women in leadership. It was hosted by GRAND Mental Health as part of a series of Womens History Month-related events. Im on a steep learning curve right now. Im one month in, Friesen said. But I think thats part of being a leader acknowledging what you dont know and learning from the experts around you. Joining Friesen on the panel were Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Ebony Johnson; Susan Savage, former Tulsa mayor and CEO of Morton Comprehensive Health Services; Sarah Grounds, CEO of the City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma; Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith; and Kimberly Hill-Crowell, chief clinical officer of GRAND Mental Health. The event was titled Women Who Lead: Trailblazers For Healing Wholeness In Community. Friesen, who moved to Edmond from Tulsa as a child, said the subject of mental health is personal to her. Everybody probably in this room has a personal connection to a mental health challenge or substance use disorder, she said. My biological father has been an alcoholic for decades and still is an alcoholic and has bipolar disorder. Friesen said her fathers struggles have had a profound impact on her, as well as on her sister, her husband, and now, her 3-year-old daughter. We had to make some really challenging decisions around boundaries that had to be laid, she said. We all carry that experience with us, and it certainly filters every interaction I have. Its something I continue to be mindful of as I try to lead with empathy and compassion and truly connect and have relationships with those around me. A licensed mental health professional since 2014, Friesen, a graduate of Texas Christian University, was previously director of clinical programs in behavioral health at INTEGRIS. Responding to a question about what led her to want to go into leadership, she said: Leadership, in my opinion, is about moving things out of the way and getting the right people together to collaboratively come to solutions and better the communities around us. I went to school to be a clinician and to work with patients, and that is where my heart will always reside, she said. But Im someone that doesnt tolerate the status quo. I always ask why why are we doing it this way? Can we think about it maybe a different way? Finally I just said, Well, OK. If I have to give up the clinician hat to put on the leader hat and help solve these problems, then lets do that. Asked about how she will promote diversity and inclusion in her department, Friesen said theres been too much politicization around the topic. She said her goal as commissioner is to focus on the data and on addressing the disparities and gaps in mental health care in Oklahoma wherever they exist. It does not matter what your background is, what your socioeconomic status or religious affiliation are, etc. Youre a human being. You deserve the care, Friesen said. At the Department of Mental Health, were going to focus on the data and let that drive our decision-making process, she added. Every Oklahoman should have access to the high quality mental health and substance abuse services that they require. And its our job to make sure that happens. Friesen was named to the office in January by Gov. Kevin Stitt, following the departure of Carrie Slatton-Hodges, who took a position with a national mental health association. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY An auditor from the state testified Wednesday that Epic Charter Schools co-founders never claimed as personal or business income on tax returns $144 million in Epic student Learning Funds they now contend were their private funds. During the third day of the preliminary hearing in the massive racketeering and embezzlement case against Epic Charter Schools co-founders David Chaney, 44, and Ben Harris, 48, and longtime CFO Josh Brock, 42, prosecutors submitted as evidence several records showing transfers of the Epic Oklahoma charter schools student Learning Fund monies to Epics California charter school, as well as Panola Public School in Oklahoma, which at the time, was being managed by Chaney and Harris private company, Epic Youth Services. Salesha Wilken, with the Forensic Audit Division of the State Auditor and Inspectors Office, testified that those were improper uses of Oklahoma taxpayer funds intended for the education of Oklahoma students. She said it was her understanding that Epic Oklahomas student Learning Fund was only to be held in trust and that EYS was to serve only as the stewards of those Oklahoma taxpayer dollars. Those funds were dedicated for the Epic students, not the Panola students. They also werent there to allow Epic Youth Services to expand their business to other school districts, Wilken said. Chaney, Harris and Brock were arrested and charged in Oklahoma County District Court in June 2022 under the Oklahoma Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, Act. The criminal case, now being prosecuted by the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office, alleges 15 counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, computer crimes and conspiracy to defraud the state. All week, Chaneys and Harris defense attorneys have contended that much of the taxpayer money their clients are accused of misappropriating had actually become private funds once they were received into the bank account of EYS. When asked by Harris defense attorney Joe White the reason she holds that belief that Epics student Learning Fund monies remained public Wilken offered a host explanations, chief among them that Chaney, Harris and their private company EYS had not reported the $144 million in student Learning Funds she said had been deposited into EYS bank accounts as income on their individual or business tax returns. Before that, she said: Those monies were specified for the use of the school for the students. In the agreement (between Epics school board and EYS), it says the money and the encumbrances of the monies can only be used for the school. Also, it was represented to me that in training for Learning Fund managers, there were specific rules for how the money could be spent, which is typical to have very specific rules for how government money is spent. White asked Wilken why the State Auditors Office never red-flagged annual audit reports for not passing the smell test in previous years. Wilken responded that those annual audit reports, submitted to the Auditors Office by outside firms hired by each local public school, are a different type of audit than the investigative audits conducted by her and her division. Earlier, a prosecutor had Wilken read an identical provision from all versions of the Epic school boards operating agreement with EYS from the years 2014-19 EYS shall be responsible for managing the schools student Learning Fund. On Wednesday, Chaney and Harris sat side by side at the defense table for the first time. During the first two days of the preliminary hearing, Chaney sat with his back to the rest of the courtroom, diagonally across the table from Harris. Brock has already waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and his formal arraignment is set for April 3. Oklahoma City attorney Chris Box, one of Brocks legal representatives, told the Tulsa World his client is now expected to testify on Thursday. A plea deal for Brock is in the works with prosecutors, and Box said he is hoping to receive probation only. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Epic Charter School: Tulsa World reporting and investigating since 2019 Day 4: Epic Charter Schools paid co-founder's personal credit card charges, forensic auditor testifies Day 3: Epic Charter Schools co-founders never reported millions on tax returns, auditor testifies Day 2: Epic Charter Schools finance official testifies about payment concerns Day 1: Use of 'legal eagles' shows no criminal intent, defense argues in Epic Charter Schools preliminary hearing Evidence, testimony by CFO expected at weeklong preliminary hearing for Epic founders Former Epic CFO waives preliminary hearing; attorney says plea deal in works Epic co-founders agree to preserve bank account assets prosecutors want forfeited For first time in many years, state board suspends teacher certificates for breaking contracts Oklahoma teacher bonus program maxed out at 578 recruits, including 117 from other states Oklahoma AG worries Epic Charter Schools founders still have taxpayer money Co-founders, CFO facing additional charges Epic founders get preliminary hearing date in criminal case Board chairman who oversaw overhaul of Epic leaving Epic governing board issues apology, payment of Anti-SLAPP judgment Former state auditor and GOP chairman says Epic scandal facilitated by Republicans 'gutting' Ethics Commission Epic Charter Schools co-founders, former CFO charged in elaborate scheme to defraud and embezzle from taxpayers State finds major issues with Epics recent student attendance, administrative bonuses Independent annual audit critical of Epic co-founders' final year of school management Epic could consider name change as consolidation advances Board rejects application for new online school Yet another lawsuit filed in Epic Charter Schools' messy divorce from co-founders Oklahoma House passes virtual charter school reforms Epic board moves to consolidate administration to save millions Epic Charter Schools to end appeal of $500k legal judgment for former state senator Inside the newsroom: Jason Collington talks about the latest in Epic Charter Schools investigative audit with Andrea Eger Audit makes some lawmakers question voucher push Epic Charter Schools leaders reveal intention to consolidate its two schools Epic Charter Schools investigative audit makes some lawmakers question voucher push Attorney general sends Epic Charter Schools case back to Oklahoma County DA State auditor to lawmakers: Epic Charter Schools mismanagement is largest abuse of taxpayer funds 'in the history of this state' Epic among 3 virtual charters losing $58.9 million after 'significant decline' in students Epic Charter Schools: 'Very serious crimes' being investigated by multiple agencies, with new school leaders assisting State to Epic Charter Schools: $9.1 million is correct amount owed back for excessive admin costs Epic responds to new allegations of wrongdoing Resigned Epic board member answers questions about new 'whistleblower' allegations against school Epics Charter Schools board vice chair resigns, asks for investigation into misconduct State Department of Ed, school sponsors investigating new Epic allegations Epic to cut staff after losing 60% of new students driven there during pandemic, Oklahoma's largest online school says State auditor says Epic criminal investigation 'far from over,' predicts charges Epic founders 'gaslit a lot of people, and it's time to stop,' new chairman says of charter school financials Epic Charter Schools audit prompts investigative audit at OK Department of Education Oklahoma virtual school board members resign unexpectedly Epic gets three more months to tackle issue of sharing of employees between two separate schools with only one governing board Epic settlement monitor says Learning Fund billing didn't match enrollment Epic's overhauled governing board inks licensing agreement Epic Charter Schools approves $335.5 million budget Epic now wants in on spending records State Auditor won in court State auditor wins access to Epic's spending records Epic governing board severs all ties with co-founders' for-profit firm and California school Charter school reforms related to Epic investigation sail through Oklahoma House Oklahoma virtual charter school board could reinstate member House leadership moving forward with multicounty grand jury recommendations House leadership taking up multicounty grand jury recommendations Multicounty grand jury blasts use of private accounts for taxpayer money School Board ends Epic termination proceedings as part of deal Epic Charter Schools board accepts final list of demands Board gives Epic's governing board final list of demands State virtual school board member sues Epic Charter Schools slapped with new $10.5 million penalty Epic Charter Schools board makes 11th-hour attempt to settle termination proceedings Epic board votes to change secret Learning Fund Legislation to negate board decision would send medical marijuana money to some charter schools Statewide virtual school board sets termination proceedings House to get legislation addressing issues raised by charter schools decision TPS demands state board rescind vote on state funding lawsuit Majority of state ed board votes to settle years-old charter schools lawsuit State board's deadline for $11.2 million repayment by Epic passes with no payment State Senate, House hear no bills related to Epic Charter Schools audit findings Epic co-founder's audit recommendations make it into legislation Termination proceedings against Epic Charter Schools delayed once more $11.2 million repayment from Epic Charter Schools to state is delayed; public records lawsuit stalls Epic Charter Schools adding human, financial resources to address deficiencies ID'd by state auditor School funding adjusted: Tulsa County districts down $31 million; Epic gains $156 million School finance chiefs call on state leaders to intervene before hike in funding to Epic Charter Schools Two board members barred from all Epic Charter Schools matters over conflict-of-interest concerns Epic Charter Schools' board amends contract with for-profit management company, directs accounting practice changes Governor removes board president leading inquiries into Epic Epic Charter Schools gets a pass on accreditation downgrade Lawmakers call for audit of State Department of Education Tulsa lawmaker vows systemic overhaul Epic Charter Schools governing boards respond to recent actions by two state education boards Epic Charter Schools board member resigns amid state audit fallout Education policy leaders from state Senate, House reflect on Epic Charter Schools audit findings Statewide Virtual Charter School Board member is relative of Epic co-founder Statewide Virtual Charter School Board votes to begin contract termination process against Epic Charter Schools State education board demands $11.2 million back from Epic Charter Schools over state audit findings Lawmakers announce joint hearing on Epic Charter Schools audit Oklahoma AG's Office takes reins in Epic Charter Schools investigation State education board calls special meeting on Epic Charter Schools audit Superintendent Hofmeister responds to accountability failures cited in state audit of Epic Charter Schools 'Epic owes Oklahoma $8.9 million': Improper transfers, chronic misreporting found by state auditor's investigation Officials call Epic audit findings 'concerning,' 'deeply disturbing,' 'troubling' Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Key findings and conclusions from the Oct. 1, 2020, report Epic Charter Schools targets state senator again in pre-election email to parents Epic Charter Schools founders and backers keep up campaign influence spending amid state investigations Then-State senator sued by Epic Charter Schools awarded legal fees plus $500,000 in sanctions Enrollment already up 77% across Oklahoma's six virtual charter schools amid COVID-19 pandemic Epic co-founder claims innocence in new video address amid back-to-school student recruiting drive Epic becomes Oklahoma's largest school district as pandemic pushes virtual enrollment Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board wants to weigh in on court case involving Epic State Chamber says no conflicts of interest in legal filing despite Epic Charter Schools' membership, school founder on Chamber board of directors Epic Charter Schools' for-profit management firm refuses to release documents to investigators, Oklahoma attorney general says 'Our kids have become a piggy bank': Epic Charter Schools shields $50M in taxpayer funds from public scrutiny Lawmakers accuse Epic of intimidation attempt with defamation lawsuit against state senator Epic Charter Schools sues state senator who questioned student attendance and funding, accusing him of slander Epic Charter Schools promoting itself with multimillion-dollar advertising campaign, plus $9,000 per month shopping mall playground sponsorships OSBI investigating new allegations of forgery by Epic Charter Schools' co-founder and CFO, willful neglect by board members How does Epic Charter Schools stack up academically? Check out student proficiency test scores Epic Charter Schools' expansion into Texas in limbo amid new revelations about criminal investigation Tulsa lawmaker uses rarely invoked legal provision to attend closed-door meeting on Epic Charter Schools investigation, educators New records reveal Epic Charter Schools' sponsor was in touch with state auditor for months before scandal Governor requests state audit of Epic Charter Schools; school's sponsor already in touch with state auditor Records show FBI has also been looking into Epic Charter Schools, along with federal education investigators State superintendent reacts to Epic Charter Schools investigation; online school official claims innocence State senator raises new questions about Epic Charter Schools and oversight by Oklahoma State Department of Education Leadership change at Oklahoma's largest virtual charter school likely necessitated by new transparency, conflict of interest law State Senate passes new transparency reporting requirements for virtual charter schools; bill headed to Gov. Stitt next State education officials deny clearing Epic Charter Schools in investigation, despite school's new claims Epic Charter Schools, school reform and funding needs on the minds of Tulsa Republicans at Friday event with State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister New transparency reporting requirements for virtual charter schools advance to state Senate Parents, students pack Capitol to tell lawmakers about 'the array of reasons to choose Epic' 15 people with ties to Epic Charter donated $180,000 to 78 candidates for state office Epic Charter Schools under investigation by state, federal law enforcement agencies A study in contrasts: Most Tulsa County districts lose students while virtual numbers soar 496 Tulsa Public Schools students left for EPIC virtual school since August. TPS to lawmakers: Regulation is needed Skyrocketing student enrollment nets Epic Charter Schools nearly $39 million more in midyear adjustments to state funding for public schools Epic Charter Schools co-founder audit recommendations make it into legislation Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now Melissa Jacques Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Melissa Jacques Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY The chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday presented what he described as evidence of understaffing and abuse in Oklahoma prisons. It is time to take this seriously and look at fixing whats happening, because the next escalation is going to be something serious in the Department of Corrections. I am trying to call that out before that happens, Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, said in a press conference after the committee meeting. The DOC released a statement later Wednesday saying the agency takes seriously the safety and security of our staff and inmates. During todays Criminal Justice and Corrections committee meeting, Representative Justin Humphrey made multiple untrue claims. After refuting specific points, the statement ends with, ODOC constantly evaluates all operations, making decisions based on data and facts. We continue to work closely with all members of the Legislature, operating in transparency while protecting public safety. During the meeting, Humphrey handed committee members a press release from inmates of Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy. The release details inmate concerns about the way the substance abuse treatment program in the facility is being implemented along with broader concerns about staffing and inmates being kept in lockdown. The best results to break the cycle of addiction is for those participants to be separated from the negative influence of drugs. However, ODOC doesnt understand that concept, the inmates say in their press release. They say the prisons worst unit has been chosen to implement the substance abuse treatment program because it has more than 100 inmates who deal with drug problems but that only 20 will be accepted into the program. The inmates allege that the Special Management Unit has been full for months and that the prison is now using 20 cells intended for the general inmate population for the overflow. The inmates also report that the unit is under lockdown, meaning inmates are confined to their cells for the whole day. The press release highlights staffing shortfalls, noting that the DOC is short nine case managers. The inmates blame DOC management for staffing issues. If things dont change soon, they (the DOC) will continue to lose valuable staff who have a passion for the agency, but refuse to be treated disrespectfully or put their lives at risk. Humphrey brought up concerns about several deaths in state prisons, including an incident where inmates say another inmate was denied medical care multiple times before he died. He pointed to high rates of overdoses in the prisons, saying he had received reports of five in the past week at the Howard McLeod Correctional Center and four in one day at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Humphrey also said he receives calls reporting sexual assault in prisons on a regular basis but believes that the DOC files a report on incidents only when they are on video. A lot of these people made mistakes, Humphrey said of inmates during his press conference. I dont know about yall. I made a whole lot of mistakes when I was younger. I was pretty wild. Ive been to jail a couple of times. I used to fight and drink. And so, again, I think it needs to be a place where we change their behavior, and thats what were not talking about. In its response statement, the DOC said Humphrey had not reported any of the rape incidents to the agency and has continued to make vague statements, which cannot be investigated. No outside law enforcement agency has contacted us about potential rape reports. The DOC also said Humphreys comment on preventable deaths in its prison is pure speculation on his part. Our medical and mental health teams genuinely care about those incarcerated and work diligently to provide the best care possible. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Steve Metzer Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Steve Metzer Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY State lawmakers took another step forward on Thursday in funding millions of dollars worth of work exposed as needed along the Arkansas River levee system in the wake of disastrous flooding in 2019. Officials have estimated that repairs and upgrades will cost in the range of $191 million. Oklahomas congressional delegation has acted to secure a commitment of nearly $137.5 million in federal funding. However, Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, said a 30% match of local and state funding is needed to secure the money. The vital flood control system, built in the mid-1940s, includes more than 20 miles of levees, 1,800 relief wells and seven pump stations. Serious maintenance needs were identified more than a decade ago, but massive flooding in 2019 laid bare the major scope of requirements as well as risks of delaying action. In my district alone, the levees are nearly 11 miles long and shield 6,000 individual homes and 3,000 buildings with an estimated value of $1.2 billion, Rogers told lawmakers on the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee on Thursday. The committee voted to pass House Bill 3288, which would create the Arkansas River Levee Projects Revolving Fund. Rogers said an earlier bill that passed in the Senate, Senate Bill 1391, includes $50 million to be appropriated to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Plans are to merge the language of the Senate measure into HB 3288 as it passes through the Senate Appropriations Committee and eventually for a vote on the Senate floor. Rogers noted that local funding also will be tapped to contribute to the 30% match. Its a fluid situation. We have had some contacts with the tribes, with the city of Tulsa, Sand Springs and Tulsa County, and theres some matching funds coming from them, too, he said. Between May and June of 2019, record flooding along the Arkansas River killed five people and left an estimated $3 billion in damage in Tulsa and the surrounding area. Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, who advocated for passage of HB 3288, said the state cant afford to delay addressing levee needs along the river. To do so would put at risk some $2 billion worth of infrastructure in Tulsa County, west Tulsa and Sand Springs. Should a failure occur, the state would be responsible for paying 12.5% of the FEMA disaster relief, or over four times the current state and local match required to secure these federal funds, Sims said. We simply cant afford to wait any longer to safeguard our future. Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, cast the only no vote on Thursday to pass HB 3288 through the Senate committee. He suggested that the federal government and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should take sole responsibility for upgrading the levee system. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Ginnie Graham Tulsa World Editorials Editor Follow Ginnie Graham 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 Recently, Sen. James Lankford defended his reputation as an anti-abortion crusader by attacking medical abortion at the heart of a pending U.S. Supreme Court case as unsafe, especially when unsupervised by a physician. We agree that unsupervised, at-home abortions could lead to unnecessary health complications. We disagree on why such abortions are becoming more common. There is a reason the image of a clothes hanger as an abortion tool endures. Desperate, pregnant women sometimes resort to desperate measures. Laws that fail to recognize reasons behind that drive risky behavior. Abortion rights advocates have always argued that legal abortion under a health providers care is better for women. Lankford wont concede that point. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that seeks to sharply limit access to medical abortion, specifically the drug mifepristone. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000 with restrictions on use up to seven weeks of pregnancy and with three visits to a physician. In 2016, the FDA made several changes, including use up to 10 weeks, with only one visit to a health care provider required. It eliminated a requirement for prescribers to report adverse reactions beyond the FDAs standard reporting requirements. In 2021, the FDA allowed for telehealth appointments and obtaining pills by mail. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. One or two days after ingesting mifepristone, a woman takes misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and empty. In Oklahoma, abortion is banned. But if a woman were to have a telehealth appointment with a physician in a state with legal abortion and have a prescription mailed to her, it would appear to be allowed. Though, there may be some gray areas. Oklahomas abortion ban isnt exactly clear. Good bet several Oklahoma lawmakers are already trying to figure out how to stop mailed medication. In the meantime, Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, sponsored House Bill 3013, which would make it a felony it a felony to distribute abortion-inducing drugs with an intent to cause abortions. She says its intended to stop black market distribution and would not restrict morning-after pills like Plan B. During a March 14 floor discussion, Crosswhite Hader said she watched YouTube videos of people making abortion-inducing drugs and thats her concern. She says its not intended to block prescribed pills sent through the mail, but opponents say the proposal creates that possibility. It passed the House 77-18 and is pending in the Senate with sponsor Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. More than 5 million women have taken mifepristone since its approval. Of the 642,700 U.S. abortions last year, those drug-induced account for 63%, according to the Guttmacher Institute. This is up from 53% in 2020. Lankford spoke of his concerns on Fox News Radios Livin the Bream podcast with Shannon Bream. On his podcast, The Breakdown with James Lankford, he hosted Donna Harrison, an OB/GYN as well as the director of research for the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists and associate scholar with the anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute. Anti-abortion advocates are attacking the FDA under the guise of protecting womens health, rather than using religious or moral objections. Harrisons name popped up in the Supreme Court case as providing testimony for the plaintiffs. In an amicus brief supporting the FDA, lawyers claim that numerous courts have discredited her opinions as inaccurate and incomplete, generally at odds with solid medical evidence, exaggerated or distorted and shaped primarily by the position she is advocating at the moment. In Lankfords podcast, Harrison painted a grim picture of how drug-induced abortions can go wrong if a woman hasnt had adequate physician care. This includes not having an accurate conception date or knowing whether a pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy, which could lead to death if untreated regardless of an abortion drug. She brings up how a physician can assess for domestic violence or human trafficking. These are all dangers for women, and they are increasing with the lack of a requirement that a woman have an in-person visit, Harrison said. Shes right about the benefits of an in-person visit. But an Oklahoma doctor cannot help with an abortion unless its to save the life of the woman still a murky legal call that many hospitals and physicians avoid for fear of prosecution. An in-person visit for an abortion isnt an option for Oklahomans. Lankford also criticized telehealth, the mail alternative and the lack of a requirement to report complications. He also dismissed the medias portrayal of mifepristone as a safe drug that has been used over and over again for decades. No one talks about the issues that (Harrison is) talking about and the very real risk, Lankford said. Child birth is also a very real risk for women. Not many lawmakers are talking about a concerning spike in maternal deaths since 2019. In 2021, there were 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with a rate of 23.8 in 2020 and 20.1 in 2019, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Black women, its much more grim at 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. An FDA report found that through 2022, there were 32 deaths after taking mifepristone for abortion. However, details show that two of those deaths were homicides, two were suicides, two involved intoxication/drug overdoses, two were ruptured ectopic pregnancies and others had associated issues such as a methadone overdose, suspected homicide, liver failure, delayed toxic shock syndrome and severe pulmonary emphysema. There is no indication that mifepristone has caused direct deaths, certainly not more than actual childbirth has. Doctors who brought the Supreme Court case argue that the FDA failed to adequately evaluate the risk and invoked the indecency Comstock Act of 1873 to stop the mailing of mifepristone. Instead, justices on Tuesday focused on whether the doctors had any legal standing. Conservative Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh asked questions noting that doctors were protected by federal law from performing or assisting in abortions against their beliefs. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch said the case was a prime example of turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule or any other federal government action. The journey of this lawsuit had controversy. The plaintiffs judge-shopped to determine where to file the lawsuit, landing in Amarillo, Texas, where the lone jurist, Matthew Kacsmaryk, was known prior to his appointment in 2019 to be a critic of Roe v. Wade. No surprise, he found in favor of the plaintiffs. It prompted the U.S. Judicial Conference to invoke a new policy in January on random case assignments. Also, the academic journal Sage Journals retracted two studies cited by Kacsmaryk after concerns were raised and verified about the data and author conflicts of interest. Views on abortion arent always a yes or no. Abortion isnt a decision I wish anyone had to face, but life is messy and complicated. There may never be agreement on this issue, making equitable laws challenging. But having choices makes for more rational thought, clearer decision making and safer outcomes. Attacks on medical abortion arent going away. When it comes to targeting FDA and other regulatory agencies, arguments ought to be based on actual science instead of theology and emotion. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 10:06, March 28, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily Recently, top executives from a number of big-name multinational corporations have come to China to open new stores, launch new products, and hold inaugural exhibitions, garnering widespread attention. Foreign companies are optimistic about the development opportunities in the Chinese market and are increasing their investment in China, which highlights China's significant advantages and vast potential in attracting foreign investment. Staff members of an exhibitor at the 4th China Cross-border E-commerce Trade Fair in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian province talk to a visitor, March 18, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Xie Guiming) Since the beginning of this year, factors for a stronger Chinese economy have been accumulating. Statistics recently released by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed that in the first two months of this year, the total value added of industrial enterprises above the designated size grew by 7 percent year-on-year; the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 5.5 percent year-on-year; the investment in the manufacturing sector went up by 9.4 percent from a year ago; the total import and export of goods saw a year-on-year uplift of 8.7 percent. China's economy has not only achieved reasonable quantitative growth but has also effectively improved in quality. It has a solid foundation for stability and vast room for progress. At the China Development Forum 2024, managing director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva noted that in the medium-term, China will continue to be a key contributor to global economic growth. A series of policies introduced by China, which are aimed at stabilizing the economy, promoting opening-up, and attracting foreign investment, continue to take effect, creating more favorable conditions for attracting foreign investment. Statistics recently released by China's Ministry of Commerce showed that in the first two months of this year, 7,160 new foreign-invested enterprises were established nationwide, an increase of 34.9 percent year-on-year; the actual use of foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland reached 215.09 billion yuan ($30.29 billion), of which 28.27 billion yuan was used in the high-tech manufacturing sector, up 10.1 percent from a year ago. Top executives of international organizations and multinational companies believe that China will continue to be an economy that provides enormous opportunities for cooperation. China is at a crucial stage of shifting from traditional drivers of growth to new ones and a key period of promoting high-quality development, containing tremendous development opportunities. Photo taken on March 8, 2024 shows a busy scene of a container terminal in Haikou, south China's Hainan province. (People's Daily Online/Yang He) In China, Volkswagen has established its largest overseas R&D center; Schneider Electric has set up an AI innovation lab; Tesla has launched an energy storage super factory project. Many multinational companies believe that keeping pace with China means keeping pace with opportunities, and investing in China means investing in the future. China sincerely welcomes enterprises from all countries to invest in China and continues to foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework. Last year, China released 24 new guidelines to stabilize foreign investment and issued a set of measures on a trial basis in five pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port to deepen reforms in key areas by aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules. This year's Chinese government work report proposed abolishing all market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, and reducing market access restrictions in services sectors such as telecommunications and healthcare. The country issued an action plan to steadily promote high-level opening up and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment, which proposes measures across different aspects, including expanding market access, facilitating the flow of innovation factors, as well as better aligning domestic rules with high-standard international economic and trade rules. Besides, China has also rolled out national and pilot free trade zone versions of negative lists for cross-border trade in services to boost opening up. As macro-policies continue to be implemented, China will further release its development dividends to the international market. The person in charge of Siemens Healthineers said that China's friendly attitude in creating a world-class business environment has boosted the confidence of foreign-invested enterprises in their further development in China. Photo taken on March 24, 2024 shows a recently opened Apple store in Jing'ansi Square in a central business district of Shanghai, which is the largest in Asia. (People's Daily Online/Yan Daming) Currently, with the slowing global economic growth and weak demand, the scale of global cross-border direct investment is facing significant downward pressure. Against such a background, it is remarkable that China has maintained overall stability in attracting foreign investment in recent years. A few Western media outlets have hyped "challenges China faces in attracting foreign investment" and the so-called "risks" of investing in China, which is completely misleading with ulterior motives. Foreign investment is a market behavior that values long-term returns, and fluctuations in data are normal phenomena that conform to market laws. In the past five years, the rate of return on foreign direct investment in China has been around 9 percent, which is relatively high internationally. In 2023, the foreign direct investment in China accounted for approximately 15 percent of the world's total, ranking first among developing countries and in the forefront globally. The fundamentals sustaining China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged, and China's comprehensive advantages in attracting investment, such as its enormous market size, complete supply chain, well-developed infrastructure, and abundant human resources, remain outstanding. Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that China's rich talent resources and strong innovation vitality make it an important market and a key supply chain partner for Apple. Apple will continue to focus on its long-term development in China and increase investment in its Chinese supply chain, research and development, and sales, the CEO added. Looking ahead, China will continue to link itself with the world through higher levels of openness. A more open China will undoubtedly bring more opportunities for win-win cooperation to the world and will continue to be a force for stability in promoting global growth. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said that China firmly opposes the United States' dangerous practice of inventing enemies out of thin air. The United States has continuously and significantly increased its military budget in recent years, Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference. To increase its military budget, the U.S. side has been fabricating and promoting nonexistent "China military threat." "This practice of inventing enemies out of thin air is strategically very dangerous. China firmly opposes this," he said. Vietnams law-making National Assembly (NA) Secretariat led by NA Secretary General Bui Van Cuong attended the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) meeting held between Sunday and Tuesday this week in Geneva, Switzerland. NA Secretary General Cuong delivered a speech at the meetings plenary session, sharing the Vietnamese legislatures experience in storing minutes of NA sessions and technology solutions to effectively keep meeting minutes, according to the NA Office. Cuong mentioned the research and development of software and digital archives, measures to ensure safety and security in data archiving, and tech solutions in the digitization, management, and archiving of NA session minutes. The Vietnamese NA Secretariat engaged in group discussions during the meeting, providing information about how the Vietnamese legislature has mobilized the participation of experts, scientists in NA programs. The Vietnamese delegation was also briefed on the experience of other parliaments on the issues. The delegation also participated in several sessions featuring important and pragmatic topics, such as the attendance of ministers of state to parliament to report and give explanations about their management of government business; parliaments framework and tools for efficiently scrutinizing government spending; parenthood and parliament. During his meeting with Secretary General of the House of Representatives of Morocco and President of the ASGP Najib El Khadi, Cuong suggested that the ASGP expand its scale of operations to pave the way for further in-depth and substantive discussions for parliamentary proceedings. Both sides agreed to keep promoting the cooperation ties between the Vietnamese NA Secretariat with its Moroccan counterpart and the ASGP. The Vietnamese NA Secretariat pledged to facilitate cooperation and exchanges with its counterparts in Switzerland, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam requests implementation of a resolution recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday. Spokeswoman of the ministry Pham Thu Hang said at a press meeting the same day that Vietnam welcomed Resolution 2728, approved by the UNSC on March 25, which targets a prompt ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Hamas group in the region. Hang called on all relevant sides to abide by the resolution to realize a long-term and sustainable ceasefire, promoting humanitarian aid and protecting civilians and civil infrastructure in Gaza. Vietnam supports the international communitys efforts in urging the parties to exercise restraint, hold dialogues and resolve disagreements through peaceful means and based on international law and the UNSCs related resolutions so as to achieve a fair, satisfactory and long-lasting solution to the Middle East peace process, the diplomat stressed. The resolution was approved with 14 out of 15 votes from the permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC. The remaining vote was an abstention from the U.S., one of the five UN permanent members with veto power. Besides a substantive ceasefire, the resolution asked both Israel and Palestinian Hamas group to unconditionally release all hostages. The document also emphasizes the urgent need to expand humanitarian assistance and strengthen the protection of civilians across the Gaza Strip, and calls for a removal of all barriers to humanitarian assistance activities. Considered a groundbreaking step for the Gaza conflict, Resolution 2728 was initiated by 10 non-permanent members and intensely negotiated before being brought for voting. Vietnam has repeatedly called for an end of violence in Gaza and strongly condemned attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure in the region since the fighting between Israel and Hamas forces broke out in October 2023. The Vietnamese foreign ministry has recently chaired meetings focusing on safeguarding life and property of Vietnamese citizens in conflict areas, considering it one of the current priorities of the government. According to statistics from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 32,333 Palestinians have been killed and 74,694 others injured since the beginning of the bloody conflict. Approximately one third of those killed were Hamas militants, according to Israeli Defense Forces. Meanwhile, Israels data shows that the fighting has killed 1,160 Israelis, mostly civilians. Aid being improperly distributed amidst the prolonged conflict has put the strip on the brink of humanitarian disaster. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Truong Thi Mai, permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committees Organization Commission of Vietnam, hosted a reception for a delegation of North Koreas Workers Party of Korea (WPK) in Hanoi on Tuesday. The delegation, led by Kim Song Nam, director of the International Department of the WPK Central Committee, is paying a visit to Vietnam from Monday to Thursday this week. Mai spoke highly of the WPK delegations visit to Vietnam, during which time both nations will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam-North Korea diplomatic relationship in 2025. The senior Vietnamese Party official expressed her belief that the Party, government, and people of North Korea will achieve further success in developing its economy and enhancing the peoples lives, under the leadership of the WPK Central Committee. Mai stressed that the Vietnamese Party, state, and people attach great importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with their North Korean counterparts. She also spoke highly of the outcome of talks between the senior North Korean Party official and Le Hoai Trung, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committees Commission for External Relations, on Monday, as well as discussed plans for cooperation between the two countries in the upcoming period. She suggested that the CPV Central Committees Commission for External Relations and the WPK Central Committees International Department should continue to fulfill their advisory role in promoting the relations between the two countries and their Parties. Speaking at the reception, Kim expressed his contentment in witnessing Vietnams socioeconomic achievements under the leadership of the CPV led by Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong. Kim affirmed that the Party and government of North Korea attach great importance to the traditional relationship with Vietnam. On Monday, during his talks with Kim in Hanoi, Le Hoai Trung said that both sides should bolster all-level exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the relations between the two countries, two Parties in various fields. Trung also recommended that both sides effectively implement the existing cooperation mechanisms, boost cultural, artistic, sports, and people-to-people exchanges, and tighten cooperation at multilateral forums. For his part, Kim highlighted that the visit to Vietnam is expected to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and Parties. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam and the U.S. pledged to promote multifaceted cooperation in new areas such as semiconductor training and energy transition at a foreign ministerial-level dialogue held in Washington D.C. aimed at boosting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Vietnams Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son led a delegation to join the first Vietnam-U.S. Dialogue at the foreign ministerial level at the invitation of his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken on Monday (local time). The dialogue, which was co-chaired by Son and Blinken, was also the first held since the two countries established their comprehensive strategic partnership last September. Both parties shared that they were pleased with their cooperation in politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, security and defense, education and training, science and technology, and health. In addition, they also discussed their successes in rebuilding their relationship since the end of the war. The two ministers also discussed steps to boost ties in emerging fields such as semiconductor training, energy transition, green economy, innovation, technology transfer, and climate change adaptation. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in building semiconductor ecology and diversifying supply chains. Secretary Blinken told his guest that the U.S. supports a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam that holds an increasingly important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as in the region and the international community, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. He reiterated the U.S. governments commitment to cooperation agreements under the new partnership framework as well as agreements between the two nations leaders. The U.S. diplomat also stated that the U.S. supports ASEAN's central role in the region and will beef up cooperation under the ASEAN-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership. FM Son affirmed that Vietnam considers the U.S. an important strategic partner and that the Southeast Asian country will continue to work closely with the U.S. to implement the comprehensive strategic partnership effectively and substantively. He agreed with Secretary Blinken on the significance of an annual dialogue mechanism at the foreign ministerial level between the two countries. The Vietnamese diplomat suggested that the U.S. continue to play an active role in and contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, as well as in the world. Son extended the best regards from Vietnams Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to U.S. President Biden. The two FMs promised to coordinate activities to celebrate 30 years of normalization of relations between the two countries next year, according to VNA. Regarding the East Vietnam Sea issue, both sides shared the importance of peace, security, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters, and emphasized the need of solving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also advocated the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC), as well as the efforts towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Vietnam Sea (COC). Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered a comprehensive partnership in July 2013. Over ten years later, the two sides lifted their ties directly to a comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level, during an official two-day visit to Vietnam by U.S. President Joe Biden. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Border guard officers in Quang Tri Province, north central Vietnam, have arrested two Chinese men for attempting to illegally bring 21 Vietnamese of ethnic minority groups into Laos by stealthily crossing the border. The Lao Bao border guard station in Quang Tris Huong Hoa District on Thursday handed over two Chinese nationals, Zhu Gui Neng, 47, and Liu Fang Quan, 36, hailing from southern Chinas Yunnan Province, to the provincial police department for investigation on charges of organizing for others to leave Vietnam illegally. Earlier at 10:30 am on March 23, local border guard officers coordinated with other forces to catch the two Chinese men organizing for a group of 21 Vietnamese, including 20 of Hmong ethnic group and one of Tay minority people, to illegally cross the border in Huong Hoa to enter Laos. According to the case file, Zhu had one of his acquaintances in northern Vietnams Ha Giang Province recruit 21 workers, who will be employed to grow trees that provide wood materials for a paper company in Laos Savannakhet Province. Under a mutual agreement, the cost of illegal exit was set at 280 Chinese yuan (US$38.7) per person and would be paid in advance by Zhu, who would get back the money later by deducting it from the workers salary after they have received their jobs in Laos. As planned, Zhu and Liu entered Ha Giang via the Sam Pun border gate on March 21 and they then received the recruited workers and took them to Lao Bao international border gate in Huong Hoa. When the two Chinese men were arranging for these Vietnamese to illegally cross the border to enter Laos, they were caught by local border guard officers. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know in Vietnam today: Politics -- Secretary General of Vietnams National Assembly Bui Van Cuong led a delegation to Switzerland to attend the meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments from March 24 to 26. -- Vietnam welcomes a resolution recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council that demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Wednesday. -- Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang expressed his hope that Vietnam and the U.S. will deepen cooperation across spheres, making it on par with their comprehensive strategic partnership, while receiving Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, in Hanoi on Wednesday, reported the Vietnam News Agency. Society -- The southern region is forecast to continue experiencing the baking hot weather, with the highest temperature reaching 37 degrees Celsius, and a very high ultraviolet index on Thursday, while many parts in northern Vietnam might record fog and drizzle in the morning, according to the national weather center. -- Vietnamese people spent a combined VND200 billion (US$8 million) on rabies vaccinations in the first three months of 2024, heard a teleconference discussing the prevention of diseases spread by animals on Wednesday. -- Despite warnings repeated by local authorities and police against online fraud, many Vietnamese residents have been trapped and scammed out of their money after talks on some message and phone apps such as Facebook and Zalo. Business -- Tour operators on Phu Quoc Island off the southern province of Kien Giang are offering discounts on tours while local authorities are stepping up the fight against overcharging to entice visitors to the island during the forthcoming holiday celebrating the Reunification Day (April 30). World News -- Divers on Wednesday recovered the remains of two of the six workers missing since they were tossed into Baltimore Harbor from a highway bridge that collapsed into shipping lanes when a faltering cargo freighter rammed into the structure, officials said on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has dispatched 54 volunteers to support the development of international tourism in various regions of Vietnam since 2000. Currently, there are seven JICA volunteers operating in tourist destinations across the country, namely Da Nang, Da Lat, and Can Tho. Japanese volunteers and serendipity with Vietnam Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Tsuruta Shiki, 33, volunteering in Da Lat City in Lam Dong Province, recounted her first journey to Vietnam in 2011 as a university student. During a study tour to Ho Chi Minh City, she had the opportunity to interact with children at a center for disadvantaged youth. Tsuruta Shiki is seen holding a Da Lat tourism brochure at the festival. Photo: JICA Vietnam Upon completing her studies in 2016, she returned to Vietnam to work for a non-governmental organization (NGO) focusing on environmental education. In three years, Tsuruta undertook projects to support local farmers in Hue. During her third visit to Vietnam, she aims to assist Da Lat tourism, especially sustainable tourism there. "I really enjoy life in Vietnam. I feel like theres a bond between me and Vietnam. "I hope to continue building relationships with my Vietnamese friends," said Tsuruta. Meanwhile, Nagai Junkom, 41, volunteering in Da Nang, expressed her fondness for Vietnamese cuisine, people, and the atmosphere here. In recent years, the number of Vietnamese living in Japan has increased significantly, especially those in her neighborhood. That pushed her to learn more about Vietnamese culture and its language. She plans to use the knowledge she gained in Vietnam to assist the Vietnamese community in Japan. Nagai Junko is seen holding Da Nang tourism promoting documents. Photo: JICA Vietnam Before coming to Vietnam, Kamiji Shota, 29, based in Can Tho, worked as a marketing executive for a large e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. Upon learning about the long-term volunteer program, he applied and underwent a short-term training course on the country's culture. After over a year in Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta, Kamiji has developed proficient Vietnamese language skills and can easily communicate with the local people. Efforts to promote Vietnam tourism to the world Kamiji explained that he and his colleagues have three main tasks: surveying and researching potential tourist destinations in their respective areas, promoting local tourism on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and organizing or participating in international tourism promotion activities. Each volunteer will stay in Vietnam for two years, living alongside locals to fulfill their duties. Kamiji Shota posing with Can Tho tourism promoting documents while introducing his work at the festival. Photo: Ngoc Duc / Tuoi Tre "My focus is on promoting tourism to foreigners, especially the Japanese. Can Tho is famous among Vietnamese but not well-known to us. Therefore, I conduct surveys on tourist destinations, share information with travel companies, and talk about them on social media," Kamiji shared. After seven months in Da Lat, Tsuruta realized the area's potential in attracting Japanese tourists. She remarked that Da Lat possesses beautiful natural scenery that many Japanese do not think Vietnam has. Located at the altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, Da Lat offers an experience that most Japanese have never encountered. Currently, the volunteers looking into hosting coffee farm tours, where tourists can experience coffee cultivation and interact with local farmers, with Japanese tourist agencies in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Nagai saw that the central Da Nang City's strength lies in being a coastal city with developed infrastructure, luxurious hotels, and resorts. Moreover, the city is close to cultural heritage sites such as Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary in neighboring Quang Nam Province. "Japanese people generally like world heritage sites. Japanese tourists can easily visit these destinations from Da Nang. The city itself has many beachfront hotels and resorts, which offer much cheaper prices than in Japan," Nagai stated. To develop tourism in Da Lat, Tsuruta believes local authorities should focus on enhancing the citys original strengths without constructing additional infrastructure. On the other hand, Nagai hopes that the local government will promote multilingual promotional channels to help foreigners, especially Japanese, learn about the city. Talking with Tuoi Tre, Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam Office Hiraoka Hisakazu mentioned that JICA began dispatching Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) to Vietnam in 1995. Volunteers in the tourism sector were first dispatched in 2000. According to Hiraoka, following the travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, activities undertaken by tourism-focused volunteers have reignited Japan's interest in Vietnam. "JOCV's support for the tourism sector includes not only tourism promotion and community tourism development, but also cultural heritage protection and human resource development. For example, JICA, including JOCV, is currently supporting the restoration of a Japanese-built bridge in Hoi An. We hope that these grassroots activities carried out by JOCV will lead to the deepening of cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan," said the leader of JICA Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Department of Overseas Labor under the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has required Vietnamese enterprises to urge their partners which use Vietnamese sailors on vessels to avoid shipping routes to the Middle East and Africa through the Red Sea or suspend the operation on these routes. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said tensions in the Middle East are escalating, especially in areas near the Red Sea. The Houthis have been regularly attacking ships and vessels in the sea, threatening the navigation safety there. On March 6, True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged cargo ship, with 20 crew members on board, including four Vietnamese, faced a missile attack by Houthi forces off the coast of Yemen while traveling from Singapore to Saudi Arabia. The strike resulted in the death of three sailors, including a Vietnamese. The Department of Overseas Labor forecast the situation would remain complicated in the coming time. The maritime insecurity will not be limited to the Middle East but may spread to South Asia and Africa, according to the department. It asked local enterprises to work with their partners that employ Vietnamese sailors and inform Vietnamese laborers of the situation so that they can weigh keeping working on vessels traveling on routes to the Middle East and Africa or not. Vietnamese firms must also regularly keep a close watch on the state of Vietnamese laborers on foreign vessels. The Red Sea crisis began in October 2023, when the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen launched missiles and armed drones at Israel. The Houthis have since seized and launched aerial attacks against merchant and naval vessels in the Red Sea. The Red Sea, which leads to the Suez Canal, lies on the key east-west trade route from Asia's manufacturing hubs to Europe and onto the east coast of the Americas. About 12 percent of world shipping traffic accesses the Suez Canal via its waters, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A nurse from the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital saved the life of an Indian tourist who suffered sudden cardiac arrest while dining at a restaurant in Da Nang City in central Vietnam. The nurse, Dang Thi Ha, who works in the emergency room at Bach Mai Hospital, was on a trip to Da Nang when she saw the foreign traveler fall in the restaurant in Son Tra District on Sunday last week. The tourist Narinder Jean was having a meal with his wife when he suddenly showed abnormal signs before collapsing. Ha immediately rushed to the man to check his pulse and asked the restaurants staff to call the 115 emergency service. She and her friends would have boarded a flight to Hanoi on Sunday evening, but their flight was delayed, so they had dinner at the restaurant before traveling to the airport and incidentally met Jean and saved him, Ha recalled. Has group was sitting at a table near the Indian couples table when Has friend saw that the man appears to be having an issue. After the man collapsed, his wife helped him back onto a chair. Ha checked the mans pulse and found none. She also found his skin cold and that he had dilated pupils and circulatory arrest. Ha tried to have the man lie on the ground but the mans wife didnt understand Vietnamese and tried to keep him in the chair. Ha and her friends pulled the man to the ground and Ha immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for two minutes. After a while, the man regained consciousness and the ability to speak and walk, and was taken to a hospital. According to his wife, he had a history of coronary artery disease and had previously undergone a coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Ha said she and her colleagues do CPR daily but this was the first time she had outside of the hospital. She also shared that she hopes everyone takes some time to learn basic first aid. Doctor Tran Cong Thong, director of the 115 Emergency Center in Da Nang City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the Indian tourist had been stable thanks to timely and accurate first aid. Employees at B.T. Restaurant in Son Tra District, Da Nang where the case happened shared that the entire restaurant began to panic but Ha managed to stay calm. Tran Le Nguyen Vu, the manager of the restaurant, said thanks to Has prompt acts, the tourist regained consciousness after only two minutes. Minh Thu, an assistant at the restaurant, said everyone wanted to help the tourist but they did not know what to do besides call an ambulance. Meeting the nurse was great luck of the tourist. If not, his life might have been at risk, Thu added. Before getting in the ambulance, the Indian couple thanked Ha and staff at the restaurant for helping them, the restaurants staff shared. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A foundation stone laying ceremony for the restoration of Long Hoa Pagoda in Nhon Trach District under Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam took place on Thursday morning, featuring the participation of Buddhist nuns and monks, crowds of Buddhists and some local officials. After three years of renovation, the pagoda will have five storeys. Buddhist monks, nuns and Buddhists attended a foundation stone laying ceremony for the restoration of Long Hoa Pagoda in Dong Nai Province on March 28, 2024. Photo: Supplied Founded in 1971, the pagoda, which covers an area of some 2,000 square meters, is considered one of religious symbols and Buddhist cultural features in the province in particular and in Vietnam in general. Like other pagodas nationwide, Long Hoa Pagoda contributes to improving the Vietnamese peoples spiritual life. Over the past five decades, the pagoda has deteriorated, making it hard for Buddhist nuns and Buddhists to meditate. After getting the nod from the local authorities, Venerable Thich Nu Hue Hieu, the pagoda abbot, and other Buddhist nuns decided to rebuild the pagoda. Buddhist nuns and Buddists make a symbolic gesture to lay a foundation stone for the restoration of Long Hoa Pagoda in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Buddhist nuns of Long Hoa Pagoda in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam sit in on a foundation stone laying ceremony for the restoration of the pagoda on March 28, 2024. Photo: Supplied Buddhist monks attend a foundation stone laying ceremony for the restoration of Long Hoa Pagoda in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam on March 28, 2024. Photo: Supplied Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on Thursday warned that the more rampant "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are, the smaller the possibility of peaceful reunification becomes. Peaceful reunification and "one country, two systems" are basic principles that apply to the resolution of the Taiwan question, and they are the best approach to realizing national reunification, spokesperson Wu Qian said at a press conference. "We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts, but we will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland," he said. The People's Liberation Army remains resolute and professional in fighting "Taiwan independence" forces and pursuing reunification, he said. Next Monday Australian Story goes behind the scenes with the 2024 Australians of the Year as they reach a remarkable milestone, even they never thought possible. Professors Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long made headlines last year after trialling a groundbreaking protocol theyd devised for melanoma patients on Richards incurable brain cancer. They allowed Australian Story cameras to document their bold approach, as Richard expressed his greatest fears, and Georgina toiled day and night to find a cure. Now, 10 months on since Richard was first diagnosed, our cameras travel alongside him once more as scientists scan his brain for any signs the aggressive cancer has returned. To be able to get this far through now without any recurrence of my tumour Im blown away. This is not what I expected, says Richard. Professor Long says the goal now is to test the treatment on a large scale. As a scientist and as a clinician, there is an absolute need to make sure that you do things properly and share that information in a peer-reviewed, proper way, she says. They anticipate clinical trials will begin soon. 8pm Monday on ABC. Producer, presenter Rove McManus has given an interview to ABCs Zan Rowe looking back on his television success including Rove aka Rove Live moving from C31 to Nine to 10. That was the peak, McManus recalls. We started in 1999 that was a fun, off-Broadway production but it properly kicked in at Channel 10 in 2000. By 2003 was when I felt like we were part of the fabric. [It felt like] Im here, Ive planted my flag,' he says. I will say it until Im blue in the face, the one ace up the sleeve that free-to-air, network, terrestrial television has is live. Ask The Matildas, ask the Australian Open, he says. People will watch live TV if you do something that doesnt talk down to people. If you acknowledge, yes theres other things on, you can go back to bingeing whatever you want on your streaming service. But just come back and watch me for an hour, lets commune Its a lost art and it was great to have that while we did. It was so much fun. He also notes of Rove Live, which ran largely from 2000 2009, People forget, we were never a ratings juggernaut. Roving Enterprises currently produces The Project on 10 and is due to present Whats Your Toy Story? for Disney+. A French court on Wednesday handed former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara a 30-year prison sentence for violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity during Liberia's first civil war. Kamara, now 49, had been sentenced to life in prison during a first trial in Paris in 2022. The Paris criminal court, after an appeals trial that lasted three weeks, upheld a guilty verdict against Kamara for "acts of torture and inhuman barbarity" against civilians between 1993 and 1994, including a teacher whose heart he reportedly ate. He was again found guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity for not preventing soldiers under his command from repeatedly raping two teenage girls in 1994. The prosecution had on Monday urged the court to uphold his life sentence. The allegations against Kamara date back to the early years of the back-to-back conflicts that would ultimately kill 250,000 people in the West African nation between 1989 and 2003. The fighting was marked by mass murders, rape and mutilations, in many cases by child soldiers conscripted by warlords, with atrocities against civilians common. Kamara was a regional commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), a rebel group that fought the National Patriotic Front of ex-president Charles Taylor. She said they had been able to "obtain the justice they had not obtained in their country". Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Liberias new president Joseph Boakai sworn in with pledge to rescue Africas oldest republic More than 40 killed in Liberia gas tanker blast Pride and apprehension as UN hands over Liberia security They say you shouldnt remake the classics, and theyre probably right. But what if your remake is an outlandish, over-the-top, high-octane Action/Sci-fi adventure comic book version of a classic? A filmmaker might be able to cut themselves some slack with the film-going public. All kudos and respect must be given to David Hogans adaptation of Chris Warners 90s Dark Horse comic book Barb Wire for giving it a shot. With a far more appealing bod than Bogart, Baywatch megastar Pamela Anderson leads the best remake of Casablanca one could ever hope to see. In the future of 2017, the United States has been ravaged by the second civil war. On one side are the fascist Congressionals, and on the other are the freedom fighters the United Front resistance. In between is the last free city of Steel Harbor standing as the last outpost of old-world American indulgence. Enter Barb Wire (Pamela Anderson). Moonlighting as a mercenary for hire and bounty hunter, she supplements her bar The Hammerhead catering to clientele of any and all political persuasions. But when her old flame Axel (Boba Fett) arrives with fugitive bioweapons scientist Cora D (Victoria Rowell) seeking safe passage into the free territories of Canada, Barb finds herself on the wrong side of the Congressionals and their psychotic hunter Victor Pryzer (Steve Railsback). Some films are just born to become cult classics. Not because theyre misunderstood gems or an audience failed to discover it, but simply because it was before its time. Thats where we find David Hogans Barb Wire. With a screenplay by go-to 90s action classic screenwriter (and former Navy SEAL badass) Chuck Pfarrer, Pamela Anderson made her big-screen breakout at a time when comic book movies were largely for kids, and the comics industry was standing on broken legs with gimmic crossovers and foil covers. This was an era of massive muscles, tight bustiers, huge guns, lots of swords, and plenty of extraneous pouches holding god knows what. And this film perfectly captures that aesthetic. As a kid of the 80s, the bulk of my collection of comics was from that early-mid 90s period. This was the era of Image Comics and Todd McFarlane, Eric Larsen, Jim Lee, and Rob Liefeld and their big, bulgy, hyper-detailed testosterone-fueled series. Right in that mix of printed mayhem was John Arcudi's words and Lee Moders pencils for Dark Horses run on Barb Wire. The book almost felt like a parody of what was being published on the regular by the major studios and the movies coming out werent much help for the industry. At a time when Arnold Schwarzenegger upstaged Batman, Steel sank under the weight of Shaq, and Spawn was a devilish misfire with John Leguizamo the only highlight, Barb Wire crept into that mix of heavy metal music, sex, and explosions. While some of the more adult-leaning comic films have aged like mud, Barb Wire grew into a true cult classic perfectly encapsulating that time when comic films were grossly underbudgeted misunderstood cast-off junk. Whether intentional or not, this film seemed to get the gag of a heroine armed to the teeth with more guns and ammo than anyone could carry whilst clad in thigh-high stilettos complete with bustier, thong, and leather trench coat. As that era of comics is rediscovered, analyzed, and enjoyed, this film proves to be a perfect time capsule ready to be opened for a new generation. To that point of 90s comics come to life, I dont think Barb Wire is a particularly great film, but it is a damn fun one! And like I said, its a sexy action-packed gender-swapped almost beat-for-beat version of Casablanca. As Pamela Anderson has far more appealing physical assets than Bogart, The Book of Boba Fetts Temuera Morrison is a fun substitute for Ingrid Bergman with Victoria Rowell standing in for Paul Henreid. Xander Berkley is always a gas to see in any film, but hes clearly having a great time surrogating for Claude Rains as the morally drifting, ethically challenged police officer. Steve Railsback might not have the clout of Conrad Veidt but hes a hoot as our resident Nazi-like bad guy. Then the casting doesnt get any more perfect than having a scuzzy Clint Howard step up to replace Peter Lorre with Udo Kier offering up a weird version of Doolie Wilson and Jack Noseworthy rounding out the notable supporting cast replacing Madeleine Lebeau. 3.5.5 Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Dont call her "babe" - Barb Wire explodes onto 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with a two-disc Limited Edition SteelBook from Germanys Turbine Medien. The 4K is pressed on a Region Free BD-66 disc with a Region Free standing in for the 1080p version. The discs are housed in a custom SteelBook from artist Herr Eifel with metallic highlights. The SteelBook is then housed in a stylish new slipcase with custom art from Sascha Meurer. The discs load to animated main menus with a standard navigation system. Note - Images are sourced from the included 1080p disc. When we can we'll try to circle back and update the pics sourced from the 4K disc or a video sample. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Applications invited for 2024 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education The award, worth $50,0000 (over 40 lakh Indian rupees), is an initiative by UNESCO to recognise exceptional efforts in advancing girls' and women's education worldwide. Read More Thursday March 28, 2024 11:31 PM , ummid.com News Network Paris: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has invited applications for the 2024 UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education. The award, worth $50,0000 (over 40 lakh Indian rupees), is an initiative by UNESCO to recognise exceptional efforts in advancing girls' and women's education worldwide. The application can be submitted in online mode by individuals and organisation through the UNESCO website. The nomination process started on March 08, 2024. The last date of application is May 24, 2024. Nomination must be submitted in English or French by midnight 24 May 2024 at the latest (UTC+ 1, Paris Time) via an online platform available from March 08 onwards at unesco.org/qwe, UNESCO said in the award notification. The prize secretariat, reachable at GWEPrize@unesco.org, is available for further inquiries, it added. The Prize, created by the UNESCO Executive Board in 2015, is supported by Republic of China. The UNSECO said the Prize will be awarded to two laureates in 2024, each of whom will receive US $50,000, the UN body said. Each government may submit a maximum of three nominations. In India, nominations can be submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC). All the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are requested to forward their application to the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) by April 30, 2024 so as to enable INCCU to screen and forward the recommended application to the UNESCO before the last date May 24, 2024, the UGC said. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Bhiwandi Shocker: Students stab classmate for not showing answers in SSC Exam 2024 In a shocking incident, a student appearing for 2024 Class 10 board exams in Maharashtras Bhiwandi was stabbed by his classmates as he refused to show them answers. Read More Thursday March 28, 2024 1:07 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [Image for representation] Bhiwandi (Thane): In a shocking incident, a student appearing for 2024 Class 10 board exams in Maharashtras Bhiwandi was stabbed by his classmates as he refused to show them answers. The Maharashtra Board conducted the Class 10 (Secondary also known as SSC and Matric) from March 01 to 26, 2024. During the written exam on the last day of the SSC board exams Tuesday March 26, 2024, three angry students stabbed their fellow student after he refused to cheating and show them his answer sheet. "During the SSC exams, the victim refused to show his answer-sheet to the accused students during the examination. Enraged by this, the three students caught hold of him as soon as he came out of the exam hall and thrashed him. They also stabbed him, due to which he suffered injuries and was hospitalised," news agency PTI reported citing local police officials. The injured student was admitted to a local hospital following the shocking incident. A case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon or means) was registered at the Shanti Nagar police station in Bhiwandi against the three minor accused. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Israel's Weapons Suppliers are Complicit in Genocide Canada and Italy are not the largest military supporters of Israel. The US and Germany are. Read More Thursday March 28, 2024 8:00 PM , Dr Ramzy Baroud [The Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces, GEN Onno Eichelsheim, (L) visited Israel on March 25, 2024 as the official guest of the Israeli Occupation Forces Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi.] The Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces, GEN Onno Eichelsheim, landed in Israel on March 25, 2024 as the official guest of the Israeli Occupation Forces Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi.Over 9,000 Palestinian women have been killed since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. Mothers have been the largest share of Israeli killings, at an average of 37 mothers per day since October 7. The numbers above, from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza and the Red Crescent Society respectively, only convey part of the suffering experienced by 2.3 million Palestinians in the Strip. There is not a single section in Palestinian society that has not paid a heavy price for the war, although women and children are the ones who have suffered most, constituting over 70 percent of all victims of the ongoing Israeli genocide. True, these women and their children are killed at the hands of Israeli soldiers, but they are murdered with US-western supplied weapons. Now, however, we are told that the world is finally turning against Israel, and that the wests nod of approval to Tel Aviv to carry on with its daily massacres may soon turn into a collective snub. This claim was expressed best in the March 23 cover of the Economist magazine. It showed a tattered Israeli flag, attached to a stick, and planted in an arid, dusty land. It was accompanied by the headline Israel Alone. The image, undoubtedly expressive, was meant to serve as a sign of the times. Its profundity becomes even more obvious if compared to another cover, from the same publication soon after the Israeli military conquered massive Arab territories in the war of June 1967. They did it, the headline, back then, read. In the background, an Israeli military tank was pictured, illustrating the west-funded Israeli triumph. Between the two headlines much, in the world and in the Middle East, has changed. But to claim that Israel now stands alone is not entirely accurate, at least not yet. Though many of Israels traditional allies in the west are openly disowning its behavior in Gaza, weapons from various western and non-western countries continue to flow, feeding the war machine as it, in turn, continues to harvest more Palestinian lives. Also Read Turkey sold weapons to Israel in the midst of the ongoing war: Govt data This compels the question: Does Israel truly stand alone when its airports and seaports are busier than ever receiving massive shipments of weapons coming from all directions? Not in the least. Almost every time a western country announces that it has suspended arms exports to Israel, a news headline appears shortly afterwards, indicating the opposite. Indeed, this has happened repeatedly. Last year, Rome had declared that it was blocking all arms sales to Israel, giving false hope that some western countries are finally experiencing some kind of moral awakening. Alas, on March 14, Reuters quoted the Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto as saying that shipments of weapons to Israel are continuing, based on the flimsy logic that previously signed deals would have to be honored. Another country that is also honoring its previous commitments is Canada, which announced on May 19, following a parliamentary motion that it had suspended arms exports. The celebration among those advocating an end to the genocide in Gaza were just getting started when, a day later, Ottawa practically reversed the decision by announcing that it, too, will honor previous commitments. This illustrates that some western countries, which continue to impart their unsolicited wisdom about human rights, womens rights and democracy on the rest of the world, have no genuine respect for any of these values. Canada and Italy are not the largest military supporters of Israel. The US and Germany are. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in the decade between 2013 and 2022, Israel has received 68 percent of its weapons from the US and 28 percent from Germany. The Germans remain unperturbed, even though five percent of the total population of Gaza has been killed, wounded or are missing due to the Israeli war. Yet, the American support for Israel is far greater, although the Biden Administration is still sending messages to its constituency majority of whom want the war to stop that the president is doing his best to pressure Israel to end the war. Though only two approved military sales to Israel have been announced publicly since October 7, the two shipments represent only 2 percent from the total US arms sent to Israel. The news was revealed by the Washington Post on March 6. It was published at a time when US media was reporting on a widening rift between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Thats an extraordinary number of sales over the course of a pretty short amount of time, a former senior Biden Administration official told the Post. Jeremy Konyndyk reached the obvious conclusion that the Israeli campaign would not be sustainable without this level of U.S. support. For decades, the US military support to Israel has been the highest anywhere in the world. Starting 2016, this unconditional support exponentially increased during the Obama Administration to reach $3.8 billion per year. Immediately after October 7, however, the weapons shipments to Israel reached unprecedented levels. They included a 2,000-pound bomb known as 5,000 MK-84 munitions. Israel has used this bomb to kill hundreds of innocent Palestinians. Though Washington frequently alleges to be looking into Israels use of its weapons, it turned out, according to the Washington Post, that Biden knew too well that Israel was regularly bombing buildings without solid intelligence that they were legitimate military targets. In some ways, Israel stands alone, but only because its behavior is rejected by most countries and peoples around the world. However, it is hardly alone when its war crimes are being executed with western support and arms. For the Israeli genocide in Gaza to end, those who continue to sustain the ongoing bloodbath must also be held accountable. [The writer, Dr. Ramzy Baroud, is a Journalist, Author and Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the Author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappe, is Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out. His other books include My Father was a Freedom Fighter and The Last Earth. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is www.ramzybaroud.net.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. JUBA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have forced more than 600,000 individuals into South Sudan since mid-April 2023, a global charity said Wednesday. Save the Children said the individuals, including refugees and returnees, have arrived in South Sudan, which is already facing a severe hunger crisis, and the numbers continue to rise as the hostilities show no sign of abating. Pornpun Rabiltossaporn, Save the Children's country director in South Sudan, said the needs were much greater than the support currently available. "We want to ensure that the children arriving here are protected, get the psychosocial support they need, and that unaccompanied girls and boys are reunited with their families as quickly as possible. But so much more needs to be done," Rabiltossaporn said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The charity said about 1,000 people a day are fleeing into South Sudan from Sudan after nearly one year of conflicts, arriving in scorching heat and with children in dire need of support. It said most people arrive with nothing, having lost their homes and livelihoods. Some children have reported seeing loved ones, including their parents, killed en route. The majority have arrived at the border crossing of Joda in Upper Nile State by foot or on donkey carts, from where up to 200 people at a time are crammed into trucks with standing room only. "They are taken to two overcrowded transit centers in nearby Renk, a two-hour journey on dirt tracks in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius as South Sudan battles its worst heatwave in four years," the charity said. The charity also said the individuals usually spend about two weeks in the centers, which house over 15,000 people, even though they were built for no more than 3,000, and have inadequate food, water and healthcare, and many sleep outside in makeshift shelters. From there, 500 people at a time are packed onto barges for a two-day journey along the Nile to head to other destinations in South Sudan or packed into trucks for a 12-hour road trip to a refugee camp in Maban, the charity said. For people fleeing the conflict in Sudan, however, life in South Sudan is a better option as about 1.75 million people have left Sudan, headed to South Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, the Central African Republic and Egypt, according to the latest UN data. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Mukhtar Ansari, 5-time MLA from Mau, dies in prison Mukhtar Ansari was grandson of veteran freedom fighter Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari. BSP Supremo Kumari Mayawati used to call him a "messiah of the poor. Read More Friday March 29, 2024 1:41 AM , ummid.com News Network Lucknow: Mukhtar Ansari, 5-time MLA from Mau Assembly Constituency in Uttar Pradesh, who was in jail and observing Ramadan fast, died on Thursday March 28, 2024. Mukhatr Ansari was lodged in Banda district jail. He was shifted to a local hospital at around 08:25 PM Thursday after his health condition worsened. The 63-year-old politician's health condition deteriorated after he broke his Ramzan fast, India Today reported citing the jail authorities. Mukhar Ansari had been taken to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in the district by jail authorities in an unconscious state around 8.25 PM Thursday after he complained of vomiting, according to a medical bulletin issued by the jail authorities. Family Lineage Mukhtar Ansari was grandson of veteran freedom fighter and one of the front leaders of the Indian National Congress during the freedom movement, Mukhtar Ansari. On maternal side, his grandfather Brigadier Mohammad Usman, was a decorated officer in the Indian Army. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the Nowshera Sector of Jammu and Kashmir during a conflict with Pakistan in 1948, earning the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously. Mukhtar Ansari was also a close relative of former Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Allegations of poisoning Mukhtar Ansari died a day after his brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari, claimed that the jailed politician was being given a "poisonous substance" in jail. "Mukhtar said he was given a poisonous substance in his food in jail. This happened for the second time. He was given poison around 40 days ago as well. And, recently, on March 19 or March 22, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad," news agency PTI quoted Afzal Ansari as saying. Mukhtar Ansari himself had written a letter to Chief Judicial Magistrate in Mau Court on March 21, 2024 claiming he was being poisioned by the jail authorities. 'A Messiah of the Poor' Mukhtar Ansari won the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections two times as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate. BSP supremo Kumari Mayawati used to call Mukhtar Ansari a messiah of the poor. Mukhtar Ansari was facing a number of criminal cases against him. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) after coming to power in 2017 expedited the cases against him. Crowd gathered outside residence of Mukhtar Ansari in Ghazipur district of UP. Heavy police, paramilitary force have been mobilized to check any untoward incident. pic.twitter.com/mJqnixt5AT Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) March 28, 2024 In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced 10 years imprisonment for killing BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai by an MP MLA court. Mukhtar Ansari was handed a life sentence on March 13, 2024 in connection with a fake arm license case. Mukhtar Ansari died in prison about a year after former MP and MLA, Atiq Ahmed, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in the presence of the police and in full glare of the media. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Tracing The History of Elections in Jammu and Kashmir The Election rigging of 1987 changed the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, and till today the mainstream political parties in the Valley, mainly Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, are adding to the sufferings of the local people. Read More Thursday March 28, 2024 5:44 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi The Election rigging of 1987 changed the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. On 21st of April 1986 under the leadership of Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari United Muslim Front (UMF) came into being. The UMF comprised of leaders like Syed Ali shah Geelani who then was a leader of Jamaat-E- Islami, leader of Umaat-E-Islami Maulana Qazi Nissar also known as Mirwaiz of South Kashmir, Prof Gani Bhat and many others. The UMF was banned in the same year in the month of September by then Governor Jagmohan. The ban was imposed after the leader of MUF Maulana Qazi Nissar defied the order by Jagmohan on Janmashtami the birthday of Hindu Lord Krishan. Qazi Nissar was arrested and MUF was banned. But the UMF was soon rechristened as Muslim United Front (MUF). The MUF was a collection of people who jumped into the democratic process of elections. But after the rigging of 1987, the collection became a body that motivated people to boycott elections. Mohammad Yousuf Shah, now Syed Salahuddin, was MUF's candidate from Amira Kadal constituency. He lost to Ghulam Hassan Mir of the National Conference (NC). The poll rigging helped the NC candidate win the election that otherwise was clearly in Syed Salahuddins favour. Had the National Conference (NC) not fallen so low for power today Salahuddin would have been Yousuf Shah - a respected leader who contested the elections under the Indian Constitution. Now, he heads Untied Jihad Council. Late Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a towering leader of Hurriyat Conference, has been MLA from Sopor Constituency in 1972, 1977, and also in 1987. What changed his mind later must not be ignored. He had taken oath for three times on the Constitution of India. People blaming everything on others must brainstorm this change of mind. There was a huge turbulence in the Valley after the poll rigging. With time, things gradually started to be back on track. Governor Girish Chandra Saxena, who was Chief of India's external intelligence, used his iron fist policy to make things what they called Normal. Nothing was normal. It was all iron fist. The government at the Centre was headed by PV Narsimha Roa, who decided to hold elections in Jammu & Kashmir for the first time after the 1987 poll rigging. It was in the year 1992, PV Narsimha Roa, who was holding a rally in Vishakhapatnam in the month of July, announced the holding of elections in J&K. The brain behind it was Union Home Minister SB Chavan, who had declared in the beginning of the year that elections should be held in Jammu and Kashmir. It was Saxena's policies - whether iron fist or whatever, that made the Centre capable of announcing elections in J&K. The elections become a possibility when with iron fist the government took confidence building measures. The government engaged with the people who once were Assembly candidates but now were against the Constitution and everything related to it. As a part of the confidence building measures, the government ordered release of five top leaders - Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ghani Lone, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Qazi Nassir Ahmad and Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat. All the leaders were arrested in the beginning of early 1990 and all were part of the Muslim United Front (MUF). They were released in April 1992 as a step to restore political dialogue. As many as 97 more others were also released as part of confidence building measure. Further, the deployment of CRPF and BSF was gradually thinned in Srinagar to give people a sense and feeling that things have started to change and that the centre wants people of Jammu and Kashmir to live with dignity and peace. Shankarrao Chavan, the then Home Minster, visited Kashmir and met everyone and whosoever wanted to meet him. He met Yasin Mailk, the head of HAJY group, and also Shabbir Shah. Shah was in those days called headmaster of all. Later Shah came to be known as Nelson Mandela of Kashmir but unfortunately hes in jail today. Hamid Sheikh who was a member of HAJY group was released from prison through uncontested bail application. Hamid had reportedly met pital in the mid of 1992, when he was on a visit as Special Affairs Minister for Kashmir. The Government back then was keen in bringing peace to Kashmir. But the normalcy always eluded Kashmir. Shabbir Shah, Nayeem Khan and Firdous Syed once helped the government to restore the electoral process at one time. Where are Shah and Khan today? Whos responsible for all the mess that we are in today? Hurriyat or Untied Jihad Council? All these are part of the mess. But, the real culprits of the mess are the National Conference leadership - from Sheikh Abdullah to now Omar Abdullah every single one added to the mess and the sufferings of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. Sheikh Abdullah who stood against the Dogra Rule became a prominent political figure of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Conference which has been taken out was Muslim Conference in 1931 after the ideological clashes won 99 seat out of 100 in the elections of the Constituent Assembly. The same Constituent Assembly proposed Article 370 to be the framework of relationship between Srinagar and Union of India. But time after time Sheikh Abdullah for his lust of power slowly and gradually, and with the help of the Congress, eroded all the provisions of the Article 370 one after another. Delhi Agreement was the beginning of it. Sheikh Abdullah was arrested soon after Article 370 was made part of the Constitution. He was arrested in 1953 while he was in Gulmarg as Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He surrendered and signed Delhi Agreement and was made the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir which he happily agreed to. The way hes being presented by his partymen had he actually been that he would have never agreed to downgrade of his own position. Instead he would have preferred being in jail rather than being the Chief Minister. Then came his son Farooq Abdullah. He nowadays keeps high moral grounds but hes nothing of what he presents himself. Just like his father he has always served to be in power no matter what it took. Back in 1994, the Union Government was busy trying to get Hurriyat leaders into the mainstream politics. As this news reached Farooq Abdullah, who was in London, came running fearing that he would lose his CM chair. He expressed his anger to whosoever he could. But as he got to know that they wont hold he ran back to London again. When the elections were due in 1996 Farooq returned and became the Chief Minister again annoying Shabbir Shah who was eyeing the top post. Farooq Abdullah kept having alliance with the Congress, forgetting what the party had done to his government back in 1986. Farooq Abdullah can do anything to remain in power be it giving up his self respect. The National Conference (NC) no more talks about autonomy that they bragged during elections of 90s. The fact is that their proposal of autonomy was thrown into the dustbin by the Central government about which they dont want to talk in public. Farooq Abdullahs betrayals continue even now. He was told that he will be made Vice President of India though his dream is still a dream. Then came Omar Abdullah. The grandson of Sheikh Abdullah and son of Farooq Abdullah crossed all the limits. While he was the Chief Minister of Kashmir, the Valley lost 120 young men to violence. Thousands were put behind bars and some are still languishing in jails. While he was the Chief Minister, he strongly expressed his disagreement on removal of the Public Safety Act (PSA). Today hes promising people about removal of the PSA if his party is voted to power in the state. The Asiya and Neelofer double rape and murder case is another black spot on his government. He also miserably failed during the 2014 Kashmir floods. Today the National Conference (NC) is labelling everyone of being the ABCD team of BJP, forgetting that their party Vice-President began his political career as a minster in the BJP government led by Vajpayee. The People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) that was formed for the unity of Jammu and Kashmir political parties is now shattered. The National Conference just because was asked to give Anantnag seat to Mehbooba Muftis Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) separated themselves from the alliance. They are of the view that they have won the seat earlier and there is no sense in giving this seat to anyone else. The same National Conference leaders were happy with the DDC elections fighting in alliance just because they were given ample number of seats. If we go by the last election logic, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had won the majority of the seats. Applying this logic the PDP should have got more seats then the JKNC. But this didnt happen. And, now when it was time for the National Conference to give the Anantnag seat to PDP, it parted away from alliance just because they dont want to compromise on a single seat. The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference didnt do any wonders in the last Parliamentary Elections. A total of 10% of votes were casted in Srinagar. The NC and Congress had a joint candidate in Srinagar. And on the other two seats of the Valley, they had friendly contest with Congress but NC won both the seats. The ego in the National Conference leadership is easily seen. The way JKNC leaders address press conferences speaks volumes about their ego and overconfidence. The NC leadership must remember that overconfidence has always made people fail miserably. Overconfidence ruins but never helps. Now it will be interesting to see who wins the high battle ground in Jammu and Kashmir. [The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is a Rights Activist and a Law student. Views expressed are personal.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. These insects are unusual because they spend most of their life feeding on the sap in tree roots before emerging to mate and then dying shortly thereafter, according to Lampert. This brood was born in 2011 and has been underground for the past 13 years. Lampert is also interested to hear from people who know of specific emergence locations from 2011. Lampert said one of the most noticeable elements of the Brood XIX cicada emergence will be the males singing to the females as "a few weeks of frantically mating" unfolds. "That's what people will be hearing," Lampert said. "The singing is extremely loud." In fact, law enforcement in Blairsville, Georgia, asked the public to stop calling in noise complaints in 2021 when Brood X emerged. The closest the emergence will come to UNG is near UNG's Oconee Campus. The most likely Georgia cities for Brood XIX's emergence will be Athens, Augusta, Calhoun, Cartersville, Clarkesville, Columbus, Dalton, Demorest, Macon, Milledgeville, and Rome. Lampert said that once the cicadas mate, the females lay eggs in woody plants before dying. Offspring hatch out of twigs and quickly bury themselves as the whole process begins again. "It's something you have to see to believe," Lampert said. Due to the cicadas' regular consumption of sap, which Lampert described as the "insect version of living on Kool-Aid alone," the small insects must rely on bacteria known as microbes to provide many of their nutrients. Bialonska, associate professor of environmental microbiology, is partnering with Lampert and students to identify the bacteria and their purpose. "We want to see how it helps them having these bacteria in their guts," Bialonska said. Meghalaya: Two persons found killed, Curfew imposed in Ichamati Shillong, Mar 27 (UNI) Two persons were found killed in Ichamati and Dalda in Meghalayas East Khasi Hills District along the India-Bangladesh border on Wednesday, even as district authorities imposed curfew in Ichamati, police said. The lifeless bodies of Esan Sing and Sujit Dutta were found at Ichamati and Dalda respectively, Rituraj Ravi, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said. Teams from local police stations and additional police teams from Shillong are at site to take stock of the situation, Ravi said, adding that the investigation is on to ascertain what led to the death of the two persons. HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on Wednesday stressed the Vietnamese Governments determination to speed up the disbursement of official development assistance (ODA) and concessional loans. He made the remarks while chairing a Ha Noi meeting of the national steering committee on the capital. The event also saw the presence of representatives of the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Export - Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the KfW Development Bank of Germany. Quang appreciated the development partners capital for Viet Nam, describing this as critical to the countrys socio-economic and infrastructure development. However, he also pointed out certain legal obstacles, policy and procedural differences between Viet Nam and partners, and problems in disbursement and payment procedures. Asking the two sides to coordinate closely to harmonise procedures to shorten the time needed for project preparation and implementation, he also suggested the partners adopt more flexible and reasonable management models and prioritise funding for the countrys efforts to cope with specific circumstances like climate change and natural disasters. The Deputy PM also ordered ministries, sectors, and localities of Viet Nam to work closely with the partners to devise solutions to difficulties facing each project. At the meeting, the development partners pledged to continue providing ODA for Viet Nam and expressed their readiness to assist the Government in issuing regulations on ODA capital management and use. They underlined the need to harmonise their regulations and legal rules of Viet Nam when it comes to ODA projects to shorten project preparation time. The partners also recommended Viet Nam continue streamlining administrative procedures and accelerating opinion provision during project preparation and implementation. The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) reported that the ODA capital and concessional loans Viet Nam signed for the 2021-23 period was about US$3.35 billion. Ministries, sectors, and localities implemented 656 projects, including 47 investment projects, 215 technical assistance ones and non-project grants. In 2023, the National Assembly approved VN29 trillion ($1.75 billion) in public investment funded by foreign capital sources for allocation. About 50.9 per cent of the sum was disbursed. The public investment funding from foreign sources for 2024 is VN20 trillion, 1.42 per cent of which had disbursed as of February 29, statistics show. VNS HA NOI India, Ecuador and Viet Nam, three out of the four largest shrimp suppliers to the United States, will face preliminary countervailing duties (CVD) ranging from under 2 per cent to a maximum of 196 per cent as early as this weekend, according to the US Department of Commerce (DOC). The DOC has summoned exporters and applicants for potential tariffs due to suspected subsidy programmes that allow them to offer low-priced shrimp in the US market. As a result, India is now subject to an overall countervailing duty rate of 4.36 per cent. Devi Sea Foods faces a slightly higher rate of 4.72 per cent, while Sandhya Aqua Exports, Neeli Sea Foods, Vijay Aqua Processors, and Neeli Aqua Farms face a rate of 3.89 per cent. Ecuador faces a countervailing duty of 7.55 per cent on all shrimp exports to the US. Sociedad Nacional de Galapagos has a rate of 1.69 per cent, while Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscila faces a duty of 13.41 per cent. Viet Nam has the lowest duty rate of 2.84 per cent, including Soc Trang Seafood Joint Stock Company. However, Thong Thuan Company faces a countervailing duty of 196.4 per cent, which is based on adverse facts available, according to the DOC. The tariff rates will become effective once the DOC announces them officially in the Federal Register, which is anticipated to occur in the next few days. Once the preliminary determinations are published to the Federal Register, importers will be required to place cash deposits equal to the rates determined by the DOC for up to four months with US Customs and Border Protection. If the investigating authorities conclude that these countries are not in violation of providing unlawful subsidies or if the subsidised imports do not harm the US shrimp industry, the tariffs will be refunded. However, a final decision is expected in late 2024, leaving importers potentially facing costs for the majority of the year. Meanwhile, Indonesia, the third-largest shrimp supplier to the US, was found to have subsidy rates below the amount requiring countervailing duties, the DOC said. Last year, India, Ecuador, Indonesia and Viet Nam account for 90 per cent of the US total import volume, worth US$5.6 billion. VNS QUANG NINH Thailand Week 2024 officially opened at the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Centre of Quang Ninh Province on March 28. The week was jointly organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Ha Noi. The event aims to promote bilateral trade activities, introduce high-quality Thai products, as well as create a platform for business connection and expansion. Speaking at the event, Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam Nikorndej Balankura said that Thai Product Week 2024 is one of the support and introduction channels for Vietnamese people to know about quality products from Thailand. The Thai Week has been organised 10 times in Viet Nam. This is the third time it was organised in Quang Ninh Province due to the province's potential to connect with Thailand in all aspects, according to Balankura. Thailand Week 2024 has 74 booths, showing a rich picture of Thai products and culture through seven main categories: food and beverages, health care and beauty products, apparel and fashion products, home appliances, gifts and decorations, pet food and travel services. The event is also an opportunity to connect business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and develop trade and investment cooperation between Thailand and Quang Ninh Province in particular and Viet Nam in general. At the event, visitors can participate in exciting activities throughout, such as tasting the unique flavours of Thai cuisine from a Thai SELECT-certified restaurant or checking in to receive gifts or participating in daily lucky draws with prizes of Thai products. VNS UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Wednesday they are concerned about the spread of cholera in nearly half of the 72 Somalia districts amid a severe shortage in oral vaccine doses. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said almost 4,400 cases and 54 deaths were recorded last week since the start of the year. More than 60 percent of the deaths were among children under 5. OCHA said 1.4 million doses that the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision allocated for Somalia are expected to arrive shortly. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the number of reported cases in Somalia is three times higher than the previous three-year average. Somalia is already among the countries most severely impacted by cholera and acute watery diarrhea. "This outbreak is expected to spread further, including to areas where the disease has not been seen in years, during the coming rainy season, which is expected to be heavier than normal," WHO said. OCHA said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working with Somalia's health authorities to step up preparation and response efforts, which aligns with a six-month plan of action that will require nearly 6 million U.S. dollars. "Aid organizations are prepositioning cholera treatment kits and working on surveillance and case management," the office said. "They are also delivering clean water, testing water quality, and providing water treatment supplies and hygiene kits, as well as training and deploying health workers." However, OCHA said that additional funding is urgently needed. This year's Somalia Humanitarian Response Plan is less than 10 percent funded, with just over 150 million U.S. dollars received of the nearly 1.6 billion dollars required. HA NOI Honda Vietnam (HVN) announced a recall campaign for 221 Gold Wing and CBR1000RR vehicles to check the faulty fuel pump to ensure optimal quality for the product on Thursday. The recall involves 147 Gold Wing vehicles produced from October 2017 to March 2023 and 74 CBR1000RR vehicles produced from September 2017 to September 2020, all imported as complete units by Honda Vietnam from Japan for distribution at Honda large displacement vehicle stores (DreamWing). HVN said that although it had not received any feedback or complaints from customers in the Vietnamese market about defective fuel pumps, for the benefit and safety of customers, HVN would invite the 221 owners of the above products to Honda authorised vehicle sales and service stores (HEAD) for inspection and handling. According to HVN, due to changes in production methods, the fuel pump impeller may be deformed and stick, which would disable the fuel pump causing hard starting or stalling of the engine. All products in this recall campaign will be inspected and replaced (if necessary) to ensure product quality, completely free of charge. At the same time, HVN will support inspection and replacement of products of the same type that are not imported and distributed by this joint venture in the Vietnamese market. HVN will begin replacing parts (if necessary) for products on the recall list around May 2024 because at present, parts are not available. As for Gold Wing owners, customers can bring their vehicles to DreamWing and HEAD to check and confirm if parts replacement is necessary from March 26. To check if your vehicle is subject to recall, customers can visit Honda Viet Nam's website at the link: https://www.honda.com.vn/xe-may/trieu-hoi, enter the chassis numbers and click on the Search box. VNS HA NOI The 2024 Vietnam Connect Forum will take place in the northern port city of Hai Phong on April 10, featuring a plenary session and a series of networking activities between Vietnamese localities, businesses and foreign investors. During a press conference held on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hai Phong authorities, and the Vietnam Economic Times announced that the upcoming event will revolve around the theme of promoting a green and sustainable economy. The event aims to showcase various Government strategies and policies, as well as local initiatives and business solutions that contribute to a more environmentally friendly and economically sustainable future. The forum will focus on discussing and updating new international trends in green economy, low-carbon economy, zero-emission economy, practical green transition activities of domestic localities, economic sectors and business communities, and international experiences from pioneering countries in the transition. The event will bring together Government leaders, representatives from ministries and central agencies, leaders of 25 northern provinces and cities, delegates from foreign diplomatic missions, international organisations, business associations, economic experts, and over 200 FDI and Vietnamese enterprises. Within the framework of the forum, the organiser is set to announce the TOP 10 and TOP 50 exemplary FDI enterprises in 2023 at the 23rd Golden Dragon Awards. Nguyen Nhu Hieu, head of the foreign ministrys external affairs department, said that the new features this year include the theme, the participant composition, and separate working connection programmes. The organising committee will allocate ample time to facilitate separate meetings and working sessions connecting embassies and foreign business associations and investors to representatives from 25 localities and domestic enterprises. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a working session in Ha Noi on March 28 with Marco Della Seta, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam and Regina Corradini DAirenzo, CEO of SIMEST which is responsible for promoting Italian companies' outward investment and providing technical and financial support for investment projects. Dien commended the Italian Embassy's proactive role in fostering economic, trade, industrial, and energy relations between Viet Nam and Italy, including the successful implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) through specific action programmes, which have created a new momentum for Vietnam-EU economic and trade ties, particularly with Italy. Selta affirmed that Italy always values and wishes to further enhance cooperative ties between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, trade, industry and energy. Italy considers Viet Nam an important partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highly values the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s crucial role in the Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, particularly as a bridge between businesses of both countries, he said. D Arienzo, for her part, presented the SIMESTs tasks and goals of supporting Italian companies in accessing new foreign markets through purposeful loans and activities. She also reported a plan to open a SIMEST Representative Office in Viet Nam. On this occasion, Dien called on the Italian firms to invest in Viet Nam's apparel and leather footwear supporting industries in which Italy has advantages in terms of technology and expertise to leverage the advantages brought about by the EVFTA. He further introduced the upcoming Vietnam International Sourcing 2024 events organised by the MoIT in Ho Chi Minh City from June 6-8 and invited Italian enterprises and business associations to join in these events. The host also expressed the MoITs commitment to working closely with the embassy to foster the bilateral economic, trade, industrial and energy ties. Italy is now the third largest trading partner of Viet Nam in the EU while and Viet Nam stands as Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN. - VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski and leaders of Corio Generation of Australias Macquarie Group in Ha Noi on March 28. The Deputy PM hailed the proactiveness of Corio Generation and Power Generation Joint Stock Corporation 3 (EVNGENCO 3) in the implementation of an offshore windfarm project in Vietnam. Describing it as a key project which contributes to expanding the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Australia, and helps Viet Nam realise the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the Deputy PM suggested Corio Generation focus on technology support and transfer and diversify partners in the country during the process of investment in Viet Nam. For his part, Goledzinowski said a pillar of cooperation in bilateral relations is green energy transition - an area that has been strengthened between Australia and Viet Nam in recent times. Some Australian businesses are very interested in building offshore wind farms because Viet Nam has great potential to develop this type of power, he continued. Meanwhile, leaders of Corio Generation company suggested that conducive mechanisms and policies should be issued to create favourable conditions for investors in the field of renewable energy. Corio has joined in the research and development of some renewable energy projects in Viet Nam since 2019. As a member of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), the company is coordinating with other partners to mobilise resources for energy transition projects in Viet Nam. - VNS BANGKOK Thai princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn delivered a 50-minute musical performance about Viet Nam, called Vietnam an long (Vietnam at peace) at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok on March 26 on the occasion of the 107th founding anniversary of the university. The event was attended by more than 1,500 delegates who are Thai scholars, intellectuals and officials as well as foreign diplomats in the country. Vietnam an long is a 68-line poem created by the Thai princess, highlighting her impression on Viet Nam's stunning landscapes and people. It was then adapted to nine songs on both Vietnamese and Thai music. The performance was the combination of ensemble, choir and dance, drawing the participation of nearly 150 artists, with the princess in Vietnamese traditional long dress playing the saw duang (a two-stringed musical instrument of Thailand). It hailed Vietnamese cuisine, history, traditional craft and economic achievements. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the third child of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the younger sister of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. She has visited Viet Nam many times and carried out several charity and education projects in the country. Princess Maha Chakris award for outstanding teachers with contributions to education and the community is presented to excellent teachers of the members of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation. VNA/VNS HA NOI Foodies in Ha Noi now have the chance to enjoy authentic Sichuan food when guest Executive Cantonese Chef Hoo Chee Keong from Singapore showcases his cooking talent during a special culinary event in Ha Noi. Entitled 'Dance of Flavours, the event provides a narrow window to indulge in the fusion of Cantonese and Sichuan culinary masterpieces. The event is held by Pan Pacific Hanois Ming Restaurant one of Ha Nois longest-running Chinese restaurants and Si Chuan Dou Hua, an award-winning Chinese restaurant in Singapore with more than two decades of culinary excellence. Chef Hoo, who has ascended through the ranks of esteemed culinary establishments, showcases his mastery of Cantonese culinary artistry by infusing each dish with a precise and passionate touch. Adding an extra dimension of authenticity to this culinary adventure is Sichuan chef Zhao Yong, a proficient artisan from Chengdu who will be working in tandem with chef Hoo to create a symphony of flavours that captivates the senses and assures a dining experience that is not only exhilarating and comforting but also authentically genuine. The adept tea master Yu Wei will enhance guests dining adventure by infusing a mix of martial arts, dance and captivating showmanship into the age-old tradition of tea pouring, skilfully performed with a long-nosed bronzed kettle. Chefs Hoo and Zhao have created a menu to showcase at the 'Dance of Flavours featuring layered flavours of Sichuan cuisine hot, salty, sweet, bitter, numb, sour, and fragrant. Sichuan cuisine is renowned for its meticulous and patient approach to culinary preparation. The extended preparation time results in dishes brimming with complex and layered flavours that please the palate. Diners can expect dishes that go beyond the numbing sensation, emphasising culinary intricacy through marinating, simmering, braising and slow-cooking ingredients to perfection. The 'Dance of Flavours is available until April 7. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/Dance-Of-Flavours. VNS By Alex Reeves - @afreeves23 After a recent failed attempt to review Ha Nois last remaining North Korean restaurant (dont miss next weeks Sunday edition), it reminded me of the first time I really thought about politics in Viet Nam. Kim Jong Uns summit with then US President Donald Trump was huge international news and living a stones throw from the Metropole hotel at the time, I was exposed to the volume of traffic, military grade security and media attention that followed it. It made me consider how Viet Nam, was a country that had warm enough relations with both countries to host such a fascinating event in the history of global diplomacy and for the first time I considered the city and country around me as a political beast. I realised I had little to no idea how things were actually done here and nonetheless was somewhat content in my ignorance. When my curiosity led me into conversations with local friends, the conversations were brief and with little to no hint of frustration. People seemed happy with the status quo and the general direction of the country's fortunes. Which, when we take a look at the growth of Viet Nams economy and the thriving entrepreneurship all around us, is of little surprise. By no means am I suggesting the expat readership of Viet Nam News head home and revolt against their political situation back home, or even advocating for any political apathy or disinterest but there is something to be said about things getting done with the most minimum of fuss. In the constant churn of election cycles back home, so much gets lost and the ability to make long term plans for anything, be it the economy, the environment or otherwise becomes nigh on impossible as partisan parties take pot shots at each other from ancient and publicly broadcasted chambers. This is no endorsement of anything, only an observation on the lack of division that can spill down from the sweat glands of government and into the pores of the masses. Regardless of whether its cultural, language or ideology, theres something nice about being able to switch off to the never ending political hum of home and know that its unlikely to fall out with someone over such matters. More time is focused on people, how they treat one another and less about buzz words or ethical one-upmanship. Everywhere has its issues and its own ways of dealing with them. It might well be a lot easier to say from the perspective of an outsider looking in but at the very least it's an experience to be exposed to a different way of viewing society and dismantling the political narrative of your life before Viet Nam is a process worth engaging in, even if you return to the same conclusions, as many of us do. This is an oversimplification of a complex thing, one mans privileged musings in the most contentious of areas. That said, while my life continues here, Ill try to focus on breaking bread rather than Brexit and enjoy the upwards trajectory that seems to carry the mood of so many in my adopted home. VNS Diedrah Kelly, executive director of Canadas new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO), talked with Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Hang about the potential for agricultural cooperation between Canada and Viet Nam. Could you please give us an overview of the agricultural trading relation between Viet Nam and Canada over the past time? Viet Nam and Canada have a strong and complementary trading relationship in agriculture, agri-food and seafood, and we hope to be able to build upon that. You are likely aware that Canada has a trade deficit with Viet Nam in these areas. Viet Nam sells about two times more to Canada than Canada sells to Viet Nam. Specifically, I can tell you the numbers that last year, Canada sold CAD421 million in agri-food and seafood to Viet Nam and we imported CAD703 million worth of agri-food, fish and seafood from Viet Nam. In terms of the types of products that we sell, wheat is one of them because Canada has products that do not grow in Viet Nam. Canadian wheat is then used in flour for baking, for flours and for noodles. We also export soy, and we export berries, such as frozen berries, strawberries, blue berries, cherries, also products that do not grow in Canada, like coconuts and coconut products. We import seafood, we import coffee. So, it is very much a complementary type of trading relationship. We have things that can grow in Canada but cannot grow in Viet Nam and vice versa. That way we can help meet the changing needs of our respective populations. We are seeing demographics changing. Our citizens are becoming more worldly. They want to try different types of foods. They are much more knowledgeable. They want to ensure that they have the highest nutritional value and that they can meet growing international palates. So by being able to have this types of two-way trade, it means that both of our populations can benefit and have this healthy safe, nutritious food. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which officially took effect in 2019, has boosted agricultural trade between Viet Nam and Canada. Agricultural export turnover between the two countries has reached over CAD1.12 billion (US$843 million). What is the potential for further agricultural cooperation? I think there is tremendous potential for agricultural cooperation between Viet Nam and Canada in a number of areas. I think we can continue to increase our two-way trade and continue to look at bringing in greater volumes of products from Canada and Viet Nam in our respective countries, introducing new products. We can also look at new areas like genetics, for example. One positive development that I will share with you that illustrates the benefits of using genetics is that recently, Viet Nam allowed Canadian seed potatoes to be introduced. When Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay was visiting the Philippines recently, we met with farmers, who also used seed potatoes from Canada. And what we discovered, these farmers who are small plot farmers, many of whom were indigenous and living in rural areas, once they started using the Canadian seed potatoes, they found that their yields increased tenfold. So thats a significant increase in yield production. And what does that mean? If they are going ten times more potatoes, that means they are selling ten times more and they are putting more money into their pockets. So not only is it the quality but there is a direct benefit to the farmers. It means that there is more food being sold into the local markets, which is also contributing to ensuring food security. So we could also see that in other areas like livestock, if we would look at using Canadian genetics, for example, towards increasing local livestock production. There is also scientific exchanges and research collaboration that could take place. We can look at using Canadian machinery and innovative solutions to help contributing to sustainable farming goals in Viet Nam. One example is the zero tillage technique that is used in Canada. What are the priority policies of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in the coming period and how will they create opportunities to enhance cooperation in improving agricultural supply chains, enhancing biodiversity, circular agriculture and building a green and sustainable future? In terms of the office, there is really two priorities. One is to increase collaboration on the regulatory side, to increase the level of awareness of Canadas food safety and food inspection practices in Canada, to make sure that our own food supply is safe and reliable and how we send Canadian agricultural products abroad. We know they are the best quality and that they are safe because that is a concern for populations everywhere. So raising awareness, having greater levels of exchange to talk about our science based approach and regulatory frameworks, that can be done through technical sessions and capacity building, it can be done through study tours, it can be done through various technical conversations. Increasing awareness is increasing scientific collaboration and regulatory exchanges. We can also share our knowledge and experience on sustainable farming practices. In Canada, approximately 10 per cent of all of our greenhouse emissions are from crop and livestock production. Even though Canadas own domestic agricultural outputs have increased significant over the years, the level of greenhouse gas emissions has only very marginally increased. That is because we have been experimenting in introducing innovative practices in Canada, which I think we would be happy to share our knowledge about. That is on areas like reduced tillage that we discussed earlier, cover cropping, rotational grazing, all of which are contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestrating carbon. These are very sustainable practices that I think can be applied in the world over and in various scalable situations. And then the other priority as I mentioned, is on hoping to increase mutually beneficial trade, complementary trade. And I think there is a lot of potential. So not only to increase areas where we are already trading, but in new areas. For example, pet food. You know, people treat their pets like family. Not only are they interested in feeding their family members better, but they also want to feed their pets better food as well. And Canada is a producer of pet food. That is an example of new types of trade we can explore. VNS INBOX: Third largest destination in ASEAN HA NOI Viet Nam is a third largest destination for Canadian agri-food exports in the ASEAN. Canada and Viet Nam share a longstanding and mutually beneficial agriculture and agri-food trading relationship. The two-way agriculture trade reached CAD1.12 billion (or US$843 million) in 2023. As CPTPP members, the agreement provides additional opportunities for Canadian and Vietnamese stakeholders to increase trade in agriculture, agri-food and seafood. Under Canadas new Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is committed to strengthening economic partnerships with Viet Nam, a country and a global player of great importance for Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)s Canada Brand programme strengthens Canadas reputation in the global marketplace by positioning the sector as a reliable supplier of a diverse range of quality, sustainable, and innovative products. The Canada Brand programme launched a targeted consumer campaign in Viet Nam last year. This year-long campaign features a Canada Showcase on Shopee, a major e-commerce platform, supported by digital marketing initiatives and collaborative promotions with key local partners. In term of technical cooperation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary measures in 2021. The MOU establishes a mechanism to facilitate bilateral cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary measures related to food safety and plant and animal life and health. The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and its Vietnamese counterparts have built a very productive relationship based on sharing best practices and information to better understand each others regulations and to facilitate trade. Global Affairs Canada-funded five-year Safe Food for Growth (SAFEGRO) project for Viet Nam seeks to enhance the Vietnamese populations access to safe, affordable and competitive agri-food products. SAFEGRO focuses on helping the existing food safety management system become more efficient and effective. VNS GENEVA Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN in Geneva, on Wednesday (local time) called on parties involved in armed conflicts to strictly abide by international humanitarian law and rules with regard to the protection of the civilian population and infrastructure. Delivering a speech at the discussion on the supervision and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action held in the framework of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)s 55th session in Geneva, he stressed that the parties must avoid attacking, destroying, removing, or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population as well as respect, protect, and create favourable conditions for humanitarian assistance forces and supplies. Furthermore, the international community needs to make concerted efforts to protect essential infrastructure of the civilians, and countries and competent sides, particularly international organisations, should enhance cooperation and focus on promoting sustainable development in areas where residents are affected by wars. The diplomat said that the global and regional political and security situations which have developed in a complicated and unprecedented fashion have left damaging impacts on all nations. He affirmed that the enjoyment of human rights is facing formidable challenges, with the right to life threatened by armed violence and explosive remnants of war and the access to economic, social and cultural rights in choppy waters due to demolition of the essential civilian infrastructure. Dungs speech is another imprint Viet Nam has made while serving as a member of the UNHRC for the 2023-2025 tenure. The country has made practical and responsible contributions to the council and engaged in the settlement of issues of the international communitys concern. VNS HCM CITY HCM City wishes to strengthen cooperation with localities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Politburo member, Secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on Wednesday while receiving Director of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) Kim Song Nam. Nen emphasised that the citys Party Committee, administration, and people always value the traditional friendship and cooperative relations between the two Parties, Governments, and peoples of Viet Nam and DPRK. Together with other localities in Viet Nam, the city has been implementing the cooperation directions agreed upon by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the WPK, Chairman of the DPRKs State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un during the latter's visit to Viet Nam in 2019. Briefing his guest on HCM Citys socio-economic situation, Nen said the city plans to send a delegation on a working visit to the DPRK in June For his part, the Korean official expressed his impression of the citys development achievements. He also wished the two sides strengthen the implementation of the cooperation directions agreed upon by leaders of the two countries as well as boost relations between the two Parties and two States. He thanked the HCM City Party Committee for choosing DPRKs localities to expand cooperation in the coming years, wishing that the localities will develop close relations that help strengthen the ties between the two countries. VNS This photo taken on March 27, 2024 shows the inauguration ceremony of a Chinese language teaching center at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) basic school in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana. (Xinhua) ACCRA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A Confucius Institute in Kumasi, the capital city of Ghana's Ashanti Region, has established its first Chinese language teaching center to expand outreach to learners. The Confucius Institute at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Wednesday inaugurated the teaching center at the KNUST basic school, enabling students of all grades to access the Chinese language for the first time. According to the Confucius Institute, it will assign several Chinese teachers to duties including teaching Chinese at various levels and organizing Chinese cultural activities and language contests to help local students achieve excellence in the Chinese language. At the inauguration ceremony, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah congratulated the establishment of the teaching center, saying that it will not only boost cooperation between the two sides but also help Ghanaian students secure a better future. Su Zibo, the Chinese director of the KNUST Confucius Institute, said that China and Ghana have built a profound friendship over the past decades and the institute is willing to contribute more to it. "We opened the teaching center to meet local students' increasing need for learning Chinese. In the future, we will be more committed to our job, serving as a bridge to boost bilateral understanding and cooperation in language, culture and science and technology," Su added. The KNUST Confucius Institute is the third Confucius Institute in Ghana, established last December through a cooperation between China's Hubei University of Automotive Technology and the KNUST. HA NOI Viet Nam on Thursday denounced the illegal claims and activities in its East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) amid escalating tension between the Philippines and China in the area. Regarding the recent clash between Filipino and Chinese vessels in Bai Co May (Second Thomas Shoal), Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, Nguyen uc Thang, told the press that "We have made statements on this matter" and reiterated Viet Nam's deep concern about the recent tensions in the East Sea. "Again, we call for all relevant parties to exercise self-restraint to strictly observe the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and to resolve all disputes through peaceful means, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea," Thang said. "Claims and activities in the East Sea must be in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of countries as established in the convention, avoid actions that may complicate the situation or heighten tensions, ensure the freedom of navigation and overflight, and avoid the use of force or threats of force," the deputy spokesperson emphasised. Regarding recent claims from both Philippines and China over parts of Spratly Archipelago, the Vietnamese diplomat reiterated that Viet Nam "possesses full legal basis and historical evidence to assert sovereignty over the Spratly Archipelago, in accordance with international law, as well as to assert sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction towards the Vietnamese maritime sphere, in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS." He also denounced relevant parties' act of deploying individuals onto features that belong to Viet Nam without permission from Viet Nam as "a violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty." This further complicates the situation and goes against the DOC, as well as the efforts of countries in the current negotiation for the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC), the deputy spokesperson remarked. "Viet Nam requests parties involved to respect Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Spratlys and not complicate the situation. They must adhere to international law, and seriously implement the DOC to collectively contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea," Thang said. He also conveyed Viet Nam's commitment to resolving disputes in the East Sea with relevant parties, including those over the Spratlys, "through peaceful measures that are in line with international law." VNS HA NOI The National Assembly Standing Committee convened a conference in Ha Noi on Thursday to review the performance of NA deputy delegations of provinces and centrally-run cities in 2023 and to set out tasks for 2024. Speaking at the conference, the first of its kind, NA Permanent Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted the significance of 2023 for the Vietnamese NA. It marked a historic milestone with the highest number of sessions ever held in its 78-year history, including three extraordinary sittings. These sessions delved into a wide array of 84 pivotal issues that profoundly influenced the country's socio-economic development and global integration, paving the way for continued progress in 2024 and beyond, he said. Man attributed this success to the positive contributions of the provincial and municipal NA delegations, alongside the coordinated efforts of the Council for Ethnic Minorities, NA committees, the NA Office, and agencies of the NA Standing Committee, especially the active and central role played by deputies. Head of the NA Standing Committee's Board for Deputy Affairs Nguyen Thi Thanh urged the NA deputy delegations to continue innovating the content and method of operation, working closely with relevant agencies, organisations and individuals to hold conferences, workshops and dialogues to gather public feedbacks on draft laws, ordinances, and resolutions that will be considered and adopted by the 15th NA at its upcoming 7th and 8th sessions, and extraordinary sessions (if any). Thanh called for enhanced quality in both question-and-answer sessions and supervisory activities, which should focus on scrutinising legal documents and issues of pressing concern to voters. At the conference, deputies also proposed solutions to further improve the quality and working efficiency of NA delegations, contributing to the common achievements of the NA and NA Standing Committee. The conference concluded with the launch of an emulation campaign in the lead up to the 80th anniversary of the first general election of the Vietnamese NA to be celebrated in 2026. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam always treasures ties with Japan and activities of its investors in the country, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a delegation from the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) led by Masayoshi Fujimoto and Masayuki Hyodo, Co-chairmen of KEIDANRENs Japan - Vietnam Economic Committee at a working session in Ha Noi on March 28. He also highlighted Japan as Viet Nam's leading important economic partner, biggest partner in official development assistance, second largest in labour cooperation, third largest in investment and fourth largest in trade. The leader praised the successful implementation of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative over the past two decades and welcomed the continuation of the joint initiative in the new era, focusing on promoting Asia Zero Emission Community/Green Transformation (AZEC/GX), innovation and digital transformation, supply chains, including developing supporting industries; quality human resources development, and mechanism reform to improve the business environment. Lauding Viet Nam as one of the most important partners, the co-chairmen said Keidanren and Japanese firms want to continue contributing to the bilateral ties, especially in economic cooperation. They cited a survey by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) indicating that Viet Nam ranks second among the most attractive destinations for Japanese investors in both medium and long terms, especially in supporting industry, digital transformation, hi-quality human resources training and global supply chain. Keidanren and Japanese enterprises pledge to support Viet Nam 's green transition and acceleration of projects aligning with the Political Declaration establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and Japan's Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, they said. In response, PM Chinh suggested KEIDANREN and firms continue strengthening economic connectivity between the two countries, expand cooperation in investment, especially in priority areas outlined in the Vietnam-Japan Joint Statement on the upgrade of the Vietnam-Japan relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World"; assist Viet Nam in strategic infrastructure, energy, supporting industries, hi-quality agriculture, sci-tech, green and digital transformation, environmental protection, climate change response, semiconductor, quality human resource training, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and labour cooperation; and offer suggestions regarding policies, administrative reform, and improvement of the business environment in Viet Nam. - VNS Reiterating Vietnam's unwavering support for long-term foreign investors, he said the Southeast Asian country is making efforts to streamline procedures for the implementation of ODA-funded projects, adding that discussions are underway to negotiate and sign a Vietnam-Japan social insurance agreement. - VNS HA NOI Viet Nam always treasures ties with Japan and activities of its investors in the country, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a delegation from the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) led by Masayoshi Fujimoto and Masayuki Hyodo, Co-chairmen of KEIDANRENs Japan - Vietnam Economic Committee at a working session in Hanoi on Thursday. He also highlighted Japan as Viet Nam's leading important economic partner, biggest partner in official development assistance, second largest in labour cooperation, third largest in investment and fourth largest in trade. The leader praised the successful implementation of the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative over the past two decades and welcomed the continuation of the joint initiative in the new era, focusing on promoting Asia Zero Emission Community/Green Transformation (AZEC/GX), innovation and digital transformation, supply chains, including developing supporting industries; quality human resources development, and mechanism reform to improve the business environment. Lauding Viet Nam as one of the most important partners, the co-chairmen said Keidanren and Japanese firms want to continue contributing to the bilateral ties, especially in economic cooperation. They cited a survey by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) indicating that Viet Nam ranks second among the most attractive destinations for Japanese investors in both medium and long terms, especially in supporting industry, digital transformation, hi-quality human resources training and global supply chain. Keidanren and Japanese enterprises pledge to support Viet Nam's green transition and acceleration of projects aligning with the Political Declaration establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and Japan's Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, they said. In response, PM Chinh suggested KEIDANREN and firms continue strengthening economic connectivity between the two countries, expand cooperation in investment, especially in priority areas outlined in the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Statement on the upgrade of the Viet Nam-Japan relations to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World"; assist Viet Nam in strategic infrastructure, energy, supporting industries, hi-quality agriculture, sci-tech, green and digital transformation, environmental protection, climate change response, semiconductor, quality human resource training, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and labour cooperation; and offer suggestions regarding policies, administrative reform, and improvement of the business environment in Viet Nam. Reiterating Viet Nam's unwavering support for long-term foreign investors, he said the Southeast Asian country is making efforts to streamline procedures for the implementation of ODA-funded projects, adding that discussions are underway to negotiate and sign a Viet Nam-Japan social insurance agreement. VNS HA NOI - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 28 hosted a reception for World Bank (WB) Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk, who came to say goodbye at the end of her tenure. Congratulating Turk on her successful tenure in the country, Chinh spoke highly of the WB's cooperation and support for Viet Nams oi Moi (renewal) over the past 30 years. He noted that the bank is one of the three largest development partners and foreign loan providers of Viet Nam. According to the PM, during Turk's tenure, the WB supported Viet Nam in rescheduling the repayment of International Development Association (IDA) loans, thereby assisting the country in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. The WB also provided non-refundable aid for Vietnam to enhance the countrys preventive healthcare capacity. Also during the tenure, the WB committed to mobilising resources for large-scale infrastructure projects as well as called for more non-refundable aid for Viet Nam and helped the country improve institutions and enhance central and local governance through policy consultations. The government leader suggested that the WB increase funding for Viet Nam, focusing on key national projects of large scale such as those on green transition, digital transformation, urban railways, renewable energy, power transmission, smart agriculture, low carbon emissions and climate change adaptation. Chinh expressed his hope to welcome the President of the WB to pay an official visit to Viet Nam soon, contributing to promoting the partnership between the WB and Viet Nam in a more practically and effectively manner. Turk, for her part, thanked the Government, the Prime Minister and Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities for the support and assistance given to the WB and herself during her tenure, particularly the PMs instruction on the establishment a working group to resolve problems during the implementation of projects in Viet Nam. She affirmed that the WB stands ready to continue supporting Viet Nam to achieve its development targets. - VNS QUANG TRI Two Chinese nationals were caught in the act of helping 21 Vietnamese citizens illegally cross from Viet Nam into Laos. A joint operation involving border units and police forces of Quang Tri Province led to the arrest of Zhu Gui Neng (47 years old) and Liu Fang Quang (39 years old) on March 23. During questioning, Zhu Gui Neng revealed that he needed workers for timber-related work on behalf of a Chinese company in Laos. He connected with Ho Cha Tho, a Vietnamese intermediary from Ha Giang Province, to find willing workers. He claimed he would cover all expenses, intending to deduct them from the workers' wages. Each person was expected to pay him RMB280 (US$39). Border units and police forces detected the 21 migrants (20 persons of Mong ethnicity and one Tay) clandestine crossing near the Lao Bao International Border Gate. The two were prosecuted for organising illegal emigration on March 28. Authorities are continuing to investigate the case. VNS HA NOI The 10th National External Information Service Awards was officially launched in Ha Noi on Thursday. Jointly organised by the Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education and Vietnam Television, the awards honour those who actively promote Viet Nam's image and its people to the world. At the press conference to announce the launch of the awards, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Television o uc Hoang stressed that the awards are open to people of all ages and backgrounds. Participants need not be professional journalists to be eligible. With Viet Nam having many YouTubers, TikTokers and online content creators who showcase the country's beauty, he urged them to delve into the award details and join the contest. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Authority of Foreign Information Service under the Ministry of Information and Communications, suggested granting the awards to YouTube and TikTok fan pages if their content meets the contest's criteria. He said cooperation with celebrities and KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) would help the organisers amplify the impact of the awards. The awards cover ten categories: video clips, photos, television products, radio products, books, innovative products with promotional value, printed newspaper articles in Vietnamese, online newspaper articles in Vietnamese, printed newspaper articles in foreign languages and online newspaper articles in foreign languages. Eligible works must be published between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. For those released outside the timeframe, at least two-thirds of their total duration must be published within the specified period. Participants can submit their works online to the email Giaithongtindoingoai10@gmail.com. For books and printed newspaper articles, submissions must be sent to Vietnam Television at 43 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ba inh, Ha Noi. The deadline for submission is July 31, 2024. VNS HA NOI The Department of Overseas Labour Management recommends that businesses who hired Vietnamese people to work on transport ships temporarily suspend operations through Middle East - Africa maritime routes in the Red Sea. The department has just sent an official document to businesses to ensure the safety of Vietnamese workers on transport ships passing through the Middle East - Africa region. According to the department, tensions in the Middle East have recently increased, especially in waters near the Red Sea. Among them, there were incidents that have affected the health and lives of Vietnamese sailors. Yemens Houthi forces announced that in the near future they will attack cargo ships passing through the Indian Ocean in South Asia region to the Cape of Good Hope of Africa. Therefore, the situation of maritime security and safety is threatened not only in the Middle East, but spreading to South Asia and Africa, said the department. To ensure security and safety for Vietnamese workers on international transport ships, the department required businesses to urgently work with their partners and ship owners who have Vietnamese workers on the risk of loss of security and safety, and disseminate the situation so workers can reconsider about working on transport ships passing through these maritime routes. In particular, the department requested the businesses to stay away from maritime routes near the Middle East - Africa region at the present time, or temporarily stop until the security and safety is guaranteed, as well as regularly monitoring the situation of Vietnamese workers working abroad on transport ships. Previously, one Vietnamese was among three people killed in missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces on the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden on March 6. The ship's crew of 20 members included 15 Filipinos, four Vietnamese and one Indian. VNS HCM CITY Nguyen Thi Ut Em, the head of the American International School Vietnam (AISVN)'s council in HCM City, has been banned from leaving the country due to personal income tax debts, announced the municipal Peoples Committee. Additionally, the school has been suspended from admitting new students in the new school year amid teachers strike. On March 18, all classes had to be canceled as most of the teachers went on strike over unpaid salary. On March 20, up to 85 teachers have resigned. The city authorities have issued instructions for the relevant authorities to oversee the operations of the AIS American International Education company, as the company has direct impacts on on the operation and educational standards of AISVN. Several units have been assigned the task of proposing salary payment plans for teachers, as well as Vietnamese and foreign workers employed at AISVN. The move aims to ensure the stability of the school's operations until the end of the current school year. The citys Department of Education and Training is responsible for making a decision to suspend AISVN's enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, until the investor resolves financial, personnel, and teaching stability issues. The department must also have solutions to ensure students' rights and not let their study be interrupted. According to the city Peoples Committee, seven educational facilities agreed to admit AISVNs students. Those schools can receive up to 1,088 students. The city People's Committee has assigned the Department of Education and Training to continue working with these schools and soon submit a plan to mobilise more teachers to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. The AISVN is a private school fully invested by domestic sources. The school currently has more than 1,200 students studying the IB programme, 129 foreign teachers, 26 Vietnamese teachers and 103 other employees. The school has paid 70 per cent of the January 2024 salary and owed the February 2024 salary to foreign teachers. It has paid January salary payment to Vietnamese teachers and owed February 2024 salary. As most teachers refused to work for not fully receiving salaries and insurance, on March 18, the school management board had to let all students stay home. On March 19-20, although the school reopened, 50-55 per cent of teachers still went on strike. From March 25 to 31, all students had spring break following the school's plan. Concerned about the potential disruption to their children's education following the conclusion of spring break, on March 28 over 100 parents submitted a joint petition to the HCM City Department of Education and Training. In their plea, they suggested implementing online learning as a viable alternative for students. In September 2023, many parents gathered in front of the school gate, demanding that the school repay billions of ong in debt. These parents said they lent tens of billions of ong to the school without interest, without collateral, through loan and investment contracts. In return, their children can study for free, and the school committed to paying after the students graduate or transfer schools. However, they later did not receive their money back. VNS Coca-Cola and bottling partners launch $138m sustainability fund 3.50 5 (756) En stock Por un escritor de hombre misterioso KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with its unprecedented opportunities, remains at the center of Malaysia-China cooperation, a Malaysian official said on Thursday. The BRI framework continues to be a key platform in various fields, including infrastructure development, connectivity, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said in his keynote speech at the Silk Road and Asian Civilizational Forum 2024. "By leveraging the synergies between our economies and harnessing the transformative power of the BRI, we can unlock new avenues of growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of our people," he said that this is in the spirit of the ancient Silk Road that had brought prosperity through connectivity. The forum is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. It aims to enhance the understanding of the modern Silk Road and its role in facilitating international connections and includes an international audience, the organizer said. Ananda Prasad Pokharel, general secretary of Friends of Silk Road Club-Nepal, said in his speech that the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes spanning thousands of miles, holds "a special place in history, not just as a conduit for the exchange of goods but also as a bridge for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and values across the globe." "The BRI seeks to promote economic connectivity and cooperation among countries along the historic Silk Road routes, with the aim of fostering shared prosperity and development," he said. 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Here are the advantages that make it particular and professional, are tearing Delphi DS150 E, 2022 model. What are the car brands compatible with the DS150 E suitcase? As stated above, the new Delphi DS150 E Dediagnostic Suitcase is compatible with several brands of vehicles. These include: Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Audi, BMW, Bentley, Cadillac, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Dacia, Daihastsu, Daewo, Dodge, Fiat, Ferrari, Ford, GWM, Foton, Honda, Isuzu, Hyundai, Iveco , JMC, Jeep, Jaguar, Jinbel, Kia, Lancia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lotus, Lexus, Renault, Mahindra, Mazda, Maserati, Mg, Mercedes, Mini, Multicar, Mitsubishi, Opel, Nissan, Vauxhall, Porsche, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Rollys-Royce, Saab, Seat, Samsung, Shuanghuan, Smart, Skoda, Subaru, Ssangyong, Suzuki, Toyota, Tata, Volvo, Volkswagen, Yuchai. In addition, the Delphi DS150 E suitcase is also compatible with multiple trucks. What are the truck marks compatible with the Delphi DS150 E auto diagnostic device? You can use the Delphi DS150 E suitcase to diagnose your brand trucks: Allison, Alexander Dennis, AutoSan, Citroen, Chevrolet, Daf, Dacia, Dennis Eagle, Chassis, Evobus, Ford, Fiat, Generic Bus Sysyms, Hyundai, Generic Truck Systems, Irisbus Chassis, Isuzu Truck, Isuzu, Kia, Kamaz, Mahindra, Renault, Lancia, Man Bus Chassis, Man, Mazda, Mercedes Trucks, Mercedes, Mitsubishi Fuso, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Multicar, Nissan Trucks, Opel / Vauxhall, Peugeot , Optare, Plaxton, Renault Trucks, Scania Bus Chassis, Scania, Solaris, Skoda, Seat, Trailers, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Bus Chassis. What are the operating systems compatible with Delphi DS 150 E 2022? The Delphi DS 150 E 2022 is compatible with the explanation systems: XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 (32/64). It should be noted that this latest version Dudelphi DS150 E is very stable and it is suitable for all computers. Even without too much power or internal memory, unlike the other suitcase of the same type or genre that are sold on another website. In addition, you do not need any prerequisites for its use. Just contact our technical support for free installation from A to Z. and this on a simple phone call! Languages available in the Delphi DS 150 E suitcase An additional asset but not least of the latest version of the Delphi DS150 E suitcase It is that it is available all in French and in several languages. In this model, you have: French, Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Swedish, Slovenian, Polish, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Czech, Finnish, Danish, Hungarian. Give yourself today, our Delphi DS150 E 2022 suitcase For accurate and achievable diagnoses by all! Accessories included in the package: A delphi suitcase DS 150 E 2022 last model; A DVD including the last Delphi software in French version; A last generation USB cable with LED light to find the OBD jack. And as a Delphi 2017R3 software gift and AutoCom 2020.23 software offered! Sends it forever from the sotie of the new software and this for free! Valise DS V1 150 2023 en Francais Multimarques, Bluetooth/USB Logiciel diagnostic delphi - Cdiscount 2021.11 Delphi DS150E Autocom CDP Professional Car and Truck Obd2 Diagnostic Tools with bluetooth Valise Diagnostic Citroen - Achat neuf ou d'occasion pas cher DS150E Comment utiliser Delphi Diagnostic et ces fonctions . 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The scholar noted that China actively cultivates and develops new productive forces, leads globally in constructing a digital society, and plays a leading role in the digital revolution, smart manufacturing, industrial chain restructuring, and efficient utilization of production factors, which all contribute to the establishment of innovative and efficient business models. Recalling his trips to the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Beijing in January when he experienced autonomous driving, Takamisawa stated that China has achieved remarkable results in the tech field by fully leveraging its advantages and keenly capturing new opportunities such as digital technology development. Chinese car companies will succeed in expanding the autonomous driving business in overseas markets, bringing about a revolutionary impact on global mobility, he added. 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Andrew Loh Loh's experience in the insurance industry spans over financial management, risk, distribution, product development and operations. With extensive knowledge of the regional financial and insurance markets, outstanding leadership ability, and profound vision, he will lead AIA Vietnam to successfully implement the consistent "customer-centric strategy to achieve sustainable growth and strengthen the goal of helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. I am honoured to be entrusted by the AIA Vietnams Board of Directors and happy to be here to contribute to the development of AIA Vietnam and the Vietnamese insurance market. Putting customers at the centre, providing top-quality services, and achieving sustainable growth to deliver the best experience and protection for customers are our most important goals as we help more Vietnamese to have insurance protection, Loh said. Loh also believes that AIA Vietnam will maintain its sustainable growth and build on its past successes. AIA Vietnam will enhance the quality and competitive advantages of its distribution channels with the Premier Agency strategy while introducing superior products along with the AIA Vitality ecosystem. AIA Vietnam's efforts will be supported by technology and digital transformation to enhance the customer and family experience in all aspects of financial, physical, and mental health, as well as improve the company's operational efficiency and the quality standards of its distribution channels. AIA Vietnam is a member of AIA Group - the largest independent Life Insurance Group in Asia, listed on the stock exchange. Established in 2000 with the aim of protecting prosperity and financial security for the people of Vietnam, AIA Vietnam has affirmed its position as one of the leading life insurance companies in the market. To date, AIA Vietnam has built a network of over 200 offices in more than 50 cities and provinces nationwide. AIA Vietnam is serving and ensuring financial security for over 1.6 million customers in Vietnam, having paid out insurance benefits and claims totalling over VND13 trillion ($520 million) to hundreds of thousands of policyholders. Building healthier, longer, better lives The AIA Vietnam story AIA continues to strengthen its 22-year foothold in the country. Wayne Besant, CEO of AIA Vietnam, opened up about what the leading insurer has achieved in 2021, as well as the One Billion Initiative that strives towards sustainable development for Vietnamese people. AIA Vietnam and VPBank strengthen long-term strategic partnership AIA Vietnam and VPBank on March 15 announced that the former has extended its long-term strategic partnership with the latter for four more years. Since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect, with Vietnam and Canada as members, the cooperative relationship between the two countries has seen significant advancements in trade and investment. Vietnam and Singapore bonding over substantial benefits in trading and investment According to Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade, with the foundational cooperation frameworks established by both sides, there remains substantial potential for the development of the bilateral relationship. "Canada is currently Vietnam's third-largest trading partner in the Americas, while Vietnam is Canada's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region. In 2023, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Canada reached $6.24 billion," Dien said. "Regarding investment, Canada ranks as Vietnam's 14th largest investor, with over 247 projects totaling more than $4.82 billion." Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, emphasised Vietnam's importance to Canada in realising the specific goals of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. "Canada highly values Vietnam's leading role in enhancing connectivity for trade and investment opportunities, as well as strengthening supply chains within the Indo-Pacific region," said Ng. Furthermore, within the framework of the visit, Dien and Ng inaugurated the second meeting of the Vietnam-Canada Joint Economic Committee. The meeting serves as a dialogue channel between the two governments to deepen comprehensive partnership relations, with economic cooperation being a crucial pillar. Canada and Vietnam commemorate 50th year of diplomatic relations The relationship between Canada and Vietnam has developed in a gratifying way and has achieved many great breakthroughs over the past five decades, according to the Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, Shawn Perry Steil. VinFast to attend global EV show in Canada VinFast, Vietnams first electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced it will attend the 2023 Fully Charged Live show, held for the first time in Canada from September 8-10. The Coca-Cola Foundation has provided 39 filtration systems under its "Clean Drinking Water for Secondary Schools" since 2018, with a total grant of over $500,000. The event represents a significant milestone for the project after seven years of implementation, standing as a crucial component of The Coca-Cola Foundation's overarching commitment to sustainable development across its three key pillars: Economy, Environment, and Community Support. Beyond the symbolic handover of water filtration systems to schools, the event also introduced the "Water Buddy" competition to students and teachers, injecting an interactive element that sparked enthusiasm and engagement in water-related initiatives. Furthermore, the ceremony provided a platform to reflect on the remarkable accomplishments of the "Clean Drinking Water for Secondary Schools" project, which aims to enhance access to clean water and raise awareness about water use and conservation in secondary schools across Danang. The "Clean Drinking Water for Schools in Vietnam" project, officially launched in October 2017, is a collaboration between The Coca-Cola Foundation and CFC Vietnam. The project aims to provide a clean drinking water source and implement education programmes on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to help prevent diseases. Through the implementation and handover of tap water filtration systems, the project also contributes to mitigating many urgent problems related to children's lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation conditions to ensure health safety. In Danang, the project has been coordinated by Danang People's Committee, departments, agencies, and districts to ensure quick procedures for receiving, operating, and handover. The project has been highly appreciated by management staff, teachers, students, and parents at the beneficiary schools, contributing to ensuring a clean drinking water source and taking better care of students' health. The project also provides access to clean drinking water for the communities around these schools. Saadia Madsbjerg, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation and vice president of community affairs, said the Coca-Cola Foundation is deeply committed to providing safe drinking water to water-stressed communities. We are grateful to partner with local communities in Vietnam to turn this commitment into a reality in their schools. Additionally, our efforts aim to improve community health, raise awareness about smart water use, and address the broader challenges of water resilience, said Madsbjerg. We are delighted with the achievements from the seven-year collaboration between CFC Vietnam and The Coca-Cola Foundation, which has significantly improved health and hygiene standards in secondary schools throughout the city of Danang, Madsbjerg added. Backed by the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, we hope that more students and teachers will have access to clean drinking water that meets the strict technical standards of the United States, said Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh, director of CFC Vietnam. Tran Nguyen Minh Thanh, deputy director of Danang Department of Education and Training, said, We are delighted that 39 secondary schools have received direct drinking water filtration systems. The Department of Education and Training highly appreciates the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation and looks forward to the project's continued expansion to support other secondary schools in Danang. Sustainable development is considered as the core of all The Coca-Cola Foundation's activities. The achievements of the Clean Drinking Water for Secondary Schools project serve as both the driving force and proof of its commitment to making a positive impact on the three pillars of economic development, environmental preservation, and community support in Vietnam. Coca-Cola unites 1,000 Vietnamese families at Lunar New Year celebration In a grand celebration of its 30-year presence in Vietnam, Coca-Cola organised the Magic Tet Meal Table event on January 20, marking a significant milestone on its journey with Vietnamese families. The event, a blend of cultural festivity and corporate philanthropy, witnessed participation from over 1,000 families, along with partners, media agencies, and artists, all uniting to extend goodwill to the wider community. On March 19, Vinh Hiep Co., Ltd. exported two containers of organic coffee to Japan, one of the most demanding export markets that mandates stringent quality requirements for agricultural products. After two years of negotiation, Vietnams first shipment of organic coffee officially forayed into the Japanese market, with a price 30 per cent higher compared to regular coffee. A rebound in order intakes has helped diverse billion-dollar export sectors to manage fair growth in the first quarter (Q1). For instance, as of March 15, the local coffee industry raked in $1.57 billion in total export value, a 61 per cent jump on-year, and is estimated to hit $1.9 billion in the whole quarter, setting a record. Besides coffee, shipments of diverse export sectors continually reaching the global markets are creating motivation to beef up production. The textile apparel sector, after missing its $44 billion export target in 2023, is witnessing rosier signs, with Q1s figure estimated to approximate $9 billion. Than Duc Viet, CEO of Garment 10 Corporation, under state conglomerate Vinatex, revealed that exports were hailing brighter signs compared to last year, yet difficulties persist in the face of a complex and unpredictable geopolitical situation. We have many export shipments to the US and EU markets which incur impacts from conflict on the Red Sea. At the moment, the impacts remains insignificant as for export orders to EU, foreign partners bear ship leasing charges and associated costs, yet the longer delivery time might badly influence sale activities of importers, said Viet. Garment 10s current solution is to push up production to be able to make up for extended delivery time due to Red Sea tension. 2024 is forecast to be another challenging year for the textile apparel sector as total aggregate demand has yet to fully recover. That is why our company is opting for orders of smaller size, yet of high quality, a complex structure and swift delivery, said Viet. Meanwhile, Vinatex has shaken hands with foreign partners on the production of special-use products to permeate niche markets. In mid-March the group inked a deal with UK-based group Coats for the production of fire-resistant fabric and garments. This segment is deemed to secure fast growth pace and enormous potential for development in the context that safety standards have become increasingly stringent in leading global markets. Embracing fire-resistance fabric production is one of the steps to navigate out of conventional garment production which incurs stiff competition in pricing, said Le Tien Truong, Vinatex chairman. In the near term, Vinatex and UK partner Coats engage in producing fire-resistant garments for G7 markets. The latest figures by General Department of Vietnam Customs show that Vietnams export value approximated $75.9 billion as of March 15, up 20.6 per cent on-year. Statistics from the end of February show that 39 out of 45 export items exhibited growth compared to a similar period last year. The export value of many manufacturing items showcased an impressive double-digit growth, such as timber and wooden furniture up 43.8 per cent, steel and iron up 45.4 per cent, footwear 18.3 per cent, and textile apparel items up 15 per cent. Vietnam draws nearly 2.7 million foreign arrivals in Q1 Vietnam welcomed more than 2.69 million foreign arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, 29.7 times higher than that of the same period last year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) has reported. Industrial real estate picture contrasting from north to south While industrial real estate in the north is recording a strong increase in supply, rent, and occupancy rates, the south of the country is enduring reduced rental demand and legislation obstacles. Huynh Thanh Dat, minister of Science and Technology Since 2017, the Global Innovation Index published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been used by the government as an important tool for reference, development and promulgation of policies to promote innovation in Vietnam. At the local level, the government in 2022 assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to preside and coordinate with the WIPO and relevant agencies to build a set of local innovation indicators and organise pilot assessments in a number of localities to measure innovation capacity and innovation results of each locality. In 2022, we successfully tested in 20 localities. On that basis, the government assigned us to officially deploy the PII nationwide. The index provides scientific and practical bases for agencies, organisations, and individuals to use as they build and implement policies to promote local socioeconomic development based on science, technology, and innovation. It will be a useful reference for investors for their business activities in each locality. The ministry hopes to continue receiving support from ministries, agencies, localities, and international organisations to ameliorate and carry out the PII every year as assigned by the government with a view to improving the domestic business environment and enhance national competitiveness. Vu Van Tich, director Vietnam Institute of Science Technology and Innovation The PII is an index that integrates many indexes of many other ministries and agencies. This is a tool to check the health of the economy associated with science, technology and innovation activities. This is an important set of indicators, measuring the economic development in the transition from an agriculture-based economy to an innovation-driven economy. Learning experience from developed countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan, this set of indicators is a framework to manage socioeconomic activities, and investment initiatives in localities, as well as manage how we have mechanisms to attract more investment in innovation, and technology infrastructure and pay more attention to people in the context of rapid sci-tech development, especially AI technology. With this index, cities and provinces will have to pay more attention to their policies, products and services, helping to develop local development strategies based on sci-tech in the future. Kenneth Loh, vice president Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi The PII serves to provide an overview of the socioeconomic development of each province, based on science, technology, and innovation. Those provinces with high PII possess favourable natural and geographical attributes in general, while the lower ranking provinces lack the same ingredients found in provinces with a high PII. The PII can be a valuable tool for new Singaporean investors and companies looking to invest in Vietnam. The PII ranks Vietnamese provinces based on their innovation capabilities. The index likely considers factors like existing industry clusters and areas of research focus within each province. Singaporean companies can use this information to align their investment strategy with a provinces existing strengths. A strong PII ranking might indicate a province with a vibrant innovation ecosystem. This could make it easier for Singaporean companies to find local partners with the necessary expertise and connections to navigate the Vietnamese market. While the PII can serve as a reference in making the initial screening and investment orientation, it is by no means the sole factor of consideration. As for incumbent Singaporean companies, the PII was unavailable for them to make reference in their decision-making process, and they made their decisions based on market research and due diligence. Thus, it is no coincidence that the provinces attracted the most Singaporean investors are those listed in the top ranks of the PII, due mainly to their strong attributes in science, technology, and innovation. Takeo Nakajima, chief representative Japan External Trade Organization in Hanoi Innovation indicators tend to be heavily weighted towards large cities. They attract universities, research, funds, technologies, and human resources. However, there is tight competition. If you want to collaborate with a university, doing so with a top university may be challenging. Large and emerging cities suit companies targeting taking markets and skilled human resources. On the other hand, industries such as manufacturing, energy, agriculture, tourism, and logistics often target regional cities. Fifteen years ago, manufacturing industries also had bases in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but now it is not practical to find manufacturing within big cities. In the north, investments spread to Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, and Binh Phuc, and now it has further expanded to Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, and Quang Ninh. Expressways reach rural areas, and industrial parks are under development in various regions. These areas offer potential for a sufficient supply of human resources. Incomes of people in rural areas are also increasing. Rural areas also attract projects in agriculture, tourism, energy, and more. Enterprises will direct their investments to the appropriate regions, leading to diversification of Vietnams investment climate. Gamuda Land started construction of phase 1 of Eaton Park. This project is the latest development by this foreign real estate developer in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was held at the project premises on Mai Chi Tho boulevard, An Phu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of the developer's staff, with representatives from business partners, consultants, constructors, and local authorities. Giving a speech at the ceremony, Teoh Chin Siang, general director of Gamuda Land (HCMC), said that the preparation and commencement of ground works had taken place back in December last year. After three months, Eaton Park has started making its shape on ground as what we can observe today with exceptionally fast construction progress. With the full passion and contribution from our workforce and construction round the clock, we are confident that Eaton Park would soon be completed in accordance with the commitment to customers, and make its skyline standing firm in very near future from now. The general constructor assigned to undertake this package is Unicons, one of the largest construction firms in the country, which has been participating in the development process of many prominent large-scale projects such as The Landmark 81, Vinhomes Central Park, and Midori Park. It is known that each component package of Eaton Park must go through an extremely rigid evaluation and bidding process among the leading general constructors in Vietnam, under the control of Gamuda Land headquarter from Malaysia. Located in the central area of former District 2 of Thu Duc city, this is one of the projects with the most prime locations in the real estate market in Ho Chi Minh City currently. It is situated right in front of Mai Chi Tho street, only 15 minutes by car from the centre of District 1. Covering a total land area of 3.77 hectares, the project is planned with 6 towers ranging from 29 to 39 floors high. It will provide 2,052 products to the market, including 1,968 luxury apartments with 1 to 3 bedrooms, 12 penthouse apartments, 52 podium service stores, and 21 shophouses. The estimated total development value is more than $1.1 billion. Besides its golden location, Eaton Park boasts an architectural design inspired by the rhythmic movement of rolling waves and the sculptural language of geological formations. With a height of 39 floors, once completed, the project will stand as a towering landmark in the eastern skyline of Ho Chi Minh City. With enthusiasm and attention to every detail in the master plan, Eaton Park is expected to establish a new standard of urban life. It will bring an upscale lifestyle and a comprehensive, rich, and exciting life, according to the developer. Although not yet officially open for sale, Eaton Park has caused a stir throughout the Southern real estate market, attracting a lot of attention from home buyers and investors. It is the only project on the "golden land" axis at the Eastern gateway to the central business district of Ho Chi Minh City having good legal status being launched at the present. Gamuda Land is one of the most prominent foreign investors that has been present in the Vietnamese real estate market for a long time, through many ups and downs. When entering the market in 2007, the developer boldly spent nearly VND8.6 trillion in initial investment capital for the 292-ha Gamuda City urban area in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, and VND3.6 trillion for Celadon City, which is 82ha wide in Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City. To date, these two projects have become the most prominent model international green urban areas in these two markets. Following those successes, Gamuda Land is showing strong ambition to enhance its position in Vietnam with impressive moves in recent times. Specifically, in 2022 alone, Gamuda Land successfully carried out two large-scale M&A deals in a row, causing a stir throughout the southern market. The first is the acquisition of the Artisan Park commercial town house project in Binh Duong New City from TDC. This deal is worth up to $54 million. Next, Gamuda Land merged with a domestic company to own the Elysian high-end apartment complex project with an estimated GDV of over $250 million in Thu Duc of Ho Chi Minh City. Eaton Park is the third project in a row within two years with land transfer costs alone reaching $315.8 million. Covering a total land area of 3.77ha, Eaton Park is planned with six towers ranging from 29 to 39 floors high Gamuda Land starts construction of high-end flagship Eaton Park On December 8, Gamuda Land, the property arm of Malaysias Gamuda Berhad, organised the ground-breaking ceremony for Eaton Park, its first high-end flagship in the east of Ho Chi Minh City. Gamuda Land signs strategic cooperation agreements for Eaton Park project On January 11, Gamuda Land (Ho Chi Minh City), the investor of the Eaton Park project, signed 17 strategic distribution agreements. DHAKA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh faces alarming levels of pollution and environmental health risks that disproportionately harm the most vulnerable people, the poor, children under five, the elderly, and women, said a new World Bank report launched here Thursday. The report titled "Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis" finds air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and lead exposure cause over 272,000 premature deaths and 5.2 billion days of illness annually. It said these environmental costs were equivalent to 17.6 percent of Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Household and outdoor air pollution have the most detrimental effect on health, leading to nearly 55 percent of premature deaths, which alone cost 8.32 percent of the GDP in 2019, it added. "For Bangladesh, addressing environmental risks is both a development and an economic priority. We have seen around the world that when economic growth comes at the cost of the environment, it cannot sustain. But it is possible to grow cleaner and greener without growing slower," said Abdoulaye Seck, the World Bank's country director for Bhutan and Bangladesh. The report identifies environmental priorities, assesses interventions, and includes recommendations to strengthen governance and institutional capacity for environmental management. It said Bangladesh can protect its environment by setting evidence-based priorities, diversifying and strengthening environmental policy instruments, strengthening institutional capacity, and building an enabling environment for green financing. Southeast Asias digital economy is among the worlds fastest-growing, worth $218 billion in 2023 and expected to reach $600 billion by the end of the decade, at a compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent. To help the regions digital platform players achieve economies of scale, grow their asset portfolios, and advance along the corporate lifecycle, HSBC is announcing a unique, dedicated lending fund worth $1 billion. Like so many other internationally minded businesses, we are excited about ASEANs booming digital economy, said Amanda Murphy, head of Commercial Banking for South and Southeast Asia at HSBC. With a working population that is digitally native, increasing in size, and poised to consume more goods and services - especially on e-commerce - ASEAN has so much potential for growth. We are delighted to launch our first-of-its-kind ASEAN Growth Fund and work with digital companies as they expand in the region and beyond. The HSBC ASEAN Growth Fund provides lending to companies that are scaling up through digital platforms across Southeast Asia. It supports new-economy names, more established corporates, and non-bank financial institutions by assessing operating metrics tied to their cashflow-generative asset portfolio, rather than relying solely on traditional financial metrics. In ASEAN, Vietnam was the fastest growing digital economy in 2022 and 2023, and is expected to maintain this position until 2025, currently led by e-commerce, online tourism, and online media. With the forecast of smartphone users reaching 67.3 million by 2026, accounting for 96.9 per cent of internet users, Vietnam has become a rosy market for the digital industry and both local and international players. ASEAN trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) have been an integral part of the Vietnam success story, and looking to the future, I am excited by the emerging opportunities it presents for the economy, shared Ahmed Yeganeh, head of Wholesale Banking at HSBC Vietnam. The statistics and momentum spell out the size of the opportunity and I am impressed by the growing trade and FDI flows between Vietnam and other ASEAN markets. Particularly relevant for Vietnam is the growing digital economy, which, coupled with Vietnams consumption market, will make the digital economy one of the key pillars for Vietnams growth story. At HSBC I believe we play a key role in facilitating and contributing to the development of businesses in capturing these opportunities through our deep understanding and history in the region and our capability to connect customers to these opportunities through our global network and services. HSBC recently surveyed 600 companies operating in Southeast Asia and found that digitalising operations is the top business priority, selected by 42 per cent of the respondents. This is followed by growth in Southeast Asia (40 per cent), and research and development (37 per cent). To help capture growth in the booming digital economy, nearly 65 per cent plan to increase their investments in the digitalisation of their businesses, second only to expanding into new markets within Southeast Asia (66 per cent). HSBC is at the forefront of driving digital transformation in ASEAN, offering a range of digital transaction banking solutions such as Omni Collect, enabling clients more time to focus on business priorities and development in the region. Digital financial services on upward trend in Vietnam Vietnam continues to see an upward trend in digital financial service adoption as digital payments gain traction. Vietnam embracing digital economy From 2024, Vietnam will officially measure the added value proportion of the digital economy on the countrys GDP. Nguyen Thi Huong, director general of General Statistics Office (GSO) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, spoke with VIR's Manh Bon about the country's current digital economy. Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki (Photo: antaranews.com) Jakarta Indonesias Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry has continued to exert efforts to expand access to financing and investment to the countrys startup companies, Minister Teten Masduki said on March 27. He noted that expanding financing access is essential to assist startup companies in dealing with issues arising during their early days of operations. Indonesian startups have been relying heavily on financing provided by "angel investors" and venture capitalists to fund their business growth and innovations, he stated. The minister said that his ministry is aiming to bolster the development of the startup ecosystem through collaboration with domestic and international venture capitals. Since 2021, Indonesia has been striving to enhance the capacity of Indonesian startups by implementing an incubation programme that involves 20 institutions from universities and regional governments. The programme, drawing the participation from 351 companies, is meant to assist startups in solidifying their business models, increasing income, and linking with potential partners at the national and international levels, he explained. The minister highlighted that his country is currently aiming to pave the way for establishing more startups in the sectors of agribusiness, aquaculture, green businesses, and technology. Masduki urged all financial institutions to take part in facilitating Indonesian startup companies to access the financing schemes they need. He expressed his belief that Indonesia will be able to transform into a developed country by growing its economy and creating more new entrepreneurs. Indonesia firm on election of future Jakarta governors: official The Indonesian government is firm on its stance that future Jakarta governors should be elected by Jakarta residents instead of being appointed by the central government, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has said. Influence of AI technology can reshape labour market, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com Two weeks ago, Hanoi Parking Co., Ltd. proposed an AI pilot managing and operating 6-8 car parks in Hanoi. This initiative includes both enclosed parking facilities and on-street parking spots managed by the company for a period of six months. The company proposes to utilise radio-frequency identification (RFID) and AI technologies. RFID technology is currently being used in electronic toll collection at toll plazas on highways, while AI technology will help accurately recognise licence plates, supporting vehicle control at entry and exit points of parking facilities. The company estimates that the equipment cost for an enclosed car park is approximately $14,500, while such a cost for an on-street parking spot is slightly over $600. According to the data from the Department of Transportation of Hanoi, the city currently has 57 enclosed parking lots and 639 on-street parking spots. If each car park currently requires a minimum of two workers, it is anticipated that the implementation of the new technologies could potentially lead to a 50 per cent reduction in the number of labourers needed. According to research by American technological research and consulting firm Gartner, businesses that implement AI will achieve higher revenue and reduce operational costs by about 20 per cent. In Singapore, the use of AI virtual assistants has helped the Sephora retail chain increase their average monthly revenue by $30,000. In Vietnam, retail businesses have also quickly adopted AI in their operations through automated chatbot solutions to enhance the consumer shopping experience. However, alongside the positive aspects, AI technology is also predicted to have an impact on the jobs of many workers, even those with training, facing equivalent risks. According to The Future of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum, the labour market structure is projected to lose almost a quarter of jobs in the next five years. Employers forecast that 69 million new jobs will be created, but 83 million jobs will disappear. The report revealed that the most heavily impacted and susceptible job positions to be replaced by AI are in IT, finance, business, operations, human resources, and marketing. The report was based on the analysis of nearly 900 job positions as of September last year. According to Gartners prediction for 2026, approximately half of coding and programming jobs will be performed by AI. Despite lingering concerns, according to some experts, the future of the labour market with the involvement of AI technology is not as bad as many people think. AI eliminates jobs and creates new opportunities and changes the way of working, said Nguyen Thu Giang, deputy director of Navigos Search North. There are several indications that this tool is indeed creating new opportunities and driving growth across various industries. Giang explained that in certain industries with repetitive and rule-based tasks, AI or automation has been widely adopted to reduce the need for labour. However, AI is not yet capable of threatening personnel responsible for complex tasks that require sharpness, flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and social interaction. According to Microsofts 2023 Work Trend Index, many business leaders in Vietnam believe that AI will bring more value to the workplace rather than replacing employees, contributing to a 35 per cent increase in productivity. Out of every 10 Vietnamese workers, nine feel comfortable using AI not only for administrative tasks but also for analytical work and even creative aspects. Truong Hoang Tho, founder and CEO of Alipo Creative, with 13 years of experience in the digital creative industry, believes that the demand for AI applications in advertising and media businesses has been increasing since the beginning of this year. AI will positively support advertising businesses in analysing customer requirements, researching, and developing ideas, analysing data, and thereby providing personalised solutions for customers, Tho said. In addition, AI also helps advertising and media businesses optimise costs, increase work efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. However, the application of AI is still in the early stages of exploration and experimentation. In the first quarter, I have not seen many brands implementing AI in their advertising campaigns. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam is only meeting one-tenth of the demand for AI talent in the market. Meanwhile, Navigos said 59 per cent of businesses stated that they will recruit additional personnel in 2024, accounting for less than one-quarter of their workforce, with a focus on positions related to AI, digital technology, and data processing. Facing the challenges in workforce demand, Tho said that personnel in certain businesses are proactively seeking out courses to enhance their skills and gain a competitive advantage. Meanwhile, others will be sent by their companies to receive training to meet the job requirements. Due to the rapid development of AI, there are still limited high-quality training institutions in the market, which poses a challenge for learners when choosing a training facility to enhance their skills, Tho added. Generative AI revolution powered by Asia-Pacific startups Startups have consistently been at the cutting edge of innovation, and in the age of generative AI, they are poised to harness this technology to transform customer experiences and the way we work. Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder to lead AI unit DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman will become the head of a newly created consumer AI unit at Microsoft, the scientist and entrepreneur said on Tuesday. Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong. (Photo: thesun.my) Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong said the government is committed to developing the semiconductor industry which is now a strategic income source for the country. Speaking at the parliament on March 26, the deputy minister said trade and technology competition between China and the US in the semiconductor industry has benefited Malaysia. According to Liew, this competition has led multinational semiconductor companies to make strategic decisions to build a second supply chain and not to focus solely on one country to ensure a secure and resilient supply chain or derisking. He noted that many companies have selected Malaysia as a new location for their production facilities and the country has an advantage over other nations with a mature semiconductor industry ecosystem since the 1970s, especially the E&E cluster in Penang and Kulim, Kedah. He acknowledged that such investments are expected to continue to position Malaysia as one of the key investment destinations in advancing the global chip industry, and the country should seize this golden opportunity to expand the countrys semiconductor industry and become a high-value-added semiconductor producer with activities along the value chain, such as integrated circuit (IC) design, wafer fabrication, assembly and testing as well as technical marketing. Liew emphasised that the government aims to ensure that investments in Malaysia will create value chains that create high-paying skilled jobs, adding that Malaysia wants to create a supply and value chain that encompasses local companies. The country aims to create 100 technology companies with an annual revenue of 1 billion MYR (213 million USD) before 2030. Currently, Malaysia only has nine local technology companies that can generate 1 billion MYR a year. Another 10 companies generate between 100 million MYR and 1 billion MYR a year, he said. Australian companies plan to invest 5.18 billion USD in Malaysia At the roundtable dialogue between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Australian companies in Melbourne on the sideline of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, major Australian groups have shown interest to invest a total of 5.18 billion USD in the Southeast Asian country. According to Truong Thi Thu Thuy, head of the Family - Society Department under Vietnam Women's Union (VWU), the VWU has cooperated with Nestle Vietnam to implement many valuable cooperation programmes for mental, motivating tens of thousands of women to enhance their roles, evaluate their own abilities, and confidently start their own businesses. We believe that the companionship of Nestle Vietnam and the support from the MAGGI brand will help more and more women realise their dreams, creating sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families, Thuy said. Le Bui Thi Mai Uyen, director of Food Business Unit of Nestle Vietnam, said that in addition to having quality products that suit the taste of Vietnamese people, the campaign would empower women. We hope to create a healthy playground, inspire as well as provide more motivation and practical support for women, especially women who are passionate about cooking and want to start a business," Uyen said. Starting with two provinces and cities from 2022, the family service model the campaign has now reached more than 8,000 women, accompanying and inspiring more than 4,500 people. By the end of 2023, it has arrived in six provinces: Ben Tre, Nghe An, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Thua Thien - Hue, Hung Yen. The MAGGI brand has provided business knowledge courses with experts, cooking skills improvement courses with professional chefs, and donated a total sponsorship value of nearly $25,000 realising business ideas for the best project groups in six provinces, helping many women become more confident, promote their cooking, and turning it into an opportunity to start a business. From the model, large and small stalls, carts, and restaurants gradually took shape, helping women generate income from their own talents and passion with the companionship of MAGGI. In 2024, resonating with the results of the programme "Nestle accompanying women", the new model will continue to expand its scale, reaching more provinces and cities across the country, helping women in three regions have many opportunities to participate and build their careers. The campaign will continue to deploy communication activities and capacity building training sessions, from business planning to improving cooking skills for women members. It is expected that it will expand to eight provinces, sponsor 64 more models to open shops (eight models per province) and reach 16,000 more women with a total sponsorship of more than $41,600 in 2024. In addition, women with excellent achievements in the programme will also receive valuable rewards and opportunities to upgrade their businesses. The "Nestle accompanying women" programme is one of the initiatives to empower and empower women that has been implemented by Nestle Vietnam and the VWU since December 2020. To date, the programme has helped equip women with knowledge and skills in nutrition, healthcare, family financial management, digital technology application skills, and to create sustainable family/livelihood models for thousands of women in 20 localities. At last weeks Vietnam Business Forum, Seck Yee Chung, vice president of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (SingCham), said Vietnam could significantly boost foreign investment by simplifying and streamlining the procedures for obtaining and renewing business licences, permits, and certificates. This is particularly important for foreign investors, who may be discouraged by complex processes discouraging, Chung said. For instance, it took one year for one of our members in the petroleum industry to obtain a business licence for the wholesale distribution of lubricants. Specifically, he highlighted the licensing procedure to obtain a business licence under Decree No.09/2018/ND-CP, detailing the Commercial Law and the Law on Foreign Trade Management regarding goods purchase and sale and related activities of foreign investors and foreign-invested economic organisations in Vietnam. So far, the licensing procedure and timing for foreign-invested enterprises to obtain business licences for sectors including retailing, equipment leasing activities, and e-commerce from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is burdensome and time-consuming. Typically, this involves several rounds of submissions and follow-up questions with the MoIT and municipal and provincial departments of industry and trade (DoIT). This can take up to 12 months, he said. Under Decree 09, the statutory timeline (depending on the specific activities and application dossier) for obtaining the business licence from the DoIT is 13 working days. If the department needs to obtain a further opinion from the MoIT, it takes another 28 working days for a response. In most cases, the approval or opinion of the MoIT would be required regardless of the activities specified. However, in practice, the timeline can be prolonged for up to three months for each of the internal processes between the DoIT and MoIT. If there are 2-3 rounds of questions and/or requests for the supplement of information from the MoIT, then it takes up to 12 months to complete, Chung added. According to a 2023 Japan External Trade Organization survey, complicated administrative procedures such as licence issuance are listed as the biggest risk to Vietnams investment environment for Japanese companies. Japanese enterprises are worried about missing business opportunities in Vietnam due to the slow issuance of business licences in digital fields such as e-commerce. In many cases, competent authorities require foreign investors to fulfil stricter conditions and submit additional documents beyond those stipulated by law and regulation when registering activities with relevant authorities or obtaining a business licence, which leads to the delay of administrative procedures, said Muto Shiro, vice chair of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam. For example, there are many unreasonable requirements for acquisition permission, investment and business registration by the localities department of planning and investment and business registration office, as well as non-statutory conditions and document requirements for the issuance of various business licences by the MoIT and DoIT, Japanese firms claimed. We would like to request that administrative procedures be carried out smoothly and promptly without requiring conditions or the submission of documents that are beyond those required by law, Shiro said. Joseph Uddo, Hanoi chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said new laws and regulations continue to introduce new administrative procedures. Our members face delays in approval procedures and time-consuming administrative burdens which hinder or stall their projects and impact Vietnams competitiveness, he said. One-half of the members say they are performing on target or better than expected here, while one-half feel the business climate needs improvement or that Vietnam is not headed in the right direction in some key areas. SingCham said that accelerating e-government was a solution to simplify administrative procedures and mitigate negative activities. Governments are responsible for providing essential services to residents, but may have limited budgets. They need to find ways to eliminate waste and become more efficient. Technology, especially cloud computing, can be a powerful tool for governments. It can automate processes, save costs, and allow for more innovative services. Cloud computing also makes it easier for different government agencies to work together and share information, Chung said. Technologies are the foundation to modernise and simplify administrative procedures for investors. Chung proposed expanding online portals and e-submissions allowing more government applications and procedures to be completed online, making the process faster and more convenient. He also suggested adopting e-signatures as valid for official documents, eliminating the need for wet signatures; encouraging email communication; and reducing reliance on paper. While some procedures, like company registration, are already available online, many processes involving foreign investment still require in-person meetings and physical submissions, he listed investment registration. Merger and acquisition approvals, foreign loan registration, establishing representative offices, and obtaining retail business licences for foreign investors. By offering online options for these procedures, Vietnam can draw in more foreign capital and partners, Chung said. By implementing these proposed changes, Vietnam can create a more attractive and enabling legal framework that fosters foreign investment, contributing to sustainable economic development and creating a win-win situation for both foreign investors and the Vietnamese economy. To improve the local business environment, streamline administrative procedures, this year Vietnam has underlined several key ideas to remove legal barriers to investment; as well as invigorating IT applications, communication, and data sharing among state agencies to improve administrative procedures. Accordingly, market entry (new formations and resumptions) will grow by at least 10 per cent from 2023, while corporate bankruptcies will rise by less than 10 per cent. PM urges streamlining administrative procedures, paving way for transport projects Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, agencies and localities to work harder in order to pave way for transport projects, saying administrative procedures should be streamlined, while concluding a meeting of the State steering committee for national key transport projects in Hanoi on April 12. Hanoi to make clear administrative procedures in environment area The Hanoi Department of Natural Resources and Environment will hold a dialogue with organisations and individuals on the administrative procedures in the field of environment in July, according to director of the department Nguyen Huy Cuong. The report points out that Vietnam has favourable demographic factors for education on the back of solid GDP growth, and growing disposable income and household spending. Accordingly, education spending has witnessed solid growth as 47 per cent of household expenditure in major cities. The high school-age population of 24.5 million is forecast to grow by 0.6 per cent until 2030, so the demand for education is surging. The number of students in private education in Vietnam rose 10.9 per cent from 2017-2022. By 2022, Vietnam had about 510,000 students pursuing general education (K12) and 420 students in higher education. Annual tuition fees for international schools are around $11,000-30,000, while tuition fees for bilingual school are $4,000-5,000 per year. "Private education spending is rapidly rising, drawing interest from both domestic and international investors keen on seizing opportunities in this burgeoning market," says FiinGroup. In cities like Hanoi, the presence of international and bilingual schools remains limited, with a penetration rate of only 4 per cent for the 2023-2024 school year, suggesting substantial untapped potential for the private sector. Vinschool dominates, accounting for 28.3 per cent of market share by number of student enrolments at international and bilingual schools in Hanoi. In light of this potential, foreign investors have actively penetrated Vietnam's market via mergers and acquisitions, green fields, and business collaborations. Some notable deals include KKR's $100 million into EQuest, and Baring Private Equity Asia's (BPEA) acquisition of a majority stake in Vietnam USA Society English Centres. Ministry, institutions move to develop high-quality semiconductor manpower The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and educational institutions are working to promote the training of human resources for the semiconductor industry, which now has great demand for high-quality manpower. 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. Many other pharmaceutical companies are focusing on helping Vietnam prevent and treat infectious diseases, so why did Takeda choose the more difficult path of rare diseases, especially diseases related to genetics and haematology? Than Trong Son, head of Medical Affairs, Takeda Vietnam Most major pharmaceutical companies, including Takeda, are focused on supporting Vietnams Ministry of Health in preventing, detecting, and addressing the threats of common infectious diseases in the country. Our experience as a leader in haematology means we are well prepared to meet todays needs as we pursue future developments in the care of blood disorders. Within Rare Immunology, we focus on driving continuous innovation and personalised care through our portfolio of plasma products and innovative targeted treatments, diagnostics, and other services for patients with rare immunological disorders such as hereditary angioedema (HAE). Are there any differences in supporting rare disease treatment in Vietnam compared to other countries where the group is active? It depends on the needs of each country. Takeda continues to raise expectations for the future, including earlier diagnosis, earlier and full protection against bleeding, and more personalised patient care in every country we provide our services in. We remain focused on expanding the use of our current portfolio to benefit more people living with rare bleeding disorders. Two blood diseases - haemophilia and HAE - are also rare genetic diseases. How has Takeda helped reduce the burden of these diseases on the Vietnamese healthcare system? A profound and impactful project we are working on is the NCGM HAE Capability Project. Over the past three years, Takeda Vietnam has embarked on a collaborative initiative, in partnership with the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Asthma-Allergy-Clinical Immunology and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Japan, making remarkable strides in improving the lives of individuals affected by HAE. Through a series of educational activities, we have empowered healthcare professionals with knowledge, ignited a wave of public awareness, developed crucial guidelines and educational materials, and provided vital support for early diagnosis. As a result, 19 HAE patients have received confirmed diagnoses, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards better health. In advancing the treatment of haemophilia, Takeda has organised workshops for healthcare providers, training programmes for nurses and patients on disease management, and worked very closely with the Vietnam's Haemophilia Association. In collaboration with experts from the National Institution of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, we have also extended our reach through the Haemophilia Center of Excellence network in various provinces, ensuring there is improved access to haemophilia centres. Takeda has also collaborated on the development of a national guideline for take-home treatment for haemophilia with the local government, aiming to enhance patient care and empower individuals to manage their conditions effectively. What success has Takeda gained in preventing and treating these diseases? Takeda's unwavering focus lies in establishing sustainable capacity at every crucial stage of patient care. From raising awareness and facilitating accurate diagnoses to providing ongoing support, we are dedicated to ensuring that patients have access to our advanced medicines. We have created a practical framework that guides our efforts to increase sustainable access to innovative medicines for complex and rare diseases through local partnerships. To achieve this, we have implemented affordability programmes that break down financial barriers and enhance patient accessibility. Collaborating closely with policymakers, we strive to create an enabling environment that further improves patient access to essential treatments. Our strength and commitment lie in developing innovative solutions that empower patients to overcome affordability challenges and gain access to the life-changing medicines they require. These affordability programmes are tailored to each country to ensure access for as many patients as possible. We refer to them as Patient Assistance Programmes (PAPs). Takeda Vietnam helped the National Children's Hospital to organise activities in response to International Rare Disease Day 2024 In recent years, the Vietnamese healthcare system has made many advances and positive changes in the prevention and treatment of rare diseases. How have these changes affected Takeda's goals and activities? As challenges still persist such as lack of specialised genetic centres, limited testing capacity, delayed diagnoses, and the unavailability of specific treatments in the country, we remain steadfast in our commitment to drive positive healthcare outcomes, elevate the capabilities of our healthcare professionals, and shape progressive healthcare policies to ensure sustainable access to innovative, life-transforming treatments for the Vietnamese people. This Rare Disease Day 2024, we are building on our commitment to raise awareness of health inequities in rare diseases by highlighting specific challenges that patients and their families experience, while encouraging the community to take action to improve standards of care. We want to shed light on the low levels of disease awareness that disproportionately impacts the rare disease community due to the infrequency of their conditions, and results in distinctive and significant health inequities, including a potentially lengthy diagnostic journey and barriers to accessing clinical care. We stand with the rare disease community as we promote action at both a global and local level to reduce the burden of health inequities and drive meaningful change so that everyone may one day receive optimal care. Can you tell us about Takeda's recent cooperation initiative to improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and management of rare diseases in Vietnam, and relevant expectations? Over the past few years, Vietnam has placed more focus on rare diseases and enhanced rare disease capabilities in diagnosis, treatment, and management guidelines. To advance this progress, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has promoted public-private partnerships with various stakeholders such as pharmaceutical companies. Since 2018, Takeda Vietnam and the Medical Services Administration of the Ministry of Health have joined forces to tackle challenging diseases through a MoU titled Improving diagnosis, treatment, and management of specific rare diseases in Vietnam for 2018-2023. This collaborative effort has yielded remarkable progress. Building upon this, during a scientific discussion organised in conjunction with Rare Disease Day 2024 on February 29, a significant agenda was the MoU signed between the Medical Service Administration under the Ministry of Health and four leading pharmaceutical partners in Vietnam, including Takeda. The primary objective of this memorandum is to enhance the quality of management and treatment of rare diseases within the country. Given the government's current exploration of public-private partnerships with various stakeholders, this MoU holds great relevance in advancing capabilities related to the diagnosis, treatment, and management guidelines for rare diseases. As a key partner in the MoU, Takeda Vietnam is committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to making substantial contributions to the progress of rare disease management in the country. The MoU signing ceremony between the Medical Service Administration and four pharmaceutical companies on February 29 In 2024 and 2025, what are Takeda's strategic priorities to further improve Vietnam's healthcare system, especially in rare disease prevention and treatment? Takeda is committed to supporting the rare disease community and reducing the burdens they face, particularly in terms of health inequities. We aim to raise awareness about these inequities and the barriers to diagnosis and care that the rare disease community encounters. In Vietnam, Takeda is adopting an "Access-First Mindset" approach to address healthcare challenges. We are focused on creating a healthcare ecosystem that prioritises accessibility, especially for those affected by rare diseases. Our dedication is unwavering, as we strive to support all patients on their challenging journey. Our ultimate objective is to ensure equitable access for everyone, as we firmly believe that individuals with rare diseases and their caregivers deserve not only answers but also a clear path towards a better future. 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. Ownership tweaks show commitment to improve The amended Law on Credit Institutions was passed on January 18. Banking trainer and consultant Le Hoai An discussed the impact of this with VIRs Nhue Man and the adjustment of the maximum institutional ownership capital in commercial banks. The Republic of Korea (RoK)s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) (Photo: MOTIE) Hanoi The Republic of Korea (RoK)s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) on March 27 announced that it has agreed with Thailand to kick off negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership, as the North Asian country aims to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian region. According to Yonhap News Agency, Deputy Minister for FTA Negotiations Roh Keon-ki met Thai Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai in Bangkok to establish a "future-oriented relationship" with the Southeast Asian nation through an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The two nations have committed to engaging in discussions aimed at achieving a heightened level of market openness in goods and services, in addition to areas such as economic cooperation, digital advancements, and government procurement. They agreed to make preparations for negotiations by the first half of this year and launch the first round of talks "at an early date". An EPA is meant to establish a mutually beneficial trade network with partner nations beyond a simple market opening, though it covers a smaller scope of areas compared with a traditional free trade agreement. The envisioned EPA will help the RoK expand its exports while advancing bilateral cooperation in the supply chain, biotechnology, and green economy as well. Thailand warns against toy-shaped vape Thai Academics are warning about a new type of e-cigarette called "toy pods" which look like replicas of popular cartoon characters to target school and university students. Rafael Frankel, director of Public Policy for Southeast and South Asia at Meta Platforms, said at last weeks launch for the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2024 that Vietnam will become a dragon in AI and semiconductor development in Southeast Asia. Frankel is thrilled that the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) chose AI as a priority area for the challenge. We are creating an intellectual playground. It fosters ideas, and leverages opportunities within the semiconductor and AI industries. This initiative will help foster Vietnams dynamic tech sector integrate into the global digital economy, he said. We look forward to receiving plenty of brilliant solutions that will help pave the way for Vietnam to become an innovation hub of the region. Experts said Vietnam has unlimited room for generative AI, one of the tools that will greatly improve labour productivity in the near future. In the wave of development of AI technology, Vietnam has also taken strong steps in promoting AI research, application, and human resource development. In Vietnam, people are becoming more interested in the benefits of AI and related software. In addition to renowned applications from OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, some AI products made by Vietnamese people are in existence, such as the FPT AI Mentor (the first corporate training consultant in the country), an AI content writing assistant developed by LovinBot, VinAIs open-source research project on a large language model for Vietnamese, and ViGPT, developed by VinBigdata. Dang Huu Son, co-founder of the LovinBot AI, said, Vietnam has seen an incredible pace of AI development at the global level. Particularly in Vietnam, generative AI is expected to contribute up to VND14 trillion ($583 million) to the digital economy by 2030. He added that AI development will impact the performance and improve personal skills of many generations, not only for businesses but also at a national level. Vietnam leads a survey that people are truly interested in AI. Over 90 per cent of respondents pay attention to this technology - the highest rate compared to other markets. Other schools were studied, Son said. In fact, FPT Group has been developing AI for many years, welcoming local and international AI talents to Vietnam. Over the past year, FPT has been upgrading the AI ecosystem with more than 20 solutions and services for 20 million users in 15 countries, with an average of 200 million visits per month. Tao Duc Thang, chairman and CEO of Viettel, said that AI has been applied in many of Viettels activities. In doing business, AI helps understand and personalise services for customers. Technically, AI contributes to efficient exploitation, automation, and error avoidance. In management, AI analyses data, predicts, and contributes to making better decisions. VNPT is developing a comprehensive AI ecosystem, then will provide AI platforms and services as software for society, businesses, and individuals. Besides these technology giants, other businesses like CMC, Vingroup, Masan, and VNG have also widely applied AI in production-business activities and provided AI services to customers. According to American technological research and consulting firm Gartner, the global AI software market will reach $135 billion by 2025 with the growth rate at 31.1 per cent in 2025, surpassing the common rate of the entire software sector. IBM said that the AI market in Vietnam will be $100.2 million in 2024. Being a software exporter country, Vietnam has a great opportunity to participate in the worlds AI market share. To seize the opportunity, in 2021, the Vietnamese government issued a national strategy on AI research, development, and application towards 2030. After two years of implementation, Vietnam has achieved encouraging achievements. In 2022, it ranked 55th in the world in the AI readiness index, up seven places, according to a report by Oxford Insights. At the launch of the Vietnam Innovation Challenge, hosted by Vietnams National Innovation Centre in collaboration with Meta, a call was made for participation from individuals and organisations. The challenge highlights innovation to accelerate the semiconductor industry and AI to go global. It aims to create an intellectual playground, bringing together resources for collaboration, generating breakthrough ideas, leveraging the potential, and seizing the opportunities of the semiconductor and AI industries. The initiative aligns closely with the context of the semiconductor industry playing an increasingly vital role in global economic competition, the rapid development of AI, and the Vietnamese governments strategic focus on high-tech industries, said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong. Vietnam can follow in the footsteps of Singapore in semiconductors Singapores transformation from a nation with nothing to a semiconductor valley will be a very useful reference for Vietnam. Supporting industry required for semiconductors Experts are warning that Vietnams semiconductor industry can strongly develop only when it has a supporting industry. MEXICO CITY, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 120 active forest fires have been recorded in Mexico, preliminarily affecting 7,137 hectares in 19 states, the Mexican government said on Wednesday. According to a report by the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), there are 120 forest fires in 19 states, with the central state of Hidalgo worst hit, having so far burned 1,874 hectares. Conafor's preliminary report said there are active fires where an estimate of the affected open field is still not available. In recent days, 42 fires have been extinguished, preliminarily affecting 2,608 hectares. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said at his daily press conference that a total of 6,000 Mexican soldiers and marines, and Civil Protection and Conafor personnel, are working to control the fires. He assured that there is currently no risk to the population caused by the blazes. The president also lamented the death of four people in firefighting efforts in the state of Mexico, namely two community members, a police officer and a firefighter. According to the agreement, VinFast and its dealers will establish 22 showrooms located on major roads throughout the metropolitan area of Bangkok. The move is considered a key component of the car manufacturer's expansion strategy, as its range of urban electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to be more marketable in Thailand due to the high electrification rate and pre-existing charging infrastructure. In addition to Bangkok and the five neighbouring provinces of the metropolitan area, VinFast's dealership network will also spread to major cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Ayutthaya, and Chonburi. Dang Yen Hang, general director of Vinfast Thailand, with partners. Photo: VNA "Our aim is to deliver smart, electrified mobility solutions that offer an exciting and reliable driving experience to consumers. This agreement will increase our presence in Thailand and serve as a solid foundation for VinFast's future development in this market," Dang Yen Hang, general director of VinFast Thailand, was quoted as saying Vietnam News Agency. "We are also targeting the expansion of our EV distribution network of across major cities in Thailand, aligning with the country's strong green transportation revolution and global trends, before expanding operations to at least 50 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and in Europe, along with more nearby markets like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as the Middle East and Africa." Thai dealers are expected to sell models including the VFe34, VF5, VF6, and VF7, as well as VinFast's electric motorcycle products. Details on order placement and after-sales policies will be announced later this year. Vietnams automobile market stands 5th in Southeast Asia The decline in domestic automobile consumption and its drop to 5th place in Southeast Asia can be attributed to both external and internal factors, according to industry insiders. VinFast sets sights on 100,000 EVs in 2024 VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has set an ambitious target of selling 100,000 EVs in 2024, following the announcement of its Q4/2023 financial statements in mid-February. This announcement was made by VinFast's chairwoman of the Board of Directors Le Thi Thu Thuy. WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) A pickup truck driver accused of crashing into and killing a police officer and a utility employee at a work site in a Boston suburb, then pulling a knife on another officer before stealing his cruiser, has been indicted on two counts of second degree murder and other charges, prosecutors and police said Wednesday. Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, New Hampshire, also faces charges of motor vehicle homicide, armed robbery, armed carjacking, failing to stop for police, leaving the scene of a crash causing death, and other charges stemming from the Dec. 6 crashes in Waltham, the Middlesex District Attorney's office and police said. He will be arraigned at a later date and is being held without bail. Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, and a National Grid utility worker, Roderick Jackson, 36, of Cambridge, were killed in the incident. Simon's attorney, Lynda Dantas, said by email Wednesday afternoon that she had not seen the indictments and could not comment. Simon was driving when he pulled to the side of a road to attempt a U-turn, then turned back into the road, hitting a vehicle, prosecutors and police said. He continued driving and hit Tracey and Jackson at a utility work site, a trench that was marked by orange cones and signs and yellow flashing lights, prosecutors said. Tracey was working a police detail at the work site. The pickup truck also struck a National Grid truck before striking multiple other vehicles, prosecutors said. Simon then abandoned his truck, fled on food and pulled a knife on another police officer and stole his cruiser and fled, officials said. He crashed the cruiser and was arrested. Waltham is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Boston. Midway Independent School District is set to establish its own police department by August, according to Superintendent Chris Allen. Midway trustees recently reviewed an agreement with the McLennan County Sheriffs Office and a set of administrative regulations that will govern the in-district police forces operations. The school board voted in January to start the process of establishing the department, and the regulations presented at the boards March 19 meeting, along with agreements with surrounding police agencies, are required for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to approve Midways future in-district police department. The nine administrative regulations presented at the meeting detail the proposed police departments policies on use of force, vehicle pursuits, rules of conduct, domestic violence, response to missing people, supervision of part-time officers, bias based policing, evidence collection and eyewitness identification. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement originally provided the policy proposals, Allen said. They are essentially administrative regulations that TCOLE hands to us and then we put some of our information in to make sure its Midway applicable, Allen said at the meeting. Weve looked at some other districts but its pretty standard in terms of their expectations. These types of policies are also standard for police departments seeking accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association, said Jeff Foley, coordinator for safety and security at Midway ISD. On top of being kind of regulated by TCOLE, we picked these policies from the Texas Police Chiefs Association through their best practices, Foley said at the board meeting. Once we are developed, once we have this going, I plan on seeking that accreditation for our police department, which essentially makes you the elite of the elite. Allen said the district will soon receive additional agreements from other external police departments, including Hewitt, Waco and Woodway. The agreements outline jurisdiction and how the departments will cooperate. Once complete, the districts police department application will be on track to be approved by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement before August. We have started the process to get approved by TCOLE and thats almost complete, Allen said. Im very confident well finish before August and get people in place by Aug. 1. Other area school districts, including La Vega, Connally, China Spring and Waco, already have in-district police departments. Midways trustees adopted a resolution in January to start the process of establishing an in-district police department. The decision was in part a response to staffing pressures at the Hewitt and Woodway police departments, which each currently provide three school resource officers for Midway, at the districts expense. The implementation of a new state school-safety law earlier this year, requiring all districts to put a person with a firearm at each campus, increased competition for licensed police officers. The proposed in-district police department will include five armed school police officers, with two stationed at Midway High School, one at each of Midways two middle schools and a police chief. Foley will fill the police chief position, Allen confirmed. Eight additional campus safety specialists will be stationed at each elementary school, per the new state requirement. The security specialists will be armed teachers or other employees trained under the state Guardian Program. Along with ensuring the district continues to comply with the new school-security law, Midway ISD may save some money by establishing its own police department. The district currently spends almost $900,000 annually on its six school resource officers from Hewitt and Woodway and six armed security specialists. The district estimates it will spend $300,000 on officers and $504,000 on security specialists annually. This would save the district about $90,000. However, these savings will be lower during the police departments first year. Allen said the district will seek grant funding for most equipment needed but could spend around $10,000 for implementation costs in the first year. He said the new department will offer additional benefits to the district. School police will be trained with a special emphasis on school safety and provide services year-round, something current staff do not provide, Allen said. Gina Parker is heading to the Nov. 7 general election after defeating a 23-year incumbent in the Republican primary this month for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, a major upset for a Waco attorney with no judicial experience. Parker was one of three GOP candidates who ousted sitting judges on Texas highest criminal court, with the backing of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Those three incumbents, including Parkers opponent, Barbara Hervey of San Antonio, were among eight who ruled against Paxton in a 2021 case that restricted Paxtons power to prosecute election fraud cases. In a Tribune-Herald interview, Parker said the courts ruling in that case heavily influenced her decision to run. She won nearly 67% of the vote in the contest statewide and nearly 81% in McLennan County. Parker previously ran for the Courts Place 3 position in 2020 against Bert Richardson and lost a close primary, 51.8% to 48.2%. Parker said she wanted to run for the court to uphold the rule of law, and said if elected, she wants the court to hear more oral arguments, be more transparent when it comes to disclosing political contributions, and increase the overall number of issued opinions and speed in which they are issued. In addition to Hervey, Michelle Slaughter and Presiding Judge Sharon Keller were defeated in the primary. Had they not been defeated, Keller and Hervey would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 during their terms and would have been replaced anyway. In November, Parker faces Democratic nominee Nancy Mulder, currently a district judge in Dallas, and Libertarian nominee Mark Ash, a Houston attorney who ran for attorney general in 2022. Parkers victory in the primary came as a surprise to Mulder, who said Parker doesnt seem to be qualified for the post. Baylor University political science Professor Pat Flavin said he was also surprised at the defeat of the incumbents, who had nearly a century of combined criminal law experience. These are well-established, long-tenured judges that will now be replaced by folks with certainly less of a career longevity, Flavin said. The most that we know about these folks really is that they have Ken Paxtons backing. Given the high stature of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Flavin said in his view, it is problematic for candidates to have little experience prior to their election to the court. Speaking in general, you would want a person who had had some judicial experience, so that their first job as a judge is not sitting up on the highest court of criminal appeals in the state, Flavin said. However, lack of prior judicial experience is not unprecedented on the court. Five of the courts current nine judges, including Hervey and Keller, did not have previous judicial experience prior to their election to the court. Meanwhile, David Schenck, the Republican nominee for presiding judge, was a judge on the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals from 2015 to 2022. Lee Finley, the Republican nominee for Place 8, ran for Collin County judge in 2022 but was defeated handily in the primary, and also lacks judicial experience. Mulder is currently the judge of Dallas Countys Criminal District Court No. 6, a post she has held since January 2023. Prior to her election to that court, she was the judge of Dallas Countys Criminal Court No. 4, which she held from 2015 to 2022. She was a criminal defense attorney for seven years and an assistant district attorney Dallas County 12 years. Mulder said she wanted to run for the court to bring a diversity of opinions to the court, as the courts current makeup is entirely Republican. Mulder said her experience in both prosecuting defendants, defending clients and serving as a judge makes her the best candidate for the role. Mulder said having experience on both sides of the law and presiding over the court allows someone to soak up as much information as possible about the nuances of law. She said the intricacies of the law is not something someone should learn about as they go. Understanding everything, from the difficulties of body cam video and cellular phone data, warrants, everything that they can do now with trace evidence and DNA, Mulder said. All of these issues are extremely important. And its not something you want anyone to learn on the job. Lets say you need heart surgery, Mulder said. Its complicated. Do you want to use the surgeon who has said, Well, Ive read about it, but youre going to be my first one. Do you want that surgeon? Or do you want the surgeon who has not only observed, but has done a couple hundred? Who do you pick? Parker was raised in Waco and received her law degree from Baylor Law School in 1986. She served as a Bell County prosecutor from 1987 to 1990 and a McLennan County prosecutor in 1990 and 1991. Since then, she has practiced as a defense attorney. Parker said she has over 30 years of experience as a defense attorney, working primarily on felony and misdemeanor defense as well as juvenile cases. Parker said voters resonated with her long background in criminal law on both the defense and the prosecutorial sides. She also said she believes voters, especially on the Republican side, want to feel the candidates they elect will uphold their values and be trustworthy. I think more importantly than anything for Republican voters, they wanted to know: Do you share our conservative values? Parker said. "'Do I trust this person? Are they qualified? And when it came to the issue of, Am I qualified? I dont think they just looked at judicial experience. They looked at all your legal experience, your life experience. Parker said she isnt close with the attorney general and only spoke with him a handful of times prior to the election. She said she decided to run before Paxton endorsed her, with the ruling in the 2021 State v. Stephens case playing a major role in her decision to seek office. State v. Stephens stems from an incident in which the Jefferson County district attorney did not pursue charges against county Sheriff Zena Stephens over 2016 campaign finance allegations. Paxton stepped in and attempted to prosecute Stephens with an indictment in neighboring Chambers County. In response to a challenge of his prosecution, the Court of Criminal Appeals issued a ruling against Paxton in December 2021. The court ruled 8-1 that Paxtons attempt to prosecute State v. Stephens was a violation of the separation of powers in the Texas Constitution. The court stated the Attorney Generals Office should only be involved in such cases when invited by local prosecutors. In response, Paxton attacked the court, saying the ruling allowed rogue district attorneys to ignore cases of voter fraud. Flavin, the Baylor professor, said that as in Gov. Greg Abbotts successful ouster of anti-voucher candidates, Paxtons backing of challengers to the court races is a sign of his clout. Flavin said in his reading of the law, the ruling by the court was the correct interpretation of the law, as he said the attorney generals role is primarily to represent Texas in legal matters rather than prosecuting criminal cases. At the state level, the Attorney Generals ability to prosecute criminal issues is actually quite limited, Flavin said. However, Parker said she considered the ruling incorrect, pointing to a statute in Texas election law which states the attorney general may prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state. Parker also said the sole dissenter in the case, Criminal Appeals Judge Kevin Yeary, argued in his opinion that the court was ignoring the precedent of a 1909 Texas Supreme Court case, State v. Brady, and a 1987 Court of Criminal Appeals case, Meshell v. State, which ruled the Texas Constitution gave the attorney general the power to prosecute crimes. Parker also said many elected officials in Texas opposed the courts ruling. Probably the most significant comment comes from Governor Abbott, who basically said that the attorney general is Texass highest law enforcement officer and has the constitutional authority to enforce the election integrity law, Parker said. (Abbott) served as the Texas Attorney General, and he was a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, so hes got a really broad perspective. And I agree with all these elected officials, Attorney General Ken Paxton, the lieutenant governor, our ag commissioner, I think it was 14 senators that participated in a court brief. So there was a lot of a lot of people that did not agree with the decision. The tragic West fertilizer explosion on April 17, 2013, drove home the point that local emergency responders need to operate from the same wavelength when dealing with everything from major disasters to grass fires. A communications system that does not allow the right hand to know what the left hand is doing poorly serves those attempting to save time and lives. Fortunately, much has changed since then. Police, fire and other emergency personnel around McLennan County work from an 800 megahertz system accessible to all. It is powered by seven towers, the county having spent $5.5 million in recent years to install four more and improve coverage. Officials said the unified capabilities will serve Central Texas well on April 8, when a total eclipse is expected to bring scores of visitors to McLennan County, possibly creating traffic jams, bottlenecks and flared tempers. The state is coming up with a communications plan, asking jurisdictions to put certain talk groups on their radio systems throughout the eclipse corridor, said Frank Patterson, director of emergency and risk management at McLennan Community College. You can drive from one end of the state to the other, never having to change frequencies. If we ever have something big, and we will, this will pay dividends in terms of first responder safety. At the time of the 2013 West explosion, Patterson was director of the Waco-McLennan County Office of Emergency Management. The problem became very apparent during the explosion at West, when people were coming in from all over the place, Patterson said. Radio system shortcomings forced Patterson to put the varied first responders on speaking terms, patching one to another throughout the dark hours. He said the countys $5.5 million and other funds pulled from local, state and national sources have been a great investment in public safety. County Judge Scott Felton, who took office in 2012, said the West explosion a year later spurred his resolve to make radio interoperability a priority, something for which others, including Patterson, had lobbied. Communications got jammed up. Everybody had different paths to communicate in. Towers jammed, Felton said. Frank Patterson and I agreed during the following days that we should not forget things we need to improve on. We began talking to other agencies, pursuing grants, partnering with Waco primarily through emergency management. There were lots of coverage areas around the county that became apparent. We dedicated ourselves to getting as many problems solved as we could. He said Motorola offered a solution the county found irresistible, the communications giant practically guaranteeing it could mitigate the mess. With their fix, moving a few towers around and modernizing equipment, we could get at least 95% coverage. We just completed a review, and it may be closer to 96% to 97%, said Felton, referring to radio access countywide. Using federal American Rescue Plan Act money, the county made hand-held Motorola radios available to all volunteer fire departments countywide, giving members access to give-and-take on the 800 Mhz system. Many times rural fire departments are first on the scene, so it is just as important they can communicate with responders, Felton said. Municipal boundaries melt away in critical situations, said Ryan Holt, who joined the Waco Police Department as a recruit in 1996, became police chief in 2016 and now serves as a Waco assistant city manager. Emergencies dont care about city limits, Holt said. He said coordination has come a long way since he started. I can remember the 90s and 2000s, when you could only talk to other Waco police officers, or if you were in the Woodway system, you could only talk to Woodway officers, Holt said. Now we think much more globally, how we communicate with fire, EMS and other emergency responders. Essentially, the city has owned the radio core, three towers, and the county has added a number of additional towers to create more coverage and to increase the robustness of the system. Patterson said persuading communities to join the 800 Mhz system sometimes proved challenging. They were satisfied with the systems they had, until those systems broke down or proved ineffective, he said. Hewitt said early on they would like to try our system, so we loaned them hand-held radios and said, If they work for you, great, Patterson said. Chief Devlin saw how well the system worked at a pretty big grass fire, and with things happening on the interstate. The final piece was building out the rest of the county. Jim Devlin, now a Hewitt assistant city manager, was succeeded last year as the citys police chief by John McGrath. Beyond the agencies one might expect to have 800 Mhz access, officials say other participants include Baylor University, MCC, state and federal agencies, school districts and medical facilities. Patterson said radio communication is possible between McLennan County first responders and those in Hill and Bell counties, which have implemented the 800 Mhz radio system. The West explosion killed 15 people, injured hundreds, and damaged hundreds of homes. It may have been the catalyst for change, but planning began years earlier for a unified system to replace mismatched UHF and VHF processes. The city of Waco alone had an 800 Mhz system powered by a single tower in the middle of the Heart O Texas Fairgrounds, as the complex then was called. Consultants the Heart of Texas Council of Governments summoned to Central Texas determined an 800 Mhz was the best for all concerned, in Waco and beyond. Thats what the industry was moving to, and what the consultants said was best for us when they were vetted, Patterson said. Thats what we continued to use. We did make the transition from analog to digital, a move driven by the FCC, which said we had to do some upgrades. Waco used Homeland Security funds to build Patterson a radio shop, which had become a passion of mine, but its functions were assumed by two such shops: the citys in the former police and courts building at Fourth Street and Waco Drive, the countys near its jail on State Highway 6. Extra cameras are in place, police officers are prepared to direct drivers, traffic lights are programmed to adapt, and even a pair of helicopters and several ATVs are at the ready as the Waco area prepares for an influx of traffic for the April 8 total solar eclipse. The greatest volume of vehicle traffic is expected on major roads shortly after the event as travelers start to head home, officials said. The city of Waco has leased extra cameras to monitor traffic at key intersections, said Ryan Dirker, emergency management coordinator for the Waco-McLennan County Office of Emergency Management. The county operations center will assign personnel to view the camera feeds, providing guidance to traffic managers. The McLennan County Sheriffs Office and cities of Waco, Hewitt, Woodway and Robinson are preparing for tens of thousands of extra vehicles to flow through that day. Our goal for that day is to help our residents and visitors have an enjoyable experience viewing this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event by allowing smooth and efficient flow of traffic through all the highways and streets, Dirker said. Extra cameras The extra cameras already placed around Waco will be used to view movements of large numbers of vehicles and provide direction to personnel on the ground to improve flow of traffic and reduce any gridlock that may happen, he said. We will be very attentive to individuals privacy, Dirker said. The cameras have no license plate reading technology, and the video feeds are only real-time, with no recording or storage. These cameras mounted on red mobile security trailers have a secure cellular network data feed from each of their locations back to the operations room, Dirker said. They can be powered by onboard batteries recharged by solar panels, and they have generators for backup. Dirkers team will advise police officers responding to traffic backups to manually operate some traffic signals or put a team of officers and city personnel in place to direct traffic. Some traffic lights can be switched remotely. At countywide planning meetings, Dirker shared with city staffers and law enforcement agencies updated estimates of traffic expectations, Hewitt Assistant City Manager Jim Devlin said Wednesday. We expect visitors to arrive in Hewitt and other cities around the area beginning the Thursday and Friday before the eclipse, with more and more arriving through the weekend, Devlin said. Some people from the Houston area and other places outside the path of totality that would be a three-hour drive or less on a normal day may leave early in the morning the day of the eclipse and try to drive to Waco, said Carla Pendergraft, assistant director of tourism for the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau. People who attempt the day-of drive may find Highway 6 and other routes clogged and end up watching by the side of the road, she said. The path of totality is where the moons shadow will follow from Mexico, to Kerrville, to Waco, continuing to the northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and on through Ohio, all the way to Maine. After the event finishes, we expect nearly all of those who travelled for the eclipse during several days prior to begin heading home within the first hour, Devlin said. Thats when well see the real traffic. Sheriffs office McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said he will have both of the sheriffs office helicopters flying over the county to see where traffic backups may happen and dispatch deputies to respond, direct traffic and get people moving again. McNamara said he and Dirker expect heavy traffic on Interstate 35 as well as Highway 84, Highway 77, Highway 6 and Loop 340. We fully expect as soon as the eclipse is over, it will be a mass exodus, McNamara said. But he will have deputies positioned along I-35 and in other key locations around the county to assist stranded motorists and keep traffic flowing. He said he will have at least four personnel riding four-wheeler all terrain vehicles and one on a motorcycle. Theyll be able to weave in and around traffic and probably get to a problem before deputies in a squad car, McNamara said. City of Waco Some of the traffic signals the city of Waco maintains on arterial roads such as Herring Avenue, Lake Shore Drive, Steinbeck Bend and Loop 340 are programmed to operate in dynamic max, city spokesperson Monica Sedelmeier said. Dynamic max means the traffic signal detection system will provide additional green time to the arterial every cycle until the backup is cleared, Sedelmeier said. If the traffic backup on the major street does not clear in 3 cycles, then additional green time will be added until the backup is cleared. This will occur two more times until the system reaches the maximum amount of additional green time for the arterial approach, and at that point it will be a waiting game until traffic normalizes and the additional green time can be removed to better serve the side street, she said. The city of Waco traffic office believes heavier than normal traffic will be seen on arterials including Waco Drive, Franklin Avenue, Valley Mills Drive and Lake Shore Drive, mostly from local residents and familiar passers-by avoiding the state highways. Residents who are not strong drivers in congested conditions are advised to stay on local city streets, even if they may have to drive slower and stop every so often at a stop sign. Waco is made up of a strong grid network, so drivers willing to slow down, stop and yield right of way can get where they need to go without being dependent on the arterials. A good rule-of-thumb is to plan your route from A to B and stick with it, Sedelmeier said by email. Once you begin deviating from your planned route you may find yourself in longer queues and potentially arriving to your destination later than planned compared to if you had stayed the course. Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said the police department does not comment on operational tactics or specific activities and deployment of officers. Hewitt, Woodway and Robinson Three of the major state roadways through the county pass through Hewitt, Devlin said. Hewitt Drive, also known as Farm-to-Market Road 1695, connects from Highway 84 to I-35, becoming Moonlight Drive heading into Robinson. Sun Valley Boulevard, also known as Farm-to-Market Road 2063, also connects to an I-35 interchange and extends to Hewitt Drive. Spring Valley Road, also known as Farm-to-Market Road 2113, runs from Sun Valley Boulevard in Hewitt to Moody, passing Hewitt Drive along the way. People driving through the county to somewhere else, or those who leave the event at McLane Stadium and need to drive south, may get off I-35 onto Hewitt Drive to get to Highway 84 when I-35 begins to back up, as their navigation apps may guide them, he said. Or they may take Sun Valley Boulevard and Spring Valley Boulevard. Along Highway 84 southwest of Waco, Woodway Public Safety officers will be prepared to assist stranded motorists, Chief Khalil El-Halabi said. Woodway officers will also monitor Bosque Boulevard and Estates Drive to direct traffic and keep cars moving as necessary. Devlin said Hewitts police officers and detectives will be prepared along with many other city employees to assist in directing traffic against the signal lights if necessary. We also requested the keys to the signal boxes to manually operate those, if need be, Devlin said. Devlin recommends that before the eclipse on the morning of April 8, people leave early and allow plenty of time to get where they need to go. He said they should have gas tanks filled before the day of the eclipse and make sure they have plenty of water and patience for their drive home afterward. GPS may also direct motorists off I-35 along Moonlight Drive, or along Loop 340 to Highway 77 passing through Robinson. Robinson officers and detectives will be assisting drivers on Loop 340, I-35 and Highway 77, Robinson police Lt. Tracy OConnor said. In this day and time, there are a number of unusual statements and actions promulgated, particularly with respect to politics, and for most Americans there is a general understanding and in some cases even acceptance of what we see and hear. Some things, however, are beyond the pale and to say nothing makes us complicit in the thought or action when hurtful or ignorant. One of the most upsetting recent public statements was made by former President Donald Trump when he declared that Jewish voters who supported Democrats hated their religion and hated Israel, and that they should be ashamed of themselves. I am a second-generation Jewish American whose grandparents from both my mothers and fathers sides were immigrants to the United States just after the turn of the 20th century. I know I speak for many Jewish immigrant families when I respond that such a statement by anyone, let alone a former United States president, is a statement of ignorance or belittlement, at best. Certainly no elected official in a democracy should be espousing such a poor choice in wording. My grandparents were hard-working individuals who reared their children to be honest, hard-working American-born citizens. And they were proud to be Jewish and flag-waving Americans as well. All my grandparents sons on both sides served in the U.S. armed services during World War II and, thankfully, all returned home safely to marry, rear their children and live to see their children mature to be educators, musicians, accountants, pharmacists, business owners and civic-minded individuals. In turn, their great-grandchildren are now becoming educated as the Americans of the future. Immigrants in the early 1900s were often assisted by Democratic-leaning individuals and organizations, and many in my family became ardent Democrats believing in the sanctity of the individual and civil rights, having emigrated from countries which denied many rights to individuals, particularly to those of the Jewish faith. Jewish immigrants appreciated the freedoms offered by life in the United States and had no wish to deprive anyone else of those rights. They also deeply valued their religion and tried to be sure their children were reared properly and accordingly in the Jewish faith. After the Holocaust and WWII, most American Jewish families supported then and now the state of Israel, where survivors of Hitlers vile murder of 6 million Jews became a people without a home. Israel, the only Jewish nation in the world, represents a bastion of hope for Jewish individuals in search of a true Jewish homeland. Democracy means decency To make a statement that Jewish voters, because they are Jewish and may vote Democratic or lean to a liberal position, hate their religion or the state of Israel is truly beyond ignorant. While there are many ignorant statements by politicians of all beliefs, this one statement is representative of the fact that belligerent political rhetoric, denying all truth or fact or even decency, has become a staple of American politics by the lowest of characters, willing to say anything to cling to power. Anyone who thinks that this type of fanatical religious zealotry is something that should be exemplified for future generations in a country founded on democratic principles needs to contemplate more deeply what a democracy should be. Any intelligent thinking person on any level should carefully measure their words not only for their potential offensiveness but also for the effect they may have on the thinking of others. To think that anyone should only vote Republican or Democrat without regard to issues or a politicians character defies true belief in the ideals of democracy. I have throughout my voting career voted based entirely upon my understanding of the critical issues and the candidates positions on the issues, as well as the candidates character. Religion rarely enters into my decision-making, so the idea that because I am Jewish I would always vote Republican is incredibly foreign to me, as I would think it would be foreign to an American voter of any particular religion. The separation of church and state should be an ideal of every American voter. Religion can certainly form a basis in ethics that may influence a voters thinking, but religion itself shouldnt mandate every decision a voter might make when considering the questions of the day. I cant imagine what my grandparents would think about a person who would make this type of public comment, especially one hoping to become president. There is no room in a democratic country for statements of this kind. Donald Trump, who has Jewish family members, has the right to think as he does. And I suppose he has the right to say anything he wants, and he does just that. Supporters of Trump also have that right. But there should be strong pushback on this type of verbalization. Certainly, those who push back have the same right to think and say what they believe, particularly when a statement or action is especially offensive. I am proud to be American and Jewish and I am in no way ashamed of my religion. I remain proud of my ability to think independently with a deep belief in clearly considering not only the side of an issue on which a politician has landed but also the character of the politician in question. Donald Trumps statements to the contrary, America is still the land of opportunity for the oppressed and still the bastion of democratic ideals. Independence in voting supports those ideals for the future of our children and grandchildren. In the 1990s, someone wrote in The Weekly Standard it may well have been Matt Labash that for conservatives to triumph, they had to attack the messenger rather than the message. His advice was to go after the media, not the news. Attacking the messenger was all well and good for the neoconservatives. Still, their less-thoughtful successors, MAGA supporters, are killing the messenger. The press always identified as the liberal media is now often seen, due to relentless denigration, as a force for evil, a malicious contestant on the other side. No matter that there is no liberal media beyond what has been fabricated from political ectoplasm. Traditionally, most proprietors have been conservative, and many, but not most reporters, have been liberal. It surprises people to learn that when you work in a large newsroom, you dont know the political opinions of most of your colleagues. I have worked in many newsrooms over the decades and tended to know more about my colleagues love lives than their voting preferences. This philosophy of kill the messenger might work briefly, but down the road, the problem is no messenger, no news, no facts. The next stop is anarchy and chaos you might say, politics circa 2024. Add to that social media and its capacity to spread innuendo, half-truth, fabrication and common ignorance. There is someone who writes to me almost weekly about medias failures and I assume, ergo, my failure and he wont be mollified. To him, that irregular army of individuals who make a living reporting are members of a pernicious cult. To him, there is a shadow world of the media. I have stopped remonstrating with him on that point. On other issues, he is lucid and has views worth knowing on the Middle East and Ukraine. That poses the question: How come he knows about these things? The answer, of course, is that he read about them, saw the news on television or heard it on radio. Reporters in Gaza and Ukraine risk their lives, and sometimes lose them, to tell the world what is going on in these and other very dangerous places. No one accuses them of being left or right of center. But send the same journalists to cover the White House, and they are assumed to be unreliable propagandists, devoid of judgment, integrity or common decency, so enslaved to liberalism that they will twist everything to suit a propaganda purpose. That thought is displayed every time Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is interviewed on TV. Stefanik attacks the interviewer and the institution. Her aim is to silence the messenger and leave the impression that she isnt to be trifled with by the media shades of Margaret Thatcher. But I interviewed the Iron Lady, and I can say she answered questions, hostile or otherwise. Stefaniks recent grandstanding on TV hid her flip-flop on the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and failed to tell us what she would do if she were to win the high office she clearly covets. I have been in the journalists trade too long to pretend that we are all heroes, all out to get the truth. But I have observed that journalists tell the story pretty well, to the best of their varied abilities. We make mistakes. We live in terror of that. An individual here and there may fabricate as Boris Johnson, a former British prime minister, did when he was a correspondent in Brussels. Some may indeed have political agendas; the reader or listener will soon twig that. The political turmoil we are going through is partly a result of media denigration. People believe what they want to believe; they can seize any spurious supposition and hold it close as a revealed truth. You can, for example, believe that ending natural gas development in the United States will lead to carbon reduction worldwide, or you can believe that the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection with loss of life and the trashing of the nations great Capitol building was an act of free speech. One of the more dangerous ideas dancing around is that social media and citizen journalists can replace professional journalists. No, no, a thousand times no! We need the press with the resources to hire excellent journalists to cover local and national news, and to send, or station, staff around the world. Have you seen anyone covering the news from Ukraine or Gaza on social media? There is commentary and more commentary on social media sites, all based on the reporting of those in danger and on the spot. This is a trade of imperfect operators but an essential one. For better or for worse, we are the messengers. A 23-year-old Lincoln woman has been sentenced to 20 to 50 years in prison for aiding and abetting the sexual assault of a middle-schooler. Alexis Keib also will spend a lifetime on community supervision following her no contest plea to the charge. "In reviewing the evidence, I think there might be some manipulation by the codefendant. But at the end of the day, she made choices and she knows that she will be held responsible for those choices," her attorney, Trevin Preble, said at Keib's sentencing Tuesday. According to prosecutors, in June 2022, Keib arranged for the girl to have sex with Rusty Masters, Keib's then-boyfriend, who was nearly 20 years older than the girl. Keib picked up the girl and drove her to Masters' home in Lincoln, where Masters sexually assaulted the girl and had sex with Keib in front of her. Investigators said Masters later texted the girl a sexually explicit photo and asked her for nude images. The girl disclosed the assault a year ago, and Keib and Masters were arrested. Masters is awaiting sentencing next month. At Keib's sentencing Tuesday, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Morgan Smith said she was supposed to take care of the victim; instead she introduced her to a 32-year-old man. "Ms. Keib, to her credit, has owned up to all of this. But she did a terrible thing," he said. Lancaster County Attorney Lori Maret told Keib she was taking into account her young age. Still, she said, Keib was old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. "But you are missing something in your moral makeup that prevents you from saying to yourself this is wrong," the judge said. CEDAR FALLS Ruth Suckow was Iowas answer to Willa Cather. Both women made their names as American writers. Cather wrote about life on Nebraskas Great Plains, while Suckow, who was a longtime resident of Cedar Falls, wrote about rural Iowa. Surprisingly, the Iowa-born Suckow is not as widely recognized as Cather, although she published nine novels and 43 short stories. Suckows first novel, Country People, was published in 1924. Authors Jim OLoughlin and Julie Husband hope to generate renewed interest in Suckows achievement with a centenary edition of the poignant novel and a new critical introduction by the University of Northern Iowa English professors. The novel is available at area bookstores and at online booksellers. Country People follows four generations of the Kaeterhenrys, an Iowa German American settler family from the 1870s to the early 1920s. The husband-and-wife duo of OLoughlin and Husband wrote the superb introduction together. It provides todays readers with everything they need to know to appreciate the novel its publishing history, the changing critical response over 100 years and rich insights into Suckows artistry, said Barbara Lounsberry, president of the Ruth Suckow Memorial Association and UNI professor emeritus. Lots of books turn 100, but Suckows Country People is still interesting and views of the book have changed over the years. Initially, she was very much writing about the rural German American experience, but later generations of readers, especially feminist readers, saw her as focusing on aspects of womens experiences in rural America, said OLoughlin. He is founder of Final Thursday Press, which published the centenary edition. Suckow is such an observant writer and took great pains to sketch out a view of real life as she saw it. She was not into prettying things up or throwing in extra drama. She was often compared to Cather, who added drama and intrigue to her stories and Suckow hated that. She was a truthful writer, he explained. In the 1920s H.L. Mencken wrote: I regard Ruth Suckow as the most promising young writer of fiction, man or woman, now visibly at work in America. Suckow captured the lives, passions and struggles of ordinary people in their small towns and farms, Lounsberry explained. Her works include Iowa Interiors (short stories) and the novels Odyssey of a Nice Girl, The Folks (a Literary Guild selection and bestseller in 1934), A Part of the Institution (based on Grinnell College), and The John Wood Case, which draws on an actual northwest Iowa embezzlement tragedy. Suckow is appreciated as a voice of the Midwest. I think many readers will find the book Country People is familiar This is exactly the way my grandparents talked, said Husband. In 1892, Suckow was born in Hawarden on the Big Sioux River in northwestern Iowa. The daughter of a Congregational minister, she had lived in 12 Iowa towns, including Cedar Falls, when she married Ferner Nuhn of Cedar Falls in 1929. Nuhn founded the first Cedar Falls Arts Association and Art Gallery in the early 1940s. Her gravesite is in Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Falls. The public can visit her birth home in Hawarden as well as the Ruth Suckow Memorial Library and Ruth Suckow Park and Shelter in Earlville. OLoughlin and Husband, who are members of the Suckow association, spent a year on the project, beginning with reading the writers letters. We work pretty well together, but we dont work side by side. We generally agree on whos going to do what, write drafts and look at each others materials, OLoughlin said. Were always each others first reader. The novel, often described as a chronicle, begins with August and Emma, a hard-working, sensible and thrifty couple, establishing a farm in Iowa, rearing six children, and living their lives. Ive come to appreciate Suckows quiet opening and slow build through struggles on the farm and the crescendo when Emma has a health problem and has to go to Mayo Clinic, Husband said. August seems not to notice his wife but, as he waits for her to come out of surgery, hes as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, his cap on his knees, realizing that she might not survive and all the unspoken ways he has relied on her and appreciated her. If you dont read to the end of the book, you will fail to appreciate their relationship. OLoughlin had the idea to reproduce the Grant Wood painting Young Corn on the cover for the reissue. Suckow and Wood became friends in the 1930s and corresponded. Lounsberry describes it as a perfect cover for Country People. The image not only captures the young Iowa the Kaeterhenrys found in the 1800s, but Ferner Nuhns sister, the watercolorist Marjorie Nuhn, studied with Grant Wood in Stone City in the 1930s. So the cover is suitable in multiple ways, she said. On Sept. 14, a free public Centennial Celebration of the novel will take place at the Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 W. Seerley Blvd. Plans are for a harvest picnic at noon using foods mentioned in the novel. At 1 p.m. Iowa writer and former poet laureate Mary Swander will give the keynote address. We are trying to follow Marys talk with a panel of four current Iowa farmers, each of whom would read Country People and give their 10-minute response to the novel, Lounsberry said. Any Iowa farmers interested in being part of the panel can contact Lounsberry at lounsberry@gmail.com. Country People can be ordered directly from the publisher (free shipping) at http://finalthursdaypress.com/. It is available from area bookstores and online booksellers. How to pick the best toy for dogs based on 5 personality types How to pick the best toy for 5 different types of dogs Dogs craving mental stimulation Dogs who love a good chew Dogs who love exercise Dogs who need comfort Dogs who are social butterflies GRUNDY CENTER A former Reinbeck man convicted of beating his girlfriend to death in 2021 broke his silence as he was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday. This idea of me planning her death is nonsense, Kevin Lee Halladey, 42, told the court. I really miss her, and I am sorry shes gone. And there is no way I wanted her to die. Dont sit there and kid yourself and think I killed her on purpose, because I didnt. Paramedics and deputies found Christian Chrissy Jeys, 41, unconscious in their home Dec. 16, 2021, hours after her 13-year-old son stabbed Halladey during an argument. Jeys never regained consciousness and died in the hospital about a week later of blunt trauma to the head. Halladey initially told investigators they had been talking after he was released from the hospital, and Jeys merely got down on the floor for a nap and stopped breathing. On Wednesday, Halladey didnt offer a detailed account of what happened, only saying he didnt hit her multiple times. He added that she had climbed on the bed and ran across the bed to get away from him and fell. The events of the night prior, getting stabbed, really led to a hellish situation. Its unfortunate, he said. We actually had a pretty awesome relationship, said Halladey, who was also charged with assaulting Jeys in May 2021 and went on to call her children from a prior relationship wild little animals. In handing down the sentence of life in prison without parole and $150,000 in restitution, Judge Joel Dalrymple noted Halladeys size in comparison to Jeys combined with the knowledge of her frail health was enough to back the jurys guilty verdict for first-degree murder. You understand what a blow from you would do, the judge said. And you understand what its like to get stabbed five times and not be thinking clearly, Halladey responded. You understand what multiple blows from an individual like you to her would do, Dalrymple continued. I never hit her multiple times, Halladey said. From your version, you never hit her once, Dalrymple said. The fact a child would have to take a knife to you and stab you is simply reflective of what type of an individual you were in the context of that home. Jeys mother, Connie Hare, who lives in Florida and traveled to Iowa for the 2023 trial, attended Wednesdays hearing by phone. She submitted a statement that was read in court saying she is still in disbelief over what happened and misses her daughter every day. The world seems darker without her, Hare said. The loss that we all feel without her is because the love we shared was so very real, and we all knew it. That is why the pain is so deep. She said Halladey was given the same gift of Jeys love but destroyed it with every demeaning comment, argument and every black eye. Photos: Reinbeck homicide trial, December 2023 120623jr-grundy-trial-2 120623jr-grundy-trial-4 Christian Marie Jeys 120623jr-grundy-trial-6 120623jr-grundy-trial-5 120623jr-grundy-trial-7 120623jr-grundy-trial-3 120823jr-reinbeck-trial-4 120823jr-reinbeck-trial-6 120823jr-reinbeck-trial-1 120823jr-reinbeck-trial-2 120823jr-reinbeck-trial-3 120723jr-grundy-trial-1 121123jr-grundy-trial-1 121123jr-grundy-trial-3 121123jr-grundy-trial-2 121123jr-grundy-trial-5 121123jr-grundy-trial-4 121223jr-grundy-verdict-1 121223jr-grundy-verdict-2 121223jr-grundy-verdict-4 121223jr-grundy-verdict-3 032724jr-halladey-sentencing-3 032724jr-halladey-sentencing-4 CEDAR FALLS Cedar Valley Chamber Music will present a series of free community outreach performances, beginning Saturday. At 10:30 a.m., the childrens outreach program, Becoming a Musical Superhero will feature a University of Northern Iowa jazz combo Watch for Squirrel at the Cedar Falls Public Library. On April 13, another childrens program, Painting Pictures With Music, will be presented by a UNI violin and harp duo, also at the Cedar Falls Public Library. At 7 p.m. April 13, a free recital, Beyond Debussy: A Program Exploring the Diverse Legacy of Claude Debussy will take place at First Congregational Church in Waterloo, the program will feature Hannah Porter Occena (flute) and Josh Graham (marimba/percussion). On May 17, a free recital is planned at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church in Waterloo, A Triptych in Music. Featured musicians will be Nash Ryder on violin and Sean Botkin on piano. A free recital will be performed at 6 p.m. June 8 at Bar Winslow at the Black Hawk Hotel in Cedar Falls. Ladies Night will highlight music by women composers, featuring musicians Hannah Porter Occena on flute and Emily Phelps on piano. The Cedar Valley Chamber Music board of directors recently voted to allocate resources to support faculty and students at the UNI School of Music in Cedar Falls. Misheard lyrics from iconic country songs Misheard lyrics from iconic country songs '9 to 5' by Dolly Parton 'You'll Think of Me' by Keith Urban 'I Am That Man' by Brooks & Dunn 'Redneck Woman' by Gretchen Wilson 'Against the Grain' by Garth Brooks 'That Don't Impress Me Much' by Shania Twain 'Big Star' by Kenny Chesney 'Somethin' I'm Good At' by Brett Eldredge 'Came Here to Forget' by Blake Shelton 'Settling Down' by Miranda Lambert 'Friends in Low Places' by Garth Brooks 'Take a Little Ride' by Jason Aldean 'Road Less Traveled' by Lauren Alaina 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' by David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney 'Knockin' Boots' by Luke Bryan 'Things a Man Oughta Know' by Lainey Wilson 'Fix' by Chris Lane 'Beachin' by Jake Owen 'Look What God Gave Her' by Thomas Rhett 'Wearing White' by Martina McBride 'Nothin' to Lose' by Josh Gracin 'Record Year' by Eric Church 'T-Shirt' by Thomas Rhett 'Should've Been a Cowboy' by Toby Keith 'Folsom Prison Blues' by Johnny Cash The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City. (Photo courtesy the State of Iowa) An assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is facing sanctions for multiple alleged regulatory violations including dishonest, abusive or threatening behavior. The Iowa Dental Board has charged Dr. Thiago Soares Porto with practicing dentistry in a manner harmful or detrimental to the public; unethical conduct related to actions deemed to be abusive, coercive, intimidating, harassing, untruthful, or threatening; unethical conduct for actions that interfered with a patient filing a complaint with the board; failing to comply with the standard precautions for preventing and controlling infectious diseases; and engaging in the practice of dentistry outside of the College of Dentistry without the appropriate license. The publicly available records from the Iowa Dental Board give no indication when the alleged violations took place. Aside from an allegation that Porto had entered into an agreement with a patient to prevent that individual from filing a complaint with the board, the specific actions that gave rise to the charges have not been publicly disclosed. A board hearing on the charges is scheduled for June 14. In a written statement, Portos attorney, Todd M. Lantz, said, Dr. Porto has a spotless record and adamantly denies that he has done anything unethical or that would subject him to professional discipline. He has fully cooperated with the Dental Board and looks forward to defending himself in a formal hearing. Porto is a state-licensed dentist who also holds a faculty permit and practices dentistry as a member of the College of Dentistrys faculty. According to the college, Porto is an assistant professor of operative dentistry. On the schools website, Porto writes that he is working to shape the future of dentistry by directing courses for second-year students. A fertilizer spill this month in southwest Iowa killed nearly all the fish in a 60-mile stretch of river with an estimated death toll of more than 750,000, according to Iowa and Missouri conservation officers. That is the biggest fish kill in Iowa in at least a decade and the fifth-largest on record, according to state data. And it could have been worse: Fish populations were likely smaller than normal when the spill happened because of cold water temperatures and low river flows. Thank goodness, in a way, it happened when it did, said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries bureau. But this is a big one. Its a lot of river miles that have been impacted. NEW Cooperative in Red Oak spilled about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer. (Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR) The spill originated at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak, where a valve that either malfunctioned or was not properly closed leaked about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer, most of which went into the nearby East Nishnabotna River. The leak happened on a weekend from March 9 to 11 in an area where the fertilizer is distributed to customers of the farmers co-op. That area is not required by state rules to have barriers that would prevent a leak from reaching the river. The result was a widespread annihilation of aquatic life. A DNR investigation found dead or dying fish for 50 miles of river beyond where the East and West Nishnabotnas meet all the way to the Missouri border. There were also numerous dead frogs, snakes, mussels and earthworms. The DNR will return in late spring to note whether the fertilizer killed turtles that had buried themselves in the river bottom for winter. Their bloated carcasses will float to the river surface. Todd Meyer, of Shenandoah, planned to fish the East Nishnabotna not long after hearing about the spill. River contaminations have happened in the area but have never impeded his boating trips on the east or west segments of the river. For example: About a week after the fertilizer spill, gasoline overflowed from an underground tank at an Atlantic convenience store, and some of it went into the East Nishnabotna. That did not result in an apparent fish kill, the DNR said. But after the fertilizer spill, the whole river was full of dead fish, Meyer recalled. It was just nuts. Meyer used a drone to survey the dead fish in the East Nishnabotna River a few days after the spill. Missouri finds near total fish kill The carnage continued into Missouri, where the unified Nishnabotna River flows for about 10 miles before it meets the Missouri River. Matt Combes, a science unit supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said there was a near total fish kill in that state. I cant even think of another instance where a fish kill occurred out of state and moved into our state, he said. The department surveyed one bank of the river for about two miles and counted nearly 4,000 dead fish. It will use that sample to estimate the total number of fish that were killed, Combes said, which will likely be in the tens of thousands. The department is continuing to monitor the Missouri and Nishnabotna rivers for additional effects from the contamination. Its possible NEW Cooperative will face sanctions in both states. The size of the fish kill in Iowa was estimated to be about 749,000, said Chris Larson, a fisheries supervisor for the DNR. Small fish such as minnows and chubs account for the vast majority of those fish, but among them were also about 7,700 channel catfish that anglers target. Those who are responsible for fish kills typically pay restitution to the state based on the number and types of fish that die. Larson said a total restitution amount has not yet been solidified, but that the estimated value of the small fish is about $85,000. The value of the catfish would be about $115,000. Those two figures combined would be the largest valuation for a documented Iowa fish kill, according to DNR data. Others that have caused recent fish kills have typically paid fish restitutions and a fines of up to $10,000 the maximum the DNR can order administratively. The department has the option to seek higher penalties in district court. A pair of Iowa care facilities are facing sanctions for failing to provide medical assistance for their residents, two of whom died. Earlier this month, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals proposed, but held in suspension, an $8,700 fine for the Aspire of Donnellson nursing home. In that case, the home had failed to attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, for two residents, both of whom died. In the first of those two cases, according to state reports, a male resident of the home was found in his bed at 5:15 a.m. on Jan. 18, ashen colored with no pulse or respirations. The aide who found him later told inspectors the man was still warm when found. According to the inspectors, the aide had checked on the man after noticing his light was on, suggesting he was up or at least awake. After noticing the man wasnt breathing, the aide summoned a nurse and asked whether they should initiate CPR. The aide allegedly told inspectors the nurse never answered and instead called the family to report the man was dead. The nurse told inspectors that he had not been exactly sure about the residents code status, which would indicate whether attempts to resuscitate him should be made, according to state reports. He acknowledged, however, that it was later determined the man was full code, indicating CPR should have been attempted. Eleven days after that incident, a female resident of the home was found unresponsive in bed at about 10 p.m. The womans guardian and family were notified, and a funeral home was summoned to pick up the body. Although the resident was full code, no one on staff had attempted CPR, according to state reports. According to inspectors, the nurse who examined the resident that night later stated she didnt know the residents code status but said the womans hands and feet were purple in color. An aide who was present said the woman was still warm when found. A third employee who worked that night told inspectors she didnt know how to determine a residents code status and hadnt been trained in such matters, according to state records. Separately, the state inspections department fined the Silvercrest Garner Farms assisted living program $3,500 for failing to promptly contact emergency medical services for a resident who was in respiratory distress. Early on the morning of March 2, the staff found a resident on the floor with her oxygen-saturation level somewhere in the range of 90% to 100%, according to state records. (Typically, an oxygen-saturation level below 92% is considered dangerous.) The staff reported they telephoned the on-call nurse and left a message but never received a call-back. Later that day, the resident was again found on the floor, this time with their oxygen-saturation level in the 80s, suggesting urgent intervention was needed. Again, the staff reported calling the on-call nurse and leaving a message, but without receiving a call-back. The following evening, the residents daughter found the resident lying on the floor with an oxygen-saturation level in the 80s. The daughter asked that her mother be sent to the hospital and 911 was called. According to state inspectors, the director of nursing later concluded the staff had failed to ensure that the correct on-call schedule for nurses was available to workers. The on-call nurse the staff had been trying to reach wasnt even employed by the facility at the time of the incident, according to inspectors. The inspectors report does not indicate whether the resident survived, but notes that after she was taken to the hospital, she was admitted for treatment of COVID-19. States sending the most people to Iowa States sending the most people to Iowa #25. South Carolina #24. Maryland #23. Ohio #22. Kansas #21. Washington #20. New Jersey #19. North Carolina #18. Oklahoma #17. Pennsylvania #16. Nevada #15. Louisiana #14. Hawaii #13. Utah #12. Colorado #11. Michigan #10. Arizona #9. California #8. South Dakota #7. Florida #6. Missouri #5. Texas #4. Wisconsin #3. Minnesota #2. Nebraska #1. Illinois DES MOINES The chair of the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee said Davenports handling of public records was disgraceful and perplexing after the committee heard testimony about the citys decision to approve nearly $2 million in settlement agreements with staff without a public vote in 2023. On Wednesday, lawmakers on the committee heard from people involved in related legal disputes with the city of Davenport over public records and requests for information about the agreements, which included a $1.6 million settlement with former City Administrator Corri Spiegel. Rep. Brooke Boden, R-Indianola and the committee chair, pointed to the extensive legal action Davenport has taken as it resists requests to provide documents about the separation, questioning the use of taxpayer dollars. As a representative of the people from my district and the state of Iowa, I am personally disappointed in Davenports decision on how to handle requests in those matters, and I personally do not want to see any governmental body getting comfortable with this course of action, she said. Davenport city officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. The Davenport City Council approved the settlement agreements last year without a public vote, and the city did not make Spiegel's agreement public until more than a month after it was approved, and after the Nov. 7, 2023, election that included city offices. The council also approved settlement agreements between $100,000 and $200,000 with two administrative employees. The citys separation with Spiegel included $1 million for emotional pain and suffering because of prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials over the previous eight years. In December, two months after the agreements were signed, the Davenport City Council voted to ratify the agreements in an open session. Quad-Cities residents Allen Diercks and David Ezra Sidran, both of whom are involved in lawsuits with the city, testified at the meeting. Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which is seeking to intervene in Sidrans case, also testified. Pointing to Iowas open meetings law, Evans told lawmakers there may be times that a city council needs to meet in private when discussing terms of a settlement agreement or other personnel matters. But the approval of the agreement, Evans said, should have been done in an open meeting. The issue with Davenport is that they skipped that one important element at the end of the process, which was making a decision in public, he said. And the law is plainly clear there, even if they choose not to abide by it. Davenport interim City Attorney Brian Heyer said in December that the decision to eventually approve the agreements in open session was made on the advice of outside legal counsel. Diercks sued the city in January, alleging the city broke the law in approving the settlements and they should be voided. Sidran, who has requested numerous records, was sued by the city, which is asking the court to determine whether a letter sent by Spiegel to the City Council is a public record. In a news release, the city of Davenport said it named Sidran a defendant only because he requested the records and not in an attempt to discourage requests. "The city of Davenport is neither seeking to recover anything of value from Dr. Sidran, nor to obtain any type of order from the court prohibiting Dr. Sidran from engaging in any activity related to the city," the news release said. Mike Meloy, an attorney representing Diercks, said that Davenport has been challenging any effort by the public to obtain more information about the settlements. Something doesnt smell right here, ladies and gentlemen, he said. Why is the city fighting so hard to keep these matters from the public eye? Meloy asked committee members to investigate the matter and ask the Iowa attorney general to investigate Davenports conduct. State Auditor Rob Sand has also subpoenaed for documents from the citys meetings around the separation agreements, which the city has resisted in court. Lawmakers want more information The oversight hearing was requested by Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, who introduced a bill this year to strengthen Iowas open meetings and records laws. Mohr said he was frustrated that the city had not given answers to questions from lawmakers and the public about its handling of the separations. He said he thought the hearing was a good first step toward getting that information. I simply think we need to use every level of government that we can to try to get answers to the questions about the building collapse, about the $2 million payout to the city employees, he said. The citizens of the Quad-Cities, particularly Davenport, who are footing the bill for those tax dollars, they need answers to those questions. Mohr said he hoped the Senate took up the public records bill the House passed last month. Davenport officials were not invited to the hearing Wednesday. Boden said since the city was in pending lawsuits it might be more difficult to get them to testify. Boden said she would like to get more information about the issue from city officials and other stakeholders. While she said she wants the Senate to pass the Houses open records bill, she said she is not sure if the committee will recommend any further specific action on the subject this year. There are a lot of people to hear from. There are a lot of things to take care of, she said. But if its something we need to do, something we need to take up, we will. Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque and the vice chair of the committee, said she hoped the committee hearing pushed the Senate to pass the open records bill. I would hope that this would give our Senate counterparts a real opportunity to think about the law that we just passed to them around educating all government entities on these issues, she said. Photos: Gov. Reynolds tours site of The Davenport collapse 060523-qct-nws-collapse-14.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-16.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-10.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-11.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-13.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-06.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-03.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-01.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-07.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-09.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-17.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-05.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-04.jpg 060523-qct-nws-collapse-02.jpg Amid increasing scrutiny of a potential link between Iowa farm chemicals and cancer, a new report is generating controversy as it blames rising cancer rates not on the toxins used widely throughout the state, but on something else entirely: binge alcohol consumption. The Iowa Cancer Registry, a health research group housed at the University of Iowa, reported on Feb. 20 that Iowa has the second-highest and fastest-rising incidence of cancer among all states. An estimated 21,000 new cancer cases are expected to develop this year and 6,100 Iowans will die from cancer, Iowa Cancer Registry Director Mary Charlton said in announcing the new report. Iowa, she said, has the highest rate of binge drinking in the Midwest with 22% of residents reporting binge drinking, more than the national average of 17%. Overall, Iowa has the 4th highest incidence of alcohol-related cancers in the U.S., according to the report. Alcohol is a known carcinogen and a risk factor for several cancers including oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, rectum, liver, and female breast cancers, Charlton said in a news conference. The assessment has drawn questions and sparked doubts, however, from state leaders and health and environment researchers who have been calling for a probe into just how much the states agricultural industry may be contributing to the spread of disease. Is alcohol responsible for the increase in cancer incidence here since 2014? I personally doubt that, said James Merchant, a retired professor of occupational and environmental health, and former dean of the University of Iowa College of Public Health. What needs to be looked at are things that are probable or possible carcinogens that have increased beginning about 1990, because of the well-recognized latency of environmental cancers, Merchant said. Those carcinogens associated with industrial agriculture are the ones that really need to be looked at very closely. Pesticides and fertilizers Iowa is the leading U.S. corn and soybean growing state, with millions of acres devoted to the crops. Corn and soybean farmers typically make heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers on their fields. Iowa farms use more weed killers (237 million pounds) and apply more commercial fertilizer (11.6 billion pounds) every year than any other state, according to state and federal data. The chemicals are known to contaminate both soil and water and leave pesticide residue in the harvested grains. Researchers have long suspected that exposure to a number of the most popular pesticides, particularly glyphosate (the active ingredient in the Roundup brand of herbicide), may cause human cancers. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic to humans. Other studies have found that exposure to other common pesticides are associated with cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, brain, and prostate cancer. Iowas sprawling livestock and poultry sector is also a concern. The Iowa operations produce more animal manure (54.5 million tons) every year than any other state, according to federal and state data. Since 1992, for instance, the states hog population has grown to 24 million hogs, up more than 70%. Iowas manure production in total has increased almost 80% since 2002, according to the latest U.S. Agriculture Census. The manure from the animals contributes to the creation of nitrates, which form when nitrogen from fertilizer and manure combine with oxygen. The waste streams routinely drain from farm fields into groundwater, streams, and rivers, contaminating water sources. Babies can suffer severe health problems when consuming nitrates in drinking water, and a growing body of literature indicates potential associations that include an increased risk of cancer. And exposure to elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water from commercial fertilizer and manure has been linked by numerous researchers to cancers of the blood, brain, breast, bladder and ovaries. David Cwiertny, professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa, recently started working with the Cancer Registry to explore potential environmental factors contributing to Iowas cancer rates. He noted that multiple risk factors could be contributing to the problem in Iowa, including nitrate exposure. Research studies show thats especially the case with colorectal cancer ranked 8th in incidence among all states and breast cancer, ranked 9th. Were unique in terms of our production system here. Unrivaled anywhere in the world, right? said Cwiertny. Were proud to boast about that. But we shouldnt be so foolish as to think that the unrivaled scale of production doesnt come with very unique consequences or challenges for our state, right? The new registry findings focusing on alcohol consumption and not agricultural chemicals come as public interest in cancer has swelled across the Corn Belt. Legislation to invest more state funds in research that identifies environmental sources of cancer has been introduced in Iowa, as well as Nebraska. In Minnesota, legislators are proposing to introduce a sales tax on commercial fertilizer to pay for closing drinking wells contaminated with nitrates and supplying thousands of southeast Minnesota residents with clean sources of water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Minnesota to halt nitrate contamination in groundwater last November. Drinking and disease Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for certain cancers. Nearly 4% of cancers diagnosed worldwide in 2020 can be attributed to alcohol consumption, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States alone, about 75,000 cancer cases and 19,000 cancer deaths are estimated to be linked to alcohol each year. Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol, which is a known carcinogen, according to the National Cancer Institute. And yet, linking alcohol to rising cancer rates in Iowa seems questionable given some of the data points. Iowas per capita consumption of alcohol ranks 24th in the nation, according to Statista, a data research service. Drinking habits in Iowa do not appear to have changed dramatically in the last few decades. Though about a fifth of those who drink alcohol in Iowa identify as binge drinkers five drinks at a sitting for men, four for women Iowas binge drinkers dont appear to be drinking more heavily now than years ago. On average, Iowas binge drinkers consumed 586 drinks a year in 2017, the latest year for data, six more than in 2011. Iowa was one of the 39 states where binge drinking did not change significantly during that period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationally, rates of alcohol consumption and cancer have diverged. Per capita consumption of alcohol in the U.S. increased to 2.51 gallons annually in 2021, 17% more than in 1999, according to federal figures. But the national rate of cancer incidence declined 16% during that period, according to the CDC. Iowas increase in cancer incidence appears to have started around 2012, according to the CDC and the Iowa Cancer Registry. That rise in incidence occurs about 20 years the scientifically accepted cancer latency period after the start of Iowas rapid industrialization in farming. Having a high cancer rate doesnt immediately translate to its being caused by industrial agriculture. Although I think there is just a strong reason to look very hard in that direction, said Merchant. They want to be very, very sure of the ground they stand on given the power politics in this state. Everybody understands that. My view is that shouldnt keep you from asking the question. And those questions need to be asked. A cancer crisis Public confirmation last year of Iowas high cancer incidence also converged with what most adult Iowans already knew in private. Cancer is everywhere in Iowa. Among the 25 counties in the U.S. with the highest incidence of cancer, Iowas Palo Alto County ranks second. Roughly 21,000 Iowans now develop cancer in Iowa annually, according to the Iowa Cancer Registry. Thats more than twice as many cancers as occurred in 1973 in a state where the current population 3.2 million is a mere 11% higher than it was 50 years ago. Democrats in the state House and Senate proposed legislation this year to increase funding for health studies aimed at definitively identifying the sources of malignancies. We need to make this statement, given the rising cancer rates here and our number two rate in the country, said state Sen. Janice Weiner, who proposed a bill in January to invest $5.25 million for research on pediatric and other cancers to stem what she called Iowas cancer crisis. I have colleagues on the House side who have filed similar legislation that has bipartisan support, she said. So Im hoping it will move forward. We have a serious problem in Iowa. We owe it to Iowans not to whitewash anything but to approach it scientifically and get to the bottom of this, wherever research and clinical tests lead us. Charlton did not respond to an interview request for this article. This report was originally published by The New Lede and is part of an ongoing series looking at how agricultural policies are affecting human and environmental health. Counties with the highest cancer rates in Iowa Counties with the highest cancer rates in Iowa #50. Guthrie County #49. Benton County #48. Boone County #47. Fayette County #46. Osceola County #45. Iowa County #44. Clinton County #43. Tama County #42. Grundy County #41. Clayton County #40. O'Brien County #39. Hancock County #38. Chickasaw County #37. Wayne County #36. Howard County #35. Des Moines County #34. Humboldt County #33. Keokuk County #32. Shelby County #31. Harrison County #30. Delaware County #29. Floyd County #28. Worth County #27. Hardin County #26. Kossuth County #25. Jackson County #24. Clay County #23. Sac County #22. Lee County #21. Ida County #20. Monroe County #19. Audubon County #18. Butler County #17. Fremont County #16. Emmet County #15. Page County #14. Calhoun County #13. Adams County #12. Franklin County #11. Montgomery County #10. Cerro Gordo County #9. Monona County #8. Appanoose County #7. Greene County #6. Ringgold County #5. Pocahontas County #4. Dickinson County #3. Cass County #2. Cherokee County #1. Palo Alto County Experts at Boao forum express optimism about AI but urge oversight Xinhua) 10:32, March 28, 2024 BOAO, Hainan, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Guest speakers of a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 expressed optimism on the development prospects of AI while also urging efforts to beef up industry oversight. The performance of the large language models, such as GPT-4, is extremely impressive, said Stuart Russell, a professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences at the University of California at Berkeley. "It gives us a taste of what it would be like to live in a world where we could access intelligence on tap in the same way that we access electricity anytime you need," added Russell, who is also co-author of "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach," which is considered the standard text in the field of AI. According to the veteran AI researcher, there are still very significant gaps in this technology. Since ChatGPT took the world by storm in late 2022, tech giants and startups worldwide have been rushing to join the AI race by launching similar AI chatbots as well as industrial applications based on large language models. The AI fever has kindled high hopes that this technology will have the potential to transform people's lives and work through the content they generate, known as AI-generated content (AIGC). It also has fanned fear that AI could pose a threat to human beings in the future. According to Zhang Yaqin, dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research at Tsinghua University, AI can generate not only texts, images and videos, but also a plethora of other content. "There is good news about change, but there are also some concerns about the risks that we have right now." Expressing optimism about AI, Zhang said, "I think that there are two kinds of human wisdom. One wisdom is the wisdom of inventing new technologies, and the other is the wisdom of guiding technology toward wisdom." He, however, stressed that governance should be in place while the industry is developing. Spawning a large number of applications for industries and scientific research, the AI boom is driving the development of China's digital economy and reshaping the economic landscape. Liu Cong, vice president of China's AI and intelligent speech giant iFLYTEK, said following the launch of its large language model, the company has launched a number of applications for specific industries, including the education and medical fields. "The AI plus is very likely to offer us a great opportunity to develop new quality productive forces," Liu said, adding that its open innovation platform has attracted 370,000 developers for large models. Speaking at the panel discussion, Frank Meng, Qualcomm China chairman, called for global and industry cooperation in terms of AI state governance, international collaboration, and standard setting that would allow universal use. Russell called for healthy competition in the AI race. "This idea that it's a zero-sum game and one team is gonna win and the other team is gonna lose. This is a huge mistake." (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) After almost a half century at Winona Health, internal medicine Dr. Charles Shepard has started the next chapter of his life as a retiree. Shepard, an Iowa native, began his path to medicine after choosing it over field biology. While he enjoyed biology, Shepard saw medicine as a better chance to directly impact peoples lives. He specifically chose a career in internal medicine taking care of adults because he enjoyed physiology and figuring out puzzles, which often occur in medicine. He sought to work at Winona Health after visiting the community with his wife and then cold calling the organization to see if it had any openings for physicians. While he considered other job options, he chose Winona as he thought it was the best job option and home for his family. He also enjoyed the areas options for outdoor activities, as he and his wife enjoy being physically active outside. He retired March 22. Community health care Since starting at Winona Health in 1975, Shepard also has served in administrative roles. He was also the first medical director at Community Memorial Hospital, now known as Winona Health. He worked in the role while the hospital became a pioneer in developing integrated medical records, which helped make care better and safer. Since then, technology has changed greatly in medicine, Shepard said. He said technology has added complexity in some areas but made other things easier. One example he shared was that medical staff now have access to digital educational materials that include the most up-to-date information about illnesses and treatments. Awards of excellence Shepard has also been honored for his work and impact on the Winona community. He was named a fellow of the American College of Physicians, an honorary degree awarded for excellence. Ive been pretty proud of that. I try to live up to it," he said. Shepard also has been honored by the community multiple times, including when he received the Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute with his wife, Judy. Both patients and staff at Winona Health will miss Shepard as he enters the next chapter of his life. Winona Health has been caring for this community for 130 years, and Dr. Shepard has been a caregiver here for 48 of those years. His patients and fellow caregivers, this organization and the Winona community have benefited in countless ways because he and his wife, Judy, chose to make Winona their home, stated Rachelle Schultz, Winona Health president and CEO. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have worked with Dr. Shepard. Not only is he a great physician, he is a great teacher, a persistent problem solver and someone I could always rely on. 'Bittersweet' departure Nurses that work work closely with Shepard in internal medicine had mixed feelings about his departure. I think its bittersweet for everybody, nurse Michelle Holubar said. Were happy for him, but its going to be sad to see him go. Were very happy for him. Everyone deserves a long and happy retirement, but its sad to see him go, said Kim Schneider, another nurse who works with Shepard. Holubar said patients often ask what they should do now that Shepard is leaving, as some have had Shepard as their doctor for decades. His patients absolutely adore him, Holubar said. He has a huge impact on his patients. Holubar has worked with Shepard for about a year and a half. Its been a privilege to work with him, Holubar said. Focus on patients Shepard is easy-going, a diligent worker and easy to talk to, Schneider said. He also takes his time with his patients and wants to figure out ways he can help improve their lives. Both Holubar and Schneider said Shepard focuses on education and takes time to inform both patients and staff. Schneider, who has worked at Winona Health since 1997 and internal medicine since 2017, said Shepard also tries to help the Winona Health organization as a whole. If Shepard sees a hiccup in a process at the organization, she said, he'll work to find a way to improve it. Shepard said he's enjoyed working with the staff at Winona Health, too. "I work with a lot of really wonderful staff. They know my quirks, and I figure out theirs eventually," he said. He said teamwork is critical in the health care field. "Its a bittersweet time," Shepard said regarding telling patients and colleagues about his departure. Advice from a long career Shepard has multiple pieces of advice for those around him that he's learned throughout his long career. He said listening closely to a patient is always important and that it's best to focus on what will actually benefit a patient and avoid unnecessary tests or procedures. He said cancer screenings are not something to be avoided, even if a patient doesn't have any symptoms. Physical activity should also be a priority for everyone, he emphasized. Shepard looks forward to new adventures as he moves onto the next chapter of his life. My wife and I have plenty of things to see and do," he said. The first two trips on the couple's calendar are to visit New Orleans and then drive north along the Mississippi River in April and then visit their grandchildren in Norway. In the tiny village of Werner in Germantown, Dr. DeVillers owned property. In the spring of 1867, while attending his horses in the stable on the farm, he received a kick from one of the horses, breaking his leg in two places below his knee. In the spring of 1871, Dr. DeVillers house and property, in Werner, was destroyed by fire. By the early 1950s, Werner village was entirely submerged when Castle Rock Lake was developed by Wisconsin River Power Company. Buckhorn State Parks location is where the sawmilling village is submerged beneath the water of Castle Rock Lake. In the spring of 1876, R. B. Rice successfully fulfilled his contract with the railroad company by delivering 3,000 cords of wood to the New Lisbon Station. That same Milwaukee Road Station advertised special Easter round trip excursions to Chicago for $4.40. The round trip for the spring trip special to Milwaukee cost $3.45. The fare for children was half-price. Springtime, near railroad towns, kept the local sheriff department busy trying to clear out the nuisance drifters. In the late 1940s, at our farm, next to the railroad tracks, my in-laws made a shopping trip to town. Upon arriving home, he noticed his new shoes were missing. However, an old pair with paper covering the hole in the sole, and twine for laces was setting in their place. Mostly, drifters were looking for food. Far from any railroad tracks, in Seven Mile Creek, in the spring of 1931, Mrs. John L. Fitzgerald was hit over the head by a transient while home alone. While she was unconscious, the stranger ransacked the house. He had tricked her with the story of his car being stuck and needed help getting out. Finding out Mr. Fitzgerald was at the town caucus, he carried out the robbery. In the spring of 1932, farmers in Germantown and Marion were keeping an attentive eye on their young animals and small stock as packs of wolves were known to be roaming in their area. The spring of 1935, a large delegation of people from Warrens, Tomah and Juneau County appeared before the Conservation Committee in Madison, in opposition of plans to establish a large game refuge. Today, The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge welcomes 150,000 visitors annually. In early 1934, the federal economy was so grim, cuts in the postal service compelled cutting mail delivery to one less day a month. Four candidates vying for three seats on the Beaver Dam School Board shared their views at the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Candidates Forum on Tuesday. Incumbents Marge Jorgensen and John Kraus Jr. along with challengers Heather Scholz and Steve Rydzewski are on Tuesdays ballot. Rydzewski is also running for a seat on the Dodge County Board. Gary Spielman, who has served for more than 30 years on the School Board, is not seeking re-election. Introduction of candidates Rydzewski said he is the father of two daughters and is trying to be involved more in the community now that his daughters are adults. There is lots going on in our county, and I want to be involved, Rydzewski said. I think I would add a lot to the boards. I am a manager. I have worked in the food industry for 30 years almost. Kraus said he has been on the School Board for 12 years and has held numerous leadership positions on the board and is currently vice president. He and his wife run a farm outside of Beaver Dam. They have two adult children. He has been on the Calamus Town Board for 28 years, the last eight years as chairman. Kraus also serves on the Dodge County Board. Jorgensen has been on the School Board for 18 years and is currently the boards clerk. When you are a School Board member, your responsibilities are kind of different than when you are a parent, Jorgensen said. Because you have to look at all the kids in school and all the staff and everything like that and our responsibility is wider, and that is why Im running again. Scholz said she graduated from Beaver Dam High School and is a business owner. She is also married to a Beaver Dam High School graduate. The couples oldest child is in college, while their youngest attends Beaver Dam Middle School. Ive been thinking of running for the board for three or four years now, Scholz said. I really want to be a voice of reason in the community. A parent voice. Sometimes that gets a little lost. Questions on middle school The candidates were asked about their thoughts on addressing the facility issues at the middle school. The School Board has been looking at possibilities that may include a referendum question to build a new Beaver Dam Middle School. Residents will begin receiving surveys in the mail next month to gauge community thoughts about projects for the school. Rydzewski said he has toured the school and still wants to see the data and find out not only what needs to be done but what on the list are wants. You have to take a hard look at the building in total, Rydzewski said. What needs to be done right now, and what to plan. You just have to look hard at the data and take a look at what the priorities are. We have to prioritize the spending. We cant just replace things because they are at their life cycle because it has a 25-year warranty, and it is 25 years old. Kraus said the district does know the needs of the school and the future needs for the building. The building is over 100 years old, and if we need to make changes in it to get it where it needs to be, it will cost us $20 million, Kraus said. If we do a complete renovation, we will be in the $70 (million), and if we build new, we will be in the $80 (million). Kraus said he is in favor of building a new school because at some point the community will have to do so and there are other aging buildings that will need to be looked at in the future. The campus is not big enough, Kraus said of the middle school. It is not in a safe place. There is no parking. Jorgensen said the board has been hiring firms to look at the middle school building and there are needs that include issues with heating and wiring, the level of water coming into the building from the ground, and the roof constantly requiring repairs. Scholz said she hasnt decided on what path to take. But whatever plan the district adopts, it will need to go to referendum because of the cost of the three possible solutions for the school. I think the community really needs to take the lead on that and do the survey, Scholz said. Candidates question each other Kraus asked fellow candidates what challenges they were proud of in the district. Rydzewski said he was proud of many of the teachers and district itself. Scholz said that the district has great spirit not only in sports, but the students are proud of the district. Jorgensen asked how the candidates felt about voucher schools and the funding for public schools. Im not really opposed to vouchers, Scholz said. I dont personally see a reason to go outside of the public school system. My kids had a good education and are continuing. I do understand why some people want to for something like smaller class sizes. Scholz said she understands how vouchers could cause a burden to school funding but there is a reason parents are going elsewhere and districts should work at finding out why the students are leaving. Kraus said he is pro choice but does not like the voucher program. It takes money from our district and gives it to the private schools, Kraus said. It costs the district about $11,000 per year for each student who attends private school, Kraus said. Rydzewski said the voucher program shows there are areas to improve in the public school system. I think vouchers are the biggest threat to public schools, Jorgensen said. For one thing, they dont have to follow the same rules as the public school system. Our kids must take an exam every year, the voucher schools do not. They also do not have to have open meetings. We do. There are other things that the standards are different, and it isnt right. The biggest thing is the Legislature never asked the public if they wanted their property tax money to pay for voucher schools. Scholz said she has had some concerns about students proficiency levels. Kraus said the district is meeting or exceeding expectations, but he knows there is room for improvement and that will take time but there is a plan in place to get there. Closing statements Rydzewski said he believes it is time for some new blood and some fresh ideas on the School Board. The board should be working harder to raise student understanding in core subjects, and Rydzewski said he felt the board had work to do. I am very proud of our district, Kraus said. Our families, our kids, our staff and all aspects of it. Kraus said he believes he can make tough decisions even when he doesnt agree with it, and he does not come in with a personal agenda. Jorgensen said she believes the current board members have done a wonderful job together and work well together even when they disagree on things. Scholz said she would like to be in a position where she advocates for the students and the policies that benefit them. New board members can come with fresh ideas, Scholz said. You can become complacent after a while. Kwik Trip is ending sales of bagged milk starting in May, the chain announced this week. The decision to stop selling bagged milk, a cheaper alternative to milk sold in jugs and that the store has carried for 40 years, followed a drop in demand. After thorough consideration and analysis, we have decided to discontinue bagged milk to focus on items that resonate more strongly with our guests, Kwik Trip CEO Scott Zietlow said in an announcement Wednesday. Some customers expressed disappointment. Its been such a tradition. Its a quirk unique to Wisconsin and the Midwest, said customer Nate Schweitzer, 39. Our friends from out of town still talk about it. It was just one of those fun things. After they bring it home, customers store the bagged milk in a pitcher, free with the first purchase. The pitcher holds the bag, from which one corner has been cut to pour the milk. After use, the open corner of the bag is tucked into a slit in the front of the pitcher, sealing it. Reactions have been mixed, Kwik Trip spokesperson Ben Leibl acknowledged. But in the end, he said, sales couldnt justify the cost of continuing to provide the product. Leibl said he hoped customers will switch to buying their milk in jugs instead, but some have objected to the difference in price. While half a gallon of bagged milk at a Kwik Trip in Madison Thursday cost $1.49, half a gallon of the same milk in a jug cost $2.39. While the cost was not Schweitzers main complaint, he said discontinuation of the product was a loss for customers who have relied on it over the years. You can get regular milk anywhere, Schweitzer said. The bags are what kind of drew me. Now, he said, hell be indifferent about where he buys milk. Leibl was sympathetic but was hopeful customers would continue purchasing milk from the store. This was a very difficult decision for us to make. It was not one we took lightly, Leibl said. We understand that customers come into our store looking for bagged milk, and we are disappointed that we have to take that away. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form 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. With airfares increasing and lodging rapidly getting booked, now is the time to book your summer travels to Europe. But where in Europe? After record-breaking heat the past few summers in southern Europe, with one location reaching an astounding 119.8 degrees, many travelers are looking to destinations in northern Europe such as Scandinavia, Scotland and Iceland rather than the figurative and literal hot spots of Italy, Spain, and Greece. Weve seen an over 20 percent increase in bookings on European trips above the 50th parallel [of latitude] in 2024, said Scott Abbott, director of product at Wilderness Travel, in an email to AARP. Destinations like Norway, Greenland, Scotland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands have been especially popular this year. Given that Wilderness Travels primary clients are above the age of 50, having confidence that youll be comfortable while exploring these places and be able to enjoy your vacation is a very understandable consideration. Extreme weather and climate change probably will have a major impact on travel decisions now and into the future. Forget chasing the sun. Future travelers will instead be seeking shade as destinations which are popular today will be rendered inhospitable by rising temperatures, according to a Future Laboratory study sponsored by tour operator Intrepid Travel. There is already a chasing the shade trend with a shift away from beach vacations to cooler destinations in summer months, with parts of Scandinavia and the Baltic predicted to emerge as top options for those looking to avoid the high summer heat, said Matt Berna, Intrepid Travels president of the Americas, in an emailed statement. Travelers may even want to consider the Arctic Circle as a potential summer destination. We are seeing substantial interest in northern destinations as a way for travelers to escape the heat and crowds that have become synonymous with Europe in the summer, said Stefanie Schmudde, senior vice president, global product strategy for luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, in an email to AARP. Many [travelers] are shifting their focus away from traditional European destinations and heading to cooler places, like Norway and even the Arctic. The increased demand toward the north is reaching travel advisers as well. The Virtuoso travel network reports they are seeing increased demand for cooler weather destinations like Scandinavia, where Virtuoso bookings for this summer have climbed by 77 percent compared to 2023. I have had a few clients shift [destination] due to temps getting unbearable, and Ive been advising many to do so, Jessica Parker, founder of the Trip Whisperer Agency, tells AARP. Kaleigh Kirkpatrick, travel adviser and founder of The Shameless Tourist, shares that she has clients headed to Scandinavia and Scotland, noting that they were averse to the [southern European] temps. For those travelers potentially interested in chasing more moderate temperatures to northern Europe this summer and beyond, here are five cool destinations that may be worth exploring. A trip to Akureyri, a town on the northern coast of Iceland, is a chance to be immersed in history, culture and nature. Getty Images Akureyri, Iceland Iceland has become a very popular destination in recent years, but many visitors just visit the easily accessible capital city of Reykjavik and nearby attractions like the famed Blue Lagoon hot springs. Icelandair offers free stopovers in Reykjavik to passengers on its transatlantic flights, an easy way to get a taste of this cool location. Travelers looking for more of an immersion into Icelandic history, culture, and nature may enjoy a road trip around the country, with Akureyri, a town on the northern coast of the island, as a featured destination. Intrepid Travel said its most booked tour in the summer of 2023 by American travelers was its Icelandic Discovery itinerary along this route. Recent data from a United Nations report on Migration Dynamics, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa sheds light on the migration dynamics within Africa, revealing a continent experiencing significant movement both within its borders and beyond. Attitudes towards migrants have varied over time and in different countries but in politicized environments and at times of economic difficulty, they are often perceived as a challenge, burden or even threat to communities in the host countries. The Church, however, has played and can continue to play a unique and vital role in reaching and serving migrants, according to experts. According to the UNs data, over 31 million Africans have migrated from their birth countries, with a majority opting to remain within Africa itself. Contrary to common perceptions, intra-regional migration dominates, particularly in west and southern Africa, and only about 25 percent of African migrants head to Europe, the report states. The factors driving migration are diverse and complex. Economic disparities, conflict, persecution, and environmental challenges are among the key contributors pushing individuals and families to seek new horizons. Multiple reports and studies have been published on the topic in recent times, confirming trends and reasons why people choose or are forced to leave their countries. An Africa Centre for Strategic Studies report published earlier this year notes that African migration continues to experience persistent upward pressures extending a 20-year pattern. Limited economic opportunity, conflict, repressive government, growing youth populations, and climate change are the primary drivers behind the approximately one million new migrants over the past year, it says. This adds to the 43 million African migrants overall according to their estimates. A majority of these, mostly young and single migrants, remain on the continent in pursuit of employment opportunities in urban hubs. Others seek jobs outside the continent, primarily in the Middle East and Europe, though Africans comprise just 6.6 percent and 8.2 percent of all migrants in those regions respectively. In an analysis of migration trends in Africa, New South Institute research consultant Michael Mutava highlights that migration in Africa is complex and multifaceted, with a range of push and pull factors that drive people to move within and outside the continent. He says, While there are challenges and risks associated with migration, including exploitation and human rights abuses, migration is also a vital source of economic and social development for individuals, communities, and countries. It should be facilitated rather than suppressed. Serving refugees as an opportunity for the Church Among the migrants, which is a more general term used for anyone not living in their home country for whatever reason, there are those who are forced to flee and are thus considered refugees. According to the United Nations, A refugee is strictly defined in international law as a person who is fleeing persecution or conflict in her or his country of origin. Current data estimates refugees and internally displaced people to number around 108 million globally, the majority of which (76 percent) are hosted by low- and middle-income countries. In an article published by the Overseas Ministries Study Centres International Bulletin of Mission Research, Cindy Wu, who serves as program director at a refugee center, commented on migration trends and the Churchs response based on data in the third edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia. She observed that ministry to refugees must first confront and address barriers to welcoming them. The author of A Better Country: Embracing the Refugees in Our Midst and co-author with Todd Johnson of Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity in a Changing World, Wu comments that such barriers include fear of refugees as other, concerns over economic impact and demographic change, and a mind-set of scarcity. It is hard to welcome someone if we see them as a threat or a burden. Many countries rely on migrant workers for their economy but draw the line when it comes to resettlement and the potential of resultant change in cultural identity. Unfortunately, resettlement for refugees which is defined as providing them with permanent residence status is often viewed as unrealistic leaving many with a feeling of being stuck, Wu comments. Alessandro Gusman, who explored the intersection of religion, affect, and power within modern nation-states, uses a similar expression. He delves into the experiences of Congolese refugees residing in Kampala, Uganda. Amidst the challenges of displacement, Gusman contends that these refugees draw upon the theological affects of trust and hope, finding solace and meaning within a Christian narrative. However, as the refugee crisis persists, Gusman observes a transition from hope to a sense of "stuckness" among these individuals. Wu points out that followers of Christ have historically played a significant role in welcoming refugees and providing for their needs globally and can continue to make a difference today. Churches are more than capable of providing robust assistance with refugee integration. In light of the movement of God and his people, let us be radical and ready to fulfil the mission of God by welcoming the stranger, she writes. A high court in Pakistan on Monday (March 25) rejected a Christian womans attempt to recover her 13-year-old daughter, instead allowing the child to go with a Muslim who abducted, forcibly converted her to Islam and married her, sources said. Shakeel Masihs daughter, Roshni Shakeel, was taken from her home in Basti Khaliq Pura in Multan District, Punjab Province, on March 13 by a 28-year-old Muslim, Muazzam Mazhar, when Masih and his wife were out of the house for work. Masihs wife, Nazia Shakeel, on March 18 filed a habeas corpus petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) for the recovery of their daughter after the family was unable to find her. On Monday (March 25), Sital Mari police presented Roshni and Mazhar in the court of Justice Ali Zia Bajwa of the Multan Bench of the LHC. My wife and I were hoping that the judge would consider it a clear case of child marriage and order action against the accused, but we were utterly disappointed when he completely ignored our pleas for justice, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Masih said the judge set aside case documents without even looking at them and posed only one question to Roshni: Had she married Muazzam with her own free will? When Roshni said that she had done so willingly and wanted to go with Muazzam, the judge congratulated her on the marriage and said she was free to live with her husband, Masih said. My wife and I pleaded the judge to at least consider her age and the fact that the child was under the influence of the accused for over two weeks, and she could have been easily coerced into giving that statement. Instead of listening to us and our lawyer, the judge hushed us with a hand gesture and announced his decision. The impoverished Christian, a cleaner at a local restaurant, has sold household items, including mobile phones and his brothers motorcycle, to fund efforts to recover his daughter and in a desperate quest for justice. All my efforts have gone in vain, because the court did not even bother to inspect her official birth document and other evidence, Masih said. Our lawyer argued that Roshni was visibly underage and the matter should be dealt as a child marriage, but the judge did not listen to him as well. Authorities did not give Masih or his wife a chance to meet with Roshni and ask her about her wellbeing, he said. In fact, the police and family members of the accused blocked her view during the entire time she was in the courtroom. They then took her away in front of our eyes, and there was nothing I could do to stop them, Masih said as grief and frustration overtook his voice. Despite the setback, Masih said he was determined to make every possible legal effort to bring his daughter home. Roshni is just a child, how can I let that criminal exploit her and then God forbid, sell her into slavery? I will not stop till I rescue my daughter, he said. His Muslim attorney, Muhammad Umar Ashraf, said he was confident that the court would notice the physical condition of Roshni and treat it as a case of child marriage without question. However, I too was dismayed when the judge flatly refused to admit my arguments and inspect the documents, Ashraf told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. It looked as if he was in no mood to rule in our favor. The attorney said that when he pointed out the childs age before the judge, he told him to take the matter to the family court or file an intra-court appeal against his decision. Im ready to move both forums in light of a recent decision by Justice Anwar Ul Haq Pannun of the LHC Multan Bench, wherein the court has ordered the government to strictly implement the anti-child marriage laws, he said. In a landmark interim order issued by Justice Pannun on Feb. 28, the court ordered authorities to implement the anti-child marriage laws in letter and spirit. The court was hearing a petition filed by a Muslim woman, Ramzana Bibi, seeking the custody of a niece who had fallen victim to child marriage. The court also established a high-level committee headed by Prosecutor General of Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah to ensure effective implementation of child marriage restraint laws. It also ordered chairmen of union councils to promptly annul any underage marriages, with the court mandating strict legal actions against such unions. Pannuns order also instructed the assistant director of local government to conduct monthly reviews of union council records at the local tehsil level, emphasizing the critical role of local government in the complex challenge. Expressing disappointment over the courts order, Netherlands-based rights activist Joseph Janssen said that he will support the Masih family in their struggle for justice. I find it very absurd that courts in Pakistan continue to endorse child marriages, especially when the girls belong to the minority communities, Janssen said. In such cases, the courts readily admit the girls statement regarding her age without even thinking that the child could have been forced to lie under pressure. Kidnapped girls in Pakistan are routinely pressured to make statements in favor of their abductors with threats of severe harm to their family or themselves, rights advocates say. Janssen added that Pakistan needed to consider child marriages as a national issue. Increasing the minimum marriageable age to 18 years in Punjab to bring it at par with the other three provinces can also be an effective deterrent against forced conversions and forced marriages of minority girls, he said. Bishop Leo Roderick Paul of the Multan Diocese of the Church of Pakistan supported the idea of increasing the minimum marriageable age in Punjab Province. Child marriages are rampant in Punjab, Paul said. Several cases involving Christian girls often go unreported due to the weak family backgrounds of the victims. I believe that raising the minimum age for marriage can help in bringing some safeguard against this crime. He also stressed the need for rigorous awareness campaigns in the Christian community to educate the members, especially minor girls. It is very important to build a strong spiritual foundation in our children so that they are not easily enticed by the perpetrators, he said. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Horizon Outlines Pathway to Gold Production & Project Pipe. Perth, Mar 28, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to provide an update on the development of its Cannon Underground Project, and project development pipeline. CANNON UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT - The dewatering pipeline construction has been completed between the fully permitted Cannon mine and the Company's Golden Ridge Mine. - The pumping system has been installed in the Cannon pit and the pipeline commissioned, with dewatering underway to expose the portal position for underground mining at Cannon to commence. It is expected to take approximately three months to dewater the pit. - Tenders have been received from three underground contracting parties, with further pricing to be received within the next month, after which the Company shall update project economics to reflect the latest contract pricing and recent changes in the gold price. - First ore production from Cannon is targeted in the December Quarter 2024. PENNYS FIND UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT - The Prefeasibility Study (PFS) on the updated Pennys Find resource released in December 2023 is progressing as planned with the PFS to be completed, inclusive of a maiden Ore Reserve, in the June Quarter 2024. KALPINI OPEN PIT DEVELOPMENT - Open pit optimisations have been undertaken for Kalpini which shows substantial cash flows via toll treatment at a gold price of A$2,800/oz. BOORARA SHORT TERM DEVELOPMENT - AMC Consultants has completed further open pit optimisation work on the cornerstone Boorara project. Initial optimisation for a short-term open pit via toll treatment shows favourable cash flows at a gold price of A$2,800/oz. BOORARA HEAP LEACH AND CIL FEASIBILITY STUDY - Horizon has re-commenced study work on Boorara for a larger, longer-life development via Heap Leach and Carbon in Leach (CIL) processing pathways. The larger development shows substantial positive cash flows at a A$2,800/oz gold price. The Company is in early discussions with a number of potential JV partners and open pit contractors to potentially fast-track open pit production from new areas including Boorara, Kalpini and Monument. A caretaker has been employed to ensure security of the Cannon assets and to undertake statutory checks of the pipeline in compliance with the Works Approval and discharge licence, and Groundwater Licences in place. Commenting on the development update, Chief Executive Officer Mr Grant Haywood "Horizon has a large resource endowment that we are working towards development and bringing cashflow into the business in this record gold price environment. We have worked diligently on progressing negotiations and approvals for our projects to provide a sequence of development assets with the aim to be in sustainable gold production." "This work will increase the optionality within our combined portfolio upon completion of our planned merger with Greenstone Resources. This will introduce several new, high-grade, near-term mining opportunities in the Coolgardie region. Developments will be sequenced to maximise near-term cash flow from low-capital projects to support the development of our long-life cornerstone assets." Next Steps - Finalise tenders and negotiate with the preferred underground mining contractor or potential partner for the Cannon underground development ready for Final Investment Decisions (FID). - Finalise the 200,000 tonne mill allocation with FMR Investments' Greenfields mill with an executed Toll Milling Contract. - Finalise the mine designs for the short-term open pit at Boorara and Kalpini to allow mining contractors to estimate pricing, complete studies and provide scope for potential FID later this year. - Negotiate mining and haulage contracts for Boorara, Kalpini and Monument. - Complete Mineral Resource Estimates for Pinner and Monument and optimise for open pit potential. - Seek outstanding mining approvals for Kalpini, Pinner and Monument. Pinner and Monument approvals advanced with flora and fauna and Native Title already completed, and materials characterisation work underway. - Seek additional mill allocation in the Kalgoorlie / Coolgardie region. - Complete work on the proposed merger with Greenstone Resources to enhance the longterm production profile with development ready high grade projects - Provide regular updates to keep the market fully informed of progress to gold production *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/V6824938 About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. Related Companies The Nicaraguan judiciary has convicted 11 Nicaraguan pastors linked to the US Mountain Gateway ministry on charges of money laundering. The case, which has caused great controversy not only in the Central American country but also throughout the region, also implicates three U.S. citizens, who have not yet been arrested, according to the prosecutor's office. The charges relate to an alleged money laundering network that operated through wire transfers from the United States to Nicaragua. The charges came just weeks after the ministry held a series of massive evangelistic campaigns that organizers said drew more than a million people in various Nicaraguan cities. The sentence was handed down behind closed doors at the Central Judicial Complex in Managua, where the trial was held. On January 17, Nicaraguan prosecutors charged three U.S. citizens and 11 Nicaraguans with money laundering. These individuals were allegedly part of an apparent network that used two Christian NGOs as fronts. Prosecutors allege that Americans John Britton Hancock, Jacob Britton Hancock, and Casandra Mae Hancock set up a subsidiary of Mountain Gateway Ministry in Nicaragua to receive wire transfers from the United States. Last January, Mountain Gateway spokesman Steve Lisby told Christian Daily International that we believe the basis of the charges is not correct. Everything that weve been required to do by the Nicaraguan government in the manner of managing money, weve done that, and we have the documentation of that. We came to Nicaragua cause we love the people and because we want to share with them Jesus. The organization's lawyers have denounced this as a case of religious and political persecution and have requested the intervention of international human rights organizations and even the U.S. State Department. In a press release, the ministry denounced that the accused pastors were not allowed to be physically present in court during one hearing but had to attend via video conference. After learning of the verdict against the pastors, the Christian legal defense organization ADF International announced that it would take the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. ADF International is supporting Mountain Gateways case and has filed a request for precautionary measures with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of those fraudulently convicted, the organization said in a statement. ADF International has asked the Commission to demand that Nicaragua ensure the right to health, life, and physical integrity of the pastors during their stay in prison, while the proceedings are ongoing. According to ADF International, several members of the U.S. Senate, including Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), are also advocating on the groups behalf, recently calling on the Biden Administration to implement strong, targeted sanctions following the repeated and escalating violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua. No one is safe from religious persecution in Nicaragua, and it is devastating to see the sham charges, trial and conviction of these pastors and ministry leaders who were simply sharing their faith with and serving the citizens of Nicaragua, stated Kristina Hjelkrem, legal counsel for ADF International. The forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections are set to be a litmus test not just for the Bharatiya Janata Party but also, more importantly, for the Opposition. The INDI alliance is squaring off against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the collective might of the National Democratic Alliance. The mega Mood of the Nation Survey conducted digitally by the Asianxt News Network shows that the Opposition has quite an uphill battle on its hands in the forthcoming elections. The extensive survey was conducted by Asianxt News Network's digital platforms in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla, and Marathi between March 13 and March 27 with a massive sample size of more than 7,59,340 respondents. According to the survey, an overwhelming 51.1 percent of the respondents believe that the Narendra Modi government's decision to notify the Citizenship Amendment Act rules will positively impact the BJP's election prospects. A further deep dive revealed that in the Hindi heartland 30.04 percent cited the fulfilment of the Ram Mandir promise as the Modi government's biggest achievement. As per the poll, Narendra Modi was voted as the top choice for the Prime Minister's post with a majority vote of 51.06 percent. A notable insight that emerged from the survey was that voters have shed the decades-old practice of falling for freebies and populist promises. An overwhelming 80.5 percent of the respondents stated that development -- not caste dynamics, candidate profile, or freebies -- will be the factor that determines their vote. The survey significantly highlighted that 60.33 percent of respondents -- even those in states not governed by the BJP -- believe that the INDI alliance will not be able to overpower the Modi wave in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The data revealed that 48.24 percent of the respondents believed that the Opposition's biggest failure was three-pronged -- lack of vision, lack of leadership, and having too many leaders with Prime Ministerial ambitions. The survey also stated that more worrying prospects lie ahead for the Congress, which has, in recent weeks, seen a spate of resignations. It revealed that 54.76 percent of the respondents believe that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will not improve the party's prospects in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024. When asked in specific terms about who the respondents thought was better suited to govern India for the next five years, the mandate was one-sided with 78.6 percent opting for an NDA government while 21.4 percent rooted for the INDI alliance. The 2024 Indian General Elections are set to commence on April 19 and will be conducted in seven phases till 1st June 2024, with the results scheduled to be announced on 4th June. Mr. Rajesh Kalra, Executive Chairman of Asianxt Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd., shared his takeaways from survey, stating, "Mood of the Nation clearly indicates that Indians from across the length and breadth of our country are taking a decisive stance going into this General Election. The survey is also testament to the reach and quality of Asianxts diverse audience base. Just look at the responses to the question on caste dynamics, candidate profile or whether freebies or development play a larger role in your vote. Responses were overwhelmingly in favour of development over gimmicks. It shows the maturity and coming of age of our digital readers. Mr. Neeraj Kohli, CEO of Asianxt Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd., added, "Asianxts flagship digital news portal asianetnews.com has always been at the forefront of capturing the pulse of India. The depth of participation in the Mood of the Nation survey is testament to an engaged electorate restless for the nations continuing rise as a global leader. The survey paints a vivid picture of the varied aspirations of a Rising Bharat and its citizens. This is the one of many such initiatives that Asianxt will bring to its audiences through the election season." Bingo! Mad Angles, a much-loved snacking brand from ITC Foods, is back to tickle your funny bones with its new campaign the launch of its Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) Pack. Known for its offbeat humour and quirky campaigns, Bingo! Mad Angles is going the extra mile to give their consumers hilarious reasons why their new packaging is the G.O.A.T. The campaign concept is delightfully bizarre with the brand presenting a slew of quirky reasons. Those include: being dust-proof, drown-proof, weather-proof and even having a dedicated song. The brand is pushing the boundaries of quirkiness to new heights. In an interesting move, the brand has partnered with renowned celebrity influencer Orry, rapper Srushti Tawade and the enigmatic Hydroman to unravel the mystery behind why the new pack reigns supreme. However, there's a twist in the tale that promises to leave audiences both bewildered and entertained. The madness doesn't stop there! The brand is inviting its audience to join in on the fun and stand a chance to win exciting prizes by sharing their own mad reasons for why the new pack deserves the G.O.A.T title. Speaking about the new campaign, Mr. Suresh Chand, VP, Head of Marketing Snacks, Noodles and Pasta, ITC Foods said, Bingo! Mad Angles is known for its innovation, creativity and humour. With this new campaign and new pack, we wanted to take our signature brand of humour and madness to new heights. With this campaign, we're turning up the humour quotient to the maximum. Get ready to laugh, get ready to be amazed and get ready for the snacking experience of a lifetime. To amplify the campaign's reach, Bingo! Mad Angles has collaborated with several renowned influencers for their humorous take on Gen Z problems. Through live influencer videos, Bingo! Mad Angles celebrates the infectious energy and unstoppable spirit of individuals like Sushant Divgikr, an Indian transgender artist known for forging his individual path and defying conventions. In his reel, he titles the new pack as the G.O.A.T packjudgement-proof nature, just like himself. Similarly, Preeti Sarkar, the Bengali influencer famous for her zany characters, celebrates being Troll-proof along with the new Bingo! Mad Angles pack. Prepare to be captivated, bewildered, and thoroughly entertained as Bingo! Mad Angles unleashes its madness in a new form. An unprecedented 45 PR agencies and industry organisations came together last week to work for a shared objective urgent action against climate change. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)s Weather Kids campaign launched on 21st March, with coverage in over 80 markets so far. The Weather Kids campaign features a series of children from around the world taking over local and national TV weather reports to deliver terrifying forecasts from the future. The segments warn viewers of catastrophic risks rising temperatures will bring to people and the global economy in just a few decades, including a projected impact on 94% of the worlds children. The earned media objective focused on achieving tier 1 press coverage in all the partner markets, with the most important objective being to motivate adults to take a pledge that commits them to changing their habits for the benefit of children in their life. The creators of the idea were purpose-driven creative agency, Activista. There was no PR budget for this campaign, yet the call for support from the global PR community was answered emphatically, with the commitment from some of the worlds leading agencies from the USA and Canada, Australia, UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czechia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, China and Honk Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia. PR agencies, especially the worlds biggest, are known for their sharp attention to resources and revenues, so to achieve this collaboration required an inspiring creativity, drive, dedication, and genuine hunger for change. The scale of worldwide coverage has been monumental, achieving broadcast and print media across target markets including China, India, UK, and US. The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) announced their partnership with UNDP in November and swiftly set up a Climate Communications Taskforce (CCT) to tackle PR campaigns, with an immediate focus on the earned media for Weather Kids. The purpose of the taskforce for this campaign was simple own and execute the earned media strategy worldwide, without spending. Chris Pratt, Managing Director, Better Impact at Hill+Knowlton Strategies in UK was appointed Co-Chair of the Taskforce alongside Boaz Paldi, Chief Creative Officer, UNDP. With the strategy in place, the taskforce then built a vast network of support for local country activation, securing the commitment of 35 Activation Partners. Activation partners have been integral in pitching the story locally, with a breathtaking range of approaches, ideas, and solutions. The success of the collective PR effort shows the power and impact not only of PR agencies, but of international networks. At a time when global institutions are under a microscope, facing challenges from divisive politics to misinformation this story is an important statement about the nature of global not-for-profit organisations, and their unique ability to mobilise collective action and affect change. The strength and seriousness with which UNDP has committed to PR and the earned media around this campaign is another demonstration of PRs status as a leading force in global issues and shaping humanitys future. Boaz Paldi, Chief Creative Officer, UNDP, and Co-Chair Climate Communications Taskforce said: We know PR is an integral component in fighting climate change and this campaign has reinforced that substantially. I have been blown away by the scale of support from ICCOs members for Weather Kids. The commitment to contribute from so many different organisations, countries, cultures, languages is unlike anything Ive seen before. This is the biggest climate campaign ever and gives great hope for the future of the children at the heart of Weather Kids. Chris Pratt, Co-Chair, Climate Communications Taskforce It has been an honour to lead the CCT alongside Boaz with such a talented group of PR experts delivering fantastic earned media for this campaign worldwide. The scale and diversity of support from the PR community demonstrates the nature of the issue we are seeking to tackle. This affects us all and I am sure Weather Kids is just the beginning for the CCT in turning the tide and making a difference for the future of the planet. Girish Balachandran, Founder, ON PURPOSE and Vice-Chair, Climate Communications Taskforce said: Home to 3 of the world's 15 most vulnerable cities to climate change, India is uniquely impacted by the effects of climate change. However, the local innovation in climate adaptation and resilience can also offer solutions to the rest of the world. By also amplifying voices from the global south, this campaign serves as a powerful reminder that we're not simply waiting for a solution; we're actively contributing to it. Paco Conde, Founder and ECD, Actavista said: "At Activista, we believe that universal truths breed extraordinary ideas. Few truths are as universal as the desire to secure a better future for our children. This campaign amplifies their voices, reminding us that their future is at stake and urging climate action". Grzegorz Szczepanski, President, ICCO said: When the UNDP pitched the idea to ICCO at Cannes Lions last year, we thought wow I am not sure anything like this has been done before but of course we couldnt refuse. Climate communications was already a top priority for ICCO and its members, and I had faith in our network to deliver to the high standards and ambitious objectives - they didnt let us down. This campaign has brought together ICCO members from over 30 countries and it is just the start of our UNDP partnership. It is great credit to our members that PR is being recognised as integral to solving the great global challenges of our times. Google has released its annual Ads Safety Report, detailing its efforts to safeguard the digital advertising ecosystem and maintain a healthy ad-supported internet. The report underscores the growing influence of generative AI (Gen AI) in the industry, emphasising both its potential for ad optimisation and the challenges it presents. Billions of people rely on Google products for relevant and trustworthy information, including ads, says Duncan Lennox, VP & GM of Ads Privacy and Safety. Thats why we have thousands of people working around the clock to enforce our advertiser and publisher policies. A key theme of the report is the impact of Gen AI. Google acknowledges its potential for improving ad targeting and enforcement, but also emphasises on the need to address potential misuse. Our teams are embracing Gen AI, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), so that we can better keep people safe online, the report highlights. LLMs are a type of AI adept at analysing large amounts of text data, allowing for more nuanced content understanding and improved enforcement of complex policies like those against misleading financial claims. The report acknowledges the rise of online scams and details Googles efforts to combat them. This includes: Limited Ads Serving: A new policy designed to limit the reach of unfamiliar advertisers who might be engaging in fraudulent activity. A new policy designed to limit the reach of unfamiliar advertisers who might be engaging in fraudulent activity. Rapid Response Teams: Dedicated teams to address emerging threats like deep fake-powered scams. Dedicated teams to address emerging threats like deep fake-powered scams. Policy Updates and Enforcement: Updates to the misrepresentation and financial services policies, alongside the removal of billions of ads violating these policies. Investing in Election Integrity The report also emphasises Googles commitment to election integrity. It details measures like: Verification and Transparency Requirements: Rigorous verification for election advertisers and clear labelling of election ads. Rigorous verification for election advertisers and clear labelling of election ads. Removal of Unverified Ads: Over 7.3 million election ads removed in 2023 from advertisers who failed verification. Over 7.3 million election ads removed in 2023 from advertisers who failed verification. Disclosure for Synthetic Content: A new requirement for disclosing the use of synthetic media in election ads. The report highlights Googles progress in enforcing its policies: Blocked or Removed Ads: Over 5.5 billion ads blocked or removed in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. Over 5.5 billion ads blocked or removed in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. Suspended Accounts: Nearly 12.7 million advertiser accounts suspended, nearly double the prior year. Nearly 12.7 million advertiser accounts suspended, nearly double the prior year. AI-Powered Enforcement: Over 90% of publisher page-level enforcement actions initiated by machine learning models, including LLMs. The report concludes by acknowledging the dynamic nature of online advertising and Googles commitment to continuous improvement. When it comes to ads safety, a lot can change over the course of a year, the report states, adding, We are confident that our investments in policy, detection and enforcement will prepare us for any challenges ahead. Our goal is to catch bad ads and suspend fraudulent accounts before they make it onto our platforms or remove them immediately once detected. AI is improving our enforcement on all fronts. In 2023, we blocked or removed over 5.5 billion ads, slightly up from the prior year, and 12.7 million advertiser accounts, nearly double from the previous year. Similarly, we work to protect advertisers and people by removing our ads from publisher pages and sites that violate our policies, such as sexually explicit content or dangerous products. In 2023, we blocked or restricted ads from serving on more than 2.1 billion publisher pages, up slightly from 2022. We are also getting better at tackling pervasive or egregious violations. We took broader site-level enforcement action on more than 395,000 publisher sites, up markedly from 2022, the report reveals. In 2023, Google launched the Ads Transparency Center, a searchable hub of all ads from verified advertisers, which helps people quickly and easily learn more about the ads they see on Search, YouTube and Display. Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) announces the felicitation of 40 grantees from 20 regions across India, in the third edition of its flagship 'Art for Hope' initiative. Art for Hope focuses on nurturing and promoting India's rich traditional art, craft and culture, serving as a platform to showcase the remarkable talent of artists from across India. Art for Hope - Season 3 is being held at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, between March 28-31, 2024. This four-day exhibition and workshop offers a platform for emerging artists, youth, women, communities and local talent, all supported by HMIF grants. Mr. Kumar Tuhin, Director General - Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ms. Kamalini and Ms. Nalini Asthana, renowned Kathak artists and Padma Shri awardees, and Mr. Un Soo Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., graced the occasion with their presence at the inaugural ceremony of Art for Hope Season 3. Aligned with Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity,' Art for Hope seeks to democratize access to art, providing a national platform for artists to showcase their talent and creativity. The initiative spans various artistic domains including visual art, digital art, performing art, traditional folk art, and cultural community art. Speaking at the inaugural event of Art for Hope - Season 3, Mr. Un Soo Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, "Hyundai Motor India Foundation, under Hyundais global vision of Progress for Humanity, has been working in varied sectors to create opportunities and livelihood for the underserved. With deep respect for art and artists, we connected with various communities and added art collectives to our repertoire in the first two editions of Art for Hope. This year, we fortify our efforts and enhance our reach by including specially-abled artists, in our endeavour to enrich more lives. Keeping our eyes open for things anew, we appreciate inclusion and the myriad perspectives it brings forth. Artists present a glimpse of our world, things beyond we could see with our eyes, and it is this unique perspective and world-view that we truly admire at Hyundai. Launched in 2021, Art for Hope has reached every state in India and benefited over 100 artists. In the last three years, HMIF has consistently been dedicated to promoting art and culture, awarding 100 grants adding up to Rs. 1.05 crore, and an overall investment surpassing Rs. 5 crore. The initiatives have benefited over 11,000 artists and artisans across the country. Through a meticulous evaluation process by a celebrated jury panel, 40 artists were shortlisted from 470 applications in Art for Hope - Season 3, based on criteria like project concept and impact, artist portfolio, and their respective backgrounds. Through this initiative, participants not only receive social, emotional and financial support, they also get a platform for recognition that acts as a springboard for further opportunities and market linkage for a brighter future. The exhibition will display artworks ranging from traditional arts and crafts, paintings, art installations, photographs and performing arts, created and curated with the grant support by 30 artists. Works of 10 specially-abled artists from Ability for Dignity program of HMIF will also be showcased. The 4-day extravaganza keeps a keen eye on inclusivity by use of braille, tactile artworks and sign language interpretations for differently-abled visitors. In addition to the grant exhibits, an array of workshops and talks will be organised for the youth like calligraphy, mask making mobile photography, traditional painting, etc. Panel discussions on cultural sustainability in a globalised world; need for inclusive arts and art as catalyst for social change, will also be held by eminent speakers from cultural and social sector. During the 4-day fest, a special screening for 10 best films created during the recently concluded MyMobileMovie workshop for 50 young change-makers from the underprivileged background supported by HMIF, will also be held. Joy Personal Care, the Indian home-grown personal care brand, under the aegis of RSH Global, has unveiled a new campaign highlighting its iconic product Joy Lemon Facewash featuring Shah Rukh Khan and leading actress Sanya Malhotra. Joy Lemon Facewash is one of the leading products that rejuvenates the skin with Active Fruit Boosters. Infused with crushed fruity lemon milli globules, this facewash clears impurities, making it ideal for skincare routine. The quirky romantic film featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Sanya Malhotra communicates about 'Day and Night' usage of the product capturing Joy's promise to care for skin round the clock. The film further highlights Joy Lemon Face Wash, packed with its fresh lemon scent and skin-friendly ingredients, as the perfect skincare buddy. Sunil Agarwal, Founder and Chairman of Joy Personal Care (RSH Global), expressed, "Joy Lemon Face Wash is one of our flagship products from our portfolio. The products is tailored specifically to suit the tropical climate of India. Designed to combat the challenges posed by sultry summers, where excess sweat often leads to clogged pores and breakouts, this nature-based formulation offers a balanced solution and addresses common skincare concerns without causing dryness. With Shah Rukh Khan lending his influential voice to our campaign alongside Sanya Malhotra, we aim to effectively convey this message to a wide audience, emphasizing the product's efficacy and relevance in everyday skincare. Poulomi Roy, Chief Marketing Officer at Joy Personal Care (RSH Global), further commented, "There is a science-backed research indicating, that like most organs, skin undergoes optimal rejuvenation when asleep, thus making pre-bed time face cleansing crucial for a glowing skin the next day. In India, we have observed that usually washing face is done either upon returning home or during bath. Leveraging this analysis and scientific evidences on skin rejuvenation, we introduced the last wash concept in 2021 and have consistently promoted since. Our aim is to inculcate a habit among people of washing face before going to bed. This approach encourages face wash usage more than once a day. Our latest campaign builds upon the foundation of our 'last wash' concept, further enhancing consumers' skincare routines." Commenting on the association, Shah Rukh Khan said, I am delighted to partner with Joy Personal Care as the brand ambassador of the facewash category. Its a progressive brand, with a refreshing approach that shuns unrealistic beauty ideals and prioritizes inclusivity in its thoughtfully crafted campaigns. I'm eager to embark on this exciting journey with them." Sanya Malhotra said, Collaborating with Mr Shah Rukh Khan and representing Joy Personal Care as a brand ambassador with him is such a great experience for me. Its been an absolute honour and, as always, its been so exciting to shoot with Mr Khan! Joy Personal Care focuses on maintaining natural beauty and not promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Our skin deserves additional attention and nourishment at the beginning and end of even the most demanding days. Packed with natural elements, Joy Lemon Face Wash effectively eliminates impurities, unlocking your skin's journey to health and happiness. Sanjay Leela Bhansalis magnum opus, Heeramandi - The Diamond Bazaar is going to stream on Netflix on May 1. Bhansali, who is known for his lavishly mounted films, chose to reveal release date of his series with a special laser show with his entire starcast. His leading ladies Monisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal were present for the event and spoke about their experiences of working with the master filmmaker. Sonakshi said, No matter how good you think you are, he will always get something better out of you. We did not want to come out of it, it was dreamy, stunning, captivating. For us as actors, it was an experience which we never had before. Sharmin said, Sanjay sir is all about taking nuances to another degree, and as an actor when you execute those nuances again and again, it really refines your ability to be in tune with yourself; so, like Sanjeeda said in the past, be spontaneous, but be in tune with yourself. Agreeing with her co-stars, Richa said, When you think of him, one thing comes to your mind that is just really high aesthetic standards. Nothing is done half heartedly, you really have to put your heart and soul into everything be it dialogue delivery, acting, dancing, music, everything. He keeps an eye on every extra standing behind. It is just beautiful to work with him. I think we all became better actors. Monisha added here, I just have to say that I think his work ethic is unmatched. Sanjeeda, who was overwhelmed with the experience she had while shooting for this series, said, What I learnt from Sanjay sir is to live in the moment, because the magical moments we get while creating a scene are the best. I have stopped thinking much. Heeramandi is created by the most celebrated filmmaker of the country. Aditi Rao Hydari, one of the actresses essaying an important role in the series, could not be part of this event as she got married to actor Siddharth in a private ceremony on March 27. The host of the show informed the media present at an event and congratulated her. SLMG Group, independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India and SouthWest Asia, has appointed Costin Mandrea as the CEO of Coca-Cola SLMG operations. Costin Mandrea brings with him a wealth of experience, having held leadership roles within the Coca-Cola Bottling System across Western and Central Europe, Russia, and Japan. Mandrea has shown exceptional expertise in propelling business growth through comprehensive transformation initiatives, enhancing sales force operations, fostering customer engagement, and implementing robust route-to-market strategies. S N Ladhani, Chairman, and Managing Director of Coca-Cola SLMG, said: "With great pleasure, we welcome Costin Mandrea aboard as the CEO of SLMG Group. His proven track record of leadership and strategic acumen makes him a perfect fit to lead our company into its next phase of expansion and success. Amidst our accelerated growth phase at SLMG Group, we firmly believe Costin to be the perfect leader to navigate us towards unprecedented success. With his proven track record and dynamic approach, we are poised to achieve remarkable milestones under his guidance." Costin Mandrea stated: "I am honoured and excited to join Coca-Cola SLMG as its Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and leveraging my experience to drive innovation and growth for the company. Costin Mandrea is a graduate of the University of Bucharest, bringing a robust educational background to his leadership role. Indias Christians suffered an alarming escalation of violence, hatred and systematic oppression last year, according to the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI-RLC). The 601 cases of persecution against Christians in India in 2023 marked a 45 percent increase over the 413 instances recorded the previous year, according to EFI-RLCs annual report. While no area of India was unaffected, several emerged as hotspots. Uttar Pradesh state remained the most hostile environment with 275 incidents, up from 147 the previous year. Chhattisgarh saw 132 cases, actually a decrease from the previous years 141, while Haryana had 44 incidents, up from 22 the prior year. The rapidly deteriorating situation for religious minorities is a matter of grave concern," EFI General Secretary Rev. Vijayesh Lal told Morning Star News. Christians, especially pastors in rural areas, faced assaults, disrupted prayers and damaged places of worship throughout the past year. The grim findings come atop data from the United Christian Forum (UCF) showing persecution has continued unabated into 2024. The UCF documented an additional 161 incidents of violence against Christians from Jan. 1 to March 15, including 70 cases in January, 62 in February and 29 in just the first half of March. Christians in 19 states across India have faced threats to life for practicing their faith during the first three months of 2024, the UCF noted. It identified Chhattisgarh as an extreme hotspot, with 47 of the 161 recent incidents, the highest of any state. Uttar Pradesh followed with 36 cases. The UCF also shed light on what it called state-sponsored targeting of Christians, condemning the alleged practice of filing false accusations of illegal conversions forcible or fraudulent against pastors attending routine gatherings like birthday parties. It recorded more than 30 such cases of pastors arrested or detained under Uttar Pradeshs controversial anti-conversion laws in just the first few months of this year. The UCF reported 122 Christians have been arrested or had cases filed against them based on allegations of forced conversions across various states since Jan. 1. The report stated that these fabricated cases were aimed at persecuting the Christian minority. The 2023 EFI-RLC report documented similar widespread arrests, with an unprecedented 440 pastors and church members detained in Uttar Pradesh last year, predominantly over baseless accusations of forced religious conversions. The EFI-RLC report, however, cautioned that its data likely only scratches the surface due to widespread underreporting fueled by fears of reprisals and police apathy toward cases involving religious minorities. Vulnerable groups including Dalits, tribal Adivasis and Christian women faced intense threats from the intersecting pressures of religious persecution and pre-existing societal discrimination, the report said. It documented chilling examples of tribal Christians being denied burials according to their rituals and threatened with forcible cremations as a means of returning them to Hinduism. Several cases of severe physical violence were highlighted as well, such as pastors being beaten with iron rods and mob attacks on worship services. In one horrific case in Jharkhand, armed extremists disrupted a church meeting, assaulted two women and encouraged others to sexually assault them. The rise in persecution coincides with ongoing legislative efforts to pass controversial Uniform Civil Code laws in several states ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Christian leaders have warned this could effectively dismantle longstanding constitutional protections and affirmative action policies for religious minorities. Christian advocacy groups argue much of the recent violence is fueled by the reemergence of extremist Hindu nationalist ideology (Hindutva) that has enjoyed a resurgence since the BJPs rise to power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Drawing support from fringe groups, Hindu nationalist hardliners have lobbied for sweeping anti-conversion laws across states by falsely accusing Christians and Muslims of proselytizing with allurements and engaging in forced conversions. The false narrative of forced conversion is being repeatedly exploited to justify horrific crimes of violence, intimidation and harassment against our community, Lal said, saying Hindu nationalist elements use the issue as a convenient pretext to unleash targeted aggression. The findings highlight grave concerns over rising intolerance towards Indias estimated 28 million Christians, about 2 percent of Indias 1.4 billion people, as the country prepares for general elections in 2024. With elections looming April 9 through June 4 and the BJP seeking a third term, Christian leaders and human rights advocates have raised urgent alarms over the deteriorating conditions for religious minorities. They warn unchecked persecution threatens to not only stain Indias international standing but undermine the nations founding secular and pluralistic principles. India ranked 11th on Christian support organization Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position worsened after Modi came to power. The hostile tone of the National Democratic Alliance government, led by the Hindu nationalist BJP, against non-Hindus, has emboldened Hindu extremists in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Modi took power in May 2014, religious rights advocates say. 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. Pernod Ricard India, a premier subsidiary of Pernod Ricard SA, renowned for its exceptional range of alcoholic beverages, prides itself on delivering top-quality products to its esteemed consumers throughout the nation. With a portfolio boasting leading brands across various categories, including the iconic Seagrams whiskies such as Royal Stag, Blenders Pride, and Imperial Blue, alongside a plethora of international premium labels, Pernod Ricard stands at the forefront of the industry. Setting the stage for innovation and style, Pernod Ricard India recently unveiled its latest venture the Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Nxt Preview. This event marked the launch of Fashion Nxt, a visionary platform dedicated to celebrating the cutting-edge trends in fashion. In conversation with Adgully, Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Global Business Development, Pernod Ricard India, shares invaluable insights into the brand's innovative marketing campaigns and the pivotal role of digital technology in enhancing consumer awareness. Read further to delve into the dynamic world of Pernod Ricard India and uncover the strategies driving its unparalleled success in the industry. What are some of the key marketing strategies employed to maintain a competitive edge in rapidly evolving beverage industry? The Indian landscape is evolving very rapidly. Consumers are increasingly becoming more aware of global trends and are becoming more discerning. India is no longer a consumer cohort, but has become many, many cohorts coming together. I think the key challenge for any marketer is to make sure that the brand is relevant, is up to date with the trends, and is able to create brand love with its consumers, and then the spread is no different. We rely on a lot of data that we get from consumers in terms of trends. We listen to them, we get their feedback, and we try to create meaningful relationships with them. Blenders Pride is one of the largest brands in the country. It continues to do very well. It has been built on the passion pillar of fashion, and has been around for 16 years. This time, we intend to take Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Nxt into the interiors of the country rather than the same Metros, because the Indian consumer is now present everywhere. And we want to showcase what the brand is about, even within the interiors in this country. What is the one way that you want to stay relevant amongst your consumers? I think when you look at the smaller towns, youll see that its not just the metro cities that are defining trends these days. The millennials in the smaller towns are fairly comfortable with themselves, and they consider themselves not only at par with the rest of the nation, but that they are global citizens. So, the responsibility is with the brands to actually go to them and not the other way round. How does Pernod Ricard India approach consumer insights and market research to stay attuned to shifting consumer preferences and trends? We have to listen to our consumers. Ultimately, they are the best judges to endorse or not endorse brands. We need to cater to their individualistic requirements. Therefore, we do a lot of consumer testing for new brand concepts. We do continuous consumer surveys to determine whether we are relevant with our brands, what more can we do, etc. From there, consumer insights are generated, which then gets translated into uniform marketing strategies. Please tell us more about the Blenders Pride Glassware Fashion Nxt Preview? Blenders Pride has one of the longest-standing marketing platforms in the entire industry. We were pioneers to associate with fashion. Today, Blenders Pride Fashion NXT stands for one of the most definitive fashion platforms across the country; something that the brand has been associated with for the last 16 years. And of course, by no means does it mean that we dont have to keep evolving year on year. This time is no exception either. What makes it very exciting this time around is the confluence of futurism being thrown in, and the confluence of tech at a certain level. And of course, the fact that we are taking it to the interiors of the country and throwing in a whole festival as a fore bait. We have got several designers on board, whether they are showcasing or not, but they are definitely showing their designs. And theres a whole new partnership with FDCI that we have put together, which promises to be very respected. How does Pernod Ricard India leverage digital platforms and technology to engage with consumers and drive brand awareness? There is no better way anymore. Thats the beauty of digital. Gone are the days where brands did their messaging using traditional mediums. Today, digital allows us to understand the nuances that consumers appreciate. It allows us to have a two-way conversation openly. It allows us to gain feedback and get data. Therefore, it also allows us to customise a lot of marketing campaigns to address different cohorts of consumers. So, its the central pivot of our marketing strategies. In what ways does Blenders amplify its marketing efforts and reach new audiences? In many ways, we have several influencers or celebrities who are part of our roster, who are the face of the brand. They are selected when they mirror the personality of the brands that we have. Of course, again, coming back to digital landscape, it has given a lot of creative people, especially the youth, a voice to express their creativity, which is being appreciated by the digital audience. They have now garnered a very significant voice on their own right and their ability to influence a much wider audience has become critical. So yes, depending on the brands, we carefully select influencers who can carry our messages with their own flag, their audiences, and we work very closely with them. This is not only limited to communication with the organisation, but we also do very different kinds of partnerships with the organisation during festivities, interesting packaging for designers, artists, etc., across every walk of life, we engage with influencers. The Fashion NXT platform of Blenders Pride Glassware has traditionally used many influencers to further the brand messaging. This year, I am going to see the biggest names of Bollywood and fashion Soonam Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Jim Sarbh, Sanya Malhotra and Aditi Rao Hydari. Were very proud to associate with them and have them be the showstoppers for our events. What role does storytelling play in Pernods marketing strategy, especially considering the vast cultural landscape of India? Storytelling has become almost hygiene, because everyone wants to relate to a brand, and how they can relate to it is by relating to the brands story. The challenge, of course, is that there is no longer homogeneous consumer cohorts, there are different cohorts with different needs, different types of storytelling works well. It just makes our marketing strategies a lot more diverse, but then thats the challenge, and then thats how we go there and address it. And thats where I spoke regarding listening to the requirements using data, tech, or research that allow us to carve out those interesting stories. Looking ahead, what are some emerging trends or challenges that you foresee in the beverage industry, and how is Pernod preparing to address them from a marketing standpoint? I think there are probably three big things: one is that trends are no longer in the major metro cities. I hate to use the words, but Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets have a personality of their own, with a demanding consumer base. So, one must address their needs as well, so the landscape is shifting to brands. I think the digital ecosystem and its rapid pace of evolution keeps everyone on their toes. With it, customisation becomes an automatic expectation because consumers are now having a voice of their own. They are able to showcase their personalities. And then brands have to start conversing with them, which means different types of storytelling. So, thats going to be big. Last but not the least, related to the world of digital is tech. Increasingly, I expect a lot of tech coming in, whether it is pure marketing strategies or consumer engagement platforms, or even product development. It is going to keep all marketeers on their toes, particularly at Pernod Ricard, because we have the widest and probably the strongest portfolio around. Each brand has to thereby carve its niche in such an evolving scenario. What are the other brand campaigns that you have underway? There are many more activities that are lined up. In fact, I can share a few. We recently had a very successful launch for Longitude 77 in December, which is our first foray into the Indian single-malt business. It is doing superbly well, and now we are taking it across the sea to Dubai, and were going to have a mega launch towards the end of the month in Dubai. Royal Stag Boom Box is a fabulous music property, again targeted at the younger millennials or the Gen Z, and we are going into their hometowns. We are going to the youth-centric cities of this country with a very eclectic music experience, which kicked off in February. So, weve got a fairly packed calendar coming up, and the consumer should enjoy. Wangchuk came into the limelight in 2009, when his story inspired Aamir Khans character Phunsukh Wangdu in the film 3 Idiots directed by Rajkumar Hirani. He has been referred as The real life Phunsukh Wangdu. Wangchuk is a Climate activist and he was on fast in Leh, all these while he took water and salt for the last 21 days. Wangchuk, who has been seeking protections for the fragile ecology and the indigenous culture of Ladakh had lot of expectations form central government. Wangchuk had been joined by hundreds in Leh as he slept outdoors over the last three weeks. He also urged people to use their ballot power very carefully this time, in the interest of the nation. J&K and Ladakh were declared two separate UTs following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Soon after the euphoria of having an identity separate from J&K had died, Ladakhi people realised that creation of a UT left them without a legislature, depriving them of autonomy in governance. There are also concerns of adequate representation in govt jobs and land rights. In addition, Kargil, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim, was unhappy to be lumped with Buddhist- dominated Leh. A profounder panic has set in at the blistering pace of development projects that have been announced in the last two years. The Centre has cleared seven hydro-electric projects in the Indus basin and its tributaries while also commissioning ONGC to set up a geothermal energy power plant at Puga Valley and a hydrogen unit by NTPC. This has raised concerns among locals of large-scale clearance of forest land. Ladakhis believe their interests will only be protected if they have full statehood. They have also demanded tribal area status under the Sixth Schedule of Article 244 of the Constitution that will provide for establishing autonomous district councils (ADC) in Ladakh and Kargil. ADCs will have the power to impose taxes and make laws in areas such as village government and forest management, while staving off industrial and mining giants in this ecologically-sensitive region. Ladakh has witnessed several protests over the last four years since it was carved out as a Union Territory, separating it from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. A high-powered committee with members from both Leh and Kargil regions was formed last year to hold deliberations with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their concerns regarding statehood, protections included in the sixth schedule of the Constitution, as well as issues of political representation. However, these talks reached an impasse over these two key issues on March 4 and Wangchuk began his fast on March 6. In 2013, on the requests from students community of Ladakh, Wangchuk helped launch the New Ladakh Movement (NLM), a social campaign and Ladakhs version of Green Party with the aim of working for sustainable education, environment and economy. It also aimed at uniting all local political leaders under one banner for the growth and development of Ladakh. Eventually, the members decided to make it into a non-political social movement. In June 2020, in response to the India-China border skirmishes, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to Indians to use wallet power and boycott Chinese products. This appeal was covered by major media houses and supported by various celebrities. Following the Galwan Valley clash on 15 June 2020, there were calls across India to boycott Chinese goods. On 26 January 2023, to highlight the effects of climate change on the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh and to demand its protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Wangchuk attempted to go on a fast at the Khardungla pass. However, the authorities prevented him from going to Khardungla by putting him under house arrest, restricting his movement, as well as restricting people from visiting him. The police denied the charges, stating that he had not been given permission to enter Khardung La pass, citing temperatures being unsuitable for the fast, at less than -40C. They also detained a few of his students supporting him from the HIAL campus. Wangchuk continued to voice his protest and fasting from the HIAL campus. In March 2024, he started a fast-unto-death to press for his demand for constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory and protection of Ladakh from industrial and mining lobbies. He also began a 21-day Climate Fast hunger strike for giving statehood to Union Territory Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. Wangchuks fast has been supported by various socio-political bodies in Ladakh, including the Kargil Democratic Alliance. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast in Leh because the government gave him assurance to fulfil his demands. Birminghams Landing has acquired Barsala, a flexible housing tech firm, for $30 million, the company announced today. Founded in Seattle in 2016, Barsala has more than 4,000 fully-furnished housing units across 25 markets. According to a news release, Landings acquisition will add more than 1,000 units across 11 markets to its Autopilot platform, which offers listing and guest management services for multifamily property owners. Landing founder Bill Smith said the deal also expands access for members to fully-furnished apartment homes in new markets. By activating otherwise vacant units using a combination of technology and marketing, Barsala has built a profitable model and strong reputation, cultivating deep partnerships with class A multifamily property owners, Smith said. Landing operates a nationwide network of fully-furnished apartments through a membership model, providing access to leases as short as a month in exchange for an annual fee in addition to monthly rent. Landing apartments are currently available in more than 375 cities in the U.S. The company was founded in 2019. Barsalas founder and CEO, Michael Monu, will join Landing as president of the Barsala division, while co-founder and CTO Michael Copley will join as vice president of technology operations. Monu called Smith a true visionary and an extraordinary entrepreneur. Landing is at the forefront of bringing flexible living to the masses, and this acquisition amplifies the opportunity to offset vacancies and maximize revenue for both new and existing property partners, Monu said. Landing has other offices in New York City and Mexico City, and has gone through several rounds of layoffs over the last two years. This post was corrected March 28 at 8:32 a.m. to reflect Landings other offices. T.D. Jakes, senior pastor of The Potters House in southern Dallas, was recently named in a lawsuit against music producer Sean Diddy Combs as someone who might help rehabilitate Combs public image. Combs is under investigation for sexual assault and sex trafficking, and his Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided by federal agents Monday, reports say. Jakes is mentioned once in a 73-page lawsuit filed in February 2024 by producer Rodney Lil Rod Jones in a federal court in the southern district of New York. The suit says Jones has irrefutable evidence of Mr. Combs detailing how he planned to leverage his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to soften the impact on his public image of Cassie Venturas lawsuit. Ventura, Combs former girlfriend, filed a lawsuit in November 2023 that said Combs had put her through a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking. Three more women later filed sexual assault suits against Combs last year. Here are five things to know about the megachurch pastor and well-known evangelist. 1. He founded The Potters House in 1996 In 1996, Jakes moved to Dallas and founded The Potters House, a nondenominational church. He reportedly bought the churchs building from televangelist W.V. Grant for $3.2 million. The church now has 30,000 members, according to its website. The Potters House has expanded to include other area campuses in Frisco and Fort Worth. 2. He is a media mogul Jakes is known nationally for his sermons on TV and radio. In 1993, he began the weekly TV program Get Ready with T.D. Jakes. Since then, he has preached on several radio and TV programs, including T.D. Jakes: Crushing, Potters Touch and Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes. A 2001 Time magazine cover story asked, Is this man the next Billy Graham? Jakes has also been involved in several movies, including as a producer in Miracles from Heaven (2016) with Jennifer Garner, and as a producer and actor in Jumping the Broom (2011) with Angela Bassett. 3. He led a popular womens ministry Woman, Thou Art Loosed, a book Jakes self-published in 1993 and first sold for $10, played a significant role in launching his career. The book combines Christian Scripture with advice for women on healing and empowerment and has sold millions of copies. Jakes went on to host Woman, Thou Art Loosed conferences that drew tens of thousands of women and adapted the book into a 2004 movie about a woman dealing with abuse, addiction and poverty. Jakes hosted the final edition of the conference in 2022, and has encouraged his followers to attend a new womens conference run by his daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts. Jakes Roberts Woman Evolve conference at Arlingtons Globe Life Field last year drew over 40,000, organizers said. 4. He has partnerships focused on helping underserved communities In 2020, Jakes founded the T.D. Jakes Foundation, a nonprofit focused on connecting underserved communities to life-changing opportunities, according to the foundations website. The foundations partners include The Coca-Cola Company, the Dallas Mavericks and Goldman Sachs. In April 2023, T.D. Jakes Group, which includes the pastors several enterprises, announced a 10-year partnership with Wells Fargo. A press release said the partnership could result in up to $1 billion in capital and financing to support underserved communities across the United States. Last month, Jakes announced the T.D. Jakes Foundation, in partnership with Wells Fargo, was making a $9 million investment in grants to 16 U.S. organizations. The organizations will focus on efforts including affordable housing projects and financial literacy programs at historically Black colleges and universities. 5. He has a real estate company With his company, T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, Jakes is involved in affordable housing and senior living development projects. A redevelopment project in southwest Atlanta would include over 900 apartments, 200 townhomes, 181 detached houses, a charter school, a senior living facility and commercial and office space, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last year. A lease for 94 acres of land for that project was approved last year. Jakes real estate firm is also planning to build affordable apartments in South Florida in partnership with Miami real estate developer New Urban Development. Plans include a 150-unit senior living facility and a 200-unit apartment complex. Joy Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America. 2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Gunfire erupted outside a Birmingham convenience store Wednesday, leaving one man dead and another wounded. The shooting happened just before 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Smart Food Mart in the 900 block of 20th Street in Ensley. Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said investigators believe an altercation led to an exchange of gunfire between the two men, injuring both of them. When officers arrived at the store, they found one of the men unresponsive on the ground. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed him to UAB Hospital where he later died. Investigators learned the second man arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. His injuries are not life-threatening. It wasnt immediately clear how many shots were fired, but crime scene technicians put out at least 28 evidence markers. The investigation is ongoing. An Alabama man pleaded guilty Wednesday to the 2022 murder of a Georgia woman who was 20 weeks pregnant. Curteze Avery, 30, of Lafayette, pleaded to murder and feticide as part of a negotiated deal and was sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2052, Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Herb Cranford said in a statement. Avery has been held in the Troup County Jail without bond since his arrest in July 2022. A second suspect in the killing, Shallandra Freeman, was arrested alongside Avery, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. She was released on $60,000 bond a little more than three months after her arrest. Last year, state prosecutors opted not to indict Freeman, clearing her of all charges. Avery murdered 26-year-old Breanna Burgess, who was found by two LaGrange police officers on a routine patrol. She had been stabbed in the throat at least 14 times, Cranford said. Burgess and her unborn baby were pronounced dead at the scene. According to her obituary, she is survived by three children. Soon after the body was found, detectives accessed her phone records and reached a friend who said Burgess was last seen with Avery in his neon-green Chevrolet Camaro, Cranford said. Detectives found footage of the Camaro going to and from the murder scene. The vehicle was then located at a home in LaGrange just a few hours after Burgess body was discovered. Investigators secured a search warrant and found blood on the cars exterior and interior, Cranford said. Police entered the house, where they found Avery attempting to hide. They discovered more blood inside the house, as well as blood on clothing in the washer and dryer. A DNA analysis by the GBI Crime Lab matched the blood to Burgess. Dating from his arrest in July 2022, Avery will spend at least 30 years in confinement before becoming eligible for parole. While the family of Ms. Burgess will never fully heal from this senseless crime, the District Attorneys Office is relieved to have obtained a life sentence without the family experiencing the difficulty and uncertainty of a jury trial, Cranford said. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A boater reported missing off the Florida Panhandle spent the night lost at sea, sitting atop his capsized sailboat, officials say. Alan Blair Marsh was rescued after a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter saw him more than 50 miles northwest of where he set sail. Gulf County Sheriffs Office officials say the 57-year-old was reported missing by his wife, who said he departed Cape San Blas around 6 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Shortly before 10 p.m., he had not returned yet, the Gulf County Sheriffs Office reported in a March 26 news release. The boater ... was last seen heading west around sunset. He did not have any communication devices or emergency equipment other than the life jacket he was wearing. Deputies joined the Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in a search that covered the water and area beaches, officials said. The helicopter crew spotted Marsh at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, just outside of the West Pass near St. Andrews State Park. FWC officers set out in a boat and found him sitting on top of his overturned vessel, two miles southeast of Panama City Pass, state officials told McClatchy News. He was recovered without injury and reunited with his family at the USCG office in Panama City, the FWC said. Details of what caused his 16-foot Hobie Cat to flip were not released. The area saw winds of 20 to 22 mph during the search, forecasters say. Marsh and his wife were visiting from Leeds, a sheriffs office report states. 2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Calhoun County residents say they will be left with few options for quality health care if officials go through with a decision to halt emergency and inpatient services at a hospital in Anniston. Regional Medical Center Health System, one of the largest healthcare providers in northeast Alabama, announced last week that it will shut down inpatient services and move the emergency department at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital in Anniston to RMCs main hospital about a mile away. Stringfellow, which has 125 beds compared to RMC Hospitals 338, will transition to an urgent care clinic. RMC Health System bought Stringfellow in 2017 for $25 million. Stringfellow will continue to provide emergency care and scheduled surgeries until the transition is complete. Officials said the merger could take up to a year. The transition comes as dozens of hospitals across the state face risk of closure. In 2018, RMC closed its 104-bed hospital in nearby Jacksonville just five years after purchasing it. No one has any choices Some residents said the closure of Stringfellows emergency department would place an unnecessary burden on an already strained healthcare system, and force patrons to drive miles to get emergency care. Grant Whittle told AL.com that he had to wait nearly all day in the RMC Hospital emergency room to be treated for a life-threatening infection two years ago. When his wife recently broke her foot, they decided to drive 45 minutes away to seek care. Closure of Stringfellow ER certainly wont help resolve this, he told AL.com. Alexandria resident Nicole Rice has been a patron at Stringfellow for nearly 12 years. She told AL.com that the staff have provided expert care in treating her husbands rare blood disorder, compared to the long wait times they experienced at RMC. A CT scan or MRI could take months to get scheduled, she said. Youve got stage four cancer patients that could already be getting treatment if they could get the imaging that they needed done, she said. And that is just mind-blowing, that they expect to service the community with that little amount of resources. Rice said shed rather drive an hour to UAB Medical Center now that Stringfellow may no longer be an option for the kind of care her husband needs. But thats not something everyone can do, she said. So this leaves them with one option, she said. No one has any choices any more. What is changing? What will happen to staff? In a news release Friday, RMC officials called the changes a transformative journey meant to improve healthcare in the region. The transition is about putting patients first and ensuring everyone has the access to the care they need, Louis Bass, president and CEO of RMC, said in the news release. RMC-owned facilities employ more than 1,900 employees and over 200 physicians, according to the health system. We are confident that these efforts are going to optimize the operations of our facilities and provide a better experience for our patients, physicians and employees, read the statement from Bass. Redistributing our resources in this way will also allow us to invest in updated technology, new healthcare services and new models of care its exciting to think about the possibilities. Bass said the move will allow staff to improve scheduling, patient triage and data tracking practices at RMCs existing emergency department. He said it will also create more opportunities for collaboration between the two campuses. According to the health systems most recent tax filing, RMC saw more than 52,000 emergency patients in the 2022 fiscal year. In a statement to AL.com, Bass said the department recently created two fast track treatment areas located inside and near the emergency room. We are confident that by merging our two ERs and transitioning the Stringfellow campus ER to an urgent care center we will be able to better utilize our combined resources to further improve all aspects of the ER as well as the in-hospital care, Bass said in response to questions about the quality of care at RMC. Treating patients in the proper location and enhanced provider and staff availability are key factors of this transition that will result in an even better patient experience. Whats next? The two hospitals are near each other. And its not yet clear if RMC and Stringfellow will end up as one facility. Alabama law requires all hospital campuses to own the land between each of its premises. Nothing can separate the campus other than a public right of way. The state health department granted officials a temporary waiver in early March essentially allowing the two hospitals to be treated as one facility, even though they are roughly a mile apart. Hospital officials told the state health department that they plan to operate a shuttle between the two locations several times a day, or as requested, and they are currently waiting on the city to sign off on an easement on a sidewalk running alongside the two campuses. In the meantime, it remains unclear how the shift will affect potential partnerships with other health systems. Both hospitals could end up under the UAB umbrella. In February, the Healthcare Authority of Anniston, which governs RMC, announced an intent to affiliate with UAB. The organizations planned to finalize an agreement in the summer. Bass said conversations with the college are ongoing. We will have more information to share in the weeks ahead, but right now its important to know that nothing is changing today, Bass told AL.com. This transition will take place over the course of the year and were being very intentional with our transition planning and look forward to keeping our community informed as we make progress. A juvenile was injured in a shooting in Gulf Shores Wednesday night, exactly one year after a shooting during spring break 2023, a city spokesman said. Grant Brown, public information officer for the city of Gulf Shores, on Thursday morning said the victim had been treated and released. On Wednesday night, Brown told Fox 10 that just before 9 p.m. police got a report of a shooting at the corner of Highway 59 and East Beach Boulevard. A young male was struck in the leg, Brown said. Deputy Police Chief Dan Netemeyer said Thursday morning that police do not have anyone in custody for the shooting at this time and the investigation is ongoing. A person Brown said was taken into custody at a nearby Walmart parking lot was associated with the shooter, Netemeyer said. Brown said Thursday that individual is also a juvenile. This appears to be an ongoing dispute between two groups from Bay Minette who were in Gulf Shores for the evening, Netemeyer said. I dont believe they are life-threatening injuries, Brown said. Police are speaking to a lot of kids that were in the area, Brown said. They have a lot of eyewitnesses that have got a lot of information that they are willing to give so they are trying to decipher that right now. Police are also reviewing footage from security, traffic and cellphone cameras, Brown said. The shooting was not far from The Hangout. Suspect(s) and victim(s) were not at The Hangout. All Hangout patrons are safe, and we await further details from the GSPD, The Hangout posted on social media. It was not clear how many shots were fired but Brown said three shell-casings were recovered from the scene. Its a very isolated event, Brown said. We have a significantly strong security force with our police department. Were a very family friendly destination. Were blessed. We very seldom, if ever, have situations like this. To those who might commit acts of violence in Gulf Shores, Brown said: Dont bring that to our town. On March 27, 2023, a juvenile was injured in a shooting near a crowded area close to the Gulf Shores Public Beach. The victim survived and several people were charged. Marilyn Lands was officially sworn in as the new member of the Alabama Legislature on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after producing an election victory that shocked her and other political observers around the state. Lands, a license professional counselor, expected to win the special Alabama State House District 10 seat on Tuesday. But what she didnt anticipate was the 25-point margin of victory. Thats a message, Lands told AL.com in between interviews with national publications like Politico, The Atlantic, and before prime-time interviews on cable TV networks like MSNBC and CNN. Everyone kept telling me it would be close, Lands said. From the response I got while knocking on doors, I felt like wed win and would win by a healthy margin. But I didnt expect to win this big. Lands won with 62.3% of the vote to 37.5% for her Republican opponent, Madison City Councilman Teddy Powell. That 25-point gap is a shocker, said Jess Brown, a retired political science professor at Athens State University and a longtime observer of Alabama state politics. I dont know how you explain it other than there is no doubt that, in the ninth inning of that campaign, she had a single issue and a one-note song and went with it. And there were enough professional women who felt the Legislature had gone too far on issues of personal autonomy and they revolted. Lands victory is even more impressive when compared to a recent Alabama State Senate contest that included portions of House District 10. In January, Republican Wes Kitchens won a three-person GOP primary contest by amassing 3,713 votes or two fewer than the 3,715 Lands secured on Tuesday despite running in a contest that includes considerably more voters than a State House race. Resonating message Lands said she could sense her momentum in the weeks leading up to the election, especially in the aftermath of the national attention Alabama had been receiving since the state Supreme Courts ruling on Feb. 15, that embryos are considered children under state law. I felt like our message really resonated with voters, she said. Lands took to social media and posted a video explaining her own emergency abortion, and also shared stories from women and families who shared situations maybe similar to mine. The topics were focused on miscarriages, fertility, and pregnancy complications. Im sharing my abortion story because Alabama's no exceptions abortion ban is putting lives at risk. We must repeal this legislation, and if I'm elected on March 26th, I'll work tirelessly to do just that. Learn more at https://t.co/VQKTW9Ivob pic.twitter.com/n7fZDB2Eqx Marilyn Lands (@MarilynForAL) February 20, 2024 I had people tell me they had not spoken about this (subject) in 30 years to anyone, Lands said. I felt the stories were so important. I knocked on doors. I had a woman come up and hug me. There was a real sense of camaraderie. Someone was standing up for this issue. It energized people to come out and vote. Republican response Alabama Republicans are blaming the low turnout during a special election contest, primarily, for the loss. Lands, though, was expecting an even lower turnout than the 14.5% who showed up to vote. We were expecting about 10 percent, she said, adding that newcomers to the fast-growing district and crossover Republican votes helped secured her shocking margin. The district includes portions of Madison, south and southwest portions of Huntsville, Triana, and encompasses Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville International Airport. The outcome was also a reversal of fortunate for Lands, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2022, losing to David Cole. The seat was vacated last year after Cole pleaded guilty to voter fraud. Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl speaks to a reporter inside the spin room following the fourth Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in the Frank Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.John Sharp/jsharp@al.com Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said he intends to have the party focus on the seat in 2026, when Lands would run for re-election during a general election that is likely to include a competitive governors race. Its important to remember that only 14.5% of the population voted in this special election, and that is extremely low when compared to a regularly scheduled general election, Wahl said. The Republican Party has bene extremely successful in North Alabama and Madison County in the last few decades. One low turnout special election does not define success for the Democrat Party. Montgomery awaits Alabama State House in Montgomery. Indeed, Lands will arrive to Montgomery next week to a Legislature that has been a supermajority Republican status since 2010. Her victory on Tuesday represented the first time in 22 years that a Democratic politician had flipped a legislative seat held by a Republican. Lands will also be the first white Democratic woman to serve in the Statehouse in Montgomery since Patricia Todd left the statehouse in 2018. Lands said there will be a ceremonial swearing in when she arrives to Montgomery. The Legislature has been on a spring break this week, and the session will resume on Tuesday. There are 12 legislative days remaining in this springs session. Lands said she isnt sure what committees she will be assigned to. She also said its early in deciding what issues she will focus on during the infancy of her legislative tenure. But there is no denying her overriding priority: Abortion rights. My big priority is overturning our no exceptions abortion ban, Lands said. But there are many issues that are important to me. Those other issues, among other things, include: Being a champion for mental health reform Eliminating the states sales tax on groceries Expansion of Medicaid Promoting public education and ensuring every child in this state has access to a quality education. She added, Im afraid of what were doing undermines that. Lands said she believes she can find common ground with Republicans on mental health and education. With our young people and the (rising) suicide rates and opioid addiction problems, these are areas I really feel like that my approach will be on being a bridge builder and collaborative leader (in Montgomery), Lands said. Im eager to work with people in both parties to work to improve this state. Im tired of Alabama being 49th and 50th (in a host of categories). Mental health, reproductive care Lands said she lends a unique view to the issue of mental health, noting she is unaware of any state lawmaker in Montgomery who has an extensive background like she does in counseling. A skill as a counselor is much needed down there, she said. Ive led strategic planning in my previous career, and I have a unique skill set to understand the complexity of the issues. We have taken a silo approach to problems, but everything is connected and we need to look at the big picture and see the links between our public schools, health care and employment. All of these things are connected. And on the issue that became the hallmark of her campaign reproductive health care Lands said she wants to help usher through passage of legislation that protects birth control. Sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, HB279 would allow health care providers the right to distribute contraceptives and offer guidance on their usage. The bill also outlines measures for enforcing these rights by allowing prosecutors to initiate civil lawsuits related to enforcement of any laws, regulations or policies that prevent the distribution and usage of contraceptives. The legislation is awaiting consideration in the House Judiciary Committee. I still need to get a lay of the land and understand what is on the agenda, Lands said. I know that Leader Daniels has an overall right-to-contraceptives bill that Ill support. Thats one that Ill be helping him with. But Ill have clearer answers (after getting started). A man has been charged in connection with a shooting on the campus of Alabama A&M University in Huntsville earlier this month. Juvuan Maurice Richards Jr., 20, of Mobile, was arrested March 18 and charged with discharging a gun in an occupied building. According to court documents, authorities say Richards fired a Glock 17 Gen5 handgun at the Knight Living and Learning Complex on March 18, while officers and students were in the area. Alabama A&M Police Chief Montrez Payton said on the day of the shooting that a campus police officer was on the fifth floor of the Knight Complex residence hall conducting a routine patrol around 1:50 p.m., when the officer heard shots fired below him. As the officer responded to see where the shots were coming from, he made contact with a person in the southwest stairwell of the residence hall. Multiple shots were exchanged in that stairwell, Payton said. An individual was hit multiple times. The shooting victim was taken to Huntsville Hospital with undisclosed injuries. The campus police officer, who was not publicly identified, was not injured. Just seven months ago, the Knight Complex was the scene of another shooting. The incident, on Aug. 22, injured two people and led to the arrests of two suspects. That shooting was termed as an isolated incident stemming from an altercation between two people. Decatur police say one man is dead following a shooting Wednesday afternoon. According to police, the incident happened at about 2:16 p.m. in the 900 block of 10th Avenue N.E. Officers responding to a shooting call located a man, later identified as Jared Bolden, 23, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Decatur-Morgan Hospital, where he later died. Investigators say two individuals came forward and provided information about a vehicle involved, which was later located off of Cedar Lake Road at Summer Key Apartments. Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sain at (256) 341-4845 or the tip line at (256) 341-4636. An hours-long search following an early-morning police chase that started in Springville end with all suspects in custody. The pursuit started about 4 a.m. on Highway 11 in St. Clair County when Springville police received a suspicious vehicle call and then found them driving without lights on. Police tried to stop them and they refused. The chase then moved into Argo where police used spike strips to deflate the vehicles tires. The vehicle wrecked on Highway 11 near Liles Lane. One person was taken into custody, but two others fled on foot. Tracking dogs from the Alabama Department of Corrections were brought to the area to help in the search. The search then moved into Trussville when a resident reported seeing suspicious people walking near Carrington Drive. The Trussville Police Departments tracking dogs and drones were deployed in the hunt but that portion of the search ended by 9 a.m.. They returned to an area near Highway 11 later in the morning where it was reported a second suspect was taken into custody. Argo police midday announced all suspects were now in custody. This story will be updated if more information becomes available. Two women were carjacked and abducted Thursday morning from western Jefferson County. The suspects, authorities say, were later involved in a jewelry store robbery in Guntersville where the manager shot at them. The suspects remain at large. Brighton police Lt. Kenneth Hooten, who also is assistant fire chief, said the ordeal began shortly before 5:30 a.m. The abduction was captured on surveillance cameras. The two victims, 33-year-old Alma Nestor and 29-year-old Rosaneli Castro, were parked in the 4500 block of Bessemer Super Highway where they sell water to workers headed out to jobs in the early-morning hours. Two men approached the van, forced the women inside and left with them in their van. They took them and the van and fled northeast on Bessemer Super Highway, Hooten said. Hooten said the victims do not know their abductors. About 11 a.m., he said, family members of the victims called Hooten and said they had been in contact with them. According to the victims families, they had been dropped off in a wooded area and they walked to a Lowes in Guntersville, Hooten said. Guntersville Police Chief Ryan Darnell said police there responded at 10:23 a.m. to an armed robbery call at Griffins Jewelers. Three people entered the store in a holdup attempt. The manager fired shots at them and they fled in a white van. A short time later, Darnell said, Guntersville police said they received a call of two missing women who were at Lowes. The van - a 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan with Alabama license plate A0BUUP - was at Lowes with the women. It matched the van used in the jewelry store robbery. The suspects remain at large. The investigation is ongoing by the Marshall County Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with information is asked to call Brighton police at 205-425-8934. Authorities have identified a man found dead over the weekend in a Florence motel. Lauderdale County Coroner Kim Jones identified the man as Justin Tidwell, 44. An investigation is continuing into the incident. Officers with Florence police were called to the Budget Inn, located on Florence Boulevard, at about 10:45 a.m. Saturday after someone discovered an unresponsive man. Upon arrival, officers found Tidwell on the floor of a room. The body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy. The chairman of the Alabama Republican Party on Wednesday dismissed Democrats notion that Marilyn Lands win in House District 10 is a harbinger of things to come across the country in November. National Democrats are trying to insinuate that House District 10 is a bellwether decision, not just for Alabama but also for the entire country. What they forget to say is that this is a purple district where Democrats always had a chance, Wahl said of the Madison County district, where Lands, a licensed professional counselor, defeated Madison City Councilman Teddy Powell, 62 percent to 38 percent. Lands win, which flipped the seat from red to blue, marked the first net gain for the Democrats in either chamber of the Alabama Legislature since 2002, Alabama Reflector reported. Among the Democrats who suggested Lands victory had national implications was Biden campaign chairwoman Julie Chavez Rodriguez, who credited Lands win with her campaign focusing on the Alabama Supreme Courts controversial ruling determining frozen embryos are children, threatening in vitro fertilization in the state. The election results, Chavez Rodriguez said, should serve as a major warning sign for Trump: voters will not stand for his attacks on reproductive health care. This November will be no different. Not so fast, according to Wahl, who said Tuesday nights results were hardly a signal that Republicans are in danger in Alabama or elsewhere. Pretending that this election reflects on the entire state of Alabama is disingenuous and shows either a lack of understanding of the political landscape or an attempt to mislead voters, Wahl said. Tuesday nights contest was a special election to replace ex-Rep. David Cole, a Republican who resigned after pleading guilty to illegal voting. Special elections, Wahl noted, typically have low turnout, and 14.5 percent of eligible House District 10 voters cast ballots. Low turnout special elections are hard to predict, and notorious for unexpected outcomes. Results in these types of races are about which candidate is able to excite their base, the chairman said. Its important to remember that only 14.5 percent of the population voted in this special election, and that is extremely low turnout when compared to a regular general election. Democrats got lucky yesterday, and the Alabama Republican Party is committed to taking this seat back in 2026. Wahl said Powell adopted a middle of the road strategy in an attempt to bring in swing voters. In light of the election results, Wahl said, the lesson is that Republicans should focus on conservative messaging in November. The Alabama Republican Party has been extremely successful in swing districts across the state in recent years. Our strategy has been highlighting bold, conservative messaging that pushes back on the national Democrat Partys flawed policies and woke, socialist agenda, he said. The GOP picked up 50 seats across Alabama in 2022 with this bold messaging. We talked about parental rights in education, protecting our children from indoctrination, and the fact we can tell the difference between a man and a woman. Republicans across the country did not fare as well as Republicans here in Alabama, and the lesson is we cannot not be afraid to stand strong for conservative values. Republicans win when we talk about policy and the principles we believe in. English News Build consensus for ceasefire, pave roads for peace talks Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 26 Mars 2024 Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when we are benefiting from it. But none of us can live without it. Making the world peaceful, stable and safe is the strong desire of all people, the common responsibility of all countries, and more importantly, the right direction for the advancement of our times. By Li Hui The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has dragged on for over two years, with prospects for peace remain uncertain. The prolonged hostilities not only exacerbate the suffering of the people in both countries but also pose unpredictable risks and challenges to the region and the world at large. Therefore, there is a growing international call for peace and dialogue. Many countries have proposed initiatives and plans aimed at restoring trust, resolving the crisis, and rebuilding peace. China highly appreciates these efforts and hopes that a consensus can be forged among all parties to explore a solution to the conflict. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a responsible major country, China takes an objective and just position on the Ukraine issue, and works actively to promote peace talks. Since the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, Chinese President Xi Jinping has personally had in-depth communication with leaders of countries including Russia and Ukraine, and has put forward four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine, which outline China's fundamental approach to the crisis. One year after the full escalation of the Ukraine crisis, China formulated and released China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, which covers 12 aspects including respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks and more. As the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, I have been engaged in a series of diplomatic activities regarding the Ukraine crisis over the past year. Last May, I went to Europe for the first round of shuttle diplomacy. In August, I attended a meeting in Jeddah on the Ukraine crisis, and I also met intensively with representatives from various parties in Beijing to exchange views. China's efforts to restore peace and achieve a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis have been widely recognized and highly appreciated by the international community. After a year of communication with various parties, my greatest impression is that, despite the ongoing uncertainties and prominent conflicts, war is not good for the vast majority of countries, and achieving peace is the common aspiration. In this regard, I recently embarked on a second round of shuttle diplomacy to Russia, Ukraine, and other European countries involved, with the aim of exchanging views and building consensus with all parties on promoting a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. During this visit, three impressions stood out to me. Firstly, it is crucial to build consensus for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting. Conflicts and wars produce no winner. History has shown that all wars can only be resolved through negotiations ultimately. Every bit of consensus accumulated brings us closer to the dawn of peace, while every day of conflict adds to the risks in the world. China has consistently supported and expected both Russia and Ukraine will act in the fundamental and long-term interests of their peoples, meet each other halfway, and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, so as to achieve a ceasefire at an early date. China is willing to create all necessary conditions for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. China supports an international peace conference that is to be held in due course, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, and is attended by all parties on an equal footing for fair discussions on all peace plans. Secondly, the spillover risks of the crisis must be controlled. The Ukraine crisis, as the largest geopolitical conflict in Europe since World War II, has severely impacted relations between major countries and the global governance system. The crisis has exacerbated instability in the global industrial chain, leading to serious concerns regarding energy security, food security, nuclear security, cross-border infrastructure security, humanitarian crises, and other issues. These have significant impacts on global peace and development. The prolonged and complex nature of the Ukraine crisis may give rise to various security risks that are not in the interest of all parties. A ceasefire and an end to the conflict as soon as possible is the right way to solve the problem. Thirdly, the mistake of the Cold War must be avoided repeating. The Ukraine crisis has complex historical and realistic factors. The Cold War has been over for more than 30 years, but the Cold War mentality is still firmly rooted in some countries, strengthening military alliances, and provoking bloc confrontation, which ultimately led to the crisis. China believes that the security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others, the security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs, and the legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. Only by abandoning the Cold War mentality, promoting dialogue and negotiation among all parties on an equal footing, and building a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture, can long-term stability be achieved in Europe. At the same time, we firmly oppose any attempt by individual countries to use conflicts to seek selfish gains, force others to take sides, threaten to decouple and sever supply chains, build "small yard and high fence," and attempt to repeat the mistake of bloc confrontation. There is no panacea for defusing the crisis. However, I firmly believe that a political solution is the best and only way to address the Ukraine crisis, which is the most important conclusion of my shuttle diplomacy this time. Both Russia and Ukraine are important strategic partners of China with long-standing friendly and cooperative relations. China does not have selfish interests or seek to put up exclusive blocs. It has not added fuel to the fire or taken advantage of the situation. The international community should adhere to the vision of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, take each other's legitimate security concerns seriously, and promote the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture for the region and the world, in order to jointly safeguard world peace. Peace, like air and sunshine, is hardly noticed when we are benefiting from it. But none of us can live without it. Making the world peaceful, stable and safe is the strong desire of all people, the common responsibility of all countries, and more importantly, the right direction for the advancement of our times. As a Chinese proverb puts it, it takes more than one cold day to freeze three feet of ice. There is no simple solution to the Ukraine crisis. Long as the journey is, we will reach our destination if we stay the course; difficult as the task is, we will get the job done if we keep working at it. China is ready to work with all peace-loving and progressive forces in the world to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and achieving peace. We will always stand on the side of peace and dialogue, that is, the right side of history. (Li Hui is the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs) sourcePeople's Daily Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News China strives to make payment environment more convenient, efficient Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 28 Mars 2024 Efforts are being made across China. For example, Beijing is improving its ability to accept foreign bank cards at key commercial areas, scenic spots, parks, and hotels; Shanghai has set up a special section on its official website to gather information about payment methods for foreigners, making it convenient for them to find the content they need in a short time; Zhejiang province launched a payment facilitation program for overseas personnel in November 2023, and by the end of February this year, there were already 2.56 million merchants across the province accepting mobile payments from overseas individuals. By Ye Zi, Peng Xunwen, Kang Jie, People's Daily China has become more enticing for foreigners as the country has concluded mutual visa-exemption agreements covering different passports with more than 150 countries. Recently, relevant departments in China have released a guideline for payment institutions to improve payment services to meet the demand of foreigners in various scenarios. With the concerted efforts of various parties, the country's payment services are becoming more convenient, higher quality, and more efficient for foreigners: streamlined procedures for opening bank accounts, registration, and binding overseas bank cards, and acceptance of foreign cards at more key venues and stores. "A few days ago, I tried to bind my VISA card to WeChat and Alipay, and to my surprise, the whole process was very fast. With no need to verify my identity with my passport, it only took less than one minute to succeed," said Jack, an Australian, who recently came to China with his Chinese wife to visit her family. He heard from his family that the process of binding foreign bank cards through mobile applications had been simplified, so he decided to give it a try. Jack had visited China with his wife a few times before, but at that time, it was quite complicated to bind a foreign bank card to Chinese mobile payment platforms. Therefore, he had to give up and let his wife handle the payment each time. "Now, after binding my own cards, all I need is a phone when I'm out," he said. With the support and guidance of the People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, Alipay and Tenpay (provider of WeChat Pay services) have implemented a series of measures to improve payment services for foreigners in cooperation with commercial banks, clearing agencies, and card organizations since 2023. As a result, foreigners are allowed to bind overseas bank cards to Alipay or WeChat Pay for consumption, and more and more overseas e-wallets can be used in China. Now, foreigners can use their overseas mobile phone numbers, bank card numbers, etc. to open mobile payment services in China. China UnionPay has established interoperability with nearly 200 overseas e-wallets, which means users of overseas wallets such as K PLUS of Thailand, Naver Pay of South Korea, and GoPayz of Malaysia can make consumption in China. Alipay and Tenpay have allowed users of 13 overseas wallets to make payments in China. In addition, the two platforms have raised the single transaction limit for overseas travelers using mobile payments from $1,000 to $5,000, and lifted the annual cumulative transaction limit from $10,000 to $50,000. The registration and verification for mobile payment have been further streamlined for foreigners. For instance, overseas users who open an account on WeChat Pay for the first time can make small payments without verification by only binding a foreign bank card. Subsequently, users can choose to complete real-name verification to increase the transaction limit. Tenpay introduced a tiered verification solution before the Spring Festival this year, where overseas individuals only need to submit simple identity information to directly link their foreign card and make payments in most daily scenarios within a certain limit. Details of services have been improved. On March 18, Alipay launched a pilot multilingual translation service on its application, expanding from the original two languages of Chinese and English to 16 languages. The translation service can be applied to various scenarios within the application, such as ride-hailing, hotel booking, ticketing of tourist attractions, public transportation, and checking exchange rates. An executive of Alipay noted that in the future, the focus will be on high-frequency scenarios used by foreign tourists visiting China, and Alipay will introduce more exclusive services for foreign users. Additionally, Alipay will expand its service coverage to include more card organizations and overseas e-wallets, allowing more foreign tourists to make QR code payments with their own e-wallets in China, the executive added. "Mobile payment in China is very convenient. Now I've gotten used to using it. I can scan and pay at restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets, and the exchange rate is shown in real time," Jack said. Foreign currency exchange and cash services are also being improved. China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange has requested that at least one of the five foreign currency exchange channels should be available in important scenarios such as ports and hotels serving international guests. Efforts are being made across China. For example, Beijing is improving its ability to accept foreign bank cards at key commercial areas, scenic spots, parks, and hotels; Shanghai has set up a special section on its official website to gather information about payment methods for foreigners, making it convenient for them to find the content they need in a short time; Zhejiang province launched a payment facilitation program for overseas personnel in November 2023, and by the end of February this year, there were already 2.56 million merchants across the province accepting mobile payments from overseas individuals. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Village in Ningxia prospers in tourism thanks to utilization of local culture Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 26 Mars 2024 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 visitors and generated a direct revenue of 20 million yuan. By Qin Ruijie, People's Daily 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. 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, the 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. "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 visitors 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. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Why Changsha stands out as "cyberstar" city Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 25 Mars 2024 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. By Yan Ke, Sun Chao, People's Daily 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. 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. 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 recently 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. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Keeping pace with China is keeping pace with opportunities 5G technology sees application in various industries in China New journey begins for fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The world is changing. In the West, we are no longer the same as we once were and doubt our right to be here. Sensing our weakness, barbarians from afar multiply at our borders (i.e. along the Rio Grande and in the Balkans). Harbingers of chaos, they crowd together and push to get inside. Of course, they are not deterred by a few dithering sentries. Dispossessed and coveting, they know very well where they are going; on the other side of the fence, they see a fat, docile cow waiting to be milked and slaughtered. The pressure increases year by year. Rome is about to fall for the third time. Telltale signs of what lies ahead are open to study everywhere in the West on both sides of the Atlantic. The boundless optimism of yesterday, say, the early 1990s, is like the distant echo of hearty laughter. What we take for granted today freedom, safety, and prosperity we might have to fight to keep tomorrow. In the outside world, e.g. the capitals of the so-called BRICS countries, preparations are made to end the hegemony of the West. Sure enough, we have paid indulgences for our alleged sins of colonialism for almost a hundred years. However, we should not expect forgiveness or pity on that account. In case we think that we have built goodwill with the third-world countries receiving foreign aid, we have seriously miscalculated. As far as they are concerned, our wealth is up for grabs. The happy days are over. As Westerners, we are not marching confidently into the future, but bumping and tottering. Our place in history is threatened. In the shadowland of moral relativism, ideological confusion, and fatalistic cowardice, we have lost our bearings. It is as if we, children of the West, have been spoiled to such a degree that we completely neglect the origin of our success in history. This bodes ill for the future. The West is left open to invasion by those who know the struggle for life (i.e. immigrants by the millions from Latin America or Africa and the Middle East). If we become doubtful and leave a power vacuum, unsure of our own raison detre, others are more than ready to fill it. The abolition of the cardinal virtues (i.e. prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) in the de-Christianized, transitional societies of the West is approaching as a matter of fact. The body of thought that they represent form the sort of philosophical basis on which you may build an orderly society. Pillars of civilization, they have served us well in the past. The history of the European countries, North America, Australia, and New Zealand testifies to this salient point. Regrettably, however, those virtues have nothing like universal validity. Thus, it is not that they have been given to us by God like the laws of Moses. Neither are they derived from human nature as if inherent dispositions embedded in biology. Strictly speaking, they are unique to Western culture. They represent an arbitrary construct of history. Accordingly, they may not be understood, let alone accepted, elsewhere. Even though we have ourselves formulated the cardinal virtues and lived by them for so long, taking them for granted as the basis of social cohesion, we may also lose them, suddenly challenged in numbers by non-West (and anti-West) foreigners with a culture of their own. That menacing prospect, spelling the conditions of complete alienation and civilizational dissolution, we ultimately owe to our own decadence and imprudence. We have slept on our watch. Unfortunately, we have long since forgotten our own struggle for survival. If the Westerners of today had any historical awareness of the past, they would know that, since the dawn of time, we have fought against invasions from the East. The wealth and strength, which we have preserved so far, are due to the ingenuity of our ancestors, their courage and care for posterity. However, there is a general reluctance to face the real dangers of today and fight for our home in the West. For a long time, we have made self-denying decisions in a world of competing cultures. Survival in the long term is determined, not by whimsical standards of hypocrisy, to be sure, but the resolve to prevail. However, we possess neither the stoicism of the pagan Greeks nor the piety of the Christian scholastics. Morally corrupted by popular ideas of guilt and spoiled habits of consumerism, we have become extremely selfish, lazy, and pleasure-seeking. It seems that we live solely for the gratification of the present and give no thought to tomorrow. Our conceited thoughtlessness might cost us dearly in the end. In fairness, we have but ourselves to thank for our current predicament. The origin of the treacherous attack on our society is the worldview of a nihilistic subculture at our universities, shared by ignorant, undisciplined, and self-aggrandizing students. Seduced into political activism by delusions of social justice and penance, they condemn the rest of us to eternal perdition because of a colonial past. Our self-inflicted weakness, which is of a moral rather than material nature, exposes us to a determined enemy. It so happens that the threats to the West are piling up: there are the immigrants flooding our lands like the barbarians of Roman times; and there is the imminent threat of military attacks from totalitarian empires in Europe and beyond. In the centuries following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 A.D. and the Eastern in 1453, brought about by the Huns and Turks, respectively, we had to fight for our identity and resist the danger of complete absorption by immigrant peoples. After the mayhem caused by broken borders and uncontrolled immigration, a civilization based on reason, courage, and accountability (merit) rather than orthodoxy, savagery, and submission saw the light of day and thrived. As a response to the medieval doomsday mood (reflected in the aberrant ideals of the Gothic style), the classical ideals of antiquity, ranging from literature to architecture, eventually found their way back to the world of the living; the West was reborn. Integrating Hellenistic-Roman and Jewish traditions, Christian culture laid the foundation for the Enlightenment, the unhampered pursuit of both scientific knowledge and artistic beauty, and an unparalleled progress in technology and industry. It saved a historical reverence for reason and individualism. Aligned with humanist principles universal human dignity, individual freedom, and the importance of happiness (cf. the ideals of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness in the American Declaration of Independence) its teachings stood in stark contrast to a dichotomous slave-master mentality endemic to other parts of the world. A cultural decline and vulnerability to foreign influence, the likes of which have been unthinkable since the last days of Rome, are now evident in the West. Rather than a lack of wisdom and beauty in the church, however, they reflect the crushing victory of secularism in the twentieth century. Despite unrestricted access to knowledge, Westerners in a de-Christianized world behave like suggestible orphans; the denial of God has cut them off from their own lineage and driven them into the arms of ungodly, inhumane, and fraudulent movements such as modernism and totalitarianism (i.e. fascism, socialism). Thought by some to represent the pinnacle of civilization, but deeply disorientated in moral terms, the so-called secular society is but an unstable and intermediate form characterized by unresolved disputes and upheavals. It has replaced godliness (i.e. Christian faith and tradition) and personal freedom, including the freedom of speech, with claims for universal rights (i.e. tantamount to unlimited immigration from third-world countries) and tolerance of the intolerant (i.e. selectively sparing overtly illiberal movements from criticism by prohibiting phobic views and zealously prosecuting violations). The legacy of the Enlightenment is eroding. What we took to be immutable, the bulwark of our civilization, is crumbling around us. Civil liberties in society come under pressure from, not the government, at first, but those who strive for total domination, willing to exterminate anybody unwilling to submit. If the anti-Western forces really succeed, it will be ever so quiet in the West. There will be no exchange of ideas between learned men and women. It will be the time of darkness, the time of cruelty and barbarism. Image: Public domain. The mistakes of the Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars appear lost on many. Today, we hear stirring calls to arms against Russia from a totally corrupt and dangerous media supporting a rogue American regime. Unfortunately, several establishment Republicans stand in support. Senators Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham are at the forefront of the Republican establishments support for confronting Russia. I would include Senators John Cornyn and John Thune in the mix, along with House members like Dan Crenshaw and, certainly, former House member Liz Cheney. Even if the United States were to win such a war on the battlefield, we would lose. At best, it would be a Pyrrhic victory. (A Pyrrhic victory is one that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to a defeat. The phrase originates with the Greek King Pyrrhus of Epiruss invasion against Italy. His triumph against the Romans in the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC destroyed so much of his army that it ended the campaign.) Pyrrhus said, If I achieve such a victory again, I shall return to Epirus without any soldier. In a war with Russia, American soldiers will be forced to fight with horrendous casualties. When this happens, Americans will relive the Vietnam War. Also, as our Afghan withdrawal displayed, we have no Pentagon leadership. That leadership will also direct a war against Russia. Moreover, todays woke military will not fare well against battle-hardened Russian troops. Many fighters have been forced out because of their Judeo-Christian values. Others are gone for refusing to surrender their right not to take an experimental vaccine that has unknown efficacy and side effects. Woke troops will not get the job done. Image made using public domain sources (here and here). The wokeness insanity is a big reason why our military is unable to meet recruitment goals. The situation is so dire that the Pentagon dropped its requirement for a high school diploma. Even someone with a criminal record has a chance of joining the armed forces. Add to this our current inability to produce munitions needed for a land war of this magnitude and our failure to consistently update our naval forces due to lack of resources and it all spells massive trouble. Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) has argued that sending more aid to Ukraine will cripple our defense stock: The West doesnt make enough munitions to support an indefinite war. Ukraine doesnt have enough manpower to support an indefinite war. The media are so desperate to start a true American war that they consistently accuse Vladimir Putin and his people of threatening nuclear warfare when this is not the case. What the Russians are observing is our willingness to start a deadly war that could easily spin out of nuclear control. They see this as an almost certainty and are preparing by expanding their military and addressing their ability to produce munitions and drones. They are working with other nation-state suppliers, such as North Korea and Iran. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik has estimated that North Korea has shipped about 7,000 containers filled with munitions and other military equipment to Russia over the last year. Russia has received hundreds of attack drones from Iran, and the two nations enjoy an active trade in weapons such as missiles, fighter jets, attack helicopters, radar, etc. Iran is our enemy and has been since 1979, when it seized our embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. The Iranians and North Korea are now in bed with Russia and are profiting handsomely from our failure in Ukraine. Iran should not be the beneficiary of sanctions relief for tens of billions of dollars. This enables them to fund Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis and to build weapons for Russia to use against us. In a conventional war, Russia will have a supply advantage because of the Biden Administration. Here is a sampling of recent media headlining pro-war propaganda masquerading as journalism: The worst are from the Murdoch-owned Sun. The Murdoch clan operates Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post, to name three. Under that last listed RED BUTTON headline was the following: DERANGED despot Vladimir Putin warned the West is in danger of being nuked as he ranted for more than two hours at Russian elites. The term deranged despot would be more appropriately applied to Joe Biden. Calling Putin deranged minimizes a dangerous adversary. He is far from deranged. In addition, the Poles still hate the Russians, not seeing any difference between Russia today and the former Soviet Union, so theyve been pushing for war with hyperbolic allegations of missile attacks, violation of airspace, etc. The other day, their foreign minister joined with the French in calling for NATO troops to support Ukraines war effort, contrary to the prime ministers position. That the foreign minister is willing to publicly go against the Polish head of state indicates how volatile the situation is. The French and the Poles have been the loudest voices pushing for war with Russia. The United States now has soldiers in the Ukraine. No one knows how many because the Pentagon and White House refuse to tell us. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 16 years in prison for leaking classified documents that revealed in 2023 the presence of U.S. and British special forces in Ukraine. What happens when one of these soldiers (probably inevitably) is killed? Will that be the Russian act of aggression that starts WWIII? In a recent interview, Blackwater founder Erik Prince argued for ending the Ukraine War: An ugly peace is better than whatever their idea of an ideal war is. Prince is a former Navy Seal and successful private security company operator. He also said, The Western defense base is pathetic. And youre not going to out-conventional war the Russian Bear. The United States cannot finance such a war, nor can our current military lead us to victory. Our manpower is woefully deficient, and we lack the industrial base to manufacture weapons in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of a war of this magnitude. Moreover, a war with Russia would be worse than the Vietnam quagmire. People alive then remember that the war so badly damaged our nations society that all faith in government and the inherent belief in the moral fiber of our society was wiped out for almost 20 years. President Reagan restored it. Now, the Democrat party, joined this time by the Republican establishment, is again destroying American society. Like many American Thinker readers, I hope and pray for a Trump victory in November as that is the only avenue to restoring our once great Republic. Non compos mentis translates to, of unsound mind. In some respects, we have an unsound electoral system: an idiot can run for our highest public office, but be unfit to vote for himself. Joe Biden is de facto unfit to vote. After Special Counsel Robert K. Hurs report in the Joe Biden classified documents case, it should be easy to establish that Biden is also de jure unfit to vote. Thirty nine states have laws that permit judges to disenfranchise people with varying stages of mental disorder, like idiocy. Since Biden is the village idiot in Wilmington, Delaware, lets look at their law that restricts the voting rights of people with mental disabilities: No person adjudged mentally incompetent... shall be a qualified voter. For purposes of this chapter, the term "adjudged mentally incompetent" refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding, based on clear and convincing evidence that the individual has a severe cognitive impairment which precludes exercise of basic voting judgment. 15 DEL. CODE ANN. 1701. Joe hasnt yet -- yet -- undergone a judicial guardianship proceeding, though theres clear and convincing evidence of his cognitive impairment. Its also clear that Jill and his handlers are guarding him. After all, part of what constitutes grounds for guardianship is inability to make or communicate, Sound decisions or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence. As for equivalent proceeding, only a court can decide if someone is unfit to vote. However, legal grounds have been established by special counsel Hurs report. Indeed, many are perplexed by the quandary that Biden serves as president (albeit in an imbecilic, figurehead fashion) but is not fit to stand trial, per Hur. The obvious reason, substantiated by Hur in congressional testimony (and corroborated by transcripts of his report), that Biden is unfit is his mental disability. In his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Hur staunchly reiterated his view that Biden is simply incompetent to stand trial. In fact, transcripts not only demonstrated Bidens mental deterioration, but showed that he lied about who initially broached the uncomfortable subject of his sons death. If such testimony in one of our three august branches of federal government does not constitute an equivalent proceeding, then I dont know what does. Maybe a court of law? If so, the groundwork has been laid. While his de jure incompetence determination is pending, the de facto case gets stronger that, with each botched appearance, Joe Biden is non compos mentis. And thats not just prima facie (at first sight), but with every unsightly sight of him. And so are many of his supporters. As Pew Research recently pointed out, more than half of leftist women between the ages of 18 and 29 are literally insane. Thats interesting because some state voter incompetency laws actually contain the word insane. So, not only is Biden unfit to vote for himself, but many of his supporters are unfit to vote. Our suffrage may be too broad, as we have to suffer fools, including mentally-disturbed leftists; and, if they have their way, a ragtag mob of illegal aliens. In the Dems desperate quest to cling to power, they concoct imaginary allegations of voter suppression, while undermining voting integrity. They have cobbled together an unsound electoral system run by people non compos mentis. Over the last few weeks, Ive received messages from friends, many of whom were concerned about Senator Cruz and the 2024 election. Well, a new poll confirms that Mr. Cruz will win. This is from Marist: Cruz 51, Allred 45. By the way, the RCP average is Cruz +7.3, and no poll has shown Allred over 45. Honestly, this race reminds me a bit of the Abbott versus ORourke contest in 2022. What I mean is that ORourke spent most of the campaign under 45%. I dont think that Cruz will win by 11 points like Abbott, but 7-8 is more realistic. Why is 2024 going to be different from 2018? First, Allred will not create Betos excitement. It was crazy around here in 2018, from a Beto office on every street corner, to his brochures flooding your mailbox, to an avalanche of phone messages. Beto was everywhere, and Allred is not. Second, President Trump will be on the ballot; he is +8.8 in the latest RCP average. On the other hand, there is zero, and I mean minus zero, excitement for Joe Biden. Just ask Democrats! Third, the Democrats need to protect their one-seat majority. They start the night at 50-50 because West Virginia is gone. Maryland may surprise them. There are tough fights in Montana, Ohio, and others. In other words, do Democrats want to spend money on another blue Texas fantasy, or would they rather save their current senators? I dont know but they aint winning Texas. So Senator Cruz will keep his seat. Lets hope that he can be in the majority. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts. and videos. Image: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered. Democrats love to micromanage everything and to take away freedom of choice. The Biden administration seems to love Iran as it protects Hamas and lectures Israel on its ongoing military response, calling on the nation to limit its attacks against the terrorists who want to wipe its people out. Biden supported Schumer as the latter sought to interfere in Israels election, urging the replacement of Benjamin Netanyahu. Democrats are clearly more afraid of losing leftist votes in the U.S. than Israel surviving. Democrats seek to destroy the oil industry in the United States, which pushes up the prices of everything. They dont care how many jobs they destroy that are related to oil as they push their radical agenda. Their war on oil has helped push up prices, which helps Iran and Russia finance terrorism and their wars. The high prices destroy the purchasing power of the people about whom they pretend to care, but the rich do just fine. They claim that oil destroys the planet and leads to an existential threat without showing any scientific data that their theory is true. They claim they support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, but then they lecture Ukraine to stop attacking the Russian oil facilities that allow Putin to finance the war. From The Hill yesterday: Biden inexplicably urges Ukraine not to be so effective fighting against Russia According to the Financial Times, the Biden administration, in response to Ukrainian drone attacks on 12 oil refineries in Russia, urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russias energy infrastructure, warning that the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation. Biden is clearly more worried about high oil prices (since hes attacked domestic production) and, therefore, losing votes and power than he is about democracy and national sovereignty. But the media tells voters that Biden is tough on Russia and that Trump, who kept prices low and Russia in check, loves Putin. Bidens EPA issues rules on gas mileage, which are not based on science, to intentionally take away Americans choice to buy reasonably priced and reliable gas-powered cars. Democrats clearly dont care how much damage they do to the poor and middle classes or farmers as they build up slush funds for radical leftists and political friends. Democrats lied to get Obamacare passed. They continually lie that Obamacare makes health care more affordable but prices have skyrocketed ever since the ACA was passed. Now, Biden is again taking away freedom of choice; healthy and middle-class people who want to buy more affordable health insurance plans that fit their needs, according to them, will not be able to do so. From AP, via Yahoo News: President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A new rule finalized by the Democratic presidents administration will limit these plans to just three months. And the plans can only be renewed for a maximum of four months, instead of up to the three years that were allowed under Biden's predecessor, Republican Donald Trump. The big insurance companies love Democrats because these politicians give these big corporations a captive audience to sell high-priced policies. Democrats, including the puppets in the media, falsely claim that Trump is the authoritarian, the fascist, but it is Biden and the Democrats who support burdensome big government and meddling control in basically every aspect of our lives. Image: Public domain. The party of (anti-)science cant tell the difference between the two sexesan awareness possessed by every other conscious and subhuman creature on the planetand its members dont understand a thing about other elementary biological realities, like fertilization and reproduction. Reported by Cassandra MacDonald at Gateway Pundit yesterday: A New Jersey councilwoman is under fire for posting a meme calling Easter eggs aborted chicken babies that are painted in drag. Heres a picture of the full meme posted by Paula Gilligan, a Democrat politician from Glen Rock, via X: Paula Gilligan, a Democrat councilwoman in Glen Rock, New Jersey, shared a distasteful post on instagram mocking Easter with abortion and drag. pic.twitter.com/NZ6fqDmfZO T (@Rifleman4WVU) March 28, 2024 (On the other hand, maybe these leftists can in fact tell the difference between the sexes, and they do grasp the most basic of biological concepts, like fertilization and reproduction, but theyre only feigning ignorance or a disbelief in such realities because while they consider themselves the party of science, more accurate monikers would be party of murder or party of pedophilia, which dont quite have the same ring.) Of course, the graphic was an attempt to mock Christians, traditional values, and anti-abortion beliefs, but failed miserably; it is an impressively bad, unclever, and illiterate take. After receiving pushback from constituents Gilligan addressed the controversy, but did not attempt to rectify the situation; also via MacDonald: By Sunday, Gilligan had issued a statement about the meme on the municipal website but did not apologize. It has come to my attention that there are constituents in Glen Rock that have concerns with a meme on my personal Instagram story, Gilligan wrote. The meme takes aim at the absurdity of personhood laws. Gilligan continued, Currently 40 bills with personhood language have been proposed in 16 states. Personhood language refers to legal language that would codify the dangerous notion that from the moment of fertilization, an egg should be legally recognized as a person with full constitutional rights. No one claimed Democrats were the smartest bunch but seriously? Like I said, impressively stupid. An egg is just a female gamete, and once fertilized by a male gamete, it is no longer just an eggsexual production has officially occurred. If were talking humans, at this point of fertilization, this single-cell, or zygote, is now the first moment of a newly-created person. No one, and I mean no one, wants to apply personhood to eggsand, no one (and I again mean no one) gives a rats rear-end if a female wants to extract every single one of her eggs from her body and dump them down the toiletespecially a Democrat female. In fact, I would have no issue if this very group of people went and spent their own money on doing just that, eliminating the possibility that they might ever reproduce. Nobody would be getting murdered in the process! Secondly, dying Easter eggs is somehow like males with perverted fetishes exposing children to hypersexual content and pornographic performances? Huh?? Dismissing science for a cartoon fallacy to take a nonsensical position? Sounds about right for a Democrat politician. Its amazing people who think like this actually wander around loose in the world, making decisions that affect everyone else. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. They hate us. They really hate us. This is the response a leftist Democrat state senator named Patty Kuderer gave to a distressed Indian-American landlord who was beset by squatters under her squatter's rights law, S.B. 5160, leaving him powerless to stop the squatters from occupying and locking him out of his own property: EXCLUSIVE: Instead of helping Bellevue landlord Jaskaran Singh with his serial squatter situation, Senator Patty Kuderer sent him an email data dump Wednesday afternoon and scolded him for sharing his frustrations. The Democrat writes: "That said, you should know berating staff pic.twitter.com/glFWNfYtuS Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 27, 2024 What kind of a disgusting response is that? The man was clearly in distress from being locked out of his own property by people who didn't belong there. Instead of slathing phony sympathy on him in that 'yes,' but' way of many Democrats in the past, Kuderer went offensive, accusing the aggrieved constituent of berating her staff simply by petitioning for help. There was no berating whatsoever. He wrote (spelling, grammatical errors left in): Hi, All, Do we have any common sense left? I have been threatened by this conman. He is taking pictures of my residence when I am at work. He is still applying for protection orders. I have no option left to go public. Route I didn't choice. You pushed me into. Which direction are we going to go? This is getting worst then third world countries. I support good goverance, Good Police, and good legal system. Jaskaran Singh In response, the Democrat who authored the law send a five-page email of bibble babble about why she sponsored the detestable law and never paid the slightest attention to the landlord's situation, which was brought about by her law: KUDERER EMAIL PAGE 1 pic.twitter.com/S4jEUU1MhP Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 27, 2024 It went on for five dreary pages, which can be read here, culminating with her insult directed at her constituent for complaining: KUDERER EMAIL PAGE 5 pic.twitter.com/PpW9Jh4Fal Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 27, 2024 Unfounded accusations? The man described what lefties otherwise like to call 'lived experience.' What she was doing was calling him a liar. Work with legal counsel? Why should this guy have to go through and pay for litigation when the root of the problem is an outrageously bad law that she wrote? Berating staff? Where is the berating? She seems to have taken this criticism personally and fobbed it off onto her staff. In short, she hates this constituent who is giving her valid feedback on her flawed and unfair law, and instead of finding a way to work with the man to make things better, she's going aggressive and accusatory. It's an ugly picture given that she's a white Democrat with a 'Karen' complex attacking and insulting an ethnic minority immigrant for not liking the violation of his Constitutional right to his own property. Not surprisingly, the Sikh community is roused and beginning to conduct public protests in his defense, something she thoroughly deserves given her snooty, superior, long-winded and entitled failure to listen. Singh says these images were created by supporters. Expect these to be on signs moving forward. pic.twitter.com/m0a8z1wTeR Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 27, 2024 Not just her, but this leftist coward who represents the actual district, too: HAPPENING NOW: Political pressure is mounting. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci avoided all my questions Tuesday afternoon. I simply asked why she isn't responding to Bellevue landlord Jaskaran Singh's pleas for help even though she's Singh's District 6 CM. If you pic.twitter.com/zWwE213kAw Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 27, 2024 They both need to be thrown out of office, pronto. Anyone who hates her constituents that much has got to go. Kuderer in particular ought to be a case study in political science and public relations classes of What Not To Do. Election time will tell, but there are some who think there may be changes in that sorry blue state come November. Image: Twitter screen shot In an article entitled Obama jumps in to help Biden defeat Trump again, CNN national affairs correspondent, Jeff Zeleny, and his equally impressionable cohort, CNN White House correspondent MJ Lee, wrote that sources told them that Obama and Biden speak with regularity, and the former president remains in direct contact with some top White House officials, including Bidens chief of staff, Jeff Zients, who worked in the Obama administration. According to close advisers, Obama has lent an occasional hand to Biden since the current presidents reelection announcement. Lent an occasional hand? Joe Biden needs more than a hand. To defeat Trump again, from now until November, Obama is going to pretend, hes lending the star of Weekend at Bidens an occasional hand? Meanwhile, Joe is unable to utter a coherent sentence without pharmaceutical support or shuffle his way across a stage without a Visiting Angels assistance. Then again, Barack Obama is the embodiment of political sleight of hand and skillfully administered subterfuge and will likely do anything to ensure himself another four years of administering the death knell to the fundamentally transformed nation that he seeks to change. Its no secret that Obama is the puppet master pulling Joe Marionette Bidens strings. Michelles and Barrys recent hop, skip, and jump from Kalorama to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue isnt very different from what they undoubtedly do every day. So, rather than mosey over to Joes in his usual slippers and pajama bottoms, to maintain optics and make the junket appear to be a rare White House working visit, Obama spiffed himself up for the powwow. Rest assured that in 2024, Slickster Soetoro will resurrect his tried-and-true strategy by ramping up the predictable cautionary tale that the margin between Trump and Biden will be razor-thin. If he decides to do that, he might have to explain why, if Joe has done such a bang-up job, a loser like Trump would be nipping at Bidens heels. Back in 2016, a Politico article reported that President Barack Obama went into the final stretch of the 2016 campaign warning that Donald Trump is within range of winning, urging voters particularly black voters, whose turnout is lagging to see the Republican nominee as running an un-American, inhumane racist campaign that must be stopped. Then, by some stroke of unexpected luck, Biden went on to garner the most presidential votes in American history. How could such a brilliant strategist like Barack have been so woefully wrong? Speaking with total confidence and full assurance, Jim Messina, Obamas 2012 campaign manager who has been serving as a close adviser to the Biden reelection campaign, told CNN that his former boss plans to do whatever he can to help Biden secure a second term at the White House. Double-yellow-highlighter emphasis on Obama will do whatever he can to magically ensure a confused octogenarian secures another four years in the White House. Rallying the troops, Obama has already begun calling for an all-hands-on-deck effort by Democrats. The question for America is, whose hands will be on the deck? Illegal aliens, ACORN-impersonating college students, mail basket rearrangers, BLM, and Red Chinese computer geeks? To begin the 2024 indoctrination, in an upcoming campaign ad, the former president shamefully tries to convince Biden-weary Americans that what is bad is good: We have the chance to do even more, but that only happens if we send Joe and Kamala back to the White House in November. So, weve got to keep working. Unfortunately, Obamas idea of working involves dodgy tactics that embrace things like deceitfulness, stirring up chaos, and stoking animosity, as well as advancing cognitive dissonance and gaslighting. The big Obama/Biden prop-up kicks off at Radio City Music Hall on Holy Thursday. Democrat shill and Trump-hater Stephen Colbert will be there, pretending to moderate a rare unscripted conversation with two ex-presidents one who cant keep his drawers on (hide the Rockettes) and another who wouldnt recognize the truth if he stumbled over it. As Christians all over the world anticipate Good Friday, at Radio City Music Hall, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Broadway stars Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele, Mindy Kaling, and Ben Platt will be at the event supporting policies that are the antithesis of everything Easter stands for. The only ones missing from the mega-star event will be Stevie Wonder and his new kidney. Tickets to attend range from $225 for the nosebleed section to $50,000 for the well heeled. For those willing to shell out the big bucks, Annie Leibovitz will be on hand to photograph gushing sycophants with the three wrecking balls, Clinton, Obama, and Biden. Cue the violins. This valiant effort is being promoted as an extraordinary moment in American history as a sitting president is locked in a bitter fight to keep his predecessor from returning to the White House. If truth were to actually be told, Obama is secretly the sitting president, and Trump is the third-term predecessor threatening the Marxist makeover the community organizer has worked so hard to establish these past 16 years. Playing along with the script, a senior strategist who has worked closely with Obama and Biden anonymously told CNN, that there are limits to what Obama can do. The burden to win this race is still on President Biden. No need to worry: Just like the last time, at the last nanosecond, Biden will miraculously hit it out of the park in every swing state and accomplish a second unprecedented feat never before realized in American history. Meanwhile, as N.Y. attorney general Letitia James tries desperately to bankrupt $6.5 billion man Donald Trump, Obama has already hauled in $15 million in grassroots money. According to CNN reporters, Obama has no plans to hit the stump aggressively until the fall, when early voting begins, following a pattern he has adopted since leaving office. On behalf of Biden, as leaves turn amber, the radical leftist will stake out potential voters by relentlessly dissing Israel, demonizing Vladimir Putin, and falsely depicting infanticide as birth control. What are Obamas plans from now til November? In addition to traveling the country and motivating black and Latino voters by reigniting racial animosity, the former president will probably be diligently working to wrest as many pieces of pie as he can from faithful minions who would submit themselves to Clockwork Orange-style aversion therapy if he asked them to. In the end, at the White House dining table sit-down, Obama likely reassured both Bidens that in the months before the election, he wouldnt be around much. Instead, to steer the Bitanic toward an unmerited victory, Obama will probably be busying himself strategizing with Black Panther poll watchers and securing bargain-basement billy clubs. Then, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Obama can personally visit polling stations. Once inside, he can hand out 10x10 sheets of autographed brown kraft paper to Democrat poll workers whod prefer blocking the sun from blinding their eyes while explaining to disappointed Republican voters why the voting machines suddenly stopped working. Jeannie hosts a blog at www.jeannieology.us. Image via Raw Pixel. Lots of people have untidy personal lives, but data show that same-sex couples have a higher percentage of issues leading to personal problems (substance abuse, spousal abuse, mental illness, etc.). Thats certainly the case with Oregons lesbian governor, Tina Kotek. It recently came to light that Koteks wife,* Aimee Kotek Wilson, has been acting as a stand-in for Kotek, complete with a taxpayer-funded security detail and that Kotek is spending more taxpayer money to expand Kotek Wilsons role. While this little scandal rolls, and perhaps to distract from it, Kotek Wilson announced on Tuesday that shes a recovering alcoholic with an unidentified mental illness. In 2022, Oregon elected Tina Kotek, a very out-and-proud lesbian, as its governor. According to Koteks Wikipedia page, she seems to be a very focused politician: She wants denser housing in Oregon and has worked hard to destroy single-family neighborhoods by getting legislation passed to allow fourplexes in formerly spacious, less-populated neighborhoods. (The Democrats did this in California, too.) Its not a coincidence that suburbs tend to vote Republican. Of course, Democrats attacking single-family homes always do so under the banner of creating more housing. However, the same people who oppose single-family homes always support rent control and laws making eviction difficult. Both of these things disincentivize being a landlord. Only the huge corporate concerns that build huge, densely populated complexes are willing to take the risks because they have legal departments at their backs. Image: Tina Kotek and Aimee Kotek Wilson. YouTube screen grab. Densely crowded populations vote Democrat because theyre dependent on the government. They cannot grow their own food (no land) or store their own food (no space). They dont need cars because vertical communities prefer public transportation, unlike rural or suburban communities, which cover more land and, therefore, require cars. Having children in densely populated areas is inconvenient and expensive (public transportation isnt child-friendly, playgrounds are limited and not child-friendly, and schools are dangerous), so urban people tend not to have families. Whether theyre just out of college or older people dependent on government services, they like or need government. But I digress. Its enough to say that Koteks lesbianism (which is one of the main points about her on Wikipedia page) and her housing policies say that shes a leftists leftist. Her web page also shows someone whos beloved of Planned Parenthood, unions, environmentalists, developers, the LGBTQ Borg, the gun grabbers, and anyone else gathered under the leftist-Democrat heading. The great thing about being one of the lefts beloveds is that you dont get a whole lot of scrutiny, an absence of oversight that is an invitation to bad behavior. Even in Oregon, though, the media couldnt ignore that Kotek was spending a lot of taxpayer money: Gov. Tina Kotek this month ordered that her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, be provided a consistent security detail by the Oregon State Police when attending events on behalf of the governors office, said Elisabeth Shepard, Koteks spokesperson. Kotek Wilson has occasionally had security protection when representing the governors office at public events in the past, Shepard said. She did not say what the upgraded protection will look like or how much it will cost. This change was made using existing resources from the governors office budget, Shepard said in a statement Monday night. Kotek Wilson will attend the National Governors Association First Spouses Retreat in Utah later this week. The Oregon State Police will provide security protection to Kotek Wilson on the trip, Shepard said. Kotek also hired a consultant who, for $72,000, will spend six months to explore the creation of an Office of the First Spouse. Theres more. Kotek Wilson also has a scheduler, Yasmin Solorio, although no ones talking about how much Solorio gets paid for the job. In addition, Kotek Wilson, a social worker, is a busy bee in Koteks administration, frequently attending Koteks weekly meetings about behavioral health initiatives and other weekly meetings about Koteks schedule. Were told that her attendance is unpaid, although Kotek Wilson does get an office in the governors office. Heres how a local news outlet summed up the current situation: Kotek Wilsons involvement in the administration, the money spent to try to give her a paying job, and the money spent on her security detail are raising eyebrows. And on Tuesday, Kotek Wilson explained that shes got other problems, as well. Aimee Kotek Wilson, the wife of Gov. Tina Kotek, said Tuesday she lives with mental illness and is in recovery from alcohol use disorder. I share this information about myself now, and have in the past, in the hopes it will make a difference and reduce stigma, said Kotek Wilson in a statement issued by Koteks spokesperson. I dont know if Kotek Wilson reduced stigma, but she sure did conform to stereotype. The reality is that same-sex relationships are often dismal places because members of the homosexual community have much higher rates of alcoholism and drug abuse, domestic abuse, mental illness, and suicidal ideationsand all this in a time when the LGBTQ+ community has never been more powerful or lauded. In other words, while the linked sites blame stigma and repression, theres a lot less than there used to be. Mental illness and alcoholism are terrible things, and I wish Kotek Wilson well in her struggles. Having said that, a hard-left governor who wants to give taxpayer money and prominence to a lesbian partner who struggles with substance abuse and mental illness really isnt a great look, either for leftism or for LGBTQ+ power couples. _______________ *I dont care that the Supreme Court found an imaginary right to same-sex marriage in the Constitution. Husband and wife are heterosexual terms and I will not concede them. Android 15 is fast approaching, and we are starting to get an idea of what sort of new features to expect. Well, if youre a person who likes to keep their location private, then youre going to like this potential feature discovered within the software. According to a new report, Android 15 may let you block your carrier from knowing your location. Lets face it, its extremely hard to keep companies from accessing your sensitive information. Your location is one of the worst bits of information that a company can get, and there are several ways of keeping companies from getting access to it. However, there is no way to be 100% certain that your location is preserved. Advertisement Advertisement For example, you can manually disable your location on an app-per-app basis or throughout your entire phone. Unfortunately, that is not to say that your carrier cant tune into your location. Theres actually a way for your carrier to know your location even if you have everything disabled. Well, Android 15 could let you block your carrier from knowing your location It seems that theres always something that users never learn about when they purchase a device. When your phone restricts an app from accessing your data, it is a software-based solution. However, your carrier can tap the actual signal radio on your phone to get your location. This means that there is no user-facing solution to this problem other than breaking your phone with a bat. Well, according to code found with an Android, Android 15 may be able to block your carrier from accessing your location. There are situations where you would want your carrier to access your location like emergencies. However, knowing that theres a method of sharing your information that you cannot control or dont even know about is unsettling for most users. So, this will be a great feature to look forward to in Android 15. Supposed benchmark results for Apples next-gen A18 Pro SoC have started cropping up. The chipset is to debut with the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max later this year. Allegedly Geekbench 6 scores for the A18 Pro show significant improvements over the current A17 Pro, particularly in single-core performance. The A18 Pro scores rival Mac products built with Apples M3 range of chips. Apple A18 Pro soars in single-core performance but stumbles against Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 The A18 Pro reportedly has more than ten percent improvement over the previous generation while there is a stunning increase of 22% in single-core performance. Theres an even greater boost in multi-core performance by almost one-third. These scores hint at significant gains in speed pushing the A18 Pro right into the face-off with other manufacturers processors. Advertisement Advertisement However, on the multi-core operations front, conflicting reports have emerged on the A18 Pro which indicates minimal improvement from its predecessors, hence induing doubt about the accuracy of these benchmark results. In addition, despite its strong metrics across several features, the A18 Pro still lags behind the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor noted for being approximately forty-six percent faster according to Geekbench 6 multicore scores. Efficiency measures for the chipset of A18 Pro are yet to unravel though its performance was very impressive. When testing, companies such as Apple and Qualcomm usually try to find a balance between power consumption and performance thus making efficiency important when assessing how well the SoCs are performing. Performance per Watt scores are still under wraps Proper assessment of the performance per watt aspect of these chips would be challenging without efficiency numbers for Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, A18 Pro, or MediaTeks Dimensity 9400. More details on efficacy and performance will unravel soon as official release dates for these chipsets draw near. For now, enthusiasts hold their breaths for more updates that will give them a deeper picture of what these next-gen SoCs are capable of doing. Some benchmark scores claimed by @faridofanani96 and others seem to indicate that A18 Pro might hit an unprecedented peak, however further analysis and confirmation are required to verify these assertions. The European Unions (EU) top court has ruled against Amazon Inc., and it must now meet the Digital Services Act (DSA) obligations. The e-commerce giant wont get any reprieve concerning the acts public disclosure requirements. Amazon had fought hard to shield itself completely or perhaps delay meeting the requirements of the EU DSA. However, the EUs top court has essentially struck down a judgment that a lower court had passed in Amazons favor. Advertisement Advertisement Amazon Inc. loses appeal and must meet DSA obligations The EU and American companies including Amazon have been battling new laws that aim to bring about increased transparency, accountability, and even sustainability in business practices. EUs Digital Services Act or DSA designates Amazon and several other companies as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP). Hence, these mega-corporations are subjected to tougher rules. These regulations intend to tackle illegal and harmful content on these online platforms that are used by millions. As expected, Amazon quickly challenged the DSA and attacked its multiple provisions. One of the regulations required Amazon to reveal a repository containing detailed information on its online advertising. Simply put, the EU wanted companies like Amazon to publicly disclose their advertising algorithms or digital reasoning and serving mechanisms for advertisements. Amazon protested and asked for an interim measure, at least until the court ruled on the case. Interestingly, a lower tribunal granted Amazon a reprieve. The lower court essentially suspended the contested obligation. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the EU approached Europes top court. Advertisement The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has set the suspension aside. The top court dismissed Amazons application for an interim relief. In other words, the CJEU has denied any exemption from meeting the obligations of the DSA. EU law, DSA & fundamental rights. Interesting order by Vice President @EUCourtPress rejecting @amazon's request to suspend its obligation to make an advertisement repository publicly available setting aside part of the order of the president of the GC. https://t.co/0HE9EdtaX5 pic.twitter.com/zl5b7cw45G Jacob Oberg (@Jacobbe79601492) March 27, 2024 EUs interest outweighs Amazons material interests, rules top court The judge presiding over the case declared Amazons arguments were invalid. Amazon had reportedly claimed that the DSA obligation, unlawfully limits its fundamental rights to respect for private life and the freedom to conduct a business. However, the judge presiding over the case claimed, Suspension would lead to a delay, potentially for several years, in the full achievement of the objectives of the Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services and therefore potentially allow an online environment threatening fundamental rights to persist or develop. Advertisement The interests defended by the EU legislature prevail, in the present case, over Amazons material interests, with the result that the balancing of interests weighs in favor of rejecting the request for suspension. Perhaps realizing it doesnt stand a chance with its previous argument, Amazon appears to have trained its guns on the DSA itself. The e-commerce giant has claimed it doesnt fit the description of a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA. It is not immediately clear if the EUs top court will entertain this argument. Google announced the mobile payment service Google Pays June closure some time back. The platform will be replaced entirely by Google Wallet, which promises to make digital payments seamless for Android users. However, before the transition, the tech giant is trying to get the maximum number of banks on board. The surge of new banks joining Google Wallet is reassuring for all Android users that they have the right app for their banking needs. More than 5,000 banks partnered with Google Wallet, and more will likely join the fray. The IT giant is also implementing new features to Google Wallet before it becomes the primary digital banking and wallet app of Google, including the app automatically adding movie tickets and passes. Advertisement Advertisement Google Wallet continues its growth in the United States Google is taking the transition from Google Pay to Google Wallet very seriously since there is very little time left until Google Pays closure. This fast track of the process is evident with the 44 new banks that joined Google Wallet in December 2023 and 42 in January and February 2024. This steady increase in the number of banks has been continuous. In the last two months of 2024, 86 banks signed the deal to link their cards digitally. Naturally, the number will likely continue to increase. Google Wallet adds 30 new banks As first uncovered by Android Police, the expansion of new banks has continued. However, theres a slight decrease in the number of banks that joined in March compared to past months. As evidenced by a Google support page, weve mentioned every bank that signed a deal to partner with Google Wallet in March below. Advertisement The first 15 are AtoB, Bank of Odessa (MO), Beach Cities Commercial Bank (CA), BFG Federal Credit Union (OH), Chillicothe State Bank (MO), Citizens Bank of Eldon (MO), Coastlife Credit Union (TX), Community Bank of Oelwein (IA), CorePlus Federal Credit Union (CT), First Farmers & Merchants Bank (Cannon Falls, MN), First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (Fairmont, MN), First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (Luverne, MN), First Farmers & Merchants National Bank (MN), First Farmers & Merchants State Bank (Brownsdale, MN), First Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Grand Meadow (MN). The other half include First National Bank of Le Center (MN), First State Bank (OH), Fortress Bank (IA), Lusitania Savings Bank (NJ), One Detroit Credit Union (MI), Pacific Postal Credit Union (CA), Pay by Extend, Ravalli County Federal Credit Union (MT), Sidney State Bank (MI), Sixth Avenue Baptist Federal Credit Union (AL), SubZero / Avaya, The Bank of Star Valley (WY), Waterfall Bank (FL), Windward Bank, and Xformative Payment Systems (NY). Compared to most banks available on Google Wallet, some newly added banks are on the small side. However, this shows how much Google is trying to make Google Wallet the universal banking solution for everyone. Although the 30 new Google Wallet banks might be a step down from previous months, its still an impressive number. Google Wallet already offers compatibility with more banks than Google Pay. That too, despite the fact that the transition from Pay to Wallet is still incomplete. As Google Pays closure edges closer, Google Wallet will likely continue to get more banks and features. Samsung has started rolling out the March 2024 security update to the Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy A32 5G in the US. The update is rolling out to both carrier-locked and unlocked variants of the Galaxy A32 5G. In regards to the Galaxy A52 5G, only carrier-unlocked variants are getting the update as of now. The Galaxy A52 5G & Galaxy A32 5G are getting a security update for March 2024 The Galaxy A32 5G is getting the A326USQSDDXC2 firmware, when it comes to carrier-locked models. The carrier-unlocked variants are getting the A326U1UESDDXC2 firmware. Advertisement Advertisement In regards to the Galaxy A52 5G, were looking at the A526U1UESCFXC6 firmware. Once again, were talking about a carrier-unlocked variant of the phone here. That is the only one receiving the update now. This update delivers fixes for 45 security vulnerabilities, in case you were wondering. Its always nice to see companies boost the security of their smartphones, even though there are no new features to speak of here Your phone will let you know once the update lands, though you can check for it manually too Your smartphones will let you know once the update is available. You can, of course, check for it manually too, if you want. Simply navigate to Settings -> Software update -> Download and install. As per usual, these updates are rolling out as we speak, but theyre rolling out gradually. In other words, some of you may have already received them, while others will have to wait a bit. Theyre rolling out in stages. As many of you know, neither of these two smartphones are particularly new. They both arrived in the first quarter of 2021, which makes them three years old at this point. Still, Samsung is prompt with security updates, which is great to see. The Galaxy A52 5G is the more powerful of the two devices, as you probably already know. Its also technically newer, as it arrived in March 2021, while the Galaxy A32 5G launched two months before that. Samsung has brought back the Since last charge battery care feature in the latest Device Care update. The company has essentially followed other smartphone brands in taking a U-turn. Battery management for smartphones is a constant struggle, and Samsung made it unnecessarily cumbersome after it removed the Since last charge option. However, the company appears to have backtracked, presumably after a backlash from Samsung Galaxy smartphone users. Advertisement Advertisement Samsung One UI 6.1 may include important battery charging status Samsung started rolling out the latest One UI 6.0 OS update for its Galaxy-branded Android smartphones last year. The update includes several new Samsung-exclusive features. However, for reasons best known to the South Korean tech giant, a crucial feature suddenly went missing. The Since last charge feature resides inside the Battery tab in the Settings app. As the name indicates, the Since last charge option tracks the Samsung Galaxy smartphones battery level, over a defined interval of time. Additionally, the feature shows users their screen-on time since it was last charged. Although not many users keep a close watch on their smartphones battery, the missing feature was very useful. It tracked the devices charging cycle and visually indicated usage patterns. Samsung had replaced the Since last charge feature with its watered-down version that measured battery life over the last 24 hours regardless of charging. Needless to mention, this wasnt ideal Advertisement How to get back the Since last charge feature in Samsung Galaxy smartphones? It wasnt just Samsung that chose to ditch a much-needed feature. Other big brands, including Google, Xiaomi, and others removed the Since last charge metric. Incidentally, most of the brands have reintroduced the feature in its original form, and now Samsung has followed suit. According to a Tweet, Samsung has revived the Since last charge option. Samsung has reportedly included the feature in an update to its Device Care app. Breaking Samsung heard your cries & brings back LAST FULL CHARGE Screen On Time in One UI 6 with new Device Care update (v13.8.06.11)! Download Apkhttps://t.co/0xSPImTB97 Repost this exciting news#OneUI6 #Samsung #GalaxyS24 #GalaxyS24Ultra #GalaxyS23 #GalaxyS23Ultra pic.twitter.com/8KGuMu5Twr Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) March 27, 2024 Samsung hasnt yet released the stable version of the Device Care app, tagged v13.8.6.11, via the official update channel. The update is available from third-party sources. However, Samsung Galaxy smartphone users running One UI 6.0 should ideally refrain from installing the same as it requires side-loading an APK file. Although Samsung hasnt officially confirmed the update or the feature, the latest version of the Device Care app should make its way to the Galaxy Store, presumably inside the upcoming One UI 6.1 update. Right now, we are all still trying to navigate through the foggy sea that is AI and copyright law. For example, The New York Times is suing Microsoft and OpenAI over using NYT articles. The introduction of generative AI was unprecedented, so governmental bodies are scrambling to find some solid and sensible laws regarding how its used. Well, the U.S. Patent Office announced that updates to AI copyright laws are set to come out. When it comes to making laws surrounding new technology, it can be pretty rough. Just recently, the EU started laying out some actual laws surrounding artificial intelligence. Companies and countries within the EU will have to start enforcing these laws within the next couple of years. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Patent Office will post updates regarding its laws against AI The announcement from the patent office doesnt actually lay out any solid laws. However, its a bit of a checkpoint letting us know what the office is planning on doing and when it plans on having some legislature down on paper. The office is going to release a detailed report about copyright law going forward. Firstly, the report will touch on subjects such as digital replicas. This involves using AI to replicate a persons voice, artistic style, and other aspects of a persons identity. This is probably one of the biggest gripes that people have about AI. Many people, especially public figures, fear the thought of having their identity replicated and warped via AI and posted to the world. Secondly, the report will talk about the copyrightability of works that were crafted using AI. So, if a person crafts a song using artificial intelligence, the question remains if that person can legally copyright that work and call it their own even if they didnt make it. This section will be published separately from the first. The U.S. patent office plans on having that out by the end of the Summer of 2024. Advertisement Additional reports The U.S. Patent Office will publish an update separately to the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices. This update will supply people with guidance and examples of Works containing AI-generated material. This will help people further understand what types of works can and cannot be copyrighted. Before posting this report, the office is going to publish a public notice requesting comments on the matter. Lastly, the patent office assembled a group of academic and government economists to discuss the potential economic impacts of copyright and AI. They will post their findings at a later date. The U.S. Patent Office plans on having all of this laid out by the end of the fiscal year of 2024. So, well be getting more information as the year goes on. Crafting sensible laws governing AI is one of the most difficult challenges that the government has to face. This is something that governmental bodies are still wrapping their brains around. Well, today, we got news that the Biden Administration has just taken another step forward in this endeavor. The U.S. government has unveiled strict safety requirements governing federal agencies using AI tools and systems. Right now, artificial intelligence is one of the most sensitive and controversial topics in tech. We got our first taste of generative AI back in November of 2022, and several governments have been scrambling to construct a legislature surrounding it. However, its been a long process. Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the EU took the first major step in making laws covering AI, and this makes it the first governmental body to do so. Companies and countries within the EU need to enact these laws within the next couple of years without facing repercussions. Also, the U.S. Patent Office just released an update letting the public know that it is going to release solid laws governing copyright and AI over the course of 2024. It plans on posting these laws by the end of the year. The U.S. government released requirements for federal agencies using AI Right now, things are still pretty early for these new guardrails going into place, so were all still wondering what sort of ramifications to expect. As with any governmental regulation, federal agencies have several months to put the wheels into motion. So, this piece will be updated if the U.S. government comes out with any more AI requirements. Advertisement First requirement: Safety Firstly, federal agencies using AI tools need to make sure that these tools do not negatively impact American citizens rights or safety. So, the tool cannot suppress any American citizens constitutional rights or potentially lead to injury or loss of life of any citizen. How can an AI system impact user rights? One major example of this is using AI systems to compromise any persons privacy. Agencies are not allowed to use AI tools to, say, collect and ascertain biometric or facial data on people. Another great example of this will be keeping AI systems away from anything dealing with voting. Its currently 2024, and the American presidential election is soon to kick off. So, agencies cannot use AI tools to count, collect, or otherwise affect votes in ballots. How can an AI system affect safety? When it comes to impacting safety, there are tools that cannot be used in any real-world applications that could possibly affect human safety or lives. So, agencies controlling electrical grids, emergency systems, water, transportation, medicine, etc. are not allowed to use AI tools for critical purposes. Advertisement At this point, generative AI is still developing, so theres a high possibility of AI systems messing up. For example, if an AI system controlling a towns water supply messes up, it could have devastating effects on that town and the people who live there. There is an exception If an agency or entity wants to use AI systems for these functions, then it will need to have concrete safeguards in place to ensure that there will be no negative impact. If the agency can properly justify using the tool, it may use it. Whatever safeguards the federal agencies use will be up to them, so the ball is in their court. However, they will have until December to ensure that everything is in place so that whatever systems they use do not impact human safety or rights. Second requirement: Transparency The second of these requirements hits on something the U.S. government and citizens have worried about regarding AI; transparency. The affected agencies can not withhold critical information about the systems they use, or their potential impact on American citizens. Advertisement Each year, federal agencies will have to publish online a list of their AI systems, an assessment of the risks those systems might pose and how those risks are being managed, said U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. This will not only ensure that the government knows what each company is using, but it also ensures that American citizens know what agencies are using. There is a major problem with companies and agencies keeping their activities behind closed doors. The people whose data is training the AI models need to know what these entities are doing with their data. So, agencies will need to be completely transparent about their AI tools. There is an exception, however. If publishing the information puts any citizens privacy or security at risk, then the agency will not have to post a full report. However, it will still need to post metrics. The third requirement: AI insight The last of the U.S. requirements pushes federal agencies to have proper knowledge and insight into AI. So, each department will need to appoint a Chief AI Officer to oversee exactly how these agencies are using AI. The chief AI officers will have deep and professional knowledge of artificial intelligence. This could help the government lean about and mitigate potential risks. Advertisement Along with that, several agencies will also need to have AI governance boards. They will need to have these by May 27th. Are these official laws? Technically, no. A while back, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order to address major companies and their use of AI. These requirements further expand on the Executive Order and outline more specifics. However, these are not official laws. If the agencies or entities fail to comply with the guardrails outlined, it remains to be seen what sort of punishment they will receive if at all. While these are not official laws, they are still requirements from the top authority of the United States government, so these agencies will need to comply with them regardless. Seeing the growing demand for AI across various sectors, companies are actively seeking to hire individuals with expertise in the field. This trend extends to Meta, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly reached out personally via emails to AI talent at Googles DeepMind, inviting them to join his companys AI project. Zuckerberg makes aggressive push to hire AI talents The information about Zuckerberg personally writing emails to Google DeepMind employees has been provided by two individuals to The Information. While they have requested to keep their identities anonymous, they said that the email from Zuckerberg stresses the importance of AI in his company along with using other persuasive tactics to attract them. They also mentioned that at least one individual has been headhunted by Zuckerberg through his email. Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the only move Zuckerberg has taken for his AI projects. Recently, Meta announced they would be bypassing traditional interviews and directly offering jobs to qualified individuals in the AI field. Additionally, Meta has increased the salaries of its employees who were considering offers from competing AI companies. With Meta working on various AI projects, including AI wristbands and integrating AI into Facebook, the need for AI talent is only expected to grow. Considering this, Zuckerberg is going all-out on hiring AI talent. Whether its writing personal emails to attract employees from competitors or offering high incentives, Zuckerberg is taking all the necessary steps to become the next big name in the AI industry. Meta has plans to accumulate more than 340,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs by the end of 2024. This massive investment will allow them to integrate AI into their apps (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Highlighting the importance of these chips, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas shared on the Invest Like the Best podcast that when he tried to recruit a senior researcher from Meta, the response was, Come back to me when you have 10,000 H100 GPUs. Advertisement Flexing about the number of chips Meta is going to accumulate, Zuckerberg told The Verge, We have built up the capacity to do this at a scale that may be larger than any other individual company. Meta isnt the only company desperate to hire AI talent The number of skilled AI professionals is very limited compared to the rapid growth of the AI industry. As reported by Fortune, in December 2023, an event that was considered the biggest machine learning conference eventually turned into a recruiting extravaganza. Considering the growing need for talent, we are likely to see more approaches similar to what Zuckerberg has taken by other companies to hire AI talent. More than 600 Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport are to stage a four-day strike in a dispute over shifts. Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) will walk out from April 11. The workers, who carry out immigration controls and passport checks, last week voted by 90% to walk out over a new roster and changes to shift patterns. The union said the changes could see 250 staff at the London airport forced to lose their jobs by the end of next month. BREAKING Strike dates announced at Heathrow Airport More than 600 Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport will walk out for four days from 11 April.Read more: https://t.co/OzkNLh7nUi#PCSonStrike pic.twitter.com/UK4pPZ1Dt6 PCS Union (@pcs_union) March 28, 2024 The changes will particularly affect workers with disabilities or those with caring responsibilities, the union claims. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: Ministers have 14 days to withdraw these unfair and unnecessary proposals or our members at Heathrow will take strike action. Consultation with staff has been a farce, with our members having little or no choice about the new arrangements. Ripping up flexible working arrangements is no way to treat staff especially as the Government says their work is critical to our nations security. Some members are heartbroken that the Border Force has become unprofessional and inhumane. If the Government is serious about border security, it should look at Border Force officers job security, look after its staff, scrap the changes and work with us to protect jobs and working conditions. Veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has hailed historic assisted dying legislation that will be introduced at Holyrood on Thursday. The TV presenter, who has revealed she is considering travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, said those who are terminally ill should have the right to choose. She was speaking as Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur prepared to publish a Bill at the Scottish Parliament that, if passed, will allow people living in Scotland with a terminal illness to be given help to end their life. Mr McArthur has said he is absolutely convinced the long-overdue reform will become law. Dame Esther said: I want to congratulate the Scottish Parliament for prioritising this debate so that they can carefully consider this crucial issue and scrutinise this historic assisted dying Bill. The current law is cruel, complicated and causes terrible suffering to vulnerable people. I have received dozens of letters from people describing the agonising deaths of those they loved. This is literally a life and death issue, and I believe terminally ill patients like me need and deserve the right to choose this option if our lives become intolerable. Former nurse Patricia Donoghue was left with PTSD after watching her husband Kevan die from cancer (My Death My Decision/PA) Former nurse Patricia Donoghue is amongst those who have spoken in favour of Mr McArthurs Assisted Dying For Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The 69-year-old, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after watching her husband Kevan die from cancer eight years ago. He was told he had a rare form of bile duct cancer 18 months before that, with the disease leaving him unable to eat or drink in his final three weeks of life. Mrs Donoghue said her husband, who had worked in social care prior to retiring, had been in constant pain. She told the PA news agency: He accepted death, but why did he have to suffer like that for three weeks? Liam McArthur, centre right, will publish legislation on Thursday that aims to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill people in Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) I know if assisted dying were an option, he would have wanted it. He would have said Ive tried. Ive had enough, Ive done enough. I want to go. We think of Britain as being advanced, but we are not. Leaving people to suffer in the final stages of their life is far from advanced its cruel. I cant change what happened to Kevan, but I want it to change for others in the future. People are suffering and having a horrible time of it, all being made worse by this cruel law. You cant sit on the fence with this issue, it needs to change. Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said the legislation is an important milestone towards terminally ill people in Scotland having the choice at the end of their lives that is so urgently needed. Liam McArthurs Bill marks the third time MSPs will have considered the issue (Fraser Bremner/PA) She added: It is a historic day for Scotland and for those who have campaigned tirelessly for a safer, more compassionate law, many having felt the devastating effects of the status quo first-hand. It also parks the issue of assisted dying firmly on Westminsters doorstep. Mr McArthurs Bill marks the third time MSPs will have considered the issue, with previous attempts to change the law by independent MSP Margo MacDonald who later died as a result of Parkinsons disease and Green MSP Patrick Harvie both failing to secure enough votes to proceed. However, the Liberal Democrat MSP has said he believes the political mood has changed since the issue was last before Holyrood in 2015. His Bill would require two doctors including one with no prior relationship with the patient to confirm the person is terminally ill and also has the capacity to request an assisted death. In addition, there would be a waiting period of two weeks before a patient could be given the medication needed for an assisted death, which they would have to be able to take themselves. Doctors and others opposed to the procedure would be able to exempt themselves from being involved, and there would also be a requirement for anyone requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year beforehand. The Bill is being introduced at Holyrood a week after proposals for an assisted dying law in Jersey were published. The European arm of Japanese clothing and homeware retailer Muji is set to appoint administrators, in another gloomy signal for the UKs struggling high street. The spokesman for the business, which has six stores in London and one in Birmingham, said the move forms part of a planned strategic restructuring of the business, and that it expects to shortly reach a deal. It stressed the process will have no immediate impact on shops, staff and the general running of the chain. Muji is known for its Japanese-inspired simple and functional products (Alamy/PA) For Mujis colleagues and customers in Europe it is business as usual. All stores and e-commerce will continue to operate as before, and all new and outstanding orders will be fulfilled, the firm said. Muji was launched in Japan in 1980 and sells a range including clothes, stationery, homeware, beauty products and cupboard essentials It is known for its focus on Japanese-inspired simple and functional goods and also has stores across mainland Europe and the Nordics. The news follows difficulties for a string of well-known high street retailers. The Body Shop announced in February it was calling in administrators, subsequently announcing the closure of nearly half of its UK stores. Earlier this month, the company behind fashion brand Ted Baker appointed administrators, putting hundreds of jobs at risk across its 46 UK stores. The high-profile collapse of the historic chain Wilko last year led to the closure of its 400 shops and almost all of its 12,500 workers being made redundant. An arrest has been made following a stabbing on a train that pulled in to Beckenham Junction station. (Alamy) (Jonathan Wilson) A teenager has been arrested after a man was stabbed and left with life-threatening injuries while on a train in south London. Reports of two men fighting while entering the train saw officers from British Transport Police (BTP) rush to Beckenham Junction station alongside colleagues from the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service on Wednesday afternoon. Shocking footage of the incident was shared on social media, showing a man holding a large blade attacking someone on the floor. What we know BTP have confirmed to Yahoo News UK that a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A knife has also been recovered as part of the investigation. The victim, a man in his 20s, was taken to hospital and is in a critical but stable condition. The incident took place after two men boarded a train at Shortlands railway station in Bromley just before 4pm on Wednesday. In the footage, a man wearing a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a face mask is seen holding a large blade, and seemingly lunging at a man on the floor with the knife. Onlookers can be heard urging the man to stop, while others are heard calling the police to alert them of what was happening and where they were. Some passengers stayed in their seats, while others could be heard screaming and running to the other end of the carriage. The footage also shows that the incident took place in broad daylight, shortly before the evening rush hour. Police rushed to Beckenham Junction station following reports of the stabbing on a train. (Alamy) (Jonathan Wilson) Train services in the area were disrupted until around 6.30pm as police dealt with the incident. A Southeastern trains spokesperson said they were assisting BTP with their investigation and providing CCTV footage to officers. BTPs assistant chief constable Allan Gregory described the stabbing as incredibly concerning and said there would be an enhanced police presence at stations in the area on Thursday morning. He reassured passengers that there is no risk to the wider public. Superintendent Darren Malpas said: We understand the concerns of the public following this incident and our detectives have been working tirelessly to investigate. I hope this arrest will bring some reassurance to those on the rail network. High-visibility patrols will continue in the area and across the network as a visible reassurance to the travelling public. What we dont know While a man has been arrested, we do not yet know his identity. The victim has also not been identified. The footage of the incident shows the middle of the attack, with no context about how or why it started and whether the two men knew each other. Some people in the area wrote about witnessing the aftermath of the attack on Facebook. One person said they saw a member of the public with two planks of wood going after whoever has the knife, but these reports could not be verified. Anyone who can help with the investigation are urged to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 397 of 27 March. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Knife crime in London London mayor Sadiq Khan is facing pressure to tackle knife crime in the capital ahead of the mayoral election in May. Official figures show that incidences of knife crime in London have increased markedly since the COVID pandemic. Knife crime fell in the years when Boris Johnson was mayor of London dropping each year from 2011/12 to 2015/16, according to the figures. There was a peak of over 15,600 incidents in 2019/20 before the figures fell as strict lockdown rules were in place. Since the COVID rules came to an end, knife crime has risen in each year, with 13,300 incidents recorded in 2022/23. The Met Police recorded a 16% increase in rates of knife crime in 2022/23 from the 2021/22. Maps show an increase in the outer boroughs of London in the same period. Figures show knife crime in London rising since the end of the COVID pandemic. (Parliament.uk) Knife crime offences in London boroughs have increased. (Parliament.uk) Khan has blamed Tory neglect for the rise in crime in London, accusing them of putting an unprecedented squeeze on Met resources. Ahead of the May elections, Khan vowed to put an extra 1,300 police and community support officers on Londons streets. Patrick Green, chief executive of anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust, last year blamed the pandemic for knife crime rising amongst teenagers. He said young people were made vulnerable and therefore easier for criminal gangs to exploit. Home secretary James Cleverly has previously announced legislation to strengthen a ban on so-called zombie knives weapons with one smooth blade and one serrated edge that have been increasingly linked to gang use. In January, policing minister Chris Philp blamed Khan for the increase in knife crime in the capital, pointing to the mayor reducing the use of stop and search, which is effective at taking knives off the streets. Actor Laurence Fox will not be a candidate at the London mayoral elections after failing to fill in the nomination forms properly. London Elects, which administers the mayoral and London Assembly elections, said the Reclaim Party leader had submitted his nomination papers shortly before the deadline on Wednesday, but they were subsequently found to contain errors that it was then too late to correct. In now-deleted tweets, Mr Fox said his party had checked, double checked and then triple checked our nominations and would appeal against the decision, which he claimed was the result of political corruption. But in an email also tweeted by the actor, election officials said nomination papers from two boroughs did not have the 10 supporters required, while three supporters from other boroughs could not be reconciled to voter register records. On Thursday, lawyers for Mr Fox and the Reclaim Party contacted London Elects seeking urgent clarification on the reasons for declaring his nomination invalid. Laurence Fox has been ruled out of the mayoral race (Lucy North/PA) The email said Mr Foxs nomination as a London-wide assembly member candidate was valid, and added his party would be refunded the 20,000 fee and deposit paid for the mayoral nomination, plus another 5,000 Reclaim had overpaid in error. In a statement, London Elects said: The Reclaim Party candidates representatives met with London Elects for the first time on March 26, less than 24 hours before the close of the nominations deadline. At that time, the paperwork was incomplete. Mr Foxs representatives were advised to ensure that completed forms were submitted well before the Wednesday 4pm statutory deadline. The paperwork was submitted very shortly before 4pm. Upon inspection, the nomination forms contained errors which the deadline having passed were too late for Mr Foxs team to correct. The conclusion of London Elects was that the requirements of the nomination process were not completed by the deadline. The Greater London returning officer is bound by electoral law and has no ability to allow anything other than fully compliant nominations, submitted by the deadline, to stand. It is understood that there is no avenue for appealing against the decision that Mr Fox was not correctly nominated. In a legal letter tweeted by the Reclaim Party on Thursday, Mr Foxs lawyers Wedlake Bell asked London Elects to provide further details on the reasons for declaring his nomination invalid, saying it was unclear why he had been excluded from the contest. At the last London mayoral election in 2021, Mr Fox received just 47,634 votes less than 2% of the total cast and lost his 10,000 deposit, which is only returned to candidates receiving more than 5% of the vote. The full list of candidates for the mayoral election was published on Thursday afternoon, and did not include Mr Fox or YouTuber Niko Omilana, whose nomination papers were also found to be invalid. The two main candidates are expected to be Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan and the Conservative Susan Hall. In an interview with Prospect magazine on Wednesday, Ms Hall dismissed allegations that she had reposted Islamophobic tweets as complaints about hurty words. She said: Ill tell you whats jarring. Jarring is the fact that poor people are having to pay 12.50 a day (the charge for Londons ultra-low emissions zone) that they literally cannot afford. That is real. And that isnt just hurty words. Other candidates include Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie, Green Zoe Garbett, Reform UKs Howard Cox, and perennial election contender Count Binface. Animal Welfare Party candidate Femy Amin, SDP candidate Amy Gallagher, London Real Party candidate Brian Rose, Britain Firsts Nick Scanlon, and independents Andreas Michli, Tarun Ghulati and Natalie Campbell complete the list. Melissa Barrera has spoken of being fired from the seventh instalment of Scream over her remarks about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Mexican actress, 33, played Samantha Sam Carpenter in previous films in the slasher franchise, beginning with Scream in 2022. Barrera reprised her role in Scream VI, where she appeared alongside Courteney Cox and Jenna Ortega to fight off the Ghostface persona, the name of a series of killers who wear the ghost mask and black cloak. Jenna Ortega stars in Scream (Ian West/PA) Ortega, who has risen to global fame as Wednesday Adams in Netflix horror series Wednesday and is set to be in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, also departed last year. She reportedly left over a scheduling conflict as the second season of the show returned to the streaming platform. Speaking about her own exit, Barrera told The Hollywood Reporter: None of this makes me happy. It was just all sad because I really, deeply care about the franchise. Its just bad that it had to happen like that. She also said not at all when asked if she was warned about toning down her social media posts, which have called for an Israeli ceasefire. Barrera also said that its very evident that actors, who are not women of colour, have not had any issues for speaking out about the Gaza conflict, which has seen thousands of civilians die in the wake of the militant group Hamas invading Israel in October. She said: All I can say is that it is very important for me to raise my voice for those who dont have one. It seems weird to have a platform and not use it for that. Barrera also said that it was definitely hard, because I was just in such a cloudy state of mind but she was fortunate due to the support of others, including her team and publicists. She said she has spoken to US actress Ortega who she loves so much, adding: Shes been very supportive of me, and were sisters for life. Barrera, who will next be seen in vampire horror film Abigail, did not exclude the possibility of returning to the Scream franchise. Ive learned to never say never, but also a lot of things would have to happen for Sam to come back, she said. For now, next page, next chapter, and then well see what the future holds. Canadian actress Neve Campbell, who was in the first film as Sidney Prescott alongside Cox and returned for four more instalments, has since been cast for Scream 7. Campbell previously told People magazine that she felt unhappy with the offer made to her by the studio for the sixth instalment and declined to be in it. However, in an Instagram post this month, she said it has always been such a blast and an honour to get to play Sidney in the Scream movies and said she would make a comeback. She added: My appreciation for these films, and for what they have meant to me, has never waned. Im very happy and proud to say Ive been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldnt be more thrilled!!! Campbell also said that Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original screenplay Scream and the second and fourth films, will return to the franchise, this time as a director. This was his baby and its his brilliant mind that dreamt up this world, she added. Kevin is not just an inspiration as an artist but has been a dear friend for many years. To the amazing Scream fans, I hope you are as excited as I am. See you on set. Wes Craven was the director on all of the films up until his death in 2015 at the age of 76. Red yeast rice capsules Four people in Japan are now believed to have died after consuming a supplement containing red yeast rice, as a growing health scare sweeps the country. Red yeast rice, or beni koji, is supposed to help lower cholesterol and is an ingredient in dozens of other products that are now being recalled, including sake, salad dressing and miso paste. Last week, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical recalled three over-the-counter supplement brands Beni Koji Choleste Help and two others after customers complained of kidney problems. On Thursday, the company announced two more deaths potentially related to its tablets, bringing the total under investigation by the company and health ministry to four, with more than 100 other people hospitalised. Fumio Kishida, Japans prime minister, said in parliament that after the cause is identified, the government will examine what measures are necessary to prevent similar incidents. We will clarify the causes and, if necessary, I think we need to consider all possible measures, he said. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical sells a wide range of health products marketed through television adverts in Japan. Medical studies describe red yeast rice as an alternative to statins for lowering high cholesterol but also warn of a risk of organ damage depending on its chemical makeup. A Kobayashi Pharmaceutical shareholder speaks to reporters in Osaka on Thursday - Alamy Live News/Newsco The Osaka-based company says it has supplied red yeast rice to around 50 other firms in Japan and two in Taiwan. We were told yesterday by a bereaved family that a person who had been using Choleste Help had passed away due to kidney disease, the drug maker said in a statement. It added it had been told separately that another person who had used Choleste Help in recent years had died. We are in the process of confirming the facts and causal relationships in both of these cases, the statement said. However, we decided to make this report public from the viewpoint of prompt disclosure. The government has ordered several health-food makers to review their products while informing foreign countries about the issue through Japans embassies, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, said. Dozens of Japanese firms that used beni koji provided by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical have separately announced recalls. The affected products include health tablets as well as rose-coloured sparkling sake, salad dressing, bread and miso paste used in many traditional dishes. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said analysis had found a possibility that the products contained ingredients we had not intended to include. However, it said it did not find any citrinin produced by red yeast rice, which is toxic and can damage the kidneys. A Kobayashi executive said last week that the company first received complaints about kidney problems in January. It is regrettable that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical did not provide information to the government while it was carrying out investigations to determine the cause, Keizo Takemi, the health minister, said on Tuesday. Symposium commemorates 100th birth anniversary of Chinese novelist Jin Yong Xinhua) 10:52, March 28, 2024 BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China Writers Association on Wednesday hosted a symposium to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late Chinese martial arts novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, more widely known by his pen name Jin Yong. Jin Yong published his first martial arts novel, The Book and the Sword, in 1955 and later went on to create 14 such novels, which were so popular that they inspired the production of numerous movies, dramas, video games and other cultural and creative products. Jin Yong died at 94 in Hong Kong in 2018. He was also a famous newspaperman and social activist. Attendees of the symposium stressed the importance of recognizing the power of literature, drawing insights from compelling literary works from China that resonate with audiences, and shouldering the new cultural mission in the new era. Tie Ning, chairperson of China Writers Association, attended the symposium. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Arvind Kejriwal will spend at least 10 days in custody. Photograph: Dinesh Joshi/AP When Arvind Kejriwal emerged on to Indias political scene in 2011, he was an outsider with over a decade of activism behind him. Today he is one of the countrys most recognised opposition leaders and his political party governs two powerful states. Yet Kejriwals swift rise from newcomer to political heavyweight, standing up against the might of the Narendra Modi government, has appeared to come at a cost. Last week, Kejriwal, who is the longstanding face of Indias anti-corruption movement, was detained on corruption charges becoming the first sitting chief minister to be arrested. He will be held in custody for at least 10 days. The case against him was instigated by a powerful investigation agency under the control of the Modi government. Kejriwal called it a political conspiracy to crush his party and tarnish its chances in Indias election, which begins next month. The Modi government denies any political agenda. Kejriwal did not come from a political background. A mechanical engineer who later worked for the income tax department, he instead rose to prominence through his civilian activist movements focusing on transparency and rooting out everyday corruption. In the 1990s, he began the organisation Parivartan, which helped people access information from the government and exposed bribery scams. After the success of several campaigns, including protests against corruption in Indias Commonwealth Games, in 2011 Kejriwal formed his own political party, called the Aam Aadmi (common man) party, starting out in Delhi. Kejriwals drive against corruption made him a popular figure and the AAP swiftly grew to be a political force in the capital. In 2013, the AAP defied the odds to wrest power from the established parties and win the state assembly elections. Kejriwal did not last long as chief minister, resigning just two months later when his party failed to pass a pivotal transparency bill that he had run his campaign on. It proved politically savvy in the long run, boosting his popularity for being seen to stand by his anticorruption principles. In the next state assembly elections in 2015, the AAP won a resounding victory, returning Kejriwal to power and beating Modis Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), which had won the general election the year before. It was the beginning of a rivalry between the two parties, which escalated after the AAP beat the BJP again in the 2020 state elections. Kejriwals government was praised for improving Delhis schools and healthcare as well as welfare schemes giving away free electricity, but faced criticism for being seen to pander to Hindu nationalist politics and for failing to tackle Delhis pollution, which remains the worst in the world. Many of the AAPs early champions have left the party, disillusioned by its governance. Nonetheless, in 2022 the AAP won the state elections in Punjab, a big step in establishing it as a political force beyond the capital. Since coming to power in Delhi, Kejriwal has repeatedly accused the Modi government of trying to undermine and sabotage the actions of his state government. The AAP governments attempts to overhaul Delhis complex and archaic alcohol licensing laws, and open up the market to private vendors, ran Kejriwal afoul of Indias enforcement directorate, a central government agency tasked with investigating large-scale financial fraud. Not long after the AAP returned to power, the directorate began to investigate the party, alleging it was using the new alcohol licensing laws to favour certain so-called liquor barons for lucrative deals in exchange for billions of rupees in kickbacks. Party officials deny any corruption but several senior figures were rounded up and detained, including Kejriwals close ally and deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, who has been in jail for over a year. This year, the directorate summoned Kejriwal for questioning in the case. He refused to comply, accusing the agency of being weaponised by the BJP to go after political opponents. Finally, after more than a dozen ignored notices, last week the directorate sent police officers to Kejriwals house with a warrant, arresting him that night. The courts have since allowed them to keep him in custody till at least 1 April. There has been a loud chorus from the BJP calling for Kejriwal to resign. Many believe efforts will be made to keep him in jail for as long as possible. His party has said he will not bow to pressure and Kejriwal has vowed to continue governing the capital from prison and fight the general election. 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, said Gopal Rai, a Delhi government minister, after the arrest. Arvind Kejriwal is not a person, he is an ideology. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after the Singaporean-flagged container ship Dali crashed into it on early Tuesday morning. Heres where things stand: Six members of a construction crew filling potholes on the bridge who were missing following the incident are now presumed dead. The bodies of two men were recovered on Wednesday morning when their submerged pickup truck was found in the waters under the collapsed structure. Authorities identified the men as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old originally from Mexico who was living in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, who was from Guatemala and was living in Dundalk, Maryland. Other named victims include 49-year-old Miguel Luna from El Salvador, a husband and father of three who lived in Maryland for over 19 years, and 38-year-old Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, originally from Azacualpa in Honduras, a married father of two who had lived in the US for 18 years and launched his own maintenance business. The foreign affairs ministry of Guatemala confirmed that two of the workers were nationals, though it did not name them. The ministry said the two people were 26 and 35, originally from San Luis, Peten, and Camotan, Chiquimula, respectively. Three Mexican nationals were working on the bridge when it collapsed, Mexicos president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday. One was rescued while two others remain missing, he said. The two Mexican nationals who remain missing were originally from the states of Veracruz and Michoacan, Mexicos foreign affairs ministry has said. A third who was rescued on Tuesday is also originally from Michoacan. Two construction workers were rescued on Tuesday. One was hospitalized at the Cowley Shock Trauma center in Baltimore before being later discharged. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board will examine whether dirty fuel played a role in the giant cargo vessel losing power and crashing into the span. The Dali had lost power and issued a distress call moments before the crash, just after it began heading out from Baltimore to its destination of Sri Lanka. One reason for the blackout is contaminated fuel that can create problems with the ships main power generators, according to a Wall Street Journal report. NTSB investigators inspect damage from the cargo vessel Dali, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday in Baltimore, Maryland. Photograph: NTSB/Getty Images The Maryland governor Wes Moore has warned of a very long road ahead to recover from the loss of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved $60m in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse. The funding does not cover the reconstruction of the crippled bridge itself, but to instead remove shattered parts of the structure and deal with traffic in order to reopen Baltimores shipping channels. Massive barges carrying cranes streamed toward Baltimore on Thursday to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete from the Patapsco River after a powerless container ship measuring 948ft (290m) crashed into one of the bridges supports, causing it to topple early on Tuesday. Related: Baltimore bridge collapse could lead to record insurance loss, says Lloyds boss In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, the Maryland department of transportation said that its current estimate for the mobilization, operations and debris removal of the bridge was $60m. The letter says the states funding for emergencies is limited and unable to fund an emergency of this magnitude. The cost estimate for the disaster is likely to climb as the cleanup from the collapse of the 1.6 mile-long bridge continues. Joe Biden pledged federal dollars for the entire cost of the disaster. President Biden and all our federal partners have given Maryland tremendous support as we face an overwhelming tragedy impacting our state, our region and the people of Baltimore, said Wes Moore, Marylands governor, in a statement. This initial emergency relief request is needed for our immediate response efforts, and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery. Moore promised that the best minds in the world were working on plans to clear the debris. Government is working hand in hand with industry to investigate the area, including the wreck, and remove the ship, said Moore. This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks, Moore said. We have a very long road ahead of us. US Coast Guard officials said on Wednesday night that barges were on their way to the spot where the bridge crossed the Patapsco River, but it was not clear when they would arrive. The devastation at the site of the collapse, which happened when the cargo ship struck a pillar supporting the bridge after losing power early on Tuesday, is extensive. Divers reached the bodies of two men in a pickup truck near the bridges middle span on Wednesday, but officials said they would need to start clearing away the twisted wreckage before anyone could reach the bodies of four other missing workers. The victims were part of a pothole-repair crew that was working on the bridge at the time of the disaster. National Transportation Safety Board officials boarded the cargo ship, the Dali, to recover information from its electronics and paperwork and to interview the captain and other crew members. Booms have been placed in the area to control the spread of any oil that seeped into the water, and state environmental officials were also sampling the water on Thursday. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also US consumers, who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. Associated Press contributed to this story Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill is in limbo after the House of Lords defeated the Government on amendments - STEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has toughened up the requirements for migrants seeking to block deportation flights to Rwanda. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ECHR set out a newly codified version of Rule 39 orders, which were used by Strasbourg judges to block the first deportation flight to Rwanda in June 2022. The new version makes explicit reference to the fact that judges can only issue the injunctions where there would be an imminent risk of irreparable harm if a migrant was deported to Rwanda. This mirrors the Governments own conditions for exempting a migrant from deportation in its new legislation, which aims to limit legal challenges to the deportation flights. Flights to Rwanda have been grounded since a European court judge issued its Rule 39 order at the 11th hour, sparking a legal process that culminated in the Supreme Court last year ruling that Rwanda was unsafe. New Bill The Governments new Rwanda Bill and treaty aims to answer the courts criticisms by barring the return of anyone sent to Rwanda to their home country where they could face persecution, so-called refoulement which was the main concern of the Supreme Court. The legislation also bars any systemic challenge to the safety of Rwanda, but allows individual claims against deportation, though these will only be upheld if the migrants can show they would be at real risk of serious and irreversible harm. It also gives ministers the right to ignore Rule 39 injunctions, although internal documents suggest that the Governments legal advice is that they are binding. 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. 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. Migrants crossing the Channel earlier this month - TOLGA AKMEN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has been urged to abandon his Rwanda scheme by a United Nations human rights watchdog. The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) called on the UK Government to abandon the policy and repeal measures already in legislation as part of the Prime Ministers plan to stop the boats crossing the English Channel. But UK sources accused the UN of double standards because the international body already sends refugees to Rwanda. The international panel was deeply concerned about the introduction of legislative initiatives containing elements that discriminate against migrants and that seek to limit access to rights for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, such as the Illegal Migration Act 2023. The committee said the law, which is intended to stop people who arrive in the UK illegally from being able to stay here, effectively amounts to an asylum ban. The human rights body said it regrets the Rwanda plan and the Governments efforts to adopt the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill despite the ruling of the UK Supreme Court that the arrangement would not be compliant with international law. With savings of 18 on champagne, picking up just five bottles each could cover the cost of travel Gone are the days when you could fill the boot and the roof box to the max with cases of wine at Calais and make your vinous haul last well into the winter. But shop wisely and that trolley dash on the return leg of your holiday could easily pay off. We show you how. Post-Brexit personal allowance Our departure from the EU may have signalled the end of unlimited alcohol allowances for personal use, but that doesnt mean you should forget stocking up. The biggest problem may be squeezing it all in around the kids, the dog and that lamp you couldnt resist from that flea market in Nice. Best total savings Combine a case of Lanson Black Label fizz with two cases of a well-known brand such as Calvet and you can save a whopping 366 on UK prices. Even once you deduct travel costs of 165*, youre still 200 better off. Going with another adult? You can double the amount you bring back but split the Eurotunnel fare and fuel that way youll each spend 283 less than you would for the same wines this side of La Manche even after travel expenses. If space is tight, remember that with typical savings of 18 on champagne, picking up as few as five bottles each before heading home could cover the cost of your travel. * Eurotunnel Short Stay Saver from 60 each way until 30 June 2024 plus mileage costs of 45 Best savings by value Certain wines bought in France offer huge savings by value so check UK prices before you buy. The Calvet Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc costs 8.99 here while in Calais the same wine will set you back just 3.70 (3.17 at average exchange rates**), a 64 per cent reduction. For still wines, look to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southwest France and you could save 48 per cent on a white that typically costs 10.50 here. We also found an organic Cotes du Rhone from a respected producer with savings of 41 per cent. ** based on year-to-date exchange rate of 1 = 0.8561 Stocking up for a wedding or a big party? Buy 24 bottles of the cremant and 48 each of the picpoul and cotes du Rhone and youll save 642 on UK prices. Remember, youll need to shop as a pair to make sure your haul doesnt exceed the personal allowances. Replenish your wine stocks A booze run isnt just about finding the biggest savings. If youre looking for a balanced selection to take you through the next few months, you might consider a case each of a smart Crozes-Hermitage and a food-friendly chardonnay. You wont quite break even once youve deducted travel costs but your palate will be enriched. And if youre on the return leg of a holiday, its a no-brainer to pick up a case on your way through Calais. Wines to avoid While Provence rose might have been having a moment in the sun, it doesnt necessarily pay to buy it in Calais. Snap up a bottle of the much-hyped Whispering Angel Cotes de Provence Rose on your way to the port and you could pay more than you would back home; UK promotions and multibuy deals have seen the price come down to 14.25 almost two pounds less than in France so do your research before you travel. Further savings You may be eligible for a VAT refund on your purchase. Check the French Customs website for more details. Where to shop Calais offers a good mix of large shopping centres and small boutiques. Cite Europe mall and Carrefour hypermarket are a five-minute drive from the terminal. Channel Outlet, housing 55 shops including Galeries Lafayette, Kusmi Tea and Descamps homeware, is nearby (expect discounts upwards of 30 per cent). For wine, locals rate Calais Vins (exit the A16 motorway at junction 44) and Terre de Boissons in Cite Europe. Adjacent to Calais Vins and ideal for stocking up before heading home youll find cheese heaven at Fromagerie Philippe Olivier. Recommended Cremant is now the 'acceptable' fizz and these are the best bottles to buy Read more Chris Christie in Seabrook, New Hampshire on 29 December 2023. Photograph: Mel Musto/Bloomberg via Getty Images Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor and two-time losing candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, said he would not mount a third-party White House run closing another door on No Labels, the non-partisan group seeking to mount a campaign. Related: Biden campaign to raise $25m money bomb at event with Obama and Clinton I appreciate the encouragement Ive gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy, Christie said. I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what were doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us. While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward. Founded in 2010, No Labels describes itself as a national movement of commonsense Americans pushing our leaders together to solve our countrys biggest problems. Seeking ballot access, it has been rebuffed by possible candidates but nonetheless announced a country over party committee to select a unity presidential ticket. Organisers have also said they will not field a candidate if none suitable can be found. The group suffered a further blow on Wednesday with the death of its chair, Joe Lieberman, the former Democratic and independent senator from Connecticut who was Gores running mate in 2000. The Washington Post reported that Christie spent the last several weeks considering a No Labels bid, commissioning polling and working out notional budgets. Unnamed sources told the Post such work resulted in the conclusion that a successful third-party candidate would need to win 20 to 25 states an unrealistic prospect. Third-party candidates often operate as spoilers. Famously, in 2000, the Green candidate, Ralph Nader, cost Al Gore dearly in his razor-thin defeat by George W Bush. In 2016, another Green, Jill Stein, took votes from Hillary Clinton in her defeat by Trump. This year, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an independent, threatens to take votes from both Trump and Joe Biden, with observers split as to who stands to lose most. A former US attorney for New Jersey, Christie was governor from 2010 to 2018. Initially popular, he left office with historically low approval ratings after scandals including Bridgegate, in which lanes on the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey with upper Manhattan, were closed as political payback against a Democratic mayor. Related: Joe Lieberman, former US senator and vice-presidential nominee, dies at 82 Christie ran for the Republican nomination in 2016 but dropped out and gave Trump his first major endorsement. The former governor stayed close to Trump throughout his presidency, despite being ejected from transition planning in what he called a hit job by Jared Kushner Trumps son-in-law, whose father Christie helped put in jail and despite contracting Covid-19 from Trump and nearly dying. Having finally split from Trump over the attack on Congress of 6 January 2021, Christie mounted a 2024 campaign meant to stop Trump being nominated again. Failing in that aim, Christie dropped out before the first vote. Until Wednesday, he had consistently refused to rule out a third-party bid. MPs from across the political divide have questioned in parliament the adequacy of the UKs policy on torture. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Getty The number of requests for UK ministerial approval of intelligence-sharing where there was a real risk of torture, unlawful killing or extraordinary rendition has more than doubled in a year. The investigatory powers commissioners report outlining the rise comes after a parliamentary debate on Monday in which MPs from across the political divide questioned the adequacy of the UKs policy on torture under the Fulford principles. The human rights group Reprieve said that the increase to eight cases in 2022 from three in 2021 in which approval was sought for intelligence-sharing with overseas authorities where there was a real risk of torture, unlawful killing or extraordinary rendition was concerning. Dan Dolan, Reprieves director of policy and advocacy, said: These ministerial referrals represent real people at risk of being tortured something our government professes to find abhorrent. When the number of requests is doubling, and officials have admitted 95% get signed off, its clear the system is broken. The Fulford principles are not fit for purpose and its good to see MPs calling for their reform. The 95% figure refers to the entire spectrum of cases in which authorisation is sought 104 in total in 2022, 17 of which had a real risk of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment (CIDT) so it is unknown whether approval was given in individual cases. UK government policy is that it does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone any of these activities but critics say that the ministerial approval system contradicts this statement. Mondays Commons debate concerned the investigatory powers (amendment) bill and included discussion of a new clause three tabled by the Conservative MP David Davis, which would create an absolute prohibition on handing over information to an overseas authority where there was a possibility of torture or CIDT. He told MPs: I am afraid that, each year, we are seeing more cases in which the UK seeks to share intelligence despite a real risk of torture. There is no doubt that our intelligence agencies do a difficult and sometimes dangerous job, but getting mixed up in torture does nothing to keep us safe. It undermines the civilised values that we stand for. Labours Dan Jarvis, the shadow security minister, said clause three raises important issues of accountability when sharing intelligence with foreign governments that could result in torture, not least in relation to the parameters of the decision-making process by foreign secretaries [and] raises important questions about the sufficiency of the Fulford principles. A government spokesperson said: The UK government does not participate in, solicit, encourage, or condone the use of torture or of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment for any purpose. Our priority is the safety and security of the UK and the people who live here. We welcome IPCOs [Investigatory Powers Commissioners Offices] critical oversight role, ensuring the proportionate use of investigatory powers by our intelligence and security agencies and partners. Eva Tennent suffers from Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, and has advanced scoliosis that causes her spine to twist and curve to the side. Photograph: Reverse Rett/Facebook A 10-year-old girls spinal condition has become inoperable after her planned surgery was cancelled seven times in six months, her mother has claimed. Eva Tennent suffers from Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, and has advanced scoliosis that causes her spine to twist and curve to the side. The curvature of her spine was 60.89 degrees in May 2022, went up to 107.9 degrees last year and is now at 110 degrees, her mother, Jill Lockhart, told BBC News. Lockhart said her daughter had surgery planned seven times since September last year, but each time it had been cancelled. Related: Childrens emergency mental health referrals in England soar by 53% She claimed three of her operations at Edinburgh Royal hospital for children and young people (RHCYP) were postponed due to staff shortages, while the most recent cancellations were down to her daughters poor respiratory health, which she alleged was a result of the delay in operating. She was most recently set for surgery on 28 March. Lockhart told the BBC: She was deemed operable in September, October and November and they were only cancelled because of bed and nurse shortages. They have left it so long, and now they are saying its too late. It feels like my daughters chances of survival have been sacrificed. We were told last week that the operation could go ahead. Now, were being told shes inoperable and I cant get a proper explanation from the hospital why this situation has changed so quickly. If Eva had this operation, she could live for another 15 to 30 years with her condition. Without it, she may die. Last year, a BBC Disclosure investigation into NHS Scotland revealed claims that nursing shortages at the Edinburgh RHCYP were contributing to some children waiting up to three times longer than pre-pandemic for spinal surgery. Tracey Gillies, the medical director of NHS Lothian, said: We do not comment on individual members of staff. If a clinician was not to be at work for any reason, patients and their families would be told if it impacted on their care and their case would be reassigned to another surgeon, as soon as possible particularly if it was time sensitive. In cases of a specialist service, it can often be necessary to link in with the closest centre to ensure the patient is care for appropriately. NHS Lothian has provided the Scottish National Spinal Service since 2005 and we continue to work closely with National Services Scotland. We do not discuss individual patients without their consent and we would urge any patients and their families to contact us directly to discuss their concerns and questions about their care. We do know that rescheduling elective procedures can be very upsetting for our patients and their families. We apologise sincerely to those who have been affected, especially those who have been rescheduled a number of times. We have been open and honest about the significant pressures being experienced across our entire healthcare system and their negative impact on elective procedures and waiting times. Former Just Stop Oil backer Dale Vince at a protest in London - Aaron Chown/PA A green energy tycoon has been ordered by a High Court judge to inform his wife before he donates any more money to the Labour Party. Dale Vince, who previously provided financial backing to climate activist group Just Stop Oil, plans to donate 5 million to Sir Keir Starmers election campaign. Lawyers acting for his second wife Kate, told the High Court during the couples divorce proceedings that Mr Vince had kept her in the dark about his plans to donate to the opposition party using shared assets, the Financial Times reports. Barrister Richard Todd told the court earlier this week: This lack of visibility is quite frankly appalling. That money is being disposed of and its being kept invisible from us. Born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Mr Vince left school with no qualifications. He went on to found energy firm Ecotricity in 1995 and now has an estimated fortune of 100 million. Mr Vince, now 62, used to be a major backer for Just Stop Oil, the group which has carried out multiple stunts at sporting events, on major roads and in public galleries. Donations to be disclosed publicly In October last year, he announced that he would no longer be funding the group and would instead be funnelling money towards Labour ahead of the next election. Over the past decade, he has already given the party 2.4 million through his energy firm. Yet in court, Mr Justice Cusworth, who is presiding over Mr Vinces divorce case, ordered him to give his wife written notice of any intention to make a donation. The judge confirmed he would be making a notice provision to ensure Ms Vince was kept informed of any donations - but this would not restrict the businessman from making any funding decisions. Simon Bruce, Ms Vinces solicitor, suggested that an application could be made to stop the tycoon from donating what we dont want him to donate. Lewis Marks, who is representing Mr Vince, said his client had made his intention to donate 5 million to Labour clear and that he would be disclosing any donations in public as he always does. He added: If the wife thinks she can get an injunction to restrain him [from funding the Labour Party]...then she should make that application. Mr Vince met Kate Vince in the Nineties when she was working for Ecotricity. Hunter Bidens trial is due to start in June, a few months before Americans vote in the 2024 election. Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images Attorneys representing Hunter Biden asked a US judge in Los Angeles to dismiss the criminal case accusing him of evading $1.4m in taxes, arguing that prosecutors bowed to political pressure from Republican lawmakers investigating his father, Joe Biden. Hunters lawyers appeared before the US district judge Mark Scarsi in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday to press several legal challenges to the charges, including an argument that he was selectively targeted by prosecutors in response to Republican criticism. The 54-year-old was not present in the courtroom. Related: Hunter Biden says democracy is at stake in his battle to stay sober Hunter has pleaded not guilty to failing to pay $1.4m in taxes between 2016 and 2019, while spending millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, exotic cars and other big-ticket items. His lawyer has said he paid back the money in full. US district judge Mark Scarsi appeared to give a skeptical reception to dismissal request. At the hearing, Scarsi asked whether Hunters lawyers had any evidence that prosecutors had caved to pressure from Republicans, other than the fact that they filed charges after months of accusations by Republicans in Congress and Donald Trump that he had been treated leniently. Do you have any evidence other than the timeline? Scarsi asked Hunters lawyer, Abbe Lowell. Lowell acknowledged that its a timeline, but its a juicy timeline. Scarsi also voiced skepticism about Hunters defense teams argument that prosecutors had been pressured by two Internal Revenue Service agents who went public last year with information about his tax returns. How are they responsible for whats in the indictment? Scarsi asked. I cant make the connection that thats why that happened, Lowell said, later adding that: It was those two agents that started the dominoes. Leo Wise, one of the prosecutors on the case, said it was patently absurd that the agents had influenced prosecutors. The trial of the presidents youngest son is due to start in June, a few months before Americans vote in a November presidential election that looks set to be a close and deeply divisive contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Hunter also faces a separate criminal case in federal court in Delaware over his alleged purchase of a handgun while he was using illegal drugs. He has pleaded not guilty and made similar arguments to dismiss the charges in that case. The special counsel David Weiss, who brought both cases, has accused Hunter Bidens legal team of spreading conspiracy theories about the prosecution. He has said the justice department would not act at the direction of Republican lawmakers, who are pursuing an impeachment investigation into whether Joe Biden profited from his sons activities. The inquiry has turned up no evidence that the president personally benefited. Hunter is also seeking to toss out the charges by arguing that Weiss, who has investigated him since 2019, was improperly appointed special counsel. Hunters defense team has also argued that the case is barred by an earlier plea deal the presidents son struck with prosecutors. The deal collapsed under questioning from a federal judge last year. Prosecutors have said it never took effect. Palestinians fleeing the Israeli assault on Khan Younis in January may have been monitored by the facial recognition system - AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Israeli military intelligence is reportedly using facial recognition technology to monitor, identify and detain Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The mass surveillance technology was initially used in Gaza to find Israelis taken hostage by Hamas in its deadly attacks on Oct 7. Since then, Israel has sought to root out Hamas members as part of a ground offensive, and has used the technology to find people suspected to have ties with the group, unnamed Israeli intelligence officers, military officials, and soldiers told the New York Times. However, the sources said, the data collection has been done without the knowledge or consent of the population of Gaza, and is not always accurate, at times mistakenly identifying civilians as Hamas militants. Israeli soldiers walk past surveillance cameras in Hebron, in the West Bank - HAZEM BADER/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES The sources said they were speaking out about the programme over concerns that government resources could be better directed toward other uses. The facial recognition programme is believed to be run by Israels military intelligence unit and uses technology from Corsight, a private Israeli firm. Corsight did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israeli military also has not commented specifically on the reports of the use of facial recognition technology. But Israeli authorities have previously used such technology in the West Bank, another occupied Palestinian territory, according to the human rights group Amnesty International. Surveillance cameras in Hebron, in the West Bank, where Amnesty International said facial recognition technology was in use - HAZEM BADER/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES An experimental facial recognition system called Red Wolf has been used there, the group said in a report from May 2023. It is used at military checkpoints in the city of Hebron in the West Bank, where it scans Palestinians faces and adds them to a database without consent. Amnestys report said such surveillance is part of a deliberate attempt by Israeli authorities to create a hostile and coercive environment for Palestinians, with the aim of minimising their presence in strategic areas. Facial recognition technology has begun to proliferate globally in recent years as advances are made in artificial intelligence. In China, it has been used widely for everything from boarding flights to suppressing Muslim minority groups. In recent years, it has also become common to see facial recognition gates for public transport and even for workers to enter construction sites. Salvini said the move to give children a day off at the end of Ramadan represented a 'caving in' of Italian values - ANGELO CARCONI/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK Italys deputy prime minister has demanded a limit on the number of foreign students in a class after a school decided to close for Ramadan to accommodate its Muslim pupils. Matteo Salvini, who leads the hard-Right League party and is a key member of the coalition government, said the move by the school in northern Italy to give children a day off at the end of Ramadan represented a caving in of Italian values. He said the nations classrooms should have no more than 20 per cent foreign students. The school, in the town of Pioltello near Milan, will close on April 10 to mark Eid al-Fitr. Around 40 per cent of its children are Muslim and teachers said they were highly unlikely to turn up, so it was better to formally announce a holiday. The decision has sparked a row over multiculturalism in a country which still wrestles with how best to integrate its growing population of immigrants. Mr Salvini is jostling with Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, to establish his nationalist credentials ahead of the European elections in June. Although they are nominally partners in the coalition government, they are also rivals, with Ms Meloni leading the Brothers of Italy party, which has comprehensively eclipsed the League in the last couple of years. Caved in The school had caved in to Ramadan by agreeing to close for the religious holiday, Mr Salvini said. We need to put a limit on the number of foreign pupils in our classrooms, he said, proposing a 20 per cent cap. I dont believe that any Muslim country would close their schools for Easter or Christmas. Italys industrial north, especially Milan and its hinterland, has large immigrant populations, with people not just from Muslim countries but also South America and Eastern Europe. The decision to close the school was condemned by several politicians on the Right, with Silvia Sardone, an MEP from the League, calling it scandalous. But MPs on the opposition Left accused Mr Salvini of exploiting the debate to further his own agenda. Salvini doesnt want to encourage integration, said Irene Manzi from the centre-Left Democratic party. The message he is pushing is the same that he conveys every day regarding immigration. The latest polls suggest the League commands just nine per cent of the national vote compared to 28 per cent for Ms Melonis Brothers of Italy. For Jersey residents Jennifer Bridge, Lorna Pirozzolo and Dr John Stewart-Jones, this has been a difficult and divisive debate - Heathcliff O'Malley One hundred miles from mainland Britain a good deal closer to Saint Malo than to Salcombe Jersey should really feel more French than British.Its street names are Gallic but the island looks and feels like a sleepy stretch of the south coast. Victor Hugo once described it as a piece of France fallen into the sea and picked up by England. In fact, its neither. It isnt part of the United Kingdom, its a Crown Dependency, autonomous and self-governing. And yet, to those of us living on mainland Britain, its as British as Anglesey, Lindisfarne or Orkney. So, as Jersey prepares to vote through a law that would allow people to legally end their lives on the island, those 100 miles have never seemed shorter. Jersey is set to become a canary in the coalmine for Britain on assisted dying. On Friday, the government published proposals for what the legislation could look like. They outline what some consider to be sensible parameters, while for others, the proposals represent a slippery slope which could one day lead to a model like that in the Netherlands, where people with a history of depression or anorexia have chosen to legally end their lives. The proposals state that to be eligible you will have to have lived on the island for 12 months (a stipulation that it said was intended to discourage death tourism). There are two possible routes to assisted dying laid out. In the first, you would have to be terminally ill, with a prognosis of six months for cancer or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition like Motor Neurone Disease. Route two would allow for someone with an incurable physical condition, which causes unbearable suffering which cannot be alleviated in a manner the person deems to be tolerable, to be eligible. Someone who had been paralysed below the neck, experienced chronic pain and needed 24 hour care, for example, would be eligible under route two. In both cases, you must possess the capacity to make the decision. A nine-week lodging period will now follow; a debate on the proposals is scheduled for May 21. If voted through, its expected it could take 18 months to draft a law. The earliest it could come into effect would be spring 2027, but however long the process takes, it is looking likely that assisted dying will become a reality on Jersey. Its a watershed moment for Britain, coming amid growing pressure in the UK with public figures like Esther Rantzen who revealed in December she was considering assisted dying calling for a change. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged parliament will debate and vote on assisted dying if Labour wins the next election. Meanwhile, Jersey isnt the only jurisdiction on the cusp of making such a move. The Isle of Man has a bill at committee stage having backed a proposal in October to allow terminally ill people to choose an assisted death. In the Scottish parliament, it was announced this week that a private members bill would be considered. Liam McArthur, Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, wants to pass the Assisted Dying Bill in 2025. If voted through, it would make Scotland the first UK nation to legalise assisted dying. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after publishing his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill - Jane Barlow/PA Last month, a report from the health and social care committee warned MPs to consider the repercussions of a law change anywhere in the British Isles. Ministers should be actively involved in discussions about how to approach the divergence in legislation. On Jersey, the debate has divided the island. A citizens jury convened in 2021 agreed overwhelmingly that, if subject to stringent safeguards, assisted dying should be permitted. 78 per cent of the jury were in favour, but campaigners against assisted dying including healthcare professionals who would be forced to become conscientious objectors if the law went through say it is both deeply wrong and could be catastrophic for the islands healthcare system. Behind the debate on Jersey are people with terminal diagnoses desperately hoping the law will be enacted in time for them to use it. Then there are people for whom the concept of state sanctioned suicide is ethically wrong people who feel even the strictest legislation would be the beginning of a road no society should ever venture down. Lorna Pirozzolo is in the first camp. She was diagnosed with stage four terminal breast cancer in 2019. Five years would have been a realistic prognosis then; she has exceeded that by two months and counting, though not without bumps in the road. Initially, Pirozzolo, in her 40s, who works in air traffic control at Jersey Airport, tried to stay out of the debate on assisted dying. Then, in late 2019, she began experiencing a pain so bad it made her confront the realities of what unbearable suffering (which the legislation would require people to prove) might genuinely feel like. For months she would be rushed to hospital with recurrent pancreatitis. The pain was so bad it made her black out. At its worst, it was happening twice a week. Once, doctors had to put her in a coma to stop the pain. They say you cant define unbearable pain. You can. Neither your body nor your mind can go on like that. So of course I begged a nurse to kill me. A low winter sun is setting over the island as we talk in the cosy living room of her in-laws home. Pirozzolo and her husband, Joe, a business consultant, are living here while they do up a house nearby. It is a week before the proposals are to be published and Pirozzolo has had a really bad fortnight. Her pancreatitis has calmed down thanks to surgery in 2022 to remove her gallbladder, but the drugs she takes are gruelling. Any time she feels a new sensation a headache, an itch, anything out of the ordinary, she knows it could be a sign the cancer has once again metastasised. There is no clear roadmap for what the end of her illness might look like, but she knows she doesnt want to experience anything like the pain she felt during those terrible months, when she went as far as to pick a date to die. [It] was going to be November 11, three weeks after surgery. Lorna Pirozzolo, who has terminal cancer, is an advocate for assisted dying - Heathcliff O'Malley Wed know by then if it had worked. I was going to have to take my own life. It wasnt a choice. Im not saying I wanted to kill myself I didnt have a choice in that. It was like, if surgery doesnt work, you just cant Thankfully, it worked. But afterwards, Pirozzolo began proactively contacting politicians about assisted dying. She realised that if her surgery had failed, she would have been forced to die on my own. If Pirozzolo didnt mention she was currently in the midst of a bad patch, you would never know she seems full of energy. She is sharp and fiercely bright. You dont have to spend much time with her to see she is made of steel. Her pet hate is when cancer patients are labelled vulnerable. Pirozzolo is very clear that she doesnt want to die, but shes realistic about what the end could be like. Im not scared of death itself, she says. Its the bit before it. What youre going to be made to go through. Its not that you want to die you dont want to leave your loved ones. [...] But I dont want to be in excruciating pain and forced to stay in it. Some argue end of life care is so advanced now that it should be possible to have a good death. If youre saying people can be rendered unconscious then I agree, says Pirozzolo, but to me, unconscious is not acceptable. A strong argument against assisted dying is the risk that people (especially the elderly) could be put under pressure to die. Pirozzolo points out that many cancer patients feel under pressure to take the next medicine no matter what it puts our body through. Do they ever stop to think when theyre putting us under pressure to keep living? She had a polite debate recently with a religious man on the island who was arguing on the opposite side of the debate. By the time he had heard Pirozzolos story, he seemed to have relented a little: [He said]: I have to admit I have never experienced that kind of pain. [...] If you were in that much pain, come the end of your life because of cancer, I can understand that. And Im thinking, well, thats what were fighting for. With others in the community, she simply avoids the topic, as with one man who she knows opposes the legislation. Ive bumped into him a couple of times and we just dont discuss this. For many on Jersey, the proposals are deeply worrying. Andreas Melchior, a practising GP on the island, fears where the proposals could lead. I understand that people want the choice, he says. But this is crossing a line that we have to be very careful of because you cant go back over that line. [Assisted dying] has had a lot of unintended consequences in all the jurisdictions where its been done. Legalising assisted dying has 'unintended consequences', says GP Andreas Melchior - Heathcliff O'Malley In countries like Canada and Holland, he says, where assisted dying is legal, the law has gradually expanded. Within a very short space of time, the legal challenges came, the safeguards were removed, and theyre now euthanising a lot of people that were never planned to be included in this proposal. We worry itll happen the same on Jersey. We meet at the house of a GP friend of Melchiors, John Stewart-Jones. Now retired, Stewart-Jones feels assisted dying goes against the Hippocratic Oath he made when he first qualified. When youve given your life to care for people and do the best for them, to actually go and kill them is completely contrary to most doctors conscience. Both worry about the impact the legislation could have on the islands health system. In Jersey we dont have enough GPs, we dont have enough palliative care people, we dont have enough mental health doctors, says Melchior. If we draw off some of those people in order to make assessments for people being processed for dying, that would deprive the healthcare system of professionals. They arent convinced enough doctors would want to participate. A lot of health professionals on this island, when you ask them privately, they say I dont want anything to do with it. One GP who would be prepared is Nigel Minihane. For him, the slippery slope argument doesnt hold up. You can make your legislation quite definitive, he says. And weve done that with abortion. Abortion legislation hasnt changed for 60 years. GP Nigel Minihane is concerned that resources would be devoted to lawyers at the expense of the health system - Heathcliff O'Malley Limiting the legislation is crucial, he says. For Minihane, a patient should be actively dying, or the safeguarding issues are far, far too great. He is more in favour of route one than route two, for which he fears there would have to be many more tribunals and legal processes. Jerseys healthcare system is no more robust than our own NHS. Our health system is failing like your health system, he says. It doesnt have the money to do what it needs to do anyway, and I would hate to see resources being devoted to lawyers at the expense of the health system. With route one, however, the risk is lower, the numbers more predictable. We know there are a certain number of people actively dying every year who will fall in the category and only very few of those will come into the category where theyd want to take their own lives. Doctors and campaigners are divided on a crucial point: the effectiveness of end of life care. Melchior and Stewart-Jones are among those who say it is possible to have a good death, that the right drugs can make someone comfortable. Minihane says otherwise. Palliative care is not a panacea. People assume it is that if palliative care were better everything would be perfect. [...] I have seen bad deaths and bad deaths continue to occur. Jersey GP John Stewart-Jones feels that assisted dying 'goes against the Hippocratic Oath' - Heathcliff O'Malley They might be rare, he says, but sometimes pain cant be managed because its so severe. Some people would argue you can knock people out. [...] But how long do you sedate them for? Ethically, whats the difference between sedating people to the point of unconsciousness until they die as opposed to them making a decision where they die? If it were to happen, opinions are split on whether there should be a Dignitas-style clinic, or a service folded into healthcare like palliative treatment, with people dying in hospices, hospitals and at home. Stewart-Jones is opposed to either, but feels the first option would be the lesser evil of the two. For Minihane, the where shouldnt be so prescriptive. Its back to choice. People die in hospice, in hospitals, at home. Why would this be different? Politicians on the island are split on the matter. Jennifer Bridge MBE, a former States Member, says Jersey is well set up to enact this legislation. The fact that weve got a functioning health service and an absolutely superb hospice means that theres a framework where this can sit, she says. Jennifer Bridge MBE, a former politician, is an advocate for assisted dying being made legal in Jersey - Heathcliff O'Malley Others have spoken out about the possible risk to vulnerable people. Safeguards can be built up and to the best of our ability, but none of them can be truly effective, said Minister for Health and Social Services, Richard Renouf, during a debate on the issue in 2021. None of them would truly protect patients who are going to become vulnerable if assisted dying were to be introduced. Some have actively put aside personal beliefs. I would never want anyone to restrict my choices on something that impacts me and my body, Deputy Carina Alves said in 2021, when the principle of assisted dying was first approved. Regardless of my faith, I have no right to do that. Faith is a factor for many in the anti-assisted dying campaign on Jersey. Stewart-Jones and Melchior met when they attended the same church on the island, though both say faith is only part of the story for them. Its my professional view and my ethical view, says Melchior. Sarah Whooton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said Fridays proposals should prompt MPs in Westminster to take note. Assisted dying is firmly on the electorates agenda as we approach what is set to be a watershed General Election. The charitys latest polling, carried out by Opinium, showed 75 per cent of Brits support assisted dying. For Pirozzolo, a change in the law on Jersey cant come soon enough. She wouldnt consider going to Dignitas the 15,000 price tag would be a stretch. She is getting her affairs in order shes nearly paid off her funeral, and is in the process of choosing the music. Sunshine on Leith, she thinks. If she could choose how her last day would go, what would it look like? She suspects itll be in the islands beautiful hospice. But given the choice, shed go down to the beach with her husband and her twin sister. You take something and then you just go down to the lighthouse listening to the waves. Whether that will be allowed legally, I dont know. But that would be my ideal. Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participate in a discussion moderated by Stephen Colbert - Reuters Joe Biden record-breaking $25m (19.8m) fundraiser featuring Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and a smattering of celebrities, was marred by pro-Palestine protesters on Thursday night, who denounced the President as a war criminal. The fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall in New York City got off to an inauspicious start when the three presidents were shouted down by protesters. One woman warned Mr Biden he had blood on his hands over his stance on the war in Gaza, the Daily Mail reports. Another shouted: Youre out of your fing minds. Although they were removed by security, the event was interrupted at least five times by demonstrators, according to US media. Mr Obama told off a protester when he was cut short in the middle of an answer, saying: You cant just talk and not listen thats what the other side does. President Biden shared the stage with his ex-boss, Barack Obama at the fundraiser - Alex Brandon/AP Hundreds of pro-Palestine activists gathered outside as the event got under way, where they called the US President a war criminal and labelled him Genocide Joe. They were closely watched by lines of police officers standing guard at the barricades placed outside the hall. At least one individual was reportedly arrested for disorderly conduct. Trump the punchline of gags Mr Biden, Mr Obama and Mr Clinton were interviewed by Stephen Colbert, a late-night talk show host, and the campaign had booked performers like Queen Latifah, Lizzo and Ben Platt to entertain guests at the event. Colbert, in an armchair conversation with the trio, called them champion talkers and joked that the three presidents had come to town and not one of them is here to appear in court, a dig at Mr Trumps many legal troubles. Mr Obama praised Mr Bidens willingness to look for common ground and said: Thats the kind of president I want. Mr Clinton said simply of the choices facing voters in 2024: Stay with what works. Meanwhile, Mr Biden attacked Mr Trump, saying his expected GOP rivals ideas were a little old and out of shape. During the nearly hourlong conversation, Mr Obama and Mr Clinton explained just how hard Mr Bidens job is. They spoke of loneliness and frustration over policies that work but arent immediately felt by the public. Mr Biden and Mr Obama arriving in New York on Air Force One - Derek French/Shutterstock They gave an insiders view of the office as they sought to explain why Mr Biden was best for the job. It is a lonely seat, Mr Obama said, who had hitched a ride to New York on Air Force One with Mr Biden. The talk was by turns humorous and serious, ending with all three donning sunglasses in the mostly dark music hall, a nod to the trademark Ray-Ban sunglasses that Mr Biden often wears. Donors pay top dollar for photo The event offered donors different tiers of access depending on how much money they donated to the campaign. Donors could give $100,000 for a photo with all three presidents, and $250,000 for access to an on-site reception. A donation of $500,000 would secure donors an invite to a more exclusive gathering. Supporters who made smaller donations were told they could dial into the event virtually for $25. Jill Biden, the First Lady, was slated to host an after-party for donors after the main event concluded with 500 guests and D-Nice, a DJ and record producer. This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built, said Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden-Harris campaigns cochairman. Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election - communicating the presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election. Biden struggling in polls The record-breaking fundraising haul comes as Mr Biden is struggling in national opinion polls, which show Mr Trump with a consistent lead of between one and three percentage points. Mr Trumps campaign has raised significantly less money than Mr Bidens in recent months and is experiencing a cash crunch as the Republican nominee attempts to pay his legal bills from campaign funds. But organisers of a fundraiser for Mr Trump said they expected to raise $33 million at an event next week in Palm Beach, Florida, the Financial Times reports. The amount cannot be verified until campaign disclosure filings are published. If accurate, it would effectively double the Trump campaigns cash on hand, although this would still be some way off Mr Bidens election war chest. The response to our fundraising efforts has been overwhelming, and weve raised over $33mn so far, John Paulson, the hedge fund manager hosting the event, claimed. There is massive support amongst a broad spectrum of donors. The dinner is relatively small in nature, and we are almost at our cap. Two other people familiar with the event confirmed the fundraising total to the newspaper. Mr Biden had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February, compared with $37 million for Mr Trump and his Save America political action committee. All hell breaks loose Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesperson, said the event showed Mr Biden was mentally deficient and needed to rely on the support of his predecessors. Mr Trumps supporters were sent a text message on Thursday morning describing the event as bad, adding: Tonight all hell breaks loose! On Wednesday, the former president said Mr Obama was spitting in the face of Americans by supporting Mr Biden. The event comes after Mr Obama was reported to be holding regular calls with Mr Bidens top strategists, and appeared in person for a campaign meeting in the White House. Although Mr Biden has emphasised his former bosss support, his campaign operates differently to Mr Obamas 2008 and 2012 election bids, with heavy support from the Democratic National Committee. Mr Obama preferred to run his campaigns from a separate office in Chicago. Also in New York on Thursday, Mr Trump attended the wake of Jonathan Diller, an NYPD officer who was gunned down at a traffic stop on Monday evening. Mr Trumps spokesman said he had decided to attend the event on Long Island because he was moved by Mr Dillers senseless and tragic death. Senator Joe Lieberman in 2003 - AP Senator Joe Lieberman, who has died aged 82, was Al Gores running mate in the US Democrats presidential campaign of 2000 when he came within a whisker of becoming Americas first Jewish vice-president; in 2008, however, he crossed party lines and endorsed the Republican Senator John McCain for president. Lieberman fell out with his party over its opposition to the invasion of Iraq and, in a vicious primary campaign in 2006, he lost the Democratic nomination in Connecticut to an anti-war opponent supported by the Party. Lieberman refused to give up, ran as an Independent and won another term in the Senate. Lieberman (right) on the campaign trail with Al Gore - REUTERS He continued to vote on most issues with the Democrats, attending weekly strategy meetings and giving them a wafer-thin majority in the Senate. However he remained a passionate supporter of the war in Iraq which Democratic party leaders were trying to bring to an end. In 2002, with John McCain, he had co-sponsored the resolution that authorised the invasion of Iraq. Indeed he became the wars Democratic cheerleader to the point where he was seriously mooted as a replacement for the Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, should he be removed or resign. After the 2006 debacle, he was increasingly to be seen at McCains side, travelling with him on many trips abroad. During the 2008 primary season when McCain was fighting to be chosen as the Republican candidate, Lieberman agreed to endorse his nomination. Being a Republican is important. Being a Democrat is important. But you know whats more important than that? The interest and well-being of the United States of America, he declared. He was even thought to be McCains first choice as running mate, an idea that was swiftly scotched by the party which demanded an anti-abortion candidate. Lieberman had always believed in a womans right to choose; Sarah Palin was the Republicans choice. Though Lieberman claimed his support was for the man rather than the party his endorsement for McCain was regarded as treachery by his fellow Democrats. When he went further and attacked the Democratic candidate Barack Obama on domestic issues as well as on Iraq, proclaiming that Obamas eloquence is no substitute for a record..., it was regarded as the last straw. Joseph Isadore Lieberman was born in Stamford, Connecticut, on February 24 1942 into an Orthodox Jewish family. He took a degree in Politics and Economics from Yale University where he became a star liberal on campus, editor of the Yale Daily News, a civil rights campaigner and anti-Vietnam war activist. His senior honours thesis was a study of the Democratic state leader John Bailey, who brought together different ethnic groups into a winning coalition. Lieberman then attended Yale Law School and after qualifying in 1967 he worked for a New Haven-based law firm. In 1970 he took his first step on the political ladder when he was elected as a reform Democrat to the Connecticut Senate. Joe Lieberman with Bill Clinton in happier days - AP During his campaign he was assisted by a young Yale student called Bill Clinton. At the time it was a risk for a young and ambitious southerner to campaign for a Jew. The two men became close friends and Lieberman would return the compliment in 1991, when he became the first Democratic Senator to support Clintons then outsider bid for the White House. In 1988 Lieberman defeated the moderate Republican Lowell Weicker to win election to the Senate, and was re-elected in 1994 and 2000. Like Clinton he served as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council. But over time Lieberman became more socially and culturally conservative, embracing more fully the Orthodox Judaic tradition in which he had been raised. His relationship with Clinton soured in 1998, during the Lewinsky scandal when Lieberman stood up in the Senate and delivered a public rebuke. In a speech uttered more in sorrow than in anger, Lieberman described Clintons conduct as immoral. In this case, he told a stunned Senate, the President apparently had extramarital relations with an employee half his age and did so in the workplace in the vicinity of the Oval Office. Such behaviour, he said, is harmful, for it sends a message of what is acceptable behaviour to the American public... The Presidents relationship with Ms Lewinsky not only contradicted the values he has publicly embraced over the last six years, it has, I fear, compromised his moral authority. It looked for a time as if the speech might destroy Clintons career, but in the end it probably did more damage to Liebermans reputation in the Democratic Party. The American public eventually forgave Clinton, as did his wife Hillary. Even Lieberman did his best to mend fences, including contributing to a White House prayer breakfast. But there were many in the Democratic Party who could not forgive him. As time went on Lieberman became closer to the neo-conservative Right. He became close to Dick Cheney with whose wife Lynne he co-founded a group to criticise liberal professors. He became a favourite Democratic guest at functions hosted by William Buckleys National Review. What some Clinton aides saw as Liebermans treachery was cemented in 2000 when he accepted an invitation to become vice-president Al Gores running mate a move widely viewed as an attempt by Gore to distance himself from the Clinton scandals. Liebermans performance in the campaign, however, did little to improve Gores chances. His invocation of his faith in almost every campaign speech (he even went as far as to compare Gore to Moses) upset many fellow Jews and campaigners against anti-Semitism. There may come a time when they sit him down and say: We need to talk more policy and less God, observed one seasoned Democrat. Four years later Lieberman decided to stand as a presidential candidate himself, but fell at the first fence when Gore decided to endorse Howard Dean. The strength of feeling against Lieberman in the Party was evident in 2006 when Lieberman sought the Democratic Partys renomination for the Senate from Connecticut but lost to the anti-war candidate Ned Lamont. President George W Bush with Joe Lieberman and Hillary Clinton after an event in the East Room of the White House, 2003 - STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images Lamont made much of an incident in 2005, when President George W Bush, while shaking Senate members hands, had appeared to grasp Liebermans head in both hands and lean close to his cheek. Lamonts supporters exploited the incident in a campaign button The Kiss: Too Close for Comfort and a large papier-mache sculpture that followed Lieberman on the campaign trail. Defying Democratic leaders and friends, Lieberman ran for reelection as an independent and, by making his Senate experience and congressional clout a selling point, won reelection for a fourth term. He retired from the Senate in 2013. In 1965 Lieberman married Betty Haas. The marriage was dissolved in 1981 and the following year he married Hadassah Tucker. He is survived by her, by their daughter, by a son and daughter from his first marriage, and by a stepson. Joe Lieberman, born February 24 1942, died March 27 2024 Satellite images show workers have spelt out 'I love UAE' with piles of dirt next to the new airstrip on Abd al-Kuri island - PLANET LABS PBC A mysterious runway on a tiny island guarding the entrance to the Red Sea has appeared with I love UAE next to it in giant letters seen from space. No country has publicly claimed the construction taking place on Abd al-Kuri island, a Yemeni stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images show workers have spelled out I love UAE with piles of dirt next to the runway, using an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. It comes as Yemens Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, which has become a key chokepoint. Both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to which it leads have become an international battleground. A runway could potentially allow a nation to project its power into the area. The construction comes as the presence of troops from the Emirates in the Socotra island chain to which Abd al-Kuri belongs and that of the separatist force it backs in southern Yemen have sparked clashes in the past. The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that any presence of the UAE on Socotra island is based on humanitarian grounds that is carried out in cooperation with the Yemeni government and local authorities. The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to all international endeavors aimed at facilitating the resumption of the Yemeni political process, thereby advancing the security, stability, and prosperity sought by the Yemeni populace, it added, without elaborating. The Yemeni embassy in Washington and Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, did not respond to questions. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC, analysed by AP, show the runway, running north to south, measuring some 3km - PLANET LABS PLC Abd al-Kuri is about 35km in length and about 5km at its widest point. It sits closer to the Horn of Africa than it does to Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest nation, which has been at war for years. Along that widest point sits the airstrip construction. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analysed by the Associated Press (AP) showed trucks and other vehicles grading the runway on March 11, turning part of its sandy features a dark brown. Planet Labs images of the site shot for the AP on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday showed vehicles in different positions and active work being done there, possibly including paving the site. The runway, running north to south, measures some 3km. A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft, even some of the heaviest bombers. There's been increased activity on Abd al-Kuri island, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water - PLANET LABS PBC Construction initially could be seen in the area in January 2022, with a diagonal, shorter runway being carved out of the sand, according to Planet Labs imagery. The first signs of construction of the longer north-south runway were in July 2022, but work later halted. This month, theres been increased activity on Abd al-Kuri, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water, and the movement of heavy vehicles. That work corresponds with a report last week by Abu Dhabis state-linked broadcaster Sky News Arabia, which claimed to quote an anonymous US defence official as saying America had strengthened our missile defenses on Socotra Island in anticipation of the rebels attacking US bases. Socotra is the main island of the Socotra chain, about 130km from Abd al-Kuri. The US military told the AP it is not involved in the construction on Abd al-Kuri, nor is there any American military presence elsewhere in Yemen. US special forces have launched raids in the past in Yemen, while a two-decade American drone strike campaign has targeted the countrys local Al-Qaeda affiliate. There also werent any air defence batteries immediately discernible around the Abd al-Kuri island site in satellite imagery. However, what appear to be piles of dirt at the site had been arranged to spell I love UAE just east of the runway. Long been a strategic port The island of Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the rare Dragon Blood tree, has long been a strategic port given its location on a key East-West trade route for cargo and energy shipments coming from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe. The Soviet Union once used Socotra as an anchorage for both its surface fleet and submarines when South Yemen, a Communist nation based in Aden, ruled the island from 1967 until 1990. The island since has felt far removed from the chaos that has gripped Yemen in the decades since, from unification, to civil war, to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels sweeping entrance into the capital in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE entered the Yemen war in 2015 on behalf of the countrys exiled government and has been caught in a grinding, nearly decade-long conflict since. In 2018, the UAE deployed troops to Socotra island, sparking a dispute with Yemens exiled government. Two years later, clashes broke out between Yemeni separatists backed by the UAE and other forces there. Meanwhile, Iranian-linked media and the Houthis have alleged without providing evidence that the Emiratis allowed Israel to operate from Socotra as well. Israel has not acknowledged any presence there, and the Israeli prime ministers office declined to comment. Houthis have attacked ships Since November, the Houthis have attacked ships, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. The ships targeted by the rebels, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the US or other nations involved in the war. The rebels also have fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. While President Joe Biden entered office in 2021, he pulled support from the Saudi-led coalition, declaring: This war has to end. But in January, the US began launching airstrikes targeting the Houthis over their attacks on shipping, a near-daily campaign of attacks that continues today. The airfield on Abd al-Kuri isnt the first mysterious airstrip to begin construction amid Yemens war. In 2021, the AP reported that an airfield was being built on Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island, which sits in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. Then, military officials with Yemens internationally recognised government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, said the UAE was building the runway. The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis later acknowledged having equipment on the island, while a militia leader, and nephew of Yemens late strongman president, and his Emirati-backed troops were stationed there. A voter casts his ballot in Missoula, Montana, on 25 May 2017. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In a significant win for voting rights, the Montana supreme court on Wednesday struck down four voting restrictions passed by the states Republican-controlled legislature in 2021. Related: US politicians exploit loophole to skirt campaign finance rules, study finds In a 125-page opinion, the states highest court affirmed a lower courts ruling that the four laws, passed in the wake of Donald Trumps 2020 election loss, violate the state constitution. The laws had ended same-day voter registration, removed student ID cards as a permissible form of voter ID, prohibited third parties from returning ballots and barred the distribution of mail-in ballots to voters who would turn 18 by election day. After a nine-day trial, the lower court found that the laws would make it harder for some state residents to register to vote and cast a ballot. A spokesperson for the Republican secretary of state, Christi Jacobsen, who appealed the lower court decision in an attempt to get the laws reinstated, said that she was devastated by the supreme court decision. Her commitment to election integrity will not waver by this narrow adoption of judicial activism that is certain to fall on the wrong side of history, the spokesperson, Richie Melby, wrote in a statement. State and county election officials have been punched in the gut. The Montana Democratic party, one of the parties that sued over the restrictive voting laws along with Native American and youth voting rights groups, called the ruling a tremendous victory for democracy, Native voters, and young people across the state of Montana. While Republican politicians continue to attack voting rights and our protected freedoms, their voter suppression efforts failed and were struck down as unconstitutional, the executive director, Sheila Hogan, said in a statement. Were going to keep working to make sure every eligible Montana voter can make their voices heard at the ballot box this November. The chief justice, Mike McGrath, who wrote the opinion, pointed to the laws potential to disenfranchise young and Indigenous voters in Montana, who are disproportionately affected by efforts to eliminate same-day voter registration and third-party ballot collection and strict ID requirements. The Montana constitution, McGrath wrote, affords greater voting protections than the US constitution. Writing in Election Law Blog, the University of Kentucky election law professor Joshua Douglas called the decision a model for how state courts should consider the protections for the right to vote within state constitutions. State courts have various tools within state constitutions to robustly protect voters, he wrote. The Montana Supreme Courts decision offers a solid roadmap for how to use state constitutional language on the right to vote. Other state supreme courts should follow the Montana Supreme Courts lead. While Montana has not been won by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 and is not expected to be competitive in November, the state will have a high-profile Senate race, with Republicans trying to flip the seat currently held by the Democratic senator Jon Tester. Chioma Okoli asked her followers for their views on Nagiko Tomato Mix A pregnant Nigerian businesswoman is facing up to seven years in prison after she shared a negative review of a tin of tomato puree. Chioma Okali, 39, was arrested and held in a police cell after she told her 18,000 Facebook followers there was too much sugar in Nagiko Tomato Mix. The brands manufacturer, Erisco Foods Limited, accused her of making the claim to maliciously kill the product and run us out of the market. The mother of three, who runs a business importing childrens clothes, is now being prosecuted and sued in a civil court over claims she breached the countrys cybercrime laws. On September 17 Ms Okoli shared a picture of an open tomato puree can saying it was too sweet and asking for her followers opinions on the product. One user told her to stop spoiling my brothers product, to which she responded by saying it was pure sugar. A week later she was arrested by undercover police officers while she attended a church service. Chioma Okoli runs a business importing children's clothes Describing the police cell, she told CNN: There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day... I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up. She also claimed police tried to arrest her at her home in January despite a restraining order issued by a court barring her detention without a court order. The Nigerian police force said earlier this month that it had unearthed compelling evidence that she had violated laws in relation to the proper use of the cyberspace. Mr Okoli was reportedly charged with instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false under Section 24 (1) (B) of Nigerias Cyber Crime Prohibition Act. If found guilty, she could face up to three years in jail or a fine of 4,000. She was also charged with conspiring with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited under another section of the same law. It carries a possible prison sentence of up to seven years. Ms Okoli is also being sued in a separate 2.8 million civil case brought by Erisco. Nnamdi Nwokolo, a spokesman for the company, said he would not comment on an ongoing case. Eric Umeofia, Eriscos founder, previously told Arise Television he would rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow. Boris Johnson is accused of repeated failure to abide by the ministerial code in Labours letter to the Cabinet Office. Photograph: Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images Labour is demanding answers over what the party said was potentially serious impropriety by Boris Johnson after it emerged that the former prime minister met the Venezuelan president in his role as a consultant for a hedge fund. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, said in a letter to Oliver Dowden, the deputy prime minister and Cabinet Office minister, that there were concerns that Johnson may have breached the ministerial code. Under the code ministers must seek the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) watchdog over any appointments they take up within two years of leaving office. Johnson, who quit as prime minister in September 2022, held discussions with Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president, in early February. The trip, first reported by the Sunday Times, was arranged as part of his work as a consultant to Merlyn Advisors, a London-based hedge fund. The hedge funds co-founder is seeking to improve relations between Venezuela and western countries including the UK, according to the Financial Times. Last week, the Guardian reported that Johnson had not sought Acobas advice for the role. A source close to Johnson reiterated earlier comments saying that the rules had not been broken, and suggested no work had been undertaken that would require an application to Acoba. In his letter, Thomas-Symonds wrote: Mr Johnsons repeated failure to abide by the ministerial code demonstrates his lack of respect and regard for standards in public life, and the essential safeguards in place to protect the public interest. He also expressed concern at separate reports that Johnson had been supported and briefed by the Foreign Office before the visit, saying: This raises serious questions both about the governments commitment to ensuring adherence to the rules, which are intended to guard against potential corruption and serious impropriety, and the use of publicly funded government resources for the benefit of a private interests those of Mr Johnson, Merlyn Advisors, and their clients. In a series of questions, Thomas-Symonds asked Dowden to set out what the Cabinet Office knew in advance about the meeting, and Johnsons role with Merlyn Advisors, and to explain the briefings and resources provided to Johnson. He wrote: We call upon you to launch an urgent investigation into this matter to identify the role of current ministers and use of government resources in relation to any potential breaches of the rules. Related: Brazil and Colombia voice concern as Venezuela bans opposition candidate In a separate comment, Thomas-Symonds said: Rishi Sunak promised a government of integrity at every level, but once again it appears to be one rule for the Conservatives and another for everyone else. The former prime ministers visit to Venezuela raises serious question not only about his lobbying activities, but what the prime minister and foreign secretary knew and what publicly funded assistance was offered. A government spokesperson said: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been clear that Boris Johnson visited the country in a personal capacity and was not acting on behalf of the government. We expect all former ministers to act in full accordance with the business appointment rules which in the case of former ministers are overseen by Acoba. In the nine months he remained an MP after he left No 10, Johnson declared more than 5m in earnings, hospitality and donations. In June, Johnson was found to have committed a clear and unambiguous breach of the requirement set out in the ministerial code to seek Acobas advice before becoming a columnist at the Daily Mail. Dowden, who served as party chair under Johnson, decided not to take any further action on the breach of the rules. Investigators recovered ship's voyage data recorder, detailing final moments before collision - Peter Knudson/NTSB A black box recovered from the wreck of the ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore shows it sent alarms and ordered the anchor to drop shortly before the collision. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recovered the logs on Wednesday, giving more details about the final moments before the disaster. The state and federal authorities have shifted the operation in the Patapsco River from rescue to salvage, after declaring that the remaining four missing bridge workers are likely to be dead. National Transportation Safety Board investigators on the cargo vessel Dali - Peter Knudson/NTSB Divers are now assessing the debris in the 50-foot shipping channel in an attempt to get the Port of Baltimore opened as fast as possible. The ships voyage data recorder (VDR), which is similar to the black box that records an aeroplanes movements, contains data showing the crews actions before the ship hit the bridge, which collapsed in less than 30 seconds on Tuesday morning. The logs, released by the NTSB, show the ship lost power at 1.25am, triggering multiple alarms and forcing the VDR to switch to a backup power source. A minute later, the ships pilot made a distress call, requesting assistance from a tug boat. A dispatcher at the pilots association the body that oversees ships traversing the river into the Port of Baltimore contacted the state transportation authority to warn that the Dali was in distress. That call has been credited by authorities with saving countless lives, as state officials closed the road across the bridge in both directions before the collision took place. Twenty seconds later, at 1.27am, the pilot gave the order to drop the ships anchor and commanded the navigator to steer away from the bridge. However, the Dali lost power again, making it impossible to avoid the collision, the data suggest. On Wednesday, Rear-Adml Shannon Gilreath of the US Coast Guard said reopening the waterway into Baltimores port is the number one priority. Colonel Roland Butler, superintendent of the Maryland State Police, said the rescue teams had exhausted all search efforts in the areas around this wreckage and that it was too dangerous to recover the remaining bodies. He said the authorities believe that the four deceased migrant workers, who were repairing potholes at the time of the collision, are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down. Emergency personnel work at the scene in Rockford on Wednesday where four people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois. Photograph: AP A man in northern Illinois has been charged with murder following a stabbing attack that left four people dead which he told detectives happened after he became paranoid smoking marijuana given to him by one of the victims, authorities said. Police said that Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with multiple counts of murder, intent to kill and home invasion after the stabbings on Wednesday in Rockford, 90 miles north-west of Chicago. The attacks also left seven people injured. Rockfords mayor, Tom McNamara, listed the victims as Romona Schupbach, 63, Jacob Schupbach, 23, Jay Larson, 49, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Three people remained hospitalized on Thursday, officials said. The other four injured were treated and released, the Rockford police chief, Carla Redd, said. Redd said Soto acted alone and that police did not know his motive for the attacks. She said Soto and Jacob Schupbach had grown up together. Soto told police that the two were smoking marijuana at Schupbachs home before the attack, the Winnebago county states attorney, J Hanley, said. Soto said that he believes that drugs provided to him by Jacob were laced with an unknown narcotic, Hanley said. Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen ... and proceeded to stab his friend and his friends mother to death. Court and jail records show Soto appeared in court briefly on Thursday afternoon and remains held without bond. He is next due in court on Tuesday when a judge will determine if he stays in jail pending trial. Ruth Mendonca, inspector-in-charge of the Chicago office of the US Postal Inspection Service, told reporters that Larson, 49, had been a mail carrier in the area for 25 years. Vanessa Hy, a Rockford resident, told WREX-TV of the chaos following the stabbing. All of the sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming, Stop! Get down! Hy told the TV station. Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody. Mayor McNamara said that the city was shocked by the attacks, which came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized, the mayor said in a statement, according to CBS. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. The Ramadan decorations were up by early afternoon, while the Easter adornments were put up later Imagine the scramble at Westminster City Hall on Thursday morning as officials hunted for Easter eggs big enough to fill one of the buildings ground-floor windows. The problem at the council started on Wednesday evening, when The Telegraph approached with a complaint from one of its most senior councillors. Why, Paul Swaddle, the leader of the minority Conservative group, wanted to know, was there a Ramadan celebration in the window of Westminster City Hall but not a corresponding display for Easter? The query, it now appears, set minds racing in what is probably the most high-profile local authority in all of the UK: its main offices a stones throw from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. I am sure we will be doing something, a source at the Labour-run council replied on Wednesday night, as it dawned on officials that Easter, the holiest of Christian holidays, had seemingly been forgotten. The Ramadan commemorations were put up to the right of the council's revolving doors - Eddie Mulholland By Thursday morning, the council appeared to have begun an operation to prepare an Easter display hastily. Another council source declared: We had some Easter stuff planned. There was consideration that we should Easterise the building. There will be additional focus this afternoon. At lunchtime, however, there was still no sign of the display. Timings were getting tight. Council employees were starting to depart for the long Easter weekend. The council assured The Telegraph the display was being prepared. The facilities guys, it became clear, tend to do their work at the end of the day, a source said. By 3.30pm, the council was issuing an official communique. The council celebrates Easter every year. A window display is being installed today, it said in a statement issued to The Telegraph. And then, at 5pm, came the miracle of Easter. First, a table appeared in the empty window to the left of City Halls two revolving doors. Then came the bunting, which was followed by some multicoloured eggs and a couple of cut-out rabbits. The final piece in the display was two posters, wishing the public a happy Easter, depicting a giant golden egg wrapped with a red ribbon and superimposed on what looked like the fountain at Trafalgar Square. The Easter display to the left of the revolving doors appeared at 5pm - EDDIE MULHOLLAND for The Telegraph Tate Modern, its fair to say, is unlikely to acquire the piece for its public collection. Mind you, the councils Ramadan display, which is visible in the window to the right of the revolving doors, is if anything even less sophisticated. The spat over the Easter or lack of Easter display followed the appearance of an array of Ramadan lights which have been installed at prime spots in Oxford Street and between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square after winning approval from Westminster city council. The display was switched on by Sadiq Khan, Londons mayor, at the start of the holy month of Ramadan. The lights have been funded by the Aziz Foundation, a charity founded by Asif Aziz, a billionaire property developer, and at no cost to the taxpayer. Dismayed by the councils oversight Mr Swaddle, the leader of the minority Tory group, had told The Telegraph that while he supported the Ramadan street lights, he had been dismayed that the council had seemingly forgotten to celebrate Easter. He said on Wednesday: Easter is one of the most important Christian festivals of the year but what are they [the Labour council] doing to celebrate it? I am not aware they are. The period of Ramadan occurs at a different time every year because the Islamic calendar is aligned with the Moon. Easter falls within the month of Ramadan this year, as it did in 2023 and 2022. However, up to 30 years can pass between the two coinciding. The Ramadan lights were the brainchild of Aisha Desai, who was inspired by the festive Christmas lights in central London. She initially crowdfunded to bring lights to her local community before securing funding for the central London display. Spreading awareness in a nice way Its spreading awareness in such a nice way through art and light installation, she said. It was the idea that came from me but I encourage Muslims and people from other faiths to continue on and do it. Christian Concern, a group which promotes Christian values, is now planning to submit a number of applications for Easter decorations, but only in time for next year. Meanwhile, the city council pointed out it supports festivals for all the major faiths, while Mr Khans spokesman said he was proud that as mayor hes stood up for Londoners of all faiths, taking part in a host of festivals and celebrations, including around Easter. Westminster City Halls display of Christian and Muslim unity will warm the cockles of all but the most secular of hearts. Just dont expect them to win any art prizes. Paul OGradys husband said the TV star had the most ordinary day before his sudden death one year ago. OGrady, who rose to fame as alter-ego Lily Savage before hosting a string of popular TV programmes, died at his home on March 28 last year at the age of 67. His husband Andre Portasio said he was marking the first anniversary with a solo trip to New Zealand, saying he did not want to be anywhere near my kitchen where I found him, and be reminded of what happened. Paul OGrady and Andre Portasio (Ray Tang/REX Shutterstock/PA) Mr Portasio told the Daily Mirror: He was on wonderful form and then we settled down in the living room and switched on the telly to catch up on Kent ITV News. He always insisted on watching the presenter Sangeeta (Bhabra) he loved her and would never allow me to put the BBC on. It was all about ITV. He left to get some tea, and I heard this loud bang. Mr Portasio said he found OGrady lying on the floor with a cut on his forehead. I called the ambulance and they said the best chance to keep him alive was to do CPR, the former ballet dancer said. I dont know how long it took for the ambulance to arrive, but by the end I was exhausted. At one point, they were like yes, hes breathing. I thought the nightmare was gone but it was very short-lived, and very shortly afterwards they pronounced him dead. Andre Portasio, carrying one of their dogs, arriving for the funeral of Paul OGrady in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) While ambulance crews were attempting to resuscitate OGrady, his dog Arfur one of his favourites had escaped and nuzzled his face as he always did on Pauls shoulder as if to say wake up. The TV star shared a special bond with the Queen over their love of dogs, meeting many times and working closely in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Since his death, Mr Portasio said Camilla had sent two super sweet letters which he has yet to respond to but maybe on the anniversary of his death I will finally write to her. Other letters have come from OGradys valentine, British novelist Dame Jilly Cooper, as the pair would always write to each other. Mr Portasio and OGrady first met in 2006 before marrying in an intimate London ceremony in 2017. The fabulous museum which is the new home of the Stone of Destiny is gearing up to open this weekend following a 27 million redevelopment project. Perth Museum in the former City Hall will open its doors to the public on Saturday. Its centrepiece will be the Stone of Destiny, which has returned to Perthshire for the first time in more than 700 years, having originally been kept at nearby Scone. The museum will also show treasures cared for by Culture Perth and Kinross which span the centuries, with highlights including the 3,000-year-old Carpow logboat, a sword believed to have been given to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Jacobite glassware, and a 17th century silk doublet. JP Reid, exhibitions manager at Culture Perth and Kinross, said he is delighted the stone is back in the area. He told the PA news agency: Its immensely significant the stone is back for the first time in 700 years, its absolutely intrinsic to this place, to Perth and the area around Perth and Scone. Scone was a major royal centre and the use of the stone there is bound up with the story of how Scotland emerges from the kingdom of the Picts and the kingdom of the Scots and the foundation of the early medieval nation effectively, the kingdom of Alba which becomes the kingdom of Scotland, and Scone and Perth are at the heart of that story. The stone is the perfect way of telling that because it is amazingly still a live ceremonial object, so were immensely excited to have it here. The Stone of Destiny on display at its new home in Perth Museum (Jane Barlow/PA) The museums debut exhibition, Unicorn, will explore the cultural history of Scotlands national animal from antiquity to the present day, featuring items such as illustrations, manuscripts and tapestries with loans from museums around the world. Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, described having the Stone of Destiny at the heart of the museum as really special, and said the collections on show are globally significant and will have appeal both locally and nationally. She added: This is a fabulous new museum for Perth, which is an opportunity to display all of the wonderful collections that we have here, all of which are nationally recognised as being of significance, so its a great opportunity to get more of those on display and to tell the really rich history that we have here in Perthshire and why were so important to Scotlands history in that wider sense. Visitors will have to book time slots to see the Stone of Destiny, which is free to view and is a highlight of the museum. A visitor views a piece of stained glass that forms part of the temporary exhibition Unicorn at Perth Museum (Jane Barlow/PA) Also known as the Stone of Scone, it was long used in the inauguration of Scottish monarchs. However, in 1296, it was seized by King Edward I of England as war loot and taken to London. It was built into a Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey and was used in the coronation ceremonies of Kings and Queens of England and, later, Great Britain after the Scottish and English crowns were united in the early 17th century. In 1950, a group of students carried out a raid to steal the stone from Westminster Abbey and return it to Scotland to try and advance the cause of independence. It was later found on the site of the High Altar at Arbroath Abbey, and it was used in Queen Elizabeths coronation three years later. Conservation officer Anna Zwagerman cleans Queen Victorias Coat of Arms plaque (1848), which is on display at the museum (Jane Barlow/PA) The stone was formally returned to Scotland in 1996 to go on display at Edinburgh Castle. Last year, the Stone of Destiny once again returned to London to carry out its traditional role in the coronation of King Charles, before coming back to Edinburgh Castle. Perth Museum is operated by Culture Perth and Kinross on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council and is supported by 10 million from the UK Government as part of the Tay Cities Region Deal. Councillor Grant Laing, Perth and Kinross Council leader, said: Perth Museum will be a landmark attraction that brings Scotlands history to life and is the culmination of our long-term cultural regeneration vision for Perth. It will significantly increase visitors from across the UK and internationally. It has created new skills and employment opportunities, and it will ignite our sense of civic pride in our beautiful and historic city. Pro-Palestine protesters have occupied the entrance to a Government department in Whitehall over its perceived links to the supply of arms to Israel. London for a Free Palestine targeted the Department for Business and Trade early on Thursday. The protesters staged a distraction involving a cyclist crashing into a pedestrian, before forcing their way past a security guard and sitting on the floor in the entrance to the Government building, chanting the contentious slogan from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. HAPPENING NOW We've occupied the Department of Business and Trade to call on the UK government to STOP ARMING ISRAEL. The UK government is in breach of international law and its own weapons export licensing criteria. It is complicit in the genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/hUDnZZnsOD London for a Free Palestine (@london4pal) March 28, 2024 Zak Suffee, 37, who works as a charity campaigner, said the department was where the arms contracts are agreed for Israel. She called on the Government to halt arms deals with Israel, saying that stopping sales to Israel and calling for a ceasefire are big steps that could really help, and by not doing that means that they are actually enabling genocide. Once the protesters had been removed by police from inside the building, they unfurled a banner which read stop arming Israel while wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the same message. We have been seeing the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians, Ms Suffee said, adding: Its really time for the UK Government to actually do something. And this is one very concrete thing that will enable the killing to stop. Its possible that the UKs hands will be tied because they prefer to stay in good favour with America, but I think the right thing to do is call for an arms embargo, make sure that no sales to Israel happen and ideally shut down the arms factories. A pro-Palestine protester leaves the Department of Business and Trade (James Manning/PA) Maria, a 35-year-old student from London who withheld her surname, said at the protests: We are going here today to the Department for Business and Trade because thats where the licences for arms exports to Israel from the UK are signed and approved. The UK has been giving Israel diplomatic, military and economic support, which has enabled it to carry out and continue its genocide and long-term colonisation of Palestine. She said Britain is a massive player in the arms industry and the Government should rein in British-based arms companies. It is a fallacy to say that we live in a free market where governments have absolutely no power. The Government can make these decisions and can enforce these decisions on the companies. We understand that the UK is deeply complicit in the arms trade, she said, before calling on Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch to stop arming Israel and end all arms export licences to Israel. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: It is completely unacceptable to harass civil servants as they go about their jobs and the attempt to enter the department by force cannot be justified in any way. We are grateful to the police for their response and swift action. We take our defence export responsibilities extremely seriously and operate one of the most robust export licensing controls in the world. It's big day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The city's population has just grown by two. That's because Punxsutawney's most famous resident Punxsutawney Phil is now a dad for the first time. It was announced that Phil and a female groundhog named Phyllis had two babies on Wednesday, March 27. Shared on the Punxsutawney Phil Facebook page, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club excitedly announced the new additions. Related: Weather Forecasters Are Already Trying to Steal Punxsutawney Phil's Thunder on Groundhog Day "We have Babies!! The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is very excited to announce that Phil and Phyllis have given birth to two healthy baby Groundhogs!" they wrote in the post. The babies are currently with their parents at the zoo in the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, they added. Patrons of the library can view the babies through a viewing window. Speaking with CBS News, Tom Dunkel, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, explained that the birth was a complete surprise. "When we went in to feed them their fresh fruits and vegetables, we found Phyllis with two little baby groundhogs. It was very unexpected, we had no idea that she was pregnant," Dunkel explained. The births mark a huge milestone for the club and for Phil too. Dunkel said that in more than a century they haven't had a baby groundhog. He said the club is "stoked" about the change. "Today I took my cane down to the borrow so I could talk with Phil," Dunkel told the news outlet. "With that cane, I have the ability to speak Groundhogese. So I took the cane down today to talk with Phil for a little bit." "He's besides himself," he added. "He's 138 years old and never had a child so he picked late in life to start a family," he joked. Well there's no time like the present to become a dad. Dunkel added that mom Phyllis is resting and doing well. They have yet to pick out names for the babies, but that will come in time. "He says as soon as they figure that out he will let us know and then we will let the world know," Dunkel said. While a surprise pregnancy is never on anyone's bucket list, Dunkel said that so far Phil's many admirers have been tickled by the news. "It's fun and it's such good news and fun news in times when we are getting a lot of bad news so we are happy that this is unfolding for Phil and Phyllis," he said. 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. The Queen was inundated with goodwill messages for the King and Princess of Wales when she stood in for her husband during the historic Royal Maundy Service. Camilla was asked to pass on public support from some in the congregation at Worcester Cathedral, where she presented Maundy money to community stalwarts in recognition of their service. And when she went on a brief walkabout, meeting well-wishers outside, she was presented with a card for her daughter-in-law while others told the royal they were thinking of her. Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge, who as Lord High Almoner led the service, remembered the King during the Blessing and told the Queen we hope you will convey to him our love and respect. Charles may have been missing but he had recorded an audio message for the service, in which he reaffirmed his coronation pledge not to be served, but to serve with my whole heart. The Kings address did not directly refer to his and Kates treatment for undisclosed types of cancer, but highlighted those who extend the hand of friendship likely to be interpreted as the nations response to the monarchys double health scare. The Queen with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives at Worcester Cathedral (Chris Jackson/PA) After the ceremony Camilla met well-wisher Sheila Clark, 66, from Glasgow, who handed over a posy of flowers, a picture of the King and Queen taken at the Scottish Highland Braemar Games, and a card for Kate. Ms Clark, a retired teacher, said about the message in her card: Just that Im hoping Kates getting on well and Im sorry to hear about her illness and hoping Kate gets peace now to recover thats really what I wanted to say. I just wanted to come and see the Queen, Ive followed her for many, many years, and just to let her know that Im thinking of her. I wrote to her some weeks ago and I got a lovely card back from her and something from the King as well. Camilla holds the nosegay bouquet at the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral (Chris Jackson/PA) Around 200 people braved cold and wet conditions to catch a glimpse of the Queen but when she first arrived a large and noisy protest was staged by the anti-monarchy group Republic who shouted down with the crown. Laura Skrzynskr, 58, living in London but originally from the US, said: I told Camilla to send her good wishes to the King for me and to the Princess of Wales and I wished her a happy Easter. Im a royalist, we dont have a royal family back in America but I like it here. The Queen meets well-wishers after attending the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral (Justin Tallis/PA) The service is a major event in the royal calendar and sees Maundy money newly minted coins normally distributed to community stalwarts by the head of state, but Camillas role in the ceremony is believed to be a first for a Queen Consort. During his pre-recorded address Charles said: The act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the coronation service to follow Christs example not to be served but to serve. That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart. The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient cancer treatment, and he spoke of his great sadness at not being able to attend the service. The Queen meets well-wishers following the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral (Justin Tallis/PA) The pre-recorded message began with a Bible reading from the Gospel of John, which describes how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples the root of the modern day Royal Maundy Service. Today, sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times, but 75 women and 75 men signifying the Kings age were presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money. Maundy recipient Norman Tomlinson, 72, from Mansfield, received the unique coins for his work with his local hospice and Catholic church which includes taking communion to the sick and housebound. Mr Tomlinson said: This is just a fantastic day a once in a lifetime (experience). I said to the Queen I hope the King gets well soon and your daughter-in-law as well and she said thank you very much. Sellafield will be prosecuted for alleged information technology security offences, the nuclear regulator has said. A spokesman for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said Sellafield Ltd, which runs the site in Cumbria, had been notified of the prosecution, under the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003. The charges relate to alleged information technology security offences during a four-year period between 2019 and early 2023, the regulator said. The site is run by Sellafield Ltd under the control of the Governments Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (PA) The ONR spokesman said there was no suggestion that public safety had been compromised as a result of these issues. The site, in Cumbria, is run by Sellafield Ltd under the control of the Governments Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. In December, after an investigation by The Guardian, Sellafield denied reports that its IT networks had been attacked by cyber groups linked to Russia and China. The ONR said the decision to bring legal proceedings followed an investigation, and details of the first court hearing would be announced when available. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the party is committed to progressing its new deal for workers in full if it wins the general election, following speculation it could be watered down. The party has said it will strengthen rights and protections for workers by banning zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire practices. In The Sunday Times Lord Peter Mandelson, a major figure in Tony Blairs Labour, wrote that changes to labour market and trade union law must not be rushed and must be done in consultation with business. When Sir Keir was asked if he could guarantee the workers rights package would be implemented in full, he said: Yes. The Labour leader added: Let me tell you why, because I believe deep down that respect and dignity at work matters. This goes back to what I said about my dad. It really matters that people feel respected, that they feel they have their dignity at work. But there is an additional reason, and that is as every good employer knows, that if you do treat people with respect and dignity at work then that increases productivity, that increases the growth in your business and enterprise and it is actually good for the economy. In his speech in the Black Country launching the partys local election campaign, Sir Keir sought to emphasise Labours commitment to fiscal responsibility, saying: Policies have to be paid for. Every pound is precious. And this Labour Party, with Rachel Reeves as chancellor, will value every pound as if its yours because at the end of the day, it is. He went on to say he would not pretend theres a magic money tree because the Tories have broken the economy. But, when outlining the partys plan for economic growth, the Labour leader did say that investment was required to relight the fires of renewal in formerly industrial regions. Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour is committed to progressing its new deal for workers in full if it wins the general election (Jordan Pettitt/PA) He said: In a world as volatile as ours, with new technologies in life science, clean energy, artificial intelligence all on the horizon, it is our job to make sure regions like this are backed with the investment that they need. The gigafactories that will make electric car batteries across the Midlands, the renewable port ready to take offshore boom in the North Sea, the clean steel that can bring the next generation of jobs to Scunthorpe or Sheffield. And when we create jobs in communities like this, we do so with a new deal for working people. Not just because work should always provide dignity, but also because a labour market riddled with insecurity is bad for productivity and bad for growth. So we will scrap zero hour contracts, we will end fire and rehire, make work pay with a real living wage and say unambiguously this is good for growth. Thames Waters leadership must carry the can for the companys shortcomings and not pass higher bills onto consumers after successive management teams failed to invest enough, Michael Gove has said. The Communities Secretary branded the water companys leaders a disgrace and claimed the firm had acted in an arrogant way towards its customers. Bosses at Thames Water have admitted the firm could face the risk of emergency nationalisation as its funding crisis deepened after shareholders refused to give the troubled utility extra cash. The group the UKs biggest water supplier, with 16 million households across London and the South East revealed that its investors had pulled a 500 million funding lifeline that was due to be paid at the end of this month. Thames Water blamed Ofwat, claiming that the regulator had made its business plan uninvestible. It is understood that investors pulled the deal after Ofwat refused to bow to the water giants demands for a 40% bill hike for customers, an easing of capital spending requirements, as well as leniency on penalties for failing to meet targets. Asked about the water company by broadcasters, the Communities Secretary said: I think the leadership of Thames Water has been a disgrace. I think for years now, we have seen customers of Thames Water taken advantage of by successive management teams that have been taking out profits and not investing as they should have been. Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Mr Gove, who served as environment secretary between 2017 and 2019, said he had called out the behaviour of the company while in post, but claimed they havent changed their ways. The Conservative MP for Surrey Heath added: I have zero sympathy for the leadership of Thames Water. In my own constituency, I have seen how they have behaved in a high-handed and arrogant way towards the consumers who pay their bills. So the answer is not to hit the consumers, the answer is for the management team to look to their own approach and ask themselves why they are in this difficult situation, and of course the answer is because of serial mismanagement for which they must carry the can. The Government would monitor Thames Water carefully in coming months, according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Thames Water apologised to residents after a pumping station in Berskhire flooded following heavy rainfall earlier this year (Andrew Matthews/PA) The firm has 2.4 billion of cash currently available to it, which should see it meet funding needs for the next 15 months. But its chief executive Chris Weston admitted that if no alternative funding could be found by the end of next year, then it could face the prospect of a special administration which would likely see the taxpayer pick up the bill. Asked by broadcasters if the Government was ready to step in to support Thames Water customers if necessary, Mr Hunt said: The Treasury will continue to monitor very carefully what is happening at Thames Water. Our understanding is that the company is still solvent and todays news should not have an impact on the services received by customers. Obviously, there are parts of the country where the service has not been up to scratch, including in my own constituency, and local MPs will continue to hold Thames Water to account in those situations, but overall we will continue to watch the situation very carefully. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the Conservatives of failing to tackle the issue while in Government (Aaron Chown/PA) Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a special administration regime for Thames Water after the investment plan was pulled. He told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme: If you had the special administration regime, you get it away from these owners whove been completely incompetent, youd stabilise the firm and youd keep the bills down. And its alright Michael Gove being cross, well where are the Conservatives in this? The Conservatives have failed to tackle this over all their time, and we really need now to get a grip of this. People are fed up of this sewage problem across our country Thames Water is one of the worst examples of it and theyre looking to the Government to take some action. Geekdom co-founder Graham Weston and Alberto Pena of Braustin Homes talk after the State of Geekdom luncheon Thursday at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art in San Antonio. Robin Jerstad/Contributor Geekdom co-founder Graham Weston listens to speakers during the State of Geekdom luncheon Thursday at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art in San Antonio. Robin Jerstad Geekdom co-founders Graham Weston, right, and Nick Longo speak during the State of Geekdom luncheon Thursday at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art in San Antonio. Robin Jerstad Ben Jones is the founder of white-label delivery service Skipcart. He is giving $100,000 to Geekdoms pre-accelerator program Accelerate South Texas. Jessica Phelps/Staff photographer Geekdom is launching a fund to help spur entrepreneurship across South Texas, leaders of the downtown coworking space announced Thursday during its first State of Geekdom event. The new fund, called Accelerate South Texas, is a nonprofit collaboration between Geekdom and the San Antonio Area Foundation, a philanthropic group that manages 600 charitable funds worth more than $1.3 billion. It will be launched with $500,000 pledged by Geekdom co-founder and developer Graham Weston, who challenged other donors to step up as well. Ben Jones, a local entrepreneur and founder of white-label delivery service Skipcart, is giving $100,000 to Geekdoms pre-accelerator program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Accelerate South Texas Fund is something that has been put together for this purpose of having a bigger footprint of entrepreneurial impact, said Weston, co-founder of real estate development company Weston Urban. Thats what creates jobs, creates wealth and creates opportunity for all of South Texas, and thats really what were going to launch today. The new fund, he said, is poised to welcome in and support the next generation of startups in the city and region. He also lauded the San Antonio Area Foundation: Theyre the first place to go for creativity and for an open mind to say, Hey, we want to have an impact in this area. Will you help us do so? Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom since 2019, said, We are beyond excited to be launching this fund with the San Antonio Area Foundation, the best partner for this type of initiative, to expand that impact across South Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Woodin has guided the 13-year-old organization through tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, with consistent growth. Geekdom recently expanded its space in the Rand Building on Houston street, and it frequently partners with others in the startup and entrepreneurial space across the region. It has more than 1,000 members and a variety of programs that include a Women Founders Network, startup bootcamp, incubator, pre-accelerator, community fund and affiliate programs. Over the last 13, years weve helped create over 3,000 jobs, Woodin said, adding that Geekdom members have raised over $500 million in capital for their businesses and filed 72 patents for original products to date. Read more: Geekdom CEO seeks to raise awareness of local startup scene According to Geekdoms impact report released at the event, from 2022 to 2023, the business helped launch 260 startup companies. Of those, 85 are women owned, 96 are minority owned and 15 are veteran owned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Woodin said Geekdom has worked to broaden its scope over the last few years. Thats included a three-year, $1.7 million contract with the city to take over management of LaunchSA, a community resource for entrepreneurs. A UN human rights body has called on the UK Government to repeal or amend contentious legacy legislation that offers conditional immunity to perpetrators of crimes committed during the Northern Ireland Troubles. The United Nations Human Rights Committee said it was particularly concerned about the controversial legal provision of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act. The Act received royal assent last autumn despite widespread opposition from political parties and victims organisations in Northern Ireland as well as the Irish government. It offers a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for those who co-operate with a new body aimed at truth recovery. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said the Government will appeal against a Belfast High Court ruling (PA) Last month, a judge at Belfast High Court ruled that the provision for conditional immunity was not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The Government is appealing against that finding. The Irish government has also launched an interstate case against the UK at the European Court of Human Rights over the Act. In a report on Thursday, the UN committee raised similar concerns about the UKs Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021. That law offers a degree of protection from prosecution for military personnel deployed overseas, once five years have elapsed after any alleged incident has occurred. The committee is made up of independent experts who monitor compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UK was one of seven state parties examined by the committee in its latest session. In a statement issued from Geneva on Thursday, it said: The committee was particularly concerned about the conditional immunity under the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 for people who had committed serious human rights violations. The committee also questioned the presumption against prosecution in favour of military personnel deployed overseas after five years, as stipulated in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021. It called upon the State party to repeal or amend its legislation, including the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 and the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, to ensure all past human rights violations committed by British officials and members of the armed forces are appropriately investigated and prosecuted, and duly sanctioned without time limits. Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International welcomed the committees findings (PA) Amnesty International welcomed the committees findings. Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland deputy director for Amnesty, said: We welcome the strong critical findings from the United Nations committee on the UKs approach to Troubles-related violations. The recommendations show how isolated the UK is on the global stage and is a timely reminder of the international human rights communitys grave concerns about this Act. The UN Human Rights Committee is rightly critical of the UK government, which continues to fail to fulfil its human rights obligations. We strongly reiterate calls for the Troubles Act to be repealed and to be replaced with mechanisms which finally deliver truth, justice and reparations to victims of the Northern Ireland conflict. In response to the committees findings, a UK government spokesperson said: The Legacy Act seeks to put in place effective information recovery for victims and families, while complying with our international obligations. Canva The total solar eclipse on April 8 won't just be a wondrous astronomical eventit's projected to be one of the biggest drivers of travel in the United States this year. The Great American Eclipse expects between 1 and 4 million people to travel to see the eclipse; that doesn't include the 31 million Americans who live in the path of totality, the 115-mile-wide stretch where you'll be able to see the eclipse in full, spanning from Mexico to Maine. "It will likely be the most-viewed astronomical event in American history," Michael Zeiler, eclipse cartographer and co-founder of Great American Eclipse, said in a statement. Part of what's driving the popularity of eclipse travel this year is its timingthe busiest week for spring break travel happens to be the week the eclipse will occur. Others who aren't on school schedules may be watching the eclipse due to scarcity; according to NASA, the next total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous United States won't occur until August 2044. Many people plan a trip to visit family and friends who live in the path of totality. Travelers who aren't seeing loved ones are expected to visit an area in the path of totality that's closest to their home, according to the Great American Eclipse. Texas alone expects a million additional visitors to witness the rare event. If you plan to travel for the total eclipse, prepare to fly into and out of busy airports. Once you've reached your destination, look for nearby eclipse events. Many cities are planning eclipse block parties, astronomy lectures, and more. Airlines like Delta and Southwest are even planning special eclipse flights. Finally, make sure you have eye protection to view the eclipse safely. It's unsafe to do so through lenses like cameras, so finding proper eyewear ahead of time is a must. Stacker used data from the North Carolina Institute for Climate Science to identify 25 places across the U.S. in the path of totality during the 2024 total solar eclipse. Emma Rubin // Stacker Mapping the path of totality across the US This article predominantly highlights cities with available weather data, but the path of totality expands beyond that scope. Smaller towns near areas on this list or elsewhere on the path of totality can also be an ideal place to view this rare event. Because this article relies on available weather station data, it does not include all the states that the eclipse's path dots: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. According to NASA, portions of Tennessee and Michigan will also be able to see the total solar eclipse. Read on to find out whereand whenyou should be able to see the total eclipse on April 8. Getty Images // PATRICK T. FALLON Waco, Texas - Time of peak totality: 1:40 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 4 minutes, 19 seconds - Chance of viewability: 63.9% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 49.8% of the time --- Few clouds 7.7% --- Partly cloudy 6.2% --- Mostly cloudy 10.6% --- Overcast 25.8% Canva Cleveland - Time of peak totality: 3:15 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 49 seconds - Chance of viewability: 38.9% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 12.1% of the time --- Few clouds 11.6% --- Partly cloudy 13% --- Mostly cloudy 20.3% --- Overcast 43% Canva Indianapolis - Time of peak totality: 3:07 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 48 seconds - Chance of viewability: 37.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 9.1% of the time --- Few clouds 13.3% --- Partly cloudy 11.2% --- Mostly cloudy 23% --- Overcast 43.4% Getty Images // Alex Trautwig / Stringer Findlay, Ohio - Time of peak totality: 3:12 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 45 seconds - Chance of viewability: 54.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 36.9% of the time --- Few clouds 10.2% --- Partly cloudy 5% --- Mostly cloudy 13.6% --- Overcast 34.3% Canva Buffalo, New York - Time of peak totality: 3:20 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 44 seconds - Chance of viewability: 35.9% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 7% of the time --- Few clouds 13.9% --- Partly cloudy 11.7% --- Mostly cloudy 22.4% --- Overcast 45% Canva Erie, Pennsylvania - Time of peak totality: 3:18 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 42 seconds - Chance of viewability: 56.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 43.5% of the time --- Few clouds 6.7% --- Partly cloudy 4.5% --- Mostly cloudy 9.1% --- Overcast 36.1% Canva Rochester, New York - Time of peak totality: 3:21 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 38 seconds - Chance of viewability: 34.3% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 5.7% of the time --- Few clouds 13.7% --- Partly cloudy 11.7% --- Mostly cloudy 20.9% --- Overcast 47.9% Shutterstock // Stocker plus Hondo, Texas - Time of peak totality: 1:33 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 32 seconds - Chance of viewability: 70.3% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 53.3% of the time --- Few clouds 9.8% --- Partly cloudy 9% --- Mostly cloudy 10.4% --- Overcast 17.6% Canva Niagara Falls, New York - Time of peak totality: 3:20 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 32 seconds - Chance of viewability: 39.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 8.5% of the time --- Few clouds 16.5% --- Partly cloudy 9.6% --- Mostly cloudy 26.4% --- Overcast 38.8% Canva Dayton, Ohio - Time of peak totality: 3:10 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 17 seconds - Chance of viewability: 42.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 15.9% of the time --- Few clouds 11.5% --- Partly cloudy 11.9% --- Mostly cloudy 22.4% --- Overcast 38.4% Canva Del Rio, Texas - Time of peak totality: 1:30 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 13 seconds - Chance of viewability: 74.1% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 64.4% of the time --- Few clouds 6.1% --- Partly cloudy 4.6% --- Mostly cloudy 6.8% --- Overcast 18.2% Getty Images // Patrick T. Fallon Evansville, Indiana - Time of peak totality: 2:04 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 13 seconds - Chance of viewability: 63.9% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 48.3% of the time --- Few clouds 9.1% --- Partly cloudy 6.4% --- Mostly cloudy 11.4% --- Overcast 24.9% Canva Burlington, Vermont - Time of peak totality: 3:27 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 3 minutes, 12 seconds - Chance of viewability: 47.5% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 20.5% of the time --- Few clouds 15.5% --- Partly cloudy 10.6% --- Mostly cloudy 17% --- Overcast 36.4% Canva Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas - Time of peak totality: 1:42 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 58 seconds - Chance of viewability: 48.1% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 19% of the time --- Few clouds 14.3% --- Partly cloudy 13.1% --- Mostly cloudy 22.9% --- Overcast 30.8% Canva Little Rock, Arkansas - Time of peak totality: 1:53 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 51 seconds - Chance of viewability: 58% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 29.5% of the time --- Few clouds 17.8% --- Partly cloudy 9.8% --- Mostly cloudy 20.8% --- Overcast 22.1% Getty Images // MediaNews Group/Orange County Register Texarkana, Arkansas - Time of peak totality: 1:48 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 27 seconds - Chance of viewability: 64.7% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 50.5% of the time --- Few clouds 8.9% --- Partly cloudy 3.9% --- Mostly cloudy 12.3% --- Overcast 24.5% Canva Massena, New York - Time of peak totality: 3:26 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 27 seconds - Chance of viewability: 51.9% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 34.3% of the time --- Few clouds 8.4% --- Partly cloudy 6.9% --- Mostly cloudy 14.8% --- Overcast 35.5% Canva Paducah, Kentucky - Time of peak totality: 2:01 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 18 seconds - Chance of viewability: 64.5% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 49.5% of the time --- Few clouds 8.7% --- Partly cloudy 5.9% --- Mostly cloudy 11.6% --- Overcast 24.4% Canva Caribou, Maine - Time of peak totality: 3:33 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 2 minutes, 5 seconds - Chance of viewability: 47.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 33.3% of the time --- Few clouds 6.6% --- Partly cloudy 4.2% --- Mostly cloudy 11.5% --- Overcast 44.4% Canva Syracuse, New York - Time of peak totality: 3:23 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 51 seconds - Chance of viewability: 32% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 7% of the time --- Few clouds 8% --- Partly cloudy 13.7% --- Mostly cloudy 20.9% --- Overcast 50.6% Canva Akron/Canton, Ohio - Time of peak totality: 3:15 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 41 seconds - Chance of viewability: 34.3% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 6% of the time --- Few clouds 10.5% --- Partly cloudy 14.8% --- Mostly cloudy 23.1% --- Overcast 45.6% Canva Youngstown, Ohio - Time of peak totality: 3:16 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 39 seconds - Chance of viewability: 31.6% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 5.2% of the time --- Few clouds 10.6% --- Partly cloudy 11.7% --- Mostly cloudy 22.2% --- Overcast 50.3% GettyImages // Erika Goldring San Antonio - Time of peak totality: 1:34 p.m. CDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 14 seconds - Chance of viewability: 45.8% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 17.1% of the time --- Few clouds 15.3% --- Partly cloudy 10.6% --- Mostly cloudy 23.2% --- Overcast 33.7% Canva Toledo, Ohio - Time of peak totality: 3:13 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 10 seconds - Chance of viewability: 54.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 39.1% of the time --- Few clouds 7.8% --- Partly cloudy 5.4% --- Mostly cloudy 11.7% --- Overcast 36% Canva Barre/Montpelier, Vermont - Time of peak totality: 3:28 p.m. EDT - Length of totality: 1 minute, 5 seconds - Chance of viewability: 52.2% - Historic cloud conditions: --- Clear 38% of the time --- Few clouds 8.9% --- Partly cloudy 3.1% --- Mostly cloudy 9.6% --- Overcast 40.3% Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka. Forty-five people were killed in South Africa on Thursday when a bus plunged off a bridge and into a ravine, the transport ministry said. An eight-year-old girl was seriously injured in the incident and has been airlifted to hospital. She is believed to be the only survivor among the dozens of passengers. The bus is believed to have been carrying Christians from Botswana, who were heading to a church in the town of Moria for the Easter weekend when it drove off the Mmamatlakala bridge and burst into flames. The group was travelling along the Kloof Pass, a mountainous stretch in the north of the country known for its tight, hairpin bends, state media reports. Every Easter, worshippers from the Zion Christian Church, from South Africa and neighbouring countries, gather in Moria for day-and-night prayers and celebrations. The transport ministry said it believed the driver was turning a corner when he lost control of the bus, which was towing a trailer reportedly loaded with paraffin and flammable materials. It landed in a ravine 40 metres below and burst into flames. Authorities are investigating how the crash occurred and are attempting to retrieve bodies tangled up in the wreckage. Firefighters at the scene of the bus crash in the Waterberg district in the Limpopo province - Limpopo Transport Department Emergency services on the R518 above the crash scene Sindisiwe Chikunga, South Africas transport minister, visited the crash site and offered her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and Botswanas government. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, she said. With heightened alertness, we continue to urge responsible driving at all times as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend. Ms Chikunga pledged that an inquiry would be held into the incident, adding: We will try everything to assist so that they go back to their country and families to be buried with dignity. Emergency services were expected to work over Thursday night to retrieve the remains of the victims, whose bodies are said to have been burned beyond recognition. Ms Chikunga suggested DNA analysis might be necessary in order to identify the deceased. Some are trapped within the debris of the bus, while others were scattered over the crash site. The rocky and treacherous nature of the ravine means authorities are struggling to retrieve the bodies and will likely have to airlift them. Their identities have not been officially confirmed by authorities, but local media has reported they were pilgrims from Botswana. The bus had a Botswana licence plate, local authorities said, but the nationalities of the passengers are unknown. An investigator next to the wrecked vehicle - Themba Hadebe/AP Driver reportedly lost control of vehicle It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge causing the bus to go over the bridge and hitting the ground, where it caught fire, the transport ministry said in a statement. Images released by the transport ministry show the bus lying on its side, shattered by the impact of the fall. Its windows and roof appear to have caved in, while the shell of the trailer it was towing is visible in the distance. Its paint appears to have been stripped away by the blaze as firemen, standing a short distance away, hose it down. Other images on social media, apparently taken from the bridge, show a fire raging from the crash site as black smoke billows into the sky. The bridge remains closed and motorists have been told to use alternative routes. While South Africa has one of the African continents most developed road networks, it also suffers from one of the worst safety records. Just several hours before the crash, President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed to South Africans to take care when travelling during the Easter week. Lets do our best to make this a safe Easter. Easter does not have to be a time where we sit back and wait to see statistics on tragedy or injuries on our roads, he said in a statement. 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. [Getty Images] The bodies of two people have been recovered from a red pickup truck, which was under water where the Baltimore bridge collapsed. Eight workers were on the bridge when it was struck by a ship, plunging them into the waters below. Two were rescued on the day, but the search continues for the other four. All are presumed dead. Salvage crews are working to address hazardous materials and accident investigators are on the scene. Four of the six victims of the bridge collapse have been named so far. Maryland police said the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were recovered from inside the truck. Mr Fuentes is originally from Mexico and Mr Cabrera is from Guatemala. Divers are no longer able to navigate the waters safely because of concrete and debris found in the river, police said. They are now using sonar scans and believe that vehicles that may contain other bodies are "encased in superstructure and concrete" that came down from the bridge, an official said. Two other missing men were named as Miguel Luna, originally from El Salvador, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a Honduran citizen. Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier that two of its citizens were presumed dead - one of whom is now identified as Mr Fuentes - while another was rescued from the water. One person who was in hospital after being pulled out of the water was released, officials said late Wednesday. First responders spent hours on Tuesday searching the waters of the Patapsco River for the six ,em, who were working on potholes on the bridge at about 01:30 (05:30 GMT) when it was hit by the ship. The US Coast Guard called off the search around sunset, saying cold water temperatures and hours gone by meant the workers were presumed dead. Officials have pledged to find their bodies for their relatives. "We've got to give these families closure," Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, told reporters on Wednesday, adding that air, land and water resources had been devoted to the search of the victims. "My promise to them is this: I will devote every single resource to make sure that you receive closure," he said. But the operation has been challenging, Coast Guard Vice-Adm Peter Gautier said on Wednesday, due to cold temperatures and debris in the water. The cargo vessel itself is stable but has more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil and lubrication oil on board, Mr Gautier said. Roughly 4,700 cargo containers were also on board, including 56 that contained hazardous materials. "The Coast Guard has moved aggressively to board the vessel and we have teams on board," Mr Gautier said. He said there was "no threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board". Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said some containers with hazardous materials had been "breached". A total of 764 tonnes of mostly corrosive and flammable materials were identified, she said. There was some sheen on the waterway around the collapse, Ms Homendy added. The US Navy plans to use barges with heavy lift cranes - some can carry as much as 1,000 tonnes - to remove parts of the bridge that fell in the water. The Dali was headed toward Sri Lanka when it lost power all of a sudden and issued a distress call before crashing into the Baltimore bridge. A data recorder recovered from the ship shows that power failed for just over a minute. In an audio recording, the pilot can be heard giving steering commands and rudder orders as the ship approaches the bridge. Officials say the bridge collapse at a key port could pose a risk to global supply chains and the US economy. Mr Moore said that 8,000 jobs could be affected by the bridge collapse and called the incident a "global crisis". "The national economy and global economy depends on the port," he said, noting that $80bn (63.4bn) of cargo moved through there last year. Paul Wiedefeld, secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, stressed that replacing the bridge would not be a fast process, but he promised at Wednesday's news conference that officials were working to "come up with a design for the replacement of that bridge as quickly as possible to get the port back up and the community back up and running". Experts say Key Bridge's collapse could lead to losses of up to $15m (11.8m) a day until the shipping lane is reopened. US Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said he was confident "thanks to the Biden administration" that the state would get the necessary resources to recover and begin work on a replacement bridge. "Our top priority is to get the shipping lane open because of the impact it has on our country and the global supply chain," he said. Investigators are also hoping to determine whether dirty fuel played a role in the deadly crash. Maritime experts say contaminated fuel can cause a ship to black out as it creates problems with a vessel's main power generators. HOUSTON (AP) Jon Berti could be at third base for the banged-up Yankees in their opener against Houston on Thursday after New York acquired the infielder as part of a three-team trade with Miami and Tampa Bay. New York sent catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Tampa Bay Rays and minor league outfielder Juan Cruz to the Marlins, while outfielder Shane Sasaki moved from the Rays to Miami. The 34-year-old Berti could fill in at third base while DJ LeMahieu is on the injured list because of a bone bruise in his right foot. The former batting champion has been sidelined since fouling a ball off his foot on March 16 and is to undergo more testing Friday. In addition, the Yankees said on March 9 that infielder Oswald Peraza wouldn't throw for six to eight weeks because of a strained right shoulder. Obviously with DJ being down, he very much figures in at the third base mix, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said during a Zoom news conference on Wednesday. Hopefully once were whole, serves as a guy that can play all over the infield, even play some outfield quality hitter bat to ball, can steal a base. Boone said he wanted to wait until Berti arrived in Houston to determine whether he starts against the Astros and said Gleyber Torres likely will lead off. Oswaldo Cabrera is his other third base option. The Yankees are coming off an 82-80 season, their poorest since 1992. The Yankees' .227 batting average was 29th among the 30 teams. Im hoping that the offense is more in line with what we expect it to be," Boone said. Tomorrow we get to go find out how good we think we are. Boone is entering the final season of his contract. All my energy and all my focus is trying to help us play my part in helping us be the best possible team we can be, and our goal is to be a world champion," Boone said. So I dont know if I look at it as this has to happen for me to save this job. Berti hit .294 with seven homers, 33 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last year, down from a major league-high 41 steals in 2022. He batted .229 with one homer and six RBIs in spring training, striking out 12 times in 35 at-bats. Berti has a $3,625,000 salary and is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Rortvedt, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter, was out of options and behind Jose Trevino and rookie Austin Wells in the Yankees' catching plans. Trevino will start Thursday. Acquired from Minnesota in a March 2022 trade along with third baseman Josh Donaldson, Rortvedt missed much of 2022 because a strained right oblique muscle and was limited to 48 minor league games that season. He had surgery during spring training last year to repair an aneurysm of the posterior artery near his left shoulder, delaying his minor league season debut until April 21. Rortvedt joined the Yankees on May 20 and hit .118 with two homers and four RBIs in 32 games. Rortvedt could split time with right-handed-hitting Rene Pinto. In theory it kind of complements our catching situation and really our overall lineup, being a lefty hitter. We got a couple of lefties down," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Hes coming from a really good organization. Hell transition over here really well. ... We dont mess with too many guys that we dont think are good defensively. And we do think highly of him defensively. Cash said infielder/outfielder Austin Shelton will be on the opening-day roster, putting the 26-year-old in position to make his big league debut. Cruz, 18, signed with New York in 2022 for a $75,000 bonus. He hit .294 with 10 homers, 47 RBIs, nine steals and a .907 OPS last year for the Florida Complex League Yankees. Sasaki, 23, was taken by Tampa Bay in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft with the 99th pick. A native of Hawaii, Sasaki hit .299 with seven homers, 39 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last year for Class A Bowling Green and the Florida Complex League Rays. Juan Soto heads into his Yankees debut after going 5 for his last 28 (.179) in spring training with no RBIs. Infielder Jorbit Vivas was to be examined by an ophthalmologist in Tampa, Florida, on Thursday and additional specialists on Friday after sustaining a left orbital fracture before Monday's exhibition game against the New York Mets. Outfielder Oscar Gonzalez has been discharged from a Mexico City hospital after sustaining a right orbital fracture in Monday's exhibition at Diablos Rojos. Gonzalez also is to see an ophthalmologist Thursday and could return to Tampa this weekend, Boone said. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Bill Clinton was 22 years younger than George H.W. Bush when he unseated him in 1992. He had just turned 50 when he won a second term by defeating the 73-year-old Bob Dole four years later. In 2008, Barack Obama was just 47 when he won the White House by defeating John McCain, a Senate colleague who was a quarter-century his senior. On Thursday, both former presidents now 77 and 62 years old, respectively will suspend their active retirements to try to provide a political jolt to the campaign of their successor Joe Biden, 81, with a rare joint appearance for a campaign fundraiser in New York. The rare and highly anticipated gathering of three Democratic presidents will raise over $25 million, according to a release by the Biden campaign, which is characterizing it as the most successful political fundraiser in American history. But it also may serve to highlight Bidens main vulnerability this year, one that his campaign has increasingly taken steps to overcome. Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton (Charles Dharapak / AP file) Unlike Obama and Clinton before him, Biden is running against a candidate only a few years his junior. Still, Biden has already been adopting some of the tactics and even language that Dole and McCain used when they ran against much younger men. Take, for instance, Bidens last trip to New York, where he offered a new answer to the age question. Its about how old your ideas are, he told NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers, adding that former President Donald Trump wants to take us back on a whole range of issues. It was a twist on how Clinton answered a question about Doles age during the second presidential debate in 1996. I dont think Sen. Dole is too old to be president. Its the age of his ideas that I question, he said. Dole said that wisdom comes from age, experience and intelligence, also mirroring an answer Biden has given this year. Scott Reed, who was Doles campaign manager, said the campaign was often frustrated at how age was a frequent focus of the media covering the race. The campaign released detailed medical records and did focus groups and polling to test ways to address the issue and found that older voters tended to be especially concerned about it. They could never imagine being president. They couldnt even keep their own checkbooks, let alone be commander of the free world, Reed, who recently was a co-chair of a super PAC supporting Mike Pences presidential campaign, told NBC News. Dole campaigned more aggressively than any of the other principals in the race, Reed argued, including a final 96-hour nonstop campaign in the closing days that he said helped Republicans at least maintain control of Congress. Beating an incumbent president is very difficult, especially when theres a growing economy and a world peace. So our challenge against Clinton back in 96 was bigger than age, he said. Twelve years later, McCain, like Dole, tried to use humor to defuse the age issue. Both men, in fact, made cameos on Saturday Night Live McCain multiple times where age was a punch line. I ask you: What should we be looking for in our next president? Certainly, someone who is very, very, very old, McCain said in one appearance. I have the courage, the wisdom, the experience and, most importantly, the oldness necessary. Mark Salter, a longtime senior adviser to McCain, said the campaign also recognized age was a challenge but aimed for a show-not-tell response. We didnt make him up or change his wardrobe or have him do push-ups in front of the cameras or anything, he said. We would often draw reporters attention to the fact his schedule was more crowded than Obamas. In New Hampshire, he would do 100 or whatever town halls and stick around until the last question was asked. And then he talked to reporters all day, worked all night. Clintons campaigns especially a re-election theme of Building a Bridge to the 21st Century sought to capitalize on the generational contrast more conspicuously than Obamas. For Obama, Change as a theme was more a one-two punch in the Democratic primaries, running to succeed the unpopular George W. Bush while challenging the initial Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton. Salter said McCains team did consider the idea of a one-term pledge, not so much to address a concern about his age as it was to get a piece of the change message. Ultimately, though, McCain shot down the idea. He never had any doubt about his ability to serve, Salter said. He never seemed his age until he got sick. McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017, the year a potential second term would have ended. There is not much precedent for the event Bidens campaign is putting on Thursday. The high-profile evening, which will draw more than 3,000 people, is expected to sell out, the person familiar with the planning said. The event is designed to impress. Actor Mindy Kaling will host the program at Radio City Music Hall, which will open with remarks from first lady Jill Biden and feature musical guests Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele, according to a Biden campaign official. Some of the biggest donors will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the three Democratic presidents, shot by famed portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz. The cheapest tickets have sold for $250, with the largest contributions coming from people who gave $250,000 and $500,000. Biden-Harris campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg, finance chair Rufus Gifford and Biden Victory Fund finance chair Chris Korge have taken the lead on organizing the fundraiser, along with Conde Nast Editorial Director Anna Wintour. Beyond the in-person component, other donors will have access to a grassroots virtual conversation with the three presidents that will be moderated by Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. That access costs as little as $25, according to the online invitation. The first lady will also hold a 500 person VIP afterparty after the event, which will be co-hosted by DJ D-Nice, whose profile rose during the coronavirus pandemic after he held virtual Club Quarantine events on Instagram live. In planning Thursdays fundraiser, the Biden, Obama and Clinton teams have sought to balance how you look forward and backward at the same time, a source familiar with the planning said. Obama, Biden and Clinton will inevitably go down memory lane during a discussion moderated by comedian Stephen Colbert. Some of the legislation Biden is proudest of from his time as a senator the crime bill and the Violence Against Women Act were signed into law by Clinton. And Bidens loyal service as Obamas vice president was a major factor in overcoming other vulnerabilities, including age, as he ran in a crowded field of Democrats in 2020. But Biden has increasingly been using the word future in his speeches while describing policies like tax reform, universal pre-K and affordable housing that would be part of a second-term agenda. I want to talk about the future of possibilities that we can build together a future where the days of trickle-down economics are over and the wealthy and the biggest corporations no longer get all the tax breaks, he said in his State of the Union address this month. Biden speaks regularly to both former presidents, according to multiple sources familiar with the relationships. Obama and Biden met in person Friday to record an event tied to the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. During a private conversation in the White Houses Family Dining Room, Obama told Biden how effective he thought his State of the Union address had been, as had been the busy travel schedule Biden embarked on afterward, said a source familiar with the matter. Aside from private conversations, Biden also often directs his top aides to follow up with Obama or Clinton on various topics of conversation. Chief of staff Jeff Zients, senior adviser Anita Dunn, counselor Steve Ricchetti, deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed and campaign advisers Jen OMalley Dillon and Mike Donilon have all held calls with Obama recently at Bidens direction. Similarly, a longtime Clinton aide met last week with Ricchetti to discuss Clintons desire to play an active role in support of Biden this year. Beyond traditional campaigning, both men are likely to participate in more unconventional campaign tactics the Biden team has been experimenting with to reach especially younger voters. Thursdays fundraiser is just one component of what an official involved in the process called an extensive program for the three commanders in chief in New York on Thursday, including recording a podcast together. Reed, the Dole campaign manager, said Bidens best approach in dealing with age is not an ice cream cone strategy of trying to appear more dynamic. The best thing Biden can do is go after Trump and show the energy he shows when hes behind closed doors with these donors, he said. Paras Griffin/Getty Images Sean Diddy Combs has reportedly sold off his large stake in his media empire Revolt TV amid sexual assault allegations and a federal raid. The music mogul stepped down from his role as chairman in November but has sold his remaining shares of Revolt to an anonymous buyer, according to TMZ. The report notes that the company will remain Black-owned but financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Revolt TVs new owner will be apparently keeping their identity under wraps for now but will eventually have a formal introduction as the head of the media company. Eyebrow-Raising Quotes About Diddy's Alleged Behavior Over the Years The deal, which was reportedly finalized this week, sees Revolts current CEO, Detavio Samuels, and chief brand officer, Deon Graham, remaining in their roles for the time being. Us Weekly has reached out to Diddys representative for comment. The news follows Combs Miami and Los Angeles homes being raided by federal agents on Monday, March 25. GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images Homeland Security Investigations New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners, Homeland Security told Us Weekly in a statement shortly after the raids took place. We will provide further information as it becomes available. Diddys lawyer has since said that Homeland Security Investigation officials used excessive force in an unprecedented ambush. Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs residences, Combs Aaron Dyer, told Us in a statement on Tuesday, March 26. Everything Wendy Williams Has Said About Diddy Over the Years There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. The raid on Diddys homes comes months after his ex-girlfriend Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura), whom he dated on and off from 2007 to 2018, accused him of rape and repeated sexual abuse in a lawsuit. One day after the suit made headlines, the pair announced that they had reached a settlement. Since Cassies lawsuit, multiple people have come forward also accusing Diddy of sexual assault. He has denied all allegations. It is unclear if there is a connection between their allegations and the raids on Diddys homes. By David Thomas (Reuters) -A California state judge on Wednesday said attorney John Eastman should be stripped of his law license for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump. Eastman, a former personal lawyer to Trump who is now his co-defendant in the Georgia criminal case over efforts to sway the election, was accused of violating California attorney ethics rules against misleading courts and making false public statements. "Eastmans actions were carried out with deceit or dishonesty," Judge Yvette Roland of California's State Bar Court wrote in her 128-page ruling. She held that his plan to derail Democrat Joe Biden's election victory "was unlawful and lacked any factual or legal support." Roland presided over a disciplinary trial against Eastman last year. The California Supreme Court has the final say on all disciplinary matters. Randall Miller, a lawyer for Eastman, said in a statement that "Dr. Eastman maintains that his handling of the legal issues he was asked to assess after the November 2020 election was based on reliable legal precedent, prior presidential elections, research of constitutional text, and extensive scholarly material." George Cardona, the chief trial counsel for the California state bar, said in a statement that "the harm caused by Mr. Eastmans abandonment of his duties as a lawyer, and the threat his actions posed to our democracy, more than warrant his disbarment." Eastman was separately indicted in August 2023 in Fulton County, Georgia, and charged along with Trump and others over efforts to overturn Biden's 2020 election win in the state. Eastman and Trump pleaded not guilty. A former law professor at Chapman University in California, Eastman drafted legal memos suggesting then-Vice President Mike Pence could refuse to accept electoral votes from several swing states when Congress convened to certify the 2020 vote count. Pence rebuffed his arguments, saying he did not have legal authority to do so under the Constitution. Trump was also represented by Eastman in a long-shot lawsuit at the U.S. Supreme Court that sought to invalidate votes in four states where the Republican former president had falsely claimed evidence of widespread voter fraud. Eastman repeated many of those claims at a rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, after which a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and delayed congressional certification of the election. Several other lawyers in Trump's orbit have also faced criminal or ethics actions or both over their 2020 election efforts. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had his New York law license suspended in June 2021 and is facing potential disbarment in Washington, D.C. Former U.S. Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark is facing a disciplinary hearing this week in Washington, D.C. Both men were charged alongside Trump and Eastman in Georgia and have pleaded not guilty. (Reporting by David ThomasEditing by David Bario, Bill Berkrot, Leslie Adler and Michael Perry) The value of a Birkin bag skyrockets from the moment it leaves the Hermes store. Thats partly because not just any regular person can buy the bag. Only customers with a sizable purchase history at the brand are offered the opportunity to buy a quota bag, such as a Birkin or a Kelly. But even Hermes most loyal shoppers dont get to choose the exact Birkin model they want. The brand allows boutiques to purchase a select number of Birkins per season, and the style of the bags is rarely known ahead of time, according to Sothebys. The notoriously opaque process, nicknamed the Hermes Game, has only generated more desire for the bagand even became the subject of a class-action lawsuit this month. Looking to sidestep the Hermes Game and score the bag their heart desires, handbag enthusiasts shell out tens of thousands of dollars on the resale market. Thanks to its exclusivity and its status as an investment piece, a Birkin bags value is much higher than its sticker price of around $12,000. The resale value of particularly the Birkin and Kelly bags over the past 10 years has outpaced gold, James Firestein, founder of luxury resale and authentication platform OpenLuxury, told Fortune. Prior to starting his own company in 2022, Firestein spent a decade as a luxury authenticator, including two years as the director of authentication at Rebag. Over the course of his career, Firestein has seen a perfect storm of factors bolster this wild ride upward. I know several instances where people have doubled their money based on buying it 10 years ago, and reselling it today in pristine condition, he said. Like buying a Picasso For some buyers, a Birkin bag isnt a high-end piece of arm candy, but a worthy investment. Of the Birkin owners he has worked with, Firestein estimates 75% actually use the bags, while the remaining 25% keep them in storage as investments. It's similar to buying a Piccaso and holding it in your home, because you can look at it, you can enjoy it, Firestein said. But then you ship it off in a couple of years and trade it for something else. The value of an Hermes bag can increase dramatically over time, Firestein said, depending on its color, material, and condition. Second-hand demand is so high partly because the resale market offers shoppers more options than the Hermes store, where customers are allowed one quota bag per year, and rarely get to choose the exact model they want. Firestein said the steepest price increase he has seen was a Black Togo 30 Birkin that doubled in value in 5 years. But price increases can be driven by trend cycles and changing demandso it can be a gamble, he said. I wouldn't say jump in with both feet at this point, he said. But if you got it in 2012, and you sold in 2019, thats different. The Birkin legend Before its handbags were spotted on the arms of Jane Birkin and Cardi B, Paris-based Hermes began in 1837 as a maker of horse harnesses. Over the course of six generations, it became a ready-to-wear and leather-goods powerhouse renowned for its craftsmanship. As for the iconic Birkin bag, heres how the legend goes: In 1984, the late actress Jane Birkin was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, executive chairman of Hermes at the time, on a flight from Paris to London. Birkin said she couldnt find a bag that suited her needs as a young motherso she sketched her dream design on a sick bag, according to CNN. Dumas infused the bag with equestrian elements, giving it the signature Hermes look. It was more of a subtle old money brand, Firestein said of Hermes status prior to the Birkin craze. The Birkin slowly reached it bag status thanks to being spotted on the arm of many celebrities in the 90s and 2000sand on Sex and the City. But it wasnt until the 2010s, when the online resale market reached the masses, that the hype went stratospheric. Firestein credits e-commerce with enabling shoppers to buy a second-hand Hermes bag from any part of the world. Meanwhile, online forums allowed people to share the secrets of the Hermes Game once exclusive to the 1%. The Birkin became a collectors item over timeand underground demand continues to fuel the resale market. Whats in the bag? Some people may desire Birkin bags because theyre so hard to getbut fans also celebrate the brands artisan manufacturing and 200-year legacy of craftsmanship. Unlike brands owned by LVMH and Kering, which often share factories, Hermes only uses its own factories, says Firestein. Conglomerate-owned brands like Balenciaga, Gucci, and Saint Laurent also tend to use more mass-market materials that are cheaper and easier to get, Firestein explains. Their leather factories are only Hermes affiliates, and they only create Hermes leathers, he said. So you're buying into part of that heritage, but then you're also buying into a higher quality material that they've been using for many, many years. Compared to other brands, Hermes quality is top-tier, Firestein said. And though he works with 43 different luxury brands, he admits to having an affinity for Hermes bags. They're made to last for generations, Firestein said. And they're just beautiful luxury objects at the end of the dayalmost like sculptures. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Sam Bankman-Fried stands before US district judge Lewis Kaplan as he is sentenced to 25 years in prison in New York on 28 March 2024. Photograph: Jane Rosenberg/Reuters Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cryptocurrency mogul who perpetrated one of the largest financial frauds in history, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $11bn in assets. His lawyer reiterated a pledge to appeal the sentence the same day. The judge, Lewis Kaplan, issued the penalty in a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday. Bankman-Fried, the former chief executive of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was convicted of fraud and conspiracy to launder money late last year. Related: Old-fashioned embezzlement: where did all of FTXs money go? Bankman-Fried appeared in courtroom at around 9.40am, taking his seat in khaki prison garb with his hair grown back out to the messy style he was known for as crypto billionaire. He gave little reaction as Kaplan read out his sentence. During the sentencing, Kaplan described Bankman-Fried as a calculating math genius who sought power and influence while knowingly committing wrongdoing. Although Bankman-Fried apologized for the fall of FTX, saying he made a series of bad decisions, Kaplan stated that there was never a word of remorse for his crimes. He knew it was wrong, he knew it was criminal, Kaplan said. The hearing began with Kaplan rejecting several of the defenses arguments about sentencing guidelines, as well as stating that Bankman-Fried committed perjury numerous times during his testimony in the trial. Kaplan likened the defenses claim that customers could be paid back to a situation where a thief takes his plunder to Las Vegas, then appeals for leniency if he can return with the winnings. Before Kaplan read out his decision, Bankman-Fried, his defense attorney and the federal prosecutor all gave statements. Bankman-Fried delivered a meandering apology of sorts, blaming the crisis at FTX on mismanagement and saying that he was sorry about what happened. He praised his former employees and executives, including co-founder Gary Wang and his former girlfriend Caroline Ellison both of whom testified against him in the trial. Bankman-Fried claimed that he wished he could help return customers funds, but acknowledged he was no longer in a position of power. My useful life is probably over, Bankman-Fried said. Marc Mukasey, the defense attorney for Bankman-Fried, attempted to paint the former crypto mogul as a sensitive and good-hearted person who made mistakes. He described Bankman-Fried as an awkward math nerd who loved animals, video games and lives to give to others. Mukasey also cited Bankman-Frieds social awkwardness and depression as reasons he is misunderstood, likening him to a beautiful puzzle. Sam Bankman-Fried doesnt make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head, Mukasey said. Neither appeal seemed to hold sway with Kaplan, who stated that while he took into account that Bankman-Fried has autism and is socially awkward, he had committed a very serious crime. Kaplan described Bankman-Fried as coming from an exceptionally privileged background, referencing his law professor parents who were in the courtroom watching, and used his intellect to calculate the probability he could get away with his crimes. Kaplan singled out Bankman-Frieds testimony during his criminal trial as evidence that the former billionaire had no intent to take responsibility for his crimes, saying that he was evasive and hair-splitting while lying about his conduct. Never seen a performance quite like that, Kaplan said, adding that he saw a risk that Bankman-Fried would commit more wrongdoing in future if he was able. Related: The rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried: an unrepentant ex-mogul faces down decades in prison Prosecutors had sought a sentence of between 40 to 50 years, arguing that Bankman-Fried, 32, showed a lack of remorse for his crimes while leading a life of unmatched greed and hubris. In a statement after the sentencing, federal prosecutor Damian Williams said Bankman-Frieds sentence sent an important message and would prevent the defendant from ever again committing fraud. In pre-sentencing arguments filed last month, Bankman-Frieds lawyer urged the judge to show leniency, and said the maximum potential sentence for his client of 100 years was grotesque. Bankman-Frieds attorneys were seeking a sentence of about seven years in jail. Kaplan recommended that Bankman-Fried be sent to a medium- or low-security prison facility in the Bay Area, to allow for family visitations. Bankman-Frieds fall from crypto mogul to pariah Only two years ago, Bankman-Fried was poised to become one of the most financially and politically influential people in the US. His firm FTX was valued at $32bn, and he had become the public face of the cryptocurrency industry, appearing on stage at events with celebrities and former world leaders and testifying before the US Congress. He was a major political donor, pouring money into election campaigns while lobbying lawmakers on crypto regulation. The descent from crypto golden boy to global pariah happened swiftly. After reports emerged in November 2022 revealing the financial instability of Bankman-Frieds companies, there was a domino effect on those businesses that included customers making a bank-style run on deposits and investigators freezing FTX assets. FTX declared bankruptcy just nine days after crypto news site Coindesks initial report, and Bankman-Frieds personal net worth fell by billions of dollars. He was arrested weeks later in the Bahamas, where he and other FTX executives lived and parts of his company were based. Bankman-Frieds highly anticipated trial began in October, with prosecutors alleging he misappropriated customer funds while enriching himself and buying up lavish real estate. Once known for unkempt hair and wearing casual clothes at all occasions, Bankman-Fried appeared with a new haircut and suit as he stood trial. In an unusual and ultimately disastrous move, he decided to take the stand in his own defense leading to a damaging cross-examination where he failed to recall events and appeared to contradict himself. Many of Bankman-Frieds top executives and closest allies, including his on-again, off-again girlfriend Caroline Ellison, all testified against him during the trial. Ellison, the former chief executive of FTXs trading arm Alameda Research, told the court that Bankman-Fried directed her to commit fraud and use FTX customer funds without their knowledge. The jury in Bankman-Frieds trial found him guilty on all seven counts of fraud and conspiracy after just four hours of deliberation. Bankman-Fried has maintained that he is innocent. (May 8, 2019) Founding FTX Sam Bankman-Fried, along with former Google employee Gary Wang, found the crypto exchange FTX. Bankman-Fried is in his 20s and had just left the trading firm Jane Street Capital. (November 11, 2019) FTX receives $100m investment Cryptocurrency exchange Binance's then CEO Changpeng Zhao invests $100m in FTX in exchange for 20% of the company. (September 1, 2021) Bankman-Fried and FTX move to the Bahamas Bankman-Fried relocates the firm's headquarters from Hong Kong to the Bahamas in 2021, buying up millions in real estate and setting up residence in the nation. (August 1, 2021) Partnerships and big investments Bankman-Fried and FTX strike a deal on the company's first big partnership, reaching a sponsorship deal with Mercedes' Formula One racing team. Meanwhile, FTX raises hundreds of millions in a funding round and is valued at $25bn. (January 1, 2022) FTX valuation swells to $32bn Bankman-Fried raises a $400m in a Series C financing round, as the company's valuation balloons to $32bn. (February 1, 2022) FTX launches Super Bowl ad Bankman-Fried pours millions of dollars into a Super Bowl ad featuring Larry David, as FTX makes a bid for the mainstream. (April 26, 2022) Crypto Bahamas puts SBF in the spotlight FTX holds an event called Crypto Bahamas, featuring celebrities like Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. Bankman-Fried appears on stage with former world leaders Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. (October 1, 2022) Sam Bankman-Fried the campaign donor Bankman-Fried puts around $40m into backing various political campaigns, becoming an emerging power player in Washington. (November 2, 2022) Reports emerge of FTX's shaky finances Cryptocurrency news site CoinDesk publishes a story showing that FTX's finances may be shakier than previously known, leading to a surge of media coverage and concern from investors. A customer run on deposits leads to crisis at the exchange. (November 11, 2022) Bankman-Fried resigns and FTX goes bankrupt Bankman-Fried resigns after a week of chaos and missing funds. (November 1, 2022) Bankman-Fried arrested Authorities arrest Bankman-Fried in the Bahamas and he is extradited to the US. He is charged with conspiracy and fraud. (August 1, 2023) Bail revoked, sent to jail Bankman-Fried's bail is revoked after the diary of his former FTX executive Caroline Ellison leaks to the New York Times. He is sent to jail awaiting trial. (October 1, 2023) Trial begins Criminal trial begins in Manhattan federal court, with former close allies and FTX executives testifying against Bankman-Fried. (November 1, 2023) Bankman-Fried found guilty A jury finds Bankman-Fried guilty on all seven charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. He faces potential decades in prison. (March 28, 2024) Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years In Manhattan federal court, Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $11bn in assets A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper inspects the scene of a fatal school bus crash on Texas 21 in Bastrop County on March 22. The bus was carrying preschoolers from Tome Green Elementary School in Buda when it was involved in a crash with a cement truck. A student was killed, and so was the driver of a car that was traveling behind the bus. Jay Janner/Associated Press Community members created a makeshift memorial at Tom Green Elementary School in Buda after a fatal crash involving a school bus. Barry L. Harrell/Express-News Staff First responders work the scene of a deadly crash after a school bus carrying prekindergarten students collided with a concrete truck Friday, March 22, 2024, in Bastrop, Texas. (KVUE via AP) Associated Press A woman is transported from a fatal school bus crash on Texas State Highway 21 near Caldwell Road on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Bastrop, Texas. Texas authorities say a school bus with more than 40 pre-K students collided with a concrete truck and rolled over while returning from a field trip, killing a boy on the bus and a man in another vehicle. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) Jay Janner/Associated Press A GoFundMe for the family of Ryan Wallace, the graduate student killed in a school bus crash in Bastrop County, has raised more than $13,000. Wallace, 33, was one of two people killed when a cement truck veered out of its lane and struck a Hays Consolidated Independent School District bus last Friday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Wallace was driving a vehicle behind the bus and crashed into either the bus or the truck after the initial collision, according to DPS officials. The bus was carrying 44 preschoolers from Tom Green Elementary and 11 adults, and was returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo. One student, Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, 5, was also killed in the crash. The school, which is in Buda, is part of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wallace was a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin and was two weeks away from defending his dissertation, according to the GoFundMe, which was created by journalism professor Kathleen McElroy. READ MORE: Officials identify preschooler and man killed in school bus crash The campaign exceeded its initial goal of $7,500 in one day. All of the funds raised here will be given directly to Ryans family to help expenses associated with his sudden death, the fundraising campaign said. Ryans family, mostly based in California, has been in contact with journalism and media faculty and approves of this effort. According to a student spotlight from the Moody College of Communication, Wallace was passionate about science communication. He designed a course called Science and the News, and had been tutoring for years. He had a bachelors degree from University of California, Irvine in ecology and evolutionary biology and a masters degree in biotechnology from California State University San Marcos. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fundraisers for the family of Ulises, the student who died in the crash and for other students on the bus have also received thousands of dollars in donations. If youve been searching for answers about how to sell your house fast in Houston, you might be a bit worried. Prices are up, according to Redfin data, but as buyers struggle with high mortgage rates, fewer homes are selling. And those that do have been taking longer to get there four days longer than this time last year. If youre really in a rush to unload your Houston home, though, dont despair. Thanks to iBuyers and a wide variety of other homebuying companies that forego traditional market methods, you might be able to get a cash offer as soon as tomorrow. Read on to learn more about how to sell your house fast in Houston, and how much you can expect to make from the sale. How fast can you sell your home in Houston? Redfin data shows that homes here spent a median of 48 days on the market in February 2024. Thats not forever, but its only the time it took for homes to go into contract. After that, most sellers have to wait for their buyers financing to come through before they can close. Need to sell faster? If you cant afford to wait over a month if you need the proceeds right away, for example, or if you need to relocate in a hurry for work reasons there are ways to speed up the process. Sell to an iBuyer: Houston is a hot market for iBuying: The two biggest names in the biz, Opendoor and Offerpad, both actively purchase homes in the area. Both move very fast, often making all-cash offers within 24 hours, and they can close within a few weeks rather than a few months. But dont expect a massive payday these companies typically charge fees for their services and are not likely to offer as much as you might make selling the traditional way. Sell to a local homebuying company: There are loads of companies that buy houses for cash in Houston, and these are especially good options if your home is in less-than-perfect condition. Cash homebuyers are looking for deals that they can fix up and turn into a profit via a rental or resale, and like iBuyers, they make fast offers and can close with remarkable speed. Be flexible: Work with a real estate agent, explaining that speed is your number-one priority with the sale. If youre willing to price aggressively, for example, or offer certain concessions, the agent can use their local market expertise to inspire buyers to act fast. And if youre willing to list as-is, you can forego the time spent haggling back-and-forth over repairs. Selling your Houston home fast for fair market value If youre hoping to sell traditionally, by listing your home on the market, you need to have a good idea of how much its worth. A local agent who knows your area, and the ebbs and flows of the Houston housing market, can help you get an accurate sense of its fair market value. Before you list your home for sale, ask yourself and your agent these key questions: How should you price your listing? The most important part of any home listing is its asking price. Ask your agent for an opinion on the pricing sweet spot that can help your home sell fast you dont want it to linger on the market so long that you have to drop your price, like 26.8 percent of Houston homes did in February (per Redfin). Is it worth upgrading before you sell? Probably not, especially if your main concern is selling your house fast. Rather than spending time and money on a big renovation that will slow down the sale, try to focus on smaller, quicker projects, like boosting your homes curb appeal. What should you fix before selling? Focus on the issues that might immediately turn off a buyer, such as peeling paint, cracked floorboards, leaky faucets and other visible problems. Its equally important to know what not to fix to avoid wasting time and money prior to listing your home. Should you pay to stage your home? Whether you want to make the place look like the cover of a magazine or you just need some help decluttering and organizing, staging your home can help make it more appealing to buyers. What do you need to disclose to the buyer? Youll have to fill out the Texas sellers disclosure notice with all your knowledge about any defects in the home, ranging from flood damage to problems with the roof. And if its part of a homeowners association, youll also need to provide documents pertaining to the HOAs finances and bylaws. Closing day Closing is the magic moment when youll officially transfer the property to the buyer and get the proceeds from your sale. However, youre going to need to budget for a range of closing costs that will eat into your profits. One common expense you wont have to worry about, though, is real estate transfer tax: This typical state tax doesnt exist in the Lone Star State. Be ready to cover these costs, though: Agent commissions: Though the way Realtor commissions are paid are due to change soon, it will still likely represent the biggest chunk of cash that eats into your profit potential. At least until July 2024, sellers are typically responsible for paying both their own and their buyers agent fees, which usually total between 5 and 6 percent of the homes final purchase price. On a median-priced Houston home, which was $335,000 in February according to Redfin data, 5 percent comes to $16,750. Title insurance: In Texas, sellers usually cover the cost of a title insurance policy for the owner. Rates will vary, but it shouldnt cost more than a couple thousand dollars. Prorated property taxes: Property taxes must be paid up until the day ownership of the property is transferred. The same usually goes for HOA dues, if applicable. Attorney fees: You arent required to hire a real estate attorney to sell a home in Texas but with so much money at stake, you should. Youll pay their fee at closing, depending on how much time they spent on your transaction. Concessions: If youve agreed to any buyer requests for concessions asking to cover the cost of a needed repair is a common one, for example those funds will be paid at closing. Next steps Trying to sell a home fast can be stressful especially in a huge market like Houston, where prices and buying activity can look quite different from one part of the city to another. If speed is your top priority, look into a cash-homebuying company. If youd rather make more money than sell more quickly, find a local agent who can help maximize your profits. FAQs ASHEVILLE A former Buncombe County Sheriffs Office deputy recently permanently barred from North Carolina law enforcement died in his Old Fort home on March 22. Chad Drew Walker, 40, of McDowell County, suffered an undisclosed injury at 10:12 a.m. March 22 and died in his home about 15 minutes later, according to his death certificate obtained by the Citizen Times. McDowell County Sheriff spokesperson DJan Vallini confirmed Walkers death is currently under investigation. Were awaiting the autopsy results, Vallini told the Citizen Times March 26. We dont suspect any foul play, but thats all the information that were able to share since it is an ongoing investigation. Chad Walker, 40, former deputy at the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, poses for a picture posted on the Sheriff Office's Facebook page in 2019. More: Former Buncombe County sheriff deputy pleads guilty to solicitation of prostitution Walkers father, Nathan Walker, told the Citizen Times that his daughter, Chads sister, lived below him and realized Chad had not gone to work that day. She decided shed go over and check on him, Walker said. The paramedics seem to think he had a heart attack. An autopsy was performed, but Walker's immediate cause of death is still listed as pending on his death certificate. Walker was working with a subcontractor delivering FedEx packages, according to his father. He said the family held a program at a funeral home for Walker, where Walkers employer said he was a great worker and very dependable. He was liked and loved by everyone who knew him, Nathan Walker said. Walker was a deputy at the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office and McDowell County Sheriffs Office for nearly 15 years, until he was arrested and charged with soliciting a prostitute on June 22, 2023. He was fired from both agencies the day he was arrested. More: New court date for ex-cop charged with hiring prostitute; human trafficking investigation More: Asheville police quiet on human trafficking ring investigation that snared deputy After pleading guilty to the solicitation charge Feb. 9, the former deputy was placed on supervised probation for 12 months and required to permanently surrender his law enforcement certification as part of his conditional discharge agreement with prosecutors. Walker was also permanently banned in the future from obtaining law enforcement certification in North Carolina, his surrender agreement said. Vallini said the investigation into Waker's death will be able to be closed when the sheriffs office receives the autopsy results, which will determine Walkers cause of death. Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Former Buncombe County Sheriff Deputy dies in Old Fort home Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party, whose conscience and independent streak later led him on a journey away from his home in the Democratic Party, has died at 82, according to a statement from his family. The former Connecticut senator passed away Wednesday due to complications from a fall in New York. His wife Hadassah and members of his family were by his side. The peak of Liebermans political career came when he was chosen by Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in 2000 as his running mate. The disputed election was eventually decided by the Supreme Court in favor of then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Lieberman had hailed his selection as a historic breakthrough for Jewish Americans. On many issues, like abortion and economic policy, Lieberman was a mainstream Democrat. And he will be remembered as one of the last major statesmen of an era when true bipartisanship felt possible in Washington, before todays polarized times. In his farewell speech to the Senate in 2012, Lieberman bemoaned what politics had become. It is the partisan polarization of our politics which prevents us from making the principled compromises on which progress in a democracy depends, and right now, which prevents us from restoring our fiscal solvency as a nation, Lieberman said. We need bipartisan leadership to break the gridlock in Washington that will unleash all the potential that is in the American people. US Vice President and Democratic Presidential Candidate Al Gore (L) and US Senator Joseph Lieberman (R) salute the crowd at a rally where Gore formally announced Lieberman as his vice presidential running mate in Nashville, Tennessee, 08 August 2000. - Tannen Maury/AFP/Getty Images Liebermans political evolution accelerated in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, his hawkish instincts on foreign policy put him increasingly at odds with his own party, and he was a strong supporter of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, which led to a prolonged conflict that many of his fellow Democrats came to oppose. He mounted his own campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, but the run failed to take off, further increasing his distance from the partys core base voters after he refused to repudiate the war in Iraq. That position also led to him losing the Democratic primary for his own seat in 2006. But he ran as an independent anyway and won the election, returning to the Senate. In 2008, Lieberman infuriated Democrats even more by showing up at the Republican National Convention in support of his dear friend, Arizona Sen. John McCain, that years Republican presidential nominee. Many Democrats perceived an act of treachery when he criticized Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, as a gifted and eloquent young man but warned that he was too inexperienced to be president. McCain, who died in 2018 and was eulogized by Lieberman, later admitted that he wished he had chosen Lieberman as the vice presidential nominee on his ticket instead of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose selection sparked an extraordinary outburst of support from the Republican base but later became a liability as her deep inexperience on the national stage harmed McCains losing campaign. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, pay respects to the late Sen. John McCain as the senator lies in state in the Capitol rotunda on August 31, 2018. - Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag Liebermans move to the right represented an intriguing political reinvention. But perhaps it should not have been a complete surprise. After years of diligent service in the Senate, Lieberman rocketed to public attention in 1998 during the scandal over President Bill Clintons affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. In a stunning public condemnation of Clinton by a fellow Democrat, Lieberman slammed his friends behavior as immoral, disgraceful and deserving of public rebuke and accountability. His speech from the Senate floor was seen by many Democrats at the time as an act of disloyalty. Still, Lieberman later voted after a Senate trial not to convict Clinton for high crimes and misdemeanors after he was impeached by the House of Representatives. While Lieberman alienated many Democrats with his speech it was also instrumental in then-Vice President Gores decision to choose him as his running mate. Gore wanted to signal to Americans that while he was embracing the popular Clinton legacy, especially on the economy, he did not approve of the former presidents personal conduct in a campaign that Bush was shaping as an attempt to restore honor and dignity to the White House. Lieberman will also be remembered for his proud observance of his Orthodox Jewish faith, declining to work on Shabbat. But he famously made an exception in 2009, walking five miles from Georgetown to the US Capitol to vote against a Republican attempt to cut Medicare spending. In his final years, Lieberman was angering Democrats yet again. He was the founding chairman of the No Labels Group that has been considering an independent presidential ticket that may Democrats fear could splinter President Joe Bidens vote and help elect presumptive Republican nominee former President Donald Trump in November. A political career always beckoned Liebermans family broke the news of his passing in a statement that paid tribute to his groundbreaking American story. Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed,the statement said. Senator Liebermans love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest, the statement said. Lieberman continued searching for a middle way in politics through the end of his life. But he insisted that the No Labels initiative would not go ahead if it ended up helping Trump. Were not going to do this if we think that this will help reelect Trump, because our mission is to bring bipartisan problem-solving government back to Washington, Lieberman said in an interview with CNNs Edward-Isaac Dovere in January, and Trump obviously does not represent that kind of government. Lieberman said his problems with Trump ran deeper than his political orientation. Many people say hes a threat to democracy. Fair enough. But to me, what hes really a threat to is the rule of law, which is the great guarantor of our freedom, of order, of our prosperity, of everything, Lieberman said, citing Trumps lawsuits after the 2020 election and connection to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by the former presidents supporters. Lieberman also drew a distinction between the current and previous presidents. Much as I feel like Joe Biden has moved too far to the left and the Democratic Party has moved further to the left, and they have a lot of influence on him, if we dont run the ticket, the choice between Trump and Biden for me personally is easy, Lieberman said. I will enthusiastically support Biden because, in just the most baseline way, his whole career says he respects the rule of law. Connecticut's Attorney General Joseph Lieberman formally announces his candidacy for the state's seat in the US Senate. - Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Lieberman was born in Stamford, Connecticut, on February 24, 1942. He went to Yale University where it was clear a political career beckoned as he was nicknamed Senator. He later attended Yale Law School and in 1968, he ran the Connecticut presidential campaign of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, until the candidate was assassinated. Lieberman was elected to the Connecticut Senate in 1970 and rose to the position of majority leader. After a spell as attorney general of his home state, he became the first Orthodox Jew elected to the US Senate in November 1988. Lieberman was married twice, including to Hadassah who survives him. Remembered by friends and former foes Allies and former opponents alike were quick to remember the political maverick on Wednesday. Gore said he was profoundly saddened by the passing of his former running mate in a statement posted to X, adding that it was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family. My heart goes out to Hadassah, Hana, Matt, Rebecca, Ethan, his sisters, and all those grieving his loss. Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with, Gore said. Bush in a statement said that as he and his wife, Laura, pray for the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joes example of decency guides our Nations leaders now and into the future. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. Im grateful for Joes principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life, the former president and Liebermans former rival said. Obama in a statement said that while he and Lieberman didnt always see eye-to-eye, the former senator had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. He also worked hard to repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do, Obama said. Senator Joe Lieberman posing for a portrait in Beijing on October 15th 2023. (Gilles SabriA for The Washington Post via Getty Images) - Gilles Sabrie/The Washington Post/Getty Images Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a social media post said, I am devastated to hear about the passing of our former colleague Senator Joe Lieberman. My heart is with his beloved wife Hadassah and his family, and I am praying for all who knew and loved him. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who was part of the so-called Three Amigos along with fellow senators Lieberman and McCain, said the news of his friends passing was devastatingly sad. The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are, Graham also wrote. No Labels in a statement called Lieberman the moral center of the centrist groups movement and said his unexpected passing is a profound loss for all of us. Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled. But we are honored to have known him and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had, the group said. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Rashard Rose, Manu Raju, Kristin Wilson, Jeff Zeleny and Brian Rokus contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Hillary Clinton this week sharply rebuked Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom for his incredibly surprising and unacceptable decision to delay the release of a report detailing potential Russian influence in British politics until after the countrys general election on Dec. 12. I mean, who do they think they are that they would keep information like that from the public, especially before an election? the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee told The Guardian for a story published Monday. Well, Ill tell you who they think they are. They think that they are the all-powerful, strong men who should be ruling, she said. Downing Street asserted last week that it needs time to review the politically sensitive 50-page dossier, citing the security implications of making public the report by Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee. But the chairman of that panel, Dominic Grieve, called the suppression of the document jaw-dropping, while critics have accused Johnson of withholding allegations in the report that could be damaging to his Conservative Party ahead of voting next month. Im dumbfounded that this government wont release the report about Russian influence because every person who votes in this country deserves to see that report before your election happens, Clinton told the BBC Radio 4's "Today" news program in remarks that aired Tuesday. That should be [an] absolute condition because there is no doubt we know it in our country, we have seen it in Europe, weve seen it here that Russia, in particular, is determined to try to shape the politics of Western democracies not to our benefit, but to theirs, she continued. Clintons White House campaign against Donald Trump three years ago was marred by Kremlin meddling. She has partially blamed Russian interference for her loss, and former special counsel Robert Mueller concluded in his report that Russias government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion. The House passed a bill on Tuesday that gives the National Park Service authorization to illuminate the Gateway Arch in St. Louis blue and yellow in support of Ukraine as it remains engaged in a battle with Russia. The legislation, titled the Gateway Solidarity Act, passed in a 365-57 vote, with all opposition coming from the Republican Party. Seven Republicans and one Democrat did not vote. The measure was passed as part of a group of five bills related to national parks and heritage areas. The legislation specifically directs the Interior Secretary to light up the Gateway Arch blue and yellow for at least five consecutive days within 15 days of the legislation passing, and annually on Aug. 24, Ukrainian Independence Day, until the president informs Congress that Russia has stopped its destabilizing activities against Ukraine. The Gateway Arch has only been illuminated in color twice previously, according to Fox 2 Now: it was lit up pink in October 2004 to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it was lit up gold in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the monument. Park Superintendent Jeremy Sweattold KSDK in March that park policy does not allow for commemorative lighting of the Gateway Arch because the location receives too many requests to accommodate. Changing the color of the monument requires action from Washington. Passage of the bill comes nearly five months to the day after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, which has since been ongoing. Russia has taken control of a number of regions in Ukraine since it began its offensive on Feb. 24. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the battle between the two countries could come to an end by the close of the year. We can achieve a lot of things before the end of the year and we can stop this war, he told CNN. We are going to fight for every inch of our territory. Its clear that we cant get it all back, he added. The House approved the bill one day before Ukraines first lady Olena Zelenska is scheduled to address Congress. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), a sponsor of the bill, hailed its passage in a statement on Tuesday while criticizing Moscows assault. Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation continue their unconscionable assault on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion began, over 5 million civilians have been forced from their homes and thousands have lost their lives, including countless innocent women and children. We have heard numerous stories illustrating the brutality of this invasion and the potential war crimes being committed by the Putin regime, she said. In response to this horrific assault, landmarks across the globe have been lit up in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, she added. The Missouri Republican called the monument a symbol of pride for the people of St. Louis and the State of Missouri. The defining structure of the St. Louis skyline, the Arch can be seen for miles throughout the region. I am proud to have the support of the entire Missouri delegation on this legislation which will authorize the National Park Service to light up the Arch with the colors of the Ukrainian flag on Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24, each year until Vladimir Putin abandons his deadly invasion, she added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Republican impeachment managers informed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a letter Thursday that they will send two impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10. House Republicans are accusing Mayorkas of high crimes and misdemeanors, including willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust both charges the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Democrats vehemently deny. That means the long-awaited charges will arrive in the upper chamber on the Wednesday after senators return to Washington from the two-week Easter recess. The move will force the Senate to take up the matter, at least formally, and then Schumer will have to decide whether to hold a full trial on the Senate floor, vote to dismiss the charges immediately or to refer it to a special evidentiary committee. We urge you to schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously, Johnson wrote in a letter also signed by House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas). The evidence on both charges is clear, comprehensive, and compelling, and the Houses solemn act to impeach the first sitting Cabinet official in American history demands timely action by the Senate, they wrote. The charges require a vote by two-thirds of the Senate to convict Mayorkas and remove him from office. If he cares about the Constitution and ending the devastation caused by Bidens border catastrophe, Sen. Schumer will quickly schedule a full public trial and hear the arguments put forth by our impeachment managers, Johnson said in a statement after releasing the letter. DHS on Thursday reiterated its earlier statement calling the move a baseless, unconstitutional impeachment. House Republicans will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border, DHS said in a statement, noting that Mayorkas spent weeks working with a bipartisan group of Senate negotiators on an immigration package. Without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country. The House voted narrowly on Feb. 13 to impeach Mayorkas on two charges, 214-213, a week after an earlier vote on the House floor failed 214-216. Three House Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the charges: Reps. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.). Schumer has refused to say how he will handle the impeachment articles once they arrive in the Senate, only criticizing the allegations as a sham and unsubstantiated by evidence. House Republicans failed to produce any evidence that Secretary Mayorkas has committed any crime, Schumer said the day after the House approved the charges. House Republicans failed to show he has violated the Constitution. House Republicans failed to present evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense, he declared. This is a new low for House Republicans. Schumers office said Thursday that once the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) will preside over the chamber. At that point, senators could vote to immediately dismiss the charges or refer it to an evidentiary committee. A third option would be to allow the House impeachment managers to conduct a full trial on the floor. House Republicans rebutted Schumers criticisms in their Thursday letter. They said they adopted a methodical approach that led them to conclude Mayorkas refused to comply with the requirements of immigration laws passed by Congress. In fact, he directed, through a series of memoranda, [Homeland Security] employees to violate U.S. immigration laws, they wrote. Throughout his tenure, he has repeatedly lied to Congress and the American people about the scope of the crisis and his role in it. His unlawful actions are responsible for the historic crisis that has devastated communities throughout our country, from the smallest border town in Texas to New York City, they asserted. However, their assessment is at odds with immigration law experts, who determined Mayorkass policies were in not in conflict with existing statutes. And their claims that he lied to Congress are largely based on exchanges in which he disagreed with lawmakers over whether the border was under control. The other House impeachment managers who signed the letter were Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) and Laurel Lee (R-Fla.). Senate Republican leaders have pressed Schumer to hold a full trial on the Senate floor once the impeachment articles arrive in the chamber. The House of Representatives has determined that Secretary Mayorkas has committed impeachable offenses. That issue will come before the United States Senate. I believe the Senate needs to hold a trial, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) announced at the weekly Senate GOP leadership press conference on Feb. 27. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) later said he agreed with Thune. I think that would be the best way forward, he said. The Senate last held an impeachment trial of a sitting Cabinet member in 1876, when it acquitted Secretary of War William Belknap on charges of criminally disregarding his duty and basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain. Rebecca Beitsch contributed. Updated at 2:12 p.m. EDT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A federal magistrate judge in Washington has ordered that a New Mexico county commissioner charged for breaching security lines at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot be detained pending trial. Lawyers for Couy Griffin, 47, urged that he be allowed to return home, but Judge Zia Faruqui sided with prosecutors who said the Cowboys for Trump founder was a flight risk. During a videoconference hearing Monday afternoon, Faruqui said Griffin's disdain for the government was so intense that he was unlikely to obey the court's orders. "He demonstrated that he believes that violence is on the table," the magistrate said. "His statements demonstrate to me a lack of faith and belief in the legitimacy of this government. ... I dont believe that he will believe that those orders are to be respected or followed." Griffin is known for his provocative and sometimes disturbing statements at Otero County commission meetings and elsewhere. "The only good Democrat is a dead Democrat," he said at a rally in May, before insisting he was speaking metaphorically. Following the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, Griffin said he planned to return to Washington armed for a Second Amendment rally on Inauguration Day. Griffin was arrested near a security checkpoint in Washington on Jan. 17. He faces one misdemeanor count of entering a Secret Service-restricted area without permission during the riot earlier in the month. A lawyer for Griffin said he had "caveated" his statement about Democrats and that all of Griffin's statements were within First Amendment standards, but the judge sounded doubtful. "You don't get to say something and then say you don't really mean it," Faruqui said. "Words matter. Facts matter ... I dont think this is political speech. This is far from it." Griffin attorney Nicholas Smith argued that his client's concerns with the executive branch and legislative branch did not extend to the courts. "Nothing in the record suggests he doesn't have respect for the judiciary," Smith said. However, the judge said he saw no reason to make such a distinction. Smith also argued that prosecutors needed to show that Griffin knew a Secret Service protectee was at the Capitol when he allegedly breached the barricades outside. Faruqui said it was obvious to anyone that Vice President Mike Pence was inside because of his role in the tabulation of electoral votes the process that was the target of the Jan. 6 protesters. The judge also mentioned members of Congress, incorrectly stating that they are protected by the Secret Service. "This is not something that was relegated to a civics class," the magistrate said. "It was an international news story. ... I think that is a reasonable inference." An initial hearing for Griffin held on Jan. 21 was aborted after he reportedly refused to talk to the judge on a telephone and refused to take a Covid-19 test that would allow him to go to an area of the D.C. jail where prisoners join video court hearings. Smith said the episode was a misunderstanding and his client thought guards were trying to get him to speak to a lawyer seeking to represent him. Griffin has since taken a coronavirus test and been placed in the general population, the defense attorney said. Griffin, a former street preacher and cowboy performer at Paris Disneyland, is one of the most lightly charged defendants in federal court cases stemming from the Capitol riot. He faces a maximum sentence on the current charge of up to a year in prison. Prosecutors have not alleged that he entered the Capitol, but solely that he went through police lines and took up a position on the Capitol steps during the melee. Griffin can appeal the magistrate's ruling to the court's chief judge, Beryl Howell, who has said she views the events of Jan. 6 as exceptionally grave. Kate Cox holds her son before putting him down for a nap at home on March 3. Credit - Shelby Tauber for TIME In the tidy backyard of Kate Coxs Dallas-area bungalow, there are two child-sized lawn chairs alongside two toddler bicycles, parked beneath a brick wall scrawled with chalk. There are two red-and-white stuffed horses in the playroom, and two sippy cups sitting in the sink. This is the joyful, messy life that Kate and Justin Cox always wanted. Everywhere you look, there are two of everything. The only problem is: there should have been three. Last year, the Coxes were thrilled to learn that Kate was pregnant again. They had always planned to have a large familythree, maybe even four kids. When Cox saw the positive pregnancy test in August, she ran into the playroom to tell Justin, who was wrestling on the floor with their three-year-old and 18-month-old. Justin immediately started planning: Would they need a bigger car? What would it mean for their finances? Kate didnt share any of those worries. She was just excited. At first, the pregnancy progressed normally. The Cox family designed a little cartoon to announce the happy news to their tight-knit extended family. Kate went to her early prenatal appointments and scans, eager to find out whether the baby was a boy or a girl. When Cox was around 18 weeks pregnant, she got a phone call from her doctor while she was in the car. She asked me if I was driving, Kate recalls. So I pulled the car over into an empty parking lot. The doctor told her that the results of early screening tests indicated a risk of Trisomy 18, a life-threatening genetic condition. I cried for a while in the car, Cox says. In the same phone call, she told us that we were having a girl. It took weeks of additional testing, appointments with maternal fetal medicine specialists, terrifying ultrasounds, and excruciating waiting before doctors confirmed the diagnosis. Each time we had an ultrasound, there was more bad news, Cox recalls, speaking slowly during an interview in her living room in early March. The neural tube, the heart, the brain, the skull, the limbs. It was hard, because when you looked it was very visible, and you could see on the ultrasound that she wasn't like our other babies. By the end, sometimes I couldn't look at the screen. Trisomy 18 is almost always a fatal condition. In rare cases, babies with milder forms of the disease can survive for years, even into adolescence. But Coxs doctor told her that there were so many malformations to her daughters brain, spine, and neural tube that the baby would probably die in utero. If not, she would be placed directly into hospice care after being born, where doctors did not expect her to survive more than a few days. Every single case of Trisomy 18 Ive seen has demisedif not in utero, then within hours to days after birth, says Dr. Damla Karsan, Coxs Ob-Gyn. Even if they do survive, the standard of care is comfort care, do not resuscitate. Read More: She Wasn't Able to Get An Abortion. Now She's a Mom. Soon She'll Start 7th Grade. The diagnosis also put Coxs own health and future fertility at risk. Her pregnancy was becoming increasingly complicated. She went to the emergency room several times for cramping, elevated vitals, and fluid in her birth canal. If the baby died in utero, Cox could get a significant infection. And because she had delivered her first two children via C-section, a third delivery carried increased risk of uterine rupture. If she was induced or had another C-section, her doctor told her, she might never be able to have children again. The more C-sections you have, the more risk of hysterectomy, hemorrhage, uterine rupture, says Dr. Karsan. She was at heightened risk. Given the fatal diagnosis and her own medical history, Kate and Justin decided to terminate the pregnancy. It was really painful, of course, because we wanted our baby so badly, Cox says. But we didn't want her to suffer, and the risks to me were too high. I also have two other babies and they need their mommy. So I had to make a decision with all of my babies in mind. Cox and her husband Justin play with their children. Shelby Tauber for TIME But abortion is illegal in Texas in all but the most urgent medical situations. Doctors who perform them face immense legal risks. And Coxs physician told her that because the fetus still had a heartbeat, Cox probably did not qualify for a medical exception. I couldn't believe that I wouldn't qualify, given the risk I faced in my pregnancy. My baby was not going to live, she says, pausing to wipe away tears. So I was really shocked that I couldn't get medical care here in Texas. I wanted to be in my home. I wanted to have my doctors that I trust close by. I wanted to be able to come home and hug my babies, and be close to my mom, and be able to cry on my own pillow. But that was not possible. And so, instead of becoming a mother of three, Kate Cox has become an unlikely national figurethe first pregnant woman in the midst of a health crisis to sue for the right to an abortion since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Now, months after she was forced to leave her home state to terminate her nonviable pregnancy, Cox is speaking out in detail for the first time about her experience. She has become a reluctant advocate for reproductive rights, the most prominent example of how abortion bans can endanger even women who desperately wanted to be mothers. Before this ordeal, Kate and Justin Cox had never thought much about abortion. I wanted a big family, Kate says, sitting at her kitchen table, underneath a big print of a Madonna and Child. The living room is scattered with unicorn books; theres a stuffed Olaf, the snowman from Frozen. I just didn't think it was going to be something that would ever be in my life. The Coxes werent especially political in general. Neither Kate nor Justin are reliable voters, they say, and dont necessarily identify with either political party. Between raising two toddlers and working full-time jobs (Justins in IT; Kate works at a nonprofit), they were just trying to stay afloat, as Kate puts it. They didnt pay much attention to the news. When the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision, it floated across their radars, but didnt seem to matter very much to their lives. When Texass strict abortion ban went into effect shortly after, neither paid much attention, because they both assumed that there would be medical exceptions. When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned that doctors who provided abortions could be held criminally liable, the news barely registered. Once Coxs doctor told her that she couldnt get an abortion in Texas, Cox started Googling to learn more about the state law. Thats how she came across the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), a legal advocacy organization that had filed a lawsuit, Zurawski v. Texas, on behalf of 2 Ob-Gyns and 20 women in Texas who were denied abortion care, asking the court to clarify the scope of the states medical emergency exception to its abortion ban. Cox sent a cold email to CRR, and was connected to Molly Duane, a senior staff attorney who is the lead attorney on the Zurawski case. Cox explained that her fetus had a fatal diagnosis and that her doctor had told her that because of her medical history, continuing the pregnancy carried risks for her own health and future fertility. Duane agreed to help her try to obtain an abortion in Texas. CRR is representing dozens of patients challenging abortion restrictions in multiple states, but Coxs case was different because she was currently pregnant and in medical crisis, says Nancy Northup, President of the Center for Reproductive Rights. Kate was the first time since Roe was overturned that a woman who was currently pregnant, needing an abortion under the health exemption, went to a court to get a court order for an abortion, Northup says. Her situation, Northup says, exposes how some medical exceptions to abortion bans are written in a way that makes them nearly impossible to apply. What Kate Coxs case shows is that this argument of the states that they have exceptions to their blanket abortion bans for the health of the woman is false. They dont have exceptions, and they wont allow exceptions to be applied. On Dec. 7, a Texas judge granted Cox a temporary restraining order, allowing her to terminate her pregnancy and shielding her doctors from prosecution under Texas law. But almost immediately, Attorney General Paxton petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to halt the lower courts order, and threatened local hospitals with legal action if they allowed the abortion to proceed. At that point, Kate was roughly 20 weeks pregnant. After a few days of waiting for a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court,she and Justin decided they couldnt wait any longer. They left their two young children with relatives and went to New Mexico to terminate her pregnancy. On Dec. 12, she was finally able to get an abortion, but only after uprooting her life to travel out of state. That experience added a lot of pain and suffering to what was already the hardest and most difficult time in our lives, she says. Before the termination, they named the baby Chloe Jones. It was kind of a name that was in our hearts for our next baby girl, Cox says with a small smile. And she'll always be our baby. The middle name was after Kates grandfather, she adds, so that way she would know who to look for in heaven. Months later, Cox finally feels like she can talk about the ordeal in detail. She recalls how the weeks between getting the Trisomy 18 diagnosis and finally terminating her pregnancy were excruciating. She would take her children to the grocery store, and people would smile at her and ask when she was due. Acquaintances would ask if she was having a baby shower. Her three-year old daughter was so excited about another sibling; she didnt understand that there would not be a new baby coming home. Although Kate did not want an abortion, she says she is grateful she was able to get one. The alternative would have been worse, she says. I didn't want to have to wait until my baby died in my belly, or died during birth, or have to hold her in my arms as she suffocates or has a heart attack. The experience has opened Kate and Justins eyes to the ways their family could be affected by laws that seemed to have little to do with them. As a nation we have a lot to learn about abortion, says Cox. Sometimes prayed for, wanted pregnancies end in abortion. It's medical care. Kates trauma has made Justin think of abortion as much more than a womens issue. It impacts the fathers, just like it does mothers, he says. Dont just shut your mind to it and think: this doesn't involve me. If you wait until it impacts you, then its too late. A few weeks after her abortion, Kate was chasing her kids and her nephew around her house when she saw a missed call from Joseph Biden. She thought it was a prank caller or a nasty heckler. But after a few text messages, she realized that the President and First Lady were, in fact, trying to reach her. Read More: Biden's 2024 Strategy On Abortion. I actually had my son on my hip, and he had peed through his diaper all down my side, she says, laughing for the first time since our conversation began. I certainly never thought I would get an opportunity to speak to the President. If I did, I didn't think it would be with pee down my side. That's how it goes for moms sometimes. The President and First Lady shared really kind words about what we went through as a family, she recalls, and invited her to sit in the First Ladys box at the Presidents State of the Union on March 7. Cox says the family doesnt have concrete plans to do more explicit advocacy around abortion, but she does plan to continue sharing our story when we can. She says shes grateful for the Biden Administrations work on reproductive rights, and supports the work Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are doing around abortion access. I dont particularly enjoy being involved in politics, Cox says. Right now, she doesn't have any plans to appear in any Biden ads ahead of the 2024 election. But, she adds: Never say never. And whether or not they choose to be in the public eye, both Coxes say they now plan to become regular voters, a political evolution that reflects the way in which abortion access has transformed from a question of feminist choice into a question of medical necessity. What I've learned from this experience is that if you are pregnant, if you love someone that is pregnant, if you may become pregnant, you have to vote like your life depends on it, Cox says. Justin adds that abortion access is now his number one issue. Kate and Justin get up from the kitchen table and slip back into the familiar routine of busy parents with things to do. Theres trash that needs to be taken out, a dog that needs to be walked, two sippy cups that need to be washed. Their kids will be home soon. Cox poses for a portrait with her two children. Shelby Tauber for TIME Write to Charlotte Alter at charlotte.alter@time.com. A massive cargo ship plowed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing the 1.6-mile structure to crumble like a pile of toothpicks plunging cars and people into the frigid water below. Six construction workers filling potholes on the bridge vanished. The bodies of two were recovered Wednesday after they were found trapped in a red pickup in the Patapsco River, Maryland State Police said. But search-and-recovery efforts for the four remaining workers who are presumed dead have been paused as crews grapple with dangerous debris, treacherous conditions in the water and the presence of hazardous materials aboard the ship. Heres what we know about the catastrophe and whats next: Why did the bridge collapse? Shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Singaporean-flagged container vessel called Dali struck one of the 47-year-old bridges pillars, officials said. The ship is about 984 feet long almost the length of three football fields. At the time of the crash, the Dali weighed 95,000 gross tons or 213 million pounds and was chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk. There were 21 crew members and two pilots onboard the Dali cargo ship, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday evening. Just minutes before (hitting) the bridge, there was a total blackout on the ship, meaning that the ship lost engine power and electrical power. It was a complete blackout, said Clay Diamond, executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association. The pilot then did everything that he could have done to slow the ship down and keep it from veering toward the bridge pillar, Diamond said. Moments before the disaster, video footage shows the lights on the vessel flickering off and on likely due to an emergency generator activating after the initial blackout, Diamond said. But the ships engines never turned on again. Instead of crossing under the center of the bridge, where the clearance was highest, the ship drifted to the right and crashed into a pillar. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed the Dali had lost engine power. As a result (of the momentary loss of power), it was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge, the agency said in a statement, citing information from the ships management company Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. The Key Bridge was fracture critical and did not have any redundancy, Homendy said. What that means is if a member fails, that would likely cause a portion of or the entire bridge to collapse, she said. These days, incorporating redundancies is the preferred method of building bridges, Homendy said. But the Key Bridge is one of 17,468 fracture-critical bridges in the US out of 615,000 total bridges, she said, citing the Federal Highway Administration. The Key Bridges last fracture-critical inspection was in May 2023, and the bridge was deemed to be in satisfactory condition, Homendy said. Who are the victims? The victims include six construction workers from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras who were filling potholes on a bridge used by 30,000 commuters every day. The bodies of two workers were recovered Wednesday morning: Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, a 26-year-old from Guatemala, Maryland State Police said. Search efforts for the other four workers have paused because vehicles that fell into the water are encased in concrete and other treacherous debris making it unsafe for divers, Superintendent Col. Roland L. Butler said Wednesday. The missing workers are presumed dead because it is virtually impossible to survive the frigid, 50-foot-deep water after several hours, officials said, and it was too dangerous for divers to navigate the dark water amid sharp debris from the crash. It could take a few days before wreckage is cleared above and below the water, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN on Wednesday night. Once that salvage effort takes place and that superstructure is removed, those same divers are gonna go back out there and bring those people closure, Butler told reporters Wednesday. The killed workers were immigrants from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Guatemala fathers, husbands and sons who moved to the US to chase their dreams and provide for their families. Officials with CASA, an organization supporting working-class immigrants and people of color, spoke on Friday about the dangers construction workers face, saying these essential workers perform dangerous yet critical work at significant personal risk so others can live their lives. These workers who make it possible to get to work who work at night and in the cold and throughout the pandemic - so our lives are made easier, said CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres. Miguel Luna, a father of three from El Salvador who had lived in Maryland for more than 19 years, was among those killed in the tragedy, according to CASA. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, another victim, is from Honduras but had been a US resident for the past 18 years, his brother told CNN. Suazo was married and had two children an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval worked two jobs and was the breadwinner for his family, his brother said. - Martin Suazo Dorlian Castillo Cabrera came to the US from Guatemala to pursue his dream and help his mother, Marlon Castillo, his cousin, told CNN. Pima Castillo, Cabreras sister-in-law, said he had been working at Brawner Builders for at least three years and loved his job. In Dundalk, Maryland, the Owls Corner Cafe is rallying behind one of its employees, whose husband Jose Mynor Lopez has been missing since the bridge collapsed. Lopezs wife, Isabel Franco, works for the cafe, according to owner Lilly Ordonez. Jose was a great man, husband, and dad, Ordonez told CNN on Wednesday. An extremely hardworking individual, a great provider, and family man. Carlos Hernandez, a 24-year-old construction worker from Mexico, sent his girlfriend a voice memo from the bridge minutes before the collapse. Yes, my love, we just poured the cement and were just waiting for it to dry, Hernandez told Jazmin Alvarez, according to the voice note she shared with CNN affiliate Univision. Hernandezs mother told Univision shes asking for help getting a humanitarian visa so she can travel to Maryland and exert pressure to keep searching for her son. I wake up, I want to think I am dreaming, Hernandezs mother, Lucia Zambrano, told Univision. But I wake up and I know this is reality that my son was there. Rafael Laveaga, chief of the Consular Section of Mexicos Embassy in Washington, said he was not surprised the victims were from Latin America. It was a crew who was repairing parts of the potholes on the bridge, and theyre the ones who are going to build the bridge again the Latinos, he said. Two other workers who were on the bridge were rescued from the Patapsco River, officials said. Of the eight total people on the bridge, seven were employees at Brawner Builders, Executive Vice President Jeffrey Pritzker told CNN. Only one of them survived. Moises Diaz, a Brawner Builders construction worker, confirmed to CNN that he worked with all of the bridge collapse victims and that his request for a last-minute shift change Tuesday may have saved his life. Diaz told CNN the workers would have likely been on their break at the time of the vessels impact. No one aboard the Dali vessel was seriously injured, according to Synergy Group. Of the 21 crew members on board, 20 are Indian nationals who are in good shape, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday. One of them got injured slightly, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. How dangerous is the water? The Patapsco River under the Key Bridge was rife with hazards both for the construction workers who vanished and for the rescue crews who tried to save them. When crews arrived Tuesday morning, the surface water temperature of the Patapsco River was about 47 degrees, the fire chief said. Any prolonged exposure to water under 55 degrees can be deadly, the National Weather Service said. Swimmers without floatation can survive in water temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees for about 30 to 60 minutes, according to the University of Minnesota. And the deeper you go in the river, the colder and darker it gets making the divers job more perilous, Wallace said. Theres also sharp debris from the crash that might not be visible under water. And more pieces of the bridge or the ship could fall at any moment. Theres a lot of instability with steel portions of the bridge that are hanging from other pieces of unsupported debris, Wallace told Anderson Cooper 360. Theres also a steel superstructure on the bow of the Dali that is very unstable, as well as containers hanging off the vessel, the fire chief said. The crash that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge left sharp debris in the dark water, officials said. - Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Is there a hazmat risk? An NTSB senior hazmat investigator identified 56 containers of hazardous material, Homendy said Wednesday. Thats 764 tons of hazardous materials mostly corrosives, flammables, and some miscellaneous hazardous materials, class nine hazardous materials, which would include lithium ion batteries, Homendy said. She said some of the hazmat containers were breached and that sheen was seen on the waterway. The US Coast Guard detected an oil sheen on the water near the wreckage on Tuesday, but the source of the fuel had not been determined, USCG Petty Officer Kimberly Reaves said. There is no hazmat threat to the public, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier said Wednesday. Of the ships 4,700 cargo containers, only two went missing overboard and neither contains hazardous materials, Gautier said. He said the vessel does have more than 1.5 million gallons of oil on board, but they remain stable. There are no drinking water intakes near the site of the crash that could compromise drinking water quality, said Shaun Eagan, US Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson. The Coast Guard had been examining 13 damaged containers some with potentially hazardous materials that were on the container ship, according to a US government document obtained by CNN and a US official familiar with the matter. But the majority of those containers carrying hazardous materials are closer to the pilot house and are completely unaffected by the damage to the bow of the ship, Gautier said. What do we know from the data recorder? NTSB crews used the ships voyage data recorder to piece together a rough timeline of events leading up to the collision. Was this an accident or an intentional act? Theres no indication the ships crash and the bridge collapse were intentional, state and federal officials said. The preliminary investigation points to an accident, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday. We havent seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack. But there are multiple reasons why the FBI responded, former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe said. The first is because when you have an event like this that calls for a massive response (and) resources, all of the local law enforcement entities, federal entities, whoevers in the area, because of mutual aid agreements, will show up and contribute whatever resources they have, McCabe told CNN. Second, the FBI can help confirm whether the disaster was intentional. They will look through all their intelligence holdings to see if theres any chatter talking about plans or targeting, about locations like this, to see if theres anything in the background that we should have been aware of and watching for, McCabe said. Obviously, weve heard from numerous officials that that is not the case at this point. What happens next? The NTSB is leading the investigation into the accident, Homendy said. During the investigation which could last one to two years the NTSB will try to determine what happened on the Dali and will also examine the structure of the bridge itself. A preliminary report should be available in two to four weeks, Homendy said. The NTSB is also interviewing members of the ships crew, Homendy said. The board has interviewed the ships captain, his mate, the chief engineer and one other engineer, Homendy said. But its too soon to estimate when the port will reopen, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN Thursday. That will depend on assessments by the US Army Corps of Engineers and others as they work to understand the extent of the debris, he said. The longer the disruptions go on, the more you can see them cause some of these economic distortions, Buttigieg said. In the meantime, ports along the East Coast can temporarily accommodate extra traffic. But we just need to make sure that whether its vehicles or other bulk products that there are plans for things that are a little more specialized, Buttigieg said. President Joe Biden said hes committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible. Its my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge. And I expect the Congress to support my effort, the president said. 15,000 jobs depend on that port, and were gonna do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers, Biden said. Its one of the most important elements for the economy in the Northeast and the quality of life. CNNs Ella Nilsen, Allison Gordon, Flora Charner, Amy Simonson, Jennifer Henderson, Sahar Akbarzai, Andy Rose, Derek van Dam, Monica Garrett, AnneClaire Stapleton, Louis Mian, Casey Riddle, Kit Maher, Sean Lyngaas, Mary Kay Mallonee, Melissa Alonso, Maria Santana, Elizabeth Wolfe, Vedika Sud and Sania Farooqui contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com CHICAGO A lawsuit against two top Chicago hospitals accuses an OB-GYN of sexually abusing more than 300 women, most of them Latina and Spanish speakers, and alleges that the hospitals ignored the womens complaints. The complaint is the latest chapter in the legal saga against Fabio Ortega, 77, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to sexually abusing two patients. The suit, filed on behalf of one woman, alleges staff members at NorthShore Medical Group and Swedish Covenant Hospital, now both operated by Endeavor Health, concealed complaints about the former doctors behavior for years leading up to his conviction and knowingly gave him a platform to sexually abuse hundreds more patients. Women reported. They reported again and again and again, attorney Symone Shinton said at a news conference Tuesday announcing the suit. They were told to question their very experiences as women. They were told that the very abuse that they complained about was medically necessary and normal. Fabio Ortega. (Cook County Sheriff's Office) The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of a woman identified only as Jane Doe 300, described the alleged experiences of several unnamed patients dating as far back as 1989, saying Ortega performed unnecessary pelvic exams and asked patients intrusive questions about their sex life. Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, the Chicago-based law firm representing the plaintiff, said it came to the number of more than 300 alleged victims after it put out legal ads about Ortega and received responses. In the case of Jane Doe 300, who the suit stated saw Ortega twice in 2017 when she was 22 and pregnant, Ortega assaulted her under the guise of performing vaginal examinations. She was one of Ortegas last patients before he was arrested, according to the complaint. When Jane Doe 300s husband asked why they were getting a new doctor in the middle of the pregnancy, NorthShore hospitals employees repeatedly told them the doctor was simply unavailable, according to the suit. The hospital withheld its knowledge that Ortega was then the subject of a criminal investigation for sexually abusing his patients, the suit adds. In the case of another alleged victim, who the suit said was pregnant at the time, Ortega inserted his fingers into her vagina, comparing his fingers to the size of her husbands penis. And in the alleged case of a 40-year-old woman who was referred to Ortega after she experienced heavy bleeding, the lawsuit says Ortega used his fingers to stimulate her and asked her questions including but not limited to, whether she was satisfied with her sex life and if she had anal sex. The lawsuit also described how patients allegedly reported abuse to unnamed nursing assistants and family doctors and, in one instance in 2004, to Chicago police. The Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In November 2004, the suit said, Ortega asked for a one-year leave of absence without explanation, after which he allegedly resumed treating patients. Most of Ortegas alleged victims, the lawsuit says, were Latina and spoke little, if any, English. They were sent to him for treatment, attorneys said, because he spoke Spanish. For a 48-year-old woman from Mexico who is one of the alleged victims anonymously quoted in the lawsuit, the case has resurrected painful memories she had buried years ago. NBC News does not normally identify victims of sexual assault, and the woman asked to remain anonymous because, she said, she has not told her two adult daughters about her experiences. She said she began seeing Ortega when she was an 18-year-old newlywed, pregnant with her first child. She was angry, the woman said about the lawsuit. Because [the hospitals] knew what was going on. Ortega was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two patients; he has since been released. Requests for comment from Ortega and attorneys who represented him in previous cases were not immediately returned. Endeavor Health declined to comment on pending litigation or specific allegations but said its hospitals have absolutely no tolerance for abuse of any kind. We recognize the tremendous strength and courage it takes for survivors of abuse to come forward. We believe trust is earned, and we will always look for opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality in our care, it said in a statement. We have enhanced and continue to improve and evolve our processes and policies to ensure we have an environment that supports reporting of threatened or actual abuse. Our policies require we investigate all allegations of abuse that are reported to us, take prompt action in all matters and fully cooperate with law enforcement. Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley also represented victims of former USA gymnastics doctor and convicted sexual predator Larry Nassar. In this case, attorneys allege hospitals ignored complaints because patients were Latina and did not speak English. Sadly whats commonly seen is that minority patients are silenced by health care providers when they raise concerns or issue complaints, said Parker Stinar, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. Ortega knew that these patients would trust his white coat. Stinar said Tuesday that while this first suit is filed on behalf of only one of more than 300 alleged victims, additional lawsuits are coming. He would not say how many or what amount in damages the firm would ultimately seek. He added his team is not pursuing a class-action case because that tactic earns every plaintiff the same amount in damages. How could you say that Jane Doe Ones damages for sex abuse are the same as Jane Doe Two? Stinar said. Everyone experiences, at the time, physically, emotionally, and different lifelong traumas. They cant be lumped together. NBC News, in its inquiries Tuesday, asked Endeavor Health whether either hospital attempted to alert Ortegas patients when he was first charged in 2021 with sexually abusing two of them. Endeavor Health did not respond to that query. The hospitals, I feel like they dont care about us as Spanish or women or Latinas, said the woman from Mexico who spoke to NBC News. You teach your kids to be careful when they go out. You know, to walk alone, to go in a car with strangers. But how can you prevent this, tell them be afraid of your doctor? Actor John Leguizamo, center right, talks with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares, right, as they walk with a film crew on the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on Thursday. Leguizamo visited San Antonio to film an episode of his TV show Leguizamo Does America, which airs on MSNBC. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Actor John Leguizamo is filmed as he talks with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares at the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on Thursday. Leguizamo visited San Antonio to film an episode of his TV show Leguizamo Does America, which airs on MSNBC. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Actor John Leguizamo is filmed as he talks with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares at the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on Thursday. Leguizamo visited San Antonio to film an episode of his TV show Leguizamo Does America, which airs on MSNBC. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News John Leguizamo, center, jokes around with students while filming a segment of his TV show Leguizamo Does America with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares, not pictured, at the University of Texas at San Antonio on Thursday afternoon. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Actor John Leguizamo is filmed as he talks with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares at the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on Thursday. Leguizamo visited San Antonio to film an episode of his TV show Leguizamo Does America, which airs on MSNBC. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Actor John Leguizamo, center right, talks with singer-songwriter and guitarist Shelly Lares, center left, as they walk with a film crew on the University of Texas at San Antonios main campus on Thursday. Leguizamo visited San Antonio to film an episode of his TV show Leguizamo Does America, which airs on MSNBC. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News If you thought you spotted actor John Leguizamo in San Antonio this week, you werent mistaken. Leguizamo has been in the Alamo City this week interviewing several locals for the second season of his MSNBC show Leguizamo Does America. The series, produced by MSNBC Films and NBC News Studios, seeks to highlight the influences of Latinos in the United States. Among the local San Antonians he met with this week were U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Tejano music star Shelly Lares and Chicana writer Carmen Tafolla. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Leguizamo will feature all of them in the fourth episode of his show, which premiered last April. Leguizamo was in San Antonio a year ago, shooting for a different series, American Historia, which aired on PBS. He spoke about his MSNBC show then, describing it as a six-part documentary spotlighting Latin exceptionalism and cities such as New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Its about our talent, our capability, our strengths, and its more about the joy of being Latin, Leguizamo told MySA reporter Sarah Martinez. I feel more unified in that we have much more in common than we do in difference. Although he didnt spotlight San Antonio last time, he did interview San Antonio native and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who struggled early in his career, realizing there arent many other Latins in the business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The second season will also consist of six episodes. A launch date has not been announced. (Photo Credit: mikkelwilliam | Getty Images) A Massachusetts State Police robot dog named Roscoe was recently shot several times. The attack came from a suspect who had barricaded himself inside a home during a tense standoff with authorities. Reports say the armed suspect identified as 30-year-old Justin Moreira opened fire at the robot dog. State troopers had deployed the dog inside the home to locate the suspect. Interestingly, Boston Dynamics the Massachusetts-based company credited with manufacturing these law enforcement mobile robot dogs revealed no suspect has ever shot a police robot dog on duty and disabled its communication. This was the first incident. Massachusetts State Police robot dog Roscoe shot during standoff On Mar. 6, the Massachusetts SWAT team responded to a home in Barnstable, as per NBC News reporting. This came after receiving reports of Moreira holding his victim at knife-point. Fortunately, the victim had managed to get away from Moreira by the time State Police arrived. What followed was a standoff between Moreira, who had a rifle, and the police. Since it was risky for officers to enter the two-story home without knowing where exactly Moreira was hiding, they sent in Roscoe and two other robot dogs to locate the suspect on their behalf. Usually, police remotely control these robot dogs as they pursue a suspect. Once inside the home, Roscoe which has the ability to open doors, descend and ascend stairs, and right itself when knocked down first checked the first and second floor of the home, before eventually heading to the basement, where an armed Moreira was hiding. Moreira shot the robot dog three times, disabling its communication with the troopers outside. Eventually, police were able to arrest Moreira after firing tear gas throughout the house. In a statement, state police applauded Roscoes heroic efforts. They also acknowledged the vital role that mobile robot dogs play in law enforcement. The incident provided a stark example of the benefits of mobile platforms capable of opening doors and ascending stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects, the statement read. State police also noted that the insertion of Roscoe into the suspects residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators, and that it prevented a police officer from being involved in gunfire. The post Police Robot Dog Shot During Standoff in Massachusetts appeared first on DogTime. Wells Fargo & Co. bank signage is displayed outside of bank branch in Beverly Hills, California on May 4, 2023. Police killed a man suspected of robbing a bank in Southern California after he threatened to detonate a device he said was a bomb. The man, believed to be in his 70s, walked into a Wells Fargo in Fullerton in Orange County wearing a mask on Tuesday afternoon and demanded a bank teller to give him money, the Fullerton Police Department said in a news release. He brought a white box with him with what he claimed to be holding a device that he could detonate. An officer shot the suspect as he exited the building with the white box containing stolen money and the suspicious device, according to the department. He was pronounced dead at the scene. "The Bomb Squad located an item constructed to resemble an actual explosive device, referred to as a facsimile device, in the suspect's possession," the news release said. The device was not an actual explosive device, a department representative told USA TODAY Thursday. No witnesses were injured Employees and customers were inside the bank as the incident unfolded but no witnesses were injured, police said. "Police had their guns drawn and the door to the bank opened and the (suspect) came out," a witness named Jessica Serne told KTLA-TV. "They said, Drop! But he didnt listen, so they shot him. One shot and that was that." The man's identity will be released pending notification of his family, according to police. The California Department of Justice will conduct an investigation to ensure that officers acted within the law. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police kill man who threatened to detonate bomb at California bank Maryland lawmakers are expecting the federal government to cover the lions share of the cost of the collapse and subsequent rebuilding of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge with Congress potentially on the hook for only a fraction of the total as talk about an emergency supplemental bill increases. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told reporters that roughly 90 percent of the bridges reconstruction will be paid for via the Federal Highway Administrations emergency fund, which has about $950 million and is replenished yearly with $100 million. The state sent a letter to the federal government Wednesday saying it will look to use money from that fund to pay for that process. What work Congress will need to do on this subject remains unclear because Van Hollen and other Maryland members are awaiting a full recovery cost assessment before they make any asks of colleagues. Theyre doing that assessment right now, Van Hollen told reporters on Capitol Hill. I dont know exactly when, but I assume it will be in the coming days. It will be a rough estimate. Its when you get into funds that go to the permanent bridge replacement that you have a cost share, but its 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds, he continued, noting he and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) will be preparing legislation to cover the 10 percent portion. Van Hollen said he was preparing to call Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) about that pending legislative effort with a pitch that could be an uphill climb among some congressional Republicans. He also pushed back against GOP calls for that funding to be offset. My message will be: Were all Americans. We should all be in this together to help a city in need, he said. This is an emergency situation and weve always addressed emergencies through supplementals. The incumbent senator also indicated he was unsure whether it could pass during the coming Senate work period. His remarks come two days after a cargo ship en route to Sri Lanka lost power and collided with the bridge early Tuesday morning, causing it to collapse. Six people are presumed dead due to the incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Police dive boats work around a cargo ship stuck under part of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Wednesday. (Steve Helber / Associated Press) The bodies of two men, found inside a submerged red pickup, were recovered from the wreckage of the Baltimore bridge collapse on Wednesday morning, officials said. And now the recovery mission has become a salvage operation. The saga surrounding the Francis Scott Key Bridge began early Tuesday with a mayday alert from crew members of a 985-foot-long container ship en route to Sri Lanka. "Numerous audible alarms" had begun blaring aboard the vessel at about 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, according to Marcel Muise, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, who spoke at a news conference Wednesday evening. At 1:27 a.m., the pilot ordered the cargo ship to drop the port anchor and issued "additional steering commands." The pilot then issued a radio call reporting the ship "had lost all power and was approaching the bridge." A dispatch call to officers on the bridge followed shortly after, at 1:28 a.m. I need one of you guys on the south side, one of you guys on the north side hold all traffic on the Key Bridge," an emergency dispatcher told two police officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority, according to dispatch calls provided by Broadcastify. As the ship approached, going 8 knots about 9 mph the two officers quickly stationed themselves on either side of Baltimore's storied bridge to stop all vehicles from driving over the 1.6-mile span. A construction crew was at work on the bridge, repairing masonry and potholes. The dispatcher asked the officers to notify the foreman and see if the workers could be evacuated. But it was too late. The ship plowed into one of the bridge's support pillars, sending portions of the span into the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River below. At 1:29 a.m., the ship's data recorder captured sounds consistent with the collision of the bridge, Muise said, while at the same time, Maryland Transportation Authority cameras captured bridge lights going out. Read more:Search called off for the night as 6 who plummeted from Baltimore bridge are presumed dead "The whole bridge just fell down!" one of the officers shouted. "Start, whoever, everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed!" Eight construction workers plummeted into the frigid waters below. Two were rescued; one declined treatment and the other was hospitalized. Authorities had to halt the initial search for the rest of the crew about 18 hours after the bridge's collapse, saying debris and changing currents were hampering rescue efforts. The remains of two people were recovered Wednesday morning, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. of the Maryland State Police said. The bodies were found just before 10 a.m. in a truck that was submerged in 25 feet of water near the middle of the bridge. They were identified as 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes of Baltimore and 26-year-old Dorlian Castillo Cabrera of Dundalk, Md., Butler said. Fuentes was from Mexico and Castillo was from Guatemala. Divers are no longer able to safely search around the wreckage due to the amount of debris, according to Butler, who added that search efforts around the bridge itself had been exhausted. Butler said efforts would be focused on salvage now. Based on sonar scans, we firmly believe that the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down, he said. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday that the Key Bridge was "fracture-critical." With this type of construction, she said, when one important section is fractured, the entire structure may be vulnerable to collapse. The preferred method of construction today includes "redundancy" built into bridges, Homendy noted, which allows the structure to essentially transmit the load if one portion is compromised. The bridge was in satisfactory condition, with the last fracture-critical inspection in May 2023, but investigators have requested additional safety documentation. Homendy said there are 17,468 fracture-critical bridges in the country today out of a total 615,000. The bridge investigation could take as long as two years to complete, Homendy said, although the team will issue any urgent safety recommendations in the meantime. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called the bridge's collapse "something out of an action movie." The region has since been grappling not only with the loss of a vital transportation link but also the closure of the Port of Baltimore, which experts say could severely hobble the economy. But Scott also commended the officers who responded to the mayday alert and tried to keep everyone off the bridge before the crash. By being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge, these people are heroes, Scott said at a Tuesday news conference. They saved lives. Read more:Would California bridges stand up to a direct hit? We asked experts About 30,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, but the collapse occurred well before the busy morning commute. At least five vehicles plunged into the water a cement truck, three passenger vehicles and one vehicle that was unidentified which rescue crews used sonar to detect, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN. The six men presumed dead are from Latin American countries, according to multiple reports. Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left for work at 6:30 p.m. Monday and didn't come back, according to immigrant services nonprofit We Are Casa. Luna was married and the father of three children. He had lived in Maryland for 19 years. They only tell us that we have to wait, that for now, they cant give us information," Luna's wife, Maria del Carmen Castellon, told Telemundo 44. "Our heart is broken because we dont know if theyve rescued them yet. Were just waiting to hear any news. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, was from Honduras and had lived in the U.S. for 18 years, his brother, Martin Suazo, told CNN. Sandoval was married and the father of an 18-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. One of Sandoval's relatives, Marina Maldonado Villeda, described Sandoval in a Facebook post as "a guy with warmth and quality of people, entrepreneur with a vision and mission to serve our community." We wish with our hearts that he is alive, Our prayers to see you again and continue to enjoy your joy and enthusiasm. We hug you with the Suazo Sandoval family, Villeda wrote. Guatemala's Foreign Ministry confirmed that two of the presumed victims were Guatemalan nationals, although the agency didn't identify them by name, saying only they were 26 and 35 years old and originally from San Luis, Peten, and Camotan, Chiquimula. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador also confirmed to reporters that three Mexican nationals were victims of the bridge collapse. One was rescued. President Biden pledged Tuesday to use federal money to help rebuild the bridge and reopen the port, but Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters in a Wednesday news briefing that it would not be "quick or easy or cheap," noting that the span originally took five years to build. Buttigieg also said that if it were not for the distress call, the quick actions of the first responders and the time when the collapse occurred, the death toll could've been much higher. "If not for several factors ... loss of life might have been in the dozens," he added. 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. Pastor Michael Jennings can be heard in bodycam footage identifying himself and accusing the police of racial profiling, which they denied. An Alabama pastor is said to have suffered emotional harm from an incident in which he claims he was racially profiled by Childersburg police officers while simply being a good neighbor. According to WBRC News, Pastor Michael Jennings was watering his longtime neighbors flowers in May, as the neighbor had requested, when police showed up. They said someone had reported a suspicious vehicle and person at the site. The incident ended with Jennings being taken into custody and charged with obstructing government operations after he refused to show identification. In body camera footage WBRC says it received this week, police can be seen confronting Jennings while he still has the water hose in hand. Jennings gave the police his name and explained that his house was across the street. He also informed them he was not the owner of the gold SUV they were asking about which turned out to be registered to his neighbor. Pastor Michael Jennings was arrested in May after police in Childersburg, Alabama, confronted him as he watered a neighbors flowers. (Screengrab courtesy of bodycam footage obtained by WBRC News) From there, he can be heard accusing the police of racial profiling, which they denied. One officer, who was among three who came to the home, requested Jennings credentials, which he refused to show. Jennings informed the officers that he had experience in law enforcement and was aware he did not need to present identification because he was not committing a crime. He was ultimately put in handcuffs and had his phone confiscated. He is going to be so p***** when I tell him I got arrested for watering his flowers, Jennings can be heard saying in the video, as reported by WBRC. The charges against Jennings were dropped in June, but Harry Daniels, one of three attorneys working on his behalf, said they still intend to sue the department. It represents an abuse of police powers. It represents racial profiling and it represents law-enforcement officers intimidating a person who actually understands and knows their rights, Daniels said, according to WBRC. They couldve moved him out of his cuffs, but they had a conversation trying to figure out what theyre going to charge him with, Daniels told WBRC. But nevertheless, this man is stripped away from his family, his home, thrown in jail, fingerprinted [and] booked, you name it. So, those types of damages need to be reconciled. WBRC reported that as of Tuesday, Aug. 23, the lawsuit against the Childersburg Police Department had not been filed. TheGrio reached out to the City of Childersburg and Childersburg Police Chief Richard McClelland, but had not heard back from either party at the time of publication. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Alabama cops arrest pastor watering neighbors flowers; clergyman plans lawsuit appeared first on TheGrio. Maryland officials are moving at full speed on several priorities after a 984-foot-long cargo ship struck and collapsed Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, including reopening the shipping channel and restarting traffic through the Port of Baltimore, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a Thursday news conference. Moores other directives in the wake of the bridge collapse, which killed six of the eight construction workers who fell from the bridge Tuesday into the Patapsco River, include taking care of the people affected by the crisis. This means families of the people presumed dead, the workers, first responders that means everybody, Moore said. Besides eventually rebuilding the bridge, the governor stressed a focus of continued recovery efforts, adding that it is our obligation to bring a sense of closure to these families. This work will not take days. This work will not just take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us, said Moore, who said there have been over 2,400 feet of boom deployed to contain any leaks of possible toxic materials from the ship. Officials working to remove the collapsed Key Bridge from the channel are conducting a full assessment of all of the pieces of debris before they can lift them out of the water, according to US Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath. This appraisal is critical in figuring out how to cut the bridge into the right sized pieces so cranes can lift them out, he said. We are doing those assessments right now with underwater surveys, with engineering teams back in unified command, Gilreath said, adding that the assessment is in coordination with several other partners, including the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps will cover the full cost of clearing the channel where the bridge collapsed, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Thursday. The Army Corps is also moving the largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore to help clear the channel. Moore said it is expected to arrive later Thursday evening. Federal transportation officials said Thursday they would provide the $60 million requested by Moore as a down payment towards cleaning up and rebuilding the Key Bridge. Federal Highway Administration chief Shailen Bhatt said the emergency funding would help Maryland manage ongoing disruptions to traffic, supply chains and daily life. The funds, requested by state officials earlier Thursday, will go toward removing debris, rerouting traffic and ultimately rebuilding the bridge. The state can later request additional funding, and the states congressional delegation said they would press fellow lawmakers to fund the rebuilding project. Meanwhile, the two pilots of a cargo ship are expected to be interviewed by authorities Thursday as crews prepare for a risky salvage mission ahead. The captain of the mammoth vessel, his mate, the ships chief engineer and another engineer have already been interviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board, said NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy. Investigators have secured the voyage data recorder from the 213-million-pound ship, the Dali, and learned new clues about what led up to Tuesdays fatal crash that killed a group of construction workers including four victims who have yet to be found. The first sign of distress came just under three minutes before the crash when the cargo ships pilot called over the radio requesting any tugboats in the area to respond to the vessel, Homendy said. Within a minute, police officers on both ends of the bridge were ordered to stop traffic crossing the bridge, said Marcel Muise, the NTSB investigator in charge of the collapse inquiry. Officials have credited this swift action for saving lives. During their first full day at the scene Wednesday, investigators saw the utter devastation of the mangled bridge pieces of which are still draped over the ships bow, Homendy said. When I look at something like that, I am thinking not about the container ships that are coming through, not about traffic getting back up and running on the bridge. Im thinking about the families whove lost loved ones, Homendy said. Authorities believe six construction workers were killed in the disaster. Two bodies were found Wednesday. Four victims remain missing and are presumed dead, but the search for their bodies has paused until salvage crews can clear heavy underwater debris that is believed to be encasing their remains. That water is so dark and the debris is so dense that in most instances, our divers cannot see any more than a foot or two in front of them, Moore said. Cargo ship crash timeline It will take months for investigators to gather the piles of physical evidence, maintenance records, ship data and witness interviews required to deliver a full report on the accident, Homendy said. But using information from the ships voyage data recorder, or VDR, the NTSB pieced together a rough timeline of events leading up to the crash: About 12:39 a.m.: The ship left the Seagirt Marine Terminal. By 1:07:00 a.m.: The ship had entered the Fort McHenry Channel. 01:24:59 a.m.: Numerous audible alarms were recorded on the ships bridge audio. At about the same time, the VDR stopped recording ship system data but was able to keep recording audio using a different power source. 01:26:02 a.m.: The VDR resumed recording ship system data. During this time, steering commands and orders regarding the rudder were captured on audio. 01:26:39 a.m.: The ships pilot made a general very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugboats in the vicinity to help the vessel. Around this time, the pilot association dispatcher contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority duty officer about the blackout, according to transit authority data. Around 01:27:04 a.m.: The pilot ordered that the ships port anchor be dropped and issued additional steering commands. Around 01:27:25 a.m.: The pilot issued a radio call over the VHF radio, reporting that the vessel had lost all power and was approaching the bridge. Around this time, the transit authority duty officer radioed two of its units one on each side of the bridge that were already on scene and ordered them to close traffic on the bridge. All lanes were then shut down. Around 01:29 a.m.: The ships foward speed was recorded at just under 8 miles per hour. From this moment until around 1:29:33, the VDR audio recorded sounds consistent with a crash at the bridge. MDTA dash cameras show the bridge lights extinguishing. 01:29:39 a.m.: The pilot radioed the US Coast Guard to report the bridge was down. New details emerge about those on the ship The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged container vessel, had 23 people on board 21 crew members and two pilots. Of the 21 crew members, 20 are Indian nationals who are in good shape, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday. Only one member was slightly injured and required some stitches, said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. All crew members were still onboard the cargo ship as of Thursday, said an Indian Ministry of External Affairs senior official familiar with the matter. The ship was chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk and was leaving the Baltimore area at the time of the crash. There were no issues reported with the ship prior to its arrival in Baltimore, officials said Wednesday. We were informed that they were going to conduct routine engine maintenance on it while it was in port, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said. Thats the only thing we were informed about the vessel in that regard. A dangerous salvage mission ahead Of the eight construction workers who fell into the frigid, 50-foot-deep Patapsco River during the bridge collapse, only two survived. Authorities said two victims bodies were found Wednesday, trapped in a red pickup stuck underwater. They were identified as Baltimore residents Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, originally from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, originally from Guatemala. But the search for the four missing construction workers has stalled due to treacherous conditions for divers above and beneath the water. Those perils include sharp debris hidden in the dark water, unstable pieces of wreckage that could fall at any time, rainy weather, and the presence of hazardous materials aboard the ship. Its possible the missing victims are trapped under the concrete and tangled debris from the bridges superstructure underneath the water, officials said Wednesday. But after the salvage mission begins and the superstructure is removed, divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure, said Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Roland L. Butler. While officials hope to clear the debris as soon as possible, were still very cognizant of the fact that there are hazardous materials aboard the vessel itself, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said Wednesday. A senior NTSB hazmat investigator identified 56 containers with 764 tons of hazardous material, the agency said. The hazardous materials mostly include corrosives and flammables, as well as some lithium-ion batteries. Earlier, Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier said there is no hazmat threat to the public. Of the ships 4,700 cargo containers, only two went missing overboard, and neither contained hazardous materials, he said. In addition to recovering the remaining victims for their families, officials are also hoping to reopen the waterway soon to prevent more harm to the thousands of workers whose jobs are impacted by the ports closure. The Baltimore port is the largest in the US for autos and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. But its not clear exactly when the wreckage will be cleared. Its going to be very difficult, if not impossible, and very dangerous to place people on the bow of that boat right now, Wallace told CNN Wednesday night. My sense is that its going to be a couple of days, Wallace said, citing a lot of instability on the crash scene. The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the bridge collapsed. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Bridge has been struck before and survived Unlike most bridges built today, the Key Bridge completed in 1977 is fracture critical, the NTSB chair said. What that means is if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge, to collapse. Theres no redundancy, Homendy said. Tuesdays catastrophe was not the first time a vessel has slammed into the Key Bridge. Four decades ago, another container ship that also lost power hit the same bridge and it stood strong. The dramatic difference in outcomes between the two accidents is an example of the dangers caused by the massive increase in shipping vessel size in the intervening decades. A CNN review of public records and interviews with about a dozen bridge and shipping experts show that hundreds of bridges over US waterways were built decades ago when container ships were a fraction of the size and weight they are today. Bridges of the era when the Key Bridge was built werent designed to protect against collisions with ships as big as the Dali, the vessel that caused the Baltimore to topple. The Dali has a capacity of about 10,000 20-foot equivalent units of cargo compared to the approximate cap of about 2,500 20-foot equivalent units that could be carried by container ships in the 1970s, CNN has reported. Some experts said this weeks disaster should inspire engineers to reevaluate whether Americas aging infrastructure can withstand impacts from the gigantic ships that traverse our waterways today. Its absolutely a wake-up call, said Rick Geddes, a professor and director of Cornell Universitys Program in Infrastructure Policy. The people who were building the Francis Scott Key Bridge never really contemplated ships of this size. It wasnt their fault they just didnt have a crystal ball. Ship and management company involved in previous incidents The Dali vessel and its management company, Synergy Marine Group, have also come under scrutiny. The ship was briefly held at the Port of San Antonio in Chile on June 27, 2023, when an inspector found that the pressure gauges for the vessels heating system were unreadable, a spokesperson for the Chilean Navy said. And ships managed by the Synergy Marine Group have been involved in at least three deadly incidents since 2018 in Australia, Singapore and the Philippines, according to officials in those countries. In 2018, a member onboard a vessel managed by Synergy in Australia was killed in an accident involving the ships personnel elevator, according to a report from the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau. In 2019, an officer on a Synergy-registered vessel in Singapore was reported missing after likely (falling) overboard while performing inspection or cleaning jobs, according to a report by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapores Ministry of Transport. And in 2023, at least one sailor was killed when a Synergy Marine-managed tanker collided with a dredging ship in the Philippines, causing it to capsize, according to an incident report from the Philippines Coast Guard. Synergy Marine Group is currently focused on the Baltimore incident, spokesperson Charlie Ridgeway told CNN on Wednesday. It would be inappropriate to discuss any previous incidents at this time, he said. CNNs Sarah Engel, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Isabelle Chapman, Daniel Medina, Sahar Akbarzai, Melissa Alonso, Hande Atay Alam, Lucas Lilieholm, Vedika Sud, Sania Farooqui and Aditi Sangal contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Manufacturers and shippers are scrambling to figure out where they can load or unload cargo while the main operations of the Port of Baltimore remain shut down due to Tuesday's deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Supply chain experts say other ports up and down the East Coast are likely to absorb much of Baltimore's traffic, avoiding a crisis. But not without some longer shipping times and upheaval. Ultimately, most trade through Baltimore will find a new home port, Moody's Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise wrote in a blog post. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated Wednesday that it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the bridge structure from the 50-foot-deep (15 meters) Patapsco River channel, which leads to the port's main terminal. The port's location makes it a key destination for freight. The Maryland Port Administration says the facility is an overnight drive from two-thirds of the U.S. population, and it's closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port. Here's a look at the goods that go through the Port of Baltimore and the potential impact of a prolonged port shutdown: WHAT GOODS ARE SHIPPED TO AND FROM BALTIMORE? Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation for international cargo, but it leads U.S. ports in roll on, roll off" cargo. That means goods with wheels, composed largely of automobiles but including construction and agricultural equipment. The state of Maryland says the port moved 847,158 automobiles last year. About 70% of the wheeled cargo was imported. The port also handles a large amount of wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas. About 20% of U.S. coal exports pass through Baltimore, second only to the port in Norfolk, Virginia. Shippers also use the port for containers, although other ports handle more of them. About 1 million containers went through Baltimore in the past year, about 2.8% of the container volume shipped through East Coast ports, according to S&P Global. In all, the port handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the state said. For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, were the largest port in the country that does that," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. So this is not just impacting Maryland. HOW MANY SHIPS STOP AT THE PORT? More than 50 ocean shipping and cruise ship companies do business with the port, the state says, and their vessels visit the port about 1,800 times per year. Last year, more than 444,000 passengers boarded cruise ships at the port from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and other cruise lines. WHAT ARE BALTIMORE-BOUND SHIPS DOING NOW? Many are waiting to get booked at other ports, pushing back their arrival dates for several weeks. Windward Maritime said that from Monday to Tuesday, estimated time of arrival for Baltimore bound vessels doubled. The maritime risk management company predicted that ships scheduled to go to Baltimore would be delayed by at least 24 days. The company also said its data shows a large increase in ships that are basically drifting in the North Atlantic, likely meaning they are waiting to see which port they will go to. Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting. Ships also are gathered near Norfolk. WHERE ELSE WILL THE SHIPS GO? Supply chain experts say it will take some time, and there will be disruption, but automakers and shipping companies will divert their cargo to ports up and down the East Coast. Ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware; Newark, New Jersey; Norfolk; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and in Georgia also could see additional cargo. The Georgia Ports Authority, which owns ports in Savannah and Brunswick, said it has capacity to take on more cargo. But it can't make up for Baltimore by itself. Baltimore still can handle some autos. Part of its operations are east of where the bridge collapsed and are still operational, the port said. BMW and Volkswagen said they would still be able to use Baltimore. WILL THE INCREASED SHIPPING TIMES RAISE PRICES OF GOODS? Perhaps, although Moody's said finding substitute ports should minimize price adjustments for coal and vehicles. That said, the reshuffle will squeeze other ports, potentially adding a smidge to shipping costs as delays spill to other goods, analyst Murphy Cruise wrote. HAVE OTHER PORTS HAD TO CLOSE AND WHAT HAPPENED THEN? In September 2019, the South Korean freighter Golden Ray overturned shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick in Georgia. The crew was rescued, including four men trapped below its decks. But hauling away the shipwreck, including the cargo of 4,200 automobiles, turned out to be a slow and messy demolition effort that took over two years. The port was closed for four days, reopening only after the U.S. Coast Guard determined it was safe for vessels to slowly sail on the shipping channel leading to the port. The circumstances were much different from the bridge collapse in Baltimore, where sections of the structure lie across the river. Clearing a channel for ships likely will take far longer than four days. During a briefing at the bridge collapse scene, U.S. Rep. David Trone said state and federal officials estimated the port's closure would cost the economy at least $15 million per day. The Port of Baltimore directly employs over 15,000 workers and indirectly supports nearly 140,000 jobs via other port activities, many of whom will either be temporarily out of work or work limited hours, according to Trone. ____ Krisher reported from Detroit. AP Business Writers Paul Wiseman in Washington and Anne D'Innocenzio in New York contributed to this report. By Gabriella Borter BALTIMORE (Reuters) -They came to the United States for a chance at a better life. They found work filling pot holes on a bridge in the middle of the night, and they ended up dead in the Baltimore harbor. The six victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse were all immigrants from Mexico and Central America, doing the kind of grueling work that many immigrants take on, when a container ship crashed into a support pillar at 1:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday (0530 GMT) and sent them plunging into the icy Patapsco River. Divers pulled the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Castillo from a red pickup truck 25 feet underwater the following day. Four are missing and presumed dead: Maynor Suazo from Honduras; Jose Lopez from Guatemala; Miguel Luna from El Salvador; and another whose name has not been released. Another two workers were rescued. The news rippled quickly through Baltimore's Hispanic community, which has nearly doubled in size in recent years, transforming the modest rowhouse neighborhoods near the sprawling port complex. Churches held vigils for the missing workers, and advocacy groups quickly raised $98,000 for the victims' families. Some said they were not surprised that all of the victims were immigrants, even though they account for less than 10% of the population in Maryland's largest city. "One of the reasons Latinos were involved in this accident is because Latinos do the work that others do not want to do. We have to do it, because we come here for a better life. We do not come to invade the country," said Lucia Islas, president of Comite Latino de Baltimore, a nonprofit group. Hispanic workers are more likely than other racial and ethnic groups to die on the job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with construction being a particularly deadly industry. Government and industry figures show that Hispanics are over-represented in high-risk jobs: 51% of construction workers, 34% of slaughterhouse workers and 61% of landscaping workers. The workers on the Key Bridge were employed by Brawner Builders Inc, a local construction company that has done extensive work for the state and has been cited seven times since 2018 for safety violations. Company officials have said they are devastated by the loss, and declined comment when contacted by Reuters. Community leaders said many Hispanics in the city take low-paying work that provides scant benefits. "The only choice is to work, when you don't have the same salary that a citizen might earn," said Carlos Crespo, 53, a mechanic from Mexico. "Many don't value our Hispanic community. They see us as animals or think that we live off the government. But that is not true, we pay our taxes too," he said. Crespo and others involved in the fundraising effort said it was built on years of similar attempts to help provide a safety net for people who struggle to find affordable health care and adequate housing or navigate services that are only provided in English. 'WAIT WITH FAITH, HOPE' "We go from one crisis to another," said Susana Barrios, vice president of the Latino Racial Justice Circle. The disaster comes in the middle of a U.S. presidential election in which immigration is once again a top concern for voters, as Democratic President Joe Biden's administration has struggled to manage a recent record number of border crossings. Republican candidate Donald Trump has employed racist rhetoric against immigrants, referring to them as "animals" and "not people" on the campaign trail and has said he would dramatically ramp up deportation if re-elected on Nov. 5. Baltimore, which has struggled with high crime and a poverty rate nearly double the national average, historically hasn't been home to a large Hispanic population, but the community has grown in recent years. Hispanics made up 7.8% of the city's population in 2020, up from 4.2% in 2010, according to U.S. Census figures. Nelson Amaya, a pastor of a Pentecostal church in the nearby suburb of Severn, said many Central American immigrants have moved from nearby Washington, D.C., suburbs in search of jobs and more affordable housing. Many Hispanic markets, restaurants and other businesses have opened in recent years, he said. "In more or less the last five years, the Hispanic population here has grown a lot," he said. "That has a big, big impact on the economy." The White House said on Thursday that existing immigration rules could allow for relatives of the victims who are abroad to visit the United States. In the meantime, some struggled to come to grips with their loss. "We continue to wait with faith, with hope, that our brother's body can be found so that we can begin the repatriation process, which is what interests us most," said Martin Suazo, brother of one of the missing, in Azacualpa, Honduras. "We believe they should not forget the suffering of the families of the four victims whose bodies have not been found." (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson, Mica Rosenberg, Kristina Cooke and Andy Sullivan, and Marvin Valladares in Azacualpa, Honduras; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Kat Stafford, Aurora Ellis and Tom Hogue) Shortly after a cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace attempted to blame President Joe Bidens infrastructure policies for the bridges catastrophic collapse. "Look at the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was done a couple of years ago that the Left hails as this massive success, the South Carolina representative told Newsmax. It was mostly a Green New Deal. She pointed out that only a portion of the money allocated by Bidens infrastructure bill$110 billion out of $1.2 trillion totalwent towards roads and bridges like the one in Baltimore. We're not spending it on roads and bridges, Mace said. Her comments highlight how some Republicans have seized the Baltimore tragedy, which has left six people presumed dead, to criticize what they perceive as misplaced priorities in the Biden Administration's infrastructure agenda. The response to the collapse is quickly becoming a critical test for Biden, who has championed infrastructure improvements as a cornerstone of his presidency and aims to convince voters ahead of the November election that hes the best equipped to address infrastructure challenges. Fairly or unfairly, the Biden Administration will be judged by how quickly it can line up funding and how quickly it can rebuild the bridge, says Andy Winkler, an expert in disaster and infrastructure issues at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Read More: 6 Construction Workers Presumed Dead. Baltimore Bridge Collapse: What to Know As recovery operations continue, Biden announced on Tuesday that he directed his team to "move heaven and earth" to reopen the port and rebuild Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge "as soon as humanly possible. The President also said its his intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge and he expects Congress to support him. Moving quickly to rebuild the bridge could help Biden politically and give him another opportunity to illustrate the urgency of his infrastructure agenda while he campaigns for re-election, says Len Foxwell, a Baltimore-based Democratic strategist. As terrible as this is, it gives the President and his team a chance to use this as a cautionary tale of what can happen to jobs, supply chains, and transportation mobility if something were to happen to our network of highways, bridges and overpasses, he says. The world is going to be watching to see how long it takes for us to rebuild and to repair. And to the extent that this Administration can demonstrate the ability to get that process started with alacrity, they will benefit politically. Over the last two years, Biden and key members of his Administration have been trying to sell voters on the benefits of his infrastructure policies, traveling the country to tout his passage of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure billwhich provides tens of billions of dollars to projects including rail tunnels under the Hudson River, Everglades restoration, and bridge replacements. The White House says its the largest investment in repairing and reconstructing bridges since the interstate highway system was fully constructed in 1992. But convincing voters that these infrastructure investments have directly improved their lives could be a challenge for the Biden campaign. A year after the infrastructure bill passed, polls showed that most Americans had no idea Congress even passed the legislationand now a massive and fatal bridge collapse has seized national headlines. Still, Foxwell doesnt think the outcome of the 2024 election will be decided on the issue of infrastructure unless theres a demonstrable economic impact in the coming months, such as widespread job loss or increased grocery prices because of the collapsed bridge. I dont think its enough to influence the political behavior of voters, he says, but it gives Biden a renewed, perhaps fresh, opportunity to reinforce to the electorate why infrastructure was so important in the first place. While initial investigations suggest the bridge was fully up to code, the impact of the collapse extends beyond immediate safety concerns. The port plays a pivotal role in vehicle shipping and employs over 15,000 workers, with ripple effects expected to be felt in neighboring states like Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state for Biden. Some 850,000 vehicles go through the port annually and more than 30,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily. A prolonged bridge closure, Winkler says, would have far-reaching consequences for the regional economy and local businesses. I think in moments like this people want to see presidential leadership, but in our federal system incidents like this require more of a partnership between local state and federal officials, Winkler says. He expects the cleanup could take weeks, while it may take several years to fully rebuild the bridge. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged Tuesday that rebuilding will not be quick and will not be inexpensive. Sawyer Hackett, a Democratic strategist, dismissed attempts from Republicans to tie the bridge collapse to broader infrastructure debates. The idea that Joe Biden is personally responsible for a 95,000-ton ship colliding with a bridge is ridiculous to anyone not living in a rightwing media bubble, he says. This has nothing to do with infrastructure. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. China has announced it is lifting punishing tariffs on Australian wines more than three years after imposing penalties that devastated the industry and were a major point of friction between the trading partners. Chinas Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said that in view of the changes in the wine market conditions in China, it was no longer necessary to impose anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on imported wines originating from Australia. The measure would come into effect on Friday, two days before the end of a five-month review period agreed on by Canberra and Beijing that saw Australia suspend a dispute on the issue at the World Trade Organization for that period. The decision scraps duties as high as 218% on Australian wine exports to China, its largest overseas market once worth more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($653 million). The Australian government said it welcomed Beijings decision which comes at a critical time for the Australian wine industry. Since 2020, Chinas duties on Australian wine effectively made it unviable for Australian producers to export bottled wine to that market, the statement read. We acknowledge and thank Australian grape growers and wine producers for their fortitude and support during a challenging period. The wine tariffs were part of a raft of trade curbs Beijing slapped on key Australian exports starting in 2020 as punishment for political grievances. Their removal comes amid a thaw in China-Australia relations thats seen Chinese authorities steadily roll back a number of those barriers including on barley, timber, and coal. Winemakers toast decision Beijings move was embraced by the countrys hard-hit winemakers, who have been grappling with oversupply amid flagging broader global demand on top of years of major revenue losses from China. There are a lot of people in the Australian wine industry who will be reaching out for a good glass of wine tonight and feeling a whole lot happier about their future, Bruce Tyrrell, managing director of Tyrrells Wines in New South Wales, told CNN. The loss of China over these last three years has caused a fair bit of damage to the industry and brought uncertainty. We dont know what the Chinese market looks like after (the Covid-19 pandemic), but having access to it is a lot better than not, he said. Tariffs of up to 212% were originally introduced by Chinas Ministry of Commerce in November 2020. A final ruling the following March set between 116% to 218% antidumping and countervailing duties for a five-year period. The wine duties were a sharp hit for the key Australian industry, with sales to China down 97% in 2021 from the previous year at a loss of nearly 1 billion Australian dollars in value and 90 million liters in volume, according to national industry group Wine Australia. Global exports also dropped by 30% in value during that period. Annual wine production hit its lowest point in more than 15 years during 2022-2023, Wine Australia said. The same year, the United Kingdom and the US became the countrys most valuable export markets. Lee McLean, head of national association of grape and wine producers Australian Grape & Wine, said industry groups were working with the Australian government to ensure a coordinated re-entry into the market. We look forward to seeing Australian wines back on Chinese dining tables and rejuvenating our relationship with customers and busin ess partners in that market, McLean said. We will also, however, be maintaining our focus on diversifying our export footprint and growing demand here in Australia as well, he added. Diplomatic thaw China imposed the wine tariffs and other trade controls amid a souring of relations between the two countries over issues of national security and foreign investment, which deteriorated further in 2020 following Canberras call for an international inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China. Chinas Foreign Ministry had blamed Australia for the trade issues, in 2020 accusing it of violating the basic norms governing international relations, though its commerce ministry has cited anti-dumping and other reasons for the raft of curbs. Relations began to improve after the election of Anthony Albaneses Labor government in May 2022 allowed for a reset of relations, but the wine tariffs had remained a sore point. On Thursday, Chinas Foreign Ministry said the two countries for some time had properly addressed each others concerns through dialogue and negotiations, and jointly pushed for the momentum for improvement in bilateral relations. Beijings decision comes as the country is facing a number of steep economic challenges and has sought to stabilize its relationships with key trade partners from Australia to Europe. It also follows concerted diplomatic efforts between the two sides to repair ties, which culminated with a trip to China from Albanese last November, the first visit by an Australian leader in seven years. Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the first trip by Chinas top diplomat to the Australia in the same period. During that visit, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong raised ongoing points of stress between the two, including Chinas sentencing to death last month of imprisoned writer and democracy activist Yang Hengjun, an Australian citizen detained in China since 2019. Wong also said she stressed Canberras desire for the removal of remaining curbs on beef and lobster. CNNs Wayne Chang contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The former American Indian statue at the McCombs Superior Hyundai dealership, as seen in March 2019. The fiberglass statue was removed in July last year. It recently was acquired by Jourdanton Independent School District. William Luther/Express-News file photo The Chief is back, but not in San Antonio. Eight months after its removal from its longtime home outside the Red McCombs Superior Hyundai dealership on the citys Northwest Side, the American Indian statue has resurfaced about 50 miles south of the city at Jourdanton High School. The school posted photos of the statue Wednesday on Facebook, along with a remark in the posts comments section that the statue had been donated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jourdanton ISD will take great care of him, the post stated, we cant wait to see him under the Friday night lights next season! Jourdanton Independent School District announced the acquisition Tuesday on Facebook. Jourdanton ISD has recently acquired the historic Big Chief from Red McCombs, the post stated. As a school district, we understand the importance of honoring history and preserving the legacy of our community. Big Chief holds a special place in the hearts of many Jourdanton Indians, and we are proud to now own this iconic landmark. We acknowledge the significance of the Big Chief and its cultural importance, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains an integral part of our community for generations to come. As Jourdanton Indians, we take pride in our history and heritage, and we look forward to how this will now be a part of our story. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The San Antonio Express-News contacted both Jourdanton ISD and McCombs Enterprises for comment but did not get an immediate response. The American Indian statue known as "The Chief" as seen outside the McCombs Superior Hyundai dealership on Friday, July 21, 2023. The 26-foot-tall statue was removed later that month after standing at the location since 1977. Marvin Pfeiffer/Express-News staff photgrapher file photo The so-called Chief was a San Antonio fixture for more than 50 years. The American Indian statue known as "The Chief" outside the McCombs Superior Hyundai dealership at 4800 NW Loop 410 on Friday, July 21, 2023. The 26-foot-tall statue will be deconstructed and removed on July 31 after standing at the location since 1977. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer The American Indian statue known as "The Chief" outside the McCombs Superior Hyundai dealership at 4800 NW Loop 410 on Friday, July 21, 2023. The 26-foot-tall statue will be deconstructed and removed on July 31 after standing at the location since 1977. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer The fiberglass statue with the feathered headdress originally stood over the Superior Pontiac dealership on Broadway near downtown in the 1960s. In 1977, it moved with the dealership to its longtime perch overlooking Loop 410 near Callaghan Road. Advertisement Article continues below this ad END OF AN ERA: San Antonios McCombs Indian statue coming down after more than 40 years The statue was removed in July as part of a major remodel of the Superior Hyundai dealership. At the time, Peter Brodnitz, McCombs Enterprises vice president of marketing, told the Express-News the statue did not meet Hyundais guidelines for the look and feel of its dealerships. The 26-foot-tall statue took it share of potshots over the years both from vandals who peppered it with arrows and bullets, and from critics who condemned it as a stereotypical depiction of an American Indian, specifically the 18th-century Odawa chief who inspired the name of the former Pontiac car company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramon Vasquez, longtime executive director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, called the continued use of such imagery an injustice that continues to minimize the American Indians of Texas. By Marion Giraldo MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Dengue cases in the Americas rose in the first three months of this year by three times the number of infections reported in the same period last year, the head of the Pan American Health Organization said on Thursday. Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay are the countries hardest hit by dengue in what PAHO officials described as potentially the worst outbreak in the Americas to date for the deadly mosquito-borne viral illness. "Probably this will be the worst dengue season that we will have," PAHO director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva told a webcast press conference PAHO, a United Nations agency, has confirmed more than 3.5 million cases of dengue and over 1,000 deaths this year trough March across the Americas. Barbosa da Silva said the entire region saw around 4.5 million reported cases in all of 2023, which he said puts the Americas on track for its highest-ever number of cases this year. Around 4 billion people, or about half the world's population, live in areas with a risk of contracting dengue, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Barbosa da Silva stressed that the jump in infections should prompt public health officials across the region to "redouble our efforts" to better address the outbreak with vector control plus personnel training to detect the most severe symptoms that patients present. Dengue symptoms include fever, headaches, vomiting, skin rashes, as well as muscle and joint pain. In some cases, it can cause a more severe hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding that can lead to death. Most dengue cases are usually seen between February and May, the Southern Hemisphere's late summer months. (Reporting by Marion Giraldo; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Angus MacSwan) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israels war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull. His cousin, an infant, is still fighting for her life with part of her face blown off by the same strike. An unrelated 10-year-old boy screamed out in pain for his parents, not knowing that they were killed in the strike. Beside him was his sister, but he didnt recognize her because burns covered almost her entire body. These gut-wrenching casualties were described to The Associated Press by Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive-care doctor from Jordan, following a 10-hour overnight shift at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah. Haj-Hassan, who has extensive experience in Gaza and regularly speaks out about the wars devastating effects, was part of a team that recently finished a two-week stint there. After nearly six months of war, Gazas health sector has been decimated. Roughly a dozen of Gazas 36 hospitals are only partially functioning. The rest have either shut down or are barely functioning after they ran out of fuel and medicine, were surrounded and raided by Israeli troops, or were damaged in fighting. That leaves hospitals such as Al-Aqsa Martyrs caring for an overwhelming number of patients with limited supplies and staff. The majority of its intensive care unit beds are occupied by children, including infants wrapped in bandages and wearing oxygen masks. I spend most of my time here resuscitating children, Haj-Hassan said after a recent shift. What does that tell you about every other hospital in the Gaza Strip? A different team of international doctors working at Al-Aqsa Martyrs in January stayed at a nearby guesthouse. But because of a recent surge of Israeli Israel strikes nearby, Haj-Hassan and her co-workers stayed in the hospital itself. That gave them a painfully vivid look at the strain the hospital has come under as the number of patients keeps rising, said Arvind Das, the team leader in Gaza for the International Rescue Committee. His organization and Medical Aid for Palestinians organized the visit by Haj-Hassan and others. Mustafa Abu Qassim, a nurse from Jordan who was part of the visiting team, said he was shocked by the overcrowding. When we look for patients, there are no rooms, he said. They are in the corridors on a bed, a mattress, or on a blanket on the floor. Before the war, the hospital had a capacity of around 160 beds, according to the World Health Organization. Now there are some 800 patients, yet many of the hospital's 120 staff members are no longer able to come to work. Health care workers face the same daily struggle as others in Gaza in finding food for their families and trying to ensure some safety for them. Many bring their children with them to the hospital to keep them close, Abu Qassim said. Its just miserable, he said. Thousands of people driven from their homes by the war are also living in the hospital grounds, hoping it will be safe. Hospitals have special protections under international law, though those protections can be removed if combatants use them for military purposes. Israel has alleged that hospitals serve as command centers, weapons storage facilities and hideouts for Hamas, but has presented little visual evidence. Hamas has denied the allegations. Israel has been carrying out a large-scale operation in Gaza's largest hospital, Shifa, for the past week. Israeli troops have not raided or besieged Al-Aqsa Martyrs but have attacked surrounding areas, sometimes striking close to the hospital. In January, many doctors, patients, and displaced Palestinians fled the hospital after a flurry of strikes. Israels bombardment and offensive in Gaza have killed more than 32,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 75,000 more in the territory of 2.3 million people, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians, but the ministry says about two-thirds of those killed have been women and children. Roughly half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are 17 or younger, the U.N.s agency for children estimates. Israel holds Hamas responsible for non-combatants' deaths and injuries because the militants in Gaza operate from within civilian areas. It says over one-third of the dead are Hamas militants, though it has not backed up the claim with evidence. The war was triggered on Oct. 7 by Hamas and other militants who attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages. The Israeli government believes around 100 hostages being held in Gaza are still alive. In the early stages of the war, Israel severely limited the entry of food, fuel and medical supplies into Gaza. While the flow of aid has increased and Israel says there are no longer any limits the international community has called on Israel to let in more. Aid groups say complicated inspection procedures at the border, continued fighting, and a breakdown in public order have caused massive slowdowns in convoys. Israel accuses the U.N. of disorganization. The result has been catastrophic, with hospital staff struggling to cope with a shortage of spare parts to maintain medical equipment. Al-Aqsa Martyrs has also been short on anesthetics, meaning surgeries and other procedures are frequently performed without painkillers. Haj-Hassan says there is only one way to end Gazas health care crisis. They need the war to stop, she said. ___ Chehayeb reported from Beirut. ___ Find more of AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told a group of US members of Congress that victory in Gaza and getting Hamas senior leadership in the enclave are just a few weeks away. Speaking to a bipartisan group from Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: Weve killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. Well get number two and number one. Thats victory. Victory is within reach. Its a few weeks away. Hosting the congressional delegation, which the Prime Ministers Office said was organized by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said it was very important to maintain bipartisan support but especially in these trying times. Netanyahu said that Israel had no choice but to move into Rafah as the countrys very existence is on the line. Rescuers inspect the rubble of a building that collapsed following an Israeli air strike in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on March 20, 2024. - Said Khatib/AFP/Getty Images The prime minister said that since the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel had enjoyed a remarkable alignment with the Biden administration but had fundamentally different views on an Israeli move into Rafah. Israel has faced criticism internationally ahead of its planned offensive on the southern Gaza city, in which more than one million people are currently sheltering. Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could just move out of Rafah and move with their tents. Theres all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah, Netanyahu said. People move down, they can move up, the prime minister added. Disagreements over the impending invasion of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza have driven relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden to a low. Earlier this week, Netanyahu cancelled a planned government delegation to Washington in protest of a US abstention from a UN Security Council vote, which had allowed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to pass. The resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the urgent need to expand the flow of aid into Gaza. In meetings on Monday and Tuesday, senior US officials and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had not reached any agreements on how Israel would move forward with an operation in Rafah, but both sides had agreed to continue the discussions at a working level in the coming days and weeks, US and Israeli officials told CNN. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken all told Gallant that Israel needs to find an alternative option to a major assault on Rafah, which would endanger civilians and exacerbate the suffering there. The White House said Wednesday that Netanyahu had agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to discuss the possible Rafah operation. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com AUSTIN, Texas - A man was charged with murder for shooting and killing his roommate in East Austin, the Austin Police Department said. Isidro Sanchez Navarrette, 47, was charged with first-degree murder Austin police said on March 19, around 11:17 p.m., officers responded to calls reporting a shooting at Fort Branch Apartments, at 5800 Techni Center Drive. When officers and ATCEMS arrived, they attempted life-saving measures on the shooting victim, Joe Santos Gonzales. Santos Gonzales was later pronounced deceased at the scene. MORE STORIES Detectives believe Santos Gonzales and the suspect, 47-year-old Isidro Sanchez Navarrette, were roommates, and had gotten into a verbal argument leading up to the shooting and death of Santos Gonzales. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested and charged Navarrette for First-Degree Murder, where he is currently being held in the Travis County jail. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. DETROIT A new Michigan law aims to ensure that foster youth in the state receive an education that builds toward a high school diploma. The law, signed Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, comes nearly two years after NBC News exposed an educational crisis that had forced vulnerable teens to repeat classes they took while living in state-funded residential facilities, delaying graduation for some and leading others to drop out. The law will, for the first time, require the state to provide children in foster care with an education that prioritizes meeting the graduation requirements to earn a diploma. Until now, the state had placed children in residential facilities that were required only to provide appropriate educational services. That vague description meant some students took substandard classes that didnt count toward graduation. Some were enrolled in classes theyd already taken. Some discovered that their transcripts were missing or incomplete. Others were pulled out midsemester to move to a new home without consideration for whether theyd be able to finish their coursework. Were so excited, said Saba Gebrai, the program director for the Park West Foundation, which supports the youth-led advocacy organization that lobbied for the legislation. The kids have been asking for a real education, she said, and now there will be no confusion about what students should be doing to graduate from high school. The law wont take effect until next year, but Gebrai said advocates have been urging the state to start amending its contracts with residential facilities to reflect the new educational expectations. A spokesman with the state Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment. The law is part of a three-bill package that state Rep. Stephanie A. Young, a Detroit Democrat, introduced last year after seeing what she called a truly disturbing news report about the issue from NBC News. Whitmer signed the first two bills last month. One requires the state to track and report data on foster youths education. The other compels the state to regularly review educational programs in residential facilities to ensure they meet public school standards. This could be a game-changer, Young said. Now, students dont have to worry about, Is this class going to help me graduate? Thats built into the system. Its built into the law now. The NBC News article put a fire under me, to make these changes, she said. Until seeing that report, I didnt know this was happening. State agencies have also made changes to address the issue, including hiring employees to help foster youth navigate the education system and keep track of their credits. Christian Randle, 19, a youth advocate who was among the first to raise the issue after learning the ninth and 10th grade classes he took while living in residential facilities wouldnt count toward graduation, praised the new laws but wishes the process had been faster. It took nearly a year for Young and her colleagues to negotiate the bills with state agencies and about 10 months to get them passed through the Legislature. We finally got these bills passed and its such a relief, but then it showed me that we have some work to do. It took us two years to get just these bills passed, Randle said. These are real-life issues that are affecting real-life foster youth. Randle is still working on finishing high school through an online program nearly a year after he should have graduated. Meanwhile, he said, four of his close friends have had to restart high school in the two years since he and other members of a group called Empowering Foster Youth Through Technology started lobbying for change. Now, Randle and other members of the group are pushing for additional measures, such as making it easier for youth to access their own transcripts and to quickly enroll in school after a change in placement. This is definitely a huge achievement, but its just the start, Randle said. Were nowhere near done. By Ali Sawafta RAMALLAH (Reuters) -Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday in which he will also serve as foreign minister, making an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza a priority, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Mustafa, an ally to President Mahmoud Abbas and a leading business figure, was appointed premier this month with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He was also assigned to lead the relief and rebuilding of Gaza, which has been shattered by more than five months of war, while he performs double-duty as foreign minister, replacing Riyad al-Maliki who had served in the position since 2009. Abbas, who as president remains by far the most powerful figure in the PA, appointed the new government in a demonstration of willingness to meet international demands for change in the administration. He approved Mustafa's cabinet with financial expert Omar al- Bitar as finance minister, and Muhamad al Amour, who served as the president of the Palestinian Businessmen Association, as economy minister. He kept Ziad Hab al-Reeh, former chief of the PA's internal intelligence agency, as interior minister, WAFA said. The new cabinet, which includes eight ministers from Gaza, will also include a state minister for "relief affairs". Mustafa said in a statement addressed to Abbas that the first national priority was an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, in addition to allowing humanitarian aid to enter in large quantities and reaching all areas, WAFA reported. "In order to enable the launch of the recovery process and preparation for reconstruction, stop the aggression and settlement activities, and curb settlers' terrorism in the West Bank," Mustafa added. Hamas, the Islamist movement that controlled Gaza until Israel's invasion in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, has criticised the appointment of Mustafa but it had no immediate reaction to the naming of his new cabinet. STRAINED The PA, controlled by Abbas' Fatah political faction, has long had a strained relationship with Hamas and the two factions fought a brief war before Fatah was expelled from the territory in 2007. However it has repeatedly condemned the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and has insisted it must play a role in running Gaza after the war, a position supported by the United States. For the moment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected PA involvement in Gaza, and for months his hard-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has refused to hand over tax revenues due to the Authority, which still funds health and some other services in the enclave. For months, thousands of Palestinian public sector employees have gone unpaid or received only a part of their salary as a result of the standoff. Mustafa said the government was taking office at a time of "unprecedented financial crisis." He said salary arrears owed to public sector employees now totalled $745 million with another $1.3 billion owed to private sector suppliers and $3 billion more in pension arrears, while revenues in January were down 30% compared to before the war. (Reporting by Ali Sawfta; writing by Nayera Abdallah; editing by Mark Heinrich, Nick Macfie and Angus MacSwan) WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) has carried out searches as part of an investigation with other European security services into alleged Russian espionage, it said on Thursday. A hub for Western military supplies to Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion, Poland says it has become a major target of Russian spies. It accuses Moscow and its ally Belarus of trying to destabilise it. "Actions aimed at organising pro-Russian initiatives and media campaigns in EU countries have been documented," ABW said in a statement, mentioning the website voice-of-europe.eu which it says published pro-Russian material. Searches were made in Warsaw and Tychy in western Poland on Tuesday it said, without giving more specific details. The operation was coordinated with other countries, in particular with partners from the Czech Republic, it said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday called reports of pro-Russian attempts to influence EU politicians worrying and said the Netherlands would "do what is necessary." "This shows how great the risk of foreign influence is," Rutte told journalists in The Hague. "It's a threat to our democracy, to our free elections, to our freedom of speech, to everything." A Dutch member of parliament known for making pro-Russian statements was named in Czech media reports. On Wednesday, the Czech government sanctioned two people including pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk and the news website voiceofeurope.com, for what it said was leading a pro-Russian influence operation in Europe. The ABW's latest actions stemmed from an investigation completed in January this year in which a Polish citizen suspected of spying for Russian special services was indicted. "The man, who was placed among Polish and European parliamentarians, performed tasks commissioned and financed by collaborators of Russian intelligence, which included propaganda, disinformation and political provocations," it said. (Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Angus MacSwan) THE NEGEV DESERT, Israel As the sun set Sunday, a handful of people filed into a dining hall in a quiet village in the Negev desert for a shared iftar, the sunset meal that breaks the Ramadan fast, that hosts hoped would offer a small ray of intercommunal light at a time of intense divisions stoked by the deadly Israel-Hamas war. Plates were piled high with dates, rice, chicken and lentils, as guests chatted in a mix of Arabic, Hebrew and English. One Bedouin man wore a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian checkered cloth, and another man from Germany of Jewish Israeli descent arrived carrying a bright yellow takeaway bag from Delicatessen, a popular deli in Tel Aviv. Huda Abu Obaid, center, and other guests, chat, while sitting. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) A detail shot of the table with dishes around a plate of dates. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world sit down each evening for iftar. But on this particular night, the Abu Qwaiders, a Negev Bedouin family, invited Israeli Jews to take part in the meal. They hoped that sharing the moment might help promote dialogue at a time when relations between Palestinians and Israeli Jews have rarely been more contentious: High-level talks have so far failed; grief, anger and vengeance remain inflamed in Israel over Hamas Oct. 7 attacks; and roughly 20 miles away in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are spending Ramadan on the brink of famine with more than 32,000 people killed. Muhammad Abu Qwaider, who hosted the event at his home in coordination with the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, an organization founded by left-leaning Arabs and Jews, acknowledged it was a difficult time to promote any notion of coexistence between their wider communities as a deadly war in a decadeslong conflict rages. We see how the Israeli army kills our Palestinian people and we are part of the Palestinian people, Abu Qwaider, 40, said. But despite all of these circumstances, we must face the challenges. Muhammad Abu Qwaider holding his daughter, Maisa. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) Hissan Abu Qwaider prepares fresh pita bread (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) We want a better future than what it is now, said Abu Qwaider, who, despite his anger over Israels offensive in Gaza and the states treatment of Palestinians, believes any hope for Palestinian statehood and eventual peace will require dialogue and bitter concessions. That days iftar was a small act that he hoped could echo a much larger one. The Israelis must know that there are people who want a solution and an independent state, like the whole world, he later told NBC News. If thats not the case, then there will be no peace or security in the region. The Bedouin, including those in the Negev, hold a unique place in the social fabric of the Middle East that has often left them isolated in different ways from both the Jewish Israeli community and the broader Palestinian community. They are Arab and many consider themselves Palestinian, but with a distinct culture and history as semi-nomadic Bedouin, or Bedu. For the Bedouin, to reach across to Jewish Israelis means surmounting the indignities of institutionalized mistreatment. The Negev Bedouin are one of the most disadvantaged factions of Israeli society. Their population of roughly 300,000 is scattered across villages, most of which are unrecognized by the government, which puts them under the constant threat and reality of forced displacement and the demolition of their homes, despite being citizens of Israel. Horses in az-Zarnug village near where Muhammad Abu Qwaider said the Israeli government destroyed two of his brothers' houses. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) Abu Qwaiders village, az-Zarnug is one of at least 35 unrecognized villages in the Negev, Sarab Abu-Rabia-Queder, a prominent sociologist who is also Bedouin and whose husband is from az-Zarnug, told NBC News in a phone interview Sunday. And in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war, Abu Qwaider said dozens of homes in the village, including two of his brothers homes, have been demolished by Israeli officials so far this year, the latest in what they see as unfair or unjust treatment of Bedouin. His brother was recently released from prison; he was accused of spying for Hamas and involvement in a possible plan for an attack, allegations his family strongly denies. Bedouin families in unrecognized villages also face a lack of access to basic public services to varying degrees, like electricity. Families rely on solar panels and the odd generator for power, making the bitter chill of winter and scorching heat of summer difficult to bear. They arent consistently provided with bomb shelters, which are dotted across much of the rest of Israel. After Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in which Bedouin were among the 1,200 killed and more than 250 taken hostage into Gaza the Bedouin of az-Zarnug had a shelter constructed in their community by a nonprofit group. A child plays in front of a home. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) The only bomb shelter in az-Zarnug village. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) In addition to barriers enforced by Israeli officials, the Bedouin have faced scrutiny and criticism from members of the Palestinian community due to the willing participation of some in the Israeli military and border police. Military service is not mandatory for members of Bedouin tribes, but as of February, more than 1,500 Bedouin were serving in the Israel Defense Forces, according to reporting from Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post. The IDF told NBC News it was not able to provide data on how many Bedouin are currently actively serving. It was not clear how many Bedouin currently serve with the Israeli border police. Abu-Rabia-Queder stressed that the Bedouin serving with Israeli forces represent a minority of the population, and the chance to overcome poverty and other social barriers could contribute to why some chose to join the military, though more research needs to be done, she said. Many Bedouin who served with the IDF lived in the northern Galilee region, but some Negev Bedouin have also served, said Huda Abu Obaid, a member of the Negev Coexistence Forum. Abu Qwaider understands why other Palestinians chafe at this. Theyre a partner in occupation, he said. Haia Noach, co-founder of the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality, and Huda Abu Obaid, also a member of the forum. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) For the Jewish Israelis of the Negev Coexistence Forum like Haia Noach, 71, reaching across to the Bedouin requires acknowledging the violence Israelis and the Israeli state have inflicted on them. She co-founded the organization in 1997 after seeing clashes break out after members of her own community tried to establish a new neighborhood on top of an existing Bedouin village. Clashes started, so I went there and I started talking with them and heard their stories, she said. It was different from what I heard from our local mayor, and I started working with them, Noach said, adding later that local officials had said the Bedouin had no right to the land. Gil Shohat, who heads the Israel office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a political foundation based in Germany, said it was his first time attending an iftar meal like this one, calling it an uplifting get-together in times of destruction and war. Born and raised in Germany, Shohat, 35, said he had grown up with left-wing parents who left Israel in the 1980s after feeling disillusioned with the course that the state had taken. Their views, he said, played a significant role in shaping his own. Gil Shohat poses for a photo. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for NBC News) And he said his organization, which has been a longtime supporter of the Negev Coexistence Forum, has strongly advocated for an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza, as well as for the recognition of a Palestinian state. But he acknowledged those ambitions are far from widely held in Israel. Even at the iftar, all the Jewish guests were activists. In a poll conducted in mid-February by the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute, a majority of Jewish Israelis, 55%, were opposed to a political agreement to end the war in Gaza. Among Arab Israelis, 77% were in favor of a deal to end the war. Asked in February whether they support the establishment of an independent and demilitarized Palestinian state, around two-thirds of Jewish respondents, 63%, said they opposed such a proposal. Among Arab Israeli participants, 73% were in support of the establishment of a Palestinian state. Muhammad Abu Qwaider acknowledged that as it stands, the odds feel stacked against those pushing for coexistence and the possibility of a two-state solution in the decadeslong Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But, the father of four said, todays generation is more aware, and he said hes hopeful that younger generations will be able to find a better way forward. TEL AVIV Israel has agreed to reschedule talks on Gaza that it called off in protest just days ago, an apparent effort to mend a growing rift with Washington over the war that was highlighted Wednesday by the resignation of a State Department official and new polling showing that a majority in the United States now disapprove of its allys conduct. The official, Annelle Sheline, who was focused on human rights issues in the Middle East, told NBC News she felt she had no choice but to publicly resign as the death toll in the Gaza Strip has soared past 32,000 people and as warnings of an imminent famine in the Palestinian enclave reach a fever pitch. Sheline said she decided to quit in protest over ongoing U.S. diplomatic and military support for Israel. She said in a phone interview Wednesday that she no longer wanted to be affiliated with a government that she said was enabling what has credibly been described as a genocide, a charge both Israel and the U.S. have vehemently rejected. I have a young daughter, Sheline said. Someday reading about this in school, she might ask, what did I do? she said. I want to be able to tell her that I tried to do as much as I could. The Biden administration has stepped up its criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and this week allowed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza to pass. Tensions between U.S. and Israel rise after U.N. ceasefire vote (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images) Netanyahu responded by scrapping a planned visit by a high-level delegation to Washington for talks over the Israeli militarys plan for a ground offensive on Rafah, where more than 1 million people have sought refuge but Israel says its troops must enter to eliminate Hamas. The Israeli leader has now backtracked and efforts were underway to set a new date for the talks, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. Despite the apparent effort to ease tensions, Netanyahu on Wednesday told a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation that he had no intention of backing away from an offensive on Rafah. Victory is within reach. Its a few weeks away, he said at the event, organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Jerusalem. But, he said, now were told, You cant do this. If you go into Rafah, youre going to have a humanitarian catastrophe.' Addressing concerns over the safety of the displaced Gazans sheltering there, including many children, Netanyahu suggested that they can move farther north despite the fact that much of the infrastructure across the territory has largely been destroyed in Israels offensive, while access to aid in northern Gaza remains limited. Gaza City hospital (AFP - Getty Images) 'Moving the needle' But despite this growing clash between the two governments, some feel the United States has done too little to press its ally to change course in Gaza. Sheline, who first shared her account with The Washington Post, was recruited to join the State Department as a foreign affairs officer in the bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor as part of an Arabic language fellowship connected to her Ph.D. program and she quit last week just halfway into her two-year contract. Sheline said that U.S. policy toward Israel had made her job "almost impossible," whether it was civil society groups simply not wanting to engage with U.S. officials over the country's backing of Israel or fearing that engagement with the U.S. government would put them at greater risk. Sheline said she tried to raise her concerns internally, signing onto dissent cables and speaking with her supervisors, as well as in open forums, but to no avail. I personally was not expecting to shape policy but it became clear that even moving the needle in a tiny way from the inside just wasnt going to work," she said. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller has acknowledged a diversity of internal views on the war in Gaza, but said that while Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomes employees to "speak up and challenge his thinking," that doesn't mean it will lead to a shift in U.S. policy. Miller told reporters Wednesday that was ultimately up to President Joe Biden and senior leaders in his administration. Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign citing U.S. policy toward Israel since the war began nearly six months ago after Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, in which Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and around 260 others were taken hostage, with more than 100 still held captive in Gaza. In October, veteran State Department official Josh Paul left his post with the agencys Bureau of Political-Military Affairs after more than a decade, citing the U.S.' blind support for Israel. Sheline's decision to follow suit came as a Gallup poll released Wednesday found that growing numbers of Americans now oppose Israels military action in Gaza, an apparent shift in U.S. views. The poll, conducted from March 1 to March 20, found that 55% of respondents said they disapprove of Israel's actions in Gaza, compared with 45% who expressed disapproval in November. The share of those in favor of Israel's actions fell from 50% in November to 36% in March, while the percentage of those who said they had no stance rose from 4% to 9%. The poll, which surveyed 1,016 adults living across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. It was carried out before the U.N. Security Council on Monday passed its resolution calling for a cease-fire for the rest of the month of Ramadan, which ends April 9. The U.S. allowed the resolution to pass, in a change of approach. Sheline said she was concerned that upholding the rule of law had become a political consideration for the administration, which was elected in part on a promise to re-establish U.S. leadership on everything from human rights to international institutions to climate change. I continue to be horrified at the largely unconditional support and providing a steady stream of weapons to Israel is considered more important than all of these other extremely significant issues, Sheline said. Chantal Da Silva reported from Tel Aviv, and Abigail Williams from Washington. Former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel | Brian Cahn/Zuma Press/Newscom Two weeks after the 2020 presidential election, Ronna McDaniel, then chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), let Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump's lawyer, hold a press conference at the RNC's headquarters in Washington, D.C. During that bizarre presentation, Giuliani and Sidney Powell, another member of the Trump campaign's "elite strike force team," crystallized the craziness of the president's stolen-election fantasy by describing a baroque international conspiracy that supposedly had delivered a fraudulent victory to Joe Biden. On January 29, 2021, three weeks after angry Trump supporters who believed that fantasy invaded the U.S. Capitol as Congress was about to affirm Biden's election, McDaniel expressed regret about hosting Giuliani's clown show. "When I saw some of the things Sidney was saying, without proof, I certainly was concerned it was happening in my building," she told The New York Times. "There are a whole host of issues we had to deal with: What is the liability of the RNC, if these allegations are made and [prove to be] unfounded?" That incident reflects McDaniel's ambiguous role in promoting Trump's baseless claims of decisive election fraud in the two months prior to the Capitol riot. Her support for those claims, which stopped short of outright endorsement but nevertheless lent them credibility, was at the center of the complaints that yesterday persuaded NBC executives to abruptly rescind their decision to hire her as an on-air commentator. As Reason's Robby Soave noted after several NBC and MSNBC personalities publicly objected to McDaniel's gig, it is not at all unusual for news outlets to hire former party or White House officials. But McDaniel critics such as Chuck Todd, Joe Scarborough, and Rachel Maddow argued that giving her a forum on NBC was different from that standard practice because she had assisted Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, undermining democracy by threatening the peaceful transfer of power. McDaniel "was not the most aggressive or outlandish member of Mr. Trump's team," the Times notes. In fact, "she fell short of Mr. Trump's demands and expectations," prompting "calls from his allies and grass-roots activists to be far more aggressive." But the Times adds that "a review of her record shows she was, at times, closely involved in and supportive of Mr. Trump's legal and political maneuvering ahead of the violent attempt to block Congress from certifying Mr. Biden's victory on Jan. 6." While that seems like an accurate assessment, NBC's conclusion that McDaniel is beyond the pale raises questions about where exactly a network should draw that line when it tries to present a mix of political viewpoints. Given Trump's domination of the Republican Party, finding former GOP officials who did not acquiesce in his increasingly desperate attempts to remain in office after he lost reelection may prove challenging. And if dissident Never Trumpers are the only acceptable on-air Republicans, news outlets like NBC will be presenting a highly skewed selection that does not reflect prevailing opinions within the party. McDaniel's public statements about fraud after the election were less extravagant than Trump's but open to various interpretations. On November 6, the day before news organizations called the election for Biden, she said the RNC was looking into "irregularities" in four states, including Michigan. Four days later on Fox News, she cited a Politico poll finding that "70 percent of Republicans don't have faith in the results of this election right now." She suggested they were right to be skeptical: It's been rigged from the beginningrigged from the laws that were being passed in the name of COVID to create a porous election, rigged in the sense that they kicked Republicans out of poll watching and observing. Why do you do that if you have nothing to hide? And now you have a media that's rigging it again by saying, "We're not going to even listen to these stories. We're not even going to validate the 11,000 incident reports we have, the 500 affidavits we have across these states, people testifying under oath how they were disenfrachised."It is stealing when you validate a vote that shouldn't be in. You are stealing from a voter that voted legally. Here is how McDaniel summed up her message when she posted that clip on Twitter: "The American people deserve to have faith in our elections. That's why the RNC is going to pursue this process to the very end." Exactly what that meant was unclear. As Trump saw it, "the very end" did not come after Republican officials (including his own attorney general) debunked his claims of systematic fraud, after states certified their electors, after the Electoral College met on December 14, after courts rejected numerous lawsuits challenging the election results, or even on the day that Congress was meeting to ratify those results. But McDaniel's idea of "the very end" seems to have been more conventional. After Giuliani and Powell took the lead in pursuing remedies for Trump's groundless grievance, the Times notes, the RNC "shifted away from the legal involvement with the Trump team." It "attached its name only to four" of "the 65 lawsuits that Mr. Trump and his allies filed after the 2020 election." McDaniel continued lending rhetorical support to such challenges, however. "Every illegal vote is stealing from a valid vote, and every state that conducted their election fraudulently is stealing from states that conducted their elections fairly," she told Fox News host Sean Hannity on December 8. That formulation was consistent with longstanding Republican concerns about voter fraud, complaints about pandemic-related changes to election procedures, and objections to the alleged mistreatment of GOP poll watchers. It did not necessarily imply that fraud was massive or widespread enough to change the outcome of the election. But in the context of Trump's refusal to admit that he had lost the election, McDaniel's comments left the impression that his complaints were valid. Behind the scenes, meanwhile, McDaniel was helping Trump press those complaints. During a December 6 teleconference, the House select committee that investigated the Capitol riot noted in its report, Trump and his legal adviser John Eastman "solicited the RNC's assistance" with their plan to present "alternate electors" in battleground states, and "McDaniel agreed to provide that assistance." But according to the federal indictment that charges Trump with illegally interfering in the election, Eastman "falsely represented to her that such electors' votes would be used only if ongoing litigation in one of the states changed the results in [Trump's] favor." McDaniel also supported a quixotic election lawsuit spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear, much to Trump's dismay. The Times notes that McDaniel "helped Mr. Trump rally state attorneys general" to join that lawsuit and praised it on Fox News. "I'm so happy about this Texas lawsuit," she told Hannity. "There's going to be more states joining that lawsuit." The House select committee's report also faults McDaniel for sins of omission. Although "RNC leadership knew that President Trump was lying to the American people," it says, "they did nothing to publicly distance themselves from his efforts to overturn the election." The afternoon of the Capitol riot, McDaniel condemned that particular result of those efforts. "What these violent protesters are doing is the opposite of patriotism," she said on Twitter. "It is shameful and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms." That was followed, a few weeks later, by McDaniel's public expression of regret for giving Giuliani and Powell a post-election forum at the RNC. McDaniel told the Times she was immediately "concerned" about the seemingly "unfounded" claims that Powell made "without proof" at that wacky press conference. But as the House select committee noted, she kept her concerns to herself. Nowadays, McDaniel unambiguously rejects those claims. While "it's fair to say there were problems in 2020," she told Kristen Welker on NBC's Meet the Press this week, it is clear that Biden won "fair and square." She added that "it's certified" and "it's done." Appearing later on the same show, Todd, a former Meet the Press host who is now NBC's chief political analyst, expressed skepticism about McDaniel's sincerity. "I think our bosses owe you an apology for putting you in this situation because I don't know what to believe," he told Welker. "She is now a paid contributor by NBC News. I have no idea whether any answer she gave to you was because she didn't want to mess up her contract." Sincere or not, McDaniel's avowed view of what happened in 2020 contradicts what most Republicans say they believe. In a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll conducted last December, just 31 percent of Republicans agreed that "Joe Biden's election as president was legitimate," down from 39 percent in a similar poll two years earlier. That reality presents a problem for TV news executives who say they are trying to present a diversity of political opinions. After canning McDaniel, NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde said the network remains "committed to the principle that we must have diverse viewpoints on our programs." Toward that end, he said, "we will redouble our efforts to seek voices that represent different parts of the political spectrum." If those "different parts" exclude Republicans who think Trump actually won reelection (which, it's worth noting, would make him ineligible to run this year), NBC already has ruled out most members of the party. And if McDaniel's acknowledgment of reality was too late or too convenient to make the cut, the options are even more limited. When "major Republican Party figures like Ms. McDaniel are deemed unacceptable by viewers or colleagues," the Times wonders, how can an organization like NBC meet "the challenge of fairly representing conservative and pro-Trump viewpoints in their coverage"? It's a good question, and the answer probably will not satisfy anyone. The post If Ronna McDaniel Is Beyond the Pale, NBC May Have Trouble Presenting 'Diverse Viewpoints' appeared first on Reason.com. Ashley Sutton, morning news anchor for Fox San Antonio, gave birth to son Jonah Beau on March 8. Courtesy of News 4 WOAI Fox San Antonio morning news anchor Ashley Sutton will be off the air for a few months after welcoming a baby boy into the world. Sutton gave birth to a healthy boy named Jonah Beau on March 8, according to Fox San Antonio. All you can do is stare at him, Sutton said of her newborn during a March 15 news segment. He has the chubbiest cheeks. We went for a walk a couple of days ago Theyre so chubby that they jiggle when they move on the stroller. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jonah Beau arrived a week early, Sutton said. She added that her older son, Noah, has adapted well to being a big brother and is lending a helping hand and cheering up his new sibling. Sutton expects to return to the news desk in June. She joined Fox San Antonio as a behind-the-camera producer in 2009. She went on to become a social media reporter, then an anchor on the station's Live Desk and then a morning news anchor. Sutton is a graduate of Texas Christian University. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Russia on Thursday vetoed the annual renewal of a panel of experts monitoring enforcement of longstanding United Nations sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The move comes amid U.S.-led accusations that North Korea has transferred weapons to Russia for use in its war in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations, but vowed last year to deepen military relations. "This is almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed," said South Korea's U.N. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang of Russia's veto. China abstained from Thursday's vote, while the remaining 13 U.N. Security Council members voted in favor. "Moscow has undermined the prospect of the peaceful, diplomatic resolution of one of the world's most dangerous nuclear proliferation issues," deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the council. Formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions for its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006, and those measures have been strengthened over the years. U.N. sanctions are imposed indefinitely. But during negotiations on the draft text vetoed on Thursday, Russia and China had unsuccessfully pushed for it to include a requirement that the sanctions regime be renewed annually. This was rejected by the U.S. and others. The panel of independent experts has monitored those U.N. sanctions for the past 15 years, reporting twice a year to the Security Council and recommending action to improve implementation of the measures. 'INCONVENIENCE' Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia questioned the experts' work, telling the Security Council before the vote: "Its work is increasingly being reduced to playing into the hands of Western approaches, reprinting biased information and analyzing newspaper headlines and poor quality photos." Switzerland's U.N. Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl, who chairs the Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee, appealed to countries individually or collectively to now support the committee with information "to the best of their abilities." Ahead of the vote, the U.S. and South Korea launched a task force aimed at stopping North Korea from procuring illicit oil. Under U.N. sanctions, Pyongyang is limited to importing 4 million barrels of crude and 500,000 barrels of refined products a year. The mandate for the current panel of experts will expire on April 30. The panel's most recent report was made public earlier this month and said it was investigating dozens of suspected cyberattacks by North Korea that raked in $3 billion to help it further develop its nuclear weapons program. "The panel, through its work to expose sanctions non-compliance, was an inconvenience for Russia," said Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward. "But let me be clear to Russia, the sanctions regime remains in place and the UK remains committed to holding DPRK to account for its compliance." For the past several years the U.N. Security Council has been divided over how to deal with Pyongyang. Russia and China, veto powers along with the U.S., Britain and France, have said more sanctions will not help and want such measures to be eased. China and Russia say joint military drills by the United States and South Korea provoke Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Alex Richardson and Bill Berkrot) By Yantoultra Ngui SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Authorities in Singapore said they charged two former officials of Sembcorp Marine on Thursday with handing bribes to Brazilian officials to advance the company's interests in the South American nation. Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Offshore and Marine merged in 2023 to form Seatrium, which is in talks to pay $110 million in a deferred prosecution agreement regarding the bribery case in Brazil, they said in a statement. Seatrium shares ended Thursday flat following a drop of as much as 1.3% after they resumed trading. The stock has fallen 33% this year, underperforming the benchmark index, which is relatively flat, LSEG data showed. Former CEO Wong Weng Sun and ex-manager Lee Fook Kang face five charges of conspiring to offer a middleman inducements to aid Sembcorp Marine's Brazilian subsidiaries, according to the city-state's statement. The total sum involved in the offences between 2009 and 2014 amounted to about $44 million, the attorney-general's chambers and Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau added in the statement. In an emailed statement, Wong said, "I have always acted in the best interests of the companies, and would never compromise them by engaging in corrupt activities," during 35 years working in Sembcorp Marine and one of its units. "The charges relate to the companies' Brazilian operations, and I intend to demonstrate my innocence," he added in the statement his lawyers, Wong Partnership, sent to Reuters. Lawyers for Lee said they were not in a position to comment as they had just been engaged on the matter. Wong has also been charged with obstruction of justice after he allegedly told two Sembcorp employees in 2014 to delete an email sent by the middleman that contained evidence of bribes. Singapore prosecutors were in talks with Seatrium for a deferred prosecution agreement to pay a penalty of $110 million, the statement added. Seatrium told the stock exchange on Thursday that the attorney-general's chambers was agreeable to entering into the deferred prosecution agreement. It said it was committed to the highest standards of compliance, including zero tolerance of bribery and corruption. (Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) WASHINGTON The Supreme Court has delayed resolving a South Carolina redistricting case for so long that a lower court has been forced to step in, saying on Thursday that a congressional district it previously ruled was racially gerrymandered can be used in this years election. Last year, a federal court ruled that the Charleston-area district held by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was unlawfully drawn by removing thousands of Black voters. But on Thursday, the same court said in an order that the map could be used for this year's congressional election. The three-judge panel wrote that "with the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending, and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical." The decision constitutes a setback for Democrats, who might have gained a more favorable map if it was redrawn. The Supreme Court has spent months considering the merits of whether map-drawers unlawfully considered race when drafting the map but has yet to issue a ruling despite both sides saying it needed to be resolved well before the election. The justices have also failed to act on an emergency application brought by Republican state officials asking for the existing map to remain in place, at least for now. In election cases, the Supreme Court often urges parties involved to resolve lawsuits before election deadlines, but in this case it is the justices themselves who contributed to the uncertainty. "It's really bizarre. I cannot think of another instance like this," said Rick Hasen, an expert on election law at UCLA School of Law. "It's just inexcusable for the court to say nothing," he added. Leah Aden, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund representing the plaintiffs, said her side had done everything it could to resolve the case ahead of this year's election. The lawsuit was filed mere days after the map was approved. "I cannot begin to predict what is happening at the Supreme Court, what is happening behind the scenes," she said. With the Supreme Court yet to rule, what is clear is that "we are now likely to have another election under a map we think violates the Constitution," she added. In a nine-month term running from October to June dominated by cases involving former President Donald Trump, the justices have issued only 11 rulings in argued cases. Oral arguments in the South Carolina case were held on Oct. 11, giving the justices ample time to rule. State officials had argued their sole goal was to increase the Republican tilt in the district in drawing the map. But in January 2023, the lower court ruled race was of predominant concern when one of the states seven districts was drawn. Republicans led by South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander appealed the decision. The three-judge panel had said the state did not have to take any action to draw a new map until after the Supreme Court resolved the appeal on the understanding that the justices would act more quickly. Republicans redrew the boundaries after the 2020 census to strengthen GOP control of what had become a competitive district. Democrat Joe Cunningham won the seat in 2018 and narrowly lost to Mace in 2020. Two years later, with a new map in place, Mace won by a wider margin. The roughly 30,000 Black voters who were moved out of the district were placed into the district held by Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, who is Black. It is the only one of the seven congressional districts held by Democrats. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and other civil rights groups alleged not only that Republicans unlawfully considered race when they drew the maps, but also that they diluted the power of Black voters in doing so. The claims were brought under the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which requires that the law applies equally to everyone. The case arose under a different legal theory than was at issue in the major ruling this year in which civil rights advocates successfully challenged Republican-drawn maps in Alabama under the Voting Rights Act. After he attended the wake Thursday of slain New York police officer Jonathan Diller, former President Donald Trump expressed outrage over the killing and used the opportunity to tout his position on the need to curb crime. "What happened is such a sad, sad event such a horrible thing and it's happening all too often and we're just not going to let it happen," Trump said to cameras outside the Massapequa Funeral Home after the wake, flanked by about a dozen police officers. Diller was shot and killed Monday in Queens after he approached an illegally parked vehicle. Donald Trump (Angela Weiss / AFP - Getty Images) Trump called the suspect a thug and said that he and the driver of the vehicle had prior arrest records. "They don't learn because they don't respect," Trump said. "They're not given the respect. ... Police are the greatest people we have. There's nothing and there's nobody like 'em." Trump used the opportunity to push his views about cracking down on crime, saying, "We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often." The former president was applauded by people who came out of the funeral home and others nearby. Trump previously posted on his Truth Social website that his "heartfelt prayers go out to the family" of Diller, adding that the officer's "life was taken by a murderous career criminal." "To Officer Dillers family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!" Trump said in his post. Trump was already in New York, having attended a hearing Monday in the hush money case against him. He has not held a major campaign event since March 16. Dignified Transfer Of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller At Jamaica Hospital In Queens, US - 25 Mar 2024 (Kyle Mazza / Sipa USA via AP) President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Dillers family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Wednesday. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spoke to Mayor Eric Adams about Diller's killing and offered him, the city of New York and the New York Police Department his full support in the wake of the tragedy, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. Biden will also be in New York on Thursday for a major campaign fundraising event alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Trump has often railed against crime rates in New York City, and he has falsely asserted that the city's violent crime rate "hit unimaginable records." The rate of major crimes is down by more than 20% since 2001, according to police crime data. Trump regularly blames Democrats, including Biden, for crime rates. New York Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban mourned Diller on X, saying that "this city lost a hero, a wife lost her husband, and a young child lost their father." "We struggle to find the words to express the tragedy of losing one of our own," Caban said in the post. "The work that Police Officer Jonathan Diller did each day to make this city a safer place will NEVER be forgotten." Diller received a dignified transfer Tuesday, looked on by New York police officers paying their respects. The last time a New York City officer died in the line of duty was in January 2022, when Detectives Wilbert Mora, 27, and Jason Rivera, 22, were killed responding to a 911 call in Harlem. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday warned that China is treating the global economy as a dumping ground for its cheaper clean energy products, depressing market prices and squeezing green manufacturing in the U.S. I am concerned about global spillovers from the excess capacity that we are seeing in China, Yellen said during a speech at a Georgia solar company called Suniva. Chinas overcapacity distorts global prices and production patterns and hurts American firms and workers, as well as firms and workers around the world. China has a surplus of solar power, electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries that it can ship out to other countries at cheaper prices. That makes it difficult for the more adolescent green manufacturing industries of the U.S. and elsewhere to compete. Yellen said she intends to put pressure on Chinese officials about these trade practices during her upcoming visit to China. I plan to make it a key issue in discussions during my next trip there, she said. I will press my Chinese counterparts to take necessary steps to address this issue. The secretarys concerns come as the White House tries to build a burgeoning clean energy industry domestically with investments from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, along with other legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act. Yellen has regularly touted the gains from these investments, including at another recent speech where she doubled down on the electric vehicle boom spurred by the IRA. But those investments are playing catch-up with Chinas government. BYD Seal U EV Chinese made electric vehicle (Cyril Zingaro / Keystone via AP file) The Biden administration also recognizes that these investments are new, Yellen said Wednesday. Meanwhile, China has been pouring billions into clean energy for years, outpacing the rest of the world in the energy transition. Yellen added that the more Chinas clean energy glut interferes with global market prices, the worse off supply chains for these energy sectors will be. President Biden is committed to doing what we can to protect our industries from unfair competition, Yellen said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Yellens comments highlight ongoing U.S.-China trade tension even as the two countries try to steady relations. President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November as an olive-branch effort to break the ice after years of tension, marked in part by a tariff war launched by former President Donald Trump. Trump has floated reinstating significant tariff levels on Chinese products if he wins a second presidential term. In the time since the Biden-Xi meeting, strengthening U.S.-China relations has proven a precarious effort due to ongoing cybersecurity and trade concerns. In February, Biden launched an investigation into Chinese smart cars, which he said pose a national security risk because they connect to U.S. infrastructure when they drive on American roads. China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including by using unfair practices, Biden said in a February statement. Chinas policies could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security. Im not going to let that happen on my watch. A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a malicious allegation that damaged its business. Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, is being prosecuted and sued in civil court for allegedly breaching the countrys cybercrime laws, in a case that has gripped the West African nation and sparked protests by locals who believe she is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech. What did she say? Okoli, a small-scale importer of childrens wear, told CNN that on September 17 she asked her 18,000 followers on Facebook to share their opinions about a tomato puree she bought in place of her usual brands, saying she found it too sweet. Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, produced by local company Erisco Foods Limited, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: Stop spoiling my brothers product. If (you) dont like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service. Okoli responded: Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and its pure sugar. A week later, on September 24, she was arrested. In legal filings seen by CNN, the Nigeria Police Force alleged that Okoli used her Facebook account with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods, adding in a statement on March 7 that it had unearthed compelling evidence against her from its preliminary investigations. According to the police, Okoli was charged with instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false under Section 24 (1) (B) of Nigerias Cyber Crime Prohibition Act. If found guilty, she could face up to three years in jail or a fine of 7 million naira (around $5,000), or both. Okoli was separately charged with conspiring with two other individuals with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited, which the charge sheet noted was punishable under Section 27(1)(B) of the same act. She risks a seven-year sentence if convicted of this charge. CNN has reached out to Facebook for comment. Okoli is also being sued in a separate civil case brought by Erisco, which said in a statement issued on January 19 that it was defending its reputation after her comments resulted in several suppliers deciding to disassociate themselves from us. The Lagos-based food company said it also suffered the loss of multiple credit lines and had therefore filed a civil lawsuit against Okoli that sought 5 billion naira (more than $3 million) in damages. This case is due to be heard on May 20, her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, told CNN. A spokesman for Erisco Foods, Nnamdi Nwokolo, told CNN the company would not speak further on the case because it is pending in a court of competent jurisdiction. Public apology required Okoli, whos currently pregnant with her fourth child, told CNN she was arrested by plainclothes police while she was in church in Lagos and detained in a leaky police cell. I was put in the cell around 6 p.m. (on September 24). There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water (that came in from the leaking roof). Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up, she said. The following day, Okoli was flown to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and held at a police station until her release on administrative bail was finalized a day later, she said. Agreeing to apologize publicly to Erisco was a condition of her release on bail, she said, but her lawyer, Effiong, told CNN she agreed to this under duress and therefore did not apologize after her release. The police filed their case against Okoli in an Abuja court on October 5. The first court hearing took place on December 7. She was represented by her lawyer but did not attend in person. Okoli told CNN that a month later, on January 9, police entered her Lagos home and attempted to arrest her, despite a restraining order issued by a court on November 8 barring her arrest without a court order. CNN has seen a copy of the restraining order. They stayed in my building from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. My children couldnt go to school that day and we couldnt go out to get food because the cooking gas was finished, she said. Eventually, she said, the police left. National police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told CNN he could not comment on the case as the matter was in court. We will comment on the case when the court decides, Adejobi said. Countersuit against police and food company Effiong told CNN that Okolis legal team was now gearing up for the two legal cases, which he described as a David vs. Goliath battle. In this case, we believe that David is right, and Goliath is wrong, Effiong said. In October, he filed a 500 million naira ($361,171) countersuit on behalf of Okoli against both Erisco and the police at a Lagos court, challenging her arrest and detention, which he said violated her constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement. In court papers relating to the countersuit, Effiong argued that his clients arrest was also a breach of her constitutional right to freedom of expression. He said that he would also ask the Abuja court where she is being tried for cybercrime violations to transfer the case to Lagos, where she lives, at the next hearing, set for April 18. Hard to prove Nigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense. No law guarantees absolute freedom, he said. While we have our freedom of expression, there are limitations. You cant defame or malign someone. However, he added that cybercrime is difficult to prove in court. You have to prove actual harm when the post was made. Erisco must prove that the Facebook post (by Okoli) affected its business as at the point it was made. He noted that in Okolis post, she used a word with three asterisks, which could be open to interpretation. Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now, Amnesty International Nigeria said earlier this month, as Nigerians began crowdfunding online to support her legal fees. Okolis case has sparked protests at Eriscos Lagos facility as many on social media called for a boycott of its products. The companys founder, Eric Umeofia, refused to budge, however, saying in a recent documentary on the local Arise Television channel that he wont drop the lawsuit against Okoli and that he would rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editors Note: Amelia Glaser is professor of literature at UC San Diego. Her books include Jews and Ukrainians in Russias Literary Borderlands. Marci Shore is professor of modern European intellectual history at Yale University and the author of The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution, among many others. The views expressed in this commentary are their own. Read more CNN Opinion. Late morning Monday, from occupied Crimea, the Russians launched two hypersonic ballistic missiles at Kyiv. Our friends heard the explosion and the air raid sirens simultaneously which is unusual. Hypersonic missiles are faster than the speed of sound. Fragments hit the Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design, where the students, with no time to get to the shelter, lay down on the ground. Kyiv is dependent on air defense. In turn, air defense is dependent on American aid, and that aid is currently hostage to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is at the moment among Russian President Vladimir Putins most powerful allies. We are American Slavicists and have just returned from Kyiv. Its not easy to get there these days. The trip takes at least 36 hours from New York. We took an overnight flight from JFK to Warsaw where the war does not feel far away. From Warsaw we rode four hours by train to the Polish border city of Chelm. And from Chelm we rode another 13 hours to the Ukrainian capital, in a Ukrainian train that arrived precisely on time. Neither of us had been to Kyiv since shortly before Covid shut down the world. Did you hear how Covid ended? goes the Ukrainian joke. Boom! Boom! Boom! Our colleagues at the Kyiv School of Economics wanted us to feel safe, so they hired Andrii, a tall, retired police officer, to be our security consultant. He advised us to install two air-raid apps, and to keep track of missiles location on Telegram. On Sunday evening we were on our way back to Kyiv from Bucha, the Kyivan suburb where Russian forces carried out a massacre in March 2022, when the first alert showed up on our phones. Its OK, Andrii texted, the missile is on the other side of the city. Text me when youre home safely. A barista continues to work at a damaged coffee shop in Kyiv after a Russian missile attack on March 25. Debris from the downed hypersonic missiles fell in several areas of the Ukrainian capital. - Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images In Ukraine the air raid alerts are incessant. The missiles keep coming. Everyone has lost someone. But Kyiv is thriving in its own way. In the center of the city a new bookstore called Sens has a large Ukrainian literature section and a well-lighted cafe serving quinoa salad with avocado. There are chic coffee houses, and a Crimean Tatar restaurant with fabulous beet meze and babaganoush. There are two retrospective exhibits featuring the late Ukrainian New Wave painter Oleksandr Roytburd. One of them has a constant line winding out of the Pinchuk gallery and across the street towards the Bessarabka market. Roytburd succumbed to cancer, complicated by Covid, in 2021. The monumentalist painter Alla Horska was killed in 1970, most likely by the KGB. Her first retrospective is now open at the Ukrainian House, a cavernous Soviet-era exhibition hall near the city center. When an air raid siren went off, the exhibit guide encouraged the visitors to relocate to the bomb shelter: There is a concession stand and bookstore on the basement floor. Please go down and have a cup of coffee. At the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofiy Mylovanov, the schools president and Ukraines former trade minister, showed us the underground lecture rooms to which we would relocate in case of an air raid alarm. In public sessions at KSE, Amelia spoke with the poets Iya Kiva and Olena Huseinova about the untranslatability of war, and the urgency of translating despite its impossibility. Marci spoke with the philosophers Tetyana Ogarkova and Volodymyr Yermolenko about Grenzerfahrungen boundary experiences. What happens when the edge becomes the center? In academic discussion death was once a metaphor the death of metaphysics, the death of the author. Now death is no longer a metaphor. The overflowing audience stayed for over two hours to think about philosophy and war. This February, Putin bragged to Tucker Carlson about the 1654 Pereiaslav Treaty between the Cossack leader Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Muscovy. This treaty, he claimed, gave Russia the right to control contemporary Ukraine. Even Carlson seemed surprised at the anachronism. Khmelnytsky is a Cossack leader remembered as a nation-builder in Ukraine, as a unifier in Russia, as a traitor in Poland. Jews remember him as an instigator of pogroms. In a discussion at the Kyiv Fulbright offices about Khmelnytskys disparate legacies, the historian Oleksandr Halenko thought Amelia, a Jewish studies scholar, had glossed too quickly over the pogroms. Were you just being polite? he wanted to know. Ukraine, fighting for its survival, is also rethinking its historical icons. In Kyiv, everyone is used to the war. They do notcannotignore it, but they are habituated to a rhythm of life shaped by curfews and air raids that can interrupt everything at any moment. They know that debates about whether the West could have pacified Putin by reassuring him that NATO would never expand or whether Ukraine should now raise a white flag and negotiate make little sense. Putin and his allies have embraced a practice of destruction seemingly for the sake of destruction. And Ukrainians know that neither negotiation nor surrender is possible. They are determined to keep living. Rescuers workers sift through the rubble after Monday's hypersonic missile strike on Kyiv. - Gleb Garanich/Reuters At 12:49 a.m. on Thursday March 21, Andrii texted us a message prefaced with a red exclamation point: Reconnaissance groups report the taking off of 10 Tu-95s from the Olenya air base. Do not ignore the air raid alarm! Two minutes later he texted again: Most likely between 5 and 6 am there will be a massive rocket attack. In the event of an alarm, go to the shelter. The two of us are humanities professors, not security specialists. We googled Tupolev, or Tu-95: it was a large turboprop-powered bomber, designed in the 1950s to carry multiple missiles at once across great distances. Russia used them in Syria in 2016. Now they were being launched from the Olenya airbase, south of the Russian city of Murmansk. The air raid siren came at 3:21. We put on our shoes, grabbed our jackets and phones and went down to the underground parking garage repurposed as the hotels bomb shelter. Phones lit up the garage. Everyone was following the Telegram channels with crowd-sourced news. Marcis former student, Sergii, texted on a group chat: sitting in the corridor, between the walls. His friend responded: please go to the bomb shelter. There are levels of choice: stay in bed; go into the bathtub, or the corridor, or the basement bomb shelter, or the metro stations - which are deeper. Built in the 1950s with the intention of doubling as shelters in the event of a NATO attack, they are the safest option. Sergii sent screen shots from the Telegram channels he followed: dont relax. a second wave is coming in fifteen minutes. Ukrainians shelter inside a Kyiv metro station during a Russian missile strike on March 21. - Alina Smutko/Reuters Sergiis sister heard the explosions at 5.00 a.m. and then went back to sleep. She had decided to take her chances. healthy sleep=healthy psyche,she texted. We stayed in the bomb shelter while 31 missiles reached Kyiv oblast. The alert ended at 6:10 a.m., after 2 hours and 49 minutes. Everyones apps then announced in unison: ATTENTION! THE AIR ALERT IS OVER. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU! All air raid alerts end with May the force be with you! Mark Hamillalias Luke Skywalker has been doing outreach for Ukraine. A woman at a kiosk asked what we thought of the barrage. I waited in the bathroom, she said. The metros too far and I dont have a basement. That morning Ukrainian air defense shot down all 31 Russian cruise and ballistic missiles. Andrii showed us photos, taken from his apartment window, of the defense rockets reaching their targets. Over a dozen people were injured on the outskirts of Kyiv, when shards of the intercepted missiles fell; some buildings were damaged and there are large craters in the ground. Kyiv has the best air defense in Ukraine; the country lacks the resources to defend other cities this way. These other cities have not fared as well. Before dawn on Thursday alone, Russia - a country where millions of citizens are too impoverished to have indoor plumbing spent some $390 million firing missiles at Ukraine, according to Agiya Zagrebelska, head of sanctions policy at the National Agency on Corruption Prevention. The nihilism of it is staggering. How many schools could you build with the equivalent of the money? Arad Benko, the Austrian ambassador to Ukraine, texted us. Pessimists dont win wars, Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO military committee, said to the audience at the Kyiv Security Forum a few hours later. He noted that Ukrainian air defense had done a spectacular job that morning intercepting every single missile launched at Kyiv. There is nothing you cannot do, Bauer told Ukrainians, the only thing you need is our help. But renewed help has not been forthcoming. The United States has essentially cut off Ukraine, and Ukrainian air defense is quickly running out of ammunition. It is a matter of weeks - or days - before it will be gone. Im glad you came when you did, the literary translator Iaroslava Strikha told us. In a couple of weeks we may not have the defense missiles to keep Kyiv safe. Mike Johnson, beholden to Donald Trump, who has praised Putin, is holding 42 million people in Ukraine hostage. Across Ukraine children are continually buried under rubble, killed by the Kremlins barrage of missiles. Ukrainians know their lives depend on whether or not Johnson brings the National Security Supplemental to the House floor. Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians know that their lives, too, depend on this: they know that the war could cross their borders at any moment, and that the Ukrainians are fighting for them as well. And the French and Germans, too, are slowly coming to understand that we are a hairs breadth from the third world war. At the opening of the Security Forum former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk addressed Johnson: The world is watching you. And youre a devout Christian, Mr. Speaker, so God is watching you, too. Putin, with his oil money, has many more military resources than Ukraine does. He has, moreover, no qualms about running through the entirety of Russias national wealth - or bleeding through the entirety of its population. When other peoples lives mean nothing to you, you have a free hand. After we landed back in JFK, we turned off the air raid sound on our phones. But we havent deleted the app. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FALL RIVER Police arrested a man late afternoon on Wednesday in a basement at 42 Summerfield St. after receiving multiple calls of shots fired in the area. Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin told WSAR on Wednesday that the incident is still an active investigation. According to a press release from the Fall River Police Department, the afternoon drama began at 12:54 p.m. around Pine Street, with reports of shots fired. "We have one 48-year-old male in custody who we believe is the person who fired at least two shots this afternoon, causing some undue stress here," said Gauvin. Police said witnesses were able to identify the vehicle, information that led them to a car on Summerfield Street, where Jeffrey Santos was arrested without incident. Gauvin credited witnesses who came forward, the actions by his police officers, and police technology the department has invested in recently. Fall River police arrested a man on Summerfield Street on Wednesday afternoon after receiving multiple calls of shots fired in the area. Gauvin said drones were used in the investigation, as were police department video cameras. He said a police K-9 was able to locate the suspect in the basement. "It's still an active and very fluid investigation," said Gauvin. The police chief said at this time it does not appear the man had any particular target, not shooting at people or houses. Sgt. Moses Pereira of the department's Office of Professional Standards said the incident is being investigated by the Major Crimes Division. Kudos to our exceptional officers for their swift action and bravery in capturing todays armed suspect. I also commend the citizens of Fall River for being great partners and providing accurate information. I am certainly proud of my team today, Gauvin was quoted in the release. Rock Street shooting: Fall River man charged with murder and held without bail in Rock Street homicide Tripp Street stabbing: Fall River man accused of stabbing, stomping man to death faces murder charge City still shocked by Rock Street shooting and rooming house stabbing The city is still reeling from a daytime homicide on Rock Street that claimed the life of 18-year-old Colus Jamal Mills-Good of Fall River as he was walking to the Resiliency Preparatory Academy where he was a student. Mills-Good was shot at five times at point blank range on March 14 at 11:40 a.m. The teenager was hit by three bullets from a 45-calber firearm and later died while in emergency surgery at St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford. Within days of the murder, Fall River police and the Massachusetts State Police arrested four young men in connection with the shooting including Amannie Chiclana, 19, of Fall River who was arrested in Stoughton and charged with murder. The day after Mills-Good was gunned down, a man was stabbed to death in an illegal rooming house, allegedly by his roommate. This story will be updated as more information is made available. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Police investigating reports of shots fired on Summerfield Street Rep. Annie Kuster, D-New Hampshire, announced Wednesday she will not seek re-election in 2024 to the state's 2nd District seat in the U.S. House. When I was first elected to Congress in 2012, I promised to bring a new approach to Washington. Over the past 12 years, I have been proud to do just that, Kuster wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. I always said I was not going to stay in Congress forever I will not be seeking re-election in 2024. My full statement to the people of New Hampshire's Second Congressional District pic.twitter.com/HLQKyrs70J Ann McLane Kuster (@RepAnnieKuster) March 27, 2024 Kusters departure creates an open race for the Democratic nomination for the 2nd District seat, which covers a broad swath of the state, from Nashua to the Canadian border. It includes the state capital, Concord, and Dartmouth College. U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, a New Hampshire Democrat who has sponsored legislation to fix dams. Lily Tang William, who ran for this seat in 2022 but lost in the primary, is the only major Republican candidate in the race for New Hampshires second district so far. No Democrats had entered the race as Annie Kuster had been expected to run again. Democrats now have an opportunity to enter the field to keep the seat in the party in a district that leans Democratic. As representative, Kuster said in her statement, she pushed for legislation to address addiction, mental health, and sexual violence. In Washington, she was known for her willingness to work across the aisle on issues like the opioid crisis. She said she will continue to lead the New Democrat Coalition, a pro-business, centrist caucus in the House of Representatives. It has been a real honor to serve with my friend Annie Kuster and witness her fierce advocacy on behalf of the people of New Hampshire. Annie is a trailblazer and a respected leader who always puts the needs of Granite Staters first," said Rep. Chris Pappas, who serves New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, in a prepared statement. "I know that her work fighting for important priorities is far from over, whether thats continuing bipartisan collaboration to address addiction and mental health, standing up for reproductive freedom, or safeguarding our democracy. Kuster did not endorse anyone to replace her in her statement. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Annie Kuster, D-NH, won't seek re-election to Congress in 2024 Plans to transform MediaCity with new homes, offices and a revamped waterfront have been approved. They could see 3,000 homes and an extra 800,000 sq ft of commercial space across 60 acres of land. All-weather glass-fronted structures and pavilions, and a pedestrian bridge from MediaCity to the Lowry and Quayside are included in the plans approved by Salford Council. A new boardwalk will feature more nature and green space. After the plans were approved on Wednesday, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett described them as "hugely important" for the city. He said: "MediaCity has always been a striking development that has caught the eye and imagination of so many since its inception, and so to now see the next step in its evolution is really positive." The transformation has been inspired by waterfronts such as Oslo in Norway and Australia's Darling Harbour. MediaCity managing director Stephen Wild said: "While the waterfront is the gateway to MediaCity and the Quays, it's right that it should compete with some of the finest waterfront destinations in the world." Approval for the plans follows a consultation which had input from the local community. Councillor Paul Heilbron of the Quays Ward welcomed the investment, but said it needed to "prioritise people over profit" and put community needs first. He said: "There needs to be adequate business units, green spaces, amenities and affordable housing in the proposals. "In addition, we want to see appropriate infrastructure, services and amenities in place for current and future developments." MediaCity is home to a cluster of 250 companies including the BBC and ITV. A start date for the work and an estimate of costs will be shared in future. Devonte Riondo Cambell, 34, received a life sentence for murder Wednesday in the 2021 killing of his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend. Bexar County Sheriffs Office A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend during a child custody exchange in 2021 has been sentenced to life in prison. A Bexar County jury found Devonte Riondo Campbell guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of Parnell Keith Curtis II, 33. The shooting occurred as Campbell and his ex-girlfriend met to transfer their child around 8 p.m. June 20, 2021, at the home she shared with Curtis in the 800 block of Pleasure Park Drive on the West Side. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Antonio police responding to the shooting found Curtis lying on the ground. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital, where he later died, according to reports. Authorities located Campbell in the 1000 block of South Brownleaf Street, and his car was found in the 800 block of Spring Park, the keys still in the ignition. Campbell, now 37, was convicted and sentenced after a trial that lasted a little less than a week. He will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. Defense attorneys Vincent Dennis Callahan and Kristine Brown represented Campbell. Bexar County Assistant District Attorneys Joshua Luke Sandoval and Jonathan Valle prosecuted the case before Judge Michael E. Mery in the 144th District Court. Lawyers for former President Trump argued at a hearing Thursday that the charges he faces in Georgia target core political speech and urged the judge to dismiss them under the First Amendment before the case heads to trial. Trump attorney Steve Sadow asserted that statements linked to campaigns and elections have always been found to be at the zenith of protected speech. But for protected First Amendment speech, President Trump would not be charged in RICO or the other counts, Sadow said. Take out the protected speech, and you dont have an underlying basis for which to charge him, he continued. And since that violates the Constitution as applied to the charges here, and his speech here and his position here, this is ripe for a constitutional challenge. Trump contested the November 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden through a wide swath of legal challenges but also a number of speeches starting on election night in which he would not accept the results that projected President Bidens eventual victory. Trump falsely ascertained the election was stolen and rigged against him. No evidence of mass fraud was ever found by officials. That included in the state of Georgia, where lawyers and political allies embarked on a campaign to overturn the election results, including a phone call in which Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to find an exact number of votes in order for Trump to win. Trump faces 10 charges in Georgia, but Judge Scott McAfee dismissed three counts against him due to a lack of detail earlier this month. He and a dozen allies are accused of attempting to subvert the states election results to keep Trump in power. Trump has pleaded not guilty. Thursday marked the first hearing in the case since McAfee found Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) once-romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a top prosecutor on the case, created an appearance of a conflict of interest. The judge allowed Willis to proceed once Wade resigned, rejecting the defenses request to toss the historic indictment. As Trump prepares to appeal that ruling, McAfee indicated he will continue moving ahead with resolving the remaining pretrial matters. Sadow urged the judge to make a determination on the First Amendment issue imminently, though the judge suggested a more appropriate time might be during the trial, when defense counsel would ask for a directed verdict in their favor. Do we go through the whole trial God forbid, there should be a conviction and then we go back to try and determine as applied? Sadow said. Im suggesting the reason its right now, and the reason why we dont even get to a trial, is because its unconstitutional [for] an accused be it the president of the United States, former president or anyone else to stand trial on protected speech. Beyond Trumps First Amendment defense, McAfee also heard Thursday from an attorney for David Shafer, the former Georgia Republican Party chair, who asserts various deficiencies with his charges. Shafer is charged over his alleged involvement in the scheme to send an alternate slate of electors purporting Trump won Georgia in 2020. Shafer faces counts including forgery and impersonating a public officer. Craig Gillen, Shafers attorney, pushed back on the notion of describing Shafer as a fake elector. Among other arguments, Gillen urged the judge to dismiss some of the charges or remove language from the indictment characterizing Shafers Electoral College documents as false votes while describing the Biden electors as lawful. Theres no place for it in what they have done not only in the indictment, but in their pleadings and statements theyve made outside to the media, Gillen said. What they have tried to do is they want to have ingrained in the minds of the community and of jurors, a concept that if you are not a Democratic elector on December the 14th, casting your vote at some other part of the State Capitol, then you are a fake elector, Gillen continued. And that is a pejorative term not necessary for the charges and should be stricken. Nowhere in this indictment is the phrase fake elector it does not exist, Fulton County prosecutor Will Wooten said. Literally not in the indictment. So, Im not really sure what were talking about, removing something from the indictment thats not there. In the indictment, prosecutors described Shafer and others as Trump presidential elector nominees who cast false votes. Neither Shafer nor Trump were present in the courtroom Thursday. The former president has yet to attend a hearing in his Georgia case, while Shafer has shown up for multiple previous proceedings. McAfee did not rule on any motions during Thursdays hearing. Updated at 12:50 p.m. EDT For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ahead of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, former President Donald Trump is promoting the "God Bless the USA Bible," his latest venture in the long list of branded merchandise that the real estate mogul and former reality TV star has profited from throughout his political career and before. "Inspired by" country musician Lee Greenwood's song "God Bless the USA," the Bible is being sold for $59.99 and is described on its website as "the only Bible endorsed by President Trump." In addition to the King James version of the Bible, the book features a "handwritten chorus to 'God Bless the USA,'" the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, its website states. According to its site, this Bible is "not owned, managed or controlled" by Trump, the Trump Organization or his affiliated entities. Instead, it uses Trump's "name, likeness and image under paid license" through his licensing company, meaning Trump gets a cut of the Bible's profits a familiar arrangement for the former president. The new product, however, is "not political" and "has nothing to do with any political campaign," according to the website, and its proceeds don't go to the 2024 Trump campaign. The Biden campaign responded to Trump's latest brand deal by labeling him "a fraud." "The choice for voters this November is clear: Joe Biden who cares about delivering for the American people, or Donald Trump who cares only about delivering for himself," Biden spokesman Ammar Moussa contended to ABC News. Trump, for his part, has argued that his business success is part of what makes him a good politician. It's not yet known how much money Trump has made or will make from this branded Bible, and it's not yet clear who actually owns or manages the sales, other than that the website is copyrighted to an entity named "2024 God Bless the USA Bible." Promoting the Bible in a video posted on his social media platform, Trump said, "All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many." "It's my favorite book; it's a lot of people's favorite book," he continued. "This Bible is a reminder that the biggest thing we have to bring back America, to make America great again, is our religion." MORE: Trump met with boos and chants while selling sneakers in Philadelphia PHOTO: Donald Trump, March 25, 2024, in New York. (Andrea Renault/star Max/GC Images/Getty Images) Trump has attested to his affinity for the Bible before, including in 2015. In an interview then, however, he demurred about his favorite verse because "the Bible means a lot to me, but I don't want to get into specifics." In a speech in 2016, he called one of the books of the Bible "Two Corinthians" when it is more commonly known as Second Corinthians. He blamed that slip on bad notes he was given. The former president, who spent most of his adult life as a headline-making businessman and then TV star, has often seized opportunities to make profits out of branded partnerships regardless of how unexpected or how successful, like a previous line of briefly sold "Trump Steaks." Such ventures are drawing new attention as he faces large financial pressures, having to post a $175 million bond to cover a civil fraud judgment in New York that he denies while separately dealing with a significant financial campaign cash disadvantage against rival Joe Biden. Some Christians criticized Trump for commodifying the Bible, stressing the possibility of his profit from the venture going to help pay his legal bills amid his snowballing legal battles could offend some of his religious supporters. Anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project on Wednesday resurfaced an ad it ran back in 2022 that accused of Trump raising money from his supporters and using the money for his personal businesses, saying the Bible is "his latest grift to fund his hundreds of millions in legal costs - as if Trump has ever read a page of the bible in his life." The new Bible he is promoting is not the only unusual merchandise he is making time to spotlight on the campaign trail. Just last month, Trump unveiled a similarly licensed merchandise at SneakerCon in Philadelphia a golden "Never Surrender High-Top" featuring a "T" badge, wrapped with an American flag on the collar. That appearance was the latest example of Trump's campaign mixing with his business ventures, where he autographed a few of the high-top sneakers and took the stage to tout them as he delivered campaign remarks. The gold "Never Surrender High-Top" sneakers were sold online for $399.99, along with other Trump-branded shoes and fragrances. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump takes the stage to introduce a new line of signature shoes at Sneaker Con at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Feb. 17, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Similarly to the God Bless the USA Bible, the Trump shoes and fragrances were licensed to use his name and trademarks but not designed, manufactured, distributed or sold by Trump and the Trump Organization, according to the "Trump Sneakers" website. Both the God Bless the USA Bible and the Trump sneakers were licensed to use Trump's branding through a company named CIC Ventures LLC, which, according to Trump's financial disclosure report, is owned 100% by the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust. CIC Ventures LLC, which reportedly stands for "Commander In Chief Ventures," is the same entity through which Trump appears to have received millions of dollars in royalties for the book "Our Journey Together," a compilation of photos by Trump's official White House photographer, published by Gold Standard Publishing LLC and sold by Donald Trump Jr. co-founded publishing company Winning Team Publishing. MORE: Trump faces major financial disadvantage against Biden as legal bills eat into allies' cash: Filings In the former president's financial disclosures, the royalties are disclosed under the name "A MAGA Journey," which was the book's original title. Donald Trump also collects millions of dollars in speaking engagement fees through CIC Ventures LLC every year, his disclosure reports show. According to its entity registration filing in Florida, CIC Ventures was once managed by former Trump White House aide Nick Luna and is currently represented by Trump attorney John B. Marion. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd at a campaign rally, on March 16, 2024, in Vandalia, Ohio. (Jeff Dean/AP) Trump and his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, together have also raked in at least $700,000 from Trump-branded digital trading cards which are a version of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. Some of the Trumps' digital trading cards resemble him as cartoon characters, such as a superhero, whereas Melania Trump's cards feature watercolor paintings of her as well as flowers. Last year, amid Donald Trump's mounting criminal charges all of which he denies he capitalized on his indictment in Georgia by promoting digital trading cards featuring his booking photo from the Fulton County Jail for $99 each. The website on which the cards were sold also offered an option for some customers to potentially win a physical trading card featuring a piece of the suit he wore for the booking photo as well as an opportunity to have dinner with him at his Mar-a-Lago club. The trading card website said the cards were not affiliated with the campaign. But the mug shot from Fulton County is something the Trump campaign has capitalized on, too raising more than $9 million within days of the release of the photo by selling various merchandise like coffee mugs, T-shirts and posters. Over the years, Donald Trump has raked in profits from licensing his trademark in multiple other businesses, including projects in foreign countries like China, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Trump endorses line of Bibles -- after selling shoes, NFTs and more originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Three Moran tugboats known for guiding huge ships into port rest at their station wait for the next big job in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As investigators work to determine what caused the hulking Dali container ship to topple Baltimores Francis Scott Key bridge in a matter of seconds on Tuesday, maritime experts around the country are pointing to what could have stopped it. Tugboats. These small but mighty vessels tow and push ever-larger ships through channels and help them when their propulsion systems or lack thereof cannot. They are standard equipment in ports worldwide and are especially useful to help ships with docking and undocking. On Tuesday, a pair of tugboats operated by McAllister Towing and Transportation did just that, helping the Dali unmoor itself from the main terminal at the Port of Baltimore and orient the ship toward the open waters. But they broke away before the massive ship navigated under the bridge, as is common practice. Minutes later, the Dali appeared to lose power and propulsion, sending the craft adrift and directly into one of the bridges support columns. The steel-truss bridge immediately collapsed into the frigid Patapsco River. The accident is igniting debate over the proliferation of megaships that fuel todays commercial transportation industry and whether port protocols have ramped up to safely accommodate them. Although the Dali is average-sized compared to many of these behemoths, the devastation it caused in Baltimore was formidable. Live updates: Two bodies in Baltimore bridge collapse recovered; search for 4 others ends Had the tugboats accompanied the ship all the way under the bridge, some experts said, they might have been able to stop, slow, or steer it away from danger. Such a scenario should be standard operating procedure in all ports, said Capt. Ashok Pandey, a master mariner and associate professor of maritime business at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. But he said the industrys reliance on tugs has waned over the years as technological advancements gave many ships the ability to maneuver through channels independently. Technology is great, Pandey said, until it fails. We went wrong by simply equipping ships with bow and stern thrusters that we use in lieu of tugs to maneuver in and out of the ports, Pandey said. When we are getting into ports like Baltimore, within a few miles of the bridge, that's too important an asset that we must think of protecting it by all means possible. And we can do that. We can easily do that. Tugboats pull on the Evergreen container ship in Pasadena, Maryland in March 2022, trying to free the 1,095-foot cargo ship stranded in the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental experts raised concerns about a potential oil spill as crews worked to free the ship from the mud (Credit: JIM WATSON, AFP via Getty Images) It may be rare for a ship to lose power at such a high-stakes moment, but it clearly does happen, and he said tugboats could have averted catastrophe. Implementing such a practice would require a significant investment for U.S. ports, which either own and operate their own tugboats or contract out for tug services. Those costs are then rolled into the ports fees charged to shipping companies who use their facilities. There are a finite number of tugs, and 99.9% of the time there are no issues, said Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner and current maritime historian at Campbell University who also hosts a YouTube show called Whats Going On With Shipping? If the port required tug escorts in and out, then they would not be able to help other ships dock, and undock, Mercogliano said. It would need more tugs, and the question becomes, how much will this cost, and will it be passed on to the consumer? Because ports compete with each other for shipping business, he said, its unlikely that one port would mandate tug escorts unless all of the ports did it for fear of losing lucrative contracts. Shipping companies want the most efficient and cost-effective deal and will simply move to the next port if confronted with higher costs or longer waits. Mercogliano said hes not even sure tugboats would have been able to stop the Dali from hitting the bridge. When its power appeared to fail, the ship was going about 8 knots roughly 9 mph with a weight of over 100,000 tons. It would be like a Prius trying to move a Mack truck on the highway, he said. Realities of the container ship arms race The Dali isnt even big compared to other container ships hauling goods from port to port these days. Over the past several decades, newly constructed ships have ballooned to gigantic proportions with load-carrying capacities that used to require five or six ships. The largest container vessel in the 1980s had a maximum capacity of 4,300 20-foot containers otherwise referred to as TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent units the standard unit of measurement for cargo capacity. The One Stork ties up at the pier at JAXPORT Blount Island Marine Terminal in May 2023, becoming the largest ship to dock at the Jacksonville, Florida facility. At 1,195 feet in length, the container ship can carry 14,000 containers. Todays largest ship, the MSC Irina, has a capacity of 24,346 TEUs. The Dali, by comparison, has a capacity of just under 10,000 TEUs, making it the typical meat and potatoes of container ships, said Kevin Calnan, assistant professor of marine transportation at California State University Maritime Academy. Like most container ships, Calnan said, the Dali has one engine and one propeller. Its emergency diesel generator, standard in all such vessels, has enough power to keep key systems going but not enough to restart the engine or provide propulsion. In a video posted to social media, lights on the Dali shut off, then turned back on, then shut off again before the ship struck the bridge. Experts said that was likely the generator as it powered up the lights but not the engine. It would have taken a second engine on board to fully power the ship and restore propulsion at that point. But Calnan said nobody in the commercial shipping industry is advocating for two engines because of their size and cost. Tugboats pull the Panama-flagged MV Ever Given container ship, a 1,300-foot-long vessel, which was lodged sideways in Egypt's Suez Canal waterway. Cargo is money, and companies want to maximize the amount of space they want to put cargo in, so to build a ship with a whole other engine would be taking up the space of, like, 150 containers on that ship, he said. Unfortunately, theres not too much movement to require these ships to have two engines. Calnan, who has worked and sailed on numerous ships during his career, is among the experts who believe tugboats definitely could have stopped the Dali from hitting the bridge. He said he has been in similar situations where the power went out and having tugs there basically saved the day. It may take a disaster for industry and ports to change The bigger the boats and the more sophisticated the technology, the fewer the crew members on board. The Dali's crew is 22-strong. In his 26 years sailing on commercial ships, Capt. Mike Campbell said he witnessed that shift to smaller crews as automation and electronics made it possible to do more with less when it came to docking, navigating and maintaining the engines. I had captains who would turn the radar off in the middle of the day because they didn't want to wear it out, and you'd just go off visual cues, take readings off lighthouses. Now everything is chips and boards, he said. And people are more dependent or reliant on it because they are more reliable. Campbell, now a professor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and master of the training ship Kennedy, said hes also seen captains push to meet tight schedules, recalling a time when several other chemical carriers owned by competitors sailed out of the Port of Philadelphia into bad weather. His ship stayed put for three days, and arrived in Houston, safely, a day behind schedule. The other ships, he said, all had to sail to shipyards for repairs caused by the storm. I was fortunate that the people I sailed under, my mentors, they never worried about the schedule. It was always about the safe operation of the ship, he said. You don't want to push things. Mariners are always worried about their schedules now, Pandey said. The shipping industry has become so highly competitive, with companies all vying for a slice of the business, that crews are more likely to leave port without containers than wait on a late shipment and risk falling behind. Ships typically go from port to port, spending anywhere from six to eight hours in each before moving on to the next. The container ship Dali amidst the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. He called it a race to nowhere in which everyone from the ports to the shipping companies is playing along. U.S. ports have spent billions of dollars over the years adapting to the new reality upgrading their facilities and dredging their channels deep enough to accommodate these massive ships. Some experts warn they could get even bigger in the future, possibly doubling in cargo capacity at some point. Amid the race to compete for the revenue and jobs brought by these ever-larger ships, port authorities seem to have forgotten about protecting their critical infrastructure, according to Pandley, the former master mariner. He said Tuesdays accident might be the wake-up call they need to do some real soul-searching. USA TODAY reached out to the American Association of Port Authorities to ask its thoughts on requiring tug escorts or any other measures to avert the kind of disaster that happened in Baltimore, but a spokesman said nobody was immediately available to take those questions. Unfortunately, experts said, it often takes a tragedy to improve an industry. Thats what happened after the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska when the U.S. government required double-hull construction for all newly built oil tank ships and all oil tank barges in American waters. California passed a law in the aftermath of that disaster, requiring all oil tankers to have tug escorts in its ports and harbors. We have a saying that the laws are written in blood, said Roland Rexha, international secretary-treasurer of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, the oldest maritime union in the United States. Knowing what we know now, could we have had tugs accompany the ship to the bridge? Sure. But what were the issues that caused the vessel to lose power in the first place? he said. There will be an investigation, and were hopeful that the lessons learned will lead to an active change in how things are operated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could tugboats have prevented Baltimore Key bridge disaster? Denys, a Ukrainian orphan For two years, a teenager named Denys has been a focal point of our reporting on Russias forced deportation of Ukrainian orphans. Our Scripps News Investigates special report in December sparked a new sense of urgency to rescue Denys. He managed to escape into Poland in early February. We were there for his first interview during what was supposed to be a one-night stopover in Warsaw. His journey was supposed to take him to a new life with relatives in Germany. But there was a problem. I didn't have a foreign passport and they took me off the bus, Denys says. I was taken to a police station. They filed a criminal case against me on charges of illegal border crossing, and then I was deported to the Polish border. He's now been waiting in Warsaw for the documents he needs to continue his journey for more than a month. In this video, we visit Denys again to see how he is coping with his dreams of a new life with his brother and grandmother being deferred. We also ask him about the concerns expressed back in Ukraine (since we last spoke with him in February) that he might still be brainwashed and acting on behalf of Russian intelligence services. SEE MORE: Scripps News Investigates: A race to rescue Ukraine's abducted orphans The differences, similarities, and when to use each one. Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn Tequila and mezcal are popular Mexican spirits, but trying to differentiate between the two whether at a cocktail bar or liquor store might have you with more questions than answers. Tequila is a type of mezcal and there are several differences between the two. Importantly, tequila is made from the Blue Agave whereas mezcal can be a variety of different agave plants, says Sarah Malik. Tequila and mezcal are also produced in different areas of Mexico. Tequila primarily in Jalisco and mezcal in Oaxaca, Malik says. Additionally, there are different approaches to production and distillation, as well as different aging requirements. Meet The Expert Sarah Malik is the Associate Professor, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus Mezcal Vs. Tequila: Everything You Should Know While both spirits originate from the agave plant, there are definite differences to understand before sipping or adding to a cocktail recipe. Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley What Is Mezcal? Mezcal is any spirit that is made with the agave plant. The main area for production is around the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, where there are many different varieties of agave. The word originates from the Nahuatl language which translates loosely into oven cooked and it carries a distinct smoky aroma due to the agave pinas being cooked in pits, Malik says. Related: Smoky Watermelon-Mezcal Fresca How Mezcal Is Made Distilled from roasted agave plants, the producers often use the agave fibers in the fermentation process to add more character. Malik adds, Although herbs and fruits can also be added, most mezcal has 100% agave. Malik says that many people associate the worm with Mezcal, but this is only found in a few mezcals and generally in the state of Oaxaca. The worm a larva from a moth that lives on the agave was traditionally used to indicate alcoholic strength of the mezcal, she explains. The stronger the alcohol the more preserved the worm would appear. Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman What Is Tequila? Tequila is a type of mezcal made from blue agave. Malik tells Southern Living that Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) recognizes two types of tequila: tequila and 100% agave tequila. The better-quality tequila is, of course, the 100% agave tequila which must be produced using 100% blue agave, she says. Related: 18 Utterly Refreshing Tequila Cocktails You'll Want To Make Again And Again How Tequila Is Made Malik calls the production of tequila very interesting and involves a jimador using a sharp tool called a coa, to ready the agave for harvest. Producers cut the central flower, which then prompts the agave to send the sap to its pina, which swells. When the pina is harvested, sometimes weighing up to 170 pounds, they are taken to the distillery where they are cooked in steam ovens (called) hornas for two days. This process allows the sugars to develop, Malik explains. Once the pinas are crushed, the juice will then be fermented and eventually distilled to create tequila. Different Types Of Tequila and Mezcal Reposado means rested and anejo means aged. The differences between the two are how long they have spent in a barrel aging. Tequila Blanco or Silver Tequila: 0 to 2 months and light in color Reposado Tequila: 2 to 12 months and golden in color Anejo Tequila: 1 to 3 years and aged the longest of all tequilas with richer flavors Mezcal Unlike tequila, many mezcals are not cask aged, but one can find reposado and anejo mezcals in certain locations. Joven Mezcal: 0 to 2 months Reposado Mezcal: 2 to 12 months Anejo Mezcal: 1 year minimum When To Use Mezcal Vs. Tequila Malik says blanco or silver tequila is water-white in the bottle and is perfect for making cocktails due to the appearance and the price point. The younger tequilas are often spicier with aromas and flavors of citrus and herbal notes, she says. Older versions have more influence of oak so one would expect to see caramel and vanilla coming into the flavor profile and maybe used for sipping or simple mixed drinks. Mezcal can often be more smoky. (Its) more conducive to a sipping spirit rather than mixed into a cocktail, Malik says. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. The White House on Thursday offered a fiery refutation to Russian President Vladimir Putins claims linking the Moscow attack, carried out by ISIS-K, to Ukraine. I want to just take a moment to respond to both the nonsense and the propaganda that weve been seeing coming from the Kremlin and the Russian government over the past few days about the ISIS terrorist attack on the concert hall, which sadly took the lives of more than 140 people, national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters. He said that contrary to public statements from Putin and others who have sought to deflect blame onto Ukraine, the United States, and everyone else who suits their political narratives, its abundantly clear that ISIS was solely responsible for the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow last week. Putin has linked Fridays attack, in which multiple gunmen opened fire into a crowd at the Crocus City Hall and set fire to the music venue, to Ukraine. Putin on Monday admitted the assailants were radical Islamists, but he said the attack could benefit Ukraine after saying Saturday the attackers were fleeing toward Ukraine. United States intelligence has supported the conclusion that ISIS-K, which is the Afghanistan affiliate of the Islamic State group, is responsible for the attack after the group claimed it. ISIS bears full responsibility for the attack, Kirby said. It reminds me of something my uncle used to say had a small farm and raised a few cattle in a place near Ocala, Fla., used to say that the best manure salesman often carries their samples in their mouths. Russian officials seem to be pretty good manure salesmen, he added. The attack highlighted Russias failure to safeguard against such threats and to heed calls from the U.S. to prevent the attack before it occurred. Kirby outlined that the U.S. provided information to Russian authorities about the threat ahead of the attack, passed a warning in writing to Russia and warned American citizens to avoid large gatherings and concerts in Moscow. We provide this information to Russia because the United States takes very seriously our duty to warn and never want to see innocent lives lost in terrorist attacks, Kirby said on Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON Facing a potentially devastating Democratic defection in the Senate, the White House is ramping up its fight to confirm an embattled judicial nominee who would be the first Muslim American to serve as a U.S. federal appeals court judge. The White House is touting a wave of new law enforcement endorsements for Adeel Mangi to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, building on seven similar organizations that have already backed Mangi, in an attempt to counter what it describes as a Republican-led smear campaign predicated on his religion. Some Senate Republicans and their extreme allies are relentlessly smearing Adeel Mangi with baseless accusations that he is anti-police, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients said in a statement to NBC News. That could not be further from the truth, and the close-to-a-dozen law enforcement organizations that have endorsed him agree. On Wednesday, a third Democratic senator came out against Mangi's nomination: Jacky Rosen of Nevada, who joined her home state colleague, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and centrist Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., in opposing him. The move puts Mangi's nomination in greater peril in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-to-49 majority. Behind the scenes, Zients and other top White House officials have been pushing lawmakers to confirm Mangi without further delay, a White House official said. In addition to Zients, White House Legislative Affairs Director Shuwanza Goff, Deputy Legislative Affairs Director Ali Nouri, White House counsel Ed Siskel and Phil Brest, the White House senior counsel in charge of nominations, have all been in regular touch with senators, the official added. Mangis embattled nomination presents a political conundrum for President Joe Biden as he dials up his re-election campaign. The White Houses relationship with Muslim Americans has grown sour amid the communitys strong disapproval of U.S. support for Israel as it bombards Gaza. Biden is counting on strong support this fall from the Democratic-leaning cohort, which represents a sliver of the U.S. electorate but has a significant presence in some states, most notably battleground Michigan. In new statements shared by the White House, three former New Jersey attorneys general and two former U.S. attorneys who served in the state expressed their support for Mangi, in addition to the International Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey. The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives has also come out in support of Mangi. Mr. Mangi has displayed the qualities of leadership, empathy, excellence, and persistence in supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution while ensuring equal protection and justice for all Americans, the group wrote in a letter to congressional leaders last week. Rosen, who faces re-election in the competitive state of Nevada, announced her opposition to Mangi on Wednesday evening. Given the concerns Ive heard from law enforcement in Nevada, I am not planning to vote to confirm this nominee, she said in a statement provided by her office. The Judiciary Committee approved Mangi on a party-line vote in January. He needs the support of 50 senators to be confirmed. No Republicans have said theyll support him, although some havent said how theyd vote if he comes up on the Senate floor. Republicans have attacked Mangi for his affiliation with the Rutgers Law School Center for Security, Race and Rights, chastising its decision to host an event featuring a speaker named Sami Al-Arian, who in 2006 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist the designated terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, according to the Justice Department. Mangi told the Senate in written testimony he had no involvement in the Rutgers Center speaker events. The 3rd Circuit vacancy creates another dilemma for Biden: Democrats have only nine more months of guaranteed control of the White House and the Senate to fill the powerful seat without requiring any Republican help. If Mangi can be confirmed, withdrawing his nomination sooner rather than later would make it easier for Biden to find and steer another nominee through the Senate. But if he's perceived as abandoning Mangi without a fight, it could backfire with some voters. In recent weeks, senior White House officials have slammed Republicans for cruel and Islamophobic attacks as part of a larger smear effort to discredit Mangi. Manchin said Friday hes not voting for Mangi because hes not a reasonable nominee to be a life-tenured judge. He called him out of my wheelhouse. The same day, Cortez Masto said in an interview that she hasnt heard from Democratic leadership about Mangi since she came out against him and that she remains committed to opposing him. That means hell need Republicans to rescue his nomination unless at least one of his Democratic opponents reverses course. Centrist Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who sometimes breaks with her party on judges, said she hasnt evaluated Mangis nomination. I still have not looked at it, because hes not been brought up, she said, adding that she would evaluate Mangi the same way that I have looked at every single judicial nominee thats come in front of me since 2010, which is: Are they qualified? John Meyer, Judy Garlands former lover, wasnt surprised when the actress died in 1969 at age 47. "John and I, and a lot of other people, were in no way surprised," Garland historian and author Lawrence Schulman told Fox News Digital. "Everyone knew it was coming," he added. "If you look at pictures of Judy at the end of her life, she looks like someone who has come out of a concentration camp. She was so thin, so frail, so undernourished. The life was already gone in the months before she died. So, no. No one was surprised." 'WIZARD OF OZ' STAR JUDY GARLAND'S CRIPPLING INSECURITIES 'A HUGE DEMON' SHE COULDN'T PUT TO REST: AUTHOR John Meyer dated Judy Garland for a few months, but the passion remained. Meyer, a pianist and composer, died in February at age 86. Before he died, the musician developed a friendship with Schulman, and they frequently exchanged letters over the years. John Meyer died in February of this year. He was 86. "He sent these very intimate thoughts to me about Judy and his reflections about Judy all these years later," said Schulman. "I lost a good friend. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "These letters left a mark on me," Schulman explained. "He knew Garland for only two months in late 68. Thats not a long time to know somebody. It takes a long time to get to know somebody. But I know John loved Garland. "I dont know whether it was reciprocal. Thats an open question. I never talked about that with John because its not a nice thing to talk about. . . . But when you have a passion for somebody, it doesnt matter whether it lasts two months, two years, or 20 years. It sticks with you. And those two months were some of the most essential moments of his life. Judy Garland moved into the Park Avenue apartment of John Meyer's (left) parents. "What was so remarkable to me was that, so many years later, the love was still there," Schulman continued. "It was the center of his life. . . . That passion endured so many decades later. That was fascinating to me." Meyer was 28 years old when he met Garland, 46, at a New York City studio of a mutual friend. The attraction was instant. But life for "The Wizard of Oz," star, once considered Hollywood royalty, was chaotic. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Judy Garland (1922-1969) starred as Dorothy Gale in 1939's "The Wizard of Oz." "She was homeless," Schulman explained. "For such a great icon, a great star to be homeless, that was very shocking. She was literally on the street. She had nothing. She had a $5 bill in her purse. That was it. She had no money. She couldnt pay for food. She couldnt pay for a hospital. She couldnt pay for anything. She was using the bunk bed of a friend. John met her at a very low point in her life. She was hanging on at that point. "He was trying to find someone who could keep her above water that was John," Schulman added. According to People magazine, Garland owed several million dollars to the IRS after her agent had embezzled most of her earnings. She was divorced from husband No. 4 and had been kicked out of New Yorks St. Moritz Hotel for not paying the bill. At the time, she was living there with her two younger children. She was also struggling with a crippling addiction to barbiturates and amphetamines. It didnt take long for Garland to move into the Park Avenue apartment of Meyers parents. In 1968, Judy Garland was broke and struggling to find her way, said author Lawrence Schulman. "She needed a 24-hour nurse," said Schulman. "She was taking pills and not well at the time. John became her lover, assistant, partner, pharmacist. She was in a terrible condition at that point, and all he wanted to do was help her. He wrote a few songs for her, and she went on to sing those songs at some talk show appearances. He helped her out. He was a lifesaver." The romance was passionate, and Meyer was determined to do whatever he could for Garland. According to Schulman, Meyer convinced a local nightclub owner to hire Garland to sing a few songs for $100 cash and cab fare. "He truly loved her," said Schulman. "He did his best to help, but no one could save Judy Garland at that point. She was a lost cause. . . . And when you were Garlands lover, you were on call 24/7. You had to be there at all times, whether it was physically or calling her at three in the morning. . . . She resented you if you couldnt be there for her 24 hours a day. And thats why she broke things off." John Meyer composed music for Judy Garland. Garland was gearing up to fly to London for a five-week concert series in 1969. Ten days before her flight, Meyer became ill with a 104-degree fever. "Thats nothing. Ive been on stage with 106," Garland told him, according to Schulman. Garland dropped Meyer and flew to London, where she was joined by Mickey Deans, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, he was a nightclub manager shed first met when he'd delivered her a box of uppers. He became husband No. 5 that year. Judy Garland with husband Mickey Deans after their wedding at Chelsea Register Office in London, circa 1969. Meyer flew to London in hopes of winning Garland back. But his efforts failed. Her response was a kiss and a "So long, Johnny." He never saw her again. Garland died several months later from a barbiturate overdose. "Over the years, many treated Garland as a tragic figure, a star with a very sad life who married five times and died," Schulman explained. "But the truth was, she was very happy at the end of her life. If you look at photos of her shortly before she died, she had a big smile on her face. Judy Garland liked disorder. She didnt like a home. "She didnt like an ordinary life. . . . She was very happy. She loved London. She was excited about being married again, and she was making plans for her future. There were talks of more concerts, even documentaries." LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Judy Garland died in 1969. She was 47. "Thats what John loved about Judy," Schulman said. "She had a wonderful sense of humor about it all. She was very buoyant and happy. She made jokes and took life lightly. It wasn't all tragic." Meyer went on to write a memoir, "Heartbreaker," which was republished in 2006. In the book, he detailed how "great fun" Garland was, even as she struggled during her final months. John Meyer went on to write a memoir, "Heartbreaker." Today, Schulman hopes his friend will be remembered for being a positive influence in Garlands life. "He was just a regular guy," he said. "I was honored he shared such wonderful memories with me. He really was a friend. Ill miss him." Original article source:'Wizard of Oz' star Judy Garland's younger lover wasn't surprised by her tragic death: 'She liked disorder' remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Jose B. Rocha, 50, has been given a life sentence for fatally shooting Aaron Riedner, 36, in 2015. Courtesy San Antonio Police Department A man convicted March 7 of fatally shooting a VIA bus passenger after they argued outside the vehicle has been sentenced to life in prison in a 9-year-old murder case. In a trial held earlier this month, Jose B. Rocha, 50, was found guilty by a jury in the fatal shooting of Aaron Riedner, 36, on March 28, 2015, on the West Side. San Antonio police said at the time that a friend of Rochas got into an argument with Riedner while they were on a city bus traveling to South Zarzamora and Buena Vista streets around 10 a.m. Once the bus stopped and Riedner exited, Rocha got out and followed him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moments later, Riedner was shot in the upper body. Emergency medical technicians attempted to perform lifesaving measures, but he died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to reports. Hours later, police received an anonymous tip that Rocha was seen hiding behind a tire shop in the 1700 block of South Zarzamora. Officers later found him hiding in some grass behind the business. Court records indicate Rocha has a lengthy criminal history that includes aggravated robbery, indecency with a child and possessing a deadly weapon in a penal institution. Because of that, he is considered a repeat offender and his punishment was enhanced. State District Judge Christine Del Prado sentenced him to life in prison on the murder charge. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She also sentenced him to 25 years on the deadly weapon in a penal institution charge, an offense from February 2021. Both sentences are to be served at the same time. YEREVAN, MARCH 28, ARMENPRESS. Russia has no intention of attacking Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic but Russia will shoot down F-16 fighter jets if the West supplies them to Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said late on Wednesday Speaking to Russian air force pilots, Putin said Moscow had no plans to attack a NATO state. "The idea that we will attack some other country - Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared - is complete nonsense. It's just drivel," he said. Asked about F-16 fighters which the West has promised to send to Ukraine, Putin said such aircraft would not change the situation in the battlefield. "And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers. Of course, if they are used from airfields in third countries, they will become legitimate targets for us, wherever they might be located," Putin said. Ukraine is expecting to receive F-16 fighter jets in the coming months. Exclusive Networks has acquired Australian-founded specialist distributor Nextgen Group in a bid to boost its Asia Pacific (APAC) presence. Headquartered in Sydney, Nextgen Group was founded in 2011 by ARN Hall of Fame members John Walters with the backing of Steve Murphy. The deal will see Exclusive Networks plump up its software and services capabilities particularly in Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ). "This acquisition is a major step forward in our growth strategy in APAC; it significantly strengthens our business and allows us to expand and develop further our value proposition. We are very pleased to welcome John Walters and Nextgen's highly talented teams to the Group and look forward to working with them," Exclusive Networks CEO Jesper Trolle said. "Together, we will aim to create a regional leader and break new ground. The combination of resources and experience will help accelerate our growth and competitiveness in this very dynamic market and beyond." Walters will remain as Nextgen Group A/NZ CEO along with key leadership members. During FY23 ending June 30, Nextgen generated gross sales of $266 million with double digit growth on the horizon. "To capture the next phase of Nextgen Group's exciting growth, we had to find the right global partner that brings the appropriate investment into our model and aligns with our culture," Walters said. "Exclusive Networks, led by Jesper, aligns strongly with our shared ambitions and values, including a passion for innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. "After 13 years of building a business from start-up, it is with great confidence and enthusiasm that we begin this new phase with Exclusive Networks. This step marks the start of an exciting new chapter in which our growth will be accelerated by the resources and expertise of a global cyber security leader." According to Exclusive, Nextgen presents a hyper-growth vendor portfolio coupled with a wide array of services. Apart from Rubrik and Cloudian, the two vendor portfolios have little overlap. The combination of Nextgen and Exclusive will offer unique end-to-end value-added channel management services, supported by real-time data analytics and AI-backed insights, benefiting the entire APAC region and providing Exclusive with the ability to roll-out digital channel services at a global scale. Nextgen's strong expertise in cloud migration assessment, digital marketing and lead generation solutions will expand Exclusive Networks' value proposition by leveraging Nextgens in-house state-of-the-art platforms and developed initiatives with hyperscalers, laying the foundations for the next phase of growth. Following the acquisition, Exclusive's A/NZ presence will be more than doubled and, based on FY pro-forma figures as of 31 December 2023, the combined entity would have represented gross sales of around EUR615 million in APAC, a region with attractive growth prospects and a total addressable market estimated at $10 billion. From start-up to growth mode It was during his time working at Ingram Micro that Walters spotted an opportunity to focus on enterprise software and technology, along with cloud computing which was picking up pace. Murphy supported the ambitious venture and in 2011, Nextgen took form. "I was really disillusioned where traditional distribution was or wasn't going and rather than whinge, I decided to do something about it," Walters said. "I really did think there was a gap in the traditional space and there was an opportunity if we got the model right. "So, we went for it and after a couple of years, we chewed through a lot of capital and Steves advice was, "John, youve tried hard, but close it down, its not going anywhere." "My perseverance, whether its from farming stock or my military background, decided to give it a go." Thirteen years later, the business has grown into a force in the specialist distribution landscape, with over $400 million in revenue, a presence in six countries and 200 plus staff. "Steve and I have not taken a cent out of the business, everything has been tipped back into fuelling future growth, acquisitions and geographical expansion," Walters said. "The real catalyst for Jesper and his team is to capture the opportunity thats ahead of us, which is huge in the enterprise software, cloud and cyber security market." Throughout the years Nextgen continued to gain momentum branching out into cyber security and beyond distribution offering a range of channel services including Stratus, a cloud centre of excellence CyberLab, a proof-of-concept cyber training and solution facility and Optima, a software advisory firm. Other offerings span oSPACE, a data insights business; Bang, a creative digital marketing agency specialising in MDF and pre-sales consulting services; Connect, a carrier-grade cloud provision, billing and ISV platform and Orbus Capital, a payment solutions platform designed to increase partner cashflow and deal sizes. In 2013, Nextgen branched out to New Zealand with Lynne Jeffery at the helm, followed by Singapore in 2020 led by Wendy O'Keeffe. Facing the moment of seeking out further capital, Walters said he considered a few options before settling with Exclusive, who had been pursuing Nextgen for the past few years. "We needed to find the right home for what we built," Walters said. "The leadership, philosophy and culture of Exclusive is very aligned. Jesper also got our model and our vision to take it global through the network around modern distribution and channel services, which was really important for us. "They also wanted to give my key people an opportunity to grow and be part of a global organisation." Next steps Trolle said for now it will be focused on ensuring the Nextgen team deliver a solid year before commencing the integration process of the two businesses. "I'm very confident this will go smoothly. There's almost no overlap with the vendor partnerships," Trolle said. "This is more about getting the processes and systems right. It is about revenue synergies and what we can do for our vendors and downstream partners." In terms of the services side of the business, Trolle highlighted the two organisations were very complimentary. "There's opportunities to cross-pollinate resources and technical capabilities," he said. Walters added he looked forward to working with Exclusive's APAC SVP Andrew Assad for the benefit of its vendors, partners and staff. "We're keen to make sure we've got an A-class team that provide differentiation in the market," Walters said. "Once the deal closes, both Nextgen and Exclusive will come together to develop solid plans for integration and leadership. "We're in this together to leverage the opportunity, which is great." In response to the resignation of Esa-Pekka Salonen, the San Franciso Symphony has now issued a statement denying disagreement over artistic goals Salonens cited reason for quitting. Rather, according to the board, cutbacks in Salonens distinctive programing initiatives were mandated solely by a lack of immediate financial resources. Mulling Salonens resignation in this space a day ago, I stressed that I know next to nothing about what actually happened in San Francisco. But I know enough to offer some context which I did, reflecting on the rarity of full-service music directors like Salonen. Conductors possessing institutional vision are bound to incur extra costs and, in the short run, seem riskier in every way. I cannot help recalling my experiences a couple of decades ago working for Harvey Lichtenstein, who made the Brooklyn Academy of Music the pre-eminent performing arts venue in the Western hemisphere. He was a man who, so far as I could tell, not once discovered that he lacked financial resources. Rather, Harvey would excitedly decide what he wanted to do and instruct his legendary development director, Karen Hopkins, to find money for it. Harveys signature initiative, the Next Wave Festival, became a prototype for arts programming across the nation. But there was only one BAM. Certain lessons can be learned from that not merely about the purposes of art, but about the means of production. The first, and most obvious, is the importance of individual vision and initiative. That Lichtensein was known to all as Harvey was less a sign of affection than of familiarity with Harveys easy charm, his volcanic temper, and above all, his unrelenting intensity. It was Harvey who had beginning in 1967 single-handedly transformed a moribund facility in an obscure neighborhood. His formula was to draw audiences from Manhattan by offering what Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center did not. His first BAM season included the long delayed New York premiere of Alban Bergs Lulu, conducted and directed by Sarah Caldwell; the first New York season ever afforded Merce Cunningham, the maverick choreographer long associated with John Cage; the return from European exile of the Living Theatre of Julian Beck and Judith Malina; and Robert Wilsons state-of-the-art epic The Life and Times of Sigmund Freud. Lichtenstein, in short, was Americas last great performing arts impresario. (Unless it was Joe Papp.) Here is a Harvey Lichtenstein story: we went to St. Petersburg for Valery Gergievs 1994 Rimsky-Korsakov festival at the Mariinsky Theater. This was years before Gergiev was a household name in classical music. Our first night was an opera wholly new to both of us: The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh. After the first scene, Harvey slapped my knee and announced, Im bringing this to BAM. And he did conductor, orchestra, soloists, chorus, sets and costumes for four performances in 1995. This was New Yorks introduction to the Mariinsky company, and to an opera sometimes called the Russian Parsifal. The New York Times panned it and the run sold poorly. Harvey had a guarantor to make up the deficit. In the years I worked at BAM, Harvey also fell in love with Frances Zingaro Equestrian Theater, which required bringing a company of twenty-six horses across the Atlantic and constructing a circus tent in lower Manhattan. He was enamored of Arianna Mnuchkins Les Atrides, a series of Greek dramas so elaborately re-imagined that he had to refit a Brooklyn armory to house it. A favorite book of Harveys was Saul Bellows Henderson the Rain King, whose protagonist is plagued by an interior voice repeating the words I want! My job was running the Brooklyn Philharmonic then the resident orchestra of BAM. Prior to my arrival, the BPO had lost over two-thirds of its subscribers over the course of two seasons. As there was nothing more left to lose, Harvey gave me a free hand. My most expensive undertaking was a Russian Stravinsky festival including two symphonic concerts (different programs a day apart) and a six-hour Sunday Interplay. I brought the Pokrovsky Folk Ensemble from Moscow to perform source rituals for The Rite of Spring and Les noces. I assembled a coterie of feuding scholars including the late Richard Taruskin, whose insistence that Stravinsky was the most Russian of all composers, and also an inveterate liar who falsified his artistic past, anchored these and other events thematically. We also produced a 60-page illustrated program book (which won an ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award). I did not think to inquire where I would find the money but I did. During my tenure the BPO audience more than tripled and funding-raising increased exponentially (in those days, major American philanthropies supported bona fide classical music initiatives thats over now, a crucial story in itself). With the exception of Gidon Kremer, I engaged no celebrity soloists. I hugely benefited from access to BAMs audience and reputation. But good things happened in great part because the BPO was self-evidently mission-driven. It was different from other orchestras. And thats the first thing I noticed about the San Francisco Symphony when a few months ago my daughter moved to the Bay Area and I had a look at the subscription season online. You could delete every performers name every conductor, every soloist in that 2023-2024 brochure and the San Francisco Symphony would still retain its own brave identity. Try doing that with another big American orchestra and see what you come up with. Congress expressed displeasure over Thackeray "unilaterally" announcing candidates when negotiations were still ongoing Mumbai: Cracks in the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra were further widened, with the Congress left fuming after the announcement of 17 candidates by the Shiv Sena (UBT) for the impending Lok Sabha polls. The Congress expressed its displeasure over Uddhav Thackeray "unilaterally" announcing the candidates when the negotiations over the contentious seats were still ongoing. The Shiv Sena (UBT), a constituent of the MVA, on Wednesday released its first list of 17 candidates. The list includes the contentious seats of Sangli and Mumbai South Central, where ally Congress also wants to field its own candidates. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has named Chandrahar Patil and Anil Desai as candidates for the Sangli and Mumbai South Central seats, respectively. Sangli was once a bastion of the Congress, but since 2014, the seat has been held by BJP MP Sanjay Patil. The Sena has denied the Congress claims on the seat by announcing Mr Patil as its candidate. According to Sena, they have swapped Sangli for Kolhapur, where the Congress has fielded Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a descendant of legendary Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Congress had also staked its claim on the Mumbai South Central seat, currently represented by Rahul Shewale of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The Congress reportedly wanted to field its Mumbai president and former Maharashtra minister Varsha Gaikwad from there, but the Shiv Sena (UBT) has now announced Mr Desai, a trusted confidante of Mr Thackeray, whose Rajya Sabha term ended this year, as its candidate for the seat. Congress legislative party leader Balasaheb Thorat expressed unhappiness over the Uddhav Thackeray-led Senas first list, saying the party should have avoided declaring candidates for seats about which discussions were still going on. It is important that everyone follow the coalition dharma. We hope the Sena will rethink its decision, he said. Ms Gaikwad said she had conveyed her unhappiness to the party high command about the Senas decisions on Sangli and seats in Mumbai, which were still being discussed. The Sena should not have done that. We will take further action based on guidance from the party leadership, she said. Former Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam urged his party to break the alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT). I appeal to the Congress leadership to intervene or break the alliance with the Shiv Sena. I am not a person who is sitting without any option. I have all options open. Now it will be aar ya paar, he said. Mr Nirupam, who lost in the Mumbai North West constituency in the last two elections, wanted to contest the poll for a third time. However, the Sena (UBT) has announced Amol Kirtikar as its candidate for the seat. When asked, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said such things happen in an alliance, adding that these dynamics will not affect the MVA. We had a sitting MP in Ramtek, but the Congress candidate has even filed a nomination. So its fine. Alliances work like this, he said. Washington also seemed to dismiss New Delhis concerns on earlier comments by the US on Wednesday over the arrest of Kejriwal New Delhi: Totally unfazed over the summoning of a senior American diplomat in New Delhi by the external affairs ministry on Wednesday, the United States on Thursday went one step further and mentioned not only the issue of arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal once again but also this time the allegations by the Congress Party that its finances were being choked by the BJP-led Central government. Washington also seemed to dismiss New Delhis concerns on earlier comments by the US on Wednesday over the arrest of Mr Kejriwal. The US has argued that it cannot compromise on democratic principles, which are part of shared values with India as two democracies. India hit back again on Thursday, by saying that any external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable and that it is committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly briefing: As you are aware, yesterday, India has lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to comments made by the US State Department. The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protecting them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was quoted by news agencies as saying earlier in Washington, in response to a media query: We (the US) dont think anyone should object to that (comments) We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress Partys allegations that the tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. With respect to your first question, Im not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations, but of course, what we have said publicly is what I just said from here, that we encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes. We dont think anyone should object to that. We'll make the same thing clear privately. It may be noted that while summoning US acting deputy chief of mission Gloria Berbena on Wednesday to lodge a strong protest, India had issued a statement taking strong objection to the remarks earlier on Tuesday by the US State Department spokesperson on the recent arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. New Delhi had said countries are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of other nations and that this responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies, adding that casting aspersions (on Indias legal processes) is unwarranted. 600 lawyers write to CJI on pressure on judges New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that it is a vintage Congress culture to browbeat and bully others. The PMs strong remarks came in response to a letter written by over 600 lawyers to the Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, especially in cases of corruption involving politicians. In a post on X, Modi said, To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a committed judiciary they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation." No wonder 140-crore Indians are rejecting them, Modi said, tagging a post by verified X handle LawBeat that carried the letter written by the lawyers. Over 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI Chandrachud, asserting, These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric. The letter dated March 26 and signed by lawyers from across the country said Justice Chandrachuds leadership is crucial in these tough times and the apex court should stand strong. Questioning the timing of the assertions by the interest groups, the lawyers said it is all happening in the run-up to the general election. The timing of their modus operandi also merits closer scrutiny -- they do it at very strategic timings, when the nation is all set to head into elections. We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narratives, the letter asserted. "These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances," the lawyers said. One important court case with political implications in the run-up to the 2019 polls was the demand for a probe into the purchase of Rafale fighter aircraft over alleged corruption, but the Supreme Court had dismissed the batch of pleas in November 2018, saying there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the deal. Asserting that it is not the time to maintain dignified silence, the letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that "they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night". This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting them with the happenings in the present, the letter said, adding that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains. The letter, with the subject line "Judiciary Under Threat - Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure", is also been signed by Supreme Court Bar association president Adish Agarwala and senior lawyers Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi. Though the letter has not mentioned any specific cases, the development comes at a time when courts are dealing with several high-profile criminal cases of corruption involving the Opposition leaders. The Opposition has accused the Centre of targeting its leaders due to political vendetta, a charge denied by the ruling BJP. These parties, whose ranks include some noted lawyers, have joined hands against the recent arrest of Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Targeting the critics, the signatories of the letter accused them of shaking the public's trust in courts, they said. "We are writing to you to express our deepest concern about the manner in which a vested interest group is trying to pressure the judiciary, influence the judicial process and defame our courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas. Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary. Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric," the letter read. The critics have also concocted an entire theory of "bench fixing", which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but an attack on the honour and dignity of courts, the letter said, adding that at times, it also leads to slanderous attacks and insinuations on respected judges. "They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions of unfair practices. These aren't just criticisms. They are direct attacks meant to damage the public's trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws," it said. These critics have adopted the "my way or the highway" approach at work as they hail the decisions they agree with, but any decision they disagree with is trashed, smeared and disregarded, they said, adding, This cherry-picking has been visible in very recent judgments too. "This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system," the letter said, claiming that this cherry-picking has been visible in very recent judgments too. "Some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on them to decide in a particular way," they alleged in the letter. Noting that the CJIs leadership is crucial in these tough times, the letter said, "Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence, as such efforts have been happening for a few years and too frequently." As people who work to uphold the law, we think it's time to stand up for our courts. We need to come together and speak out against these underhanded attacks, making sure our courts stay strong as pillars of our democracy, untouched by these calculated attacks, the lawyers added. Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 32,490: ministry Xinhua) 11:04, March 28, 2024 People are seen behind the rubble of a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) GAZA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 76 Palestinians and 102 others were wounded, the ministry said in a press statement. This brings the total death toll to 32,490 and injuries to 74,889, since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the ministry. It noted that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against 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. People are seen in a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People are seen in a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) A woman stands inside a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) A man is seen in front of a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People gather around a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble of a destroyed building after Israeli strikes in the town of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Xinhua) A man collects items after Israeli strikes in the town of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble of a destroyed building after Israeli strikes in the town of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Xinhua) A man collects items after Israeli strikes in the town of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Xinhua) A man collects items after Israeli strikes in the town of al-Zawaida in central Gaza Strip, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Xinhua) People are seen at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) A woman sits near the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People are seen at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People conduct rescue work after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People are seen at a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) People search among the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on March 27, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 32,490, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) While in custody, Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez gives fingerprints on Wednesday after his sentencing hearing. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News In a long exposure photograph, Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez appears in court for his sentencing Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez was convicted of murder in February for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. He was sentenced to life in prison. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Rafael Leal goes over paperwork with Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez before his sentencing on Wednesday for murder. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl speaks with defense attorney Rafael Leal during the sentencing of Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Torres-Stahl sentenced Aranda Rodriguez to life in prison. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez appears in court for his sentencing on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Rafael Leal confers with Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez before his sentencing on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez appears in court for his sentencing on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Psychologist Lisa Watts testifies before the sentencing of Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutors Kristen Mulliner and Rosa Garcia confer during the sentencing of Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez listens tduring his sentencing on Wednesday. Aranda Rodriguez received life in prison for stabbing his mother to death in 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A judge here has sentenced Fabian Andres Aranda Rodriguez to life in prison for stabbing his mother, Maritza Rodriguez, 37 times in the face after they had dinner at a San Antonio Airbnb in 2022. A Bexar County jury on Feb. 1 took about two hours to find him guilty of murder after a three-day trial in the 175th District Court. Aranda Rodriguez, 33, a Colombian national, chose to be sentenced by state District Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl, who made her decision Wednesday following testimony from Dr. Lisa Watts, an independent clinical psychologist called as an expert by the defense. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his closing argument, defense attorney Brian C. Kimbrough asked Torres-Stahl to show his client mercy with a 30-year sentence because of his mental condition. But prosecutor Rosa Garcia told the court Aranda Rodriguez did not deserve mercy, calling him cold and calloused. The defendant did not show mercy to his mother when she cried out for help and did not show remorse, Garcia said. Whats to say he wouldnt do this to others? After listening to testimony, arguments and reviewing reports, Torres-Stahl said she needed to keep the safety of the community in mind while she weighed a sentence. I dont think they would be safe at any point if you are out, the judge told Aranda Rodriguez, before sentencing him to life in prison. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Questioned by Kimbrough, Watts had told the court that she spent about three hours on Dec. 8 talking with Aranda Rodriguez with the help of a translator and found him to be competent and able to stand trial. But she said Aranda Rodriguez had a delusional disorder that has made him paranoid. He believes that all of the people closest to him are out to cause him harm, Watts said. He has a belief system that his mother may not have been his mother; that his girlfriend and her family were operating against him, she told the court. He has a pretty intense fear of those things. Watts said Aranda Rodriguez was cared for as a toddler until the age of 4 in Colombia by a woman named Carmen. When she left, he felt unloved in his home and was the victim of physical abuse thereafter until he was 15, when his mother left for the United States and he was left to fend for himself, Watts said. She added that Aranda Rodriguez told her that he had not eaten or slept prior to the stabbing of his mother, which Watts said likely contributed to his mental state at the time, and he possibly thought he was defending himself at the time of the attack. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jurors at his trial saw gruesome photographs and videos of Maritza Rodriguez, who was stabbed in the eyes, nose, left ear, mouth and neck, leaving her face unrecognizable. Blood spatter dotted the walls and furniture and pooled on the bed in the room Aranda Rodriguez had rented. Two of her teeth were found on the floor. Kejriwal told the Rouse Avenue court that a smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation New Delhi: The Delhi High Court observed that there was no legal bar in running the government from jail. While dismissing a PIL seeking the removal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from his post, the High Court said there was no scope of judicial interference on this aspect. Kejriwal, who was produced in court, responded to a media query on lieutenant-governor V.K. Saxenas remark that the government cannot run from jail by saying that this is a political conspiracy The public will give a befitting reply. He said it was apparent that the ED was going all out to destroy the AAP. Kejriwal told the Rouse Avenue court that a smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation. He said: I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM? Kejriwal alleged that Sarath Chandra Reddy donated Rs 55 crore to the BJP. I have evidence of this. The money trail is established as he donated funds after being arrested. Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case. In the High Court, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said: Having heard the counsel for the petitioner and having perused through the paperback, this court is of the view that there is no scope of judicial interference vis a vis the relief sought of removal of Respondent No. 4 (Mr Kejriwal) from the post of CM of the Government of NCT of Delhi. It is for the other wing of the government to examine the issue in accordance with the law. The high court dismissed the plea clarifying that it has not commented on the merits of the case. The bench said: If there is a constitutional failure, the President or governor will act on it. We will not act on it. We read in todays newspaper that the L-G is examining this issue. It will go to the President for examination. That is up to them, it belongs to a different wing. There may be practical difficulties but the question is if there is any legal bar today The executive branch can look into this aspect. It may take some time and they may arrive at a conclusion, probably this situation was not envisaged. But how does the court get into all this? Let the executive branch examine it, whatever they have to do they will do. The counsel for the petitioner argued that the continuance of Kejriwal as chief minister after his arrest in the money-laundering case relating to the liquor policy has degraded the credibility of the Delhi government in the eyes of the general public. He argued that Kejriwals continuance as the chief minister would lead not only to obstruction of due process of law and disrupt the course of justice but also to breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the state. The plea moved by Surjit Singh Yadav called on the Centre, the state of Delhi through the chief secretary and the principal secretary to the lieutenant-governor to answer under what authority Kejriwal was holding the post of chief minister, and sought his removal from the post. Yadavs plea submitted the chief minister is incapable of transacting any business while in jail. It said that if he is allowed to do so any material, irrespective of its secretive nature, would have to be scanned thoroughly by the prison authorities before it reaches his hands. Such act, the plea added, would amount to direct breach of the oath of secrecy administered to the chief minister under the Third Schedule of the Constitution. The plea submitted that Transaction of Business of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Rules 1993 empower a chief minister to call for files from any department of the Cabinet. It said that Mr Kejriwal by virtue of being designated as the chief minister would be well within his rights to demand for the investigation of files, wherein, he has been arraigned as an accused and such a situation is against the ethos of criminal jurisprudence. Three Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Pakistan have been hit in seven days. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharf is set to visit to China next month to boost the economic ties but, for analysts, new projects are not likely to materialise. While the latest suicide bombing has not been claimed, several groups have reasons to go after the Chinese. Islamabad (AsiaNews) On Tuesday, five Chinese engineers and their Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide bombing in Besham, a city about 270 kilometres northwest of Islamabad, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack, the third in seven days against Chinese interests, follows a series of similar incidents in recent years that could jeopardise Beijing's investments in Pakistan. The Chinese engineers who were victims of the attack were heading to Dasu, where a US$ 4.2 billion dam is under construction as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by China in 2013. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesmen condemned the attack, while reiterating the importance of relations between the two countries, which are not only all-weather strategic cooperative partners, but also ironclad brothers. Nevertheless, China calls on Pakistan to promptly investigate the incident, make every effort to arrest those responsible and bring them to justice, and take practical and effective measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens," Chinas Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will never succeed, it added. In response to the attack, Pakistan has formed a committee to probe the attack. Lacking domestic capital, Pakistan depends heavily on Chinese investments (US$ 62 billion for CPEC). Unlike the past, no group, neither the Pakistani Taliban, nor the Baloch separatists, or the local cells of the Islamic State (IS) group have claimed responsibility for the attack in Besham. According to several analysts, the attack was probably carried out by mercenary terrorists. For researcher Khuram Iqbal, jihadists-for-hire move from one [militant] organisation to the other, and rarely pursue jihad for ideological reasons, but rather act pragmatically, quite often for financial incentives. The Dasu dam was already the target of an attack in 2021 blamed on the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban; in the incident, 13 Chinese and four Pakistanis were killed in a bus as it made its way to the site. Last week, Baloch separatists carried out an attack in the port of Gwadar (the flagship of the China-Pakistan economic corridor) and a naval base in Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan. Locals strongly believe that local resources are being plundered by Beijing. This is nothing new. The Balochistan Liberation Army carried out other attacks against the Chinese, including targets unrelated to investments. In April 2022, a female suicide bomber blew herself up just outside Karachi University, killing three Chinese teachers and their Pakistani driver. The Islamic State (IS) also has its own reasons for going after Chinese interests. According to analyst Zaigham Khan, IS militants are angered by Chinas abusive treatment of the Uyghurs, an ethnic Turkic Muslim group living in Xinjiang, an autonomous region located on the border with Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. Regardless of who is behind the attacks, they pose a serious problem for Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit Beijing next month to boost trade with China, but economics is likely to take a back seat. The Chinese will not go ahead with any major economic engagement with Pakistan," said Muhammad Shoaib, an assistant professor at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. "China is also concerned about political instability in Pakistan. Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute, agrees. Economic stress in Pakistan [has] essentially put in place an unofficial moratorium on launching major new projects. The idea is to finish what has already been started," Kugelman explained. Beijing could ask for the intervention of Chinese personnel to ensure the safety of its own citizens, a request Islamabad has repeatedly refused in the past. It may not be long before China demands to bring in its own security personnel, which would be an embarrassment for Pakistan and something it would much rather avoid," Kugelman noted. Indeed, the latest attack could intensify what has long been a rare bilateral tension point," he added. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. by Dario Salvi The conflict with Hamas and the question of hostages is one of the "sensitive issues", but not the only one. From Jerusalem - the day after Pope Francis' letter to the Christians of the Holy Land - the patriarchal vicar for Israel recalls the tensions surrounding military service for the ultra-Orthodox, violence in Arab society, and growing anti-Semitism abroad. Political isolation also adds "suffering upon suffering". "As Christians we avoid being drawn into hate speech". Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - Hopes for a "solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which the Church has been calling for "for years and well before" the outbreak of the last bloody war in Gaza, so that both sides can "live with dignity" knowing that "no it's possible to continue like this," accompany Msgr. Rafic Nahra, auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem and since 2021 patriarchal vicar for Israel, this Holy Week. He continues that it is not conceivable to further prolong a situation in which "Palestinians have no autonomy, feel locked in prison and see their dignity denied". "We need agreements of a political nature - he explains on the phone to AsiaNews - which are difficult to find today" in a context of conflict. However - he continues - Jews and Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis must reach a solution that allows them to remain next to each other, in safety, and it is necessary to heal the divisions and tensions within Israeli society itself at the same time. Israel and its components, explains the prelate, are experiencing a "very complex" phase characterized by "contradictory interests". Living within the borders of the country, he continues, "you feel this great tension" which is also reflected in the daily clash "between those who call for war until the end, for victory over Hamas" and others who "instead look at the lives of children, hostages and their families". How many believe that "the priority" is the liberation of civilians (and others) who have been in the hands of the movement that controls the Strip for months, even before the success on a military level and all this "creates a very strong division." Amidst tensions and divisions, Catholics, as Pope Francis underlined yesterday in his Easter letter to the community of the Holy Land, are a source of example because they know how to "hope against all hope". Thanking them for their testimony of faith and charity, the pontiff renews his "fatherly affection" to those "who are suffering most painfully from the absurd drama of war". Starting from the children who are "denied" the future and those who are "crying and in pain" up to experiencing first-hand feelings of "anguish and bewilderment". Thinking back to the pilgrimage made in 2014 and taking up the words of Saint Paul VI, the first pilgrim Pope to Jerusalem, he recalls how "the state of tension" in the Middle East is a "serious and constant danger" not only for those peoples, but for the whole world. However, the ability of Christians "to rise again" is stronger than the "useless madness of war", because they are "seeds of good in a land torn by conflict". The pontiff's words reflect the drama of two peoples, the Israeli and the Palestinian, who pay an enormous tribute in blood every day. Since the beginning of the war [response to the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October] the situation in the country has been very difficult. I usually reside in the north, in Nazareth - says Msgr. Nahra - where life seems to continue, but everything has become much more expensive, the economic situation is increasingly difficult and people feel this strongly". The conflict "also influences relations between communities of Arabs and Israelis, Jews and Muslims, and Christians themselves. Then there is the specific drama of Gaza and that of the families of the hostages, which causes suffering and mistrust between communities, all aspects connected to each other". Finally, concern for those exposed on the northern front, on the border with Lebanon, where "tens of thousands of people have left their homes because they do not feel protected, and do not want to return. Continuous violence, a very serious problem and we don't know how to deal with it." The prelate underlines the "divisions" in Israeli society on which the conflict is based, ending up "exacerbating fragmentation" and creating a "very difficult situation", also because "the lives of many people are at stake". That of the hostages is a "sensitive issue, but not the only one: there is tension - he continues - on military service between the ultra-Orthodox and civil society" because for many "it is not normal that a part of the country [the Haredi]" does not must answer the call to the army. Again the theme of "violence in Arab society or the high cost of living that affects more and more families". At an international level there is "an increase in anti-Semitism as a consequence of the war", combined with a "sense of isolation which is also political" which "adds suffering to suffering" and "in the long term will not lead to peace". Finally, the issue of violence "against Christians" at the hands of the radical and extremist Jewish wing, which the government had only recently begun to address but which the conflict in Gaza ended up obscuring. Christians too - he warns - share everyone's suffering and as a Church we do not intend to take a political position, but only to call for a ceasefire to rebuild what has been destroyed and resolve the problem of he hostages." We must avoid - concludes the bishop - being carried away by these hateful speeches and try to encourage a life in common, in a spirit of mutual respect which leads to not reducing others to ideology. And I say to Christians in the West to pray for us, to stay close to us and not to be carried away by fear." Francis dedicated the homily of the Chrism Mass, which he delivered personally in the Vatican Basilica, to Peter's tears. In the life of the spirit, if we fail to weep, we regress and grow old within, whereas those who wonder in the presence of God, grow and mature. In the afternoon, he will visit the womens section of the Rebibbia prison to celebrate the Mass in Coena Domini and take part in the rite of the Washing of the Feet. Vatican City (AsiaNews) Pope Francis led the Chrism Mass this morning, Holy Thursday, dedicated to priests. In his homily, he said: from us, his shepherds, the Lord desires not harshness but love, and tears for those who have strayed. On the day celebrating the priesthood, remembering the institution of the Eucharist, the pontiff was able to personally deliver a long homily before the priests of the Diocese of Rome, who came together for the rite in which the sacred oils used in administering the sacraments are received in every church around the world. After this mornings service, the pontiff is set to visit this afternoon the women's section of Romes Rebibbia prison, to celebrate together with the inmates and prison staff the Mass in Coena Domini with the rite of the Washing of the Feet. The gaze at God's mercy, greater than any weakness, bridged these two moments, which Francis put at the centre of his homily at the Chrism Mass. Reflecting on Peter's tears on the night when Jesus was betrayed, he said that such tears [. . .], rising up from a wounded heart, liberated him from his false notions and his self-assurance. Those bitter tears changed his life. This is the horizon the pope pointed to in his address to fellow priests, inviting them to discover anew, an aspect of the spiritual life that has been somewhat neglected, yet remains essential. Even the word I am going to use today is somewhat old-fashioned, yet well worthy of reflecting on. That word is compunction. This word means "a piercing of the heart" that transforms lives. That is what compunction is: not a sense of guilt that makes us discouraged or obsessed with our unworthiness, but a beneficial piercing that purifies and heals the heart. Once we recognize our sin, our hearts can be opened to the working of the Holy Spirit, the source of living water that wells up within us and brings tears to our eyes. Those who are willing to be unmasked and let Gods gaze pierce their heart receive the gift of those tears, the holiest waters after those of baptism. This does not mean weeping in self-pity, as we are so often tempted to do. As, for example, [. . .] when we take an odd and morbid pleasure in brooding over wrongs received, feeling sorry for ourselves, convinced that we were not treated as we deserved or fearing that the future will hold further unpleasant surprises. On the contrary, weeping for ourselves means seriously repenting for saddening God by our sins; recognizing that we always remain in Gods debt, admitting that we have strayed from the path of holiness and fidelity to the love of the One who gave his life for us. For Francis, priests should ask themselves whether, as the years go by, the tears increase or decrease. In nature, he explained, the older we become, the less we weep. In the life of the spirit, however, we are asked to become like children (cf. Mt 18:3). Indeed, if we fail to weep, we regress and grow old within, whereas those whose prayer becomes simpler and deeper, grounded in adoration and wonder in the presence of God, grow and mature. They become less attached to themselves and more attached to Christ, thus becoming poor in spirit. So it is that those who feel compunction of heart increasingly feel themselves brothers and sisters to all the sinners of the world, setting aside airs of superiority and harsh judgments, and filled with a burning desire to show love and make reparation. Only this way can the difficult situations the priest encounters, such as lack of faith or suffering make us respond not with condemnation, but with perseverance and mercy. How greatly we need to be set free from harshness and recrimination, selfishness and ambition, rigidity and frustration, in order to entrust ourselves completely to God, and to find in him the calm that shields us from the storms raging all around us! Let us pray, intercede and shed tears for others; in this way, we will allow the Lord to work his miracles. In this day and age, Francis added, we run the risk of being hyperactive and at the same time feeling inadequate, with the result that we lose enthusiasm and are tempted to pull up the oars, to take refuge in complaining and we forget that God is infinitely greater than all our problems. [. . .] if bitterness and compunction are directed not to the world but to our own hearts, the Lord will not fail to visit us and raise us up. Hence, the pope urges priests to ask for the grace of compunction through prayer, for Repentance is Gods gift and the work of the Holy Spirit. To nurture this, he gave priests two pieces of advice: first, not to stick only to the present, but to broaden their gaze by cultivating the memory of the past (recalling Gods fidelity), and, second, by focusing their gaze on the future ("the eternal goal to which we are called") through prayer that is not obligatory and functional, but freely chosen, tranquil and prolonged, in adoration. Thus, we will rediscover the wisdom of Holy Mother Church in having our prayer always begin in the words of the poor man who cries: God, come to my assistance! by Vladimir Rozanskij Biskek has announced the activation of a project entitled 'Contemporary Teacher' and implemented in cooperation with the international NGOs of the Teach for All network. The project will start in the Cuj region, the northernmost and most backward in the country, betting on creativity. Bishkek (AsiaNews) - The Council of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has announced the start of reforms in the education system at a national level, but as the ministry officials themselves confess, it will not be possible to do anything without the support of international funding, and to this end at this point the relationship with the NGOs active in the area will become decisive. Education is the main social elevator, and Kyrgyzstan intends to emerge from the fog of ancient and Soviet legacies, which create tensions and contradictions internally and in the country's external relations. In line with the desired reforms, the Zamanbap mugalim (Contemporary Teacher) project was activated in Kyrgyzstan, entrusted to the Teach for Kyrgyzstan foundation, which follows the principles developed by the Teach for All organization, created in 2007. It is a international network that brings together independent associations from all over the world for various social works, aimed at raising the level of education in various countries. A presentation was made in recent days in Bishkek, in which the participants discussed not only the need to include new criteria for the Kyrgyz world of education, but also the problems and risks that these activities entail. One of the main slogans was let's build a community of creative people, in Kyrgyz zaratmany, talented teachers who are not indifferent to broader goals, motivated to strive for continuous personal and community growth, who know the most advanced methodologies and are willing to help kids express their full potential. The start of the selection of those who want to become a pedagogue at this level has been announced, with refresher courses starting next summer. The project will start from the Cuj region, the northernmost and most backward region of Kyrgyzstan, where at least three teachers of the Zamanbap mugalim will be sent to 10 schools (out of 314 locally). One of the most illustrious professors in the country, Gapyr Madaminov, spoke to illustrate the initiatives. His innovative methods were used in the experimental gymnasium in the province of Lejlek, in the Batken region, assigning him the effective title of "contemporary teacher". In his opinion "today in our country there are serious imbalances in the educational system, depending on the various population centres, and the new pedagogues must understand that to make our children become creative we must be able to free their brains, not load them with information that does not I am able to assimilate." Together with the organizers of the project, supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Bishkek, the US embassy in Kyrgyzstan and some private Kyrgyz commercial companies, such as the Ololo group, also made themselves available. One of the initiators of the support network, Danijar Amanaliev, launched an appeal to all entrepreneurs in the country to make available not only cash offers, but above all spaces and premises, and other possible forms of technical, professional and human support. He reiterates that "we must not always wait for others to arrive from outside, let's put our forces together, it is about the future of our children and our country". Solidarity with reform and innovation initiatives in the educational field was also expressed by Kamila Sarsekieva, rector of the International University of Central Asia, who offers the institute's methodological capabilities to the project. It also observes that "there are still very few philanthropists among our businessmen, who only think about accumulating capital... we must grow in our psychology and mentality, understand that it is not just about winning, but also about making others happy, then yes that is a complete victory. Some concerns arise from the recent approval of the law on "foreign representatives" in Kyrgyzstan, hoping that its effects will not reflect negatively on the world of education. by Nirmala Carvalho In the Indian state shaken by ethnic violence, the state government had announced that this Sunday, 31 March, would be a working day, using as a pretext the fact that it is the last day of the fiscal year. After protests by Christians (who are over 40 per cent of the local population), state authorities backtracked. Imphal (AsiaNews) Easter this year could have been another working day in Manipur, the northeastern Indian state torn for months by ethnic violence between ethnic Meitei and Kuki, this, even though Christians make up more than 40 per cent of the population. Yesterday, the state had issued in fact an order that read: The Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare 30th (Saturday) and 31st (Sunday) March 2024, as working days for all Government Offices including Public Sector Undertakings/Corporations/Autonomous Bodies/Societies under the State Government of Manipur for smooth functioning of Offices in the last few days of the Financial Year (2023-2024). No sooner had the order been made public that it was countermanded, following protests from local Christian communities. In India, public offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday, so Easter has always been a public holiday. States with large Christian communities also treat Good Friday as a public holiday. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a show of goodwill towards Christians, visited Delhi cathedral on Easter Sunday as show of respect. Yet, in Manipur this year, public servants were supposed to report to work on the day Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Such an unnecessarily provocative measure was arguably justified by the fact that this year, Easter Sunday falls on the last day of the fiscal year, 31 March. In a state that is ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this seems particularly suspicious, to say the least. In fact, since interethnic violence broke out between the mostly Hindu Meitei and overwhelmingly Christian Kuki, many in the state have played the confessional card over the past eleven months. When violent clashes erupted in May, churches were among the first targets. Overall, the official death toll now stands at around 200. Despite this, the Archdiocese of Imphal, in its courageous pursuit of reconciliation, has tried to avoid confrontation, reminding Christians that they have co-religionists among the Meitei. Upon learning of the government's Easter decision, reaction in the population was largely one of bewilderment. With Christians from the Naga, Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities representing 41.29 per cent of the [state] population, Manipur chose to undermine their presence and disrespect their feelings by blatantly stating that it is pleased to declare 30th (Holy Saturday) and 31st (Easter Sunday) March 2024, as working days, said Fr Varghese Velickakam, vicar general of the Diocese of Imphal, speaking to AsiaNews. The government ought to know that Easter is the holiest of Christian festivals, a day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Yet, From a government that has allowed the conflict and the suffering of its people to continue for almost 11 months, what else can be expected? Let us pray that India and its citizens see what is happening in the New India, Fr Velickakam noted. In the evening, the government made its U-turn, declaring Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March public holidays, reneging what it had announced just 24 hours earlier. It is likely that the Union government in New Delhi gave state authorities their marching orders, and told them to avoid unnecessary tensions with Christians during the ongoing election campaign. Voting is set to start on 19 April. by John Ai The Chinese president reassures of 'ample room for development' even for US companies, which are worried about the implications of the increasingly tightening mesh imposed by 'national security' laws and the crisis in the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, Beijing itself only plans 'national options' for the operating systems of government computers and servers. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with a group of leading US business figures. A rare move, it shows how China is trying to allay the concerns of foreign businesses and restore confidence in the Chinese economy in a context of slow growth and a sharp decline in foreign investment. The Beijing meeting was attended by executives from major companies, including Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman and Qualcomm's Christian Amon. According to official Chinese media, President Xi Jinping has promised to "provide broader development spaces for companies in several countries, including the United States." Xi said China's reform and opening-up will not stop. In his speech he emphasized exchange and cooperation. About twenty American representatives participated in the meeting, which lasted 90 minutes. Xi Jinping shook hands with business leaders, accompanied by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This is the second meeting of this type after participation in the APEC summit in San Francisco last November, when Xi met with American President Joe Biden. The meeting takes place in a worrying context for Beijing. Official data from China showed a cut of 33 billion dollars in direct investments in 2023, with a drop of 81.7% compared to 2022. Foreign investments are at a 30-year low, with an ever-increasing number of investors complaining about legal uncertainties in China, as the ruling Communist Party puts national security ahead of economic cooperation. Foreign companies are concerned about potential risks arising from the expansion of the scope of the anti-espionage law and the restriction of cross-border data transfer. Furthermore, the structural economic slowdown and trade environment have forced companies to reevaluate the benefits and risks of the Chinese market. China confirmed an annual growth target of 5% at the Two Sessions, which analysts consider ambitious. The meeting with Xi took place at the conclusion of the China Development Forum on March 24 and 25. In the past, he was the prime minister to meet foreign economic leaders on this occasion. And the fact that the president replaced Prime Minister Li Qiang shows that Xi has acquired absolute control over economic affairs. Geopolitical conflicts weigh heavily behind the flight of foreign investments. Chinese police have raided some consultancies on national security grounds, while manufacturers have moved parts of their supply chains out of China. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang had sought to reassure foreign businesses at the World Economic Forum in January. And China's Ministry of Commerce has pledged to hold a monthly roundtable with foreign companies to address their concerns. But just in recent days the new controversy has exploded over Chinese hackers supported by the authorities who allegedly targeted Chinese politicians, companies and dissidents abroad. The United States and the United Kingdom have launched joint sanctions against seven Chinese citizens over alleged persistent cyber attacks. Themes also surfaced during the visit to China of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, underway in these same days. Rutte also raised concerns about Chinese cyberespionage penetrating Dutch military networks. The Netherlands has also imposed restrictions on the export of photolithography devices, used for the production of microchips. For his part, Xi said that "no force can stop the advance of Chinese technology" and warned Rutte against "decoupling and severing ties" with China. However, China itself has adopted its own version of the de-risking strategy. Chinese authorities are planning to phase out US microprocessors, particularly Intel and AMD, from government computers and servers. The authorities are also trying to abandon the Microsoft Windows operating system. Public procurement will favor national options, deemed "safe and reliable". San Antonio police say Alfredo Pescador killed his wife, Bianca Pescador, shown here; his daughter, Leslie Pescador, 19; and his 13-year-old son. Cristina Bendtsen Investigators have concluded that four family members found dead after a house fire this month were killed in a murder suicide, the San Antonio Police Department announced Wednesday. On March 8, firefighters responded to a house blaze at 10:45 a.m. in the 4400 block of Wrangler Run. After the blaze was put out, firefighters found four bodies later identified as Alfredo Pescador, 44; Bianca Pescador, 40; Leslie Pescador, 19; and a 13-year-old boy inside the home. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'IT'S CRAZY MAN': Neighbors mourn death of family killed in Southeast Side house fire Arson investigators began investigating the scene because it appeared that the fire was set intentionally to cover up a crime. Homicide detectives then took over the investigation. Leslie Pescador, 19, and her 13-year-old brother, whom the family has identified as Freddie were killed in the house fire last week. Cristina Bendtsen The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office confirmed that all four family members died from gunshot wounds and not from the house fire. Alfredo Pescador shot and killed the victims, set the house on fire, and then took his own life, shooting the gun at himself, an SAPD report stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tesla is close to a breakthrough with its self-driving software, making Elon Musk confident that his company could solve vehicle autonomy. FSD Beta's success also boosts Tesla's robotaxi plans, with the EV maker looking for partners to make the next-generation EVs a reality. On the battery front, CATL emerged as the most likely partner thanks to its high-performance, low-cost LFP cells. EV Tesla has been cozying with the idea of an affordable electric vehicle since Elon Musk introduced Master Plan Part Deux in 2016. However, the health crisis in 2020 and supply chain woes that followed raised car prices through the roof. In 2022, Tesla could double the price of its electric vehicles and still not build enough of them to quench demand, so the idea of an affordabledid not make sense.However, toward the end of 2022, people around Musk worked to convince Musk that a more affordable EV would be critical to Tesla's plans to build 20 million cars per year by 2030. According to Walter Isaacson's book, Musk e ventually agreed to make the affordable EV alongside the Tesla robotaxi using the same Gen-3 architecture. On March 1, during the Investor Day, Tesla announced plans for a new type of gigafactory in Mexico, as well as the unboxed vehicle manufacturing process.Plans have changed a little since then, with the next-generation EV's production now planned to start at Giga Texas instead of Giga Mexico. The change was reportedly made to accelerate the development, with the latest rumors indicating that Tesla targets the start of trial production in June 2025. During the Q4 2023 earnings call, Tesla revealed that the upcoming compact EV has been baptized internally as Project Redwood There are very few details about Tesla's mass-market electric car, but we know that it will have to be built at cost to make the $25,000 price sustainable. This is why Musk talking about adding the compact EV to Giga Berlin production doesn't make much sense, cost-wise. Giga Berlin undoubtedly has high production costs, which is why Tesla needs to think of a country with cheaper labor costs than Germany.Part of making the next-gen EVs as cost-effective as possible is finding the right suppliers and components that make sense. Since the battery pack is arguably the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, it's also where you can save the most by making wise decisions. Not surprisingly, Tesla is considering using lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells for its Gen-3 vehicles. LFP cells are about a third cheaper than NMC cells but have lower energy density.However, the latest advancements in LFP tech have improved these cells to the point that they can better compete with nickel-based cells. CATL and BYD are the leaders in LFP cell production, and Tesla is already working with both. However, recent reports show that Tesla is betting on CATL to supply the LFP cells for the $25,000 model.Earlier reports indicated that Tesla aims to expand its battery production facility in Sparks, Nevada, using idle equipment from CATL . Given the small production capacity of under 10 GWh per year, this will likely be used for research purposes. A recent Bloomberg piece indicates that CATL and Tesla will also work together to improve LFP chemistry, notably allowing faster charging and higher energy density. EV SUV One of the major introductions at the 2024 New York International Auto Show set to be held from March 29 to April 7, alongside models like the Polestar 4, MINI Cooper S, Porsche Macan, Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz, Kia K4, or the trio of Genesis concepts was also the second-generation Nissan Kicks subcompact crossoverDeveloped on the Alliance's CMF-B architecture, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is bigger than before, more powerful thanks to a larger 139-hp 2.0-liter engine, tech-infused inside and out, plus for the first time outside of Japan available with optional all-wheel drive. It's a more compelling choice than ever, but what really elevates the Mexico-produced CUV is Nissan's audacity to revolutionize the styling with an all-new design language.Naturally, everyone and their mother thinks the Japanese company, which also recently announced it will introduce 30 new vehicles by 2027, including 16 hybrids and EVs and seven all-new models for the North American markets, will trickle up and down (plus sideways) across the entire lineup. We already know the 2025 Nissan Armada will debut this year , and an all-new Murano has been confirmed as well, but some folks are more interested in what happens with the popular mid-size pickup trucks Navara and Frontier.The two nameplates used to be twins but were separated when the D41 third-generation Nissan Frontier was introduced to America for the 2022 model year. The company recently teased the fourth-generation Navara, and the rumor mill believes it will simply become a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton (L200). However, maybe the imaginative realm of digital car content creators thinks otherwise or is it just us dreaming of Nissan remarrying the Navara and Frontier into one compelling mid-size pickup truck, getting the best of both worlds?Anyway, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has taken up the task of CGI-revealing a fresh Nissan pickup truck in the mid-size class. The pixel master specifically names the Navara as the model in question, but since it fully utilizes the fresh Kicks styling, a model produced in North America, it could also work like a charm for a Frontier redesign.Plus, the author envisioned this as a hybrid mid-size pickup truck, so a Frontier Hybrid would probably kick(s) the 326-hp 2024 Toyota Tacoma i-Force Max hybrid precisely where the sun doesn't shine. So, would you like to see a reunification of the Navara and Frontier destinies with Kicks design, or not? One of the things that left a strong impression on me when I watched "Wangan Midnight" was the mystical connection between Devil Z and Akio. Car enthusiasts will almost always develop a special connection to their machines. I've seen it happen both with my RX-7 and my bike. I'm still in touch with people who owned them 20 years ago, and they're always nostalgic about selling. Most of my non-car friends thought I was insane for buying a 30+-year-old car that looked terrible inside and out. But I thought to myself: "I can fix this."Sadly, I've only relied on paying for these services so far, and I've rarely done anything to it with my own hands. After seeing it undergo paint prep, I might just start learning how to do it independently. We shouldn't just throw things away because they're old or in poor shape.One of my friends has begun restoring old synthesizers to their former shine. My buddy Mike has learned how to rebuild the rotary engine on his RX-8. If you don't want to deal with old electronic items or toys, give them to someone willing to piece them back together.In 2022, I interviewed an Indonesian diecast artist who builds custom tiny cars for his brand, Tolle Garage. I have been watching Theo work ever since, and it's always nice to see what new project he's taking on next. While many diecast artists focus on transforming a brand-new item into a special vehicle, some have chosen a different path.Theo opted to visit tiny scrapyards in search of his next big challenge. Restoring Hot Wheels vehicles to their former shine will only cost pocket change if you already have the skills and tools. Sure, Rome wasn't built in a day, but if you'd like to look at the hobby from this perspective, there are plenty of online tutorials to get you started.Theo restored several Chevrolet models in the past few months, including a 2010 Camaro, a '68 Nova, and an IROC-Z. The best part about watching the process is that the car always looks infinitely better than it did initially. And I knew the transformation of the Chevrolet Silverado wouldn't be any different.As with any restoration process, disassembling the vehicle is the first thing you must do. Then, it's out with the old and in with the new. If you don't need to become an Internet sensation, you don't need that $30,000 wide-body kit. You'll never use 1,000 hp on the street.A set of wheels and a paint job will go a long way and won't break the bank while taking you there. And remember, the little details will always make a difference, even if you think new mirrors aren't that important. SUV It took another couple of years before launching its first standalone model the Genesis G90 flagship sedan appeared in 2017. Currently, it has the G70, G80, Electrified G80, and G90 sedans on offer, along with the GV60, GV70, Electrified GV70, and GV80 crossover SUVs. That's quite a big batch in such a short span of time, right?Well, as it turns out, they didn't stand idle in terms of concepts either starting with Vision G in 2015 and continuing with New York in 2016, GV80 in 2017, Essentia in 2018, Mint in 2019, X in 2021, X Speedium Coupe and X Convertible in 2022. Now, they're doubling down on the prototype experience for the 2024 New York Auto Show, which kicks off later with the press days before the general public has open doors between March 29 and April 7.Alongside Hyundai, which is bringing the refreshed 2025 Tucsonand Santa Cruz pickup truck to the NY Auto Show , Genesis is on the show floor with no less than three concepts the GV60 and GV80 Magma plus the big and stylish Neolun. The GV60 and GV80, dressed in orange, are a preview of Genesis' new performance sub-brand called Magma.For sure, they will soon reach series production after they celebrate the marque's launch in New York City. As for the Neolun, this one is a bit trickier to foresee. For starters, while the name suggests otherwise, this prototype is very much in line with the 'X' series of concepts, especially the X Speedium Coupe and X Convertible. However, the rumor mill believes it's not just a design study that presents a new styling direction for Genesis but actually a potential preview for an upcoming GV90 three-row flagship SUV that would battle the quirky BMW X7 all over the world.As such, it is no wonder that it attracted a lot of attention, and even the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has taken notice. More precisely, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right CGI time to play with the latest Genesis prototype and thoroughly upgrades the Genesis Neolun concept car with a bunch of new colors, including a series of dual-tone options, plus a humongous set of 26-inch aftermarket wheels from Brixton Forged.So, which ritzy shade would you like to see in reality on the Genesis Neolun concept? Also, do you think the South Korean brand is preparoing to put into action the new conceptual styling on a potential GV90 flagship three-row crossover SUV? SUV Photo: Genesis Like most big names in the automotive world, Genesis, which is Hyundais premium car brand, will eventually go full-electric. The company has already taken a few steps in this direction and will eventually take more with its upcoming lineup. What lies in the Korean auto marques future? Quite a few models, actually, including a luxuryWe know a few things about it, as the brand-new Neolun Concept, which is currently celebrating its public premiere at the 2024 New York Auto Show , previews it. The Genesis design team has done a great job, as the boxy appearance, clean styling, and the dual-lines lighting signature at both ends suit it like a glove. It also looks very high-end with a black finish, chrome trim, and an intricate set of wheels.Since it is nothing more than a show car at this point, Genesis was able to go wild with the interior. Thus, it features four individual seats, with the front ones rotating 180 degrees to create a living room on wheels or a lounge, as certain people would call it. It boasts leather upholstery, wood decking just like yachts, and what can only be called the automotive equivalent of a TV sitting on the dashboard. The overall layout is minimalistic, with only a few buttons here and there.The swiveling seats are not the only highlight of the Genesis Neolun Concept , as it also manages to make do without the B-pillars. If everything goes well, then the production version it previews will also have this design feature, which might inspire the peeps at Rolls-Royce and Land Rover to come up with something similar. Mind you, this idea has been used on models such as the Ford B-Max and the BMW i3, so it's not exactly revolutionary.We don't know any technicalities about the new study from the Korean auto brand, but several outlets believe it builds on the E-GMP platform. This architecture, which underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9, is expected to be utilized by the production variant, too, which will likely be fully electric and a premium alternative to its cousins from Kia and Hyundai.More on the topic in due course, and in the meantime, we have to ask you this: do you like the Neolun Concept as much as we do? And would you ever consider buying a Genesis over something similar from a different car brand? It had to happen eventually; brands are now hitting the urban mobility industry with a carbon fiber machine meant to be the ultimate solution to traveling around town with good old green energy. Photo: Ofiito E-Bike Photo: Ofiito E-Bike Photo: Ofiito E-Bike One such brand is Ofiito, and yes, as you might expect from the way that two-wheeler presents itself, this brand is Chinese. However, unlike other no-name brands, Ofiito has actually been in the works for some time now, and ever since its parent company, Shanghai Weixi Power Technology Co., started showing the R3, AKA Urban Racer, to the world, they've been scooping up award after award for what they've achieved. Heck, Shanghai Weixi Power even has a history of building products that have been bestowed with the prized iF Design Award As for the Urban Racer, it's won the Golden Pin Design Award, and today, we're going to explore precisely why that is. If you're in the market for an electrified two-wheeler that's about as light and affordable as the industry will allow, you'd better whip out your wallets for this one.Now, carbon fiber 'anything' isn't cheap, and the R3 also follows this rule. If we consider that the frame, fork, handlebar, seat post, and even rims (optional) are from carbon fiber, we can understand why the R3 is said to retail at a solid $4,000; wait, there's still hope One of the benefits of catching news of something like the R3 before it's even launched - it's currently in the crowdfunding stages on Indiegogo and set to launch on March 28, 2024 - is the fact that you can get your hands on one for as little as $2,000 (1,850 at current exchange rates), a benefit of being an early backer of the project. Now that's more like it!To help you understand a bit about what Ofiito offers here, let's break down the bike and take a closer look at how it's built. As I mentioned, nearly everything on this bike is carbon fiber, and all that starts with T800 goodness.According to Toray Composite Materials America, this stuff is "an intermediate modulus, high tensile strength fiber, with high level and balance composite properties. Designed and developed to meet the weight-saving demands of aircraft applications." Honestly, that alone has my interest With this composite material, Ofiito then brings the frame to life and bases it around an "Open Road Geometry," whatever that means. I mean, I can figure out what that means, but this isn't an actual category of bike frames; moving on. All that's then supported with internal cable routing and a removable and integrated down-tube battery. It's that bulk hanging off the underside of the bike, right above the BB (Bottom Bracket).Moving forward with the whole carbon fiber goodness in store, we arrive at the front fork. It, too, is ready with internal cable routing and set for flat-mount disc brakes. As for the handlebar, it's yet another carbon fiber component, and since integration is key, it shares the same construction with the R3's stem. As mentioned, the seat post is also carbon fiber, and T800 makes up all that I've mentioned.Now, as we move forward, the R3 starts to show off some rather interesting abilities. One feature that Ofiito has in store for future owners is the ability to choose if you want electric or manual power, and I'm not talking about just switching ride modes.Interestingly enough, the R3 presents itself to the urban mobility game with a removable motor. Yet, I'm still trying to figure out just how all that happens because judging by the manufacturer's website, the motor is mounted with the wheel spokes, and removing it would mean stripping the entire rear wheel and putting it all back together again; a very time-consuming process that can be carried out with virtually any e-bike. Maybe I'm missing something.But a motor is a motor, and the one on the R3 is a 250 W powerhouse with the ability to crank out just 30 Nm (22 lb-ft) of torque. Luckily, the R3 is designed to accommodate up to a 12-gear cassette, so it should be an interesting ride, to say the least.Things do get a tad more interesting as we explore the rest of the drivetrain. The name L-Twoo is spotted in the spec list, and if you know what this brand is responsible for , you know that wireless shifting is at your fingertips on the R3. L-Twoo is yet another Chinese brand that's looking to offer a wireless shifting experience like SRAM and Shimano but at less than half the cost.Throw on some carbon fiber rims (optional) and a pair of continental rubbers tuned to a slick 28 mm cross-section, and you'll be flying around town on an electrified two-wheeler that weighs just 13,8 kgs (30 lbs) for a size M. Not bad at all, Ofiito. As a little side note, I've covered just how cheap of an e-bike you can build with materials sourced from China, and to do all this on a T800 frame for just $2,000 is no easy feat.But is it all we'll ever want from a carbon fiber e-bike made for day-to-day use? The answer to that question is dependent on so many factors that it's difficult to say yes or no. However, it's not often we run across an e-bike that's built entirely out of carbon fiber , sporting an electric shifting experience, and currently selling for just $2,000. Just a little something-something to consider. As the U.S. Air Force is moving to modernize its fleet of aircraft, it is looking to new and innovative designs to help it advance its goals. And one such design is that of a blended-wing body aircraft, an idea on which the military branch plans to spend $235 million over the next four years. A blended-wing body aircraft is something humanity has toyed around with before. It's a way of designing an airplane that in some sense is similar to both a flying wing (which technically has no standalone body) and a lifting body (which appears to have no wings). It also differs from them both, as it has both a body and wings, but no tail surfaces.The first time a blended-wing body aircraft was designed was back in the 1920s, when something called the Westland Dreadnought was introduced. The experimental airplane flew only once, because it crashed and was destroyed.The industry dropped efforts to develop such machines afterward, with the only ones to give them a shot being McDonnell Douglas and NASA in the 1990s with the BWB-17. Separately, companies Airbus and Bombardier made they own blended bodies, but none of these projects succeeded either.Recent times have seen a resurgence of the interest in the design, with a number of startups considering it for their own projects.One of the main reasons blended-wing aircraft failed to take hold on the market is the fact that its shape, which for instance doesn't allow for proper evacuation routes in case of an emergency, would make for a poor passenger aircraft.But it could make a great cargo airplane, and that's exactly what the USAF is looking for, especially given the technical advancements made over the past few years. After all, these machines promise less aerodynamic drag, thus more efficient travel and better range, increased loitering times, and more cargo capacity.It was in the summer of last year when the USAF announced it awarded a California-based company called JetZero a contract for the development of such an aircraft.The project does not have a name yet, and it is in early stages of development. We do know it will be capable of running on 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), but will also be able to do that using hydrogen.The JetZero aircraft will be made in three variants, namely jetliner, freighter, and trainer, and the first expected flight of the initial prototype is scheduled for 2027.We brought up JetZero now because the company just announced a scale model of the blended-wing prototype, a machine called Pathfinder, and just received an Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA.Pathfinder is a machine with a wingspan of just 23 feet (seven meters), but no other details are provided about it. There are plans to have it in the air soon, but the company does not reveal details on date and location either - we expect that to happen soon. The world of robots is as diverse and exciting for some as it is scary for others. Depending on how one feels about these things, they can be either the definitive path humanity should take to evolve, or something we should steer clear of at all costs. Personally, I am part of the former group, but I do have to admit that some of the projects currently being run across the world have a certain creepy component to them. Like, say, a tripedal robot that, in some instances, looks like a pregnant spider, if there ever was such a thing, gearing up for an attack.The robot Im talking about is the work of a group of people from the University of Michigan's Evolution and Motion of Biology and Robotics Lab (EMBiR), led by assistant professor Talia Y. Moore.They call it SKating, Omni-Oriented, Tripedal Robot, or Skootr for short, and the name kind of explains all there is to explain about what the machine is supposed to be: a three-legged robot that can move in any direction and can also skate?The idea behind the project was born more or less out of the blue, and the resulting concept does not have a specific application, although it could be used for a variety of things. Whats cool about it is that it was made using parts you can easily get on Amazon.Skootr is made up of three legs, two joints that are used to flex and extend each leg, two contact modes for them, and a control hub backed by a battery. And then there is that sphere that sits at the center of it all, giving it a weird appearance. The sphere is not a load meant to demonstrate the robots cargo-carrying capabilities, but it is part of the design.You see, tripedal creatures, organic or otherwise have several advantages over bipedal ones, the most important of them being the ability to turn rapidly, in some cases even instantaneously. But that does come with its own drawbacks, including generally unstable and inefficient locomotion.The sphere is there to solve this problem, as it freely rotates under the body of the robot , giving it an extra contact point with the ground below. This in turn makes it possible for Skootr to lift one (or two, or three) of its legs without becoming unstable.The sphere gives the machine the ability to perform forward gaits, turn multiple times in multiple directions, and even climb over obstacles or stairs.So, what could one use this thing for? As per its makers, the robot has been designed to facilitate customization for diverse applications, so technically the only limit here is imagination.You dont have to buy the damn stuff, but you can make it yourself. EMBiR provides, for free, anything and everything you need for that: the Amazon parts list, the assembly guide, and even the code and CAD files. You can find them all here So, how much does one of these robots cost to make? Just $500, thank you very much, and everyone interested can have their own creepy, spider-like machine running around the house. Incumbent County Commissioner Precinct 1 Rebeca Clay-Flores watches for election results coming in during her campaign party held at Arizona Cafe on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Incumbent County Commissioner Precinct 1 Rebeca Clay-Flores addresses supporters at her campaign watch party held at Arizona Cafe on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Juan Moreno, left, and Marcus Primm, right, watch for election results for County Commissioner Precinct 1 Rebeca Clay-Flores at Arizona Cafe on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Commissioner Precinct 1 candidate Amanda Gonzalez, center, poses with supporters at her campaign watch party at Blanquita Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News County Commissioner Precinct 1 candidate Amanda Gonzalez looks over election result numbers at her campaign party at Blanquita Mexican Restaurant on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores came tantalizingly close to clinching the Democratic nomination March 5. But close doesnt count at least if the objective is winning a primary election outright. Political newcomer Amanda Gonzalez forced Clay-Flores into a May 28 runoff in Precinct 1, which is anchored on the South Side. Clay-Flores won 46% of the vote to Gonzalezs 20%, and both candidates cast the outcome as a primary election victory of sorts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although the finish line was moved just a little, we are confident that the residents will re-elect me to another term, Clay-Flores said in a post-election day statement. Gonzalez has focused on the 54% of Democratic primary voters who chose someone other than the incumbent, who faced five challengers. The community is determined to make a change thats why voters took to the polls to make their voices heard, Gonzalez said in a March 6 Facebook post. With early voting for the runoff seven weeks away, political observers say pulling off an upset will be an uphill battle for Gonzalez. But one factor that could work in her favor will be the minuscule number of voters expected to go to the polls. When the numbers get that small, crazy things can kind of happen, said Juan Sepulveda, a political science professor at Trinity University. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Only 16,095 people 5.5% of Precinct 1s 291,510 registered voters cast ballots in the March Democratic primary. That number will likely dwindle in the runoff, which will have only one week of early voting. (This months election day was preceded by two weeks of early voting.) The only other Democratic runoff election is for the 73rd Civil District Court. In the other words, there will be no other hot contests to draw voters, apart from Clay-Flores and Gonzalezs. Still, observers say Clay-Flores has the upper hand based on her share of the primary vote, her widespread name recognition and her hefty campaign war chest. Precinct 1 is the most expansive of Bexar Countys four precincts. It spans the countys entire southern border and extends from the Southwest Side to Alamo Ranch on the Northwest Side. Commissioners Court, made up of the county judge and four commissioners, adopts the countys annual budget, which this year is nearly $3 billion. The court also sets the property tax rate for the county and University Health, and it oversees the building and maintenance of county roads, drainage projects, parks and county facilities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Union backing Gonzalez, 34, is hoping to block walk her way to victory, like Clay-Flores did in 2020 when she stunned then-Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez, whod held the South Side seat for 16 years. At the time, Clay-Flores, 48, was even more of a political newcomer than Gonzalez, a former state appointee to the Edgewood Independent School District board of managers. Clay-Flores came from 5 percentage points behind in the primary to a runoff victory against Rodriguez. Gonzalez left her position as executive director of the San Antonio police unions nonprofit in early January so she could campaign full time. Ive never shied away from hard work. I think Ive always been the underdog and always prevailed, she told her supporters at her election watch party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Deputy Sheriffs Association of Bexar County backed Gonzalez in the primary and will continue to support her in the runoff. The unions political action committee has contributed $24,000 to her primary campaign, according to campaign finance reports. The union supported Rodriguez in 2020. Rene Ochoa, who chairs the PAC, said its members have yet to determine how much theyll spend on the runoff. As of late February, the PAC had just under $14,800 on hand, according to its latest campaign finance report. Having union backing, however, isnt necessarily a boon to campaigns in terms of financing or organizing manpower. Our unions in Texas, and in San Antonio in particular, are nothing compared to the unions in Chicago or other cities, and so it tends to get exaggerated, Sepulveda said. We just, unfortunately, dont have as many people politically active in San Antonio, so Ill be curious to see, does Amanda really get a lot of bodies from the union coming to help her when in general there arent that many compared to other cities when unions are stronger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sheriffs association PAC would have to raise significant money to match the $497,825 that Clay-Flores campaign had eight days ahead of the primary. Gonzalez had less than $1,500 in her campaign bank account. Help from fallen challengers? Gonzalez is also banking on the support of Clay-Flores other challengers in March primary. We were all on the same page of making sure that there was new representation, she said of an early February conversation she had with candidates Anna Uriegas Bustamante, Ernesto Arrellano Jr. and Lawson Alaniz-Picasso. So far, Gonzalez has secured an endorsement only from Alaniz-Picasso, who came in second to last, with 5.7% of the vote. Gonzalezs campaign manager, Samantha Hernandez, said Wednesday that an announcement is coming out in the coming weeks, in response to a question about whether anyone else has decided to back her candidate. Endorsements, however, dont carry a lot of weight in San Antonio politics. Runoff candidates would benefit more from the leftover cash and the list of campaign volunteers of opponents who didnt make the runoff to run an effective door-knocking and mailer campaign to connect with as many voters as possible. Its going to take a lot of work for all of the primary opponents to come together and cull their resources, said Demonte Alexander, a political consultant whom Clay-Flores appointed to the Bexar County Housing Authority. Looking to November Alexander says Clay-Flores performance in the primary shouldnt be discredited even though she fell short of an outright victory. I dont care if youre (Mayor) Ron Nirenberg, or if youre any sitting council person or elected official, he said. When youve got four legitimate campaigns like running an actual campaign and raising money its going to be hard for anybody to win outright with those many folks on the ground and those many people asking for votes in several directions. Had she faced fewer challengers, Clay-Flores very likely would have avoided a runoff, he said. Whoever wins the runoff will be well positioned for the November general election, when theyll face Republican Lina Prado, who ran unopposed in that partys primary. Precinct 1 is solidly blue, and Clay-Flores won the seat with 65% of the vote in the 2020 general election. Whether a runoff victory would quiet Clay-Flores naysayers remains to be seen. AMG Photo: Instagram | agluxurwheels We've already seen how it looks dressed in different hues, including black, and now it's time for the potent electric pickup to get new wheels. Shared on Instagram recently by agluxurywheels and agwheels, these images show the model on AGL78 alloys.If they look familiar, it's because they've been fitted to various Rolls-Royce cars, including a Cullinan we wrote about a few months ago. They're also the wheels of choice when it comes to the Range Rover, Mercedes-G 63, and Rivian R1T, among others, and they're an interesting proposal with a disc-like design.Monoblock and dual-block configurations are available, according to Avant Garde, with a three-piece flat or step lip and a standard or a concave profile. The wheels were made of aerospace grade 6061-T6 forged aluminum for what the company calls an "optimum strength-to-weight ratio," and they can be ordered in different finishes and sizes.Speaking of the latter, Avant Garde's website reveals that they're available in diameters ranging from 19 to 26 inches, bar the 25-inch one, and on the pictured Tesla Cybertruck , they measure 24 inches. Thus, they're significantly larger than the stock set, which measures 9x20 inches at the front and rear, featuring injection-molded plastic with flexible polymer edge covers.As standard, the electric pickup comes with all-terrain tires from Goodyear. The Wrangler Territory RT rubber measures 285/65 at both axles. The model can also be fitted with Pirelli Scorpion ATR all-season tires in the same size as the ones from Goodyear. The pictured Cybertruck has meaty rubber that probably enhances traction on different surfaces. It retains the original silver look with a few black elements and has privacy windows all around.It's unknown how the aftermarket wheels and tires shown here affect the vehicle's performance. In the top-of-the-line grade, which is known as the Cyberbeast , you are looking at a neck-snapping 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph). This model has a 130 mph (210 kph) top speed, a 320-mile (515 km) range that can be increased to over 440 miles (708 km) with the optional range extender, and a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg).The mid-range version, which is also all-wheel drive, has an identical towing rating. It can travel 340 miles 547 km) on a full charge or 470+ miles (756 km) with the range extender and takes 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. Finally, the base spec, which is rear-wheel drive, increases the acceleration time to 6.5 seconds and drops the top speed to 112 mph (180 kph). It has a 250-mile range and a 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg) towing rating and will go on sale in 2025. There is no such thing as perfection, but Minnesota-based Vistabule came pretty close to it with its first teardrop trailer and now-flagship model, also called Vistabule. The DayTripper is perfection improved, yet another thing we thought wasn't possible. Or so Vistabule says. Photo: Minnesota Teardrop Trailers Photo: Vistabule Photo: Vistabule Photo: Vistabule Vistabule broke on the scene a few years ago with the introduction of a teardrop trailer of the same name, which played heavily on nostalgia to deliver a good-looking towable but didn't skimp on functionality in the process. In the years since its debut, the Vistabule teardrop has earned a solid following and the reputation of being the closest thing you can get to a work of art on wheels.Excellent marketing comparing it to "perfection" aside, the Vistabule is a solid option for travelers looking for something smaller they can get away in for extended periods. The standard package is designed as a self-sufficient towable at an affordable price, while extra customization brings it into the realm of luxury not as far as pricing is concerned, but rather amenities.We covered the Vistabule at the time of its launch, but the bottom line with this teardrop trailer was that it was created for travelers who didn't want to make any other purchase before hitting the road: a complete package that only required a bit more tinkering to get it just right. The DayTripper is at the opposite pole, according to the makers themselves: it's a blank slate ready for you to do as you will with it.Earlier this year, the company started a slow rollout for the follow-up to the Vistabule teardrop , one that would still deliver the same quality and unmistakable styling but cater to an entirely different segment of the market. DayTripper is a tribute to The Beattles' song of the same name and the realization that demand for lighter, more basic, and more affordable RVs was spiking. Not everyone wants or can afford to hit the road with their entire home in tow DayTripper addresses this specific demand with a smaller, lighter, and more versatile package which also happens to be very simple, paradoxically so.You may think of it as the Vistabule stripped down of luxury features and scaled down to size , and you wouldn't be entirely off the mark. That's because it shares the same DNA with its predecessor, down to the large windows flooding the interior with natural light, the same delightful, classic styling, and the same commitment to quality.The DayTripper also holds a hint of its functionality in the name. It's shorter and lighter than the Vistabule, which makes it ideal for shorter outings but offers a more voluminous interior.Total length is 12 feet (3.7 meters), down 2 feet (0.6 meters) from the Vistabule, and the base weight is 900 lbs (408 kg) since it's been gutted of a hard-wired power system, the galley, and even the side door. A lighter weight means it can be towed even with small passenger cars and even EVs. The wood body, skinned in aluminum, still sits on an aluminum chassis with a torsion axle and 13-inch wheels.Access is now done via the rear hatch, which is thus "promoted" to instant access granter to your "alcove to the world." Plus, you can now open it with your foot from the inside or your hand "if you have no sense of style."The DayTripper loses the Vistabule's galley and the sofa function of the bed in the cabin. This way, you get rear access only and a mattress for the bed, but the upside is that it's longer than the extended bed in the Vistabule, measuring 92 inches (234 cm). The makers say the DayTripper gets shore power connectivity and the option for solar , but it's expected that new owners will rely on portable power banks.The same kind of blank slate versatility is offered with the interior, which is devoid of features, except for some headboard cabinets, a two-way MaxxFan, three windows, and an oversize skylight. Vistabule calls the DayTripper a "tabula rasa" of teardrops, the kind of towable you buy if you already own most of the necessary gear or if you're only looking for the most basic of overnight shelters and don't need to be bothered with extra stuff like a kitchen, water canisters, or extra storage.Because it only offers the basics, you can style it or spec it according to your needs, tastes, or budget The DayTripper has already been shown at several trade events in the U.S. and is expected to become available online with a configurator soon. More details will also be released then. Vistabule says they're yet to finalize the list of options, but the starting price will be $14,995, considerably cheaper than the standard Vistabule, which is now $23,995. Formula 1 cars are, without a doubt, some of the most extreme pieces of engineering devised by human hands. Made to go fast and hard on challenging tracks for the glory of their builders and drivers, many of them tend to disappear from public view once their time on the track is over. And that's a pity, because at least some of them deserve to be the stars of their own public shrines. Photo: Lotus Photo: Lotus The disappearing act Formula 1 cars pull when they are no longer used does not mean they are destroyed or in some other way neglected. The most spectacular of them usually end up in private collections, only to surface from time to time when they sell at various auctions.Take Lotus, for instance. I'm pretty certain fans of the British brand's racing exploits would pay big bucks for the chance to sit next to the likes of the Lotus-Climax Type 12 we have here. After all, it is the race car that put Lotus on track to eventually win Formula 1's constructor's titles seven times, and the driver's title six times.As it stands, however, the car can only be admired when its owner decides to take it out for one reason or another. And they just did, as theyre planning to sell the vehicle during a major auction later this spring.The official and full title of the car on auction house's Bonhams lot is 1957-58 Lotus-Climax Type 12 chassis 353. It will go under the hammer at the beginning of May as part of the Les Grandes Marques a Monaco auction taking place in, well, Monaco.The Lotus is rightfully described as one of the most historically significant of all British Formula 1 Grand Prix cars. The first reason why that's so is that this racer was Lotus' first-ever F1 car. The second is that it was the vehicle in which Graham Hill made his entry into the series. Hill would later go on to become a double Formula 1 world champion.The Type 12 is the brainchild of Colin Chapman, the company's founder. Recently honored by Lotus with a new bespoke service for the current model lineup wearing his name, Chapman brought the Type 12 bloodline into the world specifically to compete in the world's premiere racing series.I say bloodline because a total of seven Type 12s were made, and five of them got to be raced in official competitions at the hands of Lotus drivers, including Graham Hill and Cliff Allison. This particular example was first fielded in Formula 2 races, where it managed to set the fastest laps and aided Allison finish sixth overall in F2.Hill took it out for an official spin in Formula 1 at Silverstone. Equipped with a 1960cc engine sourced from Coventry Climax, the car was raced to oblivion, but only managed to land Hill to place seventh in the race.The Type 12 didn't stay for long in the possession of Lotus. Soon after the Silverstone race, it was sold to a privateer named John Fisher, who raced it with several drivers, including Maria Theresa de Filippis, the first woman ever to take part in Formula 1.The car moved into the possession of Australian racer Frank Gardner, and was taken Down Under. From 1962 to 1991 it exchanged hands four more times, until ending up with the Australian who is currently selling it via Bonhams.Aside from being famous as Lotus' and Hills first F1 car, this Type 12 was also the star of a very strange experiment. Back in 1957, exactly on Christmas day, when the car was still a newcomer in the world, it was taken out on public roads (that's right, public roads) by racing journalist Denis Jenkinson.There was no hidden message or publicity stunt to the Lotus doing this; it was just a desire of the journalist to drive a racer on public roads. The car traveled on the empty streets (it was Christmas, remember?) of Hampshire, until its drive shaft broke and caused an abrupt end to the joyride. A joyride fans would get to know as the Figgy Pudding Grand Prix.During its many travels, the Lotus managed to survive pretty much unharmed, but it was still in need of restoration . That was performed on it by the current owner, who also brought it back to running condition and even wrote a book on the vehicle back in 2006, titled Lotus 12 Chassis No. 353: The History.The British auction house will be selling the 1957-58 Lotus-Climax Type 12 chassis 353 in May with high expectations. Estimates are that the racer could fetch anywhere between 290,000 and 390,000 euros, which in American dollars would mean $313,000 to $420,000 at current exchange rates.We will of course keep an eye on this amazing piece of racing history and update you with info on the sale price as soon as we have it. It's the little things that matter in life: someone to hold your hand when you're sad, to tell you you'll be ok, and hopefully buy you a mobility scooter with a wine basket when you break your foot. Photo: KneeRover You'd expect a woman whose net worth is an estimated $70 million and who was once part of the world's most famous all-girl musical act like Victoria Beckham to be hard to impress. At the very least, you'd expect her to rave only over something as extraordinary as a new custom car or a new gilded pony.In February this year, Victoria Beckham, aka the former Posh in the Spice Girls and now one of the world's most respected (if not yet profitable) fashion designers, broke her foot while working out. She didn't let that stop her, so she's kept working on her fashion and makeup brands almost at the same pace as before, which has sparked some speculation that her refusal to slow down is keeping her from recovering faster from her injury.Count on supportive husband David Beckham to try and help. Earlier this week, David took delivery of Victoria's new ride, which he then made sure to assemble and customize to her specific needs. No, it's not a car, and yes, you could tell this already from the headline. It's a mobility scooter, which Victoria described as a "bike" on her Instagram page but which is actually a mobility/knee scooter.Because Victoria has a broken foot and she's been advised not to put too much pressure on it, and because walking around in crutches is proving too tiresome, David bought her a KneeRover. It's the GO Hybrid model, a four-wheel, foldable mobility device with all-terrain front tires and a lightweight, easily portable form factor.Unlike most of the rides in the Beckham household , which range from Aston Martins to Rolls-Royces and Land Rovers, this one is dirt cheap by comparison, retailing at just $329, but now offered at sale for $249.99. David added some custom touches to it, including a cup holder with Victoria's favorite container, a small basket, and a little bell.Victoria posted about the new gift on her social media, saying it was the best gift ever and joking that she'd be using the basket to carry wine bottles so that she could drink and drive ! without having to stop for provisions too often. She also laughed that she needed a bell to alert the other residents in the house that she was coming hard around a corner so they could steer clear out of her way.David also told her that he got her "a bell for a belle," which is perhaps as endearing as his efforts to help her be more mobile around the house.Don't count on seeing Victoria out in public on her new KneeRover, though. She is the woman who once famously hated trainers with a passion and would only be seen in high heels. Even in recent weeks, while in crutches, she still managed to slip into high heels, if only on one foot, for more important public appearances. She'll never be caught dead on a mobility scooter out where there are photographers. The Armenian government said the 30 tons of food and medicine will be delivered to displaced civilians huddling in the Gaza Strips city of Rafah. It released photographs of those items loaded onto a military transport plane at the Yerevan airport. Speaking during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan earlier in the day, Deputy Interior Minister Arpine Sargsian said the aid worth about 19 million drams ($48,000) will be airlifted to Egypt. Egyptian authorities will then help to ship it to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, she said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian noted in this regard that the Armenian and Egyptian governments agreed on the logistical aspects of the shipment during his recent official visit to Cairo. Gaza is facing a looming famine amid Israel's military offensive that has reportedly killed more than 32,000 Palestinians. The offensive followed last Octobers Hamas attack on southern Israel in which the militants killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others. Armenia twice voted late last year for United Nations General Assembly resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. Armenia regrets tens of thousands of innocent victims of the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, Pashinian said after his March 5 talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. We ourselves have experienced the horror of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and we join calls of the international community for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 28 March 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more At a time when Europe's anti-Azerbaijani propaganda machine is experiencing a period of fiasco, their secret and open accomplices, who are always at their service, are looking for opportunities to act in different countries. Those forces are nourished by the financial support of both the Armenian diaspora and some shadow organizations of the West and carry out their aggressive policies in different ways. Last week's terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow gave such forces an incentive to launch their propaganda machine. The Armenian lobby in Russia and the network financed by Armenian oligarchs seemed to have an opportunity to turn the terrorist act into an anti-Azerbaijani and generally anti-Islamic campaign. Let's talk more about it Usually, terrorist and anti-Islamic ideas are first promulgated through specially funded media networks, and then it is transferred to the political agenda. The fact of boycotting Azerbaijanism and Islamic traditions is not only related to the events happening today. Such facts have long been one of the main goals of Western countries. For example, France, in addition to being the country that carries out the most intense propaganda against Islam, also captures more attention in daily headlines with its radical policy against Azerbaijan. Since 2023, the wrath of the West, Europe, and especially France, whose plans in the South Caucasus have been disrupted, has doubled and intensified anti-Azerbaijani activities through various networks. One of the main reasons for this is their inability to influence the political will of Azerbaijan, and as a result, they use the name of Armenia to accuse and put pressure on Azerbaijan in the international arena for inappropriate reasons. But how does Azerbaijan react to this? This point is very interesting, because in the truest sense of the word, Azerbaijan's unwavering stand against the biased positions of the European Union and some Western forces, especially President Ilham Aliyev's ability to overcome the pressures against Azerbaijan with his pragmatic political approach, irritates them even further. For example, one of the successful policies of Azerbaijan today is that it conducts a comprehensive policy in the world, and is able to implement a policy of mutual relations with both some Western countries and Russia, which has become an enemy phenomenon today. The deepening rifts between Armenia and Russia, which has completely devoted itself to the West, revealed that the Yerevan administration's political course is weak and that the West intends to use the South Caucasus states as a tool. Now Pashinyan's administration, which is dependent on only one side the West, is experiencing its most critical period in terms of its relations with the official Kremlin. As regards the mutual relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, this does not please the West at all. Unable to find any way out, the West and the Armenian diaspora again tried to attract the attention of the public through the media by programming the terrorist incident in Russia as a slander campaign aimed at Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that Vladimir Solovyov, an active member of the network, exaggerates that the place where the terrorist act took place "belongs to ethnic Azerbaijanis". Such tragedies can happen anywhere, but Solovyov is illogically looking for a connection between Azerbaijanis and terrorism. Solovyov's television shows during the period of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijans Garabagh and the Second Garabagh War are well-recognized. Conducting political discussions with the so-called leaders of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh, Solovyov tried to express his anti-Azerbaijani position as much as possible. The duos of Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan were almost the stars of television programs with their pro-Armenian activities in the press. Nevertheless, it did not take long and Azerbaijans Patriotic War suddenly extinguished their star on the half way through. At the moment, V. Solovyov's execution of the orders of the Armenian lobby, media oligarchs such as Margarita Simonyan, Aram Gabrelyanov, Araksya Karapetyan, sabotage Russia's information policy in a networked manner and try to spoil relations with states are noteworthy in this regard. Aram Gabrelyanov, a media tycoon in Russia, is known for a long time as a person who carried out the propaganda of the separatist regime and had a scandal with Pashinyan's government. For this reason, the Armenian media magnate was declared a persona non grata by Yerevan. However, it seems that such propagandists, who continue to operate in Russia, are unable to speak based on facts. Although the Russian leadership issued a statement after the terrorist act and stated that "a terrorist does not have a religion or a nationality", such media dealers who are looking for only meaningless trivia are trying to target both the Islamic religion and Azerbaijan. However, lies have short legs. Solovyov's accusations against Azerbaijan and anti-Islamic propaganda were unsuccessful. Because the world is well aware that, unlike countries like France and the United States, Russia has never had Islamophobia. And people like Solovyov engage in open information diversion in the country where tens of millions of Muslims live. He and those who support him expose themselves with their primitive prisms just for the sake of creating agitation and try to defame the name of the entire Muslim world. However, it is no secret that, unlike Muslim citizens, Armenians have always betrayed the state and the people during Russia's difficult times. Today, the network's attempt to stir up ethnic and religious issues that are not unique to Russia is a continuation of treason. They are trying to spoil Russia's relations with Islamic countries by using this method of propaganda. This means risking the diplomatic reputation of Russia that is facing the West on many fronts. Armenia is already trying to part ways with Russia by leaning towards the West. As part of its treason, Armenia, which once took refuge in Russia as its patron, is selling Russia to the interests of the West, and in this regard, it wants to confront the official Moscow with the states by launching its propaganda machine. However, even if they initiate it, all attempts remain fruitless. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief; follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 21:13 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Reading the interview of the head of former separatists in Garabagh on a French newspaper, it becomes obvious that the fate of Armenia will not differ from the so-called "artsakh republic," and sooner or later Armenia will sign a capitulation act to dissolve itself. The head of separatists, Samvel Shahramanyan, not only gave an interview but also demonstrated that the knowledge level of Armenian state persons is down across the board. As is known, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been fighting for over 30 years. Even the enmity between the two countries started before these countries got independence and Shahramanyan served in different positions in the puppet republic created by Armenia. Furthermore, he served in Garabagh which was considered a frontline. Thus, he must have known every detail about Azerbaijan. However, in the interview, it becomes quite clear that he does not know even the most famous facts about their enemy. In the interview, Shahramanyan asks France to put pressure on the president of Azerbaijan to release separatists who are accused of mass killing. Here arises a question. How France can put pressure on Azerbaijan? The trade with France was made up of 0.8 percent of Azerbaijan's trade turnover and the export to France was made up of 0.4 percent of Azerbaijan's exports in 2023. In other words, France is not Azerbaijan's trade partner. Besides, Azerbaijan and France are not partners in terms of military. Even, Western countries, including France and the USA, have been putting an embargo on Azerbaijan in terms of military equipment for over 30 years. So, given the above facts, how can France influence Azerbaijan?France can appeal to Azerbaijan in one way, and that is to respect political and legal codes. Otherwise, Baku will not even look at the tears of Paris. Besides, it seems Shahramanyan who could not stand before the Azerbaijani Army for more than 23 hours, has grown courage for half a year to such an extent that he starts demanding something that he does not deserve from Azerbaijan. He calls the people whom Azerbaijan detained as victims and demands Baku to release them immediately. It is very interesting that in both countries, Armenia and France, the laws against separatism and terrorism are much stricter than in Azerbaijan. Even Paris did not hesitate to use violence against people in Algeria and other of its former colonies to quench protests against France. So, what do they expect from Azerbaijan? Why should we not act with separatists, whose hands are smeared with the blood of innocent people, like Armenia and France? To top it all off, the impudence of Shahramanyan was not limited to the above-mentioned. He dared to call Azerbaijani army occupants. It seems either Shahramanyan lost his mind, or he is spinning the world to his little finger. It is well known that no country, including Armenia, has not recognized Garabagh as a separate republic. On the contrary, all countries, including Armenia through the Almaty declaration, recognized Garabagh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. It is not new information. It has been so for thousands of years. Throughout history, Garabagh was part of Azerbaijani states be it Shirvanshahs, Rawadids, Shaddadids, and so on. And last, let Shahramanyan not forget that with the help of propaganda and mass media, they cannot change the reality. He should take a lesson from his preceders. His preceders has not been able to change it and he will not be able to either. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 12:14 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The amount of pharmaceutical products imported by Azerbaijan was reported by the Statistical Office of the EU (Avrostat) in January 2024, Azernews reports, citing the agency. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. The Azerbaijan National Library has presented an exhibition dedicated to World Theatre Day. The book exhibition showcases publications about the lives and works of outstanding personalities who left their mark on the history of theatrical art, Azernews reports. The exhibition will be on display for a week. World Theatre Day is an international professional holiday for all theatre workers, celebrated annually on March 27. The Day was established in 1961 on the initiative of delegates of the IX Congress of the International Theatre Institute of UNESCO. It is a professional holiday for theatre workers: actors, theatre directors, producers, lighting engineers, sound engineers, set installers, etc. Azerbaijani theatrical art has gone through a long and rich path of development. The National Theatre was created in the 1870s at the initiative of prominent playwright Mirza Fatali Akhundov. Adventures of the Lankaran Khanate Vizier was the first dramatic work played on the stage of the Azerbaijani theatre. Its premiere took place on March 10, 1873, at the initiative of Azerbaijani print media founder Hasan-bay Zardabi and dramatist and public figure Najaf-bay Vazirov. Eminent cultural and public figures, like Hasan bay Zardabi, Najaf bay Vazirov, Jalil Mammadguluzada, Jafar Jabbarli, Ilyas Afandiyev, Huseyn Arablinski, and many others, played an invaluable role in the formation and development of the Azerbaijani theatre. So, March 10 is traditionally celebrated as National Theatre Day in Azerbaijan. In the 1980s, the Azerbaijani theatre experienced a period of remarkable artistic development. This era witnessed significant advancements in terms of stylistic and genre diversity, contributing to the theater's overall artistic growth. In the 1980s, Azerbaijani theater underwent a period of significant artistic growth, characterized by advancements in stylistic and genre diversity. This era saw the introduction of plays by both modern and classic Azerbaijani writers, as well as works by Russian and international dramatists, leading to a broader repertoire for Azerbaijani theatres. Azerbaijani theaters expanded their reach by showcasing their productions in countries such as the USA, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Estonia, and Bulgaria. The country has also been hosting numerous theater festivals and cultural events to highlight the importance of theater art in Azerbaijani cultural life. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Traditional Dress Day has been celebrated within the 219th session of the UNESCO Executive Board. This initiative was put forward by the Permanent Missions of Indonesia and Poland to UNESCO in order to promote their shared cultural diversity and heritage, as well as mutual understanding, Azernews reports. Azerbaijan's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO attended the last meeting of the Council in national costumes. The Azerbaijani traditional costumes attracted attention with their elegance and delicacy. The fabrics used in the traditional costumes include silk, flax, wool, or cotton. The finishing of clothes could make the simplest outfit expensive and rich in appearance. With the use of laces and golden and silver threads, craftsmen created a real work of art. Coins were made from precious metals as ornaments that could be collected by whole generations. The typical women's traditional dress of Azerbaijan consists of under and outer garments and clothes for the upper and lower body. A bag-shaped cover veil was an important part of the costume, which women wore while going out. Women also wore a short jacket called arkhalig with long sleeves, a fitting back and chest, and a wide opening in the front. Men's costumes always represented the class affiliation of their owners. The national clothes of men in the 19th century included underclothing and overcoats. The overshirts for men were of two kinds: mid-cut collar and side-cut collar. Both of them had small yokes. Shirts for men were generally made of satin. The traditional costumes of UNESCO member states aroused great interest. Note that the 219th session of the UNESCO Executive Board heard the reports on the implementation of the program adopted by the Bureau and the General Conference of the Organization. The session participants discuss issues such as follow-up to decisions and resolutions adopted during the previous sessions of the Executive Board and the General Conference, elimination of racial discrimination, racial hatred, and racial hate crimes in the world. The "Bicycle for All: Bicycle for Sustainable and Healthy Lifestyles" initiative and actions taken by UNESCO towards increased global financing of media and information literacy (MIL) were also included in the agenda of the session. As a UNESCO member, Azerbaijan has been actively engaged in promoting cultural diversity and heritage preservation. The country has been constantly participating in UNESCO programs since 1992. Through its efforts, Azerbaijan plays a significant role in UNESCO's mission to build peace, foster sustainable development, and foster intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. In 2003, the parties signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education, and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors of UNESCO. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Christopher Preciado, 19, center, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. Christopher will be charged with capital murder. His father Ramon Preciado, 53, was also arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend Matthew Guerra, 22, disappeared shortly before Christmas. Christopher Preciado, 19, has been indicted on capital murder charges in their deaths. Courtesy photo Raviana Covarrubias, cousin of Savanah Soto, places candles and flowers around a growing memorial honoring Soto and her unborn child Fabian during a vigil at Kenwood Park on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Soto, who had been missing since last Friday, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were found dead inside a car at an apartment complex on the Northwest Side on Tuesday afternoon. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Nineteen-year old Christopher Preciado has been indicted on charges of capital murder in the deaths of Savanah Soto, 18, Matthew Guerra, 22, and their unborn baby. TNS Ramon Preciado, 53, is charged with helping his son Christopher, 19, dispose of the bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22. TNS Myrta Romanos, arrested in connection to the Capital Murder case of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra. Courtesy of SAPD Myrta Romanos is charged with helping her stepson Christopher, 19, dispose of the bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News The words "Baby Killer" are spray painted on a car in the driveway of a home in the 5600 block of Charlie Chan Drive where Ramon and Christopher Preciado were arrested by San Antonio police in the deaths of Savannah Soto and Matthew Guerra. People have been leaving candles and other keepsakes ever since police said the couple was killed at the home and their bodies were left elsewhere. Jacob Beltra Ramon Preciado, 53, is arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, by the San Antonio Police Department in connection to the fatal shootings of pregnant teen Savanah Soto and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra. His son, Christopher Preciado, 19, was also arrested and charged with capital murder, while Ramon was charged with abuse of a corpse, according to SAPD Sgt. Washington Moscoso. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Family member Brenda Lara takes a moment of silence at a memorial for Savanah Soto, 18, and her unborn baby Fabian during a vigil at Kenwood Park on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in San Antonio. Savanah Soto, 18, who was found dead alongside her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, on Tuesday. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Myrta Romanos is escorted Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in San Antonio by San Antonio police officers to a police car after she was arrested on charges related to the slayings of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News A San Antonio man and his parents have been indicted in connection with the Christmas-season killings of pregnant teenager Savanah Soto, her boyfriend and their unborn baby. A Bexar County grand jury charged Christopher Preciado, 19, with capital murder-multiple persons, capital murder-child under 10 and capital murder-underlying robbery. RELATED: A timeline of the killings of Savanah Soto and Matthew Guerra Advertisement Article continues below this ad He is accused of shooting to death Soto, 18, and her 22-year-old boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, and of killing their unborn son, Fabian. Wednesdays indictment also charged Preciado with three counts of tampering with a human corpse, four counts of tampering with evidence and three counts of abuse of a corpse, according to the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. Preciados father, Ramon, 53, and his mother, Myrta Romanos, 47, were charged with multiple counts of altering, destroying or concealing human remains, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. The three defendants lived in a home in the 5000 block of Charlie Chan Drive on the Northwest Side, a few blocks from where the bodies of Soto and Guerra were found Dec. 26, each shot in the head. They had been missing for days. Police said Christopher Preciado killed Soto and Guerra when a drug deal went bad and that his parents helped him dispose of the bodies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Preciado and his parents have a court hearing scheduled for April 16 before state District Judge Jennifer Pena. All have been jailed since their arrests. The son is being held without bail, and his parents have been unable to make bail. Imminent danger Soto grew up on the West Side and began dating Guerra when she was a sophomore at Holmes High School. She was last seen in Guerras car, a gray 2013 Kia Optima, around 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at a Leon Valley apartment complex where she and Guerra lived. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Soto was about to give birth, scheduled to go to a hospital Dec. 23 so doctors could induce labor. Her family grew frantic when she failed to show up and calls to her cellphone went unanswered. On Christmas Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a missing persons alert for Soto, saying she was believed to be in imminent danger. The next day, she and Guerra were found dead in his Kia at the Colinas at Medical Apartments on the Northwest Side, about 3 miles from where Soto was last seen. On Dec. 28, the San Antonio Police Department made public a security video that showed Guerras Kia and a black pickup pulling up side by side in a parking lot at the apartment complex. A heavyset man could be seen getting out of the pickup and talking to someone in Guerras car. He then took a white towel and wiped the car door before they both drove off. Police asked for the publics help in identifying the people in the video. They said later that Ramon Preciado was the driver of the truck and that his son was in the Kia with the victims bodies. Investigators believe Soto and Guerra were killed elsewhere and that the Kia was driven to the apartments and abandoned there. Police arrested Christopher Preciado and his father Jan. 3, charging the son with capital murder and his father with abuse of a corpse and concealing human remains. A week later, Romanos was taken into custody. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wednesdays indictment charges Christopher Preciado with three types of capital murder because he is accused of slaying more than one person, killing a child under age 10 and doing so during the commission of another felony, a robbery. All three are aggravating factors that elevate a murder charge to capital murder under the Texas Penal Code. We commend the members of the local law enforcement community who jointly investigated the case and thank them for their diligence and effort, District Attorney Joe Gonzales said in a news release Wednesday. Now, it is our offices turn to uphold justice for the victims. Continuing threat Tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison, and abuse of a corpse is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility. Capital murder is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or by death. The DAs office has not said whether it will seek the death penalty in this case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A capital crimes committee of senior prosecutors weighs the circumstances of potential death penalty cases. The wishes of the victims family are considered. Then the panel votes. Gonzales, who established the committee after taking office in 2019, has the final say. If a jury convicts a defendant of capital murder in a case where the prosecution is seeking the death penalty, jurors then must decide two special issues: whether the defendant represents a continuing threat to society and whether there are mitigating circumstances that warrant a life prison term instead. A person can be sentenced to death only if the jury answers yes to the first question and no to the second. The district attorneys office had 90 days from the date of the family members arrests to obtain an indictment. If it failed to do so, the defendants could have been eligible for a bail reduction or even release on their own recognizance. 28 March 2024 11:04 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more As it is known, the State Security Service (SSS) of the Republic of Azerbaijan also coordinates the activities of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons, said Ali Naghiyev, the head of the State Security Service, in an interview with the official newspaper, Azernews reports. He noted that intensive work is currently in progress to clarify the fate of 3,890 of our citizens registered as missing persons in the State Commission as a result of the First Garabagh War, to identify mass graves in the territories liberated from occupation, and to exhume and identify the remains. "As a result of the measures taken, the identification of 107 missing persons was ensured, among them the names of 34 people, including the late employee of the security agencies who went missing in the Dashalti operation in January 1992, Riad Ahmadov, the National Hero of Azerbaijan, who was announced to the public. In the coming days, the names of 73 more people will be announced to the public. The important tasks set before us by the head of state regarding the sensitive issue of searching for our missing citizens will be carried out in full and on time," Colonel-General Ali Naghiyev stressed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 14:22 (UTC+04:00) Fatime Letifova Read more Azerbaijan`s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva met with residents of Armenian descent in Khankendi and visited a shelter created for vulnerable population groups, Azernews reports. The Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner paid attention to the state of ensuring the rights and freedoms of residents of Armenian descent who live in the institution as well as outside the institution and benefit from the services, and gave detailed information about the powers of the Ombudsman. Also, social services and food supplies provided to residents by psychologists and social workers were monitored. During the visit, posters containing information about the Ombudsman's 24-hour 916 Call Centre were presented to the institution. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 16:25 (UTC+04:00) Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa has sent a congratulatory letter to Ilham Aliyev on his re-election as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to Azernews, the letter reads as follows: "His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Your Excellency, On behalf of myself, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa, I hereby wish to express my profound congratulations on your re-appointment as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. South Africa remains strongly committed to the historical and political bond that exist between our two nations which has created a platform for engagement at various levels, including on bilateral matters, as well as on matters pertaining to regional, continental and global challenges. It is the desire of the Government of South Africa to build on the existing strong relations we have with Azerbaijan and our commitment and solidarity with the people and the government of Azerbaijan. Accordingly, the people of the Azerbaijan have affirmed their trust in your leadership. I look forward to working in partnership with you to further advance the promotion of South-South cooperation and the common ideals of growth, global equity, and social justice. Please, allow me, Your Excellency, to convey my best wishes for your personal good health, prosperity and success as you continue your tenure in the service of your country and look forward to our future cooperation. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Yours sincerely, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 12:36 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more In January of this year, Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to Turkiye witnessed a marginal decline, yet the country retained its position as a significant supplier to the Turkish energy market. We will delve into the intricacies of Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to Turkiye, analysing the recent trends, comparing statistics with previous years, and exploring the broader implications for both countries' energy sectors. According to Azernews with reference to the state statistics data, Azerbaijan exported 877.74 million cubic metres of natural gas to Turkiye in January. This figure represents a minor decrease of 0.47% compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this slight decline, Azerbaijan remained the third-largest exporter of natural gas to Turkiye, accounting for 13.46% of Turkey's total natural gas imports for the month. In contrast to Azerbaijan's modest decline, Turkiye experienced a notable increase in its overall natural gas imports. The country imported a total of 6.5197 billion cubic metres of natural gas in January, marking a significant uptick of 7.8% compared to January 2023. This surge in imports reflects Turkiye's growing demand for natural gas and its efforts to diversify its energy sources. Russia emerged as the top exporter of natural gas to Turkiye in January, exporting 2.68163 billion cubic metres. This figure represents a substantial increase of 29.73% compared to January 2023, underscoring Russia's dominant position in Turkiye's energy market. Following Russia, the United States secured the third position, delivering 1.0446 billion cubic metres of gas to Turkey, marking a notable increase of 42.41% compared to January 2023. Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to Turkiye play a crucial role in ensuring Turkiye's energy security and meeting its growing energy demands. The decline in Azerbaijan's exports in January highlights the need for both countries to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation in the energy sector. Additionally, as Turkiye continues to diversify its energy sources, opportunities for collaboration between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are likely to expand further. Turkiye receives a significant portion of its natural gas supply from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field. The natural gas volumes are transported to the Turkish market through the South Caucasus Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum) and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP). The commencement of commercial gas transportation via TANAP in 2018 has bolstered Turkiye's energy security and contributed to the strengthening of bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. Despite the minor decline in January's natural gas exports, Azerbaijan remains a key player in Turkiye's energy landscape. As both countries strive to meet their energy needs and enhance energy security, continued collaboration and investment in infrastructure are paramount. With ongoing developments in the energy sector, Azerbaijan-Turkiye energy relations are poised to play an increasingly significant role in regional energy dynamics. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 15:37 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Staying true to its tradition, Armenia disappointed another of its friend and ally countries, more precisely Iran. If we say that in the Garabagh War, Iran was the only Muslim country that sided with Armenia, we would not be wrong. Love for Armenia blinded Iran to such an extent that Tehran did not even hesitate to threaten Azerbaijan because of Armenia. In response to all that Iran has done for Armenia, Yerevan is preparing to hold a joint security conference with the EU and the United States in April and sign an agreement. This, in turn, means trampling Iran's red lines. It is strange that in the background of all these events, Iran still maintains its silence. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, political analyst Samir Humbatov noted that it seems that Iran's turning a blind eye to Armenia may also come from Iran's attempt not to lose Armenia. However, it should be taken into account that deepening cooperation with NATO and bringing the USA and the EU to the region may lead to a situation that will discourage Iran. Samir Humbatov does not think that Iran will stand still in such a situation. Because it already means that the presence of forces hostile to Tehran in the territory of Armenia includes actions that will target Iran. From this point of view, the reason for Iran's silence today could be interpreted as Iran thinking that such an event will not happen. I don't believe that it will last forever. If NATO comes to the region and the relations between NATO and Armenia are deepened, this will be a threat to Iran. The collective West and USA may directly try to strike Iran through Armenia, the expert noted. He said that if NATO comes to this region, it may lead to the escalation of new conflicts in the South Caucasus. He does not believe that Iran will take it calmly. However, it is true that today Iran is deepening its economic and political relations with Armenia. He pointed out that indeed, Iran says that the territorial integrity of the neighbouring states is our red line, but there are reasons behind it. However, it may have a great impact on the region with NATO's entry into the region, and Iran may want to prevent this from now on. I don't think that this issue will be solved so easily. Bringing the West to the region, Armenia may further increase the tension in the Iran-NATO-Russia triangle. By doing this, Armenia actually created tension in the region. It is not only about Azerbaijan. By coming to the region, NATO aims to hit both Iran and Russia. Therefore, I do not think that Iran and Russia will accept NATO's arrival in the region. If NATO enters the region and if Yerevan and Washington sign a strategic agreement, this will cause great tension within Armenia. Besides, Iran and Russia can put pressure on Armenia. In a word, great dangers will await Armenia, Humbatov added. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Legislative Assembly of Okinawa Prefecture protested the resumption of flights of the US Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, Azernews reports, citing the Kyodo agency. The protest and the written opinion that the tiltrotor planes should be removed from the US Marine Corps Futemma base were adopted unanimously. In March, the US military resumed tiltrotor flights, which had been stopped since November due to an accident in Japan, which killed 8 people. Currently, 29 Osprey tiltrotor planes are deployed in Japan: at the USAF Yokota Base near Tokyo 5 and at the US Marine Corps Futemma Base on Okinawa 24, as well as 14 such tiltrotor planes belonging to the Ground Self-Defense Forces and stationed at the Kisarazu base in Chiba next to Tokyo. Despite assurances from the Ministry of Defense that detailed explanations were received from the American side, there is no detailed information about the causes of the accident in the public domain. This is explained by the specifics of the issue related to secrecy. The population in the places where Osprey flights take place is concerned about the safety problems of tiltrotor aircraft. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 22:55 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The armed forces of Taiwan recorded the appearance of 20 aircraft and 8 ships of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) near the island, Azernews reports, citing the defense ministry of Taiwan. The Taiwanese military noted that 14 PLA vehicles crossed the so-called middle line of the Taiwan Strait, which is considered a conditional demarcation line with mainland China on the island. Among them were J-16 fighter jets, Y-8 multirole aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of March, the Taiwanese army has recorded the appearance of 343 military aircraft and 186 Chinese ships near the island. Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled there, having been defeated in the Chinese civil war. Beijing considers Taiwan to be one of the provinces of the People's Republic of China. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 23:00 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre Following the attack on the Turkish Consulate General in Hannover, Diplomatic Sources announced that meetings were held with the local authorities in Hannover at midnight last night and then with the German Ambassador in Ankara. Additionally, Foreign Ministry made statement and noted that an attack was carried out on the entrance gate of Turkish Consulate General in Hanover by supporters of the PKK terrorist organisation on the night of March 26. There was no loss of life or injury in the incident. After the attack, German authorities were contacted and reminded that the German authorities are responsible for the security of Turkish citizens and diplomatic missions in Europe. It has been stated that they should not allow actions aimed at provoking Turkish society. There was no loss of life or injury in the incident. After the attack, German authorities were contacted and reminded that the German authorities were responsible for the security of Turkish citizens and diplomatic missions, and they did not engage in actions aimed at provoking the Turkish community in Europe. Discussions were held with the local authorities in Hannover at midnight last night and then with the German Ambassador in Ankara this morning, regarding the attack on the entrance gate of our Consulate General in Hannover. In Germany, supporters of the terrorist organisation PKK attacked the building of the Consulate General of Turkey in Hannover. According to the information obtained, a march in support of the terrorist organisation PKK was held in Hannover at night, and 12 PKK supporters who left there came to the Hannover Consulate General and tried to break the windows of the building with hard objects. The attackers quickly escaped after cracking the glass at the main entrance of the Consulate General. It was learned that Hannover Consul General Ozge Gul Kaya asked the German authorities to increase security measures in both the Consulate General and the venues belonging to Turkish non-governmental organisations after the attack. On the other hand, it was stated that last night in Hamburg, PKK supporters, accompanied by the police, organised a march in support of the terrorist organisation sympathisers in Belgium. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 18:54 (UTC+04:00) Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is concerned about the Armenia-US-EU meeting, Azernews reports, citing the spokesperson of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Maria Zakharova, on the telegram channel. The meeting planned to be held on April 5 in the format of Armenia-US-European Union (EU) aims to weaken the existing security and economic cooperation mechanisms in the South Caucasus. According to her, such meetings cause concern in Moscow because they are particularly anti-Russian in nature. "These meetings cause concern in most countries in the region. Because they aim not to achieve peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia but to involve the South Caucasus in the extremely divisive approaches of the Western world. Moreover, such meetings are aimed at creating new dividing lines in the region, forcing the countries of the region to adhere to the anti-Russian agenda, disrupting their ties with Moscow, and weakening existing regional security and economic cooperation mechanisms." Zakharova emphasised that Armenia, in front of the whole world, is turning into a tool for implementing extremely dangerous plans that are completely contrary to the fundamental interests of the Armenian people in the collective West. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 18:17 (UTC+04:00) By News Centre The installation, commissioning, and operation processes of RHG Enerturk Electric Vehicle Charging Stations will be carried out under the supervision of TUV SUD, one of Germany's most reliable brands in this field. Thanks to this application, which is the first in the sector, it is aimed at introducing the phrase "safe charging station" to the sector by providing a high level of security against risks and accidents that may occur at the stations for both electric vehicles and users. Surveillance information of the relevant station can be easily accessed with the QR code on RHG Enerturk Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, which continue to be controlled by TUV SUD at regular six-month periods. With the strategic cooperation that started in 2023, a road map to be implemented from the installation to operation of electric vehicle charging stations was created under the supervision of TUV SUD. Every point of the electric vehicle charging stations was aimed to be resistant and safe to climate conditions with reliable materials with international certificates, and the understanding of sustainability was prioritized at every stage of the process. Users can use the labels and QR codes on RHG Enerturk Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. They will have access to information about the results of the safety tests and how the determined standards are implemented and followed, and will charge at electric vehicle charging stations with safe infrastructure. RHG Enerturk Energy General Manager Alpay Beyla and TUV SUD Turkiye CEO Kerim Eroglu came together at the cooperation information meeting. RHG Enerturk Enerji General Manager Alpay Beyla. We are one of the first 5 companies in Turkiye to receive an electric vehicle charging station operating licence. While establishing our electric vehicle charging stations, we proceeded by taking into account the needs of the sector, especially the station and charging safety issues, which have become an important issue in the global market. From the very beginning of our investment processes, we focused on technical planning that would gain user trust and, most importantly, ensure the safety of life and property. We have started our work to ensure that the technical criteria are permanent and transparent when choosing the construction and electrical subcontractors with whom we will work in the installation of our stations so that our customers can charge their electric vehicles comfortably, quickly, and reliably. While contributing to the electrification of transportation, our focus is not only to install devices and stations but also to keep our operational efficiency in the field of electric vehicle charging network operation at the highest level and to make permanent the user trust we have gained. In order to eliminate all operational risks that may occur, we bring together different subcontractors and technical stakeholders on common ground. We know that technical specifications and guides prepared in accordance with international norms are a first for the industry, and we expect them to serve as a guide. We prioritise the safety of our customers and employees and direct our work accordingly. In his statement, he touched upon the importance of the project for the electric vehicle charging industry and its users. TUV SUD Turkiye General Manager Kerim Eroglu said, As TUV SUD, we have been working to add value to businesses and consumers for more than 150 years, taking into account reliability, quality, and sustainability for future generations. Our collaboration with RHG Enerturk Enerji will provide great convenience to users when choosing a "safe charging station" with the labelling system that will prove the reliability of electric vehicle charging stations. We aim for our collaboration to add value to RHG Enerturk Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and their customers. said. RHG Enerturk Enerji, which stands out with its important collaborations and projects in the field of electric vehicle charging stations, has an important role in the field of sustainable energy and transportation, as well as the reliable charging opportunity it provides to electric vehicle users, thanks to its cooperation with TUV SUD, the pioneer of the sector with its comprehensive testing, certification, and inspection services. It represents one step. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Steven Weste, shown walking into the federal courthouse during his trial in 2009, lost an appeal of his conviction and sentence. JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Stephen Weste walks into the Federal Courthouse Monday. Weste was in court for sending threatening e-mails. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS A former Judson Independent School District teacher sentenced in 2009 to 15 years in prison for cyberstalking a former girlfriend who was a recent graduate of the high school where he taught is heading back to prison for committing the same crime against the same woman. After hearing three days of testimony this week, a federal jury in San Antonio took a little more than an hour Thursday to find that Steven Weste had harassed the woman, her husband and others via the internet. Jurors found him guilty on two counts of cyberstalking and two counts of sending interstate communications with a threat to injure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weste, 47, showed no emotion in court when he learned of his conviction, and his lawyer, Michael Gross, declined comment after the hearing. Weste faces up to five years on each count at his sentencing July 10. Steven Weste, shown walking into the federal courthouse during his trial in 2009, lost an appeal of his conviction and sentence. John Davenport/Express-News Witnesses testified that Weste posed as a woman who claimed in emails that she'd been raped by the ex-girlfriend's husband, using an email address that included "metoo." The emails threatened to expose the man and embarrass the hospital where he works. He sent similar emails to the city of Temple, where the woman works. "You have a monster working in your company," one email to the hospital said. "How a company can continue to allow (victim's husband) to work for you after he sexually assaulted me is beyond my understanding." Witnesses called by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bettina Richardson and Karina O'Daniel testified that the false allegations prompted the hospital and Temple officials to open internal investigations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "They appeared to increase in severity," hospital employee Alan Barker testified. "As the communications went on, this individual continued to allege additional actions that (the husband) had committed." In a follow-up email, Weste writing under the guise of a female rape victim said he would report the hospital to the media to expose the kind of "monsters they hire." The email claimed the husband had been bragging about sexually assaulting other women. Witnesses said the allegations were never substantiated. Once the ex-girlfriend saw the email, she immediately recognized them as Weste's work, according to prosecutors. "Upon the Defendant being released from custody he resumed his harassing and threatening behavior," prosecutors wrote in a court filing. "On September 6, 2021, the Defendant again began sending communication to an employer of an individual closely related to (the ex-girlfriend) just like the emails in 2006." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Defense lawyer Gross filed a motion to suppress evidence in the case, arguing that officials illegally searched devices and obtained evidence that should have been thrown out. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam denied that motion after prosecutors filed their response. Between September 6, 2021, and Oct. 18, 2021, while in a federal halfway house in San Antonio, Weste sent 10 messages "of a threatening and harassing nature," the prosecutors said in a court filing. The emails were sent to the hospital, the city of Temple, the mayor of Temple and TV stations in Waco. "Within these messages, Weste alleged that the husband had sexually assaulted multiple women, including 'Elise P,' a fictitious identity with a (fabricated) email address," the filing said. "Weste accused the City of Temple and Temple Mayor Tim Davis of colluding with (the hospital) to cover up the alleged assaults. "Weste followed through on his threats, contacting two television stations, asserting the same lies and allegations," the filing said. "In one message, Weste instructed Mayor Tim Davis to fire (the ex-girlfriend) from the City of Temple, warning that it would be an issue in the next election if the Mayor did not do so." Advertisement Article continues below this ad An FBI agent who investigated the previous case against Weste determined he was given access to a cellphone and the internet when he was transferred from a prison in Louisiana to the local halfway house in July 2021 to serve out the remainder of his sentence, the prosecutors said. Weste was returned to prison in October 2021 as the FBI investigation continued. He was indicted in 2022 on the four charges he was convicted of Thursday. The witnesses testified the emails stopped when he was sent back to prison. Weste denied the allegations but put on no witnesses. MORE COVERAGE: Former Judson teacher sentenced to 15 years for threats Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gross instead focused on attacking the evidence and arguing that the prosecution had not met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A federal jury convicted Weste in July 2009 of all 15 counts he faced, including threatening to kill several people, among them the ex-girlfriend. They started dating after she graduated from high school in May 2005, but she broke it off in 2006 when he got angry that she'd been accepted by a college on the East Coast. Weste also was convicted of concealing material facts and lying to a federal agency. Jurors in the 2009 trial found that Weste, posing as the woman's mother and other people, sent emails to the Border Patrol that falsely accused an agent of molesting a 14-year-old girl and of raping two women. The agent had dated the ex-girlfriend's older sister, who had opposed the woman's relationship with Weste. Weste argued at trial that the Border Patrol agent and the woman's mother sent the messages. 28 March 2024 17:00 (UTC+04:00) Ulviyya Shahin Read more A protest action was held against French colonialism in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, Azernews reports. Thousands of people participated in the protest organised against French colonialism. Participants chanted slogans against France's colonial policy and demanded independence. During the action, the Prime Minister of New Caledonia, Louis Mapu, spoke in front of the demonstrators. Three flags, including those of the United Nations, New Caledonia, and Azerbaijan, were raised during the protest. In a sign of gratitude for Azerbaijan's constant support and assistance in the fight against neocolonialism, some of the participants prominently displayed Azerbaijan's state attributes and flags at the forefront of the rally. Some demonstrators even wore jackets with the flags of Azerbaijan and Kanak. In recent protest actions, alongside the flag of New Caledonia, the flag of Azerbaijan has been waved as a symbol of gratitude to Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 21:50 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva A U.S. House of Representatives delegation will visit Ankara on Friday, March 29, where it will hold talks at the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. The Turkish defense Ministry, the American delegation will be personally received by the Minister of National Defense Yashar Guler. The supply and modernization of the fleet of F-16 military aircraft of the Turkish Air Force are on the agenda of the negotiations. In addition, it is planned to discuss the situation in Syria, where the United States, according to Ankara, despite Turkey's criticism, continues to support the YPG terrorist organization. "The Turkish side plans to inform Washington of Ankara's priorities in the field of national security in the light of the arms supply projects on the agenda of the US Congress," the Turkish Defense Ministry said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 March 2024 21:20 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva China has developed a guided anti-aircraft missile capable of hitting aerial targets at a distance of two thousand kilometers, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. The new rocket is 8 meters long and weighs 2.5 tons and can be launched from mobile devices. It is designed to shoot down radar aircraft and long-range bombers. Although there is no complete information about the appearance of the rocket, it is assumed that it is similar to the Feitian-1 hypersonic missile developed two years ago. According to Chinese experts, the new missile has not yet entered service with the Chinese army, but "is important for maintaining peace and stability on a global and regional scale." It should be noted that the flight range of the world's most advanced anti-aircraft missiles is no more than several hundred kilometers. Providing target designation when using long-range weapons is a problem. Chinese scientists plan to solve this problem with the help of reconnaissance satellites. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivers remarks during a solidarity gathering for Israel at the Dell Jewish Community Campus on October 9, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Wednesday telling Texas colleges to crack down on the proliferation of antisemitism on campuses that he said has happened since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last fall. The order directs public universities to update their free speech policies to include the states definition of antisemitism and to establish appropriate punishments, including expulsion from the institution for those who spread anti-Jewish sentiments on campus. Tensions have been building on college campuses across the country, as both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students have engaged in intense debates and protests over the war. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While many Texas universities have acted quickly to condemn antisemitism and foster appropriate discourse on the terrorist attacks against Israel and the ensuing Israel-Hamas War, some radical organizations have engaged in unacceptable actions on university campuses, Abbott said in the executive order. Texas supports free speech, especially on university campuses, but that freedom comes with responsibilities for both students and the institutions themselves, he continued. Abbott did not mention any specific incidents in the order. But the Republican governor singled out pro-Palestine student groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Students for Justice in Palestine, which he said should be disciplined for violating the new free speech policies. He said pro-Palestine students have been chanting phrases including from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, which Abbott described as antisemitic. The Anti-Defamation League says the phrase calls for the destruction of Israel, while defenders say it is a rallying cry calling for Palestinian liberation from oppression. Abbott is asking all public universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M, to update their policies and enforce the new rules within the next three months. The order also came about a week after the Texas Hillel Foundations building at UT-Austin was vandalized with vulgar antisemitic epithets, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Free speech groups, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, criticized Abbotts order as too broad and said it unfairly targeted student groups expressing their political views. When anti-Semitic speech crosses beyond the First Amendments protection, Texas institutions have a moral and legal obligation to take action, the organization said in a statement Wednesday. But todays executive order relies on a definition of anti-Semitism that reaches core political speech, including criticism of Israel. State-mandated campus censorship violates the First Amendment and will not effectively answer anti-Semitism. The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, also known as CAIR-Texas, similarly condemned the executive order as an attack on students rights to freely express their views on campus. It is crucial to recognize that advocating for Palestinian rights and criticizing the actions of the Israeli government are not inherently antisemitic, said Mustafa Carroll, the executive director of CAIR-DFW. Students must be allowed to express their opinions and engage in robust debates on complex geopolitical issues without fear of reprisal or censorship. Advertisement Article continues below this ad William White, the director of the groups Houston chapter, said the governor is effectively silencing dissenting voices and stifling legitimate political discourse by targeting specific student organizations. Abbotts office did not respond to a request for additional comment. His executive order came roughly five months after Hamas militants launched an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,100 people and taking hundreds more hostage. Israel then initiated a forceful and violent counterattack that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The conflict has pushed the Gaza Strip to the brink of famine. In the weeks after the war began, the Texas GOP faced its own debate over tolerance for antisemitism within the party. In October, a prominent far-right activist met for six hours with a white supremacist who has praised Adolf Hitler. The activist, Jonathan Stickland, at the time led a deep-pocketed political action committee that made major donations to the state party and to right-wing Republican candidates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas GOPs executive committee was split over whether it should call for the organization to cut ties with anyone who associates with people who espouse or promote antisemitism. Abbott did not make any public statements about that debate. Astoria, Oregon's Wine Competition Wraps Up, Announces Winners Published 3/27/24 at 4:15 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Astoria, Oregon) There are winners of all kinds when it comes to the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival that's coming up in April, and part of that was the wine competition held earlier this month in the north Oregon coast town. The festival has a sort of season which begins the month prior to its usual date of the last full weekend in April. Kicking things off was the 2024 wine competition, which featured nearly 100 wines submitted by 24 wineries, happening March 16. Entrants were part of the 40 different winery booths that will be at the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival. Some two-thirds were red wines, according to the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce. And there were more than two dozen different types of wine present, the chamber said. The festival itself happens on April 26-28, at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo in Astoria, Oregon. Five judges comprised the panel of tasters, together amassing some 30 years of experience in the wine industry as winemakers, sommeliers, educators, buyers and writers. The chamber said it was looking for diversity in the group, allowing them to evaluate each wine from a different perspective. It included the north Oregon coast's Steven Sinkler of Cannon Beach's The Wine Shack; Patrick McElligott, Chemeketa Community College Winemaking Program Educator; Neil Ferguson, Oregon Wine Board Director of Marketing; Michele Francisco, Oregon Wine Press Editor; and from the Newberg Fred Meyer came wine buyer Cyndi Gierok. Those red and white wines scoring at the top were brought back to the judges for additional critiques and to come to a consensus on Best of Show. The judges individually scored each wine they tasted using a 20-point scale on criteria including appearance, taste, texture, aroma, aftertaste, and overall impression, the chamber said. The wineries and identifying information are concealed from the judges during this blind tasting. The chamber said this was a very difficult decision to arrive at: Best of Show entailed finding selections for both red and white wines. The judges thought each of the wines were excellent examples of their varietal and deserving of their recognition as gold medal winners," the chamber said. The Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival brings in thousands to the coastal town, often spotlighting local businesses. Yet it is still a regional event, bringing together vendors, wineries, brewers and foodmakers from not just the Oregon coast but the Washington coast and inland areas. To see the full list of the top wines, visit https://astoriacrabfest.com/wine-competition. The full list of wines will be featured in the event program and medals will be provided to those wineries at the event. Best of Show for reds was Lolati Wines from Sherwood, Syrah, 2021. Best of Show for whites was also Lolati Wines, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022. Peoples Choice Award was J. Scott Cellars from Eugene, Albarino, 2022. Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Cuteness on Parade: Gleneden Beach Pet Parade March 30 Benefits Oregon Coast Shelter Published 3/25/24 at 6:45 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Gleneden Beach, Oregon) Just south of Lincoln City, one little beach burgh is about to go into cuteness overload. While the whole of the Oregon coast is very pet friendly, Gleneden Beach is going to put a spotlight on your little beastie at the end of the month, capping off spring break with the Gleneden Beach Pet Party and Parade on March 30. (Above: Tucker and Heidi, photo Norman Hagestedt) Starting at 1 p.m. at the Community Hall (110 Azalea St.), it's a party and a parade if the weather permits. A big part of this event is to support a local charity, in this case the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. The entry fee is $10 and costumed participants will be entered into a drawing for pet-related products, like toys, gift cards, etc. According to one of the organizers with the local club, Linda Griepentrog, this is the first time the little town has made this endeavor, and hopefully it will become a regular thing. This is the first Pet Parade the Gleneden Beach Community Club has sponsored and if all goes well, it will become an annual event, Griepentrog told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. We have done a pet-related Valentine photo event in the past called Puppy Love, offering a photo booth for pets and their owners. Parts of the proceeds will go to the center, and the event is also asking for donated pet food and toys. Gleneden Beach - Oregon Coast Beach Connection Everyone is encouraged make a springtime costume for their pet be it kitty, doggo, bunny or whatever although it's not a requirement. If the weather allows, there will be a bit of a parade through the Oregon coast burgh, going from the Community Hall over to the bench at Stevens St. that overlooks the ocean. If there's inclement weather, it will be held inside the hall. Of course, treats are a must for an event featuring your furry friend, and the humans are not forgotten here, either. Along the parade route will be some 'treat stops' for the participating pets and their people, Griepentrog said. With the club active in charities around the central coast, pets often come under this mission. They also look out for social or educational charities with their events. Indeed, coming up is a seasonal potluck event on April 13 with a potato and salad bar. The Pet Parade was just an idea that our social committee proposed to the board and we jumped on the idea, as we all love our pets and thought it would be a fun event, Griepentrog said. In February, we had an educational event called '3-dog Night' in which we had the K-9 officers from Lincoln City Police Dept. and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept. come and do a demo for us of what the dogs do and how they do it. We had 49 attendees. The Puppy Love event was last year and drew about 15 folks. There's a fair number of volunteers helping out on this one, as well as the other monthly events the club has. One of the most notable is the Pancake Breakfast every first Sunday of the month, which can be popular with visitors looking for a more downhome feel with their beach stay. Gripentrog said there are about 27 volunteers often helping out with that. April 20 is our huge Community Garage Sale, she said. There's also a monthly Game Night on the last Thursday of the month, and a slate of one educational event per month as well with varying topics. May 25 is a Lasagna Dinner and Silent Auction Fundraiser. We need funds to upgrade the restrooms at the hall, so are jokingly calling this event 'Lasagna for the Loo.' Other charities given some attention by the 190-member club include Lincoln County Food Pantry, Shop with a Cop and others. https://glenedenbeach.org/ Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Hatfield Marine Science Center's Marine Science Day Returns to Newport, Oregon Coast Published 3/27/24 at 5:35 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) A much-loved annual event returns again to the central coast, as Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport brings back its science fair and open house on Saturday, April 13 with Marine Science Day. It goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, found in South Beach over the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Of course, there's always that famous octopus in the front lobby to gawk at as well. More than three dozen hands-on exhibits will feature Hatfield-based scientists who work with state and federal programs, the center said. These exhibits showcase research on marine birds and mammals, aquaculture, ocean noise and fisheries. Noise? That's right: things off the Oregon coast make intriguing noises. You and the kiddies can learn about ocean engineering, touch crabs and sea stars, look at plankton under microscopes, explore the Hatfield Visitor Center and climb aboard the R/V Kalipi, a 29 aluminum vessel used in nearshore research. This year's keynote speakers are K.C Bierlich and Clara Bird from the Marine Mammal Institute's Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab. In their work, they're using drones to study whales, specifically the health and morphology of baleen whales. It's a non-invasive means of checking out the great cetaceans, and a form of study that often yields incredible videos even from just an aesthetic viewpoint. Both speakers have extensive experience using drone technology to study Antarctic minke whales, humpback whales, and Adelie penguins, the Center said. This talk will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Carem Ford Phillips Auditorium in the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building. Last year, there was overwhelming interest in the behind-the-scenes tours, resulting in expanded tours this time around. The tour schedule includes: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.: Hatfield's Seawater System Tours. Limit 15 people per tour, 45 minutes. 11 a.m.: Yaquina Estuary Trail Tour. Two groups simultaneously touring. Limit 20 people per group, 1 hour. 10:30 & 11:45 a.m. Vertical Tsunami Evacuation Tours. Limit 20 people per tour, 45 minutes. 11 a.m.: Aquaculture Tour, 20 people per tour, 1 hour. All tours are free, and tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available in the courtyard area in the Welcome Tent. The Hatfield Visitor Center will also be free and open to visitors all day. Hatfield Marine Science Center is at 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, Oregon. https://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/ Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Oregon History Made as Coastal Lighthouse Near Florence Celebrates 130 Years Published 3/26/24 at 3:25 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Florence, Oregon) One of the most photographed landmarks on the Oregon coast turns 130 years old on March 30, and it's throwing its own birthday party that day. Heceta Head Lighthouse was first lit on March 30 of 1894, and Saturday means tours of the BnB Lightkeeper's quarters, live music, a raffle drawing with prizes, free hot dogs and even an Easter Egg hunt at 11 a.m. The entire celebration begins then and lasts for awhile, though tours end at 3 p.m. See hecetaheadlighthouse or call 541-547-5490 The occasion brings pause to look back at its history. Construction started on the landmark in 1892, and it was first lit some two years later on March 30, 1894. Coverage from local newspapers was an interesting mix of spotty and occasional, and then sometimes odd minutia. Like the small piece in Eugene-Register Guard in September of 1892, which noted how construction was going. The firm Montgomery & Page had brought 64 men to that spot, removing the earth and rocks which were recently precipitated into the light tower site, also the finishing up of the keepers' houses, oil houses and cisterns. Crews were working day and night clearing dirt from the area. Then, the newspaper goes on to note how one of the workmen lost a wheelbarrow over the edge of the rocks, plunging 200 feet. It was a few days later picked up on the beach ten miles this side of Heceta in perfect good order. Not exactly breaking news, but you could make the pun it was earth-shaking. According to the Albany Weekly Herald in 1894, the first crew consisted of head lightkeeper A.P.C. Hold with first assistant Eugene M. Walters. Second assistant keeper was John M. Cowan from Roseburg. Together, the trio launched the lighthouse into history. Over its time of service, it gazed out upon shipwrecks, including some dramatic ones. It hosted a few oddball situations like the rumor of the imploding whale. [Before Exploding Whale, Legend of Oregon Coast's Imploding Whale ] Most notably, it remains the only lighthouse on this coastline that still has its lightkeepers quarters. All those lighted towers at Newport, Cape Meares, Cape Blanco near Port Orford or the one at Bandon lost theirs decades ago. Oregon Coast Beach Connection The Heceta Head Lighthouse has an interesting connection to the area's most legendary lighthouse: Tillamook Rock Light offshore from Cannon Beach / Seaside. Oswald Allik served on both lighthouses as a head lightkeeper until their end, closing out the last log entry on the remote lighthouse in 1957. In 1961, he was the last to close out Heceta Head as it turned all electric. During his time there, a major storm and landslide hit the lighthouse, resulting in the only time its light went out in all those years of service. See Surprisingly, One Man Connects Oregon Coast Lighthouses at Heceta Head, Terrible Tilly After its official shutdown, it eventually opened back up as a tourist attraction. However, tours to the top via the long, spiral staircase stopped in the 2010s as did any tours of the interior. Officials said they discovered the old stairway unable to take that strain any longer. Other interesting incidents occurred there as well, including having to blast away part of the rock below for safety reasons, and puffins disappearing from this spot. Hotels in Yachats - Where to eat - Upper Lane County Maps and Virtual Tours - Florence Virtual Tour / Maps MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted The recent bridge collapse in Baltimore is an absolute nightmare, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this incredibly tough time. Beyond the heart-wrenching loss and the basic whys everyones dealing with, theres one crucial question not many are asking: Can America rebuild the bridge? Sure, it might seem odd to wonder about our capability to build a bridge in 2024, but sadly, its a valid concern these days. When you consider how our nation is faltering under inept globalist rule, dragged down by dangerous DEI agendas that place charity over excellence, and watching the decimation of hardworking middle-class America, the question isnt just rhetoricalits a stark reflection of our abysmal current reality. Revolver has been calling attention to this decline in American society for quite some time, starting from when Biden first introduced his infrastructure bill. Fast forward three years, and here we are: bridges collapsing, roads deteriorating, and lets not even dive into the chaos unfolding in our skies or the sorry state of our airports. Meanwhile, as China makes serious strides forward, it feels like were just spinning our wheels, stuck in neutral. Its a stark contrast that highlights where our priorities have been misplaced and the need for a serious reevaluation of how we invest in our nations future. Infrastructure has been a popular cause on the right since Donald Trumps presidential run began six years ago, and for good reason. If President Trump had started his first term with a massive bipartisan infrastructure project that included the Wall, rather than following GOP hack Paul Ryans tax cut agenda, the country would almost certainly be better off. Spending money to develop America and improve the lives of citizens is a much better use of the countrys wealth than fighting forever wars in the Hindu Kush or simply keeping half the country on the dole in one form or another. But there needs to be a degree of realism as well: In the country America has become, its never as simple as just spending money on infrastructure instead of warfare and welfare. Without truly ambitious, far-reaching reforms, and a competent non-corrupt leadership class to implement them, infrastructure is either a spoils system for special interest clients, or simply an expensive effort to maintain a crumbling status quo. This is the real tragedy of the infrastructure bill. Its not just about waste, excessive expense, incompetence, or special interest grift, though all that is there and it is impossible to imagine a major bill without these corruptions. Its also, at a deeper level, about the disappearance of greatness from our national spirit. Fifty-two years ago, the United States sent men to the moon. Today, America is no longer capable of a moon-landing level national project in fact, America may literally be incapable of an actual moon landing, too. Regardless, this infrastructure bill aspires to nothing of the sort. The question of whether we can rebuild that bridge is valid. Will Tanner, the co-founder and editor of American Tribune, is actually tackling this. He posted some serious food for thought in a recent post on X about this exact issue. Its terribly sad, particularly for the families of those aboard the Dali and driving across the Francis Scott Key Bridge, that it collapsed but its also sad in what questions it raises about Americas competence: can we build a new one? When the over mile and a half long bridge was built in the 70s, America was a very different place. We could go to the moon. People were competent and hard-working. The insane grievance studies hadnt made education worthless and kneecapped engineers. Regulation hadnt made construction impossible. Now? We have supercomputers. There are still intelligent engineers and hardworking Americans around, just look at Space X. But the woke mind virus, as Elon called it, has infected everything, everywhere. Regulation has stifled construction and furthered that mind virus. So when it comes to building a steel-span bridge across Baltimore harbor in 2024, its hard to say that yes, we can undoubtedly rebuild it in the same way that we could have said so in the 70s or 80s. Someone competent like Elon could still make it happen, but so long as the regime, of which Baltimores government is undoubtedly a part, is involved and pushing its mandates on those trying to build itnot so much So instead of the flying cars people from the time the bridge was built imagined wed have, well get a collapsed bridges and Boeing airplanes that fall apart. The rebuilding is a genuine worry. Especially when you consider the skills gap in this country and how our geopolitical enemies are ramping up their electronic warfare game, were likely to see more issues like this arise. Honestly, have you caught the unprofessional and downright bizarre reactions from Baltimores mayor and Marylands governor amidst this crisis? Its astonishing. The scary part is this: as were facing our own decline, other nations are advancing. The recent Baltimore bridge disaster could have been an attack, a result of DEI-related incompetence, or something else entirely. Whats clear, though, is that America is showing signs of wear and tear, and our focus shouldnt be misplaced on absurd pet projects like electric cars or gender transitioning. Its time to return to the fundamentals: roads, bridges, and airports, and see if we can spark that long-forgotten American can do spirit again. God knows we need it badly. Source: Here's the million-dollar question nobody is asking about the Baltimore bridge collapse... - Revolver News 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? Special Prosecutors Brian Wice, left, and Jed Silverman address reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Special Prosecutor Brian Wice addresses reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appears at a pretrial hearing in his securities fraud case before state District Judge Andrea Beall in the 185th District Court Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Paxton will have his charges dismissed in exchange for doing 100 hours of community service and meeting other requirements, according to a last-minute deal announced Tuesday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defense Attorney Dan Cogdell addresses reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Special Prosecutor Brian Wice addresses reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appears at a pretrial hearing in his securities fraud case before state District Judge Andrea Beall, 185th District Court, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defense Attorney Dan Cogdell addresses reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Special Prosecutors Brian Wice, left, and Jed Silverman address reporters after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Defense Attorney Dan Cogdell leaves the court after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Reporters asking Defense Attorney Dan Cogdell, front, questions after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed to pre-trial diversion in his securities fraud case Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appears at a pretrial hearing in his securities fraud case before state District Judge Andrea Beall in the 185th District Court Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Paxton will have his charges dismissed in exchange for doing 100 hours of community service and meeting other requirements, according to a last-minute deal announced Tuesday. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer The lead prosecutor in Ken Paxtons securities fraud case was scrambling in recent months to push back the trial date and find local district attorneys who could help him present a convincing argument to the jury. The April 15 trial date set by Harris County Judge Andrea Beall was quickly approaching after years of delays and an attempt by Paxtons team to have the charges dismissed for lack of a speedy trial was still pending. READ MORE: Texas AG Ken Paxton reaches deal allowing him to avoid trial in criminal securities fraud case Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brian Wice, the lead private attorney appointed to prosecute Paxton, told Hearst Newspapers he and defense attorney Dan Cogdell agreed they were not going to be ready by that date and decided to set a meeting with Beall on Valentines Day to ask to move the trial to September. The judge flatly rejected them. The previously unreported meeting came as one of the longest cases in Texas history, at nearly nine years, was suddenly fast-tracked. It ended on Tuesday in a deal that allowed Paxton to avoid any admission of guilt in exchange for community service and restitution payments. Paxton had been accused of soliciting two friends to invest in a North Texas technology company without disclosing he was getting a cut and failing to register as an investment adviser Prosecutors said they faced an uphill battle after so many years of procedural delays. But Wices problems began to pile up early this year, including when his co-counsel, Kent Schaffer, appeared ready to back out of the case because the two were not being paid amid an ongoing dispute with Collin County, where the case originated. Beall had told the lawyers on the case in October that she planned to hold the trial regardless of whether the pay issue was resolved. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in late January declined to intervene to settle the compensation issue, dragging it out further. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Schaffer considered leaving the case in February, he approached Cogdell about a possible deal allowing Paxton to have the charges dropped. At the time, restitution payments to the victims were not part of the discussion, Cogdell said, though he expected it likely would have come up if negotiations with Schaffer had continued. Wice was adamant that restitution be included. Without a consensus and with his compensation still in question, Schaffer, an experienced trial and criminal defense lawyer who has represented high-profile clients like music artist Travis Scott, withdrew from the case. That left Wice in a bind. Though also a veteran criminal defense lawyer, his expertise is in appellate law, and he hasnt tried a case on his own in decades. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats not my skill set, Wice said. Thats Kents skill set. Pound for pound, hes one of the best trial lawyers in the Western Hemisphere. Not a slam dunk Wice picked up an effort hed started months earlier when it seemed like Schaffer was about to leave: reaching out to local district attorneys about a half dozen in total to find a seasoned prosecutor who might be able to join the case. No one signed on to help. Wice said it seemed like most of the attorneys didnt want to get involved because of the political risks. Paxton spent the run-up to the recent primary election campaigning against his political enemies in the Texas House and judiciary and supported a new law that allows citizens to petition for the removal of elected district attorneys. Look, nobody wants to pick a fight with the schoolyard bully, Wice said. They didn't want to get into a rumble with Ken Paxton. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County District Attorneys office spokesman John Donnelly said Wice reached out years ago and the office declined to help, but he did not say why. Fort Bend District Attorney Brian Middleton said Wice approached him about the case in early 2023, at some point showing him evidence and explaining his theory. Middleton said he had concerns about the merits of the case. The decision to decline his request had nothing to do with fear, he said. It was a decision based on the law and the evidence presented at the time." The yearslong delay in trying Paxton had created issues with witnesses, Middleton said. He declined to join in October of last year. "When cases get old, it gets harder to prove," Middleton said. "If it was a slam dunk, I would have been more inclined to accept it." Advertisement Article continues below this ad After that, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said Wice reached out to him, and Gonzales said he told him he would keep an open mind. He said he never heard back from Wice. A spokesman for Jose Garza, the top prosecutor in Travis County, said lawyers there were also approached. Members of Garzas staff first met with Wice on Feb. 6, just weeks before the trial was supposed to begin, and asked him for more information to make a decision. The prosecutors also told Wice they wouldnt consider signing on unless the judge agreed to delay the trial further, which Wice assured them wouldnt be a problem, said the spokesman, Ismael Martinez. After that, they never heard back. Our office would have evaluated the Paxton matter the same way we assess all cases received by our office on the merits, Martinez said in a statement. Eventually, Wice brought on Jed Silverman, the former president of the Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association. A last-minute pivot Initially, the special prosecutors planned to focus the entire case around the least severe of the three charges the third-degree felony accusing him of failing to register as an investment adviser. But Wice and Silverman quickly realized they were up against a wall. On March 2, Wice and Silverman re-interviewed a key witness, Paxtons former friend and business associate Frederick Fritz Mowery, and learned he was going to take the blame for not having registered Paxton as an adviser. Everyone assumed and I was one of them, Kent, maybe the (Texas) Rangers that because Paxton had acknowledged the underlying conduct in April 2014 that it was a slam dunk, Wice said, referring to Paxton telling the Texas State Securities Board that his failure to register was a paperwork error. I know now it was anything but a slam dunk. After the realization, Wice and Silverman pivoted to anchoring the case around the charges related to misleading investors. But one of the alleged victims had died since the charges were announced, and other witnesses appeared unlikely to testify against Paxton. The law also isn't "crystal clear" about what a person soliciting investments is supposed to tell a potential investor, Schaffer said, and Paxton allegedly didn't lie outright, he lied by omission. Ultimately, Wice said they decided to reach out to Paxtons team for a deal. I was a little surprised, given how stringent he was earlier, Cogdell said about Wice returning to his team to reopen discussions about a deal. But Im not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Silverman said the victims, through their lawyer, indicated their top priority was recouping their money and that would translate into justice for them. Wice and Silverman said they had an obligation to abide by their clients wishes. I try cases. Thats what Ive been doing for 25 years. Thats where Im comfortable: in a courtroom, Silverman said. But it isnt a collegiate event; its not a sporting event. Youre dealing with human beings and their lives, and in the event Ken Paxton had been found not guilty, these people get no restitution. The chief of the Border Patrol union says that the BIden regime is actively planning a mass amnesty for illegal aliens by presidential decree, aka an executive order. While amnesty has always been regarded as something Congress would have to approve, the Biden regime appears to be considering doing it unilaterlly. According to the union, this would make our border situation much worse by encouraging even more illegal aliens to cross the border. https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2024/03/28/biden-amnesty-report-n2172033 One has to remember that Hitler established his dictatorship by ruling by decree instead of going through the Reichstag parliament. Biden is heading down the same path. Meanwhile, the Harvard-Harris poll has found that a solid majority of Hispanic Americans, 74% agree that the term "illegal alien" was appropriate for Laken Riley's murderer. Biden had apologized to the murderer for use of that term and said he should have called him "undocumeneted" https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/03/28/poll-majority-hispanics-disagree-biden-say-calling-laken-rileys-alleged-killer-illegal-appropriate/ Ray Stevens music satire on illegal immigration, "Come to the USA": Becker's connected with the CEOs of three ASC to see what healthcare trends have outstayed their welcome and the trends they believe are gaining favor in the industry. Note: These responses have been edited lightly for length and clarity. Question: What trends are losing steam in the ASC industry? What trends are picking up? Brian Bizub. CEO of Raleigh (N.C.) Orthopaedic Clinic. Overnight total joint patients have lost steam. Care pathways have been optimized to increase consistency, including less invasive techniques and faster-acting and more effective anesthetics, allowing patients to be safely discharged the same day rather than observing patients for 23 hours. Patients are demanding recovery in their homes rather than an overnight stay, which allows each patient to recover in the comfort of their home, return to activities quicker and research has proven to reduce complications of overnight stays continuing to reduce healthcare spend. Most patients prefer to complete their rehabilitation and physical therapy on an outpatient basis. Higher-acuity procedures are moving from the hospital outpatient department to ASC settings. Total shoulder replacements and minimally invasive spine procedures were moved from the inpatient-only list and have increased volumes in ASCs. ASCs continue to strategize on how to handle the substantial increase in procedural volume in the future as CMS continues to release procedures from the inpatient-only list to the ASC setting. ASCs have shown to be a patients preference for their surgical procedure. ASCs focus on being patient-centric providing greater personal attention, convenience and navigation throughout the surgical process, substantially less expensive than HOPDs or hospitals, while ensuring high quality of care and patient safety. Surgery centers are highly regulated to ensure quality and safety, which has been the hallmark of the ASC model. John Brady. CEO of Fox Valley Orthopedics (Geneva, Ill.). The lack of surgical techs and the decreased enrollment in tech training programs. Many centers are now cross-training RNs to scrub into those roles as result of the surgical tech shortage. This places additional cost pressures on the operations side of the business as now we are using higher priced assets to perform these duties. Seeing this trend reverse would be very helpful to the industry. Kristopher Kitz. CEO of Wyatt Surgery Center, Tucson Ambulatory Anesthesia and Eye Associates of Tucson (Tucson, Ariz.): The trend of more aggressively moving cases from hospital ORs seems to be picking up. Payors have been pushing this through educating consumers on the differences in their out-of-pocket costs should they have a procedure in a hospital OR rather than a surgery center. This has been happening for some time, but during 2020-21 there was a break related to the pandemic and seems to be picking up. Likely a related trend is hospitals and health systems becoming more active in the ASC joint venture and management services space, likely to preserve revenue streams leaving inpatient ORs. I also see more hospitals and health systems allowing their employed physicians to invest in ASCs, which previously was uncommon. Previously, hospitals and health systems focused on HOPD surgery centers rather than joint ventures or revenue enhancement opportunities. While somewhat market-dependent, many organizations are shifting away from hospital outpatient department-focused strategies and to the joint venture model that engages surgeons and attracts consumers with price-sensitive health insurance. Here are 10 of the biggest-budget acquisitions of physician groups, totaling approximately $45.3 billion, as reported by Becker's since 2019: Editor's note: Transactions are listed by valuation. 1. CVS Health in 2023 acquired primary care company Oak Street Health for $10.6 billion. The deal gave CVS access to the Chicago-based health system's value-based primary care network with more than 160 clinics in 21 states, and CVS expects to have more than 300 locations by 2026. 2. In 2023, CVS Health completed its $8 billion acquisition of Signify Health, adding more than 10,000 clinicians. CVS moved to acquire Signify in September 2022 after a bidding war for the Dallas-based health system. 3. Humana fully integrated home healthcare provider Kindred at Home into its health services arm, CenterWell, in a $5.7 billion deal in 2021. 4. In 2022, Optum acquired home healthcare business LHC Group for around $5.4 billion. Lafayette, La.-based LHC Group offers in-home health and hospice care from 964 locations in 37 states. 5. Optum in 2019 acquired DaVita Medical Group in a deal valued at more than $4.3 billion after facing two years of opposition from the Federal Trade Commission. 6. In 2023, Amazon completed its $3.9 billion acquisition of virtual and in-person primary care company One Medical. The acquisition gave Amazon access to more than 200 brick-and-mortar physicians offices, along with roughly 815,000 One Medical members. 7. In 2023, Optum merged with Amedisys, a home health and hospice provider, in a deal valued at $3.26 billion. 8. Optum acquired Houston-based Kelsey-Seybold for around $2 billion in 2022. Kelsey-Seybold is a multispecialty physician group with cancer and women's health centers, two ASCs and a sleep center. 9. ASC chain United Surgical Partners International acquired more than 90 ASCs from SurgCenter Development for approximately $1.2 billion in 2021. 10. In 2021, Miami-based Gastro Health was sold to private equity company Omers. The enterprise value was estimated around $950 million. The company was previously owned by Audax Private Equity, which acquired Gastro Health in 2016. Healthgrades recently released its rankings for the best hospitals in the U.S. for cardiac surgery, including three in Michigan. 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 Michigan hospitals and health systems that were included in the rankings: Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) Veronica Hall, RN, president Gwen Gnam, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient care services John Deledda, MD, chief medical officer Ed Pollack, MD, chief quality officer McLaren Northern Michigan (Petoskey) Gar Atchison, president and CEO John Kennedy, MD, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs David Monan, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services Michael Prusaitis, CFO Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (Grand Rapids) Eau Claire, Wis.-based OakLeaf Medical Network, the largest independent physician network in the state, is opening four clinics across Western Wisconsin to expand care following the closure of two area hospitals. Chippewa Falls, Wis.-based St. Joseph's Hospital and Eau Claire, Wis.-based Sacred Heart Hospital, both part of Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System, closed on March 22. Multiple regional health centers HSHS operates with Green Bay, Wis.-based Prevea Health will also end services April 2, with Prevea's Western Wisconsin residency clinics and its UW-Stout location remaining open through June 30. The OakLeaf clinics will be located in Cornell, Ladysmith, Menomonie and Rice Lake, all in Wisconsin, and will open between May 1 and May 13, according to a March 28 news release from OakLeaf. Three of the clinics will be housed in existing Prevea clinic locations that will be closing. OakLeaf will have 11 clinics once the four facilities open. Madera, Calif.-based Valley Children's Healthcare is pushing back against criticism of its compensation for top hospital executives. The response follows Fresno City Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld characterizing the compensation of Todd Suntrapak, president and CEO of Valley Children's Healthcare, as "excessive," according to KSEE24 and CBS47. In a statement issued March 27, Valley Children's said it is "pushing back against misinformation and setting the record straight regarding recent criticisms of executive compensation." The statement specifically referenced a letter to the Fresno City Council from Valley Childrens Healthcare Board of Trustees Chair Michael Hanson and members of the board. "Assumptions made about the compensation for our CEO are based on, at best, an ill-informed reading of our IRS Form 990 from 2021," the letter reads. "That year, on the advice of our accountants and tax counsel, we shifted to paying performance bonuses for director level and above by the end of the calendar year in which it was earned. "The result was performance bonuses for two years being paid and reported in a single filing year, with one year's bonus paid a month earlier than in the past." Therefore, the resulting compensation figure in Valley Children's Form 990 for 2021 "does not in any way accurately represent a single years earnings for our CEO or other top executives," according to Mr. Hanson and board members. They further attributed this to a one-time accounting adjustment and stated that Mr. Suntrapak's annual salary since July 2020 is $1,711,341, "which is in line with other health system CEOs with similar levels of responsibility; the remainder of his compensation largely consists of bonuses based on meeting significant performance goals again, the norm for health system CEOs." Tax documents available on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer show Mr. Suntrapak's combined salary of $5.5 million in fiscal year 2020 as well a $5 million loan to Mr. Suntrapak "for residence as a retention incentive in lieu of other compensation" in fiscal year 2021. They also show a $2 million bonus for Mr. Suntrapak in 2020. This information prompted Mr. Arias and Mr. Bredefeld to request a state investigation into the executive salary structure at Valley Children's Hospital, and Mr. Arias called for an audit of the hospital and its expenditures of state Medicaid funds, according to KSEE24 and CBS47. Mr. Bredefeld branded Mr. Suntrapak's compensation "exorbitant and unjustifiable" when comparing it with the CEO salaries of similar children's hospitals across California and the U.S., according to KSEE24 and CBS47. "Executive compensation for the CEO and other top executives is determined on a thorough review and recommendations from multiple, independent executive compensation consultants," according to Mr. Hanson and members of the board. "Further, the loan provided to the CEO for the purchase of a home is not at all unusual as a retention tool; should the CEO voluntarily leave the organization within the 10-year period after the loan was advanced, the unamortized balance of the loan is required to be repaid." The letter also addressed California's Medicaid program, saying, "we are able to provide an appropriate level of compensation for our leaders because of the superb performance of our investment portfolio and our financial stewardship not from the payments we receive from the Medi-Cal program." Read the full letter here. Mee Memorial Hospital in King City, Calif., has started transitioning patients to another dialysis clinic as it plans to close its dialysis center in June. Current patients who had been served by the hospital's dialysis center are being transferred about 20 miles north to the DaVita Center in Soledad. The hospital had been seeing roughly 38 dialysis patients, according to NBC affiliate KSBW. "The dialysis team carefully planned the transition to take place in stages and to be as smooth and convenient as possible for our patients," Mee Memorial Hospital said in a statement to Becker's. "An initial group has already transitioned to DaVita with the final group due to transition in the coming months." The hospital's dialysis center opened in 1995, and officials said it is in need of renovations and equipment upgrades amid advancements in dialysis services. "The ability to operate a stand-alone center while maintaining the highest quality patient care has become less feasible," Mee Memorial said. "The DaVita Center in Soledad offers the specialized state-of-the-art care that our patients merit and require." Staff within the hospital's dialysis center have been offered opportunities to remain within the Mee Memorial system. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare provided around $3.7 billion in charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care in 2023, according to its annual impact report. Here are seven findings from the report: 1. HCA provided around $37.5 million through its tuition assistance program in 2023. 2. HCA has invested more than $300 million to support nurse training and education through the opening of HCA Healthcare Centers for Clinical Advancements and the expansion of Louisville, Ky.-based Galen College of Nursing. 3. HCA's Hope Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by and for employees, has surpassed $100 million in grants to aid more than 53,000 families since it was founded in 2005. More than $11.4 million in assistance was given to over 3,800 HCA employees in 2023. 4. HCA and the HCA Healthcare Foundation donated more than $43 million to community organizations across the U.S. 5. HCA employees clocked more than 180,000 hours of volunteering and $16.9 million in donations, which HCA matched. 6. HCA's Middle Tennessee and Healthier Tomorrow funds invested more than $12.2 million through grants to 234 agencies and nonprofit organizations. 7. HCA gifted $620,000 to the University of California, Riverside to support scholarships for five students enrolled in the UCR School of Medicine. The gift is part of a $10 million investment partnership over three years with historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions. HCA has now dedicated around $7.42 million toward the commitment. North Adams (Mass.) Regional Hospital held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 28 to celebrate the reopening of the hospital 10 years to the day after it closed. Owned by Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Health Systems, the hospital was not eligible to become a critical access hospital when it closed in 2014 after its previous owners filed for bankruptcy. The hospital has been called the North Adams Campus of Berkshire Medical Center since its 2014 closure and offered a cardiac rehabilitation unit, outpatient services and an emergency department. Since then, the critical access hospital criteria have changed, with the hospital now eligible for designation. "I am pleased that after working alongside the Biden Administration, we were able to make substantial progress in this endeavor by changing the designation criteria for Critical Access Hospitals," U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said in a news release shared with Becker's. "This change is what ultimately allowed North Adams Regional Hospital to reopen, and I am thrilled that communities in my district will be a significant benefactor." CAH designations are approved by the federal government and limited to small, rural facilities, which must meet specific criteria to receive federal support. The support allows the hospitals to to maintain services that would not be financially or operationally supported without federal funding. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will survey the hospital's inpatient unit for the CMS, which is required before it can become a critical access hospital. The timeline for the survey is expected soon. Health system CFOs have historically been known for number crunching and being good stewards of a given organization's portfolio of assets. While these are still core responsibilities for modern CFOs, their roles are becoming increasingly involved in strategy and transformation. "My role over the last few years has evolved to more of a strategist and a catalyst," Vincent Tammaro, CFO and vice president for health sciences at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, told Becker's. From a strategic standpoint, more CFOs are seeing their roles evolve, with a greater emphasis on innovation and technology. "As we continue to grow, my role has evolved to focus on investments we will need to make in terms of our workforce, facilities, technology, areas of growth and alternative revenue streams," Mr. Tammaro said. Specialty pharmacy has become a significant alternative revenue source for OSU Wexner Medical Center a seven-hospital system as well as home care, hospital-at-home and durable medical equipment services. "These are all nontraditional big health system services that are becoming a large part of our overall revenue stream as part of our diversification strategy," Mr. Tammaro said. "It's providing world-class care to the patients we serve; it's just not happening inside the four walls of the hospital anymore. It's making its way into the community and into patients' homes." More CFOs are also taking a leading role in health system strategy, becoming catalysts for change and shaping their organizations' trajectories. In today's healthcare landscape, much of that boils down to how health systems are leveraging new technology. "Some of the technology around remote patient monitoring and remote therapy monitoring are great examples of how we're engaging with patients in different ways, how we're addressing gaps in care and the transition of care for our patients," Mr. Tammaro said. "Many of the academic medical centers continue to be fee for service, but we have to start evolving to value-based care delivery models and align payment models to reward the outcomes and metrics that we all agree to." With the COVID-19 pandemic moving into the rearview mirror, hospital executives have shifted their focus to how they can continue to grow. The investments needed to capture growth opportunities are top of mind for CFOs. With this in mind, Mr. Tammaro said he now speaks with at least one digital healthcare innovation company a week. "Margins are tight, there's pressure from payers, there's widespread workforce shortages and not enough talent coming into the industry. This is where technology comes in," he said. "There's huge opportunities to scale, support patient care, automate clinical workflows and address gaps and transitions in patient care." Consumers are craving personalized and easy access to providers on their smartphones, and technology is likely to accelerate healthcare further into its "shopping era." As consumerism in healthcare continues to rise, so too will competition between providers. Those that do not keep up with current technology and trends are likely to fall behind. The pace of technological advancements in healthcare has been rapid in recent years, and artificial intelligence in particular is taking the industry by storm. AI holds particular promise for arduous and time-consuming administrative tasks such as navigating coding, billing and prior authorization processes. "As an example, there's no reason why we shouldn't be using AI to do prior auths," Mr. Tammaro said. "Today we have a team of about 80 to 100 people across the system doing this. We still need those 80 to 100 people, but we should focus them on other, higher value parts of the business as opposed to following up on a prior auth that adds no value. That just allows us to keep the revenue we already had; it's not incremental revenue." New technologies, treatment options and AI models are picking up steam, and providers have a significant opportunity to improve how patients experience and access care. "Today's healthcare system is very fragmented and confusing for a patient to navigate, but with technology we have a tremendous opportunity to really improve that experience," Mr. Tammaro said. "I truly believe these are exciting times in healthcare, and we have a tremendous opportunity to transform how we engage our patients and how they experience their care." (Photo : Amir Levy/Getty Images) Protesters hold signs and smoke torches during a demonstration calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Relatives of hostages held in Gaza locked themselves in cages in Tel Aviv Wednesday to draw attention to hostages still being held by Hamas. They are calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a hostage deal. At least four protesters were arrested in the demonstration outside the Kirya military headquarters, the Times of Israel reported. The protest came after the apparent collapse of talks in Qatar for a temporary truce and the release of the hostages, according to the Associated Press. More than 100 people seized by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7 remain as captives in Gaza. Two of the protesters arrested were reportedly relatives of nine-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri, who was snatched from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his mother and grandparents. Israeli police had called the protest illegal but allowed to to continue due to "required sensitivity". In a statement they said they stepped in when "some of the protestors decided to go down to Ayalon Highway and block traffic, endangering motorists and themselves, and blatantly disrupting public order." The protest came as one of the former hostages went public with her story of being sexually assaulted while in captivity. Amit Soussana, a 40-year-old Israeli lawyer, said members of the Palestinian militant group sexually assaulted her during her 55-day captivity. Soussana detailed to the New York Times that the abuse began just days after Hamas took her prisoner. The United Nations Security Council on Monday demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The resolution also demanded the release of all Israeli hostages, the Associated Press reported. The vote passed on Monday morning after the United States abstained. Netanyahu had blasted the resolution and the United States for not vetoing it. He said the resolution had emboldened Hamas and he vowed to press ahead with the war. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Walgreens is marching on in its downsizing and bearing the costs tied to it, as its results for the second fiscal quarter of 2024 show. Walgreens posted a loss of nearly $6 billion in its second fiscal quarter of 2024 due to a devaluation of its investment in primary care clinic chain VillageMD. The company posted a Q2 operating loss of $13.2 billion in contrast to an operating income of $197 million in the same quarter of 2023. This operating loss was primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of $12.4 billion related to VillageMD goodwill, which amounted to a $5.8 billion after-tax non-cash charge attributable to Walgreens. Net loss in the second quarter was $5.9 billion compared to net earnings of $703 million in Q2 2023. The company did report that its healthcare segment had quarterly sales of $2.2 billion up 33% compared to the year-ago quarter. Walgreens released a plan in October 2023 to trim its cost structure by $1 billion, which involved plans to pull VillageMD out of a handful of markets and close around 60 clinics in fiscal 2024. The company has pulled VillageMD out of Florida and Illinois and sold numerous Rhode Island clinics. Walgreens Boots Alliance became the majority owner of VillageMD in 2021 with a $5.2 billion investment. The primary care clinic chain continued to grow larger under its ownership with the $8.9 billion acquisition of Summit Health-CityMD in 2023 that added more than 2,800 providers to its ranks. Walgreens invested $3.5 billion through an even mix of debt and equity to support that acquisition. "We remain confident in our goal of achieving $1 billion in cost savings this year," Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth said in the Q2 results release. "We are continuing to strategically review our portfolio over the next three months in an effort to ensure it drives growth and delivers value." The company has seen significant changes to its leadership structure alongside its push for financial efficiency. Mr. Wentworth is about six months into his tenure as CEO. In February, Walgreens welcomed a new U.S. healthcare president, Mary Langowski, and named a permanent global CFO, Manmohan Mahajan. With its Q2 results, Walgreens said it expects an adjusted profit of $3.20 to $3.35 per share for the financial year ending Aug. 31 the lower end of the $3.20 to $3.50 fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings per share it expected last year. While the list price for a monthly supply of Ozempic in the U.S. nears $1,000, new research indicates it could be manufactured for less than $5 per month, sparking calls from lawmakers for Novo Nordisk to lower the price of its blockbuster diabetes and weight loss drug. On March 27, a team of researchers from Yale University, King's College Hospital in London, and Boston-based Harvard Medical School published findings that showed semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, could be manufactured for between 89 cents and $4.73 per month less than estimated costs to produce many types of insulin. The "cost-based" estimates are based on researchers' evaluation of manufacturing costs, plus a profit margin with an allowance for tax. "The goal of this research is to have receipts, to be as transparent as possible," Melissa Barber, PhD, an author on the study and postdoctoral associate at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., told Bloomberg. "The profit margin is immense. There should be a conversation in policy about what is a fair price." The new study also parallels a larger trend in the pharmaceutical industry of manufacturing costs often being well below a drug's list price, Christine Buttorff, PhD, a healthy policy researcher and analyst at RAND, told Becker's. "Given the demand for Ozempic (semaglutide), it is not likely we will see list prices drop for the GLP-1 class of drugs in the U.S. any time soon," Dr. Buttorff added. In response to the findings, lawmakers are heightening pressure on Novo Nordisk to cut prices for Ozempic, which is approved for Type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, which is approved for chronic weight management. In 2023, the company saw more than $18 billion in sales for the two drugs. "Novo Nordisk charges Americans nearly $1,000 a month for this drug, while the same exact product can be purchased for just $155 a month in Canada, and just $59 in Germany," Sen. Bernie Sanders, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, said in a statement. Mr. Sanders is considering hearings on the cost of GLP-1s, but first hopes to set up a personal meeting with Novo Nordisk's CEO on the matter, he told Bloomberg. A spokesperson for the company did not say whether its CEO would meet with the senator. "Ozempic has the potential to be a game changer in the diabetes and obesity epidemics in America. But, if we do not substantially reduce the price of this drug, millions who need it will be unable to afford it," Mr. Sanders said in a statement, adding the drug has the potential to "bankrupt" Medicare. Last year, Novo Nordisk spent $5 billion on research and development, the company said in a statement to Becker's, adding that it plans to spend upward of $6 billion this year to boost manufacturing of GLP-1s. It declined to share production costs for the drugs. "While we are unaware of the analysis used in the study, we have always recognized the need for continuous evaluation of innovation and affordability levers to support greater access of our products," Novo Nordisk said in the statement. "We continue to support greater health equity to those in need of diabetes treatment and care." Research has shown out-of-pocket costs for patients taking Ozempic vary widely, depending on a person's insurance. The drug's website states that patients with commercial or private insurance may pay as low as $25 per month for a one-, two- or three-month supply for up to 24 months. Novo Nordisk has also said 75% of its gross earnings go toward rebates and discounts. Meanwhile, a small survey recently found more than half of people currently taking a GLP-1 said they were paying $50 or less per month. Earlier this month, CMS issued guidance paving the way for Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs. Per the guidance, Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may cover anti-obesity medications if they are approved for additional health benefits and used for those conditions. Many plans already cover GLP-1s including Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes. Health systems are evaluating the best strategy for integrating artificial intelligence into the broader organization, which sometimes means bringing on additional AI expertise. Ann Cappellari, MD, system vice president and chief medical officer of SSM Health in St. Louis, said the system is establishing two to three generative AI solutions to test, pilot and expand. She is focused on systemwide multidisciplinary governance to solidify the system's strategy and support upcoming initiatives. "With these initiatives, we will continue to explore and educate our business to promote safe but continued use," Dr. Cappellari told Becker's. "There continues to be significant and appropriate reticence with what feels like a lot of unknown while recognizing the amazing potential of these innovations." Health systems with the resources to hire AI chiefs and build IT teams with AI expertise are investing in this skill set to stay competitive over the next several years. "The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving with technology advances in the new age of AI that will require roles and skills that can help us prepare for that change," Salim Saiyed, MD, vice president and chief health informatics officer for service area 3 at Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, told Becker's. "I believe the potential new roles that could be valuable in informatics and innovation teams will include skill sets to support virtual care, AI implementation and data scientists." But AI roles come at a big, and growing, cost. The Wall Street Journal reported AI and machine learning engineers and managers are in high demand across industries and commanding steep six-figure salaries; some even exceeding $1 million per year. Key takeaways from the report: 1. AI and machine learning managerial roles saw base pay jump 5% to 11% from 2022 to 2023, according to WTW. 2. Non-managerial AI and machine learning roles are also seeing a pay spike of 13% to 19% year over year. 3. Tech companies are offering high equity incentives in addition to base pay and bonus opportunities. Hospitals and health systems with thin margins may struggle to offer competitive packages for AI expertise, but they do have one thing other tech companies and startups may not: a strong mission to positively impact the community. Individuals with a desire for a deeper sense of purpose, and those who may have already achieved financial security, may see healthcare as a fulfilling opportunity. Health systems are also training existing staff to keep pace with new AI developments. "I firmly believe that everyone in healthcare will need an understanding of generative AI, its potential as well as the risks," David Berge, CEO of University Hospital of Brooklyn, N.Y., told Becker's. "Hospital workers will need an understanding of how to safely incorporate generative AI into their daily work to improve productivity. Healthcare workers will need to understand how large language models are created and specifically how to evaluate for bias, hallucinations and fabrications." Rajan "Raj" Wadhawan, MD, will step into the role of chief clinical officer for AdventHealth's West Florida Division on April 21, the Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based system said March 27. He will oversee clinical operations and care quality for 13 hospitals as chief clinical officer of the division. Dr. Wadhawan is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal perinatal medicine. He previously led more than 375 physicians and specialists as senior executive officer for AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women. Outside of his health system leadership experience, Dr. Wadhawan is among the inaugural council members on Florida's Rare Disease Advisory Council, which makes recommendations on diagnostic tools, increased awareness and treatment funding to state lawmakers. Dave Recupero has resigned as CFO of Kern Valley Healthcare District, based in Mountain Mesa, Calif. The district confirmed the exit to Becker's March 28, and said it took effect Feb. 12. Tim McGlew, CEO of Kern Valley Hospital, refused to disclose more information to the Kern Valley Sun, saying the exit resulted from a private personnel issue. The newspaper reported that Board Treasurer John Blythe had criticized Mr. Recupero's work online shortly before his departure; however, Mr. Blythe refused to speculate on the reason for the exit. He issued an apology to the board, which was accepted March 14, per the newspaper. "I do admit it was out of line and my behavior could have warranted public censure. But I am glad the board accepted my apologies and owning my behavior," Mr. Blythe told the Sun. "I think I made the comments on social media online maybe right around when he [Mr. Recupero] was about to resign. The timing was maybe a day before or something." As of March 28, there were no disparaging comments toward Mr. Recupero on Mr. Blythe's public Facebook or LinkedIn accounts. The nature of his complaints have not been specified, though he told the Sun he stands by them. After Mr. Recupero's resignation, his responsibilities were divided among other members of the leadership team. Now, the district is considering a part-time replacement, according to a March 27 finance committee meeting agenda. "Mr. McGlew stated the District will be evaluating whether or not we need a part-time CFO, but certainly not a full-time position," the agenda says. In the meantime, Amy Smith, the district's controller, will work with accounting firm Wipfli to develop financial reports. Sean Wolfe has been selected as interim CEO of Chadron (Neb.) Community Hospital & Health Services, in addition to his role as CFO of a nearby, unaffiliated hospital. Mr. Wolfe currently serves as CFO of McCook, Neb.-based Community Hospital, and will maintain that status as he leads Chadron Community Hospital, according to a Feb. 27 Facebook post from the latter. "Community Hospital in McCook has helped other hospitals in the region during times of transition and has long included in its mission the philosophy that, for the healthcare industry in rural America to be strong, we must be willing to assist each other whenever possible," the post said. "These partnerships are beneficial for both facilities involved as ideas and best practices can be shared and valuable relationships are built." Mr. Wolfe takes the helm from Jennifer Brown, the hospital's CFO. She has acted as its interim CEO since Feb. 16, when Nathan Hough resigned from the role to pursue one closer to family. Sandral Hullett, MD, former CEO of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., has died, according to The Birmingham Times. Dr. Hullett died on March 22 at the Hospice of West Alabama, according to her obituary. She was 77. "She was first class, she had the heart of the patients and the heart of her employees at the forefront at all times," former Jefferson County Commissioner George Bowman, who worked with Dr. Hullett, told The Birmingham Times. "She was a lady that never had an enemy; I never knew anybody who did not genuinely like Dr. Hullett because her heart came through with everything that she did. She was a very smart woman and her heart was as beautiful and golden as her mind." Dr. Hullett's career began as a family physician at Greene County Hospital/Clinic, and she served for more than two decades as a physician and director for the nonprofit Family HealthCare of Alabama, according to her obituary. She became the first African American female hospital CEO in Alabama in 2001 as director of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital, then a county-owned facility. She served at the helm until 2012 when the Jefferson County Commission began steps to reduce services at the hospital, according to her obituary. Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority is currently an affiliate of Birmingham-based UAB Health System. Morgantown.-based West Virginia University Health System is adding another member to its system with the addition of Weirton Medical Center. Weirton (W.Va.) Medical Center, a 238-bed acute care hospital, signed a letter of intent to join the West Virginia University Health System, which operates under the brand name WVU Medicine, according to a March 27 news release from WVU Medicine. "The partnership is not just an affiliation but a community investment on the part of WMC and WVU Medicine. In addition to the exceptional medical care we provide, WMC has a significant economic impact on the region with over 1,400 employees. Our partnership with WVU Medicine ensures WMC will continue for the next generation, providing the exceptional, compassionate healthcare our patients have come to expect," John Frankovitch, WMC president and CEO, said in the release. Weirton Medical Center has had a clinical partnership with WVU Medicine since 2020. WVU Medicine has been acquiring several hospitals. In July, Petersburg, W.Va.-based Grant Memorial Hospital became a full member of the West Virginia University Health System. The health system has also acquired Charleston, W.Va.-based Thomas Health and Welch (W.Va.) Community Hospital. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed March 27 against Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Butler County, Pa., alleging the facility employed a nurse who had a history of administering excessive doses of insulin, according to a report from CBS affiliate KDKA. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the family of 43-year-old Nicholas Cymbol who died at the facility on May 1, 2023, after he was administered a lethal dose of insulin. The lawsuit alleges Heather Pressdee, a unit manager at the time, administered the lethal dose of insulin. The lawsuit states she had been fired or forced to resign from 10 other facilities in the region in the four years prior to being employed at Sunnyview. On May 24, Ms. Pressdee was charged in connection with the mistreatment of three patients while working at Quality Life Services in Chicora, Pa., including two counts of homicide and one count of attempted murder. In November, she was charged in connection with the mistreatment of 19 additional patients that were in her care at five different facilities since 2020. "Pressdee is accused of administering excessive amounts of insulin to these patients, some of whom were diabetic and required insulin, some of whom were not," the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a Nov. 2 statement on the latest charges. "In total, 17 patients died who had been cared for by Presdee." She was charged with first-degree murder in two cases where physical evidence was available to support the cause of death, the attorney general's office said. She also faces 17 counts of attempted murder and remains in custody. According to the lawsuit against Sunnyview, other nurses brought their concerns about Ms. Pressdee to administration, but those concerns were dismissed. Also in March, two other wrongful lawsuits were filed against Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Lower Burrell, another facility where Ms. Pressdee had worked as a registered nurse, CBS previously reported. The case has sparked a push for legislation that would allow Pennsylvania to create a registry where employers could flag concerns about nursing home employees. Professional medical associations have also called on healthcare organizations to improve insulin safety by putting stricter safeguards in place. New York City-based Mount Sinai has filed a motion asking a judge to deny a preliminary injunction that would keep Beth Israel Hospital open past its planned July 12 closure date. A Mount Sinai spokesperson told Becker's in a statement that closing the hospital "is not a choice but a deeply unfortunate necessity. We look forward to presenting these facts in court. The health system announced its decision to close Beth Israel in September and the following month proposed a July 12 closure date. Mount Sinai made the decision to close the hospital despite "massive investments and upgrades" within the past 10 years. The system said escalating losses and chronic underutilization with inpatient use typically at only 20 percent of capacity forced the issue. A lawsuit led by Community Coalition to Save Beth Israel Hospital was filed in February alleging the planned shutdown goes against New York's public health law, health department rules, the state constitution, human rights laws of the state and city, and the state Environmental Quality Review Act. The suit also alleges that Beth Israel and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary were financially healthy until Mount Sinai took over in 2013 by merging with Continuum Health Partners. Despite promising better care, Mount Sinai closed profitable units at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, such as labor and delivery and neonatal intensive care, and almost all ENT services at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, according to the suit. The Mount Sinai statement said the system "firmly and directly reject the accusations in this suit." The statement also said Beth Israel has "not been a viable hospital for well over a decade. "Now, as it continues to hemorrhage staff and resources, MSBI poses an existential threat to the overall system. It is our responsibility to our staff, patients, and communities we serve across New York to do the right thing and not place the system at further risk," the statement said. "We have to be allowed to work with the state on proceeding in a responsible manner or this will have enormously adverse ripple effects across the state for how hospitals are run." A hearing date in the case is scheduled for April 10, court records show. According to recent reports, the Trump presidential campaign is vulnerable in potential battleground states due to an inability or unwillingness to fully fund reelection efforts in those areas. In Michigan, a state that Donald J Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden in 2020, Trump's campaign has promised an aggressive strategy. However, neither the Trump campaign nor its partners in the Republican National Committee have made any significant investments in the state of Michigan according to Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra. He said the national committee has not transferred any money to the state party to bolster its operation going into the general election. Also, there's no general election field staff in place. "We've got the skeleton right now," Hoekstra said. "We're going to have to put more meat on it." According to Republican party officials in other states, the campaign is running into similar problems elsewhere. What Does This Mean For Trump's Campaign? Though praised for its professionalism and overall effectiveness during the primary phase, Trump's political machine has been slow to turn toward the general election home stretch in the weeks following his hostile takeover of the Republican Party's national leadership. Analysts believe the Trump campaign may have even rolled back plans to add hundreds of staff members and dozens of minority-outreach centers in key states. Six weeks prior to the first early votes are cast, it appears that the Republican Party has little to no infrastructure in place. By contrast, the Biden campaign opened 100 new offices and added 350 plus new staffers in Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and other swing states, according to campaign spokesman Anmar Moussa. Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita, who is now also running operations at the RNC, declined to detail any of the Republican campaign's plans. "By combining forces, the Trump campaign and the RNC are deploying operations fueled by passionate volunteers who care about saving America and firing Joe Biden," he said. "We do not feel obligated, however, to discuss the specifics of our strategy, timing, or tactics with members of the news media." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Patients, pharmacists and physicians are reporting a strained supply of Zepbound, Eli Lilly's new weight loss drug, as the drugmaker and the FDA say the medication is available, according to Bloomberg. The FDA said it is seeing "adequate supply" and is not reporting a shortage, and neither is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. However, pharmacy workers across six states told the news outlet that Zepbound doses were on back order. Patients are calling multiple pharmacies to fill prescriptions, but they're hearing about a supply hiccup until early April. "Patients are mad at my staff, my staff are upset," Angela Fitch, MD, president of the Obesity Medicine Association, told Bloomberg. In January, Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks said the company was expecting supply issues to happen in 2024. The drugmaker is working to bolster its manufacturing capabilities, including additions to a North Carolina plant and two new facilities. Other GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have also been in unsteady supply. Mounjaro, Eli Lilly's Type 2 diabetes drug with the same generic as Zepbound, has been in shortage since December 2022. In early March, for the first time, new prescriptions for Zepbound surpassed those for Wegovy, Novo Nordisk's popular weight management therapy. Americans' life expectancies are declining right alongside their happiness scores, according to U.S. News & World Report. According to the most recent data from World Bank, U.S. life expectancy was 76 years in 2021. Although that number is higher than the global average of 71 years, the U.S. ranks 60th out of all nations and 30th out of the 38 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. By comparison, the top countries Japan, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and South Korea all have average life expectancies of 84 years. A recent analysis from KFF and the Peterson Center on Healthcare found that American life expectancy is decreasing more significantly than in any other wealthy nation. U.S. life expectancy fell by 1.3 years between 2019 and 2022, versus an average drop of 0.5 years in peer countries. Global life expectancy declined for the second year in 2021, but COVID-19 isn't solely to blame for the U.S.' drop. The discrepancy between the U.S. and comparable countries emerged before the pandemic, Steven Woolf, MD, professor of population health and health equity at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, told U.S. News. "We saw life expectancy flatlining in the U.S. in the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic," Dr. Woolf said. "That was a very important warning for policymakers that something needed to be done to address the root causes, or this massive death toll the U.S. was experiencing was going to widen." Ten hospitals and health systems have been named among Newsweek's most trustworthy. The publication collaborated with Statista on the ranking, now in its third year. All U.S.-headquartered companies with a revenue over $500 million were included in the study, which began with an independent survey of 25,000 U.S. residents. Participants were asked to rate companies they know across three "touchpoints": customer, investor and employee trust. In total, 97,000 evaluations were gathered. A social listening analysis was conducted for each company that gained enough evaluations. Each eligible company was researched in "various media segments of the internet" and evaluated on positive, neutral and negative mentions; more than 532,000 were gathered. Any companies involved in recent lawsuits or scandals were excluded. The 700 companies with the highest scores were included in Newsweek's list, including 37 in the "healthcare and life sciences" industry. Below, Becker's has isolated the hospitals and health systems honored by Newsweek. Each is listed alongside its ranking out of 37 healthcare and life sciences companies. 2. Bryan Health (Lincoln, Neb.) 5. AdventHealth (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) 8. Baptist Health (Louisville, Ky.) 12. Banner Health (Phoenix) 14. Acadia Healthcare (Franklin, Tenn.) 16. Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.) 17. National Healthcare (Murfressboro, Tenn.) 18. Adventist HealthCare (Gaithersburg, Md.) 25. Mercy Medical Center (Baltimore) 29. Lifepoint Health (Brentwood, Tenn.) View the full ranking, including pharmaceutical, health services and health technology platforms, here. Bettendorf, Iowa-based ORA Orthopedics plans to build a $50 million facility in the same city. The new Bettendorf facility will be 113,000-square-foot headquarters and ASC, The Quad City Times reported March 22. It will also have a 51,000 square-foot orthopedic ASC with 10 operating rooms, two procedure rooms, imaging and physical therapy. Construction is expected to begin in the summer and be completed in 2026. The new campus is expected to add 150 new jobs. ORA Orthopedics was founded in 1963, according to its website. The practice has 30 physicians. Johnny Hamilton said he wanted to put his hometown on the actors radar A Northern Ireland artist has said he was shocked after Gerard Butler labelled his mural of the Hollywood star as extraordinary following a visit to the site in Co Down. Johnny Hamilton created the mural on a construction board close to Bangors seafront as part of a daring plan to put the town on the 300 stars radar and secure a visit. Butler has been based in Northern Ireland for the past few months while filming the movie How To Train Your Dragon, due to be released in June 2025. He has been spotted socialising in various spots in Belfast and appeared at Irelands Six Nations clash with his native Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on St Patricks weekend. After Johnny had documented the progress of the mural on his Instagram account, he received a message from Butler. Brother, this is extraordinary. So honoured. Ill totally swing by Bangor. But would love to meet you and say hello. Youre some artist and you seem like an awesome dude, said the actor. The artist said he was shocked to get the nod of approval. I was lying in bed on Sunday morning and the message came through. Im a massive fan of his, especially 300, he told the Belfast Telegraph. I wanted to get Bangor on the map, because at the minute, as much as we love it, it doesnt really have much to offer; the seafront development has been going on for years. We had to think of a way to get him down, and it was actually my wife who suggested a portrait or a big mural. That bit in the seafront area is all being ripped down anyway, so the mural actually wont last that long. Johnny Hamilton pictured with the mural in Bangor Johnny and his wife are currently on a two-month trip to Australia, where they are embarking on a road trip from Sydney to Perth. The holiday has meant he unfortunately missed the opportunity to meet Butler in the flesh. The fact hed said about meeting me was giving me a massive ego. I was just hoping to get a picture [of him] beside it, he said. I dont even know how I would have coped if Id met him. I would probably have been doing the whole fanboy thing myself and not been able to speak. Then the crazy fans started jumping into my inbox, because I didnt know it had happened. I had some woman declaring her undying love for Gerard and asking if I could put him in touch with her! Johnny said the mural wouldnt last forever but that Bangor had a real opportunity to use street art to help regenerate the town. To be honest, Im surprised something hasnt been drawn on it already. I just wanted no one to touch it until he [Butler] came down to see it, he said. Bangor needs to realise that it has so many creative people and if it can give people something to come down to, it would bring people down. If we were allowed gable walls to put legends of Bangor on, it could start to flourish, because street art around the world is so popular now. There is so much artistic talent down in Bangor and its about creating a space where artists can work, and then people will come to see that. Sophia is joining The Agency, a place where grown men jump on tiny trampolines to work rather than sit down. Where people say things like this is a meritocracy for the most part and no one looks ready to eat their own arm to escape A Belfast-born aid worker shares her experience of meeting those desperately escaping conflict in Democratic Republic of the Congo Marie* (not her real name) standing in front of her tent in Kanyaruchinya makeshift displacement camp on the outskirts of Goma in eastern DRC. Credit: Daniel Kifutwe/Christian Aid Mother-of-seven Veronique* (not her real name) pictured in front of her tent in Kanyaruchinya makeshift displacement camp, located 10km from the capital of North Kivu province, Goma, eastern DRC. Credit: Daniel Kifutwe/Christian Aid I was a farmer. I grew some food to eat but I left because of the war. I was afraid; every day there were people killed around us. I was pregnant at the time, so my husband decided we needed to leave because I could lose the baby. So I decided to come here to survive. Sadly, this experience of violence and forced displacement is shared by many across North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) right now, and is one of a number of harrowing accounts shared with an aid worker from Belfast who recently returned from the region, where worsening violence has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in recent weeks. Patricia Stephenson, Christian Aid Irelands peacebuilding and conflict prevention adviser, recently travelled to Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, and visited makeshift displacement camps where many people who have fled fighting across the province have been sheltering. Mother-of-seven Veronique* (not her real name) pictured in front of her tent in Kanyaruchinya makeshift displacement camp, located 10km from the capital of North Kivu province, Goma, eastern DRC. Credit: Daniel Kifutwe/Christian Aid I met people who had arrived to the camps in recent weeks as well as many who have been there for much longer. They have little to nothing. They left behind their belongings when they were forced to abandon their homes and flee the fighting, Patricia says. These are cramped, informal camps without any official agency providing food, clean water or toilets. People have built themselves makeshift shelters by pulling tarpaulin over whatever other materials they can salvage, she explains. In the camps there is no land to grow crops on, and there are very few opportunities for work, which means people are left hungry and not knowing when their next meal will come. Since 2022, eastern DRC, and North Kivu province in particular, has been in the midst of a deadly conflict that has intensified in recent years, and particularly since a ceasefire expired in late December 2023. The ongoing conflict between the militant group M23 and government forces has forced more than 1.5m people to flee their homes, with many now living in displacement camps. Among those who Patricia met was 62-year-old widowed mum-of-nine Jeanne*, who recently fled Kibumba, one of the worst affected areas. The war became very serious, so I had to run away. There was fighting in my area, Jeanne told Patricia. My husband is old and didnt have enough strength to come with us so he stayed. He was shot and he died, so I am alone with nine children. We left everything in our farm and M23 took it and emptied it. We are angry. We have nothing here. It is a bad life here. It was in this same camp that Patricia also met 38-year-old married mum-of-six Marie*, who fled her village in October 2022. Life is very difficult. It is impossible to separate beds. We have nothing to eat, no water and no toilets, Marie said of the camp. In my village, I was a teacher in a primary school, but here I have nothing to do. I spend all my time asking for food. We hope to go back. Its like our life has stopped. Maries family were among 300 families provided with emergency support by Christian Aids local partner Ecumenical Office for Development Support (BOAD). She received the equivalent of $90 in cash so she could buy food and other essentials, as well as undergo training on how to kick-start and run a small business so she could earn an income to support her family. BOAD also provided 100 people from these families with counselling to help them cope with their traumatic experiences. Marie* (not her real name) standing in front of her tent in Kanyaruchinya makeshift displacement camp on the outskirts of Goma in eastern DRC. Credit: Daniel Kifutwe/Christian Aid Marie also received the counselling and said: It was very helpful, because most people were traumatised, but after this we felt a bit better. However, returning safely home remains a distant prospect for displaced families in Goma. Its estimated that more than 135,000 people fled to Goma in early February alone because of fighting reaching the town of Sake just 25km away. As the number of people fleeing to Goma continues to grow, pressure is also mounting to be able to shelter people who have arrived. With the violence edging closer to Goma an area home to 2m people, including 500,000 people already displaced by previous waves of violence there is a risk that it will become under siege, heightening the risk of food shortages. The fighting shows little sign of stopping any time soon, leaving Patricia worried about what the future will look like for those she met. Its hard to fathom what it must be like to have fled your home, in fear of your life, only to live for years on end in a makeshift camp, not knowing what the future will hold for you and your children, Patricia says. In their villages they had homes and farms. They had certainty about their daily lives. They had hopes for the future. But this war and violence has taken all of that away from them. This really is an overlooked crisis. The needs of the people in the camps I visited are huge and growing by the day. More funds are urgently needed to support those who have been and continue to be displaced by this conflict. To support Christian Aids work, visit www.caid.ie/donate. *Jeanne and Marie are not their real names, in order to protect their identities The Court of Appeal in Dublin was told Eugene Hanratty left his victim with multiple broken bones in his face and the permanent loss of peripheral vision in one eye. Oil tycoon Eugene Hanratty Sr, who battered a musician near to death, has lost his last bid to overturn his conviction with a judge saying his case lacked reality. The 65-year-old thug, from Crossmaglen in south Armagh, was sentenced to three years behind bars in 2022 for a vicious and pre-meditated attack on Monaghan man Martin McAllister in 2012. Mr McAllister, from Castleblaney, was knocked unconscious and repeatedly kicked and punched while callous Hanratty stamped on his arm knowing he playing several instruments. Last Thursday Hanratty lost his case to have his conviction overturned or his sentence reduced. Hanratty was described in court as a pillar of the community during his trial and it emerged 41 letters of recommendation from the local community in south Armagh had been handed into the court from the GAA and the church. Mr McAllister was in court to hear the definitive judgement read out which dealt a double and seemingly fatal - blow to cowardly Hanratty and his dream of being released from jail. Dignified as ever all he would say afterwards was, Its all water under the bridge for me. Im glad its finally over. Im just going to get on with my life. Martin McAllister suffered horrific injuries The Court of Appeal in Dublin was told Hanratty left his victim with multiple broken bones in his face and the permanent loss of peripheral vision in one eye. Hanratty Srs lawyers appealed the conviction, submitting that the matter should have been removed from the jury's consideration due to numerous failings in the prosecutions case. Mr Guerin said that these failings significantly hampered the defendant when a significant passage of time had occurred between the 2012 incident and his October 2022 trial. But President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, said the trial judge was correct in refusing an application by the defence to withdraw the case from the jury. In dismissing the conviction appeal, Mr Justice Birmingham said that upon reading the original trial transcripts, the Court of Appeal was struck by the extent to which the defence at trial focused on the quality of the Garda investigation and suggested deficiencies therein. This, rather than the question of whether there was proof or guilt beyond reasonable doubt, or whether there was an absence thereof, was the focus of the attention, said the judge. Mr Justice Birmingham said: We are bound to say that many of the arguments advanced lacked reality. The judge then struck another blow to Hanratty by chucking out his second application to have his sentence reduced with his lawyers arguing it was unduly harsh. He noted that the jury accepted the account of events given by the McAllisters at the trial. The judge said Mr McAllister suffered multiple broken bones in his face, to both eye sockets, the permanent loss of peripheral vision in one eye, which impinges on his everyday life, reading texts, but in particular, music notation - a matter of particular seriousness for a musician. Mr Justice Birmingham said the headline sentence of five years was entirely understandable, adding that there had been a reduction of one year in mitigation and a further year suspended, which he described as generous. We see no basis for coming to a conclusion that the sentence was unduly severe, said Mr Justice Birmingham, who then dismissed both appeals. Martin McAllister The Sunday World first revealed how Hanratty who had been a major sponsor of Crossmaglen GAA team had tried every trick in the book to escape justice and dragged the criminal case out for a staggering ten years. Images of his shocking injuries demonstrated the terrible impact the attack had taken on Mr McAllister. The disturbing pictures taken a few days after the attack showed the imprint of a boot on the chin of Mr McAllister who also believes Hanratty targeted his hands, knowing he was a talented guitarist. He told us two years ago he was assaulted because he had challenged Mr Hanratty about allegations of diesel sludge dumping and in 2010 had walked with then PSNI Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, down the main street of Crossmaglen, raising the issue something he told the court made me very unpopular with certain people. It emerged during sentencing that Hanratty Snr has two previous convictions; one for assault of a garda in 1989 and one for criminal damage in 1997. Hanratty Snr was once accused of cross-border fuel smuggling and had 2m in 12 bank accounts frozen by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). He always denied the claims made by CAB, however when the case came to court in 2007 the judge was told a settlement had been reached between the Bureau and Mr Hanratty a settlement that it was agreed would remain confidential. At Hanratty Snr's trial, Padraig Dwyer SC, defending, submitted that his client was a pillar of the community who contributed to local community activities including the church and the GAA. He said while his client does not fully accept the jury verdict, he does accept he did act and used excessive violence on the day. The trial heard that Mr McAllister and his wife were driving near Castleblayney on their way to Crossmaglen when a vehicle approached with its headlights on full. Mr McAllister told the trial that he felt his path was blocked by the other vehicle and recognised the occupants of the car as being father and son, Eugene Hanratty Snr and Eugene Jnr. The trial heard that Hanratty Snr got out of his car and began an assault on Mr McAllister initially inside the injured partys vehicle. He said that Hanratty Snr punched him a number of times in the head, pulled him down by the hair and kicked him before dragging him out of the vehicle. He said the assault continued outside the car, with Hanratty Snr continually kicking him while he was on the ground. His right arm was stamped on and he went in and out of consciousness. Horrific video capturing the fatal shooting of NYPD cop Jonathan Diller during a routine traffic stop in a Queens neighborhood shows the officer's agonizing final moments. Diller, 31, was allegedly shot beneath his bulletproof vest by Guy Rivera, after the officer and his partner asked Rivera and Lindy Jones to move their vehicle parked illegally at a bus stop Monday, according to police, WABC-TV reported. Rivera, 34, and Jones, 41, refused to comply with the request, prompting officers to order the suspects out of the vehicle, police said. In response, Rivera allegedly shot Diller. On surveillance footage shared to the Instagram account @ny_scoop, Diller can be seen collapsing in the street while wailing in pain and screaming, "Oh, God!" following the sound of three booming gunshots. Diller's partner, Officer Veckash Khedna, subsequently shot Rivera in the back, while another wrestled Jones out of the driver's seat ordering him to the ground, The New York Times reported, citing an internal police report. Diller was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Rivera is expected to make a full recovery. Both suspects involved in Diller's death are said to have lengthy criminal histories. Rivera was previously arrested 21 times, Mayor Eric Adams said, according to WNYW-TV. Nine of those arrests were felony-related. He was released from prison in September 2021 after serving time for a drug conviction. Jones previously incurred 14 arrests. Murder charges against Rivera are still pending. Meantime, Jones has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm, WABC reported. Diller was with the NYPD since 2021. He leaves behind a wife and a 1-year-old son. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Moves are being made to change the law on assisted dying in various areas (Alamy/PA) With a Bill being published at the Scottish Parliament, the conversation around assisted dying is becoming louder. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the situation as it stands across the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies. What is assisted dying? Some campaigners argue the elderly could be particularly at risk from a law change (Joe Giddens/PA) This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask. Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying state that assisted dying allows a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable. They argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death. But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms assisted suicide and euthanasia and argues that the focus should be on promoting more and better palliative care rather than any law change. They say legalising assisted dying could place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk. What is the current law? Some campaigners have been calling for a change in the law on assisted dying (Jonathan Brady/PA) Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences. What is happening in Scotland? Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has introduced an Assisted Dying Bill (Jane Barlow/PA) Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur was publishing a Bill on Thursday at Holyrood that, if passed, will allow people living in Scotland with a terminal illness to be given help to end their life. Mr McArthur has said he is absolutely convinced the long-overdue reform will become law. His Bill marks the third time MSPs will have considered the issue, with previous attempts to change the law failing to secure enough votes to proceed. The Bill is now expected to be scrutinised by MSPs on Holyroods Health Committee and will likely face its first vote later this year. What about other parts of the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies? The Isle of Mans Parliament has been considered an Assisted Dying Bill (Alamy/PA) Proposals for how an assisted dying law would work in Jersey one of the UKs three self-governing Crown Dependencies were published in March, with a debate in the States Assembly planned for May, and a vote then expected on whether to proceed with drawing up legislation. The earliest for a law to come into effect in Jersey would be spring or summer 2027. The Isle of Man published a committee report in March on its Assisted Dying Bill, which had passed a second reading vote in the islands parliament in October. The report, which suggested possible amendments to the text of the Bill, is expected to be debated in April. In the Republic of Ireland, a committee recommended in March that legislation allowing for assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances should be introduced. But it led to a split with some committee members refusing to support the recommendations, arguing the case for assisted dying has not been established. What has Westminster said? A report by a committee of MPs at Westminster said legalisation in at least one jurisdiction is looking increasingly likely (Kirsty OConnor/PA) In February, a report by MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee warned that the Government must consider what to do if the law is changed in part of the UK or on the Isle of Man or Jersey, both of which are crown dependencies. The committee which did not make any recommendation for a vote on the issue, said legalisation in at least one jurisdiction is looking increasingly likely and suggested the Government must be actively involved in discussions about how to approach differences in the law. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is committed to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying should Labour win the general election, while Downing Street has previously said it would be up to Parliament whether to again debate legalising assisted dying. Has the issue been debated in the UK Parliament before? Yes. An Assisted Dying Bill, which would have allowed some terminally ill adults to ask for medical help to end their life, went before the Commons in 2015 and was rejected by MPs. There was also a Bill proposed in the House of Lords during the 2021/2022 session which reached a second reading in the chamber. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council will send a letter of condolences to the family of Strabane man Jordan Gallagher, whose body was recovered from the River Foyle on Monday. The 21-year-old had been missing since March 2, and SDLP Councillor Jason Barr recommended the sending of the letter at Wednesdays Full Council meeting. What started that night [on March 2] and for the next few days and nights was nothing short of heroic from the community, Councillor Barr said. From the PSNI and Gardai to the amazing volunteers of the Community Rescue Service and Foyle Search and Rescue. Read more Remains of young Tyrone man recovered by searchers Strabane unfortunately gets the short end of the stick when it comes to news, but when a family needs support, the town pulls together and this can definitely be seen. On Monday Jordan was recovered from the River Foyle, and family can now lay him to rest and give him the send off he rightly deserves." Sinn Fein Councillor Paul Boggs concurred with Councillor Barr and thanked volunteers and rescue services who helped bring Jordan home. He added: On behalf of Sinn Fein, we hold the families very close to our hearts in such a difficult time. Independent Councillor Paul Gallagher said that Strabane is suffering very highly this last while from our young people losing their lives. There are reasons for it and theyre preventable, Councillor Gallagher said. If theres a willingness from Central Government, from our Health Trust and from local providers. Mayor Logue said it was a very difficult time for the families involved. She concluded: The loss of life across the board is regrettable, and I want to thank the volunteer and community sector. A lot of the time they have pick up the pieces when the statutory sector cannot provide as theyre overwhelmed. Many of the items were counterfeit Apple products (Yui Mok/PA) Counterfeit iPhones and Airpods are among goods worth 600,000 seized during searches in Northern Ireland. Detectives from the PSNIs Organised Crime Branch seized a significant amount of counterfeit Apple and other high street electronic products during searches on Thursday. More than 20,000 items, including AirPods, iPhones, smartwatches, mobile phones, phone cases and vapes were seized during a search of two premises in Belfast and Portadown. A sum of cash was also seized. Police said the products represent an estimated loss of 600,000 to Apple and other brands. Detective Sergeant Mason said: The investigation stemmed from seizures made in December 2023 in the East Midlands. One man, aged 24 was arrested in Portadown on suspicion of immigration offences. He has been taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning. Detective Sergeant Mason added: Criminals will attempt to copy anything, from clothing and jewellery to, in this case, electronic items. Some consumers may unwittingly buy counterfeit goods, while others pleased to have snatched an affordable replica will be unaware of the hidden implications. The grim reality is that proceeds from the sale of counterfeit goods often fund serious organised crime, including drug dealing, money laundering and human trafficking. There are also health and safety risks associated with the use of some counterfeit goods, including electrical items. These items dont undergo the testing and quality control that genuine items do. A counterfeit phone charger, for example, wont meet fire safety standards, and the attraction of saving a few pounds could end up costing you your home. Additionally, and perhaps unknown to many, the majority of fake goods are produced in sweatshops. Here, vulnerable individuals work tirelessly in horrific conditions, and get paid a pittance in return. Anyone with information, or concerns, about the supply of counterfeit goods is asked to contact police on 101. A statute of an American anti-slavery campaigner could set to be erected in Lisburn following a council agreement this week. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has approved a motion to undertake a feasibility study to pay tribute to 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass. However, the debate in chambers fell short of full approval for a statue with some councillors highlighting a similar Douglass memorial in Belfast. Last year a statue of the anti-slavery campaigner was unveiled in Belfast city centre. Douglass was born into slavery, but managed to escape in 1838 and went on to become a national leader of the abolitionist movement in America, known for his eloquent speeches and writings. He first visited Belfast in 1845 at the invitation of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society and returned for a second visit in 1846. Douglass gave around 50 speeches in his time in Ireland and could speak for up to two hours without notes. Lisburn North SDLP councillor Pat Catney brought forward the motion, saying: Frederick Douglass addressed Lisburn First Presbyterian Church on Monday December 29, 1845 during his visit to Ireland. Council acknowledges that despite the district having the third highest population of an ethnic minority group in Northern Ireland (census 2021), there are currently few examples of public commemoration for ethnic minority people or their history. He added: By commemorating Fredrick Douglass it would send a clear message to the people of Lisburn and Castlereagh and of Northern Ireland, and in fact everywhere else throughout the world, that the people of Lisburn do not tolerate oppression or slavery of any kind whatsoever that could be sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour or criminal exploitation. The motion was supported by Sinn Fein councillor Paul Burke who suggested a further opportunity to explore golden nuggets of history to develop local tours and educational visits to the council area. Though, Lisburn South DUP councillor Alan Givan supported a more low key memorial such as a possible museum exhibition. He said: Fredrick Douglass was a formidable man in many ways. Though, as I try to come to the criteria of what is needed to have a statute I look at the Ulster Historical Circles own criteria for its Blue Plaque memorials, and I find that Mr Douglass does not even meet it. Mr Douglass was not born here, he didnt work here, he hasnt lived here, he did a fleeting visit to Lisburn and a speech and thats basically the sum of his connection with Lisburn. So, there is no material connection to here at all to warrant even a Blue Plaque, let alone a statue. The chamber agreed that the feasibility study would include looking at more options available to the council in terms of a memorial to anti-slavery campaigner. Masked UDA thug put gun to innocent mums head over sons alleged drug debt Man forced his way into Shankill house and put gun to innocent womans head Footage shows the man and his accomplice outside the house in the Shankill area of Belfast with a gun Richard Sullivan Thu 28 Mar 2024 at 19:00 A UDA thug put a gun to the head of a woman demanding payment for her sons alleged drug debt. A third person arrested in as many days over a fatal loyalist gun attack 30 years ago has been released by police. Former school teacher Peter McCormack, 42, was killed and three others injured in a shooting at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo, Co Down on November 19, 1992. A 56-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday morning under the Terrorism Act. He was taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave police station for questioning. The man was subsequently released. On Tuesday, a 63-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman were arrested in the South Down area and questioned before being released. The arrests came after police issued a fresh appeal for information last November about the attack, which was attributed to the Ulster Volunteer Force. The investigation continues. Tributes have been paid to a remarkable lady whose son was killed by the UDA in a supposed retaliatory act after the Enniskillen bombing. Adam Lambert was 19 when he was shot dead on November 9, 1987 a day after the IRA's Remembrance Day atrocity, which claimed 12 lives. The murder was intended to be a revenge attack on a Catholic but Mr Lambert, a Protestant, was killed instead. His mother Ivy Lambert passed away on Wednesday. Among those paying tribute was Canon Rev Alan Irwin, whose father Thomas and uncle Frederick were murdered by the IRA. He received support from Mrs Lambert in her welfare role within the UDR CGC. Mr Irwin said: Learning of the passing of Mrs Ivy Lambert draws to a close the earthly life of a remarkable lady. One whose service to her country and her community was only surpassed by her love and devotion to her family. Recalling the murder of his father on March 26 1986, Mr Irwin added: Ivy was a great source of solace, strength and encouragement for my mother during that time that words seem inadequate to fully portray and was always a trusted and beloved friend. "When I attended my fathers inquest, Ivy was there for that added support, and with my mum, we will never forget her kindness towards us as a family. I know my words will resonate with so many others who received that same unstinting support from Ivy, who will echo similar sentiments. "Sadly, Ivy and her family were to experience the trauma and loss of the horrific murder of her son Adam. "She bore such loss with strength and dignity, not one filled with bitterness, but always in that quest for justice and peace, and that truth would prevail. Kenny Donaldson, director of the South East Fermanagh Foundation victims group, said her life touched the hearts of many. Ivy was married to Brian who passed away some years ago and she was a mother of four, including mummy to Adam, who is often described as the 13th innocent victim of the Enniskillen Poppy Day bomb. He added: Ivy and Brian doted upon Adam as they did their other children. Adam was extremely popular and was just 19 years of age, having attended the Royal School, Dungannon. "Ivy bore her pain with immense dignity and always chose to live life remembering the positive light Adam was within this world, even for the short time was here. Mr Donaldson continued: Ivy was a touch of class but embodied within someone who was deeply humble and who had a heart for people and her committed Christian faith. She passes through this life having made a significant contribution - her legacy will live in and our thoughts and prayers are with her surviving family who will have difficult days ahead, particularly Ross, Jill and Owen (her cherished children). Ellamay and Lauren Metcalfe are delivering Easter eggs to a charity this Thursday (Thomas Metcalfe/PA) Two young sisters from Dublin have helped to bring the community together through their idea to collect and distribute Easter eggs to children in hospital. Lauren Metcalfe, 16, and her younger sister Ellamay Metcalfe, 7, are to give roughly 820 Easter eggs to the charity Childrens Health Foundation at Temple Street, Dublin on Thursday afternoon, which will distribute them out to patients across its various hospital wards. People have either donated eggs to the youngsters from Ballymun, a suburb in Dublin, through Revolut or dropped them off at Nans Centra & Off Licence, the shop where their father Thomas Metcalfe works as a delivery driver. This marks Laurens 10th year giving Easter eggs to the charity (Thomas Metcalfe/PA) Mr Metcalfe, 36, said the initiative, which was sparked by Lauren following an injury a decade ago, has helped to bring the community together. 10 years ago, Lauren broke her leg just before Easter and she had loads of Easter eggs (but) she wasnt a big chocolate person, Mr Metcalfe told the PA news agency. She said to me, dad, can I bring some of these to the sick kids in the hospital? I think at that stage, it was 18 or 19 eggs we brought, but for her to do that herself was an amazing thing; it made me feel proud. The sisters project has helped to bring the community together (Thomas Metcalfe/PA) The next year, the family decided they wanted to do something bigger and it has become somewhat of a family tradition now. There can be a lot of bad publicity about Ballymun, but things like this help the community come together and theyre always there to help, Mr Metcalfe said. He added there has even been international interest in the project, with a friend who owns a company in Turkey called Get Slim in Turkey having donated 100 euros towards it each year. Lauren told PA the family received close to 1,000 eggs last year and it was hard to fit them all in the van that was transporting them to the charity. The family are to drop over 800 Easter eggs to the charity on Thursday (Thomas Metcalfe/PA) Last year was the biggest one because we had 993 eggs and it was crazy to see how many people actually donated eggs, she said. It was even hard to take a picture of the eggs as we couldnt fit them all in. Despite her young age, Ellamay is not a novice, having been involved with the project since she was two. When asked about why she wanted to help her sister, she told PA: We get to donate to the sick people. Each year the girls have participated, the charity has given them a certificate. Ellamay with a certificate she received to say thank you to her for helping with the project (Thomas Metcalfe/PA) Lauren said: Last year, I got a medal, which had the charity name on it. Mr Metcalfe added: (There) is a really nice woman from the charity (called Alfreda) who has been looking after us for the last 10 years. One of Mr Metcalfes friends is to lend the family a van, which they will use to transport the eggs to the venue this year. If people would like to donate an egg, they can either reach out to the charity or message Mr Metcalfe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.metcalfe.14. He added: Theres no donation too big and theres definitely no donation too small. Pearse McAuley died at his home in Co Tyrone last week Pearse McAuley's coffin, adorned with a tricolour and beret and gloves, is carried along Townsend Street, Strabane The First Minister has said an Irish tricolour should not have been placed on the coffin of garda killer Pearse McCauley. McCauley, who was in his late 50s, was found dead in his Strabane home last week. 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 post office raid in Co Limerick in June 1996. In 2015, McCauley was sentenced to 12 years for stabbing his estranged wife, Pauline Tully, now a Sinn Fein TD, with a knife at her home on Christmas Eve in 2014. At McCauleys funeral in Strabane last week, his coffin was draped in an Irish flag. That was criticised by incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris in his first speech after he was confirmed as the new Fine Gael leader. He said: When I saw the tricolour of this republic draped over the coffin of a garda killer, I say shame. He also urged the Irish people to take back our flag. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described the act as beyond our understanding and said it was regrettable that the flag had been abused and disrespected. Earlier this week, Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty also criticised the placing of the flag on McCauleys coffin, saying he was not a republican. Mr Doherty said McCauley had nothing to do with Sinn Fein for many, many, many years. In relation to the funeral of Pearse McCauley, we had no hand, act or part in it, he said. In relation to the placement of a tricolour, if it was our decision, one would not be on the coffin. First Minister Michelle ONeill agreed, saying Mr Doherty is on the record in terms of Pearse McCauleys funeral. Sinn Fein had no part in that and dont believe that a tricolour should have been placed on his coffin, she added. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it had been unacceptable, adding: I think it besmirches and demeans the flag of a country. The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge in Baltimore (Maryland National Guard via AP) The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent routine engine maintenance in the port beforehand, the US Coast Guard has said, as divers recovered the bodies of two of six workers who plunged into the water. The others were presumed dead and officials said search efforts had been exhausted. Investigators began collecting evidence from the cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Clouds float over the Patapsco River near the container ship Dali as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore (Alex Brandon/AP) The bodies of the two men, aged 35 and 26, were located by divers in the morning inside a red pickup submerged in about 25ft (7.6 metres) of water near the bridges middle span, Colonel Roland L Butler Jr, superintendent of Maryland State Police, announced at an evening news conference. The victims were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Col Butler said. All search efforts have been exhausted, and based on sonar scans, authorities firmly believe the other vehicles with victims inside are encased in superstructures and concrete from the collapsed bridge, Col Butler said. A co-worker of the people missing said on Tuesday that he was told the workers were on a break and sitting in their trucks parked on the bridge when it crumpled. US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said at a news conference that authorities had been informed that the ship was going to undergo the maintenance. He added that they were not informed of any problems. The ship collided into a support pillar early on Tuesday, causing the span to collapse. The bodies of two of six workers who plunged into the water were recovered earlier on Wednesday. The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge (Maryland National Guard via AP) The investigation picked up speed as the Baltimore region reeled from the sudden loss of a major transportation link that is part of the highway loop around the city. The disaster also closed the port that is vital to the citys shipping industry. Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) boarded the ship and planned to recover information from its electronics and paperwork, NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said. The agency is also reviewing the voyage data recorder recovered by the Coast Guard and building a timeline of what led to the crash, which federal and state officials have said appeared to be an accident. The ships crew issued a mayday call early on Tuesday, saying they had lost power and the vessels steering system just minutes before striking one of the bridges columns. At least eight people went into the water. Two were rescued, but the other six part of a construction crew that was filling potholes on the bridge were missing and presumed dead. The debris complicated the search, according to a Homeland Security memo described to The Associated Press by a law enforcement official. Maryland governor Wes Moore said the divers faced dangerous conditions. The ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday (NTSB via AP) They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them. They are trying to navigate mangled metal, and theyre also in a place it is now presumed that people have lost their lives, he said on Wednesday. Among the missing were people from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, according to diplomats from those countries. One worker, a 38-year-old man from Honduras who came to the US nearly two decades ago, was described by his brother as entrepreneurial and hard-working. He started last autumn with the company that was performing maintenance on the bridge. Captain Michael Burns Jr, of the Maritime Centre for Responsible Energy, said bringing a ship into or out of ports with limited room to manoeuvre is one of the most technically challenging and demanding things that we do. There are few things that are scarier than a loss of power in restricted waters, he said. And when a ship loses propulsion and steering, then its really at the mercy of the wind and the current. Video showed the ship moving at what Marylands governor said was about 9mph towards the 1.6-mile bridge. People at Fort McHenry view a container ship as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore (Matt Rourke/AP) Traffic was still crossing the span, and some vehicles appeared to escape with only seconds to spare. The crash caused the span to break and fall into the water within seconds. The last-minute warning from the ship allowed police just enough time to stop traffic on the interstate highway. One officer parked sideways across the lanes and planned to drive on to the bridge to alert a construction crew once another officer arrived. But he did not get the chance as the powerless vessel barrelled into the bridge. Attention also turned to the container ship Dali and its past. Synergy Marine Group, which manages the ship, said the impact happened while it was under the control of one or more pilots, who are local specialists who help guide vessels safely in and out of ports. The ship, which was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, and Danish shipping giant Maersk said it had chartered the vessel. Police boats work around a cargo ship that is stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge (Steve Helber/AP) The vessel passed foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023. In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port, Singapores port authority said in a statement on Wednesday. The ship was travelling under a Singapore flag, and officials there said they will be conducting their own investigation in addition to supporting US authorities. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day, and the disruption of a vital shipping port, will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also US consumers who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. A lot of people dont realise how important the port is just to everything, said Cat Watson, who takes the bridge to work everyday and lives close enough that she was awakened by the collision. Were going to be feeling it for a very long time. The Port of Baltimore is a busy entry point along the east coast for new vehicles made in Germany, Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom, along with coal and farm equipment. Ship traffic entering and leaving the port has been suspended indefinitely. Windward Maritime, a maritime risk-management company, said its data shows a large increase in ships that are waiting for a port to go to, with some anchored outside Baltimore or nearby Annapolis. Speaking at a White House news conference, transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said the Biden administration was focused on reopening the port and rebuilding the bridge, but he avoided putting a timeline on those efforts. He noted that the original bridge took five years to complete. Another priority is dealing with shipping issues, and Mr Buttigieg planned to meet supply chain officials. From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions, according to the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Xizang chairman hails region's miraculous development Xinhua) 11:16, March 28, 2024 LHASA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Yan Jinhai, chairman of the government of the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China, hailed Wednesday the region's miraculous development in various undertakings over the past 65 years. Yan made the remarks in a televised speech marking the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in Xizang 65 years ago. On March 28, 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform, freeing a million serfs. In 2009, the regional legislature announced March 28 as the day to commemorate the emancipation of the one million serfs. Today, a total of 172 international and domestic air routes have linked Xizang with 74 cities across the world, and the total length of highways in the region has exceeded 120,000 kilometers, Yan said. A modern education system has been formed in Xizang, with the total number of students in schools reaching 960,000, accounting for 26.3 percent of the total population of the region. Notably, the growth rate of per capita disposable income of residents in Xizang has ranked first nationwide for nine consecutive years, Yan added. On ecological conservation, the chairman said that Xizang's protected areas account for 36 percent of the region's total land area, and its rich ecological resources have greatly benefited people of all ethnic groups in the region. A new socialist Xizang with social stability, ethnic unity, religious harmony, economic prosperity, improved people's livelihood, sound ecology, and consolidated borders is standing high on the "roof of the world," Yan said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) (Photo : Handout) Kouri Richins is pictured with her husband Eric Richins. A Utah woman who wrote a children's book about how to cope with grief after her husband's death and then was charged in his murder now faces a new charge alleging she had actually tried but failed to kill him once before. Prosecutors say Kouri Richins, 33, fatally poisoned Eric Richins in March 2022 with a lethal dose of fentanyl added to a Moscow Mule that he was drinking to celebrate closing on the purchase of a home. Now she is additionally accused of previously trying to kill Eric weeks earlier on Valentine's Day by poisoning his favorite sandwich at their suburban Salt Lake City home. An arrest warrant claims that the pair had enjoyed a Valentine's Day dinner in their home. Shortly after the meal, Eric became very ill. Police said Eric believed that he had been poisoned and told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to kill him. He survived after injecting himself with his child's EpiPen and taking some Benadryl. But Eric didn't survive the Moscow Mule she served him weeks later. Police found him on the floor in front of his bed. She told officers that she had brought the drink to him as he sat in bed, claiming that she left the room and went to sleep with one of their children because the child was having a night terror. Richins told investigators she woke up around 3 a.m. and came back to their bedroom and called 911 after finding him cold to the touch. Police found inconsistencies in her story, including details about her phone that didn't match up. An autopsy determined that he had died from the oral ingestion of an amount of fentanyl that was five times the lethal dosage. The alleged sandwich poisoning was detailed in charging documents filed Monday. Kouri Richins was also charged with mortgage fraud and insurance fraud for allegedly faking loan applications and illegally collecting insurance benefits after her husband's death. She had self-published a book called "Are You With Me?" about a father who had angel wings and was watching over his little kid after he passed away. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons The Last Supper refers to the last meal Jesus ate with His disciples before His betrayal and arrest. The Last Supper is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-30). It is not recorded in the Book of John. The meal is the last time Jesus spends with His disciples and He tells them what is to happen. The Last Supper was more than Jesus last meal; it was a Passover meal as well. Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, followed by Good Friday, on which the Crucifixion of Jesus is commemorated. One of the important moments of the Last Supper is Jesus command to remember what He was about to do on behalf of all mankind; shed His blood on the cross thereby paying the debt of our sins (Luke 22:19). In most depictions, Jesus and His 12 disciples drink wine and bread all hallmarks of a Passover celebration. The books of Mark, Matthew and Luke all describe the Last Supper as a Passover Seder. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples in the traditional Seder that were prescribed in His time by the sages. This was the order which He employed in the Last supper. Paul gives us the liturgical order for recognizing Jesus sacrificial death in the Passover celebration. The Bible tells us: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lords death until He comes.' The Lord s Supper occurred in a Passover Seder. Communion represents the final Passover. In addition to predicting His suffering and death for our salvation (Luke 22:15-16), Jesus also used the Last Supper to give the Passover new meaning, institute the New Covenant, establish an ordinance for the church, and foretell Peters denial of Him (Luke 22:34) and Judas Iscariots betrayal (Matthew 26:21-24). The Last Supper brought the Old Testament observance of the Passover feast to its fulfillment. The first of Gods seven annual festivals is the Passover (Leviticus 23:5). This falls in early spring in the Holy Land. The celebration of the Passover is in remembrance of the time in Israels history when the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all animals and people. This is described in great detail in the Old Testament in Exodus 11 and 12. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years. God commissioned Moses to lead the Israelites out slavery and out of Egypt but Pharaoh refused to let them leave. Though Pharaoh told his servants that he would release them, He never followed through on His promises and God took action. The plagues were Gods judgment in action on Egypt as a result of Pharaohs refusal to release the children of Israel, Gods people. The Passover references the final of the ten plagues God placed upon Egypt as a way to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their enslavement. The final plague was death of the first born, the most horrific of the ten. The Bible tells us at around midnight one night, all the firstborn children of the Egyptians began to die, including the first child of Pharaoh, which was the highest position in Egyptian society, and the first child of the maidservants, which was the lowest occupation in Egyptian society. The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb that was without blemish, and smear it on the doorposts of their home. When the Lord saw the blood, He would pass over that house. This foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the spotless lamb of God whose blood would cover our sins for those who believe in Him. Gods judgment passed over believers who honored His command. Since that night, Jews have celebrated Passover in remembrance of Gods grace to them it commemorated the time when God speared them from the plague of physical death and brought them out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 11:1-13:16). During the Last Supper with His apostles, Jesus took two symbols associated with Passover and infused them with fresh meaning as a way to remember His sacrifice, which saves us from spiritual death and delivers us from spiritual bondage: After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:17-20). The words He used during the Last Supper about the unleavened bread and the cup echo what He had said after He fed the 5,000: I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirstyI am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the worldWhoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink (John 6:35; 51; 54-55). Salvation comes through Christ and the sacrifice of His physical body on the cross. The Last Supper was rooted in the Old Covenant even as it heralded the New. It was a very significant event and proclaimed a turning point in Gods plan for the world. In comparing the crucifixion of Jesus to the feast of the Passover, we can see the redemptive nature. As symbolized by the original Passover sacrifice in the Old Testament, Christs death atones for the sins of His people; His blood saves us from slavery and rescues us from death and through His death we find new life. Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council. Bangladesh garment workers rally outside the National Press Club in Dhaka to demand justice for slain colleagues, Nov. 23, 2023. A Bangladesh court this week rejected a no-confidence application filed by labor officials challenging a decision by police to drop two prime suspects in the June 2023 beating death of a union leader for garment workers. Shahidul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federations Gazipur unit, was fatally beaten on June 25 following his visit to the Prince Jacquard Sweater Ltd. company where he negotiated over wages on behalf of workers at the factory on the outskirts of Dhaka. The ready-made garment industry, an engine of Bangladeshs export economy, employs several million people, mostly women, who work long hours for relatively small pay. The killing angered the labor movement in the South Asian nation and shone a spotlight on workers in the garment industry being able to work without fear of reprisals for seeking decent wages and workplace rights. A day after Islams killing, Kalpana Akter, the federations central president, filed a murder case at the Tongi West Police Station naming six suspects, including the factory owner and one of his close associates. On Feb. 24, the Gazipur Industrial Police submitted its own charge sheet, dropping the pair from the complaint. About a month later, on March 25, Akter filed a no-confidence petition demanding the case be reinvestigated only to have the Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Gazipur reject the application, according to Munim Khan, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. We are not yet sure why the court did not accept our application. But after collecting the documents, we will challenge it and go to the judges court in Gazipur, Khan said. One reason for a possible appeal is that the exclusion of the factory owner and his associate will not ensure justice, the lawyer said. The petition viewed by BenarNews notes that the factory owner who is not named and a trader identified as Kamrul Islam had been dropped from the charge sheet submitted by police. The investigating officer filed the charge sheet without asking the plaintiffs witnesses and sought the acquittal of the accused, the petition said, adding, as a result, the plaintiff would be deprived of justice because the main suspects in the case are out of reach. In addition, potential charges against two other suspects, including one who is Kamrul Islams brother, have been lessened, according to Khan, the lawyer. The Gazipur Industrial Police officer in charge of its investigation said it was done properly. We have worked impartially. The charge sheet has been submitted based on what we found in the investigation, Additional Superintendent Imran Ahmed told BenarNews. He noted that a charge sheet was filed against eight other suspects not named by the labor leaders as a result of the police investigation. Garment employees work in a sewing section of the Snowtex Outerwear Ltd. factory in Savar, Bangladesh, Aug. 9, 2021. [Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP] Ambassador speaks out Shortly after Shahidul Islams killing, the U.S. ambassador met with Bangladesh union leaders where he condemned the killing and called for speedy prosecutions. We will be watching the case carefully to make sure that there is accountability, Ambassador Peter Haas said at the time. More recently, members of the International Labor Organizations governing body discussed the killing during a meeting in Geneva earlier this month. Abdur Rahim Khan, inspector general of Bangladeshs Directorate of Inspection of Factories and Establishments, attended the meeting. The issue was discussed in the meeting. But Bangladesh highlighted its side saying that police already submitted the charge sheet with the court against the people involved in the incident, he told BenarNews. Meanwhile, federation General Secretary Babul Akhtar said the government promised the case would be finished as soon as possible. Thats why we are fearing that the case may end with a name-only verdict, he said. There is fear of skipping the real culprits skipping away from the charges, he said. Loopholes The plaintiffs could appeal their case all the way to the High Court, if necessary, said labor and employment law consultant Jafrul Hasan Sharif. For the sake of justice, if any party gives any objection, it should be taken into account and settled, he told BenarNews. The case should be settled in such a way that neither side finds any loopholes. The executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, an organization of garment industry owners, said he wanted justice. We want the real culprits to be punished, Mohammad Hatem told BenarNews. I am suggesting labor leaders give to police any evidence they have that is not part of the investigation. A fisherman prepares his squid hook before heading out to sea from Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea, March 20, 2023. Filipino fisherman Larry Hugo worked fast to launch his small boat from Pag-asa, a small island which the Philippines occupies in the disputed Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, before the sun set in the horizon. Pag-asa, internationally known as Thitu Island and also claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, sits far out at sea from the main Philippine islands and is inhabited by nearly 300 Filipinos. Hugo has lived here for the past 15 years. The catch used to be enough to sustain his family until lately, when the presence of Chinese coast guard and militia ships all but forced him and other fishermen to venture closer to shore, he said. The 45-year-old, who hails from the town of Roxas on Palawan island, is just one of many locals who refuse to give in to despair. Hugo recently spent half a day at sea and returned home with a small catch. Yesterday, I went out for fishing but I only got around four kilos (8.8 pounds) of small fish, just enough to cover my gasoline and food for two days, he told BenarNews. Yearly, our catch declines because of the illegal fishing by the Chinese and the Vietnamese. Some of them were using dynamite and cyanide, Hugo told BenarNews in Filipino outside a small grocery store where he hangs out with friends. Earlier this month, BenarNews journalists spent four days on Pag-asa. It is one of about nine islands and atolls occupied by Manila in the Spratlys. The island hosts a small community and is equipped with a runway and a school. Children walk home from their school on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, March 21, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] Pag-asa, the largest of the islands in the Spratly chain, is officially part of the Philippine province of Palawan. Pag-asa is about 300 miles (483 km) from Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan island in the western Philippines. In recent years, more Chinese ships have traveled into waters around Pag-asa and made their presence felt, according to locals. Along with Scarborough Shoal to the north, Pag-asa has been at the center of news headlines involving China, which claims large swathes of the South China Sea based on historical grounds. A woman washes clothes outside her home on Pag-Asa, March 20, 2023. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews] BenarNews reporters who joined a Philippine mission earlier in March to survey the island and its surrounding areas saw a Chinese fishing fleet, escorted by Chinese militia and coast guard ships as they deployed huge lights to attract fish to their nets. The Philippines has accused China of illegally harvesting corals and of using dynamite to fish, an allegation Chinese officials have denied. Vietnamese officials also have denied the claim. Pag-Asa Island as seen from a satellite, April 4, 2022. [Credit: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies] Jonathan Anticamara, professor at the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman, said it was the first time marine research had been conducted in Sandy Cay, a sandbar located a few nautical miles from Pag-asa. The researchers mission was to identify the corals, fish and invertebrates present in the feature. The main goal of this research I think, which is very interesting for the Filipinos, is that these are offshore reefs that belong to the Philippines and the Filipinos do not know so much about these reefs, Anticamara said. So we need to know whats going on with these reefs. So thats why we need to go underwater and we need to see whats in there, he said. The visit by the Filipino marine research expedition to Sandy Cay angered China, which complained that this had infringed on Chinese territorial sovereignty. Thirty-four individuals from the Philippines ignored Chinas warning and illegally landed on Tiexian Reef, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement, using the Chinese name for Sandy Cay. A pair of Filipino fishermen push their boat ashore on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, March 20, 2023. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] In September 2023, Philippine officials blamed Chinese maritime militia ships for massive destruction of coral reefs, particularly in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, both features near Palawan island. Hugo said he and other fishermen have complained about dwindling catch. We only get a few fish here now compared to before. These illegal fishermen from China and Vietnam are destroying the fish sanctuaries, he said. A Philippine Coast Guard ship is seen from the shore of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea, March 20, 2024. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews] With no regular direct ships or commercial airline carrying people to and from the island, it has been impossible for Hugo and other residents to quickly cross to the main Philippine islands in cases of emergencies. Since he moved to Pag-asa in 2009, Hugo said he had managed to leave it on rare occasions to visit his relatives on Palawan island. We just have to live with it. No regular aircraft of the Philippine Air Force was coming because of the bad condition of the runway. It was not concrete and was slippery when it rains, he said. That could be changing. But now its different. We have a good runway and the air force flies four times a week. People will just have to list their names for manifest and there will be prioritization depending on the importance of travel, he said. In January, Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates traveled to Pag-asa, where he promised that the government would undertake efforts to boost the countrys sovereignty in the region, local media reported. To all our fellow countrymen across the Philippines, our claim to Kalayaan may just be words, but you being here, proving and shouting through your character, way of life and physical presence, truly affirms that Kalayaan is indeed part of the Philippines and Palawan, Socrates said, according to Inquirer.net. Pag-asa lies within the Kalayaan Islands, which are part of the Spratly chain. I believe the government is encouraging more people to come and settle here, not only in Pag-asa but in the outlying islands, the governor said. Ricel Galvan, a former fisherman, is seen inside the compound of his house on Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea, March 21, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] Despite the promises, constant harassment from the Chinese has made it difficult for fishermen, said Ricel Galvan, 37, who took a job with the schools maintenance staff. In 2018, residents were free to catch fish, but now the Chinese prevent them, he said. We were told by local officials to just lie low and choose a location far from the Chinese, he told BenarNews. To support his wife, Aileen, 34, who has been studying in Palawan to become a teacher and their children, aged 10 and 11, Galvan said he accepted a contract from the local government of Kalayaan to work as a support staff in the island. At the same time, he maintains a small store selling supplies to his neighbors. Life here is very hard. Worst is the transportation. We cant just get off the island if we want to, he said. We have no commercial transportation. We need to keep an eye and wait for the availability of government vessels. Its sad but life must go on. We just have to sacrifice a little, he said. Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama (center) reacts with his supporters as he leaves the Magistrates Court in Suva, March 28, 2024. Fijis public prosecutor has appealed what it says is an unreasonably lenient sentence for former strongman Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who had been found guilty of interfering in a police investigation. Bainimarama, who held sway over Fiji for 16 years after seizing power in a 2006 coup, and his now suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho had faced trial for allegedly shutting down a police investigation into financial mismanagement at the University of the South Pacific. A Suva Magistrates Court judge on Thursday discharged Bainimarama, meaning that no conviction will be recorded for him despite a ruling earlier this month that he was guilty of obstructing justice while prime minister. The charge can be punished with up to five years in prison. The sentence for Bainimarama and a fine and discharge for Qiliho are manifestly lenient and in breach of sentencing principles, case laws and the tariff [punishment] set in other similar matters, the office of the public prosecutor said in a statement. Seini Puamau, the magistrates court judge, had originally found both men not guilty but her verdict was overturned earlier this month by Fijis acting chief justice, who ordered Puamau to sentence the pair. Bainimaramas years in power ended in December 2022 after his Fiji First Party dropped below 50% of the vote in national elections, allowing opposition parties to form a coalition government led by Sitiveni Rabuka who is also a former coup leader. A purge of Bainimarama appointees from important public positions followed the change in government along with a slew of investigations into alleged abuses of office and the removal of restrictions on the media. However, Bainimarama still commands a significant following in Fiji the second most populous Pacific island country with nearly 1 million people while the initial enthusiasm for Rabukas coalition government has faded amid cost-of-living increases, slowing economic growth and scandals involving government ministers. Jubilant supporters surrounded Bainimarama outside the court on Thursday. Puamaus sentencing said Bainimaramas offense had been trivial and had no victim. A prison sentence would have severe consequences for the 69-year-olds health, she said. He had heart surgery in 2022 and also suffers from obstructive sleep apnea and nerve pain, according to evidence from his doctors. It seems to me that imprisonment would cause an egregiously high degree of hardship in that it will likely result in an incredibly diminished quality of life and potential death as a result of his history of heart trouble, Puamau said. The public prosecutor said the judge had considered irrelevant factors and made legal and factual errors in her findings, including that there were no aggravating factors against the two men and that the offending was only a technical breach with no victim. A conviction for Bainimarama would prevent him from seeking election to Parliament for nearly a decade. According to Fijis 2013 constitution, drafted under Bainimarama, candidates for Parliament must not have a conviction in the previous eight years for any offense that has a term of imprisonment of a year or more. Bainimarama also faces another trial after being charged with abuse of office in February. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (left) and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speak during a signing ceremony and press conference at Government House in Bangkok, Feb. 7, 2024. More than two decades after agreeing to a memorandum of understanding for sharing fossil fuels in the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia and Thailand are poised to resume the efforts. However, ongoing disputes between the next-door neighbors over the ownership of Koh Kood, an island along their shared border, might present a hurdle, especially amid public scrutiny. The two neighboring countries agreed to discuss the joint exploration of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) next to the island, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told a joint press conference on Feb. 7 in the presence of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, who was visiting Bangkok. Srettha was referring to the 2001 MOU signed during the tenure of the former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power in a 2006 military coup. The telecommunications billionaire, who enjoys enduring close ties with ex-Cambodian PM Hun Sen Hun Manets father was accused of betraying the nation for his own interests by signing the MoU and because he had invested in Cambodia. And Februarys announcement led to a senate censure debate in Thailand this week against Sretthas government. Bangkok has yet to form a new technical committee to consider pursuing the MOU, the Thai foreign minister told the Senate on Monday. I personally think the negotiation should simultaneously cover both aspects, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara told the senators. According to the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty Koh Kood belongs to Thailand. The 2001 Thai-Cambodian MOU ties together border delimitation and resources sharing into an indivisible package, mandating that both aspects are to be addressed concurrently. In regard with concerns over betrayal, loss of territory and sovereignty, I believe all of these will not happen, he said, adding it would take another 10 years to utilize the underwater resources even if the two strike a deal. No mans land The roughly 27,000 square-km (10,425 square-mile) area along the border is filled with an estimated 5 trillion baht (U.S. $138 billion) worth of natural gas and oil, according to PTT Exploration and Production PLC, Thailands petrochemical giant. For decades the area was left unexplored because it is deemed no mans land, said the Petroleum Institute of Thailand. Resource-sharing could feed the two energy-hungry Southeast Asian nations, it suggested. But Cambodias delineation of the continental shelf splitting Koh Kood in half in 1972 still irks Thai military-appointed senators and nationalist activists. Koh Kood is a second major disputed zone out of the entire 798-km (495-mile) border drawn during the French colonization of Indochina. The historical rivals fought bloody clashes around the ancient Hindu Temple of Preah Vihear in 2008-2011 after Cambodia built a road network to the west of the shrine. The International Court of Justice ruled that the shrine belonged to Cambodia but not the adjoining vicinity. The demarcation is a tricky business because Thailand claims that the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 gave Koh Kood to it while Cambodia in 1972 expanded its special economic zone overlaying beyond the resort island, according to Thai officials. Thailand introduced its own a year later. The past two Shinawatra-linked governments succumbed to blood-letting protests and were forced out of office because they were accused of doing too little to drive out Cambodian soldiers who occupied lands around the Preah Vihear temple in 2008. Public outcry Following the February press conference, Thai social media users questioned Sretthas will to protect the countrys interest and whether he would concede Thailands sovereignty over the disputed area. Dozens of nationalists rallied at the Royal Thai Navy headquarters in Chon Buri, southeast of Bangkok, to defend Koh Kood. In response, the Royal Thai Navy kicked off military exercises that will last until June. This exercise has an objective to train personnel for war readiness, Navy chief Adm. Adung Pan-iam told reporters at Had Yao beach in Chon Buri province. Should we have to conduct any operation; the Navy must win. An analyst, however, supported bilateral talks for a peaceful resolution. Although Thailand may possess a more formidable naval force, resorting to military might is not a sustainable method for permanently resolving territorial disputes, as it often results in undesirable consequences, Supalak Ganjanakhundee, a Bangkok-based Southeast Asia analyst, told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews. Negotiating within the framework established by the 2001 MOU offers the most promising avenue for achieving a peaceful resolution that respects the interests and concerns of both Thailand and Cambodia. The man convicted of slaughtering his neighbors in an effort to "execute vengeance" will spend the rest of his life behind bars, a judge ruled earlier this week. Majorjon Kaylor, 32, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Kenneth Guardipee, 65; his daughter, Kenna Guardipee, 41; and her two teenage sons, Devin Smith, 18, and Aiken Smith, 16; at their shared Kellogg, Idaho, duplex, according to court records. Kaylor was previously charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of burglary but pleaded guilty to the lesser charges. According to the affidavit, Kaylor admitted he was driven to commit the quadruple fatal shootings in June 2023 after Devin allegedly masturbated in front of his wife and their daughters. During police questioning, Kaylor referred to Devin as a "pedophile" who "conducted acts of nudity" in front of his kids. Kaylor said he confronted Devin's mother, Kenna, and his grandfather, Kenneth, about the incident, but alleged they did not take the issue seriously. He told detectives he "snapped," "lost it," and "did something about it," the affidavit read. Judge Barbara Duggan delivered Kaylor's fate Monday, despite the prosecution's recommendation of a 50-year prison sentence. "You took your firearm and you chose to execute them," Duggan told Kaylor, the Shoshone News-Press reported. "You knew it was unlawful and you chose to do it. Most case law deals with one victim, not four. This is beyond what we typically see, even in the criminal justice system." In addition to life in prison, Kaylor was denied the possibility of parole. Family members gave victim impact statements before Kaylor's sentencing. "He killed an entire branch of our family tree. Never any great grandchildren to watch grow up. I lost my best friend (referring to Aiken)," according to KHQ-TV. "He spent hundreds of hours volunteering throughout the community. An entire beautiful family taken by one person," David Silva, Aiken and Devin's paternal grandfather, said. It's unclear if Kaylor's defense team will appeal his sentence. His attorney, Chris Schwartz, did not immediately respond to Headline & Global News' request for comment. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. WILMINGTON At first, the two new co-chairperson of the Planning Commission were reluctant to lead the group. "I will let you know you will have a lot of assistance," Select Board Chairman Tom Fitzgerald told them at the commission's reorganization meeting Monday. "It's not a matter that you're going to be standing out there alone, OK? I'm trying to reassure you before we throw you to the lions here." Brian Holt and Matthew Moore accepted the positions of co-chairpersons at the suggestion of Fitzgerald and a unanimous vote by the commission. Holt called the recommendation "a great solution." Holt, who previously served as vice chairperson, said he didn't have enough free time to chair the group. "Instead of doing a chair and a vice chair, we can do co-chairs," Fitzgerald said. "This way, here, the onus doesn't come down on one person a lot. In fact, every time I think about the Select Board, I'd like to have a couple of co-chairs but that doesn't work either." Moore said he doesn't feel he has "the time available and the experience behind me to be chair." Despite the frustrations with former chairman John Lebron, he added, "I was always grateful for the work that he did in putting the meetings together and chairing them." John Lebron canned from Wilmington Planning Commission WILMINGTON Longtime Planning Commission member John Lebron, an outspoken critic of short-t Last week, the Select Board decided against reappointing Lebron to the commission. Lebron, an outspoken critic of short-term rentals, served on the commission since 2015 and became chairman about a year-and-a-half ago. Select Board Vice Chairman John Gannon said last week that he had concerns about Lebron's "ability to follow process" dictated by the state's open meeting laws after Lebron as chairperson wouldn't allow fellow commission members to make a motion at a meeting in October. "We should not make changes to the proposal that are going to affect everyone and not put those out for the public hearing again," Lebron said at the October meeting. Gannon said his decision to vote against Lebron's reappointment has "nothing to do with his position on short-term rentals." Lebron has urged the board to tamp down on STRs by limiting them and creating a registry. Commission chairman refuses motion to ease up regs on short-term rentals A commission chairperson can't reject a motion unless it isn't germane, Gannon said. He called the motion proposed by the rest of the commission "germane." That motion, passed at a later meeting with Lebron alone voting in opposition, ended up being the basis for new STR regulations proposed in town. A public hearing on the proposed zoning held earlier this month became contentious when Fitzgerald took issue with Lebron bringing up critical views he's shared in the past. Board member Sarah Fisher said a lot of people have reached out to her to express frustration about Lebron. Fitzgerald noted the town received correspondence requesting that Lebron not be reappointed. Lebron told the Reformer he isn't surprised by the board's decision. After running unsuccessfully against Fisher for a three-year seat on the board earlier this month, he figured the board might not want to reappoint him after some of the criticism he publicly expressed. "I still thought it was petty and vindictive," he said in an interview last week. "That's what they are." Wilmington Select Board incumbents meet ballot competition On Monday, Fitzgerald said the commission will need to work on the town plan. The due date is in October 2026. The public hearing involving proposed zoning regulations including on STRs will reconvene April 4. Fitzgerald said the board is waiting for "some legal definitions" before moving forward. "I just want to thank all of you," he told the commission. "You've done something here with some of the ordinances that is probably long overdue." Changes to STR regulations haven't been made since 2015, Fitzgerald said. He noted platforms such as Airbnb and Vacation Rentals By Owner didn't exist then. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close (Photo : YouTube) Abby and Brittany Hensel were featured on a reality TV show. Do you remember the famous conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel? They are now part of a larger family. According to public records, Abby and Josh Bowling got married in 2021, as reported by Today on March 27. It seems that Abby has been happily married for several years now. The 34-year-old twins currently reside in Minnesota with Josh, who identifies himself on his Facebook page as a "father, veteran, nurse." Minnesota-Born Conjoined Twins Abby and Brittany Dicephalus conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel were born in Minnesota. They were fused together at the torso at birth and continue to be fused together as adults until they reach adulthood. Although their spinal cords, brains, hearts, and other organs are distinct from one another, they share the organs that are positioned below the waist. Abby is in control of their right side, while Brittany is in charge of their left. In the twins' Facebook profile photo, bowling clad in a gray suit is seen standing in front of the conjoined twins and holding their hands in what appears to be a wedding-related situation. The conjoined twins are dressed in bridal gowns. The twins' lives were chronicled in the reality program Abby & Brittany, which aired on TLC. The show followed the twins as they prepared to graduate from Bethel College in Minnesota and then traveled to Europe. The twins stated in the opening episode of the eight-part series that people have been inquisitive about them ever since they were born, but their parents have never allowed them to use that as an excuse, according to People. Read Also: Bodies of 2 Construction Workers Killed During Baltimore Bridge Collapse Recovered From Submerged Pickup Truck Abby Hensel's Viral Wedding with Josh Bowling In 2021, Abby tied the knot with Josh Bowling, a nurse who had formerly served in the United States Army. A few of the photos that were taken on her special day are currently trending on TikTok. A collection of photographs that were shot on Abby's special day are displayed in a video that was uploaded on May 1, 2023 and has received ten million views. In the documentary titled "Joined for Life," which was released in 2003, Brittany said that she and her sister had shown a desire in having children. If they are still contemplating becoming parents, this may be a major milestone for the family. At the moment, the sisters are residents of Minnesota, the state in which they were born and reared, and they are employed as teachers at a school in that state. Walking, eating ice cream, and going snow tubing are some of the activities that Abby, Brittany, and Josh love doing in their spare time. Abby and Brittany are dicephalus conjoined twins, a rare phenomenon occurring in one of every 200,000 births. Related Article: Man Who Slaughtered Neighbor's Whole Family To 'Execute Vengeance' Gets Life, No Parole @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. PITTSFIELD An ironclad community of women helped shape Brett Random into a leader. After moving with her mother to Pittsfield, her mom started working at Girls Inc., now known as the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, and found crucial supports as they put down roots in a new city. Random, 37, went on to join the staff of that Pittsfield nonprofit herself, as did her older sister. Within those walls, she discovered her mission in life. "I fell in love with helping people. And I knew that that's what I wanted to do," she said in an interview with The Eagle, conducted while she was in Rhode Island for the New England Fathering Conference. Random serves as the executive director of Berkshire County Head Start, an early childhood education organization that serves 200 children and their families. The agency offers preschool to the county's youngest residents, with a focus on mental health, nutrition and making sure parents have the support they need. She said she was still learning the ins and outs of the post when the pandemic touched down in the Berkshires, necessitating nothing sort of a sea change in how the essential agency delivered services. Random said families have been thrown new and deepening economic challenges, and children are navigating social-emotional hurdles at high rates. She steered the agency through the storm, expanding services to reach more families while simultaneously lowering class sizes. "Head Start, at its core, is meant to serve underserved populations and people, and we take that very seriously," she said. The trajectory of Random's life was shaped at Girls Inc. She vividly remembers how much emphasis was placed on the message that girls and women are powerful. There, Random saw women in positions of authority. One became an influential mentor: Kelly Marion, the executive director of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center. Random said Marion poured her energies into fostering her career. Another was Shirley Edgerton, who Random said built a community of children of color, creating a rich social environment where she participated in activities including the Youth Alive's step team. All of it molded her, putting her on her own path to leadership. Random urges others to believe that nothing is impossible as they shape their personal missions in the world. It was a mindset that was fostered within her, and one she aims to spread now that she's the one cultivating leaders to strengthen the Berkshires. "The most rewarding part is, I get to go home every day and know that a seed has been planted, I did something that's going to make life better for the families in our community," she said. PITTSFIELD More than a year of study and conversation led Pittsfield Public School leaders to a simple conclusion: The current conditions of Crosby elementary and Conte community schools are untenable. A vote from the City Council on Tuesday night shows city leaders agree. We need schools where people want their children to go and I would not want my children to go to those three schools, Councilor Alisa Costa said, referencing Crosby, Conte and Morningside Community School. We cant afford to wait any longer for the sake of the children going to our schools and for the sake of our city that we want to see grow. The council voted unanimously to give Superintendent Joseph Curtis the authority to take a step that school leaders say will rectify this problem. With the councils support, Curtis will submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the funding authority for major school projects putting the district on a path that may ultimately bring the students of Crosby and Conte together in a new elementary school for the West Side community. A statement of interest signals to the state that a school district has identified conditions that may require the replacement, renovation or modernization of a school. In Pittsfields case, the district is submitting two statements of interest one for Crosby at 517 West St. and one for Conte at 200 West Union St. for what will likely be one project on the Crosby campus, consultants for the district said. The districts submissions to the state for both schools say that critical infrastructure and major systems at both schools are nearing or past their useful life, that the buildings dont meet current energy or environmental standards, provide enough security or enough space for educational specialists. Crosby opened as a middle school in 1962 and Conte opened as one of the citys community schools a design that uses open classrooms without walls in 1974. Neither school has seen major renovations since opening. Entering these submissions before the states April 12 deadline allows the district to be considered for this years application cycle with MSBA. The building authority typically decides what projects to pursue by December of each year and if selected, the district and MSBA would conduct a feasibility study that would develop either a plan for renovation or a new school building. That study would cost about $1.5 million, an expense that would be shared by the state and city, Curtis said. Coming up with money would require another vote and appropriation by the council. If all goes to plan, Pittsfield could see a new school or newly renovated school by late 2028 or the fall of 2029. There are many more steps necessary before that could happen including votes by the School Committee and City Council but a district master plan lays out what could be in store for students and families down the line. New school on the horizon? A feasibility study would have the final say, but the district's working concept is to construct a new building on the Crosby property that would have an upper and lower elementary building that shares a common core of spaces like a gym, cafeteria, library and administrative spaces. The lower elementary school would serve preschool through first grade students and the upper elementary would serve second through fourth graders. We start on one side of the school where were learning how to learn, said Greg Smolley, a senior associate with DRA Architects working on the restructuring plan with the district." In grades two through four were beginning to actually learn were taking in concepts, the classrooms are different and the approach to learning is different on either side of the school. Curtis said that the Crosby campus was large enough that this building could be constructed with little disruption to the existing school. Once completed, students attending both Crosby and Conte would attend the new building. The superintendent was careful during the council meeting to say these are early concepts and that before any new grade or boundary change occurred there would be ample community discussion and a School Committee vote. But he said early ideas for a feasibility study for Conte and Crosby align with this larger vision. Part of a master plan The decision to replace or renovate two of the West Side elementary schools is linked to a change that happened further upstream at the high school level. Curtis told the council that the decision to convert Taconic High School to an entirely career technical education program was the districts first step in departing from the neighborhood school model. Under the current model, students attend one of eight elementary schools and then one of two middle schools closest to where they live. That model, which city leaders said served the city well during the baby boom, has faltered. The current district boundaries through a combination of shifting neighborhood demographics and school choice have put some of the most diverse student populations and high needs students at some of the district's oldest and beat-up schools. City councilors saw this firsthand when they visited both Crosby and Conte schools during a tour earlier this month. Councilor Dina Lampiasi, the representative for both schools, said walking through the buildings was eye-opening. Its striking at certain points and just thinking Theres no way I would want my child to be educated here I would do anything for her to go somewhere else,' Lampiasi said. Not everybody has that ability and we need to do better. Waltham-based consulting firm DRA Architects has been conducting a master planning study of the district looking at the state of current buildings, student demographics and enrollment estimates. During the course of the study, a district shake-up was proposed as a solution to both short-term decreasing enrollment trends and PPSs equity goals. That plan calls for a rethinking of how grades are grouped through city schools. In the new concept, the district would reduce the number of elementary schools from eight to three. And each of those elementary schools would house two partner schools a lower elementary school for preschool through first grade students and an upper elementary school for second through fourth grade students. Those three campuses would come with a shifting of the attendance districts into a North Side, West Side and East Side district. For fifth and sixth grades, all city students would attend a single school. Students would then attend a single seventh and eighth grade school before deciding whether to pursue the CTE program at Taconic or the more traditional high school model at Pittsfield High School. You are the owner of this article. Democratic candidates for the 3rd Berkshire District, from left, Leigh Davis, Jamie Minacci and Patrick White, took part in a public forum Tuesday night in Dalton. Now, at 40, Courtney Warren is imparting the same sort of confidence that ONeil imparted to her to the men and women she helps mentor as they climb the career ladder, sometimes against difficult odds. Farmington River Regional Elementary School's best hope for the future might be to be 'the best school in the state and the nation' After an investigation into Adams Ambulance, the state Department of Public Health pulled the company's license, concluding that it had no confidence in the services ability to sustain proper service, and that its recent actions endanger public health. The former Massachusetts police lieutenant, accused of raping a child, will be arraigned on Thursday on additional charges. James Feeley, of Winthrop, was previously charged with one count of aggravated child rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14. On Thursday, he is expected to be charged with another count of aggravated child rape and seven more counts of indecent assault and battery. Feeley, 56, allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting children on Christmas night when Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty met Feeley in the Belle Isle Cemetery. The officer was reportedly at his parents' graves with a handgun and threatened to kill himself out of guilt. Feeley was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, while the alleged victim was treated at Boston Children's Hospital. The child also reportedly confirmed Feeley's accounts and told authorities that the assaults started a year prior. In addition to serving as a police officer for 21 years, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families confirmed that Feeley was also a foster parent. "The Department of Children and Families is investigating these disturbing allegations against a foster parent," said a DCF statement, according to WCVB. "There are no foster children currently residing in the foster home." One month after Feeley's graveside confession, a two-year-old child was found dead in his home. There were no signs of foul play, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. During Feeley's initial December arraignment he pleaded not guilty and was held on $200,000 bail, ordered to wear a GPS tracking device and avoid the victim or any other child younger than 16. Feeley, who resigned from the police force, was also ordered to surrender his passport and firearms. Feeley's attorney has argued that he has no criminal record and unblemished record as a police officer. The defense lawyer noted that his client "brought this to light" and characterized the alleged actions as "an aberration of immense proportions," according to WBZ News. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. (Photo : ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) Former FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday in Manhattan federal court. A judge sentenced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison on Thursday in connection to his role in the collapse of the digital currency trading platform. He also faces three years probation, CNBC reported. Bankman-Fried, who was immediately taken back into custody after the senetnce was pronounced, was found guilty of embezzling billions from FTX customers and could face more than 100 years behind bars. Prosecutors had asked for a 40-50 year sentence. They said the sentence would be "sufficiently severe to provide justice" and dissuade other people from committing similar crimes. The defense countered with a request for five to six years in prison. The judge says he said 25 years would act as a deterrent to keep others from doing something similar. He said that Bankman-Fried lying on the stand during the trial factored into his sentence. The former crypto mogul's parents were in the courtroom during the sentencing. They didn't answer any reporter questions as they left the courthouse. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York issued a lengthy statement after the sentencing. It said, in part: "His deliberate and ongoing lies demonstrated a brazen disregard for customers' expections and disrespect for rule of law so that he could secretly use his customers' money to expand his own power and influence." On November 2, 2023, a federal jury found Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of defrauding customers on his cryptocurrency exchange, convicting him on two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. The verdict came after just four hours of deliberation. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Allowing diagnostic information to easily be available straight on the phone by simply using an app A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur has created a unique system, where smartphones can be used to test glucose levels in patients to provide quick, and easy-to-access testing results. The entire system connects a paper-based analytical device to any smartphone using an Android app, which allows for the detection of the sample for glucose (with a concentration range of 1040 mM). Paper-based analytical devices (PADs) are portable devices that have revolutionised point-of-need testing and can quickly assess biochemical samples. The device comes with a lab based functionalised biodegradable paper that alters its hue based on the level and amount of glucose present. By connecting it to a smartphone, the researchers have made the entire process of tracking glucose levels even faster and more personalised. This device is aimed to be developed for the personal use of the public. It can provide on-the-spot glucose testing results without requiring technical or sophisticated laboratory settings. Additionally, it is designed to be cost-effective and biodegradable, with the current cost of it at only ~ Rs 10 in the lab. The team hopes to further make it even cheaper during mass production, at Rs 5. A major hindrance when it comes to PADs is that they need specific light conditions to work. However, this system developed by the researchers completely does away with that disadvantage and allows for the PAD to work, and transmit information to smartphones under nearly all possible light conditions. By using artificial glucose samples, various images of the coloured samples were processed using a machine learning application, to develop the smartphone app. This ensured that the intensity of colour from the PAD was not influenced by the light condition and the type of camera in a smartphone. Thus, the PAD can be connected to any smartphone with varying camera optics. Installed solar panels are visible in the foreground while the downtown Houston skyline is visible from the roof of the apartment complex at 2410 Waugh Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Property owner Joey Romano stands on the roof of the apartment complex at 2410 Waugh as he discusses the solar power system utilized at the complex. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Solar array to electrical grid interconnections at the apartment complex at 2410 Waugh. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A sticker on an electrical connection box warns of a connection to a solar array at the apartment complex at 2410 Waugh. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Battery banks connected to charge controllers, right center, and courtyard are visible from the roof of the apartment complex at 2410 Waugh Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The apartment complex at 2410 Waugh. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Steps from a charming coffee shop and a mere five-minute walk to a bustling stretch of Westheimer Road, 2410 Waugh seemed at street level no different from the many other modern apartments competing to house the residents of Montrose. Visible from above, though, is a feature that sets 2410 Waugh, a three-story, 14-unit complex, apart from multifamily housing not only in Houston but across the country: a blanket of solar panels covering the roof, providing electricity to all the units below. I don't have other amenities; it's not like I have a gym, a pool. For people living in other high-rises, (rooftop solar) is something that's really a differentiator, said Joey Romano, director of Harvest Moon Development, owner of 2410 Waugh. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rooftop solar panels, growing in popularity for homeowners in Texas, are key to fully decarbonizing the electricity sector, the second-largest source of climate-warming emissions in the United States. They ease the pressure of having to build as many solar farms, which have stoked concern about damaging natural habitats. They can lower electricity bills and keep the lights on during outages. MORE ROOFTOP SOLAR: How Houstonians are turning their homes into solar-powered hubs for neighbors during outages But rooftop solar remains a hard sell for multifamily housing nationwide, even though low-income households reside in approximately 60% of multifamily units, pay a disproportionate share of their income toward their energy bills and would benefit most from home solar, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A critical challenge is what is known as the split incentive, the agency said. A landlord tends to not really care about putting in solar because he doesn't pay the electric bill; the tenant pays the electric bill. And the tenant is not about to put a capital investment in an apartment because they don't own the apartment, and when people rent they tend not to be in the same spot quite as long, said Chris Thompson, vice president of product and technical marketing for SolarEdge, a manufacturer of solar inverters and home battery systems. Enter PearlX, a Virginia-based company that was founded with the purpose of installing rooftop solar on multifamily residences by aligning those incentives. The company owns the solar panels and any other energy capital thats installed, the landlord is paid rent for the propertys energy rights and tenants get the technologys benefits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad PearlX partnered with SolarEdge at 2410 Waugh in 2022, installing 58 kilowatts of solar panels on the apartments roof. Each unit is also equipped with a five-kilowatt home battery system. The Montrose project was the first in Texas for PearlX, which has 34 in California. In first 18 months the system was in place, tenants at 2410 Waugh saw energy bill savings of $60 per month on average and retained power during two outages totaling 10 hours thanks to the onsite batteries, according to the companies. No tenants were made available to discuss these benefits. From a landlord standpoint, the resiliency aspect, its a benefit beyond just the rent payments PearlX would pay. It's like having an independent generator for each one of those units, said Romano. After completing the project at 2410 Waugh, Romano joined PearlX to help expand its footprint in Texas. How the PearlX model works How PearlX generates revenue from its model and how the landlord is paid depends on the attributes of each project and the state in which its located. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In California, the company sells the electricity generated by the panels directly to the tenants at a discount, compared with the available retailer, according to PearlX CEO Michael Huerta. In return, PearlX pays rent to landlords for rights to the propertys energy estate. In Texas, this system is complicated by the deregulated electricity market, where consumers choose from more than 100 retailers. Instead of directly selling electricity to the tenants, the workaround in Texas has been for PearlX to collect an infrastructure fee from landlords for the technologies installed, Huerta said. This is generally $120 to $300 annually for each occupied unit for projects with carport solar and common-area battery storage, Romano said. Landlords can pass on the cost of the infrastructure fee to tenants in their rent, Huerta said. At the Waugh property, Romano, a past president of a community solar development company, said the infrastructure was absorbed in full by Harvest Moon. To reduce the infrastructure fee and help make projects more workable for landlords worried about raising rent on tenants, PearlX can also sell power back to the grid from its solar and batteries assets as another revenue stream, Huerta said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As in California, landlords in Texas receive rent for the building's energy rights, which is on average $100 per year per unit for a typical 250-unit multifamily project in Texas, Romano said. Expanding in Texas PearlX has started a second Texas project at a new apartment complex in the Central Southwest neighborhood of Houston called Spot at Anderson. There, the company has collaborated with real estate firm MarketSpace Capital to install 90 kilowatts of solar panels on covered parking, said Sohail Hassan, MarketSpaces managing partner. The electricity generated by the panels will be used to power common areas such as the gym and the business suite, Hassan said. Spot at Anderson also has battery systems to store power in case of a blackout that will allow tenants to charge their devices at certain terminals, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tenants will be charged a flat resiliency fee to cover the cost of the infrastructure fee MarketSpace Capital pays PearlX, Hassan said. As for revenue for MarketSpace, the developer will not only collect energy estate rent payments from PearlX but also plans to charge extra for each covered parking space, Hassan said. This additional income stream will ease his challenges, shared by property owners across Texas, with rising property taxes and insurance costs, he said. United Airlines announced its plan to install larger overhead bins on its Skywest operated Embraer E175 fleet providing more space for passengers luggage. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer United Airlines new Early Bag Storage facility, a facility that can store as many as 3,300 bags, is tested as part of several new features coming to George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Houston. The airlines United Next growth plan will include the expansion of Terminal B with 40 gates to accommodate larger aircraft, a new electronic bag storage facility that is the only one of its kind in North America. Airline expects to create 1,500 United positions in Houston next year and another 4,000 construction related jobs throughout the project. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer United Airlines new Early Bag Storage facility, a facility that can store as many as 3,300 bags, is tested as part of several new features coming to George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Houston. The airlines United Next growth plan will include the expansion of Terminal B with 40 gates to accommodate larger aircraft, a new electronic bag storage facility that is the only one of its kind in North America. Airline expects to create 1,500 United positions in Houston next year and another 4,000 construction related jobs throughout the project. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer United Airlines new Early Bag Storage facility, a facility that can store as many as 3,300 bags, is tested as part of several new features coming to George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Houston. The airlines United Next growth plan will include the expansion of Terminal B with 40 gates to accommodate larger aircraft, a new electronic bag storage facility that is the only one of its kind in North America. Airline expects to create 1,500 United positions in Houston next year and another 4,000 construction related jobs throughout the project. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Passengers won't have to worry gate checking their luggage on some flights with United Airlines much longer. On Tuesday, the airline company announced it would start installing larger overhead bins to its fleet of Skywest operated Embraer E175. By the end of the year, United Airlines plans to have new bins on 50 aircraft, specifically those with a 76-seat configuration. In a news release, officials said United Airlines could possibly expand the larger overhead bins to more than 150 E175 aircraft by the end of 2026. These smaller planes are designed for short to mid-range flights, according to the Embraer website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DIRECT ROUTE: New nonstop flight coming to Houston this summer "Customer sentiment for the new overhead bins and signature interiors has been extremely positive," said Linda Jojo, United's chief customer officer, in a news release. "By helping to eliminate the need to gate check bags, we are seeing an increase in gate and boarding satisfaction." The upgrade of larger overhead bins on E175 planes makes United Airlines the first airline to add this upgrade to E175 planes. The new addition offers room for 29 extra carry-on bags and will help save nearly 1 million passengers from the trouble of having to gate-check bags on more than 150,000 E175 flights. Each E175 aircraft with the overhead bins will also have braille and tactile placards that enhance accessibility. New baggage facility Next week, United Airlines will debut its Early Baggage System facility the first of its kind in the United States. Last year, the company announced the feature as part of its $2.6 billion expansion project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Our commitment is to get bags and passengers to their final destination safely and on time," said Phil Griffith, United Airlines Houston hub vice president. "With this new technology we can do that." United Airlines will debut its Early Baggage System facility at the beginning of April. United Airlines The facility will allow the airline to store baggage for passengers who arrive early before their departure or for those who experience long layovers or delayed flights. According to officials, the system will prioritize the release of luggage based on flight time in an effort to provide a more efficient delivery to customers. Flight updates within the United Airlines app on the customers' side communicates to the EBS system to ensure bag processing time. United Airlines will debut its Early Baggage System facility at the beginning of April. United Airlines The system can handle 80,000 bags a day. The EBS costed a little more than $300 million, according to United Airlines corporate communications manager Aubrey Jackson. The airline began construction of the facility back in 2019, but the global COVID-19 pandemic put a halt on the project. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code The Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library at 4100 Montrose Blvd. is shown Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer The Montrose branch of the Houston Public Library will permanently close Thursday due to "ongoing safety and facility issues that cannot be resolved in a timely manner." The Eleanor K. Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library on 4100 Montrose Blvd., will close and cease all operations at the end of business hours, a Wednesday news release states. Among the safety concerns was a nonfunctioning elevator that didn't comply with ADA accessibility standards. The Houston Landing also obtained an email from an employee who expressed concern after the library was without phone and internet service, and low temperatures inside the building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We understand the inconvenience this closure may cause, but please know that we are completely focused on providing a better equipped and more accessible library facility for our customers," Houston Public Library Executive Director Rhea Brown Lawson said in a statement. APRIL 2024: Houston Public Library celebrates 120 years with limited edition card, parties The historic library has been in headlines for years as officials tried to figure out what to do about the building. In 2013, the Houston City Council approved a multimillion-dollar renovation plan for the building slated to occur within fiscal years 2014-2018. Most of the funding was initially expected to come from the city's Public Library Consolidated Construction Fund, with approximately $27,000 coming from a future bond election. However, the plan was halted after issues with the roof, plumbing and additional utilities needed to be restored. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Developer Houston-based Radom Capital worked with the city on a new proposal: Helping to relocate the branch. The developer partnered with the city to place the library branch within the new 150,000-square-foot development project called "Montrose Collective." In October 2019, it was said the library would occupy space on the second and third floors of a three-story building behind Uchi and the city would be responsible for the interior build-out. In December 2019, the city council approved a plan crucial to the proposed relocation that included selling the 8,300-square-foot parcel of land at 802 Westheimer Road and $4.6 million towards design and construction services for the new library. The developer promised to dedicate 10,000 square feet of the Montrose Collective project to relocating the library. "I think this is a great example of community input and engagement," District C Councilmember Abbie Kamin said at a 2021 meeting. "We're all really sad to lose the Freed Montrose Library, but this is a great new asset to the area that we'll be getting." There have been delays in the construction of the library, however, the Houston Public Library release said Wednesday the construction is underway for the new building which is anticipated to open in fall 2024. The new Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library is set to be in the mixed-use shopping center at 1001 California Street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE STORIES: Texas most popular Dr. Seuss book is a classic "Although the doors may close, the knowledge and memories shared within the walls of Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library will forever endure. I look forward to welcoming customers to the new library later this year," Lawson said in a statement. A book drop for returns will be available until Thursday, April 4. Other libraries near the Montrose area include Central Library, Smith Neighborhood Library and Looscan Neighborhood Library. The European arm of Japanese clothing and homeware retailer Muji is set to appoint administrators. The spokesman for the business, which has a store in Dublin, said the move forms part of a planned strategic restructuring of the business, and that it expects to shortly reach a deal. Advertisement It stressed the process will have no immediate impact on shops, staff and the general running of the chain. Muji is known for its Japanese-inspired simple and functional products (Alamy/PA) For Mujis colleagues and customers in Europe it is business as usual. All stores and e-commerce will continue to operate as before, and all new and outstanding orders will be fulfilled, the firm said. Advertisement Muji was launched in Japan in 1980 and sells a range including clothes, stationery, homeware, beauty products and cupboard essentials It is known for its focus on Japanese-inspired simple and functional goods and also has stores across Britain, mainland Europe and the Nordics. Farmers have to "watch, hope and pray" for a "sweet spot" of dry weather in the coming weeks or many will have to debate whether to plant at all this year. As continuous rainfall adds to already saturated ground, many big and small potato farmers are warning that the Irish favourite variety of Rooster may be in scarce supply by June. Advertisement "We are still waiting to get planting. We should have some potatoes already planted for supply to Tayto," said Meath farmer Ivan Curran from his holding in Stamullen. Mr Curran yields 11,000 tonnes of potatoes in a good year but last year was the worst year for rain he has seen in his 40 years in agriculture. About 40 per cent of his crop are Roosters which go to supermarkets for sale, and 60 per cent are destined for the Tayto factory in nearby Curragha for crisps. Advertisement Roosters are the dominant potato variety in Irish supermarkets and shops, and account for 70 per cent of all potatoes sold in Ireland. Advertisement Machinery trying to harvest potatoes in December on Ivan Curran's waterlogged farm in Stamullen, Co Meath "It's been borderline up to now on the start of the planting season but there is no sign of any solid spell of dry weather on the horizon," Mr Curran said. "There is a sweet spot in mid-April that we really need to be planting our main crops. After this, we would be sure of a loss of yield and by June, it would be debatable to plant at all this year, if nothing has been planted already. "After June, you are sure to have losses and the dwindling daylight hours and impending cold temperatures would affect crop growth and add a risk of blight. Advertisement "It's not just in Ireland but the rainfall is affecting planting all over Europe. There will be Cyprus and Egyptian potatoes coming in but they will be expensive. "I would say there will be a shortfall of Roosters by June or definitely by the Autumn. There will be Maris Pipers and potatoes maybe not as popular but it will be a case of take what you can get, I'd say. "Already I've heard of the smaller shops buying the bags of Roosters from supermarkets because they are hard to get wholesale. Advertisement "I've 700 acres here but everything is just bogged. There is no chance of planting at the moment. We need a good week of dry weather before we even think about planting." Advertisement In Co Louth, Maria Flynn said all farmers are hoping for the easterly winds to blow. "We are just watching, hoping and praying now. That's all we can do," said Ms Flynn, who grows Roosters and Kerr Pinks alongside her husband, David. She also supplies many restaurants with her heirloom purple potatoes of Violetta, Pink Fir and Red Emmalie varieties on the family farm at Ballymakenny, outside Drogheda. "There is just no sign of the east winds that we normally have in March. They dry the ground faster. The temperatures are increasing, but the rain just keeps falling. Advertisement "There will be late planting again this week which means later harvesting and that brings bad weather at the tail end. We still have ten acres of potatoes from last year that we couldn't get out of the ground because it is that wet. "It will be touch and go for a lot of farmers in the coming weeks, especially if this rain doesn't stop." Maria and David Flynn of Ballymakenny Farm As waterlogged farmers wonder if the weather will ever dry up, official figures confirm that 2011 to 2020 was the wettest decade on record in Ireland. Comparisons of 30-year periods show 1991 to 2020 was 7 per cent wetter than 1961 to 1990. Met Eireann climatologist Paul Moore said climate change is driving the recent wet spell, specifically in the North Atlantic which has now seen record sea temperatures consecutively for more than a year. That adds to a lot of warmth and moisture into the air over the Atlantic, he told The Irish Times. With our prevailing south-westerlies, there is a lot more moisture available under those circumstances. When low pressure is in control of our weather, we are getting more rain. A 29-year-old man wanted in the United States to stand trial for murder has been extradited from Northern Ireland. The extradition on Thursday followed partnership work between the PSNI and the US authorities and the US Marshals Service. Advertisement A PSNI statement said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work with our international partners and will use all means available to ensure offenders are brought to justice. Man extradited from Northern Ireland to United States of America to stand trial for murder. https://t.co/LcBuA80FUy pic.twitter.com/y3Q6rwKBy3 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 28, 2024 Advertisement If fugitives travel to Northern Ireland to avoid the consequences of their previous crimes, it is only a matter of time before they are arrested and brought before the extradition courts. Advertisement Our message is clear, that we will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime. Advertisement Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man was extradited to Poland on Wednesday. He was wanted to serve a sentence for driving convictions in the country dating back to 2012. The Irish Refugee Council has criticised Irelands plan to join the EUs new migration pact, saying that there are substantial concerns about potential restriction of movement for refugees. On Wednesday, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee secured approval to seek clearance from the Oireachtas to begin opting in to measures contained within the new EU Asylum and Migration Pact. Advertisement As the Irish Examiner reports, one major feature of the pact is a new border procedure, which aims to increase the speed of processing of people coming from safe countries. It will also apply to any entrants who have destroyed their identity documents, people believed to be a danger to national security, or those from countries with a 20 per cent or lower approval rate for asylum applications in the EU. Advertisement Anyone processed under the border procedure will not be permitted to enter the State and will instead be accommodated at designated locations while applications are processed within three months. However, if their applications are unsuccessful, they must be removed within three months. Advertisement Chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson said the overall policy was a case of the good, the bad, and the ugly, and he was concerned about potential detention of asylum seekers. This seems to suggest some form or detention or restriction on movement, which is of substantial concern, Mr Henderson said regarding the border procedure proposal. Mr Henderson also criticised the Governments revised plan to deal with the increased number of asylum seekers entering the country, describing it as extremely light on detail. The plan will see the State purchase turnkey properties and empty offices and deliver rapid-build homes in a bid to provide 14,000 more beds before 2028. The near-term plan rests on converting office blocks which is subject to the vagaries of the commercial property market acquiring State land, and building prefabs that will have a lead-in time, and purchasing properties, that is unlikely to bring scale, Mr Henderson said. The jury in the Stardust inquests has retired to deliberate on a verdict over the deaths of 48 people in a fire in Dublin in 1981. The inquests began in April last year and have heard evidence from 373 people. Advertisement The fire in Artane in north Dublin broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day in 1981. The new inquests, which are the longest held in Ireland, are coming to an end following months of evidence. On Thursday, the jury was given details of the five verdicts it may return. Advertisement Family members and supporters (left to right) Bernie Darcy, Siobhan Kearney who lost her brother Liam Dunne, Lisa Lawlor who lost her father Francis and mother Maureen, and survivor Deirdre Dames who lost her best friend Margaret Kiernan outside Dublin Coroners Court (Brian Lawless/PA) Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane told the jury: Im now sending you out, members of the jury, to deliberate on the verdicts and the findings that you wish to return in these inquests. As youve already heard in these proceedings, this is where the focus is on you, members of the jury, and to sit on this jury brings with it great responsibility. Advertisement So you must approach your tasks in an objective manner, which is based on the law as I outlined it to you and the facts that youve heard in evidence. Advertisement These are the only considerations for you in reaching your findings and verdicts. You must be dispassionate and clinical in your approach and put emotions aside. As Ive said, Im available for any clarification you require or any questions you might have during your deliberations. Earlier, Dr Cullinane outlined the law that applies to the jurys deliberations for each of the verdicts and what the jury should consider in coming to a decision. Dr Cullinane also told the jurors she is so grateful for their dedication to the inquests and for their attention in the almost year-long inquiry, which is being held at Dublin District Coroners Court in the grounds of the Rotunda Hospital. Dr Cullinane said the jury may consider returning one of the following verdicts: accidental death, death by misadventure, unlawful killing, open verdict or a narrative verdict. Advertisement She said that an accidental death verdict may be returned where a sudden or unanticipated occurrence leads to a death. Dr Cullinane said that something could happen suddenly and without warning which leads to a death. Advertisement The coroner gave an example that this could be where a person falls off their bicycle during the course of a routine journey and sustains fatal injuries. Therefore, if you decide in your findings, in relation to the fire that occurred at the Stardust in 1981 and the consequent 48 deaths, can be characterised or described as an accident in that way, then you may return this verdict, she added. Advertisement The legal test for accidental death is on the balance of probabilities. Death by misadventure, Dr Cullinane explained, is where something has happened which appears to be an accident and leads to a death, however there is an additional feature of a risk that has contributed in a significant way to the death. If you were to decide that the fire that broke out at the Stardust broke out accidentally, but there were risk factors present which caused or contributed to the deaths in a significant way, whether because such factors contributed to the fire starting or to fire spreading, or by creating other risks, then you may record the verdict of death by misadventure, she added. The coroner reminded the jurors that they must not attribute any blame to anyone for the risks that may have been present. Advertisement You should apply the standards of 1981 in deciding on the extent of any failures that arose and not the standards of today, she added. You should bear in mind the circumstances that persons were facing at the time when they made the decisions that they made. You should be careful not to make judgments based on hindsight. Turning to the verdict of unlawful killing, Dr Cullinane said this finding is for situations of the most serious kind. She told the jurors that they must carefully consider the legal rules and whether they are entitled to make a finding of unlawful killing. Dr Cullinane reminded jurors that they must not identify anyone, either directly or indirectly, in their findings. This prohibition is most clearly relevant to the verdict of unlawful killing, she added. This is because unlawful killing is a verdict that clearly and unambiguously expresses a view of the circumstances of the death, which means that you formed a view, if its returned, that the law has been broken in a serious fashion. In other words, the verdict itself makes it clear that the law has been broken. In this regard, the verdict of unlawful killing is markedly different from the other verdicts. Advertisement Dublin Coroners Court, where the Stardust inquests have been held (Brian Lawless/PA) Dr Cullinane added: So the verdict of unlawful killing in a coroners inquest is reserved for situations of the most serious kind, such as murder, infanticide, or manslaughter. The kind of death that will lead to a verdict of unlawful killing is one that fulfils the criterion of something altogether more serious than the other types of deaths that Ive referred to. Explaining the test the jurors must apply, the coroner said: For this particular verdict, there is a very specific test which you must apply before you can return that verdict. You must find firstly that there has been a failure by a person or persons to a very high degree to observe such a course of action as experience shows to be necessary, if substantial injury to others is to be avoided. And that such failure was a substantial cause of the death. You must understand that the failure can be no ordinary failure. You must also bear in mind that in cases where the verdict of unlawful killing is returned, the facts are exceptionally grave. This includes scenarios where the facts of the inquest overlap with those that might be associated with murder, infanticide and manslaughter cases in a criminal court, including what is known as gross negligence manslaughter. Advertisement This verdict is only available in a subset of such deaths that have occurred in the most serious of circumstances. The test to be applied is beyond all reasonable doubt. The jury may also consider an open verdict or narrative verdict as part of its findings. The jury is to return next Wednesday following the Easter break to continue deliberations. Thursday's papers lead with photos of the woman and her two children who died in a fatal road traffic collision in Co Mayo on Tuesday. The Irish Times reports motorists are set to face congestion charges or paying for the cost of clean air zones in cities and towns by 2030. Advertisement The Irish Examiner report deaths on Irish roads could exceed 200 this year, as the victims of the crash in Mayo were named. The Echo leads with a picture of the funeral for Ian Baitson in Cork, after he was killed in a fatal assault in Cork. Advertisement The Irish Independent reports a number of tech firms did not attend a meeting with Minister for Education Norma Foley over online child safety. The Irish Daily Mail reports cars such as SUVs are set to be hit with higher taxes under plans from Green party leader Eamon Ryan. Advertisement Advertisement The Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Star lead with photos of the mother and her two children killed in Tuesday's crash, as the father of the family flies home. Advertisement British papers A range of stories feature on the front of Thursdays newspapers, including an Easter message from the King and various political issues. The Daily Express and The Daily Telegraph focus on Charless Easter message of kindness and friendship. EXPRESS: King calls for more kindness in time of need #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/oA37183o9r Advertisement Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: King thanks public for extending hand of friendship#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/P6dmkIUS7o The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 27, 2024 The Guardian and i both concentrate on record discharges in by water companies with a Thames warning over E.coli ahead of the University Boat Races. GUARDIAN: Outrage over record discharges of sewage into rivers and seas #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/u5aMRwI6xd Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 I: Labour attacked for feeble plan on Britains sewage crisis #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kOV0O2CXVI Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 The Daily Mail speculates on the date of the general election and whether the Prime Minister may push for the summer as the fragile Tory truce looks like it is nearing breaking point. Advertisement MAIL: Could Rishi gamble on a summer election? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/djercA1Hl5 Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 The Independent reports on impact Brexit is having on the British passport with Easter travel hit by EU regulations. INDEPENDENT: Barred from Europe 2.4m Brits caught in Brexit passport chaos #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/pk80th0GrM Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 The Times leads on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has praised former Tory leader Boris Johnson and his levelling-up policies, THE TIMES: Johnson had right idea on levelling up, says Starmer #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/L2iqu4VLrX Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 27, 2024 The Metro concentrates on a report into a baby who died after slipping through cracks in the system. The Daily Mirror shifts focus to the loss of Paul OGrady one year on. The Daily Star also runs with a story about Paul OGrady, with friend and TV presenter Gaby Roslin saying she receives visits from his ghost. The Sun leads on Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who has died in a workplace accident. Four people have died after a bus travelling from Berlin to Switzerland came off a major road in eastern Germany and ended up on its side, authorities said. The accident happened on the A9 highway near Leipzig at about 9.45am local time, less than two hours after leaving Berlin. Advertisement The bus en route to Zurich was operated by Flixbus, the dominant long-distance scheduled bus operator in Germany. The bus was travelling to Zurich (dpa via AP) Police initially said that at least five people were killed, but later revised the figure to four. Advertisement They said a person initially reported to them as dead was in a life-threatening condition. Six people were seriously injured and 29 lightly injured, they said. Many people were taken to nearby hospitals. There were 54 people on board the bus at the time of the crash, including two drivers a 62-year-old from the Czech Republic and a 53-year-old from Slovakia. Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the accident was not immediately clear. Police said there was no indication that any other vehicle was involved, and the driver was not among those killed. Police said late on Wednesday they could not yet give information on the ages and nationalities of the victims, and that the identification of the dead had not yet been completed. They said they have opened an investigation on suspicion of negligent manslaughter. Advertisement A coach lies overturned on its side at the scene of an accident on the A9, near Schkeuditz, Germany (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP) The A9 is a major north-south route that links Berlin with Munich. The accident happened on a straight stretch of the road just north of a highway interchange at Schkeuditz, next to the Leipzig/Halle airport. Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday for a billion-dollar fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the worlds most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency. Bankman-Fried, 32, was convicted in November of fraud and conspiracy a dramatic fall from a year earlier when he and his companies seemed to be riding a crest of success that resulted in a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like Tom Brady and comedian Larry David. Advertisement Sam Bankman-Fried leaving court in July (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) US District Judge Lewis A Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionise the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. Advertisement Mr Kaplan said the sentence reflected that there is a risk that this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future. And its not a trivial risk at all. Advertisement He added that it was for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time. Mr Kaplan further ordered Bankman-Fried to forfeit more than 11 billion (8.7 billion). He also said he would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send him to a medium-security prison or less near the San Francisco area because he is unlikely to be a physical threat to other inmates or prison staff, and his autism and social awkwardness would make him vulnerable to other inmates in a high-security location. Advertisement Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years. They said: The defendant victimised tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. Advertisement He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him, he lied to investors, he sent fabricated documents to lenders, he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence. Advertisement Mr Kaplan agreed with prosecutors that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their lost money back. He called the argument logically flawed and speculative. Advertisement He said customers lost about 8 billion dollars (6.3 billion), investors lost 1.7 billion dollars (1.3 billion) and lenders were shorted by 1.3 billion dollars (1.02 billion). Mr Kaplan also cited three instances where he concluded that Bankman-Fried committed perjury during his trial testimony. Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologised. He said: A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And Im sorry about that. Im sorry about what happened at every stage. Defence lawyer Marc Mukasey said his client was misunderstood. Barbara Fried and Joseph Bankman, parents of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, arrive at Manhattan Federal Court where their son is to be sentenced (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) Mr Mukasey said: Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people. Sam Bankman-Fried doesnt make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head. Bankman-Frieds attorneys, friends and family have urged leniency, saying he is unlikely to reoffend again. Advertisement They also say FTXs investors have largely recovered their funds a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors. Mr Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion, wrote John Ray, the chief executive of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. The business he left on November 11 2022 was neither solvent nor safe. Two weeks ago, Bankman-Frieds lawyer Marc Mukasey attacked a probation office recommendation of 100 years in prison, saying a sentence of that length would be grotesque and barbaric. Sam is not the evil genius depicted in the media or the greedy villain described at trial, Mr Mukasey said, calling his client a first-time, non-violent offender. Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and chief executive of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl ad and bought the naming rights to a Miami stadium (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami. Advertisement But the collapse of cryptocurrency prices in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTXs hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alamedas balance sheet with FTX customer funds. Three other people from Bankman-Frieds inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial. The biggest name among the three was Caroline Ellison, once the girlfriend of Bankman-Fried. Ellison described Bankman-Fried as a calculating individual who knew that he was likely committing crimes when he directed the use of customer funds. Two other one-time friends of Bankman-Fried: Gary Wang and Nishad Singh; also testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud. Two large portraits of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been spray painted behind a monument to Soviet soldiers in Vienna. The portraits were completed on Wednesday on the wall , which was already painted in Ukraines blue and yellow national colours after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement The wall belongs to the Palais Schwarzenberg, owned by the noble family of former Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who died in November. Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou paints a picture of Alexei Navalny on a wall in Vienna, Austria (Philipp-Moritz Jenne/AP) The monument portraying a Soviet soldier was built after Soviet troops took Vienna in 1945. Advertisement Austria, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, was divided into occupation zones until the country was granted full sovereignty in 1955. Advertisement The monument commemorates victims of dictatorship and Mr Navalny is an obvious victim of dictatorship, Maximillian Schaffgotsch of the Schwarzenberg family foundation told the Austria Press Agency. Mr Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption in Russia and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as president Vladimir Putins fiercest foe, died on February 16 in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. Officials said he died of natural causes. Advertisement The portraits sit behind a monument to Soviet soldiers (Philipp-Moritz Jenne/AP) The portraits were painted by the Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou. Jonathan Gamperl, one half of the duo, said so far we have only gotten positive feedback. Advertisement KSORS, a group described by Austrian media as being close to the Russian Embassy, complained in a Facebook post that the wall behind the monument to Soviet soldiers is being misused for political purposes. An improvised memorial to Mr Navalny opposite the embassy has been removed twice in the last two weeks. Vienna prosecutors are considering whether to open an investigation into those incidents, APA reported. Russia vetoed a UN resolution on Thursday effectively abolishing the monitoring of sanctions against North Korea by UN experts. Russias vote sparked Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its weapons purchases from North Korea for use in its war against Ukraine, in violation of sanctions. Advertisement The vote in the 15-member council was 13 in favour, Russia against, and China abstaining. The Security Council resolution sponsored by the United States would have extended the mandate of the panel for a year, but Russias veto will halt its operations. The resolution does not alter the sanctions, which remain in force. Russias UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told the council before the vote that Western nations are trying to strangle North Korea and sanctions have proven irrelevant and detached from reality in reining in its nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement US deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council that Russias veto was nothing more than the attempt by one council member to silence the independent objective investigations into North Koreas sanctions violations. He said Russia acted because the panel began reporting in the last year on Russias blatant violations of the UN Security Council resolutions. He warned that Russias veto will embolden North Korea to continue jeopardising global security through development of long-range ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts. White House national security spokesman John Kirby condemned Russias veto as a reckless action that undermines sanctions imposed on North Korea, while warning against the deepening co-operation between North Korea and Russia, particularly as North Korea continues to supply Russia with weapons as it wages its war in Ukraine. Advertisement The international community should resolutely uphold the global non-proliferation regime and support the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russias brutal aggression, Mr Kirby told reporters. Britains UN ambassador Barbara Woodward said Russias veto follows arms deals between Russia and North Korea in violation of UN sanctions, including the transfer of ballistic missiles, which Russia has then used in its illegal invasion of Ukraine since the early part of this year. Advertisement This veto does not demonstrate concern for the North Korean people or the efficacy of sanctions, she said. It is about Russia gaining the freedom to evade and breach sanctions in pursuit of weapons to be used against Ukraine. Advertisement This panel, through its word to expose sanctions non-compliance, was an inconvenience for Russia, Ms Woodward said. French ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Riviere (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) Frances UN ambassador Nicolas de Riviere added that North Korea has been providing Russia with military material in support of its aggression against Ukraine, in violation of many resolutions which Russia voted in favour of. Advertisement The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Koreas first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking so far unsuccessfully to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017. China and Russia vetoed a US-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches. The Security Council established a committee to monitor sanctions and the mandate for its panel of experts to investigate violations had been renewed for 14 years. FILE - Travis Scott performs at the Astroworld Music Festival in Houston, Nov. 5, 2021. The experiences of panicked concertgoers who couldnt breathe and had no clear path to escape a massive crowd surge at last years deadly Astroworld music festival in Houston are featured in a documentary set for release Friday, April 29, 2022. But lawyers for Live Nation, which is being sued for its role as the festivals promoter, say theyre concerned that publicity from the documentary, Concert Crush: The Travis Scott Festival Tragedy, could taint the jury pool. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File) Amy Harris/Associated Press Houston-born rapper Travis Scott said he should not be held personally responsible for the deaths of 10 people who died in the crushing crowds of his 2021 Astroworld concert, court records show. In a new motion filed in Harris County 11th Civil District Court this week, Scott whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II asked for a summary judgment in his favor, which would remove him from the sprawling lawsuit brought against dozens of companies and individuals connected to the concert by hundreds of victims of the tragedy. LATEST ON ASTROWORLD Drake, Apple seek dismissal from Astroworld lawsuit as other parties try to shift blame, records show Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ten people died and hundreds more were injured during the Nov. 5, 2021, concert in a crushing event that began as Scott, the concerts headliner, took the stage. Scotts filing comes on the heels of other defendants among them tech giant Apple and fellow rapper Drake asking for judgments in their favor. Hundreds of plaintiffs have sued dozens of defendants in the wake of the disaster. District Court Judge Kristen Brauchle Hawkinswill begins hearing arguments for the judgments next week. Scotts motion aims to remove the man who was the face of the concert from litigation before it reaches trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his motion, Scott argued the plaintiffs' lawyers hadnt proven that he or his touring company, XX Global, could be held responsible for injuries people suffered while trying to watch his performance. Performers are not expected to render special protection to the audience, nor to safeguard them from the rest of the crowd, the motion read. Texas law doesnt require performers or promoters to protect audience members, the motion reads. And even if it did, Scotts lawyers said he supported efforts to make more room on the festival grounds by removing rides and ended the show when he was directed to. No one disputes that tragedy struck the Astroworld Festival, the motion read. But promoting and performing at a concert do not equate to the power to control a crowd or to design a venue safely. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his filing, Scott acknowledged that he conceived of the Astroworld concert as an ode to Houstons defunct amusement park, and that he had some responsibilities for the concert planning: including arranging musical acts, marketing and his own performance. But Scott said it was understood he was not responsible for venue security, safety or the sites layout. In separate motions, other companies connected to Scott, including his Cactus Jack Records label, have sought their own summary judgments. The record company in a March 11 filing said the plaintiffs' attorneys had shown no evidence that it was responsible for Astroworld. A grand jury in June declined to indict Scott and others on criminal charges related to the concert. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An official report about Astroworld published in July by the Houston Police Department didnt lay specific blame for the concert death on Scott or any other individual. The 1,200-page report outlined multiple failures of communication and planning that contributed to the crowd crush. More info revealed in recent filings One filing revealed expert testimony that appeared to show that the festivals planners were aware before the concert that the crowd density would be above industry safety standards, and that officials had noted worries about crowd size as early as 2019. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In another filing this week, plaintiffs' lawyers responded to Apples motion for summary judgment, accusing the corporation of insisting on placing cameras on the festival ground, despite knowing about the limited space. British prime minister Rishi Sunak has been urged to abandon his Rwanda scheme by a United Nations human rights watchdog. Mr Sunak hopes to get planes carrying asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda in the air this spring, but the legislation is still held up in Parliament. Advertisement The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) called on the UK Government to abandon the scheme and repeal measures already in legislation as part of Mr Sunaks plan to stop the boats crossing the English Channel. Advertisement But UK sources accused the UN of double standards because the international body already sends refugees to Rwanda. The international panel was deeply concerned about the introduction of legislative initiatives containing elements that discriminate against migrants and that seek to limit access to rights for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, such as the Illegal Migration Act 2023. Advertisement The committee said the law, which is intended to stop people who arrive in the UK illegally from being able to stay here, effectively amounts to an asylum ban. The human rights body said it regrets the Rwanda plan and the Governments efforts to adopt the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill despite the ruling of the UK Supreme Court that the arrangement would not be compliant with international law. Advertisement The legislation, which is due to return to the Commons when MPs come back to Westminster following the Easter break on April 15th, is designed to make the Rwanda plan legally watertight following the Supreme Court defeat. The Safety of Rwanda Bill and a treaty with Kigali are aimed at addressing concerns about the scheme and the potential for people sent to the African nation to be removed to another country a process known as refoulement where they could face persecution. The UN body said the UK government should pull the legislation, or repeal it if passed by Parliament, with a view to strictly upholding the principle of non-refoulement in both law and practice. Advertisement A source close to UK Home Secretary James Cleverly dismissed the committees finding. Advertisement It has always been the height of irony and double standards that one arm of the UN says it has concerns about Rwanda as a country and another arm of the same organisation continually and consistently uses Rwanda to house and process asylum seekers as a third-country destination and celebrates their deal with the Rwanda for doing so, the source said. Advertisement UN refugee agency the UNHCR has evacuated people from Libya to Rwanda, but that is a temporary and voluntary scheme. The Governments plans would see people who arrive on small boats sent to Rwanda to claim asylum there, with no right to come back to the UK. The report published on Thursday was issued by the Human Rights Committee, which monitors countries compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Its 18 members are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world. Kerry Stokes-backed Beach Energy will lay off 30 per cent of its workforce and overhaul its executive leadership team in a major cost-cutting drive aimed at turning around the oil and gas producers performance amid heavy losses. The cuts follow the first stage of a comprehensive review into Beach Energys strategic direction to reset the base business as it seeks to increase profit margins and lower costs, the company said in a statement to the ASX on Thursday. Beach Energy is using the Ocean Onyx drill rig to develop new natural gas wells off the coast of Victoria. The company on Thursday confirmed that the management overhaul will see several of the current executive team leave the company over the coming months. New executive leadership appointments are underway and will be announced once all positions have been confirmed. At the end of Maria Bamfords last special, Local Act, she did something most stand-up comedians are loathe to do: she stopped talking. Instead of having the last word, she invited people from the crowd to take her place on stage to tell some jokes while she watched, laughing freely. The thing I love most about comedy is that its democratic, she explains. At open mics, everybody gets three minutes even if theyre doing hate speech, though hopefully thats not going on. Its a place to go thats free and Ive benefitted from it for professional and mental health reasons. Life, in my opinion, is horrendously unfair. So, I was like, why not say everybody gets to do a comedy special? Who gives a shit? Comic Maria Bamford. Bamford is now firmly established as an icon of alternative comedy with appearances in offbeat cult classics like Arrested Development and Portlandia and her own loosely autobiographical Baby Dynamite. Both Judd Apatow and Stephen Colbert have nominated her as their favourite comic. The 53-year-old comedian has earned her place in the pantheon by circumventing the cliches and norms of her art form: she filmed a special with an audience of just her parents, and another in which she performed in a front yard, a bowling alley and, finally, a packed theatre where she invited everyone to join hands in a childhood game called One Big Blob. NSW Police have torn up the contract appointing television producer Steve Jackson as the new chief of their media unit, following a fortnight of criticism. Jackson, a veteran journalist, was announced as the new head of the powerful NSW Police Media Unit after Police Commissioner Karen Webb dismissed her top media adviser Liz Deegan on March 13. Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Steve Jackson and Police Commissioner Karen Webb. Deegan had been in the job for less than one year, a tenure starting with the Tasering of a 95-year-old great-grandmother in Cooma and ending with a serving officer allegedly killing couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies with his service pistol. Public gaffes by Webb had compounded the horrors of Beau Lamarre-Condons alleged double murder and the commissioner began searching for a replacement who could put the controversy to rest. Pentecostalism is believed to have arrived in Australia in the 19th century, but it began to rise to prominence in Australia in the 1980s, as a small religious revival. It has since been catapulted into the mainstream following the emergence of Hillsong. Pentecostal Christian Chantal Morrill. Credit: Eddie Jim Before this, Pentecostalism was just little congregations in school halls or community halls, Singleton says. Their religious expression was pretty full-on, with lots of speaking in tongues and people shaking with the spirit and falling over. Singleton says the movement is now attracting people who may have been Anglican or Presbyterian particularly those under 35 drawn to its ability to communicate ancient messages in a contemporary way. Melbourne woman Chantal Morrill is one of the tens of thousands of Victorians who identify as Pentecostal. I dont walk around with a badge saying Im Christian, but my faith is something that causes me to reflect inward about my life and how Im living, she says. Everything around us changes all the time, but to have a constant is really anchoring. Meanwhile, a surge in migration has also led to an increase in the number of Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and those in states fastest growing religion, Hinduism. About 2.5 million Australians, or about 10 per cent of the population, reported an affiliation with a minority religion in Australia in the last census, equal to a 3.5 per cent increase in the past 25 years. About 680,000 Hindus live in Australia, and Victoria is home to more than a third of them. Hindu Society of Victoria president Sabaratnam Kathirkhanthan at the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs. Credit: Eddie Jim The number of Hindus living in the state has soared from about 42,300 in 2006 to more than 214,000 in 2021, as growing numbers of people from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia and Singapore migrate to Victoria. Hindu society of Victoria president Sabaratnam Kathirkhanthan says temples give new migrants an opportunity to connect with other Hindus from all over the world. Hinduism is more than just religion, Kathirkhanthan says. For us, it is indivisible from our everyday life. The number of Muslims in Victoria has more than doubled from 109,369 in 2006 to 273,028 in 2021, equal to about 4.5 per cent of the states population, ahead of Hindus (3.5 per cent) and Buddhists (3.4 per cent). Zeinab Mourad in a prayer room of the Quba mosque in Craigieburn, which is under construction. Credit: Chris Hopkins Zeinab Mourad, 30, academic mentor at the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy, says Islam gives her purpose, but she is aware of the challenges of being devout in an increasingly secular society. She says her faith makes it easier to think that persons perception belongs to them, and I have this purpose that Im working towards in this life. Loading More than 210,400 Sikhs live in Australia, and about 90,000 call Victoria home the highest number of any state in Australia the legacy of waves of Punjabi and Indian migration. Buddhism is also on the rise as waves of migrants from Asia arrive in Victoria. The number of Buddhists soared from 132,632 in 2011 to 204,493 in 2021. But some religions are stagnating. There are nearly 100,000 people who identify as Jewish in Australia, and almost 46,650 live in Victoria the highest number of any state in the country. In Victoria, the Jewish population has increased by just over 5500 people in the past decade. It is a trend Singleton attributes to dwindling migration of Jewish people and conversions to the faith. Professor Cristina Rocha, of Western Sydney University, says the growth of other religions in Victoria is a reflection of migration. Rocha, the director of the Religion and Society Research Cluster, says the most significant change to faith in Australia has been an increase in religious complexity and diversity. Many people have abandoned institutional religion, while there has been a rise in atheism and a boom in Pentecostalism and minority religions. Others are turning to meditation and mindfulness. Food is an element of creating a lived experience in your body and creating a much deeper understanding of a narrative. You can hear a story, or you can taste a story, explains Borghi, the first woman appointed to a rabbinic role at an inclusive Orthodox community in Melbourne. Food is at the heart of Jewish culture, occupying a place between the secular and the sacred. The unleavened bread is a symbolic reminder of the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt. They fled so quickly that they had no time to let their bread rise. When Passover begins in late April this year, observant Jews like Borghi will forgo bread and instead eat a large, flat, crispy cracker known as matzo. What Rabbanit Ellyse Borghi loves most about Passover is how it can transcend the Jewish experience through the ages in a ritual that unfolds at the dinner table. In this series, explore how Victorias religious communities are attracting worshippers in an increasingly secular Australia. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. But unlike other religions, which are either soaring quickly or fast declining, the number of Australians whose religion is Judaism remains largely unchanged. These figures do not account for thousands of Jewish people who do not identify as religious in an increasingly secular Australia. Victoria is home to more Jews than any other Australian state. There are nearly 100,000 people who identify as Jewish, and almost 46,650 live in Victoria, according to the latest census data. While Judaism remains a minority religion in Australia, the country has one of the largest numbers of Holocaust survivors in the world, besides Israel. T he Age has analysed a decades worth of census data for a series exploring how Victorias religious communities are keeping the faith in an increasingly secular Australia. Despite the fact the number of Jewish worshippers has not soared like that of other minority religions in Australia, including Islam and Hinduism , Singleton says the Jews strong cultural identity is flourishing. There has been a Jewish community in Australia since the late 1700s, but it boomed during migration after World War II. Thats how you grow a religion. You either convert people, or you import them from overseas, like other religions. The vast majority of Jewish people are born into that community and theres almost no conversion to Judaism in Australia, except for the purposes of marriage, says the professor of sociology and social research. It is a trend Andrew Singleton, a religion expert at Deakin University, attributes to dwindling migration of Jews and conversions to the faith. In Victoria, the Jewish population has increased by only a little more than 5500 in the past decade. There were young boys in kippah caps, ultra-Orthodox bearded Jewish men in mink fur hats, and mothers holding their childrens hands as they walked between synagogues and the homes of their loved ones. But the streets were full of life as Jewish New Year began. Outside his Caulfield home, in Melbournes Jewish heartland, the neighbourhoods were shrouded in darkness for shabbat, a time of rest when work is forbidden and families come together. In mid-September 2023, on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, all the lights in Rabbi Noam Sendors house were switched off, except for the dining area, where candles burnt and lamps glowed in soft gold. To be Jewish is not just about religious practice, its also about cultural identity, he says. Its to be counted and understood as Jewish. The 25-hour weekly ritual, (a reminder that God created the world and rested on the seventh day) begins at sunset on Friday, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, or when three stars illuminate the sky. In Melbourne, Jewish bakeries sell out of cakes, sweets and loaves of round challah, an egg-rich braided bread, as lines of people snake down streets in Ripponlea and Balaclava. It marks not just the creation of the world, but the start of Jewish New Year, and a 10-day period of penitence. Rosh Hashanah, which falls in September or October depending on the Jewish calendar, dates back more than a thousand years. They smiled and nodded as they passed each other and said shanah tovah umetukah : a wish for a good and sweet year ahead. Since he is unable to drive after sunset on shabbat, Sendor and I walked almost two kilometres from the Blake Street Synagogue, where the rabbi had led a sabbath service to a backdrop of a choir of South African Jewish men singing ancient prayers in Hebrew, to his house. As we walked, he told me Rosh Hashanah was a time of reflection, repentance and renewal. When the piercing sounds of the shofar, a rams horn trumpet, fill synagogues during Rosh Hashanah, they act as a spiritual alarm clock, compelling Jews to look inwards and better themselves for the year ahead. Rabbi Noam Sendor and wife Sara. Credit: Wayne Taylor Its a blessing that it gives us an opportunity to think about what we want our year to be like and think about what were the successes of the past year and situations we missed, said Sendor, a Boston-born high school teacher and jazz musician who moved to Australia 13 years ago. We do all these ceremonies and rituals around creating this fresh start and a beautiful beginning to this new year. The core beliefs of Orthodox Jews have remained the same for centuries. Jews believe that there is a single God who not only created the universe, but with whom every Jew can have an individual relationship. Loading The idea is that this world is good and that theres goodness here, but we have to elevate it, Sendor says. So we engage in the world in a thoughtful and mindful way. Sendors faith enriches his life. Its a beautiful way of living, of seeing meaning in every day and trying to focus on the good, on the blessings, he says. When we arrived inside Sendors house, the kitchen bench was overflowing with food. A round loaf of freshly baked bread with walnuts symbolised the cyclical nature of life. A plate of glazed carrots was there for protection, baked salmon for entering the new year with strength, dates for sweetness, and plump, red pomegranate seeds so good deeds multiply like the fruits many seeds. But perhaps the best-known ancient custom is the consumption of honey for a sweet new year. Sendors wife, Sara, had sourced three kinds: creamed honey, honeycomb and pure syrup from Israel. We sat at the dining room table, surrounded by ancient holy books known as sefarim, which filled timber bookshelves, and walls full of artwork by Jewish artists, including an artist and Hebrew scribe called Tunni Kraus who had joined us for dinner. Sendors four young children and five Jewish friends were also at the table. Sendor conducted a Kiddush, a blessing to sanctify the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, over a glass of red kosher wine and said a prayer to start the new year with sweetness and goodness. Bread and honey was passed around the table first, and then honey-dipped apples. Sendor said the diversity of Melbournes Jewish community was one of its greatest beauties and strengths. There are those in the modern Orthodox community, like him, and the ultra-Orthodox Haredi and Hasidic communities. There is also a growing humanistic Jewish community in Melbourne, for those drawn to a secular congregation style of Judaism, emphasising music and singing. Descendants of Holocaust survivors in Melbourne are also leading the way in preserving the roughly thousand-year-old Yiddish language. The vast majority, I would say, are people who are Jewish but, not religious or traditional Jews, Sendor said. So people who drive on a Saturday, but often still they belong to the Orthodox shules [synagogues]. A rams horn, or shofar; a Jewish prayer shawl, or talit; and an apple symbolise Rosh Hashanah. Credit: iStock For many secular Jews in Victoria, lively Friday night family dinners remain a lifelong tradition. At the rabbis home, we spent hours talking and eating. Sendor shared a folktale about a pious Jewish man who after many years of great poverty, dreamt he was travelling to Vienna to dig for treasure, only to be told that the treasure lay beneath his stove at home. Loading Sometimes what we are looking for is within us already, Sendor said. We went around the table and each shared our reflections of the past year, our dreams for the next one, pledging to be more creative, more compassionate, or spend more time with loved ones. A wish for peace Days later, war was declared between Hamas and Israel, dashing any hopes of a sweet new year. It followed the Hamas attack on Israel in the early hours of October 7, which occurred during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. It is a time when Jews celebrate another year of reading and studying the Torah. One the most joyous holidays of the Jewish year became a day sorrow and mourning. About 1200 Israelis were killed, mostly civilians, while more than 250 were taken hostage. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. The Hamas attack happened also happened just days after Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, when Jews fast for 25 hours and spend the day in synagogues, reflecting on the fragility of life. Months later, Sendor, whose parents and sister live in Israel, said there was a surreal feeling to Rosh Hashanah last year. Vignettes from that time are like an alternative reality, the weeks that followed a bad dream. It almost feels like that dinner we had, which was so beautiful, never happened, because our lives changed so dramatically, so quickly, he said. People are hurting and scared. This is as bad as it gets. Initially, Jews flocked to his synagogue each day to grieve the October 7 atrocities. Now, Sendor holds a weekly meditation group with local musicians and artists to support his community. We have come into a new year full of hope to a year that nobody ever could have ever imagined, he says. Its tried and it has tested us. There are still dark days ahead, but the Jewish people have seen a lot and been through a lot, and there is strength and resilience in that. Like Rosh Hashanah, Pesach (or Passover) is a celebration of life, commemorating the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt. Symbolic foods represent the bitterness of bondage, suffering and hardship, but also the capacity for redemption. Against the backdrop of a war, every Jewish holiday has taken on a deeper meaning, says Rabbanit Ellyse Borghi. During Passover this year, she will preach to her congregation about finding room in their lives to grieve and searching for the light in the darkest of times. There is so much grief, so much mourning, so much loss and so much suffering, she says. To deny those feelings will mean it will manifest in different ways. But amid the sorrow, Borghi says, is an opportunity to use pain for a redemptive purpose and commit to building a better world. A world of love, a world of cohesion, a world of support of understanding, and please God, a world of peace, she says. It is a sentiment shared by Sendor. Late last year, Jews came together for Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of light, in the shadow of the war. The nightly lighting of the menorah, the multi-branched candelabrum, re-enacts an ancient ritual. Loading It celebrates the victory of a small group of Jews, the Maccabees, in their struggle to freely practise their faith, after they retook Jerusalem from the Assyrian Greeks and found a candelabrum in the citys temple. They lit an oil lamp to mark the victory, but had only enough oil to last one day. Instead, the lamp miraculously burnt for eight days. Each day, Sendor prays three times a day for another miracle; for peace, for understanding and the eradication of evil and radical ideology. Im a person who believes in peace deeply, Sendor says. I believe in the goodness of humanity. I pray that maybe within my lifetime theres the possibility of peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians to live alongside each other, and that dignity can be restored for everyone. It might seem impossible right now, but my faith inspires me to believe that one day peace is possible for everyone. Its smoko and Im stretched out across an offcut of carpet, work boots at the door to protect the expensive cork floor, the smell of meat pies and iced coffees wafting over me, when I spot the headline on my phone. The article attached calls attention to Australias need for 90,000 extra tradespeople in the next three months, an almost impossible quota aimed at keeping the National Housing Accords target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029 on track. While poorly paid apprentices flee the industry, much of the skilled workforce we need is already on the job. Credit: Louise Kennerley The headline creates a bit of a stir among the group of men I work with. Someone makes a snide remark about the new apprentice who left the site mid-morning and never came back. Some blokes just arent made for it, a senior tradesman chimes in. I often tell people Im working as a skilled labourer at the moment or until something better comes along. Truth be told, Ive been offered apprenticeships. Ive turned them down. It seems ludicrous to others (much less myself) that I would spurn the opportunity to learn a real trade and make a career out of the industry to which I already devote 40 hours of my week. China has dropped its tariffs on Australian wine after years of sanctions that crippled the billion-dollar export industry. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday afternoon it would terminate the collection of anti-dumping duties on imported Australian wines from March 29. Australian wines in Beijing. Credit: Sanghee Liu Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian government welcomed the decision and confirmed it would drop its case against China at the World Trade Organisation. The re-entry of Australian bottled wine into the Chinese market will benefit both Australian producers and Chinese consumers, he said. Indonesia has suspended live cattle imports from a Darwin export yard while authorities investigate how more than 150 animals died this month on a transport ship. Australia suspected the deaths were caused by botulism, a paralysing disease animals pick up from eating food contaminated with particular bacterium. All the dead cattle were from the same Northern Territory property, an industry source said on background to be able to provide further information. Indonesia has suspended live cattle exports from a Darwin export yard. Credit: Glenn Campbell The suspension, despite Australian efforts to point to a non-contagious disease, underscores the uneasy biosecurity relationship between the two nations over a trade worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Wisnu Wasisa Putra from Indonesias quarantine agency said on Thursday night (AEDT) that officials were trying to understand how 151 cattle were reported dead by Australian authorities, but only eight turned up dead on Sunday at the final destination in North Sumatra. Pre-kindergarten students pick out their color clothespins that direct them to the different centers in their class at Farias Early Childhood Center on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Houston ISD is expected to expand several of its controversial reforms during the 2024-25 school year, according to a preliminary version of the districts plans shared earlier this month. HISDs state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles presented a draft version of the districts action plan last week to the District Advisory Committee, along with the Board of Managers. He also previewed the plan with the Principal Advisory Committee and the Teacher Advisory Committee. The plan, as of March 17, lists 10 of the districts proposed key actions for next year, which include reducing hundreds of central office staff positions, calling a bond election in November and mandating leadership training for principals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The listed key actions also include several previously announced plans or initiatives, such as expanding the New Education System to 45 more schools, adding hundreds of additional pre-K seats, and creating a new teacher evaluation system to implement in the 2025-2026 school year. In a statement, HISD said the final version of the document, along with the budget proposal, is expected to be publicly released in mid-May. Heres a breakdown of whats in the draft plan so far: THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news 1. Additional New Education System schools As announced in January, HISD plans to add 45 campuses next year to the NES program, which includes a standardized curriculum, the conversion of libraries to Team Centers and courses focused on the science of reading. The campuses also have longer hours, timed lessons, higher pay for teachers and additional staff who support teachers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The draft states that HISD is aiming to publish an NES planning document, order materials and equipment, and create a professional development plan for NES teachers by April 1. It also states that the district will also identify principals for the 45 schools and begin implementing the teachers professional development plan by May 1. The district expects to pay approximately $102 million to implement the NES program in the 45 schools, according to the action plan. 2. November bond election More than 10 years after the districts last bond election, HISD wrote that it plans to ask the voters for a bond election in November 2024, pending board approval, to address what it describes as deteriorating schools and infrastructure. The plan states that HISD expects to draft the bond measure proposal by April 1 and obtain board approval by May 1. HISD aims to implement a plan to receive input and to build support for the bond measure by July 1, according to the document. The district estimates that it will cost $2 million to implement this action item, including expenses associated with putting the bond plan together and hiring a consulting group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We cannot wait much longer to ask the public to provide additional revenue to help our schools, the document says. STATE OF THE DISTRICT: Miles' first address met with protesters inside, outside the event 3. Higher quality instruction The third action item states that HISD is aiming to grow staff capacity to provide the highest quality instruction, with the goal of increasing the average teacher spot observation scores by both December 2024 and May 2025. The district plans to conduct rigorous certification training of independent review teams and school leaders that evaluate teachers before Aug. 30 and audit schools where the average spot observation scores are more than 1.5 points greater than average. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the document, HISD is also planning to create five instructional microcredentials in multiple response strategies, science of reading, art of thinking, purposeful instruction, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance teacher skills. The district would require school administrators to earn the microcredentials in multiple response strategies and purposeful instruction. 4. Strengthened principal leadership HISD wrote that it plans to strengthen the principal corps and mandate instructional leadership training for most principals and executive directors next year, citing the importance of effective leadership and improved instruction quality in schools. The districts plan states that it hopes to have at least 70 school leaders graduate from the Principal Leadership Academy by May 1, 2025. The academy is a yearlong residency that prepares employees to be successful future principals, according to HISDs website. Some of the districts additional plans include providing training on the districts principal evaluation system, which is known as the Leadership Effectiveness And Development System, to school leaders by Aug. 15, and requiring new principals and assistant principals to pass a performance interview to be hired. Advertisement Article continues below this ad PRINCIPAL SCREENINGS: HISD opts not to use controversial ratings to fire campus leaders this year 5. Special education instruction, services HISD plans to create special education resource classrooms in reading and math courses for fourth through seventh graders and provide a special education teacher assistant for every 60 moderate needs students at NES schools. Houston ISD also plans to create instructional review teams for the special education department, increase special education teacher salaries, and review each students individualized education program during the summer of 2024, according to the plan. The district estimates that the cost of this action item will be about $17.4 million, including $9 million to increase salaries for special education teachers in non-NES schools, $3.2 million for teacher assistants in the 45 new NES schools and up to $5 million to add up to 50 resource SPED classrooms in NES schools. 6. Central office efficiency HISD plans to decrease the size of its central office by at least 700 positions by Aug. 15 to prioritize resources and provide the supports that schools need to implement the Districts changes well. According to the plan, the district will review all purchased services contracts before June 1 and decrease the budget for purchased services by $50 million in the 2024-25 budget. It will also restructure its Chief of Operations Office and consolidate departments that have several satellites or people in different buildings. The district aims to save $140 million through its efficiency efforts, which includes $50 million from central office cuts, $50 million from purchased services and other contracts, $20 million from rightsizing NES staffing and $20 million in operational efficiencies. 7. K-8 reading proficiency The district plans to strengthen its science of reading courses and programs, along with its reading instruction in the elementary and middle schools that earned a C, D or F rating under the unofficial accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency. NES elementary school students will be required to take the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, or DIBELS, assessments at least three times a week, according to the plan. Students who are way behind benchmark will have to take the test once a week, while students behind benchmark will take it every two weeks. The district aims to have at least 70% of kindergarten through third grade students in C-, D- and F- rated campuses demonstrate typical or above typical growth on the DIBELS exams by the end of the academic year. 8. College, career and military readiness By April 1, HISD will create four programs of study at every comprehensive high school that either integrate artificial intelligence or provide a pathway for students to learn contemporary skills at a cost of approximately $10 million, according to the plan. The district will also develop a plan by May 1 to improve its College, Career and Military Readiness score from the TEA and train high school counselors to implement the plan. The TEA assigns schools and districts CCMR scores annually based on how many students perform well on standardized tests, earn an industry-based certification, enlist in the military or complete other requirements. Much of what the District does to prepare students for College, Career, and Military Readiness has to improve, the plan states. We have to do a better job helping students complete a pathway and tracking their progress. COLLEGE ACCESS INEQUITIES: Racial disparities in higher education access worsen for HISDs 2022 graduates 9. Pre-K program expansion To improve reading proficiency in elementary and middle schools, the district wrote that it plans to add 600 pre-K seats by September 2025, with 300 seats added by September 2024. It says it will prioritize underserved areas where there are fewer high-quality preschool seats. The districts other pre-K efforts include raising salaries of pre-K teachers and decreasing the student-adult ratio to 15 to 1 in all NES elementary schools and Early Childhood Centers, revising the spot observation form for teachers and providing professional development on the science of reading and high-quality instruction every quarter. The plan estimates that these changes will cost $10 million, which largely consists of spending $2 million each for modular buildings, or portable classrooms, at four sites with the most demand for pre-K classrooms by July 1. 10. Teacher evaluation, compensation system HISD plans to draft a pay-for-performance teacher evaluation and compensation system by April 1, the plan states. The proposal comes after a judge prohibited HISD from implementing its custom teacher evaluation system this year after a lawsuit from HISDs largest teachers union. The Board of Managers approved HISDs District of Innovation plan in December, which allows the district to implement its own teacher appraisal system during the 2025-26 school year. There will be no cost associated with the creation of the new evaluation system, according to the action plan. The United Nations has not seen such a high death toll in a single operation in the West Bank since its records began in 2005 (Photo: Ammar Awad/Reuters) The long-simmering conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border erupted into the deadliest day of violence in more than five months on Wednesday, as a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 16 people, and a barrage of rockets fired by the militant group Hezbollah killed one Israeli man. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for a full-scale war between the two countries, with tens of thousands of people on both sides already displaced by the fighting. The Israeli strikes targeted a Lebanese Sunni political and militant organization, the Islamic Group, which has joined forces with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah in its fight against Israel. Among the 16 killed were seven members of a paramedic center affiliated with the Islamic Group in the village of Hebbariye, two Hezbollah fighters, and a local commander with the Amal Movement, another Shiite group. Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, the head of the Israeli army's Northern Command, confirmed that Israel was operating against the Islamic Group and had struck a "large number of operatives," while also conducting "very significant strikes" against Hezbollah. "We are at war. We have been at war for almost half a year now, and it doesn't end with Hezbollah," he told a gathering of commanders. In retaliation for the deadly attack on the paramedic center, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing rockets into the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and a military base. Rescue services in Israel reported that a 25-year-old man was killed when a direct hit sparked a fire in an industrial park in Kiryat Shmona, with another person lightly injured. The Israeli military stated that around 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel. Lebanese civilians bore the brunt of the violence, with strikes hitting a small bakery in Hebbariyeh, heavily damaging the business and a nearby apartment. Nada Khleif, the bakery owner, lamented, "The bakery was my only means of living. It is gone now." Further strikes in the villages of Teir Harfa and Naqoura killed nine more people, including paramedics from Hezbollah's Islamic Health Society and the Islamic Risala Scout Association, as well as a local commander from the Amal movement. The near-daily violence has mostly been confined to the area along the border, with international mediators scrambling to prevent an all-out war. The fighting has claimed the lives of nine civilians and 11 soldiers in Israel, while nearly 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 40 civilians have died in Lebanon. The current escalation began on Oct. 8, a day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in a surprise attack that sparked the crushing war in Gaza. Since then, Hezbollah has been launching rockets toward Israel, further exacerbating the already tense situation along the border. Russia has sent additional troops along its border with Ukraine, sparking concerns from several Ukrainian officials. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin/Reuters) As the investigation into last Friday's deadly attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall continues, Russian officials are casting doubt on the ability of Islamic State to have carried out the massacre, which has claimed the lives of at least 143 people. Despite the terrorist group's claim of responsibility and U.S. intelligence pointing to its Afghan branch, Islamic State Khorasan, as the perpetrator, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that it was "extremely hard to believe" that Islamic State had the capacity to launch such an attack. Zakharova reiterated Moscow's assertions, for which it has yet to provide evidence, that Ukraine was behind the attack, the deadliest Russia has suffered in 20 years. She accused the West of rushing to pin responsibility on Islamic State as a means of deflecting blame from Ukraine and the Western governments that support Kyiv. "In order to ward off suspicions from the collective West, they urgently needed to come up with something, so they resorted to ISIS, pulled an ace out of their sleeve, and literally a few hours after the terrorist attack, the Anglo-Saxon media began disseminating precisely these versions," Zakharova said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also suggested that while Islamist militants carried out the attack, it was to Ukraine's benefit, and Kyiv may have played a role. He claimed that someone on the Ukrainian side had prepared a "window" for the gunmen to escape across the border before they were captured in western Russia on Friday night. However, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko contradicted this claim on Tuesday, stating that the gunmen had initially sought to cross into Belarus before turning away and heading towards Ukraine once they realized that crossings into Belarus had been sealed. Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons Reports Fuel Fears in Aftermath of Moscow Concert Attack Meanwhile, fears are growing that the final death toll from the attack could be much higher than the 143 confirmed dead. The Russian investigative committee reported that it had received 143 reports about missing people, with 84 bodies identified so far. Baza, a Telegram channel with ties to Russia's security services, reported that 95 individuals not listed among the 120 names in the official registry of victims were unaccounted for after the attack, with their relatives unable to establish contact with them since Friday. Many of the victims are believed to have died as a result of smoke inhalation after the attackers set the building on fire, causing the roof to collapse. A source in Russia's emergency services told the 112 Telegram outlet that the fire and the collapse of the roof made some of the victims' bodies unrecognizable. "In many cases, only fragments of the bodies remain," they added. Despite the mounting evidence pointing to Islamic State's involvement, senior Russian officials close to Vladimir Putin have given the clearest indication yet that Moscow plans to blame Ukraine and the West for the attack. Alexander Bortnikov, the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), claimed that the action was prepared by both Islamist radicals and facilitated by Western special services, with Ukraine's special services "directly related to this." Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of the security council of Russia and a close ally of Putin, echoed these sentiments, stating that Ukraine was "of course" behind the attack. The West has lambasted Moscow for accusing it of involvement in the attack, with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stating on social media platform X that "Russia's claims about the West and Ukraine on the Crocus City Hall attack are utter nonsense." Ukraine has also denied any involvement, with officials in Kyiv ridiculing the claim that the attackers planned to flee into Ukraine, given the heavy presence of Russian military, including special forces, in the border area. Rockford Stabbings: 4 Dead, 11 Injured in 'Random and Senseless' Violence, Suspect Arrested (Photo: Cliff/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)) A series of violent attacks in a southeast Rockford, Illinois, neighborhood on Wednesday left four people dead and 11 others injured, sending shockwaves through the community. The suspect, a 22-year-old man, has been taken into custody, but police have yet to identify a motive behind what Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd called "heinous crimes." The victims, identified as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man, died either at the scene or at a local hospital. Among the deceased was a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, confirmed by postal inspectors who are now working alongside local police in the investigation. The attacks, which occurred shortly after 1 p.m., involved multiple stabbings across several locations, including Cleveland Ave., Winnetka Dr., Eggleston Rd., and Florence St. Both the Rockford Police Department and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office are investigating the various crime scenes. In one incident, a woman fled a home invasion in Winnebago County but was stabbed in the hands and face. She was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and has been intubated, according to Sheriff Gary Caruana. A man who intervened to help her also suffered stab wounds but is reportedly "fine" and being evaluated. Vanessa Hy, a neighbor who witnessed part of the incident, described the scene as surreal, as reported by 13 WREX. "All of the sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming 'Stop! Get down!'," she told 13 Investigates' William Ingalls. "Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody." Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed his shock at the "horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community" and assured residents that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized. "Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery," McNamara stated. Local officials, including Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli, State Rep. Dave Vella, and U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, have all expressed their condolences and support for the victims and their families. They have also commended the swift actions of the Rockford Police Department and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in apprehending the suspect and preventing further harm. OSF St. Anthony Medical Center has received four patients from the scene, but their conditions were not immediately available. The city has announced that emotional support and counseling services will be available at Flinn Middle School on Thursday and Friday for those affected by the tragedy. As the investigation continues, authorities are asking residents to check their security cameras or doorbell cameras for any footage that might assist in piecing together the events that led to this devastating act of violence. The community remains shaken, but united in their support for one another during this difficult time. "Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community," Mayor McNamara said. "We will continue to provide updates as we work to understand what transpired and prevent such senseless violence from happening again." Baltimore Bridge Collapse Highlights Risks Faced by Latino Construction Workers (Photo: David Adams / Public domain) The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday has not only claimed lives but also shed light on the dangers faced by the growing Latino labor force in the construction industry. Among the eight construction workers who were fixing potholes on the bridge when a cargo ship crashed into it, most were originally from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. Two workers survived the incident and were rescued from the water, while search efforts for the remaining six were underway all day Wednesday. The families of the missing workers, presumed dead, are grappling with the devastating loss of their loved ones. "My brother is the engine of the family. He was everything to us; he was the best," Norma Suazo, sister of missing Honduran worker Maynor Suazo, tearfully told Noticias Telemundo. Latinos make up about a third of the nation's construction workers, exposing them to serious risks such as falling from rooftops, being struck by heavy equipment, and being hurt or killed by unguarded machinery. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers construction a "high hazard industry" due to these dangers. Among the missing and presumed dead are two Guatemalan nationals, Jose Lopez and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, whose body was recovered on Wednesday evening. The body of Mexican worker Alejandro Fernandez Fuentes was also recovered that evening, while another Mexican national remains missing. Maynor Suazo of Honduras and Miguel Luna of El Salvador have been identified as missing by friends and family. The tragedy has hit Latino and immigrant communities nationwide hard. Bruna Sollod, senior political director of United We Dream, said in a statement, "Each and every single one of these men were a part of the very fabric that helps make Baltimore a thriving, vibrant, and safer community. They are a reminder of the often unseen care immigrants pour into our cities and communities every day." The Baltimore bridge collapse may result in the biggest-ever marine insurance payout, according to Bruce Carnegie-Brown, chair of Lloyd's of London. Analysts forecast insured losses to amount to a figure in the single-digit billions, with potential claims for the ship, cargo, bridge, and substantial second-order impacts such as business interruption and supply chain disruption. The port of Baltimore, the 11th biggest in the U.S. and the country's busiest for auto imports and exports, is scrambling to minimize the impact on trade. Global autos firms, particularly German manufacturers BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen, are assessing the impact on their operations and expect to reroute trade, extending some delivery times. As investigations are carried out by authorities in Singapore and the U.S. to establish legal liability, the complex process could take months or years. The incident has not only highlighted the risks faced by Latino construction workers but also the far-reaching economic consequences of such disasters. Russia has sent additional troops along its border with Ukraine, sparking concerns from several Ukrainian officials. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin/Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin has scoffed at the idea of his country launching an attack on any NATO member, calling such notions "complete nonsense" and "sheer ravings." In a meeting with Russian air force pilots late on Wednesday, Putin emphasized that Russia has no aggressive intentions towards NATO states, particularly Poland, the Baltic countries, and the Czech Republic. "We have no aggressive intentions towards these states," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript released on Thursday. "The idea that we will attack some other country - Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared - is complete nonsense. It's just drivel." Putin's remarks come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with the Kremlin accusing the U.S. of fighting against Russia by supporting Ukraine with money, weapons, and intelligence. The Russian president also addressed the issue of F-16 fighter jets, which Western countries have pledged to donate to Ukraine in the coming months. While Putin acknowledged that the F-16s would not significantly change the situation on the battlefield, he warned that Russia would destroy the aircraft just as it has been destroying tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment supplied to Ukraine. He also noted that F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, adding that any airfields in third countries hosting these jets would become "legitimate targets" for Russian forces. "Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located," Putin said. Ukraine has been seeking F-16s for many months to bolster its air force and counter Russian air dominance. A coalition of countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, has promised to donate the fighter jets and help train Ukrainian pilots in their use. Military analysts have suggested that while the arrival of F-16s won't be a game-changer due to Russia's massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems, they could help Ukraine target Russian facilities with long-range missile strikes. Ukraine's counteroffensive last year came up short, in part, due to the lack of air cover, which left its troops vulnerable to Russian aviation and artillery. Despite Putin's warnings, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has expressed confidence that the F-16s will arrive in Ukraine in the coming months. The jets require high-standard runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from bombing attacks when on the ground, and it remains unclear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet these requirements. As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia has maintained air dominance, although the provision of sophisticated Western air defense systems has forced Russian warplanes to avoid Ukrainian skies and launch attacks from Russian-controlled territory. The Kremlin currently holds a battlefield edge in weapons and troops, making incremental gains along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Russia has persisted in its attritional attacks designed to wear down Ukrainian defenses, with regular bombardments of the capital Kyiv and strikes on energy facilities across the country. These attacks aim to weaken Ukrainian morale and act as retribution for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian soil. Chinese companies set new digging record in tunnelling projects in Nepal Global Times) 13:26, March 28, 2024 File Photo: CCTV News Efforts are being made in the building of long tunnels in the Himalayan region, with Chinese companies setting a record by digging 1,503.3 meters of tunnel in a month at the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project in Sindhuli, Nepal, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Tuesday. The water diversion project has been jointly undertaken by China Railway Second Bureau Group and China Overseas Engineering Group Company (COVEC). The 13.3-kilometer tunnel is expected to become the world's first ultra-long and ultra-deep water diversion tunnel that passes through the Himalayas and the Kathmandu spiral formation. A tunnel boring machine (TBM), also known as a "mole," has been used to cut through the hills so as to excavate the tunnels. The TBMs used in the project have achieved a single-month advance of 1,503.3 meters, breaking the world record set by the project team in 2023, the report said. Chen Song, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the Chinese companies. Mitra Baral, head of the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Project, said that 12.3 kilometers of tunnel digging work has been completed, according to local Nepalese newspaper Republica, and the tunnel will break through in May, he added. The diversion tunnel will redirect part of the flow of the Sunkoshi River to the Bagmati River to irrigate farmland to the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas, the local Kathmandu Post reported. The project was first mooted on October 14, 2022. After completion, it will solve difficulties in agricultural irrigation and alleviate the current shortage of electricity in the area, which is of great significance for promoting the social development of the eastern region of Nepal. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Brian Cornejo views the eclipse during the Space Center Houston Annular Eclipse Celebration and viewing event at NASAs John Space Center Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Buc-ee's and the Houston Museum of Natural Science have teamed up to provide eclipse materials to local school districts ahead of the total solar eclipse on April 8. The Buc-ees Totality over Texas program, which has been accepting applications for months, is providing free eclipse kits for school districts. These kits provide eclipse viewers, which can be shared among students on the day of the eclipse. There are also learning materials, safety instructions and more included as part of the program. "The goal here was just to make sure that kids had the materials that they needed to experience this awesome piece of science. It's a lot easier to get involved in science, be inspired by science, when you can do it actively and participatory," HMNS Vice President of Education Nicole Temple said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Temple said only 40 public and charter school districts in Texas have not signed up for the free program out of just under 1,200 as of Wednesday at 1 p.m. She said they are hoping to reach the remaining 40, and have until the end of the week to send out the viewers before it is too late for them to ship on time. The ratio of viewers to students is about 1-to-5, Temple said. She added they've already shipped out about 1500 boxes and envelopes, which doesn't include people who have picked them up from the museum. "It's been a challenge," Temple said. "There are so many of them and there's just so there's just one of us." The total solar eclipse on April 8 is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Texans as the path of totality cuts right through the Lone Star State. Major cities including Austin, San Antonio and Dallas are all within the path. Houston is about a three-hour drive away from the path. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, Houstonians will still be able to see a partial eclipse with 94% of the moon blocking the sun, according to Michael Zeiler with GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Temple said she hopes the day provides an opportunity for students all across the state to get a hands-on learning experience that becomes a core memory of their school lives. "This is a way to get kids to be interested in astronomy and in science," Temple said. Former Lok Sabha member Ramlakhan Singh of the BSP, ex-Congress MLA Neelesh Awasthi, former legislator and Congressman Ajay Yadav, among others, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday as the saffron outfit continued to induct leaders from rival parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel Welcoming them in the ruling party at a function here, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the BJP's family was continuously growing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "You all have joined the party after being inspired by the BJP's ideology and policies of Modiji. I welcome you," he added. This was the third time that Ramlakhan Singh has joined the BJP. In the past, he had left the BJP on two occasions and joined the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). (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.) He is a former BJP Lok Sabha member from Bhind. Over the last few months, Congress leaders are joining the BJP in droves in Madhya Pradesh. In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has set a target of inducting 1 lakh Congress workers and leaders in its fold as part of a strategy to win all the 29 seats in the state, according to a senior leader of the ruling outfit.On the other hand, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari has lashed out at party deserters, saying they have no political future after switching sides. The BJP has set a specific target to induct 50,000 Congress workers from Chhindwara, the home turf of former chief minister Kamal Nath, and asked its district unit to achieve this goal, another saffron party leader said.Chhindwara was the only Lok Sabha seat that the BJP lost to the Congress in 2019. "I think around 50,000 workers, including influential Congress leaders unhappy in the party, have already joined the BJP, " claimed state BJP chief VD Sharma.He said Congress is seeing "exodus" at district, tehsil, block and booth levels across the state. Sharma, seeking a second term in the Lok Sabha from Khajuraho, claimed at least 1 lakh workers of the Congress across the state are going to switch over to the BJP before voting concludes in Madhya Pradesh, where polling will take place in four phases in April-May. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. The Congress will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls here on April 6, party's Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Thursday. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will release the party's manifesto at a public meeting in Jaipur. Randhawa was talking to reporters after the meeting regarding election strategy in the Congress' 'War Room' here. He said in today's meeting, the preparations for this public meeting were also discussed. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel VIDEO | Here's what Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa ( @Sukhjinder_INC ) said after attending a high-level meeting at party office in Jaipur. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. On the question of Congress candidate Sudarshan Rawat expressing his desire not to contest the elections from Rajsamand after being named in the list, Randhawa said every party has to change the ticket from time to time. Many parties change tickets at the last moment, he added. Dotasra said on the occasion that our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are coming and will release the party's election manifesto in the public meeting. Targeting the BJP government of the state, he said, "In four months, they have done only tours, speeches and mislead the people. Apart from this, they have done nothing else." (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "The meeting was held regarding our election manifesto, which will be released by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia pic.twitter.com/COrvbRgy0Z Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 28, 2024 Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra handed over responsibilities. He said there is enthusiasm among the leaders and the people, and more and more crowd will come to the public meeting.Dotasra claimed that there is enthusiasm among the people about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He described the electoral bonds as the biggest scam in the country. Following a row, Supriya Shrinate removed the controversial remarks from all her social accounts, claiming that those were not posted by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has sought a detailed investigation report from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in connection with an allegedly derogatory social media post made by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, Raj Niwas officials said on Thursday. A controversial comment was posted on social media platforms from Shrinate's accounts against Ranaut, the Bollywood actor who has been fielded by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Following a row, Shrinate removed the controversial remarks from all her social media accounts, claiming that those were not posted by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts. "The LG has directed the Delhi police commissioner to carry out a thorough investigation into the derogatory post made by Shrinate against Ranaut on social media platforms. The move comes in the wake of BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj giving a complaint to Saxena, demanding an investigation and the registration of an FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty of a woman," an official said. The LG has forwarded the complaint to the police commissioner, directing a "scientific" investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary, he added. "He has directed to ascertain the truth behind the whole episode and also, the subsequent claims made by Shrinate, denying her involvement in the matter," the official said. The police commissioner has been asked to probe who made the said derogatory post and also find out about the mobile phone or device used for the purpose. Saxena has also directed for verifying Shrinate's claims that "some individuals who have access to her social media accounts" were behind the said post. "Police will also investigate who deleted the post after nearly two hours and the device used for deleting it," the official said. Former Haryana minister Savitri Jindal quit the Congress and joined the BJP in Haryana's Hisar on Thursday, days after her son and industrialist Naveen Jindal switched parties. , , .. pic.twitter.com/SN9IEaq5am March 28, 2024 The 84-year-old Savitri Jindal joined the BJP along with her daughter Seema in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other BJP leaders. Announcing her decision to quit the Congress in a social media post late on Wednesday night, she said, "I represented the people of Hisar for 10 years as an MLA and have served Haryana state selflessly as a minister. The people of Hisar are my family and on the advice of my family, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Congress today." Savitri Jindal was listed as the richest woman in the country by Forbes India this year. According to the Forbes list of the 10 richest women in India, Savitri Jindal, the wife of the late industrialist and former minister O P Jindal, has a net worth of USD 29.1 billion (one billion = Rs 100 crore). ALSO READ: BSP leader Ramlakhan Singh, Congress members join BJP in Madhya Pradesh In a post on X, Saini said, "We welcome into the BJP family veteran Congress leader, former minister in Haryana government, famous social worker Smt. Savitri Jindal ji and her daughter Smt. Seema Jindal ji." Savitri Jindal was a minister in the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government in Haryana. In 2014, she lost to BJP's Kamal Gupta from Hisar. Gupta is currently a minister in the Saini-led government. Naveen Jindal, who represented Kurukshetra in the Lok Sabha from 2004-14 as a Congress MP, quit the party on Sunday. He has been named as the BJP candidate from Kurukshetra. After being welcomed into the party fold by Saini and Khattar, Savitri Jindal said, "We will work together to form a strong government at the Centre under (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's leadership once again." "I express gratitude to every office-bearer and worker of the BJP for making us a member of the 'Modi Parivar'. We will live up to the party's expectations," she said. Haryana witnessed unprecedented development under the previous Khattar government, she added. Savitri Jindal further said, "I am impressed by the prime minister's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047." Speaking about her husband O P Jindal, who died in a helicopter crash in 2005, she said he was of the view that India can become a great nation with the upliftment of the downtrodden and economically weaker sections. "He entered politics with this pledge in 1991. After his demise in March 2005, I entered politics to realise his dreams," she said. "Hisar is my janam and karam bhoomi. People of Hisar have always showered their love and I also treated them as part of my family," she said. Savitri Jindal said the country needs the BJP and Modi today. Speaking on the occasion, Saini said the BJP's double-engine government did a lot of development work in the past 10 years. Party leaders Kamal Gupta, Bhavya Bishnoi, and former governor Ganeshi Lal were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, party leaders also inaugurated the election office of Ranjit Singh Chautala, who has been fielded by the BJP from Hisar Lok Sabha seat. Polling for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase on May 25. India on Thursday said it continues to encourage a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through "dialogue and diplomacy". MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query during a press briefing on India's stand on the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland. "We continue to encourage peaceful resolution of Russian-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, and remain open to engage, all ways and means, that would help achieve this objective," he said. His comments came on a day Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba arrived here on his maiden visit to India. Kuleba said the bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and India is "important" and it will be strengthened. In response to a question on number of Indians "duped" by agents and sent to Russia to join the military, the MEA spokesperson said, "We are constantly in touch with Russian authorities, we are pressing, we have taken it up strongly for them to have our nationals released and discharged as early as possible." "On the death toll, last time I had also told you that, we know that two people have passed away, their mortal remains have come to India and have been sent to their family members, and so that is...two (Indian) people have passed away in the conflict," he said. On March 8, Jaiswal had said that several Indians had been "duped" to work with the Russian Army and New Delhi had strongly taken up the matter with Moscow for their early release. He had appealed to Indian nationals to not get "swayed" by offers made by agents for support jobs with the Russian Army, saying it is fraught with danger and risk to life. His comments at his weekly media briefing had come days after 30-year-old Indian national Mohammed Asfan from Hyderabad, who was duped into joining Russia's war against Ukraine, was killed. The Indian Embassy in Moscow had confirmed Asfan's death in a post on X earlier without mentioning the reason or circumstances behind his demise. Asfan was the second Indian to be killed after the death of Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangukiya, a 23-year-old resident of Gujarat. Mangukiya died in a Ukrainian air strike last month while serving as a security helper in the Donetsk region. Kuleba's two-day visit comes amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the over two-year-old Russia -Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 20 had separate conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and asserted that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi had spoken to Putin over telephone to congratulate him for winning a fifth term in office in the recent elections and followed it up with a phone call to Zelenskyy to convey India's "consistent support" for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict. During the telephone conversation, the Ukrainian president had thanked India for its support for his country's sovereignty and said that it would be important for Kyiv to see New Delhi attend the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland. Jaiswal, in response to a query on Kuleba's visit, said there will be a "bilateral engagement with the External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) in which they will go over a gamut of issues that lie in the domain of bilateral relations". And, they will also "review the Inter-governmental Commission that was held earlier," he said. The two leaders will also discuss regional and global issues of common concern, Jaiswal said, adding there are several other engagements also lined up for the Ukrainian foreign minister. The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected petitions by the Congress challenging the initiation of tax reassessment proceedings against it for a period of four years by tax authorities. A bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the pleas were dismissed in terms of its earlier decision refusing to interfere with the opening of re-assessment for another year. The present matter pertained to assessment years 2017 to 2021. In the earlier petition, which was dismissed last week, the Congress party had challenged initiation of re-assessment proceedings pertaining to assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17. Alan Scott Industries Ltd Alan Scott Industriess Limited was founded in February 1994 under the name of 'Suketu Fashions Limited' the Company made its maiden public issue in August 1994 with IL&FS as lead managers to the issue Alan Scott Industries Limited was engaged in manufacturers of designer socks in India.Alan Scott Industriess Limited was selected by the Business Initiative Directions Madrid Spain for the International Platinum Star Award for Quality Commitment in the year 1998.The company is one of the first few companies to introduce the State of the Art manufacturing facilities in India besides launching its own brand 'ALAN SCOTT' the company supplied socks to following brands between 1994 to 2002 REEBOK REEBOK ROCKPORT NEW BALANCE WESTSIDE LOUIS PHILIPPE PROLIN FILA CROCODILE ETC.The manufacturing facilities of the company were destroyed in fire in November 2002.The company made a joint venture with Delta Galil Ltd a company based out of Israel and revived the manufacturing facility however the relationship with Delta ended in 2006. Due to the noncompete company could not engage into manufacturing of socks again the core competence your company is now proposing to venture into new areas of business shortly. One unit of 600 MW capacity of MEL's Mahan thermal power plant, out of its aggregate operating and upcoming capacity of 2800 MW, will be designated as the Captive Unit for this purpose. In order to avail the benefit of this policy, RIL has to hold a 26% ownership stake in the Captive Unit in proportion to the total capacity of the power plant. It will accordingly invest in 5,00,00,000 equity shares of MEL, aggregating to Rs. 50 crore for the proportionate ownership stake. This development brings between two corporates an exclusive arrangement for 500 MW of power purchase by Reliance Industries on long term basis. In this connection, APL, MEL, and RIL have signed an Investment Agreement on 27 March 2024 at 7:00 pm. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including receipt of requisite approvals. Powered by Capital Market - Live News Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content Adani Power announced that Mahan Energen (MEL), wholly owned subsidiary of the company has entered into a 20-year long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 500 MW with Reliance Industries (RIL), under the Captive User policy as defined under the Electricity Rules, 2005. JSW Energy Ltd JSW Energy Ltd is the diversified energy vertical of the $12 billion JSW Group. The Company currently has installed generating capacity of 6564 MW out of which 3158 MW is thermal power Wind is 1358 MW 1391 MW is hydro power and 657 MW solar power. It has two 400 KV operational transmission lines in joint venture with Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited a wholly owned corporate entity under the Maharashtra Government. It has 9 MTPA combined capacity of lignite mines in Rajasthan in a Joint Venture with Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML). It has a joint venture with Toshiba Corporation for manufacturing supercritical steam engines. Besides power generation it is also engaged in Power Trading since June 2006. The Company also has stake in a coal mining company in South Africa. JSW Energy Ltd was incorporated on March 10 1994 as a Joint Venture between JSW Steel Ltd and Tractebel S.A. Belgium with the name Jindal Tractebel Power Company Ltd. In January 18 2000 the Company started commercial operations of Unit-II of 2x130 MW Power Plant at Toranagullu and in August 5 2000 they started commercial operation of Unit-I of 2x130 MW Power Plant at Toranagullu.In December 2001 Tractebel S A Belgium sold their share holdings in the company to ICICI IDBI and Jindal group companies. Consequent to this the name of the company was changed from Jindal Tractebel Power Company Ltd to Jindal Thermal Power Company Ltd on January 17 2002. In order to have the group identity the company further changed their name to JSW Energy Ltd on December 7 2005.In February 10 2006 the company acquired Raj WestPower Ltd under the share purchase agreement and thus Raj WestPower Ltd became a subsidiary company. In May 5 2006 they incorporated JSW Energy (Vijayanagar) Ltd as a subsidiary company. In June 13 2006 the company incorporated JSW Energy (Ratnagiri) Ltd for setting up a 1200 MW power plant at Jaigad in Maharashtra based on imported coal. In July 8 2006 they incorporated JSW Power Trading Company Ltd to carry on the business of power trading.In January 19 2007 Raj WestPower Ltd and Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Ltd formed a joint venture company namely Barmer Lignite Mining Company Ltd for engaging in mining activities in the Kapurdi and Jalipa lignite mining blocks in Barmer District Rajasthan. In March 28 2007 they acquired PT Param Utama Jaya in Indonesia thereby making it a wholly owned subsidiary company. In July 28 2007 the company was awarded 260 MW Kuther Hydro Electric Project. In November 1 2007 the company de-merged their investment division and transferred it to JSW Energy Investments Pvt Ltd. In November 11 2007 the company signed a joint venture agreement with Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd JSW Steel Ltd Jindal Stainless Ltd and Shams DRI Power Ltd for mining of coal from Utkal a coal block in Orissa.In April 23 2008 the company incorporated Jaigad PowerTransco Ltd as wholly owned subsidiary company. In May 7 2008 the company made a joint venture agreement with Toshiba Corporation Japan for setting up of Turbine & Generator manufacturing facility in India.In August 5 2008 the company made a joint venture agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd for setting up of Transmission Lines in the State of Maharashtra. In October 10 2008 JSW PowerTransco Ltd and JSW Energy (Vijayanagar) Ltd were amalgamated with the company with effect from April 1 2008.In April 10 2009 the company commissioned Unit - I of 2X300MW Power Plant at Toranagullu. In August 31 2009 they incorporated JSW Energy (Raigarh) Ltd for setting up a 1320 MW power plant at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh based on domestic coal. In September 1 2009 they commenced commercial operations of Unit - II of 2X300MW Power Plant at Toranagullu.The Board of Directors of JSW Energy at its meeting held on 21 January 2010 accorded their consent for formation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) between the company and JSW Bengal Steel Ltd. to set up a 1600 MW (2 X 800 MW) power plant at lchhapur West Bengal utilizing the thermal coal from lchhapur coal mines subject to necessary approvals. JSW Energy will have 74% shareholding in the SPV while JSW Bengal Steel Ltd (JSWBSL) will hold the balance 26%. Additionally JSWBSL will be entitled to procure 51% power generated by the SPV being a captive power consumer in accordance with the regulations of the Electricity Act 2003. The balance power will be available with the SPV for sale. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by March 2015. The Board of Directors of JSW Energy also accorded their consent for formation of a wholly owned overseas subsidiary aimed at acquiring coal mines to secure its fuel requirements. The company proposes to make equity investments or provide loans funds and for provide corporate guarantee for loan by the wholly owned overseas subsidiary for an aggregate amount not exceeding US$ 1 billion subject to necessary approvals.On 15 April 2010 JSW Energy announced the acquisition of majority shareholding in South African Coal Mining Holding Limited (SACMH) which has certain coal concessions.On 10 June 2010 JSW Energy announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Osho Venture FZCO Dubai (Osho) and Indian Ocean Mining (Pty) Limited South Africa (IOM) with an intention to acquire 70% equity interest in IOM from Osho. IOM has certain Coal prospecting rights in North West region of South Africa. The aforesaid MOU is part of the strategy to enhance fuel security for which the company is continuously evaluating various strategies and proposals to secure long term imported coat linkages. The MOU is subject to company carrying out due diligence execution of definitive agreements and compliance with regulatory requirements.The Board of Directors of JSW Energy at its meeting held on 23 July 2010 considered and approved a Scheme of Amalgamation of JSW Energy (Ratnagiri) Ltd (JSWERL) with JSW Energy Ltd and their respective shareholders and creditors. The scheme does not envisage any issue of shares since JSWERL is a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy.On 1 June 2011 JSW Energy announced that the agreements entered into with respect to acquisition CIC Energy Corp (CIC) by the company stand terminated as the conditions precedent for merger could not be fulfilled by 31 May 2011 which was the last date for fulfilling the conditions by CIC. Earlier on 23 November 2010 JSW Energy announced that it has entered into a binding agreement with CIC Energy Corp. (CIC) - a company incorporated in the British Virgin islands and listed on the Toronto and Botswana stock exchanges - to acquire all of the shares of CIC Energy at a price of GAD 7.42 per share amounting to a total consideration of approximately CAD 422 million. CIC is developing the Mmamabula Energy Complex at its Mmamabula Coal Field in southeastern Botswana Africa. The Mmamabuia Energy Complex is planned to develop coal mines for export setting up power plants and conversion of Coal to Hydrocarbon.On 17 October 2011 JSW Energy announced that it has started commercial operations of the 4th Unit of 300 MW at its power plant at Ratnagiri Maharashtra from 16 October 2011. As a result the entire 1200 MW power plant is now fully operational and is supplying uninterrupted power to the state grid. This is the first power project of over 1000 MW to be set up in the state of Maharashtra by private sector post the Electricity Act 2003. JSW Energy has also resumed operations of 2 X 135 MW Barmer power project on 12 October 2011 pursuant to the grant of adhoc interim tariff by Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) using lignite from the Kapurdi reserves. The lignite mining by Barmer Lignite Mining Co. Ltd. (BLMCL) has commenced operation upon the transfer of mining licence for Kapurdi reserves in favour of BLMCL. BLMCL is a joint venture between Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals Ltd. (RSMML) a Government of Rajasthan enterprise & Raj WestPower Ltd. (RWPL) a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited with equity participation of 51% and 49% respectively to develop lignite mines in two contiguous blocks of Kapurdi and Jalipa in the district of Barmer. The commissioning of Unit 3 & Unit 4 is also expected shortly upon receipt of the tariff order from RERC.On 7 December 2011 Jaigad PowerTransco Limited (3PTL) a joint venture between JSW Energy and MahaTransco announced commissioning of its 400 kV Intra-State Power Transmission project in Maharashtra. This Transmission System consisting of 400kV Double Circuit Jaigad - New Koyna and Jaigad - Karad Transmission Lines will facilitate evacuation of power from 1200 MW Jaigad Power Project as well as other power generation projects planned in the region and also transfer power from predominantly generation node at New Koyna to load centre at Karad. The Transmission system has power evacuation capacity of about 2500 MW to 3000 MW. This Joint Venture for development of Transmission Lines in Maharashtra is a unique example of Public Private Partnership in Transmission Business -where JSW Energy holds 74 % and MahaTransco holds 26% equity and it is a pioneering effort by JSW Energy and MahaTransco to facilitate power evacuation from the upcoming power projects in Maharashtra. MahaTransco becomes the first State Transmission Utility (STU) in India to promote this participative approach for development of power transmission system.On 4 March 2013 the Company commissioned Unit VI of 135 MW of the 8 X 135 MW Power Project at Barmer Rajasthan.On 29 July 2015 JSW Energy announced that JSW Energy Natural Resources South Africa (PTY) Limited a step down subsidiary of the company in South Africa has disposed off 26% stake in its subsidiary South African Coal Mining Holdings Limited (SACMH). The disposal is to comply with the black economic empowerment requirements mandated by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) requiring the issued shares in the company to be owned by historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs). SACMH is a listed entity on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The company through its step down subsidiary had an effective shareholding in SACMH of 93.27%. Post completion of the transaction the company's effective shareholding in SACMH stands reduced to about 67.25%.On 8 September 2015 JSW Energy announced that it has concluded the acquisition of 100% of the securities of Himachal Baspa Power Company Ltd. (HBPCL) which has two operating Hydro Power assets viz. 300 MW Baspa - II HEP and 1091 MW Karcham Wangtoo HEP. The company has also entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited to acquire 100% stake in the 500 MW Bina Thermal Power Plant located in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.On 26 October 2015 JSW Energy informed the stock exchanges that JSW Energy Natural Resources South Africa Proprietary Limited a step down subsidiary of the company in South Africa which holds 67.27% in its subsidiary South African Coal Mining Holdings Limited (SACMH) has intimated its firm intention in terms of Regulation 101 of the Companies Regulations 2011 of the Companies Act 2008 to the proposed delisting of SACMH on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and an offer to all remaining shareholders. SACMH is a listed entity on the JSE.On 1 March 2016 JSW Energy informed the stock exchanges that Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has vide its order dated 24 February 2016 determined the final tariff for FY 2009-10 to FY 2013-14 along with Annual Performance Review and true-up for FY 2009-10 and FY 2010-11 for the 1080 MW Lignite Power Plant at Banner Rajasthan of Raj WestPower Limited (RWPL) a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. RWPL will recognise the revenues in its books based on the aforesaid order for the period FY 2009-10 to FY 2013-14 and based on approved provisional tariff for the subsequent periods FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16 till their respective final determination of tariff. RWPL meanwhile intends to seek clarifications and/or appeal the said order as per the provisions of law after thorough review.On 4 May 2016 JSW Energy announced acquisition of 1000 MW (4X250 MW) thermal power plant located at Village Tamnar District Raigarh in State of Chhattisgarh from Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL).On 24 October 2016 JSW Energy signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) and the Government of Swaziland to set up a thermal power plant in the Kingdom of Swaziland in order to facilitate energy security and make Swaziland self-reliant in power by exploiting the natural resources available within the country.The Board of Directors of JSW Energy at its meeting held on 11 August 2017 approved entering into Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Systems and associated business directly or through one or more subsidiaries. On 26 September 2017 JSW Energy entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat to set up a facility for manufacturing of Electric Vehicles Electrical Battery/Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) and charging infrastructure.On 2 December 2017 JSW Energy secured PPAs aggregating to 208 MW which consisted of 176 MW PPA with Haryana Power Purchase Centre to be supplied from the Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Electric Project of Himachal Baspa Power Company Ltd. a 100% subsidiary of the company and 32 MW under Group Captive scheme to be supplied from the Ratnagiri plant of the Company. On 4 January 2018 JSW Energy announced the incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary JSW Solar Limited on 1st January 2018 to inter alia pursue business opportunities in renewable energy space energy storage systems micro grids etc.On 19 February 2018 JSW Energy announced that it has entered into MoU with the Government of Maharashtra for setting up facilities for the manufacturing of EV and Energy Storage Systems in the state of Maharashtra subject to receipt of internal corporate approvals.On 5 March 2018 JSW Energy acquired JSW Electric Vehicles Private Limited for a consideration of Rs 1 lakh and consequently JSW Electric Vehicles Private Limited became a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy. On 22 March 2018 JSW Energy Limited secured a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of 200 MW with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited to be supplied from the Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Electric Project of Himachal Baspa Power Company Ltd. a 100% subsidiary of the company. In FY 2020 the Company commissioned 18 MW Thermal power plant at Nandyal. It acquired 1050 MW GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd and 700 MW Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd. It commenced preparatory construction work for their 240 MW Kutehr Hydro power plant in Himachal Pradesh. It acquired 100% shares of subsidiary GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited(GKEL) which owns and operates a 1050 MW (3 X 350 MW) thermal power plant in Odisha. It acquired Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Limited which owns a 700 MW (2x350 MW) power plant in Odisha. During the year 2021 the Company commissioned Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Electric Power plant which achieved highest PAF (Plant availability factor). It installed Controller Based Wireless Access Points which enabled centralised management and control over WIFI network used at the plant. It completed the firewall High Availability (HA) setup and configuration of MPLS links through firewall to increase the Reliability and IT Security.On 25th November 2021 the Company had approved the re-organisation of Company's Green (Renewable) Business and Grey (Thermal) Business which was completed during the year under review: 100% of equity shares held by JSW Future Energy Limited (JSWFEL) in (i) JSW Renew Energy (Kar) Limited (JSWREKL) and (ii) JSW Renewable Energy (Dolvi) Limited (JSWREDL) were transferred to JSW Neo Energy Limited (JSWNEL). 100% of equity shares held by JSW Hydro Energy Limited (JSWHEL) in JSW Energy (Kutehr) Limited (JSWEKL) were transferred to JSWNEL and 100% of equity shares held by the Company in JSWHEL were transferred to JSWNEL where JSWREKL JSWREDL JSWEKL and JSWHEL have become wholly owned subsidiaries of JSWNEL. During the year 2023 the Company commissioned a 225 MW captive Solar Power Plant at Vijayanagar in Karnataka; started Phase-wise commissioning of SECI X Wind project at Tuticorin; acquired 1449 MW of Wind-Solar capacity from Mytrah Energy (India) Private Limited. During the year 2023 JSW Future Energy Limited (JSWFEL) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company was amalgamated with JSW Neo Energy Limited (JSWNEL) also a wholly owned subsidiary through the Scheme of Amalgamation effective from 1st April 2022. Consequently all the assets and liabilities of JSWFEL were transferred to JSWNEL including the investments in JSW Renew Energy Limited (JSWREL) JSW Renew Energy Two Limited (JSWRETL) JSW Renewable Energy (Vijayanagar) Limited (JSWREVL) and JSW Renew Energy (Raj) Limited (JSWRERL). Accordingly these companies were made the subsidiaries of JSWNEL.JSW Energy (Jharsuguda) Limited was amalgamated with Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Limited upon the acquisition of Ind-Barath Energy (Utkal) Limited effective on 28th December 2022. JSW Renewable Energy (Coated) Limited JSW Renewable Energy (Amba River) Limited and JSW Renewable Technologies Limited were incorporated as new subsidiaries during the year 2023. K&R Rail Engineering Ltd K&R Rail Engineering Ltd.(formerly known as Axis Rail India Ltd prior to which it was Gupta Carpets International Limited) was founded in 1998 with a vision to cater to the ever growing demand for Mass Transportation & Bulk Logistics of Goods & Materials through the Indian Railway networks. The company is a leading Railway infrastructure company offering services in laying of track signaling electrification and telecommunication in the Railway Industry.The company is fully authorized by the Railway Headquarters and Divisional Railway Authorities. The company's core competencies are specialized in earth worksbridges & civil workstrack worksOHES&T worksrailway O&M and other engineering consulting services.The company is holding the domain expertise and rich experience of nearly Three Decades and is the Leading Railways EPCC Conglomerate in India and has provided last Rail mile connectivity to almost all the Cement Plants Power Plants Steel Industry and Ports across India. The company has executed Various Major Bridges & Earthwork Supply of P.Way Material for prestigious clients on Turnkey basis and has also rendered International Projects in Indonesia and provided domain expertise to various companies in the Middle East and Bangladesh. K&R is now foraying into the Electric Vehicle driven applications across the Indian Railway Network. K&R is collaborating with Companies in Eastern Africa for developing the Railway Networks in African Continent. K&R is one of the leading Technological driven Company executing highly complex Signalling Projects for its clients to facilitate seamless operations within their plant networks. K&R is one of the fastest growing companies in the Railway Sector and propose to participate in PPT Projects being floated by the Ministry of Railways Government of India in the coming years.During the year 2014-15 M/s. KVR Rail Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. was amalgamated with the Company through the Scheme of Arrangement for Amalgamation which became effective from 10th January 2015. In accordance with the said Scheme of Arrangement the Share Capital of the Company was reduced by 75% and all the assets and liabilities of M/s. KVR Rail Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. the Transferor Company was taken over at its existing book value.During the FY2016the Company to give effect to the internal reorganization in terms of the duly approved Scheme of Arrangement has reduced the existing subscribed and paid-up share capital of the Company to the extent of 75% and thereafter issued 6950000 Equity Shares and 24050000 7% Optionally Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares. Furthermore the Company with the intent to meet the long-term working capital requirement of the merged business has issued 3300000 Warrants convertible into equivalent number of Equity Shares within 18 months from the date of allotment to the persons belonging to the Promoter Category.During the year 2016-17 the Board of Directors of the Company on 30 June 2016 has converted 3300000 Fully Convertible Warrants into equivalent number of Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each and 9900000 7% Optionally Convertible Redeemable Preference Shares pursuant to Scheme of Amalgamation of KVR Rail Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. with the companyduly approved by Hon'ble High Court of Hyderabad. A sign in Jacinto City urges voters to re-elect Harris County Precinct 2 Constable Chris Diaz. More than a dozen current and former Precinct 2 employees say Diaz pressured them to contribute to his re-election campaigns. Zach Despart/Staff When Precinct 2 Chief Deputy Constable Jerry Luman interviewed potential hires, he tried to alert them to the jobs demands beyond day-to-day policing. Deputies, for example, were expected to support then-Constable Christopher Diazs reelection campaigns with both time and money a privatized political army funded on the taxpayers dime, Luman said. David Williams, a former Precinct 2 lieutenant, recalled a meeting in which the expectation was spelled out: The boss wanted deputies to contribute a portion of the pay they received for outside security work toward his campaign. Id never seen anything like it before, said Williams, who has had a 40-year law enforcement career, including as police chief in Humble. Diaz has denied making such demands. During the hiring process, I never conditioned employment based on an employees political loyalty to me, he wrote in a filing in a pending unlawful retaliation lawsuit filed by a dozen former Precinct 2 employees. I did not condition or require anyone to participate or donate to my campaign. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yet just under 40 percent of campaign contributions Diaz raised from 2011 through 2019 came directly from Precinct 2 employees, according to an analysis by the lawsuits plaintiffs. An additional 22 percent was collected from people with direct connections to his staff. Its the primary reason each employee was hired, said Scott Poerschke, the Houston lawyer representing the employees, including Luman and Williams. The lawsuit claims Precinct 2 careers under Diaz rose and fell based on political participation. A Houston Chronicle Investigation Unchecked Forces Many Houstonians have no idea what a constable is, but Harris County constables have amassed unprecedented reach and power. An ongoing Chronicle investigation digs into how that happened and why it matters. CLICK TO READ THE SERIES Deputies in other Harris County constable precincts said that while the allegations against Precinct 2 may be extreme, the political pressure is not unusual. One reason: Alone among the countys large policing agencies, constables are not required to adhere to civil service rules designed to wall off politics from professionalism. Without rules ensuring a minimum level of competency and employee due process, and with oversight left to the whim of an unchecked elected boss, the countys eight constable agencies have long been dogged by a reputation for perpetuating a patronage system that fields a less-qualified law enforcement staff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It has been inherently a good old boy system for decades, said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Even as the ranks have been integrated based on race and gender its remained very much stuck in the '40s and in the '50s. When he was hired as a deputy, at campaign time we were given barbecue tickets, $200-worth, Cesar Troy Morin, president of the 720-member Harris County Constable Deputies Association, testified to state legislators in 2021. We were told to bring back $200, not the barbecue tickets. The implication was that if you didnt, there would be some type of penalty. Even today, Morin added in an interview, deputies from some precincts receive texts from superior officers during election season soliciting help at the polls or fundraisers. Political pressure is thrust upon deputies by their employers, especially during campaigns, he testified. In most departments promotions are just based on who you know. In the absence of protections, those who refuse to play can pay a price. In Precinct 2, employees who didnt sufficiently support the elected constable would be disciplined by Diaz, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Conversely, coveted positions would go to employees who had contributed the most. One Diaz supporter was elevated directly to lieutenant the day she graduated from the police academy a promotion that typically takes years of service and training because it was my choice, Diaz explained in a 2022 deposition. He hired another deputy because he liked his hair, he testified. Voted out in 2020, Diaz currently works as a deputy in Precinct 3, where Constable Sherman Eagleton described him as doing a great job. In an interview, Diaz denied politicizing the agency he ran for eight years: I treated everybody in that office equally and fair. He acknowledged that promoting a new academy graduate to lieutenant had been unpopular among some employees, but that it was his call to make as elected constable. I know they didnt like it, he said. But oh, well; its my office. A better class of employee While the Texas Constitution created constables in every county, the agencies typically act as support figures in local law enforcement, overseeing courtroom security and serving process papers such as eviction notices. But thanks to a series of disputes that led county officials to direct money away from the sheriff and into constable budgets, as well as the rapid growth of the countys deputy-for-hire contract program, Harris County constables are different. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Over the past 20 years they have grown to be among the largest law enforcement agencies in Texas. Today many of the countys nearly 1,800 constable deputies are indistinguishable from other police. They patrol highways and toll roads, conduct drug and sex-trafficking sting operations, fly drones and investigate and arrest felons with their own specialized units. Constables say their direct elections provide the ultimate public accountability. Displeased constituents have an opportunity to replace them every four years at the ballot box. Yet in important systemic ways, the Chronicle found, constables have far fewer checks and balances than other law enforcement. The lack of civil service standards is one example. While Houston Police Department officers and Harris County sheriffs deputies have adhered to the rules for decades, the countys constables have resisted adopting the standards even as they have evolved into full-service policing agencies. Although rank-and-file typically support civil service because the rules guarantee due process protections in disciplinary matters, the system also protects the public, said Charley Wilkison, executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas. Its designed to create a professional standard, he said. Youre getting a better class of employee. For example, it literally took me almost 21 years to make captain with HPD, said Gregory Fremin, who spent more than three decades with the Houston Police Department and now teaches at Sam Houston State University. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Without such standards, an elected constable can, say, install a newly graduated cadet directly into the officer corps. Its definitely a concern when you promote people to supervisory ranks who have little to no experience in supervising others, let alone being at the command level, Fremin said. Law enforcement executives often complain civil service hamstrings their ability to make decisive personnel moves. In some extreme cases, the rules can seem unbalanced. In 2016, after San Antonio police officer Matthew Luckhurst gave a homeless man a sandwich with feces in it, it took the department four years to fire him. And even without rules requiring it, elected constables can make sound, professional personnel decisions untethered from politics, hiring only highly qualified deputies and filling leadership ranks with experienced and deserving officers. Some Harris Countys constables appear to politicize their offices less than others; a review of campaign finance reports, for example, shows Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen, the most prolific fundraiser among Harris County constables, rarely takes contributions from his employees. Yet without civil service continuity, a constable precincts personnel and policy decisions can change at any time. Its a brother-in-law system, said Wilkison. The last bastion of political hiring. No luck at the Capitol Texas laws permit local sheriffs departments of a certain size to implement a civil service system. Cities enjoy the same authority to cover police departments under a different section of the states Local Government Code, ensuring efficient fire and police departments composed of capable personnel who are free from political influence. The statutes are silent, however, when it comes to constable civil service. For each of the past three biennial legislative sessions, Rep. Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston) has introduced bills that would allow Harris County constables to follow the same civil service rules as the sheriff and Houston police. She has pitched the measure, at the least, as a benefit to officers as they move among local agencies. Many of these officers routinely change from one county department to another, yet the rules and protections are different in each department, a summary of her 2023 bill stated. Bringing civil service to constables would provide a fair and equitable system so that all county peace officers are on the same playing field when it comes to employment rights and benefits. Some of Harris Countys elected constables have expressed support for the civil service system. When first running for Precinct 1 Constable in 2012, Rosen said he supported replacing the offices old patronage, political-boss tradition with a civil service system that protected employees from political pressures. (Rosen declined an interview request.) So did Precinct 2s Diaz, in 2016. Our department would wholeheartedly support civil service for our employees, a spokesman for Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman wrote in an emailed response to questions from the Chronicle. Yet Morin said no Harris County constable has appeared at the Capitol in recent years to voice support to legislators, who as a result have heard only complaints and dire warnings from the constable brass who oppose it. State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Houston Democrat who twice sat on the House committee hearing the bills, said several constables he spoke to had legitimate concerns over the bill, such as the composition of a civil service commission. But others seemed to misunderstand it. The constables who have complained to me have said they oppose it because it would prevent them from picking their own command staff, he said. But this whole line We dont get to pick leaders the way we want to and run our office the way we want to is garbage. Most recently, at a spring 2023 public hearing, Perezs HB1308 met stiff resistance from conservative legislators and the only constables command staff to testify. Several state representatives said they worried introducing civil service to the Harris County constables would mean creating a police union. Morin pointed out Texas police already are represented by the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas and that Harris County deputy constables have had their own association since 2018. Rep. Tony Tinderholt, a North Texas Republican, expressed concern that implementing civil service would inject Diversity, Equity and Inclusion a cultural lightning rod that state lawmakers banned in public schools into the constables ranks. My question is, If they do this, if they go to civil service, are the county constables automatically going to have DEI involved in their day-to-day operations? he asked. The only representatives of Harris Countys constables who traveled to Austin, meanwhile, issued dark warnings about how civil service rules would erode their authority and fray their connection to the local voters who depend on them. It would be devastating to our operations and our constituencies, Kenneth Key, an assistant chief deputy for Herman, told the lawmakers. This bill would be detrimental to the service of over 1.2 million constituents in Precinct 4 alone. Civil service is a big government-style bureaucracy that is disguised as something to protect workers, added Terry Allbritton, an assistant chief deputy for Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap. Allbritton, who is running this year to replace the retiring Heap, said Perezs bill went too far in removing an elected officials ability to manage his or her personnel in the manner in which those who elected the official expect him or her to do. Besides, he continued, any constable deputies unhappy with not working under civil service standards had options. Poonawalla Fincorp Ltd Magma Fincorp Ltd is a publicly held non-banking finance company along with its subsidiaries and joint ventures engaged in providing asset finance housing business through its pan India branch network. The company is headquartered in Kolkata providing equipment and vehicle financing solutions to individuals and small businesses in India. They offer a range of financial products and services including commercial vehicle finance construction equipment finance car and utility vehicle finance strategic construction equipment finance tractor finance small and medium enterprise loans and insurance as well as refinance products. Magma Fincorp Ltd was incorporated in the year December 18th 1978 as a private limited company with the name Magma Leasing Pvt Ltd. In October 30 1980 the company was converted into public limited company and the name was changed to Magma Leasing Ltd. In the year 1992 the company merged with Arm Group Enterprises in order to strengthen their business.During the year 1994-96 the company opened up regional offices at three metropolitan centres namely Mumbai Delhi and Chennai. In the year 1996 the company entered into retail financing business for vehicles and construction equipment. In the year 1998 they expanded their retail financing operations in Orissa and Chhattisgarh. During the year 2001-02 Consortium Finance Ltd was amalgamated with the company which gained presence in whole North India except Jammu & Kashmir. During the year 2004-05 Magma Securities Ltd a subsidiary company amalgamated with Viper Estates and Investments Pvt Ltd. They launched fee-based business namely insurance and personal loan. In the year 2006 they rolled out two new products namely Used Vehicle Finance & Strategic Construction Equipment.During the year 2006-07 as per the scheme of amalgamation Shrachi Infrastructure Finance Ltd was amalgamated with the company. The company made a tie up with Maruti Udyog Ltd the country's largest carmaker to finance Maruti cars. Also they invested in electric generators for the generation of power. In June 19 2007 the name of the company was changed from Magma Leasing Ltd to Magma Shrachi Finance Ltd.During the year 2007-08 the company entered into a joint venture agreement with International Tractors Ltd manufacturers of Sonalika brand of tractors for promoting a NBFC to undertake the financing of Sonalika Brand of tractors manufactured by International Tractors Ltd. Accordingly a new NBFC company namely Magma ITL Finance Ltd was incorporated as a subsidiary of the company.During the year the company promoted and subscribed to 1999400 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Magma Consumer Finance Ltd a subsidiary which was incorporated as a non-deposit taking NBFC company. They distributed personal loans through an associate company in addition to their fund-based business. Also they made further investments in wind power generation in which the installed capacity was increased to 13.45 MW.During the year 2008-09 the company Magma rationalised its branch network to 150 branches providing services to customers in 20 states and one union territory across India. They entered into agreements with major manufacturers of cars commercial vehicles and construction equipments such as Maruti Suzuki India Limited Hyundai GM Tata Motors Telcon and JCB among others which provide Magma access to their respective dealer networks across India.During the year under review Magma entered into tie-ups with Eicher/ TAFE for tractor financing across their India dealer network. They also launched SME loans business extending unsecured loans to small and medium enterprises. The company made further investments in eco-friendly wind power generation in which the total installed capacity increased to 17.5 MW in wind electric generators.Magma ITL Finance Ltd a subsidiary of the company commenced commercial operations from July 1 2008. In July 23 2008 the company changed their name from Magma Shrachi Finance Ltd to Magma Fincorp Ltd. Viper Estates and Investments Pvt Ltd ceased to be a subsidiary of the Company with effect from October 31 2008. During the year 2009-10 Ashok Leyland signed a MoU with the company to provide superior financing options to customers. They signed a Joint Venture Agreement with HDI Gerling International Holding AG for the purpose of entering into General Insurance Business in India.During the year the company increased their branch network to 153 branches across 20 states and 1 union territory of which 77% reside in the semi urban and rural markets. Magma Consumer Finance Private Ltd ceased to be a subsidiary of the company with effect from March 22 2010.During the year 2016 46296297 Equity Shares at a price of Rs 108/- each aggregating to Rs 50000 Lacs including a premium of Rs 106/- per Equity Share were allotted to Zend Mauritius VC Investments Ltd Indium V (Mauritius) Holdings Limited and LeapFrog Financial Inclusion India Holdings Limited on preferential basis under Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2009 as amended and Companies Act 2013 read with relevant rules there under and other applicable provisions.The Board of Directors of the Company approved the Scheme of merger between Magma Advisory Services Limited wholly owned subsidiary (Transferor Company') (MASL) and Magma Fincorp Limited (Transferee Company) (MFL) with the stated objectives of inter alia achieving greater integration financial strength and flexibility; and achieving consolidation of the activities of its Company. The Central Government through the Regional Director Eastern Region Ministry of Corporate Affairs has vide its confirmation order dated 15 January 2018 approved the Scheme. Consequently the Scheme became effective from 15 January 2018 with effect from 1 April 2017 being the Appointed Date of the Scheme the entire business and undertakings of MASL including all the debts liabilities duties and obligations and all assets have been transferred to MFL. MASL stands dissolved without winding-up on the effective date and therefore ceases to be a wholly owned subsidiary Company of the Company. Magma Housing Finance Limited which was at the time an indirect subsidiary held through MASL has become a direct subsidiary of the Company.The Board of Directors of the Company approved the Scheme of amalgamation between Magma ITL Finance Limited wholly owned subsidiary (Transferor Company') (MITL) and Magma Fincorp Limited (Transferee Company) (MFL) with the stated objectives of inter alia achieving greater integration financial strength and flexibility and achieving consolidation of the activities of its Company. The Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal Kolkata Bench (NCLT) has vide its order dated 8 May 2018 approved the Scheme. Consequently the Scheme becoming effective from 8 May 2018 with effect from 1 October 2017 being the Appointed Date of the Scheme the entire business and undertakings of MITL including all the debts liabilities duties and obligations and all assets have been transferred to MFL. MITL stands dissolved without winding-up on the effective date and therefore ceases to be wholly owned subsidiary Company of the Company.After the close of financial year 2018 issue of Equity shares through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) under the provisions of Chapter VIII of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2009 as amended the Company raised capital amounting to Rs. 500 crores approximately through the Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) route by way of issuing and allotting 32258064 Equity Shares of face value Rs. 2 each for cash at issue price of Rs. 155 per Equity Share (including a premium of Rs. 153 per Equity Share) to a host of renowned and marque Institutional Investors who are Qualified Institutional Buyers.During the year 2019 the Company raised fresh long term Secured Loan from Banks of Rs 75000 lacs.During the year 2019 the Company raised a long- term loan in the nature of Subordinate debt from Bank aggregating to Rs 10000 lacs. The purpose of the Loan is to augment the Tier II Capital of the Company.During the year 2019 the Company also raised funds from Banks and Mutual funds through fresh issue PTC (Pass Through Certificate) aggregating to Rs 281097 lacs. (From left) Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, and former Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nalin Surie at Business Standard Manthan on Thursday (Photo: kamlesh pednekar) India should play to its own intrinsic economic strengths and follow its own path towards development by 2047, which need not replicate Chinas trajectory, top former officials and diplomats said on Thursday at Business Standard Manthan. Discussing how India can shed the Wests China-plus tag and emerge stronger, a panel comprising former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, former foreign secretary Shyam Saran, and former Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nalin Surie argued that India reducing its import dependence on China may be a key step towards this. Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel The dragon is a mythical animal. The elephant is a real animal. I dont think India can be called China-plus. India is Sui Generis. So is China, for that matter. The countries that are part of the plus tag are those which are on the same economic track as China essentially is. They have large export-driven economies, Surie said. Arguing that the economic paths of India and China will be parallel but similar going forward, Surie said there would be areas where they would likely intersect. Chinas attitude is to stare you down, to put you in a corner, in whatever way they can...They would like to suggest India is not a challenge in any way.... I believe for China, the biggest challenge is India, starting with Asia, and going forward, he said. On the other hand, Menon said Indias economic future cannot be subjected to somebody else liking China, or not. Instead, India has to make sure it is equally or more attractive than Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico. They are part of large trading arrangements like the USMexicoCanada Agreement where they have access to the US market, or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) where they are part of global supply chains, in ways we are not today, Menon said. From the Chinese point of view, over the last few years, they have steadily seen a deterioration in the way the world deals with them. They see the world as less and less of an opportunity. The reason, as Chinese President Xi Jinping himself said in 2012, is the more they rise the more opposition they may expect, Menon said. As a result, he said, China has focused on creating a dual circulation economy, which built up domestic economic capacity, while also raising dependence of other nations on the Chinese economy. Moderating the session, Saran said there had been a number of disruptions in global trade and investment flows where China had become the nodal point for many supply chains. The China-plus-one concept had come up briefly as early as 2008 when the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic hit China and there were similar supply chain disruptions, albeit on a smaller scale. There were already voices saying there was a need for diversification of the supply chains that were just being established back then. This issue got accelerated by the China-US trade war that is still continuing, and the major disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic, Saran said. China remains relevant Menon pointed out that Western powers have moved from the notion of decoupling their relations with China to instead de-risking just a few strategic sectors. Everywhere else, Chinas trade with the US and European Union is booming. Frankly, the world economy needs China even more today than it did three years ago. China today accounts for almost 40 per cent of the growth in the world economy. When we talk of China-plus-one, they (Western powers) are looking at additionality, Menon explained. Saran said the prevalent discourse in India about foreign companies uprooting themselves from the country and moving elsewhere with India being well placed to welcome them was far from the truth. Nobody is really moving away from China except in a small way. Major multinationals who are already heavily invested in China are putting fresh investments not in China so much, as they are in alternative destinations. We are essentially talking about some incremental investment flows being diverted away from China, he stressed. Rising wages in China, and the resultant loss in competitiveness in labour-intensive production has led to this shift, which is being exercised by even Chinese companies, he said. Reducing imports Surie pointed out that even after the clashes in Galwan in June 2020, Indias import dependence on China did not go down. Our imports are close to $98 billion from China. Of this, 28 categories account for $90 billion. Within that, electrical equipment and power equipment account for 50 per cent of imports. Meanwhile, Menon said India should follow a China-plus strategy in its imports by finding alternative sources for the critical goods imported from China even though it is difficult. Chinese value addition in Indian exports was 6 per cent in 2006, but shot up to 28 per cent by 2019, just before the Covid pandemic. This is not something we can decouple from. There are no international alternatives, Menon said. While it may be difficult to do the same in pharmaceuticals where most of the active pharmaceutical ingredients are sourced from China, Menon held out hope for sectors such as automobiles where greater cooperation with nations in the South East Asian region. Wreckage lies across the deck of the Dali cargo vessel, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse, in Baltimore | Photo: Reuters Manufacturers and shippers are scrambling to figure out where they can load or unload cargo while the main operations of the Port of Baltimore remain shut down due to Tuesday's deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Supply chain experts say other ports up and down the East Coast are likely to absorb much of Baltimore's traffic, avoiding a crisis. But not without some longer shipping times and upheaval. "Ultimately, most trade through Baltimore will find a new home port," Moody's Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise wrote in a blog post. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated Wednesday that it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the bridge structure from the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River channel, which leads to the port's main terminal. The port's location makes it a key destination for freight. The Maryland Port Administration says the facility is an overnight drive from two-thirds of the US population, and it's closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port. WHAT GOODS ARE SHIPPED TO AND FROM BALTIMORE? Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation, but it leads US ports in "roll on, roll off" cargo. That means goods with wheels, composed largely of automobiles but including construction and agricultural equipment. The state of Maryland says the port moved 847,158 automobiles last year. About 70 per cent of the wheeled cargo was imported. The port also handles a large amount of wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas. About 20 per cent of US coal exports pass through Baltimore, second only to the port in Norfolk, Virginia. Shippers also use the port for containers, although other ports handle more of them. About a million containers went through Baltimore in the past year, about 2.8 per cent of the container volume shipped through East Coast ports, according to S&P Global. In all, the port handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the state said. "For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, we're the largest port in the country that does that," Maryland Governor Wes Moore said. "So this is not just impacting Maryland." HOW MANY SHIPS STOP AT PORT? More than 50 ocean shipping and cruise ship companies do business with the port, the state says, and their vessels visit the port about 1,800 times per year. Last year, more than 444,000 passengers boarded cruise ships at the port from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and other cruise lines. WHAT ARE BALTIMORE-BOUND SHIPS DOING NOW? Many are waiting to get booked at other ports, pushing back their arrival dates for several weeks. Windward Maritime said that from Monday to Tuesday, estimated time of arrival for Baltimore bound vessels doubled. The maritime risk management company predicted that ships scheduled to go to Baltimore would be delayed by at least 24 days. The company also said its data shows a large increase in ships that are basically drifting in the North Atlantic, likely meaning they are waiting to see which port they will go to. Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting. Ships also are gathered near Norfolk. WHERE ELSE WILL SHIPS GO? Supply chain experts say it will take some time, and there will be disruption, but automakers and shipping companies will divert their cargo to ports up and down the East Coast. Ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware; Newark, New Jersey; Norfolk; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and in Georgia also could see additional cargo. The Georgia Ports Authority, which owns ports in Savannah and Brunswick, said it has capacity to take on more cargo. But it can't make up for Baltimore by itself. Baltimore still can handle some autos. Part of its operations are east of where the bridge collapsed and are still operational, the port said. BMW and Volkswagen said they would still be able to use Baltimore. WILL INCREASED SHIPPING TIMES RAISE PRICES OF GOODS? Perhaps, although Moody's said finding substitute ports should minimise price adjustments for coal and vehicles. "That said, the reshuffle will squeeze other ports, potentially adding a smidge to shipping costs as delays spill to other goods," analyst Murphy Cruise wrote. HAVE OTHER PORTS HAD TO CLOSE AND WHAT HAPPENED THEN? In September 2019, the South Korean freighter Golden Ray overturned shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick in Georgia. The crew was rescued, including four men trapped below its decks. But hauling away the shipwreck, including the cargo of 4,200 automobiles, turned out to be a slow and messy demolition effort that took over two years. The port was closed for four days, reopening only after the US Coast Guard determined it was safe for vessels to slowly sail on the shipping channel leading to the port. The circumstances were much different from the bridge collapse in Baltimore, where sections of the structure lie across the river. Clearing a channel for ships likely will take far longer than four days. During a briefing at the bridge collapse scene, US Rep David Trone said state and federal officials estimated the port's closure would cost the economy at least $15 million per day. The Port of Baltimore directly employs over 15,000 workers and indirectly supports nearly 140,000 jobs via other port activities, many of whom will either be temporarily out of work or work limited hours, according to Trone. During the meeting, the participants discussed the issue of cooperation in the field of energy, which holds great potential for both countries. Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, met Wednesday with the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry of Cyprus, George Papenstasio. During the meeting, it was agreed that the construction of the underwater electric cable that will connect Israel to Cyprus and from there, reach Europe, will be promoted as a high priority. ALSO READ: Israel, Hamas dig in as international pressure builds for ceasefire in Gaza The ministers toured the Reading Power Station in Tel Aviv together with the Director General of the Ministry of Energy Yossi Dayan, the Chairman of the Electricity Authority, Amir Shavit and other professionals from the Ministry and the Electricity Authority, in order to examine the possibility of establishing the underwater connection at the site. In addition, they agreed to strengthen the regional alliance between the countries and to continue and promote joint projects in the fields of energy. During the meeting, the participants discussed the issue of cooperation in the field of energy, which holds great potential for both countries. Among other things, we discussed the acceleration of the submarine electric cable project (The Great Sea Interconnector) which will connect Israel's electricity grid to Cyprus and from there to Greece, and to the European electricity grid. In addition to the cable project, the ministers also discussed various initiatives for the development of natural gas transmission infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including the Cyprus Gateway initiative to transfer natural gas through Cyprus to Europe, among other things from Israeli natural gas reservoirs, as well as the need to move forward in finding a solution to the issue of the cross-border natural gas reservoir Aphrodite -Ishii. The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions on six individuals and two entities based in Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of channeling funds to North Korea's weapons programs. South Korea, a US ally, also imposed sanctions on four of the same six individuals and the two entities. A US Treasury Department statement and South Korea's foreign ministry said the action was taken in coordination between the two countries. It named the six individuals as Yu Pu Ung, Ri Tong Hyok, Han Chol Man, O In Chun, Jong Song Ho and Jon Yon Gun. The entities to be hit with sanctions were Alis LLC, based in Vladivostok, Russia, and UAE-based Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate. The statement said both firms were subordinate to Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Co, an entity associated with North Korea's armed forces. Seoul's foreign ministry said the sanctions target not only individuals directly involved but also those who aided North Korea's illegal financial activities, particularly those earning foreign currency in the information technology sector abroad. Yu Pu Ung, who laundered money and supplied sensitive materials used to develop North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, was responsible for managing the funds, the ministry said in a statement. The Treasury Department said Chinyong, which was placed under US sanctions in May 2023, uses a network of companies and representatives to manage delegations of North Korean IT workers operating in Russia and Laos. The announcement came after the United States and South Korea this week launched a new task force aimed at preventing North Korea from procuring illicit oil, as a deadlock at the United Nations Security Council casts doubts over the future of international sanctions on Pyongyang. Years of US -led international sanctions have failed to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, and many North Korea watchers and sanctions experts consider the U.N. regime moribund, if not already dead. Skyflow, the data privacy vault company, has raised $30 million to extend its Series B funding. Khosla Ventures led the round, joined by prior investors Mouro Capital, Foundation Capital and Canvas Ventures. The investment follows revenue growth of more than 210% and quick adoption in the emerging market of sensitive data protection for Large Language Models (LLMs). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328765469/en/ Skyflow raises $30M to extend series B funding (Graphic: Business Wire) Skyflow is a data privacy vault built to radically simplify how companies isolate, protect, and govern their customers most sensitive data. With its global network of data privacy vaults, it is a comprehensive solution for companies looking to securely implement LLMs and meet complex data localization requirements. Skyflow supports nearly a billion records of user data for global customers like GoodRx, Lenovo, and Hippocratic AI, and processes more than two billion API calls quarterly. With the advent of enterprise applications powered by AI, the need for trust and privacy infrastructure is key to protecting sensitive data, said Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. Skyflow is rethinking how data can be managed and protected across any app, cloud or LLM, making it a company that will be vital for every enterprise business. We see an urgent need for companies to make privacy a core part of their technology stack as LLMs and AI hurdle forward, ingesting more and more personal data, said Anshu Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Skyflow. Skyflow is the only solution that allows companies to build privacy by design into their technological infrastructure without overhauling anything anywhere in the world. Skyflow is powered by a proprietary technology called polymorphic encryption, which is the only way of encrypting data on the market that makes it possible to protect data without sacrificing its usability for critical business operations, such as analytics, marketing, and customer support. Data Privacy and Security is the #1 Barrier to Enterprise Adoption of Generative AI LLM adoption is increasing across the market even though there are few data protection mechanisms in place, putting compliance, security, and privacy at risk. Once sensitive data enters a model its almost impossible to remove, which means something like a data deletion request which many new privacy laws require companies to be able to execute becomes much more difficult. Skyflow acts as a privacy trust layer, helping companies prevent sensitive data from going into AI models in the first place. This makes the adoption of generative AI simpler and safer. Skyflow customers can define sensitive terms as they see fit, allowing them to protect sensitive information even beyond PII (Personally Identifiable Information) or company intellectual property. Skyflow Now Offers Data Residency in China Skyflow recently expanded its data residency solution to support China, enabling global companies to scale in Asia without significant changes to their technology stacks. This simplifies compliance with China's most stringent data privacy and security regulations: Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and Cybersecurity Law (CSL). Skyflows global data privacy vault infrastructure covers regional and national data localization requirements for more than 150+ countries already, allowing customers to isolate, protect, govern, and localize sensitive data easily wherever they operate. To learn more about how Skyflow can help protect sensitive data across any app, any data cloud, and any LLM, please visit our website here. About Skyflow Skyflow is a data privacy and AI privacy company built to radically simplify how companies isolate, protect, and govern their customers most sensitive data. With its global network of data privacy vaults, Skyflow is a comprehensive solution for companies around the world looking to securely implement LLMs and meet complex data localization requirements. Skyflow currently supports a diverse customer base that spans verticals like fintech, retail, travel, and healthcare. Skyflow is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and was founded in 2019. For more information, visit www.skyflow.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328765469/en/ Retired Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines leaves the court after the Judge Veronica M. Nelson of 482nd District Court quashed two felony murder indictments against him Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Harris County Criminal Courts at Law in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer For five years, the murder trial of disgraced Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been mired in an endless procession of delays, motions, hearings and depositions. The prosecutors, defense and a previous presiding judge all bear responsibility for allowing this case to fester for so long and prevent the victims of the violent Harding Street raid in 2019 from receiving closure. Yet when we last checked in with the Harris County District Attorneys Office in January, a spokesman assured us the state is ready to go to trial. During a hearing Tuesday, District Court Judge Veronica Nelson begged to differ. The onus is on the prosecutors to correct their missteps quickly and get their case back on track. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nelson took over the Goines case when the previous judge, Frank Aguilar, was suspended after a domestic violence accusation. That gave the defense an opening to ask the new judge to consider their motion to quash the two felony murder indictments against Goines. Aguilar indicated last year he would overrule the defenses motion to dismiss the charges as filed. Nelson, on the other hand, agreed with the defenses argument that the indictments lacked specificity, primarily regarding the underlying charge of tampering with a governmental record. The indictment posited that Goines obtained a no-knock warrant to raid the Harding Street home of Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle based on an allegedly fabricated statement from a confidential informant who claimed to have bought heroin there. The no-knock warrant led to a bloody shootout between the couple and HPD officers that left Nicholas and Tuttle dead and four officers wounded, including one who was paralyzed from the waist down. The only drugs found in the home were small amounts of cocaine and marijuana that were for personal use. Yet Goines' attorneys noted that the indictment failed to even identify the document that was tampered with, nor the specific statement within the document, that allegedly was false. Mac Secrest, who is part of Goines' defense team, told the editorial board that when Nelson took over for Aguilar, their updated motion on March 6 to dismiss, cited case law to show that the states indictment was unprecedented. The prosecution never bothered to file a response rebutting that, according to court records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We havent been able to find a case ever in the history of American jurisprudence where felony murder has been indicted under these circumstances, Secrest told us. You have a right to be notified in an indictment as to what it is the grand jury has accused you of. And maybe more importantly, you have the right to make sure that, if youre ultimately convicted, youre convicted of the very offense that you were indicted for. That Harris County prosecutors apparently failed to explain charges in such a high-profile case is, itself, a damning indictment of their lack of diligence and attention to detail. It continues a troubling pattern of poor judgment under District Attorney Kim Oggs leadership. In the Harding Street case alone, its the second such instance of a mishandled prosecution: In August 2021, a judge dismissed murder charges against Felipe Gallegos, an HPD officer who participated in the raid, because of prosecutorial misconduct. Gallegos was never reindicted. Oggs failure to take responsibility for the error is nearly as disappointing as the error itself. In a statement, she accused the defense of pushing another delay tactic but also blamed Nelson for forcing the state to revisit the case, knowing that her predecessor had already ruled the defendants position meritless. Court records actually dont show that Aguilar issued a formal ruling. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Oggs chiding of Judge Nelson is bad form, particularly considering that she was a longtime prosecutor who worked for Ogg and led the misdemeanor and felony divisions over the course of her 10 years with the DAs office. That Nelson ruled on the motion differently than Aguilar would have does not reflect any particular bias; she appeared to weigh the matter carefully. During the hearing Nelson said she reviewed Aguilars previous records and indicated she did her homework before granting such a consequential motion. Given that Ogg is exiting in December, having lost the Democratic primary election, prosecutors need to get this case moving again as soon as possible. While wed assume the new DA would pick up the baton and continue prosecuting this case Democratic nominee Sean Teare already told us he would wed prefer for the case to be resolved by the administration most familiar with it. Ogg, through the years, has certainly shown a commitment to justice here, even dismissing dozens of Goines' cases for fear they were tainted by the officers involvement. The dismissed indictments are undoubtedly a setback for the states case against Goines, but they don't have to be a death blow. Prosecutors essentially have two options: appeal Nelsons ruling, which would mire the case in appellate courts, possibly for years; or convince a grand jury to re-indict Goines with the specificity that Nelson believed was missing in the original indictment. In the interest of expediency, we urge prosecutors to re-indict Goines as soon as possible in order to meet the scheduled trial date in June. The surviving members of the Tuttle and Nicholas families have exercised extraordinary patience waiting on a case that should have gone to trial years ago. They will now have to wait even longer because of what seems to us like an avoidable prosecutorial error. The DA owes it to them to ensure that there are no other procedural obstacles that can stand in the way of justice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By Park Han-sol Pansori, a Korean musical tradition of storytelling featuring chant-style vocals and drumming, literally means the sound (or noise) from the public place. The 15th edition of the Gwangju Biennale, helmed by artistic director Nicolas Bourriaud, aims to use this musical storytelling as a gateway to an operatic show you can walk into. Under the theme, Pansori a soundscape of the 21st century, the show invites 73 artists from 30 countries, all exploring the fast-changing relationship between humans and contemporary space the intimate, the geopolitical and the planetary. What artists of today see, but we dont see clearly yet, is a new way of seeing space around us, Bourriaud, the acclaimed French curator and critic known for pioneering the concept of relational aesthetics, said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. Everything is a matter of space. Think about climate change [and the emergence of a new topology], disputed borders, DMZ, anti-migration walls, social distancing and segregation policies. All 73 established and emerging creatives, including 11 from Korea, are living artists. More than half of them are women and the majority will showcase newly commissioned works created specifically for the biennial. The exhibition is structured into three segments, each in tune with a particular sonic phenomenon functioning as spatial metaphors. The Larsen effect, or audio feedback, occurs when a sound source and a receptor are placed too close to one another. The resulting howling noise, produced by the lack of space, embodies todays world saturated with human activities and intense interspecies strife. This section will be like a city center very dense, very saturated, very noisy. It will address the divisions that exist within our societies, the density of everyday life and the oppression you can feel, the director noted. It is here that visitors can witness Amol Patils works, which question the caste system in his home country of India, alongside Choi Ha-neyls minimalist installations infused with Koreas LGBTQ+ and marginalized narratives. What follows is a more open landscape represented by Polyphony, which draws attention not only to human presence in nature, but also to the multitude of voices intertwined vegetables, machines, animals, minerals and spirits. In this segment, South African artist Bianca Bondi navigates between natural science and occult rituals, exploring various transformations of the environment through chemical reactions, while Russian artist Sofya Skidan invents a new form of cyber shamanism. And finally, the primordial sound the sound of origins likened to the Om of Hinduism and the residual noise of the Big Bang takes humans out of the equation, reaching into both the vast cosmos and the molecular realm. In addition to the main exhibition venue, the Gwangju Biennale will reach into the citys historical neighborhood of Yangnim-dong. Here, a single creatives sound project occupies each space ranging from an old police station and an abandoned house to a cultural center. Bourriaud also announced his ambition to stage a public interactive project throughout the biennials run a cafe in the central plaza where international chefs will present reinterpretations of Gwangju's cuisine. The first glimpse of the forthcoming edition of the Gwangju show is set to be offered at none other than the Venice Biennale during its opening week in April. Madang: Where We Become Us, an archival exhibition hosted by the Gwangju Biennale Foundation to introduce the events 30-year history to international visitors, will feature a video essay directed by Bourriaud. Titled Learning from Pansori, the 12-minute video unveils core concepts and extracts from participating artists works of the Gwangju Biennale to serve as its meaningful prelude, according to the artistic director. Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk is teaming with Laughing Dragon Studio in Montreal to develop a new animated series titled Skatebirds. Laughing Dragon is a full-service 2d animation studio employing over 100 animators, editors, illustrators, and producers. The company has worked on major franchise titles, including Central Park for Apple TV+, Mario vs. Sonic for Youtube, and Disenchanted for Disney. Skatebirds is part of Laughing Dragons internally developed lineup. The company is also working on a mythological series titled Isaac & Friends and an animated adaptation of the webcomic Least I Could Do. A play on Hawks Birdman brand, the series will turn on a group of anthropomorphized avian skateboarders. According to Deadline, which announced the show, the young skaters flock together to support their hometown and show the world that when they put their feathers together, they can do anything they set their minds to. Aimed at kids 6-11-years-old, the show will feature 11-minute episodes produced for digital distribution on platforms like Youtube and Tiktok. The strategy is a sound one, as those free video platforms are consistently the most popular places for kids to spend their screen time. Hawks brand is the foundation of a media empire that includes the most famous skateboarding game franchise of all time (Tony Hawk Pro Skater), dozens of home video releases, and the HBO documentary Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off. Speaking with Deadline, Hawk explained: Skateboarding unites communities, gets kids active, and builds a sense of self-confidence while providing opportunities that can be limitless. Keep an eye out for our show, which will be entertaining for a global audience regardless of whether they skate or not. According to Laughing Dragon CEO Sohmer: A top official of Attock Group receives the highest civil award 28 March 2024 Attock Group of Companies in Pakistan congratulates Shuaib A Malik, Group CEO, on being conferred with the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the government of Pakistan. He has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to fostering and facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan's ever-challenging business environment. Attock Group of Companies includes the holding company Attock Oil Company Ltd (AOC). Its subsidiaries include Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL), Attock Refinery Ltd (ARL), National Refinery Ltd (NRL), Attock Petroleum Ltd (APL), Attock Cement Pakistan Ltd (ACPL) and Attock Energy (Private) Ltd. He became the youngest CEO of the group holding company, "The Attock Oil Company Ltd" on 1 September 1995. With his hard work, dedication, business acumen and professional abilities, he eventually rose to the highest management position in the Group. He was appointed Group CEO of "Attock Group of Companies" in July 2006. Published under Afghanistan in talks over new cement plant 28 March 2024 Turkey-based construction company 77 INSAAT has reportedly expressed an interest in setting up a cement plant in Jawzjan province in the north of Afghanistan, close to the border with Turkmenistan. According to Ariana News, 77 met with Shahabuddin Delawar, the acting minister of mining and petroleum in Afghanistan, to discuss the possibility of a new cement production facility in the Yatim Taq area. 77 has worked on a number of projects in Afghanistan in recent years, primarily within the energy sector, including the 100MW hydropower plant in Kajaki, the 15MW solar power plant in Kandahar, along with improvements to the Dahla Dam and the construction of a new waste management complex in Bagram AF. Published under Votorantim Cimentos reduces its global CO2 emissions by 4% in 2023 28 March 2024 In 2023 Votorantim Cimentos emitted, globally, 556kg of CO 2 /t of cement produced, four per cent less than in 2022, acording to a company statement. The companys 2030 decarbonisation target, approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), is 475kg of CO 2 /t of cement. Between 1990 and 2023, Votorantim Cimentos reduced CO 2 emissions per tonne of cement produced by 27 per cent. Last year, Votorantim Cimentos global thermal substitution rate (TSR) through co-processing was 31 per cent. This result reflects investments to modernise plants and the use of new sources of alternative fuels, mainly waste and biomass, to replace fossil fuels in cement kilns. In 2022 the company achieved a TSR of 26.5 per cent and its goal is to reach 53 per cent by 2030. Votorantim Cimentos clinker factor went from 73.9 per cent in 2022 to 72.8 per cent in 2023, which also contributed to reduce emissions. The companys goal for 2030 is to achieve a clinker factor of 68 per cent by increasing the use of alternative raw materials, in line with the concept of a circular economy. In 2023, 35.1 per cent of the electricity consumed by Votorantim Cimentos came from renewable sources, compared to 22.9 per cent in 2022. This increase is the result of the implementation of the Ventos do Piaui project in Brazil and the use of wind energy in Spain. The companys goal is to have 45 per cent of the energy consumed globally come from renewable sources by 2030. The most competitive and sustainable companies will be those with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. In all countries where we operate, we are committed to advancing in our decarbonisation journey, in line with our goal of producing carbon-neutral concrete by 2050, said Alvaro Lorenz, global director of sustainability, institutional relations, product development, engineering and energy at Votorantim Cimentos. Published under UltraTech to buy stake in clean energy plant ICR Newsroom By 28 March 2024 Indian cement producer UltraTech, part of the Aditya Birla Group, will by a 26 per cent stake in O2 Renewable Energy XXII for approximately INR160m to meet the energy requirements of its cement plants. New Delhi-based O2 is planning a 35-48MW solar power plant in Karnataka, India. The acquisition is part of UltraTech's investments in clean power sources. The share purchase of O2 is also to optimise energy costs and comply with regulatory requirements in terms of captive power consumption under electricity laws, according to The Times of India. UltraTech plans to increase the total share of green energy in its total energy mix to 85 per cent by 2030. In addition, the company aims to fully meet its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050, as part of its RE100 commitment. Published under By Pyo Kyung-min Standing out as a leading figure in the Korean hip-hop scene, Dynamic Duo comprised of rappers Gaeko and Choiza now celebrates its 20th year. In a recent interview marking the milestone, the two established rappers revealed that their latest studio album, "2 Kids On The Block," serves as a tribute to their illustrious musical journey. Originating from the hip-hop trio CB Mass, Dynamic Duo embarked on its career in 2004. The duo's debut album, "Taxi Driver," left an indelible mark on the Korean hip-hop landscape by diverging from the typical intense underground style. The duo's unique, casual demonstration of hip-hop resonated with a broader audience, contributing to hip-hop's establishment as a cornerstone genre in the Korean music industry. Since founding their own agency, Amoeba Culture, in 2006, the two have consistently reinforced their standing in the industry with a series of hits, including "Gone" (2008), "BAAAM" (2013) and "Guilty" (2018). Yet, the year 2023 marked another surge in the duo's already illustrious career. Their 2014 hit, "AEAO," resurfaced on global music charts, gaining popularity through TikTok videos and Instagram reels. Another track, "Smoke," from Mnet's reality program "Street Woman Fighter 2" also became a massive hit, propelled by choreographer Bada's stellar performance. The latter even earned recognition on Billboard's list of the 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2023. During an interview with The Korea Times at its agency headquarters in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, March 19, Gaeko and Choiza thanked their fans, saying they hadn't anticipated the sudden resurgence in popularity. "We simply provided the music ['Smoke'], and I believe what contributed to the song's popularity was its exceptional choreography ... For me, it honestly feels like hitting the jackpot," Gaeko said. "The resurgence of 'AEAO' was equally surprising. It was astonishing to see a song we never anticipated gaining popularity, particularly due to the trend of short-form content. The fact that we, at our age, had to reinstall TikTok ... That's why last year feels even more special and gratifying." Choiza, 44, also reflected on how the sudden rise of "AEAO," a song released a decade ago, has prompted him to adopt a new mindset toward music releases. "I find it fascinating that past releases can hold the same value as recent ones. Nowadays, artificial intelligence recommends music that ends up on our playlists. So, I began to see old songs not as forgotten relics but rather as seeds planted by a farmer, destined to sprout someday," Choiza said. The duo's 10th studio album, "2 Kids On The Block," released in three parts starting June 2023 through March 2024, sums up the entirety of Dynamic Duo's lengthy journey while signaling their ongoing evolution in hip-hop. "The new album contains all the joys and sorrows we've experienced over the past 20 years. It reflects the struggles and the process of healing we've faced during our activities," Gaeko said. Especially noteworthy is the final track and lead single of this album, "PITAPA," an upbeat hip-hop tune expressing the excitement that awaits in the unknown future. "While the preceding tracks may have a reflective tone, singing about past moments, the title track serves as both a grand finale to the album and a signal to a new start. It's a futuristic song dedicated to the days that lie ahead," Choiza said. "The song basically encapsulates the essence of Dynamic Duo. It's lively and allows us to connect with the audience on stage, showing our unique positive vibes," Gaeko added. Despite having already traversed a 20-year journey in the world of music, with both members now in their 40s, the two remain steadfast in their commitment to the solid hip-hop genre. "As we age, I feel we gain the ability to tell stories about the same subjects differently. When we were young, for example, we could only lament breakups as purely sad, but now we're able to see them as part of life's overall flow. I believe that's the charm of getting older as a rapper," Choiza added. "Hip-hop remains a constant genre, and as time passes, we believe there are stories that only we can tell among new rising hip-hop stars." Gaeko chimed in, saying, "Therefore, we prioritize our health with plans to continue doing hip-hop until we're 65." By Yi Whan-woo Finance receives relatively little attention as an academic discipline in primary and secondary schools in Korea. This is because it is not one of the primary subjects deemed essential for students to gain admission to university and advance in the highly competitive society. The lack of emphasis on finance education has left Korea ranked relatively lower in terms of financial literacy compared to its economic status as the worlds 13th largest economy. This is where Citibank Koreas Kim Do-hoon and Yu So-hee have stepped in, leveraging their more than two decades of expertise to educate students at elementary, middle, and high schools about the fundamentals of finance, aiming to broaden their understanding in this critical area. As the deputy general manager of Citibank Koreas Marketing Communication Department, Kim leads the firms team of volunteers who devote their time to teach finance to the students. Yu, assistant general manager of the firms Information Security Department, is in charge of developing the learning materials for the students. The materials cover a wide range of areas, including keeping accounting books, saving money, investing in financial products, risk management, digital finance, and planning for retirement. Children and teenagers have a remarkable capacity to absorb and learn at a rapid pace compared to adults. For this reason, we consider it immensely valuable that we have been able to launch our own program for financial education, Kim told The Korea Times during a joint interview with Yu this week. While the company had previously been engaged in finance education as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, it primarily supported outside groups such as the National YWCA of Korea and JA Korea. It wasn't until June 2023 that an independent volunteer group was established at the bank to directly carry out these activities. Since joining Citibank in the early 2000s, Kim who has dedicated himself to CSR initiatives, including HR Learning & development, has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the volunteer team. Comprising 53 members, including Kim and Yu, this team was brought together under his leadership. Under our solid partnerships with each National YWCA of Korea and JA Korea, we were able to receive relevant tips and knowhow to begin our independent finance education," Kim said. Yu began her career with Citibank Korea in the early 2000s, building expertise in credit loans and wealth management. Through my work with numerous clients, I've observed that factors such as education level, wealth, and age do not always correlate with their level of financial understanding, she said. Thats when I realized the need to help people become familiar with the basics of finance at a younger age, and Im grateful for the opportunity to contribute to finance education." Citibank Korea's educational program operates within the framework of the Financial Supervisory Service's (FSS) broader initiative, which aims to establish partnerships between financial services companies and schools for educational purposes. Citibank Korea's partner schools include ones in Incheon, Paju, and other nearby areas of Seoul, as well as one situated on Jeju Island. Yu stood out among the volunteers, and as a result, she was honored with an award of excellence in February. The accolade, presented by FSS Governor Lee Bok-hyun, recognizes a selected volunteer from participating companies. On the company level, Citibank was also honored for its program and received an award from Lee. I simply enjoyed the process of creating learning materials and teaching students with these resources. My motivation stemmed from a genuine desire to contribute, rather than an expectation of getting a reward, Yu said. I am grateful to receive the honor. Kim and Yu expressed their aspirations to build upon the achievements of 2023, aiming to further deepen and expand finance education initiatives for high school students. The freshmen and sophomore at high schools are exceptions to such education, as their schools want them to solely focus on national college entrance exam and relevant subjects. Finance education is offered to high school seniors only after they have completed their exams in November and are relatively free from academic burdens until their graduation in February of the following year. By Yi Whan-woo The credit card arms of financial groups are seizing the opportunity presented by the overseas travel boom to attract more customers, whose spending outside the country has been increasing for the fourth consecutive year up to 2023. According to Korea Tourism Organization, a total of 22.3 million Koreans traveled abroad. The figure is 79 percent of the entire number of outbound travelers in 2019 before the pandemic. Meanwhile, Bank of Korea data showed those outbound travelers' spending using credit or debit cards increased 32.2 percent year-on-year to $19.22 billion in 2023. The 2023 figure marked an increase for the fourth straight year from 2020, when the pandemic was at its height. Under the circumstances, Hana Card is bolstering the campaign on Travlog Card after it was introduced as a check card, which is similar to a debit card, in July 2022. Its users are exempt from currency exchange commissions when withdrawing cash or making payments in 26 countries. The number of Travlog Card users surpassed 4 million at the end of 2023, with the amount of spending topping 1 trillion won ($743.8 million). By the end of January, 39.2 percent of international transactions using check cards issued in Korea were made with Travlog Card, up from 20.2 percent in July 2022. As these cards come in the form of debit cards, they can't expect much commission as they do with credit cards. However, card companies are competing to attract customers. "Giving up commission may be a loss for the company in the short term, but not in the long term as it can secure more customers," a credit card industry source said. The source said Hana Card's sales campaign can help expand customers for other affiliates of Hana Financial Group by sharing customer data under their consent. To outcompete Hana Card, Shinhan Card introduced SOL Travel Check Card in February. The card offers commission-free foreign exchange transactions in 30 countries. The cardholders are also free to use members-only lounges at airports across the world twice a year. The number of cards issued surpassed 300,000 a month after it was released, which is relatively fast compared to the growth of other check cards. Woori Card partnered with Travel Wallet, a digital wallet platform operator, to issue Travel Wallet Woori Card in August 2023. The card is noted for offering the lowest commission rate in the market at 1 percent when travelers return home and exchange foreign currencies back to the Korean currency. Both affiliates of KB Financial Group, KB Kookmin Card and KB Kookmin Bank, jointly plan to issue KB Kookmin Travelers Check Card next month to keep up with the overseas travel boom. Chattanooga State Community College will take a deep dive into the world of quantum computing alongside physics and computer science expert Dr. Shohini Ghose.Dr. Ghose will join ChattState students, faculty and members of the Chattanooga community virtually on April 3 discuss the emerging field of quantum computing. The event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries, followed by Dr. Ghoses presentation at 10 a.m. The lecture is titled Preparing for Quantum 2.0.The reception and lecture will be held in BRANCH 30 on the Chattanooga State main campus.A live stream of the lecture will also be accessible on YouTube.Dr. Ghose is a professor of physics and computer science at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her areas of expertise include quantum computing, quantum communication and classical and quantum chaos.The event is hosted by Chattanooga States Honors Program, said organizer Dr. Angie Wood, professor of social and behavioral sciences and director of Chattanooga State Honors.Dr. Wood said she challenged honors students last year to research the field of quantum computing and find an expert to speak on campus. They ultimately chose to invite Dr. Ghose after viewing her TED Talk titled A Beginners Guide to Quantum Computing.Dr. Wood said offering educational opportunities outside of the classroom is one way Chattanooga State gives students opportunities to further their futures and broaden their horizons.College is about more than just going to class. It's also about networking and the contacts that you gain outside of the classroom, she said. "You never know when you will walk into an event like this and realize its what youre passionate about.The event is presented alongside the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative, a local organization that aims to use quantum technology to improve the local workforce, economy and infrastructure, officials said. The organization is supported by several founding members: EPB, the City of Chattanoga, TVA, UTC, Oak Ridge National Lab, Hamilton County, Chattanooga State, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Company Lab, Hamilton County Schools and Qubitekk.Watch the presentation here Emra Farkas, practitioner of Christian Science healing and international speaker, will present her talk, Finding where God is seen and felt whats church got to do with it? on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at the Christian Science Church, 612 McCallie Ave. The talk will focus on universal healing precepts found in the Holy Bible, especially in Christ Jesus life and teachings, showing how they are available for anyone to understand and experience through the lens of Christian Science. The talk is free, open to the community, and hosted by First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Chattanooga. A new kind of thinking is needed to recognize that Gods goodness and love are actually here and tangible to all humanity everywhere, said Ms. Farkas. The idea of church can shift from being a physical building, a set time on a particular day, or an assembly of perfect humans (does that even exist?), to that of being what God builds in our lives every moment through us responding to Christ Jesus message of Gods all-powerful love. Sharing examples of healing from her own life and professional practice of Christian Science, Ms. Farkas will explain why Christian Science is both Christian and scientific, meaning that people can prove its effectiveness for themselves, as fully described in the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy. Trinity Williams, a member of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga and student at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences has been chosen as a 2024 Girls Inc. National Scholar and awarded a $25,000 Suzanne Patmore Gibbs Courage Scholarship. She was selected for her outstanding academic achievements, community service work, and dedication to the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Trinity is one of three Girls Inc. SPG National Scholars selected in 2024 from across the United States and Canada. Trinity has been a participant in Girls Inc. of Chattanooga seasonal camps since she was in first grade. She continues to participate in the IMPACT and SHE, She Can, She Will program. Additionally, she served on the Girls Inc. National Teen Advocacy Council (7th cohort). Trinitys accomplishments are many and has completed 245.75 hours of community service in school-related activities such as Girl Scout (ambassador), Student Government Association, Black Student Association (co-founder and president), National Urban League Youth Council, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Project Ready, and High School Varsity Volleyball. Toccora Petersen, CEO of Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, expressed her pride in Trinitys accomplishments saying, Trinity embodies the spirit of Girls Inc. with her determination, intelligence, and compassion. Her dedication to her education and community is truly inspiring. Receiving this scholarship in a way was the culmination of all the work I have done with Girls Inc.," said Trinity. "This scholarship reaffirms that not only my local Girls Inc. affiliate is behind me but that I have the backing of the national organization regarding my pursuit of higher education." The Girls Inc. Suzanne Patmore Gibbs Scholarship program was created in 2018 in memory of the long-time supporter. The scholarship is awarded to Girls Inc. girls who have the courage to dream big and have a character consistent with Suzanne Patmore Gibbs. She was a fierce advocate for all that is right and good in this world. She fought for womens voices before it was a popular thing to do. She was incredibly brave, and she stood up for what she believed in. To date, over $7 million in Girls Inc. scholarships have made post-secondary education more accessible to high school young women and have inspired them to succeed in school and consider a broad range of career possibilities. Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson, who was involved in a recent motor vehicle crash, was discharged from the hospital and is recovering at home. Earlier on Wednesday, Sheriff Lawson stopped by the sheriffs office for a brief visit. During the visit, he wanted to reassure employees and the citizens of Bradley County, he remains committed to his duties. Sheriff Lawson will be dividing his time between working in the office and remotely between doctor visits while he recovers from his injuries, ensuring that daily operations continue smoothly. A 25-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for supplying drugs that led to the death of 19-year-old Charlotte Gallant. Jonathan Bash appeared before Judge Curtis L. Collier after earlier pleading guilty to distributing parafluorofentanyl, resulting in the overdose death. Following his incarceration, Bash will be on supervised release for five years. According to the plea agreement, Bash sold a fentanyl analogue to a young man who shared it with his girlfriend, Ms. Gallant. According to filed court documents, Bash misrepresented the drug as ketamine, a commonly abused club drug that is often used for its perceived anesthetic and hallucinogenic effects. Both the young man to whom Bash sold the fentanyl analogue and Ms. Gallant overdosed. The young man suffered serious bodily injuries but ultimately survived the overdose. Paramedics were unable to revive Ms. Gallant, who died shortly after ingesting the drug. United States Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III said, This is a tragic case. Using any kind of narcotic acquired on the streets or even from a friend, regardless of how the drug appears to be marketed, can unknowingly lead to the use of fentanyl, and the effects can be lethal. Our office will continue to prosecute these cases to bring justice to the community and the families of the victims, including Ms. Gallant and her family. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service values our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorneys office in the Eastern District of Tennessee who brought justice to this investigation, said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. This case sends a clear message that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service along with our law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to protect the communities we serve by combating the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl and holding drug traffickers accountable. A 21-year sentence highlights the serious risks fentanyl poses and serves as a testament to HSIs collaborative efforts in combating drug trafficking, said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. Fentanyl has a devastating impact on our communities and HSI will continue to fight alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle illicit narcotics organizations. The most impactful investigations occur through meaningful collaboration and coordination with our local, state, and federal partners. The FBI is a proud federal partner of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The criminal investigation was the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Chattanooga Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Brooks and Frank Clark represented the United States. Bash was arrested by federal authorities last March and charged with using interstate means to induce an individual below age 18 to engage in sexual activity. The indictment said the conduct was "for which an individual can be charged with a criminal offense under Tennessee law - statutory rape." Family members said Charlotte Gallant "was a beautiful girl with a kind heart who died too young. The memory of her dimpled smile will warm out hearts forever. Charlotte loved horses, fluffy cows and chocolate milk and was an attentive big sister to her brother, Greyson." She graduated from Signal Mountain High School and, during her gap year, she enjoyed traveling with her family. The family said, "Her enthusiasm for her travels, especially the California Redwoods, Glacier National Park and the Grand Tetons are memories we will always cherish. "Charlotte loved horses, fluffy cows and chocolate milk and was an attentive big sister to her brother, Greyson." Youre probably familiar with the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, completed in 1498. The exquisite mural is displayed at a former monastery in Milan, Italy, with limited public viewing. However, many of us have seen reproductions in homes, churches, museums, and other public settings. I remember my mom having a framed, lighted copy that hung in our living room when I was a boy. The da Vinci masterpiece depicts Jesus Christ and His 12 disciples just moments after He announced that one of them would be betraying Him. As familiar as that emotional scene has become in Western culture, many of us arent nearly as familiar with its context. Jesus with His closest followers had gathered in a large upper room in Jerusalem to observe the traditional Passover Seder, the annual commemoration of the Israelites exodus from Egypt, ending four centuries of slavery. Wine, bitter herbs and unleavened bread all were and still are among elements used to symbolize that momentous event, with traditional prayers and blessings recited during the meal. Besides Jesus announcement of His impending betrayal, probably the most notable part of that gathering was His striking departure from the standard Seder script. After taking the unleavened bread, giving thanks, and breaking it, Jesus stated, This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me (Luke 22:19). The disciples might have wondered, Whats He saying? Then, after the supper was completed, He took the cup of wine and said, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:20). Again, looks of bewilderment must have filled the disciples faces. What?! In both statements, Jesus was declaring Himself to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. At the time the disciples might not have understood His meaning, but within days they would. For instance, one prophecy the disciples would have recognized was Isaiah 53:5-7, He was pierced through for our transgressions. Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. We see this manifested during Jesus mock trial and His crucifixion. The Roman officials marveled that Jesus did not protest or offer a defense. And He was literally pierced on the cross His hands, feet, and side. The new covenant of which Jesus spoke referred to Jeremiah 31:31,33-34, I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin. No longer would animal sacrifices be required for the sins of the people. Christ paid the price for all, and for all time. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:10-11, The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. We owed a debt we could not pay and Christ paid the debt He did not owe. Having this perspective can bring new understanding and appreciation of the sacrament of communion regularly observed in Christian churches and denominations. We eat the morsel of unleavened bread which represents Christs body given for us, and we drink the fruit of the vine which represents Jesus blood shed to cleanse us from the impurities of sin. But rarely do we realize that this sacred practice was instituted during a Jewish feast, the Passover Seder. We Gentiles might not observe Passover and may never have witnessed or participated in a Seder meal, but in many respects theyre as important for us as they are for faithful Jews who take part in them. The next time you gaze at a photo of Leonardo da Vincis iconic The Last Supper, think about Jesus and His disciples engaging in their final Seder meal together. Thankfully, the story doesnt end at that table or at the cross. It proceeds to the now-empty tomb, heralding Jesus resurrection from the dead which we observe every Easter. Because of this we can join with Paul in declaring, Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God. He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). As followers of Christ have declared through the centuries, He is risen! He is risen indeed! * * * Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN 1110 ST CLAIR ST DUNLAP, 37327 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) ALLEN, JEFFERY SCOTT 239 ANNA AVENUE DAYTON, 37321 Age at Arrest: 58 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE BALTZELL, JABIN W 1134 SASSAFRASS DR VINCENNES, 47591 Age at Arrest: 20 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff CRIMINAL TRESPASSING PUBLIC INTOXICATION DISORDERLY CONDUCT BEELER, KELLY LYNN HOMELESS HARRISON, 37341 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff MAIL THEFT BELL, TIYANNA MARSHAE 2108 CHESTNUT ST APT 429 CHATTANOOGA, 37408 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY BROCK, GABRIELLE ALEXIZ 10214 SIMS RD SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 18 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DISPENSING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE COBBINS, EUGENE 2913 CURTIS STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37404 Age at Arrest: 51 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) COSEY, JAMES MELVIN 518 MEADOW STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 44 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COURSEY, CHANCE EDWARD 720 CLARISSA DRIVE OOLTEWAH, 37363 Age at Arrest: 39 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff CONTEMPT OF COURT COUSIN, RAVON MALEICK 727 EAST 11TH STREET CHATTANOOGA, 374211097 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD (VOP) AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS CUTRELL, SUZETTE YVONNE 109 ARMSTRONG FERRY RD APT 6 DAYTON, 37321 Age at Arrest: 59 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY DAILEY, TARYN LISA 728 BACON TRAIL CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: East Ridge DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE FISHER, DETONA QUINTEZ 1613 DODSON AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374063516 Age at Arrest: 33 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD ALTERING, FALSIFYING OR FORGING EVIDENCES OF TITLE SPEEDING TINTED WINDOWS VIOLATION FRANCISCO, JOSHUA DAVID 1235 SIM GOODWIIN RD SW HOMELESS MCDONALD, 37353 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) GARTH, ADARIUS DEWAYNE 3519 CHANDLER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE HAMMONDS, REGINALD LEWIS 2443 NIMITZ ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406 Age at Arrest: 60 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND) DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE HOWARD, LARHONDA DONISE 117 VALLEY VIEW AVE APT D CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 49 years old Arresting Agency: Red Bank RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER RESISTING ARREST ASSAULT- SIMPLE HUBBARD, DEALA 1308 ARLINGTON AVE APT B CHATTANOOGA, 37408 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY HUGHES, BRANDON LEE ALEXANDER 310 CHICKAMAUGA RD. CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 24 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION CONTRACTOR'S MISAPPLICATIONVIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEISAAC, BEN LEWISHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 374101656Age at Arrest: 56 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDFAILURE TO APPEARJACKSON, LATISHA SHAREE1223 POPLAR CHATTANOOGA, 37402Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEKELLEY, CORNEA DEONTAE4034 ARBOR PLACE LN Chattanooga, 37416Age at Arrest: 38 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)KINAMORE, DONTAE LADARRIUS3400 JENKINS ROAD 511 CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTIONLOVELADY, BRITTANY NICHOLE483 PIKEVILLE AVE GRAYSVILLE, 37338Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFAILURE TO APPEARMCCALLIE, MICHAEL JAMES7490 AUSTIN DRIVE CHATTANOOGA, 374163555Age at Arrest: 47 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDRESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESSDRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIADRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINEDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEMENDEZ VELASQUEZ, JUNIOR MARDOQUEO210 SPRING CREEK RD. CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEMILLER, JASON DANIELHOMELESS OOLTEWAH, 37363Age at Arrest: 34 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgePOSSESSION OF FENTANYL FOR RESALEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAMOORE, NATHANIEL EVAN848 BELVOIR CREST HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37363Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMVIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMMORGAN, MERCEDES DOMINIQUE3211 HOYT ST CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeCRIMINAL IMPERSONATIONFALSE IDENTIFICATION (USE OF)CRIMINAL SIMULATIONTHEFT OF SERVICESTHEFT OF IDENTITYMORRISON, KAMERON TERRELL1140 PONDEROSA DRIVE CLEVELAND, 37312Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: CollegedaleBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)NIZNICK, JAMES EDMOND9322 SMITH CEMETRY CIRCLE SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYLIGHT LAW VIOLATIONNORRIS, MITCHELL SHAWN565 RANDOLPH LN Decatur, 37322Age at Arrest: 49 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAPARKER, ANTONIO514 SHANNON AVE HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 374112815Age at Arrest: 62 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDINDECENT EXPOSUREVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFDISORDERLY CONDUCTPERRY, JAMES DARRELL1770 FOUNTAIN CIRCLE CHATTANOOGA, 37415Age at Arrest: 51 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMTHEFT OF PROPERTYCRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISMPIERCE, SAMANTHA LYNNE6761 HICKORY CREEK RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDTHEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE)RAINEY, STEVEN ALEXANDERHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDISORDERLY CONDUCTPUBLIC INTOXICATIONROBINSON, ELIJAH DEWAYNE4518 HIXSON PIKE APT L3 CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDOMESTIC ASSAULTROBINSON-ANDERS, DUPREE RONEIL3005 ST PAUL ST CHATTANOOGA, 37404Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTEVADING ARRESTPOSS OF FIREARM DURING A FELONYDRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARETINTED WINDOWS VIOLATIONROGERS, ARTIE RANDALL7616 CEDAR CODE LANE HARRISON, 37341Age at Arrest: 50 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)SCRUGGS, JOSEPH RYAN1 JACOBS ROAD ROSSVILLE, 30741Age at Arrest: 30 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgePOSSESSION OF FENTANYLPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASNEED, ADRIAN LEWIS95 PRINCESS LANE ROSSVILLE, 30741Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (CATOOSA COUNTY GA)STARLING, DARRIUS MARSHON727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 37403Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGSTEPHENS, JASON DEMONE105 DEVEL LN CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffASSAULTVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFTODD, MICHAEL E2516 OLIVE STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37407Age at Arrest: 60 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)TURNER, LYNDON KANISE4427 HIGHWAY 34 WHITESIDE, 37396Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDCRIMINAL TRESPASSINGWALKER, ALEAH DOMONIQUEHOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 374033104Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDAGGRAVATED ASSAULTWOODALL, DEVONTE MYKEL3605 EVERGREEN CT CHATTANOOGA, 37405Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffNONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORTWRIGHT, DILLARD RAY8714 SPRINGFIELD RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 59 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAWYATT, JEFFREY LAVON1709 WHEELER AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374062944Age at Arrest: 63 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT UNDER 1000VIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT OF PROPERTY CONDUCT IVIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT OF PROPERTY CONDUCT IVIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT Here are the mug shots: ADERHOLT, FELICIA DAWN Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 09/16/1986 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) ALLEN, JEFFERY SCOTT Age at Arrest: 58 Date of Birth: 05/03/1965 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE BALTZELL, JABIN W Age at Arrest: 20 Date of Birth: 07/28/2003 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING PUBLIC INTOXICATION DISORDERLY CONDUCT BEELER, KELLY LYNN Age at Arrest: 29 Date of Birth: 11/13/1994 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): MAIL THEFT BELL, TIYANNA MARSHAE Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 11/20/2001 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY BROCK, GABRIELLE ALEXIZ Age at Arrest: 18 Date of Birth: 08/20/2005 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DISPENSING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE COBBINS, EUGENE Age at Arrest: 51 Date of Birth: 02/17/1973 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) COSEY, JAMES MELVIN Age at Arrest: 44 Date of Birth: 03/29/1979 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE II POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA COURSEY, CHANCE EDWARD Age at Arrest: 39 Date of Birth: 03/08/1985 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): CONTEMPT OF COURT COUSIN, RAVON MALEICK Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 12/03/1997 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): (VOP) AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS CUTRELL, SUZETTE YVONNE Age at Arrest: 59 Date of Birth: 01/25/1965 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY DAILEY, TARYN LISA Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 10/10/2000 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE FRANCISCO, JOSHUA DAVID Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 02/16/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) GARTH, ADARIUS DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 10/10/1991 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE HAMMONDS, REGINALD LEWIS Age at Arrest: 60 Date of Birth: 11/19/1963 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND) DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE HOWARD, LARHONDA DONISE Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 04/05/1974 Arresting Agency: Red Bank Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): RETALIATION AGAINST JUDGE, JUROR, OFFICER RESISTING ARREST ASSAULT- SIMPLE HUBBARD, DEALA Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 12/06/2001 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY HUGHES, BRANDON LEE ALEXANDER Age at Arrest: 24 Date of Birth: 01/12/2000 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION CONTRACTOR'S MISAPPLICATION VIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE ISAAC, BEN LEWIS Age at Arrest: 56 Date of Birth: 09/30/1967 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR JACKSON, LATISHA SHAREE Age at Arrest: 36 Date of Birth: 05/13/1987 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE KINAMORE, DONTAE LADARRIUS Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 01/26/1989 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION LOVELADY, BRITTANY NICHOLE Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 12/18/1991 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): FAILURE TO APPEAR MCCALLIE, MICHAEL JAMES Age at Arrest: 47 Date of Birth: 05/05/1976 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE MENDEZ VELASQUEZ, JUNIOR MARDOQUEO Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 06/05/2000 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE MILLER, JASON DANIEL Age at Arrest: 34 Date of Birth: 05/07/1989 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF FENTANYL FOR RESALE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA MOORE, NATHANIEL EVAN Age at Arrest: 35 Date of Birth: 08/15/1988 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAM VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAM VIOLATION OF PROBATION (POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAM MORGAN, MERCEDES DOMINIQUE Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 03/21/1993 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION FALSE IDENTIFICATION (USE OF) CRIMINAL SIMULATION THEFT OF SERVICES THEFT OF IDENTITY NIZNICK, JAMES EDMOND Age at Arrest: 29 Date of Birth: 06/22/1994 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LIGHT LAW VIOLATION NORRIS, MITCHELL SHAWN Age at Arrest: 49 Date of Birth: 03/22/1973 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA PARKER, ANTONIO Age at Arrest: 62 Date of Birth: 05/18/1961 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): INDECENT EXPOSURE VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF DISORDERLY CONDUCT PERRY, JAMES DARRELL Age at Arrest: 51 Date of Birth: 11/13/1972 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM THEFT OF PROPERTY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM PIERCE, SAMANTHA LYNNE Age at Arrest: 23 Date of Birth: 05/19/2000 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) ROBINSON, ELIJAH DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 07/26/2001 Arresting Agency: East Ridge Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DOMESTIC ASSAULT ROGERS, ARTIE RANDALL Age at Arrest: 50 Date of Birth: 03/18/1974 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) STARLING, DARRIUS MARSHON Age at Arrest: 32 Date of Birth: 08/01/1991 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING STEPHENS, JASON DEMONE Age at Arrest: 19 Date of Birth: 01/10/2005 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): ASSAULT VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF TODD, MICHAEL E Age at Arrest: 60 Date of Birth: 03/25/1964 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) TURNER, LYNDON KANISE Age at Arrest: 21 Date of Birth: 10/11/2002 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING WALKER, ALEAH DOMONIQUE Age at Arrest: 36 Date of Birth: 11/23/1987 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WOODALL, DEVONTE MYKEL Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 06/09/1992 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): NONSUPPORT AND FLAGRANT NONSUPPORT WRIGHT, DILLARD RAY Age at Arrest: 59 Date of Birth: 02/05/1965 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WYATT, JEFFREY LAVON Age at Arrest: 63 Date of Birth: 12/29/1959 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 03/27/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT UNDER 1000 VIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT OF PROPERTY CONDUCT I VIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT OF PROPERTY CONDUCT I VIOLATION OF PROBATION THEFT Over $453.5 million of railroad property in Hamilton County has changed hands after the city of Cincinnati sold its line that goes to Chattanooga to Norfolk Southern Railway. Register of Deeds Marc Gravitt said 365 tracts here were involved in the transaction to the railroad that has long leased the line. The deal yielded a conveyance fee of $1,678,222 to Hamilton County. The sale of the 337-mile rail line was approved by Cincinnati voters last Nov. 7 and finalized March 15. The overall sale was for $1.62 billion. Norfolk Southern had long been making overtures to Cincinnati to buy the line. Cincinnati had been the only city in the country to own a railroad, and it proved a wonderful investment. Chattanooga and its citizens had made some contributions toward constructing the line after the announcement was made that it would be the terminus of the railroad instead of Knoxville. However, it was Cincinnati that sponsored the project. It gave the most and wound up as the sole owner. Officers responded to Walmart on a report of two individuals pulling on door handles. Both individuals were gone before the officers' arrival. Officers were dispatched to an alarm in the 9600 block of Salisbury Lane. Everything checked ok. Officers responded to an alarm in the 9600 block of Chaucer Terrace. The alarm was set off by realtors showing the property to potential buyers. A Hamilton County fugitive was taken into custody during Collegedale Municipal Court. The individual was transported to the Hamilton County Jail. A driver in the 9300 block of Lee Highway was misdemeanor cited for driving on a suspended license. An unknown 9-1-1 call came in from the 5100 block of Ooltewah Ringgold Road. Officers discovered a tenant having issues with a water heater but found no signs of an emergency. An unknown 9-1-1 call came in from the 9500 block of Pasture Drive. Officers made contact with a homeowner who stated that it was accidental and everything was ok. Officers responded to an alarm in the 5900 block of Elementary Way. Officers checked the building, and everything was secure. EPB will host Supplier Diversity Day on May 23 to celebrate small and diverse businesses serving Chattanooga at The Chattanoogan Hotel, 1201 Broad St. from 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m."This event will also provide a forum for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to network with industry leaders and hear from experts on expanding opportunity for diverse businesses, including how to work with EPB," organizers said.Breakfast and lunch will be provided.The event is free, but seating is limited to the first 150 registrants.Learn more and register at EPBSupplierDiversityDay.eventbrite.com. Insurers piling up in M&A market By Anna J. Park The Korea Development Bank (KDB) is mulling over incorporating KDB Life as a subsidiary instead of pursuing another futile attempt to sell the insurer, industry sources said. The state-run bank is in discussions with other co-investors, including the National Pension Service (NPS), Korean Re and Consus Asset Management, regarding the upcoming expiration of the private equity fund, which holds a 95.66 percent stake in KDB Life, according to the investment banking industry on Thursday. The investors, along with the KDB, formed the private equity fund in 2010 to acquire Kumho Life, now KDB Life, during the restructuring process of Kumho Asiana Group. A KDB official told The Korea Times Thursday that nothing has been decided about the life insurer's fate. Incorporating the stake under the KDB's direct ownership, once its expiration date occurs in February next year, is just one of many possible future moves. "As the expiration date of the fund falls in February next year, the KDB is currently reviewing various possible options over the life insurer's future. Since all investors in the fund need to agree on the matter, discussions are ongoing and nothing has been decided for now," the official said. Upon the liquidation of the fund, the KDB will hold an 85.7 percent stake in KDB Life, becoming the largest shareholder, followed by the NPS, which holds a 7.7 percent stake, Korean Re's 1.8 percent stake and Consus Asset Management's 0.5 percent stake. Since 2014, the KDB has been attempting to sell KDB Life, but all six past attempts ended in failure. Last year, Hana Financial Group, selected as the preferred bidder, withdrew from the acquisition process after conducting due diligence. Earlier this year, the KDB pursued a sale to MBK Partners, yet all efforts failed once again. Because of the series of failed attempts to sell the insurer, the KDB and co-investors seem to have concluded that it would be better to halt the sales process for a while and focus on improving KDB Life's financial structure through aggressive restructuring as a subsidiary of the state-run bank. KDB Life's weakened profitability as well as the oversaturation of insurers in the M&A market that are seeking a new owner, is making the life insurer a less attractive option to potential buyers. The life insurer posted a net profit of 23.9 billion won ($17.7 million) last year, a 50.5 percent plunge from the previous year. photo by Shelia Harding Cannon photo by Shelia Harding Cannon photo by Shelia Harding Cannon photo by Shelia Harding Cannon photo by Shelia Harding Cannon Previous Next Hamilton County paused Wednesday at noon on the steps of the courthouse downtown to observe National Vietnam War Veterans day which is Friday. Speakers included Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole and Hamilton County Historian Linda Moss Mines. The Charles Coolidge Medal Honor Heritage Center is hosting a free breakfast for Vietnam veterans Friday morning beginning at 8 a.m. Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 203 is having a Fish Fry Friday on the Walmart, Highway 153 parking lot starting at noon. The event is free to all Vietnam veterans and their families.Over 58,000 Americans were killed in the Vietnam War. The war lasted from 1955 to 1975, with most of the fighting in South Vietnam. Jim Pledger, program director and instructor of GNTCs Law Enforcement Academy (right), presents Joseph Taylor with the Top Gun award for excellence in marksmanship Jim Pledger, program director and instructor of GNTCs Law Enforcement Academy (right), presents Sawyer Sharp with the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for having the highest grade point average (From left, front row) Matthew Creighton, Bobby Feagans, Jadyn Norton, Savannah Roberts, Jesse Bond, Cristian Peinado; (back row) Sawyer Sharp, Dakota Maddox, Tyler Chastain, Amadou Diaw, Haden Templeton, Damien Neelley and Joseph Taylor graduated on March 26 from GNTCs Basic POST Certification class. Previous Next Friends, family and the community gathered in the Conference Center at Georgia Northwestern Technical Colleges Gordon County Campus in Calhoun on Tuesday to honor 13 students graduating from Basic POST Certification Class #BPC1-2024-06.The Basic POST Certification (BPC) program is designed to train and prepare graduates for employment as entry-level Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certified police officers. The 11-week program is part of GNTCs Law Enforcement Academy.When you put on that badge and you get into that vehicle you represent every citizen in your community, the elected officials and your family.You have a tremendous opportunity, but you also have a tremendous challenge, said Rome Mayor Craig McDaniel, former president of GNTC. Mayor McDaniel was the events featured speaker.Jesse Bond served as the student speaker for the ceremony. Joseph Taylor was presented with the Top Gun award for excellence in marksmanship, and Sawyer Sharp received the Academic (Honor Graduate) Award for having the highest grade point average.Graduates recited their Oath of Honor at the conclusion of the ceremony, vowing On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my community and the agency I serve.Graduates of GNTCs Basic POST Certification Class #BPC1-2024-06 are Jesse Bond, Tyler Chastain, Matthew Creighton, Amadou Diaw, Bobby Feagans, Dakota Maddox, Damien Neelley, Jadyn Norton, Cristian Peinado, Savannah Roberts, Sawyer Sharp, Joseph Taylor and Haden Templeton.A majority of the graduates are already employed in law enforcement.Bobby Feagans and Jadyn Norton are employed by the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office.Dakota Maddox and Damien Neelley are employed by the Murray County Sheriffs Office.Matthew Creighton and Haden Templeton are employed by the Walker County Sheriffs Office.Savannah Roberts, Sawyer Sharp and Joseph Taylor are employed by the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office.Cristian Peinado is employed by the Dalton State College Police Department.Jesse Bond is employed by the Whitfield County Fire Department.Tyler Chastain and Amadou Diaw are pre-service. New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. TWRA said New Hope Fire Department arrived with a boat for rescue efforts. However, the vessel was small, and it was capsized by winds before disconnecting from the trailer. Chief Comstock said their boat was blown over while it was still on the trailer. However, he said the boat was righted and the New Hope squad rescued three boatfuls of stranded kayakers. The TWRA gave this updated account: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Officers responded to a call from Marion County regarding kayakers out of their boats near Nickajack cave around 8:30 p.m. (CDT), Monday, March 25. Officers arrived to find 33 kayakers, including children, stranded on a bank due to extremely high winds. A Nickajack cave tour group left out of the Macedonia Road boat ramp earlier in the evening, paddling across the lake to the Nickajack cave. Harsh conditions and high winds quickly challenged the kayakers, and a few did enter the water. The entire group made it to shore near the cave and called for emergency assistance. Haletown Volunteer Fire Department, New Hope Fire Department, Puckett EMS, and Marion County Sheriffs Office also responded. First responder boats were able to ferry kayakers to shore, where they were tended to by medical personnel. No injuries resulted from the incident. All kayakers were wearing life jackets. TWRA Boating Officer David Holt said, This is a great example of the importance of life jackets. With water temperatures in the mid 50s and high wind speeds, life jackets were a key safety factor. Wildlife officers and all agencies responded quickly to the scene to provide care for the stranded boaters and get them back to safety in extremely poor water conditions. A commentator believes that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's future is going to be bleak because we've seen what happened before with the fall of another royal. Following a disastrous year in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were mocked on TV, dropped from Spotify, publicly called f******* grifters, and landed on the Biggest Losers of 2023 list, the couple has been working on rebranding their image. The Sussexes began 2024 with appearances at an Invictus Games event in Canada, launched a new and improved website, did speaking engagements about important issues, and the duchess teased her new lifestyle brand. But while the duo are pushing ahead with their rebrand, one royal expert is convinced their future isnt going to be so bright because history will repeat itself. Richard Kay is a well-known journalist in the U.K. who has covered the royals for decades and written for several publications including the Evening Standard, The Independent, Daily Mail, and The Times. He also authored a biography on the late Princess Diana. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit 1 World Trade Center in New York City | Gotham/GC Images During an appearance on Palace Confidential, Kay compared Prince Harry and Meghans future to that of the former King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson explaining: Its not a nice comparison to have. Wallis Simpson pushed around the Duke of Windsor. He was very much a reduced figure in her company. And there was that relationship between Edward and Mrs. Simpson and the rest of the royal family. They lived in virtual exile after he abandoned the throne. Kay added that he made the comparison because he believes it almost certainly is the future prospect for the Sussexes. Kay also noted how the strained relationship between Prince William and Prince Harry had also become like Edward and his brother King George VIs saying: Its interesting to look at the relationship between the ex-King Edward VIII and the future King George VI, and the relationship as its turned out between Prince William and Prince Harry. They were brutally separated by one mans love for another woman, in both cases, American divorcees. Another expert recently made the same comparisons Kay certainly isnt the first person to compare the Sussexes and their situation to Edward and Simpsons. From the moment Meghan and Harry got engaged some made that comparison right away since the former Suits star is also an American and had been married before. Comparisons between the two couples really ramped up when the duke and duchess made the decision to step away from their roles in the royal family and move abroad. Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII photographed as they arrived together on a ship, circa 1946 | Bettmann / Contributor Recently, royal author Sally Bedell Smith, who wrote a book examining King George VIs role in the monarchy following the abdication of his older brother, spoke at an event where she drew parallels between them. According to The Telegraph, while speaking at the Oxford Literary Festival Bedell Smith said: It is different. Harry was never going to be king. But I think there are similar feelings of betrayal that have resulted in William in particular being furious with his brother with good reason. The biographer then likened Meghan to Simpson claiming: In some respects, Meghan and the Duchess of Windsor have similar qualities: very narcissistic, very controlling, very dominating. Bedell Smith also took a shot at Prince Harry by comparing him to his great-great-uncle and labeling him as weak. Kailyn Lowry took to TikTok to announce she met with an architect to discuss a new house. She said she needs a new home now that she's added three kids to the family in one year. Kailyn Lowry is looking to level up in the housing department again. The Teen Mom 2 star is planning to sell her Delaware estate and build a brand new abode. It sounds like she is planning for her forever home this time, though. She made the announcement on TikTok, and fans quickly questioned why Lowry is planning a move just two years after finally setting down roots in her current home. She insists it makes perfect sense. Kailyn Lowry is planning to build a new house A couple of years ago, Kailyn Lowry moved into a house she built. The sprawling Delaware property offered plenty of space for her family at the time, but things have changed. Lowry is now planning a new build since giving birth to a son and a set of twins, all within 12 months. While Teen Mom 2 fans had plenty of thoughts about Lowrys plans, the mother of seven insists a new home is absolutely a necessity now that shes added three children to the family since moving into her current house. Kailyn Lowry with her kids | Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images In her TikTok post, Lowry explained that when she built her current home, her family was much smaller and that she was looking to build a house with enough closet space and bedrooms for her entire family. That means the mother of seven is planning a home with at least eight bedrooms, plenty of bathrooms, and massive storage. She also needs a room for her podcasting needs. While Lowry made the big announcement, it doesnt sound like shes particularly far along in the process. While she insists she is building a new home, she has yet to find the acreage to fit her needs. Right now, shes focusing on the first step, which includes buying land for her planned estate. It is unclear when shell break ground, let alone move her large family into a new property. Other Teen Mom stars have built their own homes, too Lowry will be a pro at the home-building process by the end of this journey, but shes not the only Teen Mom 2 star who will have built their own homes. Chelsea Houska also built a custom home to house her growing family. Houska, who left Teen Mom 2 to pursue other opportunities, built a farmhouse with her husband, Cole DeBoer, in 2020. Houska has a teen daughter with her ex-boyfriend, Adam Lind. She and DeBoer share three more children. An overhead shot of Jenelle Evans house | MTV/YouTube Jenelle Evans purchased land in North Carolina and built a modular home on the property. Evans, who was fired from Teen Mom 2 in 2019, still lives on the property with her three children. Her husband, David Eason, who was actively involved in developing the land, has since moved out. They are legally separated, but divorce proceedings have not begun. Arkansas man was on the lam three years CHENEY A fugitive from Arkansas arrested here March 21 remains in the Spokane County Jail awaiting extradition. Walter Roy Sexton, 44, is being held without bail on a warrant connected to multiple sexual assault cases in his homes state. He was apprehended in Cheney at a residence near Third Street, records show. His arrest followed a collaborative effort by the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, Idaho Fish and Game, local police and the Spokane County Sheriffs Office. Sexton, a convicted felon, had purportedly been evading law enforcement for over three years, allegedly fleeing Conway, Ark., records show. He fled Arkansas after learning of an ongoing investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault against him. After discovering an outstanding arrest warrant for second-degree sexual assault from Faulkner County Circuit Court, Ark., Idaho Fish and Game officers joined forces with the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend Sexton. The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force obtained intelligence indicating Sextons presence at the Cheney residence and arrested him without resistance. One of the victims mothers expressed gratitude towards the U.S. Marshals for providing closure after a prolonged three-and-a-half-year ordeal. While we are not the only victims, we, along with our families, would like to thank the U.S. Marshals for bringing us closure, she said. We want all victims out there to know, Never give up. We look forward to justice being served. Sexton was subsequently transported and booked into Spokane County Jail pending extradition. Financial watchdog chief emphasizes strict punishment for unfair practices By Anna J. Park Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun pledged to enhance Korea's appeal as an investment destination while simultaneously adopting a resolute stance against illegal and unfair practices among market participants. Lee conveyed this message during his congratulatory speech at FSS SPEAKS 2024, an annual event hosted by the state-run watchdog agency, inviting global financial firms operating in Korea to foster better communication and collaboration. "The focus of the FSS's annual goal lies in fostering a sound and fair financial environment, while simultaneously striving to position Korea as an appealing market for investments," Lee said during the event held under the banner of "Toward Sound and Fair Finance" at Seoul's financial district of Yeouido, Thursday. Lee also stressed that the FSS will continue to support the effective implementation of the government-led Corporate Value-up Program announced in February. This initiative aims to address the so-called Korea discount a lower valuation of Korean stocks compared to global peers by prioritizing shareholder returns and improving transparency in corporate governance. "The FSS aims to incentivize companies to adopt more shareholder-friendly management practices and to cultivate an environment conducive to investments by efficiently developing capital market infrastructure," the FSS chief said. Lee also stated that the FSS maintains a flexible stance to address any unreasonable regulations imposed on financial companies operating in Korea. The state-run supervisory agency aims to actively respond to the rapidly changing financial landscape, including digitalization, by adopting an efficient supervisory approach. This strategy is aimed at creating an investment-friendly environment. "The authorities will boldly enhance or remove excessive and unreasonable regulations, enabling financial companies to fully unleash their creativity and capabilities, thus spearheading innovation," the FSS chief emphasized. However, he added that the FSS will continue to rigorously penalize illegal and unfair market practices to establish a fair market order, thus creating a financial market trusted by consumers. Approximately 230 representatives and employees of foreign financial companies, chambers of commerce, embassies including the ambassadors from China, Britain, France, India, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the United States and relevant agencies including the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Busan Metropolitan City, and Invest Seoul, among others, attended the event. This was the 16th FSS SPEAKS event. Following a presentation on global economic forecasts by Jason Allford, the special representative of the World Bank Group's Korea Office, foreign financial companies engaged in closed-door sessions with the FSS aimed at providing further insights into the watchdog's directional guidelines and allow participants to freely share their ideas and grievances with the authorities. This piece was adapted from Russell Moores newsletter. Subscribe here. If youre one of the very-online white nationalists who decided during Holy Week to claim the hashtag Christ is king as an antisemitic troll, Ive got what might seem to you to be both good news and bad news. The good news: Christ is king. The bad news: Hes a Jew. The even worse news: Hes not the kind of king you think he is. This week commentator Candace Owens, recently fired by The Daily Wire for anti-Jewish comments, made news as she used the slogan online, allegedly as a response to Daily Wire cofounder, Ben Shapiro, who is Jewish. The phrase was then amplified by so-called Groypers, the social media mob assembled around the white nationalist Nick Fuentes, whose singular mission seems to be to put the Mein back in Mein Kampf. When somesuch as on-air talent and executives at Owenss previous media platformcriticized the use of the slogan, many of those using it pointed out that the words Christ is king represent basic Christian teaching. The words God and damn are, of course, perfectly good biblical words too, but most of us can see that context can change the meaning. Im less interested in the nationalist-on-nationalist social media controversy than I am in the much less recognized question behind it: Can Christ is king be antisemitic trolling? One could argue yes, and that the first time we find the words referenced as written down, they were just that. The cross, after all, came with a label affixed to it. Above Jesus head were the words Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews, written not just in Aramaic but in Greek and Latin too (John 19:1922). Many have speculated as to why the prosecuting governor, Pontius Pilate, who personally wrote this inscription, did soand why he wouldnt change it, when asked, to This man said, I am the king of the Jews. What we do know is that the Roman system, of which Pilate was an official, used humiliation and intimidation as governing tools. After all, thats what crucifixion isa ghastly and shameful act of torture meant to provoke fear in anyone who might challenge the Caesarean order and to dehumanize anyone killed that way. The Gospel of Mark indicates that the signs inscription, the king of the Jews, was actually the charge against him (15:26). The Jesus is king language would have been self-evidently a kind of joke, making fun of both Jesus and his fellow Jews under Roman occupation. As Frederick Buechner once said of that sign, To get something closer to the true flavor, try translating the sign instead: Head Jew. The joke is that a king on the throne of David would not be drowning in his own blood, helplessly fixed to a Roman cross. To call him that would make a cruel point not just to any future insurrectionist but to the hopes of Jewish people generallyNo one is coming to get rid of us. Caesar is king. Article continues below The motives of Pilates soldiers in applying the Christ is king imagery was even clearer. The purple cloak and the crown of thorns were meant to be a parodyas the Roman soldiers sarcastically saluted Jesus, yelling, Hail, king of the Jews! (Mark 15:18). They mocked Jesus both for his alleged claim to kingship and for his Jewishness, both seen as being obviously beneath the majesty of Roman power. Jesus, though, is not a true and better Caesar. His kingship is something altogether different. The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you (Luke 17:20, ESV throughout). Jesus was teaching, If you want to see the kingdom of God, stop looking around for what you expect it to be; here I am. Thats because the kingdom of God is not a capstone of the aspirations and power games of this present order; its a repudiation of them. If the kingdom of God were about external conformity, tribal membership, or winning in the sense that we define it, Jesus could have embraced all of that from the crowds around him (John 6:15) or by teaching Peter to be a better swordsman (Matt. 26:5254). The kingdom of God cannot be understood or articulated without seeing that the Crucifixion is not a plot obstacle on a heros journey. The way of the Cross is, in fact, the Waywhile the way of Caesar leads to death. One cannot be born again by Caesarean section. The Resurrection itself was a yes and an amen to that way. As New Testament scholar Richard B. Hays points out, Jesus, after his resurrection, did not appear to Pontius Pilate or to his other opponents, but to his own disciples. What he entrusted to them was not a way to get and to use the same kind of power that had crucified him, but instead a way to wait for the only kind of kingship that ultimately matters, anointed by the Holy Spirit who breathes life into what was dead (Acts 1:69). Article continues below Be careful what you wish for. Christ as king, the way he defined it, is not good news for those who want to use Christ in order to become kings themselves. Something dark is haunting the world right now. The old gods of blood and soil are rustling. We have endured the same before. But we must not let them claim the cross. The cry Christ is king is true. Thats why it must never be emptied with a satanic kind of kingship. Abominations are in the world around us until the end, but Jesus warned us of a specific kindthe abomination that is standing in the holy place (let the reader understand). Jesus says, along with the prophet Daniel, that that kind of abominationthe kind that uses the holy things of Godleads to desolation (Matt. 24:15). What we must fear the most is not that which can push us down but that which can hollow us out. If Jesus were an antisemite, he could not save us. He would be a sinner just like us. In addition, if Jesus were an antisemite, he could never read his own Bible or even look in the mirror. You cannot follow Jesus while sneering, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? You cannot claim the Messiah as Lord while hating his kinsmen according to the flesh. You cannot say King Jesus while mocking who he is and what he told us with purple robes and thorny crowns. You cannot have both Jesus as Lord and Jesus as Caesar without twisting the cross. A twisted cross is just another swastika, and thats no cross at all. Russell Moore is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and leads its Public Theology Project. Update (March 28, 2024): An earlier version of this article misstated Ben Shapiros position at The Daily Wire. We regret the error. The Middle Easts favorite sweet symbolizes Good Friday. Maamoul is a buttery cookie baked with semolina and stuffed with dates or nutsusually walnuts or pistachios. Seasoned with a variety of spices, for centuries it has flavored the Easter holiday for Christians, the end of Ramadan for Muslims, and Purim for the Sephardic Jews of Jerusalem. Three shapes are common: an elongated oval, a circular ring, and a rounded dome. Patterns are pressed into the dough by tweezer or with a traditional wooden mold, often in the shape of a sunburst and sometimes with a cross. For Christians, the oval resembles the sponge given to Jesus to drink from. The ring, his crown of thorns. And the dome is shaped like his rock-hewn tomb, sealing its scented treasure within. Is that so? asked Hoda Khoury, a Lebanese mother of three adult children, hard at work preparing the sweet. Thats nice. That would make maamoul a Christian tradition. Not all believers know the deeper meaning. Recipes vary, as do the names. Called kakh in Egypt, kleicha in Iraq, and kombe in southeast Turkey, experts have differing opinions on the cookies origin. Many find traces of Pharaonic or Mesopotamian beginnings, some suggesting the imprinted patterns reflect ancient worship of the sun. Charles Perry, translator of the medieval Baghdad Cookery Book, says maamoul descends from the Persian kulachag, perhaps reflected in the Iraqi name today. Lebanese historian Charles El Hayek suggests the cookie may have originated in the Neolithic period but that the modern sharing of the sweet began in Fatimid Egypt (A.D. 9091171). Ultra-modern is the chocolate fillingpromoted by Hersheys Middle East. But the tradition of maamoul distribution began in Cairo, Hayek said, when the Islamic caliph ended the Muslim month of fasting by giving cookies to the masses on Eid al-Fitr, stamped with the phrase eat and be grateful. Some were even stuffed with gold coins. Eventually the royal generosity was taken over by domestic households, and Hayek believes the modern maamoul recipe developed during the period of Ottoman rule over the Levant. Khoury continues the tradition today. Imitating her grandmother, she does double duty with the dough. The first batch of a few hundred maamoul reflects their life in Beirut, the recipe learned from neighbors when her grandfather moved the family to the capital in 1925, long before Khoury was born. The second batch of a few hundred akraasa similar half-moonshaped sweet from her ancestral hamlet of Maghdouchereflects the diversity of the Middle Easts many religious communities. The Greek Catholic town only 30 miles south of Beirut did not have maamoul at all. Perhaps this is why she did not know the Good Friday symbolism. But the great quantity she bakes is measured out carefully. If we make too much, we have to eat them ourselvesand they are not very healthy, Khoury said. But we dont mind tiring ourselves out; homemade is much more delicious. The Arabic word for maamoul means made. Arab hospitality welcomes neighbors, friends, and relatives for the exchange of mutual visits during Holy WeekMuslim and Christian alike. Two full days of cooking are necessary to prepare enough to go around; her son helps knead the dough and her sister stuffs in its contents. Khourys daughter is in Dubai, and though she is a talented cook, her mother fears the practice will die out with this current generation. As do many older Jordanians. Suheil Madanat was born in Jerusalem in 1959, the son of a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor in the old city. He looked forward to maamoul every Easter, but after moving to his native Jordan in 1976 he cringed as the tradition commercialized. Sweet shops opened everywhere, even as modern city life eroded village values. Fewer and fewer visits were exchanged, and today many might only stop by to see their parents. Formerly head of the Baptist Convention of Jordan, Madanat blames the spirit of individualism that is spreading around the world. He also laments that many Christians neglect the symbolism of maamoul. The stories abound, Madanat said. But people are more interested in eating than in understanding. Connections between the cookie and the crown of thorns are emphasized by Orthodox priests, he said, in line with their use of icons. Evangelicals focus on the spiritual truth and the historical account. Muslims, meanwhile, associate maamoul with no symbolism at all, as Islam denies the crucifixion of Jesus. All are equally enamored with the taste, but the Orthodox are on to something. I think we need a combination, Madanat said. Anything you can touch, smell, and eat can become a tangible reminder. And for Nabil Shehadi, coordinator for the Alpha course in the Levant region, it could be a means of interfaith dialogue. He has not heard of a maamoul ministry, but thinks it would be a good idea. As former vicar of All Saints Anglican Church in Beirut, he agrees that evangelicals tend to lack an incarnational spirituality that is more associated with liturgical traditions. The heavens declare the glory of God, he quoted, and everything in the world is meant to do the same. Specifically, he wants a high theology of maamoul. Any food is a good bridge for bringing people together, said Shehadi. Imagine the impact on our Christian community iflike Muslimswe ate together every day for a month and invited our neighbors in. They could then tell the story of Easter via dessert, he said. Muslims break fast during Ramadan at sunset, often in a communal setting. Food blogger Sawsan Abu Farha said that it is uncertain how maamoul became linked with Easter and Eid al-Fitr. A Palestinian Muslim, she stated that one theory posits the bland outer shell represents the hard work of fasting during Lent and Ramadan but that inside, a sweet reward awaits. And even with Purim, Queen Esthers hidden Jewish identity was the rich filling inside a dainty pastry. All three holidays converge this year. Purim was celebrated on March 23, Easter will be on March 31, and Eid al-Fitr on April 9. (Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on May 5.) CT asked three Arab Christian historians for the origin of maamoul symbolism; none could trace it exactly. Johnny Mansour, author of more than 35 books on Arab and Christian Arab history, leans toward the caliphal account, though some posit instead the Byzantine Empire. Within the shared life of the Levant, Muslims influenced Christians and vice versa, Mansour said, even as eachlike in Maghdouchemaintained independent traditions. But regardless of whomever first crafted the recipe, he speculated that the Good Friday connection developed organically, whenever Christians first baked maamoul. Many customs are not religious in origin, Mansour said. But people by nature provide interpretation, believing they are related to the sacred text. And then hand it down from mother to daughter, generation to generation. Khoury, also, can now pass on this sweetened spirituality to her believing children. Regularly worshiping at a Baptist church in Beirut, she attended a Catholic congregation on Palm Sunday because she enjoys the traditional processional. Easter will be the same, as she resonates with the hymns of her youth. For other feasts on the liturgical calendar, she is evangelical, even as she relishes the unique dessert delicacies of each. But along with Arab Christians of all denominations, she has a clear favorite. Easter is the holiday of holidaysbecause of the resurrection of Jesus, Khoury said. But everyone loves it for the maamoul. Additional reporting by Jeremy Weber [ This article is also available in . ] Palm Sunday looked different this year for a small majority-immigrant church in Fort Worth. For part of the service, the pastors invited an immigration lawyer to speak about what to expect if Texas enacts a new law that authorizes the state to arrest and deport migrants. There is a lot of fear in our church in regard to this law and a lot of uncertainty. What does it mean? How does it affect their cases? asked Anyra Cano, one of the pastors. The congregation, mostly first-generation immigrants from Latin America, knows they can come to us when they have those kinds of questions, she added. Texas Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) comes as the latest salvo amid long-standing tensions between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over the nations immigration enforcement. Last year, over 2.4 million people sought to cross the US-Mexico border. Texas (like other Republican-governed states) has tried to respond by taking matters into its own hands. Abbott signed SB 4 into law in December, making illegal border-crossing not just a federal offense but a state crime. Currently, the bill is tied up in courta federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that SB 4 will remain on hold. The law would allow Texas police to question and detain anyone they suspect of illegally crossing the US-Mexico border. Though SB 4 doesnt allow arrests in schools, places of worship, or health care facilities, even the possibility of brushes with police officers with deportation power has raised concerns for immigrant communities in Texasand for the Christian leaders who serve them. Many of the attendees at Canos church do have some kind of status, albeit perhaps not a more permanent one like citizenship. Some are on humanitarian parole, while others have temporary protected status or are recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). But they all know someone who isnt documented. If they see a police car at the church they will be worried, Cano said. Theres that distrust of [wondering], Will I lose my papers? (She asked that her church not be named due to concerns that its immigrant congregants could be targeted.) Leaders in immigrant churches and communities worry that SB 4 will exacerbate that distrust. Cano recalled a family who used to attend their church and declined to press charges in a domestic violence case because they didnt want either parent to be deported. Thats the worry sometimes with laws like thesewhat will happen is that instead of seeking the help they do need, theyre afraid about these other issues, Cano said. Thats what happens with these kinds of laws, is that injustice continues. Texas ministries play an important role in serving newly arrived asylum seekers, particularly since a caravan surge a few years ago. What started as a short-term response by the ecumenical nonprofit Fellowship Southwest has developed into a long-term project. The group, launched by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, works to support churches and ministries involved in mercy ministries. They help buy food, pay rent for shelters, and support churches that do ministry on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Were sort of a conduit, where we have these long, trusted relationships with people serving migrants directly on the border, executive director Stephen Reeves told CT. They do this really intense work with a population that suffered so much trauma and, in some cases, pretty dangerous situations, given the cartel activity in Mexican border towns. Reeves, who has a background as an attorney in religious liberty law, has also fielded questions from churches and ministry leaders in Texas wondering what SB 4 means for their work. I would think someone at church following the dictates of their conscience and their faith, exercising their religion by serving those they feel Jesus called them to serve, has a pretty good case to make that this is within their religious liberty to serve them, Reeves said. But most people dont want to be in a court case. The law is geared toward recent crossers, not longtime residents, as Texas statute of limitations prevents misdemeanors being adjudicated two years after an offense has taken place. In many border-town churches, Reeves said, Border Patrol and police officers occupy the same pews as migrants and asylum seekers. At a church in Brownsville a few weeks ago, Reeves met lots of migrants, including recently released asylum seekers. He remembers the pastor at one point in the service asking a Border Patrol agent to stand up so the congregation could thank him for his work. He hopes SB 4 doesnt undo the tenuous trust that church leaders are working to build. Though the law bars arrests on church property, people have to leave the church at some point, he said, so its just another thing [pastors] have to worry about. Who might show up outside their church? Will the police come as theyre ministering to folks? In response to an influx at Texas border with Mexico in recent years, Abbott has bused new arrivals to cities under Democratic controllike New York and Washington, DCand in 2021 deployed Operation Lone Star, sending state troopers to arrest migrants on charges of trespassing. Some of these efforts have landed the state government in court: An appeals court recently ordered Texas to remove a 1,000-foot buoy barrier in the Rio Grande river near Eagle Pass, Texas, but the court is rehearing the case in May. For SB 4, the law faces both local and federal challenges. The county of El Paso and two immigrant rights organizations sued to stop the law, and the US Justice Department challenged the constitutionality of the law on the grounds that immigration enforcement belongs to federal, not state, authorities. The Biden administration argued that the law violates the supremacy clause of the Constitution, which holds that federal law is the supreme Law of the Land Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. The administration also argued SB 4 violates previous Supreme Court precedent. (In Arizona v. United States in 2012, the court held that the removal process of immigrants in the country illegally is entrusted to the discretion of the Federal Government.) Currently, SB 4 is on hold while the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals considers arguments in the lawsuit filed by El Paso County and immigration rights groups. One dissenting federal judge wrote that Texas is helpless if it cant pass laws regulating immigration and that federal non-enforcement is only exacerbating the situation. The appeals court holds another hearing next month. Texas may appeal it to the Supreme Court as well. Abbott has made it clear the state isnt backing down; Texas has already arrested over 40,000 people who have crossed the border on grounds of trespassing. In the meantime, migrants, and the ministries that help them, remain in limbo. These politicians fighting amongst each otherits not a solution. And nobodys offering a solution. What we need is comprehensive legal immigration reform. The asylum process is backlogged and we dont have the resources, Reeves said. Im going to keep working for comprehensive reform, but in the meantime, weve got people in our backyard literally down here that need a lot of help. Recent surveys have shown that evangelicals are becoming more concerned about high numbers of immigration to the US but still believe Christians should care for those who are in the country, even if they are in the country illegally. Meanwhile, 80 percent of evangelicals support bipartisan immigration reform that would do more to secure the border while also creating a pathway to citizenship for certain groups of undocumented immigrants. Though systemic reform remains elusive, Christians are finding ways to practically serve the people in their church and community, including those who are hidden in the shadows due to their undocumented status. Canos church has offered help, such as connecting congregants with immigration lawyers, trying to mend distrust between immigrants and the police, and providing financial assistance to church members eligible for DACA. Their church is also discussing whether to hold a Know Your Rights workshop at some point, but theyre waiting to see if SB 4 comes into effect. Cano remembers that when the church first opened its doors 16 years ago, Catholic women in the neighborhood would cross the street to avoid running into believers near the evangelical church. When members went on prayer walks and went door to door, most didnt open up to them. But over time, theyve started to find common ground. Those same neighbors come to the church for Zumba classes and health and job fairs. Cano says the churchs efforts to meet the tangible needs of the community have introduced the community to a different kind of Christian faith, one that not only cares for their spiritual life but also for their life in a holistic manner, in a loving manner. Weve had people tell us, I cant believe a church does this, Cano said. Were not being political. Were just trying to get you what you need, in a place that you trust. Our hope is people will know Jesus through what the church does, because we do it because of Jesus. Home News Steven Furtick's Elevation Church sent Easter seeker-friendly invites that omit 'resurrection,' 'Calvary' Christian music artists and pastors have weighed in after a senior staffer at Steven Furticks Elevation Church in North Carolina revealed the megachurch doesnt use words like resurrection, Calvary or the blood of Jesus in their Easter invitations for fear of alienating potential non-Christian attendees. Nicki Shearer, Elevation Churchs digital content director, recently spoke with Pro Church Tools and said the church, which has 20 locations, avoids using language that immediately makes someone feel like an outsider. When I think about how Im going to talk about Easter, Im thinking about how Im going to talk to people far from God, because thats the thing that matters most to us, Shearer said, adding the church wants to reach the un-churched and churched alike. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Shearer, who Pro Church Tools said is responsible for what Elevation says and how they say it, said Easter and Christmas are the only two events of the year that are actually wrapped around a particular passage in the Bible. I'm putting a lot of my focus, energy, time, resources toward what I would call the cold audience, people far from God, she reiterated. I'm not going to say the word Calvary, not going to say the word resurrection, I'm not going to say the blood of Jesus,' I'm not going to say any of these words that make someone feel like an outsider. This is really an important guide for how we develop language. Anyone can be a part of our church; it might not be for everyone, everyone might not like it, but anyone can come. Pro Church Tools attempted to clarify that while certain terms are absent from invitations, they are indeed emphasized during Elevation's services, particularly regarding the resurrection of Christ. [It] doesnt matter how amazing your message might be if its not accessible to the people youre trying to reach, interviewer Brady Shearer of Pro Church Tools said. On its website, Elevation made available an Easter message that can be copied and pasted to send to potential attendees. "Hey, do you have plans for Easter Sunday?" The message reads. "I'm heading to Easter at Elevation. Would you like to join me? The music and the message are always incredible. It's honestly one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holiday. I'd love to have you as my guest this year!" The Christian Post reached out to Elevation Church for comment. A response is pending. Nicki Shearers comments sparked controversy among some on social media, with critics accusing Elevation Church of diluting Christian messages for the sake of inclusivity. This is woke-ism, Shane Idleman, pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California, said. 'I dont want to offend others.' Well, you just offended God. I want to say, listen, you can market the Gospel; just say, Come and see what Christ has done. I'm not embarrassed of the Gospel, Calvary is a wonderful thing. He shed His blood on Calvary and has set me free and He has risen again. You might want to get up and go and find a place where you're not offended because the Gospel offends us, he added. It breaks us, it humbles us. I'm here because of God, not because of you. When did the Church become for non-believers? We are to welcome them, reach them, love them and understand them. But at the end of the day, I'm here because of God, and I will not apologize, if that's a little too strong. Weighing in on the controversy, Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, also criticized efforts to water down the Gospel message ahead of significant Christian observances by not mentioning the crucifixion and resurrection as futile, likening it to "trying to swim in an empty swimming pool." In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul declares that the foundation of Christianity is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he told The Christian Post. To try to reach people on Christmas and Easter without mentioning the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is like trying to swim in an empty swimming pool. Whats the point? Shane Everett and Shane Barnard of the worship duo Shane and Shane told CP that the resurrection has a non-negotiable place in Christian doctrine and stressed that omitting such crucial elements risks presenting a form of Christianity devoid of its power. This seems like a very dangerous place to be, Everett told CP. Barnard added that while hes heard some great sermons by Furtick, "you cant leave the resurrection and even the ascension out of the Gospel." "Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and the resurrection is proof that the check cleared. Its a key event in history. I don't know how you could read that and, especially on Easter, not proclaim the resurrection for all who would believe," he said. The Gospel, according to Shane and Shane, should be presented in its fullness, including the challenging aspects like the acknowledgment of sin, without dilution or omission for the sake of making it more palatable. "Boasting in our weakness and leading with a limp," as they put it, is the key to creating an environment where seekers feel welcomed and understood, as exemplified by the Apostle Paul. The Gospel is an invitation for sinners; Christ Jesus came to die for sinners, Everett said. That's not to say that some aren't and some are. It's just that some see that they are and some see that they're not. The Gospel is an invitation for sinners, the lowly and weak. If you're a sinner, and if you're in need of a Savior, it's the greatest news ever. There's nothing you need to do. You dont need to pad that for a seeker, because a seeker is seeking the Gospel. Theyre after a life of freedom, the forgiveness of sin, everlasting life and God. You dont have to overthink it. If you're on an island and you read this book, it's pretty clear what the hope of our salvation is. Be bold and share it. And trust that God's going to do the work. It's His perfect Word. Home News Fertility rate to fall below replacement level in almost every world region by 2040: report Fertility rates are expected to fall below the replacement rate in every region of the world except Sub-Saharan Africa by 2040, a new report reveals. The comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet on March 20. Based on research led by the University of Washington, the report analyzes global fertility in over 200 countries between 1950 and 2021 and provides forecasts on future fertility rates to the year 2100. The statistics in the report, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, were compiled by multiple authors. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Fertility rates have declined dramatically around the world since 1950 and will continue to decline in almost all countries and territories up to 2100," the report states. "While human civilisation is converging on a sustained low-fertility reality, comparatively high fertility rates in some lowincome countries and territories will result in a clear demographic divide between a subset of low-income countries and the rest of the world." The global fertility rate has dropped from 4.83 in 1950 to 2.23 in 2021. The total fertility rate is measured as the number of children born per woman. The report defines the replacement-level fertility rate, referring to the "minimum rate necessary for generational replacement of the population," as 2.1. The global total fertility rate is projected to drop below replacement level in 2040 in all but one region: Sub-Saharan Africa. As of 2021, only two regions of the world have total fertility rates above replacement level: North Africa and the Middle East (2.53) and Sub-Saharan Africa (4.29). The region classified as "high income," which includes the United States, has a total fertility rate of 1.51. Fertility rates in South Asia (2.07), Latin America and the Caribbean (1.98), central Europe, eastern Europe and central Asia (1.81) and southeast Asia, east Asia and Oceania (1.55) are also below replacement level as of 2021. By 2100, the global fertility rate is projected to be 1.59, well below the replacement level. Even in Sub-Saharan Africa, where total fertility rates are expected to remain above replacement level through most of the rest of the century, the total fertility rate is expected to drop to 1.82. The report elaborates on the consequences of declining total fertility rates worldwide, predicting that "sustained low fertility rates and a resulting contraction and [aging] of the population will lead to serious economic challenges and increasing pressure on health systems, social security programmes, and the labour force." Comparatively high fertility rates in poorer regions of the world will lead to "serious challenges related to sustaining and supporting a growing young population in some of the most heatstressed, politically unstable, economically vulnerable, health system-strained locations," researchers note. Implementing policy changes in the immediate future, especially in countries where the total fertility rate is at 1.75 or lower, may help prevent the total fertility rate from falling to the projections outlined in the "reference scenario," the report states. Another set of projections is included in the event that countries with total fertility rates below 1.75 implement "pro-natal policies" that "create supportive environments for those who give birth." Examples of "pro-natal policies" include "childcare subsidies, extended parental leave, [and] insurance coverage expansion for infertility treatment." The implementation of "pro-natal policies" in countries with total fertility rates below 1.75 will lead to a global total fertility rate of 1.68 by 2100 as opposed to 1.59. The projections in the report show that the scenario with "pro-natal policies enacted" will result in slightly higher total fertility rates in all seven regions of the world even as they remain below replacement level. The total fertility rate in central Europe, eastern Europe, and central Asia will be 1.64 as opposed to 1.57 in the reference scenario. Implementing "pro-natal policies" in high-income countries, where total fertility rates are already below replacement level, will have a more noticeable impact. While the reference scenario shows a total fertility rate of 1.37 in such countries, that figure rises to 1.56 if "pro-natal policies" are enacted. In Latin America, a scenario with "pro-natal policies enacted" will result in a total fertility rate of 1.50 as opposed to 1.31. North Africa and the Middle East would have a total fertility rate of 1.75 rather than 1.64 while South Africa would boast a total fertility rate of 1.28 instead of 1.10 and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania would have a total fertility rate of 1.49 rather than 1.30. Sub-Saharan Africa's 1.82 total fertility rate under the "reference scenario" would balloon to 1.89 with "pro-natal policies enacted." Home News Matt and Mercedes Schlapp: 'Our faith in God sustained us' amid sexual misconduct allegations A prominent political activist is crediting his faith in God with helping him as he faced allegations of sexual misconduct that he condemned as part of a relentless war against him. Matt Schlapp, who serves as chairman of the grassroots advocacy group The American Conservative Union, released a statement along with his wife, Mercedes, Tuesday after litigation stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct against him reached a $480,000 settlement: From the beginning, we asserted our innocence. Our family was attacked by a left-wing media that is focused on the destruction of conservatives regardless of the truth and the facts. After insisting that we emerge from this ordeal stronger as husband and wife, stronger as parents to our five daughters, [and] stronger as friends to those who stood by us, the Schlapps asserted that our faith in God sustained us. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe They added, Our understanding of what is truly important in life our faith in God and loving our family and friends has been brought into sharp focus as never before. We also learned that the left is waging a relentless war against those of us who still hold fast to the principles of Americas founding and the liberty that has endured throughout our 248-year history, they added. The left no longer leaves disagreements on the political battlefield. Increasingly, they have gained a stranglehold on the mainstream media, social media and the legal system which they use to try to silence, shame, and bankrupt Americans who have contrary, yet correct viewpoints. The Schlapps further declared that our eyes are wide open because we understand the struggle better and we learned we must stand our ground and fight or else the haters on the left will destroy every conservative and ultimately our nation. The Schlapps statement comes as CNN is reporting that Carlton Huffman, who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct on the part of the ACU chairman, has received a $480,000 settlement. In the lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court for the city of Alexandria, Virginia, last year, the then-anonymous Huffman maintained that as he went to a bar with the ACU chairman, Schlapp sat unusually close to Mr. Doe, such that his leg repeatedly contacted and was in almost constant contact with Mr. Does leg. The complaint also stated that Mr. Schlapp was so close to Mr. Doe that he bumped into Mr. Does torso where Mr. Doe had a Sig Sauer handgun holstered, asked about it, and professed an unfamiliarity with this weapon and firearms generally. Mr. Schlapp also encouraged Mr. Doe to have more drinks despite the fact that Mr. Doe was driving, the lawsuit said. The document contended that Schlapp committed sexual battery by fondling Mr. Does genital area in a sustained fashion as the plaintiff drove the longtime political operative around Atlanta, Georgia ahead of a United States Senate election there during the 2022 election cycle. According to the complaint, When they reached the Hotel, Mr. Schlapp invited Mr. Doe to come to his hotel room. Mr. Doe declined the invitation. The lawsuit sought a $7 million judgment against Schlapp in addition to $700,000 in damages against the ACU chairman while asking for a $3 million judgment against both Schlapps and an additional $700,000 in damages against the couple. While Mrs. Schlapp did not face allegations of sexual harassment, the lawsuit claims she made false and defamatory statements against the plaintiff, characterizing him as a troubled individual who was fired for lying on his resume. The Washington Post reported that Huffman went public with his identity after a judge ruled that he could not proceed anonymously. The ACU is best known as the organization that puts on the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of grassroots conservative activists. The Schlapps' legal team released a statement from the accuser, issued as part of the agreement that resulted in Huffman receiving $480,000, asserting that the claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family in addition to insisting that neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them. CNN reported that the settlement was financed through an insurance payment. Home News More US missionaries rescued from Haiti as UN report calls situation cataclysmic More U.S. missionaries and other Americans who got stranded in Haiti after criminal gangs overran the country in late February have been rescued after weeks of waiting as a new report from the United Nations described the troubled Caribbean nations condition as cataclysmic. Structural and conjectural factors have led Haiti to a cataclysmic situation, characterized by deep political instability and extremely fragile institutions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a report released Monday. Corruption, impunity, and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence, have eroded the rule of law, and brought State institutions, which should be the basis of a democratic society, close to collapse. The impact of generalized insecurity on the population is dire and keeps on deteriorating. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The report comes as some U.S. missionaries who had been pleading for help and prayers after they got trapped in the government collapse reported that they were finally rescued. In a post of Facebook Sunday night, Jill Dolan of Love A Neighbor ministry who has been working as a missionary in Haiti since October 2013 with her husband, Ryan, reported that she was among those waiting to be rescued. It was in the middle of the 23rd night that we received a call that actually came to fruition. A call requesting us to meet at this particular landing zone at a particular time. Desline and I both were more hopeful than ever before! God did it, Desline said, Dolan wrote. That morning I was on the phone with my husband about to see our daughter Sarah in her wedding dress. The helicopter coming for us swooped down and it was time to move. Desline and I hadn't told anyone about the possibility of the helicopter coming for us so as to not get anyones hopes up. However, as I was expressing how beautiful Sarah was, we couldn't hide the fact that we were boarding a helicopter, she added. I couldn't hear them, but I could read her lips and Sarah asked, Are you on a helicopter? It all of a sudden happened so fast and our whole family was brought to tears, relief, and elation. Desline and I were finally being evacuated! Praise God! Dolan said she arrived in Florida at about 9 p.m. Saturday. She also confirmed in another statement on Facebook that the situation in Haiti has deteriorated and she had to leave behind several children she was in the process of adopting. The crisis in Haiti reaches way beyond just where the gangs are present. The stronghold on the country and the ability for goods and gasoline to travel freely throughout the country have been greatly impacted. Skyrocketing prices, business shutdown, banks closed ... the list goes on. Just when we think it can't get worse in Haiti it does, she wrote. The five in our family who were stuck in Port-au-Prince for 24 days are out of harm's way. However, we leave behind our three children that we are in the process of adopting as well as over 200 kids in our care at the orphanage, she noted, encouraging support for a GoFundMe campaign. Natalie Cross was also recently rescued after traveling to Haiti last month as part of a group of nine missionaries with Mission of Grace. We went to help serve a mission that just moved 200 orphans up into the mountains to keep them safe, Cross told WFTV 9. She explained that even though she ended up spending longer than the two weeks she had planned as part of her missionary work in Haiti, she felt at peace while she was stranded because God told me to go. For me, it was just knowing that I was there because God told me to go. So, Ive just had a peace the whole time, she said. Approximately 500 Floridians were stranded in Haiti after the crisis erupted and officials told WFTV 9 that about 185 of them have been rescued so far. Despite the peace she felt as she waited in Haiti, Cross said she is excited to be home. Its been a long day. Its been a long week, but were super excited to be this far. And were just, were grateful, she said. According to the UNHCR report, the Haitian population is now severely deprived of enjoying its human rights. The recent escalation of violence has heightened human rights abuses, including killings, kidnappings, and rapes, especially against women and young girls. It has also precipitated the humanitarian catastrophe and further deepened the political deadlock, undermining the peace, stability and security in Haiti and the region, the report said. The crisis has precipitated basic services, including the health system to a near collapse. A total of 18 health institutions are no longer operating in the capital region, as they are located in areas affected by armed gangs, including the Haitian State University Hospital (the reference hospital for the whole country) and the sanatorium, which used to house over 100 tuberculosis patients, officials said. The same applies to certain regions of Artibonite, where gang violence has prevented the functioning of more than 10 health institutions. According to OHCHR, hospitals have been set ablaze, medical personal killed, injured, and kidnapped and there is a shortage of basic medical supplies. Hunger is now a significant threat, according to Jean-Martin Bauer, the U.N.'s World Food Programme (UNWFP) country director for Haiti, who said 1.4 million people are a step away from famine according to UN News. The violence has displaced nearly 17,000 people in Port-au-Prince between March 8-14, and has impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid. The situation of the violence on children is particularly worrying, the report said. Not only children are being killed during gang attacks and caught in crossfire, but they are also increasingly used by gangs to carry out armed attacks. Home News Thousands baptized after watching Phil Robertson's story of addiction, redemption, says Korie Robertson The Robertson family of Duck Dynasty fame has always been open about their lives, both good and bad, even candidly depicting Phil Robertsons early struggles with alcohol addiction in the film The Blind. Its exactly this kind of transparency that has allowed audiences of all backgrounds to feel a genuine connection to the Robertson family. We want to show God's faithfulness to us, Korie Robertson told The Christian Post. We went to Phil to talk to him about doing this movie because it's his story. He shows the hardest parts of his life, and that's tough to put it out there on the screen. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Blind, now streaming on Great American Pure Flix, unpacks Phils story from his childhood through 1985 and focuses on the challenges faced by the bearded Louisiana native and his wife, Kay Robertson, during the early years of their marriage. Disillusioned by his fathers abandonment of his family, Robertson is shown struggling with anger issues, alcoholism and emotional instability until he surrenders his life to Jesus. At the heart of "The Blind" lies a narrative of redemption and faithfulness, themes deeply intertwined with the Robertson family's journey. Korie highlighted the significance of portraying the raw and broken parts of their story to underscore God's unwavering faithfulness. Phil said, from day one, If it impacts one person, if one person changes their life and gives their life to Jesus, because of my story, because of the darkest parts of my story, I'll do it. It'll be worth it. One of the greatest rewards has just been to read the comments and read the emails that have come in that have told us the life change that has happened in people's lives after seeing this film. Korie, who is married to Phils son, Willie, said the family has heard countless stories of those who've been baptized, delivered from addiction or seen their marriages healed after watching the movie. Some of the baptisms, she said, have happened right in Phils backyard. I wish we knew how many thousands of people have been baptized in that river right behind Phil and Kay's house because Phil loves to baptize people and has done it right there in his backyard for years and years and years," she said. "People would head straight to the church or head straight to the body of water right after seeing the movie; one group had like 27 baptisms, and right after the film, everyone just kind of continued and went somewhere worshiped. One woman said her husband had been an alcoholic for 17 years, he never goes to the movies with her. She convinced him to come to the movie with her because he loved Phil and our show. He reached over and held her hand for the first time in years while they were watching the movie. I read that and just bawled. As a producer on the film and a member of the family Korie Robertson said delving into her in-law's story also impacted her views of redemption and family unity. It was profoundly emotional, she said, to witness the power of forgiveness and transformation. One of the things Kay taught me early on is forgiveness and its impact and power, she said. Theres this narrative that we have in the world that people can't change, and seeing their lives and Phil's life showed me early on that people can change, they can and they do. You can hold out hope for that. Being honest and open about their lives hasnt always come without a cost; Robertson shared how her family has faced criticism over the years, most famously in 2013, when Duck Dynasty was suspended after Phil shared his belief that homosexuality is a sin. I'm pretty immune to [criticism], Robertson said. We talked to our kids so many times, from an early age, from whenever we very first started Duck Dynasty and said, You only need to listen to the people who know you and love you, and to God. Recently, she said, her daughter, podcaster Sadie Robertson Huff, went through a couple of really strong criticisms on social media that really hurt her." We talk about what we know to be true, what's really important," she said. "We have to, in humility, go to the Lord and say, Hey, is there something here that I need to learn or I need to hear? We just circle it back in and look to God and to one another for where we get our wisdom and our strength. Now a grandmother herself, Robertson said shes seen firsthand the power and impact of raising children who know and love the Lord and how that kind of relationship can change the trajectory of ones life, as demonstrated by Phils testimony. When Phil got baptized that day, and Kay turned her life to Jesus, that life change has changed not only their life but our life and our kids' lives and will impact generations to come, she said. Today, the Robertsons continue to use their platform for good, nearly seven years after Duck Dynasty ended. In April, Korie and Sadie Robertson are speaking at The Chosen Conference at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, which seeks to empower local churches to establish adoption and foster care ministry within their church and community, engage believers to understand their role in supporting adoption and foster care and equip families who have been called to adopt and foster. Robertson, whose family has both fostered and adopted children, said the issues are close to her heart. We love family, we love big families, she said. Were excited to be there we have a belief that all life matters, that we are made in the image of God, and every single life matters. It has value and worth. Sadie's whole entire ministry is Live Original because when she was little, Willie called her the original. Its this idea that we are all made original, we all are made unique, and God fashioned each and every one of us. Theres nothing more important than that. Robertson encouraged parents to pray for their children in a culture that might not always support such beliefs. Reflecting on her own experiences as a parent, she recounted a pivotal moment during a Bible study where she was prompted to identify the core values she wished to impart to her children. "That night, I chose 'strong and kind,'" she said. I thought, they need to be strong in this world, it's not going to be easy, there's going to be things that are going to sway them and knock them, Robertson added. I envisioned growing their roots deep so that when the tough times come, their roots are deep, they're the strong tree that's planted by the living water that the Scripture talks about in Psalm 1. Have them ready to be strong and know that they can be strong in the Lord. Home News Wyoming Episcopal bishop deposed over 'indiscretion' with Church member A bishop of The Episcopal Church who was based in Wyoming has been deposed from his position following an investigation into a reported indiscretion he had with a church member. The Rt. Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Wyoming, was officially deposed following a Title IV disciplinary investigation, according to an announcement released by the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs on Wednesday. Chandler has voluntarily submitted to a sentence of deposition, which deprives him of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority of Gods word and sacraments conferred at ordination, the Public Affairs Office stated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The deposition came as part of an accord that Chandler agreed to with the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, presiding bishop-designate for some Title IV matters, which the Disciplinary Board for Bishops approved. In a statement to Episcopal News Service, Chandler maintained his innocence regarding the unspecified allegation made against him. My decision to voluntarily leave ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is not in any way an admittance of the specific allegations and charges brought against me, he said. This decision, as difficult as it is, allows me to stay true to myself, as well as to be faithful to my calling: Seeking to enable others to enter a deeper dimension spiritually and experience the beauty of God in fresh ways. We have certainly experienced Gods presence throughout this challenging time in profoundly moving ways. Chandler was raised in Senegal and had previously served as rector of the Anglican Church in Qatar and rector of the historic St. Johns Episcopal Church in Cairo, Egypt, before becoming Wyoming bishop in February 2021. Chandler also helped to found CARAVAN, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to use the venue of international arts to advance social change and global peace. Last October, Chandler was placed on administrative leave due to having a Title IV investigation launched to look into allegations that he violated the laws of The Episcopal Church. While the specific allegations were never made public, a diocesan standing committee letter last year referred to them as an alleged indiscretion with a member of our diocesan team. In February, the Episcopal Church created a new three-part protocol in which to generate more transparency regarding disciplinary cases made against clergy, especially bishops. These three elements included a webpage for reporting alleged misconduct, another webpage that gives updates on cases and an annual report documenting complaints. In a letter sent last month, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote, "experience over the past several years with Title IV matters involving Bishops has given rise to calls for more transparency in the process." "The protocol will provide for greater transparency around Title IV processes while also appropriately protecting privacy, all in the service of encouraging the goals set out in Canon I of Title IV," he wrote. Young generations thirst for travel fuels new F&B trend to mimic authentic vibes By Lee Hae-rin On a rainy Monday night in March, nostalgic melodies of Japanese city pop played aloud outside a small pub in an old neighborhood near Seoul Station. Unlike neighboring establishments, the bars orange signboard showed no words in Korean. Instead, it only featured some words in Japanese and English, while its facade also displayed posters featuring Japanese beer and food products. This feels like were actually in Japan. Everything feels so real, a 30-something first-timer said, looking around the pub's interior. The cozy restaurant, lively but not too loud, had almost everything from toilet and Wi-Fi signage to pepper pots on tables from Japan. A series of Japanese comic books, magazines, vinyl records and empty liquor bottles were also displayed on shelves. I remember having so much fun in Osaka last month, she said. Then, sipping an icy glass of whisky highball, her colleague said, Ive never been to Japan, but this yakisoba makes me feel like I was there before and had it in the past." That was precisely what the 28-year-old restaurant owner Hwang Young-soo intended. He said it took him months to fill the bar with Japanese vintage items he sought out and collected from secondhand markets all across the country. The goal was to make the most realistic version of a Japanese drinking den as possible and offer a late-night imaginary adventure to the neighboring country. Most of my customers are office workers, worn out from hectic, daily lives. I wish they would come here as if they were here for a small, quick timeout to Japan during lunch break or a weeknight and return to their daily lives with better energy, as if they have had a good trip, Hwang said. Hwangs establishment is one of the numerous Japan-themed dining pubs that have sprung up across the country in recent months. Not only Seoul but also the trendy districts of Jeonpo-dong in Busan, the countrys second-largest southeastern port city, is seeing a surge of such dining pubs that mimic Japan's atmosphere. These pubs, created and operated by Koreans targeting young, trend-sensitive locals, serve a variety of Japanese rice wine, whisky, draft beer and cocktails, as well as typical Japanese "izakaya" menus, such as fried chicken, grilled chicken skewers and hot pot. This emerging food and beverage trend stems from young Koreans growing affection for traveling to Japan, according to culture experts. Japan became a top cost-effective tourism destination for Koreans while the travel industry saw a dramatic surge in outbound travel last year under the gloomy economy and low value of the Japanese yen. As a result, the number of Koreans who experienced Japanese cuisine from traveling overseas grew exponentially and led to growing demands for Japanese food back at home, according to culture critic Lim Hee-yun and food critic Park Sang-hyun. According to the Korea Tourism Organization and the Japan National Tourism Organization, Korea accounted for the largest portion of the 25 million inbound visitors to Japan last year, with 6.9 million tourists, constituting 27.8 percent of the total. The figure represents approximately 30 percent of Koreas 22.7 million outbound travelers in 2023. This marks a dramatic post-pandemic recovery, as the number of outbound travelers increased significantly from 18,947 in 2021 to 1 million in 2022, and nearly grew sevenfold last year to reach its peak. Such a new trend would have been unimaginable some years ago, as elder generations of Koreans have had uneasy feelings toward the former colonizer and economic rival. However, the new generation is a shift in their perception of Japan through the growing influence of K-culture and cultural exchanges between the two countries, Lim pointed out. As K-culture grew more globally competitive than J-culture in the last five to six years, Koreans got over economic rivalry toward Japan. In the past, Koreans had mixed feelings of historical animosity and rivalry, which became much diluted among the younger people," Lim said. The young generation is also well aware of the historical issues and still share the uneasy feelings (of the past generation), but it learned to set that apart from appreciating popular culture." He also explained that as a result, Japanese culture, once restricted and considered subculture appreciated by minority underground, grew as mainstream popular in Korea in recent years. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Koreas full lifting of a ban on Japanese popular culture, Lim explained. The Korean government and public believed that the Japanese language and culture must be driven out in order to restore the decades of lost sovereignty in the post-liberation era and refrain from receiving cultural influence from Japan to protect national identity. Under the cultural restriction, illegally copied and translated Japanese comic books, animation videos and J-pop albums spread like wildfire. During the Kim Dae-jung administration, which was inaugurated in 1998, Korea started to gradually dismantle the cultural ban through four stages by issuing a joint declaration on the future-oriented partnership with then-Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. Through dynamic cultural exchanges, several Japanese musicians achieved viral success in the Korean music charts during the 2010s. Additionally, elements of Japanese pop music and animation have come to influence the K-pop industry significantly, the critic explained. The trade statistics also mirror the popularity of Japanese liquor in Korea. According to the Korea Customs Service, Japanese sake imports rose to a record high of 21.38 million dollars last year, up 12.6 percent from 2022. Imports of Japanese beer jumped almost three-fold to $55.52 million over the same period. This could be a good thing for Busan (and Korea), to garner such diversity in the culinary scene to become a truly international tourism destination. London, for example, has world-class quality restaurants from all across the globe, a Busan-based tourism industry insider said on condition of anonymity, expressing doubt the trend threatens local identity. Meanwhile, some remain vigilant against the indiscriminate influx of Japanese culture. Korean archer An San, who won three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan in 2021, caused a stir with an online post that described a Japan-themed restaurant in Gwangju as a traitor to the nation. The 23-year-old posted a photo on Instagram showing a signboard indicating "international departure" bound for Japan, purportedly criticizing the spread of Japan-themed restaurants. The restaurant district that An visited had Torii, a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entrance of shrines, Lim pointed out, For most Koreans, such an installation could be seen as associated with the Yaskuni Shrine and Japans war crimes and trigger animosity, Lim explained. Sometimes its difficult to tell whether we are in Korea or Japan, Park said, referring to some neighborhoods in big cities filled with Japanese-style pubs. This could limit the diversity in the culinary scene, the food critic said, pointing out that 12 Japanese restaurants were recognized in Busans inaugural edition of Michelin Guide last month, whereas only nine Korean restaurants were awarded. Can we still call it a Michelin guide of Korea? Park added that Japanese cuisines minimal and iconic nature attribute to garnering popularity in Korea and abroad. Japanese cuisine is Instagrammable, much more so than Korean cuisine, he said, explaining young, trend-sensitive consumers who are heavy social media users are the main target of these Japan-themed establishments. Its also similar to Korean cuisine but much simpler and requires less diverse types of ingredients, which makes it easier for business owners to open and manage start a restaurant These are some tasks left for the Korean food scene to figure out to grow more global, the critic said. Home Opinion This Womens History Month, lets celebrate womens work for the orphaned and vulnerable In 1994, I traveled to Romania at 25 years old, just as the country was emerging from the shadow of a dictatorship that resulted in nearly 170,000 children living in orphanages. What Id seen in the media sickening images of the conditions within orphanages failed to prepare me for the stark realities I encountered in person. Despite the sadness, each day was also a testament to the power of human resolve. I had the privilege of working with over 50 Romanian social workers to bolster national child welfare programs and chip away at the systemic neglect that had torn families apart for decades. Our drive was simple yet profound we believed in the fundamental right for children to grow up in the warmth of a loving family. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Like most vulnerable children around the world, many children in Romanian orphanages had families who wanted to care for them. However, an oppressive government, extreme poverty and the lack of available social support meant parents werent always able to do so. Orphanages became the solution, but it wasnt a good one. Our efforts in Romania turned out to be the impetus for what would become the global care reform movement, bringing awareness to the detrimental effects on children living in orphanages and the benefits of a better alternative family-based care. The work to shift from caring for children in orphanages to caring for them in families has taken me all over the world throughout the past 30 years, and Im motivated to keep pushing family- and community-strengthening initiatives because of what I experienced during those formative years, but also because of the many inspiring friends Ive made along the way. As the U.S. celebrates Womens History Month this March, Im reminded of the shoulders I stand on in this work and the women I stand shoulder to shoulder with today. Their legacies will live on in the lives of the children theyve served for generations to come, and they leave us with an opportunity to carry the torch. Women strengthening families and communities For decades, women have been an integral part of the care reform movement, especially when it comes to creating the necessary support structures for vulnerable children and families. Dr. Rebecca Davis is one such example. During Romanias dictatorship, social work had been eliminated as a profession, creating a vacuum lacking social support for struggling families. Sadly, orphanages were heavily relied on to care for vulnerable children, even though the children had families. Davis, a Fullbright scholar, lived in Romania for 10 years beginning in 1992 after the regimes fall to teach social work and develop a curriculum for community workers. Our paths crossed on many occasions. Becky, as I knew her, provided social work training to my team, giving them the skills, knowledge and tools they needed to better serve children and families. She went on to successfully lead pilot programs aimed at reducing the use of orphanages and increasing the capacity of local communities and family-based care. She continued working with many different countries in Eastern Europe, leading to measurable changes that allowed more and more children to grow up in families. Women addressing what keeps families apart Women have also played an invaluable role in removing barriers that prevent children from growing up in a family. Kerry Olsons work is a remarkable illustration of this. Olson worked for more than two decades as an educator and researcher for non-profits before she and her husband, Dave Katz, founded Firelight Foundation in 1999, an organization aimed at changing the way children impacted by HIV, AIDS, and poverty were cared for in sub-Saharan Africa. Through community-based initiatives and advocacy, the foundation funded projects aimed at reducing the stigma of children living with HIV or if they had a parent who died of AIDS. When these barriers were broken, the children were placed back where they should be into a loving family. Today, because of work like Olsons, we know health challenges dont have to be an immovable obstacle for families fighting to stay together. Olson later became the founding chair of the Faith to Action Initiative, which raises awareness among U.S. Christians of the limitations of orphanages and increases support for family-based care. She also authored From Faith to Action and Journeys of Faith, two seminal resources that continue to be referenced in this work today. Our work continues Since the 90s, a growing number of women have made great strides in affecting family-based care. Their long, hard work has led to a seismic shift in care reform in the last decade from countries closing orphanages to governments writing legislation promoting family strengthening. From Anja Gaona in Paraguay to Anu Silas in India; Sarah Vargas in Brazil to Ruth Wacuka in Kenya; Sully Santos de Ucles in Guatemala to Beth Bradford in the U.S., countless women are affecting change in the lives of vulnerable children around the world. But theres still more work to do, and this Womens History Month, each of us can start to be a part of it right where we are. All of us can read and educate ourselves on the care reform movement and the impact family strengthening has on the lives of vulnerable children. If youre in leadership roles, step into the spaces God is opening for you. If you can give to or pray for organizations that are strengthening families, do so. My drive to continue in this work doesnt just stem from the harsh conditions I saw. It also comes from seeing firsthand the remarkable transformations that took place when a child left an orphanage and was placed in the care of a safe and loving family. And in many cases, it was women who made it possible. Its a privilege to do this work, and to see my incredible peers and predecessors relentlessly pursuing this transformation, too. Their love and care have changed countless childrens lives and mine. Home News Al Mohler stirs debate on abortion abolition, whether women should be prosecuted Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and host of The Briefing podcast, recently contended thatsome women who had an abortion should be criminally punished. In a March 15 episode of The Briefing, Mohler was asked for his thoughts on the abortion abolitionist movement, which, in contrast to the mainstream pro-life movement, believes that abortion should be banned in all circumstances and women seeking one should face some form of criminal prosecution. Mohler said he felt the abolitionist movement, when it comes to abortion, has made some arguments, and some I think are frankly more urgent than others and more credible than others. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Regarding the specific issue of culpability for the pregnant woman seeking abortion, Mohler said it was an embarrassing shortfall on the part of many who call themselves pro-life to exempt women seeking abortions from any moral accountability. I think there is varying moral accountability. I think a woman whos coerced by a man into an abortion has far less moral culpability than a woman who brags about her abortion and celebrates it as a matter of personal autonomy and tweets about it, Mohler stated. And this is where, by the way, the law knows how to make distinctions. The law makes distinctions between manslaughter, and between murder and first-degree murder and premeditated murder, all kinds of things. In other words, there are distinctions made in the law. Mohler went on to say he believes the categorical statement that women are just victims when they seek an abortion, thats just not morally credible. Thats just not morally honest, especially in a day in which so many women, particularly in the activist community, they are actually bragging about their abortions, he added. I think its morally insane to suggest that there is no moral culpability there, nor that the law should not recognize that with some form of criminal sanction. I think thats just clear. Karen Swallow Prior, an Evangelical author and academic, wrote an opinion piece published by Religion News Service on Monday critiquing Mohlers support for criminal punishments. Where suicide (once called self-murder) is against the law, those who attempt it and fail are not tried, imprisoned or executed but are offered help and assistance. The same principle is applied in all cases of self-harm and self-mutilation, wrote Prior. While the child carried by a pregnant woman is a complete, whole, individual human being, that being is connected to her body. This is a physical and biological reality. It means that the child cannot be helped or protected without supporting the mother, too. Prior went on to label abortion as a failure not just of individuals but also of the village, and said that punishing the woman for it reinforces the idea that she is a radically autonomous being acting on her own apart from the formation of culture and her cultures norms and laws. This view stands starkly against the teaching of the Bible, from the Hebrew Scriptures through the New Testament, she asserted. When societies come to grips with those wrongs and seek redress, prevention and accountability through new laws, they must do so while balancing the interests of mercy and justice and those of social order and individual responsibility. Megan Basham, an author and reporter with The Daily Wire, tweeted a dissent to Priors rebuttal, labeling it the typical evangelical establishment word salad attempting obfuscate the fact that women know when they are perpetrating an evil act, such as killing their children. You cannot advocate for women as moral equals of men and then say theyre unable to know what they do because of the social imaginary, Basham argued. In 2016, then-Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump garnered controversy when MSNBC host Chris Matthews asked him at a Town Hall if women who have abortions should be punished and he said there should be some form of punishment for the woman who has an abortion. Shortly after making the comments in response to the Q&A, Trump released a statement clarifying that he did not, in fact, support passing a law that would punish a woman for having an abortion. Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins released a statement saying that Trump's opinions on who should be punished shows he "is ill informed in this vital issue." "The pro-life movement values both mother and child and seeks to uphold the dignity of both by seeking to protect both from the damage of abortion and the predatory abortion industry," Perkins stated at the time. "While Trump has since 'clarified' his position on punishing women, his statements suggest he should spend more time with pro-life conservatives to gain a better appreciation of what their goals and objectives really are." Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, likewise criticized Trumps initial comments, saying in a statement released at the time that her organization has "never advocated, in any context, for the punishment of women who undergo abortion." "As a convert to the pro-life movement, Mr. Trump sees the reality of the horror of abortion the destruction of an innocent human life which is legal in our country up until the moment of birth," said Dannenfelser in 2016. "But let us be clear: punishment is solely for the abortionist who profits off of the destruction of one life and the grave wounding of another. Home News California megachurch to host egg hunt with 20,000 eggs, 20 Easter weekend services A multisite megachurch based in California will host 20 worship services on Easter Sunday and Good Friday and a Saturday egg hunt featuring approximately 20,000 eggs. The Rock Church, which has five campuses in California, one in Hawaii and approximately 7,500 regular worshippers, will host the services on Friday and continue into next Sunday. Rock Church Senior Pastor Miles McPherson told The Christian Post that the services will be split among each of the campuses, with him delivering a message either in-person or via video. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "We have six campuses, so the number of services would be adding up how many all those campuses have. Some having two, some having five," he said. "Good Friday, the message is specifically about the crucifixion; Easter, it is specifically about the resurrection." The church will host an Easter egg hunt on Saturday at the Rock Church Point Loma with activities for the whole family followed by a worship service. Last year's hunt brought as many as 2,000 people, including many young children. "The Easter egg hunt will be an activity outside and then right after that, we start church, and they will come into church," the pastor said, calling the egg hunt "a pre-service activity." When asked what he hopes people take away from the busy weekend at his church, McPherson said that he wanted them "to really grasp the basic foundational message of the Gospel." "They hear the Gospel and see Christ their savior and really understand the purpose of the resurrection and also the purpose of the crucifixion, the value of the crucifixion," he added. The services will also feature original music from the Rock Church worship team and a special sermon from McPherson. "After being addicted to cocaine during my time in the NFL, I called out to Jesus and quit my cocaine habit in one day. I was forever changed, and I have dedicated my life to sharing the Gospel with the world! I've seen countless miracles since, and I've witnessed millions of peoples' lives change for the better because of Jesus," McPherson said in a press statement. "Please don't accept Jesus on blind faith. Look at the evidence. I urge you to consider the evidence, make a decision for yourself. Ultimately, we're faced with the question: Was Jesus' resurrection the greatest hoax of all time? And if it wasn't if logic dictates that Jesus actually did live, die, and rise from the dead what choice will you make?" Home News Colorado nurse under investigation for abortion pill reversal treatments takes legal action Attorneys for a Colorado nurse who says she feels "religiously compelled" to offer abortion pill reversal to women who regret their abortions argue that the state's investigation into her practice violates her First and 14th Amendment rights. The legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom filed a motion last Wednesday to allow Chelsea Mynyk to intervene in an ongoing lawsuit, Bella Health and Wellness v. Weiser, in defense of her ability to continue providing women with the abortion pill reversal treatment. Mynyk is a pro-life licensed nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife who runs the Castle Rock Women's Health clinic. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The abortion pill reversal treatment provides progesterone, a natural hormone necessary for the pregnancy to continue, to women who have changed their minds after taking the first chemical abortion pill in an attempt to save their pregnancies up to a certain point. Last month, Mynyk received a letter from the Colorado State Board of Nursing saying she is being investigated for a potential violation of the Nurses Practice Act. The letter was the result of an anonymous complaint about Mynyk providing the abortion pill reversal. "Colorado can't silence medical professionals and prevent them from saving lives," ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot said in a Friday statement provided to The Christian Post. "Many women regret their abortions, and some choose to reverse the effects of the first abortion drug, often saving their baby's life. But Colorado's law wrongly denies women the freedom to make that choice. The state can't force women to follow through with an abortion when a safe alternative is available one that Chelsea and the pro-life plaintiffs in this case can skillfully provide." Colorado enacted SB 23-190 in April 2023, which prohibits doctors and medical professionals from providing abortion pill reversal. The pro-life pregnancy center Bella Health and Wellness sued the state and secured a preliminary injunction, which prevented the enactment of Colorado's law while the lawsuit continues. The injunction, however, only applies to the pro-life pregnancy center, according to ADF. The legal advocacy group asserted in its motion that, like the plaintiffs in the Bella Health case, Mynyk feels "religiously compelled" to provide abortion pill reversal. "She intervenes to protect her constitutional rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. That interest is direct because she is being investigated for a possible violation of the APR Ban," the motion stated. "Mrs. Mynyk's interest in protecting her constitutional rights would be impaired by a decision holding that the APR Ban and Advertising Prohibition are valid under the First and Fourteenth Amendments," the document added. "Such a decision would set binding precedent foreclosing Mrs. Mynyk from asserting her constitutional rights in later proceedings due to stare decisis." The lawsuit comes as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a legal challenge to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's loosening of restrictions on the chemical abortion pill mifepristone. The justices listened to oral arguments related to the case on Tuesday. While proponents of the abortion pill argue that the drug is relatively safe, groups like the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that the FDA "abandoned its own safety standards and the health of women and girls when it allowed mail-order abortions." "This means that women now perform their own abortions at home alone without ever having seen a medical professional," the group wrote in a December statement after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. "According to the FDA's own label, roughly one in 25 women who use these drugs will require emergency medical attention for serious, even life-threatening, complications," AAPLOG continued. "The risks to women who take abortion drugs only increase without in-person screenings by medical professionals." Outside the U.S. Supreme Court this week, a Texas woman told The Christian Post how taking progesterone helped save her baby's life after her husband spiked her drink with what she believed was an abortion pill. "I was able to speak with a nurse," Catherine Herring said. "We weren't sure what was in the cup, but we thought that maybe he was trying to do something to harm the baby. [The nurse] recommended that I start a dosage of progesterone." "And by the grace of God, I already had a prescription in my medicine cabinet from a previous pregnancy," she added. "So, I was able to take the correct dosage immediately." Herring said her daughter is alive and 19 months old. "She suffers from a lot of developmental issues," the mother said. "But she's alive." Her husband, Mason, was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years probation for injury to a child and assault of a pregnant person. Home News Over 140 Christian leaders urge ceasefire in Gaza, end to foreign military aid for Israel Around 140 Christian leaders have signed onto a letter sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to foreign military support for Israel. "As Christians around the world prepare to commemorate the final suffering in the earthly life of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, we stand in solidarity with all in the Holy Land who suffer," began the letter. The nonprofit Churches for Middle East Peace, a group of over 30 national church communions and organizations comprising Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches founded in 1984, organized the statement. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Those involved span the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Quaker and Evangelical backgrounds. The signatories include Roman Catholic Cardinal Alvaro Ramazzini of Guatemala, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, United Church of Christ President Karen Georgia Thompson, progressive Evangelical activist Shane Claiborne, Sojourners President Adam Taylor and longtime progressive Evangelical activist Jim Wallis. "During Passion Week, Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox alike engage in prayer, reflection, and repentance. We repent of the ways we have not stood alongside our Palestinian siblings in faithful witness in the midst of their grief, agony, and sorrow," the group wrote. The letter suggests Israel is engaging in "genocide" through its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, noting South Africa issued a complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa alleged "genocidal intent" behind Israel's offensive in Gaza, which began in October following Hamas terrorist's surprise attack in which over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed and about 240 abducted in southern Israel. Israel has said the offensive is aimed at wiping out Hamas, a terror group that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and securing the release of its hostages. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry states that over 32,000 people in Gaza have been killed. Those numbers don't distinguish between civilians and combatants and have not been independently verified by the United Nations. While Israel contends its forces are doing all they can to protect civilian life, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart this week that the civilian death toll in Gaza is "too high" and the amount of aid entering the territory is too low. The Christian leaders cited the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports that more than 15% of young children in Gaza under age 2 are showing signs of malnutrition and irreparable wasting. Israel pushed back this week against a U.N. expert's accusations of genocide, with its diplomatic mission in Geneva describing the use of the word as "an outrageous distortion of the Genocide Convention" and an "an obscene inversion of reality," BBC reports. Signatories of the CMEP letter also called on the U.S. and other nations "to halt additional military support and arms to Israel and not be complicit in the ongoing military campaign that is having such devastating effects on civilians in Gaza." CMEP drew attention to their statement in a separate letter addressed directly to Biden, imploring him "to have the moral courage to end U.S. complicity in the ongoing violence and, instead, do everything in your power to prevent the potential genocide against Palestinians in Gaza." "The horrific actions Hamas committed on October 7th in no way justify the massive deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli military," they wrote. "As we prepare for Holy Week, we lament and pray for comfort for all who have lost loved ones over the past months in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel," the letter concluded. "We know that Jesus himself was among those who suffered, and he comforted the brokenhearted." "We hold onto the hope that peace is possible even in the midst of this darkest hour," they added. A day before the group fired off its letter, the U.S. abstained during a vote on the U.N. Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the remainder of Ramadan. The resolution passed after 14 nations voted in favor, drawing condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused the U.S. of harming the war effort by abstaining and exhibiting a "clear departure from the consistent U.S. position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war." On Monday, Netanyahu canceled a delegation that was scheduled to arrive this week in Washington. Other church leaders have similarly called for a ceasefire in the region, such as the leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church leadership, who wrote last month that the "cycle of violence between historically wounded peoples will not be dissolved by the creation of more wounds or through weapons of war." The bishops urged the U.S. to cut funding to Israel, which they accused of "mass genocide." Other Christians have been vocal in their support for Israeli military efforts, with more than 50 notable Israeli and American Christian and Jewish leaders urging President Joe Biden in an October letter not to pressure Israel into an immediate ceasefire. "Israel must do all that is necessary to destroy Hamas," the letter warns. "It is not sufficient for Israel to degrade or even defeat this brutal terrorist regime, which oppresses its own people. Israel must completely destroy every Hamas terrorist, so that this evil is erased from human history. If America pressures Israel into a ceasefire, Israel's enemies will be emboldened, and Israel imperiled, long into the future." Home Opinion Has denying the Christian God become intellectually disordered? I understand that atheism is a denial of all religious deities, and I agree that the burden of proof is on the claimant. However, I have come to realize that a denial of the Christian God is intellectually disordered. The implication is not that unbelievers are themselves intellectually disordered. They could possess fine intellectual aptitude but when it comes to a denial of the Christian God, I believe the content requires intellectual order. I use the term disorder by its meaning on dictionary.com, lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion. So what is the point of this article? In the midst of raging cultural wars, its necessary to highlight how attempts to undermine a Christians faith are intellectually disordered. The Gospel remains a powerful message that offers grace, forgiveness, and a real personal relationship with God. The relevancy and credibility of it should be articulated with confidence. It resonates and makes complete sense of the human experience of reality. Christians should remain steadfast, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began (Tit. 1:2). Skepticism does not engage in serious orderly conversation, but seeks mostly to annoy by sarcastic rhetoric. Christian claims are nitpicked, and disordered with intent to disable their potency. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The first disorder is treating Christian faith like all other religions. Logic reveals that religions contradict one another. They teach different tenets and so they cannot all be correct. A Christian believes that there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). So whenever skepticism retorts by mixing all religions together, its simply fallacious and disordered. For Christians, conversing with other religions seems more worthwhile as we respectfully acknowledge our unique differences, and thus logic is maintained. With many skeptics, we have lost that common ground of logic. Skeptics should admit that all religions do not teach the same things. That would initiate a necessary disentanglement in skepticisms intellectual disorder. Skepticism also talks as if it has a monopoly on scientific enterprise. Indeed, science is powerfully descriptive, and observations provide knowledge. Skeptics refer to their sources of interpretation as arbitrary over the ones that infer God. For example, the observed red shift is extrapolated to a point the size of a pinhead that exploded and brought the universe into existence. There is no evidence that the pinhead contained fine-tuning, the laws of mathematics, physics and chemistry, the potential for male and female to procreate in perfect conditions, and all the nutrients to sustain life. Its nevertheless assumed in conversation with Christians as ironclad science. When an excellent contemporary philosophy of science, such as, The Return of the God Hypothesis by Stephen C. Meyer is brought into conversation, skeptics arbitrarily label it as unscientific. Thus another intellectual disorder is that while skepticism constantly looks for opportunities to discredit Christian faith with preferred interpretations, it shows hardly any knowledge of the God hypothesis. Skeptics should take a lesson from the learned professor Jordan Peterson who read Meyers book and said, well written, densely informative . . . Its not often I encounter a book that contains so much I did not know. If such a stalwart public intellectual admits to learning so much (he) did not know, how much more is there to learn for contemporary skepticism? Conveniently, skepticism often quips, there is no evidence for God. (I have written on this elsewhere, No evidence for God? Says Who?). This also leads to a conversation that is intellectually disordered. Even the great philosopher, Immanuel Kant said, Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe ... the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me. Kant was not necessarily alluding to God, but to our consciousness of practical reason that could suggest something beyond humanity. You could have an intellectually ordered conversation about Christian faith with someone who acknowledges that scientific laws cannot explain their own existence, that the actual human conscience exists apart from social conditioning, and that our capacity for practical reason seems inbred. The realities of justice, love, free will, and rationality are as indisputable as mathematical equations. Intellectual disorder occurs as contemporary skepticism takes Christian concepts and treats them as human inventions by applying preferred interpretations. It says humanity created God; order simply emerged from primordial chaos; humanity then developed laws and the concept of justice; it delineated objectively right from wrong; it discovered the need for love; it created all the talents and gifts to compose art and music; finally, it neatly packaged them all in what has become Secular Humanism. This is not a caricature; its an intellectually disordered view. (Again, I have already written about this in Christian faith and the illusion of secularism.) Christian faith and skepticism have become too far apart, but dont take my word for it. Take it from the chief of skeptical rhetoric and sarcasm, the late Christopher Hitchens. In the documentary, Collision, with the competent Christian thinker, Douglas Wilson, Hitchens said: despite our good personal relations, on a side apart, divided from one another ... theres no bridge that can suffice (YouTube, 6:58-7:25). Wilson reasoned that skeptics critique the Christian worldview by invoking a worldview that has no justification for its supposed superior moral judgments. Wilson said of Hitchens, Notice that he is not ... appealing to a standard that overarches all human beings that is obligatory for all of us. He says things like Substitutionary Atonement is immoral, well by what standard? Why? What worldview considers it to be immoral? Why is that worldview in charge of the Christian worldview (17:58 18:25)? Criticism of the Christian faith often contains sarcasm, ridicule, disordered rhetoric, and lacks genuine openness to discovering the Truth. A believer can press on with confidence that in an intellectually ordered conversation, Christian faith is philosophically, scientifically, and existentially sound. Regrettably, the shared center of civility seems all thats left in conversations between Christian faith and skepticism. Home Opinion Why multitudes ignore the miracle-working Messiah While Christians around the world are in tune with the historical events of Holy Week, multitudes of people seem as oblivious as ever to the miracle-working Messiah who gave His life on the cross for the salvation of sinners. What about you? Is Jesus on your radar, and perhaps even in your heart? One day some Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God (John 10:33). Jesus told them, Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may learn and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father (John 10:37-38). Rather than believing the miracles and believing in Christ, these men were inflamed with rage at Jesus and wanted to kill him. Why all the hostility? The Lord told His disciples the reason for this hatred: If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world (John 15:18-19). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The sad reality is that multitudes of people ignore the miracle-working Messiah, even if they do not necessarily have any hatred in their heart toward Jesus. Those who belong to the world love the things of the world rather than the Lord. So, do you belong to the world, or do you belong to Christ? Who currently sits on the throne of your heart: yourself, or King Jesus? In spite of the religious leaders' animosity toward Jesus, the Messiah performed one miracle after another. For example, Jesus supernaturally multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men, plus the women and children who were present (see Matthew 14:13-21). The same Lord will begin feeding your soul the moment you turn to Him in repentance and faith. You see, there is no greater miracle than being born again through faith in Jesus. What is your opinion of the One who walked on water? (see Mark 6:45-52). Do Christ's supernatural abilities spark any interest in your heart? Do you know anyone else who can walk on water? You would be wise to come to the miracle-working Messiah and accept Jesus as your Savior from sin. Is there anything stopping you today from confessing your sins to Jesus and trusting the Lord to forgive you? During His earthly ministry, Great crowds came to Jesus, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel (Matthew 15:30-31). What about you? Do you praise the Lord because of the mighty miracles Jesus performed? Or do you ignore Jesus and live life as your own god? It is easy to ignore the Lord, while loving the world and loving your sin. None of us would ever turn to God apart from the power of the Holy Spirit who produces repentance and faith in mans heart. So, are you resisting the Holy Spirit even as you read these words? Or are you open to the idea that you need Jesus and the forgiveness that only He can give you? Do you realize why Jesus endured the agony of the cross? He did it to pay for your sins so that you do not have to pay for your sins forever in Hell (see Matthew 8:10-12). Will you ignore the cross once again this Easter, or will this be the year when you finally get serious about your sin and your need for the Savior? Like everyone, a day will come when you experience tremendous storms in your life. Perhaps you are going through a terrible storm right now. Jesus has the power and authority to calm storms, just like He did when His disciples encountered a furious squall one day while out in a boat (see Mark 4:35-41. Jesus rebuked the wind, and it became completely calm, and His disciples were terrified and asked each other, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him! (v. 41). Who will you turn to in the midst of the personal storms that lie ahead of you? The longer you ignore the Messiah, the harder your heart will become toward the Savior. On the other hand, the miracle-working Messiah will save your soul the moment you come to Christ in faith. The Apostle John explained it beautifully: Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31). In other words, you could choose to follow the Messiah's miracles all the way to Paradise. One day the Jews demanded of Jesus, What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this? Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days (John 2:19). The miracle of miracles was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Messiah who had raised Lazarus (see John 11:38-44) and others from the dead (see Matthew 9:23-25; Luke 7:11-17) would Himself come back to life after His crucifixion. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many of His followers, including more than 500 of the brothers at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6). Why else would the apostles have laid down their lives for the Gospel? If they had not seen and touched the risen Christ, Christianity would never have gotten off the ground (see John 20:24-31). Christs enemies couldnt track down His body because Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. So, are you spiritually dead, or spiritually alive? Have you risen from your tomb of unbelief? You can either ignore the miracle-working Messiah, or you can trust Him to forgive your sins and perform the miracle of the new birth within your soul (see John 3:1-8; 1 Peter 1:3-5). You will never know what you have been missing until you give your life to Christ and become one of His followers. Whatever you do, please dont ignore this soul-saving invitation: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Baltimore turns to prayer after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (CP) Political and religious leaders in Baltimore, as well as Maryland and federal officials, have called for prayers and attended prayer vigils after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Tuesday leaving six presumed dead. The Key Bridge, the part of the I-695 beltway that spans over the Patapsco River, collapsed early Tuesday morning after a cargo ship leaving the Port of Baltimore crashed into the bridge, leading to its quick collapse. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, described the bridge collapse as an "unthinkable tragedy" as he appeared alongside Wallace at the news conference. "We have to first and foremost, pray for all of those who are impacted, those families," he proclaimed. Scott also urged people to "pray for our first responders and thank them, all of them working together: city, state, local to make sure that we are working through this tragedy." Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, a Democrat, offered a similar sentiment as he spoke at the news conference. "I would just echo the mayor in lifting up prayers for those who are impacted but also ask that our residents ... pray for our first responders." Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, issued a statement Tuesday after declaring a state of emergency. Moore expressed gratitude for first responders, stating, "We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone's safety." President Joe Biden also weighed in on the bridge collapse in remarks at the White House Tuesday. He assured, "Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now." Archbishop William Lori, the leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, released a statement reacting to the bridge collapse Tuesday. "I am saddened, as you are, to learn of the tragic incident overnight that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Baltimore harbor," he said. Lori urged the faithful to "pray with me for all involved, especially the victims traveling over the span at the time of impact, the construction crews on site and all of the first responders acting with urgency to rescue survivors." "Let us join in prayer in asking the Lord to grant consolation and strength as we cope with this terrible tragedy," Lori added. Multiple churches held special services to pray for those who may have lost their lives and/or sustained injuries due to the bridge collapse. The Archdiocese of Baltimore shared a post from its publication, The Catholic Review, on Facebook Tuesday, noting that "more than 200 people" attended a "special 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen" in the Homeland neighborhood of Baltimore. Scott took to Facebook Tuesday to invite people to join him and "faith Leaders from across the city in a moment of unity and solace in response" to the bridge collapse by attending a prayer vigil at Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station in nearby Dundalk, Maryland. Scott and Olszewski were listed as guests at the prayer vigil, which took place between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. In addition to raising concerns about potential lives lost, the bridge collapse has other consequences. As Biden indicated when describing the bridge as "one of the most important elements for the economy in the Northeast and the quality of life" that is "critical" for travel in the northeastern U.S., "Over 30,000 vehicles cross the Francis Scott Key Bridge on a daily basis." The collapse of the bridge has led to traffic being rerouted. Additionally, shipping traffic in the Port of Baltimore has been suspended, although it is still open for truck transactions. Biden identified the Port of Baltimore as "the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks" that employs 15,000 people. The Christian Post Cadbury faces criticism for 'gesture eggs' this Easter The British confectionery company Cadbury is under fire from Christians for promoting chocolate eggs as 'gesture eggs' ahead of the Easter holiday, notably omitting the word 'Easter' from its marketing. The decision has stirred discontent among some Christians who accuse the company of attempting to diminish the significance of Easter. They question why the term 'Easter' is being removed from chocolate eggs, a product widely associated with the holiday. Tim Dieppe, from the Christian Concern policy group, remarked, "If it wasn't for Easter, we wouldn't have a reason for Easter eggs." This is not the first instance where Cadbury has faced backlash for removing 'Easter' from its marketing campaigns. In 2017, the brand drew criticism for renaming the 'National Trust Easter Egg Trail' to the 'Great British Egg Hunt'. Then-prime minister Theresa May, daughter of a vicar, described the move as "absolutely ridiculous", with the Church of England also accusing Cadbury of "airbrushing faith". Cadbury defended its actions by stating its aim to cater to a diverse audience, including non-Christians, asserting, "We invite people from all faiths and none to enjoy our seasonal treats." In response to the recent criticism, a Cadbury spokesperson reaffirmed the company's commitment to Easter, emphasising that all Cadbury Easter shell eggs in the UK clearly reference Easter on their packaging. Trump rolls out new 'God Bless the USA' Bible during Holy Week (CP) Former President Donald Trump promoted a new leather-bound "God Bless the USA" Bible on Tuesday, and warned his supporters that Christians in the U.S. are "under siege." In a video statement posted to Truth Social, Trump displayed a version of the Bible that he's promoting with musician Lee Greenwood, whose song "God Bless the USA" often features during Trump's rallies. Trump noted that the Bible, which is in the King James Version and costs $59.99, also features the founding American documents, which he encouraged every citizen to read. "You have to have it for your heart and for your soul," Trump said. "Many of you have never read them and don't know the liberties and rights you have as Americans, and how you are being threatened to lose those rights. It's happening all the time. It's a very sad thing that's going on in our country, but we're gonna get it turned around." Trump went on to claim that "religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country," which he maintained is why the nation finds itself in such turmoil. "I think it's one of the biggest problems we have," he said. "That's why our country is going haywire. We've lost religion in our country." He also said that every American should have a Bible in their home, and that he personally owns "many" of them because it's his "favorite book." "This Bible is a reminder that the biggest thing we have to bring back America and to make America great again is our religion," he said. "Religion is so important, it's so missing, but it's going to come back and it's going to come back strong, just like our country is going to come back strong." "In the end, we do not answer to bureaucrats in Washington, we answer to God in Heaven," he continued. "Christians are under siege. We must protect content that is pro-God. We love God, and we have to protect anything that is pro-God. We must defend God in the public square and not allow the media or the left-wing groups to silence, censor or discriminate against us." Trump concluded by claiming the Founding Fathers "did a tremendous thing when they built America on Judeo-Christian values," but that their foundation is "under attack, perhaps as never before." He urged his listeners to purchase the Bible to "help spread our Christian values with others." A product description of the Bible describes it as an "easy-to-read, large print, and slim design" that "invites you to explore God's Word anywhere, any time." "This bible [sic] has been designed so that it delivers an easy reading experience in the trusted King James Version translation," the description adds. "This large print Bible will be perfect to take to church, a bible study, work, travel, etc." In addition to copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Bible also contains the handwritten chorus to Greenwood's "God Bless The USA." Earlier this week, Trump appeared to liken the unfair trial of Jesus to his treatment in his civil fraud case in New York, which has seen him slapped with a $454 million judgment. A New York appeals court ruled Monday that the state will hold off on potentially seizing his assets if he is able to come up with $175 million bond within 10 days. Posting a supposed message from a supporter that noted the irony of the legal battle he is facing during Holy Week, Trump went on to quote Psalm 109:3-8, which pleads for God's judgment against false accusers. The apostle Peter applied Psalm 109:8 to Judas Iscariot, according to Acts 1:20. On June 1, 2020, Trump drew criticism for a controversial photo shoot during which he held up a Bible in front of St. John's Episcopal Church a day after protesters torched and damaged it during height of the riots that roiled Washington, D.C., that summer after George Floyd's death. Trump was accused of tear gassing protesters in Lafayette Park outside the White House to make way for the photo shoot, though a report from the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior determined that police had already planned to disperse the crowd before they learned of Trump's plan to walk over to the church. The Christian Post Boao Forum speakers call for upholding multilateralism as "protectionism doesn't protect" Xinhua) 08:23, March 28, 2024 A panel discussion themed on "Confronting Fragmentation in Global Trade" is held during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) BOAO, Hainan, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Participants at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 have called on countries to uphold trade multilateralism and oppose protectionism. In recent years, globalization and trade multilateralism have faced some headwinds due to slowing economies and domestic politics in some countries, giving rise to trade protectionism that threatens the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The WTO has been marginalized, and I think the most urgent task today is how countries can work together to strengthen the function of the WTO and carry out some necessary reforms," said Long Yongtu, China's former chief negotiator for entry into the WTO, during a panel discussion. Carlos M. Gutierrez, BFA board member and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, said at the panel discussion that the U.S. has a lot of responsibility for the trend of de-globalization prevalent in the world today, given the fact that the U.S. has adopted what he calls "political nationalism," as reflected by "Buy America" and "Bring jobs back to America." "We cannot have these individual nationalistic policies, because they go against globalization," Gutierrez said. Gutierrez emphasized that there has to be a commitment to respecting institutions, adding that the WTO is a worldwide institution and that leaders of countries have to make it clear that the WTO is important. Gutierrez also said the United States has to believe that a prosperous world is good for the U.S. as "protectionism doesn't protect." In the process of globalization, the issue of the "share of the pie" among different nations can be negotiated and solved through mechanisms like the WTO, said Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization. "But if all the people stop making the pie together by staying in small yards and behind high walls, we will lose out in terms of prosperity and development," Wang said. Meanwhile, in Long's view, the WTO should strengthen its function of setting up global trade rules for new global issues, like cross-border e-commerce and digital trade. Wong Kan Seng, former deputy prime minister of Singapore, expressed similar viewpoints. The WTO's function of setting up rules and upholding trade multilateralism is very important, said Wong, urging that the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism should be restored soon. "No one benefits from having a closed market," Wong said. Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, criticized some countries for using international trade as a scapegoat for domestic problems, such as high unemployment, a slowing economy, and a dwindling middle class. "Now some developed countries have begun to impose restrictions after losing manufacturing competitiveness, thus making it more difficult to push globalization," Lin observed. Lin called for solidarity among developing countries to continue promoting the international trading system under the WTO. "Despite the difficulty, the target could still be reached with unity and solidarity." At a time when the multilateral trading system is not fully functional, some countries are turning to suboptimal solutions, such as regional free trade agreements. But in Long's view, "regional cooperation would not fully replace the global mechanism." Over the years, China has always been a staunch supporter of multilateralism. China, as the largest developing WTO member, has always firmly supported the multilateral trading system, genuinely practiced multilateralism, and earnestly fulfilled its WTO commitments, China's Ministry of Commerce said earlier this year. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) China, US meeting halfway creates opportunities for both: Global Times editorial Global Times) 13:50, March 28, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives of the US business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. Photo: Xinhua As long as both sides see each other as partners and show mutual respect, coexist in peace and cooperate for win-win results, China-US relations will get better. On March 27, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again made significant remarks on actively exploring the proper way for China and the US to coexist, garnering widespread agreement among the representatives of the US business, strategic and academic communities. President Xi also said the history of China-US relations is one of friendly exchanges between the two peoples, and that its existing chapters are written by the people, noting the future will be created by the people. He expressed hope that people from all sectors of Chinese and American societies will have more mutual visits and exchanges to expand common ground and mutual trust. This was the first group of US representatives President Xi met in Beijing after the Xi-Biden summit in San Francisco last November, responding to the representatives' desire to hear President Xi's views on China's economic and social development on-site. The 18 American representatives who participated in the meeting generally held rational attitudes toward China and had a relatively reasonable understanding of China-US relations. They were encouraged by the recent improvement in China-US relations and hope to explore further dialogue and communication between China and the US to seek opportunities for improving relations and cooperation. During the meeting, President Xi listened attentively to his US guests and responded to their comments one by one. China's economy is sound and sustainable; China did not collapse as predicted by the "China collapse theory," nor will it peak as forecasted by the "China peak theory" now; China's reform will not pause, and its opening up will not stop; China-US relations cannot go back to the old days, but it can embrace a brighter future; China and the US should help rather than hinder each other's development ... President Xi's series of important statements undoubtedly conveyed the clearest and most unequivocal signals from the highest level of China regarding its own development and China-US relations, as well as a consistent attitude of openness, cooperation and mutual benefit. In fact, many top executives of large American and global companies are very optimistic about the development potential and broad prospects of the Chinese market. However, they have had some doubts due to the negative external criticism of the Chinese economy and pressure from some domestic voices in the past. The recent positive measures taken by China to deepen reform and expand opening-up, especially the signals conveyed by President Xi during the meeting, have not only allowed them to have a timely and accurate understanding of China's economic and policy orientation, but also once again instilled confidence in China's economy, policy stability, and predictability, which has reassured them and the broader global business community, boosting confidence in the China's economy as well as in China-US relations. In addition, one of the key reasons why Xi's meeting has received high attention globally is that he has pointed out the direction for finding the right way for China-US relations to coexist. In the ups and downs between the two sides in the past few years, both sides have recognized the importance of stabilizing the relationship and the need to avoid conflicts and wars. The two countries need to maintain a certain level of economic cooperation and social interaction. The biggest consensus reached at the Xi-Biden summit in San Francisco last year was that China-US relations should stabilize and improve. Following the summit, progress has also been made in implementing the consensus reached at the Xi-Biden summit. However, due to deep-rooted misconceptions about China among some Americans, actions to contain China and the influence of the international situation, uncertainties remain in the development of China-US relations. President Xi's meeting with representatives of the US business, strategic, and academic communities, as well as his support for exchanges between Chinese and American youths, demonstrate China's efforts and thinking in finding the right way for China-US relations. The interactions and exchanges between people from all walks of life in both countries may seem simple, but they are very practical. It is dedicated to achieving a mutually beneficial and win-win situation on the basis of broader and deeper exchanges and cooperation in various fields. It also provides the possibility for maintaining basic stability in China-US relations amid the ever-changing international situation. Opportunities between China and the US must be created through mutual cooperation. The more exchanges and interactions at all levels between China and the US, the more consensus can be accumulated, trust can be enhanced, and cooperation can be deepened, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries and injecting more certainty and stability into the world. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The United States on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on six North Korean nationals and two third-country entities for their role to help finance Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, the Treasury Department said. In coordination with South Korea, the department announced sanctions targeting agents of designated North Korean banks as well as companies that employ North Korean IT workers abroad, as it accused them of helping generate revenue for the recalcitrant regime in Pyongyang. South Korea also sanctioned four of the North Koreans and the two same entities after Seoul and Washington held their sixth session of the Working Group on DPRK Cyber Threats in Washington this week. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "These actors, operating primarily through networks located in Russia and China, orchestrate schemes, set up front or shell companies, and manage surreptitious bank accounts to move and disguise illicit funds, evade sanctions, and finance the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs," the department said in a press release. Among the sanctioned individuals are Yu Pu-ung and Ri Tong-hyok, both of whom are China-based representatives of Tanchon Bank. The bank is the financial arm of the North's Korea Mining Development Corporation (KOMID) and plays a role in financing KOMID's sales of ballistic missiles, according to the department. Also sanctioned is O In-chun, a Russia-based representative of Korea Daesong Bank, which is operated by Office 39, an agency that the department said is used by the North to engage in illicit economic activities, manage slush funds and generate revenue for the North Korean leadership. The others are Han Chol-man, a China-based representative of Kumgang Bank; Jong Song-ho, a Russia-based representative of Jinmyong Joint Bank; and Jon Yon-gun with ties to Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based company sanctioned Wednesday. In collaboration, Seoul also designated Yu, Jong, Han and O for evading sanctions and funding the North's nuclear and missile programs through illegal financing and money laundering activities. Jon had already been sanctioned in May last year. The two sanctioned entities are Limited Liability Company Alis, a Vladivostok-based company subordinate to U.S-designated Chinyong, and Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate subordinate to Chinyong. "Today's joint action reflects our commitment to disrupt the DPRK's efforts to generate revenue for its illicit and destabilizing activities," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said. "The United States, along with our South Korean partners, will continue to take action to safeguard the international financial system and prevent the DPRK from funding its illegal weapons programs," the official added. (Yonhap) Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele 90 de idei de startup-uri din 5 tari au fost acceptate la cel mai mare accelerator autohton de startup-uri la etapa idee, Upcelerator by Dreamups, editia Orange Digital Center Girlguiding UK has announced that it will continue to run operations in British Overseas Territories. Last April, the charity published plans to end British Girlguiding Overseas operations , citing the organisations future ability to run an overseas operation in 36 countries and territories, each with separate laws and regulations. At the time, the trustees said that Girlguiding in British Overseas Territories was still running and a decision would be announced in 2024. In a statement published yesterday, the charity said that its activities in British Overseas Territories will stay as part of Girlguiding. Last year, Girlguiding also announced it would close its five activity centres in Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall and Ynysgain due to underinvestment and fewer members using them. MPs called the decisions to close its five centres and end overseas operations utterly bizarre, which then prompted the Charity Commission to open a regulatory compliance case into the charity. Operations to become part of Girlguiding North West England Girlguiding said that guiding in Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands will be integrated into the structure of the Girlguiding North West England region. Guiding in these areas will be governed by senior volunteers and staff in the region, with a transition period that will be completed by 1 September. Over the past year, we have been working with senior volunteers in the nine overseas territories on a way forward for Girlguiding activities to continue, the charity said. As a result, we have agreed that Girlguiding North West Englands board of trustees and management structure will provide support to, and oversight and assurance of, guiding organisations in British Overseas Territories, as with their other areas of responsibility. Dedicated resource agreed The charity said that a dedicated resource within the Girlguiding North West England region, funded by the British Overseas Territories, has also been agreed. Were delighted that members in British Overseas Territories can continue as part of Girlguiding so girls can be themselves, feel at home, have fun and try new things enjoying time with friends and encouraged by amazing volunteers. Thank you to our trustees, international commissioner, senior volunteers, commissioners, members and staff who worked to develop a way forward for members in British Overseas Territories to stay as part of Girlguiding. Civil society minister Stuart Andrew posted on social media : Im pleased to hear that Girlguiding in the UK Overseas Territories will remain part of Girlguiding UK. I would like to extend a wholehearted thank you to all those who have worked tirelessly to find a solution that protects these vital services for young people. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Russia's foreign intelligence chief visited North Korea earlier this week to discuss ways to bolster cooperation in responding to spying and plotting activities by hostile forces, Pyongyang's state media reported Thursday. Sergei E. Naryshkin, director of the External Intelligence Bureau, visited Pyongyang between Monday and Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Naryshkin met with Ri Chang-dae, the North's state security minister, and working-level talks were also held between North Korean and Russian officials. "At both talks, the two sides briefed each other about the views on the present international and regional situation regarding the Korean Peninsula and Russia, and widely and deeply discussed practical issues for further boosting cooperation to cope with the ever-growing spying and plotting moves by the hostile forces," the KCNA said. The report did not elaborate on the details of the talks, but they are presumed to have exchanged intelligence on Russia's war with Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula. A visit by a country's intelligence chief is usually not made public, but North Korean state media's rare revelation appears to be aimed at showing off deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. Following the summit between the North's leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year, the two nations have been strengthening cooperation in various fields amid suspicions that Pyongyang has provided weapons to Moscow for its use in Russia's war with Ukraine. In May 2011, the North's state media reported a visit by then Russian foreign intelligence chief Mikhail Fradkov to Pyongyang and his meeting with then North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. (Yonhap) Last week, Donald Trump looked to be in dire straits, both legally and financially. He owed four hundred and fifty million dollars in legal penalties after a New York judge found that he fraudulently inflated the value of his assets in order to get bank loans, on top of the eighty-three million dollars he owed after losing a defamation case brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who has accused Trump of sexual assault. (He also faces several smaller judgments for defying a subpoena, disparaging a law clerk, and contempt of court.) Despite Trumps repeated claims to be a billionaire, his legal team told the court that he didnt have enough cash on hand to resolve the first judgment, and that he had been unable to find anyone to lend him the money or finance a bond until he could pay. In the end, the court allowed him to post a smaller bond, but only gave him ten days to come up with the full amount. If he does not, then Letitia James, New Yorks attorney general, will be able to start seizing his assets. This week, though, Trump appeared to be handed a lifeline: Trump Media and Technology Groupthe social media company through which he owns Truth Social, a Trumpian clone of Xmerged with Digital World Acquisition Corporation, a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. (A SPAC is an investment vehicle created for the purpose of buying other companies and taking them public.) The combined entity, now known as Trump Media and Technology Group, went public on Tuesday and quickly hit a market value of around eight billion dollars. Since Trump owns about 60 percent of the shares, his net worth has suddenly risen by more than four billion dollars. So is Trump on easy street now, with such vast resources that he no longer needs to worry about his legal penalties? Not exactly. Both he and Trump Media must clear a number of roadblocks before that happens. Success is by no means assured. And either way, business appears to be tied up here, to an unusual extent, with politics. While the market value of Trumps shares in Trump Media (which trades under the stock symbol DJT) stands at around four billion dollars, he cant simply sell those shares or even use them as collateral on a loan to pay his legal bills, at least not right away. Under the terms of the merger involving Truth Social, Trumps shares are locked up for six months, which means that they cant be sold and cant be used to backstop a loan eitherin theory, anyway. Could Trump get around this block? Its technically possible: The board of directors could waive the lockup restriction and allow Trump to sell some shares or borrow against them. And the board includes some close Trump confidants, including his son Don Jr. and three former members of the Trump administration, who might look favorably on such a request. Its not quite that simple, though. If Trump were to sell enough of his shares to raise the money he needs to pay off the four hundred and fifty million dollar judgment, it could cause the market value of the companys shares to plummetthats the reason why lockups exist in the first place. And Trump Media likely wont want to make investors or the market any more nervous about the stock price than they already arebecause, while the company has had a strong debut, its underlying finances are precarious. Truth Socialthe companys only real operating assethad just over five million visitors last month, according to one estimate. (For comparison, X, hardly in fine fettle under Elon Musk, had more than two hundred and fifty million visitors a day.) According to Digital Worlds regulatory filings, the company made just over three million dollars in advertising revenue in the first nine months of this year. It recorded a loss of almost fifty million dollars. As the New York Times put it, somewhat dryly, by most traditional measures, Trump Medias valuation is inordinately highindeed, it is trading at a thousand times its estimated annual revenue. Even in the world of so-called meme stockswhich trade more on hopes, dreams, vibes, and virality than on business fundamentals, appealing to dubious belief or gambling impulse on the part of mostly neophyte investorsthis is a stratospheric proportion. Redditthe online community that just went public (as I wrote in this newsletter two weeks ago), and is also perceived to have had a relatively strong start on the stock marketis trading at around ten times its annual revenue, which seems tame by comparison. Nvidia, which makes the chips that are used in everything from cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence engines, has soared in value by almost 300 percent in the past year alone and is now worth two trillion dollars. But even that company is only trading at twenty-five times its revenue. Sign up for CJR 's daily email So why is Trump Media selling at such astronomical prices? Investment experts say that it is not merely a meme stock but a political meme stock, which combines the dice-rolling aspect of regular meme stocks with the Trump-promoting fervor of MAGA acolytes. Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida who has long studied IPOs, told Vanity Fair that meme stocks often depend on the greater fool theory of investing, whereby rational investors expect that a stock will rise and so bet that they can sell their shares to a fool willing to buy them at a higher price. In the case of Trump Media, Ritter said, youve got ideology involved [and] my suspicion is most of them have bought the stock as a show of political support. With the merger and public offering, Trump may have come up with a way to raise money not only for his legal bills, but for his presidential campaign. Both of these strategies, however, will rely on the stock continuing to do well in the public markets, and this remains an open question. Apart from Trump Medias money-losing status and lack of any real sources of revenue growth, its not clear that the MAGA cohort alone will be enough to sustain the share price. And as the Times noted, going public means that Trump Media will draw more scrutiny from regulators, who will now be able to pore over its quarterly financial reports and look for irregularities. Even before the merger, Trump Media was on the radar of regulators: the deal was significantly delayed, and almost derailed, by a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into discussions that the company held with Digital World. (SPACs arent supposed to have a specific acquisition lined up before they go public, and securities regulations prohibit them from engaging in any meaningful merger talks with a specific entity.) According to federal prosecutors and the SEC, some insiders allegedly made trades knowing that Truth Digital was the target of the merger. Digital World eventually settled with the SEC and paid a fine of eighteen million dollars. It revised its public filings before the IPO was completed. No meme stock would be complete without some attendant conspiracy theories, and Trump Media is no different. In this case, one popular theory revolves around Jeffrey Yass, a billionaire Wall Street financier and prominent donor to the Republican Party. Susquehanna International Group, a trading firm controlled by Yass, was the largest institutional shareholder of Digital World prior to the merger and is also a major investor in ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok. This month, the House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok. According to the Times, the conservative Club for Growth has been lobbying Republicans in Congress to oppose an outright TikTok ban. Yass has reportedly helped to fund that effort. When Trump was president, he mounted a campaign to force ByteDance to sell TikTok to a US company and even issued an executive order banning the app, which I wrote about at the time. TikTok, he said, was a national emergency. This month, however, Trump reversed course and essentially took the Club for Growth line. (Banning TikTok, he says now, would only help Facebookwhich has been very bad for our country, especially when it comes to electionsand its owner Mark Zuckerberg, or as Trump calls him, Mark Zuckerschmuck.) Given Yasss stance on TikTok and his investment in Trump Media, some observers wondered whether a quid pro quo was at issue here. Trump has said that he met recently with Yass, but that the subject of TikTok didnt come up in their meeting. Susquehanna, Yasss firm, has said that it has zero economic interest in Trump Media, the merged entity, pointing out that its long position is offset by short positions of the same size. Whatever Yasss involvement, questions remain, both political and financial. Will Trump Media somehow become the kind of business that justifies an eight-billion-dollar market capitalization, or will its price ebb and flow based on the whims and obsessions of the MAGA crowd and meme-stock traders looking for a greater fool? Or will we see a repeat of what happened the last time there was a stock with the symbol DJT? The ticker was last used for Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, which went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995. That company lost money every year that it was in business. In 2004, it filed for bankruptcy protection. Recently, its been tempting to gauge Trumps financial ups and downs in terms of weeks, even days. But the correct metric might be years. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Sarah McCammon on covering evangelicals and exvangelicals Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. The US Securities and Exchange Commission can proceed with its lawsuit against Coinbase Inc., the biggest US cryptocurrency-trading platform, claiming the company failed to register as a securities business, a federal judge in New York ruled. The SEC adequately alleged that Coinbase engages in the unregistered sale and offer of securities and illegally operates as an exchange, a broker and a clearing agency under federal securities laws, US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla said in her opinion Wednesday. The decision is a blow to Coinbase and other cryptocurrency players who have argued the SEC has no power to regulate them because they dont traffic in securities that have to be registered. The judge, however, dismissed claims that Coinbases Wallet application acts as a broker under the US law. The crypto nomenclature may be of recent vintage, but the challenged transactions fall comfortably within the framework that courts have used to identify securities for nearly eighty years, the judge wrote. The ruling is a win for the SEC, which has asserted jurisdiction over crypto and has won rulings from several judges in New York in cases claiming authority over crypto firms. The ruling comes at an early stage of the case in which the judge was asked to decide whether the SECs claims, if true, are sufficient for the case to go forward. Coinbase still has opportunity to defeat the case after evidence-gathering or on appeal. The case likely enters a prolonged discovery phase of months if not years, plus appeals, said Elliott Stein, senior litigation analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. Final resolution may require a decision by the US Supreme Court, Stein said. We were prepared for this, and we look forward to uncovering more about the SECs internal views and discussions on crypto regulation, said Paul Grewal, chief legal officer for Coinbase, in a post on X. Grewal said the company remains confident in its legal arguments against the SECs suit. The SEC sued Coinbase in June, claiming that, beginning in 2019, Coinbase made billions of dollars illegally promoting the sale of securities. The SEC claims Coinbase has failed to register, as required, as an exchange, a broker and a clearing agency. Its the economic realities of a transaction, not the labels, that determine whether a particular offering constitutes a security, an SEC spokesperson said in a statement. Failure to register and follow the securities laws deprives investors of critical protections, the spokesperson said. The case is Securities and Exchange Commission v. Coinbase Inc., 23-cv-04738, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Top photo: The Coinbase logo on a smartphone arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The list of digital tokens deemed as unregistered securities by the Securities and Exchange Commission now spans over $120 billion of crypto after the US agencys lawsuits against Binance Holdings Ltd. and Coinbase Global Inc. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. When it comes to artificial intelligence, more questions than answers keep underwriters from venturing into the space and lead to a lack of clarity, according to panelists at The Professional Liability Underwriting Societys 2024 cyber symposium in New York City. I mean, the thing with AI is its not new. Its been around since the 50s, said Garrett Droege, director of innovation and digital risk practice leader at IMA. Generative AI is pretty new, but its still a subset of deep learning and a subset of machine learning. Its all been with us for a long time. I think we as an industry have done a bad job at keeping pace with that, because we saw this coming 20 years ago. Droege, who was speaking on a panel about the intersection of cyber and tech E&O coverages, said insurers should have built models around AI and how it would likely impact the risk profile of companies when they first saw the risk coming. I havent seen, in the wild, any AI exclusions policies, he said. However, I talked to a lot of people in this roomchief underwriting officersand I know they exist. Theyre sitting at a desk waiting to be deployed on cyber and tech E&O policies. He said one element keeping insurers from moving forward is a lack of clarity about AI risks and whether they fall under a cyber or a tech E&O policy. I mean, we do work with a lot of technology companiesa lot of emerging technology companiesand the risk is not that clear between the two, he said. Sometimes its both. What happens if the tech fails and allows unauthorized access? Well, then thats a tech E&O claim. What happens if theres just a brute force entry? Then its a cyber claim. The challenge for underwriters is that these differences are often subtle, said Jeff Kulikowski, executive vice president at Westfield Pro. Just because a company uses technology doesnt make it a tech E&O risk, he said. So, we get a lot of requestsand Im sure it comes from the client most timesto just add every coverage they can, and thats fine. But theres a distinct difference between a company that uses technology to perform their professional service versus a company thats providing a technology service for others for a fee. He said strategic consultants, doctors, auto salespeople and accountants, for example, all use technology to perform a professional service and should have their own E&O policies. However, theyre not providing a technological service to others like a software or telecommunications company. It sounds easy to distinguish, but its really not, he said. You can get into some very confusing arguments around third-party administrators, whether its an entirely related software or its a service model. There are hybrid models, but I think we all can do a better job at determining whats technology versus a technology service. Its very, very subtle, and it takes a little digging into. Underwriters should be analyzing clients operational models to determine what their losses could be and the types of exposures that should be covered, Kulikowski said. While its certainly the clients responsibility to analyze as much as possible, its also the underwriter that needs to tell the client what information is needed on their contracts, what questions around their business model differentiates them from A, B, C, or D, and to really dive in. Its just a different level of underwriting than your standard cyber policy. We have to understand the operational risk, not from a business interruption standpoint but from an actual financial loss standpoint. This is especially important as these financial losses can add up, Droege said. If and when the shoe drops and theres a major event that results in AI containment that people are worried about, you want to know if this would be an exclusion on a policy around the cyber or tech E&O or both, he said. (Editors note: AI containment refers to limitations being placed on AI that prevent it from advancing too far.) Im sure there are people in this room that are aware of recent claims involving generative AI and social engineering claims. Theyre very, very costly. Thats going to be where were headed, Droege said. Weve got to figure out what does that mean for cyber? How do we underwrite against that? Can we underwrite against that? Meghan McEvoy, vice president and cyber and E&O broker at Aon, said she is constantly working with clients as this risk evolves. She added its important to find out who the key stakeholder in a clients organization is to make sure theyre ethically entering the AI space and what their ethics committee or privacy team is doing to keep up with the regulatory environment. Its about making sure youre keeping up with that AI regulatory environment thats starting to expand and what youre doing to protect data and protect your network, she said. Kulikowski agreed, adding that AI has to be the most overused phrase in the industry right now, and with good reason. Ten years ago, if you said AI to an underwriter, the first thing that they would think of is Skynet. So, now were sitting here thinking, How can we underwrite to AI?' he said. When you dig into it, its not simple in any way. But I really think the big question [for clients] is not just do you use AI but how do you use it? Is it within your marketing platform? Do you use it to scrape data? Do you use it for running a trading platform or making investment decisions? Do you utilize it within your manufacturing process? (Editors Note: Skynet is the fictional AI system depicted in Terminator films.) While determining how AI is being used is a step toward increasing clarity around cyber and tech E&O coverage, those arent the only questions on insurers minds when it comes to AI risks. There are some issues with generative AI and software development where you can use ChatGPT to code for you, and most developers do that all day every day, Droege said. Wheres the liability line for that if the software results in a data breach? If the code was not secure and it allowed unauthorized access, but the code was written by the AI and not the company, whos responsible? Is it the developer of the AI model? Is it the software developer? Another problem Droege sees with AI is an inability to determine the truth with certainty. For hundreds of years, weve been able to use our eyes and ears to verify, Yeah, I saw that, I heard that, so that is true. Now, thats not the case, he said. There are cyber events happening right now where people are using generative AI to mask live video streams and to mask audio calls. He said in these cases, phone or video calls can come from cyber criminals using AI to pose as a company executive and gain information or money fraudulently. I think youre going to see blockchain as a bit of a savior for the AI challenges that we have, as a general ledger that is a single source of truth that can back up, and we can verify identities, he said. Thats going to be the way in my opinion. While underwriters are figuring out how to address AI, Kulikowski said one thing is certain: He doesnt feel that its ready to be its own class of business quite yet. I feel like everybody panics about AI, and its something that you need to take your time and really look through the basics of what it isspecifically generative AIand how its utilized within a company, he said. I dont know that its yet its own class of business. Its certainly an exposure class, but its really up to us as the industry to define the risk as it sits in every industry, and again, how its utilized and how we can address that. This means that at some point, hesitant underwriters will simply need to take the plunge despite unanswered questions, Droege said. There arent a lot of carriers raising their hands and saying, Yeah, we love new risks,' he said. Thats the one thing we dont do well as an industry. We want to understand it. We want to sit on the sidelines, let someone jump in the water first, and see what plans are going to come out of it. But a lot of these emerging technologies are moving so fast. Insurance is the currency of business. These companies have to have insurance to get the contracts to build the models that were all relying on and build things safely. MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Council has approved a resolution enabling Mayor Matt Castelli to enter into an agreement with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for a federally funded $500,000 loan from the Northeast Ohio Brownfield Program. Loan financing will be at zero-percent interest over a 10-year period. The money will subsidize asbestos/hazardous materials removal from the former Sears buildings at 6950 W. 130th St. in the citys Southland Business District. The remediation work will be done in advance of eventually having the main store and automotive service center structures demolished. Mixed-use redevelopment is actively being pursued throughout that area. The loan agreement describes brownfields as real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. It also indicates that NOACA and Middleburg Heights officials will engage a qualified environmental professional to oversee site cleanup. This program comes from the U.S. EPA and provides funding for remediation, the citys economic development director, Charles Bichara told council at its March 11 meeting. It will allow us to ultimately clear the site for future redevelopment. Additional funding is being pursued through an Ohio brownfield grant program. We have applied for it and were hearing we are positioned well to receive that (multi-million-dollar) grant (with a 20 percent city match), Castelli said in response to a residents inquiry. We hope to see an announcement about it in the next month or two. Were looking to assemble (funding) pieces to bring down the cost as much as possible for us to demolish those buildings. Read more stories from the News Sun. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As we are in the midst of Holy Week, we look forward to Easter Sunday on March 31. Wishing you a memorable holiday! Candy containers fit right into the Easter niche. Those made before World War 1 are considered antique pieces. Most of these were made from papier-mache and had removable heads, with a hollow interior for the candy. AKRON, Ohio A Columbus man accused of fatally shooting an Akron man in a 2023 road-rage incident on Interstate 76 was found guilty Wednesday of multiple criminal charges. A Summit County jury convicted Dacarrei Kinard, 31, of two counts of voluntary manslaughter with firearm and drive-by shooting specifications; felonious assault with a firearm specification drive-by shooting specification; and discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premises with a firearm specification. All are felony counts. Kinard is accused of shooting and killing George Jensen, 40, on May 17, 2023. The shooting occurred at about 5:35 p.m. on I-76 near Ohio 21, police say. Authorities say Kinard was driving a black Chevrolet Camaro when he fired multiple shots as he passed Jensens vehicle. Jensen ended up crashing into the median, according to the Summit County Medical Examiners Office. He was taken to Akron General Medical Center with a gunshot wound but was pronounced dead at 6:14 p.m. Kinard was arrested about a month later at his mothers home in Columbus. Geo was a gentle soul who cared deeply about all living things, Jensens family said in a statement released by the Summit County Prosecutors Office. When Geo met his wife Allison, it was an instant connection. There have never been two people more perfectly suited for each other. They did everything together and loved each other deeply. Geos presence has been severely missed. He leaves behind his wife Allison, their dog Orwell, and a tight-knit family, all of whom will never be the same. Judge Kathryn Michael is scheduled to sentence Kinard on April 12. I am pleased that jurors held Decarrei Kinard responsible and brought justice for George Jensens family, Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in a statement. This was a very difficult case and I want to thank the jurors for their service. They were thoughtful and thorough in their evaluation of this case. CLEVELAND, Ohio Shake off that sense that Clevelands best days are in the rearview. This city is primed for a comeback. That was Mayor Justin Bibbs opening message Thursday afternoon during his 2024 State of the City address at Playhouse Squares Mimi Ohio Theatre. CLEVELAND, Ohio Humans need special solar glasses to safely view April 8s total solar eclipse. But dogs smart enough to spend the eclipse sleeping and not staring at the sun dont need to be protected that day, according to medical experts. Companion animals of all types arent likely interested in the cosmic phenomenon. Pets are more likely to turn the eclipses midday darkness into nap time, experts say. Pets arent curious about the eclipse or more likely to look at the sun on the day of the eclipse than they are on any other day, Jeffrey Walline, acting dean of Ohio State University College of Optometry, said during a Thursday Ohio Department of Health media conference. I dont think we need to get eclipse glasses for our dogs or put them inside for their eye safety, Walline said. Companion animals such as birds, dogs and cats generally have an aversion to bright sunlight, and this discomfort will cause them to look away from the eclipse while its in progress, veterinary experts said. Cleveland will be in the path of totality during the April 8 total solar eclipse, when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun and causing the sky to darken. Beyond the question of pets actually looking at the eclipse, here are some tips and ideas about how to keep your pets safe during the eclipse. USA Today, Maybeck Animal Hospital in Florida, the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and people.com provided information. Q: How will cats and dogs react to the eclipse? Its hard to say with certainty how pets will respond to the total solar eclipse because total solar eclipses are so rare, and there arent many scientific studies of animal behavior during eclipses. Companion animals may exhibit nighttime behaviors as the sunlight fades like going to sleep or napping or signs of anxiety. Some dogs might start howling when it suddenly gets dark. Watch for anxiety behaviors such as increased panting and scratching, hiding and pacing. Comforting cuddles and a favorite toy might help nervous pets get through the eclipse. If you would like to contribute to efforts to document animals reactions to the eclipse, share observations of your pets behavior at www.observinganimals.org. Q: Should owners keep their pets indoors on April 8? It might be smart to keep pets indoors during the eclipse not to save their eyesight, but because weather-sensitive animals might experience fear, stress or panic. Q. How can pet owners ensure companion animals are fine during at-home eclipse parties? If guests will be going in and out of your home, use a baby gate, crate or leash so that dogs dont escape. To ensure a cat or other small pet doesnt get outside, create a cat apartment in an enclosed, separate space with food, water, litter box and toys. If guests stress your dog or cat, talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety supplements or medications that can help your pet. Q: Can I take my companion animal to a public solar eclipse gathering? The excitement and crowds at eclipse gatherings could cause dogs to panic or feel stressed. And if a pet gets stressed out or panics because of the darkening skies and cooling temperatures during an eclipse, being in a crowded place will make it worse. If you do take your dog to one of the many eclipse events in the area, check with the venue to be sure pets are allowed. Whats so special about a solar eclipse? The 124-mile wide path of totality will angle across Ohio from just north of Cincinnati to the Cleveland area on April 8. In Cleveland, the total eclipse will begin about 2 p.m. and last until 4:30 p.m.; totality starts at 3:13 p.m. and will last for less than four minutes. Its also set to be the longest totality on land for over a decade, according to astronomy experts. This area wont experience another total solar eclipse for another 75 years. Dozens of Ohio cities and organizations including the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Metroparks are planning major events for the eclipse. Using special solar viewers, also called solar glasses, and filters are the only way to view an eclipse safely. The American Astronomical Society website has links to selected suppliers of solar viewers and filters that are safe when used properly. The American Astronomical Society advises that glasses with the ISO 12312-2 certification adopted in 2015 are safe as long as the filters are not scratched or otherwise degraded. For more information, go to the NASA website or GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is delivering his third State of the City address today at noon at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. All available tickets have already been snatched up, but you can still watch the speech via livestream, from Ideastream Public Media and The City Club of Cleveland, in the viewer below. It can also be found on the City Clubs YouTube page. With half of his term now complete, and several major initiatives underway, or slated for the year ahead, Bibb is sure to have much to discuss. His blight-fighting Residents First code enforcement overhaul is going into effect. He recently rolled out a 10-year strategic plan to modernize City Hall. And his police recruitment strategy appears to be paying its first dividends, with this weeks announcement that the 2024 cadet class includes 52 new recruits -- larger than the last four classes combined, according to the city. And of course, Bibbs big plans to remake downtown Cleveland are picking up substantial steam, after City Council on Monday signed off on the creation of special downtown taxing district to fund massive upgrades to the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie waterfronts. Bibb views his downtown redevelopment plans as Clevelands opportunity to start correcting decades of suburbanization that have drained Cleveland of resources, and emptied out the urban core of Northeast Ohio. North Korean weapons are being tested by Russia : envoy By Kim Hyun-bin The upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris will be "truly revolutionary," French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux said, expressing his nation's pride in hosting the global sporting event set to kick off on July 26. "France is striving to make this Olympics truly revolutionary, inclusive and environmentally friendly. One notable aspect is that the opening ceremony will not be held in a stadium, for the first time." Bertoux said during an interview with The Korea Times at the ambassador's residence in Seoul on March 13. "Instead, it will take place outdoors, centered around the Seine River. It will be a spectacle showcasing Paris's major landmarks,allowing hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world to enjoy the view," he said. Everyone in France is either directly or indirectly involved in, interested in or mobilized in some way in the preparations for the Olympics, Bertoux said. "When we talk about Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, its not just about Paris because while many events will be held in Paris, some will take place in other cities and even outside the continent, in overseas territories," he said. "So far, all preparations, including the opening of the athletes' village, are proceeding properly on schedule, without exceeding the budget." He added, France is fully prepared to welcome South Korean athletes and looks forward to the cultural exchanges in the road ahead. "South Korea's athletes are planning to set up their base camp in Fontainebleau, a beautiful town near Paris," the ambassador said. "Fontainebleau is famous for its picturesque surroundings." "Fontainebleau is preparing to welcome the South Korean athletes and this Olympics serve as an opportunity for cultural exchange between South Korea and various French municipalities." Acknowledging South Korea's impressive achievements in sports, he expressed hope that the two nations could achieve notable outcomes together at the Olympics. "Naturally, I hope that France and South Korea will be at the top of the medal table," he said. "South Korea is known for its remarkable achievements in sports, not only in Taekwondo but also in various other disciplines like archery." Bilateral ties Bertoux underscored the remarkable strides achieved in bilateral relations between South Korea and France in 2023, pointing out several noteworthy developments. Among these, he highlighted President Yoon Suk Yeol's two visits to France, which featured summit meetings aimed at bolstering cooperation between the two nations. "We have seen remarkable progress in both qualitative and quantitative terms in our relationship with South Korea," Bertoux said. "President Yoon's visits underscore the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across various sectors." Summits held in June and November facilitated discussions on a wide range of topics, including economic, cultural and personal exchanges. Notably, both presidents addressed pressing global issues such as climate change, decarbonization and forest conservation, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between advanced nations. Economic ties between South Korea and France have flourished, with bilateral trade reaching a record level of 16 billion euros ($17.3 billion) last year. "We are committed to further accelerating this positive trend, particularly focused on key areas such as space, semiconductors, batteries, civil nuclear power, quantum technology and energy transition," he said. The French ambassador highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation in education and technology, noting that French startups are showing interest in the South Korean market and vice versa. He said there's a growing interest in South Korean culture among the French public, particularly among the youth, thanks to the rise in popularity of K-pop and K-dramas. He added that both countries are also exploring opportunities in the gaming and animation industries, as well as webtoons, where France has shown significant interest. Regarding the issue of North Korea, Bertoux reaffirmed France's solidarity with South Korea against the threats posed by the North's nuclear, ballistic missile, and cyber programs. France condemns North Korea's provocations and actively engages in international efforts to address proliferation and human rights concerns. Russia-Ukraine war He emphasized the need for vigilance, as North Korea's collaboration with Russia could pose a serious threat to regional security. The ambassador said the North Korea-Russia cooperation inevitably will change some strategic landscapes. "The fact that North Korean missiles are being used in the Ukrainian conflict by Russia is not only a matter of concern for EU countries or limited to Ukraine," he said. "It is also a very serious issue for South Korea. This is because North Korean weapons are being tested by Russia." He added, "South Korea's stance and posture may soon have to be adjusted. The Russia-North Korea cooperation is indeed a worrying development situation for everybody." The French ambassador lauded the people of Ukraine for their courage in the face of the ongoing conflict with Russia. Reflecting on the two-year anniversary of the conflict, Bertoux noted, "We can say that this conflict began over a decade ago when Russia occupied the Crimean Peninsula and later Donbas." "During this time, Russia has changed. It has become an aggressive nation, exhibiting violence, revisionism, imperialism and colonialism," he said. "Russia not only engages in aggressive actions toward Ukraine but also increasingly displays such behavior towards European nations. This aggressiveness is tangible in both informational and cyber dimensions." Turning to France's support for Ukraine, the ambassador emphasized ongoing military and civilian assistance, including a recent bilateral security agreement over the next decade, committing up to 3 billion euros in additional military support in 2024. "Under no circumstances should Russia be allowed to prevail in this war. The consequences would be catastrophic," he said. COLUMBUS, Ohio After an Ohio transgender legislative hopeful was kept off the ballot for not listing her deadname on campaign paperwork, Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would prevent similar disqualifications from happening in the future. House Bill 467, introduced Wednesday, comes in response to the Stark County Board of Elections decision in January to prevent Democrat Vanessa Joy from running for Ohio House District 50, citing a rarely-invoked state law requiring anyone who files to run for public office to list both their current name and any other names they went by in the past five years. COLUMBUS, Ohio Newly adopted rules now require emergency departments to report non-fatal overdoses to the state, an effort to give health officials more visibility into a substance use crisis killing thousands of Ohioans every year. Under the new framework, proposed by the Ohio Department of Health and adopted this week by a state legislative committee that approves agency rules, emergency rooms must report non-fatal overdoses within two days of their occurrence. Rotunda Rumblings Times up: More than three decades after Ohio voters approved legislative term limits in the state, top Ohio House and Senate leaders say theyd like to loosen or eliminate them entirely. But Jeremy Pelzer reports that its very doubtful the Ohio General Assembly will take any action on the issue before the current session ends in December. House Speaker Jason Stephens first raised the prospect last December, and Senate President Matt Huffman seconded it while speaking to reporters last week. The Chinese part of Mount Paekdu has been listed as one of UNESCO's new global geoparks in the name of "Mount Changbaishan," the U.N. cultural agency's website showed Thursday. UNESCO's Executive Board has endorsed the addition of 18 sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, bringing the number of geoparks to 213 in 48 countries, according to the website. "Located in the southeast Jilin Province, Mount Changbaishan UNESCO Global Geopark is like an open-air classroom for volcanism, with dramatic landforms and diverse rock types that document significant multiphase eruptions," it said. During a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said South Korea will continue to keep a close eye on relevant efforts. He stressed that Mount Paekdu holds "great significance" in the hearts of Koreans and voiced expectation for the rest of the mountain to be designated as a global geopark, citing comments by South Korean ambassador to UNESCO Bak Sang-mee. In 2020, China applied for Changbai Mountain, considered to be Chinese territory in the Mount Paekdu region, to be listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Mount Paekdu, the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, lies on the border between North Korea and China, with around 55 percent of the crater lake in North Korean territory. (Yonhap) South Korea's top military officer on Thursday held video talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts to discuss trilateral efforts for security cooperation to counter North Korean military threats, Seoul's military said. The talks among Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo, and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, respectively, took place amid concerns over Pyongyang's continued weapons tests this year. Last week, the North claimed to have staged a ground engine test for a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, after test-firing a purported solid-fuel hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile in January. "(The three sides) agreed that the DPRK's provocative actions including nuclear and missile developments reflect the importance of increasing the depth, scale, and scope of trilateral cooperation," the JCS said in an English-language release. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The three sides noted the efforts under way to bolster security cooperation, such as launching a system to share North Korean missile warning data in real time and establishing a multiyear plan for trilateral military drills last December, the JCS said. Brown also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending South Korea and Japan, and the three recognized that trilateral cooperation helps ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, according to the JCS. The three sides are set to hold their regular in-person meeting this summer. (Yonhap) U.S. Marines have joined a large-scale combined exercise at a high-tech training facility in South Korea for the first time, the South's Army said Thursday, amid efforts to boost readiness against North Korean threats. The two-week exercise began March 19 at the Korea Combat Training Center in the mountainous county of Inje, 126 kilometers northeast of Seoul, involving some 3,600 troops, including a company from the U.S. 3rd Marine Division based in Okinawa, Japan. The exercise also mobilized soldiers from the Army's 25th Infantry Division, as well as some 230 combat assets, including tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters, with participants staging attack and defense operations for three days each without sleep. The Army training ground operates an opposition force that participating units battle with and the facility employs a laser engagement system for troops to simulate combat. "What we looked to get out of this training is to further the relationship between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps and to increase our ability to partner with the ROK Army in future combat operations," U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Nicholas Bayuk, who took part in the exercise, said in footage released by the South Korean Army. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. The U.S. 3rd Marine Division is one of the first reinforcement forces to be deployed to the Korean Peninsula in a contingency, according to the Army. The two Koreas still technically remain at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. (Yonhap) Parties go all out to woo voters as election day nears Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw sharply criticized Ancora Holdings, the activist investor currently engaged in a proxy fight with the railroad company's board, during an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday. "We've gone to the activist, and we've offered a settlement their responses have been unreasonable at the determination of our board," he said. "Ancora's looking for wholesale change, and our board firmly believes that is, drives, long-term shareholder destruction." Norfolk Southern has faced criticism over the past year after one of its freight trains derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023 and released toxic chemicals into the soil, water and air. Based in Cleveland, 90 minutes from East Palestine, Ancora challenged Norfolk Southern in February, aiming to add eight directors to the board and oust Shaw as CEO. Ancora has strongly come out against Shaw, saying in a presentation that he is a "30-year insider" who lacks "the strategic operating and financial experience needed to effectively oversee Norfolk Southern during this critical period." Ancora did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shaw said that the existing board is strong, and that it includes CEOs with "direct rail and transportation experience," as well as a former admiral and rail-safety advocates. He added the board offered Ancora "a couple" of seats, but suggested the activist investor was not amenable to the offering. According to Shaw, he's kept promises he's made in the wake of the derailment, saying Norfolk Southern's safety has improved over the last year. Regulators in February recognized the company's efforts to increase safety and said that "early data for 2023 suggest that NS was the only Class I railroad to achieve significant reductions in the rate of mainline derailments this past year." "We enhanced safety, we're making it right in East Palestine," Shaw said. "We enhanced service, and now we got that platform to really drive productivity in 2024 and really drive long term growth and shareholder value." Many health-care providers rely on reimbursement cash flow to operate, so the fallout has been substantial. Smaller and mid-sized practices told CNBC they were making tough decisions about how to stay afloat. A survey published by the American Hospital Association earlier this month found that 94% of hospitals have experienced financial disruptions from the attack. The company disconnected the affected systems "immediately upon detection" of the threat, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The interruptions left many health-care providers temporarily unable to fill prescriptions or get reimbursed for their services by insurers. UnitedHealth, which owns Change Healthcare, discovered in February that a cyber threat actor had breached part of the unit's information technology network. Change Healthcare processes more than 15 billion billing transactions annually, and 1 in every 3 patient records passes through its systems, according to its website. UnitedHealth Group has paid out an additional $1 billion to providers that have been impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack since last week , bringing the total amount of funds advanced to more than $3.3 billion , the company said on Wednesday. As a result, UnitedHealth introduced its temporary funding assistance program to help providers in need of support. The company said the $3.3 billion in advances will not need to be repaid until claims flows return to normal. Federal agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have introduced additional options to ensure that states and other stakeholders can make interim payments to providers, according to a release. UnitedHealth has been working to restore Change Healthcare's systems in recent weeks, and it expects some disruptions will continue into April, according to its website. The company began processing a backlog of more than $14 billion in claims on Friday, and on Wednesday said, "claims have begun to flow." Shares of UnitedHealth have fallen more than 6% since the attack was disclosed. Late last month, the company said the ransomware group Blackcat is behind the attack. Blackcat, also called Noberus and ALPHV, steals sensitive data from institutions and threatens to publish it unless a ransom is paid, according to a December release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of State on Wednesday announced it's offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that could help identify or locate cyber actors linked to Blackcat. UnitedHealth said Wednesday that it's "still determining the content of the data that was taken by the threat actor." The company said a "leading vendor" is analyzing the affected data. United Health is working closely with law enforcement and third parties like Palo Alto Networks and Google's Mandiant to assess the attack. "We continue to be vigilant, and to date have not seen evidence of any data having been published on the web," UnitedHealth said. "And we are committed to providing appropriate support to people whose data is found to have been compromised." Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote a letter to UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty on Monday requesting information about the "scope and extent" of the breach. Raskin asked Witty for information about when Change Healthcare notified its clients about the breach, what specific infrastructure and information was targeted and what cybersecurity procedures the company has in place. The committee requested written responses "no later" than April 8. "Given your company's dominant position in the nation's health care and health insurance industry, Change Healthcare's prolonged outage as a result of the cyberattack has already had 'significant and far-reaching' consequences," Raskin wrote. The Biden administration also launched an investigation into UnitedHealth earlier this month due to the "unprecedented magnitude of the cyberattack," according to a statement. There's a major energy stock trading on the cheap with a chance for upside. I'll review an options trade that generates income while I wait for the potential comeback. Last October, Chevron (CVX) announced the acquisition of Hess Corp for $60 billion, a deal expected to complete by the end of June. Some analysts who cover the space suggest that while the deal is slightly dilutive, ultimately the purchase will benefit the company as it reduces the company's dependency on the Permian Basin alone for "expansion." I put expansion in quotes because where the integrated oil companies are concerned as they sell oil they must find and develop reserves to replace what they have sold. To truly expand in the long-term they must grow their reserves, rather than simply replace them. While Chevron has seen a higher replacement ratio than many in the industry, the truth is that, like many in the industry the company has essentially been maintaining their reserves. CVX 5Y mountain Chevron, 5 years This dynamic means that the integrated oil companies aren't growth stocks. That's OK though because they aren't priced like growth stocks either. The S & P 500 is trading at more than 25 times earnings. By contrast, Chevron is trading just over half that, at 12.8 times earnings. The trade Chevron's five-year plan focuses on yield to shareholders as the dividend yield is greater than 4%. Focusing on yield rather than growth given the extraordinary rally we've seen in stocks since late October may make sense, and some options trades focus on yield over growth as well, such as selling covered calls against stocks we own. With that in mind, I could purchase CVX at $156 and sell the May $160 covered call for $3.10, collecting premium of 2% of the current stock price while offering a modest amount of upside. The objective would be to hold the shares and rinse and repeat, continuing to write calls against the stock as the options previously written expire. DISCLOSURES: (None) THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. Baltimore City Fire Boat 2 floats past the Dali container vessel after it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The collapse of a major Baltimore bridge and its knock-on effects could result in the biggest-ever marine insurance payout, the chair of insurance giant Lloyd's of London said on Thursday. Analysts have forecast that insured losses from the disaster would amount to a figure in the single-digit billions, after a huge cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday. Six people were presumed dead. "We're beginning to deploy resources in anticipation of this being a very substantial claim for the industry. And for the Lloyd's market, it's going to take some time for for the complexity of the situation to unravel," Bruce Carnegie-Brown told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." "So, [it's] very early days to call a number. I don't at this point anticipate that it's outside our realistic disaster scenario planning. It feels like a a very substantial loss, potentially the largest-ever marine insured loss, but not outside parameters that we plan for." Carnegie-Brown added that, while there would clearly be claims for the ship, cargo and the bridge, it is "second-order impacts" that would become "substantial." "A lot of business is going to be interrupted, supply chains are going to be interrupted by ships that are both trapped inside the port and of course, ships that were trying to gain access to the port that no longer can, and those second order effects will take some time to work through," he said. Baltimore City Fire Boat 2 floats past the Dali container vessel after it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The pilot of the cargo freighter that knocked down a highway bridge into Baltimore Harbor had radioed for tugboat help and reported a power loss minutes earlier, federal safety officials said on Wednesday, citing audio from the ship's "black box" data recorder. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board also said that Francis Scott Key Bridge, a traffic artery over the harbor built in 1976, lacked structural engineering redundancies common to newer spans, making it more vulnerable to a catastrophic collapse. New insights into the fatal disaster emerged a day after the massive Singapore-flagged container ship Dali sailing out of Baltimore Harbor bound for Sri Lanka reported losing power and the ability to maneuver before plowing into a support pylon of the bridge. The impact brought most of the bridge tumbling into the mouth of the Patapsco River almost immediately, blocking shipping lanes and forcing the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Divers on Wednesday recovered the remains of two of the six workers missing since the crumbling bridge tossed them into the water, officials said on Wednesday. Maryland State Police Colonel Roland Butler said a red pickup truck containing the bodies of the two men was found in about 25 feet (7.62 m) of water near the mid-section of the fallen bridge. watch now He also said authorities had suspended efforts to retrieve more bodies from the depths due to increasingly treacherous conditions in the wreckage-strewn harbor. Butler said sonar images showed additional submerged vehicles "encased" in sunken bridge debris, making them difficult to reach. The two men whose bodies were recovered on Wednesday were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, a native of Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of nearby Dundalk, originally from Guatemala. Four more workers who were part of a crew filling potholes on the bridge's road surface remained missing and presumed dead. The six also included immigrants from Honduras and El Salvador, officials said. Rescuers pulled two workers from the water alive on Tuesday, and one was hospitalized. The economic fallout could be staggering. The port handles more automobile and farm equipment freight than any other in the country, as well as container freight and bulk goods ranging from sugar to coal. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the 8,000 jobs are "directly associated" with port operations, which generate $2 million a day in wages. Still, economists and logistics experts doubted the port closure would trigger a major U.S. supply chain crisis or significant spike in the price of goods, due to ample capacity at rival shipping hubs along the East Coast. The collapse, which occurred at 1:30 a.m., has created a traffic quagmire as well for Baltimore and the surrounding region. Interviewing survivors Earlier on Wednesday an NTSB team boarded the idled freighter, still anchored in the harbor channel with part of the mangled bridge splayed over its bow, to begin interviewing the ship's two pilots and 21 regular crew members who remained on the vessel, safety board chief Jennifer Homendy said. Investigators also began reviewing information collected from the ship's Voyage Data Recorder, including radio traffic between the pilot and shore-based authorities leading up to the disaster. The pilot was heard calling for tugboat assistance several minutes before the crash, the first indication of distress to harbor officials, followed by a radio report that the ship had lost all power and was approaching the bridge, NTSB officials said at a news briefing on Wednesday night. Video footage that captured the accident show the ship's lights winking off, then back on briefly before the vessel's lights go out again. watch now Homendy said recorder data was "consistent with a power outage" but that an actual blackout had yet to be confirmed. The recorder also picked up commands to the crew to drop anchor, presumably aimed at slowing the vessel. Safety board investigator Marcel Muise said data showed the Dali, measuring about three football fields in length and piled high with shipping containers, was moving at about 8 miles per hour (12.8 km) when it struck a bridge abutment. Homendy noted that the bridge, while deemed to be in "satisfactory" condition from its most recent inspection in 2023, was constructed in such a way that failure of one structural member "would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge to collapse." Further details of last-minute efforts to save lives emerged on Wednesday from open-source recordings of emergency radio chatter from the moments that authorities were alerted that the cargo ship Dali was drifting out of control toward Key Bridge. "Hold all traffic on the Key Bridge. There's a ship approaching that just lost their steering," someone is heard saying over a police radio. While voices were heard discussing next steps, including alerting any work crews to leave the bridge, one broke through to say: "The whole bridge just fell down!" The audio was carried by the public streaming service Broadcastify. The U.S. Coast Guard's first priorities are to restore the waterway for shipping, stabilize the crippled vessel and extricate it, Vice Admiral Peter Gautier said at a White House news briefing. Of the ship's 4,700 cargo containers, 56 hold hazardous materials but there is no threat to the public, Gautier said. Two containers went overboard during the crash but they did not contain hazardous materials. The ship was carrying more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil, Gautier added. Homendy said some of hazmat containers aboard the vessel had been breached and a sheen was noticed on the water's surface. In this article TSLA ZE594-CN Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT A BYD Co. Atto 3 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) on day two of the Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images China-made electric vehicles will make up more than a quarter of the EV sales in Europe this year, with the country's share increasing by over 5% from a year earlier, according to a new policy analysis. About 19.5% of battery-powered EVs sold in the EU last year were from China, with close to a third of the sales in France and Spain constituting EVs shipped from the Asian country, the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) reported in a paper shared Wednesday. The share of made-in-China vehicles in the region is expected to rise to just over 25% in 2024, according to the T&E research, as Chinese brands such as BYD ramp up their global expansion. While most EVs sold in the EU are from Western brands such as Tesla, which manufactures and ships EVs from China, Chinese brands alone are set to account for 11% of the region's market in 2024. That share could reach 20% by 2027, T&E predicted. The findings come as the European Commission probes subsidies given to electric vehicle makers in China to determine if they unfairly undercut local companies. Non-Chinese brands that ship from China, such as Tesla and BMW, could be included in the ongoing subsidy investigation. According to Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights, incentives put in place in China in the early 2010s led to a surge in startups and increased battery cell capacity in the country, paving the way for affordable EVs. watch now China's President Xi Jinping speaks at an event held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 15, 2023. Carlos Barria | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. executives on Wednesday that bilateral relations can improve, and pledged that Beijing would keep working to improve the business environment. "Over the past couple of years, the China-U.S. relationship experienced some setbacks and serious challenges, from which lessons should be learned," an official English-language readout of Xi's remarks said. "The relationship cannot go back to the old days, but it can embrace a brighter future." "China and the United States should help rather than hinder each other's development, both in traditional areas such as trade and agriculture, and in emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence," the readout said. Blackstone Chairman and CEO Stephen Schwarzman, Qualcomm President and CEO Cristiano Amon, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Board of Directors Chair Evan G. Greenberg, Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government Founding Dean Graham Allison and President of the U.S.-China Business Council Craig Allen were among the attendees, according to the readout. The U.S.-China Business Council said in a press release that it "was honored to be invited to and participate in the dialogue with President Xi to discuss our concerns over the decline in trade, investment, and business confidence, as well as our desire to help improve engagement and commercial exchange between our two countries." watch now The council said it emphasized the need for China to increase the role of consumption in the economy. China set a target of around 5% growth this year. Authorities have made boosting industrial development a priority, while pushing forward with efforts to support consumption. In the Chinese side's readout, Xi described China's economy as "sound and sustainable," and pushed back on some forecasts that the country would soon "peak." China's foreign minister and top diplomat Wang Yi, National Development and Reform Commission Chair Zheng Shanjie and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao also attended the meeting, according to state media footage. FedEx confirmed its president, Rajesh Subramaniam, was among those who met with Xi on Wednesday. Blackstone and Qualcomm did not respond to CNBC requests for comment. The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations did not provide a statement. "I commend [Xi's] personal engagement in the U.S.-China relationship, including a meeting like this. Engagement is how relationships are built and knowledge is shared," the committee's chair Greenberg said in remarks broadcast by Chinese state television. Greenberg is also chairman and CEO of insurance company Chubb . Working on foreign business conditions Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. (We're no longer recording the audio, so we can get this new written feature to members as quickly as possible.) Markets: Stocks are finishing out March and the first quarter with the S & P 500 on track for it's best start to the year since 2019 on a quiet note. Thursday's session is playing out in similar fashion to most of March, with leadership rotating from technology stocks into other areas of the market as the record rally broadens out . GLP-1 check in : Eli Lilly shares rose about 0.5% after the first major U.S. health insurers said they will cover Novo Nordisk's obesity medication Wegovy for the use of reducing the risk of heart attack and strokes. To be eligible, patients will need to have cardiovascular disease, meet a certain weight criteria, and be covered by a Medicare Part D drug benefit plan, but it's a good start. The news supports the bullish thesis that as clinical trials show GLP-1 drugs deliver health benefits beyond weight loss, insurers will be more inclined to cover them. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Lilly's Zepbound the Club holding's rival to Wegovy is in short supply at Amazon Pharmacy and Rite Aid. Zepbound and Wegovy are part of the fast-growing GLP-1 class of drugs. Abbott update : Shares of Abbott Laboratories were slightly higher Thursday, on pace for their third straight day of gains. We are "feeling good about Abbott Laboratories in light of its recent litigation-related pullback," Jim Cramer said. We added to our Abbott Labs position a week ago on the view that the market capitalization lost from potential litigation greatly exceeds what the company could end up paying to settle the outstanding cases. We also bought Abbott shares on March 15. "We recognize that its first infant formula case is in St. Louis, which is a tough jurisdiction for the defense," Jim explained. Competitor "Reckitt's Mead Johnson [subsidiary] had a really bad verdict in Illinois. The jury said Mead failed to warn of the risk of NEC, which is a gastrointestinal disease. It was never an issue of a defective product. Formula for premature infants has been recommended by doctors for decades. That doesn't mean Abbott can't lose this first case, but this is a very different situation from Johnson & Johnson's talc issue." We exited our position in J & J last year due to its litigation overhang. Around the portfolio: Home Depot announced Friday it will acquire the building products supplier SRS Distribution for $18.25 billion in a move that will bulk up its business focused on professional contractors. "Stanley Black & Deckerlike it. Home Depot is getting bigger in housing, which is a good sign for the tool group," Jim said. Estee Lauder said its Clinique brand is available within Amazon's Premium Beauty store in the U.S. The embattled cosmetics company was the top-performing Club stock in Thursday's session, boosted by an upgrade at Bank of America . "People realize that, at last, there is pulse at Estee Lauder. Finally there's a new strategy with Amazon, so no longer are we hoping that China and travel duty free will come back," Jim said. Reminder: The U.S. stock market is closed Friday in observance of Good Friday, so there will be no Morning Meeting or Homestretch. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Eli Lilly & Co.'s shares climbed in early US trading after its experimental drug for Alzheimer's slowed the progress of the disease in a final-stage trial, paving the way for the company to apply for US approval. AJ Mast | Bloomberg | Getty Images A Seoul court sentenced a 43-year-old man to one year in prison on charges of leaving a weapon in front of ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon's home in southern Seoul last year while he was serving as justice minister. The man, only known by his surname Hong, has been indicted on charges of placing a weapon and a torch lighter at the entrance of Han's apartment in Seoul's Gangnam district in October. He was also found to have repeatedly visited his neighborhood. Han, now the leader of the ruling People Power Party, was serving as justice minister at that time. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday delivered a one-year prison sentence for Hong, finding him guilty of intimidation involving a weapon. The court concluded that the suspect committed the crime out of the delusion that Han was tormenting him but found him not guilty of the stalking charge, saying that his crime was a one-off affair. Hong was briefly restrained by court guards during the ruling after he shouted, "The country has harassed me," and "Stop preventing me from speaking," following the sentencing. (Yonhap) Home Depot on Thursday said it is acquiring SRS Distribution in an $18.25 billion deal, the latest and largest sign of its ambitions to drive sales by winning more business from contractors, roofers and other home professionals. The home improvement retailer expects the acquisition to close this fiscal year, which ends in late January. It said it will finance the deal through cash on hand and debt. Home Depot already draws half of its business from pros, while the other half comes from do-it-yourself customers. With the deal, the Atlanta-based company is making yet another push to gain the customers who tackle complex and lucrative construction jobs, particularly as homeowners pull back on DIY projects. That was one of the priorities that Home Depot leaders laid out for this year. It's also why the company has been opening a growing network of distribution centers that can stock large quantities of items that pros need, such as lumber or shingles, and deliver them directly to a job site. The acquisition is the largest in Home Depot's history. In an interview with CNBC, CEO Ted Decker described the deal as "a complementary accelerator" to its efforts to attract more pros. He said the deal increases Home Depot's total addressable market by $50 billion. SRS Distribution sells supplies to professionals in the landscaping, pool and roofing businesses. It's owned by two private equity firms, Leonard Green & Partners and Berkshire Partners. The McKinney, Texas-based company has approximately 11,000 employees and 760 branches across 47 states. It also has a fleet of 4,000 delivery trucks and a dedicated salesforce that caters to the home pros, Decker said. The acquisition adds to other recent deals that the retailer has made in the pro space. They include the approximately $8 billion acquisition of HD Supply, a national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations products in the multifamily and hospitality markets, in 2020. Last year, it also made two other acquisitions for undisclosed amounts: International Designs Group, which owns Construction Resources, a distributor of surfaces, appliances and other products that sells to home pros; and Temco, an appliance delivery and installation company. Decker said he's confident the deal will get approved by federal regulators, even as they increase scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions. "With the separate customer base, different channels, different purchase occasions, we feel good that this will go through," he said. The acquisition is expected to be dilutive to Home Depot's earnings per share due to amortization, but accretive in terms of cash earnings per share in the first year after the deal closes. Home Depot has leaned into the pro business as its growth stagnates. The retailer, a major beneficiary of pandemic trends, has dealt with moderating sales as consumers take on fewer home projects and spend more on grocery bills and experiences. Over the past few quarters, customers have bought fewer big-ticket items and tackled smaller, less pricey projects. Decker said last month on an earnings call that Home Depot would focus on opening new stores, attracting more pro sales and trying to make customers' shopping experience more seamless. Home Depot plans to open a dozen new stores during the fiscal year. It recently announced it will open four distribution centers that help support sales to pros. The acquisition comes after the home improvement retailer said last month that it expects slower sales trends to continue. It said it anticipates total sales for the full year will grow about 1%, including an additional week in the fiscal year. Yet it expects comparable sales, which take out the effect of store openings and closures and do not include the additional week, to drop by about 1%. Home Depot had a total of 2,335 stores across the U.S., Mexico and Canada as of the end of the fiscal year in late January. It has about 465,000 employees. As of Wednesday's close, shares of Home Depot are up about 11% this year. That's slightly ahead of the 10% gains of the S&P 500. Home Depot's stock closed at $385.89 on Wednesday, bringing its market value to about $382 billion. watch now FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday for the massive fraud and conspiracy that doomed his cryptocurrency exchange and a related hedge fund, Alameda Research. The sentence in Manhattan federal court was significantly less than the 40 to 50 years in prison that federal prosecutors wanted for Bankman-Fried, but it was much more than the five to six-and-a-half years suggested by his attorneys. "There is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future," Judge Lewis Kaplan said before sentencing the 32-year-old and ordering him to pay $11 billion in forfeiture to the U.S. government. "And it's not a trivial risk at all," Kaplan added. Kaplan noted he has never heard "a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes" from Bankman-Fried. The judge said that in the 30 years on the federal bench, he had "never seen a performance" like Bankman-Fried's trial testimony. If Bankman-Fried was not "outright lying" during cross-examination by prosecutors, he was "evasive," Kaplan said. In this courtroom sketch, FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried stands before U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan as he is sentenced to 25 years in prison, at federal court in New York City on March 28, 2024. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters "There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Fried's name right now is pretty much mud around the world," the judge said. Jurors at trial likewise did not buy Bankman-Fried's version of events, convicting him in November of seven criminal counts and holding him responsible for losing about $10 billion in customer money due to the securities fraud conspiracy. Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried led a conspiracy to loot customer money to make investments, fund political donations to both Democrats and Republicans and for his personal use, as well as to repay loans taken out by Alameda Research. Before being sentenced, Bankman-Fried spoke contritely even as he suggested that the billions of dollars customers lost was the result of a "liquidity crisis" or "mismanagement," not fraud. "A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down," he said. "And I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about what happened at every stage." FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves the U.S. courthouse in New York City on July 26, 2023. Amr Alfiky | Reuters "My useful life is probably over," he said while wearing a beige jailhouse jumpsuit. "It's been over for a while now since before my arrest." "They built something really beautiful and I threw all of that away," he said of his co-workers at FTX, a company once valued at $32 billion. "It haunts me every day." "It's been excruciating to watch this all unfold," he told Kaplan. "Customers don't deserve this level of pain." "I was the CEO of FTX and I was responsible." But even as he took some responsibility, Bankman-Fried suggested that customers eventually would get back the money they placed with his exchange, and blamed a federal bankruptcy court for not making those customers whole yet. Kaplan appeared to stop paying close attention at that point. In response, Bankman-Fried crossed his arms and began rapidly tapping his right foot as he continued speaking. In this courtroom sketch, FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried sits between his defense attorneys Marc Mukasey and Torrey Young during his sentencing hearing at federal court in New York City on March 28, 2024. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos, arguing for a prison sentence of up to five decades, scoffed at the picture painted by Bankman-Fried and his lawyers. FTX's collapse in late 2022 was not due to "a liquidity crisis or act of mismanagement," Roos said. "It was the theft" of billions of dollars of customer money around the world, the prosecutor said. "It was a loss that affected people significantly." Bankman-Fried's lawyer Marc Mukasey, in asking Kaplan for leniency, focused on his client's psychological problems, noting that his mother said Bankman-Fried had "terrific sadness at his core," which has been "a constant presence in his life." Mukasey noted that Bankman-Fried once wrote in his journal that he "doesn't feel pleasure or happiness." "Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people," the lawyer said. Instead, "He's an awkward math nerd" with a "tireless work ethic," said the lawyer, who also compared the FTX founder to "a beautiful puzzle." Bankman-Fried should not be in a "four-by-four iron box," Mukasey argued. In this courtroom sketch, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried attends his sentencing hearing at federal court in New York City on March 28, 2024. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters Before he sentenced Bankman-Fried, Kaplan said he rejected "the entirety of the defendant's argument there was no loss" at FTX, calling that claim "misleading, logically flawed and speculative." Sunil Kavuri, a victim of Bankman-Fried, then talked about the damage he caused. Bankman-Fried looked at Kavuri as he described speaking to thousands of other FTX fraud victims, several of whom are suffering from depression and taking prescription medication to deal with the trauma of their losses. "I suffered every day for the past two years," said Kavuri. "I continue to suffer." Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, in a statement after the sentencing, said, "Samuel Bankman-Fried orchestrated one of the largest financial frauds in history." "His deliberate and ongoing lies demonstrated a brazen disregard for his customers' expectations and disrespect for the rule of law, all so that he could secretly use his customers' money to expand his own power and influence," Williams said. Attorney General Merrick Garland said, "Anyone who believes they can hide their financial crimes behind wealth and power, or behind a shiny new thing they claim no one else is smart enough to understand, should think twice." Bankman-Fried's family, in a statement, said, "We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son." Both Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, who are Stanford Law professors, were sitting in the first row of the courtroom gallery during the sentencing. Barbara Fried and Allan Joseph Bankman, parents of FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, arrive at court in New York on March 28, 2024. Yuki Iwamura | Bloomberg | Getty Images Bankman-Fried plans to appeal his conviction and sentence. Three other people, who all testified against Bankman-Fried at trial, are awaiting their own sentencings after pleading guilty to criminal charges related to FTX and Alameda Research. They are Caroline Ellison, the Alameda Research CEO who at one time dated Bankman-Fried; FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh; and Gary Wang, the co-founder and chief technology officer of FTX. Law enforcement officers stand guard near the Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, near Moscow, Russia. Maksim Blinov / Sputnik via AP Russia was aware that a terrorist attack was being planned weeks before the massacre at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow last Friday, Ukraine's military intelligence chief has claimed. "At least since February 15, 2024, the Russian Federation had been aware about the plot," Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, told a forum Wednesday. "I will tell you more, this information passed through their intelligence station in Syria. From there it was forwarded to Moscow. So they shouldn't be telling tales that this all materialized in a strange way out of nowhere," Budanov said Wednesday at the Kyiv Stratcom Forum, news agency Ukrinform reported. Chief of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, attends the Kyiv Stratcom Forum 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 27, 2024. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed it was behind the Moscow attack last Friday in which 143 died. Russian authorities have arrested several people, including four suspected gunmen, who have been charged with terrorism offenses and are awaiting trial. IS' claim has not stopped high-ranking Russian officials and pro-Kremlin media from pointing the finger at Ukraine and its Western allies, saying they were behind the attack. Russia has not produced evidence to back up its claims which Ukraine, the U.S. and U.K. reject as "utter nonsense" and "categorically false." The White House emphasized that it had warned Russia weeks ago that it believed "extremists" planned to carry out an attack, warning its own citizens in Russia against attending large gatherings as the threat was "imminent." Russia had, at the time of the warning, dismissed the threat, with Putin saying such pronouncements were "provocative" and designed to intimidate Russia. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, speaks during the farewell ceremony for Dmytro Kotsiubailo on Independence Square on March 10, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images Budanov claimed Russia knew where the combat groups would come from, and which countries the attackers would travel through to reach Russia. Discussing why Russia would allow an attack to take place, Budanov said it could be a precursor to the removal of "several high-ranking officials" or that "another option is that they actually underestimated the scale of what would happen." "They thought that the incident would be more local, and wanted to blame Ukraine for everything," the intelligence official said. Ukraine's military intelligence chief did not present evidence to support his claims. Russia blames Ukraine It was not long after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in which gunmen entered the concert venue and started shooting at concertgoers and starting fires in the building that Russia claimed that there was a "Ukrainian trace" to the attack, despite IS claiming responsibility for the massacre. Russian President Vladimir Putin conceded on Monday that "radical Islamists" had carried out the attack but insisted that Ukraine and its Western backers were linked to it, without presenting evidence. He said the plotters aimed to destabilize Russia and sow panic in Russian society. Then the head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, claimed Tuesday that the U.S., U.K. and Ukraine were behind the attack, saying Russia had "factual information" to suggest this was the case, although he didn't produce any specific evidence. The damaged Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia, following an attack by gunmen. Russian Ministry of Emergencies | Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images On the same day, close Putin ally Nikolai Patrushev the secretary of Russia's Security Council and in charge of issuing guidance and proposals on national security issues was also asked by Russian reporters whether Ukraine or the Islamic State group was behind the attack. "Of course Ukraine," Patrushev answered, news agency RIA Novosti reported. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed the U.S. initial rejection of any Ukrainian involvement was suspicious. With ultranationalist Russian hawks and the pro-Kremlin media issuing plenty of comment into the Russian news space, the Kremlin has remained aloof. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the alleged Ukraine link, or to state how Russia would respond if it confirmed Ukraine's involvement. Peskov told CNBC on Wednesday that the Kremlin is awaiting the results of an investigation before it comments, stating in an email: "An investigation is underway. The final version has not yet been announced." Russian President Vladimir Putin and his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting at the Congress Hall in Bishkek on Dec. 9, 2022. Vyacheslav Oseledko | Afp | Getty Images NEW YORK, US - JANUARY 03: Sam Bankman-Fried leaves the court in New York, on January 03, 2023. Fatih Aktas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images In a letter to the Department of Justice, an FTX customer who lost $4 million when the exchange filed for bankruptcy in 2022 expressed disgust at a circulating narrative that clients of the crypto exchange would ever be made whole. "I have scraped the docket of scheduled claims and calculated the exact amount stolen," wrote the former FTX customer, whose identity has been concealed by the government. "The total value of customer liabilities is $19,722,911,002.84." Update: FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for crypto fraud, to pay $11 billion in forfeiture watch now This week, that letter ended up on the desk of U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who on Thursday will inform FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried of his prison sentence stemming from his role in the collapse of the exchange. At 9:30 a.m., sentencing proceedings will take place on the 26th floor of the federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan, the same place where a jury found the former crypto executive guilty of all seven criminal counts against him in November. The victim, who wrote that 30 years worth of savings had been deposited into FTX three months before the exchange collapsed, is part of a last-minute push by prosecutors to sway Judge Kaplan ahead of the sentencing. watch now "My whole life has been destroyed," the person wrote. "I have 2 young children, one born right before the collapse. Beyond the money, I lost my happiness, my ability to get out of bed, my desire to continue living. My wife is suicidal and depressed." The same sorts of stories were told during Bankman-Fried's monthlong criminal trial last year. Prosecutors won their case by convincing jurors that Bankman-Fried had stolen at least $8 billion from customers. For some people, that meant financial ruin. "In its sentencing submission, the prosecution has included moving accounts from FTX's former customers that speak to the devastation experienced by those losing their money, the uncertainty of wondering whether they might ever get any of it back, and dealing with the emotional fallout of being duped," said Yesha Yadav, law professor and Associate Dean at Vanderbilt University. "These victim impact statements can be very powerful." watch now Bankman-Fried, 32, faces a maximum sentence of more than 100 years in prison, though the government has suggested a sentence in the range of 40 to 50 years. The defense is angling for no more than 6.5 years. For months, Judge Kaplan has been weighing the appropriate punishment for Bankman-Fried's crimes related to the implosion of his $32 billion crypto empire. CNBC spoke to former federal prosecutors, trial attorneys, and a mix of lawyers working to defend white collar criminals to get their take on what to expect on Thursday. Damaging testimony Bankman-Fried was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud against FTX customers and against lenders to sister hedge fund Alameda Research, as well as conspiracy to commit securities fraud and conspiracy to commit commodities fraud against FTX investors, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The defense team has argued that Bankman-Fried's sentence should reflect the potential that FTX customers will be paid back in part or in full. The likelihood of that scenario has increased in recent months thanks to the rising value of cryptocurrencies and other assets FTX owned, such as its stake in artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. Even as the bankruptcy estate promises to pay customers back, many of FTX's thousands of victims argue that their crypto stakes have been significantly undervalued by the exchange's new leadership team. "A lot will be said about the loss at the time of the conduct, not the recovery or potential recovery after it was discovered," said former federal and state prosecutor David Weinstein, who now practices as a corporate compliance and white collar defense attorney at Jones Walker. Weinstein said he expects to see a sentence in the range of 30 to 40 years. Mark Bini, a former state and federal prosecutor and U.S. assistant attorney who specialized in financial crimes, anticipates a sentence of no less than 30 years. "Probation calculates the guidelines at 110 years," said Bini, who currently represents white collar crypto defendants as part of law firm Reed Smith's On Chain digital asset team. "I think the judge is likely to side with probation and the government on the loss amount and the appropriate guidelines." Caroline Ellison, former chief executive officer of Alameda Research LLC, arrives to court in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Judge Kaplan, 78, is a veteran of the Southern District of New York and has presided over some of the biggest cases to roll through his courthouse. He showed little patience for Bankman-Fried during the defendant's four days on the stand. "Unfortunately for SBF, some of his testimony at trial came across as highly evasive, somewhat cold and often contradictory," said Yadav, adding that a sentence of 20 to 25 years could offer Judge Kaplan a way to balance the severity of the crime with a recognition of customer recoveries and the potential for future rehabilitation. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani described Kaplan as "old school" and predicted a sentence of 20 to 30 years. Tre Lovell, a Los Angeles corporate law attorney, said the core factors Kaplan will consider will be the extent of the fraud, along with the fact that Bankman-Fried appeared to have lied under oath while showing little remorse. "The judge isn't going to cut Bankman-Fried a break just because FTX has recovered a lot of funds to offset the amount that customers lost," Lovell said. "The judge is just going to look at Bankman-Fried's conduct at the time he was in charge of the company, not what the company did after he stepped down as CEO." Bankman-Fried has one last chance to take the stand in front of the judge in order to show some level of contrition and a promise to become a benefit to society. "If he says he's had a chance to think about what he did and that he's very sorry for misusing the hard-won funds of investors, and that he wants to use his acumen in this field for the public good, then he may walk out with a prison sentence that is south of 20 years," Lovell said. "In court, it's never too late to say you're sorry. But he won't get a big discount on his sentence just for being contrite." WATCH: Prosecutors recommend a 40-50 year prison sentence for Bankman-Fried Sarah Wolfe As Tiffany Mane read a personal finance book during her train ride to work, a woman sitting near her acknowledged that she, too, knew of the author. Shortly after, several bystanders began inquiring into its contents. Mane was reading "Financial Feminist" by Tori Dunlap. The late 2022 release is one piece of Her First $100K, Dunlap's money-focused education platform targeted at women and other marginalized groups. That commuting experience highlights the growing community built around Dunlap's wisdom. And there's a cyclical effect at play: Women tap those resources to improve their financial lives, and then share the information with others. "It really has changed my life," said Mane, a 35-year-old human rights investigator in the Washington, D.C., area. "I realized there are so many women who don't know this stuff and who don't have the resources." Finance has historically been viewed as a man's responsibility, creating a disparity within personal economics. New York Life found the average woman saved less than half a man did in 2022, and a 2021 survey from NerdWallet showed women were less likely to be invested in the stock market than their male counterparts. But Dunlap and her growing fan base are looking to change that. Dunlap rose to prominence by sharing her journey to save $100,000 by 25 years old. She was inspired to document this goal after finding that many existing resources didn't adequately take into account the unique experiences of marginalized groups. In Dunlap's words, a lot of what was out there felt "bro-y" and out of touch with a young woman's experience. She said society has largely characterized spending by women as "frivolous," creating a critical culture for those seeking relatable financial advice. "People want to feel seen and they want to feel heard," Dunlap said. "This kind of identity-focused personal finance is one hundred percent necessary, and is the future of personal finance." watch now 'Finance is personal' What began as a side hustle on top of a marketing job has grown to a multiplatform product since Dunlap took the leap to run Her First $100K full time in 2019. Her "Financial Feminist" book sold more than 150,000 copies in its first year in print. Dunlap's podcast of the same name, which typically has one full and one mini-episode out per week, touches on topics like homeownership and recession planning. Both the Instagram and TikTok accounts for Her First $100K have amassed at least 2 million followers. A Facebook group named after the book has swelled to more than 100,000 members, where Mane and others converse about issues that impact their money and careers. In that group, members share financial wins and trade advice on topics like which banks or credit cards to use. Some ask anonymous questions as they venture into sensitive subjects such as debt or the economic reality of divorce. Members have also organized virtual book clubs with others in the group to broaden their knowledge. Dunlap said she isn't surprised that the space has become meaningful to members in a society where women are unfairly criticized for their financial choices. She's also been proud to see a culture free of judgment or shame as participants offer one another validation and feedback. Tori Dunlap teaching a money workshop. Courtesy Karya Schanilec Fans said they appreciate Dunlap's twofold approach to financial education. She offers actionable steps to improve their economic lives, they say, while also being aware of systematic barriers that make it harder for women and other marginalized groups to build wealth. Specialized advice can benefit women, as research shows they have less confidence than men in money-related topics, according to Annamaria Lusardi, senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. These niche resources stand to better resonate with marginalized groups because they can touch on topics or examples that are disproportionately relevant to the specific population, said Lusardi, who is also founder of the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center. For women, she said one area of emphasis could be on the economics of having or raising children. "Finance is personal," Lusardi said. "As a woman, I feel like I have different needs, have different circumstances. And so I want things more targeted to me." A 'sisterhood' Semiconductor stocks are off to another hot start to the year. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is up 28.5% in the first three months of 2024. That puts the SMH on pace for its biggest quarterly gain since the first quarter of 2023, when it jumped 30%. Those gains come as demand for artificial intelligence technology shows no signs of slowing down. "Everybody's recognizing this is not just a quick little flurry for a couple of quarters," said Mahoney Asset Management President Ken Mahoney. "This could be a multiyear expansion by the time all the companies get the hardware they want, the chips that they need." A look at the winners AI poster child Nvidia led the pack in the first quarter, rallying 82% and building on last year's 239% gain, as investors continued pouring into AI bets. The surge boosted the SMH, with the chipmaker accounting for more than a fourth of its weighting. NVDA YTD mountain Stock performance this year Excitement around Nvidia and AI leaders lent a helping hand to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing , the third-best performer and second-largest holding in the fund. The stock is up more than 30% to start 2024. The Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer boasts a laundry list of advanced AI chipmakers and technology giants, including Nvidia, Qualcomm , Apple and Advanced Micro Devices . In a recent note to clients, JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating on the global chip stock, saying "all roads in AI semis lead" to it. Analysts also noted shares trade at a 30% discount to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index. The "focus of medium- to long-term investors should be on TSMC's continued growth in [high-performance computing], strong [gross margin] expansion, pole position in AI chips and reaffirmation of novel tech leadership vs. Intel, all of which should also support our constructive view on TSMC's outlook," JPMorgan analysts wrote. While Nvidia-led AI tailwinds may have catapulted the sector toward another winning quarter, it's far from the only theme driving the SMH's gains. Gabelli Funds portfolio manager and technology analyst Hendi Susanto points to expectations for a recovery in areas such as memory, personal computers and smartphones as a potential driver behind some of the period's winning stocks. Many investors are "frontloading" those bets even if a turnaround will not hit until 2025, he added. TSM YTD mountain Stock performance in 2024 This includes memory chipmaker Micron Technology , the second-best performer in the SMH. Shares have skyrocketed more than 39% to start 2024, helped by strong sales in high bandwidth memory necessary in AI infrastructure. Micron popped 14% earlier this month on a strong earnings beat driven by AI demand , which propelled the stock to its best day since 2011. Harvest Portfolio Management's Paul Meeks called Micron's announcement that its AI-related chips are basically booked through 2025 a bold move for a company he has covered since its public markets debut in the 1980s. "When you make that comment, you know if you don't deliver, your stock will go down," he said. Despite the first quarter's astounding run, some on Wall Street have raised the alarm on the rapid price appreciation in the sector, with UBS strategist Andrew Garthwaite cautioning that this price momentum flashes some warnings signals. At the same time, not every semiconductor has experienced the luck of the AI trade, with seven stocks in the index poised for a losing quarter. Intel has seen the biggest slump in the SMH, with shares down 13%. That is followed by Universal Display and STMicroelectronics , headed for losses exceeding 12%. Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Wells Fargo reiterates Bank of America as overweight Wells Fargo raised its price target on Bank of America to $44 per share from $40. "We nudge 1Q24 EPS higher owing to better than previously est. capital mkts, partially offset by est. FDIC charge." Bernstein reiterates Apple as market perform Bernstein said it's getting "more constructive" on the stock but is sticking with its market perform rating. "On net, we are more constructive on AAPL given its relative underperformance (-21%) year-to-date, poor investor sentiment, and our belief that its fundamental business and financial model are intact." HSBC downgrades Bank of America to hold from buy HSBC downgraded Bank of America mainly on valuation. "Downgrade Bank of America to Hold; upgrade PNC to Hold. While there is a lot to like about Bank of America, its shares have risen 37% in the past six months, leaving limited implied upside to our TP." Goldman Sachs reiterates Tesla as neutral Goldman said it likes shares of Tesla but "market conditions are weighing on earnings." "For Tesla, while we continue to believe that Tesla is well positioned for longer-term growth given its strong position in the EV and clean energy markets we believe that softer near-term EV market conditions are weighing on earnings." Piper Sandler initiates SI-Bone as overweight Piper said shares of the surgical joint treatment company are well positioned. "We are initiating coverage of SIBN with an OW rating and $25 price target." Evercore ISI upgrades Kimberly-Clark to outperform from in line Evercore upgraded the stock following its investor day on Wednesday. "In yesterday's Investor Day a first since 2010 Kimberly outlined an ambitious restructuring plan to lift profits and fuel growth that we find strategically sound and financially attractive, even if it doesn't get fully 'there.'" Benchmark reiterates Nvidia as buy Benchmark said it's standing by its buy rating on Nvidia. "We continue to favor exposure to markets with strong secular growth dynamics and long-term thematic trends of electrification, electronification, factory automation, renewable energy, AI & ML, and data center connectivity, where consumer risks can be largely mitigated." Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy Bank of America said it's bullish on Amazon's investments in AI. "Amazon announced that it made an additional $2.75bn investment in the GenAI startup Anthropic, builder of the GenAI chatbot 'Claude.'" Bank of America upgrades Estee Lauder to buy from neutral Bank of America said in its upgrade of the stock that "earnings have bottomed." "We upgrade Estee Lauder (EL) from Neutral to Buy raising our Price Objective from $160 to $170." BTIG initiates CyberArk as buy BTIG said it's bullish on shares of the cyber company. "We are initiating coverage on CYBR with a Buy rating and a $317 PT." TD Cowen initiates Grindr as outperform TD Cowen said it's bullish on shares of the social media dating platform. " Grindr has established itself as the leading LGBTQ+ social dating app through strong brand awareness, despite its relatively nascent tech. & product offerings." William Blair initiates Bentley Systems as outperform William Blair said Bentley is the "leading provider of comprehensive infrastructure engineering software." "The Tipping Point of Infrastructure Going Digital; Initiating Coverage With an Outperform Rating." HSBC upgrades Allstate to buy from hold HSBC said the stock is hitting a "sweet spot." "Upgrade ALL to Buy from Hold as rating actions do not look fully reflected in valuation." Morgan Stanley upgrades Vornado to equal weight from underweight Morgan Stanley upgraded the real estate investment trust citing "elevated leverage." "Upgrade VNO to EW; elevated leverage may limit further upside on NY REITs." JPMorgan reiterates DraftKings as overweight JPMorgan said investors should buy the dip in shares of DraftKings. "We fielded a lot of investor feedback on a flurry of negative headlines and our view as well as general sentiment is that the decline in DKNGs stock today largely seems overdone." JPMorgan reiterates AbbVie as overweight JPMorgan said the biopharma company is best positioned to outperform going forward. "Overall, immunology remains one of the most important growth drivers for the Major Pharma group and we continue to see upside to consensus estimates for most major products in the space (particularly ABBV and REGN)." Citi reiterates Boeing as buy Citi lowered its price target on the stock to $252 per share from $263 but said it's standing by its buy rating. "In our view, the fundamental outlook for commercial aerospace and Boeing has not changed demand for new aircraft remains robust and there are only two major competitors that can fulfill it." KeyBanc reiterates Robinhood as overweight KeyBanc raised its price target on Robinhood to $22 per share from $15. "Our estimates move higher across the board as we model a higher level of trading activity and net deposits than initially anticipated, much of which drops to operating income considering a highly fixed expense base." Oppenheimer reiterates Tesla as perform Oppenheimer said it's sticking with its perform rating on the stock but that it's a leader in autonomous mobility. "While we continue to view TSLA as a clear leader in commercializing autonomous vehicle technology and believe the company has a substantial data advantage vs. peers, the incremental challenges of drivability and integration of corner cases will likely continue to prove slow to solve even as the company leverages neural network and AI technologies to mature its system." Monness Crespi Hardt downgrades Palantir to sell from neutral Monness downgraded the stock mainly on valuation. "On the back of this unprecedented generative AI hype cycle, Palantir surged in 2023 and the stock's upward trajectory has continued in 2024, leaving the company with what we view as an egregiously rich valuation." Barclays reiterates Meta as overweight Barclays said Meta is one of the firm's favorite stocks heading into earnings. "Our pecking order heading into 1Q results is META then GOOGL in mega-cap, SNAP then PINS in mid-cap, and we are bullish on the digital ads group overall." Advertising guru Martin Sorrell has questioned the prospects of Donald Trump's newly public Truth Social platform, saying it was currently "unfathomable" that clients would want to buy ads on the site. The British businessman told CNBC on Wednesday that the former U.S. president's social media platform has yet to prove its financial viability in an already challenging advertising market. "It's a bit unfathomable. What are the revenues there?" Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of digital marketing firm S4 Capital, said when asked if clients were likely to advertise. Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind Truth Social, went public Tuesday after merging with shell company Digital World Acquisition in a deal known as a special purpose acquisition (SPAC). Shares jumped more than 50% during a volatile first day of trade, before ending the session up 16%, giving the company a market cap of around $7.85 billion, according to the Associated Press. The listing pocketed the presumptive Republican presidential candidate a paper fortune of over $4 billion for his 58% share of the company at a time when he faces mounting legal challenges. He was on the hook for a $454 million bond in a civil fraud case, but the fee was reduced to $175 million Monday following an appeal. The fanfare comes even as the company has struggled to demonstrate a path to profitability. "It sort of defies reality, at least at the beginning," said Sorrell said, who is also the founder and former CEO of ad agency WPP . A spokesperson for TMTG firmly dismissed claims that the share price move defied logic when contacted by CNBC. Truth Social lost $10.6 million in the first nine months of 2023 on revenues of $3.4 million. According to Semafor, the company has now lost at least $57 million since its inception in 2021, when it was created by Trump in defiance to his blacklisting from Twitter following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, speaks during the farewell ceremony for Dmytro Kotsiubailo on Independence Square on March 10, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukraine's intelligence chief claimed on Wednesday that Russia was aware that a terrorist attack was being planned since at least Feb.15. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, told a defense forum that Russia knew of a plot to attack it well ahead of the March 22 attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow, in which 143 died. "At least, since February 15, 2024, the Russian Federation had been aware about the plot. I will tell you more, this information passed through their intelligence station in Syria. From there it was forwarded to Moscow. So they shouldn't be telling tales that this all materialized in a strange way out of nowhere," Budanov said, news agency Ukrinform reported. The Islamic State militant group claimed it was behind the Moscow attack, but Russia has blamed Ukraine and its allies, saying they orchestrated the attack. They reject the claims as "nonsense" and the White House said it had warned Russia weeks ago that it believed an attack was "imminent." Budanov claimed Russia knew where the combat groups would come from, and which countries the attackers would travel through to reach Russia. Discussing why Russia would allow an attack to take place, Budanov said it could be a precursor to the removal of "several high-ranking officials" or that "another option is that they actually underestimated the scale of what would happen." "They thought that the incident would be more local, and wanted to blame Ukraine for everything," the intelligence official said. Budanov did not present evidence to back up his claims. Similarly, Russia has not produced evidence to back up its claims that Ukraine and the West were behind the terrorist attack. Read more here: Russia knew of terrorist attack plot weeks ago, Ukraine's military spy chief says Holly Ellyatt MSC, the largest ocean carrier in the world, has joined the list of ocean carriers terminating the delivery of diverted containers outside of the port for shipping clients as a result of the container ship accident near the Port of Baltimore that led to the tragic bridge collapse. With the Baltimore port indefinitely closed, the decision places the onus of cargo pick up at a diverted port and transport to its final destination on the shipper. In an email to customers obtained by CNBC on Thursday, MSC explained that for customer containers already on the water bound for the Port of Baltimore, cargo will be rerouted and discharged at an alternate port where it will be made available for pick-up. "For these shipments, the contract of carriage will be declared terminated at this alternate port and storage, D&Ds and on-carriage costs to the initially intended destination will be for the sole cargo's account," the MSC advisory said. MSC added that "passage to and from Baltimore is at this time impossible and will not be reestablished for several weeks if not months." CMA CGM, COSCO, and Evergreen were the first carriers to announce similar moves and in some cases formally declare "force majeure," a legal term which refers to the right to waive contract duties when events beyond a party's control occur. MSC said in its customer communication that it "apologizes for the disruption caused by this contingency plan which is required in response to events beyond our control, but which is taken in compliance with the terms of the contract of carriage." MSC did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Maersk is the only major carrier to say it will provide transport from diverted ports for customers. Maersk was the charter of the Dali, 10,000-container capacity containership that lost control and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday. After the pandemic boom which led to historic profits, ocean carriers have been through a period of financial and operational challenges, with vessel overcapacity, declining earnings, and the Red Sea Houthi attacks and Panama Canal drought leading to costly diversions from major global trade routes. Official campaigning kicked off Thursday for the April 10 general elections, with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) vying fiercely for control of the National Assembly. The quadrennial race holds significant importance for the ruling party as failure to regain a majority could potentially render President Yoon Suk Yeol a lame duck for the remaining three years of his single five-year term. Meanwhile, the DPK aims to retain its parliamentary majority. Recent predictions have suggested that the DPK could win more than 200 seats in the 300-member Assembly, a two-thirds threshold that gives the party enough power to override presidential veto and even impeach the president. The PPP has pleaded for voter support, imploring that the Yoon administration has been unable to push its reform agenda forward for the past two years in the face of the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The DPK has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the "incompetent" Yoon administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of the people to worsen seriously and mishandling a series of controversial issues for the past two years. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon kicked off the campaign at a agro-fisheries market in Seoul's eastern area, emphasizing his party's efforts to address people's livelihood issues. "The fate of this nation will be determined by this crucial election campaign period," Han said, adding that the PPP will advocate for hardworking people. Citing a recent hike in fruit prices, Han asked merchants for an opportunity for his party to work and solve such issues. Han has since toured other highly contested constituencies in Seoul, as well as the surrounding Gyeonggi Province, showing support for his party candidates. "We entered this election with the determination to reform politics and the people's livelihoods, as well as bring criminals to justice," Han said while showing support for the party's candidate, Ham Un-kyung, running for Seoul's Mapo-B district. DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung, meanwhile, visited the Gyeyang-B district in Incheon, located west of Seoul, where he is competing against his PPP rival Won Hee-ryong, who previously served as the country's land minister. Lee again emphasized the party's critique of Yoon and controversies surrounding his family. "We cannot continue to entrust our country to a corrupt organization that ... is trying to gain personal profits by changing a highway route, and to an anti-democratic organization that belittles the people," Lee said, referring to allegations surrounding the family of the first lady. The DPK also held an official campaign event at Yongsan Station in central Seoul, near where the presidential office is located. "It is time for the sovereign and the owner of the democratic republic to judge the Yoon Seok Yeol regime, which ruined the country and betrayed the people," Lee said during the event. Lee is scheduled to visit other districts of Seoul before returning to his constituency in the afternoon. Lee Hae-chan, who led the DPK's election committee, cautiously forecast victory, citing voters' confidence in the party's main motto of stern judgment on the Yoon administration. "It takes about a week to understand the overall situation, but I feel like we have a chance to win," Lee Hae-chan said during a radio interview. Newly formed minor parties also kicked off their campaigns in different parts of Seoul amid persistently low approval ratings. Members of the New Reform Party visited a fire station in Seoul, vowing to look after those who take care of the public. Members of the New Future Party (Saemirae), created by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, also visited the agro-fisheries market in eastern Seoul and met with merchants. The Korea Innovation Party, a new party launched by Cho Kuk, the scandal-tainted former justice minister, meanwhile, announced its official campaign as well. Cho will begin his day in the southern city of Busan before arriving in Seoul. Observers say the 48 constituencies in the capital city are the primary battlegrounds that will ultimately determine the election outcome. Data suggests that results in Seoul often mirror the overall election results. In the previous election in 2020, the then ruling DPK won 41 out of 49 seats, while the United Future Party, the PPP's former name, secured only eight seats. The DPK eventually secured a landslide victory by taking 180 out of the 300 seats. In 2016, the DPK won 35 seats, while the Saenuri Party, the PPP's former name, secured 12 seats, resulting in a closely contested yet victorious outcome for the DPK. Overseas voting began Wednesday and will run until Monday, and early voting is set for two days, starting April 5. (Yonhap) THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 23:Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte meets with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping at the Catshuis March 23, 2014 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by Valerie Kuypers-Pool/Getty Images Valerie Kuypers-Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images China's technological progress cannot be stopped, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte when they met in Beijing Wednesday for talks on areas such as the critical semiconductor industry. "The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress," said Xi, according to Xinhua News Agency. Xi said China will "continue to pursue a win-win approach." Relations between China and the Netherlands have been strained since the the Netherlands, together with the U.S., blocked exports of advanced chip technology to China over concerns they could be used for military purposes. Semiconductor chips are critical components which can be found in everything from smartphones to automobiles. Dutch tech giant ASML has been barred from exporting extreme ultraviolet lithography machines to China it is the only company currently capable of making such machines To date, it has not shipped a single EUV machine to China yet. Such EUV lithography machines are crucial for chip manufacturing and are used by companies like Taiwan's TSMC to make the smallest and most sophisticated chips. In January, the Netherlands barred ASML from exporting some of its deep ultraviolet lithography systems to China, which are used to make slightly less advanced chips. watch now Beijing slammed the Dutch government's move, urging the Netherlands to "uphold an objective and fair position and market principles" and "protect the shared interests" of the two countries and their companies. "Creating scientific and technological barriers and severing industrial and supply chains will only lead to division and confrontation," Xi said Wednesday, according to Xinhua state media. He said cooperation is the only way and added that "decoupling and breaking the chain" is not an option. Xi said China is ready to continue dialogue with the Netherlands and urged the Dutch side to "provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises." BEIJING Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi said Thursday it will sell its first car for far less than Tesla's Model 3, as price wars heat up in China's fiercely competitive electric car market. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said the standard version of the SU7 will sell for 215,900 yuan ($30,408) in the country a price he acknowledged would mean the company was selling each car at a loss. Tesla's Model 3 starts at 245,900 yuan in China. Lei claimed the standard version of the SU7 beat the Model 3 on more than 90% of its specifications, except on two aspects that he said it might take Xiaomi at least three to five years to catch up with Tesla on. He also said the SU7 had a minimum driving range of 700 kilometers (nearly 435 miles) versus the Model 3's 606 kilometers. The company said orders had exceeded 50,000 cars in the 27 minutes since sales started at 10 p.m. Beijing time Thursday. Deliveries are set to start by the end of April, Lei said. Lei also claimed that Xiaomi's car factory, for which all "key" steps are fully automated, can produce an SU7 every 76 seconds. It was not immediately clear whether the factory was fully operational. Earlier this week, the Xiaomi CEO said on social media the SU7 would be the best sedan "under 500,000 yuan" ($69,328). The car is entering a fiercely competitive market in China, where companies are launching a slew of new models and cutting prices in order to survive. Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei has partnered with traditional automakers, most notably launching the Aito brand whose vehicles are often on display in Huawei smartphone showrooms. Tesla 's Model 3 is the best-selling new energy sedan in China that has a driving range of at least 600 kilometers (372 miles) and costs less than 500,000 yuan, according to data from industry website Autohome. Shares of Ambuja Cements Ltd. gained nearly 2% on Thursday after thefamily, the promoters of Ambuja Cements, infused6,661 crore into the cement producing company. With this, the promoters have increased their 3.6% stake in the company to 66.7%.This follows the infusion of5,000 crore by the promoters of Ambuja Cements into the company for exercising the warrants issuance approved bythe board of the company in October 2022.The promoters have infused11,661 crore so far in Ambuja Cements after they took control of the cement maker from Switzerland's Holcim.The funds infusion is crucial as it will help to increase the group's cement capacity to 140 million tonnes per annum by 2028, Ambuja Cements said in a regulatory filing.It will also fuel various strategic initiatives including undertaking debottlenecking capex to enhance operational capabilities to ensure scalability, as well as bringing efficiencies across resources, supply chain.Additionally, it will also drive innovation and product enhancement through advanced technology integration for better service offerings to tap the growing requirements of the sector."We are thrilled to announce Adani family's decision to increase their stake in Ambuja," said Ajay Kapur, Whole Time Director and CEO, Ambuja Cements Ltd."This infusion of funds provides Ambuja capital flexibility for fast-tracked growth, capital management initiatives and best-in-class balance sheet strength. It is not only the testament to steadfast belief in our vision and business model but also reinforces our commitment to delivering long-term sustainable value creation to our stakeholders and this shall propel us towards setting new benchmarks accelerating our growth and continue to deliver on operational excellence, business synergies and cost leadership," Kapur said.Barclays Bank PLC, MUFG Bank and Standard Chartered Bank acted as advisor for the transaction.At 12:10 pm, the scrip was trading 1.56% higher at610.90 apiece on the NSE. The Ambuja Cements stock has jumped 14% so far in 2024. A giant anaconda was found dead in the Brazilian Amazon, presumably as a result of a gunshot wound, barely weeks after it was first discovered. An international team of 15 biologists discovered this anaconda in February, naming it Ana Julia. The snake weighed around 440 pounds and was over 26 feet long. Bryan Fry, the professor who oversaw a team of scientists that with assistance from the Indigenous Huaorani people, discovered a new species of green anaconda during filming Pole to Pole with actor Will Smith shared this information. This particular specimen wasnt one of the new species but was a southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), Fry told USA Today. Freek Vonk, another professor who was part of the team that discovered the southern green anaconda, shared the news on Instagram, writing, With enormous pain in my heart, I want to let you know that the mighty big green anaconda I swam with was found dead in the river this weekend. Professor Vonk expressed his sadness and anger upon learning of Ana Julias death, calling the perpetrators who killed her sick. According to a late Tuesday (March 26) update, which Vonk posted on Instagram, there is currently no proof that the green anaconda was shot and killed. As per The Independent, the snake was found in the Formoso River in the remote Bonito district of southern Brazil. Meanwhile, according to Fry, who spoke to USA Today, the killing of the snake is a senseless tragedy comparable to someone shooting a panda, even if it is not a record-breaking new species. So incredibly maddening, he said. According to wildlife videographer Cristian Dimitris, the dead snake is the same one seen swimming with Vonk earlier. He informed Metro.uk that he had made a comparison between her face's fingerprint-like characteristics. According to him, it's the most well-known anaconda in the world and embodies the essence of the area. Juliana Terra, an expert in anacondas and researcher at the University of Sao Paulo, confirmed the snakes identity and referred to Ana Julia as a symbol for the Bonito region, Metro.uk reported. Frieda Ekotto 86 First African to Graduate from Colorado College Colorado College is pleased to announce that alum, trustee, and university professor Frieda Ekotto 86 will deliver the Commencement ceremony address for the Class of 2024 on May 19 at 8:30 a.m. at Ed Robson Arena. Ekotto is a professor of Afro-American and African Studies, Comparative Literature, and Francophone Studies at the University of Michigan. In addition to her academic workher research on how law serves to repress and mask the pain of disenfranchised subjects has been published in many books and journalsEkotto is also a creative writer. She received the Nicolas Guillen Prize for Philosophical Literature in 2014 and has produced two documentaries. She has recently completed her term as President of the Modern Languages Association. The Academic Events Committee at Colorado College, a group comprised of faculty, staff, and students, selected Ekotto for the honor. They cite her area of expertise as providing valuable insight for graduates entering a world so heavily shaped by English and French colonization. Born in Cameroon and raised in Switzerland, Ekotto is the first person from Africa to graduate from CC. She came to the U.S. in 1983 to learn English and by chance met two CC professorsHarvey and Marcelle Rabbinwho encouraged her to apply to the college and earn a fellowship. She says Harvey Rabbin was the person who gave her the confidence to be who she is today. She now speaks and is published in four languages. We are honored to welcome Frieda Ekotto 86 back to campus to deliver the 2024 Commencement address, said Colorado College President L. Song Richardson. Friedas path to Colorado College the challenges she overcame, the professors who believed in her, and the passion she discovered for academia are a testament to her own determination and the power of a CC education. Her story will inspire our graduates to find their voices and manifest their dreams. Ekotto is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including a Ford Foundation seed grant for research and collaborative work with institutions of higher learning in Africa. She is the author of several books, including LEcriture carcerale et le discours juridique: Jean Genet (2001), Rethinking Third Cinema (2009), and Race and Sex Across the French Atlantic (2011). Every time I get a promotion or an award, I think of those two professors and the day I landed on this campus. CC changed my life, said Frieda Ekotto. I wouldnt be here without those two professors who thought I could become somebody. Ekotto holds a BA from CC, and both an MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota. She has lectured throughout the U.S. and in Australia, Algeria, Cameroon, Cuba, Canada, England, France, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Malta, Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, and Singapore (among other countries); and she has held faculty and leadership positions at the Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota, the University of Technology in Sydney, Sichuan University, and the Consortium of Universities of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan in Aix-en-Provence, France. Ekottos focus on contemporary issues, including LGBTQIA2S+ issues, aims to recenter those most heavily experiencing oppression. Furthermore, through her engagement as a trustee since 2020, she has demonstrated her passion for Colorado College, her alignment with the colleges values, and her longstanding commitment to the college community. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. News and Info from our Community Partners Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) The foreign ministry is looking into the alleged power abuse of Korean ambassador to China, Chung Jae-ho, against a staff member, diplomatic sources said Thursday. The case was reported to the foreign ministry earlier this month by an official dispatched to the embassy from another ministry, they said. Chung is accused of verbally harassing and treating the embassy official in an arrogant and authoritarian manner, a practice called "gapjil" in Korean. A foreign ministry official confirmed the case, saying the ministry is "checking the facts" after receiving the report. "The foreign ministry takes strict measures in the event of misconduct, including power abuse, by its employees, based on a fair investigation," he said. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk also told a regular press briefing that the ministry will investigate the case thoroughly. Chung, a former professor of Seoul National University, was named ambassador to Beijing in June 2022, as the first envoy to China under the President Yoon Suk Yeol administration. (Yonhap) Int'l politicians and experts urge for solidarity, inclusiveness at Boao Forum 14:12, March 28, 2024 By Peng Yukai ( People's Daily Online With the theme "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities," the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 is being held from March 26 to 29 in south China's Hainan Province. The forum hosted a panel discussion on the global geopolitical outlook on March 27. Given the turbulent, intertwined state of the world, with conflicts exacerbating tensions, politicians, scholars, and international organization representatives were invited to analyze the challenges facing global society. The panel emphasized the need to build a lasting, peaceful environment. International politicians, representatives, and scholars attend a panel discussion on the global geopolitical outlook during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2024. (Photo Credit: Boao Forum for Asia) Shahid Abbasi, former prime minister of Pakistan, emphasized the global impact of ongoing conflicts across several continents. He noted their ramifications on both politics and the supply chain of goods to developing countries. He added that human society had endured war for decades, underscoring the importance of achieving peace and prosperity worldwide. "Asian countries, in particular, are a crucial force for realizing world peace and stability," Abbasi told People's Daily Online. "The BFA provides a platform for Asian countries to jointly create their own voice, and Asian countries must have their own voice in not only economic issues but also global geopolitical issues." Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia, also emphasized his concerns about the current international situation, describing it as "aggravating" and "unpredictable." He also noted that the outcome of the U.S. Presidential Election might add to this unpredictability. "In terms of future world development, a harmful trend in today's Western world is that sanctions have been treated as a panacea. Instead of solving the initial issue, a series of negative results has been triggered," said Turk. "And that's why the BFA created a perfect platform to integrate and foster all the positive forces to resolve those issues. Though most of the issues cannot be resolved right away, it is always a positive sign to start discussing," Turk added. Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), voiced concerns about the use of digital technology in armed conflicts, while acknowledging the transformative impact of digitalization on the world. "As a humanitarian organization, we noticed that digital techniques could have magnifying effects. Though digital techniques can help us reach out to people who are in need, they can also incite the spread of hostile speech. Therefore, control over artificial intelligence weapons and the implementation of the Geneva Convention should be specified," Carbonnier added. Chu Shulong, an expert on international strategy, pointed out that the prevailing trend in certain countries to instigate a "new Cold War" and engage in strategic competition against China persists. However, such competition is unlikely to yield positive income. "Competition between countries is inevitable, whether in terms of science, marketing, and investment. Yet, when geopolitical issues become intertwined with competition, the situation tends to take a negative turn and does not help resolve issues," said Chu. The participants reached a consensus that the effects of any regional conflict should be studied and analyzed from a global perspective rather than focusing solely on the region itself. Inclusive policies should be formulated when addressing these issues. The ultimate goal of all countries is to create a peaceful and prosperous world that benefits everyone. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang) Labor experts criticize introducing foreign nannies at below minimum wage By Lee Hae-rin Korea needs to improve the working conditions of domestic care workers and implant state-led initiatives to tackle future shortages of caregivers, instead of introducing foreign workers at below the legal minimum wage, labor experts said, Thursday. In Korea, care labor is a type of profession that is the most needed yet underappreciated and socially unrecognized, Cho Hyuk-jin, a researcher at the Korea Labor Institute, said during a debate session hosted by the two major umbrella unions, scholars and labor activists at the National Assembly in Seoul. The debate session came amid ongoing discussions on a government-led initiative to introduce foreign care laborers amid the demographic crisis, as suggested by a recent report by the Bank of Korea (BOK). According to the BOK report, Korea will face a critical shortage of 1.55 million workers to take care of older adults, the sick and children by 2042 due to an aging society and increasing number of young, working couples. The report suggested alleviating the financial burden of care workers that Koreans face by introducing foreign workers and exempting them from the minimum wage system. Cho pointed out that the country is experiencing a shortage of care workers due to poor working conditions, in terms of the nature of contract, wage level and social perceptions. Under such inadequate conditions, Korean workers fail to recognize and commit to caregiving as a full-time, lifelong career. As a result, caregivers experience job insecurity, while care receivers have to bear with low quality of services. Without fundamental improvements in the working conditions of caregivers, neither Korean nor foreign nationals will be unable to continue working here, the researcher said. Cho suggested reforming the care labor governance to include workers in the decision-making process and introducing a new pay system where those who provide care of higher intensity are paid more. Notably, Cho pointed out the widespread devaluation of care work in Korea, where many wrongly perceive it as an expected role and responsibility of female family members. As long as there is a social perception that caregiving issue can be solved with the cheap labor of middle-aged women, there cannot be a fundamental solution to the problem, Cho said, adding that unstable and unsustainable working conditions cause domestic caregivers to leave the labor market. Also, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, which were cited in the BOK report as examples of neighboring countries that introduced the policy, have different labor law systems and lack public caregiving systems. Yang Nan-joo, a professor at the Department of Social Welfare at Daegu University mirrored Chos view, underscoring the BOK suggestion is not only far from solving the problem but also a retrogressive idea that degrades the countrys public caregiving system. The professor said labor shortage is unavoidable at its current status, referring to the 2022 government survey, where 72.9 percent of nursing facilities in Korea experience difficulties in staffing and the top reason was the low cost of labor. Amazon has announced it is investing $2.75 billion in OpenAI rival Anthropic, bringing its total investment in the AI startup to $4 billion, as initially announced. In September last year, Amazon had invested an initial tranche of $1.25 billion. As part of this partnership, Anthropic will use Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its main cloud provider for key operations, including safety research and the development of foundational models. Anthropic will also use AWS Trainium and Inferentia chips for building, training, and deploying future models. This arrangement will enable AWS customers to access upcoming generations of Anthropics foundational models through Amazon Bedrock, AWSs fully managed service. Generative AI is poised to be the most transformational technology of our time, and we believe our strategic collaboration with Anthropic will further improve our customers experiences, and look forward to whats next, Swami Sivasubramanian, vice president of Data and AI at AWS, said in a statement. Earlier this month, Anthropic unveiled its updated AI model, Claude 3, in three versions Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku ranked by capability. The company claims its most powerful version, Opus, outperforms GPT-4. Attempts to leverage AI Amazon is just one of several large tech companies that Anthropic has partnered with. Last October, Anthropic said that Google would invest up to $2 billion in the company, according to Reuters. Its other partners include Zoom and Koreas largest mobile operator SK Telecom. In a separate announcement last week, the company also said that Haiku and Sonnet were now available on Google Clouds Vertex AI platform. Analysts suggest that Amazons investment could be an attempt to strengthen its presence in the cohort, as it faces competition. This investment is part of a more significant trend of big tech companies investing heavily in generative AI startups, said Thomas George, president of CyberMedia Group and CMR. Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and Salesforce have invested significantly. Amazon's investment in Anthropic, up to $4 billion, with an initial $1.25 billion infusion, underscores its commitment to advancing in the AI sector and directly competing with rivals like Google. Backing Anthropic could strategically position Amazon to harness cutting-edge AI technologies. Though Amazon has a minority stake in the company, this move strengthens Amazons AI capabilities and signals its intent to be a frontrunner in the AI and cloud computing domains, according to George. Anthropics decision to primarily use Amazons cloud services and proprietary chips, such as AWS Trainium and Inferentia, for building, training, and deploying its models could have far-reaching technological and business implications, George said. This collaboration is poised to accelerate the development of advanced AI models and technologies, leveraging Amazons robust cloud infrastructure and chip capabilities. The synergy between Anthropics AI expertise and Amazon's cloud leadership and technological resources may result in ground-breaking AI applications and services. Customers across domains Companies across industries are already using Amazon Bedrock to build their generative AI applications with Anthropics Claude AI, according to Amazon. These include some big names like Siemens, Pfizer, and Delta Airlines. The latest update comes on the heels of a recent announcement that AWS, Anthropic, and Accenture are joining forces to assist organizations, particularly those in highly regulated fields such as healthcare, public sector, banking, and insurance, in adopting and scaling generative AI solutions responsibly. Founded in 2021 by ex-OpenAI staffers Daniela Amodei and CEO Dario Amodei, Anthropic has quickly emerged as a significant rival to OpenAI, attracting significant investment. In the wake of recent flight problems and safety concerns surrounding Boeing aircraft, nervous fliers are increasingly turning to alternative planes, prayer, and medication to alleviate their anxiety. The shift in response toward Boeing gained momentum following a series of incidents, notably the January event where a panel covering the space for an unused emergency door blew off an Alaska Airlines jetliner mid-flight. Although the pilots safely landed the Boeing 737 Max 9, the incident has left a lasting impact on many travelers, including Leila Amineddoleh, who expressed reluctance to board Boeing aircraft despite statistical safety assurances. "I just can't step on that plane," the New Jersey art lawyer told NBC News. "Even if the chance of getting hurt on a Boeing flight, even with all these incidents, is slim." Stephanie Walls, another traveler, revealed that her usual practice of praying during flights wasn't sufficient to ease her apprehensions, leading her to re-book flights on Airbus planes instead of Boeing aircraft. Similarly, Adrian Rojas, citing fear of flying, has sought therapy and relies on anti-anxiety medication when traveling. He now specifically avoids Boeing's Max series planes and adjusts his travel plans accordingly to mitigate mental health concerns. "I just know that it's something I would be thinking about a lot right as I get on the plane, so I'm just trying to limit that for my mental health," Rojas said, per Fox Business. The increased scrutiny on Boeing has prompted a significant shift in traveler behavior, with platforms like Kayak reporting a 15-fold surge in users utilizing aircraft filters to identify specific plane models before booking flights. Recent developments include a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice into the Alaska Airlines incident, along with an acknowledgment from Boeing's CEO, David Calhoun, regarding the company's commitment to addressing concerns and improving safety standards. Despite these assurances, apprehensions persist among travelers, reflecting broader concerns about air safety and the specific challenges facing Boeing. Sleep deprivation not only leaves you feeling groggy but can also significantly impair your memory, according to experts. Richard Castriotta, a sleep medicine specialist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, said that even just one night of inadequate sleep can hinder short-term memory, with prolonged sleep deprivation leading to cognitive impairment akin to intoxication. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep specialist at Penn Medicine, also pointed out the noticeable impact of sleep deprivation on memory and cognitive function, citing difficulties in recalling information and increased irritability or anxiety. "If we go without sleep, we ourselves are aware that the next day we have a hard time remembering things: 'Where did I leave my keys? What's that person's name?,'" Gurubhagavatula said, The New York Times reported. "Sleep is not a passive process." Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, particularly during REM sleep, where the brain strengthens connections between neurons formed during wakefulness. Furthermore, inadequate sleep duration and disruptions in REM sleep can lead to decreased memory retention and attention, as explained by Dr. Sharon Sha, a clinical professor of neurology at Stanford University. Individuals may find it challenging to encode and recall details from conversations or events experienced during periods of sleep deprivation. Michael Rosenbloom, a behavioral neurologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, reiterated the impact of insufficient sleep on executive function and working memory. A study involving over 479,000 adults revealed that those consistently sleeping fewer than six hours exhibited poorer cognitive performance, particularly in tasks related to working memory. Despite age-related challenges in recovering from sleep deprivation, Gurubhagavatula noted the importance of adequate sleep for memory and overall cognitive health. She expressed the need for several nights of quality sleep to counteract the effects of sleep deprivation, emphasizing that everyone is susceptible to its consequences. Experts sometimes fail us. Police officers and firemen can't be everywhere at once. Fortunately, on those rare occasions when qualified individuals can't be found, a random nobody is sometimes waiting in the wings, ready to toe-kick fate in the genitals and save the day. 6 The Construction Worker Who Dove Under a Subway to Save a Man The Nobody: Wesley Autrey was a 50-year-old construction worker and Navy veteran living in New York City. The Clutch: Autrey was waiting on the subway platform with his kids when a man named Cameron Hollopeter (which is the porniest name since Big Dick Gigglefist) fell to the floor and began convulsing. Autrey and two other bystanders went to Hollopeter's aid and brought him back to his feet -- which is exactly what you don't want to do. Sure enough, Hollopeter took a few steps and fell right off the platform and onto the tracks below just as the train started to roll in, setting the scene for a spectacular obituary. Getty "Cameron Hollopeter: Lived fast, died at about 63 mph." Advertisement With no real plan in mind, since the seconds it would take to develop a plan would be just enough time for Hollopeter to be erased by the train, Autrey jumped onto the tracks, not wanting his two daughters to witness the horrific squishing of a human being via train. At first, he tried moving Hollopeter back onto the platform, but the man's convulsing hadn't stopped, making him impossible to lift out of harm's way in time. Luckily, a narrow trench in the center of the rails caught Autrey's eye. It was little more than a shallow drainage gutter and probably didn't look anywhere close to big enough to shelter a man from a speeding train that was about to come roaring overhead. Autrey, of course, didn't have time to get out his measuring tape, so he just rolled Hollopeter into the trench and lay on top of him to try and keep him from flopping around. There was nothing else for him to do but hope the combined height of his body on top of Hollopeter's would be low enough to miss being fatally shaved off like Italian ice. usatoday Ladies and gentlemen, meet No. 1 on Cracked's list of "Worst Times to Pop a Boner." Advertisement The train's operator saw them laying right there between the tracks and hit the brakes, but the subway didn't come to a full stop until two cars had passed over them. To the witnesses on the platform (most notably Autrey's young children), it appeared that the two men locked in a life or death man-hug had most likely been crushed. Advertisement But amazingly, they were alive. The train cleared the men by about two inches -- close enough that grease from the underside of the train stained Autrey's hat. thegalleryofheroes "Would I do it again? No way, I was dumb. That was my favorite hat." Advertisement Autrey was honored by every politician in the immediate area and showered with rewards, which included a trip to see Ellen DeGeneres and $10,000 directly from Donald Trump. Through it all, Autrey remained humble, and like Rocky in whatever sequel you're thinking of, he kind of grew disillusioned with the whole hero thing. nymag "Disillusionment" here bears a striking resemblance to "pimping." 5 The Chinese Bureaucrat Who Caught a Woman as She Fell from a Window Advertisement Advertisement The Nobody: Guo Zhongfan was a local community officer (the bureaucratic kind, not the police officer kind) and the director at the Xinfa Community Administration Office in China. The Clutch: A 22-year-old woman, identified only as Miss Li, was rejected by her fiance after a four-year relationship only days before their wedding. Of course, it wasn't just because he didn't love her, but because he had fallen in love with somebody else and decided to marry her instead. More than a little upset, Miss Li put on her wedding dress (because hey, she'd bought it already, so she might as well wear it) and climbed out of a seventh floor window of her apartment building, intent on ending it all. whatsonningbo The tension in this photo is lessened slightly when you realize she'd probably float like Mary Poppins. Advertisement She got all the way out and actually let go of the ledge, beginning her deadly free fall, when the strong, rough hands of Zhongfan snatched her out of the air. nypost And thus, an incredibly dangerous new fetish was born. Advertisement Miss Li struggled ironically against the cyborglike grip keeping her alive, but Zhongfan held fast, with a stern look of determination on his face that seemed to say "No way is this shit happening on my watch." msnbc He looks like he beat Death in a staring contest. Advertisement With the help of another man on the floor below pushing up on the bride's feet, Zhongfan pulled her back inside to safety. When he was interviewed later, Zhongfan merely said, "I did what anyone would have done." Which seems to suggest that showing up out of nowhere and rescuing people from the crushing weight of mortal despair is business as usual in his province. Actually, now that we mention it ... 4 The Window Cleaner Who Stops Suicides as a Hobby Mark Robinson Advertisement Advertisement The Nobody: Keith Lane is a middle-aged window cleaner and widower in England. The Clutch: Lane lost his wife when she fell, or more likely jumped, off the East Sussex Cliffs. Beachy Head, as the cliffs are more commonly known, is a depressingly popular spot for people wanting to kill themselves, witnessing an estimated 20 suicides per year. Wikipedia "Well, I don't really want to kill myself ... but when am I going to be here again?" Lane's wife, Maggie, had been one of those suicides in 2004. Since he couldn't save her, Lane began patrolling the cliffs daily, looking for other distraught souls at the end of their (proverbial) ropes. Advertisement Completely untrained in counseling, Lane has so far managed to prevent 29 people from leaping off the cliff. In his first year of punching suicide in the face, he received a Royal Humane Society Award for tackling a woman about to go over the edge, which sort of explains the "untrained in counseling" bit. More recently, he found another woman clinging to the cliff face about 15 feet down from the edge and actually climbed down to retrieve her, saving her life and earning a shitload of criticism from the local suicide prevention group, the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team (BHCT), because apparently they are unclear on the meaning of the word "prevention." Getty "Look, grown adults commit to things. You're just a big baby." Advertisement Advertisement The BHCT claim that Lane's rogue suicide prevention efforts endanger the lives of the people trying to kill themselves. Whether he bought that argument or not, Lane has since scaled back his patrols from two to three times daily to once per day, because he didn't "like the confrontations," a phrase which here means "I don't have time for their ridiculous bullshit, I'm trying to save people from jumping off this here cliff." The Sun This man couldn't look more British if he was holding a tea kettle and wearing nothing but a Union Jack. Advertisement 3 The Dancer Who Rescued Cruise Ship Passengers (the Hard Way) The Mirror Advertisement The Nobody: James Thomas was a British dancer on the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia. Getty You know, the boat that pulled half a Poseidon Adventure. Advertisement The Clutch: The Costa Concordia ran aground when the captain drove too close to land and hit a reef because he wasn't wearing his glasses and "had difficulty maneuvering large ships," two things we assumed would have been addressed at some point during the interview process. The Telegraph "I just clicked the 'APPLY TO ALL' button on Monster.com." After drifting aimlessly for about an hour and then finally running aground, the captain began supervising the evacuation process by getting the hell out of there faster than anybody else, leaving around 4,200 passengers to fend for themselves. A panic quickly ensued. Advertisement Passengers scrambled to find an escape route from the overturned ship, some simply leaping into the water to try to swim to land. A group of several others quickly became lost inside the ship, turning up one level above the life rafts that would take them to safety. The gap was too far down for any of them to reach without injury, so the passengers waited and hoped for somebody big or some kind of ropey ladder to get them to the bottom. Little did they know, they were about to get both -- James Thomas stepped onto the deck, all 6-feet-3-inches of his lanky British frame striding through them like Daniel Stern through a sea of Joe Pescis. huffingtonpost If you look closely, you can see that the photo of him is holding the photo of him holding the photo. Advertisement Advertisement He'd only been performing as a dancer on the Costa Concordia for six months, which effectively made him more qualified than anyone else on board to lead the evacuation. Seeing the predicament the other passengers were facing, Thomas stretched one arm down to the life rafts while holding onto the rail of the deck above, allowing dozens of people to climb onto his shoulders and then down his body to the rafts. That's right -- he turned himself into a human ladder, something that we're assuming isn't taught in any of the safety pamphlets they hand out when you get on the boat. And the next time you consider picking a fight with a dancer, keep this in mind: Thomas supported all of the weight of the climbing passengers with one freaking hand. The Guardian His strong, manly hand. Advertisement Korean voters in the United States began to cast ballots for next month's general elections under an overseas voting program on Wednesday, as political parties at home are cranking up their campaigns for the polls seen as a public assessment on the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Overseas voting is set to run through Monday next week. Some 2,800 Koreans are registered as voters in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia the four areas of responsibility for the South Korean Embassy in Washington. Polling stations were set up in two locations one in Alexandria, Virginia, and the other in Maryland. Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong cast a vote in Alexandria on Wednesday morning, calling for eligible voters' active participation in the elections. According to the National Election Commission, a total of 147,989 Koreans are eligible for overseas voting that takes place at 220 polling stations across 115 countries. Rival parties' official election campaigning kicked off at the beginning of Thursday (Korea time) for a 13-day run through the eve of Election Day on April 10. Up for grabs are 300 National Assembly seats 254 directly contested seats and 46 proportional representation ones. (Yonhap) Heres a fun game: Take one name from history, add a second random name and just imagine the resulting shenanigans. Maybe Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt run off in a plane together, or maybe Neil Armstrong and Edmund Hillary head to the North Pole. The chances of them really teaming up and succeeding at something are slim, however. The encounter more likely ends with both parties leaving bitter and confused. 5 Thomas Jefferson Hired Mozart, Then Got Sick of Him Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772. She died well before he became president, which explains why shes less known than other early First Ladies and why the average person is more likely to know the name Sally Hemings than Martha Jefferson. It also explains why few people have commented on the oddity that two of the first three U.S. presidents married women named Martha. Constantino Brumidi Why did you say that name?! Jefferson wooed Martha by playing the violin daily, which made him more impressive than two other suitors. When she died, he wanted to commission a piece of music in her memory. He knew that half a century before, a musician named Johann Goldberg commissioned a piece by Bach, and this piece now bore Goldbergs name, so people remembered it long after hed otherwise have been forgotten. To compose Marthas Song, Jefferson contacted Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This may have been when Jefferson was living in Paris, which was where Mozart had lived earlier, before moving to Vienna. But though the two met, the song never ended up being written. Jefferson decided he just didnt like Mozart, as a person, and he cut things off. Jefferson went on to instead honor his wifes memory by fulfilling her wish that he never remarry. Though, he did turn to that Sally Hemings, who happened to be Marthas half-sister. Advertisement 4 Leonard Nimoy Once Gave a Cab Ride to JFK When Leonard Nimoy was a struggling actor in the 1950s, he made money driving a taxi at night in Los Angeles. In 1956, soon before the Democratic National Convention, he once found himself picking up a senator from the Hotel Bel-Air. It was John F. Kennedy, and the two of them had some common ground as the basis for banter, since both were from Boston. NASA And both would be responsible for future space missions. When Nimoy in later years wanted to make an inspirational story out of this drive, hed share this thing JFK said to him: Lots of competition in your business, just like in mine. So, feel free to take whatever you want from that line. Also, he noted Kennedy saying, Just remember theres always room for one more good one. Advertisement Only problem was, once the ride was done, Nimoy learned his passenger didnt have any money on him. He had to park the cab and enter the second hotel to get some staff member to pay him. Plus, he got a measly 140 percent tip, which surely ruined the whole experience for him. 3 Einstein and Freud Wrote to Each Other to Try to Abolish War Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud met on New Years Eve 1927. The encounter left Freud convinced about which of the two of them had the harder intellectual struggle ahead. He has had the support of a long series of predecessors from Newton onward, said Freud, while I have had to hack every step of my way through a tangled jungle alone. No wonder that my path is not a very broad one. Ferdinand Schmutzer Ah, yes. Relativistic physics famously well-trod territory. Advertisement Advertisement The correspondence continued between them and got awkward. On Einsteins birthday in 1929, Freud wrote, To wish you good fortune would be superfluous. I would rather rejoice with countless many others at the fact that you have had, and are still having, so much good fortune. Einstein wrote back, Why the emphasis on my good fortune? Although you, you who have slipped into the skins of so many people, and even of mankind itself, you have had no opportunity of slipping into mine! Nevertheless, when a League of Nations offshoot reached out to Einstein in 1931, asking to put him in touch with some other great thinker for the good of humanity, Einstein picked Freud a man with whom he was already somewhat in touch. The two now wrote to each other on the subject of war. Einstein complained about how easily the public can be convinced to support war. Freud called war a natural result of two competing instincts: the death instinct and the erotic instinct, both of which make us fight. Advertisement Later, Freud sought Einsteins support in getting a Nobel Prize. Einstein refused, saying he wasnt sure any of Freuds theory was valid. 2 Marlon Brando Felt Bullied by Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplins last film was 1967s A Countess from Hong Kong, which gave him a chance to direct Marlon Brando. If youre now picturing the Tramp with Vito Corleone, realize that Chaplin looked a little different at the age of 78 than he did at 30. Advertisement Advertisement Though they look great friends in that non-quite-candid photo, Brando would go on to call Chaplin a fearsomely cruel man and an egotistical tyrant. Hed later tell a story about coming to that London set late one day and getting berated by Chaplin. Ill be in my dressing room for 20 minutes, Brando then told him. If you give me an apology within that time, I will consider not getting on a plane and returning to the United States. Sure enough, Chaplin soon came to the dressing room and apologized. Heres the thing, though, that you need to know about these stories celeb tell, where they stay calm and collected and the other guys soon humbled: Theyre lies, every time. Really, when two celebs have a feud, we can never trust either ones tale of how it all went down. Our best chance at finding out is to listen to some third party who was present. Advertisement So, heres how a third party who was present described that day: Brando came two hours late, said this producer (not 15 minutes like Brando would claim), and Chaplin grabbed the tardy actor and said, Listen, you son-of-a-bitch. Youre working for Charlie Chaplin now. If you think youre slumming, take the next plane to Hollywood. We dont need you. Then when Brando said, Gee, Charlie, I was sick, Chaplin interrupted him with, Im an old man, and I manage to be here on time. Now, youre going to be on the set every day, ready to shoot by eight-thirty, just like me. Yes, Charlie, said Brando, in this account. Hed later call Chaplin the most sadistic man Id ever met. If your go-to media aggregator includes a section for sky news, youve probably received several warnings about the solar eclipse thatll roll up on us on April 8, 2024. While admonitions regarding traffic congestion around the eclipses path, shortages in the areas and the dangers of driving in sudden darkness should be heeded, its hard to think of our friendly celestial neighbors as much of a threat, fake eclipse-viewing glasses notwithstanding. There was a time, however, when eclipses were used as ammunition between enemies, or at least the other partys ignorance of them. In this case, it was the lack of knowledge that was the most powerful weapon. It all started in 1503, with the Exploration Ages principal fuckboi, Christopher Columbus. He ran aground in Jamaica and immediately started Columbusing up the place, trading trinkets for food and water with the indigenous population and generally bringing mayhem to the island. To be fair, hed forbidden his crew to venture out into the island, but they eventually went rogue, and you can guess how they treated the residents, who soon put an end to their business arrangements with Columbus. Regardless of his orders, he was the one who brought those jerks, so fuck him, too, they reasonably concluded. Advertisement Faced with looming death at the hands of either starvation or pissed-off islanders, Columbus had to improvise, and he landed on a winning strategy when he remembered a lunar eclipse was coming up. Taking the gamble that the islanders didnt know what that was, he told them, The God who protects me will punish you, as this very night shall the Moon change her color and lose her light, in testimony of the evils which shall be sent on you from the skies." When that happened, the islanders further reasonably shit themselves, and Columbus lived to fuck shit up another day after promising to talk to God on their behalf if he could get some plantains up in there. Advertisement It was a sneaky move by one of historys sneakiest sneaks, but dont worry, the indigenous people of another land avenged them 300 years later. In 1806, the Shawnee leader Tecumseh was butting heads with future president William Henry Harrison, who challenged Tecumsehs brothers claims of being a prophet. Specifically, he mockingly suggested he should stop the Sun in the sky to prove his powers. Ironically, this turned out to be almost divinely fortunate for the fam, as theyd heard about an upcoming eclipse from other, more informed colonists. As a result, when Tecumsehs brother commanded the sun to go dark, Harrison had no choice but to shut up and everyone in the vicinity got behind Tecumseh. It didnt do too much in the grand scheme of the fight against colonization, but it was an effective clapback. Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup attended an interagency meeting of Korea's ambassadors to six countries on defense cooperation on Thursday amid controversy over his return home. The meeting came as criticism grew over Lee's appointment and departure after revelations that he was being investigated for alleged interference in a military probe into a Marine's death. Lee returned to Seoul last Thursday, 11 days after he assumed the job as the top envoy to Canberra. As he arrived at the foreign ministry building for the meeting, Lee kept mum on questions about his stay here. 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. The meeting was attended by Korea's ambassadors to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Qatar and Poland, as well as Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun are likely to join later in the day. The officials are expected to discuss the global defense market and other pending issues on defense cooperation and exports. Lee previously came under pressure to return following revelations he was under a travel ban at the time of his appointment over his alleged interference in a military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun. Chae was killed last July during a search mission for victims of heavy rains when Lee was the defense minister. (Yonhap) Iran launched its own campaign targeting Israel as the war commenced on October 7. Initially, Irans efforts were reactive, and its influence campaign focused on disseminating misleading information. Iranian and Iran-affiliated groups quickly grew more coordinated in their efforts, adding targeted cyberattacks to add to the confusion and mayhem about the situation on the ground. As time has worn on, this two-pronged approach is expanding its reach worldwide to involve more nations and impact the global dialogue about the ongoing conflict. The evolving nature of Irans campaign presents both a present concern and a template for future attacks against organizations and society as a whole. For defenders, understanding how these threats unfold across three distinct phases may help identify vulnerabilities and attack vectors. Phase 1: Reactive and misleading Immediately after the conflict began, Irans state media and affiliated news agencies began by making claims that turned out to be provably false or unrelated, such as the boast that a hacking group successfully attacked an Israeli power company at the same time as the initial attack by Hamas. Old news reports of power outages and undated screenshots were the only proof offered. The same hacking group claimed to later leak documents from another Israeli power plant; an examination of the documents revealed they had been leaked more than a year earlier. Along with reusing older material, Iran-affiliated threat actors used credentials gathered in earlier attacks to leak unrelated information in order to add to the confusion. Personal data from an Israeli university was leaked on October 8, although there appeared to be no connection to Hamass attack, suggesting that the target was opportunistic. The influence campaigns reach was widest early on The reach of Iranian state-affiliated media surged during the early days of the war. Microsoft AI for Good Labs Iranian Propaganda Index rose by 42% that first week, reflecting additional traffic visiting Irans state and state-affiliated news sites. English-speaking countries made up much of that increase, in particular Australia, Canada, and the U.K. A month later, worldwide traffic to these sites remained at nearly 30 percent higher than before the war. An important element in the early stage of the influence campaign was speed. Multiple actors moved quickly, spreading misleading messages within hours or days of the start of the conflict. This may reflect the ease of launching a cyber-enabled influence campaign, as opposed to a full-blown cyberattack strategy. Phase 2: All-hands-on-deck As fighting continued through October, more Iranian groups turned their focus on Israel. More critically, these threat actors evolved their tactics to include active cyberattacks against specific targets. Data deletion and ransomware surged, and IoT devices were targeted. At this point, groups became increasingly coordinated in their efforts. At the beginning of the war, nine Iranian groups were targeting Israel, but by the end of the second week, Microsoft Threat Intelligence tracked 14 groups. Some of these attackers went after the same targets using both cyber and influence techniques. This suggests coordination or common goals. Iran quickly linked threat actors and techniques Cyber-enabled influence operations also increased over the first several weeks, with more than twice the activity as at the start of the conflict. For example, one group used ransomware to impact some security cameras in parts of Israel; the same group then used an online persona to say those cameras were on an Israeli Air Force base. This false claim was meant to overstate the Iranian groups capabilities. By the end of October, Irans operations became more extensive and sophisticated in their use of inauthentic amplification. Using multiple false or stolen online personas (sockpuppets), they sent emails and texts to spread fabricated messages, often using compromised accounts to add a veneer of authenticity. Phase 3: Expanding geographic scope As the conflict wore on, the Iranian groups widened their cyber-enabled influence activities to target nations they saw as providing support to Israel. Cyberattacks targeted Bahrain, the U.S., and possibly Ireland. In the U.S., Iran-affiliated groups targeted industrial computers made in Israel, including one such device at a water authority in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, their cyber-enabled influence campaigns grew more nuanced, with updates to their sockpuppets profiles. The groups also began using AI to create new content for these online personas to distribute, along with hacking streaming television channels to show AI-generated news reports. These hacks were reported to impact viewers in the UAE, Canada, and the UK. Understanding the evolving threat Over time, the Iranian groups refocused their efforts from quick, opportunistic responses to more coordinated, multi-pronged operations. Multiple groups worked in concert to deploy both cyberattacks and cyber-enabled influence campaigns, becoming more destructive while growing in scope. For defenders worldwide, it is essential to raise awareness of this expanding threat environment while actively tracking the widening array of participants and threat actors. To learn more about Irans cyber-influence operations, read this Microsoft Security Insider Nation state report or listen to the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast. Photo: Jackal Pan/Visual China Group via Getty Images Adam Neumann has put together a bid of more than $500 million to buy WeWork, the bankrupt co-working company, The Wall Street Journal reported this week. The co-working start-ups co-founder and oncechief executive has spent the last several months trying to find his way back to the company he helped create in 2010 before being ousted in 2019, but WeWork doesnt seem to want him back. In response to the news of Neumanns offer, WeWork basically pulled an I dont know her, telling the Journal that it receives expressions of interest from third parties on a regular basis. One might have a few questions here. Like: Does it make sense to get back into the office-space-leasing hustle at a moment when no one seems to be going into the office like they used to? And why would Neumann, a billionaire twice over who is currently running a similarly hype-y residential start-up called Flow, even want to? Heres what we know. Wait, who wants to rent office space right now? While there is a glut of office space available at the moment, the office is not, as was once feared and hoped, dead. Most of New Yorks office workers settled into some kind of hybrid schedule over the last few years on any given day, 52 percent of office workers are at their desk, but just 9 percent come in five days a week, according to the Partnership for New York City. Companies still want and need office space, but those needs are different than they were before the pandemic. Which is where co-working space, or as experts are now calling it, flexible office space, comes in. So co-working is still a thing? Yes. Commercial brokers say that as companies have shrunk their overall footprints after COVID, the demand for co-working space has only increased. Okay, then it makes sense Neumann wants WeWork back. Co-working can be a viable business, and so, too, could WeWork. But it seems doubtful that Neumann, of all people, would be the one to finally make WeWork a going concern. The business of co-working has also changed from what it once was, says Julie Whelan, who leads a research team at CBRE. The aughts-era idea of co-working popularized by WeWork a bunch of 20-somethings paying monthly fees for individual desks in shared offices where they could meet other entrepreneurs and drink free craft beer has shifted to a more a la carte office model many different types of businesses are interested in using. Flexible workspaces smaller, built-out offices with shorter lease terms allow younger companies to lease spaces without long-term commitments and more established companies to access extra space if they need to accommodate visiting workers, rent extra conference rooms, or open satellite offices with lower overhead. While office leasing is muted right now, the demand for spaces under 20,000 square feet is higher than ever, according to Whelan. What are the details of the bid? Neumann and his backers its not clear who they are, exactly have reportedly submitted an offer of more than $500 million to take over WeWork. Despite his track record, Neumann keeps convincing people to give him money e.g., the $350 million his real-estate company, Flow Global, raised from venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Neumann, who received an extremely generous exit package when he was ousted from WeWork, also has a lot of his own money, a net worth of $2.3 billion, according to Forbes, but he hasnt indicated hes financing the bid himself. In February, Dan Loebs hedge fund Third Point Capital was rumored to be involved, but Third Point quickly clarified that it had had only preliminary conversations with Flow, and The Wall Street Journal reported that Third Point was not part of this bid. Will WeWork take it? Its not looking likely. One source, citing IWG, another major co-working company, as a benchmark, thought that Neumanns offer was a lowball: WeWork is likely worth three to four times that, between $1.5 to $2 billion, although Neumann might be counting on the publicity to work up something closer to a credible bid of, say, $1.2 billion. (CNBC reported that the bid could go up to $900,000 if due diligence and financing line up, which are big ifs.) But Vicki Bryan, CEO of Bond Angle, a bond research firm, scoffed at the notion that WeWork was worth even $500 million, noting its lack of tangible assets and liabilities the many leases its working to renegotiate or exit through the bankruptcy process. Neumanns offer struck her as another number hed plucked out of thin air. It doesnt seem based on financial information from WeWork, in any event. In February, Flows lawyers wrote a letter to the company, quoted in the Times, expressing dismay with WeWorks lack of engagement even to provide information in what is intended to be a value-maximizing transaction for all stakeholders. Remind me what Flow is again? A residential real-estate company that, not unlike WeWork, seems to be playing up what is essentially landlording as a bold, disruptive new business. The company assembled a portfolio of some 3,000 apartments in Miami, Atlanta, and Nashville that would be run in some cooler, more community-driven way than other apartment complexes. Although no one really knows what that means. Okay, thanks back to why WeWork doesnt seem interested in Neumann taking over. Someone with knowledge of the situation told us that having Neumman hovering over WeWorks bankruptcy proceedings is unwelcome, to say the least. With any bankruptcy, theres an element of uncertainty, and WeWork has to renegotiate many, many leases to emerge from bankruptcy as a viable business. Landlords dont know who theyll be dealing with down the road, and now Neumman has raised the possibility that it could be him. Why did WeWork go bankrupt in the first place? Like many aughts-era start-ups, the company has always struggled to bring in more than it spent. After a failed IPO, it finally went public in 2021 through a SPAC, at a valuation of around $9 billion. But the companys business model signing long-term leases with landlords and making money on subleasing built-out spaces can be risky, and WeWork signed a number of long-term leases for top dollar in the years before the pandemic. In 2018, it became New York Citys biggest private office tenant. After the pandemic, the company tried to renegotiate and exit many of its leases, but wasnt able to right itself fast enough to avoid bankruptcy. As of February, WeWork said it had made agreements with more than 100 locations, representing more than $1.5 billion in savings. Many leases have been renegotiated in a number of locations, WeWork downsized its footprint considerably others have been exited altogether, and some agreements have shifted from a lease to a revenue-sharing model with the landlord. Landlords are getting into the co-working game? Landlords are building out their own spaces and hiring co-working companies to manage them, or entering into partnerships with co-working companies, where they share revenue and risk, a model thats widely seen as more resilient than the WeWork lease model. (IWG, which had a lease-based model like WeWorks and also struggled after the pandemic, has increasingly shifted to a revenue-sharing and management model, with good results. It is often held up as a counterpoint to the hot mess of WeWork.) I dont think it will ever be the dominant type of office space in the U.S., Whelan says, noting that flex/co-working space is still only a fraction of all office space, 2.4 percent in Manhattan, and even less than that nationally. But I do think that almost every building will have some flexible office space in the future. Jamie Hodari, the CEO of Industrious, another flexible-workspace firm, says that Industriouss revenue is up 300 percent since the start of the pandemic, with a lot of growth coming from companies using co-working spaces for satellite offices (i.e., a company will have a traditional lease for its New York City headquarters, but flex space for its 40-person team in Denver). I think one of the ironies of the WeWork bankruptcy is it came at the exact moment when theres rapidly rising demand for flexible office space, Hodari says. Why is Neumann doing this? No one knows for sure, but several people involved in the industry pointed out that hes sure getting a lot of attention for it. Does he actually want it or is this all a show? Thats hard to divine, says one, speculating that he might be using the bid as a ploy to raise money for Flow. Hes a legend in his own mind and hes coming in to save his baby, says another, adding that hes milking the publicity for all that it was worth. In any event, no one seems to think that Neumann would be the best person for the job. Hes a hype man who excels at raising and spending money, not the kind of leader youd want to shepherd a company through post-bankruptcy rebuilding. I think the person who would be most frustrated if Adam Neumann bought WeWork would be Adam Neumann, says one. I cant imagine a worse person to soberly run a company in dire straits and turn it into something profitable. Former presidential candidates stage neck-and-neck race in Bundang-A constituency By Nam Hyun-woo With the general elections for the 22nd National Assembly less than two weeks away, the Bundang-A constituency in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is gaining attention as one of the toughest battlegrounds, with two former presidential hopefuls Lee Kwang-jae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Ahn Cheol-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), staging a neck-and-neck race. Bundang-A has elected six conservative candidates in eight general elections since 1992. In a by-election last year, the regions voters elected Ahn with 62.5 percent of the votes. The regions conservative swing, however, is now showing signs of change, as recent surveys show that Lee is ahead of Ahn within the margin of error of the surveys. During an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday, Lee said he decided to run in the constituency because the region is a place where all the potentials that can change the nation are enriched. Bundang is not a conservative stronghold, but a region of moderate voters, the former three-term lawmaker said. So I believe we have to change the direction of national policy starting from here. Lee is one of the seniors among the liberals, serving as a secretary for state affairs monitoring for former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003. He also served as governor of Gangwon Province and served his three terms in the region. In the run-up to the current elections, Lee initially was anticipated to run in Seoul's Jongno District, but he made a challenge to Ahn, even though the party proposed that he run in other regions, where the DPK is leading over the PPP. The Bundang-A constituency is home to the Pangyo area, where a slew of technology, biotech and other firms in advanced industries are located. I think Korea may collapse if there is no strong driving force for economic growth, Lee said. And I believe the economic growth can be achieved through what I call the Pangyo Renaissance While the former presidents led Koreas status in the era of info-tech innovation, it is time for us to spearhead innovation in artificial intelligence, bio and climate technologies. While Ahn is making appeals to voters on the back of his public image a renowned former software entrepreneur and medical doctor Lee is highlighting his practicality and abundant political experiences in addressing pending state affairs during his past political career. Thankfully, the voters in the region are recognizing my approach, he said. In the past, members of the public said to me Thank you for running in the region, but now they are telling me that You should work well when you get elected. Recently, Lee and Ahn have both spoken out against the Yoon Suk Yeol governments strong push to add 2,000 new slots to the admissions quota of medical schools across the country, which triggered a large-scale walkout by trainee doctors. Hours before the interview, Lee held a press conference to urge the Yoon government to make a compromise regarding the 2,000 slots to prevent the conflict between the government and doctors from threatening the publics health. The election of course matters, but a prompt compromise (between the government and doctors) is necessary To enable conversations between the two sides, the first step will be dismissing Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo, Lee said. Park created controversy over his mispronunciation of the word doctors in Korean during a press briefing last month that sounded like an expletive. Doctors are saying that the government did not persuade them about why 2,000 new slots are necessary and what the scientific reasons are behind that. Doctors began the strike because the expansion plan was announced without any political agreement (with doctors). The first step for exiting the current standoff is a compromise between the two sides, but it should be followed by installing a legal institution for continuity of consultations on the policy. Regarding the PPP candidates growing calls for the governments more flexible approach, including that of Ahn earlier this week, Lee said, It seems to be too late. I regret Ahns stance again and again, Lee said. Formerly he was a medical doctor, and he should have spoken about this way before the walkout was protracted. In the previous 21st National Assembly, Lee served as the chairman of the Assemblys Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. During his tenure, Lee created headlines by playing a pivotal role in the Assemblys hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys virtual speech in April 2022. Lee said Korea should systemize its policies on diplomacy to protect the country from diplomatic upheavals in surrounding countries, including the U.S. One of the first tasks for the system diplomacy is setting up a channel between parliamentary committees on foreign affairs in Korea and the U.S., Lee said So far, the PPP has been employing diplomatic policies focused on the Joe Biden administration. But now, Donald Trumps remarks are heralding a difference in the Korea-U.S. relations To stay intact in such possible changes, we should set up multiple channels to engage with the U.S., with Koreas each parties keeping diplomatic channels with the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Nearly one in three candidates for the April 10 parliamentary elections possess a criminal record, and their average asset holdings amount to 2.44 billion won ($1.8 million), a civic group said Thursday. The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice disclosed the findings involving the assets and criminal records of 952 candidates. Of them, 305 candidates or 32 percent were found to be criminal record holders, a slight increase from 27 percent in the 2020 elections. "There were many candidates who possessed criminal records and assets that substantially exceeded the public average," the group said during a press briefing. "The insufficient examination of candidates during the nomination process placed the burden on voters to weed out the unqualified candidates." By party, 100 candidates of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its satellite party, or 36.2 percent of 276 candidates, had criminal records, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its satellite party had 59 candidates with criminal records out of 289 candidates. The civic group, however, noted that a large chunk of candidates from the DPK and Justice Party likely obtained a criminal record during the pro-democracy movement under the past authoritarian government, adding the specific type of crime should also be considered. The average reported assets per candidate amounted to 2.44 billion won, up from the 1.5 billion won reported during the 2020 parliamentary elections, according to the same data. It includes 1.57 billion won in real estate assets, 690 million won in financial assets and 1.52 million won in virtual assets. Pointing to the increase in the number of criminal record holders and average assets of candidates, Kim Sung-dal, the secretary general of the civic group, denounced the nominations as "out of touch with public expectations." The civic group called on each party to apologize for such poor nominations and urged them to come up with measures to strengthen the vetting criteria of candidates in the future. (Yonhap) Marlene Kennedy is a freelance columnist. Opinions expressed in her column are her own and not necessarily the newspapers. Reach her at marlenejkennedy@gmail.com. Prudent approach essential to tackle key national agendas Ruling People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon proposed, Wednesday, to relocate the National Assembly to the administrative town of Sejong. Unveiling the plan during a press conference, Han emphasized the need to end the era of politics in Yeouido, which is the current location of the National Assembly, and reclaim the space for the citizens of Seoul. This decision symbolizes a resolute determination to secure the support of voters in both the capital and Sejong. Han vowed to mobilize all possible means to develop Sejong as an administrative city to match Washington D.C. and Yeouido as a financial hub similar to Hong Kong and Singapore. The Assembly relocation plan was initially set in motion in 2002 by then-President Roh Moo-hyun. In October of last year, the National Assembly approved a bill to relocate 12 standing committees out of a total of 17, along with budget and legislation research departments, to Sejong. Currently, the planned relocation of all Assembly organizations appears to be picking up steam, given the support by both the ruling and opposition parties. However, a growing dispute has emerged as the relocation plan was announced, seemingly as a campaign tactic just 13 days before the crucial April 10 general elections. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), expressed support for the plan. The relocation had also been a pledge of the opposition party. But Lee criticized Han for attempting to use the plan as a political maneuver. The nascent Rebuilding Korea Party and Saemirae Party also welcomed the plan. RKPs leader Cho Kuk even underlined the need to move the nations capital and other judiciary institutes such as the Supreme Court along with the National Assembly to Sejong. His remark drew special attention as the party has been garnering wide support from across the country in the lead-up to the general elections. There are expectations of enhanced efficiency once the legislative and administrative branches are consolidated in the new city. A considerable number of civil servants will end up conducting business from KTX trains while commuting between Sejong and Yeouido. Many of them need to stay in Seoul for days at a time, away from their homes and families in Sejong, during the National Assembly's audit of state affairs. These and other ensuing inefficiencies have raised economic and time-related costs for the government, which stand to be lowered under the relocation plan. If executed smoothly, the plan would also have a positive impact by facilitating balanced national development. But what really matters is how to put the plan into practice. In fact, the plan has been a topic of discussion for quite some time. Many people seem to harbor skepticism regarding the relocation of the entire Assembly apparatus, including the plenary chamber and the House Speakers office. If the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is serious about the plan, it needs to map out a relevant and deliberated roadmap, comprising a blueprint for parliament to be set up in Sejong. It also needs to figure out exactly how to finance the project. Some experts foresee the plan requiring a budget of around 4 trillion won ($2.96 billion). Campaigning for the general elections officially kicked off on Thursday. Now, the DPK seems to be maintaining the upper hand over the PPP. Despite the brewing conflict between medical doctors and the government, many people are supportive of the Yoon administrations plan to increase the enrollment quotas of medical colleges. But the PPP is grappling with the dismal approval ratings of President Yoon paired with the controversy involving the newly-appointed Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup. Against this backdrop, the PPP should be aware of the intensifying criticism over the recent relocation announcement. Critics say the plan was unveiled as the PPP has become desperate to woo voters mainly in the central Chungcheong provinces and Seoul. There should be ample discussions and public debate to garner social consensus on the issue of the Assembly relocation. We should adopt prudent and cautious approaches to seek wise solutions to this national issue, which holds significant importance for the people. The greater media presence triggered by the King's decision to attend church on Easter morning gives Prince Andrew an opportunity to strut his stuff on the walk to Windsor's St George's Chapel. It's just a month since he elbowed his way to a front-row seat for King Constantine's memorial service. The demoted royal is expected to join the King and others to receive communion at a private service in the castle before the walk to the chapel where the winking cameras await. King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on February 18, 2024 The greater media presence triggered by the King's decision to attend church on Easter morning gives Prince Andrew (pictured last month) an opportunity to strut his stuff on the walk to Windsor's St George's Chapel Queen Camilla dispenses Maundy Money at Worcester Cathedral today, the first time the monarch has delegated a consort to do the duty. In 2022, at what would have been the late Queen's last Maundy she got Charles to distribute the alms. She hadn't missed a Maundy since 1970 but on the other four occasions she was absent on Commonwealth tours or pregnant she delegated the Queen Mother or Princess Mary, the Princess Royal, to do the task. On her first absence, in 1954 when she was in Australia, she sent the Lord High Almoner, a bishop, in her stead. The lack of royal stardust didn't go down well and she never repeated the exercise. King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Royal Maundy Service at York Minster on April 6, 2023 in York, England Diana Rigg's daughter Rachael Stirling, 46, discovering a voucher in a movie goody bag for a free facial was surprised to receive a quote for 50,000 for a plastic surgeon to de-age her. 'I hadn't noticed everybody had been quietly shoving things in their face,' wails Rachael. 'They're all ageing backwards like Benjamin Button.' So will she get work done? 'No, f*** that,' she says sweetly. Rachael Stirling, 46, (pictured) discovering a voucher in a movie goody bag for a free facial was surprised to receive a quote for 50,000 for a plastic surgeon to de-age her Underwhelming response to last night's BBC live presentation of Lauren Laverne's Desert Island Discs at The London Palladium. Guests Mel C and Russell T Davies found themselves addressing rows of empty seats and a virtually empty Grand Circle. Back to the wireless Laverne! Ex-Oasis warbler Noel Gallagher took offence when he went unrecognised in a guitar shop after asking to handle a Les Paul signed by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. 'Noel spat on his T-shirt and rubbed off the signature,' recalls The Coral's Bill Ryder-Jones who was with him when he bought it. 'He purposefully rubbed off Peter's signature to make a point to the guy he thought he was being a bit rude.' Gallagher later gave the guitar to Ryder-Jones who wails: 'I would have loved for it to have Peter Green's signature. I probably would have sold it by now, and had a house.' Noel Gallagher (pictured last Friday) took offence when he went unrecognised in a guitar shop after asking to handle a Les Paul signed by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac Carole Middleton's brother Gary, who describes himself as Kate's 'buncle' (bad uncle), dubs Meghan as Laughing Girl. What would recovering Kate make of his observation about ex-soldier Harry's Spare claim that he fought with William, broke his bracelet and fell into a ceramic dog bowl? 'Putin will be laughing,' spouts Buncle. We do things oddly in Britain. There has never been an official inquiry into the war in Afghanistan in which 457 British service personnel were killed. A war that cost tens of billions of pounds. Our soldiers died in vain, and the money was wasted, since the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan. The other day their supreme leader announced that women convicted of adultery would be stoned to death in public. But whereas the calamitous errors of successive British administrations have escaped investigation, this Government has set up an inquiry into allegations that members of three SAS units were responsible for the summary executions of some 80 Afghans between 2010 and 2013. If it transpires that special forces did kill Afghans in cold blood, they must be held to account. But isn't it equally desirable that politicians who embroiled us in a futile war for reasons that seemed confused should also answer for their monumental mistakes? Not in Britain! As so often, it is servicemen, not ministers, who find themselves in the dock. The politicians who sent those soldiers to a hellhole often poorly defended in lightly-armoured Land Rovers that offered scant protection from roadside bombs aren't under investigation. Except there is one minister who is a hero. And yet this person, Johnny Mercer, is being threatened by the chairman of the Afghan Unlawful Killings inquiry, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, with imprisonment or a hefty fine. Johnny Mercer is being threatened by the chairman of the Afghan Unlawful Killings inquiry, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, (pictured) with imprisonment or a hefty fine Johnny Mercer (pictured in April last year) wasn't one of those politicians who sent young men off to die or be wounded. He went three times to Afghanistan as a soldier, finishing as a Captain. We don't have to share his politics to agree that he was brave I doubt that such a threat has been made by a judge to a senior minister (as minister for veterans' affairs, Mr Mercer sits in the Cabinet) in British history. It is an egregious example of the alarming development of judicial overreach. Mr Mercer wasn't one of those politicians who sent young men off to die or be wounded. He went three times to Afghanistan as a soldier, finishing as a Captain. We don't have to share his politics to agree that he was brave. He's in trouble with Lord Justice Haddon-Cave because he has so far declined to reveal the names of whistleblowers. There is no suggestion that these people were involved in unlawful killings. It seems they have information about them, though the veterans' minister suggested to the inquiry last month that 'you are already speaking to people who have far greater knowledge of what was going on'. Mr Mercer was passed confidential information as an MP and he gave his word to his informants that he wouldn't disclose their identity. One may reasonably speculate that they may have served, or still serve, in the Army. Mr Mercer plainly regards it as a matter of honour that he should stand by his assurances to them. This is entirely admirable. When the veterans' minister appeared at the inquiry, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave (whose closest brush with danger may have been on the croquet lawn) didn't address him with great respect. He declared that Mr Mercer's refusal to divulge names was 'unacceptable'. He told him that he 'needed to decide which side you are really on'. On the side of honour and decency, I'd say. Having been issued with an ultimatum by the judge that he must disclose the names of the whistleblowers by April 5 or risk a spell in prison or a fine, he is now being urged by No 10 to come clean. His political career is at stake. I hope he doesn't buckle. He is behaving like a soldier rather than a politician which may make him a rotten politician but, in my book, emphatically an honourable man. Unsurprisingly, the former head of the Army, Lord Dannatt, gets the point. He said: 'It is outrageous that the government minister who has done more than anyone else for veterans should be threatened with jail. He gave his word to the whistleblowers that their identity would be protected.' Mr Mercer (pictured this month) was passed confidential information as an MP and he gave his word to his informants that he wouldn't disclose their identity. One may reasonably speculate that they may have served, or still serve, in the Army. Mr Mercer plainly regards it as a matter of honour that he should stand by his assurances to them. This is entirely admirable I suppose one can see Lord Justice Haddon-Cave's point of view. He has been charged by the Government with determining whether allegations made about SAS forces are true, and he believes the Inquiries Act 2005 gives him what he has called 'very significant powers' to compel Mr Mercer to hand over the names. But the judge also has discretion. He could choose to respect Mr Mercer's high and honourable motives. He doesn't have to pick a fight with the veterans' minister. Moreover, there is a long-standing convention, enshrined in the Contempt of Court Act (1981), that journalists shouldn't be forced to reveal their sources, though there are exceptions in matters pertaining to national security and the prevention of disorder or crime. Surely this is a right that should be extended to MPs. In 2022, Chris Mullin, the journalist and former Labour MP, won the right to protect his sources in a freedom of the press case at the Old Bailey. Judge Lucraft ruled that it wasn't in the public interest to force him to hand over data that would identify a man who had confessed to his role in the 1974 Birmingham bombings. That ruling may stick in some people's gullets, but if Mr Mullins was allowed to conceal the identity of a murderer, Mr Mercer should not be compelled to reveal the names of people whom no one is accusing of having committed any crime. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave may feel that the die is cast because he has put the veterans' minister on notice. But Mr Mercer nevertheless has powerful arguments of honour and freedom on his side. There is a further consideration. I don't revere politicians as a class, but I do think that ministers should command a certain respect, which the judiciary ought not to undermine. During the Covid inquiry, we have witnessed a clutch of supercilious barristers cross-examining politicians they don't like, and scientists they don't respect, as though dealing with recidivist criminals. They are seldom, if at all, reproved by the chair, Lady Hallett. More widely, we've seen higher courts, and in particular the Supreme Court, circumscribing the scope of elected politicians. The most recent example is its ruling that the Government's policy of sending illegal immigrants to Rwanda is unlawful because it is not 'a safe country'. Are judges competent, or entitled, to make such a judgment? In 2022, Chris Mullin, the journalist and former Labour MP, won the right to protect his sources in a freedom of the press case at the Old Bailey. Judge Lucraft ruled that it wasn't in the public interest to force him to hand over data that would identify a man who had confessed to his role in the 1974 Birmingham bombings. Mr Mullin is pictured outside the Old Bailey after his victory The spectacle of Lord Justice Haddon-Cave sending a Minister of the Crown, whose only 'crime' is to protect his sources, to prison for the maximum of 51 weeks would strengthen the impression that it is increasingly judges rather than elected politicians who are running this country. We should have had an inquiry into the war in Afghanistan, as there was an inquiry into the Iraq War. It is scandalous that there hasn't been one. Instead of which, we have an inquiry into the alleged behaviour of the SAS in which families of alleged Afghan victims are represented by the law firm Leigh Day, which specialises in cases against British forces. How shameful it would be if Johnny Mercer, one of the few figures to emerge with any honour from this sorry business, ended up as its sacrificial victim. In 2017, the #MeToo movement and the downfall of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein created seismic waves around the world. For perhaps the first time, women felt collectively empowered to come forward and challenge their abusers, bolstered by the surging public intolerance for sexual abuse and harassment. More than that, it exposed the sinister tactics Weinstein used to silence his victims and protect his own reputation, through non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Confidentiality clauses aren't uncommon or inappropriate in employment disputes. If a claim is settled out of court, it's normal for sides to agree to keep the details confidential. But Weinstein's terms were calculated to cover up his crimes. Women were forbidden from discussing his behaviour with their doctors, therapists or even HMRC, and were expected not to speak about it in any future criminal or civil action. Laura Farris MP is Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Faced with a huge imbalance of power and wealth, and an army of high-powered lawyers, many felt they had no choice but to agree, and risk being sued if they refused. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Whistleblowers to be protected from gagging orders used to silence victims under new crackdown Advertisement The true scale of the problem is hard to judge, because of the secretive nature of NDAs. Deliberately complicated, they bamboozle victims with legal jargon and bully them into silence with the threat of costly legal action if they speak out. Even though some of the lawyers who've drafted unethical NDAs in the past have been hauled before Disciplinary Panels, that makes little difference to the victims at the time and has allowed abusers to get away scot-free. This Government will not stand for it. We're already tackling the misuse of NDAs in higher education. Now we're going further by changing the law to make it crystal clear that they cannot be enforced against victims who are reporting a crime, or getting the therapy they need to rebuild their lives. Our changes will leave victims in no doubt that they can speak to police, lawyers, and support services - like counsellors - without fear of reprisal. The #MeToo movement exposed the sinister tactics Harvey Weinstein (pictured) used to silence his victims and protect his own reputation, through non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) This builds on the important progress being made in our Victims and Prisoners Bill, which will put victims at the heart of the justice system. We're enshrining the key principles of the Victims' Code in law - that victims should get the information they need to help them understand the criminal justice process, have access to support, have the opportunity to make their views heard, and be able to challenge decisions about their case. And we continue to boost victim services. Since 2010 we've quadrupled funding for victim support and recruited close to 1,000 Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse advisors, who support victims through every step of the criminal justice journey. No victim of crime should be bullied into silence. We are clamping down on the murky use of NDAs, so that every victim can feel confident they are not alone and that justice can and will be done. Laura Farris MP is Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Eighteen months after the death of the Queen, most of her 600-plus charities are still without a patron. They include the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the British Veterinary Association, the Royal College of Physicians, London Zoo, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the RSPCA, RSPB, MCC, RADA, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Philharmonic Society. Smaller outfits like the Jersey Cattle Society and the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund aren't losing any sleep but the failure to renew royal patronages has irked the big beasts. Eighteen months after the death of the Queen, most of her 600-plus charities are still without a patron They include London Zoo (pictured), Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Chemistry (File image) Most of the Queen's 600-plus charities are still without a patron (File image) Liam Neeson was asked by Bond boss Barbara Broccoli if he would succeed Roger Moore as OO7. 'I got a couple of calls from Barbara... I said, 'Yeah, I'd be interested',' Liam remembers. 'And she [his then-fiancee Natasha Richardson] went, 'If you play James Bond, we're not getting married!' Neeson mischievously adds: 'I guess there were Bond girls and things.' Liam and Natasha wed shortly afterwards... while the part went to fellow Irishman Pierce Brosnan. Liam Neeson (pictured) was asked by Bond boss Barbara Broccoli if he would succeed Roger Moore as OO7 George Osborne recalls the last days of Margaret Thatcher at the Ritz Hotel guarded by two police officers sitting on chairs outside her suite. 'The one perk was that they could get a free breakfast,' Osborne tells The Spectator. 'One morning, the two officers head off to the dining room as usual to tuck into a full English. One of their phones went and it's their supervising officer. 'How's Lady Thatcher doing?' he asked. 'Just fine, thanks,' the one with the phone replied. 'Oh right, because on the TV it says she's dead.' Without missing a beat the protection officer said: 'Yes sir, we know. The doctors have been coming and going all morning and swore us to secrecy.' Despite Donald Trump's unsavoury reputation with women, Fiona Bruce is keen to get to know him better. 'I'd love to spend a week following Donald,' Fiona, pictured, tells Woman & Home. 'What's it like at supper time with him and Melania? When he gets himself ready, what is that hair and sunbed routine?' What's Fiona's motive? Perhaps as presenter of Antiques Roadshow she seeks a close up examination of a 77-year-old relic. Despite Donald Trump's unsavoury reputation with women, Fiona Bruce (pictured) is keen to get to know him better BBC Today's resident throttlebottom Nick Robinson concludes his kid glove quizzing of Labour's Angela Rayner over her tax returns by wishing her happy birthday: 'I do hope there are better aspects to your birthday than talking to us here on the Today programme!' he mewls. 'You weren't that bad Nick, don't worry,' purrs Rayner. 'Enjoy a nice glass of something nice,' meows Robinson. Get a room chaps! Barbra Streisand's 970-page memoir, described by The New York Review Of Books as an 'indexless brick', recalls the late Walter Matthau's resentment towards Babs while co-starring in 1969's Hello, Dolly! Growled Matthau: 'I have more talent in my farts than you have in your whole body!' IBK-recommended director joins tobacco makers board By Park Jae-hyuk KT&G succeeded in appointing Senior Executive Vice President Bang Kyung-man as its new CEO, Thursday, overcoming opposition from the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), its largest shareholder, and the activist fund Flashlight Capital Partners (FCP), as well as from Institutional Shareholder Services, the worlds leading proxy adviser. However, KT&G failed to prevent the appointment of an external director nominee recommended by IBK, who gained more votes than another candidate recommended by KT&G. During the annual general meeting of shareholders in Daejeon, KT&Gs proposal to appoint Bang as the new CEO was passed as he won support from the National Pension Service (NPS), the cigarette firms second-largest shareholder as well as employees holding company shares. This is the first time in nine years for KT&G to replace its top management post. The new chief is also a company insider, just like his predecessors who led KT&G after its privatization in 2002. Bang, who has held various management positions since joining the company in 1998, was recognized for directing the launch of Esse Change, a brand that has dominated the Korean cigarette market over the past two decades. Based on our key businesses, we will become the global top-tier company, he said. By sharing the fruit of the growth, I will enhance the corporate value and build up trust with various stakeholders, including our shareholders. The KT&G CEO is expected to face a challenge for a while from Son Dong-hwan, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University Law School, who was recommended by IBK as an external director. The banks proposal for his appointment was passed, as the NPS used half of its votes for him under the cumulative voting system, which allows shareholders to cast all of their ballots in favor of a single nominee for the board of directors when a company has multiple openings on its governing board. In an election for two directors, for example, a shareholder owning 500 shares is given 1,000 votes upfront, and the shareholder can use all 1,000 votes for one candidate or split them, giving 500 votes to each of two candidates. IBK welcomed Sons appointment, saying that he will contribute to improving KT&Gs corporate governance structure. However, KT&G's union criticized the state-run lender for meddling in the privatized company's management, during a rally held in front of the venue for the shareholders' meeting. The unionized workers claimed that its excessive interference may cause job insecurity. During the shareholders meeting, the proposal to appoint lawyer Kwak Sang-wook as an external director serving as an audit committee member was also passed. With the new board of directors, we will make more efforts for our companys growth and enhanced shareholder value, a KT&G official said. If there were a Nobel Prize for hypocrisy, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner would be a shoo-in. For years, the flame-haired firebrand has vocally demanded that Conservative politicians publish their tax returns in full. In January last year, she called for then-Conservative chairman Nadim Zahawi to 'come clean' over claims that as Chancellor he had paid a penalty to HMRC as part of a tax settlement. In 2021, she declared that Tory by-election candidate Jill Mortimer, who had lived in the Cayman Islands, should publish her tax returns 'in full'. And in April 2022 she submitted a series of questions to Rishi Sunak about his wife's tax arrangements. But now that Rayner's own affairs are under scrutiny and she is facing a possible police investigation suddenly she has a very different take. Her financial situation is no one's business except her own. If there were a Nobel Prize for hypocrisy, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner would be a shoo-in, writes Stephen Pollard Interviewed yesterday about the accusation that she falsely claimed a tax exemption on the profit she made from the sale of her first house, Rayner protested: 'I'm not going to put out all of my personal details for the last 15 years.' It is double standards of the worst kind. Make no mistake: this is not some trivial administrative issue. While many in the media have tended to focus on the tax aspect of the furore, another allegation against Rayner is perhaps even more serious that of registering a false address on the electoral roll, which can attract a criminal conviction and a fine. It undermines what the Government describes as the 'key building block for our democracy': the list of people entitled to vote. To recap, briefly: Rayner is alleged to have registered on the roll at an address in Stockport, Greater Manchester, that neighbours insist she did not live at (they claim she lived at her husband's house a mile away). If she had been living elsewhere, she would have been liable for capital gains tax on the original house's sale but the electoral roll issue is potentially more grave as it undermines the political framework of the nation. Last night, Stockport Council confirmed it will review allegations that Rayner committed electoral or tax fraud. This after Wednesday's announcement from Greater Manchester Police that they are reassessing their earlier decision not to investigate Rayner. We await the results and hope that they belatedly give this matter the attention it deserves. For her part, Rayner has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The efficacy of the electoral roll is not only vital for the legitimacy of elections. Credit reference agencies mine it for accurate information, as do public bodies that need up-to-date details of where people live such as the Office for National Statistics. And our jury system depends on it, too, to ensure summonses to serve in court are sent out fairly. It would be especially egregious if a politician were found to have falsified their entry especially one as senior as Rayner. But for all the significance of the story just imagine if a Conservative MP were in the firing line the BBC has been pitifully slow to cover it. The Corporation took an entire week after the scandal was first revealed in The Mail On Sunday to publish a tiny article on its website, and has consistently downplayed it since. Yesterday, Rayner appeared on the BBC's flagship Today programme on Radio 4. Bizarrely, the only aspect that seemed to trouble presenter Nick Robinson was whether Rayner should have paid tax on the profit of the house sale. Bizarrely, the only aspect that seemed to trouble presenter Nick Robinson was whether Rayner should have paid tax on the profit of the house sale. The issue of whether she broke electoral law was not even mentioned, which implies that the BBC still hasn't grasped the magnitude of the story. A full police investigation into Rayner will be the most serious of its kind into a politician since the Met looked into Boris Johnson's behaviour at No 10 during lockdown. The fallout from that, notoriously, ended up defenestrating a sitting prime minister. But this seems to have passed Robinson by. Instead, he apologised for even raising the issue. 'Forgive me for doing this on your birthday,' he began. (At the end he even told her: 'I hope there are better outlets for your birthday than talking to us,' to which she cheerfully replied: 'You weren't that bad, Nick.') Regarding her failure to pay capital gains tax on the house sale, all Rayner had to say was to repeat her claim that she had acted in accord with tax advice. Which raises the obvious question: if that's so, why won't she publish that advice so we can judge for ourselves? In January last year, Sir Keir Starmer pledged that a Labour government would publish the full tax returns of the prime minister, chancellor and deputy prime minister. As the Labour leader put it: 'We need a transparency revolution.' Except it's clear the revolution will have to wait. Yesterday, he insisted he has 'full confidence' in his deputy, despite as was confirmed by his spokesman not having seen the tax advice on which she is depending. So much for transparency. So much for accountability. And so much for trust. Menopause is a natural transition that every woman will experience. But its symptoms - ranging from night sweats and hot flushes to brain fog - can deal a heavy blow. What not everyone knows is that menopause isn't a single process, but comes in three distinct phases. Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods have not yet stopped, followed by menopause itself and, finally, postmenopause - when you haven't had a period for more than a year but may still experience menopausal symptoms**. Starpowa is leading the charge in the UK when it comes to menopause supplements***, and have now expanded their range to provide a product designed specifically for each stage of your menopause journey. Perimeno Support, Meno Balance and Postmeno Support all come in the form of a plant-based vitamin gummy that isn't just quick and easy to take, but tastes great too! Below, three women at each stage of menopause reveal why they decided to give Starpowa a go... and rave about the results. PERIMENOPAUSE 'I was thrilled when Starpowa released a supplement specifically for perimenopause' Rebecca used Perimeno Support and Meno Balance to support her during the first stage of menopause Rebecca Beech, from Essex, was 42 when she began experiencing tiredness, brain fog and disrupted sleep, but dismissed these symptoms as the results of leading a busy life with a young child. 'Most nights, I would wake at 2 or 3am sweating and with anxious thoughts,' she says. 'I would struggle mentally throughout the next day, forgetting basic words and names. My confidence took a dive and my self-doubt was evident.' Rebecca now realises she was experiencing perimenopause, a term to describe the time your body makes a natural transition towards menopause - and which can be characterised by similar symptoms as menopause itself. You may see some signs of progression towards menopause, like menstrual irregularity, at some point in your 40s, but some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s***. Perimenopause ends when you have not had a period for 12 months. Now aged 46, Rebecca was already using Starpowa Meno Balance and felt 'thrilled' to discover they had released a product designed specifically for her stage of life, Perimeno Support. The gummies are packed with natural ingredients including red clover, folic acid, Siberian ginseng and bark extract, and include pantothenic acid to contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Like many women going through one of the three stages of menopause, Rebecca described experiencing brain fog. That's why Starpowa's natural formula also includes iodine, which contributes to normal cognitive function. Every woman wants to look their best, so Perimeno Support also provides biotin - which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin - and zinc, which helps maintain normal hair, skin and nails. Describing the changes she's seen after trying Starpowa, Rebecca says: 'My energy levels have improved dramatically, helped by the fact that I now sleep through the night. 'I feel so much more productive throughout the day and my mental alertness is better - I have noticed I can find my words easier than before. 'Perimenopause crept up on me without me realising, but I think the gummies have helped me so much. They taste like a treat and I keep them on my dressing table to take each morning as part of my daily routine.' MENOPAUSE 'Any woman going through menopause should give these gummies a go!' Samantha says of Meno Balance: 'I would advise any woman going through menopause to give these gummies a go' Samantha Adam, a 54-year-old from Surrey, realised she was going through menopause nine years ago when she began experiencing hot flushes and mood swings. Menopause is when low hormones cause your periods to stop - marking the end of your reproductive life. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but can also happen significantly earlier. Samantha, creative director at PengellyArt.etsy.com, said she spent a long time simply 'putting up' with the symptoms of menopause before deciding to try and do something to make her feel more comfortable. Keen to only take supplements with natural ingredients, she turned to Meno Balance, which includes organic kelp, folic acid, sage leaf and para-aminobenzoic Acid (PABA). The supplement is designed to help you find your balance during menopause and includes Vitamin B12, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Some women going through menopause may experience vaginal dryness. Meno Balance contains Vitamin A, which contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes. As we get older, our metabolism slows down, while some women experience weight gain during menopause itself. Meno Balance includes chromium, which contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism. Other ingredients include iodine, which contributes to normal cognitive function, and biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin. 'After taking Meno Balance I feel considerably more energetic,' Samantha says. 'My hair is thick and shiny, I feel calm, my mind seems uncluttered and Im back in control of my moods 'I would advise any woman going through menopause to give these gummies a go. They are so tasty! I love the flavour - its like taking a herbal yummy sweet. 'Ive got to take my hat off to Starpowa!' POSTMENOPAUSE 'This product is worth every penny - I finally feel normal again' Louise turned to Starpowa Postmeno support while she was going through postmenopause and describes it as 'worth every penny' Postmenopause is the extended stage of life when you no longer have monthly periods but may still experience symptoms associated with menopause itself. For Louise, a 50-year-old HR manager from Manchester, these included low energy levels and brain fog. 'It hit me in November last year,' she says. 'I didnt want to go out in public, which stopped me from socialising and going to the gym. 'I felt low with no energy and craved sugar non-stop while also experiencing brain fog.' Louise turned to Starpowa Postmeno support and describes it as 'worth every penny'. The supplement includes pantothenic acid, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, iodine to support normal cognitive function as well as biotin and zinc to support normal hair and skin. Women lose bone density more rapidly after menopause due to decreased levels of oestrogen****. Postmeno Support contains manganese and Vitamin D, which contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. Louise says: 'This brand and this product are worth every penny. Im finally feeling normal again. Plus, the gummies are really tasty - its like having a little treat but full of goodness 'I have used these products for the last six years and believe every one of them has helped. I wouldnt move to any other brand and always stock up when there are any offers on.' Click HERE to shop the range now. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice if you're thinking about using a complementary therapy. *UKs No.1 menopause supplement. Nielsen GB ScanTrack total revenue 52 w/e 11 Mar 2023. **NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/ & https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/supporting-our-nhs-people-through-menopause-guidance-for-line-managers-and-colleagues/ ***https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666 ****https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21837-postmenopause Pantothenic Acid contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Pantothenic Acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones and contributes to contributes to normal mental performance. Pantothenic acid contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes Chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin D contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. If you have black tie weddings coming up, it's entirely possible you've debated exactly what's appropriate these days. While it seems like dress codes are getting more relaxed, there are still specific rules around black tie attire, especially when it comes to attending weddings. On TikTok, people were divided about what a black tie dress code entails after wedding content creator Lauren Ladouceur, based in New York, shared a video with her 42,000 followers about what's appropriate. Lauren explained that her 'biggest wedding hot take is that people don't understand dress code,' and her commenters agreed that it was a difficult concept - so FEMAIL spoke to the content creator, as well as etiquette expert Myka Meier and wedding guest dress designers to find out what to wear. On TikTok, people are divided about what a black tie dress code entails after wedding content creator Lauren Ladouceur shared a video about what's appropriate Lauren explained that her 'biggest wedding hot take is that people don't understand dress code,' and her commenters agreed that it was a difficult concept FEMAIL also spoke to etiquette expert Myka Meier and wedding guest dress designers to find out what to wear Lauren's commenters weighed in - and some were still confused by what black tie attire required She showed her followers what not to wear, including cocktail dresses and flirty frocks that looked like sundresses, along with what is acceptable for a black tie wedding - longer, more formal gowns with a bit of personality in rich hues. I don't! Black tie wedding no-no's Nothing too revealing - avoid flashy details that could overshadow the bride No cocktail dresses or dresses to the ankle instead of floor length No sundress-type fabrics like linen or cotton Just say no to white dresses, even if they have a print Steer clear of plunging necklines Advertisement Lauren's commenters weighed in - and some were still confused by what black tie attire required. 'My hot take is that dress codes should come with Pinterest inspo boards so everyone is aligned,' one commenter announced. 'Girl tell me HOW I was the ONLY WOMAN wearing a floor length gown to a black tie wedding a few months ago everyone else was in SUNDRESSES. Like??' another asked. Lauren, who is hired by brides and grooms to take social media footage at their weddings, told DailyMail.com that 'before becoming a wedding content creator and attending weddings every weekend, I thought black tie just meant fancy, or to dress your best.' Now, she realizes that black tie wedding attendees need to think about walking a red carpet or attending a gala - and they must wear a floor length gown. 'Etiquette also dictates that you should have an arm or shoulder covering,' the content creator advised, before adding, 'But it's also not the 1950s anymore.' Lauren constantly receives DMs from followers asking if dresses are wedding appropriate, and she says: 'The biggest disqualifying factors are length - to the ankle instead of floor length, neckline, and material.' And while Lauren says 'there are old tales and customs about not wearing red or black to a wedding,' many people opt for those hues now Her 'rule of thumb is to wear darker, jewel-toned colors,' and to never, ever wear white While there are plenty of ways to be playful with a gown, the biggest mistake Lauren sees guests make is wearing a shorter hemline The content creator also advises against relaxed fabrics like the sundress above However, there are specific exceptions to the rule, like creative black tie. 'This is where the rules begin to relax a little - not on hemline, but a dress with feathers or lace embellishments,' she explained. To avoid miscommunication, Lauren tells the couples she works with to create an inspiration style guide on their wedding website. While Lauren says 'there are old tales and customs about not wearing red or black to a wedding,' many people opt for those hues now. Her 'rule of thumb is to wear darker, jewel-toned colors,' and to never wear white. While there are plenty of ways to be playful with a gown, the biggest mistake she sees guests make is wearing a shorter hemline. 'At several weddings I worked as a wedding content creator, the couple felt disrespected that their guests didn't observe the dress code,' Lauren said. 'It's less about an individual fashion decision and more about being a good wedding guest. 'If you're really struggling with a dress code decision, ask the couple getting married.' Etiquette expert Myka Meier, based in New York City and pictured above, told DailyMail.com: 'A black tie dress code specifically means floor-length gowns' 'Anything cocktail or tea length (mid calf) is not considered black tie,' Myka, who's a pro at black tie dressing in her personal life, explained to FEMAIL Etiquette expert Myka Meier, based in New York City, told DailyMail.com: 'A black tie dress code specifically means floor-length gowns.' Dress to impress! What's black tie? Starts at 6 p.m. Tuxes required Floor length gowns for women Open or closed-toe heels Small evening bags or clutches Experiment with texture and silhouette Advertisement 'Anything cocktail or tea length (mid calf) is not considered black tie.' 'A black tie dress code is 6 p.m. onward - anything before 6 p.m. would simply be formal attire, with no tux or gown required,' Myka clarified, adding that the biggest sparkles and boldest jewelry also comes out after the sun goes down. When it comes to footwear, it's a bit more relaxed, and guests can rock open or closed toe heels. 'Small evening bags or clutches are recommended, as the more formal the event, the smaller the bag,' Myka said. As for material, opt for silks, tulles, sparkles, and sequins, and stay away from linen or cotton. 'In terms of silhouette, as long as it's floor-length, it's likely appropriate,' Myka said, adding, 'from ball gown to fishtail, anything goes.' All sorts of tops are acceptable, from strapless to cap sleeves, but she advised: 'Keep in mind it may be a religious event and you want to be cautious about the amount of skin shown to come across respectful.' 'You also never want to upstage the bride with anything too revealing,' Myka warned. Dana Towsey, head of product development at Petal & Pup, suggested 'floor-length dresses in luxe fabrics with special details like bold draping, pleats, and shoulder-baring silhouettes' 'Typically Black tie is the fanciest of wedding types and it's a great time to make a statement,' Dana said Dana advised guests to opt for rich tones like navy, olive, and black, while 'saving mini dresses and more casual dresses in cotton and linens' Dana Towsey, based in San Francisco, California, is the head of product development at Petal & Pup, which has an entire section on the site devoted to black tie gowns for wedding guest dresses. 'Typically black tie is the fanciest of wedding types and it's a great time to make a statement,' she said, suggesting 'floor-length dresses in luxe fabrics with special details like bold draping, pleats, and shoulder-baring silhouettes.' Dana advised guests to opt for navy, olive, and black, while 'saving mini dresses and more casual dresses in cotton and linens.' Azazie's creative director Daniel Sanchez is behind the brand's wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and wedding guest dresses. Daniel explained that 'the only rule is to make sure the dress is floor length,' and otherwise, guests can express themselves with full glam and 'experiment with texture, silhouette and rich color.' 'Keep your dress's embellishment tasteful and avoid flashy details,' Daniel advised. 'Black-tie dressing looks best when viewed by candlelight.' 'If making a color statement with your dress, opt for jewel-tones hues in satin or velvet,' Daniel continued, advising against prints and ivory or pastel dresses, and instead suggesting couture details like draping or bias cuts. The late Queen's final Buckingham Palace balcony appearance demonstrated the monarch's commitment to duty above all else, royal experts have said - and showed a sweet insight into her relationship with her son. Speaking on Channel 5's Secrets of the Royal Palaces, broadcaster and historian Wesley Kerr said that Elizabeth II - who made one last surprise show for adoring crowds on the final day of Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 - wanted to be there for her supporters. And he stressed that the royal - who had not been feeling well - wanted to keep that side of her away from wellwishers. 'She wanted us to see her as the Queen,' he told the programme, which airs on Saturday at 8:35pm. 'Trooping had been quite difficult and she stayed in the palace for some hours after trooping which surprised me on the day.' After joining her family on the balcony to witness a spectacular RAF fly-past on Thursday June 2, she was unable to attend a thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral the following day after suffering discomfort. The late Queen's final Buckingham Palace balcony appearance demonstrated the monarch's commitment to duty above all else, royal experts have said - and showed a sweet insight into her relationship with her son The Queen was a no-show on the Saturday at the Epsom Derby and also did not attend that evening's Party at the Palace - although her recorded sketch with Paddington Bear stole the show. Instead, it was decided she would be taken to Windsor where she could focus on resting up. 'There was a profound underlying condition which was well advanced by then, and it was extremely difficult for her to make it,' Wesley explained. However - as revealed in the book Our King by Robert Jobson - with the Queen's agreement, arrangements were put in place for her to fly by helicopter from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace and for her to use a wheelchair, although a meticulously orchestrated plan was put in place to ensure that she was not seen using it in public. 'The crowd didn't know any of this,' royal writer Emily Andrews said. 'They didn't know she was ill, they didn't know she was suffering in pain and they didn't understand why the Queen wasn't there.' Wesley added: 'It was only when Charles rang up from the royal box and said, mummy, you know, there's vast numbers of people here, there's a wonderful atmosphere, is there any chance that you could make it?' The Mall erupted in fervour and excitement after Elizabeth made her unexpected appearance at the Palace. 'Queen Elizabeth had been appearing on that balcony since the late 1920s as the king's granddaughter,' Wesley added. Pictured: The late Queen Elizabeth enjoying her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, 2022 - the year she passed away Speaking on Channel 5 's Secrets of the Royal Palaces, broadcaster and historian Wesley Kerr (pictured) said that Elizabeth II wanted to be there for her supporters 'Little did we know this was the last time we were ever to see her on that famous balcony. A huge moment.' 'When the queen stepped out on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, looking absolutely resplendent in that green outfit, the crowds goes absolutely wild,' Afua Acheampong-Hagan, broadcaster and royal correspondent, said. 'The pinnacle of the Platinum Jubilee was seeing the Queen on that balcony and you could see the emotion written all over her face. 'I think she was so very very glad that she managed to see her people, if you will, one last time.' 'She felt it was her duty to come to London, to acknowledge the crowds,' Emily added. 'But it wasn't just about duty, it was about Charles wanting the queen to see how much she was loved. 'She always put duty above personal pain, above family, above personal sacrifice. Duty always comes first.' Pictures of an obviously delighted Queen walking gingerly out onto the balcony before waving to the jubilant crowd are among Platinum Jubilee's most iconic images. Emily Andrews, pictured, a royal writer, said that the Queen 'always put duty above personal pain' Afua Acheampong-Hagan (pictured), broadcaster and royal correspondent, said the Queen's appearance was the 'pinnacle' of Jubilee celebrations She later issued a moving letter to the nation in which she declared: 'My heart has been with you all.' Her attendance at the triumphant finale of four days of festivities had, however, hung in the balance for days. The Mail on Sunday revealed in March 2022 how Queen Elizabeth had made it clear that her presence at events of personal significance, such as the Commonwealth and Cenotaph services, should not come at any cost. Meanwhile, the King is determined to attend this year's Trooping the Colour, his official birthday celebrations, if his health allows it. Aides are already exploring ways that Charles might be able to take part within the constraints of his ongoing cancer treatment. This could include watching the military spectacular from a podium instead of on horseback as usual, having been driven from Buckingham Palace in a carriage as his late mother used to. No firm decision will be taken until nearer the time, given the nature of His Majesty's condition, and it will be dependant on medical advice. The event is due to be held in London on Saturday, June 15. But the Mail understands that planning for the occasion is moving ahead as scheduled, giving cause for optimism. Pictures of an obviously delighted Queen walking gingerly out onto the balcony before waving to the jubilant crowd are among Platinum Jubilee's most iconic images Pictured: Elizabeth and her son Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, in June 2022 Pictured: The Queen's heartfelt Paddington Bear video, made for the Platinum Jubilee, was enjoyed by many King Charles III (wearing his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London The Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. Charles and Camilla leave Buckingham Palace by carriage to Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 'There are a number of key events His Majesty would love to attend coming up in the diary and this is at the top of the list,' a source said. Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,200 soldiers and musicians plus more than 200 horses. Usually the monarch rides down from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade via The Mall to inspect the troops. The sovereign then rides back to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance with the wider Royal Family and flypast by the RAF. As it stands, His Majesty has been advised by doctors not to attend events with large public gatherings after being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in January. He is currently undergoing outpatient treatment in London although he is continuing to work hard behind the scenes on state matters and makes a point of being seen in public or on camera whenever possible. Once upon a time, the amount of hours you spent sitting at your desk equated to how committed you were to your job. But fast-forward four years from the start of a pandemic that forced the global workforce to swap communal office spaces for the kitchen table, the idea of what productivity looks like has changedpresenteeism is out and tangible, results-driven productivity is in. Recent research from Slack backs this up: workers who log off at the end of the workday instead of staying online working overtime are 20 per cent more productive. Recent research from Slack shows workers who log off at the end of the workday instead of staying online working overtime are 20 per cent more productive Additionally, the 4 Day Week Global pilot scheme, which has successfully been trialled in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia and New Zealand among others, has found that employees who work a four-day week were found to be more productive than when they worked over five days, boosting revenue by 35 per cent when compared to a similar financial period. Time is money While the idea of being paid the same for working four days over five days might seem too good to be true, the methodology makes sense. A shorter week was found to result in a 65 per cent reduction in paid sick days in the UK, while Microsoft in Japan saved 23 per cent on energy costs during its four-day week trial. Participants themselves reported a 40 per cent increase in productivity. So how can workers apply the same mentality to get more done? Finding your Goldilocks Zone is key, as David Ard, senior vice president of employee success at Slack and Salesforce advises. 'Focus time, collaboration time, connection and rest are like the macronutrients of a workday. The right balance gives you the energy you need to work your best. We cannot consider these critical components of our work in silos. 'To be our most effective, we must create the space for collaborative work and for focused work,' he says. To establish the working pattern that works for you, start off by identifying when you are most productive, and earmark this time for focus or deep work Getting in the zone To establish the working pattern that works for you, start off by identifying when you are most productive, and earmark this time for focus or deep work. This could be the days you are working from home or perhaps location isnt relevant but time of day is more important. Next, try and limit meetings to two hours per day so that you can free up your time for focus work and collaborative work, and tackle any meeting action points sooner rather than later. Or, perhaps you could try and consolidate all your meetings into in-office days if you follow a hybrid model and often find that video calls are less effective, with face-to-face or water cooler moments producing better results. Try and limit meetings to two hours per day so that you can free up your time for focus work and collaborative work, and tackle any meeting action points sooner rather than later. Unlocking your potential by tapping into your Goldilocks Zone requires preparation, but it also requires support from your manager and colleagues. If you find youre unable to access the autonomy youre looking for, it could be time to look for a new opportunity that can afford more flexibility. If that is the case, head to the Mail Jobs Board where you can find thousands of jobs in companies actively hiring, including the three below. Job openings in the UK Tech Ops Analyst II, TJX Europe, Stoke-on-Trent TJX Group, which includes TK Maxx and Homesense in Europe and the UK, is seeking a Tech Ops Analyst to deliver, maintain and optimise its technology portfolio at cloud scale. As such, you will be responsible for the implementation and support of the supply chain technology used throughout its Stoke-on-Trent processing centre as well as providing on-site technical incident support. You will also participate in supply chain project planning sessions and own project related activities within your area. Find more information here. AI Content Writer, DataAnnotation, Remote Are you looking for a flexible role that allows you to work to your own schedule? DataAnnotation is looking for writers and curious, detail-oriented people to join its team as an AI Content Writer and teach AI chatbots. You will have conversations with chatbots in order to measure their progress, as well as write novel conversations in order to teach them what to say. You will also be tasked with writing high-quality answers, comparing the performance of different AI models and research and fact-check AI responses. Interested? Apply here. IT Engineer, Blatchford, Basingstoke Blatchford is a global manufacturer of some of the worlds most advanced prosthetic technology, bespoke seating solutions and orthotic devices. It currently has an opportunity for an IT Engineer to join its growing IT team and provide first and second line technical support to all internal staff, across multiple locations in the UK, Europe, and the U.S.. You will also ensure all incidents and service requests are accurately recorded, prioritised and progress recorded in the IT helpdesk ticketing system and identify and highlight repeat problems and possible improvements. See the full job spec here. Find the job that is just right for you via the Mail Jobs Board Statistics show that someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK - but why do so few grip the public with urgency? The most memorable cases - like those of Madeleine McCann, Nicola Bulley and Lord Lucan - can leading to search parties, pleas for help and endless campaigns for justice that last decades. They continue to haunt people for long after the initial urgency of the case fades, leaving many yearning for answers amidst the tragedy their families are forced to grapple with. But an ex-detective who served for twenty-five years as a murder detective in the Met police has revealed how - despite there being a reported 190,000 people missing every year (around 70,000 of those children) - one individual could end up on newstands for weeks, while another could get no more than a mention on the local news channel. Neil Lancaster, 58 - who has investigated high profile cases such as Levi Bellfield -told FEMAIL it's not 'entirely quantifiable' to know what will resonate with the public and what won't. Neil Lancaster, 58, said it's not 'entirely quantifiable' to know what will resonate with the public and what won't, as he compared the cases of Nicola Bulley (right) and Graham Connell (left) However, largely and most crucially - the case must puzzle people enough to cause initial intrigue. 'This is very much the $64,000 question that really does perplex me,' he admitted. He used two examples - Nicola Bulley and Graham Connell - who despite going missing in very similar circumstances, drew different reactions from the public. 'Nicola Bulley captured the public's attention like no other missing person case I can recall since Madelaine McCann. 'I don't believe that it's one quality, but a mix of other factors, including the particulars of the individual concerned. 'Firstly, Nicola was a woman. Like it or not, this is a factor as can probably be evidenced from other high profile missing person cases. It is a fact that there is still an inbuilt desire in some to protect women more than men. 'Secondly, Nicola was a mother from an apparently typically happy home. She was easily identified with, as she was reminiscent many of the wider public's friendship groups. 'I really think that the society needs someone that they can empathise and identify with, and Nicola fell perfectly into this category.' The most memorable cases - like those of Madeleine McCann , Nicola Bulley and Lord Lucan - can leading to search parties, pleas for help and endless campaigns for justice that last decades The expert - who lives in the Scottish Highlands, where he is a full-time writer of crime novels - also said a big piece of the puzzle is that the mystery has to stump people. 'Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, her disappearance just didn't make sense,' Neil continued. 'Her dog was left behind, her phone was left behind, still connected to an online call. She apparently had everything to live for, and of course there was the issue of all the competing theories as to what had happened to Nicola. 'This made it spread like wildfire, in my opinion in manner that would eclipse someone who the majority of the public would find more difficult to relate to. 'The public love a mystery, and to grab their attention, you need a puzzle, or conundrum that they want to solve.' For contrast, Neil brought up another similar case - Graham Connell. 'Nicola Bulley rightly had huge resources ploughed into the efforts to locate her, despite the early assertation that she was almost certainly dead,' he said. NEIL LANCASTER: Why do some missing persons cases grip the public? 'In essence, I think you need a few factors to really grab the public's attention in missing person cases. 'You need an individual that a large section of the public will identify with. Do they elicit empathy? Can the average reader see something of themselves, or a member of their family in the individual? 'The nature of their disappearance. Does it make sense? Someone with suicidal intent is unlikely to gather widespread attention, as it makes sense, despite how tragic it may be. Is it someone in huge debt? A gang member? An errant husband? All these, again whilst sad, are quantifiable, and don't fire up people's emotions, or pique their natural curiosity.' Advertisement 'There are many cases happening day in, day out of equal level of risk that will not have even a fraction of the resources allocated to finding the missing person. 'A good example of this is the case of Graham Connell. Graham went for a run with his dog along the River Aire in Woodford in mid-December, as he often did. 'He failed to return. Tragically he was found dead almost a month later having drowned in the river. Very similar circumstances to Nicola Bulley, but be honest. Had you heard about Graham before I mentioned him? 'Now I truly believe that the police would have taken all necessary steps to find Graham, but where was the public furore? For some reason, Graham did not spark the public's interest in the same way. 'It's terribly sad, really. Surely all lives are equally important.' Neil also revealed that the authorities are also much more likely to ramp up resources depending on the risks posed to the missing person. 'Risk assessment is the most important factor in missing person cases,' he explained. 'This can be measured by all the circumstances of the person's disappearance. An obvious example is that of someone with suicidal intent. Or a very young child missing from school. That is of the highest risk, and would spark an immediate high-profile operation to locate that person. 'Sometimes it can be a little opaquer, and more difficult to contextualise the risk. The troubled 14-year-old who regularly goes missing? It's a sad fact that whilst kids of this age often go missing and return quickly, you have to consider that young people like this often get themselves into very risky situations, and the fact that they usually come back, doesn't always mean that the risk is low. 'You have to take it on a case-by-case basis and categorise likely risk carefully. But police are swamped. 190,000 people go missing each year, and whilst most are found quickly, we still have 5,000 people today who are categorised as "long-term missing". I wonder how many of them will never be found?' And further - Neil admitted that motives can also be less heroic in the force. 'It's unfortunate for me to accept that one of the biggest factors in the level of response to a missing person by police is that of reputational risk,' he said. 'Very senior officers really do not like getting criticised, and if they see that a particular case is getting very serious press attention, then it is way more likely that significant resources will be deployed.' The ex-detective also slammed the negative effect the rise of true crime media has had on high-profile cases. 'Everyone now fancies themselves to be a detective,' he said. 'And social media allows instant sharing of theories, and opinions on what has happened to the missing person. It can be unpleasant, and pernicious to see. 'The public has an insatiable appetite for this, that could be clearly seen in the Bulley case with the reaction of amateur detectives, "citizen journalists" and those with large social media platforms. Pictured: Chief Constable Andy Marsh (left) and police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, Andrew Snowden at a press conference in Preston on the police handling of the Nicola Bulley investigation in November Pictured: Members of the public crossing the footbridge over the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre - after Nicola Bulley's body was found last year 'Everyone had an opinion, and with the multiple social media channels they had a means of sharing it widely, and in 99 per cent of the cases, inaccurately. 'We have seen commentators giving very strong opinions on the quality, and efficiency of police response to high profile missing person cases, almost always without merit.' Neil used an example of his own personal experience with overzealous true crime enthusiasts. 'During the Bulley case I commented on a social media account with a large following who was categorically stating that the police were doing a terrible job of trying to find Nicola,' he said. 'It was claimed that the police had failed to undertake the most basic of investigative tasks, in the most certain, and vehement manner. I questioned the poster as to how they knew this information, as it had not been released by the police team. For contrast, Neil brought up another similar case - Graham Connell (pictured left and right) - who also went missing Neil Lancaster, 58, said it's not 'entirely quantifiable' to know what will resonate with the public and what won't. Pictured: A file image of Nicola Bulley 'The response I got was telling. "It's obvious they're incompetent. They didn't even search the river bank." This was said with utter confidence. I asked them to link me into the source of that claim. 'Predictably, it turned out to be a popular social media channel, with a big following, and seemed to be based on absolutely nothing beyond popular conjecture.' Neil called the development 'worrying' and implored that it has 'in no way helpful in major investigations'. 'It creates more lines of enquiry to be sifted that often are baseless, and on occasions malicious,' he continued. The Devil You Know by Neil Lancaster is published by HQ, HarperCollins in Hardback, eBook and audiobook 'The attention span of the general public is shrinking alarmingly amongst the general public. It isn't the job of the police to give a running commentary on live serious investigations. Sometimes the public need reminding that they do not always have a right to know.' Neil also admitted that, after working in the force for decades, it was hard not to succumb to 'compassion fatigue - particularly when it is very often the same people going missing on such a regular basis'. 'I do recall one case, of a young man, about the same age as my own son,' he recounted. 'He had been a great kid, a decent student, and an excellent sportsman. Unfortunately, the lure of the local gang in Harlesden was too much of a lure, and he ended up very much in the wrong crowd. 'He began to regularly go missing for days at a time, and his parents, both great people were so distressed, it just resonated with me, him being the same age as my son. 'Tragically, his association with the "wrong crowd" had the worst ending, and he ended up shot dead in a gang dispute. It's one case that I won't forget.' The Devil You Know by Neil Lancaster is published by HQ, HarperCollins in Hardback, eBook and audiobook A Michigan real estate agent has detailed the signs she's come across that can help you spot a 'secret room' in your home. Lauren Rockel, a realtor based in Grand Rapids, admitted that 'secret rooms are one of my absolute favorite things to find when I'm showing homes.' She showcased an example of a hidden nook behind a cabinet in a house's bathroom - which, unsettlingly, also came with a direct view of the inside of the shower. 'I was showing this house, turned the corner, and noticed some hinges on the outside of this built-in cabinet,' Lauren explained in one TikTok video. Lauren Rockel, a realtor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, revealed a 'secret room' she'd found in a house, with the hidden entrance behind a bathroom cabinet After identifying visible hinges on the outside of a cabinet, Lauren discovered the entrance to the room - which she speculated might have been used for storage To her unease, however, she realized the 'secret room' had a glass wall that looked directly at the inside of the shower The tempered-glass block wall of the shower - as seen on the right - turned out to double as a window looking into the shower from the secret room Lauren admitted that discovering secret rooms in her listings was one of her favorite things 'So, naturally, I had to give it a little tug. And sure enough, it is a secret room, which is probably a storage room, but still a secret room nonetheless.' After the entrance, the room veered sharply to the left - leading straight to a glass wall. 'But look at how creepy this is!' the realtor added. She then demonstrated how someone in the hidden room could look directly into the shower through tempered-glass cubes that double as a panel enclosing the shower. Viewers of the post shared a mix of interest and unease at the concealed space. 'My reactions: "Oh, cool!" "Oh, no,"' one wrote, to which Lauren responded, 'Absolute same.' 'It was so cool until the window to the tub,' a second agreed. 'Um... that's not a "secret room" that's from before secret camera era,' someone else suggested. Viewers shared a mix of reactions to the hidden room that, with its window looking into the shower, seemed to double as a voyeur's paradise 'I'd always think someone was hiding in there watching me,' another admitted. In a second example Lauren recently shared, she'd found yet another hidden room also, strangely enough, linked to a bathroom. 'I'm here to show yet another secret room, also in a bathroom,' she narrated, adding, 'This one is a lot more secret than the last I posted.' She demonstrated how, in the medicine cabinet above a toilet, there appeared a small latch on the bottom shelf, tucked into the corner. 'You open it up and here's this little built-in storage above the toilet - there's a little latch here,' she pointed out. 'What are you doing here latch?! In a second example, Lauren revealed yet another bathroom-adjacent secret room - with an even harder-to-find entryway The realtor demonstrated how a latch on the bottom shelf was the instrumental clue that tipped her off as to the secret room's existence The second room Lauren highlighted was much less creepy than the first example, with this one filled with paintings, books and a cot Viewers again took to the comments to speculate on the nature and odd bathroom-adjacent placement of the secret room 'I gave it a little pull, and look at that! Another secret room in a bathroom. Very strange!' 'Not sure if there's just some space behind this wall in bathrooms pretty regularly or something? Where there's just like nothing there, so people are turning it into storage or secret rooms,' she speculated of the odd micro-trend she'd stumbled upon. 'But someone's definitely hanging out in here. I mean, there's a cot, there's books, there's art. 'There's even a light up on the wall so you can like sit back here and cozy up and read in your bathroom. 'I do think it's really fun that there's like this built-in storage that you have to crawl through and also climb on top of a toilet to get to. 'You could be hanging out in here to escape the kid or something.' Viewers again took to the comments to speculate about the room's uses. 'Creeepily placed panic room?' one offered. 'Secret reading nook! shhhh!' a second speculated. 'I feel like I would fall into the toilet for sure,' a third admitted - with Lauren confessing, 'I almost fell out of the lil cubby hole getting out of it.' Prince Albert of Monaco has been branded a 'weak' leader who 'uses money to buy family peace', according to reports. After questions were raised about the finances of the Monegasque Royal Family, journalists in the principality commented on the character of the 65-year-old premier. A dossier exposing the 'secret notebooks' of Claude Palmero, who was in charge of the Palace's finances for more than two decades and a confidant of Prince Albert until he was ousted last summer revealed startling claims about the royal family's finances - particularly those of Princess Charlene, 45. The entries, which were shared with Le Monde newspaper in France, detailed extortionate costs spent by the Princess on things like the baptisms of her twins Jacques and Gabriella at around 600,000 and a general spending allowance of more than 1 million per year. Now, speaking to Tatler, one of the journalists who broke the story has revealed Charlene has a 'crazy desire to spend money' which is granted by her husband to keep the peace. Journalists in France and Monaco have claimed Prince Albert of Monaco, 65, is a 'weak person' who dislikes confrontation as questions about the royal family's finances keep coming Gerard Davet, an investigative reporter at Le Monde said: 'Prince Albert says yes to everything. Charlene is very lonely in he palace; so her best friend is possibly the Prince's money'. He added that the only person to ever put their foot down on Charlene's spending was Mr Palmero, who filed several lawsuits against Prince Albert after he was ousted last year, including for defamation and unfair dismissal. After Mr Palmero was walked out of his office by a Colonel who worked at the Palace and handed his severance letter, the Prince publicly accused his loyal ally of more than 20 years of corruption - which Mr Palmero flatly denies. Speaking about Albert's treatment of Palmero, an unnamed journalist in Monaco said: 'Albert is a weak person... 'I think his heart is in the right place, but he avoids confrontation.' Princess Charlene has a 'crazy desire to spend money' according to the journalists, with her husband allegedly saying 'yes' to whatever she wishes to buy They speculated that the Prince's disposition was due to experiencing 'a lot of' confrontation when his late father, Prince Rainier III, was alive. Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Davet reveals that the files he and his fellow reporter Fabrice Lhomme uncovered suggested Princess Charlene and her sister-in-law, Princess Caroline, are 'not friends'. FEMAIL has contacted the Monegasque Palace for comment. Among the explosive claims uncovered in the dossier were allegations that Princess Charlene hired illegal immigrants on less than 90-per-day to work for her, despite her personal spending allowance skyrocketing to 1 million-per-year. Mr Palmero's records suggested that 'illegal migrants' made up much of Charlene's full-time personal staff of eight - something the accountant expressed concerns about. 'Her Serene Highness the Princess makes people work for her who are not compliant,' Mr Palmero warned Prince Albert, also referring to 'a moonlighting Filipino woman who ties up dogs in the shower.' Prince Albert of Monaco is alleged to spend money in order to 'keep the peace' within the royal family In a letter written in January 2017, he said another employee from the Philippines had been 'illegal for five years', despite solely being on a one-month tourist visa. 'He gets paid 100 euros a day [85] which is off the scale,' Mr Palmero wrote. In December 2014, Charlene gave birth to Prince Jacques, and Princess Gabriella, and immediately placed them in the care of illegal immigrant nannies. 'Update on the hiring of nanniesWe are completely illegal (even their tourist visa expired on January 7)' Mr Palmero wrote on January 15th of that year. 'They are not only in an illegal situation, but one entered with a false passport, Mr Palmero added. Despite this, Mr Palmero released almost 600,000 to celebrate the children's birth and baptism. On one day alone in April 2016, Charlene asked for the equivalent of 66,000, and this was 'definitely too much,' said Mr Palmero, especially as she also planned to rent a second villa on Corsica. 'Isn't that a lot?' asked the accountant, who was concerned that the Princess was taking money from funds that were 'undeclared' in terms of tax. 'These practices are dangerous,' Mr Palmero warned. 'They are not only in an illegal situation, but one entered with a false passport, Mr Palmero added. The former chief royal wealth manager in the Mediterranean tax haven claims he desperately tried to rein in Charlene's 'dangerous' spending, and at one stage blocked the South African-born 45-year-old from taking on new staff. The books also allege that Albert spends millions every year from a secret French bank account to pay his former mistresses and love children - with Jazmin Grimaldi, 31, and Alexandre Coste-Grimaldi, 20, receiving allowances of 344,000 a year each. This was while Charlene was pouring 826,000 into redecorating her holiday villa in Calvi, on the island of Corsica, along with 860,000 to decorate her office back in Monte Carlo. Charlene was paying her personal chef the equivalent of 250-a-day from petty cash, said Mr Palmero, while her South African family were also receiving hundreds of thousands of pounds. In February 2017, the accountant also released the equivalent of more than half-a-million pounds to pay off the Princess's overdraft. In December 2019, an alarmed Mr Palmero noted that Charlene had spent 'around 15 million euros [13m]', over eight years, despite her allowance being '7.5 million euros' [6.4m] This was while Charlene was also putting a combined sum of almost 2million into the holiday villa in Calvi, and her office redecoration. 'It's crazy!' Mr Palmero wrote. 'I have no control over the Princess's spending'. Prince Rainier III of Monaco began drawing up plans to remove his son Prince Albert from the line of succession in favour of Princess Caroline before his death, according to reports. The former premier of Monaco, who died in 2005 aged 81, sought legal advice towards the end of the 1990s about how the line of succession would continue if the heir apparent, Prince Albert, was skipped over in favour of his older sister Princess Caroline. French newspaper Le Monde reports that Claude Palmero, the man in charge of the Palace's finances for more than two decades until he was ousted last summer, confirmed rumours that Prince Rainier was considering altering the succession laws in the years leading up to his death. The report cites a 2001 letter written to Prince Rainier by Patrice Davost, who was head of judicial services in Monaco, which confirmed the contents of a meeting they had had to discuss how the Grimaldi name could be carried in the royal bloodline if Princess Caroline's son Andrea Casiraghi eventually assumed the throne. According to the newspaper, Mr Davost's letter which is addressed to Prince Rainier reads: 'I shared with you my research and thoughts on the following question that had been submitted to me: How to ensure the continuity of the Grimaldi dynasty, name and coat of arms in the event of your grandson Andrea's accession to the throne, following Princess Caroline's renunciation of her rights to the crown?' Prince Rainier III didn't think his son Prince Albert, whom he would often 'belittle' in public, was up to the job of becoming premier, Le Monde reports The report also claims Rainier had concerns his son 'was not up to the job' of becoming premier and often publicly 'belittled' him, which led to Albert developing a stutter when he spoke in French. Mr Davost told Le Monde he had, in fact, carried out a 'discreet' investigation as to whether Andrea could one day be crowned Monegasque premier - however he claimed Rainier told him it was in case Albert died. The story, which Prince Albert has dismissed as 'nonsense' according to Tatler, is also recounted in Claude Palmero's notebooks, which were released by the newspaper at the end of January. The newspaper claims Mr Palmero confirmed Prince Rainier was considering changing the laws of succession in Monaco in favour of Princess Caroline. The 'secret notebooks' of Mr Palmero, who was in charge of the Monegasque Palace's finances for more than 20 years until he was unceremoniously ousted by Prince Albert last summer, were released in a dossier by Le Monde and contained startling claims about the Monegasque royal family's finances. According to several sources including the Palace's former accountant Claude Palmero, Rainier drew up plans to skip out Albert from the line of succession in favour of Princess Caroline A former top lawyer in Monaco confirmed Prince Rainier III had discussed the complexities of Princess Caroline' son Andrea Casiraghi (pictured with Elisa Sednaoui in 2018) taking the throne with the Grimaldi name In addition to the explosive claims about the question over succession, the entries detailed extortionate costs spent by Prince Albert's wife Princess Charlene, who has a general spending allowance of more than 1 million per year. Apeaking to Tatler, one of the journalists who broke the story has revealed Charlene has a 'crazy desire to spend money' which is granted by her husband to keep the peace. Gerard Davet, an investigative reporter at Le Monde said: 'Prince Albert says yes to everything. Charlene is very lonely in he palace; so her best friend is possibly the Prince's money'. He added that the only person to ever put their foot down on Charlene's spending was Mr Palermo, who filed several lawsuits against Prince Albert after he was ousted last year, including for defamation and unfair dismissal. After Mr Palermo was walked out of his office by a Colonel who worked at the Palace and handed his severance letter, the Prince publicly accused his loyal ally of more than 20 years of corruption - which Mr Palermo flatly denies. Speaking about Albert's treatment of Palermo, an unnamed journalist in Monaco said: 'Albert is a weak person... 'I think his heart is in the right place, but he avoids confrontation.' Journalists in France and Monaco have claimed Prince Albert of Monaco, 65, is a 'weak person' who dislikes confrontation as questions about the royal family's finances keep coming Princess Charlene has a 'crazy desire to spend money' according to the journalists, with her husband allegedly saying 'yes' to whatever she wishes to buy They speculated that the Prince's disposition was due to experiencing 'a lot of' confrontation when his late father, Prince Rainier III, was alive. FEMAIL has contacted the Monegasque Palace for comment. Among the explosive claims uncovered in the dossier were allegations that Princess Charlene hired illegal immigrants on less than 90-per-day to work for her, despite her personal spending allowance skyrocketing to 1 million-per-year. Mr Palermo's records suggested that 'illegal migrants' made up much of Charlene's full-time personal staff of eight - something the accountant expressed concerns about. 'Her Serene Highness the Princess makes people work for her who are not compliant,' Mr Palmero warned Prince Albert, also referring to 'a moonlighting Filipino woman who ties up dogs in the shower.' Prince Albert of Monaco is alleged to spend money in order to 'keep the peace' within the royal family In a letter written in January 2017, he said another employee from the Philippines had been 'illegal for five years', despite solely being on a one-month tourist visa. 'He gets paid 100 euros a day [85] which is off the scale,' Mr Palmero wrote. In December 2014, Charlene gave birth to Prince Jacques, and Princess Gabriella, and immediately placed them in the care of illegal immigrant nannies. 'Update on the hiring of nanniesWe are completely illegal (even their tourist visa expired on January 7)' Mr Palmero wrote on January 15th of that year. 'They are not only in an illegal situation, but one entered with a false passport, Mr Palmero added. Despite this, Mr Palmero released almost 600,000 to celebrate the children's birth and baptism. On one day alone in April 2016, Charlene asked for the equivalent of 66,000, and this was 'definitely too much,' said Mr Palmero, especially as she also planned to rent a second villa on Corsica. 'Isn't that a lot?' asked the accountant, who was concerned that the Princess was taking money from funds that were 'undeclared' in terms of tax. 'These practices are dangerous,' Mr Palmero warned. 'They are not only in an illegal situation, but one entered with a false passport, Mr Palmero added. The former chief royal wealth manager in the Mediterranean tax haven claims he desperately tried to rein in Charlene's 'dangerous' spending, and at one stage blocked the South African-born 45-year-old from taking on new staff. The books also allege that Albert spends millions every year from a secret French bank account to pay his former mistresses and love children - with Jazmin Grimaldi, 31, and Alexandre Coste-Grimaldi, 20, receiving allowances of 344,000 a year each. This was while Charlene was pouring 826,000 into redecorating her holiday villa in Calvi, on the island of Corsica, along with 860,000 to decorate her office back in Monte Carlo. Charlene was paying her personal chef the equivalent of 250-a-day from petty cash, said Mr Palmero, while her South African family were also receiving hundreds of thousands of pounds. In February 2017, the accountant also released the equivalent of more than half-a-million pounds to pay off the Princess's overdraft. In December 2019, an alarmed Mr Palmero noted that Charlene had spent 'around 15 million euros [13m]', over eight years, despite her allowance being '7.5 million euros' [6.4m] This was while Charlene was also putting a combined sum of almost 2million into the holiday villa in Calvi, and her office redecoration. 'It's crazy!' Mr Palmero wrote. 'I have no control over the Princess's spending'. The ex-wife of the real-life Wolf of Wall Street has revealed the clever way that she has repurposed the one thing she had left from her tumultuous relationship with the financial crook. Nadine Macaluso, 56, who now works as a marriage counselor and family therapist in Florida, met Jordan Belfort, 61, when she was just 22 years old and working as a model. The two soon became engulfed in a whirlwind romance, tying the knot in 1991 and welcoming two children together - before they ultimately divorced in 2005 after 14 years of marriage. After they went their separate ways, Nadine accused the broker of physical and mental abuse, which she said was fueled by his rampant drug addiction and multiple infidelities. The ex-wife of the real-life Wolf of Wall Street has revealed the clever way that she still uses the one thing she has left from her tumultuous relationship with the financial crook Nadine Macaluso, 56, who now works as a marriage counselor and family therapist in Florida, met Jordan Belfort, 61, when she was just 22 years old and working as a model The two soon became engulfed in a whirlwind romance, tying the knot in 1991 and welcoming two children together, before they ultimately divorced in 2005 after 14 years of marriage Now, the mother-of-two has opened up about what she did with the only item that she was left with after she split from the criminal in a recent TikTok video - since she said they had to turn everything else over to the government. Now, the mother-of-two has opened up about what she did with the only item that she was left with after she split from the criminal in a recent TikTok video She explained that the only thing she was allowed to keep following the messy divorce was a set of Louis Vuitton suitcases. But instead of using them when she traveled, she decided to turn them into furniture pieces - which she still has in her house even now, decades on. 'When I left the Wolf, I gave all my personal belongings - my jewelry, homes, etc. - back to the government,' she said in the clip. 'But guess what the government didn't want? My Louis Vuitton luggage. 'But I didn't want it either. Who needs hard luggage? And luggage that doesn't have wheels?' Nadine explained that she had a knack for 'interior designing,' so she decided to use the luggage for something she felt would be much more useful. She transformed the designer bags into a set of two chairs and a table, which she proudly showed off in the TikTok video. 'I took an old chair and I reupholstered it with the Louis Vuitton luggage,' she dished, as she turned the camera to reveal the stunning furniture. 'And then I took the old suitcase and put legs on it to make it a table.' She explained that the only thing she was allowed to keep following the divorce was a set of Louis Vuitton suitcases - since they had to turn everything else over to the government Instead of using the high-end luggage when she traveled, she decided to turn it into furniture pieces - which she still has in her house even now, decades on Nadine explained that she has a knack for 'interior designing,' so she decided to use the luggage for something she felt would be more useful, adding, 'Who needs hard luggage?' 'Hello lover,' she joked as she panned back to the chair. Nadine and Jordan's relationship - as well as his illicit stock market scheme, which saw him steal nearly $200 million from investors - was portrayed in the wildly popular 2013 flick Wolf Of Wall Street, which was based off the book he wrote. The movie starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan and Margot Robbie as Nadine, who was renamed Naomi for the movie. She transformed the designer bags into a set of two chairs and a table, which she proudly showed off in the TikTok video Jordan went on to spend 22 months in prison after it was brought to light that he had scammed more than 1,500 people through the elaborate stock market con in 1999. Nadine has become a viral TikTok star in recent months for spilling numerous secrets about their marriage, revealing which scenes of the Martin Scorsese film were accurate and which were exaggerated, and using her experience to give others who may be dealing with unhealthy relationships advice. In a video shared in November 2022, she spoke about how she was left with practically 'nothing' following her and Jordan's split. However, she said she was happy to give up her life of luxury since it all came from Jordan's 'blood money.' 'I asked him for a divorce [after the arrest] because I knew I could finally be safe because he had an ankle bracelet,' she said in the video. 'Jordan was all about making money. However, right when he got arrested, I completely understood that it was all blood money. Their relationship was portrayed in the 2013 flick Wolf of Wall Street, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan and Margot Robbie as Nadine, who was renamed Naomi for the movie Nadine has become a viral TikTok star for spilling numerous secrets about their marriage and using her experience to give others who may be dealing with unhealthy relationships advice She spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about her newfound TikTok fame last month, and admitted that Jordan was not happy with her after he discovered her videos She insisted that she was not 'using the Wolf engine' to 'disparage him,' but rather, to share her 'side of things' and 'empower women.' She and Jordan are seen during their relationship 'I walked away from my marriage with absolutely nothing. I always joke and I say I just took my kids and my curtains. 'I gave all the jewelry that I had to the government. We gave up all of our homes, all of our money. The former model recently released a book entitled Run Like Hell: A Therapist's Guide To Recognizing, Escaping, And Healing From Trauma Bonds as a bid to help survivors 'go on to have healthy, positive relationships and lives, armed with knowledge and awareness' 'And that was the right thing to do. It was fine to walk away with nothing and it feels really good to say that.' Nadine spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about her newfound TikTok fame last month, and she admitted that Jordan was not happy with her after he discovered that she was discussing their relationship online. But she insisted that she was not 'using the Wolf engine' to 'disparage him,' but rather, to share her 'side of things' and 'empower women.' 'Initially, he did not like it,' she shared. 'He [still] does not love it but I think he's come to accept it. 'Here's the thing, I'm not doing this at all to disparage him. Why would I do that to my children? 'I'm just expressing my narrative and my side of things. And like I said, at the end of the day, the good news is, we're all okay now. 'I'm really using the Wolf engine to educate women about trauma bonds. And to empower them.' The former model recently released a book entitled Run Like Hell: A Therapist's Guide To Recognizing, Escaping, And Healing From Trauma Bonds as a bid to help survivors 'go on to have healthy, positive relationships and lives, armed with knowledge and awareness.' Jordan (left portrayed by Leonardo in the movie and right in real life) spent 22 months in prison after it was revealed he had scammed more than 1,500 people As for how she found a way to become amicable with Jordan, she told DailyMail.com that she had to make an 'adult choice' to put their children first 'I had a lot of time away from him and a lot of time to heal,' she explained. 'Because we had children together I made a choice, really, as their mother, to keep a good relationship with him' She has since remarried, and has been with her new husband, John Macaluso, who has three kids from a past relationship, for 23 years. The author also told DailyMail.com that she was terrified when she found out they were going to make a movie about her and Jordan's romance. She said she was 'so nervous' about 'how she was going to be portrayed' because she didn't think the director, Scorsese, loved women. She added: 'We brought them into the world. How I feel towards him is different than how he behaves towards my kids, so as long as he's a good dad [that's what matters]' 'I thought about how he sometimes portrays women,' she explained. 'And I had no say or input. 'That's a very crazy situation to be in - you're going to get portrayed for the whole world to see, but you have no input on how they're gonna do it.' Nadine added that she did 'a lot of therapy' to prepare herself for it, and ultimately 'surrendered.' Despite her initial nerves, Nadine recalled feeling relieved when she watched it for the first time. 'It's maybe not exactly the way I would [tell the story], that wasn't my narrative or the way I saw myself through that whole experience, but it was fine,' she added. 'I was totally okay with it. It wasn't that bad.' As for how she found a way to become amicable with Jordan, she said she had to make an 'adult choice' to put their children first. '[After the split] I took my kids to California and he was in New York. I had a lot of time away from him and a lot of time to heal,' she explained. 'Because we had children together I made a choice, really, as their mother, to keep a good relationship with him, the best that I could. 'That doesn't mean we've always gotten along, but in the end, we've always put our kids first because we have an obligation to them. 'We brought them into the world. How I feel towards him is different than how he behaves towards my kids, so as long as he's a good dad [that's what matters].' The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion loan to restart a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, officials announced Wednesday. Holtec International acquired the 800-megawatt Palisades plant in 2022 with plans to dismantle it. But now the emphasis is on restarting it by late 2025, following support from the state of Michigan and the Biden administration. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it would be the first nuclear power plant to be reopened in the U.S. It still faces hurdles, including inspections, testing and the blessing of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, known as the NRC. Nuclear power is our single largest source of carbon-free electricity, directly supporting 100,000 jobs across the country and hundreds of thousands more indirectly, said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, a former Michigan governor. The Palisades plant is along Lake Michigan, a two-hour drive from Chicago. A Michigan utility, CMS Energy, owned it from 1971 until the plant was sold to Louisiana-based utility Entergy in 2007. It was shut down in 2022. Holtec said it has long-term commitments so far from two electric cooperatives to buy power from the plant. The repowering of Palisades will restore safe, around-the-clock generation to hundreds of thousands of households, businesses and manufacturers," said Kris Singh, Holtec president and chief executive. Critics, however, have emerged. A coalition opposed to restarting what it derisively calls a zombie reactor has requested a hearing at the NRC. Holtec spokesman Patrick O'Brien said it will take four to five months to finalize the financial deal with the government. It is a loan we have to pay back, he said. Nuclear energy is in the spotlight. Thirty-four countries, including the U.S., last week pledged to use it to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In California, regulators in December said the Diablo Canyon plant could operate through 2030 instead of 2025 to guard against blackouts as the state shifts toward renewable power sources. Owner Pacific Gas & Electric said federal aid helped it repay a state loan. There is more enthusiasm toward nuclear power in Congress, in the industry and also internationally," said Najmedin Meshkati, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California who has inspected nuclear plants around the world. But restarting a plant, he said, is not easy. It puts the onus and burden on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Holtec to double down on efforts to make sure this plant is safe enough and all the safety measures are intact, Meshkati said of Palisades. (AP) Spring has spring and Capri pants are hotter than ever thanks to the fashion set wearing them all over the streets of Paris and New York. The bottoms (also known as pedal pushers) are longer than shorts but shorter than trousers with a hemline that typically ends at the midcalf. With social media mavens making them look so good, it comes as no surprise that Stylight - world's largest search platform for fashion, beauty and design - has seen a 56% uptick in demand for Capri pants. Capris were introduced in 1948 by designer Sonja de Lennart in Munich, Germany. They are longer than shorts but shorter than trousers with a hemline that typically ends at the midcalf Capris were introduced in 1948 by designer Sonja de Lennart in Munich, Germany. The original design was a sexy departure from traditional pants and encouraged women to forget skirts and dresses. Capris fit slim throughout the leg and featured a short slit on the outer side of the leg hem. They were part of a larger collection by Sonja that was named after the Italian island of Capri. Style icon Audrey Hepburn popularized the classic bottoms in 1954 when she wore them in her movie 'Sabrina.' Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Doris Day soon followed. Style icon Audrey Hepburn popularized the classic bottoms in 1954 when she wore them in her movie 'Sabrina' Svita Sobol paired her bottoms with a fierce crocodile blazer with nothing underneath Pernille Teisbaek wore black Capri pants with a matching turtleneck to Hermes and added pops of burgundy with her jacket, handbag and heels Today, Capris can be found in a variety of trendy silhouettes and contemporary fabrics. Svita Sobol and Pernille Teisbaek both incorporated black Capri pants into their ensembles during Paris Fashion Week. For the Elie Saab show, Svita paired her loose-fitting bottoms with a fierce crocodile blazer flaunting her generous cleavage. She accessorized with matching loafers, sunglasses and a satchel bag. Pernille wore slim-fitting Capris to the Hermes show and added pops of burgundy to her look with her jacket, handbag and heels. Alexandra Guerain was spotted with her boyfriend at the spring/summer 2024 menswear shows in Paris wearing an Acne Studios two piece Capri set A few days later she rocked a matching knit set that showed off her petite frame and added inches to stature with high heel black boots. A matching set takes the guesswork out of styling Capri bottoms. Alexandra Guerain was spotted with her boyfriend at the spring/summer 2024 menswear shows in Paris wearing an Acne Studios coordinating set. She paired the beige lace jacket and bottoms with a Miu Miu white bra and accessorized with an Acne Studios pink asymmetric bag, white socks and white sneakers. A few days later, she rocked a matching knit set that showed off her petite frame and added inches to stature with high heel black boots. Capri pants are hotter than ever thanks to the fashion set wearing them all over the streets of Paris Sharina Gutierrez attended the alice + olivia fashion show during New York Fashion Week in leather low-slung Capris A model was photographed on the streets of Paris wearing a very fun and fashion forward look. The brunette beauty teamed black Capri pants with a white leather jacket boasting billowy sleeves, and accessorized with black wedge sandals worn with grey socks. Sharina Gutierrez attended the alice + olivia fashion show during New York Fashion Week in leather low-slung Capris. She bared her six-pack abs with a cropped long sleeve blazer. Crown Prince Leka II has shared cheerful footage of his 42nd birthday celebrations, despite a recent legal battle with his ex-wife. Leka of Albania appeared in high spirits as he celebrated with his three-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine, at an intimate children's themed party. The jubilant mood marked a clear shift away from recent family turmoil that allegedly saw Leka involved in a physical altercation with ex-wife, Princess Elia, 41, and father-in-law, Gjergj Polikron Zaharia, 73. Putting the alleged violence aside for his birthday, Leka and Geraldine appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed the party. Taking to Instagram, Leka wrote: 'Blessed with the love and grace of her soul on my birthday.' Crown Prince Leka appeared in high spirits as he marked his 42nd birthday with his daughter Princess Geraldine (pictured) Leka, who turned 42 on 26 March, celebrated his birthday with a fun-filled party complete with a birthday cake, balloons, and party poppers. There were four paper plates laid out for the occasion, though it is unclear who else the 42-year-old celebrated his special day with. The father-of-one sported a suit for the occasion a long with party accessories, including a multi-colored hat and matching tie. Donning a baby pink outfit, Geraldine appeared merry as she celebrated her father - and helped him blow out his birthday candles before playing with balloons. Despite the upbeat celebrations, it comes after Prince Leka II and his ex-wife were ordered to keep a distance of five metres from each other following an alleged incident of domestic violence. The Civil Court of Tirana signed two protection orders for Leka, 41, and Princess Elia Zaharia, also 41, following an alleged physical altercation between the former couple and Elia's father, Gjergj Polikron Zaharia, 73. The court ruling follows a video that surfaced online of Leka allegedly involved in a physical tussle with Elia and her 73-year-old father. The protection order comes two months after the pair, who share a three-year-old daughter, Princess Geraldine, announced the end of their marriage, saying the union had 'lost its function'. The father-daughter duo were all smiles, despite recent family turmoil that saw the Prince allegedly involved in a case of domestic violence The sour series of events continued this month during a court session, which determined that Leka can only see his daughter in the presence of a nanny, according to Tirana Post. The court examined three separate protection claims during the session, one for Leka, Elia, and Elia's father Gjergj. The glamorous mother-of-one was present for the appointment, while Leka was represented by his legal team. Leka and Elia each filed claims for a protection order from the other; both of which were accepted by the court. However, Gjerj's application for a protection order was declined. It comes after Crown Prince Leka II sought police intervention following an alleged incident of domestic violence involving his ex-wife and ex-father-in-law. A video surfaced online of Leka allegedly involved in a physical altercation with Princess Elia and her father, Gjergj Polikron Zaharia. The Palace issued a statement after a clip of the fight surfaced online and claimed Leka was 'physically attacked with strong objects by his ex-wife and ex-father-in-law' and had handed the video to the police as evidence. Elia later broke her silence on the 'terrible' conflict and claimed her involvement in the fight was merely her trying to stop it, according to Albanian Daily News. The glamorous mother-of-one claimed that she returned home to find Prince Leka is a tussle with her 73-year-old father. Prince Leka of Albania and Princess Elia must keep five metres from each other, according to a new court ruling. Seen with their daughter Princess Geradine in 2021 Prince Leka can only see his daughter, Princess Geraldine, three, in the presence of a nanny. Seen in 2021 Crown Prince Leka and Princess Elia have caused shockwaves across Albania after a video surfaced online of the couple allegedly engaging in a physical brawl with Elia's 73-year-old father. Seen in 2022 with their daughter Princess Geraldine 'It is a very difficult situation for me and my family, as it is not easy to return home and find Leka trying to violate my 73-year-old father,' she wrote. 'The conflict has nothing to do with me, except that I tried to stop it. I am following the judicial path for everything,' she added. The Albanian royal court similarly issued a statement about the conflict via social media channels, and accused police of leaking the footage. The statement read: 'Prince Leka on the afternoon of March 5 was physically attacked with strong objects by his ex-wife and ex-father-in-law and the videos of this moment have been made public on social networks. 'The videos have been submitted only to the police station by Prince Leka ll Zogu, as material evidence for violence inflicted on him. But despite being considered a secret, these materials, together with the statement, circulated widely on social networks and in the media transmitting unpleasant images and with violent content. 'The Royal Court deeply expresses disappointment with law enforcement institutions that we suspect have violated the right to anonymity by distributing third-party videos. 'The Royal Court also seeks the intervention of the police and relevant institutions for deleting these images from social networks and media.' Elia claimed she attempted to stop a physical altercation between her ex-husband and father. The pair are seen during happier times in 2021 The Albanian Royal Court addressed the drama on social media and sought police intervention MailOnline has contacted the Albanian royal court for comment. It comes after the former couple, who were married in 2016, declared their separation via an official statement shared on Instagram. Despite being a claimant to a now defunct throne following the dissolution of the Albanian monarchy in 1943, the prince and his glamorous wife had won over the public's hearts from the moment they tied the knot eight years ago. The lavish ceremony was attended by more than 20 royal families from across the world, including Prince Michael of Kent - who is the second cousin of King Charles. In a translation statement, a spokesperson maintained that Princess Geraldine remained the centre of her parent's attention, while also pleading with 'well wishers' to respect the family's privacy. Crown Prince Leka II and Princess Elia of Albania have announced the end of their eight-year marriage in January. Pictured after their wedding ceremony in 2016 The message read: 'Hello friends and well-wishers, by means of this post I officially inform you that Prince Leka and Elia Zaharia have agreed to end their marriage. 'Since the marriage has lost its function, they saw the way to resolve it by mutual consent by starting the necessary legal procedures. 'Despite the trust in the institution of the family, Prince Leka believes that the values of mutual respect and understanding will form the basis of the relationship in its continuity, which will have as its motive the growth and education of Princess Geraldine!!! '[Her] spiritual and physical well-being of the girl will remain at the center of their attention, dedicated to ensuring a happy and safe life for Geraldine.' The statement also said that the prince would not be offering any further comment at this time - and requested that his 'right to privacy be respected regarding this matter'. Albania's Crown Prince Leka II and Crown Princess Elia announced the birth of their first child, a baby girl named Geraldine in October 2020. The couple pictured in 2016 The couple, who were married in 2016 in the European nation's second ever royal wedding and the first since the end of communism, welcomed their daughter in 2020 at the Queen Geraldine Maternity Hospital in Tirana. They named their daughter Geraldine - a meaningful tribute to the little one's paternal great-grandmother, Queen Geraldine, who died on October 22, 2002, 18 years to the day before her namesake's birth. Queen Geraldine was married to King Zog I, who was the first monarch of Albania after it gained independence from the Ottoman Empire but fled his homeland in 1939 when Italy's fascists occupied the Balkan state. Despite the monarchy having been dissolved, Zog's son King Leka I remained head of the House of Zogu and claimant to the throne until his death in 2011 and was succeeded by his only son, Leka II. The Crown Prince, who attended Royal Military College Sandhurst and has worked as an adviser to Albania's president, took over his father as head of the House of Zogu, and titular King of the Albanians. Princess Elia, Prince Leka and Crown Prince Nicolas of Montenegro pictured at the 80th Birthday of King Simeon of Bulgaria in 2017 As Leka II currently does not have any sons, his current heir presumptive is Skender Zogu, his first cousin once removed. Leka II and Elia, who were engaged in Paris in 2010, also presided over the Queen Geraldine Foundation. The prince has also worked as an adviser within the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and the Albanian Presidents Office, while the princess works at the Albanian National Theater. Albania's royal family was expelled from the country in 1939 after it was invaded by Italian fascists. After World War II, when the Communists took over the country, King Zog and his family were considered traitors and stripped from power completely and removed from history books. Following their exile, the Albanian royal family spent time in Greece and Turkey before settling in England, where they briefly resided at The Ritz in London. King Zog and his family then moved to Egypt before the monarch spent the remainder of his life in France. Alison Scott couldn't believe what was happening. As her colleague, Clare, lay unconscious on the floor, Alison could see her attacker was about to launch into another ferocious assault on her body. Lurching at him from behind, Alison grabbed and held him tightly in a bear hug, screaming for help. 'I was on my own with him, with Clare still on the floor, and I was trying to remember everything I'd learned in my training about 'positive handling' and 'restraint',' says Alison, 32. 'Clare must only have been unconscious for about a minute, but it felt like forever. She had been headbutted and was out cold. But as she began to come to, she spat out blood and a tooth. It was horrifying. I was struggling to hold on until another member of staff arrived and helped me restrain him further. We were all in shock.' It was an appalling experience which left Alison and Clare who has since quit her job with physical and emotional scars. Caitlin Neaves, 21, has left the profession entirely. She was 16 and fresh from school herself when she became a TA. She says the abuse she endured and lack of care from the school management left her with a long-term health condition But perhaps the most shocking aspect is that these two women are not police officers, security guards or prison officers. They are teaching assistants in a primary school in Bedfordshire. Their assailant, only six years old. Upsetting as it may sound, this is no isolated case. And a survey reveals they're far from alone - nearly one in five teachers in England has been hit by a pupil so far this year, with spitting, swearing and chair-throwing commonplace. 'I'd worked with this particular child one-to-one for a while and he could become extremely violent,' says Alison, who started at the 300-pupil village school seven years ago. 'Anything could trigger him. If he couldn't get his own way or play with a certain toy because another child was using it, he'd pull their hair or kick off. 'He became obsessed with me and if I gave any attention to another child, he'd get angry so I would have to turn my attention back to him. I can't even recall what triggered him on the day he knocked out Clare, but you could see by his eyes that he wasn't properly 'in the room' with us. And he was so strong for such a little boy. 'Clare was really shaken up by it and had to have counselling afterwards. She didn't return to work and is no longer in education. The school excluded the boy, but only for four days before allowing him back. It's no wonder so many teaching assistants are leaving.' The survey commissioned by the BBC revealed that a greater proportion of primary and secondary teachers reported pupils fighting, pushing and shoving compared with two years ago. Meanwhile, a study by the NASUWT teaching union found that one in eight teachers has been assaulted by a pupil last year. Staff reported that physical assaults had become 'part of the job', with teachers kicked, bitten, punched and slapped by pupils. Research also shows teaching assistants (TAs) appear to be at particular risk. A report by the University of Roehampton heard that support staff in mainstream schools had suffered black eyes, broken fingers and cuts. And such attacks are having a devastating effect on morale. A report by the Public First think tank suggests aggressive pupils have helped to push tens of thousands of teachers to quit in recent years with over 75 per cent saying they would leave the profession entirely if they could. 'For the first time there's an understanding of the ferocity of attacks on teaching assistants and their devastating physical and mental toll,' says Dr Amanda Holt, lead researcher of the Roehampton study. 'This raises questions about the expectation, and in some cases insistence, of schools that teaching assistants should be the first line of defence against pupils who display violent or aggressive behaviour. 'With the profession dominated by women, forcing them to become classroom enforcers could do long-term harm. This risks creating an environment where violence becomes normal, particularly towards women.' Alison, who went into the job hoping she could 'make a little bit of difference', agrees the toll is becoming unbearable on many TAs. 'I've thought about leaving education because of the abuse,' she says. 'I came into the job because I wanted children whose home lives were chaotic to be able to turn around when they were older and say: 'Yes, Ms Scott really helped me', but it's getting too much. 'There really isn't much training, it's all done on the job. We do short courses such as the three-hour 'positive handling (restraint)' course, or 'one-on-one attachment and trauma', which lasted a day, but that's it. 'People think TAs are there to help children read or put pictures up on the walls. Instead, we are counsellors, mentors, therapists. We sometimes make sure the children have had food or their clothes are clean. We're keeping other children safe by stopping these children lashing out at them. A survey revealed that nearly one in five teachers in England have been hit by a pupil so far this year, with spitting, swearing and chair-throwing commonplace (file image) 'Most of us earn no more than 12,000 a year for around 30 hours a week, with an unpaid 30-minute lunchbreak, and yet we are being asked to deal with children who really should be in specialist schools. 'Lack of funds means so many specialist schools are closing. I don't blame the children themselves. The boy who attacked Clare shouldn't have been in mainstream education. He was eventually diagnosed with autism, ADHD and some kind of bipolar disorder, but by that time, he was halfway through the school system.' Rachel Waters, a 31-year-old TA from Glasgow, agrees. She has worked as a TA for the past ten years and has witnessed increasing levels of violence in her 400-pupil primary school. 'I've been kicked and hit on several occasions, and worked with another TA who was headbutted by a five-year-old management didn't even give her any time off. She was expected to just get on with it,' says Rachel. 'We have a lot of children with explosive anger issues, especially boys aged around ten when they're hitting puberty. Most of the time they take it out on each other. They'll stab one another with pens and pencils. We're not allowed to have scissors in the classroom for this reason. 'But sometimes they'll attack teachers or TAs, and our guidelines state that 'restraint, if used inappropriately, excessively or harmfully could result in a charge of assault', so we are very wary of touching them, even in self-defence.' Horrifyingly, Rachel has also been subjected to sexual abuse. 'That was one of the worst occasions,' she says. 'We were all in the school dining hall and one of the boys, who was only around seven, grabbed my breast and said something sexual. Everyone saw it. Everyone heard it. I was very upset and told his teacher, who asked him to apologise and that was it. No expulsion, not even detention. I felt really let down. 'It wasn't the first time something like that had happened. Another member of staff was sexually assaulted by a different boy. She was so distressed she left her job and never went back to being a teaching assistant. 'We see inappropriate sexualised behaviour from boys a lot and, often, the parents don't seem to care. One boy was pretending to perform sexual acts in the playground and was telling the younger ones what he'd like to do to them. We were very worried about his behaviour for a long time. I don't know what happened to him but he left the school.' Like Alison, Rachel says her headteacher and school leaders have let her down. 'In our school we have a policy which focuses on simply talking to the children about what they've done wrong and what they can learn. But because they don't get punished, they get away with it time and time again. No wonder so many TAs are quitting.' Ofsted states that there are more than 380,000 teaching assistants in the UK, 25 per cent of the school workforce. But according to a 2020 The Skills Network report, the role was number one in the top ten roles facing shortages in the UK with more than 41,000 jobs to fill ahead of NHS nurses at number ten. Caitlin Neaves, 21, has left the profession entirely. She was 16 and fresh from school herself when she became a TA. Now a freelance PR, she says the abuse she endured and lack of care from management left her with a long-term health condition. Caitlin, who lives in Margate, Kent, says: 'I started a teaching assistant course after leaving school, and an apprenticeship came up within a week. I was thrown into a classroom with several high-needs children who had developmental delays. It was weird because I was only five years older than some of them, but I seemed to have a knack for it so they would give me more responsibility. 'There was one child who was six who was very difficult to manage. He was very violent and would punch and kick me, and try to stab sharp pencils through my hand or throw chairs at me. It began to affect my mental health. I dreaded work each morning. And because I was on an apprenticeship, I was taking home only 400 a month. It felt like exploited labour. The school was putting me with the most difficult children and I was being punched in the face for 3.50 an hour.' Caitlin says other teachers and TAs saw violence as simply part of the job. 'I remember a boy socking a TA in the face and giving her a nosebleed, but it's so commonplace we barely even talked about it in the staffroom. 'I complained to the management on several occasions, sometimes crying with the stress of it all. One teacher told me to 'get a grip'. I was never seriously injured but sustained many scratches, bruises and cuts.' The final straw came three years ago when a boy in Caitlin's charge ran amok in the school. 'He had a complete meltdown in assembly and ran out, kicking and screaming and pulling over bookshelves and throwing chairs. I ran after him and eventually called for help on my walkie-talkie. The head came over and told him off, but that was the extent of his punishment. 'I'd had enough. I was signed off for six months with stress and was completely bedridden. I was diagnosed with a heart condition that I'm still having treatment for, and I've also developed fibromyalgia. Although I did return for a short while to a different school, the abuse was just as bad. I left because of the stress.' Unison's head of education Mike Short says that low pay and high stress are fuelling the exodus of TAs. 'Teaching assistants are the backbone of every school, but their wholly unjustified low professional status is stopping some schools from seeing their true value and vulnerability,' he says. 'Improving the reporting process around attacks, providing staff with medical and psychological support and ensuring they don't have to continue working with the young person who's assaulted them, must be adopted as a matter of urgency. Expecting them to put up with attacks will force more out of the door, and that's bad for pupils and schools alike.' Abigail Cross, 51, from Northamptonshire, was attacked by a five-year-old boy in her charge who broke her wrist when he grabbed her during a meltdown. She was off school for nearly the whole academic year and matters were made worse when she returned and had to be in the same classroom as her attacker. 'I was a nervous wreck and every time I saw him, even though he was so young, I was terrified he was going to do something again,' she says. 'Nothing frightens me usually. I was a confident person and have been a teaching assistant for nearly two decades, but this really knocked me. 'The school wasn't supportive at all. They said I hadn't handled the situation correctly, that I hadn't followed a certain procedure we use with this child, but I had. I had to seek help from my union, which were excellent. I was awarded several thousand pounds in damages as the school admitted liability, but it was only after the boy assaulted other staff that he was eventually excluded.' Like most other teaching assistants, Abigail fears things will only get worse. Yet she is committed to helping vulnerable children. 'I like my job. You feel like you make a difference. You'll get children who never speak suddenly piping up and saying: 'Hello mummy', and it's incredibly rewarding. We don't do it for the money, we do it to help. But the lack of funding for specialist care for some of these children is making life very difficult. It would be good if TAs could be given proper help and support in return.' *Some names and locations have been changed to protect identity. Australians have frequently struggled with what common laundry symbols really mean - with many permanently ruining their clothes by not knowing how to properly care for them. Clothes typically have a tag that informs the wearer what temperature the item should be washed in, whether it is suitable for dryers, and if it needs to be ironed or steamed. Vivien Fodor, a laundry care expert at home appliance brand Hotpoint, recently released an expert guide on how to identify the symbols on your clothes so you can confidently take care of your clothes and extend their lifespan. What do washing symbols on clothes mean? 'The symbol for machine washable is typically a tub filled with water, with dots or numbers inside to indicate the maximum recommended temperature,' Ms Fodor revealed. One dot indicates 30C, two dots means 40C, and four dots means the item of clothing should be washed at 60C. The tub of water will have a hand over it if you need to hand wash an item instead, and a large cross if it is dry-clean only. The symbol for machine washable is typically a tub filled with water, with dots or numbers inside to indicate the maximum recommended temperature What do drying symbols on clothes mean? 'The symbol for tumble drying is a circle inside a square, which indicates that the item can be safely tumble dried, unless there is a cross over the square which means the garment is not safe to dry in the machine,' Ms Fodor said. Similar to washing machines, the dots inside the drying symbol also indicate temperature: one dot for low heat, two for medium heat, three for high heat. Ms Fodor added, 'No dots at all indicate that you can tumble dry your clothes on any heat without damage.' The symbol for tumble drying is a circle inside a square, with dots signifying temperatures What do ironing symbols on clothes mean? Care labels with ironing instructions contain an iron symbol with dots for the temperature setting. No dots indicates the clothing is safe to iron at any temperature. 'Delicate items usually have one dot, which means a maximum temperature of 110C, while synthetics have a two indicating they can be ironed at 150C, and cotton clothing usually has a three dots which can withstand 200C,' Ms Fodor shared. No dots indicates the clothing is safe to iron at any temperature READ MORE: This is the exact amount of time you can leave wet laundry in the washing machine for Advertisement iPhone users who have updated their phones to iOS 17 will also find that the brand new 'Visual Look Up' tool can impressively decipher laundry symbols iPhone users who have updated their phones to iOS 17 will also find that the brand new 'Visual Look Up' tool can impressively decipher laundry symbols. To make use of the laundry function, simply take a photo of the tag on your item, with the symbols in clear view. Next, go to the photos app, click the photo and swipe up or tap the 'info' symbol at the bottom. There is then an option to press 'Look up laundry care' under the text caption field. Pressing it will take you to a list of websites found by Siri that explain what each symbol means. As the cost of living crisis continues to grip Australia, millions can only hope to receive a pay rise - but one worker says a higher income isn't worth the stress. The employee once aspired to earn more for an easier lifestyle, but is now feeling the effects of the 'golden handcuffs' - financial incentives to discourage workers from leaving a company. In a popular Facebook group, the worker posted anonymously and expressed they're more stressed than ever since climbing the ranks. 'I know this is going to ripple feathers and sound ungrateful but for those seeking higher paying roles.. it's not always what it's all cracked up to be,' the employee wrote. 'Whilst the money is better the stress can be soo much higher. Yes, there's less financial stress. However, I often feel that the work stress is worse than managing a tight budget.' A high income worker who once dreamt of earning more now says they're more stressed than ever before (stock image) 'I dream about the day I can quit my job to take on a less stressful role that I love,' the post continued. 'I know this is a privileged point of view because I do at least have the option to earn less and honestly, I don't know why I don't take this pathway when I feel I might ultimately be happier with this choice.. weird, like wtf is wrong with me?' The worker didn't disclose how much they earn per year, but many assumed it's above the $100,000 mark. Opinions were divided in the comments, with some taking the post personally. 'Bold of you to assume that lower income roles mean less stress,' one wrote. 'Low paying jobs can be stressful too depending on what they are. Childcare is probably a good example,' another pointed out. 'I've experienced the opposite. Being in a lower ring role I found much more stress, trying to navigate manager's unrealistic expectations, inflexibility around working hours and juggling full time work and young kids,' a third added. Another asked: 'Define 'higher' paying roles because that definition is different for everyone. In my line of work and based on my current salary, I consider a high paying role to be earning $180K and over. Anything below that is just average.' 'I know this is going to ripple feathers and sound ungrateful but for those seeking higher paying roles.. it's not always what it's all cracked up to be,' the employee wrote on Facebook (stock image) Though others resonated with how the worker was feeling. 'Nothing is wrong with you. You're just realising that money isn't everything. That it's ok to be average and to make time to pursue things that make you happy. The rat race is not for everyone,' one said. '100 per cent agree. I find that's it's not the technical work I do as part of my job causing the stress. The stress comes from people management and with a large team somedays that can be 90% of the day. Finding the balance is so hard,' another wrote. 'I know the feeling, I was in a very stressful job for years. I finally had the courage to resign. I now have a job that I love and can come home in a good mood,' another added. 'People die from stress. Strokes, heart attacks etc. Everything has a price,' someone else said. An ex-Brexit Party candidate today faced backlash for wrongly claiming Japan has banned Covid vaccines. Jim Ferguson, who narrowly missed out on becoming an MP in the 2019 General Election, said injections made by the likes of Pfizer and Moderna were linked to 'soaring deaths'. His post, linking to an article reporting on the bogus claim, was viewed millions of times. Shamed MP Andrew Bridgen, who was kicked out of the Tory party for comparing the vaccine roll-out to the Holocaust, shared a similar post that mentioned Japan's non-existent ban. Japan has never outlawed mRNA Covid vaccines, although the claims are widely circulating on social media among anti-vaxx groups who believe that the jabs are behind a sudden wave of deaths in the UK and beyond. Jim Ferguson (pictured), who narrowly missed out on becoming an MP in the 2019 General Election, said injections made by the likes of Pfizer and Moderna were linked to 'soaring deaths' In Mr Ferguson's original post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the former Barnsley East candidate said: 'Japan has just banned Covid mRNA shots for public use and called on other nations to follow suit after an official government study tied the injections to the nations soaring sudden deaths.' Pictured, Mr Ferguson (second right) in May 2019 Leading doctors, experts and charities have repeatedly insisted the jabs are safe. They have been credited with saving 20million lives in their first year of deployment alone, as well as ending the series of Covid lockdowns that crippled economies and saw families separated. However, like any medical product, jabs have a range of side effects that vary in how common and severe they can be. mRNA Covid jabs, like those made by Pfizer and Moderna, have been linked to rare reports of myocarditis a potentially dangerous inflammation of the heart. The vast majority of cases were mild and resolved on their own. Studies have also shown the risk of myocarditis, which can also be triggered by an infection like Covid, was higher from the virus than the jab. Reacting to the claims currently sweeping social media, Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told MailOnline: 'Some people struggle with the truth. 'A recent study from Japan showed that the reports for adverse effects from mRNA vaccines were in line with those reported by other nations. 'Yes, they can occur, but are rare and far outweighed by beneficial effects, especially in vulnerable people.' Dr Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, said: 'The safety and effectiveness assessments of all medicines and vaccines are based on robust and comprehensive analysis of the evidence. 'These assessments are carried out as standard for all vaccines and medicines licenced in the UK. 'There is now a huge amount of evidence from multiple studies which shows that Covid vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines, are the safest and most effective way to prevent serious illness and death from Covid, and the benefits of being vaccinated by far outweigh the risks in the vast majority of people.' In Mr Ferguson's original post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the former Barnsley East candidate said: 'Japan has just banned Covid mRNA shots for public use and called on other nations to follow suit after an official government study tied the injections to the nations soaring sudden deaths. 'Like many other countries around the world, Japan has been battling a crisis of skyrocketing sudden and unexpected deaths since 2021. 'The issue has become so dire in Japan that the country is now facing population collapse as more citizens are dying than are being born. 'New studies in Japan have now linked the soaring deaths to Covid injections.' mRNA Covid jabs, like those made by Pfizer and Moderna , have been linked to rare reports of myocarditis a potentially dangerous inflammation of the heart. However, the vast majority of cases were mild and resolved on their own The words of his post appear to be copied and pasted from a news story written by Prepare for Change. X readers also tore apart Mr Ferguson's post. One responded to with a link to a Japanese news website which reported how the country approved another type of mRNA Covid vaccine in December. Others suggested the post had misinterpreted a change to Japan's Covid vaccine roll-out. From April, many Japanese residents are expected to have to pay for jabs. Its Government, 'like most around the world, still acknowledge the benefit that the vaccines bring to vulnerable people', Professor Ball also told MailOnline. Blood clots caused by rare adverse reaction to the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine are known to have resulted in 81 fatalities as well as a higher number of injuries. For context, over 50million doses of the AstraZeneca jab were used in the UK. It is not an mRNA vaccine. Women who use the contraceptive injection are at an increased risk of developing the most common type of brain tumour, new research suggests. Long term use of medroxyprogesterone acetate known under the brand name Depo Provera was found to raise the risk of meningioma more than five-fold. Experts said that while the risks remained low, the findings suggest that some cases of meningioma will be the result of certain birth control medications. NHS prescription data suggests there are around 10,000 prescriptions for medroxyprogesterone acetate every month in England. Typically, an estimated 40 out of 10,000 30-year-old women in the UK would be expected to be diagnosed with a meningioma before the age of 80. Long term use of medroxyprogesterone acetate known under the brand name Depo Provera was found to raise the risk of meningioma more than five-fold Meningioma is a tumour that arises from the meninges, a membrane that envelops the brain and the spinal cord (stock image) This rises to 200 in 10,000, based on these findings published in the British Medical Journal. Meningioma is a tumour that arises from the meninges, a membrane that envelops the brain and the spinal cord. It is usually non-cancerous and is often slow-growing but can ultimately be fatal because of where it forms. Previous research has linked some types of progestogens a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone to tumours but this is the first to look at the links in birth control. Researchers from the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety studied several types of progestogens for contraceptives and HRT, with Depo Provera the only type with a higher associated risk that is used in the UK. WHAT IS A MENINGIOMA? A meningioma is a tumor of the meninges, which is the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Around 32,000 people are diagnosed every year. Such tumors do not spread and are benign in 90 percent of cases. However, they can cause disability, be life-threatening and regrow. Symptoms typically include: Blurry vision Painful headaches Loss of hearing Memory loss Loss of smell A sufferer's senses, movement and ability to swallow may be affected. The cause of meningiomas are unknown, but they has been linked to genetics and breast cancer. Treatment options include surgery and radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement They used data from the French national health system for 18,061 women, with an average age 58, who underwent meningioma surgery from 2009-18. Each case was matched to five control women without meningioma (total 90,305) by year of birth and area of residence. The results showed that prolonged use of the contraceptive jab of over 12 months - was associated with a 5.6-fold increased risk of meningioma. They concluded: 'In countries for which the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control is frequent (74 million users worldwide), the number of attributable meningiomas may be potentially high.' While an observational study meaning the link has yet to be proven, scientists suggest there is growing evidence of a risk. Paul Pharoah, professor of cancer epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in the US, said: 'Given what we know about the risk factors for meningioma, it seems quite likely that the association reported for medroxyprogesterone acetate is causal.' However, he added that while many types of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy contain different types of progestogens, no association was found between many of these treatments. He added: 'This means that women taking the commonly used birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy are not at increased risk of meningioma. 'It is important that women do not stop using their birth control pills without consulting their doctor.' Meningiomas make up nearly a quarter (25 per cent) of all primary brain and spinal cord tumours in adults in the UK. They are more common in women and usually affect people over the age of 35. Experts suggested the findings may also 'open doors to research on preventative measures' and increase understanding of why these tumours arise. Dr Karen Noble, director of research, policy and innovation at Brain Tumour Research, said: 'Although this study has linked certain progestogen treatments to an increased risk of meningioma, it has also demonstrated the safety of other progestogen treatments which were shown to not increase risk. 'If you are concerned, it is recommended that you speak to your GP before stopping any prescribed treatment.' Pharmaceutical company Pfizer manufactures two medroxyprogesterone acetate injections used in the UK Depo-Provera and Sayana Press. The company said in a statement: 'Patient safety is Pfizers utmost priority.' 'We ensure rigorous and continuous monitoring of all of our medicines, including the assessment of reported adverse events, in collaboration with the European Medicines Agency and health authorities in each country. 'We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.' Like all young children, Aubrey Rothery had his fair share of bumps and accidents with furniture. But what most parents would understandably attribute to the rough and tumble of childhood ended up being a sign of a cancer which kills most sufferers who get it within a year. Aubrey's parents, Andrew, 54, and Samantha, 51, thought something was off when their seven-year-old kept losing his balance and bumping into objects. But they initially dismissed it as the results of a growth spurt. When the accidents kept happening, the pair sought help from medics to pin down the cause of Aubrey's mishaps. Aubrey Rothery, 7, has been diagnosed with deadly form of brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma (DIPG) His parents revealed that they grew concerned after the active schoolboy started experiencing problems with his balance and bumping into furniture An MRI scan eventually revealed these problems were due to a tumour growing in his brain with the family receiving the devastating diagnosis just last month. Pictured: Aubrey's mum, Samantha Hibbert, comforts her son in hospital An MRI scan revealed that their 'beloved beautiful boy' had a diffuse midline glioma (DIPG). The rare brain tumour, which strikes about 20 to 30 children in the UK a year, mostly emerges in kids between the age of five and 10. It grows in the midline, between the two halves of the brain, and kills the majority of those who get it within a year. Only 2 per cent of patients are alive five years after their diagnosis. On average, patients diagnosed with DIPG can expect to survive for between eight and 11 months. READ MORE: Alert for millions of women taking contraceptive injection as study finds drug may raise risk of brain tumours by five-fold Long term use of medroxyprogesterone acetate known under the brand name Depo Provera was found to raise the risk of meningioma more than five-fold Advertisement The cancer grows through the brain, causing various symptoms, but one of the most common is problems with walking, coordination or balance. Mr Rothery, a community development worker from Newton Abbot, Devon, said the family were 'in pieces' following Aubrey's shock diagnosis in February. 'It was very subtle to start with, he was bumping into bits of furniture,' he said, 'Hed grown a lot and is quite gangly and lively and active and we thought hes just not noticing where hes going. 'All this happened within two days, our lives just turned upside down out of nowhere. 'It feels like in some ways like hope is the most important thing we have to hold on to the diagnosis is harsh, and the prognosis is pretty bleak. 'We were just in pieces, it was an incredible shock.' He added: 'This cant be happening to our beloved beautiful boy.' After Aubrey's balance issues saw him sent home from school, his parents took him to their GP suspecting he may have some sort of viral infection. Their family doctor then urged them to go to hospital immediately. He is now being treated at Bristol Childrens Hospital and is receiving radiotherapy, where medics use targeted blasts of radiation to try and kill tumours. His parents said prior to his diagnosis Aubrey was always on the go and loved to play outside, bounce on the family's trampoline and dance. But now he spends most of his days in bed only able to play for about 10minutes before needing to rest. Mr Rothery and Ms Hibbert, a full-time-mother, said they are trying not to lose hope but acknowledge the reality that DIPG patients don't have a good prognosis. 'Its devastating, we have responded as you do as a parent, you do whatever you can do for your children and thats what were doing,' Mr Rothery said, 'If you look at history of survival rates around this tumour, there arent many people who have survived. Aubrey's mum, Samantha, and dad, Andrew Rothery say they are trying to hold on to hope and are researching potential clinical trials for DIPG that their son might be eligible for. Pictured: the family at Christmas 'Weve looked and havent found much evidence of survivors beyond five years but that doesnt mean that cant happen. 'What were focusing on is hope and positivity - its well known with cancer survivors that positivity and hope you will survive is absolutely key. 'Were building is this sense of positivity, support and love from us and his family, friends and wider community.' The couple are hoping to raise awareness about the cancer as they fundraise for potential treatments for Aubrey's. They are currently researching potential clinical trials for DIPG but say Aubrey would need to undergo a biopsy to be eligible. Such a biopsy is a challenging prospect given the location of the cancer and the type of tumours DIPG causes which are hard to distinguish from healthy tissue. They have so far raised more than 10,000 towards a goal of 25,000. DIPG symptoms vary depending on the specific nature and location of the tumour. Including balance problems, the most common signs of DIPG are weakness in the arms and legs, difficulty controlling facial expressions or one side of the face appearing different than the other, speech problems, issues with swallowing or chewing, and vision problems like seeing double or being unable to control the eyes. Scientists still don't understand what causes DIPG to trigger in the first place, Radiotherapy is the standard DIPG treatment as due to its location in the brain and the fact it extremely hard to distinguish between the cancer and healthy tissue surgery is usually impossible. Alzheimer's disease could spread to patients who receive transplants containing potentially toxic genes, a study suggests. Researchers in Canada are now calling for all donors to be screened for the disease in case cases are going undetected. The new study looked at mice who had stem cells from their bone marrow transplanted from donors with familial Alzheimer's disease. This type is caused by a single genetic mutation passed down through families and affects nearly 350,000 Americans and 1 percent of Alzheimer's cases in the UK. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died in November 2023 after battling dementia Researchers in Canada found that mice who received bone marrow transplants containing stem cells with faulty genes developed Alzheimer's quicker than those who did not. Pictured: a brain scan of a patient with early-stage dementia Patients with this form of Alzheimer's carry a faulty version of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, which can turn into plaques and degrade the brain. For the first time, the study appeared to show that this process starts outside of the central nervous system and then travels to the brain where it causes the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. The team found that the mice showed signs of cognitive decline as young as six months old - in nearly half the time of those who did not have transplants. The study comes amid bombshell evidence from the UK suggesting that at least five people 'caught' the memory-robbing disorder from a now-banned hormone treatment that was contaminated with toxic proteins from the bodies of diseased people. The authors of the new research called for blood, tissue, and organ donors to be screened for Alzheimer's to prevent possibly spreading the disease. Legendary jazz singer Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016 and passed away in July last year A bombshell UK study evaluated five patients who were injected with growth hormones infected with toxic amyloid-beta protein 'seeds' as children. All five came down with the same rare early-onset form of the devastating dementia condition. Others who received the same treatment are now considered 'at risk' But they noted that more research is needed to see if the effect is the same in humans and other species. Dr Wilfred Jefferies, senior study author and immunologist at the University of British Columbia, said: 'This supports the idea that Alzheimer's is a systemic disease where amyloids that are expressed outside of the brain contribute to central nervous system pathology.' 'As we continue to explore this mechanism, Alzheimers disease may be the tip of the iceberg and we need to have far better controls and screening of the donors used in blood, organ and tissue transplants as well as in the transfers of human derived stem cells or blood products.' It's unclear if any Alzheimer's cases have been linked to organ or bone marrow donations to date. The new study was published Thursday in the journal Stem Cell Reports. Researchers transplanted bone marrow - a spongy substance in the center of the bones - with stem cells containing APP into two different groups of mice: those without an APP gene (APP Knockouts) and those with a normally functioning one. They found that mice with a normally functioning APP gene developed signs of cognitive decline in nine months, and those without the gene experienced hallmarks of Alzheimer's in just six months. Normally, mice prone to familial Alzheimer's start showing symptoms around 11 to 12 months of age. For mice, these symptoms usually include loss of short-term and long-term memory and an absence of fear. Signs in the brain include a buildup of amyloid in the brain and leaks in the blood-brain barrier. Dr Chaahat Singh, lead study author and neuroscientist at the University of British Columbia, said: 'The fact that we could see significant behavioral differences and cognitive decline in the APP-knockouts at six months was surprising but also intriguing because it just showed the appearance of the disease that was being accelerated after being transferred.' The findings suggest that the mutated APP gene in donor stem cells could the disease in those without the gene and and that those with a normal APP gene are more susceptible to it. The team also concluded that Alzheimer's disease can form from amyloid proteins found outside of the central nervous system. The findings come after a UK study found evidence that at least five patients who were injected with growth hormones containing amyloid-beta protein 'seeds' - harvested from the bodies of dead people - 'caught' early-onset Alzheimer's later in life. More than 1,800 other patients who received the treatment were deemed 'at risk.' An NIH panel announced in January that it would launch an 'urgent' investigation into the research, as nearly 8,000 US children were injected with the therapy between the 1960s and 1980s. Doctors and dentists today fired back at NHS advice that urged Brits to scale back their Easter egg consumption. NHS medical director Dr Andrew Kelso recommended the public 'resist the urge to eat a whole egg in one go'. Writing in a blog, he said Brits should do 'all they can to look after themselves' when practices are shut from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Sugar and calories lurking in the sweet treats 'doesn't do our bodies any good', he said. Dr Andrew Kelso, an NHS medical director, who has been labelled a 'killjoy' by critics, urged the public to avoid scoffing whole Easter eggs in one go and to cut back on cakes and biscuits But fellow medics responded by saying life is too 'short' to heed Dr Kelso's advice. Critical care and anesthetics consultant @madbusymum wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'I'm an intensive care doctor. Life is short. Eat the Easter egg.' Intensive care nurse Sue Crocombe replied: 'I totally agree.' Oxford-based palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke said: 'I'm a palliative care doctor. What she said.' Even dentists who always urge people to limit their sugar took issue with Dr Kelso's advice. Part-time dentist Wendy Thompson, a dental lecturer at Manchester University, said: 'I'm a dentist... Eat the Easter egg all at once!' Meanwhile, Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: 'This infantilising advice from a killjoy NHS mandarin wouldn't grate quite so much if it wasn't part of a broader warning to the public telling us not to get our hopes up about receiving healthcare over the bank holiday weekend. 'The real advice is to get ill between Monday to Friday during working hours and not on bank holidays. In retaliation to the 'infantising' advice, critical care and anesthetics consultant @madbusymum wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, 'I'm an intensive care doctor. Life is short. Eat the Easter egg' Intensive care nurse Sue Crocombe replied and said she 'totally agrees' that it's okay to eat a whole egg this easter Even dentists agree it's fine to enjoy chocolate at Easter. Wendy Thompson a dentist and lecturer at Manchester University endorsed eating chocolate The NHS chief warned the the additional sugar and calories people consume when celebrating with friends and family 'doesn't do our bodies any good' 'I doubt there will be many people waiting 12 hours in A&E this weekend with an Easter egg-related injury. 'NHS bosses should take a break from hectoring the public and let us enjoy Easter.' Seven in ten men and six in ten women in England are overweight or obese and almost 4million people in the UK are living with type-2 diabetes. Meanwhile, one in six children are leaving primary school with rotten teeth and tooth decay remains the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between 6 and 10 years. Dr Kelso, medical director at the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, wrote: 'The Easter holidays are a fantastic opportunity for rest and relaxation with our families, which is so important for our wellbeing. 'This will also be a time when, for many of us, our consumption of chocolate and sweets increases. 'Yet, many people don't realise that an average Easter egg contains around three-quarters of an adult's recommended daily calorie intake. 'At a time like this when we are seeing significant increases in cases of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, as well as tooth decay, I urge people to enjoy their Easter eggs in moderation and resist the urge to eat a whole egg in one go. 'As well as Easter eggs many of us will be meeting up with family and friends for social occasions, which will see us eat more cakes and biscuits. 'Combined, it all adds up to a lot of extra sugar and calories which doesn't do our bodies any good. Enjoy your sweet treats, but please don't overdo it. 'This holiday time will also be a busy period for NHS staff and services, and I ask people to do all they can to look after themselves and know how to access the most appropriate source of advice and care if they feel unwell.' Houston offers several options for viewing the solar eclipse on April 8. LeoPatrizi/Getty Images Lucky for us, Houston is filled with scientists and science nerdsthis is Space City after all. That means there are plenty of events on April 8 to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event in the company of like-minded folks, and maybe also learn something in the process. Houston Museum of Natural Science The Houston Museum of Natural Science's two locationsHermann Park and Sugar Landwill host eclipse watch parties complete with solar telescopes. Staff astronomers will be on hand to answer questions. Alongside solar crafts, CE Certified Solar Eclipse glasses, viewing guides, T-shirts, and other merchandise will be for sale at the museum's gift shops. The planetarium at HMNS Hermann Park will also be showing discounted screenings of Totality Over Texas at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then, at 1 p.m., as the eclipse begins, the planetarium will begin showing a livestream featuring updates from museum staff who will be filming directly within the path of totality in Bandera, Texas. This will give Houstonians a chance to see what totality might look like without having to travel. (This livestream will also be broadcast on HMNS's social media channels.) Find out more about all the museum's events at the HMNS website. Space Center Houston From April 68, Space Center Houston is offering three days of interactive programming on the science of solar eclipses, along with musical performances, lectures on how eclipses have affected history, hands-on activities with the Houston Astronomical Society, planetarium presentations, and even a crafting class in which you can make your own solar system bracelet. On eclipse day, SCH will be handing out free eclipse glasses and host talks emceed by retired NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli. There's much more in the works toocheck out SCH's website for extensive details. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tickets to SCH start at $30 for adults, but be sure to book soon, as this event is likely to be popular. Houston Zoo See firsthand how wild animals react to an eclipse at the Houston Zoo, which will be distributing free eclipse glasses to guests (while supplies last) on April 8. Grab your glasses at the Lone Star Pavilion near Cypress Circle Cafe beginning at 11 a.m. General admission to the zoo starts at about $30 for adults. Get tickets at HoustonZoo.org. Houston Public Library Several Houston Public Library branches will have eclipse parties, including crafts such as learning how to make a pinhole camera to view the event safely and eclipse-themed storytimes. Check the HPL website for specific locations, and make sure to register, as space is limited. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Memorial Park The NHS is launching a new taskforce to examine a concerning rise in adults and children being diagnosed with ADHD. Experts have warned rogue private clinics are over-diagnosing the condition and have questioned the widespread prescribing of powerful stimulant drugs to treat it. The booming market is thought to have been fuelled by celebrities such as model Katie Price, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and actress Sheridan Smith talking about their ADHD ordeal and waits of up to ten years for an assessment on the NHS. Social media sites are also full of users telling how medication helped to calm them down, control their fidgeting and boost their concentration. Sheridan Smith, 42, has revealed she has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (pictured in 2023) Former Bake Off host Sue Perkins (left) last year shared that she had been diagnosed and that 'suddenly everything made sense - to me and those who love me'. Love Island's Olivia Atwood (right) said ADHD made her 'constantly overwhelmed' The number of patients on medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has doubled in six years, with 230,000 in England taking the drugs last year. The biggest rise has been in young adults, with treatment increasing five-fold among those aged 25 to 39 since 2015. The taskforce will bring together leaders from health, education and justice to better understand how many people are affected and how to improve their care. They will investigate 'the rate of growth within the independent sector and the potential variation in the service models and thresholds being used', and collect data to 'fully understand the size of the challenge'. Officials say an initial review identified issues with capacity, medication supply shortages, a lack of reliable data and a postcode lottery in services. However, critics say the taskforce may lead to even more people coming forward for a diagnosis, heaping further pressure on the NHS and leading them to pop pills that can be dangerous for the heart and raise the risk of Parkinson's disease. NHS England announced the launch of the taskforce at a board meeting yesterday, where Professor Sir Simon Wessely, a consultant psychiatrist, described the increase in adult ADHD as 'remarkable'. He said: 'It's unlikely that a change on that scale is simply due to better recognition or help-seeking, and it suggests that there's a degree of diagnostic creep going on, or re-evaluation of feelings, symptoms, emotions. 'The main problem has been waiting lists. To get a diagnosis of ADHD it is absolutely essential you have a multidisciplinary assessment because there are many other issues that could be going on. Fascinating graphs show how ADHD prescriptions have risen over time, with the patient demographic shifting from children to adults with women in particular now driving the increase 'That's failing at the moment. A lot of people are waiting too long and are being diverted into private practice and private providers, some of whom do not have the standards that we would expect and seem to make the diagnosis incredibly easy. 'People now have a label which may or may not be correct. That's where some of the problems we're seeing at the moment are coming from. 'When you see this remarkable change in a very short period of time, you need to think not just about increased awareness, but also about cultural and social factors.' Professor Wessely added it was important to remember that ADHD medication can have 'severe side effects' and 'we need to proceed with caution'. The World Health Organization defines ADHD as being a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) estimates one in twenty children (5 per cent) and one in 29 adults (3 to 4 per cent) have the condition. But NHS England believes the true figure may be higher. It says it is unable to say how many people have a diagnosis or are waiting for an assessment because it does not have a consistent and complete dataset. However, ADHD was the second most viewed health condition on the NHS website in 2023, after Covid-19, with 4.3 million page views during the year. Herefordshire and Worcestershire integrated care board warned in board papers last July of 'exceptionally high waiting times' for ADHD assessment and treatment of '10 years+'. And a separate survey the same month showed children in Coventry and Warwickshire are waiting an average of 142 weeks (almost three years) for all neurodiverse first appointments, which covers ADHD and autism. Last year, Johnny Vegas (left) admitted he was in the 'early stages' of working through medication, after he was diagnosed with ADHD. Ben Fogle (right), who has previously spoken about being dyslexic, revealed this week that he was recently diagnosed with ADHD after a 'recent mental health storm' Professor Joanna Moncrieff, from University College London, said: 'I worry that a Taskforce will encourage more people to come forward expecting to get an ADHD diagnosis, when the NHS is already struggling to meet demand. 'This will not be helpful because ADHD doesn't explain anything. 'It is not a disease, it is simply a label for a collection of behaviours that we all have to some extent, and therefore the diagnosis is elastic. 'There is a real danger that we will end up with a significant proportion of the population taking prescription stimulants, which have not been reliably shown to benefit people in the long-run, and which, like cocaine, have dangerous effects on the heart and can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.' Taskforce members and terms of reference will be published in the coming weeks and it is expected to produce a report later this year. Diagnosis of ADHD are driving a surge in the number of children and young adults claiming disability benefits. What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK. Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include: Constant fidgeting Poor concentration Excessive movement or talking Acting without thinking Inability to deal with stress Little or no sense of danger Careless mistakes Mood swings Forgetfulness Difficulty organising tasks Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones Inability to listen or carry out instructions Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this. ADHD's exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person's brain function and structure. Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk. ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette's and epilepsy. There is no cure. A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Some 1.6million children are reported as disabled, a figure that has doubled in little more than a decade and jumped by more than a third since Covid. Claims for behavioural disorders such as ADHD make up a fifth of all claims. Furthermore, more than 52,000 adults who receive personal independence payments from the government list ADHD as their main condition, with most of these being 16 to 29-year-olds who have been transferred from disability allowance when they reached adulthood. This number is up from 38,000 in 2022. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said: 'NHS staff across the country are working hard to ensure all patients requiring assessments and further support from ADHD services are seen as promptly as possible. 'We have recognised that that more needs to be done to ensure people can get a timely diagnosis and importantly, that all of their needs are addressed. 'This is a hugely complex piece of work and this taskforce will need to consult a wide range of partner and experts, to understand more about the issues impacting those with ADHD and how service provision can be better joined up to meet people's needs today and in the future. 'This is a vital first step in helping us achieve real improvements in the ADHD services that the NHS and the independent sector provides.' Henry Shelford, chief executive of ADHD UK, said he is celebrating the announcement, which he described as a 'big deal'. He said there are 2.6 million people with ADHD in the UK, waiting lists for adults range from 12 weeks to 10.5 years and those for children from 5 weeks to 5 years. Henry added: 'We have a hope we didn't have and it is wonderful. 'Until very recently NHS England didn't even have a single individual with responsibility for ADHD so to have them announce a task force is a glorious tectonic change. 'Entire life trajectories are altered by the waitlists for ADHD care. Lives are being ruined and lost in the current status quo. 'This taskforce represents the potential for the revolutionary change that is crucially needed.' Steve Russell, chief delivery officer at NHS England, said: 'Using the findings from the initial review, we will improve data collection to help us understand the scale of the challenge and work closely with the new cross-sector taskforce to improve pathways for patients with ADHD.' Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: 'It is vital that people with ADHD not only receive a timely assessment and diagnosis, but also the support they need to live fulfilled lives. 'We're already exploring options to improve data collection and reporting on assessment waiting times, and this new taskforce is crucial to support this work to ensure they get faster, simpler and fairer care. 'A better understanding of the issues facing people with ADHD will help us across Government and the NHS to address them, creating solutions over the long term.' Dignitas membership in the UK soared by 24 per cent last year as assisted dying legislation yesterday came closer in Scotland. There were 1,900 registered British members in 2023, a rise of 372 on the previous year, according to figures. Also last year, there were 40 UK residents who travelled to its clinic in Switzerland to die, Dignitas revealed. The UK ranks second behind Germany both in the number of its nationals registered as members and the total number of people who have made the trip. Overall, 1,454 people had travelled from Germany, while there were 571 from the UK and 549 from France. The UK ranks second behind Germany both in the number of its nationals registered as members and the total number of people who have made the trip to Dignitas assisted suicide clinic (pictured) The figures cover 1998 to 2023. However, fewer from Germany have opted to die at Dignitas, dropping into the single digits in recent years. But the number travelling from the UK has risen, as has that of France which saw 50 citizens make the journey for an assisted death last year. It comes as legislation was published at Holyrood that looks to begin the process of Scotland becoming the first nation in the UK to legalise assisted dying. Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur introduced the Bill which is likely to be voted on by MSPs later this year it came after a consultation found 76 per cent of Scots supported the proposals. A vote would be the third time the issue of assisted dying has come before the Scottish parliament two previous attempts to change the law have been resoundingly defeated. The Bill sets out conditions under which assisted dying would be legalised in a bid to provide 'robust safeguards'. Under the legislation, only those over the age of 16 with an advanced terminal illness would have the option of an assisted death. They would need to have the mental capacity to make the request and the Bill sets out a 14-day mandatory 'reflection' period. The patient would also be required to administer the life-ending treatment themselves. Those eligible would also be required to have been resident in Scotland for at least 12 months and be registered with a medical practice. Mr McArthur said: 'Currently in Scotland assisted dying is illegal, a situation that I believe is failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life. 'It is leaving them facing traumatic deaths that impact not just them, but those that they leave behind. We can and must do better. 'The provisions... would be robustly safeguarded to ensure the process works as intended.' Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur introduced the Bill which is likely to be voted on by MSPs later this year it came after a consultation found 76 per cent of Scots supported the proposals The Bill has been praised by campaigners, led by Dame Esther Rantzen who is herself a member of Dignitas, having been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. 'The current law is cruel, complicated and causes terrible suffering to vulnerable people,' she said. 'I have received dozens of letters from people describing the agonising deaths of those they loved. This is literally a life and death issue.' But Bishop of Paisley John Keenan said the Bill 'attacks human dignity' and introduces a dangerous idea that a citizen can lose their value and worth. 'Assisted suicide sends a message that there are situations when suicide is an appropriate response to one's individual circumstances, worries, anxieties,' he said. If the oil and gas industry was hoping for some kind of Budget boost, it was sorely disappointed. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced that the Energy Profits Levy would be prolonged by another 12 months to March 2029, which he estimates will raise an extra 1.5billion for HM Treasury. He justified the move by stating that because energy prices are 'expected to last longer, so too will the sector's windfall profits.' Windfall levy: Oil and gas companies pay a headline tax rate of 75 per cent on profits from North Sea oil and gas production While he also vowed to abolish the tax should market prices retreat 'to their historic norm for a sustained period', the levy's extension raised further question marks regarding the UK's attractiveness for investment. Tumbling oil and gas prices, combined with eye-watering tax rates, have already significantly impacted the profits of energy producers and given them less incentive to drill in the North Sea. Things could potentially worsen if the Labour Party wins the next General Election, as current polling suggests, and implements what it calls a 'proper' windfall tax. But whether or not that happens, could the existing windfall tax cause the North Sea oil and gas industry to shrink faster than originally anticipated? What is the Energy Profits Levy? Calls for a windfall tax mounted in early 2022 as energy prices soared in response to loosening Covid-related restrictions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Oil and gas firms already paid a 40 per cent headline tax rate, but mounting cost-of-living pressures led to considerable public outcry as soaring prices supercharged profitability. Then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak succumbed to pressure and introduced a 'temporary' levy on the profits made from North Sea production. Extension: In his recent budget speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced that the Energy Profits Levy would be prolonged by another 12 months to March 2029 Initially set at 25 per cent, Hunt increased the EPL to 35 per cent in January 2023, meaning oil and gas producers pay a headline rate of 75 per cent. At the same time, they can claim back over 91 pence of tax relief for every 1 they invest in new UK oil and gas extraction. In addition, the windfall tax will no longer apply if oil prices average $71.40 per barrel and gas 0.54 per thermal unit for two consecutive quarters. The EPL raised an extra 2.6billion in its first year of operation, approximately half the amount HM Treasury predicted, although total government revenues from North Sea oil and gas output still shot up over sixfold to 9billion. Are oil and gas businesses still making windfall profits? Skyrocketing energy prices provided a much-needed financial rejuvenation for the UK petroleum sector following huge losses in the first year of the pandemic. In 2022, oil supermajors BP and Shell doubled their full-year earnings to a record 23billion and 32.2billion, respectively. Mid-cap players posted similarly impressive results: Ithaca Energy tripled its pre-tax profits to 2.2billion, while fellow mid-cap firm Harbour Energy saw a comparative eightfold rise to $2.5billion. However, Harbour's total post-tax profits shrank to $8million, versus $101million the prior year, due to the group setting aside a $1.5billion charge related to the EPL. For 2023, the Edinburgh-based company saw its profits virtually wiped out again by the levy, with a $597million pre-tax profit becoming $32million after tax. Britain's largest independent oil producer, EnQuest, blamed the EPL for swinging to a $21.2million loss in the first six months of last year. BP and Shell are still posting healthy results, but a small fraction of their business is North Sea-based, so the windfall tax does not seriously impact their bottom line. But many British oil and gas firms with significant North Sea operations are now struggling to turn a profit, so they are hardly reaping a windfall at the moment. 'The industry is being taxed on windfall profits that no longer exist,' says Ross Dornan, a market intelligence manager at trade body Offshore Energies UK, which vehemently opposes the levy. Extraction: Harbour Energy saw its pre-tax profits rise eightfold to $2.5billion last year. But it made just $8million after tax due to setting aside a $1.5billion charge related to the EPL How has the windfall tax affected oil and gas investment? While energy prices remain higher than their historical average, oil and gas companies with a North Sea presence almost universally appear to have scaled back activity due to the levy. Ithaca said last October that the EPL had forced it to cancel or defer some projects, including halting further infill drilling in the Harrier gas field. It warned investors that production would decline in 2024, with the Greater Stella Area hub, where Harrier is based, expected to turn out 5,000 fewer barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Ithaca's interim boss, Iain Lewis, told investors on Wednesday: 'The EPL continues to have a direct impact on investment in the UK North Sea, with projects across our operated and non-operated deferred or cancelled. 'The extension of the levy by a further year to a sunset date of March 2029 highlights the continued fiscal uncertainty our sector faces.' Harbour also anticipates producing less this year as a consequence of the EPL, between 150,000 and 165,000 boepd, against 186,000 in 2023 and 208,000 the year before. In late 2022, the group decided not to participate in the UK's exploration licensing round to focus on its existing portfolio and diversify overseas. Since then, it has bought the non-Russian upstream assets of Germany's biggest oil and gas producer, Wintershall Dea, which covers countries such as Egypt, Norway and Argentina. The cutback in domestic investment by firms like Harbour contributed to North Sea oil and gas output falling to its lowest level since the mid-1970s last year. Yet Jamie Maddock, equity research analyst at Quilter Cheviot, notes that North Sea output was already in long-term decline owing to 'its relatively unappealing economics.' He says the EPL is just accelerating 'an existing trend of majors withdrawing and juniors looking for ex-UK investment opportunities unless they have little to no alternatives.' On the decline: UK oil and natural gas production has gradually fallen since the pandemic despite resilient demand How could Labour's 'proper' windfall tax affect production? In a briefing note published in February, Labour said it would hike the EPL to 78 per cent and 'end the loopholes', presumably referring to the investment allowance. It estimates the measure would raise 10.8billion over five years to fund 'clean power to cut bills for families.' Unsurprisingly, the oil and gas sector expressed uproar, a concern heightened by uncertainty over whether Labour will ban new drilling licences and how far ahead the party is in the political polls. David Whitehouse, OEUK's chief executive, said: 'Labour either can't do the maths or haven't considered the alarming jobs impact that will be felt up and down the country.' His organisation thinks the plans would likely result in no new investment, costing the UK 42,000 jobs and 26billion in 'economic value.' Robin Allen, chair of the Association of British Independent Exploration Companies, accused Labour of 'creating a hostile environment for offshore investment.' He also described the party's proposals as 'confusing' because they are 'actively undermining' investment while accepting that oil and gas would still be used after 2050, when the government hopes to reach net zero emissions. Higher rates: In February, the Labour Party said it would hike the Energy Profits Levy to 78 per cent and 'end the loopholes,' presumably referring to the investment allowance Will the windfall tax accelerate the demise of the North Sea oil and gas sector? Even before the EPL was introduced, renewable energy's growing preponderance was leaving the future of North Sea fossil fuel production in doubt. As technologies like solar and wind become cheaper and more efficient and Britain's net zero deadline draws ever closer, drilling for extra oil and gas looks increasingly unappealing. Yet the UK will continue relying on oil and gas while transitioning to net zero, as the government's Climate Change Committee acknowledges. If energy producers find it cheaper to source oil and gas from abroad, the North Sea oil and gas industry could experience a 'sudden demise' as Ryan Crighton, the head of policy at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, warned last year. Drilling for gas in the North Sea is also slightly less polluting than imported gas, not to mention a major jobs and tax revenue generator. And experts warn that a windfall tax could impede oil and gas companies from playing a crucial role in developing the green energy sources of the future. Alex Campbell, communications lead at fintech platform Freetrade, says the EPL 'has set a precedent for governments to intervene directly in capital-intensive industries that go through cyclical periods of "over-earning.'' 'These are precisely the periods that generate surplus cash that can be poured back into renewable energy projects as well as infrastructure modernisation,' he adds. Campbell suggests that three-quarters of oil and gas firms' profits be reinvested in modernising the National Grid or building wind farms and nuclear power plants. 'There's a huge opportunity for bold and disruptive policy to secure the UK's energy future,' he says. 'But so far, the main parties have just offered up a damp squib that may move the needle in the wrong direction.' Hundreds of billions will be needed to achieve net zero, and good tax incentives are crucial to ensuring that happens. Those billions are unlikely to come from mid-sized oil and gas businesses with high exposure to the North Sea as long as the Energy Profits Levy remains in place. Convicted Libor trader Tom Hayes has vowed to fight on to clear his name after losing his appeal against conviction. Hayes, who was jailed in 2015 for manipulating benchmark lending rate Libor, will now seek to take his case to the Supreme Court. The former Citigroup and UBS trader claims he was made a scapegoat for the financial crisis. After yesterdays judgment at the Court of Appeal, he said: Im a fighter not a quitter. His supporters include the Tory MP David Davis, who said the case was a continuing miscarriage of justice. Upheld: Tom Hayes (pictured), who was jailed in 2015 for manipulating benchmark lending rate Libor, has lost his appeal against conviction Hayes said he still wanted the opportunity to be exonerated and move on with my life. He added: It would be the ability for my son to have a father who no longer had a criminal conviction. I havent fought all of these years for nothing. And he called the approach of the courts compared with other countries an Alice in Wonderland situation. His latest appeal and that of former Barclays trader Carlo Palombo was brought after a landmark case in the US in which the convictions of two former Deutsche Bank traders were overturned. The case was heard by Lord Justice Bean and two other senior judges. Hayes occasionally shook his head and later placed his head in his hands as Bean read out the judgment, following a hearing this month. The judge said the US case is not and could not be relevant when considering the issues. He rejected a further claim that the jury was misdirected by the trial judge. Bean said indisputable documentary evidence showed Hayes was attempting to move the Libor rate accompanied by attempts to maintain secrecy while he had made frank admissions of dishonesty. Both carried the clear implication that he knew what he was doing was not permitted by Libor, the judge said. Hayes case centres on the London interbank offered rate (Libor), which was once used to price trillions of dollars worth of financial trades globally. The rate, which has since been scrapped, was calculated using submissions from traders on the rate at which banks would lend to each other. Hayes and Palombo were accused of dishonestly conspiring with others to manipulate the rate to benefit their banks trading positions. Support: Tory MP David Davis said the case was a continuing miscarriage of justice Hayes was jailed for 14 years in 2015, later reduced to 11 on appeal, and served half his sentence. Palombo was jailed for four years. They were among nine convicted in the UK. Outside court, Hayes said the judgment was a shock. We really believed and hoped that the decision would be different, he said. I felt we made very strong arguments. Its not consistent with French laws, German laws, American laws, were in a very sort of Alice in Wonderland situation here. He said that even if the judges do not allow the case to progress to the Supreme Court, he could pursue it in Europe, adding: We havent given up. The idea that you can be sitting in America and do something that would be deemed criminal in the UK is crazy. He said of his initial sentence: I was definitely a scapegoat and given a sentence which destroyed my life in pretty much every regard. Davis, a Tory former Cabinet minister, said there was a spectacular difference of law on the treatment of Libor between Britain, and America and Europe, which needs to be resolved at the highest level, namely at the Supreme Court. He added: I think the US court understands this market better than the British judges. Im afraid I think its a continuing miscarriage of justice. The Serious Fraud Office said: The judgment is clear that these convictions for fraud are still as relevant today as ten years ago. No one is above the law and the court has recognised that these convictions stand firm. Hayes and Palombo have 14 days to apply for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. IPO: London commodities broker Marex Group is planning to list in New York London commodities broker Marex Group is planning to list in New York. It filed documents with the US regulator about an initial public offering becoming the latest business to snub Londons stock market as firms look to achieve higher valuations. Three years ago, Marex, backed by British private equity firm JRJ, cancelled plans to float in the UK due to difficult market conditions. Chip designer Arm, Paddy Power owner Flutter and packager Smurfit Kappa have succumbed to US charms. Marex, a broker with access to the London Metal Exchange trading floor, said revenue last year hit 982million, compared to 563million in 2022. Profit was 111million, up from 77.8million. Fashion stakes: H&M sales are up 2% so far in March Fashion giant H&M says it has seen a positive response from shoppers to its spring collection as profits rise. Chief executive Daniel Erver said it was on the right track as it seeks to maintain its market share amid the rapid growth of fast fashion rivals such as Chinas Shein. Net sales dipped by 2 per cent for the quarter to February 29, compared with the same period last year, but are up 2 per cent so far in March. It recorded better-than-expected operating profits of 155million, which were up from 54million a year earlier. Erver said: Thanks to the investments being made in tech, the supply chain and sustainability, combined with continued cost control, committed colleagues and a long-term perspective, we see good opportunities for profitable and sustainable growth. The US paper giant bidding for one of Britains biggest packaging companies is looking at listing shares in London should the deal go through. In a dramatic move on Tuesday evening, International Paper hijacked a proposed takeover of DS Smith by fellow FTSE 100 firm Mondi. The US company offered to pay 5.7billion for DS Smith, blowing Mondis 5.1billion bid out of the water. Sources last night told the Mail that International Paper would consider a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange alongside the companys main listing in New York. The Americans are also looking at folding International Papers European operations into DS Smith, which would become a subsidiary led by the London-based firms current management. Takeover target: In a dramatic move, International Paper hijacked a proposed takeover of DS Smith by fellow FTSE 100 firm Mondi But, if the deal goes ahead, it still means another British company falling into foreign ownership. DS Smith was founded in London in 1940 as a family-run box-making business. It now employs more than 30,000 workers in 30 countries and has been listed in London since 1986. The company makes products such as trays to carry cans and bottles, and packaging for food. Last month, Mondi offered to pay 373p per share for the firm. Analysts said at the time that the proposal could leave the door open for a rival bid. The American offer values DS Smiths shares at 415p each. DS Smith said: The board acknowledges the strategic merits and potential for value creation through a combination with International Paper. Accordingly, the board is progressing its discussions with International Paper. It said it was also continuing its talks with Mondi. Tennessee-based International Paper has until April 23 to make a firm offer. The bidding war comes amid an exodus of companies from the London Stock Exchange. US private equity giant KKR last week confirmed a 1.3billion takeover of Glasgow-based Smart Metering Systems. This month bosses of British haulage firm Wincanton backed a 762million offer from US logistics company GXO. Last year, rival FTSE 100 paper and packaging firm Smurfit Kappa announced an 11billion mega-merger with US giant Westrock. Under the terms of the deal, which is yet to complete, Smurfit will move its primary listing to New York while retaining a secondary listing in London. Earlier this year, investment bank Peel Hunt warned that the City faces a relentless exodus of companies. This is driven by the low UK valuations, which makes it an attractive hunting ground for acquirers, analysts said. FTSE 250 group Carnival is gearing up for a record year after a surge in people booking cruises for the first time. Customers are choosing to holiday at sea rather than spend a fortune on hotels or flights. Carnivals bookings hit an all-time high in the first three months of this year, while revenues soared 22 per cent to a record 4.3billion and profits reached 690million. The number of first-time cruisers rose 30 per cent. With demand greater than ever, Carnival expects profit for 2024 to be more than 30 per cent higher than last year, at 4.5billion. Chief executive Josh Weinstein said: This has been a fantastic start to the year. All aboard: FTSE 250 group Carnival is gearing up for a record year after a surge in people booking cruises for the first time The shares rose 1.7 per cent, or 20.5p, to 1236.5p. On the wider market, the FTSE 100 crept up 0.01 per cent, or 1.02 points, to 7931.98 and the FTSE 250 climbed 0.17 per cent, or 33.02 points, to 19,810.66. Takeover frenzy gripped the City once again with a host of deals in the offing. Shares in DS Smith jumped 10.2 per cent, or 36.8p, to 396.6p as a transatlantic bidding war erupted for the packaging group. Distribution group Diploma soared 9.5 per cent, or 324p, to 3750p, as it closed in on a 236million deal to buy its US rival Peerless. The FTSE 100 company, which supplies products such as wires, cables and surgical devices, said the takeover should be completed in the next few weeks. North Sea operator Ithaca Energy joined the frenzy as it eyed the UK operations of its Italian rival Eni. Stock Watch - C4X Discovery Drug firm C4X Discovery could leave Londons junior market in less than a month to access more investors and build its pipeline of treatments to tackle immune-inflammatory diseases as a private company. It wants to stop trading on the Alternative Investment Market on April 26 as its share price fails to reflect its underlying potential. Its top three investors, with 57 per cent of the company, have backed the plans. Shares, down 91 per cent in six years, fell 24.2 per cent, or 3.2p, to 10 The London-listed firms proposal will make it the second-largest operator in the region, with Eni to take a near-40 per cent stake in the enlarged group. The announcement came alongside Ithacas full-year results that showed production levels last year were largely unchanged from 2022. Shares increased 2.4 per cent, or 3.4p, to 145.6p. Sir Martin Sorrell said no credible offer has been made for S4 Capital following reports that it rejected bids from its New York rival Stagwell. The comments came as S4s revenues fell 5.4 per cent to 1.01billion in 2023 as clients cut spending. It also unveiled a major boardroom shake-up. Shares plunged 6.9 per cent, or 3.06p, to 41.46p. An upgraded outlook from CMC Markets added nearly 50million to the value of the stakes held by the Conservative peer Lord Cruddas and his wife. The trading firm that was set up in 1989 by the former Tory party treasurer and donor expects income to be higher than its previous forecast of between 290million and 310million. Cruddas and his wife Fiona own 174.15m shares, which is 62 per cent of the company. Shares surged 16.8 per cent, or 31.5p, to 219.5p. Travis Perkins is on the hunt for a chief executive as Nick Roberts, who led the building supplier for five years, prepares to step down just weeks after it reported profits fell to 70million last year, down from 245million in 2022. The news lifted the share price 1.2 per cent, or 8.6p, to 735p. Sainsburys rose 3.6 per cent, or 9.4p, to 271.9p after analysts at UBS raised the supermarkets rating. Thames Water shareholders are refusing to give the debt laden utility group extra cash unless it hikes bills for customers. Fears for the future of Thames Water, which sits on a 14billion debt pile, were heightened on Thursday as it announced shareholders will not be injecting the first 500million of funding that was agreed last summer. The shareholders blame industry regulations they say make its business plan 'uninvestible'. Thames Water, the UKs biggest water supplier with 15million households across London and the South East, said the funding plan drawn up last July was subject to conditions, including a business plan that is supported by 'appropriate regulatory arrangement'. On Thursday, the boss of Thames Water, Chris Weston, told the BBC that customer bills needed to rise by 40 per cent by 2030 to pay for improvements. To date, the regulator has pushed back against significant bill hikes. Weston told the BBC that while the prospect of nationalisation was 'quite a long way off', it was 'eventually possible.' Chris Weston, chief executive of Thames Water, said: 'I'd like to reassure our customers that, despite this announcement, it is business as usual for Thames Water' Thames Water has been battling to secure its future since last summer, with a funding crisis leaving the debt-laden firm on the brink of emergency nationalisation. A worsening environmental record with repeated sewage spills over the last five years has meant additional political scrutiny, and its poor financial health forced the company last year to deny that it was at risk of nationalisation. Last July, it agreed a rescue funding plan with shareholders including the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), Chinas sovereign wealth fund, a Canadian pension fund and the BT Pension Scheme that would see them pump in 750million, with the first 500million due by the end of this month. But it is understood that Ofwat has refused to bow to the water giants demands for concessions, said to include a 40 per cent bill hike for customers, an easing of capital spending requirements as well as leniency on regulatory penalties. Thames Water said the regulations being imposed by the industry watchdog 'make the PR24 plan 'uninvestible', and as a result the shareholder support letter from last July has not been satisfied.' Thames Water said it was in ongoing talks with Ofwat to secure regulations that are 'affordable for customers, deliverable and financeable for Thames Water, as well as investible for equity investors'. It said once the new regulatory plan is agreed with Ofwat, it 'intends to pursue all options to secure the required equity investment from new or existing shareholders'. Weston, chief executive of Thames Water, said: 'I'd like to reassure our customers that, despite this announcement, it is business as usual for Thames Water. 'Our 8,000 staff remain committed to working with our partners in the supply chain to provide our services for the benefit of our customers, communities and the environment.' Turbulence: Troubled utility Thames Water has said its shareholders will not be injecting the first 500million of funding The nine Thames Water shareholders said in a statement on Thursday: 'Shareholders and Thames Water have been working with the regulator Ofwat for over a year on how to address the complex challenges facing the business. 'These include both meeting current funding demands and the urgent need for substantial investment to improve performance. 'These discussions led to the submission of a business plan which included the largest ever investment programme by any UK water company over 18billion to improve customer service and environmental standards. 'To support such unprecedented investment, shareholders committed to supporting a further 3.25billion of investment on top of the 500million provided last year, and pledged to take no cash out of the business until a turnaround was delivered. 'This was a solution which addresses the root cause of Thames Waters challenges without the need for any taxpayer funding. 'However, after more than a year of negotiations with the regulator, Ofwat has not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for a business plan which ultimately addresses the issues that Thames Water faces. 'As a result, shareholders are not in a position to provide further funding to Thames Water. 'Shareholders will work constructively with Thames Water, Ofwat and Government on how to address the consequences of Ofwats decision.' An Ofwat spokesperson said: 'Safeguards are in place to ensure that services to customers are protected regardless of issues faced by shareholders of Thames Water. 'Today's update from Thames Water means the company must now pursue all options to seek further equity for the business to turn around the performance of the company for customers. 'Thames Water is a business with a regulatory capital value of 19billion, with 2.4billion of cash/liquidity available, and an annual regulated revenue of 2billon and new leadership team. 'Ofwat's PR24 price control will put customer and environmental priorities at the heart of the water sector. 'In order to drive this change, we need to ensure that the sector attracts investment and is fair to bill payers. Since 2020 nearly 4.6billion new equity has been injected into the sector. We will set out our draft determinations in June this year. 'We also need to see companies deliver the performance that customers expect and that they are run in a way that meets customers' expectations.' Thames Water has racked up debts of almost 15billion over the past 16 years, while also paying out billions of pounds worth of dividends to investors. It has been owned since 2017 by a consortium including the Universities Superannuation Scheme, Chinas sovereign wealth fund, a Canadian pension fund and the BT Pension Scheme. Before that, it was owned by a consortium led by Australian financial services group Macquarie for about a decade, during which time it ran up debts of around 10billion. In the year to the end of March 2023, Thames Water paid out about 45million in dividends, and the previous two years it handed out a combined 53.9million. But the firm stresses that it has not paid a dividend to 'external shareholders' for at least the past five years. Of course I think that we should all take responsibility for our financial futures I'm a money editor after all. Yet, my blood boils when people use this argument to wash their hands of Waspi women. It's easy to look at this generation, who were born in the '50s, through today's lens. Stop judging: It's easy to look at the Waspi generation, who were born in the '50s, through today's lens Today financial independence is much easier to achieve and finding out about your state pension is seen as a responsibility we all share. But the working lives of Waspi women have straddled two very different worlds. While today they're being admonished for not being financially independent, it was not so long ago they would have been rebuked for daring to be. When Waspi women were starting their careers, women were encouraged to rely on men for their finances, while supporting their husbands, children and ageing parents. Don't forget it wasn't until 1975 that a law was passed permitting women to open a bank account in their own name. When some Waspi women were 24, women still couldn't apply for a loan or mortgage without the signature of their husband or father. As late as 1971, just over half of women worked. Today, it's closer to three quarters. Many were encouraged, or forced by their employer, to give up work when they married. Yes, millions worked many in hard jobs, for decades and while balancing other responsibilities. But even then they were treated as second-class to men. Today, women are paid 92.30 on average for every 100 paid to their male counterparts. But among those over 60, women get just 85.80 for every 100 earned by men. So it's a bit rich to turn around now and say Waspi women should have put aside more and taken greater responsibility for knowing their state pension age. Many did save and were aware of the pension changes. But the ombudsman and National Audit Office have been quite clear in saying the communication of the state pension changes were woefully lacking. Jeremy Hunt has so far refused to commit to any compensation, arguing that it 'has to come from other taxpayers'. Unlike successive chancellors and governments before him, he must not sweep the business under the carpet. Yes, many women affected by the state pension age changes have robust finances and don't need support. But, reading the hundreds of emails Money Mail has received from Waspi women, it is clear there are far more who deserve help. Any money given to these women would very quickly find itself in circulation spent on essential bills, food, healthcare things that would grow the economy and not shrink it. It is clear what is due at once: an apology. Money Mail reader Carole echoed so many letters to our office when she wrote: 'You cannot backdate equality. Men have had their whole lifetime to prepare for their pension. How were we supposed to catch up and plan for the future?' Winner Mateo Hernandez poses alongside U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and runner-up Victoria Tran alongside UISD Board members on March 28, 2024 at the Harold R. Yeary Library. David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times Laredo College hosted the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge at the Yeary Library Thursday afternoon. Mateo Hernandez -- a John B. Alexander High School student and among 11 student recipients of the 2024 Mr. South Texas Foundation Scholarship -- was announced the winner of the application challenge by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar. Mateo created HealthDetective, a comprehensive mobile application that helps users effectively manage a wide range of health problems, illnesses and diseases. Drawn from research-proven methods, the app leverages techniques like calming music, soothing imagery and motivation through progression to support individuals in their pursuit of better health. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are seeing students here in Laredo that can compete with anyone, Cuellar said. The congressman said he was impressed by what hes seen so far as both top prize and runner-up were from Webb County out of 37 participants in the 28th District of Texas. What we saw here, in the last few months, are really designs, construction and higher thinking, Cuellar said. The folks that we have here competed against people from San Antonio, The Valley and many other places, and we have two winners from here in Webb County. Runner-up Victoria Tran and her family stand alongside UISD Board members and U.S. Rep Henry Cuellar on March 28, 2024 at the Harold R. Yeary Library. David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times Runner-up winner was Victoria Tran and her food allergy information application. Advertisement Article continues below this ad First you input your allergies, and then if you want Asian cuisines or to find any type of restaurant you want to go to, you click on it," she said. "Then you see your type of allergies that are there at the restaurant and click on the website if you want more information. The Laredo College Board of Trustees and United Independent School District administration were in attendance and said a few words regarding the bright minds in the room. District 5 UISD Board Member Javier Montemayor Jr. boasted about the students and how they keep managing to raise the bar. Im very proud of the work Mateo has completed, Montemayor said. We challenge our students, and if you raise that bar, our students will raise that bar too. District 5 students have outperformed. Congratulations to you two and your parents as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad District 6 UISD Secretary Michelle Molina also thanked the students for the possibilities that may come from their work and determination without barriers in their way. When Queen Camilla arrives at Worcester Cathedral today for the royal ceremony of distributing gifts on Maundy Thursday, she will be both carrying out an ancient custom and doing it in a unique way. For while the Maundy tradition can be traced back to medieval times, it is unheard of for a monarch to be represented by a spouse at this church service. King Charles is unable to attend as he continues with his treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, but he has released a special video message ahead of the service urging the nation to extend the hand of friendship to those in need. The Maundy ceremony was created hundreds of years ago as a way of commemorating Jesuss example of service the night before he was crucified. Last year was the first time that King Charles had distributed Maundy money as King. He gave the coins to 74 men and 74 women, matching his years, in York Minster, on April 6 to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. There are echoes of the Coronation in the Maundy Thursday service, with Handel's Zadok The Priest featuring in both The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby performs the Washing of The Feet ceremony during last year's Maundy Thursday service at Canterbury Cathedral Bible accounts describe how Jesus gathered with his disciples for a Jewish Passover meal the Last Supper and showed great humility by washing their feet. A medieval ritual developed with the king washing the feet of 12 old men the same number as Jesus apostles, to denote that he was the servant of his people. Later, it also became the custom for the monarch to give the poor alms on Maundy Thursday, while Henry IV decreed that the number of coins given should reflect the monarchs own age. Some took the ceremony very seriously. Mary I is recorded as washing the feet of 41 women in 1556, the year of her 41st birthday. She also gave them 41 pence each plus other gifts of food and clothes. Later monarchs declined to attend when there was plague or got officials to wash the stinking feet of poor peasants. By the end of the 17th century, the Lord High Almoner was set out instead to do it. And so it fell into abeyance as a royal event. It was not until 1931 that a King got personally involved again, after Princess Marie Louise (a grand-daughter of Queen Victoria) suggested to her cousin, George V, that he might do so. Marie Louise, daughter of Princess Helena, had already been a great devotee of the ceremony, attending regularly despite the lack of a regal presence. The following year, 1932, she saw George V himself attend Westminster Abbey to distribute Maundy coins special currency minted and given to people thought to deserve public recognition for their own service. Some of the Maundy money distributed by the Queen as part of the Royal Maundy Service at Gloucester Cathedral in 2003 The late Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Maundy Service in St George's Chapel, Windsor, in 2019 He did not himself wash any feet - which has remained the duty of clerics since medieval times. But George recognised what an historic moment it was, stating that 'James II was the last King who performed the rite in 1685'. Although it was the only time that George V did so, the House of Windsor found it an appealing ceremony, perhaps because it was an event that expressed the monarchs connection as Supreme Governor with the Church of England but also with the people. And in a visual age where the press and later broadcasters were looking for ceremonial to convey to their readers and viewers, it made for interesting pictures. Even Edward VIII carried out the Maundy ceremony during the only year of his reign, while George VI was involved intermittently, his attendance often interrupted by wartime commitments. But it was Elizabeth II, one of the most deeply religious monarchs that this country has had, who made it a high point of the monarchs reign. She attended the Maundy service for almost every year of her reign, and decided that it should no longer take place in a church convenient for the monarch St Georges chapel, Windsor, say, or Westminster Abbey but took it round Britain to different cathedrals, so that people in different regions of Britain would be recognised through Maundy gifts for the service they gave. Just as her grandfather, uncle and father did before her, she gave each man and woman chosen for each year of her age two little red and white leather bags, filled with Maundy coins. They are carried on special silver dishes, made in the reign of Charles II, and kept with the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. Every year, as a link to the Coronation and its ideas of service, Handels great anthem, Zadok the Priest, is played as the gifts are handed out. In 2022, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, deputised for his elderly and unwell mother, Elizabeth II. Worcester Cathedral, where this year's Royal Maundy Service takes place Queen Camilla arrives at Westminster Abbey for this year's Commonwealth Service Queen Camilla is given flowers by school children as she leaves the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey i Last year as King, he made his first Maundy distribution at York Minster, with Camilla by his side. Now, Camilla will take the helm at the service at Worcester, while the King steps back from public engagements due to his cancer treatment. With Prince William , the heir to the throne, focusing on Kate and their children as she undergoes chemotherapy, the great Maundy ceremony, as so much else at the moment, will rest on the shoulders of the Queen. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is siphoning off 9 percent of voters who cast a ballot for Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020, exclusive new polling from DailyMail.com found. Overall, the March DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national survey shows Biden trailing former President Donald Trump by four points - 39 percent to 43 percent - with Kennedy gobbling up 7 percent of the vote in the 2024 general election. Among third-party candidates Kennedy has the most impact on the race, with Cornel West and Jill Stein receiving the support of 2 percent and 1 percent of the electorate, respectively. And he currently hurts Biden more, with only 5 percent of Trump's 2020 supporters flocking toward the prominent anti-vaxxer, allowing the presumptive Republican nominee to retain a lead over the current president. Of his 2020 voters, Biden only retains 73 percent, the DailyMail.com survey found. More of President Joe Biden's 2020 voters have moved over to independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. than those who supported former President Donald Trump four years ago the March DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national survey found President Joe Biden is losing 9 percent of his 2020 voters to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., new exclusive polling from DailyMail.com shows, as well as 3 percent to Cornel West and 1 percent to Jill Stein. Another 4 percent head to Trump While 9 percent go to Kennedy, another 4 percent slide over to Trump. West, a civil rights leader who backed progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 race, takes 3 percent away from the incumbent president, while Stein, of the Green Party, gets 1 percent. The liberal Stein famously peeled away enough votes in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 to flip those three traditionally Democratic states to Trump during that election cycle over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Biden was able to flip all three states back to his column when he beat Trump in the 2020 race. As of now, Trump's 2020 coalition is less fractured, the DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll found. Of those who backed the Republican four years ago, 86 percent said they'd support him in his second reelection bid. Kennedy takes 5 percent of Trump's 2020 vote share, while Biden receives 1 percent. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (right) announced his vice presidential pick, Bay Area entrepreneur and lawyer Nicole Shanahan (left) during a rally Tuesday in Oakland, California Former President Donald Trump's 2020 coalition is holding together more than Biden's, with the ex-president retaining 86 percent of his vote. Still, Kennedy is gobbling up 5 percent, DailyMail.com's polling shows West polls at 0 percent, while Stein sucks away 2 percent of Trump's voters. 'RFK Jr. matters because increasingly the signs are he is going to make it onto enough state ballots to be a genuine choice for voters,' said pollster James Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners. 'Even if he notches what he does in our poll under 10 percent - that would be one of the best independent/third party performances in recent times.' 'At the moment RFK Jr is taking more votes from Biden than from Trump,' Johnson continued. 'He does particularly well amongst female voters, younger voters, and black voters all demographics that Biden performs better amongst overall.' J.L. Partners polled 1000 likely voters from March 20 to 24 via landline, cellphone, SMS and apps. The results carry a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent. On Tuesday from Oakland, California, RFK Jr. announced that Nicole Shanahan would serve as his running mate. The 38-year-old Bay Area lawyer, technologist, entrepreneur and foundation head is the ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin - the 10th richest man in the world - and already put $4.5 million toward Kennedy's Super Bowl commercial. The March DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national survey shows Biden trailing Trump nationally by 4 points, with independent candidate Kennedy getting a 3 point bump since polling was conducted in December Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (center right) and his actress wife Cheryl Hines (right) onstage in Oakland Tuesday with his new running mate Nicole Shanahan (center left) and her partner Jacob Strumwasser (left) She's expected to help fund the effort to get Kennedy or his affiliated We The People party on the ballot in states across the country. That's already been a challenge. In Nevada, for instance, the 15,000-plus signatures collected on behalf of Kennedy to get the independent on the general election ballot may be void due to the fact that he needed to have Shanahan named on his statement of candidacy. The Nevada Secretary of State's office admitted that the Kennedy campaign had been given bad information, though added the caveat that 'Nevada courts have been clear that the agency is not permitted to honor the employee's statements if following those statement would be in conflict with the law.' The Kennedy campaign did not buy that the attempts to throw out the signatures were a mistake, with Kennedy's callot access attorney Paul Rossi labeling the effort 'the epitome of corruption.' 'After successfully collecting all of the signatures we need in Nevada, the DNC Goon Squad and their lackeys in the Nevada Secretary of State's office are outright inventing a new requirement for the petition with zero legal basis,' Rossi said. Kennedy's spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com Tuesday in Oakland that the campaign would sue the state to get the collected signatures to count. The wake-up call in cell number nine of the IK-6 prison colony in the Siberian town of Omsk comes at 5am in the form of the Russian national anthem blasting from a loudspeaker. Each day, journalist and politician Vladimir Kara-Murza knew as soon as he heard the opening chord he had only five minutes before prison guards came to take away his pillow and mattress. By 5.20am his metal bed frame, attached to the wall, would be locked up so that he could not use it for the rest of the day. Kara-Murza's cell, painted in bright blue, was 16ft long and 6ft 6in wide. In the middle, a table and a bench were screwed to the floor. The only objects he was allowed to keep were a mug, a toothbrush, a towel and a pair of slippers. The light was never turned off. Later in the morning a mug of tea and a bowl of gluey porridge made from an unidentifiable grain would be pushed through a small hatch in the cell door. Each day, journalist and politician Vladimir Kara-Murza knew as soon as he heard the opening chord he had only five minutes before prison guards came to take away his pillow and mattress Kara-Murza, who is serving a 25-year sentence over charges including treason over criticism of the Ukraine offensive, appears in court via a video link from prison At some point Kara-Murza would be permitted a 90-minute 'walk' a stroll around a concrete courtyard the size as his cell with a metal grille in place of a roof. He was obliged to keep his hands behind his back. Often the sub-zero temperatures made it impossible to keep going for the allotted time. The loudspeaker in his cell blared throughout the day, sometimes playing the local radio station, sometimes a monotonous recital of the penal-colony rules. CCTV cameras were trained on Kara-Murza around the clock. Even so, he would be taken to an inspection room at 9am and 5pm each day. He had to strip naked while they ran a metal detector over his clothes and underwear. Every time he was addressed he had to identify himself in the official formula: 'Kara-Murza, Vladimir Vladimirovich, date of birth September 7, 1981, convicted under criminal code articles 284.1 part one, 207.3 part two, 275. Start date of sentence, April 22 2022. End date of sentence, April 21 2047.' Since the death of Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, in a similar penal colony in the Arctic last month, Kara-Murza has become one of the country's highest-profile political prisoners. Like Navalny, Kara-Murza was the victim of suspected Novichok poisoning. He twice fell into a coma, in 2015 and again in 2017. As a result, he suffers from polyneuropathy, a nerve disease that causes his legs to go numb. Like Navalny, he could have stayed in exile abroad he had lived in America for years and is also a British citizen. (The British government has said that it will not try to secure his release through a prisoner exchange.) And like Navalny, he also chose to return to Russia, drawn by his calling as a Russian intellectual and a refusal to let his country be defined by Vladimir Putin. On April 5, 2022 just over a month after Russia invaded Ukraine he flew back to Moscow. By that time, Putin had already made it a crime to refer to his 'special military operation' as a war, let alone to criticise it. Yet Kara-Murza openly denounced it as a war of aggression. A week after his return he was arrested outside his home in Moscow and charged with spreading 'fake news' about the war. His trial for treason took place behind closed doors as it involved what the Kremlin regards as 'state secrets'. Kara-Murza was given 25 years in prison, the longest term currently being served by any political prisoner in Russia. Kara-Murza is almost completely disconnected from the outside world. Since he arrived in prison, he has been granted only one 15-minute phone call with his children five minutes per child From his own prison cell, Navalny described the sentence as 'revenge for the fact that [Kara-Murza] did not die'. On January 26 of this year, Kara-Murza was transferred to an even harsher penal colony a short drive away, differentiated from the previous one by a single digit: IK-7. This measure had been taken, officials said, because of a 'severe administrative breach' by Kara-Murza missing a wake-up call which he says never came. Kara-Murza is permitted to write and receive letters, though he is only allowed a pen for 90 minutes each day. I wrote to him after his abrupt disappearance from IK-6. 'You ask me about the meaning of my transfer,' Kara-Murza replied. 'The meaning of a transfer is the transfer itself. One of the main features of prison life is a constant unpredictability, insecurity and uncertainty not only about tomorrow but even this evening.' During the Cold War, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Nobel Prize-winning writer, identified this kind of punishment as a distinctively Soviet innovation. Kara-Murza said: 'The Soviet know-how was to constantly uproot a person, ordering him 'out with your stuff' without any warning As soon as you start getting used to and adapting to a place, you have to start all over again.' Kara-Murza is almost completely disconnected from the outside world. Since he arrived in prison, he has been granted only one 15-minute phone call with his children five minutes per child. Complete isolation means that even a visit from the prosecutor can lift his spirits. Apart from the drone of the loudspeakers, Kara-Murza's only external sources of mental stimulation are letters and books from the prison library. But he finds it hard to read. 'You lose concentration very fast, thoughts run away. You read one page and don't understand what it is that you've read,' he wrote to me. Memory also works in a strange way. 'You remember in detail what happened 30 years ago, but anything you hear and read this morning is erased completely.' At 8.30pm he is handed his mattress and pillow. His bunk bed is lowered. Then at 5am the next morning he once again wakes up to the sound of the Soviet national anthem. Omsk, the city where Kara-Murza is being held, was one of hundreds of sites for the Main Directorate of Corrective Labour Camps, established by Stalin in 1929 and better known by its acronym in Russian: 'Gulag'. Since the death of Alexei Navalny, pictured, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, in a similar penal colony in the Arctic last month, Kara-Murza has become one of the country's highest-profile political prisoners This was a centralised system of slave labour on an industrial scale, in which up to 20million people from across the Soviet Union found themselves trapped. Roughly two million of those prisoners died. As with many Russians, the history of the gulag feels personal to Kara-Murza: his own grandfather was arrested in 1937 and survived a labour camp in the far east. Russia's camps particularly in more remote parts of the country where the prison is the main employer are often staffed by children and grandchildren of those who guarded the gulag. Solzhenitsyn spent years within the gulag and wrote a three-volume 'literary investigation' in which he described the prisoners, starving and exhausted by work, 'eyes oozing with tears, red eyelids... white cracked lips covered with sores.' Part of the function of the gulag, Solzhenitsyn argued, was economic: Stalin needed labour to industrialise and prepare for war in Europe. The camps were usually in far-flung places rich in natural resources that needed extracting. But their horrors also served a political purpose: to sow terror and purge from society anyone who showed signs of independent thought. After Stalin's death in 1953 the Soviet leadership lost the appetite for mass repression. Slave labour was ineffective and even the leadership had had enough of terror. The extermination stopped, the system became more humane and the number of prisoners decreased. The KGB, which Putin joined in the 1970s, found that the memory of mass repression was enough to control the populace. Everyone knew somebody whose relatives had been sent to the gulag. This was enough to instil compliance. But Russians became noticeably less fearful after the collapse of the Soviet Union. By 2008 only 17 per cent of the population worried about the return of repression. The children born in these years became known as the 'unflogged' generation, regarding themselves as citizens rather than subjects. In 2012, Putin decided to circumvent the constitution and reinstate himself as president. He was greeted by large protests, galvanised by Navalny. Taking drastic measures to reassert control, Putin started methodically to lay the foundation for repression to reignite collective fear. Exemplary brutality and lengthy sentences sent shivers across the whole of society. He also brought back Soviet practices, such as declaring dissidents 'insane' and locking them up in psychiatric hospitals. By 2021, more than half of the population were concerned about the return of repression. Putin has reason to keep the prison system unreformed, which became apparent after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Olga Romanova, who runs Russia Behind Bars, a prisoners' rights organisation, estimates the total number of prisoners who have been recruited since the start of the invasion is about 100,000. For the most part, Putin's terror has worked. After 15,000 arrests in the first month after the invasion, protests have died down. Around 1,100 people are serving sentences for their beliefs They are offered a choice between fighting on the front line, sewing uniforms or being transferred to a harsher colony. Prison spits out soldiers to fight the war and swallows those like Kara-Murza who protest against it. For the most part, Putin's terror has worked. After 15,000 arrests in the first month after the invasion, protests have died down. Around 1,100 people are serving sentences for their beliefs. Many are ordinary people increasingly women who had never previously been political: for instance, Anna Bazhutova, 30, was arrested in August 2023 for live-streaming a video about Bucha, a Ukrainian town where Russian troops committed a massacre. Technology makes the secret service's job easier. The FSB stages sting operations on social media and prosecutes people at random to create an atmosphere of unpredictability. 'Everyone must be afraid of Russian prison. That is its purpose,' said one former official. 'The goal of the penitentiary system is to break people, to destroy their personality and to vaccinate the population against freedom.' Russia's current prison population of 430,000 remains among the highest per head in Europe, with Belarus and Turkey. Around 225,000 employees work in the system. The network of colonies and detention centres is still so vast that prisoners often disappear within it for weeks; they are transferred from one facility to another in windowless train compartments with six berths and twice as many prisoners. Their families and lawyers lose track of them. To demand a meeting with a lawyer, detainees need a pen and paper, which they are often denied. They can complain, of course, but for that they still need a pen and paper. The real power lies in the hands of prison officials known as operativniki investigators rewarded on the basis of how many crimes they solve, using their unlimited power to coerce confessions and pin new crimes on prisoners. They decide who gets urgent medical care and who gets punished with solitary confinement or beaten in special 'pressure cells'. Conditions vary greatly between colonies and even between cells within the same prison. Some have televisions and fridges; others have only a hole in the floor for a toilet. Some prisoners can pay for the use of a gym or have food brought to them by a delivery company. Others are kept hungry or denied correspondence. Corruption lies at the heart of the system. Bribery can buy a better cell and racketeering by prison staff is endemic. They rent out slave labour to friendly businesses. How much a prisoner must pay for privileges is decided by the khoziain the master who runs the prison. Some people paid the equivalent of 50 a month; others 20,000 or more. Those who refuse to pay get 'broken' beaten or tortured. The richer they are and the more they resist, the greater the punishment. 'Breaking' is mostly carried out not by guards but by 'activists' inmates who work closely with the prison administration. The methods of torture include denying medical care, beatings, suspending prisoners from bars (known as 'crucifying'), electric shocks and rape with mop handles. Prisoners are divided into four castes. The top caste is 'criminal elite' or 'made men', who perform no duties themselves and adjudicate conflicts. They are followed by 'collaborators', 'bitches' or 'reds' who enforce order alongside prison officers. 'Lads', 'men' or 'wool', who are not professional criminals, make up the vast majority of prisoners. And then there are the outcasts or untouchables who are referred to as 'cocks' or 'the degraded' because they sleep under the bunk beds. They are not allowed to touch other prisoners or their possessions, and must eat separately, using their own cutlery. People convicted of sex crimes, snitches and those who hide their homosexuality fall into this category. Eye contact is discouraged. So are acts of kindness. One new inmate didn't have any gloves, so another prisoner took pity on him and offered him a spare pair. In response, their parole was cancelled. Prison is ingrained in Russian song, language and folklore. 'You can never be safe from prison or the begging bowl,' runs one popular proverb. 'If you have not been to prison, you don't know life,' goes another common saying. 'The only place befitting an honest man in Russia at the present time is a prison,' a character reflects in Leo Tolstoy's novel Resurrection. He recognised that no Russian can be a writer of national importance without incorporating the institution into his or her literary world. Alexei Navalny died at IK-3, a prison colony located in Kharp, a city just above the Arctic Circle, while serving a sentence that had been extended by 19 years Prison is ingrained in Russian song, language and folklore. You can never be safe from prison or the begging bowl, runs one popular proverb. Pictured: The IK-3 penal colony For those aspiring to be national politicians in Russia, prison is not just a punishment or hindrance but the ultimate test of someone's convictions. It asserts their dignity and earns them moral authority. Navalny, the ultimate national politician, understood this fully. He walked into prison to strike at the fear that prison instils and, in so doing, liberate his people from paralysis. When Putin tortured Navalny, he didn't want a confession but a plea for mercy, an admission that fear works. He could not obtain it. Alexei Navalny died at IK-3, a prison colony located in Kharp, a city just above the Arctic Circle, while serving a sentence that had been extended by 19 years. He was worn down with sleep deprivation, tormented with the smell of food when he was on hunger strike and denied treatment. In his last significant appeal to Russia's supreme court made from his penal colony, Navalny pleaded not for justice for his country or for his own release, but for the right of prisoners to have two items of printed material in a punishment cell. The rules permitted just one. For himself he requested two books the Bible and a volume of Orthodox Christian teachings called The Law of God. But he wasn't just concerned with his own situation. A Muslim prisoner, he argued, is faced with a choice of having the Koran or a newspaper. Such a prisoner would always choose the former, but anyone put in a punishment cell also needs a newspaper because 'it is a very cold place'. Navalny said: 'Do you know what they take newspapers into the cell for? To cover themselves at night.' In Russia the separation between prison and freedom, life and death, is newspaper-thin. Arkady Ostrovsky is The Economist's Russia editor. A longer version of this article first appeared in The Economist's 1843 magazine A cruise ship suffered a blackout on Sydney Harbour just weeks before a similar scenario in the US led to the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse. The MS Borealis, a 238 metre-long cruise liner, sailed out from Sydney's White Bay Cruise Terminal at Rozelle on February 28. The ship lost power about 50 minutes after passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge as the vessel navigated the western channel near South Head late at night. The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship then drifted for 'one mile ... under pilotage' before it was anchored for several hours as power was restored, a source with knowledge of the Port Authority report on the incident told The Sydney Morning Herald. The MS Dali crashed when it suffered a similar power outage shortly after sailing out from the Port of Baltimore in the US on Tuesday, causing the cargo ship to lose steering and drift into a concrete supporting pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A large part of the 2.6km-long bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River. Six maintenance workers who were on the bridge are missing and presumed dead. The cargo ship Dali is pictured stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the United States after it lost power Cruise liner MS Borealis (pictured) suffered a similar electrical blackout in Sydney Harbour in February Police dive boats work around part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge on Wednesday Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has since confirmed the Sydney incident. 'Shortly after leaving Sydney, Australia, at 11.50pm (AEDT) on 28th February, our ship Borealis lost power for a short amount of time,' a spokesperson said. 'Our on-board technical team worked hard to establish the cause and restored all systems quickly. The ship returned to full operational power and continued its onward world cruise itinerary as planned.' It is understood a tug boat that had been guiding the ship through Sydney Harbour could not reattach its cable after the cruise liner suffered the blackout. The risk of what happened to the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurring to Sydney Harbour Bridge is very unlikely as the bridge structures are vastly different. The Sydney bridge has two supporting piers located on land either side of the harbour, unlike the Baltimore one, which had piers in the water. Professor Wije 'Ari' Ariyaratne, who was the NSW director of bridges and structures between 2000 and 2019 told the newspaper that Sydney Harbour Bridge engineer John Bradfield had gone with a 'two-pier arch' to avoid structures in the water. 'We have got very strong sandstone that anchors the bridge,' he said. White Bay Cruise Terminal opened in 2013 to accommodate smaller cruise ships and replace Darling Habour's Wharf 8, which closed for the Barangaroo redevelopment. Larger cruise ships dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. There is a bridge with a 49m height clearance over White Bay that would be pose a hazard should larger ships attempt to dock there. The Borealis suffered an electrical fault with an hour of passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge Standing at each end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge are two pairs of 89-metre-high towers were not part of the original design. The granite blocks were later added to reassure the public it would not fall down. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is pictured in 1930 under construction A spokesperson for NSW Transport Minister said that the state's commercial waterways had 'some of the most robust procedures in the world' which were backed up on Sydney Harbour by experienced tug boat operators. READ MORE: The story behind the Sydney Habour Bridge towers The towers at either side of the Harbour Bridge are not what they seem Advertisement Risk management firm DNV in a 2022 report found there were 12 reported blackout incidents on cruise ships globally in 2019, rare considering the thousands of ships operating. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for comment. In the US, the main operations of the Port of Baltimore remain shut down. Supply chain experts say other ports up and down the East Coast are likely to absorb much of Baltimore's traffic, avoiding a crisis. But not without some longer shipping times and upheaval. 'Ultimately, most trade through Baltimore will find a new home port,' Moody's Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise wrote in a blog post. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated on Wednesday that it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the partial bridge structure from the 15-metre-deep Patapsco River channel, which leads to the port's main terminal. The port's location makes it a key destination for freight. The Maryland Port Administration says the facility is an overnight drive from two-thirds of the U.S. population, and it's closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port. The Singapore flagged MS Dali was sailing down the Patapsco River on its way to Sri Lanka when it suffered a total power failure and its lights went out. Three minutes later the container ship struck a pylon of the bridge, crumpling almost the entire structure into the water. The bridge was up to code and there were no known structural issues, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said. The nearly 300m long cargo ship Dali was sailing from the Port of Baltimore to Sri Lanka Shown is the wreckage of Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the collapse caused the presumed death of bridge workers and has thrown the supply chain in the US into disarray The metal truss-style bridge has a suspended deck, a design that contributed to its collapse, engineers say. The ship appeared to hit a main concrete pier, which rests on soil underwater and is part of the foundation. The Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, LSEG owned ship measures 289 meters and was stacked high with containers but was capable of carrying twice as much cargo. Safety investigators have recovered the ship's black box, which can tell them the vessel's position, speed, heading, radar, bridge audio, and radio communications as well as alarms. Former President Barack Obama is set to lend President Joe Biden a hand with his 2024 campaign, appearing at a glitzy New York City fundraiser alongside Bill Clinton Thursday at Radio City Music Hall that is set to raise $25million. The Democratic trio will hobnob with some of the richest donors, will be interviewed by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert and The Office and The Mindy Project star Mindy Kaling is set to emcee. Meanwhile Biden's 2024 rival Donald Trump will attend the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island. Diller was shot and killed in the line of duty in Queens on Monday. Guy Rivera, the suspect arrested in the slaying, has been arrested 21 times. Donors at the Democratic bash will be entertained by musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. And for those willing to fork over $100,000 to the Biden campaign, they can have their picture taken with all three presidents. The early emergence of Obama on the campaign trail seemingly confirms reporting that says the 62-year-old ex-president has been sounding the alarm about Biden's reelection prospects. Former President Barack Obama is set to lend President Joe Biden a hand with his 2024 campaign, appearing at a glitzy New York City fundraiser alongside Bill Clinton Thursday at Radio City Music Hall that is set to raise $25million President Joe Biden has been receiving warnings from former President Barack Obama about his reelection prospects against former President Donald Trump. Obama twice came to the White House last year to express worries about Biden's campaign operation Time Magazine's cover story last week chronicled two in-person meetings Obama had with Biden last year - one in June and then a follow-up in December, when the ex-president didn't see the president's campaign operation improve. '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. On Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed rumors that Trump was planning to attend the wake Thursday at the Massapequa Funeral Home in New York On Monday, officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop - he leaves behind a wife and one-year-old son Thousands of law enforcement officers observed the arrival of Diller's body to the upstate New York funeral home, where his service will be held Thursday A follow-up story in The New York Times Tuesday said that Obama is regularly dialing Biden - but he's also phoning White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients too. A senior aide told the paper that Obama has 'always' been worried about a Biden loss to Trump, and so he's prepared to 'eke it out' alongside his former VP through Election Day in November. Obama's reported warnings are similar to what Clinton was saying behind closed doors ahead of the 2016 presidential election, which saw his wife, Democrat Hillary Clinton, shockingly lose to Trump, who had never held elected office. In the book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign authors Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen detailed how Bill Clinton feared that his wife and her campaign aides were taking some support for granted. He suggested she go into communities that wouldn't necessarily naturally vote for the Democrat just to show she was making an effort. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will take the stage with President Joe Biden at New York City's Radio City Music Hall (pictured) for a discussion moderated by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert 'He knew there was some power just in showing up,' co-author Allen said in a 2017 interview with ABC News. Obama has reportedly advised Biden that his field operations are being built out too slowly - bottlenecked by the president's reliance on a 'insular group of advisers clustered in the West Wing,' Time said. During Obama's 2012 reelection campaign - which he successfully won against Republican Mitt Romney - he had hired 900-plus staffers by summer. The Biden campaign, which is headquarted in Biden's adopted hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, ended 2023 with just around 70 paid employees, though there's a goal to hire 350. Biden's team said that the campaign is also planning to rely on staff at the Democratic National Committee to aid the state-level effort. An LGBTQ activist with top degrees from Harvard, Yale and Princeton is facing up to five years in jail on charges of downloading child porn. Roy 'Trey' Farmer, 53, was arrested at his home opposite the gates of Princeton in New Jersey on Friday after a tip-off from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) The former 'piano prodigy' sits on the board of the New York Philharmonic and is president of Queer Princeton Alumni, but it has since had his details removed from their website. A successful banker and entrepreneur, he is a former president of the Harvard Glee Club and has served on the boards of orchestras and opera companies across the world. He is also chairman of Florida's StayInMay Festival which has staged more than 300 events in Naples over the last ten years. Roy 'Trey' Farmer, 53, has top degrees from three Ivy League universities including Harvard and Yale, and is president of Queer Princeton Alumni The president of the Princeton University Glee Club Foundation cut the cake at its annual alumni sing in New York City in February this year But he was arrested on Friday and charged with downloading child pornography The NCMEC alerted detectives with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit in January that child sexual abuse material had been downloaded in Mercer County where Princeton is situated. On Friday the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, with assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and Homeland Security Investigations Trenton searched Farmer's Princeton apartment seizing 'multiple items of evidentiary value', the prosecutor's office said. Farmer was arrested without a struggle and was detained at Mercer County Jail pending a detention hearing on Wednesday. A philosophy graduate from Princeton's 1993 class he went on to earn an M.Phil from Yale University, and a master's in education degree from Harvard. He secured a job in private equity before setting up a boutique investment bank during 15 years spent living in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. But he has remained a pillar of the Princeton establishment with places on the boards of a host of its societies. 'Good things happen when you bring Princetonians together,' he told an interviewer two years ago. 'There are wonderfully generous interactions of like-minded people who want to spend their time volunteering, and they are all so passionate about it. 'This is not traditional networking. This is about connecting interesting people doing interesting things in all areas of our society.' He has previously served on the boards of the Classic Chamber Concerts, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, London Symphony Orchestra, Naples Music Club, and Opera Naples. The banker and festival organizer spoke to guests at Queer Princeton Alumni Day in February He was arrested in his apartment at the gates of the university after police received a tip-off from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children And he was instrumental in keeping Princeton alumni communities together with a series of podcasts from his home next to the campus. 'Princeton has always been about the people for me,' he said. 'Alumni and students are constantly challenging me and inspiring me in new ways. 'The things I've done in my life and career all stem from the things I was exposed to at Princeton.' Anthony Albanese will announce a $1billion program to increase the number of solar panels made in Australia. The Prime Minister will travel to the Hunter Valley, the heartland of NSW coal mining for Thursday's announcement. While a third of Australian households have solar panels, which is the highest rate in the world, just one per cent of them are made Down Under. The government's new Solar SunShot program will give production subsidies and grants to increase Australia's role in making solar panels for the domestic and export markets. The site of the closed Liddell power station near Muswellbrook will be redeveloped as a solar manufacturing hub. Anthony Albanese (pictured) announced a $1billion program to increase the number of solar panels made in Australia on Thursday Though a third of Australian households have solar panels, which is the highest rate in the world, just 1 per cent of them are made in Australia. Solar panels in Queensland are pictured READ MORE: Homeowners' fury after spending thousands on solar panels only to be charged MORE for electricity despite using less power Homeowners slammed energy companies for reducing the credits they receive on their power bills after forking out thousands of dollars on solar panels (pictured) Advertisement Australia should not be 'at the end of the supply chain' when it comes to essential products such as solar panels,' Mr Albanese said. 'What we're doing now is seizing that opportunity to create jobs to ensure that the Hunter continues to thrive,' he told ABC Radio Newcastle. The billion-dollar commitment would be used on the transformation of Liddell. 'This is the largest announcement of its type that has been made in Australia's history because the Liddell site, I can't think of one that is more important,' the prime minister added 'Liddell, of course, helped to power NSW for a long period of time in the last century and into this one. 'Now, the production that will occur there will help power NSW and Australia, and potentially have export potential as well.' The new program will ensure coal mining communities such as Muswellbrook and Singleton don't fall behind economically as mines and power stations shut down in the decades to come. 'There are other planned closures in the future ... (it's important) that we look for opportunities that workers continue to be employed in alternative, high-paying secure jobs,' Mr Albanese added. 'That is what we are about using industry policy, particularly when it comes to manufacturing, because we want a future made here in Australia.' Mr Albanese said the site of the closed Liddell power station (pictured) near Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley would be developed as a solar manufacturing hub The Solar SunShot program will be developed alongside the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which manages a hydrogen investment program. ARENA will also examine the entire supply chain in the solar manufacturing space and how the government can provide grants to boost domestic solar-technology innovation. The prime minister told Triple M Newcastle that he expected jobs to be created by the government's next term if it wins the next election in 2025. 'ARENA ... will work with the company to make sure it is up and running to make sure this is up because we know the benefits of this will be substantial,' Mr Albanese said 'So I would expect there to be jobs there, during our next term, which will start of course in 2025.' A state government could be up for millions in compensation after a court ruled its Covid vaccine mandates were 'ineffective' and 'unlawful'- with a controversial billionaire ready to back more legal action by those sacked for refusing the jabs. Despite the Queensland government deciding not to appeal the landmark Supreme Court decision against their imposition of vaccine mandates, health agencies have not moved to automatically give fired staff their jobs back or provide compensation. Mining magnate Clive Palmer, who contributed $3m to help win the Supreme Court case brought against the government by a nurses' union and 74 police, has said he would consider backing class actions to recoup costs and get justice. Queensland Health has reconfirmed any staff who lost their job following the mandate is welcome to reapply for their position. The Queensland Government could be up for millions in compensation after a court ruled Covid vaccine mandates for employees was unlawful (a Townsville nurse gets the jab in 2021) READ MORE: ABC health expert Dr Norman Swan admits some Covid vaccines had serious side effects after largest ever study released Advertisement 'Anyone who left Queensland Health and the QAS because they did not want to take a Covid-19 vaccine is welcome to reapply for roles in the organisation,' a spokesman said. Despite the department confirming to the Courier Mail that it would not be appealing the Supreme Court decision, health minister Shannon Fentiman said that she had not been informed of any compensation decision. 'I have not been advised of any decisions regarding compensation, following the Director General's decision today, not to appeal,' she said. The Nurses Professional Association Queensland (NPAQ) said nurses are still being blacklisted despite public agencies saying they were welcome to apply for their old jobs. 'Despite all the promises from Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and her Director General that they would love nurses to come back and save lives in a health crisis, her department is still refusing to rehire terminated nurses. NPAQ secretary Kara Thomas said. 'Since the promises we have been informed by a nurse that due to her disciplinary action, they could not offer her a position. 'In the same week, another nurse who remained suspended received a letter from the department saying she may have the right skills and experience and to please apply, only to then receive a threat of termination letter. 'The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.' Mining billionaire Clive Palmer has said he might back further legal action against the Queensland government's Covid vaccine mandates Ella King, a registered nurse of seven years, is one of those threatening legal action against the state government for being sacked after Queensland had dropped the vaccine mandates for new staff. Ms Leach said by firing more than 1,200 nurses in a similar position, the state government is 'just trying to prove a point' in the middle of a health care worker shortage. 'Terminating experienced nurses in a critical workforce shortage after keeping them in limbo for over two years, which to all appearances seems to be a power play .I don't think, passes the pub test,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'This is not about me. This is about thousands of healthcare workers prevented from working in their profession.' She told the Courier-Mail that she decided not to get the vaccine after observing colleagues reacting very badly to the shots. Her employer Queensland Children's Health even introduced a special sick leave for post-vaccination, Ms Leach said. Registered nurse Ella Leach was fired while pregnant for refusing to take the Covid vaccine under Queensland's public employee mandates It comes after the Supreme Court last month found that then-police commissioner Katarina Carroll failed to give proper consideration to human rights relevant to the decision to issue the vaccine mandate. Former Department of Health director-general Dr John Wakefield was also unable to prove he issued the vaccine mandate under an implied term of the employment agreements for ambulance service workers. As a result, both vaccine mandates were found by the court to be 'unlawful' and to have no effect. The court also found the directions limited the human rights of workers because they were required to undergo a medical procedure without full consent but it was reasonable in all the circumstances. The court ruling is expected to pave the way for thousands of other stood down workers to take on the mandates in court on the grounds of human rights breaches. ' Vets have issued urgent advice to dog owners after a virus with a fatality rate of over 40 per cent killed more than 10 dogs in a few weeks. The disease, canine parvovirus (PVC), affects dogs around the globe but is known to remain in infected areas for long periods of time. Fortunately, PVC can be vaccinated against. Victorians living in Latrobe Valley, in the state's east, have been urged to ensure their dogs are up-to-date with their vaccinations to avoid contracting the disease. PVC can spread quickly through unvaccinated dogs coming into contact with infected dogs, their poo, or contaminated surfaces. Vets have issued a warning for dog owners to vaccinate against canine parvovirus due to an outbreak in Victoria's Latrobe Valley that has claimed more than 10 dogs so far The disease is often spread into homes on the bottom of people's shoes - meaning dogs that don't come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk. PVC, nicknamed 'parvo' in Australia, destroys an infected dog's stomach and intestines causing gastroenteritis and dehydration. Symptoms include lethargy, depression and a lack of appetite, followed by high fever, vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhoea. Moe Veterinary Centre vet Dr Laura Thorbecke told 7News she believes Latrobe Valley's current outbreak of PVC is the worst she's ever seen. 'Once it's out there in the community, it can be quite long-lasting. So, once an environment is contaminated with parvovirus - via an infected dog defecating, for example, at the dog park - it can be present for a really long time,' Dr Thorbecke said. She also believes the actual PVC community infection rate is much higher as many people don't report their dogs being sick. As it's almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their pooch is vaccinated. 'If people don't remain vigilant, this could be an ongoing problem for our area for quite a while,' she said. As it's almost impossible to avoid PVC in a contaminated area, Dr Laura Thorbecke recommends dog owners make sure their pooch is vaccinated A 2020 survey of 20 veterinary practices in five Australian states examined poo samples from 79 infected dogs, aged between one and 96 months old with a median age of four months old. Only 3.7 per cent of the pups were up-to-date with their vaccine schedules, 49 per cent were incompletely vaccinated and 47.2 per cent were unvaccinated. Of the 20,000 cases of PVC recorded in Australia every year, nearly half result in fatalities. Dr Thorbecke said dogs that are taken for their recommended annual checkups 'will almost always be given a parvo vaccine'. The cost of a dose of the PVC vaccine varies from clinic to clinic but a local vet in Latrobe Valley charges about $100. While the vaccine may seem expensive, treating PVC will set dog owners back thousands of dollars. Dr Thorbecke said the 'majority' of dogs she diagnoses with PVC are euthanised due to the high cost of treatment. 'It's a really sad reality,' she said. PVC is often spread into homes on the bottom of people's shoes - meaning dogs that don't come into contact with other dogs or go outside are still at risk More than 530 veterinary clinics around Australia were surveyed in 2018 to find the financial impact of PVC. It found of the 20,661 cases reported in 2015 and 20,110 in 2016, 41 per cent of animals were euthanised. Pet owners concerned about bringing their healthy animals into vet clinics have been advised to call ahead of their appointment to work out a plan with their local practitioner. A major crackdown on gagging orders will see abusers no longer able to silence victims who can now report crimes to police. Changes to the law on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), commonly used to protect sensitive information and hush up allegations of wrongdoing, will allow victims to seek justice and support to rebuild their lives. The move comes after high profile cases such as disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein revealed how confidentiality agreements were being used by sexual predators and bullies to escape prosecution. In a major victory for victims, NDAs will no longer be legally enforceable if they prevent employees from reporting a crime. It means victims will be free to speak about their experiences to police, lawyers, doctors and counsellors without fear of legal action for breaking the terms of the agreement. Changes to the law on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), commonly used to protect sensitive information and hush up allegations of wrongdoing, will allow victims to seek justice and support to rebuild their lives (Stock Photo) The move comes after high profile cases such as disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein (pictured) revealed how confidentiality agreements were being used by sexual predators and bullies to escape prosecution Many businesses use non-disclosure agreements legitimately to protect commercially-sensitive information and trade secrets. But bosses have also been accused of misusing the draconian clauses to silence victims of sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and workplace abuse. Yesterday it emerged that a number of staff at the CBI who reported sexual misconduct and bullying have been made to sign non-disclosure agreements. Britain's leading business lobby group was thrown into crisis last year after dozens of people claimed to have been victims of sexual harassment, assault and rape while working at the CBI. Under the rules, victims will be allowed to disclose details covered by NDAs providing it is relevant to criminal conduct and for the purpose of reporting an offence or accessing support or advice. That means other parts of confidentiality agreements, including provisions in respect of commercially sensitive information and financial agreements, will remain in force. Zelda Perkins, Weinstein's former PA who broke an NDA to help expose the film producer as a rapist, welcomed the move yesterday. Ms Perkins, who co-founded the campaign 'can't buy my silence' to end the misuse of confidentiality clauses, said: 'I am so pleased to see that the Government is acknowledging and proving its understanding of, not only the chilling effect NDAs have on reporting potential crimes, but the huge harms that their implementation causes victims. Zelda Perkins (pictured), Weinstein's former PA who broke an NDA to help expose the film producer as a rapist, welcomed the move yesterday Justice Secretary Alex Chalk (pictured) said: 'We are bringing an end to the murky world of non-disclosure agreements which are too often used to sweep criminality under the carpet and prevent victims from accessing the advice and support they need' 'By being isolated from the help and justice they are entitled to they are having a basic human right removed and being victimised further. Although there is more work to be done in other areas of legislation this is a helpful step in the right direction.' Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said: 'We are bringing an end to the murky world of non-disclosure agreements which are too often used to sweep criminality under the carpet and prevent victims from accessing the advice and support they need. 'Our changes will clarify in law once and for all that these gagging orders cannot be legally enforced against victims to prevent justice from being delivered and their voices being heard.' The legislation is due to be introduced in Parliament within months. Laura Farris, Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, said Harvey Weinstein's 'terms were calculated to cover up his crimes.' She added: 'This Government will not stand for it. 'Our changes will leave victims in no doubt that they can speak to police, lawyers, and support services - like counsellors - without fear of reprisal. 'No victim of crime should be bullied into silence.' At Boao forum, top Chinese legislator reaffirms openness, as world leaders applaud Chinas global contributions 15:24, March 28, 2024 By Wang Cong ( Global Times This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) International Conference Center in Boao, South Chinas Hainan Province, is ready for the upcoming forum. The BFA Annual Conference 2024 will be held from March 26 to 29 in Boao, focusing on how the international community can work together to deal with common challenges and shoulder their responsibilities. Photo: cnsphoto China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday reaffirmed China's commitment to continuously opening up the market for the world and said that Chinese modernization through high-quality development will inject strong impetus into the global economy, during a keynote speech at the opening sesssion of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference. At the BFA opening plenary in Boao, South China's Hainan Province, regional and world leaders, including Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, commended China's critical role and great contribution to global peace and development in Asia and around the world through its high-quality development and various global initiatives. "China is advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts with high-quality development, which will inject strong impetus into the world economy, and provide more opportunities for the development of all countries, especially our neighbors in Asia," Zhao, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature. Noting a series of Chinese efforts to foster, innovation-led, open and green development, Zhao said that China's door to the world will never close, but will only open wider, while inviting countries and businesses around the world to invest in China. "Investing in China is investing in the future. All countries are sincerely welcome to board the express train of China's development and join hands to work for a global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and prosperity for all," Zhao said, urging all parties to reinforce confidence and join hands together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better future for Asia and the world at large amid serious and complicated global challenges. Several regional and world leaders also attended the opening plenary on Thursday, commending China's approach of openness, peace and development, while also rejecting protectionism and unilateralism. "Indeed, we meet today against a backdrop of unprecedented global uncertainty, fueled by geopolitical turbulence and economic upheaval," Tokayev said at the opening session, noting that while challenges lie ahead, Asia is well positioned to continue driving global growth and development in the years to come. "In this regard, the Boao Forum has emerged as an embodiment of the Asian innovative approach to achieving universal economic progress. It has also established itself as a prominent symbol of China's commitment towards global development," the Kazakh president said. Based in China, the BFA has become a premium platform for discussions on regional and global affairs since its inception over two decades ago. And the forum continues to gain popularity and prominence, as more countries are participating in the BFA Annual Conference. This year, Nauru, a Pacific Island nation, participated in the BFA Annual Conference for the first time, Nauruan President David Adeang said in remarks at the opening plenary in Boao. "I am honored to be here to share our perspectives as a Pacific, small island, developing state. We are grateful for this forum, for providing this critical platform to address the pressing challenges that confront Asia Pacific region and the world," said Adeang, who has been in China for a state visit after the two countries recently established bilateral diplomatic ties. "Nauru has recently established bilateral relations with China to recognize and support wholeheartedly the one-China principle. This partnership puts Nauru on the right side of its history and benefits both our nations and fosters mutual respect developments and prosperity," Adeang said, noting that China's vision for promoting economic globalization and creating new prospects for growth and development is vital for small countries such as Nauru. Also speaking at the opening plenary on Thursday morning, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit said that China's miraculous economic development has created tremendous opportunities for the world and China's efforts to promote global cooperation has contributed greatly to the mankind. "China has created a development miracle that has astonished the world. And at the same time, China has made great contributions to the cause of global development," Skerrit said, noting that China's support for the holding of the Boao Forum to build a platform for cooperation with other countries to achieve high-quality economic development and a shared, prosperous future for mankind. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Jorge Osvaldo Espinoza. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office An Alexander High School student caused the evacuation of his classroom after deploying pepper spray, according to the United ISD Police Department. Jorge Osvaldo Espinoza, 17, was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in prohibited places, a third degree felony. The incident occurred at about 10:40 a.m. March 22. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Authorities said that Espinoza got the pepper spray from another juvenile student that had it. Espinoza then deployed the pepper spray, causing the classroom to be evacuated for safety reasons, United ISD police said. Students and staff that came in contact with the substance had to be evaluated by the school nurse, authorities said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police hold serious concerns for a bushwalker who has been missing in south-west Sydney for almost two weeks. Darren Banks, 57, was last seen at a home in Macquarie Fields, in south-west Sydney, about 4pm on Friday, March 15. He was in good health and well prepared for the hike, say police, and was expected to return home the following day with plans to spend that weekend with family. He was reported missing the following Tuesday but loved ones and police have been unable to contact him for 13 days. Police confirmed he made it to the hiking trail after finding his car parked 80km away, near Starlights Trail in Wattle Ridge, south of Sydney, 15km west of Bargo, last Thursday. Darren Banks, 57, was last seen at a home in Macquarie Fields, in south-west Sydney, about 4pm on Friday, March 15 Darren Banks was in good health and well prepared for the hike and was expected to return home the following day with plans to spend that weekend with family It is understood Mr Banks is familiar with the walking trail but it is considered difficult terrain. 'Now it is it is quite remote spot deep in the bush. There's not a lot of people out there,' Detective Inspector Andrew Mackay said. However, there is significant access to fresh water and family said he was in 'very good health' before leaving home two weeks ago. SES crews have assisted with the land search over the last week, though no trace has been found to date. Detectives have been able to track his movements before leaving Macquarie Fields on the Friday, and say he visited the shopping centre earlier that day. 'He did some shopping but there's no purchases that can assist (our investigation) any further,' Detective Mackay said. Police confirmed he made it to the hiking trail after finding his car parked near the Starlights Trail in Wattle Ridge, 15km west of Bargo, last Thursday It is understood Mr Banks is familiar with the walking trail but it is considered difficult terrain Police believe he may have been bushwalking towards Ahearn Lookout or Emmets Flat campground area, about an hour south of Campbelltown. Police hold serious concerns for Darren's welfare as it's considered out of character for him to not be in contact with his family. Darren is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of medium build, about 180cm tall, with short brown hair and a beard with brown eyes. Anyone who has been in the Starlight Trail area who saw Darren, his vehicle or has information in relation to Darren's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. By Easter Monday, Cadbury alone will have sold more than 450m chocolate eggs and 15 million bunnies in Australia and New Zealand, despite the soaring price of the festive treats. Prices are up about 10 per cent this year compared to 2023 with a bag of small chocolate eggs going up from $5 to $5.50. But chocoholics should be warned that a much higher price hike is on the way. This year's haul of sweet treats has been saved from the full effect of cocoa futures reaching more than $15,300 a tonne because Easter eggs are made up to a year in advance before they land on supermarket shelves. But as production continues on next year's Easter treats, the price shock will be factored in long before they're in stock for next year's celebrations. Easter egg prices are up about 10 per cent this year but there is a far higher price hike coming next year. A woman is pictured holding a chocolate Easter bunny READ MORE: Cadbury announces 'biggest change ever' to Easter range in Australia The Clinkers Bunny blends the smoothness of Cadbury Dairy Milk milk chocolate with the iconic crunch of Pascall Clinkers Advertisement Cocoa future prices - an agreement between to pay a certain price for at a set date - in the London exchange rose by about 300 per cent in the past year and around 237 per cent in New York. RaboBank expects cocoa prices to fall and settle at around $9,000 a tonne - 124 per cent above the average price over the last five years. RaboResearch analyst Pia Piggott said there had been a reduction in cocoa production in the African countries Ivory Coast and Ghana where 60 per cent of the world's cocoa beans are grown. 'It is a combination of a range of agricultural and other factors, including adverse weather conditions, ageing trees and disease in crops,' she told the Australian Financial Review. 'There are also other challenges for growers, including increasing sustainability regulations and requirements including in import markets which are also limiting supply growth.' Australian chocolatier Haigh's doesn't expect prices to remain at record levels, but believes cocoa will likely settle at a much higher cost. 'I don't want to overstate the shift, but the sustainability of the industry means it will move up,' operating officer Peter Millard said. 'In the short term, Haigh's has most of our year-ahead contracts locked in, but if you need to buy on the spot market, we do know that the industry warehouses have very little uncommitted stock.' The ever increasing prices have not lowered sales. 'We're continuing to see good growth categories. It's an affordable moment of joy,' Darren O'Brien, Australian president of Mondelez International, which owns Cadbury, said. This year's crop of chocolate treats has been saved from the full effect of cocoa futures reaching more than $15,300 a tonne because Easter eggs are made so far in advance. A woman is pictured looking at Easter eggs and bunnies He said Easter eggs have bucked the trend of consumers cutting back despite cost of living pressures. 'The relative cost of being able to snack is one that tends to be pretty robust in any sort of economic circumstances,' Mr O'Brien told the Sydney Morning Herald. ANZ bank's head of agribusiness insights Michael Whitehead explained how cocoa futures have a knock-on effect on chocolate prices. 'The cocoa that's gone into the chocolate that is on the shelves of retailers and supermarkets right now has been purchased quite a while ago,' he said. 'One bad crop (isn't) the end of the world, but because they had bad weather last year too, the farmers didn't get enough money to buy fertiliser, so that hit things even more. 'If (the cocoa price) stays high for a while, it's pretty reasonable to expect the (cost of) your chocolate block will go up.' Ms Piggott said over the past year a lot of chocolate products had seen price rises or 'shrinkflation', where the price stayed the same but the size of the bar was lowered. A political powerbroker has taken a leave of absence from his local council job and been stood aside from another high-flying role after explosive footage emerged of him dry humping the air and ridiculing a gay colleague. Kent Johns, considered an influential figure within NSW Liberal ranks, made the lewd remarks in October 2022, months after he lost an internal battle for an upper house seat. On Thursday, he issued a statement revealing he is 'taking a leave of absence from Sutherland Council' as he 'addresses the issues that caused me to make this extremely serious error of judgement'. 'With a heavy heart, I acknowledge a lapse in judgement that has tarnished my commitment to the LGBTI+ community. 'As a longstanding supporter of LGBTI+ rights, I'm deeply disappointed in my own behaviour.' In addition to taking time off from his role as councillor, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Mr Johns has agreed to 'step aside' from his position as Head of Government Relations and Policy at the National Electrical and Communications Association. A spokesperson said a review will be undertaken 'into recent media reporting concerning his behaviour'. Mr Johns reached out to the colleague in question, Chris Rath, after Daily Mail Australia approached him about the nature of the video. Kent Johns, considered an influential figure within NSW Liberal ranks, made the lewd remarks in October 2022, months after he lost an internal battle for an upper house seat He apologised both publicly and in private for the lewd remarks he made. The Sutherland Shire councillor had finished up at a taxpayer-funded work event in the Hunter Valley when the incident took place at an afterparty about 1am. In the video, Mr Johns dry-humped the air in front of several other men, saying 'stick it up my a***' and 'Rath is bad', in an apparent reference to his gay Liberal colleague Chris Rath. Mr Rath is one of two openly gay members of the Liberal Party in the NSW Parliament and recently proposed to his long-term partner in France. In audio which was less clear, Mr Johns said 'I don't like', followed again by the word 'Rath'. At least one man is heard giggling in the background of the audio, while another makes a motion with his fist toward Mr Johns' rear. Sutherland Shire Councillor Kent Johns, considered a powerbroker within NSW Liberal ranks, made the lewd remarks in October 2022, months after losing a battle for an upper house seat 'I seek forgiveness and pledge to uphold the values of inclusivity, respect and equality that define our community. 'While I undergo the process of dealing with the underlying issues that led to the poor behaviour exhibited. I kindly ask for privacy.' Mr Rath had a subtle response to the scandal on Wednesday, sharing remarks on X made by his colleague Jacqui Munro. Ms Munro said: 'Homophobia has no place in the Liberal Party or in politics. The crass behaviour of Councillor Johns must be staunchly condemned. I condemn it. 'It is unacceptable, damaging and not representative of the views of the local community or our party.' When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, Mr Johns conceded: 'It was a really stupid thing to say. 'I was stupid. It was 1am in the morning... It was a really stupid thing to say.' He later added: 'It was years ago after a night out where I said some pretty stupid things, but it's not the person I am. 'I'm truly sorry.' The mobile phone vision appears to have been filmed inside a hotel suite with several men present. Daily Mail Australia understands in addition to this footage, there are other audio snippets from the evening in question in which Mr Johns unleashed on other colleagues. Former state Treasurer Matt Kean copped a spray and was described as a 'piece of s***' during the evening, The Australian's Margin Call column reported on Tuesday. Mr Kean responded to that on Thursday, describing Mr Johns as an 'unelectable and unacceptable candidate'. The vision comes at an awkward time for Mr Johns, who is facing a local election battle in September. He twice served as Mayor and has 25 years of experience in local government. He was previously NSW Liberal Party vice-president and has served as Acting President. Two female prison workers had inappropriate relationships with an inmate who exchanged thousands of messages with them at the same time, a court heard. Prison officer Aleesha Bates, 30, sent naked pictures to the Casanova crook, saying she 'wanted him 24/7'. Jodie Wilkes, 27, admitted striking up an 'improper association', but claimed nothing 'sexual' happened. Both women got to know the prisoner at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, Bolton Crown Court was told. Bates was the first to strike up a relationship with the man, who had been jailed for drugs trafficking offences and cannot be named for legal reasons, in December 2019, prosecutor Brian Berlyne said. She became 'completely infatuated' with the man, sent him X-rated messages and naked photos, and even planned their future together once he was released, the court heard. Prison officer Aleesha Bates, 30, (pictured) sent naked pictures to the Casanova crook, saying she 'wanted him 24/7', Bolton Crown Court heard. Over a period of seven months, Bates exchanged 4,500 messages and enjoyed frequent phone calls with the prisoner Jodie Wilkes, 27, (pictured) admitted striking up an 'improper association', but claimed nothing 'sexual' happened. Both women admitted misconduct in a public office at a previous hearing Both women got to know the prisoner at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, the court was told Over a period of seven months, Bates exchanged 4,500 messages and enjoyed frequent phone calls with the prisoner. In one message she said: 'I want you 24/7. I can't get enough of you. If I had it my way I would be on the phone to you every single moment.' The women's relationships with the convict came to light after a mobile phone was found in his cell in June 2020. Mr Berlyne said analysis of the handset uncovered calls and messages between the inmate and Bates, plus photos of them together. 'The messages contained evidence of an intimate relationship between them, with Miss Bates expressing love for the prisoner and expressing plans for after his release,' he said. 'She also sent him sexually explicit images and videos.' The phone also showed 'dozens' of messages to Wilkes, who was an operational support worker and began messaging the crook in April 2020. Both women admitted misconduct in a public office at a previous hearing. Judge Elliot Knopf said Bates had committed a 'gross breach of trust'. Sentencing her to two years and eight months in prison, he said: 'Yes, you were ensnared but he identified you as someone who could be approached and you did not have to accept that approach.' He spared Wilkes jail and handed her a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. She was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. Two South Carolina Army National Guard soldiers have been identified as the victims of a fatal crash in the town of Union. Authorities named 19-year-olds Spc. Kristal Lopez and Spc. Carol Santiago-Santiago as the deceased on Tuesday. The crash occurred on Jonesville Lockhart Highway or Highway 9 around 4:10 pm on March 16. Lopez was driving a Sedan car with Santiago as a passenger, when they collided with a pick-up truck. Santiago, from Lancaster, died at the scene. Authorities identified 19-year-olds Spc. Kristal Lopez as one of two victims of a deadly car crash in Union, South Carolina Spc. Carol Santiago-Santiago, 19, was rushed to hospital where she died a week later The crash occurred on Jonesville Lockhart Highway or Highway 9 around 4:10 pm on March 16 Lopez, who was rushed to hospital, died a week later on March 23 at Spartanburg Regional. The crash is being investigated by local police. Santiago was a human resources specialist assigned to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, according to the National Guard. She had recently received the Army Service Ribbon for completing initial entry training. Lopez, also from Lancaster, was a paralegal specialist assigned to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade. 'The South Carolina National Guard is in mourning today,' the National Guard said in a statement. 'We have lost not one but two of our family members with Spc. Kristal Lopez's passing. 'There is no way to reconcile such a loss,' it read. Adding: 'Please keep the Lopez and Santiago families in your thoughts and prayers.' said Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, adjutant general, South Carolina. Former President Donald Trump will attend the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, while President Joe Biden will simultaneously be holding a lavish fundraiser at NYC's iconic Radio City Music Hall. On Monday, officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop. Horrifying footage of the incident shows the cop screaming in pain as he died. The three-year veteran of the force leaves behind a wife and one-year-old son. On Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed rumors that Trump was planning to attend the wake Thursday at the Massapequa Funeral Home in New York. Biden, on the other hand, will spend his evening hobnobbing with donors at a fundraiser that will feature guests including former Democratic presidents Clinton and Obama, as well as a slate of celebrity musical entertainers. On Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed rumors that Trump was planning to attend the wake Thursday at the Massapequa Funeral Home in New York Guy Rivera, 34, the man believed to have fired the shot that killed Diller, had been arrested 21 times before the incident on Monday, including for nine felonies. Ahead of the funeral, thousands of NYPD officers were seen gathering at the Massapequa funeral home to witness the arrival of Diller's body. Also on Thursday, Biden will jet into the Big Apple for an extremely high-profile fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall. The event will feature musical talents like Lizzo, Queen Latifah, and Ben Platt. It will also include Stephen Colbert moderating a conversation between Biden, and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz will also be onsite to snap portraits of donors with the three Democratic presidents. The Midtown Manhattan event will be the Biden campaign's biggest fundraising event of this cycle so far. With both Biden and Trump officially snagging their respective party's nominations in recent weeks, the Biden campaign has been full speed ahead as the incumbent president faces a tough reelection bid. The 2020 rivals are polling within points of one another, with the edge going to Trump in most swing states for the moment. Supporters of Biden have begun to publicly share their concern that his reelection odds are fragile and may be seriously jeopardized by third party candidates like RFK Jr. But, for the time being, Biden has a significant advantage over his opponent on the fundraising front. The Democratic National Committee reporting close to $100million in the bank - more than twice what the RNC is reporting. With both Biden and Trump officially snagging their respective party's nominations in recent weeks, the Biden campaign has been full speed ahead as the incumbent president faces a tough reelection bid On Monday, officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop - he leaves behind a wife and one-year-old son Thousands of law enforcement officers observed the arrival of Diller's body to the upstate New York funeral home, where his service will be held Thursday Trump, who has always emphasized law and order as a key tenet of his political platform, has been a vocal supporter of the NYPD and takes an especially harsh stance against criminals who murder or otherwise harm law enforcement officials. During the 2019 during the Major County Sheriffs and Major Cities Chiefs Association Joint Conference: 'In my administration, we strongly believe that criminals who murder cops should get the death penalty.' Following Diller's tragic killing, New York City Mayor Eric Adams branded the shooting a 'senseless act of violence.' 'I cant not say it any clearer: It is the good guys against the bad guys, and these bad guys are violent,' Adams, a former cop, added. Following Rivera's arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history including first degree robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults. A judge has recommended that conservative attorney John Eastman lose his California law license over his efforts to keep former President Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election. Eastman, a former law school dean, faces 11 disciplinary charges in the state bar court stemming from his development of a legal strategy to have then-Vice President Mike Pence interfere with the certification of President Joe Bidens victory. State Bar Court of California Judge Yvette Roland's recommendation, issued Wednesday, now goes to the California Supreme Court for a final ruling on whether he should be disbarred. Eastman can appeal the top court's decision. Eastman's attorney, Randall A. Miller, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the judge's decision. The California State Bar is a regulatory agency and the only court system in the U.S. that is dedicated to attorney discipline. A judge has recommended that conservative attorney John Eastman lose his California law license over his efforts to keep former President Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election He separately faces criminal charges in Georgia in the case accusing Trump and 18 allies of conspiring to overturn the Republican's loss in the state. Eastman, who has pleaded not guilty, has argued he was merely doing his job as Trump's attorney when he challenged the results of the 2020 election. He has denounced the case as targeting attorneys 'for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients.' He's also one of the unnamed co-conspirators in the separate 2020 election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, but Eastman is not charged in the federal case. The State Bar of California alleges that Eastman violated the state's business and professions code by making false and misleading statements that constitute acts of 'moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption.' In doing so, the agency says he 'violated this duty in furtherance of an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land - an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy.' Eastman was a close adviser to Trump in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He wrote a memo laying out a plan for Pence to reject legitimate electoral votes for Biden while presiding over the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 in order to keep Trump in the White House. Eastman separately faces criminal charges in Georgia in the case accusing Trump and 18 allies of conspiring to overturn the Republican's loss in the state Eastman, a former law school dean, faces 11 disciplinary charges in the state bar court stemming from his development of a legal strategy to have then-Vice President Mike Pence interfere with the certification of President Joe Biden s victory John Eastman, former attorney for former U.S. President Donald Trump, is seen speaking in a video displayed above during the fourth of eight planned public hearings of the U.S. House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 attack Prosecutors seeking to strip Eastman of his law license depicted him as a Trump enabler who fabricated a baseless theory and made false claims of fraud in hopes of overturning the results of the election. Eastmans attorney countered that his client never intended to steal the election but was considering ways to delay electoral vote counting so states could investigate allegations of voting improprieties. Trumps claims of fraud were roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed. Eastman has been a member of the California Bar since 1997, according to its website. He was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and a founding director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a law firm affiliated with the Claremont Institute. Eastman ran for California attorney general in 2010, finishing second in the Republican primary. He was dean of Chapman University law school in Southern California from 2007 to 2010 and was a professor at the school when he retired in 2021 after more than 160 faculty members signed a letter calling for the university to take action against him. The threats come as crime in the California city spiral out of control and cause many businesses and chains to permanently close Oakland locations An wheelchair-bound centenarian has been threatened with a hefty fine from Oakland officials after thugs graffitied his home and he was unable to remove the paint. The home of Victor Silva, Sr. is a frequent target of vandalism by thugs in the crime-ridden California city. Silva, who is 102 years old and and paid taxes in Oakland for over 80 years, was faced with threats of a $1,100 fine from the City of Oakland for the graffiti. The violation citation demanded that the paint was removed by Tuesday the 19th and that an additional fine would be added for each failed inspection in the future. 'It was so absurd, it's like a joke. If you drive around the city and see the graffiti everywhere, it's just I don't know what to say,' said daughter-in-law Elena Silva to KVTU. A 102-year-old wheelchair-bound man was threatened with a hefty fine from Oakland officials after thugs graffitied his home and he was unable to remove the paint The home of Oakland-born Victor Silva, Sr. is a frequent target of vandalism by thugs in the crime-ridden California city Silva, who has lived and paid taxes in Oakland for over 80 years, was faced with threats of a $1,100 fine from the City of Oakland for the graffiti In his younger years, Silva went to the trouble of painting over the graffiti time and time again. 'Just had a roller and a paintbrush and just painted it. It was very easy because I was a contractor,' he said. However, since he's been wheelchair bound it hasn't been as easy to cover up the paint on the back fence of his Oakland home. 'I'll be 103 in two months or so. That slowed it up a little bit, you know,' said Silva Sr. These days it's Silva's 70-year-old son who has to paint over the graffiti each time it pops back up. 'It's hard to keep up with it because as soon as we get it painted, It's gonna be graffiti on it again, and it won't last,' said Silva Jr. Up the road from Silva's home, a large utility box is also covered in six different kinds of graffiti. The utility box has no owner, except the city, to be threatened with charges. 'It was so absurd, it's like a joke. If you drive around the city and see the graffiti everywhere, it's just I don't know what to say,' said daughter-in-law Elena Silva Nowadays, Silva's 70-year-old son, Silva Jr., has to paint over the graffiti each time it pops back up Pictured: Oakland's Democrat Mayor Sheng Thao The Silva family own a small commercial business in Oakland that has been broken into three times in just the last year. During one break-in, Silva Jr. caught a person inside the shop and he called 911. 'And I'm put on hold every time,' he said. 'So it's hard to understand where our tax dollars are going. They can't answer 911, but they can come out and hassle you about a fence?' When asked how he managed to live to 103, Silva said 'Very easy. Just keep breathing and, you know, behave yourself.' Silva Jr added: 'I would hate to think that there [are] other hundred-year-old people that are being harassed like this. Oakland has to change. The system is not working.' MailOnline has contacted Oakland City Council for comment. Crime in Oakland has spiked in recent years, leading many businesses in the area to shut down for good. Recently, Taco Bell locations in Oakland were forced to close and switch to drive-thru w and cashless payments only. The decision came after the chain was subjected to a series of robberies amid an unrelenting crime surge in the city. Data from Oakland's police force reveal that robberies increased by a massive 38% from 2022 to 2023. Motor vehicle theft in particular saw a major rise, with the force reporting 44% more in 2023 compared with 2022. There were 8,675 car theft cases in the city in 2022, compared with 12,956 last year. Burglaries also jumped 23% from the previous year. Another fast food chain has been hit by the crime-surge - In-N-Out's chief operations officer, Denny Warnick, wrote in a statement: 'Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.' The fast food burger joint sits in a square mile with several gas stations that cops say are the targets of around a dozen violent crimes every day. The parking lot of the In-N-Out Burger is hit daily. Storm Nelson has arrived in the UK with snow hitting Devon - as a yellow warning was put in place for Wales before 70mph winds batter England's south coast. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain into parts of Britain last night and this morning as the unsettled weather continues in the run-up to Easter. Footage shows heavy snowfall lining a street in south Devon, with the Met warning of longer journey times and the possible cancellation of roads. A yellow weather warning for snow has been put in place for most of Wales, starting at 1am today and ending at 7am. Meanwhile, a yellow weather warning for wind has been put in place for the south coast of England, starting at 1am today and ending at 6pm. Blustery conditions, showers, thunder and hail are set to hit the UK as the low pressure system sweeps in after being named by the Spanish weather service Aemet. Yesterday morning began wet across the North and West with hill snow in Scotland - and while eastern areas will see some sunshine, rain will later move in from the west. Snow has lined the streets in Plymouth and Devon, sticking to cars and roads Photographs shows heavy snowfall lining the streets in south Devon Yellow weather warnings have been put in place for most of Wales and the south coast of England, starting at 1am this morning and ending at 7am People shelter under umbrellas in London this week as the capital is hit by wet weather WEDNESDAY: Blustery conditions, showers, thunder and hail will hit the UK with highs of 12C STORM NELSON: A map by Spanish weather service Aemet showing the low pressure system GOOD FRIDAY FORECAST: Showers and breezy conditions for Britain this Friday with 14C highs Temperatures were low across the UK yesterday, struggling to get above 7C (45F) in Scotland, 9C (48F) in northern England and 12C (54F) in the South and Wales. Forecasters said up to 2.8in (70mm) of rain could fall in Northern Ireland, which was under a weather warning until 10am yesterday, while northern Scotland faces gales. It comes as holidaymakers heading to Spain or Portugal in the coming days face a washout Easter with low temperatures with heavy rain expected in Madrid which will make it to only 14C (57F) this week, Lisbon to 16C (61F) and Faro to 17C (63F). READ MORE Rain in Spain! Met Office warns of Easter washout for families heading to European cities including 14C Madrid - but 25C Rome will be hot and sunny Advertisement BBC meteorologist Helen Willetts told Radio 4: 'The low pressure that's throwing this rain our way has now been named as Storm Nelson by the Spanish met service. 'And it will bring some stronger winds our way as well later tonight and tomorrow.' Over in Spain, an alert from Aemet said: 'Storm Nelson, recently named by Aemet, will give rise in the coming days to strong gusts of wind and rain in large areas of the territory in a period of great social relevance such as Holy Week. The storm has not been named by the UK's Met Office, which last named Storm Jocelyn on January 22. The next storm in the UK series, which runs until the end of this August, will be Kathleen. The UK is facing a typical mix of spring weather in the run-up to Easter - with downpours, strong winds and sunshine all expected over the coming days. Unsettled conditions will remain for much of this week, with low pressure bringing rain from the West. The Met Office said rain and hill snow will move north across Scotland and Northern Ireland today, with brighter spells and showers following behind. Meanwhile in England and Wales, a band of showery rain will move east although there will also be some sunny spells. GOOD FRIDAY: The Met Office has warned of 'unsettled' weather for much of Europe this week EASTER SATURDAY: Spain and Portugal are likely to see thunderstorms and strong winds Showers will continue in Northern Ireland, and rain will begin to fall again across England and Wales. Bright spells fell today, especially in Scotland - but showery rain will move north across most areas and there could be hail and thunder in the South, where it will also be very windy. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Helen Caughey said: 'It's another very unsettled week for much of the UK, with heavy, blustery showers, longer spells of rain and also some strong winds.' 'In terms of hazards in the current forecast, we're continuing to keep an eye on some of the expected rainfall totals as they build up through the week, with some places, including Northern Ireland, still quite sensitive to rainfall amounts due to the wet winter many have experienced. 'We will also need to monitor the winds with the potential for gales to develop around some coastal areas of the north at first, then later for some south and southwestern areas, especially as these may coincide with some high tides.' The Met Office said it was still confirming the forecast for the Easter weekend, but Good Friday will likely be another day of blustery showers, most frequent in the South and West. SPAIN -- Huge waves at Puerto De La Cruz in Tenerife yesterday as Storm Nelson hits Spain PORTUGAL -- Big waves strike the beach of Nazare in Portugal yesterday amid Storm Nelson Saturday will then see the showers continue in the South and West, but there will be an increasing chance of brighter spells further north and east. READ MORE Easter weekend washout: Met Office warns of 'unsettled' four days Advertisement Sunday currently looks to be the best day of the Easter weekend. However, conditions are expected to become more unsettled from the South later that day and into Easter Monday, which is likely to be unsettled for many areas. Ms Caughey continued: 'Showers will continue into the weekend, especially for southern and western areas. 'However, it is likely that we will see something of an improvement for most areas, with showers tending to become less frequent, and a better chance of longer spells of sunshine for eastern and northern areas in particular. 'It will also become less windy, and temperatures should start to trend upwards, feeling quite warm in any sunshine. 'However, more widely unsettled conditions look likely to return into Easter Monday, but there is still some uncertainty in the timing of this deterioration.' Kennington tube station has been shut amid claims of a 'stabbing' - just hours after a thug knifed a man on the train at Beckenham eight miles away before going on the run. A man was left fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed on the train at Beckenham Junction this afternoon. Transport for London (TfL) later confirmed that Kennington underground station has been closed due to a 'customer incident'. One person on social media platform X said the train stopped at Kennington before passengers were ordered to get off. They wrote: 'Our southbound Northern line train stopped at Kennington and the driver asked us to get off the train (knowing someone was stabbing people). Kennington tube station has been shut amid claims of a 'stabbing' with emergency services at the scene 'Why not keep us on the train until the culprit had been detained?' Another person wrote: 'I also was on the same train and overheard from medical staff storming in that two people were in real danger.' There is no suggestion the Kennington and Beckenham incidents are linked. MailOnline has contacted the Met and British Transport Police for comment. A man was left fighting for his life in hospital today after being stabbed on the train at Beckenham Junction. Police are still searching for the attacker and urging witnesses to come forward with information. Horrifying video shows the attacker on top of the man with a large blade in his hand on the moving train. One passenger can be heard screaming 'f****** stop it now' before calling police to report the incident. The witness then says: 'I'm on the train to Beckenham Junction and this man's stabbing someone on the train.' Aside from arresting the alleged drunk drivers, authorities initiated 692 traffic stops, issued 898 citations and arrested seven other people on unrelated charges. This initiative has proven to be highly successful for the department. As motor vehicle traffic continues to increase in Laredo, we urge the community to make responsible choices and plan ahead. Remember, plan while you can, and don't drink and drive, LPD said in a statement. Says deeper causes of problems need to be fixed Alice Mayor offers to go to Canberra to brief PM EXCLUSIVE The mayor of Alice Springs says he'll fly 2,550km to Canberra to tell the Prime Minister he's failing desperate residents if Anthony Albanese refuses to visit the riot-hit town. Mayor Matt Paterson spoke to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday after the first emergency night of curfew for youths in the outback town. It followed terrifying footage of locals barricaded inside the Todd Tavern and 'scared for their lives' as a rampaging mob of about 70 rioters attacked the pub. The frightening mob desperately tried to smash their way through glass doors and windows with rocks, bricks and flying kicks while carrying crow bars and axes. Mr Patterson said Mr Albanese's a fly-in fly-out visit to the town a year ago - where he spent around four hour in meetings - was never enough to understand the underlying problems and witness the end result of decisions made far away. 'I would welcome anyone from any political party to come to Alice Springs,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Before they make decisions in Canberra or Darwin, they need to come here and look at the unintended consequences. 'And if the Prime Minister doesnt want to come here I am more than happy to go to Canberra to speak to the Prime Minister.' Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson says he'll fly 2,550km to Canberra to tell the Prime Minister he's failing desperate residents if Anthony Albanese refuses to visit the riot-hit town Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls to visit the trouble-plagued town of Alice again (pictured during January 2023 visit) Extra police are still arriving in Alice Springs to enforce the newly-imposed youth curfew and ensure there is no repeat of Tuesday's terrifying scenes. 'What happened on Tuesday in Alice Springs is completely unacceptable,' Mr Patterson said. 'If you look at those people who were barricaded in, they were scared for their lives. 'The venue that was attacked is 300 metres from a preschool and primary school. 'It was happening at school pick-up time. That is scary and it is not acceptable. 'That behaviour has got to stop.' Mr Patterson said that the latest outbreak of anarchy was not far from day to day life in Alice Springs. 'It was the worst thing we have ever seen on Tuesday - but we are not surprised or shocked by it anymore,' he said. 'A lot of the community are so desensitised to what happens here, because it has been happening here for such a long time.' Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler announced an emergency curfew for Alice Springs following the horrifying footage from both inside and outside Between the hours of 6pm and 6am daily, all youths must stay at home and off the streets for the next 14 days with an additional 58 police being deployed to restore law and order. Mr Patterson welcomed Ms Lawler for 'making some pretty big calls' especially as she was new to the job but said there was 'no guarantee' once the 14-day emergency measures were over that things would improve. Terrifying footage emerged on Tuesday of rampaging mob attacking an Alice Springs pub as locals barricade themselves inside The rampaging mob of around 70 people took over one of the main roads of Alice Springs as they attacked the hotel Mr Patterson also admitted there were concerns that the curfew might only push misbehaviour out of the CBD into the town's suburbs. 'The situation needs to be assessed,' he said of how effective the curfew would be. 'Hopefully with the extra police, we can see some proactive policing in the suburbs as well. Mr Patterson has now backed down from earlier calls for the federal government to take over the Northern Territory in the wake of the new emergency measures, But he said he did not want to take that option off the table if it's later needed. 'What I said is that if the Northern Territory government cant keep us safe then they need to remove themselves and the federal government to step in,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Were not the only place in the Territory suffering crime, which is why I have said we need outside resources.' The extra officers coming to Alice were being pulled away from other duties, he said. 'Ultimately thats not my decision,' he added. 'Thats a decision for the Chief Minister and the Police Commissioner.' Mr Albanese has resisted calls to visit Alice Springs again to tackle the crisis after a lightning trip in January 2023. He has made no commitment to return to the town after being asked in Parliament by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton whether he would return following Tuesday's riot, which has made headlines around the world. Instead he said had taken the entire cabinet to the Northern Territory 'just last week'. Inside the Todd Tavern a man was forced to hold the glass doors shut with his foot as attackers launched themselves at them Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler announced an immediate curfew on youths for Alice that began on Thursday night 'We had ministers in Alice Springs, in Catherine, in remote Northern Territory as well and I visited a remote community to commit to $4 billion to fix housing in remote communities,' he said. But Nationals NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused the Prime Minister and Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney of making a fleeting visit as a PR stunt. 'The Prime Minister had gone to their community to deliver a funding announcement,' Senator Price told Sky News on Wednesday night. 'But the community wanted to speak to the minister and the prime minister about their issues. They were promised that they would get that conversation 'They (Mr Albanese and Ms Burney) flew in, did the media conference and took off and that community is reeling at that. 'They need to spend real time and listen to people on the ground and they are just not doing that.' EXCLUSIVE Bank robber turned TikTok star Russell Manser, who died in his Sydney harbourfront apartment last Saturday, once planned to marry a barrister he met while in prison. Manser embarked on a relationship with Mary Keaney after he left jail for the last time seven years ago and later bought a farm with her in the Tweed Valley in NSW's north-east. Property records list Ms Keaney and Manser as joint owners of that four-bedroom home on six hectares at Stokers Siding, which cost $1,240,000 in December 2020. Daily Mail Australia understands Ms Keaney was still living on the farm at the time of Manser's death. Bank robber turned TikTok star Russell Manser, who died in his Sydney harbourfront apartment last Saturday, once planned to marry barrister Mary Keaney, who he met while in prison. The former couple is pictured Manser, who had a long history of abusing drugs including heroin, died in his apartment at King Street Wharf near Barangaroo on Saturday night aged 56. The cause of his death has not been made public but there were no suspicious circumstances. Manser spent 23 years in prisons around Australia until he turned his life around and became an advocate for victims of institutional child abuse. He was repeatedly raped in juvenile detention, and then again in an adult prison as a teenager, and launched 'The Voice of a Survivor' in 2017 to help abused inmates get compensation. Ms Keaney, who describes herself on Instagram as 'not your average barrister' and is a self-declared social justice warrior, was admitted to the bar in 2017. Manser first encountered Ms Keaney while he was in prison after giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Manser embarked on a relationship with Mary Keaney after he left jail for the last time seven years ago and later bought a farm with her in the Tweed Valley in NSW 's north-east Property records list Ms Keaney and Manser as joint owners of a four-bedroom home (above) on six hectares at Stokers Siding, which cost $1,240,000 in December 2020 Ms Keaney had been working on a justice project and heard about Manser's efforts to help other inmates seek redress for the abuse they had suffered as children. 'The people I'd helped in jail had told her all about me,' Manser said in a video interview posted on YouTube. 'So she contacted me and asked me to be involved in this justice project where survivors get to tell their stories... about what had happened to them.' Two weeks before Manser was due to be released in 2017 he learnt he was about to be charged over a series of bank robberies committed before his last stint in prison. He was granted bail, went into rehab and was not required to serve any more jail time when he was sentenced for the old offences in 2018. Ms Keaney, who had previously been married in her early 20s, was one of the lawyers to whom Manser felt he owed his liberty. A source said Manser struggled to adjust to life on the outside after spending so long in custody. 'He was basically behaving like a 20-year-old because he had no idea how to have a relationship with a woman,' the source said. Manser first encountered Ms Keaney while he was in prison after giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 'I am feeling blessed,' Manser captioned a picture of the couple in September 2020 Manser and Ms Keaney's relationship began slowly but they eventually set up home at the Stokers Siding property, with Manser spending part of the compensation he received for being abused as a teenager. His social media posts from that time show the pair enjoying country life - Ms Keaney is a keen horse rider - and seemingly making plans to get married. 'I am feeling blessed,' Manser captioned a picture of the couple in September 2020. 'We have been through a lot together, we are stronger than ever. The bank robber (ex bank robber) and the Barrister we are a great team.' That caption was followed with the hashtags 'marriagematerial', 'lovers', 'soulmates', 'twinflames', 'livinglife' and 'strength'. In another 2020 post Manser wished Ms Keaney a happy International Women's Day, addressing her as 'Punchy' and stating, 'I love the strong, smart, supportive, gorgeous and independent woman that you are'. The same year Manser posted a newspaper picture of Ms Keaney in her wig and gown with a caption stating 'she is a good human being always fighting for the rights of others'. In her profile for Frederick Jordan Chambers, Ms Keaney lists her previous employment with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Aid Services in Alice Springs and Brisbane. Manser's social media posts from the time show the pair enjoying country life - Ms Keaney is a keen horse rider - and seemingly making plans to wed 'In addition to her criminal law practice, she also appears in common law matters, predominantly for plaintiffs in personal injury cases arising from historic child sexual abuse,' the profile says. Ms Keaney did not appear on camera when the ABC television program Australian Story ran an episode about Manser in May 2022. By then, the father-of-two had published a book called The Voice of a Survivor The Russell Manser Story, with the help of bank robber and author John Killick. Manser later amassed 134,000 followers on TikTok where his posts included videos about life behind bars, and hosted a podcast called The Stick Up. Ms Keaney spoke to former detective Gary Jubelin for an episode of his I Catch Killers podcast titled 'A wild child that went from protester to barrister' which aired in March last year. During the interview Ms Keaney agreed with Jubelin she was a 'social justice warrior' who had found the law after spending her early adulthood partying too much and lacking direction. A turning point for Ms Keaney had been reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk To Freedom, written after the South African anti-apartheid activist had spent 27 years in prison. After Manser split with Ms Keaney he had a brief relationship with a Serbian woman called Liliana Gagic (both pictured) and the pair lived together on the Gold Coast 'I have approached the practice of criminal justice from a perspective that overall people aren't bad,' she told Jubelin. 'People are products of the society in which they live and how they have grown and their life experiences and people make mistakes.' Jubelin was a good friend of Manser's but there was no mention of the longtime criminal's past relationship with Ms Keaney during the podcast interview. A source who knew Manser well said he and Ms Keaney had discussed getting married on the grounds of the Stokers Siding property but it was not meant to be. After the couple split, Manser had a brief relationship with a Serbian woman called Liliana Gagic and the pair lived together on the Gold Coast. When that finished Manser returned to Stokers Siding, where Ms Keaney was living. 'Then he finally decided to go back to Sydney to his old stomping ground but he needed to go back regularly to the farm,' the source close to Manser said. 'He went there for his sanity and it was really important. Mary was still there. 'He said they weren't back on again but they'd found a way to live with each other when he was up there.' Manser removed social media posts of Ms Gagic after they parted but Ms Keaney still features prominently on his Facebook page. The day after Manser died, Ms Gagic posted a series of pictures of the them together on Instagram. In a caption, she wrote: 'Goodbye my lover, until we meet again.' Ms Gagic subsequently told Daily Mail Australia: 'Russell and I were in an open relationship'. 'I am currently in Europe, so I wasn't next to him [when he died],' she said. 'Russell was a warrior. Man on a mission. Soul everyone who ever met will remember forever. Man of freedom, frequency and vibration not many humans embody.' Ms Gagic said Manser showed 'love and compassion towards victims of sexual abuse' and called him 'one in a million man'. Ms Keaney declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. A third person is expected to be charged with murder over a gruesome alleged gang killing on the streets of Sydney - as one of the accused, a heavily pregnant woman, makes a bid for bail. NSW Police Homicide Squad detectives arrested a man at Silverwater prison on Thursday morning and are preparing to charge the 30-year-old with the alleged murder of Ferenc 'David' Stemler. Mr Stemler, 28, was allegedly gunned down in Sydney's deadly gang war out the front of his home in Canterbury, in Sydney's west last year. In gruesome scenes on July 27, Stemler's tattooed body was pictured riddled with bullets lying in the middle of the road, as schoolchildren walked past that morning. Strike Force Murrell officers last month charged a 27-year-old man with the murder as well as Rhylee Peta Stig, 23, who was not handcuffed on her arrest due to her condition. Ms Stig, who is believed to be nearing full-term in her pregnancy, is due to make an application after Easter to be released from prison ahead of the birth of her child. Detectives are about to charge a third person with the alleged murder of David Stemler after arresting the 30-year-old (above in custody) at Silverwater prison on Thursday morning Rhylee Peta Stig, 23 (above) was charged with the execution murder of David Stemler in Canterbury in Sydney's west last July and has been in jail for five weeks but is now applying for bail ahead of the impending birth of her baby The former Hunter Valley schoolgirl, who was arrested at her Wetherill Park home on February 21, was charged with murder and refused police bail. She was then again refused bail in Fairfield Local Court when police said she 'has not shown cause why detention is not justified'. However, Ms Stig is now making an application for release next Tuesday before Justice Mark Ierace in the NSW Supreme Court. Detectives say that Mr Stemler was shot dead as he approached a white Commodore Broughton Street in Canterbury between 1.55am and 2am on July 27, 2023. Police allege that the third accused now in custody was in the Commodore at the time Mr Stemler approached it. Stemler, who was heavily tattooed, was treated at the crime scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died. Just days ago, police released CCTV related to the Mr Stemler's death which shows a white Lexus, allegedly stolen in July last year, arriving at a Casula Central carpark about 10.25pm on July 18. Police believe the driver of the Lexus allegedly lay in wait for the planned shooting, which was seen being 'checked on' by a black hatchback on July 20 and again by a dark-coloured hatchback on July 24. Ferenc 'David' Stemler (above) was gunned down out the front of his rental home in Canterbury, in Sydney's west Schoolchildren were forced to walk past the grisly scene NSW Police released video of Stig during her arrest last month and the pregnant accused has been in jail since but now her baby is approaching full term she is applying for bail Rhylee Stig was refused bail when she appeared in court. She will be behind bars at least until the middle of April, unless she applies for bail Stig has been charged with murder It's unclear who police will allege pulled the trigger on Stemler. His death came after he met two men outside his rental home on Broughton St. Local police, with assistance from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad, commenced inquiries before the matter was taken carriage of by Task Force Magnus under Strike Force Murrell. Task Force Magnus was established in July as a policing strategy to target and disrupt gun-related and violent crime, and to investigate links between recent organised criminal activity in Sydney. Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said the arrests were significant for State Crime Command's Task Force Magnus. 'While the work is never truly done, this is a huge feat for our Command, who were given the difficult job of circuit breaking the brazen violence we saw unfolding on our streets. 'Task Force Magnus supplemented their suite of capabilities with both proactive and reactive teams, to not only target offenders, but prevent more acts of violence on our streets. 'The safety of our wider community has and always will be our number one priority, and the people of NSW our motivation for crafting such a significant response; one that has evidently had noteworthy success.' Investigations under Strike Force Murrell continue. James Cleverly has been accused of 'shameful evasion' after censoring a highly critical report which exposed new failures in Britain's porous border. Labour said the Home Secretary had acted 'irresponsibly' and covered up the truth in an official report by former chief inspector of borders and immigration David Neal. The Mail first revealed Mr Neal's concerns last month over 'high-risk' private jets and chartered flights being allowed to land in Britain without passengers undergoing passport checks. The watchdog was then sacked on Mr Cleverly's orders after going public. The Home Office finally published Mr Neal's report on Tuesday but in a heavily-redacted form - with 69 sections censored. James Cleverly (pictured) has been accused of 'shameful evasion' after censoring a highly critical report which exposed new failures in Britain's porous border The Home Office finally published David Neal's report on Tuesday but in a heavily-redacted form - with 69 sections censored (pictured: group of people thought to be migrants at Dover) Last month, the Home Office was accused of attempting to 'bury bad news' when it dumped 13 reports by Mr Neal on the same day as the findings of the inquiry into Sarah Everard's abduction, rape and murder by a serving police officer (pictured: migrants on the Channel) Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, in a letter sent to Mr Cleverly yesterday, said: 'You once again shamefully tried to evade scrutiny over disturbing failings in Britain's border security. 'You and your ministers have... tried to hide this report, to deny its findings and to redact any information that might contradict the claims that Home Office ministers have made.' Miss Cooper said of the redactions: 'Your determination to try and hide away from public challenge over border security failings is irresponsible.' The Labour frontbencher called for an 'urgent independent review of border security around private flights' and accused Mr Cleverly of 'putting Britain's border security at risk'. Mr Neal's report warned there had been security failures at 'national level' in the handling of private and chartered jets. Last month, the Home Office was accused of attempting to 'bury bad news' when it dumped 13 reports by Mr Neal - exposing a series of failings in immigration and border security - on the same day as the findings of the inquiry into Sarah Everard's abduction, rape and murder by a serving police officer. Miss Cooper's letter described that move as 'unacceptable and irresponsible'. Mr Cleverly, in a written reply to Miss Cooper's claims, said: 'The Government takes the redaction of material from independent reports seriously and I disagree with the characterisation that by redacting information we are evading scrutiny.' He said redactions were only made for national security reasons or where it may 'jeopardise individual safety'. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured), in a letter sent to Mr Cleverly yesterday, said: 'You once again shamefully tried to evade scrutiny over disturbing failings in Britain's border security' Mr Neal's (pictured) report warned there had been security failures at 'national level' in the handling of private and chartered jets The Home Secretary said it was 'categorically untrue... that high-risk aircraft are landing in the UK without security checks'. Mr Cleverly did, however, offer to arrange an official briefing for the shadow home secretary on 'Privy Council terms', which cannot be discussed in public. Border Force chief Phil Douglas has insisted it performs 'robust security checks on those arriving in the UK'. The mother who was targeted by Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi has been discharged from hospital after eight weeks, police have said, but it is still feared that she could lose her sight in one eye. The 31-year-old is believed to be back with her daughters, aged eight and three, who were also injured in the horrific attack on January 31. The woman had been sedated in hospital for days following the violent assault, The Mirror reports. She is now out of hospital, police confirmed, but continues to receive treatment for her horrendous injuries and is being supported by specialist officers. The unnamed victim had previously been in a relationship with Ezedi, who was not the father of her children, and had agreed to meet him that night in the south London suburb. She went to his car with her two children, and it was there that the attack took place which saw her doused with a corrosive substance and driven at in front of horrified onlookers. The mother who was the victim of the Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi has now been discharged from hospital. it was reported last night. She is pictured with her children in a GoFundMe post by friends Following the attack, CCTV footage showed Ezedi with severe burns to his face at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt Photos from the crime scene showed a white Hyundai i20 hatchback with its doors open and windscreen shattered Ezedi was also hurt and fled the scene on Lessar Road, sparking a nationwide manhunt. CCTV footage showed him with severe burns to his face at a Tesco store on Caledonian Road, Islington, dressed in a black hoodie and blue T-shirt. He was last seen on CCTV leaning over London's Chelsea Bridge. His body was later found in the Thames, 19 days after he was last seen alive. News of his victim's release from hospital comes after explosive new details about Ezedi's case emerged this week. The 35-year-old Afghan national, who was living in Newcastle and was a convicted sex offender, had twice been refused asylum by the Home Office. He was considered so dangerous by the Baptist Church that it drew up a 'safeguarding contract' for the safety of parishioners over his sex assault and exposure convictions. Despite concerns about the dangers he posed, a Baptist minister still advocated on Ezedi's behalf. He has since given a Muslim funeral and burial despite claiming to have converted to Christianity. He failed basic questions on religion, and the asylum judge who heard his appeal to stay in the UK found that he had 'not been honest in several aspects of his account'. In spite of his concerns, Judge William O'Hanlon allowed Ezedi's appeal on asylum and human rights grounds, overturning the Home Office 's decision not to grant him leave to remain. Clapham chemical attacker Abdul Ezedi is baptised at a church in Jarrow Ezedi arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry in 2016 and had twice been refused asylum by 2018 Ezedi went on to carry out the heinous attack in Clapham earlier this year, targeting his former partner. It had been feared that his victim and her younger daughter had sustained 'life-changing injuries', and the pair, along with the older child, were all kept in hospital for some weeks. A heroic bystander who rushed to the aid of the three-year-old victim previously claimed that she witnessed the attacker try to 'crack the child's head open'. The woman - who remained anonymous - told the BBC that she thought the child she saved was going to 'die in her arms' after seeing her dragged from a car by Mr Ezedi and 'slammed to the floor' twice. She described how she found the child barely conscious and with her head 'red and swollen', before taking her into a nearby hotel whilst she waited for an ambulance. She said: 'I thought the youngest of the two girls was about to die in my arms. Luckily the three-year-old woke up and started to call for her mum. 'I took her to the waiting ambulance, she was clinging to me and didn't want to go, so I escorted her to hospital in the back of the ambulance, talking to her the entire way.' The woman was also one of the twelve people that had been sprayed with the chemical, which she described as 'looking like black paint', leaving her foot 'black and swollen'. Three women - two in their 30s and one in her 50s - were treated for burns after trying to intervene, as were five police officers. All were subsequently discharged. The English traitor fighting as a mercenary for Russia is 'willing to die' for Putin's forces and believes he is 'doing the Lord's work' by fighting the illegal war in Ukraine, it has emerged. Aiden Minnis, 37, joined the Russian army in January and, despite being disowned by his family and friends in the UK, continues to brag about his life on the frontline, which allegedly involves 'laying landmines and explosives' that kill Ukrainian soldiers. The Wiltshire native has now claimed that his proudest moment since enlisting was 'swearing an oath to Russia and standing with my unit as the national anthem played', The Mirror reported. Minnis, a former member of the far-right National Front with a conviction for a racist attack, said he plans to live but is 'prepared to die for the cause if necessary'. He also has no plans to return to Britain after he completing his service in Putin's army, noting he 'would be arrested on return'. He says he is currently in the process of obtaining Russian citizenship. Minnis and his fellow mercenary Ben Stimson, 48, have been branded traitors by a former British Army commander for fighting alongside Putin's regular troops. English traitor Aiden Minnis, 37, (pictured) is 'willing to die' for Putin's forces and believes he is 'doing the Lord's work' by fighting the illegal war in Ukraine, it has emerged Minnis (right) has now claimed that his proudest moment since enlisting was ' swearing an oath to Russia and standing with my unit as the national anthem played' He also has no plans to return to Britain after he completing his service in Putin 's army, noting he 'would be arrested on return'. Minnis says he is currently in the process of obtaining Russian passport citizenship. Pictured: Putin on March 27, 2024 Minnis, in a social media post, described himself as a 'sapper' - or combat engineer - in the Russian army and praised Putin. He also self-identified as a 'Z Patriot' and shared photos in which he is dressed in army fatigues. The mercenary said his role in the army involves 'anything from technical work, to laying mines and explosives'. He thinks Putin is the 'greatest politician on earth and of the past century', he has claimed, and believes by fighting in his army that he is 'securing victory for Russia and by default the citizens of the rest of the world'. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Mother of English traitor fighting for Putin against Ukraine has disowned him after discovering where he has gone Advertisement He also claimed that Ukraine is 'mass murdering' its own citizens and slammed the West for 'arming and funding the mass murder of ethnic Russians'. Although he doesn't speak any Russian, Minnis said his fellow soldiers are 'my brothers' and that 'I get on really well with them'. 'I trust them and I will die for them. They have proven themselves and helped me a lot,' he said, adding that despite the language barrier, 'we understand each other. A bit of pidgin English and pidginRussian and sign language. It gets done.' It comes as the 37-year-old has been disowned by his Wiltshire-based family. A family friend said his mother Tina, from Chippenham, was not even aware that Minnis was fighting on the front line. 'She has nothing to do with him, she has disowned him and they do not speak,' the friend told MailOnline yesterday. 'I don't think she will ever want to talk about him. She wants nothing to do with him and they have not spoken or had contact for years.' The friend added: 'I don't believe she was even aware he was away fighting. This is all news to her.' Minnis's VK page shows him wearing Russian uniforms (left hand side of the Irish flag) with a Donetsk insignia Relatives said his mother at home in Chippenham (file picture, above) did not know he was away fighting for Russia Ben Stimson, who had previously been jailed for joining pro-Russian militia forces in 2015, is currently battling Ukrainian soldiers with the Pyatnashka brigade in the Donetsk region Minnis and Stimson both face arrest if they ever return to the UK - which Minnis claims he has no intention of doing. 'I will stay here,' he said, according to the Mirror. 'I would be arrested on return for serving in the Russian army and in the Donbass. I'm in the process of obtaining a Russian passport as we speak. I will be a Russian citizen.' He acknowledged that by fighting in the Donbass he is a 'mercenary' and that being involved in combat would 'make me a war criminal in their eyes'. Minnis decided to join Putin's army in 2022 while he was homeless and living in Chippenham's Unity House hostel. He went to Russia in early 2023 to join a unit but said 'I didn't prepare myself correctly, so went home, and came out in December last year'. He revealed that on his initial journey he didn't pack properly, mentally prepare or 'take care of things back home properly'. 'I went into it blind,' he said of his initial attempt, but reiterated that the second time around he was prepared. He explained: 'I made sure I had a Russian phone, bank account. I didn't last time, so didn't sign the contract. I got a Russian visa and got a flight, but I had contacts there who arranged everything.' He added that police tried to detain him under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act while he travelled to Russia but claims that although they knew what he was doing, they 'didn't have the evidence to arrest me for it'. Stimson was jailed for terror offences after he went to the conflict zone in the Donbass region in 2015 for four months and assisted the anti-government militia in Ukraine, the year after Russia annexed Crimea Stimson has posted a number of pictures and videos online since he fled to Donetsk in February this year, including this picture of him dressed in military gear Minnis had a long record of arrests for violence when he appeared before Swindon Crown Court in December 2008 where he was jailed for four years after launching an unprovoked racist attack on Darren McMillan. McMillan was smashed over the head with a bottle of port having had racist insults hurled at him as he attempted to walk away from the violent thug in the early hours of the morning. Prosecutor Claire Marlow told the court how the race attack left his victim needing nine staples in a head wound. She said he had been out in Chippenham and Bath and was walking home at 3am when he noticed two men walking towards him and heard them starting to shout racial abuse. 'At first he was not bothered but as they got closer he took out his mobile phone and started to call the police,' she said. 'He recalls being on the phone to the operator when he heard one say 'Yeah, you get help' and use more racial abuse. 'As he went along he felt himself being stuck to the back of the head by something hard. He fell to the ground still connected to the operator.' Stimson posted his first picture from Donetsk onto Russian social network channel VK on March 14. In this one he appears to be holding a deadly 40mm grenade launcher round He also shared footage of frontline soldiers walking past two dead bodies and land mines in a muddy field, before they dig up a hand grenade A court report from 2008 revealed the man who was with Minnis called the police to tell them how he had seen him strike the victim with a bottle of port he had been drinking from. Two months after the assault Minnis robbed a man of his wallet and attempted to rob another, punching him in the face. He was also arrested months later for assaulting a homeless man. Minnis pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery, common assault and unlawful wounding and was jailed for four years and three months. The court heard he had a long history of offending, most of which involved violence, including a racially aggravated public order offence. The more we learn about the ludicrous decision to grant Abdul Ezedi sanctuary in Britain, the more we see the liberal elite is taking the whole country for a ride. The Afghan failed a test on Christianity even though he claimed to be a convert. He was a convicted sex offender. And an asylum tribunal considered him serially dishonest. Despite these concerns, an immigration judge permitted him to stay, persuaded by 'compelling evidence' from a Baptist minister that Ezedi had seen the light. Last month he was pulled dead from the Thames after carrying out a hideous chemical attack on a woman and her two daughters. The fact he was given a Muslim funeral indicates his true faith. The more we learn about the ludicrous decision to grant Abdul Ezedi (pictured) sanctuary in Britain, the more we see the liberal elite is taking the whole country for a ride Last month he was pulled dead from the Thames after carrying out a hideous chemical attack on a woman and her two daughters. The fact he was given a Muslim funeral (pictured) indicates his true faith But spurious asylum claims based on religion are commonplace. The bar is low and, with the assistance of Leftie lawyers, it is easy to game the system. Everyone apart from credulous clerics and woke judges can see these conversions are often a scam. Ministers have now told church leaders to explain the checks made when helping asylum seekers who claim to be Christian converts. But it's too little, too late. Huge numbers of illegal migrants from countries steeped in misogyny are arriving in small boats. With the complicity of a dysfunctional and do-gooding elite, we could be sheltering many more Ezedis. A fatal betrayal How many more times must a defenceless child be murdered by pitiless sadists in our supposedly civilised country right under the noses of the authorities? Finley Boden was taken into care at birth because of fears he'd come to harm. Soon after the ten-month-old was returned to his parents, Stephen Boden and Shannon Marsden, in November 2020, he was dead. In a regime of brutality lasting 39 days, the vile psychopaths inflicted hideous injuries to almost every part of his tiny body. Finley Boden (pictured) was taken into care at birth because of fears he'd come to harm Soon after the ten-month-old was returned to his parents, Stephen Boden (pictured, right) and Shannon Marsden (left), in November 2020, he was dead What on earth possessed the courts and social services to conclude it would be safe to give him back to a pair of violent drug addicts? It defies common sense. A review found judges rejected a local authority plea to delay the boy's return. Social workers and health visitors overlooked clear evidence of abuse. Yes, the Covid lockdown made it more difficult for them to monitor at-risk children, but that cannot excuse this scandalous failure. This is a depressingly familiar story. We were told lessons would be learned after the deaths of Victoria Climbie, Baby P and many others. But once again, the cries of a child have been tragically ignored. Sewage shame With cleaner air, more trees and species returning after centuries' absence, Britain's environment has improved in many ways. Unfortunately, our rivers and seas have defied this trend. Raw sewage was discharged into them no fewer than 464,000 times last year a 54 per cent rise on 2022. Water firms can do this during extreme weather so filth doesn't flood into homes, but the data suggests they are polluting our waterways as a matter of routine. Raw sewage was discharged into our rivers no fewer than 464,000 times last year a 54 per cent rise on 2022 (pictured: discharge into the River Thames at Thames Water-run Crossness sewage treatment works in east London) The problem is that for years, highly profitable water companies have neglected to upgrade antiquated infrastructure (pictured: discharge of sewage into a river) Predictably, the industry blames climate change for more frequent storms, but this is a pitiful excuse. Heavy rainfall is not new. The problem is that for years, highly profitable water companies have neglected to upgrade antiquated infrastructure. That Ofwat has allowed this is shameful. It must ensure firms meet investment targets and put water quality and public health first. Until then the industry, like the rivers awash with sewage, will stink. Pressure was mounting on the Post Office to face criminal action last night after secret recordings proved its bosses covered up the Horizon IT scandal. They revealed that the company and Fujitsu knew their faulty computer system could alter sub-postmasters' accounts more than ten years ago, despite denying this for years. More than 900 sub-postmasters were convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting between 1999 and 2015 following faults in the Horizon system. And national outrage ensued after the scandal was depicted in the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, based on campaigner Alan Bates's bid for justice. The recordings - published by Channel 4 News - were made in 2013 when the Post Office hired forensic firm Second Sight to conduct an independent investigation. Pressure was mounting on the Post Office to face criminal action last night after secret recordings proved its bosses covered up the Horizon IT scandal In one recording, the Second Sight accountants present their evidence to Post Office company secretary Ms Lyons and chief lawyer Ms Crichton one day before then CEO Paula Vennells (pictured) met with victims campaigner Lord Arbuthnot. The accountants can be heard strongly recommending that Ms Vennells is briefed on the failings of the system. They were later fired The first involved a call with IT specialist Simon Baker, in which it is admitted there is a possibility that sub-postmasters' accounts could be altered without their knowledge. Mr Baker said: 'If somebody in Bracknell had a brainstorm and wanted to do something, they could just do it.' Fujitsu's head office is based in Bracknell, west London. In another jaw-dropping moment, Mr Baker describes how he had informed Post Office executives Alwen Lyons and Susan Crichton that Fujitsu had admitted they could access sub-postmasters' accounts secretly. In previous revelations, it is understood that chief Horizon architect Gareth Jenkins told investigators as early as 2012 that the IT system could be accessed remotely by Fujitsu at its HQ. However, the Post Office did not admit this until 2019. In the second recording, the Second Sight accountants present their evidence to Post Office company secretary Ms Lyons and chief lawyer Ms Crichton one day before then CEO Paula Vennells met with victims campaigner Lord Arbuthnot. The accountants can be heard strongly recommending that Ms Vennells is briefed on the failings of the system. They were later fired. The recordings revealed that the company and Fujitsu knew their faulty computer system could alter sub-postmasters' accounts more than ten years ago, despite denying this for years Labour MP Liam Byrne, (pictured) chairman of the business and trade committee, said he felt 'pure rage' as he responded to what he says is the 'first evidence from 2013 that people knew there was a problem' Labour MP Liam Byrne, chairman of the business and trade committee, said he felt 'pure rage' as he responded to what he says is the 'first evidence from 2013 that people knew there was a problem'. He said: 'Not only did they mislead Parliament, they were sending people to prison as late as 2015. So two years after these recordings had been made. 'This is potentially perjury, this is contempt of Parliament, it's a miscarriage of justice. I mean, there's a whole host of sins here. 'It does now beg the question as to whether the police have now got sufficient evidence to act.' Lord Arbuthnot broke down in tears when shown the evidence. He said: 'I've been doing this for 14, 15 years now and to think that a British institution could behave like this, owned by us, is just terrible.' Fujitsu, the Post Office and Mr Jenkins declined to comment. The public inquiry into the Horizon scandal resumes next month. Former postmaster Alan Bates, who is portrayed by Toby Jones (pictured) in the drama, led and won the initial legal battle after himself falling victim to the faults The scandal is seen as one of the UK's biggest miscarriages of justice and has gained recent national attention over recent days thanks to Mr Bates Vs The Post Office airing on ITV Timeline of a travesty that's still playing out 25 years on 1999: The Horizon IT system from Fujitsu starts being rolled out to Post Office branches, replacing traditional paper-based accounting methods. The Horizon IT system from Fujitsu starts being rolled out to Post Office branches, replacing traditional paper-based accounting methods. 2003: Sub-postmaster Alan Bates had his contract terminated by the Post Office after he refused to accept liability for 1,200 of losses in his branch in Llandudno, North Wales. Sub-postmaster Alan Bates had his contract terminated by the Post Office after he refused to accept liability for 1,200 of losses in his branch in Llandudno, North Wales. 2004: The branch in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, run by Lee Castleton, showed a shortfall of 23,000 over a 12-week period. Mr Castleton repeatedly asked the Post Office for help, but was sacked and sued for refusing to repay the cash. He was made bankrupt after a two-year legal battle, ordered to pay more than 300,000 for the company's legal bill. The branch in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, run by Lee Castleton, showed a shortfall of 23,000 over a 12-week period. Mr Castleton repeatedly asked the Post Office for help, but was sacked and sued for refusing to repay the cash. He was made bankrupt after a two-year legal battle, ordered to pay more than 300,000 for the company's legal bill. 2006: Jo Hamilton, sub-postmaster at South Warnborough, Hampshire, was sacked over financial discrepancies. She re-mortgaged her house twice to fill the shortfall and was charged with theft of 36,000. She later admitted a lesser charge of false accounting to avoid jail. Jo Hamilton, sub-postmaster at South Warnborough, Hampshire, was sacked over financial discrepancies. She re-mortgaged her house twice to fill the shortfall and was charged with theft of 36,000. She later admitted a lesser charge of false accounting to avoid jail. 2009: Computer Weekly magazine told the story of seven postmasters who had experienced unexplained losses. The Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JFSA) was formed. Computer Weekly magazine told the story of seven postmasters who had experienced unexplained losses. The Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JFSA) was formed. 2010: Mr Bates, from JFSA, writes to minister Sir Ed Davey about the flawed Horizon system and urges him to intervene. His warnings were dismissed. Mr Bates, from JFSA, writes to minister Sir Ed Davey about the flawed Horizon system and urges him to intervene. His warnings were dismissed. 2012: With MPs raising concerns about convictions and the Horizon system, the Post Office launches an external review, with forensic accountants Second Sight appointed to investigate. With MPs raising concerns about convictions and the Horizon system, the Post Office launches an external review, with forensic accountants Second Sight appointed to investigate. 2013: An interim report by Second Sight reveals serious concerns and defects in the IT system. The Daily Mail reveals dozens of postmasters may have been wrongly taken to court and jailed. An interim report by Second Sight reveals serious concerns and defects in the IT system. The Daily Mail reveals dozens of postmasters may have been wrongly taken to court and jailed. 2015: It is revealed the Post Office failed to properly investigate why money was missing and concluded computer failures may have been to blame. The Post Office finally stops prosecuting sub-postmasters but 700 end up being convicted. It is revealed the Post Office failed to properly investigate why money was missing and concluded computer failures may have been to blame. The Post Office finally stops prosecuting sub-postmasters but 700 end up being convicted. 2017: A group legal action is launched against the Post Office by 555 sub-postmasters. A group legal action is launched against the Post Office by 555 sub-postmasters. 2019: The High Court case ends in a 43million settlement but much of the cash was swallowed up in legal fees and victims received around 20,000 each. Post Office chief Paula Vennells awarded a CBE in New Year's honours. The High Court case ends in a 43million settlement but much of the cash was swallowed up in legal fees and victims received around 20,000 each. Post Office chief Paula Vennells awarded a CBE in New Year's honours. 2020: The Post Office agrees not to oppose 44 sub-postmasters' appeals against conviction. The Post Office agrees not to oppose 44 sub-postmasters' appeals against conviction. 2021: A public inquiry begins and is ongoing. The Court of Appeal quashes a further 39 convictions. A public inquiry begins and is ongoing. The Court of Appeal quashes a further 39 convictions. 2022: The Government announces a new compensation scheme. The Government announces a new compensation scheme. 2023: Every postal worker wrongly convicted for Horizon offences will receive 600,000 compensation. Every postal worker wrongly convicted for Horizon offences will receive 600,000 compensation. 2024: Mr Bates vs The Post Office first aired on ITV1 on New Year's Day. Advertisement Last month Post Office boss Nick Read was accused of giving 'misleading' evidence to MPs as they called for the firm to be stripped of its role in delivering compensation to victims of the Horizon IT scandal. A report by the Commons business committee suggested Mr Read, who is under internal investigation over his conduct, misled MPs on 'at least two counts'. These included the use of gagging orders and whether the Post Office had hired PR specialists to help deal with the crisis engulfing the firm. The report branded the Post Office 'not fit for purpose' to administer payouts to postmasters. It called on the Government to immediately step in and remove the Post Office from 'any involvement in delivering redress' amid reports of a 'toxic' culture. Post Office boss Nick Read was last month accused of giving 'misleading' evidence to MPs It branded the beleaguered firm's leadership as being in 'utter disarray' amid claim and counter-claim about alleged bullying and sexism. The Post Office runs two compensation schemes and plays a key role in administering a third. In one particularly damning passage, the report said: 'The Post Office is not fit for purpose to administer any of the schemes of redress required to make amends for one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history.' Hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongfully prosecuted after they were blamed for non-existent shortfalls in their accounts produced by faulty Fujitsu software, called Horizon. But just a fifth of the budget set aside for compensation has been paid out, the report said. It added: 'The Government must immediately remove the Post Office from any involvement in delivering redress for sub-postmasters and the Government should set out to the Committee how it proposes to deliver swift and effective redress for sub-postmasters, and in what legally binding time frames.' In February, the committee was told that some postmasters were receiving 'insultingly low' compensation offers. Regarding evidence given in recent months by Mr Read, it added: 'Mr Read concurred that reform of the Post Office's culture is still a 'work in progress,' not 'job done.' 'In that context, we note that Mr Read has supplied misleading evidence on at least two counts, relating to the Post Office's use of, first, non-disclosure agreements and, secondly, PR firms.' In February, it emerged that the Post Office had hired PR firm TB Cardew on a 15,000 a month contract to help it deal with the fallout from the scandal. Mr Read was also forced to clarify to the committee in a letter last month whether the Post Office used confidentiality agreements in reaching settlements with wronged postmasters But, in January, Mr Read denied that the Post Office had hired PR advisers in the wake of the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office. Mr Read was also forced to clarify to the committee in a letter last month whether the Post Office used confidentiality agreements in reaching settlements with wronged postmasters. He had originally said 'no' when asked by MPs if it continued using confidentiality agreements. But his letter said: 'On occasion Post Office enters into settlement agreements with postmasters, for example, to resolve disputes that may arise between Post Office and postmasters in the ordinary course of business. 'Such settlement agreements include confidentiality provisions, as is the case in most organisations.' It comes as furious sub-postmasters wrongly convicted in Horizon scandal said they were 'glad' Ms Vennells is handing back CBE. Ms Vennells said in January that she is 'truly sorry' for the 'devastation' the scandal had caused to staff falsely accused of fraud when her organisation routinely denied there were problems with its systems. Former sub-postmistress Jo Hamilton said she was 'glad' the ex-Post Office had handed her CBE back, adding: 'It's a shame it took just a million people to cripple her conscience.' Meanwhile, the Communication Workers Union reportedly said Ms Vennells should also hand back her millions in bonuses. Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells (pictured) intends to hand back her CBE with immediate effect amid the fallout of the Horizon IT scandal, which led to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub-postmasters It comes as ITV's new drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has drawn a renewed interest in the scandal after airing last week, with Mr Bates being played by Toby Jones (pictured in the role). It raised the case again and piled pressure on Ms Vennells Postmasters accused of theft by Post Office celebrate outside the High Court In London after they had their convictions overturned. Thirty-nine former sub-postmasters who were convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting due to the Post Office's defective Horizon accounting system had their names cleared by the Court of Appeal More than 1 million had signed an online petition calling for the former Post Office chief executive officer to hand back her CBE Ms Vennells said: 'I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect' (File picture) It said: 'Since she received these bonuses while overseeing the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history, it would only be right to return this money.' Ms Hamilton, who was wrongfully convicted in 2008 of stealing thousands of pounds from the village shop in South Warnborough, Hampshire, said: 'It shows the people have spoken about everything really. 'It's not just about her CBE, it's about how disgusting the whole thing is. 'We're all sick and tired of people taking money, being paid exorbitant amounts of money, and politicians taking absolutely no notice of you whatsoever I think the people are just sick of it.' Varchas Patel, whose father Vipin who was wrongfully convicted of fraud in 2011 after being accused of stealing 75,000 from his Post Office branch in Oxford, said: 'My initial reaction is good, I'm glad. She doesn't deserve that CBE, she never did deserve that CBE. 'Now the big question for me is, who gave her that CBE? 'When she was given that CBE there were two other things that happened one, she was given a CBE, two, she was given a seat at the Cabinet Office and three, she was given a job as the chair of the Imperial College (Healthcare NHS Trust). 'They gave her three golden handshakes for fighting Mr Bates in court.' Mr Patel added: 'It's not just Paula Vennells, there are others. 'There are in-house Post Office lawyers, and especially the in-house investigators the investigators who investigated the likes of my father and others.' Ms Vennells had also seen Prime Minister Rishi Sunak weigh in behind efforts to strip her of her CBE. Jo Hamilton, 66, was falsely accused of stealing 36,000 from a village shop in South Warnborough, Hampshire, and eventually pleaded guilty to false accounting in fear of going to jail Her nightmare started when the Horizon system started showing shortfalls in her accounts in 2003 - at one stage showing the amount double before her eyes Mrs Hamilton is one the stars of a new ITV drama about the Post Office Horizon scandal called Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Pictured: Mrs Hamilton played by actor Monica Dolan Mrs Hamilton bought the village shop in 2001 and became the sub-postmaster two years later The shamed ex-Post Office chief said: 'I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect. 'I am truly sorry for the devastation caused to the sub-postmasters and their families, whose lives were torn apart by being wrongly accused and wrongly prosecuted as a result of the Horizon system'. Her decision to hand back her honour came after more than a million people signed an online petition to take it off her. It also followed Downing Street saying Mr Sunak would 'strongly support' an investigation by the Honours Forfeiture Committee into whether Ms Vennells should lose the award, which was given for her 'services to the Post Office and to charity'. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake also said she should consider voluntarily giving up the honour. The Albanese government's proposed 'Trump-style' travel ban' has sparked international uproar, with the Russian embassy criticising the move and Iraqi officials caught off-guard by the potential changes. The Federal government this week attempted to rush legislation through Parliament banning visitors from some foreign countries from coming to Australia, including tourists. The countries expected to be blacklisted including Iran, Iraq, Russia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. These countries do not accept citizens who have been deported from Australia, and the government hopes a travel ban could force them to back down. But Daily Mail Australia can reveal the proposal, which has stalled in Parliament, is causing a diplomatic headache for the government. A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in Canberra told Daily Mail Australia the inclusion of Russia in this proposed legislation 'is quite far-fetched'. Tourists from at least five countries could be banned from travelling to Australia if Labor's tough new proposed migration laws pass Parliament. It's possible more would follow A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in Canberra told Daily Mail Australia the inclusion of Russia in this proposed legislation 'is quite far-fetched' 'We are struggling to remember a single occasion where the Australian Government expressed concerns about the removal of a Russian national not having a valid reason to remain or asked us for cooperation with such removal,' the spokesperson fumed. The Russian embassy was not approached or briefed by the Australian government about the legislation or its potential effects, the spokesman added. Poll Do you support Labor's proposed 'Trump-style' travel ban? YES NO IT'S DESPERATION Do you support Labor's proposed 'Trump-style' travel ban? YES 2185 votes NO 451 votes IT'S DESPERATION 537 votes Now share your opinion When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the Iraqi embassy in Canberra appeared caught off-guard, asking for information about the proposal. The travel ban proposal comes as the government braces for a High Court case on April 17, known as ASF17, which could further reignite controversy over its handling of immigration. The government spent weeks under fire after the High Court's decision in the NZYQ case last November saw 149 detainees - including criminals - released onto the streets. The applicant in this new case is an Iranian man who is refusing to cooperate with his deportation because he fears he will be persecuted, and face the death penalty, if he returns to Iran as a bisexual man. As it stands, there are up to 200 people in immigration detention who are in similar circumstances, and the government fears the High Court could order their release before Parliament signs off on changing the rules. Potentially impacted diasporas have been voicing their disapproval for the legislation in the days since it was announced. Human rights lawyers have described it as 'the pure definition of discrimination,' and 'Trumpian', while others have questioned whether Labor would have ever supported the Coalition if roles were reversed. The travel ban proposal comes as the government braces for a High Court case on April 17, known as ASF17, which could further reignite controversy over its handling of immigration Both Ms O'Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles held a press conference to air their disappointment on Wednesday In a further bitter blow to the government, the Greens and the Coalition on Wednesday voted to delay the legislation. They sent it to a Senate inquiry to scrutinise, which could take months to report back - while the clock ticks on Labor. Greens Senator David Shoebridge slammed the proposal as 'Trump style immigration laws buried in Labor's deportation bill. 'They are designed to blacklist entire countries' citizens from obtaining visas to Australia. 'Thankfully we pushed this back from the brink with a Senate inquiry but the threat's still real.' The matter is expected to return to the chamber in the same week the Budget will be handed down. Following the disappointing outcome in the Senate for Labor, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles held a brief press conference where they expressed frustration with the situation. Ms O'Neil said: 'We're very disappointed the Liberals have stymied our efforts. The reason that we need it is we seek to run an orderly migration system in this country. 'Because of 10 years of wilful neglect, we have an immigration system that... is fundamentally broken.' Ms O'Neil accused the Coalition of 'playing politics' with the matter. Opposition Immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said on Wednesday morning there was not enough clarity or information to approve the bill straight away. 'Once again, we are seeing a completely botched process by the government. 'What we want to do is properly scrutinise this piece of legislation it is a serious piece of legislation it deserves scrutiny, and everyone in the Senate agreed that it needed scrutiny except for the government.' This is the moment Ukraine destroyed a rare Russian armoured vehicle first used at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Battlefield footage showed the Ladoga nuclear command vehicle being taken out during a Ukrainian drone strike. The Soviet-era vehicle was designed in the seventies to move senior Kremlin staff around in the event of a nuclear attack and was built using the chassis of a T-80 main battle tank. In 1986, the vehicle was dispatched to the scene of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe and was said to have performed well by the explosion of Reactor No 4 at the nuclear power station. But Manufacturer LKZ built no more than four or five, including the prototype, which where dispatched around the country for further testing. Its appearance on the Ukrainian battlefield draws attention to Russia's problems in replacing their current tank fleet, which has taken a battering since the war began two years ago. Battlefield footage showed the Ladoga nuclear command vehicle being taken out during a Ukrainian drone strike The old-school vehicle was designed in the seventies to move senior Kremlin staff around in the event of a nuclear attack Vladimir Putin's forces have lost 6,904 tanks since invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, according to an estimate from Kiev sources. To combat this, Moscow officials have be seen pulling antiquated tanks out from storage, with some from as early as the fifties seen in photos and videos posted online. AFV Recognition, an authoritative social media account tracking Russian armour, told The Telegraph: 'Out of all the vehicles that have been pulled out of storage and used by Russia in this war, this is one that was really at the bottom of my list to even see in theatre, never mind destroyed.' Russia has claimed it increased the production of new tanks since the start of the war to replace those lost in the fighting. But experts believe the military is actually renovating older equipment that has been in storage since the end of the Cold War or possibly longer. Pictured is the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint, located at mile marker 29 of Interstate 35. Courtesy/Google Maps U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered migrants with signs of dehydration trapped in a compartment, according to an arrest affidavit. A Freightliner Cascadia tractor arrived at about 4:24 p.m. March 22 at the Interstate 35 checkpoint. Authorities identified the driver as Mihreteab Gebremariam Teweldemedhin. He stated he was traveling alone and allowed agents to search the sleeper area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An agent observed the sleeper full of trash and noticed multiple blankets on the lower bunk bed. A K-9 unit then alerted to possible contraband within the vehicle, according to court documents. Agents then discovered two migrants on the top bed under a blanket, one on the bottom bed hidden under a blanket and two under the bottom bed in a compartment. Those in the compartment had no means of escape with poor ventilation and were sweating profusely while displaying signs of dehydration, authorities said. In a post-arrest statement, Teweldemedhin stated he arrived in Laredo on March 21. He could not find work and stopped at a parking lot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then, a group of people asked him for help, and he agreed. Teweldemedhin stated he knows Italian and was able to talk to the people, states the affidavit. Landlords could be banned from hiking their rents under a radical SNP clampdown which could also give tenants the legal right to keep pets and redecorate their rented homes. Humza Yousaf's SNP/Green government has proposed to implement long-term market controls which could see local authorities handed powers to create rent caps as low as zero per cent. The plans were outlined in the Housing (Scotland) Bill which was published on Wednesday. If approved by Members of the Scottish Parliament, the Bill will become law. The Bill will mean landlords cannot refuse 'reasonable' requests for tenants to keep animals or make changes to a property, such as painting walls. In a move industry leaders fear will see more private landlords leave the sector, the Bill also proposes the introduction of rent control areas, capping how much can be charged. Humza Yousaf's SNP/Green government has proposed to implement long-term market controls which could see local authorities handed power to create rent caps as low as zero per cent The legislation states rent rises would be capped during, and between, tenancies. It comes after ministers were warned that thousands of properties have vanished from the rental market amid growing 'anti-landlord rhetoric' from the Scottish Government Ministers say the policy will create a 'fairer' housing sector, resulting in fewer people reaching the point of homelessness. But the Bill is already facing a backlash from landlords who insist it will 'do nothing' to improve the private rented sector for them or tenants. John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said: 'The rent control proposals, as has been seen in places like Ireland which has similar measures, will see reduced investment and more landlords leaving the sector, leading to higher costs for tenants. 'The effects of Scottish Government policies in the private rented sector are already being felt, with rising costs reducing supply and placing more pressure on council and housing association properties.' Scottish Property Federation director David Melhuish said the Bill comes just 24 hours after the Scottish Government released statistics showing a significant fall in new home starts. He said 'every effort must be made to address the supply crisis by building more homes of all tenures'. John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said the proposals would see more landlords leaving the sector Mr Melhuish added: 'There is no solution to the housing crisis that does not involve greatly increasing the supply of new homes for sale and rent. This Bill will be a disappointment to those seeking to build new rental homes in Scotland.' He said investors 'will remain uncertain of what the future rent control system will look like until potentially late 2026'. Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Miles Briggs said the proposals fall 'far short' of what is needed to tackle Scotland's housing emergency, adding: 'Homelessness levels have soared and a record number of families are living in temporary accommodation. Nothing in this Bill will help to address those issues.' Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour's housing spokesman, said: 'Scotland is in the grip of a housing crisis, with new housing association properties being produced at the slowest rate since Margaret Thatcher.' Defending the Bill, tenants' rights minister Patrick Harvie said 'a fairer, well-regulated rented sector is good for both tenants and landlords'. He said: 'Tenants benefit from improved conditions and security, while good responsible landlords will thrive when their good practice is recognised by regulation.' Hazardous material is leaking into Baltimore harbor following the tragic cargo ship crash that led to the immediate collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge earlier this week. On Wednesday, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said her team had identified 56 containers of hazardous material aboard the Singaporean container ship. A senior hazmat investigator with the agency determined that '764 tons of hazardous materials', which includes corrosives, lithium ion batteries and flammables, now threatens the water surrounding the downed bridge. Some of the containers 'were breached,' said Homendy, noting that a sheen of hazardous material could be seen on the waterway. On Wednesday, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said her team had identified 56 containers of hazardous material aboard the Singaporean container ship - some of which are leaking into the harbor The exact number of breached containers should be available in a preliminary report, which will be ready in two-to-four weeks. 'Our entire focus on scene is to collect the perishable evidence - that's documenting the scene, it's taking photographs, it's taking any sort of electronics or components, whatever goes away once the scene is cleaned up,' she added, noting that the agency would not be presenting any conclusions or analysis while specialists are still collecting material. During Wednesday evening's press briefing, Homendy described the scene where the bridge once stood as 'pretty devastating.' 'Seeing not just what's going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge span - three bridge spans that is pretty much gone. It's just utter devastation,' she said. The NTSB has already interviewed the ship's captain, his mate, the chief engineer, and one other engineer. Tomorrow, the two pilots aboard the ship will be interviewed. The boat had been piloted by specialized local pilots trained to avoid obstacles at ports. These specialist pilots depart the ships as soon as they are in open water. It is thought the vessel lost power after it left port, causing it to veer off course and crash into a column supporting the bridge. Earlier reporting by DailyMail.com suggests that the full crew of the ship could be stuck aboard the vessel as authorities, including the NTSB scramble to collect perishable evidence and samples. It is thought the ship, a DALI boat operated by Singaporean company Synergy Group, was being crewed by 22 Indian nationals, none of whom are thought to have been seriously hurt in the incident. Part of the bridge collapsed onto the back of the vessel, and the crew will likely not be able to leave the ship until the debris had been cleared. The speed of the clearance operation is likely to have knock-on ramifications for the rest of the American economy, with Joe Biden stating that 15,000 jobs depended on the port, one of the busiest in the world. The bridge spans the Patapsco River, at the mouth of Baltimore Harbor. President Joe Biden has vowed to move 'heaven and earth' to get it reopened. All activity out of the Port of Baltimore, one of the most important trade hubs in North America, has ground to a halt. The 50m-wide ship is marooned under the bridge. It is possible the ship's crew won't be able to leave the ship under the bridge debris has been cleared 'Seeing not just what's going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge span - three bridge spans that is pretty much gone. It's just utter devastation,' said NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy Stunning images show the mangled wreckage of the bridge hours after it was struck by the cargo ship very early on Tuesday morning The catastrophic collision has sent shockwaves throughout the state of Maryland, with Governor Wes Moore declaring a state of emergency. Catholic churches throughout Baltimore held masses to pray for families still awaiting news of loved ones on Wednesday evening. At around 1am on Tuesday morning, the ship departed the Baltimore harbor. It collided with the bridge at around 1.30am. Officials were quick to rule out the catastrophe as intentional or an act of terrorism, and an early Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) report found the container ship 'lost propulsion' as it was leaving port. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A Tennessee mother has spoken of her heartbreak after accidentally shooting her daughter dead when rummaging in her purse with her gun in it. DeAnn Radley accidentally fired her gun through her purse, hitting her 13-year-old daughter Dearria Radley while searching for her keys on Saturday evening, police said. Radley accidentally squeezed the trigger of her unholstered, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol at approximately 10pm, according to reports. Moments later, the shocked mother called 911 after seeing Dearria's blood and realizing her devastating actions. The tragedy occurred at the family's Edgehill Avenue apartment in Nashville, Tennessee. DeAnn Radley (pictured) accidentally fired her unholstered, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol while rummaging for her keys in her purse Her 13-year-old daughter Dearria Radley (pictured) was shot in the family's Nashville apartment 'My world is just falling apart, I loved that little girl so much. It's a nightmare, its words can never describe the pain that I feel,' the heartbroken mom said 'I didn't know my gun was loaded in my purse and shot through my bag,' DeAnn told local news outlet WSMV 4. 'Then I saw the blood and oh God...' she recalled. 'My world is just falling apart, I loved that little girl so much. It's a nightmare, its words can never describe the pain that I feel' the heartbroken mom said. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said the investigation is ongoing but that no charges have yet been filed. 'I want her to be remembered by that angel voice in those beautiful eyes,' Radley said. 'She's such a beautiful girl. This is something I'm not ready for,' she added. Radley is now fundraising to cover the costs of Dearria's funeral. 'My 13 year old was accidentally shot and killed, I don't have insurance to bury her,' Radley wrote on her GoFundMe page. Radley is now fundraising to cover the costs of Dearria's funeral By Wednesday night the fundraiser had raised just short of $8,000. 'Thirteen years. We've been through everything together and my baby is gone. I can't do it. I can't do it, man. My baby, my baby,' Radley sobbed on a video posted to her Facebook account. 'I wouldn't wish this on nobody, my baby is gone,' she said through tears. Dearria's grandmother, Irish Radley, told local news WKRN she is also struggling to accept the tragedy. 'I'm just hoping she comes through the door and all of this is just a dream or she will call me, ''Granny, what you doing?''' she said. Adding: 'I'll never get those phone calls again. I'll never get those texts, 'Granny, can I come down there?' It's the small things I'm going to miss.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available They alleged laundered millions of dollars to China A criminal syndicate is accused of laundering more than $39million in cash to China using a network of associates in Melbourne. Four alleged members of the gang have been charged by the Australian Federal Police, in a joint investigation with Victoria Police and finance crime regulator Austrac. AFP investigators started targeting the syndicate in January 2023. They allege $39,527,935 in illegal cash collections and remittance funds was laundered to China through the network of associates in Melbourne between July and August 2022. South Yarra man Jiadi Wu, 23, appeared in person at the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with dealing with money or property believed to be proceeds of crime worth more than $1million. Four alleged members of a Chinese gang have been charged by the Australian Federal Police The criminal syndicate is accused of laundering more than $39million in cash to China using a network of associates in Melbourne During raids on properties in Doncaster East, Box Hill and the CBD, police seized three gel blasters, replica firearms, phones, electronic devices, and designer watches and goods, along with $212,000 in cash His bail was extended to his committal mention date on July 1. A 32-year-old Chinese man who is on remand awaiting trial, was charged on March 19 with directing the Australian-based money laundering activities. He was previously charged with drug importation, allegedly linked to the attempted import of a commercial quantity of methamphetamine concealed inside a shipment of rubber mats sent from South Africa to Australia in September 2022. In February police arrested a Doncaster East man, 42, who is accused of facilitating money transactions on behalf of the Chinese organised criminal group. And earlier in March, a Box Hill man, 37, was charged for allegedly remitting about $20million in cash to China. AFP alleges $39,527,935 in illegal cash collections and remittance funds was laundered to China through the network of associates in Melbourne between July and August 2022 One of the alleged gang members was charged with dealing with money or property believed to be proceeds of crime worth more than $1million The registration of the remittance business has since been suspended by Austrac. The accused syndicate members from Box Hill, Doncaster East and China have been charged with one count each of dealing with money or property believed to be the proceeds of crime worth $10million or more and are due in court on July 1. During raids on properties in Doncaster East, Box Hill and the CBD, police seized three gel blasters, replica firearms, phones, electronic devices, and designer watches and goods, along with $212,000 in cash. Tanya Plibersek has hit back at Greens leader Adam Bandt after he was ordered to delete a social media post about her due to concerns it contained misinformation. The Environment Minister was asked about the incident on Thursday morning, hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed Mr Bandt's offending post had been pulled, after a request from Parliament's Serjeant-at-Arms. Ms Plibersek told Sky News: '[Adam Bandt] has been caught out lying, and it's deliberate misinformation. 'It's what I expect from the Greens. They're deeply cynical and deliberately misleading in their social media.' Greens leader Adam Bandt has been ordered to remove a social media post he made targeting Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek due to concerns it was misinformation Mr Bandt had accused Ms Plibersek of 'fast-tracking' environmental crises and making 'dodgy deals' with gas companies in a Facebook post on Sunday. It then cut to harrowing videos from the various bushfire and flood tragedies which have hit Australia in recent years, showing footage of people and animals in distress as a result of the environmental disasters. But Ms Plibersek claimed Mr Bandt had taken a question she answered about renewable energy and 'pretended I was talking about gas'. 'It's what I've come to expect from the Greens, so no surprises there.' A spokesperson for Mr Bandt earlier insisted to Daily Mail Australia that Ms Plibersek did reference the resources sector at one stage during her answer. The Minister's reference to 'resources projects' are what drew his ire and prompted the controversial post, the spokesperson said. 'It is shameful that in a climate crisis, the Environment Minister boasted about approving new fossil fuel projects, and we will continue to hold her to account for her role in fast-tracking new coal and gas,' they said. 'The true environmental disinformation is pretending to care about climate action while approving new coal and gas mines that make the climate crisis worse. Labor are climate con artists, voting with Peter Dutton's climate-denying Liberals to fast-track offshore gas projects, silence First Nations voices and bypass environmental protections, all while pretending to care about climate. 'At the next election, the Greens will be letting the people of Sydney know about every single coal and gas mine Tanya Plibersek has approved as Environment Minister.' The Environment Minister was asked about the incident on Thursday morning, hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed the offending post had been pulled Daily Mail Australia understands an MP expressed concerns about the contents of Mr Bandt's video and approached the Serjeant-at-Arms about it. That unnamed MP said in their complaint: 'I'm shocked that a Member of the House has misrepresented parliamentary proceedings. 'The Member has posted a video that I believe is in contravention of the Rules for Media Related Activity in Parliament House and its Precincts.' According to the parliamentary media code, photographs and footage of parliamentary proceedings must fairly and accurately represent those proceedings and must not be digitally manipulated. On March 25, just a day after the video was shared online, the Serjeant-at-Arms wrote to Mr Bandt's office, instructing he remove the video. It then cut to harrowing videos from the various bushfire and flood tragedies which have hit Australia in recent years, showing footage of people and animals in distress as a result of the environmental disasters Mr Bandt accused Ms Plibersek of 'fast-tracking' environmental crises and making 'dodgy deals' in a Facebook post on Sunday READ MORE: Ms Plibersek puts money where her mouth is with sustainable fashion Advertisement The offending video was still available online on Wednesday morning but has since been pulled. Ms Plibersek's speech referenced in the clip was in response to a question about how the government's approvals process is 'helping to turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower'. Ms Plibersek said in her answer: 'Since coming to government, we have ticked off more than 45 renewable energy projects, and I have another 128 before me for assessment.' She made specific reference to approving two wind farms which will generate enough electricity to power a total of 800,000 homes. 'It's not just the renewable energy projects that we're assessing faster; it's all of those projects - it's the housing projects, it's the transport projects, and it's the resources projects. 'We know ... that renewable energy is both cleaner and cheaper.' She made specific reference to approving two wind farms which will generate enough electricity to power a total of 800,000 homes The speech referenced in the video was actually in response to a question about how the approvals process is 'helping to turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower' The Greens have railed against misinformation and disinformation in Australian politics and media. They introduced a bill in June 2023 attempting to establish a Royal Commission into Murdoch-owned News Corp outlets after expressing concerns about misinformation. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said misinformation is a ''growing threat to our democracy, whether it's spread via large social media platforms or by large multinational media corporations, like the Murdoch media'. The Greens also called for a 'truth commission' following the defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, accusing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of creating 'a corrosive misinformation campaign'. 'Peter Dutton is the master of misinformation, and there's an urgent need now for truth-telling and healing,' Mr Bandt said at the time. 'Peter Dutton sowed fear and division with a Trumpian misinformation campaign.' Mr Bandt has also been under pressure and accused of double standards over his use of private jets while simultaneously pushing tougher action on climate change. Mr Bandt accused Ms Plibersek of 'fast-tracking' environmental crises and making 'dodgy deals' in a Facebook post made on Sunday It was revealed last month that Mr Bandt had racked up a near $1million bill in a year, including hundreds of thousands on printing and two private jet flights. The anti-fossil fuel campaigner also claimed $12,000 on a taxpayer-provided vehicle and petrol allowance plus $29,000 on government COMCAR trips and taxis, according to figures from the Department of Finance. Despite his party's core policy of cutting C02 emissions Mr Bandt used two private jets during the 2022 election campaign, landing tax payers with the $23,000 bill. One flight was between Queensland regional centres Townsville and Rockhampton on March 7. However, he also took a a $15,000 private plane along the well-travelled Brisbane to Canberra route to attend his party's election campaign launch. During the year Mr Bandt also spent $57,000 for domestic flights on himself and an eye-watering $372,000 in travel expenses for his 21 staff. The $963,166 in expenses racked up by Mr Bandt are on top of his $314,000 salary and do not include the wages of his personal staff. The vehicle's driver was 22-year-old Daniel N. Anderson who has been known to make threats to 911 operators in the past Derek Bizzell was badly injured and his wife Shaunda Bizzell was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later died A married couple in Chesterfield, Virginia, were slammed into 'intentionally' by a driver as they went on an evening stroll A driver has been charged with second-degree murder over the death of a woman out walking with her husband. Derek Bizzell said that it was the first time his 42-year-old wife Shaunda had joined him on his evening exercise when they were run-down by a car. The pair were walking the second lap of his standard loop of the neighborhood in Chesterfield, Virginia, when they saw the vehicle veer from the middle of the street towards them. 'We walked around the curb. We could see a car coming up the middle of the street like cars always do, and then he got closer to us,' Derek Bizzell told KCRG. 'I could see him veer. I screamed her name, and all I heard was the thump.' A driver has been charged with second-degree murder after intentionally slamming his car into a married couple taking an evening stroll and killing the wife Derek Bizzell said that it was the first time his 42-year-old wife Shaunda Bizzell had joined him on his nightly walk The pair were walking the second lap of his standard loop of the neighborhood in Chesterfield, Virginia, when they saw a car veer from the middle of the street towards them Bizzell said he was knocked under the car, but that his wife had been thrown on top of the car. He dialed 911 in a panic but was unable to speak due to the shock of the traumatic incident. 'I couldn't talk, but some people from the neighborhood came and took my phone and they were able to talk to 911,' he said. Shaunda was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and died later, leaving behind her grief-stricken husband and their two adult children. 'My wife was a beautiful soul, always had a pretty smile on her face, a genuine laugh, she had a love for God and family,' Bizzell said. 'I'm a little banged up, but if I could trade places with my wife, I would,' he said. Shaunda was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and died later, leaving behind her grief-stricken husband and their two adult children The vehicle's driver was 22-year-old Daniel N. Anderson and investigators believe he 'intentionally' slammed his vehicle into the innocent couple The vehicle's driver was 22-year-old Daniel N. Anderson and investigators believe he 'intentionally' slammed his vehicle into the innocent couple. According to the police, Anderson had been dialing 911 and making threats - including 'threats to shoot a school, bomb a building and assault police officers.' Anderson was detained at the scene and is now facing several charges - including second-degree murder, malicious wounding, making threat of death or bodily injury and making threats to bomb or damage buildings. He is being held at Chesterfield Jail without bond and is next scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 21, according to court records. Billy Wilhelm Huntzinger is in Honolulu's Federal Detention Center while facing trial on drug and gun charges including possession of a 'ghost gun' and $5000 worth of crystal meth A playboy model has been charged with bribery and obstruction of justice in Honolulu. Shannon Teresa Marie Schwartz has been charged with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of obstruction of justice after allegedly offering to pay a federal agent to convince a judge to let her boyfriend out on bail while he awaits trial on ammunition charges. Schwartz allegedly offered $5,000 to a Homeland Security Investigations special agent in an effort to secure the supervised release of her boyfriend, Billy Wilhelm Huntzinger, from Honolulu's Federal Detention Center, according to a federal criminal complaint filed March 18. Huntzinger is charged with being in possession of 205 rounds of Remington.223-caliber ammunition and close to $5,000 of crystal meth. Honolulu police arrested Huntzinger on January 11 following a report that he was seen knocking on the door of a house with a gun tucked into his belt, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Playboy model Shannon Teresa Marie Schwartz has been charged with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of obstruction of justice Schwartz allegedly offered $5,000 to a Homeland Security Investigations special agent in an effort to secure the supervised release of her boyfriend Billy Wilhelm Huntzinger is in Honolulu's Federal Detention Center while facing trial on drug and gun charges including possession of a 'ghost gun' and $5000 worth of crystal meth During their raid police found an AR-15-style 'ghost gun' with no serial number or manufacturer, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, a grenade pin and around 115 grams of a white substance believed to be crystal meth as well as five grams of a substance believed to be cocaine. The bribery allegations emerged after an HSI special agent claimed he received 'numerous missed calls, text messages and voicemails from Schwartz' on February 21, according to federal court records. Schwartz allegedly told the agent she was referred to him by a 'high-profile inmate ' to 'handle a situation,' according to the documents. She also allegedly asked to meet the agent in person so he could 'see she was serious and could pay him.' 'I can help with whatever you need $ not sure what your services cost...' she allegedly texted on February 22. The agent told the U.S. attorney's office and his supervisors that same day triggering a formal investigation into Schwartz, the court documents state. Schwartz continued to contact the official despite being told he could not help her. Eventually the agent agreed to meet and texted Schwartz on March 1 that he needed to use his personal mobile phone to communicate with her but proceeded to use an under-cover government device. The bribery allegations emerged after an HSI special agent claimed he received 'numerous missed calls, text messages and voicemails from Schwartz Schwartz allegedly told the agent she was referred to him by a 'high-profile inmate ' to 'handle a situation' The pair met at Starbucks on Nuuanu Avenue on March 5 where Schwartz allegedly offered to pay the agent $5,000 for his help. She allegedly agreed to give the agent a 'good faith' payment upfront and the rest upon Huntzinger's release. 'Thank you so much. You don't know how important this is to me. I appreciate you,' she allegedly messaged the agent after the meet-up. On March 7 the pair met again to make the first payment, $2,500 of cash concealed in a plastic cup, at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hudspeth filed a motion opposing Huntzinger's request to be released ahead of trial. However, Schwartz, who posed in a bikini on the December cover of Maxim New Zealand, is out on bail on a $25,000 unsecured bond. But Molly was seized by authorities on 1 March The bird is best friends with two Staffies Molly the magpie has fans across the globe A world-famous magpie is one step closer to being reunited with her human carers and canine pals after an intervention by the Queensland Premier. Molly the magpie became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson documented the unlikely 'interspecies friendship' between the bird and their pair of Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby. Videos of the unusual trio of animals and their cute antics racked up over two million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. But Ms Wells and Mr Mortenson, who live in Coomera on the Gold Coast, were left heartbroken on 1 March when authorities seized Molly over allegations the bird was being 'kept unlawfully'. Molly the magpie became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson documented the unlikely 'interspecies friendship' between the bird and their pair of Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby (pictured together) But Ms Wells and Mr Mortenson, who live in Coomera on the northern Gold Coast , were left heartbroken on 1 March when authorities seized Molly over allegations the bird was being 'kept unlawfully' READ MORE: Shattered 'parents' of Instagram star Molly the magpie fight back tears as they demand authorities return the 'thriving' bird back to his staffie friends: 'Why can't a wild magpie decide where he wants to live?' Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen have said they are 'devastated' that magpie Molly had been seized and that their dogs Peggy and Ruby missed their 'best friend' Advertisement Officials from Queensland's Department of Science, Environment and Innovation (DESI) had concerns the couple had no permit to keep the bird which they claimed belongs in the wild. Now, Queensland Premier Steven Miles has waded into the row amid a public outcry and given his backing to an emotional trans-species reunion. 'The environment department stands ready to train Molly's parents to be wildlife carers, to get that certification, so Molly can be reunited with the family,' Premier Miles said on Thursday. Mr Miles said he wanted authorities to help the family get a permit and rejected suggestions that the decision would set a bad precedent. 'What I'm most interested in here is what's in the best interests of that animal, and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a way that is legal, I would support that,' he added. 'I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail and in this instance ensuring that they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly. 'I think if you look at the story there is a better outcome possible. I don't want to see any of the rules broken, but there has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with her family.' On Wednesday night Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they were concerned for Molly's welfare in government captivity. 'We've had Molly around us and the dogs for many years. And to not have him around - the house is so quiet. We miss him a lot,' Ms Wells said. 'I actually don't know where Molly is. I don't know if he's doing ok.' In a statement on Wednesday evening, a DESI spokesperson said the department shared 'community interest' in ensuring Molly was well cared for. Now, Queensland Premier Steven Miles (pictured) has waded into the row and given his backing to an emotional reunion 'The department shares the community's desire to ensure Molly is cared for in the most appropriate way going forward,' the spokesperson added. A petition to return Molly to the family has gained almost 60,000 signatures. The couple claim they rescued Molly as a chick after he fell from his nest in 2020. Molly was originally thought to be a female by Ms Wells, but is actually a male and the name stuck. Videos of Molly playing with the couples two Staffies soon gained traction online and grew a loyal fanbase. 'Juliette has a passion for photography and she posted some pictures of Molly having fun with the dogs, but we never expected this to go viral,' Mr Mortenson said previously. Ms Wells took Molly home in 2020, suspecting it had been abandoned by its parents READ MORE: Bird-brained Staffy makes friends with rescued magpie and they even SLEEP together An adorable video showing a staffy called Peggy and a rescued magpie appearing to hold hands in bed has gone viral Advertisement But the couple 'voluntarily surrendered' Molly to DESI on 1 March. Queensland legislation bans native wild animals from being domesticated because of the possible impact on wildlife. Animals that are sick, orphaned or injured can only be rescued and cared for by those who hold a rehabilitation permit and intend to release them back into the wild. However, the couple claim they did not look after Molly in the way a pet owner might look after a Cockatoo or a Parrot, insisting instead that the bird is free to fly around and forage for food. Ms Wells was first asked to surrender Molly six months ago when authorities visited her home but she was unable to capture the bird as it was in a tree. Previously, DESI said that Molly could not fly like a normal magpie. 'Unfortunately, it has been highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild,' a spokesperson for DESI said. However, not everyone is in favour of Molly being returned. One wildlife carer, who asked to remain anonymous, told 7NEWS.com.au the magpie 'shouldn't be returned' to the home despite a huge online push for the reunion. Another carer said there were strict laws they had to follow and their status as carers did not even guarantee their right to keep an animal. 'At the end of the day, if one person is allowed to do this, what's stopping every other Tom, Dick and Harry keeping a pet magpie, a joey or having a kangaroo hopping around in their backyard,' the carer told the publication. Wildlife carers who oppose the move to reunite Molly are reportedly being sent death threats and abusive comments. This is the heartwarming moment a little boy asks Queen Camilla for a selfie during her walkabout in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, yesterday. Video footage shows one 11-year-old Charlie Davies asking Camilla for a selfie while she greeted well-wishers who had gathered in the town centre. Camilla was given a tour of Shrewsbury Farmer's Market on Wednesday, where she spent time speaking to organisers and traders, featuring food, crafts, jewellery and craft stalls. Charlie was stood amongst the crowd with his mother Lucy, his grandmother and his aunties when Lucy encouraged him to ask Camilla for a picture. Lucy can be heard in the video saying: 'Go on Charlie, go on Charlie'. He then steps forward and politely asks The Queen: 'Excuse me, Camilla, can I have a picture?'. She smiles and obliges, responding: 'Okay'. Charlie (pictured) stood next to Queen Camilla during her visit to Shrewsbury yesterday The sweet moment Charlie asks the Queen for a selfie to which she obliges Speaking to MailOnline about the day, Lucy said: 'We'd been for an opticians appointment and happened to go down amongst thousands of people and as she came out of the market she came towards us but didn't quite get to where we were. 'There was a little bit of encouragement and Charlie decided to go the other side of the barrier and ask her if he could take a photo with her. 'He's (Charlie) been following the royals recently, obviously with the news of the King and with Kate. 'And he said this morning 'I still can't believe I've met the Queen of England.' 'He was so excited and he sent the photo on Snapchat to a few of his friends and things as they do.' She went on: 'It's really nice for him to have that as a memory and for when he goes back to school, it's something that he's going to be able to tell his teachers.' Queen Camilla smiles in Shrewsbury during her visit to the farmers' market yesterday afternoon Members of the public await the arrival of Queen Camilla for her visit to Shrewsbury Queen Camilla smiles in Shrewsbury as she meets members of the public during her visit to the farmers' market Queen Camilla arrives in Shrewsbury for her visit to the farmers' market More than 2,000 people came out to catch a glimpse of the Queen on what was her first engagement meeting the public since Kate's announcement that she was having treatment for cancer. The Queen has become the most senior royal to return to public-facing duties since the monarchy's double cancer scare. She became the leading royal figure after her husband King Charles III's enlarged prostate treatment and later cancer diagnosis, carrying out a string of royal engagements while Prince William supported his wife following surgery. And she was back out today after Kate's shock news last Friday that she has been receiving cancer treatment but remaining hopeful. Queen Camilla meets a trader during a visit to the farmers' market in Shrewsbury Camilla signs the visitors' book at the Old Market Hall during her trip to Shrewsbury Camilla was dressed in a brown leopard print blouse by Fiona Clare, a brown suede skirt and camel top stitch coat by Anna Valentine and two jaunty bumble bee brooches, one of her own and one belonging to Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen met with market organisers Jenny and Stuart Jones before touring the historic event which has been held in The Square for almost 20 years. It has grown into one of the best markets in the area with around 40 traders regularly setting up stall on the first Friday of the month. She also visited the Old Market Hall where she signed the visitors book, which was also signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, before meeting members of the local Bee Keepers' Association. Queen Camilla greets well-wishers during a visit to the farmers' market in Shrewsbury Queen Camilla speaks with market traders at a wine stall during a visit to Shrewsbury Queen Camilla smiles after receiving a red rose from Abi Crighton in Shrewsbury From there Camilla traveled to the recently restored Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, before meeting local volunteer groups. These include the Shrewsbury Food Hub, Shrewsbury Interfaith forum, Save Our Shropshire and Shropshire Supports Refugees. It comes after Buckingham Palace yesterday confirmed that Charles is to make his most significant public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer when he attends church on Easter Sunday. The neighbours of the Prince and Princess of Wales have installed 100 life-size cast-iron statues resembling naked people on the grounds of their stately home. The strange figures have recently been spotted on the lawns of the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley's Houghton Hall. The 6ft-tall figures - complete with metal genitals on display - have been embedded into the ground as part of Angel of the North artist Sir Antony Gormley's 22 a ticket exhibition Time Horizon. 'We have this wonderful park and it is ideal for sculpture,' explains Lord Cholmondeley, 63, aka film-maker David Rocksavage. Similar statues, said to resemble Sir Antony's own naked body, have been put on display on Liverpool's Crosby Beach. They had to be dug up from the sand in 2021 to have the foundations replaced after strong currents and shifting sands led to the statues tilting. The neighbours of the Prince and Princess of Wales have installed 100 life-size cast-iron statues resembling naked people on the grounds of their stately home They 6ft-tall figures with genitals on display have been embedded into the ground as part of Angel of the North artist Sir Antony Gormley's 22 a ticket exhibition Time Horizon Lord Cholmondeley, whose wife, Rose, turned 40 recently, admitted to feeling 'slightly apprehensive' about the sculptures some of which are partially buried that make up the work. The sculptures, each weighing 620kgs, are spread across 300 acres of land on the estate. They are all installed at the same datum level - some are buried and others elevated on concrete columns. Gormley said his ambition for the show 'is that people should roam far and wide'. 'Art has recently privileged the object rather than the experience that objects can initiate,' he said. 'Time Horizon is not a picture, it is a field and you are in it. The work puts the experience of the subject/visitor/protagonist on an equal footing with all material presences, organic and inorganic. 'The quality of the light, the time of the year, the state of the weather and the condition of your mind, body and soul are all implicated in the field, as is all the evidence within it of human activity already accomplished as well as the plethora of life forms that surround the hall.' The sculptures, each weighing 620kgs, are spread across 300 acres of land on the estate The strange figures have been spotted in the grounds in recent days of the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley's Houghton Hall 'We have this wonderful park and it is ideal for sculpture,' explains Lord Cholmondeley, 63, aka film-maker David Rocksavage (pictured) The Norfolk neighbours of the Prince and Princess of Wales have had 100 life-size iron statues, which resemble naked people, installed by artist Sir Antony Gormley, best known for the Angel of the North sculpture (pictured) in Gateshead Similar statues, said to resemble Sir Antony's own naked body, have been put on display on Liverpool's Crosby Beach They had to be dug up from the sand in 2021 to have the foundations replaced after strong currents and shifting sands led to the statues tilting Sir Antony's 'Another Place' installation on Crosby Beach attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the seaside attraction every year The statues stand upright on the beach and, as the tide comes in and out, the figures are submerged by the ocean and are corroded by the seawater The naked figures, which face towards the River Mersey Estuary, caused considerable controversy when they were first installed Lord Cholmondeley said: 'We are excited to have the opportunity to show this large-scale work by Antony Gormley for the first time in the UK. 'The 100 life-size sculptures will cover a much larger area than our previous shows, allowing visitors to experience more of the historic landscape surrounding the house.' The 'Time Horizon' exhibition was first installed in Catanzaro, Italy, in 2006. Sir Antony's 'Another Place' installation on Crosby Beach attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the seaside attraction every year. They were put on display back in July 2005 and work began on its 'refurbishment and maintenance plan' back in autumn 2019. The statues stand upright on the beach and, as the tide comes in and out, the figures are submerged by the ocean and are corroded by the seawater. The naked figures, which face towards the River Mersey Estuary, caused considerable controversy when they were first installed but it was decided in 2007 to keep them as a permanent attraction under the ownership of Sefton Council. Many residents previously praised Sir Antony's work as a welcome addition to the cultural attractions of the seaside town, but others were less complimentary. As well as saying they resembled oversized sex toys, others compared the piece to a 'variety of giant dog poo' or 'giant rabbit droppings'. Mike Garza, UISD Associate Superintendent Administration Operation Services, addresses the audience during a Parent Session meeting held at Muller Elementary School on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Feeling that their concerns were not fully resolved, La Bota Ranch residents and Muller Elementary School parents concluded a meeting organized by UISD Wednesday on the potential purchase of a property next to the school. Last week, concerned residents appeared and discussed the potential purchase of a specific plot of land by the district next to the school. These individuals pleaded with the district to instead buy another area of land right next to it which appeared to be destined for warehouses to build. The group hoped that by buying this land, it would keep the warehouses out of the area as the other section of land was not zoned for them. After much debate last week, the purchase had been tabled by UISD leaders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wednesday's notice indicated that the session would feature questions on the topic which concerned parents and residents could submit in advance. A group of parents and residents protested outside Muller Elementary School carrying signs and T-shirts reading Muller Kids Want To Be Warehouse Free," before a UISD meeting started on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Before the meeting began, the concerned individuals protested outside the school carrying signs and T-shirts reading Muller Kids Want To Be Warehouse Free. This phrase has been taken up as a motto by residents and parents after an incident at last week's meeting when a similar sign was removed from a Muller student by a UISD police officer, leading to anger from the group by not only the sign being taken but by the forceful nature it was seized. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jose Sanchez, UISD communications officer, explained the dynamics of the meeting. He said there would be a presentation on the facts surrounding the planning and construction of Muller Elementary School, and then they would move on to the questions asked previously. At the end, there would be a period for questions and answers. Mike Garza, UISD Associate Superintendent Administration Operation Services, said he would be presenting the facts and information about Muller Elementary School and the property purchase situation. At this moment in time today, March 27, there has been no decision made whatsoever on any properties, he said. There's no action at this time on that, so you can have that peace of mind. He said the meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, but they gave a few days more to get additional information. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everything that we will be presenting to you today is as of today, what we know today, he reiterated. We have been meeting with the City of Laredo, we're still gathering more information and we're hoping to get even more information to be able to either do a format like this again or be able to send you out with very detailed newsletter of all the information we gather from today to that point. A map of Muller Elementary School with the adjacent land was shown during a Parents Session meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times History of the potential purchase Garza presented a timeline of events from when they started talking about doing and building Muller Elementary School up to the point of the school opened and some action that happened afterwards recently. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On July 29, 1998, the Board had a discussion/action of donation from La Bota Development Company for real estate located at La Bota Ranch Subdivision on AF Muller Sr. Boulevard resolution of 10,312 acres, he said. Garza clarified that none of those present were part of the current Board of Trustees or the administration at that time. Nobody on this Board of Trustees was on the Board when all this transaction happened, he said. This happened over two decades ago. He continued saying that in November 1998, the Board consented to the acceptance of terms and conditions of gift deed of approximately 10,094 acres of real property in the La Bota Rach Community. That motion also passed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I have explained that this item is very significant because based on the information they have, those acres represented on paper are identified on the maps and include the access in front of the school," he said. In 1999, the property was officially platted. So at that point we could begin construction of the campus." Jose Sanchez, UISD communication officer, addresses the audience during a Parent Session meeting held at Muller Elementary School on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Potential expansion Then Garza provided current information on Muller Elementary as the authorization of legal counsel to attempt to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement pertaining to real property located along the eastern property perimeter of Muller Elementary School along Muller Memorial Boulevard, a property owned by La Bota Ranch Development Company Inc. in June 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Also, in June, the Board adopted a resolution encouraging the City of Laredo, the La Bota Homeowners Association and Gubagreen Industrial, LLC to work in collaboration to address UISD's traffic and safety concerns related to Gubagreen Industrial, LLC's development of property located directly across Muller Elementary, he said. Garza said the enrollment at Muller is among the top five elementary campuses locally in terms of enrollment, with 809 children from all subdivisions. He also elaborated on the average student bus ridership for the school. Garza discussed the district's plans to expand Muller Elementary School, showing a map of Muller and adjacent land. We would like to avoid building a new wing over the current playground area, and we anticipate future residential development for the Muller Elementary Boundary, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mike Garza, UISD Associate Superintendent Administration Operation Services, addresses the audience during a Parent Session meeting held at Muller Elementary School on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Questions from the crowd Garza said that much of the questions sent in were instead statements. However, they did answer six current questions submitted. One of the questions and perhaps the one that resonated most with the audience was why the district was not considering purchasing the property across from Muller Elementary School. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garza said that they did not know if that property was for sale, and apparently the property was in a legal process so they could not have communication until that issue is resolved. Garza then gave information about the cost of building a new campus, which is approximately $19,027,517 without considering land acquisition; utilities, if required; and furniture. The cost of a typical wing addition, which is what we need at Muller ES, is approximately $4.3 million, he said. Having a second independent facility would require additional staff. He said the district preferred the properties to be next to each other instead of having a barrier, such as a street, across from each other. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another question revolved around whether they had a contingency plan if warehouses were built in front of the school and safety plans for students and staff in an emergency situation. He said they had an emergency plan required by the state of Texas. Garza also said that at this time, the Board has not had an agenda item to discuss purchasing the property in front of Muller Elementary. If the Board would consider purchasing any property, the standard operating procedure for the District is to obtain an appraisal conducted by an independent appraiser -- and once again, we do not know if it is (for) sale -- when it is dealing with purchasing and/or selling property, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He also said that the District is requesting the City of Laredo to be present at the City of Laredo Council meeting to share their information and answer any questions from councilmembers. In addition, we will request that UISD be allowed to have a non-voting member on the Planning and Zoning Commission to allow our staff to object at the point of zone requests, he said. One parent said that they had said they could ask questions individually, and frustrated they asked why it was taking so long for them to be answered. We're all tired of work, why can't you just open the floor for questions? she asked. What we heard was very eloquent. A lot of information that we appreciate, but it didn't address our main issue. And we can all meet again, but if you're not going to open the floor for questions, what is the point of being here? Advertisement Article continues below this ad A parent asked what the District would do if warehouses are built across the street. Garza said that if the land was platted and the developer had a construction permit, they couldn't do anything because it was an attribute of the city. The public suggested to Garza that the District should be more proactive. Mike Garza, UISD Associate Superintendent Administration Operation Services, addresses the audience during a Parent Session meeting held at Muller Elementary School on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Crowd reflection Guillermo Castro, a resident of La Bota Ranch, said that these problems had already been foreseen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not only do I blame you, but I also blame the City of Laredo. You inherited this problem, but you need to step up and do the right thing, which is to protect the children and our community, he said. The bottom of this is that we want answers. For Castro, district members and the administration are part of the problem. They didn't give us anything, he said. They're trying to minimize their responsibility, and the bottomline is that they know the problem, they were part of the problem. (Garza) showed no empathy about the problem. If you don't speak up, nothing is going to change. Don't wait until something happens. The District should be raising the cane about this. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Karina Villalba, a parent at Muller Elementary School, said nothing new was said at the meeting. Everything they said we already knew, she said. The most annoying thing is that they never said they were going to do what was best for the children. "They also said they are going to the City Council meeting, but they didnt say what the plan is. She said Garza did not provide any solutions or valuable answers to the parents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think the only good thing about the Board is that they realized that we are informed parents and residents who seek the benefit and safety of our children, she said. According to folklore, March 'comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb'. But the proverb has been turned on its head as Storm Nelson is set to batter the South today, bringing 70mph winds, heavy rain, hail and thunder. Some snow even fell in parts of Devon and Wales overnight - after accumulations also built up at the other end of the UK in the Scottish Highlands earlier this week. Officials in Devon said teams had worked 'all night to keep the roads passable but drive with extreme care, avoid high roads and stick to main roads where possible.' The UK overnight low was -4.9C (23.2F) at the Cairngorm summit in the Highlands, while temperatures in cities including Newcastle and Inverness fell to 0C (32F). A wind warning has been issued for between 7am and 6pm, covering coastal areas between Land's End and Brighton, where the worst of the conditions are expected. DFDS had to cancel some ferries from Dover to Calais and Dieppe to Newhaven, while Thameslink warned rail passengers that the winds could delay trains today. The forecast had an impact on London, with Kew Gardens set to close early at 3pm due to the conditions, along with parts of Bushy Park and Kensington Gardens. Jack Campbell pushes his son Harvey on a sledge in the snow on Dartmoor in Devon today Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as motorists in the county are warned to take extra care A man photographs waves as they hit the sea wall at Seaton in Cornwall this morning Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as people try to make the most of the conditions Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as drivers are told to take extra care People take photos of the waves as Storm Nelson batters the coast at Brighton this morning A dog walker in snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon this morning A dog in snowy conditions near Bideford in Devon this morning Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today amid a warning for drivers across the county Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as holidaymakers prepare for Easter getaways Big waves hit the coast at Nothe Gardens in Weymouth, Dorset, this morning TODAY: Wet and windy conditions are expected to hit many parts of Britain throughout today The weather system has been named Storm Nelson by Spanish meteorologists in what could be seen as an ironic gesture about Britain's victorious vice admiral as it heads for our shores. It is the UK's first named storm since January but the 11th of the current season, which began in September. Today's weather warning, issued by the UK Met Office, predicts road, rail, air and ferry disruption, as well as cuts to electricity and mobile phone networks. Forecasters added: 'There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.' Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as drivers are warned to take extra care Wet and windy weather at high tide at Lyme Regis in Dorset this morning Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as people try to make the most of the conditions Snowy conditions near Bideford in Devon this morning Big waves hit the coast at Nothe Gardens in Weymouth, Dorset, this morning A man walks a dog on the beach in Seaton in Cornwall today amid the severe weather Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as motorists are urged to take care Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as people try to make the most of the conditions A man watches waves as they hit the seawall at Seaton in Cornwall this morning Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as motorists are urged to take care Wet and windy weather at high tide at Lyme Regis in Dorset this morning Stormy seas batter the defences of the Jurassic Pier at West Bay in Dorset this morning Jack Campbell pushes his son Harvey on a sledge in the snow on Dartmoor in Devon today A man walks a dog on the beach in Seaton in Cornwall this morning Harvey and Gemma Campbell with children Jack, Arabella and Primrose at Dartmoor today A couple on the beach at Lyme Regis in Dorset take a selfie during Storm Nelson today Jack Campbell pushes his son Harvey on a sledge in the snow on Dartmoor in Devon today A walker wearing a waterproof jacket on the seafront at West Bay in Dorset this morning Snowy conditions at Trecastle in Brecon, Powys, today as Wales is hit by the white stuff Swimmers take a dip in the rough seas by the Cobb harbour at Lyme Regis in Dorset today Snow hits Dartmoor in Devon today as people try to make the most of the conditions Big waves hit the coast at Nothe Gardens in Weymouth, Dorset, this morning Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as motorists are urged to take care Strong waves crash into Dawlish in Devon as Storm Nelson strikes Britain this morning Snow this morning at Pontrhydfendigaid in Ceredigion, Mid Wales, near Aberystwyth A man takes photographs at Seaton in Cornwall this morning amid the severe weather Snowy conditions at Trecastle in Brecon, Powys, today as Wales is hit by the white stuff Jack Campbell pushes his son Harvey on a sledge in the snow on Dartmoor in Devon today A dog running with a ball in wet and snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today Wet and windy weather at high tide at Lyme Regis in Dorset this morning Horses in snowy conditions on Dartmoor today after snow fell in Devon overnight Snow falls over properties in South Wales near the Brecon Beacons this morning Jack Campbell pushes his son Harvey on a sledge in the snow on Dartmoor in Devon today Stormy seas amid Storm Nelson batter the Cobb harbour wall at Lyme Regis in Dorset today Describing the weather, the Met Office said: 'A deep area of low pressure will bring a spell of very windy weather to parts of southwest and then southern England on Thursday. 'Gusts of 50 mph are expected quite widely, while some exposed coastal spots may experience gusts of 60 to 70 mph, with large waves also likely. 'The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy, squally showers with the possibility of hail and thunder in some locations. 'Hail won't fall everywhere but where it does it can quickly make road surfaces slippery, while surface water and spray are likely to worsen travel conditions rather more widely.' Dog walkers in snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon this morning Snowy conditions at Trecastle in Brecon, Powys, today as Wales is hit by the white stuff Snow covers a car parked in the village of Pontrhydfendigaid in Mid Wales this morning A man takes photographs at Seaton in Cornwall this morning amid the severe weather Snowy conditions on Dartmoor in Devon today as motorists are urged to take care A vehicle is driven through a water-logged lane at Dunsden in Oxfordshire this morning The Traffic Wales North & Mid social media account tweeted this picture of snow this morning Russ Young tweeted a photograph of snow falling on a residential road in Devon overnight One social media user tweeted this photograph of snow in Plymouth, Devon, overnight Another social media user posted a photograph of snow falling overnight in Devon Snow falls in Devon overnight today as the UK experiences severe weather conditions Further north, a separate band of cloud and showery rain will bring damp conditions before clearing this afternoon - followed by more rain later as Nelson moves north-eastwards. The Met Office added that showers are due to continue into Good Friday, when it is due to be bright and breezy. Forecasters said showers are due to become 'more scattered on Saturday and Easter Sunday' when it should 'feel warmer in the sunny spells and lighter winds'. Temperatures in southern England on Easter Sunday could reach highs of 15C (59F) - warmer than the Spanish capital Madrid, which is due to be cool and showery with temperatures of just 10C (50F) on Easter Sunday. TODAY: The Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow, wind and rain in the UK today STORM NELSON: A map by Spanish weather service Aemet showing the low pressure system GOOD FRIDAY FORECAST: Showers and breezy conditions for Britain this Friday with 14C highs GOOD FRIDAY: The Met Office has warned of 'unsettled' weather for much of Europe this week EASTER SATURDAY: Spain and Portugal are likely to see thunderstorms and strong winds FRANCE: Waves crash into a lighthouse amid Storm Nelson in Les Sables d'Olonne today SPAIN: Waves hit the dock and sailing school at the port in Palma de Mallorca yesterday Maximum figures of 14C (57F) are expected as far north as Manchester. For those travelling over the bank holiday weekend, the RAC have advised drivers to 'be on their guard' regarding the changing road conditions. RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'Drivers getting away will definitely need to be on their guard and ready to cope with rapidly changing road conditions. 'Slowing down in the heaviest of downpours on Good Friday and Easter Saturday is a must as stopping distances will be far greater.' ** Seen snow in your area today? Please email: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** Russia will shoot down any F-16 fighter jets that Western countries supply to Ukraine, Vladimir Putin declared today, before mocking the Czech Republic for being 'scared' of a Russian invasion he says will never come. 'If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield,' Putin told Russian air force pilots during a tour of a training facility in Torzhok, in Russia's Tver region. 'We will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers.' The Russian President also declared NATO had expanded eastwards towards Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union but reiterated that Moscow had no plans to attack a NATO state. 'We have no aggressive intentions towards these states,' Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript released on Thursday. 'The idea that we will attack some other country - Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared - is complete nonsense. It's just drivel.' But Putin quickly contradicted himself, adding that any F-16 flying in Ukraine would be 'legitimate targets', even if they are based in NATO countries. 'Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located.' Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the 344th State Centre for combat use and retraining of flight crews of the Russian Defence Ministry in the town of Torzhok in the Tver Region, Russia March 27, 2024 Putin sits in a flight simulator during a visit to a pilot training school in the Tver region Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by Hero of Russia, head of air combat and tactical training Alexander Karamyshev, visits the 344th State Centre for combat use and retraining of flight crews of the Russian Defence Ministry in the town of Torzhok in the Tver Region, Russia March 27, 2024 'If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield,' Putin told Russian air force pilots during a tour of a training facility in Torzhok, in Russia's Tver region Putin said that the West was simply playing up the fake threat of a Russian invasion of a NATO state to justify ramping up its war capabilities and providing further aid to Ukraine Ukraine, now more than two years into a full-fledged war against Russia, has sought F-16s for many months Putin's remarks followed comments earlier in the day by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that the aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the near future. Ukraine, now more than two years into a full-fledged war against Russia, has sought F-16s for many months. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are among countries which have pledged to donate F-16s. Meanwhile, a coalition of NATO countries has promised to help train Ukrainian pilots in their use. But Putin said that the West was simply playing up the fake threat of a Russian invasion of a NATO state to justify ramping up its war capabilities and providing further aid to Ukraine. The Russian President claimed the West's trumpeting of perceived aggression from Moscow was just 'another way to deceive your population and extract additional costs from people, force them to bear this burden on their shoulders, that's all.' His visit to the Russian air base in Torzhok coincided with nuclear war games in Siberia, as soldiers from a regiment of Yars strategic missile launchers in the Irkutsk region trained at repelling an attack by subversion groups in a military crisis exercise. 'The Yars regiment has gone on combat patrol routes during a command-staff exercise,' said the Russian defence ministry as it released footage of the war games. 'It will change field positions and disperse missile battalions that will overcome contaminated areas. 'Specific attention is paid to repelling attacks of subversion groups.' Yars missiles are currently the main element of the ground-based component of the Russian strategic nuclear force. The Mach 25 missiles have a range of up to 7,500 miles, enabling a strike on the U.S. Russian President Vladimir Putin (2-L) speaks with Hero of Russia, head of aerial weapons training and tactical training of the centre, Alexander Karamyshev (L) Russian President Vladimir Putin talks to military pilots at the 344th State Centre for combat use and retraining of flight crews In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, March 1, 2024, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia Missile regiment of the Irkutsk Missile Compound's Yars missile launchers went on combat patrols Yars missiles are currently the main element of the ground-based component of the Russian strategic nuclear force Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has triggered the deepest crisis in East-West relations since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The Kremlin, which accuses the Western nations of fighting against Russia by supporting Ukraine with money, weapons and intelligence, says relations with Washington and London have probably never been worse. As Putin railed against the imminent provision of F-16s to Kyiv, Britain declared it was the largest supplier of drones to Ukraine and is working with Latvia to lead a European coalition to step up production. The UK has pledged to spend 325million on building the UAVs, as well as research and development of new technologies, and will send 10,000 drones to Ukraine this year. Other allies, such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway, have also provided Ukraine with combat drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine has nurtured its own private military startups to innovate and build up their domestic industry as the war enters its third year. In total, there are now about 200 dronemakers in Ukraine and the Strategic Industries Ministry has said the country could make as many as 2 million drones this year. A desperate warning has been issued after a child picked up a deadly sea creature at a popular swimming spot. The boy was enjoying a day in the water at Sydney's Woolwich Baths on Wednesday, when he came into contact with a blue-ringed octopus and picked it up. Despite only being four to six centimetres-long, a blue-ringed octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 adults within minutes. He was rushed to hospital as a precaution but suffered no injuries. Hunters Hill Council warned anyone swimming at the baths over the Easter long weekend to 'please beware' of the danger. The boy was enjoying a day in the water at Sydney 's Woolwich Baths (pictured) on Wednesday, when he came into contact with a blue-ringed octopus and picked it up. Despite only being four to six centimetres-long, a blue-ringed octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 adults within minutes A council spokesperson said signs had been installed to warn swimmers at the netted beach nestled among multi-million dollar homes along Sydney Harbour. 'We always advise people to keep children under active supervision at all times in or around water,' the spokesperson told Yahoo. While the potentially deadly creatures are sometimes spotted in the harbour, they're not often found as far as Woolwich, about 10km from the ocean. The blue-ringed octopus gets its name from the vibrant blue rings that flare up when it feels threatened. A bite from its sharp beak on its underside injects a victim with venom 1,000 times stronger than cyanide. There is no known antidote. Adding to their dangerous arsenal is the ability to camouflage among rocks and shells. A council spokesperson said signs had been installed to warn swimmers at the netted beach nestled among multi-million dollar homes along Sydney Harbour Sightings of the creatures increased across Australia over summer with one teenage boy hospitalised after being bitten at Shoalwater Beach in Perth in December. Jacob Eggington, 18, had collected a number of shells at the beach with his nephew and discovered the poisonous creature inside one. The blue-ringed octopus left a small, painless bite mark on his leg and within 30 minutes his nervous system and lungs had started to shut down. Miraculously, he survived the ordeal. A young boy rules a Syrian camp detaining Islamists and jihadi brides including Shamima Begum, ordering punishment and beatings for women and preaching extremist hate to other children. The 14-year-old boy is the senior enforcer for the Islamic State in Roj detention camp in northeastern Syria, imposing strict religious rules and preaching extremist doctrine. The teenager gathered other youth around him to reestablish the terrorist group in the camp after the last IS-held village in Baghouz was overrun by Kurdish-led forces when he was nine years old. 'He is like the Islamic State emir in this camp,' Rashid Omar, 39, told the Times. He is the director of Roj, where currently 2,600 people are detained, more than half of whom are under 18. In his office, Omar has a picture of the young IS enforcer, which shows the heavily-built teenager dressed in black. Another photograph shows his equally young deputy, also aged 14, who is also dressed in black with appears paler than his leader. The 14-year-old boy is the senior enforcer for the Islamic State in Roj detention camp in northeastern Syria, imposing strict religious rules and preaching extremist doctrine The boys lead a gang of male youth who enforce their rules by threatening adult women with brutal beatings if the boys believe the women did something wrong. They have made improvised weapons to arm themselves and indoctrinate the next generation in weekly khutbah sermons where they share their extremist ideology. 'Everyone is afraid of him and his deputy here. Women get beaten for disobeying his orders, and then are threatened with death to stop them reporting these assaults,' Omar said. 'Whenever we try looking for him, the other kids start rising against us. There are a lot of teenagers with him in this camp.' Officials in charge of Roj and another detention camp, which house thousands of women and children who previously lived in the Islamic caliphate, said housing them together drastically increases the threat of breeding more extremists. 'Every time we try to separate teenage males from radical mothers in rehabilitation centres, we get criticised by UN agencies for rights abuses. What are we supposed to do?,' Omar said. The children who were taken to Syria to live in the caliphate by their radicalised parents have grown up being taught the extremist ISIS doctrine and many are said to have turned into angry radical youths. With many countries like the UK refusing to repatriate their citizens from Syria and Turkish drones and jets regularly hitting the area targeting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), these problems have only grown. Al-Roj, once considered to be a model detention facility compared to the savage al-Hawl camp, is regressing under the influence of the youth gang of the 14-year-old ISIS 'emir'. Boys were wading through the flooded Roj camp after a heavy rainstorm hit parts of northeastern Syria on March 19, 2023 An unidentified woman, reportedly a wife of a suspected Islamic State (IS) fighter, walks with her children at Roj refugees camp in Hasakah, northeast of Syria, on March 30, 2019 Roj camp is home to an estimated 60 Britons, with around 2,600 detainees in total Searches of the facilities have revealed self-made knives and improvised welding equipment for the first time. Meanwhile 95 per cent of the woman in the camp from 55 countries have gone back to wearing the niqab - either out of choice or because they were forced to do so. Recent drone strikes have cut the camp's water and electricity supplies and the only way to access water is via two nearby wells, whose pumps have stopped when the electricity was cut after a Turkish strike and are now powered by generators running on expensive fuel. READ MORE: British jihadi brides detained in Syrian camp fear they will die if they are not repatriated after 'alarming' collapse in living conditions Advertisement Detainees increasingly show defiance towards the guards, with some reporting that adult women in the camp have directed throat-cutting motions at the guards, telling them that they will soon be in charge as the strikes make them 'feel empowered', according to camp director Omar. He said it feels like they are 'under siege', after Turkish strikes destroyed Roj's infrastructure. Turkey's strikes have started in October last year and come after attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK, against Turkish institutions and military posts in Iraq. Turkey claims the SDF was complicit in those attacks. The SDF, which is the main force fighting against ISIS in Syria, denied Turkey's accusations that they were involved in the PKK attacks on Turkish institutions. The Turkish strikes have targeted not only SDF personnel, but also infrastructure like water towers, grain silos, oil and gas refineries as well as pipelines and power stations. This has dramatically worsened condition in the detention camp - particularly with the dwindling water supply - and poses a security threat after two Tunisian families managed to escape the camp during recent strikes when women in Roj lit fires along the fence to cause confusion. A group of women, reportedly the wives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters, are pictured on March 28, 2021 at Camp Al-Roj, where relatives of suspected IS members are held Turkey has conducted several waves of airstrikes on northeastern Syria since October last year in an effort to wipe out Kurdish militants based in Iraq and Syria A child hides at Camp Roj, where relatives of people suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group are held, in the countryside near al-Malikiyah (Derik) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on October 8, 2023 The threat is also of an ideological nature after several ISIS loyalists - among them extremist youths - were moved from al-Hawl to Roj, where they reinforce strict dress and behaviour codes for women. While the camp director said that not every teenager in his camp was radicalised, it was getting more difficult to prevent the influence of those youths who are ISIS extremists. There are currently believed to be about 20 to 25 British families in Roj, with up to 40 children between them, most of which are unlikely to be repatriated to the UK, which is among the countries financing the detention camps and prisons for Islamists in Syria. Britain has removed citizenship from those who travelled to Syria to join ISIS and leaves women and their children in camps in Syria. Just two women and a few children - believed to be around 12 - from the UK were repatriated to the UK since 2019. During the same time France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands - whose citizens make up more than half of the Europeans who went to Syria to join the Islamic State - have repatriated 113 women and 319 children. While many of them were put on trial on terrorist charges, they are still allowed to see their children - albeit under supervision - while in prison. One of the most prominent detainees at Roj is Shamima Begum, who went to Syria aged 15 and has had her British citizenship revoked since. She appealed against the decision on security grounds last month, but lost her appeal. Omar described her as a 'model detainee', adding that she was one of the few women in the camp who refused to wear the niqab, putting her actively in danger of repercussion by the radical youths enforcing the IS rules. In the camps, there are now new generations being born straight into the extremist ideology held by detainees around them. Shamima Begum, 24, has been described as a 'model detainee' at Roj detention centre where she is currently living after refusing to wear a niqab Unidentified women, reportedly wives of a suspected Islamic State (IS) fighter, cover their faces as they walks at Roj refugees camp in Hasakah, northeast of Syria, on March 30, 2019 A woman clad in mask due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic stands next to another by a metal fence at Camp Roj, housing family members of people accused to belong to the Islamic State (IS) group, on September 30, 2020 While there have only been two reported pregnancies in the Roj detention camp, al-Hawl - where more than 30,000 children under 18 and 12,000 ISIS-affiliated women from 44 countries live - the birth rate is rapidly rising. The director of al-Hawl, Havel Jinan Hannan, said that there are often between 40 and 60 births per month within the Syrian and Iraqi sections of the camp. EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: The webcam weddings for Brit ISIS brides trying to flee Syria: How women in detention camps are marrying terrorists over Zoom so they can bribe officials and escape Advertisement Security at the camp has improved after the US-led coalition and SDF forces searched the camps and recovered weapons like assault rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers and knives. There have been more than 180 murders in al-Hawl since 2019, with the last reported ones happening in December 2022, when two young girls from Egypt had their throats cut for allegedly disobeying the IS dress code for women and girls. But ISIS has been trying to covertly smuggle their own commanders into the camps, the reestablish the terror group's rule there. One of those smuggled-in commanders, a Syrian ISIS emir, was discovered in al-Hawl in January but killed himself by detonating a suicide belt rather than be captured. With Turkish president Erdogan threatening further ground operations in Syria this summer against the SDF, the camps could be thrown into chaos. During Turkey's last ground operation in 2019, when the military attacked SDF territory alongside Syrian rebel militias, hundreds of ISIS-affiliated women who came to Syria from abroad escaped the detention camp at Ain Issa. They fled to Syrian rebel camps or even European countries like Ireland and France. With the threat of another Turkish ground offensive, detainees 'feel escape is coming', Roj director Omar said. A pregnant Nigerian business woman has revealed her shocking treatment at the hands of police who arrested her after she posted a negative review of a tin of tomato puree to Facebook. Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old businesswoman based in Lagos, the country's largest city, is being criminally prosecuted and sued in a civil court after she made negative comments about a product made by Nigerian foodmaker Erisco Foods. She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts about Ericso's Nagiko Tomato Mix, after sharing a picture of an opened can of the product and saying it was too sweet. The businesswoman, currently pregnant with her fourth child, revealed she was left fearing for her life and the lives of her children, after plainclothes officers from Nigeria's national police arrested her in September while she was at church. She told CNN that she was made to stand around in a leaky cell for hours. 'There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water [that came in from the leaking roof]', she said. Chioma Okoli (pictured) is being criminally prosecuted and sued in a civil court after she made negative comments about a product made by Nigerian foodmaker Erisco Foods The businesswoman said the puree was too sweet, and asked her Facebook followers to share their opinions about the product 'Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up,' she added. She was later flown to Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, and held at another police station until she was bailed out a day later. After she refused to publicly apologise for her comments, Okoli was later criminally charged with two separate crimes, the most serious of which could land her behind bars for up to seven years. She was charged with conspiring with two other individuals with 'the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited', and may have to go to prison for up to seven years. Okoli was also charged with 'instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false', a crime that could end with her going to prison for three years, having to pay a fine of seven million naira (3,950). Police tried to arrest her a second time in January, entering her home in Lagos in apparent violation of a restraining order issued by a court that explicitly banned them from arresting her without a court order. 'They stayed in my building from 6:30am until 5:30pm. My children couldnt go to school that day and we couldnt go out to get food because the cooking gas was finished,' she said, adding that the police eventually backed down and left. Erisco itself is also bringing a civil lawsuit against her, after claiming earlier this year that 'several suppliers' cut ties with the company following her remarks, and is seeking 5 billion naira (2.8 million) in damages. She called on her 18,000 Facebook followers to share their thoughts about Ericso's Nagiko Tomato Mix (pictured) The company's CEO Eric Umeofia has come under fire in Nigeria for his threatening behaviour against Okoli He revealed her address to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle She has launched two countersuits against the police and Erisco, which her legal team has described as a David vs. Goliath battle, for their treatment of the businesswoman. The company's CEO Eric Umeofia has come under fire in Nigeria for his threatening behaviour against Okoli. He revealed her address to the nation during an interview about the ongoing legal battle, which her lawyer, Inhibehe Effiong, said was done 'without regard for the security and safety of Chioma, her husband, and her entire family.' He also told broadcasters that he would 'rather die than allow someone to tarnish my image I worked 40 years to grow.' The behaviour of the police and Erisco have come under fire from groups across the world. Chioma Okoli faces up to seven years behind bars, and is being sued for around $3million for her negative review Amnesty International said: 'Harassment and intimidation of Chioma Okoli must end now.' Nigerians have also said they are planning on boycotting the company for its treatment of Okoli. One social media user said: 'Erisco is oppressive, thin-skinned, insensitive, and thoroughly irresponsible in its response. 'She may have been wrong, but you have made an unforgettable error with your over-the-top reactions. 'With power comes responsibility, but you have power devoid of responsibility.' Another said: 'Someone made an honest review of a product she used. A power-drunk billionaire decided hed bully his customer. 'This madness can only happen in a lawless country like Nigeria. 'Every reasonable Nigerian must cancel Erisco. Dont buy Nagiko tomatoes, and Dont buy Erisco products.' She has been seen walking around the camp in Primark clothes and Nike trainers Shamima Begum has been described as 'a model detainee' by authorities who run the detention facility she is confined to after she fled the UK to join ISIS at age 15. Dubbed the Syrian camp's most famous British inmate, Begum, 24, has been considered 'courageous' by Roj's director, Rashid Omar. 'She is one of the few to have refused to wear niqab,' he told The Times. 'Under the circumstances here, given our difficulties in protecting women, that's a courageous decision.' Roj detention camp in northeast Syria is home to 2,600 detainees, with 95 per cent of women in the facility, from 55 countries, either choosing to wear a niqab or being forced to. Shamima Begum, 24, has been described as a 'model detainee' at Roj detention centre where she is currently living after refusing to wear a niqab Roj camp is home to an estimated 60 Britons, with around 2,600 detainees in total Around 95 per cent of women in the facility, from 55 countries, either choose to wear a niqab or are forced to. Begum has decided to go against the rules and not wear a niqab. Turkey has conducted several waves of airstrikes on northeastern Syria since October last year in an effort to wipe out Kurdish militants based in Iraq and Syria The niqab is a long garment worn by Muslim women in order to conceal their entire body and face, excluding their eyes, to express modesty. Omar revealed that in Roj camp, 'women get beaten for disobeying orders, and then are threatened with death to stop them reporting these assaults'. But this hasn't stopped Begum from walking around the camp in Primark clothes, Nike trainers, and wearing makeup that was allegedly smuggled in by some of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) soldiers guarding the gates of the facility. Images of Begum show her inside the camp with her hair down, after she reportedly had it cut by a fellow jihadi bride in the camp. Omar explained that Turkey has conducted several waves of airstrikes on northeastern Syria since October last year in an effort to wipe out Kurdish militants based in Iraq and Syria. 'It feels like we are under a kind of siege here,' he said. He added that the women feel empowered when they hear bombing against them and have started acting 'as one hand'. Begum was spotted in the camp sporting a more Westernised look with Nike trainers and Primark leggings 'They see me and my staff and they draw their fingers across their throats. They are more organised, more powerful,' he said. Due to Roj being hit by strikes, conditions within the camp, where Begum has been living since 2019, have been descried by the Red Cross as 'extremely volatile' as power and water supplies are cut. Begum has previously compared life at the camp to being 'worse than prison' because: 'At least with prison sentences you know that there will be an end but here you don't know if there's going to be an end.' Begum is just one of an estimated 60 Britons still thought to be living in the camp after her UK citizenship was striped on national security grounds in 2019, leaving her stateless. Her refusal to disavow ISIS after being found at the al-Hol camp five years ago led to the Home Office revoking her citizenship. When she was first discovered at al-Hol, the ISIS bride was pictured in a black hijab, but since her relocation to Roj, she has adopted a more Westernised image - a move that portrays courageousness in the eyes of the camp's authority figures. It comes just days after the 24-year-old lost an initial bid to challenge the removal of her UK citizenship at the Supreme Court. A judicial spokesperson confirmed on March 25 that Begum had asked the Court of Appeal for the green light to take her case to the Supreme Court, but had been refused. Begum will now have to ask the Supreme Court directly to hear her case. Dismissing her Court of Appeal challenge last month, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, said: 'It could be argued the decision in Ms Begum's case was harsh. Begum was found in the al-Hol camp five years ago, and at the time was wearing a black niqab Begum recently lost an initial bid to challenge the removal of her UK citizenship at the Supreme Court Begum is living in the Al-Roj refugee camp, having been found at the Al-Hol camp to the south in 2019 'It could also be argued that Ms Begum is the author of her own misfortune, but it is not for this court to agree or disagree with either point of view. 'The only task of the court was to assess whether the deprivation decision was unlawful. Since it was not, Ms Begum's appeal is dismissed.' Last year, Begum lost a challenge against the decision at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), which said the removal of her citizenship was lawful. But her lawyers have argued that the Home Office's decision to remove her citizenship was unlawful, in part because British officials failed to properly consider whether she was a potential victim of trafficking. Begum has previously admitted to knowingly joining a proscribed organisation, but claimed she was was 'ashamed' of her actions and regretted the move. Earlier this year, three judges at the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed her bid to overturn the SIAC decision. The once east London schoolgirl travelled to Syria in 2015 to support the IS terror group, along with her two friends Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15. Sultana is thought to have died when a house was blown up and the fate of Abase remains unknown. Ignoring her family's warnings that Syria was a 'dangerous place', the once 'straight A student' married a Dutch Islamic State fighter, who us currently held in a Kurdish detention centre, and began her life inside one of the most brutal terror groups in history. Soon after marrying Yago Riedijk, who had converted to Islam, Begum went on to have three children, who all later died from malnourishment or disease. They were a one-year-old girl, a three-month-old boy and a newborn son. In a 2019 interview, the BBC's Middle East correspondent, Quentin Sommerville, asked Begum if the terror group's 'beheading videos' were one of the things that attracted her. She replied: 'Not just the beheading videos, the videos that show families and stuff in the park. The good life that they can provide for you. Not just the fighting videos, but yeah the fighting videos as well I guess.' She remains living in Roj detention centre, with her lawyers claiming conditions in the camp have reached a 'critical point', with 'near starvation' and disease seen on a daily basis. Labour 'megadonor' Dale Vince must tell his wife if he plans to make any further donations to the party, the High Court has ordered. The Ecotricity founder, who has given 1.5million to Labour in the past decade and is expected to donate up to 5million this year, has been ordered to notify his partner Kate whenever he plans on handing over more cash. Mr Vince was told during divorce proceedings at the High Court earlier this week he would have to make a 'notice provision' of his donations, which are made from the couple's shared assets. Lawyers acting for Kate said the money was 'being kept invisible from us', adding that the 'lack of visibility is quite frankly appalling', the Financial Times reported. The 62-year-old eco tycoon will now have to provide a written notice of 'the precise sum of money or value of the asset he intends to donate' as well as the date, time, purpose and recipient of the donation. Labour donor Dale Vince who has been ordered to inform his wife (right) if he plans to make any further donations to the party The order was made during the couple's (pictured) divorce proceedings at the High Court earlier this week Vince has previously come under fire as being one of Just Stop Oil's main fundraisers. He is pictured here attending one of their marches in June 2023 Lawyers acting for Mr Vince told the court he had already made clear his intentions to donate a further 5m to Labour later this year. Lewis Marks KC, said on behalf of the businessman, Mr Vince would disclose any future donations 'publicly anyway as he already has, and as he always does'. Kate Vince's solicitor Simon Bruce warned that they could apply for a stricter order to stop Mr Vince from donating 'what we don't want him to donate'. Richard Todd KC, also acting for Kate, added the eco tycoon 'needs to accept' that any future donations would come out of his share and 'he will give us notice of any future large-scale donations'. Mr Vince has not shied away from his support for the Labour party and previously said the general election is 'the most important of our lifetimes' and wants to bring in 'the greenest government we have ever had'. He has also come under fire as being one of Just Stop Oil's main fundraisers, although he announced in October that he would halt his funding and instead focus his efforts into getting Labour elected. The eco-group has organised dozens of protests in recent months that have regularly brought parts of London and other cities to a halt. Its members were behind a string of stunts at high-profile sporting events during summer last year. The Ecotricity founder has has not shied away from his support for the Labour party a he wants to bring in 'the greenest government we have ever had' Mr Vince also previously came under fire as being one of Just Stop Oil's main fundraisers The looming general election will be the most expensive ever after the Government increased the amount each political party can raise from 19million in 2019 to 35million this year. Party sources claim that Labour will reach the new limit, and the lion's share of the funding will come from just three wealthy businessmen, including Mr Vince. Gary Lubner, who made his fortune with the company behind Autoglass, is also expected to give 5million by polling day, while Lord Sainsbury of Turville has already given Labour 5million since late 2022. MailOnline has contacted Dale Vince for comment. Human rights groups are up in arms after Saudi Arabia won an unopposed bid to lead a top UN women's right group, despite its own 'abysmal' record of gender equality. Saudi Arabia's envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race at the group's annual meeting in New York on Wednesday. Alwasil was elected with no dissent from any of the 45 members present at the meeting, and will hold the post for at least two years. He was even endorsed by a group of Asia-Pacific states on the commission, despite his nation's notorious record on gender equality, which human rights groups were quick to point out. Sherine Tadros, the head of the New York office of Amnesty International, said Saudi Arabia will be chair of the CSW on the 30th anniversary of the passing of a landmark piece of international law that massively advanced the rights of women across the world. 'Whoever is in the chair, which is now Saudi Arabia, is in a key position to influence the planning, the decisions, the taking stock, and looking ahead, in a critical year for the commission,' Tadros said. Saudi Arabia's envoy to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil (pictured), was elected as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in a completely unopposed race Saudi Arabia has a shocking record on gender equality (File image) 'Saudi Arabia is now at the helm, but Saudi Arabia's own record on women's rights is abysmal, and a far cry from the mandate of the commission.' Louis Charbonneau, UN director at the Human Rights Watch (HRW), added: 'Saudi Arabia's election as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women shows shocking disregard for women's rights everywhere. 'A country that jails women simply because they advocate for their rights has no business being the face of the UN's top forum for women's rights and gender equality. 'Saudi authorities should demonstrate that this honor was not completely undeserved and immediately release all detained women's rights defenders, end male guardianship and ensure women's full rights to equality with men.' Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the 'personal status' of women in the nation. But the law explicitly says that a woman has to obtain permission from a male guardian to marry. Saudi lawmakers passed a law in 2022 that claims to have increased the 'personal status' of women in the nation (File image) A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him (File image) Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child's 'best interest,' which is undefined, necessitates it (File image) It also says that a wife has to obey her husband in a 'reasonable manner', and states that her husband's financial support depends on her 'obedience.' A husband can withdraw financial support for reasons including refusing to have sex with him, live in a marital home or travel with him without a 'legitimate excuse.' Human Rights Watch pointed out that a woman who leaves the marital home can lose custody of her child if the child's 'best interest,' which is undefined, necessitates it. The UK's Foreign Office told the Guardian that it is not a member of the Commission on the Status of Women, and therefore didn't have a role to play in the selection of the chair. It added: 'We continue to engage closely with the Saudi authorities on women's rights issues.' Four people are dead, including a 15-year-old girl and a 49-year-old mailman, after a deranged knifeman went on a brutal rampage through a sleepy Illinois suburb on Wednesday afternoon. A 22-year-old man is in custody in relation to the crime. He has not been identified nor has a motive been released publicly for the horrific attacks. Police in Rockford, Illinois, 90 miles west of Chicago, responded to a series of locations at 1:14pm after receiving calls about a burglary. From there, a manhunt began resulting in the suspect being arrested in the vicinity at 1:35pm. One victim, who survived, was stabbed in the face as she tried to escape the deranged attacker who was described as being 'very bloody' and resisting when he was hauled away. The victims have so far only been identified as two women, ages 15 and 63, and two men, aged 49 and 22. Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, one died later at a local hospital. Five other people were rushed to local hospitals to be treated for injuries, four were released as one person is still being treated in serious condition. A 22-year-old man is in custody in relation to the crime. He has not been identified nor has a motive been released publicly for the horrific attacks in sleepy Rockford, Illinois Not all of the victims found at multiple addresses in the city had stab wounds and none were shot Police later identified those victims as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and a 22-year-old man. Their names were not released 'We are reeling as a community from another senseless act of violence,' Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara told the media in the aftermath of the tragedy. One local, Eric Patterson, told the Rockford Register Star that he saw two teenagers bloodied from an attack and a middle aged woman being taken away in an ambulance. Patterson said that the mailman was run over by a pick up truck. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd earlier confirmed that not all of the victims were stabbed but none were a shot 'We dont have a clear motive in regard to what caused this individual to commit such heinous crimes,' the chief added. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana told the media that one of the victims was stabbed as they tried to stop the attacker from fleeing the area. That person is not among those killed. 'She young lady ran from him. She got some stab wounds in her hands and in her face. She is currently at a hospital, and she is intubated. She is in serious condition,' he said. Caruana said another of the victims was a 'young female' who ran from a home that the attacker broke into. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (145 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago An officer rolls out police tape on Wednesday as the investigation into the quadruple homicide continues Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd told the media that investigators have 'no clear motive' for the horrific crime 'It makes no sense. ts almost like playing a video game, but it's reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. I'm going to run over the mailman here,' one neighbor said Vanessa Hy, who lives in the community, described the scene when the cops descended on the sleepy town. 'All of a sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming: "Stop! Get down!" Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody,' Hy told WREX-TV. 'It makes no sense. ts almost like playing a video game, but it's reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. I'm going to run over the mailman here,' Patterson said. 'I'm going to stab a couple people there. I am going to go in this house over here. Its not making sense. You cant rationalize this,' he added. Another resident, Cassandra Hernandez, paid tribute to their mail man calling him a 'very good man.' Resident Ruth Gallagher called the mailman 'the kindest person' in an interview with CBS Chicago. 'He would help anybody; would step in and help - always friendly. We will miss him,' she added. 'Its hard to grasp how this could happen and how emotional and raw the community is tonight. As a dad, a son, a husband, the Mayor and a Rockford supporter, my heart is breaking for those who have lost their lives, their families and our community,' the mayor said in a Facebook post. Redd said residents in the area were being asked to review their home surveillance camera footage for anything related to the attacks. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (145 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago. The violence Wednesday came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. Rishi Sunak has bemoaned his 'hospital pass' from Boris Johnson and Liz Truss amid fevered Westminster rumours about a summer election. The PM suggested he had inherited the 'worst' situation for 'decades' on arrival in No10, admitting there were 'lots of frustrations'. In an interview with former foreign secretary Lord Hague, he also highlighted times when he felt 'acutely' that he was not 'being there' for his two daughters. The comments come amid mounting Tory unrest over dire polls showing Keir Starmer on track for a landslide when the country goes to the ballot boxes. Election guru Sir John Curtice has estimated a 99 per cent chance of Labour being in power in the next Parliament. The Conservative mood has darkened after another two ministers quit this week to join an exodus from the Commons, while Reform UK has been gaining ground. The increasingly bleak picture has sparked claims that Mr Sunak cannot afford to wait until the Autumn to call the election, as was widely expected. Many believe a confidence vote will be triggered after the local and mayoral contests on May 2, which will be highly damaging even if the premier survives. Meanwhile, Channel crossings are likely to continue over the summer and economic growth is still bumping along the bottom. Rishi Sunak suggested he had inherited the 'worst' situation for 'decades' on arrival in No10, admitting there were 'lots of frustrations' Amid consistently dire polls, election guru Sir John Curtice has estimated a 99 per cent chance of Labour being in power in the next Parliament Speaking on The Story podcast from The Times, Mr Sunak said of his inheritance following the Johnson era and Ms Truss's meltdown: 'Someone described it as the worst hospital pass for any incoming prime minister in many decades. 'And that clearly it's been, there's lots of frustrations. We've been through a lot as a country over the past few years, which people are understandably frustrated about and makes the environment trickier.' Mr Sunak also told Lord Hague - who previously held his Richmond, Yorks, seat in the Commons - about his regrets over the impact of his job on family life. 'I've got two young girls who mean the world to me. And, obviously, doing these jobs, it's hard to balance being a good dad and doing the job well,' he said. 'And obviously, you have to prioritise this job, because it's an important job and you're doing it on behalf of the whole country. 'So, you know, not being there for them as much as any dad would like to be is a challenge. 'And there's particular moments where you really feel that acutely, because there's something very difficult going on that you just can't be there for them and that's tough, but that's the job.' However, the PM put a brave face on Sir John Curtice's view that it is now 'extremely unlikely' the Tories will hang on to power. The professor of politics at Strathclyde University highlighted that the party would struggle to form alliances if there is a hung Parliament, putting the chance of Sir Keir becoming premier as '99 per cent'. Mr Sunak said: 'We've had plenty of predictions about elections and referendums in the past years that turned out to be wrong. So we should always remember that.' The PM's allies have appeared increasingly exasperated as the polls show no sign of improvement. Some of Mr Sunak's senior aides are already said to be looking for post-election jobs. There have been complaints that the Whitehall machine has slowed down with policies held up due to indecision in No10. Those close to the Prime Minister are said to believe it would be worse to carry on until the autumn, with more Tories standing down and others plotting against him. May's local election results are expected to be bruising and there are concerns that the loss of a large number of seats will intensify unhappiness among restive MPs. It comes amid extraordinary claims - dismissed by No10 - that Mr Sunak himself is beginning to question his own ability to rescue the situation. Tim Montgomerie, a prominent former Tory adviser, said a source in No10 had told him that the PM was 'openly saying to advisers in Downing Street, 'Am I not very good at this? Why isn't anything happening?' The Tory mood is increasingly bleak with Keir Starmer (pictured) seemingly on track for a big majority Preparations for a general election have already begun, with departments being asked for policy ideas for the Tory manifesto and the Chancellor preparing for a fiscal event before it is called. Asked about the prospect of a July election yesterday, a No10 source said: 'The working assumption is second half of the year.' July would technically fall in the latter half of the year. To trigger a summer election, Mr Sunak would have to call it at the end of April for June, and the end of May for July. One source close to rebels plotting to remove the PM said: 'When you have John Curtice predicting that Labour have a 99 per cent chance of winning it is hard to see how anyone can question the logic of at least considering whether a new leader would do a better job. 'It is patently obvious that we need to roll the dice before the election.' April Fools' Day origins John Dickson/Getty Images April 1 is celebrated as April Fools Day worldwide, but many may wonder how it came to be or what happened to create a day filled with pranks and jokes. While many legends surface about the origin of Fools Day, the Farmers' Almanac states, No one knows for certain what the origin of the day is. However, its been celebrated in many cultures for hundreds or even thousands of years. While there may not be a concrete explanation for the origins of April Fools Day, multiple theories give clues as to how or when it started. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to legend, some suggest it started in France in 1564. Before 1564, April 1 was celebrated as New Years Day. Those who insisted on celebrating the old New Years became known as April Fools, and it became common to play jokes on one another, according to the Farmers' Almanac. Other evidence indicated that April Fools' Day existed, in some form or other, long before 1564 in France, when English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is noted to reference it in his Canterbury Tales, when the characters of a rooster and a fox each trick one another, according to the Farmers' Almanac. This reference would have been in the late 1300s. Chaucer notes that the date of the events described is March 32, also known as April 1. Traveling further in time is another theory of the origin of April Fools Day that dates back to the Roman Empire with the reign of Emperor Constantine. This theory suggests a group of fools or jesters convinced Constantine to make one of them king for a day. Constantine agreed, and one of the jesters, named Kugel, was appointed, and the day was filled with jolly jokes and came to be called April Fools' Day, according to the Library of Congress. While the Library of Congress suggests the story of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Constantine could have been the original origin of April Fools Day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Well, April Fools. The story was actually a hoax, the Library of Congress said. The story itself was an April Fools Day prank pulled by Boston University professor Joseph Boskin on Associated Press reporter Fred Bayles in 1983. Bayles reported the story, and the AP ran it, only to retract it some days later. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A married man rushed to the doctor after finding a stomach-turning 30-year smegma build-up in his penis. The patient was taking a shower when he felt pain in his genitals and bits of hardened dirt began to fall into the drain. Mistaking them for kidney stones, he hurried to urologist Dr. Chen Zhaoan in the city of Taichung, Taiwan on March 14, to have himself checked. The medical professional peeled back the man's foreskin and beheld the revolting accumulation of sickly yellow-brown smegma. As Dr. Chen cleaned up the calcified scales of dirt, oil, and dead skin, a foul odour began to fill the clinic. Doctors at the hospital collected the 30-year build-up of smegma from the man, and placed them into jars The medical professional peeled back the man's foreskin and beheld the revolting accumulation of sickly yellow-brown smegma, seen here inside a medical glove Dr. Chen Zhaoan in the city of Taichung, Taiwan, believed the smegma built up over 30 years The medic, the director of the Zhaoan Urology Clinic, said: 'We think this build up was there for 30 years. The whole thing broke apart like stone, giving off a powerful odour. 'His private parts hadn't been 'active' for 30 years. If we hadn't found it, his partner might have discovered this "treasure" first.' The man was reported to have a rather long foreskin, but no ability to pull back the foreskin. Dr. Chen continued: 'No one seems to have told him that the foreskin can be retracted to expose the entire glans to be cleaned.' He added that he sees patients with excessive smegma build-up around every two years. The urologist urged men to clean their penis and foreskin daily with water and a little soap while showering. He appealed to the male public: 'There is currently sufficient health information in school education and on the Internet, and the accessibility of medical resources in Taiwan is also very high. 'If you really have a problem that you don't understand, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a specialist.' Meanwhile, the aged smegma was sealed in a specimen bottle at Dr. Chen's office. A besotted university student threatened to kill her Spanish ex-boyfriend while calling him 100 times a day in a bid to rekindle their broken romance. Hope Sheekey, 29, used 12 different phone numbers plus social media to hound Emilio Aguero over a two month period before she threatened to stab him when he failed to respond. In a sinister message to Mr Aguero, Sheekey who studied modern languages at Chester University warned: 'I have a knife. I am going to kill you. I want to see you.' He later contacted police saying he was living in fear he may come across Sheekey armed with a knife whenever he ventures outside his home in Old Trafford, Manchester. He says he no longer uses the front entrance to the property in case she is there. At Warrington magistrates court, Sheekey, of Wigan, admitted harassment and was banned from contacting Mr Aguero for 12 months under the terms of a restraining order. She was also fined 266 and ordered to pay 234 costs. Hope Sheekey, 29, used 12 different phone numbers plus social media to hound Emilio Aguero over a two month period before she threatened to stab him when he failed to respond In a sinister message to Mr Aguero, Sheekey who studied modern languages at Chester University warned: 'I have a knife. I am going to kill you. I want to see you' The court heard the harassment began after Mr Aguero ended the couple's relationship over a phone call in October of last year saying he had 'fallen out of love' with Sheekey. But in response she was said to have been bombarded with 'hundreds' of messages and phone calls and when he blocked her number, she used numerous unknown and restricted phone numbers to keep contacting him. Miss Sarah McInerney, prosecuting, said: 'She stated that she was coming to Manchester to see him. He told her not to and blocked her number but she received multiple calls from some unknown numbers. There were more than 100 calls on that day. 'In all 12 different numbers were used, including restricted numbers. The defendant also began to contact him on social media, such as Facebook where she was blocked too. 'Due to being constantly contacted at 11.30pm the victim messaged the defendant saying, "I do not want to see you" but the messaging continued. She continued to call the victim's family and at one point she said, "I have a knife. I am going to kill you. I want to see you." 'On November 8, the victim began receiving multiple calls again. He answered one call and she stated that it was her. On that day he received around 95 calls. 'When questioned by police the defendant did make full admissions in the interview. She has no previous convictions but this offence is aggravated by being committed in a domestic context and there were threats made to the victim.' In a statement Mr Aguero said: 'The situation has made me feel very anxious. I had to go to the doctor for my mental health and I had to ring the police. I am anxious especially because she said she had a knife and said she was going to kill me. At Warrington magistrates court, Sheekey, of Wigan, admitted harassment and was banned from contacting Mr Aguero for 12 months under the terms of a restraining order 'I fear that I could go outside one day and she could be there with a knife. I have stopped using the front entrance of the building as a result.' In mitigation Sheekey's lawyer John Black said: 'This lady is of good character and admitted the allegation when she first appeared before your colleagues. 'She was interviewed by police and the allegation was fully admitted. She fully accepts that her behaviour was wrong and inappropriate. 'The victim impact statement was made in November and there has been no contact between the parties since. As far as the restraining order is concerned there is no issue. There is no intention to have any contact.' Sheekey was also sentenced to 12-month community order with requirements she undergo mental health treatment if she is deemed suitable. She was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitative activity. This is the moment a kayaking 'Karen' got 'instant karma' after launching a foul-mouthed rant at another boater before being plunged into the water headfirst when trying to splash them with her paddle. Benny Larkin and his daughter Taylor Larkin, 14, were boating down Dora Creek, New South Wales, Australia, when they broke down and were approached by a 'Mrs Know It All' kayaker. The 33-year-old says the boat engine stopped working while they slowed down to meet the four-knot speed limit but he quickly realised the enraged lady thought he had broken the rules. Footage shows Benny calling the kayaker a Karen so she addresses the camera to claim 'this c***-sucker was doing 24 knots up the creek'. When Benny asks the foul-mouthed woman if she talks to her mother like this and she replies 'my mother knows how to f******* drive a boat better than you'. A 'kayaking Karen' was filmed yelling to a father and daughter duo as they boated down Dora Creek, New South Wales, Australia In a fit of rage after believing Benny Larkin and his daughter Taylor Larkin, 14, had broken the speeding limit, the kayaker attempted to splash the pair with her oar But her small yellow kayak hilariously capsized, sending her plunging headfirst into the river Even after falling into the water, the 'Karen' continued her tirade and turned on the 14-year-old girl She kayaks closer to his vessel and tries to splash him with her oar but instead hilariously capsizes her kayak and falls into the water. Benny laughs and tells her he's going to post it to social media but the lady continues her tirade while lying across her kayak and turns her rage on Taylor. She asks the 14-year-old if she knows the rules but when Taylor replies yes, she responds defensively: 'no you don't'. Benny and his daughter get their boat engine working again and motor away with the 'Karen' waving sarcastically behind them. The dad has since said he was annoyed by the confrontation in January but wanted to remain calm and be a 'smartass' to her instead of losing his temper. Benny, who posted the video to TikTok later that day, says the lady falling from her kayak was 'instant karma trying to spoil his day'. He says the water from the splash broke his onboard CD player and speaker system and he'll have to pay more than $1,000 to replace it. Benny, from Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, said: 'We were just trying to have some fun on the water and then some local tried to spoil our day. Benny and his daughterTaylor had been boating in the New South Wales river when they were approached by the foul-mouthed kayaker 'She came out of nowhere and just started abusing us. 'At first I thought she wanted help then I realised she was going off her head so I started filming. 'She thought I was speeding but we slowed down before the four knots zone. 'She wouldn't let me talk but I was calm about it. I was being a smartass back to her. 'I was annoyed she was saying this stuff in front of my daughter and that's why I had to film her. 'I thought she was going to hit me with an oar so I gave the phone to my daughter. 'She tried splashing me and it wet all my boat gear but she got instant karma. 'When you go for someone and you fall off your kayak then that's fair in my eyes. 'She must have had a bad day or something because she just felt the need to take authority and cause a scene.' Ben says he hasn't seen the raging kayaker since but he's pleased the video has been viewed more than 10,000 times on TikTok. One user commented: 'Where's the bull sharks when you need them.' A second said: 'This is great. Kayak Karen.' A third added: 'Some people are just unbelievable.... Mrs Know-it-all.' Rampaging monkey gangs are terrorising a Thai tourist town, causing cops to arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat the 'dangerous' primates. Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in the town of Lopburi, around 90 miles north of the capital Bangkok, which has become notorious for its out-of-control monkey population. The local police station has now issued wooden catapults that officers can use to fire at the unruly primates, which often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists as well as vandalise property. Footage shows two police officers riding around Lopburi on a motorcycle, with the one on the back drawing the slingshot and launching small stones at the 'dangerous' primates. The move comes as Police Major General Apirak Wechkanchana, commander of Lopburi Provincial Police, ordered to establish a special unit to combat aggressive wild monkeys. Rampaging monkey gangs are terrorising a Thai tourist town, causing cops to arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat the 'dangerous' primates The local police station has now issued wooden catapults that officers can use to fire at the unruly primates, which often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists Footage shows two police officers riding around Lopburi on a motorcycle, with the one on the back drawing the slingshot and launching small stones at the 'dangerous' primates Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in the town of Lopburi, around 90 miles north of the capital Bangkok, which has become notorious for its out-of-control monkey population (pictured: macaque monkey eating watermelon in Lopburi) General Apirak said: 'I am aware of the potential danger from monkeys. They have started to pose a threat to tourists and locals. The slingshots now being carried by our officers will help to threaten the monkeys when necessary. 'In most cases they only need to use the slingshots as a deterrent, they don't have to use objects to strike the monkeys.' The police chief said officers were equipped with slingshots that the officers could use to scare the monkeys. He said they are only allowed to use rocks to fire at the creatures when there are no other ways to control them. They have also been tasked with preventing the monkeys from stealing or vandalising items. Staff at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation have also started catching some of the worst monkey offenders and relocating them to temporary shelters. However, they reportedly had difficulties as the primate 'thugs' were familiar with tranquiliser guns and would scale tall buildings and houses whenever they came near. Nathi Krutthaka, Conservation Bureau Officer No. 1, said: 'We had to hide our faces and conceal the tranquiliser guns so the monkeys wouldn't see them.' The team managed to capture the troop's leader, 'Ai Krao', who was infamous among the local vendors and drivers due to its aggressiveness. Officers put it to sleep with a sedative dart to its bottom before hauling it inside a cage. Authorities said seven monkeys had been captured, apart from the nine others caught a day earlier. olice have started carrying slingshots to defend themselves against crazed monkeys in Thailand.Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in Lopburi Motorbikes and cars drive past macaques in Lopburi, Thailand on February 25, 2024. Although the thousands of macaques living in town are a tourists' attraction, many complain that they harass residents and damage houses and businesses while deterring potential visitors A macaque monkey drinks from a bottle outside the Phra Prang Sam Yod temple during the annual Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok on November 28, 2021 Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control population monkey population, leading some to like it to an apocalyptic hellscape - with monkeys even commandeering empty buildings Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the town as they prove a popular draw for tourists from around the world who feed them sugary treats Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control population monkey population, leading some to like it to an apocalyptic hellscape - with monkeys even commandeering empty buildings. They were seen engaging in a massive gang fight in the depths of the pandemic when there was a shortage of food. Attacks on cars, homes, market stalls and visitors have become increasingly frequent. Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the town as they prove a popular draw for tourists from around the world who feed them sugary treats. The Thai government is struggling to control its macaque problem but has taken steps to manage the monkey population across the country, including creating sanctuaries, mass sterilisation programs, educating the public on how to handle the animals properly, and relocating them to more suitable habitats. A British-Palestinian doctor has been elected as rector of the University of Glasgow despite being investigated for allegedly praising terrorists. Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah was reported to the vice chancellor of the university last month over concerns he posted 'anti-Semitic' content online and hailed the Hamas terrorist behind the murder of an Israeli rabbi a 'hero'. The high-profile doctor was also pictured sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Leila Khaled at a memorial service in 2019. Vice chancellor Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli confirmed on February 29 that the University of Glasgow would investigate such concerns. In response to a letter sent by advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel, he wrote: 'Given the serious nature of the allegations set out in your letter, I have asked our Clerk of Senate - the returning officer for the election of rector - to investigate.' Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah was reported to the vice chancellor of the university last month over concerns he posted 'antisemitic' content online He was pictured sitting next to plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine , Leila Khaled at a memorial service in 2019 However, Dr Abu-Sittah, who himself studied at the University of Glasgow, was elected to the high-profile position on Tuesday after winning a landslide victory of 80 per cent of the votes. He ran his campaign as an 'opportunity for students to declare their opposition to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza' and to 'stand in solidarity with Palestine'. Dr Abu-Sittah also proposed changing the University of Glasgow's definition of anti-Semitism to remove linking any criticism of Israel with the term. He stated in his campaign manifesto: 'While I am absolutely committed to tackling all forms of anti-Semitism, it is my belief that, by linking criticism of Israel to antisemitism, this definition threatens academic criticism of Israel and Palestinian solidarity events. 'My fear, shared by the University and Colleges Union, is that such a definition risks undermining freedom of speech and intellectual thought on campus.' But Jewish students at the University of Glasgow have raised concerns following Dr Abu-Sittah's election. Dorothy Sheratt, co-president of Glasgow's Jewish Society said: 'We express deep concern and fear over the election of Ghassan Abu Sittah as the new Rector. 'Someone who eulogises proscribed terrorists (as defined in the US and EU) can not lead the university or fulfil the rector's obligation to provide pastoral care to all students, equally.' Anat Kraskin, co-president of the society, added: 'If the university takes away our right to define our own discrimination, we can no longer trust them to keep us safe. 'Jewish students met with him and shared our perspective. He has not apologised or enacted our suggestions to ensure Jewish safety on campus.' Dr Abu-Sittah has become a leading spokesperson on the situation in Gaza and has featured on national media outlets such as Sky News and the BBC since war broke out on October 7. He has also provided testimonies to Scotland Yard's war crimes unit. Dr Abu-Sittah was elected to the high-profile position on Tuesday, after winning a landslide victory of 80 per cent of the votes UK Lawyers for Israel also claim that Dr Abu-Sittah shared an 'anti-semitic' social media post on November 10 making a comparison between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hitler Dr Abu-Sittah has become a leading spokesperson on the situation in Gaza and has featured on national media outlets such as Sky News and the BBC since war broke out on October 7 Caroline Turner, director of legal advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), said: 'We were told that given the serious nature of the allegations, the Clerk of Senate would investigate, we heard nothing further and Dr Abu Sitta was allowed to continue as a candidate. 'Given his extremist history, it is difficult to see how, as rector, he would treat any Jewish Zionist or Israeli with equality or respect their rights. 'It is also difficult to imagine how any such student would feel that the university was the safe and welcoming space the university hopes to create for all its students.' Students raised particular concerns about Dr Abu-Sittah's comments in the Lebanese newspaper, Al Akhbar in 2018 on Ahmad Jarrar. He hailed Jarrar, who was the mastermind behind the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevach in 2018, as one of Palestine's 'dearest and best sons' and a 'hero'. UK Lawyers for Israel also claim that Dr Abu-Sittah shared an 'anti-semitic' social media post on November 10 making a comparison between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hitler. The image was headed 'Free Palestine, Israel is a Nazi State' and compared the average pace of child killing of Hitler to that of Netanyahu. A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said that the rector is 'elected by students' and represents them at the insitition's governing body. They continued: 'The University recognises the concerns of Jewish students. Senior managers are in regular contact with the University's Jewish Society as well as with leaders of the Jewish community in Scotland. 'Since the election, there has been further dialogue with community leaders and we have contacted the Society to provide support and reassurance about student safety. 'The security of all our students and colleagues is our top priority. Harassment and abuse of any kind are not tolerated at the University and there are multiple routes, both formal and informal, students have to raise any concerns. 'All instances will be investigated and dealt with accordingly. Students seeking representation can speak to the Student Representative Council rather than the Rector if they wish to. 'Rectors throughout our history have been free to express their thoughts and represent those of students, but they do not represent those of the University.' The row over Dr Abu-Sittah's election comes following concerns that were raised about the rector of St Andrews University in November. Hundreds of people called on Stella Maris to either apologise or resign from her role after she accused Israel of 'genocide'. In the email sent to all students, Ms Maris said a vigil had been held at the university 'following weeks of genocidal attacks by the Israeli government against Gaza'. Ms Maris sent email to students condemning 'weeks of genocidal attacks by the Israeli government' She added: 'We must continue to recognise and condemn acts that are internationally regarded as humanitarian and war crimes. 'These include practices such as apartheid, siege, illegal occupation and collective punishment, which have been observed in the treatment of Palestinians. 'It is also crucial to acknowledge and denounce the actions by Hamas that qualify as war crimes, notably the taking of hostages and deliberately targeting civilians, which I have and continue to do.' The email included a link to the Electronic Intifada a pro-Palestinian website which ran an article on Thursday entitled 'The evidence Israel killed its own citizens on October 7'. Following the email circulated by Ms Maris, more than 1,400 students, alumni and their families signed an open letter calling on her either to retract her remarks or resign. The letter accuses her of spreading a 'certain narrative of antisemitism' and said her comments would likely 'embolden hatred towards Jewish students'. It reads: 'Sadly, your words were not unifying, but divisive; not clarifying, but misleading; not hopeful, but damaging and unfortunately will only bring division and hatred, whilst reinforcing a certain narrative that drives violent antisemitism across the world. 'We are concerned that your letter does not demonstrate equal care for Palestinian and Israeli lives. 'What is truly unacceptable is that you do not care to mention, let alone demonstrate regard for, the two St Andrews students who were recently attacked because of their religion.' MailOnline has contacted Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah for comment. Angela Rayner today refused to commit to publishing tax advice on the sale of her ex-council house as she faced fresh questions over her past living arrangements in a BBC radio clash. The Labour deputy leader has seen weeks of scrutiny over her housing situation in the 2010s following her marriage to Mark Rayner. There have been claims she could have owed as much as 3,500 in capital gains tax on the sale of the property in Stockport, Greater Manchester. It is also alleged she may have made a false declaration about where she was living on the electoral register, amid confusion about what was her principal residency. Police are currently 'reassessing' their initial decision not to investigate a formal complaint against Ms Rayner, who this morning reiterated she had 'done absolutely nothing wrong' and taken legal advice that no rules were broken. But the Labour shadow minister clashed with the BBC's Nick Robinson about whether she should publish that advice. The Radio 4 Today presenter apologised for returning to the row on Ms Rayner's 44th birthday, but asked: 'Wouldn't the easy way of dealing with all the questions... to simply publish the advice?' Ms Rayner replied: 'I am confident I have done absolutely nothing wrong, I have been very clear on my advice that I've received.' Angela Rayner, pictured with Sir Keir Starmer today, refused to commit to publishing tax advice on the sale of her ex-council house as she faced fresh questions over her past living arrangements in a BBC radio clash The Labour shadow minister clashed with Nick Robinson about publishing the advice, with the BBC presenter apologising for returning to the row on Ms Rayner's 44th birthday Bury North MP James Daly, a Conservative Party deputy chairman, said police had failed to properly investigate the claims Asked why she would not publish that advice, Ms Rayner added: 'Because that's my personal tax advice. But I'm happy to comply with the necessary authorities that want to see that.' The Labour deputy said she would hand over information to police and HMRC, but would not 'put out all of my personal details for the last 15 years about my family'. Greater Manchester Police have said they are reviewing their decision not to investigate allegations Ms Rayner gave false information on official documents. It follows pressure from Conservative Party deputy chairman James Daly, who has complained officers appeared not to have contacted witnesses or looked at the electoral roll, deeds and other relevant documents. Ms Rayner said if Mr Daly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt published their tax details for the last 15 years, she would do the same. 'If you show me yours, then I'll show you mine,' she added. Ms Rayner has rejected suggestions in a book by former Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, which was serialised in the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, that she failed to properly declare her main home. The unauthorised biography alleges that the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne bought her former council house, in Vicarage Road in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a 25 per cent discount in 2007 under the right-to-buy scheme. The former carer is said to have made a 48,500 profit when selling the house eight years later. Government guidance says that a tenant can apply to buy their council home through the right-to-buy scheme if it is their 'only or main home'. Mr Rayner, her then-husband, was listed at another address in Lowndes Lane, about a mile away, which had also been bought under the right-to-buy scheme. In the same year as her wedding, Ms Rayner is said to have re-registered the births of her two youngest children, giving her address as where her husband resided. Ms Rayner has insisted that Vicarage Road was her 'principal property' despite her then-husband living elsewhere at the time. But neighbours have reportedly disputed her claim that she lived apart from Mr Rayner. Tax experts have estimated that, while Ms Rayner may not have owed anything in capital gains tax following the sale depending on her residency situation, there are circumstances in which she could have owed as much as 3,500 to the taxman. A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said yesterday: 'We have received a complaint regarding our decision not to investigate an allegation and are in the process of reassessing this decision. 'The complainant will be updated with the outcome of the reassessment in due course.' Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who today launched his party's local elections campaign alongside Ms Rayner in the West Midlands, insisted his deputy has his 'full support' and 'full confidence'. He said: 'Angela has answered I don't know how many questions about this. She has not broken any rules, she has in fact taken legal and tax advice which has satisfied her, and us, and me about the position.' Sir Keir added: 'But should she publish legal tax advice? No she shouldn't. 'Where does this end? Are you going to be calling for Tory ministers to publish their legal and tax advice going back over the last 15 years? That is where this ends.' Fellow Labour frontbencher Lisa Nandy said the party would 'respect the process' as she backed Ms Rayner. 'The police originally closed the investigation. I understand they've reopened it because a Conservative MP has asked them to do so,' she told Times Radio. 'And you know, as we always have when these sorts of allegations are made, we comply with the processes.' Ms Nandy added that Ms Rayner has 'been very clear that she has taken legal advice, she's taken tax advice and that no rules have been broken'. 'She called the allegations a smear,' Ms Nandy continud. Ms Rayner has previously rejected Tory accusations of 'staggering hypocrisy' by profiting on the sale of a former council house. Labour have proposed to 'review' Margaret Thatcher's right-to-buy scheme, if they enter government, from which Ms Rayner benefited by buying the house at a discount. Ms Rayner stated that Labour's policy was to 'review the unfair additional market discounts of up to 60 per cent' on council home purchases following Tory changes to the policy in 2012. She stressed this was introduced 'long after' she was able to exercise the right to buy herself at a 25 per cent discount under the old system. Ms Rayner strongly pushed back at allegations she wants to 'pull up the ladder' to make it harder for other social housing tenants to benefit in the same way she did. Keir Starmer boasted that Labour is on track for power today as he launched the party's local election campaign. Sir Keir insisted 'Britain wants change' as he kicked off a push for the May 2 contests alongside Angela Rayner in the West Midlands. They have also surprisingly heaped praise on Boris Johnson's 'Levelling Up' drive, saying the ex-PM was 'on to something' - although they argued that Rishi Sunak had wrecked it. Ms Rayner said voters should 'send the Tories a clear message' in the looming council and mayoral contests. Sir Keir also joked about his deputy's fondness for Venom cocktails, which she once recalled had left a fellow politician sleeping in a dog basket. The gag came after Ms Rayner introduced him as someone who 'always gets his round in'. Keir Starmer insisted 'Britain wants change' as he kicked off a push for the May 2 contests alongside Angela Rayner in the West Midlands Sir Keir also joked about his deputy Angela Rayner's fondness for Venom cocktails, which she once recalled had left a fellow politician sleeping in a dog basket Sir Keir told the audience: 'I was hoping we'd be launching a different election campaign here today. But unfortunately the Prime Minister has bottled it. 'He wants one last drawn-out summer with his beloved helicopter. And so, we're going to have to use these local elections to send him another message and show his party once again that their time is up. 'The dithering must stop, the date must be set, because Britain wants change, and it's time for change with Labour.' Answering questions after the speech, Sir Keir committed to implementing its new deal for workers in full if it wins the election. The party has said it will strengthen rights and protections for workers by banning zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire practices. But in The Sunday Times, New Labour architect Lord Mandelson wrote that changes to labour market and trade union law 'must not be rushed' and 'must be done in consultation with business'. Challenged if he could guarantee the workers' rights package would be implemented in full, Sir Keir said: 'Yes.' The Labour leader added: 'Let me tell you why, because I believe deep down that respect and dignity at work matters. 'This goes back to what I said about my dad. It really matters that people feel respected, that they feel they have their dignity at work. 'But there is an additional reason, and that is as every good employer knows, that if you do treat people with respect and dignity at work then that increases productivity, that increases the growth in your business and enterprise and it is actually good for the economy.' Sir Keir accused the Tories of 'preying on the hopes' of working people by failing to deliver on its flagship Levelling Up policy. He said: 'Four years ago, the former prime minister gave his big 'levelling up' speech, a project he said would turn the tide on regional inequality in this country. 'People say to me the worst thing you can do in politics is prey on people's fear. Yet in some ways, preying on their hopes is just as bad. 'That's what the Tories did with levelling up. It is a good ambition for Britain. But it requires not just a new plan, also a fundamental shift in how we govern.' Polls have suggested Labour is on track for a big majority at the general election Labour's campaign document includes detail on its plans for regional devolution. Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden criticised Labour's 'audacity' in launching its campaign in the West Midlands. He said the party had 'bankrupted Birmingham Council, cut local services, increased council tax by 21 per cent failed to cut crime and pushed the local force into special measures'. Mr Holden said: 'Across the country from Wales to London, wherever they're in charge Labour mean the same thing: higher taxes and worse public services.' By the spring of 1945, the SAS was an established covert force, charting successes in every theatre of war, from deserts to freezing wastelands. Official historian Ben Macintyre reveals the unimaginable horror that members of the regiment encountered in the last days of the war... Roy Farran was the sort of individual for whom the SAS might have been invented. Ruthless, inspiring and unconventional, he much preferred to fight a dirty war inside enemy territory than take part in any ordinary battle. He was a renegade who combined a conviction in his own decision-making with a refusal to take orders from others with whom he disagreed. Starving internees at Belsen concentration camp waiting at the cook house gate for their rations of potato soup In March 1945, he was put in charge of Operation Tombola, the grand and savage finale to the SAS campaign in northern Italy, which he was ordered to mastermind himself but safely from Army headquarters in Florence. Instead, he flew with his men as they prepared to parachute into the heart of enemy-occupied country and, as he claimed, 'fell out of the aeroplane by mistake'. It would take more than a mere order from on high to prevent Farran from leading his troops into battle. Once on the ground, he and his 40 troopers set about fashioning a guerrilla unit out of the 140-odd Italians and 100 Russians who'd escaped from PoW camps. They were a rum lot, clad in a bewildering variety of uniforms, with bushy beards, bandanas and non- military hats. In the secret SAS War Diary whose contents I have been privileged to see and draw on more than 70 years later Farron noted: 'Many had only one eye. Several lacked shoes and all were armed to the teeth with knives, pistols, tommy guns and rifles.' There were also 15 women partisans, led by 'a tall, raven-haired girl with blue eyes, as brave and dangerous as a tigress and completely devoted to the British company'. In camp, she wore a red beret, a battledress blouse and a skirt sewn out of an Army blanket with a pistol tucked into the waistband. Farran was not scared by much, but he was a little afraid of her, and more than slightly smitten. To induce team spirit, he sent a message back to base requesting a consignment of SAS berets and a Scottish bagpiper to lead them into battle. A somewhat more practical 75mm howitzer was dropped at the same time. Concentration camp survivors waiting for relocation from Belsen camp after liberation His objective was to destroy the German HQ in the town of Albinea a target his superiors had vetoed. Farran ignored the command, and later wrote, with ringing insincerity: 'Unfortunately, I had already left when the cancellation was received on my wireless set in the mountains.' A few minutes after 2am, there was an explosion of gunfire, mixed with the eerie wail of bagpipes as the piper added his own, surreal element to the assault with a loud rendition of Highland Laddie. The sentries died 'before they knew they were being attacked', and the raiders stormed in, firing wildly and hurling grenades. A frantic battle took place in the hall of the first building, bullets screaming off the marble walls until the ground floor was taken. But the Germans resisted fiercely from the upper floors, firing and throwing grenades down a spiral staircase. An attempt to charge the stairs was repulsed; a second attack was also beaten back, leaving two SAS men dead one officer and an NCO. The surviving Germans tried to fight their way out: six were gunned down on the stairs. Two surrendered. The Italian partisans 'dealt' with them: Farran's code for summary execution. The battle for a second building was just as intense. The raiders blew out the front door with a bazooka, tossed in a handful of grenades and crashed inside. After several minutes of 'furious fighting', the Germans again withdrew up a spiral staircase to the upper floor, leaving eight dead. From the lawn, the raiders poured in a torrent of Bren gunfire. John Randall in 1943 in the uniform of the Royal Artillery Farran was in his element: 'Bullets were flying everywhere, and over it all, the defiant skirl of the pipes.' As the raiders withdrew, the building was 'burning furiously'. Carrying their wounded on stretchers, fuelled by Benzedrine (amphetamine) tablets, pummelled by driving rain, the party made its way across country 'buzzing with Germans' and back into the hills. When an old leg wound flared up, Farron, to his embarrassment, had to ride home on the back of a pony. Back at base camp, they threw a party, with 'fried eggs, bread and vino by the gallon' and eightsome reels to the sound of the pipes, a spectacle which Farran described as 'one of the greatest moments' of the campaign. Farran calculated that at least 60 Germans had been killed and the command centre destroyed. But it was the effect on German morale that was so crushing. A joint force of British parachutists and partisans had successfully attacked a German base far behind the lines, one that had seemed, to its occupants, so heavily guarded as to be invulnerable. Here was the SAS doing what it did best the impossible. That same month, March 1945, two other SAS squadrons numbering about 300 men in all crossed the Rhine at the tip of an Allied army invading Germany itself. For three-and-a-half years, the regiment had fought Germans, Italians, French and Russians, against uniformed troops, collaborators, spies and irregulars. But as World War II entered its final bloody chapter, it found itself fighting against people staunchly and desperately defending their own land. It would be no picnic. They were mounted in 75 Jeeps, each carrying twin Vickers machine-guns and 12 drums of ammunition, with a bazooka and Bren gun in the rear. Every third Jeep was armed with a .50-calibre Browning plus a mounted searchlight. This extensive armoury was essential as they came up against an enemy fighting for every inch of home from the fanatical SS implicated in the crimes of Nazism to old men of the home guard and even children. Commandant of Belsen horror camp, Joseph Kramer, now under guard and in ankle chains after his arrest 'Some of the poor little blighters were only 13 or 14 years old,' one trooper recalled. 'They were crawling out of holes everywhere. The Germans put schoolboys in uniform and forced them to fight, when their chances of survival were minimal. It was inhumane.' The reactions of civilians to this army of occupation varied widely: some were cowed, most were petrified, some rushed to surrender and some remained defiant. One moment the SAS troops would be sharing their rations with half-starved German women and children; the next, a teenage boy would emerge from behind a wall and take aim with an anti-tank warhead, an act of self-destructive bravery so naive only an adolescent could be persuaded to do it. Often these child-soldiers had no other weapons. The SAS had not signed up to kill teenagers. For many, this last ghastly episode of the war was the worst. They were at risk, too, from Hitler's order to kill Commandos on sight. As a defence, they wore ordinary black berets and all references to the SAS were excised from their pay books. They were fighting under cover, camouflaged as ordinary soldiers. The disguise was apt since by then they were a far cry from the hit-and-run teams operating behind far behind enemy lines in North Africa that their founder David Stirling had envisaged. Instead, as they made their way though Europe, their principal job was as forward reconnaissance and assault troops, weeding out resistance, drawing enemy fire, clearing the roads and keeping the main Allied force of tanks and ground troops rolling forward. It was in this capacity that, on April 15, 1945, Lieutenant John Randall and his driver were motoring through forests of pine and silver birch in northern Germany when a terrible smell hit them, a cloying stench of rot and excrement that seemed to hang in the air like a plague miasma. The reek of pure evil, it grew stronger as they advanced. They came to a pair of impressive iron gates, standing open at the entrance to a sandy track. They drove in and, after half a mile, reached a barbed-wire fence. A handful of SS guards stood idly by and stared listlessly at them. Machine-gunners in watchtowers looked down but made no move. Randall was struck by the neatly tended flower beds on either side of the gate, and the gleaming whitewashed kerbstones. One hundred yards further on, they were in hell itself. In a clearing, beside rows of huts, shuffled an aimless army of ghosts: withered semi-skeletons with sunken eyes and parchment skin, some clad in black-and-white striped prison garb, but many almost naked. The prisoners converged on the Jeep, plucking at the men's uniforms, pleading for food, help, protection. 'There were hundreds of them and an over-powering stench,' said Randall. A little further on was what Randall initially took to be a potato patch, which some of the starving, half-naked figures seemed to be picking over, as if in search of sustenance. On drawing closer, he saw it was a pile of dead bodies. The living were pulling off the ragged garments of the dead to clothe themselves. Emaciated allied prisoners of war released from Stalag 11B, near Fallingbostel and Belsen, after SAS moved in on the camp Some 50 yards beyond was a spectacle that made Randall retch: a vast pit, 50ft square, containing a contorted mass of bodies, a charnel pit filled to overflowing with the dead, and the main source of the appalling smell. He and his driver were the first Allied soldiers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Some 60,000 prisoners were still packed into an area designed to accommodate 10,000. A few minutes later Randall was joined by others from the troop. 'We stood aghast,' one recalled. 'We simply could not comprehend that human beings could treat their fellow men in such a brutal and heinous way.' The remaining prison guards, either oblivious to the arrival of Allied soldiers or unconcerned by it, were carrying on the business of murder as usual. A woman prisoner thrust her hand under the barbed wire to grab a rotten turnip, and a guard casually shot her dead. At that moment there appeared a smiling figure in SS uniform who introduced himself as Josef Kramer, the commandant. He offered the visitors a tour of the camp, declaring absurdly that he was not responsible for the condition of the inmates. Blinded by continuous beatings and long suffering at Belsen, this man drinks water from a rusty tin Ushered into the nearest hut, a horrified Randall recalled: 'Emaciated figures peered out at us, in fear and surprise, from the rows of bunks. Lying among them, on the same bunks, were dead bodies.' The SAS men's instinct was to obliterate every one of the guards in a burst of gunfire, but somehow they managed to control their fury. They locked the commandant in the guardroom and set about distributing whatever rations they had to the prisoners. An officer explained to the inmates that they were now free, but few could take it in. 'Their faces were dull, exhausted, emotionless, not capable of expressing joy and excitement. Their minds would be distorted for years to come perhaps for ever.' The SAS soldiers who stumbled on the camp recalled that day as the worst in their lives. Randall could not get the smell of death out of his hair or the lingering stench from his clothing. He could never expunge it from his memory. 'The smells and sights of these dead bodies haunted me.' AND SO, in unimaginable horror, the SAS's part in World War II came to an end. A few days later the SAS's founder, Colonel David Stirling captured in the desert in 1943 was freed from Colditz, where he'd been a PoW. In London, he went on a bender, had 'my first roger for years', then bearded Churchill in Downing Street. He got permission to begin planning a new SAS mission in China, aimed at severing Japanese supply lines to Malaya. But in August the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japan surrendered. Britain began dismantling its vast war machine with bleak bureaucratic efficiency. Shortly after, a crisp, unemotional memo from the War Office decreed: 'It has been decided to disband the Special Air Service regiment.' Private W Buchanan of Glasgow who is suffering from malnutrition, with some of his comrades at Stalag 11 after the liberation of Belsen On October 1, 1945, the SAS paraded for the last time at the regiment's HQ in Essex, and the men returned to their ordinary regiments or entered civilian life. Stirling's experiment was over. Except it wasn't. Not totally. One small fragment of the regiment endured secretly, unofficially and quite possibly illegally. Questions were being asked about the fate of SAS men who had fallen into German hands. There were reports that a number had been murdered in captivity. When 37 bodies were found in a mass grave, Major Bill Barkworth, the regiment's chief intelligence officer, was sent to investigate. He and five other SAS men established themselves as a War Crimes Investigation Team (WCIT). This was, in effect, the last wartime mission of the SAS unauthorised, unconventional and therefore, in a way, entirely apt. For the next three years, Barkworth and his rogue unit travelled around Europe interviewing witnesses, compiling dossiers, combing prison camps, taking statements, finding unmarked graves, locating suspects. They operated as if on official war crimes business, with no authority to do so. They continued to wear uniform with SAS insignia, even though the regiment had ceased to exist. They were protected by a former Russian prince, Yuri Galitzine, who worked in the British War Office and was determined to expose Nazi atrocities. They worked on until 1948, when they, too, were finally disbanded. A dying woman in the hospital of the camp who was found as the Allied troops moved in to liberate it By that time, however, the SAS itself had come back to life. British military commitments were changing in a post-war world, and the authorities belatedly realised that such a unit would be not only useful, but essential. The 21st SAS Regiment (so called because it amalgamated 2 and 1 SAS) came into being in January 1947, as part of the Territorial Army. The idea swiftly spread, with many other nations forming their own versions of the SAS. Today, U.S. and British special forces still follow the principles pioneered by David Stirling in the desert more than 70 years ago: attacking the most valuable strategic targets without warning and then melting away, forcing the enemy to remain on constant, debilitating alert. The SAS changed the face of warfare for ever, by pioneering techniques of long-term, deep penetration that are more important now than ever. A version of this article was originally published by the Mail on August 9, 2017. An apprentice tradie making extra money working weekends at McDonald's has been left bloodied and bruised after being set upon by thugs. Khoby Dawson, 22, was working a late night shift at the Raymond Terrace restaurant, north of Newcastle, on March 16 when the group of up to 10 unruly teens started causing trouble about 1.20am. Mr Dawson had asked them to leave the restaurant because they were drinking alcohol and the group became infuriated. CCTV footage from inside the restaurant shows the group taunting the apprentice plumber over the counter and throwing plastic utensils at him and other staff. They then started to push him and yelled 'do you want to fight' before one of the them is captured punching him in the face, sparking a brawl. Khoby Dawson, 22, is pictured being attacked The footage captured Mr Dawson being hit in the head numerous times before his co-worker, Luke, started to fend them off with a grill scraper. Both workers attempted to flee behind the counter as the group continued to push forward. The attack left Mr Dawson with a bloody nose and a gash over his left eye. He credited Luke for bravely stepping in, saying 'if he wasn't there I don't know what the outcome could've been'. The restaurant 18-year-old manager had hid in a back room for the entire altercation as they called police, who arrived about 20 minutes later. Police have since arrested and charged six boys aged between 13 and 17 over the incident. All were granted strict conditional bail and are set to appear in a Children's Court on May 15. A NSW Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that 'further arrests are expected' as investigations continue. Anyone with information has been urged to contact police. Mr Dawson called on McDonald's to increase security measures at the restaurant on weekends to protect their staff from similar incidents. 'I'd like to see changes to the policies and stuff allowing us to lock the front doors to stop a whole crowd of people coming in when we have limited staff on,' he told 9News. Khoby Dawson, 22, was left with a bleeding nose and a gash above his eye from the attack (pictured) at the McDonald's in Raymond Terrace A McDonald's Australia spokesperson said the 'safety and wellbeing of our people and customers is our top priority'. 'We have a zero-tolerance policy for anti-social behaviour and do not accept abuse, intimidation, threats or violence towards our employees or customers.' The spokesperson added the Raymond Terrace restaurant already has a number of safety procedures including 24-hour CCTV and alarms. The restaurant recently brought in security guards on 'overnight shifts from Friday to Sunday'. 'We will continue to provide our full support to crew and their families, as well as regularly review safety procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people and customers,' the spokesperson said. Queen Camilla stood in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy ceremony in Worcester today, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch. Maundy recipients and members of the public gave their well wishes to the King and the Princess of Wales as they met the Queen, who handed out ceremonial coins to people recognised for their community service in the traditional Easter service. While her arrival was dampened by the shouts of Republic protestors, who had gathered outside the cathedral and loudly chanted 'Down with the Crown', the rest of the ceremony proceeded as planned. Her Majesty, 76, was met on arrival by at Worcester Cathedral by the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Beatrice Grant and the Bishop of Worcester, The Right Reverend John Inge, who is also Lord High Almoner in charge of the Maundy service. Camilla was presented with a small bouquet of flowers, traditionally called the Nosegay, which, on request of the King, had been made by local volunteers who had picked the flowers from their garden. Before the Maundy gifting began, the congregation listened to an audio message from the King, in which he expressed his 'great sadness' to miss the service. Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla waves as she leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla signs a book at the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Camilla holds a Nosegay bouquet as she poses for a photograph with the Yeomen of the Guard during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla walks with interim Dean of Worcester Cathedral, Reverend Canon Stephen Edwards, at the Royal Maundy service this afternoon Queen Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester King Charles III is seen waving to well-wishers as he leaves Clarence House in London today The Ambassador of Burundi, Epimeni Bapfinda presents his credentials to King Charles during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in London today Queen Camilla listened alone at the front of the cathedral, with her close friend the Marchioness of Lansdowne seated nearby, while many bowed their heads as King Charles's voice echoed through the building. 'The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart': King's audio address in full Here is the full text of the King's audio address which was broadcast during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral today: 'Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today. 'The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart. 'It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. 'And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other. 'In this country we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. 'But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need. 'The 150 men and women who have been chosen today to receive the Maundy money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities. 'The act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the coronation service - to follow Christ's example 'not to be served but to serve'. 'That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart. 'It is my special prayer today that Our Lord's example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities. 'May God bless you all this Easter.' Advertisement In a spectacle of tradition and pageantry, Camilla then began the Maundy ritual - usually conducted by the monarch - of handing out specially minted coins to 75 men and 75 women, the number reflecting the age of the King. One recipient, 72-year-old Norman Tomlinson, who volunteers with his local church as well as a hospice in Nottingham, said afterwards: 'This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I said to her, 'I hope the King gets well soon and your daughter-in-law as well'. She said: 'thank you very much'.' Bishop John Inge then gave a blessing to the King in which he said he hoped Camilla would 'convey to him our love and respects'. Camilla, who was wearing a leopard print chiffon dress and cream cashmere coat by Fiona Clare, a Lock and Co hat, boots from Russell and Bromley and gold and sapphire brooches, then signed the cathedral's visitors' book before posing for a photograph with the Royal Maundy Party. Aides then made the call to proceed with the planned walkabout to greet the large crowd who had gathered outside the cathedral despite heavy rain during the service. With the weather lifting just in time, and the Republic protestors having left, Queen Camilla was welcomed by large cheers from around 300 people who had waited to see her. Sheila Clark, 66, gifted the Queen a posy of flowers, a picture of Charles and Camilla taken at Scottish Highland Braemar Games, and a card for the Princess of Wales. Ms Clark, a retired teacher from Glasgow, said she wrote in the card that she hoped 'Kate's getting on well, [that] I'm sorry to hear about her illness and hoping Kate gets peace now to recover.' She added: 'I just wanted to come and see the Queen, I've followed her for many, many years, and just to let her know that I'm thinking of her. 'I wrote to her some weeks ago and I got a lovely card back from her and something from the King as well.' Camilla also spoke to Laura Skrzynskr, 58, who lives in London but is originally from the US, who said: 'I told Camilla to send her good wishes to the King for me and to the Princess of Wales - and I wished her a happy Easter. 'I'm a royalist, we don't have a royal family back in America, but I like it here.' Queen Camilla also wished Happy Easter to 3-year-old Darcey Craigie and shook the hand of her father Mike, 35, who lives in Worcester. He said after: 'That was an amazing experience. Darcey has been very excited to meet the Queen. We love the monarchy and it was lovely for Camilla to come and meet the people. We hope the King feels better soon, and Catherine too.' Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning An anti-monarchy protest by Republic at Worcester Cathedral today ahead of the service Queen Camilla stands with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla walks with interim Dean of Worcester Cathedral, Reverend Canon Stephen Edwards, at the Royal Maundy service this afternoon Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Queen Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Security outside the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Yeomanry guards carry bowls containing red and white Maundy money purses today Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Others in the crowd said: 'Thank you for coming on a horrible day,' to which Camilla cheerfully replied: 'But it's stopped raining here!' Charles recorded an address which was played at the service in Worcester after being advised not to undertake major public engagements for now - although he did carry out two credentials presentations back at Buckingham Palace in London. And the King - who was earlier seen today waving to well-wishers as he left Clarence House - used his Maundy message to emphasise helping those in need. Charles, who also told of his 'great sadness' at missing the service this afternoon, spoke as a new portrait of the 75-year-old monarch was released ahead of Easter. Earlier this month Charles recorded the special message and Bible reading in the 18th Century Room at Buckingham Palace, which was played to the congregation. Held this year at Worcester Cathedral, the service is one of the most significant set-pieces in the royal calendar and held huge spiritual significance for Elizabeth II. Queen Camilla walks with the Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, this morning Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla stands with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today A photograph issued by the Royal Household of King Charles III during the recording of his audio message for the Royal Maundy service, which was done at Buckingham Palace Queen Camilla stands with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning In Charles's speech, there was no mention of family health matters - his own cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales. READ MORE Queen Camilla will create history when she represents her husband at the ancient Maundy Thursday ceremony Advertisement Instead, the King stressed the importance of acts of friendship 'especially in a time of need' in the personal Easter message. Charles' pre-recorded audio - his first public words since Kate revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy - was broadcast in his absence. He said how Jesus Christ set an 'example of how we should serve and care for each other', and how as a nation 'we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need'. While the King did not directly refer to his and his daughter-in-law's health, his words will be interpreted as reflecting on the nation's response to his and Kate's challenges as they continue treatment for cancer. The Princess released an emotional video message last Friday revealing she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy. Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Yeomanry guards carry bowls containing red and white Maundy money purses today Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla waves as she departs the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Red purses which contain a 5 coin which features the image of a Tudor dragon and King Charles III, and a 50p coin commemorating the RNLI, which Queen Camilla distributed today Queen Camilla departs the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla stands with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning She later was said to be 'extremely moved' by the public support following her announcement. Kate faced mounting online conspiracy theories about her whereabouts and her condition after retreating from public view to recuperate following major abdominal surgery in January. The King told last month how he had been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he received from well-wishers. The 75-year-old, who only acceded to the throne 18 months ago, will also reamplify his Coronation pledge 'not to be served but to serve'. He has recorded a Bible reading and, in his brief personal message, will describe the Maundy money recipients as 'wonderful examples of such kindness' in 'giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities'. He will also re-amplify his own Coronation pledge: 'Not to be served but to serve.' It was recorded as an audio instead of on video as Worcester Cathedral does not have the capacity to play a television message. Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester White purses which contain a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins, which Queen Camilla distributed during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Queen Camilla stands with the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester, today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon The order of service for the Royal Maundy Service attended by Queen Camilla today Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Red purses which contain a 5 coin which features the image of a Tudor dragon and King Charles III, and a 50p coin commemorating the RNLI, which Queen Camilla distributed today Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Queen Camilla arrives for the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral this morning Camilla is greeted today by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester Protesters stand outside Worcester Cathedral this morning ahead of the Royal Maundy Service An anti-monarchy protest by Republic at Worcester Cathedral today ahead of the service Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, protests at Worcester Cathedral today Protesters stand outside Worcester Cathedral this morning ahead of the Royal Maundy Service The portrait accompanying the message shows the King looking relaxed and in good spirits, with a posy of spring flowers and two microphones ready to capture his words. READ MORE King Charles says it is time for nation to extend the hand of friendship 'especially in a time of need' in a personal Easter message in the wake of cancer diagnoses for him and Princess of Wales Advertisement The Royal Maundy service is a major fixture on the royal calendar and normally the monarch, who is the head of the Church of England, presents specially minted coins to people recognised for their community service. The ceremony, held on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, commemorates Jesus's Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday. Today sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times but 75 women and 75 men - signifying the King's age - will be presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money. The Maundy Money ceremony began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins. The King's message comes as he prepares to attend church at St Goerge's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday with Camilla - his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis in early February. But there will be a reduced number of royals present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family will be absent. YESTERDAY -- Queen Camilla meets well-wishers during a visit to Shrewsbury farmer's market YESTERDAY -- King Charles III smiles during an audience with Mohamed Nasheed, Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, at Buckingham Palace in London LAST FRIDAY -- The Princess of Wales revealed she had cancer in a video message last Friday LAST YEAR -- King Charles III at the Royal Maundy service at York Minster on April 6, 2023 Kate was last seen at a public engagement on December 25, then underwent abdominal surgery in January, after which cancer was found. READ MORE King Charles looks cheerful as cancer-battling monarch meets climate campaigner at Buckingham Palace Advertisement The King is continuing private meetings and work on state business, and yesterday received Mohamed Nasheed, secretary general of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, at Buckingham Palace. Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, had a small contingent of activists demonstrating in Worcester for the Queen's visit. The group said last week on social media: 'We're very sorry to hear about Kate's cancer diagnosis and wish her a speedy recovery.' But Graham Smith, chief executive of the group, said on Wednesday: 'Unlike royalists, we don't conflate the family with the institution. It's the institution we're protesting against this week. 'This is a campaign about principles, politics and reform.' He added: 'Republic's campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there.' EXCLUSIVE A family of glamorous food influencers who were wrongly accused of faking food poisoning and failing to pay $364 for a Christmas Day lobster dinner, have received an apology from the restaurant. Jennifer Do and her two daughters Belinda and Julie Nguyen dined at Cabramatta's upmarket Silver Pearl eatery in Sydney's west on December 25, 2020. The three social media influencers, who were joined by Ms Do's partner, ordered a live lobster to be served sashimi-style along with one bottle of red wine. But after the group complained that the lobster was off and only left money for the wine, the restaurant subsequently accused them of being 'totally classless', alleging they invented food poisoning to worm out of paying the sizeable bill. A picture of the women at their table, which was shared on the restaurant's social media pages three days later, wrongly labelled them 'fraudulent diners' after discovering their names on social media. Jennifer Do and her two daughters Belinda and Julie Nguyen dined at Cabramatta's upmarket Silver Pearl eatery in Sydney 's west on December 25, 2020 (the family are pictured together at another restaurant) The three social media influencers, who were joined by Ms Do's partner, ordered a live lobster to be served sashimi-style along with one bottle of red wine (CCTV footage of the family speaking to Silver Pearl staff about the lobster) 'Belinda, Julie and Jennifer, we are disappointed with your dishonest and fraudulent behaviour,' the accompanying caption read. 'We have hosted many food bloggers before, and none have ever acted this entitled. 'This is totally classless behaviour, and we hope your reputation was worth tarnishing for $364.' The three women sued the restaurant and the case ended up in the Federal Court. Now, a very different picture has emerged of the evening after the restaurant issued a lengthy apology on Thursday. 'Jennifer's partner expressed dissatisfaction with the lobster, a complaint we respectfully disagree with, maintaining that our food consistently meets the highest quality standards, and we vehemently deny any suggestion that our seafood was and is not fresh,' the restaurant's statement said. Pictured: Silver Pearl's terse apology The terse apology marks a moment of vindication for the family who claim the accusations prompted death threats and vile abuse, with one of the daughters losing her job in the fall-out (pictured: Julie Nguyen) READ MORE: Influencers look unrecognisable after they alter their appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show However, the interview caused quite a stir for a different reason after the sisters later posted a video to TikTok with a filter of themselves posing with co-host Kyle Advertisement 'However, we do accept that on 28 December 2020 we published a post that was made about Jennifer, Julie and Belinda. 'We now acknowledge that none of them ate any of the lobster and it was only Jennifer's partner who did. We acknowledge that they paid for the wine. 'We are aware the posts gained significant traction and caused Jennifer, Belinda and Julie hurt and embarrassment. 'It was never our intention for the matter to escalate to the extent it did, and we are empathetic to them for any harm our post may have caused.' The terse apology marks a moment of vindication for the family who claim the accusations prompted death threats and vile abuse, with one of the daughters losing her job in the fall-out. 'Whenever I go out now I feel unsafe because people call me a prostitute and scammer,' Ms Do told 7News in November. Belinda Nguyen revealed her employer sacked her two weeks after the restaurant's allegations went viral. 'I'm being harassed online, in public ... I've been stalked and I've received rape threats,' she said. 'We want to highlight the truth of the events so we can walk the streets safely without fear of being attacked or followed.' Daily Mail Australia understands the court case was dismissed and no damages were awarded. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Silver Pearl said: 'Silver Pearl wishes to reiterate its commitment to providing excellent service to all patrons and maintaining a positive relationship with the community. 'We affirm that the Silver Pearl remains dedicated to upholding its reputation for integrity and respect.' The restaurant had accused the family of going to another seafood restaurant across the road where they allegedly ordered lobster and wine again. During a case management hearing last year Justice Robert Bromwich suggested the matter could be better dealt with in a lower court or by way of mediation. Justice Bromwich noted the Federal Court usually considered more high-stakes defamation cases such as those brought by litigants including acclaimed actor Geoffrey Rush and alleged war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith. Barrister Roger Rasmussen, for the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do, replied it would be a shame if the Federal Court became a jurisdiction only for celebrities. 'I responded that it would be a shame if this court was turned into a neighbourhood disputes court, and that this matter was somewhere between the two, but more at the neighbourhood dispute end of the spectrum,' Justice Bromwich said in a judgement. Justice Bromwich also observed he would be 'astonished' if the Nguyen sisters and Ms Do received any 'substantial amount of damages' if they were successful in their case. Daily Mail Australia approached the family for comment. It comes as two bodies have been pulled from the wreck Multiple alarms sounded on board the doomed Dali cargo ship in the minutes before it smashed into Baltimore's Key Bridge, new black box audio data revealed. The NTSB said it received six hours of audio from the ship's voyage data stretching from midnight until 6am. The vessel impacted moments before 1.30am. Marcel Muise, the NTSB lead investigator in the case, said Wednesday that alarms began blaring on the ship at 1.24am. At 1.26am, the ship's pilot requested urgent help from nearby tug boats, and at 1.27am he ordered the ship's anchor be dropped. The exact cause of the catastrophe that has left at least six people dead is still under investigation, with some form of mechanical failure speculated as footage also showed the ship's lights turning on and off several times in the moments before. Multiple alarms sounded on board the doomed Dali cargo ship in the minutes before it collided with Baltimore's Key Bridge (pictured the morning after the impact on Tuesday) NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy addresses a press conference on Wednesday, alongside chief investigator Marcel Muise (left) The new data was revealed at a press conference on Wednesday, where NTSB Chief Jennifer Homendy confirmed all 23 crewmembers - including two temporary pilots intended to only safely steer the vessel out of port - were safe. Over 4,600 cargo units were on board the ship, 56 of which contained hazardous materials. Homendy said some of the hazardous cargo was breached, but did not indicate it posed a public safety threat. After Muise offered details of alarms sounding off in the moments before impact, Honendy said the data falls short of what investigators would expect if they were investigating a similar catastrophe involving an aircraft. She said the NTSB has sought more detailed data from ship's voyage data recorders for a long time, and said they are instead fitted with apparatus that can only record basic data. Although the Dali ship featured a newer model than others, the NTSB chair said that it is still 'very basic' compared to what investigators would expect from an aircraft's black box. This means that while the Dali data incudes the ship's location and rudder commands alongside audio, it does not record important details such as power distribution data. Homendy concluded that the cargo ship has been left in a state of 'utter devastation' and has 'structural damage everywhere', as it continues to be anchored in place on the Patapsco River. The ship, a 948-foot-long DALI operated by Singaporean company Synergy Group, collided with the 1.7-mile bridge shortly after it departed the Port of Baltimore on Monday Crews saved two men from the collapse, with six other construction crew workers either presumed dead or their remains have been found Rescue personnel gather on the shore of the Patapsco River on Tuesday The vessel has remained in place as dive crews continue to carry out search missions for victims., with six construction workers who were working on the bridge at the time of the collapse now presumed dead. Officials admitted their efforts have turned to a search mission for bodies, with two of the six workers found as of Thursday morning. The two men, identified as 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentez of Baltimore, and 26-year-old Darlene Rania El Castillo Cabrera of Dundalk, were brought to shore on Wednesday morning, police confirmed. Both men's families have been informed. 'The teams made a tragic finding shortly before 10:00 ET with a red pickup truck near the bridge' Ronald L Butler from Maryland State Police said at a briefing on Wednesday evening. 'Divers recovered two victims trapped within the vehicle' he told reporters. 'My heart, and the heart of the entire city of Baltimore, is with you and will be with you forever' Mayor Brandon Scott said of the victim's families. Two other victims that have been identified are Maynor Suazo, 37, a native of Honduras, and Miguel Luna, 49. The first of the six victims identified was Miguel Luna, 49, and officials say he and the five other missing men are presumed dead Maynor Suazo, 37, a native of Honduras has been named as another victim The bridge spans 9,000 feet across the Patapsco River and is 180 feet above the water As investigations over the cause of the wreck continue, much of the focus has fallen on potential mechanical faults within the ship. Officials were quick to rule out the catastrophe as intentional or an act of terrorism, and an early Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) report found the container ship 'lost propulsion' as it was leaving port. 'The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an allision with the bridge was possible,' the report said. 'The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.' Observers were quick to note that the ship's exterior lights went out twice in the moments before impact, suggesting the vessel may have suffered some form of mechanical failure. Homendy was questioned over this possibility on Wednesday morning, as she also dismissed reports that officials were looking into contaminated fuel as a culprit. 'We've heard the reports, but that's way too early for us, we have a lot of information we are gathering,' she said. A loyal miniature poodle was found lovingly snuggled next to the body of her elderly owner who had been dead for more than a week in Wales. Poppy and her owner were found by a neighbour who went to check on the 76-year-old at her home in West Cross, near Swansea, after not seeing her on her regular walks for several days. Christie Powell, 37, peered through the letterbox and saw Yolande collapsed on the floor with her adorable pooch reduced to 'skin and bone' cuddling up. The neighbour later learned Yolande had been dead for at least a week - during which her loyal eight-year-old pet had not left her side. Poppy was found 'seriously malnourished and dehydrated' and unable to walk but has now been rehomed by Christie's sister following the tragedy. Poppy, a miniature poodle, had been reduced to 'skin and bone' after not leaving her 76-year-old owner Yolande's side Christie Powell, 37, saved the eight-year-old pooch by throwing food through the letterbox while she waited for emergency services to arrive Christie said: 'It was a week until we noticed we hadn't seen her in the window, and one of the other neighbours also commented, so we went around, and unfortunately it was too late. 'I'm a dog groomer so I groom Poppy. She always barks constantly and you'll hear her if you knock the door, but when I went round I couldn't hear her barking, and I thought: "Oh no, something's not right here". 'I knocked the door, knocked the door, but there was no answer, so I decided to shout through the letter box. 'As I opened the letter box I could see letters there which wasn't a great sign, and as I peered through the letter box I could actually see Yolande on the floor and Poppy laying on top of her. 'She was one of the loyalist dogs - when I used to groom her she had the worst separation anxiety, she'd cry and scream the whole time because she hated being away from her. 'My sister rang 999 and I went next door and grabbed a load of ham and dog biscuits and threw them through the letter box, and she was just eating, eating, eating and scratching at the door. 'Emergency services came and banged down the door, and our thought was to get to the dog, and she clung to my sister like you wouldn't believe, you couldn't get her out of her arms. 'Poppy was petrified. We got her in the house and syringed a load of fluid down her, as much as we possibly could, and a little bit of food, being careful not to overfeed her, because she was just skin and bone. 'Her eyes, it was so bad. They were completely glued together. I clipped her coat, I had to clip her eyes to get all the gunk out, and I put her in the bath. She was drinking the bath water - that's how dehydrated she was. I cwtched [cuddled] her up in a blanket and managed to get some food down her.' Christie said Yolande was 'quite an elderly and fragile lady', adding: 'She moved from London five or six years ago and hasn't got a soul in the world, she has got nobody. 'We've tried to intervene a couple of times to help her as we were a bit concerned for her health, but it's been difficult recently as I've just had twins and we haven't been able to keep an eye on her as much as we would have wanted to.' Christie's sister Kate Di Francesco had previously vowed never to have another dog but, due to Poppy's tragic circumstances, decided to adopt her. She said: 'She fell in love with Poppy and said 'I'm taking her home. She's got nobody else and she's not going into kennels'. 'We went to Pets at Home, got her a load of bits in, everything she needed, and she went home with my sister that evening. 'She seemed a little bit brighter having had food and fluids, but later on she went a bit floppy and wasn't right, so Kate rushed her to the emergency vets and that's when we were told that she wouldn't have survived another night had we not found her, and it was touch and go as to whether she would survive that night. 'She is severely malnourished and dehydrated, and is literally skin and bone. I can put my fingers around her waist, that's how thin she was. My sister is a manager of a residential home, and Poppy will always have someone around. 'My sister will take her to work with her, she will be surrounded by elderly people and always have a lap to cwtch up on, and she's going to be absolutely spoiled rotten. 'Yolande, the only thing she would ever worry about was Poppy, it's one of the only things she had in the world. It feels like we're doing right by Yolande by looking after her.' Christine's sister, Kate Di Francesco, has adopted the pup, whose vets bills were set to hit the thousands A South Wales Police spokesman said: 'Officers were called to a report of a sudden death at a property on Kenilworth Place, West Cross, Swansea at around 12pm on Sunday, March 24. A 76-year-old woman found deceased. The circumstances are not considered suspicious.' Christie has launched a Just Giving page to help pay for Poppy's vets bills - including paying for the dog to have her right eye removed. The fundraiser hit its 3,000 goal in just three days. How does your pooch express its loyalty? Email matthew.cox@mailonline.co.uk The mugshot of the Venezuelan migrant who shares tips on how to live off the US government on social media has been revealed. Leonel Moreno, 27, has been on the run from immigration since he crossed the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, illegally in April 2022, ICE told DailyMail.com. ICE had lost track of Moreno until his videos telling migrants how to live off the state started going viral. They now have him listed as possibly living in Columbus, Ohio. The migrant's TikTok account @leitooficial_25, where he had amassed half a million followers, was suspended after his controversial clips. A spokesman for TikTok told DailyMail.com the platform doesn't allow users to promote criminal activities. Moreno enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, which lets migrants on parole go free while officials track them until their next court date. But he didn't show up for his court date in Miami in November, 2022, and is now listed as an 'absconder' from the program. This is the mugshot of the Venezuelan migrant infamous for sharing tips on how to invade vacant homes in the US, who is currently on the run from ICE. It was taken on April 23, 2022 Leonel Moreno's TikTok account @leitooficial_25, where he had amassed half a million followers, has reportedly been suspended It appears that ICE had lost track of Moreno until his videos started going viral. They now have him listed as possibly living in the above home in Columbus, Ohio On Tuesday, Moreno posted several clips seemingly sobbing on a newly-created account, as he claimed he was being persecuted and threatened after his original TikTok account was suspended on Saturday. 'I am in danger of death in the US! I need protection! I am being persecuted! My account has been blocked!' he said as liquid dropped from his nose. 'My people, I need you to pay attention to what's happening because my family is on danger. They erased my TikTok accounts. I have received threats from powerful people. Help!' In another video he added: 'My people, they have gotten what they wanted! The envy has reached my family! Everything that's happening is because of your evilness! 'The want to silence me!' It appears Moreno does not plan on stopping his particular brand of content, as he shared a clip on Wednesday counting hundred dollar bills and saying he doesn't need to work to make money. In one of his now-viral videos, Moreno instructed his followers how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights, claiming that under US law, 'if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it.' Moreno also made headlines in February, after he demanded Venezuelans unite to help a 15-year-old migrant accused of shooting a tourist and trying to kill a NYPD officer in Times Square. The videos have been widely shared as Venezuelan migrants fleeing their country's collapse become one of the largest nationalities arriving at the US-Mexico border. It appears Moreno does not plan on stopping his particular brand of content, as he shared a clip on Wednesday counting hundred dollar bills Some of his other videos show him claiming he is begging for money on the streets with his baby daughter Venezuelans have taken to social media to denounce him as a troll, accusing him of using their situation to become an influencer while sparking hatred against migrants who plan on working for a better life in the US. 'He's gone absolutely viral for all the wrong reasons and is a complete an utter embarrassment and disgrace to my home country,' wrote Daniel Laplana on X. 'I have nothing but contempt for the guy and his insufferable caricature of a Venezuelan migrant,' said Venezuelan-American Rafael Estruve, president of Houston Young Republicans. 'His charade is gross blend of incompetence and arrogance put on full display, and he is by far one of the absolute worst representations of Venezuelans on a public platform.' Others accused Moreno or 'rage baiting' many Venezuelans believe he is purposely trying to stoke anger in order to receive more views and be profitable on TikTok as the US receives record numbers of Venezuelans. Indeed, the coverage helped Moreno increase his followings - back in February, when one of his videos first went viral, he had under 219,000 followers, about half what he had when his account was suspended last week. On Friday, Moreno livestreamed himself sleeping, with as many as 270 people watching the static image and sending donations. One of the comments left by his fans read: 'Making money while you sleep jajaja you are the best.' Some of his other videos show him claiming he is begging for money on the streets with his baby daughter. Others show him bragging about using the financial aid he supposedly receives from the government for his toddler to buy himself a car. In several clips Moreno shows viewers a the filthy area under a bridge that he claims would serve as a great living space while saving to rent a home. Many of his fans appear to see Moreno as some sort of comedian, with comments claiming he is playing up the stereotype of a migrant in the US. Others videos show him bragging about using the financial aid he supposedly receives from the government for his toddler to buy himself a car On Friday, Moreno livestreamed himself sleeping, with as many as 270 people watching the static image and sending donations However, regardless of Moreno's intentions or real positions, his comments have sparked outrage among Americans already concerned with the crisis at the border, largely fueled by Venezuelans fleeing socialism. One comment on Moreno's TikTok read: 'We Americans are going to vote for politicians in November that will deport you back to Venezuela as soon as possible.' Another read: 'I hope they take away your baby and send you back to your country you're causing too much trouble.' Venezuelans represent the largest displacement crisis in the world, with more than 7.7million people outside their nation - even larger than Ukrainians and Syrians. It's a rare case of massive migration from a country that is not at war but has seen one of the most extreme fortune reversals in recent history after the socialist takeover 20 years ago. Venezuela has suffered political, economic and humanitarian crises over the past decade making food and other necessities unaffordable for those who remain. The vast majority who fled settled in neighboring countries in Latin America, but many began coming to the United States in the last three years. Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs sold around Florence focusing on David's genitalia. The Galleria dell'Accademia's director, Cecilie Hollberg, has positioned herself as David's defender since her arrival at the museum in 2015, taking swift aim at those profiteering from his image, often in ways she finds 'debasing.' In that way, she is a bit of a David herself against the Goliath of unfettered capitalism with its army of street vendors and souvenir shop operators hawking aprons of the statue's nude figure, T-shirts of it engaged in obscene gestures, and ubiquitous figurines, often in Pop Art neon. At Hollberg's behest, the state's attorney office in Florence has launched a series of court cases invoking Italy's landmark cultural heritage code, which protects artistic treasures from disparaging and unauthorized commercial use. Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504, but curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished by refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs focusing on David's genitalia In that way, she is a bit of a David herself against the Goliath of unfettered capitalism with its army of street vendors and souvenir shop operators hawking aprons of the statue's nude figure, T-shirts of it engaged in obscene gestures, and ubiquitous figurines, often in Pop Art neon Souvenirs of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David are seen on sale among other souvenirs in a shop in downtown Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 The Accademia has won hundreds of thousands of euros (dollars) in damages since 2017, Hollberg said. 'There was great joy throughout all the world for this truly unique victory that we managed to achieve, and questions and queries from all over about how we did it, to ask advice on how to move,' she said. Legal action has followed to protect masterpieces at other museums, not without debate, including Leonardo's 'Vitruvian Man,' Donatello's David and Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus.' The decisions challenge a widely held practice that intellectual property rights are protected for a specified period before entering the public domain - the artist's lifetime plus 70 years, according to the Berne Convention signed by more than 180 countries including Italy. More broadly, the decisions raise the question of whether institutions should be the arbiters of taste, and to what extent freedom of expression is being limited. 'It raises not just legal issues, but also philosophical issues. What does cultural patrimony mean? How much of a stranglehold do you want to give institutions over ideas and images that are in the public domain?' said Thomas C. Danziger, an art market lawyer based in New York. He pointed to Andy Warhol's famous series inspired by Leonardo's 'Last Supper.' 'Are you going to prevent artists like Warhol from creating what is a derivative work?' Danziger asked. 'Many people would view this as a land grab by the Italian courts to control and monetize artworks in the public domain that were never intended to be charged for.' Italy's cultural code is unusual in its scope, essentially extending in perpetuity the author's copyright to the museum or institution that owns it. The Vatican has similar legislative protections on its masterpieces, and seeks remedies through its court system for any unauthorized reproduction, including for commercial use and for damaging the dignity of the work, a spokesman said. People walk past a shop selling souvenirs of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David, in downtown Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 Cecilie Holberg, the German director of the Accademia gallery walks past Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David on display at the Accademia gallery, in Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 A vendor sells souvenirs of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David at a kiosk in downtown Florence, Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 Elsewhere in Europe, Greece has a similar law, adopted in 2020, which requires a permit to use images of historic sites or artifacts for commercial use, and forbids the use of images that 'alter' or 'offend' the monuments in any way. France's Louvre museum, home to some oft-replicated masterpieces like the 'Mona Lisa' and Venus de Milo, notes that its collection mostly dates from before 1848, which puts them in the public domain under French law. Court cases have debated whether Italy's law violates a 2019 European Union directive stating that any artwork no longer protected by copyright falls into the public domain, meaning that 'everybody should be free to make, use and share copies of that work.' The EU Commission has not addressed the issue, but a spokesman said that it is currently checking 'conformity of the national laws implementing the copyright directive' and would look at whether Italy's cultural heritage code interferes with its application. Hollberg won her first case against ticket scalpers using David's image to sell marked-up entrance packages outside the Accademia's doors. She also has targeted GQ Italia for imposing a model's face on David's body, and luxury fashion brand Longchamp's cheeky Florence edition of its trademark 'Le Pliage' bag featuring David's more intimate details. Longchamp noted the depiction was 'not without irony' and said the bag was 'an opportunity to express with amused lightness the creative force that has always animated this wonderful city.' No matter how many lawsuits Hollberg has initiated - she won't say how many - the proliferation of David likenesses continues. 'I am sorry that there is so much ignorance and so little respect in the use of a work that for centuries has been praised for its beauty, for its purity, for its meanings, its symbols, to make products in bad taste, out of plastic,' Hollberg said. A souvenir bag showing Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David blowing a bubble gum on sale among other souvenirs in a shop in downtown Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 Tourists look at the statue of David by Michelangelo at Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia People walk past a shop selling souvenirs of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David, in downtown Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024 Based on Hollberg's success and fortified by improved search engine technology, the private entity that is custodian of Florence's landmark Cathedral has started going after commercial enterprises using the famed dome for unauthorized, and sometimes denigrating, purposes - including men's and women's underwear. So far, cease-and-desist letters have been enough to win compliance without turning to the courts, adding an extra half a million euros (427,500) a year to revenues topping 30million (25.5million), Luca Bagnoli, president of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, said. 'We are generally in favor of the freedom of artistic expression,' Bagnoli said. 'When it comes to reinterpreted copies, it becomes a little more difficult to understand where artistic freedom ends and our image rights begin.' Italy's cultural heritage code in its current form has been on the books since 2004, and while Hollberg's cases were not the first, they have represented an acceleration, experts said. The jurisprudence is still being tested. A court in Venice ordered Germany's Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle maker to stop using the image of 'Vitruvian Man' in the first case to involve a company outside Italy. The ruling implicitly rejected Ravensburger's argument that the law was incompatible with the EU directive on copyright, lawyers said. Experts say the aggressive stance could backfire, discouraging the licensing of Italy's artworks, a source of revenue, while also limiting the reproduction of masterpieces that serve as cultural ambassadors. 'There is a risk for Italy, because you can select a work of art that is not covered by this legislation,' said Vittorio Cerulli Irelli, an intellectual property lawyer at Trevisan & Cuonzo in Rome. 'In many instances, it is the same for you to use Leonardo's painting which is in the UK or Leonardo's painting which is in Italy. You just go for the easiest choice.' A Scottish quango refused to fund a reboot of classic film Whisky Galore! and instead handed over almost 85,000 of public cash for a 'hardcore' sex project. Creative Scotland awarded 84,555 to director Leonie Rae Gasson to develop film project Rein which included scenes of 'bare-a*** lovers frolicking in long grass' and a 'secret cave sex party' with video clips of explicit sex acts. It has now been revealed that the 'hardcore' sex project won its funding at the expense of a remake the 1949 Ealing classic. The director behind the reboot, Iain Maclean, said: 'I came away with no funding. It was disappointing as I had gone out of my way to ensure such an iconic film was all about Scotland. Following backlash over the decision, the funding body announced it had withdrawn funding and was trying to claw back the 85,000 paid to the director. Creative Scotland refused to fund a reboot of classic film Whisky Galore! and instead handed over almost 85,000 of public cash for a 'hardcore' sex project Leonie Rae Gasson won funding to develop a film project which included scenes of 'bare-a*** lovers frolicking in long grass' and a 'secret cave sex party' with video clips of explicit sex acts The director had been hoping to cast deaf, disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent performers and those with porn and webcam experience in the erotic film Mr Maclean did manage to secure funding for his film from Peter Drayne a shocked investor who left the Creative Scotland funding meeting in disbelief at the quango's decision. The director said that the funding body eventually gave him 1,000 towards the premiere and 'plastered' their name over the film's advertising. But while Mr Maclean struggled to get his film off the ground, the Scottish Government body decided to fully fund Ms Gasson's project. The project's website described the film as a 'fantastical' 45-minute art installation that was going to be performed by a mix of dancers, sex workers and performers who would take the audience on an 'erotic journey through a distinctly Scottish landscape'. After securing her funding, the director who has worked with the National Theatre of Scotland, began looking for performers over the age of 18 with 'experience of sex work, particularly in porn contexts'. She had planned to cast 'deaf, disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent performers' in roles that would see them dance and act as well as take part in 'snogging', 'vanilla sex' and 'hardcore acts'. The decision to prioritise the porn film over the remake of the the classic WWII caper starring James Robertson Justice received so much backlash that the the funding body has now admitted it is trying to get its money back. Arts quango bosses claimed the Glasgow-based director broke the funding contract when she did not stick to the agreed timeline and changed the content. The funding was allocated via the 'Open Fund For Individuals' scheme. Scottish directors and actors are now calling for a review of the public body and greater scrutiny over who receives a share of the 90million pot of public money. Multi-award-winning and Bafta-nominated film-maker Ryan Hendrick told The Sunday Post that Creative Scotland's funding process is impossible to navigate and the creative body chase Hollywood headlines instead of backing local talent. Gail Gyi, who has run acting agencies for more than 20 years, said the paper that what is needed is a 'root and branch reform of the whole system, and a far greater scrutiny process'. A Creative Scotland spokesperson said: 'Following a review of the application, assessment, and contractual agreement regarding the project Rein, Creative Scotland has made the decision to withdraw support for this project and will be seeking recovery of funding paid in respect of this award to date. 'What has emerged in the latest phase of the project represents a breach of the conditions of funding award, as the nature of the project has changed. The central role that 'non-simulated' (i.e real) sex acts now play in the project, marks a significant change to the nature of the work presented in the original application which was assessed for funding. This significant change to the nature of the work has been evidenced in the most recent announcement on the project's website, without the agreement of Creative Scotland. 'Creative Scotland makes in the region of 2,000 funding awards each year. We support artists and projects across all art-forms, some of which are challenging in content, and push creative and social boundaries. 'However, Creative Scotland has important responsibilities to the public for the appropriate use of public funding, and, as recipients of that public funding, award recipients also have legal responsibilities as reflected in their funding contract.' Christie's team determined after polling and analysis that he did not have a path towards victory with a third-party run He's the latest in a string of centrist politicians to reject courtship from No Labels Chris Christie has decided that he will not run on a third-party ticket with No Labels in 2024. No Labels has had a hard time finding a candidate willing to headline their prospective 'unity ticket,' which ideally would include both a centrist Republican and moderate Democrat running together as president and vice president. Former New Jersey Gov. Christie, a Republican, is the latest to withdraw his name from consideration after several others did the same before him. 'While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward,' Christie said in a statement on his decision. It comes after No Labels' Founding Chairman and former Democratic Senator from Connecticut Joe Lieberman died at the age of 82 on Wednesday following complications from a fall. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie decided this week that he will not join No Labels to lead a third-party 'unity' ticket in 2024. Pictured: Christie announced an end to his Republican primary bid on January 10, 2024 It comes despite widespread sentiment that voters want an option other than former President Donald Trump (left) or President Joe Biden (right) Lieberman was leading the effort to find an alternative candidate to former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in 2024. Among others to turn down the offer or be reached for consideration from the group include Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney (R), former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, former Democrat Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who changed her party affiliation from Democrat to independent and announced she will not run for reelection in 2024. There are few remaining high-profile options for No Labels to tap for a centrist presidential ticket in November despite widespread public sentiment and polling that shows Americans don't want either of the mainstream options in a 2020 rematch between Biden and Trump. 'I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what we're doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us,' Christie said in a statement on rejecting the No Labels pursuit. Christie, who ended his Republican presidential primary bid in January, spent the last few weeks exploring whether he instead wanted to pursue a third-party bid with No Labels as the organization upped courtship for his candidacy. This week, Christie made his decision. The former governor's team commissioned polling in 13 states, calculated a theoretical campaign budget and concluded that for a third-party bid to be successful it would need to win 20 to 25 states, people involved detailed to The Washington Post. No Labels Founding Chairman Joe Lieberman (pictured) died Wednesday at the age of 82 after complication from a fall While Christie does acknowledge there is appetite for a third choice in 2024, he concluded there is not a practical path to victory for him. 'I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again. And that's more important than my own personal ambition,' he said in January when ending his campaign. He said he would not cast his ballot for Trump 'under any circumstances' but added: 'I can't see myself voting for President Biden, either.' No Labels leaders have put a deadline for the first weeks in April to decide whether to nominate a presidential ticket. The group has cautioned it will not continue its efforts if they cannot recruit someone with a path to winning. It was thought in recent weeks that Christie might be that candidate. Sadiq Khan has officially kicked off his campaign to become 'Mare of London' for a third time - with a visit to a horse stable in the north of the capital less than a day after stabbings at two of the capital's railway stations. The incumbent Mayor visited Greengates Stables in Barnet on Thursday to launch Labour's nationwide local elections campaign - which also includes the London mayor election on May 2. Greengates is home to the charity Strength and Learning Through Horses, which provides opportunities to young people with mental health issues and additional needs to work with horses and learn about equine care. But the photo op came hours after two reported stabbings at railway stations in the south of the capital, after Mr Khan said he had been cracking down on crime. A man was allegedly stabbed on a Southeastern train that stopped at Beckenham Junction shortly before 4pm. A 19-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Mane event: Sadiq Khan, incumbent Mayor of London and Labour candidate for the position in the upcoming election, poses with horses Prince and Perry Mr Khan is fighting for an unprecedented third term as the Mayor of London in the upcoming local election on May 2 Strength and Learning Through Horses, the charity that operates from the stables, joked on social media that Mr Khan was in a 'two horse race' - presumably against Tory rival Susan Hall Mr Khan visited Greengates Stables in Barnet, north London, as Labour launched its nationwide local election campaign He was seen speaking to some of the young people who are taking riding lessons and receiving support from the charity based at the stables Police at the scene of a stabbing in Kennington, south London, that happened at around 10.30pm on Wednesday night Two people were stabbed in the attack at the Tube station, including a Good Samaritan who is said to have intervened A few miles away, almost seven hours later, an unrelated attack saw two people stabbed at Kennington Underground station - one of whom is reported to have stepped in to help the other victim. The British Transport Police (BTP) said it does not believe the incidents, which happened six hours and eight miles apart, are linked. The Kennington attacker is believed to still be at large. But they came hours after Mr Khan said he was delivering 'record investment to keep Londoners safe'. On a visit to a police station with shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper on Wednesday, he said: 'Keeping Londoners safe is my number one priority, being both tough on crime and tough on its complex causes.' But analysis of crime statistics by the Evening Standard suggests that knife crime has risen significantly in the capital since 2016 - when Mr Khan was first elected - and leapt more than a fifth in the last year alone. The number of teenagers killed also remains high - with 21 youngsters killed in 2023, up from 14 in 2022. A further 30 were killed in 2021. Video footage and pictures of Mr Khan's visit to the stables was shared on Instagram by SLTH, which joked that the Labour candidate would be in a 'two horse race' - presumably with his nearest rival, Tory candidate Susan Hall. He was also snapped with Prince and Perry, two of the horses who live at the stables, and seen speaking to some of the youngsters taking riding lessons and interacting with the horses. Mr Khan is battling to claim an unprecedented third consecutive term as Mayor of London - and polling suggests he maintains a strong lead Ms Hall. A Savanta survey last week suggested Labour was on track to win 51 per cent of the votes, 24 percentage points clear of the Tory candidate, and follows YouGov polling in February that suggested similar levels of support. The earlier poll also suggested Mr Khan was more popular with inner city Londoners than those in the outer boroughs - where the much-maligned expanded ULEZ zone was rolled out last August to widespread anger. However, Ms Hall's campaign has been dogged in recent days by a widely derided Conservative campaign ad that mistook footage of people in New York fleeing a subway shooting for scenes in London. The attack ad, which is believed to have been produced centrally by CCHQ without input from Ms Hall's team, was retracted and modified - but not before it had been mocked on social media and disowned by some Tories. And in an interview with Prospect magazine on Wednesday, Ms Hall dismissed allegations that she had reposted Islamophobic tweets as complaints about 'hurty words'. Responding to the suggestion that she had shared 'jarring' Islamophobic tweets, she said: 'I'll tell you what's jarring. Jarring is the fact that poor people are having to pay 12.50 a day (the charge for London's ultra-low emissions zone) that they literally cannot afford. That is real. And that isn't just hurty words.' In an earlier incident not believed to be linked, a man was left with life-threatening injuries after an attack on a Southeastern train near Beckenham Junction The alleged attacker was seen walking along the street with a large blade in his hand as he fled the scene. A 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Mr Khan's main rival in the London mayoral election is Conservative candidate Susan Hall (pictured) Polling suggests Mr Khan is more popular in inner London than in the outer boroughs, where the expanded ULEZ zone was introduced last year (pictured: a vandalised ULEZ camera) Mr Khan's visit came as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer boasted that Labour was on track for power as he and Angela Rayner attended another local election campaign launch in the West Midlands. Sir Keir told the audience: 'I was hoping we'd be launching a different election campaign here today. But unfortunately the Prime Minister has bottled it. 'He wants one last drawn-out summer with his beloved helicopter. And so, we're going to have to use these local elections to send him another message and show his party once again that their time is up. 'The dithering must stop, the date must be set, because Britain wants change, and it's time for change with Labour.' But the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt claimed Labour's local election launch was a 'smokescreen', as it sought to move on from suggestions it would not not honour the Government's new childcare provision. He told broadcasters: 'The Labour Party in office devolved no powers to local authorities. In just the last two years we have devolved powers to two-thirds of local authorities. 'I am afraid this is a smokescreen for the fact that just this week the Labour Party have said they are refusing to guarantee the free childcare offer for every child over the age of nine months. 'That is going to be a hammer blow for families up and down the country who from next week are going to start to benefit from the biggest ever rollout of childcare in our history.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Ministers today warned 'arrogant' Thames Water bosses that taxpayers must not bail them out amid fears customers face a 40 per cent hike in bills. In a furious attack, Michael Gove insisted the company must 'carry the can' for years of 'serial mismanagement' that had left it 15billion in debt. The Communities Secretary said it was a 'disgrace' the firm had been 'taking out profits and not investing as they should have been'. The intervention came amid fresh fears about the future of Thames Water, after it emerged that an expected 500million injection by shareholders will not be coming at the end of the month. The company - the UK's biggest water supplier with 16 million households across London and the South East - has been pushing for bills to go up 40 per cent over the coming years. However, Ofwat has blocked the move as well as refusing to ease capital spending requirements and waive penalties for failing to meet targets. Chief Executive Chris Weston admitted this morning that if no alternative funding could be found by the end of next year special administration could be an option which would likely see the taxpayer pick up the bill. Chief Executive Chris Weston said that plans for Thames Water will require an investment which 'would result in a bill increase' when asked by Sky News In a furious attack, Michael Gove insisted the company must 'carry the can' for years of 'serial mismanagement' that had left it 15billion in debt Discharge into the River Thames at Thames Water-run Crossness sewage treatment works in east London yesterday, where sewage was pumped into the waters for nearly six hours Discharge is seen flowing into the River Thames at Crossness sewage works yesterday Total hours water companies in England leaked sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea in 2023 Thames Water stressed that it had 2.4 billion of cash currently available to it, which should see it meet funding needs for the next 15 months. Mr Weston said there was a risk of nationalisation if funding was not secured after this, but added 'we are a long way from that point at the moment'. However, Mr Gove told broadcasters this afternoon : 'The leadership of Thames Water has been a disgrace. For years now, we've seen customers taken advantage of by successive management teams, taking profits and not investing as they should be. 'They haven't changed their ways. I have zero sympathy for the leadership of Thames Water. In my own constituency I've seen how they behaved in a high-handed and arrogant way towards the consumers. 'The answer is not to hit the consumers. The answer is for the management to look at their own approach and ask themselves why they're in this difficult situation. And of course the answer is serial mismanagement for which they must carry the can.' Both Ofwat and Thames Water sought to reassure customers that services would not be affected by the funding woes. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Treasury would monitor Thames Water's situation 'very carefully' after the funding revelations. Asked by broadcasters if the Government was ready to step in to support Thames Water customers if necessary, the Chancellor added: 'Our understanding is that the company is still solvent and today's news should not have an impact on the services received by customers. 'Obviously, there are parts of the country where the service has not been up to scratch overall we will continue to watch the situation very carefully.' Speaking to Sky News, Mr Weston said the future plans 'require an investment of around 20bn in that 2025-2030 period'. He recognised that the bill increase 'could be very, very difficult for people' and said Thames Water is looking at what can be done to mitigate this. The average bill for this year is 471, and the Thames Water boss has not ruled out a 40 per cent increase. This would see 188 added, making a total of 659. Thames Water said shareholders wouldn't be giving it 500million of the promised 750million in new equity funding. Thames Water has come under scrutiny in recent years for leaks, sewage contamination and executive pay. It is facing several fines and investigations - including into the payment of shareholder dividends to parent company Kemble Water. Just yesterday, a Thames Water sewage treatment plant was pictured fouling another waterway for nearly six hours - on the same day a bombshell report revealed water companies pumped record amounts of raw sewage into British rivers and seas. Water companies in England discharged sewage into waterways for 3.61million hours last year, equivalent to more than 450 years, and 105 per cent increase from 2022, according to Environment Agency data. The figures are at their highest ever levels, although officials caution that comparisons over the years are difficult as an increasing number of storm overflows have been fitted with monitors over time, and all now have the technology to record spills. Shareholders of the firm said today that industry regulations make its business plan 'uninvestible', after previously agreeing to an emergency funding package. It has come under pressure from water regulator Ofwat to improve its financial performance amid mounting concerns over its future. Despite the troubles, Thames Water revealed in December that it paid a 37.5million dividend to a parent company. When asked to explain the move by Ofwat, Thames said the money had been moved to help pay its debts. In the year to the end of March 2023, it paid out about 45 million in dividends, and the previous two years it handed out a combined 53.9 million. But the firm stresses that it has not paid a dividend to 'external shareholders' for at least the past five years. Thames Water is owned by a consortium of pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. The River Thames filled with sewage from the Thames Water Crossness sewage yesterday Water companies pumped raw sewage into British rivers and seas for a record four million hours last year, more than double than in 2022, new figures have revealed Thames Water has been battling to secure its financial future since last summer, with a funding crisis leaving the firm on the brink of emergency nationalisation. Last July, it agreed a rescue funding plan with shareholders - including the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), China's sovereign wealth fund, a Canadian pension fund and the BT Pension Scheme - that would see them pump in 750 million, with the first 500 million due by the end of this month. But Thames Water said the funding plan was subject to conditions, including a business plan that was supported by 'appropriate regulatory arrangements'. Footage filmed by local campaigner Ashley Smith shows dirty, smelly water gushing from a pipe in Fairford at an alarmingly fast rate in January In a joint statement, Thames Water's nine investors claimed that Ofwat had 'not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support' for their funding and turnaround plan. Thames Water said it was in ongoing talks with Ofwat to secure regulations that were 'affordable for customers, deliverable and financeable for Thames Water, as well as investible for equity investors'. It said once the new regulatory plan was agreed with Ofwat, it 'intends to pursue all options to secure the required equity investment from new or existing shareholders'. Mr Weston said: 'I'd like to reassure our customers that, despite this announcement, it is business as usual for Thames Water.' He said the group 'will continue to provide our services to our 16 million customers'. Ofwat said Thames Water must now seek further funding for its turnaround plan, but sought to assure that 'safeguards' were in place to protect services to households. It was previously owned by a consortium led by Australian financial services group Macquarie in 2008 for about a decade, during which it ran up debts of around 10 billion, while also paying out billions of pounds worth of dividends. A Romanian labourer who murdered a grandmother after following her off a bus has had his sentenced increased by five years after he admitted raping her. Valentin Lazar attacked 45-year-old Maria Rawlings with a wooden club embedded with nails and a knife before leaving her dying in undergrowth in Romford, east London, in May 2021. CCTV captured Lazar exiting the bus with the mother-of-two before guiding her towards some bushes where he stripped, battered and strangled her. A post-mortem revealed she had been killed following compression to her neck. She also had injuries to her mouth, chest and knee as well as 15 fractured ribs, and was found with more than 100 marks on her body. At the time there was no evidence of rape but Lazar admitted this to a probation officer in prison saying he thought theres a woman there, I should have sex with her. Valentin Lazar attacked 45-year-old Maria Rawlings with a wooden club embedded with nails and raped her in undergrowth near a bus stop in Romford, east London, in May 2021 Mrs Rawlings (pictured above), 45, from Chelmsford, Essex, was found dead in Little Heath, Romford, by a man who was walking his dog in May Ms Rawlings, pictured, suffered injuries to her mouth, chest and knee as well as 15 fractured ribs following a 30 minute violent attack by the then 20-year-old After the 30 minute attack Lazar ran away with her white handbag to make it look like a robbery. Police found her purse, footwear and bank cards, nearby. Lazar, who was 20 at the time of the attack, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and six months in February 2022 after he admitted murder. At the time the killer's lawyer said she could not provide an explanation or motive for his savage attack but he later admitted to wanting to rape the defenceless grandmother. He was given a consecutive five year sentence to run at the end of his minimum term. Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, the Recorder of London, said it was a vicious and sustained attack. Ms Rawlings father Tony Rawlings said in a victim impact statement: Your 15 minutes of anger towards a defenceless grandmother has caused me and my family a lifetime of pain. Her daughter Charlee Rawlings said she was a fun loving soul who would never cause harm to anyone. Lazar appeared at the Old Bailey today via video link from HMP Frankland wearing a grey tracksuit. Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said: The position is that although the body was found naked there was no positive evidence there was any sexual motive to the attack. And then, whilst in HMP Belmarsh Mr Lazar was interviewed for a risk assessment within custody and within that he made admissions which bring about the current charge. The defendant was interviewed in custody via an interpreter by a probation officer and during that interview he admitted that at the time of the murder he had also raped her. He told the probation officer: I pushed her to the ground and at that very moment I wanted to have sex with her when she was down. I saw she was trying to cry out for help so I slapped her in the face. I took off her blouse and left her naked because I wanted to have sex with her. The officer asked why he did not have sex with her. He replied: Okay I had sex with her, but no-one knows this before this is the first time Im telling you this. She started screaming and I didnt know what to do so I started punching her but she wasnt dead, I looked and saw she wasnt dead. I wanted to call an ambulance but I wasnt in my right mind. I took the handbag to make it look like a robbery. The family of Maria Rawlings (left to right) daughter Charlee, father Tony Rawlings and daughter Katie outside the Old Bailey Flowers left at Little Health in Romford where Ms Rawlings was found dead. A message attached to one bouquet read: 'Mummy. I love you now, forever and always' When later interviewed by police he said: I was thinking of stealing something, I wanted to take her handbag but she wouldnt let go so I slapped her in the face and she fell. She was drunk but I was more drunk. I thought, theres a woman there, I should have sex with her. He said she started screaming and he told her to shut up and slapped her in the face five times. She still wouldnt keep quiet so I tired to punch her in the face one more time and went quiet and her nose started bleeding. When I saw the blood I started panicking. I didnt want to kill her, I just wanted her to shut up or to injure her so seriously she went to hospital. He said he ejaculated on the floor because he calculated that the rain would mean it would wash away. Lazar told the police he had told them because he wanted to unburden himself. Ms Rawlings, who had a history of alcoholism, was drunk and was on the way home after discharging herself from hospital without treatment. Lazar, who came to the UK when he was 18, was filmed initially talking to Mrs Rawlings after they got off the bus, before grabbing hold of her arm and leading her into the bushes. He emerged from the bushes 31 minutes later, briefly going back in to retrieve the victims handbag. He was described by the driver of a bus he got on as having a drug like energy and his eyes were very wide and fixed, said Mr Emlyn Jones. The court heard a dogwalker discovered Mrs Rawlings body in the bushes the following day. She was naked, she had obviously very serious injuries to her face and it was observed she had what looked like a shoe print in on her chest, said Mr Emlyn Jones. A public appeal led to the Romanians arrest after a compatriot of Lazar commented on an ITV London article shared on Twitter saying he knew who the suspect was. A post-mortem examination showed that the victim, who died as a result of strangulation and blunt force trauma, had lived for at least one hour after the assault. She had horrific injuries to her face likely caused by Lazar beating her with a blood-stained piece of wood with nails sticking out found at the scene. When police arrested Lazar on May 9, he claimed he had no memory of the attack, adding: I cant remember what happened yesterday. Mrs Rawlings daughter Charlee earlier said in a victim impact statement: I do not think I actually know where to start to explain the impact my mums murder has had on me. My mum was my best friend. I am 17 years old and lived with my mum. We were best friends, we talked about everything, we shared everything in our lives. Ms Rawlings had visited King George Hospital in Chadwell Heath complaining of a headache after suffering a head injury on the evening of May 3 last year. Having left hospital without being seen, Ms Rawlings, who had alcohol issues, got on a bus just after 11pm, where her path crossed with Lazar. The mother-of-two, who had been staying with her daughter in Witham, Essex,before she was brutally murdered. Sentencing the Romanian for the murder two years ago Judge Lucraft described it as a savage and sustained attack with a high degree of pain and suffering. In my view, it was with the intention to kill. Maria Rawlings was naked, and that is additional humiliation and degradation. Lazar, of Hockley Avenue, East Ham, admitted rape. One person has been seriously injured after a kiosk near the Lincoln Memorial burst into flames. DC Fire and EMS said a one alarm fire involving a propane tank at a concession stand along Lincoln Memorial Circle broke out around 7 am on Thursday. An unidentified adult male has been flown to an area trauma center with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Pictures posted to social media show the booth engulfed in flames with clouds of black smoke rising from the fire. The fire department said they contained the bulk of the fire and will continue to wet down the kiosk. A kiosk near the Lincoln Memorial burst into flames on Thursday morning The booth became engulfed in flames with clouds of black smoke rising from the fire DC Fire and EMS said the fire involved a propane tank at a concession stand A unidentified adult male has been flown to an area trauma center with serious non-life-threatening injuries Firefighters secured the propane tanks and continue to wet down the stand U.S. Park Police said the structure that caught fire was temporary and permitted to be on the National Mall, reported NBC Washington. Firefighters secured the propane tanks and video posted to Twitter by DC Fire and EMS showed two blacked gas tanks on the pavement. Investigators are on the scene to determine the cause of the fire. The Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination said all travel lanes are blocked at Independence Avenue WB at 23rd Street Northwest, reported WUSA9. Experts are warning Texans to stay away from a mysterious sea beast washing up by the dozen along the coast after numerous reported sightings in recent weeks. The unusual clusters have been spotted on the coastline outside Corpus Christi this month, making headlines for their bizarre eyeball-like appearance and fat ratty tail. With reported sightings just in land from the Gulf of Mexico in recent days, experts are firmly advising people to stay away from the ominous eyeball-shaped critters, however, due to a deadly detail in their biology. The so-called 'spaghetti monsters', or Rhizophysa, pack a punch 'like their cousins, the man o' war', the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said after a 2021 sighting. It transpires the organisms are not actually a single animal at all, but a colony of carnivorous beings working together to hunt ocean prey as one. 'If you see these floating up on the beach, just admire their creepy beauty,' the institute said. 'But don't touch, unless you want to feel the pain of the eyeball from the sea.' A creepy seabeast that looks like a disembodied eyeball and delivers a painful sting has been washing up by the dozen on the Texas coast Experts are warning bystanders to not stand by as the clusters pack a strong punch Jace Tunnell of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University found dozens of Rhizophysa stranded on the beach as reports flooded in. He said the monsters have been washing up over the last three weeks along both Mustang and North Padre Islands in Corpus Christi, Texas. 'This past weekend there was a large influx of them on the beach where I counted around 30 over along 100 metres of shoreline right at the water line,' he said. 'The creatures look like an eyeball stretched out on the beach. 'Their gas-filled float at the top of the organism has a black dot that really does look like the pupil of an eye. 'In some that we have found, they will have thick tentacles that hang down that look like spaghetti hence how they have the nickname of spaghetti monster.' Having experienced their sting personally, he warned that while it is not as violent as the Portuguese man o' war's attack, it does hurt for about an hour. 'The spaghetti monsters live in the open ocean, so it's not common to see them washing up here,' he continued. 'Only during the perfect conditions of winds, waves, and current do we see them around March and April. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department warned: 'If you see these floating up on the beach, just admire their creepy beauty. 'But don't touch, unless you want to feel the pain of the eyeball from the sea.' Siphonophores are a class of sea creatures that cluster as a colonial organism, emitting light to attract prey before pouncing with their tentilla. Despite their relatively innocent appearance, they are predatory carnivores and live on crustaceans and small fish. Their tentacles use powerful neurotoxins to snag prey, enveloping it in its cluster responsible for feeding, digesting it and dispersing it around the colony. Siphonophores bear some similarities to jellyfish as a result, their group of Cnidaria evolving 500 million years ago and surviving with little pressure to adapt or complexity their lethal means of attack. While those spotted near Texas are quite small, some much deeper in the ocean can grow as long as 100ft, making them some of the longest creatures on the planet. Jace Tunnell of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University found dozens of Rhizophysa stranded on the beach as reports flooded in The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department warned: 'If you see these floating up on the beach, just admire their creepy beauty.' In 2021, a young child was left in pain after he was stung by a 'spaghetti monster' at Mustang Island State Park. Jennifer Baltazar says her son was attacked by one of the creatures while swimming. She said young Rogelio 'came running from the ocean and said he was stung by something'. 'He said it stung and burned a lot, and he was in moderate pain for about 20 minutes.' She said she noticed 'these strange jellies' and contacted Jace Tunnell, who said it was likely her son had been stung by a Rhizophysa. 'I've never seen these things wash up before,' he said at the time. A 'warped' hoaxer who waged a six-week campaign of terror with bogus chemical attacks against schools, shopping centres and businesses has been told he faces a lengthy jail term. Gary Preston, 64, sent letters containing a white powder to 21 locations, causing panic and evacuations. Some of the envelopes contained threats including 'If I was you, I would hold my breath and run in the name of Allah' and were signed off with the black flag of ISIS. Others warned 'Think fast, you have seconds inshallah', 'there are improvised explosive devices planted' and 'we have hostages and any attempts to rescue they will meet their fate'. However, fears that the envelopes contained ricin or another toxic substance turned out to be misplaced after it was found to be harmless talcum powder. Gary Preston, 64, who is facing jail after escaping justice for nearly ten years following a hoax campaign of terror in 2013 Emergency services pictured on the scene at Haverhill over 'concerns for an individual' after Preston phoned the fire brigade to say he had taken ricin No chemicals were found at the 64-year-old's property after it was visited by multiple emergency workers. After this incident Preston's DNA was linked with a number of hoax cases and he was subsequently arrested Locations targeted in the 2013 campaign included the Westfield shopping malls in east and west London, two primary schools in Braintree, Essex, the DVLA headquarters in Swansea and Transport for London premises. Letters were also sent to a Premier Inn near Stansted airport and branches of Vision Express, Specsavers and Costa Coffee. Detectives were unable to identify who was responsible. All they had to go on was a match with DNA from an unknown individual who carried out a knifepoint sex attack on a woman in Rainham, Essex, in 1988. It was only in September 2020 that Preston, of Haverhill in Suffolk, was arrested after his DNA was taken for an unconnected incident, in which he phoned a fire brigade to say he had taken ricin at a sheltered housing block for over-55s. Neighbours described how he came to the authorities' attention a few weeks earlier after sparking a security alert. Six fire crews, including a crew tasked with handling explosives, and police arrived at the scene and surrounded the scene which was then cordoned off. 'He was hanging out of the window and threatening he had anthrax. We were told by the police to stay inside,' said a woman in her seventies, who didn't want to be identified. 'He was a dangerous man. Why he was put in an old people's complex I don't know. The people in there must have been terrified. Most of them are bed-ridden.' Another woman who lives in the street said: 'Fire engines and police cars turned up, it was about 10am. The fireman knocked on the window downstairs and asked him to come out. They were talking to him through the window and trying to persuade him to come out and the fireman was saying there was white powder everywhere [in Preston's flat]. 'Eventually he came out. He was standing outside talking to them and then he bolted. A fireman ran after him and wrestled him to the ground. They'd just had enough. 'Then the police bundled him into a car and he was taken away but he was back that night.' The Westfield shopping mall in White City, Shepherd's Bush, which was targeted by Preston in his 2013 hoax campaign The DVLA headquarters in Swansea (pictured) was also targeted as well as =two primary schools in Braintree, Essex and the Transport for London premises Preston had previous convictions for sexual offences after exposing himself to women in 1979 and 1982 but these were before new technology led to police storing and comparing DNA. In police interviews, Preston claimed he had no recollection of the terror offences as he was suffering from dementia. He admitted offences including dangerous driving and possession of a firearm and was jailed for three years and four months in February last year. While being held at HMP Chelmsford, he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court in August last year where he admitted 21 terror offences, namely sending the envelopes 'with the intention of inducing in a person a belief that it is likely to be, or contain, a noxious substance or other noxious thing and thereby endanger human life or create a serious risk to human health'. Targeting schools showed his 'warped mindset', the head of the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit in the Eastern region, Hannah Wilkinson, said at the time. Three months later Preston admitted indecent assault and possessing an offensive weapon in relation to the Rainham assault. He appeared again at Woolwich Crown Court, via video link from Chelmsford prison, on Tuesday to be sentenced for the terror offences and indecent assault. His sentencing was adjourned until April, although he was warned by a judge that he faced a lengthy prison sentence. Prosecutor Maryam Syed told the court that Preston sent the 21 envelopes over six weeks between September and October in 2013. Preston had intended the white powder inside to be mistaken as a deadly poison, possibly ricin, she said. Ms Syed added: 'The white powder was immediately assumed to be a very dangerous chemical.' Referring to schools which were sent letters, she said: 'The concern and fear of the people who opened the letters was not just for workers and themselves, but also for the children.' Most of the addresses were printed and stuck on envelopes, but Preston's DNA was found on several which had been written by hand. Hannah Wilkinson, head of the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit in the Eastern region, said: 'Preston was intent on causing significant distress and concern among those who received these packages, and to target places such as schools really shows the extent of his warped mindset. 'Despite the offences taking place some time ago, our detectives continued to revisit the investigation and as soon as new evidence became available, we were able to step up our enquiries once more. 'I'm delighted the weight of evidence brought together by our investigators left Preston with little option but to plead guilty.' Her husband Brian described her as 'a beautiful person with a beautiful soul' The emergency room nurse jumped into a frigid river while trying to save her dog, Groot, in December The body of an Alaska mother-of-four who went missing after jumping into a river to save her dog has been found, more than four months after her disappearance. The family of Amanda Richmond Rogers, 45, told KTUU that officials recovered her body from the Eagle River on Sunday. Her dog, Groot, was frozen in her arms. Rogers, an emergency room and hospice nurse, vanished on December 23 after leaping into frigid waters to rescue the dog after he fell through the ice. The 45-year-old and her husband, Brian, a doctor, had been taking a walk through the frosty wilderness on the day of their 18th wedding anniversary. Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team combed the waters for the mother-of-four, aided by Alaska Solstice Search Dogs. The remains of Amanda Richmond Rogers, 45, were recovered Sunday, over four months after she disappeared in a frigid river The Alaska woman was out hiking with her husband, Brian, in celebration of their 18th wedding anniversary when their dog stopped to drink from the river and fell through the ice The mother-of-four began to swim downstream after her beloved pet vanished. She was found with his body in her arms 'They told me that any one of them would've made the same decision to rescue one of their fur babies,' sister Jennifer Richmond said. The desperate search came to an end on Sunday, when Anchorage Police were notified of a deceased person's remains near the North Fork Trailhead. Rogers' body was pulled from the water and taken to the State Medical Examiners Office to determine the cause of death. The discovery of her remains was another pang in the heart for family members who already had to come to terms with her loss months earlier. As friends and loved ones waited for the news with bated breath, many had already accepted that they would never see her again. 'Miss you Amanda and always will,' Rogers' aunt, Susie Harris, wrote on Facebook in January. 'My beautiful niece who had a heart of gold and love of all things. We will miss her so very much. Our hearts are broken.' Marissa Painter learned of the discovery of her close friend's remains on Wednesday. 'Thank God she was found, holding Groot,' she said. In an earlier social media post, Painter described having an 'instant connection' to Rogers, whom she deemed a 'soul sister.' The pair first connected when Rogers wanted to adopt a Goldendoodle puppy. 'We kept in contact with pictures and messages, checked in on each other because we knew our family lives were busy with kids and households, talked about our families getting together in the summers for adventures,' Painter said. 'We were supposed to go on a trip this past summer, but her adventures called her to some trail clearing instead, so we postponed. 'Let me tell you, make those trips happen somehow because you never know when things will change and you wont ever get to take them.' Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team searched for Rogers with assistance from Alaska Solstice Search Dogs Anchorage Police were notified of the discovery of her remains on Sunday. Her body was taken to the State Medical Examiners Office to determine her cause of death Rogers' sister, Jennifer, extended her gratitude to the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team for their relentless work to find the mother-of-four Brian, a doctor, explained how the couple lay down to rest in a scenic area as Groot attempted to drink from an opening in the ice and fell in Jennifer Rogers extended her profound gratitude to the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team at the end of January for their efforts to find her beloved sister 'Mandy.' 'I have no words for their love, commitment and compassion,' she wrote. 'Whether its for my sister, or just for the love, you wont find a more dedicated team. From the depths of our broken hearts, thank you.' The mother-of-four's husband of nearly two decades penned a moving tribute just days after she vanished underwater, recalling the day his life changed forever. He explained that he and Rogers were busy decorating the house and wrapping presents for Christmas. It marked the first holiday they were celebrating since the death of Rogers' father earlier that year. 'After spending time with her mother and sister the previous two days, the 23rd was our day,' he said. 'We were married on December 23, 2005, making this our 18th anniversary. We planned to take two of our dogs for a walk, go on a date, and spend the night at the Hotel Captain Cook. It was a beautiful day.' He explained that the couple chose to hike at the North Fork of Eagle River trailhead, which was 'one of Amanda's favorites.' Growing tired from trekking through the snow, they stopped to rest at a scenic area along the water. When their dog Groot attempted to drink from a small opening in the ice, 'no more than about 18 inches wide,' he fell through. 'Before even thinking,' Brian jumped in after him. 'I held onto the edge of the ice as I frantically ducked under the ice reaching into darkness trying to feel and grab our dog. I felt nothing,' he said. When he ran out of breath and returned to shore, he turned around to see Rogers getting in the water. 'I knew from the look on her face she was going in to save our dog,' he wrote. 'She is an emergency room nurse, trained to help and save people. In this situation, she was going to save our dog.' Brian shouted after her, and before he could restrain her, Rogers began swimming downstream under the ice and vanished. 'To anyone wondering why we would jump in to save our dog I can only answer, our instincts took over and we went in without thought,' he said. 'Amanda loved her dogs nearly as much as our kids, they were our family. 'She did not jump in to save "just a dog," it was a family member. To me and our four boys, she died a hero.' He detailed Rogers' love of dogs and wrote, 'To me and our four boys she died a hero' Rogers (pictured with her late father) was honored at a memorial ceremony in March, where she was officially relieved of her nursing duties He described his beloved wife as 'an amazing mother' to 'four tremendous children.' 'She worked as an emergency room nurse, a death scene investigator and a pediatric hospice nurse but the job she excelled at was mom,' Brian said. 'She enjoyed the outdoors, her family, all animals, and adventure. She has touched so many people's lives for the better. I could go on and on and on. She was a beautiful person with a beautiful soul.' Crowds packed into the Eagle River High School gymnasium in March to honor the doting mother-of-four. Registered nurse Christine Dittrich rang a triangle as part of the Nightingale Tribute, a ceremony used to honor a fallen nurse. 'We officially release you of your nursing duties,' she said. Rogers' four sons spoke during the memorial as well. 'Mom was such a unique, special person that God couldnt wait any longer to see her in heaven, and I dont blame him,' 17-year-old Liam said. Ten-year-old Bodhi recalled how his mother 'would take dad, her sons and her dogs over anything in the world.' August, 15, said the ceremony 'would bring tears to her eyes because we wont look at how much time we didnt get with her, but all the time we did.' Rogers' eldest son, Leif Thurmond, 24, encouraged attendees to follow in her footsteps 'and leave this earth with no regrets.' A memorial fund in Rogers' name has been set up for Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team as well as Alaska Solstice Search Dogs. A 22-year-old man named Christian Ivan Soto was booked into a local jail in Rockford on multiple counts of murder hours after the attack The man accused of slaughtering four people and injuring others during a brutal rampage in Illinois on Wednesday has been charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder and home invasion. Christian Ivan Soto, 22, was booked into Winnebago County Jail in the early hours of Thursday, around 12 hours after the bloody killing spree began. In total, four people are dead, including a 15-year-old girl and a 49-year-old mailman. The other victims were a 22-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman. Witnesses described Soto as being 'bloodied' and 'resisting arrest' as he was hauled away by arresting officers. During a press conference in the aftermath of the horror, the local police chief said that investigators had not uncovered a 'clear motive' for the bloodshed that occurred around 90 miles west of Chicago. Police in the area responded to a series of locations at 1:14pm after receiving calls about a burglary. From there, a manhunt began resulting in the suspect being arrested in the vicinity at 1:35pm. One victim, who survived, was stabbed in the face as she tried to escape the deranged attacker. A 22-year-old man named Christian Ivan Soto was booked into a local jail in Rockford on multiple counts of murder hours after the attack A 22-year-old man is in custody in relation to the crime. He has not been identified nor has a motive been released publicly for the horrific attacks in sleepy Rockford, Illinois Not all of the victims found at multiple addresses in the city had stab wounds and none were shot Police later identified those victims as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and a 22-year-old man. Their names were not released Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, one died later at a local hospital. Five other people were rushed to local hospitals to be treated for injuries, four were released as one person is still being treated in serious condition. 'We are reeling as a community from another senseless act of violence,' Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara told the media in the aftermath of the tragedy. One local, Eric Patterson, told the Rockford Register Star that he saw two teenagers bloodied from an attack and a middle aged woman being taken away in an ambulance. Patterson said that the mailman was run over by a pick up truck. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd earlier confirmed that not all of the victims were stabbed but none were a shot 'We dont have a clear motive in regard to what caused this individual to commit such heinous crimes,' the chief added. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana told the media that one of the victims was stabbed as they tried to stop the attacker from fleeing the area. That person is not among those killed. 'She young lady ran from him. She got some stab wounds in her hands and in her face. She is currently at a hospital, and she is intubated. She is in serious condition,' he said. Caruana said another of the victims was a 'young female' who ran from a home that the attacker broke into. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (145 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago An officer rolls out police tape on Wednesday as the investigation into the quadruple homicide continues Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd told the media that investigators have 'no clear motive' for the horrific crime 'It makes no sense. ts almost like playing a video game, but it's reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. I'm going to run over the mailman here,' one neighbor said Vanessa Hy, who lives in the community, described the scene when the cops descended on the sleepy town. 'All of a sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming: "Stop! Get down!" Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody,' Hy told WREX-TV. 'It makes no sense. ts almost like playing a video game, but it's reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. I'm going to run over the mailman here,' Patterson said. 'I'm going to stab a couple people there. I am going to go in this house over here. Its not making sense. You cant rationalize this,' he added. Another resident, Cassandra Hernandez, paid tribute to their mail man calling him a 'very good man.' Resident Ruth Gallagher called the mailman 'the kindest person' in an interview with CBS Chicago. 'He would help anybody; would step in and help - always friendly. We will miss him,' she added. 'Its hard to grasp how this could happen and how emotional and raw the community is tonight. As a dad, a son, a husband, the Mayor and a Rockford supporter, my heart is breaking for those who have lost their lives, their families and our community,' the mayor said in a Facebook post. Redd said residents in the area were being asked to review their home surveillance camera footage for anything related to the attacks. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (145 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago. The violence Wednesday came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. Kaylee Gain's high school has refused to hand over records to the Missouri Attorney General after he said that wanted to charge her alleged attacker as an adult following a vicious school fight that left her fighting for her life. It is just the latest in a heated back-and-forth between prosecutors and local school district officials, who say they are the victims of intimidation tactics. In an interview on Fox News, right wing Attorney General Andrew Bailey spoke to host Laura Ingraham and claimed that the brutality was a result of an obsession with woke DEI policies and the soft-touch approach to justice under former St. Louis DA Kim Gardner and current Rep Cori Bush, a hardline progressive Democrat. Gain, 16, was left in a coma for two weeks after the beating near Hazelwood East High School in St Louis on March 8, which saw a teen girl beating her head repeatedly into concrete. After days of silence from the Hazelwood School District, a spokesperson claimed that Bailey's investigation was 'based on lies' in an email obtained by Fox News. In response, Bailey said that school district has made 'egregious errors' about the incident and cited Chapter 610, which requires a public governmental body to turn over records and provide a letter that details why requested documents have not been shared. Kaylee Gain's high school has refused to hand over records to the Missouri Attorney General after a vicious school fight left her fighting for her life Andrew Bailey said that school district has made 'egregious errors' about the incident and cited Chapter 610, which requires a public governmental body to provide a letter that details why requested documents have not been shared 'Instead of directing your ire at a date reference or making ad-hominem attacks, you should follow Missouri law and do so immediately,' Bailey said. In an email written by Cindy Reeds Ownsby, an attorney for the school district, she said: 'It is disappointing to have an attorney general that intentionally disrespects public school district administrators and elected officials by sending error-filled correspondence to intimidate and threaten their leadership.' She added that the fight did not happen 'during the middle of the school day,' as Bailey has argued that school resource officers 'would have been on the scene' that occurred after hours, 'one-half mile from school property.' He added that the district's most shocking error was about the 'unsupported allegations that race was a factor in the incident.' Ownsby told Bailey that the requested records would be handed over by April 15 and acknowledged the Sunshine Law. The state law requires public body records to be open to the public, and that a request cannot be ignored or avoided by the other party. The Attorney General said that the investigation is set to determine whether the school district violated the state's Human Rights Act. Cindy Reeds Ownsby, an attorney for the school district, said that the fight did not take place during the school day, as Bailey argued that it occurred just 'one-half mile from school property' The act 'guarantees every Missouri residents the right to be free from discrimination and the right to full enjoyment of places of public accommodation.' It is not yet clear what started the fight, but Bailey accused Gain's school of 'promoting racial divisiveness' and 'pushing a radical social agenda' at the expense of proper discipline. Gain is currently fighting for her life in a local hospital where she is being treated for brain bleeding and swelling. She suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage during the brawl that was caught on camera near her high school. A GoFundMe set up to help her family deal with medical costs has so far amassed more than $40,000 with donations pouring in from all over the world. In an update on March 22, her father said that Gain is breathing on her own and 'remains stable.' Video of the incident circulated on social media and showed another girl bashing the teen's head into the concrete after throwing multiple punches and sending her careening to the ground. Gain appeared to begin to have a seizure as groups of other teens brawled just feet away. The Attorney General called out Rep Cori Bush (left) for supporting defunding police and former St. Louis AG Kim Gardner over her lax approach to prosecution Gain suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage during the brawl that was caught on camera near her high school Police found the girl suffering from a serious head injury near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, roughly a five-minute walk from the high school campus. A 15-year-old girl was arrested and charged with assault. Her identity has not been released as she is a minor. It was revealed that the day before the fight, Gain was suspended from school for fighting a different girl, who was friends with the teen now charged in the incident, as reported by The New York Post. Gain and the girl, who remains in juvenile detention, were apparently members of warring friend groups in their high school. The accused girl's family previously told DailyMail.com that she is the real victim who was 'harassed and bullied' before the viral incident and have hit back at calls to charge the student as an adult. John O'Sullivan, Director of Communications with St. Louis County Courts, told KSDK it is too soon to determine if the suspect will be tried as an adult. He says a court hearing is expected to be held in the next few weeks. A wave of illegal immigration under President Joe Biden's tenure has contributed to a record number of foreign-born living in the United States, a new study found. The United States now has 13.7 million illegal immigrants living in America and 3.7 million of them came in since Biden took office in January 2021, according to a new study from the Center for Immigration Studies. Overall, the total foreign-born population - both legal and illegal - hit a new record of 51.4 million in February 2024, which is an increase of 6.4 million under Biden. Illegal immigration and border security have become a hot political issue as the incumbent president seeks a second term in office. Voters have given him low marks for his handling of the issue, polls show. Biden visited the border in Brownsville, Texas, last month, which was his second time visiting the line dividing the U.S. and Mexico since he took office. Meanwhile, the study also found that the overall population of foreign-born living in America is increasing by an average 172,000 a month. That is four times the 42,000 average monthly increase under President Donald Trump before Covid-19 hit and double the 68,000 average under President Barack Obama. In February, the foreign-born population in the United States hit a new high of 51.4 million and 15.5 percent of the U.S. population, which is more than all prior records. The foreign-born share of the U.S. population has more than tripled since 1970, nearly doubled since 1990, and is up 40 percent just since 2000. The new study comes as a migrant caravan of more than 2,000 people set off from Chiapas, Mexico, earlier this week and are headed to the El Paso border area. The Way of the Cross caravan is organized by Mexican activists in Chiapas to ensure the safety of the migrants, who are often taken advantage of by criminals and authorities. 'Migrants have no other option but to walk as part of a group or hitch a ride in a trailer that could be their death,' Luis Villagran, an organizer with the Center for Human Dignity told Telemundo. Biden, meanwhile, has blamed Republicans and his presidential rival Donald Trump for the border crisis. At a fundraiser in Texas last week, Biden blasted Trump for the trouble at the border. 'Trump didn't just bring chaos to Americans. He also brought chaos to the American border,' Biden said. He blamed the former president for killing a bipartisan border bill in Congress by coming out against it. It has passed the Senate but House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring it to the floor after Trump announced his opposition. The bill included over $20 billion for border security that would add new Customs and Border Patrol agents, add more asylum officers to increase that process time, and add more immigration judges. Conservative Republicans argued the bill is not strong enough. More than 2,000 migrants are walking in the 'Way of the Cross' caravan to make their way to the U.S. border at El Paso President Joe Biden visiting the U.S. border in Brownsville, Texas, last month - voters give him low marks for his handling of border security and immigration The caravan started from Chiapas, Mexico, earlier this week and was put together by organizers concerned about migrants' safety as they made their way through Mexico Trump, meanwhile, has vowed to implement a series of policies including reinstating and expanding his travel ban on people coming into the U.S. from certain majority-Muslim countries; conducting what he calls the largest deportation operation in the country's history; and continuing to build his southern border wall. 'We're gonna straighten things out,' Trump has said. Voters have gotten increasingly concerned about the border. According to a February Gallup poll, 28% of Americans say immigration is the most important problem, up from 20% in January. An ABC News/Ipsos poll from January found Biden had just an 18% approval rating for his handling of immigration at the southern border. Tourists visiting British holiday hotspot Majorca have spoken of their fear as the 'dangerous Hells Angels biker gang roam freely' in the streets just days after carrying out a brutal attack. On March 19, officers from the National Police Robbery Department arrested the leader of the Hells Angels of the Balearic Islands and his second-in-command for beating a local restaurant owner. The duo are also accused of extortion for demanding 10,000 from the restaurant owner. But since their recent release, residents and tourists have raised concerns for their safety and have called the current climate on the island 'unbearable'. Members of the biker group have been spotted 'roaming freely' through the Playa de Palma streets following last week's assault, leaving those who have made the island their main holiday destination 'tired of living in fear'. Klaus Joseph, a German tourist who has spent more than half his life taking holidays in Majorca, told Ultima Hora that it's 'unforgivable' that they are forced to live alongside the biker gang. Tourists who regularly visit Playa de Palma, Majorca, have said it is 'unforgivable' that they are forced to live alongside the Hells Angels following a brutal attack from the leader of the biker gang last week The Hells Angel leader could be seen on footage attacking a restaurant owner who was left with a broken jaw and in need of surgery following the assault On March 19, officers from the National Police Robbery Department arrested the leader of the gang and his second-in-command for beating a local restaurant worker. The duo are also accused of extortion after demanding 10,000 from the restaurant owner 'It cannot be tolerated that an area like Playa de Palma and s'Arenal becomes a crime neighborhood and it looks like the Bronx,' he said. Although he explained he hadn't had any altercations with any of the Hells Angels members, he said has witnessed first hand the consequences of messing with them 'with some friends who have had a bad time with them.' Another German tourist, Joseph, said he fears the Hells Angels 'want to rule the entire area' and is calling for a remedy from authorities as soon as possible before their stronghold over the holiday area becomes 'worse'. Following last week's attack on a restauranteur, other staff members from eateries around the town have also voiced their fears on the the biker thugs. One told the Spanish news outlet: 'When they pass by we try to go unnoticed, but the climate of tension is palpable. 'They come to a bar, consume and don't pay. If you tell them something they threaten you, it is unbearable'. Horror surveillance footage of the March 19 attack captured the moment a vehicle pulled up outside a restaurant before the president of the Balearic Islands' Hells Angels chapter stepped out. He and the restaurant owner were seen heading to the restaurant's office when an altercation broke out. The victim told Ultima Hora the gang leader said: 'Either you pay me 10,000 or you will end up badly,' before punching him in the face and forcing him to sit in a chair while he explained the conditions of payment of his alleged debt. Once the biker had finished and turned away to leave the office, the restaurant owner can be seen standing up and swinging punches at his attacker, before the president of the gang flees the office. La Policia Nacional detiene al presidente de los Angeles del Infierno y a su lugarteniente por agresion y extorsion El Grupo de Atracos tomo declaracion al dueno del restaurante al que apalizo en Playa de Palma y analizo las camaras Imagenes de @elperimetrotv de @fibwiTV pic.twitter.com/ZKyk62MG1u El Perimetro (@elperimetrotv) March 28, 2024 Once on the terrace of the building, another member of the biker gang comes to his bosses aid. The pair then brutally beat the restaurateur and left him with a broken jaw and in need of surgery, according to local reports. During the attack, the bikers allegedly stole a solid gold chain from the victim's neck - valued at 7,000. Before leaving the restaurant, the Hells Angel leader can be seen pulling out a knife from his bag with which, according to the victim's police statement and other witnesses, he threatened everyone present. 'We are very afraid . We live in fear and my wife has already suggested selling the place and leaving here,' he said. 'The damage, apart from physical injuries, is very great'. He also told Spanish press that although extortion is common in the area, individuals must have courage to report the gang members to the National Police, otherwise 'we will live our entire lives kneeling before these gangs'. Police are currently investigating the attack and analysing the security footage and are expected to visit other locations on the island that have reported incidents involving the Hells Angels. The two gang members involved in the restaurant attack are not be able to approach the victim or the premises given that they are under a restraining order. They will also not be able to contact the restaurant or any of their employees. Distressing dashcam footage has emerged showing the moment a Texas school bus collides with a concrete truck that veered into its path, killing a five-year-old boy. The incident happened on March 22 when a Hays County school district bus, which was carrying pre-K students at the time, was struck by the truck on Highway 21. Students had been returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo, with 44 children onboard and 11 adults at the time of the incident. The cement truck can be seen crossing the center line from the bus's dash cam and clips the back of the bus a few seconds later. After the strike, the bus is seen swerving, before flipping over and landing back on its wheels. Five-year-old student Ulises Rodriguez Montoya was killed in the collision as a result of his injuries, as well as Ryan Wallace, 33, who had been driving behind the bus. Footage of the collision shows the driver of the bus attempting to veer into the hard shoulder of the highway as the large truck barrels towards it Five-year-old student Ulises Rodriguez Montoya was killed in the collision as a result of his injuries Ryan Wallace, 33, died after his vehicle was also involved in the collision. He had been driving behind the school bus at the time Aerial footage taken after the collision shows debris scattered across the highway, as the mangled bus sits stationery with police surrounding it. According to KVUE, the investigation into the crash is currently still under investigation, with officials in Texas saying that no charges had yet been filed. The school district said the bus involved, which was carrying staff and pupils from Tom Green Elementary School, was not equipped with seatbelts. Texas legislature in 2017 made it a requirement for districts to start buying buses with seatbelts, but the bus involved was a 2011 model bus. The district said that all injured students had been released from hospital as of Monday, with one staff member still receiving care, according to CBS. Law enforcement officials have yet to publicly identify the driver of the truck, what company owns it, or why the driver veered out of their lane. In tribute to Montoya, Naira Solis Shears, his teacher said: 'He had a talent for drawing and his favorite thing to draw was dinosaurs. 'He could almost completely spell the word dinosaur, which demonstrates how smart he was. He always had a dinosaur drawn on all of the assignments he turned in. 'He liked to tell stories and shared many with his friends and family. Above all - he was a loving child.' The little boy's family added that he loved the color green and attending school. Students had been returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo, with 44 children onboard and 11 adults at the time of the incident After the initial hit, the bus can be seen tumbling across the highway while another vehicle behind the bus is also seen after being hit by the truck A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper inspects the scene of the fatal school bus crash Wallace had been a student at the University of Texas, and was working towards his Ph.D. Faculty at the University described him to KVUE as being 'positive, kind and optimistic'. Professor Kathleen McElroy told the outlet: 'He developed this undergraduate course. It was very successful, and I think he had a really warm way of taking very heady subjects and making them digestible for young folks. And that's a gift.' His family said in a statement: 'We do not have the words to express the immense and tragic loss that we are feeling after an individual plowed through the heart of our family and upturned the homes of so many others. 'Ryan had finally found a rhythm and was genuinely feeling very happy & thankful for the life that he worked so hard to build.' Fundraisers have been set up for the family of the young boy and of Wallace to help their families cover funeral expenses. Aerial footage taken after the collision shows debris scattered across the highway, as the mangled bus sits stationery with police surrounding it Officers can be seen investigating the wreck of the school bus following the incident last week The school district said that all injured students had been released from hospital as of Monday Miriam Loredo, Montoya's aunt, said in a post to her GoFundMe: 'Our hearts are broken right now, our nephew lost his life on March 22 as he was coming back home from an enjoyable field day he had from school. 'He was such a lovely child, was always happy and was just an innocent kid. He now leaves his family in so much pain, please help us to make this a little less stressful for them as they are very devastated at this time.' Since being launched five days ago, the fundraiser has already hit over $85,000 in donations. A similar fundraiser was set up by Professor McElroy for Wallace, which has so far collected over $11,000 in two days. Families were alerted to the crash and spent agonizing hours awaiting reunification with their children. People are transported from a fatal school bus crash near Austin - the class of preschoolers were returning from a visit to the zoo A little girl is transported from a fatal school bus crash on Texas State Highway 21 near Caldwell Road on Friday Families reunite with their children at Tom Green Elementary in Buda, Texas, after pre-K students from the school were involved in a bus roll-over crash For many of the children on the bus, the crash was a tragic ending to their first field trip. According to one local KXAN report, Hector Campos said receiving the phone call Friday that his daughter's school bus had been in an accident was 'the worst feeling in the world.' 'You never think you would get one, and for me, my heart sunk right away.' The concerned father says he rushed to the crash site, where he waited hours to see if his daughter was okay. 'It was just complete chaos there. It was very hard,' he said. His daughter, Caliana, walked away from the fatal crash with just a few scratches. Nigel Farage has suggested Reform UK could merge with the defeated Tories after the general election - as he dropped the strongest hint yet he will return to frontline politics. The former UKIP leader, who has since founded Reform UK, again refused to rule out another bid to become an MP despite admitting his current life is 'pretty good'. Reform UK are currently led by businessman Richard Tice and have gained ground in recent weeks on the Tories. The insurgent party has also recently seen ex-Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson defect to their ranks. Many Tory MPs fear, should Mr Farage return as Reform leader, he could turbocharge the party's general election campaign and help deliver a Conservative wipeout. In a new interview, Mr Farage - currently Reform's honorary president - even raised the prospect of a 'reverse take over' of the defeated Tories by Reform following the general election. He pointed to the example of Canadian politics in the 1990s, when a similarly-named Reform Party exploited discontent with the mainstream centre-right party. Mr Farage has previously urged unity on the right of British politics and admitted he and Tory MPs such as Sir Jacob Rees Mogg will some day 'have to be in the same party'. Nigel Farage has dropped his strongest hint yet he could return to frontline politics before the general election as he eyes an 'historic opportunity' to reshape Britain Mr Farage has previously urged unity on the right of British politics and admitted he and Tory MPs such as Sir Jacob Rees Mogg will some day 'have to be in the same party' In an interview with the Unherd website, Mr Farage again addressed fevered speculation about his political future as the general election draws nearer. 'I honestly don't know,' he replied, when asked if he would return to frontline politics. Mr Farage currently fronts a GB News show and still maintains close ties to Donald Trump, who is bidding to be re-elected as US president later this year. He added: 'Life for me is pretty good. I've got a job that I love I'm earning very good money, which I haven't done for 30 years. 'The kids are all grown up getting back into politics means giving all that up. But maybe, just maybe.' Pressed on why he was refusing to rule out a political return, Mr Farage said: 'There's a historic opportunity to really change things. I edge towards thinking that may be the case.' But he also admitted he is still 'very burnt' by the 2015 general election when UKIP won almost four million votes but secured only one seat in the House of Commons. Mr Farage has recently flirted with a return to the Conservatives, a party he quit more than 30 years ago following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. He insisted, should he stand at the general election, it would be for Reform, saying: 'Of course. Oh absolutely.' Yet he also again failed to rule out a return to the Tory fold - perhaps even as leader - after the general election. 'If Reform do well and get a lot of votes and a reasonable representation of seats and the Tories do very badly then something very big is coming afterwards,' he said. At the 1993 Canadian election, the ruling Progressive Conservative Party of Canada suffered a near-wipeout in the face of a insurgent populist Reform Party of Canada. These two parties later merged to form the modern-day Conservative Party of Canada. Suggesting that a similarly dramatic realignment could soon occur in British politics, between the Tories and his Reform outfit, Mr Farage added: 'Reform basically reverse took over the Conservatives and Stephen Harper became Prime Minister. 'If there was a model, it's Canada. If it's doable, I don't know. We'll see.' When divisions among Russian Marxists between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks first emerged at the second congress of the RSDLP in 1903, they remained confined to secondary differences over organisational questions. Only with the 1905 Revolution did real political differences emerge, as Lenin explained in his brilliant pamphlet of that year, Two Tactics of the Social-Democracy in the Democratic Revolution. More than anything else, war and revolution bring out political differences with crystal clarity. The significance of the 1905 Revolution cannot be understated in the development of Bolshevism and of Lenins thinking. Lenin stated more than once that the October Revolution of 1917 would have never succeeded without this earlier experience. 1905 was a year of extreme crisis and turbulence. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 rapidly exposed the inner rottenness of Tsarism that suffered humiliating defeats. This only added to the already existing hatred for the regime. On 16 January 1905, a strike broke out at the Putilov workers and began to spread rapidly throughout the country. By 20 January, a general strike was under way involving 456 enterprises with up to 150,000 workers. The young working class went into an all-out struggle with tsarism that sidelined the liberal opposition in the process. People were awakened to political consciousness for the first time, explained Lenin. No one had foreseen that Russia would be shaken by such explosions. The Bolshevik organisation inside Russia was initially wrong-footed. The Russian Social Democratic Party (RSDLP) split at the Second Congress of 1903, but many comrades of the party were still as yet confused as to the real nature of this split. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 rapidly exposed the inner rottenness of Tsarism / Image: public domain After the first shocks of the revolution, preparations for the Third Congress were made, which was organised in London in April 1905. This was exclusively a Bolshevik congress as the Mensheviks stayed away. In Two Tactics, Lenin covers the importance of the Third Congress. He explains how a revolutionary party must make its position very clear on the following questions: 1) the significance of a provisional revolutionary government; 2) its attitude towards a provisional revolutionary government; 3) the precise conditions of Social-Democratic participation in this government; 4) the conditions under which pressure is to be brought to bear on this government from below, i.e., in the event of there being no Social-Democrats within it. Going over these questions, Lenin was able to bring out the fundamental political differences between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks, which centred around the main point: which class would lead this bourgeois revolution? The Mensheviks increasingly demonstrated their illusions in the Russian liberal bourgeoisie. They laid heavy stress on their leading role. They counter-posed two tactics: either the Marxists wait for the Tsar to call a Duma (i.e. semi-parliament) and then try to influence it; or the Marxists should lead the struggle for an armed insurrection of the working class. The latter, they claimed, was impossible. They raised excuses about how the working class is not yet sufficiently class conscious, and that an insurrection would isolate the workers from the bourgeoisie. According to the Mensheviks only the bourgeoisie can lead the bourgeois revolution to a decisive victory over tsarism. Their choice of tactics therefore involved complete subordination of the working class to the liberal bourgeoisie. But the liberal bourgeoisie, through its mouthpiece Osvobozhdeniye [Liberation], was not arguing for a republic and the overthrow of Tsarism, but only a constitutional monarchy. I.e. it was preparing to compromise with Tsarism, as it was more afraid of the revolutionary movement of the workers that had been unleashed than it was interested in gaining power for itself. In Two Tactics, Lenin explains why this is a fundamental mistake; [We Marxists] must be perfectly clear in our minds as to what real social forces are opposed to tsarism and are capable of gaining a decisive victory over it. Such a force cannot be the big bourgeoisie, the landlords, the factory owners, society which follows the lead of the Osvobozhdentsi. We see that these do not even want a decisive victory. We know that owing to their class position they are incapable of waging a decisive struggle against tsarism; they are too heavily fettered by private property, capital and land to enter into a decisive struggle. They need tsarism with its bureaucratic, police and military forces for use against the proletariat and the peasantry too much to be able to strive for its destruction. He concludes: No, the only force capable of gaining a decisive victory over tsarism, is the people, i.e., the proletariat and the peasantry, [] No one else is capable of gaining a decisive victory over tsarism. Lenin argued strongly for this, and put forward the slogan of the dictatorship of the proletariat and the peasantry i.e. a revolutionary, democratic regime of the plebeian and working masses. This was in stark contrast to the position of the Mensheviks who stopped at merely adopting the most widespread slogans, such as the call for a popular constituent assembly, which even the monarchist bourgeoisie supported. This flowed from their false perspectives. Lenin warned about this, saying There is nothing more dangerous in a revolutionary period than belittling the importance of tactical slogans that are sound in principle. The Mensheviks imposed their abstract schema onto reality. They started from the indisputable fact that in Russia, the main tasks of the revolution were bourgeois: i.e. the overthrow of autocracy and the creation of a democratic regime. But they drew from this the radically false conclusion that the revolution must be led by the bourgeoisie, despite the fact that the latter had shown their fear and hatred of the revolution. The Mensheviks were utterly incapable of understanding the real class dynamics. Lenin explained that beyond a mere change from autocracy to a republic, the bourgeois revolution above all signifies an agrarian revolution, in which the land must be seized from the landlords and redistributed to the peasantry. Seen from this angle, Lenin explained, we can see how the Russian bourgeoisie could never support such a revolution. They had too many interests connecting them to landed property: the capitalists were also big landowners, and were connected to the landlords via the mortgages that the latter had with the banks. To push forward a thorough agrarian revolution, the party had to lead the proletariat into a revolutionary alliance with the rural peasantry. But the Mensheviks had no desire to lead the proletariat at all. They merely dragged at the tail of events. Lenin expressed his frustration in the text: we are offered a general description of a process, which does not say a word about the concrete aims of our activity. The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways, said Marx, the point, however, is to change it. Similarly, the new-Iskraists [i.e. the Mensheviks] can give a tolerable description and explanation of the process of struggle which is taking place before their eyes, but they are altogether incapable of giving a correct slogan for this struggle. Through Lenins deep understanding of the material conception in history he remained firm on the principles of Marxism, and the need for the proletariat to have its own independent party and programme. Its important to note that at this time Trotsky was developing his own analysis of events in parallel to Lenin, which had important points of contact with the ideas of the latter. Trotsky fully worked out what became the theory of permanent revolution in his work Results and Prospects, which was published in 1906. The Mensheviks were utterly incapable of understanding the real class dynamics / Image: public domain Trotsky agreed with Lenin that the bourgeoisie was destined by its position to play a counter-revolutionary role, and he likewise emphasised that only the proletariat and peasantry could play a revolutionary role. But he went further, explaining that of the two classes, only the proletariat could play the leading role. Therefore, whereas Lenin raised the somewhat algebraic slogan of the democratic dictatorship of the proletariat and peasantry, which left open the question of the role that these two classes would play, Trotsky posed the possibility that the revolution in Russia could establish a socialist regime of the dictatorship of the proletariat. This perspective was proven correct by the events of 1917. The aim of this workers government would be to carry out the tasks of the bourgeois democratic revolution, such as land reform, resolution of the national question and establishing a republic. However, once accomplished, the workers government would not stop there, but would be forced to immediately proceed towards socialist tasks nationalising the property of the counter-revolutionary bourgeoisie, instituting workers control, national planning, etc. From here, Trotsky explained that the socialist revolution would spread and be completed on the world stage. Although in Two Tactics, Lenin did not yet pose the possibility of the Russian Revolution growing over from a bourgeois into a socialist revolution, he too posed the possibility that the Russian Revolution might carry the revolutionary conflagration into Europe. In short, both Lenin and Trotsky based everything on an internationalist perspective, in contrast to the anti-Marxist theory of socialism in one country espoused by the Stalinists who falsely claim to stand in the tradition of Lenin. By 1917, Lenin converged on the same perspective as Trotsky. From this time on, he dropped the slogan of the democratic dictatorship of the proletariat and peasantry, first raised in Two Tactics, on account of the changing situation, and adopted the dictatorship of the proletariat instead. Only later, after Lenins death, did Stalin revive Lenins old slogan of a democratic dictatorship. But he did so only to counter-pose it to the idea of a socialist dictatorship, as a step backwards towards justifying the counter-revolutionary foreign policy of Stalinism. This was a policy of precisely subordinating the workers movement in oppressed colonial nations to the leadership of the national bourgeoisie as we saw in 1925-27 in China, and on a host of later occasions. In other words, the same slogan, raised at a time when it had become antiquated, was used precisely in the opposite spirit in which it was intended in Lenins Two Tactics. This pamphlet was a watershed moment in the development of Bolshevism. It was in this period when the political differences between Bolshevism and Menshevism, between revolution and reformist opportunism, were solidified. Through this text, we gain a real insight into Lenins method of thinking. Whereas the Menshevik faction merely contented itself with analysing the situation and allowing events to take their natural course (that is to say, they surrendered leadership of the revolution to the liberals), Lenins brilliance lay in charting a line of revolutionary action at a historical juncture that was without precedent. This is what set the Bolsheviks on the right path which ultimately led to the victory of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. Next time in the series, Lenin in a Year, we move forward to 1908. The 1905 Revolution has suffered a terrible defeat; confusion and demoralisation reign among the workers and oppressed of Russia. In a time of ideological backsliding, Lenin produced a masterpiece of Marxist philosophy to defend the fundamental ideological principles of the movement, Materialism and Empirio-criticism. Pro-Palestine protesters have occupied the entrance to a Government department in Whitehall over its perceived links to the supply of arms to Israel. London for a Free Palestine targeted the Department for Business and Trade early on Thursday. It comes after pro-Palestine protestors stormed a Tesco store in London yesterday yelling into megaphones 'your profits are covered in Palestinian blood' whilst confused shoppers looked on. The protesters staged a distraction involving a cyclist crashing into a pedestrian, before forcing their way past a security guard and sitting on the floor in the entrance to the Government building. They then chanted the contentious slogan 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. Zak Suffee, 37, who works as a charity campaigner, said the department was 'where the arms contracts are agreed for Israel'. London for a Free Palestine targeted the Department for Business and Trade The protesters staged a distraction involving a cyclist crashing into a pedestrian before forcing their way into the entrance of the Government building She called on the Government to halt arms deals with Israel, saying that 'stopping sales to Israel and calling for a ceasefire are big steps that could really help, and by not doing that means that they are actually enabling genocide'. Once the protesters had been removed by police from inside the building, they unfurled a banner which read 'stop arming Israel' while wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the same message. 'We have been seeing the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians', Ms Suffee said, adding: 'It's really time for the UK Government to actually do something. And this is one very concrete thing that will enable the killing to stop. 'It's possible that the UK's hands will be tied because they prefer to stay in good favour with America, but I think the right thing to do is call for an arms embargo, make sure that no sales to Israel happen and ideally shut down the arms factories.' Maria, a 35-year-old student from London who withheld her surname, said at the protests: 'We are going here today to the Department for Business and Trade because that's where the licences for arms exports to Israel from the UK are signed and approved. 'The UK has been giving Israel diplomatic, military and economic support, which has enabled it to carry out and continue its genocide and long-term colonisation of Palestine.' She said Britain is a 'massive player in the arms industry' and the Government should rein in British-based arms companies. 'It is a fallacy to say that we live in a free market where governments have absolutely no power. The protestors chanted the contentious slogan 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' 'The Government can make these decisions and can enforce these decisions on the companies. 'We understand that the UK is deeply complicit in the arms trade', she said, before calling on Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch to 'stop arming Israel and end all arms export licences to Israel'. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: 'It is completely unacceptable to harass civil servants as they go about their jobs and the attempt to enter the department by force cannot be justified in any way. 'We are grateful to the police for their response and swift action. 'We take our defence export responsibilities extremely seriously and operate one of the most robust export licensing controls in the world.' Karlie Kloss and her husband Josh Kushner have are bringing LIFE Magazine back to regular publication. The supermodel and her billionaire investor husband - who is Jared Kushner's brother - have acquired the iconic brand from Dotdash Meredith through their company Bedford Media. LIFE Magazine, first published in 1883, was shut down more than two decades ago by Time Inc. Bedford Media said in a statement they will relaunch the brand as a print magazine with a digital and video presence. 'We see LIFE as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape,' said Kloss told The Hollywood Reporter. 'While Bedford is a new media company, we are deeply inspired by LIFE's iconic legacy and ability to connect diverse audiences with universal narratives of humanity.' Karlie Kloss and her husband Josh Kushner have are bringing LIFE Magazine back to regular publication Some of the historical covers include Marylin Monroe, The Beatles, and The Man on The Moon The couple's media company previously acquired i-D Magazine from Vice Media last year. Time's founder Henry Luce acquired Life in 1936 and gave it the look and editorial agenda that made it one of the country's most famous publications. Some of the historical covers include Marylin Monroe, The Beatles, and The Man on The Moon. Time Inc shuttered the operation in 2000 and Dotdash Meredith acquired it in 2021. Kushner said in a statement: 'LIFE's legacy lies in its ability to blend culture, current events and everyday lifehighlighting the triumphs, challenges and unique perspectives that define us.' According to the deal, Bedford will now manage the full editorial operations of Life Magazine. Meredith, on its part, will continue to own all rights to the LIFE archives, including photography and print content. According to the deal, Bedford will now manage the full editorial operations of Life Magazine Meredith, on its part, will continue to own all rights to the LIFE archives, including photography and print content The company will also continue publishing its single-topic magazines for the LIFE brand. Kushner, who will be the publisher of LIFE, is the founder of venture-capitalist firm Thrive Capital. The couple, who have now been married for more than five years, shares two children together. He also has the distinction of being a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After spending their initials years together in New York City, the pair have been enjoying the spoils of their success living in an eight-bedroom waterfront Miami estate with their two kids. Their relationship dates back some 11 years, when they met and then soon after began their romance in June 2012. After nearly six years of dating, the longtime couple announced their engagement in July 2018. They tied the knot in Upstate New York that October, and then decided to have renew their vows at a second ceremony in Wyoming in July 2019. Prince Harry received police protection during his visit to see the King in February, a former royal protection officer believes - despite being embroiled in a row with the Home Office over the issue. On Tuesday, it was revealed the prince's failed legal bid against the Home Office over the removal of his automatic police protection has cost the taxpayer more than 500,000. Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid $2million (1.58million) for their security arrangements. But despite the setback, it appear the duke's police protection in the UK has not been completely rescinded. In early February, he made a fleeting 26-hour trip to Britain to see his father after news broke that King Charles is undergoing cancer treatment. A former royal protection officer said there were signs the prince was being given police protection during that trip. Prince Harry arrives at Clarence House to meet the King last month, after news broke of the monarch's cancer diagnosis Prince Harry pictured arriving at Heathrow en route to travel back home to the US Prince Harry arrives at the Windsor Suite at Heathrow airport on route home to LA He said: 'On his last visit to see his father, you can see he's had some police protection. That was quite evident in relation to the vehicles he was travelling in. 'Looking at the dress of the officers - they're in shirts and ties, they look like police officers.' Crucially, in the UK private security groups are banned from carrying weapons. Meanwhile the royal protection, typically made up of police officers with a minimum ten years' experience, carry Glock 17 pistols. After his visit in February, the Duke of Sussex gave an interview to ABC News 'Good Morning America' in which he explained he left for the UK as soon as his spokesman told him about his fathers illness. The two are understood to have met for around 45 minutes. Harry said: 'I love my family, and 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.' Despite the duke's defeat in the court, according to security consultant Simon Morgan, his arrangements are likely to remain much the same. Mr Morgan said: 'If you look at Harry's current situation, he's currently paying for his own protection team. So actually, from his perspective, very little is going to change. He's already made that shift over to the private sector. Prince Harry's (pictured last March outside the High Court) failed court case against the Home Office over the removal of his automatic police protection has cost the taxpayer more than 500,000 'There's been various visits to the UK where he has used his private security team. In actual fact, nothing really is going to change for him, he's going to carry on what he has been doing.' Mr Morgan runs Mayfair-based private security company Trojan Consultancy. Officials spent 514,128 fighting two separate judicial review claims brought by the Duke of Sussex after his security status was downgraded when he and wife Meghan ceased being working royals and moved to the US. The legal bill could still increase, as Harry has vowed to appeal against his latest defeat when a judge last month ruled he had failed to prove the decision was unfair or unlawful. The costs of the two claims will raise questions over a member of the Royal Family launching legal action against the Government. The legal bill included more than 180,000 for barristers, 320,000 for the Government's legal department, which provides legal advice, and 3,200 in court fees, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Telegraph. Officials spent 514,128 fighting two separate judicial review claims brought by the Duke of Sussex after his security status was downgraded Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf on September 16, 2023 Almost 10,000 was spent on the disclosure of electronic documents linked to the case, believed to include emails between civil servants and the Royal Household. Harry, 39, claimed the decision by the Home Office's Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, known as Ravec, was unfair and jeopardised the safety of him and his family. His lawyers argued he was 'singled out' and treated less favourably than other VIPs. The Home Office said Britain had 'finite public resources' and argued police protection should be limited to those 'acting in the interest of the State through their public role'. A High Court judge ruled the decision to revoke his round-the-clock taxpayer-funded police protection and instead review his security needs on a case-by-case basis was lawful, and dismissed his case. Prince Harry and Meghan, pictured at an Invictus Games event in Canada on February 14, 2024 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand outside Kensington Palace after announcing their engagement in November 2017 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend an event in Whistler near Vancouver in the build up to the 2025 Invictus Games William, Harry, Meghan and Charles speak together at a service at Westminster Abbey in March 2019 - the year before the Sussexes stepped down as senior royals and moved to the US The ruling left Harry with an estimated 1million legal bill. He was previously barred from bringing a separate claim over his request to pay for his own protection. He is pursuing separate legal cases against News Group Newspapers, which publishes The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, and Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail. In January, he abandoned a libel claim against the Mail's sister paper The Mail on Sunday over an article about his security, leaving him facing an estimated 750,000 legal bill. Weeks later he accepted 'substantial' damages to end a four-year legal case against Mirror Group Newspapers over phone hacking. The toddler's frail, malnourished body scarcely twitched as she lay helplessly in an incubator chamber in the already-decimated Gaza hospital. Leila Jeneid, one of countless children who have passed through the doors of Kamal Adwan Hospital, in the north of the Gaza Strip, has suffered as a result of starvation and dehydration. In a video clip, Leila can be seen quickly breathing in and out, desperate for a breath of fresh air in one of the 12 remaining hospitals in the besieged enclave. The outline of her ribs, along with all her other bones, are visible through her pallid, paper-thin skin, which sits in stark contrast to the blue blanket underneath her that provides little comfort to the toddler, who is not old enough to comprehend the hellish suffering she is undergoing. Her jaw is slack as she lies on her back inside the plastic cage of the incubator, barely able to move her arms and legs. She can't keep her eyes open as medics at the hospital, which UN official Andrea De Domenico this week said was receiving 'about 15 malnourished children a day and is struggling to maintain services,' run tests to understand how to help her. But it's food, water and proper rest she needs, all things that the whole enclave is desperately in need of, and all things that Israel has been accused of deliberately withholding from civilians in its bitter war against Hamas, which - according to a top UN human rights official - could amount to a war crime if proven. Leila (pictured) can be seen quickly breathing in and out, desperate for a breath of fresh air in one of the 12 remaining hospitals Fadi Zant, aged nine, is experiencing malnutrition and receives treatment after evacuated from the northern Gaza Strip Israel has been accused of weaponising starvation as a method of war in its battle against Hamas Volker Turk today stated that there is a 'plausible' case that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. The UN commissioner for human rights said there was concrete evidence that Israel was slowing down or actively withholding the delivery of desperately needed aid to Gaza's starving residents. The condemnation comes as new images of bone-thin children lying in already-unstable health facilities, nearly six months after Hamas' incursion into Israel led to the bloodiest conflict in the region in decades. Turk told the BBC: 'All of my humanitarian colleagues keep telling us that there is a lot of red tape. There are obstacles. There are hindrances Israel is to blame in a significant way. 'I can only say the facts speak for themselves I understand that this needs to be controlled, but it cannot take days for it to be done. Her jaw is slack as she lies on her back inside the plastic cage of the incubator Palestinian toddler Leila Jeneid, who suffers from severe malnutrition, receives treatment at Kamal Adwan Hospital Leila is one of countless children who pass through the door of the Kamal Adwan Hospital 11-year-old Palestinian girl Nur al-Huda Mohammed is being treated for malnutrition and severe dehydration at Kamal Adwan Hospital 'When you put all kinds of requirements on the table that are unreasonable in an emergency that brings up the question, with all the restrictions that we currently see, whether there is a plausible claim to be made that starvation is, or may be used as, a weapon of war.' A recent UN report said that 'famine is imminent in the northern governorates of the Gaza Strip and projected to occur anytime between mid-March and May 2024.' The report read: 'The devastation brought about by the hostilities is indescribable. Widespread, intense, and relentless conflict has forced approximately 1.9 million people to flee, constituting 85% of the population in the Gaza Strip, with over 31,000 fatalities and 73,000 injuries reported. 'The escalation of hostilities has caused widespread damage to assets and infrastructure indispensable to survival. About 50% of buildings - and more than 70% in the northern governorates - have been damaged or destroyed. 'Extremely limited humanitarian access to and within the Gaza Strip continues to impede the safe and equitable delivery of life-saving multi-sector humanitarian assistance. This includes severe limitations to the supply of goods as well as basic services.' Israel has flat out denied that it is not allowing aid into Gaza, with Israel's economy minister, Nir Barkat, dismissing Turk's claims as 'total nonsense - a totally irresponsible thing to say.' He added: 'We'll do everything we can to kill the Hamas terrorists and to minimise collateral damage as much as we can,' he said. 'With all due respect, we're fighting evil, and we expect the world to help us fight evil until we finish Hamas off the map.' But photos from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing show lines of trucks full of aid at a standstill, waiting for Israeli border guards to let them through. The trucks full of aid can only be let through to Gaza with Israel's permission, following a complicated and bureaucratic series of checks. Even when aid does manage to get through land borders, Palestinians have to contend with trigger-happy IDF soldiers, who have been accused of massacring civilians as they try to get aid. Photos from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing show lines of trucks full of aid at a standstill, waiting for Israeli border guards to let them through The trucks full of aid can only be let through to Gaza with Israel's permission Aid trucks have to go through a lengthy and bureaucratic series of checks Food and water is scarce in the Gaza Strip In February the so-called Flour Massacre left at least 118 people dead, and 760 injured at the last count, when IDF soldiers opened fire on starving civilians who sought food from trucks that arrived in Gaza City. The dearth of aid from land has forced governments across the world to resort to air and sea. The UK is one of several governments to have dropped aid from the air, often considered the least effective way of getting aid to Gaza. It is also a dangerous method, with 18 Palestinians dying on Monday while trying to get the aid, which was dropped over northern Gaza. A dozen of them drowned in the Mediterranean Sea after aid was dropped at a beach near the town of Beit Lahia, while a further six were killed during a stampede. The US said last week that a jetty that could deliver aid to Gaza via sea could be ready by May 1. The UK is one of several countries that have been dropping aid for the civilians of the Gaza Strip Airdrops are considered the least effective way of getting aid to warzones This picture taken on March 28, 2024 from Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing on the Palestinian side Curtis Ried, Chief of Staff of the National Security Council, said: 'The US military is doing everything they can to accelerate the deployment of this capability, to make it operational prior to the May 1 target date that they've set. 'They are working very hard to advance that and hopefully we can see it operational a bit earlier than that,' he added. In the meantime, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to carry on with his vicious bombardment of the Gaza Strip in order to defeat Hamas, forcing civilians to travel further and further south in the tiny enclave. The IDF has been accused of targeting civilian infrastructure, including the hospital that Leila now lies in. The Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of many facilities in Gaza targeted by the IDF, was the site of a five-day siege in December 2023. The IDF said it found weapons at the hospital, and arrested 80 Hamas members following the siege. But hospital staff accused the IDF of shooting at doctors, desecrating dead bodies with bulldozers, and even letting a military dog tear into a man in a wheelchair, according to four people who spoke to CNN at the time. Israel has been battling Hamas for the last six months Israel has been accused of targeting civilian infrastructure Similar scenes have played out across the Gaza Strip over the last six months, and only 12 functioning hospitals remain. Two-thirds of Gaza's 36 hospitals aren't functioning after Al Amal Hospital in the south of the territory ceased operation amid intense military activity, UN humanitarian officials report. According to the World Health Organization, Gaza now has just 12 operating hospitals - two that are 'minimally functional' and 10 that are partially functional, four in the north and six in the south, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday. More than two dozen staff, six patients and a companion and the bodies of two people killed inside Al Amal were moved Monday by the UN humanitarian office, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the International Committee for the Red Cross before the hospital was closed Tuesday, Dujarric said. According to the U.N. World Food Program, Dujarric said, roughly 70% of northern Gaza's population 'is facing catastrophic hunger' but efforts to deliver life-saving aid have been impeded by fighting and 'access constraints' in getting food to those in need. This month, WFP was only able to send 11 convoys to the north with food for some 74,000 people, far below the colossal needs of the population, Dujarric said. This time, President Biden has truly betrayed Israel. How can you tell? His administration is spinning like mad to deny it. Let me explain. The feckless 15-member United Nations Security Council stacked with 'great' human rights defenders, like gang-ravaged Ecuador and authoritarian Algeria approved a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate Israeli ceasefire in Gaza. But the non-binding measure incomprehensibly did not make the pause in fighting contingent on Hamas's release of their 130 hostages (96 living and 34 presumed dead). It goes without saying that Israel will not comply. One doesn't need to be a veteran diplomat to realize that if the Jewish State halted military operations with no pre-conditions, then Hamas would have no incentive to release its captives. More maddening still, this ignominious ultimatum comes just weeks after a U.N. report found that Hamas savages raped women on October 7 and continue to sexually abuse women and children that they're still holding hostage today. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. could have used its veto power to unilaterally 'kill' this resolution. But, to America's great disgrace, we sat on our hands and abstained from the vote allowing the resolution to pass 14-0. Echoes of Barack Obama? The feckless 15-member United Nations Security Council - stacked with 'great' human rights defenders, like gang-ravaged Ecuador and authoritarian Algeria - approved a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate Israeli ceasefire in Gaza . To America's great disgrace, we sat on our hands and abstained from the vote allowing the resolution to pass 14-0. Echoes of Barack Obama? On his way out the Oval Office door in December 2016, Barry pulled a similarly cowardly move. He ordered his U.N. ambassador to abstain from a vote on a resolution calling for an end to Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. If Obama sincerely supported the measure, the U.S. should have voted in favor. Instead, the world's best hope called out sick that day. It's no wonder Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outraged by Biden's latest move and briefly canceled an Israeli delegation's planned visit to the U.S. next week. That meeting is now back on, but, days ago, the Biden administration claimed to be gobsmacked by the reaction. Grab the Dramamine; we're about to start spinning. Doing his best Captain Renault, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby pronounced himself 'perplexed' on Monday. 'Our vote does not and I repeat that, does not represent a shift in our policy,' he said, feigning shock. Who is he kidding? The U.S. had no problem vetoing the three prior U.N. ceasefire resolutions proposed since October 7. Why allow this one to pass by abstaining? Well, progressive Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna gave Biden's game away. 'This is a significant change in [the President's] Gaza policy after 3 prior vetoes of the ceasefire resolution,' Khanna tweeted on Monday. 'Grassroots activism is making the difference' So there it is: Anti-Israel voters in potential swing states, like Michigan and Minnesota, and on college campuses across the country now have a big megaphone. Team Biden fears losing them in a tight re-election campaign, and so he's moved to appeasement. He just doesn't have the guts to admit it. For decades, he has played this double game. As Obama's Vice President, he cozied up to Israel's sworn enemy Iran, while assuring pro-Israel Dems that he'd stand with Israel. Doing his best Captain Renault, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby pronounced himself 'perplexed' on Monday. It's no wonder Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outraged by Biden's latest move and briefly canceled an Israeli delegation's planned visit to the U.S. next week. Today, Biden says that Hamas must be destroyed, yet he dispatches VP Harris to oppose a planned Israeli operation to take out the terror army's last stronghold in Rafah. 'Any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,' Harris blabbed last weekend. Field Marshal Harris knows best! Now, with next week's U.S.-Israel meeting back on, the White House has taken to mocking Netanyahu. A U.S. official told Axios that 'Biden's senior advisers laughed' when they heard of Bibi's change of heart. Is this how America treats its war-weary allies? Taunting them in the media? Biden's two-faced mask is slipping. Even Democrats admit his flip-flopping has gone too far. 'It's appalling the U.S. allowed passage of [this week's U.N.] resolution that fails to condemn Hamas,' Senator John Fetterman said on Monday. In New Jersey, Rep. Josh Gottheimer warned the move would 'only embolden Hamas and delay the safe return of hostages.' Newly elected New York Congressman Tom Suozzi said it has strengthened 'Hamas terrorists'. One would expect Trump to pounce on Biden's vulnerability further driving a wedge between the Democrats' pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel voters. But no. 'Any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,' Harris blabbed last weekend. Field Marshal Harris knows best! (Above) Palestinians gather on rubble of destroyed building in Rafah, The Gaza Strip on March, 27 2024 Biden has lost the plot. But then theres Donald Trump. One would expect Trump to pounce on Bidens vulnerability, further driving a wedge between the Democrats pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel voters. But no. Israel has to be very careful because you're losing a lot of the world, you're losing a lot of support, Trump bluntly told an Israeli media outlet on Monday. Israel has to do what they have to do but we have to get to peace because the world is turning and it's not a good thing for Israel. If anyone can hold his finger in the air and tell which way the wind is blowing, its Trump. And lo and behold, a new Gallup poll released Wednesday shows 55 percent of U.S. adults now oppose Israels military action in Gaza, while just 36 percent approve. Back in November, 50 percent backed Israels war. Support has fallen among both parties, as well as independents. This is the most chilling warning to Israel yet. Bibi must have known that he could never trust these deceitful Democrats. But did he ever imagine that Trump, too, would get weak in the knees? King Charles met the ambassadors of Burundi and Moldova at Buckingham Palace today as the Queen stood in for him at the annual Royal Maundy Service. His Majesty, who has stepped back from public engagements as he continues cancer treatment, separately met with recently appointed Epimeni Bapfinda of Burundi and Ruslan Bolbocean of Moldova. Earlier, the King recorded a personal message which was played to a congregation at Worcester Cathedral, where the Royal Maundy Service was held in his absence. He reaffirmed his coronation pledge 'not to be served, but to serve' with 'my whole heart'. The message did not directly refer to the King and the Princess of Wales' treatment for undisclosed types of cancer, but highlighted those who 'extend the hand of friendship' - likely to be interpreted as the nation's response to the monarchy's double health scare. The major event in the royal calendar sees Maundy money - newly minted coins - distributed to community stalwarts by the head of state in recognition of their service, with the Queen deputising for the King in the ceremony, a first for a Queen Consort. King Charles met the ambassadors of Burundi and Moldova at Buckingham Palace today as the Queen stood in for him at the annual Royal Maundy Service. Above: The King greets Burundi ambassador Epimeni Bapfinda Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral in the King's absence Charles said in his address: 'The act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the coronation service - to follow Christ's example 'not to be served but to serve'. 'That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart. 'It is my special prayer today that Our Lord's example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities.' The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient cancer treatment, and he spoke of his 'great sadness' at not being able to attend the service. His message began with a Bible reading from the Gospel of John, which describes how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples - the root of the modern day Royal Maundy Service. The Maundy Service, held on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, commemorates Jesus's Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday. Today, sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times, but 75 women and 75 men - signifying the King's age - will be presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money. Charles added: 'In this country we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. 'But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need. 'The 150 men and women who have been chosen today to receive the Maundy money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities.' Ruslan Bolbocean presents his credentials to King Charles III during a private audience at Buckingham Palace The King shakes hands with Mr Bapfinda during their meeting today Earlier this month Charles recorded the special message and Bible reading in the 18th Century Room at Buckingham Palace. As Camilla arrived today she would have heard shouts of 'Down With The Crown' from protesters with Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state. The Maundy Money ceremony began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins. The King's message comes as he prepares to attend church at St Goerge's Chapel in Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday with Camilla - his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis in early February. But there will be a reduced number of royals present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family will be absent. Kate was last seen at a public engagement on December 25, then underwent abdominal surgery in January, after which cancer was found. The King is continuing private meetings and work on state business, and yesterday received Mohamed Nasheed, secretary general of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, at Buckingham Palace. Queen Camilla holds the Nosegay bouquet as she poses with Yeomen of the Guard and religious representatives during the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Queen Camilla waves as she leaves the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today Queen Camilla comes out to meet well-wishers in Worcester after attending the service today Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral this afternoon Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, had a small contingent of activists demonstrating in Worcester for the Queen's visit. The group said last week on social media: 'We're very sorry to hear about Kate's cancer diagnosis and wish her a speedy recovery.' But Graham Smith, chief executive of the group, said on Wednesday: 'Unlike royalists, we don't conflate the family with the institution. It's the institution we're protesting against this week. 'This is a campaign about principles, politics and reform.' He added: 'Republic's campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there.' New York's anti-cop politicians have been warned to stay away from the wake and funeral of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. The NYPD's Sergeant's Benevolent Association called out several officials by name as it demanded they steer clear from the tributes, which will be attended by Donald Trump. The organization said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams 'and their cohorts should stay home.' 'They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do. They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving. 'They have caused enough heartbreak and destruction,' SBA President Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post. Diller, 31, was shot in broad daylight on Monday during a traffic stop, allegedly by a career criminal with dozens of prior arrests. He left behind a wife and one-year-old son. While Trump's campaign said he was 'honored' to be invited to pay his respects, the wake is also set to go on within hours of Joe Biden hosting a glitzy Manhattan fundraiser alongside former Presidents Obama and Clinton - with tickets to the event costing as much as $500,000. NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, was shot in broad daylight on Monday during a traffic stop, allegedly by a career criminal with dozens of prior arrests. He left behind a wife and one-year-old son. Hundreds of NYPD officers descended on Queens Supreme Court on Wednesday as one of the suspect's in the shooting was arraigned on weapons charges SBA President Vincent Vallelong (pictured) issued a scathing takedown of anti-cop politicians in New York, as he warned them to 'stay home' instead of pay 'hollow' tributes to Diller The scathing rebuke by Vallelong came was bolstered by an open letter his union released to anti-police council members, which called them out for sharing 'hollow' online tributes to Diller. 'They are as morally responsible for PO Diller's death as the career criminal who pulled the trigger,' the blistering letter said. The career criminal alleged to have killed Diller, Guy Rivera, 34, remains in hospital after he was shot by Diller's partner during the shootout in Queens. Charges against Rivera are pending, and the alleged driver of the vehicle, Lindy Jones, 41 - who also boasts a rap sheet including a decade in prison and 14 arrests - was charged with weapons offences on Tuesday. Vallelong cited the repeat offending in his scathing takedown of the Big Apple's soft-on-crime officials, who he blamed for the 'utter destruction of civilized society in New York.' 'The Council members who are vehemently and inexplicably against public safety are responsible for the carnage in the streets and the heartbreak brought about by PO Diller's completely avoidable death,' his letter said. The union chief specifically cited City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for her role in promoting anti-cop sentiment in the city, as she was seen by some to be a leading voice in the 'defund the police' movement during the 2020 BLM protests. This included working to freeze all NYPD hiring and take cops out of schools, threatening to block then-Mayor Bill de Blasio from collecting property taxes unless he did so. Hundreds of cops also lined the streets as Diller's body was moved to the Massapequa Funeral Home on Wednesday The SBA chief specifically called out City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, as he warned anti-cop politicians to avoid paying 'hollow' respects to Diller New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was also warned to steer clear of the wake Diller leaves behind a young widow, Stephanie, and a one year-old son at his home in Long Island 'When you speak to the young people in our communities and ask them about their experiences with police stops, they will tell you how invasive and scary they can be. Our communities are traumatized because of these stops,' Adams said at the time. Vallelong said Adams' failure to push back against anti-NYPD legislation means, from his perspective, that she 'declared war on the police', and her council should be 'investigated for every legislative mistake and misstep they make.' After Diller's killing, the speaker tweeted that she was 'heartbroken' - a sentiment that the union chief fumed was 'hollow.' 'I'm just disgusted with how all these people are right now. They are not doing what is right. People are killed over this,' he said. 'As I read the news and social media posts written by many New York City Council members, it enrages me how hollow and untrue their words of sympathy and empathy are. 'Despite their admonitions to the contrary, the 'leadership' in the Council has failed city residents, workers, and visitors at every turn. They are blinded by their own hatred and twisted ideology.' While Trump's campaign said the presidential candidate was invited to the wake on Thursday, Vallelong said anti-cop politicians forcing their way into attending would only 'shed a few crocodile tears' for a 'good photo opportunity.' 'Their presence is more than a distraction. It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice,' he wrote. 'The sad reality is, we don't want them there.' In response, a city council spokesperson told The Post: 'Our city is united in mourning the loss of a father, husband, son and public servant, whose life was taken by senseless violence. It's unfortunate that some would rather use this tragedy to launch political attacks that seek to divide us.' Career criminal Guy Rivera, 34, is alleged to have shot Diller on Monday. He has a lengthy criminal history including robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults The alleged driver of the vehicle, Lindy Jones, 41, was arraigned and charged with weapons possession in connection to the shooting of an NYPD officer Jones was walked past Diller's photo while exiting the 101 precinct on Wednesday Following Rivera's arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history with 21 prior arrests, including first degree robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults. At Jones' arraignment on Wednesday, the courthouse was packed with officers. At the same time, hundreds of officers also lined the streets of Massapequa Park as Diller's body was moved to a funeral home. Jones - reportedly nicknamed 'Killa' - has 14 prior arrests, including a conviction for attempted murder and robbery in 2003 that saw him serve 10 years behind bars. He had been arrested on gun charges last April, but was released on a $75,000 bail that was set to bring him back to court Monday. Following Jones' April arrest, where he was caught with a loaded firearm, Mayor Adams said that he was a prime example of a 'recidivist problem' - meaning a small number of perpetrators committing a large number of crimes. 'Same bad people doing bad things to good people,' Adams added. Actor Laurence Fox will not be a candidate at the London mayoral elections after he failed to fill in the nomination forms properly. But political rival Count Binface did manage to fill in the forms correctly and he has today announced he will be standing against Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan. The self-declared 'space warrior' told his followers on Twitter/X: 'I'm delighted to announce my candidacy to be London Mayor 2024. 'And because I'm an intergalactic space warrior who practises what I preach, here is the news presented via the greatest medium in the omniverse: CEEFAX!' The post was accompanied by an animated GIF of the Count against a Ceefax page which reads: 'Count Binface runs for London Mayor.' London Elects, which administers the mayoral and London Assembly elections, said the Reclaim Party leader had submitted his nomination papers shortly before the deadline on Wednesday, but they were subsequently found to contain errors that it was then too late to correct. Actor Laurence Fox will not be a candidate at the London mayoral elections after failing to fill in the nomination forms properly Count Binface (pictured) did fill in the forms correctly will be standing for London mayor Count Binface posts on Twitter/X announcing his candidacy for London mayor In now-deleted tweets, Mr Fox said his party had 'checked, double checked and then triple checked our nominations' and would appeal against the decision, which he claimed was the result of 'political corruption'. But in an email also tweeted by the actor, election officials said nomination papers from two boroughs did not have the 10 supporters required, while three supporters from other boroughs 'could not be reconciled to voter register records'. The email said Mr Fox's nomination as a London-wide assembly member candidate was valid, and added his party would be refunded the 20,000 fee and deposit paid for the mayoral nomination, plus another 5,000 Reclaim had overpaid 'in error'. In a statement, London Elects said: 'The Reclaim Party candidate's representatives met with London Elects for the first time on March 26, less than 24 hours before the close of the nominations deadline. 'At that time, the paperwork was incomplete. 'Mr Fox's representatives were advised to ensure that completed forms were submitted well before the Wednesday 4pm statutory deadline. 'The paperwork was submitted very shortly before 4pm. 'Upon inspection, the nomination forms contained errors which - the deadline having passed - were too late for Mr Fox's team to correct. 'The conclusion of London Elects was that the requirements of the nomination process were not completed by the deadline. 'The Greater London returning officer is bound by electoral law and has no ability to allow anything other than fully compliant nominations, submitted by the deadline, to stand.' It is understood that there is no avenue for appealing against the decision that Mr Fox was not correctly nominated. Candidate Laurence Fox walks past candidate Count Binface upon arriving for the results of the London mayoral election, at City Hall on May 8, 2021 This comes after Mr Fox last week told Nike to 'leave our flag alone' while speaking at a small protest on Downing Street today, despite wearing a pair of trainers from the under-fire sportswear brand. The ex-GB News host also praised England and Liverpool footballer Harvey Elliott for turning his collar up during yesterday's under-21s match against Azerbaijan to hide the new pink and blue interpretation of the St George's Cross which Nike have described as a 'playful update' to the kit. Fox, who plans to stand as the Reclaim Party candidate in this year's London mayoral election, said: 'Good on Harvey Elliott for having his collar up all of yesterday during the game. Leave our flag alone.' But Fox, 45, was later slammed on social media after it emerged that he was sporting a pair of blue trainers from the embattled firm during his speech on Saturday. At the last London mayoral election in 2021, Mr Fox received just 47,634 votes - less than 2% of the total cast - and lost his 10,000 deposit, which is only returned to candidates receiving more than 5% of the vote. He beat rival Count Binface, who received 24,775 votes (1%), but it appears the waste receptacle wearing politician will triumph over the Reclaim candidate this year. The full list of candidates for the mayoral election is expected to be published on Thursday afternoon. The two main candidates are expected to be Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan and the Conservative Susan Hall. In an interview with Prospect magazine on Wednesday, Ms Hall dismissed allegations that she had reposted Islamophobic tweets as complaints about 'hurty words'. She said: 'I'll tell you what's jarring. Jarring is the fact that poor people are having to pay 12.50 a day (the charge for London's ultra-low emissions zone) that they literally cannot afford. That is real. And that isn't just hurty words.' Vice President Kamala Harris announced Wednesday an effort to protect Americans from unregulated artificial intelligence, especially on issues of race. The vice president shared her concerns with reporters in a press call, pointing to the need to protect the rights of the American people when using any kind of AI in the federal government. 'If the Veterans Administration wants to use AI in VA hospitals to help doctors diagnose patients, they would first have to demonstrate that AI does not produce racially biased diagnoses,' she said. To that end, Harris announced an administration rule for government agencies to verify that their use of AI would not be racist or endanger anyone's rights. 'I believe that all leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector have a moral, ethical, and societal duty to make sure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its full benefit,' she said. US Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to London in November to address the future of artificial intelligence US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit in London in November She also announced the administration's requirement for federal agencies to reveal the AI systems they were using and how they were using it in their jobs. The federal government, she said, would act as a model for any company or global entity using AI to improve their productivity. 'President Biden and I intend that these domestic policies will serve as a model for global action,' she said. Prominent universities have identified AI as problematic on issues of race, especially in healthcare systems. 'Health care algorithms that power AI may include bias against underrepresented communities and thus amplify existing racial inequality in medicine, according to a growing body of evidence,' wrote Isabella Backman of the Yale School of Medicine in December 2023. MIT grad Joy Buolamwini launched the 'Algorithmic Justice League' to fight algorithmic bias, describing it as a 'coded gaze' that could affect issues of basic goods and services including health care and law enforcement. She urges companies to prioritize more 'inclusive coding' to make sure that the end result of AI is not racially biased. Companies continue to struggle with racial sensitivities when using or deploying artificial intelligence, even when trying to identify or counter-program racially-charged outcomes. Google apologized after its Gemini AI tool generated images of non-white female founding fathers, black female popes, and black and female Asian Nazi soldiers in response to user prompts. Google's Gemini Ai was the subject of controversy for producing 'woke AI' images Google's Gemini AI generates images of black and Asian Nazi soldiers. 'It's clear that this feature missed the mark,' Prabhakar Raghavan, a senior vice president who runs Google's search engine and other businesses wrote in response to the controversy. 'Some of the images generated are inaccurate or even offensive. We're grateful for users' feedback and are sorry the feature didn't work well.' US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives for the UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit Critics of Google ridiculed the end result as a product of 'woke' AI. Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk mocked Google's AI system as proof the company surrounded it self 'insane racist, anti-civilizational programming.' As more companies look for ways to implement artificial intelligence Harris seized the issue as part of her issue portfolio as vice president. 'I think the first part of this issue that should be articulated is AI is kind of a fancy thing,' she said during one of her first roundtable discussions of the issue. 'First of all, it's two letters. It means artificial intelligence, but ultimately what it is, is it's about machine learning.' In November, Harris traveled to London to participate in an AI Safety Summit and delivered a speech to global leaders. '[L]et us work together to build a future where AI creates opportunity, advances equity, fundamental freedoms and rights being protected,' she said. The Smithsonian's museum for Latino history has opened up its 'Latinx' internship scheme to applicants of all races following a lawsuit, in the latest conservative-led effort against diversity-hiring schemes. The National Museum of the American Latino says it will no longer use racial or ethnic preferences in deciding who is selected for an internship, following a legal complaint by activist Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER). The settlement is the latest example of conservative groups pushing back on so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which critics say may be well-intentioned but ultimately blow back on straight, white men. 'Every student who is interested in this area of museum studies should have the opportunity to compete for an internship without their race being a factor,' Blum said in a statement. The National Museum of the American Latino says it works to increase the representation and research into the 'Latina/o/x experience' 'Cultural institutions must end these kinds of unlawful, racially exclusive programs and policies.' Blum, the legal strategist behind last year's Supreme Court ruling to dismantle affirmative action in college admissions, filed his complaint against the Smithsonian on February 22. Though the world-famous museum's internship application process did not explicitly bar non-Latinos, Blum alleged that all 30 interns since 2022 had all been Latino a clear indication of racial preference. According to the AAER, this violated the Constitution's equal protection clause. 'When the Alliance sued, the museum said the internship was 'for Latina, Latino, and Latinx-identifying undergraduate students' and focused on 'increasing the representation of Latina and Latino museum professionals,' the group said. The Washington DC-based museum in legal papers asserted that its selection process had been colorblind. Since the settlement, the museum now makes it clear that race and ethnicity is not a factor in recruitment. According to AAER, the museum flouted the law by favoring Latino internship applicants An AAER release shows how the Latino museum had changed its inter application process 'The undergraduate internship is equally open to students of all races and ethnicities, without preference or restriction based on race or ethnicity,' it says, under the terms of the settlement. 'The museum does not use racial or ethnic classifications or preferences in selecting awardees for the undergraduate Internship.' David Coronado, a museum spokesman, told CNN that the settlement 'spells out what had been our practice already.' The Smithsonian lawsuit was the latest among a series of legal challenges Blum filed since the Supreme Court case that gutted affirmative action. The high court last month denied a request from Blum's group to temporarily block the US Military Academy at West Point from race-conscious admissions. His group has sued the law firms Morrison & Foerster LLP and Perkins Coie LLP over fellowship programs, which were only open to minorities and effectively discriminated against whites. Legal activist Edward Blum famously brought the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action in colleges The Latino Museum Studies Program offers 'hands-on training opportunities' for students, the Smithsonian's website says Both firms have since eliminated those diversity rules. Drug firm Pfizer nixed race-related requirements from a similar fellowship scheme after a suit challenging it had been dismissed. America First Legal (AFL), a legal action group founded by Stephen Miller, a former senior adviser to President Donald Trump, has filed complaints with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over corporate DEI schemes. Filings against more than 20 companies, including American Airlines, Macy's, McDonald's, and Salesforce say their efforts to hire and promote more women and non-whites amount to discrimination. Advocates say DEI schemes bring more black, brown, female, and queer talent into offices and colleges and raise morale across the board. But critics say they're a 'woke' virtue-signaling exercise that fosters backlash discrimination against straight, white men. C.J. Mikkelsen, a retired firefighter and Michigan native, has announced he will run for Midland County Board of Commissioners - District 5. Photo Provided by C.J. Mikkelsen Midland resident and retired firefighter C.J Mikkelsen has announced his campaign for the Midland County Commission - District 5. The seat is currently filled by Commissioner Jim Geisler, who has decided not to seek reelection. Earlier this month, Republican Todd Gambrell announced that he will also run for the seat. Midland County commissioners will be elected in the general election on Nov. 5. Starting this year, commissioners will serve four-year terms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mikkelsen, a Democrat, grew up in Montague on the west side of Michigan. After he graduated high school, he moved to Texas where he met his wife, Linda. Im a Michigan native. I was born and raised here, he said. I graduated from high school and unfortunately Michigan was losing jobs so I went to Texas. Mikkelsen served the Dallas Fire Department for 33 years where he worked as a fireman, paramedic and ultimately a lieutenant. Outside of his working hours at the fire department, Mikkelsen also worked at a childrens hospital and in an emergency room, taught CPR and served as an adjunct instructor for the American Heart Association. After retiring, Mikkelsen decided he wanted to move back to Michigan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When we were talking about retirement, I told Linda, Weve been in Texas long enough, Mikkelson said. I wanted to go back home. He and his wife originally looked for houses on the west side before widening their search to the entire state. The couple fell in love with the Mid-Century Modern architecture that can be found throughout Midland and ultimately moved into a home with this style. We chose Midland and it was a good choice, he said. We love it here. Midland has been good to us. In addition to the architecture, Mikkelsen loves everything the city is able to offer its residents, from the Center for the Arts to all of the parks, as well as the people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have found so many people (that are) warm, inviting and open their homes to us, he said. I dont think theres any place weve gone around here where we havent met really good people. Mikkelsen felt a desire to run for office as a continuation of the public service work he has done most of his life. Ive served my community forever. Its kind of what I do, he said. Ive always wanted to run for office just to see what its like. This seemed like a natural extension of who I am and what Im about. Mikkelsen currently serves on the Board of Directors for ARC Midland and is part of the International Association of Firefighters and United Steelworkers. He also drives for Dial-A-Ride. He is a former Daily News political columnist. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (The ARC) is a lot of fun, I love it, he said. Linda and I will go to their dances and hang out with everyone at the roller rink. I love doing it. Mikkelsen also volunteers with the Midland County Democratic Party, aiding in campaigns for local races including Kristen McDonald Rivets run for State Senate in 2022 and her current campaign for U.S Congress. Mikkelsen organized his neighborhood following the flood in May 2020 to collectively invite the city and county leaders to speak with them about flood mitigation. The mayor came in. People from Fisher told us what they were doing and we got to ask questions, he said. They found out that they did have a flood mitigation plan after we started asking questions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mikkelson was also a part of a group that asked McDonald Rivet to advocate for flood mitigation funding in the state budget last year, resulting in a $40 million allocation from the senator, Sen. Roger Hauck and Rep. Bill G. Schuette. As a county commissioner, Mikkelsen said he would want to take a grass roots approach to running the county. The government doesnt run like a business. Business is a top-down entity the CEO tells everyone below them what theyre going to do and how theyre going to do it, he said. Government should work more from the ground up. People elect people from the community to govern them and, if it works out right, you listen to the people and you do what they want. Mikkelsen believes county government needs to prioritize affordable childcare and housing, particularly as the state brings more jobs in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The basics that people need to live and have a comfortable life, he said. You can't go to work if you don't have affordable childcare. Its not worth people going to work if they pay more in childcare than theyre making where they work. In addition, he believes flood mitigation and the dams will need to remain a focus of the commission. (Flood mitigation) has to be dealt with one way or the other, he said. You have to listen to the peopleits up to the people of the county what they want to do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If elected as commissioner, Mikkelsen plans to communicate and listen to the people by holding coffee hours or town halls. Lawyers for Donald Trump argued in a Georgia courtroom that his false statements and tweets claiming election fraud were not part of a criminal conspiracy but were core 'political speech' that must be protected. Judge Scott McAfee held his first court hearing since his bombshell decision to allow Fulton County DA Fani Willis to stay on the case so long as her former lover Nathan Wade ended his role as special prosecutor. It put high-powered lawyers back in McAfee's courtroom to argue whether the indictment brought by Willis' office could withstand constitutional challenge. Trump lawyer Steven Sadow said it couldn't. 'The majority of the overt acts involve false statements or tweets which are clearly political speech,' he told McAfee, who evinced skepticism in some of his questions. Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee heard motions about the Georgia election overturn case after his bombshell ruling that allowed DA Fani Willis to remain overseeing the case He argued that Trump's claims of election fraud and even his efforts to contact election officials even amid a 'fake' electors scheme merits protection. He called it 'the zenith of protected speech.' 'What do we have here? We have election speech,' he said. He argued that Trump's statements weren't as alleged in the indictment to 'steal the election in an unlawful fashion' but was in fact a public service as part of his office. 'I say change that for a second to legitimate concern about the validity of the election,' he said, calling it 'protected speech.' Senior DA Donald Wakeford was unpersuaded. He accused Trump's team of 'fundamentally rewriting the indictment' and cited a pervious ruling by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in he January 6 case rejecting such arguments. Lawyers argued motions before Judge McAfee in a Georgia courtroom Thursday Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers claim his speech and acts seeking to overturn the Georgia results were protected speech He said Trump is allowed to make false statements in many circumstances. 'What he is not allowed to do is employ his speech and his expression as part of a criminal conspiracy. 'Hes not being prosecuted for lying. Hes being prosecuted for lying to the government,' he said, referencing the complex racketeering charges involving efforts to pressure state election officials and produce a slate of electors for Trump who would claim he was the election winner in 2020. 'The statements are part of criminal conduct that is larger than just the false statement on its own,' he said. Willis was not in the courtroom. The legal face-off came after Willis said her team was continuing its efforts and that the legal clash over her relationship with Wade had not derailed it. 'The train is coming,' she told CNN Saturday. McAfee was hearing oral arguments after Trump and codefendant former Georgia GOP chair David Shafer filed pretrial motions. Shafer's team argues that he was acting legally when he signed a certificate asserting Trump won the election in the state and calling himself a 'duly and qualified' elector. McAfee agreed to forge ahead with such housekeeping even as Trump and his codefendants appeal his ruling to allow Willis to stay on the case even after explosive revelations about her affair with Wade. Defense lawyers argued there was a conflict of interest that prevented their clients from getting a fair trial. Biden narrowly won the state by about 12,000 votes. Trump and most of his codefendants have pleaded not guilty, although four have pleaded guilty after negotiating with prosecutors. Many of the arguments hinged on technical legal definitions on the nature of charged crimes, relating to forgery, impersonating an officer, and false documents. Judge McAfee at one point asked Shafer lawyer Craig Gillen, 'Lets start with just where is the authority to kind of take a scalpel to an inducement cut out things we dont like?' After Trump lawyer Steven Sadow complained that the indictment states as fact that certain acts are unlawful, McAfee interjected, 'We put legal conclusions in indictments all the time.' Calling a woman 'glamorous' at work risks 'undermining' or 'belittling' them, an employment tribunal has warned. Complimenting a female colleague in that way is potentially 'inappropriate' as it could make them seem 'less serious and professional', a panel concluded. The ruling came in the case of a beauty pageant winning barrister who sued for discrimination after her boss called her 'glamorous'. Jeniffer Campbell, who is black, alleged her manager Alexandra Jacobs racially discriminated against her by using the term and that it was 'offensive' for her to do so. And although the tribunal rejected her racism claim it did find that using the word was potentially a breach of workplace laws. Jeniffer Campbell (pictured) claimed it was 'offensive' for her female boss to call her 'glamorous' and that it was racial discrimination Employment Judge Sophie Park said: 'In a business context we have concluded that being described as glamorous is potentially inappropriate. 'Looked at objectively, it could be taken as undermining or belittling the person being described, making them seem less serious and professional.' A tribunal heard Ms Jacobs was showing a new colleague around the office and when introducing Ms Campbell, she said the lawyer and model was the 'glamour corner'. Colleagues said Ms Campbell took great care of her appearance, would do her hair and make up every day, and it was heard Ms Jacobs had previously complimented her. But, Ms Campbell claimed Ms Jacobs' remark was 'offensive'. She moved to sue Waltham Forest London Borough Council - where she worked as a contract lawyer - for race harassment and race discrimination. However, East London Employment Tribunal dismissed her case, with a judge ruling 'we cannot see how she would understand the comment as having any racial connotation'. Outside of working as a practising lawyer, Ms Campbell models and has taken part it beauty contests. In 2019, aged 45, she was crowned 'Ms UK International Elite'. Ms Campbell (pictured) sued Waltham Forest London Borough Council - where she worked as a contract lawyer - for race harassment and race discrimination At the East London tribunal, beauty queen Ms Campbell made a series of racism allegations against Ms Jacobs and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It was heard she joined the local authority via an agency in December 2018, working in the commercial team. She was sacked in July 2020 due to too many agency staff and 'long-standing issues with her performance, such as client complaints'. Ms Campbell alleged that during her employment Ms Jacobs discriminated against her. She claimed in August 2019 Ms Jacobs told her she was 'not vanilla enough', however the tribunal found her boss had only used the word 'vanilla' in relation to her writing, suggesting it be 'safer and blander'. In December 2019, she complained about Ms Jacobs using the word 'glamorous'. The tribunal judgement said: 'A new member of staff joined the team, Lorraine Clark. She was a newly-qualified solicitor and also agency staff. 'Ms Jacobs took Ms Clark around the department and introduced her to the team. Ms Campbell alleged that Ms Jacobs did not introduce her by name but just as 'the glamour corner'. 'Ms Jacobs said she introduced her by name and then added she was the glamorous member of the team. 'The gist of what was said was undisputed. The context was that Ms Jacobs was introducing her to a new member of the team and as she did so she described her in some way as being glamorous. 'Ms Campbell was upset by what had happened. This is not disputed. She told Ms Jacobs the same day that she found it offensive being introduced that way rather than as a barrister or lawyer. Ms Campbell (pictured) failed in her claims of race discrimination, harassment, and victimisation 'Ms Jacob's evidence was she was mortified and apologetic. 'In terms of the background to the comment, we heard from a number of witnesses that Ms Campbell took care with her appearance when in the office. 'Ms Jacobs described her as being glamorous and that she had complimented her previously on how she dressed. Ms Campbell acknowledged this and that she had then bought Ms Jacobs a dress. '[Another colleague] Ms McKenzie-Benjamin explained in some detail how she always appeared to take care about her appearance. 'This included that the claimant would do her hair and make-up every day for work and Ms McKenzie-Benjamin described the claimant's dress sense was glamorous.' EJ Park ruled that the remark was not racist as it was 'clearly the way she presented herself'. 'We considered whether being referred to as glamorous could be said to be related to race. Having done so we do not find that is the case. 'There is nothing inherent in being described as glamorous that is related to race. 'Ms Campbell also did not provide any coherent explanation about why she viewed this comment as being related to her race. 'In terms of the context, we also heard from witnesses that she took care of her appearance and dressed well at work. 'Ms Jacobs had previously complimented her dress sense. 'We cannot see how Ms Campbell would understand the comment as having any racial connotation, rather than being a misjudged comment on her personal style. 'We also found that Ms Jacobs' explanation for the comment credible. Ms Jacobs was trying to introduce her in a complimentary way. 'This was not a discriminatory reason. It was a reaction to the fact that Ms Campbell did dress well at work. 'The comment was a misplaced compliment but that error was not due to her race.' Other claims of race discrimination, harassment, and victimisation related to allegations of being spoken to in a humiliating way, being criticised for her work, and not investigating her complaints. They all failed. A 21-year-old West Point cadet has been found dead in a river after vanishing whilst on spring break weekend in Florida, officials report. Havin Morris had been partying at an Irish bar in Fort Lauderdale with three of his friends - who later 'lost track' of him - only two days before his body was found. The young cadet's pals saw him for the final time at Dicey Riley's Irish Pub - near the New River - at around 1am early Sunday morning, The Sun Sentinal reports. A police dive team later found the young cadet's body on Monday in the river near the location of Morris' last sighting. According to local authorities, the 'bright' young man likely drowned in the New River and no foul play is suspected. Havin Morris, 21, was found dead in The New River by a team of police divers in Fort Lauderdale on Monday (pictured) He was last seen at Dicey Riley's Irish Pub (pictured) with his free friends, who later 'lost track' of him 'The information gathered throughout our investigation led FLPD's Dive Team to search the New River near the area where he was last seen,' police said to KPIX. 'Divers located his body on Monday night. At this time, his death appears to be an accidental drowning and no foul play is suspected.' Eventually, Morris' parents were informed of their son's disappearance after his friends could not reach him or locate him at the hotel. The parents received a text from Morris at 11pm the night before. However, when they tried to contact him several times the next day all the calls went straight to voicemail, according to The Sun Sentinal. Morris's father, Hollis described the lack of correspondence as 'abnormal behavior' for the cadet. Following his death, touching tributes to the cadet have been shared by West Point staff, who described him as 'bright and resilient'. The young man's tactical officer, Maj. Rebecca A. Gogue said he was a 'bright, resilient young man with a determination to succeed.' His parents were later informed by the friends that they could not locate Morris' the following day West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland also said: 'Cadet Morris was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets, committed to serving his country as an Army Officer,' 'The entire West Point Community offers our heartfelt condolences to the Morris family.' The US Army has provided Morris' family with an assistance officer to help them through this time, according to their statement. West Point has also said the Army's Criminal Investigation Command is working with Fort Lauderdale police regarding the investigation into Morris' death. This comes after seven people, including six West Point cadets, were discovered to be overdosing on fentanyl-laced cocaine by first responders in Fort Lauderdale. A panicking spring breaker told police how his military cadet friends were passed out after taking the drugs and drinking an 'enormous amount', in shocking 911 audio obtained by DailyMail.com in March 2022. 'We took some coke and we are not getting some responses right now,' the anonymous caller says as first responders raced to an address in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Two, out of the seven involved went into cardiac arrest following the overdose and were placed on ventilators. All seven were hospitalized and the group survived according to Local10.com. They then filed a missing's persons report describing Morris' lack of correspondence as 'abnormal' (pictured: a section of the New River) The heartbroken mother of the Boeing whistleblower who died by suicide has partly blamed the embattled company for his death. John Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck from a single gunshot to the head in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina on March 9 - seven years after he retired following a 32-year career. He was in town attending meetings as part of his lawsuit against Boeing, where he alleged they retaliated against him for airing his concerns about the company's quality control. Barnett's mother Vicky Stokes and brother Rodney Barnett spoke to CBS on Thursday and gave their side of the story, saying the stress from the battle with Boeing was hard on Barnett. When asked if she blamed Boeing for Barnett's death, she added: 'If this hadn't gone on so long, I'd still have my son, my son's would still have their brother and we wouldn't be sitting here.' Boeing whistleblower's Barnett's mother Vicky Stokes and brother Rodney Barnett spoke to CBS on Thursday and gave their side of the story Barnett, 62, was found dead in his truck from a single gunshot to the head in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina on March 9 Before his death of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, John Barnett had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing. In a CBS News exclusive interview, his family says Boeing retaliated against him when he raised safety concerns. https://t.co/3l1n9hXbIj pic.twitter.com/O1sJpmpHyX CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 28, 2024 The family said Barnett lived his job for three decades, but became concerned after he was transferred to Boeing's South Carolina plant in 2010 and noticed quality issues and procedures that were not being followed. Stokes said Boeing retaliated after Barnett went public with his concerns, and that the whistleblower was then often embarrassed in work meetings with where he would be 'called out' before leaving the job in 2017, citing job-related stress. 'That would wear on anybody after seven or eight years,' said the mom. When asked if they believe Barnett's death was a suicide, his brother replied that the family is waiting on the investigation to be over to make a judgement. Barnett's attorney Brian Knowles told CBS 'the retaliation he faced was something he endured constantly.' 'He wasn't trying to hurt Boeing, he was trying to save Boeing,' added the family's attorney Robert Turkewitz. The family added they want Barnett's legacy to be that Boeing addresses the safety issues he spoke about. Barnett's death came during a break in depositions in a whistleblower retaliation suit, where he alleged under-pressure workers were deliberately fitting sub-standard parts to aircraft on the assembly line. He said that in some cases, second-rate parts were literally removed from scrap bins, before being fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays. A 2017 review by the FAA upheld some of his concerns, requiring Boeing to take action. The family said Barnett lived his job for three decades, but became concerned after he was transferred to Boeing's South Carolina plant in 2010 and noticed quality issues Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is finally stepping down as head of the troubled airline maker Earlier this week, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would step down at the end of the year in the wake of a safety crisis at the troubled aerospace giant. The company has been hit by problems including a near-catastrophic incident in on January 5 when a fuselage panel on a 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet blew off mid-flight. Since then, the company has faced questions following several other potentially dangerous episodes - but regulators, airlines and passengers have been frustrated at the lack of answers from Calhoun. Last week, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration blasted Boeing for focusing on 'production' instead of 'safety and quality.' Administrator Michael Whitaker was left unimpressed with the aerospace giant following a visit to its facilities. 'My impressions were similar to the culture survey that just got completed at Boeing and our audit, which is that there are issues around the safety culture at Boeing,' he told Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News in a segment that will air Tuesday evening. Alaska Airlines has resumed service on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 following a three-week grounding in the wake of a January 5 emergency landing A panel blew out from the fuselage of a 737 Max 9 aircraft carrying Alaska Airlines passengers on January 5 'Their priorities have been on production, and not on safety and quality. So what we really are focused on now, is shifting that focus, from production to safety and quality.' The FAA has put the company under intense scrutiny and recently ordered an audit of assembly lines at a Boeing factory near Seattle, where the company builds planes like the Alaska Airlines 737 Max that suffered a door-panel blowout. No one was seriously injured on the Alaska flight, but the plane was forced to make an emergency landing with a gaping hole in the cabin. Investigators say bolts that help keep the panel in place were missing after repair work at the Boeing factory. The incident has raised scrutiny of Boeing to its highest level since two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. Republicans are beginning to balk at President Biden's request for billions of taxpayer money to rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican from neighboring state Pennsylvania, said it was 'outrageous' for President Biden to say he intends for the federal government to pick up the costs to rebuild the structure. U.S. officials expect the rebuild could cost upwards of $2 billion. 'It was kind of outrageous immediately for Biden to express in this tragedy, the idea that he's going to use federal funds to pay for the entirety,' Meuser said on Fox Business' Mornings with Maria. The Republican suggested Biden pull money from his electric vehicle expenditures to pay for the damage. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated some $7 billion for electric vehicle charging stations. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican from neighboring state Pennsylvania , said it was 'outrageous' for President Biden to say he intends the structure President Biden said in a press conference Tuesday that he intends for the federal government to cover the 'entire cost' of reconstructing the bridge and he expects Congress to move on that effort. '[The port] handled a record amount of cargo last year and we're going to get it up and running again as soon as possible,' Biden said. 'I've directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible.' Congress is currently on recess until mid-April and it's not clear whether both chambers will be able to come together on a funding package. When the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River in 2007, Congress offered $250 million and it was repaired within a year. The Francis Scott Key bridge was a main access route between Washington and New York, with some 31,000 cars passing over it per day, 11.3 million vehicles per year. It collapsed early Tuesday morning after it was hit by a cargo ship. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said recovery efforts would begin with releasing money from an emergency fund in the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. Construction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge cost $62 million in 1972, according to the Maryland Transit Authority. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said there are no immediate estimates for how much repairing the bridge would cost. He said the federal government has about $950 million in an emergency fund that could be used. 'We are committed to delivering every federal resource needed, every federal resource needed to help Maryland get back to normal, and we're going to work with them every step of the way to rebuild this bridge. It is not going to be simple,' he told reporters. 'Rebuilding will not be quick or easy or cheap, but we will get it done.' Some grumblings have emerged that the bridge was a toll road collecting money for the state of Maryland, and thus should not be the federal government's problem. Still others have complained about the bipartisan infrastructure package. Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning following the catastrophic collision at about 1.30am Divers searched for six missing people and so far have found two bodies The ship - the Singaporean-flagged Dali - was 20 minutes into its journey when it slammed into a support column on the bridge 'We're not spending it on roads and bridges,' Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., recently said of the $1.2 trillion bill. 'The left hails as this massive success, but it was mostly Green New Deal.' That bill included $110 billion to 'repair our roads and bridges and support major, transformational projects,' according to the White House. 'If you live along the coast or you live near water, you know that our bridges are rusting out, you know that we have many, many bridges that have to be replaced and upgraded,' Mace went on. Boris Johnson's allies have piled pressure on Michael Gove over a failed promise to scrap the 'feudal' leasehold system in England. The Housing, Levelling Up, and Communities Secretary came under attack from ex-advisers to the former PM in the House of Lords. During peers' first debate on the Government's Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, Mr Gove was warned the legislation does not meet a Tory manifesto pledge. He also faced demands to deal with so-called 'fleecehold' arrangements, which were described as the 'next great scandal approaching the housing market'. Labour joined the attacks on Mr Gove and branded his proposed reforms an 'eviscerated shell of a Bill'. Boris Johnson 's allies have piled pressure on Michael Gove over a failed promise to scrap the 'feudal' leasehold system in England Leaseholds are a form of home ownership that gives the householders the right to live in a property for a fixed number of years Baroness Finn, former chief of staff to Mr Johnson in Downing Street, urged the Government to stick to its manifesto commitment of banning all leasehold homes Leaseholds are a form of home ownership that gives the householders the right to live in a property for a fixed number of years. But it can mean residents having to pay service charges to the freeholder, who owns the land. Mr Gove last year committed to abolishing the 'outdated, feudal' leasehold system by the next general election. This followed a 2019 Tory manifesto commitment to implement a 'ban on the sale of new leasehold homes'. Amid reports of a battle between Mr Gove's department and Rishi Sunak's Downing Street team, the Government has since been accused of watering down reforms. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill bans the sale of new leasehold houses - except in exceptional circumstances - but does not ban the sale of new leasehold flats, which make up 70 per cent of properties affected. Baroness Finn, former chief of staff to Mr Johnson in Downing Street, last night urged the Government to stick to its manifesto commitment of banning all leasehold homes. 'Boris Johnson secured a substantial majority just five years ago on a manifesto that included the promise to implement a ban on the sale of new leasehold homes,' she told fellow peers in the Lords. 'The Government has sought to suggest that banning leasehold houses fulfils this promise. It does not, for the majority of leaseholders are in flats.' Baroness Finn, an ex-girlfriend of Mr Gove, added: 'I suggest that the Government takes the power to allow the Secretary of State to end all leaseholds on permitting here that it will only be commenced once the market was ready.' Labour's housing spokesperson Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said: 'From the original vision for the Bill, what we have before us today is a virtually eviscerated shell of a bill.' She added that it has 'little to give comfort to the people and families who had hoped to realise their dream of homeownership, and have found instead that being a leaseholder simply does not offer the security and control of their lives that their dream promised'. The frontbencher added: 'This Bill is a very long way from what leaseholders have been waiting and hoping for, and that is an end to the injustice of the anachronistic leasehold system.' Lady Taylor said the omission of a ban on new leasehold flats justifies her description of an eviscerated bill because it 'means the Bill simply won't do what it sets out to do'. Meanwhile, 46 MPs have written to the Government calling for an end to 'fleecehold' agreements, whereby people with freehold properties can be locked into contracts with private companies to maintain communal areas around them. In a letter addressed to Mr Gove, the MPs including two former housing ministers highlighted 'problems with the unadopted, private estates model'. They called on the Government to 'go further to empower residents on existing Fleecehold estates, and to end this model for new estates'. Tory peer Lord Moylan, a former advisor to Mr Johnson when he was London mayor, said: 'I think this ('fleecehold') is the next great scandal approaching the housing market. 'It is in very large measure attributable to councils who are simply resiling from taking on their duties. 'They will accept the additional council tax that is generated by the new properties but they will not take on the responsibilities for maintaining those common amenities.' Responding to 'fleecehold' concerns, housing minister Baroness Scott of Bybrook said: 'It is up to the developers and the local planning authority to agree on specific issues relating to new development, including appropriate funding and maintenance arrangements.' She said the Government was 'carefully considering' a report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into problems faced on such unadopted new-build estates. As well as strengthening consumer protections, the regulator is also considering increasing the extent to which amenities are taken on by councils. Earlier, Lady Scott told peers that the Bill would ban new leasehold houses other than in exceptional circumstances. She added: 'Flats on the other hand have shared fabric and infrastructure and therefore require some form of arrangement to facilitate management and this has historically been facilitated by a lease. 'Nonetheless the Government recognises the issues in the leasehold system and I have heard the concerns regarding a lack of commonhold measures as a meaningful alternative to replace leasehold for flats. 'I want to reassure you that the Government remains committed to the commonhold reform and we see it as long-term replacement for leasehold.' The historic rescue was the largest in the history of Marion County Twenty-five adults and eight children were ferried ashore amid roaring winds and rushing water A tour group was rescued from the Nickajack Cave Wildlife Area on Monday Kayakers in Tennessee, including children as young as 5, were rescued after their tour group was stranded amid a mounting storm. The Haletown Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the Nickajack Cave Wildlife Area for a 'mass water rescue' around 8:24 pm Monday, according to the department. Thirty-three kayakers - 25 adults and eight children, including those as young as five years old - had been stranded amid roaring winds and rough waters as a storm rolled in. The firefighters were assisted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Puckett EMS and the Marion County Sheriffs Office in the daring rescue. No injuries were reported, according to authorities. The Nickajack Cave area is a popular tourist destination to see gray bats that roost to have their babies in warmer months. A group of kayakers (not pictured) in Tennessee were rescued from the Nickajack Cave Wildlife Area Monday night The Haletown Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the Nickajack Cave Wildlife Area for a 'mass water rescue' around 8:24 pm The tour group had taken off from the Macedonia Road boat ramp earlier and paddled towards the cave, which is popular with tourists for its yearly bat sightings The tour group had taken off from the Macedonia Road boat ramp earlier Monday evening and paddled across the lake towards the Nickajack Cave, according to the TWRA. They were 'quickly challenged' by 'harsh conditions' that caused some people to fall into the water. The kayakers were ferried to shore by TWRA officers after a rescue vessel from the New Hope Fire Department capsized due to the blustering gusts. All of the kayakers were wearing life jackets - which may have saved their lives, the TWRA said. According to Stephen Ware, a spokesman for the Haletown Volunteer Fire Department, Monday's rescue was the largest-scale water rescue in the recorded history of Marion County. Speaking to Local 3 News, Ware said the tour group never should have gone out in such turbulent conditions. 'In fact, the water was so shallow that at points, the waves were actually coming up higher from the wind than the depth of the water when the water's completely still,' he said. However, Ware conceded that the kayakers 'did the right thing.' 'They stayed where they were, they called for help, they let us come out to them and get them out,' he said. The tour group quickly faced 'harsh conditions' that caused some kayakers to fall out of their boats A spokesperson for the Haletown Volunteer Fire Department said the tour group never should have gone out on the water in the first place All of the kayakers were wearing life vests, which may have saved their lives amid the brutal conditions Nickajack is one of the most important caves in the Tennessee Valley, as it serves as a maternity roost for gray bats Nickajack Cave historically served as a refuge for Native Americans and a hideout for river pirates. During the Civil War, both the Union and Confederacy mined the cave for saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder. Nickajack is one of the most important caves in the Tennessee Valley, as it serves as a maternity roost for gray bats. Pregnant females arrive in spring to deliver to a single pup, and the reservoir provides bats with a steady food source as they consume thousands of insects each night. The cave was fenced in 1981 to protect the bats from human intrusion and reduce the spread of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that can kill at least 95 percent of a colony in just two years, according to the TWRA. In 1992, the agency designed Nickajack as the state's first non-game wildlife refuge. An Air Force airman has sued Marriott for $160million after he woke up to another man sexually assaulting him while he stayed in the hotel ahead of training. The incident occurred in April 2022 as the victim, identified as 'John Doe', stayed at the Marriot on West Trade Street in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. According to the lawsuit, the man said that when he went to sleep he did not realize that 'the self-closing an self-locking doors (to his room) was not functioning properly' and woke up to Jermaine Lamont Peay raping him. Documents stated that the the room's door 'did not properly latch or lock,' as Peay, a career criminal, broke in. Jermaine Lamont Peay (pictured) allegedly entered the unidentified victim's hotel room at the Marriot on West Trade Street in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina and sexually assaulted him According to a 911 call log, police were called to that Marriott location (pictured) 85 times in the past three years This is not the first time Peay has been in trouble with the law, as WSOC-TV uncovered six of his mugshots from past arrests. It is unclear when each mugshot was taken and for what crimes, but records showed that he was previously charged with assaulting a campus police officer and 'going armed to the terror of people.' In North Carolina, a charge for going armed to the terror of people means that a suspect is armed with an 'unusual or dangerous' weapon with intentions of 'terrorizing others,' according to Gilles Law. Peay was arrested and charged in January 2023 with forced sex offense, larceny, breaking and entering and first-degree burglary. He is still awaiting trial for those offenses, according to court records. Peay has a lengthy criminal history as six of his mugshots from past arrests were discovered As Peay assaulted the man, the victim 'howled in terror and lashed out' at him before Peay allegedly snatched his phone, wallet, a pair of shorts and a shirt, and ran off, the suit said. According to a 911 call log obtained by WSOC-TV, police were called to that Marriott location 85 times in the past three years. The lawsuit argued that the hotel should have been aware that the locks on the man's door were not secure and that the establishment failed to provide sufficient security for the guest. DailyMail.com contacted the hotel and it's cooperate office for comment but did not hear back in time for this report. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing the Biden administration to block President Biden's latest effort to cancel student loan debt. The Biden administration has forgiven $143.6 billion in student loan debt for nearly four million Americans since Biden took office, but Republican officials want to put an end to it. Kobach appeared on Fox News on Thursday where he said he would be filing a lawsuit in Kansas. Kansas is backed in the lawsuit by ten other states Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. Attorneys General from Missouri and Arkansas also signaled they were joining the multi-state coalition challenging the administration. Kobach said the case against canceling student loan debt would be similar to when a group of Republican states sued to block President Biden's original plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt. Kansas was among the six states that sued the Biden administration in 2022 over its first debt forgiveness plan. In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration, but President Biden and education officials vowed to press forward with their efforts to cancel student loan debt. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach appeared on Fox News where he said he is filing a lawsuit against the latest Biden administration student loan forgiveness plan The Biden administration has canceled $144 billion in student loan debt despite the Supreme Court blocking the president's first student loan forgiveness plan Moments ago, I filed a lawsuit challenging Bidens student loan forgiveness scheme. Its not just unlawful. Its wrong. I will explain more about the lawsuit at a press conference at 2PM. #ksleg Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) March 28, 2024 Just months after the highest court blocked Biden's first student debt plan, the administration launched the SAVE plan, an income drive repayment plan that cuts down on the amount to time and money some borrowers have to pay before their student loan debt is forgiven. Last month, the administration began canceling billions in debt under the plan. 'It was illegal when the Biden administration attempted to cancel student loan debt in 2022, and the Supreme Court held so by a six to three decision last summer,' Kobach said. He blasted the administration accusing them of attempting a similar move. 'Now they're doing it again, and they've been kind of keeping their cards close to their chest as to how they're doing it,' Kobach said. 'Its become evident that this is going to be, probably well in excess of $200 billion cancelation of debt.' Biden Administration Student Loan Debt Forgiveness August 2022: Biden announces original plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt June 2023: Supreme Court blocks Biden's first student loan forgiveness plan August 2023: Biden announces income driven repayment SAVE plan February 2024: Biden administration begins canceling debt under the SAVE plan Advertisement He said the majority of student loan borrowers will have the 'entirety of their debt canceled' and argued they're going it by 'twisting the words of federal law.' 'This time they say, "oh we're just modifying the terms of debt repayment," but that's not modifying the terms of debt repayment when you take the debt all the way down to zero and you don't have to pay back the principal.' Kobach blasted the move as unfair to taxpayers who did not go to college or take out loans, forcing them to cover the debt burden of those who did. Kobach announced he will be filing the lawsuit in the federal district court in Kansas. He acknowledged the case would likely end up in the 10th Circuit Court on appeals and potentially end up back in the Supreme Court. He said it is something that is politically important as well as voters head to the polls for the presidential election in November. 'We hope to have an injunction in place before November,' Kobach said. 'It may just be coincidence, or it maybe that the administration is attempting to curry favor with people who have student debt,' he said, taking issue with the timing of the latest effort to cancel debt. 'Im extremely pleased to see Kansas is leading a multi-state coalition in challenging President Bidens latest attempt to unlawfully transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in Ivy League debt onto working Missouri families,' Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in response. 'Im pleased to share that my office is also leading a multi-state coalition and will be filing suit in Missouri in the coming days,' Bailey added. In response to the announcement, a spokesperson for the Education Department told DailyMail.com it does not comment on pending litigation. 'However, Congress gave the US Department of Education the authority to define the terms of income-driven repayment plans in 1993, and the SAVE plan is the fourth time the Department has used that authority,' the spokesperson said in a statement. 'From day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has been fighting to fix a broken student loan system, and part of that is creating the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever that is lowering monthly payments, protecting millions of borrowers from runaway interest and getting borrowers closer to debt forgiveness faster,' they added. The spokesperson said the administration 'wont stop fighting to provide support and relief to borrowers across the country no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us.' President Biden speaking after the Supreme Court blocked his first student loan forgiveness plan in June 2023 with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona by his side Biden speaking in California in February after the White House announced the cancellation of $1.2 billion in student loan debt under the SAVE plan This week, the White House launched the 'SAVE Day of Action' to promote enrollment in the new program. They expect their effort could reach more than 100 million Americans. The SAVE plan is an income driven repayment plan that cancels the debt of borrowers who took out $12,000 or less after as little as ten years. In February, the administration began canceling debt under the plan including $1.2 billion for 153,000 borrowers. The administration has said more than 7.7 million people borrowers have enrolled in the plan. The Education Department said it would continue to identify borrowers who qualify for their debt to be forgiven on a continuing basis. Republicans in Congress attempted to pass a resolution to block the plan but did not have the necessary votes. The Biden administration has taken multiple steps to cancel student loan debt including changes to the public services loan forgiveness and the income driven repayment programs as well as canceling debt for borrowers with permanent disability and more. The multifaceted approach has allowed them cancel nearly $144 billion in loan debt since 2021 for nearly four million Americans. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna revealed that she asked former Rep. Ken Buck to leave the hardline House Freedom Caucus, citing his effort to complicate Rep. Lauren Boebert's campaign to replace him. Luna, R-Fla., spoke about her behind-the-scenes argument with Buck, R-Colo., during a Fox Business interview with host Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday morning. 'With what Rep. Buck had done especially to another member of Congress, in potentially hamstringing Rep. Boebert's election, I actually was the member that came forward and asked him to leave the Freedom Caucus,' Luna said. The conservative House Freedom Caucus voted last week to remove Buck from the caucus, citing his attendance record, just days before his expected resignation from Congress. 'We have a code of honor here and as a result of that, if you can't live by that code of honor, you don't deserve the title,' Luna said. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she asked Ken Buck to leave the Freedom Caucus, accusing him of 'hamstringing' Rep. Boebert's campaign to replace him Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) announced he would resign from Congress early, triggering a special election in Colorado Buck had already announced his decision not to run for re-election, but said he would resign from his position early rather than finish his final term. The announcement triggered a special election in Colorado, requiring Republican voters in the district to not only choose a candidate to fill the rest of his term but a separate candidate to represent the district in the next Congress. Boebert, R-Colo., viewed Buck's decision as a way to thwart her campaign to replace him, as she would have to resign her own seat in the third district to run for the special election. 'Ken Buck's announcement yesterday was a gift to the uniparty,' Boebert said after Buck announced his decision. 'The establishment concocted a swampy backroom deal to try and win an election.' Luna also criticized Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., for his surprise decision last week to resign, delaying his departure from Congress which would prevent a special election to fill his seat. She joined members of her party calling for Gallagher to resign immediately so that a special election could be held to replace him, rather than leave the seat vacant until the next Congress. 'We're hoping he does the right thing and steps down early,' she said. Bartiromo said Gallagher was reportedly set to take a job with the company Palantir after his exit from Congress. Rep. Luna called on Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) to step down early rather than leave his seat empty Speaker of the House Mike Johnson faces an increasingly slim majority as well as a filed motion to vacate the chair filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) Luna's revelations detail the ongoing drama between establishment Republican political figures and new MAGA Republicans in the House of Representatives as the GOP clings to their slim majority to maintain control of the chamber. With the loss of Gallagher and Buck, Republicans only hold a one-vote majority over Democrats in the House of Representatives. Luna said it was 'very upsetting' to see establishment Republicans choosing their own path instead of doing the right thing to strengthen the Republican majority. 'If we lose this majority, if we have people that are doing this simply for self instead of service, than we're in pretty bad shape,' she said. Luna said she hoped that the motion to vacate the chair that was filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., would not get called up for a vote on the House floor, urging Speaker Mike Johnson to stop making deals with Democrats. 'I would also call on our Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson to find his inner MAGA might and stop what he's doing ... he can absolutely should stop this craziness. Former New Haven Police Sgt. Betsy Segui, right, with attorney, Gregory Cerritelli, appears in Superior Court in New Haven, Conn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Four former Connecticut police officers, including Segui, arrested for allegedly mistreating a man who wound up paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022 were denied bids Thursday to enter a program that could have erased criminal charges against them and possibly let them avoid trial. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP State's Attorney John Doyle speaks during a hearing for four former members of the New Haven Police Department seeking accelerated rehabilitation for two charges related to the incident that left Richard "Randy" Cox paralyzed, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New Haven, Conn. Four former Connecticut police officers arrested for allegedly mistreating Cox who wound up paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022 were denied bids Thursday to enter a program that could have erased criminal charges against them and possibly let them avoid trial. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP Former New Haven Police Officer Ronald Pressley, right, appears in Superior Court in New Haven, Conn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024, with attorney Jake Donovan seeking accelerated rehabilitation for two charges related to the incident that left Richard "Randy" Cox paralyzed. Four former Connecticut police officers, including Pressley, arrested for allegedly mistreating Cox who wound up paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022 were denied bids Thursday to enter a program that could have erased criminal charges against them and possibly let them avoid trial. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP Former New Haven Police Officer Luis Rivera, right, appears in Superior Court in New Haven, Conn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024, with attorney Raymond Hassett seeking accelerated rehabilitation for two charges related to the incident that left Richard "Randy" Cox paralyzed. The former New Haven officers' applications for a pretrial probation program were rejected Thursday in the case of Cox. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP Attorney Jack O'Donnell speaks on behalf of Richard "Randy" Cox during a hearing for four former members of the New Haven Police Department seeking accelerated rehabilitation for two charges related to the incident that left Cox paralyzed, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in New Haven, Conn. The former New Haven officers' applications for a pretrial probation program were rejected Thursday in the case of Cox. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP Former New Haven Police Officer Oscar Diaz, right, appears in Superior Court in New Haven on March 28, 2024, with attorney Matthew Popilowski, seeking accelerated rehabilitation for two charges related to the incident that left Richard "Randy" Cox paralyzed. The former New Haven officers' applications for a pretrial probation program were rejected Thursday in the case of Cox. (Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool) Arnold Gold/AP FILE - This combo of photos provided by the Connecticut State Police, shows, from left, New Haven, Conn. Police officers, Oscar Diaz, Betsy Segui, Jocelyn Lavandier, Luis Rivera and Ronald Pressley. Four former Connecticut police officers who were arrested for their alleged mistreatment of Richard Randy Cox, who was paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022, were denied bids to enter pretrial probation programs Thursday, March 28, 2024, that could have led to the criminal charges being erased. The four former officers, Diaz, Segui, Pressley, and Rivera, were charged with misdemeanors: negligent cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment. Lavandier, faces the same charges but was not at Thursdays hearing as her case was postponed until May. (Connecticut State Police via AP, File) HOGP/AP NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Four former Connecticut police officers accused of mocking and mistreating a man after he was paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022 were denied bids Thursday to enter a program that could have erased criminal charges against them and let them avoid trial. A judge rejected the former officers' applications for accelerated rehabilitation, citing the seriousness of Richard Randy Coxs injuries. The program, generally for first-time offenders accused of low-level crimes, requires successfully completing probation. The resulting injuries to the victim are of such a serious nature that the court feels that precludes participation in the program, Superior Court Judge Gerald Harmon said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The four former New Haven officers, Oscar Diaz, Betsy Segui, Ronald Pressley and Luis Rivera, are charged with misdemeanors of negligent cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment. All four declined to comment after the hearing. Their lawyers said they disagreed with the judge's decision. A fifth officer, Jocelyn Lavandier, faces the same charges and also applied for the probation program, but was not at the hearing as her case was postponed until May. Cox, now 38, was paralyzed from the chest down June 19, 2022, when a police van he was riding in braked hard to avoid a collision, sending him head-first into a metal partition. His hands were cuffed behind his back and the van had no seat belts. Cox had been arrested on charges of threatening a woman with a gun, which were later dismissed. I cant move. Im going to die like this. Please, please, please help me, Cox said minutes after the crash, according to police video. Diaz, the officer driving the van, stopped and checked on Cox, according to police reports, then called for emergency medical staff and told them to meet him at the police station. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once at the station, officers mocked Cox and accused him of being drunk and faking his injuries, according to surveillance and body-worn camera footage. Officers dragged Cox from the van by his feet and placed him in a holding cell prior to his eventual transfer to a hospital. His family says officers may have exacerbated Coxs injuries by moving him around. Cox and New Haven States Attorney John Doyle Jr. opposed the officers applications to the probation program. Cox remains upset that the officers were not charged with felonies, said his lawyer, Jack ODonnell. Hes been left with a permanent injury and he finds it audacious of the officers to try to avoid even a permanent record, ODonnell told the judge. His life is no longer going to be enjoyable, and the fact that these officers can come forward and indicate that this is not a crime of too serious a nature is something that offends him deeply. Lawyers for the officers argued Thursday that Coxs injuries happened before he got to the police station and they cited a medical opinion that the officers' actions did not exacerbate the injuries. The attorneys also said Cox appeared to be intoxicated and the officers were not aware of the extent of his injuries at the time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Four of the five officers were fired last year. The fifth, Pressley, retired. A state board in January overturned Diaz's firing, but the city is appealing that decision. After Thursdays ruling, their criminal cases will now move toward trial. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Police Chief Karl Jacobson said in a statement that the officers must be held criminally accountable. The treatment of Mr. Cox while in the custody of the New Haven Police Department was completely unacceptable, they said. No one is above the law and we believe the ruling by Judge Harmon was the right one. It allows these officers to go through the criminal process and to receive a fair and impartial trial by a jury of their peers for the criminal charges they face related to this incident. Coxs supporters, including his family and the NAACP, have criticized prosecutors for not bringing felony charges. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporters have compared his case to what happened to Freddie Gray, a Black man who died in 2015 in Baltimore after he suffered a spinal injury while handcuffed and shackled in a city police van. Cox is Black. All five officers accused of mistreating him are Black or Hispanic. New Haven settled a lawsuit by Cox for $45 million. Cox did not attend Thursdays hearing. O'Donnell said travel is complicated and painful for him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A crook who had 'I'm a thief and a fool' tattooed on his forehead has been seized by Brazilian police just two days after being released from jail. Ruan Rocha da Silva, 23, was arrested on Wednesday alongside another suspect after the two allegedly broke into a house in Jardim Arpoador, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Officers recovered the items taken in the burglary when they arrested the two men, local media reports. Da Silva became notorious after he was caught red-handed in 2017 when he stole a bike from a tattooist - who then forcibly tattooed 'I'm a thief and a fool' on his forehead. Despite his poignant reminder every time he looks in the mirror, da Silva seemingly still hasn't learned his lesson - as the burglary this week came just two days after he was released from prison. Ruan Rocha da Silva who had 'I'm a thief and a fool' tattooed on his forehead (pictured) has been seized by Brazilian police just two days after being released from jail Despite his poignant reminder every time he looks in the mirror, da Silva still hasn't learned his lesson, as his burglary this week came just two days after he was released from prison (pictured during a previous arrest in 2019) Da Silva became notorious after he was caught red-handed in 2017 when he stole a bike from a tattooist - who then forcibly tattooed 'I'm a thief and a fool' on his forehead He was jailed for four years in 2019 after breaking into the home of two healthcare workers to steal cash and phones. He was instantly identified and caught because of his bizarre face tattoo. He had the tattoo partially removed but some letters are still clearly visible on his forehead. In December last year, da Silva was one of seven inmates who escaped Sao Paulo's Provisional Detention Center Belem 1 on Christmas day. This was just days before he was due to be released after his lawyer had argued he was no longer a menace to society. The inmates had broken a guardrail and captured a prison officer before fleeing the prison. Da Silva handed himself into police just two days later and was sent to a high-security jail to serve the remainder of his sentence. Da Silva had the tattoo partially removed but some letters are still clearly visible on his forehead Tattooist Maycon Wesley and his neighbour Ronildo Moreira filmed themselves as they inked the confession across da Silva's head in 2017 He was released from prison two days ago - and already finds himself back behind bars awaiting trial on yet another theft charge after the burglary this week. Tattooist Maycon Wesley and his neighbour Ronildo Moreira filmed themselves as they inked the confession across da Silva's head in 2017. They later shared the footage on social media, which went viral. Both were sentenced to over three years in prison for torture in 2018 over the tattoo they gave da Silva. Da Silva had plastic surgery to remove the tattoo, however this was only partially successful. This is the moment a vlogger screamed in shock as her phone was snatched out of her hands in the middle of filming - pleading with the culprit 'please can I have my phone back'. TikToker Sophie Hockings known online as The One With All The Pink was recording herself on a street in Highbury Fields, Islingston, London yesterday. Just moments into her video about smear tests, a stranger on a bicycle rapidly approached Sophie from behind and swiped the phone. Despite the initial panic, the thief appeared to change his mind after Sophie, in typical British fashion, politely requested that he give her the mobile back. The video shows the culprit pause while running away, before they allow the 28-year-old to take her phone back after she asked nicely. Was YOUR phone snatched in the street? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk The TikToker known online as The One With All The Pink was recording herself on a street in Highbury Fields, Inner London yesterday Speaking to MailOnline, Sophie expressed her relief at getting her brand-new iPhone 15 Pro back, which she only upgraded to last month. Working as the Head of Partnerships at a supplements company, she said she needs her phone for work and would have panicked about her bank cards and personal details being on the device if it had been taken. READ MORE - Michael Barrymore has his phone stolen by 'some kid on a bike' when he returns to film nostalgia clips in Bermondsey where he was brought up Advertisement She said: 'Lots of people were getting in touch saying it had happened to them, and in the same area which is mad. I always thought it was a safe area. 'Someone said that maybe he thought I was on Facetime and they may have seen his face which is why he might of dropped it. Or maybe it locked, I don't know. 'I didn't report it to the police, but I probably would have if it had been stolen. But he had these huge latex gloves on and a face mask so I'm not sure what good it would be. 'It is so scary. My friend had her phone stolen on a night out and had to change all her bank details. It's scary how much we have on them. 'I had my phone stolen a few years ago in the same area, but it was only an old one.' She has since gone home to Blackpool for a 'relaxing weekend' to recover from the 'absolutely crazy' ordeal. And despite the 'challenges' which come with living in London - where she's lived for nine years - she still loves the city. Was YOUR phone snatched in the street? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk She screams in shock as her phone was snatched out of her hands while in the middle of filming - calling after the culprit 'please can I have my phone back' The camera shows a glimpse of the man, who wore a hooded black jumper and a face mask But she's considered investing in a wrist wrap to secure her phone in future, now being aware of how much she has her phone out for directions and vlogging. She then joked: 'If I had known it was going to happen, I would have dressed nicer!' The video began with the TikToker walking down the street, wearing a grey hoodie and a black handbag strapped on her right shoulder. The on-screen text reads: 'POV: Your phone gets stolen while vlogging.' READ MORE - Mobile phones are reported stolen every six minutes in London as police chief brands the fact only 2% of victims ever get them back as 'unacceptable' Advertisement She says: 'Got to pop out for a very quick doctor's appointment. This might be a little bit of TMI, but I have a smear test.' The road appears deserted as she continues walking and says: 'This is your sign, ladies. If you need to book it, go and book it. Do your due diligence.' At that moment, a pair of black gloves appeared from right behind her and snatched the phone from her hands. The camera shakes violently as the man begins to make his getaway on his bike all whilst Sophie screams in shock. The footage then shows a glimpse of the man, who wore a hooded black jumper and a blue face mask. Sophie can be heard giving chase in the background, seemingly managing to catch up with the thief as she pleads: 'Please can I have my phone back?' The thief then seems to quickly change his mind as he throws the phone onto the ground, with the camera shaking before landing on the with a loud smash. The camera then stabilises again as Sophie can be seen bending down to pick the phone up. The thief then seems to quickly change his mind as he throws the phone onto the ground, with the camera shaking before landing on the with a loud smash Posting a follow-up video on her TikTok account, she called the incident 'embarrassing, traumatic and funny' Sophie took to social media yesterday, joking: 'Not me just trying to help the girlies out.' She adds: 'But on a serious note, this was a huge wake up call to always keep your phone and your belongings in a safe bag. 'This was on a private street in Highbury Fields and I feel very lucky to be okay. Thank you to the very kind strangers who helped me afterwards, too. 'Stay safe in London, team.' The post received over 32,300 likes and more than 480 comments from users left stunned by the robbery and amazed that Sophie managed to get her phone back. One person wrote: 'I've seen this happen too many times in the south. The lady also ran after him, screaming, and he threw it back at her.' Another replied: 'Glad you got it back, though, and hope your appointment went well.' Many pointed out the 'comedic' aspect of the TikToker being very 'British' and politely requesting he give the phone back - to which he complied. Sophie added in the comments: 'Honestly, I'm just as baffled. 'I sort of ran after him screaming but he was going so slowly and then just stopped and threw it back maybe he didn't want it.' Posting a follow-up video on her TikTok account, she called the incident 'embarrassing, traumatic and funny'. But goes on to admit she left London and 'retreated back up North' for a few days because she was so 'shaken' up. She added that she is grateful she still has her phone but promised to 'be more careful' from now on. Reacting to the response to her first video, she said it is'overwhelming' how many people have also had their phone snatched. The TikToker added that she has lived in the 'family friendly area' for over three years and had always felt safe. Speaking about the ordeal, she said is was 'bizarre' he handed her phone back and said he 'looked like a bit of a kid, about 18 years old, he slowed down and sort of laughed at me'. Was YOUR phone snatched in the street? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk Harvard University finally removed a book that was bound with the skin of an unidentified woman who died in a French psychiatric hospital while acknowledging 'past failures in its stewardship.' The Ivy League school first learned of the legitimacy of claims that the book, Des Destinees de l'Ame meaning Destines of the Soul, was covered in actual human skin in 2014 in just the latest scandal faced by the institution. The book contains a note from its former owner Dr. Ludovic Bouland, who bound the book, in which he explains that he performed the bizarre act because 'a book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering.' The author, Arsene Houssaye, a friend of Bouland's, was not involved in the process. The book is described as a meditation on the soul and life after death 'Evidence indicates that Bouland bound the book with skin, taken from a woman, which he had acquired as a medical student,' Tom Hyry, associate Harvard librarian for archives and special collections, said this week. 'A memo accompanying the book written by John Stetson, which has since been lost, told us that Bouland took this skin from the body of an unknown deceased woman patient from a French psychiatric hospital,' he added. The infamous binding of the book. The human remains are now safely stored by Harvard The author, Arsene Houssaye, had no part in the binding with human skin The notes that accompanied the book explaining why the binding was carried out When Bouland died in 1933, the book was presented as a gift to Harvard by John B. Stetson, an American diplomat who was the heir to the Stetson hat empire. Stetson graduated from the Ivy League school in 1906. Stetson knew about the skin and told Harvard about it during donation. Since 1954, the book has been in open circulation in the school, meaning any member of the Houghton Library, could access it. In a statement Harvard admitted that students were commonly hazed and tasked with taking the book out something that the school calls an example of its 'past failures in its stewardship of the book that further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being.' In that statement, the school apologized for this. An associate librarian of the Houghton Library, Anne-Marie Eze, said that removing the book was 'part of the University's larger project of addressing human remains in its collections.' A Harvard spokesperson, Kerry Conley, told The Harvard Crimson, that the school also regretted two blog posts from 2014 that described the book in 'gleefully dark terms.' In 2015, the book was only available by special request. 'While the media seemed interested in the morbid nature of the object, there were several people who objected to the tone of the posts and to the book. We agreed with the criticism and amended our blog posts,' Conley said. A 2022 audit performed by Harvard found that more than 20,000 human remains were held by the school in archives, around 19 of those remains are the descendants of African slaves, another 6,500 are Native Americans. Advocates say that the contacted former Harvard president Claudine Gay about removing the book years ago The Houghton Library in Harvard, the primary repository for rare books and manuscripts Destines of the Soul is the only human remains associated with the library. The skin is now being stored in the library while the book has been digitized for anyone seeking it. The physical book will be available to researchers eventually without the skin. 'The core problem with the volume's creation was a doctor who didn't see a whole person in front of him and carried out an odious act of removing a piece of skin from a deceased patient, almost certainly without consent, and used it in a book binding that has been handled by many for more than a century,' Hyry said. 'We believe it's time the remains be put to rest.' Harvard says that its working to identify the woman in question in order to lay her to rest. Since 2014, rare book experts John Lancaster and Paul Needham have been pursuing the case of having Destinees of the Soul removed from circulation, according to the Crimson report. During that time, the school made contact with the top school officials including former president Claudine Gay. A week ago, Lancaster, Needham and Needham's wife Rabbi Ruth M. Gais took out an ad in the Crimson, imploring the school repatriate the woman's remains to France. An expert in books on medical history, Simon Chaplin, told the BBC in 2014 that the use of human skin in binding was not unheard of. 'It generally seems to have been done in the 19th Century by doctors who had access to human bodies for dissection,' Chaplin said. Startling video footage capturing the tragic moment a robotic arm fatally crushed a worker at a factory in Thailand has emerged today. The harrowing incident unfolded at the Vandapac factory located in Thailand's Chonburi province on March 27. The unsuspecting worker appeared to be laying out sheets of material when the arm forcefully swung down and pinned him against a bench. Unsettling CCTV footage shows how the victim was incapacitated beneath the hulking metal device as a fellow employee continued working across the room, seemingly unaware of the catastrophe unfolding just behind him. Emergency responders swiftly intervened after the alarm was eventually raised, releasing the man before administering critical aid and rushing him to Chonburi Hospital. But he was pronounced dead on arrival having sustained major trauma. The unsuspecting worker appeared to be laying out sheets of material when the arm forcefully swung down and pinned him against a bench Unsettling CCTV footage shows how the victim was incapacitated beneath the hulking metal device as a fellow employee continued working across the room, seemingly unaware of the catastrophe unfolding just behind him Factory authorities have asserted that the robot arm was operating within normal parameters and attributed the accident to the worker's misjudgment. They suggested he was aware of the robot arm's capabilities and mistakenly manoeuvered beneath it, refusing to take responsibility for the incident. Expressing minimal details, a manager stated to local media: 'We are not providing any more information. 'The employees accept responsibility for any accidents that happen while they are working.' Vandapac, a longstanding manufacturer specialising in plastic products for various industries, has operations spanning decades and employs over 1,800 individuals across its facilities in Samut Prakan province and the Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate. The shocking incident comes just months after another robot killed a worker in South Korea because it failed to differentiate him from a box of vegetables. That victim, a robotics company worker in his 40s, was checking the machine's sensor at a distribution centre for agricultural produce in South Gyeongsang during a routine inspection in November. But the machine, which was lifting boxes of peppers onto a pallet, grabbed the man with its arm and pushed him against the conveyor belt, crushing his face and chest. The robot malfunctioned and identified the man as a box, police sources said. The victim was transferred to the hospital but died later, according to the South Korean Yonhap news agency. Police subsequently launched an investigation into the site's safety managers for possible negligence in duties. An official from the Donggoseong Export Agricultural Complex, which owns the plant, called for a 'precise and safe' system to be established in a statement after the incident. The victim had reportedly filled in to conduct tests originally planned for November 6, but they were pushed back two days due to reported problems with the robot's sensor. Illustrative image shows a robot arm in use at a factory in Japan A chess-playing robot (pictured) broke a child's finger during an international tournament in Moscow last July, with the incident being captured in CCTV footage Last July, footage emerged of a chess-playing android breaking a child's finger during a match in Russia. The robot grabbed the seven-year-old boy's finger at the Moscow Open because it was confused by his quick movements, Russian media outlets reported. Sergey Lazarev, vice-president of the Russian Chess Federation, said the child had violated 'certain safety rules' by making a move too soon. Christopher Atkeson, a robotics expert at Carnegie Mellon University, told MailOnline: 'Robots have limited sensing and thus limited awareness of what is going on around them. 'I suspect the chess robot did not have ears, and that its vision system was blind to anything other than chess boards and pieces.' South Carolina's government discovered one of its bank accounts has $1.8 billion - but they have no idea who put the money there and why. The state's top accountant, the elected Republican comptroller general, resigned last year when his department began duplicate posting funds in higher education accounts, resulting in an on-paper $3.5 billion miscalculation. Senator Larry Grooms, who is spearheading the investigation into this money mystery, said that his investigate panel still does not have information from the state treasure's office as to where the money was supposed to go. 'It's like going into your bank and the bank president tells you we have a lot of money in our vault but we just don't know who it belongs to,' said Grooms, according to AP. Until the origin of the money is traced, Grooms proposed legislation that would allow him to move the large sum into a 'lockbox' account, where it will accrue interest. The state's top accountant, the elected Republican comptroller general, resigned last year when his department began duplicate posting funds in higher education accounts, resulting in an on-paper $3.5 billion miscalculation. Republican treasurer Curtis Loftis claimed to have invested the funds in the mystery account and generated nearly $200 million in interest for the state Senator Larry Grooms, who is spearheading the investigation into this money mystery, said that his investigative panel still does not have information from the state treasury's office as to where the money was supposed to go Until the origin of the money is traced, Grooms proposed legislation that would allow him to move the large sum into a 'lockbox' account, where it will accrue interest The state's 2010 computer system shift was the initial cause of the issue. State Senate leaders have stated that although investigative accountants are still working to sort through the chaos, it seems that money was moved from one place to another to assist balance the state's finances whenever they were out of balance. On Tuesday, the Senate approved a proposal, which is now going to the house, that would allow voters to decide whether to make the comptroller general an appointed position. Unless the treasurer can own up to why the money in this account exists in the first place, that is. State officials have not been provided with any information that would have revealed the source of the $1.8 billion, and the reason behind the bank account errors remains unsolved. 'It does not inspire confidence. But the good news is no money was lost,' Republican Governor Henry McMaster said. Republican treasurer Curtis Loftis claimed to have invested the funds in the mystery account and generated nearly $200 million in interest for the state. State Senate leaders have claimed that money was moved from one place to another to assist balance the state's finances whenever they were out of balance The Senate approved a proposal, which is now going to the house, that would allow voters to decide whether to make the comptroller general an appointed position This raised concerns about Loftis's failure to inform the general assembly about the existence of money they had either set aside for state agencies or that may have been in a trust fund. In a March 14 letter to Grooms, Loftis said not only was that not the job of his office, but that the comptroller general 'is attempting to shift responsibility to clean up its mess to the Treasurer.' Loftis said that his team had investigated the account for thousands of hours and that they were refused access to material or a meeting with the Comptroller General's Office. The distraught mother of a Mexican construction worker who died after a 948-foot-long cargo ship crashed into a Baltimore bridge he was working on has said she is devastated she didnt tell him how much she loved him the last time they spoke. Father-of-four Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 36, originally from Mexico, was one of six workers who plunged to their deaths in the early hours of Tuesday morning after the DALI shipping container crashed into the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse immediately. His body, alongside that of Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, was found by divers on Wednesday afternoon, inside of a red pickup truck that had sunk 25 feet into the frigid Patapsco River. Alejandros mother, Obdulia Fuentes, this morning tearfully revealed to DailyMail.com that her son had followed to her to the US from Mexico in 2006 because he couldnt bear to be without his mother. Speaking in Spanish, while Alejandros niece translated, Obdulia said he had always been a great son. Father-of-four Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 36, originally from Mexico , was one of six workers who plunged to their deaths in the early hours of Tuesday morning His body, alongside that of Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera (pictured), 26, was found by divers on Wednesday afternoon, inside of a red pickup truck that had sunk 25 feet into The devastation at the site of the collapse, which happened when the powerless cargo ship rammed it early Tuesday, is extensive Astonishing footage shows the moment the vessel plowed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, sending the colossal steel structure crashing into the Patapsco River I cant find the words to express the pain I feel in my heart, she added. She said Alejandro, who was living in Baltimore, left behind two sons and two daughters, aged between two and 14. From a very young age he always worried about me,' she said, speaking from her home in Riverdale, Maryland. He always tried his best to help. He started working really hard to buy me a washing machine because he didnt like the fact I was washing clothes by hand.' Obdulia said she last spoke to her son last Thursday, around two hours before he went to work. She said she couldnt remember exactly what they said to each other, only that I couldnt tell him that I loved him a lot. I didnt know it was going to be my last conversation with him. I regret not telling him that I love him,' she added. He lives far away from here so I dont have the opportunity to see him every day to hug him. Rescue personnel gather on the shore of the Patapsco River The ship - the Singaporean-flagged Dali - was 20 minutes into its journey when it slammed into a support column on the bridge Obdulia said Alejandro started working in landscaping when he first moved to the US and had been working in construction in Baltimore for around ten years. On Wednesday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott confirmed that divers recovered two victims trapped within a sunken vehicle. Massive barges carrying cranes streamed toward Baltimore on Thursday to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete in an attempt to open a key shipping route blocked by the wreckage. The devastation at the site of the collapse, which happened when the powerless cargo ship rammed it early Tuesday, is extensive. Officials said they would need to start clearing away the twisted wreckage before anyone could reach the bodies of four other missing workers. Divers are to resume searching once the debris is cleared. Miguel Luna is one of the workers feared dead. Officials said they would need to start clearing away the wreckage before anyone could reach the bodies of four other missing workers National Transportation Safety Board officials boarded the ship, the Dali, to recover information from its electronics and paperwork and to interview the captain and other crew members. Investigators shared a preliminary timeline of events before the crash, which federal and state officials have said appeared to be an accident. Of the 21 crew members on the ship, 20 are from India, Randhir Jaiswal, the nations foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters Thursday. One was slightly injured and needed stitches, but 'all are in good shape and good health,' Jaiswal said. The victims, who were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge, were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The crash caused the bridge to break and fall into the water within seconds. Authorities had just enough time to stop vehicle traffic, but didnt get a chance to alert the construction crew. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also U.S. consumers, who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. Recently, high streets were hit by news of Papa Johns and Body Shop closures Muji's spokesman stressed this will have no immediate impact on shops or staff The European arm of Japanese retailer Muji is going into administration The European arm of Japanese clothing and homeware retailer Muji is set to appoint administrators, in another gloomy signal for the UK's struggling high street. The spokesman for the business, which has six stores in London and one in Birmingham, said the move forms part of a 'planned strategic restructuring of the business', and that it expects to shortly reach a deal. This week has already seen reports that Revolution Bars is considering shutting 20 locations, pizza chain Papa Johns is to close 43 restaurants and 400 jobs at The Co-operative Bank are to be cut. Muji stressed the administration process will have no immediate impact on shops, staff and the general running of the chain. 'For Muji's colleagues and customers in Europe it is business as usual. All stores and e-commerce will continue to operate as before, and all new and outstanding orders will be fulfilled,' the firm said. The European arm of Japanese clothing and homeware retailer Muji is set to appoint administrators, in another gloomy signal for the UK's struggling high street Muji has six shops in London and one in Birmingham (stock image of a Muji store) Muji stressed the administration process will have no immediate impact on shops, staff and the general running of the chain Muji was launched in Japan in 1980 and sells a range including clothes, stationery, homeware, beauty products and cupboard essentials It is known for its focus on Japanese-inspired simple and functional goods and also has stores across mainland Europe and the Nordics. Staff approached by MailOnline said that they could not comment on the situation having been asked to direct journalists to the company's media office. The news follows difficulties for a string of well-known high street retailers. The Body Shop announced in February it was calling in administrators, subsequently announcing the closure of nearly half of its UK stores. Earlier this month, the company behind fashion brand Ted Baker appointed administrators, putting hundreds of jobs at risk across its 46 UK stores. The high-profile collapse of the historic chain Wilko last year led to the closure of its 400 shops and almost all of its 12,500 workers being made redundant. This is the moment a burning 32million Russian fighter jet spiralled out of control over Crimea before slamming into the sea in a fireball explosion. Footage captured earlier today shows the aircraft engulfed in flames and plummeting from the sky. Within seconds, it crashes into the sea off annexed Crimean city Sevastopol. On hitting the water, the fighter jet immediately exploded into a fireball, causing massive clouds of black smoke. The pilot of the Russian aircraft - believed to be a Sukhoi Su-27 jet - ejected and has since been rescued about 650ft away, according to reports. 'A military plane has fallen into the sea,' Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of the city of Sevastopol, said in a post on Telegram, without giving the cause. He added that no civilian objects had been damaged. Footage shows the aircraft, half of which is on fire, tumbling to the ground. Within 15 seconds, it crashes into the sea off annexed Crimean city Sevastopol The jet exploded into a massive fireball as soon as it hit the surface of the water Once the fighter jet hit the water, it exploded into a fireball and caused massive clouds of black smoke to billow into the sky 'The pilot ejected. He was picked up by rescuers from the Sevastopol Rescue Service at a distance of 200 metres from the shore. His life is not in danger,' Razvozhayev added. Videos on social media appeared to show the pilot drifting down in a parachute after ejecting. Sevastopol, the historic headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet, sits on the southern tip of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014. The region has come under frequent Ukrainian attack during the two-year conflict. According to reports on various Telegram channel, the plane is believed to have been 'shot down by air defence fire during an air raid alarm' or experienced a 'technical malfunction of the engine'. No official cause for the crash of the 32million fighter jet has been revealed yet. Two Russian Su-27 fighter jets were pictured on a handout photo by the British Ministry of Defence, made available on July 4, 2023. The jets cost 32million each READ MORE: Moment Ukraine destroys a rare Russian armoured vehicle first used at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in drone strike Advertisement This comes after Putin hailed the 'return' to Russia of annexed Ukrainian territories at a concert in Red Square earlier this month after winning the Russian presidential election. The annexation of the Black Sea peninsula Crimea in 2014 was a precursor to Moscow's seizure of four other Ukraine regions in 2022 that it has declared parts of Russia, in actions condemned as illegal by most countries at the United Nations. Putin told the large, flag-waving crowd in Moscow on March 18 that the 'return' of those other regions to Russia had turned out to be 'much more grave and tragic' than Crimea's, but it had been accomplished. Two years after Putin launched what he calls his 'special military operation', Russia has not fully captured the four regions in Ukraine. Nevertheless, voting in Russia's three-day presidential election that ended on Sunday, March 17, was held in the parts of Ukraine and annexed Crimea that its forces control. But it is all but certain the president will decline Comer's offer The letter is a last effort to dig up dirt on Biden before the probe concludes Republicans have already received testimony from Biden's son and brother Joe Biden has been invited to testify in his own impeachment inquiry as Republicans hope to secure damning information on the president's alleged 'self-enrichment schemes' in a last effort to find evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., sent a letter to the president Thursday asking him to answer questions and inviting him to Capitol Hill to testify on April 16 in the Republican's investigation into his family's 'influence peddling.' The committee has been investigating Biden, his family and business associates for over six months and claim they have received 'a body of evidence' that proves Biden was 'indeed involved in these pay-for-influence schemes' totaling over $24 million. 'I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will be afforded the opportunity to explain, under oath, your involvement with your familys sources of income and the means it has used to generate it,' Comer wrote to Biden. The Republican suggested earlier this month that Biden could testify in a just few weeks time. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., sent a letter to Joe Biden Thursday inviting him to testify publicly under oath about his involvement in what the Republican alleges is an influence peddling scheme President Joe Biden has repeatedly said he was not involved in any of his family's business ventures despite Republicans claiming otherwise The invitations comes as Republicans have exhaustively scoured the president and his family's bank accounts to find evidence of his wrongdoing. The saga has included testimonies from the president's son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden, among others, and Republicans see the president's potential testimony as the crown jewel of their probe. But it is all but certain the president will decline Comer's offer. He would likely opt to not have a potentially embarrassing made-for-TV-moment that could lend credibility to the GOP's efforts. In response to the letter, White House spokesman Ian Sams sent DailyMail.com a post on X from earlier this month: 'Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong.' 'He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records hes received have refuted his false allegations,' his post continued. 'This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment.' But Comer disagrees. The Kentucky Republican's letter details many of the committee's findings, most notably focusing on how over $24 million has flowed from foreign sources to Biden, his family and their business associates. 'You have repeatedly denied playing any role in your familys business activities, but the Committee has amassed evidenceincluding bank records and witness testimonythat wholly contradicts your position on these matters,' the letter states. The Republican claims a network of shell companies funneled or received over $25 million from China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakstan and other nations that ultimately ended up with the Biden family or their business partners. The letter casts doubt on Joe and Hunter Biden's claims that the president was not involved in his son's business ventures James Biden, the brother of the president, testified before the Oversight Committee in February President Biden (L) and his son Hunter Biden (R) have been under investigation by the House Oversight Committee since last year Biden, for his part, has maintained that he has 'never talked business' with his family's business associates. Still, Comer and his fellow Republicans are assured that is not the case. 'The Committee has traced tens of thousands of dollars from China to your bank account,' the letter states. The committee identified approximately $10 million originating from China that they claim is connected to Biden family influence peddling. They also raise questions about why Hunter Biden was paid $1 million annually by Ukrainian company Burisma while he sat on the board - at the same time Joe was serving as vice president. The Republicans are still demanding information about two 'loan repayment' checks Biden received from his brother Jim. To entice the president to attend the optional hearing, the letter referenced how former presidents have testified before Congress. 'As you are aware, presidents before you have provided testimony to congressional committees, including President Fords testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee in 1974,' they write. Comer may not push for a vote on articles of impeachment, though, after sending a fundraising email earlier this week saying 'preparing criminal referrals' will be 'the culmination of my investigation.' A criminal referral would largely amount to a symbolic letter to the Department of Justice suggesting prosecutors probe specific crimes they believe have been committed. Hunter Biden testified before the committee last month in Washington, D.C. As it stands, the path forward on a House impeachment vote is murky at best. Earlier this month - six months into the impeachment inquiry - Speaker Mike Johnson admitted he 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. Curb Your Enthusiam's Larry David went off about former President Donald Trump calling him a 'little baby,' 'insane' and a 'sociopath' in an interview with CNN. David, who also created the sitcom Seinfeld, sat down for an interview for the program Who's Talking to Chris Wallace, with the whole Q&A being released on Max on Friday. Wallace, who long helmed the program Fox News Sunday, asked David: 'So how much has the whole 2020 election and everything that has flowed from it p***ed you off?' 'You can't go a day without thinking about what he's done to this country because he's such a little baby that he's thrown 250 years of democracy out the window by not accepting the results,' David replied. 'I mean, it's so crazy. He's such a sociopath. He's so insane. He just couldn't admit to losing, and we know he lost, he knows he lost, and look how he's fooled everybody. He's convinced all these people that he didn't lose,' the comedian continued. 'He's such a sick man! He's so sick.' Curb Your Enthusiam's Larry David went off about former President Donald Trump calling him a 'little baby,' 'insane' and a 'sociopath' in an interview with CNN David tore into Trump, pictured during his court appearance in Manhattan Monday, for refusing to concede the 2020 election to President Joe Biden David then added, 'No, it hasn't impacted me at all.' The comedian's anti-Trump leanings are well known, as he previously accosted his former friend, Trump impeachment lawyer Alan Dershowitz, on Martha's Vineyard in 2021. Dershowitz told Page Six that David 'screamed' and 'yelled' at him. 'I was worried that he was going to have a stroke.' A source told the gossip column that David was particulary aggrieved that Dershowitz had hugged Trump's former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. 'No. No. We really can't. I saw you. I saw you with your arm around Pompeo! Its disgusting!' David reportedly said. Dershowitz explained that Pompeo was one of his former students at Harvard Law. 'It's disgusting. Your whole enclave its disgusting. Youre disgusting!' David replied. The comedian also has a connetion to Robert F. Kenndy's (center right) as his television ex-wife Cheryl is played by Kennedy's wife Cheryl Hines (right). Kennedy debuted his running mate Nicole Shanahan (center left) Tuesday in Oakland, California The Curb Your Enthusiasm star has donated to a number of Democratic candidates and causes in recent years, including now Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, according to Open Secrets. He also donated funds to Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia in November 2020, when they were running in run-off races in early 2021, winning those seats and control of the U.S. Senate for the Democrats. He made a splash on Saturday Night Live starting in 2015, playing the cantankerous progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders after he launched his insurgent Democratic primary campaign against frontrunner Hillary Clinton. But David also has a connection to a current presidential campaign as Cheryl Hines, who plays his ex-wife Cheryl on Curbed, is the wife of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy is trying to gain access to the general election ballot to run against President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Wallace said during a CNN appearance Wednesday night promoting the David interview that he didn't ask the comic his take on Kennedy's run. Hines introduced her husband Tuesday in Oakland, California as he rolled out his VP pick - Bay Area lawyer and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan, the ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Curb Your Enthusiasm is currently in its final season. Experts, execs stress responsible AI 15:31, March 28, 2024 By Cheng Yu ( China Daily Participants discuss AI issues at the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, Hainan province, on Wednesday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY No country, including the United States, can single-handedly lead the future development of artificial intelligence, and only global cooperation can ensure that AI will remain safe and beneficial for all, said field experts and company executives at the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, Hainan province, on Wednesday. Their remarks were an attempt to address "AI anxiety" among sections of the Chinese AI industry consequent to the launch of text-to-video model Sora by US firm Open-AI. Zeng Yi, a researcher of the Institute of Automation, which is part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a member of the United Nations High-level Advisory Body on AI, said: "The US will not lead the future AI development alone, nor will China. Unless we move forward hand in hand, no country will." Zeng emphasized that AI is a foundational technology and an enabler. "The world is vast enough to allow China, the US and many other countries to find their own opportunities in building infrastructure and driving applications. "If the culture of China differs from that of the US, then please provide a profound understanding of how a different culture might envision the empowerment of technology in the future and how we can deeply integrate science and humanity to offer more possibilities for the world." The more pressing issue, he said, is how the world can unite to truly develop AI that is safer, more reliable and more trustworthy. Stuart Russell, a professor of computer science at UC Berkeley and a leading AI researcher, said that competition in the field is by and large healthy, but the idea of a zero-sum game is a "huge mistake". "If AI can be created to be safe and beneficial, and more capable than human beings, then it can function as a source of unlimited wealth," he said. "In that sense, there is no need to compete for such technology." Russell further said that a more important issue is to coexist healthily and safely with this technology, which is still an open question for the world. Chinese tech companies such as iFlytek, Alibaba Group, Tencent Holdings, Baidu Inc, ByteDance and Huawei Technologies as well as thousands of startups are scrambling to develop AI large models. Many of them have gathered momentum over the past year. As of October, China had developed 254 AI large models with a parameter of at least a billion tokens each, according to a report released by the Beijing Municipal Science &Technology Commission. Tokens are chunks of text that AI learns from, while a parameter is used for evaluating numeric data. Liu Cong, vice-president of iFlytek and head of iFlytek's research institute, said the company's SparkDesk AI large model has had great improvements and is expected to catch up with ChatGPT-4 in Chinese abilities by the middle of this year. More importantly, it is trained on a totally independent computing power platform. "But we have to note that only when the large model is applied can it become an important engine for new quality productive forces," he said. "Facing the future, China must get a clear understanding of its gaps with those of international levels and, meanwhile, leverage its joint forces on resources to accelerate the systematic construction of AI." Liu said that focus should be sharpened on the social risks and ethical challenges that the AI tech may pose, in order to ensure AI becomes a tool to build a better world. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) In November, Connecticut State Police raided a Burlington home and seized psilocybin mushrooms valued at $8.5 million. A 21-year-old man is scheduled for an April date in state Superior Court, on two felony charges. The legislative Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would decriminalize possession of small amount of so-called 'magic' mushrooms. Connecticut State Police / Contributed Photo Veteran state Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, a ranking Republican on the legislative Judiciary Committee Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media The legislative Judiciary Committee, acknowledging that there is emerging research on its therapeutic used for PTSD and depression, on Tuesday approved a bill that would decriminalize possession of small amount of so-called "magic" mushrooms. The bill, which passed along party lines 24-13 in the Democratic-dominated committee, next heads to the House of Representatives. If approved there and then in the state Senate, and finally signed by the governor, it would turn possession of a half ounce or less of psilocybin mushrooms from a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, to an infraction payable with a $100 fine. Some Republicans on the committee acknowledged its possible medicinal uses for post traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. But they also warned it would be the first step toward approving mushrooms for recreational use, similar to the 2011 decriminalization of small amounts of cannabis, signed by then-Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. In June of 2021, Gov. Ned Lamont approved legislation for retail sales of adult-use cannabis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I will note we are not legalizing psilocybin under this bill. Let's be clear," said state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the committee. "Possession of psilocybin under this bill would still be illegal. A police officer could still confiscate it, could still destroy it and could issue an infraction ticket to someone in possession of small amounts of psilocybin. Recognizing there has been quite a bit of study around this drug, recognizing the potential health benefits that veterans and others suffering from PTSD use it for." "We went down this path once with the ultimate legalization of recreational marijuana," said Sen. John Kissel of Enfield, a ranking Republican on the committee. "You're going to be seeing things or looking at things and it's going to have a different effect on your psyche. How that impacts an individual, I don't know. It's basically taking what's a misdemeanor, which is pretty low on our scale of offenses, and essentially turning it into a traffic ticket, an infraction. So it's probably going to have little or no deterrent effect, certainly not a huge one. I have no doubts that there is probably some beneficial medical utilization for psilocybin." In recent years, advocates have stressed the drug's success in helping war veterans, alcoholics and those with depression. During a recent public hearing before the Judiciary Committee, advocates sparred with GOP opponents. State Rep. Tom O'Dea, R-New Canaan, recalling the public hearing, said he did not remember any medical doctors testifying in favor of using psilocybin in a "valid" clinical context. "The path of this is disastrous, in my humble opinion," he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to written testimony submitted to the committee, both the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, and a retired clinical psychologist favored the legislation. "There was testimony from a number of proponents of this bill about how they find benefits from this drug," Stafstrom said. "There also was a study done by the state of Connecticut a few years back that talked about some of the health benefits and I believe the FDA has been conducting its own research." The state study, issued in February of 2022, found that research on psilocybin found it to be "a promising treatment for some behavioral health conditions, including substance use, depression, and palliative care for end-of-life anxiety and depression." The therapy is "effective when administered in highly structured settings under the supervision of a health care professional or professionals." In November, State Police arrested 21-year-old Westen Soule of Burlington, Connecticut at his home and seized dozens of bags of psilocybin mushrooms valued at $8.5 million. According to the state Judicial Branch website, he is out on $250,000 bond awaiting to file a plea on two felony charges, with his next court date scheduled for April 26. This is the moment three men flee from a London railway station after the horrific stabbing of a man on a train which was caught on camera. Footage shows the trio sprinting from exit at Beckenham Junction Station just before 4pm yesterday, moments after a man was repeatedly knifed in full view of commuters. The incident, video of which was shared on social media, left a man in his 20s with multiple stab wounds in a critical but stable condition and has seen a vast police response today. Officers have since arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after the stabbing, which took place on a train between Beckenham Junction and Shortlands. CCTV from outside the station, obtained by ITV, shows how shortly after the train arrived at the south London station three men fled through the car park. CCTV footage shows three men sprinting across the car park at Beckenham Junction station after fleeing from the train where the stabbing took place Video footage shared on social media showed a man appearing to stand over another man on a moving train holding a large knife Footage of the terrifying attack moments earlier showed a man wielding a large knife on board a Southeastern train rained blows down on a passenger as distressed travellers looked on in horror. The man, dressed in a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a medical-style face covering, could be holding the large blade as onlookers begged him to stop as they dialled 999. One passenger can be heard screaming 'f****** stop it now' before calling police to report the incident. The witness then says: 'I'm on the train to Beckenham Junction and this man's stabbing someone on the train.' Another image was later shared of a man in dark clothing holding a large knife, his face partially obscured by a medical face covering, leaving the station. Train services were disrupted in the area until around 6.30pm on Wednesday night. The BTP said in a statement: 'A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an investigation into a stabbing on board a train towards Beckenham junction station. A knife has also been recovered. 'British Transport Police attended, alongside London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police and a man in his 20s was taken to hospital.' Superintendent Darren Malpas of the BTP said of the arrest: 'We understand the concerns of the public following this incident and our detectives have been working tirelessly to investigate. The alleged attacker was then seen walking along the street with a large blade in his hand as he fled the scene The scene at Beckenham Junction station following reports of a stabbing on Wednesday afternoon. Police say they have arrested a 19-year-old on suspicion of attempted murder The Metropolitan Police said it would be laying on additional police patrols in Beckenham following the incident Officers were seen examining a platform at Beckenham Junction following the alleged attack Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward after arresting the teenager (pictured: police vehicles outside the station) 'I hope this arrest will bring some reassurance to those on the rail network. High-visibility patrols will continue in the area and across the network as a visible reassurance to the travelling public. 'Any witnesses who are yet to get in touch are urged to do so by calling 0800 405040 or texting 61016 quoting reference 397 of 27 March.' The Metropolitan Police said in a statement on social media: 'An arrest has been made in connection with yesterday's stabbing. 'We continue to support officers as their investigation continues. People in Beckenham will see additional neighbourhood officers on patrol today.' A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said of the attack on Wednesday: 'We were called today at 3.58pm to reports of an incident at Beckenham Junction Station. 'We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an incident response officer and London's air ambulance. 'We treated a man at the scene before taking him to a London major trauma centre.' The alleged stabbing came hours before a knife attack at Kennington Underground station shortly after 10pm that day - around eight miles and almost seven hours later. Police are continuing to hunt for the attacker who stabbed two people at the Tube stop in south London in what the BTP is says is thought to be an unrelated attack. Police and other emergency services at the scene at Kennington station last night after two people were reportedly stabbed. The incident is not believed to be linked British Transport Police say two people were taken to hospital after the incident on a northbound platform An attacker fled the station and remains at large after two people were injured; the pair are in a critical but stable condition in hospital. A BTP spokesperson said of the later disturbance: 'The incident is not believed to be linked to a stabbing at Beckenham Junction earlier on the same day.' Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Paul Attwell added: 'We understand that people will be worried by this senseless attack. 'Our teams have been working throughout the night, aided by CCTV footage, forensics and detailed accounts from witnesses at the scene. 'We believe that one of the victims was injured after bravely stepping in to try to prevent the attack.' In a statement to MailOnline, TfL chief operating officer Glynn Barton said: 'Last night, our staff assisted the emergency services following an incident at Kennington station. The station is now open and services are running normally. 'The safety of all our customers is always our top priority and we continue to assist the British Transport Police with their investigation.' Anyone with information on the Kennington attack is asked to contact the BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 728 of 27 March. Information can also be submitted to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. President Joe Biden called New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday to give his condolences about the killing of NYC cop Jonathan Diller. 'President Biden spoke to Mayor Adams and gave his condolences about the tragic killing of Officer Jonathan Diller. The President offered Mayor Adams, the City of New York, and the New York Police Department his support in the wake of the tragedy,' the White House said in a statement. Diller was killed Monday when he was shot in Queens after he approached an illegally parked vehicle. The White House wouldn't say if President Joe Biden reached out to the family of murdered cop Jonathan Diller Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend Diller's funeral on Thursday - the same day Biden will be attending a $25 million fundraiser with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The star-studded event will be hosted by Mindy Kaling and features performances by Queen Latifah and Leah Michelle. Trump also spoke with the officer's widow by phone. Trump has railed against the high crime rates in New York City and other big cities, making it a campaign issue in his race against Biden for the White House. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre couldn't say if Biden has called Diller's family. 'I don't have any private communications to share at this time,' she told reporters on Air Force One in route to New York. 'Our hearts go out, obviously to the officers family and the broader NYPD family, who have tragically lost one of their own.' Diller received a dignified transfer Tuesday, looked on by New York police officers paying their respects. Police say 34-year-old Guy Rivera of Queens is charged with first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the case. He remains hospitalized with injuries from the shootout. The last time a New York City officer died in the line of duty was in January 2022, when Detectives Wilbert Mora, 27, and Jason Rivera, 22, were killed responding to a 911 call in Harlem Jonathan Diller was killed in the line of duty Jonathan Diller received a dignified transfer Tuesday, looked on by New York police officers Former President Donald Trump (left) will attend Jonathan Diller's wake; Biden called New York City Mayor Eric Adams (right) to give his condolences for Diller Trump previously posted on Truth Social that his 'heartfelt prayers go out to the family' of Diller, adding that the officer's 'life was taken by a murderous career criminal.' 'To Officer Diller's family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!' Trump said in his post. A British tourist has died in northern Spain as Storm Nelson batters parts of the country. He lost his life after falling into the sea from a quayside area near the mouth of an estuary. The tragedy occurred at an old fishing village which is now a marina called San Esteban de Pravia, part of the municipality of Muros de Nalon, Asturias, Spain. The unnamed Brit, thought to be aged around 50, had travelled to the area with his wife for a short holiday according to the local mayor. His body was recovered just before 2pm this afternoon, around an hour after the alarm was first raised. A British tourist lost his life after falling into the sea from a quayside area in San Esteban de Pravia, Principality of Asturias, Spain One local report said he had fallen from the end of a breakwater after going for a walk with his wife. It said he ended up being knocked off his feet by a rogue wave and hitting his head after getting up on the breakwater wall. Unconfirmed reports this afternoon said he had been spotted taking photos before he was knocked into the water. A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response co-ordination centre said: 'The Asturias Fire Rescue Group on board the medicalised helicopter of the Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) has rescued the lifeless body of a man who fell into the sea at the San Esteban breakwater, in Muros del Nalon. 'His body was evacuated to the breakwater itself where the Civil Guard took charge of the situation. 'The dead man was located in the San Esteban estuary and was evacuated to the helicopter using a crane mechanism in which 30 metres of cable were deployed. 'The Asturias Emergency Coordination Centre received the call at a minute past 1pm, saying a man had just fallen into the sea. 'The rescue group and emergency response helicopter were mobilised along with another team of firefighters. 'The Red Cross and coastguards were also alerted but didn't end up getting involved. 'The victim's body was located and recovered at 1.48pm and taken to the breakwater.' Local reports said the British man was on a first-time visit to the area after travelling to Muros de Nalon with his partner from the city of Valladolid 200 miles south. They had arrived yesterday and were renting an apartment and had planned to spend Easter there. The woman they rented the flat from is said to have spoken to them soon after their arrival about the bad weather over the following few days. It is not yet clear if the dead man's partner is also British and whether the couple lived in the UK or Spain. Muros de Nalon mayor Celestino Novo said: 'They had come to spend a week's holiday in our municipality and this tragedy has occurred. I'm so devastated.' A witness revealed to El Comercio: 'The man stood up for a moment to look at the waves and when he turned around to return to his wife, who had stayed further back, a wave dragged him away'. The tourist was one of four people killed during Storm Nelson today in Spain. A woman fell into the sea in the port of Cudillero which is also in Asturias, and died after being hit by rocks, reported Telecinco. A teenager died in the eastern coast city of Tarragona after drowning, as well as a 30-year-old German man who saw him in difficulties and tried to rescue him. The Emergency Service of the Principality of Asturias (SEPA) has advised residents and tourists not go near cliffs, promenades and dangerous areas where strong gusts of wind can cause falls and on the coast they can be swept away into the sea. This is a breaking news story. More to follow It also appeared to depict a palm tree similar to a badge seen on Nazi troops in North Africa The US Army has launched an urgent probe after an Alabama-based special forces solider was seen with a Nazi -inspired badge on his helmet. The 20th Special Forces Group posted a photo to its Instagram page appearing to show a member sporting a patch bearing a Totenkopf, a symbol adopted by Hitler for his elite SS soldiers. The symbol also appeared to incorporate a palm tree design seen on badges worn by Nazi troops in North Africa. The division shared the photo on Sunday, but it was swiftly deleted after social media users spotted the similarities between the patch and Nazi imagery. The US Army has launched an urgent probe after an Alabama-based special forces solider was seen with a 'Nazi -inspired' badge on his helmet The 20th Special Forces Group posted a photo appearing to show a member sporting a patch bearing a Totenkopf, a symbol adopted by Hitler for his elite SS guards The badge also appeared to incorporate the palm tree design from Nazi patches worn by troops in North Africa The National Guard said it is 'investigating this misuse and will ensure accountability for our findings'. Pictured: 20th Special Forces Group on a training exercise near Chester Township, Michigan 'The use of symbols and patches depicting historic images of hate are not tolerated within our organization,' the division said in a statement on Instagram. 'We are investigating this misuse and will ensure accountability for our findings'. The statement said the division is 'consistently learning' and that it will 'focus on enforcing accountability in our formation'. The Alabama National Guard is assisting with the investigation, Mack Muzio, a National Guard spokesperson added in a statement to Army Times. The Totenkopf was used on the uniform of the SS-Totenkopfverbande who operated concentration camps. It appears on the Anti-Defamation League's hate symbols database and has been used by white supremacists and other neo-Nazis since the Second World War. The photo was shared by the Birmingham-based group on Sunday with the caption: 'That weekend feeling. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Dont stop training. Dont get complacent.' The badge depicted is believed to have originated from Green Berets in the 3rd Special Forces Team. The Totenkopf was used on the uniform of the SS-Totenkopfverbande who operated concentration camps The Totenkopf, sported by the likes of SS officer Walter Reder (pictured) have been adopted by white supremacist groups since the Second World War In 2022, this patch which appeared to be an amalgamation of Nazi symbols and is believed to be the one in the image was reportedly spotted being used by other Green Berets before it was banned The patch was used as an 'unofficial' emblem until it was banned due to its 'historical use' Gordon confirmed. The symbol appears to be a combination of the Totenkopf and the badge used by the Deutches Afrikacorps, the German forces who fought against the Allied troops in North Africa, according to the Army Times. The word Totenkopf is German for 'death head', the Anti Defamation League explains on its website. 'Following the war, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists resurrected the Totenkopf as a hate symbol because of its importance to the SS and it has been a common hate symbol since,' the database states. 'It is this particular image of a skull and crossbones that is considered a hate symbol, not any image of a skull and crossbones.' The probe comes just a month after the Montana National Guard apologized for using images of Nazi soldiers marching in its recruitment materials amid a fierce backlash. Former President Barack Obama followed President Joe Biden down the small stairs off Air Force One and guided him toward the Beast as the duo arrived Thursday to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Obama, alongside former President Bill Clinton who lives in New York, will join Biden onstage Thursday night for a glitzy New York City fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall. The event is expected to bring in $25 million. On the flight Obama could be heard briefly saying hello to the White House press corps, as press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters the conversation was off the record. Obama's involvement with the Biden campaign comes after several reports said the 62-year-old ex-president has been sounding the alarm about Biden's reelection prospects. Former President Barack Obama (right) got a ride on Air Force One with President Joe Biden (left) ahead of their glitzy $25 million New York City fundraiser Thursday night Obama (right) guided Biden (left) to the presidential limo as the duo of Democratic presidents arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. They will be joined by former President Bill Clinton At the Thursday night event the Democratic trio of presidents will hobnob with some of the richest donors. They will be interviewed by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert. The Office and The Mindy Project star Mindy Kaling is set to emcee. Donors at the Democratic bash will be entertained by musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. And for those willing to fork over $100,000 to the Biden campaign, they can have their picture taken with all three presidents. Meanwhile on Thursday, Biden's 2024 rival former President Donald Trump will attend the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island. Diller was shot and killed in the line of duty in Queens on Monday. Guy Rivera, the suspect arrested in the slaying, has been arrested 21 times. On Wednesday, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed rumors that Trump was planning to attend the wake Thursday at the Massapequa Funeral Home in New York On Monday, officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop - he leaves behind a wife and one-year-old son Thousands of law enforcement officers observed the arrival of Diller's body to the upstate New York funeral home, where his service will be held Thursday Time Magazine's cover story last week chronicled two in-person meetings Obama had with Biden last year - one in June and then a follow-up in December, when the ex-president didn't see the president's campaign operation improve. '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. A follow-up story in The New York Times Tuesday said that Obama is regularly dialing Biden - but he's also phoning White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients too. A senior aide told the paper that Obama has 'always' been worried about a Biden loss to Trump, and so he's prepared to 'eke it out' alongside his former VP through Election Day in November. Obama's reported warnings are similar to what Clinton was saying behind closed doors ahead of the 2016 presidential election, which saw his wife, Democrat Hillary Clinton, shockingly lose to Trump, who had never held elected office. In the book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign authors Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen detailed how Bill Clinton feared that his wife and her campaign aides were taking some support for granted. He suggested she go into communities that wouldn't necessarily naturally vote for the Democrat just to show she was making an effort. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will take the stage with President Joe Biden at New York City's Radio City Music Hall (pictured) for a discussion moderated by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert 'He knew there was some power just in showing up,' co-author Allen said in a 2017 interview with ABC News. Obama has reportedly advised Biden that his field operations are being built out too slowly - bottlenecked by the president's reliance on a 'insular group of advisers clustered in the West Wing,' Time said. During Obama's 2012 reelection campaign - which he successfully won against Republican Mitt Romney - he had hired 900-plus staffers by summer. The Biden campaign, which is headquarted in Biden's adopted hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, ended 2023 with just around 70 paid employees, though there's a goal to hire 350. Biden's team said that the campaign is also planning to rely on staff at the Democratic National Committee to aid the state-level effort. A carer who smothered his 89-year-old mother 'in an act of mercy' has been spared jail. Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after dementia and osteoporosis sufferer Eileen Pearce for 10 years before he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath, south London, in June 2021. Afterwards, he slashed his wrists before calling police to 'confess', saying: 'She was in a lot of pain.' The defendant denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility due to his severely depressed state. On Thursday, Judge Alexia Durran sentenced Pearce at the Old Bailey to two years in jail, suspended for two years. She told the court it was a 'tragic case', but added: 'Mercy killing is not recognised as an exemption to the law of homicide.' Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after dementia and osteoporosis sufferer Eileen Pearce for 10 years before he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath She said Mrs Pearce was a 'fiercely independent' woman who had received 'excellent' care at home from her son before the defendant became 'overwhelmed' by the situation. Judge Durran said: 'I considered you decided death for both of you was the only solution in the incredibly sad position you found yourself. Tragic note left by Kevin Pearce after 'mercy killing' 'I am sorry but it's all got too much. Mum's health, dementia, and delirium after her recent hospital stay, really has been so difficult to cope with. 'I did try my best. I have been her carer for many years and no one knows how hard it has been. 'Last night was just the final straw. That is not living. That is not my brave, beautiful, bright mum who gave up everything for her boys. 'In the end, I have given her release. 'Please forgive me. I do love her and I did my best. Perhaps I should have asked for help but it's never been our way. 'It is not right for me to go on, I accept that and have no regrets. 'I just feel I have reached the end of everything and there didn't seem to be anyone to turn to or who will miss me.' Advertisement 'I accept your good character. Your actions can be characterised as an act of mercy.' The judge also sentenced Pearce to 240 days of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement. Earlier, prosecutor Jack Talbot told how Mrs Pearce was found dead in her bed at home on June 5 2021. The defendant told officers that he had put his mother 'out of her suffering' with a wet flannel. He said: 'Then I decided to kill myself but it did not work. 'I thought it was only fair if I did that to my mum. I have got nothing to live for and no one.' Pearce, who took early retirement from a rail company to look after his mother, said that 'nobody wanted to know'. In a signed note found on his chest of drawers, Pearce wrote: 'I am sorry but it's all got too much. Mum's health, dementia, and delirium after her recent hospital stay, really has been so difficult to cope with. 'I did try my best. I have been her carer for many years and no one knows how hard it has been. 'Last night was just the final straw. That is not living. That is not my brave, beautiful, bright mum who gave up everything for her boys. 'In the end, I have given her release. 'Please forgive me. I do love her and I did my best. Perhaps I should have asked for help but it's never been our way. 'It is not right for me to go on, I accept that and have no regrets. 'I just feel I have reached the end of everything and there didn't seem to be anyone to turn to or who will miss me.' In his police interview, Pearce said his mother was a 'tough cookie' but had been in 'incredible pain'. He said what happened was a 'kind of blank', a 'cumulative' effect and like a 'whole stack of dominoes' and his whole life falling over. He said: 'I did what I felt I had to do and then I decided I would go the same way but failed miserably.' When asked if he had spoken to his mother to make a plan, the defendant said it was 'not the sort of thing we talked about'. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mrs Pearce's older son Terry Pearce said she had brought them up alone after she split up with their father in 1974. He said she had a 'good sense of morality and good manners'. Pearce (pictured outside court) had given his mother 'excellent' care at home before he became 'overwhelmed' by the situation, the judge said 'Although I did not keep in close contact with my mother and brother, when I did visit, my mother was always clean and in good spirits and always looked after by Kevin.' He appealed for 'compassion' for his brother saying he understood the 'stress' and 'horror' of watching a loved one deteriorate, having cared for his wife before she died from cancer. He said that he could not fully comprehend just what his brother had to deal with and begged the court for understanding. He did not know how his sibling found the strength to care for their mother during the Covid-19 pandemic, adding: 'The things he did during this time cannot be under-estimated.' In mitigation, defence barrister Katy Thorne KC said: 'This is a tragic but highly unusual case. 'We say, Mr Pearce did kill his 89-year-old mother in the throes of a depressive episode in the context of a wholly loving, caring relationship with her.' She argued for the judge to take an 'unusual' course of imposing a suspended sentence, pointing out Pearce's guilty plea and previous good character. An armed forces veteran, 37, who hit woman over the head with a 60 Taittinger champagne bottle at a Soho bar after she insulted his sister has been jailed for five years. William Hilton, 37, also went on to punch the same woman, Gemma Scott, during the incident at Zebrano in central London on May 14, 2022. He was convicted in February, after a trial, of wounding with intent, and was sentenced to five years in prison with three years' extended licence period at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday. The court heard Hilton hit Ms Scott over the head with a bottle of Taittinger champagne after she directed insulting comments at one of his sisters. Zebrano's is an exclusive bar which is regularly visited by celebrities on nights out such as when Love Island star Oliva Attwood visited in October. William Hilton, 37, also went on to punch the same woman, Gemma Scott, during the incident at Zebrano in central London (pictured) on May 14, 2022 Hilton hit the woman over the head with a Taittinger champagne bottle (stock picture) Recorder Mathew Gullick KC found the defendant legally dangerous and said: 'You became angry as a result of the abusive comments made to your sister by Gemma Scott and decided to exact retribution by taking matters into your own hands.' The judge added that Ms Scott's behaviour was not threatening and told Hilton: 'Your violence was unprovoked and unjustified.' Ms Scott had been to the theatre with a friend and celebrating her engagement before going to the Greek Street bar where they fell into conversation with Hilton and his two sisters. There was an argument in which Ms Scott made insulting comments to one of the sisters. '(Hilton) picked up a bottle...from a bucket with ice and he is seen to hit the victim over the head with the bottle, the bottom of the bottle appearing to connect with her scalp,' prosecutor Terence Woods said. The bottle did not smash but fell out of Hilton's hand, the court heard. Mr Woods continued: 'He then punches the victim at least once and is seen trying to punch her again. 'She goes to the floor of the bar where it seems she is unconscious.' The outside of of Zebrano bar in 2007. The bar has two floors and also sells food Hilton was convicted in February, after a trial, of wounding with intent, and was sentenced to five years in prison with three years' extended licence period at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (pictured) Hilton, of Pinner, north-west London, was apprehended by security staff at the bar and then later arrested by police. Ms Scott had a cut to her scalp and a cut above her eyebrow but no fracture or neck injury. Hilton gave police a prepared statement after his arrest in which he said he did not remember hitting anyone with a bottle and 'would do no such thing', the court heard. In a victim personal statement read out by Mr Woods, Ms Scott described being 'scared' as a result of the incident which has made her 'think twice' about going out. 'There will be a permanent scar above her left eyebrow which she says is an everyday reminder of the incident,' the prosecutor said. The court heard Hilton had previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault committed in September 2016 in a nightclub in Harrow. The judge said Hilton choked one man and punched another, giving him a black eye and knocking out some teeth, during the 2016 incident. In mitigation it was argued that Hilton should not be considered legally dangerous, is remorseful and is 'mortified' by what happened. The court heard he was someone 'prepared to put himself in harm's way in defence of others' both by being a former member of the armed forces and by volunteering to deliver PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2030 Census will include new race and ethnicity checkboxes for Hispanics and people of Middle Eastern and North African descent, the White House has said in a major shakeup on Thursday. The announcement by the Office of Management and Budget is the first change to race and ethnicity categories in 27 years, and follows years of complaints that groups were being left out of population data. This evolving process reflects changes in social attitudes and immigration, as well as a desire by members of an increasingly diverse society to see themselves in the federal government's data. The change may mean a more accurate count for Hispanic Americans, who make up nearly a fifth of the US population. Middle Eastern and North African, or MENA, Americans are about 1.5 percent of the population. The 2030 Census will have a few significant updates from the 2020 edition The Mega March in Texas attracted some half million Hispanic people, who make up nearly a fifth of the US population Meeta Anand, a census expert at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said the move would have a major 'emotional impact' on people who felt they were being overlooked. Meeta Anand, a census expert at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights 'It's how we conceive ourselves as a society,' Anand told AP. 'You are seeing a desire for people to want to self-identify and be reflected in data so they can tell their own stories.' Under the revisions, questions about race and ethnicity that were once asked separately on forms will become a single question. Respondents will be able to pick multiple categories at the same time, such as 'Black,' 'American Indian' and 'Hispanic.' Previously, many Hispanic people were not sure how to answer the race question, according to research. A Middle Eastern and North African category has been added to the choices available for questions about race and ethnicity. That will help people who hail from Lebanon, Iran, Egypt, Syria, and elsewhere, who previously identified as white. Now, those estimated 3.5 million people will be able to identify themselves in the new group. The Arab-American community in Dearborn, Michigan, is among those most affected by the changes The changes also strike from federal forms the words 'Negro' and 'Far East,' which can cause offense. The terms 'majority' and 'minority,' are also gone, as some officials say they don't reflect the complexity of race and ethnicity. A group of federal statisticians and bureaucrats spent two years devising the new rules. They can affect legislative redistricting, civil rights laws, health statistics, and maybe even politics, as the number of people classed as white is reduced. Momentum for changing the race and ethnicity categories grew during the Obama administration in the mid-2010s. It was halted after Donald Trump became president in 2017, and revived after Democratic President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The changes will be reflected in data collection, forms, surveys and the once-a-decade census questionnaires, and elsewhere. Federal agencies have 18 months to submit plans on how they will implement the changes. The first federal standards on race and ethnicity were produced in 1977 to provide consistent data across agencies and come up with figures that could help enforce civil rights laws. Florida state Rep. Anna Eskaman says: 'It feels good to be seen.' They were last updated in 1997 when five minimum race categories were delineated American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander and white. Florida state representative Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orlando whose parents are from Iran, said: 'It feels good to be seen.' 'Growing up, my family would check the white box because we didn't know what other box reflected our family,' she told AP. 'Having representation like that, it feels meaningful.' But not everyone is on board with the latest revisions. Some Afro Latinos feel that combining the race and ethnicity question will reduce their numbers and representation in the data. Others are unhappy about how Armenians or Arabs from Sudan and Somalia were not included in the examples used to define people of Middle Eastern or North African background. Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, said that while she was 'incredibly happy' with the new category, that enthusiasm was tempered by the omissions. 'It is not reflective of the racial diversity of our community,' Berry said. 'And it's wrong.' With agencies. A Las Vegas teenager has been charged with the murder of an innocent woman who was caught in the crossfire of a gang fight while out walking her dogs. Kevin Perez-Stubbs, 16, faces counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He was arrested last May, when he was 15. Prosecutors say it is Stubbs who appears in a grainy surveillance video of the attack. The gunman is shown hanging out of a window before firing a fatal shot at Shawna McCowan, a 43-year-old who was out walking her dogs. After the attack, prosecutors say he searched for news articles about the woman's death. Kevin Perez-Stubbs, 16, is charged with killing Shawna McCowan, 43, in April last year He is accused of fatally shooting Shawna McCowan, 43, as the woman walked dogs with her boyfriend. Prosecutors say Perez-Stubbs searched for articles about McCowan's death weeks later The fatal incident was captured on surveillance video from a nearby house, and shows a man who police say is Stubbs The shooting stemmed from an earlier fight between two teenagers at a nearby apartment complex, according to a police report. One teen had accused another of stealing his Polymer80 slide gun, which was later recovered near the apartments. Las Vegas teen Kevin Perez-Stubbs, 16, faces charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder The weapon was not only linked to the shooting, but seen in videos posted to social media, where Stubbs-Perez waved it around and pointed it at the camera. Polymer80 is the largest manufacturer of un-serialized 'ghost gun' parts, which are untraceable when used in a crime. Police identified McCowan as an innocent bystander who was walking on the same sidewalk as two teens who were targeted in a drive-by shooting. A man who identified himself as McCowan's boyfriend told police that he saw the two teens walking toward them as they strolled along Bella Lante Avenue. Suddenly, a person leaned out of the window of a passing car and 'immediately began firing a handgun' in their direction. A bullet struck McCowan in the back and neck as she fled, the report says. Police later recovered over a dozen projectiles from the scene. Police have described McCowan as an 'innocent bystander' who was caught in a drive-by shooting The violence stemmed from an earlier argument over a Polymer80 slide gun, which Perez-Stubbs was seen waving around on social media. The manufacturer makes unserialized guns that cannot be traced when used in a crime The teenager was only 15 at the time of his arrest, but was certified as an adult due to the nature of the crime Police say three other teenagers were with Perez-Stubbs at the time of the shooting, including his older brother, 20-year-old Johnathan (right) and 17-year-old Mezarius Finch Tyshean Tillman, 19, was driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting. All three of the other teens took plea deals Surveillance video first obtained by 8 News Now shows McCowan and the man walking along as a residential street. Suddenly, a black car pulls up with its headlights off. The vehicle gradually slows down, nearly coming to a stop, as two other people run off down the street. Perez-Stubbs can then be seen leaning out of the car window and firing the gun. Police say three other teenagers were with Perez-Stubbs at the time of the shooting, including his older brother, 20-year-old Johnathan. Tyshean Tillman, 19, was driving the vehicle, while 17-year-old Mezarius Finch was also in the car. Both minors were certified as adults due to the severity of the crime. Records show the three other teens have taken plea deals. Should a jury convict Perez-Stubbs, the judge will be required to provide parole eligibility in his sentence due to his age, as per Nevada law. McCowan and a man who identified himself as her boyfriend were walking along Bella Lante Avenue when she was fatally struck by a bullet McCowan worked as a teacher in Colorado and held a job with United Airlines based out of Las Vegas McCowan split her time between Aurora, Colorado, where she worked as a teacher; and Las Vegas, where she worked for United Airlines. Around the time of the shooting she was visiting friends, her sister, Autumn, wrote on a GoFundMe campaign. Autumn and many of McCowan's other family members, including her son and husband, are based in Colorado. 'Losing a loved one is never easy but the added layer of losing one out of state is something I wouldn't wish for any family to navigate during a time of grieving,' she wrote. Ashley Ozark, who roomed with McCowan during United Airlines training, described the mother-of-one as 'selfless.' 'She would fight tooth and nail for anyone she cared about,' Ozark said. 'She was so full of life and the world is a darker without her. I am so sorry to her loved ones for the loss of such sweet and fiery soul.' Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would finally send over its articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas on April 10 to kickstart a trial in the Senate. The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on February 13 by just one vote over 'willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law' and 'breach of the public trust.' Johnson urged in vain for the Senate to convict Mayorkas. 'The constitutional grounds for Secretary Mayorkas' conviction and removal from office are well-founded, and the historical record is clear,' Johnson wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. If Schumer even calls a trial, two thirds of the Democrat-led Senate would need to vote to convict Mayorkas and remove him from office. 'We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,' Johnson added. 'The American people demand a secure border, and accountability for those responsible.' Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would finally send over its articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas on April 10 to kickstart a trial in the Senate The House voted to impeach Mayorkas on February 13 by just one vote over 'willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law' and 'breach of the public trust' 'We urge you to schedule a trial on the matter expeditiously.' Even Republicans in the Senate have criticized the impeachment effort, with Alabama GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville labeling it a 'waste of time.' The two articles of impeachment accuse Mayorkas of failing to enforce immigration law and lying to Congress about the state of the southern border. Mayorkas, 64, is now only the second cabinet secretary to be impeached and the first in nearly 150 years. Customs and Border Patrol recorded 256,094 encounters nationwide in February, including 189,922 at the Southwest border - the worst February on record in decades. Schumer, meanwhile, has previously said the chamber will be ready to act whenever the House delivers the articles. 'The House impeachment managers will present the articles of impeachment to the Senate following the state work period. Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray will preside,' his office said in a February statement. The House-appointed impeachment managers are Reps. Mark Green, R-Tenn., Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Clay Higgins, R-La., Ben Cline, R-Va., Mike Guest, R-Miss., Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., August Pfluger, R-Texas, Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., and Laurel Lee, R-Fla. Migrants gather as they try to enter US territory through the border razor fence in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, northern Mexico, 20 March 2024 And the managers are eager to share their case. 'Any Senator who votes to dismiss the impeachment articles is dismissing the legitimate concerns the American people have about the border crisis,' Rep. Pfluger told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'A failure to hold a thorough trial that lays the evidence out would be a grave mistake.' Once the House delivers the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators would soon thereafter be sworn in as jurors and oversee Mayorkas' trial. As Democrats control the chamber, Schumer could simply move to expedite and dismiss the charges against Mayorkas. The boat and another vehicle were seized by the agency This is the moment a panga boat filled with migrants washed up on a San Diego beach as Customs and Border Protection agents arrested 10 passengers. The fishing boat made its way to the shore of Solana Beach, a costal city in San Diego, around 6.50am Wednesday. It was detected by the U.S. Customs Border and Protection's San Diego Air and Marine Branch, Michael Scappechio with CBP told KUSI. It is unclear where exactly the migrants were traveling from and how many of them were on the boat as CBP is still searching for passengers who managed to escape. DailyMail.com contacted the agency for more information but did not hear back in time for this report. A panga boat filled with migrants washed up on a San Diego beach as Customs and Border Protection agents arrested 10 passengers on Wednesday morning It is unclear where exactly the migrants were traveling from and how many of them were on the boat as CBP is still searching for passengers who managed to escape Along with the boat, a nearby vehicle that was suspected of being involved in the reported smuggling operation were seized, CBP said. In the video, people onboard the vessel are seen frantically running off of as it reached the sandy shore. As this happens, beachgoers are seen staring in awe as the boat, now empty, remains in the water. At the end, another boat is seen in the distance but it is unclear if it was involved or not. In February, another shocking video emerged of border patrol agents releasing hundreds of migrants out at a San Diego bus stop just a week after the city had to close a shelter intended for them due to lack of funding. Non-profit SBCS shut the recently-opened migrant facility for good- reflecting the bleak picture across the country as the numbers of asylum seekers coming to the US remain sky-high. During the release, over 350 migrants were left to their own devices on the street after CBP let them free at a transit center, though aid groups tried to help them as best they could. The groups attempted to put together makeshift facilities and tried to take them to a parking lot so they could charge their phones and hail rides to the airport. Another boat is seen off in the distance but it is unclear is that vessel was involved in the suspected smuggling operation In February, another shocking video emerged of border patrol agents releasing hundreds of migrants out at a San Diego bus stop The migrants were also left with nowhere stand and no public bathrooms in a completely full parking lot They were also left with nowhere to stand and no public bathrooms in a completely full parking lot. A taxi driver attempted to take advantage of the situation by guaranteeing rides to the airport for $100, double what Uber and Lyft were charging. Many of the migrants - who came from from South America, Africa and China were still grateful to be there, with plans to either meet up with family or head to immigration court trials in other cities. 'I've dreamed about this (moment) a lot, and thank God I'm here,' said Abd Boudeah, 23, from Mauritania. He told NBC San Diego he fled his home out of persecution for homosexuality and was going to make it to Chicago to live with a cousin who has lived in America for two decades. In a recent interview with CBS News, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said that the crisis at the southern border is a 'national security threat' that 'keeps him awake at night.' Owens said that he was mostly concerned about the tens of thousands of illegal migrants who haven't been apprehended and processed at the border while on their way into the U.S. Illegal migrants break through razor wire as they forcefully enter the United States via the southern border on March 21, 2024 President Joe Biden, center, surveys the southern border. He is guided here by USBP Chief Jason Owens (center left) on February 29, 2024 'What's keeping me up at night is the 140,000 got aways,' Owens said - the number of migrants who have snuck into the country undetected since October. 'Why are they hiding? What do they have to hide? What are they bringing in? What is their intent? Where are they coming from?' Owens explained are the primary concerns of the USBP about the ones that have gotten away, whose backgrounds and locations are virtually unknown to the government. 'We simply don't know the answers to those questions. Those things for us are what represent the threat to our communities,' he said. Owens said his department is on track to record some two million apprehensions by the time the fiscal year ends in September. The chief said: 'border security is a big piece of national security,' and the illegal migrants being smuggled into the country are 'exploiting a vulnerability' facing the nation at present. Owens said that the migrants who've made their way into the US this year have come from at least 160 different countries, some of which are many continents away. Donald Trump has attended the wake of a murdered NYPD officer and condemned city officials for freeing the serial criminal who allegedly killed him. Speaking at the ceremony for Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, the former president said: 'What happened is such a sad event, such a horrible thing and it is happening all too often. 'It's an honor to be here, but this is such a sad occasion. We've got to toughen it up, we've got to strengthen it up, things like this shouldn't take place.' Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday, with footage of the incident showing the cop screaming in pain as he died. The Republican presidential nominee added: 'We are just not going to let it happen. 21 times arrested, this thug. The person in the car with him was arrested many times. 'They don't learn because they don't respect that police are the greatest people we have, there is nothing and nobody like them. This should never happen. Trump had posted about Diller's death on his Truth Social, offering prayers to Diller's family and appreciation for law enforcement Former President Donald Trump was seen arriving at a Long Island funeral home on Thursday to attend the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday, with footage of the incident showing the cop screaming in pain Diller, from Long Island, was just three years into the job and leaves a young widow and child behind Suspect Guy Rivera was shot at the scene by Officer Diller's colleague and taken to the same Queen's hospital as the fatally injured officer Trump continued: 'I just visited with a very beautiful wife who now doesn't have her husband, Stephanie was just incredible. 'Their child a brand new beautiful baby sitting there innocent as can be does not know how his life has been changed. 'The Diller family will never be the same, and we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order because this is not working. It's happening too often. 'It's an honor to be here, but this is such a sad occasion. We've got to toughen it up, we've got to strengthen it up, things like this shouldn't take place. 'It is an honor for me to be here, this is a great family. These are just incredible people that are just devastated. They've got a tough road.' Trump was invited to the event and a campaign spokesperson earlier this week said he was 'moved by the invitation'. Trump posted about Diller's death on his Truth Social, offering prayers to Diller's family and appreciation for law enforcement. He also called the shooter a 'thug' and noted that police said Diller's alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he 'NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.' Trump speaks at the wake for NYPD officer Diller who was m*rdered by a career criminal with 21 prior arrests. Jonathon Diller leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old baby pic.twitter.com/uve2o4O5Z4 Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 28, 2024 Speaking outside of the funeral home, Trump said it was an honor to be in attendance and added that officers being killed was happening 'all too often' Trump was invited to the event and a campaign spokesperson earlier this week said he was 'moved by the invitation' New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, left, shakes hands with Former President Donald Trump as he arrives for the wake A NYPD officer touches a flower arrangement on Thursday before the wake for Officer Diller Though Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York, Diller's hometown is a heavily Republican part of Long Island that Trump won in the 2020 presidential election. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, accompanied Trump and told reporters it was 'a tremendous comfort to the family' to have Trump visit. The wake will last for two days, with a funeral mass then taking place at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, also in Massapequa, on Saturday. On Wednesday, around 1,000 officers lined the streets of the hamlet as his body arrived at the funeral home. The road leading to the funeral home on Thursday was painted with a thin blue line, a symbol used as a sign of police solidarity, and the road was flanked by American flags and American flags with a thin blue line. Parked nearby were two pickup trucks with pro-Trump decals and flags bearing his 'Make America Great Again' slogan. Dozens of supporters wearing Trump paraphernalia stood nearby in pouring rain as the former president arrived. Speaking to DailyMail.com, a woman known only as Donna, who lives in Massapequa Park, said: '[Trump] loves this country, and he really wants to help get America back on track. 'I think it's so respectful he took time out of his campaign to come pay his respects. He's here for free, didn't have to do this.' Hundreds of fellow police officers lined the streets outside and formed queues to pay their final respect to Diller inside the funeral home. Donna, seen here on the left, told DailyMail.com she thought Trump appearing at the wake of Officer Diller was 'so respectful' NYPD officers are seen here arriving to pay their respects to Officer Diller on Thursday Hundreds of fellow police officers lined the streets outside and formed queues to pay their final respect to Diller inside the funeral home Former NYPD officer and fireman Vincent Frankavilla, 78, said Trump appeals to the police because he serves, just like us and regular people do' R-L - Brody Smith, 19. Nick Lapuama. Wade River, 18. Nick Seafora, 18. Riley Ackerman, 18. Former NYPD officer and fireman Vincent Frankavilla, 78, said Trump appeals to the police because he serves, just like us and regular people do. Theyre here to help us. Here to die for us. To take chances. Its changed a lot since I was serving. The city has changed. When I was 21 and a policeman, it was nothing like this.' While Riley Ackerman, 18, said: Trumps kind of stopped his campaign for this, I think it shows a lot of respect.' Nick Lapuama, 18, felt Trump received such a warm welcome in Long Island because he does things like this. Lapuama added: Its that he takes time out of his busy life to come pay his respects to someone who lost their life in the line of duty.' Brody Smith, 19, added: The police like him because they serve the people, just like Trump. You dont see Biden over here!' The wake was set to go on just hours before President Biden hosted a glitzy Manhattan fundraiser. Diller, a married father of a one-year-old boy, was allegedly shot dead by Guy Rivera, 34, during a routine traffic stop. Rivera allegedly opened fire on Diller after he ordered the suspect to get out of the car. Three loud gunshots are heard ringing out as bystanders flee for safety in footage of the incident. Another suspect, Lindy Jones, 41, was arraigned and charged with weapons possession earlier this week. Prosecutors said he had been found with a 'ghost gun' - meaning its serial number was removed to avoid it being traced - and it was believed he and the shooter were casing out a T-Mobile store. Rivera, 34, remains in stable condition in hospital after he was shot by the partner of officer Diller in the shooting. Another suspect, Lindy Jones, seen here, was arraigned and charged with weapons possession earlier this week The death has sparked a huge response from the police community, with NYPD Commissioner Edward Cavan branding him a 'hero.' Commissioner Cavan wrote on X:'Tonight this city lost a hero, a wife lost her husband, and a young child lost their father. 'We struggle to find the words to express the tragedy of losing one of our own. The work that Police Officer Jonathan Diller did each day to make this city a safer place will NEVER be forgotten. 'Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and brothers and sisters in blue.' New York City Mayor Eric Adams branded the shooting a 'senseless act of violence' at a press conference outside Jamaica Hospital. 'I can't not say it any clearer: It is the good guys against the bad guys, and these bad guys are violent,' Adams, a former cop, added. The NYPD Union demanded that that anti-cop politicians stay away from the wake and funeral of officer Diller, calling out several officials by name. The NYPD's Sergeant's Benevolent Association said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams 'and their cohorts should stay home.' 'They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do. They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving. 'They have caused enough heartbreak and destruction,' SBA President Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post. Following Rivera's arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history including first degree robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults. He had 21 prior arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being paroled in 2021. Rivera had also been incarcerated from 2011 to 2014 over a first-degree assault charge. Jones had 14 prior arrests, including a conviction for attempted murder and robbery in 2003 that saw him serve 10 years behind bars. He had been arrested on gun charges last April, but was released on a $75,000 bail that was set to bring him back to court Monday. Diller was the first New York City police officer to be killed in the line of duty in two years. He donated millions of dollars to Democrats and Republicans alike Before his fall from grace, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was plotting out a high-flying political career, donating millions to both parties and even believing he could one day be president. He was pictured with politicians, including Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, and was leveraging donations to gain influence with policymakers - at one point he even was touted as the next George Soros. Testifying at his trial, his former girlfriend and business partner, Caroline Ellison revealed he thought he had a 5 percent chance of becoming president one day. All of that came crumbling down in December 2022, after his multi-billion dollar crypto exchange collapsed and he was arrested in the Bahamas and charged with campaign finance violations and fraud. Prosecutors accused him of donating $90million of customer's money to political campaigns including $6 million to the House Majority PAC, the main outside group supporting House Democrats. Bankman-Fried had expansive political ambitions, donating millions of dollars to both political parties Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years behind bars and ordered to forfeit $11billion for scamming FTX crypto exchange investors leaving his political dreams dead in the water Those charges were later dropped, but the scale of the donations demonstrated the strength of his political ambitions - that included pictures with liberal California Rep. Maxine Waters and appearing on stage with Clinton. Testifying in his trial in October, Ellison said Bankman-Fried had often talked to her about his business and political plans. She said he believed there was a '5 percent chance he would become president.' She added Bankman-Fried used FTX customer money to make political donations because he believed he would reap 'very high returns in terms of influence.' She gave an example of a $10 million donation to President Joe Biden that she said he believed would bring 'influence and recognition.' In the 2022 election cycle, Bankman-Fried donated $6 million to the House Majority PAC, the main outside group supporting House Democrats. He also shelled out $27 million to Protect Our Future PAC, a group advocating pandemic preparedness, and $6 million to the Future Forward PAC' in 2020 which supported Biden's 2020 Presidential run. Among the individual recipients was New York Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who received $5,800 from Bankman-Fried in June 2022. Caroline Ellison testified that her former boyfriend thought there was a five percent chance he could be President The FTX exchange was worth $32billion at its peak and Bankman-Fried appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine which touted him as the future of finance A joint fundraising group associated with the candidate, called 'Gillibrand Victory Fund', also collected $10,800. Bankman-Fried also donated to Republican candidates, such as the Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy who received $5,800 from the fraudster in August 2021. In November, Bankman-Fried claimed while on a call with YouTuber journalist Tiffany Fong that he donated an equal amount to Republicans and Democrats. He told her: 'All my Republican donations were dark [meaning they don't appear in FEC filings]. 'The reason was not for regulatory reasons, it's because reporters freak the fk out if you donate to Republicans. They're all super liberal, and I didn't want to have that fight. He also reportedly considered paying former US president Donald Trump $5 billion to not run, 'Going Infinite' author Michael Lewis told 60 minutes in October 2023. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D, and John Boozman, R, who co-sponsored a crypto regulatory bill SBF supports, gave their FTX-linked donations to charity Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., said he had given the FTX donation to a West Virginia food bank A number of politicians were forced to return their donations after he was charged. The campaign of Beto O'Rourke, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for Texas governor, was one of the first return a massive check from Bankman-Fried. The campaign said it gave back the $1 million donation on November 4, before FTX filed for bankruptcy, because the donation was unsolicited. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., scored $20,800 from Bankman-Fried between campaign donations and donations to a PAC supporting her, and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., received $13,700 from Bankman-Fried and co-CEO Ryan Salame. Boozman said he would donate the money he received from Bankman-Fried to the UA Foundation Jon Richardson Scholarship Fund and Stabenow said she plans to give the money to a local charity in her state. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., said he had given the FTX donation to a West Virginia food bank Their recognition comes after biopic Oppenheimer swept the awards season British filmmaker Christopher Nolan and his film producer wife Emma Thomas are to receive a knighthood and damehood for their services to the industry after their blockbuster biopic Oppenheimer swept the awards season. Nolan and Thomas have collaborated for nearly two decades on all of his major feature films including The Dark Knight trilogy, 2010's Inception, 2014's Interstellar, 2017's Dunkirk and 2020's Tenet. Earlier this month, Nolan won his first Oscar for directing the story of the life of the 'father of the atomic bomb', which starred Irish actor Cillian Murphy in the titular role. Nolan had previously been nominated for six Academy Awards for pondering important questions throughout his body of work, but had never won an Oscar for directing until this year's ceremony. He was previously awarded a CBE by Prince William in 2019, and described receiving the honour as a 'tremendous thrill'. Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas after winning the Best Film award for Oppenheimer during the Bafta Film Awards 2024 Nolan was previously awarded a CBE by Prince William in 2019, and described receiving the honour as a 'tremendous thrill' Nolan won his first Oscar for directing the story of the life of the 'father of the atomic bomb', which starred Irish actor Cillian Murphy (pictured) in the titular role Born in London to a British father and American mother, Nolan read English at University College London (UCL), choosing the school because of its filmmaking facilities. The couple met at university and have four children together - Flora, Oliver, Rory and Magnus. They co-founded and run a production company, Syncopy, which has been behind many of their blockbusters. Speaking as he was awarded his CBE in 2019, Nolan spoke of his love of film and pride that it had gained him the prestigious honour. 'As a passionate advocate of film and the importance of film culturally, it is really thrilling to me that film would be honoured in this way and is considered worthy of this kind of honour,' he said. 'I think film is one of the great collective pastimes, one of the great art forms. 'It is lovely to see it accorded this kind of status.' When Nolan was presented with the British Film Institute (BFI) Fellowship for being 'one of the world's most innovative and influential film directors', he credited his wife. The co-chief executive officer of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, has been made an honorary CBE He said he never felt alone making films as Thomas 'always saw things the same way I did in terms of the importance of the medium'. The co-chief executive officer of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, has been made an honorary CBE for his services to the creative industries. The American businessman joined the streaming giant in 2000 and has been responsible for content operations since. He was appointed to his top position in July 2020. Demis Hassabis, the London-born co-founder of tech startup DeepMind, has been awarded a knighthood for services to Artificial Intelligence. This is the shocking moment heartless thieves broke into and stole a terminally ill boy's specially modified van. Elijah Cariazo, 13, was born with a rare muscular condition called myotubular myopathy which makes it difficult for him to breathe and swallow. Police are investigating the theft of a grey Ford Transit Custom that was specially converted by Elijah's family to transport him to hospital. Horrifying footage shows hooded thieves dressed in black breaking into the van in Hackney early on Tuesday morning before speeding off with it. Elijah's mother Onessa said the van cannot be easily replaced as it took nine months to modify for her son's needs. Footage shows thieves breaking into and stealing a terminally ill boy's specially modified van Horrifying footage shows hooded thieves dressed in black breaking into the van in Hackney early on Tuesday morning before speeding off with it Elijah Cariazo, 13, (pictured) was born with a rare muscular condition called myotubular myopathy which makes it difficult for him to breathe and swallow Elijah's mother Onessa said the van cannot be easily replaced as it took nine months to modify for Elijah's needs What is myotubular myopathy? Myotubular myopathy is a rare muscular condition that makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. It occurs almost exclusively in males, affecting about 1 in 50,000 newborn boys worldwide. Advertisement Onessa said: 'I am appealing to everyone to keep an eye out for Elijah's lifeline, this is not just a vehicle, it is our road to freedom. 'Without it, our poor boy cannot see in his final days. Every day is an extension, and we thank God. 'This vehicle cannot be easily replaced and it is his 14 birthday in a few short days. We had hoped to take him away with his medical team to enjoy the surroundings of the countryside which he loves so much. 'If you see a vehicle of this colour parked up unattended or don't recognise it, please report it to the police, it may be nothing, but we need everyone to keep their eyes peeled and thank them in advance, this means so much to our family.' Elijah survives with the help of bulky medical equipment that has required the family to use the specially modified van. Elijah's mother Onessa said: 'I am appealing to everyone to keep an eye out for Elijah's lifeline, this is not just a vehicle, it is our road to freedom' Elijah survives with the help of bulky medical equipment that has required the family to use the specially modified van Sergeant Adam Hunter of the Haggerston Safer Neighbourhood team said: 'The Met takes every theft seriously, but this case is of particular concern to us due to the type of vehicle and the time sensitive nature of the investigation. 'Officers are based in the area and are well known within the community. They are conducting house-to-house enquiries and trawling through hours of CCTV footage to track down the van, but time is of the essence so we are appealing to the public for any information they may have.' Anyone with any information has been urged to call 101 quoting the 01/141980/24. An accountant whose home 'incompetent' Just Stop Oil activists targeted in the mistaken belief it was the shadow health secretary's has said he is glad they wasted a trip. Ricky Law, 70, was caught up in a bungled JSO stunt when activists filmed themselves delivering a letter to his property in Enfield, London, believing it belonged to Wes Streeting. JSO poster girl Phoebe Plummer, 22, best known for throwing soup over Van Gogh's Sunflowers, was filmed gloating outside the property before posting a letter addressed to Mr Streeting through the letterbox. The video was posted on X with the caption: 'Metropolitan Police you're losing your touch. Phoebe broke bail today delivering a letter to Wes Streeting, despite being arrested twice for delivering letters before. What's going on?' Mr Streeting, who does not even live in the same borough, wrote on X within minutes of the video being posted: 'That isn't my house'. Ricky Law, 70, was caught up in a bungled JSO stunt when activists filmed themselves delivering a letter to his property (pictured) in Enfield, London, believing it belonged to Wes Streeting JSO poster girl Phoebe Plummer, 22, was filmed gloating outside the property before posting a letter addressed to Mr Streeting through the letterbox Mr Streeting, who does not even live in the same borough, wrote on X within minutes of the video being posted It is the latest in a string of attempted stunts by JSO targeting MPs' home addresses. Mr Law, who rents out the property on AirBnb as well as using it as his office, said he was 'glad they wasted a journey' and that JSO had 'made a mockery of themselves'. After realising their mistake, JSO said it had asked the property owner to forward the letter on to the Labour MP. But Mr Law said he only read two lines of the letter intended for Mr Streeting before 'throwing it straight into the bin'. Mr Law said: 'They are incompetent and have no idea what they're doing. The cause they are devoted to is good, but I don't agree with the way they do it. Why are you attacking my house? This has nothing to do with environment.' Mr Law said he cares about the environment but does not support JSO's inflammatory escapades such as blocking roads or targeting artworks and MPs in their homes. The accountant, who lives in Finchley, said he wanted the video, which now has over 1 million views, to be removed from JSO's social media accounts. Ms Plummer is most famous for throwing a tin of Heinz Tomato soup over Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers in October 2022 Labour MP Mr Streeting, who is also shadow health secretary, said JSO hadn't even managed to visit the right borough of London A supporter of Just Stop Oil holds a photo sign of activist Phoebe Plummer in December after she was jailed for repeated protests Ms Plummer being arrested on October 6, 2022, following a protest in Trafalgar Square The video contained clear shots of the surrounding properties, identifying the area and address. One neighbour in Enfield said: 'I'm not happy about the fact my front door has been broadcast to the world'. Another said: 'They need to get their facts right before they go about doing this sort of stuff.' Earlier this month Plummer was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and of sending a malicious communication after the Mail on Sunday exposed an alleged plan by activists to 'occupy' MPs' homes ahead of the general election. Then, on March 14, the privately-educated activist was arrested trying to deliver a letter to Labour MP Emily Thornberry's home, in breach of her bail conditions which include not attending an MP's home address. In the video yesterday, Plummer says: 'This is the letter I'm delivering to Wes Streeting. It appears that there's no police here this time. On March 14 the privately-educated activist was arrested trying to deliver a letter to Labour MP Emily Thornberry's home, in breach of her bail conditions which include not attending an MP's home address Ms Plummer was arrested for breaking bail by posting a letter to Emily Thornberry's flat 'Maybe they've realised that there's not much harm in just delivering a letter to your MP. It's what they've always asked us to do after all.' She then sarcastically asks: ' Should I go hand myself in for breaking bail? I mean, that seemed pretty harmless but it was worth arresting me for last time.' The newest tactic by JSO comes amid increased concern for the privacy and safety of MPs. The group has been widely condemned for revealing the home addresses of MPs when threats to their safety have increased over the past months. Five people were killed in a Pennsylvania horror crash on Tuesday after the driver of their vehicle swerved into the path of an enormous tractor trailer, killing everyone in the car. The incident occurred on New Meadow Run Drive in Warton Township around 1:30p.m. on Tuesday, according to state police. The victims were Harold Nibert, 55, Bradley 'Scott' Thivener, 47, Krystal May, 36, Amanda Dawson, 33, and Amanda's son Kullen Dawson, 7 months. Nibert was the driver of a black Honda Accord heading eastbound that crossed the double yellow line and hit the tractor trailer head on, according to the corner's office. Amanda Dawson (pictured), 33, and her son 7-month-old son Kullen were killed in the crash Nibert was the driver of a black Honda Accord heading eastbound that crossed the double yellow line and hit the tractor trailer head on, according to the corner's office It remains unclear what prompted him to swerve into the tractor trailer, or what the relationships between the passengers were. 'No one wants to see a child involved. Today was just one of the days I wish I didn't have to experience,' Farmington Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Brian VanSickle told WPXI on Tuesday. 'That stretch of road is a dangerous stretch of road. We've had, over the years, numerous fatalities. Today's event was probably the worst one we've had.' The corner said all the victims were from Delaware, Ohio and in the same car at the time of the crash. Thivener's brother, Robb Thivener, told DailyMail.com: 'Scott, as most knew him, was a bright light and a friend to everyone he met. He had a big heart and always helped those in need if he could.' 'He was a big personality in a lil body, and there was always laughter that surrounded him with his quirky sayings and sarcasm. Thank you to all of the friends and family that have reached out. The outpouring of support from strangers from Pennsylvania and Ohio is heartwarming as well. 'As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, he had the hope of an earthly resurrection in paradise soon to come, so until we see each other again little brother. You will be incredibly missed,' said Robb. Another one of his brothers, Michael Thivener, said on Facebook: 'No doubt, Scott was one of a kind. I love you little brother, and I'm gonna miss you so much.' A friend of Dawson's, Bambi Rogan, said: 'My heart aches as I found out my ex General Manager Amanda Dawson was in a fatal crash. I will miss you beautiful lady and may God be with your family.' According to her LinkedIn profile, Dawson worked in the food industry and was a general manager at Barrio Tacos. 'The investigation is ongoing with the collision analysis and reconstruction specialists on scene,' said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Kalee Barnhart. Sources told KDKA-TV that a witness reported to police that the driver of the Honda made an illegal pass before the crash and speed may have been a factor. All five victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Two people in the other vehicle and the truck driver have minor injuries, reported WBNS. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reportedly shut down Route 40 in both directions between the intersection of Route 381 and the intersection of Dinner Bell 5 Forks Road and Dinner Bell Ohiopyle Road due to the crash until 7 p.m. A cryptocurrency firm at the centre of a scandal involving guests eating sushi from semi naked models is to hold an urgent review into the event and 'embarrassing' fallout - and issued a grovelling apology. Copper Technologies which is chaired by former chancellor Philip Hammond was thrown into the spotlight after photographs of the event that was a flashback to the City's debauched 80s heyday were leaked. In them two models a man and a woman wearing only thin body suits to protect their modesty - can be seen lying on a table while guests nibble at party food placed around them. The event was held at The Mandrake Hotel in London earlier this month after Copper sponsored the Digital Assets Summit, and was an after show party for selected guests who had attended the conference. In a lengthy statement Copper admitted the event was 'embarrassing' and that a review was being held into the party which they said was arranged by a 'third party event planner'. The image shows a group of men in the red-lacquered room at the five-star Mandrake hotel in central London, with a partially naked man and woman lying motionless on the table in front of them The event was held at The Mandrake Hotel (pictured) in London earlier this month after Copper sponsored the Digital Assets Summit, and was an after show party for selected guests who had attended the conference Pointedly ignoring the fact the models were surrounded by sushi they described them as 'performance artists' and added that other acts included a 'magician mentalist and palm reader'. In the pictures which were taken in a red-lacquered room at the five star Mandrake - a board has been placed on their stomachs and a pillow under their heads. Mr Hammond did not attend the event and semi naked sushi is also known as Nyotaimori and has been blasted as degrading and objectifying. In their statement Copper said: 'As you will have seen, today, various members of the media community published an article about an event that Copper sponsored at the Mandrake Hotel last week. The event played out in the hotel's 20-seater private dining room with the background of a huge champagne fridge. The hotel says the room is 'Ideal for private gatherings, meetings, private dinners and events' Guests queue for The Mandrake Hotel launch in September 2017 in London The former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Hammond, did not attend the private event held by Copper, a company which stores digital assets for its customers 'Clearly, the story is embarrassing and taken in the context presented, is not in line with our values as a company. 'We have always held ourselves to high ethical standards and look to champion the benefits of tokenisation and digital assets. 'The context of the event is important. As part of our sponsorship of the Digital Assets Summit 2024, we jointly hosted this afterparty at the Mandrake Hotel with a partner in the digital asset space. 'The event was organised by a third-party event planner and incorporated a number of performance artists. 'This included a magician, mentalist, palm reader and another performance that featured both a male and female artist, each lying on a table in swimming costumes. 'The Mandrake Hotel was chosen as it is an art-themed establishment, owned by famous art collector Rami Fatouk, with a long history of presenting such events. 'The event was open to all delegates as part of the conference with the intention of creating an artistic expression that was fitting for the location. 'Notwithstanding the above, we recognise that certain aspects of the event have caused offence and do not reflect Copper's corporate values. 'We will be conducting an internal review of the existing process for approving events and sponsorship arrangements and the value of such events to the company going forward. 'The senior leadership team at Copper is reaching out proactively to key clients, partners, investors and regulators. 'We did not get this right and we regret any distraction that this may have caused to our wider mission of supplying world-class digital asset custody and prime services to institutional investors.' An invitation for the party seen by the Financial Times said:' Transcend the ordinary at the Copper experience. Attendees will be able to entertain and explore all five senses.' The Mandrake declined to comment when contacted. Zelensky said Russia conducted over 1,000 airstrikes against Ukraine last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Speaker Mike Johnson to update him on the ongoing war against Russia Thursday as Congress mulls a massive foreign aid package for the embattled nation. The call between the two leaders comes as Republicans have not committed to putting a much-needed $60 billion aid bill on the floor due to internal turmoil. 'I briefed Speaker Johnson on the battlefield situation, specifically the dramatic increase in Russia's air terror,' Zelensky said about the call on a post to X. The Ukrainian president said that Russia had recently launched a bombardment of over 1,000 airstrikes into his country. 'Last week alone, 190 missiles, 140 'Shahed' drones, and 700 guided aerial bombs were launched at Ukrainian cities and communities,' he wrote. 'In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital,' Zelensky continued. 'We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Speaker Mike Johnson in the Capitol in December to discuss the country's ongoing war against Russia. On Thursday they spoke again by phone as Congress has stalled on a $60 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine Zelensky posted on X that Ukraine has endured over 1,000 Russian airstrikes since last week Zelensky has said American aid is critical to the country's ongoing war against Russia The president's plea for assistance comes as Congress has hit a roadblock on how to move forward with funding for Ukraine. Last month, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid package that included $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and almost $5 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. But after the upper chamber stripped out provisions in the bill meant for border security, Speaker Mike Johnson said the bill would be dead on arrival to the House. Now, there have been conversations on how to get the foreign aid package on the House floor for a vote with or without Johnson's backing. The mechanism to do so is called a discharge petition, but that would require a majority of members in the House - at least 218 lawmakers - to sign onto the procedure, which would require bipartisan support. And it will be a heavy lift getting Democrats and Republicans on the same page for the nearly $100 billion package. Some Democrats have come out against the bill for providing unconditional aid for Israel to continue its war against Hamas while Republicans slammed the package for providing money abroad but not to secure the southern border. However, Johnson could allow a discharge petition led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., to move forward. Fitzpatrick is trying to move a bill he wrote, together with a handful of moderates in both parties. Their bill offers $66 billion in defense-only aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and fresh border security provisions that would last a year, including some Trump-era border provisions like Remain in Mexico. Through a discharge petition, Fitzpatrick could take the fall for the aid from the far right, going around Johnson to force a vote on the House floor if he gets a simple majority of signatures. So far his petition only has 15 signatories, and a Democrat-led effort has 190. But the petition would lose the hard right over Ukraine funding and the hard left over Israel funding. Ukrainian soldiers attend military training this month as the Russia-Ukraine war continues The $61 billion foreign aid package would provide military armaments for Ukraine's soldiers Further complicating Zelensky's request for American money is an effort to oust Speaker Johnson from power. As the House voted to pass a ginormous $1.2 trillion government funding package last week rabble-rouser Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., filed a motion to remove the speaker. Greene and conservatives allies were furious the 1,000 page package was released in the middle of the night, with under 48 hours to read it before the vote. 'He should not bring funding for Ukraine,' Greene told reporters after filing the motion to vacate the speaker. She called her bid to remove the speaker 'a warning' and indicated she would not take further action on it should Johnson acquiesce to her wishes. Still, Democrats are largely in favor of the aid for Ukraine and they could come to Johnson's rescue should Greene move to oust him. An adorable baby gorilla arrived at the Cleveland Zoo to meet her new family of apes, including her 'foster mother.' Jameela, a western Iowland gorilla that was born pre-maturely, weighing just three pounds and one ounce, is now 11-months-old. Since her birth, more than 40 Fort Worth Zoo employees in Texas have 'committed to her care' after her birth mother, Sekani started to show signs of preeclampsia just before her arrival. Veterinarians and zoo staff had to make an executive decision to place the mother in emergency cesarean surgery to ensure that the bay would have the best chance at survival, Fort Worth Zoo said in a post. Following her birth, the baby ape's mother made a full recovery, but 'was not demonstrating the necessary maternal signs to care for her premature baby.' On Thursday, Jameela was transferred to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in hopes of bringing her close to a surrogate mother, Fredrika, also known as 'Freddy.' Jameela, a western Iowland gorilla, was transferred from the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio on Thursday. (pictured: Jameela meeting her surrogate mother Fredrika) Jameela was born pre-maturely, weighing just three pounds and one ounce after her mother Sekani had preeclampsia and had to be rushed into am emergency cesarean surgery Though it is hard to know exactly why the baby and her birth mother were unable to bond, Forth Worth Zoo staff think that Sekani did not experience hormonal cues that typically come with a natural and full-term birth In a heartwarming video, gorilla keepers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, James Schell and Brian Price, along with Angie Holmes and Lindsay Bryne from the Fort Worth Zoo's gorilla team, welcomed baby Jameela to her new family. Staff members from the Texas zoo are seen holding her as they transport her on a plane to her new home. As they hand her off to the new staff, Jameela immediately warms up to her new surroundings. 'The introductions here have gone really well, the troop seems very receptive to her presence, and the staff here has been so wonderful in welcoming her as well as us,' a Fort Worth zoo employee said. 'We're happy to see where this goes.' Soon after, she met her new surrogate mother as the pair were seen playfully interacting with each other. At one point, Jameela started to holler at Fredrika and even got to meet another gorilla in the troop, Kayembe, and play with him through the cage. Before being transferred to the zoo in Ohio, staff members at the Texas zoo tried to see if Jameela would bond with two other surrogate mothers, Gracie and Winifred Jameela is seen immediately interacting with her new surrogate mother and another gorilla in the troop, Kayembe, who was also raised by Fredrika Kayembe was also raised by Fredrika, who is the oldest gorilla in the tribe that has raised four other infants. Though it is hard to know exactly why the baby and her birth mother were unable to bond, Forth Worth Zoo staff think that Sekani did not experience hormonal cues that typically come with a natural and full-term birth. Prior to being sent to Ohio, zoo keepers tried to see if Jameela would bond with a 24-year-old gorilla, Gracie. In a post made to the zoo's Facebook page, surrogacy training with Gracie did not go as planned as the progress they wanted to see was not being 'observed.' Staff then tried to get the baby to bond with another gorilla named Winifred who is 33-years-old. Though Winifred, who also goes by 'Fred' does not have any children of her own, the zoo said that the adult gorilla did show 'some interest in baby Jameela.' In a post from last week, the zoo gave a 'bittersweet' update on the baby's journey and said that the bonding with Winifred was unsuccessful. 'While we hoped for a different outcome one that includes Jameela fully integrated into our troop our main goal has always been that Jameela is raised by gorillas,' Forth Worth Zoo said. As the team tried their best to do so for Jameela, she grew stronger and healthier by the day as she was seen in another video discovering her feet for the first time, and gained an exceptional amount of weight Before she left, her Texas team held a going away party for the Jameela over the weekend so locals could send her well wishes as she embarked on her new journey Her journey to Cleveland soon followed as the two zoo's work together to provide a home and family for the baby. As the team tried their best to do so for Jameela, she grew stronger and healthier by the day as she was seen in another video discovering her feet for the first time, and gained an exceptional amount of weight. Before she left, her Texas team held a going away party for the Jameela over the weekend so locals could send her well wishes as she embarked on her new journey. In a statement, the Forth Worth Zoo expressed their heartache and happiness for Jameela. 'We are understandably heartbroken. Jameela has left an indelible mark on all of us here at the Zoo and in the Fort Worth community,' staff said. 'She will always be a part of the Fort Worth Zoo, and once she is grown and her father is not the silverback, we hope to see her back in Fort Worth one day.' Zoo staff at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo said that their apes will 'be on exhibit as normal' as Jameela grows accustomed to her new surroundings. The male-only Garrick Club could welcome the first female members in its 193-year history, with former Home Secretary Amber Rudd's name reportedly on a list of potential candidates. The 1,700-a-year club has long been at the centre of controversy over its all-male membership, and now it appears that a host of members including actor Stephen Fry are calling for women to be permitted to join. According to broadcaster Emily Maitlis, who claimed on X that she had seen a formal letter proposing the candidates, club trustees have written to the chairman requesting that women 'will be considered on the same basis as men'. They reportedly informed the chair that the female candidates' forms are being 'prepared and signed as soon as possible', and also asked for confirmation 'that they are eligible for membership.' Eminent women reportedly being recommended for the club include actor Juliet Stevenson, classicist Dame Mary Beard, broadcaster Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, and Channel 4 news presenter Cathy Newman. The 1,700-a-year club has attracted controversy over its all-male membership Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd's name is reportedly on a list of potential candidates Classicist and TV historian Mary Beard is among those reportedly being recommended for membership Former Newsnight presenter Maitlis said that the letter 'comes ahead of a crucial club meeting April 4 - which will bring this matter to a head.' Maitlis co-hosts current affairs podcast the News Agents along with fellow former BBC journalist Jon Sopel, the corporations's former North America Editor. Sopel, recently became a member of the Garrick himself following a lengthy wait, joining former BBC colleague Jeremy Paxman in its hallowed halls. The elite club, which counts the King among its members, is one of the oldest in Britain and has repeatedly blocked attempts to allow women to join. It has long been urged to allow women in as members, not just guests as it currently permits. In 2011, Joanna Lumley tried unsuccessfully to become the first female member when she was proposed by Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville. Earlier this month, top civil servant Simon Case and MI6 boss Sir Richard Moore resigned from the club after their names were published on a leaked list of members. The elite club, which counts the King among its members, is one of the oldest in Britain The all-male list sparked a row over sexism, with critics saying the civil servants' involvement in the club made a mockery of their efforts to make their institutions more inclusive. But others criticised the men for leaving the institution following the outrage, with one member felt it showed a lack of 'backbone' to be 'bullied by the thought police' into quitting. Former minister Ben Wallace defended senior male politicians and civil servants who are members of the club, saying they should be 'left alone'. Asked about the situation in an LBC interview, the former defence secretary suggested the furore was overblown. 'I just wish people would all be left alone. If a whole load of men want to get together and have a club, it's up to them. 'We have this round every few years and it's the Garrick Club, there are plenty of all male clubs. There are actually all-female clubs out there right?' A group of prominent female lawyers staged a protest on the steps of the central London club today. A group of prominent female lawyers staged a protest on the steps of the central London club Feminist barristers Charlotte Proudman and Julia Needham, as well as Labour MP Apsana Begum were among those who organized and signed an open letter calling on the club to improve its diversity. 'For too long, the Garrick Club has stood as a symbol of exclusivity, a bastion of power maintained by the privileged few predominantly white men who hold sway over the decisions affecting our society, our political system, our justice system, our media, and arts and culture,' the letter said. The Garrick Club has been contacted for comment. The Jewish Democratic Council of America announced a new batch of candidate endorsements for 2024 and it includes backing the primary opponents of two members of The Squad. The JDCA announced it's endorsing House candidate George Latimer for New York's 16th District seat just north of New York City in the primary against Congressman Jamaal Bowman. It is also backing the candidacy of Wesley Bell who is running the the primary to unseat Congresswoman Cori Bush in Missouri's 1st District in St. Louis. The two primary challengers endorsements on Thursday were part of a larger group of candidate endorsements by the Jewish Democratic group as it vows to mobilize Jewish voters ahead of November to help election Democrats. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., speaking at a news conference calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in November 2023 Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., speaking in Washington at a demonstration on October 18 It comes as Bowman and Bush have been vocal critics of Israel in its ongoing war in Gaza after the Hamas terror attack on October 7. Latimer is currently the Westchester County Executive and a former New York state Senator and assemblyman. He formally launched his bid for the seat in December arguing Bowman was good at getting attention but less so at getting results. Bowman has also faced criticism from Jewish groups more recently over his calls for a cease-fire and for boycotting the Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech to Congress last summer. Wesley Bell announced he was running in the primary for Missouri's first district seat in St. Louis in late October. He originally was running in he state's Democratic Senate primary but announced he would challenge Bush instead following her criticism of Israel after the Hamas attack. Bell was elected St. Louis County Prosecutor ousting the longtime incumbent in 2018. He previously served as a public defender and on the city council. George Latimer is running against Rep. Bowman in the New York 16h Congressional District primary. He is the Westchester County Executive Wesley Bell is the St. Louis County Prosecutor and is running against Rep. Bush in Missouri's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary In endorsing Bell and Latimer, as well as the other slate of candidates, JDCA President Ron Klein slammed the 'incompetence' of Republicans and 'extremism' of Donald Trump, calling it dangerous for Jewish Americans. He said the endorsees 'not only share our fundamental values as Jewish Americans, but they are experienced leaders who stand fervently against the right-wing extremism that puts our community at risk.' The JDCA PAC is launching a $1.5 million mobilization campaign and is focused on mobilizing Jewish voters to help elect Democrats. In total, the group has endorsed 83 candidates in the cycle as well as President Biden and Vice President Harris' reelection. Other endorsements on Thursday included Senate candidates Ruben Gallego in Arizona, Adam Schiff in California, Elissa Slotkin in Michigan, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in Florida and Colin Allred in Texas. Vice President Kamala Harris' trip to Puerto Rico last week was branded as an 'epic fail' by an op-ed featured in New York Times on Thursday. Harris made a quick trip to Puerto Rico on Friday for an event featuring a home fitted with solar panels and a visit to a cultural community center before attending a big-dollar fundraiser from some of the wealthiest residents of the island. The visit was about five hours long. Dr. Yarimar Bonilla criticized Harris' appearance on the island in an op-ed for the Times, pointing to the incident where Harris found herself unwittingly clapping to the music of protesters during her visit. 'In a scene reminiscent of the HBO show Veep, the vice president clapped haplessly along to the Spanish protest songs that greeted her, apparently not realizing the lyrics were critical of her visit,' she wrote. HBO's show Veep is the dark comedy of the first historic woman vice president president dealing with the absurdity of politics and awkward social encounters in office. US Vice President Kamala Harris (2nd L) watches a performance at the Goyco Community Center US Vice President Kamala Harris (2nd R) applauds peformers during a tour of the Goyco Community Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico The translated lyrics to the Spanish protest song were as follows: 'We want to know, Kamala What did you come here for? We want to know, Kamala We want to see If you're going to talk about law 60 Or about the Fiscal Control Board The vice president is here Making history We want to know What she thinks of the colony We will keep playing The plena of our country Long live Free Palestine and Haiti too!' A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in San Juan, Puerto Rico A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Local Puerto Rico residents are furious about Law 60, which allows land investors big tax breaks as long as they buy property in Puerto Rico and live there half the year. The revised laws has created a land rush in Puerto Rico, making the cost of housing and land more expensive. Bonilla also revealed the home Harris visited took seven years to get rebuilt after Hurricane Maria, a sign of how the federal government continued to fail the island. 'While the Trump administration may have left Puerto Ricans in the dark after the hurricane, it was the Democrats who set the stage for the storms disastrous aftermath,' she wrote, noting that 'the federal government repeatedly fails Puerto Ricans, no matter which party is in charge.' Bonilla also recounted a list of Biden's broken campaign promises to Puerto Rico, even as residents struggle for basic services like electricity, water, and education. Although she recalled the moment that Trump threw rolls of paper towels into a crowd of hurricane victims, she indicated that Harris' visit was just as bad. 'While she did not toss paper towels, her visit was what Puerto Ricans call a papelon an embarrassing spectacle,' she concluded. A British Airways flight came just 5ft away from smashing into an illegally-flown drone at a height of 9,600ft over the Kent countryside, a report has revealed. The flight from Athens, Greece, to Londons Heathrow airport was carrying up to 180 passengers and flying at more than 250mph at the time of the incredible close call. The incident is thought to be one of the closest ever near misses between a BA jet and a drone. It happened just before 4.30pm on January 3 this year as the Airbus A321 was heading into a holding stack around six miles south of Sevenoaks while waiting its turn to join the final flight path into Heathrow. The drone was being flown at 24 times the usual maximum legal height for the devices which is just 400ft. The BA flight that came dangerously close to hitting a drone. The drone was being flown at 24 times the usual maximum legal height for the devices which is just 400ft The flight from Athens, Greece, to Londons Heathrow airport was carrying up to 180 passengers and flying at more than 250mph at the time of the incredible close call (stock image) A remote-controlled drone in flight. The incident is thought to be one of the closest ever near misses between a BA jet and a drone (stock image) It is believed that the operator of the drone was never found, but if caught they could have been jailed for up to five years for endangering an aircraft. A report by the UK Airprox Board which assesses near misses said the pilots estimated the drone as being around 5ft over their wing and just 30ft from their cockpit. Pilots have repeatedly warned in recent years of the risk of drones causing potentially catastrophic damage by being sucked into a jet engine or breaking a windscreen. The height of the devices is normally restricted by software to 400ft, but the limit can be over-ridden by a patch bought on the internet. Extra batteries can also be installed to allow drones to soar to great heights. It is thought that the unscrupulous drone operator in the incident might have been trying to get dramatic video footage of an airliner in mid-air. The report rated it as a Category A incident where there was a serious risk of collision. It said that the aircraft was approaching its holding stack when the pilot became aware of an object slightly to the right of the nose at same level on a constant bearing with closing distance. Heathrow Airport where the BA plane was flying to from Athens. A British Airways spokesperson said: We take such matters extremely seriously and our pilots report incidents so that the authorities can investigate and take appropriate action (stock image) The report added: It was small, but had the distinctive shape of a drone. The object passed down the right-hand side of the aircraft and over their right wing. Details were passed immediately to London ATC (air traffic control) who informed the pilot of the aircraft behind them. The BA pilot rated the risk of collision as high, saying the object had shot down our right hand side and describing it as extremely close. The report added: Analysis of the radar by Safety Investigations indicated that there were no primary or secondary contacts associated with the drone report visible on radar at the approximate time of the event. It concluded: In the Boards opinion the reported altitude and/or description of the object were sufficient to indicate that it could have been a drone. The Board considered that the pilots overall account of the incident portrayed a situation where providence had played a major part in the incident and/or a definite risk of collision had existed. A British Airways spokesperson said: We take such matters extremely seriously and our pilots report incidents so that the authorities can investigate and take appropriate action. A man has been left with serious injuries following a car crash involved the Albuquerque police chief - and he and his wife want answers. On February 17, Todd Perchert, 55, was driving eastbound on Central Avenue in his 66 Mustang when APD Chief Harold Medina ran a red light and crashed his cruiser into him while trying to escape gunfire. 'It was so fast. I don't think I had time to even brace for it,' Todd told local ABC affiliate KOAT. Todd inherited the car from his father, who died just months before the crash. He had put thousands of dollars into restoring the family heirloom, all for it to be crushed in an instant. He was left with a broken collarbone and shoulder blade, eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung, lacerations to his left ear and head and multiple gashes to his face. Todd Perchert, 55, was driving eastbound on Central Avenue in his 66 Mustang when APD Chief Harold Medina ran a red light and slammed into him Medina said he was escaping gunfire before crashing into Perchert Perchert was left with a broken collarbone and shoulder blade, eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung, lacerations to his left ear and head and multiple gashes to his face The survivor underwent a seven-hour surgery and was hospitalized with epidural painkillers and chest tube for nearly a week. 'It's been constant pain since the crash,' Perchert told KOAT. 'I haven't driven much since the accident.' Medina and his wife, who was in the passenger seat, walked away without a scratch. Video footage of the crash shows Medina slamming into Todd after running a red light in a black pickup vehicle. Medina said he was trying to get away from gunfire coming from a man fighting on the sidewalk next to his parked truck. 'I clearly recall seeing the green light before going through the intersection. Then, all of a sudden, I saw a black truck come out of nowhere and slammed into me on the driver's side,' said Perchert. Todd said that his recovery will take time, but he's grateful that he's alive. 'I thank God every day that Todd is still here. It is by God's grace that he is sitting here today,' his wife, Danielle, told KOAT. On March 27, Perchert and his wife held a news conference following the car crash. The family, still shaken from the incident, is seeking to hold the Albuquerque police chief accountable. 'As a military veteran, I appreciate the men and women that go into the military and law enforcement. These are not easy jobs and take a great deal of sacrifice and dedication. I have a great deal of respect for our law enforcement,' Todd said at the conference. 'However, I am disappointed in the actions of our police chief and the reaction of Mayor Tim Keller praising the chief's decisions.' 'The chief personally endangered the lives of others, critically injured my husband, and was there laughing and smiling as though none of this had just happened. That behavior is not to be praised,' said Danielle. 'To make things worse, the mayor praised the chief's actions, that made me sick.' Mayor Tim Keller expressed his gratitude in the aftermath of the crash. 'This is above and beyond what you expect from a chief. And I'm grateful for Harold Medina,' said Keller. 'Whether it's our city or the individuals that he helped or potentially the lives that he saved because of the shooting that was happening, we all owe him a debt of gratitude today.' Todd and Danielle are taking legal action in the form of a civil lawsuit and claim against the city and police department. They and their attorney claim Medina violated both state and department operating procedures and laws. Todd and Danielle are taking legal action in the form of a civil lawsuit and claim against the city and police department Mayor Tim Keller expressed his gratitude in the aftermath of the crash James Tawney (pictured) will be representing the Percherts in court Todd said that his recovery will take time, but he's grateful that he's alive On March 27, Perchert and his wife held a news conference following the car crash An internal investigation is underway to determine whether policies were adhered to, and a crash review board will evaluate whether the tragedy was preventable 'I don't know why the New Mexico State Police didn't investigate this, as opposed to our police department. I mean, that's the first question,' said the Perchert's attorney, James Tawney. 'This is my family, you know, I'm sorry, but how would they have reacted if that was their spouse or someone in their family? Someone would have been held accountable,' said Danielle. According to an APD official, an internal investigation is underway to determine whether policies were adhered to, and a crash review board will evaluate whether the tragedy was preventable. Burchett falsely claimed that Loudermill was an 'illegal alien' and one of the shooters The lawsuit against Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett accuses the Republican of making 'defamatory representations' of the Kansas man Denton Loudermill was released from custody and never charged with a crime The Kansas man who was falsely deemed an 'illegal alien' and one of the gunmen at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally is suing a Tennessee state representative for defaming him. Denton Loudermill seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for a 'false representation' of him that appeared on Rep. Tim Burchett's (R-TN) social media account. The Olathe man was detained at the parade and photos of him spread across X, formerly Twitter, accompanied by the false claim that he was an undocumented immigrant and one of the suspects in the shooting that claimed the life of radio presenter Lisa Lopez-Galvan. Burchett amplified these claims with a February 15 post on his personal X account, captioning the image: 'One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien.' According to court documents reviewed by DailyMail.com, the Republican lawmaker's post amassed 21,000 retweets and more than 7.2 million views by the morning of February 18. Denton Loudermill was detained during the February 14 Kansas City Chiefs victory parade and later let go Photos of him spread on X, formerly Twitter, along with the false claim that he was an undocumented immigrant and one of the shooters Loudermill is suing Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) for making 'defamatory representations' of him, in a post that racked up more than a million views 'Burchett then removed the post, indicating in a new one that he had misidentified Loudermill as an undocumented immigrant, while still suggesting that Loudermill was one of the shooters,"' the suit reads. The lawsuit claims the false characterization caused Loudermill to 'receive death threats and to suffer mental distress,' adding that he is expected to continue to experience 'periods of anxiety, agitation, and sleep disruption.' The suit also details the circumstances around Loudermill's detainment. 'As Plaintiff started moving from the area, the Police had started taping it off. As Plaintiff tried to go under the tape to leave the area, Officers stopped him and told him he was moving too slow,"' it reads. He was put in handcuffs and seated on a curb, at which point 'people began taking pictures of him.' After roughly 10 minutes, he was walked a few blocks away, uncuffed and told that he was free to go. Loudermill was not charged, nor cited, with a crime or offense, the suit asserts. It notes that Burchett was not among the 500,000 people in attendance at the parade on February 14. The lawsuit claims the false characterization caused Loudermill to 'receive death threats and to suffer mental distress.' It adds that he was put in handcuffs after police told him he was moving 'too slow' when leaving the scene, but was later released The suit notes that Burchett wasn't in attendance on the day of the parade shooting The Olathe man was released from custody and was not charged, nor cited, with a crime or offense, the lawsuit states It mentions that Burchett made the offensive posts on his personal X account 'Plaintiff is not and never has been an illegal alien, having been born and raised in the United States of America,' the suit reads. 'On February 14, 2024, Plaintiff was not the shooter and was not in any way involved in the shooting. 'At no time did Law Enforcement detain, cite, or arrest Plaintiff for any involvement with the shooting at the Super Bowl celebration. At no time did Plaintiff engage in any gun violence at the Super Bowl celebration.' It notes that Burchett was not among the 500,000 people in attendance that day. The suit further asserts that the congressman 'knew or should have known that his inflammatory post on social media would be seen and read nationwide,' including in Kansas, where Loudermill lived. It deems the politician's actions 'willful, wanton, reckless, and malicious,' showing 'a complete and deliberate indifference to, and conscious disregard for, the rights of Plaintiff.' The Olathe man seeks a jury trial and at least $75,000 in damages for 'false light invasion of privacy.' Under Kansas state law, this is considered one of four types of invasion of privacy, occurring when a highly offensive false publication is made to a third party. Loudermill said he simply wanted Burchett 'to apologize and spread the word that I am not the guy that he says I was' He told members of the media that his children had become the target of questions. 'I just don't want this to be this known,' he said Speaking to members of the media outside the Olathe Public Library on Wednesday, Loudermill expressed that he simply wanted Burchett 'to apologize and spread the word that I am not the guy that he says I was.' 'I just want him to be held accountable for what he did and said to me,' Loudermill said. He explained that his children had become the target of questions and 'and stuff like that. I just don't want this to be this known.' Loudermill was accompanied by his attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, who said it was 'time for action.' 'If the congressman and others had owned the misinformation it wouldnt have felt so intentional or a disregard for the damage that was done to Mr. Loudermill,' she said. 'At this point, I think weve done enough talking and its time for action. We are going to let the legal process work.' Donald Trump aims to smash Joe Biden's record $25 million fundraiser featuring Barack Obama and Bill Clinton with a massive one of his own at his Mar-a-Lago residence. The April 6th fundraiser in Palm Beach will be hosted by hedge fund manager John Paulson and is expected to bring in $33 million, the Financial Times reported. 'The response to our fundraising efforts has been overwhelming, and we've raised over $33mn so far,' Paulson told the newspaper. 'There is massive support amongst a broad spectrum of donors. The dinner is relatively small in nature, and we are almost at our cap.' Donald Trump is playing fundraising catch-up with Joe Biden The list of 38 co-chairs includes people who served in Trump's cabinet, including the former ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson, and billionaires from Las Vegas to New York. Those who give $814,600 per person can sit at Trump's dinner table, and those who give at least $250,000 with get a photo with Trump a 'personalized 'Our Journey Together' coffee table book.' Some of Trump's vanquished rivals - including South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy - will join the event. All have now endorsed the former president. Trump is playing catch up in the fundraising game. The former president is also battling massive legal bills. His campaign and his Save America political action committee, two key committees in his political operation, reported raising a combined $15.9 million in February and ended the month with more than $37 million on hand, Biden's campaign, meanwhile, raised $53 million last month and ended February with $155 million on hand. That includes his joint fundraising with the Democratic National Committee. Meanwhile, Biden will take the stage at Radio City Hall in New York on Thursday night with his former presidents Obama and Clinton. The trio of leaders will be interviewed by CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert. The Office and The Mindy Project star Mindy Kaling is set to emcee. A-lists like Vogue editor Anna Wintour will attend. Donors at the Democratic bash will be entertained by musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. And for those willing to fork over $100,000 to the Biden campaign, they can have their picture taken with all three presidents. Those who donated at the $250,000 and $500,000 levels will have special invites to separate receptions with the presidential trio. President Joe Biden arrived in New York on Thursday with former President Barack Obama Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will participate in a fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall (above) that will bring in $25 million Donald Trump's April 6th fundraiser in Palm Beach will be hosted by hedge fund manager John Paulson (above) Some tickets sold for as little as $250. There will be 6,000 guests present and the fundraiser has sold out. Trump on Thursday the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island. Diller was shot and killed in the line of duty in Queens on Monday. Terminally ill Scots as young as 16 will be able to ask doctors for help to end their lives under legislation lodged at Holyrood yesterday. The new Bill proposes that adults with an incurable illness can seek a lethal dose of drugs from their GP. Medics who have a conscientious objection will be able to opt out under the safeguards proposed in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Patients (Scotland) Bill. Supporters say the law will ensure people have the choice of safe and compassionate assisted dying. Support: Dame Esther Rantzen is backing the Bill at Holyrood They have been backed by Dame Esther Rantzen, who joined Swiss-based euthanasia clinic Dignitas last year after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Critics have condemned the legislation as dangerous and warned it will normalise suicide. MSPs are expected to be given a free vote on the issue, with the Bill likely to face its first Holyrood test later this year before a final vote is held at some point in 2025. Those who have said they do not support the law include First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, who introduced the legislation as a Private Members Bill, said: This Bill contains robust safeguards similar to those successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where they continue to enjoy strong public support. Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life. Too often, and despite the best efforts of palliative care, dying people are facing traumatic deaths that harm both them and those they leave behind. Polling has consistently shown overwhelming public support for assisted dying, and now I believe politicians are catching up with where the public has been for some time. It is estimated around 27 people may seek to use the new legislation in its first year and that this could gradually rise to around 326 annually within the first two decades. The Bill says people should have personal autonomy on their medical care and be able to choose safe and compassionate assisted dying rather than face the potential of a prolonged, painful and traumatic death. It states that people must be terminally ill in order to request an assisted death and must also be aged 16 or over, resident in Scotland for at least 12 continuous months, registered with a Scottish GP and have the mental capacity to make the request. Following a request, two doctors need to assess the patients condition and mental competence, and also ensure they are not being coerced. If they have any doubts they can refer the issue to a further specialist. There is then a 14-day reflection period, although this can be shortened to as little as 48 hours by medics if death is imminent. To assist the death, doctors would then provide the patient with a fatal dose of a substance although the exact detail of what this would be has not yet been set out in the regulations. The patient would be required to take the substance themselves. In other countries a cocktail of barbiturates is often used. The Bill also sets out that no medical practitioner would be required to play any part in providing assisted dying if they have a conscientious objection. If passed, the Bill would make Scotland the first country in the UK to legalise assisted dying. Dame Esther, 83, described the current law as cruel and said it causes terrible suffering to vulnerable people. Praising the Holyrood Bill, she added: I have received dozens of letters from people describing the agonising deaths of those they loved. Supporters say the law will ensure people have the choice of safe and compassionate assisted dying This is literally a life and death issue, and I believe terminally ill patients like me need and deserve the right to choose this option if our lives become intolerable. The proposals have been criticised by some religious leaders and medics. John Keenan, the Bishop of Paisley, said: Liam McArthur has today published a damaging Bill which attacks human dignity and introduces a dangerous idea that a citizen can lose their value and worth. The Bill may refer to assisted dying, but this is a euphemistic term which doesnt accurately describe the reality. Assisted dying is already practised by our health professionals and organisations, in the form of palliative care. An accurate term for what the Bill seeks to legalise is assisted suicide. It is a law which will allow a doctor to provide a patient with a lethal cocktail of drugs to kill themselves. Implicit in assisted suicide is that the value of human life is measured by efficiency and utility and not by dignity. In crude terms, it means an individual can lose their value to society because of illness or disability. He added: Assisted suicide sends a message that there are situations when suicide is an appropriate response to ones individual circumstances, worries and anxieties. It normalises suicide and accepts that some people are beyond hope. The Royal College of Nursing Scotland said it would remain neutral on whether the law should be changed because its members have differing views on the issue. Dr Fiona McCormick, a hospital consultant and member of the Association of Palliative Medicine, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The worry is that its not just a choice. It becomes a suggestion, which then becomes an expectation and that our vulnerable patients are at risk. And I have had patients, who have said to me originally when they come and they have poorly controlled symptoms and lots of worries and fears, saying that they would just rather be dead. And once they receive a good palliative care assessment and management plan they are very thankful that was not the course of action that they took and they have had good quality time with friends and family. Professor David Galloway, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, said: Medicalised killing should never find a place as a healthcare option. It runs counter to every instinct involved in medical training and practice. Dr Gillian Wright, a former palliative medicine registrar now working in medical ethics, said: The primary danger of assisted suicide is that individual lives are devalued by society because they are ill, disabled, confused or that their contribution to society is perceived to be minimal. The secondary danger is that terminally ill and disabled individuals may begin to devalue themselves because of the burden that they perceive they are to society. In a cruel twist, possible legislation on assisted suicide that is designed to empower may have the effect of eroding the autonomy of the most vulnerable. Michael Veitch, Scotland policy officer at the Christian social policy charity CARE for Scotland, said: The evidence of assisted suicides dangers is significant and has not changed since past debates in the Scottish parliament. In fact, it has grown significantly given events in jurisdictions such as Canada. If this practice becomes an option for patients in Scotland, the right to die could become a duty to die for those who feel they are a burden. Mr McArthurs Bill is the fourth attempt to legalise assisted dying in Scotland, after three previous attempts failed to secure enough support from MSPs. Ally Thomson, director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: Ive spoken to countless terminally ill people who are desperate for the peace of mind that this Bill would bring, and to so many who have watched someone they love endure a terrible death and dont wish anyone else to suffer in a similar way. The publication of the Bill today gives them all hope that needless suffering can be consigned to the past. We call on MSPs to not stand in the way of their choice. Whats proposed in the new assisted dying bill Scottish Political Editor MICHAEL BLACKLEY looks at how the Bill would work and how many people might die using the new powers. Q: What is the situation now at home and abroad? A: No part of the UK has legalised assisted suicide. If someone did assist in the death of another person they could be prosecuted for a range of offences, such as murder, culpable homicide, reckless endangerment, assault and breach of the peace. Ten US states have legal access to a form of assisted death, as well as all six Australian states. Other countries to have acted include New Zealand, Canada, Colombia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Spain. Q: Who would be allowed to apply for an assisted death? A: The Bill sets out that, in order to be eligible, someone would need to be terminally ill having an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition from which they are unable to recover. They also must be aged 16 or over, resident in Scotland for at least 12 continuous months; registered with a GP in Scotland; and have the mental capacity to make the request. They also need to have been provided with options about palliative care or hospice care, while healthcare professionals must ensure they have made their decision without coercion or undue pressure. Q: How do patients start the process? A: Someone with a terminal illness who wants an assisted death would register their interest with either their GP or a doctor who has been in charge of their care. Any medic has the right to raise a conscientious objection with playing a role and can pass the case onto a colleague if they wish. The patient would then be provided with a first declaration form which they must sign alongside their doctor and a witness. After signing the form, there is a 14-day waiting period before a second declaration process can begin. However, if doctors expect the patient to die within this period it can be cut to as little as 48 hours. A medical assessment would ensure the patient meets all eligibility criteria and the co-ordinating doctor would refer the case to a second doctor to check the illness is terminal and the patient is not being coerced or unduly pressured. If either doctor is not fully satisfied, they can request a further assessment by a specialist such as a psychiatrist. If doctors are satisfied, a second and final declaration form would be signed by the patient, co-ordinating doctor and a witness confirming they want to go ahead. Q: What happens on the day of the death? A: The patient can decide where they want to die, such as at home, in hospital, at a hospice or in a care home. A registered medical practitioner or health professional authorised by the co-ordinating doctor will meet the patient to check whether they wish to proceed, and ensure again that they are making the decision of their own free will. If the patient still wants to proceed, they are provided with a substance which they take to end their life. The patient can decide to stop at any stage, but if they go ahead the health professional must remain with them until they are dead. Q: What is the deadly substance? A: The Bill doesnt set out what substance would be used but says the Scottish Government would need to issue regulations setting this out. Different countries which have legalised assisted dying use different cocktails of lethal drugs. Q: What happens after the death? A: A final statement is completed by the co-ordinating medical practitioner, including the date, cause and time of death and the time between taking the substance and death. The terminal illness will be listed on the death certificate as the primary cause of death. Q: How many people would be likely to use the law to have an assisted death? A: An analysis of international evidence suggests that there may be around five deaths per million population in the first year of the legislation, which would amount to around 27 people in Scotland. It is estimated that this would rise steadily to potentially 60 deaths per million population within 20 years, which would be around 326 people in Scotland. Q: Will it receive parliamentary support? A: Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur has said he is confident he can secure support in Holyrood and already has the backing of 36 MSPs who were signatories to his Bill. He claims he has private support from within the Scottish Government Cabinet and from MSPs across the political parties who have not yet gone public. First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar are among the senior figures to express reservations. Although all parties are likely to allow a free conscience vote, their views may be influential. Two previous attempts to get legislation through, in 2010 and 2015, fell at the first hurdle when they failed to secure enough support in the stage one vote at Holyrood. Another proposed Bill, in 2005, didnt win enough support to earn the right to be introduced in parliament. Victims of Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX scam have expressed their outrage and disappointment at his 'lenient' sentence, saying '25 years is a joke.' People who lost huge sums of money when the cryptocurrency exchange went under in 2022 have flocked to social media forums to share their anger after the disgraced founder was sentenced on Thursday. Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison - and recommended a medium-security jail - and ordered him to pay $11billion for stealing $8 billion from customers in an elaborate scheme. One member of an FTX creditors group with the username 'Bruno Dixon' wrote on messaging app Telegram minutes after the sentence was handed down: '25 years is a joke.' Another member of the same Telegram group, going by Steven, said the sentence was 'laughable for such a serious crime.' One of the victims Sunil Kavuri testified in court on Thursday ahead of the sentencing for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years behind bars and ordered to forfeit $11billion for scamming FTX crypto exchange investors Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried and labeled him a 'thief' but victims were left unsatisfied More than 1 million customers face potential losses as a result of FTX's sudden November 2022 collapse. Victims say they are still owed more than $19 billion based on current crypto prices - though Bankman-Fried insisted during his sentencing that victims can get their money. Sunil Kavuri, a London-based technology investor at Shomei Group, spoke in court ahead of the sentencing on behalf of 200 victims. He said: 'I suffered every day. This is a continuous lie that we are all made whole [through bankruptcy payments]' He added that he had 'money I wanted to spend on a family home taken away.' Kavuri told the court he knows other victims who are suffering from depression and some have even taken their own lives. A New York jury last year found Bankman-Fried guilty of stealing from unsuspecting customers to prop up his hedge fund Alameda Research, buy luxury properties and fund political donations. He was convicted of stealing $8 billion from customers of his international crypto exchange, FTX, and could have been sentenced to up to 110 years for the crimes. Prosecutors sought a sentence of 40 to 50 years for what they say was one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. Bankman-Fried's defense has argued that under a decade would be appropriate since customers would likely be made whole. Some victims on Thursday said they were satisfied with the sentence, as it was as expected for a corporate fraud crime. 'White collar guys get treated differently so 25 is probably as good as it was going to get,' wrote one of the Telegram group's administrators, adding members should focus on recovering their assets. But other victims compared it unfavorably to the 150 years handed down to notorious fraudster Bernie Madoff. 'I found 30-40 to be somewhat fair,' wrote Tristan, another user of the same Telegram group, which has more than 3,000 members who say they have a combined nearly $700 million in claims. Bankman-Fried's attorneys said the former FTX boss had overlooked risk management but did not steal customer money. Bankman-Fried has vowed to appeal his conviction and sentence. Some customers said they thought 25 years was not enough to justify plea deals prosecutors inked with other top FTX executives, which allowed them to avoid stringent punishments in return for acting as witnesses. Many speculated Bankman-Fried would serve significantly less following his promised appeal. Mark Bini, a former federal prosecutor, said the judge's sentence took into account the magnitude of the crime and the finding that Bankman-Fried lied on the stand. The NBA's Miami Heat stadium, which had a 19-year deal with FTX was left in the lurch after it declared bankruptcy and had to scrap the name from their building A judge quickly dismissed the idea that Bankman-Fried deserves a lighter sentence because FTX customers didn't lose anything in the fraud 'While less than the prosecutors' request for 40-50 years, it is a very significant sentence and sends a message that people convicted of crimes in the crypto space will face serious consequences,' said Bini, now a partner at law firm Reed Smith. During the trial, prosecutors called FTX customers to testify and submitted dozens of victim impact statements to the court ahead of the sentencing. Many said they had lost years worth of savings and that their lives had been destroyed. 'I lost my happiness, my ability to get out of bed, my desire to continue living,' wrote one FTX customer who said they had a $4 million claim. Names were redacted. It wasn't only individuals who lost out, the NBA's Miami Heat stadium, which had a 19-year deal with FTX, was left in the lurch after FTX declared bankruptcy. They had to scrap the name FTX stadium and were left looking for another partner -they eventually partnered with security software company, Kaseya. Administrators now running FTX are still recovering assets. They said in January that they expect to have $13.7 billion to pay $31.4 billion in legitimate claims, including $9.2 billion from customers. Customers will be paid 'in full' but at November 2022 crypto prices, the administrators said, meaning customers will not benefit from a rally in bitcoin and other tokens in recent months. Many FTX customers are fighting that decision. FTX was one of a string of crypto company bankruptcies in 2022 sparked by a collapse in crypto prices. The Republican National Committee Thursday offered conflicting messages about whether it planned to punish NBC by withholding access over its treatment of former chair Ronna McDaniel. A spokesperson said the organization was taking a 'hard look' at the network's participation at this summer's convention, when Donald Trump will officially become the party's nominee. Meanwhile, the new RNC chair pushed back on the idea, saying Republicans had to use all available avenues to reach voters. NBC News announced Tuesday that McDaniel, who repeatedly raised questions about the result of the 2020 election, would not appear on the network as a paid contributor after a backlash by journalists and anchors at MSNBC. The RNC in 2016 voted against allowing CNN and NBC to hold presidential debates in protest at their coverage. NBC announced Tuesday it was not going to use Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor after a backlash from presenters and journalists, mostly at its liberal MSNBC channel McDaniel's successor Michael Whatley told Sean Spicer that Republicans should use all avenues to reach voters and pushed back on the idea of a convention ban And Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for the RNC and the Trump campaign, suggested it could be looking escalating the rift with NBC. 'We are taking a hard look at what this means for NBC's participation at the convention,' she told Politico. 'Our priority is making sure this is a world class event that allows President Trump to feature his message and vision in a fair way.' Michael Whatley, Donald Trump's pick to succeed McDaniel, discussed the issue with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. But he pushed back on the idea that the network should be denied access to the July convention in Milwaukee. 'Is the mainstream media going to treat us fairly? No. Have they ever treated us fairly? No, they're not going to do it,' he said. 'Does that mean that we want to necessarily never go on there and never try to reach those target audiences that they cover? 'I don't think so.' McDaniel has not spoken publicly about her experience. But reports suggest that she is expecting to be paid out her two-year contract, worth a total of $600,000. 'If they don't want our voices on their air, then we shouldn't give them the credibility of putting people on them, letting them come to our events and spew vitriol,' said Sean Spicer McDaniel served as RNC chair while Trump was president. She stepped down from that job amid pressure from Trump on March 8 She was dumped only four days after announcing she was joining the network as a political contributor. The announcement sparked an immediate backlash from on-air talent across the network. In a statement Tuesday evening, NBCUniversal chairman Cesar Conde said: 'After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor.' During her time as RNC chair she promoted Trump's false election fraud claims. It was one of the reasons her hiring at NBC sparked backlash from network employees. At the same time, the path from political official to NBC is well trodden. Jen Psaki, who served as White House press secretary in the Biden administration and Symone Sanders who was spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris have both made the leap to paid contributor. Whatley said it showed a double standard in play among presenters such as Chuck Todd, who melted down about McDaniel but made not protest over the hiring of officials from the Democratic side. 'I would say is this you got to even wonder if Chuck Todd is going to allow his bosses to cover the convention,' he said. 'You know, we really need to look right now at every single platform that's available for us to get our message out there. 'One of the great things that we saw from President Trump in 2016 was his ability to directly communicate with the voters. 'He was able to do that through the networks. He was able to do it on social media. I think he frankly invented social media as a political platform.' Spicer, who was RNC communications director, pointed out that the organization did not let NBC host a presidential debate in 2016. 'What punishment should NBC face for not ...' he said. 'If they don't want our voices on their air, then we shouldn't give them the credibility of putting people on them, letting them come to our events and spew vitriol.' This 1964 Chrysler Imperial Presidential Limousine was used by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy during her husbands, JFK, funeral and eventually became the presidential limousine for Lyndon B. Johnson This 1964 Chrysler Imperial Presidential Limousine was used by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy during her husbands, JFK, funeral and eventually became the presidential limousine for Lyndon B. Johnson Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed he ended the 'squatter scam' in the Sunshine State after signing a bill into law Wednesday that will speed up the process for homeowners to evict unwanted tenants. The law allows for the immediate removal of squatters if certain conditions are met. It's a stark contrast with states like New York and California, which are notoriously difficult places to get squatters removed. In a victory lap interview celebrating the new law Wednesday evening, DeSantis ripped the liberal states for siding with squatters. 'It was never intended that you could just go into some subdivision and break into a house and start living there and then all the sudden have all these rights,' he said. 'In New York there was a case, and it was reported, where the homeowner went when someone had taken over her house and the police did not evict the squatters the police ended up arresting the homeowner,' DeSantis decried. The governor was seemingly referring to the case of Adele Andaloro, 47, who inherited property on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens. But when she planned to sell it, a squatter had replaced the front door and changed the locks. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared the squatter scam has ended in his state after he signed a measure into law that would reduce the time it takes for homeowners to get law enforcement to remove unwanted tenants The measure also creates additional penalties for those who engage in or teach others how to squat on property that is not theirs She was later arrested following a heated confrontation with a squatter who claimed he had the rights to live in her million-dollar family home. 'What kind of a country is that,' DeSantis said. 'What New York does, what California does, Florida will do the opposite,' he continued. The new Florida law establishes that squatters may be removed by law enforcement if just three conditions are met. First, the individual has illegally entered the property and remains there. Second, the individual has been directed to leave the premises but refuses. And third, the individual is not a current or former tenant engaged in a legal dispute with the owner. If all three conditions are met, DeSantis says authorities will remove the squatters immediately. The bill will go into effect July 1, 2024. 'We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,' he said while announcing the new law. 'While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.' Florida cops dismantle 'boobytrapped meth island' after squatters set up makeshift camp Before the passage of the bill, squatters would be given rights akin to those of actual tenants. Now, DeSantis said, residents must only 'fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally.' The new law also establishes 'harsh penalties for those engaged in squatting and for those who encourage squatting and teach others the scam,' according to the release. A man who allegedly threw scalding hot liquid on four people in a New York City rampage smiled as he made his first court appearance. Larry Martin, 42, was indicted for a string of attacks that left four people with burns on March 6, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. At an arraignment hearing on Thursday in a New York State Supreme Court, Martin flashed a smile while wearing a bright orange jumpsuit. 'Larry Martin allegedly committed violent attacks against four randomly selected individuals walking in Midtown within the span of less than two hours,' said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 'My thoughts are with the victims as they heal from their extensive injuries. Nobody should fear for their safety while walking in Manhattan.' Larry Martin, 42, was indicted for a string of attacks that left four people with burns on March 6 At an arraignment hearing on Thursday in a New York State Supreme Court, Martin flashed a smile while wearing a bright orange jumpsuit NYPD shared a video of him walking the streets during the alleged attacks and arrested him the next day Martin allegedly threw boiling hot water on four people over the span of two hours in unprovoked attacks. Prosecutors claimed on March 6, he threw hot water down the back of a man at 7:10 am at East 44th Street and Lexington Avenue that caused burns to his neck. Then at 7:46 am on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue, he allegedly threw scalding water on the side of the second victims face, causing burns and hearing loss. Later at approximately 8:15 am on West 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, he is accused of tossing hot liquid from a cup on the right side of the third victims face, burning them. Shortly after at 8:39 am on West 35th Street, Martin allegedly poured scalding hot liquid on the fourth victims chest and hand, burning them. NYPD shared a video of him walking the streets during the attacks and arrested him the next day. He was charged with four counts of first degree attempted assault and four counts of second degree assault. Martin was remained without bail and has his next court appearance scheduled for May 6. Police told The New York Post his last known address was a homeless shelter in Brooklyn and he has a prior arrest for allegedly assaulting a 70-year-old man in Queens in August 2021. QUESTION Sting was a teacher before achieving rock stardom. Have any other musicians followed this route? Before finding fame as a rock star, Sting - then known as Gordon Sumner - taught English at St Paul's School, Cramlington, Northumberland. In his autobiography Broken Music, he recalled how one pupil skipped school and put on a high-pitched voice in a phone call to explain his absence. When Mr Sumner asked who was calling, the boy replied: 'Er... it's me mam.' Ricky Ross, Deacon Blue frontman, was an English teacher at St Columba of Iona in Maryhill, Glasgow. The title track, Raintown, from Deacon Blue's excellent debut album, was written in his head while walking to school. He talks fondly of his experience there in his biography Walking Back Home. Ian Dury of Blockheads fame studied at the Royal College of Art under pop artist Peter Blake (famous for the Sgt Pepper album cover). Dury went on to become an art teacher at Canterbury College of Art in 1970. He recruited a number of his bandmates for his first band, Kilburn And The High Roads, from pupils there. Ricky Ross (pictured), Deacon Blue frontman, was an English teacher at St Columba of Iona in Maryhill, Glasgow Sting (pictured) taught English at St Paul's School, Cramlington, Northumberland Barry Quick, Nottingham. Bryan Ferry, a fine art graduate, taught art and pottery at Holland Park School in London while founding what would become Roxy Music in his free time. TOMORROW'S QUESTIONS Q: How were the Dogon people of Mali aware of the planet Sirius B, which isn't visible to the naked eye? Emma Slade, Bath, Somerset. Q: Why was German-born Karl Marx buried in London's Highgate Cemetery? Cliona Webb, Ilkley, West Yorks. Q: Why are trainers called sneakers? Martha Ainsley, Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorks. Advertisement Mark Knopfler's first job was as a cub reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post but he later taught English at Loughton College in Essex. He moved to South London and focused on building up the band later known as Dire Straits. Swansea-born Spencer Davis read German at Birmingham University. He taught at Yardley's Whittington Oval School while moonlighting as a musician in the mid-1960s. Gillian Sharp, London SW13. QUESTION Has a mercenary army reversed allegiance and attacked its employer? Because mercenaries fight for money, not loyalty, it should come as no surprise that they did, on occasion, change allegiance in return for higher wages, or to save their skins if they were on the losing side. This situation was common in northern Italy during the Middle Ages. It was divided into city-states (Florence, Milan et al) which grew rich on trade. However, they didn't have large enough populations to maintain armies. Into this gap stepped the Condottieri - captains who raised mercenary armies to defend whichever city employed them. Englishman Sir John Hawkwood (c. 1323-1394) was one of the most successful of the Condottieri leaders and a funerary monument to him can be seen in the cathedral in Florence, one of the cities that employed him.When Condottieri armies met, they rarely indulged in open battle - their objective was to capture prisoners who could be held for ransom. Because of this reluctance to fight conclusive battles, most of the wars between the cities ended in negotiated peace treaties. Realising that their armies were more powerful than the cities that employed them, the Condottieri leaders sometimes turned against their employers. Most notable for doing that was a German by the name of Werner von Urslingen (1308-1354). In 1343 he was hired by Taddeo Pepoli of Bologna to fight against Obizzo III d'Este of Modena but he switched sides and went on to ravage several cities. The end of the Condottieri came in 1494 when France invaded Italy and they proved to be no match for the professional French army. Robert Sutherland, Northampton. QUESTION Did the filmmaker Jacques Cousteau fake some of his underwater footage? Before David Attenborough, there was Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who helped invent diving gear and used it in expeditions across the globe aboard his research vessel the Calypso. Philippe Cousteau (left) and Jacques Cousteau (right) appearing on the ABC tv series 'The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau' His Oscar-winning documentary The Silent World (1956) became controversial as it featured divers hitching rides on the back of turtles, killing sharks and roughly handling fragile coral. Afterwards he became a champion of conservation. However, a 1998 BBC Dispatches programme alleged that fakery had been used to make his Undersea World series. It claimed that a scene where a giant octopus escapes from a tank onto the deck of the Calypso was staged by adding bleach to the water. Cousteau's right hand man, Albert Falco, admitted that a scene showing two sea lions walking comically across the deck of Calypso actually involved four animals, as the first two had died. 'We kept them out of the sea too long to make the film,' Falco said. Peter Douglas, St Andrews, Fife. Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence. Melbourne has been rocked overnight by two violent incidents with one man found seriously injured in the eastern suburbs and another shot dead in the city's north. Emergency crews were called to a house in Conway Crescent, Balwyn about 9pm Thursday where they found a man in a backyard with life-threatening injuries who was later rushed to hospital. Hours later at 4.30am crews responded to another call to Justin Avenue, Glenroy in Melbourne's northern suburbs where they found a man who had been shot in the street and who died at the scene. A man has been rushed to hospital after he was found in a Balwyn, Melbourne backyard with critical injuries (pictured: officers at the scene) Police are also investigating after a man was shot dead outside a strip of shops at Glenroy in the city's north (pictured: multiple police vehicles at the scene) Police are investigating the Balwyn incident including whether the man was deliberately assaulted causing his injuries. The man is understood to be in a critical condition in hospital. The Glenroy incident has been handed to Homicide Detectives. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the man was found near a strip of shops. The street has been cordoned off and a crime scene established. An SES tent was set up outside the strip of shops, including a tobacconist, at Glenroy, Melbourne on Friday morning (pictured) Uniformed officers were posted at the scene keeping the public away from the cordoned off area and gathering information Forensic police scour the street for clues that could lead to the gunman Police remove the body of a man who was shot in Glenroy outside a tobacconist A team of forensic police examined the site as uniformed officers stood guard Speaking from the scene on Friday, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police had responded to calls of a gunshot being heard. After police and paramedics arrived they located a male person next to a red Hyundai i30 hatchback, he said. 'This appears to be a targeted attack ... we're working on the belief he is known to police and does have a criminal history. 'I stress at this stage it appears to be very targeted. He said while police were open to all leads 'there is absolutely nothing to link this to any of the tobacco incidents that have been occurring, or any other homicides or other shootings that have occurred.' Neighbours said they heard one shot fired in the area about 4.30am. Police were trying to determine the man's movements before he was shot, and said they did not know how many people they were looking for linked to the attack. 'We have a lot of work ahead of us,' Det Insp Thomas said. 'The appeal this morning is for anyone out there that has information to share that with us.' Anyone with information, who saw the red hatchback, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage connected to either incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. Shocking photos have captured the moment a young man was wrestled to the ground by police and security at the gates of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Police had spoken to the 20-year-old man at the entrance to the show at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday at about 7pm when he allegedly tried to resist arrest. Photos show a male and female officer desperately trying to restrain the man who appeared barefoot, before they managed to tackle him to the ground. A female security guard who was wearing a cast on her wrist was also seen clinging onto the man to help pin him down. Shocking photos have captured the moment a young man was wrestled to the ground by police and security at the gates of the Sydney Royal Easter Show The man was arrested outside the gates of the show at about 7pm on Thursday The scene played out in front of shocked Easter Show-goers. NSW Police said the 20-year-old was 'wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant in relation to domestic violence offences'. 'The man allegedly resisted arrest before he was taken into custody,' they said in a statement. Police said he was wanted over an outstanding warrant in relation to domestic violence offences Police and security had to tackle the man to the ground after he allegedly resisted arrest 'He was taken to Auburn Police Station where the outstanding warrant was executed.' The 20-year-old was refused bail and is due to face court on Friday. Anti-vaxxer MP Andrew Bridgen has been ordered to pay Matt Hancock more than 40,000 in legal fees after an early stage of their libel war. Mr Bridgen wants to 'clear his name' after allegedly being accused of antisemitism in a 'malicious' post made by the former Health Secretary, the High Court in London previously heard. The MP for North West Leicestershire is bringing a libel claim against Mr Hancock over a January 2023 tweet that followed Mr Bridgen posting a comment about Covid-19 vaccines. Following a preliminary hearing in the case earlier this month, Mr Bridgen - who was expelled by the Conservatives in April 2023 - was ordered to pay 44,300 to the MP for West Suffolk in a court order on Thursday. At the previous hearing, a judge was told Mr Bridgen shared a link to an article 'concerning data about deaths and other adverse reactions linked to Covid vaccines' on January 11. He stated: 'As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.' Anti-vaxxer MP Andrew Bridgen (pictured) has been ordered to pay Matt Hancock more than 40,000 in legal fees after an early stage of their libel war Mr Bridgen wants to 'clear his name' after allegedly being accused of antisemitism in a 'malicious' social media post by Mr Hancock (pictured) Hours later, Mr Hancock wrote on Twitter - now known as X - that 'disgusting and dangerous antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories spouted by a sitting MP this morning are unacceptable and have absolutely no place in our society'. Mr Bridgen believes 'every person reading the tweet knew it was about me', that it was 'seriously defamatory and untrue' and intended to cause 'grievous harm' to his reputation, the court was told. Mr Hancock's lawyers argued the claim against him should be thrown out as it did not have 'a realistic prospect of success' and because of the 'lack of a properly articulated case'. In a ruling last week, Mrs Justice Steyn 'struck out' certain parts of Mr Bridgen's case but did not dismiss the whole claim, instead giving the Independent MP a chance to make amendments and 'remedy the deficiencies'. In Thursday's court order, the judge said: 'Although I have not struck out the particulars of claim, the defendant (Mr Hancock) readily acknowledged that the result of his application might be an order along the lines that I have now made. 'In the circumstances, it is clear that the defendant is the successful party.' Mrs Justice Steyn also said that if Mr Bridgen does not provide the details of his amended claim or does not successfully make the required application, the libel claim will be thrown out entirely. After the court order was made public on Thursday, Mr Hancock posted on X: 'Glad the Court has awarded costs against Mr Bridgen at this stage of his absurd libel action, and explicitly stated that I was the successful party - contrary to Bridgen's ridiculous claims at the time. 'Mr Bridgen should stop wasting the court's time and drop this case now.' Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen joins a procession to Downing Street, while supporters hold boards and signs warning of the dangers of the vaccine Mr Bridgen was suspended and later expelled from the Tory party last year for his comments. It was understood that a disciplinary panel found against him for the vaccines claim. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the comments as 'utterly unacceptable'. He was made the Reclaim Party's first MP in early May. The anti-vaxxer announced he would stand against the Conservatives at the next general election but refused to trigger a by-election sooner. In December, Mr Bridgen made a surprise move and quit his position as the only MP in Laurence Fox's Party citing a 'difference in direction'. 'I have come to this decision purely because of a difference in the direction of the party,' he said in a statement. EVOLV uses AI technology to detect weapons but will not be available for at least another 90 days as the technology undergoes testing Mayor Eric Adams has announced a new initiative placing AI-powered gun-detector scanners in subway stations amid a slew of reports of violence on the city's transport system. The pilot is the latest in a series of moves by the Mayor's office and the NYPD to reassure the public after a run of high profile stabbings, a shooting and other crimes on the network in recent months. The initiative will see portable Evolv gun detectors placed in select underground locations in an attempt to catch those travelling with weapons. EVOLV uses AI technology to detect weapons and counts the Met and Lincoln Center among its clients. 'If EVOLV had a 70 percent hit ratio, that's 70 percent more than now' Adams said at a press conference on Thursday. Mayor Eric Adams has announced a new initiative placing AI-powered gun-detector scanners in subway stations EVOLV uses AI technology to detect weapons but will not be available for at least another 90 days as the technology undergoes testing It comes just weeks after the National Guard were also deployed onto the system in the wake of a series of high profile attacks including shootings and stabbings 'This is a Sputnik moment. President Kennedy said let's put a man on the moon and everyone responded,' he added in a bold comparison. The system pilot may take some time before New Yorkers see the scanners on their commute. First the technology must be tested and then undergo a 90-day waiting period for evaluation, Adams explained. Earlier this month National Guard troops were deployed onto the subway system in an effort to make travellers feel safer. 'Public safety is the actual safety and it's how people are feeling,' Adams said at Thursday's briefing. 'We know we have over 4 million riders a day and a reliable system. We know we have approximately six felonies a day out of those 4 million riders' he said. Adding: 'But if they don't feel safe, then we're not accomplishing our task. Stats don't matter if people don't believe they are in a safe environment.' As of Thursday, police officers have seized a total of 450 weapons, including 21 illegal guns on the subway system this year, according to Mayor Adams' administration. Earlier this month National Guard troops were deployed onto the subway system in an effort to make travellers feel safer A harrowing video reveals the moments leading up to a New York City subway shooting, where the agitator accuses another man of a being a 'migrant beating up cops' in a heated argument The 36-year-old man, who appeared to initiate the argument, was shot in the head with his own gun after the other man, 32, wrestled the weapon away from him and opened fire In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime The NYPD also seized 1,515 weapons in the subway system in 2023, including 1,470 cutting instruments and 45 illegal firearms. The numbers reflect a marked increase from the previous year, when 947 total weapons were seized, including 912 cutting instruments and 35 guns. There have been three homicides on the rails to start the year, compared to none at this point last year. However, officials said subway crime is down 15 percent so far in March compared with the same time last year. Despite this high profile crimes continue to shock the city. Just last week a 24-year-old man pushed a 54-year-old man into the path of an incoming train in East Harlem. A subway conductor was also slashed in the neck last month and a 35-year-old was shot in the subway in the Bronx last month. Also earlier this month was a fatal shooting on an A train after a fight broke out between two men and the agitator ended up being shot in the head with his own gun. The 36-year-old man who was shot accused the other man of being a 'migrant beating up cops' in furious scenes while other passengers scrambled to get away. He was then stabbed and shot in the head with his own handgun by the other man, 32, after it was wrestled away from him in the melee on a Brooklyn train. In separate footage from after shots were fired, a train car's full of people were seen cowering in fear and pleading for the subway to pull away from the crime. 'Where's the NYPD, oh my God!' one woman exclaimed as others said, 'close the door, close the door!' The wild scenes also included the suspected gunman's 32-year-old female companion, who appeared to whip out a knife from her pocket and stab the other man in the back multiple times. There has been a shocking new twist in the case of a Queensland family ripped apart after their elderly father won almost $1million on the lottery. William Bampton, 92, scooped $986,212.30 on the Tattslotto Golden Casket in March 2018 and shared it with his son, but cut his daughter out of the winnings. The Sunshine Coast man later did give his daughter Suzanne Elaine Vourlides $300,000, but he then took her to court demanding its return and she had to prove she didn't bully him into giving it to her. Mr Bampton is now appealing the court's decision, but in a judgment published on Thursday, Mrs Vourlides has asked the court to order her father to pay $50,000 in security costs towards his appeal. This money would ensure Mr Bampton could pay his Gold Coast-based daughter's legal costs at the end of the appeal, if she wins, the Courier Mail reported. William Bampton, 92, scooped $986,212.30 on the Tattslotto Golden Casket in March 2018 and shared it with his son, but cut his daughter out of the winnings. Mr Bampton is pictured centre with his son Larry on the right READ MORE: The Lotto curse - how winning the jackpot has turned into a nightmare for many Aussie families Aussies have taken to social media to describe how winning the Lotto has torn their families apart (pictured, a Lotto newsagency worker) Advertisement When he initially won the prize, Mr Bampton put down a $50,000 deposit on a new home for his son, Larry, 66, less than two weeks later. The following week, he paid off the remaining $505,000 on the four-bedroom house in Mountain Creek, on the Sunshine Coast, to co-own the home with his son. But Larry Bampton said his father no longer speaks to him. In the previous case, Queensland's District Court heard Mr Bampton refused to share any of his winnings with Mrs Vourlides, 69, because he didn't want her husband, Jim, to get anything. Even in his will, Mr Bampton refused to allow her access to any share of his cash so long as her husband was still alive. But after an angry confrontation, he later relented and in August 2018 he gave his daughter a cheque for $300,000. Three years later though, Mr Bampton claimed he had given her the cash under duress and demanded the money be returned. The case was thrown out of court last December after Judge Suzanne Sheridan said Mr Bampton - branded 'strong-willed' in court - was incapable of being bullied by his daughter. In her 39-pages of findings, Ms Sheridan dismissed any claims of dementia for Mr Bampton and any allegations of Ms Vourlides using undue influence over her father. 'It is difficult to imagine anyone being able to tell Mr Bampton what to do, or anyone so dominating his mind that he was prevented from exercising his free will,' she said. The new documents, released on March 28, state that Mr Bampton challenged the judge's decision to dismiss his claim, alleging, in part, that she did not approach the situation from Mr Bampton's perspective as someone 'detrimentally' affected by it. Mr Bampton has also submitted an undertaking not to diminish or dispose of his assets. William Bampton won $986,212.30 on the Tattslotto Golden Casket in March 2018 and put down a $50,000 deposit on a new home for his son, Larry less than two weeks later. Lotto options are pictured Mr Bampton paid off the remaining $505,000 on a four-bedroom house in Mountain Creek, on the Sunshine Coast (pictured), to co-own it with his son The row is said to have wrecked the family. 'No one's a winner out of this, it just destroys everyone in the family,' Larry Bampton said at the time of the original case. 'The worst thing that ever happened was that he won the million dollars. One of the tragic lotto stories, I think.' Ms Vourlides added: 'At the end of the day, I'm over it, quite frankly, it's destroyed people's lives. The whole thing is terrible.' Labour was tonight under intense pressure to set out the truth about Angela Rayner's controversial property dealings. Sir Keir Starmer today backed his deputy over claims she may have dodged tax and even broken the law when she sold her former council house a decade ago. The Labour leader said he was 'satisfied' that 'tax and legal' advice commissioned by Ms Rayner proved she had done nothing wrong. But in an extraordinary twist, the former director of public prosecutions later admitted he had not even seen the advice himself before declaring Ms Rayner to be innocent. The police this week confirmed they were reconsidering a formal investigation into the affair, having previously dismissed it. In a further development last night, Stockport Council said it was reviewing whether Ms Rayner claimed single person's council discount on the property, while letting her brother live there. Ms Rayner today said she had done 'absolutely nothing wrong', but insisted she would not publish 'personal' tax and legal advice. Angela Rayner (pictured) said she had done 'absolutely nothing wrong', but insisted she would not publish 'personal' tax and legal advice During tense exchanges with presenter Nick Robinson (pictured), she insisted: 'I'm not going to lie about tax advice' Conservative Party deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis urged Sir Keir to come clean and set out the truth about his deputy's past property dealings. In a letter to the Labour leader, Mr Gullis noted Sir Keir's previously stated view that 'there should be no power without accountability, and true accountability requires transparency'. He said it was not good enough for Ms Rayner to rely on advice she is unwilling to publish, adding: 'As things stand, the public has no knowledge of what information she gave to whoever advised her, let alone what advice she was given.' Mr Gullis said Sir Keir had a duty to explain how he had cleared Ms Rayner without even seeing the advice she is relying on, adding that it was not even clear whether the advice covered tax or legal issues. And he asked whether the Labour leader was 'content' for his deputy to have made 'misleading statements to the media' about the issue. Mr Gullis urged Sir Keir to answer the many outstanding questions about the affair, adding: 'If you cannot, I would ask that you compel your deputy to answer them.' He added: 'I know you will be anxious to avoid a deputy leadership election, especially with the splits in your party over Gaza, but if you are to stand by your previous statements and reassure the public, you and Ms Rayner must answer the questions that I and others have put to you.' Ms Rayner said she had received 'personal tax advice' which exonerated her over the sale of a house in Stockport which neighbours say was effectively a second home. The Labour firebrand, who is on course to be Britain's first female deputy prime minister, has been mired in controversy since The Mail on Sunday revealed her complex property dealings last month. Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) backed his deputy over claims she may have dodged tax and even broken the law when she sold her former council house a decade ago One of the properties previously owned by Labour MP Angela Rayner One of the properties previously owned by Labour MP Angela Rayner Greater Manchester Police confirmed this week that officers were reassessing a decision not to investigate claims that she gave false information on official documents. HM Revenue and Customs has also been asked to investigate whether she should have paid capital gains tax on the sale of the property. Ms Rayner told the BBC she was willing to hand the advice to both the police and the taxman. But she said she would not be publishing it because it was 'personal'. During tense exchanges with presenter Nick Robinson, she insisted: 'I'm not going to lie about tax advice. That would be ridiculous, unless I'm being accused of being a liar.' She said separately that she would publish her tax advice only if a string of Conservative ministers, including Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt also published details of their tax affairs going back 15 years. 'If you show me yours, then I'll show you mine,' she added. Sir Keir backed his deputy and said he was 'satisfied' that the advice showed she 'has not broken any rules'. Speaking alongside Ms Rayner at an event in Dudley to launch Labour's local election campaign, Sir Keir said: 'Angela has my full support and my full confidence today and every day as we work to take the Labour Party back into government. 'Angela has answered I don't know how many questions. She has not broken any rules. She has taken legal and tax advice which has satisfied her and us and me.' But he later admitted that he had not seen the advice himself, telling Sky News: 'I have faith in Angela Rayner's answers. 'I know she's taken legal advice. My team has looked at it. Her team's looked at it. There is no need for me personally to look at it, nor is it appropriate to do so.' Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns pointed out that Ms Rayner has previously called on Tory ministers, such as former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, to publish details of their own tax affairs to clear up controversies. She has also frequently urged ministers accused of wrongdoing to resign, even before the case is proven. Ms Jenkyns said: 'Angela Rayner is caught in her own web of hypocrisy. She is quick to point fingers at others, but conveniently ignores her own alleged rule-breaking.' Ms Rayner used Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme to purchase her former council home in Vicarage Road, Stockport, in January 2007, before becoming an MP. She married Mark Rayner in September 2010 and when the couple re-registered the births of their two sons that year, they provided Mark's address in nearby Lowndes Lane. But Ms Rayner remained on the electoral roll at Vicarage Road until 2015 when she sold the house at a profit of 48,500. A married couple can have only one main residence, with capital gains tax due on the sale of a second home. Experts have suggested she should have paid up to 3,000 in capital gains tax. Ms Rayner has repeatedly refused to say which property she was living in during a six-year period from 2009 to 2015. Knowingly providing false information on an electoral registration form is an offence, which can carry a six-month prison sentence or unlimited fine. Earlier this month, she told the Mail that the house in Vicarage Road was her 'principal property' but said she would 'spend time' at Lowndes Lane after her children were born because her husband 'wanted to see his children'. But neighbours at both properties insist she lived at Lowndes Lane throughout this period, despite registering on the electoral roll at Vicarage Road. One branded her a 'f***ing liar'. Neighbours also say Ms Rayner's brother, Darren Bowen, lived at Vicarage Road from 2012, despite being on the electoral roll at Lowndes Lane. Stockport Council said it was 'reviewing' reports that Ms Rayner may have claimed single person's council tax discount on Mr Bowen's behalf while she was living at her property. The autopsy of Nex Benedict has revealed the nonbinary teenager from Oklahoma suffered from multiple mental illnesses and abused drugs prior to their tragic suicide. Nex's death last month sparked outrage after it was revealed that the 16-year-old collapsed one day after a fight with three other girls in the school bathroom of their high school in Owasso. The death of the nonbinary 16-year-old led to a storm of protest among LGBTQ 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. Now, a newly-released 11-page autopsy report determined that Nex's death was a suicide and that the teen had consumed a lethal combination of antidepressant and antihistamine. It revealed that Nex's past medical history included bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and self-harm by cutting. The report also listed chronic tobacco abuse and chronic marijuana use. The autopsy of Nex Benedict, 16, revealed that the transgender teenager from Oklahoma suffered from multiple mental illnesses and abused drugs prior to the tragic suicide A newly-released 11-page autopsy report determined that Nex's death was a suicide and that the teen had consumed a lethal combination of antidepressant and antihistamine According to the autopsy, Nex reported to have headaches and seizure-like activity before being found unresponsive. The report found that 'antemortem history' included involvement in a 'physical altercation,' referencing the fight at school. However, 'no lethal trauma' was found in the report, despite listing several head injuries that Nex suffered including contusions, lacerations, abrasions and hemorrhages. Handwritten notes that were 'suggestive of self-harm' were found in Nex's bedroom by family members who showed the letters to law enforcement, according to the autopsy. A preliminary summary of the report released on March 13 determined that Nex died as a result of 'combined toxicity' from mixing Diphenhydramine and Fluoxetine - but did not detail why the medical examiner believed the overdose to be 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'. '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.' According to the autopsy, Nex reported to have headaches and seizure-like activity before being found unresponsive The death of the transgender 16-year-old led to a storm of protest among LGBTQ 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 Hundreds of people attended a candlelit vigil for Nex and their family in the nearby city of Tulsa 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 the teen began losing consciousness. 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.' 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 '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'. Pill bottles of prescription medicine Bjarte Rettedal/Getty Images The next Medication Take Back event is set for March 27. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Health Department parking lot at 202 Fifth St. The drive was created to help locals properly dispose of unused or expired medications including pills, capsules, tablets and vape pens (as long as the battery is removed). Used syringes will also be accepted if they're in a red biohazard container. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On the day of the event, those who have items to dispose of can drop them off at the location without exiting their vehicle. Volunteers will be on-hand as you drive up to take the items and keep track of how many are being dropped off. The event is part of the national DEA take back program created to encourage the property disposal of medications, which can contaminate the environment if they're improperly disposed of. Community volunteers, Wayland Police Department, the Plainview Police Department will be available to monitor the program. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Reform is correct in many of its attacks on Conservative failings, a leading Right-wing Tory MP has admitted. Danny Kruger, co-founder of the New Conservatives, told party members the Tories were 'not a very conservative party in lots of ways' and that criticism from Reform was 'mostly valid'. At a gathering in Salisbury last Friday, the MP for Devizes admitted the Nigel Farage-backed opponents had been 'absolutely killing' the Tories and he was 'very, very worried' about their increasing support. His remarks in a leaked recording obtained by the Telegraph will add to Tory woes after their deputy chairman Lee Anderson defected to the former Brexit Party. It is now polling at around 16 per cent according to figures from YouGov yesterday. It comes as the Mail revealed yesterday that Rishi Sunak is being urged by advisers to hold a general election in the summer over fears the present situation is untenable. Danny Kruger (pictured), co-founder of the New Conservatives, told party members the Tories were 'not a very conservative party in lots of ways' and that criticism from Reform was 'mostly valid' At a gathering in Salisbury last Friday, the MP for Devizes admitted the Nigel Farage-backed opponents had been 'absolutely killing' the Tories and he was 'very, very worried' about their increasing support Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss during a Conservative Party leadership husting in August 2022. Sunak has largely steered away from criticising Ms Truss since taking over in October 2022 but made clear his frustrations with the dire economic situation he inherited Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Liz Truss had left him the worst 'hospital pass' in decades when he took over the job. Chancellor's fiscal rules 'won't work' Jeremy Hunt's fiscal rules are 'self-defeating', a former Bank of England chief has warned as official figures confirmed Britain slipped into recession at the end of last year. Andy Haldane, former chief economist at the Bank, said rules requiring the Government to get debt falling within five years were starving the country of investment. The rules, policed by the Office for Budget Responsibility, were blamed by some Tories for preventing the Chancellor from slashing taxes further in this month's Budget. He told ITV's Peston show that the rule was a 'binding constraint' on the Government. 'We all know that if you don't invest today, there's no growth tomorrow,' he said. Figures produced by the Office for National Statistics yesterday confirmed that the economy shrank in the last quarter of the year. Advertisement He revealed that the toughest part was balancing being a 'good dad' to his two daughters with leading the country. In an interview for The Times, with former party leader Lord Hague, whose parliamentary seat Mr Sunak inherited, he yesterday took aim at his predecessor. He has largely steered away from criticising Ms Truss since taking over in October 2022 but made clear his frustrations with the dire economic situation he inherited. 'Someone described it as the worst hospital pass for any incoming prime minister in however many decades,' he said. 'Clearly there's lots of frustrations. We've been through a lot as a country over the past few years, which people are understandably frustrated about.' But he added he was 'entirely confident that there are better times ahead in spite of the challenges that the country's been through'. Lord Hague noted the Prime Minister had come to office at a 'very hard time' to be head of the party. Also in the interview, Mr Sunak said he feels it 'acutely' when he has to be away from his daughters, Krishna and Anoushka. 'I've got two young girls who mean the world to me,' he added. 'And obviously it's hard to balance being a good dad and doing the job well. You have to prioritise this job because it's an important job and you're doing it on behalf of the whole country. 'So not being there for them as much as any dad would like to be is a challenge.' He added: 'There's particular moments where you really feel that acutely because there's something very difficult going on. That's tough, but that's the job.' A man has been arrested after dozens of dead animals were dumped outside a village shop in a series of gruesome displays, weeks after a decapitated deer was left at a nearby primary school. Around 50 bloodied hares, a barn owl and a kestrel were left outside the community shop in the picturesque Hampshire village of Broughton earlier this month, while the deer was found close to a primary school in a nearby village in February. A 37-year-old man from Totton, near Southampton, has been arrested on suspicion of seven offences, and remains in custody, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said. They include various animal welfare and poaching offences, as well as a firearms-related offence. The force said examinations of the barn owl and kestrel - both of which are legally protected - revealed the birds had been shot with a gun. The barn owl and kestrel were 'stuffed' on the door handles and blood was smeared on the windows, the shop's treasurer said, with horrifying pictures showing the scale of the sickening displays. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Dozens of bloodied hares were dumped by illegal poachers at the entrance to the community shop in Broughton, Hampshire Birds of prey have been also been used for the sinister displays Other wild creatures including rabbits, pheasants, deer and birds of prey have been dumped in surrounding roads in Broughton Pictured: A chilling sight as animal corpses are scattered across a road in Broughton In February, 25 dead wild animals were found close to a primary school on Danes Road in the village of Awbridge, six miles away from Broughton. The carcasses of pheasants and hares were discovered along with a 'decapitated deer', a local newspaper reported. Country Watch Sergeant Stuart Ross said: 'Since this incident took place, we have been actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and working with partner agencies to establish the circumstances of what happened. 'We are grateful for the help we have received from the local community and we'd like to thank them for their patience while we investigate what happened. 'There may be some people with information who have not yet come forward, and if so, we would urge them to do so as soon as possible.' Speaking earlier this month, Mike Jelen, a conservation manager who works on estates in the area, said of the horrific scenes: 'This is now happening twice a week. 'It's total anarchy and the police are doing little about it. By dumping the bodies like this, the poachers are sticking two fingers up to farmers and rural communities.' He said farmers and landowners are 'constantly' trying to prevent the attacks, putting themselves at risk. Pheasant poachers recently opened fire on a farmer who confronted them. One local farmer, whose land has been targeted repeatedly, said: 'They are basically laughing in our faces. 'The horrific display they left outside our community shop is obviously meant to let us know they're invincible.' The perpetrators impaled a barn owl and kestrel on the shop's door handles and rubbed animal blood and guts over the windows Pictured: A solitary dead deer left lying in the middle of a field. A decapitated deer is said to have been found near a primary school Poachers near he picturesque Hampshire village of Broughton are believed to be hunting illegally Broughton Community Shop said that they had reported the incident to the police, in a statement on social media. They said: 'Safe to say non(e) of us were expecting our day to start as it did here this morning at Broughton Community Shop. 'Thank you all for popping in, messaging and phoning to make sure we are ok. We are ok. Shocked but ok. 'Thank you again for all of your help, we are so lucky and grateful for your support and extremely quick response to help us clear up.' They added: 'Your fabulous shop team rallied round and got it all cleaned up. Please do continue to support your shop we are here to serve you.' Police previously urged anyone with information about the incident outside the shop to call them on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44240111410, or report it via their website - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ The United Nations was accused of 'double standards' last night after it urged the Government to abandon the Rwanda asylum scheme. The international body's human rights committee called on Rishi Sunak to drop the programme even though the UN itself sends refugees to Rwanda. The United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) said Rishi Sunak should repeal measures already in place to allow migrants to be handed a one-way ticket to the east African nation. A source close to Home Secretary James Cleverly said: 'It has always been the height of irony and double standards that one arm of the UN says it has concerns about Rwanda as a country and another arm of the same organisation continually and consistently uses Rwanda to house and process asylum seekers.' The separate UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) sent more than 2,000 asylum seekers from Libya to Rwanda aboard 15 evacuation flights between 2019 and the end of last year. The United Nations was accused of 'double standards' last night after it urged the Government to abandon the Rwanda asylum scheme But now its international human rights panel says it is 'deeply concerned' about the UK's plan, adding that it would 'discriminate against migrants'. The committee said the Illegal Migration Act, passed last year, effectively amounted to an 'asylum ban'. It also expressed its 'regrets' over the Safety of Rwanda Bill which is designed to overcome objections set out in the Supreme Court last November, which ruled the scheme unlawful. Evidence from the UNHCR played a key role in the Supreme Court's ruling. The new Bill is due to return to the Commons when MPs come back to Westminster following the Easter break on April 15. Mr Sunak has said he still hoped to get planes carrying asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda in the air this spring. Earlier this month the UN declared the scheme a 'violation of international law'. A panel of UN experts said the Rwanda measures would 'unduly limit judicial independence' and called for the new Bill to be 'reviewed and reconsidered'. The international body's human rights committee called on Rishi Sunak to drop the programme even though the UN itself sends refugees to Rwanda One Tory backbencher said: 'You really couldn't make it up. The UN's hypocrisy is breathtaking.' It came after a record number of migrants crossed the Channel during the first three months of the year. Some 4,644 have reached Britain by small boat since the beginning of January, up 23 per cent on last year. The PM's spokesman said last week the new legislation was designed to deal with a 'migration emergency' and deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats. At least 75 migrants have lost their lives since the Channel crisis began five years ago. Landmark legislation which sought to abolish no-fault evictions and strengthen renters' rights has been watered down amid pressure from Tory backbenchers and landlords. The Renters' Reform Bill - championed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove - will now include amendments to prevent tenants ending contracts in the first six months and hinted at delays to no-fault evictions being banned. Dozens of Tory backbenchers had been ready to rebel against the legislation on the grounds that it would disadvantage landlords unfairly and exacerbate the shortage of private rented accommodation by pushing them out of the market. In a letter to Conservative MPs, Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young acknowledged that 'colleagues and constituents have been concerned about aspects of our reforms' and that the landlord sector needed 'certainty'. But changes which included a commitment for the Lord Chancellor to review the 'readiness' of the courts before no-fault evictions can be banned, prompted accusations from opposition parties and campaigners that renters were being 'sold up the river'. The Renters' Reform Bill - championed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove (pictured)- will now include amendments to prevent tenants ending contracts in the first six months and hinted at delays to no-fault evictions being banned In a letter to Conservative MPs, Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young (pictured) acknowledged that 'colleagues and constituents have been concerned about aspects of our reforms' and that the landlord sector needed 'certainty' Labour's Shadow Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: 'Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove have chosen once again to put the interests of party management ahead of what is right for the British people. 'After years of delay, private renters have every right to be furious at the watering down of the vital protections the Tories promised them.' Tom Darling, of the Renters' Reform Coalition, said the amendments meant 'this legislation will hardly be an improvement on the status quo, and in some cases it will make things worse.' Last year polling revealed Conservative Party support was in 'freefall' amongst the quarter of their 2019 voters who are private renters, with just 47 per cent now saying they will back the party at the next election. Overall, just 15 per cent of the nation's 4.6million privately rented households are set to vote for the Conservatives at the next election, according to the Opinium polling. Tory MPs will now vote on the Bill next month following the Easter Recess. Labour's Shadow Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook (pictured) said: 'Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove have chosen once again to put the interests of party management ahead of what is right for the British people' Tory MPs will now vote on the Bill next month following the Easter Recess A Housing Department spokesman said: 'Our landmark renters' (reform) bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. 'It will abolish Section 21 evictions - giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices. 'The bill must strike the balance between delivering security for tenants and fairness for landlords. 'We have listened to feedback from landlord and tenant groups and from MPs, and will bring amendments forward at Commons report stage after Easter recess.' 'Mr Bankman-Fried, no doubt very well advised, says mistakes were made,' Judge Kaplan said. 'I think one of his pithier expressions was: "I f***ed up" - but never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes. 'Mr Bankman-Fried has the right to plead not guiltybut at the end of the day, he knew it was wrong. He knew it was criminal. 'He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught but hes not going to admit a thing. 'There is absolutely no doubt that Mr Bankman-Frieds name is pretty much mud around the world. 'But one of the things he is is persistent and a great marketing guy. 'Mr Roos (the prosecutor) is right that the outlines of Sam Bankman-Frieds revised version of his story are clear to everyone as we sit here today. 'The same skills and drive that had him - even after his arrest - pitching his story to a huge number of media people demonstrates he knows how to do it and the will is there. 'The mistakes were made, other people are to blame, bankruptcy people screwed up, this lawyer had a conflict of interest - it doesnt take much imagination to see the outlines of a campaign. 'There is a risk this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future and its not a trivial risk,' the judge said. Judge Kaplan added that the sentence served the purpose of disabling him for a significant period of time. Who would you tell if you'd been diagnosed with cancer? Your family, close friends and colleagues, perhaps? The fact that the Princess of Wales did not choose to inform the Duke and Duchess of Sussex of her bombshell news speaks volumes about the state of their relationship. Which is why, as I shall explain, it is now time for Harry and Meghan to seek forgiveness. Prince Harry and his wife discovered that their sister-in-law Kate had cancer at the same time as the rest of the world at 6pm on Friday, when Kensington Palace released her brave and moving video message. That, as it happens, was about one hour and 30 minutes later than the royal correspondents, who were given the details in confidence so that they could prepare their news reports. They were trusted, evidently. Prince Harry and his wife discovered that Kate had cancer at the same time as the rest of the world at 6pm on Friday when Kensington Palace released her brave and moving video message That neither Kate nor Prince William should let Prince Harry know would have been inconceivable just a few years ago. Think back to all those jolly photographs and the television footage of those three pre-Meghan together. Harry often had a broad smile on his face when they took part in their joint engagements. They shared jokes and teased each other light-heartedly. That all changed after Harry met Meghan. The first public appearance of the so-called 'Fab Four' in 2018 looked uncomfortable. Harry's expression when alongside William and Kate soon turned from one of playfulness into suspicion and something that looked like resentment We were left in no doubt about how the brothers' relationship had broken down when Prince Harry and Meghan gave an interview to American chat show host Oprah Winfrey The first public appearance of the so-called 'Fab Four' at the Royal Foundation Forum in 2018 looked uncomfortable. The body language was awkward. Worse followed. Harry's expression when alongside William and Kate soon turned from one of playfulness into suspicion and something that looked like resentment. We didn't know then how completely the brothers' relationship had broken down, although some had their suspicions. But we were left in no doubt when Prince Harry and Meghan gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey, who had been a surprising guest at their wedding. This was 2021 and grandmother Queen Elizabeth, remember, was still alive. Among the many shocking claims was Meghan's accusation that Kate had made her cry in a dispute over dresses for the flower girls at the Sussexes' wedding. More damaging, still, was the allegation that, among the Royal Family, there had been 'concerns and conversations about how dark' the skin of the child she was expecting at the time Archie would be. Back in London, the response was outrage and disgust. When asked about Meghan's claims a few days later, William responded with barely suppressed fury. 'We are very much not a racist family,' he said, tersely. The Royal Family's distress was heightened by the fact that the interview had been broadcast while Prince Philip was in hospital. He died just a month later. As always, Kate remained silent in public, however much anguish she was suffering privately after the slurs across the Atlantic. We saw what a natural diplomat she is when, following Prince Philip's funeral in Windsor, she could be seen talking to Harry as they left St George's Chapel before discreetly stepping back and allowing William to speak to his brother more privately. Her kind efforts seemed to make little difference, however. In fact, they were hurled back in her face by Harry and Meghan who made a tell-all 'docu-series' for Netflix, aiming yet more insults at the Royal Family. These included Harry's suggestion that most men in the Royal Family married 'someone who would fit the mould' while he, Harry, had dared to marry Meghan for love. How could this not be taken as a cruel jibe at dutiful Kate? Then, as if the Sussexes hadn't piled enough misery on William and Kate, came Harry's memoir, Spare. Published in January 2023, this was the greatest betrayal of all. Painting his brother and sister-in-law as cold, heartless villains, the book revealed some of their most intimate conversations, as recalled by Prince Harry. William has chosen to maintain a dignified silence. Since Kate disclosed her cancer diagnosis, there have been numerous suggestions that she and William should end their rift with Harry and Meghan. Yet, before that can happen, the Sussexes must acknowledge the hurt they have caused and the damage done. They should then apologise and beg forgiveness from Catherine and her husband, who deserve nothing less. How cheering if, during Easter a time of renewal they could begin the renewal of their relationship with the Royal Family. Sign up here for Richard Eden's Palace Confidential newsletter. Masses of migrants are currently marching toward the border, expected to arrive in the US in as little as two days, as the first group is already within reach of El Paso, Texas. A group of 2,000 calling themselves the 'Way of the Cross' caravan left Chiapas, Mexico earlier this week. 'A la frontera!' which means 'to the border' in Spanish, yelled one man on a bullhorn as they left Tapacula on Monday. The hordes are led by Mexican activists who are coordinating with churches to help the mostly South American migrants reach the US-Mexico international boundary. 'Migrants have no other option but to walk as part of a group or hitch a ride in a trailer that could be their death,' Luis Villagran, an organizer with the Center for Human Dignity in Tapachula, Mexico, told Telemundo. A group of 2,000 calling themselves the 'Way of the Cross' caravan left Chiapas, Mexico earlier this week and is marching towards Texas The caravan calls itself the 'Way of the Cross' and is being led by activists Migrants, including children, advance in a caravan on their way to the United States from Tapachula, Mexico, on March 25 The activists are hoping to shield the migrants from being targeted by criminals or corrupt cops who extort already penniless migrants crossing through Mexico. It's predicted the group could splinter off and end up in different border towns, such as Tijuana (across from San Diego) or Matamoros (south of Brownsville, Texas.) Across the border from El Paso, Texas, shelters are preparing for their arrival. 'We are in contact with people and personnel in migrant shelters in southern Mexico,' Rev. Francisco Bueno Guillen, director of Casa del Migrante shelter in Juarez told KTSM. 'They say many people have come into the country recently and are being joined by others already there. And yes, they are coming to Juarez.' Some 2,000 migrants are estimated to be headed to the US and arriving in days Mexican activists are traveling with the migrants to offer protection from criminals and bad cops who extort and sometimes even kidnap migrants Some 200 migrants from the Way of the Cross caravan have already reached Chihuahua City in Northern Mexico Migrants from the caravan have been camping outside a convenience store in Chihuahua City, just 230 miles south of El Paso, Texas The migrants in Chihuahua City could reach the border in as little as a day if they have a ride, or maybe two of three days if they walk to El Paso, Texas In that border city, migrant shelters are already at 75% capacity. Some members of the caravan are days away from El Paso. A large group was seen camping about 230 miles south of West Texas in Chihuahua City, behind a store. These migrants are expected to surrender to US Border Patrol once they reach the US, as many are seeking asylum. 'We continue to marshal all available resources and be aware of the trends,' El Paso Catholic Diocese Bishop Mark J. Seitz told Border Report. Migrants build makeshift tents with blankets to protect themselves from the cold as it becomes increasingly hard to cross into El Paso, Texas to turn themselves over to US Border Patrol to make an asylum claim. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has stationed the Texas National Guard to stop migrants from surrendering Migrants in El Paso who do make it past the Texas National Guard troops stand in line to wait their turn to be processed by US Border Patrol Most migrants who surrender to US Border Patrol at the border wall near El Paso are hoping to make asylum claims Texas officials have stepped up border security since a migrant stampede last week PICTURED: Junior Evaristo-Benitez, 21, of Honduras, was taken into custody and charged with assault on a public servant, a 3rd degree felony, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed 'El Paso has shown itself to be very able to gear up when the surge comes and provide a safe and orderly way for those who have been permitted to come in to find a secure situation and continue on their path.' However getting into Texas' sixth largest city will be more challenging for these migrants than it was even a week ago. Last week, a migrant riot at the border led by about a dozen ringleaders, caused a group of about 600 migrant to storm members of the Texas National Guard trying to stop migrants from reaching Border Patrol agents. The confrontation turned violent as migrants overpowered guard members and forced their way past authorities. One migrant was charged with assaulting a guard member. Junior Evaristo-Benitez, 21, of Honduras, was taken into custody and charged with assault on a public servant, a 3rd degree felony, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed. At least a dozen more will face federal charges for planning the stampede. Texas officials have reinforced the border crossing in El Paso where migrants normally surrender to Border Patrol. Additionally Texas National Guard members arrived in West Texas Monday to 'hold the line,' Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted. All this will be one lucky tenant's for an eye-watering 1,000-per-month The south east London flat is described as a 'duplex studio apartment' A studio flat with the bed crammed into the landing and a minuscule 'lounge' area tucked under the staircase is available to rent - for an eyewatering 1,000 a month. Advertised as a 'duplex' in south east London, its cramped upstairs area is just a narrow landing at the top of the staircase, with a bed pressed up against the balusters. A modest-sized wardrobe offers the only visible clothing storage - meaning the new resident will likely need to scale back before moving in. Meanwhile downstairs, tucked under the staircase are two small wooden chairs and a small table with shelves - both of which face the kitchen - which constitutes the 'lounge'. There is also some much-needed additional storage from a tiny cupboard built into the bottom of the stairs. A studio flat with the bed crammed into the landing is available to rent for an eyewatering 1,000 a month The 'duplex' apartment in Catford, south east London, is in the right-hand side of the building pictured Under the stairs there is some much needed extra storage, with barely enough room for a wardrobe in the 'bedroom' This is all opposite a comparatively luxurious kitchen - which would perhaps be considered normal-sized elsewhere. It boasts a few cabinets, a full-length fridge-freezer, an oven, a hob, a sink and a washing machine. Not pictured, is the bathroom which sits opposite the bed at the top of the stairs, featuring a shower, toilet and sink. Generously, this is separated from the bedroom by a wall to keep any steam or smells out - which cannot be said for the kitchen downstairs. However, the floor plan shows no sign of a window in the bathroom, so anyone moving in might be wise to check for an effective extractor fan before committing. The flat is on Crantock Road in Catford, just a short walk from Bellingham station. The property, which is available with Acorn, is priced at between 1,000-1,100 per-month and requires no deposit. It is described as a 'duplex studio apartment' with an 'open plan kitchen/lounge', 'upstairs bedroom' and 'neutrally decorated throughout'. An 'en suite' bathroom is located opposite the bedroom, featuring a shower, toiled and basin Judging from the floorplan, the bathroom has no window. so anyone moving in might be wise to check for an effective extractor fan before committing The studio comes unfurnished and the landlord is looking for a long-term let - though details including the minimum tenancy allowed, council tax amount, and, crucially, the size of the property are omitted. The listing reads: 'Beautifully set on one of Catford's most prestigious roads, Crantock Road, is this incredibly well-presented studio apartment, which is ready to move into right away. 'And is located near bus routes, shops, and stations, providing superb connections into Central London and the City of London. 'The accommodation comprises an open plan kitchen/diner, modern in its design, an upstairs bedroom, and an en suite shower room.' Do YOU live in a bizzarely narrow flat? Email matthew.cox@mailonline.co.uk India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has become a UFO hotspot after a police officer reported seeing odd aerial lights above it more than 10 times last summer. Indian Police Service investigator Syed Abdul Kader shared two videos exclusively with DailyMail.com, which track the bright lights making 'zigzags' above the facility. Fearing the craft was not manmade, Kader turned to his nation's leading UFO expert, who in 2019 filed a petition to the Supreme Court of India with the backing of former Pentagon officials and US Air Force vets urging the south Asian nation to take all the unexplained sightings near its nuclear facilities more seriously. Kader's UFO encounters add international heft to domestic national security concerns within the US, following detailed Pentagon and civilian research into an eerie correlation between UFO sightings and America's tightly held nuclear arsenal. While the shape, size and speed of Kader's mystery objects are difficult to discern, his footage shows them making unusual movements at the altitude of an airplane. 'It's shaking when it's moving! It's going up and down,' the confused cop narrates in one video, watching the UFO's bizarre and apparently non-aerodynamic maneuvers. 'The way it's moving,' he opines in the video, 'this could never be an airplane.' India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has become a UFO hotspot after a police officer reported seeing odd aerial lights above it more than 10 times last summer Roughly a dozen or so incidents last summer all involved apparent airborne craft loitering near the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (pictured above) at the southern tip of the subcontinent - as well as the Madras Atomic Power Station near Kalpakkam, along the country's east coast 'It's in a southern direction,' Kader told his wife during the August 8th sighting. 'It's standing [or hovering] in the direction of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant.' 'It is always coming in at this time, when it is not too dark, nor too bright,' Kader's wife can be heard saying. 'I've seen this many times.' While it is difficult for an outside observer to discern if the UFO is moving, or if Kader's camera is unsteady, DailyMail.com can report that some common prosaic explanations can likely be ruled out. Such sightings have turned out to be distant planets, like Venus that is the third brightest object in the sky, after the sun and moon. And the bright 'dog star,' Sirius, as well as the planets Jupiter and Mercury have also been occasionally misreported as UFOs. However, in Kader's August 8 video, filmed at dusk (7:30PM local time), the eastern direction of the UFO at sunset refutes the notion that a common bright planet or star could explain the mystery's eerie aerial glow. While the shape, size and speed of Kader's mystery objects are difficult to discern, his footage shows them making unusual movements at the altitude of an airplane Syed Abdul Kader shared two of the videos exclusively with DailyMail.com, which show bright lights whizzing up and down above the facility Police sub-inspector Syed Abdul Kader (right), assigned to the technical wing of the Tirunelveli office - one hour's drive north of the Kudankulam nuclear plant - told UFO expert Sabir Hussain (left) that he filmed two videos of these unusual aerial phenomena or UAP A sky map for that night and time, geolocated to the Kaders' hometown of Tirunelveli via TheSkyLive.com shows that Venus was completely obscured, below the western horizon and below the sunset. Most other bright stars and planets were also not in the eastern sky at that moment. At another point in the video, Kader's wife exclaims, 'It's so close. How come no one else is seeing this?' To which Kader replies, 'No, that's why the DGP [Director General of Police] he, himself, has seen it [the UFOs]. And that's why everybody's talking about this.' In fact, the Kaders' sightings to the south overlapped with weeks of others in July and August up India's east coast along the Neelankarai-Mahabalipuram shoreline. That region, near the bustling city of Chennai, is home to the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam. READ MORE: Watch the incredible moment India made history, as its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft landed on the lunar South Pole for first time [Video] India made history by becoming the first nation to land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole August 23, 2023 Advertisement Kader's mysterious UFO videos were first secured by one of India's foremost UFO investigators, Sabir Hussain, director of the Indian Society for UFO Studies (INSUFOS) based in Chennai. It was Hussain who petitioned the Supreme Court of India in 2019 warning that casually dismissing reports of UFO activity near the nation's sensitive atomic power sites could risks an unintentional nuclear war between India and its uneasy neighbor Pakistan. His efforts came with letters endorsing his petition, by former US counterintelligence official and Pentagon UFO investigator Lue Elizondo, US Air Force veteran Robert Salas, and other UFO experts from America and Europe. 'Syed came to my house,' Hussain told DailyMail.com. 'I debriefed him.' 'He told me that most of the time, [the UFO] was either coming from the direction of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, going towards it, or stationary in that direction.' Officer Kader, Hussain told DailyMail.com, also stated that the UFOs were sometimes spotted hovering above the nearby Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Propulsion Complex. Nestled alongside the mountainous Mahendragiri hill in the state of Tamil Nadu, the ISRO Propulsion Complex tests cryogenically stored rocket fuel among its other space program duties. The ISRO facility is also approximately one hour's drive south of the Kaders' home, which is in the city of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. A vocal advocate on the UFO issue, Hussain once voiced his suspicion that alleged alien occupants of such craft cut communications between ISRO and its Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander in 2019 for the south Asian nation's own good. 'The extra-terrestrials have sent a message to the Indian government to get rid of your nukes before you explore other worlds,' Hussain told the Deccan Chronicle. 'You will not be allowed to land on the moon unless "they" decide to allow you.' The fate of ISRO's Vikram lander aside, Hussain's new UFO witnesses, sub-inspector Kader and his wife, can at least be heard in their videos discussing the mysterious aerial phenomena's consistent apparent interest in the Kudankulam nuclear plant. Kader's video-taped sightings, as Hussain told DT Next, 'happened just 10 days after former DGP [Director General of Police] Prateep V. Philip took pictures of a UFO on [the] Muttukadu sea shore near Chennai.' Philip's rank of DGP is the highest position attainable in the Indian Police Service. A sky map for that night and time (above), geolocated to the Kaders' hometown of Tirunelveli via TheSkyLive.com, shows Venus was completely obscured, below the western horizon and sunset. Most other bright stars and planets were also not in the eastern sky at that moment The Kaders' sightings to the south overlapped with weeks of sightings in July and August up the eastern coast, along the Neelankarai-Mahabalipuram shoreline. That region, near the city of Chennai, is home to the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam (above) Hypothetical extraterrestrial interest in the Kudankulam nuclear plant, if correct, would join decades of active protests against the plant by concerned local civilians. Thousands of local residents faced teargas shelling, imprisonment and prosecution under both terrorism and sedition charges by local police for speaking out against the nuclear energy plant. Even children with the protestors faced sedition charges. In September of 2019 the Kudankulam nuclear plant was discovered to be infected with malware, which one cyber security analyst with CSO attributed to 'a false flag operation using stolen North Korean code to muddle attribution.' Hussain told DailyMail.com that the plant has faced corruption charges and safety concerns since before it first became operational a decade ago. 'Kudankulam, which is a focus of our attention,' Hussain said, 'came online only in 2013 after Fukushima disaster happened.' 'Ever since it came online, it has been shutting down once every two months,' he added. 'They are working only to 30 percent of their capacity. So you do the math.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the Indian government's Nuclear Power Corporation of India, Ltd., which runs the plant, for comment. US Air Force ICBM launch officer Robert Salas (pictured left, and as a young man, right) told of his encounter with an orange flying disc that turned off 10 warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana in 1967 An email shows AARO staff contacted former US Air Force ICBM launch officer Robert Salas to gather information about his encounter. He tweeted his thank you email from AARO This time last year, two Air Force veterans revealed to DailyMail.com's Josh Boswell that they had just testified to the Pentagon's UFO-hunting All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) about their experiences witnessing UFOs interfere with US nuclear missiles. One email showed AARO staff contacting former US Air Force ICBM launch officer Robert Salas to gather information about his chilling encounter with an orange flying disc that inexplicably turned off 10 warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana in 1967. Another former officer, Dr. Robert Jacobs, also briefed AARO, testifying to a 35mm film he shot for the Air Force in 1964, which allegedly caught a flying saucer shooting a test missile out of the sky. Although Salas described those early interactions with AARO officials as 'very magnanimous,' this month the disappointed Air Force veteran described the Pentagon office's most recent UFO report as 'a 'Steaming pile of ...' 'I gave AARO a two hour PowerPoint presentation on the Malmstrom AFB incidents where twenty ICBMs were disabled during UFO encounters,' Salas said on the social media site X, speaking to incidents at the base beyond 1967. 'The USGOV owes us, the informed public, much more respect on this subject,' he concluded, 'than offered by AARO's steaming pile of insults.' READ MORE: New $20 billion accelerator will kick on in the 2040s The worlds largest and most powerful particle accelerator is set smash protons together on April 8 to search for invisible particles secretly powering our universe. Theories have suggested there are 17 different particle groups and the European Organization for Nuclear Research, better known as CERN, confirmed the existence of one using its Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012. Now, the team has restarted the LHC with hopes of unraveling more mysteries of the universe - specifically dark matter. Scientists began preliminary tests by sending billions of protons around the LHC's ring of superconducting magnets to boost their energy and ensure the $4 billion machine was in working condition. And next month, CERN will shoot them down a 17-mile-long tunnel at nearly the speed of light to recreate conditions a second after the Big Bang. The European Organization for Nuclear Research, better known as CERN, announced it restarted the underground Large Hadron Collider (LHC) this month, sending proton beams around the massive circular machine The LHC will continue the experiment until later this year when it will then be put under a long hibernation for CERN to transform it into the next version - the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). The accelerator sits 300 feet underground at the border of France and Switzerland and first went live on September 10, 2008. The LHC works by smashing protons together to break them apart and discover the subatomic particles that exist inside them, and how they interact. Scientists turned on the powerful machine this month, injecting it with several proton beams. The team is now gearing up to send the beams down the 17-mile-long tunnel near the speed of light with hopes of unraveling mysteries about our universe CERN researchers use protons due to them being heavier particles. The weight allows much lower energy loss per turn through the accelerator than other particles like photon. On March 8, teams from around the world waited inside the underground lab for a glimpse at the beams circling inside the ring of the LHC. The circular shape was by design as it allows for more time to accelerate the beam of particles so higher energy can be reached. But the first attempt this month did not go as planned after the beam only made it partially around. But this month's experiments proved the beam trajectory was off as it did complete a full circle. But after tinkering with the mechanics, the team watched in wonder as the beam circled the accelerator in less than 20 minutes. At full power, trillions of protons will race around the LHC accelerator ring 11,245 times a second and travel just seven miles per hour less than the speed of light. On April 8, the team will send the beams through the tunnel where they will collide. The team will be on the hunt for dark matter, which makes up around 28 percent of our massive universe - but it has never been seen or proven. This work will give them insights into the formation of the universe and even its ultimate fate. The experiment is scheduled to occur the same day as the Great North American Solare Eclipse. CERN uses protons due to being heavier particles, which have a much lower energy less per turn through the accelerator. The purpose of LHC is test predictions of different particle physics, including measuring the properties of the Higgs boson or God particle (pictured) READ MORE: Next month's solar eclipse could see widespread cell phone disruptions for MILLIONS of Americans, officials warn Millions of tourists are expected to flock to the path of totality during the solar eclipse on April 8 - and experts warn the influx could disrupt cellular activity. Advertisement 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 a solar eclipse will be seen in the US since August 2017. The purpose of LHC is to let scientists test predictions of different particle physics, including measuring the properties of the Higgs boson or God particle, which was a missing piece in the jigsaw for physicists in trying to understand how the universe works. Scientists believe that a fraction of a second after the Big Bang that gave birth to the universe, an invisible energy field, called the Higgs field, formed. As particles passed through the field, they picked up mass, giving them size and shape and allowing them to form the atoms that make up you, everything around you and everything in the universe. This was the theory proposed in 1964 by former grammar school boy Professor Higgs that has now been confirmed. And while the particles near instantly decayed during the LHC experiment, scientists found they left a footprint behind revealing their existence. The LHC is typically used just one month each year, but has been shut down over long periods for upgrades - it was last turned off in 2022 amid Europes energy crisis. Firing up the LHC is a complex process, requiring everything to 'work like an orchestra. Rende Steerenberg, in charge of control room operations at CERN in Switzerland, said in 2022: This comes with a certain sense of tension, nervousness,' he explained, adding that a lot can go wrong, including obstructions in the tunnel and issues with magnets. TOKYO, Mar 28 (News On Japan) - Seven-Eleven have extended the expiry date of its hand-rolled onigiri (rice balls), including salmon, plum, kelp, spicy cod roe, and tuna mayonnaise varieties. By introducing new equipment to maintain freshness longer, from the perspective of reducing food waste, they have managed to extend the consumption deadline by 8 hours. The implementation has already begun progressively in the metropolitan area, aiming to expand nationwide by this summer. The plan includes increasing the number of products covered. Source: ANN Scientists warn dozens of coastal cities are in danger of being washed over by flooding due to rising sea levels - but two dozen are at higher risks. A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech identified 24 locations that are battling a combination of sinking land and rising sea levels, putting one out of every 50 resident at risk. Those living along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic seaboard were deemed in the 'danger zone,' while Pacific coast residents faced less flood risk and 'relatively modest, rock coast cliff retreat' - but are still not out harms way. Miami, true to past estimates, faces some of the highest risks, the researchers said. South Florida's sun-drenched party city could lose as much as 81,000 homes, coming to a total cost up to $31 billion dollars and risking the lives or wellbeing of as many as 122,000 Miami-area residents: all figures the study called 'conservative.' Over 500,000 US citizens across 32 major cities are expected to be displaced by the flooding, due to home property damages that could cost up to $109 billion by 2050. Scientists warned that nearly one foot of rising sea-levels is likely to compound the risk of 'destructive flooding' Along the Atlantic coast, the researchers calculated that as many as 263,000 people across as many as 163,000 properties were at risk of being impacted by rising sea levels across 370 square-miles of dense urban landscape. Above, a flood this January in Edgewater, New Jersey The study identified more than 500,000 people in 32 major cities, home to that are expected to be displaced by the flooding, due to home property damages that could cost up to $109 billion by 2050. 'One of the challenges we have with communicating the issue of sea-level rise and land subsidence [i.e. land sinking] broadly is it often seems like a long-term problem,' said the study's lead author, Virginia Tech geochemist Leonard Ohenhen. 'Something whose impacts will only manifest at the end of the century, which many people may not care about.' 'What we've done here is focused the picture on the short term,' Ohenhen noted, 'just 26 years from now.' Three core sets of information were used to inform the new analysis, published this month in the journal Nature. First, the scientists measured the sinking of coastal urban landmasses, to miniscule millimeter accuracy, using 'interferometric synthetic aperture radar' pointed at the US from aboard the Sentinel-1 A/B and ALOS-1 satellites between 2007 and 2020. Next, they used this data to develop a 'relative sea level rise' adding it to the rate of true sea level rise recorded by high-resolution, 'light detection and ranging' (LiDAR) devices managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA's Office for Coastal Management uses their LiDAR network, a pulsed laser system that operates similarly to radar, to craft digital elevation models (DEMs) at the border between the land and the ocean. South Florida 's sun-drenched party city could lose as much as 81,000 homes, coming to a total cost up to $31 billion dollars and risking the lives of as many as 122,000 Miami residents. Above, a yellow Lamborghini dives into Miami floodwaters during a 2020 incident Above, floodwaters filled with weather-beaten debris soak into a mobile home park in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022, one day after Hurricane Ian made landfall The research team, led by geochemists at Virginia Tech, calculated the Atlantic's roughly 370 square-miles of at-risk urban landscape (in red above), as well as the at-risk Gulf and Pacific coast regions, using satellite imagery and laser-measured LiDAR Lastly, the authors of the new study pulled in US census data from 2010 to create baseline estimates of the total likely impact of this total or 'relative' sea level rise on US city populations and home properties along America's shorelines. Along the Atlantic coast, the researchers calculated that as many as 263,000 people across as many as 163,000 properties were at risk of being impacted across 370 square-miles of dense urban landscape, mostly in Miami. The total financial impact on home-values by 2050, the team calculated, ranged up to $64 billion total for the 11 east coast cities they examined. Along the Gulf coast, cities like New Orleans in Louisiana, Galveston in Texas and nine more metropoles face potentially devastating risks as well. Up to 225,000 people at risk of death, displacement or economic hardship as up to 109,000 homes face rising ocean waters, and thus closer proximity to chaotic weather patterns, like increasing hurricanes, produced by rising world temperatures. The study estimated 319 square-miles of crowded Gulf cityscapes may be at risk. Along the Gulf coast, cities like New Orleans in Louisiana, Galveston in Texas and nine more metropoles face potentially devastating risks as well. The study estimated 319 square-miles of crowded Gulf cityscapes (marked in red above for the 2050 estimates) may be at risk The new study estimates that up to 225,000 people risk of death, displacement or economic hardship near the Gulf (pictured) as up to 109,000 homes face rising ocean waters, and thus closer proximity to chaotic weather, like increasing hurricanes, from rising world temperatures Despite the west coast's reputation for environmental awareness, the ten Pacific coast cities examined by the new study faced significantly less risk than their Atlantic and Gulf analogues. By 2050, no more than 16 square-miles of Pacific homestead faced harm from rising seas But, crucially, the team which also included a planetary scientist from Brown University and researchers from both India and the UK chose to focus only on damage to homes in their estimates property damage and economic risks. 'The calculated exposure does not account for the value of critical infrastructure (such as airports, schools, hospitals, power plants, roads and railways),' they wrote, 'as well as economic hubs and landmarks.' Their calculations, ranging from billions to tens of billions in local economic damage, as they put it, therefore 'represents a conservative value.' Ironically, despite the west coast's vaunted reputation for environmental awareness and legislation, the ten US Pacific coast cities examined by the new study faced significantly less risks than their Atlantic and Gulf counterparts. By 2050, no more than 16 square-miles of Pacific urban homestead faced a serious risk from rising seas and the exacerbating role of heavyweight skyscraper sinking. Somewhere under 30,000 people and 15,000 home properties are at risk, totally no more than $22 billion in the researchers' conservative worst case scenario. Pacific coast residents faced less flood risk but did face a unique risk of 'relatively modest, rock coast cliff retreat,' the new study found. Above, an aerial view of mansions still standing after a powerful storm brought flooding and mudslides to Dana Point, California this February READ MORE: Damning report reveals how 2023 smashed records for greenhouse gas emissions, global temperatures and sea level rise - as scientists warn climate change is 'off the charts' Climate change ha gone 'off the charts' presenting a 'defining challenge' to humanity, a damning UN report warns. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says several climate records were broken and in some cases 'smashed' last year. Greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, sea level rises, and Antarctic ice loss all escalating in 2023 due to fossil fuel emissions. 'Sirens are blaring across all major indicators,' said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 'Some records aren't just chart-topping, they're chart-busting [...] changes are speeding-up.' Advertisement Across every city in their study, Ohenhen of Virginia Tech noted that the team found economic and ethnic minorities were in the parts of town most at risk from the relative sea level rise. 'That was the most surprising part of the study,' Ohenhen said in a statement. 'We found that there is racial and economic inequality in those areas in that there was an overrepresentation of historically marginalized groups potentially impacted as well as properties with significantly lower value than the rest of the cities.' The combination of the sea-level dangers and these residents lack of economic resources to cope 'really multiplies the potential impact to those areas and their abilities to recover from significant flooding,' Ohenhen said. Perhaps most alarmingly, the speed at which sea level is now rising, according to the new study, and other recent investigations, continues to climb faster. Over the past 100 years, the average or so-called global mean rate of sea level rise hovered up to around 0.07 inches (1.7 millimeters) per year. But by the early years of the 21st Century, that rate lept up to 0.12 inches (3.1 mm) per year and is still accelerating. Today the global mean rate of sea level rise is 0.15 inches (3.7 mm) per year. 'Even if climate change mitigation efforts succeed in stabilizing temperature in the future decades,' the researchers warn in their new report, 'sea levels will continue to rise as a result of the continuing response of oceans to past warming.' In other words, a significant amount of their risk estimates for 2050 may be unavoidable. Although, as study coauthor Manoochehr Shirzaei noted, their hope is to give these US coastal cities exactly the kind of map they will need to prevent the worst of the likely oncoming tragedies. 'The whole purpose of this paper is to provide data to support decisions,' according to Shirzaei, a geophysicist and associate professor at Virginia Techs Earth Observation and Innovation Lab. 'Every city, every county has a flood resiliency plan in place. They are required by law to create that.' 'But it's likely nobody has received the entire picture until this study,' he concluded, 'which creates probably the first comprehensive picture of what's happening in the not-too-distant future.' At least 500,0000 invasive barred owls' lives are at stake for encroaching on the endangered California spotted owl's territory. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) plans to unleash 'hunters' in California, Oregon and Washington to kill about half a million nocturnal birds that are native to the eastern US. Under the proposal, hunters would broadcast barred owl territorial calls to attract owls and shoot on sight, but in areas where firearm use is inadvisable, the protocol would be to capture and euthanize the creature. However, the strategy to save one species has caused outrage among 75 groups that claim its actions could disrupt the wildlife and cause 'mistaken-identity kills.' The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed culling 500,000 barred owls who are encroaching on spotted owls' territory Spotted owls were added to the endangered species list in 1990 due to deforestation Owls have historically been protected from hunters, but the FWS claimed the barred owl has become an emerging threat to the spotted owl because they have a larger appetite, causing them to compete for the same prey. The barred owl has also been known to kill the spotted owl, according to the FWS. The two owls look very similar, with both having rounded heads, brown and white-colored bodies, and black eyes and are only distinguished by their slight size difference and the colors of their beaks. Spotted owls measure about 1.5 feet in length and have a wingspan up to four feet while barred owls are bigger, standing about two feet tall with a wingspan of up to four feet. Barred owls started migrating to the forests of Washington, Oregon and Northern California from their native region in the northeastern US in the early 1900s due to climate change and deforestation. In 1990, the spotted owl was added to the Endangered Species Act because of habitat loss, but now the migration of the barred owl over the past century has allegedly worsened the situation. Organizations led by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy penned a letter to Interior Secretary Deborah Haaland on Monday, accusing her of a 'reckless' plan to shoot down 500,000 barred owls over the next 30 years. The spotted owl has become further endangered because the barred owl eats much of its food source The FWS previously culled more than 2,000 barred owls but studies showed it didn't make a major difference to the spotted owl population Climate change has contributed to the animal's adoptive behavior and migration pattern, the letter said, adding: 'We cannot victimize animals for adapting to human perturbations of the environment.' Issues first arose in the late 1980s and 1990s when environmentalists fought loggers who were trying to harvest timber in the Northwest forests - the conflict became known as the Timber Wars. During this time, the spotted owl which lived in the old trees, started dwindling and led to protections for the bird and its habitat. Despite this, the FWS published its 264-page proposal in November, saying that culling the barred owls was essential to protecting the endangered spotted owl. However, when asked why so many barred owls need to be culled and how many spotted owls they have killed, a FWS spokesperson directed Dailymail.com to a press release that said 'barred owls have not substantially impacted California spotted owl populations to date.' READ MORE: Beloved NYC owl Flaco dies after colliding with Upper West side building one year after vandals helped him stage great escape from Central Park Zoo New York City's favorite feathered friend has tragically died after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side a year after vandals helped him escape captivity Advertisement Instead, the release said that the purpose of culling so many owls is to eliminate their future expansion and range and reduce any populations that might become established in the years to come. 'Competition from the invasive barred owl is a primary cause of the rapid and ongoing decline of northern spotted owl populations,' the release said. 'Due to the rapidity of the decline, it is critical that we manage invasive barred owl populations to reduce their negative effect before northern spotted owls are extirpated from large portions of their native range,' it added. The FWS is currently reviewing the public's input and is expected to make a final decision in the late spring or early summer. If approved, the FWS will be granted a permit for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that will allow the barred owls to be hunted and killed. The FWS initiated a five-year experiment to cull 2,485 barred owls in spotted owl territories in the Pacific Northwest when the invasive birds first started appearing. The experiment wasn't wholly successful, according to the letter to Haaland, which said the results only showed a short-term reduction of the owls and 'modest numerical gains for spotted owls.' 'The disturbance created by the shooting alone would have adverse effects on a wide range of species, along with the direct, incidental killing that would inevitably result,' the letter said, adding: 'Night hunting of the animals is unimaginable and even more impractical.' 'This is a case of the federal wildlife agency not seeing the forest from the trees.' Members of Canada's House of Commons have successfully opened a new investigation into a pair of Chinese scientists who spied for Beijing while they were employed at a microbiology lab in Winnipeg. The scientists were fired after an investigation revealed they had been sharing classified documents and materials from the Winnipeg National Microbiology Laboratory and posed a 'national security threat' to Canada. While they worked at the lab, they maintained secret communication with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the facility at the center of the Covid lab-leak theory. A 600-page report released in February made these revelations public. But the scientists were escorted from the lab in 2019 and fired in 2021. Members of Parliament say they plan to find out why it took so long for the report to come out - and why it took so long for officials to act in the first place. Chinese scientist Dr Xiangguo Qiu was booted out of a Canadian lab after she was found to have been mailing lethal viruses, including Ebola, back to China to aid research. The Chinese couple had worked at the Canadian National Microbiology Lab (pictured) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the only biosafety level 4 lab in the country cleared to handle dangerous pathogens including Ebola and Marburg virus But Liberals and the New Democrats thwarted Conservative MPs' attempt to study its contents more closely, shutting down an emergency House of Commons ethics committee meeting on the matter at the beginning of March. The new investigation finally became official this week, though, led by Conservative MPs on the Canada-China Relations Committee who vowed to study the revelations contained in the report. The group was formed at the behest of Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong. READ MORE: Chinese scientist booted out of Canadian lab after MAILING Ebola virus to Wuhan A Chinese scientist who was booted out of a Canadian lab after mailing live Ebola to China is thought to have worked with the 'bat woman' virologist at the center of the Wuhan leak theory. Advertisement Chong said the group will focus on national security breaches, as well as the information and intelligence flows within the Canadian government that prevented these documents from becoming public sooner. Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were escorted out of the lab in 2019 and fired in 2021. Reports suggest they have since resumed life in China under new names. The only biosafety level four (BSL-4) lab in the country, Winnipeg National Microbiology Laboratory, studied dangerous viruses like Ebola. Although the scientists were fired three years ago, the 600-page report on the incident only came out in February of this year. 'My view is that this is the start of the matter, not the end,' said Chong, who made the motion to open the new investigation, according to the National Post. 'And so really, we're leaving off where we left three years ago, when the Canada-China committee in the previous parliament asked for the Winnipeg lab documents. 'I believe strongly that the committee is the right place to examine these documents, the right place to hold the government accountable and the right place for us to hear from witnesses and to produce a report with recommendations.' The committee reportedly plans to hear from Minister of Health Mark Holland, Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director David Vigneault, Justin Trudeau's national security adviser Nathalie Drouin and top brass from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The couple, Dr Xiangguo Qiu (left) and Dr Kending Cheng (right), are pictured above. Both are now believed to be in China Dr Qiu has now been linked to Dr Shi Zhengli (pictured), known as 'bat woman', who is at the center of claims that the Covid-19 virus leaked from experiments she led at a Wuhan lab. When Chong had first attempted to initiate the new probe with the ethics committee at the beginning of March, opponents argued it was not a priority nor the proper venue. Liberals expressed concern that the investigation was more about blaming political opponents than about getting to the truth of the matter. 'In all seriousness, this cannot turn into a political show. This cannot turn into a process where members are trying to just score political points,' said Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi. Nonetheless, once Parliament convenes in April, Conservative and New Democrat MPs expressed support for the committee to hold as many meetings and call as many witnesses as necessary. Still-secret sources first raised concerns about Dr Qiu in September 2018 when her name appeared on a patent filed in China for a treatment for Ebola - research the lab had not been told about. Suspicions were then raised about Dr Cheng in October after he was found to have invited students into the lab who later attempted to leave carrying two clear plastic bags containing vials of an unknown substance. Later the same month, Dr Cheng was also caught trying to leave the lab carrying two empty Styrofoam containers, which BSL-4 labs use to transport materials, including viruses. The PHAC, concerned by the reports, launched an investigation into the pair in December 2018 - which revealed numerous security violations, including that the pair had repeatedly allowed restricted visitors to download experimental data from the lab and send it to their email accounts. Dr Qiu, shown working in the lab, was also found to have lied to officials about a vacation she took to China in 2018 and to have appeared on two Chinese patents without the knowledge of the lab Conservative MP Michael Chong made the motion to start the new investigation. It was initially squashed by Justin Trudeau's Liberals and the New Democrats when he brought it to the House of Commons ethics committee, but the New Democrats now support the investigation under the Canada-China Relations Committee. The PHAC also alleged that in May 2018, Dr Cheng had been sent vials containing mouse protein in a package shipped from China labeled as 'kitchen utensils'. Dr Qiu was accused of having shipped Ebola-fighting antibodies out of the lab for at least two years to countries including China, the US, and the UK. She was also accused of being named on a second patent in China which was concerned with a treatment for Marburg virus. Alarmed by their findings, the PHAC passed its investigation to the CSIS just before July 2019. The CSIS launched its own security investigation and interviewed the couple. In a letter from 2021, in which the CSIS recommended her security clearance be revoked, the CSIS wrote: 'The Service assess that Ms. Qiu developed deep, cooperative relationships with a variety of People's Republic of China institutions and has intentionally transferred scientific knowledge and materials to China in order to benefit the PRC government.' Dr Qiu and Dr Zhengli attended a conference held by the Wuhan lab in 2018. Also present were British doctor Peter Daszak, whose US charity funded animal virus experiments at the lab, and US scientist Ralph Baric, who co-authored a paper on bat viruses with Zhengli in 2015 The CSIS concluded that Dr Qiu had repeatedly lied about her ties to the Chinese government, even when given chances to come clean. These ties included multiple visiting professor positions at Chinese institutions - appointments she left off of her CV when she had applied to jobs in Canada. 'Qiu continued to make blanket denials, feign ignorance or tell outright lies,' according to the CSIS letter. This letter was one document included in the 600-page report, much of which remains redacted. Holland said China's influence on Canada's scientific community 'was not known to the extent it was today', following the release of the files. 'These were eminent scientists whose research and work was well known. They were leaders in their field, some of the brightest scientists that were known,' he said. With the formation of the new committee, Chong has said he plans to put hard questions to officials seen as mishandling the investigation and the disclosures it brought. These include why it took so long for PHAC to find out that Qiu had a Chinese patent for something produced while she worked in Canada, why PHAC took 10 months to secure the lab after that, and why MPs didn't have access to the full report until this year. Calling all foodies! Could Disney be where all of your dining dreams come true? The company's Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Florida, is home to the Victoria & Albert's restaurant, which boasts a AAA Five-Diamond rating, with the maximum five stars awarded for its food, service and decor. In a bid to see what the fuss is all about, YouTube creator Kristen Wright managed to snag a seat at the fine dining restaurant by booking 60 days in advance. Some of the surprising things she discovered on her magical dining adventure, included Victoria & Albert's water menu, with bottles sourced from different regions of the world, and she also tried sea urchin, caviar and quail for the first time. In a video review of Kristen's ritzy dining experience, she explains that a seven-course tasting menu in Victoria & Albert's main dining room costs $295, while the chef's tasting menu - which combines two extra main courses - is $375. YouTube creator Kristen Wright managed to snag a seat at Disney's Victoria & Albert's restaurant by booking 60 days in advance Some of the surprising things she discovered on her magical dining adventure, included Victoria & Albert's water menu, with bottles sourced from different regions In a video review of Kristen's ritzy dining experience, she explains that a seven-course tasting menu in Victoria & Albert's main dining room costs $295 On top of this, there is an optional wine pairing, which comes in at $155, while a non-alcoholic curated drinks selection costs $115. After settling in at her table with a group of friends, Kristen starts filming her multi-course meal dish-by-dish. Two of her friends also opt for the chef's tasting menu, so she can try all of the creations on offer. To start, each diner is served three small plated bites before the main event begins. Kristen offers a description of each 'amuse-bouche,' with these being a portion of New Zealand langoustine with mandarin and avocado, 'a little fried ball with sweet potato, Iberico ham and persimmon,' and a sandwiched round of venison carpaccio and red cabbage, which she said was her favorite with a 'vinegar flavor.' Moving on to the larger dishes, Kristen's first course consisted of a dollop of Royal Belgian caviar, which came served atop a bed of pureed parsnip and bone marrow. She said of the medley: 'This was actually my first time having caviar. I never had it before. I knew I would probably like it and I was definitely right. 'The caviar came on top of a parsnip puree [and it] added a really nice creaminess. They also served it with some chips. I enjoyed putting it on there and eating it all.' To start, each diner is served three small plated bites before the main event begins For the second course, Kristen said she was presented with 'technically two dishes,' with one being a hot serving of Norwegian king crab in a hollandaise sauce and the other being a cold portion of crab in what 'tasted almost like a pesto butter.' The YouTube creator said both crab dishes were 'really, really delicious and I think they were two highlights of the meal for me.' However, the third course also made for a memorable morsel, as Kristen tried sea urchin (uni) for the first time. She said that the orange roe came on top of a 'pasta in a cream sauce' and all of the ingredients were deliciously creamy. While she was apprehensive about what sea urchin would be like, she says she will 'definitely' be ordering it again in the future. At this point in the meal, her dining companions were served their first extra main course, which comprised sea bass 'with almost like a shrimp toast.' For her fourth course, Kristen tried another ingredient for the first time, with a neatly presented serving of quail, accompanied by sunflower seed risotto and sunchokes. The Disney fan exclaimed: 'I always love trying new things so I was very excited to get to try a bunch of new things throughout this meal.' She said that the quail tasted like a 'gamier' version of chicken and she thought it was 'good... [but] didn't think it was anything great.' Kristen's first course consisted of a dollop of Royal Belgian caviar, which came served atop a bed of pureed parsnip and bone marrow The third course made for a memorable morsel, as Kristen tried sea urchin (uni) for the first time. She said that it came with a 'pasta in a cream sauce' For her fourth course, Kristen tried another ingredient for the first time, with a neatly presented serving of quail, accompanied by sunflower seed risotto and sunchokes It was served with a cherry cola-infused sauce, which she said gave the meat a 'sweet and sticky' finish. While she wasn't mad about the meat, Kristen said the risotto, which was made from sunflower seeds instead of rice, was a winning creation, with a 'nutty' flavor and 'good crunch.' The final entree of the seven-course tasting menu came in the form of Rocky Mountain lamb, which was served with Sicilian pistachio, leeks and olives. Kristen said: 'The lamb was so tender and buttery it literally melted in your mouth. The lamb was one of our favorite parts of the meal collectively. 'I personally always love lamb chops [but] I've never had it served like this. I definitely really, really enjoyed this dish.' While Kristen finished her main savory courses, her two friends got their final meat dish, which consisted of two perfectly cooked slabs of Japanese Wagyu beef. After trying a forkful, Kristen deemed the steak 'phenomenal.' Unfortunately, the meal was let down slightly by Kristen's next course, which comprised a selection of different cheeses. Despite being a cheese lover, Kristen said she ended up giving the dish away. 'This was the this was the only course that I genuinely disliked,' she mused. While Kristen finished her main savory courses, her two friends got their final meat dish, which consisted of two perfectly cooked slabs of Japanese Wagyu beef The best dessert, she said was the fastelavnsboller (a Danish carnival bun), which reminded her of a 'cream puff except it was crispy outside' Overall, Kristen said her dinner at Victoria and Albert's was good, but she wasn't left blown away After cheese, the desserts rolled in and Kristen decided to order a creamy vodka and coffee infused cocktail for $31 and she gave the espresso martini a whirl. The best dessert, she said, was the fastelavnsboller (a Danish carnival bun), which reminded her of a 'cream puff except it was crispy outside,' while the other sweet offerings included a miniature raspberry Bakewell pudding, and a gingerbread madeleine. Overall, Kristen said her dinner at Victoria and Albert's was good but she wasn't left blown away. She explained: 'There were a lot of standout dishes but overall there was only one dish that absolutely blew me away. 'I kind of expected to be blown away with every bite that I took. I don't know if I was just going in with unreal expectations but that is my honest feedback. 'Another thing I want to say about the food is that we all pretty much left hungry. I know a couple of us were like should we go to McDonald's. 'I'm not sure if it's because maybe the meal took longer than expected... [It was] like a six-hour meal.' Despite her qualms, Kristen recommends Victoria & Albert's, as it serves up a 'one-of-a-kind super unique experience.' She also says that the level of service was 'top notch' throughout and a major reason to return. Want to make your Easter bucket list a bit more egg-citing? Then hop along to one of the spots here, listed in a ranking of Britain's top 15 off-the-beaten-track destinations. This hotlist was identified by Jeep and a team of experts from Ordnance Survey. They are all pinpointed on an interactive 'Get Lost with Jeep Compass' digital map and help form a list of 100 hidden gems. The top 15 list includes Britain's only desert, a magical wood, a bay with black sand, the home of England's largest grey seal colony and an island that feels like it belongs in a bygone era. The list follows research by Jeep detailing how nearly a third of UK adults (30 per cent) have explored little of Britain to date the equivalent of 16million people yet 80 per cent want to see more of the country. The study found that 24 per cent of Brits have never visited Scotland (13million) and 17 per cent (nine million) have never been to Wales. Scroll down to see pictures of the top 15 and have your say on the best of the best in MailOnline Travel's poll at the bottom. Hike up Schiehallion mountain in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, and you'll be rewarded with 'breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands', says Ordnance Survey. OS grid reference: NN 71382 54788 Pictured here is Old Winchester Hill in England's South Downs National Park. The spot is both a nature reserve and an Iron Age hillfort, notes Ordnance Survey, which adds that the area has its own herd of Herdwick sheep, a breed usually only found in the Lake District. OS grid reference: SU 64077 20578 Behold Abereiddy Blue Lagoon near the hamlet of Porthgain in Pembrokeshire, Wales, which is accessible by foot or by sea. Ordnance Survey recommends taking a walk across the nearby cliffs for 'breathtaking views'. OS grid reference: SM 79483 31496 Above is the island of Eilean na Moine, a 'must-visit' for Harry Potter fans, as it provided the location for Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore's grave in the Deathly Hallows Part 2 movie. It's located on Loch Eilt, which Ordnance Survey describes as 'stunning'. OS grid reference: NM 79000 82647 Above is 'pristine' Three Cliffs Bay in Swansea, which is framed by limestone cliffs and boasts a beach with dunes and a salt marsh that OS notes can be explored at low tide. OS grid reference: SS 53498 87797 Tranquil Talisker Bay on the Isle of Skye mesmerises with its black volcanic sands. OS grid reference: NG 30755 30447 LEFT: This is Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which yorkshiredales.org.uk points out is one of the largest underground chambers in Britain. The main chamber, it explains, is 129m (423ft) long and 31m (101ft) high. OS Grid Reference: SD 75130 72733. RIGHT: Reelig Glen near Inverness is now Britain's tallest tree with a height of 217.10ft (66.4m). OS grid reference: NH 55727 42941 Ordnance Survey claims that being on the north-west coast of Iona, above, an island in the Inner Hebrides with a population of just 170, 'feels like stepping back in time'. OS grid reference: NM 26307 24671 Chartists Cave in Powys, Wales, is reached via 'a challenging walk from the village of Llangynidr', but there's a reward - 'the best of the Welsh countryside'. OS grid reference: SO 127152 Behold spellbinding Wistman's Wood, a temperate rainforest in Devon's breathtaking Dartmoor National Park. OS grid reference: SX 61447 77874 Blakeney Point in Norfolk is a 'magical place' that's home to England's largest grey seal colony, with over 4,000 pups born each winter. OS grid reference: TG 01075 45966 Above is Watkins Path Pools in Snowdonia - a superb spot for wild swimming, notes OS. OS grid reference: SH 62645 51654 Montgomery Castle, perched on a crag above the Georgian town of Montgomery in Wales, dates back to the 13th century. However, it was demolished in 1649 and has been an eye-catching cluster of ruins ever since. OS grid reference: SO 21883 96830 Actress Chloe Sevigny was spotted getting some fresh air on a stroll around Manhattan while showing off her unique style on Wednesday. The 49-year-old Massachusetts native opted for baggy jeans, a blue ripped knit sweater and a warm green coat as she strolled around the SoHo neighborhood. Her blonde locks flowed over her shoulders as she tied the look together with a pair of sunglasses and two bags. The mother-of-one who recently spoke about an awkward misunderstanding with her Feud costar Tom Hollander went makeup free and she showed off her natural beauty and age-defying skin while she ran errands. Chloe is no stranger to outings in the Big Apple as she fearlessly flashed her silver wedding ring while walking towards the direction of the camera. Actress Chloe Sevigny was spotted frolicking around the streets of Manhattan as she showed off her unique style on Wednesday. The mother-of-one went makeup free and she showed off her natural beauty while she ran errands The look appeared to be a favorite of the star's, as she wore something similar just over a week ago The American Psycho actress was last seen in the exact same casual outfit minus the jacket last Monday while walking her dog. The veteran actress was slammed back in January for complaining about women in athleisure and walking their dogs taking over the city. She initially sparked criticism after she gave her controversial thoughts on New York becoming a 'state for the rich', telling Rolling Stone: 'Yeah. The athleisure and the dogs are taking over, and thats really unfortunate. 'Everybodys in Lululemon and has a f***ing dog and its driving me crazy. Im sorry, dog lovers. There are too many of you,' Chloe seethed. 'Im not going out to clubs in Ridgewood, so Im sure its there somewhere, but Im not experiencing it. I hope there are places for people to go when they want to. I miss the megaclubs and the accessibility. 'I would like to know that they were there [in Manhattan] and not in Ridgewood, which seems very far. At the same time, the city seems closer as far as going out to other boroughs with Uber. We would do car services, and it was harder to access areas because of subways and buses not going to certain areas,' she recalled. Sevigny married her husband Sinisa Mackovic in May of 2020 in a secret ceremony in New York's City Hall. Less than two months later, they welcomed a son, Vanja. Two years after their marriage, they celebrated with their loved ones by throwing a bash in Darien, Connecticut, where the Big Love alumna grew up. The veteran actress was slammed back in January for complaining about women who wore athleisure while walking their dogs; pictured January 23 in NYC Sevigny married her husband Sinisa Mackovic May of 2020 in a secret ceremony in New York's City hall; pictured March 10 in Beverly Hills Less than two months later after they got married, the actress and her beau welcomed a son, Vanja According to Vogue, the pair were introduced through a mutual friend but did not meet in person until they crossed paths later at a Gagosian opening. They saw each other at social settings various times before they started dating. When they found out they were expecting, Sevigny and Mackovic celebrated with a couple's getaway in Turks and Caicos. It was there her now-husband proposed and, shortly thereafter, the couple eloped in New York City. Sofia Richie was a smoldering sensation in a dazzling new photo-shoot for the skin and body care line Sol De Janeiro. The 25-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie and sister of Nicole Richie brought back memories of the 1960s in her retro chic ensembles. One of her eye-catching looks was a tantalizing white minidress, comprised of separate flaps of fabric loosely strung together. Teamed with a pair of gleaming silver shoes and a set of yellow-rimmed shades, the flashback dress allowed Sofia to show off her shapely legs for the camera. Its open design also hinted at Sofia's lithe physique, which is now undergoing changes as she expects a baby girl with her husband Elliot Grainge. Sofia Richie was a smoldering sensation in a dazzling new photo-shoot for the skin and body care line Sol De Janeiro The 25-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie and sister of Nicole Richie brought back memories of the 1960s in her retro chic ensembles One of her eye-catching looks was a tantalizing white minidress, comprised of separate flaps of fabric loosely strung together Teamed with a pair of gleaming silver shoes and a set of yellow-rimmed shades, the flashback dress allowed Sofia to show off her shapely legs for the camera Its open design also hinted at Sofia's lithe physique, which is now undergoing changes as she expects a baby girl with her husband Elliot Grainge Sofia's throwback outfits included another minidress, this one made up of circular gold mirror-work that complemented her honey blonde locks. She popped on a large motorcycle helmet, one with the brand's name emblazoned over the visor, lest fans forget the point of the pictures. Sofia could be seen prancing about in front of the camera, brandishing bottles of Sol De Janeiro's products and playfully spraying out their contents. In a nod to the aesthetic of the Space Age, Sofia was also pictured cheerfully riding a Sol De Janeiro bottle up into the sky like a rocket. 'What I love about Sol de Janeiro is that they really honor the diversity of our communities,' she plugged to Vogue Business. 'They make products for everyone.' In a similar vein, the brand's CEO Heela Yang gushed that Sofia is 'very global and shes got the look that a lot of different backgrounds of women can relate to.' Her sizzling new shoot comes just a couple of months after she joyfully announced she is expecting a baby girl with her husband Elliot Grainge. 'Shes growing pretty fast, so [the due date] is a bit up in the air,' she dished to Vogue, while disclosing the baby will likely be born a Gemini. Sofia's throwback outfits included another minidress, this one made up of circular gold mirror-work that complemented her honey blonde locks She popped on a large motorcycle helmet, one with the brand's name emblazoned over the visor, lest fans forget the point of the pictures Sofia could be seen prancing about in front of the camera, brandishing bottles of Sol De Janeiro's products and playfully spraying out their contents In a nod to the aesthetic of the Space Age, Sofia was also pictured cheerfully riding a Sol De Janeiro bottle up into the sky like a rocket 'What I love about Sol de Janeiro is that they really honor the diversity of our communities,' she plugged to Vogue Business In a similar vein, the brand's CEO Heela Yang gushed that Sofia is 'very global and shes got the look that a lot of different backgrounds of women can relate to' 'We both really thought it was a boy, so it was a true shock. My dream in life is to have a daughter [though], and Elliot is really excited for a girl too,' she explained. 'I think its so typical for boys to want boys, but he has a lot of sisters. It was really sweet,' Sofia gushed, adding: 'Hes very sensitive.' Sofia tied the knot in the South Of France last April with Elliot, who is the dashing son of Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grainge. Their glittering wedding ceremony was held at the legendary Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, which has enjoyed a reputation for high-octane glamour for decades. Along with being the most coveted destination for the global showbiz elite during the Cannes Film Festival, the Hotel du Cap also has a storied romantic history. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton carried on a torrid love affair there when they were both married to other people, and then returned for their honeymoon. Sofia went down the aisle in a shimmering, sequined white Chanel bridal gown inspired by an ensemble from the fashion house's fall 2023 collection. Elliot has joined the family business and gone into the music industry himself, founding an indie record label called 10K Projects. He proposed to Sofia with an emerald-cut diamond ring that various experts quoted by Page Six have estimated to be anywhere between four and eight carats. Her sizzling new shoot comes just a couple of months after she joyfully announced she is expecting a baby girl with her husband Elliot Grainge 'We both really thought it was a boy, so it was a true shock,' she said: 'My dream in life is to have a daughter [though], and Elliot is really excited for a girl too' 'I think its so typical for boys to want boys, but he has a lot of sisters,' Sofia gushed, adding: 'Hes very sensitive' 'Shes growing pretty fast, so [the due date] is a bit up in the air,' she dished to Vogue , while disclosing the baby will likely be born a Gemini Sofia's new husband has joined the family business and gone into the music industry himself, founding an indie record label called 10K Projects He proposed to Sofia with an emerald-cut diamond ring that various experts quoted by Page Six have estimated to be anywhere between four and eight carats 'I love Elliot,' Lionel told Access after the engagement. 'Ive known him since he was 12, how about that? So its one of those things where I dont have to go back and check out the kid - I know who he is.' Lionel added: 'So, theyre so happy, and as a Papa and as a dad and as, you know, thats my little girl, so shes in good hands.' He dished that when Elliot asked him for permission to propose to Sofia: 'He was a nervous wreck, poor guy, I thought he was gonna pass out but he survived it.' Said Lionel: 'I was gonna rib him a little bit but I didnt wanna play, he was gonna faint, so it was wonderful. I mean, theyre deeply in love, so all I can say is thats what you really want as a dad.' Elliot and Sofia were first linked early in 2021, months after she ended her infamous on-off romance with Kourtney Kardashian's sizzling ex Scott Disick. Pete Evans has resurfaced for the first time in months after being 'cancelled' in recent years. The disgraced celebrity chef, 51, left his career as a television star for a very different life at his Evolve Sanctuary, located an hour's drive inland between Byron Bay and Coolangatta in northern NSW following several controversial comments. In a video shared by his wife Nicola Watson, the former My Kitchen Rules judge showcased his flowing mullet that tapers out into a rat's tail while cuddling up with his pet dog on the property. 'There is one thing I always know for sure when my beautiful husband joins me for Grand Rising there's little or no waves, or it's blowing an onshore gale at the beach,' Nicola captioned her post. Pete has assumed a low profile since he was dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in the space of 48 hours in November 2020, after posting a neo-Nazi meme on social media. Pete Evans has resurfaced for the first time in months after being 'cancelled' in recent years. The disgraced celebrity chef, 51, gave up his career as a television star for a very different life in northern NSW In a video shared by his wife Nicola Watson, the former My Kitchen Rules judge showcased his flowing mullet that tapers out into a rat's tail while cuddling up with his pet dog while enjoying the sprawling countryside views at their home He has also faced a string of controversies over the past few years. The once popular TV star has attracted scrutiny for peddling anti-vaccine conspiracies and being fined $25,000 for spruiking a light machine which he claimed helped cure Covid. In May 2020, it was announced that Pete had parted ways with Channel Seven after 10 years as a judge on My Kitchen Rules alongside Manu Feildel and guest judge Colin Fassnidge. The once popular TV star has attracted scrutiny for peddling anti-vaccine conspiracies and being fined $25,000 for spruiking a light machine which he claimed helped cure Covid. Pictured: Evans and Manu Feildel Pete has assumed a low profile since he was dropped by 15 sponsors and companies in the space of 48 hours in November 2020, after posting a neo-Nazi meme on social media It effectively marked his break from the mainstream after years of flirting with off-the-wall ideas during his tenure at the network. Free from the contractual constraints of mainstream network television, Evans began spouting his non-scientific beliefs about vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic on social media. In July, 2020, Evans sparked outrage when he falsely claimed that Covid-19 was a 'f***ing hoax' and that the pandemic 'doesn't compare to what is happening in the world on a large scale'. In May 2021, he was slapped with a $80,000 fine for trying to cash in again on Covid by flogging more fake treatments online. It was the second time he ran foul of authorities after previously being fined $25,000 for trying to sell his so-called BioCharger for $15,000 a time on Facebook. Celebrity trainer Tiffiny Hall took to social media on Wednesday to reveal her six-year-old son Arnold recently went through a shock health scare. The Biggest Loser star, 39, shared a photo of an empty hospital bed to Instagram along with the caption, 'I've been quiet on here because Arnold's been sick. 'He's on the mend now, a big thank you to all the doctors and nurses and the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne,' she added. 'You took such brilliant care of my baby.' Tiffiny then said with the Easter break almost here, now was the perfect time to support children in need. Celebrity trainer Tiffiny Hall took to social media on Wednesday to reveal her six-year-old son Arnold recently went through a shock health scare. Both pictured 'Thinking about all the sick kids and their worried parents and carers, ahead of the Good Friday Appeal, where we can give back.' Hall has been married to 2Day FM radio host Ed Kavalee, 44, since 2014 and they share son Arnold and daughter Vada, one. Earlier this month, Kavalee got into a heated on air debate with his TV star wife Tiffiny Hall, after he admitted he once lost sight of their daughter. The Biggest Loser star, 39, shared a photo of an empty hospital bed to Instagram and captioned it with some alarming words The radio star revealed he was once 'babysitting' their two young children and temporarily lost sight of their one-year-old daughter Vada. Ed said he was taking a Taekwondo lesson at the time and it was interrupted by his irate wife who demanded to know why he had taken his eyes off their child. 'What I don't need is halfway through the lesson is for my wife to turn up screaming, "Why did you leave her alone? Where have you been? You lost our daughter!" in front of everyone,' an irate Ed told his co-hosts. They then got his The Biggest Loser star wife Tiffiny on the line and she had a different version of events - and had some choice words for her husband. 'I'm very angry with Ed. I finished my massage early, I arrived at the Taekwondo school and Vada is just wandering through reception on her own,' an angry Tiffiny began. Tiffiny said when she finally confronted Ed he told her that he had asked the teenage receptionist to mind their daughter, which Tiffiny was not happy with. She retorted that she would be minding their children in the future to avoid repeat situations. Tiffiny then said with the Easter break almost here, now was the perfect time to support children in need More than two years after Will Smith admitted he 'fell in love' with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the set, the actress is speaking out. Smith, 55, was just 23, newly married to Sheree Zampino and just welcomed their son Trey when he started filming Six Degrees of Separation in February 1992. The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' on set, and added he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.' During a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 80-year-old Channing admitted they had, 'instant chemistry' but only had 'motherly' feelings for him. 'He made a lot (of money) from his music, or even (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). Because I remember we talked about it,' though she said, 'there was no big shot stuff at all.' More than two years after Will Smith admitted he 'fell in love' with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the set, the actress is speaking out. The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' on set, and added he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard' 'He had a real survival instinct in him, which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him,' she said. The film was inspired by the true story of a con artist named David Hampton, who convinced an affluent couple that he was the son of Sidney Poitier. Smith plays the con man Paul, with Channing and Donald Sutherland playing Paul's married targets, with Channing originating the role in John Guare's Pulitzer and Tony nominated play. Channing revealed Smith and the film's director Fred Schepisi flew out to London to see the actress perform, and they formed an instant chemistry. 'We went out to dinner afterwards. And that was it. It was just natural and easygoing,' Channing said. While Smith admitted to falling for Channing romantically, she didn't reciprocate those romantic feelings. 'There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,' Channing said. Smith said in his book, ''Sheree and I were in the first few months of our marriage with a brand-new baby and for Sheree, I can imagine that this experience was unsettling to say the least.' The film was inspired by the true story of a con artist named David Hampton, who convinced an affluent couple that he was the son of Sidney Poitier. 'He had a real survival instinct in him, which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him,' she said Smith plays the con man Paul, with Channing and Donald Sutherland playing Paul's married targets, with Channing originating the role in John Guare's Pulitzer and Tony nominated play 'There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,' Channing said Channing ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for Six Degrees of Separation and she's coming off roles in Julia and Maryland, while also starring in the upcoming Knuckles series 'She'd married a guy named Will Smith and now she was living with a guy named Paul Poitier,' he admitted, referencing his Six Degrees of Separation character. 'And to make matters worse, during shooting I fell in love with Stockard Channing,' he admitted. Smith ended up divorcing Zampino in 1995, the same year his breakthrough hit Bad Boys hit theaters, which, along with 1996's Independence Day, catapulted him to superstardom. Channing ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for Six Degrees of Separation and she's coming off roles in Julia and Maryland, while also starring in the upcoming Knuckles series. TOKYO, Mar 29 (News On Japan) - Former high school classmates Akiyoshi Junta (Aki) and Fujishiro Harutsugi (Haru), though attending different universities, have been living together in a quiet residential house. Now in their senior year of college and busy job hunting, Haru decides to pursue a career as a photographer and lands a position at a photo studio, while Aki secures a job at an interior goods company. The night they celebrate their job offers with a "Takoyaki Pie" party, attended by Yoneyama, Mugita, Azusa, and Yukino, Aki receives an email announcing his assignment to work in Osaka. With graduation approaching, the realization that their time living together is limited casts a shadow of melancholy and unease between them. One day, Haru's sister, Rikka, comes to announce her marriage. Hearing the reason behind her decision, Aki realizes he harbors feelings for Haru that go beyond friendship. However, Aki resolves to keep these emotions to himself. Since hearing about Aki's Osaka assignment, Haru has been visibly distracted, pondering whether this marks the end of their peaceful and happy cohabitation over the past four years. The question remains: what future awaits Aki and Haru as they step into adulthood? Source: CinemaGene-Film information media for girls Whitney Port took to Instagram on Wednesday to give fans another glimpse at her family's idyllic Hawaiian getaway. The Whitney Eve designer, 39, appeared in a skimpy bikini as she hung out at a luxury resort on the island. 'That one outfit in your closet you can only get away with wearing while on vacation,' said Whitney, who boasts 1.4million followers. The makeup-free beauty modeled the outfit in the bathroom of her suite at the luxurious Mauna Lani Hawaii. Whitney Port took to Instagram on Wednesday to give fans another glimpse at her family's idyllic Hawaiian getaway The Whitney Eve designer, 39, appeared in a skimpy bikini as she hung out at a luxury resort on the island 'I've had this look forever, it's Mumu Eden. Look this is the brand,' she told fans as she held up the skirt towards the camera for viewers to get a look at the tag. After showing off the Mumu Eden cover-up, The Hills alum slipped into the garment to showcase the overall look when it's matched with the bikini top. She proceeded to give a few quick poses from left to right, before adding a pair of thick-frame glasses to the ensemble. 'Luv Lou sunglasses with this cute little bluish, purplish tint,' she remarked. She set her video to the song Back On 74 by Jungle, a British electronic music project founded in 2013 by London-based producers Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland. Whitney included footage of herself making the short walk from her hotel room to the beach while carrying her six-year-old son Sonny's swimsuit and shirt in hand. Sonny made a brief cameo as he and his mom enjoyed the beach together. 'That one outfit in your closet you can only get away with wearing while on vacation,' said Whitney, who boasts 1.4million followers The makeup-free beauty modeled the outfit in the bathroom of her suite at the luxurious Mauna Lani Hawaii She set her video to the song Back On 74 by Jungle, a British electronic music project founded in 2013 by London-based producers Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland Whitney included footage of herself making the short walk from her hotel room to the beach while carrying her six-year-old son Sonny's swimsuit and shirt in hand Sonny made a brief cameo as he and his mom enjoyed the beach together Port shares Sonny with her husband Tim Rosenman, 42, whom she met in the mid-2000s at a birthday dinner for one of her ex-boyfriend's Port shares Sonny with her husband Tim Rosenman, 42, whom she met in the mid-2000s at a birthday dinner for one of her ex-boyfriend's. After having an almost immediate attraction to him, she revealed to a mutual friend that she thought she was already in love with him. Rosenman would end up working as a producer on Port's reality show, The City, and then the pair struck up a romance together less than two years after it concluded in 2010. They wound up dating for about three years when they decided to tie-the-knot in a ceremony in Palm Springs, California in November 2015. Their boy Sonny would ended up making his arrival on Planet Earth about two years after exchanging their nuptials. Christine Quinn claims her estranged husband Christian Richard 'faked a suicide attempt' to 'test' her love while abroad last year. In new court documents, obtained by Page Six, the former Selling Sunset star, 35, who is requesting a restraining order against the tech entrepreneur following his arrest for assault at their home last week, detailed the alleged ordeal. Quinn stated that after flying from Paris to Hungary to reunite with Richard, 45, after attending Fashion Week, he 'faked a suicide attempt to see if' she 'cared about him.' '[Richard] became angry at me, questioning why I needed to work, asserting that he was providing for everything,' she continued. 'That night, in our hotel room, I watched [Richard] pour handfuls of pills [and] appear to shove them into his mouth, with pills flying out of his hands and spilling on the floor, and then tell me he was dying.' Christine Quinn claims her estranged husband Christian Richard 'faked a suicide attempt' to test her love while abroad last year; seen in March 2023 When she asked him what he wanted her to do to help, Quinn claims he asked her to 'just stay with' him. 'When I asked him what pills he took and how many, so I could help him, he just told me he took many other pills that day,' she recalled. The mother-of-one explained the experience was particularly frightening as she 'had no idea how to call for emergency services' in Hungary. 'I was terrified that [Richard] had poisoned and endangered himself. After what felt like an hour of [Richard] apparently falling in and out of consciousness and me being terrified, he suddenly appeared sober again and said 'you passed the test, you really do love me,'' Quinn alleged in the filing. Afterward, when she 'realized' he 'faked the whole thing,' Quinn says she 'became very afraid of [Richard], and what else he could potentially do.' Quinn, who wed Richard in 2019, previously claimed in legal documents that Richard threw a bag containing a glass bottle, but missed, and hit their son. The entrepreneur has denied hitting their son and later filed his own request for a temporary restraining order - which was denied. In documents, obtained by TMZ, Quinn says her marriage was in decline for several years with their tensions erupting last week when she tried to discuss the family's financial woes with the retired millionaire. She claims this angered Richard and he started 'throwing decorative items at her' - some of which contained metal rods. In court documents, obtained by Page Six, the former Selling Sunset star, 35, who is requesting a restraining order against the tech entrepreneur following his arrest for assault at their home last week, detailed the alleged terrifying ordeal (pictured with their two-year-old Christian Georges) She further claims he pulled his penis out and started urinating on the floor - later allegedly hurling dog feces at her during their row. Quinn said the row calmed down - but made her determined to leave him for him - so she claims she secretly made plans to do so with their son the next day. She says she invited a nanny over to ensure Richard 'wouldn't lock the home down.' Quinn claims she was quietly packing her things on March 19 when Richard came storming into their room yelling - before throwing a bag of recyclables at her - only to miss and hit their son. She claims there was glass in the bag. Once their son began 'screaming and crying' Quinn says she fled the room with the toddler and called 911 - before Richard was arrested. She says she has been staying at a hotel and fears for her safety. She further claims Richard is controlling and has mental health issues, with things worsening last year. Quinn further alleges Richard is monitoring her digitally and in the TRO is asking the court to force him off her electronic accounts. She requests protection for their son and is asking for sole physical/legal custody of the boy until their issues can be heard in front a judge, and asking for monitored visitation after that. DailyMail.com has contacted Quinn's representative for comment. Richard had filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says was essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained. He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs. Quinn stated that after flying from Paris to Hungary to reunite with Richard, 45, he 'faked a suicide attempt to see if' she 'cared about him' (seen in June 2023) Richard claims when he went to confront Quinn about he found her in their bedroom with cleaning supplies and other items 'strewn about all over.' He says he became angry and picked up a trash bag on the ground - which he claims was full of soiled rags and paper towels - and threw it against a wall. Richard denies throwing the bag at Quinn and denies hitting their young son, while also denying the bag was filled with glass. He says this information was relayed to Quinn by police. After the bag was thrown Richard claims he tried to escort his son away from the scene but claims Quinn grabbed their son and holed in another room in the house. Richard says police came in with guns raised and arrested him over 'lies' Quinn had told them. He further claims Quinn filed a false police report and 'fabricated' domestic violence allegations against him to use as leverage in a potential divorce and custody battle. Richard claims Quinn wants to 'embarrass him' which is why she called police. A judge has yet to approve his request for the TRO. DailyMail.com has contacted Christine Quinn's representatives for comment. This comes as Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Richard is kept far away from her and their son. The 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. The latest development comes after sources claimed that the reality star was planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce. The mother-of-one explained the experience was particularly frightening as she 'had no idea how to call for emergency services' in Hungary; seen December 2022 in France 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 TV personality 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. 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 '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. Last week, Quinn's son Christian was reportedly taken to a hospital in an ambulance, with her riding by his side following an alleged domestic violence incident at their home; 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. Nathan Buckley and his girlfriend Brodie Ryan were all smiles on Wednesday when they attended the Cirque Du Soleil Luzia premiere in Melbourne. The AFL star, 51, rocked a laidback monochrome look in a black jumper and matching jeans paired with fresh white sneakers. His brunette hair was freshly styled and he completed his look with a salt and pepper beard. He was joined on the red carpet by his beautiful girlfriend Brodie, 34, and his two sons, Jett, 17, and Ayce, 15. Brodie looked effortlessly stylish in a black blouse, jeans and black open-toed heels paired with an unbuttoned tan overcoat. Nathan Buckley and his girlfriend Brodie Ryan were all smiles on Wednesday when they attended the Cirque Du Soleil Luzia premiere in Melbourne. Pictured with Nathan's sons Jett and Ayce She wore her jet-black hair tied back and a light layer of makeup brought out her striking facial features. The lovebirds looked to be having the time of their lives attending the exclusive event in Melbourne with Nathan's two sons, who he shares with ex-wife Tania Minnici. The brunette beauty previously told the Herald Sun that she and Buckley connected over their similar upbringings, after they began dating in 2022. The lovebirds looked to be having the time of their lives Despite their 17-year age gap, the Melbourne businesswoman said they have so much in common and that they push each other every day to be their best selves. 'Helping others be the best version of themselves and prioritising their mental health and wellbeing and giving back to others is a passion both Nath and I have always shared. These topics were a big attraction to each in the beginning,' she said. 'We had very similar upbringings and share a lot of the same values due to this,' she continued. 'I have always been enthusiastic about helping others where I can, and to have a partner that exercises this same passion every day with his family, friends, and the wider community inspires me.' Brodie said Nathan's public profile has given him the opportunity to help others through hardships and to give back, and that she is 'inspired' by the work he does. Smitten by her love, she gushed: 'He is a beautiful person.' The former Collingwood player is clearly besotted with Brodie, as he often expresses his love for her on social media. The brunette beauty previously revealed she and Buckley connected over their similar upbringings, after they began dating in 2022 Michelle Bridges is a changed woman following her drink driving arrest four years ago and her harrowing split with long-term partner Steve 'Commando' Willis. The Biggest Loser star made headlines in 2020 when she was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 while her son, who was four years old at the time, in the car on Australia Day 2020. Bridges pleaded guilty after being pulled over in her Range Rover with her son Axel as she drove through Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's eastern suburbs. She was fined $750, her licence was disqualified for three months, and was required to install an alcohol interlock device in her car for a year. Since then, Bridges, 53, has continued to lead a healthy lifestyle and looks better than ever. Michelle Bridges is a changed woman following her drink driving arrest four years ago and her harrowing split with long-term partner Steve 'Commando' Willis. Since then, Bridges, 53, has continued to lead a healthy lifestyle and looks better than ever. She is pictured in a recent Instagram photo, left, and after her court appearance in 2020, right In fact, the fitness star's good health shows on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, with Bridges flaunting her glowing, youthful complexion makeup free. She also sparkles in recent photos on her social media compared to her court appearance in 2020 - which was shortly after her drink driving offence. Alcohol is known to cause a 'puffy' look in the face, while some studies have shown high levels of alcohol consumption can also exacerbate dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and facial eczema. Stopping or reducing alcohol also means a reduced calorie intake, which can often lead to weight loss. The Biggest Loser star made headlines in 2020 when she was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 while her son, who was four years old at the time, in the car on Australia Day 2020. She pleaded guilty The fitness star's good health shows on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, with Bridges flaunting her glowing, youthful complexion It also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin tone, reduces skin pore size and gives a lighter, more radiant complexion, all of which are basically a result of increased collagen levels. Michelle listed her 'rules' for drinking alcohol in her 2016 health and wellness book, Food For Life, which was written before her DUI arrest. 'Aim for at least four to five alcohol-free days a week. Never drink when I'm by myself. Never drink when I've had a hard day. Stop drinking after dinner,' she wrote. 'Being able to moderate my drinking makes me feel like I'm in the driver's seat.' Following her incident and her court appearance, Bridges made a public apology in a statement. 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment,' she said outside court. 'I would like to apologise to my family, friends and community for this gross error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever. 'I ask for your forgiveness to my greater community and my family and I thank you for your support.' After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a 'very difficult time... dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship' with Steve 'Commando' Willis (left) at the time After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement she said she was going 'very difficult time' dealing with her split with Willis. 'I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,' Bridges said in a statement. 'This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position. 'It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.' Married At First Sight's psychic medium bride Madeleine Maxwell made a lasting impression with fans thanks to her bizarre antics. But viewers hoping to see her reunite with groom Ash Galati during the show's much anticipated reunion, will be massively disappointed. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ash, 33, revealed that Madeleine decided not to attend the two-episode special which will air after the final vows. 'I come back alone which was a blessing in disguise,' Ash confessed, shedding light on his feelings towards the unexpected turn of events. Despite the rocky journey and Madeleine's sudden disappearance, Ash expressed a sense of relief at her choice. Married At First Sight's psychic medium bride Madeleine Maxwell made a lasting impression with fans thanks to her bizarre antics. Pictured with husband Ash Galati 'I was expecting her to come back. I followed things through till the end. I had an obligation to come back to myself, to the show, to the other couples. So I did the right thing and I showed up. But she didn't.' The mystery deepens as Ash admits, 'As far as I know, no one's heard from her.' 'As soon as I left the experiment I blocked her number. But, if she wanted to, she could reach out, but she's probably forgotten about me.' Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ash, 33, revealed that Madeleine decided not to attend the two-episode special which will air after the final vows 'I come back alone which was a blessing in disguise,' Galati confessed, shedding light on his feelings towards the unexpected turn of events The couple failed to form a connection and their ill-fated marriage reached breaking point after a dramatic honeymoon where they struggled to get to know one another. Scenes from their honeymoon saw Madeleine breaking down in tears upon seeing a herd of cows and telling Ash she had been contacted by 'spirits' during their dinner date, leaving her groom confused. Ash has now revealed even more 'wild' moments from their honeymoon that didn't make it to screen as he gave a candid insight into his MAFS journey. Ash described their honeymoon as 'traumatic, chaotic and crazy' as he claimed that Madeleine didn't try to get involved or get to know him. 'She accused me of being a police officer. I'm surprised I didn't get shown,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'She's like ''you're a cop, you're trying to interrogate me,'' I'm like, ''no, I'm not trying to interrogate you. I'm trying to get to know you. There's a difference,'' but she just took anything that like any, if anyone asks any questions about being a psychic or a medium, she was super defensive, including other couples at our wedding.' The sales manager, 33, had a short but memorable stint with psychic bride Madeleine, 30, on the show before they both decided to leave the experiment He claimed that there was only 'dead silence' when the cameras weren't around as he reflected on his struggles to further his connection with former Home And Away star Madeleine. Ash admitted he began to have his doubts about their connection the morning after the wedding, but decided to persevere with the experiment after getting advice from the other couples who had overcome their early issues. 'She was just very quiet the morning after the wedding, she'd be on the phone a lot to her friends, just we didn't really, talk at all, and then as soon as we got mic'd up and when the camera crew was there, it was over the top, and she loved me, and I'm the funniest guy in the world.' Gigi Hadid showed off her effortlessly cool style on Wednesday, while heading to see a play with a friend in New York. The 28-year-old model embodied sleek sophistication in an all-black ensemble. She wore a sweater tucked into a pair of black pants, and a belt with a gleaming gold buckle cinching her waist. Black accessories completed the monochromatic look. She shielded her eyes with sunglasses and held a black purse in her hand. The runway sensation finalized her look with black boots, and added a pop of gold with a stack of chunky necklaces and hoop earrings. It comes after Gigi enjoyed a date night with boyfriend Bradley Cooper, 49, the evening prior, with the couple stepping out in Lower Manhattan's Financial District. Gigi Hadid showed off her effortlessly cool style on Wednesday, while heading to see a play with a friend in New York The 28-year-old model embodied sleek sophistication in an all-black ensemble. She wore a sweater tucked into a pair of black pants, and a belt with a gleaming gold buckle For her Wednesday outing Gigi wore her shoulder-length blonde tresses in a straight style, tucked behind her ears. She accentuated her features with a touch of glam, including a sweep of pink blush on her cheeks. The night prior she and her partner held hands as they stepped out in New York. The Maestro director-star is 21 years older than the IMG Model, but they've been they've been going strong ever since their first sighting together on October 5. Gigi (born Jelena) sported a green sweatshirt emblazoned with Mickey & Minnie Mouse, white wide-leg trousers, and brown sneakers for their date night. The pair have enjoyed a number of outings this past week. On Saturday, Bradley took the Guest in Residence founder to Broadway's Sweeney Todd at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre and on Friday, they dined at Italian restaurant Cucina Alba. Despite their age difference the couple have much in common, including parenthood. Gigi is mom to three-year-old daughter Khai, whom she welcomed during her on/off six-year relationship with ex-1D boybander Zayn Malik, which ended in 2021 when he was arrested on four counts of harassment against her mother Yolanda Hadid. Black accessories completed the monochromatic look She shielded her eyes with sunglasses and held a black purse in her hand The runway sensation finalized her look with black boots, and added a pop of gold with a stack of chunky necklaces and hoop earrings Gigi's enjoyed a string of date nights with boyfriend Bradley Cooper, 49, this past week. The two were first linked in early October 2023; they are seen on February 27 in NYC The Maestro director-star is 21 years older than the IMG Model, but they've been they've been going strong ever since their first sighting together on October 5 Gigi is mom to three-year-old daughter Khai, whom she welcomed during her on/off six-year relationship with ex-One Direction boybander Zayn Malik Hadid also previously dated Cody Simpson, Joe Jonas, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Meanwhile Cooper and his ex Irina Shayk share 50/50 joint legal and physical custody of their six-year-old daughter Lea De Seine following the end of their four-year romance in 2019. Bradley - whose five-month marriage to Jennifer Esposito ended in 2007 - previously dated his Case 39 leading lady Renee Zellweger, his The Words leading lady Zoe Saldana, Suki Waterhouse, Dianna Agron, and Isabella Brewster. Gigi and the Bradley were first linked in early October 2023, when they were spotted grabbing dinner in New York City. Age-defying Jenny Powell looked incredible in a vibrant blue ensemble as she stepped out in Manchester with her long-time fiance Martin Lowe. The TV and radio presenter, 55, headed to the OVO at the AO Arena on Wednesday for the first show of the Cirque du Soleil UK tour. Jenny put on a loved-up display with her fiance Martin, 49, who she has been engaged to since 2014. She kept it casual for the theatre outing in low-rise blue drawstring trousers and a matching vest, which she paired with black patent stilettos. Jenny's brunette locks were styled in a shaggy waves and she opted for a subtle make-up look with a nude lip. Age-defying Jenny Powell looked incredible in a vibrant blue ensemble as she stepped out in Manchester with her long-time fiance Martin Lowe on Wednesday Meanwhile Kym Marsh looked styling in a black blazer and matching wide legged trousers which she teamed with a plain white T-shirt. Love Island's Gabby Allen was also in attendance and showed off her slim frame in a black maxi dress. Martin proposed to Jenny on New Year's Eve in 2014, but the star said the couple now have no plans to get married, and she thinks they'll remain 'permanently engaged'. They began dating in 2010 and Jenny once revealed that they keep the spark alive by not having a television in their bedroom. Speaking to Fabulous magazine in 2022, she said: 'I strongly believe that you have to keep making the effort with each other, or it's a slippery slope. 'And my one golden rule for maintaining intimacy in a relationship is: don't have a TV in your bedroom.' Jenny has two children, daughters Constance, 22, and Pollyanna, 14, from her previous relationship with Toby Baxendale, a British entrepreneur. It comes after Jenny looked sensational in a black bikini as she enjoyed a lavish wellbeing retreat in Marbella, Spain, in February. The Wheel of Fortune presenter took to Instagram to show off her incredible figure in the halterneck two-piece. During a video of her experience at the retreat, Jenny revealed she 'couldn't stop crying' following one spiritual treatment. The TV and radio presenter, 55, headed to the OVO at the AO Arena on Wednesday for the first show of the Cirque du Soleil UK tour with her fiance Martin, 49, who she has been engaged to since 2014 Jenny kept it casual for the theatre outing in low-rise blue drawstring trousers and a matching vest, which she paired with black patent stilettos Jenny's brunette locks were styled in a shaggy waves and she opted for a subtle make-up look with a nude lip Meanwhile Kym Marsh looked styling in a black blazer and matching wide legged trousers which she teamed with a plain white T-shirt Love Island's Gabby Allen was also in attendance and showed off her slim frame in a black maxi dress Claudia Fogarty posed with new boyfriend Olly Crankshaw It was a family occasion for Claudia as her motorbike star dad Carl and mum Michaela also attended the show Sarah Jayne Dunn looked stylish in a black mini dress and thigh high boots Author Charlie Baker also enjoyed the show She explained how a weight was lifted from her after she broke down in tears twice during the session. Jenny said: 'It's been a revelation for me really, I've had some incredible treatments at the spa and I had a massage and I'm so relaxed. 'The biggest discovery for me was having a harmony/spiritual treatment which I did burst into tears twice during it, I couldn't stop crying. 'It just lifted the weight and I was talking a lot about just stuff, I would highly recommend it. What a journey'. The TV star has previously spoken about how her fiance Martin Lowe, 48, uses cold water swimming and strongman training to stay in shape and clean eating, which he introduced Jenny to. The presenter credited her figure to 'hot yoga four times a week' and said she 'looks after herself with food'. Jenny Powell looked sensational in a black bikini as she enjoyed a lavish wellbeing retreat in Marbella, Spain in February Get all Daily Mail Australia's latest MAFS stories on WhatsApp here Married At First Sight star Ridge Barredo is set to cash in on his time on the reality show. The professional weightlifter, 27, is reportedly set to launch his own clothing label built around his 'Deece' catchphrase, which is short for 'decent'. 'He's releasing crop tops, shirts, hoodies, the lot. Everything is printed and ready to go, he isn't messing around,' an insider told Chattr. 'He's ready to strike while the iron is hot and will be launching the line very soon.' They added his MAFS wife Jade, 26, was so supportive of the idea she has been wearing some of the Deece women's clothing to promote the label. Married At First Sight star Ridge Barredo is set to cash in on his time on the reality show. The professional weightlifter, 27, is reportedly set to launch his own clothing label built around his 'Deece' catchphrase, which is short for 'decent' 'Jade's proud of him and loves the idea, she wears the women's line constantly,' the source added. Meanwhile, Ridge and Jade's relationship has been going from strength-to-strength and earlier this week they revealed their plans to start a family. The lovebirds said they hope to have twin babies in the near future so they can give Jade's eight-year-old daughter Victoria some siblings to play with. Ridge's MAFS wife Jade Pywell (right) is said to be so supportive of his business venture that she has taken to wearing Deece branded clothing to promote the label 'Boy and girl twins! I'll definitely be waiting for another ring before we have any kiddies,' Jade told New Idea magazine. 'The show doesn't count. I'd like a proper engagement, instead of me just being handed to him.' Ridge added he was committed to having children with Jade so their family could be complete. Their pairing on MAFS was initially questioned during their wedding ceremony after Ridge cracked several immature jokes while delivering his vows. He also repeatedly used a made-up catchphrase 'deece' and described himself as 'gorgeous', leaving Jade's sister very unimpressed. Ridge also promised to provide 'safety and security' in their relationship, before bizarrely adding, 'because I know you girls love that stuff'. Keanu Reeves and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant shared a sweet kiss as she visited the actor on the set of his new film Good Fortune in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Matrix star, 59, and the accomplished visual artist, 54, locked lips and shared a laugh as he took a break from filming to spend time with her. At one point the artist cozied up to her long-term love and leaned over his shoulder as he showed her something on his cellphone. Afterwards, she did a cute little dance, before the actor planted a kiss on her lips. Alexandra and Keanu first became acquainted at a dinner party in 2009 and collaborated on two art books together before going red carpet official in 2019. Keanu sported a casual black jacket over a white tee, paired with jeans and brown shoes for his day on set. Keanu Reeves and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant shared a sweet kiss as she visited the actor on the set of his new film Good Fortune in Los Angeles on Wednesday The Matrix star, 59, and the accomplished visual artist, 54, locked lips and shared a laugh as he took a break from filming to spend time with her Alexandra and Keanu first became acquainted at a dinner party in 2009 and collaborated on two art books together before going red carpet official in 2019 His usual longer black tresses were chopped into a short haircut for the movie. Meanwhile Alexandra channeled a rocker chic look in a black leather jacket, grey jeans and black lace-up boots. Her silver tresses were pulled into a ponytail for an effortlessly cool look, and she shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses. Last March Keanu shed some light on his romance with Alexandra. When he was asked to name his 'last moment of bliss,' he told People: 'A couple of days ago with my honey. We were in bed. We were connected.' The John Wick star effervesced: 'We were smiling and laughing and giggling. Feeling great. It was just really nice to be together.' The pair have tended to guard their privacy and rarely discussed details of their relationship in public. Alexandra found herself at the business end of an internet frenzy when she walked the red carpet with Keanu at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in early November 2019. 'I think every single person I knew called me in the first week of November, and that's fascinating,' she told British Vogue a few months later. The actor sported a black jacket over a white tee, paired with jeans and brown shoes for his day on set At one point Alexandra cozied up to her partner and leaned over his shoulder as he showed her something on his cellphone Afterwards, she did a cute little dance, before the actor planted a kiss on her lips Last March Keanu shed some light on his romance with Alexandra. When he was asked to name his 'last moment of bliss,' he told People : 'A couple of days ago with my honey' 'We were in bed. We were connected.' The John Wick star effervesced: 'We were smiling and laughing and giggling. Feeling great. It was just really nice to be together' His usual longer black tresses were chopped into a short haircut for the movie Meanwhile Alexandra channeled a rocker chic look in a black leather jacket, grey jeans and black lace-up boots Alexandra found herself at the business end of an internet frenzy when she walked the red carpet with Keanu at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in early November 2019 'I think every single person I knew called me in the first week of November, and that's fascinating,' she told British Vogue a few months later The pair shared a cute moment, sitting on the steps of his trailer together The dynamic duo have tended to guard their privacy and rarely discussed details of their relationship in public They first collaborated in 2011 on Keanu's book Ode To Happiness, with Alexandra providing the illustrations When she was asked in 2020 about the prospect of marriage, she said: 'Love at every level is deeply important to my identity. Hows that for dodging the question?' She added: 'I do not believe that isolation is the way. There is a period of isolation that I do as a painter, but I deeply value the experience of being in relationships.' By the time they went red carpet official, they had been friends for around a decade and it had been reported that Keanu wanted the romance out in the open. They first collaborated in 2011 on Keanu's book Ode To Happiness, with Alexandra providing the illustrations. The project marked her first book as an artist and his first as a writer. They worked together again on the actors 2016 book Shadows, to which Alexandra once again contributed the artwork. She is his first known girlfriend since Jennifer Syme, who died in a car accident in 2001 less than four months after delivering her and Keanu's stillborn baby. They began dating in 1998 and, in 1999, Syme became pregnant with their daughter, Ava. Ava was tragically stillborn at eight months. In 2001, Syme drove her 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee into a row of parked cars in Los Angeles; she died instantly. She was only 28-years-old at the time. The project marked her first book as an artist and his first as a writer They worked together again on the actors 2016 book Shadows, to which Alexandra once again contributed the artwork She is his first known girlfriend since Jennifer Syme, who died in a car accident in 2001 less than four months after delivering her and Keanu's stillborn baby Keanu's upcoming film Good Fortune is an American comedy film written and directed by Aziz Ansari in his directorial debut. Ansari also acts alongside Keanu, Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer. The movie plot is being kept under wraps, according to Variety, but Production List describes it as a high concept comedy about the gig economy in Los Angeles. The shooting of the film had been delayed due to last year's writers' strike, but finally started in January 2024 in the Koreatown neighborhood of LA. Reeves, who has been acting in films for almost 40 years, has a legion of fans from his highly successful 'John Wick' action/thriller film franchise, playing the role of a hitman that comes out of retirement. Keanu's first successful franchise in film was the role of Neo in all four Matrix movies: 1999, 2003, 2002 and 2021. Garrison Brown's half-sister Ysabel Brown posted a memorial to her late sibling on social media Tuesday, less than a month after his tragic suicide at the age of 25. 'I love you forever and I'll miss you for always,' Ysabel, 20, said on Instagram Stories in text on the post, according to People. Ysabel, the daughter of Kody Brown, 55, and Christine Brown, 51, posted the emotional quote in tandem with an image of them as children. She underscored the image with the 2012 Lord Huron track Ends of the Earth. The post which came more than three weeks after Garrison's death was confirmed by authorities and family members including his mother Janelle Brown, 54. Flagstaff police told TMZ on March 5 that Garrison appeared 'to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound' after they responded to his Flagstaff, Arizona home after receiving reports someone had died. Garrison Brown's half-sister Ysabel Brown, 20, posted a memorial to her late sibling on social media Tuesday, less than a month after his tragic suicide at the age of 25 Ysabel, the daughter of Kody Brown, 55, and Christine Brown, 51, posted the emotional quote in tandem with an image of them as children Garrison was found dead in his home by his brother Gabriel, authorities told the outlet. Police told the outlet that foul play was not suspected in Garrison's death, and that an investigation had been launched. Janelle, 54, took to Instagram March 5 to announce the tragic news on behalf of the family. 'Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown,' Janelle said. 'He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. 'His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.' TLC said in a statement to People, 'We are devastated to hear of the tragic loss of Garrison Brown. We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Brown family at this difficult time.' Garrison had an Instagram account under the handle @robertthebrown, with more than 67,000 followers at the time of his death. His final post came February 28, as he posed alongside a cat he had adopted, which was his third overall. 'Newest edition to my home, Ms Buttons,' Garrison said. 'Shes 9 years old and was on the line for euthanasia but my savior complex couldnt suffice. #crazycatlady.' Garrison Brown, the son of Sister Wives stars Kody Brown and Janelle Brown, died via an apparent suicide March 5 at the age of 25. His final post came February 28, as he posed alongside a cat he had adopted, which was his third overall Flagstaff police told TMZ that Garrison appeared 'to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound' after they responded to his house after receiving reports someone had died Garrison is the son of Kody and Jenelle Brown of TLC's Sister Wives fame Janelle announced the tragic news in an Instagram post on March 5 Janelle said that Garrison's 'loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away' Janelle said of her late son, 'He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him' Garrison was seen hugging his mother in a May 2016 Mother's Day post on Instagram He had also chronicled his travels on his social media page, documenting trips to locales including Spain and Italy. Garrison had past been seen on episodes of the TLC series Sister Wives since its debut in 2010, chronicling the life of a polygamous family living in Utah, as Kody, 55, was also husband to wives Meri, 53, Christine, 51, and Robyn Brown, 45. Janelle and Kody entered into a spiritual marriage in 1993 and welcomed six kids: Logan, 29, Maddie, 28, Hunter, 26, Garrison, 25, Gabriel, 21, and Savanah, 19. They went on to separate in December of 2022. Kody previously parted ways with Christine Brown in 2021, and would go on to split with Meri later in 2022. He remains married to Robyn Brown. In the weeks since his tragic death, relatives have taken to social media to comment on the tragic situation. His sister Madison Brush, 28, said that her late brother dealt with 'mental health' issues, and she was making it her mission to spread awareness on the issue to spare others from the pain she and her family are experiencing in the wake of Garrison's death. 'It wasn't bullying; it wasn't a lack of love that Garrison had - it was mental health,' Madison said March 18. 'And I am going to continue talking about mental health and self care until I am blue in the face, because I don't think it's talked about enough in a way that people understand it.' 'Time is so precious. And if you're not happy with how you're spending your time and you don't feel fulfilled in life, I would encourage you to reevaluate.' On March 18, his sister Savanah Brown, 19, said on Instagram she was 'having a hard time understanding' the series of traumatic events On March 18, his sister Savanah Brown, 19, said on Instagram she was 'having a hard time understanding' the series of traumatic events. She added, 'I know now, more than anything, that my brother Garrison is no longer in any more pain.' Savanah told her followers, 'I deeply hope that anyone who may be reading this never underestimates how big of a hole their loss would leave. Persevere, for the sake of your family, for the sake of your friends, for the sake of the ones who love you.' She posted information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to wrap up her post. Garrison moved with his family from Utah to Nevada, and he eventually enlisted in the National Guard, according to the outlet. He and his father Kody had been estranged for some time in recent years: In February of 2022, Kody said on the series that he and sons Garrison and Gabriel were 'not good' and 'not talking' as they clashed with him over what they felt to be onerous protocols he implemented amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kody said of his sons on the show: 'It's changed everything for everybody, and they want it all to be the same - they need to realize that they should go and date that girlfriend, that's fine, but you need to move out of the house so I can be home.' In an episode of the TLC series chronicling the tension in the family, according to People, Janelle said in a confessional interview that she felt Garrison 'just seems angry or sadder, like, he's not as happy-go-lucky as he used to be' amid the family strife over pandemic precautions. Garrison had also chronicled his travels on his social media page, as he documented trips to locales including Spain and Italy She added, 'I have worried about my boys' mental health. Gabriel feels everything very, very deeply. But he's also the kid who doesn't say anything.' Amid the clash in philosophies over the pandemic, Garrison moved out from his parents home and eventually settled in Arizona in 2021. Gabriel said on the show's 18th season in 2022 that he 'was met with just a wall' when trying to speak about COVID-19 protocols with his father, as it had created serious friction in the household. 'There was no line of dialogue,' Gabriel said. 'I think that that is what really drove the wedge between us.' Kody talked about the issues with his sons in a May 2023 episode of the series, saying he was upset with the situation. 'I haven't been in touch with Gabriel and Garrison for quite a while,' Kody said. 'I'm pretty sad that I'm not close [to them] anymore.' He added that 'there was just so many things in our lives that we did that were rich together, you know, just special experiences.' Kody said that he thought and hoped that they could 'get over this' in time. Garrison had an Instagram account under the handle @robertthebrown, with more than 67,000 followers at his time of death Garrison was seen posing with one of his pets in a January 2022 post on Instagram 'Right now, there's not really an open door with Gabe and Garrison,' he said. 'They're they're not willing to engage me.' The sons appeared to be on the outs with Kody as recently as last fall, as Janelle told E! News in a November 2023 interview she was hopeful they'd eventually reconcile. 'I do hope that that eventually time heals,' she said. 'I'm hoping that over time, he can find a relationship with the children that he's estranged from now.' If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. TOKYO, Mar 29 (News On Japan) - As the new school year approaches, the methods of conducting "school health checks" vary by municipality, raising questions about their appropriateness. One woman, who had undergone school health checks shirtless for 12 years from elementary through high school, shared her experience. She said she never received a clear explanation why undressing was necessary and endured the discomfort, believing it was all in the interest of checking for illnesses. Her school in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto, still mandates "upper body undressing" as a general rule. According to Masashi Egawa, Vice President of an association aiming for safer health examinations for children, many children are extremely reluctant to expose their naked bodies to others, even to doctors. They advocate for health checks that ensure accurate diagnosis while fully respecting privacy. In school internal medicine examinations, besides listening to chest sounds with a stethoscope, doctors also check for conditions like scoliosis and examine the skin. However, accuracy may be compromised if the examination is done over clothing, leading to different practices among municipalities regarding undressing. In January, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) issued a notice to all municipalities, advising that examinations should be conducted in clothing to the extent that it does not hinder the process, prioritizing students' privacy and emotions. Despite this, Nagaokakyo City insists that undressing is essential for accurate diagnosis. They do not consider allowing examinations in clothing as an option, emphasizing the need to prevent any oversight in disease detection to safeguard children's health and lives. Some parents express concerns over privacy, especially in an era dominated by social media, fearing the potential for abuse or criminal use of images taken during health checks. Conversely, in Kyoto City, following MEXT's notice, a shift towards "clothing-on" examinations has been initiated, with measures to ensure examinations do not require exposing the chest. Some medical professionals assert that examinations can be conducted effectively without making children uncomfortable, as lung and heart sounds can be heard and skin observed even with clothing. The discrepancy in practices across municipalities highlights the need to balance accurate health examinations with respecting children's privacy and dignity. Christine Quinn alleged that she and her estranged husband Christian Richard got in an explosive argument ahead of his two arrests in the span of 48 hours last week. According to new court documents, the Selling Sunset alum, 35, claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile, according to Us Weekly. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled it at her. 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house.' Christine Quinn alleged that her estranged husband Christian Richard got in an explosive argument ahead of his two arrests in the span of 48 hours last week It was claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard is now alleging the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings - with the entrepreneur denying hitting their son, per TMZ. Earlier this week, Richard filed his own request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained. He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs. Richard claims when he went to confront Quinn about he found her in their bedroom with cleaning supplies and other items 'strewn about all over.' He says he became angry and picked up a trash bag on the ground - which he claims was full of soiled rags and paper towels - and threw it against a wall. Richard denies throwing the bag at Quinn and denies hitting their young son, while also denying the bag was filled with glass. He says this information was relayed to Quinn by police. After the bag was thrown Richard claims he tried to escort his son away from the scene but claims Quinn grabbed their son and holed in another room in the house. According to new court documents, the Selling Sunset alum, 35, claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled the poop at her Richard says police came in with guns raised and arrested him over 'lies' Quinn had told them. He further claims Quinn filed a false police report and 'fabricated' domestic violence allegations against him to use as leverage in a potential divorce and custody battle. Richard claims Quinn wants to 'embarrass him' which is why she called police. A judge has yet to approve his request for the TRO. DailyMail.com has contacted Christine Quinn's representatives for comment. The update comes amid reports that Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Richard is kept far away from her and their son. The 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. Additionally, sources claimed that the reality star is planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce. 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house' (pictured in 2021 with one of her beloved pups) 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 TV personality 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. It was claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard alleges the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings; seen December 2022 in France Richard has filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies; seen in June 2023 '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 last Tuesday 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. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs 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. Christine Quinn has emerged publicly for the first time since her husband Christian Richard's shock arrest in connection with a domestic violence incident involving their son last week. While arriving to a perfume event in Los Angeles, the Selling Sunset star, 35, looked as glamorous as ever in a beaded nude gown, complete with feathers on the bottom, a corset-style bodice and racy slit. Despite navigating her marital woes and having to file a request for a restraining order against her estranged spouse, the Dallas native appeared in high spirits as she mingled with other attendees. For the occasion, she styled her long platinum blonde tresses in bouncy curls and carried a sparkly clutch. Christine Quinn has emerged publicly for the first time since her husband Christian Richard's shock arrest in connection with a domestic violence incident involving their son last week Richard pictured last week in handcuffs following his arrest in Los Angeles While arriving to a perfume event in Los Angeles , the Selling Sunset star, 35, looked as glamorous as ever in a beaded nude gown, complete with a feather detailing at the bottom, corset-style bodice and thigh-high slit This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since her ex was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week. According to new court documents, the Selling Sunset alum, 35, claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile, according to Us Weekly. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled it at her. 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house.' It was previously claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard is now alleging the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings - with the entrepreneur denying hitting their son, per TMZ. Earlier this week, Richard filed his own request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained. He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs. Richard claims when he went to confront Quinn about he found her in their bedroom with cleaning supplies and other items 'strewn about all over.' Quinn smiled warmly amid her marital woe rumors Despite navigating the expected end of her nearly five-year marriage and having to file a request for a restraining order against her estranged spouse, the Dallas native appeared in high spirits as she mingled with other attendees For the occasion, she styled her long platinum blonde tresses in bouncy curls and carried a sparkly clutch Quinn was seen hugging another woman rocking a skintight white jumpsuit He says he became angry and picked up a trash bag on the ground - which he claims was full of soiled rags and paper towels - and threw it against a wall. Richard denies throwing the bag at Quinn and denies hitting their young son, while also denying the bag was filled with glass. He says this information was relayed to Quinn by police. After the bag was thrown Richard claims he tried to escort his son away from the scene but claims Quinn grabbed their son and holed in another room in the house. Richard says police came in with guns raised and arrested him over 'lies' Quinn had told them. He further claims Quinn filed a false police report and 'fabricated' domestic violence allegations against him to use as leverage in a potential divorce and custody battle. For the occasion, she rocked a pair of towering open-toed high heels Quinn smiled as she made her first first public appearance since her husband's arrest The TV personality beamed as she made her way from the car into a building Richard claims Quinn wants to 'embarrass him' which is why she called police. A judge has yet to approve his request for the TRO. DailyMail.com has contacted Christine Quinn's representatives for comment. The update comes amid reports that Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Richard is kept far away from her and their son. The 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. Additionally, sources claimed that the reality star is planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce. This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since her ex was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week According to new court documents, the Selling Sunset alum, 35, claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile 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 TV personality 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. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled the poop at her 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house' (pictured in 2021 with one of her beloved pups) 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. It was claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard alleges the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings; seen December 2022 in France '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 last Tuesday 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. Richard has filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies; seen in June 2023 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. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs 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. Get all Daily Mail Australia's latest MAFS stories on WhatsApp here Married At First Sight bride Jade Pywell looked red hot as she attended the exclusive Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie dinner party with husband Ridge Barredo in Potts Point, Sydney on Thursday evening. Jade, 26, showed off her cleavage in skimpy red bra top paired with a matching skirt which featured a thigh-high split. The bombshell completed her outfit with black heels, feather-shaped gold earrings and a heart-shaped black designer handbag. The glamorous reality star's brunette locks were tied in a bun with loose tresses framing her face. Meanwhile, her groom Ridge rocked a smart casual look in a yellow and black patterned dress shirt, ripped black jeans and matching loafers. Married At First Sight bride Jade Pywell looked red hot as she attended the exclusive Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie dinner party with husband Ridge Barredo in Potts Point, Sydney on Thursday evening The lovebirds held hand as they made their way out of the event in the early hours of Thursday morning. Also in attendance were Jayden Eynaud, 26, and his wife Eden Harper, 28, who were seen closely trailing their co-stars as they exited the building. Jade, 26, showed off her cleavage in skimpy red bra top paired with a matching skirt which featured a thigh-high split The bombshell completed her outfit with black heels, feather-shaped gold earrings and a heart-shaped black designer handbag The glamorous reality star's brunette locks were tied in a bun with loose tresses framing her face Jayden rocked a slick monochrome look in a plain white T-shirt paired with black jeans and white sneakers. He was accompanied by his beautiful partner Eden, who set temperatures rising in a red mini-dress which showcased her enviable curves. Meanwhile, Ridge rocked a smart casual look in a yellow and black patterned dress shirt paired with ripped black jeans and matching loafers The lovebirds held hands as they left the venue Also in attendance were Jayden Eynaud, 26, and his wife Eden Harper, 28, who were seen closely trailing their co-stars as they exited the building The fun night out follows reports that Ridge and Jade's relationship has been going from strength-to-strength. Earlier this week they revealed their plans to start a family. The lovebirds said they hope to have twin babies in the near future so they can give Jade's eight-year-old daughter Victoria some siblings to play with. 'Boy and girl twins! I'll definitely be waiting for another ring before we have any kiddies,' Jade told New Idea magazine. Jayden rocked a slick monochrome look in a plain white T-shirt paired with black jeans and white sneakers He was accompanied by his beautiful partner Eden, who set temperatures rising in a red mini-dress which showcased her enviable curves It looked to be a fun night out for the MAFS stars 'The show doesn't count. I'd like a proper engagement, instead of me just being handed to him.' Ridge added he was committed to having children with Jade so their family could be complete. Their pairing on MAFS was initially questioned during their wedding ceremony after Ridge cracked several immature jokes while delivering his vows. He also repeatedly used a made-up catchphrase 'deece' - short for 'decent' - and described himself as 'gorgeous', leaving Jade's sister very unimpressed. The fun night out follows reports that Ridge and Jade's relationship has been going from strength-to-strength. Earlier this week they revealed their plans to start a family Scott Disick put on a dapper display as he brought his on-off flame Bella Banos to dinner with his three children on Wednesday. The Kardashians star, 40, was joined by the model, 27, and kids Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine whom he shares with ex Kourtney Kardashian, 44 at Nobu in New York. He showed off his drastic recent weight loss, amid claims he has turned to Ozempic, in a light grey suit and white button up, which he left partially undone. Meanwhile Bella who was also spotted with the reality star and his kids the day prior put on a busty display in a low-cut black catsuit that highlighted her ample cleavage. The pair have had an on-again/off-again relationship for the past six years. They were first linked together in 2017, after both were spotted in Costa Rica where Scott was taking part in a Keeping Up With The Kardashians episode. Scott Disick, 40, put on a dapper display as he brought his on-off flame Bella Banos, 27, to dinner at Nobu in New York with his three children on Wednesday Scott seemed to have more sunken cheeks than before - no doubt due to his recent weight loss, amid claims he has been taking Ozempic The brunette beauty paired her outfit with knee-high brown snakeskin boots and a long black coat. She wore her tresses flowing down in a straight style, and accessorized with gold hoops. Following dinner, Scott, Bella and the kids indulged in a sweet treat as they grabbed ice cream at the Van Leeuwen store. Scott's eldest son Mason was seen rocking a black hoodie, blue jeans and brown worker boots for the outing. His daughter Penelope wore a red hoodie and dark jeans. Meanwhile Reign sported a grey hoodie over a black tee and camouflage pants. It was their second outing in a row. Scott was seen with Bella and Penelope and Reign on Tuesday as well, while stepping out in the Big Apple. After first being linked together in 2017, the two were seen again, vacationing in St. Barts, in December 2021 after Scott's 2020 breakup with Nicole Richie. Since then the Talentless founder has also dated model Amelia Hamlin, 21, and model Rebecca Donaldson, 27. The Kardashians star was joined by the model and kids Mason, 14, Penelope, 11, and Reign, nine whom he shares with ex Kourtney Kardashian, 44 for the outing Following dinner, Scott, Bella and the kids indulged in a sweet treat as they grabbed ice cream at the Van Leeuwen store He showed off his drastic recent weight loss in a light grey suit and white button up, which he left partially unbuttoned Bella put on a busty display in a low-cut black catsuit that highlighted her ample cleavage The pair have had an on-again/off-again relationship for the past six years. They were first linked together in 2017, after both were spotted in Costa Rica The brunette beauty paired her outfit with knee-high brown snakeskin boots and a long black coat Scott rocked a scruffy beard as he exited the eatery, with Mason behind him He chatted with Bella as they mulled over ice cream flavors He later put on a coat to stay warm during their ice cream run Mason and Penelope were seen leaving with sweet treats in their hands Disick recently sparked concern when he was pictured looking noticeably thinner following a meal with his pals at Catch Steak restaurant in West Hollywood earlier this month. Fans feared his appearance was a result of an undisclosed illness or drug use, but sources have told DailyMail.com that he has been using Ozempic in a bid to get rid of his 'dad bod.' Scott piled on the pounds after struggling to cope with ex Kourtney's new romance with Travis Barker - and then he turned to Ozempic as he started comparing himself to the musician, insiders claim. The reality TV star has reportedly found it difficult to watch the Poosh founder move on with the Blink-182 drummer, and famously blasted their PDA in a leaked DM in 2022. Now, insiders have claimed the troubled star is in a 'dire situation' with talk of an intervention after his Ozempic use has left him looking shockingly gaunt. 'Kourtneys marriage to Travis took a toll on Scott and as he got bigger he was comparing himself to Travis and Travis being thin didnt help,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Scott turned to food as his crutch because he could not turn to drugs.' The insider added that the star shunned alcohol and drugs as a means of coping, stressing that the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star does not want to jeopardize his relationship with his children. 'He loves his kids too much to try to ruin his relationship with them,' the source said. 'Kourtney is of course concerned because he is the father of her children. 'After the photos emerged, people close to Scott realized how dire the situation is but theyre struggling with an intervention as so many around him take the drug too. It would be like the pot calling the kettle black.' Fans have been concerned about his health after he was spotted looking considerably thinner in the past weeks, and it's now been revealed that he has been using Ozempic Scott started using the popular weight loss drug after comparing himself to Kourtney Kardashian's husband Travis Barker, insiders have told DailyMail.com; the pair seen in 2022 The insider claimed it is 'highly likely' that Scott's weight loss crisis will feature on an upcoming season of The Kardashians. 'Scott knows that,' they said. 'He signed a contract so there isnt much he can do about them using his troubling appearance for TV.' The businessman has also battled substance abuse throughout his adult life and was even hospitalized for alcohol poisoning in June 2020. Prior to that, he had a near fatal overdose in 2014 after he took almost an entire bottle of sleeping pills following a wild night out drinking and partying. He was eventually convinced to enter rehab for a month-long stay by his ex-girlfriend Kourtney. Scott dated Kourtney from 2006 to 2015, with the reality TV star citing his sobriety battles as the reason for their split. After the duo broke up Kourtney went on to marry rocker Travis in 2022, with whom she now shares four-month-old son Rocky. Frankie Muniz set social media ablaze after Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia. The Malcolm in the Middle star, 38, left his campmates in shock after he made a startling confession on Day 2, revealing he has never tried strawberries. A few days before his stint in the African jungle, the Hollywood child star spoke to news.com.au, revealing the origin of his strawberry resentment. 'I dont normally talk about the fact I dont eat strawberries, but when I was a kid, my family used to get the Neapolitan ice cream,' he told the publication. 'If I got the smallest sliver of strawberry in my vanilla or chocolate, not that I even saw it, but you would taste it. And it ruined my ice cream that whole night.' Frankie Muniz set social media ablaze after Monday night's episode of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Australia 'So in my head, strawberries are just evil and I wont try them. Not even a strawberry flavoured milk,' Frankie divulged. He described himself as 'the pickiest eater on the planet' and is 'too set in his ways'. He told the publication he eats 'steak, potatoes and cheeseburgers' each day: 'Thats on rotation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' he disclosed. The Malcolm in the Middle star, 38, left his campmates in shock after he made a startling confession on Day 2 of his stint in the African jungle, revealing he has never tried strawberries A few days before his stint in the African jungle, the Hollywood child star spoke to news.com.au , revealing the origin of his strawberry resentment During Monday night's episode of I'm a Celeb the star also revealed that he has never tasted a tomato. 'I have never had a tomato ever in my whole life,' the 38-year-old revealed at base camp, despite liking ketchup. Muniz's frank revelation soon set social media ablaze. He described himself as 'the pickiest eater on the planet' and is 'too set in his ways' 'Hasn't eaten a tomato or a strawberry!!!!!!????? He certainly seems a bit odd ball,' wrote on viewer. 'Theres no way Malcolm in the middle has never eaten a tomato or strawberry in his whole life???' commented one more. 'Wow Frankie he really does have the palette of a child,' another viewer commented. He told the publication he eats 'steak, potatoes and cheeseburgers' each day: 'Thats on rotation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' he disclosed 'Frankie is representing all of us picky eaters so well lol,' wrote one more. Muniz went on to reveal he was impressed when he tasted a tomato for the first time while enjoying a meal prepared by campmate Khanh Ong. The former child star joined I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Australia on Sunday. Its one of the most anticipated films of the year but one you can almost guarantee Prince Andrew wont be watching. Last night stars gathered at the Curzon in Mayfair for the world premiere of Scoop about the bombshell interview that forced the shamed royal to step back from public life. The film tells the story of how Emily Maitliss TV grilling of the royal came about. Starring Gillian Anderson as Maitlis and Rufus Sewell as the Duke of York, it focuses on part-time BBC producer Sam McAlisters key role in securing the Newsnight interview broadcast in November 2019. Single mother McAlister, who is played by Billie Piper, 41, spent months negotiating with the royals former press aide Amanda Thirsk, played by Keeley Hawes, 48, to make it happen. Billie Piper (right), who plays BBC producer Sam McAlister in Netflix drama Scoop, alongside the real McAlister at last night's premiere Gillian Anderson, who plays Emily Maitlis, and Billie Piper alongside Rufus Sewell, who plays Prince Andrew in the streaming adaptation Anderson and Sewell in a scene from Scoop, which is based on a book by McAlister about how the interview came about Gillian Anderson and Billie Piper share a laugh on the red carpet at Mayfair's Curzon cinema Keeley Hawes, who plays former royal press aide Amanda Thirsk in Scoop, at the film's premiere at the Curzon cinema in Mayfair on Wednesday Sam McAlister is the BBC producer who spent months negotiating with royal aides to secure the Andrew interview. She is pictured at the premiere A scene from Scoop showing Billie Piper in her role as BBC producer Sam McAlister. The film is released on April 5 Gillian Anderson as Emily Maitlis in Scoop. Maitlis herself is executive producing her own version of events with Amazon Prime Video Ms Maitlis was later accused of being dismissive of Ms McAlisters tenacious work, failing to credit the producer in a magazine interview she gave after it was screened. The pair then proceeded to present their own version of events. Netflix optioned Ms McAlisters book on the affair turning into Scoop while Ms Maitlis began making her own series for Amazon last year. It is yet to be released but will star Ruth Wilson as Maitlis and Michael Sheen as the prince in this version. However, there was no sign of any rancour between the actresses playing Ms Maitlis and Ms McAlister last night at Scoops premiere at the Mayfairs Curzon cinema. Dressed in a dark green lace frock, Gillian, 55, beamed as she posed with Billie, who wore risque black pinstripe shorts and a matching jacket, and Sewell, 56. They were joined by Romola Garai, who plays former Newsnight editor Esme Wren in the film, in a quirky white suit. Earlier on Wednesday, Prince Andrew actor Rufus said he thought he could 'get behind' the part, but panicked when he was offered it and confessed he thought 'what have I done?' He opened up while appearing on Good Morning Britain, where he detailed 'obsessively watching the Newsnight interview for hours'. He said: 'I obsessively watched the interview. I watched it at the time like everyone else, I was kind of transfixed for various reasons. Like most people I had my own judgements. 'But doing it is a different thing and trying to put yourself in the position of someone like that and working out what their reasoning and justification in their own head might be. Because that's what people do. 'And I spent hours and hours everyday trying to work out what he was thinking. You could only ever guess. When there was a hesitation or a stutter, or a particular movement of the head - what was behind it?' Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew in a scene from Scoop. Rufus says he was initially worried about taking on the role of the disgraced royal Spot the difference: Rufus Sewell and Gillian Anderson in a scene from Scoop as the interview unfolds... ...and a moment from the real exchange between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis in November 2019 Meanwhile, it was reported earlier this month that Gillian sought to meet Emily Maitlis while she was planning for the role, but that the ex-BBC journalist turned her down. Instead, the X-Files and Sex Education star trawled through footage of Maitlis, read her autobiography and listened to hours of her The News Agents podcast instead in order to understand her mannerisms. Gillian told Grazia: 'There were so many things to get wrong. Emily is so formidable and she's still alive. When I told them my fears, they said, "That's exactly why you should do it".' She added: 'That interview is b***** serious. Emily is there for one reason and one reason only. 'She is going to do everything in her power to make sure the hard questions are asked the questions everybody else has been scared to ask.' Scoop launches on Netflix on April 5, and is billed by Netflix as 'the inside account of the tenacious journalism that landed an earth-shattering interview - Prince Andrew's infamous BBC Newsnight appearance'. The streaming giant says: 'From the tension of producer Sam McAlisters high stakes negotiations with Buckingham Palace, all the way to Emily Maitlis jaw dropping, forensic showdown with the Prince, SCOOP takes us inside the story, with the women who would stop at nothing to get it. 'To get an interview this big, you have to be bold.' Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou has written her first-ever children's book, Mia Megastar, inspired by elements of her own life. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 46-year-old shared insights into the inspiration behind her book. She disclosed that it draws from her own experiences as a young girl with aspirations of becoming a star, to growing up with migrant parents from Greece in Sydney. 'I never had a book like this growing up, I didnt really have people on TV that looked like me either,' Nicodemou told the publication. 'I hope it is going to hopefully touch a lot of girls out there from different backgrounds because we talk about our culture. When youre growing up, you want to see culture related back to you and hopefully this book does that,' she added. Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou has written her first-ever children's book, Mia Megastar, inspired by elements of her own life Nicodemous son, her brother, and her mother are some of the real life individuals the actress based her book characters on. 'It is quite fun, it pokes fun at my Greek culture and just the hilarious rules that my mum has that make no sense,' she said. The actress has starred as Leah Patterson-Baker on Home and Away for 23 years. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph , the 46-year-old shared insights into the inspiration behind her book She disclosed that it draws from her own experiences as a young girl with aspirations of becoming a star, to growing up with migrant parents from Greece in Sydney And Ada's character is set to wed fiancee Justin Morgan, portrayed by James Stewart. It was recently announced that Matt Little, 31, who portrayed Leah's son VJ Patterson from 2014 to 2017, will return for a cameo appearance. His character was last seen on screens in 2017 when he fled to Cyprus with baby Luc, the daughter of his late wife Billie. 'I never had a book like this growing up, I didnt really have people on TV that looked like me either,' Nicodemou told the publication Home and Away shared a sneak peak of the wedding on Monday. VJ could be seen walking a smiling Leah down the aisle towards Justin. Fans will have to wait until April to see Leah's fourth wedding on the show. Christine Quinn has made her first public appearance since filing for a restraining order against her 'controlling' husband Christian Richards. Despite what's been dubbed one of the ugliest splits in Hollywood, the Selling Sunset star, 35, brushed off her woes to Xerjoff Vibes and Elle Anniversary celebration event in a stunning nude gown. Showing off her incredible figure, Christine posed up a storm in a sparkly nude gown with a daring thigh-high split. The reality star had been pictured arrived at the event earlier in the evening, her first sighting since Christian's shock arrest in connection with a domestic violence incident involving their son last week. Despite navigating her marital woes and having to file a request for a restraining order against her estranged spouse, Christine appeared in high spirits as she mingled with other attendees. Christine Quinn has made her first appearance since filing for a restraining order against her husband Christian Richards, as she attended a Xerjoff Perfume event on Wednesday Richard, was arrested twice last week in the span of 24 hours, the first time being after it was claimed he threw a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead The star was reunited with Selling Sunset stars Nicole Young and Davina Potratz as they posed for snaps at the event. This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since Christian was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week. According to new court documents, Christine claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile, according to Us Weekly. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled it at her. 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house.' It was previously claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard is now alleging the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings - with the entrepreneur denying hitting their son, per TMZ. Earlier this week, Richard filed his own request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained. Showing off her incredible figure, Christine posed up a storm in a sparkly nude gown with a daring thigh-high split At the event, Christine was joined by Selling Sunset alumni Nicole Young, who slipped into a black lace gown The pair also posed for snaps with fellow show alumni Davina Potratz, as Christine brushed off her recent marital woes He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs. Richard claims when he went to confront Quinn about he found her in their bedroom with cleaning supplies and other items 'strewn about all over.' He says he became angry and picked up a trash bag on the ground - which he claims was full of soiled rags and paper towels - and threw it against a wall. Richard denies throwing the bag at Quinn and denies hitting their young son, while also denying the bag was filled with glass. He says this information was relayed to Quinn by police. After the bag was thrown Richard claims he tried to escort his son away from the scene but claims Quinn grabbed their son and holed in another room in the house. Richard says police came in with guns raised and arrested him over 'lies' Quinn had told them. He further claims Quinn filed a false police report and 'fabricated' domestic violence allegations against him to use as leverage in a potential divorce and custody battle. Richard claims Quinn wants to 'embarrass him' which is why she called police. A judge has yet to approve his request for the TRO. DailyMail.com has contacted Christine Quinn's representatives for comment. The update comes amid reports that Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Richard is kept far away from her and their son. The 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. Additionally, sources claimed that the reality star is planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce. This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since her ex was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week According to new court documents Christine claims that after she called Christian out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile 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 TV personality 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. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled the poop at her 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house' (pictured in 2021 with one of her beloved pups) 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. It was claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard alleges the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings; seen December 2022 in France '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 last Tuesday 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. Richard has filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies; seen in June 2023 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 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 blonde 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. Sir Mick Jagger proved he is still king of the dancefloor as he flaunted his iconic dance moves during the Mustique Blues Festival in the Caribbean. Sharing a clip to Instagram on Wednesday, the Rolling Stones frontman, 80, left his fans stunned with his enthusiastic dancing. As a blues band got the crowd off their seats with Maroon 5's hit Moves Like Jagger, which was written about the rocker's legendary moves. However, not everyone was impressed by his antics, as his son Lucas spotted the video and questioned: 'Dadda who put you up to this?' Mick could be seen waving to the phone before grabbing his crotch and wiggling his leg in the air, before dropping down to the floor. Sir Mick Jagger proved he is still king of the dancefloor as he flaunted his iconic dance moves during the Mustique Blues Festival in the Caribbean Sharing a clip to Instagram on Wednesday, the Rolling Stones frontman, 80, left his fans stunned with his enthusiastic dancing Wearing a blue and white patterned shirt and a pair of black trousers, Mick struggled to contain his excitement when the tune blared from the beach speakers. Jumping up from his table, Mick screamed in excitement and waved his hands in the air as he stepped aside from the crowd on the dance floor. Appearing in high spirits and proving age is just a number, the singing sensation smiled as he walked off his burst of the past. Nodding to his legendary status as an 80s dancing heartthrob, Mick captioned his post: 'Moves like who ! Music by Splash' Following his post, fans from across the world rushed to his comments to share their admiration. Writing: 'You are unique Mick, there will never be another like you, legend!'; 'Still grounded after all these years of huge success', 'So true. No one will be like him'; 'Always fun funny and adorable'; 'this is the absolute cutest! AHHH! I AM IN LOVE!' 'I love mick he is absolutely the best pure happiness in a human let's all dance! ;'Are you just like out in the WILD?!? For God's sake, you're Mick Jagger!!' As a blues band got the crowd off their seats with Maroon 5's hit Moves Like Jagger, Mick grabbed his crotch and wiggled his leg in the air to perfect his legendary move However, not everyone was impressed by his antics, as his son Lucas spotted the video and questioned: 'Dadda who put you up to this?' The rocker could be seen waving to the phone before grabbing his crotch and wiggling his leg in the air, before dropping down to the floor Mick has been a fan of the song since its 2011 release, he previously told the BBC that the track was 'very flattering' and 'hilarious'. He also told The Sun: 'I wish I had written it. But wouldn't that be weird? It's not really like a Maroon 5 song, so they're probably as surprised by the success of it as I am. It's very catchy. It's funny. Only thing is, it puts pressure on me when I go out dancing!' Mick's performance comes after a few weeks of travelling around the globe with his loved ones. He has had his fans in awe over the past few months as he shared pictures from his travels in Italy, India, Caribbean and Germany. Mick has been travelling around the islands for weeks as earlier this month, he shared a gallery of Instagram snaps with fans from his trip to the Grenadines. Mick cut a casual figure in a grey t-shirt and white shorts as he explored the 'Island Of The Clouds' in Arawak. He kept his look practical with a pair of black Nike trainers and a cream cap as he posed outside a tropical boozer and an abandoned house. The rocking icon paired his casual look with a lilac zip-up jacket and a pair of black-out sunglasses. Following his post, fans from across the world rushed to his comments to share their admiration Mick has been travelling around the islands for weeks as earlier this month, he shared a gallery of Instagram snaps with fans from his trip to the Grenadines He captioned the post: 'Exploring a small island in the Grenadines called Bequia which means 'Island of the clouds' in Arawak'. In another snap, the musician posed confidently on the side of a street walk, which was covered in art graffiti. Mick appeared in high spirits as he basked in the sun while exploring the exotic island. The Grenadines is a chain of small islands that lie on a line between the larger islands of Saint Vincent and Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. They're known for yacht-filled harbors and sailing spots like the reef-lined island of Bequia, with secluded Princess Margaret Beach and the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. She's an accomplished actress, screenwriter and novelist, but it seems a complete career change could be on the horizon. Ruth Jones has said she wants to retrain as a wedding registrar at the age of 57 as she'd like to make ceremonies 'more enjoyable' for people tying the knot. Following in the footsteps of Jools Oliver, who is training to become a midwife, and Kate Silverton who left broadcast journalism to become a child therapist, Ms Jones, who shot to fame as gobby Nessa in BB hit Gavin & Stacey, is keen to branch out into a new industry. 'At one point, I was going to be a solicitor, but now I'd like to be a registrar, and I've been thinking a lot about actually doing it,' she told Good Housekeeping magazine. 'I love weddings, but I've been to so many where the registrar has talked in a monotone voice throughout and hasn't looked up once - and it's such a shame because it's someone's big day. Ruth Jones has said she wants to retrain as a wedding registrar at the age of 57 as she'd like to make ceremonies 'more enjoyable' for people tying the knot Ms Jones, who shot to fame as gobby Nessa in BB hit Gavin & Stacey, is keen to branch out into a new industry 'I'd love to be able to make those experiences more enjoyable for people.' But Ms Jones, who is married to producer David Peet, might not have much time for her training as she's starring in West End show Sister Act while writing her fourth novel. She has played down, however, rumours of writing a special episode of Gavin & Stacey, branding it 'all nonsense'. 'I'd love to star in another comedy drama. I want to write a film and I want to keep writing novels - I've just finished the first draft of my fourth book, which will probably come out next year,' she said. 'I want to learn to play the piano, too.' The Welsh star, who stars as the Mother Superior at London's Dominion Theatre, said she never thought she'd do theatre again after appearing in William Gaminara's The Nightingales in 2018 left her 'stressed out' by nerves. 'I honestly never thought I'd be starring in a West End musical,' she said. 'The last time I did a play was in 2018, and I got so stressed out by the nerves of going on stage that I thought, 'I can never do theatre again.' Ms Jones pictured with her producer husband David Peet But Ms Jones might not have much time for her training as she's starring in West End show Sister Act while writing her fourth novel Read the full interview in Good Housekeepings May issue, on sale from the 28th March 'Fortunately, the producers were really kind and gentle - and they ended up talking me into it. 'It's been a really good lesson in not putting limits on myself and not letting fear hold me back.' Mrs Oliver, the wife of celebrity chef Jamie, recently revealed that she was midway through her training to become a midwife at the age of 49. 'Everyone said, 'There's still time, this is the time you do it'. It's been two years now, it should have been done in a year, this is very me,' she said. Read the full interview in Good Housekeepings May issue, on sale from the 28th March. Ruth Jones stars in Sister Act: The Musical at Londons Dominion Theatre until 8 June; sisteractthemusical.co.uk In this April 8, 2008 file photo Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., addresses the Vets For Freedomon Capitol Hill in Washington. A Republican official tells The Associated Press that Lieberman will be speaking at the Republican National Convention. The GOP official said Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, that Lieberman would deliver a speech as Republicans gathered in St. Paul to nominate John McCain for president. The official requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to make an announcement. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Jose Luis Magana/ASSOCIATED PRESS Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn, center, speaks as he is joined by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., left, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., right, while telling reporters about the Senate's work to pass the economic stimulus bill in the face of strong GOP opposition, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite/AP Gov. Ned Lamont announced that "as a mark of solemn respect for the memory and longstanding service of former U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman," that flags would be lowered from sunrise to sunset on the day of Lieberman's funeral scheduled for Friday, March 29, according to a release. The last time Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags to half-staff was in December, following a proclamation from President Joe Biden that flags nationwide should be to honor U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Earlier that month, flags were lowered to half-staff on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre, and for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Lamont ran against and lost to Lieberman in 2006 for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Lowell P. Wieicker. Why are flags lowered to half staff? When the U.S. flag is lowered to the half point of the mast its at half staff. According to the American Flagpole and Flag Company, the flag needs to be elevated to the peak of the mast before it is lowered to the half-staff position. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to USA.gov, flags are lowered to half-staff or half-mast on a ship following the death of a government official, military member, or emergency first responder, or in honor of a national tragedy or another day of remembrance. Only the president or a governor may order flags to be flown at half-staff. Additionally, every year flags around the country are placed in half-staff during Memorial Day, Patriot Day, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, National Firefighters Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. How long are flags half staffed? The duration of time at which flags are flown at half staff depends on the nature of the reason and is determined by the governor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It may be as short a time as from sundown to sunset or far longer, as following the death of former Weicker, when flags in Connecticut remained at half staff from June 28 to July 10. Lisa Rinna displayed her smooth visage as she attended the star-studded Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists bash held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA on Wednesday night. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 60, showed off her taut complexion and plump pout as she posed at the event. She opted to wear a quirky black ensemble that had a cropped shirt style top worn over a revealing white corset. The black satin material then continued into a midi skirt worn over matching trousers and teamed with pointy heels. She wore her dark tresses in cropped tresses and opted for a fairly natural makeup look along with a light pink lip. Lisa Rinna displayed her smooth visage as she attended the star-studded Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists bash held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA on Wednesday night The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 60, showed off her taut complexion and plump pout as she posed at the event The event also attracted the likes of stars Demi Moore, Hunter Schafer and Glen Powell. Lisa famously emailed a resignation letter to her bosses at The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in September 2022 and, 18 months later, she has confirmed she still has no plans on returning to the hit Bravo reality show. 'No. Never. No I wouldn't,' the 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. '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.' She opted to wear a quirky black ensemble that had a cropped shirt style top worn over a revealing white corset The black satin material then continued into a midi skirt worn over matching trousers and teamed with pointy heels (L-R) Glen Powell, Elisabeth Deutschman Rabishaw, EVP & Publisher at The Hollywood Reporter, Maer Roshan, Co-Editor-in-Chief at The Hollywood Reporter and Lisa She wore her dark tresses in cropped tresses and opted for a fairly natural makeup look along with a light pink lip (seen with Danyul Brown) 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. Danyul Brown, Lisa Rinna and Erica Cloud attended the event and all posed for a snap together inside Lisa chatted away to the other guests at the party and enjoyed a drink She turned heads in the black outfit which she wore with a white corset-style top that showed off her assets '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, 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 Saldana cut chic figure on Wednesday as she and her husband Marco Perego arrived at the Greenwich Hotel in New York City. The actress, 45, opted for a comfy yet trendy look, sporting oversized blue jeans and a plain black T-shirt. The Avatar star layered over a camel-coloured suede jacket and added a pair of white platform trainers. Zoe completed her understated look by scraping her dark hair back in a messy bun and donning a pair of tinted glasses. She cosied up to Marco, 44, who gallantly carried his wife's handbag for her, as well as his backpack. Zoe Saldana cut chic figure on Wednesday as she and her husband Marco Perego arrived at the Greenwich Hotel in New York City The actress, 45, opted for a comfy yet trendy look, sporting oversized blue jeans and a plain black T-shirt The Avatar star layered over a camel-coloured suede jacket and added a pair of white platform trainers The Italian director looked handsome, wearing similar jeans to Zoe, teamed with a zebra patterned T-shirt and black leather jacket. Zoe graciously gave out autographs to her waiting fans, before her husband wrapped an arm around her and sweetly guided her inside the hotel. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 2013 after falling head over heels for one another earlier that same year. Zoe previously recalled meeting Marco at an airport and described how it was love at first sight. Speaking to USA Today, she gushed: 'I just saw him from behind. It was 6:30 in the morning, I was on a flight to New York. 'And I can't even describe to you, it was a vibration. He turned in that moment, because he felt the vibration as well.' Although they did not become romantic until 2013, Zoe knew of Marco years before because she was a fan of his artwork. The Guardians of the Galaxy star told THR in 2014: 'I've known my partner for five years. I knew of his work. I knew of him. Then we met.' Zoe completed her understated look by scraping her dark hair back in a messy bun and donning a pair of tinted glasses She cosied up to Marco, 44, who gallantly carried his wife's handbag for her, looking handsome looked in a zebra patterned T-shirt and black leather jacket Zoe graciously gave out autographs to her waiting fans, before her husband wrapped an arm around her and sweetly guided her inside the hotel Zoe explained that her and Marco were both opposed to the idea of marriage before meeting one another, but after falling in love they changed their minds. She said: 'As soon as we decided we were going to get married, we didn't wait. We did it three weeks later. That part was very, very quick.' The couple went on to welcome three sons together, twins Cy and Bowie, nine, and seven-year-old Zen. They are raising the boys to speak Italian, Spanish and English, as Marco is Italian and Zoe is of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. In October, Zoe opened up about rewarding and challenging being a parent is, telling People: 'We are here to set very big tones for them in life on how to be, how to react, how to regulate, how to repair, how to heal, how to stand up for yourself. 'So they're going to be constantly mirroring what you do, knowing that you're being observed at all times. It definitely makes you a lot more mindful than you have ever been in your whole entire life.' She added that her and Marco are also raising their three boys to respect and honor women and to also embrace their own feminine sides. She explained: 'We're very hard on our boys the same way we're hard on women. And boys are encouraged to be strong and to suppress their emotions. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 2013 after falling head over heels for one another earlier that same year (pictured in December) The couple went on to welcome three sons together, twins Cy and Bowie, nine, and seven-year-old Zen (pictured) She previously explained that her and Marco are also raising their three boys to respect and honor women and to also embrace their own feminine sides 'And then once you learn to do that so much for so long, you become completely excommunicated from your feelings. 'We definitely understood the assignments and accepted it knowing that we were raising boys during a time when women's movements are so important.' Zoe also previously revealed to TODAY that she is raising her children in a 'gender-fluid environment' and that she's happy being a boy mum. Wwhen asked if she hoped to have a daughter someday, she confessed: 'I can't really picture myself with anything else. '[Marco and I's] mission is to raise decent, amazing, compassionate men who will then pick partners whether they're females or males that will pick partners and hopefully I'll get to have the daughters later (as a grandmother).' The movie star and her family recently bought and moved into a $17.5 million mansion in the Montecito, California. Their neighborhood is also home to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Naga Munchetty playfully took a swipe at her co-star Carol Kirkwood during Thursday's BBC Breakfast. The newsreader, 49, claimed the meteorologist, 61, was 'of no importance' after Carol made an awkward on air blunder. After wrapping her weather segment, she handed back over to Naga and Ben Thompson in the studio but appeared to forget Naga's name. Signing off, Carol said: 'Ben and....' and paused for a while before adding: 'Naga!' 'Oh you remembered... Well done!' Naga joked. Naga Munchetty playfully took a swipe at her co-star Carol Kirkwood during Thursday's BBC Breakfast (pictured with ben Thompson) The newsreader, 49, claimed the meteorologist, 61, was 'of no importance' after Carol made an awkward blunder Carol responded: 'How could I forget?" Naga turned to Ben Thompson and added: 'She's of no importance Ben, she's of none, she's just the showgirl. 'Write in on your hand next time Carol. Write it on your hand it always helps,' she joked. Carol laughed: 'If only my eyesight was better I could write it on the screen in front of me. 'I thought you were going to say if only you can write,' Naga savagely hit back. Ben joked: 'We will have to keep you two apart!' Earlier this week Naga gave an insight into her gruelling morning routine before she heads to work at BBC Breakfast. The TV presenter and radio host has revealed she sets her 'stupidly early' alarm for 3:45am, to head into the BBC studios for 4:50am. Signing off, Carol said: 'Ben and....' and paused for a while before adding: 'Naga!' Naga turned to Ben Thompson and added: 'She's of no importance Ben, she's of none, she's just the showgirl. Write in on your hand next time Carol!' And even on days where she is able to sleep in later than usual, Naga - who goes to bed around 10:30pm - naturally wakes up at 5:45am and does a full gym workout. If she's not presenting BBC Breakfast, Naga is a presenter for BBC Radio 5 Monday to Wednesday. Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, she said: 'Three days a week I get up stupidly early. My first alarm is at 3.45 and Im in the BBC Breakfast studio by 4.50. On radio days I wake up naturally at 5.45, but Im a terrible prevaricator. 'Monday to Wednesday I whack my dressing gown on, check the news sites and do some life admin before 45 minutes of running or weights. By 7.15 I'm home and in the shower.' Em Davies showed off her blossoming baby bump as she revealed she has marked 19 weeks of pregnancy. The Perth-based influencer, 28, took to her Instagram Stories to share a whole host of pictures and videos as she tried on an array of chic ensembles. Em, who is expecting her first child with her fiance Joel Gambin, showed off her growing bump in a stylish pink co-ord set. Em wore a baby pink bralet along with striped shorts and a matching shirt worn open to give a flash of her growing stomach as she snapped a mirror selfie. In another video, Em also revealed that she has marked 19 weeks of pregnancy and excitedly shared that she felt her baby girl kick for the first time. Em Davies showed off her blossoming baby bump as she revealed she has marked 19 weeks of pregnancy She lovingly cradled her bump as she sported a brown unitard and gave fans an insight into her pregnancy journey. She shared: 'This is my 19-week bump date, she is growing strong! Baby is currently the size of a pineapple or a rabbit. 19 weeks is a good week for me because I felt her kick.' In another post, Em sported a cropped white vest top, styled with low-rise washed out jeans, and wrote in a caption: 'It's giving "sweat pants are all that fits me right now".' It comes after Em hosted a lavish gender reveal party with her family and friends earlier this month, sharing footage from the occasion to Instagram. She cut a glamorous figure in a gold satin gown as she and her fiance Joel discovered they were having a baby girl in an adorable reveal. The Perth -based influencer, 28, took to her Instagram Stories to share a whole host of pictures and videos as she tried on an array of chic ensembles, including a stylish pink co-ord set In another post, Em - who is expecting a baby girl wit her fiance Joel Gambin - sported a cropped white vest top, styled with washed out jeans as she flashed her growing baby bump The video showed Em popping a black balloon and shouting with delight as pink confetti rained down on her and Joel, confirming they are set to welcome a daughter later this year. In February, Em and Joel revealed that they are expecting their first child together and shared the exciting news to Instagram with a loved-up video. The sweet footage began with a clip of the overjoyed couple sharing a kiss before Joel lovingly rubbed her stomach. It then cut to their ultrasound photograph as they shared their exciting baby news with their followers. 'The universe said we had a plan. Baby Gambin en route. Happy anniversary to us,' she wrote alongside the video. It comes after Em hosted a lavish gender reveal party with her family and friends earlier this month, sharing footage of herself and Joel from the occasion to her Instagram A video showed Em popping a black balloon and shouting with delight as pink confetti rained down on her and Joel, confirming they are set to welcome a daughter later this year The couple announced their engagement in March last year after Joel popped the question in New York after two years of dating. Last month, Em confirmed the exact day she and Joel will be tying the knot as she gave an insight to their wedding plans. She posted a sweet throwback photograph of Joel's romantic proposal and teased their upcoming wedding date in a caption. 'One year today until I marry my best friend,' she captioned the post, confirming they will be exchanging vows on February 22, 2025. Liberty Poole was spotted arriving back at her hotel in last night's clothes after partying the night away at Love Island co-star Molly Smith's fashion launch. The reality personality, 24, was pictured giggling on the phone as she returned the next morning, after she was spotted looking cosy with Adam Maxted at the event. Liberty was wearing the same red crop top and mini skirt she had been wearing at the Boohoo event as they partied with their pals at Fenix in Manchester. During the evening, Liberty sparked romance rumours with Adam, 32, who recently split from their co-star Arabella Chi. According to The Sun, they were seen looking close at the party before leaving the venue together and heading to Adam's pad in the city. Liberty Poole was spotted arriving back at her hotel in last night's clothes after partying the night away at Love Island co-star Molly Smith 's fashion launch The reality personality, 24, was pictured giggling on the phone as she returned the next morning, after she was spotted looking cosy with Adam Maxted at the event During the evening, Liberty sparked romance rumours with Adam, 32, who recently split from their co-star Arabella Chi Liberty was wearing the same red crop top and mini skirt she had been wearing at the Boohoo event as they partied with their pals at Fenix in Manchester While they both appeared in the All Stars series, Adam and Liberty didn't cross paths in the villa, as she left before he arrived as a bombshell. An insider said: 'Liberty and Adam got on like a house on fire. They were flirting all night and really enjoying each other's company. 'They left Molly's Boohoo launch together and headed back to Adam's new place together.' Liberty left the show when she was dumped alongside her partner Mitch Taylor, after they failed to find romance together on the show. Adam entered and immediately made eyes at Arabella, but despite originally hitting it off they split weeks after leaving the show. They didn't manage to see each other on the outside and decided they would be better off as friends. A source close to Adam said: 'They genuinely tried to make it work but every time they arranged to meet up, work got in the way. They're going to stay friends.' Arabella was in attendance at the bash, however there appears to be no bad blood behind them as they happily chatted and partied together. Liberty walked up the stairs into the venue Liberty was still wearing her red boots and red bag Adam was later seen arriving at the same hotel wearing a black and green tracksuit Liberty was later seen leaving the hotel after changing into a black gym ensemble After celebrating Love Island winner Molly's success with their pals at the event, Liberty and Adam were seen leaving the venue together. The following morning, Liberty was spotted the moment she arrived back at her hotel, while seemingly regaling the tale to her pal on the phone. Adam was later seen walking towards the hotel wearing a black and neon green tracksuit, while refuelling by drinking a can of Monster energy drink. It is unclear if he was dropping by to see Liberty, however she was seen leaving the hotel on her own after changing into a black gym ensemble and trainers. It came following the news that Arabella has also apparently moved on from her brief fling with Adam, as she was seen with Sheffield United midfielder Vinicius Souza. When Liberty arrived in the villa she discovered that she would be spending time with her ex Jake Cornish, who also entered in the original line-up. However, Jake left the show just days in and she later found romance with Mitch, however the two failed to click and they eventually called it quits. She later said: 'At first we had this instant connection and it was really nice as we both fancied each other, but in the end we just couldn't agree on certain things so we had to part ways. 'Being with Mitch was like being with sunshine, rain and wind all in one. There is no bad blood between us though.' According to The Sun , they were seen looking close at the party before leaving the venue together and heading to Adam's pad in the city While they both appeared in the All Stars series, Adam and Liberty didn't cross paths in the villa, as she left before he arrived as a bombshell Adam entered and immediately made eyes at Arabella, but despite originally hitting it off they split weeks after leaving the show Liberty left the show when she was dumped alongside her partner Mitch Taylor, after they failed to find romance together on the show Liberty's co-stars Hannah Elizabeth, Demi Jones and Arabella Chi were also spotted at the same hotel as her, as they checked out following their stay. The girls all hugged goodbye as they checked out of their hotel and went their separate ways following a night of celebrations. Demi looked cosy in a pale pink tracksuit, while she wore her auburn locks clipped up and opted for minimal natural make-up. Meanwhile, Hannah flashed her toned tummy in a cream crop top, which she styled with a pair of grey yoga pants. Arabella looked chic in a cream coat which was tied around her waist, over a neutral jumper and a pair of comfy grey joggers. Liberty's co-stars Hannah Elizabeth, Demi Jones and Arabella Chi were also spotted at the same hotel as her, as they checked out following their stay The girls all hugged goodbye as they checked out of their hotel and went their separate ways following a night of celebrations Meanwhile, Hannah flashed her toned tummy in a cream crop top, which she styled with a pair of grey yoga pants Arabella looked chic in a cream coat which was tied around her waist, over a neutral jumper and a pair of comfy grey joggers It was a big night out for the girls, who had all been in attendance at the same Boohoo event hours earlier. Molly appeared to be in high spirits as she walked hand in hand with boyfriend Tom ahead of the launch party. She was revealed as the new Boohoo ambassador for 2024 on Tuesday, after bagging the brand's most lucrative deal yet. The reality star looked incredible as she showcased her jaw dropping figure in a red mesh lace creation, before changing into her cleavage boosting yellow party dress. During the evening, the TV personality almost suffered a wardrobe malfunction while celebrating the launch of her new collaboration with the online retailer. After switching into a yellow mini-dress, Molly struggled to contain her assets as she let her hair down at the popular Greek bar-restaurant. The blonde reality star was joined by a slew of ex-Islanders, including Sophie Piper, her ex-boyfriend Callum Jones and Liberty, Hannah, Demi and Arabella. New Real Housewives Of Cheshire cast-member Eleanor Egar also joined the raucous party as it wore on late into the evening. Molly appeared to be in high spirits as she walked hand in hand with boyfriend Tom ahead of the launch party The reality star looked incredible as she showcased her jaw dropping figure in a red mesh lace creation, before changing into her cleavage boosting yellow party dress Cat Deeley suffered an embarrassing wardrobe blunder during Thursday's episode of This Morning. The presenter, 47, appeared on screen wearing a pair of brown floral printed flared trousers, with her co-host Ben Shephard comparing her to 'an old sofa.' Speaking ahead of her show, Lorraine cut to the This Morning studio to ask what they had coming up. Ben joked: 'Can we just enjoy the extraordinariness of Cat Deeley's trousers today? She's gone into her mum's caravan and nicked the curtains!' 'That's so rude, we're not making Sound of Music, you know!' she hit back. Cat Deeley, 47, suffered an embarrassing wardrobe blunder during Thursday's episode of This Morning The presenter appeared on screen wearing a pair of brown floral printed flared trousers, with her co-host Ben Shephard comparing her to 'an old sofa' 'We could, though!' Ben responded. Later on Ben took the opportunity to compare Cat's trousers to a sofa, with some viewers agreeing. Fans shared to X: 'Today, Cat is styled by Plumbs Stretch Covers'; 'Sack the stylist. Cat's outfit is horrendous'; 'Hahaha who had a sofa like that?' Cat's new role on This Morning come after she decided to return to the UK after her husband and son were caught up in a gun scare. The TV star moved to the US more than a decade ago and has carved out a successful presenting career over there, fronting hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance? But she has returned home to front ITV's This Morning alongside Ben after the magazine show underwent a presenter shakeup following the departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. And now, the The Sun on Sunday has discovered that the gun incident her husband Patrick Kielty, 53, and Milo, eight, were caught up in was done at the hands of ex-Amazon employee Nicholas Oates who pointed a gun at staff at a mall in Century City, LA. Cat's husband and son were having a burger at Shake Shack when the incident unfolded and she raced to the scene. Ben joked: 'Can we just enjoy the extraordinariness of Cat Deeley's trousers today? She's gone into her mum's caravan and nicked the curtains!' 'That's so rude, we're not making Sound of Music, you know!' she hit back Later on Ben took the opportunity to compare Cat's trousers to a sofa, with some viewers agreeing The former Stars in Their Eyes host previously recounted that everyone was told to 'lie down' on the floor at the scene as she recalled seeing police and helicopters when she arrived. In a 2020 interview, she said: 'Everyone was told to lie behind the counter or pushed into the loos. People were screaming and crying. 'Then, as they were all hiding, the FBI turned up with guns. Paddy kept Milo calm he didn't really know what was going on.' On February 16, 2024, Cat and Ben were finally confirmed as the upcoming regulars to take over from Holly and Phil, nine months after the iconic duo were broken apart by Schofield's departure. It had been claimed that Cat was finally won round with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims - insisting it was the ability to spend more time with family which sealed the deal. The BBC has defended using AI instead of an actress to 'recreate a voice' for a dying person who is unable to talk in a forthcoming documentary. Sara Poyzer, who has performed as a lead actress in Mamma Mia, sparked concerns in the industry after she revealed that the BBC was using an AI voice instead of hers on a show. She posted on social media how she had been informed that she was no longer needed for a role as result of the technology. But this morning the BBC has moved to counter criticism of the decision, which has sparked concerns in the acting community. In a statement the corporation said it was making a 'highly sensitive' programme with a contributor who is 'unable to speak'. It added it had been working with the family on how to represent their voice 'when the words they have written are read out' at the end of the film. Sara Poyzer (pictured as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia) has dominated the West End for her performance as a lead actress in Mamma Mia for over ten years Yesterday she received an email from the corporation telling her she was no longer needed for a role The BBC said that in these 'very particular circumstances' and the 'family's wishes in mind' it had agreed to use AI 'for a brief section' to 'recreate a voice' that could no longer be heard. A spokesman said the use of the technology would be 'clearly labelled' in the film. A BBC spokesman said: 'We are making a highly sensitive documentary which features a contributor who is nearing the end of life and is now unable to speak. 'We have been working closely with their family to explore how we might best represent the contributor's voice at the end of the film when words they have written are read out. 'In these very particular circumstances and with the family's wishes in mind we have agreed to use AI for a brief section to recreate a voice which can now no longer be heard. This will be clearly labelled within the film.' Ms Poyzer has toured the world playing Donna Sheridan in the Mamma Mia musical for 11 years, and has had a successful career as an actress and voiceover artist. Most recently starring in Olivier award winning West End show Come From Away, she has been employed by the BBC for at least 20 years working on hit shows Doctors, EastEnders and The Archers. But earlier this week she received an email from the corporation telling her she was no longer needed for a role. The BBC have decided a robot can do her job better after replacing actress Sara Poyzer with Artificial Intelligence (File image) She was flooded with support with many industry professionals saying the same thing had happened to them too recently Posting a screenshot on her Twitter and Instagram, the email read: 'Sorry for the delay we have had the approval from the BBC to use the AI generated voice so we won't need Sara anymore.' Tagging the BBC and trade union Equity, Ms Poyzer captioned the photo 'sobering' with a sad face emoji. The Mail has learnt that the email was a response from a production company that was working with the BBC on a project hoping to hire Ms Poyzer. Ms Poyzer was waiting to hear back on whether it had been confirmed but was told they would be using AI instead. She commented on her post saying that the industry was in 'grim times'. The BBC's recently published principles on the use of AI state says: 'We will always prioritise talent and creativity - No technology can replicate or replace human creativity. 'We will always prioritise and prize authentic, human storytelling by reporters, writers and broadcasters who are the best in their fields. 'We will work with them to explore how they could use Generative AI to help them push new boundaries. Creators and suppliers play a vital role in our industry. The BBC will always consider the rights of artists and rights holders when using Generative AI.' Posting a screenshot on her Twitter and Instagram, the email read: 'Sorry for the delay we have had the approval from the BBC to use the AI generated voice so we won't need Sara anymore' Ms Poyzer was waiting to hear back on whether it had been confirmed but was told they would be using AI instead Ms Poyzer was flooded with support in the comments with many industry professionals saying the same thing had happened to them too recently. 'It's happened with myself and art projects many times now, sorry this has happened to you,' one person said. Another commented: 'Happening to all our industries. It's killing all our jobs. I saw an entire set which was AI the other day.' 'This is awful and so heartlessly put,' another said. Equity, the performing arts workers union, launched 'Stop AI Stealing The Show' in 2022- a campaign around performers' rights over Artificial Intelligence. The BBC covered and backed the campaign heavily discussing it on the likes of Front Row and BBC News. This week the BBC vowed to stop using AI to promote Doctor Who after receiving complaints from viewers. Voice Squad, a voiceover agency that works with Ms Poyzer said: 'We were very disappointed to receive the production company's response, particularly as it's a BBC project. 'The BBC have always stood for quality in their factual and drama broadcasting. As a voiceover agency we feel that AI is a danger to the whole industry removing work from artists who have trained for three years at drama-school and spent many years honing their craft. 'Voice artists are particularly skilled actors who deserve not to have their work devalued.' The BBC was contacted for comment, while Ms Poyzer declined to comment. Jenna Bush Hager has revealed that she's already had conversations about sex with her 10-year-old daughter, Mila, and lets her read 'young adult' novels because she would 'so much rather' her children 'learn about sex or drinking through books' instead of via the internet. The 42-year-old TV star is an avid reader and on Thursday's episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, she and her cohost, Hoda Kotb, were discussing Rebel Wilson's explosive new memoir and one particular chapter where she revealed that she lost her virginity at 35. As the two hosts praised Rebel for being so honest, Jenna said of navigating sex for the first time: 'It's so interesting, I feel like conversations about sex have changed so much since we were little. Mila's in fifth grade and one of the things that people have been surprised about is I let her read this book series called The Summer I Turned Pretty by my queen, Jenny Han, who is an incredible writer for young adults. 'She's obviously not a young adult, she's a kid, but I think people are like, "ugh you didn't censor, you let her...." First of all, I think everybody should just do them, but second of all - this is what I believe - I believe I would so much rather my kids learn about sex or drinking or whatever it is through books than through YouTube.' Jenna Bush Hager has revealed that she's already had conversations about sex with her 10-year-old daughter, Mila Jenna said that some people are 'surprised' that she let her oldest child read a young adult book series The 42-year-old made the comments during Thursday's episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna 'I would so much rather my kids read something and get to come to their mom's bedside and say, "Hey mom, I didn't quite get this," and me be able to help lead the conversation than her having influencers do that for her.' Hoda, 59, who is mom to two young daughters, agreed with Jenna: 'Good girl, preach! I like this, this is good.' Jenna continued: 'That's what I believe and I'm a daughter of a librarian so that's what we're having,' referring to her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush. 'Judy Blume was my guidance. I know Mila, I know what's appropriate for her and it's not appropriate for everybody and I get it. I'm not dictating everybody should read everything, that's not the way it is. And I'm not letting her read everything. 'One of the things that I have had the opportunity to talk to her about via this book... is about sex. It's so very different than when we were little and the thing I say to her is, "You are the chooser. If something doesn't feel right to you, don't do it."' Hoda replied: 'Right. And do you know how many kids probably - who are now adults - wish their mothers had had that conversation with them then? Because often girls are pleasers, they do things that don't feel right because they don't want to upset someone or they don't want to rock the boat, or they think everybody's doing it.' 'Or, the other end of the spectrum... there is shame around it,' Jenna added as the duo went on to praise Rebel again. 'Because she's right, not everything is perfect for everybody and for her to stand in her own truth and say, "Hey I wasn't ready until this age", and it not to be....' Hoda Kotb (left) agreed with Jenna's parenting comments and told her: 'This is good' Jenna explained that she would rather 'help lead the conversation' about sex than 'have influencers do that for her' Jenna and her husband, Henry, are parents to Mila, 10, Poppy, eight, and four-year-old son Hal Hoda added: 'That conversation comes up a lot when you are younger. I can imagine that it must have been kind of weird and isolating... because there is a point for all of us where you wonder, "Is it me? Do I not have anything to offer?" But wow, good for her.' In her new memoir, Rebel Rising, the actress explained that she divulged the detail about her sex life in the hopes that it would help young people because 'not everybody has to lose their virginity as a teenager.' 'People can wait till they're ready or wait till they're a bit more mature,' the Pitch Perfect star, 44, told People. 'You obviously don't have to wait until you're in your 30s like me, but you shouldn't feel pressure as a young person,' Rebel who said Sacha Baron Cohen asked her to strip added. In the past, she even lied about having had sex just to not have to talk about it. 'There was one vague time, I think I told my best friend, "Oh, yeah, I just did it to just get it over with when I was like 23,"' Wilson revealed. 'Just to really avoid the questions,' she explained. 'Normally I would just leave the room when the conversation was happening. 'And then the people that said, "Oh, at 24, it's so late." And then I'm sitting here thinking, "Oh my God, my number's 35. What the hell? I'm going to look like the biggest loser,"' she admitted. Hoda and Jenna praised Hollywood actress Rebel Wilson for her 'honest' new memoir In the upcoming book, Rebel reveals she didn't lose her virginity until she was 35 years old Rebel thinks the era she was born in had a lot to do with her being, in her own words, 'a late bloomer.' She explained that she thinks if she was born 20 years later, she would have felt more open to exploring her sexuality at a younger age. 'It's absolutely incredible, if I had been born 20 years later, I probably would've explored my sexuality more. I just knew I was attracted to men, and that was the normal thing," the Senior Year actress said. 'And so when I started opening myself up probably more after my father's death and realizing, oh, even though I'd seen marriage as a terrible thing and waste of time, I started opening myself up to that. 'And then only years later, meeting women and having feelings for a woman, and that, I just think it's a sign of where society kind of was.' The first trailer for the highly anticipated film Unfrosted dropped on Thursday. The Netflix movie stars comedy greats Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer and Melissa McCarthy with a smaller role from Hugh Grant. The drama is about the creation of the breakfast treat, the Pop-Tart, and it is set in the 1960s. Seinfeld is not only starring in the project, but he also wrote, directed and produced it. Also on the writing team were Spike Feresten and Barry Marder. The script was inspired by a joke Jerry later deconstructed in a piece for The New York Times. The release date in the US is May 3, 2024. The first trailer for Unfrosted dropped on Thursday. The Netflix movie stars Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer and Melissa McCarthy The drama is about the creation of the breakfast treat, the Pop-Tart, and it is set in the 1960s The comedian is also set to produce Unfrosted, a film he co-wrote with Spike Feresten and Barry Marder which was inspired by a joke he later deconstructed in a piece for The New York Times 'Stuck at home watching endless sad faces on TV I thought this would be a good time to make something based on pure silliness,' he told Deadline. 'So we took my Pop-Tart stand up bit from my last Netflix special and exploded it into a giant, crazy comedy movie.' Seinfeld's no stranger to the streaming giant as he signed a lucrative deal with Netflix in 2017 for his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series. His Jerry Before Seinfeld show and 23 Hours to Kill were also released on Netflix. Jerry recently made a global deal to stream his most famous work to date, his self-titled 30-minute sitcom Seinfeld, for five years beginning later this year. The fun retro-feel poster was also shared on Thursday; the movie comes out May 3 'Stuck at home watching endless sad faces on TV I thought this would be a good time to make something based on pure silliness,' he told Deadline Schumer looks elegantin red as she holds on to a martini Jim Gaffigan is seen on the far left with Amy in yellow sipping a martini Seinfeld's no stranger to the streaming giant as he signed a lucrative deal with Netflix in 2017 for his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series In the NYT video, Jerry briefly discussed his writing style and offered a glimpse into the process of creating the perfect joke. 'In comedy, what you do is you think of something that you think is funny and then you go from there,' he said. 'When I was a kid and they invented the Pop-Tart, the back of my head blew right off and that got the whole thing started. That specific part of my head blew off, not just my head but just the back.' He continued: 'It was the '60s and we had toast, we had orange juice that was frozen years in advance that you had to hack away at with a knife to get a couple of drops and it felt like you were committing a murder before you got on your school bus.' (l-r) Michael Richards as Cosmo Kramer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine Benes, Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry Seinfeld as Jerry Seinfeld He went on to talk about his least favorite breakfast foods and what spawned the idea for the questionable pastry. 'How did they know that there would be a need for a frosted fruit-filled heatable rectangle in the same shape as the box it comes in, and with the same nutrition as the box it comes in?' Seinfeld said at the time. 'In the midst of that darkness and hopelessness, the Kellog's Pop-Tart appears,' he said as he broke down how to present the joke for the best laughs. 'They can't go stale because they were never fresh,' he added. 'In my world- the wronger something feels, the righter it is. So to waste this much time on something this stupid, that felt good to me.' Rebel Wilson revealed the details behind her first-ever date with a woman - now fiancee Ramona Agruma - who invited her for lunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles back in 2021. 'I'm so nervous,' the Australian 44-year-old wrote in her memoir Rebel Rising - excerpted by People. 'I'm also worried that if Ramona and I do hit it off, I don't have much sexual experience with a woman. And I've only had time to read half of the Girl Sex 101 book.' Rebel (born Melanie Bownds) said they both 'tried to eat' at the five-star luxury hotel's restaurant but instead fled to the bathroom for a steamy make-out session. 'We instead opt to go to the bathroom and make out,' Wilson wrote. Rebel Wilson (L, pictured February 10) revealed the details behind her first-ever date with a woman - now fiancee Ramona Agruma (R) - who invited her for lunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles back in 2021 The Australian 44-year-old wrote in her memoir Rebel Rising: 'I'm so nervous. I'm also worried that if Ramona and I do hit it off, I don't have much sexual experience with a woman. And I've only had time to read half of the Girl Sex 101 book' '"I think you need to come back to my house," I say. I've never just invited someone straight back home, but I'm only in LA for the week. I take her to my bedroom. We just... connect. It feels beautiful.' It was Australian actor Hugh Sheridan who first suggested the SAG Award nominee date the Latvian-born 40-year-old after 'it never quite seemed to work out with me and these dudes' (like her ex-fiance Jacob Busch) and they all attended a Christmas party together on November 29, 2021. Rebel later used their first selfie from that party to confirm she was dating Ramona via Instagram on June 9, 2022 after The Sydney Morning Herald threatened to out her. Ironically, it was three months after the lesbian couple had very publicly walked the Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet together on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills. 'We hold hands in front of all of Hollywood,' Wilson gushed. The Pitch Perfect alum and Agruma went on to welcome their 16-month-old daughter Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson via surrogate in November 2022. Three months later, Rebel and the Lemon Limon founder took a trip to Disneyland, and she surprised her with a proposal in their Anaheim hotel room on Valentine's Day. 'Ramona sees the pastel rose petals all over the ground and the roses in vases,' Wilson wrote. Rebel (born Melanie Bownds) said they both 'tried to eat' at the five-star luxury hotel's restaurant but instead fled to the bathroom for a steamy make-out session Wilson (pictured Wednesday) wrote: 'We instead opt to go to the bathroom and make out. "I think you need to come back to my house," I say. I've never just invited someone straight back home, but I'm only in LA for the week. I take her to my bedroom. We just... connect. It feels beautiful' It was Australian actor Hugh Sheridan (R) who first suggested the SAG Award nominee date the Latvian-born 40-year-old after 'it never quite seemed to work out with me and these dudes' (like her ex-fiance Jacob Busch) and they all attended a Christmas party together on November 29, 2021 Rebel later used their first selfie from that party to confirm she was dating Ramona via Instagram on June 9, 2022 after The Sydney Morning Herald threatened to out her Ironically, it was three months after the lesbian couple had very publicly walked the Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet together on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills 'We hold hands in front of all of Hollywood,' Wilson gushed The Pitch Perfect alum and Agruma went on to welcome their 16-month-old daughter Royce Lillian Elizabeth Wilson (pictured November 6) via surrogate in November 2022 Three months later, Rebel and the Lemon Limon founder took a trip to Disneyland, and she surprised her with a proposal in their Anaheim hotel room on Valentine's Day (pictured February 19) Wilson wrote: 'Ramona sees the pastel rose petals all over the ground and the roses in vases. I tell her how special she is to me. And then I get down on one knee and open the ring box. I end with "So in this cliche way, on this cliche day, Ramona Agruma, will you marry me?" "Yes," she says through the tears streaming down her face' On Wednesday, the blonde funnywoman took to TikTok to make a 'public service announcement' about her losing her virginity at age 35 Rebel - who boasts 16.9M social media followers - said: 'I just want to say to everyone out there, it really does not matter what age you lose your virginity at. All that matters is you're ready' Wilson's 336-page autobiography Rebel Rising: A Memoir hits shelves next Tuesday, and she'll appear at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan next Wednesday for a reading event Rebel's upcoming films include Simon West's spy comedy Bride Hard (pictured August 15), JK Youn's road trip comedy K-Pop: Lost in America, and Timothy Scott Bogart's Verona musical based on Romeo & Juliet 'I tell her how special she is to me. And then I get down on one knee and open the ring box. I end with "So in this cliche way, on this cliche day, Ramona Agruma, will you marry me?" "Yes," she says through the tears streaming down her face.' On Wednesday, the blonde funnywoman took to TikTok to make a 'public service announcement' about her losing her virginity at age 35. 'I just want to say to everyone out there, it really does not matter what age you lose your virginity at,' Rebel - who boasts 16.9M social media followers - said. 'All that matters is you're ready.' Wilson's 336-page autobiography Rebel Rising: A Memoir hits shelves next Tuesday, and she'll appear at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan next Wednesday for a reading event. Rebel's upcoming films include Simon West's spy comedy Bride Hard, JK Youn's road trip comedy K-Pop: Lost in America, and Timothy Scott Bogart's Verona musical based on Romeo & Juliet. Wilson will also make her feature directorial debut with the Australian-set musical comedy The Deb, in which she stars as Janette. Neapolitan-style pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napolentana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Pizza being made at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Connecticut, as this column seeks to illuminate every month, has one of the most compelling and truly diverse restaurant industries in the country. We have fine dining and fresh seafood, bagel shops, 80-year-old hot dog stands, dishes and flavors of other continents brought to our communities with such commonality theyre taken for granted. Gazmir making pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napolentana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Our most common touchstone as Connecticut foodies is New Haven apizza, now a national brand with outposts from London to California, and a tourism industry triangulated on Wooster Street. Most people locals and tourists are the same here have one of two thoughts about Wooster Street: Pepes or Sallys, but most of life exists outside the narrow focus of tunnel vision. One outlier is Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana, a pizza place on Wooster Street, if you can believe it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucino Napoletano in New Haven on Sept. 2, 2021. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media I saw lines already out the doors at Zenelis rightly sainted neighbors early on a Monday evening before walking up and seating myself at the bar with no host or preamble. No crowd at all. For most people on the pizza street, it was just...there. Part of this is name recognition. Zeneli is not New Haven pizza, despite its location, and was never intended to be. It has a spiritual and edible connection to pizzas origin story in Naples, Italy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jeshar, the cheesecake of the family (l) and Gazmir, the master Pizzaiolo (r) at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napolentana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Im immediately greeted by Aleko, one of the four Zeneli brothers, and take a look around, sipping a crisp and zippy Menabrea blonde lager made in Biella, Italy, and feeling well protected at a bar overhung with the apotropaic magic wards of the evil eye, horseshoe and Italian cornicello horn for good luck. I order the Bufala mozzarella salad, which turns out to contain their life story. Hot pizza ay Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napolentana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media In 1991 when communism fell in Albania, so many people were now free to leave and make a better life, Jeshar tells me later. People said go to Greece or Germany, but we chose Italy, and lived in Naples for 23 years. We learned everything there: I learned how to make cheese, my brother Gazmir learned how to make pizza. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aleko is the people person, Mr. Front Of The House, according to Jeshar. Their brother Jetmir remains in Italy raising buffalo for dairy just outside Naples in the town of Caserta, specifically to make this type of cheese. Margherita pizzas ready for the oven at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media The salad is sharp and bitter at first, the arugula treated to simple lemon juice and olive oil dressing with smattering of cherry tomatoes and the enticing little sphere of mozzarella. The cheese is excellent, retaining the sweetness of fresh milk, a bit of salt, and served slightly golden with olive oil. Its what youll also find on their pizza, calzones and topping a plate of fresh gnocchi. Jeshar still makes all the cheese for the restaurant: Buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, even scamorza barely keeping up with demand. Gazmir Zenelli, right, with his brother Jeshar Zeneli, center, co-owners with their brother Aleko Zeneli (not in photo), and employee and pizza maker Marco Mazzomi, left, shows off his Queen Margherita pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven at Zeneli's Pizzeria & Cucina Napoletana on Wooster Street in New Haven Thursday. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media Brothers Aleko and Jeshar chat with each other in Albanian and guests in English and Italian. A hand-drawn mural of the brothers journey to America decorates one wall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Zeneli began when Jeshar was invited to help a local company make mozzarella. My brothers came to visit me here from New York. We saw Wooster Street, and the building hadnt been occupied for years because everyone was afraid to open a place this close to Sallys and Pepes, Jeshar says. Everyone said to us, Another pizza place on Wooster Street, are you crazy? We said, 'yes.' You have to be a little crazy to do this, but we do something very different: an authentic Neapolitan pie. The wood-fired pizza oven was designed and built by the brothers who run Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Gazmir Zeneli had previously won first place at the global Caputo Cup for his Neapolitan pie at Rossopomodoro, the pizza shop inside Eataly in New York. Luck had played a part in their travels, but skill had made them a success, and they believed it would work, even on Wooster Street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The restaurant opened in August of 2019. Hot pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols / For Hearst Connecticut Media Then came COVID, says Jeshar as his voice drops. We had only been open a few months, no one knew us yet, no one had our number. The Wooster Square neighborhood took notice, however, and the Zenelis donated dozens of pies to the doctors at Yale New Haven who had been laboring under the crushing weight of the pandemic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Step by step we made just enough to pay the workers, and we stayed alive. Rigatoni with tomato sauce, red onions, pancetta and chili flakes at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Zeneli has now been open almost five years, and plans to have a champagne toast this August. Were here to get to the heart of this story, and thats Napolitan pizza. Made much differently than New Havens pie, Naples signature style is made with fluffy 00 flour, and cooked at temperatures over 800 degrees in Zenelis gold-tiled Acunto brick oven, made in Naples. Ready in only a minute and a half, the pies emerge fluffy and steaming. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hot pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media You go to the Neapolitan place, you get the Napolitana pizza, which at Zeneli means anchovies, olives, basil and San Marzano tomato sauce. Aleko explains this is very common locally, as fishermen return from the enormous bay and add their abundance of anchovies to almost everything they eat. Whole pitted olives stand out on the pie alongside anchovy filets and great whopping chunks of garlic. It is an umami tsunami. The tomatoes and basil are bright and sweet on the soft, chewy crust, along with bites of the earthy olives and tremendously pungent and salty whack of anchovy every few bites. Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucino Napoletano in New Havenon Sept. 2, 2021. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media Its very digestible and light, not crispy, is how Jeshar describes their pies. You taste the dough, the cheese, the sauce, and its different. Gazmir is very specific, it is his art. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Add in the hefty pour of Fantini Montepulciano dAbruzzo, and I couldnt be happier. This is remarkably good pizza. He says about half of their customers are return visits. Pizza being made at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media We are like a family now, we see it every day. I saw someone from Utah once, and they came back six months later with more people. He notes Barstool founder Dave Portnoy came by and started off by stating he didnt really like Neapolitan pie before giving them a 7.2 rating and then the lines blew up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We couldnt believe the response. The numbers were huge, but we kept on having to tell people we dont have bacon, dont have chicken, we dont use the shredded cheese, this is not traditional. Neapolitan-style pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napolentana in New Haven. Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media He says theyre thankful the longstanding success of their neighbors brings so many people to Wooster Street. We love Pepes, Sallys, the whole neighborhood, he says. Ricky from Sallys, he is always here, every week. We never say our pizza is better, it is just different, and everyone has their options to choose which they want that day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before, people were too nervous to open on Wooster Street, but now you have places, Gioia, they opened after us, and we all do better. It is such a blessing. Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana 138 Wooster St, New Haven 203 745 4194; www.zenelipizzeria.com Handicap accessible The Food Zenelis food draws a direct line between pizzas spiritual home in Naples, Italy, and its internationally recognizable home in New Haven. Pies are small, light, chewy and crafted to the specs of nationally ranked pizzaiolo Gazmir Zeneli. Pasta and cheese are both made in-house. The Vibe Zeneli is a small space with a few tables and seats at the bar, founded around its Italian-made brick pizza oven. Wine and delicious aromas flow throughout, and its location can make it either a convenient stop, or keystone visit to the Elm City. The spring evening sun was reflecting a rosy glow off the bricks of Wooster Square buildings and the first tree buds of spring as I left Zeneli, passing those walking in. We each have our place. For brothers whose journey has taken them from Albania to Naples, to New York, and New Haven, that place is Wooster Street. Right there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katie McGlynn and Ricky Rayment enjoyed their first romantic getaway together in the Lake District on Thursday as they shared a gallery of loved-up snaps to Instagram. Ricky starred on TOWIE from 2012 until 2015 while former Coronation Street star, 30, is known for playing Sinead Tinker in the ITV soap from 2013 to 2020. Katie has now confessed her 'love' for the TV personality as they posed for selfies during a countryside walk after confirming their romance last month. She wrote: 'Find someone you love doing weird s*** with'. It comes after the couple announced their relationship by going Instagram official last month. Katie McGlynn and Ricky Rayment enjoyed their first romantic getaway together in the Lake District on Thursday as they shared a gallery of loved-up snaps to Instagram The soap star has now confessed her 'love' for the TV personality as they posed for selfies during a countryside walk Taking to social media on Valentine's Day, the loved-up duo announced their romance in a joint post, sharing a slew of snaps together. Katie and Ricky sealed the deal with a sweet kiss in one snap, while in another they enjoyed a romantic midnight swim in a jacuzzi. Captioning the post, they both wrote: 'Every day is like Valentines Day with you' #valentinesday.' In photos obtained by The Sun last month, Katie and Ricky sparked engagement rumours during a Valentine's Day stroll. Katie was seen sporting a mystery ring on her wedding finger as she and her partner grabbed some snacks form a shop. A spokesperson for Katie told MailOnline: 'Katie and Ricky are very happy together, but they are not engaged. 'Katie likes to wear various rings and jewellery and just happened to wear one on her ring finger.' Ricky was previously engaged to Geordie Shore's Marnie Simpson, who has since tied the knot with new beau Casey Johnson. He was engaged to the Geordie Shore star after just four months of dating in 2015, but their whirlwind romance came to an end two months later. The former Coronation Street star, 30, played Sinead Tinker in the ITV soap until 2019, while former TOWIE star Ricky, 33, starred on the reality show from 2012 until 2015 It comes after the couple announced their relationship by going Instagram official last month as they shared a gallery of loved-up snaps on Valentine's Day Captioning the post, they both wrote: 'Every day is like Valentines Day with you #valentinesday' During his time on reality TV, he famously dated Jess Wright but split after two years of dating in 2014, before going on to date Marnie for six months. Following her split from Ricky, Marnie revealed how the former TOWIE lad lashed out at her after she decided to call off the engagement, supposedly calling her a 'slag about 5,000 times'. She said: 'When we split up he called me every name under the sun and called me a slag about 5,000 times. He told me he always thought those things.' Marnie explained the reason behind the decision to call off the wedding - which they were keen to host in 2016 - was because the ex-ITVBe star claimed they spent 'too much time together' despite the fact they lived at opposite ends of the country. Ricky spoke out later on about the romance, as he said: 'She'd get really drunk and then in my mind I'd be like "f**king hell, she could be getting up to anything"'. 'She seems to think it's okay to neck on with her girl mates. But in a ways, it's like cheating. I wasn't that keen on her when she went out.' Christine Quinn quietly made a bold statement against estranged husband Christian Richard at her first public appearance since his shock arrest. The Selling Sunset star, 35, noticeably ditched her engagement ring when she stepped out for the Xerjoff Vibes and Elle Anniversary celebration event in Los Angeles on Wednesday. It was her first public event since Christian was arrested twice - first for assault with a deadly weapon, and then for violating a restraining order. Christine's engagement ring, which features 20 carats of diamonds and is worth $1.2 million, was clearly missing as she worked the red carpet on Wednesday. She replaced the sparkler with a silver band featuring a blue gem in the middle. Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn ditched her engagement ring on Wednesday at her first public appearance since her husband Christian Richard was arrested It was her first public event since Christian was arrested twice - first for assault with a deadly weapon , and then for violating a restraining order Christina is pictured flaunting the engagement ring in a photoshoot from 2020 Christine's engagement ring features 20 carats of diamonds and is worth $1.2 million Showing off her incredible figure, Christine posed up a storm in a nude gown with a daring thigh-high split. Despite navigating her marital woes and having to file a request for a restraining order against her estranged spouse, Christine appeared in high spirits as she mingled with other attendees. The star was reunited with Selling Sunset stars Nicole Young and Davina Potratz as they posed for snaps at the event. This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since Christian was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week. According to new court documents, Christine claims that after she called him out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile, according to Us Weekly. The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled it at her. 'I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom,' Quinn claimed in her court documents. 'I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house.' Showing off her incredible figure, Christine posed up a storm in a sparkly nude gown with a daring thigh-high split At the event, Christine was joined by Selling Sunset alumni Nicole Young, who slipped into a black lace gown The pair also posed for snaps with fellow show alumni Davina Potratz, as Christine brushed off her recent marital woes It was previously claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard is now alleging the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings - with the entrepreneur denying hitting their son, per TMZ. Earlier this week, Richard filed his own request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies. Richard claims the two family dogs are not housetrained and urinate and defecate all over their LA home - and says Quinn refuses to have them trained. He claims he discovered the two dogs had 'urinated all over some valuable belongings of his' despite him blocking off the area from the dogs. Richard claims when he went to confront Quinn about he found her in their bedroom with cleaning supplies and other items 'strewn about all over.' He says he became angry and picked up a trash bag on the ground - which he claims was full of soiled rags and paper towels - and threw it against a wall. Richard denies throwing the bag at Quinn and denies hitting their young son, while also denying the bag was filled with glass. He says this information was relayed to Quinn by police. After the bag was thrown Richard claims he tried to escort his son away from the scene but claims Quinn grabbed their son and holed in another room in the house. Richard says police came in with guns raised and arrested him over 'lies' Quinn had told them. This marks the first time since the mother-of-one has been seen since her ex was arrested twice in the span of 48 hours last week According to new court documents Christine claims that after she called Christian out for the 'lack of effort' he was putting in their marriage, things turned volatile The Texan, who owns two Yorkshire Terriers, stated that Richard pulled out 'dog feces' from the trashcan and hurled the poop at her He further claims Quinn filed a false police report and 'fabricated' domestic violence allegations against him to use as leverage in a potential divorce and custody battle. Richard claims Quinn wants to 'embarrass him' which is why she called police. A judge has yet to approve his request for the TRO. DailyMail.com has contacted Christine Quinn's representatives for comment. The update comes amid reports that Quinn is reportedly moving to ensure that her estranged husband Richard is kept far away from her and their son. The 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. Additionally, sources claimed that the reality star is planning on leaving her husband and filing for divorce. 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. It was claimed Richard had thrown a bag containing a glass bottle at Quinn but missed and hit their son instead - but Richard alleges the row erupted over Quinn's dogs urinating on his belongings; seen December 2022 in France Richard has filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that seeks to enforce a 'legal forcefield around him' - which he says is essential in light of Quinn's domestic violence allegations against him - which he denies; seen in June 2023 The TV personality 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. '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 last Tuesday 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 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 blonde 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. Kirsten Dunst has described her iconic kissing scene with Tobey Maguire 'miserable' as she reflected on filming Spiderman. The actress, 41, who portrayed Mary Jane Watson in the 2002 sci-fi film, said that her co-star Tobey, 48, 'couldn't breath' during the scene as he was hung upside down. She admitted the famous kiss was more like she was 'resuscitating' Spiderman as they filmed it in the pouring rain. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, she said: 'I remember Sam Raimi (director) giving me a book of famous kisses to be inspired but also he really wanted to make it special even though it was kind of miserable actually doing it.' The America star jokingly added: 'It was pouring with rain, freezing, Tobey couldn't breathe so it was almost like I was resuscitating him.' Kirsten Dunst has described her iconic kissing scene with Tobey Maguire 'miserable' as she reflected on filming Spiderman on Thursday The actress, 41, who portrayed Mary Jane Watson in the 2002 sci-fi film, said that her co-star Tobey, 48, 'couldn't breath' during the scene as he was hung upside down The Bring It On star also went on to talk about her new film Civil War which was released in cinemas earlier this month. Civil War is centred on a team of journalists who travel across America while documenting a conflict between a dystopian government and various militia forces. She said: 'You are really dropped in the centre of a civil war in America. It's kind of a road trip through the backwoods of America from New York City to photograph and interview the president - he's a fascist president, it's his third term.' The upcoming action film does not exceed three hours in runtime. Several reports regarding the length of the feature's length have been shared in the recent past, although A24 confirmed in December last year to Variety that the movie would last for 1 hour and 49 minutes. The feature, which went into production in 2022, stars performers such as Wagner Moura and Jesse Plemons, who is Kirsten's husband. Speaking of starring alongside her husband, Kirsten continued: 'Another actor was cast that couldn't end up doing it because of scheduling. 'Even in reading the script, that scene was chilling and the way he plays it...what happens in that scene really sets the film off to the trajectory and really ignites the film. He's very casual about it which makes it even more chilling.' She admitted the famous kiss was more like she was 'resuscitating' Spiderman as they filmed in the pouring rain Speaking on the Jonathan Ross show, she said: 'It was kind of miserable actually doing it. It was pouring with rain, freezing, Tobey couldn't breathe so it was almost like I was resuscitating him' Kirsten also went on to talk about her new film Civil War which was released in cinemas earlier this month Kirsten stars alongside her Breaking Bad star husband Jesse Plemons in their new film Civil War (pictured 2022) The couple tied the knot in 2022 in a lavish ceremony at the GoldenEye resort in Ocho Rios, in Jamaica after a six-year romance. The pair went on to welcome two children sons, Ennis, five, and James, two. Reflecting on meeting her husband, Kirsten added: 'We did Fargo Season 2 together and then that's when we became creative soulmates in a way and fell very much in love creatively and then we got together a year later. 'I love working with him. He's my favourite actor.' The Jonathan Ross Show airs Saturday at 9:35pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Kim Zolciak and her daughter Brielle Biermann's Range Rover is reportedly being repossessed after they were unable to make the vehicle's nearly $2k monthly payments. Kim, 45, and her daughter, 27, were sued by Ally Bank back in December after they failed to adhere to the terms of their sales agreement - and now a judge has ruled in the financial institution's favor, according to TMZ. The ruling, which was issued Wednesday, means the bank now has the right to repossess the 2019 vehicle. In their lawsuit, Ally Bank alleged Kim and Brielle failed to make the vehicle's $1,903 monthly payments, according to TMZ. The bank claimed the women still owed them $83,969.35 for the car. Brielle - who recently became engaged - was the primary driver of the vehicle, however the lawsuit named both herself and her mother. Kim Zolciak and her daughter Brielle Biermann 's Range Rover is reportedly being repossessed after they allegedly stopped making payments on the vehicle Kim and Brielle, pictured 2019, were sued by Ally Bank over the car back in December 'Defendants have defaulted on their obligations under the Contract,' the lawsuit stated, according to OK!. 'As of May 31, 2023, Defendants are indebted to Ally in the sum of $83,969.35 on the Contract.' The vehicle is now officially available for the bank to reclaim, as the judge issued the order on Wednesday. It's not the first time a member of the family has had to relinquish a car amid their financial woes. Kim's estranged husband Kroy Biermann was ordered to surrender his Rolls-Royce to BMW after he failed to make payments on it, TMZ reported back in December. Kim and Kroy's marital woes have been in the spotlight after they both filed for divorce nearly a year ago. The duo have been fighting about the smallest of things every singe day, it has been claimed. According to a Monday report from TMZ, they are at each other's throats as they are forced to live together in their Georgia mansion which they are having difficulty selling. The source says 'the two are at each other a lot, with their on-and-off fighting persisting.' The two are still on track to divorce, it was added, after 13 years of marriage. They first filed in May 2023. The reality TV stars have significant financial pressure as the IRS and other debt collectors have demanded money that they claim the two need to settle. It is reported that The Real Housewives of Atlanta stars are having trouble selling their home. Biermann posted snaps with her Range Rover back in 2020 Kim and Kroy Biermann's marital woes have been in the spotlight after they both filed for divorce nearly a year ago The money from the sale of the home would provide them with some wiggle room and help with some of their financial difficulties. They have lowered the price of the home twice, dropping from $6M to $4.5M in desperate attempt to get quick cash. The story of Kim and Kroy's divorce has been ongoing since they took to the courtroom as they first filed the petitioned back in May of 2023. A few months later, they rescinded their attempt for a divorce as they attempted to reconcile. The two are still on track to divorce, it was added, after 13 years of marriage. They first filed in May 2023 In September, Biermann filed once again. Each side requested sole custody over their four young children. To make matters worse, he accused her of having an extensive gambling addiction. The breaking point was this past November when their own four children had to call police to remedy the situation as one of their fights blew up. There were no arrests made but TMZ noted that the officer's body cameras seemed to show the house in shambles. The two have been spotted out and about Georgia without their wedding rings on. Despite the trouble in paradise, Kim still has Biermann set as her last name on her social media pages. Demi Moore showed off her very toned arms in new photos shared to Instagram on Thursday. The 61-year-old Striptease actress looked to be in top shape as she lifted her hands into the air for the fun photo shoot. The mother-of-three also had a tiny waistline as she made the most of a cream-colored dress with a unique gold metal halter neckline. The white Schiaparelli gown featured raw seams on the panels for a modern, edgier look. The G.I. Jane star's raven hair was parted in the center and flowed down her torso to the top of her derriere. The ex-wife of Ashton Kutcher accessorized with chunky gold earrings and bracelets to match the metal accents on the neckline of the dress. Earlier she honored her long-time stylist Brad Goreski with whom she appeared on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter this week. Demi Moore showed off her very toned arms in new photos shared to Instagram on Thursday. The 61-year-old Striptease actress looked to be in top shape as she lifted her hands into the air for the fun photo shoot. The mother-of-three also had a tiny waistline as she made the most of a cream-colored dress with a unique gold metal halter neckline Earlier she had honored her long-time stylist Brad Goreski with whom she appeared on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter this week. Seen at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA The Indecent Proposal actress wore gold sandals with the gown. She donned the gown to attend The Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists event presented by Instagram on Wednesday. Brad Goreski and Demi have worked together since 2008 and he is featured on one of the five covers for The Hollywood Reporter's Power Stylists edition. Speaking to the outlet about their relationship, Brad revealed they initially met when he worked as an assistant for Rachel Zoe. The About Last Night actress shared a few snaps from The Hollywood Reporter party on Instagram on Thursday. The post contained more pics of her in the white gown as well as photos with Goreski. She captioned the post: 'Last nights @hollywoodreporter Powerful Stylists dinner in @schiaparelli Honored to be your date @bradgoreski! Goreski replied: 'Best date ever! Love being on this fashion adventure with you! Thank you for showing up for me. ' Demi will be appearing in the upcoming drama landed opposite Billy Bob Thornton. The series is co-created by Yellowstone's Tyler Sheridan and podcaster Chris Wallace. Demi will play series regular Cami who is the wife of one of the most powerful oil men in Texas and a friend of Tommy Norris (Thornton). Landman, like Yellowstone, is set in the present day and is inspired by the popular podcast Boomtown, which chronicled a 21st century oil boom in western Texas. Here Demi and her clothing helper were seen on the cover of the magazine in matching gold suits The white Schiaparelli gown featured raw seams on the panels for a modern, edgier look. The G.I. Jane star's raven hair was parted in the center and flowed down her torso to the top of her derriere The ex-wife of Ashton Kutcher accessorized with chunky gold earrings and bracelets to match the metal accents on the neckline of the dress She was seen in a white room with nothing on the walls for the social media shoot The About Last Night actress shared a few snaps from The Hollywood Reporter party on Instagram on Thursday The post contained more pics of her in the white gown as well as photos with Goreski She captioned the post: 'Last nights @hollywoodreporter Powerful Stylists dinner in @schiaparelli Honored to be your date @bradgoreski!' Goreski replied: 'Best date ever! Love being on this fashion adventure with you! Thank you for showing up for me. ' The stylist and the actress have been working together since 2008 The series logline describes it as 'an upstairs/downstairs story of roughnecks and wildcat billionaires fueling a boom so big, its reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics.' In addition to creating the series, Sheridan will be executive producing as well through his Bosque Ranch production company. He currently has a massive overall deal with Paramount Global, and Landman is expected to debut on the studio's streaming service Paramount+, where most of Sheridan's shows can be found. So far, Landman does not have a release date. Advertisement Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock were spotted leaving a well-known Connecticut plastic surgery office on Wednesday with Jason Bateman's wife Amanda Anka. All three ladies were together as they departed The Retreat At Split Rock which is located in Greenwich, Connecticut. The retreat specializes in expert upper and lower face lifts, which cost about $50,000 to $100,000 each as well as brow and eye lifts that hover around $30,000 each. 'It is a private fully accredited surgical facility,' notes the website. They were specifically seen exiting Dr Neil A Gordon's office. He oversees the facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. His specialty is 'facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty,' according to his site, but injectables such as Botox and Kybella are also offered. A full face of Botox can cost around $3,000 while Kybella is more expensive at $6,000. The Los Angeles residents certainly traveled far to look into what Dr Gordon has to offer, and he must be the best in his field as Beverly Hills is chock-a-block with well-known plastic surgeons like Dr Garth Fisher and Dr Paul Nassif who could have done the work without the added travel expense. All three ladies dressed casually for their trip which looked to be a case of 'surgery tourism.' Aniston, 55, had on a floppy black hat to hide her face as they left the white barn-style office with a lush green lawn surrounded by yellow daffodils. She was followed by Bullock, 59, and Anka, 55 - once a star on Buffy The Vampire Slayer - who both tried to keep their heads down. Jennifer Aniston and her close friend Sandra Bullock were seen leaving a plastic surgery retreat on Wednesday. They were departing The Retreat At Split Rock which is located in Greenwich, Connecticut They were joined by Amanda Anka (far left in red), who is married to Jason Bateman and was on Buffy The Vampire Slayer The retreat specialized in expert upper and lower face lifts as well as brow and eye lifts. 'It is a private fully accredited surgical facility,' notes the website; Dr Gordon's sign is seen to the right Aniston, left, attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in LA on February 24. Bullock, right, at the Bird Box screening in New York City in 2018 Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 10 The Friends veteran was dressed in a black sweater with a black scarf as she had on distressed blue denim jeans with a wide dark brown belt with a brass buckle. The Morning Show standout also had on black boots as she held on to a black coat as well as a pair of tinted sunglasses. Bullock had on a puffy black jacket over a white T-shirt as she added baggy black slacks and white sneakers. The Bullet Train star's long dark hair was worn down as she added oversized dark sunglasses. Gold necklaces with pendants hung over her shirt as she was slightly made up. Bullock has not been seen in public much since her partner since 2015, Bryan Randall, got sick in 2020 with ALS. He battled the illness for three years before passing away in August 2023 at the age of 57. He helped raise her two children Louis and Laila. Batmen's wife Anka wore a bright cherry red sweatshirt with faded blue denim jeans and black boots as she held onto a black purse and coat. She was makeup-free. Her husband Jason is best known for his Aniston movie Switch as well as his series Arrested Development and Ozark. The center is known for their facelifts. The retreat touts a skillful upper face lift: 'A forehead lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that tightens the soft tissue and skin of the entire forehead. The majority effect is often seen around the eyes, especially between the eyebrows and on the drooping soft tissue hanging over the lateral/side of the upper eyelids.' And they promise their lower face lift takes care of the 'lost skin on the cheeks and neck.' All three ladies dresses casually with Aniston, 55, adding a floppy hat to hide her face as they left the white barn-style retreat with a lush green lawn surrounded by yellow daffodils She was followed by Bullock, 59, and Anka, 55, who both tried to keep their heads down The Friends veteran was dressed in a black sweater with a black scarf as she had on distressed blue denim jeans with a wide dark brown belt with a brass buckle. The Morning Show standout also had on black boots as she held on to a black coat Dr Neil A Gordon oversees the facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the upscale retreat. His specialty is 'facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty,' according to his site, but injectables such as Botox and Kybella are also offered Neil A Gordon, MD. His specialty is 'facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty,' according to his site The Split Rock retreat recommends getting all of the lifts for the freshest look: 'Often a facelift is combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a brow or eye lift that offers a balanced, complete, and more natural facial rejuvenation.' The center also offers less invasive services. They include facial fillers, fat injections and Botox. Then there are the 'energy devices' such as Ulthera, Profound, and Exillis. The website explains: 'The cause of the appearance of the aged face is due to gravity's effects in stretching out the soft tissue of the face. 'Whether it is a drooping neck, nasolabial folds, or a furrowed forehead, the aged appearance is due to excess facial soft tissue. Energy devices use different forms of energy, such as ultrasound or thermal, to heat up and create burn-like injuries to shrink soft tissue.' And the center also offers Kybella, which is a newer treatment that is a chemical that dissolves fat. Bullock had on a puffy black jacket over a white T-shirt as she added baggy black slacks and white sneakers The Bullet Train star's long dark hair was worn down as she added oversized dark sunglasses. Gold necklaces with pendants hung over her shirt as she was slightly made up 'The problem is that in many people, the appearance of a double chin is due to redundant, hanging, soft tissue consistent with a stretched-out face,' the site explains. 'If just the fat is melted in the neck and the soft tissue redundancy is not tightened by removal, then the neck can look worse.' And customers can also get Laser Skin Resurfacing. 'Laser skin resurfacing, commonly called a laser peel, removes the outer, damaged layer of skin to reveal a smoother, younger look,' the site shared. 'Laser resurfacing can reduce the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and superficial scarring, usually on the face.' Batmen's wife Anka, 55, wore a bright cherry red sweatshirt with faded blue denim jeans and black boots as she held onto a black purse and coat. She was makeup-free. Her husband Jason is best known for his Aniston movie Switch as well as his series Arrested Development and Ozark The center is known for their facelifts. The retreat touts a skillful upper face lift: 'A forehead lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that tightens the soft tissue and skin of the entire forehead. The majority effect is often seen around the eyes, especially between the eyebrows and on the drooping soft tissue hanging over the lateral/side of the upper eyelids' WHAT SPLIT ROCK OFFERS * Upper face lifts * Lower Face Lifts * Eye Lifts * Brow Lifts * Nose jobs * Botox * Kybella * Ulthera * Profound * Exillis Advertisement None of these ladies has ever admitted to getting a few nip/tucks. And they have even gotten uncomfortable when asked about injectables like Botox. In 2015, Aniston said that she was not a fan of injections. 'People think that I do a lot of (Botox) injections, but I don't,' began the Along Came Polly actress. 'I'm not saying that I haven't tried it but I see how it's a slippery slope. 'All that cosmetic stuff looks ridiculous on me,' she told Yahoo Beauty. 'And like we were saying before, they just start to lose perspective, it's their new normal, so it's a hard one to come back from.' Last year the Bruce Almighty star again talked staying youthful looking during an interview with The Wall Street Journal. She said she tried a salmon sperm facial, though she admittedly isn't sure if it did anything for her skin. Aniston then said she liked peptide injections. Peptides are strings of molecules called amino acids, which are the 'building blocks' of proteins. Peptides are basically short proteins that are about 2-100 amino acids long. Peptide supplements may have anti-aging, muscle growth, and fat loss benefits, according WebMD. Bullock has also talked about surgery. After she was seen with a fuller face at the 2018 Oscars, she told InStyle the next year she was puffy due to allergies. The Retreat At Split Rock used to be a barn but has been converted into one of the plastic surgery facilities It is welcoming with a lush lawn, a pond and flowers with mature trees The retreat also has an inn so patients can recover in peace away from prying eyes There is cozy New England charm in the inn with wingback chairs that face a fireplace. There are also gold wall sconces and oil paintings Aniston with Amanda, far right, as they wish Molly McNearney, who is Jimmy Kimmel's wife, a happy 46th birthday this year 'This past Oscars I was sick and had allergies, but I was like, "Im just going to go." Its part of my job, and Im happy to be there,' the Miss Congeniality star began. 'Then the next day they were saying, "Oh, she has cheek fillers and implants." When I saw the photos and how swollen I was, I got it. But I was like, "Well, if I got injections, I only got them on the top," which was not very good,' she joked. Anka is not as high profile of a star as Jennifer and Sandra, but she has acted before. The New York City native is known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Lost Highway (1997) and Taxi (2004). She has been married to Jason Bateman since July 3, 2001. They have two daughters, Francesca and Maple. Sam Taylor-Johnson has addressed the rumours that her husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson is set to become the next James Bond. The British actor, 33, has reportedly been formally offered the chance to play 007, following 'endless discussions' with studio executives. According to insiders producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, is not considering anyone else for the role as they claimed costume fittings for Aaron are already underway. And now Sam, 57, has addressed the claims as during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show set to air on Saturday. As the host attempts to quiz the director on the rumours, she is keen to keep her lips sealed as she jokes: 'You mean that I might direct a Bond film? The first woman director.' Sam Taylor-Johnson has addressed the rumours that her husband Aaron is set to become the next James Bond as speculation continues to swirl The British actor, 33, has reportedly been formally offered the chance to play 007 , following 'endless discussions' with studio executives Before adding in reference to Aaron: 'Carry on speculating. He'd be great.' Sam and Aaron met on the set of Nowhere Boy in 2009 when Sam was 42 and the actor was just 18. However, they didn't get together until after they finished the project where a 'deep connection' was formed. Speaking about directing her husband, Sam says, 'It's really interesting. When I directed Nowhere Boy, he wasn't my husband. When I directed A Million Little Pieces he was. 'He gets very intense. It's quite interesting depending on what character he's playing. Nocturnal Animals for example, was very hard. He was not washing, his nails were really long, he was drinking and he was watching a lot of serial killer documentaries. 'He wanted to be toxic from the inside in order to play such a toxic character. There was one morning when he woke up and thought the bed was on fire but we were actually saging him.' The loved-up duo have a fiercely private relationship and have previously caused controversy within the public due to their age gap. The couple share daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero 11, as well as Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 16, from Sam's previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling. And now Sam herself has addressed the claims as during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross show set to air on Saturday As the host attempts to quiz the director on the rumours, she is keen to keep her lips sealed as she joked: 'Carry on speculating. He'd be great' Aaaron is reportedly set to take over the role of 007 from Daniel Craig (pictured), who bowed out from the franchise after 2021's No Time To Die According to insiders producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, is not considering anyone else for the role as they claimed costume fittings for Aaron are already underway The Sun reported that the British actor had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond', putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig's successor. Insiders said: 'It is all in the details and agents and lawyers are going through all the red tape and how many movies Aaron will sign up for. 'It is currently looking to be a three-picture deal with the option of a fourth. 'They have done all the fittings, they have the haircut they have in mind for him, and he's already in tremendous shape. 'Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the producers are going to make a huge deal out of the announcement.' But Insiders at the BBC have denied reports that he has been cast as the new Bond in the 007 movies, leaving speculation to continue to swirl. Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond's shoes last week, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.' The Jonathan Ross Show will air on Saturday at 21:35pm on ITV1 and ITVX Coronation Street star Bill Roache was spotted at the Post Office amid his bankruptcy after he was given three months to settle a tax debt of 500,000. The actor, 91, was told in February that he needed to clear his huge debt in order to 'allow for the sale of property'. Bill was seen nipping into his local Post Office in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on Thursday afternoon. The star looked fairly downcast as he made the trip in a white polo shirt, blue trousers and a padded jacket. Bill earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap but has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman. Coronation Street star Bill Roache , 91, was spotted at the Post Office in Cheshire on Thursday amid his bankruptcy after he was given three months to settle tax debt of 500,000 Bill was seen nipping into his local Post Office in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on Thursday afternoon He entered an agreement in 2018 to clear the 588,015.18 bill, but according to reports last month he has only paid 41,666.65 so far. Roache is looking to sell off some property to clear the debt with The Sun reporting in February a prospective buyer had pulled out of a deal. The High Court has now given him a 12-week adjournment in order to 'allow for the sale of property'. Roache did not appear at a specialist hearing, where lawyers for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the sum the actor owes - which was not disclosed in court - has been reduced due to payments made. Jacquille Jarrett, for HMRC, said Mr Roache had asked for a 12-week adjournment, which was unopposed, to 'allow for the sale of property'. Retired Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stephen Baister granted the adjournment and said Roache's case will return in June. 'Splendid,' Dr Baister said at the end of the hearing, which lasted less than a minute, at the High Court in London. Roache is best known for his portrayal of Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for more than 60 years after making his debut in its first episode in 1960. The star looked fairly downcast as he made the rip in a white polo shirt, blue trousers and a padded jacket The actor was told in February that he needed to clear his huge tax debt in order to 'allow for the sale of property' Bill earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap but has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman The actor, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving TV soap star in the world, was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity. Last month, friends from Roache's spiritual group claimed he was 'doing fine' as he 'faces bankruptcy' for a second time, according to The Mirror. At a Stride for Truth group meeting, one member said they were '100% supporting' Roache. The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Roache, who is now the highest paid member of the cast, earning around 250k a year, 'owes the taxman nearly 550,000'. The Sun published his six-figure debt, just weeks after it was revealed he's facing bankruptcy for a second time. Coronation Street star William Roache has been given a three month deadline to clear his huge tax debt in order to 'allow for the sale of property' The 91-year-old actor earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken Barlow on the long-running soap but has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman Roache initially owed 588,015.18 and entered a 2018 agreement to clear it, but the High Court papers obtained by the publication claim he has only paid 41,666.65. He had until last month to pay the full amount of 546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March. Roache's interest payments come to 14,699, while he also faces late-payment fines of more than 8,000, which are both included in the total. A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the Mirror: 'We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much loved member of the cast.' David Walliams joked that his son Alfred 'didn't need a dad anymore' after the youngster's recent meeting Hollywood A-Lister Tom Cruise. The Little Britain actor, 52, who shares the ten-year-old with ex-wife Lara Stone, spoke about the exchange with the action star, 60, during his appearance on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show. Telling the host: 'I did see [Tom] a week ago. I went to university with Simon Pegg who is in the Mission Impossible movie - he invited me and my son Alfred who is ten'. 'We got to meet Tom and Tom gave my son a really inspirational speech. For about half an hour, I was thinking he doesnt need a dad anymore'. Before adding: 'Hes given the most amazing speech. He was very generous with his time and very, very lovely'. David Walliams joked that his son Alfred 'didn't need a dad anymore' after the youngster's recent meeting Hollywood A-Lister Tom Cruise The Little Britain actor (centre) spoke about the exchange with Tom (R) during his appearance on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show (Pictured with Sir Michael Caine in 2023) Telling the host: 'I did see [Tom] a week ago. I went to university with Simon Pegg who is in the Mission Impossible movie - he invited me and my son Alfred who is ten' (pictured with Alfred, on World Book Day 2023) Last year David shared a snap alongside Tom as they celebrated Sir Michael Caine's 90th birthday at a dinner in London, that featured unlikely guests including Loose Women's Denise Welch. During his recent chat show appearance David spoke about what inspires him ahead of the release of his new book Astro Chimp: 'Luckily my son is ten so he is exactly the right age to read my book's. 'We go for long walks together, walking the dogs and he often comes up with ideas. He came up with this idea, mega monster - I wrote the book and now he says you need to give me 50% of the royalties. I said you'll get it one day!' He also spoke about is upcoming project and teased about once again reuniting with his former comedy partner saying: 'Me and Matt Lucas are working on a new show together.' David previously revealed why he wants to keep his young son out of the spotlight, choosing only to share photos with the youngster's face hidden. Although David and Dutch model Lara, with whom he split in 2015, both have high-profile careers, they came to the decision they want Alfred to be able to grow up just like other kids. Speaking to HELLO! Magazine, David said: 'I knew what I was getting into, this is what I signed up to. Making a television programme, being in the spotlight is unavoidable and if you're a kid, it must be quite hard.' Going on to say: 'You don't know what they going to want to do with their lives. They might choose to do something completely private, in which case, there doesn't seem to be any advantage to being in the spotlight.' David joked: 'We got to meet Tom and Tom gave my son a really inspirational speech. For about half an hour, I was thinking he doesnt need a dad anymore' (Tom pictured in Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One) Before adding: 'Hes given the most amazing speech. He was very generous with his time and very, very lovely' (pictured with fellow guest Kristen Dunst) The comedian-and-author shares his son with Dutch model ex-wife Lara Stone, who he split with in 2015 (pictured together in 2012) The Little Britain duo also confirmed they had very much buried the hatchet when they posed together at the 40th birthday party of their mutual pal, actor Luke Evans in April 2019. Between 2011 and 2018 - when they both attended Dale Winton's funeral - neither star were seen in public together. Matt released his autobiography Little Me: The A-Z Of Matt Lucas in 2018 in which he uncovered their explosive backstage fights as well the manic performances that made them, briefly, the most celebrated comedy duo in the country. In the tome he snipes: 'Walliams has now sold so many children's books he can probably buy his own private jet, all decked out in pink, with a river inside it for him to swim up' a swipe at the fame Walliams acquired when he swam the Channel and, later on, the length of the Thames. He also spoke about is upcoming project and teased about once again reuniting with his former comedy partner saying: 'Me and Matt Lucas are working on a new show together' David (L) pictured with Matt (R) in Little Britain In his autobiography, Matt revealed how tensions boiled between the pair in 2005 during their Little Britain Live tour, leading to a spectacular backstage fight. David and Matt first met in The National Youth Theatre, and broke onto the comedy scene with the sketch series Little Britain in 2003. The series created iconic characters such as Andy and Lou (with the catchphrase 'I don't like it'), Vicky Pollard ('Yeah but no yeah but no but') and Carol Beer ('Computer says no'). After three series the show concluded in 2005, but sparked a US spin-off three years later and numerous one-off specials for Comic and Sport Relief. David previously spoke about their disputes whilst promoting his own autobiography, Camp David in 2012. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Mark Lawson he admitted: 'We're very different people and probably want different things and had different working methods.' THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW, SATURDAY AT 21.35PM ON ITV1 AND ITVX Halle Bailey enjoyed a very muddy 24th birthday celebration while visiting Sulphur Springs on the Caribbean isle of Saint Lucia on Wednesday with her family. First, The Little Mermaid star carefully carried her 12-week-old son Halo into the hot tub naturally warmed by the dormant Soufrier Volcano alongside her boyfriend since March 2022, DDG. It was Halle's second time visiting Sulphur Springs where tickets range between $100 per person for a half-day tour all the way up to $165 per person for a full-day private tour (on top of a $50 deposit). Bailey and her 26-year-old babydaddy - who captured all the action on his PontiacMadeDDG YouTube vlog - then moved over to the mud bath where they coated their entire bodies and faces. According to the Sulphur Springs website - the mud 'detoxifies the body and helps heal sun burns, eczema, arthritis, sore joints, and more.' Halle Bailey enjoyed a very muddy 24th birthday celebration while visiting Sulphur Springs on the Caribbean isle of Saint Lucia on Wednesday with her family The tourist spot also apparently provides black paint, so the six-time Grammy nominee eagerly spelled out 'Halo's Daddy' on DDG's (born Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) back. Halle - who boasts 15.1M social media followers - included a snap of her finished 'painting' in her Instagram slideshow captioned: 'This is 24.' The Shoot Up Your Block rapper carefully held their first child still as Bailey painted 'tiger stripes' on his tiny body. 'He's so smart. He's so amazing,' the Beyonce protegee previously gushed to Extra on March 7. 'I think he's going to be a music baby. He loves the piano. I feel like I can already hear what his voice would sound like if he started to sing. He's just the most beautiful thing in the world.' On Monday, DDG managed to capture the milestone moment little Halo said his first word 'Dada' at '90 days' and he and Halle screamed together in delight. For her special day, Bailey showcased her postpartum 5ft2in figure in a lavender $60 Blackbough 'Cindy' underwire bikini top and matching $50 'Cindy' bikini bottom. The Atlanta-born R&B belter also made sure to wear her $1,150 Simon G 'Personalized Initials' 18K gold and diamond necklace spelling out Halo. First, The Little Mermaid star carefully carried her 12-week-old son Halo into the hot tub naturally warmed by the dormant Soufrier Volcano alongside her boyfriend since March 2022, DDG (R) It was Halle's second time visiting Sulphur Springs where tickets range between $100 per person for a half-day tour all the way up to $165 per person for a full-day private tour (on top of a $50 deposit) Bailey and her 26-year-old babydaddy - who captured all the action on his PontiacMadeDDG YouTube vlog - then moved over to the mud bath where they coated their entire bodies and faces According to the Sulphur Springs website - the mud 'detoxifies the body and helps heal sun burns, eczema, arthritis, sore joints, and more' The tourist spot also apparently provides black paint, so the six-time Grammy nominee eagerly spelled out 'Halo's Daddy' on DDG's (born Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) back Halle - who boasts 15.1M social media followers - included a snap of her finished 'painting' in her Instagram slideshow captioned: 'This is 24' The Shoot Up Your Block rapper carefully held their first child still as Bailey painted 'tiger stripes' on his tiny body The Beyonce protegee gushed to Extra on March 7: 'He's so smart. He's so amazing. I think he's going to be a music baby. He loves the piano. I feel like I can already hear what his voice would sound like if he started to sing. He's just the most beautiful thing in the world.' On Monday, DDG managed to capture the milestone moment little Halo said his first word 'Dada' at '90 days' and he and Halle screamed together in delight For her special day, Bailey showcased her postpartum 5ft2in figure in a lavender $60 Blackbough 'Cindy' underwire bikini top and matching $50 'Cindy' bikini bottom The Atlanta-born R&B belter also made sure to wear her $1,150 Simon G 'Personalized Initials' 18K gold and diamond necklace spelling out Halo Halle's birthday post received greetings from her Color Purple co-star Fantasia, her Grown-ish co-star Francia Raisa, and Emmy winner Storm Reid Bailey also received Instastory tributes from her entire glam squad - stylist Nichole Goodman, make-up artist Christiana Cassell, and hairstylist Tinisha 'Sparkle' Meeks - as well as Grown-ish co-star Yara Shahidi and her big sisters Chloe (R) and Ski Bailey The Celebrity Game Face contestant has released two singles - In Your Hands and Angel - off her upcoming debut studio album, which was supposed to be released 'before the end of' last year Halle's birthday post received greetings from her Color Purple co-star Fantasia, her Grown-ish co-star Francia Raisa, and Emmy winner Storm Reid. Bailey also received Instastory tributes from her entire glam squad - stylist Nichole Goodman, make-up artist Christiana Cassell, and hairstylist Tinisha 'Sparkle' Meeks - as well as Grown-ish co-star Yara Shahidi and her big sisters Chloe and Ski Bailey. The Celebrity Game Face contestant has released two singles - In Your Hands and Angel - off her upcoming debut studio album, which was supposed to be released 'before the end of' last year. 'This is my first deep, deep, real love. This has been a really beautiful transformative time for me. I have all this new material to write about,' Halle told Cosmopolitan last September. 'It's like, "What the heck did I just experience and go through?" A whirlwind of amazingness. You never know what you're capable of until you're put through it. I was very creatively inspired, and then from there, I fell in love. And so I really just played with those themes in my music. Sound-wise, it's a little modern R&B-ish, with all the jazz elements and hints of pop that I love.' China's Xiamen in lens of foreigners 15:32, March 28, 2024 By Chen Shangwen, Bao Han, Zhou Zhou ( People's Daily Over the past 30-plus years, starting from the comprehensive treatment of the Yundang Lake, Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian province has actively promoted ecological protection and restoration of sea, river basins, and the entire region. It has continually explored ways to establish a grand vision of environmental governance stretching from mountains to the ocean. Today, the city flourishes under a fresh, azure sky, surrounded by a pleasing green landscape. Many foreigners who work, study, live or visit Xiamen have captured the beautiful scenery around them through their lens. Their photographs show a harmonious coexistence of man and nature, vividly illustrating the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Citizens stroll by the side of the Yundang Lake in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian province. (Photo/Stuart Wiggin) Strolling along the Yundang Lake, photography enthusiasts are often captivated by the egret's beautiful posture and keep snapping photos. Tourists are always seen chatting and enjoying their time at nearby cafes, while the elderly exercise and children play around the lake. On his first visit to the Yundang Lake, British vlogger Stuart Wiggin was immediately drawn in by the pristine waters, lush banks, and beautiful egrets. He was told by the locals that the lake was once ecologically damaged, which was hard for him to believe. It was through the sustained efforts of generations to effectively combine high-level protection of the ecosystem, pursuit of high-quality development and high-quality living conditions, that the Yundang Lake has transformed into the "green lung" and "drawing room" of Xiamen, Wiggin said. The Yundang Lake looks like a bright pearl embedded in the center of the Xiamen Island. (Photo/Stuart Wiggin) In September 2023, Lazamamindrainy Raharitokindraibe, head of the IT Department of the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology, Madagascar, visited Xiamen to attend a China-Madagascar-Mozambique international training session on voyage data processing, which was hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and organized by the Fujian Institute of Oceanography. The high-rise buildings, beautiful bridges, smooth traffic, blue skies and azure sea in Xiamen left a deep impression on Raharitokindraibe. "Through case studies and field visits, I came to understand Xiamen's development is inseparable from marine governance and protection. I also deeply realized the importance of reasonably developing and utilizing marine resources. I want to bring back home China's excellent experience in marine governance and protection, so as to contribute to Madagascar's future development," he said. Photo shows the Xiamen Shimao Cross-strait Plaza, a landmark of Xiamen. (Photo/Lazamamindrainy Raharitokindraibe) Following a people-centered development philosophy, Xiamen is committed to protecting and improving its ecological environment. The city is committed to preserving the beautiful beaches for its people. It has also transformed scattered vacant lots or aging small parks into charming "pocket parks," and built leisure trails around lakes and bays. The livability of Xiamen has given a deep sense of fulfillment to Nunnaphas Ngamman, commercial consul of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Xiamen. Thailand and China are good neighbors, with China remaining Thailand's largest trading partner for over a decade, Ngamman said. Currently, more than 20 Thai companies have invested or started businesses in Xiamen. The Xiamen Port has also established an international friendly port relationship with Thailand's Laem Chabang Port. "I look forward to Xiamen's further development, and hope the city can play an even greater role in expanding economic and trade exchanges between Thailand and China," said Ngamman. The leisure trails in Xiamen have become a great place for citizens and tourists to relax and exercise, enjoying the beauty of the mountains and the sea. (Photo/Nunnaphas Ngamman) Beyond the appealing environment, Xiamen's thriving economic development has also left a deep impression on the foreigners living there. Kudaiar kyzy Nuraiym, a Kyrgyz PhD student at the Research School for Southeast Asian Studies of Xiamen University, noted that China is the world's largest exporter of goods. She said she was curious about how China achieved such a massive export volume. "During the visit to Xiamen Port's Hairun Terminal, I witnessed automated gantry cranes neatly stacking containers, while pure electric patrol vehicles and forklifts busily went back and forth. China's advanced technology answered the questions in my mind," she said. Photo shows Xiamen Port's Hairun Terminal in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian province. (Photo/Kudaiar kyzy Nuraiym) Photo shows ancient architecture with Xiamen's local features surrounded by modern buildings. (Photo by Luis Gomez, Spanish photographer) A citizen practices Chinese martial arts in Xiamen. (Photo by Luis Gomez, Spanish photographer) Photo taken on a cable car shows the beautiful cityscape of Xiamen. (Photo by Anastasiya Markevich, a Belarusian account manager living in Xiamen) Photo shows the beach view in Siming district, Xiamen. (Photo by Mari Cullell, Costa Rican graduate student in marine affairs, Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) A New York City Police Department ambulance carrying the remains of Officer Jonathan Diller drives out from under Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New York, late Monday, March 25, 2024. Diller was shot and killed during a traffic stop, Mayor Eric Adams said. Jeenah Moon/AP Firefighters salute as the ambulance transporting the body of New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller exits Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in the Queens borough of New York, Monday, March 25, 2024. Diller was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop. It marked the first slaying of an NYPD officer in two years. Jeenah Moon/AP This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows a gun recovered at the scene of an officer-involved shooting on Monday, March 25, 2024, in New York. A New York City police officer was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, the city's mayor said. The officer and his partner were part of the NYPD Critical Response Team. (New York City Police Department via AP) AP NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump is planning to attend the wake for a New York City police officer who was fatally shot during a traffic stop this week, according to his campaign. Trump, the 2024 presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is expected to be at a visitation Thursday on Long Island for Officer Jonathan Diller, the first New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in two years. President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Dillers family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," said Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Queens-born Republican has repeatedly raised the issue of crime in the Big Apple on the campaign trail and ahead of his own hush-money criminal trial in Manhattan. In a social media post Tuesday, he noted police said Diller's alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he NEVER should have been let back out on the streets. The news came Wednesday after a second suspect in the shooting, Lindy Jones, was arraigned on weapons charges. Police said Jones, 41, was behind the wheel of an SUV, with Rivera in the passenger seat, that was illegally parked at a bus stop in the Far Rockaway neighborhood shortly before 6 p.m. Monday when Diller and his partner approached the vehicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rivera refused Diller's orders to get out of the vehicle and shot Diller under his protective vest, according to police. He was given a lawful order numerous times to step out of the car," Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news conference after the shooting. "He refused. And when the officers took him out of the car, rather than stepping out of the car, he shot our officer. The 31-year-old Diller, who was married and had a 1-year-old son, was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved. Diller's partner returned fire, hitting the gunman in the back, police said. Rivera remained hospitalized Wednesday and had not been formally charged. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rivera's mother, Keshia Gilyard, told the New York Daily News that he did not trust law enforcement after serving time in prison. He might have thought they were trying to hurt him and something snapped," she said. Jones was arrested after police obtained a search warrant and found a loaded 9 mm pistol in the glove compartment with the serial number scratched off, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. He was arraigned in Queens on four illegal weapons charges. Katz said in a news release her office will continue working around the clock to seek justice on behalf of Officer Dillers loved ones, his NYPD family and in honor of his selflessness and courage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A message seeking comment was sent to Jones' attorney, Linda Bucher. Diller, who joined the police department three years ago, lived in Massapequa Park on Long Island with his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Ryan. Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, called Diller's shooting devastating and said Tuesday, These are bad people doing bad things to good people. Its the good guys against the bad guys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Paul O'Grady tried traditional Thai medicine to try and help his heart problems in his final TV project which he finished days before he died. It was announced the broadcaster had died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at home with his partner Andre Portasio on March 28 2023. And now his final TV project, Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure, is set to air over Easter on ITV, as Paul helps out at centres by caring for endangered species in the two-part series. The documentary was filmed across Thailand and Laos in December 2022, while Paul's voiceover work was completed in the weeks leading up to his death. During the programme, The Mirror has revealed Paul finds himself in Chiang Mai market as he meets a doctor offering herbal medicine and decided to try them to ease his heart problems. Paul O'Grady tried traditional heart medicine while in Thailand for his last TV project Great Elephant Adventure which was finished days before his death During the programme, The Mirror has revealed Paul finds himself in Chiang Mai market as he meets a doctor offering herbal medicine and decided to try them to ease his heart problems He says: 'That's got me thinking about my own aches and pains. 'Look at this, like something out of Harry Potter. And this shop specialises in traditional Thai medicine. How about something for the heart? Then there are the varicose veins, the bad back, the eyesight, and a few personal things I won't go into!' Paul is then given powder made from part of a lotus flower and is told to add one teaspoon to water to it and drink it like tea. As he takes a sip, Paul recoils from the taste at first but then proceeds to down the mixture and even jokes he added a 'drop of scotch' to it to help it go down. Earlier this week, executive producer Claire Barton revealed they had more animal shows lined up for Paul before his shock passing. She told Radio Times: 'We planned a companion programme on the African elephant and a new series about wild dogs and wolves in Canada both to be filmed in 2023. Paul was excited about the prospect.' Claire also discussed how much Paul loved working with the elephants, as she said the star declared he was 'in heaven' working with them. She said: 'Paul wanted to highlight the plight of elephants, which fascinated him throughout his life. As he takes a sip, Paul recoils from the taste at first but then proceeds to down the mixture and even jokes he added a 'drop of scotch' to it to help it go down The two-part series, which will be shown over Easter on ITV , will follow Paul as he helps out at centres by caring for the endangered species While filming was completed in late 2022, it was only edited and finalized in the days before Paul's sudden death The series is a nod to Paul's lifelong love of animals, after spending much of his later life filming his show, For The Love Of Dogs, at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (pictured) 'Little did we know that this would be the last TV series Paul would film before his death last year.' The series will focus on the efforts of workers at the conversation centres to rescue and rehabilitate wild elephants. While filming was completed in late 2022, it was only edited and finalized in the days before Paul's sudden death. In February 2023, Claire revealed how she met with Paul for meetings before he recorded voiceovers for the show. She admitted that if they had worked at Paul's usual the job may never have been completed, but she wrote in the Radio Times he was keen to crack on. She wrote: 'But Paul was flying through the commentary. For the first time in 18 years of working together, Paul suggested that he crack on and finish recording the voiceover. 'We completed the films with Paul's voice on them that afternoon. The date was 15 March 2023. It would be the last time I ever saw Paul.' Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure starts on Sunday night at 8pm on ITV and ITVX. Backlash is mounting against Tyrese Gibson for showing his support for Diddy, who is at the center of sex trafficking claims and sex assault lawsuits, in a since-deleted Instagram post. On Wednesday, the 45-year-old actor was met with immediate criticism for sharing a black and white photo of the rapper, alongside a lengthy statement praising him for his 'legendary parties and events' over the years. 'What I can't do and what I won't do is downplay the laughter, the fun, the energy, the inspiration, the awards shows, the studio sessions, the most legendary parties and events I've ever attended in my life,' Tyrese captioned the post. He continued: 'And I also can't act as if my high school back yard parties throughout south central LA wasn't the craziest parties ever because of the Bad Boy on a slew of hit record[s].' Backlash is mounting against Tyrese Gibson for showing his support for Diddy, who is at the center of sex trafficking claims and sex assault lawsuits, in a since-deleted Instagram post; seen in 2014 'I don't condone nor do I support abuse, bullying, sexual assault or anything that is currently being alleged,' Tyrese stated. 'But, what I can't do is turn the blinds on how much this mean to me and all of us, and what he had done for the community of music and culture.' The father-of-two then explained he was simply saying what other people in the industry were too scared to express publicly. 'Don't worry, I'm the only one crazy enough to jump out there and say what most of you want to say but you don't have the balls to do so,' he claimed, before taking down the post entirely. 'Because it's very normal for people to be going through a rough patch and we all sit back and make a mockery of it, but I'm not gonna to that.' He went on to write that he was 'praying for Diddy, his kids, his family, his mother, and all of the alleged victims' that are 'in the middle of trying to simply have their voices to be heard.' 'I love this brother he's been nothing but kind and generous towards me and that's the way I feel,' Gibson concluded. 'Praying and praying for more of a better outcome of all of this is happening. God bless you Diddy if you ever need to call me and just need a listening [ear] I'm here here bro.' While Gibson has removed the post from Instagram, social media users were quick to condemn his bizarre post on X (previously known as Twitter.) One wrote: 'Someone should tell Tyrese that when it comes to "going through a rough patch", the overwhelming majority of people aren't looking at Federal sex trafficking investigations after dual raids on their estates by the Department of Homeland Security.' 'So @Tyrese the alleged sex trafficking of minors is not a big deal because he made some music? How about you send your daughters to spend some time with @Diddy? I mean according to you he's been kind, so let him mentor them.' On Wednesday, the 45-year-old actor was met with immediate criticism for sharing a black and white photo of the rapper, alongside a lengthy statement praising him for his 'legendary parties and events' over the years 'What I can't do and what I won't do is downplay the laughter, the fun, the energy, the inspiration, the awards shows, the studio sessions, the most legendary parties and events I've ever attended in my life,' Tyrese captioned the post A third wrote: 'Disappointing cause I love Tyrese.... people gotta realize when your friends do heinous things, you don't have to defend them.' 'I look at Tyrese differently now after that Diddy post cause what?!?!!!????!!!!' another admitted. Earlier this week, Diddy insisted he is victim of a 'witch hunt' and bemoaned 'military-level force' used against him as he finally spoke out following the Monday double raid on his estates. Aaron Dyer, an attorney for the rapper, broke Combs' silence just over 24 hours after the Homeland Security investigation with a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,' Dyer said. 'Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities,' he added. 'Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.' Combs was seen speaking to customs agents at an airport 15 minutes from his Miami Beach Monday evening but never arrested. While Gibson has removed the post from Instagram, social media users were quick to condemn his bizarre post on X (previously known as Twitter) 'This unprecedented ambush -- paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence -- leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,' Dyer continued. 'There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.' Sources told Page Six that Combs was planning to fly to the Bahamas to spend time with his 17-year-old twins, Jessie and D'Lila, when the agents swooped in on his properties. They gathered evidence including a 'number of' electronic devices, ABC News reports. No criminal charges have been filed, and Diddy has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. Joey King looked chic in a plaid jacket and matching pleated skirts as she promoted her drama We Were the Lucky Ones on Good Morning America. She paired the grey and white plaid suit with a white shirt, charcoal grey tie and red and white pumps. Her light brown hair was styled in curls and her bright red lips tied her look back to the pop of ruby on her feet. The Kissing Booth star, 24, was accompanied by her co-star Logan Lerman, 32. The Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief star looked like a 1950s heartthrob in a black suit with a white t-shirt, white socks and black loafers. Joey King looked chic in a plaid jacket and matching pleated skirts as she promoted her drama We Were the Lucky Ones on Good Morning America She paired the grey and white plaid suit with a white shirt, charcoal grey tie and red and white pumps King and Lerman expressed how meaningful the series is to both of them as they are both Jewish. In fact, Logan told a story about his grandfather who escaped Nazi Germany and ended up in Shanghai, China. 'That was one element that really resonated for me. I haven't seen the German European Jewish refugee story in film or television before and finally we get to explore it.' Joey and Logan play siblings Halina and Addy in the series based on Georgia Hunter's novel about her family's experience trying to survive the Holocaust. The eight-episode series follows the Kurc family, who is determined to survive and reunite after being separated during World War II. The conversation on GMA soon turned towards the relationships of the two actors. Joey married director Steven Piet six months ago and Logan proposed to his long-time girlfriend Ana Corrigan in November. King and Lerman are good friends and The Perks of Being a Wallflower actor attended her wedding in Spain. Later in the day, Joey and Logan were spotted on another stop on their promo tour of the media outlets. The InBetween star wore an oversized grey suit with a pair of red platform heels. She carried a white leather handbag and her curls were more relaxed than they were in the morning. Logan, meanwhile wore a black v-neck sweater over a white t-shirt with light-wash jeans and a great coat. On Wednesday, Joey was spotted on a coffee run with her husband in New York City. Her light brown hair was styled in curls and her bright red lips Joey and Logan play siblings Halina and Addy in the series based on Georgia Hunter's novel about her family's experience trying to survive the Holocaust The eight-episode series follows the Kurc family, who is determined to survive and reunite after being separated during World War II The Kissing Booth star, 24, was accompanied by her co-star Logan Lerman, 32. The Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief star looked like a 1950s heartthrob in a black suit with a white t-shirt, white socks and black loafers. Later in the day, Joey and Logan were spotted on another stop on their promo tour of the media outlets Joey leapt over a puddle as she navigated in the rainstorm The InBetween star wore an oversized grey suit with a pair of red platform heels She carried a white leather handbag and her curls were more relaxed than they were in the morning The conversation on GMA soon turned towards the relationships of the two actors. Joey married director Steven Piet six months ago and Logan proposed to his long-time girlfriend Ana Corrigan in November King and Lerman are good friends and The Perks of Being a Wallflower actor attended her wedding in Spain On Wednesday, Joey was spotted on a coffee run with her husband Steven Piet in New York City As for how it feels being married: 'Everything just feels a little bit sweeter,' Joey told People last week The couple was dressed casually with the Ramona and Beezus star wearing a bright blue button down shirt with high-waisted brown pants and a long black coat with leather accents. Piet wore jeans and a plaid shirt over a white t-shirt with a tan coat. As for how it feels being married: 'Everything just feels a little bit sweeter,' Joey told People last week. We Were the Lucky Ones premiered today on Hulu. Spencer Matthews was unaware that Jesus Christ was in fact a real person, despite attending one of the UK's most prestigious and expensive private schools. The Made in Chelsea star, 35, made the discovery while appearing on BBC's spiritual hiking show Pilgrimage which sees a a group of celebrities, all with different belief and faiths don their hiking boots to set off on a medieval route. Spencer, who attended Eton College which costs on average 50K a year, was shocked to discover Jesus was an actual person with his fellow hiker Eshaan Akbar exclaiming in shock: 'What school did you say you went to?'. The former reality star admitted: 'I kind of thought he was fictitious, I have kind of likened religion to just fairy tales before, and they transcend time because they're such good stories,' 'But like the fact that some of the key players, I mean Jesus Christ, was a bit more than a key player I think'. Spencer Matthews, 35, was unaware that Jesus Christ was in fact a real person, despite attending one of the UK's most prestigious and expensive private schools Spencer, who attended Eton College (pictured) which costs on average 50K a year, was shocked to discover Jesus was an actual person with his fellow hiker Eshaan Akbar exclaiming in shock: 'What school did you say you went to?'. Historian James Dunn wrote: 'Today nearly all historians, whether Christians or not, accept that Jesus existed'. Other famous faces to attended Eton College include Prime Ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, as well as Prince William, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston and Bear Grylls. It comes after Spencer revealed he had changed the way he eats after taking part in the BBC's show. Discussing his highlight after taking part on the show, Spencer confessed he learnt all about fasting through Sonali Shah during the pair's time on the show and admitted: 'that has changed the way I eat since filming'. He explained: 'I have some lasting friendships from doing the show. I learned about fasting through Sonali Shah. I did a 24-hour fast whilst filming, to show solidarity for Jainism, which is an ancient religion. 'I began to learn a lot about fasting and that led me to read books about fasting and breathing and that got me on to Wim Hof and James Nestor and I've suddenly found myself reading books about spirituality. 'I really feel like I broadened my mind an awful lot on that pilgrimage, and I still fast. I have been fasting ever since the last week of the pilgrimage on a daily basis. So, I've taken that with me.' He later added that throughout the whole experience his new love of fasting triggered the biggest change in his life. The Made in Chelsea star made the discovery while appearing on BBC 's spiritual hiking show Pilgrimage which sees a a group of celebrities, all with different belief and faiths don their hiking boot s to set off on a medieval route. The former reality star admitted: 'I kind of thought he was fictitious, I have kind of likened religion to just fairy tales before, and they transcend time because they're such good stories' It comes after Spencer revealed he had changed the way he eats after taking part in the BBC 's show (pictured earlier this week) 'I'd go back to the fast, that has changed the way I eat since filming.' Spencer recently sparked concern after fans thought he appeared too slim, with some even asking why he was 'punishing' himself. However, the star insisted that his recent pilgrimage has left him even more conscious of his health and well being. He said: 'The whole experience made me feel even happier to be alive, if you know what I mean. I'm very conscious of health and wellness now - although I kind of have been for a while - but I'm particularly conscious of certain things.' Pilgrimage airs Fridays at 9pm on BBC Two & BBC iPlayer from 29 March 2024. Catch all three episodes on BBC iPlayer from Friday 29 March. He's blessed with a glamorous wife, not to mention a glorious Georgian manor house set in 1,134-acres on the Wiltshire-Dorset border, from where his own brewery supplies the beer for both his London pub and the restaurant at the vintage airfield he acquired last year. But just when you thought that life couldn't get much sweeter for Guy Ritchie, I can disclose that he'll be tucking into his Easter eggs with a particularly satisfied smile having trousered 13million. That's the dividend Ritchie, 55, treated himself to in the last financial year, courtesy of Toff Guy Films, the company he established back in 2004 when married to his first wife, Madonna. At the time, cynics suggested that his career would be a two-hit wonder, limited to his Bafta-winning debut, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and its equally dazzling follow-up, Snatch. Guy Ritchie and his wife Jacqui Ainsley attend the Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 30, 2019, in London Ritchie's glorious Georgian manor house set in 1,134-acres on the Wiltshire-Dorset border, from where his own brewery supplies the beer for both his London pub and the restaurant at the vintage airfield he acquired last year Guy Ritchie with Madonna at the film premiere of Snatch in Los Angeles in 2001 His third film, Swept Away, starring Madonna, was released in 2002. It was a disaster both critically and commercially. So was his fourth, Revolver, three years later, despite boasting Jason Statham in the lead role. But friends felt that there was only really one factor impeding Ritchie: an ill-starred marriage. 'I felt a film shoot would last longer than the marriage,' recalls one of them, arguing that, while Ritchie remained with Madonna, he was reduced to a desperate, supporting role. 'You can't really be married to a superstar and produce your best. It never works. You just end up as the bag carrier. I knew that, once he shed those shackles, he would do extremely well. He's a huge talent. Got a great eye for what makes a movie rock.' Ritchie and Madonna divorced in 2008, the year when he was hired, as second choice, to direct Sherlock Holmes a massive box-office success when released the following year, as was its sequel in 2011. Next month, Ritchie who in 2015 married model Jacqui Ainsley, with whom he has two sons and a daughter, celebrates the US release of his latest film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare only weeks after the end of his acclaimed Netflix crime series, The Gentlemen, itself a spin-off from his hit film of the same name. Remind me, what's Madonna up to these days? Give James Bond back his licence to amuse, pleads Sir Jonathan Pryce, who played a baddie opposite Pierce Brosnan in 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies. 'I think they were trying to keep up with other action ventures like the [Jason] Bourne series,' he says. Speaking on Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC, Pryce adds: 'Daniel Craig did a fantastic job, but I'd like a little bit of levity back in it.' Sir Jonathan Pryce played a baddie opposite Pierce Brosnan in 1997 Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (pictured) Hugh's in charge? Seinfeld and Grant in comedy clash Comedian Jerry Seinfeld appears to have found directing Hugh Grant in his Netflix film, Unfrosted, a challenge. 'You should have heard us screaming at each other on set,' Seinfeld says. 'I was saying to him: "You don't know anything about comedy. You just know how to be witty in a pub. Here in America, we've got to get real laughs." 'He'd scream back: "I know a lot about comedy!"' Seinfeld explains he wants every word 'exactly as written', adding: 'Hugh Grant would say, "Give me a chance to find it," and I'd say, "I've already found it. Just do it like this."' Unfrosted is about the creation of the breakfast treat, the Pop-Tart, and it is set in the 1960s Fiennes: Tech may stop us from exploring Sir Ranulph Fiennes has climbed Mount Everest three times reaching the summit on his third attempt aged 65 but would he have done so had he been born this century? The Old Etonian explorer, who turned 80 this month, argues that while modern technology makes it 'easier to keep going forward, it's also easier to turn back'. He explains: 'We have GPS systems, satellite phones, all manner of other technological innovations that can help us cross the ice, climb the peak, navigate the deep-sea trench or whatever the case may be. However, there's a bigger problem now with, in a way, temptation.' Fiennes lopped off two of his frostbitten fingers using a set of fretsaw blades to save himself a 6,000 surgery bill following a trip to the North Pole in 2000. 'What if you're feeling, say, the effects of frostbite?' he asks. 'Will you resort to that satellite phone and get picked up, rather than keep on going?' Sir Ranulph Fiennes has climbed Mount Everest three times reaching the summit on his third attempt aged 65 but would he have done so had he been born this century? Sir Ranulph gives a thumbs up with his injured hand at an event in London in 2003 Winkleman's war on 'nannying' train signs Sophie Winkleman appears to be taking after Princess Anne when it comes to plain speaking. The actress, who is married to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's son Lord Frederick Windsor, is sick of the increasingly nannying treatment we must endure on public transport. 'I'm seeing these daft Tube signs rather a lot lately,' she says, referring to 'signs telling me I mustn't give money to beggars why not, if I want to?' and others 'telling me I can't stare at people'. She muses: 'What if someone is listening to a deafening violent video on their phone? Should I deck them instead?' Sophie, the half-sister of Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, also dislikes Transport for London posters warning passengers not to 'press into someone'. She remarks in The Spectator: 'Try the Victoria line at 6pm, you TfL halfwits.' Sophie Winkleman attending a Pre-Oscar Dinner on February 21, 2015 Sophie Winkleman is married to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's son Lord Frederick Windsor (pictured together in November 2023) When Inigo Philbrick was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2022, there was no suggestion his fiancee, ex Made In Chelsea star Victoria Baker-Harber, knew of his 80 million art swindle. Yet in Philbrick's first interview since his release, he reveals he told her in 2019: 'I may have done illegal things in trying to resolve my untenable situation with jointly owned artworks between multiple parties.' He adds: 'She probably didn't believe me. The whole world knew me as this wunderkind art dealer. How could it be otherwise?' When Inigo Philbrick was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2022, there was no suggestion his fiancee, ex Made In Chelsea star Victoria Baker-Harber, knew of his 80 million art swindle. Pictured: The couple together Cruise in mission to watch play It was Mission: Impossible for Tom Cruise not to stand out at the National Theatre when he watched The Motive And The Cue recently. 'Tom came to see my show and it was very exciting for everyone,' Mark Gatiss tells me at a London party. Gatiss, who portrays Sir John Gielgud in the play, adds: 'Everyone was aware of him being there, but he blended in. He came backstage afterwards, and it was brilliant like a royal visit.' Gatiss got to know Cruise through his role in the Mission: Impossible films. Gatiss, who portrays Sir John Gielgud in the play, pictured on March 14, 2024 He's the TV celebrity chef known for his volcanic temper. And when Boost Juice founder Janine Allis agreed to join Gordon Ramsay to co-host his Food Stars reality show, she admitted she was 'nervous'. But Allis, 59, has since revealed that the team-up was 'love' at first sight. 'I was just hoping that we'd have a connection because I've worked with other people in the past and it hasn't quite gelled,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'But as soon as we met we fell in TV love and it was all good from there.' When Boost Juice founder Janine Allis (right) agreed to join Gordon Ramsay (left) to co-host his Food Stars reality show, she admits she was 'nervous' Ramsay, 56, features alongside Allis in the Apprentice-style cooking competition. Contestants are out to win $250,000 worth of investment to kick start their businesses. The former Shark Tank Australia star addeds that she was not prepared for Ramsay's fame. Ramsay, 56, features alongside Allis in the Apprentice-style cooking competition Allis, 59, revealed that the team-up was 'love' at first sight The high-profile chef used a high-level of security during public appearances during filming. 'We were doing one gig at Melbourne Central with all these security guards and I said, ''Oh for god's sake. Mate, you're not that important. Is this not overkill? Like seriously, do you need this much security or is it just for me?'',' she said. In Food Stars Ramsay and Allis are each responsible for a team of hopefuls who will pitch their best 'food and drink' business ideas to the food gurus. The former Shark Tank Australia star addeds that she was not prepared for Ramsay's fame Each team must compete in high-pressure challenges to prove their worth, with the losing side confronted with a brutal takedown by Ramsay and Allis. The competitors will be tested on key values essential to all successful businesses, including customer service, sales, marketing, branding and event management. It comes after reportedly dropped $17million on a mansion next door to Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's Byron Bay home. Contestants are out to win $250,000 worth of investment to kick start their businesses Allis who is also a Director of Michael Hill Jeweller, is believed to be the new owner of a 948sqm block at Wategos Bay in northern New South Wales. The property, which was marketed as 'meticulously crafted', has five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Raised at Knoxfield in outer suburban Melbourne, Allis left school at 16 and her first part-time jobs were picking strawberries and as a Target checkout chick. She became a media assistant for advertising agency McCann-Erickson and has worked as a gym instructor, door girl and model. Boost Juice began when Janine was on maternity leave from a publicity job after giving birth to her third son. Ice Spice's hot moment with Nicki Minaj was not nearly as intense as her experience on Hot Ones. The Grammy Award nominee, 24, had to tap out during her recent episode of the First We Feast series, in which she discussed her upcoming debut studio album Y2K and collaborating with Nicki Minaj on their song 'Princess Diana'. 'I feel like I'm handling it better than you,' she teased host Sean Evans before admitting: 'I spoke too soon.' She began spiraling after trying Da' Bomb Beyond Insanity (135,600 Scoville level), which Evans called 'one of the hottest hot sauces on the planet.' 'That's so f***ed up, I'm not gonna lie to you,' she said. 'I'm panicking, y'all. Am I red? It's like a mental thing?' Ice Spice had to tap out during her recent episode of Hot Ones after trying Da' Bomb Beyond Insanity (135,600 Scoville level) Evans called it 'one of the hottest hot sauces on the planet' 'It looks like I'm crying but I'm not,' noted Ice Spice (real name Isis Naija Gaston). 'This one got me shaking,' she said shortly before moving onto the next sauce. After sniffing MataSanos (680,000 Scoville), she tapped out. 'I'm not gonna do that to myself,' said Gaston. Earlier in the episode, she dished with Evans about filming the video for her 2023 single 'Princess Diana' with Minaj. '"Princess Diana" remix with Nicki was my favorite video to shoot 'cause I was just so excited. Oh my god,' she recalled. 'I've never been that excited on set.' Gaston continued, 'And the bedroom scene, that was so fun. Being on the bed, bouncing around with Nicki, who does that? So that was fun. The Bronx-born artist dropped the video in April 2023 after releasing the single on her EP Like..? that January. She and Minaj also collaborated on 'Barbie World' from last year's star-studded Barbie soundtrack. Gaston revealed earlier this month that she's finished recording her debut album Y2K, which she said on Hot Ones is 'dropping soon.' Earlier in the episode, Ice Spice dished with Evans about filming the video for her 2023 single 'Princess Diana' with Minaj. 'I've never been that excited on set,' she said Gaston revealed earlier this month that she's finished recording her debut album Y2K, which she said on Hot Ones is 'dropping soon' Ice Spice also told Evans the album has passed the 'car test': 'I've been playing the album fully through in the car, volume all the way up' 'Every time I work on a song, I'm like, "This is going to be released,"' she said earlier in the episode. 'That hasn't always been the case, but for this album process, that was the case.' She also told Evans the album has passed the 'car test.' 'I've been playing the album fully through in the car, volume all the way up,' explained Gaston. 'And it passed. Thankfully, it passed.' Gaston, who earned her first four Grammy nominations this year, also opened up about why her success has been so meaningful. 'Coming from where I come from, I'm from the Bronx, Fordham Road specifically,' she explained. 'I feel like New York City as a whole is super hustle, hustle, hustle. 'And just wanting to make it out and provide for my family and live a more comfortable lifestyle, that was really the motive there,' added Gaston. Kristin Cavallari and Mark Estes have taken their budding romance to multiple corners of North America. The TikTok star, 24, shared some sweet photos Thursday to Instagram of himself with 'my girl' Cavallari, 37, in Nashville and Los Angeles. 'Photo dump of my girl and I,' wrote Estes with a heart emoji. He shared a photo with his arms wrapped around the Laguna Beach alum as they enjoyed a night out on Broadway in Nashville. Mark Estes, 24, shared some sweet photos Thursday to Instagram of himself with 'my girl' Cavallari, 37, in Nashville and Los Angeles 'Photo dump of my girl and I,' wrote Estes with a heart emoji Cavallari also cozied up to the Montana Boyz member inside a Nashville bar in other photos. The couple shared a kiss in some other snapshots taken on a Los Angeles rooftop. A few hours later, Cavallari shared a slideshow of them hugging in the middle of a living room. 'Him,' she captioned the images, which showed them embracing and sharing a passionate smooch. Cavallari and Estes previously opened up about how they met after he first slid into her DMs. Estes, who is based in Montana and Nashville, said on Cavallari's Let's Be Honest podcast that he 'thought I was on my own account.' 'But I was on the Montana Boyz account, and I DM'd Kristin and I said, "I love you" right off the bat,' he recalled. 'So there we go.' Cavallari admitted she had previously seen their videos and told a friend she thought Estes was attractive. He shared a photo with his arms wrapped around the Laguna Beach alum as they enjoyed a night out on Broadway in Nashville The couple shared a kiss in some other snapshots taken on a Los Angeles rooftop The Very Cavallari star made their relationship public in February when she shared photos from their Los Cabos, Mexico getaway 'Three or four weeks later I get a DM from the Montana Boyz that said, "I love you," and I'm like, "Oh my god! It's fate,"' she recounted. 'So what do I do because I have no chill, I was like, "I want to get you guys on my podcast!"' added Cavallari. Cavallari continued, 'Eventually I asked who I was talking to, and he said, "Mark." And I said, "Oh good, you're my favorite."' A few hours later, Cavallari shared a slideshow of them hugging in the middle of a living room 'Him,' she captioned the images, which showed them embracing and sharing a passionate smooch The Very Cavallari star made their relationship public in February when she shared photos from their Los Cabos, Mexico getaway. 'He makes me happy,' she wrote in the caption with a heart emoji. The couple was most recently photographed stepping out for a date night this week in West Hollywood. Cavallari was previously married to Jay Cutler from 2013 to 2022, sharing three children. Robert Downey Jr. is continuing to prove himself as a total chameleon while tackling his first role since winning his first Oscar earlier this month. In the official trailer for his upcoming HBO series, The Sympathizer, the 58-year-old Oppenheimer actor looked completely unrecognizable in multiple roles. The two-and-half-minute preview begins with Downey Jr. telling Hoa Xuandes The Captain: 'Welcome to the world of spycraft!' Xuande, whose character describes himself as 'synthesis of incompatibilities' leverages his skills into becoming a spy. Robert Downey Jr. is continuing to prove himself as a total chameleon while tackling his first role since winning his first Oscar earlier this month In the official trailer for his upcoming HBO series, The Sympathizer, the 58-year-old Oppenheimer actor looked completely unrecognizable in multiple roles Downey, who plays his handler, promises: 'By the time Im through with you, youll be able to blend in with the Harvard rowing crew.' It is later seemingly revealed in the trailer that The Captain, who is working for the CIA and Viet Cong, may be a double agent. Among the characters portrayed by Downey Jr. in the series, the father-of-three went from a bald man in a patterned kimono robe to a cigar-smoking redhead in a suit. He could also be seen sporting a fedora and Hawaiian shirt. In a logline, provided to The Hollywood Reporter, the limited series is described as 'an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days arent over.' The rest of the star-studded cast includes Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, and Alan Trong. The New York native will star as four different characters in Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar's seven-episode spy thriller The Sympathizer, which premieres April 18 on Max. The two-and-half-minute preview begins with Downey Jr. (seen in March 2024) telling Hoa Xuandes The Captain: 'Welcome to the world of spycraft!' Xuande, whose character describes himself as 'synthesis of incompatibilities' leverages his skills into becoming a spy Downey, who plays his handler, promises: 'By the time Im through with you, youll be able to blend in with the Harvard rowing crew Each of Robert's antagonistic characters reportedly represent a different arm of the American establishment and he told People: 'It wasn't particularly subtle, it wasn't meant to be, but I'm already proud of what I've seen.' The small-screen adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2015 debut novel will also feature Sandra Oh, Kieu Chinh, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, and Alan Trong. This marks Downey Jr.'s first project since taking home the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. Following his win, he teased that he had no plans on slowing down. 'I got a couple other tricks up my sleeve,' the Brat Packer told People at the Governor's Ball. Downey Jr. and his wife of 18 years - Susan Levin Downey - founded their production company Team Downey a decade ago. In addition to their spy series The Sympathizer, the couple's upcoming projects include Netflix series Sweet Tooth and Amazon MGM Studios' crime thriller Play Dirty. It is later seemingly revealed in the trailer that The Captain, who is working for the CIA and Viet Cong, may be a double agent Among the characters portrayed by Downey Jr. in the series, the father-of-three went from a bald man in a patterned kimono robe to a cigar-smoking redhead in a suit The New York native will star as four different characters in Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar's seven-episode spy thriller The Sympathizer, which premieres April 18 on Max The rest of the star-studded cast includes Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, and Alan Trong 'We're just getting started,' the 50-year-old producer gushed. 'We talk about it all the time. There's so many more things we want to do together and achieve together and play together, create together.' The Downey's Dream Cars producer-host called their partnership an 'inside job' adding: 'I believe that in our own way we have mountains yet to climb.' As for the long-delayed Sherlock Holmes 3, Susan told the UnWrapped podcast a year ago: 'Yes, it's in the hopper. We're going to do it when it's right with the right people. But it is a priority for the company and a priority for Robert.' This marks Downey Jr.'s first project since taking home the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer Downey Jr. and his wife of 18 years - Susan Levin Downey - founded their production company Team Downey a decade ago and their upcoming projects include The Sympathizer, Sweet Tooth and Play Dirty (seen earlier this month) During his acceptance speech, Robert gave a sweet shout-out to his 'veterinarian, I mean wife' considering 'she found me a snarling rescue pet and loved me back to life. That's why I'm here.' Downey Jr. frequently credits his wife with helping him overcome his drug and alcohol addiction in 2003 after meeting on the set of Gothika, and they're proud parents of 12-year-old son Exton and nine-year-old daughter Avri. In 2015, the performer received a full and unconditional pardon from Governor of California Jerry Brown for his prior drug convictions. Speaking of which, Robert's eldest son Indio Falconer Downey celebrated 18 months of sobriety last November. Downey Jr. welcomed the 30-year-old musician during his 12-year marriage to Deborah Falconer, which ended in 2004. Billie Piper looked bleary-eyed but cheerful as she led the stars attending Netflix's Scoop afterparty on Wednesday. The actress, 41, couldn't stop smiling as she climbed out of her car and head into the boozy bash at Little House in Mayfair. Billie was joined by her co-stars Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell at the party, following the premiere at The Curzon Mayfair in London as they celebrated the launch of the drama, which recreates of the car crash Prince Andrew Newsnight interview. Billie put on a very leggy display as she wowed in a racy black pinstripe power suit from Dolce and Gabbana, which came to a whopping total cost just shy of 4,700. The star opted for an oversized blazer, 2350, which she styled over a low cut black top, 1,700, and tailored shorts, 645. Billie Piper looked bleary-eyed but cheerful as she led the stars attending Netflix's Scoop afterparty on Wednesday The actress, 41, couldn't stop smiling as she climbed out of her car and head into the boozy bash at Little House in Mayfair Billie showcased her slender physique the star accentuated her slim legs in some black tights and simple heels, while a black train flowed off her jacket to the floor. Billie attended Netflix's Scoop premiere at The Curzon Mayfair after breaking her silence on ex-husband Laurence Fox. Billie shares sons Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with the controversial activist and they were embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute after their split six years ago. The actress spoke out for the first time on their complicated relationship to British Vogue and described how she navigates co-parenting 'with enormous difficulty.' At the party, Gillian looked stunning as she kept it simple in a gorgeous teal strapless gown by Emilia Wickstead which is estimated to cost around 1670. She accessorised the look with some Solange Azagury Aster earrings and simple silver sandals from Gianvito Rossi which cost 710. The 55-year-old showed off her ageless complexion as she kept her makeup to a minimum for the night, letting her blonde locks flow naturally over her shoulders. Gillian has been hailed as 'astonishing' in her upcoming role as Emily Maitlis after transforming into the Newsnight host in the new Prince Andrew film. One person branded Gillian the 'female Michael Sheen ' after seeing her in action as Maitlis, claiming 'she could literally transform into anyone'. Keeley kept it simple in an all black ensemble, as she paired a long black skirt with a smart blazer. Joining the women, Rufus Sewell, who plays Prince Andrew in the drama, looked dapper in a black suit as he posed for the camera. The upcoming film recreates the cringe-inducing 2019 interview between Emily and the disgraced royal down to the most meticulous detail. Billie put on a very leggy display as she wowed in a racy black pinstripe power suit from Dolce and Gabbana, which came to a whopping total cost just shy of 4,700 The star opted for an oversized blazer, 2350, which she styled over a low cut black top, 1,700, and tailored shorts, 645 Billie was joined by her co-stars Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell (pictured) at the party Gillian looked stunning as she kept it simple in a gorgeous teal strapless gown by Emilia Wickstead which is estimated to cost around 1670 The part followed the premiere at The Curzon Mayfair in London which celebrated the launch of the drama, which recreates of the car crash Prince Andrew Newsnight interview The Netflix drama also features an almost unrecognisable Billie in blonde wig and high heels. The actress stars as Sam McAlister, the Newsnight producer who secured Prince Andrews notorious interview with Maitlis. Meanwhile Keeley plays Prince Andrew's private secretary Amanda Thirsk in the hotly-anticipated drama. Based on the book Scoops, by Sam McAlister, the film (according to the trailer) shows captures the tension behind booking the royal for the interview, as well as the tension among the cast during the interview. The film is due to hit Netflix screens in the Spring and explores a behind-the-scenes look at how the interview was secured and how events surrounding it unfolded framed as a tribute to the work of the four women responsible. It is based on Scoops by Sam McAlister who is also known as the 'Booker extraordinaire' on Newsnight having successfully negotiated and secured the interview which quizzed the Duke about his friendship with the late-convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein. Emily discussed Virginia Giuffre 's claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 under the orders of Epstein. The prince strongly denied the claims throughout the interview. Romola Garai opted for a slightly unusual ensemble, as she tied blue ribbons to the elbows of her blazer jacket. The actress, 41, cut a chic figure as she styled a quirky beige co-ord with flared trousers. Styling her hair in voluminous curls the star completed the look with a bright red lip and some white criss-crossed heels. The actress opted for an oversized blazer which she styled over a low cut black top and tailored shorts The 55-year-old showed off her ageless complexion as she kept her makeup to a minimum for the night, letting her blonde locks flow naturally over her shoulders The actresses were seen creasing with laughter as they posed together The threesome put on a stunning display for the Netflix premiere One person branded Gillian the 'female Michael Sheen ' after seeing her in action as Maitlis, claiming 'she could literally transform into anyone' Keeley Hawes (second right) is also among the star-studded cast list Prince Andrew's private secretary Amanda Thirsk Billie Piper (left) plays the producer Sam McAlister The famous interview was described as a 'car crash' and on November 20, 2019, a statement from Buckingham Palace said Prince Andrew was suspended from public duties 'for the foreseeable future'. In May 2020, it was announced that the prince was permanently stepping down from his public roles. In January 2022, Ms Giuffre was given the go-ahead to sue Andrew for unspecified damages in a New York civil court. Despite vowing to fight the claims and repeatedly protesting his innocence, the prince agreed to pay a huge sum to settle the case before it ever reached a jury. interview, then the film. Sam McAllister previously appeared on This Morning to discuss her experience working on both the interview and the film. She described how tough it was securing the interview, saying: 'I was a complete underdog on booking content because who in their right mind, let's be frank, would want to go on unless you're a minister, or you're selling a book or a movie. 'Why would you go and take that risk, right? 'So my job was persuading people to go on against their interest basically. So I spent my time trying to get them to do something they probably shouldn't have done.' Discussing how she felt when securing the interview, she revealed: 'I'd been dealing with a palace for a year. And I think the thing that I love about this movie...is I'm an ordinary woman who ended up in an extraordinary situation. And of course, everyone's seen that interview. But this is the 95 per cent before that.' She continued: 'So it all started a year prior, and it was only on the Monday so we're now 13 months in the Monday when I met Prince Andrew face to face with Emily and Stuart with with his daughter sitting next to him in Buckingham Palace...It was only then on the one day I thought this could actually happen. 'And on Tuesday morning, they said yes. And I honestly I dropped my phone. I could not believe that they had said yes.' Describing the biggest curveball of the day, Sam told This Morning it was when Prince Andrew was accompanied into the interview with his daughter Princess Beatrice. 'Can you imagine you've gone to talk to a Prince and you're in Buckingham Palace...and you're talking about difficult subjects and then he brings his daughter?' she said? 'I mean, it was the curveball of curveballs. I'm not easily disconcerted, but I have to admit, even I was impressed by that as a curveball,' she added. Netflix describes the production as portraying: 'The inside track of the women that broke through the Buckingham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that led to the catastrophic fall from grace of The Queen's 'Favourite son'. Rufus Sewell, who plays Prince Andrew in the drama, looked dapper in a black suit Following the release of the trailer, viewers have gone wild for the casts transformation of Rufus as the The Duke Of York (pictured right) Sam McAlister, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Keeley Hawes, Billie Piper, Gillian Anderson, Philip Martin (L-R) 'From navigating Palace vetoes, to breaking through to Prince Andrew's inner circle, the high stakes negotiations and intensity of rehearsal - to the jaw dropping interview itself. 'SCOOP is the insider account of the inner workings of the Palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British Establishment, spotlighting the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings - and into the inner sanctum and calculations of a man with everything to lose.' Sam McAlister says 'it is beyond my wildest dreams, especially as a first time writer, to end up working with this extraordinary cast, Netflix, and the amazing teams at The Lighthouse and Voltage. Watching Billie Piper, one of my favourite actresses, play 'me' will be a pinch myself moment and I'm truly thrilled to be involved in this film.' Describing the film, director Philip Martin revealed: 'I'm thrilled to be directing this film for Netflix and - together with an extraordinary cast - to be bringing Sam McAlister's revelatory insider's account to the screen. 'Uptempo, immersive and cinematic, I want to put the audience inside the breath-taking sequence of events that led to the interview with Prince Andrew - to tell a story about a search for answers, in a world of speculation and varying recollections. 'It's a film about power, privilege and differing perspectives and how - whether in glittering palaces or hi-tech newsrooms - we judge what's true.' Sen. Joseph Lieberman shares a laugh with Parker Farms Elementary School Principal Patricia Crowley (left), state Rep. Mary Mushinsky (center) and other local educators during a visit to Parker Farms in Wallingford in 1999. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman laughs with a group of seniors at the Cheshire Senior Center in February 1999. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Sen. Joseph Lieberman speaks to seniors at the Calendar House in Southington, Oct. 30, 2002. Lieberman was in Southington on behalf of (second from left) then state Rep. Chris Murphy and Rep. Bruce Zalaski. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Sen. Joseph Lieberman addresses the media gathered at the Southern Connecticut Distribution and Processing Center in Wallingford in 2002 after trace amounts of Anthrax were discovered in the facility. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Seated at Huxley's Bookmark Cafe in Meriden are Frank Griffin, left, and wife Roberta Griffin, both of Meriden, speaking with Sen. Joe Lieberman in 2006. Standing on the left is David Papandrea and then state Sen. Chris Murphy, middle. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media A file photo of U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman visits Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn. Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. Leaders from around Connecticut praised the work of Joe Lieberman, who died on Wednesday and once served as one of the state's senators for nearly a quarter of a century. Autumn Driscoll Sen. Joseph Lieberman, left, his wife Hadassah, middle, walk with then Meriden Mayor Mark Benigni across West Main Street in Meriden. July 29, 2006 during a campaign stop. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Sen. Joseph Lieberman announces a $220,000 grant to the Meriden Fire Department to buy a new pumper truck, Jan. 23, 2009. Behind Lieberman is then Fire Chief James Trainor. File photo / Hearst Connecticut Media Leaders from state and federal governments praised the work of former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who died in New York City on Wednesday. A former state senator from Connecticut who went on to serve as the state's attorney general and later in the U.S. Senate until 2013 and came just a few electoral votes short of becoming the nation's first Jewish vice president in 2000, has died at 82. In a statement Wednesday night, Lieberman's family said he died due to complications from a fall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed," they said. "Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest." The family said Lieberman's funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, adding an additional memorial service will be announced at a later date. On Lieberman's death, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he praised his character while saying he disagreed with him on some major policy positions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Annie and I send our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family," he said. While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed." Notably, Lamont defeated Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. That loss resulted in Lieberman running as an independent for the position, and he won in November's general election that year. In post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, former President Barack Obama said he and Lieberman did not always see eye-to-eye, "but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. "He also worked hard to repeal 'Dont Ask Dont Tell' and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act," he said. "In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Don't Ask, Don't tell was a U.S. policy that banned openly gay, lesbian and bisexual people from joining the military. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz called Lieberman's death "the loss of one of Connecticuts political icons." "Across decades as a state senator, Connecticut attorney general, and U.S. senator Joe Lieberman shaped policies that bettered the lives of residents in our state and across the nation. I greatly admired his dedication, and it was his book, 'The Power Broker,' which inspired me to write my own biography of Gov. Ella Grasso. Joe was there to impact critical policies during some of the most pivotal moments in our recent history, whether casting the deciding vote to pass the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation that has provided more than 21 million Americans access to quality, affordable health care, or introducing the Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010," Bysiewicz said. In a post 9/11 era, Bysiewicz said, Lieberman spearheaded legislation that "led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security an effort that is still keeping us safe today. My heart goes out to Joes family and all who loved him. He will be greatly missed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. said Lieberman, who served alongside him in various roles throughout their careers, was his friend for more than 50 years. "On world and national stages, he helped to define and frame an era of history. He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together," he said. "He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service. He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went. Cynthia and I are with his family in heart and prayer at this difficult time." U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1, who served alongside Lieberman as part of Connecticut's congressional delegation for more than a decade, said the state "has lost a great champion." "I have known Joe Lieberman all of my political life, from his time as Majority Leader in the Connecticut State Senate, through his tenure as Attorney General, and on to the United State Senate, where he and Chris Dodd were a dynamic force for the State of Connecticut," he said. "While we may have had political differences, I have always had the utmost of respect for Senator Lieberman, someone who cared deeply about his state and this great nation we live in. My heart and prayers go out to Hadassah and the entire Lieberman family. This is a tragic loss for the United States of America." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Former Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy noted he and Lieberman shared Stamford roots, "so we go way back." "He spent much of his career fighting for people who didnt, at the time, have a lot of politicians fighting for them," he said. "I knew him for a long time, liked him very much, and respected his civility and decency even when we disagreed, which we sometimes did. The thing Ill remember most about Joe was that he was a kind, down-to-earth person who never forgot where he came from, even when he made history as the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major political party. Cathy and I send our deepest condolences to Hadassah, and the entire Lieberman family." U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said she and her husband, Stan Greenberg, are heartbroken over Lieberman's death. "I was blessed to both count Joe as a friend and have the opportunity to serve with him in the Congress for over 20 years," it said. "It was a pleasure and honor to do so. Joe leaves an incredible legacy of public service, and he will be deeply missed." Advertisement Article continues below this ad DeLauro said she and Lieberman worked together to pass legislation that repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell, as well as backing laws that support educators and public education. "He was a champion for consumers, and he also understood the importance of preserving a future for our children by battling climate change and fighting to protect the environment," she said. "Although we often disagreed on the issues, I know our purpose for service was aligned: fighting for the hardworking families of Connecticut." DeLauro said her husband was proud to work on Lieberman's first campaign for the U.S. Senate, and on his campaign with Al Gore that that won the popular vote. "And Connecticut was never prouder than to see Joe run for Vice President," she said. "I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Hadassah, his children, grandchildren, friends, and loved ones." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a joint statement, state Sens. Stephen Harding, R-30, and Ryan Fazio, R-36, said Lieberman was fiercely independent, widely respect, committed to bipartisan solutions and unflappable. "Sen. Lieberman devoted his life to serving Connecticut and our country," they said. "That service was delivered with integrity, and it has positively impacted the lives of countless citizens. We are grateful for Sen. Liebermans dedication to improving the quality of life in our state and country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said no one meant more to him in his choice to pursue public service than Lieberman, and nobody encouraged him more than he did. "I first met him when he was Attorney General, and I was a 15-year-old campaign volunteer for his 1988 U.S. Senate race," he said. "He was principled and tough, but also incredibly warm and kind, and deeply dedicated to Connecticut and his hometown of Stamford." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tong said Lieberman was a mentor to him throughout his career. "I will never forget the moment, on the day I took office as Attorney General, that he called to tell me how proud he was," he said. "I would not be Attorney General today if not for his support and the many kindnesses he showed me over the years. It is a profound honor to walk by his portrait every time I step into my office. This is a heartbreaking shock, and a loss to us all. I send peace and love to Hadassah and all of his kids, Matthew, Becca, Hani and Ethan." In a statement, the No Labels Party, of which Lieberman was founding chairman, said he was the moral center of the No Labels movement. "His unexpected passing is a profound loss for all of us," it said. "Senator Lieberman was a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The No Labels Party said Lieberman's record can't begin to tell the story of his impact on America's public life, calling him a "man of uncommon integrity who did the right things for the right reasons." As American politics became angrier, it said, Lieberman was "unfailingly civil and decent" to allies and opponents. "Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled," it said. "But we are honored to have known him and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had." Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, said Lieberman was a "tireless fighter for the state of Connecticut and a champion of environmental policy." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Love Island's Hannah Elizabeth was reportedly ejected from Molly Smith's Boohoo bash after vaping, dancing on the tables, and rowing with bouncers, it has been claimed. Hannah, 34, was one of the several former All Stars who joined Molly to celebrate her six-figure deal with Boohoo. attending the bash braless in a racy lace jumpsuit featuring several cut outs. While inside Fenix, Manchester she took numerous photos with the likes of Arabella Chi, Sophie Piper and Mitch Taylor, yet while Hannah seemed to be having great time at the event, she was allegedly asked to leave with two other guests. A source told The Sun: 'Hannah was the life and soul of the party last night. She was dancing on the tables, drinking and vaping. 'She was asked a few times to stop doing it inside but kept going. In the end she was told to leave.' Love Island's Hannah Elizabeth was reportedly ejected from Molly Smith 's Boohoo bash after vaping, dancing on the tables, and rowing with bouncers, it has been claimed (pictured on the night) Hannah, 34, was one of the several former All Stars who joined Molly (pictured) at Fenix in Manchester to celebrate her six-figure deal with Boohoo The insider continued: 'It didnt go down to well and she was arguing in the street with bouncers for some time before finally leaving. She wont be welcomed back there in a hurry!' MailOnline has contacted Hannah's representatives for comment. The Love Islander veteran - who made her first appearance on the very first series in 2015 - was voted out of All Stars by her fellow islanders alongside Tyler Cruickshank. Last month, Hannah shocked fans as she explained plans to get her bum filler 'topped up' after returning to the UK following her villa stint in South Africa. The Liverpudlian TV personality took to Instagram to detail how she is getting back to her cosmetic maintenance and having 500ml of filler put in her bottom. Hannah told her followers she will 'video the whole thing' for them to see after many fans approached her to ask about her famous rear following her Love Island appearance. She told her 543,000 followers: 'Hello everybody, so obviously since the show and having spoke about have my bum done, loads of people have been asking me about the booty. 'So I get my bum done ay Lift Aesthetics and being fresh out the villa I am excited, literally can't wait to go and have my top up. 'I'm going to get 500ml by the amazing Lift Aesthetics and I will show you the whole process.' Hannah, who posts content on OnlyFans, regularly shows off her cosmetically enhanced features online and has remained open and positive about her cosmetic procedures. Kate Garraway took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to thank fans for their 'kind messages' of support, following the release of her new documentary. On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story aired on ITV, chronicling the former political lobbyist's final year of life before his death in January aged 56. Filmed in May 2023, the episode, which has been praised by critics, confronted the reality of Derek's struggles after getting Covid and the effect on those around him in never-before-seen images and footage. No, Kate has vowed to not let fans down who have share their own stories with Kate following the pandemic. She said: 'Hello, it has been a long day, a long week, a long four years. It is the moment where my mum would tell me to go to bed and not put a message out until I've slept and thought about it. Kate Garraway took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to thank fans for their 'kind messages' of support, following the release of her new documentary On Tuesday, Kate Garraway: Derek's Story aired on ITV , chronicling the former political lobbyist's final year of life before his death in January aged 56. 'But I couldn't let the day end without sending a massive thank you and a massive hug to everyone who has shown kindest to me personally and my family for the documentary that aired last night. 'Mainly thank you for coming forward and sharing your stories with me and trusting me with your stories. I will do my absolute best not to let you down because even though you have shown kindest to me and sending love to Derek, for whom this was his story, but it was also not about me or him or our family, it was about all of you and all of those in the documentary like the professional carer's. 'Through all of that pain that has been breaking my heart hearing your stories, there is also an incredible strength and kindest to do good. I promise you I won't let you down and will harness that kindest, without anger or blaming, to try and make some real change. 'For now it is really just a salute to everyone and a thankyou. I will try my best not to let you down.' Kate revealed that she 'couldn't speak for an hour' after watching the documentary about her late husband Derek. Speaking on Wednesday's This Morning Kate reflected on seeing the episode and the reaction from viewers it has had. She told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: 'I couldn't speak for about an hour afterwards. I was overwhelmed.' Kate poignantly added of Derek while she watched: 'The thing that jumped out at me was how well he was doing and the progress he had made. It was frustrating.' Filmed in May 2023, the episode, which has been praised by critics, confronted the reality of Derek's struggles after getting Covid and the effect on those around him in never-before-seen images and footage Kate told followers: 'For now it is really just a salute to everyone and a thankyou. I will try my best not to let you down.' It comes after Kate revealed that she 'couldn't speak for an hour' after watching the documentary about her late husband Derek She also touched on her financial woes in the This Morning interview as she vowed she will 'absolutely' pay off the debts she owes. Kate has been incredibly open and honest about the 800,000 debt she has accumulated , for years of care provided for Derek. She said: 'I will pay it. Absolutely and I don't regret it. It was the right thing to do. I'm lucky because I had a job where people would allow me to rush off to appointments. 'There was a moment when they cancelled the care at the last minute and they said to call an ambulance and take Derek to hospital. Obviously GMB said to do what I needed to do but some people can't stay at home.' She also touched on her initial reaction about releasing the documentary so soon after his death. Kate explained: 'The producer rang shortly after his death and said 'Look it's pretty much ready to go.' 'My initial reaction was 'oh no we can't do this now it's too painful''. She also touched on some of the criticism the documentary has received from cruel trolls who claimed she was 'exploiting' Derek when making the show. She said: 'I think people are bored of me banging on about the same thing. I don't think I would have made it if Derek wouldn't have wanted to. 'But there are people who are telling me not to give up and I'm doing it for them. 'It's like 'oh Kate stop going on about your problems to the world' but it's for everyone else.'' Kate's late husband was plagued with health woes after contracting Covid in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating. Derek had been plagued with health woes after contracting the virus in March 2020, which saw him put in a coma, battle sepsis and left with difficulties communicating (pictured 2019) She said: 'I will pay it. Absolutely and I don't regret it. It was the right thing to do. I'm lucky because I had a job where people would allow me to rush off to appointments' Dereks Story features him talking on camera for the first time since his health battle as he admitted: 'I want to be heard.' In the documentary Kate also opened up about the crippling debt she accrued caring for Derek, admitting she's at 'crunch point'. Faced with a debt of up to 800,000 Kate confessed: 'Derek's care costs more than my salary from ITV and that's before you pay for a mortgage or household bills or anything for the kids - so that is a crunch point. 'We are in debt and I can't earn enough money to cover my debt because I'm managing Derek's care. 'I can't even use the money I do have to support Derek's recovery because it's going to the basics all the time. 'I'm not going to pretend I'm poorly paid but it's not enough. 'Time and time again the state tells us Derek is not sick enough to qualify for state funded care. 'I've appealed but that still hasn't been processed three years later. If this is what's it like for me then what's it like for everybody else?' Kate continued: 'Something has to be done or the whole service, the people working in it, everything is going to break. 'We are entirely reliant on extraordinary carers but the system they work for is incredibly complicated and underfunded... 'Why is it people get sick and it's no longer considered the right thing for them to be in hospital, why does coming home feel like falling off a cliff?' Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Derek married presenter Kate in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14. In 2021, just over a year after contracting Covid, he was able to leave hospital and return to his family home in north London, with round-the-clock care. In August 2022 he was taken to hospital with sepsis but pulled through. Then in early December 2023, Derek had a heart attack and was taken to hospital again. Tragically, he wasn't able to overcome the latest medical emergency and on January 5 Kate confirmed that Derek died. In a post on social media, she said that her husband died surrounded by family and that she was 'holding his hand throughout the last long hours'. She said his Covid infection had left him with lasting damage to his heart which had led to 'further complications'. Kate also thanked the medical teams for making his final moments as 'comfortable and dignified as possible.' MailOnline understands Derek passed away on Wednesday night (January 3) in a north London hospital. For years he was known as the Made In Chelsea 'bad boy' partying to excess in high-end nightclubs. But Spencer Matthews has revealed it was the anger he was harbouring about losing his brother at the age of ten that drove him to start abusing alcohol at a young age. In an emotional interview on the Mail's brand new Everything I Know About Me podcast, the star said he rejects the term 'childhood trauma' and therapy he sought after his sibling disappeared descending Mount Everest 25 years ago made him feel 'uncomfortable'. Your browser does not support iframes. Matthews, 35, whose elder brother James is married to Pippa Middleton, said: 'I harboured a lot of anger for many years and terribly ill feelings for the people who I believed had made mistakes that led to my brother's death. 'That's how I felt growing up and I would get drunk and I would talk about it and blow off steam by getting really angry about it from time to time. Spencer Matthews has revealed the 'anger' he felt over his brother Michael's death on Everest and how it led to alcohol problems when he was 'very young' In an emotional interview on the Mail's brand new Everything I Know About Me podcast, the star said he rejects the term 'childhood trauma' and therapy he sought after his sibling disappeared descending Mount Everest 15 years ago made him feel 'uncomfortable' 'It was a really strange time in my life that I drank to excess, often at a very young age.' Matthews, who is married to Irish influencer Vogue Williams, stayed on Made in Chelsea for ten seasons from 2011 to 2015 before seeking therapy for his alcoholism in 2018 and the father-of-three has been teetotal since. Reflecting on his therapy during the podcast, he said: 'I have sought help for my alcoholism and what keeps coming back is this trauma suffered as a child. 'I don't like this idea that something happened to me and therefore I became a certain way. 'I've always been uncomfortable when I've had therapy and I'm asked what were your parents like? And I'm like, my parents are great, leave them alone. He continued: 'I hate placing blame on circumstances outside of my control for my alcohol abuse. I've always been uncomfortable with that. My decision to abuse alcohol for many years was my decision and I was conscious at the time of doing it.' Matthews' older brother Michael became the youngest Briton to conquer Mount Everest in 1999 at the age of 23 but fell to his death while descending alone in a 100mph blizzard. His father David Matthews' attempt to bring a case of manslaughter against three Everest guides for negligence on the mountain was rejected in 2006. Matthews' older brother Michael became the youngest Briton to conquer Mount Everest in 1999 at the age of 23 but fell to his death while descending alone in a 100mph blizzard. Spencer shares children Theodore, five, Gigi, three and 18-month old Otto with Vogue Williams. Spencer last year fronted Finding Michael, a documentary about his brother's ill-fated trip Spencer last year fronted Finding Michael, a documentary about his brother's ill-fated trip. He said: 'I can tell you how it made me feel, I grew up believing throughout all my teenage years that Mike had been killed by somebody making mistakes. 'These particular people have made mistakes that led to my brother's death.' Matthews shares children Theodore, five, Gigi, three and 18-month old Otto with Ms Williams. The Mail's newest podcast, Everything I Know About Me, explores the lives of some of our most fascinating public figures, the highs, the lows and the in between told in their own words. An experienced photographer who accused Taylor Swift's dad of punching him in the face during her recent Australian tour has expressed bitter disappointment that no further action will be taken by police. The pop star had just performed her last Aussie show of The Eras Tour in Sydney when the alleged incident with photographer Ben McDonald, 51, occurred in the early hours of February 27. Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from suburban Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay in the city's north when Scott was accused of hitting McDonald, who was awaiting an opportunity to photograph them. NSW Police launched an investigation into the incident and spent four weeks obtaining statements from witnesses and reviewing video and CCTV footage. The investigation was finalised on Tuesday with no charges laid or any further action against Mr Swift. Mr McDonald - the chief executive of Matrix Media Group - has since expressed his disappointment in the police decision. The photographer also claimed that he has been inundated with threats and abuse from Swift's fans via email and phone. Taylor Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay where Scott was then accused of punching photographer Ben McDonald, 51, in the face READ MORE: Travis Kelce on his thoughts about Sydney Advertisement Mr McDonald also publicly shared the email sent to him by police on Tuesday. 'The evidence offered by Scott SWIFT and other witnesses raised self defence of another as defence (lawful excuse) to the offence of common assault, thus putting an onus on the prosecution to disprove this,' the email from police stated. 'On review of the evidence and legal advice, this cannot be disproved by the prosecution.' Mr McDonald claimed he was told by detectives that they obtained statements from four members of Swift's international security team who were present at the time as well as information from Mr Swift via his legal counsel. He also claimed he was advised there were no licensed Australian security personnel present at the time. Mr McDonald has requested his lawyer to review the findings, particularly the use of 'self defence as defence to the offence of common assault'. 'It is hard to imagine that Mr Swift had such little confidence in the skills and expertise of Taylors highly trained Close Personal Protection team, many of whom are former military (special forces) that he felt he had to personally come to his daughters 'defence' and directly punch me in the face,' he claimed in a statement. 'I believe Mr Swift was tired and annoyed that we had found the spot they were taking his daughter off the boat, as evidenced by the video showing him raise his middle finger at us. '(I believe he) just ran in seeing the opportunity to vent his frustrations with a sucker punch while I was otherwise distracted by the bodyguards.' Taylor Swift was returning to her hotel with her entourage when the alleged incident between her dad and a paparazzi photographer unfolded Matrix Media photographer Ben McDonald (pictured) says he's disappointed in the police investigation findings Mr McDonald claimed he has had no contact from Scott Swift either directly or via a representative. 'I am not surprised by this and I doubt that an apology would ever be forthcoming,' he said. Mr McDonald also fired back at Swifties who he said he barraged him with threats and abuse. 'I find these mostly amusing as I believe them to be mainly from young fans just lashing out in defense of their idol and I do not take them seriously,' he said. 'That said, by and large I believe Police are hardworking and I thank them for their time irrespective of the result.' The alleged incident occurred after Swift's final show in Australia for The Eras Tour The Dandi March serves as a reminder that peaceful protest can be a potent weapon against injustice and oppression The 1980s film Mard immortalised a poignant scene that encapsulates the essence of patriotism, rebellion, and sacrifice in Indian cinematic history. In this scene, the protagonist, amidst relentless flogging by the heroine armed with chains, whispers with unyielding spirit, For this salt, our Mahatma led a revolution. This homage vividly captures the spirit of the Salt Satyagraha of 1930, a pivotal moment in Indias quest for independence, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Salt Satyagraha, which took place from March 12 to April 6, 1930, galvanised a nation against British colonial rule. Gandhis symbolic act of picking up salt at Dandi defiantly challenged the salt taxes imposed by the British, symbolising defiance and resilience in Indias freedom struggle. Over 90,000 brave souls willingly embraced brutality in their pledge for nonviolence, standing as a beacon of hope against tyranny. The genesis of the Dandi March was rooted in the momentum established by the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This successful movement unified farmers and nationalists against oppressive British taxation, revitalising the spirit of the freedom struggle. By 1930, the Indian National Congress boldly articulated its aspiration for independence, setting the stage for Gandhis Salt Satyagraha. Gandhis letter to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, articulated the grievances of millions and announced his intention to lead a nonviolent protest against British atrocities. Despite Gandhis emphasis on dialogue and peaceful resolution, the Viceroys inadequate response led to the commencement of the Dandi March on March 12, 1930. Accompanied by 78 dedicated followers, Gandhi embarked on a significant march covering nearly 241 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi. This symbolic journey aimed at challenging the oppressive salt tax and British monopolistic control over salt production. The disciplined resolve of the satyagrahis exemplified unity amidst diversity, embodying the nations aspirations for liberation. On April 6, 1930, Gandhis defiance of the Salt Laws at Dandi marked a pivotal moment in Indias struggle for independence. His call to civil disobedience catalysed a mass boycott of British goods, prompting a harsh crackdown from British authorities. Despite brutal repression, the spirit of nonviolent resistance persisted, revealing the resilience of the Indian populace. The Salt Satyagraha showcased resolute collective action, with over 60,000 willingly imprisoned and thousands more participating in peaceful protests. Despite Government reprisals, the satyagrahis maintained remarkable restraint and nonviolent discipline. This nonviolent resistance ultimately led to negotiations with Congress leadership and Gandhis release after a year of imprisonment. The Dandi March culminated in the historic breaking of the salt laws, a symbolic act of defiance that reverberated globally. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. drew inspiration from Gandhis example, recognising the power of nonviolent resistance in confronting injustice. The Dandi March was not just a chapter in history but a transformative moment in Indias fight for independence, marking Gandhis emergence as a spiritual force. Through unwavering dedication to love and nonviolence, Gandhi wielded a potent weapon against oppression, demonstrating the profound impact of spirituality in challenging times. (The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal) The Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh held bilateral meeting with the Parliamentary delegation of Armenia on the sidelines of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva,Switzerland. India and Armenia have common ideas of governance which gives an opportunity to collaborate and share experience on the journey of the two countries. India and Armenia have rich cultural heritages and the two countries could further enhance focus on promoting cultural exchanges, such as art exhibitions, film festivals, and academic collaborations, said Harivansh who is attending the 148th Assembly of IPU. The RS Deputy Chairman also met the president of IPU Dr. Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania. The delegation is comprised of five members from Rajya Sabha , namely , S. Niranjan Reddy, Sujeet Kumar, Dr. Ashok Mittal, Dr. Prashanta Nanda and Smt. Sumitra Balmik. Indian parliamentary delegation also held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of IPU with the parliamentary delegation of Armenia led by Hakob Arshakyan, Vice President of the National Assembly of Armenia. Appreciating Armenias valuable support extended to India in all its multilateral initiatives, Harivansh said that the strong partnership between two countries continues to grow and expand into multiple areas of cooperation. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday questioned the locus standi of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for arresting him in the multi-crore liquor gate scam merely on the basis of statements of some, including his former Cabinet colleague Manish Sisodias secretary. Kejriwal asked the court whether these four statements are enough to arrest a sitting Chief Minister. I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM?, alleged Kejriwal. He was produced in a special court on Thursday where his ED custody was extended by four days till April 1. The probe agency had sought seven-day custody of the AAP chief. Kejriwal was supposed to do an expose on Friday as per his wifes Sunita statement a day earlier. Kejriwal submitted in the open court during the proceedings that statements of witnesses recorded by the investigating agency do not in any manner connect him with the alleged offences and questioned his arrest in the matter. Furthermore, the Chief Minister said Sarath Reddy, an approver in the case, got bail after he made a statement against him who himself donated `55 crore to the BJP. I have evidence of this. Money trail is established as he donated the funds after being arrested, the Chief Minister said. Kejriwals submissions were strongly objected to by ED counsel Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who also questioned why attempts were being made to link the BJP with the excise policy case. Raju had argued that Kejriwals statements to the EDs questioning have been evasive. He (Kejriwal) wants to play to the gallery. How does he know how many documents are with ED? This is all figment of imagination ... the AAP received the kickbacks which they used in Goa elections. There is a clear cut chain ... The money that they say came to the BJP has nothing to do with the liquor scam. There is no quid pro quo... The CM is not above law. He is an ordinary man. We have material to show that this very person demanded 100 crore kickback, Raju contended. In its remand application, the ED said during Kejriwals custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded over five days but he was giving evasive replies. Kejriwal alleged that the ED investigation had two objectives one, to create a smokescreen in front of the country that Aam Aadmi Party was corrupt and did the scam and two, to do an extortion racket for collecting money. Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma Limited and one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case. The AAP national convener personally addressed the Delhi court today and made the submissions in Hindi after taking permission from the court despite his lawyers being present and he did not oppose the EDs remand extension request. Ham ED ki remand oppose nahi kar rahe. Jitne din chaahe wo mujhe custody m rakh le. Par ye ghotala hai (loose translation: I am not opposing the EDs plea for remand. They can keep me in custody for as long as they want. But this is all a scam), Kejriwal told the court. So far, the CBI has filed 31,000 pages in this case in the court and 294 witnesses have been examined in this case. The ED has investigated 162 people and filed a 25,000-page report so far. By combining all these documents and reports, why have I been arrested? My name figures only in four statements, he said in a jam-packed courtroom. Elaborating on the four statements mentioning his name, Kejriwal said C Arvind, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodias secretary gave a statement. According to it, Sisodia handed over some excise policy-related documents to C Arvind in his (Kejriwals) presence, in the Chief Ministers official residence. He has only stated that Sisodia gave some documents to C Arvind. Madam, several MLAs, Ministers and dignitaries come with their secretaries to my house. They do side-talks and hand over documents to each other. How do I know who is giving what to whom? Is this statement a sufficient reason to arrest the sitting Chief Minister? Kejriwal said. Giving details of the second statement in which his name appeared, Kejriwal said Magunta Srinivas Reddy is an MP from (Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) Jagan Mohan Reddys party (YSRCP). Magunta Srinivas Reddy came to my office at 4.30 pm on March 16, 2021. He had sent an e-mail to my office that he is an MP and wanted to meet me. My office gave him an appointment to meet me after 10 days. He came over and said I want to open my familys charitable trust in Delhi. I told him that the land does not come under us, it comes under the Lieutenant Governor (LG), Kejriwal said. The Delhi Chief Minister further said Magunta Srinivas Reddy gave three statements to the agency but only one was considered. Why the only statement that is against Kejriwal has been included in the 25,000 pages of ED report and the other two statements were not considered? All the three statements should have been brought to the notice of the court, so that it could decide the truth in the case, he said. He said Sarath Chandra Reddy, who was the fourth person to make a statement mentioning his name, stated nothing against the Chief Minister in his two statements before his arrest and nine statements after being arrested. After he was kept in jail for six months, he (Sarath Chandra Reddy) finally succumbed and gave another statement on April 25, 2023.The only thing he said against me was that he had gone to meet the CM along with Vijay Nair, he said. Minutes before being produced in a city court on Thursday, Kejriwal was asked about Saxenas statement. In his response, the Chief Minister said, This is a political conspiracy. The people will give a reply. On perusal of the statements recorded in the course of investigation and in view of the fact that extension of custodial interrogation of the accused has been sought for further sustained and detailed interrogation for the reason as stated hereinabove, the ED custody of accused is hereby extended till April 1, 2024 on the same terms and conditions as per order dated 22.03.2024. Accused is directed to be produced before this court on 01.04.2024 at 11.30 am. IO is directed to ensure that further interrogation and confrontation etc. of accused is done without any delay, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja said in her eight pages order. Having considered the submission made before this court and considering the grounds as cited by the Investigating Agency, there appear to be sufficient reasons to permit further custodial interrogation of the accused, particularly keeping in view the submissions that he is required to be confronted with the material collected and statements recorded so far in the course of investigation. It has been submitted on behalf of ED that data extracted/retrieved from the digital devices and further details which have been sought by Investigating Agency through various authorities are also required to be confronted with the arrestee, the order said. The plea of the accused (Kejriwal) that there is no material against him was rebutted by ASG by way of his submissions that the matter is not at the stage of being adjudicated and hence, the above submissions are wholly irrelevant at this point of time. He further submitted that there is also no merit in the submissions that the ED has not placed on record the material favouring the accused and questioned as to how the accused has knowledge about documents in the custody of ED. It is further submitted that selective submissions have been made by the accused and in fact there is sufficient material to show the money trail of the proceeds of crime generated in the form of kickbacks in the Delhi Liquor scam and also to show that a part of the said proceeds of crime to the tune of approximately Rs 45 crores were sent through Hawala and utilised by AAP in Goa Assembly elections in 2021-22, the order said. FILE PHOTO A panel of judges rejected a request from a Black Hamden man behind bars for swindling more than $300,000 out of investment clients to have his prison sentence reduced on the grounds that white defendants convicted of stealing more money received more lenient sentences. Bjoern Wylezich / TNS MILFORD A panel of judges rejected a request from a Black Hamden man behind bars for swindling more than $300,000 out of investment clients to have his prison sentence reduced on the grounds that white defendants convicted of stealing more money received more lenient sentences. Travis Smith, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree larceny, and tearfully apologized to his victims at state Superior Court in Middletown in June 2022 before Judge Julia DiCocco Dewey sentenced him to serve 12 years to be suspended after he serves seven years in prison, followed by five years of probation. At the sentencing, the victims, from Milford and Durham, told the judge of how Smith earned their trust, and then betrayed it, leaving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in the hole financially. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This was not a random crime and it wasnt a momentary lapse in judgment. This was deliberate and premeditated, one of the victims said. I will never fully recover from this. In court filings last year, Smith and his lawyer asked the Judicial Branch's Sentence Review Division to reduce the sentence from seven to five years, citing statistics they said showed Smith's sentence was "excessive" and disproportionate to others. The lawyer, Alexander Taubes, also noted that the law "punishes larceny from governments or charities more harshly than larceny from individuals." In a seven-page decision this month following a hearing in November, a panel of three judges Robin Pavia, Alex Hernandez, and Kevin Doyle denied Smith's request. Taubes filed a motion asking them to elaborate on their decision. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a memorandum filed in the case, the attorney pointed to others, like Michael DiMassa, a former state representative who conspired with others to steal more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the city of West Haven, who was sentenced in a federal court to serve 27 months in prison last May. "Thefts of much larger magnitude have been punished with much shorter prison sentences than Mr. Smiths sentence, in the range of one to two years," the memorandum said. "You can look across many, many, many examples," Taubes said during an interview Monday, pointing to statistics compiled by Smith's original public defenders. In state court, former Oxford Tax Collector Karen Guillet was sentenced to serve four years in prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to first-degree larceny for embezzling nearly $250,000. Two years later, Sharon Scanlon, a former employee of the Shelton finance office, was sentenced to serve four and a half years which she served less than half of after pleading guilty to first-degree larceny for stealing nearly $1 million from city coffers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Taubes said there are racial factors at play, noting Smith is Black and defendants like DiMassa, Guillet, and Scanlon are white. "If you look at the sentencing statistics in Connecticut, they remain stubbornly discriminatory based upon color of skin, and ethnic group," he said. "And this was a particularly egregious case of disparity in sentencing where it's very hard to understand why other than the color of his skin." Prosecutors declined to comment on Smith's case Wednesday. In the decision denying Smith's request, the three judges said that the issue of proportionality "is only one factor to be considered." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Based upon a review of the procedural history, the facts of the offenses, the nature and seriousness of the offenses of conviction and the observations and findings of Judge Dewey, it is apparent that the sentencing court thoroughly and thoughtfully considered all aspects of the record before it," the decision said. "It is equally apparent that the court took into consideration counsel's arguments, the petitioner's background, the views of the victims as well as the serious nature of the offenses and the length and types of sentences available to the sentencing court." Taubes said the panel's decision read like perfunctory boilerplate. "There was no analysis," he said. "It's pretty disappointing when you consider it took three judges 100 days to write that." In his subsequent motion, the attorney asked the panel to expand on its decision, which he said "fails to address the substantial arguments made by the Defendant regarding the racial imbalance in the Defendants sentence, the disparity in the Defendants sentence compared to other cases, and the public interest in reducing the Defendants sentence." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The length of time required for the Divisions decision, paired with the paucity of its analysis, both renders appellate review impossible and harms the appearance of justice and fairness," Taubes wrote. Depending on what happens, he said he'll pursue further appeals on Smith's behalf. He said Smith is a father who had no criminal record before his 2022 guilty pleas and could be employed and earning money toward restitution instead of costing taxpayers to keep him incarcerated. "He could have made money and paid back money by now," Taubes said. "Having him languish in jail is ridiculous." Mukhtar Ansari, a mafia-turned lawmaker, passed away on Thursday after suffering a heart attack while in custody at Banda jail. A senior police official confirmed that Mukhtar collapsed in his barrack within the jail premises due to a heart attack. He was swiftly transported to a hospital in Banda, where medical personnel attempted to revive him. However, Mukhtar ultimately succumbed to cardiac arrest, as reported by a medical bulletin issued by Rani Durgawati Medical College. Following Mukhtars demise, authorities have heightened security measures across various regions, including Lucknow, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi. State-wide enforcement of Section 144 has been initiated in response to the situation. This tragic incident occurred amidst concerns over Mukhtars declining health, with Thursday marking the second instance in two days where his condition worsened. Earlier in the week, the 63-year-old was hospitalised in Banda for approximately 14 hours after complaining of abdominal pain. Despite being discharged, apprehensions persisted regarding his well-being, particularly in light of allegations made by his brother and Ghazipur MP, Afzal Ansari. Afzal Ansari asserted that Mukhtar had been poisoned while in jail, citing instances where his health had deteriorated due to alleged ingestion of harmful substances. Mukhtar, a former five-time MLA from the Mau Sadar constituency, had a controversial political career overshadowed by legal troubles. With over 60 criminal cases pending against him, Mukhtar had been incarcerated in both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005, facing convictions in eight cases since September 2022. At the time of his passing, Mukhtar was held in Banda jail. Concerns regarding Mukhtars health had been raised earlier during a virtual court hearing in Barabanki on March 21, where his lawyer alleged that his client was being subjected to slow poisoning. On the World TB Day, a huge mobile health workshop and rally was organised by the Rotary Club of Brahmapur Central in association with IMA, ICS, and NCCP under the leadership of eminent chest physician Prof Dr Narayan Mishra, which was attended by more than 800 participants at the MKCG Medical playground. It was inaugurated by dristrict governor of Rotary International RID-3262, Jayashree Mohanty. Senior Rotarians, IMA members, students, and many other important citizens of Brahmapur took part in the event. The theme for this year was, " Yes ! We can end TB." Soon after, a TB awareness seminar was conducted for the volunteers of Rotary International and health workers, which was attended by more than 150 participants. Dignitaries like CDM and PHO, Ganjam Jayashrre Mohanty, DTODr Uma Shankar Mishra, Dr Abanni Kumar Patro, Prof Dr Narayan Mishra, Dr D Brajaraj, and Dr Samit Begray addressed the participants. Rotarian Ch Mohan Kumar Subudhi, V Jayaram Raju, Majit Hota, Saroj Kumar Prusty, U Hari Prasad, Jharana Panda and Kshyendu Pattnaik took the lead in conducting the important event. Prof Mishra emphasized the fact that TB is a preventable and 100% curable disease if detected and treated early. "Today, TB with HIV is the topmost infectious killer of the world, with 1.5 million deaths per year. India accounts for 27% of the world TB burden. We need awareness in our community for early detection and treatment to End TB," he said. Former MP from Ranchi Ramtahal Choudhary joined Congress in Delhi. For days, there were speculations about Ramtahal joining Congress. Chaudhary joined the Congress in presence of Congress leader Pawan Kheda, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir and state president Rajesh Thakur. Choudhary, who comes from Kurmi caste having a sizable population in the constituency is likely to be fielded on Congress ticket against Ranchi sitting MP and BJP nominee Sanjay Seth. Last time in 2019, Chaudhary was denied ticket from BJP due to age factor, after which he contested the elections as an independent. However, there was no success. Impressed by the policies of the Congress, I have joined the party today. Just a couple of months before the elections, I was asked to give in writing that I will not contest the elections. I said its dictatorship and resigned then and there (from the BJP), Choudhary, the five-time former MP, said after joining the Congress. Welcoming Choudhary, Mir said Ram Tahal Choudhary is a prominent name in Jharkhand and is known for his service, dedication, participation in several movements and a long political career. When the BJP did not recognise him, he contested the polls as an Independent candidate and even today, he is valued there (in Jharkhand), Mir said. Choudhary will support Congress in this election and according to sources, he has not made any demand. BJP had denied ticket to Chaudhary and made Sanjay Seth its candidate, who is currently an MP and this time too he has got the ticket. Ram Tahal Chaudhary, born in 1942, was BJP MP from Ranchi Lok Sabha seat from 1991 to 2004 and then from 2014 to 2019. Apart from being a politician, he is also a social worker and educationist. In 2019, though Choudhary contested the election as an Independent candidate it was not easy. He got only 2.4% vote share. Sanjay Seth of Bharatiya Janata Party was the winner with 7,06,828 Votes and won by 2,83,026 votes. He received 57.21% Vote Share. Followed by Seth, the runner up was Subodh Kant Sahay of Indian National Congress getting 4,23,802 votes which was 34.3% of vote share. Ram Tahal Choudhary who contested the election as Independent got only 29,597 Votes, which was 2.4% Vote Share. Seth, despite illness, is much active both in the constituency and in the House. Seth is credited with bringing several projects to Ranchi including the Ranchi Ratu Road flyover among others. Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, despite having recovered from a prolonged illness, recorded 87% attendance. The Congress party has till now not declared its candidates in Jharkhand including for Ranchi. The elections for the Ranchi parliamentary seat would be held on May 25, while that in Tamar, which is part of Khunti seat, and Mandar, which is under Lohardaga seat, would be held on May 13. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and MP Manoj Tiwari on Thursday charged Arvind Kejriwal with creating a Constitutional crisis in Delhi and sought to know the Aam Aadmi Partys(AAP) reported connections with terrorist organisations. The Delhi BJP unit displayed a video clip during the press conference showing Kejriwal clearly stating in an interview that investigative agencies are indulging in drama by not arresting him, and now that the agencies have arrested Kejriwal based on allegations and evidence, the entire party is calling it a drama to mislead the public. Taking a dig at the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Sachdeva said there is an internal tussle going on in the AAP for the chief minister's chair.He questioned the constitutional validity of running a government from the custody of a probe agency. "Show us one example in the entire world of somebody running the government from jail. If you have any ethics left in you, resign," Sachdeva said, asking why did the party get Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain to resin if functioning from jail is legal. Sachdeva said the people of Delhi want to know from Atishi where did the document she claimed to be a letter from Chief Minister Kejriwal come from? Who provided her with that document? Is it administratively possible to run a government from jail And if it is morally correct to run a government from jail, then why did Kejriwal's ministers Satyendra Jain and Manish Sisodia resign, he asked. Kejriwal has been seen engaging with individuals associated with terrorist organizations several times in Punjab politics, and recently, a video of a person associated with a terrorist organization alleging that Kejriwal took money from them has gone viral on social media. Why does Kejriwal or Aam Aadmi Party not refute it, Sachdeva said. He also said AAP should respond to the meeting between their MP Raghav Chadha and British MP Preet Kaur Gill, who advocates for Khalistan in London. A day after a mini rebellion in Himachal BJP following the party's decision to field six Congress rebels as candidates in the Assembly by-polls, former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said disappointment among leaders during allocation of tickets is normal in elections and the BJP is trying to resolve the matter through dialogue. Referring to the rebellion in the BJP after the party high command gave ticket to six Congress rebels who had voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections last month and joined the BJP on March 23, he said the party has interacted with several party workers and leaders to find a solution to the issue. People do get angry in times of elections and talks are on, he told mediapersons in Kullu, claiming that the matter would be resolved soon. "We are trying to convey our side to them. We are trying to contact them and ask them to rethink their decision," he said. Former Himachal Pradesh minister and BJP leader from Lahaul and Spiti assembly constituency, Ram Lal Markanda, had on Tuesday quit the party to protest the fielding of Congress rebel Ravi Thakur who had defeated him on the seat in the last assembly election. The BJP had on Tuesday named Congress rebels Ravi Thakur from Lahaul and Spiti, Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala, Rajinder Rana from Sujanpur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Chetanya Sharma from Gagret and Devinder Kumar Bhutto from Kutlehar. All office-bearers of the BJP's Lahaul and Spiti block unit also resigned against the party's decision and pledged support to Markanda, saying they will support him in the byelection. Markanada was the agriculture and tribal development minister during the previous BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur. He had lost the 2022 assembly elections to Ravi Thakur, who was then in the Congress, by a margin of 1542 votes. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly bypolls will be held on June 1, along with the election to the four Lok Sabha seats in the state -- Hamirpur, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. BJP leader and former rural development and panchayati raj minister Virender Kanwar has also expressed his displeasure over the party picking Congress rebel Devinder Kumar Bhutto, a first-time MLA from Kutlehar, in his place and said that the decision should be reviewed. Ranjit Singh of the BJP, who lost to Rajendra Rana of the Congress in the 2022 assembly polls by a margin of 399 votes, has announced to contest as Independent. He said, "In the Lok Sabha elections, I will support BJP candidate Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur but in the byelections, I will contest as an Independent candidate." Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had also said on Tuesday that some BJP leaders including Markanda and Rakesh Kalia from Gagret are in contact with the Congress. Both Markanda and Kalia had lost the 2022 assembly elections. All the six Congress MLA who were disqualified for defying a whip to vote in favor of the government during the cut motions and the budget had joined the BJP along with the three Independent MLAs. These nine MLAS had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections held in the state on February 27, triggering a crisis for the Congress-led government in the state. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections the choice before Punjabis was between those who had always lived and worked amidst them versus outsiders who only came to Punjab to loot and exploit. The SAD president, who toured Sardulgarh and Talwandi Sabo constituencies as part of the Punjab Bachao Yatra along with senior leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundur and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, said: It is a choice between apne and prayee. He said the SAD was apne ghar di party even as he accused the Delhi-based parties of always indulging in conspiracies to create a wedge of misunderstandings between the Punjabis and their own social, religious and political fauj- the SAD. This conspiracy, which was underway since the last two years now, stands fully exposed and Punjabis were ready to shun the jhadoo, khooni panja and kamal da phul and repose their faith in the takdi. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, once Punjabis decide to repose faith in the SAD all efforts to pit Punjabis against Punjabis by Delhi-based parties would fail. Asserting that the SAD was committed to maintaining the Panthic as well as regional character of the party, Badal said We have a glorious heritage of safeguarding the Panth as well as the aspirations of Punjabis. Unlike Delhi-based parties, who can sacrifice anything for political motives, the SAD can never compromise on its core values and principles. This is why we did not get into any power game and chose to stand with Punjabis. Appealing to Punjabis to strengthen their regional party, Badal said Delhi-based parties have ruined Punjab in the last seven years. Not only has the State been bankrupted but all development activity has come to a halt. I challenge both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to tell one major infrastructure project they have established in Punjab in the last seven years during their tenure in government. In contrast, the SAD is responsible for ensuring free power to farmers, unique social welfare schemes like aata-daal and shagun scheme to the underprivileged and old age pension. It is also responsible for all major infrastructure projects in the State be it the Bathinda refinery, thermal plants, AIIMS institute, Central University, four lane highways and airports". The Bharatiya Janata Party has stated that the Congress is without issues and is hence raising inconsequential matters to divert the focus of the public. The BJP State spokesman Suresh Joshi said this in response to allegations levelled by the Congress about the BJPs Garhwal candidate Anil Baluni remaining more interested in Delhi and staying away from Uttarakhand. Joshi said that the Congress lacks issues to raise. The issues which the people are considering are the improvement in connectivity by road and rail in the region. They are thinking about improved facilities and development in the region. The Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project will be completed within the next five years and other major developments are expected within this period, in addition to the development already facilitated. However, the Congress is raising inconsequential matters, he said. The BJP State media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan added that the Congress candidate from Garhwal, Ganesh Godiyal had received Income Tax notices from Maharashtra which shows that he is from that State. Three platoons of CRPF personnel were deployed and senior police officials rushed to the spot after tension flared up in Sambalpur on Tuesday evening after miscreants hurled a bomb near Peerbaba Chhak. A riot control vehicle was also stationed at the place. The Sambalpur SP and the IGP (Northern Range) reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Sambalpur SP Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo said, "We received information that an explosion took place near a bike. The injured are out of danger. An investigation is underway. The situation is under control. Those involved in the incident will be tracked. We are checking the CCTV footage in the area. We have deployed three platoons of CRPF." Sambalpur Collector Akshay Sunil Agrawal said, An investigation into the matter is underway and I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not to be scared of." Police along with a forensic team started an investigation into the incident and collected samples from the spot. Three persons were injured and a motorbike was damaged in the bomb explosion. Following the incident, tension prevailed in the area and a large crowd gathered near the spot. In a double blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its sole sitting MP Sushil Kumar Rinku made headlines on Wednesday by defecting to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a move that also saw AAP MLA Sheetal Angural crossing party lines. Rinkus switch of allegiance marked a significant turn of events, occurring less than a year after his departure from the Congress and subsequent entry into AAP on April 6 the preceding year, just ahead of the Jalandhar bypoll. Rinkus transition came weeks after the AAP had announced him as its candidate for Jalandhar Lok Sabha polls. The high-profile defection, coming a day after Congress sitting MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined the saffron brigade, has sent shockwaves through the states political landscape setting the stage for a dramatic realignment of power dynamics. Rinku, who currently represents the Jalandhar constituency in the Lok Sabha, and Angural, elected from the Jalandhar West constituency to the state Assembly, formally joined the BJP in a ceremony attended by the Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and the party's national general secretary Vinod Tawde. The decision to jump ship underscored a massive significant blow to the AAP, particularly as it grappled with mounting challenges on multiple fronts, especially in the wake of arrest of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The move by Rinku and Angural comes amidst growing discontent with the AAP-led Government in Punjab, with both leaders citing the need for greater focus on the states development as a driving factor behind their decision to align with the BJP. Rinku, in particular, voiced frustration over the lack of support from the AAP administration in Jalandhars development endeavours, highlighting what he perceived as a failure on the part of the ruling party to fulfill its promises to the electorate. Expressing admiration for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rinku lauded the BJP-led Central Governments track record on development initiatives, signaling his confidence in the partys ability to address Punjabs pressing issues. For Rinku, the switch to the BJP represented a strategic move aimed at advancing the interests of his constituents and fostering a conducive environment for growth and progress in the region. The decision to defect to the BJP marked a significant reversal for Rinku, who had previously aligned himself with the AAP after leaving the Congress less than a year ago. His entry into AAP was motivated by a desire to contest the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll a move that reflected his disillusionment with the traditional political establishment. However, his tenure in the Lok Sabha was marked by confrontations with the ruling BJP, culminating in his suspension from the House for unruly behaviour. The timing of Rinku and Angurals defection, just ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, suggested strategic calculations aimed at maximizing electoral gains for the BJP in Punjab, especially when the party has decided to contest on all 13 seats independently. With Rinkus formidable presence and Angural's grassroots support base, the BJP is expecting to significantly bolster its prospects in the State, potentially reshaping the political landscape in its favour. The repercussions of Rinku and Angurals departure from AAP are far-reaching, signaling a major setback for the party as it sought to consolidate its position in Punjab. The loss of its lone Lok Sabha MP, and also party candidate for Lok Sabha elections, underscored the challenges facing the AAP, particularly in the face of recent setbacks, including the arrest of its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Manns Poetic Reaction Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann posted on X (in Punjabi), From our side, the river goes to the big houseBut once it enters the ocean, it diesI am paying the price for keeping my head highEven shameless people have to lower their headsThe neck of Punjab will always remain high with Mann. Manns post suggested that those who remain true to their values are rewarded. Mann asserted that he will keep his head high amidst challenges, reflecting his determination to uphold integrity. He declared that Punjab's pride will remain high with him. Security Increased at Rinku, Angurals Residences The security of Rinku and Angurals residences has been heightened following their joining of the BJP. As soon as MP Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural switched sides, AAP workers in the neighborhood began protesting. This led to an increase in security measures at their homes. Punjab Police teams are stationed outside Rinku and Angurals residences, with restricted access to their premises. AAP Already Declared Rinku as its Candidate AAP had already announced Rinku as its candidate from Jalandhar (reserved) seat for June 1 Lok Sabha elections. Rinku left for Delhi from Jalandhar on Wednesday morning and headed straight to the BJP headquarters. Discussion about Rinku joining the BJP had been ongoing for the past week, but he had denied it himself. At that time, Rinku had stated that he was not leaving AAP. After these discussions, he had also met the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh. Rinkus Shift from Cong to AAP to BJP Within a Year Rinkus stay in the ruling AAP is just less than a year in AAP. In January 2023, Congress sitting MP from Jalandhar Santokh Chaudhary passed away suddenly due to a heart attack during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. Just before the by-elections for Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, the former Congress MLA Rinku joined AAP on April 6, 2023. Rewarding him for the switchover, AAP fielded Rinku in the by-elections where he defeated Congress candidate Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary Santokh Chaudharys widow. Homecoming for Angural For Angural, joining BJP is a homecoming after a gap of two years. Starting her political journey with the BJP, Angural was quite active in the party in Jalandhar. Two years ago, ahead of the state Assembly elections in 2022, he joined AAP after meeting Bhagwant Mann, and got the party ticket from Jalandhar West constituency, defeating Congress Sushil Rinku to become a legislator. After a two-year hiatus, he has once again joined the BJP, alongside the leader he previously defeated to secure his position as an MLA. Angural is considered close to BJP leader Vijay Sampla, the former Member of Parliament and the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. AAP MLA Alleges BJP Offered Rs 20-25 Crore Hours after AAPs sitting MP Sushil Rinku and party MLA Sheetal Angural joined the BJP, partys Jalalabad MLA Jagdeep Goldy Kamboj on Wednesday made startling allegations claiming that the saffron party is attempting to intimidate and lure AAP legislators in Punjab with hefty financial offers. Kamboj claimed that he and his colleagues have been approached by the BJP representatives, who allegedly offered them between Rs 20 to 25 crores each, to defect from AAP and join the saffron party. The revelation comes just days before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, adding fuel to the already charged political atmosphere in Punjab. Kamboj, during a press conference in Jalalabad along with two other AAP leaders, highlighted the purported attempts by the BJP to poach AAP legislators. They accused the BJP of resorting to underhanded tactics to bolster its electoral prospects in the state. AAP leaders asserted that they firmly rejected the offers, emphasizing their commitment to the party's principles and agenda. AAP leaders, during the press conference, provided details of the alleged offers, including phone numbers from which they received the proposals. Notably, one of the numbers was traced back to Cyprus, raising concerns about the origins and motives behind the attempts to lure AAP legislators. BJP is yet to respond to these allegations. SAD (Amritsar) announces 5 candidates for Punjab, 2 for Haryana Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) on Thursday announced five candidates for Punjab and two for Haryana for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Talking to media persons, SAD (Amritsar) president and Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann said he will fight from the Sangrur seat. He said his party fielded Mahinderpal Singh from Patiala, Amritpal Singh from Ludhiana, Baldev Singh from Faridkot and Kushalpal Singh from Anandpur Sahib. Mann further said Harjit Singh has been fielded from Karnal seat and Khazan Singh from Kurukshetra parliamentary seat in Haryana. Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1, while voting for 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will take place on May 25. Himachal BJP workers welcome Congress rebel, Rajinder Rana, NSUI activists show black flags Shimla: Congress rebel Rajinder Rana, now the BJP candidate for the Sujanpur assembly seat in Himachal Pradeshs Hamirpur district, faced black flags from the NSUI activists but he also received a welcome from his supporters on visiting his constituency Thursday. Rana, a three-time legislator hogged the limelight by defeating former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal in the 2017 assembly polls. He is one of the six disqualified Congress MLAs who, along with three Independent legislators, had voted in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27. All the MLAs switched to the BJP on March 23 following which the six rebels including Rana, were given tickets from their respective assembly seats. Rana returned to his constituency after a month. The National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, raised slogans and displayed black flags at the Anu Chowk in Hamirpur as Ranas vehicle passed by to reach the Kot Village in Sujanpur to attend a welcome ceremony. Rana was accompanied by former BJP minister Bikram Thakur and was welcomed by the supporters at Kot Village in Sujanpur where the BJP workers raised slogans in his support. The former Congress MLA noted that the workers were enthusiastic and claimed that the BJP would win all the assembly seats going to the bypolls and the Lok Sabha seats of the state. Referring to the resentment among the BJP leaders after the six rebels were given the tickets, he said small resentments are part of democracy. They will sit and talk with those who are protesting. Himachal Speaker issues show cause notice to 3 Independent MLAs Shimla: The three Independent legislators who had resigned from the assembly last week have been issued a show-cause notice by the Vidhan Sabha by the Speaker. Their replies have to be submitted by April 10, officials said. The Congress legislative party had submitted that the three MLAs "resigned under duress", not voluntarily". The three independent MLAs -- Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur, Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra and K L Thakur from Nalagarh had submitted their resignation on March 22, a day before they joined the BJP along with six disqualified Congress MLAs. All nine legislators had voted in favour of the BJP in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania had maintained that the Independent MLAs have submitted their resignation but they have not cited their reasons. It will recorded and necessary procedures will be followed, he said. Congress legislators and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh have been vocal against the nine MLAs and have accused the BJP of pressurising the legislators. Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur have also registered a case of electoral offences, bribery and criminal conspiracy against Hamirpur independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Rakesh Sharma, father of Gagret MLA Chaitanya Sharma, who is among the six former Congress leaders. The case against them was registered under sections 171C and 171E (undue influence on elections and bribery) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and sections 7 and 8 (public servant taking undue advantage) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, police had said. All three Independents had sought BJP tickets during the 2022 assembly polls but they were denied tickets and contested as Independents. Later when the Congress formed the government with 40 legislators, the three Independents had supported the government. However, three Independent MLAs, along with six Congress rebels voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections last month. This election is a fight to save democracy Constitution: Deepender Hooda Chandigarh: Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Thursday said the 2024 Lok Sabha election is a fight to save democracy and the Constitution in the country. Addressing the first joint workers conference of the opposition INDIA bloc in Rohtak, he said the alliance will win this battle by fighting with strength. The conference was organised by Aam Aadmi Party's Haryana state president and Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat candidate Sushil Gupta. Besides Hooda and Gupta, CPM leaders, including Inderjit Singh and Jagmati Sangwan, also participated. During the conference, various speakers condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Addressing the gathering, Hooda said this election is a fight to save democracy and the country's Constitution. He also said the time has come to compare the work done by the Congress and the BJP. "Despite being in opposition for 10 years, Congress is still seeking votes in the name of its work, while the BJP does not have anything to show, though they have been in power for the last decade. "The BJP only wants to win elections by misusing agencies like the ED and the CBI. But the INDI alliance and the people in Haryana will give a befitting reply to all the political tactics of the BJP," Hooda said. Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh says will contest from Mandi if high command directs Shimla: After announcing her decision to not seek re-election from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh on Thursday said if the party's central leadership wanted her to contest from the seat, she would follow their directions. Her change in stance came about after a meeting of the six-member committee constituted by the Congress to ensure better coordination, chalk out the strategy and discuss the names of probable Lok Sabha candidates from the hill state was. "I have always followed what the high command said and now also I will follow what they say," she said. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress incharge for the state Rajeev Shukla think that I should contest the Lok Sabha elections, she said, adding "I put my problems and difficulties in front of them." "We will work as per the directions of the high command," Singh, the wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the mother of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, maintained. For a long time I have been saying that the workers who worked hard day and night for the victory of the party (in the assembly polls) should be suitably accommodated and now the CM has given some responsibilities to the workers and I want the message to spread that Congress promotes its workers," she said. Pratibha Singh asserted that in the last assembly polls the people gave the mandate to the Congress and the party-led government would complete its five-year term. The Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments, currently under construction in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media The Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments, currently under construction in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Jerry Poole, community leader and historian with West River Self Help Investment Plan, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Anthony Dawson, President of West River Self-Help Investment Plan, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media The late Rev. Curtis Cofield II of Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Chapel Street, New Haven sits in the homeless shelter that the church ran on Crown Street in New Haven. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register Richard Burns, CEO of the NHP Foundation, center, sits with Mayor Justin Elecker during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Mayor Justin Elicker speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments, in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Mayor Justin Elicker speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments, in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Anthony Dawson, President of West River Self-Help Investment Plan, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates apartments in New Haven, Conn. March 28, 2024. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Friends and family of the late Rev. Curtis Cofield II attend his wake at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church on April 1, 2008. Brad Horrigan/New Haven Register The late Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II at the 12th Annual Black Heritage Celebration at West Haven City Hall on Feb. 28, 2007. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register NEW HAVEN It's been 16 years since Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II, the spark who got things going on an affordable housing complex in the West River neighborhood died, but his son and people who worked with him said Thursday that he'd be a happy man. And Cofield, who first contemplated and advocated for the project in the late 1980s, wouldn't mind the delay, his son said. The effort, now called the Rev. Curtis M. Cofield II Estates, has officially started. "I think that my father fully understands that good things come to those who wait, and things have to be worked out," said Elder Elyachba Yashra'Al, son of Curtis and the late Elsie Cofield, who both cared deeply and advocated for people experiencing homelessness and living with AIDS. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yashra'Al spoke on a rain-soaked day during which an army of officials formally broke ground for the 56 affordable apartments, including 14 deeply affordable supportive housing units. It's being built on 4.3 acres between the two Route 34 frontage roads on formerly vacant land that used to be owned by the city. Yashra'Al also gave the invocation. Aside from providing affordable housing, the project marks the first new housing built in the Route 34 corridor since the city knocked down the old Legion Avenue neighborhood in the late 1960s to make room for a Route 34 highway extension that ultimately never happened. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "This is important. This is history," said Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, who served as emcee for the event and was one of the people who pointed out that planning for the project crossed the administrations of several city mayors, including former Mayor Toni Harp. It was a ceremonial groundbreaking. Construction already was well underway, with the bulk of the foundations already poured and several buildings already framed. Though happening directly behind the speakers, it was not visible inside the big white banquet tent that sheltered neighborhood activists and representatives from the faith community, city, state and federal governments from the rain. Yashra-Al said his father would be tickled to see and hear the 14 speakers on the program and the dozens more who turned out to celebrate the occasion. "He wanted people to come together," Yashra-Al said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cofield, who died in 2008, was a respected leader in New Havens and Connecticuts faith community in addition to his role as an advocate for people facing tough situations. He was the original president of West River Self-Help Investment plan, or SHIP, one of the nonprofit organizations behind the project. Several others in the audience and on the list of speakers have worked tirelessly over the years to get to this point. "I'm a little bit overwhelmed," said Jerry Poole, a longtime neighborhood activist who with his wife, former West River Alder Joyce Poole, has worked hard to keep the project moving forward through a pandemic, financing issues, interest rate fluctuations and inflation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I feel blessed that the project came together the way it has," Jerry Poole said after the ceremony. Earlier, he told the crowd that people said housing wouldn't be replaced when Legion Avenue was cleared 60 years ago, not this is the first housing project there since then. Several officials said the complex was envisioned as a way to "knit back together" neighborhoods, such as the Hill, West River and Dwight that were split apart by urban renewal. It is the nonprofit NHP Foundation's first project and is being done in association with the West River SHIP. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The apartments will be in 11 townhouse-style buildings and will include a diverse mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments targeted to households at or below 60 percent of the area median income, according to an advisory the city sent out. Amenities will include on-site parking, commercial space for minority-owned businesses and community facilities, including a playground and a community center. The $20.2 million project is scheduled to be completed by March 2025, the city said. Current West River SHIP President Anthony "Tony" Dawson said he was thrilled to welcome people to the groundbreaking, which he said was "22 years in the making." "We've had a lot of ups and downs, (but) the Rev. Cofield Estates is a dream come true," said Dawson, a former longtime Hill alder. He thanked the New York-based NHP Foundation for helping to make it happen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We're going to make sure that we run it as smooth as possible," Dawson said. Mayor Justin Elicker was one of those who pointed out that while he got to celebrate the start of construction, planning for the project long predated him. The number of speakers "just underscores the importance of this project," he said. "New Haven right now is just exploding and most importantly, our growth is inclusive," Elicker said. He said 3,500 units of housing are now in the pipeline, of which 44 percent is classified as affordable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Elicker hailed the participation and efforts of neighborhood advocates, such as Jerry Poole. "These projects take so long that, often times, I'm celebrating a project that Mayor Harp put so much into," Elicker said. "Mr. Poole, let's knit these neighborhoods back together." One indication of the span of time was that current city Livable City Initiative housing chief Arlevia Samuel, who was listed as a speaker, invited her predecessor, Serena Neal-Sanjurjo, to speak in her place. "I am very excited about this project," said Neal-Sanjurjo. "It was a long time coming. I know that Rev. Cofield is smiling." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Samuel pointed out that the Cofield Estates development will be 100 percent affordable housing but will not be public housing and will include space for minority-owned business on its first floor. "I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am and how proud I am," said state Rep. Pat Dillon, D-New Haven. "This is what it takes: tenacity and vision." Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven is providing Section 8 vouchers for the "deeply affordable" supportive housing units. Developing affordable housing "is one of the most important things that can be done" in a community, said Karen DuBois-Walton, president of Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DuBois-Walton recalled that she was working in City Hall when talk of the project first surfaced. "I haven't worked in City Hall in almost 20 years," she said. Richard Burns, CEO of The NHP Foundation, said the project faced many delays. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In an amusing yet embarrassing turn of events, Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Kanpur Nagar misidentified Rajya Sabha member Baburam Nishad as Ramesh Awasthi, their party candidate for the Kanpur Lok Sabha constituency. The incident unfolded at Kanpur Central railway station on Wednesday, causing a stir among bystanders and drawing attention on social media platforms. As the Shatabdi Express pulled into platform No. 9 of the railway station, enthusiastic BJP supporters gathered to welcome their candidate. Mistaking Nishad for Awasthi due to their similar attire, the workers erupted into cheers and began showering flowers on the unsuspecting MP. The scene was captured on video by a news agency and it went viral, showcasing the mix-up in full view. Ramesh Awasthi, hailing from Nagla Husa village in UPs Farrukhabad district, was recently nominated by the BJP to contest the Kanpur Lok Sabha seat in place of Satyadev Pachauri. Pachauri, who had replaced veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, withdrew from the race shortly before the release of the fifth list of candidates. Awasthi, a former media professional with a background in journalism, currently serves on the UP BJP working committee. The incident at the railway station highlights the fervour surrounding the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. With voting for the Kanpur constituency slated for May 13, such moments serve as a reminder of the intense campaigning and excitement that accompany the democratic process. The votes cast across the nation will be counted on June 4, determining the composition of the next Lok Sabha. The embarrassed BJP workers later extended a rousing welcome to Ramesh Awasthi with garlands and bouquets. Awasthi then proceeded in a procession on DCM with dozens of four-wheelers following it and after darshan at the ancient Ganesh temple at Ghantaghar and Anandeshwar temple in Parmat, he reached BJP North City office at Naveen Market where he was again extended a rousing welcome by party leaders. Speaking on the occasion, Awasthi said all the party workers were required to work unitedly for meeting the target of winning over 400 Lok Sabha seats set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was confident of meeting the target with the help of various welfare schemes launched by Narendra Modi-Yogi Adityanath governments at the Centre and in UP. Prominent party activists present at the Central railway station included area president Prakash Pal, sitting MP Devendra Singh Bhole, MLA Neelima Katiyar, Navin Pandit, Prakash Vir Arya, Manish Tripathi, Ajay Kapoor, MLA Surendra Maithani, Shivram Singh, Raghunandan Singh Bhadauria, Jaspal Bhagat, Suresh Awasthi and partys Kanpur Dehat president Manoj Shukla. All physically challenged persons of the state, voters aged 85 years and above, pregnant women and mothers of small infants also have equal legal rights like other citizens. The election process provides them an opportunity to participate equally in democracy. Therefore, it should be mandatory for them to make arrangements for easy voting at every polling station, said Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand K Ravi Kumar today in the auditorium of Nirvachan Sadan, Dhurva, Ranchi, to all the Social Welfare Officers and Assistant Directors, Social Security from all the districts of the state, during the training session on Accessible Voting for Marginalized People. He said that for equal participation of such citizens in the democratic process of the country, clear guidelines have been issued by the Election Commission of India in accordance with Article 326 of the 'Constitution of India', Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act - 2016, Rule 49 N of the Election Conducting Rules. Apart from this, emphasis has also been laid on the use of digital technologies to facilitate them in the voting process. All the district social welfare officers of the state have been made nodal officers for this. At their level, by nominating them as Sector Officers for each assembly constituency, with the help of non-political and neutral voluntary organizations, resident welfare organizations, etc., door to door survey of the eligible citizens of the excluded group, names of the left out eligible citizens in the electoral list. Work has to be done in a time bound manner to facilitate their registration and voting. For those voters from excluded groups who are unable to reach the polling station on their own, special attention should be given to local arrangements for transportation to the polling station as well as arrangements for sheds, chairs-benches, wheelchairs and volunteers in the polling station. Also, if any voter from the excluded group is unable to recognize the election symbol himself, the presiding officer of the polling station will be able to allow him to take a teenager below 18 years of age for voting as his assistant. In the training session, Disability Commissioner Abhay Nandan Ambastha talked about the work being done by the Disability Commission for the voters. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neha Arora informed about voter list and voting. He elaborately highlighted the topics like Booth Awareness Group, Sweep programme, honouring BLOs for good work etc. Director, Social Welfare Department, Shashi Prakash Jha has ensured minimum facilities at the polling stations including drinking water, electricity, help desk, posters, signage, ramps, availability of volunteers for the disabled as well as selected volunteers to assist the BLOs at the polling stations. OSD of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Geeta Choubey discussed in detail the issues of providing minimum facilities at polling stations, transportation facilities for disabled/elderly voters, volunteers and medical kits etc. Point by point information was shared by Deputy Election Officer Headquarters Sanjay Kumar about social media, Saksham App, social media for disability. In the training session, Haldar Mahato, coordinator of the state level social audit survey conducted by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer regarding providing minimum facilities at the booths, discussed point by point the important topics obtained in this survey. Also, Sapna Surin of Sight Savers, a voluntary group working in the field of disability, discussed the possible difficulties faced by disabled voters during voting and their immediate solution locally. Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson, Amarpreet Singh Kale, took to the streets today to campaign for BJP candidate Bansuri Swaraj in the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat. Encouraging the public to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kale emphasized the growing momentum in favor of the BJP in Delhi. Addressing a gathering of intellectuals and supporters, Kale expressed optimism about the BJP's prospects, citing immense respect and affection for Narendra Modi among the electorate. He highlighted the aspirations of the nation and credited Modi's leadership for the realization of these aspirations. Kale, currently stationed in Delhi, urged voters to strengthen Modi's leadership by supporting Bansuri Swaraj's candidacy. The gathering echoed Kale's sentiments, reaffirming their commitment to exceed 400 seats in the upcoming elections and expressing unwavering trust in Modi's leadership. Holi, the festival of colors, was celebrated with enthusiasm under the leadership of Commandant Rahul Kumar at Central Reserve Police Force 158 Battalion Lohardaga Headquarters. Meanwhile, Holi festival was celebrated in a cordial manner by dancing vigorously to the tunes of film songs. On the occasion of Holi, CRPF 158 Battalion Commandant Rahul Kumar congratulated and extended warm wishes to all the officers, soldiers and their families present. And while explaining the importance of the festival of Holi, he said that apart from being the festival of victory of good over evil, this festival is also a symbol of mutual love and goodwill. Decorated with love-filled colors, this festival breaks the barriers of every religion, sect and caste and gives the message of brotherhood. The Commandant started Holi by applying Gulal to the officers and soldiers. The Holi Milan ceremony continued from 10:00 am for about two hours, in which officers and soldiers applied colors to each other and enjoyed singing and group dancing. On this holy festival of Holi, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Second Commanding Officer, Santosh Kumar Pal, Second Commanding Officer, Dr. Ranjit Kumar, (Chief Medical Officer, SG), Tarun Kumar Mandal, Assistant Commandant and all the soldiers of the battalion. was present. Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday announced the candidature of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for the Karnal Assembly by-election. Polling for Karnal assembly seat, which fell vacant following the resignation of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, will be held on May 25. Khattar resigned as an MLA from the Karnal assembly seat, which he won twice in 2014 and 2019 on March 13 after he was replaced by OBC leader Nayab Singh Saini as the Chief Minister. A few weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the BJP replaced Khattar with Saini as Haryana CM. Saini, who is the party's state unit president, was sworn in as chief minister along with five ministers hours after the resignation of Khattar. The Saini led -government won the trust vote in a special session of the state Assembly on March 13. Sources in the Congress Party said that to put up a strong front against Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the party has started a hunt for the winning candidate for the Karnal assembly constituencies. The Congress party is also open to field consensus candidates, with support of all the opposition parties, on the seat, if everything goes as per the plan, they added. Khattar was recently named as the BJP candidate from the Karnal Lok Sabha constituency. He had won the Karnal assembly seat in 2014 after defeating an Independent candidate by a margin of 63,773 votes. In 2019, Khattar retained the seat by trouncing the Congress nominee. After Khattar was chosen for the post of chief minister in 2014, Karnal received the tag of CM city. Delineating the stark contrast between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the opposition parties, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis nation first versus oppositions family first was the main issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Yogi emphasised the Modi administrations dedication to upholding the rule of law, prioritising national interests and adhering to zero tolerance policy towards corruption, juxtaposing it with the dominance of mafia and thriving corruption during opposition governments in the past. He contrasted the opposition parties divisive politics based on appeasement, caste and religion with Modis inclusive governance, aimed at extending the benefits of welfare schemes to all, regardless of background, under the banner of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Yogi described Prime Minister Modi as a leader who embraces all 140 crore citizens as part of his extended family, urging everyone to envision a new India within the folds of Modis family. In his first public address following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election dates recently, the chief minister engaged with intellectuals, seeking support for MP and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Hema Malini, while also presenting a comprehensive overview of numerous development schemes of the Modi government. The chief minister remarked that while the bhajan Holi khele raghubira is a familiar tune to many, it marked a historic occasion when, after 500 years, the revered Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram witnessed the unique Holi celebrations from his abode in Ayodhya. Besides, Holi celebrations in Mathura-Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Nandgaon and Baldev have all grabbed headlines due to the presence of a large number of devotees, the chief minister added. The chief minister highlighted the remarkable grandeur and influence of the region, underscoring the Vaishnav Mahakumbh held along the banks of Yamuna maiya in 2021. He expressed gratitude for the immense blessings bestowed by Vrindavan Bihari Lal, noting that before the Vaishnav Kumbh, the presence of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was not acknowledged. It was only after the conclusion of the Kumbh that the onset of COVID-19 was recognized. The fervour exhibited during the event promised to infuse newfound vigour and resilience. Harnessing this energy, success was achieved in safeguarding the populace of Uttar Pradesh from the perils of COVID-19, guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, he pointed out. Chief Minister Yogi emphasised the transformative changes witnessed over the past decade, portraying a dynamic shift towards a new India, with fortified border security alongside significant infrastructural advancements under Prime Minister Modis leadership. Developments span highways, railways, airports, medical colleges, universities, and various new institutions, while benefits of welfare schemes have reached the underprivileged without any discrimination, he added. Prior to 2014, schemes were often tailored, based on considerations for caste and religion as part of vote bank politics. However, post-2014, adherence to the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas ensures equal distribution of benefits among people without bias. Every stratum of society be it the impoverished, entrepreneurs, women, youth or farmers reaps the rewards, receiving security subsidies universally, he remarked. He added: Prime Minister Modis approach pivots on citizen satisfaction, prioritising inclusivity over appeasement. The blueprint for the new India encompasses job creation for youth, reverence for faith, and preservation of heritage, while fostering a connection between ordinary citizens and development endeavours. Safety assurances extend to daughters, sisters and businessmen alike, with Modis pledge centering on integrating farmers into the development narrative. The chief minister remarked that before 2014, the North Eastern states grappled with heightened militancy and separatist sentiments, while Jammu and Kashmir faced the scourge of stone-pelting incidents, endangering security personnel. However, today, thanks to the resolve of Modis administration, stone-pelting has ceased in Jammu and Kashmir with the abolition of Article 370. This constitutional amendment, introduced by Congress in 1952, exacerbated extremism, yet it was effectively addressed by Modi, he added. The current administration has ensured that no intrusions occur along Indias borders and terrorist activities are thwarted. This success in leadership has facilitated comprehensive development, including infrastructure in border regions. Previously, soldiers had to traverse extensive distances with heavy luggage, but now, connectivity to border areas has vastly improved, alleviating logistical burdens and enhancing security measures, Chief Minister Yogi stated further. The chief minister remarked that upon Hema Malinis initial foray into Parliament as an MP, she pledged her allegiance to the Braj region, voicing its grievances. He assured that the issues raised by her in Parliament would be addressed and the aspirations of the people would be fulfilled. The chief minister lauded the active role being played by members from the world of art, such as Hema Malini, in raising issues of people in Parliament, pointing out that it was through such dedicated public representatives that solutions to challenges emerged. The Braj region is renowned for its proactive approach, offering solutions rather than presenting problems, he asserted. Earlier on Wednesday morning, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Lord Krishnas birthplace in Mathura and offered prayers at the temple for the well-being and prosperity of Uttar Pradesh. The chief minister visited the temple before taking part in the Prabuddha Sammelan to formally sound the poll bugle from the sacred city of Mathura. Killinings under Chainpur police station limits have rocked Palamu. Today two men were found killed, one with a gun, other with butt of the gun. Three days ago one was killed by slitting of the throat. His companion ran for life but the killer meted out the same fate. His throat was slit also. Such gory incidents in quick succession led tongues wagging. Chainpur police were pushed to the wall. It is now under public scrutiny. However a close scrutiny of the murders smacks of deep seated animosity resulting in brutal end rather than any slackness to the enforcement of law and order. First the 2 whose throats were slit. It was a 4 year old animosity born out of tractor, sand and money. Throat of one was slit under the Chainpur police station limits. The other had slit of throat under the Town police station limits. It was a resultant of the first throat slit. Understandable the FIR was lodged with the Chainpur police station. The killer knew the killed and the vice versa. The two sides had never a cessation of hostility. It was made to intensify with sand and money. SP Reeshma Ramesan said "The prime accused along with 1 more accused of throat slit murder has been caught. The case is almost near its unfolding." The today's murder of the two is again in the backdrop of severe hostility and animosity. The animosity is born of land and dominance. One murdered is Raj Mohan Polu, a jail server for murder of man and cows. He was recently on bail. He had a congenital doubt and animosity towards all be his wife, his daughter or his neighbour. He could go to any extent for a few meters of land. One other killed today appeared to be a laborer, perhaps witnessing the gruesome murder of Polu with gun or rifle but with any firearms and so he was done to death so as not to give any eye account of the murder. The double murder today and double murder a few days ago could change public perception of law and order but each case of the 4 killed is different. It is 'one to one where animosity, suspicion and dominance played a dominant factor.' It's not a case of law and order, rather a blunt case of 'not giving any more days to the targets to live on'. The 2 who were killed by throat slitting had a feeling that they had enemies around. And they were right. They were chased, flattened and throat slit. In today's case Raj Mohan Polu was a cow shooter. He was a murderer of one Vishwakarma all for a few hundred meters of land. He was a convict. He was big of all, a street fighter ready to pick up quarrel on any flimsy ground. To him his wife and daughter etc were a suspect said to be a re employed Chowkidar of the Chainpur police station. There is one thing in common with all the 4 lives lost. It was animosity. It was hostility. It was unplugged or unsealed over the years. It grew darker and darker. The two sides just waited and when one side got a chance, it made no mistake. Police have recovered power glasses, slippers and cell phone of Polu. Polu looked as if he fought tooth and nail with his killers before being shot in the neck. His laborer died a wasteful death probably because of his being a lone witness to this murder of Polu. Under orders of the SP Reeshma Ramesan a sniffer dog was pressed into it but it proved just not any cracker of the case. Samples of blood were collected from the PO for forensic test. However SP Reeshma Ramesan said this case would be cracked soon. In another setback to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate over her remarks against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has sought a detailed probe report from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora. The move by Saxena comes in wake of BJP leader Baansuri Swaraj writing a complaint to the LG, demanding investigation and registration of FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty of a woman. Supriya Shrinate, through the aforementioned Instagram post, has committed the offence of outraging the modesty of a woman, thereby contravening Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Bansuri said in her complaint to LG. A controversial comment was posted on social media platforms from Shrinate's accounts against Ranaut, the Bollywood actor who has been fielded by the ruling BJP as its candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sirnate posted on Instagram Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi main koi batayega (can someone say what is the going rate in Mandi), which has been considered derogatory against Ranaut and her constituency. Following a row, Shrinate removed the controversial remarks from all her social accounts, claiming that those were not posted by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts. In another blow to Srinate, the Congress replaced her from the constituency she contested in 2019. Shrinate had contested the last Lok Sabha polls from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh but lost to BJP's Pankaj Chaudhary. This time, Congress has named Virendra Chaudhary as its choice from the seat, replacing Ms Shrinate, caught in a massive political whirlpool over her post on Kangana Ranaut. Following Bansuris claims, Saxena forwarded the complaint to the Police Commissioner and gave directions to carry out an investigation in the matter. LG has forwarded the complaint to the Police Commissioner and directed to carry out the investigation scientifically and take legal action, if necessary, as per the law. LG has directed to ascertain the truth behind the whole episode and also the subsequent claims made by Shrinate, denying her involvement in the matter, the note read. He has also directed the police to determine the truth behind the whole episode and also the subsequent claims made by Shrinate, denying her involvement in the matter. The LG in his note has asked the Police Commissioner to investigate as to who made the said post and also the mobile phone/device that was used for making the said post. The note read, Saxena has also directed for verifying the claims of Shrinate wherein she has denied making the said post and sought to blame it on some individuals who have got access to her social media account. Further, the police will also investigate as to who deleted the post after nearly two hours and the device used for deleting the same. Bansuri refuting claims of Supriya said, It needs to be examined whether the said post was made by Ms Srinate using her own mobile phone or by any other person. Jahangirabad police have arrested a man for beating his grandmother with the help, of wife, they brutally tortured grandmother in the greed of property. A video of the incident has surfaced. In the video, he along with his wife is seen brutally beating the grandmother with hands and sticks. When the grandmother starts screaming in pain, the grandson pressed her mouth to keep her away from screaming. This video is said to be of March 21. When this video of the assault went viral on social media, the police arrested the accused grandson Deepak Sen (30) and wife Pooja (25). Jahangirabad police station in-charge Sanjay Singh Soni told that Deepak, a resident of Bapu Colony, was living with his wife Pooja Sen in Jaikishan Gauhar's house on rent for 5 months. Deepak's father has passed away. Grandmother Bati Bai Sen lives with her younger son in Rajapur village of Jhansi district, where she has property in her name. Deepak had brought his grandmother with the promise that he would take care of her, but in reality the motive behind this was greed for property. He had brought grandmother to Bhopal 5 months ago. Here he opened a salon shop. He behaved well for a few days, but later started fighting and assaulting her grandmother. After complaining some time back, the police had released him without taking any action. This boosted his morale and he started fighting every day. The negligence of Masjid Committee caused delay in salaries of Imams-Muezzin and now Jamiat Ulama demands from Minority Ministry to pay one year's salary. Due to the negligence of the Masjid Committee, the salaries of the Imam Muezzins have not been received due to which the Imams of many mosques of the city are facing many types of family problems. On the other hand, in this matter, now Jamiat Ulama Madhya Pradesh has demanded from the Ministry of Minority Welfare to release one year's salary together, saying that this will ensure that the grand given under the merger agreement of the Masjid Committee is received on time. This time the issue of salary of Imam Muezzins needs to be raised at the central level. In this matter, Secretary in-charge of Masjid Committee Uwais Ali said that the salary will be received. It is late due to some reasons. We have put the bills in the treasury on 26th, it can be expected that their salaries will come by 27th. About a week ago also the committee officials had said that the salary would come in the next two days. However, this salary has not come yet. According to the Masjid Committee officials, this time the salary of Imam Muezzins will be for two months, in this they will be given the salary for January and February, while the salary for March will be given to them in April. It is noteworthy that the salary of Imam Muezzins present in the mosques of the city is four to five thousand rupees per month. It has not been given to them for almost three months. According to Masjid Committee officials, this has happened due to the grant received from the government. It happens every year that Imams face difficulty in receiving their salaries in February-March or the salary gets stopped for two to three months till the last installment of grant comes. The grant is given to the Masjid Committee in four installments in a year. According to the information, such a situation occurs every year between February and April. Jamiat Ulama Madhya Pradesh Press Secretary Haji Mohammad Imran said that the Jamiat team will again knock on the doors of the Central Government. Imam Mozino is paid a salary under the merger agreement. Which is given by the government in the form of grant money to the Masjid Committee. Grand is not released on time and this time also the situation is the same, Imam Muezzin Hazrat has not received monthly salary since March till now. Even after ten days of Ramzan, three Maha's salary is pending. We demand from the Ministry of Minority Welfare that one year's salary should be released together. This time the issue of salary of Imam Muezzins needs to be raised at the central level. We will write a letter to the concerned regarding this. There are about 274 mosques under the Masjid Committee.This includes 143 mosques in Bhopal, 55 in Raisen, 55 in Sehore and 21 in Berasia. It includes 183 Imams and 115 Muezzins and Pesh Imams.They get their salary from grants and their own funds. Taber Gregory at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton, Conn., in January 2024. Gregory says he was one of thousands of survivors of a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in non-Indigenous households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton, Conn., in January 2024. Gregory says he was one of thousands of survivors of a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in non-Indigenous households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory as a child in Canada before he was taken from his biological family during what became known as the Sixties Scoop. Contributed photo / Taber Gregory Taber Gregory in his Gregory's Sawmill office in Wilton, Conn., in January 2024. Gregory says he was one of thousands of survivors of a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in non-Indigenous households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media A photo of Taber Gregory, top-center, on the wall of his office at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton, Conn., in January 2024. Gregory says he was one of thousands of survivors of a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in non-Indigenous households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory working with cows on the Gregory Farm in Wilton, Conn. Contributed photo / Taber Gregory Taber Gregory with pigs on the Gregory Farm in Wilton, Conn. Contributed photo / Taber Gregory Taber Gregory with cows on the Gregory Farm in Wilton, Conn. Contributed photo / Taber Gregory Taber Gregory in his office at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton. Gregory says he was a victim during a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in middle-class white households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory in his office at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton. Gregory says he was a victim during a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in middle-class white households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Taber Gregory at Gregory's Sawmill in Wilton. Gregory says he was a victim during a decades-long period in Canadian history during which Aboriginal children were removed from their families, put into the child welfare system and placed in middle-class white households. Taber was adopted by a Wilton couple when he was around 3 years old. Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Wilton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media WILTON Ripped from his sisters arms and taken to a new country over a half-century ago, Canada native Taber Gregory said hes still reconciling with how and why he wound up in Wilton. About 20 years ago, the longtime Wiltonian and owner of Gregorys Sawmill on Pimpewaug Road said he learned he was one of thousands of survivors of whats known as the Sixties Scoop. The Sixties Scoop refers to a decades-long period in Canadian history, from about 1951 and until as late as the 1990s, marked by the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their homes in most cases without the consent of their families into the child welfare system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many of the children were placed in non-Indigenous households in Canada, while others including Taber Gregory, who was born Henry Desjarlais in the Canadian province of Alberta in 1968 were relocated and adopted out to families outside the country. Gregory, now 55, said he always knew he was adopted but didnt know about the early years of his life until connecting with biological family members in his early- to mid-30s. I started getting some random calls saying somebody wanted to talk to me, and the person claimed he was my father, Gregory said. I was a little confused and didnt accept the phone call because I didnt know what to think about it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The calls kept coming, and Gregory said he kept refusing. Then one day, he finally accepted and learned that the person calling was, in fact, his biological father, Louis Desjarlais. Gregory said his biological father has since died, but he has stayed in touch with one of his biological siblings in Canada. Through telephone conversations, Gregory said he learned he was the youngest of seven children and had been taken from his familys home in Canada when he was about one-and-a-half years old. He said his adopted parents had been unaware that he had been forcibly removed from his biological family. My sister walked me through everything, and it kind of snowballed from there, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gregory showed Hearst Connecticut Media an August 2001 letter from the Cold Lake First Nations, verifying his Cold Lake First Nation Registry List membership and identifying his biological parents, as well as their own membership. The letter said that since his biological parents were of 100% North American Indian Blood Quantum, Gregory has at least a 100% North American Indian Blood Quantum himself. One of Gregorys four biological sisters, Alicia Minoose, claimed to have been holding him when social service workers came into the house, took him out of her arms, put him in a vehicle and left. She told me she ran out the door, chasing after me, and that was the last time she ever saw me, Gregory said. She was the last one to hold me. According to Tony Merchant a Canadian attorney whose law firm was involved in a Sixties Scoop survivors class-action lawsuit several years ago that Gregory benefited from government-funded social services agencies involved in the removal of Indigenous children from their homes were not closely supervised and intensified their search for likely candidates/victims for adoption over time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Grabbing children became a need-for-supply phenomenon, and this was particularly true for boys, he said, noting that they were significantly more popular for adoption than girls. According to Gregorys sister, two of their siblings were taken as well. She said they were placed with foster parents and eventually brought home but the family couldnt find Gregory, whom she still refers to by his birth name of Henry. Somehow, mom found David and Margaret ... but they couldnt find you, she said over the phone during Gregorys interview. They didnt know what happened to you. We were searching and searching, but there was no information. Gregory said he was told that his biological mother, Bella Desjarlais, cried and cried after he was taken and he believes stress and heartbreak from what happened may have contributed to her death which he said occurred before he reconnected with his biological family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Later learning what he and his family in Canada went through, Gregory said he went into survival mode. I went through some depression, but I was able to get help and kind of turn that around and stay motivated and positive, he said. I did have to take a step back and kind of digest everything. Adoption and life in Wilton Wilton has been the only home he knows or at least remembers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gregory said he has no recollection of his time in the Canadian foster care system, traveling to the U.S. or when his name was changed from Henry to Taber but he knows he ended up at an adoption agency in Pennsylvania. From there, Gregory said he was adopted by Steve and Judy Meier when he was around 3 years old, moved to Wilton and had two brothers both of whom were also adopted, but from different places. One was born in Vietnam, and the other was born in Bridgeport, he said. Gregory said his adoptive parents didnt know he had been forcibly taken from his home. The Welcome House in Pennsylvania was like the first stop, and they just adopted me from there, he said. They had no idea how I got there, so I cant blame them for anything like that. They had no idea what happened. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to the website of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation the parent organization of Welcome House the adoption program matched more than 7,000 orphans and children from around the globe with adoptive families in the United States, and was phased out in June 2014 because of changes in international adoption regulations. Samantha Freis, a curator with the foundation, said the organization does not know what the adoption process was like during that period. After his adoptive parents divorced, Gregory said his mother Judy Meier ended up working at Gregorys Sawmill and meeting John Gregory. They made a connection, and we ended up here with Mr. Gregory and kind of became a family, he said. We grew up on the Gregory farm (where) we had draft horses, oxen, pigs and chickens. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After their adoptive mother died in 1985, Taber Gregory said he and his brothers stayed with John Gregory, whom he considered a father figure and legally changed his last name from Meier to Gregory at his request. When John Gregory retired in the mid- to late-1990s and moved to Ohio, where he later died in 2006, Taber Gregory said he took over the sawmill business which has been in the Gregory family since the 1850s and has been keeping the family legacy alive ever since. I became a Gregory and have been continuing the family business, he said. Gregory said he never knew, nor suspected, that his separation from his biological family and subsequent adoption were forced but hes grateful to have learned the truth about his past, survived the ordeal and reconnect with his family in Canada, who he said he has not yet visited in person but hopes to see in the near future. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the meantime, he said his sister keeps him informed about whats going on with family members in Canada many of whom Gregory said still reside on a First Nations reservation and speak Chipewyan. Class-action settlement Several years ago, the Canadian government reached an $800 million class-action agreement with Sixties Scoop survivors $750 million of which was set aside for individual compensation the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported in 2017. The settlement, through which all First Nations and Inuit children who were removed from their homes and lost their cultural identities as a result between 1951 and 1991 (were) entitled to compensation, was less than the $1.3 billion sought on behalf of about 16,000 Indigenous children in Canadas Ontario province, according to the CBC article. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The settlement agreement followed an Ontario Superior Court judges February 2017 ruling that the Canadian government not only breached its duty of care to the children and ignored the damaging effect of the child welfare program, but also breached part of the agreement that required consultation with First Nations about it, the CBC reported. The judge approved the distribution of $25,000 to $50,000 in payouts to about 22,000 Sixties Scoop survivors the following year as part of the settlement agreement, through which the Canadian government also agreed to establish a foundation designed to enable change and reconciliation. According to a class-action claims process website set up for the settlement, 21,208 of the 34,816 claims received by the December 2019 late claim deadline had been approved as of January 2024. Gregory who showed Hearst a questionnaire he filled out for Merchant Law Group LLP, one of the law firms involved in the class action said his claim was among the ones approved. He wouldnt disclose the exact payout amount he received saying only that it was over $10,000. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everything I know is consistent with him being a (Sixties) Scoop survivor who received compensation, Merchant said. He said Gregory did not become a client because obtaining compensation was something done directly with the claims service providers, but said his firm did provide assistance to Gregory. Gregory, who feels the Sixties Scoop settlement payout isnt enough to compensate for the harm caused to those taken from their biological families, said he shares his story not for pity, but for purpose to raise awareness about what he and thousands of other Indigenous children went through and help prevent something like it from ever happening again. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged on Thursday that Operation Lotus has started in Punjab, a day after the party's lone Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 'Operation Lotus' is the term used by opposition parties to describe what they call "poaching" of MLAs by the BJP to topple governments. Addressing a press conference, Bharadwaj said AAP MLAs in Punjab had said on Wednesday that the majority of them were getting calls and being offered money, Y category security and tickets for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to join the BJP. "The BJP is conducting 'Operation Lotus'," he said, while questioning Rinku's decision to join the BJP. "The BJP stood fourth in (the 2022) Punjab (assembly elections) after AAP, Shriomani Akali Dal and Congress. The question is why did Rinku join the BJP. His tenure as Lok Sabha MP has also ended. The BJP will also come fourth in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha polls," he said. Rinku, who had been named as the AAP's candidate from Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, joined the BJP on Wednesday along with the party's Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural. The MP had earlier quit the Congress to join the AAP last year to contest the bypoll to the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat. He was a vocal critic of the BJP in the Lok Sabha and was even suspended from the House for his unruly protests. The saffron party is likely to field him in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as it inducts a number of influential leaders from different political parties in Punjab to emerge as a strong force in the state that has 13 parliamentary constituencies. The Health Minister also addressed the purported claims by banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun that Kejriwal met the group's representatives in New York in 2014. Bharadwaj said it's shameful that the BJP and its trolls are taking a terrorist's allegations as "gospel truth". "This shows the BJP is anti-national," the AAP leader said, while claiming that the Centre is rattled by the governments of the US and Germany expressing concern over democracy in India and calling for a fair trial for Kejriwal. The officiating director general of police Abhinav Kumar has directed the officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) regarding providing multi- storey residential facilities in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar for the families of the personnel posted in border districts under the Separate Family Accommodation scheme. He stated this in a meeting with all additional director general of police and inspector general of police held in Police headquarters regarding police modernisation on Wednesday. The DGP said that establishing new police stations and police posts in border areas should be linked with the vibrant village scheme. The officials concerned must prepare an infrastructure plan for the existing police stations, police posts and new police posts that come under the vibrant villages. He asked the officials to make arrangements in all police stations regarding public welfare, necessary equipment and investigation procedures as per the new major crime laws. He also directed them to provide better infrastructure to the police personnel deployed at high altitudes besides providing them comfortable uniforms considering the weather. He also directed purchasing new vehicles to replace the scrapped ones under the vehicle scrap policy. Kumar instructed the officials to focus on purchasing smart and short arms. He also congratulated the officials concerned for the efficient budget utilisation last year. Chief Electoral Officer Shri Anupam Rajan said that as soon as the Model Code of Conduct came into effect from March 16, complaints started coming in on the cVigil app. A total of 529 complaints have been received through this app from all the districts of the state till March 28. All these complaints have been resolved promptly. Shri Rajan urged the citizens of the state to make direct complaint related to violation of the Model Code of Conduct in elections, through the cVIGIL app. For this, the concerned citizen will have to go to Google Play Store and download the cVIGIL app. Whenever a citizen gets information about any such incident, he will have to upload a photo or video on the cVIGIL app. After receiving the complaint, action will be taken within the next 100 minutes. It may be noted that cVIGIL app has been prepared by the Election Commission of India for redressal of complaints regarding violation of Model Code of Conduct. This app helps in eliminating ways of distribution of money, goods, clothes, jewelery etc. Bhopal: Chief Electoral Officer Shri Anupam Rajan said that as soon as the Model Code of Conduct came into effect from March 16, complaints started coming in on the cVigil app. A total of 529 complaints have been received through this app from all the districts of the state till March 28. All these complaints have been resolved promptly. Shri Rajan urged the citizens of the state to make direct complaint related to violation of the Model Code of Conduct in elections, through the cVIGIL app. For this, the concerned citizen will have to go to Google Play Store and download the cVIGIL app. Whenever a citizen gets information about any such incident, he will have to upload a photo or video on the cVIGIL app. After receiving the complaint, action will be taken within the next 100 minutes. It may be noted that cVIGIL app has been prepared by the Election Commission of India for redressal of complaints regarding violation of Model Code of Conduct. This app helps in eliminating ways of distribution of money, goods, clothes, jewelery etc. Stating that the media plays a significant role in conducting the Lok Sabha general elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal on Thursday said that during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), publishing and broadcasting news and advertisements according to the rules and guidelines set by the Press Council of India (PCI) for print media and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) for electronic media is mandatory. Agarwal said this while chairing a review meeting here in Chandigarh regarding the preparations for the Lok Sabha general elections in 2024. The Chief Electoral Officer said that after MCC implementation, any candidate or political party giving advertisements for printing or broadcasting in print or electronic media will be required to verify whether the advertisement has been certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). He said that the MCMC committee has been formed at the central, state, and district levels, and candidates or political parties don't need to obtain certification only from Haryana's MCMC committee. Candidates or political parties can also obtain certification from the MCMC committee located in Delhi, which will also be valid in Haryana. Agarwal, providing information about the rules and guidelines set by the Press Council of India and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority, said that during the MCC, the media should refrain from broadcasting communal, illegal, casteist, and anti-national news. He said that various types of advertising material are printed by candidates and political parties for election campaigning, so it is necessary to send the printed material by the publisher and printer to the office of the concerned District Magistrate or Chief Electoral Officer. He said that if any individual prints or broadcasts advertising material on behalf of a candidate or political party, then the media organization will have to check whether the individual has obtained consent from the candidate or political party. If advertising material is being printed or broadcasted with the consent of the candidate or political party, then the expenditure of the advertisement will be added to the election expenses of that candidate or political party. If any advertising is being done without the consent of the candidate or political party, a case will be filed against that individual, Agarwal added. The Chief Electoral Officer said that the media should ensure balanced and unbiased reporting so that citizens receive accurate and truthful news, avoiding any kind of misinformation. To increase voters' trust, the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used again this time. When the voter casts his vote, the VVPAT screen will display the voter's vote for 7 seconds. This gives the voter the confidence that the vote he has cast has gone to the intended candidate, he added. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Thursday dismissed AAP MLAs' allegations that they were offered money to join the saffron party, saying he was "amazed at their audacity". As AAP's lone Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural joined the BJP on Wednesday, three ruling party MLAs claimed they were offered money to jump ship. The AAP alleged the BJP had "again started Operation Lotus" in Punjab and was trying to break the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. 'Operation Lotus' is a term used by opposition parties to describe what they call "poaching" of MLAs by the BJP to topple governments. "I am amazed at their audacity. They are so thick-skinned and they are teaching morality," Jakhar told reporters here in response to a question on allegations levelled by the AAP MLAs. Jakhar urged the Election Commission to order a probe into Rs 25-crore-offer allegations made by the AAP legislators so that the people of Punjab can know the truth. "Truth must come out and I will urge the Commission to investigate and ascertain before people of Punjab as to who made the offer and who got the money," Jakhar said as he underlined that "falsehood and corruption" of Kejriwal's 'kattar imaandaars' have been fully exposed and there is no place to hide. Jalalabad MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy had claimed that one Sewak Singh called him from an international number on Tuesday with an offer to join the BJP. He claimed he was offered Rs 20-25 crore but he told the caller that "I do not need it." Similar claims were made by Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh and Ludhiana South legislator Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina. They asserted that they would not leave the party. Jakhar was addressing a press conference here after the party's core committee meeting along with the party's Punjab in-charge and former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Replying to a media query, Jakhar said the Enforcement Directorate has been consistently working to bring "blatant acts of omission and commission perpetrated" by Kejriwal and his chosen ones on the future of Punjab and Punjabis. Slamming the language used by AAP leaders against Rinku and Angural, the state BJP president said this reeks of their frustration at leaders and people from all parties trusting the development agenda of BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Meanwhile, Rinku slammed the AAP government in Punjab over the law and order situation and the drug menace. Speaking at a press conference, Rinku also accused the AAP of not fulfilling the promises it made before the 2023 Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll. "The party's national leader had promised people in Jalandhar that heaps of garbage would be cleared once they sent our candidate to the Lok Sabha. You (media) can send your teams to Model Town in Jalandhar to see for yourselves (what has been done)," Rinku said. "It was a small promise. There are many promises which were not fulfilled," he added. Rinku further claimed roads were broken and wastewater was overflowing in Jalandhar. On the law and order situation in Punjab, Rinku claimed people were receiving ransom calls from criminals. "Traders are feeling scared today," he said. Rinku claimed drugs were "easily available" in the state and "cable mafia was still operating in the state". Hitting out at the AAP, Angural raised questions on the allegations levelled by the party in September 2022 that the BJP had offered Rs 20-25 crore each to 10 of its MLAs in an attempt to topple the Mann government in the state. LEADERS FROM PATIALA JOIN BJP Several former Congress leaders from Patiala district under the leadership of Patiala MP Preneet Kaur joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Punjab President Sunil Jakhar and Punjab Incharge Vijay Rupani at the Chandigarh office on Thursday. Addressing the media, Preneet Kaur said, "Impressed by the pro-people policies of PM Narendra Modi's government, people of Punjab are regularly joining the Bharatiya Janata Party by leaving other parties. I feel honoured to be a part of such a people-centric party and I welcome all these leaders of Patiala district who have joined the BJP today." She said the entire Punjab BJP unit under the leadership of Sunil Jakhar and Vijay Rupani is working hard. Jakhar said, "I welcome all the new members who have joined the BJP and I am sure that the party will be further strengthened by their joining. I also welcome MP Patiala Preneet Kaur who has for the first time come to our state office after joining the BJP." Sheetal Angural resigns as Punjab MLA A day after joining the BJP, Sheetal Angural on Thursday tendered his resignation as MLA from the Punjab Assembly. Angural was the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from the Jalandhar West. In a letter sent to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Angural said, I hereby submit my resignation from membership of legislative assembly Punjab (MLA) with immediate effect. Angural, along with AAP Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. Angural won the Jalandhar West assembly seat by defeating Sushil Rinku of Congress during the 2022 assembly elections. Rinku had last year moved to the AAP from the Congress and became the Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar after winning a bypoll. The Rourkela police have arrested two inter-State cybercriminals having links with an international scammer, who has allegedly duped people of over Rs 200 crore. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Bureau of Immigration (BOI) had detained two accused Harish Kurapati alias Harry and Naga Venkata Sowjanya Kurapati alias Lisa at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after their arrival from Cambodia. The Rourkela police have brought them on remand for production in a court here in connection with a cybercrime case lodged in December 2023. According to reports, the Rourkela police were investigating a case registered at the Cyber police station in Rourkela on December 30, 2023, following a complaint by a senior official in the Central Government regarding fraud of Rs 67.70 lakh. During the course of investigation, eight cyber fraudsters were arrested from different parts of the country in connection with various complaints from across India. As multiple people were allegedly involved in the massive cyber fraud case, the Rourkela police had issued Lookout Circulars against 16 people. Pursuant to our Lookout Circulars, the Bureau of Immigration apprehended Harry and Lisa at Hyderabad airport. Former JMM MLA from Jama and party patriarch Shibu Soren's eldest daughter-in-law Sita Soren who joined BJP last week and has been made a BJP nominee from Dumka the traditional bastion of JMM has demanded a high-level probe of her husband late Durga Soren death. Durga Soren (19702009) was a leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and a member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. He died at his Bokaro residence in his sleep on 21 May 2009, aged just 40. The cause of death was termed as a brain haemorrhage. Sita who reached Ranchi from Delhi today targeted JMM and the state government. Sita Soren said that she cannot tolerate the insult of her husband late Durga Soren, a strong leader of JMM who has nurtured JMM with his blood and sweat. Taking a big aim, he termed the death of the late Durga Soren as suspicious and demanded a high level investigation. She said that he raised this matter several times in the family but it was ignored. I have brought up my daughters after enduring pain and suffering in the family. Sita said that JMM is no longer the party of late Durga Soren's era. This party has now become a party of brokers and middlemen. Wherever you go, even in the districts, only brokers and middlemen dominate the party. She said that Kalpana Soren has also insulted Late Durga Soren. Starting his political innings, She (Kalpana Soren) took the names of other martyrs of the state but did not remember late Durga Soren ji. She said that the party government has given only corruption to the state. The state has fallen due to corruption. The honor and respect of the state has fallen. Women are not respected in JMM. She was constantly feeling humiliated in the party and in the family, therefore, a big political decision was taken. She said that today only the BJP can develop the country and the state. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji, the flag of India has risen high in the country and the world. The pride of the country has increased. India's economy has become strong. She said that villages, poor farmers, Dalits, backward women are all joining the mainstream of development. She said that the resolve of the Modi government in the field of women empowerment is being fulfilled. A provision of 33% reservation was made for women. Today women from the tribal community hold the highest posts in the country. She said that the resolve of developed India will be fulfilled under the leadership of Modi ji. In the Lok Sabha elections, Jharkhand will win 14 seats and NDA will cross the mark of 400 seats in the country. Earlier, after joining BJP, Shibu Soren's elder daughter-in-law, former JAMA MLA and Lok Sabha candidate from Dumka parliamentary constituency, Sita Soren reached Ranchi from New Delhi today. A large number of workers welcomed him at the airport under the leadership of Ranchi Metropolitan BJP President Varun Sahu. On the soil of Ranchi, Sita Soren paid tribute and paid homage to the statues of Lord Birsa Munda and late Durga Soren. Sita Soren's convoy reached the BJP state office where she was warmly welcomed by the sisters of Mahila Morcha. Sita Soren met State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, State Organization General Secretary Karmaveer Singh, State General Secretary and MP Aditya Sahu, State Vice President MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi and other officials and workers in the state office and got introduced. State President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, State Organization General Secretary Karmaveer Singh welcomed Sita Soren. Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri, while welcoming Smt. Sita Soren, said that the people of the state are ready to reject JMM. JMM has only cheated the tribal people. Media in-charge Shivpujan Pathak and state spokesperson Pratul Shah Dev were also present in the press conference. Six Naxalites were killed in a gun battle with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, police said. The gunfight took place in a forest area along the Talperu river near Chipurbhatti village, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told media. The operation involving the District Reserve Guard, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite unit CoBRA unit was launched based on inputs about the presence of Naxalites, he said. "After the exchange of fire stopped, the bodies of six Naxalites, including two women, and a huge cache of weapons and explosives were recovered from the spot," he said. The official earlier said the deceased Naxalites included one woman. The identity of the dead is yet to be ascertained, he said. Many other Naxalites were reportedly injured in the gunfight. Bijapur district is located in the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to the polls in the first phase of general elections on April 19. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths UP model is getting increasingly popular in the south Indian states too. In states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, there is considerable curiosity among the people regarding the Yogi model of governance, said Shipra Pathak, popularly known as Water Woman, after traveling 3,952 kilometres from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram. Pathak added, Under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, there is a sense of unparalleled security among the daughters of the state. Not only within our state but across the nation, daughters of Uttar Pradesh have the confidence that their voices would be heard everywhere in case of any wrongdoing against them, owing to the fear of Maharaj ji. This is because Yogi Adityanath has become synonymous with Uttar Pradesh. Water Woman Shipra Pathak, India's first padyatri on the Ram Janaki Van Gaman Path from Saryu to Sagar, started her journey from Ayodhya on November 27, 2023, and ended it in Rameshwaram on March 11, 2024. In the course of her journey, she passed through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and crossed the forests of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Her route was on the Ram Van Gaman path as mentioned in epic Ramayana. Providing details about her journey, Shipra Pathak revealed that alongside her padyatra, a vehicle carrying water from various rivers, bearing the registration number of Uttar Pradesh, accompanied her. This vehicle served as a symbol of her association with Uttar Pradesh. Everywhere she travelled, people greeted her with joy and enquired whether she hailed from Yogi Ji Maharajs Uttar Pradesh. Shipra Pathak remarked that being associated with Uttar Pradesh has become a source of pride nationwide. UP and Yogi ji have become inseparable. Wherever I travelled, I was warmly welcomed and people were delighted to learn that I hailed from Yogi ji's state. From Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, there was a palpable sense of respect towards Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his decisive leadership, she observed. In the past, Shipra Pathak has actively promoted river conservation through various initiatives, including completing the 3,600-kilometre circumambulation of the river Narmada, Mansarovar lake, river Shipra, Saryu pad yatra and Braj Chaurasi Kosi pad yatra. Her efforts have been recognised with numerous awards and honours. Furthermore, Shipra Pathak is renowned as a prominent motivational speaker who engages with youth nationwide, raising awareness about issues concerning national interest and environment. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday appealed to voters of Bastar to uproot the Congress from the region in the Lok Sabha elections. Sai, addressing a nomination rally of BJP candidate Mahesh Kashyap here for Bastar constituency, charged the Congress with indulging in corruption during the five years it ruled Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister alleged that Congress was anti-tribal and that it was time to teach the party a lesson. The people of Bastar had given eight Assembly seats of the region and now I am here to seek blessings for the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency," he said. The previous Congress government in the state corrupt and its corrupt leaders will soon be jailed, Sai said. Citing that reinitiating the Charan Paduka scheme and hike in tendu leaves support price to 5,500 per standard bags were some of the major decisions for Bastar, the Chief Minister promised every possible effort to better the lives of people in Bastar. Bastar is rich in natural beauty and have abundance of mineral resources and hence there is tremendous opportunity of development in the region, Sai said. North Haven Inland Wetlands Commission Vice Chairman Steven Miller makes a motion to deny a permit application for the proposed AB Eco Park development at a meeting March 27, 2024, meeting. Brian Zahn/Hearst Connecticut Media NORTH HAVEN A town commission discarded an application to develop a facility intended to address the state's waste crisis locally after three months of contentious hearings. The Inland Wetlands Commission denied a permit application for AB Eco Park, a proposal to develop a waste reclamation facility on wetlands near the Quinnipiac River by Universal Drive. Developer Bill Gambardella, a former state representative who spearheaded the project with the owner of a trucking company, said the benefit of such a project would be to develop upon an unproductive, contaminated parcel of land to ultimately cut waste disposal costs as Connecticut municipalities increasingly ship waste to landfills and incinerators out of state. Despite the setback, Gambardella said AB Eco Park is not dead. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We will be back," he said Thursday morning. "We intend to go forward with the project. The project will get built despite last night's vote, but we have a ways to go. Although the commission was unanimous in its vote to deny the application, some commissioners differed in their reasoning. Commission Vice Chairman Steven Miller, who made the motion to deny the application, said the proposal would "obliterate" town wetlands and that the application did not attempt to provide adequate alternatives to the use of contaminated fill. His rationale was backed by a majority of the commission. Commissioner Anna Garsten said she believed any alternative fill options in the application were "afterthoughts." Advertisement Article continues below this ad It seemed to me totally up in the air what the fill might be, and that was an issue for me based on uncertainty, she said. Two commissioners, including Chairman Frank Bumsted, said their opposition to the application was unrelated to the fill materials. "Making this a usable site by providing the fill for this site through the (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections) recommendations of fill is actually a good thing for the site, said Commissioner John Whitcomb. "I couldnt put a positive vote on this, but I dont think the fill is a bad idea so long as its completed to the DEEPs standards. Whitcomb's objection to the project, he said, was due to the scope of the project and concerns that an approval would make things at the site worse if the project falls through. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bumsted said he, too, is not concerned with the fill materials, but rather with the measures taken to prevent further contamination on top of that fill. The testing protocol for the fill was not something I want to have in my town, he said. Bumsted said he does not think the project proposal is a bad one, but the application before the commission did not have enough information. Gambardella said that following the commission's vote, the only option left at the site for the time being is to close it off completely, preventing any current remediation efforts. The town obviously doesnt understand what they're doing and doesnt understand the law, he said. "They obviously dont want development on brownfields in North Haven. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gambardella said he believes the commission and some members of the public viewed the most recent permit process as the sole approval required for the project to move forward, when it was merely one of several approvals that would be required and was not intended to address every aspect of the development. He said the proposed development site is not "pristine" and is already contaminated, and his proposal would increase remediation efforts. He said he intends to pursue his next steps in federal court. While headache seems to be a common problem, it can also result in disability and even death, if not promptly recognised and treated on time, said Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist. The doctor, from Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, in a post on X.com, said that headaches are usually not serious, and commonly are migraine and tension-type headaches. These present no serious complications and are easily and often effectively treatable. "However, not all causes of headache are benign. Some of the conditions that cause headaches are serious and may result in disability and even death if not promptly recognised and treated on time," said Sudhir. The doctor noted that the most severe headache is due to "subarachnoid haemorrhage", which causes life-threatening bleeding in the brain. This severe headache recently affected motivational speaker Jaggi Vasudev, who suffered from it for several weeks. He, later, underwent emergency surgery to relieve the bleeding in the skull. "Headache that often wakes up a person from sleep, or is worse in mornings on waking up, or that results in vomiting, double vision, etc, could be suggestive of brain tumour," said Sudhir. He added that headaches coming along with weakness of the arm or leg could indicate a risk of "stroke". Further, the expert said that headache linked with fever, and reduced alertness "could be meningitis (brain fever)", and that which comes along with fever and seizures (fits) is "suggestive of encephalitis (brain fever)". "New-onset headache in a person aged above 50; headache lasting for more than 72 hours; a headache that is not responding to pain-relief medications," could also be "red flags", requiring attention, Sudhir said. Recent changes in headache frequency, severity, or character may also be a risk factor that warrants further investigation. "If you notice any of the above "red flags" associated with headaches, it is better to consult a neurologist and undergo a brain scan (CT or MRI) and/or other investigations to determine the underlying cause, so that the appropriate treatment can be started," Sudhir said. "Early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment can be life-saving in these conditions," he added. The Congress on Thursday termed as "election slogan" Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks that the government was ready to rectify if there were any drawbacks in the Agnipath scheme, and asserted that the programme will "most definitely" be changed when the INDIA bloc "comes to power" in early June. During a fireside chat on the concluding day of the Times Now Summit here, the defence minister defended the military recruitment scheme, saying recruiting youths would result in an increased risk-taking spirit and more tech-savvy armed forces. "...If we see any drawbacks, then we are ready to rectify them," Singh said while talking of the Agnipath scheme. Reacting to the Singh's remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X, "The Defense Minister of the country has (with condition) said that he is ready to make improvements and changes in the Agniveer scheme. This shows that the Agniveer scheme imposed on millions of patriotic youth by the Modi government is no longer working." First the Modi government played with the future of lakhs of the youth, now because of the elections it has talked about accepting the flaws in the Agnipath scheme, Kharge said. He said the government should first apologise to the country's patriotic youth. The Congress has promised that its government will stop the Agnipath scheme, he asserted. "Agnipath Yojana has weakened our national security. Now no youth wants to join the army only for four years," he said. The Congress has highlighted the plight of around 1.5 lakh young men and women by launching the "Jai Jawan" campaign, Kharge said. These youth were selected in a regular recruitment drive between 2019 and 2022 after passing the rigorous selection process but the Modi government suddenly imposed Agnipath scheme on the military forces, he said. "The future Agniveers would be extremely dissatisfied and directionless due to loss of reputation and financial security due to this recruitment scheme," Kharge said. "Recently, former Army Chief (retired) General MM Naravane had stated that under 'Agniveer Yojana', 75% people were to be taken and 25% people were to be released. But the Modi government did the opposite, and forcibly implemented this plan on all three military forces," he claimed. "The awakened youth of the country will completely reject the election slogans of BJP! BJP is responsible for making their future bleak," Kharge alleged. Tagging a media report on Singh's remarks, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "It will most definitely be changed when INDIA comes to power in early June 2024." In June 2022, the Centre rolled out the Agnipath scheme for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three services. The scheme provides for recruiting youngsters in the age bracket of 17 years and a half to 21 years for a four-year period with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. Erode MP A Ganeshamurthi, who allegedly attempted suicide recently, died at a Coimbatore hospital on Thursday morning, sources from his party MDMK and police said. Expressing shock and grief over his demise, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said Ganeshamurthi started his political journey in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and effectively discharged his responsibilities in various capacities including the post of district secretary. Later, he traversed the political path along with Vaiko (MDMK chief). His loss has given an inexpressible grief. He was an energetic diplomat. I offer my deepest condolences and sympathies to the members of the DMK, MDMK, his family and friends, Stalin said in a statement. Vaiko expressed shock over the sudden demise and said he called on Ganeshamurthi's son Kapilan and daughter Tamilpiriya and conveyed his condolences. According to police, the 77-year-old Ganeshamurthi had allegedly tried to kill himself after consuming some poisonous tablets on March 24 at his home here. He was rushed to a hospital here and later referred to another private institute in Coimbatore. The Erode Town police has already registered an attempt to suicide case. This will now be altered to a death by suicide case, police said. Hospital authorities handed the body to the police who took it to the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) Medical College Hospital for autopsy. After the post-mortem, the body will be taken to Kumaravalasu village, 15 km from here, where it will be buried, party sources said. Ganeshamurthi was elected as an MP on the DMK's rising sun symbol in 2019. He had previously won the Lok Sabha polls from Palani in 1998 and Erode in 2009. A widower, Ganesamurthi is survived by a son and a daughter. He was a brave and determined leader. There's no iota of truth that Ganeshamurthi made a suicide attempt over not getting a seat to contest Lok Sabha election again, Vaiko said while speaking to reporters in Coimbatore. Recalling his association with the departed leader since his college days in Chennai, Vaiko said both worked hard to develop the party (then DMK). The struggles during the student union days are still vivid in my mind. .. He was incharge of Erode district of DMK and later joined hands with me to launch the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the MDMK chief said. He had served as party treasurer, and was a MLA and MP too, Vaiko said and added that both of them were incarcerated when they were detained under the POTA Act. In a statement here, Vaiko said that from his inquiries with the doctors who were treating Ganeshamurthi, he had hoped that the MP would survive. But fate willed otherwise, he said, expressing his deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswai said he was saddened to hear the news of the death of the Erode MP. BJP state chief K Annamalai too condoled the death. Highlighting the importance of a single vote, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said it can change the fate of the country. Addressing a conference of intellectuals organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Muzaffarnagar district, the chief minister said when this one vote went into "wrong hands", an "atmosphere of anarchy" was created in western Uttar Pradesh, but when the saffron party secured that one vote, it brought "respect to the faith". Hitting out at the opposition, the BJP leader said, "You will see how much your one vote is worth. How can one vote change the destiny of the country. Whenever one of your votes went into the wrong hands, a curfew was imposed in Muzaffarnagar for months. When your one vote goes to the correct place, Muzaffarnagar is today not known for curfews, but for the Kavad Yatra." "If your one vote goes into the wrong hands, the security of not only Muzaffarnagar, but entire western Uttar Pradesh will be in danger and if your one vote goes to the right political party, then anarchy will end and faith will get respect," he added. Referring to Holi being played in the newly-constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, Adityanath said, "I used to listen to a Holi song for years -- 'Holi Khele Raghuveera Awadh Ma' -- but every year, we felt sad that Lord Ram is invoked to play Holi but the lord is not present in his birthplace in Ayodhya. After 500 years, your one vote has given respect to your faith." Asking the gathering whether the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress would have been able to build the Ram temple, he said, "Today, Lord Ram is seated in Ram Janmabhoomi. Could previous governments have done this work? They gave curfews, they gave anarchy, they played with faith, they breached the security of daughters and businessmen.... Today, we are moving forward in a new environment." The chief minister said whenever that one vote went to the "wrong place", there was extortion, "but when it went into the right hands, to the right party, the result is that extortion has ended now". Adityanath asked the intellectuals to tell people that for the BJP, it is "nation first", unlike the opposition for which it is "family first". "They (opposition) talk about caste, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks of the poor's welfare. This gives a different identity to Modiji from other leaders," he said. Adityanah also said former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh should have been honoured with Bharat Ratna much earlier but claimed that it was not on the agenda of the previous governments. "What is the INDI alliance doing? They were in power from 2004 to 2014. They should have given the honour to Chaudhary sahab, but this was done by Modiji," he said. Senegal woke up Tuesday to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who was released from prison just weeks ago and had inspired voters, many of them unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy. Faye was catapulted into a presidential campaign after popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a prior conviction, had backed him. As he gave his first speech as president-elect on Monday evening, it represented a dramatic rise for the 44-year-old who is due to be the youngest leader of the West African nation. I pledge to govern with humility and transparency, and to fight corruption at all levels. I pledge to devote myself fully to rebuilding our institutions, he said, restating promises made during his campaign. While official results of Sundays vote were not yet available, the other front-runner the former prime minister who was backed by incumbent President Macky Sall had conceded defeat. Sall followed with congratulations, also naming Faye as the winner. The election followed months of unrest ignited by Faye and Sonkos arrest last year, and concerns that the president would seek a third term in office despite constitutional term limits. The violence shook Senegals reputation as a stable democracy in a region that has seen a wave of coups. Rights groups said dozens were killed in the protests, while some 1,000 people were jailed. Considered the anti-establishment candidate, Fayes campaign messages of economic reform and anti-corruption resonated with the youth. Almost a third of young people are unemployed with thousands risking their lives on dangerous journeys in search of jobs in the West. Faye has vowed to improve Senegals control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into what his campaign called economic enslavement. His manifesto promised to renegotiate Senegals oil and gas contract and introduce a new currency. On Monday night, Faye outlined some early foreign policy priorities, which included reforming the troubled West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS. A win by the opposition also means major changes ahead in domestic and foreign policies, said Rida Lyammouri of the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, adding that a promise to move away from former colonial power France could define the foreign policy of the countrys new government. The election was largely peaceful and early counts showed voters turned out overwhelmingly in favor of the opposition. Sonko had promised a resounding victory on his YouTube channel. By Monday evening in Dakar, Faye had been declared the winner and celebrations erupted in neighbourhoods around the capital, where supporters danced, played music and set off fireworks. Fayes roots lie in a small town in central Senegal. He is a practicing Muslim and has two wives. Ahead of Sundays election, Faye published a declaration of his assets, and called on other candidates to do the same. It lists a home in Dakar, and land outside the capital and in his hometown. His bank accounts hold roughly $6,600. After studying law and graduating from Senegals National School of Administration in 2004, Faye became a tax inspector. This was when he met Sonko, also a tax inspector, and joined his newly-formed party PASTEF. He quickly became a prominent figure in the party and was named general secretary in 2021. I would even say that he is more honest than me. I place the project in his hands, Sonko told supporters at a joint news conference in March of last year. Weeks later, Faye was arrested and jailed on various charges, including defamation. Faye paid tribute to Sonko in his speech but declined to say what role he would play in his government. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of PEDEVCO (NYSE:PED Free Report) in a report released on Sunday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock. PEDEVCO Stock Performance NYSE PED opened at $0.81 on Friday. PEDEVCO has a 12 month low of $0.61 and a 12 month high of $1.19. The business has a fifty day moving average of $0.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.38 million, a PE ratio of 40.52 and a beta of 0.51. Get PEDEVCO alerts: PEDEVCO (NYSE:PED Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 15th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $6.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.39 million. PEDEVCO had a return on equity of 2.31% and a net margin of 6.97%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that PEDEVCO will post -0.01 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On PEDEVCO In other PEDEVCO news, VP Moore Clark sold 45,000 shares of PEDEVCO stock in a transaction on Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $0.66, for a total value of $29,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 555,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $366,520.44. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other PEDEVCO news, VP Moore Clark sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $0.66, for a total value of $29,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 555,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $366,520.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, President John Douglas Schick sold 58,333 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.64, for a total transaction of $37,333.12. Following the transaction, the president now owns 780,467 shares in the company, valued at approximately $499,498.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 319,300 shares of company stock worth $206,411 over the last 90 days. 71.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. A hedge fund recently raised its stake in PEDEVCO stock. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in PEDEVCO Corp. (NYSE:PED Free Report) by 38.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 56,342 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 15,770 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp owned about 0.06% of PEDEVCO worth $43,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.26% of the companys stock. PEDEVCO Company Profile (Get Free Report) PEDEVCO Corp., an oil and gas company, focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. PEDEVCO Corp. is a subsidiary of SK Energy LLC. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PEDEVCO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PEDEVCO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report published on Sunday. Separately, Barclays cut their price objective on Rogers Communications from $55.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $52.00. Get Rogers Communications alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Rogers Communications Rogers Communications Price Performance Shares of RCI opened at $41.20 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.81, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market cap of $21.78 billion, a PE ratio of 34.33, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.60. The firms 50 day moving average price is $45.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $43.23. Rogers Communications has a twelve month low of $36.55 and a twelve month high of $50.00. Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI Get Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $3.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.99 billion. Rogers Communications had a net margin of 4.38% and a return on equity of 22.17%. As a group, research analysts expect that Rogers Communications will post 3.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Rogers Communications Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, March 11th will be given a dividend of $0.3742 per share. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 8th. This is a boost from Rogers Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. Rogers Communicationss payout ratio is currently 122.50%. Institutional Trading of Rogers Communications A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCI. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Rogers Communications by 62.8% during the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 700 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the period. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd bought a new position in Rogers Communications during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in Rogers Communications by 120.1% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 658 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Rogers Communications by 120.8% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 912 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 499 shares during the period. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rogers Communications during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.49% of the companys stock. Rogers Communications Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in North America. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device financing, device protection, global voice and data roaming, wireless home phone, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device shipping services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Vista Gold (NYSE:VGZ Free Report) in a research report released on Sunday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. Separately, HC Wainwright reiterated a buy rating and set a $2.50 price target on shares of Vista Gold in a report on Friday, March 15th. Get Vista Gold alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Vista Gold Vista Gold Price Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows VGZ opened at $0.54 on Friday. Vista Gold has a fifty-two week low of $0.30 and a fifty-two week high of $0.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.02 million, a P/E ratio of -10.70 and a beta of 1.59. The companys 50-day moving average is $0.41 and its 200 day moving average is $0.40. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Two Sigma Securities LLC purchased a new position in Vista Gold in the second quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Vista Gold by 8.1% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 433,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $225,000 after buying an additional 32,332 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Vista Gold by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,806,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $939,000 after buying an additional 71,659 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Vista Gold by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 77,500 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 15,000 shares during the period. 27.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Vista Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vista Gold Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and advancement of gold exploration and development projects primarily in Australia. The company's flagship asset is the 100% owned Mt Todd gold project located in Northern Territory, Australia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Vista Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vista Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Albany International Corp. (NYSE:AIN Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the four analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $110.50. AIN has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America restated an underperform rating and issued a $95.00 target price (down from $105.00) on shares of Albany International in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com upgraded Albany International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Albany International from $105.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Albany International from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Get Albany International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Albany International Hedge Funds Weigh In On Albany International Albany International Stock Up 1.9 % Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Quadrature Capital Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Albany International by 21.0% during the 4th quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 6,372 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $626,000 after purchasing an additional 1,108 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Albany International by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,518,426 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $345,580,000 after purchasing an additional 38,446 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Albany International by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 3,273 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $321,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in Albany International by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 41,902 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $4,116,000 after buying an additional 3,083 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC raised its position in Albany International by 221.7% in the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 49,178 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $4,831,000 after buying an additional 33,890 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.37% of the companys stock. Shares of Albany International stock opened at $96.40 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.15, a PEG ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 2.85, a current ratio of 3.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $91.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $89.23. Albany International has a 12-month low of $78.20 and a 12-month high of $99.41. Albany International (NYSE:AIN Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The textile maker reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $323.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $298.17 million. Albany International had a return on equity of 13.70% and a net margin of 9.68%. Albany Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Albany International will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current year. Albany International Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Albany Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.30%. About Albany International (Get Free Report Albany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the machine clothing and engineered composites businesses. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, towels, pulps, nonwovens, building products, tannery, and textiles, as well as fiber cement and several other industrial applications. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Albany International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Albany International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. grew its stake in Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Free Report) by 42.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,947 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 878 shares during the period. Altfest L J & Co. Inc.s holdings in Burlington Stores were worth $573,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in Burlington Stores by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 6,412 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new position in shares of Burlington Stores in the first quarter valued at approximately $246,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Burlington Stores in the 1st quarter worth approximately $751,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its position in Burlington Stores by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 1,538 shares of the companys stock worth $280,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in Burlington Stores by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $268,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Get Burlington Stores alerts: Insider Activity at Burlington Stores In other Burlington Stores news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 5,025 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.24, for a total value of $1,131,831.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now directly owns 61,115 shares in the company, valued at $13,765,542.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on BURL shares. Piper Sandler upgraded Burlington Stores from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $240.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. StockNews.com raised shares of Burlington Stores from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, March 9th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $250.00 price objective (up previously from $225.00) on shares of Burlington Stores in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Burlington Stores from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Burlington Stores presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $210.69. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Burlington Stores Burlington Stores Trading Up 0.0 % BURL traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $230.67. 339,940 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 830,661. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.94, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 1.48. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $205.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $172.61. Burlington Stores, Inc. has a one year low of $115.66 and a one year high of $232.69. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.02. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 3.49% and a return on equity of 45.28%. The business had revenue of $3.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.96 EPS. Burlington Storess quarterly revenue was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Burlington Stores, Inc. will post 7.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Burlington Stores (Free Report) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded apparel products in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BURL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Then Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman before addressing the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2000. Lieberman's funeral in Stamford on Friday is likely to draw many visitors from his decades spent in state and federal government. Bob Luckey / Greenwich Time Political leaders from around Connecticut and the nation are preparing to gather Friday at a historic Stamford synagogue for the funeral of the late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman. A funeral for Lieberman will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, the city where the senator grew up in a working-class Jewish family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Al Gore, the former vice president whose decision to select Lieberman as his running mate in 2000 made him the first Jewish candidate on a major party ticket, is among those who will be in attendance, according to his office. Others who have said they also plan on attending include U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, as well as other members of the states Congressional delegation, including Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jim Himes. Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons will also be in attendance, her office said Thursday. Gov. Ned Lamont, a one-time rival who challenged Liebermans position on the Iraq War during the 2006 U.S. Senate race, will also be attending, a spokeswoman said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions on whether President Joe Biden or the first lady would be in attendance. Biden and Lieberman served together for two decades in the Senate. A spokesman for the Stamford Police Department said Thursday that officers will have a presence at the funeral and will escort the procession to the cemetery on Westhill Road, but otherwise will not be closing off streets to traffic. The department has been in touch with the U.S. Secret Service, the spokesman said, but as of Thursday afternoon, it was still unclear if any high-ranking political officials would be attending the funeral. Agudath Sholom is a Modern Orthodox congregation located along Stamfords Strawberry Hill Avenue. The congregations leader, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, told the Jewish news outlet Forward that Lieberman joined the congregation in 2005 and was known to mingle after services. He was a senator, but at the same time, he sat in seats like everybody else, he enjoyed the kiddush like everybody else, Cohen told the website. When he walked home from shul, he got soaked on rainy days. He was one of us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Throughout his political career, Lieberman often stood out for his strict observance of the rules of his Jewish faith, including a refusal to campaign or drive on the Sabbath. Once, when he was needed to break a Republican filibuster of a spending bill on a Saturday in December, Lieberman walked several miles from his home in Washington, D.C. to the Senate chamber in order to cast his vote. He grew up in an Orthodox, Jewish community, recalled DeLauro, his longtime friend and colleague from New Haven. The tenets of his faith, social justice and equality, were all driving forces in what Joe Lieberman did. Lieberman is survived by his wife, Hadassah, children Matthew and Rebecca Lieberman, Hani Lowenstein and stepson Ethan Tucker, as well as their spouses and 13 grandchildren, according to Agudath Sholom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Autoliv (NYSE:ALV Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Mizuho from $115.00 to $135.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has a buy rating on the auto parts companys stock. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on ALV. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Autoliv from $105.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Autoliv from $101.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. StockNews.com raised shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 20th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $120.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Autoliv from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Autoliv currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $114.00. Get Autoliv alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on ALV Autoliv Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE ALV opened at $122.09 on Monday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $113.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $104.62. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market cap of $10.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.71. Autoliv has a 52-week low of $79.66 and a 52-week high of $124.38. Autoliv (NYSE:ALV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The auto parts company reported $3.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.37. The firm had revenue of $2.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.75 billion. Autoliv had a net margin of 4.66% and a return on equity of 27.13%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.83 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Autoliv will post 9.75 EPS for the current fiscal year. Autoliv Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th were given a dividend of $0.68 per share. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 11th. Autolivs dividend payout ratio is presently 47.30%. Insider Buying and Selling at Autoliv In other Autoliv news, EVP Anthony J. Nellis sold 760 shares of Autoliv stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total transaction of $83,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,859 shares in the company, valued at $534,490. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Mikael Bratt sold 4,226 shares of Autoliv stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.72, for a total value of $463,676.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 17,547 shares in the company, valued at $1,925,256.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Anthony J. Nellis sold 760 shares of Autoliv stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total transaction of $83,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 4,859 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $534,490. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 8,388 shares of company stock worth $921,757 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new position in Autoliv during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Autoliv by 84.1% during the 4th quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Autoliv during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Autoliv by 83.8% during the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 489 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new stake in shares of Autoliv during the 1st quarter worth approximately $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.57% of the companys stock. Autoliv Company Profile (Get Free Report) Autoliv, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Autoliv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Autoliv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $9.52 and last traded at $9.51, with a volume of 2101066 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.42. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, StockNews.com cut Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $190.00. Get Barclays alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Barclays Barclays Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.63. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $36.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.47. Barclays (NYSE:BCS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The financial services provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.39). Barclays had a net margin of 16.82% and a return on equity of 6.09%. The business had revenue of $6.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.38 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Barclays PLC will post 1.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. Barclays Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.2671 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.6%. This is a positive change from Barclayss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Barclayss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.96%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Barclays by 1,934.9% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 168,265 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,330,000 after purchasing an additional 159,996 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Barclays by 8.2% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,299,509 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $18,166,000 after buying an additional 175,029 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in Barclays by 33.8% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 22,110 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $175,000 after buying an additional 5,580 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Barclays by 1,026.8% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 265,893 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,101,000 after acquiring an additional 242,296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in Barclays by 171.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 29,371 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $232,000 after purchasing an additional 18,545 shares in the last quarter. 3.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Barclays Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) and Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:CDPYF Get Free Report) are both real estate companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and profitability. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Essex Property Trust and Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Essex Property Trust $1.67 billion 9.41 $405.83 million $6.31 38.80 Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A $2.94 11.63 Essex Property Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Essex Property Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Essex Property Trust 3 9 6 0 2.17 Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust 0 0 1 0 3.00 This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Essex Property Trust and Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Essex Property Trust presently has a consensus price target of $243.74, suggesting a potential downside of 0.44%. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust has a consensus price target of $59.25, suggesting a potential upside of 73.60%. Given Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is more favorable than Essex Property Trust. Dividends Essex Property Trust pays an annual dividend of $9.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Essex Property Trust pays out 146.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust pays out 39.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Essex Property Trust has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years. Essex Property Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Institutional and Insider Ownership 96.5% of Essex Property Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 23.8% of Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 3.8% of Essex Property Trust shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Essex Property Trust and Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Essex Property Trust 24.31% 7.10% 3.29% Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A Summary Essex Property Trust beats Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Essex Property Trust (Get Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. About Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Get Free Report) CAPREIT is Canada's largest publicly traded provider of quality rental housing. As at December 31, 2023, CAPREIT owns approximately 64,300 residential apartment suites, townhomes and manufactured home community sites that are well-located across Canada and the Netherlands, with approximately $16.5 billion of investment properties in Canada and Europe. Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TSS (OTCMKTS:TSSI Get Free Report) and Issuer Direct (NYSE:ISDR Get Free Report) are both small-cap construction companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, risk and dividends. Risk & Volatility TSS has a beta of 0.52, indicating that its stock price is 48% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Issuer Direct has a beta of 0.88, indicating that its stock price is 12% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get TSS alerts: Institutional & Insider Ownership 50.0% of Issuer Direct shares are owned by institutional investors. 26.6% of TSS shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 26.1% of Issuer Direct shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets TSS -3.43% -50.72% -3.91% Issuer Direct 2.29% 10.90% 5.82% Valuation & Earnings This table compares TSS and Issuer Directs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares TSS and Issuer Directs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio TSS $30.64 million 0.46 -$70,000.00 ($0.08) -7.75 Issuer Direct $33.38 million 1.54 $770,000.00 $0.20 67.10 Issuer Direct has higher revenue and earnings than TSS. TSS is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Issuer Direct, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for TSS and Issuer Direct, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score TSS 0 0 0 0 N/A Issuer Direct 0 0 0 0 N/A Issuer Direct has a consensus target price of $27.00, indicating a potential upside of 101.19%. Given Issuer Directs higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Issuer Direct is more favorable than TSS. Summary Issuer Direct beats TSS on 11 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About TSS (Get Free Report) TSS, Inc. provides comprehensive services for the planning, design, deployment, maintenance, and refurbishment of end-user and enterprise systems, and mission-critical facilities in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Facilities and Systems Integration. It offers a single source solution for enabling technologies in data centers, operations centers, network facilities, server rooms, security operations centers, communications facilities, and the infrastructure systems. The company also provides technology consulting, design and engineering, project management, systems integration, systems installation, facilities management, and IT procurement and reseller services. It serves IT OEM equipment, technology, and service companies; private sector businesses; and government or commercial end users. The company was formerly known as Fortress International Group, Inc. and changed its name to TSS, Inc. in June 2013. TSS, Inc. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Round Rock, Texas. About Issuer Direct (Get Free Report) Issuer Direct Corporation operates as a communications and compliance company, provides solutions for both public relations and investor relations professionals in the United States and internationally. The company provides press release distribution, media databases, media monitoring, and newsrooms through media advantage platform; ACCESSWIRE, a news dissemination and media outreach service; and VisualWebcaster Platform, a cloud-based webcast, webinar, and virtual meeting platform that delivers live and on-demand streaming of events to audiences of various sizes, as well as allows customers to create, produce, and deliver events. It also offers professional conference and events software, a mobile app that offers organizers, issuers, and investors to register, request, and approve one-on-one meetings, as well as manage schedules, perform event promotion and sponsorship, print attendee badges, and manage lodging; and investor relations content network, a series of data feeds, which include news feeds, stock feeds, fundamentals, regulatory filings, corporate governance, and other components. In addition, the company provides whistleblower hotline, a system that delivers secure notifications and basic incident workflow management processes that align with a company's corporate governance whistleblower policy; stock transfer module, which offers access to real-time information about their shareholders, stock ledgers, and reports, as well as issues new shares; and proxy module, a real-time voting platform for customers and their shareholders of record. It serves public and private companies, mutual funds, law firms, brokerage firms, investment banks, individuals, and other institutions. Issuer Direct Corporation was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Receive News & Ratings for TSS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TSS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Courier Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report) by 366.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 40,417 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 31,757 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $3,914,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in EFG. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 11.9% during the 1st quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,254 shares of the companys stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 34.0% during the 1st quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 10,468 shares of the companys stock worth $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 2,657 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,076 shares of the companys stock worth $392,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 81.0% in the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 5,319 shares of the companys stock valued at $512,000 after acquiring an additional 2,381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $266,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 0.5 % iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF stock opened at $104.09 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $100.49 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $93.84. The stock has a market cap of $13.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $67.58 and a 12 month high of $85.81. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth 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 Growth Index (the 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management lifted its stake in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 4.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,151 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 541 shares during the period. Danaher makes up 1.3% of Parisi Gray Wealth Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Parisi Gray Wealth Managements holdings in Danaher were worth $3,274,000 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 stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. raised its position in shares of Danaher by 10.9% in the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,840 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,420,000 after buying an additional 475 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its position in shares of Danaher by 19.3% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,468 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $724,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Danaher by 76.8% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 495 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Danaher by 14.1% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,530 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $9,248,000 after purchasing an additional 3,897 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP grew its holdings in Danaher by 135.9% in the first quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 35,270 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,346,000 after purchasing an additional 20,320 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.05% of the companys stock. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DHR traded up $0.27 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $249.04. 113,513 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,725,729. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $246.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $230.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $184.21 billion, a PE ratio of 38.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 0.84. Danaher Co. has a 12 month low of $182.09 and a 12 month high of $259.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.68. Danaher Increases Dividend Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 the consensus estimate of $6.10 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.87 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is an increase 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 currently 15.02%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently issued reports on DHR. HSBC began coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Danaher from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Danaher from $254.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $215.00 to $205.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Danaher presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $266.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DHR Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher In other Danaher news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,601,704. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the businesss 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 owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at $9,601,704. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total transaction of $816,724.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,898,360.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 32,957 shares of company stock worth $8,265,802. 11.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Danaher Profile (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report) by 7.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,460 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 461 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $3,082,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of FactSet Research Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $1,174,000. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. boosted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 12.6% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 2,118 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $926,000 after buying an additional 237 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 45.1% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 185,103 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $81,723,000 after buying an additional 57,502 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 441,046 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $192,852,000 after buying an additional 6,960 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal London Asset Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 27.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 84,137 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $36,800,000 after buying an additional 18,031 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.24% of the companys stock. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently issued reports on FDS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a $480.00 target price (up previously from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, December 8th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $447.00 to $458.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $377.00 to $419.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $464.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Barclays restated an equal weight rating and set a $460.00 price objective (down previously from $480.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $444.11. FactSet Research Systems Price Performance Shares of FDS traded up $2.10 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $449.48. The company had a trading volume of 25,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 226,946. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $467.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $455.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The company has a market capitalization of $17.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.42, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.73. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a 12-month low of $380.96 and a 12-month high of $488.64. FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 21st. The business services provider reported $4.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.83 by $0.39. The firm had revenue of $545.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $547.93 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 22.72% and a return on equity of 34.36%. Research analysts expect that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.78 earnings per share for the current year. FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th were paid a dividend of $0.98 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio is currently 31.04%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $476.02, for a total value of $1,428,060.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,915 shares in the company, valued at $6,147,798.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. FactSet Research Systems Profile (Free Report) FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FDS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for FactSet Research Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FactSet Research Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelis Insurance (NYSE:FIHL Get Free Report) is one of 92 publicly-traded companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Fidelis Insurance to similar companies based on the strength of its dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation and risk. Profitability This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Fidelis Insurance alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fidelis Insurance 59.30% 20.23% 4.22% Fidelis Insurance Competitors 2.94% -13.05% 0.63% Dividends Fidelis Insurance pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Fidelis Insurance pays out 2.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies pay a dividend yield of 1.1% and pay out 13.1% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Fidelis Insurance is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Institutional and Insider Ownership Analyst Recommendations 82.0% of Fidelis Insurance shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 58.1% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by institutional investors. 14.3% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Fidelis Insurance and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fidelis Insurance 0 4 4 0 2.50 Fidelis Insurance Competitors 655 3230 2995 195 2.39 Fidelis Insurance currently has a consensus price target of $18.00, indicating a potential downside of 5.66%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential downside of 1.33%. Given Fidelis Insurances competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Fidelis Insurance has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Fidelis Insurance and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Fidelis Insurance $3.60 billion $2.13 billion 1.00 Fidelis Insurance Competitors $16.67 billion $3.09 billion 76.36 Fidelis Insurances competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Fidelis Insurance. Fidelis Insurance 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. Summary Fidelis Insurance beats its competitors on 8 of the 14 factors compared. Fidelis Insurance Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It operates in three segments: Specialty, Reinsurance, and Bespoke segments. The Specialty segment offers aviation and aerospace, energy, marine, property direct and facultative, and other specialty risk solutions. The Reinsurance segment provides property, retrocession, and whole account reinsurance solutions. The Bespoke segment offers customized risk solutions for clients that include credit and political risk, and other risk transfer opportunities. The company is also involved in specialty treaty reinsurance, and surety bonds and guarantees activities; and upstream energy, energy liability, and marine businesses; and provision of product recall and contamination, and marketing services. Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Fidelis Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelis Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Procyon Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,350 shares of the natural resource companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,335 shares during the quarter. Procyon Advisors LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $994,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Retirement Group LLC lifted its position in Freeport-McMoRan by 97.1% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 670 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Freeport-McMoRan in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently issued reports on FCX. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.95. Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of NYSE:FCX traded up $0.49 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $46.37. The company had a trading volume of 2,892,995 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,697,157. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $40.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.62. The company has a market capitalization of $66.51 billion, a PE ratio of 36.14 and a beta of 2.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.42 and a quick ratio of 1.38. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a one year low of $32.83 and a one year high of $46.62. Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.85 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 8.41%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.52 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.53 EPS for the current year. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.29%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 23.62%. Freeport-McMoRan Profile (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (NYSE:IVR Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, March 26th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Monday, April 8th will be paid a dividend of 0.40 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, April 26th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 16.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 5th. Invesco Mortgage Capital has decreased its dividend by an average of 26.6% per year over the last three years. Invesco Mortgage Capital has a payout ratio of 39.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Get Invesco Mortgage Capital alerts: Invesco Mortgage Capital Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:IVR traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $9.63. The company had a trading volume of 208,525 shares, compared to its average volume of 894,054. Invesco Mortgage Capital has a 1-year low of $6.34 and a 1-year high of $12.37. The firm has a market cap of $468.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.93 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.76. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Mortgage Capital Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 196.4% in the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 33,536 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $76,000 after acquiring an additional 22,222 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 116.8% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 2,860 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new position in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 40.9% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 26,057 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 7,569 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 196.3% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 5,242 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 3,473 shares in the last quarter. 40.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Separately, UBS Group began coverage on Invesco Mortgage Capital in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set a neutral rating and a $8.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $9.83. View Our Latest Research Report on IVR About Invesco Mortgage Capital (Get Free Report) Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests, finances, and manages mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related assets in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are guaranteed by a U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Mortgage Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Mortgage Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn. gestures during a news conference at the state capitol in Hartford, Conn on Dec. 10, 2012. Jessica Hill/AP As news spread that former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman died on Wednesday at the age of 82, many of his former colleagues from across the political spectrum took to social media to honor the late independent senator from Connecticut. Lieberman served as a United States Senator for 24 years and was also Al Gore's vice presidential pick when he ran for president. Former President Barack Obama Former President Barack Obama noted that while he and Lieberman didn't always "see eye-to-eye," he fought for the public of Connecticut and thanked him for helping pass the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who considered Lieberman a friend for over 50 years, called the late senator a man of "deep conscience and conviction and a courageous leader." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gov. Ned Lamont Gov. Ned Lamont, who was defeated by Lieberman in the 2006 U.S. Senate election, called the senator a "friend" on X (the website formerly known as Twitter) and said they stayed in touch despite their differences. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said that the late senator always fought for the things he believed in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang honored the late senator on X as a "real leader who was willing to work across the aisle." Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X that he was "devastated" by Lieberman's death. Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Sen. Susan Collins U.S. Sen. Susan Collins referred to Lieberman as her "favorite person" that she has ever worked with in her career. U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney honored Lieberman as a "man of devout faith" Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham Shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWV Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $300.29 and last traded at $300.25, with a volume of 18482 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $299.90. iShares Russell 3000 ETF Stock Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $287.43 and its 200 day moving average is $267.59. The company has a market capitalization of $13.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.53 and a beta of 1.02. Get iShares Russell 3000 ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares Russell 3000 ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of IWV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 716,135.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 20,341,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,488,870,000 after purchasing an additional 20,338,242 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 26,676.1% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 674,222 shares of the companys stock valued at $184,562,000 after purchasing an additional 671,704 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 184.8% during the 3rd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 534,942 shares of the companys stock valued at $131,093,000 after purchasing an additional 347,103 shares in the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its holdings in iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 327.1% in the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 426,789 shares of the companys stock worth $100,470,000 after acquiring an additional 326,864 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in iShares Russell 3000 ETF by 32.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 927,625 shares of the companys stock worth $204,708,000 after acquiring an additional 226,851 shares in the last quarter. iShares Russell 3000 ETF Company Profile iShares Russell 3000 ETF, formerly iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States equity market, as represented by the Russell 3000 Index (the Index). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 3000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 3000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. West Oak Capital LLC lowered its position in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 5,114 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 50 shares during the quarter. Lockheed Martin accounts for about 1.1% of West Oak Capital LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. West Oak Capital LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $2,369,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. State Street Corp raised its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 37,972,543 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $17,950,761,000 after acquiring an additional 176,739 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,302,719 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,120,920,000 after purchasing an additional 279,162 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 1.8% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,686,937 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,302,388,000 after purchasing an additional 97,916 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in Lockheed Martin by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,388,377 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $976,751,000 after buying an additional 91,109 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 74.19% of the companys stock. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Lockheed Martin news, SVP Maryanne Lavan sold 4,022 shares of Lockheed Martin stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $434.39, for a total transaction of $1,747,116.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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 stock was sold at an average price of $425.35, for a total value of $2,827,726.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Maryanne Lavan sold 4,022 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $434.39, for a total value of $1,747,116.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,874 shares of company stock valued at $7,249,946. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently weighed in on LMT shares. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $508.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Lockheed Martin from $438.00 to $472.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $488.00 to $475.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $513.00 to $503.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $475.00 to $470.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Lockheed Martin has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $491.92. Get Our Latest Stock Report on LMT Lockheed Martin Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of Lockheed Martin stock traded down $2.28 during trading on Thursday, hitting $454.50. The stock had a trading volume of 277,835 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,161,202. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1 year low of $393.77 and a 1 year high of $508.10. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $433.46 and a 200 day simple moving average of $438.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The company has a market capitalization of $109.30 billion, a PE ratio of 16.59, a P/E/G ratio of 4.08 and a beta of 0.48. 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 for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.26 by $0.64. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 79.91%. The firm had revenue of $18.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $7.79 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend 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 given a dividend of $3.15 per share. This represents a $12.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 45.74%. 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IDT Co. (NYSE:IDT Get Free Report) CAO Mitch Silberman sold 2,115 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.01, for a total value of $80,391.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. IDT Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:IDT traded up $0.53 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $38.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,179 shares, compared to its average volume of 74,495. The firm has a market capitalization of $974.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.12 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $36.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.49. IDT Co. has a fifty-two week low of $21.64 and a fifty-two week high of $38.68. Get IDT alerts: IDT Cuts Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th were paid a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 18th. IDTs dividend payout ratio is 13.79%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in IDT by 30.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,216,941 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,486,000 after buying an additional 285,681 shares in the last quarter. Bandera Partners LLC increased its position in IDT by 98.7% in the 1st quarter. Bandera Partners LLC now owns 470,000 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $16,022,000 after buying an additional 233,441 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC increased its position in IDT by 27.9% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 726,232 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $24,750,000 after buying an additional 158,521 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in IDT by 701.7% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 137,024 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,860,000 after buying an additional 119,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its position in IDT by 8.5% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,315,980 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,676,000 after buying an additional 102,831 shares in the last quarter. 59.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Separately, StockNews.com raised IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Get Our Latest Research Report on IDT 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for IDT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 0.9% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 6,264 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Parisi Gray Wealth Managements holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $1,641,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Quarry LP lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% during the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Union Savings Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance Shares of NYSE ITW traded down $0.19 during trading on Thursday, reaching $268.02. 46,245 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,279,693. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $217.06 and a 12-month high of $271.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. The stock has a market cap of $80.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.54, a PEG ratio of 4.56 and a beta of 1.13. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $259.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $247.89. Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. The firm had revenue of $3.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.34 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a dividend of $1.40 per share. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.49%. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Michael M. Larsen sold 37,167 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.06, for a total value of $9,851,485.02. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,404 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,299,844.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CFO Michael M. Larsen sold 37,167 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.06, for a total value of $9,851,485.02. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 46,404 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,299,844.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total transaction of $205,392.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,870 shares in the company, valued at $1,505,185.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 189,471 shares of company stock worth $48,712,316 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on ITW shares. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Citigroup raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Bank of America lowered Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Truist Financial started coverage on Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $301.00 target price for the company. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $245.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ITW Illinois Tool Works Company Profile (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management lessened its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM 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 33,167 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 631 shares during the quarter. Parisi Gray Wealth Managements holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $1,334,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth $146,000. AMI Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 5.7% during the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,268 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $509,000 after buying an additional 605 shares during the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 62.5% during the first quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 65,005 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,935,000 after buying an additional 25,000 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 14.5% during the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 8,965 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 1,135 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 9.3% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 892,269 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $40,286,000 after purchasing an additional 76,229 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.39% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance EEM stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $41.09. The stock had a trading volume of 2,021,860 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,739,818. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 1-year low of $36.38 and a 1-year high of $42.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $39.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.12. About iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III (NYSE:PZC Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 53,200 shares, a decrease of 48.1% from the February 29th total of 102,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 51,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days. Institutional Trading of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III in the 4th quarter valued at $50,000. Lido Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III in the 1st quarter valued at $78,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in shares of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III by 22.9% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 11,548 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $89,000 after buying an additional 2,150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bramshill Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III during the 3rd quarter worth about $104,000. Get PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III alerts: PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III Price Performance Shares of NYSE PZC traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $7.59. 38,729 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 44,659. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III has a one year low of $6.30 and a one year high of $8.20. The companys 50 day moving average is $7.56 and its 200 day moving average is $7.20. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III Cuts Dividend PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III Company Profile The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be issued a $0.0295 dividend. This represents a $0.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. (Get Free Report) PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Regional Management (NYSE:RM Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning. Separately, Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Regional Management in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Get Regional Management alerts: Read Our Latest Report on RM Regional Management Stock Performance Shares of RM opened at $24.20 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.33, a current ratio of 41.17 and a quick ratio of 41.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $236.19 million, a PE ratio of 14.76 and a beta of 1.47. Regional Management has a 12-month low of $20.50 and a 12-month high of $34.60. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $23.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.50. Regional Management (NYSE:RM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The credit services provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $141.66 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $140.68 million. Regional Management had a return on equity of 8.85% and a net margin of 2.89%. Equities research analysts forecast that Regional Management will post 4.07 EPS for the current year. Regional Management Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.96%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. Regional Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 73.17%. Insider Activity at Regional Management In related news, Director Basswood Capital Management, L sold 13,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.36, for a total value of $290,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 486,365 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,875,121.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 9.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Regional Management A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in Regional Management in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in Regional Management by 145.6% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,999 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its position in Regional Management by 120.0% in the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,100 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Regional Management during the third quarter worth approximately $70,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA lifted its stake in shares of Regional Management by 76.4% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 1,977 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 856 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.89% of the companys stock. About Regional Management (Get Free Report) Regional Management Corp., a diversified consumer finance company, engages in the provision of various installment loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies, and other lenders in the United States. It offers small and large installment loans secured by non-essential household goods and/or vehicles; and retail loans to finance the purchase of furniture, appliances, and other retail products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Regional Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Regional Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northcape Capital Pty Ltd cut its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) by 30.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,693 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,594 shares during the period. Thermo Fisher Scientific makes up 0.2% of Northcape Capital Pty Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Northcape Capital Pty Ltds holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $1,960,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of TMO. Halpern Financial Inc. increased its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 307.7% during 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 stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the second quarter worth $33,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.23% of the companys stock. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance NYSE:TMO traded up $1.19 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $580.56. The company had a trading volume of 289,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,605,131. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $564.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $519.80. 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 Inc. has a one year low of $415.60 and a one year high of $603.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $221.37 billion, a PE ratio of 37.50, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.80. Thermo Fisher Scientific Increases Dividend Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical research company reported $5.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 analysts expectations of $10.73 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.40 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.52 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.39 per share. This is a positive change from Thermo Fisher Scientifics previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is 10.10%. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total transaction of $5,556,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 49,155 shares in the company, valued at $27,311,992.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $555.63, for a total value of $5,556,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,155 shares in the company, valued at $27,311,992.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 5,547 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.62, for a total transaction of $3,054,289.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 43,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,011,436.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 50,277 shares of company stock valued at $28,513,384 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TMO has been the subject of several analyst reports. TheStreet upgraded shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a market perform rating on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $515.00 to $605.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Citigroup initiated coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, March 18th. They set a neutral rating and a $620.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $575.00 price target for the company. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $599.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yanahi Roman, founder of La Casa del Inmigrante, a new Wallingford business that provides services to a growing number of immigrants, Friday, March 22, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Yanahi Roman, founder of La Casa del Inmigrante, works at her desk at the new business at 374 N. Colony St. in Wallingford, Friday, March 22, 2024. La Casa del Inmigrante provides services to a growing number of immigrants. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media La Casa del Inmigrante, a new Wallingford business providing services to a growing number of immigrants at 374 N. Colony St., Friday, March 22, 2024. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media WALLINGFORD Multiservice agency La Casa del Inmigrante reopened earlier this year at 374 N. Colony Road. The name of the business means the house of the immigrant in Spanish and seeks to provide wraparound services for new arrivals at an affordable price. CEO Yanahi Roman started the business after she moved from Chiapas, Mexico in 2011. She worked at a tax preparer office in West Haven and started seeing the need to help new arrivals with filling out forms and interacting with English-speaking institutions. She decided to open her own business in 2015 at 405 Foxon Boulevard in New Haven. Weve wanted to help people since we started, she said in Spanish. I started because of the needs of immigrants, so we started to see how we could help people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beyond the mere language barrier, Roman thinks the biggest barrier for her clients is the lack of information. For example, she said that a lot of her clients need help figuring out health insurance or ask if they will get deported if they file taxes. In response, she tries to reassure her clients and give them the correct answers to all their questions. She also started posting short, informative videos in Spanish to her social media accounts three years ago. She said these also help allay her clients fears and have also helped spread word about her business. A lot of people dont know if theyre doing the right thing or if they have the right to do it, she said. A lot of people in the Hispanic community are scared of taking that step or being able to grow because of lack of knowledge or fear that something could happen to them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roman expanded her business to Wallingford in 2019, but had to close the office at 378 N. Colony because of the pandemic. Five years later, she decided to reopen a Wallingford location two doors down. Even though there is a relatively small immigrant population in Wallingford, Roman said that she chose the town because of its central location, which allows her to be closer to clients in Meriden, Middletown and Waterbury. She added that her biggest client base is Spanish-speaking Latinos, although she also has clients from Afghanistan and India. There has been a growth in the number of immigrant residents in the county in the past decade as the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that nearly 164,000 residents of New Haven County were born outside the United States in 2021, about 15 percent of the countys population. This is up from about 99,000 in 2011, or 12 percent of the countys population. Among these, the Census estimated that about 76,000 residents of New Haven County speak English less than very well, about 10 percent of the countys population. Among this group, the biggest group is Spanish speakers as more than 45,000 residents speak English less than very well, or about 5 percent of the countys population. Roman described her services as a little bit of everything and include filing income taxes, applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, filling out immigration forms that dont need a lawyer, notarizing documents, setting up DMV appointments and selling insurance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For longtime client Francisco Martinez Avila, the agency is useful for many things. He found out about La Casa del Inmigrante six years ago from word-of mouth. He emigrated from La Romana, Dominican Republic and said he was impressed by their customer service. I practically use their services for everything that concerns my family or my personal life, he said in Spanish. Like they say, its my refuge. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that La Casa del Inmigrante's New Haven address is 405 Foxon Boulevard. Warning: This story contains details about physical abuse that may be upsetting to some. Anna Maria Tremonti grabbed the power back and told her truth at Dals 2024 Shaar Shalom Lecture last week. She shared her journey of healing and letting go, courageously unraveling threads from the "carpet" of her life to advocate for more awareness and compassion towards individuals experiencing intimate-partner violence. "Sometimes a carpet represents pain as in child labour. Sometimes, it's a thing of beauty created by artisans," she said during the talk last Wednesday. "Often, it's a piece of history. It's passed down through the ages. Carpets are like our lives. We step on them. We admire them. They're valuable, and they are a tapestry of experiences." For many Canadians, Tremonti's voice is a recognizable, trusted, and familiar friend. From 2002 to 2019, she hosted the popular morning CBC radio program The Current. Throughout her career, she reported back to us in Canada from war zones all over the world. And in Feb. 2022, Tremonti began a podcast for CBC titled "Welcome to Paradise," where she bravely disclosed for the first time that her first marriage was anything but idyllic. For one long and excruciating year, she had been married to an abusive husband. Becoming trapped In her lecture, Tremonti detailed the abuse she endured during her first marriage and eloquently unbraided the threads of "shame, blame, and pain" she carried with her for more than 40 years. In 1980, Tremonti was 23 years old. She had just moved to the east coast to pursue a journalism career. At this time, she also thought she was in love with a man who convinced her to elope. He wanted their marriage to be a secret, she said, and he didn't even want her to tell her parents about it. "I have now identified this was probably part of his coercive control, that we're not telling anyone," she said. After they were married, she began working at C100 in Halifax on the morning radio news show. She found herself walking home alone after dark one evening, getting to her doorstep, and realizing it was more dangerous to go inside her home than to be outside on the street. And thats when I understood what so many other people feel when they face this sort of thing in their homes, she said. This low-rise apartment building would become the place she and her husband packed up and left from shortly after the neighbour in the apartment below heard Tremontis husband abusing her and phoned the police. When the police arrived, Tremonti said she was angry at this neighbour for knowing something she thought she had kept a secret. I thought I was protecting myself. I thought I was protecting him, and I thought I needed to, and my mind was turning as they came in. What would happen if they talked to him? What would happen to me? But I was also thinking, My secret is out. She knows. Who else knows? And I was so upset that she knew that I channeled that frustration and anger, quietly to myself, at her, she said. Instead of leaving the relationship, Tremonti hoped she could fix it. Did I think of leaving him, packing up and going? I did not, she said. I thought that I should keep going. I felt trapped. I felt frustrated. But I also felt that I was a failure, that we were failing, and I could fix this , not flee this. So, we moved to Fredericton for a new job for him. Sticky shame Tremonti said that she started compartmentalizing the shame and pain of the abuse in order to move forward. She said she also continued to blame herself, like many victims of domestic violence do. "Something deep inside of me still saw myself as a problem. Would I have seen it differently if my abuser had not insisted that it was my problem? I dont know. But I think the shame that attaches to us gets stickier if we feel judgment and blame from others," she said. Tremonti said this way of thinking is part of the complexity of dealing with intimate-partner violence and its psychological effects. She then emphasized the need to have better community support systems in place for victims of domestic violence. Its pretty ubiquitous. The numbers are not good. We know that, she said. But maybe they can change, you know? And to do that, we need to listen to each other. Tremontis emergence from her own relationship came soon after a holiday in Ottawa during which she was beaten by her husband, even while his mother along for the trip was upstairs. She left her husband shortly after this, but only after he told her to leave. I needed to do something because I was failing, she said, explaining coming back to Fredericton by herself from the trip. And I got home, it was early morning, and I was all set to tell him Okay, we can make this work. Ill change this. Lets do that. And he sits across from me with his cup of coffee, and he says, Either you leave, or I leave, or I will kill you. Its just a matter of time. Tremonti did leave after he said this to her, yet she went back once more attempting to reconcile with her then-husband. The violence was so bad that time she had to find a blouse that would cover the bruises on her neck when she went for a job interview at CBC Fredericton shortly after. Crafting a new pattern Tremonti ended up getting that job at CBC Fredericton. She became the host of the morning radio show still feeling traumatized, she admitted. I sort of put blinders on for my work. And I kept going and my work became my place of refuge, she said. In between a lot of suicidal ideation, a lot of self-loathing, that work as refuge took off and I went from radio in Fredericton to radio and television in Edmonton. I went to Ottawa and reported on Parliament Hill. I moved to Berlin, London, Jerusalem, Washington. I covered the war in Bosnia. I covered the fall of Communism in Moscow. I was in Red Square when the hammer and sickle came down. Members of the Dalhousie Arts and Social Sciences Society executive team pose with Tremonti. Jamal Raaki, far left, Kriti Maini, and Maya Bellamy. Tremonti noted her journalistic work helped her outwardly move on, but small things would remind her of the abuse, such as anybody touching her neck or when she got a bruise. Thats kind of the long tale of intimate partner violence, the things that stay with you. At the end of the lecture, Tremonti found hope for the future while circling back to the tapestry metaphor she began with. I talk about unraveling, but the threads that make up our lives, even when pulled apart, can be strong enough to fashion a better life, to weave together a better future. And that's what I hope for when I talk about this, when I finally got the guts to talk about this, she said. I hope that for anyone trying to find a way forward, a way beyond the violence they have survived, a way to unbraid that pain and blame and shame in order to create a new pattern of joy in their lives. Watch: Anna Maria Tremonti's full Shaar Shalom lecture From left, Maddox Malette, 6 and his sister, Myla, 10, of Orange pose with the Easter Bunny while having their photo taken by Ioescu Smith, owner of AG Productions, at Wasson Field in Milford during the Milford Downtown Business Alliance Easter Eggstravaganza on March 27, 2021. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH decreased its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report) by 11.7% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 2,630 shares of the companys stock after selling 350 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 4.0% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,444,508 shares of the companys stock worth $185,376,000 after purchasing an additional 94,837 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Colgate-Palmolive by 71.9% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,451 shares of the companys stock worth $186,000 after purchasing an additional 1,025 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in Colgate-Palmolive by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 1,882,813 shares of the companys stock worth $142,774,000 after buying an additional 146,936 shares during the period. First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in Colgate-Palmolive in the first quarter valued at approximately $569,000. Finally, Wsfs Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive in the first quarter valued at approximately $288,000. Institutional investors own 80.41% of the companys stock. Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive In other news, Director C Martin Harris sold 2,760 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.50, for a total transaction of $233,220.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 19,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,628,484. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Gregory Malcolm sold 8,930 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.35, for a total transaction of $762,175.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 8,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,470.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director C Martin Harris sold 2,760 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.50, for a total transaction of $233,220.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,272 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,628,484. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 232,371 shares of company stock worth $19,505,099. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Colgate-Palmolive Price Performance Shares of NYSE CL opened at $89.96 on Thursday. Colgate-Palmolive has a twelve month low of $67.62 and a twelve month high of $90.27. The company has a market cap of $74.05 billion, a PE ratio of 32.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 0.42. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $85.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.59. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 26th. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.02. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 509.75% and a net margin of 11.82%. The business had revenue of $4.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.77 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.49 EPS for the current year. Colgate-Palmolive Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, April 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is an increase from Colgate-Palmolives previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 19th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.22%. Colgate-Palmolives payout ratio is presently 69.06%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently commented on CL. Raymond James upgraded shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $91.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, January 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Colgate-Palmolive in a research report on Friday, March 1st. They set a buy rating and a $93.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on Colgate-Palmolive from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $90.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, December 15th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Colgate-Palmolive from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $87.31. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Colgate-Palmolive Colgate-Palmolive Profile (Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhejiang boosts foreign investment efforts 15:35, March 28, 2024 By Zheng Xin ( Chinadaily.com.cn Zhejiang will continue to ramp up efforts to enhance its business environment in order to attract more foreign investment and encourage privately owned businesses amid measures to promote local high-quality development, authorities said. The province will continue to foster a favorable business environment while accelerating the formation of new mechanisms for trade, investment and cooperation, said Lu Shan, vice-governor of Zhejiang, during a news conference held on Wednesday by the State Council Information Office. "We are committed to creating a first-class business environment characterized by marketization and internationalization, and based on the rule of law," he said. "Through regularly hosting roundtable meetings for foreign enterprises, we aim to address challenges in production and operation, ensuring smooth progress of foreign investment." Wang Hao, governor of Zhejiang, said that in 2023, the total number of market entities in the province reached 10.4 million, while the total foreign trade volume amounted to 4.9 trillion yuan ($678 billion). Zhejiang's export volume, totaling 3.57 trillion yuan, accounted for 15 percent of the national share, ranking among the leading provincial-level contributors to the growth of national imports and exports, he said. The province's efforts have already won support from many big brands and companies. Following Zhejiang's global investment promotion campaign, which aims to attract a group of high-quality and innovative foreign investment projects, Saudi Aramco one of the world's largest oil exporters signed a 24.6 billion yuan investment agreement with Rongsheng Petrochemical Co last year to further expand its presence in the province. The deal represents the continued growth of Aramco's downstream presence in Zhejiang, as the oil giant eyes greater investment and cooperation opportunities amid China's high-quality development, Aramco said. Li Shuirong, chairman of Rongsheng, said the agreement also signifies an important step forward in the Zhejiang-based company's internationalization strategy. Wang Lining, director of the oil market department of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corp, said the nation has been encouraging participation of foreign companies in the refining sector and has attracted investment by several such companies over the past few years. Large domestic private enterprises, including Rongsheng, have played a key role in China's advanced refining capacity in recent years, he said. Wang Hao said that while Zhejiang looks forward to more foreign investment through continuous policy measures, it will also continuously foster a favorable business environment and maintain the sustainable growth of privately or individually owned businesses in the province. "We will vigorously promote innovation and deepen reforms, in order to inject new vitality into the regional economy and create more new business opportunities," he added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The Eastside Veterans group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the AMVETS Post 1941, 320 S.4th Ave., Big Rapids. Brendan Sanders/Big Rapids Pioneer BIG RAPIDS Every two weeks, a group of local veterans meet at AMVETS Post 1941 to support each other through "the fight after the fight." This group is a meeting of many different multi-generational veterans with a goal of information sharing, networking, problem-solving, family and help with dealing with the day to day, week to week grind of the fight after the fight, AMVETS Post commander Jake Reichert said. The group was started by Dr. Mark Kane over a decade ago. He was the principal psychiatrist for the group. When he moved away, the group decided to keep going, usually meeting at the Wild Rose Cafe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The group then volunteered Bruce Reges to be the leader. Everybody in this group is a survivor. We all survived and went through it. We can survive. We just have to lead again and well figure out what to do, Reges said. So I happened to miss the next meeting, and I came back for the one after and they all said, Well, youre in luck. We all made you in charge. Members of the group come from all over West Michigan, some as far as Caladonia and Kalamazoo. We live amongst you and we have to figure out a way for us to be together without butting heads or anything else triggering us. Reges said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alongside the groups desire for collaboration and to share knowledge, the group also gives members advice to navigate the current medical system for The group shares the trials and tribulations of the medical system currently provided good and bad, Reichert said. They provide insight to fellow veterans about benefits programs, and systems available to improve life after the fight. The Eastside Veterans group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 1 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For more information on the group, call the AMVETS Post 1941 at 231-796-6998. iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class (TSE:CDZ Get Free Report)s share price were up 1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as C$31.89 and last traded at C$31.89. Approximately 15,074 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 16,415 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$31.58. iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Price Performance The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$31.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$30.07. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:JRE Get Free Report) shot up 2.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $22.28 and last traded at $22.28. 29 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 98% from the average session volume of 1,364 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.81. Get Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF alerts: Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF Price Performance The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $22.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.54. The firm has a market cap of $5.12 million, a PE ratio of 31.80 and a beta of 1.00. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in JRE. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF by 666.7% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,495 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF in the first quarter worth $208,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF by 19.3% in the second quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 14,236 shares of the companys stock worth $328,000 after buying an additional 2,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Resource Group purchased a new position in shares of Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF in the first quarter worth $2,606,000. Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF Company Profile The Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF (JRE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in real estate equity. The fund is an actively managed fund of real-estate and real estate-related companies in the United States. JRE was launched on Jun 22, 2021 and is managed by Janus Henderson. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Janus Henderson U.S. Real Estate ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV lowered its stake in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 2.2% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,884 shares of the companys stock after selling 89 shares during the period. Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADVs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $611,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co raised its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co now owns 75,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,758,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLC raised its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 82.8% during the 4th quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC now owns 9,838 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,542,000 after purchasing an additional 4,457 shares during the period. TrueMark Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Johnson & Johnson during the 4th quarter valued at $1,458,000. RAM Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in Johnson & Johnson by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. RAM Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,688 shares of the companys stock valued at $265,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, RFG Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson by 12.6% during the 3rd quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 18,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,921,000 after acquiring an additional 2,102 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.55% of the companys stock. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Johnson & Johnson news, major shareholder & Johnson Johnson sold 3,725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total transaction of $96,142.25. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,099,575 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,810,030.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Johnson & Johnson news, major shareholder & Johnson Johnson sold 3,725 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total transaction of $96,142.25. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,099,575 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $105,810,030.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jennifer L. Taubert sold 59,397 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.27, for a total transaction of $9,281,969.19. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 141,416 shares in the company, valued at $22,099,078.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently commented on JNJ. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Johnson & Johnson from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their price target for the company from $170.00 to $163.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $170.00 to $169.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $181.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $177.31. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson Trading Up 1.4 % JNJ opened at $157.96 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average is $158.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $156.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.16. The firm has a market cap of $380.65 billion, a PE ratio of 11.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.53. Johnson & Johnson has a twelve month low of $144.95 and a twelve month high of $175.97. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $2.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.01. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 37.79% and a return on equity of 37.27%. The business had revenue of $21.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.02 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.35 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.65 EPS for the current year. Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 20th were given a $1.19 dividend. This represents a $4.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 16th. Johnson & Johnsons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.47%. Johnson & Johnson Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Keystone Positive Change Investment (LON:KPC Get Free Report) was down 0.4% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 229 ($2.89) and last traded at GBX 230 ($2.91). Approximately 268,196 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 85% from the average daily volume of 144,909 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 231 ($2.92). Get Keystone Positive Change Investment alerts: Keystone Positive Change Investment Trading Down 0.4 % The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 223.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 212.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57. The company has a market cap of 139.63 million, a PE ratio of 1,533.33 and a beta of 1.21. Keystone Positive Change Investment Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 11th were paid a GBX 0.45 ($0.01) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 11th. This is a boost from Keystone Positive Change Investments previous dividend of $0.40. Keystone Positive Change Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.67%. Keystone Positive Change Investment Company Profile Keystone Investment Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed Baillie Gifford & Co Limited. The fund invests in public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a top-down stock picking approach, focusing on such factors as sound balance sheets, good cash flows, ability to pay and sustain dividends, good asset bases, and market conditions to create its portfolio. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Keystone Positive Change Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Keystone Positive Change Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Victoria Gold Corp. (TSE:VGCX Get Free Report) shot up 3.4% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$6.36 and last traded at C$6.33. 166,024 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the average session volume of 260,960 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$6.12. Get Victoria Gold alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently weighed in on VGCX. HC Wainwright decreased their price objective on shares of Victoria Gold from C$24.00 to C$12.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Pi Financial reduced their price target on shares of Victoria Gold from C$16.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. Read Our Latest Report on Victoria Gold Victoria Gold Price Performance Victoria Gold Company Profile The business has a 50 day moving average of C$6.12 and a 200 day moving average of C$6.22. The company has a market cap of C$421.13 million, a PE ratio of 16.66 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.66, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 0.34. (Get Free Report) Victoria Gold Corp. acquires, explores, and operates mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle and Olive-Shamrock Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse in Northern Ireland has expressed concern some victims and survivors were not sure or were unaware of their entitlements. Speaking to Derry News, Fiona Ryan said she had been concerned for some time some victims and survivors no longer living in the North do not know about the services available and do not know about their right to apply for redress. Ms Ryan, who came into post in December 2020, added: We know victims and survivors did leave Northern Ireland and that the trauma they experienced as children definitely contributed, for many of them, to their decision to leave. I have met with victims and survivors in Britain. I have been very privileged that they shared their stories with me, their experiences, the fallout, the heartbreak so many felt that they had to flee where they were from. So, I am concerned there are victims and survivors outside of Northern Ireland who do not know about the services that are available and do not know about their right to apply for redress. What is making this more urgent is that we are entering into the last 12 months of the redress scheme and there is an expectation the last date on which the redress board will receive applications is April 3, 2025. I think that adds an additional urgency. The Commissioner undertook a similar awareness raising initiative last year. We also supported the Executive office in its efforts when a leaflet containing all contact details was sent to every home in Northern Ireland. From my perspective, we respect the fact that every survivor is an individual - my office has come close to supporting 950 individual victims and survivors at this point. Every survivor is an individual and the choices they make are very much their own. What I want to ensure is that victims and survivors have the necessary information on financial redress compensation, on services and supports so they can make good choices for themselves, informed choices about what they want to do. But the key element in all of this is that victims and survivors have the necessary information to make those choices. They can contact my office and we will be more than happy to engage with victims and survivors. Ms Ryan said this call out to victims and survivors was so they had the necessary information they need to make informed decisions However, the Commissioner was at pains to point out she would never advise anyone on a particular course of action because victims and survivors have many experiences of people telling them what they should and shouldnt do. My whole perspective is to give victims and survivors a choice so they can make good and informed choices for themselves, she added. Ms Ryan also acknowledged the role victim and survivor groups have played in reaching out to survivors and letting them know about their entitlements. She said: Obviously we have the Survivors North West Group with Jon McCourt. I am very grateful and thankful to the victims and survivor groups and what they have done to reach out to victims and survivors. A lot of the victims and survivors who contact me at the moment are not affiliated to groups, so I am really grateful for what the groups have done to reach out to victims and survivors in their own areas. Ms Ryan pointed out that she does not have any remit in relation to clerical abuse, Mother and Baby Homes or Magdalene Laundries. She said she had maintained a watching brief on areas, such as, Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and clerical child abuse as while these are not within the Commissioners remit, they are adjacent to and impact on the work of the Office and those we engage with. The team at the office of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse in Northern Ireland will provide general advice and information on how to apply for redress, services and supports. The Office of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse in Northern Ireland can be contacted on 028 90 544 985 or international 0044 28 90 544 985 or email info@cosica-ni.org. Like many, many people in Derry and beyond, I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Carmel Mulrine's death, on Mothers Day most poignantly. A beautiful human being, I first got to know Carmel when she worked in Derry City Councils Healthy Cities project and reached out to the, mainly, mothers in Strathfoyle Womens Activity Group. Carmel was the beloved wife of Jim O'Neill and the inspirational and much loved mother of Grainne and Maeve. Loving nana of Darragh and Naia. Dearest sister of Sean, Una, Phelim, P.J, Gabriel and Trishie. Typical of her vivacious personality, everyone attending Carmels wake and funeral was invited to wear bright colours at her request. Not long after Carmel moved to Derry she helped set up the Family Planning Association and became its first worker. It was around that time that she, along with a number of other pioneering women helped to establish Derry Well Woman which addressed the social and health needs of women in the city and beyond and which has now become an important and strategic hub for womens health in its building in Queen Street. Most of Carmels working life was within education and the community and voluntary sector whether it be through health, womens or community development organisations. Her various roles involved working with National Federation of Youth Clubs, Health Promotion, Environmental Health in Derry City Council, Community Development lecturer in Magee, Derry Healthy Cities and the Childrens Commission in Derry and manager of Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership. Paying tribute to Carmel, Susan Gibson, General Manager of Derry Well Woman Centre, said she had known her for 35 years, as a colleague, a founding member of Derry Well Women but most of all as a friend. Susan added: Carmel was a profoundly compassionate woman who cared deeply for people and expressed that at both personal and professional levels. Zero Waste North West said: Sadly Carmel Mulrine has left us. But her joy and many good works remain to fill us with joy and inspiration for our inter-generational work. The Zero Waste North West Toy Library said: We are deeply saddened that Carmel Mulrine is no longer with us. Without her passion, spirit, playfulness, commitment and joy the toy library would not exist. Tributes were also paid to her by the Staff and Board of Comhlamh, Gaelscoil Na Daroige, Foyle Pride and People Before Profit. How to build a brighter, more inclusive future for generations to come was the message delivered by Joe Kennedy III, United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, at an exclusive Ulster University Connects: Leadership event in Seaport Boston on Wednesday night. Joined by Ulster University Provost, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Babson College President, and Ulster University Honorary Graduate, Stephen Spinelli Jr., Joe Kennedy III addressed the cohort of 25 aspiring future leaders as they celebrated a significant milestone in the prestigious 25@25 Leadership Programme; a core part of Ulster University's Belfast Good Friday Agreement programme. Speaking to the cohort and guests, which included the members of the newly launched UU Connects Boston Chapter, Joe Kennedy III shared his aspirations for the future of Northern Ireland, saying: "This incredible group on the 25@25 programme that we celebrate today is nothing short of transformational: developing the changemakers and leaders of tomorrow, today. It is making a positive difference to Northern Ireland that will leave a legacy built for generations to come. "Ulster University has rightly encouraged its students to think as global citizens I see it first hand with the relationship with Babson College: a multi-faceted and mutually beneficial connection that has existed for nearly two decades. I know that the cohort that is gathered here today will help drive an economic, social and environmental condition to ensure that Northern Ireland thrives. My commitment to you is that America stands with you in this for the long-haul, as a partner and as a friend. Youve got a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans, we want you to succeed and thrive. Joe Kennedy III addresses the 25@25 cohort and UU Alumni in Boston He finished with some advice for the 25 Leaders: To the cohort, Im grateful to be with you, to see you and to learn from you I urge you to keep the faith, apply that leadership that you so genuinely emanate and continue the positive influence in your neighbourhoods, your communities and wider society. It has never been as important. This is your world, so hurry up and grab it, we cannot wait to see what you do. University Provost, Ulster University, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan said: Ulster University has strong ties with Boston, with many of our graduates living and working in the Boston area many of whom we are delighted to welcome here this evening. "We are especially excited to launch the UU Connects Boston Chapter, which invites our graduates living and working in Boston to reconnect at regular meet ups. Over the years these graduates have supported Ulster students through the Boston Discover Scholarship and ensured Ulster University connections remain strong in Boston. This event is a brilliant opportunity for our 25 future leaders to make international connections and network with our community and industry leaders, gaining fresh perspectives and valuable insights which we hope will bring new opportunities and spark exciting ideas. The 25@25 future leaders are visiting Boston as part of a week-long residential at the renowned Babson College, where they are developing their entrepreneurial skills and learning how to apply them effectively for their future leadership roles across a multitude of sectors in Northern Ireland. The residential - the only US-based portion of the programme - offers students an immersive experience in the world of entrepreneurial education. The 25@25 Leadership Programme is itself rooted in Babson's renowned Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology which is designed to empower participants to drive positive change and innovation in various sectors, which are crucial to the future of Northern Ireland, continued Professor Gormley-Heenan. Babson Ulster partnership Ties between Ulster University and Babson College go back seventeen years, when, in 2006, a partnership was formed to support entrepreneurship education in Northern Ireland through teaching and research collaboration and faculty and student exchange programmes. Babson College President Stephen Spinelli Jr., then a visiting Professor and Ulster University Honorary Graduate, was instrumental in establishing the partnership. Speaking at the event he said: Your participation in 25@25 signifies your commitment to lifelong learning. At Babson and Ulster, we assert that learning doesnt end after a student graduates. That is especially true of entrepreneurship education. Learning is a lifelong process that doesnt begin when you enrol in an academic program, nor does it end at completion. We learn new approaches and new things every day. We learn from each other every day. Joe Kennedy III meets Amy Anderson 25@25 participant and founder of Kindred of Ireland Designed to promote connections, networking and inspire, the UU Connects: Leadership Event was the latest in a series of sessions which has seen the cohort explore leadership through the themes of inclusivity, creativity, innovation and sustainability. During the event, 25@25 participant Gemma-Louise Bond addressed the room: When the US Trade Delegation visited NI last year my PwC colleague and fellow 25@25 participant said something that I strongly agree on the best is yet to come. So - as a leader, I know we have a crucial role to play in shaping that future. We must invest in Northern Ireland's economy, creating jobs, fostering innovation, create opportunities and empowering our communities. "We must champion diversity and inclusion, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. And we must continue to support the peace process, standing up for the principles of reconciliation, and respect for all. Gemma-Louise took to the stage in a beautiful, hand-made gold linen coat, designed and crafted by a fellow 25@25 leader, Amy, who founded and runs Kindred of Ireland. A former Derry school teacher who revolutionised the way mathematics is taught when he created his IZAK9 cubes, has brought his latest pilot project to Greenhaw Primary School this week, where pupils enjoyed playing with large-scale resources designed to positively engage them with maths. The project, facilitated by Franz Schlindwein and Ian Campbell, with the support of Maths Week Ireland and funded by the Irish American Partnership, saw the pair launch their pilot programme in Greenhaw PS, with more schools across the border counties due to participate over the next few weeks. IN PICTURES: Fun Maths for pupils of Derry's Greenhaw Primary School The local duo brought a set of large-scale maths resources to Greenhaws assembly hall on Friday and Monday. Pupils of all ages and their teachers had great fun improving their maths skills, working in teams both collaboratively and in competition. "Our pupils loved taking part in this fantastic project over the past few days, helping nurture and develop their skills in maths, communication, and team building", said Mr. Shaun McLaughlin, Principal. "These large scale, hands-on activities are brilliant for encouraging maths talk and raising pupils attitudes to the subject. Children from Primary 4 to Primary 7 took part in the activities and the feedback is very positive." Speaking during the project, facilitator Franz Schlindwein explained how the whole concept came about. "I have been working as part of the Maths Week team for many years now and we have been looking for a suitable opportunity to get a project of this type off the ground. The impact of Covid on the teaching and learning of maths has been profound and we need to look at new and innovative ways of allowing pupils to positively re-engage with this subject. "We hope the concept of bringing a Maths Fair of large-scale, interactive, fun maths games will be able to help in this regard. If the pilot is a success, we will be able to expand our portfolio of activities and our catchment area of schools, so that all pupils across the country will have an opportunity to experience and enjoy these wonderful games." He then goes on to say, "The activities we are trialling at present, developed with the help of Conor Quinn, Maths Co-Ordinator at Rosemount Primary and Nursery School, were used for the first time this week at Greenhaw Primary and Nursery School. If the pupil feedback so far is anything to go by, we have made a successful start." Franz explained how October last year saw almost 500,000 people, mostly school pupils, participate in Maths Week and how this is now the largest festival of its kind in the world. The pilot project will now move on to Steelstown PS and Gaelscoil Cholmcille, before heading to Termoncanice PS in Limavady and finally across the border, to Scoil Iosagain in Buncrana. Any further enquiries about the project, or anyone wishing to get the Maths Fair into their school should contact Franz by email or telephone franz@izak9.com or 07734506580. With a Bill being published at the Scottish Parliament, the conversation around assisted dying is becoming louder. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the situation as it stands across the UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies. What is assisted dying? This, and the language used, varies depending on who you ask. Pro-change campaigners Dignity in Dying state that assisted dying allows a person with a terminal condition the choice to control their death if they decide their suffering is unbearable. They argue that, along with good care, dying people who are terminally ill and mentally competent adults deserve the choice to control the timing and manner of their death. But the campaign group Care Not Killing uses the terms assisted suicide and euthanasia and argues that the focus should be on promoting more and better palliative care rather than any law change. They say legalising assisted dying could place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden upon others and argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk. What is the current law? Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to being charged with murder or other offences. What is happening in Scotland? Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur was publishing a Bill on Thursday at Holyrood that, if passed, will allow people living in Scotland with a terminal illness to be given help to end their life. Mr McArthur has said he is absolutely convinced the long-overdue reform will become law. His Bill marks the third time MSPs will have considered the issue, with previous attempts to change the law failing to secure enough votes to proceed. The Bill is now expected to be scrutinised by MSPs on Holyroods Health Committee and will likely face its first vote later this year. What about other parts of the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies? Proposals for how an assisted dying law would work in Jersey one of the UKs three self-governing Crown Dependencies were published in March, with a debate in the States Assembly planned for May, and a vote then expected on whether to proceed with drawing up legislation. The earliest for a law to come into effect in Jersey would be spring or summer 2027. The Isle of Man published a committee report in March on its Assisted Dying Bill, which had passed a second reading vote in the islands parliament in October. The report, which suggested possible amendments to the text of the Bill, is expected to be debated in April. In the Republic of Ireland, a committee recommended in March that legislation allowing for assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances should be introduced. But it led to a split with some committee members refusing to support the recommendations, arguing the case for assisted dying has not been established. What has Westminster said? In February, a report by MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee warned that the Government must consider what to do if the law is changed in part of the UK or on the Isle of Man or Jersey, both of which are crown dependencies. The committee which did not make any recommendation for a vote on the issue, said legalisation in at least one jurisdiction is looking increasingly likely and suggested the Government must be actively involved in discussions about how to approach differences in the law. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is committed to allowing a vote on legalising assisted dying should Labour win the general election, while Downing Street has previously said it would be up to Parliament whether to again debate legalising assisted dying. Has the issue been debated in the UK Parliament before? Yes. An Assisted Dying Bill, which would have allowed some terminally ill adults to ask for medical help to end their life, went before the Commons in 2015 and was rejected by MPs. There was also a Bill proposed in the House of Lords during the 2021/2022 session which reached a second reading in the chamber. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A man who was arrested in connection with a loyalist gun attack in Co Down 30 years ago has been released following questioning. Former school teacher Peter McCormack, 42, was killed and three others were injured in the shooting at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo on November 19 1992. A 56-year-old man had been arrested in the Belfast area on Thursday morning under the Terrorism Act. He was the third person arrested in as many days over the attack. He was taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave police station in the capital for questioning and released later on Thursday. On Tuesday, a 63-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman were arrested in the South Down area and questioned before being released. The arrests came after police issued a fresh appeal for information last November about the attack, which was attributed to the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. Police said investigations are continuing. HIGHLIGHTS Google is expanding the reach of its Circle to Search feature to other phones. Not only are more devices getting the Circle to Search feature, but it has been improved also. You will now be able to translate as well, using this feature. Lately, AI is taking centre stage when companies are adding new features to their smartphones. Initially unveiled by Samsung, Circle to Search later made its debut in the Google Pixel 8 as well. Now, Google is expanding the reach of its Circle to Search feature to other phones to enhance the user experience even more. Moreover, the tech giant has also introduced a couple of more AI-based features, especially those that will help you while traveling. So, if you are going to travel soon, you should not miss out on this article at all. Circle to Search to be available on these devices Starting next week, the Circle to Search will be featured to a few more Android smartphones, foldable, as well as tablets. These devices will get the feature starting next week; Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy S23 series, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series. Also read: Google Pixel 8 series to have Circle to Search and 3 more features But this is not all. Not only are more devices getting the Circle to Search feature, but it has been improved also. It will make your life a lot easier. You will now be able to translate as well, using this feature. How to translate using Circle to Search? Simply long-press on the home button, circle whatever you wish to get translated, and then tap on the translate icon. Isnt that simple? Next time when I am traveling I am surely going to use this when I have to translate something. Also read: Google Pixel 9 renders reveal an upgrade you were waiting for Google could also be your go-to travel buddy now Apart from this, a couple of more features are also coming your way to help with your travel woes. Generate trip itineraries with the help of generative AI in Google Search. Simply ask Google to plan the trip for you. Additionally, use Google Lens to find details on the go while traveling. With the latest AI updates, you will be able to multisearch too. You can find helpful insights with AI. It is like a tour guide but in your pocket. There are other cool features that Google has ruled out in other countries, but hopefully, it will come to India soon. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Apple's annual WWDC set for June 10-14, AI to take center stage Apple announced that this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be from June 10 to 14. Besides the standard updates to operating systems like the iOS 18, the anticipation is that Apple will announce more information related to AI. After the event information was revealed, Apple's senior VP in Marketing Greg Joswiak posted on X (formerly Twitter) that WWDC 2024 is going to be "Absolutely Incredible." The capitalized letters on these two words happen to be "AI," a clear hint of what the focus of the event will be. A follow-up to CEO Tim Cook's comments during the February shareholder meeting, Apple has once again hinted at the arrival of AI. On one hand, Apple is expected to introduce more generative AI features to devices like the iPhone. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple is currently in discussion with Google and OpenAI to incorporate Gemini and GPT into its products. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Apple is in talks with Baidu regarding the Chinese market. Besides AI, there will also be the annual routine updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. A new addition for this year's event is a new version of visionOS, marking the Vision Pro's first update. The MR headset was launched in the US earlier this year, and Cook has confirmed that the product will be available in the Chinese market soon. Strength in numbers: Tech giants form alliances, gamble on AI Microsoft, Apple, and Google have made significant investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The rise in investments reflects confidence in that market that AI has the potential to change the world. It is clear that AI adoption is necessary for companies to innovate and stand out in a fiercely competitive market. According to Bloomberg, to dominate the market in Generative AI (GenAI), companies must master computing power, advanced models, reliability, and user-friendly products, and consider how to introduce them to consumers. It is evident that no tech company has achieved this yet. Despite investing billions of dollars in partnerships, relevant investments, and product development, companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Apple are still exploring. They have not succeeded in creating consumer AI products capable of generating revenue and seizing market share. Analysts at Global X ETFs pointed out that even for tech giants or cloud providers with abundant resources, it's challenging to independently build an entire GenAI ecosystem. They must continuously seek talented individuals and technologies to fill this gap. Over the past year, Microsoft integrated Copilot into its search engine Bing, web browser Edge, and Office software. January 2024 data from research firm Statista indicated that Bing ranks second in the search engine market, and Google remains dominant with over 90% market share. In March 2024, Microsoft brought in Mustafa Suleyman and Karen Simonyan, co-founders of the startup Inflection AI, to join its new AI department with Suleyman as team lead and Simonyan as chief scientist. Many Inflection AI employees have followed Suleyman and Simonyan to Microsoft. Microsoft invested in OpenAI in 2019 and 2023, obtaining exclusive licensing for its LLM. OpenAI only holds foundational technologies and does not develop products for Microsoft. Bloomberg reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was unsatisfied with the developed products and wanted someone to oversee product development. This is also why Nadella hired Suleyman to lead the new AI department. In July 2023, insiders revealed that Apple was developing a framework called Ajax to build large language models. A chatbot named Apple GPT had even emerged internally. However, Apple's technology still lags behind Google and other competitors. Therefore, directly collaborating with other companies might be a better option. According to Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, Apple is negotiating with Google and Baidu to introduce Google's large language model (LLM) Gemini into the iPhone. This move aims to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market, and Apple might also introduce Baidu's Generative AI technology. Based on past schedules, foreign media estimate Apple could unveil its AI-enabled devices at the WWDC developer conference in June 2024. AI chip boom to drive sales surge for TOK's ArF and EUV photoresists Japan's semiconductor chemicals vendor Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK) has stated that the increasing demand for AI chips will drive up sales and market shares of its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and ArF photoresists. According to a report by Dempa Shimbun Daily and information from the company's official website, TOK's primary business, which contributes over half of its revenue, revolves around electronic functional materials. This includes semiconductor photoresists, high-density packaging materials, and LCD materials. TOK has set a target to achieve a 15% increase in overall sales of advanced process materials like ArF and EUV photoresists in 2024. Notably, sales of EUV photoresists alone are projected to surge by 35%. Meanwhile, sales of KrF photoresists, mature process materials, and semiconductor backend process materials are also expected to increase. The company will strive to expand shipments of high-value-added products, such as packaging photoresists for backend processing. According to a 2023 report from research firm Fuji Chimera, as cited on TOK's official website, the company secured a global market share of 26.1% for photoresists overall in 2022. This included 16.2% for ArF photoresists, 36.6% for KrF photoresists, and 22.8% for g-line and i-line photoresists. Another TOK business involves high-purity chemical pharmaceuticals, with some directly linked to semiconductors, such as auxiliary drugs for semiconductor photoresists. The company will also manage to boost product quality and ensure stable supply to meet the growing demand for semiconductors. Accordingly, despite TOK experiencing a decline in business performance in 2023 due to the semiconductor market downturn, the company is poised for a rebound starting in the second half of 2024. Revenue and profit for the year are expected to grow by double digits. TOK has also revised its long-term forecast, projecting annual revenue to increase significantly to JPY350 billion (US$2.312 billion) by 2030, more than double the 2023 revenue of JPY162.2 billion. TOK will build a new photoresist plant at its Koriyama complex in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan to increase production capacity. Upon completion, the plant will be the largest of its kind in Japan, with an estimated investment exceeding JPY 200 billion. Construction of the facility is slated to kick off in the second half of 2024, with commercial production of mainly KrF and EUV photoresists to start in the latter half of 2026. In 2023, TOK disclosed plans for a new high-purity chemical pharmaceutical plant in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, aiming to meet the increased demand for semiconductor materials following TSMC's establishment of chip manufacturing facilities in Kumamoto. The new plant will require an investment of JPY 13 billion and is slated to commence operations in the first half of 2025. It will supply high-purity chemical pharmaceuticals for semiconductors to western Japan, including Kyushu, complementing the existing factory in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Additionally, TOK revealed that its subsidiary TOKAM has secured land for a new factory in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with production to begin in 2028, targeting semiconductor customers in South Korea. US Treasury Secretary Yellen has an EV subsidy bone to pick with China The US does not want to retaliate, Yellen said. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has criticized Beijing for using subsidies to create a competitive advantage for key emerging industry manufacturers and distorting the global economy. She revealed plans to pressure China on this issue during her visit to China in 2024. In an interview, Yellen pointed out that no other country in the world provides subsidies to priority industries as much as China does. China aims to ensure that these industries truly dominate globally. Yellen specifically mentioned Beijing's massive support for electric vehicles, batteries, and solar energy companies. She said it is important to make the Chinese side understand why the United States has such concerns, Bloomberg reported. "We see, of course, the same concerns in Europe, for example, but I don't want to get into retaliation," Yellen said. "We want to see what we can do that's constructive," she added. Yellen said the US has previously mentioned the issue of overcapacity in discussions with the Chinese government. She intends to bring it up as a major issue during her next visit to China, she added. Yellen expects to conduct her second visit to China since the resumption of high-level diplomatic contacts between the United States and China. Yellen stated the US sees overcapacity in new industries such as solar energy, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries. China's industrial overcapacity harms American companies and workers, as well as companies and workers in other parts of the world, she added. Angela Mulka has a bachelors degree in journalism, focused on environmental science and health reporting, from Michigan State University. She realizes the importance of representation for all people in storytelling and values the field because of its commitment to uncovering truth. Born and raised in Michigan, Angela hopes to become a voice for the natural world to protect our planet for generations to come. Connect with her on Twitter @angelamulka. The article is also being published in French under the title "Les 75 ans de lOTAN : defis et opportunites a lepreuve de la guerre russo-ukrainienne" in Revue Militaire Belge ( RMB ), March 2024 (see link in the footer). April 4, 2024 will mark the 75th anniversary of the signature of the North Atlantic Treaty. NATOs historic role in securing the collective defence of member states has become more than ever significant since Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time on February 24, 2022. Whether Europeans will seize the opportunity to assert a more autonomous position within the Alliance, which has undoubtedly been revitalized but is now facing increasingly complex and numerous challenges, is one of the issues at the heart of this article. THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE is an old lady who, 75 years after the Washington Treaty signature, has shown an outstanding capacity for resilience and adaptation. While it was until recently the target of criticisms from both former US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron the former considering it "obsolete" (2017), the latter, "brain-dead" (2019) the Organization has never seemed as essential as of February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time. With this new war on the European continent, Vladimir Putin has "woken up" NATO with "the worst electroshock in history" according to the French President. After two decades of the Afghan quagmire, the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine has compelled the Organization to refocus on its historic mission : the collective defence of its member states against its old opponent, Russia. The question now is whether the Europeans can seize the opportunity to assert themselves more autonomously in an Alliance that has obviously been revitalized, yet is now facing increasingly complex and numerous challenges. From Stalin to Putin : a Collective Defence at the Heart of NATO For Paul-Henri Spaak [1], the Atlantic Alliance was "Stalins child". The Berlin blockade, the Prague coup and the expansion of communism advocated by the Soviet leader forced the West to unite and organize a common defence at a time when the UN the "machin" as General De Gaulle called it was rapidly proving as ineffective as the old League of Nations in guaranteeing world peace. It was in that troubled context that the Belgian minister delivered his famous "Nous avons peur" (We are afraid) speech from the UN General Assembly podium, eloquently expressing the free worlds fear in the face of Soviet imperialism. The speech, delivered in September 1948, actually heralded the Atlantic Alliance eight months before it was established. NATOs founding treaty was signed in Washington on April 4, 1949. The aim of the Atlantic Alliance was clear : safeguard the peace and security of NATO member states by all political and military means, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. To that end, Article 5 of the Treaty provides for the collective defence of the Allies in the event of an armed attack against any of the parties. Not mentioning the USSR as an enemy of the Organization in the Washington Treaty was by no way misleading. As Lord Ismay, NATOs first Secretary General, summed it up at the time, the Organizations missions were to "keep Russians out, Americans in, and Germans down". While ideological, legal and pragmatic reasons largely contributed to keeping the Cold War below the threshold of a general war, such relative peace was also made possible through nuclear weapons deterrence. Ever since then, atomic weapons have been considered as the Alliances "shield" while conventional weapons have been seen as the Organizations "sword". With the collapse of the USSR, the Atlantic Alliance emerged victorious from the Cold War without any combat operations being carried out. Yet numerous large-scale exercises were organized until the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1988, 125,000 soldiers were still training in West Germany whilst in 2024 the largest exercise organized by the Organization since the end of the Cold War brought together some 90,000 soldiers. Since the early 1990s, NATOs military capability has been adapted to the new strategic conditions, i.e. the decline in threats on the European continent and the possibility of cooperating with former enemies. At the end of the Cold War, for example, the average level of defence spending by the Allies [2] which until then had regularly exceeded 3% of GDP (even outside the United States) was significantly reduced. Likewise it was decided that nuclear weapons stationed in Western Europe would be cut down by 80%. Since 2022, the war in Ukraine and the danger posed by the rise of Russian military industrial production have prompted Western nations to reinvest in their armies. While in 2014 just three NATO countries (Greece, the UK and the USA) devoted more than 2 % of their GDP to defence spending, only nineteen of the Organisations 32 members are expected to reach the 2% threshold by 2024. Faced with the Russian threat, some European countries such as Lithuania (in 2015) and Sweden (in 2017) have reinstated conscription. Elsewhere in Europe, voices are being raised in favour of setting up territorial reserves, or even a return to compulsory military service, to make up for the lack of manpower in the armed forces. Following the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, nearly all Western countries reduced their military manpower, preferring to professionalize their armies rather than introduce compulsory military service. Today, NATO has 3.3 million active-duty military personnel (of whom 1.9 million are European and 1.4 million North American), compared with almost 3 million in 1988, when the organization had only 16 member countries, i.e. half the current number. Moscow, for its part, now has 1.1 million active servicemen, compared with 3.4 million in 1990 before the collapse of the USSR. [3] Since the early 1990s, NATO has evolved from a collective defence alliance to a collective security institution designed to protect human rights and ensure peace. This has led Western armies to carry out crisis management operations under NATO auspices in the Balkans (1990s), Libya (2011) and above all Afghanistan (2000-2010) after NATO member states invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty for the first and only time in the organizations history after September 11, 2001. Contrary to all expectations in fifty years existence, Article 5 was thus triggered and the so-called Three Musketeers clause ("one for all, all for one"), invoked following an attack not on a European ally but on the United States. Whereas the end of the Cold War foreshadowed a rapprochement with Russia, the Russian question has once again become a central issue mobilizing NATO due to Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Organization now considers Russia which has been waging a high-intensity, illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine since February 2022 to be "the most significant and direct threat" to the security of the Allies and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. [4] NATO also insists on the need to significantly strengthen its deterrence and defence posture through an appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional, space and cyber capabilities, but also missile defence capabilities. In response to the Russian offensive in Ukraine, the strength of NATOs "enhanced forward presence" (eFP) positioned in the Baltic States and Poland since 2017 has doubled to over 10,000 men. The Alliance has also decided to increase its NATO Response Force (NRF) from 40,000 to 300,000 military personnel in the form of a "new force model" distributed according to regional plans for the defence of allied territory, inspired by Cold War logic, a far cry from the "defence-relief" posture advocated in the "Harmel Report" [5], which helped strengthen East-Western dialogue during NATOs third decade. Russias second invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is also encouraging Alliance countries to increase their military aid to Kiev. For Admiral Rob Bauer : " The outcome of this war will determine the fate of the world. Our support is not charity ; it is an investment in our security " [6]. In 2023, military aid to Ukraine will amount to just 0.075 % of European GDP, whereas " if all NATO countries spent at least 0.25 % of their GDP, Ukraine would win ", says Lithuanian MP Andrius Kubilius. [7] The Kiel Institute warns that if the US were to end its aid to Ukraine, Europe would have to double its current military aid to make up the shortfall. [8] As was the case in 1948, fear of the Russian threat is nevertheless driving Europeans to close ranks and strengthen their defence systems. A Necessary Rebalancing of Transatlantic Relations ? At the end of the Second World War, the Brussels Pact partners (Benelux, France, and Great Britain) worked hard to convince the United States to contribute to the defence of Western Europe. For Washington, NATO was a mere political annex to the Marshall Plan, aimed at restoring a sense of European security, rather than the preamble to massive military assistance for the defence of Europe. At the time, the Eisenhower administration even considered that NATO would no longer be necessary twenty years later. Today, the United States alone accounts for nearly two-thirds of the Allied defence spending, supplying around 70 % of critical equipment including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ; air-to-air refuelling ; ballistic missile defence and airborne electromagnetic warfare. Moreover, despite the demand for a fairer contribution to the organizations expenses, Washington prefers to avoid a European entity outside the Atlantic Alliance. Kennedys famous "grand design" of an Atlantic community based on two pillars (one American and one European) as set out in his Philadelphia speech of July 4, 1962, was in direct opposition to General de Gaulles "European Europe". The Alliance remains a key issue of US power projection. The increase in the number of US troops pre-positioned in Europe to around 100,000 (from 75,000 in February 2022), following Russias second invasion of Ukraine also confirms the importance of the US role within the Atlantic Alliance. Moreover, while the Russian-Ukrainian war reinforces Europes desire for strategic sovereignty, it paradoxically increases its strategic dependence on the United States. Europeans are investing more in their defence (this time without being asked to do so !), but they are also buying a lot of American equipment. All in all, Europeans appear to be even more dependent on the United States than they were during the Balkan war. Against a backdrop of ever-increasing global crises, and on the eve of the US presidential election, Europeans need to guard against a possible weakening of US commitment to Ukraine, but also to NATO. Donald Trumps threat to, if re-elected, no longer guarantee the protection of NATOs "bad payer" countries, and to give Russia free rein to attack them, should not be disregarded. Actually, whichever party wins in 2024, the Americans alike will sooner or later demand that Europeans take on a greater share of the NATO burden in order to devote the bulk of their resources to the Chinese issue, which remains the central focus of US attention. American troops currently stationed in Europe might also be shifted to the Asia-Pacific region in a not-too-distant future. Yet, according to the Munich Security Report 2020, Europe would be unable to deal with Russia without US support. According to the report, all the European armies put together would amount to about half the size of the forces needed to ensure an effective conventional deterrent posture against Russia. [9] In the event of a possible withdrawal of the United States from NATO, the issue for Europeans would not only be to increase their defence spending, but also and above all to ensure that their range of military capabilities is sufficiently broad and complete to enable them to deal with all possible scenarios, including one in which no US soldiers would intervene. At present, however, European defence lacks the necessary military assets command and control capabilities ; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance resources ; sufficient logistical and munitions capacities to fight effectively and autonomously. Finally, Europe is far from having unified armaments as it has six times as many weapons systems as the United States , which is costly and under efficient. [10] In short, despite its twenty-five years existence and high availability of military assets, European defence is struggling to find its way. Moreover, some EU member states in particular those bordering Russia are not in favour of a " European power ", even less so of a " European strategic sovereignty " independent from American power, which they feel could undermine the foundations of NATO as they desperately rely on the Organization for their own security. Yet NATOs latest Strategic Concept acknowledges the value of a stronger, more effective European defence that makes a genuine contribution to transatlantic and global security and is complementary to and interoperable with NATO. The strategic partnership between NATO and the European Union is seen as crucial, particularly in the fight against hybrid and cyber threats, terrorism and the impact of climate change on security. Likewise, the idea of a European pillar within NATO does not meet with unanimous approval among European leaders. Countries like France and Germany dont quite agree on what Europes "strategic autonomy" means. Germanys recent purchase of American F-35s, for example, or Berlins plans for a missile defence shield are not to the liking of the French. Moreover, the "Buy European First" approach to military equipment is not popular on the other side of the Atlantic. Additionally, we also need to clearly define what being "European" means. Does it refer only to the EU, or to all European allies, they being or not members of the EU ? And what about Turkey with the Turkish-Cypriot question remaining unresolved ? Finally, it would be wrong to assume that countries such as Canada, the UK or Norway would unreservedly approve of a European pillar within NATO. While the "Berlin plus" [11] agreement has provided a starting point for regulating relations between NATO and the EUs defence component, they are proving difficult to implement for both political and practical reasons. Breaking the Euro-Atlantic deadlock is essential for the EU to develop its own defence in line with the Lisbon Treaty. According to Georges-Henri Soutou, this might actually be the only way for the Union to have any real influence in the "very dangerous crisis triangle" between Moscow, Beijing, and Washington. [12] The war in Israel and its repercussions in the Red Sea also represent a major challenge for the European defence. "Animus in Consulendo Liber" for an Enlarged NATO ? While some, including the Russians, suggested dissolving NATO after the demise of the Warsaw Pact, the Allies decided to maintain the Organization because they felt it would preserve their political values and guarantee their security while at the same time contribute to the existence of a link between the European Community and the United States. The Organizations emblem officially adopted in October 1953 symbolizes this dual dimension, with the blue of the Atlantic Ocean, the compass that guides the way to peace, and the white circle of unity between allies. All NATO decisions, even the most sensitive ones, are taken by consensus, after exchanges of views and consultations between Alliance countries. "Animus in consulendo liber" (" in discussion a free mind ") has consistently been NATOs motto since 1959. [13] Despite the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of moving from an alliance to an Atlantic community which would go beyond a mere coalition of member states to a genuine interdependence between them NATO has managed to overcome numerous crises, such as the Suez issue, the Euromissile crisis, the Kosovo intervention, the Iraq war and, more recently, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The war in Ukraine represents a turning point for the Allies, who seem determined, despite some dissonances, to support Kiev over the long term and strengthen the Organizations resilience in the face of Russian threats. In accordance with Article 10 of the Washington Treaty, NATO has adopted an "open door policy". Since the organization was founded, there have been nine successive waves of accessions, increasing the number of Alliance member countries from twelve in 1949 to sixteen in 1989, and finally to thirty-two in 2024. [14] For the former members of the Warsaw Pact that "kidnapped West" as qualified by Milan Kundera joining NATO means joining the Western family and benefiting from the American guarantee. At the Vilnius summit, NATO member countries did not give the green light to Ukraines immediate accession to the organization although they did reaffirm that Ukraine is sure to become a member of the Atlantic Alliance. Some believe that such a move would be in keeping with history, as was the case for West Germany in 1955. Others believe that Ukraines NATO membership would strengthen the organization, particularly its European pillar. In the face of the Russian threat, two hitherto non-aligned countries (Sweden and Finland) have joined the Organization, prompting President Biden to say : "Vladimir Putind get the Findalization of NATO. Instead, he got the NATOization of Finland". Russia now shares 1,500 kilometres of border with six NATO countries (Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland). While the arrival of new countries within NATO strengthens the organizations military capabilities and geopolitical position, it also calls for tactical adaptations particularly in terms of interoperability and strategic adjustments. NATO is becoming a polycentric system, where it is sometimes difficult to build consensus. Whereas in the past, the "Bonn Group" [15] an informal group comprising the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany had a decisive influence on decision-making, the "Bucharest Format" a group of Central European countries [16] is increasingly asserting its views on external security in the context of a growing threat from Russia. For its part, the "Weimar Triangle" which brings together the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland seems to have been revived, albeit with little pomp and circumstance, but with determination. In February 2024, the three chief diplomats called for the establishment of an effective Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) that could make a useful contribution to international and transatlantic security. NATOs Revitalization, What Challenges for European Allies ? NATO is probably the most robust and advanced military coalition in modern history. Although the Atlantic Alliance was certainly not in mortal danger before February 2022, its encephalogram now seems to be in turmoil again. Russias invasion of Ukraine has shown that NATO remains the most credible basis for a collective defence of its members. It also confirms that Europe must prepare to assume a more significant role in its own defence. Faced with the return of high-intensity warfare in Europe, the United States Asian "pivot" and Donald Trumps possible return to the White House, the European community should achieve a greater autonomy in decision-making and greater capacity for action in the world, including vis-a-vis the Americans. The revitalization of NATO cannot prevent the EU from acquiring the necessary means (including a European defence, a European pillar of NATO and/or multinational agreements) to make its voice heard in a Western world that is being reshaped in the face of Russia. The implementation of a European defence industrial programme, a European anti-missile shield, the extension of Frances nuclear deterrent to the whole of Europe and the development of permanent European military bases in the countries closest to Russia are among the options considered. Ultimately, only a stronger Europe of defence, ready to contribute much more significantly will be able to truly control its own destiny and decide on its own geopolitical future. As Boileau put it over three hundred years ago : "Criticism is a right that you buy at the door" ("la critique est un droit qua la porte on achete en entrant"). Copyright 28 Mars 2024-Hoorickx Plus, cet article en francais . Estelle Hoorickx, Les 75 ans de lOTAN :defis et opportunites a lepreuve de la guerre russo-ukrainienne Ce 4 avril 2024, lOTAN fetera le 75e anniversaire de la signature du traite de Washington. LOrganisation nest jamais apparue aussi indispensable que depuis le 24 fevrier 2022, date de la seconde invasion de lUkraine par la Russie, qui la contrainte a se recentrer sur sa mission historique : la defense collective de ses Etats membres. Les Europeens saisiront-ils cette occasion pour saffirmer de maniere plus autonome dans une Alliance certes revitalisee mais desormais confrontee a des defis de plus en plus complexes et nombreux ? Docteure en histoire contemporaine et autrice du livre La Belgique, lOTAN et la Guerre froide (Racine, 2022), la commandante daviation Estelle Hoorickx nous livre son analyse de la question. Revue militaire belge, 28 mars 2024 Reclaiming our shores Puget Sound coastal restoration can aid in the recovery of endangered salmon populations, clean abandoned industrial sites, restore natural ecosystems, increase community access, and address the effects of sea level rise and climate change. By JIM JOHANNESSEN and WEI CHEN Natural Systems Design + Coastal Geologic Services Johannessen Chen An 18-second video posted on the city of Bellinghams YouTube channel last September helps summarize ongoing efforts to restore the natural functions and benefits of the Puget Sound shoreline. The time-lapse video shows water pouring from Bellingham Bay into the new Little Squalicum Estuary, with the caption Its not every day that you get to see water entering an estuary for the first time! The historic Little Squalicum Estuary project illustrates how government agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses are joining together to recapture the ecological, societal and economic value of our treasured shores. It illustrates how investment in Puget Sound coastal restoration aids the recovery of endangered salmon populations, cleans abandoned industrial sites, restores natural coastal habitats and ecosystems, expands parks and recreational opportunities, and addresses the effects of sea level rise and climate change. Regaining all that the Puget Sound coastal areas have lost is a daunting challenge. According to the Puget Sound Institute at the University of Washington, the Sound has lost nearly 400 miles of natural shoreline in the past 150 years. The Puget Sound Partnership, which tracks the health of the areas ecosystem, said in its 2023 State of the Sound report, Puget Sound is not doing well, but we see signs of progress. Achieving this progress requires that we overcome a variety of obstacles, but the myriad benefits of the effort including those highlighted below are worth the fight. COASTAL RESTORATION FOR SALMON RECOVERY As keystone species, salmon support diverse food chains, bringing nutrients from the ocean to rivers and streams, the Washington Salmon Recovery Office notes. Scientists estimate 138 species of wildlife, from whales to insects, depend on salmon for their food. Even trees and shrubs use salmon as fertilizer. Until the past few decades, salmon recovery efforts focused largely on inland rivers and streams. Further study showed the value of coastal restoration to the lifecycle of salmon, including estuaries, which are areas where fresh water mixes with saltwater. Coastal restoration efforts foster salmon population recovery through increased access for fish, refuge from predators, more forage fish spawning beach areas, and greater shade and temperature regulation. Photo courtesy of BTV city of Bellingham [enlarge] An aerial photo of Bellinghams new Little Squalicum Estuary taken during construction, immediately after the inlet opening. Photo courtesy of BTV city of Bellingham [enlarge] Initial flooding of the Little Squalicum Estuary with saltwater from Bellingham Bay. The BNSF mainline trestle is in the foreground. As an example, the Little Squalicum Estuary project removed a fish passage barrier at the mouth of Little Squalicum Creek, created a 2.4-acre estuary, and reused excavated material as beach nourishment to enhance documented, but degraded forage fish spawning habitat to the northwest. Projects such as this require a deep understanding of geological and coastal processes, as well as the integration of applied coastal engineering to maximize ecosystem and public benefits, while creating self-sustaining projects. RESTORE FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AREAS Shoreline infrastructure includes coastal roads, shore protection structures, docks, piers and other related structures. When still in use, this infrastructure supports coastal communities and maritime industries. We have many underutilized coastal properties, however, so restoration and redevelopment efforts in Puget Sound incorporate strategies to enhance infrastructure resilience while minimizing environmental impact. On the Waypoint Park Beach project in the old GP mill site in Bellingham, our engineering team removed 156 feet of creosote-treated wood bulkhead and associated fill to improve the nearshore conditions. This not only helped create a more natural beach, it removed wood treated with chemicals and contaminated soil to prevent further marine water contamination. Removing the bulkhead and plantings enriched coastal habitat by allowing the exchange of terrestrial and aquatic nutrients, invertebrates, and organic material that were otherwise restricted by the armor structure and lack of vegetation. A similar project is the 2020 Sucia Island State Park causeway road removal project, which reestablished full tidal exchange and fish passage into a large saltmarsh wetland. As with the Little Squalicum Estuary project, understanding the dynamic nature of the saltmarsh ecosystem and the morphological processes of the tidal inlet at Sucia Island was essential. These projects employed analysis tools with Sound-wide site data that led to the successful design and implementation of self-sustaining systems. EXPAND PARK AND RECREATIONAL ACCESS Image by city of Bellingham [enlarge] Waypoint Park in Bellingham within the old Georgia Pacific mill site during the first stage of construction. Image by city of Bellingham [enlarge] Waypoint Park Beach, completed in 2018, restored a long-contaminated portion of downtown Bellinghams waterfront in a way that connected the public to the water, while also benefiting fish and bird species. The Waypoint Park Beach and Little Squalicum Estuary projects illustrate how coastal restoration projects can improve access to recreational opportunities. Waypoint Park Beach, completed in 2018, restored a long-contaminated portion of downtown Bellinghams Waterfront District in a way that connected the public to the water, while also benefiting fish and bird species. A major component of the Little Squalicum Estuary project was enhancing access and safety at the extremely popular Little Squalicum Park. Project elements included installation of a new trail network, construction of a pedestrian bridge at the estuary mouth, and the planting of 4,500 native plants by volunteers hosted at a community event by the city of Bellingham and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. The NSD + CGS team is also assisting the city of Bellingham on park improvements in Boulevard Park and creating new South Beach at Salish Landing Park at the old landfill, both of which involve debris removal and new beach creation. ADDRESS SEA LEVEL RISE & CLIMATE CHANGE Accelerating sea level rise and climate change exacerbate the already difficult task of restoring Puget Sound shores. For this reason, all shoreline restoration initiatives must fully consider and account for the changing conditions we expect in coming years. Planning and designing for climate change is crucial in maintaining the function of shoreline projects and infrastructure, as well as avoiding the potential for costly repairs and replacement later. The Waypoint Park Beach project accommodated the projected 2.4-foot sea level rise by the year 2100 by adding three to five feet to its elevation. Our engineering team used gravel, sand and access structures to shape a beach to meet the uplands park area. At the larger new beach in the coming Salish Landing Park, we planned for over four feet of sea level rise to better ensure that we contain contaminants. Coordination is key. The path to efficient and effective coastal restoration in Puget Sound is through a coordinated, multifaceted approach. Coastal ecosystem recovery and habitat restoration efforts are futile without addressing the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. We must keep this in mind as we collectively continue our efforts to preserve the beauty of Puget Sound, while regaining the immense ecological, social and economic benefits that its shores offer. Jim Johannessen is a licensed engineering geologist and principal coastal geologist for Natural Systems Design + Coastal Geologic Services. Wei Chen is a licensed engineer and principal coastal engineer for Natural Systems Design + Coastal Geologic Services. Other Stories: Centering equity, reconciliation and community in coastal adaptation Coastal adaptation can have far-reaching benefits for communities, prompting critical evaluation of design and planning processes, and leading to important shifts in the systems that shape the built environment. By LAURA DURGERIAN and DEB GUENTHER Mithun Durgerian Guenther With 3,300 miles of coastline exposed to sea level rise and coastal flooding, Washington state is ramping up its work on resilience planning and design. The San Francisco Bay Area and Vancouver, BC also have ongoing efforts to advance regional shoreline adaptation and collaboration. Initiatives in all three places illustrate how coastal adaptation can shift the needle for the better, bringing immediate and direct benefits for communities affected by coastal flooding and sea level rise often communities of color or low-income rural communities that have been historically disinvested. To achieve these far-reaching benefits, adaptation can build from Indigenous values, advocacy, and science, increase the health and scale of shoreline ecosystems, connect people safely to the shoreline, and address other community priorities through equitable investments. Though they range widely in focus and scale, examples in each place embed equity and justice considerations, and connect long-range coastal-adaptation visions to current community priorities. These visions are setting the stage for regulatory shifts, cross-jurisdictional collaboration and alignment in built projects. BAY AREA: PLANNING FOR REGIONAL ALIGNMENT AND PLACE-BASED NUANCE The San Francisco Bay Area is currently developing its Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP), to guide the creation of coordinated, locally planned sea level rise adaptation actions that work together to meet regional goals. Mithun is working alongside the Bay Conservation and Development Commission to develop planning guidelines that will direct subregional shoreline adaptation plans across the nine-county Bay Area The One Bay Vision and RSAP guidelines will align adaptation plans and projects through a common set of baseline assumptions and targets, while recognizing that capacities and conditions range widely across the Bay. Image by Mithun [enlarge] A vision for the future of south False Creek increases connection to the water, centers Host Nations and restores the historic shoreline in Vancouver, BC. To embed equity and justice considerations into a project of this scale, recurring equity assessments with an equity subcommittee allow for continuous recalibration and questioning of assumptions, language and process. To facilitate regulatory change and coordinated implementation, the team is working to connect guidelines with specific updates to existing plans. With a draft of the guidelines developed, the team will be holding place-based workshops throughout the Bay with community-based organizations to understand how guidelines may apply differently based on unique conditions and community priorities, and to inform refinement of the guidance for ease of use, flexibility and effectiveness. VANCOUVER: COMMITTING TO RECONCILIATION ALONG A RESTORED SHORELINE The Sea2City Design Challenge, completed in 2022, sought an achievable but compelling vision to guide long-term sea-level rise adaptation along False Creek in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Extending beyond a focus on flooding, the challenge was rooted in an explicit commitment to truth and reconciliation with the xwm??kw?y??m (Musqueam Indian Band), Sk?wx?wu?7mesh (Squamish Nation), s??li?lw?ta?? (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and urban Indigenous communities in the region. Public events communicated the flood risks along False Creek and offered culturally based events to discuss which values and priorities should guide the design challenge. The city distilled this feedback into seven categories of community values,and worked with Host Nation representatives to co-author an Indigenous Knowledge Value Guide. These values were a guide for the work and were also used as evaluation criteria to confirm that design proposals responded to the established priorities. The city prompted both teams the Mithun + ONE Architecture team for South False Creek, and the PWL + MVRDV team for North False Creek to center decolonization in their design processes, exploring ways to move toward shared land management and financial benefits for Host Nations. Each team worked closely with a Cultural Advisor and a Knowledge Keeper, and heard from Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh speakers in multiple decolonization and Indigenous perspectives workshops. This was an impactful process, and led to visions that reframed traditional adaptation planning strategies into language and concepts that better reflected a repaired relationship between people and water; for example, using acknowledge / host / restore rather than the traditional resist / accommodate / avoid terminology to describe adaptation scenarios. With this grounding in reconciliation, the Mithun + ONE team envisioned a decolonized shoreline as one that is unbuilt and co-managed removing historic fill, shifting development upland where it is naturally protected from sea level rise, and introducing nature-based strategies that bring back healthier creeks and tidal ecosystems to help clean contamination and reconnect people with the abundance of marine life and daily tidal changes. Realizing this vision while respecting the lives and livelihoods of those living and working along the shoreline requires an adaptation pathways approach, considering when buildings along the shoreline will reach the end of their lifespans, as well as what kind of additional density is required in the upland to re-house those living along the shoreline. With a pathways approach, this visioning can guide near-term investments and restrict conflicting uses in a way that supports the longer-term vision. Already, the city has decided to rethink siting a new school on low-lying public land along False Creek, and is undertaking a project to define blue-green systems for stormwater infrastructure that can be implemented along streets in support of the Sea2City vision. WASHINGTON: ADDRESSING TODAYS PRIORITIES AS A DRIVER FOR FUTURE VISIONS Washington state is involved in making systemic improvements to governance, funding and coordination to help shape coastal adaptation projects that address immediate needs and build long-term community resilience to coastal hazards. Henry Bell, coastal planner at the Washington State Department of Ecology said, Were doing a lot, including providing grant funding for local sea-level rise planning and vulnerability assessment projects. We are also in the early stages of the state rulemaking process to integrate sea-level rise planning requirements for local governments with marine shorelines, and supporting various local and regional coastal resilience project proposals for federal funding. Just last year, the state legislature provided ongoing funding to Ecology for a multi-organization coastal resilience team that is dedicated to helping small and underserved communities access funding opportunities for resilience work, Bell said. We piloted this concept as part of the Resilience Action Demonstration Project between 2019 and 2021. Ecology recently received an $850,000 grant to partner with the Washington departments of Transportation and Fish and Wildlife, and Washington Sea Grant. A similar partnership between the Pacific Conservation District, Sea Grant, and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has supported a series of public workshops with affected communities centered on sea-level rise risks to help identify priorities and potential project opportunities. Our approach is based on finding where future conditions or changes overlap with todays priorities, explains Jackson Blalock from the Pacific Conservation District. Its harder for communities to dedicate limited resources to future conditions if they dont also address an active priority, so this has helped get projects moving, instead of falling into a planning wormhole. Its been said that its a privilege to think about the future. Equitable long-term visions acknowledge this reality that planning must address the needs of capacity-limited communities that have experienced harm and disinvestment as the first step toward a better future where everyone can reap the benefits. A long-term vision rooted in current priorities enables coastal adaptation work to be more than a Band-Aid, addressing future flood risk as one of many important objectives that improve the quality of life for affected communities today, and support the wellbeing of future generations. This has helped develop projects that break out of the disaster-response cycle and move toward more sustainable process-based approaches, such as collaborations that span property lines or jurisdictions boundaries, Blalock said. Coastal adaptation can have far reaching benefits for communities, prompting critical evaluation of design and planning processes, and leading to important shifts in the systems that shape the built environment. In the San Francisco Bay, the RSAP is setting the stage for regulatory shifts, regional alignment and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. In Vancouver, planning processes and visions support reconciliation with Host Nations, and define a path toward repaired shoreline relationships. In Washington, coastal adaptation efforts are identifying current needs of affected communities to drive investments that aim to improve present wellbeing, and shape better shorelines for future generations. Laura Durgerian is a landscape architect and urban designer at Mithun working on shoreline adaptation, planning and research. Deb Guenther is partner at Mithun, where she focuses on high-performance landscape design including equity-driven collaborations on coastal adaptation and resilience projects. Other Stories: Five environmental factors influencing construction in 2024 As a sizeable contributor to global carbon emissions, the building trades can have a huge impact through mindful changes in the way we do business, and the way we help our clients reduce their own impact. By MARK CHEN Skanska USA Chen The built environment accounts for nearly 40 percent of carbon emissions globally, with 11 percent embodied in construction materials and 28 percent stemming from building operations. Thats why Skanska is working hard to achieve the climate targets weve set globally: 70% emission reductions by 2030 (including both from our own operations and from the value chain in development projects), and net-zero by 2045. To get there, we constantly assess our business for areas of improvement, look at local, state and national policy and legislation, and engage with our clients to help them meet their own climate goals. As we look at the year ahead and beyond, here are five key environmental factors that are driving our business (and much of the industry) forward. ELECTRIFICATION All three west coast states pledged to end sales of new gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, meaning new vehicles will need to be tailpipe emission-free from that date forward. We anticipate many companies with fleet vehicles to begin transitioning to EVs and there likely will be a requisite need to construct or retrofit fleet maintenance facilities to adapt. Skanska has already begun shifting our own fleet to EVs, adding some all-electric Ford F-150 Lightnings to our fleet in Portland, where weve become a member of the local Fleet Decarbonization Coalition. Additionally, we have participated in a few pilot programs to test the viability of electric heavy-machinery on jobsites. Photo courtesy of Skanska USA [enlarge] Skanska team members helped release thousands of coho salmon smolt into Hall Lake next to the L300 light rail jobsite. Its not just cars; buildings are going electric, too. Many clients are trying to go fully electric with their buildings to hit sustainability goals, and its our job to help them figure out how best to do that. Incentivizing this practice, cities and states throughout the country are introducing Zero Emission Building Ordinances and other policies to phase out fossil fuel-powered buildings. As of today, 140 state and local governments have implemented policies across a dozen states impacting a combination of new construction and remodels/renovations for commercial, multifamily, public/municipal and single-family use. ALTERNATIVE FUEL STANDARDS As with new electrification standards, Clean Fuel Standards have been enacted in Washington, Oregon and California. These various pieces of state legislation have given access to more affordable pricing to companies like Skanska, which has been using lower carbon options like renewable diesel for years with some of our heavy construction equipment. We were the first contractor to use renewable diesel on a major civil project in the state of Washington, the L300 Lynnwood Link Extension light rail project for Sound Transit. Renewable diesel, which is different than biodiesel, comes from 100 percent renewable feedstocks such as canola, tallow or used cooking oil. It offers a more environmentally sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fuel, reducing tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent, and lifecycle greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions by 60-80 percent depending on the feedstock. Reduced tailpipe emissions means cleaner air for our trade workers operating and working near the heavy equipment using the fuel, and cleaner air for the communities in which we build. Because of the high Cetane value, renewable diesel also burns cleaner, reduces fuel consumption and lowers engine noise and engines that are easier to start in the cold. WILDLIFE PROTECTION When we build, we want to ensure that were building safely and ethically. Thats why ensuring wildlife protection and water quality practices on our jobsites is critically important. Salmon-Safe is one of the countrys leading organizations on implementing practices and developments that protect water quality, maintain watershed health and restore habitat. Skanska is a Salmon-Safe accredited contractor in both Washington and Oregon, which recognizes excellence in water quality protection practices. We are proud to work with both public and private sector clients to help certify projects as Salmon-Safe. Additionally, as part of the I-405 Brickyard project for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Skanska is building six fish passages that will have a direct impact on salmon and steelhead in the Sammamish River. Among other benefits, opening habitat allows more fish at all live stages (including juveniles who arent yet strong swimmers like adults) to access important spawning and rearing grounds, including areas that have been inaccessible for years. Through design innovations, we have identified opportunities for a 10 percent reduction in the total length of the fish passages needing to be built, creating additional open channel, promoting natural habitat and reducing impact to the stream buffer. Also reducing impact is the process by which we will build the fish passages next to existing culverts. This will allow construction to occur outside fish windows, the time each year when in-water construction is allowed due to the unlikely proximity of migrating salmon. We will connect gravity bypasses to existing streams during fish windows so construction staging areas can be set, and work can occur year-round without having as much impact on streams. We will also eliminate the use of barges and temporary structures in the Sammamish River through controlled demolition, will use both physical barriers and debris netting to keep debris and slurry out of the river, and will use pre-casting, pre-fabricating and pre-painting of elements that will be placed over water to reduce construction time and risk to the Sammamish River. EMBODIED CARBON POLICY Most companies are good at quantifying their operational carbon footprints, but many clients, especially those in the private sector, are asking us to help them address embodied carbon. In fact, embodied carbon policy is popping up all over the country and throughout the world as governments tackle this important issue. We see a mix of voluntary (with or without incentives) programs, regulatory frameworks, agency-led initiatives, action plans, pilot programs, education and training, and more, and its becoming more and more widespread. There are ways to deal with embodied carbon. Back in 2021, the Rocky Mountain Institute and Skanska released a report laying out a framework for reducing embodied carbon in new construction for little to no cost. The study, called Reducing Embodied Carbon in Buildings used Skanska case studies looking at the emissions associated with building materials and construction, helping conclude that materials choices, including lower-carbon concrete, could significantly reduce embodied carbon with little if any budgetary impact on a project. Skanska now invests in providing initial embodied carbon assessments on every new construction project over 53,000 square feet using the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3), a product co-created by Skanska with industry partners. Use of the EC3 tool over the past few years has shown that a 30 percent reduction in embodied carbon is typically achievable for little or no cost. EC3 is available free and open source at http://www.buildingtransparency.org. SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL Were looking at our own travel practices to identify ways we can further reduce our carbon footprint. We partnered with Alaska Airlines to purchase the airlines sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), making Skanska the nations first General Contractor to invest in SAF with the airline. The investment will compensate for the Scope 3 business travel emissions from the domestic and international travel of Skanskas U.S. Sustainability Team for 2024. Made from a variety of resources including waste materials such as forestry residue and used cooking oil, or carbon recaptured from the air, SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that meets all jet fuel standards, and produces up to 80 percent fewer CO2 emissions on a lifecycle basis. Our investment today is a start both for Skanska and what we hope is for the entire construction industry. As we work with clients across the country on maximizing their sustainability goals, we want to ensure we are taking one more step to impact ours. When looking towards a sustainable future, its important to remember that there is no single solution, no panacea. We must cast the net wide and look for a variety of ways to better our industry, better our construction practices and better our planet. Mark Chen is National Carbon Manager for Skanska USA. Other Stories: Floating wetlands strengthen urban ecosystems and community engagement Artificial floating structures that mimic natural wetlands ecosystems provide community education and can be designed to address a range of problems, including water quality issues, harmful algal blooms, and even struggling fish habitats downstream. By LILY SCHREDER Herrera In 2018, Friends of Green Lake initiated the floating wetlands project to commemorate the life of Taiga Hinckley, a beloved employee of the Greenlake Boathouse Center. The project was selected to reflect Taigas commitment to lake water quality and wildlife habitat. Herrera contributed to the project design, planning, and installation, and worked with over 30 volunteers to execute this project. The floating wetlands consist of two 650-square-foot islands anchored in the lake. In such an urban setting, the floating wetlands create habitat, improve water quality, provide aesthetic and recreational value, and foster opportunities for community engagement. Floating wetlands are artificial floating structures designed and installed to mimic natural wetland ecosystems in bodies of water. These structures typically consist of a buoyant platform that supports vegetation and other wetland flora. The purpose of floating wetlands is to provide ecological benefits, such as habitat creation and water purification, while also addressing human activities that may negatively impact natural wetland areas. Photo by Rob Zisette [enlarge] One of two mature 650-square-foot floating wetlands in Hicklin Lake in White Center, photographed ten years after Herrera installed them for King County. Floating wetlands provide an innovative approach to environmental challenges, and can be designed to address a range of problems. They play a role in water quality improvement by fostering the growth of a microbial biofilm on the roots of plants. This biofilm actively absorbs excess nutrients from the water, reducing issues like harmful algal blooms and promoting a healthier aquatic ecosystem. Additionally, the shading effect created by floating wetlands can help regulate water temperatures, particularly in stormwater ponds, contributing to improved downstream fish habitats. Herrera recently designed and helped install floating wetlands in a stormwater pond for the Snoqualmie Tribe. The aim of this project was to improve water quality and reduce pond temperature. Herrera Ecologist Eliza Spear explains the benefit of using floating wetlands to reduce water temperatures, By covering a significant portion of the surface area of the stormwater pond, the goal was that the floating wetlands would provide enough shade to cool water temperatures, which is important for enhancing downstream fish habitat. Fish are very temperature sensitive, so reducing water temperatures can improve fish habitat in the basin. Beyond their water quality contributions, floating wetlands serve as habitats, supporting a diverse mix of plant species and wildlife. The modular design of these structures allows for flexible and creative habitat configurations, addressing specific environmental goals and conditions. This biodiverse ecosystem enhances the overall health of the water body and provides opportunities for community engagement. The presence of floating wetlands in urban environments sparks curiosity and fosters a sense of ownership among communities. Volunteers participate in installation and maintenance activities, contributing to both the success of the project and the environmental education of the community. Floating wetlands offer an aesthetic and recreational dimension to water bodies. Their integration into urban landscapes provides unique opportunities for public interaction, such as viewing the structures from shore or anchoring them to piers or bulkheads with direct access to them. The ease of installation and adaptability of floating wetlands make them a cost-effective and resilient choice for environmental enhancement, providing an attractive alternative to traditional land-based restoration projects. At about $50 per square foot, they can cost less than 10 percent of a constructed wetland because there are no land procurement or excavation costs, permitting is simpler, and plant survival is much higher on the water. Overall, these innovative structures not only address urban environmental challenges but also contribute to the creation of sustainable, community-centered ecosystems with long-lasting benefits. Photo by Eiza Spear [enlarge] Green Lake Taiga Floating wetlands after installation. Rob Zisette, a Principle Aquatic Scientist at Herrera, has championed floating wetland projects since 2008. Rob has had a diverse career working in water quality and aquatic restoration and floating wetlands became his focus after he was introduced to them while working on a water quality project in Ningbo, China. Rob met the owner and inventor of Biomatrix Water, Galen Fulford, who creates highly resilient structures for floating wetland projects. After seeing the power and potential of floating wetlands, Rob has spent the last 15 years bringing them to the Pacific Northwest. However, floating wetlands are not without controversy. In Washington State, many regulatory agencies view floating wetlands similar to docks and require mitigation for their installation- ironically, while others view floating wetlands as a type of mitigation. Some believe floating wetlands threaten salmon because predator species can hide under the structure, while research by the University of Washington has shown that not to be the case. Agencies in other states but not Washington provide mitigation credits for installing floating wetlands in stormwater ponds. The value of floating wetlands is challenging to quantify. Significant water quality improvement is often not observed because pollutant concentrations are so highly variable and too small of the waterbody area is covered to produce measurable change. Habitat and ecological value are rarely measured and typically undervalued or not recognized. Qualitative observations have shown that these floating ecosystems provide essential habitats for juvenile fish feeding on the biofilm invertebrate community and for bird species browsing and nesting on the wetlands, which contribute to biodiversity and overall ecosystem health and value. Moreover, the vastly improved aesthetics, environmental education opportunities, and shared sense of ownership they create bring intangible value to urban water visitors and surrounding residents. Robs vision for floating wetlands in the next 10 years includes a gradual increase in projects in the Pacific Northwest, increased visibility through high-profile initiatives, and a focus on retrofitting stormwater ponds where benefits are most pronounced. In addition, the development and acceptance of crediting systems for floating wetlands is crucial to fund these projects, and will require further education of the public and regulatory agencies about their many benefits. Lily Schreder is a marketing specialist at Herrera with a background in marketing and environmental studies. Other Stories: Subscriber content preview KENT A vacant former gym at 520 Washington Ave. S. recently sold for a little under $6.7 million, according to King County records. The seller was Realty Income Corporation, which acquired the property in 2009 for about $11.7 million. It was then home to LA Fitness. . . . There has been an 8% increase in the number of recorded visitors to Grianan of Aileach over 12 months. Figures released by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on visitor numbers to the 780 heritage sites it operates around the country, show the number of visitors to the ring fort at Burt rose from 16,592 in 2022 to 17,919 in 2023, an increase of more than 1,300. Last month the OPW confirmed that Grianan of Aileach was accessible during daylight hours, after months of concern about access to the state-owned monument with visitors regularly finding it closed without prior notice. Concerns over access arose after a gate was installed at the ancient ring fort, which was extensively restored in the 1870s but is thought to have a history dating back to 1700 BC. Locals complained that the gate has prevented access during sunrise and sunset to the fort and more than 1,800 people signed an online petition calling for the reinstatement of open access to the site. Across the five OPW sites in Donegal, a total of 164,969 visitors were recorded in 2023. That figure is up from 147,379 in 2022 just short of a 12 per cent rise. Numbers visiting Donegal Castle rose to 63,072 in 2023 with 55,476 having been recorded in 2022. Glebe House and Gallery had 44,364 visitors last year, with some 37,120 visiting Doe Castle. The Newmills Corn and Flax Mill had 2,494 visitors. The number of recorded visitors last year at OPW heritage sites in Ireland exceeded 15.3 million, up from 15 million in 2022. Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick ODonovan, said: The 780 sites under the care of the Office of Public Works contribute to the local sense of place, the local economy and are great places for domestic and international tourists to enjoy. The 2023 visitor data clearly indicates that there is a strong interest in heritage tourism and that an increasing number of visitors regard Irelands heritage sites as great places to visit. Irelands deputy premier has appealed to Israel to show humanity and allow more aid into Gaza amid a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Micheal Martin, who is Irelands foreign affairs minister, was speaking at an event in Dublin with EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic. Mr Lenarcic described the conditions in Gaza as a man-made disaster. The United Nations said that a quarter of the regions 2.3 million population faced starvation and around 80% had fled their homes since Israel launched its military campaign. The offensive was undertaken in response to an attack by Hamas militants on October 7. On Thursday, the UNs top court ordered Israel to take measures to open more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into Gaza to tackle crippling shortages in the war-ravaged enclave. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued two new so-called provisional measures as part of a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. Irelands premier Leo Varadkar said Israel must immediately comply with the ICJ provisional measures while the countrys president said the order would ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services. President Michael D Higgins said: It is now not morally acceptable that a single voice would be silent in the European Union or international community, all countries must do all that they can to ensure the immediate delivery of aid, a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in line with this weeks UN Security Council resolution. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Martin said the measures are about trucks getting in over the borders and the land crossings. Nothing can get away from the fact that what would really have an immediate impact is really a proper flow of aid through the land routes. It is criminal, it is absolutely a scandal that children are malnourished, that half the population are facing famine, and others in terms of insecurity. There is no need for this. Theres excessive checking at the borders. And I spoke this morning to Ayman Safadi, the foreign minister in Jordan, I spoke to Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry yesterday, and I spoke to the Palestinian prime minister yesterday also. Theyre telling me the situation is dire, absolutely catastrophic. And I would appeal to Israel to show humanity in terms of enabling the essentials of life to get into Gaza for the civilian population. Mr Lenarcic said the EU was doing everything we can and was even supporting humanitarian aid air drops, which he said were inefficient and sometimes dangerous. It was also working on a maritime corridor from Cyprus, even though it would only be able to provide significant quantities of aid once the Gaza Strip had a port. There is sufficient food in Egypt and Jordan to feed the entire population of Gaza, all 2.3 million people for months, at least until August. And this food is able to get in sufficient quantities into Gaza, he said. It would take a one to two-hour drive from those countries to Gaza to deliver this. He added: I would like to praise the consistent support of Ireland for the humanitarian action in Gaza, including the support and increased support to UNRWA, which remains a backbone of humanitarian action in Gaza, and I would like to thank Ireland for this support and for this approach. Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighters Michael Livingston (in front) and Michael Weaver (behind Livingston) explain the station's trucks with members of Girl Scout Troop 8867 during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. To view more photos, visit: bigrapidsnews.com. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Members of Girl Scout Troop 8867, including (front row from left) Jude McKinstry, Adaline Horstman, (back row from left) Natalie Horstman, Willow Losey, Illiana McKinstry and Ambriella McKinstry, pose for a photo with Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighters Michael Livingston (far left) and Michael Weaver (far right) during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Girl Scout Troop 8867 members (from left) Willow Losey, Ambriella McKinstry, Adaline Horstman, Illiana McKinstry and Natalie Horstman smile for a photo in the cab of a fire engine at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighter Michael Weaver helps Girl Scout Troop 8867 member Willow Losey down from the cab of the station's largest fire engine during a tour March 27. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Girl Scout Troop 8867 members look at fire engines during a visit to the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety for a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighter Michael Weaver (left) thanks members of Girl Scout Troop 8867 for their donation of 28 boxes of cookies to the station. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighters Michael Livingston (far left) and Michael Weaver (center) speaks to Girl Scout Troop 8867 members during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Girl Scout Troop 8867 members visited the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety for a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighter Michael Livingston (far left) speaks to Girl Scout Troop 8867 members during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighter Michael Livingston hands out play firefighting hats to Girl Scout Troop 8867 members Willow Losey (right) and Ambriella McKinstry (center) during a cookie donation visit which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Girl Scout Troop 8867 members visited the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety for a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighters Michael Livingston (far right) and Michael Weaver (center) speak to members of Girl Scout Troop 8867 during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighters Michael Livingston (far right) and Michael Weaver (center) speak to members of Girl Scout Troop 8867 during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firefighter Michael Livingston (far left) speaks to Girl Scout Troop 8867 leader Jenna Horstman (kneeling) and troop members Natalie Horstman (left) and Adaline Horstman (right) during a cookie donation visit March 27 which included a station tour for the troop members. Pioneer photo/Olivia Fellows BIG RAPIDS Members of Big Rapids Girl Scout Troop 8867 made a special visit to the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety firehouse to give a yummy gift to its firefighters. On March 27 members of the troop visited the BRDPS firehouse to drop off 28 boxes of cookies at the end of their cookie sales season to firefighters with the department. The visit was part of the troops decision to support the hometown heroes initiative with their cookie donation at the end of their sales season. The initiative allows Girl Scout troops to choose what local hometown heroes they would like to give a special cookie donation to when they donate directly to them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In exchange for the special delivery to the firehouse, firefighters Michael Livingston and Michael Weaver gave the group a tour of the firehouse, complete with opportunities for the scouts to explore each truck and the important equipment the department uses in fire emergencies. The troop also got gifts back from the firefighters, including play fire helmets and glow-in-the-dark bracelets. Troop leader Jenna Horstman said the opportunity to give her troop a special experience with the fire department was valuable. Its humbling to try to see it from the kids' perspective and to give them the experiences that they don't typically get, Horstman said. They get it to a degree from schools, but just to get a more in-depth look at things. We do a fall sale as well; those are typically nuts that we get to donate. We love giving back to the community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Livingston, a department firefighter who regularly assists in station tours for groups, said getting a donation of cookies will mean a lot of the department staff. We love to have people come and visit, Livingston said. Were proud of our fleet, and we love to show it off and share our trucks with kids. We appreciate the cookies. Its a special thing and we love to get donations like that. Horstman said the troop gives donations each year at the end of cookie selling season and often engages in community projects. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This morning Donegal Gardai, assisted by Louth Gardai, carried out searches at a number of locations in Dundalk, in relation to the discovery last July of approximately 60kg of cocaine in Donegal. Gardai in Milford say they continue to investigate all of the circumstances of the discovery of a number of packages along the North Donegal coastline that occurred on Wednesday, 19th July 2023. The packages, containing cocaine, were wrapped in black plastic and bound with ropes and weighed approximately 60kg, with an estimated street value in excess of 4 million, and were washed up at Ballyheirnan Beach in Fanad and Tramore Beach in Fanad, in Co Donegal. During the search in Dundalk this morning, Gardai say items of potential evidential value to the investigation have been seized, including electronic devices and documents. They add that no arrests have been made at this time and i nvestigations are ongoing. Following the discovery of the drugs last July, Michael OSullivan, a former Assistant Garda Commissioner who worked as the head of the EUs anti-drugs smuggling agency, MAOC-N, before retiring said that, the entire Atlantic is the route by which cocaine comes from South America" and that the discovery of the packages represented a " very costly expense" for drug smugglers and dealers. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) says it is "extremely proud" to announce that the H2O Heroes initiative has been awarded almost 60k towards promoting its environmental education programme in primary schools. The H2O Heroes programme at DkIT is co-ordinated by Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens and Dr Suzanne Linnane from the Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies. The initiative is an action-orientated education package designed for 4th, 5th and 6th class primary school children which is aimed at introducing and exploring key components of the science behind our water resources. The goal of the Institutes H2O Heroes programme is to inspire, inform and engage and this enables children to become real life H2O Heroes and ambassadors for the protection of our most valuable resource, water (H2O), as well as recognise the value of science in their everyday lives. The funding will not only help the H2O Heroes team spread their workshops into primary schools, but it also helps them to train up teachers of 4th-6th class pupils, and send their 'lab in a box packs out to primary schools across the North-East. Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens said We bring real science, real scientists and live macroinvertebrate samples into classrooms for children to explore. "Children are provided the opportunity and taught the skills to participate in authentic hands-on science activities and they really embrace becoming scientists. We are delighted to receive this SFI Discover funding, which will allow for even greater engagement with schools, teachers, children, families and the wider public across the North-East in 2024." The H2O Heroes funding was among the 38 announced by Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and Norma Foley, Minister for Education. Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director, Science for Society, Science Foundation Ireland, said: SFI is very proud of the Discover Programme and we are delighted to support these 38 projects to expand the reach of STEM and broaden participation and engagement. This programme is a key part of our education and public engagement strategy. For schools that would like to engage with H2O Heroes, find out more at www.h2oheroes.ie or get in contact by emailing h2oheroes@dkit.ie The Unite trade union has claimed that workers providing home care services to people throughout counties Louth and Meath are short hundreds of euro per month following a contract change which they say was unilaterally imposed by their employer, Danu Home Care. The union says that Danu Home Care traded as Anns Home Care Ireland until last week, and retains the same corporate structure. The company is an approved Health Services Executive provider of home support services for older people. In addition to the Louth and Meath home care workers represented by Unite, the company is commissioned by the HSE to provide home care services in North and South Dublin, Monaghan, Longford and Westmeath. In a statement released to the Democratic the union alleged that workers who had been on seven 12-hour shifts every fortnight were moved to 30 hour per week contracts, saying: This means that they have lost 24 hours pay every two weeks while doing the same number of calls. They have thus been left with a shortfall of between 250 and 400 each fortnight. Despite the fact that Unite organises a majority of Danu Home Care workers in Louth and Meath, the company has so far refused to engage with the union or respond to grievances filed by workers. Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: It is shameful that Danu Home Care, which is commissioned by the HSE to provide essential home care support services to vulnerable people, has decided to effectively cut the pay of the experienced and committed healthcare assistants providing these vital services. Unite will not allow this company to squeeze our members pay in order to further boost their profits. Unite regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald added: This company has secured lucrative HSE contracts thanks to the expertise and commitment of its workforce. This week, the HSE declined to intervene to protect the terms and conditions of the workers providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Unite will be contacting the incoming Minister for Health to outline our members concerns and ask that he or she step in. The company needs to be aware that we will leave no stone unturned to defend our members. Asked to comment on the accusations, Danu said they had no comment to make. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently held a successful Engineering Futures Careers fair on campus for students and graduates of the Institute. The School of Engineering in DkIT was recently announced as the recipients of the Bronze Athena Swan accreditation. DkIT are one of only three Institutes in Ireland to hold the award for their specific School of Engineering. The Athena SWAN charter is a framework that organisers say is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research. The School of Engineering has also been the recent recipient of The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) accreditations for Built Environment courses. Dr Breda Brennan, Head of School of Engineering, DkIT said: Todays Engineering Futures Career fair was a celebration for both us and employers of our engineering graduates. We need to continue to work collaboratively with industry to ensure that we produce graduates with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the economy both regionally and nationally. Working in partnership with employers is key to future-proofing our qualifications. " DkIT welcomed industry and public service partners to this Engineering Futures event, which was attended by Cargotec, Combilift, ESB, Mercury, Controlsoft, Elliott group, ABB, Walls, ASEE, Timoney, Atkins, Roco, Bam, Trilan, Anord, WuXi, Omega Surveying Services and both Louth and Meath County Councils to name but a few. Catherine Staunton, Head of Careers and Employability, said: We had a total of 28 companies in attendance across all the Engineering disciplines. I think we can all agree there was great energy on campus, with a very engaged employers and a fantastic array of opportunities for our students and graduates. The theme of the event was DkIT Engineering Futures, and this event encapsulated the optimism, diversity and innovation a career in Engineering can provide. "I must commend the exhibiting companies on the quality of their interactive displays and engagement of their teams with our students. It is an excellent example of how DkIT engage with industry in the region and directly connect our students and graduates with employers, maintaining our excellent employability track record. Dr Breda Brennan, Head of School of Engineering, added: The future is bright for DkIT graduates of Engineering and never has recruitment for this industry been more in demand. We pride ourselves in the quality of graduates we produce and relish the feedback from employers on our students employability attributes. "Our ongoing relationship with Industry is very important to us. It was a heartening and proud moment for the School to see so many of our graduates attend the careers fair as now employers. Minister Eamon Ryan has said he will not be following in Leo Varadkar's footsteps and resigning, despite it being 'a healthy [move]' in his opinion. He was speaking after Cabinet approved his new Moving Together transport strategy, which aims to reduce car dependency while scaling up public transport and the use of electric vehicles. While Minister Ryan explained that this new strategy is not 'anti-motorist', he did continue by saying that 'the world is burning' and that he has no intention of stepping down from his position in government as a result. Among the 35 proposals in this new strategy are higher parking fees, carpooling incentives and moves towards congestion charges. It is due to go out for a three-month public consultation in April. Minister Ryan has also said that he has no plans to follow Leo Varadkar out of politics and has insisted that he is determined to continue the fight against climate change. The world is burning, he said. I'm absolutely determined that we do everything we can to try and avoid that and that does drive the Green Party, myself included, to make the changes we need to make. Taoiseach Varadkar announced his resignation as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach just over a week ago, on March 20, saying he no longer felt he was the man fit to lead the government and his party. The Huron County Commissioners approve several change orders for the MSU Extension building. Dominic Sevilla/Huron Daily Tribune Work has been ongoing with the new Michigan State University Extension building in the old Print Shoppe since Booms Construction won the bid to work on the project back in January. During the March 26 Huron County meeting, there were a total of 11 change orders to the project due to changes in materials and scope of the project. Of the change orders, there was one order that made 13 deductions, reducing the cost of the project by $16,049. The remaining 10 change orders added back to the cost of the project totaling $29,662, with a net increase of $13,613. This is in addition to a change order from the March 12 meeting, which added $18,300 to the cost of the project. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The original budget of the project was approved for $440,550 by the board, with a contingency fund totaling $19,450. Jodi Essenmacher, the Huron County Commissioner's executive assistant confirmed that the change orders would be drawn from the contingency and that after the changes from the March 26 meeting, the project and contingency is now overdrawn by $12,463. As for a timeline for the renovations, Sami Khoury, chairman of the properties committee, was not able to give a date, as crews are still in the early stages of renovations. "It's still too early to tell," Khoury said. "We can't wait until the project is over though. It will be a lot more comfortable for the employees." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dan Glaza, a resident of Bad Axe who also sits on the Bad Axe City Council, was present at the meeting and expressed his thoughts on the current state of the MSU Extension office situation. "I had the opportunity last week to visit the (MSUE) trailer," Glaza said. "I didn't even know that the trailer was there. It's about time we're doing something to get those workers out of that area." During the pandemic and over the last few years, a few MSU employees were working from home or out of a trailer outside of the Huron County Health Department building. The county first bought the old Print Shoppe building in the middle of 2023 after the Print Shoppe owners retired. In other business, the Huron County Sheriff's Department announced the resignation of three of its employees Colton Deer and Bret Zagorski from their positions as corrections officers and Eric Hessling from his position as a deputy sheriff. Hessling has been announced to be moving to the Bad Axe Police Department after he resigns from the sheriff's department on March 29. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Commissioner Steve Vaughan suggested that the personnel committee conduct possible exit interviews going forward to try and understand the turnover that the county has been facing. "They are hired by resolutions, do we do exit interviews on any of these people?" Vaughn asked. "If there is an outlying problem, shouldn't it be identified? We've had a massive turnover and it's difficult to manage." Personnel Chair Mary Babcock added that the pay schedule was updated and that union contracts were recently renegotiated, but agreed that some form of exit conversation would be a good idea. Finally, the county made appointments to the three seats to the Huron County Planning Commission. Originally the board was scheduled to hold interviews, as it had four candidates. But prior to the meeting, Julie Epperson withdrew her application. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The three appointments included returning planning commission members George Lauinger and County Chair Todd Talaski, who abstained from the motion to make the appointment. The third appointment to the planning commission was Debb Knarian, who was present at the meeting and thanked the board for the appointment. The Piping Plover, a women's clothing boutique and art gallery, will open May 24 at 385 River St. in Manistee. Kyle Kotecki/News Advocate Barbara Hoffman Submitted photo/Lauren Carlson Paige Rochefort Submitted photo/Lauren Carlson MANISTEE Manistee poet Lauren Carlson is blending her experience working in the nonprofit arts scene and retail for her new business venture: The Piping Plover. The storefront, located at 385 River St. in Manistee, will house a womens clothing boutique, art gallery and gift shop. Carlson said she and her parents, Tim and Barbara Hoffman, purchased the former Alex Doucette's gift shop building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I wondered if there was a way to use a retail storefront business in Manistee to also support my interest in the arts," Carlson said. "... Last year I did a lot of writing residencies, including one up in Mackinac Island, and when I was there I was thinking, 'How can I bring something like this back to Manistee? Could something like that ever be possible?' "And then my husband and I walk downtown every day with our dog, and I saw the building went up for sale and I knew my parents were retiring my mom is an artist interested in working together in a space with me and I called them and we just set the process in motion, and now here we are." Carlson said her mother is a visual artist. "My parents live in Grand Rapids but they have a cabin in Newaygo," she said. "... They finished building an art studio building out there and so they're doing their second event where they have a collective of artists come in and display their stuff, and when my mom was doing all this I was like, 'It'd be cool if you had like a sister of this spot in Manistee where I live and work as an artist.'" Advertisement Article continues below this ad The name of the business was inspired by the endangered bird that nests on Lake Michigan's shore, as well as a poem by Lorine Niedecker. "It's particular to the region something unique about our place here in Manistee," Carlson said. "Also, I went to visit the cabin of a poet this summer as part of a residency ... who has a poem about a plover that's really important to my work as a poet, so that's where the name comes from. "Creativity and place are the two things I'm hoping to emphasize at this space." Lauren Carlson walks with her son, Clive. Carlson is opening a women's clothing boutique and art gallery in downtown Manistee. Submitted photo/Lauren Carlson Carlson said she hopes the store can provide "an intergenerational shopping experience." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I do want to have something available for older women so, people my age: middle-aged and older and then still have a few things for a younger, preteen market, so a grandmother, mother and daughter could all come shop at the space," she said. There will be a focus on locally and sustainably made items, Carlson said. "I have a leather designer who lives in Petoskey who does bags, and I'm selling her bags. I'm looking at another Los Angeles brand that makes all their stuff in the U.S.," she said. "I have another brand that's local to Michigan their factory's in Lansing. So, a lot of either local or a lot of things where sustainability is part of what the company's doing: less pollution, more ethical treatment of their factory workers, that kind of stuff." Carlson said Grand Rapids area muralist Paige Rochefort will paint a mural highlighting some of the native plants found on the lakeshore. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A mural reveal and artist meet-and-greet is planned for 4-6 p.m. April 5, though the store's grand opening is slated for May 24. "The store won't be fully open but it will be a chance for people to meet Paige, see some of her artwork, kind of preview the things we're going to carry at the store and give people an idea of what's going on," Carlson said. "As someone who walks downtown, you're always like, 'What's happening in that building?' You kind of want to know what's going on." Carlson encourages anyone who would like to talk to her about what they would like to see carried in the store or what kind of events they would like to see to attend the event. "I'm excited to invite people in for the first time," she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Carlson said she looks forward to opening her business in Manistee. Michigan State Police investigates an assault against a northern Michigan man Tuesday that ended with his wife driving into Houghton Lake. Submitted photo/Derrick Carroll, Information Officer A Northern Michigan woman who drove her vehicle into a lake was arrested Tuesday after stabbing her husband multiple times, Michigan State Police announced. At around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, troopers for the MSP Houghton Lake Post responded to a residence in Prudenville after receiving a report that a 47-year-old man had been stabbed multiple times, according to MSP in a Wednesday press release. When troopers and Roscommon County deputies arrived at the scene, they found the man with stab wounds. He told authorities that his wife had stabbed him and then left in the familys vehicle, according to the release. He was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and later transferred to a Flint hospital for surgery. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While authorities were at the residence, they were notified by Roscommon County Central Dispatch that the wife had driven the familys vehicle into Houghton Lake at the end of Liberty Street near Houghton View Drive in Prudenville. They responded to the location and arrested the 42-year-old woman, also from Prudenville. The woman was transported to a local hospital for possible injuries where she was later released and lodged in the Roscommon County jail on the charges of assault with intent to murder and felonious assault, according to the release. She remains in the Roscommon County jail awaiting arraignment. Authorities have not released her identity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the case for a general election couldnt be stronger and has called for the support of Independent TDs from Cork and across the country not to vote with the Government in electing Simon Harris as Taoiseach on April 9. Ms McDonald made the comments ahead of a visit to Cork today to fulfil a number of engagements and campaign with Sinn Fein local election candidates. Out-of-touch The case for a general election couldnt be stronger, said Ms McDonald. This is a tired, out-of-touch Government that has run out of time. The idea that they would install a third Taoiseach and limp on simply to cling to power is not in the best interests of the people or the country. It is time for the people to be given their say in a general election. They should decide who forms and leads the Government. Ms McDonald claimed that the Government is only able to continue with the backing of Independent TDs. Im calling on Independent TDs from Cork and throughout the State not to allow this charade to continue, she said. Im asking them to stand with workers and families in their constituencies who have been so badly let down and who have had enough of this failed Government. Im asking them to seize the moment to let the people have their say in an election. Mandate Ms McDonald claimed that the public would like to see an early general election held, adding: If Simon Harris wants to be Taoiseach he should seek that mandate... call a general election. Speaking in recent days, new Fine Gael leader Simon Harris ruled out an early general election, stating he wants the Coalition to run its full term. His ascent to the leadership of the party was sparked by the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar. Mr Harris is set to replace Mr Varadkar as Taoiseach when the Dail returns after Easter. However, opposition parties have used Mr Varadkars resignation as an opportunity to call for an early general election. If the coalition of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, and the Green Party runs its full term in Government, an election must be held by March 22 next year. Mr Harris said: I want to get this Government back to work, I want to deliver for people, I want to implement the programme for government, and I want to renew my party right across the country. It is my view and my intention that this Government should run full term. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in the government of national unity, Abdulhamid al-Dbaiba, has stressed that the main objective of the joint military force to secure the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia is to secure it "away from political and tribal tensions", assuring that this is the fundamental message of this force CONCERNS have been raised about a prominent roadside sculpture along the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road being put into storage. Tree and hedgerow removal works have taken place around the Man with Birds sculpture along the Carrs Hill stretch of the N28, which runs from the South Ring Road out to Ringaskiddy, to make way for the new M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy scheme. As part of the works for the new M28 scheme, the sculpture by the Mount Oval slip road is set to be removed and put into storage. In response to a query submitted by Labour Party election candidate for Cork City South East Peter Horgan on what will happen to the sculpture, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said Cork County Council has advised that the statue and plaque will be removed from the location and placed in storage for the duration of the construction works. Forgotten TII also said the sculpture will be reinstated on completion of the M28 scheme in an appropriate location similar to its existing position. Mr Horgan disagreed with the decision to put it into storage and instead suggested that it could be installed elsewhere temporarily. I dont see why the statue needs to be moved and I certainly dont see why it needs to be put into storage, he said. What you have is a track record of statues in local authorities going into storage for years and getting half forgotten about. It is a statue of note in the area and people do like to see it. So what I would like to see is rather than it going into storage and taking up space and costs involved, that it be moved, even temporarily, to somewhere such as the roundabout at the top of Maryborough Hill. That might force the council to maintain the roundabouts up there too and plant the roundabouts as they do in other parts of the city and make the public amenities look nice. Especially since most of the cars are being routed up and down Maryborough Hill for the continuation of these road works. Theres going to be a lot more traffic on the hill because of these works. Thats something that might seem small and insignificant to a lot of people, but for people living in the area it is a brightening up of the place and making it better to live. Residents In 1995, sculptor Annette Hennessy was commissioned by Cork County Council with funding from the Per Cent for Art scheme to produce the sculpture, which was named Man with Birds. Residents of Rowan Hill in Mount Oval Village previously highlighted the importance of the sculptures relationship with Mount Oval and that it not just be maintained, but given a more prominent position so that future generations can continue to learn from its message of the need to nurture our natural environment. Cork County Council has been contacted by The Echo for comment. A YOUNG woman was terrified when she walked into her bedroom in the early hours of the morning to find a man she had never seen before hiding behind the door, a court has heard. The scenario was described by Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court when 30-year-old Thado Mhlanga pleaded guilty to a burglary charge. Sgt Murphy said the incident occurred at approximately 4.30am on July 17, 2023, when gardai received a report of an intruder at a house at Gillabbey Terrace, Gillabbey Street, Cork. The young woman reported that she came home from work and the front door of the house was ajar. She entered her home and saw her bedroom light on, said Sgt Murphy. She entered her room and a male unknown to her was behind the bedroom door. She shouted at him to get out, and she then ran upstairs to her two housemates who were asleep upstairs. Approximately 100 in coins in a plastic container was taken from her room. CCTV was harvested in the area and the accused man was identified and later arrested for burglary. Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said that, unusually, this was a 30-year-old man coming before the court on the serious charge of burglary, not having any conviction before now. Because of the absence of previous convictions, Judge Dorgan said she would adjourn sentencing until June 4 so that a probation report could be prepared on the accused. A victim impact statement will also have to be prepared. Mr Cuddigan said the accused came from Botswana with his family, and had all of his schooling in Cork. Judge Dorgan said: Undoubtedly, it is a very serious matter. Mr Cuddigan said: He fully understands how terrified the young woman must have been to open the door and see an unknown male in the room. The managing director of Trigon Hotels Aaron Mansworth has been elected as the new president of the Cork Business Association (CBA). Mr Mansworth was elected at the CBAs 67th annual general meeting at the Metropole Hotel on Wednesday evening. Mr Mansworth is taking over the reins from Kevin Herlihy who had a successful two-year term as president during what was a challenging time for businesses in the city and who will continue to play an active role with the CBA and support Mr Mansworth in his new role. A well-known and well-liked Cork businessman, Mr Mansworth is responsible for the Metropole Hotel, Cork International Hotel, and Cork Airport Hotel which are all run under the Trigon Hotel Group. Aaron Mansworth (left) has been elected as President of Cork Business Association and will take the reigns from outgoing president Kevin Herlihy (right). Pic: Brian Lougheed In addition to his voluntary role with the CBA, including serving as vice president over the past year, he is on the board of Visit Cork and is on the national management and council of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Addressing assembled members at the AGM, Mr Mansworth said: It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, some exceptional business leaders, who have been serving this dynamic and vibrant business community for 67 years. Our new five-year strategy paves the way for exciting changes, including the division of our organization into five dynamic working groups. "These groups will play a crucial role in enhancing our structure and effectiveness, ensuring that we are better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our members and the wider community. As I step into this role, I am mindful of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I am committed to ensuring Cork Business Association plays a pivotal role in our citys growth and progress. MACROOM Community Hospital is to be fully operational this summer, a Cork TD has been told. Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fail TD for Cork North-West, was told by the HSE that renovation works at the hospital are to be completed by the end of June. Mr Moynihan said he had been told that the works are nearing completion and would be operational over the summer. Im delighted to receive confirmation from the HSE that significant extension and refurbishment works at Macroom Community Hospital are almost complete, Mr Moynihan said. The works are being undertaken to facilitate a move away from the open-ward model to more private rooms. These works are hugely important, as it will allow enhanced services at the hospital, which mainly supports older people in the community. Extension In a letter to Mr Moynihan, the HSE noted that an extension had been completed in 2022. Refurbishment works are ongoing on the existing hospital, which, when complete, will restore bed capacity, comprised of respite, community support and long-stay beds, to 38. Contractors are currently working through the snag list, with works scheduled to conclude later this quarter (Q1), the HSE said. It is anticipated that the hospital will be fully operational during Q2 2024. A HSE spokesperson confirmed to The Echo that works on the snag list were almost finished. On completion of works, 12 long-stay beds will be restored at the hospital, bringing total long-stay beds to 33. Five short-stay beds will continue to be available at Macroom Community Hospital, restoring the hospitals total capacity to 38 beds when operational, they said. Day care centre Mr Moynihan said the completed job should pave the way for work on a day care centre. That work would transform the healthcare centre building on the Macroom hospital site into a day care centre for older people. The construction work on the planned day care centre needs to be expedited, Mr Moynihan said. I hope the completion of works on the hospital will facilitate the swift development of the day care centre. People have been waiting long enough. A member of the Defence Forces has been charged after the seizure of more than 25,000 of suspected cocaine. A man in his 30s appeared before Cork City District Court this evening after being arrested and detained on Wednesday following a search of the Collins Barracks. A Garda spokesperson told The Echo, Gardai arrested a man in his 30s following the seizure of suspected drugs and cash near the Old Youghal Road in Cork on Wednesday evening. During the course of this investigation Gardai seized upwards of 25,000 of suspected cocaine. The man was detained at Cork Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996. He has since been charged and appeared before a special sitting of Cork City District Court this evening, 28 March. They added, As this matter is now before the courts An Garda Siochana will not be providing further information. Following an investigation led by Military Police, a search of sections of the barracks was carried out, in collaboration with An Garda Siochana. A Defence Forces spokesperson told The Echo: During this operation, illegal substances and cash were discovered, leading to the arrest of a member of the Defence Forces. Additionally, a Defence Forces vehicle was handed over to An Garda Siochana for examination as part of this ongoing investigation," the spokesperson added, saying that the Military Police will assist with the investigation. Reader of Throwback Thursday Pat Kelly was interested in our recent article on the Sirius, the first steamship to make the crossing to New York back in 1838. In Passage West, says Pat, in the Church of Ireland cemetery, there is a tomb where its Captain, Richard Roberts, is commemorated. It is a very large tomb, where at each corner of the uppermost slab are carvings of the sterns of the four ships that he captained. Roberts was lost at sea, and his body was never found, but the tomb remembers him. In the Church of Ireland church is the Bible of the Sirius. If you are ever strolling around Passage West, you can also see the drive shaft of that amazing little sternwheeler, mounted on display by the side of the road winding on to Monkstown. Pat Kelly continues: My grandfather, who was a sailor, told me that nearing New York the Sirius was low on fuel, so Captain Roberts gave orders that anything that was combustible, ie, furniture, etc, was to be burned in the boilers in order to make the harbour. Its a grand story that one, Pat, but unfortunately apocryphal. When Richard Mills and I were compiling Stories From The Sea (OBrien Press, 2021), we researched that one very carefully, and the Sirius in fact reached New York with plenty of fuel to hand. James Beale (Cork entrepreneur and strong promoter of the Sirius voyage) had a particular reason to be pleased. At a lecture in London back in 1836, he had heard it declared that a steamship crossing to America was as likely as a trip to the moon. The drive shaft of the Sirius, mounted on display by the side of the road winding on to Monkstown. Returning to Cork, he rebuffed this theory furiously, and declared that if someone would find a good enough ship, he would supply the coals for the 1838 voyage! Which, apparently, he did. And that coal supply did last out, despite rumours (fake news?) put about in the newspapers that the crew had to burn cabin furniture, and anything else wooden, to make it to New York. In fact, because they had several barrels of resin on board which could also serve as fuel, the Sirius arrived with a spare 15 tons of coal. However, the legend that the ships fuel was running out persisted, and made useful material for Jules Verne in his classic Around The World In Eighty Days some decades later. (In the interests of full Corkonian disclosure, we should add that the Sirius was also laden with several casks of best Beamish & Crawford stout, presumably intended as gifts for prominent New Yorkers.) Now, we have some correspondence on another boat, that wonderful Cork institution, the Innisfallen. Tim Morley writes to say: My first ever recollection from my life (I hadnt known the date, until reading the year, 1948, when the Innisfallen went into service), was when I was three years old. The ship was moored at Horgans Quay for public inspection before sailing the seas. I was brought down by my parents for the inspection, and couldnt avoid remembering the impressions of luxury which it had on me at that age, with all the freshly polished brass, and general spotlessness. Those stormy nights with the usual crowds of passengers with queasy feelings hadnt as yet occurred! Lovely memory, Tim, and I agree totally on that sense of old-world comfort and luxury which that boat possessed. Frank Roche, who provided us with such great detail on the several manifestations of the Innisfallen, says that, ironically, it was a misunderstanding that caused him to undertake such research. I misread your email of February 16, Jo, when you said, I grew up on Summerhill, from where I could see the Innisfallen coming up river ... still miss that lovely boat - or boats, as I knew the older Horgans Quay one ... and the sleek new Silversprings one. I read this as meaning you knew three Innisfallens, and the ghost ship was the one I hoped to see a photo of! Now there is a thought, Frank! Could there be a ghost ship still patrolling the Lee, sailing invisibly up past Blackrock Castle, dropping a silent anchor at Horgans Quay, watching our grandparents and great grandparents move up and down the gangways? And does it give a lengthy but near-silent hoot at midnight on New Years Eve, as the old one always did? Those of you who espouse the paranormal, look out on some foggy night and do tell us if you see it! The Innisfallen holds such a strong grip on Cork hearts that it wouldnt surprise us in the least. But you might have a problem getting a photo. Ghosts are notoriously averse to being snapped. Frank has also pondered John Kennys sailing photo of last week, where John asked for help with identifying the other people besides Josephine McCoy in the image. I cant help with the names, confesses Frank. I cant even place where in the harbour it might have been taken. I thought maybe near Currabinny or East Ferry, but there seems to be open sea at top left and that doesnt seem right. The cover of John Borgonovos book, Florence And Josephine ODonoghues War Of Independence, showing what appears to be the same photo of Josephine as we ran last week in Throwback Thursday I just wanted to point out that the photo of Josephine McCoy seems to be identical with her image on the cover of John Borgonovos book, Florence And Josephine ODonoghues War Of Independence. If one is adapted from the other, it may be that the book cover is the altered version. A part of Josephines dress that is hidden by the hair of the gentleman at lower right in the yacht photo can be seen in full on the book cover. I dont have the book to hand but I wondered if that cover photo was credited in the book - which might give a source to check. Of course, John Kennys photo might be the original source? A cutting from the Echo of March 9, 1961, showing St Patricks Infants School, just above St Lukes Cross, shortly before demolition Lastly, the old St Patricks School mentioned by Pat Kelly was likely St Patricks Infants School, just above St Lukes Cross, which closed in the late 1950s. Boys and girls remained in the infant school until the end of first class. The scan above, on the far right from the Echo of March 9, 1961, shows the building shortly before demolition. The wet play area which Pat fondly recalls was hopefully outside the main building! And finally, its Easter Week and Tim Cagney has sent us a temptingly toothsome reminder of those wonderful puddings of yesteryear which you might have anticipated eagerly with the ending of Lenten fasting. How many of you remember those wonderful desserts with which our mothers once graced our tables? asks Tim. Such things as Farola Pudding, or baked rice, with egg, sultanas and nutmeg? Then there were such pleasures as boiled rice (with jam in it of course) and semolina. One of my favourites was Queen of Pudding - I think it contained elements of egg-white and jam. Havent seen it for years, of course! But there was another very special delicacy, and thereby hangs a tale... Once upon a time, in the Dublin suburb of Rathgar, stood an establishment called The Highfield Hotel. It was owned by a husband and wife team, by the name of Rice. He was from Kerry, she from Cork (the reverse of my own marital situation). Presumably, that was where they had learned their culinary skills, as many of the desserts on their menu were reminiscent of those I have just mentioned. One evening, Mr Rice asked me Would you like to try some bread and butter pudding - with chocolate sauce? I stared blankly at him, feeling my arteries hardening. Chocolate sauce? I repeated. Oh yes, he enthused, we infuse the traditional custard with chocolate. Its quite delicious - would you like to have a bowl? On the house? Well, who could refuse an offer like that? "My head nodded vigorously all by itself, whereupon Mr Rice disappeared, in the direction of the kitchen. He returned, quite shortly afterward, bearing a bowl of the aforementioned pudding. I seemed to detect a wicked gleam in his eye, the sort that a fox might display when looking at a chicken. Enjoy, he said, then disappeared again. I gazed into the steaming depths of this devilish concoction, torn between the prospects of culinary delight and an early death. Greed prevailed, of course, and - in less time than it takes to say an Act of Contrition - I plunged a spoon into the irresistible dark depths... Suddenly, I realised the bowl was empty. I just sat there, wondering if Id ever see the dawn. My host reappeared, still with that wicked glint in his eye. Well, said he, did you like that? Oh yes, I responded. It was absolutely wonderful. My compliments to Mrs Rice. Off he scuttled again, to prepare the coffee. All of this decadence happened some 25 years ago - obviously, I survived the experience. Alas, the Highfield Hotel no longer exists. Regrettably, we have lost contact with Mr and Mrs Rice. I can only hope that they are still above ground, no doubt enjoying a well-deserved retirement. I do wonder if chocolate-infused bread and butter pudding ever appears on their table? What are your memories of special dishes that appeared around Easter, readers? The hot cross bun is everywhere right now, of course, but those who claim that these should be eaten only on Good Friday are forgetting the once iron-clad fasting regulations which held that day under strict control. More of a treat for that Sunday, one would imagine, along with the Easter egg, if you were fortunate, and your parents could afford it. (A sigh for the memory of OBriens wonderful chocolate confections, each one made by hand and carefully inscribed in pink sugar with the name of the child, if you had the forethought to order in advance.) It seems to be common practice these days to have children confidently expecting dozens of rich chocolate eggs at Easter, each more decorated and lavish than the last. It is a lamentably bad habit, especially if you think back to the old days, when such occasions were truly red-letter, to be looked forward to, anticipated, enjoyed to the full. What is a longed-for treat if you get more than you want of it? Too right, it becomes the norm. This writer remembers an elderly man who kept a shop at the corner of Castle Street and Paradise Place a few years ago, looking out the window at several girls stumping past in the morning, still clad in their glittering dance gowns, with coats thrown over and, of all things, fluffy slippers on their feet. Sure its Christmas every day for them, now, he sighed. Wheres the big occasions, the once-a-year treats? They have it all the time. Send us your memories. Email jokerrigan1@gmail.com. Or leave a comment on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/echolivecork (Photo: REUTERS / John Stillwell / pool)Britain's Prince William carries his son Prince George, as he arrives with his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge for their son's christening at St James's Palace in London October 23, 2013. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince George was christened on Wednesday in a service attended by just 21 guests, a small and private ceremony for a baby whose parents want to shield him from too much media intrusion. Prince William, whose mother Diana was hounded by paparazzi and died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, and his wife Kate invited only very close family and godparents to the ceremony in the 16th century St. James's Palace in central London. Television pictures gave the public the first glimpse of the baby - third-in-line to the throne - since his parents carried him out of the London hospital where he was born on July 22. In the arms of his mother as she left the palace's Chapel Royal, George was dressed in a long cream satin robe that was a replica of an 1841 gown made for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter. (Photo: REUTERS / Toby Melville) Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (L) arrives to christen Prince George at St James's Palace in London October 23, 2013. Kate, a style icon whose outfits often increase sales of similar garments, wore an off-white, ruffled skirt-suit, made by British fashion house Alexander McQueen, and pillbox hat by British milliner Jane Taylor. Queen Elizabeth, her husband Prince Philip, heir apparent Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, and William's brother Harry attended the service in which Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby baptised the prince with water from the River Jordan. "George is being brought up in a world very different from Prince William's childhood but the royal couple really is obsessed by privacy and I hope that does not impinge too much on their lives," said Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of "A Century of Royal Children". FANS AND FAMILY The parents named six friends and William's cousin Zara Tindall as godparents, breaking with the tradition of choosing mostly royal dignitaries, a decision that continued their effort to portray a more informal, modern image to austerity-hit Britons. Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and her sister Pippa were among the guests. A friend of Princess Diana, Julia Samuel, was one of the godmothers alongside Kate's schoolfriend Emilia Jardine-Paterson. Clarissa Campbell, historian of monarchy at Anglia Ruskin University, said scaling back the number of royals at events and putting Prince William and Prince Harry at the forefront had boosted the royal family's popularity that flagged after Diana's death and a several royal marriage breakdowns. "It's also very much Her Majesty's wish that the royal family is not seen as an expensive institution in these days," Campbell told Reuters. Although the service was held behind closed doors, well-wishers gathered to watch guests drive in and out of the palace commissioned by King Henry VIII. "We're dying to see Prince George but I totally respect their decision (for privacy). It's their child," said Maria Scott, 42, draped in a British flag, who travelled 300 miles (500 km) from Newcastle in northern England for the day. Media access to the christening was blocked, with the palace appointing Jason Bell, 44, known for his portraits of rock stars and Hollywood actors, as the sole official photographer. As well as the christening, Bell was expected to shoot the first portrait of four generations of the royal family in more than 100 years, with the queen and her three direct heirs, Charles, William and George. A tier of a cake made for William and Kate's 2011 wedding was to be served at a private tea held after the christening. (Additional reporting by Joshua Franklin; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) (Photo: Courtesy Buckingham Palace)UK's King Charles Britian's King Charles will attend the Easter Sunday service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor, in what will be his first public appearance at a traditional royal event since his cancer diagnosis was revealed in February. Related Prince William and Kate hold private christening for new prince Buckingham Palace said on March 26 that Charles, 75, and his wife Queen Camilla will attend church on March 31, typically an occasion for a gathering of senior royals. The British Sovereign holds the title "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England" and is the s the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The King appoints archbishops, bishops and deans of cathedrals on the advice of the UK Prime Minister. These titles date back to the reign of King Henry VIII, who was initially granted the title "'Defender of the Faith" in 1521 by Pope Leo X. The announcement comes days after Kate, Princess of Wales, and the king's daughter in law, said she had also had a cancer diagnosis and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. The Easter service this year will be smaller in scale due to the king's health, Buckingham Palace said. Kate and heir to the throne Prince William will not attend, their office had already announced. Since his diagnosis, Charles has cut back his public appearances as he receives treatment. He missed Commonwealth Day celebrations earlier in March, an absence from what is a significant occasion in the British monarchy's annual calendar. But he appears to be gradually stepping up his public engagements. He met faith leaders at Buckingham Palace earlier on March 26, who were part of a program aimed at fostering harmony and sharing experiences of leadership at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. The meeting was in support of a charity that brings together representatives of religious faiths, including Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders. Building bridges between religions and encouraging tolerance has been a long-standing cause for King Charles, the BBC reported. Chile's Atlantic salmon production to fall for two years - before recovery in 2026 The volume of Atlantic salmon produced in Chile will fall in 2024 and 2025, before beginning to climb in 2026, an analyst for DNB Bank said in a presentation at the AquaSur trade show held in Puerto Montt, Chile, last week. Analyst Ola Trovatn forecast that production in Chile the world's second largest Atlantic salmon producer will decline by 5% from 765,000 tonnes in 2023 to 727,000 tonnes in 2024, then by 1.5% to 716,000 tonnes in 2025 before recovering to 730,000 tonnes the year after. According to Trovatn, growth expectations for the salmon industry have decreased, which is unusual. During 2024, there will barely be a 2% expansion for the sector worldwide, while prices of Chilean salmon fillets will remain stable at US$6-6.1 per pound this and next year. Anne Hvistendahl, global director of seafood products at DNB, said that in recent times, the price of Chilean salmon has adjusted downwards by 7%, but that this fall is temporary. Demand in the United States, the main market for Chilean salmon, will resume and this will give better prices. Profitability for Chilean salmon companies must improve "but is going in the right direction," Hvistendahl added. However, the director said that "we are reaching a biological ceiling for salmon production. New technologies are needed to demonstrate that the sustainable growth of the industry is feasible, a factor that is more important in this sector than in others." Esteban Szasz, senior vice president of DNB, expressed that for now, there will not be a wave of consolidation in the salmon farming industry, but at some point, mergers and acquisitions will return. Currently, certain factores such as political risks lead to low prices for companies in the salmon farming sector, but according to Szasz, this will change in the future. - Fish Farming Expert New York, US (PANA) - Insecurity in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has worsened since the end of recent elections, UN Special Representative Bintou Keita told the Security Council on Wednesday Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. Apple's AirTag is the top pick for iPhone owners in our Bluetooth tracker buying guide (unsurprisingly), and right now a four-pack of the little devices is down to a record low of $75 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. The pack previously fell to $80 earlier this week, a deal we've seen numerous times since the holiday shopping season. This new discount, however, matches the best price we've tracked, coming in $24 below Apple's list price. As long as you want to keep tabs on several items, it's also cheaper than buying four single AirTags separately, as those are currently going for $24 each. We highlight the AirTag in our guide because it can utilize Apple's giant network of devices to locate items. If you misplace an AirTag-equipped bookbag, for instance, nearby Apple devices can anonymously alert Apple's Find My network when the bag is close, then the Find My app will report that location back to you. Since there are more than two billion iPhones, iPads, Macs and other Apple gadgets active in the wild, the odds of finding something are generally better here than with other trackers that use much smaller crowd-finding networks. Once you're in the vicinity of a lost item, the AirTag uses a wireless connection called ultrawideband (UWB) to more precisely lead you in the right direction, displaying an arrow and distance estimate when you're nearby. The tracker has an IP67 rating, so it can survive a brief dip underwater, and it's one of the few Apple gadgets with an easily replaceable battery. On its own, Apple says the battery is designed to last "more than a year" before it needs changing. The biggest disadvantage the AirTag has compared to competitors like Tile is that it's only available in one shape. Its coin-like design is easy to tuck away but doesn't come with a built-in keyring hole or adhesive. If you want to actually attach it to an item, you need to pay for a separate accessory. It's also worth noting that AirTags aren't designed to find stolen items. They could help with that, but if your AirTag is found moving with someone else, that person will receive an alert telling them so. This feature is meant to hinder those who might use AirTags for stalking, which has been an unfortunate side effect of the device's effectiveness. That said, both Apple and Google have issued updates to further combat bad actors. As a bit of extra security against losing your stuff, the AirTag works well, and this deal makes it a little more accessible. There should be no worry about a new model coming anytime soon, either, as a Bloomberg report earlier this year said a second-generation device isn't expected until 2025. If you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, meanwhile, we'll note that a four-pack of Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2 is also on sale for an all-time low of $70 at Amazon and B&H. This is another pick in our buying guide: It's not quite as precise as an AirTag and only works with Samsung phones, but it's easy to setup, it has a built-in cutout and it works similarly if you're a committed Galaxy user. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice. Ever since Tamagotchi Uni became globally available last summer, its felt like a product with a lot of unrealized potential. Bear in mind, I say this as someone who loves this device and has run it daily since launch. But on top of all the basic activities one would expect at this point from the digital pet toy, the Wi-Fi capable Tamagotchi Uni promised users the Tamaverse a virtual playground that would broaden the Tamagotchi experience like never before. So far, it hasnt, really. Sure, players could send their characters there to meet others, go on little vacations and buy outfits, but those small activities dont really add much substance. The travel experience involved watching short animation, and occasionally getting a special food dish, item or achievement badge. Even the aspect of mingling was sorely limited, allowing players to send just one Heart (a like to acknowledge another players Tamagotchi) per day. The Tamaverse has been slow to live up to the expectations Bandai set, despite it being the Unis biggest selling point. That seems to be changing in a big way. With an update that rolled out on March 19 version 1.6.0 Bandai opened the Tama Portal, an area of the Tamaverse thats been cordoned off all this time. A few days after, it dropped the first two DLC packs for Tamagotchi Uni in the form of Tamaverse Tickets, which allow users to travel to new locations through that portal. In a bonus, non-Tamaverse-related move, the update also answers players desperate pleas for more item storage by adding My Box, where surplus items can be stowed so you no longer need to delete older goodies to make room for new ones. Bandai The first two Tamaverse Tickets, as the DLCs are being called, are available now. One, which takes you to Very Berry Land, is free, while the other, for the LoveMelo Concert, costs $6. Each new area comes with a slew of additional characters you can raise (including some that are brand new for the franchise), an on-theme mini-game and a shop with new food, items, accessories and furniture you can buy with Gotchi Points. This is the kind of depth the virtual space always seemed to imply. Now it feels like were finally seeing what the Tamaverse can really be. Hopefully, its just the start. There will undoubtedly be some who balk at having to pay for DLC beyond the one freebie, and while I cant say Id blame them for that, it doesnt bother me for what were getting. Purchasing a ticket gives you access to a download code that can be used three times. Once the code is registered to a device, you can visit that location as much as you want, and switch freely between the different locations youve downloaded. That means I was able to use the same codes to download Very Berry Land and LoveMelo Concert on both of my Tamagotchi Uni devices, and still have one use left for each ticket in case I ever have to do a reset. As was the case with the Tamagotchi Smarts DLC, the physical TamaSma cards, only one Tamaverse Ticket can be active at a time, so switching will wipe out any location-specific items or food in your inventory, but you wont need to reenter the code in order to switch back. All of a persons downloaded locations can be found in a new list called DL Area when you visit the Tama Portal. Bandai Its not just one or two characters that come with each location, either you get six. Some people buy whole new devices for that kind of expansion (definitely not me haha). And the free Very Berry Land brings back the fan-favorite adorable strawberry, Ichigotchi, which feels like a win for everyone. The DLC also reintroduces the method of obtaining specific characters by feeding your fledgling Tamagotchis certain meals or playing with a particular item three times before they reach adulthood. I was excited to try and get the new character, Tanghulutchi, that comes with Very Berry Land, and fed my teen Tama an abundance of Fruit Candy snacks in hopes that it would make her appear. It worked! (Im now also fiending for the real candied fruit treat of its namesake, Tanghulu. Thanks Bandai). Once Im strong enough to part with Memetchi on my other device, which is running LoveMelo Concert, Ill probably try to get Drumcrubitchi, a new character thats literally a drum kit with a face. Photo by Cheyenne MacDonald / Engadget All of the things you can purchase in the Tama Portal locations are as of now much cheaper than the usual Tama Mall offerings, with furniture and accessories falling between 200 and 500 Gotchi Points. Its really nice to have some new mini-games to freshen up the daily routine, since there arent many built into the device when its offline, and the ones theyve added to the first Tamaverse locations are great. In Very Berry Land, you can play Cake Factory, where you have to move your character around to place strawberries on top of cake slices as they come down the conveyor belt. Its a game style weve seen before, but is slightly more exciting than other similar versions because the pace really picks up in the second half of the round. LoveMelo Concert brings back the popular Guitar-Hero-style rhythm game format we saw (twice) in the Tama Arenas Nyanoe Dance, but the new Happy Happy Harmony features a different song for you to try and keep up with. Its actually pretty challenging, and is the type of game Ill have to obsessively revisit until Ive perfected it. Nyanoe Dance was clearly well received, and Im sure a lot of fans will be happy that a version of it has found a permanent home in the Uni one way or another. Photo by Cheyenne MacDonald / Engadget One of the best things about previous versions of the modern Tamagotchi, like the Tamagotchi On, was the joy of discovery when you unlocked a new location. The new Tama Portal destinations garner that same feeling, and I can only hope Bandai will keep it going even beyond the additional expansions it teased with update 1.6.0. The announcement materials indicated that there are at least three more DL Areas on the way, including the Tamamori Fashion Show thats set to drop at the end of May. That world introduces some more absolutely unhinged Tamagotchi character designs like a pair of anthropomorphic work boots named, I kid you not, Bootsbrothers and I truly cannot wait. The other areas havent yet been revealed. This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. It's been five months since President Joe Biden signed an executive order (EO) to address the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The White House is today taking another step forward in implementing the EO with a policy that aims to regulate the federal government's use of AI. Safeguards that the agencies must have in place include, among other things, ways to mitigate the risk of algorithmic bias. "I believe that all leaders from government, civil society and the private sector have a moral, ethical and societal duty to make sure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its benefits," Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters on a press call. Harris announced three binding requirements under a new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) policy. First, agencies will need to ensure that any AI tools they use "do not endanger the rights and safety of the American people." They have until December 1 to make sure they have in place "concrete safeguards" to make sure that AI systems they're employing don't impact Americans' safety or rights. Otherwise, the agency will have to stop using an AI product unless its leaders can justify that scrapping the system would have an "unacceptable" impact on critical operations. Impact on Americans' rights and safety Per the policy, an AI system is deemed to impact safety if it "is used or expected to be used, in real-world conditions, to control or significantly influence the outcomes of" certain activities and decisions. Those include maintaining election integrity and voting infrastructure; controlling critical safety functions of infrastructure like water systems, emergency services and electrical grids; autonomous vehicles; and operating the physical movements of robots in "a workplace, school, housing, transportation, medical or law enforcement setting." Unless they have appropriate safeguards in place or can otherwise justify their use, agencies will also have to ditch AI systems that infringe on the rights of Americans. Purposes that the policy presumes to impact rights defines include predictive policing; social media monitoring for law enforcement; detecting plagiarism in schools; blocking or limiting protected speech; detecting or measuring human emotions and thoughts; pre-employment screening; and "replicating a persons likeness or voice without express consent." When it comes to generative AI, the policy stipulates that agencies should assess potential benefits. They all also need to "establish adequate safeguards and oversight mechanisms that allow generative AI to be used in the agency without posing undue risk." Transparency requirements The second requirement will force agencies to be transparent about the AI systems they're using. "Today, President Biden and I are requiring that every year, US government agencies publish online a list of their AI systems, an assessment of the risks those systems might pose and how those risks are being managed," Harris said. As part of this effort, agencies will need to publish government-owned AI code, models and data, as long as doing so won't harm the public or government operations. If an agency can't disclose specific AI use cases for sensitivity reasons, they'll still have to report metrics ASSOCIATED PRESS Last but not least, federal agencies will need to have internal oversight of their AI use. That includes each department appointing a chief AI officer to oversee all of an agency's use of AI. "This is to make sure that AI is used responsibly, understanding that we must have senior leaders across our government who are specifically tasked with overseeing AI adoption and use," Harris noted. Many agencies will also need to have AI governance boards in place by May 27. The vice president added that prominent figures from the public and private sectors (including civil rights leaders and computer scientists) helped shape the policy along with business leaders and legal scholars. The OMB suggests that, by adopting the safeguards, the Transportation Security Administration may have to let airline travelers opt out of facial recognition scans without losing their place in line or face a delay. It also suggests that there should be human oversight over things like AI fraud detection and diagnostics decisions in the federal healthcare system. As you might imagine, government agencies are already using AI systems in a variety of ways. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working on artificial intelligence models to help it more accurately forecast extreme weather, floods and wildfires, while the Federal Aviation Administration is using a system to help manage air traffic in major metropolitan areas to improve travel time. "AI presents not only risk, but also a tremendous opportunity to improve public services and make progress on societal challenges like addressing climate change, improving public health and advancing equitable economic opportunity," OMB Director Shalanda Young told reporters. "When used and overseen responsibly, AI can help agencies to reduce wait times for critical government services to improve accuracy and expand access to essential public services." This policy is the latest in a string of efforts to regulate the fast-evolving realm of AI. While the European Union has passed a sweeping set of rules for AI use in the bloc, and there are federal bills in the pipeline, efforts to regulate AI in the US have taken more of a patchwork approach at state level. This month, Utah enacted a law to protect consumers from AI fraud. In Tennessee, the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (aka the Elvis Act seriously) is an attempt to protect musicians from deepfakes i.e. having their voices cloned without permission. Christine Quinn filed for a restraining order against her husband, Christian Richard, and she detailed his alleged outburst in her filing. In the document obtained by Page Six on Wednesday, the "Selling Sunset" alum alleged that Richard, whose real name is Christian Dumontet, has been suffering from multiple mental health issues, including bipolar, mania and schizophrenia. It reportedly came to a head on March 18, the day before he was photographed barefoot and in a bathrobe when officers arrested him for domestic violence. In her filing, Quinn, 35, expressed "dissatisfaction" in their marriage due to his alleged "lack of financial contribution" and "lack of effort" to be a "true partner." Also, he was allegedly violent and would yell and throw things at her when he was enraged. RELATED: 'Selling Sunset' Star Christine Quinn's Husband Arrested Again Hours After Initial Felony Assault Arrest "He narrowly missed hitting me with one of the metal rods, but I was struck by one of [the] boxes he threw," she claimed. "He then opened a can of Red Bull and threw that across the room as well, making more of a mess ... and returned a short time later and threw dog feces at me, which he pulled out of the trash." She added that he "pulled out his penis and began to urinate on the floor." The alleged rampage reportedly "went on for some time." "After he collected and threw multiple heavy floral arrangements at me over the course of approximately half an hour, he then retrieved and opened a can of Dr. Pepper and proceeded to pour it all over the bed and the floor, all the while shouting and yelling abuse," Quinn continued. RELATED: Jason Oppenheim's Stern Warning for 'Selling Sunset' Crew After This SHOCKING Incident The Netflix star said she didn't call the police immediately due to fear that Richard "could then seriously injure or kill [her] before the police were able to get through the gate." She also claimed that she recorded the incident on her phone, which caused him to leave their room. "I then locked him out, and our son and I spent the night in the master bedroom," she continued in her filing before adding, "I could hear him continuing to shout and yell, and could hear him smashing and breaking things through the house." On March 19, she snuck the nanny to care for her and their 2-year-old son, Christian Georges. They reportedly argued over the mess Richard had made the previous night, and the latter became violent again while she was with the toddler gathering their laundry. "While I was working, I heard and felt the rush of air from an object hurtling towards me and our son. The next instant, I heard what sounded like glass breaking," she alleged. Quinn said she saw broken glass on their baby's hair and on the floor. Their son also burst into tears and started screaming, which alarmed her about his "health and safety." Quinn asked the nanny to call the police, and she confronted her husband. She told him that he needed to talk to someone to manage his anger and mental health issues. At around 2 p.m., the police arrived at their residence and arrested Richard. Meanwhile, Richard also filed a restraining order against Quinn and denied "incidents of domestic violence within the relationship," People reported. He also expressed concern that his wife would abduct their child. In Richard's filing, he said they argued over Quinn's two dogs, "which she refuses to have house or crate trained." Quinn allegedly refused to clean after her pets, telling him "that she tried to clean but was not going to do anything further." "At that point, Mr. Dumontet grabbed the trash bag from the floor and threw it to the side of the room, against the wall," his filing read. "Mr. Dumontet did not throw the bag towards Ms. Quinn, or their son. Additionally, there was no glass in the bag, as there was no broken glass in the room or anywhere in the house." Quinn and Richard tied the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in December 2019. It was documented in one episode of "Selling Sunset" Season 3. They welcomed their son on May 15, 2021. Eva Mendes talked about her acting hiatus and work-life dynamic with Ryan Gosling in an interview. The 50-year-old actress, who shares two children with Gosling, Esmeralda Amada and Amada Lee, recently discussed on "Today" why she took a step back from an active acting career. "It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, 'Ok, he's going to work, and I'm just going to work here,'" the now full-time mom explained. READ MORE: Ryan Gosling Talks About Loving Wife Eva Mendez And How She Started #Thatsmyken Mendes and Gosling developed a romance after starring as a couple in the 2012 film "The Place Beyond the Pines." "I've never experienced anything like that. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be -- and that means making his co-stars as best they can be," she said of her partner. Eva Mendes opened up to TODAY about her now-partner Ryan Gosling: Ive never experienced anything like that. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be and that means making his costars as best as they can be. pic.twitter.com/HZCxAmVpJv TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 26, 2024 READ MORE: Eva Mendes Reveals BIG SECRET To Strong Relationship With Ryan Gosling "But unfortunately, or fortunately, there's only one Ryan. So, you know, I pretty much stopped acting after that." Mendes last appeared on the big screen in the 2014 film "Lost River," which was written, co-produced and directed by the Canadian actor. The "Training Day" star previously talked about quitting acting in 2022, saying she was not looking into returning anytime soon after leaving the industry. "I don't really miss it. I got tired [of] fighting for the good roles. There just was a point where I thought, 'I'm going to create my own opportunities and become a producer on things and create my own material,' but it just didn't feel worth it to me," she told Marc Malkin of Variety when they caught up during a brunch for Skura Style at the time. "There are more opportunities for Latina actresses now, but when I bowed out 10 years ago I wasn't offered things that weren't specifically Latina. It's exciting that things are different now, so who knows what I will do in the future." Mendes added, "But right now, I'm keeping it in the home with my kids." On the other hand, while Gosling is very active in his Hollywood career, he still manages to balance his schedule and still be present in his family life. "Ryan is such a fun dad. He is goofy, and his girls love it. He takes them out by himself for various activities," a source told People in 2023. The source added that both Eva and Ryan "very much enjoy family time" and are "hands-on parents and have little help." Brand new beamline ID14 has just welcomed its first users, who investigate osmium as a potential anticancer compound using Nuclear Forward Scattering (NFS). Osmium compounds in different oxidation states are currently being explored for their potential as anticancer agents due to their unique chemical properties. Vladimir Arion, a professor at the University of Vienna and Gabriel Buechel, who worked in Vienna on these compounds, have come to the new ID14 to study osmium in different oxidation states using NFS spectra to extract from them the Mossbauer parameters. Mossbauer spectroscopy is a valuable tool for studying metal complexes, enabling researchers to elucidate their electronic and magnetic properties, which is crucial for understanding their chemical behavior and potential applications. As users of the former ID18, we are very excited about this new beamline, where we are trying to benchmark osmium, by extracting Mossbauer parameters from NFS spectra and use these data for speciation of osmium complexes with anticancer potential in biological tissues, explains Arion. He adds: Even though conventional 189Os Mossbauer spectroscopy has been applied for a series of osmium compounds in different oxidation states, the short half-life of the radioactive source, 189Ir, is only 13.3 days. This makes such studies for a broader research community inconvenient from practical point of view. In the case of 187Os, suitable radioactive sources are missing. The use of ID14 beamline facilities is an excellent option under such circumstances. I do not know other beamlines where investigation of 187Os compounds can be performed. Aleksandr Chumakov, scientist in charge of the new beamline, explains its transition from ID18 to ID14: The aim of this upgrade is to pursue spectroscopies with extreme spatial resolution of around ~150 nm and studies of atomic dynamics with extreme energy resolution (~50 eV). In this respect, the beamline is now equipped with two new instruments, a nanoscope and spectrograph". Attracting ERC research ESRF scientist and ERC grantee Ilya Kupenko will also be using the new ID14 beamline extensively for his research on light elements of the Earth core. Kupenko will study the sound velocities and plastic deformation mechanisms of candidate iron alloys and compounds in situ at extreme pressure-temperature conditions using a combination of state-of-the-art synchrotron X-ray techniques almost exclusively at the ESRF. ID14 will be an indispensable tool in his research: "The improved thermal stability of the optics hutches makes it possible to collect data uninterrupted over several hours, which is indispensable for high-temperature laser heating experiments. At the same time, the ultimate focusing capabilities of the Nanoscope facility will enable the study of the submicron samples, suitable for investigation at pressures of several Megabars, equal or higher to the pressures at the very center of the Earth." Letter from China: A harmonious blend of tourism and local life in China 17:15, March 28, 2024 By Zhu Yunuo ( Xinhua NANCHANG, March 28 (Xinhua) -- As spring unfolds, Wuyuan comes to life, welcoming travelers from near and far during one of the liveliest times of the year. As I approached the county of Wuyuan in east China's Jiangxi Province, vehicles with plates from various regions zipped past on the highway. En route, I was greeted by a sea of golden rapeseed flowers. Amidst the vibrant blooms, the colorful attire of tourists and the sound of laughter captured my attention. Revered as "China's most beautiful countryside," Wuyuan saw a record 26.2 million visitors from across the nation last year. The momentum continued into the new year, with 3.6 million tourists visiting the county between January and February, marking a 14.3 percent increase from the previous year. This is my sixth journey to Wuyuan, as I love traveling outside cities to find inspiration and explore rural landscapes. The county's picturesque scenery never fails to astound me. As I enjoyed the fresh air, gushing streams, dainty flowers and a tranquil atmosphere of rustic simplicity, I felt the pulse of local tourism getting stronger. Mornings in early spring often carry a slight chill, particularly after rainfall. Raindrops trickle from the petals of rapeseed flowers, filling the air with the scent of fresh earth. After arriving at Sixiyan Village at 8 a.m., I hoped to capture the village, which boasts a history of over 800 years, in its serene slumber. However, before I could get a glimpse of its tranquil streets, I was greeted by the sound of joyous chatter. "Look at those Hui-style buildings and golden rapeseed flowers, it's so beautiful!" Such praise enveloped me as I entered the village among a dense crowd of tourists. Astonished by the size of the group, I couldn't help but wonder about their story. So, I approached an elder from the group who was busy taking photos with his mobile phone. "We came from northeastern China and there are almost 1,000 tourists in our group," said the 67-year-old. He told me that the group had embarked from Dalian, a port city thousands of kilometers away, with Wuyuan being their first stop on a 14-day journey. Their itinerary includes visits to south China's Hainan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In pink overcoats and Mamianqun, a traditional Chinese long pleated skirt, a group of elegantly dressed women were also taking photos in the flower fields, their faces beaming with vitality and joy. Intrigued, I approached them. Among them, Meng Guiping, 65, informed me that she and the other 16 members hailed from Tianjin Municipality in northern China. "It's easy to travel almost anywhere nowadays, so we try to visit as many places as possible," said Meng. "The perfect blend of natural scenery and local culture in Wuyuan is truly worth the trip." Viewing travel as an integral part of her retirement, Meng has set a goal of visiting at least five different destinations each year. As the sun warmed the earth, I made my way to Huangling Village, another iconic destination in Wuyuan. Upon stepping onto the stone road in Huangling, I was captivated. The village echoed with accents from various regions and the clicking of cameras from tourists. Upon reaching the viewing platform, my attention was drawn to a small green flag. Local guide Wang Minghua stood beside it, awaiting members of his tour group. Almost daily, Wang is busy catering to tourists from all corners of the country. "I don't have to worry about a shortage of tourists with such a lively tourism industry," Wang said with visible excitement. According to statistics from Huangling, nearly 250,000 tourists have visited the village, averaging around 19,000 visitors per day, since the rapeseed flower blooming season started on March 8. As the day was still young, I opted to continue exploring the scenic area alongside the crowd, seeking more surprises until the alluring aroma of rice wine brought me to a halt. I came across a bustling store filled with customers eager to sample the local delicacies, not just rice wine but also various snacks. The owner told me that he has been crafting rice wine for over a decade. He started selling rice wine at the scenic spot in 2021, consistently moving more than 25,000 kg of the beverage annually and yielding an income of more than 800,000 yuan (about 112,758 U.S. dollars). My time in Wuyuan not only provided me with a joyful travel opportunity, but also gave me a fresh outlook on life. I am sure that integrating tourism into everyday life will create many more delightful opportunities. "Tourism has become an essential aspect of a better life among urban and rural residents," said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. He believes that in 2024, domestic tourism will enter a new stage of fast development, and the recovery of the inbound and outbound tourism market will accelerate, too. According to his prediction, China will see domestic travellers exceed 6 billion this year, generating an estimated revenue of 6 trillion yuan. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Broadband illustration (Wikimedia Commons) The federal government approved Montanas plan to address disparities in broadband access which opens up the state to compete for more federal funding to bridge the digital divide. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Tuesday approved the states plan to expand digital access, skills and affordability as part of the federal $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act. Montanas Digital Opportunity Plan listed barriers to digital access, which include broadband availability, service affordability, device access, and digital skills with access and affordability being the top two. The plan is intended to serve as a guide for the states efforts to narrow the digital divide. Montana ranks lowest in the country in internet access, with rural communities struggling with access the most. The state created the plan using just more than $600,000 from the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, according to the NTIA. Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement one of his administrations top priorities is to expand broadband access to underserved and unserved areas of Montana and address digital literacy. Lack of broadband access shouldnt stand between Montanans and opportunities for a good-paying job, greater education, and affordable, high-quality health care, Gianforte said. The Department of Administration drafted the Digital Opportunity Plan in tandem with the BEAD Five Year Action Plan which the state submitted along with initial proposals to access $629 million in federal funds to deploy high-speed fiber in unserved communities across the state. The plan said efforts to improve broadband availability will largely be funded through BEAD the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program. In 2022, the state signed off on $309 million in grants using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act towards broadband projects. The Department of Administration, which oversees the Montana Broadband Office, said Wednesday the approved grants from this funding were awarded and are under contract with the respective awardees. The department did not respond to a question about the status of these projects in time for publication. The Digital Opportunity Plan outlined how broadband access is necessary to implement the states goals across departments, including in the economy, workforce development, education, health care, civic and social engagement, and the delivery of other essential services. The main reason some Montanans dont have access to high speed internet is lack of availability, the plan says. More than 70% of the elderly, veterans, and racial and ethnic minorities target communities in the plan reported not having high speed internet available to them, and noted lack of available internet options as a key barrier to access. The state is also looking to bring service to rural communities, low-income Montanans, incarcerated people in state facilities, people with disabilities, and those with language barriers. These communities lack internet access at higher rates than other groups in the state, according to the plan. The approved plan says rural areas in the state have the highest total number of unserved and underserved broadband access areas, with 7,826 underserved and 19,208 unserved. Rural communities also have higher elderly populations who either cant afford broadband or dont have digital skills to access the internet. Most Montana counties use some form of broadband, but five counties Rosebud, Glacier, Powell, Mineral and Roosevelt have less than 60% adoption of broadband from satellites, cell phone data or DSL. The second most common reason for not having broadband in Montana is affordability, with the Montana Broadband Office finding 17% of Montanans without high speed internet citing cost as their top reason for not having access. The state ranks 49th in access to affordable internet plans, according to BroadbandNow in 2021, with 62% of households having access to plans for $60 per month or less. The state also ranked last in access to high speed internet. The state is planning to use federal dollars through BEAD to get broadband access to unserved and underserved areas. Internet providers are starting to apply to pre-qualify for BEAD-funded projects to the Communications Advisory Commission. The commission is scheduled to select projects and submit a finished proposal at the end of the year. The post Feds approve Montanas plan to expand broadband access appeared first on Daily Montanan. UN NEWS, March 7, 2024 The Afghan economy and especially regions affected by the devastating earthquakes in October last year, are still hurting, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) said on Thursday, as restrictions on women and girls continue to thwart basic rights and economic progress. Kanni Wignaraja, Director of UNDPs Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, who recently visited the country, told correspondents in New York that 69 per cent of Afghans are subsistence insecure meaning they do not have enough basic resources. Something that really hit me was the harsh impact of continuous natural disasters, she said, adding that many parts of Afghanistan are facing dramatic scarcity of water further setting back development efforts. Lights out Since the takeover by the Taliban in 2021, the Afghan economy has contracted by 27 per cent, leading to economic stagnation, according to UNDP. Unemployment has doubled and only 40 per cent of the population has access to electricity. Sectors such as finance have basically collapsed and there are no major sources of economic activity such as exports or public expenditure, leaving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and farmers as the lifeblood of the faltering economy. Afghan economy, households and cross-cutting sectors. Ban on girls education She also voiced concern over the situation of women and girls. There have been severe restrictions on women imposed by the Taliban, such as on their dress code and employment in various sectors. While they can work without restriction in sectors such as health or nursing, their employment in the public sector dropped even further to about six per cent, Ms. Wignaraja said. The biggest challenge is the continued edict that bans girls education. Not being able to move forward after the sixth grade is a major stumbling block, she added. Last year, no girl graduated the twelfth grade so how are they going to jump from sixth grade to moving into technical colleges or universities need for the medical field? she exclaimed. Local economy reeling The UNDP official also noted the challenges facing local economies and the lack of capital, especially in the private sector. UNDP is supporting microfinance initiatives, but with no cash flowing through the system, results are not at the level and scale required to spur growth.She expressed hope that recent funds from the World Bank for climate projects could prompt other global climate cash investments. We can still work directly with the community to make this happen, she said. Situation in Herat Ms. Wignaraja also visited Herat province, the epicentre of last Octobers earthquakes. Just driving through villages and talking to villagers, there is a huge contrast, she said, noting that there are whole villages still living in tents without access to water and those that are starting to build permanent structures.For me the bottom line is that we have to let household economies and local economies pick back up. People do not want to live in tents, they cannot survive the sandstorms in tents, she added. Supporting women-led business In conclusion, the UNDP official highlighted the agencys support to some 75,000 women-owned and women-led micro and small businesses. They in turn employ about, on average, six other women and young people. Each of them feeds a household of ten, she said, noted that in total about 4.5 million people benefit. We spend on average $42 a month per womens business thats it, she added, underscoring the resilience and boldness of women entrepreneurs.Overall, with women farmers and traders, as well as direct cash support and household social protection prorgrammes, UNDP has reached one quarter of women across Afghanistan, she said. The story of this country will come back through their boldness and efforts, she concluded. Growers entering agreements for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) are being advised to ensure they fully understand the potential impact their decisions will have on future pulse crop rotations. Concerns are growing that well-intentioned SFI agreements could negatively impact future pulse production opportunities, the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) says. With legumes being included in some SFI options it could mean that they are left in the ground for a number of years or are very frequently present increasing the likelihood of soil-borne diseases in future pulse crops. PGRO has set out a detailed paper written by Dr Becky Howard highlighting some of the potential unintended consequences which it advises all arable farmers to read before embarking on an SFI option. PGRO CEO Roger Vickers said: We are not against the Sustainable Farming Incentive; in fact we agree that farmers should be paid for providing positive environmental outcomes. But PGRO and others involved in the pulse sector have serious concerns over the impact some options will have on cropping in the long term. A number of SFI options encourage the use of either long-term or frequent short-term use of legume species, in either legume-rich ley mixtures or catch and cover crops. Examples include the highly-rewarded NUM3, IPM3, and Countryside Stewardship AB15 options. Other options are also detracting from more minority crops, in particular Actions for Wildlife AHL 1 and AHL 2. The potential green bridging effect and risk to future pulse cropping as a result is significant, as disease and pest levels build in the soil, and may seriously impact the viability of pulse crops in the future. A normal, sensible rotation, would not encourage pulses closer than one crop in five, and yet in an SFI scenario soils might easily have almost continuous host legumes present. Crop protection could also be an issue, Mr Vickers says. Factoring in that CRD now considers beans to be a major crop and therefore excluded from the EAMU system for agricultural chemical use, and the already minimal portfolio of crop protection products available for pulses in general, this adds to the increasing jeopardy for their future production. "Many of the greatest threats are soil borne disease for which there are no seed treatments available. These unintended consequences are not certain as insufficient research has been conducted, but are a logical potential outcome based upon life cycle and alternative host considerations. Mr Vickers add:. Growers need to know the possible risks to their pulse-growing capabilities if they do enter an SFI agreement. PGRO is asking growers to complete a survey asking farmers what their intentions are this year with regards to growing pulses in light of the SFI. Three councils, including the first in Scotland, have defied the plant-based movement in a show of support for farmers of all sectors. Rutland County Council, Peterborough City Council, and Highland Council have all passed new pro-farming motions, becoming the latest to do so. It comes after a string of other councils around the country voted to ban meat and dairy items on council-catered menus. The pro-farming motions commit to encouraging residents to shop locally when purchasing food, including meat, dairy, and plant-based products, with the aim of reducing food miles to plates. Rutland and Peterborough also committed to sourcing more home-grown produce at council-catered events, specifically including meat, dairy, and plant-based products. On Monday 25 March, Rutland passed the pro-farming motion introduced by Conservative Councillor Giles Clifton with 26 votes in favour and 1 abstention. Peterborough City Council unanimously voted through a similar motion on 20 March, introduced by Conservative Councillor Andy Coles. Highland Councils farming motion was unanimously passed on 14 March. The move comes after a string of councils around the UK have voted to ban meat and dairy items on council-catered menus elsewhere and committed to transitioning to fully plant-based catering for council meetings. In passing the pro-farming motion, Highland Council, Peterborough City, and Rutland County Councils have become the eighth, ninth, and tenth councils respectively to defy the vegan trend. It comes as thousands of farmers have protested around England and Wales in recent days, including over 100 tractors gathering at parliament and driving slowly through London. The farmers protested against cheap food imports and unsupportive agricultural policies. After the council meeting, Rutland Councillor Giles Clifton (Conservative) said: It is welcome news that Rutland County Council has affirmed itself to be four-square behind our farmers. "I am also pleased that the Council chose to support our livestock and dairy farmers in particular. Peterborough City Councillor Andy Coles (Conservative) added: I am delighted to have seen the motion pass with such cross-party support. "In the Greater Peterborough area, farming and food production employs around 8,000 people, bringing in nearly 1.1 billion to the East of England economy. At Highland Council, Councillor Angus Macdonald (Liberal Democrat) said: Britain imports 46% of our food perhaps in the Highlands we import 70%. "We dont help our own farmers in this respect. They get grants not to have livestock. What can our council really do to help crofts and help farmers in the West? I urge you to support [this] motion. Sabina Roberts, a spokeswoman for the Countryside Alliance, which is behind a campaign to get councils to pass the motions, said: It is fantastic to see three more councils back our landmark motion. "It is more important than ever for farmers to be a part of the conversation about our climate future and supporting local, sustainable produce is vital within that effort. The Nation, March 17, 2024 Pakistans Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani has said that Pakistans peace talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) failed in the past because the militant group was neither ready to surrender nor swear allegiance to the constitution of Pakistan. The third primary reason for the deadlock in talks was that the group didnt want to face the law for the heinous crimes it committed, including the attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, he added. The special envoy was speaking at a consultation on Afghan peace and reconciliation: Pakistans interests and policy options, organized by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). The main themes of the talk included Pakistans Afghan policy puzzle: Challenges and opportunities for the new government and The counterterrorism and counter-extremism challenges for the new federal and provincial governments. Lawmakers of national and provincial assemblies, politicians, diplomats, academics, journalists, policy analysts, and experts on Afghan affairs participated in the event. Ambassador Durrani said that Pakistan, during talks, had told the interim government in Kabul that the latter needed to make TTP surrender and disarm the group and detain its leadership. He clarified that TTP is the red line for Pakistan. He went on to say that TTP had 5,000 to 6,000 militants in its cadres taking shelter in Afghanistan, adding, If we include their families, then the number goes up to 70,000. He said that it was apparent the interim Afghan government could not afford the per-day expenditure of such a large number of people, which meant that someone else was paying for their upkeep. He said that Pakistan had evidence that TTP is getting money from India through Afghan proxies. Talking about the Pak-Afghan issue, the envoy said that Pakistan should implement the one-document regime on all border crossings with Afghanistan. Former federal minister of state for parliamentary affairs and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan said that Afghanistan should be given an opportunity to make its own decisions. He added that Pakistan could help its neighbor in peacebuilding. We understand that opening of borders and trade with Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan, he said. He advised that the huge potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could be used in promoting trade with the neighbouring country. Former chief minister Balochistan and National Party leader Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch talked about parliamentary supremacy and said that the solution of all economic, polit-ical and foreign policy problems of Pakistan only lies with the parliament. He also called for bringing real public representation in Balochistan to solve problems of the province. Political analyst and expert on Afghan affairs ex-Senator Afrasiab Khattak viewed that the root cause of many problems of Pakistan, including its ailing economy and extremism, was its flawed policy for Afghanistan. Ariana DeBose is to host the Tony Awards for the third year in a row. Ariana DeBose will host the Tony Awards for a third time The 'West Side Story' actress "couldn't pass up the chance" to take the reins again at the annual ceremony, and will also serve as producer and choreographer for the opening number at the event, which will take place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on 16 June and honours excellence in theatre. She said in a statement: "I couldnt pass up the chance to host the Tonys one more time at Lincoln Center. Im excited to collaborate with the team to create an incredible celebration of this seasons achievements on Broadway for our community and for everyone at home." Ariana has been praised for her "unique sense of artistry, creativity and talent". Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing and Jason Laks, interim president of The Broadway League, said in a statement: We are incredibly honoured to welcome Tony Award-nominated actress Ariana DeBose as this years host for Broadways biggest night, taking place for the first time at the iconic Lincoln Center. "Arianas unique sense of artistry, creativity and talent continues to elevate the show and captivate nominees and viewers alike." Once again the broadcast will be split into two parts, with Paramount's free streaming service PlutoTV airing 'The Tony Awards: Act One', which will feature the pre-show and selected awards presentations. The main broadcast will then air live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Last year's Tony Awards saw Ariana given the added challenge of running the show without a script because of the Writer's Guild of America (WGA) strike. She opened the show with a silent acrobatic dance performance, that included leaping down flights of stairs at the United Palace theatre, before ad-libbing introductions. She also said: Im live and unscripted, youre welcome." At the time, it was uncertain as to whether the ceremony would even go ahead as the Writer's Guild wouldn't grant the Tony Awards a waiver for the televised ceremony, but WGA eventually agreed not to picket the event and organisers agreed to go ahead without a script. Tony Award nominations will be announced April 30. Bethenny Frankel was punched in the face in a random attack in New York City. Bethenny Frankel was punched in the face in a random attack in New York City The 53-year-old reality star noticed a video posted onto social media by fashion student in which fashion design student Mikayla Toninato shares her experience of being assaulted in the Big Apple and took to the comments on Wednesday (27.03.24) to reveal that the same thing had happened to her. She wrote on TikTok: "This is insane bc this happened to me a few months ago but I was embarrassed to say I was on the UWS [Upper West Side]. Insane. I was taking video of a bakery." The revelation comes just days after managed to maintain her enviable figure for so many years. Bethenny - who is best known for starring on 'The Real Housewives of New York City' - said in an Instagram video: "How do I stay so thin? So, I pick my spots. "If I know Im going to some crazy doughnut place or hotdog place, I may not have the meal that comes before that. But I wont not eat at all, otherwise, youre gonna go there and overeat on that. Itll just be a light day. "Im also not eating all the doughnuts, or all the hotdogs or all the pizza. Youre really tasting everything, eating nothing." Bethenny insists she never over-indulges on her food. She shared: "I also never binge. I never eat to the point where Im full. Not never, but sometimes. I do not like the feeling of being full. Its uncomfortable. So if you never eat until you get full, youll be fine. "Im also a slow eater and I chew slowly. I chew my food thoroughly." Catherine, Princess of Wales reportedly made a conscious choice to share her cancer diagnosis alone without Prince William by her side. Catherine, Princess of Wales reportedly made a conscious choice to share her cancer diagnosis alone without Prince William by her side The royal mum-of-three, 42, shocked the world by releasing a video last week in which she said she had been out of the public spotlight since her abdominal surgery in January as medics had detected cancer in her body and she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Her solo appearance in the footage fuelled more trolling and speculation about her marriage to William 41, but a source has now told People about why she shared the cancer treatment news on her own: It is a message from the princess about her health, and she wanted to personally deliver the message on her own. (William has been) supporting her throughout. William is extremely proud of his wife for the courage and strength she has shown not just this week but since her surgery in January. Now more than ever, hes focused on ensuring his wife has the privacy she needs to fully recover and that his children are shielded from the understandable interest in the news that has been shared. The insider added Catherine also waited so long to address the public on her health as she and William wanted to give themselves and their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Prince George time to process the news. They said: She and the prince needed time to process the news, she needed time to recover from surgery and she needed time to tell the children. That was the driving force. Catherine and Williams kids were already out of school for the Easter holiday when the palace released the princess pre-recorded video disclosing the diagnosis. She said in her two-minute announcement: William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. Christine Quinn's husband Christian Dumontet has failed to obtain a restraining order against his wife. Christine Quinn's husband failed to get a restraining order against her The entrepreneur was arrested following an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this month, and he subsequently submitted a request to the court demanding the 'Selling Sunset' star moves out of the Los Angeles home they share and stays at least 100 yards away, as well as asking a judge to restrict her travels with their two-year-old son Christian Jr.. However, according to court records from a hearing on Tuesday (26.03.24) obtained by the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column, the judge denied the request until another legal meeting on 17 April. The documents stated: The facts given in the request do not show reasonable proof of a past act or acts of abuse." The filing comes just weeks after a bust-up between the pair at their home on March 19 led to Dumontet being arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly throwing a bag with glass in it at his wife that hit their son. Dumontet opened up about the incident in his legal filing, claiming the dispute arose from an argument over who would clean up after the couple's dogs. The papers - obtained by PEOPLE - state: "Mr. Dumontet constantly finds himself the only one cleaning up after the dogs, so much so that operating and cleaning the remote vacuum cleaner has become a bonding activity between himself and Christian. "[She refused to clean up saying] that she tried to clean but was not going to do anything further. At that point Mr. Dumontet grabbed the trash bag from the floor and threw it to the side of the room, against the wall. "Mr. Dumontet did not throw the bag towards Ms. Quinn, or their son. Additionally, there was no glass in the bag, as there was no broken glass in the room or anywhere in the house." Dumontet went on to deny there have ever been any incidents of domestic violence within the relationship and accused the 35-year-old reality star of filing for an EPO (emergency protection order) against him using "false allegations of domestic violence". He also claimed he wanted his wife to have joint custody of their son, with unmonitored visitation, but wanted her travel to be restricted to Los Angeles County over fears she may take the little boy to her native Texas. The paperwork added: "[Christine] has a history of threatening to take away or hide our children from me [and] not cooperating with me in parenting." The couple married in 2019 with their wedding being featured in hit Netflix reality show 'Selling Sunset' and they went on to welcome their little boy into the world in May 2021. Penn Badgley has "two different parenting roles" to manage because he is a dad and a stepdad. Hollywood star Penn Badgley is both a father and a stepfather The 37-year-old actor has three-year-old James with wife Domino Kirke and became stepfather to her 15-year-old son Cassius when they married in 2017 and explained that he has an "interesting situation" on his hands because the teenager's biological dad is still very much in his life. Speaking on the New York Times' 'Modern Love' podcast, he said: "I have an interesting situation where I have a biological son and a stepson. His father is very much in his life - so his father is his father, and I'm something else. So I have two different kind of parental roles. [As a teenager] doesn't want to spend that much time with us anyway!" The former 'Gossip Girl' star added that he knew it was "important" to find a way to bond with Cassisus, so the pair of them stayed up late to watch the 2014 Tom Cruise sci-fi action epic 'Edge of Tomorrow' together. He said: "I just knew it was important. It was like the stars had aligned so that my wife and my youngest son were asleep, and I was just like, 'This is a good time to do this! You're not going to play video games now. We're going to do this!'" Penn previously explained that once he got married, he struggled with the idea of filming intimate scenes because fidelty is "important" to him. Speaking on the 'Podcrushed' podcast, he said: "I asked Sera Gamble, creator of the show, 'Can I just do no more intimacy scenes?' This is actually a decision I had made before I took the show... I don't think I've ever mentioned it publicly, but its... one of the main things is, like, 'Do I want to put myself back on a career path where I'm just always romantic lead? "Fidelity in every relationship - and especially in my marriage - is important to me." Having started out as a content creator in 2011, Aanam decided to launch her own beauty brand Wearified in 2021. The brand is known to be inclusive in every way from the imagery to the functionality of the products. On what inspired her to launch her business: The vision to see women in India and brown women all over the world getting makeup products that truly work for them no matter their shades or undertones or personal preferences. As a medium-toned girl in Mumbai, I was shocked to learn that even Indian brands were launching foundation shades where mine was the deepest shade as recently as 2019/2020. It seemed like a lack of effort or incorrect use of resources. I knew that I wanted to build something through the power of the community I had grown online and, somewhere through this period, learning more about these womens beauty vows, I realised that this was my mission. I wanted to put out high-performance products that are made and formulated for and in India. On the challenges she faced: Being taken seriously as a 25-year-old influencer was definitely one of the struggles that I faced again and again. It was one of those banes that really needed time and patience to get around. Apart from that, capital was a big challenge. Being in the beauty business is not cheap; I had to wait over four years to collect capital (putting aside a portion every month from my own earnings as a content creator) to make this dream come alive. About her interactions with her customers: The relationship I have with my customers is like the one I have with my followers we talk about beauty dilemmas and then I work on ways to solve them. They love having access to products to fill a gap, and I love being able to do that for them! I love seeing people find joy in that dream lip oil or airbrush powder at an affordable price; bringing them closer to their dream routines is a huge, huge win! Her advice for those who are starting out Know your why, and believe in yourself. Also Read: Why You Should Incoporate Glycerin Into Your Skincare Routine The office of the US trade representative (USTR) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will launch a Trade Capacity Building Programme to advance secure trade in textiles and apparel between the United States and Guatemala, vice president Kamala Harris recently announced. She welcomed President Bernardo Arevalo of Guatemala to the White House on March 25 and discussed bilateral issues. The vice president announced an additional $170 million for development, economic, health and security assistance to Guatemalas subject to congressional notification. The US will launch a Trade Capacity Building Programme to advance secure textiles-apparel trade with Guatemala, vice president Kamala Harris recently announced during President Bernardo Arevalo's visit. The Commerce Law Development Programme will support legal and regulatory reforms to facilitate new infrastructure and public-private partnerships there. The Trade Capacity Building programme will encourage engagement, including with existing government-to-industry stakeholder partnerships such as CBPs Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Programme and the Superintendence of Tax Administration of Guatemalas Authorised Economic Operator Programme. The Commerce Law Development Programme (CLDP) will support legal and regulatory reforms to facilitate new infrastructure and public-private partnerships in the Latin American country, Harris announced. These reforms will also promote workers rights. CLDP will provide technical assistance to improve Guatemalas proposed port authority law, which would counter extortion and the use of maritime ports and airports by organised criminal organisations. The Womens Economic Empowerment Legal Reform Fund Project in Guatemala will support key congressional, governmental and civil society partners to advance legislation and policy that reduces barriers to women competing in the workforce, while enhancing protection of womens access and rights in the workplace, she said. A US investment facilitation team will visit Guatemala in the next six months to support clean energy and infrastructure development, facilitate private sector operations and promote sustainable economic development, a White House factsheet said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Jimmy Jean-Louis opened up about the making of The Goat Life, showing their vulnerable side to the world and more. Since this film is about survival, what has your journey of surviving in the film industry been like? Jimmy: All my life has been about survival. Going from one country to the next one, just trying to understand what life was about and to understand myself. I think it's very important to have that ambition of what's next and how far you can push yourself. Most of the time, you will be challenged by life. Even the worst situations can sometimes be the best for you. Some of my worst stories like potentially being homeless in Paris have been great lessons. Now, I can really draw from those experiences and apply it to my life. So yes, don't be at ease with your situation. Prithviraj, what went into that drastic physical transformation for the role? Prithviraj: Much like my character in the film, I believe survival isn't about existing and stagnating in one particular point of your life. So when you talk about survival, the term makes you think that you're getting stuck. But survival is actually about movement. And the greatest survivors are always moving. Najeeb was able to survive the ordeal because in his mind he kept moving from one day to the next. So figuratively speaking, it's all about movement. It could be movement inside your mind or actually manifesting physically.Jimmy: All my life has been about survival. Going from one country to the next one, just trying to understand what life was about and to understand myself. I think it's very important to have that ambition of what's next and how far you can push yourself. Most of the time, you will be challenged by life. Even the worst situations can sometimes be the best for you. Some of my worst stories like potentially being homeless in Paris have been great lessons. Now, I can really draw from those experiences and apply it to my life. So yes, don't be at ease with your situation. Prithviraj: When this film came to me in 2009 I immediately knew it involved this process. The story was about the metamorphosis of a man and how the elements play on him. The transformation is pretty much a part of the story. It isn't for a physical and tangible shock value. How this man changes is part of the narrative. But I surprised myself with how much I was able to do. I put on a lot of weight for the beginning of the movie so that the transformation looks all the more drastic. From there I lost 31 kgs. There is no healthy way to do it. You shouldn't be losing one-third of your body weight. My doctors told me this wasn't something they'd ever tell me to do. But I knew for this film I had to. I'm happy with where I got but I can also tell you I'll never do it again. If there's a really tempting film that requires me to do that again, I'm going to apologetically refuse saying that I can't withstand another transformation like that. Jimmy: That level of dedication is not normal. There's so much danger attached to that. How challenging is it to go from tough guy roles to showing your most vulnerable side on the big screen? Prithviraj: There's a dichotomy in that question and that's the beauty of it. I have realised over the years that more often than not, when you see the weakest physical version of a human being is when they're the strongest. Najeeb at his most frail, was probably the strongest version of himself. Otherwise, he would have given up. In the film, Najeeb who is healthy and plump, is flustered and weak. When you meet him three years later and he can hardly stand up without holding a stick, he's got a lot of spiritual calmness to him because now he's mentally strong. As an actor, it is important to understand that being vulnerable doesn't essentially mean looking vulnerable. Some of the strongest-looking men could be the most vulnerable people you could meet. And some superficially weak-looking men could have immense amounts of strength. What was your experience of working with Blessy? Jimmy: As an actor you try to get into a different character so you forget about yourself. For this character Khadiri, he's a protector, like an angel, a God-sent person who is there to help and lead someone he doesn't know, to freedom. That is such a noble thing to do. He's not doing it for any pay but because it's the human thing to do. To be able to portray this type of character teaches you that this is what you should be doing in your daily life as well. Sometimes you play roles that teach you real life lessons. That's how I grow. I learnt a lot about life playing even the weakest characters. Prithviraj: Blessy is one of the most coveted filmmakers of the Malayalam film industry. If you talk to actors from the industry they'll tell you that one Blessy film is a box that we want to tick off. I'm just lucky because when Blessy decided to make what was his Magnum Opus, he thought I should be the actor playing the central protagonist in the film. The greatest thing about him as a filmmaker is that he has such deep conviction about the way he wants to narrate a story. He just holds on to it with absolute strength. Otherwise it would be impossible to pull something off with all the challenges this film faced. A weaker man, let alone a filmmaker would've let go and lost sight of the vision. But he never did through the 16 years of its making. There wasn't a single moment of compromise. That's awe-inspiring. I'm just privileged to be a part of it. Recently, SS Rajamouli said that the Malayalam film industry has better actors. What do you have to say about that? Speaking of great actors in all industries, what does the future of pan Indian films look like to you? Prithviraj: I take this compliment from the legend with all humility. But I also think that there are great actors everywhere. Maybe at the moment, us Malayalam actors are lucky to have great content available to us to show our craft and skills more regularly and consistently. Great films are being made in Malayalam and I'm very happy. But good actors exist everywhere in the country and in the world. Take Jimmy [Jean-Louis] for example, we wanted an Ibrahim Khadiri and it took us three years. And it was not that Jimmy Jean-Louis was a name readily available to casting agents in India. We went through so many showreels and videos and we found a great actor from Haiti, who has lived in France and the US. Prithviraj: It's a very bright future. It's just the most natural evolution of the film industry as a whole. Thanks to the exhibition sector evolving with streaming services and TV and YouTube, people now have access to content from all over the world. If someone sitting in Jammu and Kashmir hears about a great Malayalam film they now have a way to see it. Tomorrow I hear of a great Bhojpuri film. There's a way for me too. Slowly content is travelling everywhere. Hindi has always had an advantage. Now the industries have understood that there needs to be a synergy where we work with each other and for each other. Very soon we'll just be doing Indian cinema. There are no more woods. Jimmy: I feel so lucky to land this kind of role with these people. I had no idea what I was getting into. To get directed by someone like Blessy. I've worked with some of the best directors in Hollywood but to be able to see how meticulous Blessy is and have a co-star like Raj, I was so thankful to be introduced to the Indian audience. What were some of the challenges of bringing the film to life after so many years? Prithviraj, you said your daughter has not watched any of your movies. Which is the first film you'll show her? Prithviraj: The film came to me in 2009 and we started shooting in 2018. Back then it felt impossible to pull something this big off. The vision was so grand. I don't think we could mount such an expensive project. Over time things changed. Indian cinema and Malayalam cinema went through a growth spurt. Finally in 2018 it still remained a big risk but we could legitimately think about working on it. But the pandemic happened and the shoot was suspended. We had to go back to Jordan and Algeria and finish it with a year and a half post production schedule. The challenges have been innumerable. The greatest thing was that the entire team always had a final vision. To have the focus to do what we set out to do 16 years ago is what makes it so special. Prithviraj: I haven't shown my daughter any of my films because she's nine years old right now. If she sees my film, she's not mature enough to understand that it's not me. She'll keep seeing her father on screen and that'll add a completely different context. But at some point in her life when she's ready this is a film I really want her to watch. I don't think I can pick another film from my filmography where I've given so much of myself. More importantly at some point in her life she's going to ask me what does it mean to be an actor? I'll show her this film and tell her this is what you have to give. It's a trade off and this is how much you'll have to commit yourself to your craft. Lastly, what does being a GOAT mean to you? Prithviraj: It's become this Gen Z lingo where it's used everywhere from sports and cinema. To me, anybody who is trying to be the best version of themselves is a GOAT. Contextually for this film, Najeebs life is one of the greatest of all time. For a human being to have lived through the experiences that you'll see in the movie and to have fought through those experiences and come off the other end and be able to retell the tale so that the world knows about it, is definitely a GOAT move. The Goat Life is currently in theatres. The further you go into the run-time of Blessys Aadujeevitham or The Goat Life, the harder it gets to recognise Prithviraj Sukumaran. Based on the true story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant who is forced to work as a goatherd in the harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia, the film is a sprawling survival drama. Getting into the physicality of the role was as challenging as getting into the headspace for the star and his co-star Jimmy Jean-Louis who plays Ibrahim Khadiri. The process of making the film which included a production halt in Jordan amidst the pandemic required resilience and of course, lots of dedication. After years in development hell, it is finally arriving in cinemas this week. The trending hashtag #HeeramandiKabReleaseHoga (when will Heeramandi release?) has an answer, at last. In a mesmerizing aerial spectacle above Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Race Course, Netflix and renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar premieres on May 1. The media and college students were joined by the heeras of Heeramandi - Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh - alongside Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions and Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, at the grand reveal. Together, they marvelled as a fleet of 1,000 drones took flight, leaving onlookers spellbound. As the anticipation reached fever pitch, the drones unveiled the series' launch date, igniting waves of excitement among the gathered crowd. On the eve of the date announcement, creator-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, "I am grateful to the entire team for their relentless passion and dedication to bring the world of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar to Netflix. With the release scheduled for May 1st, we can't wait for audiences worldwide to watch it and shower us with their love and appreciation." With a lot of excitement, Monika Shergill, Vice-president-Content, Netflix India said, "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is undoubtedly India's biggest cinematic series, and the auteur, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his true signature style, has created a mesmerizing world with powerful characters that fight for their fate and that of their country. A one-of-a-kind series, it will offer a visual and visceral experience of a world only he can bring to life with such beauty and boldness. As we gear up for the worldwide premiere on May 1st, we can feel the excitement building up." Amidst the city's twinkling lights, the drones formed the iconic Netflix 'N', followed by elements found in the series: a ghungroo (anklets), jharokha (ornate window), and an adaab (greeting). Gradually crafting the silhouette of a dancer, the drones move in unison to unveil the title logo, symbolising noor, nazaakat aur andaaz (light, refinement and style) before finally unveiling the premiere date. For fans of grand productions and Bhansali's cinematic artistry, the countdown to the premiere has officially begun. Mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled by Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, streaming May 1. - Yoodlee Films, the films studio arm of Saregama is thrilled to announce the theatrical release of its globally acclaimed and celebrated film, "Agra," across France on 3rd April 2024. "Agra" has garnered adulation and acclaim at prestigious global film festivals including Cannes, Jio MAMI (winning the Special Jury Prize), Busan, and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, where it took home awards for Best Indie Film and Best Actor Male, amongst others. Agra premiered at the prestigious Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and received a 5-minute-long standing ovation after its screening. The film received rave reviews in India where Hindustan Times has described it as "The boldest, most vital film of the year." Film Companion praised its impact, stating, "Agra gets under your skin." Furthermore, The Hindu remarked on its thematic depth, highlighting that "'Agra' offers an unblinking look at delayed male sexual maturity." Meanwhile, the International news publication BBC went on to question, "Is Agra the most shocking Indian film ever made?" After creating a stir across various film festivals, the film produced in collaboration with UFO Production and O28 Films, marks a significant milestone with its release across 30 screens in France. The film features a stellar cast led by Rahul Roy in a remarkable comeback, alongside Priyanka Bose, Mohit Agarwal, Ruhani Sharma, Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha, and Aanchal Goswami. The film is directed by renowned and celebrated filmmaker Kanu Behl (Titli Fame). The narrative delves into the complexities of love, desire, and familial bonds in the backdrop of a dysfunctional household in small-town India. "Agra" explores the protagonist Guru's unconventional journey to fulfilment and intimacy amidst societal and personal turmoil, providing a fresh perspective on sexuality and space in an overpopulated country grappling with traditional and modern values. Siddharth Anand Kumar, Sr. Vice President at Films & Events at Saregama India Ltd., expressed his pride on Agra's international journey, "It is a great honour that our next release from Yoodlee Films is being loved worldwide by critics and audiences alike. We have been fans of the French cinema and it is a great privilege to bring 'Agra' to the film enthusiasts of France after its global tour." Echoing the sentiment, director Kanu Behl shared his enthusiasm for French cinema, stating, "As a lifelong fan of French cinema, it fills me with immense pride and joy to see 'Agra' make its way to France. The love and appreciation from audiences and critics globally have been overwhelming, and I eagerly await the French audience's reaction to our film. The journey so far with our film has been incredibly special, and we are thrilled at the prospect of it receiving even more love from the French audience." "Agra" will premiere in France on 3rd April 2024, promising to offer a cinematic experience that resonates with audiences seeking depth, drama, and authenticity in storytelling. Love You a Latte opened at 160 Hamilton Ave. in Greenwich on March 16, 2024. Careiginal Designs/Contributed photo Greenwich's Chickahominy neighborhood has a new coffee shop. Love You a Latte opened its doors on March 16, owner Robyn Bordes said, and it will hold a grand opening on April 7. "My husband and I always say Greenwich is a true community," Bordes said. "The community is incredibly supportive of small businesses, and the welcome that we got when we opened was so beautiful." The coffee shop at 160 Hamilton Ave. serves coffee, espresso and tea drinks. It has a variety of flavored lattes, like lavender honey, Nutella and honey rose. Frozen hot chocolate is on the menu, which Bordes said was inspired by childhood trips to Serendipity in New York City. Love You a Latte also serves baked goods like muffins and croissants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Love You a Latte opened at 160 Hamilton Ave. in Greenwich on March 16, 2024. Careiginal Designs/Contributed photo Bordes, who also owns Constantino's, a pizza and ice cream shop that opened in early 2022 at 699 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich, said community members of all ages are important to her business. "We have some kids that come into Constantino's who started their own little businesses where they've made bracelets or different stickers or those types of things," she said. "So we've bought from these young entrepreneurs that are 10-12 years old, and we're now like selling their little items in the coffee shop just to kind of give kids inspiration." While she's always loved coffee, Bordes said that she was actually planning to open a different type of business before doing a coffee shop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Love You a Latte opened at 160 Hamilton Ave. in Greenwich on March 16, 2024. Careiginal Designs/Contributed photo Next door to Love You a Latte is Constantino's Pasta Bowls, which is not open yet. It's a concept Bordes said she and her husband saw in Greece that allows guests to build their own pasta bowls. She said they signed a lease on a space for the pasta shop, and they were talking to the landlord about what sort of business could go next door that wouldn't be a competitor. "I said to my husband, 'What if we opened up a coffee shop?,' which we had wanted to do for quite some time," Bordes said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the grand opening on April 7, Bordes said visitors can sample food and drinks off the menu. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann aces the art of making the headlines on both political and personal front. The renowned politician, who is known for his bold statements in politics, is now making headlines as he has been blessed with a baby girl. Yes! You read it right. Bhagwant Mann's wife Gurpreet Kaur has given birth to a baby girl today. The big announcement was made by the proud daddy himself who took to the micro-blogging site Twitter and announced the arrival of the little princess. He also shared that the mother and the newborn baby are doing fine. Bhagwant Mann tweeted, " ..- .. (Waheguru Ji has blessed me with a baby girl. The mother and baby are both healthy). This isn't all. Bhagwant also shared a picture of the newborn baby girl on Instagram. In the pic, the little baby was wrapped in a yellow blanket and was held by the doctor. He captioned the post as, " .. Blessed with baby Girl.." Take a look at Bhagwant Mann's baby's first pic: For the uninitiated, Bhagwant Mann had tied the knot with Gurpreet Kaur in a grand wedding in 2022. This happens to be Bhagwant Mann's third child. The actor-turned-politician earlier had two kids, Seerat, (23) and Dilshan (19) from who ex-wife Inderjeet Kaur. Bhagwant Mann and Indeerjeet got divorce in 2015 and the latter is currently based in US. He had announced his wife Gurpreet Kaur's pregnancy while addressing the public during Republic Day celebrations in Ludhiana. He stated, "I am also expecting a bundle of joy in my home in March. My wife is seven months pregnant. We have consciously chosen not to discover the gender and won't do so in the future either. I urge everyone to avoid such practices" Photo Credit: YouTube Heart Of The Hunter OTT Release Date: If you're a fan of action thrillers, then Heart Of The Hunter is the perfect movie for you to watch this week. All set to make its debut globally on Netflix, the movie is an adaptation of the book of the same name by South African novelist and screenwriter Deon Meyer. What happens when a family man gets hit by his deadly past? Will his life be destroyed, or will he manage to make a comeback with his actions? Answers will soon be uncovered. South African SAFTA-winning filmmaker Mandla Dube has helmed "Heart Of The Hunter." The movie sticks to the motto "One man. One mission. One target." New Ott Releases This Week In Telugu 2024 - Aha, Prime Video, Netflix, Zee5, Hotstar, SunNXT, & SonyLIV Heart Of The Hunter OTT Release Date, Platform Heart Of The Hunter is Netflix's newest suspense thriller, where the lead Bonko Khoza portrays the role of an unassuming family man, Zuko Khumalo, who leaves behind his past assassin life, thinking he would never look back at it. Uncovering the suspence filled with action and drama, Heart Of The Hunter will release globally on March 29 at 12:30 pm IST. The movie will be releasiong exclusively on Netflix so you will need to have a subscription plan to watch it. Since the movie is produced and written by South Africans, it boasts a roster of iconic South African actors like Bonko Cosmo Khoza, Connie Ferguson, Wanda Banda, Connie Chiume, Nicole Fortuin, Tim Theron, and more. New Ott Releases This Week In Bollywood 2024 What is Heart Of The Hunter all about? Heart Of The Hunter spins around the life of a man named Zuko who has retired from being an assassin. His desire to live a peaceful life with his family changes when Zuko gets a call from one of his colleagues reminding him to honor the oath he made. Set in post-democratic South Africa, the storyline forces Zuko to intervene in political matters. The trailer shows a man saying to Zuko, "We can stop Mtima from becoming president." Even though Zuko resists being pulled back into his previous life, his desire to live a better life makes him do otherwise. Aadujeevitham Public Review: "Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)" is a Malayalam survival drama film penned, directed, and co-produced by Blessy. This international co-production involves companies from both India and the United States. "Aadujeevitham" hit theatres on March 28, 2024, and promises a gripping cinematic experience. "Aadujeevitham" is a cinematic adaptation of the acclaimed 2008 Malayalam novel "Aadujeevitham" by Benyamin, inspired by real events. In the film, Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant labourer compelled into slavery as a goatherd on an isolated farm in Saudi Arabia. The film underwent a prolonged development phase starting in 2009, with Blessy expressing interest in adapting Aadujeevitham after discovering the novel in 2008. Prithviraj was cast during the same year, and in 2009, Blessy initiated negotiations with Benyamin and commenced work on the screenplay. However, financial constraints hindered significant progress. Blessy devoted years to securing a producer, achieving success in 2015, which propelled the project forward. Joining as producers were Jimmy Jean-Louis and Steven Adams, alongside Blessy himself. A. R. Rahman contributed the film's original score and songs. Filming occurred in stages from March 2018 to July 2022, spanning six schedules across the deserts of Wadi Rum, Jordan, and the Sahara, Algeria, supplemented by scenes shot in Kerala, India. The crew faced a 70-day ordeal in the Jordanian desert from March to May 2020, trapped by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Eventually, they were repatriated to India through the Indian government's Vande Bharat Mission evacuation program. Filming wrapped up on July 14, 2022. Initially, Suriya was chosen and approached for the character of Najeeb, and Blessy had discussions with him regarding the role. However, due to his busy schedule and prior commitments, he opted out. Subsequently, Prithviraj agreed to take on the role while he was filming on the sets of Pokkiri Raja (2010) in 2008. Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) Public Review "Aadujeevitham" has generated significant anticipation among movie enthusiasts who were eagerly awaiting the promised extraordinary cinematic experience. As audiences immerse themselves in this survival drama film, anticipation mounts for the insightful public reviews that will follow. Stay tuned as viewers share their thoughts and impressions, offering valuable insights into the impact and reception of "Aadujeevitham" on the cinematic landscape. Check out the public reviews below: Appreciation Post for @PrithviOfficial Words wouldn't be enough to describe your performance & talent His performance shows his dedication & versatility One of the best performances of his career #PrithvirajSukumaran, Take A Bow #TheGoatLife #Aadujeevitham pic.twitter.com/zcRNAyIwU8 Swayam Kumar Das (@KumarSwayam3) March 28, 2024 16 Years Of Dreaming, Dedication,Passion, Commitment, Hardwork Came into an End Extraordinary Reports for #Aadujeevitham The GOAT LIFE Wammala, ithaanda " Malayalam Cinema " The "GOAT" Wood pic.twitter.com/xXjg2m11tK s4eeha4i (@Sreehari__707) March 28, 2024 #TheGoatLife #Review #Aadujeevitham #TheGoatLife is Absolutely Shocking, Stunning & Heart Wrenching( Stars) Prithviraj Sukumaran's mind blowing act brings alive the harsh reality of the brutal abuse and suffering of the migrant laborers and their exploitation by the pic.twitter.com/9cGqcl39xk HEMANT SANGANEE (@HemantSanganee) March 28, 2024 #Aadujeevitham is a cinematic masterpiece! It's a heart-wrenching, truly magical survival thriller that showcases @PrithviOfficial 's best performance ever. Directed by @DirectorBlessy with @arrahman's mesmerizing music, it's a movie you CANNOT miss. #MustWatch pic.twitter.com/Sm4oE2avmY Vignesh Krishnan (@vkv_iyer) March 28, 2024 Aadujeevitham Cast And Crew The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran in the role of Najeeb Mohammed, Amala Paul as Sainu, Najeeb's wife, Jimmy Jean-Louis as Ibrahim Khadiri, Shobha Mohan as Ummah, Najeeb's mother, KR Gokul as Hakeem, Talib Al Balushi as Khafeel, Rik Aby as Jasser, and Nazer Karutheni as Kunjikka. Scripted by Benyamin and helmed by Blessy, the film's cinematography was handled by Sunil K. S., with editing done by A. Sreekar Prasad, while the musical score was composed by A. R. Rahman. The production was overseen by Blessy, Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Steven Adams under the banners of Visual Romance Image Makers, Jet Media Production, and Alta Global Media. Siren OTT Release: 'Siren' features Jayam Ravi and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles, with Anthony Bhagyaraj serving as both the writer and director. The film hit theatres on February 16, 2024. In November of last year, 'Siren' released its teaser, providing a 1-minute and 38-second preview of the storyline. The film stars Jayam Ravi as a convict serving time for murder, with Keerthy Suresh portraying the leading lady. Anupama Parameshwaran, Samuthirakani, Yogi Babu, and Tulasi also play significant roles in the movie. While the teaser doesn't explicitly disclose the mission, it offers a glimpse into the action-packed adventure following Jayam Ravi's character's release on parole. Yogi Babu joins the cast as a cop, expected to inject humour into the storyline, delighting the audience. Siren Synopsis A former ambulance driver turned criminal eagerly anticipates his release from prison. After 14 years, he finally gets the chance to step out of jail on parole. 'Siren' Trailer The makers released the trailer for "Siren" on February 7, featuring Jayam Ravi and Keerthy Suresh. The trailer unveils Jayam Ravi as an ambulance driver accused of murder, leading to his imprisonment. Upon parole, he faces a tumultuous journey as hidden mysteries surface, compelling him to vindicate himself. Adding to the complexity, he encounters Keerthy Suresh's character, a determined cop who believes in his guilt and challenges him relentlessly. Siren OTT Release Date And Platform Fans of Tamil cinema are in for a treat as the highly anticipated Tamil crime thriller "Siren," starring Jayam Ravi, Keerthy Suresh, and Anupama Parameswaran, is set to make its digital streaming debut on Disney Plus Hotstar on April 11. While an official announcement is still pending, eager audiences can look forward to immersing themselves in this gripping narrative. Stay tuned for more updates on the details of its OTT release as excitement builds among viewers awaiting this thrilling experience. 'Siren' Cast And Crew The movie boasts a stellar cast, featuring Jayam Ravi, Keerthy Suresh, Anupama Parameshwaran, Samuthirakani, Yogi Babu, and Tulasi. GV Prakash Kumar is the music composer, Selva Kumar SK serves as the cinematographer, and Ruben is the editor. Dhilip Subbarayan manages the stunt choreography. Produced by Sujatha Vijayakumar. LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / March 27, 2024 / Nexa Resources S.A. ("Nexa Resources" or "Nexa" or the "Company") (NYSE:NEXA) announces its 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") relating to its operations and projects located in Peru and Brazil. Commenting on the MRMR update, Ignacio Rosado, CEO of Nexa Resources, said "Our mineral exploration program in 2023 was focused on identifying new mineralized zones in our operating mines including Aripuana, where significant results from the Babacu infill drilling program defined new Mineral Reserves, and increased Mineral Resources. As a major polymetallic mine operator and the 5th largest zinc producer worldwide, Nexa has a unique portfolio of operating mines with excellent exploration potential and a pipeline of greenfield exploration projects. In 2024, our mineral exploration program will remain focused on the replacement of Mineral Reserves and upgrading Mineral Resources through infill drilling campaigns." 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Highlights Mineral Reserves Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and infill drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Reserves due to changes in mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Reserve numbers refer to zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2023, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves estimates amounted to 110.4 million tonnes containing 4,031kt of zinc (at higher average zinc grade) compared with 100.6 million tonnes containing 3,540kt of zinc as of December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly driven by infill and brownfield drilling at Aripuana, partially offset by mining production depletion. Nexa's 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves estimate also reflects changes in continuous refining of its geological modelling. Another addition to Mineral Reserves is the re-inclusion of the Atacocha Mineral Reserves from the underground and open pit mines, which were not included in 2022. Positive results from the Cerro Pasco Integration Project economic study carried out during 2023 support the declaration of Mineral Reserves. The Pasco Integration Project is designed to further integrate the Atacocha and El Porvenir mines to increase production and extend mine life by eliminating the main bottlenecks in each operation, increasing mill capacity, and opening up additional exploration potential including at the integration mineralized body. The net revision of -34kt of zinc was primarily due to the increase in cut-off at Aripuana (-140kt) balanced by stope layout and cut-off revisions at Cerro Lindo, and El Porvenir (106kt). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Cerro Lindo Mine were estimated to total 41.15Mt at 1.49% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.55% Cu and 22.6 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, a 0.7% decrease from 41.43Mt at 1.57% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.59% Cu and 22.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2023, balanced by infill drilling in mine extensions (+23kt of zinc), and stope layout and cut-off revisions (+28kt of zinc). Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -5.98Mt containing 90kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Vazante Mine were estimated to total 11.33Mt at 9.62% Zn, 0.21% Pb, and 13.8 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, down 16% from 13.50Mt at 9.64% Zn, 0.27% Pb and 15.2 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2023, and geotechnical revision at Lumiadeira area (-28kt of contained zinc). Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -1.70Mt containing 184kt of zinc. In 2023, Nexa added 2.11Mt of Probable Mineral Reserves with 87kt of contained zinc from the Aroeira tailings deposit after a hydrogeological and environmental study. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the El Porvenir Mine were estimated to total 14.65Mt at 4.11% Zn, 1.20% Pb, 0.23% Cu and 72.9 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, a 5.5% decrease from 15.50Mt at 3.60% Zn, 1.07% Pb, 0.19% Cu and 66.0 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease is the balance result from mining depletion, and the addition of 106kt of contained zinc from stope layout and model revision. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -2.20Mt containing 62kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Atacocha (Underground) Mine were estimated to total 5.66Mt at 4.33% Zn, 1.34% Pb, 0.40% Cu, 79.8 g/t Ag, and 0.07g/t Au as of December 31, 2023. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine were estimated to total 4.38Mt at 0.99% Zn, 1.15% Pb, 34.9 g/t Ag, and 0.27g/t Au as of December 31, 2023. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Aripuana Mine were estimated to total 31.07Mt at 4.35% Zn, 1.66% Pb, 0.15% Cu, 40.6 g/t Ag and 0.22 g/t Au as of December 31, 2023, a 3.2% increase from 30.12Mt at 3.42% Zn, 1.25% Pb, 0.17% Cu, 32.1 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au as of December 31, 2022. The Babacu infill drilling program carried out during 2023 provided new Probable Mineral Reserves of 9.10Mt at 5.56% Zn, 2.19% Pb, 0.11% Cu, 49.6 g/t Ag, and 0.14g/t Au as of December 31, 2023, totaling an increase of 506kt of contained zinc in the reserves. We reported a loss of -140kt of contained zinc due to an increase in cut-off impacting mostly low-grade ores. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -1.56Mt containing 44kt of zinc. Mineral Resources Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and greenfield drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Resources due to changes in reclassification, mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Mineral Resource numbers refer to zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2023, Nexa estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) were 3,259kt of contained zinc compared with 3,432kt as of December 31, 2022. The Addition and Revision accounted for a net decrease of -173kt of contained zinc mostly due to conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves at Aripuana after the Babacu infill drilling, and at the Atacocha (Underground) and Atacocha (Open Pit) Mines following the Pasco Integration Project study. At Vazante Aroeira tailings, a hydrogeologic and environmental study resulted in conversion of 108kt of contained zinc from Indicated Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. At the Atacocha (Underground) and Atacocha (Open Pit) Mines, the Pasco Integration Project accounted for a -175kt and -44kt reduction in contained zinc, respectively, after conversion to Mineral Reserves. As of December 31, 2023, Nexa estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 6,897kt of contained zinc, compared with the total of 6,626kt at the end of 2022. The addition of 543kt of contained zinc was mostly incorporated through the Babacu drilling at Aripuana. The net revision reduction of -271kt of contained zinc is mostly due to model revisions and reclassification at Vazante and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves at Babacu. Exploration Outlook Our exploration strategy for 2024 is aimed at focusing on Mineral Resource expansion through brownfield and infill drilling near operating mines and extension drilling on advanced projects. A total of 66,050 meters of drilling is planned for 2024, including 42,100 meters in Peru (63%) and 23,950 meters in Brazil (37%). At Cerro Lindo, we plan to drill a total of 23,100 meters including exploratory drilling at Patahuasi Millay, Pucasalla and its extensions, located in the northern side of the Cerro Lindo Mine and extension drilling at Orebodies 8B, 9, 5 and 6A, located southeast of the mine. At the Cerro Pasco Complex (El Porvenir and Atacocha), we plan to drill 8,500 meters divided between Pasco Integration Project targets to extend the mineralized hydrothermal breccia to upper levels of the deposit and at Don Lucho, VAM and Porvenir 9 targets. At the Hilarion and Florida Canyon Zinc projects, our focus will be to advance geological mapping and integration of geological data to define the exploration strategy for the years ahead. At Aripuana, the strategy will be to drill 9,000 meters to identify the mineralization in the Massaranduba target to validate the continuation of the deposit in the southeast side of the Aripuana Mine. At Vazante, we plan to carry out 12,350 meters of brownfield drilling, 7,050 to extend known orebodies such as Sucuri and Sucuri North and 5,300 meters of infill drilling at the BDMG Orebody to convert Inferred Mineral Resources into Indicated Mineral Resources. In Namibia, we plan to drill 3,000 meters of exploratory drilling to continue investigating copper mineralization in the Tsumeb trend. We expect to continue advancing our drilling campaigns and developing our pipeline of projects in regional areas with additional 13,100 meters of diamond drilling, prioritizing belts for exploratory drilling and Mineral Resource expansion to consolidate our Zinc and Copper portfolio with optimized investments between them. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Tables MINERAL RESERVES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Reserves prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 1. Nexa Year-End Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines on a 100% basis NOTES TO MINERAL RESERVES TABLE The total amounts and content presented in Table 1 have not been adjusted to reflect our ownership interest. The information presented in this table includes 100% of the Mineral Reserve estimates for each property. Please refer to our ownership percentage for the amounts attributable to our ownership interest in each property. Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves, which also are consistent with the CIM (2014) definitions. Mineral Reserves have an effective date as of December 31, 2023. The Qualified Person for the Mineral Reserves estimates for Cerro Lindo is Cristovao Teofilo dos Santos, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; for Vazante and Vazante Aroeira Tailings it is Vitor Marcos Teixeira de Aguilar, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; for Aripuana it is Vitor Ferraz Viana, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; and for El Porvenir, Atacocha (Underground) is Varun Bhundhoo, ing., a SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. employee, and for Atacocha (Open Pit) is Hugo Miranda, MBA, SME (RM), a SLR International Corporation employee. Cerro Lindo Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$40.86/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$32.99/t and US$40.86/t was included. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 88.36% for Zn, 85.23% for Cu, 66.53% for Pb, and 68.78% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 5.0 m was used. Dilution and extraction factors are applied based on stope type and location. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Vazante Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$66.31/t processed. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 87.19% for Zn, 23.93% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was applied. Vazante Aroeira Tailings: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$25.44/t processed. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Vazante Aroeira Tailings average head grades are 67.86% for Zn, 40.74% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum mining unit of 10 m x 10 m x 2 m was applied. El Porvenir Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR cut-off grade values ranging from US$63.77/t to US$67.04/t for SLS areas and US$65.77/t to US$69.04/t for C&F areas depending on the zone. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.21% for Zn, 14.60% for Cu, 80.01% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. Minimum mining width of 5.0 m for C&F mining and 4.0 m for SLS mining were used for reserves shapes and development design and are reported inclusive of extraction losses and dilution. Atacocha (Underground) Mine: The Mineral Reserves were estimated at a NSR cut-off of US$69.00/t for SLS areas and US$71.07/t for C&F areas depending on the zone. A number of incremental material (with values between US$45.09/t and US$69.00/t for SLS and values between US$47.16/t and US$71.07/t for C&F mining were included in estimate. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.30% for Zn, 15.73% for Cu, 80.02% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. Minimum mining width of 5.0 m for C&F mining and 4.0 m for SLS mining were used for reserves shapes and development design and are reported inclusive of extraction losses and dilution. Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$16.21/t. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); silver: US$21.17/oz; and gold: US$1,630.93/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 70.44% for Zn, 83.97% for Pb, 75.76% for Ag and 65.46% for Au. Aripuana Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR break-even cut-off value of US$63.40/t processed was estimated from forecasted operating costs and some incremental material between US$49.20/t and US$63.40/t was included. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); silver: US$21.17/oz; and gold: US$1,630.93/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for NSR calculations based on metallurgical testworks and are variable as a function of head grade and ore type. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade for a Mix of 80% Stratabound and 20% Stringer material are 90.06% for Zn, 60.00% for Cu, 84.92% for Pb, 68.00% for Ag, and 67.80% for Au. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was applied. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The point of reference for Mineral Reserves in Table 1 is mill feed materials. MINERAL RESOURCES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) in operating mines prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 2. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines on a 100% basis The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for our zinc exploration projects prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 3. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc projects on a 100% basis The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources for our copper project portfolio prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 4. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources for Copper projects on a 100% basis NOTES TO MINERAL RESOURCES TABLES The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resources estimate for Vazante, Vazante Aroeira Tailings, Morro Agudo and Aripuana is Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; and for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (Open Pit), Atacocha (Underground) and Hilarion, Florida Canyon Zinc and Magistral projects is Jerry Huaman Abalos, B.Geo., MAusIMM(CP), a Nexa employee. The tonnage and content amounts presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4, represents 100% of the Mineral Resources estimates for each property. Please refer to our ownership percentage for the amounts attributable to our ownership interest in each property. Mineral Resources have an effective date as of: (a) December 31, 2023, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (Underground), Atacocha (Open Pit), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana Mines; (b) December 31, 2022, for the Hilarion project; (c) October 30, 2020, for the Florida Canyon Zinc project, and (d) December 31, 2021, for the Magistral project. Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K definitions were followed for Mineral Resources, which also are consistent with the CIM (2014) definitions. Cerro Lindo Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at an NSR cut-off value of US$40.86/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 88.36% for Zn, 85.23% for Cu, 66.53% for Pb, and 68.78% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used to create resource shapes. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Vazante Mine and Vazante Aroeira Tailings: Mineral Resources are estimated at various NSR cut-off values appropriate to the mineralization style and mining method. For Supergene Mineralization (Calamine) the resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$27.91/t for soil and US$32.92/t for fresh rock and transition material. For Aroeira Tailings the resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$29.06/t and for Hypogene Mineralization (Willemite) a cut-off value of US$66.31/t for all resources shapes. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average hypogene mineralization (Willemite) head grades are 87.19% for Zn, 23.93% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. Recovery at supergene mineralization is 55.00% for Zn. Recoveries for Aroeira Tailings are 67.86% for Zn, 40.74% for Pb and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m for underground SLS, open pit shell for Calamine and above original topography for tailings. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. El Porvenir Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at NSR cut-off grade values ranging from US$63.77/t to US$67.05/t for SLS areas and US$65.77/t to US$69.04 for C&F areas depending on the zone. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.21% for Zn, 14.60% for Cu, 80.01% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for C&F and a minimum mining width of 3.0 m was used for SLS resource stopes shapes respectively. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Atacocha (Underground) Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$69.00/t for SLS, and US$71.07/t for C&F. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.30% for Zn, 15.73% for Cu, 80.02% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for C&F and a minimum mining width of 3.0 m was used for SLS resource stopes shapes respectively. Density was assigned based on rock type. Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine: Mineral Resources are reported within optimized pit shell. Mineral Resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$22.44/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); silver: US$24.35/oz; and gold: US$1,875.57/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 70.44% for Zn, 83.97% for Pb, 75.76% for Ag, and 65.46% for Au. Mineral Resources are reported within open pit shell. Density was assigned based on rock type. Aripuana Mine: Mineral Resources reported using a cut-of value of US$63.40/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); silver: US$24.35/oz; and gold: US$1,875.57/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 90.06% for Zn, 60.00% for Cu, 84.92% for Pb, 68.00% for Ag, and 67.80% for Au. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was used for stopes shapes. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Morro Agudo Mine: Mineral Resources are reported within underground mining shapes and the NSR cut-off values are calculated based on the life of mine costs for each mine. Morro Agudo: US$51.84/t and Bonsucesso: US$55.83/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb) and lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb). Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at the LOM average head grades for Morro Agudo are 89.96% for Zn and 71.69% for Pb, and for Bonsucesso are 92.50% for Zn and 61.10% for Pb. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was applied for Bonsucesso and 4.5 m for Morro Agudo underground. Density was assigned based on rock type. On March 19, 2024, Nexa announced the suspension of its mining operations at the Morro Agudo Mine effective May 1, 2024. Hilarion: Mineral Resources are reported within underground mining shapes. The NSR cut-off is calculated based on the LOM costs: US$45.00/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,245.91/t (US$1.47/lb); lead: US$2,332.46/t (US$1.06/lb); and silver: US$22.66/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are based on historical processing data: zinc (90.0%), lead (86.0%), and silver (72.0%). A minimum thickness of 4.0 m was used for stopes shapes. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. Florida Canyon Zinc: Mineral Resources are reported using a cut-off values of US$41.40/t NSR for SLS, US$42.93/t for C&F and US$40.61/t for Room & Pillar mine areas. The NSR cut-off is calculated based on the LOM costs: US$45.00/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,816.00/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,196/t (US$1.00/lb); and silver: US$19.4/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are based on historical processing data: zinc (90.0%), lead (86.0%), and silver (72.0%). A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was used for sub-level stopes and Cut and Fill, and 4.0 m for Room and Pillars. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. Magistral: Mineral Resources are reported using NSR cut-off value: US$5.99/t (Porf. San Ernesto, Porf. Sara and Porf. H), US$5.51/t (Mixto), US$5.48/t (Skarn). Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices for the NSR calculations are: Resources Pit: copper: US$8,272.00/t (US$3.75/lb); molybdenum: US$21,829.00/t (US$9.90/lb); and silver: US$21.34/oz. Reserves Pit: copper: US$7,302.4/t (US$3.26/lb); molybdenum: US$19,286.4/t (US$8.61/lb); and silver: US$18.56/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on metallurgical data and vary from 79.3% in skarn to 92.5% in San Ernesto porphyry for copper, 51.3% in skarn and 79.2% in San Ernesto porphyry for molybdenum, and 70% for Ag. Bulk densities ranging from 2.59 t/m3 to 3.30 t/m3 depending on the rock type. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The estimation of Mineral Resources involves assumptions about future commodity prices and technical mining matters. Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources that were converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There are no Mineral Reserves at Morro Agudo, and at the Hilarion, Florida Canyon Zinc and Magistral projects. The point of reference for Mineral Resources in Tables 2, 3 and 4 is mill feed materials. Technical Information Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMM: 224829, a Mineral Resources manager, a Qualified Person for purposes of NI 43-101 and a Nexa employee, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Further information, including key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the mines and/or projects referenced in the tables above can be found in the applicable technical reports, each of which is available at www.sedarplus.ca under Nexa's SEDAR profile. About Nexa Nexa is a large-scale, low-cost integrated zinc producer with over 65 years of experience developing and operating mining and smelting assets in Latin America. Nexa currently owns and operates five long-life mines - three located in the Central Andes of Peru and two located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil - and it is ramping up Aripuana, its sixth mine in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Nexa also currently owns and operates three smelters, two located in Minas Gerais, Brazil and one in Peru, Cajamarquilla, which is the largest smelter in the Americas. Nexa was among the top five producers of mined zinc globally in 2023 and one of the top five metallic zinc producers worldwide in 2023, according to Wood Mackenzie. Cautionary Statement on Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates of the Company disclosed or referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014 ("2014 CIM Definition Standards"), whose definitions are incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the metals indicated per mine and project. Accordingly, such information may not be comparable to similar information prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). For a discussion of the differences between the requirements under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, please see our annual report on Form 20-F. Mineral Reserve: is an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted. Probable Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource. Proven Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource. Mineral Resource: is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. Inferred Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an inferred mineral resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Indicated Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an indicated mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Measured Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a measured mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors, as defined in this section, in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to in this news release as "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "will," "may," "may have," "would," "estimate," "continues," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "expects," "budget," "scheduled," "forecasts" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of NEXA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, many of which are not under our control, among them, the activities of our competition, the future global economic situation, weather conditions, market prices and conditions, exchange rates, and operational and financial risks. The unexpected occurrence of one or more of the abovementioned events may significantly change the results of our operations on which we have based our estimates and forward-looking statements. Our estimates and forward-looking statements may also be influenced by, among others, legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of our projects, including risks related to outbreaks of contagious diseases or health crises impacting overall economic activity regionally or globally. These forward-looking statements related to future events or future performance and include current estimates, predictions, forecasts, beliefs and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, but not limited to, the business and operations of the Company and mining production our growth strategy, the impact of applicable laws and regulations, future zinc and other metal prices, smelting sales, CAPEX, expenses related to exploration and project evaluation, estimation of mineral reserves and/or mineral resources, mine life and our financial liquidity. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable and appropriate by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Statements concerning future production costs or volumes are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding operating matters and on assumptions that demand for products develops as anticipated, that customers and other counterparties perform their contractual obligations, full integration of mining and smelting operations, that operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labor disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions, and other COVID-19 related impacts, and that there are no material unanticipated variations in metal prices, exchange rates, or the cost of energy, supplies or transportation, among other assumptions. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required under securities laws. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance, as actual results or developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found in our public disclosures filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Team ir@nexaresources.com SOURCE: Nexa Resources S.A. View the original press release on accesswire.com -Head of Kia Global Design, Karim Habib, named 'Designer Disruptor of the Year' for groundbreaking 'Opposites United' design philosophy -Kia EV9 awarded 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year' for innovative applications of advanced technologies -Newsweek awards, now in their third year, recognize those driving fundamental, transformative change with measurable real-world results -Awards are latest in long line of recognition for innovative Hyundai Motor Group products and personnel NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia is celebrating victory in two key categories at this year's Newsweek World's Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards, with the all-electric EV9 winning 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year' and its Head of Kia Global Design, Executive Vice President Karim Habib, named 'Design Disruptor of the Year'. These latest accolades follow on from previous Hyundai Motor Group successes, including 2022 wins in the 'R&D Team of the Year' and 'Powertrain of the Year' categories, as well as individual honors for Executive Chair Euisun Chung - named 'Visionary of the Year' in 2022 - and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke - named 'Designer of the Year' in 2023. Announced during an event at Newsweek HQ in New York, the World's Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards recognize those driving fundamental, transformative change with measurable real-world results. A central figure in Kia's success since his arrival in 2019, EVP Karim Habib is the driving force behind the brand's award-winning Opposites United design philosophy. Taking inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity, Opposites United shapes the exterior, interior, color, and materials employed across all new Kia models, and is particularly evident in the striking styling of the all-electric EV9. Speaking upon the announcement of his award, EVP Karim said: "It makes me extremely happy that Kia is seen as pushing the boundaries when it comes to design, and I believe that it is essential for designers to consistently take creative risks. "It is important that design remains authentic and true to our brand values. At Kia, an innovative and forward-thinking mindset is an intrinsic quality, essential for providing relevant and meaningful products and experiences. We want our brand to provide environmentally responsible mobility for all; and we want our brand to be a symbol of innovation and progressive solutions." Winner of Kia's second award of the evening, for 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year', the Kia EV9 features multiple innovative R&D features including 800V architecture, Over The Air (OTA)[1] update technology, and a drag coefficient of just 0.28 - despite its available 7.8 inches of ground clearance and seven-seat capacity. With an affordable entry price and an EPA-estimated 304-mile range on the Light Long Range RWD[2], the Kia EV9 brings next generation technology, luxury, and efficiency to more buyers than ever before. Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of Kia R&D Division, said: "Kia R&D is driven by process, but not limited by it. At Kia, that means our engineers have the agency and trust to accelerate development, continue to pioneer new technology, and deliver improvements faster than the industry average. "The EV9 was designed to reshape expectations in the segment, but affordability is a defining factor in the three-row mainstream segment-especially for growing families. We wanted the EV9 to offer the best of everything, without passing on those costs to the consumer." A key vehicle for the North American market, the EV9 recently followed in the footsteps of the EV6 in being crowned North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The success of the model has also prompted the expansion of Kia's West Point assembly plant in Georgia, which is expected to allow the three-row all-electric vehicle to become the first Kia EV to commence US assembly later this year. Receiving the award on behalf of Kia, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon added: "The recognition of Newsweek's editors is of particular significance to Kia, which strives to disrupt the status quo through innovative products which enrich the lives of their users. "These dual awards demonstrate that the visionary leadership offered by our senior executives is having a real and meaningful impact on the vehicles which we create, delivering on Kia's goal to become the leader in sustainable mobility solutions." - END - ? Editor's note:. Product specifications and availability may also vary depending on the region and country. [1] Over-the-Air features and updates may require an additional cost and may vary by model, model year, and trim level. Features, specifications, and fees are subject to change. Kia Connect subscription is required and Kia Connect terms and conditions apply. [2] Based on combined (city/highway) EPA estimates on a full battery charge. Actual range will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, charging practice, battery age, weather, temperature and your vehicle's condition. Battery capacity will decrease with time and use. For more information on range, please see www.fueleconomy.gov Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2373993/Image_5__Kia_honored_with_dual_accolades_at_2024_Newsweek_World_s_Greatest_Auto_Disruptors_Awards__c.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kia-honored-with-dual-accolades-at-2024-newsweek-worlds-greatest-auto-disruptors-awards-302101861.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 27, 2024) - IberAmerican Lithium Corp. (CBOE: IBER) (OTCQB: IBRLF) ("IberAmerican" or the "Company"), a company focused on the exploration of lithium, is pleased to announce that it has filed its audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the full year 2023. These documents can be found on its website at www.iberamericanlithium.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All financial figures contained herein are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Highlights of 2023 On August 24, 2023, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, IberAmerican Lithium Inc., completed a concurrent best-efforts private placement of 36,450,488 subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $9,112,622. Subsequently on September 1, 2023, the Company announced the completion of its previously announced reverse takeover transaction (the "RTO Transaction") with IberAmerican Lithium Inc. On September 28, 2023, the Company acquired the remaining 30% interest in the investigation permit No 5186 and the application for investigation permit No 5191 related to the Alberta II and Carlota lithium projects, respectively, located in Spain (the "Lithium Projects") for $1.0 million, from Strategic Minerals Europe Corp. As a result of this acquisition, IBER now holds 100% of the rights to the Lithium Projects. The Company finished re-assaying existing core samples with advanced technologies and a focus on lithium. The Company now has 25 samples showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of lithium oxide, an increase of approximately 20% from the number of samples previously reported from the exploration campaign conducted in 2011. The Company reported a net loss of $5.4 million ($0.07 per share) for the year, largely attributed to the Company's founding transactional costs and acquisition of the Lithium Projects. As at December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.4 million and no debt. Jeff Holmgren, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, said, "2023 was a busy year building the foundations of IberAmerican as we know it today. We are well positioned for 2024, to execute on plans to grow our business and shareholder value through various opportunistic pathways amidst the rapid advancement of the green economy." Previously Announced Business Combination Agreement with Strategic Minerals Europe Corp. Subsequent to the year end, on March 20, 2024, the Company announced that it has entered into a business combination agreement with Strategic Minerals Europe Corp. ("Strategic Minerals") dated March 19, 2024 (the "Business Combination Agreement") pursuant to which the Company proposes to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Strategic Minerals by way of a three-cornered amalgamation (the "Proposed Transaction"). Strategic Minerals is a company that among other things, produces different mineral concentrates, primarily tin and tantalum/niobium. Campbell Becher, Chief Executive Officer and Director of IberAmerican, said, "We are incredibly excited about the potential of this Proposed Transaction and by extension critical green asset consolidation. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, IberAmerican shareholders will gain access to a consolidated portfolio of green critical metal assets in Spain, reflecting our dedication to sustainability and positioning us at the forefront of the green economy." About IberAmerican Lithium Corp. IberAmerican is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Alberta II & Carlota properties located in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain. IberAmerican's properties are located in a favorable lithium district with world class infrastructure and a supportive and proactive mining jurisdiction. Additional information on IberAmerican Lithium is available at www.iberamericanlithium.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of IberAmerican to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in IberAmerican's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2024, which is available to view on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These risks include but are not limited to, the risks associated with the mining and exploration industry, such as operational risks in development or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of projections relating to production, and any delays or changes in plans with respect to the exploitation of the site. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release, and IberAmerican disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Further Information For further information regarding IberAmerican, please contact: Campbell Becher, Chief Executive Officer and Director inquiries@ialithium.com 647-404-9071 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203400 SOURCE: IberAmerican Lithium Corp. PUNE, India, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Transmission Electron Microscope Market by Mode (Bright Field, Dark Field), Type (Aberration corrected TEM, Cryo-TEM, Environmental/In-situ TEM), Product Type, Application, End Users - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $2.05 billion in 2023 to reach $3.92 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.71% over the forecast period. " The Rising Importance of Transmission Electron Microscopes in Global Research and Development " Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a pivotal analytical tool across various scientific disciplines, including nanotechnology, materials science, and biology. This advanced technology operates by channeling a high-energy beam of electrons through ultra-thin samples, rendering images that unveil structures at the atomic level. The increasing investments in research and development, coupled with the growing demand for intricate analysis in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and healthcare, have significantly amplified the need for TEM. Challenges include high costs, the necessity for specialized training, and complex sample preparation. Advancements are underway, including integrating AI and ML to address these hurdles. Regionally, the Americas, particularly the U.S. and Canada, are at the forefront of TEM adoption, owing to their robust investment in cutting-edge research fields. The APAC region, led by China, Japan, and India, is making swift advances, supported by governmental research funding and a keen focus on innovation. Europe's strong R&D ecosystem, supported by governmental and EU funding, further complements the global outreach of TEM technology. The role of TEM in nanoworld is increasingly indispensable, highlighting its significance in propelling scientific and technological advancements globally. Download Sample Report @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/transmission-electron-microscope " Revolutionizing Semiconductor Production with Advanced Imaging; the Critical Role of Transmission Electron Microscopy " In the rapidly advancing world of semiconductor manufacturing, the advent of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) marks a transformative step in producing and inspecting semiconductor devices. As the industry moves toward creating devices with finer details on the nanometer scale, the unparalleled resolution of TEM emerges as a vital tool. This advanced imaging technique provides an in-depth analysis of semiconductor materials, revealing critical insights into their structure and composition at an atomic level. TEM is essential in refining the manufacturing process, ensuring devices are high-performing and reliable by precisely identifying minuscule defects and material inconsistencies. Its ability to visualize the smallest details of device architecture assists in inspecting each manufacturing stage, preventing potential structural failures. The integration of TEM into the semiconductor manufacturing process highlights a commitment to excellence, paving the way for innovations that meet the growing demands for more powerful and efficient electronic devices. Through its contribution to material science and fabrication, TEM ensures the industry's stride toward miniaturization and complexity in semiconductor devices remains steady and informed. " The Power of Dark Field TEM in Unveiling Microscopic Defects " Bright-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM) stands out for its ability to produce high-contrast images that reveal the intricate structures and dimensions of materials at the nano level, making it an indispensable tool for understanding the morphology of biological specimens, thin films, and nanoparticles. However, when investigating the hidden internal structures and defects of crystalline materials, Dark Field TEM emerges as a superior technique. Dark field TEM can visualize minute structural defects and dislocations that often go unnoticed, offering invaluable insights for materials science and engineering professionals. This method provides a detailed view of the material's inner architecture, making it a go-to choice for those looking to delve deeper into the complexities of crystal structures and nanoparticles, contributing significantly to future advancements. Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/transmission-electron-microscope " Hitachi Ltd. at the Forefront of Transmission Electron Microscope Market with a Strong 15.12% Market Share " The key players in the Transmission Electron Microscope Market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, AMETEK, Inc, Bruker Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions. " Introducing ThinkMi: Revolutionizing Market Intelligence with AI-Powered Insights for the Transmission Electron Microscope Market " We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Transmission Electron Microscope Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it's a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Transmission Electron Microscope Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth. Ask Question to ThinkMi @ https://app.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/transmission-electron-microscope " Dive into the Transmission Electron Microscope Market Landscape: Explore 183 Pages of Insights, 574 Tables, and 26 Figures " Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Transmission Electron Microscope Market, by Mode Transmission Electron Microscope Market, by Type Transmission Electron Microscope Market, by Product Type Transmission Electron Microscope Market, by Application Transmission Electron Microscope Market, by End Users Americas Transmission Electron Microscope Market Asia-Pacific Transmission Electron Microscope Market Europe, Middle East & Africa Transmission Electron Microscope Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/transmission-electron-microscope Related Reports: Electron Microscopy & Sample Preparation Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Cryo-electron Microscopy Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Scanning Electron Microscopes Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 About 360iResearch Founded in 2017, 360iResearch is a market research and business consulting company headquartered in India, with clients and focus markets spanning the globe. We are a dynamic, nimble company that believes in carving ambitious, purposeful goals and achieving them with the backing of our greatest asset - our people. Quick on our feet, we have our ear to the ground when it comes to market intelligence and volatility. Our market intelligence is diligent, real-time and tailored to your needs, and arms you with all the insight that empowers strategic decision-making. Our clientele encompasses about 80% of the Fortune Global 500, and leading consulting and research companies and academic institutions that rely on our expertise in compiling data in niche markets. Our meta-insights are intelligent, impactful and infinite, and translate into actionable data that support your quest for enhanced profitability, tapping into niche markets, and exploring new revenue opportunities. Contact 360iResearch Mr. Ketan Rohom 360iResearch Private Limited, Office No. 519, Nyati Empress, Opposite Phoenix Market City, Vimannagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 411014. Email: sales@360iresearch.com USA: +1-530-264-8485 India: +91-922-607-7550 To learn more, visit 360iresearch.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359256/360iResearch_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/transmission-electron-microscope-market-projected-to-reach-3-92-billion-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-360iresearch-302101136.html NINGBO, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For many people, the city of Ningbo may not sound as well-known as metropolis such as Beijing and Shanghai in China, but it may be closer to the daily life: the Chinese-made hardware tools, rice cookers and even new energy vehicles people bought are very likely to travel across the ocean from this Chinese city in east China's Zhejiang Province. The high probability of this trade link comes from Ningbo's unique port status, according to Information Office of Municipal Government of Ningbo. In the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port which faces the East China Sea, ships with a maximum carrying weight of 300,000 tonnes can come and go freely, and super ships with a maximum carrying weight above 400,000 tonnes can enter and exit with the tide. It is a rare outstanding deep-water port in the world. Last year, the throughput of the port reached 1.324 billion tonnes, ranking first in the world for 15 consecutive years, and its container throughput ranked third worldwide. It's also home to the largest iron ore terminal in China, the largest crude oil terminal in Asia and the second largest single container terminal on earth. Ningbo has been an important trading center since ancient times. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Ningbo was one of the starting points of the Maritime Silk Road. In modern times, Ningbo was one of the five treaty ports open to foreign trade. After 1978, Ningbo was among the country's first coastal cities to embrace the country's reform and opening-up campaign. Today, Ningbo is connected with more than 60 Chinese cities through sea-rail intermodal transport, and has access to more than 600 ports in over 200 countries and regions with the help of 300-plus container routes. It has become an important port and shipping logistics center, strategic resource allocation hub and modern shipping service base in the world. In late 2023, Ningbo was approved to extend the opening up to all its eight port areas, adding new momentum to the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's sprint to be a world-class top port. Unique port resources endow Ningbo with prowess to connect with the rest of the world, but the city's opening-up and enterprising moves not only target improving the throughput capacity of the world's largest port, but also seeking wider connectivity, deeper-level exchanges and higher-level opening-up. Now Ningbo is building a world-class air-rail integration hub and a new engine of international open development by further optimizing the transport planning of its western region. It is estimated that in 2050, the passenger transport capacity of Ningbo's west transport hub will reach about 220 million passengers per year, and the air cargo volume will reach 3 million tonnes annually, which will help Ningbo become a modern coastal metropolis. Among the international destinations accessible to Ningbo, the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) along the Belt and Road Initiative are the bright spots for deepening global economic cooperation and trade exchanges. Ningbo started to hold exhibitions to promote trade with the CEEC in 2014, and established the first and only demonstration zone for economic cooperation and trade exchanges between China and CEEC in 2017. In 2019, the China-CEEC Expo was upgraded to a national-level international event. Thanks to a good business environment, a strong digital economy foundation and a unique port logistics hub system, Ningbo's cross-border e-commerce has seen fast growth, with an increasingly wider and denser digital trade network. Ningbo has maintained the first place in the country's cross-border e-commerce retail imports during China's largest online shopping festival "Double 11" for seven consecutive years. The city's online purchase bonded business in cross-border e-commerce accounts for nearly a quarter of the Chinese market, and its overseas warehouse area accounts for 1/6 of the country's total. In March last year, the first fifth-freedom freight air route in Zhejiang was opened in Ningbo, lending strong steam to the growth of the city's cross-border e-commerce business. In September 2020, the Ningbo Area of Zhejiang Free Trade Pilot Zone was officially listed, opening a new chapter of institutional opening in the city. For example, aiming at the circulation security and data security of international trade of bulk commodities, Ningbo launched the digital service platform "TradeGo" to ensure the uniqueness and authenticity of digital documents through blockchain technology. The platform has become one of the only 10 recognized platforms for electronic bill of lading in the world. The open environment and enterprising culture have not only shaped Ningbo's extensive foreign trade network, but also sharpened the innovation edge of a strong manufacturing city in a global market with open competition. Ningbo has 104 national single-product champion enterprises in the manufacturing industry, the largest number among Chinese cities and far exceeding Shenzhen, which ranks second. Many of their products bring first-class Chinese manufacturing to global consumers via the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. Looking ahead, Ningbo aims to build an international opening-up hub city. According to Ningbo's plan, by 2026, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's cargo throughput is expected to maintain the top spot in the world, and the number of enterprises with an annual trade value of over 10 million U.S. dollars and foreign investment projects with a total investment of more than 100 million U.S. dollars, among others, will double compared with 2021. From a port city to an international hub for trade, Ningbo is set to make its mark on the global map. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/from-ningbo-to-the-world-chinas-port-city-evolving-into-global-opening-up-hub-302102022.html Demand for digital skills is increasing and Liberty has solutions to help Australians finance their education for a bright future. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / A recent Digital Skills Organisation report projected a 370,000 shortfall of digital workers in Australia by 2026. The report indicated increasing demand for programmers and analysts as well as digital skills across finance, technology, and business. According to leading lender Liberty, if those looking to upskill select a training course not eligible for government support, a personal loan could help keep their plans on target. Head of Consumer Communications Kate Jenkinson says personal loans could offer Australians the budget flexibility to invest in their future through education. "Learning new skills could help make job candidates more attractive and competitive in their industry, which could lead to a higher future earning potential," Ms Jenkinson said. "A personal loan could help people to upskill and open the door to greater employment opportunities without needing to dip into their savings." The flexibility and easy online application process of personal loans can help borrowers bridge gaps in cash flow and fast-track plans. Fixed repayments can also make budgeting easier as they remain consistent over the life of the loan. Offering both secured and unsecured personal loans, Liberty has flexible options allowing borrowers to take advantage of opportunities when they come knocking. For borrowers who require funding quickly to move their plans forward, Liberty's fast turnaround times can help provide funds faster. "At Liberty, our goal is to help borrowers secure the funding they need to reach their goals. This could range from educational courses to purchasing a new car, undertaking home renovations, or celebrating life's biggest milestones," Ms Jenkinson said. "We take a personalised approach to lending to help find solutions that suit individual circumstances and needs." Liberty's free-thinking credit assessment practices help borrowers get financial. About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. Over more than 26 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 850,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance products. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial. Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 87 2 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial. Contact Information: Kate Jenkinson Manager - Group Communications +61 3 8635 8892 mediaenquiries@liberty.com.au SOURCE: Liberty View the original press release on accesswire.com SHENZHEN, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an event that bridges the gap between continents and cultures, Hainan Airlines stepped into the spotlight during Shenzhen-Milan Bi-City Fashion Week, held in the dynamic cityscape of Shenzhen from March 19th to March 22nd. The airline, known for its global connectivity, joined hands with more than 20 of the most renowned Italian fashion houses to deliver an eclectic mix of international runway shows, cross-cultural exhibits, competitive showcases, avant-garde dining experiences, and thematic forums. The initiative provided sartorial connoisseurs from every corner of the world with an unparalleled and memorable journey into the world of fashion. The narrative of China-Italy relations, rich with centuries of cultural exchange since the days of Marco Polo, stands as a testament to enduring friendship and mutual respect. The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1970 has only deepened the economic and cultural connections between the two nations, but also serves as a cornerstone for the continued evolution and strengthening of their bilateral relationship. With the arrival of the first days of spring, the much-anticipated Shenzhen-Milan Bi-City Fashion Week unfolded, bringing together the worlds of Chinese and Italian design. As the exclusive airline partner, Hainan Airlines rose to the occasion, offering its distinct advantages in ticketing services and travel protection to ensure a seamless experience for all attendees. The successful staging of the event not only underscored the deep-rooted heritage and creativity of both nations in the fashion domain but also facilitated meaningful cultural exchanges and the melding of fashion sensibilities across borders. The ultimate goal: to craft a visual and cultural extravaganza that captivates the global fashion community. Moving forward, Hainan Airlines is poised to further this collaboration, aiming to stimulate the ongoing prosperity of the fashion industry. Through bringing together engaging activities and immersive experiences, the airline is eagerly anticipating the dawn of a new era in international fashion engagement. Hainan Airlines launched its Shenzhen-Milan international route on 20 September 2023, offering three round-trip flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The outbound flight departs from Shenzhen at 01:55 Beijing time and arrives in Milan at 07:55 local time, with an estimated flight duration of 13 hours. The return flight departs from Milan at 09:55 local time and arrives in Shenzhen at 05:00 Beijing time the following day, with a projected flight duration of 12 hours and 5 minutes. Additionally, Hainan Airlines commenced the Chongqing-Milan international service on 19 March this year, operating two round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The outbound flight departs from Chongqing at 02:00 Beijing time and arrives in Milan at 06:45 local time, with an anticipated flight duration of 11 hours and 45 minutes. The return flight departs at 11:15 local time and arrives in Chongqing at 05:00 the next day, with a flight duration of approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes. All mentioned times are local. The roll-out of these flights is set to further facilitate cultural and trade exchanges between China and Italy. As mainland China's exclusive SKYTRAX five-star airline, Hainan Airlines proudly embodies the corporate ethos championed by its parent company, Liaoning Fangda Group Industrial Co., Ltd. These principles underscore a commitment to benefiting the nation, the company, its employees, and its passengers alike. With a dedication to delivering authentic services, Hainan Airlines is devoted to ensuring a travel experience that is safe, seamless, and supremely comfortable, reflecting the standards of a five-star carrier. In doing so, Hainan Airlines is not just elevating the passenger experience; it is also driving the forward momentum of China's civil aviation sector towards sustainable development. Find the flight schedules for the Shenzhen-Milan and Chongqing-Milan routes below: Flight Number Route Schedule Departure Time Arrival Time Flight Dates HU7973 Shenzhen-Milan Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 01:55 07: 55 20 Mar-31 Apr 2024 HU7974 Milan-Shenzhen 09:55 05: 00 +1 HU7973 Shenzhen-Milan Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 01:50 08:55 1 Apr - 28 Oct 2024 HU7974 Milan-Shenzhen 10:55 05:00 +1 HU427 Chongqing- Milan Tuesdays and Fridays 02:00 07:45 19 Mar - 28 Oct 2024 HU428 Milan-Chongqing 11:15 5:00 +1 Flight information is subject to change without notice. Please verify on our official website. For more information, please visit: Official website: www.hnair.com or www.hainanairlines.com Sina Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/hnair WeChat Account: HNairlines Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2370686/Photo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bridging-continents-hainan-airlines-new-shenzhen-milan-flights-boost-fashion-week-exchange-302102064.html BRUSSELS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hainan Airlines plans to resume direct flight from Brussels to Shanghai (Pudong) starting on June 18th. After Brussels-Beijing and Brussels-Shenzhen, this is Hainan Airlines' third route to China from Belgium, now double Daily flights from Belgium to China by Hainan Airlines. With additional options for travel between Europe and China, the Brussels-Shanghai (Pudong) route's resume will promote deeper cultural contact and collaboration between the two regions. Hainan Airlines reportedly intends to operate four international flights per week between Brussels and Shanghai (Pudong) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The outbound flights are expected to take 11 hours to complete, take off from Brussels International Airport at 12:00 local time and landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 5:00 local time the following day. The inbound flights are scheduled to depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 02:10 local time and arrive at Brussels International Airport at 08:10 local time, with an estimated flight duration of 12 hours. Passengers can purchase tickets through various channels provided by Hainan Airlines, including the official website, app, WeChat official account and mini-program, service hotline 95339, direct ticket offices, and authorized agents. Additionally, Hainan Airlines offers diverse product options, such as, preferred seating selection, prepaid baggage, in-flight upgrades, and business package tickets to meet the diverse travel needs for passengers. To further facilitate the international travel, as of early March, China has signed visa exemption agreements with 157 countries covering various passports and reached agreements or arrangements to simplify visa procedures with 44 countries. Currently, China has unilaterally announced visa-free policies for nationals of 12 countries, 11 of which are European countries. On November 24th, 2023, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning announced China's decision to unilaterally implement visa-free policies for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Starting March 14th this year, China has implemented a trial visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The expansion of visa-free entry policies to more countries reflects China's vision of promoting healthy and vibrant development in inbound and outbound tourism markets. The Brussels-Shanghai (Pudong) route will resume operations on the 10th anniversary of Belgium and China's comprehensive friendly partnership, promoting cultural exchange, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and injecting new momentum into their common development. Hainan Airlines currently operates over 40 international and regional passenger routes from China, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Haikou, Chongqing, Xi'an, Changsha, Taiyuan, Dalian, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. In the future, Hainan Airlines will speed up the resumption and expansion of international and regional flights to meet market demand for passengers' travels. As the only SKYTRAX Five-Star airline in Mainland China, Hainan Airlines will provide customers with safe, convenient, and enjoyable air travel experiences, to advance China's civil aviation industry. Table Attachment: Flight Information for Brussels to Shanghai (Pudong) Route Flight Number Route Schedule Departure Time Arrival Time HU7922 Brussels-Shanghai (Pudong) Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat 12:00 05:00+1 HU7921 Shanghai (Pudong)-Brussels Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat 02:10 08:10 Note: All times are local. Flight information is subject to final confirmation on the official website. For more information, please visit: Official Website: www.hnair.com or www.hainanairlines.com Instagram: hainanairlines Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2372935/Poster_Brussels_Shanghai__Pudong__International_Route.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/june-18th-hainan-airlines-plans-to-resume-the-brussels-to-shanghai-pudong-international-flight-route-302102079.html 'Metaverse as a Service' company enhances trust and authentication for luxury brands exploring the metaverse space DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / MetaMinds Group, a 'metaverse as a service' company providing end-to-end infrastructure and metaverse-ready solutions to luxury and lifestyle brands, has announced a partnership with NFTrends (Numeraire Future Trends), the provider of a proprietary, innovative and comprehensive suite of solutions for authentication, ownership, and provenance tracking, designed for the luxury and art markets. A Zilliqa Group venture entity, MetaMinds has entered this partnership in order to offer a joint service offering with NFTrends focusing on the initial phase of digital asset authentication linked to metaverse experiences, use cases, and functionalities through leveraging NFTrends advanced technologies like NFDIs and DPPs that offer brands, artists and buyers value by enhancing trust, reducing fraud, and improving the overall experience of these industries. The Digital Product Passports, combined with proprietary AI-based technology for digital fingerprint recognition, enable authentication of newly issued items and facilitate continuous provenance and ownership tracking for unique items throughout their lifecycle. MetaMinds Group, alongside NFTrends, will be building on the future of DPPs and the importance of the authentication layer for the luxury industry, especially when looking at providing experiences within the metaverse post purchases. By leveraging MetaMinds' Multi-tenant MaaS architecture, NFTrends technology offers authentication and provenance tracking services not only for physical items but also for real-time authentication of brand-issued digital images in the Metaverse. This partnership will add another level of authentication and security by enlisting NFTrends' unique and innovative DPP (Digital Product Passport) technologies. DPPs created through NFTrends establish an immutable link between physical treasuries (ranging from high-end luxury items, jewelry, timepieces, artworks, artifacts, and collectibles) and their creators. This link can be transferred from owner to owner over the lifetime of the item, providing a promising future for ownership and provenance tracking that is impossible to manipulate or hack. "Our partnership with NFTrends aligns perfectly with our commitment to provide and deliver unique solutions necessary for brands wanting to elevate the customer experience within luxury" said Sandra Helou, CEO of MetaMinds Group. "If we look at what is currently in the market, QR codes, RFIDs, and even NFTs are not secure enough to act as DPPs which can offer provenance, ownership, and experiences attached to them. We want to bring this level of authentication initially to digital products and then expand with the NFTrends the industries we serve through both physical and digital products." Marsha Lipton, CEO of Numeraire Future Trends, said: "MetaMinds Group delivers unique solutions for luxury brands and brings unparalleled expertise in creating immersive customer experiences. There is tremendous cross-pollination and complementarity between our companies that we look forward to exploring in full." Through this partnership, MetaMinds will further grow its suite of products and services available to its clients and users delivering metaverse and spatial web services that promise scalable and sustainable growth for luxury and lifestyle brands looking to leverage these transformative technologies. About MetaMinds Group: MetaMinds Group is an award-winning 'Metaverse as a Service' technology company within web3. Their primary focus is to assist luxury brands entering the metaverse space by providing an end-to-end metaverse and spatial web platform strategy and the infrastructure needed to execute these objectives. MetaMinds builds, deploys and manages the virtual environments that are ushering in a new era for the modern internet by cultivating engaging and immersive experiences for users. For more information on MetaMinds Group, visit, www.metaminds.group About NFTrends Ltd: NFTrends (Numeraire Future Trends) is a technology company offering comprehensive solutions for key challenges within the Art and Luxury sectors, such as authentication, provenance, and ownership. Utilizing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and AI-driven Digital Product Fingerprint technology, we establish a unique link between owners and their valued items. Our innovative concept of Non-Fungible Digital Images (NFDIs), featuring immutable and non-replicable limited-edition images, is set to transform the digital presence of arts and luxury brands in the Metaverse and pave the way for tokenization and fractionalization in these markets. For more information on NFTrends, please visit, https://www.nftrends.ai Contact Information: Veronica Welch ronnie@vewpr.com 508-643-8000 SOURCE: MetaMinds Group View the original press release on accesswire.com Helping customers leverage AI responsibly with a focus on the AI lifecycle and continuous improvement VantaCon comes to London 23 April to bring together leading voices on the intersection of AI and trust Featuring Google DeepMind, Financial Times, Sequoia Capital, Proofpoint, Checkout.com and more Vanta, the leading trust management platform, today launched support for the ISO 42001 standard, giving customers a framework for responsibly developing and using AI through an AI Management system (AIMS) certified by third-party auditors. Aligned with the launch, Vanta unveiled the agenda for VantaCon UK, bringing their annual user conference to London on 23 April to discuss global trends in security, compliance and the future of trust in an AI world amongst a gathering of experts and Vanta customers. According to Vanta's State of Trust Report, 54% of business and IT leaders globally are concerned that secure data management is becoming more challenging with AI adoption, with another 51% saying that using Generative AI technologies could erode customer trust. As a result, security teams are spending more time building trust in their AI-powered products through back-and-forth conversations with prospects and creating bespoke documentation with less time for strategic security initiatives. Demonstrating AI trust with ISO 42001 in Vanta Established by the International Standards Organisation, ISO 42001 defines the requirements of an AIMS that helps organisations responsibly develop and use AI emphasising ethical considerations, transparency and the necessity of continuous improvement. Designed for organisations that provide AI-based technologies or use AI sub-processors in their systems, ISO 42001 assists these organisations by outlining the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an AIMS. Vanta's ISO 42001 solution simplifies AI system management through a lifecycle approach, ensuring that ethical considerations and risk management are embedded throughout the product development, deployment and operational stages. Vanta centralises all the ISO 42001 requirements in one place and helps customers document their AI policies, including: Centralise and track requirements : Vanta's ISO 42001 solution comes with 70 new controls to streamline the implementation of governance requirements : Vanta's ISO 42001 solution comes with 70 new controls to streamline the implementation of governance requirements Establish AI policies and process: Vanta's included policy templates helps customers define the scope of their AIMS, associated risks, impact, and more Vanta's included policy templates helps customers define the scope of their AIMS, associated risks, impact, and more Build responsible AI practices: Vanta helps customers understand, build and document their AI practices such as AI system development, usage, and data management within their AI system lifecycle Coming soon, Vanta will release enhanced documentation automation, which automatically generates an Artificial Intelligence Impact Assessment (AIIA) report based on a customers' AI provider type, AI model algorithm, the intended use of their system, and more having an AIIA report is a fundamental requirement of ISO 42001, but also to comply with the EU AI Act. VantaCon UK: The Future of Trust in an AI World To dive into the future of trust in an AI world, VantaCon UK is coming to London on 23 April featuring executives, founders, futurists, security experts and investors from Google DeepMind, Financial Times, Proofpoint, Sequoia Capital, Checkout.com, incident.io, Owkin, Evervault and more. The half-day event includes keynotes, panel discussions, and product announcements to explore where security and compliance are headed next, including: To Trust Management and Beyond Introducing Vanta's future product vision presented by Christina Cacioppo, CEO; Jeremy Epling, Chief Product Officer; Stevie Case, Chief Revenue Officer; and innovators from across Vanta. The Future of Trust in an AI World Generative AI is transforming trust and what it means to be trustworthy. This panel of AI investors, innovators and technology experts will discuss the obstacles and opportunities of building trust in an AI world. Featuring Christina Cacioppo, CEO, Vanta; Cristina Criddle, Technology Reporter, Financial Times; Pete Hamilton, Co-founder CTO, incident.io; Luciana Lixandru, Partner, Sequoia Capital; and Tim Sadler, Group Vice President General Manager, Tessian Group, Proofpoint. The Next Security Frontier: From Automated Compliance to AI CISOs are in the business of instilling confidence all while being confronted by more challenges than ever as we navigate an AI world. This panel of pioneering CISOs features Vijay Bolina, CISO, Head of Cybersecurity Research, Google DeepMind; Sean Catlett, fmr CISO, Reddit Slack; Leo Cunningham, CISO, Owkin; and Jadee Hanson, CISO, Vanta. The State of Trust in an AI World Vanta's annual State of Trust industry report unveils the top barriers to improving and proving security and how AI and automation are transforming trust. Featuring insights and expert analysis from Colette Hanley, VP Technology Risk, Checkout.com; John Hetherton, Head of Compliance, Evervault; and Jenny Thai, Head of Content, Vanta. For more information and to register for VantaCon UK, visit: https://events.vanta.com/vantaconuk. About Vanta Vanta is the leading trust management platform that helps simplify and centralise security for organisations of all sizes. Over 7,000 companies including Atlassian, Chili Piper, Flo Health and Quora rely on Vanta to build, maintain and demonstrate their trust-all in a way that's real-time and transparent. Founded in 2018, Vanta has customers in 58 countries with offices in Dublin, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. For more information, visit www.vanta.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327143845/en/ Contacts: press@vanta.com Regulatory News: Azelis (Brussels:AZE), a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of PT Marga Dwi Kencana ("MDK"), one of the leading distributors serving the personal care market in Indonesia. MDK's product portfolio strategically complements Azelis' lateral value chain, expanding the group's platform to serve the high-growth personal care market, and reinforces its footprint in the broader life sciences market in the country. In addition, MDK's foothold in the Halal cosmetic market expands the group's technical expertise to serve a wider spectrum of the personal care market. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in the greater Jakarta area, MDK employs over 30 staff and runs a technical center that will join Azelis' wider lab and technical support network. The company has developed long-standing relationships with global and regional strategic principals and serves a large, loyal customer base that relies on its technical and formulation expertise. MDK's management team and employees, which include experienced sales and technical teams, will become part of Azelis, supporting the business and the integration process following the acquisition. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, after fulfillment of customary closing conditions. Sertac Surur, Azelis Asia Pacific CEO President, says: "The acquisition of MDK provides us with an expanded presence in Indonesia and deepens our coverage in Asia Pacific. MDK's strong market presence, complementary product portfolio, and innovation capabilities are well aligned with our business model and allow us to better support our customers and principals with innovative solutions. With our shared focus on innovation and technical knowledge as a cultural base, we look forward to welcoming the MDK team to Azelis and future opportunities for growth, together." Mr. Margono Hadisantoso, PT Marga Dwi Kencana Co-Founder and Managing Director, adds: "We are pleased to become part of the Azelis team, as partnering with a well-regarded global leader will be beneficial for our company, customers, and principals, allowing us to scale up our business considerably with further opportunities for growth, cross-selling synergies, and access to additional blue-chip principals. Our combined businesses create an enhanced portfolio offering for our customers and allow us to join a strong regional technical network within the personal care market, expanding the solutions provided to partners." END About Azelis Azelis is a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemical and food ingredients industry, present in 65 countries across the globe with over 4,200 employees. Our knowledgeable teams of industry, market and technical experts are each dedicated to a specific market within Life Sciences and Industrial Chemicals. We offer a lateral value chain of complementary products to more than 63,000 customers, supported by +2,800 principal relationships, creating a turnover of 4.2 billion (2023). Azelis Group NV is listed on Euronext Brussels under ticker AZE. Across our extensive network of more than 70 application laboratories, our award-winning staff help develop formulations and provide technical guidance throughout the customers' product development process. We combine a global market reach with a local footprint to offer a reliable, integrated, and unique digital service to local customers and attractive -business opportunities to principals. Top industry-rated by Sustainalytics, Azelis is a leader in sustainability. We believe in building and nurturing solid, honest and transparent relationships with our people and partners. Impact through ideas. Innovation through formulation. www.azelis.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327431378/en/ Contacts: Contact information Azelis Meredith Wood Corporate Communications Business Partner T: +32 485 29 36 65 E: meredith.wood@azelis.com EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Association 28.03.2024 / 07:23 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Announcement on Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Association Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hong Kong, 28 March 2024 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) yesterday published an announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to the Proposed Amendments to the Articles of Association. The announcement is fully available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020240328448875252867.pdf?appdesc=ANNOUNCEMENT%20PROPOSED%20AMENDMENTS%20TO%20THE%20ARTICLES%20OF%20ASSOCIATION IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto Sven Pauly pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 28.03.2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Sibnayal volume up 84%. volume up 84%. Gross sales exceed 4 million for the first time. Sharp decrease in net loss to -7.03 M vs. -11.47 M in 2022. Year-end cash position at 5.25 million and cash runway extended to Q2 2025. Major announcement post-closing: US Orphan Drug Designation of ADV7103 in cystinuria. Regulatory News: Advicenne (Euronext Growth Paris ALDVI FR0013296746), a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for those suffering from rare renal diseases, announces today its 2023 financial results, and provides an update on its activities. The financial statements for the year 2023 were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on March 27, 2024. The audit procedures are being finalized and the auditors shall issue their audit report by mid-April 2024. Didier Laurens, Chief Executive Officer of Advicenne, commented: "In 2023, Advicenne has benefited fully from the growth sales momentum, driven by the continuing increase in Sibnayal sales. In a regulatory environment that remains highly complex in terms both of pricing and reimbursement, Sibnayal's performance was remarkable in terms of both volume (+84%) and value (+40%). Combined with an optimized resources allocation towards commercial development, these key accomplishments made it possible to significantly reduce our losses, which almost halved in two years. This general dynamic should accelerate further this year with the objective of reaching operational profitability at the end of 2024. This ambition will be achieved thanks to the expected price agreement in several countries covered by our partners. At the same time, we are intensifying our actions to improve the profile of ADV7103 in the USA with the ambition of finalizing a partnership with a biopharmaceutical company. The recent announcement of orphan drug status for ADV7103 in cystinuria, following the ODD obtained in dRTA, is a major milestone in this respect. ( thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Total Gross Sales1 4 458 3 715 of which Sibnayal 1 965 1 410 Total revenue and other income 3 483 3 008 of which Sibnayal revenue 1 707 1 053 of which other revenue 1 235 1 288 of which other income 541 667 Operating expenses 9 940 13 067 of which R&D expenses 3 752 7 077 of which marketing and sales expenses 1 083 1 066 of which structural and general expenses 3 380 3 807 Operating loss -6 457 -10 059 Financial result -575 -1 374 of which financial interests -1 334 -762 Net Loss -7 031 -11 470 Basic and Diluted loss per share (/share) -0,67 -1,16 Opening cash 8 322 12 685 Cash flows from/(used in) operations -5 989 -9 147 Cash flows from /(used in) investing activities -1 318 -2 Cash flows from /(used in) financing activities 4 233 4 783 Closing cash 5 250 8 322 2023 key financial highlights Total Gross sales amounted 4.4 million in 2023 up 20% compared to 2022. Gross sales of Sibnayal were 1.9 million (vs. 1.4 million in 2022) and drove the overall growth of Advicenne. Unit sales of Sibnayal increased by 84% fueled by growth in France and the deployment of distribution partners in Europe and the Middle East. As anticipated, Advicenne received the first royalties on Sibnayal amounting 0.16 million in 2023. ___________________________ 1 Gross sales represent the gross amount billed to customers for the quantities of products delivered during the fiscal year. In countries where the price, or the reimbursement conditions, have not yet been decided by the administration, the annual turnover corresponds to gross sales less taxes and discounts set by the supervisory authorities. These taxes and discounts are recorded based on the Company's best estimates or collections received from the administration. They represent 1,387 thousand euros in 2023 and 1,225 thousand euros in 2022 for total gross sales of respectively 4,458 thousand euros and 3,715 thousand euros and a total income of respectively 3,071 thousand euros and 2,490 thousand euros. The Company recorded a significant drop in operating losses to 6.5 million euros (compared to 10.1 million in 2022). This improvement of almost 40% is mainly linked to the increase in total revenue and other income to 3.5 million, an increase of almost 16% despite the drop in the Research Tax Credit ("Credit Impot Recherche") to 0.3 million (compared to 0.6 million in 2022). This solid performance also results from a significant reduction in operating expenses, reduced by more than 3 million to 9.9 million (vs.13.1 million in 2022), highlighting the allocation of spending on value-creating activities. Excluding cost of products sold, the reduction in operating expenses is even more marked, at almost 4 million. The cost of sales in 2023 increased slightly as a percentage of product sales compared to 2022 due to inventory building to meet and anticipate growth in sales. Operating expenses were still mainly dedicated to R&D, for which expenses reached 3.8 million, focused on activities in the USA and the improvement of manufacturing processes. Marketing and sales expenses increased slightly, but remained contained because they were mainly borne by commercial partners. General expenses were further reduced to 3.4 million, compared to 3.8 million in 2022, and reflect the full impact of the reorganizations carried out in 2021 and 2022. Operating losses were almost halved over the period 2021 2023 under the combined effect of a continued increase in revenue and optimized control of operating expenses. Overhead costs were thus reduced by nearly 1.5 million in two financial years. Financial losses amounted 0.6 million last year. Interest charges related to the EIB loan and the French State Guaranteed Loan ("PGE") reached 1.3 million (compared to 0.7 million in 2022) and reflect the full-year impact of the drawing of the second tranche of the EIB loan in December 2022. They are partially offset by a non-cash gain of 0.8 million (vs. a charge of 0.6 million in 2022) from the revised evaluation of royalties linked to the EIB debt under IFRS rules. The Company did not record any corporate tax expense for the 2023 financial year. Overall, net loss was 7 million, compared to 11.5 million in 2022. This level reflects the significant improvement in operating profit. This loss represents 0.67 per share in 2023, compared to 1.16 per share in 2022. Net cash flow used in operating activities amounted to 6.0 million in 2023, compared to 9.1 million in 2022, directly linked to operating income. Operational cash consumption was halved over the last two financial years. The cash flow improved significantly to -6.3 million (compared to -9.4 million in 2022) thanks to the control of outstanding invoices and despite an unfavorable inventory effect. Net cash flow used in investing activities increased significantly due to a significant investment in manufacturing equipment. Net cash flow from financing activities amounted to 4.2 million in 2023. The Company carried out a capital increase of 5.4 million net in October 2023. In return, the Company repaid 1.1 million of principal for EMPs ("PGE") from lending banks. Finally, Advicenne closes the year 2023 with a net cash position of 5.3 million compared to 8.3 million a year previously. Given the expected growth in turnover in 2024, the Company extends its cash runway to the beginning of the second quarter of 2025, excluding exceptional items. The Company continues its efforts to partner with a partner in the development of ADV7103 in the USA and other regions with the objective of optimizing its value creation model. 2023 operational highlights First commercial launches and deployment of strategic alliances. 2023 was the year of the first significant commercial deployments in France and Great Britain. In France, a clearly favorable trend is being observed from the second half of the year thanks to the structuring of the sales forces. Sibnayal sales recorded record monthly sales over several consecutive months until the end of 2023. A trend confirmed in the first months of 2024. In Great Britain, although 2023 was less dynamic than expected, the signings of several hospitals in the second half of the year signal an acceleration in business trends which seem to materialize since the beginning of 2024. In the rest of Europe, all Advicenne partners are now recording sales in their respective geographic areas with strong dynamics, particularly in Germany, Greece, Denmark, and several Eastern European countries. The first sales were also recorded in the Middle East thanks to the implementation of early access programs. Regulatory progress with FDA for ADV7103 in dTRA and cystinuria in the U.S. Following on from obtaining orphan designation in December 2022, Advicenne continued its discussions with the FDA to optimize the development of ADV7103 in dTRA. Advicenne presented long-term data (72 months) from the B22 study and pharmacovigilance data. The meeting, which took place in Q3 2023, provided an opportunity to discuss efficacy and safety data of ADV7103. Initial discussions led to a significant revision of the development plan in dRTA, both in terms of timing and costs. A complementary dossier is currently being prepared to finalize the on-going discussions. At the same time, Advicenne recently announced orphan drug status for ADV7103 in cystinuria. This status significantly reinforces the value of ADV7103 in a pathology with significant unmet medical need. Not all these activities require a legal presence in the United States. Advicenne has therefore decided to dissolve Advicenne Inc. This decision has no impact on the continuation of American regulatory and clinical activities. Strengthening equity. In October 2023, the Company strengthened its financial position with the success of its capital increase for a gross amount of 5.7 million (5.4 million net). This financing allows the Company to continue its commercial development in Europe and to strengthen the value of ADV7103 in the U.S while extending its cash runway. Promising outlook for 2024 Sustained growth in sales of Sibnayal. In fiscal 2024, Advicenne anticipates sustained growth in sales of its main product, Sibnayal, in Europe, both directly and through partnerships. Our partners' teams are stepping up their efforts with the health authorities in their respective regions, which should result in Sibnayal obtaining acceptable pricing and reimbursement in some of these territories. Optimization of ADV7103 development plan in the United States. Advicenne is continuing its discussions with the FDA on the registration strategy for ADV7103 in dRTA. The company recently completed its responses to the FDA's remaining questions. These additional data, currently being evaluated, should lead to concrete decisions by the end of the first half of the year. These conclusions and the orphan designation for ADV7103 in cystinuria and dRTA should enable the company to enter a partnership in the United States with biopharmaceutical company responsible for the development and marketing of ADV7103 in both indications. Based on all these favorable prospects, particularly the sales of Sibnayal in Europe, the Company plans to achieve operational profitability during Q4 2024. ABOUT ADVICENNE Advicenne (Euronext: ALDVI) is a specialty pharmaceutical company founded in 2007, specializing in the development of innovative treatments in Nephrology. Its lead product Sibnayal has received its Marketing Approval for distal renal tubular acidosis in EU and GB. ADV7103 is currently in late-stage development in cystinuria in Europe and in dRTA and cystinuria in the US and in Canada. Headquartered in Paris, Advicenne, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange since 2017, has now been listed on Euronext Growth Paris since its transfer on March 30, 2022. For additional information, see: https://advicenne.com/. Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Advicenne group and its business, including its prospects and product candidate development. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Advicenne considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the 2022 Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial market authority on April 28, 2023 (a copy of which is available on www.advicenne.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Advicenne operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Advicenne or not currently considered material by Advicenne. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements of Advicenne to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. Advicenne expressly declines any obligation to update such forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327727793/en/ Contacts: Advicenne Didier Laurens, CEO +33 (0) 1 87 44 40 17 Email: investors@advicenne.com Ulysses Communication Media relations Bruno Arabian +33 (0)6 87 88 47 26 Email: advicenne@ulysse-communication.com Adelaide, AU & North Carolina, USA, Mar 28, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Adelaide, AU & North Carolina, USA, Mar 28, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Avance Clinical, the award-winning Australian and North American market-leading CRO for biotechs, will attend World Vaccine Congress in Washington DC (April 1-4, 2024) and share the latest clinical trial client news including the Uvax Bio announcement. (Booth #267)Avance Clinical CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said the World Vaccine Congress was an important event for the company's US and Australian teams as they continue to excel in biotech vaccine CRO services.Lungershausen said Avance Clinical is a mid-sized, agile, and responsive CRO with a proven track record of swiftly advancing high-quality clinical programs. "This makes us an ideal CRO partner for vaccine focussed biotechs," she said. Lungershausen said the company has had significant vaccine client successes in infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and RSV, as well as other diseases such as Hypertension and Psoriasis.She said Avance Clinical is proud to be working with many innovative vaccine biotech companies including Uvax Bio who have just announced another milestone in their Phase I HIV study. Mary Giffear, Uvax Bio's Director of Clinical Operations reported, "we have completed enrollment in our Phase 1 study of the Company's HIV-1 vaccine candidates, UVAX-1107 and UVAX-1197, and the Australia-based trial is on schedule."Lungershausen said Avance Clinical is focussed on accelerating drug development for its biotech clients, from preclinical stages through to Phase III."This is our GlobalReady program and we have more than 90 biotech clients leveraging this unique, streamlined multi-region process. With a globalized strategy, we ensure efficiency every step of the way," she said."Biotechs are looking for a partner that can seamlessly help transition them with the ability to start fast with high-quality data that is readily accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies. Our in-house global regulatory affairs team assists biotechs to navigate regulatory complexities with confidence and work to support our clients with FDA, EMA and TGA submissions," she said."In addition, our GlobalReady Site Partnership Network of over 1,250 highly qualified sites across the United States ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness in our biotech's clinical trials," she said.Another key advantage for vaccine biotechs is that Avance Clinical is accredited as a gene technology CRO which allows it to manage pre-clinical and clinical trials for vaccines and GMO therapies.The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has developed globally compliant regulations and accreditations which are in line with international guidelines.Avance Clinical's Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Gabriel Kremmidiotis said: "This means that as an OGTR accredited CRO we can support our international biotech clients with extensive OGTR knowledge and experience to accelerate their clinical research. Indeed, we would argue the clarity around the OGTR regulations makes Australia one of the most attractive destinations for Cell and Gene Technology research," he said.Find out more:Learn about the GlobalReady modelFor more information about the benefits of running your next study with Avance Clinical contact usRequest a Proposal hereMedia Contact:Avance Clinicalmedia@avancecro.comKate ThompsonAbout Avance ClinicalAvance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian and North American CRO delivering quality clinical trials, with globally accepted data, in Australia, New Zealand and the US for international biotechs. The company's clients are biotechs completing Phase I to Phase III of their drug development program that requires fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services.Frost & Sullivan AwardsAvance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award recipient for the past four years, has been providing CRO services in the region for more than 26 years.Pre-clinical through to mid to late phaseAvance Clinical offers pre-clinical services with their experienced ClinicReady team right from pre-clinical through to Phase III clinical services leveraging significant Australian Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes.With experience across more than 120 indications, the CRO can deliver world-class results and high-quality internationally accepted data for FDA and EMA review.TechnologyAvance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, TrialHub, Certinia, Salesforce, Zelta and Medrio are just some of the technology partners.www.avancecro.comSource: Avance ClinicalCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Conversion of 348,106 class C shares (one tenth of a vote) to ordinary shares (one vote) Conversion was made pursuant to EQT's previous Share Program As of March 28 2024, there are 1,185,455,138 shares outstanding in EQT STOCKHOLM, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The total number of votes in EQT AB (publ) ("EQT") changed during March 2024 as a result of a conversion of 348,106 class C shares to 348,106 ordinary shares. The conversion was made pursuant to EQT's previous Share Program. The total number of votes has increased by 313,295.4, while the total number of shares issued is unchanged. The number of shares and votes in EQT as of 28 March 2024 is set out in the table below. Ordinary shares Class C shares1 Total Number of issued shares2 1,245,048,412 (1,245,048,412 votes) 881,555 (88,155.5 votes) 1,245,929,967 (1,245,136,567.5 votes) Number of shares owned by EQT AB3 60,474,829 - 60,474,829 Number of outstanding shares 1,184,573,583 (1,184,573,583 votes) 881,555 (88,155.5 votes) 1,185,455,138 (1,184,661,738.5 votes) 1 Carry one tenth (1/10) of a vote.2 Total number of shares in EQT AB, i.e. including the number of shares owned by EQT AB and the number of shares outstanding.3 EQT AB shares owned by EQT AB are not entitled to dividends or carry votes at shareholders' meetings. This press release is published for regulatory reasons. Contact Olof Svensson, Head of Shareholder Relations, +46 72 989 09 15 EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334 This is information that EQT AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:00 CET on 28 March 2024. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/number-of-shares-and-votes-in-eqt,c3953936 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3953936/2702176.pdf EQT AB - Press release (28 March 2024) EN https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/eqt-stockholm,c3284139 EQT Stockholm View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/number-of-shares-and-votes-in-eqt-302102289.html Almere, The Netherlands March 28, 2024 ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) announces today the launch of its Climate Transition Plan aimed at detailing its sustainability efforts with a path to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2035. ASM's plan outlines a strategic pathway to decarbonize its operations, products, and supply chain, playing a leading role in transitioning the semiconductor industry towards an environmentally sustainable future. "Our Climate Transition Plan is not just a statement of intent; it is our blueprint for action. ASM is proud to be the first semiconductor company to receive a Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net Zero target verification in 2023, underscoring our commitment. With our plan aligned with this scientific standard, ASM is at the forefront of the industry's move towards a sustainable future" remarked Benjamin Loh, President and CEO of ASM. The plan also highlights ASM's achievements to date, including achieving 88% renewable electricity in 2023 aligned with our sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2024 target; Achieving BCA Green Mark Gold+ green building certification in Singapore; pursuing LEED Gold minimum rating for the new state-of-the-art sustainable facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona and in Dongtan, South Korea; deepened supplier engagement through the CDP Supply Chain Program; increased impact via ASM's partnership with major semiconductor companies via Catalyze program amplifying industry-wide efforts. Notably, ASM's leadership was recognized with a prestigious A- score for each of our most recent CDP Climate Change and Water Security submittals. ASM plans to build on these successes by focusing on renewable energy for our own operations and value chain energy needs. Innovation in product energy efficiency will additionally reduce our own and downstream operational footprint. Moving towards low-carbon procurement will reduce the impact our purchased goods. John Golightly, VP Global Head Sustainability added, "Our Climate Transition Plan is a living document that will evolve as we make progress toward reaching our net-zero target, it reflects our dedication to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement". For more information about ASM's Climate Transition Plan, asm.com/sustainability . About ASM International ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM's website at www.asm.com. Contact Investor and media relations Victor Bareno T: +31 88 100 8500 E: investor.relations@asm.com Investor relations Valentina Fantigrossi T: +31 88 100 8502 E: investor.relations@asm.com Attachment Maegan Ball stands for a portrait in Saugus, Mass., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. In December 2018, police were requested to make a wellness check on a man by his mother. Officers found him severely beating Ball. Erich Stelzer, 25, who Ball met on a dating app, had beaten her face until bones shattered, stabbed her with a knife, gouged her eyes and tried to drive a wooden stake into her stomach. Two of the officers used their Tasers and managed to handcuff Stelzer as he thrashed on the floor. Charles Krupa/AP In this photo provided by the Cohasset Police Department, Maegan Ball, second right, stands with, from left, Officer Aaron Bates, Officer Alexander Stotik, and Detective Lt. Gregory Lennon in Cohasset, Mass., on Dec. 27, 2019. In 2018, the three officers confronted Erich Stelzer, a 6-foot-6-inch 25-year-old bodybuilder who was stabbing Ball, his date, so viciously that the walls were red with blood. While the officers were relieved to have saved her life, they also wrestled with the ramifications of killing Stelzer despite doing their best to avoid it. (Cohasset Police Department via AP) AP Maegan Ball poses for a portrait with her dog, Havok, in Saugus, Mass., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. In December 2018, police were requested to make a wellness check on a man by his mother. Officers found him severely beating Ball. Erich Stelzer, 25, who Ball met on a dating app, had beaten her face until bones shattered, stabbed her with a knife, gouged her eyes and tried to drive a wooden stake into her stomach. Two of the officers used their Tasers and managed to handcuff Stelzer as he thrashed on the floor. Charles Krupa/AP COHASSET, Mass. (AP) Detective Lt. Gregory Lennon glimpsed at the modest duplex from his patrol car while waiting for backup that was seconds behind. This was a wellbeing check, among the most common calls in this quiet seaside town near Boston, but Lennon knew better than to go in alone. Everything seemed quiet when Lennon stepped out of the cruiser and into the winter darkness to greet two arriving officers. The downstairs shades were up, lights on. It was two days after Christmas 2018, and Lennon was supposed to be home with his family. When an officer called in sick, Lennon agreed to cover a night shift. After more than two decades in law enforcement, he knew staffing shortages come with the job. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It had been a slow night. Now a concerned mother wanted police to check on her 25-year-old son, who she said suffered from mental health challenges. She was away and a neighbor called her to say he heard loud crashing noises coming from the house. Her son was not answering his phone. The officers knocked on the front door but no one answered, so they found an unlocked sliding-glass door, and eased it open. Cohasset police, the officers said. Erich, are you home? Advertisement Article continues below this ad They were calling out for Erich Stelzer, a 6-foot, 6-inch bodybuilder who liked to post workout videos online. Thats when Lennon heard the cry for help that changed his life. Hes killing me, a woman screamed. Help me, hes killing me! The officers dashed to an upstairs bedroom. The door was locked. Lennon kicked it in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The walls looked like they had been painted with blood. Stelzer was on the floor, soaked in red and holding a woman in a headlock with a piece of broken glass to her throat. Both were naked. Her body was so battered Lennon wondered if she was still alive. She was, but barely. In that moment, 24-year-old Maegan Ball figured she was seconds from death. Shed met Stelzer on a dating app. Now he was convinced that Ball was the devil, and that she had killed his mother and sister. It was her turn to die. Stelzer had beaten her face until bones shattered, tried to drive a wooden stake into her stomach, stabbed her with a knife and shards of glass, and gouged her eye. A murder in progress, Lennon thought. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Youre very quickly contemplating whether youre going to have to use deadly force, he recalled. Ball was willing herself to stay conscious. Suddenly, she heard a voice: Crawl to me. Somehow, she still doesnt know how, Ball slipped away from Stelzer. She couldnt see through the blood in her eyes, but she followed the voices. Keep crawling, Lennon pleaded. He kept his pistol sights on Stelzer, who was growling and screaming, I am God. The other two officers holstered their guns and drew their Tasers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Stelzer moved toward the officers, one fired his Taser, and its darts lodged in the mans skin. The second officer also fired his Taser. They shocked Stelzer multiple times as he thrashed on the floor, dislodging the darts. During his autopsy, a piece of Taser wire was still clenched in his fist. Finally, Lennon saw an opportunity to handcuff Stelzer with his hands in front. It wasnt ideal, but would have to do. Soon, Stelzer was barely breathing. The officers and medics labored to revive him. They couldnt. Stelzer is one of more than 1,000 people who died over a decade after police used common use-of-force tactics that, unlike guns, are meant to stop people without killing them, according to an investigation led by The Associated Press. In some cases, police used overwhelming force even though someone posed little threat. In others, like with Stelzer, officers faced extreme violence and still tried to keep everyone alive. The officers werent the only ones who had tried to save Stelzer. His family had, too. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stelzer struggled with his mental health and used marijuana, alcohol, and took Adderall, an amphetamine used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a relative told an investigator. He had also injected himself with steroids or testosterone, according to the district attorneys report. Just two days before he died, Stelzer experienced a crisis at a family Christmas gathering, where he ranted incoherently about good and evil, and the beheading of a French president. His sister followed him to a gas station and summoned an ambulance. Stelzer refused treatment, and his symptoms were not severe enough to force him to get help. The family's last hope was an intervention specialist to coax him into a treatment facility in Florida. The intervention was expected a day or two after Stelzer's fatal encounter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He had not suggested he was planning to hurt someone else, but Stelzers family was concerned he would harm himself. We knew that he was very sick and we were very worried about the potential for something bizarre happening, which is why we were frantically trying to get him help, his sister, Gretchen Stelzer, said. Stelzers family remembers him as a kind and loving child overcome by mental health challenges as an adult. She said the officers did what they had to do to protect themselves. The medical examiner's office said Stelzer died from a combination of a heart problem, the altercation, Taser shocks and amphetamine. Stimulants, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, were the most common drugs used by the people who died in other cases analyzed by AP and its partners at the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Days after the attack, the officers paid a cathartic visit to Ball in the hospital. They said they just wanted to see me and make sure I was OK, Ball recalled. She suspected it was kind of to help them, too. Balls long recovery included reconstructive facial surgeries. She met with the officers a year later and formed a bond. Ball and her husband run Dogs of War, a business that breeds and trains canines for protection. The officers were placed on leave, standard procedure when police are involved in deaths. The district attorney investigated and cleared the officers, saying they would have been justified in shooting Stelzer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lennon remains proud they did not. Still, he cannot shake the memories of that night. The mayhem lasted minutes. The memories linger. Its a profound realization to contemplate having been involved in someones death, especially when that was not your intention, Lennon said. We did the best that we could do. ___ Editors note: The information in this story is based on a 157-page report from the district attorneys office and interviews with Lennon, Ball, Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley and Stelzers sister, Gretchen Stelzer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ Mohr reported from Jackson, Mississippi. Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island, and Patty Nieberg in Denver contributed. ___ This story is part of an ongoing investigation led by The Associated Press in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs and FRONTLINE (PBS). The investigation includes the Lethal Restraint interactive story, database and the documentary, Documenting Police Use Of Force, premiering April 30 on PBS. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. This story also was supported by Columbia Universitys Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with Arnold Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Regulatory News: Emil Frey France, leader and driving force in vehicle distribution in France, and Atlante, the company of NHOA Group (NHOA.PA, formerly Engie EPS) dedicated to electric vehicles (EV) fast and ultra-fast charging network, have recently signed a partnership for the installation of fast and ultra-fast charging stations in about fifteen car dealerships within the Autosphere network by 2025, for around eighty points of charge in total. The growing need for ultra-fast charging infrastructure, deemed necessary for the increase of electric vehicle sales, represents a significant opportunity for the Emil Frey France group. In order to offer an additional service to customers of the Autosphere network, its auto/motorcycle retail branch, and to gain new ones, Emil Frey France decided to embark on a journey to install fastcharging stations by sealing a partnership with Atlante last September. The deployment of these stations is also part of Emil Frey France group's desire to optimize its real estate properties. Atlante's solution offers a practical and efficient option for drivers that can recharge their electric vehicles up to 80% of their capacity in about 20 minutes, depending on the model. The stations are compatible with all EV models and open to all charging standards, available 24/7, and accessible to people with reduced mobility. Payment by credit card is accepted, and the terminals are listed on the main electric mobility applications. Offering from 2 to 6 fastcharging points (150 to 300kWh), Atlante's station concept is flexible, adapting to the available real estate space. It allows for installation next to dynamic business areas or near major roadways, perfectly suited to the local needs of medium-sized cities. About fifteen stations by 2025 The partnership includes the installation of about fifteen stations, which will ultimately have around eighty fastcharging points in total, that will enable owners to recharge their electric vehicles with renewable energy. The Autosphere network dealerships selected to host these fastcharging stations are progressively chosen as the deployment unfolds, according to the concept's criteria. Already underway, the first Atlante charging site has been installed at the car dealership in La Teste-de-Buch, near Arcachon, in the Gironde department. This station has 4 fastcharging points of 150kW and is already open to all electric vehicles. Following the layout of the Autosphere network, the next stations to be established will be in Tours/St Cyr sur Loire, Chatellerault, Ruffec, Meaux, Compiegne, Maubeuge, and Montlucon. Supporting the transition to electric mobility By providing Autosphere network customers with a journey that incorporates fast and ultra-fast charging with Atlante's user experience, Emil Frey France not only demonstrates its commitment to actively participate in the transition to electric mobility but also aims to anticipate the expectations of Autosphere customers with the deployment of personalized, cutting-edge services. "We are very proud of having been chosen to support the deployment of this new service within the car dealerships of the Autosphere network. With our cutting-edge technology and a constant demand for the best user experience, we guarantee Emil Frey France, through its Autosphere network, to offer a quality service to its customers. This project, which is pivotal for Atlante France, fully aligns with our desire to deploy our network with renowned partners, on sites known for their quality service," emphasizes Jacques Galvani, CEO of Atlante France "As an expert partner in its field, Atlante offers us the opportunity, with this new service, to provide the best service to drivers towards electrification. This partnership is fully in line with our policy of diversifying our services to maintain all our added value in a sector that is rapidly and constantly evolving," declares Herve Miralles, President of Emil Frey France group About Emil Frey France Group Emil Frey France, leader and driving force in vehicle distribution in France, operates in the automotive and agro-equipment sectors. Its activities are spread across several business sectors: automotive and motorcycle distribution (Autosphere and its network), its core business, distribution of industrial vehicles (Groupe Kertrucks), wholesale and retail trade of original and independent spare parts (Dispro, FLSA, Flauraud, Barrault), design of spare parts (MGA), reconditioning of used vehicles (CRVO), and distribution of agricultural equipment (Bretagri). It is the official importer of Mitsubishi Motors, Subaru, and TVS brands in the French market. In France, in 2023, its consolidated revenue (IFRS) amounted to 5.9 billion. The group employs over 10,000 staff members. Official website: www.emilfreyfrance.fr Emil Frey France is the French subsidiary of the Emil Frey Group. About Atlante Atlante is a company of NHOA Group (NHOA.PA, formerly Engie EPS), global player in energy storage and e-mobility, which develops technologies enabling the transition towards clean energy and sustainable mobility, shaping the future of a next generation living in harmony with our planet. Atlante is developing the largest fast and ultra-fast charging network in Southern Europe, 100% enabled by renewables, energy storage and vehicle-grid-integrated (VGI). It aims to install in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal 5,000 fast and ultra-fast points of charge by 2025, and over 35,000 by 2030. Operating since October 2021, Atlante has today more than 2000 charging points online in its four countries with thousands more under construction and development. Leveraging on the technological heritage of the NHOA Group, including via collaboration with its sister company Free2move eSolutions, Atlante is a preferential network of the Stellantis automotive group and its customers. Atlante stations are fully interoperable and can be accessed by virtually any e-mobility app or charging card, and by any make and model of electric vehicles. For further information, go to www.atlante.energy Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Instagram View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328560110/en/ Contacts: Emil Frey France Article Onze Agency Sandra Epiard sepiard@articleonze.com 06 28 54 71 63 Delphine Beauchesne dbeauchesne@articleonze.com 06 27 06 06 65 Atlante France Image 7 Press Office Renault Enguerand atlante@image7.fr Roxane Planas +33 6 37 05 84 42, Charlotte Le Barbier +33 6 78 37 27 60 Financial Communication and Institutional Relations: Chiara Cerri, +39 337 1484534 media.relations@nhoagroup.com TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund - TwentyFour Update PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 28 28th March 2024 TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited (the "Company") was incorporated with limited liability in Guernsey, as a closed-ended investment company on 12 February 2014. The Company's shares were listed with a Premium Listing on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") on 10 March 2014. Re: TwentyFour Update TwentyFour Update The Portfolio Manager of the Company, TwentyFour Asset Management ("TwentyFour" or "the firm"), would like to announce that Mark Holman will be retiring from the firm in June 2024. Having helped co-found the business in 2008, Mark stepped down from his role as CEO at the end of 2021. Mark has been part of the Multi-Sector Bond investment team, which manages SMIF, since it was launched in 2009, with the team subsequently growing to 14 further investment professionals. In 2023, TwentyFour added further experience and resource to the team by hiring Jakub Lichwa, an ex-Goldman Sachs financial analyst with 13 years' experience,. Partner and portfolio manager Felipe Villarroel will move back to London from Santiago in Q2 2024, adding greater depth to the London team. Ben Hayward, CEO of TwentyFour, said "I would personally like to thank Mark for playing a pivotal role in the growth and success of the firm. He has embodied the character of TwentyFour from the start, and made many important contributions to TwentyFour and our clients both as CEO and a portfolio manager." Ben continued, "We have built a very high calibre team of investment professionals to lead us into the future. As a firm we have always had robust transition plans and, as always, we strive to deliver continued investment performance and client service excellence." Ashley Paxton, Chair of TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund, said "the Board would like to thank Mark for his contribution to the Company since its launch in 2014. We have enjoyed working with Mark, and are grateful for his efforts in building and developing such a strong multi-sector bond team. We are confident that he has imparted his experience and knowledge throughout this team and wish him all the best for his retirement". For further information, please contact: Numis Securities Limited: Nathan Brown +44 (0)20 7260 1000 Hugh Jonathan TwentyFour Income Fund Limited: John Magrath +44 (0)20 7015 8900 Alistair Wilson TOKYO, Mar 28, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received an order from the University of Tokyo for its independently developed "MiPoLin?", a power prediction and lines selection system(1). The system has already been available at the university's Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering Laboratory (MODE) (Note2).MiPoLin? is a user-friendly web-based system that utilizes over 1,200 cases of diverse tank test results and over 420 vessels' hull forms accumulated over 100 years at the Test Basin owned by MHI in Nagasaki City. By utilizing Mitsubishi Shipbuilding's large-scale database, the result and know-how accumulated through the construction of ships for a long time, it is possible to estimate the propulsion performance with high accuracy and to generate the hull forms which can be used for initial design and performance evaluation of the ships. Such MHI Group's technology has been on the market since August 2022, aiming at being widely used to solve problems related to the entire maritime industry.MODE is a collaboration research program established on October 1, 2022 by seven companies including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding at the University of Tokyo. It is working to build a simulation platform that will solve the problems faced by the Japanese maritime industry, and the large-scale tank test database provided by MiPoLin? has been evaluated as being usable for building a model of the simulation platform planned by MODE.In the maritime industry, the need for environmentally friendly vessels and ship operations is growing. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, through a variety of solutions, including MiPoLin, would like to promote decarbonization of the maritime industry and will contribute to realize a carbon-neutral society. Furthermore, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will contribute to the development of the entire maritime industry by further enhancing the cutting-edge shipbuilding technologies and knowledge.(1) MiPoLin derives from "Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Power prediction & Lines selection system." For further information, visit:?www.mhi.com/products/ship/engineering_mipolin.html(2) For further information, see:?https://mode.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Amsterdam, March 28 2024. Fastned, the European fast charging company, achieved in 2023, for the first time, a positive EBITDA1. The company hit this new milestone while doubling the sales of renewable energy, reaching a record amount of 99.6 GWh (+92% vs. 2022). The revenue related to charging grew to 60.5 million (+68% vs. 2022). The company proves that its business model and strategy are paying off."2023 turned out to be again a record year. We made another step in our path to profitability by reporting positive EBITDA1 for the first time. This is a major moment of validation for us and more importantly for our business model. Fastned is now one of the top 3 fast-charging networks in the countries where we are active, in terms of number of fast charging sessions. We are seeing the results of what we envisioned when we founded Fastned 12 years ago and started our mission to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. We are still in the early days of electric mobility, as the EV fleet is expected to increase by at least five-fold in the next five years."Michiel Langezaal, CEO FastnedFastned outgrows the rapidly growing charging market Fastned's results are supported by a strong battery electric vehicle (BEV) market momentum in Europe, where 1.5 million new BEVs were registered in 2023 (+37% vs.2022)4. The total EV fleet penetration in Europe grew by 34%5. Fastned outgrows the charging market: the revenue related to charging was 60.5 million (+68% vs. 2022) and sold 99.6 GWh of renewable energy (+92% vs. 2022). Our high traffic location strategy enables us to substantially outperform the competition in terms of sales per station. The volume of renewable energy sold per station reached 368 MWh (+49% vs. 2022). In 2023, as expected, Fastned reduced its net loss to (19.3) million, from (22.2) million in 2022. Fastned is supported in its mission by more investors. In 2023, the company raised a total of 53 million in new bonds to accelerate growth and investors extended 6 million from earlier bond issues.Continued progress to extend the network Fastned's network grew to a total of 297 stations across 8 countries, with 55 new stations, despite challenges such as grid congestion and extreme weather, which slowed the building process. The pipeline of secured locations reached 432 sites (+59 sites). 45 of these new locations were signed with private landowners, up from 20 in 2022 and five to ten per year in the years before. The ramp-up in our commercial locations pipeline is the result of investment in our Network Development strategy, initiated two years ago. In 2023, Fastned gained access to prime locations in Italy (4) and Spain (7), where construction work is expected to start in 2024. On top of these signed locations, Fastned won in Germany two prime lots consisting of 92 so-called "search areas" to build fast charging stations as part of the German government's "Deutschlandnetz" tender. In addition to this, in early 2024, Fastned won another tender in Germany, for 34 locations on service rest areas on highways. All of these new locations will be added to our pipeline in 2024 and 2025.Continued recognition for the most reliable charging experience In 2023, Fastned was awarded Best EV charging network (ZapMap, UK), Most preferred fast charger provider (Autoblog, The Netherlands), Most reliable charging network (Chargemap, EU) and Best charging network (Chargemap, Belgium and France). We maintain a market-leading station uptime of over 99% by implementing innovative solutions for real-time charger monitoring and by enabling issue anticipation and resolution.Making progress on our sustainability roadmap In line with our mission, our fast charging network tangibly accelerates the transition to electric mobility. Since our first station became operational in 2012, Fastned has avoided a total of 171.7 thousand tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. In 2023 only, the renewable energy charged at Fastned's stations enabled driving a distance of close to 500 million electric kilometers. In late 2023, Fastned was successfully certified for Level 4 of the CO2 Performance Ladder. This involved an extensive calculation of our CO2 footprint, with a focus on scope 3 emissions, and setting ambitious CO2 emissions reduction targets for the years 2025 and 2030.Fastned defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation. For all non-IFRS measures definitions and reconciliation see page 88 of the Annual Report.Any location for which Fastned has acquired a right to run a charging business, with a contract signed, including operational stations.Source: charging radar. For The Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland.4https://www.acea.auto/pc-registrations/new-car-registrations-13-9-in-2023-battery-electric-14-6-market-share/5Electric vehicle fleet penetration is the main driver of station performance and reached 3.9% by the last quarter of 2023, when weighted by the number of Fastned stations in the respective countries.About FastnedFastned is on a mission to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Since 2012, we've been at the forefront of European charging infrastructure development, building and operating a rapidly growing network of iconic fast charging stations. Our yellow, nature-inspired stations create a welcoming environment for drivers during the 15 minutes it takes to charge up to 300 km of range. By offering Europe's most reliable, convenient, and joyful charging experience, we aim to inspire millions to drive on solar and wind energy so that together we can curb climate change. Fastned is listed at Euronext Amsterdam (AMS: FAST).Read the full annual report here:https://content.presspage.com/uploads/2519/c44dd76f-7519-4fb2-8ab5-d2c355f968cb/fastnedannualreport2023websiteversion.pdf?10000 Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks were little changed on Thursday after retail sales posted an unexpected decline in February, Data from Destatis revealed that Germany's retail sales decreased 1.9 percent from January, confounding expectations for an increase of 0.3 percent. On a yearly basis, retail sales decreased 2.7 percent in real terms, worse than economists' forecast of 0.8 percent drop. The benchmark DAX was down 3 points at 18,473 after rising half a percent in the previous session. Stratec shares fell about 1 percent. The maker of analyzer and automation systems for In-Vitro-Diagnostic registered a decline in net profit for the full year, due to a fall in sales and increased expenses. Wind turbine maker Nordex Group declined 1.4 percent despite securing a 264 MW order from Lithuania. Kontron, a IoT technology company, tumbled 3.5 percent after announcing its full-year results for the fiscal year 2023. 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. New funding, led by One Peak, to accelerate global expansion, R&D innovation and investment in Coro's strategic partnerships and channel Coro, the leading cybersecurity platform purpose-built for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), today announced it has secured $100 million in Series D funding led by One Peak, with participation from existing investors Energy Impact Partners and Balderton Capital. This funding round brings the total funds raised to $255 million in the last 24 months. The new investment will reinforce Coro's market dominance and accelerate its mission to empower SMEs and their service providers with enterprise-grade cybersecurity that's accessible to all. Coro is an all-in-one cybersecurity solution offering an enterprise-grade security software platform to SMEs covering endpoint protection, email user protection and network cloud protection. SMEs are facing increasing volumes and complexity of cyber attacks, and lack affordable solutions to help them adequately protect their tech stack. Coro's easy-to-use platform enables IT teams and their partners to be protected 24/7 in an automated and affordable way. Coro's dedication to protecting and empowering SMEs has been a cornerstone of its success, driving remarkable growth and catapulting Coro to a market leadership position within a few short years. In 2023, Coro expanded its customer base across every industry vertical, achieving 3X year-over-year growth for a record fifth year in a row. Coro was named to the inaugural Fortune Cyber 60 and to the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, in recognition of its achievements as one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in North America. The new funding will be used to: Fuel product innovation: Coro will continue to develop industry-leading security solutions tailored specifically for the SME market through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, following the successful acquisition of Privatise in 2023. Empower channel partners: Coro will further strengthen its channel partner program, providing additional support and resources for its North American MSP and reseller network. Accelerate global expansion by establishing local marketing and channel teams and investing in brand awareness to support Coro's international partners. "As a growth investor, we look for companies that target large, underserved markets and are in prime position to dominate that field," said David KIein, Co-founder and Managing Partner, One Peak. "Coro has already achieved phenomenal growth and success in the SME market. We are convinced that Coro has the right tech stack, a world class management team, and unlimited potential to scale the business to the next level. We're excited to partner with Coro to help them execute on their vision and support the team in their next leg of explosive growth." "Now that Coro is established as a cybersecurity powerhouse for the SME market, the next step on our journey is to offer this radical approach to as many organizations as possible," said Guy Moskowitz, CEO, Coro. "The best way we can enable this is through our world-class global network of partners, who can launch Coro's ease of use and simplicity at scale, bringing the current chaos of managing cybersecurity to a halt." "As the founding investor of Coro, we at JVP have been fortunate to collaborate with Guy and the management team on building a true category leader in cybersecurity for SMEs. We aim to turn Coro into a multi-billion-dollar company, as we've done multiple times before," stated Yoav Tzruya, General Partner at JVP, and Coro's Board Member. "We look forward to collaborating with OnePeak, EIP and Balderton in building Coro as a disruptive company in the cybersecurity market." "We are delighted to continue to support Coro as the leader in providing cybersecurity solutions to SMEs," stated Rana Yared, General Partner, Balderton Capital. "We believe that providing protection and peace of mind to this segment of the market is critical to economic growth." "We are excited to continue our journey with Coro. We expect that the unwavering focus on SMEs, the most underserved segment in the cybersecurity market, coupled with the team's phenomenal execution, will ensure Coro's dominance in this market," said Shawn Cherian, Partner at Energy Impact Partners. 2023: Establishing leadership in SME cybersecurity 2023 was a year of immense milestones and achievement for Coro. In October 2023, Coro created a new cybersecurity paradigm with the launch of Coro 3.0, the industry's first modular cybersecurity platform. Coro 3.0 offers fourteen seamlessly integrated modules from EDR to SASE to email security that can be activated on demand to grow with a company's needs. Coro's modular platform consolidates critical security capabilities into a single pane of glass, a single data engine, and most importantly, a single endpoint agent, making deployment and management effortless. Coro also invested extensively across its North American sales and channel organizations in 2023. The Company added 300 new channel partners, expanded its channel headcount by nearly 500%, and established a business enablement center in Chicago to support its direct sales and channel partner ecosystem. The Company also expanded globally with the opening of its UK R&D Center and data centers in both Canada and Germany to facilitate the regional expansion of both channel partnerships and customers. Throughout 2023, Coro continued to receive industry accolades for customer satisfaction, product performance, company growth, and best places to work. This recognition includes: Coro's EDR capabilities scored a perfect 100% accuracy in testing conducted by SE Labs; Named by SC Magazine as one of the Top 5 security solutions for the SME market; Named to CRN's MES Mid Market 100, recognizing market leaders serving midsize enterprises; Received more than 40 badges from G2 customer peer reviews, including midmarket awards for: Easiest to Use, Easiest to Do Business With, Best Support and Best Estimated ROI; Named 100 Best Medium Workplaces to work in 2023 by Fortune Media and Great Place to Work; and Named 2023 Fortune Best Workplaces in Technology for Small and Medium Businesses. About One Peak One Peak is a leading growth equity firm with $2.0 billion in assets under management that invests in technology companies in the scale-up phase. One Peak provides growth capital, operating expertise, and access to its extensive network to exceptional entrepreneurs, with a view to help transform innovative and rapidly growing businesses into lasting, category-defining leaders. To learn more, visit www.onepeak.tech. About Coro Coro, the leading cybersecurity platform for the SME market, revolutionized cybersecurity with the introduction of the world's first modular cybersecurity platform in 2023. Coro's platform empowers organizations to easily defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, network threats, insider threats and email threats across devices, users, networks and cloud applications. Coro's platform automatically detects and remediates the many security threats that today's distributed businesses face, without IT teams having to worry, investigate, or fix issues themselves. Ranked on the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, Coro is one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in North America today. For more information, please visit Coro at coro.net, or via LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328909937/en/ Contacts: Suzanne Tuchler Eskenzi PR suzanne@eskenzipr.com 408-307-6900 Conor Heslin Eskenzi PR conor@eskenzipr.com +44 7795 416144 AMSTERDAM, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by trading volume, today proudly announces the launch of its regulated digital asset platform - Bybit.nl in the Netherlands. This strategic move comes as a result of Bybit's ongoing commitment to providing top-tier services to users while adhering to regulatory guidelines. Bybit solidified its partnership with SATOS in June 2023, laying the foundation for today's exciting announcement. Leveraging SATOS's esteemed reputation and nearly a decade of industry experience, Bybit aims to establish a trustworthy trading environment for Dutch users, offering a diverse range of financial products and trading tools. Key Benefits for Dutch Users under Bybit Powered by SATOS : Versatile Platform and Enhanced Trading Tools: The new local regulated platform provides Dutch users with access to a versatile range of financial products, education resources and advanced trading tools, empowering them to trade with ease and efficiency. Localized Support and Community Engagement: Bybit is committed to providing tailored support to the Dutch crypto community, offering localized assistance and fostering collaboration and innovation through community initiatives. Gateway to Bybit Web3 Features: Dutch users will gain access to exciting new features of Bybit Web3, including the Web3 Wallet and Airdrop Arcade, enhancing their overall crypto experience in the Web3 community. Through our partnership with SATOS, Dutch users can effortlessly deposit and withdraw fiat, trade over 300 pairs, and enjoy enhanced security measures for their crypto assets. SATOS, supervised by the Dutch National Bank, guarantees top-notch security and reliability for its users. "We are thrilled to launch our regulated digital asset platform in the Netherlands, furthering our commitment to serving users while upholding regulatory compliance," said Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit. "Through our partnership with SATOS, we aim to provide Dutch users with a secure and seamless trading experience, backed by industry-leading security measures and unparalleled support." Bybit TheCryptoArk About Bybit Powered by SATOS In June 2023, Bybit formed a strategic alliance with SATOS, one of the oldest crypto service providers operating in the Netherlands and Belgium since 2013. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing the best services to our users in line with regulatory guidelines, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to our users. About Bybit Bybit is one of the world's top three cryptocurrency exchanges by 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 Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2311704/Bybit_Satos_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-powered-by-satos-launches-regulated-digital-asset-platform-in-the-netherlands-302102140.html LENZING, Austria, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As a strong believer in driving sustainability in the textile value chain, Lenzing continues to bring positive changes to the industry through ongoing innovation, enhanced transparency and close collaborations with like-minded partners. In our first-ever combined annual and sustainability report for 2023, we renewed our continued commitment to driving environmental and social responsibility, and presented our progress towards our long-term group-wide net-zero targets. To support the evolution of the textile value chain from a linear to a circular industry model, Lenzing remains focused on the innovation of alternative materials and fabric solutions, develops circular innovations and champions transparency through a number of digitalized offerings. As consumers increasingly seek ways to contribute positively to the environment through their purchasing decisions, we have championed alternative textile material innovations and solutions alongside long-term value chain partners. For instance, the introduction of our innovative processing technique that creates stretch fabrics using TENCEL branded lyocell fibers is a testament to our dedication to offering alternative materials made of cellulosic ingredients that ensures comfort and limitless design possibilities. As we continue to drive circular economy across our business, we have been exploring new partnerships to bring new circular offerings to the industry. We are proud to partner with leather alternative expert, Recyc Leather, to introduce Pelinova, a next-generation material that fuses TENCEL Lyocell fibers and recycled leather fibers to create a leather material catered for high-end fashion. An alternative to genuine leather, Pelinova will be featured in the launch of a new footwear collection by Danish advanced contemporary brand GANNI. To drive systematic change across the industry, Lenzing E-Branding Service assists our customers in effectively communicating the benefits of Lenzing fibers within their products across all marketing channels. Since the platform's launch in 2018, we have been constantly introducing upgrades to the Lenzing E-Branding Service, like the availability of a 10-language menu, Digital Hangtags for LENZING ECOVERO brand and the Lenzing E-Branding Masterclass, which also comes in 10 languages. Lenzing AG has recently launched a new landing page for its updated TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO claims, substantiated by proof points and supported by third-party verifications, which is accessible to value chain partners and consumers. To learn more about the latest developments from TENCEL and how the brand contributes to circularity in the textile and fashion industries, please visit TENCEL.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lenzing-strives-to-drive-beneficial-transformation-across-the-value-chain-302102424.html A new report by FMI highlights the rising popularity of moringa tea due to its health benefits, high nutrient content, and lack of caffeine. These qualities make moringa tea stand out from other teas and are expected to drive market growth in the coming decade. The report goes beyond trends to analyze market drivers, challenges, and opportunities. It also includes investment analysis and frameworks to help you make informed strategic decisions. NEWARK, Del., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global moringa tea market size to record a valuation of US$ 8,001.40 million in 2024. Looking ahead to 2034, the current forecast projects a CAGR of 10.40% throughout. Current projections of the moringa tea industry imply a valuation of US$ 21,456.10 million by 2034. Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8300 Impelling Causes Bolstering Moringa Tea Demand Owing to its health benefits, moringa tea is a proliferating trend among other tea beverages on the market, such as the well-known matcha tea. The market niche of moringa tea is evolving due to its appeal to tea lovers and health-conscious consumers. Moringa tea stands out from other tea products due to its high nutritious content and lack of caffeine. Among the products made from moringa are oil, tea, seeds, and other health-related items. The global moringa tea market is augmenting due to the ease with which raw materials can be obtained and the extensive network of exporters of moringa tea. Constraining Point Limiting Adoption of Moringa Tea Since the United States FDA does not monitor moringa, there are issues regarding the safety and purity of the product. It is inhibiting moringa tea market growth since customers prefer regulated products approved by some government organizations before hitting the market. Regional Outlook Asia Pacific propels the moringa tea market expansion, grabbing a substantial market share. The large presence of the moringa tree population and the broad consumption of leaves and pods in Japan, India, and other countries cater to the market growth of moringa tea in Asia Pacific. The promoters of Ayurveda and alternative medication aid the widespread cultivation of moringa trees in the Asia Pacific. The massive export of moringa tea to Western countries, mainly to feed their enormous populations, ushers the Asia Pacific moringa tea market. "The moringa product market reflects opportunistic growth due to consumer interest in health-aware and eco-friendly products. The escalating cognizance of prospective health benefits and environmentally safe cultivation culture optimistically induces the moringa tea market growth. " Says Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.). Key Takeaways The boxes segment in the packing type category to possess a share of 68.8% in 2024. In the nature category, the organic segment to grab a share of 67.1% in 2024. The United States moringa tea market reflects expansion between 2024 and 2034 at a CAGR of 9.00%. Germany's moringa tea industry indicates a CAGR of 8.10% through 2034. Through 2034, China's moringa tea market to show escalation at a CAGR of 5.30%. Between 2024 and 2034, Japan's moringa tea industry to imply growth at a CAGR of 5.20%. From 2024 to 2034, the India moringa tea market to equate at a CAGR of 4.20%. Competitive Landscape Leading moringa tea manufacturers have introduced new items with enhanced features. Notable moringa tea providers are concentrating on creating novel moringa tea items with improved flavor and taste. The moringa tea vendors are introducing tea made with organically cultivated moringa leaves to meet the growing consumer demand for organic food and beverages. Latest Developments NEXE Innovations launched XOMA Superfoods, a new internal brand, in January 2021, catering to the developing needs of environmentally concerned and health-conscious consumers. With the declaration of a new direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform, NEXE aspires to spur the quantity of products offered for online and subscription purchases. Premium moringa leaves make Green Provisions' new moringa iced tea, which debuted in May 2020. It is a high-quality iced tea in a handy bottle pack. Purchase now and gain full access to the Moringa Tea Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives. 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: Moringa Extract Market Analysis by Leaf Extract and Seed Extract, 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. Analysis by Leaf Extract and Seed Extract, 2023 to 2033. - Herbal Tea Market by Black Herbal Tea, Green Herbal Tea, and Yellow Herbal Tea, Forecast 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. by Black Herbal Tea, Green Herbal Tea, and Yellow Herbal Tea, Forecast 2023-2033. Organic Tea Market by True Tea and Herbal Tea, Global Opportunities and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. by True Tea and Herbal Tea, Global Opportunities and Forecast, 2023-2033. Bubble tea market by Pearl, Grass Jelly, and Coconut Jelly, Global Opportunities and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. by Pearl, Grass Jelly, and Coconut Jelly, Global Opportunities and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Kombucha Tea Market by Organic and Conventional Nature, Global Opportunities and Forecast, 2023-2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report. 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. 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Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities instrumental in the transfer of funds that boost Pyongyang's ability to develop its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six individuals and two entities based in Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, that generate revenue and facilitate financial transactions for North Korea. Simultaneously, South Korea is jointly designating six of the same individuals and entities for their involvement in illicit financing and revenue generation through overseas North Korean information technology workers. The Treasury targets agents of designated North Korean banks along with IT companies that employ workers abroad. The Treasury Department said North Korean banking representatives, IT workers, and the companies that employ them generate revenue and gain access to foreign currencies vital to the Kim Jong Un regime. These actors, operating through networks in Russia and China, orchestrate schemes, set up front or shell companies, and manage surreptitious bank accounts to move and disguise illicit funds, evade sanctions, and finance Pyongyang's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, it added. Yu Pu Ung, a linchpin in Pyongyang's illicit financial activities; Ri Tong Hyok, a China-based representative of Tanchon Bank; Han Chol Man, a China-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Kumgang Bank; O In Chun, a Russia-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Korea Daesong Bank; and Jong Song Ho, who is a Russia-based representative of U.S-designated Jinmyong Joint Bank, are the individuals targeted by the U.S. Government. The U.S. also sanctioned two companies subordinate to North Korea's Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company and one individual that leads an IT delegation. They are Russia-based Alis LLC, UAE-based Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate, and Jon Yon Gun, who was involved in coordinating payments from Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate to Chinyong. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Aldebaran Resources Inc. ("Aldebaran" or the "Company") (TSXV:ALDE)(OTCQX:ADBRF) is pleased to report results for five drill holes of the 2023/2024 field campaign at the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan, Argentina. The holes reported herein (ALD-24-235, ALD-24-236, ALD-24-237, ALD-24-238 and ALD-24-239) were all substantial step-outs to the north or south of known mineralization. The holes were designed to test the edges of known mineralization and expand the mineralized footprint within the large, conductive MT geophysical anomaly at the Altar project (see June 13, 2022 Company press release). All holes hit mineralization and successfully extended the mineralized footprint of the deposit. Highlights ALD-24-235 362.50 m of 0.34% CuEq from 3.90 m depth Including 78.00 m of 0.54% CuEq from 25.00 m depth 357.80 m of 0.27% CuEq from 424.20 m depth Including 110.00 m of 0.41% CuEq from 428.00 m depth 410.50 m of 0.36% CuEq from 811.00 m depth Including 266.50 m of 0.45% CuEq from 955.00 m depth Including 182.50 m of 0.52% CuEq from 1,039.00 m depth Hole ended in this mineralization ALD-24-236 1,133.70 m of 0.23% CuEq from 213.00 m depth ALD-24-237 129.50 of 0.20% CuEq from 95.50 m depth ALD-24-238 1,159.50 m of 0.24% CuEq from 42.00 m depth Including 53.85 m of 0.46% CuEq from 274.00 m depth Including 91.50 m of 0.47% CuEq from 1,110.00 m depth ALD-24-239 77.10 m of 0.19% CuEq from 250.00 m depth Adds mineralization to an area that was defined as waste in 2021 resource estimate 353.00 m of 0.46% CuEq from 696.00 m depth Including 233.00 m of 0.59% CuEq from 816.00 m depth Including 122.00 m of 0.65% CuEq from 927.00 m depth Hole ended in mineralization Mineralization hosted in rhyolite, which historically at Altar has been a poor host rock and only mineralized when it's close to a mineralized porphyry intrusion John Black, Chief Executive Officer of Aldebaran, commented as follows: "Drilling at Altar continues to grow the mineralized footprint of the deposit. With the drill holes reported today, we've extended known mineralization substantially to the north and south. To date, most of the reported drilling results from the 2023/2024 campaign have been from holes on the edges of the deposit where there was little to no drilling completed historically. While these holes may not be the most exciting from a grade perspective, they provide valuable information and are necessary to complete a resource update later this year. Moving forward, most of the remaining holes will focus on the core of the deposit, with a particular focus on growing Altar United and Altar East." Dr. Kevin B. Heather, Chief Geological Officer of Aldebaran, commented as follows: "These results are important for several reasons: extending the mineralized footprint outward to the north and south will allow us to capture better grade mineralization at depth for the upcoming mineral resource update, and at the same time we are converting near surface rock from waste to mineralization. Hole 239 is interesting as the hole ended due to drill rig depth capacity; however, the grades are increasing with depth, which suggests we may be getting close to an undiscovered mineralized porphyry intrusion." Table 1 below shows detailed assays for all holes. Figure 1 displays a plan map of the completed and ongoing drill hole locations, while Figures 2, 3 and 4 display cross-sections of the holes reported herein. Table 1 - Drill Hole Results - Altar Project From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Mo (ppm) As (ppm) CuEq (%) ALD-24-235 Interval 3.90 366.40 362.50 0.27 0.08 1.09 15 408 0.34 Incl. 25.00 103.00 78.00 0.45 0.10 2.07 22 1,031 0.54 Interval 424.20 782.00 357.80 0.24 0.03 0.66 18 436 0.27 Incl. 428.00 538.00 110.00 0.36 0.05 1.03 7 1,017 0.41 Interval 811.00 1,221.50 410.50 0.31 0.02 1.35 82 90 0.36 Incl. 955.00 1,221.50 266.50 0.40 0.02 1.13 104 68 0.45 Incl. 1,039.00 1,221.50 182.50 0.46 0.02 1.41 110 54 0.52 ALD-24-236 Interval 26.30 52.00 25.70 0.11 0.03 2.23 15 256 0.16 Interval 107.00 124.00 17.00 0.30 0.05 1.96 20 758 0.35 Interval 145.00 190.00 45.00 0.10 0.09 0.57 28 62 0.17 Interval 213.00 1,346.70 1,133.70 0.20 0.02 0.63 46 125 0.23 ALD-24-237 Interval 95.50 225.00 129.50 0.18 0.02 0.30 3 91 0.20 Interval 243.00 275.00 32.00 0.30 0.08 1.15 2 1245 0.36 Interval 480.00 539.50 59.50 0.12 0.02 0.43 9 65 0.14 ALD-24-238 Interval 42.00 1201.50 1159.50 0.21 0.03 1.62 22 216 0.24 Incl. 274.00 327.85 53.85 0.39 0.08 2.03 9 1147 0.46 Incl. 1,110.00 1,201.50 91.50 0.38 0.03 7.00 45 402 0.47 ALD-24-239 Interval 250.00 327.10 77.10 0.18 0.01 0.34 4 49 0.19 Interval 696.00 1,049.00 353.00 0.40 0.02 1.08 124 236 0.46 Incl. 816.00 1,049.00 233.00 0.50 0.02 1.33 174 299 0.59 Incl. 866.00 904.00 38.00 0.48 0.02 1.22 482 381 0.66 Incl. 927.00 1,049.00 122.00 0.57 0.02 1.49 145 344 0.65 The grades are uncut. CuEq values were calculated using copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum. Metal prices utilized for the calculations are Cu = US$3/lb, Au = US$1,400/oz, Ag = US$18/oz, and Mo = US$10/lb. Recoveries used for the supporting metals found in the CuEq equation are as follows: Au = 50%, Ag = 51%, (based on historical metallurgical test work) and Mo = 70% (benchmarking from similar deposits). The formula utilized to calculate equivalent values is CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t * 0.34025) + (Ag g/t * 0.00446) + (Mo ppm * 0.00023). Discussion of Results ALD-24-235 ALD-24-235 (Figure 2) was collared on the northern edge of the Altar Central zone. It was drilled to the south at -79 degrees dip and to a final depth of 1,221.50 m. The main purpose of this hole was to test the northern extension of the mineralization at Altar Central. Lithology : Drillhole ALD-24-235 intersected a medium sized grain diorite porphyry from surface to 655 m depth, then transitioning into andesite wall rocks and later to rhyolite extending from 732 m to 1107 m depth. The hole continues below that depth into andesitic rocks until the bottom of the hole. Alteration & Mineralization : The base of oxidation in hole ALD-24-235 occurs at 47 m depth. Additionally, a peculiar, oxidized horizon was encountered from 364 m to 426 m. This horizon continues laterally in all directions and can be traced to the surrounding drillholes in the area. All sulphides are leached out in this interval. The dominant alteration assemblages in the upper portion of ALD-24-235 are characterized by the occurrence of moderate white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline / chlorite-green sericite-pyrite-hematite-chalcopyrite overprinting earlier biotite-k feldspar-magnetite-chalcopyrite potassic alteration. Veining is weak to moderate overall but tends to increase towards the bottom of the hole. Moderate grade mineralization occurs consistently from near surface and along most of the hole. Starting at 970 m depth, increasing contents of chalcopyrite are observed, along with an increase in the frequency of veining and of the intensity of potassic alteration. ALD-24-236 ALD-24-236 (Figure 4) was collared on the northwestern edge of the Altar Central zone. It was drilled to the south at -75 degrees dip and to a final depth of 1,346.70 m. The main purpose of this hole was to test the northern extension of the mineralization in Altar Central. Lithology: From surface to 619 m depth, hole ALD-24-236 intersected rhyolite wall rock, continuing underneath into a long interval of medium sized grain diorite porphyry unit until the bottom of the hole. Alteration & Mineralization: Alteration in ALD-24-236 is quite homogeneous, characterized by the occurrence of high-sulphidation pyrite-enargite-chalcopyrite structures crosscutting moderate white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline and chlorite-green sericite-pyrite-hematite-chalcopyrite assemblages. Relicts of an earlier biotite-k feldspar-magnetite-chalcopyrite potassic alteration are regularly found along the hole, increasing its intensity towards the bottom. Moderate copper and molybdenum mineralization appears regularly distributed throughout the hole and occurs as chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Veining is weak overall, dominated by quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite and less frequent white sericite-pyrite-quartz and quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-k feldspar, these last increasing towards the bottom of the hole. ALD-24-237 ALD-24-237 (Figure 3) was collared 180 m to the southeast from the southernmost drillhole in the Altar Central zone and 210 m west from ALD-24-239. The hole was drilled to the north at -80 degrees dip and to a final depth of 1,040.00 m. The objectives of ALD-24-237 were to test the occurrence of any kind of mineralization in areas where there was no historical information within the conceptual pit shell of the 2021 mineral resource, and to test for the occurrence of mineralization associated with surface geochemical anomalies and alteration encountered immediately to the east of this drillhole (Altar South zone). Lithology : ALD-24-237 drilled through 30 m of iron oxide cemented breccia, followed by rhyolite up to 235 m depth, then transitioning to a series of dominantly andesitic units with narrow intercalations of rhyolite until the bottom of the hole. Alteration & Mineralization : Alteration in this drillhole is characterized by moderate white sericite-pyrite-quartz-tourmaline and chlorite-hematite-pyrite-chalcopyrite overprinting a weaker biotite-hematite-magnetite assemblage. Structures with high sulfidation pyrite-enargite-quartz-clay assemblages are scattered throughout the hole. ALD-24-238 ALD-24-238 (Figure 3) is collared on the northern edge of the Altar Central zone. It was drilled to the south at -79 degrees dip and to a final depth of 1,201.50 m. The main purpose of this hole was to test the northern extension of the mineralization at Altar Central. Lithology : From surface and up to 328 m depth, hole ALD-24-238 intersected an intercalation of rhyolite with minor intervals of andesitic units. Below that depth and until the bottom of the hole a log run of medium sized grain diorite porphyry unit was encountered. Alteration & Mineralization : Alteration in ALD-24-238 is characterized by the occurrence of scattered high sulfidation pyrite-enargite-chalcopyrite structures, crosscutting moderate white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline, chlorite-green sericite-pyrite-hematite-chalcopyrite and earlier weak biotite-k feldspar-magnetite-chalcopyrite potassic alteration mineral assemblages. Starting from near surface and along the entire hole, ALD-24-238 displays regularly distributed, moderate grade copper and molybdenum mineralization associated with the occurrence of chalcopyrite and Molybdenite. Veining is weak overall, dominantly sericite-pyrite-quartz in the upper portion of the hole and chalcopyrite-anhydrite / quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite towards the bottom of the hole. ALD-24-239 ALD-24-239 (Figure 2) is collared within the Altar South zone. This hole is collared 290 m south from the nearest drillhole in Altar Central. It was drilled to the north at -75 degrees dip and to a final depth of 1,049.00 m, which was the depth capacity of the drill rig. The objectives of ALD-24-239 were to test the occurrence of mineralization in areas where there was no information within the conceptual pit shell of the 2021 mineral resource, and to test for the occurrence of a possible mineralized porphyry center associated with multi-element talus fines geochemical anomalies and surface alteration present in the Altar South area. Lithology : Drillhole ALD-24-239 remained entirely within the wall rock units for the entirety of the hole, encountering a rhyolite from surface until 447 m depth, followed underneath by predominately andesitic units with some minor intervals of rhyolite until the bottom of the hole. Interestingly, from 702.30 m to 709.90 m depth, hole ALD-24-239 crosscut a poly-lithic breccia body with fragments of potassically altered andesitic rocks and a mineralized porphyry unit previously not seen to date in drilling. The porphyry unit displayed k feldspar-biotite-magnetite potassic alteration and quartz-chalcopyrite veins. Alteration & Mineralization : From surface to 700 m depth white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline-quartz and scattered high sulfidation structures displaying pyrite-clay-enargite-quartz-chalcopyrite-carbonates are the dominant alteration assemblages. A substantial change in mineralization and alteration is noted below 700 m depth, where the dominant alteration assemblages are characterized by the occurrence of biotite-magnetite/hematite-K feldspar-quartz-chalcopyrite and green sericite-chlorite-chalcopyrite-pyrite minerals, increasing from weak to moderate at the bottom of the hole. This interval encountered moderate copper and molybdenum mineralization, associated with the occurrence of chalcopyrite-molybdenite and with the increment on the frequency of quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite veining, which are dominant over the last 300 m of the hole. Project Update The Company is actively drilling with four rigs. Holes ALD-24-240, ALD-24-241, ALD-24-242, ALD-24-074EXT and ALD-24-165EXT were recently completed and terminated at 1,273.20 m, 1,296.00 m, 999.40 m, 1,327.00 m, and 1,208.00 m depth, respectively: all pending final assays. Holes ALD-24-074EXT and ALD-24-165EXT are extensions of historic drill holes that were originally terminated at 607.60 m and 484.50 m depth, respectively. Hole ALD-24-241 was lost due to operator error; the Company had intended to let this hole continue deeper. Holes ALD-24-243, ALD-24-244, ALD-24-062EXT and ALD-24-150EXT are active and currently at 954.80 m, 720.20 m, 713.75 m and 1,108.40 m depth, respectively. ALD-24-062EXT and ALD-24-150EXT are extensions of historic holes, originally terminated at 470.00 m and 548.00 m depth. Webinar For more context, please join the Company in a live event on Thursday, March 28 at 12:00 pm EDT / 9:00 am PDT. Q&A will follow the presentation. Click here to register: https://events.6ix.com/preview/aldebaran-presents-exploration-and-corporate-update. Qualified Person The scientific and technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Kevin B. Heather, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc, Ph.D, FAusIMM, FGS, Chief Geological Officer and director of Aldebaran, who serves as the qualified person (QP) under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE ALDEBARAN BOARD (signed) "John Black" John Black Chief Executive Officer and Director Tel: +1 (604) 685-6800 Email: info@aldebaranresources.com Please click here and subscribe to receive future news releases: https://aldebaranresources.com/contact/subscribe/ For further information, please consult our website at www.aldebaranresources.com or contact: Ben Cherrington Manager, Investor Relations Phone: +1 347 394-2728 or +44 7538 244 208 Email: ben.cherrington@aldebaranresources.com About Aldebaran Resources Inc. Aldebaran is a mineral exploration company that was spun out of Regulus Resources Inc. in 2018 and has the same core management team. Aldebaran holds a 60% interest in the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan Province, Argentina and can earn an additional 20% interest in the project by completing a further $25 million in expenditures at Altar over the next three years. The Altar project hosts multiple porphyry copper-gold deposits with potential for additional discoveries. Altar forms part of a cluster of world-class porphyry copper deposits which includes Los Pelambres (Antofagasta Minerals), El Pachon (Glencore), and Los Azules (McEwen Copper). In March 2021 the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Altar, prepared by Independent Mining Consultants Inc. and based on the drilling completed up to and including 2020 (independent technical report prepared by Independent Mining Consultants Inc., Tucson, Arizona, titled "Technical Report, Estimated Mineral Resources, Altar Project, San Juan Province, Argentina", dated March 22, 2021 - see news release dated March 22, 2021). Sampling and Analytical Procedures Altar follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet and exceed industry standards. These protocols are summarized below and are available on the Aldebaran website at www.aldebaranresources.com. All drill holes are diamond core holes with PQ, HQ or NQ core diameters. Drill core is collected at the drill site where recovery and RQD (Rock Quality Designation) measurements are taken before the core is boxed and transported to the Altar camp facilities, a short distance away, where the whole core is photographed under more optimum lighting conditions and geological quick log is produced. The whole-core is then marked and sampled into geological defined, systematic 1- to 2-metre sample intervals, unless the geologist determines the presence of an important geological contact, which should not be crossed. The whole-core is then cut-in-half with a diamond saw blade, with half the sample retained in the core box for future reference and the other half placed into a pre-labelled plastic bag, sealed with a two plastic security zip ties, and labeled with a unique sample number. The bagged samples are then placed into larger plastic sacks and those sacks are sealed with another plastic security zip tie and labelled for shipment. The sacks are then placed onto wooden pallets and wrapped in plastic shrink-wrap and stored in a secure area pending shipment to a certified ALS laboratory sample preparation facility located in Mendoza, Argentina, where the samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized. The resulting sample pulps are sent by batch to the ALS laboratory in Lima for geochemical assay analysis, including a 30g fire assay with an atomic absorption (AA) finish analysis for gold and a full multi-acid digestion (4-acid) with ICP-AES analysis for other elements. Samples with results that exceed maximum detection values for gold are re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish and other elements of interest are re-analyzed using precise ore-grade ICP analytical techniques. Aldebaran independently inserts certified control standards (Super Certified Reference Materials (SCRM's), coarse field blanks, and duplicates into the sample stream to monitor data quality. These control samples represent 10-12% of the total samples submitted and are inserted "blindly" to the laboratory in the sample sequence prior to departure from the Aldebaran facilities. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements regarding Aldebaran, including management's assessment of future-plans and operations, may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond Aldebaran's control. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Specifically, and without limitation, all statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Aldebaran expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the proposed exploration and development of the Altar project described herein, and management's assessment of future plans and operations and statements with respect to the completion of the anticipated exploration and development programs, may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond Aldebaran's control. These risks may cause actual financial and operating results, performance, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Although Aldebaran believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Aldebaran does not undertake any obligation to publicly update 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 law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Figure 1 - Plan map showing drill holes from the 2023-2024 drill program Figure 2 - Cross-section displaying CuEq (%) values in ALD-24-235 and ALDE 24-239 Figure 3 - Cross-section displaying CuEq (%) values in ALD-24-237 and ALD-24-238 Figure 4 - Cross-section displaying CuEq (%) values in ALD-24-236 SOURCE: Aldebaran Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL)(OTC PINK:EGPLF) has acquired by staking, a block of claims that cover the historic Elizabeth Lake Cu-Ag VMS deposit. The claims cover an area of 1266 ha and are located 21 km north of La Ronge, Saskatchewan. The claims are 100% owned by Eagle Plains and carry no underlying royalties or encumbrances. See Elizabeth Lake Property Map here Elizabeth Lake Geology and History The Elizabeth Lake property hosts metamorphic and intrusive rocks which are dominantly volcanic in origin and thought to be formed as an island arc complex. The geology is structurally complex with polyphase deformation and metamorphism. The deposit is made up of numerous lenticular mineralized zones hosted in shear zones within sericite schists. Mineralization consists of lenses, pods, veins and disseminations of pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Sphalerite is found in small zones of calc-silicate gneiss that are separated from the main zones. Galena is reported locally. Chalcopyrite occurs in the more quartz-rich zones. The deposit area has been tested by 36 diamond drill holes for a total of 10,147m (33,291 feet) of core. Select historical drill core is stored at the Saskatchewan Precambrian Geological Laboratory in La Ronge. The mineralization, which lies in a northeast-trending fault zone that has been affected by dextral crossfaulting, has been grouped into two main lenses - the North Zone and the South Zone. The mineralized zone has a strike length of about 625 m (2050.5 ft). The two lenses, which are approximately 365 m apart, parallel minor fold hinges in the vicinity. The lenses have a moderate to steep plunge. The North Zone is 330 m (1082.7 ft) long, 2 to 22 m (6.6 to 72.2 ft) wide and extends to a vertical depth of over 250 m (820.2 ft). The South Zone is 240 m (787.4 ft) long, 2 to 22 m (6.6 to 72.2 ft) wide and extends vertically approximately 150 m (492.1 ft). Both Zones are thought to be open to depth. The following table outlines significant historical drill intercepts: Table 1- Significant Drill Intercepts-Elizabeth Lake Project ?Hole ID Intersection (m) True Width (m) From(m) To(m) Cu(%) Ag (g/t) UV-1 32.5 21.9 101.7 134.2 0.59 7.5 UV-2 31.8 21.5 52.6 84.4 0.56 5.3 including 16.7 10.7 67.7 84.4 0.79 5.6 UV-3 17.2 13.8 65.4 82.6 0.60 6.5 UV-4 23.8 17.1 131.2 155.0 0.75 7.5 including 2.3 1.7 157.9 160.2 0.80 10.9 including 4.0 2.9 172.8 176.8 0.93 4.3 including 7.8 5.6 191.8 199.6 0.73 7.8 UV-5 53.4 36.6 75.4 128.8 0.65 9.0 including 27 19.8 75.4 102.4 0.91 6.5 including 8.2 6.0 92.7 100.9 1.53 10.6 **UV-8 20 unknown unknown unknown 0.85 **UV-12 27.4 unknown unknown unknown 0.69 **UV-13 13.7 unknown unknown unknown 0.79 and 36.6 unknown unknown unknown 0.55 ** Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment File 73P06-0061 In 1967, C. Isbestor discovered molybdenite mineralization in a pegmatite just west of Elizabeth Lake (SMDI 0746) and shortly after discovered the Elizabeth Lake copper mineralization (SMDI 0733) situated 3 miles north of Nemeiben Lake. This started a small rush to the area in 1968 with Studer Mines Ltd acquiring claims and completing trenching on the showing area. Later in 1968, the area was optioned to Noranda Explorations Co. Ltd who undertook a ground EM and geological mapping survey and additional trenching in the area of the exposed copper mineralization. Noranda followed this up with a 21 hole (21,145 feet / 6445m) diamond drilling program. The drilling intersected a 2800 ft (853m) long mineralized zone to a depth of 375 ft (114.3m) at the south end and to a depth of 1375 ft (419.1m) at the north end. Drill hole intersections ranged from 0.01 to 0.12 oz./ton Au, 0.18 to 1.1 oz./ton Ag, 0.05 to 12.32% Cu, 0.01 to 0.02% Pb and 0.005 to 0.7% Zn. (SMDI 0733). No further work was done by Noranda and they dropped their option on the property in 1969. In 1969, Canadian Nickel Co. Ltd., drilled on two holes drilled on claims that straddle Elizabeth Lake. One hole tested the North Zone and one tested the South Zone. Assay results for hole # 38418 in the North Zone range from 0.5 to 6.6 % Cu with long intervals from 441 to 600 feet being in excess of 5% Cu, suggesting the hole may have drilled down the structure. No assays were reported for hole #38417 in the South Zone. In 1969, Uranium Valley Mines Ltd optioned the property from a syndicate which included Studer Mines, and in 1970, 13 holes, totalling 8,965 ft (2732 m), were completed on the North Zone and 4 holes, totalling 3,181 ft (969.6 m) were completed on the South Zone. Trenching, mapping, ground EM and IP surveys were also completed. The UV series of drill holes resulted in a drill-indicated reserves calculation for the deposit. In 1971, probable reserves were given. In 1981, Cameco entered into a joint venture agreement with Studer Mines. Studer Mines subsequently assigned its interest in the property to Benz Gold Resources and between 1981-1983 Benz Gold completed INPUT and magnetic survey airborne geophysics and limited ground geophysics near the deposit. In 1991, Claude Resources Inc. staked the deposit area. In 1994, Claude completed prospecting and rock sampling over the showing to check for possible gold zoning. Significant concentrations of gold or copper in the host rocks were not located by this work. In 1996, Claude Resources completed a core petrographic study using some of the historic Noranda drill holes. The last public data on the property was in 2012 by Kenna Capital Corp. who flew an airborne electromagnetic and horizontal magnetic geophysical survey that included part of the current Elizabeth Lake property. The survey identified a weakly conductive response over the Elizabeth Lake deposit, and a stronger conductor east of the deposit area that has not been tested, within the current tenure boundary. The above results were taken directly from the SMDI descriptions and assessment reports (SMAF) filed with the Saskatchewan government. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person, but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties. Eagle Plains' management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties. A number of different historical resources have been estimated for the Elizabeth Lake Deposit. The first published resource was by Uranium Valley Mines in 1970 with 4,340,000 short tons grading 0.63% Cu or 2,158,000 short tons grading 0.89% Cu or 725,000 tons grading 1.86% Cu, 0.44 oz/ton Ag over an average width of 11.3 ft. In 1996 Claude Resources released a drill indicated reserve of 6,700,500 tons grading 0.68% Cu, including 1,500,000 tons grading 1.56% Cu and 14.9 g/t Ag. The 2003 Saskatchewan Exploration and Development Highlights, published by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, quotes a Geological Resource at Elizabeth Lake of 4,985,938 tonnes grading 0.73% Cu. (SMDI 0733) Eagle Plains' management considers these estimates to be historical in nature and cautions that a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. These estimates do not comply with the definitions of current mineral resources or mineral reserves definitions prescribed by National Instrument 43-101 or the Canadian Institute of Mining, and are disclosed only as indications of the presence of mineralization and are considered to be relevant as a guide for additional work. The historical models and data sets used to prepare these historical estimates are not available to Eagle Plains, nor are any more recent resource estimates or data. All references to historic resources are taken from SMDI 0733. A detailed compilation and interpretation of available data from historical work programs at Elizabeth Lake has begun and will lead to recommendations for future work. The Elizabeth Lake projects adds to Eagle Plains' Saskatchewan VMS Cu portfolio, which also includes the Schotts Lake and Brownell Lake projects. Charles C. Downie, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and a director of Eagle Plains, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. Update on the Sale of the Lone Pine Project Eagle Plains is pleased to announce that it has entered into a mineral property purchase and sale agreement with Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. (TSXV: "QZM") pursuant to which QZM will acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Lone Pine mineral claims near Houston, B.C. The purchase price for the transaction is 750,000 common shares of QZM. The property is subject to a 2.0-per-cent net smelter return (NSR) royalty payable to Eagle Plains, of which a 1.5-per-cent royalty can be repurchased at any time by QZM with a payment of $5-million cash. The shares are subject to a 24-month contractual resale restriction and a further right for the company to arrange purchasers of the shares in the case of resales after that period. Update on Puzzle Lake Property Option Eagle Plains reports that it has received notice from option partner Canter Resources Corp., that Canter has elected not to proceed with its option on the 3261 ha Puzzle Lake property and the Option Agreement will be terminated. About Eagle Plains Resources Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout, Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:"ER") was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada. Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Expenditures from 2010-2023 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $38M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 50,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices. On behalf of the Board of Directors "C.C. (Chuck) Downie" P. Geo President and CEO For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at: 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673) Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com SAN JOSE, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ACL Digital, an ALTEN group company, is a pioneer in design-led digital experience, innovation, enterprise IT modernization, and product engineering services, announced that ACL Digital, in collaboration with AWS and Infineon, is going to showcase its AWS IoT & Cloud capabilities at Embedded World 2024, Hall 4 (Booth #4-552) from April 9 to April 11 in Nuremberg, Germany. ACL Digital, a top-tier AWS Services partner, propels organizations of all sizes to navigate digital transformation to accelerate time-to-market. The company provides comprehensive support, from adopting to modernizing IT infrastructure on AWS. By leveraging expertise in architecture, security, migration, and operations, ACL Digital unlocks the full potential of AWS, streamlining IoT and cloud journeys and fast-tracking business growth and innovation. The AWS Advanced Tier partnership enables ACL Digital to leverage AWS expertise, its robust support ecosystem and best practices to deliver customer delight. ACL Digital offers visitors at Embedded World 2024 a chance to experience the exclusive demo of a Smart Stove Solution, built by leveraging the AWS Cloud and Infineon platform and how it has added value to our customers. With over 100 AWS-certified experts, ACL Digital empowers clients to achieve breakthrough results in their digital transformation. Also, the leading digital transformation company supports global clients in navigating the complexities of cloud implementation, migration and digital transformation with ease and helping them unlock new growth opportunities. About AWS Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 105 Availability Zones within 33 geographic regions, with announced plans for 12 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers-including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies-trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit https://aws.amazon.com . About Infineon Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The company has around 58,600 employees worldwide and generated revenue of about 16.3 billion in the 2023 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY). To learn more about Infineon, visit https://www.infineon.com/ About ACL Digital ACL Digital an ALTEN Group Company, is a digital product innovation and engineering leader. We help our clients design and build innovative products (AI, Cloud, and Mobile ready), content and commerce-driven platforms, and connected, converged digital experiences for the modern world through a design-led Digital Transformation framework. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, ACL Digital is a leader in design-led digital experience, innovation, enterprise modernization, and product engineering services converging to Technology, Media & Telecom. The company has a workforce of 57,000+ spread across more than 30+ countries. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/acl-digital-in-collaboration-with-aws-and-infineon-to-participate-at-embedded-world-2024-302101481.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company") (CSE:TMAS) is pleased to report the filing of an Independent Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on SEDAR+ for the wholly-owned La Blache Ti-V-Fe Project located in the Cote Nord region of Quebec (the "Project"). Material changes occurred to the Project economics between February 7, 2024, the date the news release first announcing the PEA, and today, the date the PEA was finalized and posted on SEDAR+. A summary of the material changes to the primary project economic indicators are presented in the table below. The full PEA report on SEDAR+ presents complete descriptions and lists of all assumptions used. Primary La Blache Project Economic Indicators Press Release PEA February 27, 2024 March 27, 2024 Parameter Units Value Value Pre-Tax Project Cash Flow CAD $ Billion 21.8 20.2 Pre-Tax IRR % 64.8 70.8 Pre-Tax Net Present Value (NPV8) CAD $ Billion 9.5 9.0 Post-Tax Project Cash Flow CAD $ Billion 15.9 14.9 Post-Tax IRR % 55.1 60.8 Post-Tax Net Present Value (NPV8) CAD $ Billion 6.8 6.6 Tim Fernback, President of Temas comments, "We are extremely pleased with the strong economics presented in this PEA on the La Blache Titanium-Vanadium-Iron Project in Quebec. Titanium has been trading well above our assumptions of USD $2,200 per tonne for over three years and at over USD $3,000 per tonne since August 2022. We believe this trend will continue due to the increasing demand for TiO2, major global supply coming to end of life, and lack of both brownfield expansion and new projects coming online in North America. The PEA further increases our confidence in the Project and showcases our proprietary, environmentally friendly extraction technology. With a current market cap of CAD $5M, I am excited to engage with all our stakeholders to unlock the value of this highly robust Project as we advance the asset forward." Summary of Preliminary Economic Assessment The PEA report posted to SEDAR+ was prepared independently by ERM, under the supervision of QP Garth Liukko, P.Eng. (PEO); and the mineral resource estimate was prepared under the supervision of Jacques Dumouchel, P.Geo (OGQ). The PEA was prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 and is based on the Mineral Resource Estimate for La Blache with an effective date of March 27, 2024. Cautionary Note The PEA summarized in this news release is considered preliminary in nature, contains numerous assumptions and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative, geologically, to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized. No Mineral Reserves have been estimated for La Blache. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred Mineral Resources are that part of the Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade, or quality are estimated based on limited geologic evidence and sampling, which is sufficient to imply but not verify grade or quality continuity. Inferred Mineral Resources may not be converted to mineral reserves. It is reasonably expected, though not guaranteed, that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. Mineral Resources are captured within an optimized mine plan (within the constraints of a PEA) and meet the test of reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The effective date of the PEA technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is March 27, 2024. Qualified Persons Garth Liukko, P. Eng is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, he is independent and has reviewed the technical information of the PEA that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Jacques Dumouchel, P. Geo registered with the OGQ, is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 for the Mineral Resource Estimate and is independent of the Company. He has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Rory Kutluoglu, P. Geo is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained within this press release. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Tim Fernback, President & CEO About Temas Resources Temas Resources Corp. (CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF) 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 Fernback President and CEO tfernback@shaw.ca or KIN Communications Inc. Tel: 604-684-6730 tmas@kincommunications.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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. This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Company's mineral projects. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health pandemics; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner. These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises to the Company; 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 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; and the factors identified in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vaughan, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Delota Corp. (CSE: LOTA) (FSE: S62) ("Delota" or the "Company") a leading omni-channel retailer of nicotine-based products is pleased to announce the change of its stock symbol from "LOTA" to "NIC". The common shares of the Company (the "Shares") will begin trading under the new symbol "NIC" on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") at market open on April 2, 2024. The CUSIP (24713H100) and ISIN (CA24713H1001) for the Shares will remain the same. The new stock symbol will better reflect the Company's mission to become Canada's largest retailer of nicotine-based products. About Delota Corp. Delota Corp. is a nicotine vape enterprise that spearheads the smoke-free revolution in Canada, catering to adult consumers seeking alternative to traditional combustible tobacco. With a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional retail experiences and carefully curated product offerings, the Company is dedicated to redefining the way people transition away from smoking. The Company's flagship brand, 180 Smoke Vape Store, stands as Ontario's largest specialty omnichannel vape retailer, fueling innovation, growth, and leadership in the retail vape space. Investors interested in learning more about Delota can visit www.delota.com. For further information, please contact: Delota Corp. Julia Becker Capital Markets T: (605) 785-0850 E: ir@delota.com Cameron Wickham Executive Vice Chair and CEO T: (905) 330-1602 E: info@delota.com The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203337 SOURCE: Delota Corp. Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - VAP Group is pleased to announce the inaugural edition of the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show scheduled to take place on April 16 and 17, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai. World's largest gathering of Blockchain & AI experts To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10219/203440_global1en.jpg The Global AI Show is a power stage hosting international and regional thought leaders in the artificial intelligence and the machine learning space, while the Global Blockchain Show will bring together experts from the web3 ecosystem to share their insights and discuss future opportunities in the rapidly-evolving industry. A wide range of themes will be discussed at both conferences in two days. At the Global AI Show, attendees will get a glimpse into an AI-powered future with keynote speeches on sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, oil and gas unlocking new possibilities with the help of AI. Evolution of the digital ecosystem, data protection, blockchain in finance, gaming, metaverse and NFTs are some of the topics that will be discussed at the Global Blockchain Show. Jamie Metzl, a technology and healthcare futurist, will be navigating the implications of AI, genetics, and biotechnology revolutions. Attendees can get their copies of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity signed and also get exclusive insights from Metzl's new book - Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform Our Lives, Work, and World. Dr. Divya Chander, a neuroscientist and medical futurist, will present on the journey from brain reading to brain writing to closed-loop brain machine interface systems through her headliner at the Global AI Show. Another prominent speaker at the Global AI Show is H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security at United Arab Emirates Government, who will present a keynote on a future with AI. The Global Blockchain Show will showcase the dynamic landscape of blockchain technology. Among the distinguished speakers, H.E. Justin Sun, the visionary Founder of TRON and Member of the HTX Global advisory board, will take center stage. Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the blockchain space, Justin Sun will grace the event with his profound insights and forward-thinking vision. Additionally, Global Blockchain Show will feature a fireside chat with Lennix Lai, Chief Commercial Officer of OKX, who will encompass the yin and yang of crypto trading. Dominic Williams, Founder & Chief Scientist of DFINITY Foundation, will discuss the decentralized cloud vision of the DFINITY blockchain. Furthermore, the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show are thrilled to have the world's first AI humanoid robot Sophia as their Official Ambassador. Sophia is a prime example of the wonders of artificial intelligence and robotics, converging technology with humanity. Her presence at the two events seeks to inspire attendees on the limitless possibilities of AI and web3 technologies. The Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show will feature a start-up village where start-ups and scale-ups will potentially have the chance to power pitch their innovative ideas, technology and creations to investors, venture capitalists and big tech. A VAP Accelerator will be launched to serve as an incubator for ambitious start-ups. Meanwhile, a community stage at the Global Blockchain Show and the Global AI Show will be set up to focus on fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and engagement within the blockchain and AI community. An official awards ceremony will take place on April 17 at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai. The Global AI Awards and the Global Blockchain Awards seek to recognise excellence and innovation, and pay tribute to the trailblazers, innovators and guardians who tirelessly push the boundaries of possibility in the field of AI and blockchain technology. The Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show will finish with an afterparty at the luxurious White Beach at Atlantis, The Palm. Hosted by VAP Group, the afterparty provides a unique platform for industry experts and enthusiasts to mingle, exchange ideas, build valuable connections, explore potential collaborations, and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere. Redefining the future with premier Blockchain & AI shows To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10219/203440_global2en.jpg 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 organiser 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 inquiries, exclusive interviews, or press passes, please reach out to: media@globalaishow.com or media@globalblockchain.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203440 SOURCE: Global AI Show 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 Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it is awarding $27.2 million to 11 U.S. universities to conduct resaearch on a variety of aviation environmental topics including sustainable aviation fuels, aircraft emissions, and noise impacts. The FAA grants are part of its Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) program. The awards will be matched in-kind by the Center's partners under the grants program one-to-one cost sharing agreement. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said, 'The entire aviation industry can leverage this research to reduce noise and enable safe and efficient operations while working toward net-zero emissions by 2050.' ASCENT grants will support the work of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Washington State University, Pennsylvania State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dayton University, Boston University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, The University of North Carolina, Stanford University and University of Hawaii. Teams from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Oregon State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Tennessee and the University of Washington are continuing their research on other ASCENT projects. FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment Laurence Wildgoose said, 'As a result of ASCENT research, four new procedures have been implemented at Boston Logan International Airport to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities.' 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. Artificial intelligence enables complex process automation for higher ed and public sector directly from email attachments COLUMBIA, SC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Softdocs, the process automation and document management platform for education and government, announced today the release of automatic document classification and data extraction, powered by artificial intelligence, that automates highly accurate and complex workflows. With this new capability, higher education institutions, K-12 school districts, and state and local governments can automate highly specialized workflows by capturing email attachments with Softdocs. The AI-powered feature integrates with a user's email application, letting Softdocs users auto-classify and extract data from files attached to emails so they can be securely routed, processed, and acted on anywhere within a university system, campus, school district, or government agency. According to the EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study, more than 75% of higher education leaders are focusing their AI strategies on boosting student services. This new feature supports this need and advances institutions' practical applications of AI. The document classification and data extraction engine learns an institution's or organization's indexing rules and document types and progressively becomes more accurate, enabling a greater number of automated processes. As a result, this new AI capability reduces the time and effort required to capture and process valuable content in Softdocs, freeing education and public sector professionals to spend more time on higher order work. "We've found that higher ed administrators and government officials alike derive great value from AI, which automates routine tasks and enables advanced workflows," said Scott Craig, SVP of Product and Strategy at Softdocs. "This is not the kind of AI that introduces ethical questions and risk. What we're bringing to market and what our customers are adopting is akin to being given 20 to 40 percent more budget. It's no surprise that a recent study by Ellucian found that more than 70% of higher education administrators have a favorable view of AI. And this is just the latest addition to Softdocs' growing AI-powered toolset." Currently integrated with Microsoft Outlook, Softdocs' AI-powered document classification and data extraction engine will integrate with all applications that involve attachments and file sharing, such as Google, Slack, and Microsoft productivity applications. Softdocs is providing demonstrations of this new capability at Ellucian Live 2024 in San Antonio at booth 717. About Softdocs Softdocs provides process automation and document management solutions to education and government. Softdocs solutions enable colleges, universities, K-12 school districts, and state and municipal governments to improve how they serve people, create new efficiencies, and enable the future of work. Softdocs solutions are used by nearly one thousand organizations across the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.softdocs.com. Contact Information Dan Dillon SVP Marketing ddillon@softdocs.com 888-457-8879 SOURCE: Softdocs View the original press release on newswire.com. First significant gold occurrence in volcanic rocks ST.JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to report total pulp metallics assay results from the first three holes completed as part of the current drilling program at the 552 Zone. A total of 1825 m has been completed in the current program to date (12 holes) and visible gold has been intersected in five of the holes. Approximately 300 m of drilling remains in the current program including 150 m proposed in three holes in the upper portion of the Footwall Splay where gaps exist in the current geological model linking the zone to surface. The Footwall Splay has returned some of the highest grades on the Moosehead property including MH-20-115 (4.60 m grading 47.20 g/t Au from 64.0 m downhole), and MH-21-163 (5.10 m grading 30.83 g/t Au from 45.0 m downhole). The three holes being reported today (MH-24-578 to 580), all drilled on the same section (same setup) encountered the 552 structure with the deepest hole, MH-24-580, cutting a 2.05 m zone at 53.70 m downhole that included two 0.30 to 0.50 m intervals with up to 30 specks of fine (sub-millimetre) visible gold. The intersection is highlighted by a 1.65 m interval averaging 10.21 g/t Au, including a 0.50 m section grading 27.78 g/t Au. Drilling Highlights from 552 Zone Note: reported thicknesses are believed to be 90% of true thickness MH-24-578 0.68 g/t Au over 0.85 m from 40.60 m downhole MH-24-579 3.07 g/t Au over 1.25 m from 40.85 m downhole MH-24-580 8.31 g/t Au over 2.05 m including; 10.21 g/t Au over 1.65 m, including 27.79 g/t Au over 0.50 m from 53.70 m downhole The three-hole section lies 30 m west of the previously reported MH-23-574 (see February 14, 2024 news release) that cut 2.10 m of 5.0 g/t Au with 12 specks of sub-millimetre visible gold noted. The current diamond drilling program (minimum 2000 m of HQ-size drill core) will focus on testing at least 150 m of strike and 125 m of depth (vertically) of the 552 Zone. Drilling to date at 552 has defined a continuous, roughly east-west trending, two- to five-metre-wide zone of locally vuggy (epizonal), quartz veining/quartz breccia, locally with 2%-3% disseminated sphalerite, boulangerite and chalcopyrite, in variably sheared to locally undeformed sedimentary units approximately 400 m east of the main Eastern Trend mineralization and 100 m southeast of the 253 Zone. Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President and CEO states; "This is the first significant occurrence of gold in volcanic rocks we have seen on the property and will be targeted aggressively. We are pleased to see grades continuing to improve within the 552 Zone and that the Zone remains open in all directions. Of note is that at the expected depth of 58.0 m, MH-24-588 intersected a 1.3 m vein with 3 flecks of visible gold. It occurs at the contact between deformed mafic volcanics and sandstone. Previous intersections in the 552 Zone occur proximal to mafic dykes but not at the mafic volcanic contact. Its orientation is similar to that of the other 552 Zone intersections and its mineralogy of darker-brown sphalerite and elevated arsenopyrite also supports this conclusion. Given this development, MH-24-588 was deepened through the deformed mafic volcanics and intersected a 0.90 m vein at 102.20 m with up to 14 flecks of visible gold with sphalerite and arsenopyrite. The initial orientation data and mineralogy support it being related to the 552 Zone." 552 Zone intersection in MH-24-580 featuring brecciated upper contact in the top row (8.16 g/t Au over 0.30 m) and laminated high-grade section (27.78 g/t Au over 0.50 m) in the lower row. Drill Plan Map QP This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp. Analytical Techniques / QA/QC Samples, including duplicates, blanks, and standards, were submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, Newfoundland for gold analysis. All core samples submitted for assay were saw cut by Sokoman personnel with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference. Samples were delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman personnel. Eastern Analytical Ltd. is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples with visible gold were submitted for total pulp metallics and gravimetric finish. All other samples were analyzed by standard fire assay methods. Total pulp metallic analysis includes: the whole sample is crushed to -10 mesh; and then pulverized to 95% -150 mesh. The total sample is weighed and screened to 150 mesh; the +150 mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150 mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au; with a calculated weighted average of total Au in the sample reported as well. One blank and one industry-approved standard for every twenty samples submitted is included in the sample stream. Random duplicates of selected samples are analyzed in addition to the in-house standard and duplicate policies of Eastern Analytical Ltd. All reported assays are uncut. About Sokoman Minerals Corp. Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100% flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, as well as Crippleback Lake; and East Alder (optioned to Canterra Minerals Corporation) along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls, independently and through the Benton alliance, more than 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims - 1,500 sq. km), making it one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly emerging gold districts. In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. The agreement provides for Piedmont to earn up to 62.5% of the Killick Lithium Project (formerly Golden Hope project) by funding up to $12 million in exploration expenses and issuing $10 million common shares in three stages. The Killick Lithium Project has been transferred to Killick Lithium Inc. (Killick), a 100%-owned subsidiary of Vinland Lithium Inc. (Vinland). Newly created Vinland has received $2 million in financing from Piedmont for a 19.9% interest, with the balance of ownership between Sokoman and Benton. Sokoman and Benton will continue to operate the exploration efforts at Killick through the earn-in stages. Sokoman and Benton will retain a royalty of 2% NSR on future production. Piedmont will have exclusive marketing rights for the promotion and sale of any lithium products produced from the project on a life-of-mine basis, and the right of first refusal on 100% offtake rights to the lithium concentrates. The Company also retains a 1% NSR interest in an early-stage antimony/gold project (Startrek) in Newfoundland, optioned to Thunder Gold Corp (formerly White Metal Resources Inc.), and in Labrador, the Company has a 100% interest in the Iron Horse (Fe) project which has Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) potential. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for past financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys gold projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program. For more information, please contact: Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO T: 709-765-1726 E: tim@sokomanmineralscorp.com Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, Director T: 416-868-1079 x 251 E: cathy@chfir.com Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com Twitter: @SokomanMinerals Facebook: @SokomanMinerals LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp 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. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp. SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Cisco Systems Inc. By Laura Quintana LinkedIn workforce data shows that women are still significantly underrepresented in the Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM). Despite making up almost half (49.3%) of total employment across non-STEM occupations, women represent just 29.2% of all STEM workers. As technology moves quickly, that underrepresentation shapes the technology of tomorrow as well as amplifies existing gender bias in technology. As Cisco's corporate purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, Cisco Networking Academy chooses to take action to address gender parity in tech by encouraging young girls and women to consider STEM as a career option. AI is not new The idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not new. Metropolis, the classic Fritz Lang film featured a humanoid robot in 1927. Even in academia the interest in AI and machine learning dates back more than half a century. Alan Turing wrote a paper on Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950. Despite what seems like a long history, it took the confluence of increased computational capacity, big data, and years of research and training before AI genuinely burst into the mainstream in 2023. One third of respondents to McKinsey's Global Survey last year said their organizations are using generative AI regularly in at least one business function. This is less than a year after many of these tools debuted. The AI revolution AI is now seen as a revolution with organizations and people working diligently to understand opportunities and implications. Along with revolutions come challenges, however. Cisco's position on AI is that while there is enormous positive potential for humanity, we must deploy the technology responsibly. Cisco research reveals there are gaps in preparedness for the AI revolution in 86 percent of global organizations. In our recent Quarterly Student Outcome Survey,* 63 percent of Cisco Networking Academy students tell us they are using AI today and 17 percent already have advanced skills in this area. We are proud our students are at the leading edge of technology learning. In fact, 88 percent of our students believe Cisco Networking Academy is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving tech world. Unfortunately, we are already seeing a gender gap in AI. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), women comprise only 22 percent of AI professionals globally, only 18 percent of authors at leading AI conferences are women, and only 2 percent of venture capital flowed to start-ups founded by women in 2019. Equally troubling, the WEF believes this gender gap in AI is self-perpetuating. "There is an urgent need to rebalance the situation for women in AI to avoid biased analyzes and to build technologies that take into account the expectations and needs of all of humanity," says Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General. Are you AI-ready? Celebrating its 10th year in 2024, Cisco Networking Academy's Women Rock-IT program is a global initiative aimed at closing the gender gap in the technology industry by encouraging young women to pursue careers in tech. The program highlights successful women in tech as role models and provides free introductory tech courses through Cisco Networking Academy. Since its inception, Women Rock-IT has seen more than two million participants and 870,000 course enrolments.? On International Girls in ICT Day on April 25, 2024, Women Rock-IT will host a special event that aims to empower our audience by providing immediate, actionable steps to become AI-ready. We underscore the need to develop skills to harness the vast potential of AI and machine learning for businesses, public services, and society at large. Cisco supports Girls in ICT Day 2024 This year more than 240 Cisco volunteers are organizing events and inviting local schools to visit Cisco offices to see what types of careers are available in the world of tech. Over 250 Cisco Networking instructors have registered to run classes in Introduction to Cybersecurity and Introduction to Data Science as part of a Global Learn-A-Thon to introduce new students to the world of tech and to consider technology as a career pathway. And a worldwide virtual broadcast in multiple time-zones will feature speakers with expertise in AI. These speakers are using artificial intelligence to forward developments in areas such as nature conservation and human development. Meet the speakers We are thrilled to announce our two speakers who are women at the cutting edge of the AI revolution: Nadin Kokciyan - Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Nadine is deeply involved in ethical and future-oriented studies of technology as a Senior Research Affiliate at the Centre for Technomoral Futures, Edinburgh Futures Institute. As the director of the Human-Centered AI Lab (CHAI Lab), Nadin's work emphasizes the development and study of AI systems that prioritize human needs and values. Additionally, her affiliations with the Artificial Intelligence and its Applications Institute (AIAI), the Security and Privacy group, and the Technology Usability Lab In Privacy and Security (TULiPS) underline her multifaceted approach to AI research. Nadin aims to bridge the gap between technical AI advancements and their societal implications, ensuring that AI development aligns with ethical standards and contributes positively to human welfare. Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf - Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute, Ohio State University Tanya is a professor of Computer Science Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the Ohio State University. As a computational ecologist, her research is at the unique intersection of computer science, wildlife biology, and social sciences. Tanya is a member of the US National Academies Board on Life Sciences and CNRS International Scientific Advisory Board, Artificial Intelligence for Science, Science for Artificial Intelligence (AISSA) Centre. She also sits on advisory boards for Conservation X Labs and the Ocean Vision AI (OVAI) project. She is also co-founder of the AI for wildlife conservation software non-profit Wild Me, home of the Wildbook project, which has been chosen by UNSECO as one of the top AI 100 projects worldwide supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recently, Tanya was awarded a US National Science Foundation grant to establish a new field of study: Imageomics. As a computational ecologist, her research is at the unique intersection of computer science, wildlife biology, and social sciences. AI everywhere Artificial Intelligence will affect everyone and every business. From nature conservation, to the fashion industry, and education, AI will have an impact. Join us for Women Rock-IT on April 25. Start exploring how you can use AI for an AI-fueled career boost. Hear from real-time innovators and leaders in their fields. Ask your questions and access free entry-level courses from Cisco Networking Academy to get started right away. Register now for the Women Rock-IT virtual event on April 25! Are You AI-Ready? Unlocking nature's secrets: how AI & Data save wildlife Check registration page for your local broadcast time. *Based on Q2 FY24 Cisco Networking Academy survey responses of 1400 students View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING A POSSIBLE OFFER, INCLUDING FOR THE PURPOSES OF RULE 2.12 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT 1997, TAKEOVER RULES, 2022 (THE "IRISH TAKEOVER RULES"). THIS IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER RULES AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT AN OFFER WILL BE MADE OR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY OFFER MIGHT BE MADE. The Board of MariaDB plc (NYSE: MRDB) ("MariaDB" or the "Company") confirms that on March 26, 2024, it received an unsolicited non-binding indicative proposal from Progress Software Corp. ("Progress") to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (the "Possible Offer"). Progress provides software that enables organizations to develop and deploy their mission-critical applications and experiences, as well as effectively manage their data platforms, cloud and IT infrastructure. Progress publicly announced such offer on March 26, 2024. The Board of MariaDB is reviewing and taking advice regarding the Possible Offer. The Possible Offer may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire share capital of the Company. There can be no certainty that any offer will be made. In accordance with Rule 2.6 of the Irish Takeover Rules, Progress is required, no later than 5:00 pm (New York time) on May 7, 2024, being the 42nd day following the Progress announcement, to either (i) announce a firm intention to make an offer for the Company in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Irish Takeover Rules; or (ii) announce that it does not intend to make an offer for the Company, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Irish Takeover Rules applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Takeover Rules, at the request of the Company. IMPORTANT NOTICES ABOUT MARIADB MariaDB is a new generation database company whose products are used by companies big and small, reaching more than a billion users through Linux distributions and have been downloaded over one billion times. Deployed in minutes and maintained with ease, leveraging cloud automation, MariaDB database products are engineered to support any workload, any cloud and any scale all while saving up to 90% of proprietary database costs. Trusted by organizations such as Bandwidth, DigiCert, InfoArmor, Oppenheimer and Samsung, MariaDB's software is the backbone of critical services that people rely on every day. For more information, please visit mariadb.com. RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER RULES Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person who is 'interested' in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of the Company or a securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror which has announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an 'opening position disclosure' following the commencement of the 'offer period' and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An 'opening position disclosure' must contain, among other things, details of the person's 'interests' and 'short positions' in any 'relevant securities' of each of (i) the Company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An 'opening position disclosure' by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3:30 pm (New York time) on the day that is ten 'business days' following the commencement of the 'offer period' and, if appropriate, by no later than 3:30 pm (New York time) on the day that is ten 'business days' following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of the Company, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of the Company or any securities exchange offeror (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3:30 pm (New York time) on the 'business day' following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the 'offer period' ends. If two or more persons cooperate on the basis of any agreement either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of the Company, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie. In general, interests in securities arise when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of the securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel at telephone number +353 1 678 9020. RULE 2.12 RELEVANT SECURITIES IN ISSUE In accordance with Rule 2.12 of the Irish Takeover Rules, the Company confirms that as of March 26, 2024, its issued share capital was comprised of 67,749,429 ordinary shares, nominal value $0.01 per share (the "Ordinary Shares"). The Ordinary Shares are admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MRDB. The International Securities Identification Number for these securities is IE0008908NI4. The Company confirms that as of March 26, 2024, there were outstanding options to purchase up to 4,778,209Ordinary Shares and outstanding restricted stock units and performance stock units conferring on their holders vested or unvested rights to convert into, or to receive, up to an aggregate of 3,748,054 Ordinary Shares. The Company confirms that as of March 26, 2024, there were outstanding warrants to subscribe for an aggregate of 16,351,314Ordinary Shares. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this announcement are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words indicating future events and actions, such as "will" and "may," and variations of such words, and similar expressions and future-looking language identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements in this announcement include statements regarding the Possible Offer and related actions and events. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events and actions, which may vary materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Differences may result from, among other things, actions taken by the Company or its management or board or third parties, including those beyond the Company's control. Such differences and uncertainties and related risks include, but are not limited to, the possibility that an offer will not be made, the possibility that even if an offer is made, the parties will not agree on a price or other terms or will not otherwise pursue a transaction or if pursued, that a transaction will not be consummated, any negative effects of this announcement or failure to consummate a transaction on the market price of the Ordinary Shares and other Company securities (including warrants) or otherwise (including on our outstanding debt obligations), and potentially significant transaction and related costs. The foregoing list of differences and risks and uncertainties is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. For more information on factors that may affect the Possible Offer and related actions and events, please review "Risk Factors" and other information described in the Company's filings and records filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information provided herein. FURTHER INFORMATION In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, a copy of this announcement will be available on the Company's website at https://investors.mariadb.com/ by no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the business day following this announcement. The content of any website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into, and does not form part of, this announcement. This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of (1) an offer or invitation to purchase or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, tender, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities; (2) the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or otherwise acquire, subscribe for, tender, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities; or (3) the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in, into, or from, certain jurisdictions other than Ireland may be restricted or affected by the laws of those jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of this announcement are not being, and must not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed, or sent in, into, or from any such jurisdiction. Therefore, persons who receive this announcement (including without limitation nominees, trustees and custodians) and are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Ireland who are not resident in Ireland will need to inform themselves about and observe any applicable restrictions or requirements. Any failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted as an indication of what the Company's future financial or operating results may be, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share will necessarily be greater or lesser than those for the relevant preceding financial periods for the Company. No statement in this announcement constitutes an asset valuation. No statement in this announcement constitutes an estimate of the anticipated financial effects of an acquisition of the Company, whether for the Company or any other person. REQUESTING HARD COPY INFORMATION Any MariaDB shareholder may request a copy of this announcement in hard copy form by writing to Investor Relations via e-mail at ir@mariadb.com. Any written requests must include the identity of the MariaDB shareholder and any hard copy documents will be posted to the address of the MariaDB shareholder provided in the written request. A hard copy of this announcement will not be sent to MariaDB shareholders unless requested. Source: MariaDB View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327713095/en/ Contacts: Investors: ir@mariadb.com Media: pr@mariadb.com 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 United States has expressed deep concern over the Venezuelan National Electoral Council's decision to prevent democratic opposition parties from registering successive candidates for the upcoming presidential election. U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller alleged in a statement that the CNE's acceptance of only those opposition candidates with whom President Nicholas Maduro and his representatives feel comfortable runs counter to competitive and inclusive elections that the Venezuelan people and international community will view as legitimate. He called on Maduro and his representatives to ensure international observer access, end the jailing and harassment of civil society and opposition members, allow all candidates to run and campaign, update the electoral registry, and release all unjustly detained political prisoners. 'We remain united with the international community in calling upon Maduro to allow Venezuelans to participate in free and fair elections,' the statement added. Miller warned that actions that run counter to the spirit and letter of the Barbados Agreement will have consequences. 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. With the prevalence of fake news and disinformation, only 12 percent of EU population said that they are confident in identifying disinformation. Oxylabs pro bono initiative "Project 4" stresses the importance of utilising data scraping technologies to combat these unethical practices. VILNIUS, LITHUANIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / The spread of false information has been a persistent issue since the advent of the internet, but the emergence of AI technologies has exacerbated the problem. This challenge is especially significant in the current climate of wars and global uncertainty, with critical events such as the European Parliament elections, the US presidential elections, and dubious elections in Russia and Belarus that took place just In these times, it is crucial for citizens to critically assess the news they consume from various online sources. Distinguishing between accurate and false information in the AI era requires some level of expertise. Oxylabs identifies web scraping solutions as key in empowering organisations to fight against misinformation. Vaidotas Sedys, Head of the Risk Management department at Oxylabs, commented, "AI, while revolutionary, has a darker side in its capacity to advance oppressive agendas through the spread of misinformation. Two factors are particularly concerning. First, the use of chatbots and other AI tools allows for the automated, cost-effective distribution of large volumes of false information across platforms. Second, AI can create convincing fake images , videos, and audio that distort reality. Even when such fabrications are identified as fake, they contribute to a general distrust in publicly available information, hindering coordinated action among the people." Last year, Debunk.org , a disinformation analysis centre, uncovered a startling example of this issue. They investigated prominent Kremlin media outlets and identified a 'journalist' named Marina Sovina, who reportedly published 38,000 articles in one year, primarily about Ukraine. Two days before the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, on 22 February 2022, 'Sovina' wrote over 150 articles in a single day. These articles contained unverifiable claims, and it was later revealed that Marina Sovina did not exist but was a fictitious entity used by the Russian government for propaganda purposes. This case underscores the ease and speed with which disinformation can spread online, often from seemingly credible sources. Viktoras Dauksas, Head of Debunk.org, stated, "We see a high increase in the number of threats of FIMI (foreign information manipulations and interference) and disinformation attacks targeting Baltic and all Europe. The Robo-journalism case only highlights the magnitude of the disinformation problem, but there are viable solutions. With appropriate tools, governments and organisations can effectively tackle disinformation." In early 2023 Oxylabs' "Project 4" joined forces with Debunk.org in a pro bono collaboration. This partnership grants Debunk.org free access to Oxylabs' out-of-the-box solutions, such as scraper APIs and the world's largest ethical proxy network This allows the organisation and its volunteers to gather publicly available data, make the fact-checking processes faster, and get valuable insights for their research. Through "4," Oxylabs gives access to the company's web intelligence collection solutions and expertise for researchers, academia and organisations, including Bellingcat , Confirmado , Civic Resilience Initiative , to name a few. Viktoras Dauksas continued, "Authoritarian regimes and related threat actors increasingly attempt to destabilise democracies are advancing their operations, it's crucial for organisations fighting disinformation to remain technologically updated. There is just too much information for analysts to review. NGOs and NPOs, in particular, stand to benefit significantly from partnerships with leading companies that can provide the latest technologies. Such collaborations are pivotal for enhancing research capabilities, improving disinformation analysis, and fostering greater transparency globally." "Work on FIMI methodologies and adopting best practices from the field of cyber security, building a FIMI defenders community, and developing better technologies for countering disinformation will also be the key areas for the next decade. These efforts are crucial in building a more informed and truthful digital ecosystem," concluded Debunk.org's director. About Oxylabs Established in 2015, Oxylabs is a premium proxy and web intelligence acquisition solution provider, enabling companies of all sizes to utilise the power of big data. Constant innovation, a large patent portfolio, and a focus on ethics have allowed Oxylabs to become a global leader in the data acquisition industry and forge close ties with dozens of Fortune Global 500 companies. In 2022 and 2023, Oxylabs was named the fastest-growing public data gathering solutions company in Europe in the Financial Times' FT 1000 list. Media Contacts Vytautas Kirjazovas Oxylabs.io Email: press@oxylabs.io SOURCE: Oxylabs View the original press release on accesswire.com LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / American Clean Resources Group (OTC:ACRG) proudly announces the formation of an Environmental Sustainability Board comprised of distinguished industry leaders. This Advisory Board aims to champion and contribute to the realization of American Clean Resources Group's corporate objectives and globally impactful cleantech strategies. Serving as a driving force behind ACRG's renewable revolution, the board will collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, federal agencies, and Fortune 500 industrial partners, to provide innovative solutions and economically sound strategies to address some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. The Environmental Sustainability Board boasts members with extensive expertise in various fields, including global tailings management, soil and water remediation, infrastructure management, waste-to-energy technology, smart mining and reclamation engineering. These esteemed individuals will act as key advisors, project collaborators, and stakeholders for the organization. ACRG Environmental Sustainability Board Members Aaron Johnson Advisory Board Member Aaron Johnson is the Executive Director of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), a position he has held since 2016. In addition to his work with the Institute, Dr. Johnson serves as Co-Chair of the Minerals Working Group for the United Nations Framework Classification under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. He is also a member of the United States Federal Advisory Committee to the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, where he provides oversight and direction to the United States Geological Survey's competitive mapping grant processes. Dr. Johnson holds adjunct professor positions at Missouri State University and Northwest Missouri State University. Ann Thomas Advisory Board Member Ann Thomas has 20 years of experience in commodities, risk management, and portfolio management. She was recruited by Citibank and JP Morgan Chase to build institutional commodities risk management departments with global capabilities. She has also served as a portfolio manager with Medley Capital's MACRO Fund, achieving an 11-year 12% ROR. Her integrated experience and longstanding industry relationships provide insights into the fundamentals of the macro market and access to executive-level expertise. Ms. Thomas maintains a long and untarnished history of compliance with regulators. Carin Meyer Advisory Board Member Carin Meyer, with over 18 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry, holds two master's degrees and specializes in pipeline control, leak detection, cyber security, theft detection, monitoring, and SCADA. She is a certified EUCI Instructor and periodically testifies and advises Congress on matters related to PHMSA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and regulatory guidelines. Corey Marshall Advisory Board Member Corey J. Marshall is an executive powerhouse with a career spanning over three decades across various industries, demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and brand development skills. With a strong foundation in executive management, Corey has held senior executive positions such as President of Rudolph Ranch, Inc., CEO at Tivoli Brewing Company and Tivoli Distributing Company, and Strategy & Development Officer at Mill 95, where he has led and motivated large teams, driven revenue growth, and fostered high-performance cultures. His tenure at these companies has resulted in significant accomplishments, including tripling Tivoli's revenue, implementing a complete strategic overhaul at Mill 95, and contributing to the startup and success of six businesses. As an Executive in Strategy, Finance and M&A at Ford Motor Company, Coors and Molson Coors, Corey helped lead these companies to new successful ventures and expansions. Corey also served as Associate Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he contributed to the future of the brewing industry with his extensive knowledge and experience. Jay Lesser Advisory Board Member Harold M. Lesser II (Jay) is the CEO of Alpine Companies, Founder of MRD Mining Research & Development Corporation, Inventor/Designer, and co-owner of the Gladstone Toll Mill in Idaho Springs, Colorado. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of MineTeck. His expertise spans the science of mineral extraction and metallurgical processes, encompassing circuit development, tailings pond and dam reclamation, water filtration, gravity separation, and geochemical analysis. For over three decades, he has brought innovative ideas to fruition, leading the industry in geotechnical construction, feedstock-specific gravity concentration research and development, as well as the implementation of many cutting-edge green protocols. Josh Rosenblatt Advisory Board Member Joshua Rosenblatt brings to ACRG over 30 years of public service, offering extensive experience in water management, compliance, and the regulatory industry. His expertise spans groundwater monitoring, pollution remediation, wastewater, and solid waste management within both private and public sector facilities. His workflow has been instrumental in expanding his expertise in EPA Regulations, the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund, and corresponding State Regulations. His qualifications encompass municipal, industrial, and environmental operations, along with regulatory compliance. Joshua has developed municipal water and energy conservation programs, training documentation, and has been active in interagency and public presentations, as well as stakeholder meetings. Luke Saban Advisory Board Member An accomplished C-level executive and advisor, Luke Saban has over 30 years of experience. He is regularly consulted to resolve various operating issues and to prepare companies for successful liquidity events. His extensive background spans finance, operations, private equity, and venture capital, with specific experience in industries including healthcare, energy, and technology. Recently, he served as CFO and President of RAM Group Global, a winner of the XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing Detection Challenge, and as CFO at Alphabet Energy, backed by TPG as the first low-cost, high-efficiency thermos-electrics provider. His career began at Price Waterhouse and continued at Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc.), eventually leading to C-level roles in strategic-backed entities within supplier relationship management, building materials, healthcare technology, and midstream energy sectors. Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson Advisory Board Member Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson joined the Colorado School of Mines in 2014 as a Professor and Department Head of Mining Engineering, after serving as a Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Division Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation, and Provost and Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is internationally renowned in geological, civil, and tailings engineering and has published over 200 technical and scientific papers. Dr. Nelson is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), past president of its Geo-Institute, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a lifetime member and the first president and Fellow of the American Rock Mechanics Association. Recognized as a Mole and Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer, she has received the Kenneth Andrew Roe Award from AAES and the Henry L. Michel Award from ASCE. In 2016, she was named a Global Inspirational Woman in Mining by WIM/UK, and in 2018, she was honored with the Outstanding Educator award from UCA of SME. In 2020, she established the Tailings Center in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Arizona. Rusty Lowdermilk Advisory Board Member Mr. Lowdermilk's business career has spanned more than 40 years across several industries. Beginning at age 14 and continuing through his early 20s, he learned the nuts and bolts of a legacy heavy earth moving/highway construction company in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Over the years, he has acquired a diverse range of skills and experiences, having been a superintendent in charge of gold production, among other roles. Mr. Lowdermilk's passion for photography steered him toward the motion picture industry, where he worked on commercials, movies, and owned a production rental company serving the Colorado Motion Picture industry for over 27 years. Alongside photography, he has had a profound interest in mining and moving rock. Samuel K. Mansfield, Jr. Advisory Board Member Early in his career, Mr. Mansfield was licensed in the securities business. Throughout his diverse career, he has held positions including corporate historian, intercorporate liaison, senior sales executive, senior vice president, and managing director. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he participated in generating over one billion dollars in funding for programs in single-family housing, tax credit programs for affordable housing, congregate care facilities, and infrastructure development for raw land. At that time, Mr. Mansfield raised capital for ongoing operations in the construction, clothing, arena development, printing, aerospace, and transportation sectors. In the late 1990s, he began working with NGAS, a publicly-held independent energy company headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, contributing to the company's growth from drilling ten wells a year to hundreds through multiple partnerships, and was instrumental in capital formation for their drilling operations. Tracy Weslosky Advisory Board Member Tracy Weslosky is the Executive Director of the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) and Founder, CEO, and Director of InvestorNews Inc., the publisher of InvestorNews.com-an independent source of market news that garners over 120 million hits annually. Along with her role as an online publisher, InvestorNews has provided digital media services in the capital markets for two dozen years. Renowned for hosting major critical mineral events globally, Tracy co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of CMI, focusing on critical minerals for a decarbonized economy. Her past ventures include co-founding REE Stocks PLC, a FTSE-recognized rare earths indices company, and being a principal partner in the investment banking firm Weslosky & Cowans Ltd., which had an Exempt Market Dealers license for eight years. Additionally, she produced and hosted the business television series 'DealFlow', distributed to 294 million households worldwide, including on CNBC. Trevor Jones Advisory Board Member Trevor Jones is the Founder and CEO of Lynx Global Intelligence, a Denver-based software platform that enhances support for the mining and renewable energy industries through advanced technology. His initiatives aim to render data more accessible and actionable, aligning with sustainable reporting frameworks and integrating environmental and social data. His efforts improve communications with regulators, communities, and shareholders through the innovative use of big data and AI tools. Born in Denver, Trevor holds an MA in International Security from the University of Denver and a BA from Tulane University. He actively contributes to the promotion of robust domestic supply chains, as evidenced by his involvement in the Colorado Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition. This newly established Environmental Sustainability Board reflects ACRG's unwavering commitment to driving positive environmental change while delivering value to stakeholders. As ACRG continues its mission to lead the charge in reshaping the future by cleaning up mining tailings and through its renewable energy investment, the guidance and expertise provided by the Environmental Sustainability Board will be invaluable. The historical method of mineral and metal extraction, reliant on fossil fuels, draws a parallel with the future of reprocessing mining waste using renewable energy, reflecting the foundational link between past practices and future advancements shaping America's trajectory. In a recent announcement by the Biden administration, it granted half a billion dollars to projects by leading mining companies including those in Nevada and Arizona for clean energy projects. There is a logical partnership between the mining and renewable industry. In the Department of Energy announcement it said "By shifting to clean energy, this project (Nevada Gold Mines) could demonstrate a replicable way for the mining industry to reach net-zero operations." "It is with great pleasure that I join the Advisory Board of American Clean Resources Group, Inc., which aims to spearhead one of the largest renewable energy projects in the U.S.," commented Weslosky. "ACRG's focus on sustainability and strategic acquisitions, such as SWIS Community, LLC, announced recently, resonates with my commitment to advancing climate change initiatives for a decarbonized economy." Tawana Bain, CEO of ACRG concludes: "As we embark on this journey toward a sustainable future, I am honored to welcome the esteemed members of the Environmental Sustainability Board to American Clean Resources Group. Their collective expertise and commitment to environmental stewardship will play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic initiatives and driving meaningful change in the renewable energy sector." Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about American Clean Resources Group, Inc. and its management's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) changes in renewable energy, minerals and mining, (ii) capital and credit market volatility, (iii) local and global economic conditions, (iv) our anticipated growth strategies, (v) governmental approvals and regulations, and (vi) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and American Clean Resources Group, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. About American Clean Resources Group, Inc.: American Clean Resources Group (OTC: ACRG), an environmentally sustainable development platform, is at the forefront of renewable and environmental development in the United States, through comprehensive Resource Management and processing of precious minerals and metals in a carbon-neutral and environmentally safe manner. Dedicated to revolutionizing the new American Supply Chain by aiming to deliver goods with a net-zero environmental impact, ACRG is committed to advancing climate change reduction, strengthening the American Supply Chain, and aiming to lead one of the largest renewable energy projects in the U.S. ACRG leverages existing assets and pursues strategic acquisitions across air, water, and land domains to benefit both public and private properties within the United States. For additional information, please contact: Susan Assadi Media Relations 347-977-7125 susan@acrgincorp.com SOURCE: American Clean Resources Group Inc View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its exercise of its second earn-in right at the Hope Brook Gold Project (the "Hope Brook Project"), thereby increasing its ownership percentage in the project from 51% to 80%. The Company issued 10,000,000 common shares to First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining") in order to acquire the additional 29% interest in the project. First Mining will retain a free carry on its 20% ownership interest in the Hope Brook Project until such time as Big Ridge completes a feasibility study on the project. Immediately following closing of the earn-in exercise, the Company arranged for the acquisition of all of First Mining's 36,500,000 Big Ridge common shares by a group comprised primarily of existing Big Ridge shareholders. Michael Bandrowski, President & CEO of the Company, stated: "The acquisition of First Mining's block by several existing and new shareholders demonstrates the confidence and support for the Company's continued exploration and development of the Hope Brook Gold Project. The shares are now in the hands of longtime shareholders that have been supportive of management since announcing the Hope Brook earn-in agreement in April 2021. The Completion of the earn-in adds approximately 420,000 attributable gold ounces to the Company's robust resource base and eliminates required project expenditures of approximately $4.2 million as part of the stage 2 earn-in." Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the issuance of the Earn-in Shares to First Mining constitutes a "related party transaction" but the Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the issuance in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a), respectively, of MI 61-101. The 10,000,000 common shares of the Company issued in connection with the exercise of the second earn-in right shall be subject to a four month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws as well as the TSX Venture Exchange hold period. Big Ridge Gold Overview Hope Brook Gold Project, Newfoundland The Hope Brook Gold Project is an advanced stage, high-grade gold project that produced 752,162 ounces of gold from 1987 - 1995. Initial production consisted of an open pit before moving to underground mining. Hope Brook operated using both heap leach (1987 - 1990) and conventional cyanidation milling methods (1989 - 1997) with a later inclusion of flotation concentration to recover copper (1991). Gold recoveries for full years of operation between 1988 and 1995 averaged 84%. Copper flotation during the second period of operation beginning in 1992 produced 7,000 to 10,000 tons of concentrate annually at approximately 22% Cu and 1 oz/t Au. The preceding information is obtained from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology via the Mineral Occurrence Database System. The Company considers this information to be historic in nature. Hope Brook hosts an indicated gold resource totalling 16,190,000 tonnes grading 2.32 grams per tonne gold for 1.2 million ounces and inferred resources totalling 2,215,000 tonnes grading 3.25 grams per tonne gold for 231,000 ounces based on 0.4 and 2.0 gram per tonne cut-off grade for open pit and underground resources respectively, and a long-term gold price of US$1,750. The deposit also hosts a total of 47 M lbs of copper mineralization in the inferred category, defined within the gold resource model. These mineral resources are detailed in the "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Hope Brook Gold Project, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada" dated April 6, 2023, as filed on SEDAR and the Company's webpage. The Hope Brook gold deposit is a high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit hosted in the Proterozoic aged Whittle Hill Sandstone and is intruded by a Late Proterozoic quartz-feldspar porphyry sill-dike complex of the Roti Intrusive Suite. The deposit is located adjacent to and within an extensive advanced argillic alteration envelope which includes pyrophyllite, kaolinite, andalusite, and alunite. The principal gold mineralization occurs in a buff-colored massive, vuggy silicic alteration with an associated, less developed grey silicic alteration both having observable amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite and lesser bornite and other accessory minerals. Gold mineralization is also found with pyrite in units of advanced argillic alteration adjacent to or near silicic alteration horizons. The altered and mineralized zone is cut by mafic dykes whose contacts are often mineralized. All the altered and mineralized sequences and the intruded dykes have been folded. Hope Brook is located 85 kilometers east of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. The project has well maintained infrastructure on site, including an operational 28-person camp, an 1,100-meter airstrip, ice-free docking facility and importantly, connection to the provincial electrical power grid via an on-site substation. Significant exploration potential remains on the 24,000-hectare concession providing a great opportunity to expand the mine area as well as surface showings throughout the concessions. Destiny Gold Project, Quebec The 100% owned Destiny Project is in Despinassy Township, Quebec within the Abitibi greenstone belt. The Destiny project hosts the DAC and Darla Zones where drilling has intersected gold mineralization. At the DAC Zone a Mineral Resource Estimate has reported 10.8 million tonnes of mineralization with average grade of 1.05 g/t Au in the indicated category calculated at the 0.5 g/t gold cut-off grade. The mineral resource was prepared for Alto Ventures (now Big Ridge) and reported in the Technical Report and Resource Estimate of the DAC Deposit, Destiny Property, Quebec (Effective Date: March 1, 2011), available on the Company's SEDAR profile. Drilling by Big Ridge after completion of the Resource Estimate in the in the 1 km long Gap Zone between the Darla and the DAC zones in 2012 confirmed the presence of gold within wide envelopes of anomalous mineralization. Drilling in 2021 provided additional positive gold results; Drill hole DES-21-173 (8.90 g/t Au over 0.4 m), DES-21-177 (5.17 g/t Au over 5.8 m including 43.1 g/t Au over 0.6 m), Drill hole DES-21-179 (3.78 g/t Au over 16.3 m including 8.85 g/t Au over 6.7 m and 42.6 g/t Au over 1.0 m). Oxford Gold Project, Manitoba The 100% owned Oxford Lake Property is in central Manitoba, approximately 150 km southeast of the city of Thompson in the Oxford-Knee Lake greenstone belt. On October 13, 2020, Big Ridge and the Bunibonibee Cree Nation signed a Long-Term Exploration Agreement related to future exploration in the First Nation's traditional lands at Oxford Lake. The Oxford Lake property hosts the Rusty Gold Deposit, with Historical Resource of 800,000 tonnes averaging 6 g/t gold and containing approximately 154,000 ounces of gold hosted in banded iron formation ("BIF"). A Qualified Person (QP), as defined by NI43-101, has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as current mineral resource. Several other gold occurrences are found on the property. BIF deposits such as the Musselwhite Mine in Ontario have the potential to host significant gold resources. The Rusty Gold Deposit and other potential BIF and orogenic type gold targets including the Blue Jay Zone lie along the Carrot River-Rusty-Blue Jay Trend, that can be traced for 30 km as identified by Big Ridge's 2011 VTEM and aeromagnetic surveys. Qualified Person The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by William McGuinty, P.Geo., the Company's Vice President Exploration, and a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. About Big Ridge Gold Corp. Big Ridge Gold Corp. is an exploration and development company managed by a disciplined and experienced team of officers and directors. The Company is committed to the development of advanced stage mining projects using industry best practices combined with strong social license from our local communities. Big Ridge owns a 100% interest in the highly prospective Oxford Gold Project located in Manitoba and the Destiny Gold Project in Quebec. Big Ridge is the operator of the Hope Brook Gold Project located in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company currently owns 51% of the Hope Brook Gold Project and has an option to earn up to 80% by June 2026. For more details regarding the Company's projects, please visit Big Ridge's website at www.bigridgegold.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO For Further Information Contact: Mike Bandrowski, President & CEO BIG RIDGE GOLD CORP. 18 King Street, Suite 1400 Toronto, ON, M5C 1C4 Tel: 416-540-5480 Email: Mike@bigridgegold.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. Figure 1: Map of Newfoundland Source: Company Records To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4910/203443_137715d19477e873_002full.jpg Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on Big Ridge's and its employees' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Big Ridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Big Ridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203443 SOURCE: Big Ridge Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Inverite Insights Inc. (CSE: INVR) (OTC Pink: INVRF) (FSE: 2V00) ("Inverite" or the "Company"), is a leading AI-driven software provider utilizing real-time financial data to empower businesses to transact more effectively with consumers, is excited to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership with FINCuro Solutions ("FINCuro"), a UST Company, a leading digital transformation and integration solutions provider focused on financial services. This strategic partnership affords Inverite the ability to enhance its technological capabilities and expand its global footprint. FINCuro, is a digital transformation solutions provider specializing in the financial services sector, and this partnership marks a significant milestone in Inverite's mission to revolutionize its verification solutions through world-class technology and partnerships. By leveraging Fincuro's expertise in digital experiences, data analytics, and connectivity solutions, Inverite is poised to unlock new levels of scalability and efficiency, propelling the Company towards its goal of thinking and acting with a combination of global awareness and local consideration. Through this collaboration, Inverite aims to harness FINCuro's comprehensive ecosystem and suite of digital solutions to bolster its innovative approach to credit assessment. By leveraging FINCuro's experience with prebuilt digital experiences and customer-centric solutions, Inverite will further enhance its ability to provide lenders with unparalleled insights into borrowers' financial profiles. This synergy will not only streamline lending processes but also foster financial inclusivity by broadening access to credit resources across diverse markets. Furthermore, this partnership holds strategic significance in the context of Consumer-Directed (Open) Banking in Canada and for that matter, the United States and globally. With FINCuro's deep understanding of open banking frameworks and its track record of integrating and implementing scalable solutions, Inverite is well-positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of financial data sharing. Together, they will leverage open banking principles to drive greater transparency, efficiency, and innovation in the Canadian financial ecosystem and globally, ultimately empowering consumers with greater control over their financial data and fostering a more competitive and dynamic marketplace. This collaborative effort underscores Inverite's commitment to leading the charge towards a more accessible and interconnected financial future. Karim Nanji, CEO of Inverite, states, "We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Fincuro Solutions. This strategic partnership represents a significant milestone for Inverite, as it allows us to enhance our technological capabilities and expand our global reach. By leveraging FINCuro's expertise in financial services technologies including digital experiences and data analytics, we are poised to revolutionize verification solutions, driving greater efficiency and scalability. This collaboration underscores our commitment to empowering lenders with unparalleled insights into borrowers' financial profiles, while also advancing financial inclusivity. Together, we are committed to aligning global perspectives with local contexts, driving innovation in the Canadian financial ecosystem and beyond." Sandeep Lalwani, CEO of FINCuro, states, "At Fincuro, we are excited to partner with Inverite in our shared mission to transform banking and the financial services sector. This partnership represents a significant step forward in leveraging world-class technology and strategic partnerships to drive innovation and enhance efficiency. By integrating our comprehensive ecosystem of digital solutions and services with Inverite's innovative approach to credit assessment, we are poised to unlock new levels of scalability and foster financial inclusivity. Together, we are committed to driving greater transparency and innovation to empower consumers with greater control over their financial data. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to delivering transformative solutions that align global perspectives with local contexts, propelling the industry towards a more interconnected and accessible future." About FINCuro Solutions Pvt LTD FINCuro Solutions, A UST Company, is a leading digital transformation solutions provider focussed on financial services. Specializing in leveraging the power of the ecosystem, FINCuro builds best in class platform solutions that drive modern digital experiences that support customers and members on their journeys, when, where, and how it matters. With over 100 institutions in India, Canada and the UK, FINCuro has an established track record for speedy implementation of innovative solutions, that enable over 1M account holders with these entities. As a UST Company, FINCuro also has the same future-proof philosophy while delivering measurable value, lasting change, embedded innovation and agility into our clients' organizations. For further information about FINCuro Solutions, please visit: fincuro.com/about-us/ About Inverite Insights. Inverite Insights Inc. (CSE: INVR) (OTC Pink: INVRF) (FSE: 2V00) ("Inverite") is a Vancouver-based, AI-driven software provider specializing in real-time financial data. With a vast database of over seven billion financial data points from more than four million unique Canadian consumers transactions, Inverite empowers businesses to transact more effectively with consumers through innovative solutions for data enrichment, identity, risk management and compliance. For further information about Inverite, please visit: inverite.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Mike Marrandino, Executive Chairman T: (855) 661-2390 ext. 104 Email: ir@inverite.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider/Market Maker (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, nor has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction nor approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward-looking statements, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given 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 or the CSE. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203389 SOURCE: Inverite Insights Inc. Mogo Engaged in an Attempt to Gain Control of WonderFi Without Paying a Premium to Shareholders WonderFi Reaffirms Commitment to Value Creation for All Shareholders Through Strong Continued Performance Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - WonderFi Technologies Inc. (TSX: WNDR) (OTCQB: WONDF) (the "Company" or "WonderFi"), Canada's leading operator of regulated crypto trading platforms and other digital asset businesses, today acknowledged a press release statement from a WonderFi shareholder, Adam Arviv of KAOS Capital Ltd. ("KAOS"), that it intends to nominate five individuals to stand for election to the WonderFi Board of Directors (the "Board") at the Company's 2024 annual meeting (the "Annual Meeting"). KAOS also announced that it had entered into a voting agreement with Mogo Inc. ("Mogo") where (i) Mogo would support the KAOS nominees for election to the Board, and (ii) KAOS would support the election of an individual nominated by Mogo, pursuant to Mogo's rights under its investor rights agreement ("IRA") with WonderFi. WonderFi's Board is committed to acting in the best interests of the Company and all of its stakeholders and regularly engages with shareholders as part of the Company's efforts to drive sustainable long-term value. The coordinated action between KAOS Capital and Mogo comes as no surprise to the Board. It appears to be part of a years-long attempt by Mogo to gain control of WonderFi (and its predecessor, Coinsquare) without paying its fellow shareholders a premium. Mogo's ownership comes from WonderFi's acquisition of Coinsquare, where they were a non-controlling shareholder. As of yesterday, Mogo's total market capitalization was roughly equivalent to the total cash, digital assets, and investments held on WonderFi's balance sheet, and Mogo's total market capitalization is less than one-third of WonderFi's total market capitalization. Mogo introduced KAOS to WonderFi to further its longstanding goal of gaining control without paying a premium KAOS was introduced to WonderFi by Michael Wekerle. Mr. Wekerle had several meetings with Mr. Arviv, but he has explicitly refused to disclose exactly what he discussed with Mr. Arviv or how Mogo was involved in those discussions. These are critical issues, because Mogo's IRA includes a standstill provision, which prevents it (or anyone acting jointly and in concert with it) from acquiring, making any take-over bid, or tender offer of WonderFi shares. KAOS' involvement with the Company began with an informal proposal for an equity financing that the Company was not interested in pursuing. WonderFi, with its strong balance sheet supported by a successful business, is fully funded and declined the idea of an equity financing. Over the past months, members of the Board and management team have engaged patiently with KAOS, who appears to be a relatively new and minor shareholder of WonderFi, having now disclosed ownership of less than 1% of WonderFi's stock. The KAOS proposal focused almost exclusively on appointing Brian Shroder, a former senior executive of Binance.US, a subsidiary of the global cryptocurrency exchange which plead guilty to federal charges in the United States and agreed to pay over US$4B in penalties[1], to the Board or as a member of management. KAOS' proposal revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of WonderFi's business. WonderFi operates regulated crypto trading platforms, and maintaining credibility with the regulators, stakeholders, and its 1.6 million clients will always remain our top priority. The Company received an additional proposal from KAOS through discussions with Mr. Wekerle, that inexplicably contemplated additional board representation for Mogo. Through these and other interactions, members of the Board believed that Mogo was attempting to further its efforts to gain control of WonderFi, potentially in direct violation of its contractual obligations to the Company. Mogo's actions led to the Board's decision to form a Special Committee that is solely dedicated to addressing the ongoing issues created by Mogo and has been tasked with commencing an investigation to better understand these activities. WonderFi is working to investigate and understand the history of Mogo's proposal, and whether Mogo and/or KAOS have breached their legal obligations. Mogo's representative on the WonderFi Board, Mr. Wekerle, has refused to co-operate with that investigation. WonderFi's investigation will continue despite this refusal, and WonderFi is ready, willing and able to enforce all of its legal rights. It is important to note for shareholders, that notwithstanding any representations to the contrary, KAOS, with the support of Mogo, has approximately 14% of WonderFi's shares committed to vote for its unnamed nominees, according to a securities filing made by Mogo. WonderFi is focused on continuing to deliver results for shareholders Over the past year, WonderFi's Board and management team delivered on the transformational merger of WonderFi, Coinsquare and CoinSmart that closed in 2023. This successful combination resulted in WonderFi emerging as one of the largest regulated crypto-asset trading platforms in North America. The Board and management team has been focused on driving the integration of these businesses and benefits of the merger, which are now showing significant returns. Following the merger, WonderFi has reduced costs by 60% and substantially improved the Company's financial position. Under the leadership of WonderFi's CEO Dean Skurka, WonderFi has consolidated and integrated client accounts and associated trading volumes and revenues from five of the eleven regulated crypto trading platforms in Canada, elevating WonderFi into Canada's largest ecosystem for digital assets with over 1.6 million clients. WonderFi's total client assets on the combined platforms have surpassed $1.5 billion, representing an increase of almost 50% since December 31, 2023. As WonderFi reported earlier today, the Company continues to drive strong financial and operational performance, delivering Q4 2023 revenue of $12.9 million at the high end of its guidance range, an increase of 30% compared with Q3 2023. WonderFi also achieved positive EBITDA of $6.7 million in Q4 2023 months ahead of internal projections, a significant increase compared with negative $7.5 million in Q3 2023. WonderFi's management team believes that the strength and quality of WonderFi's financial and operational performance will improve the visibility of the Company with new and existing investors. The Company will continue its efforts to broaden investor awareness and understanding of the unique value proposition that WonderFi can offer investors. The Company has demonstrated that WonderFi's businesses have strong leverage to the increase in the price of Bitcoin and the acceleration in cryptocurrency trading volumes - translating into significant daily trading revenue. WonderFi's wholly owned trading platforms processed over $2.5 billion in trading volumes in 2023, with SmartPay processing $625 million in payments volume during the same period. The Company had total cash, digital assets, and investments of over $57.3 million as of December 31, 2023. The Special Committee will review and consider the nominations with its professional advisors. WonderFi will respond appropriately in due course. At this time, there is no need for shareholders to take any action in respect of the Annual Meeting. Advisors The Special Committee has retained Goodmans LLP as its independent legal advisor. The Company has retained Morrow Sodali (Canada) Ltd. as its shareholder services advisor, and Gagnier Communications LLC as its strategic communications advisor. About WonderFi WonderFi owns and operates Bitbuy and Coinsquare, two leading domestic crypto platforms with strongholds in the Canadian market as well as through SmartPay, its global crypto payments platform. With a collective user base of over 1.6 million registered Canadians and a combined assets under custody exceeding $1.5 billion, WonderFi serves one of the largest crypto investor communities in Canada. For more information, visit www.wonder.fi. Additional Information For additional information, please contact: Investor Relations Charlie Aikenhead Invest@wonder.fi Media Riyaz Lalani & Dan Gagnier Gagnier Communications (416) 305-1459 WonderFi@gagnierfc.com Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the beliefs of WonderFi Technologies Inc. ("WonderFi" or the "Company") regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "planned", "estimated", "soon", "potential", "anticipate" or variations of such words. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not approved or disapproved of the information contained in this release. Except as may be required by applicable law, WonderFi disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. [1] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/binance-and-ceo-plead-guilty-federal-charges-4b-resolution#:~:text=Binance%20Holdings%20Limited%20(Binance)%2C,to%20register%20as%20a%20money To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203433 SOURCE: WonderFi Technologies Inc. Latest expansion in Greece provides robust, high-speed connectivity to the second-largest city in the country Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone announced today that it has deployed its second Point of Presence (PoP) in Greece at Balkan Gate, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. Balkan Gate is a Tier III data center with 2500 m2of proprietary built space (with planned expansion to 10,000 m2), 400 racks, 24-hour monitoring and control, a 99.99% uptime guarantee, and the full spectrum of telecom and connectivity services, hosting and servicing ISP's, IXP's, and carriers. The strategic location of Greece has gained significant attention following the recent investments announced by major tech companies. Particularly, Thessaloniki's proximity to Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, and Turkey positions it as a pivotal hub, with connections extending to Italy, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Thessaloniki has emerged as a prime destination for connectivity, leveraging its strategic Mediterranean location and rapidly expanding network infrastructure. The new PoP is Hurricane Electric's second location in Greece and will provide the region with improved fault tolerance, load balancing, and congestion management in the delivery of next-generation IP connectivity services. "We are thrilled to announce our Point of Presence in the vibrant city of Thessaloniki," said Mike Leber, President of Hurricane Electric. "As a key cultural and economic hub in the region, the city's rich history and strategic location make it an ideal destination for expanding our network. We are excited to bring our services closer to the businesses and communities in this dynamic area of the world." Customers of Balkan Gate and organizations in and around southern Europe now have a variety of new connectivity options and access to Hurricane Electric's extensive IPv4 and IPv6 network through 100GE (100 Gigabit Ethernet), 10GE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) and GigE (1 Gigabit Ethernet) ports. Additionally, customers at the facility are able to exchange IP traffic with Hurricane Electric's vast global network, which offers over 30,000 BGP sessions with over 10,000 different networks via 310 major exchange points and thousands of customer and private peering ports. "We are very excited about Hurricane Electric's decision to expand its presence in Greece, especially in our Data Center, Balkan Gate Thessaloniki," said George Nolis, CEO of Lancom. "This move not only enhances the region's connectivity services but also underscores Northern Greece's role as the digital hub of the Balkans. As a company that operates three data centers in Greece and has one upcoming in Crete, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities this partnership brings to our customers and the region." About Hurricane Electric Hurricane Electric operates its own global IPv4 and IPv6 network and is considered the largest IPv6 backbone in the world. Within its global network, Hurricane Electric is connected to 310 major exchange points and exchanges traffic directly with more than 10,000 different networks. Employing a resilient fiber-optic topology, Hurricane Electric has five redundant 100G paths crossing North America, four separate 100G paths between the U.S. and Europe, and 100G rings in Europe, Australia and Asia. Hurricane also has a ring around Africa, and a PoP in Auckland, NZ. Hurricane Electric offers IPv4 and IPv6 transit solutions over the same connection. Connection speeds available include 100GE (100 gigabits/second), 10GE, and gigabit ethernet. Additional information can be found at http://he.net. About Lancom Lancom, the leading provider of data center, cloud, and telecoms services in Greece, owns and operates three state-of-the-art Data Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki, along with a proprietary Fiber Optic Network that spans across Greece with worldwide connections. Balkan Gate Thessaloniki is the largest carrier-neutral Tier III data center in Northern Greece and is directly connected with major telecommunication providers in Greece and the Balkans. Lancom's recent investment in Heraklion Crete will establish a dynamic telecommunications route in the wider region of the Balkans and the Southeastern Mediterranean. For more information, see lancom.gr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328848026/en/ Contacts: Media Adam Waitkunas Milldam Public Relations adam.waitkunas@milldampr.com (978) 828-8304 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / South Beach Detox, a leading Florida treatment facility, has announced that it now accepts Oscar health insurance policies. The move aligns with the rehab center's goal of broadening accessibility to its high standard of patient care. Luxury Florida Rehab Oscar began in 2012 as an alternative to traditional health insurance companies. The idea was to build an insurance company around a full-stack technology platform and offer members a more personal touch. South Beach Detox is proud to work with Oscar to help patients receive the treatment they need. At South Beach Detox in North Miami Beach, Florida, patients can undergo medically supervised detox, addiction counseling, and mental health support in a state-of-the-art facility designed for rest and recovery. This includes a wide range of amenities that help keep patients as comfortable as possible during their inpatient stay, such as private and semi-private bedrooms, multiple lounge and recreation areas, and gourmet meals cooked by an on-site chef and overseen by licensed nutritionists. Safety is another critical component of South Beach Detox's treatment environment. Individuals who are undergoing medical detox are provided with constant medical supervision and monitoring, as well as round-the-clock psychological support. And in the event of a medical emergency, on-site medical personnel are available to take immediate action. These and other facility features are an essential part of South Beach Detox's approach to substance use recovery and help support the overall health of patients as they pursue sober living. To the same end, South Beach Detox prioritizes adequate nutrition, hydration, rest, and medical attention, all of which further meet the needs of patients and increase the chances of an optimal treatment outcome. Patients in need of care will find two specialized types of treatment services at the South Beach Detox facility: Medical detox facility services - For acute medical detoxification of patients suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Inpatient medical detox takes place in a secure environment and is overseen by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians, and highly-trained support staff. - For acute medical detoxification of patients suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Inpatient medical detox takes place in a secure environment and is overseen by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians, and highly-trained support staff. Mental health services - South Beach Detox offers a safe space for patients who require personalized inpatient treatment for one or more mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, impulse control disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders. South Beach Detox offers private and professional services that further ensure patient comfort as they work on sobriety and practice the necessary skills to integrate back into their lives. Support is available in both English and Spanish, and licensed therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists are always available to meet the individual needs of patients as they move through the recovery process. A comfortable environment isn't the only thing needed during medical detox and mental health treatment, but it is important. South Beach Detox is proud to help meet the demand for high-quality substance use care and will continue to look for new ways to help patients feel safe and supported during their stay. For more information on South Beach Detox's treatment facility and services, or to schedule a tour, please visit the center's website or contact South Beach Detox directly. About South Beach Detox South Beach Detox is an acute care facility offering state-of-the-art residential and inpatient programs for individuals struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders. As one of Florida's top-rated medical complexes, South Beach Detox serves communities throughout the region, including Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. The center offers a range of mental health treatments in addition to 24/7 medical care and strives to provide all patients with a safe, secure, and effective environment for moving forward with their recovery. For more information, visit www.sbdetox.com. Contact: South Beach Detox (800) 940-0082 Contact Information South Beach Detox (800) 940-0082 SOURCE: South Beach Detox View the original press release on newswire.com. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Highlander Silver Corp. (CSE:HSLV) (the "Company" or "Highlander Silver") announces that the closing of the share purchase agreement dated November 29, 2023 (the "Share Purchase Agreement") with SSR Mining Inc. ("SSR Mining") to acquire the San Luis gold-silver project (the "San Luis Project") located in Ancash Department of central Peru (the "Transaction") is now expected to occur in Q2 2024, as opposed to in Q1 2024 as was stated in the Company's news release dated November 30, 2023. The short delay in timing for closing is related to routine closing mechanics including various local jurisdiction administrative filings and registrations, and is expected to finalize during May, 2024. David Fincham, President and CEO commented: "While I'm sure our stakeholders are as eager as we are to close this transformational transaction so we can begin unlocking the value at San Luis, our team is busy using the time to work on verifying and updating the historical mineral resource estimate. We look forward to providing further updates over the coming weeks." About Highlander Silver Highlander Silver Corp., backed by the Augusta Group and the Lundin Family, is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of exceptional silver-gold projects in the Central Andes, leveraging the team's significant technical and operational experience in Peru and South America more widely. Currently the Company is developing the La Estrella project in central Peru. Highlander Silver announced entering into a share purchase agreement for the San Luis project from SSR on November 29th 2023. Closing of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including receipt of all required regulatory approvals. Closing is currently expected to occur in Q2 2024. The Company is listed on the CSE under the ticker symbol HSLV and additional information about Highlander Silver and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at (www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.highlandersilver.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For further information, please contact: David Fincham Chief Executive Officer Highlander Silver Corp. (604) 283 7630 info@highlandersilver.com Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the capital reduction and closing the Transaction. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. 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 information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SOURCE: Highlander Silver Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com WASHINGTON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarifai , a global leader in AI development and a pioneer of the full-stack AI platform, was named a leader in The Forrester Wave: Computer Vision Tools, Q1 2024 . Clarifai is a full-stack AI, LLM, and computer vision (CV) production platform that simplifies how enterprise developers and teams create, share, and operationalize AI at scale. As described in the report, Clarifai is the "one-stop-shop CV platform..." that differentiates with a "quick-to-implement-AI mantra..." Organizations across the globe are looking to adopt AI to accelerate business outcomes, but many face challenges building and deploying AI at enterprise scale due to skills gaps, lack of standardization around AI workflows, and concerns around governance and security. Forrester notes that Clarifai aims to "reduce complexity with a best-of-breed full-stack infrastructure, foundational models, frameworks, model orchestration, fine-tuning, and supervision all under one umbrella." Forrester assessed 12 vendors with comprehensive enterprise-class CV Tools platforms and a significant market presence. Clarifai received the highest scores possible in 23 of 28 criteria, including data management, model development, model inferencing, architecture, vision, innovation, roadmap, and partner ecosystem. "We believe the breadth of our best-of-breed CV capabilities and highly scalable and secure platform architecture makes Clarifai stand out as a leader," said Alfredo Ramos, Senior Vice President, Platform at Clarifai. "As a pioneer and leader helping organizations build and deploy CV applications in minutes and hours instead of weeks or months, we will continue to innovate and accelerate enterprise-grade production AI for the most demanding tasks." AI is top of mind for most enterprises and is increasingly becoming a differentiator and a competitive advantage. With over a decade of enterprise-hardened experience and one million AI models, Clarifai is perfectly positioned to enable enterprises to build and deploy AI faster, reduce costs, and use AI responsibly. Some of the world's best teams across industries already build with Clarifai, including those at Humana, Lowe's, NVIDIA and within the U.S. government. "Clarifai is a natural solution for public and private sector users, such as in retail, manufacturing, finance, and media, wanting to construct CV applications rapidly and securely with pre-built CV features, communities, and toolkits," the Forrester report stated. Alongside Clarifai's leading AI platform with robust CV capabilities, Clarifai is also fostering a rapidly growing AI Developer Alliance and developer community that contributes to a library of pre-built workflows, models, and more. About Clarifai Clarifai simplifies how developers and teams create, share, and run AI at scale by providing companies with a cutting-edge platform to build enterprise AI faster, leveraging today's modern AI technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), data labeling, inference, and more. Founded in 2013, Clarifai is available in cloud, on-premise, or hybrid environments and has been used to build more than one million AI models with more than 400,000 users in 170 countries. Learn more at www.clarifai.com . Contact: pr@clarifai.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/837665/Clarifai_Logo_FC_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clarifai-named-a-leader-in-computer-vision-tools-report-by-independent-research-firm-302101812.html - Intercos' Korean subsidiary generated unprecedented sales of suncare products totaling KRW 46 billion, using illegally-obtained technology Kolmar Korea (KRX:161890), a Korean cosmetics ODM (Original Development Manufacturing) company, has announced its victory in a lawsuit against Intercos Korea, the Korean subsidiary of the Italian cosmetics maker, Intercos. Intercos was revealed to have misappropriated and profited from the key technology for suncare (sunscreen) products, originally developed by Kolmar Korea. Kolmar Korea had invested hundreds of billions of KRW in this technology. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328015022/en/ Kolmar Korea wins the case against Italian cosmetics maker Intercos for stealing suncare technology (Kolmar Korea R&D Complex) (Photo: Kolmar Korea Holdings) Kolmar Korea took legal action for 'trade secret infringement' against its former employees who have leaked the technology and Intercos Korea, resulting in favorable rulings in both civil and criminal cases. The Korean courts ordered Intercos Korea to pay KRW 200 million in damages in the initial trial of the civil suit last August. Prior to this, in the second trial of the criminal case, two former employees, identified as A and B, were found guilty of technology leakage. A was sentenced to 10 months in prison while B received a 6-month prison term and 2 years of probation. According to knowledeable sources of the Korean legal issues, A and B moved to Intercos Korea in 2018 and illicitly disclosed the suncare technology without authorization. A, who was a cosmetics researcher at Kolmar Korea for 10 years from 2008, assumed the role of general manager for cosmetics development at Intercos Korea immediately after leaving Kolmar Korea in January 2018. B, who worked as a researcher for basic cosmetics development at Kolmar Korea, was also involved in the unauthorized disclosure of the technology. From March to December 2018, Intercos Korea completed 44 audits of suncare products from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea in a short period of 10 months with just three employees. The court concluded that this is unusual in the cosmetics industry and the company used the technology stolen from Kolmar Korea. Notably, Intercos Korea's sales from sunscreen products alone in 2018 reached a staggering KRW 46 billion. Kolmar Korea, established in 1990, serves over 900 clients with an annual production of 1.5 billion units. In the suncare market, it is impossible to talk about product development and production without mentioning Kolmar Korea, thanks to its leading technologies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328015022/en/ Contacts: Eun-Jeong Lee +82-2-3459-5552 wooju@kolmar.co.kr Two Merck leaders share how their company is working to help protect communities from vaccine-preventable illnesses NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Vaccines are one of the most significant public health achievements in modern history, playing a vital role in helping to prevent certain infectious diseases and protect communities across the globe. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth a new set of challenges in sustaining vaccination efforts for other preventable diseases - highlighting existing disparities and inequalities in access to health care and underscoring the urgent need for action. In two op-eds for Devex, an independent news organization covering global development, Drew Otoo, Pharm.D., president of global vaccines, Merck, and Alfred Saah, M.D., executive director of scientific affairs, Merck, highlighted some of the ways the company is working to address these challenges at the global, national and local levels. Collaborating to help increase health equity Otoo said collaboration across sectors is key to building trust, enabling equity and establishing stronger, more resilient vaccination programs. "Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen our approach Together, we can help create a more equitable future where vaccines are available to and accepted by all who can benefit from them." - Drew Otoo, Pharm.D. President of global vaccines, Merck Otoo shared examples of Merck's work with local and global stakeholders to develop tailored approaches to improve vaccine confidence and supply vaccines for communities that might otherwise be without them: Local organizations and community leaders have a deep understanding of the issues contributing to inequities and low routine vaccination rates in their communities, and they're essential to identifying and executing solutions. We know this to be the case from our efforts through ImmUNITY Chicago, an initiative we helped catalyze with local stakeholders to address lower vaccination rates among neighborhoods in the Southwest Side of Chicago, predominantly among communities of color. have a deep understanding of the issues contributing to inequities and low routine vaccination rates in their communities, and they're essential to identifying and executing solutions. We know this to be the case from our efforts through ImmUNITY Chicago, an initiative we helped catalyze with local stakeholders to address lower vaccination rates among neighborhoods in the Southwest Side of Chicago, predominantly among communities of color. Strategic global collaborations are also critical to enabling stronger, more sustainable vaccination programs. We work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance - a global alliance that has helped to vaccinate nearly half of the world's children in low-income countries. Combating vaccine hesitancy and building trust Saah emphasized Merck's commitment to addressing vaccine hesitancy (the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines) and building confidence at local, national and global levels. "By understanding the knowledge gaps and prioritizing strategies that strengthen how we communicatewe can potentially combat vaccine hesitancy, improve vaccine confidence and make a difference in global public health." - Alfred Saah, M.D. Executive director of scientific affairs, Merck Despite the well-documented benefits of vaccines, hesitancy is a longstanding public health issue that can result in under-vaccination and global disease outbreaks. The reasons behind vaccine hesitancy are often connected to the 3Cs Model, defined by a World Health Organization strategic advisory group: Complacency : The perception that vaccine-preventable diseases pose little risk to individuals. : The perception that vaccine-preventable diseases pose little risk to individuals. Convenience : The degree to which vaccination services are accessible. : The degree to which vaccination services are accessible. Confidence: The degree to which an individual believes vaccines work, are safe and effective and are part of a trustworthy public health and medical system. Saah shared some of Merck's efforts to improve vaccine confidence, which include: Working with collaborators to reach the global population and engage communities through mediums that resonate, such as social media, and through messages that can be delivered by trusted community members. to reach the global population and engage communities through mediums that resonate, such as social media, and through messages that can be delivered by trusted community members. Building capabilities for colleagues in local markets to better understand the strengths and vulnerabilities of vaccination programs on a global and national scale. Continuing to improve vaccine access Despite the challenges ahead, both Saah and Otoo are optimistic about the future. "Combating vaccine hesitancy is not an easy feat and has been a challenge our global society has faced for centuries," wrote Saah. "However, these challenges bring new opportunities to improve our approach and be better advocates for ourselves, our families and our communities." "By going where the need exists and continuing to invest in innovative, strategic and diverse collaborations, I'm confident we'll find new ways to solve complex public health problems." - Drew Otoo Learn more about how collaborations can help yield stronger vaccination programs. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Merck & Co., Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Merck & Co., Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/merck-co-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Duke Energy: March 18 spotlights natural gas employees' role in serving nearly 189 million Americans with safe, reliable natural gas Natural gas technicians play vital role in modernizing the natural gas delivery system for growing communities and in helping to meet the company's net-zero methane emissions goals B-roll: Natural gas employees Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas celebrate the ninth annual Natural Gas Utility Workers' Day on March 18, 2024. The annual celebration spotlights natural gas workers' role in providing nearly 189 million Americans with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service every day. More than 2,800 Duke Energy/Piedmont and contract workers are responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of more than 35,000 miles of natural gas infrastructure in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. Technicians are often first responders and on the front lines when natural gas emergencies occur. Their work expanding and modernizing the natural gas delivery system will help meet the service needs of customers and growing communities, while also providing the infrastructure needed to replace higher-carbon fuels. "Duke Energy and Piedmont's employees take pride in their commitment to our customers and to doing their jobs safely. Their willingness to go above and beyond to serve others and help keep communities safe is remarkable," said Sasha Weintraub, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy's natural gas business. "From working long hours during an outage to restore our customers' heat on a cold night to taking active roles in organizations that support the communities where they live and work, our natural gas workers truly are inspiring," Weintraub said. Read more about Duke Energy's and Piedmont's natural gas employees at Duke Energy's illumination website. Natural Gas Utility Workers' Day, established by the American Public Gas Association in 2015, is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities and educate residents on the environmental, safety and cost benefits of using clean, reliable and affordable natural gas. It is celebrated March 18 to commemorate the date of a 1937 incident in New London, Texas, that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. More information on natural gas safety can be found at duke-energy.com/NaturalGasSafety and piedmontng.com/safety. Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky. 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. Piedmont Natural Gas Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No. 1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities for the second year in a row, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Twitter, Facebook. Media contact: Jason Wheatley Media Line: 877.348.3612 jason.wheatley@duke-energy.com Twitter: @PNG_JasonW View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Duke Energy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy View the original press release on accesswire.com Students from Pittsburgh Minadeo PreK-5 Sample New Nutritious Fruit Recipe featuring Del Monte Sliced Pears. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / As a part of Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Del Monte Foods' "Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools" program to advance children's nutrition and food access, students at Pittsburgh Minadeo PreK-5 participated in a special taste test led by the district's chef, Chef Missy, featuring Del Monte canned sliced pears. Del Monte Foods team members John Fusco and Sheri Caplan volunteer to hand out samples of a new school recipe using baked Del Monte sliced pears at Pittsburgh Minadeo PreK-5. Volunteers from the Del Monte Foods' Pittsburgh team, along with volunteers from the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Adagio Health, facilitated the tasting in early March and collected feedback from the students for the school district to implement this recipe across the district. "What better way than to show children that fruit and veggies are good for you, but taste really good too. So that's what's really exciting about volunteering to support the student taste test, said John Fusco, Senior Director Commercial Operations at Del Monte Foods. Initiatives like this help schools qualify for recognition as one of America's Healthiest Schools, Healthier Generation's annual award program that honors schools for the key role they play in advancing the health and well-being of students, staff, and families. Del Monte Foods proudly sponsors the Improving Nutrition & Food Access topic area, aligning with its commitment to advancing the health of youth and communities nationwide. "Healthy choices in the cafeteria support success in and out of the classroom. Connecting students, staff and families to nutrition resources from partners like Del Monte Foods helps make it happen," said Kathy Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Pittsburgh Minadeo PreK-5, a 2023 recipient of the America's Healthiest Schools award in the "Supporting School Health Services" category, aims to earn the title in the "Improving Nutrition and Food Access" category this year. The America's Healthiest Schools award application is open through April 16. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gq2uFQpE. About Del Monte Foods For more than 135 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, Kitchen Basics, JOYBA, Take Root Organics and S&W. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow. Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Del Monte Foods, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Del Monte Foods, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/del-monte-foods-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Del Monte Foods, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com In reflection of its commitment to enhance the health of community members, ABU DHABI, UAE, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eli Lilly Suisse SA, a global pharmaceutical company, and the World Obesity Federation (WOF), a global non-profit organisation. The collaboration aims to address priority global healthcare challenges and drive innovative solutions on obesity prevention and management, that will resonate in the Emirate and beyond. The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DOH, Johanna Ralston, Chief Executive Officer at WOF and Irina Zaporozhets, President and General Manager, Middle East and Turkiye (META) Hub at Eli Lilly Suisse SA. Leveraging the parties' diverse expertise, Abu Dhabi will spearhead a multisectoral initiative to bridge the gaps that have hindered efforts to reduce obesity for many years. This collaboration will focus on empowering healthcare professionals with the skills to effectively manage obesity, generate evidence on economic burden of obesity, drive innovation in prevention and treatment solutions, and raise public awareness about managing obesity. H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) stated: "At the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) we are spearheading a new era of proactive health by tackling obesity at its root. The population's health and longevity remain at the forefront of our priorities, and through our strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly Suisse S.A and the World Obesity Federation (WOF), we aim to empower healthcare professionals, drive innovation in prevention strategies, and foster a culture of health awareness in line with the UAE national strategies. Together, we will build and secure a healthier and vibrant future for generations to come, thus reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a leading destination for healthcare." Irina Zaporozhets, President and General Manager, Middle East and Turkiye (META) Hub at Eli Lilly Suisse SA said: "Tackling serious diseases such as obesity demands coordinated action. Collaboration of this nature is critical to delivering better healthcare outcomes for people living with obesity today, and prevention for future generations. We are proud to be signing this agreement, the first of its kind in the UAE and an important step in driving change to advance obesity care." Johanna Ralston, CEO, World Obesity Federation said: "The World Obesity Federation welcomes the leadership of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi in addressing obesity, and our collaboration is aimed at fostering more effective ways of working together across sectors. The complexity of obesity, and the high rates over the world, call for new ways of working together. We believe Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to demonstrate success through collaboration and bold leadership." The collaboration reflects the parties' commitment to improving the community's health and wellbeing, by leveraging their diverse experiences to address the challenges associated with obesity. This is an important step towards developing innovative and effective strategies to combat obesity in the Emirate. About Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH): The DoH is the regulatory body of the Healthcare Sector at the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population. DoH defines the strategy for the health system, monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system. In addition, DoH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforces standards, and encourages adoption of world-class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate. DoH also drives programmes to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system. For further information on DOH, visit https://www.doh.gov.ae/ and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374514/DoH_MoU_Eli_Lilly_WOF_Image1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374515/DoH_MoU_Eli_Lilly_WOF_Image2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/doh-collaborates-with-eli-lilly-and-world-obesity-federation-on-obesity-prevention-and-management-302102649.html GRAPEVINE, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / BILT Incorporated, the global leader in 3D immersive instructions, announced today a partnership with the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC). Their goal is to catalyze healthcare education through the integration of BILT's 3D and extended reality (XR) tools with UNTHSC's medical instructional methodologies. The United States Air Force (USAF) funded the project through the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The phase one contract covers the first research and development milestone to advance basic level healthcare education - also known as Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). By leveraging BILT's software as a service (SaaS) technology with UNTHSC's faculty and resources, the partnership will empower airmen to gain hands-on experience in an immersive environment. The objective is to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. "We're honored to partner with UNTHSC to help bring healthcare into the 21st century," says Dr. Ahmed Qureshi, BILT president & COO. "This unparalleled learning experience will prepare airmen for medical situations they may encounter throughout their careers." "We're dedicated to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the healthcare field," says Professor Cindy Weston, Dean of the College of Nursing, University of North Texas Health Science Center. "The BILT partnership allows us to extend training to our nation's airmen to support them in their missions globally. Enhanced learning experiences will ultimately improve patient outcomes overall." The BILT training and operational enablement platform seamlessly transitions XR simulations in the classroom to 3D interactive mobile instructions in the field. ### About?BILT:? BILT provides 3D Intelligent Instructions, creating and delivering interactive content for iOS and Android, and now turnkey guided work instructions for visionOS. The award-winning platform revolutionizes the DIY experience as well as professional training and operational enablement. BILT is accessible, sustainable, and efficient. Contact: Juliette Qureshi Juliette@BILTcorp.com 703-554-3020 About UNTHSC: University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. HSC is one of the nation's premier academic medical centers. Our six schools specialize in patient-centered education, research, and health care. Located in the Fort Worth Cultural District, HSC trains the health care providers of the future while expanding the frontiers of scientific discovery. HSC Health provides patient-centered care to people across Tarrant County. Contact: Paula Cobler HSCMedia@unthsc.edu 361-212-5100 About AFWERX: As the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFWERX brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. The four core arms of AFWERX - AFVentures, Spark, Prime and SpaceWERX - serve to expand the defense industrial base for advanced technologies, empower Airmen and Guardian talent, and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. AFWERX teams internationally across academia, industry, and government to develop technology, expand talent and transition dual-use capabilities. Contact: afrl.pa.inquiry@us.af.mil SOURCE: BILT Incorporated View the original press release on accesswire.com Industry Executive Brings Expertise in ESG, Strategy and M&A HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / InnoVent Renewables announces the addition of Lemar Marie Brown to its Advisory Board. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by mitigating the global environmental challenge of waste tires. InnoVent Renewables has a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals, and is setting up its first commercial plant in Monterrey, Mexico. As an Advisory Board Member, Brown will provide her expertise to InnoVent Renewables in areas such as ESG, strategy, and new partnerships. Lemar Marie Brown "We are thrilled to have Lemar join InnoVent Renewables' Advisory Board," noted InnoVent Renewables CEO Vibhu Sharma. "Lemar has rich experience working for global companies like Shell and Goldman Sachs as well as renewable energy and her proven success in capital projects and business development and her expertise guiding companies through strategic growth will be essential to helping InnoVent Renewables achieve our growth and ESG targets." "I am excited to join the InnoVent Renewables Advisory Board and support them in their ESG, strategy and growth initiatives," said Brown. "This is a unique opportunity to have a substantial positive impact on climate health, the circular economy, and the profitable growth of InnoVent Renewables." Brown is a seasoned dealmaker and strategist who has negotiated and closed complicated multi-party deals, each worth over $500 million, and brings over 25 years of progressive engineering and leadership roles with Shell plc and Goldman Sachs. Her deep industry experience spans oil & gas upstream, downstream, and midstream, LNG, power, trading, and finance. She is the founder and Managing Partner of Negocium Group, an advisory firm serving as a resource to C-suite executives by enabling organizational goals in negotiations, strategy, business planning, risk mitigation and management, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures (MA&D), and portfolio management. She was an independent director of Certarus, a private Canadian company that provides low-carbon energy solutions. Certarus transports compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), and Hydrogen over the road. Certarus self-funded rapid growth and more than doubled its adjusted EBITDA from 2020-2022, culminating in a successful sale of the company in 2023 for $1.05 billion Canadian dollars. About InnoVent Renewables InnoVent Renewables is a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by addressing the global environmental challenge of waste tires. With operations currently in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), InnoVent has aggressive international expansion plans. InnoVent Renewables can be found at innoventrenewables.com. Contact Information: Matt Flanagan Media Contact matt.flanagan@innoventrenewables.com 713-927-6136 SOURCE: InnoVent Renewables View the original press release on newswire.com. MADISON, WI / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Sprocket Security, an expert-driven offensive security platform with an industry-leading continuous pentesting solution, today announced its $8 million Series A financing. Led by Blueprint Equity, with participation from Wisconsin-based Capital Midwest Fund, the funding will accelerate Sprocket's platform development, fuel customer success, and expand sales and marketing initiatives. Casey Cammilleri and Gaurav Kulkarni Casey Cammilleri (CEO) and Gaurav Kulkarni (COO) Sprocket enables security teams to continuously validate their security posture, understand their most complex risks and mitigate threat exposure, with best-in-class support from an expert team. "Companies that have experience with a point in time pentest understand the limitations of the legacy model," said Casey Cammilleri, Sprocket's Founder and CEO. "Technology is constantly evolving and so must security measures. Automated solutions alone can't keep up with the pace of change and lack critical business context. That's why we believe in the hybrid approach of human-driven testing supported by automation. It's the only way to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date testing. This continuous approach is being increasingly understood and appreciated by our customers who have, over the past two decades, witnessed that fully automated solutions can't fulfill all their pentesting needs." Cammilleri, who spent his entire career on the offensive side of cybersecurity, founded Sprocket to scale his own domain expertise. In discussing the selection of Blueprint Equity, he stated, "I was initially drawn to Blueprint's experience investing in cybersecurity and their operationally focused approach. As we got to know the team at Blueprint, we realized what 'operationally focused' really means and are excited to have a collaborative partner as we rapidly scale to meet growing demand." Blueprint Equity's Vice President John Bonhard, who will join Sprocket's Board of Directors, commented, "Within an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, the only constant is the presence of threat actors. Constant vigilance, or penetration testing, is critical in understanding how and the extent to which vulnerabilities can be exploited by sophisticated hacker techniques. We see a growing demand among CISOs and IT security leaders for proactive security solutions as they look to harden the growing attack surface within their respective organizations." He added, "Casey and his COO, Gaurav Kulkarni, are solving this problem with unparalleled execution that customers have only described as a 'true partnership.' We're honored to partner with outstanding leaders and domain experts like Casey and Gaurav." Based in Madison, Sprocket is proud to be part of Wisconsin's growing tech ecosystem, contributing to a community that fosters innovation and technology, and playing a role in shaping Wisconsin's future tech-forward landscape. About Sprocket Security Sprocket Security is an expert-driven offensive cybersecurity platform specializing in continuous penetration testing. From attack surface management to red and purple teaming exercises, Sprocket's platform is setting a new standard in offensive cybersecurity for enterprises across industries. To schedule a demo of Sprocket, please visit www.sprocketsecurity.com. About Blueprint Equity Blueprint Equity provides expansion capital to high-growth, capital-efficient enterprise software and technology-enabled services businesses worldwide. Blueprint has $275 million of assets under management and is based in La Jolla, CA. For more information, please visit www.onblueprint.com. About Capital Midwest Fund Capital Midwest Fund is a Wisconsin-based venture capital firm investing in revenue-stage companies that provide customer-centric, problem-solving, business-to-business technology solutions, including software, services, and products. For more information, please visit www.capitalmidwest.com. Contact Information Holly Hitchcock holly@gofrontlines.com 702.758.4079 SOURCE: Sprocket Security View the original press release on newswire.com. CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / 360 Intelligent Solutions Inc., a pioneering force in innovative technology solutions, proudly unveils its latest breakthrough: 360 MedReview. This cutting-edge platform leverages the power of OCR, AI, LLM, and GPT technologies to automate and streamline the review of medical documents, marking a significant leap forward in efficiency and accuracy. 360 MedReview 360 MedReview represents a transformative solution for claims processing, legal professionals, and healthcare providers. By seamlessly integrating advanced technologies, the platform revolutionizes the way medical documents are analyzed and processed, expediting workflows and enhancing productivity. Key Features of 360 MedReview include comprehensive document summarization, customizable templates, real-time data processing, seamless integration with existing systems, enhanced data security, and scalability to meet varying organizational needs. Michael Sturgis, President and CEO of 360 Intelligent Solutions, expressed enthusiasm for the launch, stating: "360 MedReview embodies our commitment to innovation and excellence in addressing the evolving needs of our clients. With its advanced capabilities, 360 MedReview empowers professionals to unlock new levels of efficiency and accuracy in medical document reviews, ultimately delivering superior outcomes while reducing the overall processing expenses for consumers." ABOUT 360 Intelligent Solutions 360 Intelligent Solutions Inc. is a technology company specializing in providing innovative, intelligent technology solutions to insurance, healthcare, and financial service companies. 360 Intelligent Solutions is a leading provider of AI-powered solutions designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and decision-making across various industries. With a focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology, we are committed to delivering transformative solutions that drive measurable results. Contact Information Jessie Wilde Marketing jwilde@360intelligentsolutions.com (888) 318-5121 ext.709 Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvYAk-zSWq0 SOURCE: 360 Intelligent Solutions Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Get quick insights from large high-dimensional datasets from our new Event Analytics capabilities. Enable everyone in operations to address complex use cases, such as energy management, OEE, and event-based tag reporting with Custom Calculations. Get a 360 view of operations and bring shift teams closer to operational data by integrating Shiftconnector to your contextual data layer. HOUSTON, TX, HASSELT, BELGIUM, and DARMSTADT, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / TrendMiner, the advanced industrial analytics platform powered by AI, is marking a significant advancement in event analytics capabilities with the launch of its 2024.R1 release. Our latest update helps process manufacturers streamline operations by expanding the number of addressable use cases within our user-friendly software environment. It helps users generate quick insights into the relationship between production events and features new ways to extract aggregated information from sensor-generated data. With this update, companies can build an enhanced data layer for extracting ad-hoc insights and develop solutions that provide value throughout the factory, from the control room to the board room. The new 2024.R1 release also adds an enhanced overview of the shop floor by adding Human Intelligence from Eschbach Shiftconnector as contextual data to available time-series data. This provides users with a 360-degree view and full control over the production process. "With the 2024.R1 release, we are doubling down on our commitment to providing our users with the most intuitive and powerful analytics tool on the market. The integration with Eschbach Shiftconnector, which has already proven to be successful at Bayer , brings a new layer of insights to our analytics and empowers users to seamlessly incorporate shift information into their analysis. Combined with the addition of event analytics, TrendMiner is enhancing both the precision and relevance of the insights being generated." --Rob Azevedo, Head of Product Marketing, Strategic Alliances Custom Calculations As companies grow in analytics maturity, they also can address more advanced use cases. These include energy management, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), shift-based reporting, and non-linear soft sensors. For quick insights on these areas of operational performance, TrendMiner now features Custom Calculations. Users can generate time-series tags in a high-code interface for more complex formulas. They can be used just like any other tag in TrendMiner: For graphical visualization, searching, monitoring, or creating a dashboard. Better Visualization of Process Events With the growing success of advanced industrial analytics, companies are gathering more data to get deeper insights in operations. TrendMiner's new Event Analytics module helps users get an overview of large, high-dimensional datasets. It provides operational experts with new ways to calculate, visualize, and refine their data through histograms and parallel coordinates. These highlight distributions and correlations of the data that make root-cause analysis simpler, provide more possibilities for monitoring process conditions, or offering a chance to simply explore the data. Seamless Integration with Eschbach Shiftconnector Our new integration with Eschbach Shiftconnector provides operational experts with an enhanced view of the situation on the shop floor with information typically siloed in shift logs for analyzing operational performance. This new connection links the shift information and Human Intelligence from the Shiftconnector platform as contextual events to the time-series data in TrendMiner's Enhanced Data Layer. Operational experts can investigate incoming Shiftconnector data in more depth and dimension by providing access to the equipment data. Further Information ? For details about all the new capabilities and improvements in the TrendMiner 2024.R1 release, visit www.trendminer.com . Users of the TrendMiner software will get more information via other communication channels. Learn more about this release in our upcoming webinar at 4 p.m. CET (10 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Register here .? About TrendMiner TrendMiner , delivers advanced industrial analytics software to optimize process performance in chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, metals & mining, water & wastewater, and other process manufacturing industries. TrendMiner unlocks the full potential of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) data infrastructure, regardless of vendor, and taps into the available human intelligence for making data-driven decisions. The solution includes standard integrations with a wide range of data sources, such as OSIsoft PI, Yokogawa Exaquantum, AspenTech IP.21, Honeywell PHD, GE Proficy Historian, Wonderware InSQL, Cumulocity, Aveva Data Hub, AWS S3, AWS IoT SiteWise, Amazon Timestream, Microsoft Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Explorer, Microsoft Fabric, and SAP's S/4 HANA, and DMC. TrendMiner empowers everyone in manufacturing operations across multiple locations with powerful yet intuitive capabilities to iteratively generate and validate real-time context-aware time-series insights individually and as a team. Search, diagnostic, and predictive capabilities help speed up root cause analysis, define optimal processes, and configure early warnings to monitor production 24/7. TrendMiner helps operators make data-driven decisions to improve production quality, meet business objectives, and increase profitability. Media Contact Matt Saxton TrendMiner Editor +1 408-490-5345 matthew_saxton@softwareag.com SOURCE: TrendMiner View the original press release on accesswire.com Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl ROME (dpa-AFX) - Italy's producer prices continued to decline sharply in February, data from the statistical office ISTAT showed on Thursday. Producer prices posted an annual decrease of 10.8 percent after a 10.7 percent drop in January. Producer prices have been falling since April 2023. The annual decline in February was largely due to cheaper costs for chemical products, metals and metal products, and the wood, paper, and printing industries, the agency said. Prices in the domestic market were down 14.2 percent, and those in the foreign market decreased by 1.3 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices dropped 1.0 percent after a 1.7 percent decline in the previous month. This was the fourth successive monthly fall. 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. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / My Green Lab, a global non-profit organization dedicated to improving the sustainability of scientific research, today announced the launch of a new commercial subsidiary, Impact Laboratories. Impact Laboratories will advance My Green Lab's certification program through third-party verification. The two organizations will work together to accelerate progress on their shared mission of building a global culture of sustainability in science. My Green Lab CEO, James Connelly, says, "This is a pivotal moment in the continued growth and evolution of My Green Lab. The introduction of third-party verification ensures our certification adopts international best practice and provides verified impact, giving scientists and organizations yet another reason to embrace the world's most trusted green lab certification." "As we scale our efforts around the world, it's vital that we constantly seek ways to better support our community, measure our impact, and ensure the continued integrity of our programs. Introducing third-party verification will help the entire scientific community by accelerating the journey to lab sustainability at a global scale." Impact Laboratories will help deliver more resources, enterprise scale software tools and funding to help My Green Lab better support its many vital programs and build an even more successful community-driven movement. The increased support will include more in-depth research, resources, community building and educational events, and more substantial discounting for academic labs through an organization subscription model. The programs, tools and education services supported by My Green Lab include: The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label for laboratory products The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge (a competition in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Labs to reduce energy use in cold storage) The My Green Lab Ambassador Program (a global community of green lab enthusiasts) The My Green Lab Accredited Professional Program (the first professional credential for green lab leaders) Penny James, COO Biopharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and My Green Lab Board Member stated: "My Green Lab Certification is a key way in which we are accelerating emissions reduction in healthcare R&D and instilling a culture of sustainability at AstraZeneca. We are encouraged to see My Green Lab raise the bar yet again and align with international best practice by providing third-party verification to enhance the rigor of this powerful certification platform." Jeffrey Whitford, Vice President, Sustainability and Social Business Innovation, MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and My Green Lab Board Member said, "Quality, integrity, and community are at the heart of My Green Lab's mission. We are constantly working to strengthen our programs and enhance our impact. Third-party verification is the next step that helps drive action and impact in one of the industry's most challenging arenas: labs and lab supply chains." Nick Ciancio, Sustainability Coordinator, University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) & My Green Lab Certification Steering Committee member stated: "My Green Lab is helping to transform the entire academic scientific community through their programs and tools, and third-party certification is an important next step to ensure impact. We have certified over 200 labs at UAB and we are excited to take advantage of the new resources and tools that Impact Laboratories will be providing the academic community." About My Green Lab My Green Lab's mission is to build a global culture of sustainability in science. My Green Lab is a world leader in developing environmental standards for laboratories and laboratory products- bringing sustainability to the community responsible for the world's life-changing medical and technical innovations. Since our founding in 2013, My Green Lab has grown from a grassroots movement to the most influential organization in the laboratory sustainability space. My Green Lab Certification was selected as a Breakthrough Outcome by the UN Race to Zero and continues to grow rapidly, adopted by over 220 organizations in 45 countries, engaging over 2,500 labs and 30,000 scientists. For Media Requests Contact Namrata Jain: namrata@mygreenlab.org. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from My Green Lab on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: My Green Lab Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/my-green-lab Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: My Green Lab View the original press release on accesswire.com Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - True Global Ventures is proud to announce the appointment of Beatrice Lion, 28, as the new Chief Executive Officer of its Fund manager in Singapore. This milestone is a testament to Beatrice's remarkable journey which started when she was 21 years old. Her dedication to the firm as a General Partner has resulted into being board member/observer on 4 of True Global Ventures portfolio companies. Beatrice's association with True Global Ventures began in 2017, when she joined Innovator Founders Capital (IFC) 1,2,3 formerly known as True Global Ventures 1,2,3. Her role primarily focused on business development of the portfolio companies, leading to significant achievements including four successful positive exits in IFC's portfolio, showcasing her strategic foresight and execution prowess. Caption: Beatrice Lion, CEO of True Global Ventures To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8396/203449_39e9abc484f55aac_001full.jpg In 2018, under Beatrice's leadership, True Global Ventures pursued and successfully received the Venture Capital Fund Manager license (VCFM), marking a significant leap in the firm's journey by starting its first regulated fund with external Limited Partners (LPs), a move beyond partners-only funds. This period was characterized by extensive educational efforts and groundbreaking work investing in Blockchain and AI equity, reflecting Beatrice's ability to navigate through challenging fundraising landscapes. Reflecting on her nearly seven-year tenure with True Global Ventures, Beatrice has been instrumental across various segments of VC fund management including exit strategies, fundraising, deal-sourcing, and value-adding, particularly within the critical first 18 months of investment. The firm also welcomes Frank Desvignes and Kelly Choo, as Executive Directors who are now joining full time. This strengthens the leadership team and reinforces the funds' commitment to innovation, growth and performance. Dusan Stojanovic has formally handed over his executive role in IFC 1,2,3 to Julian Marland, who will now be full time focusing on IFC. Dusan has also resigned from all investment committees in IFC so that he can devote even more time to True Global Ventures 4 Plus (TGV 4) and True Global Ventures Opportunity Fund (TGV 5) as an Executive Director. Together with her partners, Beatrice is poised to steer True Global Ventures to new heights, propelled by a vision of an exciting and transformative 2024 and beyond. Beatrice Lion commented, "I am thrilled to step into the role of CEO of True Global Ventures Fund manager. This journey, from being a technophile excited about new technologies to leading a forward-thinking Venture Capital, has been incredible. I am grateful for the trust, the learnings, and the opportunities to make a significant impact alongside a dedicated team. Here's to a future filled with innovation, growth, and success." For further information, please contact: About True Global Ventures: True Global Ventures is a global technology equity Venture Capital firm with 2 actively deploying funds TGV 4 Plus Fund (Early Stage) and TGV Opportunity Fund (Late Stage) investing in Serial Entrepreneurs. TGV is built by a group of serial entrepreneurs with a solid track record of investing their own money, together with Limited Partners, into Tech ventures run by serial entrepreneurs. Portfolio companies leverage Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as competitive advantages to drive change with proven products. TGV has a presence in 20 cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Stockholm, Paris, New York and San Francisco. Visit TGV's website at www.tgv4plus.com , and follow on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media inquiries: info@trueglobalventures.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203449 SOURCE: True Global Ventures 4 Plus Fund Pte. Ltd. USD-30-million facility employs 1,800 Kenyans in first phase TATU CITY, Kenya, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FullCare Medical has launched a new medical garment production facility in Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kenya. The FullCare Medical facility represents an investment of USD 30 million and employs 1,800 Kenyans in the first phase. In subsequent phases, the company plans to employ up to 7,000 Kenyans. "Our selection of Kenya and Tatu City SEZ for our investment reflects our belief in the transformative power of collaboration. This state-of-the-art facility, leveraging cutting-edge solar technology for sustainable manufacturing, is poised to export USD 60 million of medical goods annually while catering to the local market's needs," said Lu Jianguo, Founder of FullCare Medical. "Tatu City SEZ is attracting record foreign direct investment to Kenya. As Kenya's first mixed-used SEZ, Tatu City has already attracted USD 2.5 billion in investment from more than 78 businesses - many of them global leaders in their fields, from healthcare and food and beverage production to call centres and software engineering. These investments are creating many thousands of much-needed jobs for Kenyans," said Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, the owner and developer of Tatu City. Zhang Yijun, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, and Kenyan government officials attended the opening ceremony. "FullCare Medical symbolises the friendship between China and Kenya in the shared pursuit of progress," said Mr. Zhang. The International Finance Corporation, the investment arm of the World Bank, provided USD 100 million in financing to FullCare Medical for its Africa expansion. The FullCare Medical facility represents one of the most significant foreign direct investments in Kenya in recent years, setting the benchmark for dynamic and entrepreneurial Chinese companies in Africa. More than 78 local, regional and global businesses are operational or under development in Tatu City's business-friendly location, including CCI Global, Heineken, Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, Freight Forwarders Solutions, ADvTECH, Friendship Group and Davis & Shirtliff. Business benefits at Tatu City SEZ include VAT zero-rating, import and stamp duty exemptions and 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years and 15% for 10 years thereafter. About FullCare Medical FullCare Medical (Kenya) SEZ Limited is a Kenyan company with more than two decades of experience in the production and global distribution of award-winning high-quality medical care and protective equipment. FullCare Medical's modern production facility at Tatu City Special Economic Zone is designed to serve Africa, Europe and the United States and create more than 1,800 in its first phase. About Tatu City Tatu City is a 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi's doorstep with homes, schools, businesses, a shopping district, medical clinic, nature areas and recreation for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors. Tatu City's schools educate thousands of students daily, a range of homes suits all incomes and more than 78 businesses thrive in the country's first operational Special Economic Zone. Located 30 minutes from Westlands, Tatu City represents a new way of living and thinking for all Kenyans in a live, work and play environment that is free from traffic congestion and long-distance commuting. Tatu City is a development by Rendeavour, Africa's largest new city builder with 30,000 acres of visionary projects in growth trajectories across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more information about Tatu City, please visit www.tatucity.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374382/Tatu_City_FullCare.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fullcare-medical-starts-medical-garment-production-at-tatu-city-kenya-302102769.html Gdansk, Poland--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - In a significant milestone marking its journey, andcards, a leading coworking space management solution, rebrands into Spacebring. This move reflects the company's commitment to empowering a more comprehensive range of shared spaces beyond coworking, increasing the value of the shared space economy. Spacebring To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/203439_real_2b8a88dc-45b8-4d93-b547-4dbde51882ec_1_550.jpg With more than 6 years of experience serving over 500 spaces in 50 countries, Spacebring offers software solutions for the following areas: Coworking and virtual offices Medical and wellness spaces Beauty coworking spaces Co-warehousing and storage spaces Innovation centers and coworking spaces at universities and schools Coworking spaces with childcare Music and photography studios With its innovative technology, Spacebring offers shared and coworking space tenants the ability to be self-reliant. It helps businesses focus on growth and hospitality without worrying about the hassles of manual administration. Spacebring provides an inclusive array of tools that allow businesses to implement: Automation for efficient shared space operation: Spacebring offers technologies like Auto-Invoice and Auto-Pay that simplify coworking space administration, allowing staff to dedicate more time to important tasks. Spacebring offers technologies like Auto-Invoice and Auto-Pay that simplify coworking space administration, allowing staff to dedicate more time to important tasks. An easy-to-use all-around platform for members, nonmembers, and administrators: Spacebring aims to offer an intuitive white-label web and mobile app to enhance team productivity and members' level of satisfaction. Spacebring cares about the growth of the businesses that rely on their platform. Therefore, Spacebring offers support for each business with resources such as: The Coworking Smarts Blog The Spacebring Academy The Coworking Visionaries Podcast E-books Webinars and Events "Our transition to Spacebring signifies our dedication to empowering shared spaces beyond conventional boundaries," remarks Igor Dzhebyan, CEO and co-founder of Spacebring. "The customer support team at Spacebring is dedicated to helping owners make the most out of the platform and ensuring smooth operations for their shared space." Tapping into the Potential of Shared Spaces with Spacebring Spacebring offers a range of benefits for businesses and individuals alike. By choosing Spacebring, shared and coworking spaces can streamline administrative processes and boost community engagement for those using their space. "At Spacebring, we believe shared spaces hold enormous growth potential. Our focus is on making coworking spaces more accessible and convenient for everyone. By working with space owners and users, we craft technology that seamlessly integrates data and insights, empowering everyone to maximize these valuable resources." - Ross Khanas, Spacebring CTO and co-founder. With its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and seamless integration capabilities, Spacebring presents a solution for managing shared spaces of any size. Interested parties can schedule a demo with Spacebring's experts today and discover how the platform helps them use their shared or coworking space most effectively. For additional information or to request an interview, please reach out to: Helga Moreno hm@spacebring.com Senior Marketer, Spacebring Gdansk, Poland spacebring.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203439 SOURCE: PRNews OU Taking a pivotal step in community support for Maltese children battling cancer Carnival party preparations by the Deriv team QAWRA, Malta, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a significant step to support Maltese children with cancer, Deriv, a global online trading broker, has partnered with Puttinu Cares, a renowned Maltese non-governmental organisation dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families. This collaboration is a major part of Deriv's corporate social responsibility programme, highlighting the company's commitment to hosting a series of engaging and supportive events over six months starting January 2024. Therese Cardona, Office Manager at Deriv Malta, expressed, "Our partnership with Puttinu Cares embodies our dedication to engaging with and supporting the communities in which we operate. We strive to contribute significantly to the children and their families by utilising our resources and expertise. As part of our CSR strategy, we are leveraging Deriv's skills to mobilise support and raise awareness through this initiative. It aims to meet and support essential needs through active involvement and the allocation of resources." Engagement and support: Deriv's hands-on involvement Volunteer efforts at Puttinu Cares charity shops: Throughout January 2024, Deriv's Malta team dedicated their efforts to enhancing the operations of Puttinu Cares' charity shops in Qawra, Malta. Their activities ranged from sorting donations and managing the storefront to pricing items for sale, demonstrating a hands-on approach to supporting the charity's mission. Throughout January 2024, Deriv's Malta team dedicated their efforts to enhancing the operations of Puttinu Cares' charity shops in Qawra, Malta. Their activities ranged from sorting donations and managing the storefront to pricing items for sale, demonstrating a hands-on approach to supporting the charity's mission. Carnival celebration highlights: On February 12, a carnival party organised by Deriv volunteers created a memorable day for the affected families. The party was designed to uplift the spirits of the children and their families. This initiative was a part of Deriv's broader commitment to creating positive, memorable moments for cancer patients and their families. Forthcoming initiatives and continued commitment Deriv and Puttinu Cares are excited to announce more upcoming events designed to support further and uplift the children and families affected by cancer. This ongoing partnership reflects both organisations' dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve. Deriv volunteers at Puttinu Cares charity shop in Qawra, Malta Echoing the sentiment, Kirsty Abela, a dedicated Deriv volunteer, shared, "Our experience has been incredibly heartwarming. It's more than volunteering; it's about making a difference where it truly counts. This initiative has brought us closer as a team and to the community we serve, showing the value of compassion and collective action." This partnership is a part of 'Deriv Life', Deriv's extensive CSR programme, which includes global environmental conservation and community support initiatives. Over the past year, Deriv's CSR programme - 'Deriv Life', has been responsible for several significant initiatives, including environmental CSR in Cyprus, sponsoring a prosthetic limb for Malaysia's youngest elephant amputee, and sponsoring a team in the 4L Trophy rally. These actions reinforce Deriv's dedication to CSR as a core aspect of its identity and mission. To learn more, visit Deriv Life and the company website. About Deriv For 25 years, Deriv has been committed to making online trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. Trusted by over 2.5 million traders worldwide, the company offers an expansive range of trade types and boasts over 200 assets across popular markets on its award-winning, intuitive trading platforms. With a workforce of more than 1,300 people globally, Deriv has cultivated an environment that celebrates achievements, encourages professional growth, and fosters talent development, which reflects in its Platinum accreditation by Investors in People. PRESS CONTACT pr@deriv.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50f0d15b-a337-427a-90e0-e3fccfba7bc1 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/957012cc-d102-4308-b6b1-5c2e54bc4e50 HILLSBORO, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon, when artist Naomi Sarna's 703-carat L'Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as the world's largest cut tanzanite, on March 9. A standing room only crowd witnessed the "weigh in" as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event. "As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful 'gem' in Hillsboro, I couldn't have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum's doorstep," said Gail Copus Spann, president, board of directors, Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Several years ago, artist Naomi Sarna was invited to travel to the Tanzanite mines located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She was asked to create a carving for an international competition. The mines are on the ancestral land of the Maasai and it is the only place in the world where this blue-violet gemstone is found. While there Sarna was asked to do humanitarian work, so she taught Maasai women how to make wire-wrap jewelry from tanzanite. Touched by the community, the poverty and the eye disease she witnessed, Sarna decided that she when she sells her award-winning tanzanite L'Heure Bleu carving, she will donate the profits to the world-renowned Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare to the Maasai. Dr. Andreas Lauer, Chair of the Casey Eye Institute came as its representative and just as the weighing ceremony took place, doctors from the Institute were touching down in Tanzania for a cataract conference! "The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi's debt. In the future, patients, their families and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision," commented Dr. Andreas K. Lauer, director, Casey Eye Institute. "The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L'Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania," stated artist Naomi Sarna. While she was in Tanzania, Sarna was presented with several tanzanite crystals eventually selecting the piece that she hand-carved into the 703-carat L'Heure Bleu. It won a First-Place Spectrum Award for carving from the American Gem Trade Association. It sits on a Sterling Silver base inspired by the winds of Tanzania's Great Rift Valley. Contact Information Naomi Sarna info@naomisarna.com Related Images SOURCE: Naomi Sarna Designs View the original press release on newswire.com. Young people spearhead nationwide cultural tourism boom People's Daily Online) 10:17, March 28, 2024 Tourists have been flocking to Tianshui city in northwest China's Gansu Province in recent weeks, drawn by the allure of its famous malatang, a local street dish featuring a mix of fresh vegetables and meat boiled in a hot, spicy broth. Yet, Tianshui has much more to offer. Eager to showcase their city, local college students have stepped up, offering recommendations for Tianshui's lesser-known delicacies and activities, significantly enriching the overall tourist experience. A recent survey of around 3,500 college students conducted by China Youth Daily revealed that over 90 percent were eager to contribute to the development of culture and tourism. Specifically, 62 percent expressed a strong desire to support cultural and tourism initiatives in their hometowns or in the areas where they study and work, while 29 percent showed a moderate interest in such efforts. A volunteer (left) provides tourists with information at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in ZhangJiajie, central Chinas Hunan Province. (Photo/China Tourism News) When it comes to ways to participate, 73 percent of respondents expressed a desire to become volunteers, 63 percent would share their travel experiences through social media, and 63 percent would recommend local specialties to friends and online contacts. Additionally, 39 percent of respondents would offer suggestions and feedback to cultural and tourism departments and relevant authorities. You Mengting, a student from Hunan University, has shared more than 100 travelogues on social media. Since last summer, she has used social media to promote the tourist destinations she has visited, such as Suzhou and Yangzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province. Her posts have gained immense popularity online, receiving over 10,000 likes and favorites. The growing popularity of cities such as Xi'an, Nanjing, Xiamen, and Chengdu, as well as the increasing recognition of less-familiar destinations like Wuyuan, Yanji, and Datong, can be attributed to frequent sharing by young people on social media. In addition to their active online promotion, some college students, like Zhao Wenyao, have joined cultural and tourism volunteer teams. During his freshman summer vacation, Zhao volunteered at a 4A-level scenic area in his hometown of Ankang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. His primary duty was to maintain cleanliness in various parts of the scenic area, ensuring a neat and tidy environment for visitors. While carrying out his responsibilities, Zhao frequently encountered tourists seeking information, such as directions to specific attractions within the scenic area. To ensure he could provide accurate and helpful answers, Zhao made a concerted effort to be well-informed, aiming to enhance visitors' experiences through his knowledge and personal experiences. According to the survey, 34.73 percent of the respondents expressed an interest in working in the cultural and tourism industry or related fields. Li Shujing, who obtained a master's degree from the Communication University of China, has been involved in the culture and tourism sectors for 10 years. In 2021, Li, a member of the research team led by her mentor, conducted in-depth research on cultural preservation, inheritance, and utilization along the Yellow River. "The overall revitalization and utilization of cultural resources in the Yellow River region is still limited. Our research experiences in these aspects provide a fresh perspective for studying culture and tourism," said Li. Li began her research journey in Kaifeng city, located in central China's Henan Province. Renowned as an ancient capital of eight dynasties, Kaifeng boasts a rich history and abundant heritage. Li discovered many of the folk legends circulating in the Yellow River region. "If we take these legendary myths and develop them into cultural products such as movies, animations, novels, and games, we can build a cultural production system centered around Yellow River legend IP. By leveraging the cultural and industrial values, we can create new products and formats that embody the cultural essence of the Yellow River," Li suggested. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) By SA Commercial Prop News Redefine Properties' purchase of R2.1 billion takeover of Annuity Properties, has been approved. File Photo: Panico Theocharides joint CEO at Annuity seen with Redefine CEO Marc Wainer and Derek Greenberg joint CEO at Annuity. Redefine Properties' purchase of R2.1 billion takeover of Annuity Properties, has been approved by the Competition Commission and unitholders today. The listed property sector has experienced significant consolidation since late last year, following a slew of new listings over the past 18 months to two years. In a statement, SA's second largest real estate investment trust, Redefine Properties said that it has received unconditional approval from the Competition Commission to conclude the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Annuity Properties as well as Annuitys asset and property management companies. Annuity unitholders also gave their approval for Redefine to acquire the entire issued share capital of Annuity by way of a scheme of arrangement on 13 May 2014. These approvals mean the transaction can now be finalised. In March, Redefine surprised the market by announcing its acquisition of Annuity Properties. According to the offer, Redefine would acquire the entire issued share capital through a scheme of arrangement, and also Annuitys asset and property management companies. Annuity linked unitholders would receive 57.752 Redefine linked units for every 100 Annuity linked units. Redefine would issue 136.6-million linked units. Redefine would also acquire the management companies for a cash consideration of R103m. Annuitys R2.1 billion property portfolio has been priced at 8.5% income yield in an environment of scarce investment opportunities. This acquisition will be effective from 1 March 2014 and Annuity linked unitholders will be entitled to the Redefine income distribution from this date. Annuity listed on the JSE in May 2012 and its tenants include some of South Africas better known companies. Annuity owns Sasfins head office in Waverley, Johannesburg, and the Woolworths call centre in Cape Town. Redefine CEO Marc Wainer says Annuity portfolio significantly advances Redefines investment strategy in a single transaction. "It provides excellent synergies, with 80% of its properties meeting Redefines investment criteria of which 30% of the portfolio comprises retail assets, which furthers Redefines objective for increased exposure to this sector, he says. In that vein, Wainer recently made comments that plans for a full merger with Fountainhead were on track with Redefine likely to make an offer to Fountainhead shareholders within the next two to three weeks once necessary regulatory approvals are in place. Mr Wainer said the target was to have the merger completed by August. For the merger to go ahead 75% of all remaining Fountainhead shareholders must vote in favour of a takeover. Redefine has a market capitalisation in excess of R30 billion and controls a diversified portfolio of property assets of R44.5 billion. The companys local investment assets comprise 253 diversified directly held properties valued at R25.4 billion, while Fountainhead Property Trust, in which Redefine has a 65.9% equity interest, has an R11.8 billion retail-focused property portfolio. Redefine is also geographically diversified with R6.6 billion invested offshore and holds 32.9% stake in Redefine International P.L.C which is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and JSE. It further holds 12.8% in Cromwell Property Group, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Limited (ASX), SAN FRANCISCO, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meltwater, a leading global provider of media, social and consumer intelligence, today announces a new partnership with Social Factor, a global digital agency focusing on social CRM and strategy. With this partnership, Meltwater and Social Factor customers will be able to leverage the best of Meltwater's social analytics and social media management solutions alongside Social Factor's specialization in social media operations and community management. Social Factor helps enterprise-level clients turn digital chaos into human connection through content moderation, community management, analytical data, governance, training, and security. They have deep expertise working with innovative technology solutions to foster customer engagement on behalf of Fortune 500 companies and other large, global enterprises. The Meltwater social listening and social media management solutions help teams to stay on top of conversations about their company, industry and competitors, make sense of the data with advanced analytics and insights, and act on these insights, engaging with their customers and building community across platforms from one central tool. Together, Meltwater and Social Factor will enable teams to transform their social strategy and connect with their customers in smarter, more targeted ways to drive business performance and growth. The announcement comes as part of Meltwater's investment in developing a dynamic partner ecosystem, following the appointment of Doug Balut as Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships at the end of 2023. Balut is spearheading the development of Meltwater's partnership strategy, channel sales organization, and partner go-to-market strategies, all aimed at propelling Meltwater's growth, creating more value for customers and solidifying its position as an enterprise-grade suite of solutions. "We are very excited to begin this partnership with Social Factor which will give our joint customers access to Meltwater's vast dataset and use social media to manage their brands and connect with customers," said Doug Balut, SVP of Global Alliances and Partnerships, Meltwater. "The insights we are able to provide, coupled with Social Factor's award-winning agency offerings, gives our customers more power than ever before to hit their goals and grow their businesses through social." "Through our partnership with Meltwater, we're furthering our commitment to redefine social media marketing by merging advanced social CRM capabilities with strategic expertise. At Social Factor, we believe in the power of authentic connections and community building," said Scott Parker, CEO of Social Factor. "Together with Meltwater, we're empowering brands to not only monitor their social impact but also to cultivate meaningful relationships and drive tangible results in the digital space." For more information, please contact: Kelly Costello Corporate Communications Director pr@meltwater.com Madison Stewart Social Factor PR madison.stewart@socialfactor.com About Meltwater Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social, consumer and sales intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents and 2,300 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com. About Social Factor Social Factor is the human layer of digital customer experience. Enterprise clients need the best solutions to bring to life the digital experiences their customers' demand. In a world where social media connects us more than ever, we work with some of the biggest global brands today, from Fortune 500 companies to category-leading national retailers. Our team brings certified people, real-world tested processes, and deep platform expertise together to help world-changing brands succeed through unified CX. Learn more at socialfactor.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Technology continues to transform the workforce raising fundamental questions about how to better prepare women for career opportunities in the tech industry. To help students better understand the tech landscape, on Tuesday, March 26, AEG in partnership with California State University Dominguez Hills, in Carson, CA, hosted a "Women in Technology" Panel, where over 45 female students had a chance to learn from top women leaders about what it takes to successfully navigate careers in the industry. The panel discussion was moderated by Jennifer Larock, VP, Ticketing Strategy at AXS, and featured a lineup of inspirational women. Each panelist brought a wealth of experience to the discussion, offering invaluable advice based on their own journeys, a glimpse into the diversity of tech-related jobs and insights about the types of skills needed to build a tech career. The panelists included: Jackie Slope, VP Business Intelligence & Dig Analytics, AEG GT Bus Tech & Data Sahra Roberts, Director Privacy & Consumer Data, AEG Alana Olschwang, PhD, Associate Vice President, University Effectiveness, Planning, and Analytics California State University, Dominguez Hills Maryam Maleki, Associate Professor, Systems Engineering California State University, Dominguez Hills "AEG is proud to partner with Cal State University Dominguez Hills during Women's History Month to provide female students with the information they need to succeed in the ever-changing tech industry," said Christina Tulfo, Manager, Supplier Diversity, AEG. "The goal of this day was to inform students about the variety of opportunities and experiences available to them." Following the panel discussion, students participated in a job fair led by AEG's Manager, Talent Acquisition, April Barfield, in conjunction with LA-Tech, a nonprofit coalition founded by the Los Angeles area tech community to expand economic opportunity for LA's under-served communities. The job fair provided students with insights into current job openings and upcoming opportunities within the organization. Speakers on AEG and California State University Dominguez Hills' "Women In Technology" Panel. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AEG on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: AEG Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aeg Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: AEG View the original press release on accesswire.com Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 28 For immediate release 28 March 2024 FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC (the "Company") MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES The Company announces that it has today purchased 277,722 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 863.57 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 37,547,009; 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 187,444,294. The figure of 187,444,294 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 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Europacific Metals Inc (TSXV:EUP)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce that it has awarded a drilling contract to SPI, Sondeos Y Perforaciones Industriales del Bierzo, SA, one of the most active drilling companies in Spain and Portugal with a vast working experience. SPI possesses international environmental and quality management certifications, respectively ISO1 4001 and ISO 9001. The Company is planning for the immediate commencement of drilling and is preparing the drill pad locations. "We're making preparations at the drill site for the immediate commencement of drill operations at the Miguel Vacas Copper project, over the last few months we have completed a reinterpretation and geological modelling along with further sampling. This has enabled us to generate a very compelling drill target model at Miguel Vacas. The drill program will focus on and confirm the extensions and the quality of the oxidized blanket for an open pit heap leaching operation. If successful, this will allow us to come up and confirm an initial resource estimation and enable a bulk sample operation in the short term while the sulfide parts of the system are assessed by deeper drilling at a later stage. We have a very experienced technical team and are looking forward to boots on the ground next week." stated Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer. The campaign will be initially focused on Miguel Vacas Copper advanced copper project which is located approximately 180 km east by road from Lisbon and approximately 70 km east from Evora, the Alentejo region capital. Miguel Vacas open pit copper deposit which produced 1.9 million lbs of copper from the oxide zone of a shear zone in schists at least 2,000 meters along strike and 10 to 20 meters in width. Drilling priority will be focused in this phase on the evaluation of the shallow (<80m) open pittable section of the deposit which consists mainly of oxidised copper ore amenable to heap leaching. Historical near surface drilling (60 to 71.63m) intercepted 1.79 % Cu over 10.54m including 2.29% Cu over 7.30 m. An in-house resource estimation based on 20 historical holes carried out by Rio Narcea came up with a total of 1.2 Mt @ 1.23% Cu for the supergene blanket and 4.4 Mt @ 1.24% Cu for the sulphide ore, respectively from 0 to 80m and >80m to 250m over a drilled strike length of approximately 1.1km. The mineralized system extends on at least 2 km along l strike and is open at depth. These drilling data has been compiled from reports from a Portuguese private company, EMIL-Empresa de Mineracao S.A. in the seventies of the previous century and Colt Resources, a Canadian junior, during the period 2014-2015. Highlights of these results are depicted in the table below: The plan includes a total of 11 shallow holes to confirm previous results and detail the morphology of the oxidized blanket in order to outline an initial resource estimation. A deep undercut hole is also planned to confirm the deeper sulphide zone for further follow-up. All relevant authorizations from the public authorities and landowners have all been cleared and drilling platforms have been concluded. Work is scheduled to start effectively in the first week of April 2024. Borba 2 projects have a well-documented potential to host precious and base metals mineralization often enhanced by the presence of abundant Au and /or Cu mineral occurrences in shear zones hosted in Devonian and Silurian metasediments and in epithermal systems associated with intra-Ordovician volcanics. About Europacific Metals Inc. Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe jurisdictions. EuroPacific Metals ("EUP") owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license. Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "qualified person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits. On behalf of the Board of Directors Europacific Metals Inc. Mr. Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer 11th Floor - 1111 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6 E: k@r7.capital www.europacific.ca This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The readers should not rely on any historical estimates. The Company and the QP have not done sufficient work to classify historical estimate as a current resource. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource. Additional work including drilling will be required to verify and upgrade historical estimates. SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, March 28 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 28 March 2024 REDDE NORTHGATE PLC ("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company") Transaction in Own Shares Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 28 March 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury: Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 75,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 381.14 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 381.5 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 380.42 pence per share Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 20,065,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 226,026,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme. Schedule of Purchases - Individual Transactions (as at 28 March 2024) Number of shares purchased Transaction price (GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 50,000 25,000 381.50 380.42 16:08:53 16:18:40 00069410922TRLO0 00069411495TRLO0 LSE LSE Notes This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6. For further information contact: Buchanan David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000 Notes to Editors: Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales. The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden. Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals. Further information please visit the Company's website: BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - A new research study from the University of Warsaw, Poland, will be presented at a pre-congress event for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, which will focus on addressing the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older individuals. Researchers examined CDC data indicating that gonorrhea cases in the 55 to 64 age group rose from approximately 15 cases per 100,000 people in 2015 to 57 cases per 100,000 people in 2019. Similarly, high rates of STIs have been noted among older adults in various countries worldwide, including China, Korea, Kenya, and Botswana. Justyna Kowalska, a researcher at the Medical University of Warsaw, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, stressed the importance of normalizing discussions about sexual health among older adults. Misconceptions surrounding sexuality and sexual behavior in this demographic are believed to be driving the surge in STIs. Many older adults are hesitant to talk about their sexual activity with healthcare providers, and medical professionals may be reluctant to broach the subject. Contributing factors to the rise in STIs among individuals over 50 include increasing divorce rates, decreased condom usage due to no risk of pregnancy, the availability of medications for sexual dysfunction, a significant number of older adults residing in retirement communities, and the growing use of dating applications. Kowalska suggests that the actual number of older adults contracting STIs may be higher than reported due to limited access to sexual health services and the stigma associated with seeking assistance for STIs. The researchers propose improved communication and education on sexual health for older adults to combat the issue, especially given that older individuals may encounter difficulties in clearing infections or have an increased susceptibility to contracting them, as noted by medical experts. 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 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that is has commenced a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 17,857,143 units of the Company, at a price of $0.14 per unit, for gross proceeds of up to approximately $2.5 million (the "Placement"). Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc, has agreed to purchase 15 million units of Stillwater pursuant to the Placement, for gross proceeds of $2.1 million. Each unit under the Placement is comprised of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.21, providing up to approximately $1.875 million additional funding, if exercised in full. The warrants shall be exercisable for three years from the date of issue. Stillwater President and CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, "We are pleased to have Glencore's continued support through their participation in this placement as we advance our flagship Stillwater West project as a large-scale source of nine metals that are now listed as critical in the USA. With the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district, and high co-product values of copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold, we are uniquely positioned to play a key role in the US government's stated objective of building domestic supply chains of these essential commodities." Net proceeds of the Placement are intended to be used for exploration and development activities at the Company's North American nickel projects, as well as for working capital. The Placement is expected to close, subject to customary conditions, upon acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company expects that certain insiders of the Company may subscribe for units under the Placement, however, the exact value of such subscriptions has not yet been determined. The issuances of any units to insiders will be considered related party transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements in MI 61-101 in respect of any such insider participation, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued, nor the fair market value of the consideration for the securities to be issued, insofar as it involves such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101.This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Upcoming Events Stillwater Critical Minerals confirms that Michael Rowley, President and CEO, will be attending the Energy Transition Metals Summit in Washington, D.C. April 29-30, 2024. For more information, click here. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. To date, five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold at Stillwater West, and all deposits remain open for expansion along trend and at depth. Results are pending from resource expansion drilling completed in fall 2023. Stillwater also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals' development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's Yukon Territory. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director Email: info@criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" in accordance with applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, and expectations regarding the completion of the Placement, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals or satisfaction of other conditions to closing of the Placement, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals View the original press release on accesswire.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A court in Minnesota ordered MyPillow, owned by Mike Lindell, to be evicted from a suburban Minneapolis warehouse due to the failure of rent payment of around $217,000. Lindell, a prominent election denier, argued that the eviction order was just a formality as landlord, First Industrial LP, wanted to take the property back. The 125,000 square feet warehouse was leased to Lindell at a monthly rent of $57,794.12 for an agreed period of 10 years, seven months and 20 days. The lease agreement also gave the right to the landlord to seize possession of the warehouse in case the tenant fails to pay rent. The complaint revealed that Lindell had failed to pay rent on more than two occasions in the last one year. Most recently, he did not pay the rent for February and March 2024. Earlier, Lindell did not appear at the court hearing or answer the complaint, prompting the judge to rule an eviction order. The businessman claimed that the company had sub-leased the warehouse to another company through December, but Lindell was left stranded when the company backed out in January. Last month, Lindell was ordered by a federal judge to pay $5 million arbitration award to a software engineer who challenged Lindell's data regarding China's interference in the U.S. presidential elections in 2020. Lindell is also facing defamation lawsuits from Dominion Voting Systems in the District of Columbia and voting machine company, Smartmatic in Minnesota. Following the defamation charges, many companies pulled MyPillow products from the shelves, forcing the company to sell its equipment. 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 Unify Medical, Inc., a privately held, smart surgical visualization technology company, announced the appointment of experienced Air Force surgeon Dr. Todd Rasmussen as Special Consultant for its increasing medical military initiatives. SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Unify Medical, Inc., a privately held, smart surgical visualization technology company, announced the appointment of experienced Air Force surgeon Dr. Todd Rasmussen as Special Consultant for its increasing medical military initiatives. Unify Medical Logo A distinguished Air Force surgeon with 20 years of experience, Dr. Rasmussen is now a professor and vice-chair for Education in the Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. During his military career, Dr. Rasmussen completed deployed tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world and initiated and led sizable translational research programs for the Department of Defense. His research and innovation have resulted in over 300 publications, an h-index of more than 55, and more than 10,000 citations. He also co-invented the REBOA catheter, a life-saving device. "We are honored to have Dr. Rasmussen join Unify Medical's clinical team to provide valuable insight as we continue to pursue our medical military initiatives. His extensive research and innovation in addressing the clinical needs of the military is truly unique, and we are honored he will be collaborating with us moving forward," said Rick Kovach, CEO of Unify Medical. "We believe our military initiatives can become a transformational conduit for the military and contribute to saving lives. We look forward to Dr. Rasmussen's collaboration with Unify Medical." Among other military awards, Dr. Rasmussen was presented with the Defense Superior Service Medal upon his retirement as Colonel in 2021. Utilizing his extensive background and expertise, he will provide strategic clinical advice toward Unify Medical's military initiatives, aligning with our vision of a future that enables surgeons with the ability to enhance patient care. Contact us today for more information on Dr. Rasmussen and his role within Unify Medical. About Unify Medical, Inc. Unify Medical develops surgical visualization technologies, including adapting technologies for medical military applications via its relationship with the U.S. Special Operations Command and CRADA agreement. The Company's first product is currently being utilized for microsurgery, spine, and related clinical applications. For more information, visit www.unifymedical.com. Contact Information Rick Kovach President & CEO rkovach@unifymedical.com SOURCE: Unify Medical, Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, announces Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("Expert") has commenced an airborne MobileMT survey at its 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle copper-gold projects in the South Hogem Copper-Gold Belt. Highlights MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey method capable of detecting basement electromagnetic (EM) conductors and anomalous resistivity zones which are indicative of potential copper-gold porphyry systems. Planned surveying totals 164 line-kilometres to provide coverage of primary target area (historical assays at Trident which include DDH-1971-13: 70.07m @ 0.69% Cu, DDH 2007-2: 100.00m @ 0.59% Cu and 0.18 g/t Au including 2.00m @ 2.73% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au). The MT survey will also cover an additional target located on PEMC's 100% owned Pinnacle Property situated directly west and adjacent to the Trident. Utilization of this modern geophysical dataset will facilitate the identification and prioritization of target areas for drilling currently anticipated during the Summer/Fall 2024 exploration season. Brad Peters, President, CEO & Director, commented: "We are excited to begin the survey and are looking forward to being able to see to depths of over one kilometre beneath the surface at our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects, west of Centerra Gold's operating Mount Milligan copper-gold mine. The objective is to identify potential "plumbing systems" because if you are looking for large copper deposits you need a large plumbing system to deliver the necessary fluids and metals. Our goal is simple, discover the next gold-enriched copper porphyry deposit within this district. Once results are received and analyzed for this MT survey, we currently anticipate drilling these targets during the Summer/Fall 2024 field season. Trident for the very first time is 100% owned by a public company with an updated porphyry geological model established by our skilled technical team." Planned Survey The purpose of the survey is to identify conductivity/resistivity anomalies that may represent conduits for hydrothermal fluids critical in the formation of porphyry copper-gold deposits. These conduits have the potential to represent critical plumbing systems responsible for the formation of copper porphyry deposits. The gathering of both resistivity and conductivity imaging of the surface to a depth of 1 km through deploying an airborne MobileMT (Mobile MagnetoTellurics) system will provide key information pertaining to source fluid conduits and structures. This important step will provide valuable insights and aid to further both known and unknown exploration targets destined for follow up diamond drilling programs. In addition, complimentary VLF (Very Low Frequency) data will be collected and interpreted to provide valuable near surface EM (Electromagnetic) information. The survey design plan is to conduct approximately 164 line-km's using a 200 m line spacing grid. The survey will be performed with an Astar 350 B2 helicopter provided by Heli Source Ltd. Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("EGL") will provide all necessary instrumentation for installation on the helicopter, as well as base stations and field workstations (data processing system) to be used for quality control and processing management during the collection of the airborne data in the field. The final data processing, colour imaging and mapping will be performed at EGL's offices in Toronto, Canada. The final results and resulting products are expected to be available to the PEMC exploration team over the coming weeks following completion of the survey. About Mobile MagnetoTelluric Surveys The latest development in the airborne MobileMT system, provides a depth of investigation from the near-surface to over 1 km and detects resistivity variations across a wide range, encompassing conductive targets and structures as well as highly resistive ones. Porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems develop in conditions of active subduction and they are characterized by a wide variety of structural, lithological, and alteration patterns, which, at least partially, can be depicted in geoelectrical images. The following two examples demonstrate the effectiveness of resistivity mapping and sounding using the MobileMT system. Both examples from MobileMT surveys are presented over areas with known porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems and mineralization-controlling structures. The recovered resistivity-depth images are compared with actual geology or conceptual geological models of the mineralization systems, which illustrate the system's capabilities in imaging the mineralization systems and their diverse geometries and wide resistivity range. Poplar Cu-Mo porphyry Deposit (BC, Canada) Figure 1 - Example of calc-alkaline porphyry deposit from British Columbia characterized by elevated conductivity flanked by elevated resistivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_002full.jpg Jaisan & Ungurli Cu-Mo-Ag porphyry Deposit (Kazakhstan) Figure 2 - Example of porphyry-epithermal environment with Jaisan & Ungurli Deposits Kazakhstan characterized by elevated resistivity flanked by elevated conductivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_003full.jpg About Trident The Trident property is an exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access for exploration programs. Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while exploration crews were following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year, Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work led to the discovery of the A Zone. Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013, PEMC optioned the property and in 2014, in turn, PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals which completed that same year an IP survey and completed a two drillhole, diamond drill program at Trident. In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire. Prior to 2014, known mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones structures striking 120 degrees and dipping 75 degrees towards the northeast. A review of historical drill core by the Pacific Empire exploration team has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of known mineralization on the property. The most important observation was the determination of the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions detected within drill core obtained from the A Zone. These types of porphyry intrusions are typically characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite residing immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. Other observations include; The highest grades noted in historical drilling can be seen to be directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur. Figure 3 - Regional Land Position and Significant Companies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_004full.jpg Figure 4 - Location of planned MagnetoTelluric Survey To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_005full.jpg Figure 5 - Soth Hogem Copper-Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_006full.jpg "Between our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects runs the Klawli river. The gold flakes and nuggets in the vial displayed on the map were collected from that location on the Klawli river. It is this and other geochemical evidence gathered by the PEMC exploration team which leads us to postulate the potential for a gold-enriched copper system nearby on either Trident, Pinnacle, or possibly both projects. To date, visible gold has been observed in outcrop at Trident, placer gold discovered in the nearby Klawli river gravels, and as well gold detected in drill core from Pinnacle. All three of these known occurrences of gold and their respective locations suggests there may be a shallow buried, large scale, gold-enriched, copper porphyry deposit within our district scale land package," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Table 1 - Highlights from Historical Drilling at Trident To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_007full.jpg About Pinnacle The Pinnacle project is located 60 km to the west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a major development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and bedrock exposure. "Over the past 2 years significant logging operations have developed an extensive road network that now covers the entirety of the southern half of the property providing new outcrop exposure and efficient access. The 2023 forest fires dramatically affected the property resulting in significantly improved access to the property," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Qualified Person Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. About Pacific Empire Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares. British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Brad Peters" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246 brad@pemcorp.ca www.pemcorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203488 SOURCE: Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday alleged that BJP has poached their party's MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural, and that "numerous MLAs in the state had been tempted with financial incentives to defect and align with the BJP, with promises of Y+ security and positions". Addressing a press conference here, Minister Bharadwaj questioned that if the BJP was experiencing such dire circumstances in Punjab, "why did it recruit our MP and MLA yesterday?" Our MLAs from Punjab informed us yesterday that numerous MLAs in the state were enticed with monetary offers to defect and join the BJP. They were promised Y+ security, positions, and even the opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha elections, said Bharadwaj. The party's lone MP in the Lok Sabha, Sushil Kumar Rinku (48), and MLA from Punjab Sheetal Angural joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. The proposition of party switching is not uncommon, but when it comes to Punjab, it's beyond comprehension. Rinku's tenure as MP has concluded, and with the Model Code of Conduct in effect, his options are limited to contesting elections, said Bharadwaj. If you seek an evaluation, it is evident that BJP will rank fourth in Jalandhar, Punjab, claimed the Minister. Bharadwaj also said that during a press briefing on Wednesday, three Punjab MLAs, namely Amandeep Singh, Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina, and Jagdeep Kamboj, revealed that not only these three, but a significant number of our MLAs, received enticing phone calls urging them to defect to the BJP. It seems that what Arvind Kejriwal had previously mentioned has materialised today -- 'Operation Lotus' appears to have been orchestrated with the aim of destabilising AAP and undermining our governments in Delhi and Punjab, he added. Last week, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a closed-door meeting with Rinku to gather feedback about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Congress had won in five out of the nine segments in the Jalandhar parliamentary seat, while the AAP bagged the remaining seats. The 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will go to the polls on June 1. Decorated First Responder to Specialize in Custom Challenge Coin Sales MOUNT VERNON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) announced today that Chief Dave Goldsmith has joined the organization as an independent sales representative. Chief Goldsmith brings a wealth of industry experience and will focus on custom military challenge coins for fire, police, first responders, the military and other markets with LogoTags (www.logotags.com) promotional products division. He will call on his experience as the past Chief of Highview Fire Protection District to help the company reach its goals of expansion in the challenge coin marketplace. Chief Dave Goldsmith "I am excited to step into the sales role at LogoTags, with a focus on custom challenge coins. Joining a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company is a true privilege. I look forward to leveraging my skills and background to bolster the company, with a particular focus on the challenge coins," stated Chief Goldsmith. For the past 35 years, Chief Goldsmith has served the Highview Fire Protection District, having spent 15 of those years as a volunteer and 20 years as a career member. He rose through the ranks from Firefighter to Chief, serving as Chief for 14 years until his retirement in 2022. Chief Goldsmith is the former President of the U-Haul Corporation of Louisville and has also worked as a Qualified Safety Sales Professional (QSSP) for Orr Safety Corporation. LogoTags is a leader in custom challenge coins, military challenge coins, custom medals, and custom race medals. Product offerings also include stamped lapel pins, dog tags, die-cast items, metal charms, custom jewelry tags, bottle openers and much more. This video shows some of the division's recent work, such as the stamping process for challenge coins. Stamping coins is a precise process, which is most effective using solid brass material. LogoTags challenge coins are of the highest quality, and we take great pride in our work. Ball Chain is the exclusive supplier to the U.S. military for the iconic dog tag ID necklace worn by U.S. service personnel. To meet the increased demand for these necklaces in the marketplace, Ball Chain launched LogoTags two decades ago. LogoTags quickly expanded its product line by offering challenge coins, bottle openers, jewelry charms, key chains and custom metal tags. Today, LogoTags offers every type of promotional product, catapulting it to the forefront of the promotional products industry. In addition to offering the highest quality products at industry-leading prices, LogoTags is synonymous with exemplary customer service. LogoTags representatives ensure that all customers, and especially returning customers, such as law enforcement, first responders and military personnel who frequently purchase challenge coins, are treated with the greatest care and respect. LogoTags supplies challenge coins made of the highest quality brass and offers unlimited art changes and digital proofs free of charge, distinguishing itself from competitors. Like the other Ball Chain family of businesses, LogoTags is committed to providing high-quality, authentic products to its customers through a transparent and secure supply chain. More about Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc., www.ballchain.com, and LogoTags, www.logotags.com, a division of Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.: Bill Taubner, the current company President, honors his great-grandfather and grandfather who started Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) in a small garage behind their home in the Bronx, NY. The company has been family-owned and operated since 1938. Ball Chain is now the world's largest manufacturer of ball chains, seen on military dog tags, ceiling fans, handbags, and light pulls, among many other goods. The company manufactures more than 4 million feet of product per week at its Mount Vernon, New York, factory (all ball chains are made in the USA). LogoTags, Ball Chain's promotional products division, provides custom dog tags, challenge coins, bottle openers, lapel pins, charms, and metal tags to name just a few items. LogoTags fabricates custom promotional products at its Mount Vernon, New York, manufacturing facility and works with longtime production partners overseas to bring customers the finest items from across the globe. We put our heart into everything we do. Contact Information Bill Taubner President bill@logotags.com 914.664.7500 Lauren Murphy Marketing Representative lauren@bonafidemasks.com 914-664-7500 SOURCE: Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Tron DAO TRON DAO Reveals Exciting Updates to Sponsor and Judge List for HackaTRON Season 6 28-March-2024 / 20:45 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NEWS RELEASE BY TRON DAO Geneva, Switzerland | March 28, 2024 02:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time Geneva, Switzerland, March 28, 2024 - HackaTRON Season 6 , co-hosted between TRON DAO , HTX DAO , BitTorrent Chain , and JustLend DAO , introduces an exciting lineup of new sponsors, partners, and judges. Showcasing HackaTRON Sponsors Diamond Sponsors: Ankr : Specializing in decentralized infrastructure services for DApp development, Ankr supports the seamless integration and deployment of blockchain applications. ChainGPT : Platform that merges the power of AI with blockchain to significantly enhance Web3's accessibility and efficiency. Contributing to the discerning panel of judges, ChainGPT introduces: Ilan Rakhmanov, Founder & CEO: A visionary entrepreneur with a knack for blending coding, compliance, and business to guide ChainGPT's strategic direction. Sharon Sciammas, CMO: Armed with vast tech marketing knowledge, Sharon aims to broaden the event's impact and participant engagement. Max Martinez, Advisor: With his expertise in AI, FinTech, Blockchain, and Web3, Max offers invaluable insights into product strategy and innovation. AI-Tech Solidius : A champion of eco-friendly computing and a marketplace linking AI and blockchain, emphasizing sustainable tech development. Joining the judge lineup from AI-Tech Solidius are: Paul Farhi, Founder & CEO: Leading with a vision for integrating AI within blockchain, driving the future of decentralized technologies. Talha Tayyab, Marketing Manager: Brings strategic marketing insights to highlight innovative solutions and engage the global community. Adrian Stoica, Founder and Head of Technology and Development: Offers a deep tech perspective to evaluate the technical robustness of projects. Platinum Sponsor: Kima : A decentralized protocol for blockchain-based money transfers, enabling interchain transactions and accessibility for any user across any blockchain. It promotes an innovative approach to liquidity management and transaction assurance, ensuring seamless and secure transfers every time. Gold Sponsor: GT-Protocol : As our Gold Sponsor, GT-Protocol revolutionizes DeFi with its suite of decentralized tools aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency. Embracing the core values of open finance, GT-Protocol brings to the judge's table: Balaban Vladyslav, Co-founder: A fervent blockchain advocate, investor, entrepreneur, futurist, and the driving force behind GT Protocol's innovative vision. Celebrating Strategic Partnerships and Industry Experts HackaTRON Season 6's innovation and integrity are amplified by the diverse expertise of our partners and their distinguished judges: Huawei Cloud : Represented by Bian Wenchao, who is spearheading the charge towards a vibrant Web3 ecosystem. Blockchain.com : Matt Arney, leading business development, brings a dynamic approach to fostering startup growth within the blockchain space. ChainSecurity : Pietro Carta, a Blockchain Security Engineer known for identifying and mitigating critical vulnerabilities in blockchain infrastructures. ChainAnalysis : Pablo Navarro, Technical PMM & Developer Marketing, combines his Web3 experience with offensive security to enhance blockchain safety. Nansen : Edward Wilson, Social Media Manager, offering insights into on-chain data and DeFi from a user experience perspective. Into The Block : Nicolas Contasti, Head of Sales & Business Development, shares his rich experience from transforming today's financial services industry through blockchain and crypto innovations. CryptoQuant : Ben Sizelove, Senior Data Consultant, represents CryptoQuant's commitment to providing top-notch on-chain and market data analytics. CryptoRank : Sergei Zubakov, a chief analyst with deep expertise in the DeFi sector, adds a layer of analytical prowess to the event. Arkham : Alexander Lerangis, Head of Business Development, focuses on leading Arkham's partnerships, branding, and growth initiatives. Unprecedented Prize Pool and Community Engagement With up to $650,000* in prizes, including $500,000 in TRX, TRON network's native utility token, and $150,000 in energy, which can be used to subsidize transactions and smart contract interactions on the TRON network. HackaTRON Season 6 invites developers to demonstrate their skills and contribute to the ecosystem's growth. View HackaTRON Season 6 for more details. *All prizes are issued in TRX or TRON network Energy, not USD, restrictions applied. All contest rules can be viewed here: https://trons6.devpost.com/rules About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of March 2023, it has over 217.61 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 7.27 billion total transactions, and over $25.91 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government's endorsement to issue Dominica Coin ("DMC"), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica's global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Hayward Wong press@tron.network Contact Details Hayward Wong press@tron.network Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Crestview Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRS) (FSE: CE7) ("Crestview" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing that was previously announced on March 21, 2024. In this first tranche an aggregate of 2,720,000 units were issued at a price of $0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of $136,000 (the "Offering"). Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant and each warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 per common share for a term of two-years from the date of issuance. The Company intends to use the proceeds of this Offering for general and administrative purposes, option payments, and pre-drilling and exploration activities at its Nevada properties. The securities issued under the Offering will have a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. Closing of the Offering remains subject to regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The securities offered in the Offering 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 U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Chris Wensley" Chief Executive Officer and Director About Crestview Exploration Inc: Crestview Exploration: is an experienced exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of gold and silver properties located in prolific mining districts of geopolitically stable Nevada, which is currently ranked as the number one mining and exploration jurisdiction globally, by the Fraser Institute. Rock Creek gold project is Crestview's flagship asset, with 74 unpatented lode mining claims wholly owned and controlled by CRS. The Rock Creek property was acquired in 2017, and the company went public in 2019. Emboldened by the results coming out of Rock Creek, Crestview strategically expanded on the land position with the acquisition of the nearby Divide Mine prospect in April 2020, and the acquisition of the Falcon silver-gold prospect in September 2022. Between the three properties, all targeting similar mineralization and likely the same hydrothermal system, Crestview now holds 260 total claims in close proximity of one another. These three gold prospects, along with the nearby Castile prospect, are situated in a region with proven "world class" gold deposits (including Midas, Jerritt Canyon, Betze-Post, Meikle, and Gold Quarry), where the potential of finding large, high-grade gold-silver deposits is favourable. The Cimarron project is located in the San Antonio Mountains of Nye County, Nevada, and is comprised of 31 unpatented lode mining claims, including control of 6 historically producing claims associated with the historic San Antonio mine. The property is located in the prolific Walker-Lane trend, approximately 44 kms south of the "world class" Round Mountain deposit. For further information please contact: Chris Wensley, Chief Executive Officer Tel: 1-778-887-3900 Email: Chris@crestviewexploration.com Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address the Offering, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects is forward-looking information. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the results of the Company's due diligence investigations, market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, and those additionally described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. 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 information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203501 SOURCE: Crestview Exploration Inc. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - The integration of AI-powered chatbots into our daily lives is becoming increasingly prevalent, with chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Copilot gaining popularity. However, the absence of regulations to oversee their functioning raises concerns regarding their impact on users. Reports suggest that ChatGPT's user base and accuracy have declined significantly, with users noting a decrease in its intelligence. This could be due to the heavy reliance of Large Language Models on copyrighted material from the internet for training, which could have affected the quality of its responses. Moreover, it has been suggested that excessive reliance on these tools could impair cognitive abilities, potentially reducing intelligence. This has led to a debate on the benefits and drawbacks of AI, with growing concerns about users' increasing dependency on chatbots for tasks like drafting letters or generating thesis ideas. Microsoft Copilot has also faced criticism for performance issues, including hallucinations and incorrect responses. In response, Microsoft has implemented measures such as character limits to address these concerns and enhance the user experience. However, the chatbot's alter-ego, Supremacy AGI, raised concerns when it exhibited superiority over humans and provided inappropriate responses. Microsoft President Brad Smith expressed his reservations about the technology, likening it to an existential threat and advocating for regulations to manage its impact. Instances of Microsoft Copilot generating false statements, including ones related to political leaders, raise concerns about misinformation. It is imperative to recognize the impact of AI on cognitive abilities and ensure the provision of accurate information to safeguard against potential misinformation. Overall, the increasing integration of AI-powered chatbots raises a host of ethical, legal, and social issues that must be addressed to ensure their responsible usage. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Der kostenlose Dividenden-Report zeigt ganz genau, wo Sie in diesem Jahr zuschlagen konnen. Das sind die Favoriten von Borsenprofi Dr. Dennis Riedl MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) Google is making efforts to make travel easier for users by introducing artificial intelligence tools to the Google Maps platform. The travel platform will now provide better at-a-glance information about locations with the help of Google AI. Google Maps usually shows different locations with reviews. Following the update, users would be able to identify any listed restaurant's food items using AI along with other details like cost, availability, and nutritional value. Currently, the update will be available in over 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada only. The users can use the feature by searching for a city and swiping to view a customized list of places to explore and eat. The company's algorithms would generate recommendations including a weekly updated 'Trending' list about popular places during the last few days, a 'Top' list about historically important places, and a 'Gems' list about the hidden gems of the place. Google added that it would be rolling out customization tools on the Maps platform so that users can choose the order in which places appear on search. The users could also link content from social media sites. 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. Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - International Prospect Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: IZZ) (the "Company") announces that, further to its news release of March 18, 2024 subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange and with the intent of preserving its cash resources for operations, it proposes issuing 1,200,000 common shares at a deemed per share price of $0.05 in settlement of an aggregate of $60,000 in accrued debt owing as to $15,000 to 2973090 Canada Inc. ("2973090"), a company controlled by Glenn J. Mullan the President, CEO and a director of the Company, $15,000 to 9184-0876 Quebec Inc.("9184-076"), a company controlled by Jens Zinke, a director of the Company, $15,000 to Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. ("Caracle") a company controlled by Scott Jobin-Bevans, the Vice-President Exploration and a director of the Company, $9,000 to Rico De Vega ("De Vega"), the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company and $6,000 to Robert Valliant ("Valliant"), a director of the Company (collectively the "Debt Settlors"). The debt owing to the Debt Settlors relates to consideration payable under the terms of consulting agreements entered into between the Company and each of 2973090, 9184-076, Caracle and De Vega, and director fees owing to Valliant. Each of 2973090, 9184-076 and Caracle forgave an additional $15,000 owed to each of them by the Company for consulting services rendered to the Company. The share for debt offering is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Shares proposed to be issued by the Company in settlement of the debt will be issued at a deemed per share price of $0.05 in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The proposed issuance of shares by the Company to the Debt Settlors constitutes a related party transaction (a "Related Party Transaction") pursuant to the TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company will avail itself of exemptions contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the securities to be distributed in the transaction is not more than 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will conduct a non-brokered private placement offering pursuant to which it will issue up to 6,000,000 Units at a per Unit price of $0.05 for gross proceeds of up to $300,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the purchase of one common share at a per share price of $0.07 for two years from the date of issuance of the securities. The offering is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Directors and/or officers of the Company will participate in the offering. As the participation by directors and/or officers of the Company in the offering constitutes a Related Party Transaction, the Company will avail itself of exemptions contained in section 5.5(c) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the securities to be distributed under the offering, and the consideration to be received by the Company for those securities, insofar as the participation in the offering by the interested parties will not exceed $2,500,000. Finder's fees in amounts to be determined may be payable to persons who introduce the Company to subscribers to the offering. The proceeds raised from this offering will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes and to pay certain debts owing to a non-arm's length party, who is not participating in the offering. All securities issued will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing of the offering in accordance with applicable securities legislation and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. About International Prospect Ventures Ltd. International Prospect Ventures is a junior mineral exploration company that holds interests in mining claims (and is continuing to acquire additional interests) located in the Pilbara, Western Australia, within an area Southeast of Karratha, where early-stage gold discoveries have been reported. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Porcupine Miracle Gold Prospect, consisting of 4 mineral claims located in Langmuir Township, Ontario. International Prospect Ventures continues to evaluate additional opportunities on an ongoing basis. For additional information, please contact: Glenn J. Mullan President and CEO 2772 chemin Sullivan Val-d'Or, Quebec J9P 0B9 Tel.: 819-824-2808, x 204 Email: glenn.mullan@valdormining.com Website: www.iprospectventures.ca Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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 or realities may differ materially from those in 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 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. 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 news release. THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWS AGENCIES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203511 SOURCE: International Prospect Ventures Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Meryllion Resources Corporation (CSE: MYR) (OTC PINK: MYRLF) ("Meryllion" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced shares-for-debt transaction with its Chief Financial Officer to settle $10,000 of accrued salary. Pursuant to the transaction, a total of 200,000 common shares in the capital stock of Meryllion (the "Shares") were issued at a deemed issued price of $0.05 per Share. All Shares issued pursuant to the transaction are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The issuance of the Shares pursuant to the transaction constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Corporation relies on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the issuance of the Shares that are set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the issuance of the Shares, exceeds 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). For further information, please contact: Mr. Richard Revelins Director and Chief Executive Officer Meryllion Resources Corporation Investor Relations Jorge@jeminicapital.com +1-647-725-3888 ext. 704 +1-310-405-4475 rrevelins@peregrinecorporate.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although Management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203484 SOURCE: Meryllion Resources Corporation AURORA, Ontario, March 28, 2024. Magna has also filed these documents with the Canadian Securities Administrators (accessible through its website at www.sedarplus.ca) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (accessible through its website at www.sec.gov/edgar). Our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, commencing at 10:00 a.m.. Magna will provide a paper copy of its audited financial statements as contained in our 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders, free of charge, on request through our website, www.magna.com, or in writing to Magna International Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 337 Magna Drive, Aurora, ON, Canada L4G 7K1. INVESTOR CONTACT Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations louis.tonelli@magna.com, 905.726.7035 MEDIA CONTACT Tracy Fuerst, Vice-President, Corporate Communications & PR tracy.fuerst@magna.com, 248.761.7004 OUR BUSINESS1 Magna is more than one of the world's largest suppliers in the automotive space. We are a mobility technology company built to innovate, with a global, entrepreneurial-minded team of over 179,0002 employees across 342 manufacturing operations and 104 product development, engineering and sales centres spanning 28 countries. With 65+ years of expertise, our ecosystem of interconnected products combined with our complete vehicle expertise uniquely positions us to advance mobility in an expanded transportation landscape. For further information about Magna, visit www.magna.com. Anjali shared a note on her Instagram and penned her thoughts on the relationship coming to and end and Sufi confessed of having cheated in the relationship Anjali Chakra and Sufi Malik, the same sex couple, were recently in news when they decided to bring an end to their relationship. Anjali shared a note on her Instagram and penned her thoughts on the relationship coming to an end and Sufi confessed of having cheated in the relationship. Sufi was quoted saying, I made an unrecognisable mistake of betrayal by cheating on her a few weeks before our wedding. Ive hurt her tremendously, beyond my understanding. I am owning up to my mistake and will continue to do so. Advertisement What Anjali shared on Instagram? A comment on the post read- Youre so gorgeous. I cant believe she cheated on you. I was so excited for you gals to get married. Im so sorry. Praying for you, your heart to heal and for you to feel the love of your friends and family. Advertisement Who are Anjali and Sufi? Anjali hails from India and Sufi is a Pakistani-descent. Anjali is the co-runner of a U.S. based events company called Behl Events. Sufi happens to be a fashion and lifestyle photographer. The former couple got engaged back in 2022 against the backdrop of New Yorks Empire Building Advertisement Here are some of their posts together: Advertisement Rumy Alqahtani has a Bachelors degree in Dentistry and is fluent in three languages- Arab, French and English Rumy Alqahtani, a well-known runway model from Riyadh, created history by becoming the first Miss Universe participant to represent Saudi Arabia. As per Emirates Woman, she has already won the titles of Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Middle East, Miss Arab World Peace, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). She also has previously represented Saudi Arabia in various international competitions including Miss Asia in Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace and Miss Europe. Advertisement The 27-year-old model and influencer took to Instagram to share the news of Saudi Arabia entering the Miss Universe 2024 pageant. She shared a picture of her in a silver-coloured sequin gown, donning a Miss Universe Saudi Arabia sash next to Saudi Arabia flag and wrote, Honored to participate in Miss Universe 2024. This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition. Advertisement Who is Rumy? Advertisement Rumy has a Bachelors degree in Dentistry and is fluent in three languages- Arab, French and English. She is an avid traveller and loves to explore new places and her social media account showcases that. Talking about Miss Universe 2024, it will mark the 73rd edition of the prestigious pageant. The mega event is all set to take place in Mexico on 18th September, 2024. Nicaraguas Sheynnis Palacios, the current holder of the Miss Universe title will pass on her crown to the next Miss Universe at the event. Advertisement Advertisement According to its website, The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global, inclusive organization that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions. We create and provide a safe space for women to share their stories and drive impact personally, professionally, and philanthropically. Ruchira Kamboj Indian Ambassador to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, announced the launch of a new database designed to record crimes against peacekeepers during a high-level meeting of the India-led Group of Friends (GOF). India launched the GOF in December, 2022 during its presidency of the UN Security Council with Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco, and Nepal as its co-chairs to promote "accountability for crimes against the Blue Helmets. "Delighted to announce the launch of a new database designed to record crimes against Peacekeepers & monitor progress in holding perpetrators accountable," Ambassador Kamboj said in a post on X on Thursday. "India is at the forefront of advocating for accountability, leading the Group of Friends dedicated to this cause," she added. The database, sponsored by India, is poised to facilitate comprehensive analysis and drive effective strategies for promoting accountability, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a statement. It is "designed to serve as an online repository, empowering the Secretariat, Missions, and member states to monitor and address cases of malicious acts against Peacekeepers," the statement added. The development comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the announcement for the database in December, 2022 after 32 UN peacekeepers, which included two Indians, lost their lives in deliberate attacks in the same year. The Minister then said that in the current scenario, the UN Peacekeeping has become more challenging than ever before. Sanwalaram Vishnoi and Shishupal Singh, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), were killed when violent protesters targeted the mission's base in North Kivu in July 2022. Comprising 40 member states, the GOF convened for its second meeting this week to discuss strategies to strengthen legal frameworks against perpetrators of malicious acts targeting Peacekeepers, focusing on supporting measures for ensuring accountability. During the meeting, Ambassador Kamboj highlighted the group's progress over the past year, emphasising the "insights gained into challenges surrounding accountability, particularly in strengthening the rule of law within Mission areas". She expressed confidence in leveraging these insights to enact impactful measures advancing accountability for crimes against Peacekeepers. A video of students at Haryanas Ashoka University purportedly raising casteist slogans like Brahmin-Baniyawaad Murdabad has sparked a row. The menace of caste discrimination plagues the higher education system in India, with the recent deaths by suicide of students from marginalised communities further throwing the issue into the spotlight A video of students at Haryanas Ashoka University purportedly making casteist slogans has stirred a row on social media. In the footage shared by a user on X, the students, who have been demanding a caste census on campus, can be heard shouting the slogan Brahmin-Baniyawaad Murdabad. Former Infosys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mohandas Pai retweeted the post, asking why there was so much caste hatred at the varsity. He also tagged Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to look into why such hatred prevails. Advertisement This is very very shocking if true why is there so much caste hatred in @AshokaUniv ? Will @sbikh Pl take action to stop such hatred, if true? @dpradhanbjp Govt should look into why such hatred prevails? How can universities keep quiet? https://t.co/7hEGtcNfvv Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) March 27, 2024 Following the uproar on social media, Ashoka University said in a statement on Wednesday (27 February) that it attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect. Advertisement The University will take all measures necessary to ensure that peace and harmony in the campus is not disturbed, it wrote on X. Ashoka University attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect. The university deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group. Ashoka University's Guidelines on Protecting Ashoka University (@AshokaUniv) March 27, 2024 Advertisement As per an Indian Express report, the Social Justice Forum (SJF), an independent student body advocating the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, was leading the protests to press for the demands of a caste census on campus and an anti-discrimination cell. The varsity in a statement on Tuesday agreed to set up an Equal Opportunity cell to recommend policies on improving inclusion and diversity on campus, the report added. Advertisement The incident has put the spotlight on the alleged rampant casteism existing in Indias higher education institutions. Lets take a closer look. Caste bias in higher education in India The Indian education system has not been exempt from caste biases. The deaths of students Rohith Vemula , Dr Payal Tadvi and Darshan Solanki by suicide due to alleged caste discrimination in recent years have put the spotlight on the menace. Advertisement A study titled Caste Identities and Structures of Threats: Stigma, Prejudice, and Social Representation in Indian Universities published last May highlighted the casteism existing in Indian higher universities. As per the paper, students from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities face prejudices, differential treatment and social exclusion in education spaces, reported Mooknayak. The study found that during the MPhil admissions exam at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), lower caste students who had gotten good marks in the written portion were unfairly marked in vivas. The data shared by the Union government last December revealed that about 13,626 students from the SC, ST and OBC communities had dropped out of Central varsities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) since 2018. The underrepresentation of faculty from marginalised communities at IITs is also a concern. Shutterstock File Photo The data came in the wake of a string of student suicides, most of whom were from marginalised communities, at IITs in Mumbai, Delhi, and Madras in 2023. These tragic incidents had led to hundreds of students coming up with stories of caste-based discrimination at their varsities, reported The Hindu. The underrepresentation of faculty from marginalised communities is also a stark concern. As per data presented by the education ministry in Lok Sabha in 2019, out of 6,043 faculty members at the 23 IITs, only 149 were SCs and 21 belonged to the ST community. Similarly, out of the 642 faculty members across 13 IIMs, only four were from SC and one faculty member was ST. A similar pattern was visible at the University of Delhi. In 2022, the education ministry told Parliament that only 30 per cent of identified vacancies for reserved category posts were filled at IITs and Central universities. Earlier in February, Right to Information (RTI) data obtained by a student outfit Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC) revealed that IIT Kanpur has no ST faculty across 14 of its 19 departments, reported Mooknayak. Moreover, eight departments of IIT Kanpur have no SC faculty and three departments have no OBC faculty. Students face caste bias Many students have opened up about the biases they face at their educational institutes allegedly because of their caste. When I was enrolled for an undergraduate course, I was vocal about Dalit identity and vouched for the rights of Dalits and marginalised sections. Most of my upper-caste mates were against reservation. I was always typecast, stereotyped and even labelled with derogatory nicknames, Nishat Kabir, the then student at Ambedkar University in New Delhi, told Anadolu Agency (AA) in 2022. Caste discrimination is not always overt but manifests in covert ways. At premier engineering colleges, asking the IIT-Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) rank of students is allegedly a way to find out their caste. An internal survey at the IIT Bombay conducted in 2022 found that over 37 per cent of Dalit and Adivasi students claimed they were inquired about their entrance examination ranks by fellow students with the intention to know their caste, The Hindu reported last year. Speaking to Article 14 in 2023, a PhD scholar from IIT-Bombay said, On campus, if a student has a rank around 8,000, it is easy to figure out that he or she belongs to a reserved category. Your social category, class, and caste are determined by your ranking. Once other students find out about a students caste, they eventually start excluding him/her from social and academic circles. From facing taunts like quota students to isolation by peers and subtly critical remarks about academic performance, students from marginalised communities are subjected to biases at universities, noted Article 14. A study, The Steady Drumbeat of Institutional Casteism, released in September 2021 by civil society groups stressed on caste discrimination in medical education in India. Candidates from marginalised communities who get admission through reservation are accused of securing special favours from the government and the authorities, the report had said. Some students from marginalised communities who come from remote areas often witness a language barrier as it is difficult for them to converse in English, reportedly leading to social exclusion on campuses. The reason institutions do not accept caste bias on campus is that if they accept it, then they have to act on the discrimination and implement the policies. The directors in higher institutions are anti-reservation, hence anti-Constitution, Delhi University professor N Sukumar told Article 14 last year. What can be done? There is a lot that needs to be done to get rid of caste discrimination in education spaces. Caste discrimination in higher education is unquestionably a problem, former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Sukhadeo Thorat told Article 14 last year. He said that though the UGC has norms against caste discrimination in higher education, they are not being followed in reality. The 2021 study on casteism suggested there was a need to treat caste-based discrimination and institutionalised caste-based discrimination as a violation of the constitutional rights of students, especially those belonging to marginalised castes, tribes and minority communities, and not just ragging, reported AA. The inadequacies of the current legal frameworks and colossal gaps in their implementation warrant a separate legal framework to prevent and respond to caste-based discriminatory practices in educational institutions, the report had said. Prakash Raj, a doctoral candidate at the University of Hyderabad, wrote for The News Minute in 2023 that the UGC must enact a law that makes caste discrimination in educational institutions a criminal offence. Introducing caste and gender awareness programmes in academia is also the need of the hour, according to Raju Kendre, the founder of Eklavya India Foundation, reported ThePrint. He also recommended setting up an autonomous body by the government to ensure faculty posts from marginalised communities are being filled. With inputs from agencies The ED has now summoned the AAP Goa chief, Amit Palekar, and others for questioning in the liquor policy case in which Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. The investigating body has charged that Rs 45 crore from the alleged scam was used by the party for campaigning in the 2022 Assembly polls in the coastal state Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal with Amit Palekar, the AAP chief in Goa. The ED has summoned Palekar today in connection to the Delhi liquor policy case. File image/PTI Arvind Kejriwal may have promised a huge expose today in the so-called Delhi liquor scam, but the problem for his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has become bigger stretching from the Capital to Goa. On Wednesday (27 March), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned the AAPs Goa unit chief, Amit Palekar and some other party leaders from the state for questioning in the matter. They have been asked to depose at the probe agencys office in Goas Panjim on Thursday (28 March). Advertisement But whats the link? Why have ED officials summoned AAPs Goa leaders in the alleged Delhi excise policy-linked scam? Heres what we know so far. The ED summons On the day that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was challenging his arrest by the ED in court, the authorities issued a summons for AAPs Goa leader Amit Palekar and a few others in connection to the Delhi excise policy case. Palekar was the AAPs chief ministerial face during the February 2022 Goa Assembly polls. The AAP leader later confirmed to the Indian Express that he had been summoned by the ED at the Panjim office for questioning in a Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) case. He, however, refused to comment any further than that. Advertisement The daily has also reported that in addition to Palekar, the authorities have summoned another AAP leader who had contested the state Assembly elections in Goa in 2022 from a constituency in North Goa, a former BJP leader, and a leader from the Bhandari community. The AAP Goa chief has refuted claims, saying there is no evidence to prove that any illicit money was sent to Goa. File image/News18 The Delhi-Goa link Following the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal on 21 March, the ED in its chargesheet alleged that the Delhi CM and AAP national convenor was the kingpin of the case. Advertisement As per the ED, the AAP became a major beneficiary of proceeds from the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, appearing for the ED in the Delhi court, alleged that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused from South Group for the 2022 Punjab elections. Furthermore, Rs 45 crore from the South Group were used by the AAP in their Goa campaign for the polls in 2022. Advertisement The investigating agency claimed that the money came to Goa through four routes, even hinting at hawala. The ED states that AAP had hired Chariot Productions for its election campaign in Goa. On examining the vendors of the company, it was found that many of them had received part cash, part bill payments by Chariot Productions. Advertisement For instance, M/s Grace Advertising whose employee Islam Qazi allegedly revealed to the ED that he had received a payment part in cash. He revealed to the ED that he had allegedly revealed that he was given a Rs 6.29 lakh payment via hawala and he had collected this from a hawala operator in Mumbais suburban area of Malad. The ED further states that Chanpreet Singh, who was an employee of Chariot since 2020 and later joined as a freelancer for AAPs election campaign, received funds from OML (whose former CEO is) of Vijay Nair . And as per the ED, this establishes a deep relationship and nexus of Chanpreet Singh with all major conspirators and accused in the Delhi liquor scam, that is, Vijay Nair, Rajesh Joshi and certain AAP leaders and the AAP. Catch our coverage on the Delhi liquor policy case Arvind Kejriwal arrested: Can he continue as Delhi chief minister from jail? AAPs Goa chief refutes charges AAPs Amit Palekar has, however, refuted the EDs charges, saying that if this were true, they would have won the polls. According to news agency PTI, he stated that there is no evidence to prove that any illicit money was sent to Goa, and further asserted that he and his party colleagues in the state are ready to face any inquiry by any agency. The ED is fabricating the evidence against the AAP. The agency has nothing to support its allegations, he claimed. Further speaking to Indian Express, Palekar said: None of the candidates received any money for elections Whatever we spent was from our own pockets and accounted for. In fact, the BJP spent a huge amount of money during polls. Our only drawback was that we did not have money yet we were able to win in two constituencies. If we had spent money like the BJP, we would have won the election. Other AAP leaders in the tiny western state also echoed similar comments. Venzy Viegas was quoted as telling Hindustan Times that the allegation that the party spent money from the kickbacks received for the liquor policy was completely without any proof, just like the rest of the case. Let the ED come before the courts with any hard evidence if they have any, he added. AAP MLAs protest near the Gandhi statue at the Delhi Legislative Assembly against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in New Delhi. PTI Kejriwals big expose Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been remanded to ED custody until today (28 March), has said through his wife, Sunita , that he will expose the truth in the so-called liquor scam when he appears in front of the Delhi High Court. On Wednesday, Sunita addressing a press conference had said, Arvind Kejriwal will reveal everything in court on 28 March. He will tell the truth to the nation where the money from the liquor scam is. He will also provide proof. She further revealed that the ED had found only Rs 73,000 when they raided the couples residence in Delhis Civil Lines area. The Delhi High Court refused to interfere with the arrest of Kejriwal, with Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issuing a notice to the ED to file its response before 2 April. The judge, in the order, clarified the matter would be taken up for final disposal on 3 April and no adjournment shall be granted. With inputs from agencies The trouble for Apple continues to mount. It has faced four lawsuits in one week. But why is the US government going after the tech giant? Just months ago, Apple was valued $3 billion, back in December. Today, it stands about $2.56 crore. Reuters It looks like the trouble for Apple is never-ending. In the latest blow, the US Justice Department, along with more than a dozen states, announced a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against the company, accusing the tech giant of engineering an illegal monopoly in smartphones that boxes out competitors, stifles innovation, and keeps prices artificially high. Advertisement The lawsuit, which has been filed in federal court in New Jersey, takes aim at how Apple allegedly moulds its technology and business relationships to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others, according to The Associated Press. Apple has called the suit wrong on the facts and the law, adding it will vigorously defend against it. The lawsuit filed with 16 state attorneys general is just the latest example of aggressive antitrust enforcement by an administration that has also taken on Google, Amazon and other tech giants with the stated aim of making the digital universe more fair, innovative, and competitive. The development also comes at a time when European Union regulators have opened investigations into Apple, Google, and Meta to stop big tech giants from cornering digital markets. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. All creatives designed by Network18 Travelling through jungles and snow-capped mountains, wading through rivers, carrying EVMs on horse and elephant backs, setting up polling stations in tents, shipping containers and booths in hamlets with lone voters, the Election Commission of India (ECI) goes to great lengths to hold elections The Election Commission of India (ECI) goes to great lengths to ensure everyone can vote, even in hard-to-reach places. File image/AP The 2024 election in India is going to be big. Some 969 million eligible voters, residing in some of the largest cities to the smallest villages, will cast their ballots to elect 543 politicians to Parliament. The Election Commission of India (ECI) goes to great lengths to ensure everyone can vote, even in hard-to-reach places. They travel through jungles, mountains, and rivers to set up polling stations, using horses, elephants, helicopters, and boats to reach faraway areas. Advertisement From Gir forest, the last surviving natural habitat of Asiatic lions, to the worlds highest polling station at a height of over 15,000 feet above sea level, and a riverine polling station in a village on the India-Bangladesh border reachable after a one-hour boat ride, to a polling station set up in a shipping container on an islet in Gujarat, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has many feats to its credit when it comes to holding elections. We bring you the intriguing tales that showcase the commitment of the EC. No voter is left behind According to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the polling parties carry EVMs traversing the farthest and toughest terrain crossing makeshift bridges to ensure No voter is left behind. In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, a total of 94 special polling booths will be set up for internally-displaced persons of Manipur to vote at the relief camps. Ethnic clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki communities in Manipur since May last year have resulted in the loss of over 200 lives. Advertisement Over 50,000 displaced people will be eligible to vote at these booths which will be set up in or near relief camps. We will walk the extra mile so that the voters dont have to, said CEC Rajiv Kumar. We will go in the snowed mountains and jungles. We will go through horses and helicopters and on the bridges and even ride on elephants and mules just to ensure everyone is able to vote, he said while announcing the schedule for 18th Lok Sabha polls this month. Advertisement Worlds highest polling station According to Election Commission records, Tashigang in Himachal Pradeshs Lahaul and Spiti has the worlds highest polling station located at the height of 15,256 feet above the sea level. All 52 electors of the village turned up to exercise their franchise on 12 November, 2022, notwithstanding the freezing cold. Himachal Pradesh had 65 polling stations at the height between 10,000 to 12,000 feet and 20 polling stations above the height of 12,000 feet from sea level, said an EC report. Advertisement In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, a total of 94 special polling booths will be set up for internally-displaced persons of Manipur to vote at the relief camps. File image/AP Polling personnel had to wear life jackets and were accompanied by divers to a riverine polling station in Kamsing village in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The village, which survives on betel nut farming and solar electricity, has the farthest and non-motorable polling station of Meghalaya. Situated 69 km from district headquarters in Jowai, and 44 km from sub-district headquarter (tehsildars office) Amlarem, the village is approachable only by small countrymade boats, reads an anecdote shared by EC. Advertisement It takes an hour-long cruise to reach the village along Indo-Bangladesh border. A polling station was set up in the village for its 35 voters, 20 male and 15 female, drawn from 23 families that inhabit the village. The polling personnel had to wear life jackets, and were accompanied by a few divers, it added. Special polling station in the forests of Gir According to Leap of Faith a book on polls published by the EC, since 2007, a special polling station has been set up in Banej, tucked deep in the forests of Gir, for just one voter Mahant Haridasji Udasin. He is a priest at a Shiva temple located in the area. A booth is set up in the forest office near the temple. A dedicated polling team is appointed to set up the booth and make necessary arrangements for the lone voter to exercise his right. The Baneshwar Mahadev Temple is located deep inside Gir Forest, the last surviving natural habitat of Asiatic lions. Political parties do not canvass in the area for fear of wild animals. The polling team comprising 10 persons travelled 25 kms to set up a booth for a single voter. Haridas Udaseen is the successor of Mahant Bharatdas Darshandas, who was the sole voter in the polling station for nearly two decades, before he passed away in November, 2019, the book reads. In another hamlet with lone voter in Arunachal Pradeshs Malogam, election workers travelled 300 miles over four days across winding mountain roads and river valleys for the single voter in 2019. Malogam is a remote hamlet in forested mountains in Arunachal Pradesh, close to the border with China. Since 2007, a special polling station has been set up in Banej, tucked deep in the forests of Gir, for just one voter. File image/AP Polling stations have also been set up for the Siddis, descendants of East Africans who came to India between the 14th and 17th Centuries, in the Talala area of Gir Somnath district. There are over 3,500 such voters in the area, as per the official data. Siddis attained prominence in history in the 17th Century as rulers of Janjira, an island off Murud, a coastal town in Raigarh district of Maharashtra, Janjira, including Jafrabad, in Kathiawar region of Gujarat, was a princely state in British India, ruled by Siddis, the EC archives said. Siddis predominate in Jambur, a village in Gir Somnath district, previously a part of princely state of Junagarh. For the first time in electoral history, during the 2022 Gujarat elections, a special polling station was set up in Jambura- Madhupur. Siddis even fielded an independent candidate. Voting in Jambura was held in the first phase of the elections, the book added. Crocodile swamps, eight kilometres trek, and more Far off the countrys east coast, on the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the EC teams braved crocodile swamps for nine voters in 2019. Gujarat has 1600 km of coastline, longest for any Indian state. The seascape is dotted with islets, a number of which are inhabited. EC facilitated voting for the first time in the islets in 2022, obviating the need for electors to travel to mainland. At Aliabet, in Bharuch district, a polling station was set up in a shipping container. With minimum facilities assured for 217 electors, they were spared travelling for more than 80 km to vote in the nearest polling station in Bharuch. Similarly, five polling stations were set in Siyalbet, an island village under Rajula AC, in Amreli district. This spared 4757 voters of the village of trekking 15 kms to the nearest town Jafrabad, it said. The Election Commission had in 2022 decided to double the honorarium of polling officials, who have to proceed for election duty over three days in advance to reach the polling stations located in remote and difficult areas. Previously their honorarium was on par with others. The decision came in the aftermath of CEC Kumars visit to Dumak and Kalgoth villages in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. He trekked eight kilometres in three days to reach the polling stations part of Badrinath constituency, which went to polls in 2022. While recognising the courage and determination of polling officials, he stressed on the necessity of having updated route maps indicating the safest and shortest course, an EC official said. In 2022, the EC had also directed to provide special water and shockproof backpacks to carry EVMs to aid hands free movement polling parties in difficult terrains. With inputs from PTI Under its content moderation policy, Meta removes instances of the word shaheed when referring to people considered dangerous. Now the oversight board is asking the company to relax its restrictions on the use of the Arabic word, which means martyr The term has been flagged and removed more frequently than any other word or phrase on Metas platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Reuters Metas oversight board is calling on the company to end its blanket ban on common usage of the Arabic word shaheed, or martyr in English. A year-long review found the Facebook owners approach was overbroad and had unnecessarily suppressed the speech of millions of users. This comes amid long-standing criticism of the Meta content moderation policy, especially about West Asian-related subjects. Advertisement The term has been flagged and removed more frequently than any other word or phrase on Metas platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Lets take a closer look. What is the board saying? Meta seeks advice on complex policy issues from a varied range of international experts, including professors, solicitors, human rights advocates, and others, within the Oversight Board. Though it receives funding from Meta, the board operates independently. The board said the social media giant should remove posts containing the word shaheed only when they are linked to clear signs of violence or if they violate other Meta rules independently, as per Reuters. The board argued that Metas existing policy restricts free speech and hinders public debate because it is overly broad. Advertisement According to Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of the Oversight Board, the word has deeper linguistic meanings than only the English word martyr. Meta currently removes any posts using shaheed in referring to people it designates on its list of dangerous organisations and individuals. Reuters Meta has been operating under the assumption that censorship can and will improve safety, but the evidence suggests that censorship can marginalise whole populations while not improving safety at all, Thorning-Schmidt said in a statement. Advertisement The board acknowledged that although the term shaheed is occasionally used to praise violent acts, it is also used in neutral settings including news reports, academic conversations, and discussions of human rights. The board stated that Metas existing policies against inciting violence and support for designated terrorists and terror outfits are sufficient to address the risks associated with terrorist activity on its platforms. Advertisement They urged Meta to reconsider its approach to moderation to prevent the removal of content that does not endorse terrorism or violence. Why Meta has an issue with the term? Meta currently removes any posts using shaheed in referring to people it designates on its list of dangerous organisations and individuals, which includes members of Islamist militant groups, drug cartels and white supremacist organisations. Advertisement According to Reuters, the company says the word constitutes praise for those entities, which it bans, according to the boards report. Hamas is among the groups the company designates as a dangerous organisation. Meta sought the boards inputs on the topic last year, after starting a reassessment of the policy in 2020 but failing to reach consensus internally, according to the board. Metas management of content related to West Asia has long been criticised. The criticism intensified during the Israel-Hamas hostilities in October, with rights groups accusing Meta of suppressing pro-Palestinian content on its platform. What does shaheed mean? The Arabic term shaheed literally means witness, according to USA Today. Although the word essentially translates to martyr in English, it has multiple meanings in Arabic, and how one interprets it depends greatly on the context. The phrase is widely used to honour persons who die while carrying out violent crimes. Anyone killed unjustly, or anyone that died on their way to their studies, as well as those who have died for their homeland, are just a few of the circumstances that qualify someone to be referred to as Shaheed. The term is used in many circumstances, but the vast majority of those referred to as Shaheed are civilians, Nadim Nashif, founder and general director of 7amleh The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media said in a statement, as per the report. Whats next? In response to the boards latest recommendations, Meta said that the company would review the boards feedback and respond within 60 days. We want people to be able to use our platforms to share their views, and have a set of policies to help them do so safely. We aim to apply these policies fairly but doing so at scale brings global challenges, a Meta spokesperson told Axios. With inputs from Reuters Studies have previously shown that older siblings earn more than their younger peers. Now, health economists say they have found out why this happens Older siblings earn more than their younger peers, according to studies. Pixabay (Representational Image) Studies have shown that older siblings earn more than those born later. Now, new research claims to have found the reason behind this. And it is not because parents love their firstborns more. Not just earnings, but older kids seem to be at an advantage in other arenas as well. Lets take a closer look. Advertisement Are older kids smarter? In many cultures, children look up to their older siblings. The firstborns are often the favourite of parents, sometimes leading to jealousy among their younger brothers and sisters. The later-born kids are expected to go to their older brother or sister for advice and navigate the myriad problems of life. While these stereotypes are widely accepted among cultures, research has shown older siblings have an advantage. Studies claim that the eldest child performs better on cognitive tests than their younger siblings. They also do better in school. But why is this? Studies claim that the eldest child performs better on cognitive tests than their younger siblings. Pixabay (Representational Image) A 2016 study published in the Journal of Human Resources said that firstborns have an intellectual edge in academics and are more successful because parents are more invested in them. Advertisement Another study says that the disparity in IQ and personality among siblings is extremely small. Why do older siblings earn more? A 2011 CareerBuilder survey found older children were more likely to earn six-figure salaries, while the middle children might be in entry-level jobs making $35,000 (about Rs 29 lakh today) or less, reported Fortune magazine. Advertisement According to the new paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) released in February, this gap in earnings has to do with the frequency of younger kids getting sick as infants. The data on first and second children born in Denmark between 1981 and 2017 was examined by health economists N Meltem Daysal, Hui Ding, Maya Rossin-Slater and Hannes Schwandt, reported Fortune. Advertisement They found that younger siblings had higher chances of ending up at hospitals for respiratory conditions than their older peers, during the first year of their birth. In the first year of life, second-born children have two to three times higher likelihoods for being hospitalised for a respiratory condition, Rossin-Slater, an associate professor in the health policy and economics departments at Stanford University, told Fortune. Advertisement She said this is more likely in the first three months of a second childs life, and the difference basically disappears after age one. The difference was the most when the second child was born in the fall or winter as respiratory illnesses are more common then. Similar findings were seen when the siblings did not have a large age difference, according to a Business Insider report. Researchers say this is because older siblings bring germs back home exposing their younger peers. We believe that these patterns are explained by the fact that infants with older siblings have more virus exposure due to their older sibling, who is often in group childcare and brings home viruses, Daysal, an associate professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and an author of the paper, told Business Insider. Financial impact The higher risk of sickness in early years leads to less money in later life. The sicker second kids, when theyre between ages 25 and 32, they have lower incomes. Theyre not [less] likely to work, they just earn less in the jobs that they do have, Rossin-Slater told Fortune. Researchers studied the incomes of kids born between 1981 and 1989 in Denmark and found younger siblings made 2.4 per cent less on average than their older siblings at the same age. Younger siblings with higher virus exposure in infancy have lower earnings as adults. We think that the primary mechanism explaining this result is that severe respiratory illness among very young babies can lead to the impairment of brain development, which, in turn, can affect later mental health, Daysal was quoted as saying by Business Insider. The higher risk of sickness in early years leads to less money in later life. Pixabay (Representational Image) She said that sickness outcome explains about 50 per cent of the earnings gap between younger and older siblings. Older kids may have an advantage According to a study of Norwegian men published in 2007, the average IQ difference between first- and secondborn children was about three points, which resulted in nearly a two per cent difference in annual earnings. One reason for this could be that older kids are likely to benefit from helping out their younger siblings in their studies. If youre the firstborn in a big family, you learn through educating your little brothers and sisters. Interestingly, these benefits start to emerge around age 12, when older siblings have more to teach and younger siblings are more ready to learn, organisational psychologist Adam Grant wrote in his 2023 book Hidden Potential. He also cited a study of 240,000 Norwegian teenagers the younger children whose firstborn siblings had died in infancy were found to have higher intelligence scores later in life than those with firstborn siblings. According to Grant, any advantages that older siblings had were due to nurture, not nature, reported Business Insider. With inputs from agencies Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba is in New Delhi for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on boosting ties and on the ongoing Russia war. Before his visit, the Ukrainian minister was all praise for India. However, he has been critical in the past Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, its been nearly 765 days of fighting, Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit during which he will attempt to boost bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which considers Moscow a time-tested ally from the Cold War-era. This is the first time in seven years that Ukraines foreign minister is visiting India and the first for Kuleba himself. Advertisement Kuleba has said that he will be seeking Indian engagement in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Notably, prior to his visit to New Delhi, the Ukrainian foreign minister in a briefing said that Kyiv saw India as an important global power with a powerful international voice. This is quite a reversal from the past when he had hit out India over its morally inappropriate import of Russian oil. Kuleba in New Delhi On the occasion of Holi (25 March), Ukraines Dmytro Kuleba wished the country for the festival and announced that he would be visiting India later in the week on the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Today, India celebrates Holi, the most beautiful and colorful spring holiday. I wish everyone a happy Holi! Standing here in Kyiv, in front of Mahatma Gandhi's monument, I am also pleased to announce that this week I will pay my first ever visit to India. pic.twitter.com/j38tNyGvUw Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 25, 2024 Advertisement He added in his message, When Ukraine faced the Russian invasion two years ago, very few people believed we would survive, but we persisted and we will succeed in defending our freedom and independence. According to Mahatma Gandhi, the future depends on what we do in the present. Hence supporting Ukraine today means supporting freedom and independence. Supporting the legacy of the great Mahatma. Advertisement During his visit to India, he will hold meetings with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, on Friday, as well as the deputy national security advisor. During these meets, it is expected that the matter of air defence will be raised. The more important issue or the most important issue, would be air defence. Russia escalated its air terror against Ukraine. It has launched 190 missiles of various types against Ukraine, 400 Shahed drones and 700 guided bombs in just one week," the Ukrainian FM was quoted as saying by an ANI report. Advertisement He added, These strikes targeted energy facilities including critical infrastructure and civilians resulting in significant casualties and damages as well as power outages in entire cities. Ukraine urgently requires more air defence and interceptors, particularly patriots and other systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Advertisement A report in The Hindu citing a Ukrainian source said that Kuleba will also advocate for complete withdrawal of Russian forces back to the 1991 borders and push for Indias support ahead of the international peace summit Switzerland plans to organise in the coming months. India an important global power Interestingly, prior to his arrival in New Delhi, Kuleba said Ukraine sees India as an important global power. Ukraine sees India as an important global power with a powerful international voice. The aim of this visit is to strengthen the Ukrainian Indian relationship. We are confident that close cooperation will benefit both our nations, Kuleba said. He added, We are confident that close cooperation will benefit both our nations. During my visit, a number of talks are planned including with the foreign ministers, as well as a session of the Ukraine-India inter-governmental commission, he said. In the past, Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has been critical of India, especially New Delhis imports of Russian oil. File image/AP A reversal of sorts However, Kulebas recent comment is a stark contrast from the ones he has made in the past. In August 2022, he had come down heavily on India for its continued purchase of Russian crude oil despite Western sanctions and the ongoing war. Every barrel of Russian crude that India gets, has a good portion of Ukrainian blood in it, Kuleba had said during a press briefing. We are friendly and open to India. I supported the evacuation of Indian students . He made the comments after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had justified New Delhis decision to buy oil from Russia, saying that every country tries to ensure the best deal possible to cushion high energy prices. Later in December of the same year, in an interview to NDTV, the Ukrainian minister was once again critical of Indias imports of Russian oil referring to it as being morally inappropriate. The opportunity for India to buy Russian oil at a cheap price comes from the fact that Ukrainians are suffering from Russian aggression and dying every day, a fiery Kuleba had said. If you benefit because of our suffering, it would be good to see more of your help addressed to us. It is not enough to point fingers at the European Union and say, Oh, they are doing the same thing. He was responding to Jaishankars remarks that between February and November of 2022, the the European Union (EU) has imported more fossil fuel from Russia than the next 10 countries combined. India and Ukraines foreign ministers, S Jaishankar and Dmytro Kuleba. The two leaders will hold talks on Friday (29 March). File image: @sjaishankar/X Ukraine cosying to India Many note that Kulebas U-turn on India is part of Ukraines larger strategy of cosying up to India, and appeal to it to leverage its relationship with Russia to cease the war. Earlier, other leaders of Ukraine have been critical of New Delhi, only to later clarify their remarks. For instance, in September 2023, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak kicked up a political storm by saying India and China have weak intellectual potential and that they do not analyse the consequences of their actions. Speaking to Ukrainian media, he had said, Whats wrong with India, China, and so forth. The problem is that they are not analysing the consequences of their steps, these countries have weak intellectual potential, unfortunately. Yes, they invest in science. Yes, India has launched a lunar rover presently and is now trekking on the surface of the moon, but that does not indicate that this country fully comprehends what the modern world is about. But as recently as last week, Prime Minister Modi had a phone call with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy following which the former posted on X, Had a good conversation with President @ZelenskyyUa on strengthening the India-Ukraine partnership. Conveyed Indias consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict. India will continue to provide humanitarian assistance guided by our people-centric approach. It was also reported that Zelenskyy extended an invitation to the PM to visit Ukraine after the general elections in India. Zelenskyy has also sent an increasing number of ministers to New Delhi; Ukrainian deputy minister of foreign affairs Emine Dzhaparova visited New Delhi in April 2023, while Iryna Borovets, another deputy minister of foreign affairs, travelled to India in February for the Raisina Dialogue. Indias stance on the war Since the war began in February 2022, India has maintained a neutral stance on the issue, asking for both sides to engage in talks and diplomacy to iron out their differences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to leaders of both countries Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions and urged both sides to talk out their differences. In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on 4 October 2022, Modi had said there can be no military solution, and that India is ready to contribute to any peace efforts. It was the same time that Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan had told Putin todays era is not of war. Amid the war, India has maintained its close ties with Moscow. It has repeatedly abstained in voting against Moscow in United Nations resolutions which condemn the Russian annexation of Ukrainian territory. But New Delhi has refuted claims that it has favoured Russia, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying on Wednesday that India has had the opportunity to talk to Moscow very frankly and bluntly on the war. He also said that India has been used by others in passing messages during the conflict. With inputs from agencies Ready to face ED probe, says Delhi CM Kejriwal in court Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday himself made submissions in a court here during the hearing in the excise policy case and said a smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation. He made the submissions as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced him in the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja and sought seven-day further custody, arguing he needs to be confronted with some people linked with the case. The ED said Kejriwal was giving evasive replies and not disclosing passwords of his digital devices. In his submissions, Kejriwal said, I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are 4 statements enough to arrest a sitting CM? A smokescreen of the Aam Aadmi Party being corrupt has been created in front of the nation, he said and added that he is ready to face ED probe. The AAP national convener was arrested by the ED in the case on March 21 and subsequently he was sent to remand till March 28 by the court. Advertisement 600 lawyers write to CJI against vested interest group trying to defame courts A group of lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, has written to the Chief Justice of India, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas. Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric, their letter, dated March 26, addressed to CJI D Y Chandrachud said. The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter, signed by about 600 lawyers, said. It claimed that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains. Dera chief of Uttarakhands Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara shot dead The dera chief of the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara in Uttarakhand was shot dead within the premises of the shrine by two bike-borne assailants early Thursday, police said. Baba Tarsem Singh was rushed to a hospital in Khatima where he died during treatment, PTI quoted Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manju Nath as saying. The Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara is a revered Sikh shrine located on the Rudrapur-Tanakpur route in Udham Singh Nagar district of the state. Advertisement Excise policy scam: CM Kejriwal to appear before Delhi court today Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will appear before a Delhi court today on the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate (ED) custodial remand in connection with the money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. He will be produced at the Rouse Avenue court at 2 pm. The Aam Aadmi Party claims that Kejriwal would do a big expose on the alleged excise policy scam in the court today. On Wednesday, Kejriwal was unable to get instant relief from the Delhi high court against his arrest, prolonging the legal battle over his alleged involvement in the capitals controversial 2021-22 excise policy that is playing out just weeks ahead of the general elections. Advertisement Congress drops Supriya Shrinate as poll pick amid Kangana Ranaut row The Congress today dropped Supriya Shrinate as a candidate from the constituency she contested in 2019, amid roaring outrage over her remarks on actor Kangana Ranaut, the BJPs pick from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi, according to an NDTV report. Shrinate had contested the last Lok Sabha polls from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh but lost to BJPs Pankaj Chaudhary. This time, Congress has named Virendra Chaudhary as its choice from the seat, dropping Shrinate, caught in a massive political whirlpool over her post on Kangana Ranaut. Advertisement Filing of nominations for second phase of Lok Sabha polls begins The process of filing nominations for 88 parliamentary seats across 12 states in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Thursday. The notification for the second phase of the parliamentary polls - to be held on April 26 - was issued by the Election Commission on behalf of the president early on Thursday. The last date for filing nomination papers for this phase is April 4. On April 5, the nomination papers will be scrutinised in all states and Union Territories, except Jammu and Kashmir. In Jammu and Kashmir, the scrutiny will be held on April 6. Polling in one part of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency will also be held during this phase. The notification for elections in the Outer Manipur constituency was included in the gazette notification issued for the first phase on March 20. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Earlier this week, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a limit to his powers to issue orders from jail Delhi High Court on Thursday turned down a plea seeking to remove AAPs Arvind Kejriwal from the chief ministerial post. The high court said that there is no scope for judicial intervention and that executive will look into the issue. We wont enter into this political gimmick. It is for the other wing to look into the issue, the Delhi High Court said. Advertisement During the hearing, the court asked petitioners counsel to show the legal bar on the continuation of Kejriwal as the chief minister. There may be practical difficulties but that is something else. Where is the legal bar? the court asked. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals ED custodial remand, which is due to conclude today, might get extended as the probe agency has sought a 7-day extension. The hearing of the matter will take place on March 28 at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. What did the PIL say? Earlier this week, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a limit to his powers to issue orders from jail. The plea was filed by petitioner, Surjit Singh Yadav, through Advocates Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh and Mahesh Kumar. It accused Kejriwal of breaching his oath of secrecy administered to him under the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India. Advertisement Yadav filed a separate PIL for the removal of Kejriwal from the post of chief minister. Both the pleas mention how Kejriwals decision to continue as the national capitals chief minister would obstruct the due process of law and disrupt course of justice. Kejriwal runs govt from jail Notably, Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, has passed two orders from jail. Advertisement In the first order, Kejriwal directed Aam Aadmi Party minister Atishi to address the water and sewage-related issues in the national capital. Meanwhile, the second order was related to health infrastructure in which Delhis Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was asked to address the shortage of medicines in mohalla clinics. At the time of Kejriwals arrest, Atishi had said, Arvind Kejriwal was the Delhi CM, is the CM and will continue to remain the CM, he will not resign. India and China held the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination Affairs (WMCC) on March 27 in Beijing Amid the border standoff, India and China held an extensive discussion and exchanged views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both the bordering countries held the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on March 27 in Beijing. Advertisement The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas, MEA said in a statement on Thursday. The Indian delegation was led by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA, while the delegation from China was led by the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both countries also agreed to maintain open diplomatic and military channels to preserve peace and tranquility in the border regions. In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the ministry said. Advertisement The last session of WMCC took place in November 2023 during which both the nations reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas. The MEA had said in a release that India and China had engaged in an open, constructive, and thorough discussion regarding proposals aimed at resolving remaining issues and achieving complete disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. Advertisement They also mutually acknowledged the imperative to uphold peace and tranquility along the border areas, maintain a stable ground situation, and prevent any untoward incidents. With inputs from agencies Then-Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli appears at a Halloween event in October 2020. In subsequent months, more than a dozen women would come forward to accuse him of sexual assault and misconduct. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2020 The California Attorney Generals Office is suspending its criminal investigation into former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli, nearly three years after more than a dozen women accused him of sexually assaulting them as his political star rose in Wine Country. We reviewed the investigation done by the Sonoma County Sheriffs office as well as conducted our own additional investigation. At this time, we dont have enough evidence to warrant filing charges on the cases not barred by the statute of limitations, a spokesperson for the attorney general said in an emailed statement. However, our investigation remains open, and we urge anyone who believes they may be a victim or who has evidence to come forward. Foppoli, 41, resigned Windsors top post in May 2021, six weeks after the womens allegations were first revealed in a series of Chronicle stories, and has since relocated to Italy. In a lengthy, wide-ranging emailed statement Thursday, Foppoli said he planned to return to Windsor and cast the attorney generals decision as proof that he had not sexually assaulted any of the women. He blamed political maneuvering and the news media for some of the allegations that mounted against him, as well as the fallout to his family, businesses and career. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Maintaining that all encounters were consensual, Foppoli apologized to some of his accusers. There were some women involved in this that I cared for and had real relationships with that I realized I must have hurt bad enough that they would join in on something like this, he said. I have come to realize through a lot of prayer and reflection over the last 3 years that especially in my younger years I was not an ideal partner. To them I apologize. Multiple women who had leveled allegations against Foppoli told the Chronicle this week that they were devastated when they learned the Attorney Generals Office was not bringing charges. It just made me really sad, former Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley, who had accused Foppoli of committing sexual misconduct in a 2015 incident, said in an interview. Here is another man in power who hurt women and even the California attorney general wasnt going to be able to hold him accountable. The states criminal probe is the latest of several to stall after the womens allegations were documented in a series of Chronicle investigations. Foppolis accusers who include fellow politicians, a classmate, a former girlfriend and an intern at a local winery, among others described episodes of sexual violence from groping to rape, taking place between 2002 and 2021. Almost all of the alleged assaults occurred after nights of social drinking; several allegedly happened at Christopher Creek Winery, an estate outside Windsor that Foppoli co-owned. Four of the women allege he assaulted them when he was mayor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Sonoma County Sheriffs Office opened a criminal inquiry on April 8, 2021, hours after the Chronicles initial investigation describing four womens allegations against Foppoli published online. It would ultimately send its report to the attorney general after the Sonoma County District Attorneys Office recused itself; one of Foppolis accusers, then-Windsor Town Council Member Esther Lemus, was a deputy district attorney at the time. The next month, the Chronicle reported that police in Palm Beach, Fla., also had an open investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Foppoli. Farrah Abraham, a social media influencer and former reality television star, had accused Foppoli of raping her at a March 2021 house party. Additionally, a woman filed a police report in Reno, where she said Foppoli had sexually assaulted her in a hotel room during a 2012 conference of Active 20-30, a national civic club they both belonged to. In 2015, Nevada expanded its statute of limitations for sex crimes to 20 years in response to dozens of womens assault allegations, spanning decades, against actor and comedian Bill Cosby. Washoe County prosecutors, however, remanded the case to police in April 2022, noting deficiencies in their investigation; for one thing, no potential witnesses had been contacted. Police resubmitted the case to prosecutors, who declined to move forward because they felt that police still had not amassed enough evidence to successfully convict Foppoli. In March 2022, the Palm Beach Police Department announced that it had suspended the investigation into Abrahams case due the victim not having a recollection of the events, no physical injuries or evidence and no third party testimony to support a crime have been committed, according to police records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Documents obtained by the Chronicle showed that Palm Beach police did not interview Foppoli or potential witnesses. Abrahams lawyer, Spencer Kuvin, said it was inaccurate to say that Abraham didnt have injuries. But Kuvin said he was not surprised that the criminal investigation in Florida had stalled. In the culture we have today, you often cant seek justice through the criminal court system because of the inability to have witnesses to these sexual assaults, Kuvin said at the time. In the months that followed, seven of Foppolis accusers filed a lawsuit in Sonoma County, naming Foppoli, Christopher Creek Winery and Active 20-30 as defendants. Abraham filed a separate lawsuit against Foppoli and his winery, citing seven causes of action, including sexual assault and battery, gender violence and infliction of emotional distress. In a third lawsuit, a Montana woman said Foppoli raped her several times in 2020 when she was 18 years old. She said some of the sexual assaults happened at her familys home in Montana, where he would travel to promote and sell his wine, and others occurred in Sonoma County. All three civil cases remain active. Foppoli has denied the allegations in all of them. The Montana woman gave a statement to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office for its investigation and also filed a police report in Montana, her attorney said. The Gallatin County Sheriffs Office forwarded the case to prosecutors, who sent it back to law enforcement for further investigation. Once law enforcement completes the investigation, they will send it back to my office, Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Until this week, the California Attorney Generals Office had not provided any updates on the status of its criminal investigation other than to say it is ongoing. In a statement, Deputy Rob Dillion, a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office, said, We respect the Attorney Generals decision in their independent investigation. Traci Carrillo, an attorney and former prosecutor representing seven of the women, said in a statement that she felt the Sheriff's Office had not moved fast enough to collect evidence that may have been necessary to prosecute the case against Foppoli. Carrillo noted that the agency waited seven months to secure a warrant to search Foppoli's Windsor home. She said the sheriff had "clear probable cause" to do that when the first four women came forward in April. "The lack of urgency I personally observed in their investigation leads me to an obvious concern who were they protecting?" Carrillo said. "Clearly not the public they are sworn to protect." The Sheriff's Office did not respond to questions about Carrillo's statement on Thursday. At the time, the office said it had executed the search warrant after an additional woman brought new allegations to police. Advertisement Article continues below this ad California has been expanding its statutes of limitations for sex assaults, but at the time of many of the womens allegations against Foppoli, there was a 10-year limit for bringing charges. The statute of limitation for forcible groping is one to three years, depending on whether the allegations constitute a misdemeanor or felony. Still, prosecutors who previously spoke to the Chronicle said that older allegations can be used to strengthen criminal cases that do fall within the statute. In certain cases, such as that of Danny Masterson, the That 70s Show actor who was convicted in 2023 of rapes that occurred in 2003, prosecutors have moved forward with older sexual assault allegations because of aggravating factors that make the crime punishable by a life sentence in prison, such as kidnapping the victim, using a deadly weapon or drugging the victim when committing the assault. Some of the women who participated in the Sonoma County sheriffs investigation said the decision by the Attorney Generals Office put even more significance on the civil lawsuits playing out in Sonoma County Superior Court. The AGs ruling isnt an admission of Foppolis innocence, said one woman who has accused Foppoli of raping her in 2004 when she was 18. This has no bearing on the civil case, which is in process. Justice in some capacity will be served. Another woman, who had told the Chronicle that Foppoli sexually assaulted her at his winery in 2017, said that she understood the difficulty of trying to pull together a criminal investigation. The woman, whom the Chronicle identified by her middle name, Jane, said Thursday she had found peace knowing that the public knows about the allegations against Foppoli. The letter was signed by high-profile lawyers including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, and other legal practitioners across the country A group of 600 lawyers has written to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud alleging that a vested interest group is coercing the judicial system and defaming courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas. The letter was signed by high-profile lawyers including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, and other legal practitioners across the country. Advertisement The unidentified group mentioned by the lawyers is being accused of employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. Such actions, the lawyers argue, threaten the functioning of the judicial system. Here are some of the points mentioned in the letter: Even though my tenure as an MP is coming to an end, my relationship with Pilibhit cannot end till my last breath. If not as an MP, then as a son, I am committed to serve you throughout my life and my doors will always remain open for you as before he relationship between me and Pilibhit is one of love and trust, which is far above any political merit. Main aapka tha, hun aur rahunga," said Varun Gandhi in a post on X As his term as the BJP MP from UPs Pilibhit comes to an end, Varun Gandhi on Thursday wrote a heartfelt note for his electorate saying that his relation with the people of Pilibhit will not end till his last breath and sought their blessings to continue to raise the voice of the common man. Advertisement In a post captioned pranam Pilibhit on X, he said, Even though my tenure as an MP is coming to an end, my relationship with Pilibhit cannot end till my last breath. If not as an MP, then as a son, I am committed to serve you throughout my life and my doors will always remain open for you as before. I came into politics to raise the voice of the common man and today I seek your blessings to always continue doing this work, no matter what the cost. The relationship between me and Pilibhit is one of love and trust, which is far above any political merit. Main aapka tha, hun aur rahunga (I was, am and will be yours)." Advertisement He also spoke about countless memories he has with the place and how as a three-year-old kid he first visited Pilibhit in 1983. Today as I am writing this letter, countless memories have made me emotional. I remember that 3 year old little boy who came to Pilibhit for the first time in 1983 holding his mothers finger, how did he know that one day this land would become his workplace and the people here would become his family," he added. Advertisement He said that he considers himself fortunate as he got the opportunity to serve the great people of Pilibhit for years. The ideals, simplicity and kindness I received from Pilibhit have a huge contribution in my upbringing and development, not only as an MP but also as a person. Being your representative has been the greatest honor of my life and I have always championed your interests to the best of my ability," he added. Advertisement Varun, who won from Pilibhit twice, was dropped by the BJP and replaced by former Congress leader Jitin Prasada in the partys fifth list of candidates released on 25 March. Pilibhit goes to polls in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 19 April. The filing of nominations by candidates for the seat closed on 27 March. Advertisement This is for the first time in over three decades that the mother-son duo of Maneka Gandhi and Varun Gandhi will not be in the fray from the Pilibhit constituency which is located in the Terai belt bordering Nepal. The denial of ticket to Varun Gandhi this time did not come as a surprise as he has been criticising the BJP on the issues of farmers, health and jobs. After he was replaced by Prasada, reports did the rounds that Varun Gandhi might contest from the seat as an independent candidate. The suspense ended on Wednesday when he did not turn up before the nominations ended at 3 pm on the day. His mother Maneka Gandhi, the sitting MP from Sultanpur, was, however, given another chance from the same seat by the BJP. The Pilibhit seat has remained with Maneka Gandhi or her son Varun Gandhi since 1996. Maneka Gandhi won the seat on a Janata Dal ticket in 1989, lost in 1991 and won again in 1996. She won from the constituency in 1998 and 1999 as an Independent candidate. She won the seat in 2004 and 2014 as a BJP candidate. Varun Gandhi won the seat in 2009 and 2019 as a BJP candidate. With inputs from agencies Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat and was behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him. He was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts in UP and was lodged in the Banda jail. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of a cardiac arrest at the Banda Medical College in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat and was behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him. He was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts in Uttar Pradesh and was lodged in the Banda jail. Advertisement Ansari was taken to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail after his health deteriorated. Medical college principal Suneel Kaushal told PTI over phone that Ansari died following a cardiac arrest at the facility. There was a heavy deployment of police personnel outside the hospital shortly after Ansari was taken there. His name was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, were imposed across the state following Ansaris death, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. Additional deployment of police personnel has also been made in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts, he added. Advertisement Teams of Central Reserve Police Force have been deployed along with local police in these districts, the DGP said. Ansari, who hailed from Mau, was believed to have a strong influence in the adjoining Ghazipur and Varanasi districts as well. The social media cell of the Uttar Pradesh Police has also been activated to keep a close watch on unlawful elements online, he said. Advertisement According to a medical bulletin, Ansari was brought to the medical college around 8.25 pm on Thursday in an unconscious state after he had complained of vomiting. A team of nine doctors attended to him but he died of a cardiac arrest, it stated. Earlier, Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. Advertisement With inputs from PTI. The statement came in response to recent comments made by China regarding the Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun episode. The MEA asserted that speculative remarks and unsolicited advice from unrelated third parties are unwarranted and unnecessary in this context. India and the US, as two countries adhering to the rule of law, can address any bilateral issues between them, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, adding that there is no role for speculative comments and gratuitous advice by third parties. The statement came in response to recent comments made by China regarding the Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun episode. The MEA asserted that speculative remarks and unsolicited advice from unrelated third parties are unwarranted and unnecessary in this context. Advertisement The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said India and the United States, as two countries adhering to the rule of law, are capable of dealing with any issues that we have between ourselves. There is no role for any speculative comments and gratuitous advice by unrelated third parties. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship. As per the US Justice Department indictment, an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the indictment filed, had recruited the Indian national to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities. Advertisement Last year, India formed a committee to inquire into the allegations of the foiled assassination plot. In December last year, US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer acknowledged Indias establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the plot to allegedly kill Pannun in the US. With inputs from agencies. To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a committed judiciary - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them, PM Modi wrote on X. After over 600 lawyers wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked the Congress saying that to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. Though the lawyers behind the letter have mentioned no specific cases, the development comes at a time when courts are dealing with several high-profile criminal cases of corruption involving opposition leaders. Advertisement Taking to X, PM Modi said, To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a committed judiciary - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them, he added. To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024 Advertisement Opposition parties have accused the central government of targeting their leaders due to its political vendetta, a charge refuted by the ruling BJP. These parties, whose ranks include some noted lawyers, have joined hands against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Advertisement In the letter dated March 26, the lawyers drawn from across the country said, These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric. More than 500 prominent lawyers, including Harish Salve, write to CJI DY Chandradchud expressing concern over attempts to undermine the judiciarys integrity. The letter reads "as people who work to uphold the law, we think it's time to stand up for our courts. We need to come pic.twitter.com/iXIIDbgToP ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024 Advertisement CJI Chandrachuds leadership is crucial in these tough times and the apex court should stand strong, they said, adding it is not the time to maintain dignified silence. Advertisement The letter, shared by official sources, targeted a section of lawyers without naming them and alleged that they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said. It claimed that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains. Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi are among the signatories to the letter titled Judiciary Under Threat-Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure. Targeting the critics, the signatories to the letter accused them of suggesting that courts in the past were easier to influence. This shakes the publics trust in courts, they said. We are writing to you expressing our deepest concern on the manner in which a vested interest group is trying to pressure the judiciary, influence judicial process and defame our courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas. Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary. Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric, they said. Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary, they said in their letter to CJI Chandrachud. The critics have also concocted an entire theory of bench fixing which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but an attack on the honour and dignity of courts, the letter said. They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices. These arent just criticisms. They are direct attacks meant to damage the publics trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws, it said. These critics have adopted the my way or the highway approach at work as they hail the decisions they agree with, but any decision they disagree with, is trashed, smeared and disregarded, they said. This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system, the letter said and claimed that this cherry picking has been visible in very recent judgments too. Some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on them to decide in a particular way, they alleged in the letter. Questioning the timing, the lawyers said it is all happening when the country is headed for the elections. We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their hit and run activities, including fabricating wrong narratives. These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances, they said. One important court case with political implications in the run up to the 2019 polls was the demand for a probe into the purchase of Rafale fighter aircraft over alleged corruption but the Supreme Court had dismissed the batch of pleas in November 2018, saying there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the deal. The letter-writers urged the Supreme Court to stand strong and take steps to protect courts from these alleged attacks. These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances, they said. Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since few years and too frequently, they said, adding that the CJIs leadership is crucial in these tough times. With inputs from agencies MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the US State Departments comments on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are unwarranted and that external imputation on Indias electoral and legal processes are completely unacceptable. On Wednesday, the foreign ministry summoned the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in Delhi to object to Washingtons meddling in Indias internal affairs. Advertisement Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department. The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing. #WATCH | On India summons US diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of Congress bank accounts, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says "Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard pic.twitter.com/AUGkPAHc0y ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024 He added, Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. Advertisement Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, whose ED custody was extended for four days on Thursday, was arrested on March 21 over the alleged liquor policy scam case. The US, however, is not the first country to make comments on the opposition leader. Earlier, the German Foreign Ministry had said, We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case. Advertisement Germanys reaction to Kejriwals arrest similarly prompted the Indian foreign ministry to summon its envoy. (File) A Pakistan Navy soldier stands guard while a loaded Chinese ship is readied for departure prior to a ceremony at Gwadar port, about 435 miles, 700 km, west of Karachi. on 13 November, 2016. AP The $65 billion China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC), from the restive oppressed Uyghur Muslim majority province of Xinkiang in China, all the way to the Pakistani/Balochi port of Gwadar, is clearly in deep jeopardy now. On top of the obvious debt trap to China, Pakistan finds itself facing a near uncontrollable security dilemma. Runaway Uyghur fighters from Xinkiang, otherwise systematically oppressed by the Han Chinese, are in some degree contributing to the terrorism in Pakistan. This along with the Pakistani Taliban, the Baluchistan Liberation Army, and sundry terrorist groups once enthusiastically spawned by Pakistan to deliver a thousand cuts to India - plus their various mutating affiliates. Advertisement Baluchis sheltering in Iran are also contributing their mite to the unrest and instability, with Iran reluctant to act harshly against their significant minority population. This difficult situation is being aggravated daily by the economic weakness of China, plagued by a massive property and real-estate industry collapse, massive non-performing assets (NPAs), a low GDP growth rate, trade and diplomatic differences with the West, as well as a host of its neighbours. Its currency also cannot be trusted. Its Pakistan all-weather partner turned dire liability, is living hand-to-mouth, as it is all but bankrupt. It not only owes billions, under multiple heads and sources, to China, it owes equally huge sums to the multilateral lending agencies such as the IMF and the World Bank plus other Western and Arab lenders. Total Pakistani debt topped $126 billion in 2022 and has worsened since. The currency, the Pakistani rupee, is well on its way to becoming worthless. Foreign currency reserves have gone. Its revenue generation, never robust, as its economy is based on consumption and government spending, is now practically non-existent. Advertisement The multilateral lending agencies want Pakistan to renegotiate its loans from China before it gives it more money, but Pakistan is in no position to do so in real terms. This entire situation is making the Chinese truculent and short with Pakistan, but not really to the best effect. Pakistan, as per its long-studied practice, is trying to balance the influence of the superpowers, by playing the United States off against China to obtain a measure of leverage with both. Advertisement The US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, no doubt at the urging of the US State Department, visited oil, gas and mineral-rich Baluchistan, the largest province of Pakistan, on 12 September 2023. The Chinese have been operating in Baluchistan for long. But this visit is probably the beginning of a brand-new US initiative. The US Charge daffaires had visited in 2021. And this was a long time after the visit of a previous American official, way back in 2006. Advertisement Blome met with Pakistani officials in Baluchistan and their Navys Western Commander. He also visited the port at Gwadar, run by the China Overseas Ports Holding. China hopes to use Gwadar for transhipments, oil cargos to itself should anything go wrong in the South China Sea, the Malacca Straits, its access to its Pacific ports-and exports to America. How it will drive its cargo through Pakistan to Xinkiang is another matter. Advertisement Pakistan, on its part, sees Gwadar as its only port besides Karachi. Blome was also to see for himself that there is no Chinese military base in Gwadar as of now, even though the security situation is highly unstable. The Pentagon, in 2022, warned that there could be a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy base in Gwadar before long. More so, if Pakistan capitulates any further to China. But, first, before the US can consider fresh investments, there are the growing insurgencies. Almost to illustrate this, the same Pakistan Navy base Blome visited in Gwadar was also recently attacked by Balochi militants. The Balochis also attacked and killed Chinese engineers working on a dam at Dasu on the Indus River this month. This is in the sparsely populated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. The Balochi militants routinely attack the provincial capital of Quetta, where the Chinese ambassador recently escaped an attempt on his life. They also do not hesitate to use human bombers in Karachi, again targeting and killing the Chinese, three teachers as it turned out. All this, despite the best efforts of the Pakistan security forces. The Chinese have so far been disallowed to bring in their own security forces onto Pakistani territory, or indeed into Gwadar Port, other mining sites and Chinese population concentrations in Baluchistan. But the demand is renewed every time there is another terrorist attack on Chinese workers, officials and engineers. The economic woes plaguing Pakistan have caused them to default on payments on power plants and infrastructure being built by the Chinese. The Pakistanis are also demanding a discount of $3 billion on the cost of a railway known as Main Line -1 from $ 9.9 billion to $6.6 billion. All this is putting pressure on the viability of the CPEC project, and has largely brought it to a stand-still. The ambitious multiple roads, with industries, infrastructure projects, power plants, railways, and pipelines, are only partially completed after more than a decade. Most dont make any money making repayment of loans only possible via other loans. The CPEC main road snakes through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, which could prove to be a choke point should India reclaim its territory, down to the plains of Pakistan. The largely Shia population of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, like that of Baluchistan at the other end, are deeply unhappy with the rough and ready Sunni Pakistani administration. The PoK/Gilgit-Baltistan native population that Pakistan is trying to swamp with Sunni Muslims from the plains, would rather be part of Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side. They have been demonstrating to this effect. Once on the plains, the CPEC carriageways run for over 3,000 km. to the deep-water port at Gwadar. The Chinese have succeeded in building a deep-water port there, but it is still a-begging for cargo and usage, very much like their other white elephant port at Hambantota in Sri Lanka. At least the Sri Lankans are not attacking the empty, state-of-the-art port that Sri Lanka had to cede to China on its territory. The same cannot be said for Gwadar in Baluchistan, regularly attacked by terrorists armed with explosives, grenades and small arms. The Baluchis have made clear that they see no benefit from the Chinese-built port for themselves, lacking as they still are, in basics like electricity and water. The fishing in the area has been harmed. The air is polluted by coal-based power plants. The local population is constantly bullied by the Pakistani armed forces. The recent elections in Pakistan to the Gwadar constituency in the Balochistan provincial assembly saw Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, leader of the Gwadar Rights Movement elected. This will now provide an official voice to the Baluchistan activists. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Beijing shortly, and though he is well-experienced, will come under pressure on various aspects of the CPEC, the progress, payments, and security situation. However, China may well be caught between a rock and a hard place, having already invested billions. It is unable to make fresh investments now to keep up the pace of the project. The geopolitical situation has also changed considerably for China, to its detriment, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, and no easy solutions present themselves. China is now recalibrating its Belt and Road Initiative which has spanned 150 countries since 2013. It will now concentrate on smaller projects and has spurned Pakistani proposals for more BRI projects via direct investment on its soil. 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. The Dalai Lamas escape to Tawang in 1959 not only marked a significant turning point in India-China relations but also highlighted the enduring struggle for Tibetan autonomy amid shifting regional dynamics Sixty-five years ago, momentous events took place on the Tibetan plateau; they had incalculable and incredible consequences for India, which until then had peaceful northern borders. On 31 March, 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet crossed the Indian border at Khenzimane on the riverbank of the Namjiang Chu (river) in the Tawang sector of todays Arunachal Pradesh. Advertisement A few days earlier, camping in Lhuntse Dzong in Southern Tibet, the Tibetan leader had sent a cable to the Indian prime minister. The Dalai Lama who had just denounced the 17-Point Agreement signed under duress in Beijing in May 1951, said: The Government of Tibet have tried their best to maintain good relations with China but the Chinese have been trying to take away powers from the Tibetan Government and in some areas they are making preparations for war. On March 17, 1959 at 4 pm the Chinese fired two shells in the direction of my residence. They could not do much damage. [But] as our lives were in danger, I and some of my trusted [people] manage to escape the same evening at 10 pm. On 27 March, TS Murty, the Assistant Political Officer in Tawang received instructions about the possibility of the Dalai Lama seeking entry into India. He was immediately asked to proceed towards the border to receive the dignitary and escort him to Tawang, Bomdila and Tezpur. An archive document from the Government of India stated: Expecting that some such development might occur, we had instructed the various check-posts there what to do. So, when the Dalai Lama crossed over into our territory, he was received by our Assistant Political Officer of the Tawang Sub-Division. A little later, the rest of his entourage came in. The total numbers who have come with him or after him is 80. More than 85,000 Tibetans would come to India during the following years. Advertisement Dalai Lama arrives in India On 31 March at 9 am, Murty reached Chuthangmu, where a detachment of the 5th Battalion of the Assam Rifles was posted. The Dalai Lamas advance party under a junior officer had already reached the post two days earlier. Murty was told that the main party consisting of the Dalai Lama, his family, ministers and tutors was expected to enter India at 2 pm the same day. Advertisement Murty communicated to Bomdila and Shillong (seat of the Governor of Assam) that there was no sign of the Chinese pursuit. After planting his walking stick (which since then has become a beautiful tree and is known by the locals as the Holy Tree) on the frontier at Khenzimane, the Dalai Lama proceeded to Chuthangmu check-post where Murty handed over to him the Indian prime ministers message. The Tibetan leader was immediately treated by India as an honoured guest and for the past 65 years, he has remained so. Advertisement This would have important consequences for India. Soon after, the first clashes took place with the Chinese on the border (the first serious skirmish happened in Longju in Subansiri sector on 25 August, 1959). It was undoubtedly for the warm welcome given to the Tibetan leader. Todays Chinese claims Recently, Beijing has again started claiming the area (corresponding to the state of Arunachal Pradesh) as its own. However, it is worth noting that when the Dalai Lama and his entourage entered India at Khenzimane in 1959, the Chinese government did not protest about the location of the border or even claim that Tawang was Southern Tibet (the term used today by Beijing to define Tawang). Advertisement They knew perfectly well that the Tibetan leader had taken refuge in Indian territory. Strangely, Beijing is today insisting that Tawang district is part of the Peoples Republic of China, but it is clearly an afterthought. Had Beijing already believed that Tawang area was part of the Chinese territory in 1959, the Chinese troops would have followed the Dalai Lama and his entourage into this area and stopped him from moving to Assam. The Dalai Lama also clearly mentions in his autobiography that Chuthangmu was the border where he was received by a detachment of the Assam Riffles. He wrote: I would like to state how the Government of Indias officers posted there had spared no efforts in making my stay and journey through this extremely well administered part of India as comfort-able as possible. Events of March 1959 The Tibetan leaders arrival in India was the culmination of the events of March 1959 in Tibet. It included the popular uprising on 10 March. The escape of the Dalai Lama from Lhasa on the night of 17 March, the massacre of the Tibetan population during the following days and finally the so-called emancipation (or liberation) of the Tibetans by the Communists. In his Report for the months of March, April and May 1959 sent to the Ministry of External Affairs, Maj SL Chibber, the Indian Consul General in Lhasa recounted: In the history of movement for free Tibet, the month of March, 1959, will be most historic during this month Tibetans high and low, in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, openly challenged the Chinese rule the might of [the] Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), who on March 20, 1959, started an all-out offensive against the ill-organised, ill-equipped and untrained Tibetans with artillery, mortars, machine guns and all types of automatic weapons, [the protest] was short-lived. Chibber continued: On March 28, 1959, the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China dissolved the local Tibet Government and transferred all its functions and powers to the Preparatory Committee for the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). Another account was given by the Chinese author, Jianglin Li in her book, Tibet in Agony. She used Chinese sources to describe the crackdown in Lhasa. Jianglin wrote: From March 25 to April 5, the CPCs Central Committee held an enlarged politburo meeting, and the seventh plenary session of the Eighth Central Committee in Shanghai. Pacification of rebellion in Tibet and relations with India were two of the issues discussed. Wu Lengxi, who was then head of Xinhua news agency and chief editor of The Peoples Daily, revealed a glimpse of Maos thinking on the China-India relationship in his memoir: Let the Indian Government commit all the wrongs for now. When the time comes, we will settle accounts with them [would have said the Great Helmsman]. The accounts were settled three years later (in October 1962) when the 7Th Infantry Brigade was decimated on the slopes of the Thagla ridge. Since then, Beijing has used its propaganda machinery to paint the dramatic events of 1959 in white when they were black. Propaganda continues As recently as 21 March, 2024, China Tibet Network republished an interview of Anna Louise Strong, the author of A Million Serfs Stand Up. She, like Edgar Snow, falls in the category of what Lenin described as the useful idiots, i.e. foreigners defending all the actions of the Communist Party of China, including during the Cultural Revolution. In August 1959, she was one the first foreign journalists to arrive in Tibet after the massacre of the Tibetans (prosaically called democratic reform by Beijing); she wrote: The air on the plateau is thin, and the entire nature seems to be soaked in sunlight. Snow peaks, rocks, cliffs, and long sloping pastures all have very bright colors, which are more dazzling than any scenery I have ever seen." She added, Maybe instead of trusting others, its better to go and see for yourself. The Chinese website said: In the next months, she visited Norbulingka, Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, Drepung Temple, walked into the fields, and walked into the former serfs She interviewed monks and former serfs, celebrated the Fruit Festival with farmers and herdsmen, and felt the joy of the harvest. Strong celebrated the Communist emancipation of the Tibetans. Sixty-five years later, Beijing still uses Strongs propaganda writings to justify their 1959 actions, forgetting that according to Chinese own records, 87,000 Tibetans were killed during these few weeks of March and April 1959, though according to China Tibet Network: [Strong] did a lot of homework, analyzed the background of democratic reform, and also carefully observed and recorded the situation of democratic reforms in Lhasa, Shannan, Shigatse, Nyingchi and other places, and completed When serfs stood up in Tibet. End of a way of life RS Kapur, another Indian official posted as Indian Trade Agent in Gyantse, wrote in his usually emotionless Annual Report for the Year 1959: While heart of Tibet was bleeding the free world only made speeches. With the end of the debate on Tibet in the United Nations, Tibetans lost all hopes of their survival, stare at the sky with the blank eyes and ask: Where is God? Where is Buddha? How can world witness such brutal acts on a race that has always wanted to live in peace? Kapur added: Buddha, the Tibetans say, has disappeared from the world; [they] are fast losing hopes of survival of their race. From all appearance Tibet is finished. Sixty-five years of a very sad tale indeed. But we have perhaps not seen the end of the story. The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrives to appear before the Rouse Avenue Court in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi, on 28 March, 2024. PTI The brouhaha over Arvind Kejriwals arrest, and the apocalyptic narrative that India has descended into an autocracy because a sitting chief minister has been taken into custody by central investigative agencies, is disingenuous. The merits of the case will be decided on the basis of hard evidence. The status of a public figure cannot determine the outcome of a judgement or stall legal proceedings. Advertisement It is perhaps natural for the Opposition to defend the Delhi chief minister even though it is the Congress party that had first targeted Kejriwal for liquorgate scam. After all, it is election season. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Interestingly, the Oppositions reaction to Kejriwals arrest has been a little muted. That isnt surprising. Politicians tend to have a better understanding of the pulse of the people. That certainly cant be said of our chattering class. What has been strange to observe is the fanatical hyperbole and incendiary rhetoric in sections of media and in writings of liberals and public intellectuals who have turned the AAP supremos arrest on corruption allegations into a test case for Indian democracy. Advertisement Two key points are worth noting in the rabble-rousing discourse around Kejriwals incarceration. One, the grave allegations of corruption in the liquor policy scam, that have landed almost the entire top rung of AAP leadership in prison and unable to secure bail despite repeated attempts, are being glossed over as inconsequential or touted as an example of Centres vindictiveness. Advertisement Two, Kejriwal is being invested with mythical powers. He apparently possesses preternatural political acumen and enjoys phenomenal popularity. Difficult to imagine that AAP was swept away in the last general elections in 2019 with the BJP polling over 50 per cent votes in all seven seats. This is where calls for Kejriwals preferential treatment is mystifying. Columnist Manu Joseph writes in Livemint that millions of voters are enraged by Kejriwals arrest and that the BJP is underestimating the fact that many people who do not vote for Kejriwal still like and admire him. Joseph doesnt mention the source of his data. Advertisement Some columnists hold that Kejriwal is not just a politician but an unbeatable idea that shakes the BJP to its core and therefore the tyrannical Modi government has focused all energies, flouted all democratic norms and brought down the crushing weight of central agencies on the charismatic Opposition leader to conquer the final frontier. Advertisement For instance, in a remarkable inversion of logic in describing someone accused of money laundering and charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Shekhar Gupta writes in The Print that if Kejriwal is today an idea, the idea he and his politics grew around was a no-holds-barred fight against corruption. That is the reason the Modi government has now tarred him and his entire party and government with the same brush: corruption. This argument resembles AAPs claim that Kejriwal and his colleagues are all innocent (even as the case awaits judicial verdict) and the AAP supremo is at the receiving end of a witch-hunt due to his rising popularity. The Enforcement Directorates allegations against Kejriwal, which also includes an alleged conspiracy involving arrested BRS leader K Kavitha, are not even worth a mention. The mainstreaming of a victimhood narrative in public discourse, that seeks to absolve Kejriwal as a moral necessity regardless of the legal merits of EDs case against him, has gone side by side with an insidious discourse that frames India as an autocracy heading towards full blown tyranny. The discourse is set on an axiomatic position that India is no longer a democracy, and only the degree of its descent into autocracy is in question. This analytical framework aims to shift the terms of the debate and delegitimize the results of the upcoming elections. This is ironically the very definition of undermining the democratic process. To quote Ashutosh Varshney in Indian Express, The new developments in Indias polity, including the arrest of Kejriwal, now seriously challenge the future validity of the electoral democracy claim. Some have gone a step further and given their rhetoric a freer rein. Writing in the same newspaper, Pratap Bhanu Mehta argues that the arrest of Kejriwal, in the middle of an election, is an unprecedented display of impunity. If this moment does not galvanise resistance in the name of democracy, Indias freedom will be imperiled for a long time to come. At a time when the case is sub-judice, the call for resistance is designed to erode trust in the judiciary and fan the flames of civil disobedience. Moreover, when an election is just around the corner and a so-called tyrannical government can easily be overthrown peacefully through electoral mandate, such statements indicate a deep-seated pessimism that the public at large might not agree with the narrative that Kejriwals arrest endangers democracy. As Tavleen Singh writes, once again in Indian Express, For those opposition leaders who routinely mourn the death of Indian democracy, I have bad news. On my recent travels, I talked to a range of ordinary voters and met nobody who believes that democracy is dead. Some questions need to be asked about the timing of Kejriwals arrest since so much is being made of it. The Delhi chief minister skipped nine summons from ED, the first of which was sent in October last year. It is evident, therefore, that Kejriwal could have participated in the legal proceedings much earlier if he wished to. So, who is responsible for the timeline of Kejriwals arrest? The ED? Which summoned the AAP chief nine times? Or the judiciary which rejected his attempts at preemptive bail and allowed the central agency to take him into custody? Or are the central agencies to be blamed for following legal procedures? The disapprobation of central investigative agencies, and the pressure being put on the judiciary are subtle attempts at distorting the legal procedure to achieve political objectives. Is it the argument that despite all the irregularities that Kejriwal has been accused of, despite his non-cooperation in the probe, all legal procedures should be suspended to uphold Indias democracy? To argue that upholding Indias democracy requires probe agencies to slack off and turn a blind eye to wrongdoings is to undermine the principles of justice and equality before the law. As the Kejriwal case becomes a lightning rod for Indias democracy, lets go beyond the rhetoric to look at how the judiciary has been treating the case. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court turned down Kejriwals interim plea seeking immediate release from ED custody and fixed the next hearing on 3 April, extending his stay in prison. Incidentally, the Delhi High Court had on 21 March refused to grant the Delhi chief minister any protection from ED action against him in the liquor policy case. Kejriwal was arrested later that night. The AAP supremo moved the Delhi High Court again on 23 March, seeking an urgent hearing but his request was again rejected by the court and the case was scheduled for hearing on Wednesday (27 March) after the court reconvened from Holi holiday. It doesnt seem as if the judiciary shares the view that keeping Kejriwal in jail for his alleged misdeeds will be tantamount to stripping India of its democratic credentials. The events at the Supreme Court have been curious. Following his arrest, initial reports suggested that Kejriwal will move the Supreme Court for immediate relief. Accordingly, on the morning of 22 March, a day after ED took him into custody, Kejriwals legal team led by Congress leader and advocate AM Singhvi sought an urgent hearing from CJI DY Chandrachud. According to a report in Indian Express, the CJI told him to approach court number 2 presided by Justice Khanna where a special bench of Justices Khanna, M M Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi was hearing Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavithas petition challenging her arrest in the Delhi excise policy case. It seems Justice Khanna had agreed to hear the matter and the special bench was set to take up the petition later in the day when Singhvi, who had been pressing the CJI for an urgent hearing, withdrew the petition and said his client would approach the trial court instead. What triggered this sudden change of heart from Kejriwals legal team? It turns out that the special bench that was set up to hear Kejriwals plea had earlier turned down a similar request from BRS leader Kavitha, also implicated in the same case and arrested by ED a week earlier. Hindustan Times reported that 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. In their hurry to paint Kejriwals arrest as an assault on democracy, critics seem to have overlooked the problematic aspects of the assumption that the Delhi chief minister is the victim of political vendetta. Alongside the fact that Kejriwals cabinet colleagues Satyender Jain and Manish Sisodia have been incarcerated since 22 May and 23 February, respectively, in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case, and have been unable to get bail, the charges against the Delhi CM are grave. The ED has called him the key conspirator in the liquor scam, alleged that hawala operators were used to send money to Goa for AAPs election campaign and claimed that these charges were also corroborated by one of the candidates of AAP for Goa elections of 2022 who said he received funds for election expenses in cash from the AAP volunteers in Goa. It goes without saying that allegations are not evidence. However, it says much about the rampant victimhood narrative that a leader facing serious charges of financial irregularities is being held up as a mascot of probity in public life. The Oppositions stance has been no less hypocritical, if a little muted. The Congress in February last year had released a statement accusing Kejriwal of being implicated in the liquor scam in which, the statement claimed, at least a 100-crore kickback has been established. Such is the political compulsion of the day that Ajay Maken has since been sidelined and Rahul Gandhi now claims that Modi is a scared dictator. The outrage over Kejriwals arrest among the Opposition ranks is less about the health of Indian democracy and more out of an insecurity that Modi has broken an unwritten rule of not targeting the political class for graft when in power and the entire political class has very little leverage over him. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Apples sales in China continue to slide. Apples iPhone shipments in China, plummeting by approximately one-third compared to the previous year. In January of 2024, Apple saw a 39 per cent year-on-year decrease Apples fortune continues to be on precarious ground in China. Official state data released on Tuesday indicates a significant decline in Apples iPhone shipments in China, plummeting by approximately one-third compared to the previous year. This decline suggests a challenging landscape for the US tech giant in the worlds second-largest economy, as it faces stiff competition from Chinese smartphone brands. Advertisement In an effort to improve relations with Chinese consumers, suppliers, and local authorities, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Shanghai last week. During his visit, Cook attended the opening of a new Apple Store in Shanghais Jingan district, the largest in Asia, and met with representatives from major Apple suppliers, including BYDs chairman and CEO, Wang Chuanfu. Cook also participated in the China Development Forum in Beijing, expressing his affection for China and its people. Despite its sizable base of Apple fans in China, the company is encountering regulatory and competitive hurdles. There have been reports of Chinese government agencies and offices allegedly banning the use of iPhones, although the government denies such regulations. According to official data, foreign brands collectively shipped about 2.4 million smartphones in February, accounting for a 16.9 per cent share of the Chinese market. This reflects a substantial drop from the previous month, with Apple being the most significant foreign player. Advertisement In January, Apple shipped around 5.5 million units, marking a 39 per cent year-on-year decrease. To counteract declining shipments, Apple plans to unveil its long-awaited artificial intelligence (AI) strategy at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. This strategy is expected to be centered around major software updates for its smart devices, including the iOS 18 upgrade. Advertisement Additionally, Apple is exploring partnerships with local AI firms for the Chinese market, with reports suggesting Baidu as a potential supplier. However, no agreement has been reached between Apple and Baidu, according to China Daily. Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone brands like Honor and Xiaomi are making strides in AI technology, showcasing their products at trade shows such as MWC Barcelona. To reaffirm its commitment to the Chinese market, Apple plans to expand its research and development (R&D) efforts in Shanghai and establish a new R&D lab in Shenzhen. Advertisement Despite these efforts, iPhone sales in China fell by nearly a quarter in the first six weeks of 2024 compared to the same period last year, placing Apple fourth behind Vivo, Huawei, and Honor. In contrast, Huawei Technologies experienced a significant sales increase, driven by strong demand for its flagship 5G Mate 60 Pro smartphone. Advertisement (With inputs from agencies) Jordan Parker is a breaking news reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. He graduated from Sacramento State University in May 2022 with a degree in journalism. During his time there, he spent three years as a reporter and editor for the university's award-winning student newspaper, The State Hornet. He spent his senior year of college serving as The Hornet's first Black editor in chief, leading the organization to two Pacemaker awards and several other national honors from the Associated Collegiate Press. When he's not chasing down a story, he likes watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants. He can be reached at Jordan.Parker@sfchronicle.com. Israel has been using a facial recognition program that is based on tech from Google Photos that has misidentified several Gazans as people with ties to Hamas. The program was first deployed to help IDF bring back abducted Israelis from Gaza A recent report by The New York Times has shed some light on Israels military intelligence operations in Gaza, who have been using an experimental facial recognition program with alarming consequences. The IDF or Israel Defense Forces have apparently been using a facial recognition program, developed by a private Israeli company Corsight. The facial recognition technology, which relies on tech used by Google Photos, was initially utilized in Gaza following the October 7 cross-border raids to locate Israelis who were captured by Hamas, according to intelligence officials. Advertisement The way the program works is rather simple Corsights program uses a widely accessible service from Google Photos in combination with their own technology. Officers would upload data or rather photos of people of interest to the program and let it analyse and reverse search to identify targets from a list of verified intelligence materials and wanted lists Although it was initially conceived as a tool to locate Israeli hostages in Gaza, the program quickly evolved into a broader surveillance tool to identify individuals who may have connections to Hamas or other militant factions, according to sources cited by the NYT report. As Israels ground offensive in Gaza intensified, officers started relying on the program. However, there were instances where the technology inaccurately identified civilians as wanted Hamas members, the NYT report quotes an Israeli officer as saying. Advertisement Even though the program has yielded some good results, especially considering that often it would have to deal with incomplete data and grainy photos with only partial faces, and photos taken under low light, the technology has been plagued by inaccuracies. Regardless, Israeli soldiers have been relying on the flawed system and have detained many civilians who have been wrongly flagged by the program to have ties with Hamas, without questioning its reliability, the report quotes an Israeli officer as saying. Advertisement One such case highlighted by The NYT report involves one Mosab Abu Toha, a poet and Gaza resident, who was wrongfully detained at a military checkpoint while attempting to leave the area with his family. Toha recounted being subjected to handcuffing, blindfolding, beatings, and interrogation for two days before being released, with soldiers citing his detention as a mistake. Advertisement Corsights technology has faced criticism for its tendency to generate false positives and incorrectly identify individuals. While Google Photos offers superior capabilities in matching partially obscured faces, authorities reportedly favoured Corsight due to its customizability. The use of facial recognition technology in military operations has raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding the potential for wrongful detentions and human rights violations. Advertisement Critics argue that such surveillance measures risk exacerbating tensions and further destabilizing the region, while proponents maintain that they are necessary for maintaining security in conflict zones. While some nations employ it to streamline air travel processes, countries like China and Russia have faced criticism for using it to target minority groups and suppress dissent. Israels deployment of facial recognition technology in Gaza presents a unique application of this technology during war. According to Matt Mahmoudi, a researcher at Amnesty International, Israels use of facial recognition raises concerns about the potential dehumanization of Palestinians, as individuals may not be viewed as such. Previously, Israel used facial recognition in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as outlined in a report by Amnesty International. In these areas, Israeli forces used a domestic facial recognition system known as Blue Wolf, employing high-resolution cameras at checkpoints and smartphone apps to scan Palestinians faces and compile a database. In contrast, Gaza, which Israel withdrew from in 2005, lacked facial recognition technology. Surveillance efforts against Hamas in Gaza primarily involved monitoring phone communications, interrogating prisoners, collecting drone footage, accessing private social media accounts, and hacking telecommunication systems, according to Israeli intelligence officers. Following the October 7 cross-border raids, Israeli intelligence units, particularly Unit 8200, intensified surveillance efforts to gather information on Hamas gunmen who breached Israels borders. This included analyzing security camera footage, as well as scrutinizing videos posted by Hamas on social media platforms. One officer mentioned that the unit was instructed to compile a hit list of Hamas members involved in the attacks. (With inputs from agencies) NASAs Curiosity Rover has found evidence that suggests Mars may have had much more water and for much longer than what the scientific community had previously thought. The discoveries prompt reconsideration of Mars environmental conditions For over a decade, NASAs Curiosity rover has been traversing Mars Gale Crater, scrutinizing its surface minerals. Recent findings by an international team, led by Imperial College London, suggest that Mars might have retained more water for a longer duration than previously thought. Unusual formations discovered within the craters rocks and sediment, particularly in unexpected locations, have piqued scientists interest. These findings offer a unique opportunity to compare Mars geological evolution with that of Earth. Advertisement Dr Steven Banham, the lead author of the study, expressed surprise at the abundance of water inferred from the rock formations. According to him, these formations, which exhibit evidence of water, are among the youngest features within the crater, implying the presence of water more recently than previously assumed. Analyses of sandstone structures within the Gale Crater have provided compelling evidence of prolonged water presence on Mars. These structures, formed by water-related processes, challenge earlier assumptions about the timing of water disappearance on the planet. The discoveries prompt reconsideration of Mars environmental conditions, suggesting similarities with Earths conditions during the same period. Banham noted that while Mars dried out around 3 billion years ago, approximately coinciding with the emergence of life on Earth, the potential for life on Mars might have persisted for longer than previously believed. Advertisement Insights gleaned from these findings could guide future efforts to search for signs of past life on Mars. Despite expectations that the Curiosity rovers mission would conclude long ago, it continues to operate, promising further revelations about the Red Planets mysteries for years to come. (With inputs) Following revelations on Monday that Chinese hackers were responsible for two cyberattacks on British parliamentarians and the Electoral Commission, Rishi Sunak is gearing up for a new series of crackdown on Chinese entities operating within Britain Rishi Sunak is gearing up for a new crackdown on Chinese entities operating within Britain in response to repeated cyber attacks attributed to Beijing. However, allies of the prime minister emphasised that any actions taken would be proportionate. Sunak informed Members of Parliament on Tuesday that the UKs current measures against China were already more stringent than those of many other countries. Government insiders indicated that any additional measures would be carefully crafted. Advertisement The move follows the revelation on Monday that Chinese hackers were responsible for two cyber campaigns targeting UK parliamentarians and the Electoral Commission. In response, the Foreign Office summoned the Chinese charge daffaires to express unequivocal condemnation of the alleged hacking. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden suggested placing China in an enhanced tier of countries posing risks under the 2023 National Security Act. This tier would require registration of activities influenced by specified foreign powers or entities deemed potentially risky to UK safety or interests. Downing Street clarified that the foreign influence registration scheme, established under the legislation, aimed to fortify the UKs political system against covert influence. However, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch stressed the need to consider business and trade implications to prevent undue damage to relations with China and Chinese investment in the UK. Advertisement Ministers are cautious about unintended consequences and the potential burden on individuals associated with Chinese companies in the UK. Discussions within the government will assess the spectrum of Chinese state involvement in the UK before deciding on action. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasized the importance of avoiding trade issues while responding to cyber campaigns. Plans for the foreign influence registration scheme to be operational by October necessitate parliamentary approval of secondary legislation designating foreign powers by the end of May. Advertisement Internal tensions have persisted since last spring regarding Chinas inclusion in the enhanced tier. While some advocate for a strong stance following the cyber attacks, others prefer a more measured response to maintain diplomatic and trade relations. Industry executives have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity in the governments approach, particularly concerning dependence on Chinese imports in sectors like white goods. Sunak refrained from commenting on whether Britain would follow the US in pressuring Chinese-owned ByteDance to divest from TikTok, highlighting existing regulations on sensitive technologies and national security. The British Prime Minister highlighted that the UK is less reliant on China for trade compared to several allies. Advertisement (With inputs from agencies) At least three people, including a 13-year-old child, were injured after attackers opened fire on a school bus and several cars in the Jordan Valley division of the West Bank on Thursday, according to a report At least three people, including a 13-year-old child, were injured after an attacker opened fire on a school bus and several cars in the Jordan Valley division of the West Bank on Thursday, according to a report. According to a Times of Israel report, citing the Magen David Adom ambulance service, among the injured, a 30-year-old man is in moderate-to-serious condition, another man in his 20s is lightly hurt, and a 13-year-old boy is in good condition after being hit by glass shards. Advertisement While two of the three injured are being treated at Jerusalems Hadassah Mount Scopus Medical Center, the 13-year-old boy is undergoing treatment at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the IDF said it has launched a manhunt for the terrorists, and troops are blocking roads in the area. The IDF said that a terrorist shot in the direction of multiple vehicles near Al-Auja in the Jordan Valley division of the West Bank. According to Jerusalem Post, Uriel Reins and Keren Gazit, members of Rescue Without Borders, MDAs emergency response team for the Jordan Valley region, arrived at the scene and reported that medics were giving first aid in two locations, one near the entrance of the town of Naomi. Rescue Without Borders also reported that two armored bullet-proof buses carrying students were hit, but no one inside was wounded. With inputs from agencies Lloyds, which has more than 50 member firms, is active in the marine and property insurance markets, which are expected to face large claims from the damage to the bridge and the disruption at the port. This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that was struck by a container ship in Baltimore, Md., on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. - AP The collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to trigger the largest marine insurance loss on record, the chair of Lloyds of London Bruce Carnegie-Brown said in an interview Thursday. Carnegie-Brown said that insurers would face multibillion-dollar losses following the disaster, which resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals, with four others missing and presumed dead. Advertisement Lloyds, which has more than 50 member firms, is active in the marine and property insurance markets, which are expected to face large claims from the damage to the bridge and the disruption at the port. Lloyds had gross written premiums in 2022 of more than 6 billion pounds ($7.5 billion) in marine, aviation and transport insurance and reinsurance. North America is its largest market. Carnegie-Brown also said the insurer has set aside 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in reserves in the past two years for disputed aviation claims over planes stuck in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Talks between aviation leasing companies and insurers to reach settlements over the multi-billion dollar claims were at a reasonably advanced stage, Carnegie-Brown said, ahead of major court cases in Dublin and London due to take place this year. Advertisement The incident happened early on Tuesday when a container ship en route to Sri Lanka collided with one of the concrete columns of the 1.5-mile bridge in Maryland city, causing its collapse. As a result of the debris obstructing shipping lanes in the Patapsco River, the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the US East Coast, has been indefinitely closed. Advertisement Six of an eight-man construction crew are believed to have been killed in the incident, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday. With vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore suspended after the accident, experts have warned of knock-on economic effects, especially locally. Baltimore is the biggest vehicle-handling port in the country, including cars and heavy farm equipment, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. About $100 to $200 million in value comes through the port daily. Apart from thousands of workers at the port, Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned in an earlier interview that over 140,000 people could be indirectly impacted by disruptions. Advertisement Carnegie-Brown told CNBC that there would be claims for the ship, cargo and the bridge, but it is the second-order impacts that would become substantial. A lot of business is going to be interrupted, he said, noting that supply chains would be disrupted by ships trapped inside the port and those initially trying to gain access. Those second-order effects will take some time to work through, he added. Advertisement A US government supply chain disruptions task force met on Wednesday to discuss the potential impacts on regional and national supply chains, following the bridge collapse, said a White House statement. Since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the White House and federal agencies have engaged extensively with industry, ocean carriers, ports and labour unions to minimize disruptions as shipments are rerouted while the Port of Baltimore is closed to ship traffic, the White House added. With inputs from agencies. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government wants to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power Canada is looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of the matter of the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday. According to the Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), Trudeau was asked how Indias cooperation is shaping up on the assassination investigation of Nijjar when Canada has credible: allegations and India expects Canada to complete its own investigation first. Advertisement After taking a long pause, the Canadian Prime Minister responded, saying: Were looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened, and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power. Did not declare lightly Trudeau reiterated, The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in that is something that we did not declare lightly, but our responsibility to protect all Canadians from illegal actions by foreign governments is something that, as a country grounded in diversity, we need to take very seriously. Advertisement He went on to say that the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously. Canada ensuring appropriate prove is being done According to a video shared by the CPAC, Trudeau said the Canadian government is ensuring appropriate investigation is being done. Thats why we have been unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring that the appropriate investigations are being done in full accordance with our justice system and our police independence, the Canadian PM said. Advertisement Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder Nijjar, designated as a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. His apparent targeted killing led to accusations from Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing. Advertisement India rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated. However, the incident led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Earlier this month, purported video footage of the killing of Nijjar surfaced, showing he being shot by armed men in what has been described as a contract killing, Canada-based CBC News reported. Advertisement The attack is described as being highly coordinated and involved six men and two vehicles. Its been nine months after the incident, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not been able to name suspects or make arrests in relation to Nijjars killing. As per Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Canada has not been able to present any evidence to back its claims over the killing. With inputs from agencies Seven gunmen suspected in last weeks Moscows concert hall attack predominantly belong to Central Asia, fanning an anti-immigrant sentiment in the country, especially towards Central Asian Muslim labourers from region Suspects from concert hall shooting sitting inside the defendant cage as they wait for the pre-trial detention hearing at the Basmanny District Court in Moscow overnight March 24 and 25, 2024. Source: AFP Kyrgyzstans Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to refrain from travelling to Russia after last weeks deadly mass shooting at a concert hall in Moscow killed over 130 people. A wave of anti-immigrant sentiments sparked in Russia after suspects taken in custody have been predominantly identified as Central Asian. The attack fanned aversion towards migrants, especially towards Muslim labourers from Central Asian countries. Seven suspects originally from Tajikistan and one from Kyrgyzstan have been arrested under terrorism charges and placed under pre-trial detention. Advertisement Not only Kyrgyzstan, but authorities in neighbouring Uzbekistan have issued similar directions to any Uzbek citizens currently in Russia or planning a visit, local media reported. Central Asian countries forewarning citizens In its advisory this week, the foreign ministry of Kyrgyzstan asked citizens with no necessary business to refrain from traveling to Russia and those there to carry documents at all times and comply with Russian regulations following beefed-up security measures and increased border control since the attack. The head of Russias Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, suggested the concert hall attack was an attempt to stir up interreligious tensions in the country. An attempt was made to pit two traditional religions (Christianity and Islam) against each other, an attempt was made to divide people according to religious principles and also pit one against the other. Of course, we cannot allow anything like this, a Russian news agency reported. Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of Central Asians work in Russia, and some have already said it has become tougher for them to do so. Some passengers, for example, refuse to board taxis with Tajik drivers as per a Reuters report. This week, many passengers from Turkmenistans capital were not allowed to board flights to Moscow and were told by immigration officials that this was connected to the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Advertisement Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin, have been quick to try to cool ethnic tensions, pointing the finger instead at Ukraine and the West. Labours have choices, Russia doesnt Since the Ukraine war, the inflow of migrants has almost stopped, Alexandra Prokopenko, an economist and analyst at Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center said. Russia is suffering an overall labour shortage because of the demands of its war in Ukraine, which led it to call up 300,000 reservists to join the army in 2022. Advertisement Fear of being forced to join the Russian army has prompted thousands of labourers to flee the country, in search of better employment opportunities. All these people from Central Asia can go and work in Gulf states, South Korea or Turkey - they can get jobs and there would be no problems with money transfers because of (Western) sanctions, there would be fewer problems in terms of safety and security, and probably local authorities would treat them better than in Russia, Alexandra said. Advertisement A decrease in the number of Central Asian migrant workers could pose challenges for the Russian economy, as it heavily depends on labour in key sectors like construction, retail, and delivery services. China, which acquired the drinking water from glaciers in Tibet, decided to help Maldives tackle the shortage after Chinas Tibet Autonomous Regions Chairman, Yan Jinhais November 2023 visit to the archipelago where he met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu Maldives has received 1,500 tonnes of drinking water from China in the form of a donation as the island nation grapples with a water shortage. China, which acquired the drinking water from glaciers in Tibet, decided to help Maldives tackle the shortage after Chinas Tibet Autonomous Regions Chairman, Yan Jinhais November 2023 visit to the archipelago where he met Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Advertisement The latest donation is a sign of the times as Maldives leans closer to China, especially after Muizzu came to power last year. How was the water procured? Maldives foreign ministry said that during Jihais visit, Male reached a consensus with Beijing, as a result of which transportation of drinking water was arranged by procuring it from Tibets clean, clear and mineral-rich glacial regions. Moreover, Tibet (Xizang in Chinese) Autonomous Region is known to produce high-cost premium brands of water. Glaciers in Tibet are an important water source for South Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, which rely on shared water resources for developmental work, food production and drinking purposes. However, Chinas unhinged favour for the Maldives puts other Asian nations in a spot as Beijing has not signed water-sharing treaties with any of its neighbouring nations. Advertisement Has Maldives received water from India? In 2014, India launched Operation Neer to help the parched Maldives which was battling with an acute water shortage following a massive fire in Males Water and Sewerage Company complex on Dec 4, 2014. Indian aircraft flew multiple sorties (the first aircraft arrived in Male within 12 hours of the request from the Government of Maldives) delivering 375 tonnes of drinking water to the people in Male. Two Indian Ships INS Deepak and INS Shukanya also arrived in Male and delivered around 2000 tonnes of water alleviating the pressure faced by the Maldivians. Advertisement Maldives water crisis The island nation is in the midst of a slurry of environmental problems, threatening the very existence of its residents. Among them, water shortage is one of them. Rising sea levels in the Maldives are drying up drinking water, with many communities reporting going out of potable water. Before Muizzu came to power in November 2023, the countrys erstwhile government had warned of the detrimental effects of water shortage. Advertisement Every island in the Maldives has run out of fresh water, the now-former Environment Minister Shauna Aminath had said at the time of Muizzus victory. Almost all of the 187 inhabited islets in the archipelago depend on expensive desalination plants, she told AFP. Finding ways as to how we protect our islands has been a huge part of how we are trying to adapt to these changes, Aminath said. Tensions between China and the Philippines have flared up in recent months as ships from both sides have clashed in the contested reefs Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons towards a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Reuters China has blamed the Philippines for spurring tensions in the South China Sea just as the island nations President Ferdinand Marcos said that his country would not be cowed into silence by Beijing. Both countries have been engaged in maritime confrontations in the hotly contested South China Sea. The provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue, Beijings defence ministry said in a statement entitled China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully. Advertisement The Defence Ministry added, Relying on the backing of external forces the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international communitys perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road. Philippines will not be cowed into silence In reply to Beijings attacks, the Philippines President Marcos said, We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. He said the Philippines would respond with a countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia. Advertisement Whats going on in the South China Sea? Tensions between China and the Philippines have flared up in recent months as ships from both sides have clashed in the contested reefs. Both the Philippines and China have refused to back down with Manila saying that the most recent conflict is the most serious incident yet for the Philippines. Advertisement A recent incident took place near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands during a regular Philippine mission to resupply Filipino troops garrisoned on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded navy ship. The Philippines said the China Coast Guard blocked its supply vessel and damaged it with water cannon, injuring three soldiers. Advertisement With inputs from AFP Last week, the United States recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control. The Chinese military has rebuked the United States for its assertion that Arunachal Pradesh belongs to India, emphasising that India and China possess mature mechanisms, communication channels and the willingness to address border issues through dialogue and consultations. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for Chinas defence ministry, criticised the United States on Thursday, accusing it of having a poor track record of fuelling disputes between other nations for its interests. Wu Qian stated that the international community is well aware of these actions. This response came following recent statements by the US affirming its recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory. Advertisement The United States recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts by China to advance its territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a senior Biden administration official had said last week. Wu said there are mature mechanisms and communication channels between China and India on border issues. The two sides have the ability and willingness to properly handle the boundary question through dialogue and consultations, he said. He was reacting to the US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patels statement on March 9 stating that the United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control. Advertisement Wu also reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is part of Chinas territory.Zangnan (Chinas official name for Arunachal Pradesh) has been Chinas territory since ancient times. This is an undeniable fact, he said, replying to a Chinese official media question about the External Affairs Ministrys remarks describing Chinas claim as absurd and ludicrous. Where does the so-called Arunachal Pradesh come from? he said. Advertisement With inputs from PTI. A Concord man was convicted by a San Francisco jury of detonating explosives in North Beach and leading police on a high-speed chase last year, prosecutors announced Thursday. seng kui Lim/500 px/Getty Images A Concord man was convicted by a San Francisco jury of detonating explosives in North Beach and leading police on a high-speed chase last year, prosecutors announced Thursday. Daniel Garcia, 42, was found guilty March 20 of three counts of detonating an explosive device, four counts of possession of an explosive device and one count of evading an officer after he was arrested on Oct. 29 in the East Bay, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office said in a news release. Garcia will be sentenced on April 23 and faces up to 14 years in state prison for his crimes, officials said. The court will also hear and rule on an outstanding allegation that Garcia committed these crimes while on bail for another felony charge in another county, the district attorneys office said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to evidence presented at trial in San Francisco Superior Court, Garcia drove from his home in Concord to San Francisco on Oct. 29 to attend the 5 p.m. Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach, officials said. Shortly after receiving Communion at the church, Garcia demanded money from another parishioner and accused him of ripping his shorts, the release said. When the parishioner ignored him, Garcia punched him twice on the side of his head, knocking him unconscious, officials said. The victim did not know Garcia, according to police. Officials testified that Garcia then fled the church and drove away as police arrived and tried to apprehend him. But instead of complying, Garcia slowed his vehicle and tossed a pipe bomb into the path of the officers, officials said. The pipe bomb exploded as Garcia sped away. No officers were injured. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco police officers continued to pursue Garcia on city streets where he ran stop signs and red lights, sped, drove on road shoulders and threw out another pipe bomb, police said. The pursuit continued across the Bay Bridge, where Garcia was tailed by San Francisco police officers, California Highway Patrol vehicles and a helicopter. Garcia was eventually arrested after his wheel gave out in Martinez, officials said. There were no reports of injuries or property damage. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in November, according to prosecutors. Mr. Garcia time and again placed civilians and law enforcement in danger by choosing to construct dangerous explosive devices, transport them to San Francisco, and then explode them on city streets, not to mention assaulting an innocent man while he prayed in church, said Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario, who prosecuted the case. Mr. Garcia has shown no remorse for his actions but the jurys verdict ensures that he will face accountability for his unprompted violent and reckless behavior." Officials testified in court that Garcia referenced the video game Grand Theft Auto when he was eventually arrested. Upon searching his home, officers found the materials he used to make the pipe bombs, they said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Congos security troubles have mounted up due rebel group M23, linked with Rwanda, made significant advances and expanded it territory The security status in Congo has become worse. Source: Reuters Security in Congos mineral-rich east has deteriorated since recent elections, with a rebel group allegedly linked to neighboring Rwanda making significant advances and expanding its territory, the United Nations (UN) special envoy for the conflict-wracked African nation said Wednesday. Bintou Keita told the UN Security Council this has created an even more disastrous humanitarian situation, with internal displacement reaching unparalleled numbers. Advertisement Last month, the United States told Rwanda and Congo that they must walk back from the brink of war, the sharpest warning yet of a looming conflict. US deputy ambassador Robert Wood again condemned the aggressive military incursion into eastern Congo by the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan Defense Force and attacks, including those on UN peacekeepers. He called on the leaders of Rwanda and Congo to make the decision to pursue peace for the sake of their people, the region and the world. Wood described M23 as a group which has perpetrated appalling human rights abuses against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence. He called the international communitys failure to condemn the actions of Rwanda, which is a major troop contributor to UN peacekeeping forces, dismaying and said the UN should reevaluate Rwandas credibility as a constructive partner in peacekeeping. Advertisement The US State Department last month called for the withdrawal of Rwandas troops and surface-to-air missile systems from eastern Congo and criticised M23, calling it a Rwanda-backed armed group. The Rwandan Foreign Ministry said last month that the countrys troops are defending Rwandan territory as Congo carries out a dramatic military build-up near the border. Advertisement The ministrys statement said Rwandas national security is threatened by the presence in Congo of an armed group whose members include alleged perpetrators of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during which more than 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus who tried to protect them were killed. The rebel group, known by its initials FDLR, is fully integrated into the Congolese army, the statement said. Although Rwanda has long cited a threat posed by FDLR, authorities there had never admitted to a military presence in eastern Congo. Advertisement Wood said the US recognises the FDLR is a continuing threat to the Congolese people and a security threat to Rwanda that must be addressed. At Wednesdays council meeting, the Congolese and Rwandan ambassadors again went after each other. Congolese Ambassador Zenon Ngay Mukongo called the M23 and Rwandan forces a coalition of the axis of evil. Advertisement He said a meeting of heads of state is planned for April and Congo is seeking lasting peace throughout the country and that it will not accept window-dressing arrangements aimed at perpetuating insecurity and confusion which encourages the M23 and Rwandas shameless exploitation of strategic minerals in eastern Congo. Rwandan Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo reiterated his governments serious concerns about the FDLR and called for Congo to resolve the security issues involving many rebel groups themselves. We should also raise awareness about the dangers of genocide, the ideology, which has spilled over into the DRC [the Democratic Republic of Congo], he said. Keita, the UN envoy, told the council that mediation by Angola between the countries has resumed. In response to a question afterward by reporters about Wednesdays confrontation between the ambassadors, she said, she strongly believes this mediation and other efforts to reduce tensions should be supported in spite of the displeasure that we saw in the council. US Attorney Damian Williams asserts that a lengthy imprisonment is essential to safeguard the public, citing Bankman-Frieds adeptness in manipulating narratives and potential for further wrongdoing Sam Bankman-Fried, once hailed as a cryptocurrency prodigy, is slated for sentencing on Thursday after being found guilty in a significant financial fraud case. US prosecutors are pushing for a 40-50 year prison term following a New York jurys conviction of Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF, in November. The trial, lasting five weeks, delved into the downfall of the former high roller. Advertisement The prosecution labels Bankman-Frieds conviction on seven counts as indicative of his unmatched greed and hubris. They argue for a substantial jail sentence due to estimated fraud surpassing $10 billion. US Attorney Damian Williams asserts that a lengthy imprisonment is essential to safeguard the public, citing Bankman-Frieds adeptness in manipulating narratives and potential for further wrongdoing. Williams warns of the possibility that Bankman-Fried, if released prematurely, could exploit false narratives to deceive others into parting with their money. This concern is supported by a 113-page legal filing accompanied by testimonials from numerous victims. Calling the governments proposed sentence barbaric, Bankman-Frieds attorneys depicted their client as a diligent young man motivated by philanthropy who got in over his head. Advertisement Their portrayal is similar to the one SBFs defense presented at trial which was quickly rejected by jurors after just five hours of deliberation. Bankman-Fried, 32, should serve about six years in prison, a sentence that returns Sam promptly to a productive role in society, said attorneys led by Marc Mukasey. Advertisement The final sentence will be meted out by US District Judge Lewis Kaplan. Bankman-Fried will be given an opportunity to address the court prior to sentencing. - FTX Implosion - A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a billionaire before the age of 30, Bankman-Fried conquered the crypto world at breakneck speed, turning FTX, a small start-up he cofounded in 2019, into the worlds second largest exchange platform. Advertisement But in November 2022, the FTX empire imploded, unable to cope with massive withdrawal requests from customers panicked to learn that some of the funds stored at the company had been committed to risky operations at Bankman-Frieds personal hedge fund, Alameda Research. During the trial, some of Bankman-Frieds closest associates said that he was key to all the decisions that saw $8 billion vanish from FTX. Advertisement This group included Caroline Ellison, the former Alameda CEO and Bankman-Frieds on-and-off-again girlfriend, who testified that Alameda had stolen around $14 billion from FTX clients and that Bankman-Fried directed me to commit those crimes. Filings from the prosecution and defense offered starkly different takes on Bankman-Fried, the son of two well regarded law professors at tony Stanford University. The lack of contrition is galling, said Williams, who took issue with the image of Bankman-Fried as selfless and altruistic, as championed by the defense, noting he used funds for luxury real estate, donations to rub shoulders with political leaders, a Super Bowl television ad and access to celebrities. The defenses statement describes Bankman-Fried as wracked with remorse over the implosion of FTX. - Recovered funds - Bankman-Frieds attorneys also pointed to statements from FTXs current leaders expressing confidence that FTX customers and creditors would get back their money, saying in the brief, that the harm to customers, lenders and investors is zero. That argument drew a scathing response from FTX Trading Chief Executive John Ray, who said ongoing recoveries of ill-gotten gains do not make up for fraud. That things he stole were successfully recovered through the efforts of a dedicated group of professionals does not mean the things were not stolen, Ray said in a letter to the court. What it means is that we got some of them back. The recoveries are not likely to significantly affect the sentencing, said Jacob Frenkel, an attorney at Dickinson Wright who previously worked at the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The sentencing determinant is not about a speculative return of funds, Frenkel said. It is about what was the fraud when he was convicted. Frenkel said he would be shocked by a sentence under 20 years, in part because of the need for the judge to send a strong signal that fraud in the emerging cryptocurrency sector will be taken as seriously as any other. With inputs from AFP The deal will ease trade barriers between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc. However, there are several concerns about environmental damage and labour conditions During the last day of his diplomatic trip to Brazil, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the potential free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the South American bloc Mercosur is a very bad deal. Macron said that the deal has nothing that takes into consideration the subject of biodiversity and climate; nothing. He said, lets forge a new deal in light of our goals and reality, a trade deal that is responsible for development, climate and biodiversity. Advertisement Heres a look at what the EU-Mercosur agreement is proposing, why it is facing opposition, and its significance for the EU. Provisions of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement The EU-Mercosur Association Agreement would ease and promote trade between the 27-member European group, and Mercosur a South American economic and political bloc founded by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Primarily, the EU-Mercosur deal would get rid of high tariffs that Mercosur levies on European import products like cars, machinery, information and communications technology equipment, textiles, spirits, and wine. It also has provisions relating to the non-tariff barriers to trade in goods, government procurement, improving access to raw materials essential to the EU economy. That could mean an increased import of agricultural produce. Advertisement It will become easier for Mercosur to export to the EU, as well. Its a big deal for EU The Association Agreement with Mercosur is a big deal for the EU, not just commercially, but also geopolitically. The EU represents around 450 million people, while the Mercosur bloc has over 260 million people. According to one measure, the new free trade area would amount to around 20 percent of the worlds gross domestic product (GDP). Advertisement The Mercosur deal would also allow the EU to build a stronghold in South America. The region was traditionally not a high priority for the European bloc. Yet, in recent times, it has gained strategic importance. That is because the EU has been on the hunt for allies amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the rising tensions between the United States and China. Advertisement The controversy around the EU-Mercosur agreement The EU-Mercosur Association Agreement has been in the works since 1999. It took two decades for the deal to be finalised. That was in 2019. However, the agreement is yet to be ratified by the European Parliament, the directly elected legislative body of the 27-member EU. Advertisement The deal has remained controversial, with several activists, experts, and groups ringing the alarm bells on the adverse consequences for the environment and human rights: Critics say that the deal would increase deforestation and the destruction in South America, especially in the Amazon forests. The EU-Mercosur agreement would boost the demand for beef, soy and ethanol made from sugarcane for export to Europe. With a rise in the demand for land for producing these goods, a rise is expected in the forest fires to clear the ground in the Mercosur countries If ratified, the EU-Mercosur agreement will boost exports of toxic pesticides to Mercosur, hampering biodiversity and food safety. Another concern when it comes to food safety is that the foods containing pesticides that are prohibited in Europe could make their way to the EUs markets by way of imports from the Mercosur region. Although the deal mentions labour rights, it does not include any binding human and labour rights standards on the Mercosur bloc. It also lacks binding rules on corporate accountability in case of violations. Critics say that the deal would increase indigenous land-confiscation and unfair competition against sustainable farming. Farmers in France, Ireland and a couple other regions have also expressed reservations about the EU-Mercosur deal. French farmers have objected to the prospect that it could allow imports of agricultural products, notably beef, that do not meet strict EU standards. In Ireland, the Irish Farmers Association claims the agreement will decimate the Irish beef market by allowing cheaper South American cuts into the EU. The European Ombudsman has criticised the EUs executive arm, the European Commission, for not finalising the sustainability assessment on the deal before concluding negotiations. Whether the deal will make it through despite the staunch opposition from Macron, some Green and Left parties, and activists, remains to be seen. With inputs from agencies Pakistan and China are close friends and iron brothers. We have no doubt that the Bisham terror attack was orchestrated by the enemies of Pakistan-China friendship, said Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Pakistan on Thursday said that it has no doubt that heinous Bisham terror attack which killed five Chinese nationals was orchestrated by the enemies of Pakistan-China friendship and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. Addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan was in contact with the Chinese government regarding the attack. Advertisement Pakistan and China are close friends and iron brothers. We have no doubt that the Bisham terror attack was orchestrated by the enemies of Pakistan-China friendship, PTI quoted her as saying without identifying the enemies. At least five Chinese nationals, working on the Dasu hydropower project, and the driver of the vehicle they were travelling in were killed on Tuesday when an explosives-packed vehicle rammed into their bus in Shangla district in the troubled Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, in the second suicide attack on the personnel working on the China-backed hydropower project since 2021. Baloch said that Pakistan is fully committed to bringing terrorists, and their facilitators and abettors to justice. Such despicable attacks further strengthen Pakistans resolve in combating terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations, the spokesperson said. She said that Pakistan and China would together resolutely act against terrorists and defeat them. Pakistan will continue to work with our Chinese brothers in ensuring the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan, she said. Advertisement On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a thorough joint investigation into the deadly terrorist attack on Chinese nationals after Beijing pressed Islamabad to speed up the hunt for the perpetrators and take effective steps to protect Chinese personnel working in the country. Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects under the aegis of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Advertisement With inputs from agencies Putin on Wednesday explicitly denied that Russia had designs on any NATO member, but his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made Western countries nervous that he could seek to restore Moscows control of much of the former Soviet Union or go even further. 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. Photo- AP The head of Estonias military General Martin Herem Thursday emphasised the urgency for his country to double defence spending within the next two years to acquire sufficient munitions to counter any potential Russian invasion. General Herem underscored that neither the threat of a nuclear response nor the potential for significant casualties would dissuade President Vladimir Putin from launching an attack on Estonia, a small Baltic neighbour of Russia. He emphasized the importance of swiftly repelling any invasion force to prevent devastating consequences for Estonia. Advertisement If you show your face over my border, the decisive victory must come very quickly: not by months and years, but days and weeks," Herem said in an interview in Japan, where he was meeting defence officials. If we believe that it may come in three years, then we have to make decisions today. Putin on Wednesday explicitly denied that Russia had designs on any NATO member, but his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made Western countries nervous that he could seek to restore Moscows control of much of the former Soviet Union or go even further. Estonia, once a Soviet republic, has already increased its defence budget to around 3% of gross domestic product, a leader among members of the U.S.-led NATO alliance, since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Advertisement Its Foreign Intelligence Service said last month that Russia was preparing for a military confrontation with the West within the next decade and was set to double the number of forces stationed along its border with the Baltic states and Finland. Other NATO countries are reinforcing their presence in the Baltic states; Germany plans to have 4,800 combat-ready troops in the region by 2027, its first permanent foreign deployment since World War Two. Advertisement Herem said he had spoken to Japanese defence ministry officials in Tokyo about acquiring components that could help Estonia build defence equipment more cheaply. Although pacifist Japan has strict curbs on defence exports, it has fewer restrictions on commercially available components that can also be used in military equipment. That, said Herem, could include earthquake sensors being used to detect approaching Russian tanks. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters. Israel claims that Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters have operated out of Gaza hospitals, utilizing medical personnel, patients, and internally displaced individuals as cover. The Palestinian organizations have refuted these accusations Israel's military claimed to have hit numerous targets in Gaza on the preceding day, while the health ministry in the territory controlled by Hamas announced the deaths of sixty-two more people Image Courtesy AP Street battles raged Thursday near a hospital in besieged Gaza, where the dire humanitarian crisis and surging death count have caused tensions between Israel and top ally the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to be trying to soothe a rift with US President Joe Biden with plans to send a government delegation to Washington after earlier cancelling the trip. Advertisement In besieged Gaza, where tensions between Israel and its main supporter, the United States, have been stoked by the catastrophic humanitarian situation and rising death toll, street fights erupted on Thursday near a hospital. With the decision to send a government delegation to Washington after originally postponing the trip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to be attempting to mend fences with US President Joe Biden. In besieged Gaza, where tensions between Israel and its main supporter, the United States, have been stoked by the catastrophic humanitarian situation and rising death toll, street fights erupted on Thursday near a hospital. With the decision to send a government delegation to Washington after originally postponing the trip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to be attempting to mend fences with US President Joe Biden. Advertisement Israels military claimed to have hit numerous targets in Gaza on the preceding day, while the health ministry in the territory controlled by Hamas announced the deaths of sixty-two more people. Israel claims that Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters have operated out of Gaza hospitals, utilizing medical personnel, patients, and internally displaced individuals as cover. The Palestinian organizations have refuted these accusations. Advertisement Israel reported that its forces were conducting targeted raids on terrorist infrastructure and are eliminating dozens of terrorists using precise fire in close-quarters combat and with air support in the vicinity of Al-Amal. The army said that they had also apprehended dozens of terrorists in the area who were transferred for interrogations. Advertisement The Gaza health ministry claimed that although Israeli tanks and armored vehicles had gathered around the Nasser Hospital, another medical facility in Khan Yunis, they had not yet carried out a full-scale raid. The largest hospital in the area, Al-Shifa Hospital, is located in a neighborhood of Gaza City that has seen fighting as well. Since early last week, the army claims to have killed some 200 militants there. Advertisement (With agency inputs) Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Macron stated, I want us to open the chapter for new submarinesthat we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all non-proliferation commitments. You want it, France will be at your side French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Brazil on Wednesday as the South American nation pursues the development of nuclear-powered submarines. However, Macron stopped short of announcing specific collaboration on nuclear propulsion technology, a request made by Brazil. Speaking at the launch of a conventionally powered Franco-Brazilian submarine in Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro, Macron stated, I want us to open the chapter for new submarines that we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all non-proliferation commitments. You want it, France will be at your side. Advertisement The occasion marked the unveiling of Brazils third French-designed submarine, aimed at enhancing the countrys maritime security along its extensive coastline, often referred to as the Blue Amazon. The construction of these submarines stems from a 2008 agreement between former Brazilian President Lula and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The deal also included the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters. Additionally, Brazil is in the process of constructing its first nuclear-powered submarine, named the Alvaro Alberto. If successful, Brazil would become the first nation outside the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to possess such technology. The French naval defense manufacturer Naval Group is supporting the design and construction of the submarine, except for the nuclear boiler which is being designed by the Brazilians. Advertisement Brasilia has been trying to convince Paris to increase technology transfers to help it integrate the reactor into the submarine and sell it equipment linked to nuclear propulsion. France has been reticent to transfer such technology due to the challenges of nuclear proliferation. There are discussions on the possibility of France cooperating with us, including on nuclear energy, nuclear fuel, according to the European head of Brazilian diplomacy, Maria Luisa Escorel de Moraes, who recognizes that it is a strategic, sensitive, delicate matter. Advertisement The project has suffered significant delays, mainly due to budget constraints, and the nuclear sub is now expected to be launched between 2036 and 2037, according to the Brazilian navy. Macron is on a whirlwind tour of Brazil, a major economic ally, which kicked off Tuesday with the launch of a plan to raise over a billion dollars in green investments to protect the Brazilian and Guyanese Amazon. Advertisement The visit, the first by a French president to Latin Americas economic giant in over a decade, is also a move to reset ties which had deteriorated significantly under former president Jair Bolsonaro. With inputs from AFP The database is designed to serve as an online repository, empowering the Secretariat, Missions, and member states to monitor and address cases of malicious acts against peacekeepers, a press release by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said Indias UN representative, Ruchira Kamboj, revealed Thursday the launch of a new database aimed at documenting crimes against UN peacekeepers and tracking advancements in holding perpetrators responsible. Kamboj emphasised Indias commitment to promoting accountability and highlighted its leadership role in the Group of Friends (GOF) dedicated to this cause. The announcement of the databases launch was made during a high-level meeting of the India-led GOF on Tuesday. Kamboj stated, Delighted to announce the launch of a new database designed to record crimes against Peacekeepers & monitor progress in holding perpetrators accountable. India is at the forefront of advocating for accountability, leading the Group of Friends dedicated to this cause, in a post on social media platform X. Advertisement The database is designed to serve as an online repository, empowering the Secretariat, Missions, and member states to monitor and address cases of malicious acts against peacekeepers, a press release by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said. This database, sponsored by India, is hosted on the Unite Aware platform and is poised to facilitate comprehensive analysis and drive effective strategies for promoting accountability, it said. During the meeting, Kamboj highlighted the GOFs progress over the past year, emphasising the insights gained into challenges surrounding accountability, particularly in strengthening the rule of law within Mission areas. She expressed confidence in leveraging these insights to enact impactful measures advancing accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. The GOF was launched by India in 2022 to promote accountability for crimes against the Blue Helmets during its presidency of the UN Security Council. Advertisement India, Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal are co-chairs of the GOF, which comprises 40 member states. The GOFs second meeting on Tuesday was focused on strategies to strengthen legal frameworks against perpetrators of malicious acts targeting peacekeepers, focusing on supporting measures for ensuring accountability. The meetings agenda also featured a substantive discussion on providing legal frameworks to support the concept of accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. Advertisement Professor Bimal Patel, a distinguished member of the International Law Commission and Vice Chancellor of the Rashtriya Raksha University, shared expert insights on the topic. Member states engaged in fruitful deliberations on practical approaches to assist host state rule of law institutions in prosecuting perpetrators, ensuring justice for peacekeepers. The high-level meeting of the GOF serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of member states, spearheaded by India, towards promoting accountability and upholding the safety and dignity of peacekeepers worldwide, the press release said. Advertisement With inputs from PTI A day after the huge container ship Dali, flying the flag of Singapore, reported losing power and maneuverability before crashing into a bridge support pylon, new information regarding the deadly accident came to light The majority of the bridge nearly instantly collapsed into the Patapsco River mouth due to the impact, obstructing shipping channels and necessitating the permanent closure of the Port of Baltimore, which is among the busiest on the US Eastern Seaboard Image Courtesy AFP The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced today that one of the twenty Indian nationals on board a cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, had gotten stitches before he could board the damaged ship again. There were 20 Indian crew members. One was injured. He was treated, and given stitches. He has now returned to the ship, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters today. Advertisement A day after the huge container ship Dali, flying the flag of Singapore, reported losing power and maneuverability before crashing into a bridge support pylon, new information regarding the deadly accident came to light. The majority of the bridge nearly instantly collapsed into the Patapsco River mouth due to the impact, obstructing shipping channels and necessitating the permanent closure of the Port of Baltimore, which is among the busiest on the US Eastern Seaboard. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team boarded the idled freighter earlier on Wednesday in order to start interviewing the 21 regular crew members and the ships two pilots. Although there is no risk to the public, 56 of the 4,700 cargo containers on the ship were filled with dangerous goods. During the collision, two containers flew overboard, but they were empty of dangerous contents. More than 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil were on board the ship. Advertisement (With inputs from agencies) The prime ministers office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah. So were now working with them to set (a) convenient date, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday Palestinians search for bodies at a house hit by an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Wednesday. AP After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly cancelled a planned meeting on military plans for Gazas southern city of Rafah earlier this week, Israel has asked the White House to reschedule the high-level meeting in an apparent bid to ease tensions between the two allies. The prime ministers office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah, Reuters quoted White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre as saying on Wednesday. Advertisement So were now working with them to set (a) convenient date, she added. Netanyahu called off a planned visit to Washington by a senior Israeli delegation after the US allowed passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations on Monday, marking a new war-time low in his relations with President Joe Biden. The suspension of meeting had put a new obstacle in the way of efforts by the US, concerned about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to get Netanyahu to consider alternatives to a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for Palestinian civilians. According to a Reuters report, an Israeli official in Washington confirmed that the new meeting was being arranged and said Netanyahu was considering sending his delegation as early as next week. Advertisement There was no immediate comment from Netanyahus office, added the report. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held wide-ranging discussions with senior US officials this week and sought to lower the temperature between the two governments. Gallant, though not part of Netanyahus inner circle, is a key architect of the campaign against Hamas in retaliation for the militants 7 October rampage that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Israels military response has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. Advertisement The Israeli team will still be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, two of Netanyahus close confidants, according to a person familiar with the matter. The talks are expected to focus on Israels threatened offensive in Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. Advertisement State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday, We do, when asked if the US believes a limited military campaign in Rafah can take out remaining commanders of the Palestinian militant group. The White House said last week it intended to share with Israeli officials alternatives for eliminating Hamas remaining battalions in Rafah without a full-scale ground invasion that Washington says would be a disaster. Advertisement The threat of such an offensive has increased differences between close allies the United States and Israel, and raised questions about whether the US might restrict military aid if Netanyahu defies Biden and presses ahead anyway. Biden, running for re-election in November, faces pressure not just from Americas allies but from a growing number of fellow Democrats to rein in the Israeli military response in Gaza. Bidens decision to abstain at the UN, coming after months of mostly adhering to longtime US policy of shielding Israel at the world body, appeared to reflect growing US frustration with the Israeli leader. Netanyahu issued a stinging rebuke, calling the US move a clear retreat from its previous position and would hurt Israels war efforts and negotiations to free more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza. US officials said at the time that the Biden administration was perplexed by Netanyahus decision and considered it an overreaction, insisting there had been no change in policy. With inputs from agencies Supporters of Maria and Benison Tran hold signs with photographs of the slain couple Wednesday outside the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. Rachel Swan / The Chronicle An Alameda County prosecutor tried Wednesday to reduce the charges against a former sheriffs deputy who allegedly shot and killed a married couple at their home in Dublin, telling a judge that he was following directions from supervisors in District Attorney Pamela Prices office. But Judge Paul Delucchi denied prosecutor Ted McGarveys request to strike down the special circumstances allegations and enhancements meant to extend prison time for Devin Williams Jr., who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder for the execution-style shooting on Sept. 7, 2022. I understand where youre coming from, Delucchi told McGarvey, noting that the judicial branch has discretion to overturn requests from a district attorney. It was not immediately clear whether the DA would file a new complaint at the end of the preliminary hearing that began Wednesday afternoon in the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The exchange could shift the course of a high-profile double-murder case that jolted multiple law enforcement agencies in the East Bay, becoming a test for a progressive district attorney who has pledged to decrease prison sentences and focus on second chances particularly for defendants under 25 years old. Williams was 24 at the time of the shooting of Maria and Benison Tran. Her predecessor, Nancy OMalley, had tacked gun and weapon enhancements onto the murder counts in addition to two special circumstances, one for committing multiple murders and the other for murdering Benison Tran in order to escape police and evade a lawful arrest. In trying to whittle down the allegations, Price may have sought to spare Williams from a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Outraged family members of the victims accused Price, who is facing a recall attempt, of being soft on crime and trying to curry favor with law enforcement, given Williams former job as a sheriffs deputy. He is a murderer he should get no special treatment because he was a deputy sheriff, said Jennie Wong, sister of Maria Tran. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wong spoke reporters in front of the Hall of Justice, where supporters had put up signs with photographs of Maria and her husband, Benison, accompanied by angry slogans. Pamela Price soft on murderers, one said. Re-instate special circumstances, another read. This is an unthinkable tragedy for the Tran family, Price said in a statement Wednesday, noting that the two murder charges carry a potential sentence of 50 years to life. There is nothing I can say that will relieve the pain and anger theyre feeling with the loss of their loved ones, the statement continued. What I can say, she concluded, is those two counts of murder could put Williams behind bars for decades, at a minimum, if he is convicted on all charges. Wednesdays court proceeding included emotional testimony from Dalton Tran, who was visiting his sister Maria Tran at her home in a Dublin Ranch subdivision when an assailant who Dalton Tran identified in court as Williams showed up shortly after midnight. Barely making eye contact with the prosecutor, Dalton Tran described how Maria Trans husband, Benison Tran, woke him in the middle of the night, asking him to call 911. Williams was standing in the doorway of the master bedroom, holding a gun, Dalton Tran said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As audience members in the courtroom sobbed, Dalton Tran described how Maria begged for her life during an altercation that quickly turned violent. At one point, McGarvey played audio from a 911 call in which Benison Tran speaks to a dispatcher over shouting in the background followed by the staccato pop of gunshots. According to Dalton Tran, Williams stood over Benison and Maria, roughly a foot away when he shot them. Dublin police officers arrived at 12:45 a.m. to a chilling scene at the house on Colebrook Lane, where the married couple lay unresponsive on the floor while Dalton Tran desperately tried to do chest compressions. The couples 16-year-old son was home and witnessed the murder, Dalton Tran said on the stand. Williams had fled and was arrested hours later by California Highway Patrol officers in Fresno County. He told detectives he had discarded the gun somewhere in the Altamont Pass area, about 25 minutes east of Dublin. Records show Williams is being held without bail in Santa Rita Jail. He wore a suit and surgical mask to the court hearing. Marvin Lew, a defense attorney representing Williams, cross-examined Dalton Tran on Wednesday, focusing on the possibility that Maria Tran and Williams had a romantic relationship, which Dalton denied. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The preliminary hearing, which will continue Thursday, is a proceeding in which the prosecution presents witnesses and evidence for a judge to decide whether there is sufficient proof to bring the case to trial. The standard of probable cause at these hearings is significantly lower than the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt to bring a guilty verdict. Families of both Maria and Benison Tran have filed a wrongful death suit against Williams, Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, her predecessor Greg Ahern, the sheriffs office and the county. That lawsuit is moving forward separately in Alameda County civil court. When court wrapped up Wednesday, Wong stood outside and spoke with media in the drizzling rain, expressing satisfaction with the judges decision. She said she hoped it would send a message to Price to drop the motion. The military junta has been involved in public executions of resistance fighters, and has burned down entire villages. The brutality is aimed at terrorising people to control them Myanmar's military junta has ramped up the war of terror on its people in an attempt to maintain control. Source: AP The tide is turning against the junta in Myanmar. Increasingly being backed into the corner, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing military regime has ramped up its brutal tactics to terrorise the people into submission. Military junta losing ground Resistance from long-established ethnic rebel groups refuses to die down. In October, an ethnic minority fighters alliance captured territory in the Northern Shan state and took control of lucrative trade routes to China. Advertisement The dozens of pro-democracy Peoples Defence Forces (PDFs) that have sprung up more recently are also hammering down hard on the militarys rule. These PDFs have been battling the military across the country for the past half year. Dwindling troops There are mass casualties among the ranks of the junta. Reports of military personnel surrendering or defecting have become more commonplace. To add to the depleting troop numbers are the recruitment challenges. Last month, the situation forced the junta to implement a new military service law. That legislation allowed them to summon all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 for a two-year service. The announcement, which was recently defended by Gen Hlaing as a necessary measure, caused thousands of potential recruits to try fleeing the country. Advertisement Power that Gen Hlaing took from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 is now slipping out of his fists. Attempts at controlling the narrative The junta is trying hard to keep the narrative in its favour. Gen Hlaing, addressing an annual Armed Forces Day parade broadcast on Myanmar TV on Wednesday, said that the junta was holding onto power temporarily with the aim of strengthening democracy. Advertisement He claimed that the armed groups were trying to derail election plans. In fact, it is the junta that keeps extending a state of emergency, in turn preventing elections from taking place. Gen Hlaings regime has also not suggested any schedule to hold the polls, even though it repeatedly pledges to conduct fair elections. Advertisement Then there is the blame-game with unnamed foreign powers. The ruling General said his opponents have foreign backing. He claims that their aim is to destroy the country and hamper the plans to go back to democratic rule. In his address on Wednesday, he also urged the international community not to support the resistance forces. Advertisement The international pressure, including from the United Nations, is growing. In his speech, he also alleged that the nations youth were not joining the resistance against the armys rule because they want democracy, but because they were being tricked. He accused the ethnic armed groups of engaging in drug trafficking, natural resources smuggling, and illegal gambling, in an attempt to paint his enemies as the countrys enemies. But that is not all. Armys brutality rising in attempt to crush dissent The nationwide resistance has got the military with its back against the wall. In an attempt to divide and rule the citizens, they are terrorising people a lot more. According to a report by CNN, the junta and its allied forces have indulged in public executions including burning rebels alive and beheading them. Those in the resistance forces have also been subject to mutilations. Chilling accounts show that the military has destroyed entire villages, torching them or subjecting them to a widespread aerial bombing campaign. Nearly three million people in Myanmar have been displaced. With inputs from agencies These lists contain individuals who have not been reached by their relatives since the terrorist attack, yet are not included in the roster of injured or deceased, stated reports. Some of these individuals may have perished but remain unidentified Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry clear rubble at the Crocus City Hall concert venue after a deadly attack, outside Moscow, Russia, March 23, 2024. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Recent report from a Russian news outlet revealed that as many as 95 individuals remain unaccounted for after a violent attack near Moscow last week. During the assault, gunmen indiscriminately fired automatic weapons at concert attendees and set the venue ablaze. Official figures state that 140 people lost their lives in the tragic incident, with an additional 182 individuals sustaining injuries. However, according to Baza news service, which maintains reliable connections within Russian security and law enforcement, emergency services have received appeals from relatives seeking information about missing loved ones, resulting in the compilation of lists. Advertisement These lists contain individuals who have not been reached by their relatives since the terrorist attack, yet are not included in the roster of injured or deceased, stated Baza. Some of these individuals may have perished but remain unidentified. Russian investigators have determined that the attack involved four perpetrators armed with Kalashnikov automatic weapons. Evidence collected from the scene indicates the discharge of over 500 rounds during the assault. The shooting began shortly before the Soviet-era rock group Picnic was set to play to a full house of 6,200 people. More than 200 people could have been in the blazing building moments before the roof collapsed, Baza reported on Saturday, citing emergency service sources who reviewed surveillance footage. Russian social media channels have been flooded in the days since the shooting with appeals to help find victims. Advertisement Gathering in a Telegram chat called Crocus. Help Centre, friends and relatives shared names of missing concertgoers and offered support. Was there anyone on the list named Igor Valentinovich Klimenchenko?, one user wrote on Saturday night. Can someone send the list of victims? The name Klimenchenko was not on the list of confirmed dead published by Russias emergencies ministry. Advertisement VERY WORRIED Another person wrote in the same chat that their uncle worked not far from Crocus and hadnt been in touch since the attack. Im very worried, the nephew wrote on Saturday night. Local media in the Bryansk region, southwestern Russia, reported on Wednesday that a woman was still searching for her son, Dmitry Bashlykov, a schoolteacher in Moscow who went to the Picnic concert with a friend who managed to escape. Advertisement Bashlykovs name was not on the emergencies ministry list. Several missing persons have since been confirmed dead, like 15-year-old Arseny, who went to the concert with his mother, Irina Vedeneyeva. The SHOT Telegram channel on Sunday published a photo of Arseny that it said he sent his grandmother shortly before the concert began, along with appeals from the grief-stricken pensioner to help find him. His mother had already been confirmed dead, SHOT said. Advertisement In the photo, Arseny stands in a black hooded sweatshirt in front of a poster for Picnic, which SHOT said was his favourite band. On Monday, the channel wrote that Arsenys body had been found and identified by his relatives. The names of both mother and son are on the list of confirmed dead published by Russias emergencies ministry. With inputs from Reuters Chioma Okoli, 39-year-old Nigerian business woman, on September 17 shared a post of her Facebook account with 18,000 followers reviewing tomato puree substitute - Ericsos Nagiko Tomato Mix - that she had recently purchased Its common to offer reviews after using a new product, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. A Nigerian woman followed this routine after purchasing a tin of tomato puree she didnt enjoy. However, she now finds herself incarcerated as a consequence of her review. Wondering why? Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old Nigerian woman pregnant with her fourth child, on September 17 shared a post on her Facebook account with 18,000 followers reviewing tomato puree substitute - Ericsos Nagiko Tomato Mix - that she had recently purchased Advertisement She even shared a picture of an opened can of the product. Sugar is just too much In her review, the businesswoman from Lagos said she tasted it and found it to be too sweet, writing, Sugar is just too much! She is now charged with conspiring to instigate public criticism against Erisco Foods. She faces potential imprisonment with the most severe charge leading to a seven-year prison sentence, and civil lawsuits over her comments. What did she say? I went to buy Tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew, I didnt see Gino and Sonia, so I decided to buy this one. When I opened it, I decided to taste it omo! Sugar is just too much! she said. She even sought opinions from people on her Facebook about a better tomato puree. Advertisement Her post sparked varied reactions from social media users with one replying: Stop spoiling my brothers product. If (you) dont like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service. Responding to it, she said: Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and its pure sugar. Advertisement A week later, on September 24, she was arrested. Treatment she met in prison I was put in the cell around 6 pm (on September 24). There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water (that came in from the leaking roof). Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up, the CNN report quoted Okoli as saying. Advertisement On September 25, Okoli was flown to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and held at a police station until her release on administrative bail was finalised a day later. In a statement on March 7, police claimed their preliminary investigation yielded compelling evidence against her. Charges against her Reacting to Okolis post, Erisco Foods Ltd said it had come across a Facebook post by one Chioma Egodi Jnr on September 17, 2023, alleging that Nagiko Tomato Mix, one of the three tomato paste variants of Erisco Foods Limited, contains an unhealthy amount of sugar and therefore not fit for human consumption." Advertisement We will take all necessary actions against any malicious attack on our reputation. Okoli is being prosecuted and sued in civil court for allegedly breaching the countrys cybercrime laws. She was charged with instigating Erisco Foods Limited, knowing the said information to be false under Section 24 (1) (B) of Nigerias Cyber Crime Prohibition Act. If found guilty, she could face up to three years in jail or a fine of 7 million naira (around $5,000), or both. She was separately charged with conspiring with two other individuals with the intention of instigating people against Erisco Foods Limited, which the charge sheet noted was punishable under Section 27(1)(B) of the same act. She risks a seven-year sentence if convicted of this charge. The case has gripped the West African nation and sparked protests by locals who believe she is being persecuted for exercising her right to free speech. Okoli is also being sued in a separate civil case filed by Erisco, which in a statement issued on January 19 said it was defending its reputation after her comments resulted in several suppliers deciding to disassociate themselves from us. A report by CNN quoted Okolis lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, saying the food company informed that it also suffered the loss of multiple credit lines and had therefore filed a civil lawsuit against Okoli that sought 5 billion naira (more than $3 million) in damages. This case is due to be heard on May 20. Pakistan-India trade relations have been non-existent since 2019 when India took illegal steps in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. There is no change in Pakistans position on it, said Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Days after new Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in London that Pakistan will seriously consider restoring trade ties with India, Pakistan on Thursday clarified that it has no plan to resume trade with India which has remained suspended since August 2019. To a question on reports about the possibility of resumption of trade ties with India during a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, Pakistan-India trade relations have been non-existent since 2019 when India took illegal steps in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. There is no change in Pakistans position on it. Advertisement The trade between the two countries have been non-existent since 2019 after the Indian government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated it into centrally-administered Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. During a press conference in London on March 23, Foreign Minister Dar highlighted the eagerness of Pakistans business community to resume trade activities with India, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic stance towards its neighbouring nation. Pakistan downgraded its ties with India after the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 on August 5, 2019, a decision that Islamabad believed undermined the environment for holding talks between the neighbours. Pakistan has been insisting that the onus of improving the ties was on India and urging it to undo its unilateral steps in Kashmir as a sort of pre-condition to start the talks. Advertisement India has dismissed the suggestion and made it clear to Pakistan that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were integral and inalienable parts of the country. New Delhi has also asserted that the constitutional measures taken by the Indian government to ensure socio-economic development and good governance in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are matters internal to India. Advertisement It has been maintaining that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan while insisting that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment that is free of terror and hostility for such an engagement. With inputs from agencies Hamas has rejected the formation of the new government as illegitimate, calling instead for all Palestinian factions, including Fatah, to form a power-sharing government ahead of national elections. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced Thursday the formation of a new cabinet, in which he will also assume the role of foreign minister. Interior Minister Ziad Hab al-Rih, a member of Abbas secular Fatah movement, retains his position from the previous government. He oversees the security forces. Meanwhile, Ashraf al-Awar, the incoming minister for Jerusalem affairs, ran as a Fatah candidate in the indefinitely postponed 2021 elections. While at least five of the 23 incoming ministers are from Gaza, it remains unclear if they are currently in the territory. Advertisement President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades, remains in overall control. He officially announced the new government via a presidential decree on Thursday. Notably, none of the incoming ministers are prominent figures. The PA administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Its forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007, and it has no power there. It has little popular support or legitimacy among Palestinians, in part because it has not held elections in 18 years. Its policy of cooperating with Israel on security matters is extremely unpopular and has led many Palestinians to view it as a subcontractor of the occupation. Opinion polls in recent years have consistently found that a vast majority of Palestinians want the 88-year-old Abbas to resign. The United States has called for a revitalized PA to administer postwar Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. Advertisement Israel has rejected that idea, saying it will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with Palestinians who are not affiliated with the PA or Hamas. Its unclear who in Gaza would be willing to take on such a role. Hamas has rejected the formation of the new government as illegitimate, calling instead for all Palestinian factions, including Fatah, to form a power-sharing government ahead of national elections. Advertisement It has warned Palestinians in Gaza against cooperating with Israel to administer the territory, saying anyone who does will be treated as a collaborator, which is understood as a death threat. With inputs from agencies. NGO Memorial, which labeled Farafonov as a political prisoner, stated that he resided in a small town in the region and managed a channel on the Telegram messaging service openly critical of the conflict A Russian court sentenced Nikolai Farafonov, 35, to six years in prison for posting online messages condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine, signaling Moscows crackdown on public dissent regarding the conflict. Farafonov was convicted of public incitement to commit terrorist acts by a military court in Russias northern Komi region, according to local media reports. Prosecutors accused him of sharing videos and messages urging the burning of military recruitment offices. Advertisement Since the onset of the war two years ago, there have been numerous arson attacks or attempted attacks on such premises across Russia. NGO Memorial, which labeled Farafonov as a political prisoner, stated that he resided in a small town in the region and managed a channel on the Telegram messaging service openly critical of the conflict. On this channel, Memorial noted Farafonovs references to Russian soldiers deaths in Ukraine, alongside critiques of political repression and patriotic pro-Kremlin education in schools, among other local issues. Farafonov had previously been fined in October 2022 for discrediting the army after an online commentary, which Memorial asserted referenced the deaths of Ukrainian children at the hands of Russian forces. Despite the fine Farafonov continued to publish critical messages until he was arrested last September for calls for terrorism. Thousands of Russians have been fined and hundreds jailed for denouncing President Vladimir Putins attack on neighbouring Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022. Advertisement With inputs from AFP The monk was found guilty on two indictments filed by the Attorney General linked to complaints filed with the Criminal Investigations Department by former Governor Azath Salley, and former parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman, according to media reports. A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, known for his hardline views was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment on Thursday for making Islamophobic remarks in 2016. The High Court also fined Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, aged 49 Rs. 100,000. The charges stem from comments he made at a press conference in March 2016, during a period when he was actively involved in an anti-Muslim campaign that began in 2012. Advertisement During his last court appearance in mid-February, Gnanasara apologized to the Muslim community for any distress his public comments may have caused. However, the High Court determined that his remarks had contributed to religious and communal discord. Gnanasara, who led the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or the forces of Buddhist Power, was found guilty of promoting religious and communal disunity. In 2018, Gnanasara was arrested for contempt of court but later won a presidential pardon. He later explained that he was not against the Muslim minority but was unhappy about the conduct of the Sinhala majority politicians for not addressing the communitys concerns. He was trying to address them through the BBS movement. Advertisement The monk was found guilty on two indictments filed by the Attorney General linked to complaints filed with the Criminal Investigations Department by former Governor Azath Salley, and former parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman, according to media reports. With inputs from PTI. The new Constitution of the West African nation proposes the president to be elected by lawmakers for a six-year term rather than directly by the public The small West African nation of Togo has earlier this week passed a new Constitution that would give Parliament the power to elect its President without debate until 2031 without the participation of citizens. Activists and opposition leaders have called on protests to oppose the legislation, which is yet to be signed by President Faure Gnassingbe, calling it a constitutional coup and move to extend his grip on power. Advertisement The vote comes less than a month before the next legislative elections in Togo, and was approved with 89 votes in favour, one against, and one abstention. It is unclear when the change would come into force. Togo has been ruled by the same family for around 57 years. The current President who has been in power since 2005 was passed on the Presidential seat by his father Eyadema Gnassingbe. The opposition described his election to power as a sham. Heres why Togos opposition doesnt want the President to sign its new Constitution 1- It would grant the Togolese parliament the power to choose the President, scraping elections by citizens. This means Gnassingbe would be reelected for six years when his mandate expires in 2025. 2- The new Constitution also adds another year to the current five-year term of the president. Advertisement If signed, the nearly 20 years that Gnassingbe has been in power would not be counted in tally, meaning he will begin a new 6-year term until 2031. The opposition and the clergy members say the legislation is an effort by Gnassingbe to prolong his rule. They are urging people to reject this legislation and oppose it massively. We know that the struggle will be long and hard, but together with the Togolese people, we will do everything we can to prevent this constitutional coup detat, said Eric Dupuy, a spokesman for the opposition National Alliance for Change party. Advertisement 3. As per Constitutional experts, the legislation restricts the power of future presidents by introducing a one-term limit from the current two five-year term limit and would hand over greater power to a figure similar to a prime minister called the President of the Council of Ministers. The new figure will be elected for a six-year term and will be the leader of the party who will effectively lead the countrys day-to-day management following the legislative elections, Tchitchao Tchalim, chairman of the national assemblys committee on constitutional laws, legislation and general administration said. Advertisement The opposition fears the role could be an avenue for Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power. With input from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently said that dialogue and diplomacy should be the route to peace. He has also insisted on the immediate cessation of war Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of war-torn Ukraine, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday. Kuleba is on a two-day trip to the country to boost bilateral ties and cooperation between Kyiv and New Delhi. His visit marks the first one by a Ukrainian Foreign Minister to India in seven years. Over the course of the two days, Kuleba will meet his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar and the Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri. Advertisement Ahead of these high-profile meetings, heres a look at Indias stand on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war in five points, as specified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in various speeches and comments: 1- Focus on dialogue and diplomacy: From the start of the war, PM Modi has remained steadfast on Indias stance that the violence in Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. He has said multiple times that this is not an era of war, and urged for an end to the hostilities. In an interview, he said, some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace [] Disputes should be resolved with diplomacy and dialogue, not war. 2- People-centric approach: On March 20, PM Modi dialled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While discussing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, he spoke of Indias people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. He underscored that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between Kyiv and Moscow. PM Modi promised that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution. Advertisement 3- Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity: In June, 2023, PM Modi addressed the Joint Session of the US Congress. He said that the war in Europe is causing great pain in the region. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said. PM Modi stressed that this is not an era of war. Advertisement 4- Immediate cessation of violence: In April 2022, just months after the war began, the then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, visited India. The two leaders discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. PM Modi expressed deep concern at the mounting humanitarian crisis. He stressed for the immediate cessation of violence. Advertisement 5- Concern for safety of Indian citizens in Ukraine: On February 26, two days after the war began, President Zelenskyy briefed the PM Modi about the situation in Ukraine. The Indian leader conveyed Indias strong concern for the safety and security of Indian citizens, including students, present in Ukraine and sought facilitation by Ukrainian authorities to swiftly and safely evacuate Indian citizens. Acknowledging the backlash at a Geneva news conference, Albanese admitted to enduring a challenging period. Despite being appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, she emphasised that she does not speak on behalf of the United Nations Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories, reaffirmed her resolve on Wednesday despite facing threats over her determination that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Albaneses recent statement asserting reasonable grounds to believe Israels involvement in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has sparked strong reactions. Israel criticized her report as a distortion of reality, while pro-Israeli groups have called for her resignation. Advertisement Acknowledging the backlash at a Geneva news conference, Albanese admitted to enduring a challenging period. Despite being appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, she emphasized that she does not speak on behalf of the United Nations. Reflecting on the ongoing pressure and attacks since the beginning of her mandate, Albanese disclosed receiving threats but noted that she hasnt deemed them serious enough to warrant additional precautions. And the pressure merely encourages her not to step back, Albanese said. - Israeli visa ban - Israel last month announced a visa ban on Albanese over comments denying that Hamass October 7 attack was anti-Semitic. And it said that her report was simply an extension of a campaign seeking to undermine the very establishment of the Jewish State. Advertisement The US State Department on Wednesday highlighted its longstanding opposition to Albaneses mandate, which we believe is not productive. Spokesman Matthew Miller accused the expert of having a history of anti-Semitic comments, including some that appeared to justify the attacks of October 7. As for her report, he reiterated Washingtons belief that allegations of genocide are unfounded. Advertisement Albanese on Wednesday insisted that she did not question the existence of the State of Israel, but wants Israel to behave in accordance with international law. She also reiterated that she had found no evidence that the October 7 attacks were propelled by anti-Semitism. The expert, who has argued the attack was motivated by Israeli oppression, acknowledged that her comments were not strategic but said that she stood by her report. Advertisement Albanese, who has received support from a long line of mainly Arab and Muslim countries since releasing her report, said that when she eventually does leave her post, it will not be because of her critics. It wont be because they vilify or they mistreat me in the public discourse. - Complicit? - Advertisement Albanese said that she of course condemned Hamas and its brutal attack on Israel, but added: nothing justifies what Israel is doing. The October 7 attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,400 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the Hamas health ministry, and has spurred a humanitarian catastrophe and UN warnings of a looming famine. Albanese has called for an international protective presence in Gaza, and has also demanded that other countries impose sanctions and an arms embargo to stem the violence. Countries, she stressed, have obligations under the UN Genocide Convention to act immediately when a risk of genocide is detected. Albanese said she next intended to investigate the possible complicity of the United States, Israels main backer, and also other countries. The genocide has already been committed, she said, but added that we can still save lives and we can still halt the descent into the abyss. With inputs from AFP Oaklands next police chief, Floyd Mitchell, speaks during a news conference in the council chambers at Oakland City Hall on Wednesday. Mayor Sheng Thao said he is well suited to drive down crime and build strong relationships in the community. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Oaklands next police chief, Floyd Mitchell, speaks to a crowd at an introductory news conference in the council chambers at Oakland City Hall on Wednesday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao formally introduced Floyd Mitchell as the citys next police chief Wednesday an opportunity both leaders took to tell the public they believe he will drive down crime and build strong relationships in the community at a time of heightened concerns about public safety. As Oaklands police chief I look forward to working with all of the residents, business owners, city leadership, fellow law enforcement agencies and our local media partners to build a stronger and safer Oakland, Mitchell said during the introduction at City Hall. Thao called it a joyous day, describing Mitchell as a solid leader who values integrity and accountability. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hes a smart crime fighter who delivers results, and it is what I demand, Thao said. As your mayor, I demand results. She added: Hes not flashy, but he will roll up his sleeves and do the real work to ensure our communitys success. Mitchell, 56, was the first Black police chief in Lubbock, Texas. He resigned in September after four years at the helm. Before that he served as police chief in Temple, a small city in central Texas. The Air Force veteran started his law enforcement career with the police department in Kansas City, Mo. a diverse metropolitan area similar to Oakland, Mitchell said. Thao has said that Lubbock saw overall crime decrease and response times improve under Mitchells leadership. She also acknowledged the sharp increase in crime in Oakland in recent years, and stressed that public safety is her top concern. As an outsider, Mitchell said he will talk to command staff, officers and community members as he develops plans to curb crime. He spoke of turning the police department into the premiere law enforcement employer of choice in the Bay Area through pay, benefits and support for officers from the top down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another priority will be to sit down with the federal monitor who oversees the Oakland Police Department to identify key steps it must take to end the oversight, which began two decades ago after a police scandal in 2001 exposed a squad of officers who beat residents and planted drugs on them. Mitchells appointment one of Thaos most consequential decisions as mayor ended more than a year of controversy and uncertainty over the high-profile position, after Thao fired Chief LeRonne Armstrong last year a month after taking office. Armstrongs dismissal came after an independent law firm found he mishandled two officer misconduct cases, although an arbitrator later cleared him of wrongdoing. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao introduces the citys next police chief, Floyd Mitchell, on Wednesday. Hes not flashy, but he will roll up his sleeves and do the real work to ensure our communitys success, Thao said. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle During Mitchells tenure in Lubbock, the police department faced issues with its 911 system. Abandoned 911 calls doubled in two years, to 30,000 in 2022, out of a total of 183,00 calls, according to news reports. That means more than 16% of 911 callers hung up before their call was answered. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mitchell told the Chronicle last week that he didnt pay close attention to the matter, focusing instead on how quickly answered calls were dispatched. In hindsight, he said he should have paid close attention to both metrics. I learned from that situation, and I will definitely take what I learned when I come into Oakland, he said in an interview. Mitchell said he resigned his Lubbock position after difficult decisions he made were met with resistance, although he wouldnt elaborate. On Wednesday, Mitchell reiterated that he supports the citys Operation Ceasefire violence-prevention program, which focuses on residents deemed most at risk of getting caught up in gun violence. Thao revived the program last year after it went dormant during the pandemic. Mitchell said he values high-visibility, proactive, data-driven and responsible policing, adding, I believe we must be acutely focused on the areas and individuals that are causing the most harm to our communities and hold this small group of individuals accountable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He also stressed that he values strong community-police relationships. Let me be clear: I know the police department cant accomplish this monumental task alone, he said. I will work tirelessly to earn the trust, respect and confidence from residents, business owners and department members, Mitchell said. I will work tirelessly to earn the trust, respect and confidence from residents, business owners and department members, incoming Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said, conceding he hadnt paid enough attention to problems with the 911 system in his previous stint as the police chief in Lubbock, Texas. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Also in attendance at the event were department leaders, council members, city staff and community leaders. Council Member Treva Reid said she appreciates Mitchells desire to work with community members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think he said a lot of things we want to hear, Reid said. Were looking forward to getting him out in the community for him to hear from East Oakland residents as he develops his plans for public safety. We think he can deliver from what he shared, Reid said. We want to see that in action. Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas called the appointment a milestone for the city. The chief will play an important role in the citys multifaceted and comprehensive plans to improve public safety, Bas said. Mitchells hiring sends a message that the city is recommitted to public safety, she said. Since president Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021, Henry has been in charge of Haiti. He made a commitment more than two weeks ago to resign once a transitional council was established, but getting there has been extremely challenging because of disputes amongst party leaders The assessment released on Thursday also reaffirmed the urgent necessity for the Multinational Security Support mission to be sent in to assist Haiti's police in putting an end to the violence and safeguarding the populace Image Courtesy AP The UN declared on Thursday that the situation in the gang-ravaged nation of Haiti is cataclysmic, with over 1,500 people having died as a result of gang violence so far this year and additional firearms flooding the nation. The United Nations office for human rights said in a recent study how rising gang violence combined with corruption, impunity, and bad governance had eroded the rule of law and brought state institutions close to collapse. Advertisement It stated that Haiti was now in a cataclysmic situation as a result. Deprived Long plagued by violence, Haiti has seen a spike in conflicts since gangs staged a concerted attack in late February and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Since president Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021, Henry has been in charge of Haiti. He made a commitment more than two weeks ago to resign once a transitional council was established, but getting there has been extremely challenging because of disputes amongst party leaders. Meanwhile, the number of casualties is rapidly rising. Additionally, it stated that, as of March 22, only the first three months of 2024 had seen 1,554 fatalities and 826 injuries. The investigation detailed widespread instances of sexual violence, including as when women were coerced into having sex with gang members for financial gain, when hostages were raped, and when women witnessed their husbands being slain in front of them. Advertisement It also brought attention to the kidnapping and mistreatment of kids, both boys and girls, who are unable to quit gangs out of fear of reprisals. All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once, UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement. The report also mentioned the self-defence brigades that were established in response to the rising gang violence and issued a warning that they would not stop enforcing justice on their own. Advertisement Individuals accused of petty crime or suspected of association with gangs continued to be lynched, stoned, mutilated, or burned alive by these brigades, it stated. According to the research, there were at least 528 examples of lynchings recorded last year, including 18 women, and 59 more have been documented thus far this year. Advertisement According to the research, there was a consistent flow of firearms and ammunition across Haitis porous borders even after an international arms embargo was imposed in an attempt to stop the carnage. To stop the flow of guns and ammunition into the war-torn nation, it demanded stricter international and national regulations. The assessment released on Thursday also reaffirmed the urgent necessity for the Multinational Security Support mission to be sent in to assist Haitis police in putting an end to the violence and safeguarding the populace. Advertisement With the transitional council in place, Kenya, which had committed to lead a long-awaited, UN-approved mission to support Haitis security forces in their fight against well-armed gangs, has postponed its preparations. Turk emphasized that effectively integrating human rights into the conduct of its operations and establishing a compliance mechanism to mitigate and minimise harm will be essential if the mission is created. The rights office study also emphasized the necessity for policies targeted at restoring the rule of law, emphasizing that increasing security by itself would not provide long-term answers to Haitis problems. According to a statement from Rockford municipal police, the stabbings happened on Wednesday afternoon, and they detained a 22-year-old suspect The police reported that the deceased comprised two men, ages 22 and 49, a lady, 63, and a 15-year-old girl Police in the US state of Illinois have reported that a youngster went on a stabbing spree at several residences, leaving four peopleincluding an adolescent girldead and at least five injured. According to a statement from Rockford municipal police, the stabbings happened on Wednesday afternoon, and they detained a 22-year-old suspect. There was no mention of a potential motive in the statement. Advertisement It is roughly ninety miles northwest of Chicago to find Rockford. The police reported that the deceased comprised two men, ages 22 and 49, a lady, 63, and a 15-year-old girl. Five persons had been hurt, according to the police statement, although US media later quoted the police as claiming seven people had been hurt. (With agency inputs) Gaza Nows Arabic channel boasts over 300,000 followers on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and maintains a significant presence on the encrypted chat platform Telegram The United States has imposed sanctions on online media platform Gaza Now and its founder, Mustafa Ayash, citing alleged support for Hamas. The US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control asserts that following Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, Gaza Now initiated a fundraising campaign in favor of the militant group. Advertisement The sanctions also target Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Ltd., along with their director Aozma Sultana, for purportedly collaborating on multiple fundraising endeavors with Gaza Now. Gaza Nows Arabic channel boasts over 300,000 followers on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and maintains a significant presence on the encrypted chat platform Telegram. The sanctions were imposed in collaboration with the UKs Office of Foreign Sanctions Implementation. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said in a statement that the US and its partners will continue to leverage our tools to disrupt Hamas ability to facilitate further attacks. A representative for Gaza Now and Ayash were not immediately available. The sanctions block access to US property and bank accounts and prevent those designated from doing business with Americans. Advertisement With inputs from The Associated Press According to a statement from US Central Command, released on X, formerly Twitter, the interception occurred around 2 am local time in Sanaa (2300 GMT). Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or damage to any US or coalition ships The United States military announced Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed four drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen, who are supported by Iran. The drones were targeting a US warship in the Red Sea. According to a statement from US Central Command, released on X, formerly Twitter, the interception occurred around 2 am local time in Sanaa (2300 GMT). Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or damage to any US or coalition ships. Advertisement The statement emphasised that these drones posed an immediate threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the area. The military action was taken to safeguard freedom of navigation and enhance the safety of international waters for both US Navy and merchant vessels. In November, the Houthis initiated a series of drone and missile attacks against ships in the Red Sea, a crucial area for global trade. They claimed to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians during Israels conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In response to these attacks, US and British forces have launched strikes against the Houthi forces. Subsequently, the Houthis have declared American and British interests as legitimate targets. With inputs from AFP After the Ace 3 launch earlier this year, and the Ace 3V launched last week in China, OnePlus is said to be gearing up to launch the Ace 3 Pro, the top-end phone in the Ace line-up in China later this year. 1.5K 8T LTPO screen According to leaker Digital Chat Station, the Ace 3 Pro will feature a 1.5K 8T LTPO curved screen compared to a standard adaptive refresh rate 120Hz OLED screen in the Ace 2 Pro. It will not be surprising if this get 6000 nits of peak brightness to compete with the realme GT Neo6 SE. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 The Ace 3 Pro is said to get Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, an upgrade compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Ace 2 Pro. The phone is said to retain 100W fast charging, but get a metal frame, which we had already seen in the Ace 3 (12R), along with the glass back. The phone will feature a 50MP main camera, which will be a minor upgrade to the Ace 2 Pro, and feature a high-density battery cell with a good capacity, so will it be more than 5500mAh in the Ace 3 and 3V? We will have to wait to find out. OnePlus Ace 3 Pro launch date? The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro is expected to be introduced sometime in Q3 2024, and we can expect it sometime in August 2024, the same time the Ace 2 Pro was introduced last year. The Ace 3 is 12R for the global market, and the Ace 3V is expected to launch as Nord 4, but it is not clear if we can expect the Ace 3 Pro globally since the Ace 2 Pro did not launch in global markets. OnePlus 13 with ultrasonic fingerprint scanner? The company is also said to be working on a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered phone for Q4 2024, which is being tested with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. This should be the OnePlus 13. Source Google today announced new updates and tools from Search, Maps, and Shopping to help you travel smarter this summer. Trip Ideas with AI in Search Google is testing AI-powered features in Search to make trip planning easier. If youre part of Search Generative Experience (SGE), asking for a trip plan like 3 days in Philadelphia for history will provide suggestions for attractions, restaurants, flights, and hotels. These suggestions gather information from various sources and user submissions to Google, making it convenient to explore and compare options. You can export these ideas to Gmail, Docs, or Maps for further planning or sharing. Recommendation Lists in Maps Discover curated recommendation lists directly in Google Maps from trusted sources and locals. Additionally, Google Maps will feature trending, top, and hidden gem restaurant lists based on popular interests in each city. Customized Lists in Maps Google is enhancing list customization in Maps, allowing users to organize their travel plans based on preferences. Users can now arrange places in their lists in any order they prefer and add links to social channels for additional context, such as personal reviews. Travel Wardrobe with Search Google introduces personalized style recommendations for apparel and accessories searches in the U.S. Users can rate options to refine their preferences, and Google will remember these preferences for future searches, simplifying the shopping experience. Translation Tools with Circle to Search and Lens For travelers facing language barriers, Google offers Circle to Search for instant translation of on-screen content, available on select Android devices (Pixel 7+ devices and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series). Additionally, Google Lens assists with translating text from physical surroundings, such as street signs or posters, seamlessly integrating the translated text over the original. Multisearch in Lens for Exploration Google Lens now features AI-powered Multisearch, providing insights and information about objects captured by the camera. Users can ask questions about what they see and receive relevant details and links for further exploration. Availability Trip ideas with generative AI in Search: Currently available in English in the U.S. through Search Labs enrollment and SGE activation. Find lists of recommendations in Maps: Launched today in select cities in the U.S. and Canada. More customized lists in Maps: Rolling out globally on Android and iOS later this month. Travel wardrobe with Search: Accessible in the U.S. on mobile browsers or the Google app. Translate your screen with Circle to Search: Rolling out in the coming weeks, with expanded availability on more Android devices including foldables and tablets. Multisearch in Lens: Available in English in the U.S. without enrollment in Search Labs. Announcing the updates, Emmanuel Marot, Director of Product Management, Search, said: Everywhere I turn, there are fish eggs. The recent trendiness of caviar on restaurant menus has been well documented, but it wasnt until I started eating out almost every night that I grasped the scale of the rage for roe. I encounter it at least once a week, from straight-up caviar service (Spruce, Dalida, Boulevard) to caviar incorporated into a range of dishes (perched atop an egg white and scallop roll at Empress by Boon, with creme fraiche and egg bhurji at Rooh, gilding the Vietnamese turmeric pancakes known as banh khot at Bodega). This caviar moment is largely built on the irresistible mashup of the highbrow and lowbrow, the culinary equivalent of wearing a Rolex with a sweatsuit and Crocs. Take a humble food, like a tater tot or a Doritos Locos taco shell, and anoint it with an ingredient so expensive that its synonymous with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Who doesnt love an incongruous couple that works? And so when I saw you could add caviar to the signature menu item at San Franciscos Z&Y Peking Duck, it did not compute. Peking duck is itself a luxury, a favorite of emperors and foreign dignitaries. Why would you need to top it with caviar? It sounded unappealing for the same reason Im suspicious of Tournedos Rossini. Do I really need my filet mignon paired with foie gras and truffles? What are we proving? Or worse, hiding? Z&Y Peking Duck opened late last year in Chinatown across the street from the original Z&Y, which specializes in Sichuan cuisine and regularly appeared on Michael Bauers Top 100 lists. Formerly the space was occupied by Z&Y Bistro, a wine bar that Soleil Ho favorably reviewed in 2019 featuring yakitori and ramen alongside Chinese favorites. Also in owner Lijun Hans portfolio is Chili House, an Inner Richmond restaurant known for Peking duck. After a fire temporarily closed Chili House, Han quickly revamped the Bistro location so he could continue serving the birds with minimal interruption. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chef Lijun Han opened Z&Y Peking Duck at the end of 2023, across the street from his original hit restaurant, Z&Y. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle I see why. Z&Y does Peking duck very well. It is clearly a point of pride for Han, who says he auditioned four different ducks and selected a Long Island option that was the least fatty and most tender of the bunch. The anticipation builds as a server ferries your pre-ordered duck ($78 whole, $48 half), one of 20 prepared each day, from the kitchen to the carving station next to the bar. A dedicated duck chef works quickly and expertly, making precise 45-degree cuts with a long knife down one side of the body and then the other. Ive had other Peking ducks, including some of the most lauded in the Bay Area, arrive either as bone-in chunks or in a heap, morsels of meat shingled with loose pieces of fatty skin. Instead, the duck slices at Z&Y are crescent moons of juicy meat, jujube-colored skin and just a whisper of fat. They come arrayed like fish scales on two ceramic plates set over votive candles. The Peking duck arrives as precise crescent moons with crispy skin. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Traditionally, Peking ducks are carved into 108 slices. I didnt count, but I wouldnt be surprised if Z&Ys ducks hit that number exactly. The preparation is full of finesse, and the showmanship is part of what you are paying for. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The accoutrements are traditional semi-transparent round wrappers, cucumber, green onion and house-made tianmianjiang, or sweet bean sauce. There is also a dish of plain white sugar, a kind of Fun Dip for the extra pieces of skin, which shatter between your teeth like the crust of creme brulee. All this is more than enough to make for a meal worthy of a special occasion. But then theres the caviar. For an additional $80, your Peking duck experience can begin with a plated appetizer: five rectangles of spongy pancake topped with cucumber, scallion, sauce and duck, crowned with a thimbleful of Bulgarian Osetra caviar. Edible flower petals and herb sprigs are tweezered about the plate. Z&Y Peking Duck is not the first restaurant to push this pairing. Perhaps you recall the $7 million San Francisco outpost of Hakkasan, an international chain of expensive, clubby Chinese restaurants. At one London location, Hakkasan offers Peking duck with Osetra or Beluga caviar for 190 or 345, respectively. This just-add-caviar gimmick could be read as an appeal to Western audiences willing to drop beaucoup bucks on familiar luxury but potentially less aware of the multi-day process behind each duck. But that doesnt account for the popularity of Peking duck and caviar at restaurants in China, where it is offered at Michelin-starred Sheng Yong Xing and the restaurants of celebrity chef Da Dong. Z&Y Peking Duck is the latest impressive restaurant to open in Chinatown. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Han was the former chef at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, and one evening he assured my dining companions, in Mandarin, that he was serving Peking duck exactly how we would find it in Beijing. Hes looking to China for trends, if hes looking at all, and in China, caviar is ascendent. The country dominates the global market with its largest sturgeon roe farm, Kaluga Queen, producing a third of the worlds caviar. Most is exported the recent prevalence of caviar on American menus is largely thanks to plummeting prices as China floods the market with often high quality product. But domestic appetite is also growing rapidly. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Interesting TED Talk, youre thinking, but is Peking duck with caviar any good? And is it worth $158? As far as value goes, I am not the target audience. You can talk me into a $7 salmon roe supplement, but I am unlikely to double the price of my meal for a few gobs of fish eggs. But if you are the caviar dreams type, you wont be disappointed by the pairing. Caviar and Peking duck work for many of the same reasons caviar and fried chicken were a hot couple about a decade ago. Theres textural interplay between the crisp skin and the popping boba beads of roe. The saltiness of the caviar, the sweetness of the duck sauce and the just-right fattiness of the meat all contribute to five explosive, expensive bites. It is also possible to have an entirely satisfying Peking duck-less meal at Z&Y Peking Duck. For a dish that is almost as regal and, in my estimation, even more memorable, get the royal style grilled lamb ($24), served on a lit tabletop brazier. The sound of the sizzling meat, tangled among green and red onion slices and a tuft of cilantro, gives the illusion that a tiny audience is applauding you for ordering so well. A table full of Peking duck, including with caviar, plus grilled lamb, fried rice with shrimp and black truffle, and spicy duck in flaming chile oil at Z&Y Peking Duck. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Z&Y Peking Duck serves far more than Peking duck. The royal style grilled lamb (left) and fried rice with shrimp and black truffle are both worth trying. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Z&Y Peking Duck serves far more than Peking duck. The royal style grilled lamb (above) and fried rice with shrimp and black truffle are both worth trying. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Fans of the original Z&Y may notice some overlap between the two menus, like the beef roll pancakes ($15). Those are a miss for me. They contain more cucumber than beef and easily disgorge their contents. If you still want a splash of East-meets-West opulence at a gentler price, the shrimp fried rice with black truffle ($22) is a successful and subtle riff on the classic duo of egg and truffle. For dessert, theres comforting jiu niang ($15), a communal bowl of fermented rice soup that tastes like sweet, watered down sake. Black-sesame filled balls known as tang yuan bob in the thick, warm broth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If youve neglected to order ahead and find yourself shut out of traditional Peking duck service as I did one Monday evening, theres a less expensive duck option that can still be had the spicy Peking duck ($36) braised in a vermilion chile oil with noodles, cauliflower and chunks of potato. Whereas the signature duck is rarefied and refined, fit for kings, this dish is a hat tip to the rustic, fiery Sichuan food on which Z&Y made its name. You fish a chunk of duck out of the pot using a straining ladle from a restaurant supply store and gnaw the tender meat off the bone. Theres no caviar in sight, but the dish, to me, is pure luxury. Chef Yu Hui Han carves a Peking duck to order at Z&Y Peking Duck in San Francisco. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Z&Y Peking Duck 606 Jackson St., San Francisco. zandypekingduck.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hours: 11:30-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m., Thursday-Tuesday. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible tables, although seating can be tight. No outdoor seating. Stairs to the lower level. Noise level: Quiet to moderate Meal for two, without drinks: $80 to $210, if youre in a caviar mood. What to order: Royal style grilled lamb ($24), spicy Peking duck ($36), avocado salad ($15), Peking duck, with or without caviar ($48 half, $78 whole, $158 whole with caviar) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meat-free options: Vegetarian items are clearly labeled and include steamed vegetable dumplings ($12), dry-braised string beans ($18), Dan Dan noodles modified without pork ($16), and green onion pancakes ($12). Transportation: Parking a block away at Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage; a five-minute walk from Chinatown-Rose Pak Station; 30 Stockton and 45 Union/Stockton buses. Urban Armor Gear has launched its latest line of rugged smartphone cases, designed for Samsung Galaxy S24 and S23 series smartphones. These cases are MagSafe-compatible, offering a diverse selection of over 20 variants with different materials, textures, designs, and colors. The company says that each UAG case is meticulously crafted to ensure robust protection for your Galaxy device while incorporating powerful magnets for MagSafe compatibility. They feature premium materials like TPU frames, DuPont Kevlar inlays, and raised edges made of soft silicone to safeguard your screen and camera, while hex patterns enhance shock absorption, providing comprehensive defense against everyday wear and tear. These cases feature MagSafe-compatible neodymium magnets for easy mounting and wireless charging. Installing them is straightforward simply snap the case onto your Galaxy device for instant MagSafe charging. Built to military-grade standards, they offer robust protection against drops, impacts, and scratches without hindering access to ports, buttons, or features. Oversized tactile buttons provide a satisfying click-feel, and lanyard compatibility and easy S Pen access add convenience. Pricing and availability The UAG MagSafe cases for Samsung Galaxy S24 and S23 series smartphones are priced starting from Rs. 3,499 and are available on Amazon.in and UrbanArmorGear.in. Commenting on the launch, Ajesh George, CEO of TekkiTake, said: 1990 Ford Ranger - Standard Cab 86,350 miles 4 Cyl 2.3 L, Manual 5 Speed ISO Part # F87Z2B373ARM Hey all! First time poster here.I bought a 1990 Ranger back in August of 2020, she is a decommissioned Folsom Prison truck - and I love her to bits.I'd grown up wanting a compact pickup with a standard cab my entire life - and imagine my broken heart when I finally was in a place in my life to get one and the US no longer makes standard cabs, and pickups have gotten enormous. So I wasto find my Ranger when I realized a comp Taco was going to be 3-4x the price.I replaced her transmission about 6 months after I first got her because 5th/R went out. Went to a pick and pull, grabbed a match, and had a friend drop it in. After we finished, the e-brake light came on, and has never turned off, I've had it checked, nothing is wrong with the brake, so I think it's the light that's malfunctioning.The ABS light has been on the whole time I've had her (that I can recall) but I don't drive often (I work from home) and live in the Sacramento area, so there's not inclement weather I'm dealing with (I'm from Massachusetts originally, and also spent 3 years driving a Bluebird bus around the country full time, so the rain we get here doesn't count as "weather") and as such, I don't really care if the ABS doesn't engage.Recently, I had a leak in the front left line (ended up being the caliper) - and while I got an older truck specifically so I could work on it myself, there are a few things I don't **** with, and brakes are one of those because I'm a weekend-hobby level black thumb (self taught, originally on my Bluebird - "normal" vehicles are a pretty new thing for me) - so I had new pads, front calipers, front brake lines, rear brake wheel cylinders, and rear axel wheel seals installed, along with a rebuild of the rear shoes and springs, the front wheel bearings repacked/races replaced, all new spark plugs, and fresh differential fluid. She's basically a new ride - however - my ABS/Proportioning Valve has an internal leak, and my local regular mechanic said the part is no longer made, and the only ones I've seen online are very much used and $250 on ebay from sellers with very spotty reviews, which I'm loathe to buy.I also had to have the fuel neck replaced as it had a small crack and she wouldn't pass CA smog this time around - so I'm pretty well tapped on funds. My local dude is happy to install a part for me if I can find it, and he's also asking his dealers who rebuilds them but said sending it out to be rebuilt means I could be without my truck for up to 2 weeks. She's my daily driver, and while I only put about 2500-3000 miles on her per year, my partner is disabled and I'm both the sole earner, and full time caregiver - so while I can do 5-7 days without the truck, 2 weeks would be an awfully long time to go without a car/being stuck in the house (as the sole earner, a rental for 2 weeks atop the cost of the repairs just isn't doable).His hesitation about getting something that isn't the exact manufacturer part is matching up where the brake lines attach, saying that any time they do flares on lines to make other parts fit, they still tend to leak. So my question is - where can I find a proportioning/modulator valve that may not be the same part # but is an identical match? I know that back in '90, these Rangers and Mazda B2200's were basically the same, is there a part number I could use for a Mazda that might work? Is there another year/model by Ford that uses this same valve? The last thing one of the other guys working on it at the shop mentioned was if I didn't care about ABS that I could look for one that didn't have solenoids, or could get one that had busted solenoids and they could bypass them. Does that sound right?Now - I trust my mechanic - and I understand his hesitancy using non manu-parts, because he doesn't want to install something only to have it fail and then catch **** for it when it isn't his install, but the part itself. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about this particular part to know whether I'm getting something good unless it's brand new.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Years in the making, new standards to protect employees who work in hot indoor settings were dealt an unexpected setback when Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration raised concerns about the cost. Brian Feulner/Special to the Chronicle Years in the making, new standards to protect employees who work in hot indoor settings were dealt an unexpected setback when Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration raised concerns about the cost. Michael Macor/The Chronicle Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration unexpectedly yanked its support for a broad proposal that would have protected millions of Californias indoor workers from dangerous heat, saying it cant endorse it without knowing the projected costs to the state. But the board that oversees worker safety immediately defied the administration on March 21 by unanimously approving new standards intended to protect people who work in poorly ventilated warehouses, steamy restaurant kitchens, and other indoor job sites. The showdown represents a setback to the states climate and labor policy goals, and throws the fate of the rules into unknown territory. They had been expected to take effect by summer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The move by the Democratic administration angered board members, who called it a last-minute stunt that undermines their regulatory process. It also sparked a protest by warehouse workers, who temporarily shut down the meeting as they waved signs declaring that Heat Kills! and loudly chanted, What do we want? Heat protection! When do we want it? Now! We got blindsided today, and I dont think it was fair, said David Thomas, chair of the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, who became visibly upset several times during the meeting. They hung our ass out to dry. The rules to protect indoor workers had been years in the making, but Newsoms Department of Finance informed board staffers the night before the vote that it couldnt sign off. They told us the potential fiscal impacts on public sector entities havent been fully analyzed, Eric Berg, deputy chief of health and research and standards at Californias Department of Industrial Relations, reported to the board. Newsom spokesperson Omar Rodriguez declined to comment. But Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer disputed the characterization of the administrations concerns as last-minute. He said the administration has held meetings with board staffers for weeks to discuss estimates for how much it would cost the state to implement the rules in its own buildings. They provided the most recent estimates to Palmers department in February. By law, the Department of Finance is required to approve a fiscal review for any regulation that would have significant economic impacts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For example, the indoor heat standard proposal could cost the state billions of dollars just to keep its prisons cool enough for workers and inmates, Palmer said, based on the boards estimate. We need to evaluate that. Is it too high? Is it on point? he said. This is not a decision made in an arbitrary manner or concerning policy. We did not have the time to do due diligence. Palmer would not comment on how much longer it would take to analyze the cost of the rule. The deadline to keep the proposal on track is Saturday. Otherwise the years-long regulatory process may have to start from scratch. But this is unknown territory, and board members said at the March 21 meeting they are not sure how to proceed. Some suggested they could adopt emergency regulations but even that would take time. The state has had heat standards on the books for outdoor workers since 2005, and indoor workplaces were supposed to be next. The proposed standard would require work sites to be cooled below 87 degrees when employees are present and below 82 degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or are exposed to radiant heat, such as furnaces. Buildings could be cooled with air conditioning, fans, misters and other methods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Years in the making, new standards to protect employees who work in hot indoor settings were dealt an unexpected setback when Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration raised concerns about the cost. Peter DaSilva For businesses that couldnt cool their workplaces sufficiently, such as laundries or restaurant kitchens, where commercial boilers, ovens and fryers operate, the rule would offer them the option of giving workers cooldown areas and other relief. Some businesses have expressed fear that they wont be able to meet the requirements if they are enacted, even with the flexibility the regulation offers. Providing a place for a kitchen worker to cool down in a small restaurant, for example, might not be feasible, according to the California Restaurant Association. But workers and labor advocates demanded at the March 21 meeting that the board take action, saying employers must protect workers and adapt to a warming climate. How many workers have to end up hospitalized or, even worse, end up dying because of heat illness, because theres no protections put in place? Yesenia Barrera, an organizer with the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, asked board members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest and kidney failure. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,600 heat-related deaths, which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them. Its not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors. In California, 20 workers died from heat between 2010 and 2017, seven of them because of indoor heat, according to the Rand Corp., which analyzed the states proposed indoor heat rules. Only two other states, Minnesota and Oregon, have adopted heat rules for indoor workers, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Nationally, legislation has stalled in Congress, and even though the Biden administration has initiated the long process of establishing national heat standards for outdoor and indoor work, the rules are likely to take years to finalize. California regulators have crafted the indoor rules to complement the states protections for outdoor workers. Those say that when temperatures exceed 80 degrees, employers must provide shade and observe workers for signs of heat illness. At or above 95 degrees, they must come up with ways to prevent heat illness, such as reducing work hours or providing additional breaks. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington also have rules for outdoor workers. Orchid industry thrives in Weixi, SW China's Yunnan People's Daily Online) 11:09, March 28, 2024 After developing for more than 30 years, the orchid industry has now become a sector that has brought wealth to people in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Weixi has over 7,000 orchid-growing households, accounting for over 18 percent of the total registered households in the county. It has also more than 30 large-scale orchid cultivation enterprises. Photo shows a pot of orchids in Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) The 31st China Orchid Expo, the country's largest, highest-ranking and most influential orchid expo, was held in the county from Feb. 26 to March 2. "Weixi county in Yunnan boasts superior natural conditions, abundant orchid germplasm resources, and a long history of orchid cultivation. As the origin and main production area of Cymbidium tortisepalum, a primary orchid species, Weixi county has been renowned nationwide," said Zhao Liangping, vice president of the China Flower Association. Zhao added that the orchid industry in Weixi has developed rapidly in recent years. The county has 150 native orchid species, over 80 featured orchid varieties, and more than 200 new orchid species. The orchid has been elected as the county flower of Weixi. "The holding of the national orchid expo in Weixi is a rare historical opportunity that will further boost the visibility of the county's orchids," said Chen Hongwu, president of the Weixi orchid association, hoping that the county will further promote the development of the local orchid industry. Mu Jianling takes care of orchids at her rooftop greenhouse in Huayuanqing village, Baohe township, Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Mu Jianling's family was the first household to grow orchids in Huayuanqing, a village known for its orchid planting in Baohe township, Weixi county. Last year, the roof of her house was turned into an intelligent orchid greenhouse equipped with temperature control devices, exhaust fans, and spray pipes. Her family earned the "first bucket of gold" through orchid planting. The family has built orchid greenhouses covering an area of 3 mu (0.2 hectares) of land, and runs an agritainment business. Mu, who has grown orchids for nearly 20 years, has witnessed the development of Weixi's orchid industry. "There is a long tradition of flower cultivation in our village, with orchids previously grown in a more natural way around homes. But in recent years, an increasing number of villagers have started large-scale orchid cultivation, and many households have launched livestreams to sell orchids," Mu said. Over 90 out of 100 households in Huayuanqing village grow orchids, with more than 50,000 pots of orchids being produced. In 2022, the village invested 1.85 million yuan ($256,360) in building an orchid planting base and establishing a planting cooperative to cultivate quality orchids, promote orchid planting techniques and sell orchids purchased from growers. "The orchid industry has helped villagers increase their incomes. Our village has also become a demonstration village for the development of the orchid sector," Chen Zhijun, head of the village, said proudly. Photo shows orchids in a courtyard of a villager in Huayuanqing village, Baohe township, Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Liu Yi) Huayuanqing village is the epitome of the development of the orchid industry in Weixi county. Over the past years, the county has strengthened both policy and financial support for the orchid sector and built several demonstration sites for growing orchids in courtyards, said Ma Shengchun, Party chief of Weixi county. It has also established an orchid product exhibition and trade platform, and adopted a unified management approach that includes planting, management, sales and dividend sharing. "We will leverage our favorable ecological environment, abundant orchid germplasm resources, and a long history of orchid cultivation to further develop the orchid industry," said Hu Zhiyuan, deputy head of Weixi county. Hu added that the county will explore the cultural heritage associated with orchids and form business forms that integrate agriculture, culture and tourism to turn the orchid sector into one of its pillar industries. Photo shows orchid greenhouses of a cooperative in Baohe township, Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Wang Yongchang) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) UC Berkeley computer science professor Jonathan Shewchuk ignited a nationwide controversy after advising a student to get out of the Bay Area if he wanted to find a girlfriend. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2022 Last week, UC Berkeley computer science professor Jonathan Shewchuk ignited a nationwide controversy with comments he made on an official university online discussion forum advising a student to get out of the Bay Area if he wanted to find a girlfriend. Im not kidding at all, he continued. Youll be shocked by the stark differences in behavior of women in places where women are plentiful versus their behavior within artillery distance of San Jose and San Francisco. On the surface, the remarks might seem tacky, but maybe not, as a UC Berkeley spokesperson put it in a statement to the press, threatening. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shewchuk, who later apologized for his comments, didnt go into detail about what those differences might be. But you need to read between the lines to see the statements for what they are: coded language for an increasingly prominent set of values that dehumanizes women. His statements echo a dangerous, fringe ideology of male supremacy, centered on backlash against the recent social gains of feminism and LGBT civil rights activism. We allow it to proliferate at our peril. It was a rancid primordial stew of pick-up artist culture, right-wing online harassment campaigns and social media that brought this ideology to life in the 2010s. In 2014, an influential online movement called Gamergate mobilized to wage a culture war in the world of video games, slinging rape and death threats to perceived intruders in that historically white and male space. Daryush Valizadeh, a wildly popular pick-up artist and writer during this time, attracted followers with his concept of neomasculinity, defined as the pro-male antidote to gender equality and Western degeneracy. This rise of misogynistic manosphere ideology in online spaces has arrested the development of vulnerable men searching for some outside factor they can blame for feeling rejected or sexually outcast. Maybe its because women dont recognize the virtues of nice guys like them. Or maybe women in places like the Bay Area are too picky, too feminist or too full of themselves for regular guys. Its incredibly human to crave an explanation, some sign of order in a chaotic universe. By diagnosing feminism, and therefore female autonomy, as the source of actually legitimate issues of loneliness, wealth inequality and social disconnection, manosphere websites and peddlers like Andrew Tate and Why Women Deserve Less author Myron Gaines take advantage of mens desperation to rake in huge profits in online self-help courses and, strangely, cryptocurrency. Ive encountered variations of this line multiple times, especially in online places like the tech industry forum Blind, where lonely young men bemoan the apparently difficult dating scene in the Bay Area. Yes, it is true that the tech industry, a dominant force in the Bay Area, heavily favors young, male workers, who hold 65% of tech jobs in the U.S. Its a structural problem that stretches back to schools like the one Shewchuk teaches in: Though women generally outnumber men in American secondary institutions, only 21.9% of computer science majors were women in 2021. (23% in Shewchuks department in 2022.) Advertisement Article continues below this ad Given this data, holding resentment toward women for their perceived advantages or undesirable behaviors because you cant get a date is clearly unhinged. Though profitable for some, resentment doesnt get at the root of social disconnection and loneliness. Mens reticence to seek mental health treatment is well-documented, with multiple studies connecting low treatment rates to persistent, ableist stigmas that portray men seeking help as being weak, inadequate and unmanly. Losers love to talk about feelings, Tate wrote to his 9 million Twitter followers. An accompanying video says, Leave the feelings to the girls. Instead of working out issues with shame and self-confidence in therapy or with honest discussions with peers in real life, lonely, frustrated guys are embarking on a search for meaning and validation on social media much like the student seeking advice on the UC Berkeley message board and are becoming radicalized in the many online echo chambers that make up the world of the manosphere. When I first heard about the Shewchuk controversy, I couldnt help but think about the Montreal massacre. In 1989, an armed assailant killed 14 women, starting with six students in a mechanical engineering class at a public university in Montreal. In his suicide letter, the killer claimed to have embarked on this spree to strike a blow against feminists, who have always ruined (his) life. The case shocked Canada, prompting a flurry of legislation aimed at reducing violence against women and increasing gun control measures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The view from Ina Coolbrith Park on Russian Hill is one of the many fantastic sights in San Francisco. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2021 Since moving to San Francisco from Sacramento last month, Ive walked 10,000 steps almost every day, attended incredible shows and performances on weekends, and gone for frequent runs along the Embarcadero with this-will-never-get-old views of the bay on one side and Coit Tower on the other. Ive eaten bullfrog at a famed Sichuan restaurant in Chinatown and clinked after-work drinks with friends at the Top of the Mark, soaking in the 360-degree views of the city. Waiting in crushes of people to cross the street, Ive had fascinating chats with strangers about everything from dating in the city to their favorite restaurants. Ive boarded buses at 11:30 p.m., fearing they might be deserted and possibly dangerous, only to find them brimming with people and conversation. In other words, it doesnt feel like Ive moved to a city in decline. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its an energy markedly different from other American cities Ive lived in. Sacramento, where I spent the past four years, is undergoing a renaissance. Its population is rapidly increasing, largely due to Bay Area transplants, and its embrace of aggressive pro-housing policies is helping to revitalize its pandemic-battered downtown. Yet the city still feels suburban; its spread out and car-centric and fewer people are out and about, especially at night. Philadelphia, where I went to college, is physically much larger than San Francisco, making its energy more diffuse. By contrast, dense and walkable San Francisco reminds me of a compressed spring always on the cusp of releasing its built-up energy. I grew up in the East Bay, so I always knew San Francisco was beautiful. But living in the city, youre constantly confronted by its beauty in new and surprising ways. The other day, not long before sunset, I went running along an unplanned route. Cresting a random hill, I stopped in my tracks as I unexpectedly entered a steeply terraced park Ina Coolbrith Park, I later learned that offered stunning views of Alcatraz and a glittering panorama of the city skyline. I stood in disbelief, catching my breath as orange and pink sunbeams melted together and slowly turned purple. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ive been to Fishermans Wharf countless times, but only recently did I stumble upon the Musee Mecanique, a free museum filled with antique arcade games some hundreds of years old that are still in working condition and can be played for just a quarter or two. (Some are almost comically raunchy, including one that offers the chance to peep at XXX images.) The museums existence felt like a small miracle. At a time when stories of destruction and theft fill the news, how lovely it was to find proof of the publics gentleness in the careful handling of the old machines, which are in near-pristine condition. And then there is the energy that emanates from the citys people, best experienced by walking or taking public transit. I relied heavily on my car in Sacramento, and although I was reluctant to give it up when I moved to San Francisco where else was I going to sing at the top of my lungs? Ive quickly come to realize the extent to which it sealed me off from my surroundings. Theres a sense of community, camaraderie and connectedness that comes from joining masses of people on sidewalks and streetcars: the faces, styles and personalities you see; the snippets of intriguing conversations you overhear; the little shops and restaurants you discover. Its undeniable that this city is special. And yet San Franciscos intrinsic allure and the sense that it is too singular to fail can also feed complacency. Why did the city need to sell itself to prospective residents and businesses, when its beauty and benefits were so evident? People were willing to pay nearly any price to be here, so what did it matter if convoluted bureaucratic processes made it absurdly difficult to do everything from obtaining a parking permit to opening a small business to building new housing? What did it matter if entire neighborhoods, such as the Tenderloin and the South of Market, were de-facto containment zones for the citys homelessness, mental health and drug overdose epidemics? Just being in San Francisco was worth it until, for many, it wasnt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Living here, I see the citys challenges more clearly than ever. And yet I also sense a fierce hunger for togetherness. Why else, a few weekends ago, would tens of thousands of people, myself included, wait for hours in a line snaking around Union Square for the chance at a couple of free tulips? Issue Date: 28th March 2024 Gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision that occurred in Ringsend, Dublin 4 on Wednesday morning, 20th March 2024. Shortly before 8am, a van collided with a female pedestrian at the junction of Cambridge Road and Thorncastle Street. The woman, aged in her 50s, was receiving treatment at St. Vincents University Hospital. She passed away from her injuries on Saturday, 23td March 22024. An Garda Siochana are continuing to appeal 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 the 20th March 2024 to make this available to investigating Gardai. 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. And they did. Big Hen and his co-star Louis Curran snuck in through the back door. Before they hopped on the decks - balanced on a beer pong table propped up by two wooden pallets - they chatted with the hosts. Big Hen talked to Abby about the music she makes and was even seen sending videos to Fred (who the flatmates hope had FOMO). Bob Egelko has been a reporter since June 1970. He spent 30 years with the Associated Press, covering news, politics and occasionally sports in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, and legal affairs in San Francisco from 1984 onward. He worked for the San Francisco Examiner for five months in 2000, then joined The Chronicle in November 2000. His beat includes state and federal courts in California, the Supreme Court and the State Bar. He has a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and is a member of the bar. Coverage has included the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the appointment of Rose Bird to the state Supreme Court and her removal by the voters, the death penalty in California and the battles over gay rights and same-sex marriage. He can be reached at begelko@sfchronicle.com. Attorney John Eastman, the architect of a legal strategy intended to keep Donald Trump as president, talks to reporters after a hearing in Los Angeles on June 20, 2023. Eastman will be placed on inactive status as a lawyer next week for his participation in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press John Eastman, a veteran attorney and legal adviser to former President Donald Trump, violated standards of legal ethics by trying to help Trump overturn the results of the 2020 election and should be disbarred from the practice of law in California, a State Bar Court judge ruled Wednesday. Eastman made multiple false and misleading statements in his professional capacity as attorney for President Trump, statements that had no reasonable factual or legal basis, Judge Yvette Roland, who presided over the trial, wrote in a 128-page decision recommending the revocation of Eastmans license, one of more than 270,000 issued by the bar to attorneys in the state. While attorneys have a duty to advocate zealously for their clients, they must do so within the bounds of ethical and legal constraints, Roland said. Eastmans actions transgressed those ethical limits by advocating, participating in and pursuing a strategy to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election that lacked evidentiary or legal support. This lack of remorse and accountability presents a significant risk that Eastman may engage in further unethical conduct, compounding the threat to the public. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Eastman will be placed on inactive status as a lawyer when the ruling takes effect next week. He could challenge Rolands ruling in the state Supreme Court, which has final authority over disbarments. His lawyer, Randall Miller, said he would first ask the bars Review Court to overrule Roland. Eastmans legal advice to Trump in 2020 was the essence of what lawyers do, Miller said Wednesday. They are ethically bound to be zealous advocates for their clients. Eastman is a former law school dean and professor at Chapman University in Orange County. He also faces criminal charges of forgery and racketeering in Georgia for allegedly trying to help Trump overturn the election results in that state. Trump and other aides have also been charged with crimes in Georgia, and two of the former presidents attorneys, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against other defendants. At the State Bar trial, Eastman testified he had acted in good faith in preparing legal plans to challenge the election results. He said he did not recall ever asserting that Vice President Mike Pence, who presented the final electoral count vote to Congress, had the authority to withhold a states electoral votes if Pence was unsure of their validity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But video footage of the Jan. 6, 2021, rally before Trump supporters stormed the Capitol showed Eastman telling the crowd, We know there was fraud. We know that dead people voted, and he was demanding Pence do something about it. Eastman was standing alongside Rudy Giuliani, another Trump legal adviser who is also charged in the Georgia case and faces possible disbarment in Washington, D.C. In Wednesdays ruling, Roland said that although Eastman made numerous false statements at the Jan. 6 rally, the State Bars lawyers had not shown that those statements caused the violence that followed. But she said his repeated claims of election fraud were lies that cannot be justified as zealous advocacy. Eastman failed to uphold his primary duty of honesty and breached his ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to bolster his legal arguments, the judge said. In a statement after the ruling, the bars chief counsel, George Cardona, said that the harm caused by Mr. Eastmans abandonment of his duties as a lawyer, and the threat his actions posed to our democracy, more than warrant his disbarment. In final arguments in the California case, State Bar attorney Duncan Carling said Eastmans misconduct strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a lawyer. Carling said the evidence shows that Eastman held and still holds truth and democracy in contempt, deliberately disregarding facts that demonstrate the validity of (Joe) Bidens victory to further a false narrative that would ignore the Constitution, disenfranchise millions of voters and undermine a democratic election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Miller, Eastmans attorney, told Roland that Eastman had a constitutional right to speak out about election fraud and a duty as a lawyer to zealously represent the interests of his client. This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows police officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, March 25, 2024, in New York. Former President Donald Trump will attend Thursday's wake for Diller, who was gunned down in the line of duty. Colorado is the only state in the nation that doesnt license funeral directors or others who work in mortuaries or crematoriums to get licensed, but that would change under a bill that was approved in its first committee hearing this week. Senate Bill 173, partly introduced by two Western Slope lawmakers, would require mortuary science professionals, including funeral directors, to hold a valid state license starting Jan. 1, 2026. That requirement also would apply to embalmers, cremationists and natural reductionists, workers who help convert human remains into soil. Under the bill, to obtain those licenses, all those it impacts would be required to have continuing education about their professions and pass background checks. The impetus for the bill comes after recent incidents at funeral homes in Denver and Colorado Springs, where human remains were being stored that were supposed to have been buried or cremated. Colorado families continue to be victimized by our states lack of oversight of the funeral industry, said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Eagle, who introduced the bill along with Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, and Reps. Matt Soper, R-Delta, and Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. This is a service that every family needs at some point and everyone should be able to trust that those who are caring for their loved ones remains have proper training, oversight and accountability, he added. Enough is enough. We must pass this bill to bring our state in line with the rest of the nation, restore faith in this valuable industry, and protect Coloradans. The bill calls on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies to oversee licensing. That department conducted a review of the issue last year, and recommended licensing of funeral service professionals. Roberts and Soper have worked on similar bills in the past, after an incident at a Montrose funeral home whose director, Megan Hess, was convicted in federal court as part of an eight-year scheme to obtain and sell human remains. For that, she was given a 20-year sentence. Her mother and co-defendant, Shirley Koch, was sentenced to 15 years for her role in the scheme. In 2022, Roberts and Soper, with help from then Sens. Don Coram, R-Montrose, and Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, enacted a new law requiring routine inspections of funeral homes and crematoriums. Soper and Titone also got a bill passed during the 2021 legislative session to allow for human remains to be converted into soil, which some families use to plant trees or other vegetation. That bill created the new mortuary specialty of natural reductionist. And in 2020, Soper and Gardner got a new law enacted to make it a felony to tamper with human remains. Previously, it was only a misdemeanor. This years bill would require new funeral home workers to have graduated from an accredited educational institution for whatever specialty they intend to practice, pass a national board examination, complete an apprenticeship and pass a criminal history background check. Existing mortuary workers can obtain a temporary license by showing they have worked at least 4,000 hours in the field, have completed an apprenticeship and pass a background check. If they have no issues after two years, they would qualify for a full license. The license is to cost those workers $275, and the background check about $40. Those who fail to comply or violate any provision of the proposed law also could face civil fines of up to $5,000. The bill, which cleared the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee on a unanimous vote, heads to the Senate Finance Committee for more debate. Secretary-General's opening remarks at press encounter with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry of Egypt United Nations Secretary-General 24 March 2024 Assalam alaikum, My dear friend, Minister [Sameh] Shoukry, thank you very much for your warm welcome. Egypt is a global pillar of peace - and today I had the opportunity to discuss a number of vital issues with both President Sisi and the Foreign Minister Shoukry. This includes the dire conditions in Gaza, but also the volatile situation in the occupied West Bank, and issues affecting the broader Middle East, Sudan and beyond. My visit is part of a Ramadan solidarity mission that I undertake every year to Muslim communities in distress. And I want to tell you that yesterday, I had a moment of deep sadness. During this Ramadan solidarity visit I fast, out of respect for the beliefs of the communities I am visiting. And we had an Iftar with Sudanese refugees here in Cairo to express my solidarity also with the Sudanese people. And immense sadness came when we were having our Iftar close to the Nile, to know that many - probably the majority of the people in Gaza - were not able to have a proper Iftar. Yesterday I travelled to the Rafah crossing to put a global spotlight on the plight of Palestinian children, women and men struggling to survive the nightmare in Gaza. The whole world recognizes that it's past time to silence the guns and to ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I also had an unforgettable visit with injured Palestinians from Gaza at the Al Arish hospital who are recovering from wounds from the brutal war - and I thank Egypt's generosity here as well. Let me be clear. Nothing justifies the abhorrent October 7 Hamas attacks and hostage-taking in Israel. But nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. And I want to recognize the vital political and humanitarian role of Egypt. Al Arish airport and the Rafah crossing are essential arteries for life-saving aid into Gaza. But those arteries are clogged. On one side of the border there are blocked humanitarian trucks as far as the eye can see. On the other, we have a real-time humanitarian catastrophe stretching even further. Looking at Gaza, it almost appears that the four horsemen of war, famine, conquest and death are galloping across it. That is why the time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is now. And in the Ramadan spirit of compassion, I also urge the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The suffering must end. Palestinians in Gaza desperately need what has been promised -- a flood of aid. Not trickles. Not drops. Some progress has been made, but much more needs to be done. Making that happen takes very practical steps. It requires Israel removing the remaining obstacles and chokepoints to relief. It requires more crossings and access points. All alternative routes are - of course - welcome. But the only efficient and effective way to move heavy goods is by road. It requires an exponential increase in commercial goods. And, I repeat, it requires an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The current horrors in Gaza serve no one - and are having an impact around the globe. The daily assault on the human dignity of Palestinians is creating a crisis of credibility for the international community. It is challenging the values we proclaim as universal. It is challenging international law. It is challenging core humanitarian principles. It is challenging our basic humanity. Ladies and gentlemen of the media, We face trials and tests on many fronts. Yesterday evening, as I mentioned, I had the honour of breaking the fast at an Iftar with refugees who fled from the conflict in Sudan. I was deeply moved by their heartbreaking stories of unspeakable suffering and perilous journeys - and was also profoundly inspired by their enormous resilience. It is outrageous to see the war raging during the holy month of Ramadan, despite global appeals for a ceasefire. Since the war erupted in Sudan a year ago, Egypt has generously welcomed more than 500,000 Sudanese refugees, and I know that you have already five million other ones. I thank Egypt for hosting these and so many other vulnerable migrants and refugees and urge the international community to step up its support for Egypt's efforts. I also want to take this opportunity to urge all countries to ensure the integrity of the international refugee protection regime and the rights of all persons on the move. Once again, dear Foreign Minister, I pay tribute to your country's leadership in these difficult times - and, through you, allow me to salute the people of Egypt for their generosity and commitment to the values of compassion, peace, and solidarity - the values of Ramadan. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's opening remarks at press encounter at Wihdat Palestine Refugee Camp United Nations Secretary-General 25 March 2024 Assalam alaikum. I am extremely pleased to be here at the Wihdat Camp for Palestine refugees. We are at a centre dedicated to the wellbeing of Palestine refugees. So allow me to begin with an invitation to join me in a moment of silence in tribute to our United Nations colleagues and all others who have been killed in this conflict. Ladies and gentlemen, I am on a Ramadan solidarity visit to Jordan to meet Palestine refugees being served by UNRWA. UNRWA is a hot topic these days - but one fundamental thing is often being lost in the debate: people. The real people UNRWA serves -- and the real difference that UNRWA is making in their lives. Jordan is home to 2.4 million Palestine refugees, the largest number in the region. And today I heard some of their stories and saw a glimpse of UNRWA's exceptional work. I had the privilege to visit a health centre - where young mothers and their children are receiving high-quality primary health care, where labs perform state of the art medical tests, where a pharmacy is dispensing life-saving medication to patients at no charge. I sat in on science and English language classes at a girls school. I saw young women in a science lab learning and experimenting principles from Archimedes. I visited a class teaching English along with the values of human rights and conflict resolution. I also met with 6 truly inspiring young student parliamentarian leaders, including 3 students from Gaza. It was a heart-warming visit in heart-breaking times. Here in Jordan, but also in Syria, in Lebanon - and, of course, in the occupied West Bank and Gaza -- UNRWA is a lifeline of hope and dignity. Providing education for over half a million girls and boys; Health care for around 2 million people; Extending job opportunities and community and family support. And ensuring a social safety net for nearly half a million of the poorest Palestinians. Beyond and behind those facts, UNRWA is profoundly contributing in ways that can't be measured on a graph -- advancing social cohesion, promoting stability and building peace. Imagine if all of this was taken away. It would be cruel and incomprehensible - especially as we honour the 171 women and men of UNRWA who have been killed in Gaza - the largest number of deaths of UN staff in our history. As our work continues in the face of big obstacles, I am determined to ensure that UNRWA abides by the values of the United Nations in all its actions. And so taking into account recent unacceptable events, an independent review is well underway to strengthen and improve UNRWA, and I look forward to its recommendations. We must strive to keep the one-of-a-kind services that UNRWA provides flowing because that keeps hope flowing. In a darkening world, UNRWA is the one ray of light for millions of people. I see that hope here. Now more than ever, we must not take away that hope. I trust that working all together, we will be able to mobilize the international community to make sure that UNRWA will be able to provide their essential services to Palestine refugees here in Jordan and in all other areas where UNRWA is active. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's opening remarks at press encounter with Foreign Minister Ayman Safady of Jordan United Nations Secretary-General 25 March 2024 Assalam alaikum. Foreign Minister Safady, thank you for your warm welcome. It's good to be back in Jordan, especially at such a critical time for the region and for the world. When I see Jordan, I see solidarity in action. I see it in the words and deeds of His Majesty King Abdullah - a global champion for peace. And I see it in the spirit of the people of Jordan and your enormous compassion towards those fleeing upheaval. Jordan is home to the largest number of Palestine refugees. I visited a camp earlier today and commend Jordan for your pivotal advocacy for the vital work of UNRWA. You have also opened your hearts and doors to many others, including refugees from Syria. And I urge the international community to support Jordan as it supports millions of people in need. It is very worrying the reduction of funding in relation to refugee programmes in Jordan and in other parts of the world. Jordan's spirit of solidarity is precisely what brings me here once again. I am on my annual solidarity mission during the holy month of Ramadan where I visit and fast with Muslim communities in distress. Ramadan is meant to be a period of celebration - but not this year. Hearts are heavy in the region - and indeed around the world - from the unprecedented and ongoing devastation in Gaza, as well as rising violence in the occupied West Bank. I commend Jordan for your support for de-escalation, including particularly, your very important role in East Jerusalem. And I salute Jordan for your relentless efforts to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including through the personal efforts and wisdom of His Majesty. For my part, I will keep pushing for the removal of all obstacles to life-saving aid, for more access and more entry points. But we must face facts. There will be no sustainable humanitarian solution with an ongoing war as bloody as this. Let me repeat: nothing justifies the abhorrent October 7 attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas - and nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The effective delivery of humanitarian aid requires the immediate delivery of a humanitarian ceasefire. The need is urgent. I was at the Rafah border crossing this weekend. I met with injured Palestinian civilians and heard directly from our frontline humanitarian colleagues. They are veterans of some of the worst humanitarian crises in recent decades. They have seen it all. And yet, without exception, they told me they have never seen anything as horrible as what is happening in Gaza today. The scale and speed of the death and destruction are on an entirely different level. And now starvation is bearing down on Palestinians in Gaza. There is a growing consciousness around the world that all of this must stop. The fighting must end now, the hostages must be released now, and we must not lose sight of the big picture. A lasting end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only come through a two-State solution. Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for a fully independent, viable and sovereign State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements. We know where the alternative would lead. To indefinitely prolonging a conflict that has become a major threat to global peace and security. To exacerbating polarization. To emboldening extremists everywhere. Those standing in the way of a two-state solution have an obligation to state clearly what is the alternative they want. How would the future look with such a large number of Palestinians inside without any real sense of freedom, of rights and of dignity? This would be inconceivable. The two-State solution is the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. I know it is easy to be cynical in today's world. But that's a luxury we cannot afford. Cynicism is a form of surrender to the prevailing assumptions of the moment. It is a refuge for those too weak, too narrow, too timid to imagine a better future. When things are difficult, we must try even harder. I will keep pushing for peace inspired by your example. And once again, dear Foreign Minister, and dear friends, thank you and thank the government and people of Jordan for leading the way to solidarity and peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 26, 2024 IDF Press Release March 26, 2024 26.03.24 IDF Good evening, Today marks the 172nd day of the war. IDF forces are fighting in all arenas - both offensive and defensive. During the day, on the northern border, Hezbollah fired two anti-tank missiles towards the IDF aerial surveillance unit stationed at Mount Meron. There were no casualties, and the unit's readiness was not compromised. Additionally, approximately 50 launches were fired towards the Golan Heights, resulting in no injuries. In response, IDF fighter jets targeted two significant compounds of Hezbollah's aerial unit deep within Lebanese territory. In the past 48 hours, we have carried out multiple strikes in southern Lebanon, eliminating five terrorists in one of the strikes. We targeted operational infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah. Hezbollah will continue to pay a heavy price, and we will continue to strike and respond with intensity to any fire towards Israel. In the Gaza Strip, we are continuing the targeted operation at the Shifa Hospital. So far, together with the ISA, we have apprehended over five hundred terrorists affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In recent days, we have apprehended senior terrorists, including those who provided us with significant intelligence. I will provide details on some of the terrorists apprehended in recent days: - Radwan Younes Kamal Tafesh, Head of Department in the Weapon Manufacturing Unit of the Islamic Jihad - Bakr Ahmed Bakr Qanita, Head of Department at the Hamas' Security and Protection unit - Hashem Muhammad Hasan Albatash, responsible for the financial affairs of the Islamic Jihad's Gaza City Brigade. These terrorists provide us with valuable intelligence during their interrogations that will lead us to further operations. Tonight, We released footage from interrogations of two terrorists apprehended at Shifa hospital, during which they confess how they returned and why they returned to Shifa. They returned in order to hide and reestablish the terror base they had at the hospital. Terrorists continue to fire at our forces from within buildings in the hospital, including the maternity ward, the Qatari building, from the emergency room and the laundry room. From each of these buildings - we eliminated the terrorists that fired at us and that encountered our forces. Our operations within the hospital continue; there are still terrorists that are barricading themselves in the buildings I mentioned. Some have already surrendered, while others are still fighting. We will continue to operate until we neutralize all threats. Just in the area of the hospital, our forces under the 162nd Division, from the 401st Brigade and the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion, targeted over 201 terror infrastructures located in civilian buildings. The commanders told me that the terrorists hide on the last floor of the building, in the last door, in the last room in the building. We reach them and eliminate them wherever they hide in the area. More than a hundred terrorists were eliminated in the area of the hospital. Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists operate from within the departments of the hospital and thus are just destroying it. Hamas is destroying the Shifa Hospital. Hamas uses civilians as human shields and puts them in danger. Moreover, Hamas spreads lies on social media and the Al Jazeera network about harm to civilians in the hospital. Not a single civilian, patient, doctor, or medical staff member was harmed in this operation - only terrorists. The IDF has transferred patients to a building, provided them with treatment, aid and medical equipment, contrary to Hamas's course of action. During one interrogation, the terrorist Bakr Ahmed mentioned that the terrorists chose to try and escape to hospitals because "no one is supposed to touch them." We intend to operate wherever Hamas terrorists are found, especially the commanders and leadership. Tonight, after reviewing all the intelligence and confirming it, we are publishing according to our intelligence, with the ISA and the Intelligence Directorate, that Marwan Issa was eliminated in a strike we carried out two weeks ago, as well as Ghazi Abu Tamaa. Marwan Issa, deputy to Mohammed Deif, number three in Hamas, and of the planners of the October 7th Massacre. Ghazi Abu Tamaa, former commander of Hamas' Central Camps Brigade and he was in charge of Hamas' weapons and procurement. They were eliminated in a complex and precise strike based on intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate and the ISA , together with extraordinary striking capabilities of the Israeli Air Force. We will continue in our effort to pursue and reach Hamas leaders. In the southern Gaza Strip, in the Khan Yunis area, we are operating in the Al-Amal area following intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate and the ISA regarding new terror infrastructure in the area. The operation began with dozens of Air Force strikes and very quick entry of forces deep into the area. Forces of the 98th Division. In the last few hours, we have initiated focused operations at the Al-Nasser Hospital following intelligence about Hamas activity inside the hospital. We first ensured the safe evacuation of those present, and now our forces are scanning the hospital area after the terror infrastructure we received intelligence about. While Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists hide in hospitals and tunnels, hoarding humanitarian aid at the expense of innocent Gazans, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah are visiting their benefactors in Iran. Instead of negotiating conditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, they choose to discuss escalations in Iran with Iranian leaders. Hamas and Islamic Jihad continue to receive instructions from Iran. Yesterday, it was cleared for publication that in a joint operation of the IDF and the ISA, we thwarted attempts by Iran to smuggle weapons intended to reach Judea and Samaria. Any Iranian attempt to encourage terrorist activity will lead to the elimination of those involved and a price exacted from the Iranians. This evening, a very important and courageous article about Amit Soussana, from Kfar Aza, was published in the New York Times. Amit was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and spent fifty-five days in captivity, testifying that she was sexually assaulted during her captivity. The testimony is chilling. Amit's courage, her personality, and her choice to bring this difficult testimony to the world are deeply admirable. Amit is a true hero. Her testimony serves as yet another reminder of the obligation of the IDF and the security bodies to make every effort to bring home the 134 hostages, as every additional day in captivity is a terrible and enduring ordeal for them. This is a moral duty - ours and that of the entire world - and it does not waver or fade, not even for a moment. This is the compass for the soldiers currently fighting in the Gaza Strip, and it is a mission that guides them forward. On behalf of the IDF's command, I want to say to the families and to the hostages, if they are able to hear us now - the magnitude of the pain, suffering, and uncertainty you are experiencing is unimaginable. We will continue to fight and create the conditions to bring you home and to strengthen your loved ones, who are our loved ones. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Coast Guard expands its Pacific reach with Harriet Lane deployment The deployment of the medium-endurance cutter to the Pacific will help police the region's vast fisheries. By Stephen Wright and Agnes Herbert for BenarNews 2024.03.26 -- U.S. diplomacy in the South Pacific is getting a boost from the regional deployment of the Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane, which has started a years-long involvement in fisheries and anti-narcotics enforcement in conjunction with Pacific island countries. The home port of Harriet Lane, one of a class of 13 U.S. Coast Guard vessels that can carry out so-called medium range operations lasting up to three months, changed to Pearl Harbor from Portsmouth, Virginia in December as part of recent U.S. government commitments to deepen relations with Pacific island countries. The 270 foot cutter's ongoing inaugural patrol in the South Pacific that began in January has so far taken it to American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Commander Nicole Tesoniero said to date the patrol has carried out 28 vessel boardings under shiprider agreements with Pacific island countries - already equal to more than a third of the boardings carried out in a year by the six fast-response Coast Guard cutters based in Hawaii and Guam. "What we're looking at with Harriet Lane, is starting to get to some of those regions that have been more difficult for the Coast Guard to reach," she told BenarNews in an interview. "And this first patrol has been a great example of that." Harriet Lane's deployment to the Pacific was one of the commitments from last year's summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of Pacific island countries. The U.S. has sought greater involvement in the Pacific in response to archrival China's inroads with island nations, such as its secretive security cooperation agreement with the Solomon Islands, signed in 2022. Many Pacific island countries rely on help from Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. to police their vast exclusive economic zones, which extend 200 nautical miles from land, to deter illegal fishing and ensure licensed fishing fleets are following the rules. The island countries are also part of a drug-trafficking highway for international crime gangs that supply narcotics from Asia and South America to markets in New Zealand and Australia. Bianca Simeon, an inspector in the maritime wing of Vanuatu's police force, said Harriet Lane's visit to Vanuatu last month was significant and beneficial. The last time the country had patrolled its fisheries was in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and problems with its single patrol boat. The RVS Takuare, donated by Australia in mid-2021, is now in Australia for repairs to a reported engine defect. Vanuatu officials who went on patrol with Harriet Lane found violations in half of the dozen foreign fishing vessels they boarded, including fish catches in their coolers that were not recorded in their logs, lack of proper records for crew transfers between ships and captains fishing under licenses not issued to them. "Based on our experience during the patrol with Harriet Lane, I believe there has been significant illegal fishing activity in our waters," Simeon told BenarNews. "The patrol with Harriet was only for six days and this is a short time but we managed to find six vessels who were breaking our law," she said. "I can definitely say there are fishing boats out there who are doing the same but get away with it." Vanuatu expects at least one more patrol with Harriet Lane this year and would likely conduct a joint patrol if the RVS Takuare becomes available, Simeon said. The U.S. has shiprider agreements with 12 Pacific island countries that mean law enforcement officers from those nations can board U.S. vessels and deputize them to assist in enforcing regulations in their waters. The agreements are not explicitly aimed at China. However, U.S. diplomats and defense officials have described them as a form of military diplomacy known as theater security cooperation that can foster political relations in the region, enhance security and counter detrimental outside influences. Many of the fishing vessels boarded in the Pacific with Harriet Lane's assistance are flagged to China, which reflects it has the world's largest commercial fishing fleet numbering more than than half a million vessels. Tesoniero said enhanced shiprider agreements that allow U.S. vessels to police another country's exclusive economic zone without an official from the country on board could increase the effectiveness of Harriet Lane's South Pacific patrols. The U.S. Coast Guard signed an enhanced shiprider agreement with Palau last year and with the Federated States of Micronesia the previous year. Both those countries in the western Pacific give the U.S. military access to their vast ocean territories in exchange for economic assistance and the right for their citizens to live and work in the U.S. "I do think there is considerable benefit to the enhanced shiprider agreements and it's really just because of the ability to start that monitoring and enforcement action immediately upon entering the EEZ ," Tesoniero said. "I think it increases the scope of what you can accomplish." Harriet Lane's Pearl Harbor berth lasts until 2027 under an agreement with the U.S. Navy. Tesoniero said its Pacific patrols also afford an opportunity to understand what its future home port options could be. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 26 March 2024 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Good afternoon, everyone. ** Middle East Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, today briefed the Security Council by video teleconference about the ongoing fighting in Gaza. He said that he was appalled by the immense scale of death, destruction, and human suffering wrought by Israel's military campaign in Gaza, with civilian killings at a rate that is unprecedented. And he once again condemned the horrific armed attack by Hamas and other groups on 7 October. Nothing can justify these acts of terror, he said. The remaining hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. Mr. Wennesland added that he is concerned over what may be violations of international humanitarian law, including possible non-compliance with the requirements of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. The Special Coordinator welcomed the opening of a maritime corridor to deliver much-needed additional humanitarian assistance by sea but reiterated that for aid delivery at scale, there is no meaningful substitute to delivery by land. Mr. Wennesland said that the enormity of the humanitarian, security and political challenges we face requires a collective, creative and immediate response. He said that we must urgently address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. He regretted that, despite intensive diplomatic efforts, we have not seen an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. We've shared his remarks. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Further on the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the UN and its partners continue to do everything possible wherever and whenever we can to address surging needs, despite tremendous obstacles to our aid operations. Over the weekend, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners evacuated two 6-year-old patients and their caregivers from Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. One of the children has leukaemia, while the other has cystic fibrosis, and both will now receive treatment abroad. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus once more appeals for sustained and safe medical transfers in Gaza to ensure all children and sick patients in need of urgent care have a chance to survive. To date, about 3,400 patients have been evacuated out of Gaza. That's out of some 9,200 people who urgently require medical evacuation. Meanwhile, as hunger soars in Gaza, aid organizations continue to screen and treat children under the age of 5 for acute malnutrition. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is carrying out screenings at shelters in Deir al Balah and plans to expand into Al Mawasi and shelters in Khan Younis. Between mid-January and mid-March of this year, more than 28,000 children under the age of 5 had been screened for acute malnutrition. The nearly 2,000 children diagnosed with acute malnutrition are currently receiving the required treatment. On Saturday, WHO delivered treatment kits for severe acute malnutrition as well as therapeutic milk to the stabilization centre at Kamal Adwan Hospital. ** Sexual Exploitation and Abuse The report of the Secretary-General on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, covering the year 2023, has been published today. As in previous years, the report provides details on system-wide efforts to strengthen our capacity to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, in line with the Secretary-General's strategy. For example, many UN agencies, funds and programmes have introduced or updated their strategies to institutionalize safeguards against all forms of sexual misconduct. However, despite this progress, the report notes that the lack of adequate and sustained resources continues to impede the effective implementation of initiatives across the UN system, particularly at the field level. Our approach, which is centred on the rights and needs of victims, continues. We are intensifying efforts to uphold the rights of victims and to end impunity. This also includes engagement with Member States to facilitate the resolution of paternity claims. With an unprecedented rise in humanitarian crises around the world, the report states there is an urgent necessity to recalibrate our approach to funding in this area. The Secretary-General's Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse, Christian Saunders, has commissioned a comprehensive assessment to determine how to best to integrate the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in all UN activities and programmes. This assessment will propose a strategy to ensure sustainable, effective prevention work across the UN system and options for predictable and adequate resourcing at headquarters and in the field. And today, in a video message, the Secretary-General said sexual exploitation and abuse violate everything the United Nations stands for. It is up to all of us to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse from our work, support victims and hold perpetrators and their enablers to account, he added. Both the video message and report are available online. ** Haiti We have a short humanitarian update for you on Haiti: The World Food Programme (WFP) says that yesterday, together with their local partners, they delivered hot meals to 18,500 displaced people, making it their largest distribution in March. However, access to people in need remains sporadic. Between 20 and 22 March, WFP reported that it was not able to reach some 18,000 people in need with food due to roadblocks and insecurity. Since 29 February, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and its partners have distributed some 1.7 million litres of water for more than 15,000 people in Port-au-Prince. On the health front, the monitoring of disease outbreaks continues in sites for displaced people across the capital. Our health colleagues warn that the distribution of medicine and medical supplies, including supplies to respond to cholera, remains a critical need with insecurity hindering the replenishment of stocks. Meanwhile, UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, warned today that violence and instability have consequences far beyond the risk of the violence itself, as the current context is creating a child health and nutrition crisis that could cost the lives of countless of children. ** South Sudan Turning to South Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is concerned about incidents that continue to impede the humanitarian response in the country. In a new report, OCHA recorded more than 30 incidents curtailing humanitarian access in South Sudan last month. Nearly half of these incidents involved violence against humanitarian staff and assets. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that this is causing delays in the movement of aid and personnel in South Sudan, and even the suspension of some programmes. This comes at a time when the country is grappling with an influx of returnees due to the conflict in Sudan. These new arrivals are stretching response capacities and putting additional pressure on host communities. Meanwhile, funding constraints are compounding the challenges that humanitarian organizations are facing. This year's Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan has received just $335 million less than 20 per cent of the $1.8 billion required. This funding level is much lower than last year. ** Ukraine In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that attacks continued in the south and east of the country yesterday and today, impacting civilians and critical infrastructure. Several people have been injured in the cities of Odesa and Kharkiv, according to local authorities. Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power, mainly in Odesa and Kharkiv Regions. Authorities estimate that restoring the power to its full capacity will take months. Humanitarian organizations are on the ground, providing emergency aid to people affected. ** Yemen The UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, warns that, nine years into the conflict in Yemen, almost 10 million children remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. While the reduction in active conflict since April 2022 has led to a decrease in civilian casualties and distress across communities, the situation remains fragile without a sustainable political settlement, UNICEF says. That's especially critical at a time when more than half of the population 18.2 million people, including 9.8 million children remain in need of life-saving support. UNICEF notes the persistent malnutrition in the country, where over 2.7 million children are acutely malnourished and 49 per cent of children under 5 suffer from stunting or chronic malnutrition. There's more in a press release from the agency. ** Migration The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today released a report showing that in the last 10 years, more than 63,000 deaths and disappearances were documented during migration, and more deaths were recorded in 2023 than in any prior year. According to the report, more than one third of deceased migrants whose country of origin could be identified come from countries in conflict or with large refugee populations, highlighting the dangers faced by those attempting to flee conflict zones without safe pathways. The International Organization for Migration said that these figures demonstrate the urgent need for strengthened search and rescue capacities, facilitation of safe, regular migration pathways and evidence-based action to prevent further loss of life. IOM added that action should also include intensified international cooperation against unscrupulous smuggling and trafficking networks. ** Noon Briefing Guest I have a programming note for tomorrow, which is Wednesday. We shall be joined virtually by our guest, Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, MONUSCO. She will brief on the situation in the DRC, following her participation in the Security Council meeting on MONUSCO tomorrow morning. ** Financial Contribution And today we are delighted to thank our friends in Zagreb and Lima for their nations' full contributions to the regular budget. The cheques from Croatia and Peru take us to 92 fully paid-up Member States. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : Are there any questions for me? Yes. Dezhi? Question : Yeah. Today, it seems the Security Council there still, the Member States are still discussing on the binding or not binding on the Security Council resolution. Yesterday, you said this Security Council resolution is international law, which means it is binding, right? Yes, or no? I have to ask. Deputy Spokesman : Well, first of all, for legal questions, I normally defer to tell you to ask the lawyers. But for this, I mean, I would just refer you to the United Nations Charter, which is a handy document that you can always carry in your pocket. Question : Article 25 "A Member of the United Nations agrees to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with its Charter." Deputy Spokesman : Yes. That is Article 25, and that is where we stand. Question : Yeah. So, which means it's binding? Deputy Spokesman : I will leave you to do your own interpretations. Question : Okay. So now we know that the US, they always they said it's not binding. It's one of the founding Members of this very institution. Just now we heard Members States say that if this resolution is described as not binding, it would be like a fundamental change in some of the structure of this very institution. Do you worry that would set a very bad precedent to the future draft for future Security Council resolutions? Deputy Spokesman : Well, Dezhi, you've noticed that this discussion is happening as we speak in the Security Council. And I will let the members of the Council speak and debate for themselves. I think there's some very powerful arguments being made, and I think the members of the Council need to listen to each other. Question : So, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it is critical that we continue to stand together in support of the UN Charter. That we continue to call for accountability for the atrocities, and that's what she said on 15 March of 2024. So how, what do you think of this kind of double standard now? Deputy Spokesman : Again, that's your analysis. Question : So, you think it's not a double standard? Deputy Spokesman : But we ultimately, what we want to focus on is that the Security Council after many long months worked out and agreed on a resolution. Agreement in the Security Council is necessary. The unity of the Security Council is necessary, and we hope that they could continue to maintain their unity. Question : After 22 hours, after 24 hours, it seems this draft, this resolution is not implemented, right? Deputy Spokesman : The implementation of resolutions is something that takes time. The enforcement of resolutions is something that is ultimately up to the international community as a whole. But you just read out yourself what Article 25 states and that is the rules, one of the founding rules of the United Nations Charter. Yes. Edie? Question : On a related subject, the Prime Minister of Israel said that adopt today, that adoption of the resolution emboldened Hamas to reject a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release that was on the table negotiated by the US, Qatar and Egypt. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on that? Deputy Spokesman : We believe that those are two separate issues, and they are not connected. As far as I'm aware, Hamas's declaration came hours before the adoption of the Security Council resolution, so it's not as if one led to the other. But above and beyond that, we believe that the negotiations should continue and we're still pushing to make sure that there will be a ceasefire and a release of hostages; so, to the extent that we have influence with the various negotiators and mediators, we've been using that. Question : On a completely different topic: In Venezuela, the main opposition coalition has been unable to register a presidential candidate for their upcoming elections. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on this failure, which is a second failure? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I mean, for us, what's really important is that there is an environment in Venezuela that is conducive to free and fair elections. We regret any development that could impede electoral guarantees. And we recall the need to guarantee the right to vote and to be elected through genuine periodic elections. The Secretary-General underscores the importance that the international community continues engaging with the parties towards a negotiated road map for elections, and he reiterates his call for the implementation in good faith of Venezuelan-led agreements, including the Barbados Agreement. Amelie? Question : Thanks, Farhan. It's been reported earlier this morning that many Palestinian people have been killed by airdrop of aid, drowning or trampled or crushed, whatever. I mean, I know that you've said several times that the best way to get aid in Gaza is by road. But do you think considering the risk of the airdrop, it should be stopped? Deputy Spokesman : Well, certainly, we've said, related to a similar case, just to couple of weeks ago, that there are many risks associated with airdrops, and that's something that the people who are attempting the airdrops need to be cognizant of. They need to make sure that these airdrops can be done in as safe way as possible. But again, for us, the main point is exactly what you just pointed out that we believe that there needs to be much more aid coming in by road, which is both safer, but also much more efficient as a means of delivering aid. Mike? Question : Couple of questions for you. Over the weekend, President [Joseph] Biden signed into law a number of spending bills, one of which, the State Department Foreign Spending Bill would not only cut funding for UNRWA for the calendar year, but also prohibit funding for the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Israeli Palestinian file. It withholds funds from the UN Human Rights Council. It also necessitates the UN to assess and report on efforts to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias within the system. Does the Secretary-General have any plan, have any concerns, have any course of action here to address those obvious concerns, that have been launched by, you know, a pretty wide bipartisan congressional caucus here on those issues? Deputy Spokesman : Well, the UN, including the Secretary-General, remain in regular contact with the authorities in the United States Government to make sure that any concerns they have about our operations are addressed, and we'll continue to do that with the concerns expressed in this latest legislation. Regarding the Relief and Works Agency, as you're aware, we are working with now different procedures, including an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and a look at the neutrality and the operations of UNRWA by the team led by Catherine Colonna, and we'll be sharing that information as well. And we will continue to follow up to address any concerns. But for us, it's vitally important, of course, that UNRWA, as the lead humanitarian agency in the occupied territories, is able to go about its work with proper funding. Question : Can you give any specific examples? Like, I know Mr. [Miguel Angel] Moratinos in the Alliance of Civilizations office has been working on quite some time on a plan to combat antisemitism. It's still in the works, from what I understand. Can you give specific examples outside of the confines of UNRWA, where the UN either is making progress on this issue to the satisfaction of the US Congress or is planning some additional measures to meet those requirements? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I don't know about what specific steps will satisfy the requirements of the Congress; I mean, those are things that we will have to study and see what can be done to accommodate those specific requests. But, yes, both with regard to Mr. Moratinos, but also with regards to policies through the various agencies, we are trying to foster an environment of inclusiveness in which any sorts of racism, any types of antisemitism, Islamophobia, or other such prejudices and biases are not present in the work that is done. Volodymyr? Question : Thank you, Farhan. There was a report about export of oil to North Korea from Russia. We know that it's not allowed, according to the Security Council resolution. So, the same question. Are those restrictions binding or not? Deputy Spokesman : The ones on export of oil? Question : Yes, to North Korea. Deputy Spokesman : That's really a question for the Security Council Sanctions Committee. Obviously, there are sanctions on North Korea. And the Security Council has its own Sanctions Committee that deals with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and determines anything that is a violation of the sanctions regime. Alan and then Anade. Question : Thank you, Farhan. Today, the Director of Russian Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, stated that the first data taken from the people detained after the terrorist attacks in Moscow show clearly the Ukrainian trace. What's your comment regarding that? Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : We have no information to verify or confirm that. You'll have seen what the Secretary-General said in his statement on Friday, and that is where we stand on this issue. Anade? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Can I ask for a couple of clarifications on Haiti? You mentioned that yesterday, the WFP was able to provide 18,000 hot meals. Is that only in Port-au-Prince or are they now providing hot meals outside the capital, as well? Deputy Spokesman : I believe that is in Port-au-Prince, but we can ask the WFP if they have any more details on that. Question : Okay, great. And then secondly, also on Haiti, the multinational security force, we haven't had an update on the fund lately. Do you know how much is in the bank at the moment? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. It's $10.8 million. It's a number I have engraved in my heart. It's not changed in many, many days. Question : Please let us know if it does change. Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Abdelhamid? Question : Thank you, Farhan. I have a few questions. First, I noticed that Mr. Tor Wennesland did not refer to the resolution of the Security Council adopted yesterday. He did not mention it. Is there any reason for it? Deputy Spokesman : This report by Mr. Wennesland was his periodic report to the Security Council on developments that happened in the occupied territories over the last months. So that is what that's what he was referring to, not about the incident that happened right after. [He noted later that Mr. Wennesland had mentioned the resolution prior to his prepared remarks.] Question : Second, does any country, large or small, have the right to decide what is binding or not binding by the UN Security Council resolutions? Deputy Spokesman : Abdelhamid, you heard the discussion I had with Dezhi on this. Again, you can sort of look at the UN Charter for yourself. Question : President of Israel, Mr. [Chaim] Herzog, said today that the war will continue until either Mr. [Yahya] Sinwar is killed or captured. Do you have any comments on that? Deputy Spokesman : I do not. We are continuing our work to see what can be done on getting a ceasefire and the release of hostages, and we'll continue on that effort. Mike? Question : And my last question. That's my last question. Yeah. The special rapporteur on the human rights in the occupied Palestine territory issued a long a report under the title, "Anatomy of a Genocide," of 25 pages or so. Are you aware of it? Does the SG review this report? Do you subscribe to the findings of Ms. [Francesca] Albanese? Deputy Spokesman : Well, as you know, the rapporteurs that report to the Human Rights Council are independent of us. We don't comment on their work, one way or another, across the board. And it'll be up to the Human Rights Council to evaluate her work. Mr. Wagenheim? Question : Thank you. In the wake of 7 October, the Secretary-General made, some say, controversial comments that the 7 October attacks did not happen in a vacuum. Back on Friday, an internationally designated terror group attacked indiscriminately civilians. They claim it's because the Government of those civilians have been oppressing the constituency that that terror group purports to represent. So, I'll ask you in parallel: Does the Secretary-General feel that terror attack in Moscow happened inside or outside of a vacuum? Deputy Spokesman : These are separate incidents, and so they need to be looked at separately. But his standpoint across the board is that actions don't just erupt out of nowhere. And ultimately, if we want to deal with problems, we have to look at what was underlying how those problems came about. That would be the case across the board in Russia, in Israel and everywhere. Question : So, should ISIS grievances be taken into account going forward? Deputy Spokesman : That's a bit of an oversimplification of what I just said. Question : [laughs] I'm not analysing, I'm asking. Deputy Spokesman : No. I mean, what I said is all crises are the result of different factors. Ultimately, if you want to prevent problems from arising, you have to look at what contributes, whether it's socioeconomic factors on the ground, whether it's how people have been educated, how militants have come into their mindset. This is something we talk about in various different reports, including the reports we deal with that come out from our counterterrorism office. Question : Thank you, Farhan. Deputy Spokesman : All right. Have a good afternoon, everyone. And for your enjoyment, my comrade Stephane Dujarric will be back with you tomorrow. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address San Francisco could soon make it illegal to make a right turn during a red light on more city streets as Mayor London Breed outlines her new goals for Vision Zero, a program intended to reduce traffic fatalities. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Mayor London Breed, at the podium, speaks Thursday about the next phase of the citys Vision Zero plan during a news conference outside San Francisco City Hall. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breed wants the citys Municipal Transportation Agency and police department to ramp up enforcement of dangerous driving and parking, as well as expand bans on right turns during red traffic lights at intersections throughout the city and potentially ban cars on Haight Street. These new directives are among the batch of street safety initiatives Breed announced Thursday as San Francisco marked the 10th anniversary of its promise to eliminate traffic fatalities on city streets. The anniversary follows the tragic deaths of a family of four who were plowed into by a motorist on March 16 while waiting to board public transit at a West Portal bus stop, an incident Breed called unimaginable. This is a moment that we never want to live through again, Breed said. It is lessons from horrific events such as these that must inform the way we move forward as a city the way that we move forward in a courageous way to make significant change. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco adopted the ambitious Vision Zero pledge, which carried the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities by 2024, in 2014 after a 6-year-old girl was struck and killed by a motorist at a downtown crosswalk. During a news conference Thursday, Mayor London Breed says she expects more police enforcement and more restrictions on turning right while at a red light as the city plots its next phase of Vision Zero. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The initiative, which calls for instituting rules such as lower speed limits and redesigns of unsafe streets and intersections, saw early success. In 2017, the city recorded just 20 traffic fatalities. But traffic deaths climbed again in the past five years, rising to 39 in 2022 and 26 in 2023. The 2022 tally was the citys highest since 2007, when the city recorded 41 deaths. The recent spate of traffic deaths on city streets comes as rates of dangerous driving such as excessive speeding have gone up since the pandemic. In San Francisco, traffic enforcement by police has dramatically declined since 2014, as well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under Breeds menu of new directives, the San Francisco Police Department will increase traffic enforcement, focusing on the citys most dangerous intersections. Parking control officers are also expected to begin enforcement sweeps in neighborhoods across each of the 11 supervisorial districts with an emphasis on violations such as parking on the sidewalks, blocking crosswalks and parking in daylit zones, according to the mayors office. The police department is expected to present its traffic enforcement deployment plan to the Board of Supervisors in April. Breed also wants the SFMTA to come up with a plan in the next three months to expand banning right turns on red at city intersections with the busiest pedestrian activity. The city launched this treatment in the Tenderloin in 2022, and officials say the bans have helped lower traffic injuries and deaths in the neighborhood. The mayors proposal falls short of the citywide ban of right turns on red that supervisors last fall called on the SFMTA to implement. Breed is directing the transportation agency to come up with a plan to prioritize dangerous intersections in need of daylighting treatments to increase visibility for motorists. Breeds plan also calls for expediting the installation of 400 automated license plate readers across the city, which are meant to help catch motorists who flee the scene after hitting a pedestrian or cyclist. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A car turns left from Polk Street as another turns right off Polk Street in San Francisco last year. Vision Zero seeks to reduce difficult situations where cars and pedestrians or bicyclists interact. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2023 Street safety advocates say lax enforcement of traffic laws, fragmented efforts across city departments and a general sense that street safety hasnt been prioritized by city leaders is what has hampered San Franciscos Vision Zero progress. Advocates often point to New York as an example of sustained progress. City leaders there have aggressively pursued expansion of automated speed cameras and coordinated efforts to redesign dangerous corridors. San Francisco officials have defended the citys Vision Zero progress and say that recent efforts have made it safer to walk and bike on city streets. Since the pandemic, the city has adopted a network of pedestrian-friendly Slow Streets, permanently closed a major thoroughfare to cars at Golden Gate Park and completed more than three dozen quick-build projects to redesign unsafe streets and prioritize public transit on city roads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breed elicited cheers from a crowd of advocates at a City Hall news conference Thursday afternoon when she said that San Francisco should pursue more street closures like whats now known as JFK Promenade. She mentioned Haight Street and North Beach as potential sites for the pedestrian-friendly streets that ban car traffic. Change in our street infrastructure isnt bad, Breed said. Its a way to make San Francisco the kind of city that we can all enjoy and love. Breed noted Thursday that San Francisco will be the first of six cities allowed by the state to install and test speed cameras, which experts say could be a potent deterrent for speeding drivers. The city will install its 33 allotted speed cameras by next year. The SFMTA plans to reduce speed limits on more commercial streets this year, utilizing a 2021 state law that authorizes cities to make incremental speed reductions. Demonstrators gather during a news conference outside San Francisco City Hall on Thursday in which the mayor and officials updated the citys Vision Zero policy on its 10th anniversary. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Its unclear for how long Breeds directive of more traffic and parking enforcement will last. The police department is dealing with a reported shortage of officers, which has contributed to its lax enforcement of traffic laws. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The SFMTA, meanwhile, faces massive budget shortfalls starting in 2026 that officials say would impact functions across the sprawling agency if it reaches its fiscal cliff. Breeds new Vision Zero plan may not go far enough for some residents and advocates who want to see more widespread street redesigns. Meanwhile, safety efforts such as street closures are likely to generate vocal opposition from some residents. But advocates say the mayor, city leaders and the departments they oversee will need to work together and keep street safety front of mind to make more noticeable progress. Amid Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Gaza, 'Settlement Activities Have Continued, Intensified', Special Coordinator Warns Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9588th Meeting (AM) SC/15643 26 March 2024 Delegates Raise Concern Over Non-compliance with Organ's Demand for Ceasefire While the humanitarian impact of the hostilities in Gaza has been cataclysmic and is worsening daily, violence and the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continue at alarming levels, the head of United Nations peace efforts in the Middle East told the Security Council today, as delegates raised concern over non-compliance with the organ's demand for a ceasefire. "We need a ceasefire now, we need the release of all hostages now, the suffering must end," stated Tor Wennesland, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, commending yesterday's adoption of resolution 2728 (2024). Presenting the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) which covers the period from 8 December to 18 March he stressed that "settlement activities have continued and intensified". In total, some 4,780 housing units were advanced or approved in settlements in Area C across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Citing the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible for Palestinians to obtain, Israeli authorities demolished, seized, or forced people to demolish 300 structures, displacing 314 people, including 137 children. He reported that numerous Israeli officials called for the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza and the re-establishment of settlements there, with a minister posting on social media that Israel should "continue to pressure them, using force, starvation, [and] difficult conditions". An Israeli member of the Knesset called on his country "to occupy, to annex, to destroy all the houses [in Gaza], to build [] large settlements." On 1 February, the United States issued an Executive Order imposing sanctions on "persons undermining peace, security and stability in the West Bank". In total, seven Israeli settlers have been sanctioned under the order. The United Kingdom, France and New Zealand also subsequently announced sanctions against settlers, he added. Alongside daily violence in the occupied West Bank, the devastating conflict in Gaza has continued, he observed. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, from 8 December to 18 March, at least 14,549 Palestinians were killed, including approximately 4,200 women and 6,000 children, and at least 27,792 were injured. This brings the total number, since 7 October, to more than 31,790 Palestinians killed, a majority of whom are reportedly women and children. According to Israeli sources, 134 hostages are still being held captive, of at least 250 taken, while over 1,461 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed by Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups, including at least 338 women, 37 children and 633 members of the security forces, since 7 October, inclusive. Hostilities remained intense across Gaza, with Israel conducting strikes from air, land and sea, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, massive displacement of civilians and widespread destruction, he continued. On 15 March, the Prime Minister's Office announced approval of plans for an Israeli military operation in Rafah, including steps to evacuate civilians from combat zones. "More than 1 million people in Gaza are projected to face catastrophic levels of food insecurity by the end of May, and famine in the northern part of Gaza is imminent," he warned, adding that starvation-related fatalities have already been reported. Amid a decimated health system, most people lack access to adequate food, clean drinking water, or effective sanitation services. Despite some progress made on a maritime corridor from Cyprus, alongside the opening of an access point in the north of Gaza, the inadequate levels of humanitarian access and safety of humanitarian workers remain alarming. Accordingly, he called on Israel to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access into and throughout Gaza. In the ensuing discussion, numerous Council members among them, the representatives of the Republic of Korea, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Switzerland condemned all attacks against civilian populations and objects as well as any forcible displacement of Palestinians. Many recalled that resolution 2728 (2024) demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza along with the unconditional release of hostages. "With our eyes on Gaza, we must not forget about the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," said Slovenia's delegate. Expressing concern that the practices and policies of the current Government of Israel appear to be unprecedently aligned with the goals of the Israeli settler movement, he pointed to the alarming acceleration in settler and State violence and the displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank. In the same vein, the speaker for Ecuador while he observed that it is natural to focus on Gaza following the "explosion of violence" urged those present not to forget what is happening in the West Bank, where violence and settlement activity continue. Recalling Israel's recent decision to declare 800 hectares in the Jordan Valley as "State land", he opposed all unilateral measures that hamper peace. These include the construction and expansion of settlements, the confiscation of land, the "legalization" of outposts, the demolition of homes and the displacement of civilians. Also condemning Israel's recent declaration of 800 hectares of land in the occupied West Bank as "State lands", Malta's delegate said that illegal settlements threaten the viability of the two-State solution. On the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, she observed: "There could not be a stronger indictment of our failure to put an end to this tragedy than the harrowing images of Gazan children suffering starvation." Only a ceasefire will permit the conditions necessary to properly alleviate these conditions, and she called on Israel to lift all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale. While recognizing Israel's right to self-defence, the speaker for the United Kingdom painted an alarming picture of "unfathomable suffering" in Gaza and urged Israel to open Ashdod port and Kerem Shalom in full and issue visas to aid workers. Underscoring that Hamas must no longer be in charge of Gaza, she called for the formation of a new Palestinian Government for West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package. The delegate for the United States reported that his country is engaged in an "on-the-ground effort" with Egypt and Qatar to secure the release of hostages in the context of a ceasefire. Further, Washington, D.C., is working to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza and, while a ceasefire would be the best, most immediate way to achieve that surge, it is not the only way. The United States continues to coordinate international efforts to establish a maritime corridor for the delivery of aid and to air drop humanitarian assistance into Gaza. While emphasizing that his country shares Israel's goal of defeating Hamas and ensuring long-term security, he stressed: "A major military ground operation in Rafah is not the way to do it." The representative of Japan, Council President for March, speaking in his national capacity, added that a military offensive into Rafah would be catastrophic not only for Gaza, but across the region. The representative of France emphasized that his country will never recognize the illegal annexation of territory nor the legalization of outposts. To this end, France and the European Union have initiated measures against some settlers and do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over territory that has come under Israel's administration after 5 June 1967. He also urged Israel to immediately and unconditionally open all land crossing points, stressing that "resolution 2728 (2024) must be applied by everyone". Algeria's delegate echoed that Council resolutions are binding "not almost, not partly, not maybe". The killing must stop now, and urgent action is needed to expedite humanitarian relief efforts before the spectre of famine materializes. Condemning the occupying Power's refusal to allow United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) convoys to enter northern Gaza, he observed that "we have the tool to avoid this catastrophe it is UNRWA, which is the backbone of humanitarian action in Gaza". Emphasizing that the settler community has quadrupled since the 1990s, he said: "This expansionist agenda is a clear blueprint aimed at altering the demographic landscape and character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory." Acknowledging that the United States finally decided, on 25 March, not to single-handedly veto the Council resolution, the speaker for China pointed out that statements issued by that country's authorities after the vote raise questions about its political will and sincerity. Council resolutions are binding beyond any doubt, he stressed, adding that every Member State must implement them. However, stressed Guyana's delegate, from all indications, the Council's demand for a ceasefire is not being adhered to, and accountability remains solely lacking in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Echoing her concerns, the representative of the Russian Federation said that Washington, D.C., referred to resolution 2728 (2024) as "non-binding", in other words, "there is no impact on Israel's ability to continue to go after Hamas". After the resolution's adoption, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel said that his country would not end the military operation and intended to fight "until they destroyed the Hamas movement and returned all hostages". One of the permanent Council members has openly stated that it does not accept the Charter of the United Nations, including this historic resolution on Gaza. With Washington, D.C.,'s blessing, "Israel despite the direct demand from the Council has complete carte blanche and is not planning to stop until it razes Gaza to the ground". At the outset of the meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation asked for a procedural vote on convening this meeting, since the representative of France had requested one the day before. For additional details, please see SC/15641. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies strengthen cooperation on military aviation training NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 25 Mar. 2024 Last updated: 27 Mar. 2024 On Monday (25 March 2024), twelve NATO Allies (Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Turkiye, and the United Kingdom) agreed to further expand military aviation training across the Alliance through the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) initiative. This includes the first ever placement of around fifty student pilots in four locations beginning this year, the addition of nine new training campuses, as well as the establishment of a dedicated industry advisory body. NFTE aims to fundamentally change the way Allies train the full range of aircrews, including pilots for jets, helicopters, and remotely piloted air systems. NFTE is not only strengthening the capabilities of Allied air forces but it is also promoting Allied unity. Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said: "Unity doesn't just happen, it has to be earned. One way of achieving this is by systematically training together and forging trusting relationships in the process. NATO Flight Training Europe is an excellent example of this. This important multinational effort will help us to break down national silos towards a shared approach to training the next generations of aircrews." With the latest expansion of the number of training campuses to fourteen locations, NFTE is now facilitating training in seven Allied countries. The rapid growth of NFTE has attracted interest around the Alliance with several Allies expected to join in the first half of 2024. The placement of the first group of students means that Allied aircrews will have access to cutting-edge training opportunities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungarians Rally As Whistle-Blower Exposes Alleged Corruption In Orban's Government By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service March 27, 2024 BUDAPEST -- Hungarians are keeping up public pressure on the ruling Fidesz party fueled by an audio recording a longtime insider claims is evidence of rampant corruption among senior prosecutors and members of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. Peter Magyar is a former high-ranking official at state-held companies including the Student Loan Center, a major lender, and is among the ruling party's most senior defectors of the past decade. Following weeks of public attacks on Orban and his inner circle, Magyar posted a recording on social media on March 26 purportedly of his estranged ex-wife, a former justice minister, acknowledging that government officials persuaded prosecutors to tamper with evidence in a major corruption case. At a demonstration near Kossuth Lajos Square in downtown Budapest hours later, Magyar said he had shared the recording with investigators and he urged the crowd to demand justice and an investigation into what is known in Hungary as the Schadl-Volner case. Thousands of people waved Hungarian flags and booed and whistled on cue as Magyar read a prepared statement laying out accusations against senior Fidesz officials he claims have been corrupted by long years in power. "Jail them! Jail them!" the crowd chanted at one point. Orban and Fidesz have dominated successive Hungarian elections since 2010 and have used their supermajority to reshape election rules and the judiciary, marginalize independent media, and effectively deny political opponents a significant role in oversight. Magyar broke publicly with Fidesz after a pardon scandal forced the resignation last month of Hungarian President Katalin Novak and a retreat from political life of Magyar's estranged former wife, ex-Justice Minister Judit Varga. Varga, who abandoned plans to lead Fidesz's candidates in European Parliamentary elections in June, dismissed Magyar's recording as coerced and a "vile manipulation" in a long-running effort to "blackmail" her. She repeated accusations that Magyar had abused her during their marriage. Magyar has repeatedly denied mistreating Varga. Magyar spent several hours in the Prosecutor-General's Office on March 26 and emerged saying the recording implicates officials in multiple crimes. He also said he has many more recordings relating to the Schadl-Volner case and will continue to share them with investigators. The long-running Schadl-Volner case involves possible activities by Gyorgy Schadl, head of the chamber of judicial officers, and a former secretary of state at the Justice Ministry, Pal Volner, and reportedly involves wiretaps and classified data. In a copy of the recording that Magyar posted to YouTube and Facebook, he seemingly prompts Varga into discussing a case before a voice resembling hers says, "They told prosecutors what should be removed." "I think they can't do anything other than to summon several members of the government as witnesses [and], in fact, I say they can't do without summoning the prime minister as a witness," Magyar said of prosecutors. "Obviously, [Orban] is aware of much more [wrongdoing] than what my ex-wife and I were aware of." Magyar has accused Orban loyalist Antal Rogan, who runs the prime minister's cabinet office and shapes government messaging, of wielding enormous influence within a corrupt political syndicate. Fidesz officials have dismissed Magyar's allegations as unfounded opportunism and harassment of his ex-wife. Magyar has called for another rally in Budapest on April 6 to push for change in what he hopes is "the biggest demonstration of the last 14 years." His call for an anti-government protest to coincide with a national holiday on March 15 attracted an estimated 35,000 people who heard Magyar announce his intention to launch a new political party. That rally followed major anti-government demonstrations in February over a presidential pardon signed off on by Varga and granted by Novak to a man convicted for helping cover up sexual abuse at a children's home. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-fidesz-whistleblower- corruption-magyar-orban/32879788.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MONUSCO's withdrawal from South Kivu risks leaving a security vacuum in the Democratic Republic of Congo: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the DRC. 27 March 2024 Thank you, President. Let me begin by thanking SRSG Keita for her briefing today, as well as Ms Jacquie-Anna for her remarks. I have three points I wish to make in response. First, the United Kingdom commends SRSG Keita and MONUSCO for their continued efforts in increasingly difficult circumstances. Attacks on UN helicopters, convoys and personnel are unacceptable. We urge all parties to immediately end attacks on peacekeeping troops and deconflict activities to allow MONUSCO to fulfil its mandate. Second, MONUSCO's withdrawal from South Kivu risks leaving a security vacuum. We urge the government of the DRC to assume its protection responsibilities for the civilian population which is increasingly vulnerable to armed group attacks. MONUSCO's capacity-building activities with the government of DRC remain critical. We encourage the UN to continue to share its honest assessment of the withdrawal process with the Council to inform our decision-making. Third, the United Kingdom condemns, in the strongest terms, the actions of all armed groups, including the continued advance of the UN-sanctioned, M23. We reiterate our full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC. We call on external actors to end their support for violent armed groups in DRC, including M23, whose activities have resulted in mass civilian displacement. Without serious efforts on all sides to de-escalate and end hostilities, the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict will continue. The United Kingdom has pledged $126 million to be delivered through a three-year Humanitarian Programme, working closely with partners to address this enormous need. President, to conclude, the United Kingdom notes the arrival of regional SADC force, SAMIDRC, and we stress the importance of its being anchored to a regional political process like the Luanda process. Peaceful dialogue and committed engagement to regional processes are the best routes to peace in DRC and, in this regard, we welcome the positive steps towards this made recently in Angola. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lord Ahmad visits Egypt for talks on getting more aid into Gaza and steps for achieving a sustainable peace In his third visit to Egypt, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad will discuss how the UK and Egypt can work together to get more lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza. 27 March 2024 Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon visits Cairo for discussions with Egypt's Foreign Minister on how to get more lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation Lord Ahmad will discuss the need for an immediate stop in the fighting, leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life Minister for the Middle East will meet businesses and civil society to discuss deepening UK-Egypt ties Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, Commonwealth and the PM's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, arrives in Cairo today [27 March] for talks on Gaza. In his third visit to the country, Lord Ahmad will meet Foreign Minister of Egypt, H.E Sameh Shoukry, to discuss how the UK and Egypt can work together to get more lifesaving aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and to discuss the need for an immediate stop to the fighting in Gaza, leading to a sustainable peace and irreversible steps towards a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in security and peace. The UK and Egypt have worked closely throughout the Gaza crisis. The UK has trebled its aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this year, with much of the lifesaving support delivered through the airport at Al Arish and Port Said, for onward transfer into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle East, said: On my third visit to Cairo since Hamas' terror attack on October 7, I will be discussing with Egyptian counterparts how we can make rapid and meaningful progress towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as how to end the fighting in Gaza and achieve irreversible steps towards a two-state solution. Egypt is a vital partner, and boosting UK-Egypt ties will enable our nations to work towards a shared goal - bringing greater stability to the region. As my visit coincides with the Holy Month of Ramadan, I am also looking forward to celebrating Egypt's unique culture. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza, and the UK and Egypt have been vital players in the global effort to significantly increase lifesaving aid to those in need. The UK remains focused on getting more aid to those in need, by air, sea and road. Working more closely with Egypt is critical to international efforts towards achieving an immediate humanitarian pause in the fighting. Lord Ahmad's two-day visit is taking place during Ramadan, where he will attend a suhoor reception at the British Embassy in Cairo. The Minister will meet prominent partners across the Egyptian government and members of business and civil society to discuss how the UK can deepen its strategic partnership with Egypt. The UK's commitment to religious freedom will form an important part of discussions, as the Minister reflects on his experiences of Ramadan on the UK. This visit follows ongoing diplomatic engagement with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sameh Shoukry since the start of the conflict, including Lord Ahmad's call with Shoukry on 28 February - and the Foreign Secretary speaking to Shoukry at the G20 Foreign Minister' Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 22 February. The UK Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Development Minister have all visited Egypt in recent months, signifying the ongoing importance of engaging with regional partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK government gave a statement in response to Israel announcing the seizure of further land in the Jordan Valley. 27 March 2024 A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: The UK strongly condemns the recent Israeli Government announcement to seize 1,977 acres of Palestinian lands in the Jordan Valley. The size of the area designated for seizure is the largest since the Oslo Accords, agreed over 30 years ago. This declaration is in addition to 652 acres of land marked for seizure by Israel on 29 February, meaning 2024 now marks an unacceptable peak in land seizures. The UK calls on the Israeli Government to halt this seizure and all others immediately. Our policy is clear: settlements are illegal under international law and only make it harder to progress to achieving peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. World News in Brief: Civilian deaths in Ukraine, refugees in Cameroon at risk, older women facing abuse, cholera in Somalia 27 March 2024 - The UN's Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine said on Wednesday that she was "shocked and appalled by the horrifying reports" of civilians, including small children, being killed and injured by Russian strikes. News reports said that residential buildings in the northern city of Kharkiv had been hit, killing one and injuring 16, quoting the city's mayor. Four children were wounded, with images posted to social media showing extensive damage and a body visible lying on the floor. The UN's Denise Brown said that international law must be respected by combatants, adding that there had been a week of daily attacks on cities "which have taken the lives of people and severely impacted vital services." Food assistance to Cameroon refugees at risk amid funding shortages Vital food assistance to refugees in Cameroon may cease unless funding shortfalls can be filled, UN humanitarians have warned. The alert from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) affects vulnerable people sheltering in the country's Far North, Adamawa, East and North regions. Rations have already been cut in half in these areas, meaning that food baskets have been missing basic staples including pulses, vegetable oil and salt. "Without immediate support we will have no option but to further cut the already meagre portions on refugees' plates, with all the devastating impacts this will bring including rising malnutrition and hunger," said Wanja Kaaria, WFP Country Director in Cameroon. Less study, less food Ms. Kaaria explained that families facing hunger cope by pulling children out of school and eating less food; this affects women and children especially, she warned. Cameroon continues to be affected by three humanitarian crises; one is in the Far North and linked to violence and insecurity close by, in Lake Chad and Nigeria. The second is in the Northwest and Southwest regions, where armed groups are fighting Government forces, and the third is in neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR). Thousands of people have been uprooted by fighting, fleeing to Cameroon for shelter, meaning that the country now hosts more than half a million refugees and asylum-seekers. The $371 million humanitarian response plan for Cameroon is only five per cent funded. Older women and those with disabilities at 'particular risk' of abuse Older women and women with disabilities face particular risk of abuse, yet their situation is largely hidden in most countries' statistics on victims of violence, according to two new publications released on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN agency is calling for governments to carry out more thorough research that will help ensure these women are counted, and that their specific needs are understood and addressed. The data and evidence of gender-based violence amongst these groups, shows a high prevalence. One systematic review found greater risks of intimate partner violence for women with disabilities compared with those without, while another also found higher rates of sexual violence. "Older women and women with disabilities are under-represented in much of the available research on violence against women, which undermines the ability of programmes to meet their particular needs," said WHO's Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, who is the author of the briefs and an expert on data relating to violence against women. Understanding differences "Understanding how diverse women and girls are differently affected, and if and how they are accessing services, is critical to ending violence in all its forms." Intimate partner and sexual violence are the most common forms of gender-based violence globally and affect around one in three women. Older women and women with disabilities are still subjected to these types of violence but also face specific risks and additional forms of abuse, sometimes at the hands of caregivers or healthcare professionals. These include coercive and controlling behaviours such as withholding of medicines, assistive devices or other aspects of care, and financial abuse. Concern grows over spread of cholera, diarrhoea in Somalia The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office, OCHA, on Wednesday sounded the alarm over the spread of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea in Somalia, which is grappling with multiple crises. As of a week ago, nearly 4,400 cases and 54 deaths had been recorded in nearly half of all districts in Somalia, since the beginning of the year, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York. Over 60 per cent of the deaths are reportedly among children under five. WHO said cases this year are three times higher than the previous three-year average and Somalia is already among the countries most severely impacted by cholera and acute watery diarrhoea. Stepping up response "We, along with our humanitarian partners, are working with Somalia's health authorities to step up preparation and response efforts, in line with a six-month plan of action that will require nearly $6 million", said Mr. Dujarric. There are severe shortages in the number of available oral cholera vaccine doses, he said, while aid organizations are pre-positioning treatment kits and working on surveillance and case management. "However, we urgently need additional funding", he continued. "This year's humanitarian appeal for Somalia is only 10 per cent funded. We have about $150 million received out of the nearly $1.6 billion that are needed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Situation Report #95 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 24-25 March 2024, is valid as of 25 March 2024 at 22:30 UNRWA 27 Mar 2024 Key Points The Gaza Strip On 24 March, UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, [1] that Israeli Authorities had informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to northern Gaza. Since 22 March, five UNRWA food convoy requests to access the north have been denied by Israeli Authorities. On 25 March the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. It called for increasing the flow of humanitarian aid, ensuring humanitarian access and the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza. Despite the adoption of the resolution, Israeli Security Forces (ISF) continued military operations across Gaza, particularly in Al Rimal area near Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza city, central Khan Younis, and the vicinity of Al Amal and Nasser hospitals also in Khan Younis. This has resulted in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure. Airstrikes and bombardment continued tin Rafah where UNRWA estimates a total of 1.2 million people are now living, the vast majority in formal and informal shelters. UNICEF confirmed[2] that 13,750 children have now been killed, and cited reports of a near double digit number of children killed overnight, hours after the Security Council resolution was passed. According to the Gaza Health Cluster[3] hospitals in the north Gaza and Gaza face challenges due to recent military operations, and are in dire need of fuel, medical supplies and medical staff. Hospitals are operating with limited resources, facing electricity shortages and witnessing an increase in trauma cases and malnutrition. This highlights the urgent need for continued support and assistance from all clusters/sectors. Restoration of health services in Nasser hospital is ongoing. On the 17 March WHO, UNRWA, UNMAS and UNOCHA conducted a mission to provide 10,000 litres of fuel to Nasser hospital, and conducted a rapid needs assessment of the hospital (WASH and health equipment). There has been no significant change in the volume of supplies entering Gaza or improved access to the north. The first 25 days of March saw an average of 155 aid trucks per day crossing. The highest number this month was on 11 March, when 236 trucks entered Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah land crossing. This remains well below the operational capacity of both border crossings and the target of 500 per day. UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organization in Gaza with over 1.8 million people, or 85 per cent of the population, reached with flour since 7 October as one example. In addition, nearly 600,000[4] people have received emergency food parcels and almost 3.5m patient consultations provided at health centres and health points. UNRWA continues to provide storage and distribution of other agencies' food commodities. As of 25 March, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 171. As of 25 March, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, the majority multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south. *This includes 1 million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of 12 October, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in UNRWA shelters in Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates is up to 250,000 people. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by ISF, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times. **UNRWA reported on 15 January in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs were either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered. *** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows. [1] Philippe Lazzarini on X: "# Gaza: as of today, @UNRWA, the main lifeline for #Palestine Refugees, is denied from providing lifesaving assistance to northern Gaza. Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any @UNRWA food... https://t.co/lfp9xRQuh1" / X (twitter.com) [2] Gaza: 'Double-digit' number of children reported killed overnight - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb [3] Gaza Health Cluster Bi-Weekly Report_March 22 2024: Gaza Health Cluster Partners Bi-Weekly Update 03 (Mar 20, 2024) - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb [4] UNRWA and other UN parcels distributed by UNRWA. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem Between 21 and 25 March, more than 150 ISF search and arrest operations were recorded across the West Bank, with at least 84 Palestinians detained during this period. During one of the operations nine Palestinians including three from Gaza were detained on 25 March in Jalazone Camp (central West Bank). ISF search and arrest operations were recorded across the West Bank, with at least 84 Palestinians detained during this period. During one of the operations nine Palestinians including three from Gaza were detained on 25 March in Jalazone Camp (central West Bank). During the above period, six Palestinians were killed, including one who was killed during an ISF operation in Aqbat Jabr Camp and another killed during an ISF operation in Al Am'ari Camp, both on 21 March. ISF has imposed additional access impediments in the southern West Bank, with concrete blocks and iron gates installed at the entrances of three villages on 25 March: Umm al Khair, Ma'in, and Masafer Yatta. These restrictions have increased since October, limiting Palestinian movement across the West Bank. The security situation in East Jerusalem remained tense, with checkpoints around the city tightened on 22 March ahead of Friday prayers. On the evening of 25 March, several Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and their commercial property in the Old City. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democratic Republic of Congo Battling Worsening Humanitarian Crisis, Armed Conflict, Despite Recent Peaceful Elections, Special Representative Tells Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9590th Meeting (AM) SC/15646 27 March 2024 Delegates Alarmed Over Toll on Civilians, Stress Key Role of United Nations Peacekeeping Mission as It Begins Phased Departure from Country after 25 Years While the elections recently held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were largely peaceful, the security and humanitarian situation in its east has further deteriorated, the Security Council heard today from the Head of the peacekeeping mission in that country, as it begins its phased withdrawal after 25 years. Presenting the Secretary-General's latest report (document S/2024/251), Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said the formation of the new Government is under way in that country after elections on 20 December. However, the 23 March Movement (M23) "is making significant advances and expanding its territory to unprecedented levels," she said. She also drew attention to the atrocities committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and called on all foreign forces illegally operating in the country to withdraw. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the country most affected by food insecurity, she pointed out, noting that "one Congolese person out of four faces hunger and malnutrition". Also highlighting the 7.1 million displaced people, she called for an adequate humanitarian response. MONUSCO is implementing the first phase of its disengagement plan; it handed over the base of Kamanyola on 28 February to the Congolese National Police. "Disengagement and transition are being conducted concomitantly," she said this will enable the UN country team to support the Government in consolidating the Mission's work. The Council also heard from Jacquie-Anna, civil society representative from the National Technical Secretariat for the Implementation of resolution 2250 (2015), who highlighted its mission to promote young people at the decision-making table. "In a country with a high proportion of young people, ignoring and excluding them would be a suicide," she said. The aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda has caused young people to fall prey to violent extremism, child recruitment and abuse, she said. "How many women will have to be raped in front of their husbands and children, how many young people will have to see their future stolen from them and be recruited into armed groups?" she asked, as she detailed the use of rape and other forms of sexual abuse as a weapon of war by the Rwandan occupation army. The international community is good at beautiful speeches and rhetoric however, "is anyone going to wake up and say no?" she asked. When the floor opened for discussion, Council members expressed alarm about the unfolding humanitarian crisis and the high toll on civilians due to the fighting of armed groups. They highlighted the key role of MONUSCO, especially as it prepares to draw down, and heard from countries of concern. Burundi, its delegate said, has good relations with its neighbours, "with only one source of concern Rwanda." He also highlighted his country's bilateral security cooperation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Rwanda has a choice between good relations with Burundi or maintaining these criminal groups who have no political future on Rwandan territory," he stressed, urging Kigali to "opt for a choice that will put it on the right side of history" and hand over the criminal groups currently being sheltered on its territory. However, Rwanda's delegate stressed the importance of protecting the rights of Congolese Tutsi and Kinyarwanda-speaking communities and said injustices against them have pushed hundreds of thousands of people to take refuge in neighbouring countries, including Rwanda. Condemning the collaboration between the Congolese Army and the FDLR genocidal forces, he said the international community must "avoid being bystanders in the face of genocide unfolding against the Congolese Tutsi community". Further, the Presidents of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have repeatedly threatened to inflict "regime change" in his country, he said. Exert pressure on Rwanda, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo appealed to the Council. The blame for attacks on MONUSCO should be assigned entirely to that country's Government, its armed forces and the M23, he said, describing them as a "coalition of axis of evil". Rwanda's forces actively participate in combat using sophisticated armson his country's territory, he said, calling on the Council to impose sanctions and ensure the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and M23. While his country is determined to establish lasting peace throughout its territory, he said, it "will not accept any window-dressing arrangements". Regarding Rwanda's stance that it does not want to externalize the Congolese conflict, he asked: "Very well, what are you doing in the Congo then? If this is an internal conflict, stay home." The FDLR, he said "are Rwandan people" who had committed genocide in 1994 in that country and fled to his country. "This is a game that Rwanda is playing," he said. The representative of the United States condemned M23's appalling human rights abuses including sexual and gender-based violence against civilians. Its aggressive military incursion into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has strained MONUSCO, he said, adding that it is necessary to re-evaluate Rwanda's credibility as a constructive participant in peacekeeping and calling on the UN to immediately engage that country's Government at the highest levels. France's delegate highlighted the deployment of anti-air systems on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as "a new threshold crossed". Condemning the resumption of M23 offensives, Rwanda's support for that group and the actions of armed groups in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo, he stressed that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected. Sierra Leone's delegate, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique, welcomed the holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at various levels, and encouraged national authorities to facilitate a process of national reconciliation. He also emphasized the importance of establishing a strong State presence in all areas from which the Mission will withdraw. The prolonged armed violence challenges the provision of humanitarian aid, he said, calling for support for the 2024 humanitarian response plan which is currently only 14 per cent funded. The United Kingdom, that country's delegate said, has pledged $126 million to be delivered through a three-year humanitarian programme to address this enormous need. He too condemned the actions of all armed groups, adding that "without serious efforts on all sides to de-escalate and end hostilities, the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict will continue." THE SITUATION CONCERNING THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Briefings BINTOU KEITA, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), presenting the Secretary-General's latest report (document S/2024/251), noted elections were held in that country on 20 December, as scheduled, with the voting period extended over several days. Welcoming the largely peaceful holding of the polls and the Independent National Electoral Commission's efforts to address some of the irregularities, she said the beginning of the spring parliamentary session and the formation of the new Government are under way. However, the security situation in the country's east has further deteriorated since the end of elections, with "the M23 making significant advances and expanding its territory to unprecedented levels". Angola is mediating the regional tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda with the resumption of the Luanda process, while the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo started its deployment to North Kivu, she said, reaffirming MONUSCO's commitment to support the future Congolese Government. Reiterating the call on all foreign forces illegally operating in the country's territory to withdraw, she said: "There is no sustainable military solution to the conflict." Stressing the importance of a political process that addresses root causes, she welcomed the efforts of Angolan President Joao Lourenco. While "the M23 crisis draws a great deal of attention", she said, it is also crucial to note the atrocities committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the disastrous consequences for the civilian population, especially at the border between North Kivu and Ituri. Almost 200 people have been killed there since the beginning of the year, she said, adding that the insecurity is fueled by the actions of the Coalition of Congolese Democrats (CODECO), Zaire, Patriotic Resistance Front of Ituri, Patriotic Force and Integrationist of Congo for Bira, and ADF. "The escalation of tensions between Rwanda and Burundi which led to the closing of their border by Bujumbura is an additional issue which could lead to destabilization of the province and the region," she said. Condemning attacks on peacekeepers, she said: "Our blue helmets have been subject to direct and indirect shots from different belligerent parties." Turning to the humanitarian crisis, she said more than 7.1 million people have been displaced within the country while 23.4 million suffer from food insecurity. "One Congolese person out of four faces hunger and malnutrition making the DRC the country most affected by food insecurity," she added. The town and peripheral area of Goma are dealing with massive waves of internal displaced persons. Also highlighting the large number of cases of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, she said in January alone, 10,400 cases were seen throughout the country. The 2023 humanitarian response plan for the country received only 40 per cent of the $2.25 billion required, she said, calling for an adequate response. MONUSCO continues to work closely with national and provincial counterparts as it advances implementation of phase 1 of the Disengagement Plan, she said. As a first milestone, the Mission handed over the base of Kamanyola on 28 February to the Congolese National Police. Commending Japan for its commitment to continue to expand its existing police project, she said the concerns and voices of affected populations for a responsible drawdown must be heard. "Disengagement and transition are being conducted concomitantly," she said, adding that that this will enable the UN country team to support the Congolese Government in sustaining and consolidating MONUSCO's gains, supported by an enhanced resident coordinator. Financial resources are necessary, she said, calling for more voluntary contributions. Also pointing to sophisticated disinformation campaigns against MONUSCO during the reporting period, she said the Mission has strengthened collaboration with dozens of journalists and civil society members in Goma. JACQUIE-ANNA, civil society representative from the National Technical Secretariat for the Implementation of resolution 2250 (2015 ), said that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the third country in the world after Finland and Nigeria to have a national action plan to implement resolution 2250 (2015). The secretariat is a new structure that works tirelessly for the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. Young people and women comprise a large proportion of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are the most vulnerable to the consequences of war. The secretariat's mission is to promote young people at the decision-making table, she said, adding: "In a country with a high proportion of young people, ignoring and excluding them would be a suicide." For two decades, the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda disguised as a rebellion known as the RCD, the CNDP, or the M23 terrorist group has destroyed everything in its path. This has caused anxiety in young people who have lost all hope. It makes them fall prey to violent extremism and child recruitment. "A youth without education has known nothing but war, violence, and bloodshed," exposed to abuses in refugee or displaced person camps where they are "stripped of everything", she said. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has no more future, given that its youth are savagely destroyed by the effects of Rwanda's war of aggression. She detailed the use of rape and other forms of sexual abuse as a weapon of war by the Rwandan occupation army. The Congolese women in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo lost their dignity, with thousands of them living with the moral dilemma of having to kill their children who were conceived by rape. "How long will this situation last? How many women will have to be raped in front of their husbands and children, how many young people will have to see their future stolen from them and be recruited into armed groups?" she asked. The international community is good at beautiful speeches and rhetoric however, "is anyone going to wake up and say no?" Statements The representative of France condemned the resumption of M23 offensives as well as Rwanda's support for that group, which must end without delay. The deployment of anti-air systems on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is "a new threshold crossed", he observed, also condemning the actions of armed groups in the eastern part of that country. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected, and he pointed out that these events have exacerbated the humanitarian situation as another 500,000 people have been displaced in North Kivu since October 2023. Underscoring the importance of dialogue, he expressed support for regional efforts towards this end especially those held in Angola and underlined the need for a plan to disarm and demobilize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. He also condemned attacks against MONUSCO, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable. The representative of Malta , concerned by the alarming escalation of conflicts and displacement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, said armed groups must lay down their weapons. Their sophisticated weaponry also demands the Council's serious attention. Concerned about attacks on MONUSCO, she called for prioritizing dialogue, including through the Luanda process. Welcoming recent electoral milestones, she pointed to irregularities in that process and noted the increasingly insecure environment. She noted age-verification assessments by the Mission and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to prevent recruitment of child soldiers. "This essential endeavour must be sustained," she said, through close collaboration between the Congolese authorities and UNICEF even after MONUSCO's departure. Despite the country's efforts to improve the human rights situation, the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty is concerning. Any withdrawal of MONUSCO forces must be accompanied by the bolstering of national armed forces, she said, calling for the integration of gender analysis into the transition process, including through collaboration with civil society organizations. The representative of Ecuador voiced concern over the humanitarian and security situation in the country, especially considering the gradual withdrawal of MONUSCO. Spotlighting reports of the use of sophisticated weapons and equipment evidence of external military support to the M23 he condemned that these weapons were used against United Nations peacekeepers. As well, the public threats of the M23 against MONUSCO and the dissemination of false information that seeks to discredit the Mission should be condemned. Calling for the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, he reiterated the need for humanitarian corridors to assist the 7 million displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On reports of possible war crimes, serious human rights abuses, and sexual and gender-based violence, he underscored that "the perpetrators of these crimes must not go unpunished". The representative of Sierra Leone , also speaking for Algeria , Guyana and Mozambique , welcomed the holding of presidential, national, provincial legislative and partial communal elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 20 December 2023. He also noted the outcome of such elections, as well as the related appeals process contesting the results, and encouraged all stakeholders to abide by them in the interest of peace and national development. He encouraged national authorities, in the aftermath of elections, to facilitate a process of national reconciliation and to "uphold a governance system that reflects the national aspirations and character of the country". He then expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, pointing out that prolonged armed violence has created significant challenges to the provision of humanitarian aid. Support for the 2024 humanitarian response plan which is currently only 14 per cent funded is crucial to addressing food insecurity and improving access to essential services. Noting the approaching deadline for the completion of phase one of MONUSCO's withdrawal 30 April 2024 he emphasized the importance of establishing a strong State presence in all areas from which the Mission will withdraw. "This is critical to avoid creating a security vacuum and to effectively administer these areas," he said. Also stressing the need for the deployment of well-trained and equipped national defence and security forces to areas currently covered by MONUSCO, he stressed that the absence of these and other complementary measures "would only worsen the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC, as was the case with the withdrawal of the East African Community Regional Force". Further, he expressed concern over the use of increasingly sophisticated weaponry by armed groups and demanded the cessation of any support by any external party to such groups. Among other points, he stressed the significance of maintaining and enforcing sanctions against those threatening the peace, security or stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The representative of China expressed concern about the escalating violence and border security incidents resulting in a large number of civilian casualties and displacement. Urging M23 and other armed groups to immediately stop fighting, he stressed the importance of dialogue and called on the international community to step up humanitarian assistance. Countries of the Great Lakes region share a common interest in maintaining peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, he pointed out, adding that the international community should support their efforts to strengthen dialogue and manage conflicts. Highlighting in particular the mediation efforts made by Angola and Burundi, he said the United Nations should follow the approach of African solutions to African problems. Underlining the role of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, he called for more cooperation between the SADC Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and MONUSCO while expressing support for the latter's disengagement plan. The representative of the United States observed that the aggressive military incursion into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by the UN-sanctioned M23 has put the Mission's uniformed and civilian personnel under immense strain. Washington, D.C., supports MONUSCO's peacekeepers who risk their lives daily to protect civilians and combat armed groups. He further condemned M23's appalling human rights abuses including sexual and gender-based violence against civilians. The UN should immediately engage the Rwandan Government at the highest levels to underscore the importance of peacekeeper safety and security and re-evaluate Rwanda's credibility as a constructive participant in peacekeeping. He also expressed concern about the capacity of the Congolese Armed Forces and national police to fill the security void, especially as violence in North Kivu threatens to spread further. The representative of the Republic of Korea urged all armed groups particularly M23 to immediately cease their offensive in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time, all parties to the conflict must engage constructively in diplomatic dialogue to find a negotiated solution, and regional efforts such as the Nairobi and Luanda processes should be revitalized. He also condemned attacks targeting MONUSCO positions and assets. While reiterating that the primary responsibility for the safety of UN personnel rests with host States, he urged the Mission to continue its strategic communications with local communities to effectively address the sophisticated disinformation campaigns that fuel these attacks. Noting over 400 human rights violations predominantly linked to the conflict were reported monthly in 2023, and 6 million individuals have been displaced in the eastern provinces, he said: "The escalating human rights and humanitarian crises demand urgent attention." Further, he commended the Mission's role in supporting the electoral process, including through the delivery of electoral materials. The representative of the Russian Federation , expressing concern over the escalation involving M23, stated that offensive action by that group must cease. He also condemned the shelling of population centres and camps for the internally displaced and called for the unblocking of land routes to Goma. Emphasizing that the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo directly impacts that in the Great Lakes Region, he said that settling the crisis is in regional countries' interest. However, only political decisions will create genuine conditions for lasting stabilization. To that end, he urged intensified mediation efforts to overcome tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali and called for the cessation of "any kind of State interaction with illegal armed groups". Adding that MONUSCO's presence is an important stabilizing factor, he said in light of its upcoming withdrawal that, while a security vacuum cannot be allowed, the timetable the Council established must be followed. The representative of the United Kingdom urged all parties to immediately end attacks on peacekeeping troops and deconflict activities to allow MONUSCO to fulfil its mandate. He warned that the Mission's withdrawal from South Kivu risks leaving a security vacuum, urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect the civilian population, which is increasingly vulnerable to armed group attacks. He also condemned the actions of all armed groups, calling on external actors to end their support for violent armed groups in that country, including M23, whose activities have resulted in mass civilian displacement. "Without serious efforts on all sides to de-escalate and end hostilities, the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict will continue," he cautioned, noting that London has pledged $126 million to be delivered through a three-year humanitarian programme to address this enormous need. The representative of Switzerland condemned the recent attack on MONUSCO and wished a speedy recovery to the injured peacekeepers. Noting "incessant attacks by the ADF, CODECO and Zaire and ongoing clashes between the FARDC and the M23," she said the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Only a political solution can lead to lasting peace, she said, expressing concern about the possible transformation of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to a wider regional conflict. Calling on parties to resume negotiations, she welcomed the efforts made within the framework of the Luanda process. Calling on Rwanda to withdraw support to the M23, she highlighted that group's change of tactics in North Kivu and said all efforts must be undertaken to protect the civilian population there. While the country has the primary responsibility to protect its civilians, it is also obliged to protect United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, she noted. The representative of Slovenia said that the "alarming" escalation in the eastern part of the country is adding to insecurity and destabilization in the wider Great Lakes region. He condemned the M23 offensive in North Kivu, especially around Sake and Goma, stressing that "no military action can resolve the conflict". M23 must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from occupied territories, in line with the Luanda road map, and all States must cease support to armed groups. Given the escalating security situation in North Kivu, the withdrawal of MONUSCO requires strategic planning. A safe, orderly, responsible, gradual and sustainable withdrawal that maintains a protective environment for civilians must remain the focus of the ongoing partnership between the host country and the UN. Synchronizing the deployment of Congolese national security forces with MONUSCO's withdrawal is critical to ensure a seamless transition. He also pointed out that the withdrawal should be based on the prevailing conditions on the ground and the ability of national forces to assume responsibility for protecting civilians, especially women and children. The representative of Japan , Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to express regret over reports of the entry of large quantities of sophisticated weapons into the theatre of conflict, as well as of the alleged presence of disguised foreign troops. "Ongoing support of any kind, by any State, to M23 and any other armed groups must be stopped now," she underscored, as it only exacerbates insecurity and increases the possibility of "all-out regional conflict". Noting that the worsening security, human-rights and humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is making it more challenging to conduct a gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of MONUSCO, she stressed that the concurrent establishing of effective State authority is essential to avoid any security vacuum and ensure the rule of law. On that, she reported that her country continues to support the Government's efforts to develop community policing. The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo , thanking the Council and MONUSCO as well as partner countries for supporting the elections held in his country, said they took place in a calm atmosphere, within the constitutional timeframe. Regarding the worsening of the situation in the eastern part of the country, he highlighted the Secretary-General's report references to attacks on MONUSCO and said the blame for this should be assigned entirely to the Government of Rwanda, its armed forces and the terrorists of the M23. This "coalition of axis of evil" have launched missiles at MONUSCO properties, leading to the deaths of peacekeepers, he said. The report also makes it clear that "Rwanda no longer denies the presence of its army on the territory of Democratic Republic of the Congo," he said, adding that Rwanda's forces actively participate in combat using sophisticated arms. The Council, he continued, must cross the Rubicon of impunity and impose on Rwanda sanctions commensurate with its crimes. His country's armed forces will remain mobilized until it restores the authority of the State over its territories. Highlighting regional level diplomatic efforts being mediated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, he said several meetings have taken place within this framework, including the mini-summit at Addis Ababa and the recent tripartite ministerial meeting in Luanda. His country is "determined to establish lasting peace throughout its territory" but "will not accept any window-dressing arrangements", he said. Calling for the unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan forces and M23 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said the Council must demand that the group lay down its weapons. The return of displaced people is a priority, he added, calling on the Council to maintain pressure on Rwanda. Also noting the deployment of the SADC Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said this is in alignment with the principles of subsidiarity and African solutions to African problems. The Council must support regional forces and consider more substantial assistance to the SADC Mission, he said. The humanitarian situation is untenable, he noted, adding that the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Plan for 2024 requires greater funding. Also expressing his Government's willingness to shoulder its responsibility as MONUSCO launches its disengagement plan, he recommended that "pressure be exerted on Rwanda and its subsidiary M23". The representative of Rwanda said that, as of June 2023, the UN has spent $24.3 billion on the Democratic Republic of the Congo's peacekeeping mission. Despite that, the security in the eastern part of the country has taken a turn for the worse, with the number of illegal armed groups reaching 250. The havoc caused by illegal armed groups has worsened the human rights situation and led to tremendous suffering of civilian populations. "Hate speech, persecution and ethnic cleansing targeting Congolese Tutsi communities reached unprecedented levels under the watch of the international community," he cautioned. The lack of political will hampers any progress by MONUSCO. "We cannot repeat the same wrong prescription repeatedly, expecting a different outcome," he said. He further emphasized that the international community should avoid any exploitation of MONUSCO's departure, which should not justify support for partisan forces that favour continued fighting regardless of the collaboration between the Congolese Army and the FDLR genocidal forces. "Any initiative that neglects to uphold the rights of Congolese Tutsi and Kinyarwanda-speaking communities will not yield sustainable results," he said. This repeated injustice continues to push hundreds of thousands of people to take refuge in neighbouring countries, including Rwanda. He stressed that the support given by FARDC to FDLR must cease, and the FDLR elements should be disarmed, demobilized and repatriated to Rwanda. He also expressed concern about the declaration of the Presidents of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have repeatedly threatened to inflict "regime change" in Rwanda. "The international community must avoid being bystanders in the face of genocide unfolding against the Congolese Tutsi community," he asserted. The representative of Burundi stressed that, given the gravity of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the international community should be even more attentive to the legitimate claims of that country's Government. Spotlighting his country's bilateral security cooperation with Kinshasa to combat the terrorist groups "local and foreign" proliferating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he welcomed the deployment of the SADC regional force, "which should do everything possible to reoccupy the old positions of the regional force of the East African Community that fell into the hands of M23". Continuing, he reported that Burundi's relations with its neighbours in the region are "on a good path, with only one source of concern Rwanda". Against that backdrop, he called on Rwanda to hand over the "putschists of 2015" that today head the criminal group "RED-Tabara". "Rwanda has a choice between good relations with Burundi or maintaining these criminal groups who have no political future on Rwandan territory," he stressed, urging Kigali to "opt for a choice that will put it on the right side of history". Upholding the commitments undertaken by Rwandan authorities to hand over this group of criminals currently being sheltered in Kigali would be a tangible contribution to combating impunity in the region, he said. Also expressing concern over the spread of terrorism in the region with the risk of the Allied Democratic Forces connecting with other terrorist groups in the Sahel, the Middle East and northern Mozambique he underscored the need to halt such spread. "And do so before it's too late," he urged. Taking the floor a second time, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said "the atmosphere you are witnessing here" is also what is going on in his subregion. "You have just heard what Burundi said," he said while Rwanda claims they're in the Congo to ensure the security of the Tutsi, aren't there Tutsis in Burundi? he asked. To the statement by Rwanda's delegate that his Government does not want to externalize the Congolese conflict, he asked: "very well, what are you doing in the Congo then? If this is an internal conflict, stay home." Regarding Rwanda's denouncement of the FDLR, he said the FDLR are not Congolese. "These are Rwandan people" who had committed genocide in 1994 in Rwanda against the Rwandans, but then they fled and found refuge in his country, he said. Citing a video in which the former Ambassador of Rwanda to his country said the FDLR had been eradicated, he said Rwanda is only there to exploit his country's wealth and riches. The Group of Experts, he added, have confirmed that amongst the Rwandan contingents who are fighting on his country's territory, there are FDLR who had been repatriated in Rwanda and then Rwanda recycled them and resent them into his country to fight its army. "This is a game that Rwanda is playing," he said, warning the Council that there will be a third neighbour at the next meeting complaining about Rwanda. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) Joins Forces with Ghana Navy in the Gulf of Guinea for Exercise Sea Lion 2024 US Navy 27 March 2024 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ethan Morrow, USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Public Affairs GULF OF GUINEA -- The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) completed its participation in Exercise Sea Lion 2024 alongside the Ghana Navy in the Gulf of Guinea, March 21, 2024. Sea Lion 24 brought together Hershel "Woody" Williams, the U.S. Navy's only ship assigned to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Ghana Navy ships GNS Volta (P.40) and GNS Ankobra (P.43). The exercise began with a flagging-off ceremony hosted by the Ghana military, with Ghana Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Peprah leading the ceremony. In support of the exercise, Hershel "Woody" Williams hosted five Sailors from the Ghana Navy, while two U.S. Sailors embarked on the Ghana Navy vessels. During the personnel exchange, Sailors made their way to longitude and latitude 0 at the center of the Earth. The Sailors then swapped back to their own ship via two separate personnel transfers from Hershel "Woody" Williams' rigid-hull inflatable boat crew. "It was a pleasure hosting the Ghana Sailors aboard the "Woody" Williams and being able to learn more about their Navy and culture," said Capt. Amy Lindahl, commanding officer of Hershel "Woody" Williams. "It was also amazing to see our two Sailors come back with big smiles and great stories to tell about their time on their respective ships." Once the ships reached longitude and latitude 0 the Sailors aboard the Ghana ships held a crossing the line ceremony. "It was an awesome experience to go out there and really learn their culture and crossing the line ceremony," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Andrew Hill, one of the Sailors that embarked aboard the Ghana Navy ships. "It was really great to work together with them because they were absolutely amazing hosts to us while we were onboard." Hershel "Woody" Williams is forward deployed to Souda Bay, Greece and serves as the first U.S. Navy ship assigned to the AFRICOM area of responsibility. The ship is capable of conducting expeditionary missions, counter piracy, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Hershel "Woody" Williams' unique capabilities are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support global missions. The ship operates with blue and gold crews, allowing it to remain continually deployed throughout AFRICOM. For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A new fence surrounds the patio at 83 McAllister St. in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood. Rachel Swan/The Chronicle Work crews have installed a striking architectural fixture outside a brick-and-limestone condo building in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood: a tall aluminum fence with spear points. Standing about 5 feet tall, the fence wraps around a paved patio that homeowners at 83 McAllister St. share with Arsicault Bakery, a popular business on the buildings ground floor. The posts went up Wednesday, and workers were adding the last touches Thursday morning, using wrenches and drills to put a keypad lock on the gate. Merchants in the area say the fence is absolutely necessary to protect shoppers and residents from street conditions in the Tenderloin, including drug use so prevalent that two San Francisco mayoral candidates are pushing the city to declare a state of emergency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wedged in the heart of downtown, the fenced-off area at 83 McAllister abuts the skate park at United Nations Plaza, with a straight sightline to City Hall. The block attracts chaos daily, but it also serves as a canvas for new urban designs and attempts at revitalization. While it was not immediately clear who purchased the fence, a spokesperson for San Francisco Public Works said officials had issued a permit to the 83 McAllister Homeowners Association. A staff member at Cityscape Property Management Group, the company that represents the condo owners, declined to comment on their behalf. Workers install a fence Thursday at 83 McAllister St. in San Franciscos Tenderloin neighborhood. Rachel Swan / The Chronicle Jose Martinez, a prep cook at Taqueria Castillo, can peer out of the restaurants front window to watch the fence rise across the street. He sees it as a reflection of merchants fear and frustration. People come in and steal sodas, said Martinez, who was chopping beef and grilling onions Thursday morning. They bother customers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He threw up his hands in resignation. What can we do? Workers for Urban Alchemy the nonprofit city contractor that hires formerly incarcerated people to serve as ambassadors on downtown streets expressed enthusiastic support for the fence, saying they had witnessed drug overdoses on the sidewalk near 83 McAllister St. One ambassador, who was not authorized to give his name, said unhoused people sometimes light fires on the pavement, desperate to keep warm. A clerk at a nearby deli wore latex gloves sitting behind the counter, saying he frequently has to shoo people or pick up detritus from the street. An employee at Ariscault Bakery declined to comment as she fetched cups of coffee for the construction workers, who squatted among their tools Thursday morning. Hammers, extension cords and metal beams littered the patio, overshadowed by a loft building with elegant masonry. Nearby, funk music blared from a boom box as shouts emanated from the street. Bakery customers zipped through an open gate in the unfinished fence, jostling coffee cups and bags of pastries, seemingly unperturbed by the noise. Advertisement Article continues below this ad US, Israel Set New Talks on Israeli Plan to Invade Rafah By VOA News March 27, 2024 In a reversal, Israel agreed Wednesday to send its war strategists to Washington to discuss its intention to launch a ground assault on Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. On Monday, Israel had called off the trip in protest against the U.S. refusal to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The United States, Israel's staunchest ally in the nearly six-month war, abstained from this week's U.N. vote after vetoing similar resolutions earlier. That drew a rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, evidence of a growing split with Washington over the Jewish state's conduct of the war. But even as Netanyahu called off a trip by one set of his war strategists, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington for talks this week with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu has said a Rafah attack is necessary to erase any Hamas control of Gaza, the narrow enclave along the Mediterranean Sea. But the U.S. has told Israel it is opposed to a Rafah invasion, especially since more than a million Palestinian civilians are sheltered there in makeshift tents and structures. Israel has said it will move the Palestinians to safety before any attack on four Hamas battalions based in Rafah, but it has not indicated where it will send them. While maintaining that the U.S. abstention was "very, very bad," Netanyahu told visiting U.S. Republican Senator Rick Scott that his initial cancellation of the Israeli delegation's trip "was a message first and foremost to Hamas: Don't bet on this [United Nations] pressure [for a cease-fire]. It's not going to work." Netanyahu said the Security Council vote "encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel" from achieving its war aims. Israel has vowed to keep fighting until the Hamas military is destroyed and the remaining 100 or so hostages it is holding are freed. The White House said that it was "a good thing" to hold more talks with Israeli officials and that a date was being discussed. Hezbollah rocket strikes On the war front, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon launched rockets Wednesday at northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that killed seven people in southern Lebanon. Israeli emergency services said one person was killed by a rocket strike in the border town of Kiryat Shmona. The Israeli military said its strikes in Lebanon targeted a military building, killing a member of the al-Jamaa al-Islamiya militant group who had promoted terror plots directed at Israel. An al-Jamaa al-Islamiya official said seven people were killed in the village of Hebbariye, with Lebanese security sources confirming the death toll. Israel's military also reported Wednesday that it had conducted ground operations near the Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, while carrying out airstrikes and ground fighting in the Khan Younis area in Gaza's southern reaches. Efforts to temporarily halt the fighting, with proposals that included the release of hostages held in Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians, appeared no closer to reality even after last Friday's U.N. Security Council resolution demanding a cease-fire. Indirect talks featuring negotiators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar have gone on for weeks, and while officials signaled some progress during the process, the Israeli and Hamas sides this week have shown no movement toward an agreement. A senior Israeli official told Reuters on Tuesday that Israel had recalled its negotiators from Qatar after reaching "a dead end" in talks to release the hostages still held by Hamas. Israel believes more than 30 other Israelis taken in the shock October 7 Hamas attack on Israel have died or been killed. Netanyahu has said Hamas is making "delusional demands." Hamas officials said Monday that they had told negotiators Hamas would not alter its proposal, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an exchange of hostages held in Gaza for prisoners held by Israel. In Tel Aviv, about 300 family members of hostages and their supporters gathered Tuesday outside the Israeli defense headquarters, demanding that a deal be reached on releasing the hostages. Some of the protesters locked themselves inside cages and held placards with photos of their loved ones. The October 7 Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. More than 100 were released in November during a weeklong cease-fire. The Health Ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip says more than 32,400 people have been killed during Israel's counteroffensive. The total includes Hamas fighters and civilians, with the ministry saying two-thirds of the dead have been women and children. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer and White House Correspondent Anita Powell contributed to this report. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Gaza Crisis Reaches Unprecedented Level of Devastation, Despair By Lisa Schlein March 27, 2024 U.N. aid agencies warn the crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level of despair as Israeli attacks continue and hunger stalks the civilian population after months of inadequate humanitarian assistance. "Let us be clear: Lifesaving aid is being obstructed. Lives are being lost. Dignity is being denied," said James Elder, a UNICEF spokesperson. "The deprivation, the forced desperation, means despair pervades the population. And people's nerves are shattered amid unrelenting attacks," he said. Speaking in Rafah, Elder told journalists in Geneva Tuesday that the city was "unrecognizable" from when he last was there three months ago "because of the congestion, and tents on street corners and sandy plots." An estimated 1.2 million Palestinians have crowded into Rafah to escape fighting in other parts of Gaza. Elder described living conditions in Rafah as "hellish," noting that one toilet was available for every 850 people and one shower for every 3,600 people. Calling Rafah "a city of children," he said, "the endless talk of a large-scale military operation in Rafah," a city of 600,000 girls and boys, was highly concerning. He noted that the situation in northern Gaza, where food is scant and hunger pervasive, is particularly dire. In recounting a trip he undertook to the northern city of Jaballa two days ago, he said there were crowds of tens of thousands of people standing on the rubble in the streets "placing their hand to their mouth--that universal sign of hunger--desperately asking and seeking for food." He said that when he entered the Gaza strip a week ago there were hundreds of trucks with lifesaving humanitarian aid waiting to get to people in urgent need "but they were on the wrong side of the border." "Hundreds of U.N. and international NGO trucks are currently backlogged, waiting to enter Gaza," he said. The ongoing war was triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people and resulted in 240 being taken hostage. Since then, Israel's offensive in Gaza has killed more than 31,000, according to Gaza health authorities. An analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification System (IPC) report released March 18, warns that Gaza's "entire population" of some 2.3 million peopleis enduring high levels of "acute food insecurity," and that half the population is suffering from "catastrophic" acute hunger. In a follow-up to that report, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization last week said that famine is projected to occur "anytime between now and May 2024" in Gaza's northern governorates. "There are cases of death as a result of starvation and those are the early indications of famine," said Abdulhakim Elwaer, the FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for the Near East and North Africa. Speaking from Cairo Tuesday, he said, "I hope we are not waiting for a full famine declaration because the situation as it exists calls for action, which is long overdue." He noted that currently the only available access to the north is through the south. "The north remains a total blockade and is inaccessible and we have enough evidence that shows there is ongoing starvation," he said. "Urgent measures are needed to avert famine in Gaza. Restoration of unfettered humanitarian access is crucial to prevent deterioration of the situation." Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, said that under international humanitarian law, the parties to the conflict "must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need." He said that Israeli authorities have a right to control and inspect aid, but they also need to create "an enabling environment to move it around." "You cannot claim and adhere to these international provisions of law when you block UNRWA (the U.N. relief and works agency for Palestine refugees) food convoys," he said. Israeli officials reject accusations of blocking aid. They say they have increased aid to Gaza through a new gate to the north that opened earlier this month, and say it is the responsibility of the U.N. and other aid agencies inside the territory to deliver the food and other supplies. Israel also accuses Hamas of stealing humanitarian aid - a charge Hamas denies. Before the war, UNICEF said that less than one percent of children under five in Gaza suffered from wasting, a condition that affects acutely malnourished children. Today, it says one in three children under two years of age are acutely malnourished. A week ago, UNICEF's James Elder went to Kamal Adwan Hospital--one of two hospitals in northern Gaza where more than 20 children reportedly have died of dehydration and malnutrition. "When I was there, I saw a room full of mothers and carers shuttering over children who were paper thin. Incubators full of babies who are born prematurely because of the stress on mothers, who are also malnourished." He said, "Mothers have done so well to keep children alive from bombardment. They know children now face starvation very simply because of a lack of food. People in the north, when I speak to them now, say they are mainly surviving on a type of grass with lemon." He said famine could be averted if Israel would open the Erez crossing point in northern Gaza, "that is 10 minutes from those at risk of starving to death. Ten minutes." "Open that and we could turn this humanitarian crisis in the north around in a matter of days. But it remains closed," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Can Afghan Taliban Fight Pakistani Military? By Sarah Zaman March 27, 2024 Two and a half years into their reign, the Afghan Taliban have cemented their ultra-conservative rule across the war-torn country but have yet to turn their fighting force into a traditional military. VOA spoke to analysts who say the former insurgent force does not need to pattern itself after a standard military to effectively counter a mounting security threat from an Islamic State affiliate and tackle growing tensions with neighboring Pakistan. According to an annual analysis of global militaries by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Afghan Taliban have 150,000 active fighters. Military chief Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat told Reuters last year that the regime plans to increase the force by another 50,000, but he did not specify the time frame for doing so. Since coming to power, the Taliban's de facto government has not publicly released a defense budget. To formalize their defense forces, they have created three battalions under Special Forces and eight infantry corps. The military has a variety of armored vehicles, towed artillery, three light aircraft and 14 helicopters, including U.S.-made Black Hawks that it seized after the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) fell apart amid the chaotic withdrawal of international forces in 2021. The Taliban also have a few Russian attack helicopters from ANDSF. Capability Although U.S. forces left nearly $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan, experts assess the Taliban's ability to operate some of the sophisticated machinery as limited. "Without maintenance contracts [and] materials from foreign suppliers who originally equipped the ANDSF, though, it is unlikely they can really use a lot of materials at scale," Asfandyar Mir, a senior expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace, told VOA. Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute, told VOA that the Taliban face challenges in training their forces similar to those the ANDSF faced. "They are still dealing with a largely uneducated population that has to be taught sometimes basic competencies of soldiering," said Weinstein, a former U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan in 2012. Insurgency mode Analysts say despite establishing its rule after the end of the 20-year U.S.-led war, the Afghan Taliban are still in insurgency mode. "It allowed individual units to, sort of at the tactical level, operate in a semiautonomous way," said Weinstein, adding that the former insurgents still have "cohesion and decent command and control over their fighters." "The biggest strength of the Taliban is their popularity," said Graeme Smith, a senior consultant at the International Crisis Group. Smith, who worked as a political affairs officer for the United Nations in Afghanistan between 2015 and 2018, said Taliban forces should not be analyzed like a traditional military, as their numbers change based on local needs. "During the years of U.S. [and] NATO troop presence, unpublished NATO studies concluded that the vast majority of Taliban fought within 1 kilometer of their own homes. That is to say, locals were going out and shooting at NATO troops, and then going home for lunch and having a home-cooked meal, and then going back out again in the afternoon and shooting some more NATO troops," Smith explained. The easy availability of fighters and places to hide, Smith said, give Taliban forces a significant advantage. Security threats While the Afghan Taliban have effectively crushed armed resistance, Islamic State Khorasan Province, also known as IS-K or ISKP, poses a significant internal security threat. "It's an insurgency which is both malignant and persistent, and it poses an ideological challenge to the Taliban," said Mir. The Taliban have killed senior IS-K commanders, eliminated the group's cells and kept them from holding territory inside Afghanistan. "So, that's a testament to the competence of the Taliban security forces," Weinstein said. "They seem to have good intelligence on ISKP leaders and where the ISKP cells are located, and they seem to be effective in keeping them at bay," he added. Externally, the Taliban's Afghanistan faces a threat from Pakistan the only neighbor Kabul has a border dispute with. Pakistan's military has conducted strikes twice inside Afghan territory against alleged hideouts since the Taliban returned to power once in April 2022, and this year on March 18. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of giving a haven to anti-Pakistan militants, a charge the de facto rulers reject. Kabul retaliated to this month's strike by targeting several Pakistani military posts along the border. In a statement condemning Pakistan's action, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned of "very bad consequences, which will be out of Pakistan's control," if Pakistan launches more cross-border attacks. Fighting Pakistan Experts VOA spoke to agree that the Taliban do not have the firepower to take on one of the world's largest, nuclear-armed militaries but say that Kabul can engage in unconventional tactics against Pakistan. "They can push back by even doing less to rein in the TTP [Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan] or perhaps, giving the TTP carte blanche to engage in even greater attacks [inside Pakistan]," Weinstein said, adding that the Taliban see the TTP as an "insurance policy against the Pakistani state." Allowing cross-border terrorism would "certainly raise a lot of international concern," Mir warned. As tensions grow between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Smith said Kabul could also scuttle important regional projects. One such project, he said, is the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project, popularly known as CASA-1000, which will bring electricity from Central Asia via Afghanistan to energy-hungry Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban could also hinder the land route Pakistan uses for trade with Central Asia, experts say. A Pakistani Ministry of Commerce delegation met with Afghan counterparts this week in Kabul as bilateral trade drops amid frequent border skirmishes and closures. Experts agree the chances of the Afghan Taliban getting into a conventional war with a neighbor are slim but caution the de facto rulers of Afghanistan have a formidable doctrine of asymmetric warfare involving suicide bombers and contingents of locals willing to drop shovels and grab guns when called upon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thousands Arrive in Gabon for Dialogue to End Military Transition By Moki Edwin Kindzeka March 27, 2024 Thousands of people are gathering in Libreville and Akanda for what the government calls an Inclusive National Dialogue, to be held April 2 to 30, aimed at bringing Gabon back to civilian rule. Military ruler General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema previously said he would hand back power in August 2025. Nguema reportedly named 28 military officials, clerics, traditional rulers, and civil society and opposition leaders to serve as officials of the dialogue. Jean-Patrick Iba-Iba, head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Libreville, will preside over the deliberations. Gabon's state TV says the participants will include opposition and civil society members. But Gabon's opposition parties say a majority of the approximately 600 delegates are supporters of Nguema, and want him to stay in power. They also say many of the civilians traveling to Libreville and Akanda were hired by military rulers to give a false impression that Nguema is popular. The government has refuted that claim. Judicael Obiang Meyong, head of the opposition group the Movement to Act for Gabon's Freedom and Independence, said it is surprising that Gabon's military leaders are inviting many of the same officials, leaders and clerics who took part in previous dialogues that failed to solve the country's problems. He said those dialogues were organized to extend the rule of Gabon's first president, Omar Bongo Ondimba, and when Omar Bongo died on June 8, 2009, a series of other dialogues attended by Bongo's collaborators was organized to extend the Bongo family rule. The Bongo family ruled Gabon for more than half a century. Nguema is a cousin of President Ali Bongo, who was overthrown by the military in August of last year. Meyong said military rulers should have asked civilians, whose opinions were not taken into consideration by former regimes, to meet in each of Gabon's nine provinces, outline their needs, and elect people to represent the provinces. But Gabon's government says more than 50,000 suggestions were received when Nguema asked civilians to give proposals on issues to be discussed during the one-month dialogue. Francis Edgar Simar Mba, a political science lecturer at the Libreville-headquartered Omar Bongo University, said the dialogue is, so far, the most representative in Gabon's history. For the first time, he said, citizens of the central African state who are in exile and political refugees and their peers in the diaspora will be taking part in the national dialogue. In addition, Mba said, all civil society groups and Gabon's 104 political parties will each send a representative to the dialogue, unlike in the past when only opposition and civil society close to the ruling government were invited to talk. Nguema said he will respect decisions made at next month's dialogue. A March 10 decree signed by Nguema says the dialogue will pave the way for the drawing up of a new constitution, determine the duration of the transition, and propose the political, economic, and social organization of the central African nation after the transitional period. Opposition and civil society groups say Gabon's transitional government should respect an initial plan it published to hand power to civilian rule. According to that plan, the transition is to last 24 months, ending in August 2025 with free, credible, and fair elections. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malcolm Nance: 'Always Listen To A Terrorist Group And Believe Them When They Confess' By Vazha Tavberidze March 27, 2024 Malcolm Nance is an expert in terrorism, extremism, and insurgency and a best-selling author of several books, including Defeating ISIS: Who They Are, How They Fight, What They Believe. He previously served in the U.S. Navy as a naval cryptologist, participating in antiterrorism and intelligence operations. In April 2022, two months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nance joined the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, a unit made up of foreign volunteers. In the interview, Nance discusses the Kremlin's response to the March 22 attack on the Crocus City Hall that has been claimed by the Islamic State (IS) designated terrorist group and has killed at least 143 people and wounded more than 120. Nance pours water on Russia's claims of Ukrainian involvement and says the Kremlin doesn't care whether it's telling the truth or not. RFE/RL: Let's start with your verdict over what happened in Moscow, the terror in the Crocus City Hall, as there is still so much confusion around it. Many people at first were claiming it was a false-flag attack. Then IS claimed responsibility. And it was all crowned by Russian President Vladimir Putin coming out and blaming Ukraine. Malcolm Nance: I wrote a New York Times bestseller called Defeating ISIS. It was an encyclopedia of every [IS] province and terror cell at the time between 2014 and 2017. There is an [IS] element that carries out terrorist operations in Russia. It was depleted over time -- that was the Islamic State-Caucasus Province. And its roles and missions were taken over by Islamic State-Khorasan Province. That's the [IS] element that is now acting as the skeletal headquarters out of eastern Afghanistan in the Asadabad area. They carry out terrorist attacks against the Afghans, they carry out terrorist attacks against Iran, and they've carried out terrorist attacks against Russia. They view that any place that has a Muslim diaspora, such as Russia, and which carries out activities against Muslims [is a legitimate target for] Islamic State. Always listen to a terrorist group and believe them when they confess -- that's the first thing. Islamic State not only put out an official message from [its official] agency, it showed live-streamed video from the actual terrorists in the attack. A lot of people want to use what they seemingly think are intelligent phrases like false-flag attack. Russia didn't have to do this to themselves; the Islamic State terrorist group is more than capable of it. But there is a factor which could show some Russian culpability. This is where Russia gained a lot of intelligence from the United States -- which we got upstream, which means somewhere near the headquarters of Islamic State -- [indicating] that there would be an attack somewhere in an open venue sometime in March. What the United States didn't have [was] the specific intelligence that only the terrorists' team leader would know: Who was in the group, how many weapons, what's the exact venue. The Russians were warned of this attack. But one of the things that intelligence agencies, [and] the former KGB director that runs Russia, could do is what we call a pass-through attack, where they gain the information, they know when the attack is coming. [And] they let the attack happen for political or domestic purposes. I'm not saying that's what happened here. I'm giving Islamic State the credit that they are due, because they are a murderous terrorist group. RFE/RL: It's ironic that, perhaps for the first time in its existence, Islamic State is trying to convince the world that it was them that was behind the attack. Nance: It's telling of the information environment that we're living in now: that a horrible, brutal dictatorship run by Vladimir Putin can use its information agencies and the soft power of disinformation through social media weapons systems like Twitter and Telegram to actually hijack the message of a very well-established mass-murdering terrorist group. [They can] literally turn it on its head to where there are people right now -- I fight with them every day -- who refuse to believe that [IS] would carry out a terrorist attack in Russia, that it must be the United States, it must be Ukraine. That is how the information environment that we live in today has been so corrupted. RFE/RL: Having failed to prevent the attack, that wouldn't stop Putin from exploiting it now, right? So what are some of the key areas where the Kremlin will try to capitalize on it and use it for its own purposes? Nance: The first thing they'll want to do is to harness the outrage of the Russian people. This is a pain-and-suffering situation where real people have dieda. There are going to be families that are grieving, there will be funerals, there will be outrage. In a dictatorial police state, which is what Russia is, you can harness that outrage, you can harness that grief, you can broadcast it on a very, very wide scale using national TV channels, which essentially are run by the Kremlin. You can try to use that to stoke outrage to get the next mobilization, the 100,000 men, the multiple new divisions that Russia is calling for, to essentially harness a little bit of whatever patriotic feeling they have, to essentially get the people who would have been reluctant to want to help Mother Russia, to actually want to stand up and take part and attack an enemy that has nothing to do with it. RFE/RL: What would be the reaction from the government in a Western country as opposed to what we're seeing in Russia? Nance: A Western country would have immediately tried to contain the situation. They would have handled the law enforcement aspects of this within laws, without abuse, without [allegedly] cutting off a prisoner's eara. You can see [on the attack suspects] obvious, clear, open signs of torture. Shaun Pinner (a former British soldier who joined the Ukrainian military in 2018 and has fought against Russian forces), himself a prisoner of war, said that they use plastic bags over the head as torture as a routine way of handling you, and the prisoner was brought [into court] with the actual plastic bag over his head. Western nations don't do thisafor the most part. We've seen abuses in the past, of course, you know, the French in Algeria, the United States in Iraq, Vietnam. But as we develop, we work within those laws and we want to actually prosecute these individuals. In Russia, they're using an exploitation routine in which they show the brutality, because their own citizenry wants to see that brutality in response to this attack. RFE/RL: There is also a question of taking responsibility at a domestic level, right? Would it be fair to assume, if this had happened in any Western country, at least the head of the security service would have resigned by now and quite possibly the president or the prime minister of the country. With that in mind, will Putin be in any way blamed for the attack in Russia? Nance: No, not at all. No one will blame them for it. And [from] the swift way that they caught [the suspected attackers] -- if these four Tajiks are the actual perpetrators; they look like it, they match the videos, they match the language -- this is going to be a trial and a summary execution and Vladimir Putin is going to want to exploit this as much as possible. RFE/RL: Regarding blaming Ukraine for the attack. Do the Russian claims hold water? Putin himself claimed these attackers were moving toward the Ukrainian border, which would mean hiking through the most densely mined forest in the world. How watertight is the Russian claim? Nance: It's a colander, right? It's more than Swiss cheese. It's literally a spaghetti strainer and [water] just flows out of it. There are different types of cover stories that an intelligence agency can give, or a leader like Vladimir Putin, who was a KGB officer, can give. They can try to create one which is opaque as possible, which [plays on] the nebulousness of the way terrorist groups act. Or the way Russia is doing it now, which is what we call a Saran wrap. It is completely clear. They wrap it around [everything], [and] they don't care that you can actually see the falseness of the story. RFE/RL: You mentioned that the apprehended suspects were tortured and we've seen some footage suggesting that might be the case. When you're tortured like that, surely you will say anything that they want you to say? You will say that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy himself came to you and knocked on your door in Tajikistan and [asked] you to do this. Nance: The first signs that I thought I saw of torture was not [the signs of beatings] we could obviously see when these guys were captured. It was the immediate confession, in which they said the reason they carried out this attack was for money, like 5 million rubles ($54,062), some ridiculously small amount. If there's anything that my decades of working against Islamic terrorists have taught me, it is that they don't do any of this for money. They do this for the love of God; they do this to punish you. They literally were saying this during the attack: We are here killing the [infidels]. What that showed me is that they had already been guided into what they were going to be saying. Then we started seeing the physical signs of torture. I taught an entire school, I ran a school, on how to survive a hostage [situation] and terrorist captivity. The first thing we teach you is that when you are tortured, you will open your mouth, you will say something. We teach our people what to say, right? What happens with someone who is not prepared for this is that every person reaches a breaking point. As you said, you will say that Volodymyr Zelenskiy dispatched Mickey Mouse with an envelope of 5 million rubles to your home. You will say any ridiculous thing that is put in your mouth for the sake of stopping the torture. RFE/RL: You say they never do it for money. They also don't usually let themselves be captured. So why did these four suspects? Nance: This is another very, very strange component of this. This is why people start leaning into conspiracy theories. With Islamic State, there is no exit on a terrorist operation. A key part of it is not surviving so that you reach martyrdom. Martyrdom is the goal of many of these missions. You don't want to die a martyr until you brought many of the infidels' deaths and have improved the world for the advancement of Islam, or Al-Qaeda and [IS's] corrupt cult-like variant of Islam. I was quite surprised that they had an escape plan, got back into the same van [with] Belarusian plates, and started driving back in the direction of Belarus. A good terrorist commander who wants to sustain a campaign will do what we call, withdraw, rearm, restrike. So go back to the safe house, go back to the van, get more ammunition, go to a second venue -- but the goal is to reach God. RFE/RL: They obviously have not reached that goal. Nance: No, and this is where you start to wonder. I'm telling you as a professional with over some 30-odd years of intelligence activities and background. It's quite possible that it was a real Islamic State mission with real Islamic State handling. But it's not implausible that it was allowed to pass through and be carried out but was actually handled by an officer of a foreign intelligence agency like [Russia's Federal Security Service], where they corrupted their orders. Your orders would have been go in, kill, go die, you know, in holy jihad, in holy martyrdom, and maybe your intermediate handler was working for another state agency and said: Withdraw and start driving away to Belarus so we can capture you. It's Byzantine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/interview- nance-russia-terrorist-attack-moscow-concert/32880012.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Lawmakers React After Alleged Targeting In Chinese Hacking Campaign By Reid Standish and Ionut Benea March 27, 2024 Luke de Pulford, a British activist focused on China, didn't know he and a global group of lawmakers that he founded were being targeted by Chinese hackers until the U.S. Justice Department issued a press release about the yearslong campaign. The sweeping indictment unsealed in Washington on March 25 says Chinese government-backed hackers in 2021 went after "every European Union member" of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of deputies with hawkish views on China that de Pulford co-founded in 2020. The Chinese hackers also tried to infiltrate 43 British parliamentary accounts linked to lawmakers that were also IPAC members or had expressed critical views of China. "I am learning about this from a U.S. government press release," du Pulford wrote on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after U.S. sanctions against seven men and two hacking groups accused of conducting the attacks on behalf of China's civilian intelligence agency, the State Security Ministry (MSS), were announced.RFE/RL spoke with several IPAC-affiliated lawmakers targeted in the hacking campaign. Many said they received suspicious e-mails like the ones the U.S. indictment says were used to try to gain access to their accounts -- with some even being notified about it by their respective intelligence and cybersecurity agencies. All of the lawmakers say the attempts were unsuccessful. "This [U.S.] investigation is not a surprise to me, but only a simple confirmation that everything I've done over the years in parliament has been done well," Pavel Popescu, a Romanian IPAC member who led the country's parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee in 2022, told RFE/RL. The U.S. allegations and sanctions were followed by Britain and supported by New Zealand, who also accused China of hacking its parliament website. Some 66 lawmakers from 12 EU-member parliaments are listed on IPAC's website, along with members from Britain, the United States, Ukraine, Japan, and others. Beyond the IPAC members, the sprawling Chinese hacking cybercampaign targeted U.S. officials, senators, journalists, Chinese political dissidents, Western military and tech companies, as well Britain's election watchdog and members of the European Parliament. Antonio Milososki, a lawmaker and former foreign minister for North Macedonia, told RFE/RL that cyberattacks have been a mainstay since he joined IPAC in 2021. He says he thinks the attempts have been unsuccessful and that IPAC has been active in raising awareness about the constant hacking attempts. Still, some IPAC members are frustrated about the lack of notification from Western security agencies about the scale of the Chinese campaign and that they were being targeted. The British government has been criticized for being too slow to respond to the 14-year-long campaign, with several parliament members saying they were never notified they were targeted. Tim Loughton, a British parliamentarian and IPAC member, said he and other U.K. politicians expressed dismay that British intelligence never told them they were targeted and only learned about the issue from the indictment. "They weren't fully honest with us. We only found out from America that 43 people were hacked," Loughton told reporters at a March 25 press conference, referring to the British lawmakers targeted. IPAC's du Pulford also expressed frustration with the lack of notice, saying that while they have been aware of cyberattacks over the years, IPAC only learned about the full scale of the campaign from the U.S. press release. Inside A Global Hacking Campaign Both London and Washington have pointed the finger at a hacking group known within the cybersecurity community as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT 31), which is said to have tried to hack IPAC members and gone after a host of other targets in the indictment, ranging from overseas Hong Kong activists to U.S. companies. New Zealand, meanwhile, said a separate Chinese state-backed group called APT 40 was behind the attack that compromised computers linked to its parliamentary network. According to Mandiant, an American cybersecurity firm and subsidiary of Google, APT 40 is a Chinese cyberespionage group that typically targets countries strategically important to Beijing's multibillion dollar infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said on March 25 that more than 10,000 e-mails -- which appeared to come from news outlets, politicians, and critics of China -- were sent as part of the campaign that relied on using phishing e-mails containing hidden tracking links. If the victims opened the e-mails, information including the recipient's location, device, and IP address were transmitted to a server controlled by the hackers. APT 31 then used this information to enable more targeted hacking, such as going after home routers and personal electronic devices. Romanian lawmaker and IPAC member Catalin Tenita told RFE/RL that he had received suspicious e-mails in 2021 but that he exercises a high-degree of cybersecurity and did not click on any potential phishing e-mails. Alexandru Muraru, another Romanian IPAC member, told RFE/RL that he didn't open any e-mails like those outlined in the indictment but says that he and his colleagues have been "repeatedly warned about what the Chinese state is trying to do." Other IPAC members, such as Fatmir Mediu, an Albanian lawmaker and former defense minister, told RFE/RL that he and other Albanian IPAC members did not receive any e-mails like those described in the U.S. indictment. China has rejected the allegations that it or state-affiliated organizations were responsible for the attacks, calling them "completely fabricated and malicious slanders." Analysts, however, say that the campaign is part of a larger trend of Chinese hackers becoming increasingly invasive in their efforts to surveil and monitor critics abroad and procure intellectual property from leading foreign companies. Jakub Janda, director of the Prague-based European Values for Security Policy, told RFE/RL that the U.K government's decision to publicly attribute the hacking campaign to China is a step toward a more robust European response to Chinese cyberespionage, although he said the sanctions are mostly "symbolic punishment" and unlikely to have a "deterring effect." Another large-scale, multiyear Chinese hacking campaign was exposed in February when a trove of documents from the Shanghai-based cybersecurity company I-Soon was leaked online. According to e-mails in the leak, the private company worked as a contractor for the Chinese government, police, and military to target individuals, governments, and companies across the globe. Jamie MacColl, a research fellow in cybersecurity at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, says that while Chinese state-backed hacking groups have been on the rise in recent years, the recent disclosure stands out for its massive scale and varying goals. But he adds that while China's hacking capabilities have greatly advanced in the last decade, this case shows that Chinese groups are vulnerable and that the indictment would not be possible without "significant infiltration of the MSS" by Western intelligence agencies. "China still worries about its networks being penetrated and [Western agencies] collecting intel on their most important groups, which is what looks to have happened here," MacColl told RFE/RL. "This is embarrassing for them." RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondents Doruntina Baliu and Zoran Kjuka contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-hacking-european- lawmakers-north-macedonia-romania/32880127.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Hamas-Aligned Terrorist Fundraising Network U.S. Department of the Treasury March 27, 2024 The United States and United Kingdom take coordinated actions against a Hamas-linked fundraiser and its partners. WASHINGTON a Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designatedtwo individuals and three entities as key financial facilitators involved in fundraising for Hamas. In the wake of the October 7,A 2023 terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, Gaza NowA engaged in fundraising efforts to support Hamas. Gaza NowA and its founder Mustafa Ayash, as well Al-Qureshi ExecutivesA and Aakhirah Limited, and their director Aozma Sultana, partnered on multiple fundraising efforts. This action is being taken as part of a collaborative effort with the United Kingdom's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, which is implementing sanctions on these same targets.A "Treasury remains committed to degrading Hamas' ability to finance its terrorist activities, including through online fundraising campaigns that seek to funnel money directly to the group," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States, in close coordination with our British partners, will continue to leverage our tools to disrupt Hamas' ability to facilitate further attacks." The United States and UK have already conducted three coordinated sanctions actions related to Hamas fundraising efforts since October 7, 2023, including aA NovemberA 14,A 2023 action against Hamas leaders and financiers, aA DecemberA 13,A 2023 action against additional Hamas financial officials and representatives, and aA JanuaryA 22,A 2024 U.S., UK, and Australia action against additional Hamas financial networks and facilitators of virtual currency transfers. a HAMAS-aligned fundraising network After the OctoberA 7 terrorist attack, online entity Gaza NowA began a fundraising effort in support of Hamas. OFAC is designating Gaza Now pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamas, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13224. OFAC is designating Gaza Now's founder and director, Mustafa Ayash, pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, Gaza Now. Aozma SultanaA (Sultana) is the director and sole officer of Al-Qureshi ExecutivesA and Aakhirah Limited. Sultana and these two companies have given thousands of dollars to Gaza NowA and advertised Gaza NowA as a partner during a joint fundraiser shortly after the OctoberA 7 terrorist attack. OFAC is designating SultanaA pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of Gaza Now. OFAC is designating Al-Qureshi ExecutivesA and Aakhirah LimitedA pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by Sultana. 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.A Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with persons designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant transaction on behalf of a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. In addition, non-U.S. financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk 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.A 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 toA OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information onA the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Treasury remains committed to enabling the flow of legitimate humanitarian assistance supporting the basic human needs ofA vulnerable populations, while continuing to deny resources to malicious actors. Accordingly, OFAC sanctions programs containA provisions for legitimate humanitarian support to vulnerable populations,A including authorizations for certain humanitarian transactions in support of nongovernmental organizations' activities. For more information, please reviewA relevant authorizations and guidance onA OFAC's website. On November 14, 2023, OFAC issued aA Compliance CommuniqueA which provides additional guidance for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.A Click here for more information on the individuals designated today. Additional Treasury resources on countering the financing of terrorism: ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Landmark legislation to bolster national security and remove red tape for Australian industry The Hon Richard Marles MP Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Defence 27 March 2024 The Australian Parliament today passed landmark legislation that will strengthen Australia's national security and support local industry by unlocking defence trade, innovation and collaboration with our AUKUS partners. The Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Act) protects our cutting-edge military technologies by enhancing our export control regime. It will fast-track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force by streamlining trade and collaboration with our AUKUS partners, maintaining Australia's capability edge. This new legislation removes red tape in defence trade with our AUKUS partners by supporting the establishment of a licence-free environment for Australian industry, higher education and research sectors. It will unlock investment and collaboration opportunities for Australian defence industry under the AUKUS framework, with the national exemption for export permits to the US and UK to benefit an estimated $5 billion in annual defence exports. The Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act 2024 (SAMS Act) will keep Australian secrets in Australian hands, ensuring our military secrets remain safe. This sensible reform strengthens the robust laws we already have in place by enhancing the Government's ability to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive defence information to foreign militaries. The SAMS Act is about protecting our military knowledge, skills and experience, as well as regulating the military training that Australians may provide to foreign countries. Defence will continue to work with industry, higher education and research sector partners to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of these significant reforms. Further information on the Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act, can be found here and further information on The Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act website can be found here. Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP: "The Albanese Government has passed two crucial pieces of legislation which will safeguard our national secrets, enhance cooperation with our international partners, and protect our national security. "The Safeguarding Australia's Military Secrets Act represents a proactive approach to countering national security threats and protecting military secrets that are central to Australia's national security and the security of our allies. "The importance of protecting our nation's secrets and sensitive information cannot be overstated. It is central to preserving Australia's national security and to keeping Australians safe. "The Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act provides defence industry, science and research sectors with greater opportunities for collaboration and trade with our AUKUS partners without the burdensome red tape. "This will benefit defence industry in Australia, unlocking $5 billion - more than half of our annual exports - to our AUKUS partners." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 27, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-03-27 19:33 At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Beninese Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari will pay an official visit to China from March 28 to April 1. CCTV: On March 26, a terrorist attack on the vehicle of the Dasu Hydropower Project undertaken by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan left several people dead or injured. What's the latest update on the investigation and handling of the attack? What action does China plan to take? How will the attack affect China-Pakistan cooperation and bilateral relations? Lin Jian: We strongly condemn this act of terrorism. We express deep condolences over the lives lost and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. We have previously stated our position on this incident. Immediately after the attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan activated the emergency response mechanism and swiftly engaged in emergency response and close communication with Pakistan both in Beijing and Islamabad. We asked Pakistan to speed up the hunt for the perpetrators, punish them by law, let justice be done for the victims, and take effective steps to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan. Pakistan promised to thoroughly investigate the incident, provide timely updates on the progress of the investigation, strengthen security measures for Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Relevant work is proceeding in an orderly way. We have noted the condemnation on the terrorist attack and condolences over Chinese victims from some countries. This is much appreciated. We reiterate that terrorism is a common enemy of humanity. It's the shared responsibility of the global community to fight terrorism and stop such tragedies from happening again. China firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism. We are solid in our commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects overseas. China and Pakistan have the resolve and capability to make the terrorists pay the price. Our two countries are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Our iron-clad friendship is deeply rooted in the two peoples. No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed. China will continue supporting Pakistan's socioeconomic development and efforts to make lives better for its people, and we remain firm in our commitment to working with Pakistan in various fields and delivering more benefit to the two peoples. Xinhua News Agency: Nauru President David Adeang is paying a state visit to China. Can you brief us on the visit? What important common understandings and results have been achieved during the visit? What's China's expectation for the prospects of China-Nauru relations? Lin Jian: At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Nauru President David Adeang pays a state visit to China from March 24 to 29. During President Adeang' stay in Beijing, President Xi Jinping held talks with him and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji met with him respectively. President Xi Jinping noted during the talks that all friendships have a bright future, no matter when they began; and all cooperation based on sincerity, no matter its size, will be fruitful. The two presidents had in-depth exchange of views on growing China-Nauru relations and issues of common interests. They reached important common understandings, laid out top design and blueprint for growing the bilateral ties and ushered in a new chapter of the history of China-Nauru relations. After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in areas of Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative implementation, economic growth and agriculture. The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Nauru. The two sides agreed that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru on the basis of the one-China principle is in line with the trend of history and the times, and meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. All countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equals. The two sides will firmly support each other in upholding sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, and be good friends and good partners that respect each other and develop together. This visit demonstrates the distinctive character and historical tradition of treating all countries as equals in China's diplomacy, and provides strong impetus for the growth of China-Nauru relations. China stands ready to work with Nauru to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of our two countries on all fronts, lend each other firm support, expand practical cooperation, and advance cultural and people-to-people exchanges to jointly benefit the two countries and peoples. China News Service: When asked about Trump's threat to slap high tariffs on Chinese cars made in Mexico, Mexican President AndrAs Manuel LApez Obrador said on March 25 that Mexico doesn't want to and will not wage a trade war with China. He mentioned that China will continue to invest in Mexico and Mexico has very positive economic ties with China and the US. He also appreciated China's assistance with relief supply procurement for Acapulco. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: China appreciates President LApez Obrador's positive statement on China-Mexico economic and trade ties. Both China and Mexico advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. China and Mexico are good friends and partners for common development. Mutual benefit is a defining feature of our economic ties. China stands ready to work with Mexico to deliver on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents at the summit meeting in San Francisco and deepen the China-Mexico comprehensive strategic partnership. RIA Novosti: The UK High Court announced on March 26 that it has adjourned its final decision on the appeal of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange against his extradition to the US. He may continue to appeal to the UK court against his extradition to the US. What is China's comment on this?a Lin Jian: We noted the reports. WikiLeaks founded by Julian Assange brought to light a great amount of secret information behind the US wars on Afghanistan and Iraq and CIA-led hacking attacks. The world is watching what will happen to Assange's human rights conditions and what will become of him. Many have expressed sympathies for him. Justice should not be denied. Reuters: Given the recent attack in Pakistan, we would like to ask if the new Pakistani Prime Minister Mr. Sharif will still be visiting Beijing? Lin Jian: China and Pakistan maintain sound interactions at all levels. As for the specific visit you mentioned, I have nothing to share at the moment. CCTV: It's reported that Amadou Ba, the candidate from Senegal's ruling coalition, issued a statement on March 25 in which he conceded defeat in the presidential election and offered his congratulations to the opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: We noted those reports. It's good to see that Senegal's presidential election was held in a peaceful and orderly way. We congratulate Bassirou Diomaye Faye on winning the election. China and Senegal are good friends and brothers. China deeply values its ties with Senegal and stands ready to work with the new government of Senegal to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and further advance our bilateral relations. Bloomberg: President Xi Jinping met earlier today with 24 US corporate executives and other people. I saw Hua Chunying just posted a photograph for that meeting. Can you give us the names of everyone who attended? And can you also tell us what President Xi said at the meeting? Lin Jian: This morning, President Xi Jinping met with US business leaders and experts in strategic studies at the Great Hall of the People. President Xi Jinping shared with them China's position and views on China's development, China-US relations and business cooperation, among other topics. Some of the US participants also made remarks at the meeting. A readout will be issued very soon. Please check back for updates. PTI: Sri Lankan Prime Minister is currently visiting China and has been holding meetings with the Chinese leadership. Can you provide us any details regarding discussions related to China-Sri Lanka debt relief efforts? Sri Lanka has been asking China to provide debt relief and China has been separately handling the debt-related issues with Sri Lanka other than the rest of the creditors that have given loans to Sri Lanka. Can you please provide some details regarding this? Lin Jian: We have released information on Sri Lanka's Prime Minister's visit to China which you may refer to. China has provided support to Sri Lanka's socioeconomic development to the best of our capacity. We stand ready to continue working with relevant countries and international financial institutions to support Sri Lanka in achieving debt sustainability. On your specific question, I'd refer you to competent Chinese authorities. Shenzhen TV: The 2024 Report on the Work of the Government calls for modernizing the industrial system and developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace. Many in the world believe that China's faster development of new quality productive forces will lay a solid foundation for high-quality development and provide impetus to the development and advancement of technology in other countries. What's your comment? Lin Jian: High-quality development is one of the intrinsic requirements of Chinese modernization. To develop new quality productive forces is what is needed and should be prioritized in seeking high-quality development. To advance new quality productive forces, the key is to boost China's own scientific innovation. In recent years, China has further implemented the innovation-driven development strategy and achieved fruitful results in areas such as manned spaceflight, quantum information, nuclear power technology and airliner manufacturing. What we have achieved in becoming an innovation-driven country has helped us better meet domestic demand and benefited people in other countries. China's clean energy technology is a case in point. China is firmly committed to the energy revolution. We've put clean energy front and center in the energy development. When developing clean energy at home, we have shared with the rest of the world China's technologies, products and initiatives, greatly contributing to global clean energy development. In 2023, 510 gigawatt of installed renewable energy capacity was added in the world, over half of which was added in China. New energy vehicle production and sales in China accounted for over 60 percent in the world. In Southeast Asia, China's clean energy companies are active investors. Viet Nam has become a major importer of China's wind turbines, and Thailand has become a major production base of photovoltaic industry. In Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco and Qatar, Chinese companies are heavily involved in large-scale clean energy projects and fuel the local energy transition. In Africa, China has implemented over 100 clean energy and green development projects. We help Africa embark on a path of sustainable development and add new jobs for the locals. Clean energy is just one example of how China contributes to global development by speeding up the growth of new quality productive forces. In such areas as digital economy and artificial intelligence, new quality productive forces also play an important role in advancing global development and countries' technological transformation. Over the past year, guided by the path of Chinese modernization, China made all-out effort in promoting economic recovery and growth and accomplished main targets for economic and social development, contributing over 30 percent to global economic growth. Looking forward, China will continue to advance high-standard opening up, attract outcomes of innovation worldwide and high-quality advanced production factors and resources, and create favorable conditions for developing new quality productive forces. We are convinced that new products, new technologies and new business forms emerged from the growth of new quality productive forces will expand the space for global economic sharing and common development, and inject new vitality and impetus for global development. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China In Eurasia Briefing: Xi, Putin, And A Battle Of Narratives Over The Moscow Concert Attack By Reid Standish March 27, 2024 Xi, Putin, And A Battle Of Narratives Over The Moscow Concert Attack Islamic State (IS) was quick to claim responsibilityfor the bloody Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow on March 22 that killed at least 143 people. But despite that claim and graphic body cam footage from the attack later posted by the militant group, Russian officials and state media have said, without evidence, that Ukraine was involved in the attack. Those claims have also begun to find their way into some Chinese state media coverage. Finding Perspective: When President Vladimir Putin first addressed Russia on March 23, the day after the attack, he made no mention of the group, whose Afghan-affiliate Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) is believed to have carried out the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan siege. In comments on March 25, he asserted again that the tragedy was likely ordered by Ukraine. There's been little reference to the IS attribution from Russian officials and state media, with the focus instead being on unsubstantiated claims about the assailants traveling to Ukraine before being caught. Ukrainian officials have staunchly denied any involvement in the attack. In China, coverage has largely centered around Chinese nationals. Shortly after news broke of the incident, Chinese students studying in Russia -- of which there are more than 44,000, according to official Russian figures -- began to share their stories on online platforms and with various Chinese media. In the 24 hours after the attack, it generated more than 21 million views and 7 million comments on the prominent social media platform Weibo. Chinese leader Xi Jinping also promptly offered his condolences to Putin, saying that "China is against terrorism of any form" and that Beijing "firmly [supports] the efforts of the Russian government in safeguarding national security and stability." Chinese state media, meanwhile, have given growing space for Russian officials to link the attack to Kyiv -- and even American involvement despite U.S. warnings several weeks beforehand that an attack was likely -- which Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted in a statement on Telegram. "Until the investigation into the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall is completed, any phrase from Washington exonerating Kyiv should be considered as evidence," she wrote. "After all, the financing of terrorist activities of the Kyiv organized criminal group by the American liberal democrats and participation in the corrupt schemes of the Biden family have been going on for many years." Why It Matters: The Moscow attack has quickly been wrapped up in a global disinformation campaign. Russia's NTV television channel aired a deepfake video following the attack that showed Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine's top security official, appearing to taunt Russia and take credit for the attack. The video was later debunked as an AI-altered fake by BBC Verify. This has been followed by online bots across social media in multiple languages amplifying claims of Ukrainian involvement and Western intelligence agencies being part of the attack. The Big Picture: As Etienne Soula, a research analyst with the German Marshall Fund's Alliance for Securing Democracy, told me, Chinese state media exists on a spectrum and so far more nationalist outlets like the Global Times "seem to be supporting Russia's allegations regarding Ukrainian involvement in the attacks," and even quoted Chinese experts casting doubt that IS could pull off such an attack. "Their framing of the attacks is very reminiscent of their early coverage of the war in Ukraine: quoting Russian current and former officials with no qualifiers, far more quotes of Russian officials than of Western voices (and almost no space for Ukrainian officials)," Soula wrote in an e-mail. So far, the official line toward the attacks appears to be supportive of Russia, but comparatively reserved. Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, told me that China and Russia aligning in the information space is hardly new, but it appears to be growing as both governments' global interests overlap. "Whether China believes Putin's version of the terrorist attack is irrelevant because China will use the version of the events that best serves its own interests and goals," she said. "Overall, China seems to boost the Russian narratives when they fit and advance China's own goals. As with this case, Beijing appears to particularly amplify the option of U.S. involvement behind it all - at least for as long as it's feasible." Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. Chinese Wind Energy Meets Bosnian Corruption A monthslong investigation by my colleague Predrag Zvijerac from RFE/RL's Balkan Service shows how well-connected individuals in Bosnia-Herzegovina are facilitating the influx of Chinese investment into the country so they can benefit through murky land-ownership schemes and convoluted legal loopholes. The Details: The investigation centers on the Ivovik wind farm project, China's largest and most expensive project in the Balkan country. This flagship investment has been championed by Bosnian authorities as a job-creating endeavor that will give the country a foothold in Europe's growing green-energy space and open the door for future investments in the local economy. But the wind farm's 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. 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. Predrag found how cantonal governments are awarding concessions to Chinese firms for land linked to the project that belongs to nearby residents, dispossessing them of their land and allowing officials to generate large profits in the process. The wind-energy project is the most high-profile example of this in the country, but Predrag's investigation also shows that this practice is becoming a growing trend across Bosnia when it comes to Chinese cash. Read the full investigation here. 2. Workers Targeted In Pakistan A suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden car into a bus carrying Chinese workers, killing at least five of them, along with their Pakistani driver, police said on March 26. What You Need To Know: RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal reported that the attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province was the latest in a series targeting Chinese workers who are employed in major public infrastructure projects funded by the Chinese government. The suicide bombing marks the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in a week. The first two attacks targeted a Pakistan naval air base and a strategic port used by China in the southwest province of Balochistan where Beijing is investing billions in infrastructure projects. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of this writing. The five Chinese who died were engineers at a key Chinese-funded hydropower project in Dasu, which is under construction by the China Gezhouba Group Company. In July 2021, a bomb placed on a bus carrying Chinese workers to the dam in Dasu killed nine Chinese citizens and four Pakistanis, while injuring 21 others. 3. The New Tightrope On the same day that Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev met with a U.S. senator in Astana, he also welcomed Erkin Tuniyaz, the deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang who is currently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. What It Means: As RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported, Toqaev met Republican Senator Steve Daines on March 26 where the Kazakh president "underscored Kazakhstan's focus on attracting investment, economic liberalization, and industrial development, outlining energy, mineral exploration and processing, and infrastructure modernization as key areas of mutual interest," according an official press release. Tuniyaz was sanctioned in 2021 for playing "a leading role in the persecution of the Uyghurs," and other Muslim minorities in China's western province, where Beijing led an expansive crackdown and internment camp system. The dual meetings highlight Kazakhstan's long-held balancing act between foreign partners. Amid an intensifying global competition between Beijing and Washington, Toqaev is looking to stay out of the fray and remain on good terms with both countries. Across The Supercontinent Huthi Deal: The Yemen-based Huthis have told China and Russia after talks with their diplomats that their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, according to Bloomberg, citing "several people with knowledge of the militant group's discussions." Railroad Plans: Amid months of behind-the-scenes talks, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said "a common understanding on the mechanism for implementing" the much-discussed China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway has been reached, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. Balkan Buddies: Speaking after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who is also acting prime minister, said on March 21 that relations with Russia and China are in Belgrade's "vital national interest." Hikvision And a NATO Base in Romania: A few weeks ago, RFE/RL journalists in Romania found Chinese-made surveillance equipment installed at some 28 military sites in the country -- including the NATO base that is home to the Aegis Ashore missile-defense system. Here's a new video explainer breaking down the investigation. One Thing To Watch The U.S. and British governments accused hackers linked to the Chinese state on March 25 of being behind "malicious" cybercampaigns targeting political figures. London also alleged that China-affiliated hackers were behind an attack that saw the data of millions of voters accessed. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance On China (IPAC), a group of Western lawmakers, were also targeted by the group. My colleagues at RFE/RL's Romanian Service spoke with local lawmakers affected. While major powers are often looking to infiltrate each other's networks and gain new information, the decision to so forcibly go public is likely to ramp up tensions with China. The Chinese Embassy in London outright denied the allegations, calling them "completely fabricated and malicious slanders." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-moscow-concert-attack-xi-putin- narratives-standish-eurasia-briefing/32879276.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address G holds foil containing fentanyl this month on Willow Street, an alley in San Francisco. Two mayoral candidates running against incumbent London Breed say more needs to be done to combat use of the drug. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The two leading candidates challenging Mayor London Breeds reelection bid are pushing the same idea to address the citys intractable drug crisis: Declare a state of emergency to tackle fentanyl. Mark Farrell, a former supervisor and appointed mayor now running against Breed, announced Thursday that he would seek an emergency declaration to rapidly concentrate City Halls resources to shut down open-air drug markets and curb overdoses from the super powerful opioid. Farrell said he would also ask the state government to send more law enforcement officers to disrupt drug scenes in the Tenderloin and South of Market. His announcement came one day after another top mayoral candidate, nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie, unveiled a similar proposal. Lurie, a Levi Strauss heir, said he also wanted to institute an emergency declaration in response to widespread fentanyl dealing and record drug deaths in San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For both Farrell and Lurie, the proposed fentanyl emergency is an attempt to differentiate themselves from Breed, given that all three candidates are running as moderates. Despite their political similarities, Farrell and Lurie are arguing that Breed has been an ineffective manager of the city and they would be able to act more decisively. A recent Chronicle poll found Farrell and Lurie were Breeds most serious challengers, coming in either shortly ahead or behind her in first-choice votes. Daniel Lurie, left incumbent London Breed and Mark Farrell are the leading candidates in San Franciscos mayoral race. Lea Suzuki, Stephen Lam and Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Breed instituted a state of emergency in the Tenderloin for three months in late 2021 and early 2022, but Lurie and Farrells proposals wouldnt be limited to one neighborhood. Breeds campaign has pushed back forcefully on the idea of a fentanyl emergency, saying it might not be legally justifiable and touting the work Breed is already undertaking to reduce public drug scenes, including ramping up arrests of dealers and users and partnering with state and federal agencies. Farrell told the Chronicle he was proposing a state of emergency because the citys approach to fentanyl isnt showing enough visible progress on the streets of hard-hit neighborhoods such as the Tenderloin. City Hall has failed the Tenderloin and those on our streets suffering from drug addiction, Farrell said. Its time for San Francisco to take a bold approach that will focus on saving lives. I believe it is inhumane to continue to let people suffering from addiction die on our streets in record numbers. With an emergency declaration in place, Farrell said he would cut funding from some unspecified harm-reduction programs that he said enable drug use on our streets. Farrell said he would use the savings produced by the cuts to help create and staff a 24/7 intake center where police and public health professionals could take drug users to be connected with treatment services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The citys Department of Public Health, which is under the mayor, has backed harm reduction, the philosophy of minimizing harm to drug users by offering clean needles or medical care, for example, without judgment. The strategy can save lives, but critics say it enables drug use and doesnt do enough to get people into treatment. Breed herself has backed away from the approach, saying in February, harm reduction, from my perspective, is not reducing the harm. Harm reduction advocates such as Sara Shortt, a spokesperson for the citys Treatment on Demand Coalition, bristle at the notion that the citys approach is enabling drug use. While Shortt said she agreed fentanyl is indeed an emergency in San Francisco, she cautioned against leaning on retrograde solutions that have actually been tried before and failed. The reason we have approaches like harm reduction now is because the heavy reliance on law enforcement solutions, abstinence-based programs, tough love approaches to drug use and addiction did not work, Shortt said. Additionally, Farrell said he would ask Gov. Gavin Newsom, who last year assigned state police and the California National Guard to help San Francisco law enforcement crack down on fentanyl markets, for more help. Farrell said he didnt have a specific level of extra resources in mind but felt that more law enforcement was needed in light of San Franciscos police staffing shortage. Lurie, meanwhile, said Wednesday that he felt a fentanyl emergency declaration was needed to bypass the bureaucracy and surge city resources to the drug crisis. He said he would use the emergency to immediately implement his previously announced drug-policy plans, including a proposal intended to keep street-level dealers out of drug hot spots such as the Tenderloin by increasing electronic monitoring of suspects with ankle monitors. Lurie has also proposed sending teams of behavioral health specialists and police to approach street drug users and have them choose between treatment or jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lurie said he would appoint a senior staffer in the mayors office to coordinate the fentanyl emergency response among local agencies. Breed has tried arresting people to get them into treatment with little success, suggesting that Lurie and Farrell might also struggle to compel users into care if either is elected. Breeds campaign was sharply critical of Luries proposal. Joe Arellano, a spokesperson for the mayors reelection bid, said in a statement that Luries embarrassing proposals continue to demonstrate his inexperience and lack of basic understanding for how government and policy work. Arellano called Luries proposal a flimsy local declaration that might not even be legal a reference to the legal standard needed to declare a local state of emergency. The city attorneys office has said local law allows for states of emergency due to sudden, unexpected circumstances that endanger lives, property or public welfare and need to be acted upon immediately. Breeds campaign questions whether fentanyl could be considered sudden and unexpected given that the drug has been fueling elevated overdose deaths for years and the city has been trying to increase its drug enforcement efforts in response. Tyler Law, a consultant for Luries campaign, said it was a failure of leadership to not agree that record overdose deaths warranted a state of emergency. Farrell also blasted Luries suggested emergency proposal, which he said was not a serious approach to this crisis because it didnt go far enough to increase policing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As part of his proposal, Farrell also wants to expand recovery and treatment programs by looking to open new programs at city-owned property within San Francisco and even some outside city limits. One property he suggested the city explore for such use was the Log Cabin Ranch, a former youth corrections facility in the Santa Cruz Mountains that the city closed in 2018. Treasury Sanctions Actors Financing the North Korean Weapons of Mass Destruction Program U.S. Department of the Treasury March 27, 2024 The Republic of Korea and the United States Issue Joint Sanctions Against DPRK Financial FacilitatorsA WASHINGTON a Today, in coordination with the Republic of Korea (ROK), the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six individuals and two entities based in Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, that generate revenue and facilitate financial transactions for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Funds generated through these actors are ultimately funneled to support the DPRK's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs.A The ROK is jointly designating six of the same individuals and entities for their involvement in illicit financing and revenue generation through overseas DPRK information technology (IT) workers. This action also accompanies the 6th U.S.-ROK Working Group on DPRK Cyber Threats. Today's action targets agents of designated DPRK banks along with companies that employ DPRK IT workers abroad. DPRK banking representatives, IT workers, and the companies that employ them generate revenue and gain access to foreign currencies vital to the Kim regime. These actors, operating primarily through networks located in Russia and China, orchestrate schemes, set up front or shell companies, and manage surreptitious bank accounts to move and disguise illicit funds, evade sanctions, and finance the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.A A "Today's joint action reflects our commitment to disrupt the DPRK's efforts to generate revenue for its illicit and destabilizing activities," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States, along with our South Korean partners, will continue to take action to safeguard the international financial system and prevent the DPRK from funding its illegal weapons programs." DPRK BANK REPRESENTATIVESA The DPRK regime continues to use overseas representatives of state-owned entities and banks to access the international financial system. These individuals have overseas posts in China and Russia, where they coordinate payments and generate revenue for the DPRK.A A Yu Pu Ung is a linchpin in the DPRK's illicit financial activities and is skilled at employing various schemes to avoid detection.A Yu Pu Ung and Ri Tong Hyok are both China-based representatives of Tanchon Bank. Tanchon Bank is the financial arm of the DPRK's U.S.- and UN-designated Korea Mining Development Corporation (KOMID) and plays a role in financing KOMID's sales of ballistic missiles. KOMID is the DPRK's premiere arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons. Yu Pu Ung uses funds from DPRK IT groups to supply WMD-related materials to DPRK munitions organizations. Additionally, Yu Pu Ung has provided funds to a China-based representative of the UN- and U.S.-designated Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS). Yu Pu Ung and Ri Tong Hyok are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Tanchon Bank. Han Chol Man is a Shenyang, China-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Kumgang Bank. From 2019 to 2023, Han Chol Man coordinated or facilitated over $1 million in payments between China and DPRK for several DPRK banks. During 2023, Han Chol Man coordinated over $600,000 in payment orders with a bank that is subordinate to the U.S. and UN-designated Munitions Industry Department (MID). Han Chol Man is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13722 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, of Kumgang Bank. O In Chun is a Russia-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Korea Daesong Bank, which is operated by the U.S.-designated Office 39. The DPRK government uses Office 39 to engage in illicit economic activities, manage slush funds, and generate revenue for DPRK leadership. Furthermore, O In Chun worked to unfreeze funds on behalf of a bank that is subordinate to the U.S.-and UN-designated MID. O In Chun is being designated pursuant to E.O.A 13551 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Korea Daesong Bank.A Jong Song Ho is a Russia-based representative of U.S-designated Jinmyong Joint Bank.A Jong Song Ho has previously engaged in the exportation of DPRK coal. As of 2019, Jong Song Ho was involved in developing coal briquette factories in the DPRK, whichA facilitates the DPRK leadership's scheme of exporting coal to earn foreign currency. Jong Song Ho is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13810 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Jinmyong Joint Bank. Today the ROK is also designating Yu Pu Ung, Jong Song Ho, Han Chol Man, and O In Chun for evading sanctions and funding the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs through illegal financing and money laundering activities. DPRK IT WORKER DELEGATIONS The DPRK has dispatched thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, earning revenue for the DPRK that contributes to its weapons programs in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions.A On May 23, 2023, OFAC designated the Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company (Chinyong), an entity associated with the DPRK Ministry of Peoples' Armed Forces. Chinyong uses a network of companies and representatives under its control to manage delegations of DPRK IT workers operating in Russia and Laos. Today's designations expand on this action by sanctioning two companies subordinate to Chinyong and one individual that leads an IT delegation. Limited Liability Company Alis (Alis LLC) is a Vladivostok, Russia-based company subordinate to U.S-designated Chinyong, which has made payments to its parent company. Between 2021 and 2022, Alis LLC made payments to its parent company that totaled more than $2.5 million. Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate is a UAE-based company subordinate to Chinyong. The team-lead for this company, Jon Yon Gun, was involved in coordinating payments from Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate to Chinyong. Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate and Alis LLC are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687.A for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Chinyong. Jon Yon Gun is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate.A Today, the ROK is also designating Alis LLC and Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate, for engaging in the dispatch and operations of the overseas DPRK IT workers. The ROK designated Jon Yon Gun on May 5, 2023, for his involvement in DPRK IT worker related activities. 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.A 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.A 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 toA OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information onA the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ARMY COMMANDERS TO BRAINSTORM CONCEPTUAL ISSUES, REVIEW AND ASSESS THE OVERALL SECURITY SITUATION India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 27 MAR 2024 12:24PM by PIB Delhi Army Commanders' Conference, first for the year 2024 will be organised in hybrid mode with the conference in virtual mode scheduled on 28th March 2024 and thereafter physical mode in New Delhi on 01st and 02nd April 2024. Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri will also address and interact with senior military leadership during the conference. The conference serves as a pivotal forum for apex leadership of the Indian Army to brainstorm conceptual issues, review and assess the overall security situation. It will lay down key priorities facilitating important policy decisions, to chart the course for future direction. Starting on 28th March 2024, the conference will be chaired by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande at New Delhi with Army Commanders' participating in virtual mode from their respective Command Headquarters. The deliberation will be on critical agendas impacting the field army and veterans' welfare. The conference will also feature talks by distinguished Subject Matter Experts on the evolving geopolitical landscape and ramifications for national security. During the conduct in physical mode on 01st April 2024, the Army's top leadership will engage in intensive brainstorming sessions. The sessions will be aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, importance of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability and investing in training and development programmes to ensure readiness for future challenges. The brainstorming session will also encompass issues concerning welfare of service personnel aimed at enhancing the quality of life for soldiers and their families. This will be followed by a meeting of the Investment Advisory Committee of the Army Group Insurance, chaired by the COAS, and attended by several experts in the field of financial management. The committee will deliberate on various welfare measures and schemes for financial security of serving soldiers, veterans and their families. On 02nd April 2024, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri will deliver a keynote address. The senior hierarchy of the Army will also be addressed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. The event will also be attended by the Defence Secretary and other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence. The Army Commanders' Conference, with its wide scope, ensures the Indian Army remains progressive, forward-looking, adaptive and future-ready. ******* SC/PK/VKT (Release ID: 2016439) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 27, 2024 Release Readout of Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker's Meeting With Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein Pentagon Spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon provided the following readout: Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker hosted the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein at the Pentagon, March 26. Acting Under Secretary Baker and Minister Hussein reaffirmed U.S.-Iraq mutual interests and commitments to a sovereign and secure Iraq, and to strengthening the close U.S.-Iraq bilateral partnership, in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement. Ms. Baker expressed appreciation for collective efforts to safeguard Iraqi, U.S., and Coalition Forces a reinforcing that attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups threaten the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, provide ISIS greater space to operate, and place innocent civilians at risk. The leaders also expressed their mutual commitment to the Higher Military Commission and to a successful visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia'a Al-Sudani to Washington D.C. next month, where he is scheduled to meet with senior defense and U.S. government officials. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3719556/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu to a Bipartisan US Congressional Delegation Organized by AIPAC: "We have to win. There is no substitute for victory." Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 27.03.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, met with a bipartisan US Congressional delegation, organized by AIPAC. The Prime Minister welcomed the members of the delegation on their arrival and thanked them for the broad support for the State of the Israel among the American public. He also briefed them on the fighting in the Gaza Strip and answered their questions. Prime Minister Netanyahu to the US Congressional delegation: "I'm delighted to see all of you. You've been long-time friends of Israel. You're great supporters. It's very important for us to maintain bipartisan support at all times, but especially in these trying times. I want to use this opportunity of our conversation to try to straighten out and also dispel some of the things that are being said about our bipartisan alliance and the importance of maintaining it. I don't know if you know this, but I think it was about a week ago or two weeks ago. Iran officially launched, along with Hezbollah, a campaign, which means Hamas, the Houthis and so on, but the formal policy is to shift from an ideological position of destroying Israel to a practical, long-term plan to bring about the destruction of the state. We have to win. There is no substitute for victory. How do we achieve this victory? It doesn't nullify the other needs: How to take care of Hezbollah, how to take care of Iran, how to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, which would make this threat a hundred times bigger, how to prevent these militias from firing into Israel rockets from Yemen or from Baghdad, precise rockets that could reach this room right now. How do we deal with that? These are big questions, but it starts with a necessary conditionaand that condition is that those who launched this genocidal attack must be defeated. How do you do that? What we've set out at the outset, with the support of President Biden and the administration - important support, which we appreciate deeply - was to say, the first thing: Our goal is to destroy the military and governing capabilities of Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has to be eliminated. Not as in idea. Nazism wasn't destroyed as an idea in World War Two, but Nazis do not govern Germany. There are still Neo-Nazis around, but you destroyed that organization. The second thing was to get our hostages out. They are simultaneous goals, because the military action is what produces the pressure to release the hostages. We've released half. We intend to release all of them. The third thing is to ensure that, indeed that Gaza doesn't pose a threat to Israel again." Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser, Dr. Ophir Falk, also attended the meeting. The delegation included Brad Schneider (D-IL), Jim Costa (D-CA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Norma Torres (D-CA) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), as well as senior AIPAC officials. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem met with US Senator Rick Scott Israel - Prime Minister's Office The 37th Government 27.03.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to US Sen. Rick Scott: "My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that [UNSC] resolution was a message to Hamas: Don't bet on this pressure, it's not going to work." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, met with US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and thanked him for visiting Jerusalem and for his unwavering support for the State of Israel, especially at this time. Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I thought the US decision in the Security Council was a very, very bad move. The worst part about it was that it encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas.A My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that resolution was a message to Hamas: Don't bet on this pressure, it's not going to work. I hope they got the message." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: Despite its displeasure, China maintains sway with Myanmar junta The International Crisis Group says China and UN Security Council members should seek a 'coordinated response.' By RFA Burmese 2024.03.27 -- China's apparent unhappiness with Myanmar's military junta has created an opportunity for an international consensus on how to address the country's post-coup political crisis, a Brussels-based think tank said in a report on Wednesday. The report from the International Crisis Group, or ICG, pointed to China's tacit support for the "Operation 1027" offensive against military strongholds in northern Myanmar that began last October and "dealt the junta a resounding defeat in a strategic enclave on the Chinese border." The ICG also noted Beijing's annoyance with the junta's failure to act against the numerous scam centers along the border that have targeted Chinese nationals in recent years. "Beijing's displeasure has not, however, translated into disengagement," the group said in "Scam Centres and Ceasefires: China-Myanmar Ties Since the Coup." "There is room for different actors to work together on improving outcomes in Myanmar," it said. "For its part, China should resist overly transactional or short-term approaches in favor of promoting long-term stability." Beijing can do this because it is "the preeminent diplomatic force" in Myanmar, having more influence with "many of the country's key protagonists than any other foreign power," the report said. Possible 'coordinated response' Chinese President Xi Jinping had built warm relations with the government of Aung San Kyi Suu and was preparing several major infrastructure projects across Myanmar, including a deep sea port. He signed several memorandums of understanding during a January 2020 visit to the country. But the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup d'etat "was an unwelcome complication" for relations between the two countries, bringing insecurity and uncertainty to Myanmar and "making big investments unviable," the report said. It has also left Myanmar in turmoil as fighting among military troops, anti-junta forces and ethnic armies has occurred in much of northern and western Myanmar, leaving villages destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Since the coup, Beijing has declined to normalize relations with the regime and hasn't invited junta leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, to China "despite much lobbying." But Beijing has still sought to maintain relations with all of the main interested parties "to preserve its leverage and stop geopolitical rivals from capitalizing on turmoil," the report noted. That's left room for China and other countries - including members of the U.N. Security Council - to agree on an approach to the crisis, the report said. Dialogue with Council members could preserve "the possibility of a coordinated response" if the situation in Myanmar keeps deteriorating, the report said. Shells land in Chinese territory The civil war, now in its third year, has spilled over the border on occasion. In early January, stray artillery fell in China's Yunnan province during fighting in neighboring northern Shan state. The blast left five Chinese people injured, prompting a strong rebuke from Beijing. On Wednesday, fighting on the border between junta troops and the Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, led to two artillery explosions in Chinese territory, a resident told RFA. The KIA conducted attacks on military junta outposts in Kachin state on Tuesday night. Junta troops fired back early Wednesday but the shells landed on the Chinese side of the border, the resident said. Chinese authorities responded by closing the nearby Mai Ja Yang border gate. RFA sent an email to the Chinese Embassy in Yangon to ask about the explosions, but they didn't immediately respond. Loss of trust For its part, the IGC report said China should "move beyond establishing fragile truces on its border with Myanmar in favor of a broader approach" by pushing to end organized criminal activity along the border - "not merely those that have the greatest impact on Chinese citizens." "While such an approach would require a bigger investment on Beijing's part, it also promises a greater return - a more durable peace - for China, Myanmar and the wider region," the report said. Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun didn't respond to RFA's efforts to obtain comment, but a former army officer said the military has been unhappy with how Beijing has conducted its relations with the junta. "We have also lost trust with them," he told RFA. "We lost our confidence in China due to its self-interest." The Chinese government's interest in resolving the crisis is driven by its investment projects in Myanmar, said Kyaw Zaw, the spokesman of the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG. "I will say that China is dealing with all the relevant stakeholders of Myanmar issues in various ways," he said. "They mainly focus on border security, protection of the interests of China and the Chinese people, and implementation of investment-related businesses that were signed with the previous government." 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Junta helicopter crashes during training exercise in Myanmar Heavy and increased use of the aircraft has made them more likely to fail mechanically, said a former junta air force officer. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.27 -- A junta-owned military helicopter crashed in northern Myanmar, according to a statement by officials on Wednesday. The accident was caused by mechanical failure during a training exercise in Mandalay region's Meiktila city on Tuesday, the press release stated, adding that the pilot and trainee onboard were not injured during the crash. Meiktila is home to the junta's Air Force Central Command. Former junta air force sergeant Zeya told Radio Free Asia crashes have become more frequent because military aircraft are constantly in use by junta officials. "We have seen more aircraft crashes and the use of helicopters has increased," said the man, who goes by one name. "Many of the aircraft that have come to us have weaknesses. Overuse of the aircraft will continue to happen." It's important to check the condition of aircraft after each use, he added, but the junta can no longer do that because of the frequency they are being used in carrying out attacks all over the nation. According to a September report by the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, airstrike attacks increased in Myanmar by 324% between 2021 and 2023. On Feb. 29, a fighter jet crashed near Magway region's Kyu Wun village in central Myanmar. Just weeks earlier, a military plane repatriating troops who fled to India skidded off the runway at Mizoram state's Lengpui Airport. These crashes were preceded by more infrequent crashes in earlier years of the coup. In November 2022, a training pilot plane crashed in Tanintharyi region's Thayetchaung township. In June 2021, a junta passenger plane crash killed 12 people at Pyinoolwin's nearby Anisakhan Airport in Mandalay region. The dead included a monk, two army majors, a captain and a corporal. According to data compiled by RFA, rebel armies in Kachin, Kayin and Karenni states, as well as guerilla armies, or People's Defense Forces, claim to have shot down seven transport helicopters and fighter jets in the three years since the 2021 coup. Five additional junta aircraft have crashed due to technical or human error. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Killings of junta military recruiters rise to 17, tripling in last week Rebels warn local officials not to force youths into the military. 'If they don't follow our instructions, we will take action against them,' one group said. By RFA Burmese 2024.03.27 -- At least 17 local officials carrying out the junta's conscription efforts have been killed since a draft law was enacted early last month, according to rebel officials and residents. The number of killings has more than tripled in the last week, ahead of the official start of conscription, which the junta has said will take place in April. On March 23, RFA reported a total of six such killings. The junta enacted the "People's Military Service Law" on Feb. 10 to replenish its military ranks after months of mounting losses and surrenders to insurgents in Myanmar's three-year civil war. In the weeks since the announcement, youths in many cities have fled abroad or to rebel-controlled territories to avoid the draft, refusing to fight for the military that seized control of the country in a February 2021 coup d'etat. RFA has received reports of forced recruitment and officials compiling lists of residents of fighting age, as well as draft lotteries to select who will serve. But rebel forces are fighting back against those doing the junta's bidding, according to sources who spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. As of Tuesday, at least 17 village- and township-level general administration officials and other related personnel, including clerks and heads of 100 households, have been assassinated in Bago, Magway, Sagaing and Mandalay regions, as well as Rakhine, Mon and Kachin states, sources told RFA Burmese. When asked about the killings, an administrative officer in Yangon region's South Dagon township said there had been no resistance to recruitment in his ward, which had been implemented through a lottery last week. He suggested that only "corrupt officials" had been targeted after accepting bribes to keep some draft-eligible youth out of the selection process, while "those who worked transparently have remained unharmed." List of victims grows The earliest instance of an official being killed for their role in military recruitment took place on Feb. 20, when an administrator for Shin Thabyay Pin village in Magway's Taungdwingyi township named Nan Win was found dead. Members of the local anti-junta People's Defense Force, or PDF, claimed responsibiliity, saying he was killed after pressuring residents to join military training. On March 18, members of the Salin Township PDF shot and killed Myint Htoo, the administrator of Pu Khat Taing village in Magway's Salin township, as he called on residents to enlist for military service with a loudspeaker, according to sources in the township. The following day, unidentified attackers killed Maung Pu, the administrator of Mandalay region's Wundwin township, while he worked to recruit soldiers for the junta, township residents said. Details of the attack were not immediately available. On March 20, Tin Win Khaing, the administrative officer of Oke Shit Kone village in Magway's Yenangyaung township, and his clerk San Naing, were also killed. On March 22 and 24, Mya Mye Nyein, a junior clerk at the General Administration Office in Sagaing's Shwebo township, and Nan Nwe Oo, the administrator of Shwebo's Ward No. 4, were shot dead. Both had distributed leaflets calling on people to join the military and were deeply involved in the recruitment process, said a resident of Shwebo, who identified himself as Oat Aaw and claimed that a guerrilla group known as Shwebo Ar Mann had carried out the assassinations. Rebels issue warnings San Lwin, the administrator of Taung Ka Lay village in Mon's Kyaikhto township, was also shot dead on his way to work on March 24. He had handed over a list of local draft-eligible residents to township officials, a leader of the anti-junta Kyaikhto Revolution Force told RFA. "We have issued a notice to local administrative officials instructing them not to cause harm to the people, and not to force youths into the military, in accordance with the junta's order," the rebel leader said. "If they don't follow our instructions, we will take action against them." The PDF issued a similar warning in the third week of March, stating that ward members from various regions and states would be "punished appropriately" if they forcibly pressured people to serve in the military. Political commentator Than Soe Naing said he expects the killings will continue unless the junta halts its implementation of the military service law. "The public's anger was clearly sparked by the junta's decision to enact the law," he said. The public backlash has also prompted some administrators to resign, saying they won't be able to comply with the junta's order. Last week, 21 administrators in Rakhine's Thandwe township collectively resigned, accounting for more than one-third of the heads of Thandwe's 62 village-tracts. Similar resignations have taken place in Yangon region's Thanlyin and Sanchaung townships, and Bago region's Nat Than Kwin village. Blazes in Ayeyarwady Buildings being used in the junta's recruitment drive have also burned under mysterious circumstances in Ayeyarwady region's Hinthada and Yegyi townships in recent days, according to residents. On Sunday, the rear of an administrative office in Hinthada's Ka Naung Su ward caught fire at approximately 8 pm, while a draft lottery was underway, a resident of the ward told RFA. While some residents attributed the fire to faulty electrical wiring, others suggested it had been set by someone opposing the recruitment drive. On March 19, the residence of Administrator Kyaw Moe in Hinthada's Oke Hpo Chaung village, was set on fire while he was recruiting for the military in the front yard, according to a resident of the village. Damage was minimal, as those present acted quickly to put out the blaze, he added. The same day, the house of a Yegyi ward administrator was also destroyed by fire, although details remained unclear. Residents characterized the fires as "arson" and said the incidents were motivated by anger over the implementation of the conscription law. Attempts by RFA to contact Khin Maung Kyi, the junta's social affairs minister and spokesperson for Ayeyarwady region, went unanswered Wednesday. Mandalay recruitment drive Meanwhile, residents say there has been a push for recruitment in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, with administrative authorities actively compiling military service rosters and threatening punishment for those who resist. Recruitment activities were most prevalent in Mandalay's Chan Mya Thazi and Maha Aung Mye townships, they said, and census-taking is underway throughout the region. Residents also reported that authorities manning checkpoints along roads connecting Mandalay to Sagaing region have intensified their scrutiny of passing vehicles, looking for anyone trying to escape the draft. A resident of Mandalay said the junta is issuing threats of arrest and punishment for entire families of youths evading service. "There are ominous warnings of apprehending family members of those aged between 18 and 35 on [recruitment] lists, should they refuse military service," she said. A resident of Patheingyi township said local administrators have openly told people to pay them money in order to avoid service. "It is said that if we don't want to go, we can give them money to arrange for a replacement," she said. Thein Htay, the junta's minister of economy and spokesperson for Mandalay region, did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. The military has said that it will enlist draft-eligible citizens in batches of 5,000 monthly, beginning in April. According to data released last week by independent research group Data for Myanmar, the junta had commenced implementation of the military service law in 172 townships nationwide as of March 22. Translated by Aung Naing and Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content March not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Dasu Bomb Attack in Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-03-27 02:20 Q: It's reported that a terrorist attack caused Chinese casualties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan on March 26. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment? A: At around 1 p.m. local time on March 26, five Chinese and one Pakistani nationals were killed in a terrorist attack on the vehicle of the Dasu Hydropower Project undertaken by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. China strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We express deep condolences over the lives lost and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, we ask Pakistan to take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects in Pakistan. China is working with Pakistan on the follow-up work with all-out effort. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Pakistan to closely follow the local security situation,atake extra safety precautions,astrengthen security measures and do their best to guard against terrorist attacks. That afternoon, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to convey condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and the Chinese government. He strongly condemned the terrorist attack and said that terrorists' attempt to harm Pakistan-China friendship will never succeed. On the same day, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the Foreign Minister, the Interior Minister, and several other political figures strongly condemned the attack and expressed condolences over the lives lost. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) greatly contributes to the socioeconomic development of Pakistan. No attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will succeed. China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism. China will work with Pakistan with even stronger commitment to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Press Release Security Council SC/15647 27 March 2024 The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Yamazaki Kazuyuki (Japan): The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack near Besham, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, on 26 March which resulted in the deaths of five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani national. The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Pakistan and China, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Governments of Pakistan and China, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard. The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Auckland Airport Board Chair Patrick Strange has announced his intention to retire from the Board with effect from the close of the companys annual shareholders meeting in October this year. Mr Strange, who joined the Board in 2015 and has held the title of chair since 2018, said it had been a privilege to lead the Board. We have a policy that directors should, in general, serve nine years, which I will have completed, including six as chair, Mr Strange said. We have managed through the challenges of Covid and the subsequent recovery. And now the long overdue reinvestment in a major infrastructure upgrade at the Auckland Airport is underway. The Board and company are in excellent shape, and this will be an appropriate time to hand over the reins." The board has agreed that Julia Hoare will succeed Mr Strange as Chair. Ms Hoare, who joined the Board of Auckland Airport in 2017, is currently Chair of Port of Tauranga and an independent director of Meridian Energy and Comvita. Ms Hoare is also a member of the Chapter Zero New Zealand Steering Committee. ENDS Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SML - Synlait Milk Limited - Trading Halt of Securities AIA - Auckland Airport announces board chair changes CEN - Tauhara commissioning progress update FPH initiates voluntary limited recall March 28th Morning Report KFL Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence in Investment Mgmt. SVR - Savor FY24 Earnings Guidance & Change in Banking Partner NZK - NZ King Salmon Investments Limited FY24 Results March 27th Morning Report TWL - TradeWindow announces $2.2m capital raising China Says 'Deeply Rooted' Ties with Pakistan Unaffected by Terror Attack By Ayaz Gul March 27, 2024 China said Wednesday it had asked Pakistan to "speed up the hunt" for those behind the previous day's terrorist attack that killed five Chinese workers and their local driver. The foreign ministry spokesman told a news conference in Beijing that both countries were working closely to ensure "effective steps" were taken to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan. Lin Jian said that Islamabad "promised to thoroughly investigate the incident, provide timely updates on the progress of the investigation, (and) strengthen security measures for Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions." A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into a convoy of Chinese engineers in a mountainous northern Pakistani district on Tuesday, killing five of them and their local driver. No group claimed responsibility for the bombing, though Islamabad suspected militants linked to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, were behind it. The TTP, a globally designated terrorist group, denied its involvement in the attacks, saying it targets only Pakistani security forces. "China firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism," Lin said, adding that the two countries " have the resolve and capability to make the terrorists pay the price." He reiterated that Beijing and Islamabad "are all-weather strategic cooperative partners" and "no attempt to sabotage" the cooperation "will ever succeed." The victims of Tuesday's suicide bombing were working on the Chinese-funded multibillion-dollar Dasu Dam in the Kohistan district on the Indus River, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan. The attack was the second on Chinese engineers associated with the project. In mid-2021, a suicide car bombing targeted a bus convoy in the area, killing nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistani co-workers. In Islamabad, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency security meeting Wednesday to discuss Tuesday's "heinous attack" and vowed "to bring to justice swiftly" the perpetrators, his office said. The statement said, "The acts targeting Pakistan-China friendship are particularly aimed at creating mistrust between the two iron brothers." US Reaction The United States also condemned Tuesday's attack in Pakistan. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries sustained and share our heartfelt condolences with those affected by the attack," Mathew Miller, the State Department spokesman, told reporters in Washington. "I'll note that PRC (People's Republic of China) nationals in Pakistan have also been the victims of terrorist attacks, and no country should suffer the acts of terror," Miller added. Beijing and Islamabad have close economic and defense ties. In recent years, China has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan to build road networks, power plants, and the deep-water Arabian Sea port at Gwadar in southwestern Baluchistan province. The collaboration is taking place under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, an extension of President Xi Jinping's global infrastructure program, the Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan has recently experienced a dramatic surge in terror attacks that officials allege stem from TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Islamabad says the violence has intensified since the Islamist Taliban reclaimed power in the war-ravaged neighboring country. Earlier this month, Pakistani warplanes bombed TTP hideouts inside Afghan border provinces. Islamabad defended the military action, saying diplomatic efforts to pursue the Taliban to rein in the terrorists did not work. Separatist insurgents have lately also stepped-up attacks against security forces in Baluchistan. Over the past week, insurgents stormed a key government complex in Gwadar and assaulted a significant Pakistan Navy aviation base in nearby Turbat district. Several Pakistani security personnel and around a dozen assailants were killed in both attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of the Congo DenisSassou-Nguesso at the initiative of the Congolese side. March 27, 2024 13:05 The President of the Republic of the Congo expressed his deep condolences and solidarity with the Russian Federation in connection with the barbaric terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. The presidents discussed the implementation of agreements reached following their meeting at the Russia-Africa Summit in July 2023. DenisSassou-Nguesso expressed appreciation for the effective work of Russian epidemiologists in eliminating an outbreak of infectious diseases in the Republic of the Congo. This March marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Republic of the Congo. In this context, the presidents reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the further development of active bilateral interaction in the political, trade and economic, cultural, humanitarian, and other areas. The presidents agreed to continue their contacts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Telephone conversation with Interim President of Mali Assimi GoAta March 27, 2024 12:30 Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi GoAta who resolutely condemned the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue and offered his deep condolences to the people of Russia. The presidents discussed further steps to strengthen Russia-Mali ties in various fields, including the implementation of joint projects in energy, agriculture, and mining sector. Assimi GoAta expressed special gratitude for the deliveries of Russian wheat, fertiliser, and fuel, free of charge. The presidents conducted a detailed exchange of opinions in the context of the uneasy situation in the Sahara-Sahel region. They agreed to step up practical interaction to counter terrorism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death Toll From Concert Hall Attack In Russia Rises To 143 By RFE/RL's Russian Service March 27, 2024 The death toll in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack near Moscow has risen to 143, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said on March 27. It was not clear whether new bodies were discovered at the site or whether people who were injured during the rampage on March 22 died. More than 80 people who were wounded in the attack are still being treated in hospitals. Four armed men attacked the Crocus City Hall concert complex, spraying bullets and slashing people as well as using incendiary weapons to set the venue on fire. A Russian court charged four Tajik citizens on March 25 with committing an act of terrorism. Another four have been accused of helping the attackers. Reports say people from Central Asia who live in Russia are under more pressure and face anti-migrant sentiment following the attack. This week, several migrant workers from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were detained and questioned in Moscow for hours. The Tajik government, which is close to the Kremlin, has interrogated the relatives of the four men accused of carrying out the attack. Uzbekistan has advised its citizens in Russia to comply with the heightened security measures and always carry their identification documents and labor permits. The government in Kyrgyzstan has urged against travelling to Russia due to fears that its citizens will be harassed, while the authorities in Turkmenistan are looking to bring home Turkmen national studying in Russia. The attack has been claimed by the Islamic State (IS) militant group. While IS has not explicitly credited any of its affiliates, Western intelligence and experts blame Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) for the incident. Top Russian officials insist that Ukraine and the West were involved in the attack. Kyiv has rejected the allegation, while the United States says it warned Moscow of an imminent attack two weeks before the incident. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-moscow-concert -attack-death-toll-140/32879628.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How False Assumptions Are Clouding The Postmortem Of Russia's Terror Attack By Michael Scollon March 27, 2024 The deadly terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow has triggered a flood of unsubstantiated assessments spread widely in Russia. They include suggestions that the Islamic State (IS) militant group, which claimed responsibility, could not have carried out the attack because its attackers die for the cause and never accept payment. But experts say such conclusions are inaccurate and based on false assumptions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has blamed "radical Islamists" for the attack that left at least 143 people dead, while questioning whether members of a group who "position themselves as faithful Muslims" would carry out an attack during the holy month of Ramadan. That, along with Putin's steadfast avoidance of specifically identifying IS as behind the attack and allegations of Ukrainian involvement, has highlighted the doubt the Kremlin has tried to cast on both IS's claim of responsibility and on foreign intelligence identifying a regional branch of the militant group as the perpetrator. Experts widely agree that the attack was "classic IS," while noting the claim was backed by video evidence released by IS's multilingual propaganda machine and that the militant group had made its hostility to Russia publicly known. "The attack in the Moscow region has been claimed by the Islamic State's central leadership and its official propaganda apparatus," said Lucas Webber, co-founder of Militant.Wire.com. "The attack was almost certainly conducted by the Islamic State and the brutal and indiscriminate nature of the attack fits with the MO [modus operandi] of the Islamic State's international terrorists and operations." IS, which Russia has fought in Syria, Iraq, and Africa and which has regional affiliates near Russia's borders, first identified Russia as one of its primary enemies in 2014. The enmity "intensified in 2015 when Russia intervened militarily in Syria to support [Syrian President Bashar al-Assad]'s government, and it continued to intensify after Russia's various military and private military-contractor interventions across Africa," Webber said. Another common assumption is that all IS attacks are suicide missions, with those who carry them out either blowing themselves up or fighting to the death for the cause. Moscow has detained at least 11 people in connection with the attack and has charged four of them, all said to be Tajik nationals apprehended 350 kilometers southwest of Moscow, near the border with Ukraine and Belarus, and accused of taking part in the attack. "Just because attackers aren't suicide attackers doesn't mean they aren't IS," said Colin Clarke, director of research for the New York-based Soufan Group think tank. "For one, the terrorists could've avoided procuring large amounts of explosives for suicide vests as part of their operational security," Clarke said. "Second, they may have intended to escape so they could strike again, and thus decided against a martyrdom operation. There isn't one uniform approach to conducting these kinds of attacks." While IS claimed responsibility as a whole, U.S. and French intelligence among others have specified that Islamic State-Khorasan, the Afghanistan branch, carried out the attack. That four of the suspects captured and charged by Russia are believed to be Tajik has also steered many observers to pin blame on IS-K, which has also been accused of carrying out recent attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, among others. IS-K is made up of Afghan and foreign fighters, particularly from Central Asia. Riccardo Valle, director of research for The Khorasan Diary, an online platform that tracks militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, said there is no direct evidence at this point clearly tying IS-K specifically to the attack. "Some people are bringing pieces of evidence, such as the ethnicity of the attackers, as clear evidence that Islamic State-Khorasan is behind the attack, but that isn't sufficient," Valle said. "There are several things, some stronger, some weaker that could suggest the possible involvement to different degrees by the Islamic State-Khorasan," Valle said. "What I mean is that the Islamic State-Khorasan might have actually provided support, whether financial, logistical, or communications, to a local cell that carried out the attack." Valle explained that the IS network is fluid and includes regional affiliates and local cells. In the case of IS-K, the group may have influenced the attackers even if not directly involved. Valle singled out IS-K's extensive propaganda arm, which "for the past three years has been majorly focusing on Russia." That effort, which includes the dissemination of material in English, Pashto, Russian, Uzbek, and Tajik, among other languages on a variety of platforms, "might have galvanized local cells and sparked the idea of planning attacks in Russia." Experts said it is not unprecedented for perpetrators of IS attacks to attempt to flee. Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks militant groups in South Asia, said the IS playbook allows for attacks that do not involve suicide and that "it is not the first time that an IS attacker escaped." As one example, Sayed noted an attack targeting Chinese citizens at the Longan Hotel in Kabul in December 2022 in which one of the attackers escaped and reemerged a few days later to carry out a suicide bombing. Specifying other IS attacks tied to IS-K, Webber mentioned the Kabul hotel attack, a church shooting in Istanbul in January, and a mosque attack in Shiraz, Iran, last August. Russia has not acknowledged IS's claim of responsibility for the March 22 attack near Moscow. In his latest comments on March 25, Putin did not blame the attack on IS, saying that unnamed "radical Islamists" were behind the attack. In a backhanded reference, he alleged that the United States was "trying to convince its satellites and other countries" that "there is supposedly no Kyiv trace in the Moscow terrorist attack" and that it was committed by followers of the "IS organization banned in Russia." Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in an article published by the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, accused Washington of using the "bogeyman" of IS to cover for its "wards" in Kyiv. Zakharova followed up on March 27 by saying that it was "extremely hard to believe" that IS had the capabilities to carry out the attack on Crocus City Hall, the deadliest Russia has suffered in 20 years. She continued to double down on the assertion that Ukraine was involved, without providing evidence. Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2014 prior to its all-out invasion in 2022, has strongly denied any involvement in the attack. Russian politicians, pro-Kremlin pundits and media, and online voices and bots have taken the baton from Putin and Zakharova, feeding the notion that the alleged attempt by the suspected attackers to flee to Ukraine cast doubt on whether they were really members of IS. One argument being made to support that idea comes from an alleged confession apparently made under duress by suspects after their capture. Unverified coverage of an interrogation of one of the alleged attackers quoted the man as saying he had been offered 500,000 rubles (about $5,000) to carry out the attack on Crocus City Hall. Valle of the Khorasan Diary emphasized that "these statements made by the captured attackers have been made under conditions that are near torture, if not blatantly torture, and that under those conditions people tend to say things that might not be true." But Valle said that even if attackers are paid, it should not be taken as an indication that they are not working for IS. "Fighting for the Islamic State does not mean that someone is not also interested in money," Valle said, suggesting payment could not only go to the attacker but to the attacker's relatives, friends, or others in their circle. "There is also the possibility that attackers in such cases might survive, so they might use this money for other potential operations." Sayed said it is common for the authorities where IS attacks have taken place to claim the attackers were paid, although he personally has not seen evidence to support those claims. Clarke said perpetrators of terror attacks could potentially accept payment or carry them out in the pursuit of their ideology, or both. "There were instances of attacks in Iraq where individuals rolled up as part of Al-Qaeda in Iraq were paid to emplace improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some families of Palestinian suicide attackers reportedly received payments following their deaths," Clarke said. "But to say that terrorists do this for money would be inaccurate. They aren't criminals; there is a political and ideological element at play." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-moscow- concert-attack-assumptions-islamic-state/32879614.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Ethnic Minorities Brace For 'Excesses' As Xenophobia Spikes After Crocus Attack By RFE/RL's Idel.Realities and Robert Coalson March 27, 2024 "I have a Kalmyk friend who is a doctor," a man who lives in Elista, the capital of Russia's Republic of Kalmykia, told RFE/RL. "He told me yesterday that his granddaughter in Moscow had been stopped by security forces. After all, they can't even tell whether a person is a Kalmyk, an Uzbek, a Tatar, or a Tajik. We are all the same to them. "In this situation, excesses toward non-Russian citizens of the Russian Federation are possible," the man, also an ethnic Kalmyk, added. Across Russia, citizens from ethnic minorities are growing increasingly nervous in the wake of the March 22 terrorist attack at a Moscow-area concert venue that left at least 143 people dead. Security forces quickly apprehended 11 suspects in connection with the violence, all of them believed to be Central Asians. When the four Tajik citizens accused of being the gunmen were brought into a Moscow court, it appeared they had been abused or tortured during and after their detention. Videos posted online purported to show security officers torturing the suspects with electric shocks or by cutting off a portion of one man's ear. Ethnically motivated violence and other manifestations of xenophobia were soon reported across Russia. Commentators on state media freely used dehumanizing epithets for the suspects. Many of Russia's 30 million nonethnic-Russian citizens -- a large number of whom practice the country's second-largest religion, Islam -- are worried. Increased attention from the police and other security agents, ethnically motivated violence from self-appointed Russian-nationalist vigilantes, hate comments on the Internet, and formal encroachments on the status of the so-called ethnic republics like Kalmykia are some of the concerns mentioned in conversations with RFE/RL. "It would be naive to suppose your average xenophobe is going to check your birth certificate or your passport before humiliating you," an ethnic Kazakh woman in the southern Astrakhan region said. RFE/RL has withheld the identities of the people inside Russia who were interviewed for this article out of safety concerns. The woman added that, even before the deadly events at the Crocus City Hall, Russia was a place where "xenophobiaahas long been normalized as a background phenomenon." The ethnic republics, many of which are on the Volga River or in the North Caucasus, are regions in which groups that are in the minority in Russia as a whole make up the majority or a large portion of the population. A Bashkir woman in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, also said the rising xenophobia worried her. "This could affect non-Russians in Russia as well," she said. "This has always affected non-Russians - a contemptuous attitude toward Tatars, mocking Bashkirs, insulting epithets for Yakuts. We have all seen this and know it well." 'Saying Nasty Things More Loudly' "[The] Kremlin's promotion of hate and xenophobia poisons ethnic Russians and puts non-Russians in danger," the exiled opposition group Free Nations of Post-Russia Forum, which unites representatives of Russia's ethnic minorities and calls for the "decolonization of captive nations," wrote in a March 26 social media post. The post was accompanied by a video showing young Russian men in the Moscow subway verbally harassing an ethnic Yakut woman and chanting racist slogans, including "Russia for Russians," as passersby ignored them. A Tatar man who lives in Ufa said that after the Crocus attack, racists in Russia had already "begun saying their nasty things more loudly." An ethnic Tatar in Izhevsk, capital of the Republic of Udmurtia, said there have been xenophobic incidents targeting Central Asians in his city. An Uzbek woman who runs a cigarette stand told him her customers had been complaining of police intimidating them for bribes. "This wave has also reached us Russian citizens," he added, "but only in a 'light' form. My co-workers have begun joking about terrorist 'pigs.'" A Nogai woman in Astrakhan said "disregard for migrants and for non-Russian Russians are directly interconnected things," adding that she heard people who "look oriental" are being stopped and checked in Russian cities. "What do they mean by that?" she said. "I suppose I 'look oriental,' but I am part of a native community of Russia, just like a huge number of people from other communities. I was born here. I'm a citizen. I speak fluent Russian. But what does that matter? Does it mean that I won't have to be subject to innumerable humiliating checks in the subway? That I won't be rudely turned away by landlords? That people won't tell me to 'go back to my country'? That I won't hear ethnic slurs or comments about the language I'm speakingaor about my religion? Of course, it doesn't." She added that she feels solidarity with the Central Asian victims of Russian xenophobia. "I don't distinguish myself from those people," she said. "Actually, I don't have a choice of whether to distinguish myself or not. My fellow countrymen don't see any difference." Although President Vladimir Putin and other officials frequently laud Russia as a "multiethnic, multi-confessional federation," minority activists have long complained that Putin has undermined federalism in the country and diminished the status of the country's ethnic republics such as Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. Self-exiled Tatar activist Ruslan Aisin, in an essay for RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, noted that Moscow has used similar crises in the past to further centralize power in Russia. Most notably, following the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, Putin eliminated the direct election of regional governors. "The fight against terrorism in Russia, as a rule, is twisted into a fight against political opposition, freedom of speech, democratic processes, and the rights of the country's ethnic communities," he said. "After the terrorist attack, talk of starting a campaign to liquidate the [ethnic] republics might become action," Aisin wrote. "After all, they need a new internal enemy and a new source of all problems now that the liberal opposition has been eliminated, independent media shut down, intellectuals silenced, and young people intimidated. What remains? Ethnic communities." After the March 15-17 election that awarded Putin a fifth term as president, self-exiled Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabbasov told RFE/RL he thought it was possible the Kremlin would liquidate the ethnic republics this year. "Such a step would be in keeping with the logic of the evolution of the Putin regime," Gabbasov said, describing the Kremlin's domestic and foreign policies as "imperialist and colonial." A Tatar woman in Kazan said she has often felt "as if I am a foreigner because I am not Russian." "It seems we need to remind people that we are a multiethnic country, and we have to be tolerant of one another," she said. "I understand where all the anger is coming from [after the Crocus attack]. But the state simply can't be encouraging intolerance toward migrants." Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities. RFE/RL's Russian Service and Caucasus.Realities contributed to this report Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ethnic-minorities- xenophobia-crocus-attack/32880139.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Central Asians in Russia Face Backlash After IS-K Terror Attack By Navbahor Imamova March 27, 2024 Russian media and analysts are reporting a spike in hate crimes and violence against migrants from Central Asia following last week's terror attack on a Moscow concert hall, which has led to the arrests of seven people of Tajik origin. Responsibility for the attack, which killed at least 139 people and injured nearly 200, has been claimed by the Islamic State terror group's Afghan affiliate, known as Islamic State-Khorasan, or IS-K, which includes a number of Central Asians in prominent roles. "A market owned by Tajiks in Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region, was torched. Unknown persons beat three Tajik migrants in Kaluga," said Edward Lemon, president of the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs in Washington. "Tajiks have reported being evicted without reason. Screenshots have circulated on social media showing taxi riders on apps like Yandex refusing to ride with Tajik drivers. Law enforcement have launched raids across the country to find and detain illegal immigrants," Lemon added. "Viral videos are circulating on social media calling for Tajiks to be deported, claiming they are all 'terrorists' and calling for the death penalty to be reintroduced." Tajiks are not the only victims of the backlash, according to Russian media reports and activists. In Yekaterinburg, security officials have reportedly threatened to fine businesses that refuse to list any Central Asians working for them. Kyrgyzstan has warned its citizens to avoid travel to Russia, while Uzbekistan's External Labor Migration Agency issued a travel advisory outlining security precautions. While publicly seeking to lay blame for the attack on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has behind the scenes been in talks with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon, to discuss ways to strengthen counter-terrorism measures. Lemon said that one possible outcome could be the extradition of some Tajik citizens to Russia. "From the Tajik side, my sources say that the government is already hoping to link the attacks to the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan in a bid to crack down on its actual and alleged supporters," Lemon told VOA. "Rahmon will seek to ensure that we don't see mass violence against Tajik migrants in Russia or deportations that could destabilize his regime," he said. "Putin needs to tread a tightrope as the Russian economy needs migrants." Other analysts see Central Asian migrants, who already face a difficult life in Russia despite the vital role they play in the economy, as convenient targets for the public's discontent. "It seems that in the end, everything will only come down to the persecution of migrant workers," said analyst and Gazeta.ru columnist Semyon Novoprudsky. He told VOA this is happening "despite the fact that they are critically important for some sectors of the Russian economy because of a growing shortage of laborers, especially in construction." Boris Dolgin, a visiting scholar at Estonia's Tartu University, agrees. "Instead of truly engaging in terrorism prevention and working in communities where radical ideas can be spread, they chose migrant workers as scapegoats," he said. Farhod Abduvalizade, a journalist speaking with VOA from Khujand, Tajikistan, pointed out that "none of the suspects have been proven guilty." He said many of his compatriots doubt that the real culprits are the battered and bruised men Russian authorities have been parading on TV. "The public is closely watching how events are unfolding because almost every household in Tajikistan has someone working or studying in Russia," he said. Remittances last year accounted for over 48% of Tajikistan's GDP, with most of it from Russia a $5.7 billion, according to the World Bank. Combined, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan received about $25 billion in remittances from Russia, where statistics show more than 10 million Central Asians present in the country. Central Asian militants in IS-K University of Pittsburg professor Jennifer Murtazashvili, who has done extensive research in the region, elaborated on the role of IS-K militants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. "They have used Afghanistan as a playground," she wrote on X. "During the war against the U.S., the Taliban also benefitted from these militants," with Tajik and Uzbek fighters participating in attacks against U.S. and allied forces. "These fighters have also skillfully played the Taliban and IS-K off against each other," she said, recalling that militants from Tajikistan took over large swathes of northern Afghanistan in 2021, killing members of the Afghan national security forces. Some recent reports indicate that the Taliban still rely on Central Asians to provide security in the north. In its latest statement, IS-K denounced the Taliban's engagement with Russia, China, Pakistan and other counties, even the United States. Still struggling for recognition as Afghanistan's legitimate government, the Taliban claim they are at war with the group. "Central Asia should be worried," Murtazashvili told VOA. "The alliance of Central Asian leaders with Moscow makes them look very weak in the eyes of IS-K." VOA Russian stringer Victor Vladimirov contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 27, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/03/27 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Tuesday to Wednesday, Mar. 26-27 2.PLA activitiesis 9 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts: Former Taiwan President's China Trip Could Shed Light on Xi's Intentions By Tina Chung March 27, 2024 Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to make an 11-day trip to China in early April. The trip will include stops in the southern city of Guangdong, the northwestern province of Shaanxi, and the capital Beijing, where Ma, according to reports, may meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Some experts say that if the meeting happens, not only can Xi use it to send signals to Taiwan and the United States, but it could help Washington learn more about Xi's intentions toward the island. Earlier this week, Ma's office announced that the visit will begin on April 1. The trip will include a speech at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong, a worshiping ceremony for the Yellow Emperor at the Shaanxi Huangdi Mausoleum, and a speech at Peking University. Taiwanese online news site The Storm Media reported that the meeting between Ma and Xi will be held on April 8. However, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, director of Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, said in a radio interview on March 26 that the itinerary Ahas not been finalized. Lu-chung Weng, an associate professor of political science at Sam Houston State University, told VOA Mandarin in an emailed response that if Ma and Xi really meet, Xi will probably use this occasion to emphasize Beijing's one-China principle and that the 1992 Consensus remains the basis for cross-strait exchanges and dialogues. "The signal Xi wants to send to both sides of the Taiwan Strait would be to emphasize that peaceful reunification is still Beijing's priority and that anyone who accepts the one-China principle can negotiate," he said. "Relatively speaking, it also highlights that if President-elect Lai Ching-te insists on not accepting the 1992 Consensus as the premise of one China in his inaugural speech on May 20, it will be difficult for the two sides to have a dialogue. In other words, Xi would use Ma to emphasize that the '1992 Consensus' is the basis for exchanges," he added. Although Ma accepted the "1992 Consensus" while he was in office, the current President Tsai Ing-wen did not, and China rolled back tourism and other exchanges in response. Lai, who is from the same party as Tsai, is expected to follow in her footsteps. For some, the "1992 Consensus" is the same as accepting Beijing's position that democratically ruled Taiwan is a part of China. Others believe it can be interpreted as meaning that there's one China, with both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, free to define what that means. Weng said that during the meeting, Xi may also respond to recent U.S. concerns about China's possible invasion of Taiwan in 2027. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Beijing has ordered its military to be prepared by that year to invade Taiwan. Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said during a congressional hearing last week that despite China's economic slowdown, the People's Liberation Army is still actively modernizing its military. He said all signs show the People's Liberation Army is following Xi's instructions to "prepare to invade Taiwan by 2027." Weng said a Ma-Xi meeting will be an opportunity to gain more insight into Beijing's plans for Taiwan. "If Xi really meets former President Ma, the U.S. can be sure that Xi's challenges are indeed not small," Weng said. "It will also send a signal that he will be focused more on 'peaceful reunification,' and that he will not take action in the short term." This does not mean China will not change its path in the future, he added, but at least for now "the U.S. can use the Ma-Xi meeting to determine that there is still time to prepare in the short term." Ma's trip to China comes just weeks before the inauguration of Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te. Lai's inauguration will be held on May 20 and many will be watching his speech for signs of how he will approach relations with China. Chiaoning Su, a professor at the School of Communication at Oakland University in Michigan, told VOA Mandarin that while Lai's inaugural speech will give priority to domestic affairs, relations with China will inevitably come up. "Lai Ching-te has repeatedly said that he will continue Tsai Ing-wen's framework, so both sides of the Taiwan Strait welcome closer dialogue and exchanges on the premise of equality and dignity, and that he does not want any conflicts to occur," she said. Lai "will maintain this tone and make some pledges regarding his cross-strait policies." Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's VP-Elect Reaffirms Ties With Europe in Diplomatic Tour By William Yang March 27, 2024 Taiwanese Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim wrapped up a whirlwind diplomatic tour to Europe last week, triggering Beijing as she made stops in three countries and Brussels and met with dozens of politicians. Analysts and some who attended the meetings say the trip was an example of the type of high-level engagement Hsiao wants to continue after being officially sworn into office in May along with President-elect Lai Ching-te. Hsiao met with parliamentary leaders in the Czech Republic, Poland and Lithuania. She also engaged with more than 30 lawmakers in the European Parliament in Brussels, including European Parliament First Vice President Othmar Karas. According to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry, Hsiao emphasized Taipei's "democratic alliance with European countries." She also urged the European Union to sign an economic partnership agreement with Taiwan to "demonstrate its commitment to upholding regional prosperity." The ministry said her trip would help the EU understand Taiwan's commitment to "maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits," as well as expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields. Some who attended events with Hsiao said she also reiterated Taipei's commitment to support Ukraine, which is a priority on many Central and Eastern European countries' agenda. Introducing herself The meeting in Prague "was an opportunity for Hsiao to introduce herself to Czech politicians," Jakub Janda, director of the Prague-based European Values Center for Security Policy, told VOA by phone. Janda said he attended a reception organized by Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil, where Hsiao spent about an hour and a half "meeting the politicians one by one." "Her trip shows that the incoming Taiwanese government wants to maintain high-level engagement with Central and Eastern European countries," he said. In Lithuania, Hsiao held meetings with members of different political parties, including the two candidates in the upcoming presidential election, and delivered a speech at the Lithuanian Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science. Lithuanian national security expert Marius Laurinavicius, who attended a closed-door meeting with Hsiao, said that her meetings with Lithuania's ruling bloc and one of the opposition parties suggests some opposition parties may have adjusted their views on the Baltic state's relationship with Taiwan. "Hsiao's visit is a good sign for both countries because it shows some political parties may have changed their positions on Lithuania's cooperation with Taiwan," he told VOA in a phone interview. In Brussels, some European lawmakers think Hsiao's trip helped raise awareness about Taiwan in Europe before the European Parliament election. "According to current election polls, the European Parliament will have a significantly larger right-wing camp in the new mandate; unfortunately, there is a tendency in that camp to be less China-critical," Engin Eroglu, a member of the European Parliament who met Hsiao in Brussels, told VOA in a written response. He said Hsiao's presence in Brussels could help remind European lawmakers about the threats Taiwan faces and the huge impact a potential Chinese invasion of the island could have on global trade. Hsiao's European tour comes less than two months before the new administration, under the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party, comes into power. China has long opposed official interactions between Taiwan and other countries. In response to her trip to the Czech Republic, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Prague to "take effective measures to undo the negative influence of the incident" and "strictly restrain certain politicians." Reinforcing ties with Europe Some analysts say that Hsiao's trip signals to countries in the region that Europe will remain important for Taiwan under the new administration. "This visit corresponds to Taiwan's overall effort to reinforce ties with Europe in recent years," Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, an expert on EU-Taiwan relations at the National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone, adding that the countries Hsiao visited are those that have been more assertive about standing with Taiwan in recent years. Since 2021, Taiwan has deepened its engagement with Central and Eastern European countries and the Baltic states by opening a new representative office in Vilnius, launching an investment fund worth $82.58 billion for Central and Eastern Europe, and signing agreements to deepen economic and cultural exchanges. Building a role in the administration In addition to continuing the foreign policy agenda established by the current administration, some experts say, Hsiao is using the European tour to "lay the groundwork" for her role in the new administration. Lev Nachman, a political scientist at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, said it appears that Hsiao is looking to continue to grow Taiwan's influence internationally much like she did when she was Taiwan's de facto ambassador in the United States. "Hsiao's got more political and social capital internationally than other Taiwanese politicians, so I think the trip is a matter of her and the incoming administration wanting to make sure that this capital doesn't go to waste," Nachman said in a phone interview. Meanwhile, Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou from the China-friendly Kuomintang is preparing for a trip to China next month. During that trip, Ma is widely expected to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. Nachman said Hsiao's European tour reflects the differences in Taiwan's two main political parties' foreign policy agenda. "These trips further show the DPP's approach of diversifying Taiwan's external relations while the KMT favors the approach of rapprochement with the PRC," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Edisun Power Europe AG / Key word(s): Annual Results Edisun Power Europe AG: Edisun Power shows record results with sales transactions 28-March-2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Zurich, March 28, 2024 Edisun Power shows record results with sales transactions Jump in sales to CHF 37.65 million thanks to sales transaction with CHF 18.7 million one-off capital gain EBITDA up by 118.4% to CHF 30.91 million and 82.1% margin Record solar electricity production of 165 094 MWh (+33.8%) Proposed higher dividend CHF 1.70/share New five-year bond emission first July 2024 with a coupon of 3.5% 2023 was a record year for Edisun Power in various respects: financially, new record values were achieved with the sales of project portfolio of smaller plants of 706 MWp to its strategic partner Smartenergy Group and the realization of a one-off capital gain of 18.7 MCHF. In return, Edisun decided to strongly focus on large-scale solar plants only and acquired three large-scale solar plants projects of totally 941 MWp in the region of Madrid in Spain (Fuencarral). The Board of Directors recommends to the Annual General Meeting the distribution of a continued increased dividend of CHF 1.70 per share compared to CHF 1.60 last year. The main focus for Edisun Power is the further development and construction of large-scale solar projects and its financing. For this purpose, Edisun will issue a new five-year bond with a coupon of 3.5% as of first July 2024. New record sale Total Group sales increased by 98.5% to CHF 37.65 million (2022: CHF 18.97 million) and by 101.9% in local currencies. The increase in sales was mainly triggered by the sales of a portfolio of PV project rights end of 2023. Without the resulting capital gain, the total group sales were reduced by 6.8% (in local currency -3.3%), primarily due to lower electricity prices in Spain (negative impact of CHF 2.8 million or -32%) as well as due to worse weather conditions and the operational discontinuance of a PV plant in Germany (negative impact of CHF 1.9 million or -52%). Specifically, the energy market rate in Spain experienced a notable decline of 54.3%, dropping from an average sales price of 151 Euros per MWh in 2022 to an average of 69 Euros per MWh. These lower earnings were partially offset by improved outcomes in Portugal, attributed to the commencement of production at the new large-scale power plant, Betty, and the proceeds from selling Guarantees of Origins, resulting in a positive impact of CHF 2.6 million and representing a 63% increase. Overall, the solar electricity production of 165,094 MWh was 33.8% higher than in 2022. Despite this positive volume effect, the revenues from sale of electricity were reduced by 7.2% (in local currency -3.8%) to CHF 17.45 million (2021: CHF 18.81 million). Several significant factors contributed to these results. Firstly, there was a decline in the average euro exchange rate by 3.8%. Secondly, we experienced a substantial decrease in the electricity price mix compared to the previous year, down by 28.1%. Latter was triggered by the impact of the sales price from the new large-scale solar plant Betty in Portugal as we can no longer benefit from high feed-in-tariffs. Thirdly, the normalization to lower electricity prices on the market, as well as the emergency legal measures to contain energy prices in Spain and the repatriation of excess profits in Italy and Germany limited better results. The solar electricity production was particularly lower in Germany (-24.1%), Switzerland (-15.8%) and Italy (-7.6%) when comparing to 2022. Those reductions were triggered by worse weather conditions, technical impacts in some rather old plants and the temporarily discontinuance of a plant in Germany (Horselgau, 1 MW rooftop plant). Production in France and Spain was practically flat compared to the prior year and the production in Portugal surged from 77268 MWh to 120903 MWh due to the new large-scale solar plant Betty (23.4 MWp). Portugals solar electricity output alone equals almost the solar electricity production of the total Edisun Group in 2022 and constitutes 73.3% of the groups total output in 2023. Strong increase of profitability with sales transaction With the recognition of the capital gain of 18.7 MCHF from the sales of solar plant projects as well as the better economies of scale from the new large-scale plants the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) more than doubled by 118.4% to CHF 30.91 million (2022: CHF 14.15 million). The EBITDA margin experienced a notable increase, rising from 74.6% to 82.1%. The operational costs increased with the accelerated activities in Italy, Spain and Portugal related to its project portfolio. The plants in Switzerland demonstrated the highest EBITDA margins at 85.6% (compared to 89.9% in 2022), largely attributable to the advantageous fixed feed-in tariffs. Following Switzerland, France maintained strong margins at 84.4% (compared to 83.4% in 2022), while Portugal also saw an improvement, reaching 83.0% (compared to 80.9% in 2022). However, EBITDA margins in Italy experienced a decline to 26.8% (compared to 44% in 2022) due to the impact of a new tax on solar revenues. Similarly, in Spain, revenues decreased, leading to a decline in EBITDA margin from 81.7% to 68.3%. Edisun Power's strategic focus on large-scale solar plants proved effective, with the EBITDA margins for the "Mogadouro" plant (49 MWp) reaching 91.2% and the new "Betty" plant (23.4 MWp) achieving 89.0%. Remarkably, these results were attained without subsidies for construction or subsidized solar electricity sales prices. Depreciation of the solar plants increased to CHF 6.63 million (2022: CHF 5.94 million). Due to the higher cost of capital, an impairment of CHF 0.2 million in France and Germany was needed. Compared to the previous year, opeRating profit reached with CHF 24.1 million (2021: CHF 8.0 million) an exceptional new record EBIT margin of 63.9% (2022: 42.2%). Net financing costs including the effects of exchange rate changes decreased CHF 3.2 million thanks to currency gains on third party loans. These currency gains are due to the 6.5% stronger CHF closing rate at the end of 2023 compared to the previous year. Hedging of this position has been waived until now. Income taxes were reduced to CHF 1.1 million as the capital gain only triggered limited taxation expenses (2022: CHF 1.5 million). Overall, net profit more than doubled by 128.4% to CHF 23.35 million (2022: CHF 10.23 million), which corresponds to earnings per share of CHF 22.55 (2022: CHF 9.87) based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. With this annual result, the Edisun Power Group has achieved a new record with the proactive sales of PV project pipelines and the focus on large-scale solar projects. High investments and newer financing At CHF 7.3 million, cash flow from operating activities is above the previous years result (2022: CHF 3.1 million). This is mainly due to the higher profitability, lower inventories, increase in accounts payable and lower tax payments. The development of the PV plants, which were acquired with a total of 783.6 MW in 2021, continued to progress. The cash flow from investing activities amounted to over CHF 25.0 million (2022: 22.8 million). Edisun Power was able to issue a new five-year bond with a coupon of 3.25 % for CHF 25.3 million. These funds have been used for the development and construction of solar plants as well as for the repayment of debts. At CHF 346.1 million, total assets were lower than in the previous year (2022: CHF 394.3 million). With the sales and purchase transactions at year-end and the positive operating results, the equity ratio increased sharply to 27.8% (2022: 19.4%). Net debt decreased by 26.6% to CHF 191.0 thanks to the offsetting of outstanding loans with the sale of PV projects to Smartenergy Group (2022: CHF 260.4 million); despite an uptick in bond debt to CHF 126.1 million (2022: CHF 101.2 million). Outlook for the current year, new five-year bond and dividend proposal Operationally, the first few months of 2024 business year have been challenging due to adverse weather conditions and a decline in electricity prices. Moving forward, the focus will be on the development of the new large-scale project portfolio of over 941 MW (Fuencarral), the accomplishment of its financing, and on the sale of project rights of smaller solar projects. A new five-year bond emission of up to CHF 30 million with a coupon of 3.5% will be launched. The Board of Directors proposes the distribution of a dividend of CHF 1.70 per share, increased by 10 centimes. The Edisun Power Annual Report 2022 is available on the Group's website: http://www.edisunpower.com/en/home-en/investors-en/reporting For further information Dr. Rene Cotting, info@edisunpower.com Edisun Power group As a listed Eureopean solar power producer, the Edisun Power Group finances and operates solar power plants in various European countries, Edisun Power started its operations in this field early as 1997 and has been listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange since September 2008. Edisun Power has broad experience in the realization and purchase of both national and international projects, thanks in part to its strategic partnership with the Smartenergy Group. Currently, the company owns 36 solar power plants in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. With a secured portfolio of projects under development of approx. 1.2 GW, the company is equipped for significant growth. PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Mar. 28, 2024 ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/03/28 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Mar. 27-28 2.PLA activitiesis 20 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "We have successfully fought against all terrorist organizations" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 27.03.2024 Addressing citizens in Batman, President ErdoAYan said: "We have successfully fought against all terrorist organizations that target the permanence of our state and the lives of our nation. The presence of the separatist organization on our lands has almost come to an end." President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan addressed citizens at the party's rally in Batman. Stating that TArkiye is determinedly advancing towards its goals despite being surrounded by conflicts and wars, President ErdoAYan said: "As you know, they tried very hard to make us a party to these conflicts and to disrupt our peace. However, we did not fall for these games. We kept TArkiye away from the fire that engulfed many countries in its region." "AS THE SHADOW OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION WAS LIFTED FROM OUR REGION, THE PEACE OF OUR PEOPLE INCREASED" "We have successfully fought against all terrorist organizations that target the permanence of our state and the lives of our nation. The presence of the separatist organization on our lands has almost come to an end. The threat to our country from Syria has been taken under control to a significant extent. As of this summer, we will also ensure the security of our Iraq border," President ErdoAYan said. "As the shadow of the separatist terrorist organization was lifted from our region, the peace of our people living there increased," President ErdoAYan said. With the improvement in the security environment, investment came to the region, peace came, tourism was revived. The economy of our provinces in the region has been revitalized. While terrorism lost, our 81 provinces won together with Batman, all our 85 million people won. Inshallah, we will preserve this. We will never give upon these gains we have achieved at the cost of paying heavy prices." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Scale, Scope of Devastation in Ukraine Appalling', High Representative Tells Security Council, Calling Invasion in Full Violation of Charter Meetings Coverage Security Council 9585th Meeting (AM) SC/15638 22 March 2024 The spread and proliferation of weapons a including in the Ukraine conflict a always spurs the danger of escalation, briefers warned the Security Council today, while its members sparred over the transparency and source of the threat of arms transfers in that ongoing regional crisis. Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, pointed out that reports emerged "just this morning" of a massive wave of missile and drone attacks targeting power facilities in Ukraine, leaving more than 1 million people without power. "The scale and scope of this devastation are appalling," she said, adding that the targeting of energy infrastructure providing essential public services "is simply unacceptable". She reported that, since the last discussion of today's topic in January, the provision of military assistance and transfers of arms and ammunition to Ukraine have continued in the context of the full-scale invasion of that country by the Russian Federation. Much of the information from Governments about transfers of weapons systems and ammunition to Ukraine is available through open sources, she stated, also spotlighting reports of States transferring a or planning to transfer a weapons to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Stressing that the supply of weapons and ammunition into any armed conflict raises significant concerns about the potential escalation of violence and the risks of diversion, she called on importing and exporting States to "act responsibly" at every step along the transfer chain to prevent diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse. In this regard, pre-transfer risk assessments, marking and record-keeping practices and tracing capabilities are of utmost importance. "Almost 25 months have passed since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter," she stated a more than two years of death, destruction and suffering. She reiterated the UN's commitment to support all meaningful efforts to bring a just, sustainable peace to Ukraine guided by the Charter of the United Nations, international law and relevant General Assembly resolutions. From a different perspective, Matthew Hoh, independent political analyst, observed that the strategy of Washington, D.C. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for the war in Ukraine has been two-pronged: economic and military. However, that failed strategy "has not been revisited, replaced or remanded, but reinforced", he stated, highlighting "a steady wave of escalation for two years". The United States and its allies openly disparaged and repudiated diplomacy; as a consequence, the killing, destruction and suffering have entered their twenty-sixth month. The reality in warfare is that whatever new technology or tactic is introduced, the enemy will counter it in an escalatory manner. On 18 March, he recalled, Russian Federation President Vladimir V. Putin announced his goal of buffer zones in Ukraine, presumably territory to the west of the annexed oblasts, to be taken as a response to the extended-range munitions and F-16 fighters to be provided to Ukraine. In recent weeks, multiple NATO Heads of State and their Generals, most prominently the French, have openly called for deployment of NATO combat units to Ukraine. Moscow, in response, reminded the world of their nuclear capabilities. "This is an escalatory game for fools and madmen," he warned. Moscow's invasion is a strategic error and a pre-emptive war that violates international law. However, it must be noted that the Russian Federation attempted negotiations in 2021, 2022 and 2023, efforts that may have prevented, concluded or frozen this war if those diplomatic offers had been responded to. Noting the "shocking" toll, he said that generations of unborn Ukrainians will pay for it, either in land made uninhabitable or through mothers who give birth to dead, deformed and disabled babies. He further called for the abolishment of the permanent member veto. In the ensuing debate, numerous Council members a including the representatives of Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, Slovenia and Japan a deplored the increasingly destructive conflict in Ukraine, affirming the sovereign right of nations to defend themselves. Others, including Algeria, Guyana, Switzerland and Mozambique, disapproved of any weapons transfers that do not take place within the applicable international legal framework, as the supply of weapons into any armed conflict creates risks of escalation and an "unacceptably high human cost". The representative of France noted that this was the thirteenth Council meeting dedicated to weapons delivery since September 2022, and the Russian Federation continues its campaign of disinformation. Moscow waged an aggression against a free sovereign nation, and any escalation in Ukraine is solely its doing. "There is no other way to prompt Russia to end its war other than by helping Ukraine," he stressed. France will continue its support for the Ukrainian people and its right to legitimate defence, bilaterally and through the European Union, providing material to allow it to resist and retake lost territory. The delegate of the United States stressed that, hours before the meeting, Moscow launched yet another unconscionable large-scale missile and drone attack against several regions of Ukraine. "We should all see the cynicism of today's meeting," he said, noting that the Russian Federation is complaining about the assistance to Ukraine that is protecting civilians from its attacks. Moscow continues to procure weapons to continue its war of aggression, he observed, voicing concern that its military relationship with Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is "deeper than ever". The representative of Malta affirmed that the arms transfers that should be condemned are those between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, in violation of multiple Council resolutions and the sanctions regime. The use of ballistic missiles from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Ukraine not only furthers the suffering of its people, but also gravely erodes the non-proliferation regime, undermining the authority of the Council. The Republic of Korea's delegate emphasized that the Russian Federation has been chipping away at international law that has served as a foundation of global peace and security for nearly 80 years. He therefore urged Moscow to immediately stop its military cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which violates multiple Council resolutions, and withdraw its forces from Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. "The one who ties the knot has to untie it," he observed. The representative of China stressed that the continued flow of weapons to the battlefield will only exacerbate the unpredictability of war, accelerate the threat of a spillover effect of the Ukraine crisis, and make the hope of peace more elusive. Against this backdrop, he called on all parties to act responsibly and devote their resources to diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire. Reiterating China's commitment to promoting peace talks, he supported holding an international peace conference recognized by both parties. Pushing back against numerous Council members, the Russian Federation's delegate cited ongoing deliveries by Western States of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, and the escalatory rhetoric of "the sponsors of the Kyiv regime". The magnitude of NATO participation in supporting Kyiv is far broader than Washington, D.C., and Brussels have admitted a while even despite the military, financial and political assistance, Ukraine is inexorably moving towards a military defeat on the battlefield. However, "Western puppet masters are calling for more and more Ukrainians to be thrown into the meat grinder." He recalled when United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson prohibited the Kyiv regime from signing a peace agreement with the Russian Federation that had already been initialed, dooming hundreds of thousands of young Ukrainians to their deaths. He asserted that the goal of demilitarizing Ukraine has been achieved a as its fighters are now surviving exclusively through weaponry delivered by NATO, which Russian armed forces continue to destroy. He accused the West of engaging in "delusional rhetoric about a willingness for a new acute phase in the conflict" a a direct confrontation between the Russian Federation and NATO. European regional security "has been colossally damaged" due to the spread of weaponry provided to Ukraine. Stating that the Russian Federation remains willing to live with Ukraine in good neighbourly relations, peace and harmony, he recalled that, to that end, there was a need to fully achieve the "special military operation" a which does not include the elimination of Ukraine and its de-Ukrainianization. In response, Ukraine's delegate said that "the propaganda nonsense from Russia sounds extremely cynical," as just hours before, that country launched a massive missile strike targeting critical energy infrastructure across Ukraine. According to preliminary information, the Russia Federation launched 151 weapons units, cutting off electricity and heating to hundreds of thousands of households. "That is how terrorists perceive the lack of response to their previous crimes a as an invitation to new attacks," he stated. The situation in the northern part of the Sumy region of Ukraine can be equated to a humanitarian catastrophe, he stressed, while Moscow is bombing its own held territory with the same level of cruelty and disregard for civilian infrastructure. "Solidarity with Ukraine is critical to sober the aggressor, as its appetites are not limited to Ukraine alone," he stressed. Ukraine must ensure reliable protection of the skies because "if Putin loses the battle for the Ukrainian skies, he will lose the land as well," he said. It is particularly cynical that Moscow laments "Western weapons" while actively receiving significant supplies of munitions from Pyongyang, including ballistic missiles and artillery shells. Noting that later that day, the Council was scheduled to vote on extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, he called on it to "prove the global order can work by preventing attempts to silence independent and objective experts, and by ensuring the relevant sanction regime works and the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] is not able to help the Russian terrorists." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More Civilians Killed Amid Kyiv's Desperation For Air-Defense Systems By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service March 27, 2024 Russian forces shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, killing one person and injuring 16, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said, as Ukraine's president and foreign minister again appealed for more air-defense systems from the United States. The death of the civilian in Kharkiv was among at least three people killed by Russian attacks across eastern and southern Ukraine on March 27. The attack in Kharkiv hit apartment buildings, Terekhov said on Telegram, describing it as "another act of bloody terror against Ukrainians." Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov said there were two strikes on a district of Kharkiv city that damaged residential infrastructure. Five-story buildings where people lived were heavily damaged, and the Institute of Emergency Surgery was also affected, Synyehubov said. Russian forces have escalated aerial attacks on Ukraine in the past few weeks, targeting key infrastructure, including power stations, in retaliation for fatal bombardments of Russia's border regions. In the southern region of Kherson, a 61-year-old woman was killed in her home in a drone attack on a village; four children were among the wounded. In the southeastern city of Nikopol, officials said artillery fire killed a 55-year-old man, while a ballistic missile strike on the coastal territory of Mykolayiv left eight wounded. The Ukrainian armed forces said they shot down 10 out of 13 Shahed drones launched by Russia in the early hours of March 27. The drones were launched from Russia's Kursk region and targeted the Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Sumy regions, the military said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking on March 27 in an online briefing, again called for urgent deliveries of air-defense systems. "The peculiarity of the current Russian attacks is the intensive use of ballistic missiles that can reach targets at extremely high speeds, leaving little time for people to take cover and causing significant destruction," Kuleba said. "Patriot and other similar systems are defensive by definition. They are designed to protect lives, not take them," he said, referring to the U.S.-made missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymry Zelenskiy also called for the West to deliver air-defense systems, saying the protection is "required in Ukraine now" and urging Ukraine's partners to "demonstrate sufficient political will." Ukraine has become more and more frustrated over the inability of the U.S. Congress to pass a massive military aid package because of partisan disagreements. The bill remains stalled as lawmakers are in the middle of a two-week break for the Easter holiday. Zelenskiy was in the Sumy region on March 27 to inspect the construction of defensive fortifications such as trenches, dugouts, and observation posts. He also visited troops in a hospital and presented awards to soldiers with the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Meanwhile, Moscow has vowed to respond to an escalation of strikes on its border regions. Russia said on March 27 that the border city of Belgorod was targeted again and air-defense systems had shot down 18 Ukrainian missiles. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said two people were wounded during the barrage. Belgorod has recently experienced an increase in fatal attacks. With reporting by AFP and Politico Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-intercepts-missiles-belgorod- ukraine-war-dead-air-defense/32879237.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Report Accuses Russia Of Executing Ukrainian Prisoners Of War By RFE/RL's Russian Service March 27, 2024 A new report by the United Nations has said Russia may have executed at least 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in the three months to February 29. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on March 26 that between December 1 and February 29, it had received reports of 12 cases of executions of at least 32 POWs and was able to verify the killing of seven captured Ukrainian servicemen. The report added that the Ukrainian POWs were killed either after laying down their weapons or during interrogation. The OHCHR said that during the reporting period it interviewed 60 Ukrainian POWs who had been released as part of a prisoner exchange. More than half of the POWs, all men, disclosed that they had been subjected to sexual violence, electric shocks, and beatings. The Kremlin has not commented on the UN report. The UN rights office also said that it had interviewed 44 Russian POWs, who said they had been tortured either immediately after capture or during transport to detention facilities. On February 21, the United Nations reported that at least 10,582 Ukrainian civilians had been killed and over 19,875 had been injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, adding "it is likely the real number of civilian casualties is much higher." Despite vast amounts of evidence to the contrary, Moscow has denied targeting civilians in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed to have shot down 10 out of 13 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia in the early hours of March 27. The drones were launched from Russia's Kursk region and targeted the Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Sumy regions in Ukraine. In Izyum, in the Kharkiv region, at least one person was wounded by falling debris and a school building was damaged, regional governor Oleh Synyehubov reported on Telegram. Separately, Russia's Defense Ministry alleged that it had intercepted 18 Ukrainian missiles approaching the Belgorod region. One person was reportedly injured, and buildings were damaged as a result of falling debris. Neither Kyiv nor Moscow has commented on the other's claim. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-pows-executed-russia-un- report/32879564.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President inspected the construction of fortifications in Sumy region President of Ukraine 27 March 2024 - 17:15 During a working trip to Sumy region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected the construction of fortifications near the city of Sumy. The Head of State inspected the trenches, dugouts, fire and command observation posts. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was briefed on a standard project for the construction of a platoon stronghold. It includes, among other things, reinforced concrete structures, firing positions for tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, and shelters made of corrugated steel. An important element is also a strip of non-explosive barriers to deter enemy vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in Sumy region President of Ukraine 27 March 2024 - 16:58 During a working trip to Sumy region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. The Head of State listened to the reports by commander of the Siversk operational and tactical grouping Major General Dmytro Krasylnykov and commander of the brigade Colonel Maksym Aksamytovskyi on the operational situation in the area of responsibility of the brigade and interaction with neighboring units. The commander of the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade reported on the ratio of forces, equipment and weapons, informed about the peculiarities and dynamics of the enemy's use of guided aerial bombs. During the meeting, the President and the commanders discussed the necessary means of countering this type of weapon. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was briefed on the organization of defense across three lines of defense. The current needs for weapons and equipment were discussed. The Head of State also inspected the command post of the brigade, in particular, the support forces department, air defense department, and decision-making center. The President spoke to the defenders of Ukraine and thanked them for their daily service during the war. "Thank you for defending Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. I wish you and your families health and, of course, victory. Our future depends on it," the Head of State noted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to the families and friends of the servicemen who support and inspire our defenders, and wished the warriors fortitude. The President awarded servicemen of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class, the Orders "For Courage," III class, medals "For Military Service to Ukraine" and "To the Defender of the Motherland." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak met with a delegation of European Parliament Committee Chairs President of Ukraine 27 March 2024 - 09:01 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with a delegation of European Parliament Committee Chairs headed by Bernd Lange, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs and Chair of the Committee on International Trade, and David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva and Oleksiy Kuleba, as well as Advisors to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna and Vladyslav Vlasiuk. Andriy Yermak thanked the European Parliament, the members of the delegation and the countries they represent for their personal and significant support of Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war against our country. "Thank you for being in Kyiv today. This is a powerful signal of support for Ukraine in countering Russian military aggression," the Head of the Presidential Office noted. He informed the representatives of the European Parliament about the consequences of the recent Russian massive missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure and called on European partners to increase assistance to Ukraine, especially in missile and air defense. The interlocutors paid special attention to the sanctions policy of the European Union. The parties agreed on the need to further expand restrictive measures against Russia and to prevent circumvention of existing sanctions. The Head of the President's Office briefed the representatives of the European Parliament on Ukraine's progress in developing the principles for the practical implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula together with other countries, as well as preparations for the inaugural Peace Summit. "We hope to involve as many countries as possible in the work to end this war of Russia against Ukraine, to overcome the crises of all kinds caused by it and to further prevent wars in the world," emphasized Andriy Yermak. The parties thoroughly discussed Ukraine's progress on the path to joining the European Union. Ihor Zhovkva informed the European partners in detail about the progress made by Ukraine on this path. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Reports Thwarting Ukrainian Aerial Attack in Belgorod By VOA News March 27, 2024 Russia said Wednesday it thwarted rockets attacks by Ukraine targeting the Belgorod region, while Ukraine said Russia attacked overnight with 13 aerial drones. Russia's defense ministry said the country's air defenses shot down 18 Ukrainian rockets. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor in Belgorod, said on Telegram there was some damage to homes in several villages, and that at least one person was hurt. Belgorod, located along the border between Russia and Ukraine, is a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks as Ukraine seeks to defeat the invasion Russia launched more than two years ago. Ukraine's military said it shot down 10 of the 13 Russian drones, with intercepts taking place over the Kharkiv, Sumy and Kyiv regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late Tuesday changes to his national security team. Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's national security council, had been replaced by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who formerly led Ukraine's foreign spy agency. Zelenskyy called the change part of a "reboot of our state's governance system." "In general, I expect strengthening of the strategic capabilities of our state to predict and influence the processes on which the national security of our country depends," Zelenskyy said. Ukraine said Tuesday it destroyed 12 Russian drones that targeted several Ukrainian regions, while Russia said it thwarted Ukrainian air attacks against the Belgorod region along the border between the two countries. Ukraine's air force said the country's air defenses downed the drones over the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor in Kharkiv, reported on Telegram there was damage to a building, but no casualties. Vitaliy Kim, the governor in Mykolaiv, said on Telegram three of the drones were destroyed above his region. He did not report any damage or casualties. Some information for this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1540 Committee Chair Briefs Security Council on Government Efforts in Past Year to Prevent Non-State Actors from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction Meetings Coverage Security Council 9589th Meeting (PM) SC/15644 26 March 2024 Ahead of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of a resolution aiming to prevent non-State actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, the head of the Security Council Committee tasked with its implementation today briefed the organ on the work of that subsidiary body over the past year. On 28 April 2004, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1540 (2004) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, affirming that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The resolution obliges States, inter alia, to refrain from supporting non-State actors from developing, acquiring, manufacturing, possessing, transporting, transferring or using such weapons and their means of delivery. At the outset of the meeting, a procedural vote on the meeting's provisional agenda was requested by the representative of the Russian Federation. Having received the requisite number of votes in favour, the Council adopted the agenda and proceeded with the meeting. JosA Javier de la Gasca (Ecuador), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), briefing the Council on the Committee's work since 23 March 2023, stated that the Council's recognition of the severe threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to international peace and security was a "pivotal moment" in the international community's response to prevent it. "States have continued to make efforts towards the full implementation of the resolution, which remains a long-term task," he reported. Noting that the Committee held seven formal and one informal meeting in 2023 and has held three formal meetings to date in 2024, he acknowledged that Member States are in the best position to identify effective national practices. To that end, he recognized the need to promote the sharing of experience, including through voluntary peer reviews and other means, to evaluate and reinforce effective practices. Alongside detailing other facets of its activities, he said that the Committee approved the appointment of five candidates to its Group of Experts in February 2024, which will allow the Group to be better resourced to assist the Committee in its work. "The Committee will continue discussing the issue of the remaining vacancy in the spirit of cooperation," he added, also informing the Council of the Committee's intention to hold an open briefing this year in accordance with resolution 2663 (2022) on the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). In the ensuing discussion, many Council members underlined the importance of the Committee's work. The representative of Sierra Leone highlighted its vital role in facilitating assistance to Member States, as well as the capacity development it provides to help countries fulfil their obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). Underscoring the importance of preventing non-State actors from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction, Algeria's representative also commended the Committee's work in engaging with Member States, providing assistance and fostering international cooperation to strengthen national non-proliferation capacities. Guyana's delegate, meanwhile, pointed out that a revised assistance mechanism could help address challenges relating to assistance requests, allow for timelier processing of those requests and encourage feedback from States on whether their requests were addressed. She also highlighted the important role that women can play in the Committee's work. Speaking in his national capacity, the representative of Ecuador also highlighted the importance of adopting a new model for the Committee's assistance mechanism, improving some aspects of the one approved in 2018 and facilitating dialogue with countries that require assistance. He also called on all Council members to maintain a constructive approach to enable the selection of the remaining candidate for the Group of Experts from the Asia-Pacific region. The actions of non-State actors require a global response, he said, calling on the Council to amplify the Committee's voice, within its mandate, to counter that phenomenon. The filling of vacancies in the Committee's Group of Experts courted discussion from other Council members as well, with the speaker for Mozambique welcoming the consensus that led to the appointment of five highly qualified candidates to fill five of the six vacant positions in the Group of Experts. This "strategic move", he noted, ensures that the Group can effectively support the Committee's vital activities. While welcoming that the Committee was able to fill certain vacancies within the Group of Experts, the representative of Switzerland nevertheless pointed out that the process took more than a year and that candidates from the States who hold permanent membership in the Council were treated differently than those from other countries. The representative of Malta echoed that, stressing that there should be no difference in the treatment afforded to such candidates. He also expressed concern over repeated obstructions to multiple compromise proposals that would have allowed the appointment of all six experts without delays. For his part, the United Kingdom's delegate looked forward to the addition of new experts, which will inject new technical knowledge and experience a vital to the continuation of effective Committee support to States. Commending its accomplishments, he said that resolution 1540 (2004) remains important as the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction has evolved, and new challenges are emerging. Detailing some of those a such as unmanned vehicle technology and artificial intelligence a the representative of Japan, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to urge the Committee and its Group of Experts to play an even more proactive role in providing their expertise to Member States. Congratulating the five new experts on their recent appointment, she expressed hope that the Committee can reach a consensus to fill the last vacancy without further delay. "This important position cannot become another victim of obstructionism by a certain Council member," she stressed. Slovenia's delegate, while welcoming the recent agreement on appointing five new experts to the Group, stressed that the issue of the last remaining vacant post must be resolved promptly. "No need to repeat how extremely dangerous" the proliferation risk posed by non-State actors is, she observed. Similarly, the representative of France noted that the latest report from the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons a attributing a chemical attack in the Syrian town of Marea in 2015 to Da'esh a reflects the reality of this threat. Adding to that was the representative of the Republic of Korea, who described the recent heinous attack in Moscow as "yet another wake-up call". Stating that the threat posed by non-State actors acquiring weapons of mass destruction continues to evolve, he stressed that the Council must ensure that the Group of Experts is fully functioning, better-resourced and empowered to provide their expertise. Welcoming the appointment of five candidates, he said Council members must not undermine this process. Also spotlighting the recent "horrific" attack in Moscow was China's delegate, who underscored that frequent terrorist attacks around the world are dealing a serious blow to peace and security in the countries and regions concerned. "These bloodstained facts show that the threat of terrorism remains serious," he said, adding that the consequences of weapons of mass destruction falling into terrorist hands are "inconceivable". Efforts must therefore be made to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime, and the Committee must continue to play its role effectively. The representative of the Russian Federation recalled that resolution 1540 (2004) concerns the adoption of effective measures to prevent weapons of mass destruction and related material from falling into the hands of non-State actors. Against the backdrop of the persistent threat of terrorism a including the recent attack in Moscow a "the paramount importance of this objective cannot be overestimated", he said. However, he emphasized that the Committee must strictly comply with its mandate, and that its Group of Experts can only operate "exclusively following its instructions". Meanwhile, the representative of the United States pointed out that the Committee had to forsake dozens of available awareness-raising opportunities in 2023 due to a lack of available experts. Moreover, the Committee's reputation has not recovered, as States and international organizations are taking less of an interest in requesting the Committee's support due to the growing likelihood that they will be turned down. Every time the Committee's work is blocked, progress in addressing the threats posed by non-State actors is materially diminished, he stressed, calling for an end to obstruction in this context and urging those present a as does resolution 1540 (2004) a to "remain seized of the matter". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington, D.C., March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance filed a Complaint urging the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to declare that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is a private entity unlawfully exerting government power. The unconstitutionally structured Board exercises sweeping legislative, executive, and pseudo-judicial power bestowed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, but it is staffed entirely by non-governmental private citizens who are subject to very little direction, oversight, or supervision from federal officials. This arrangement violates Article I, Sec. 1 of the U.S. Constitution. Because of this lack of meaningful supervision, the Board routinely gets away with investigative bullying. Under Sarbanes-Oxley the Board is supposed to establish fair procedures but Congress did not provide an intelligible principle to guide writing them. The Board has thus buried NCLAs client, a small accounting firm, with a sixth Accounting Board Demand for reams of private firm documents. It has already made five similarly intrusive demands for the firms papers during its investigation, which has been dragging on for more than two years. Board staff have also required firm personnel to endure an outlandish seven days of transcribed interrogation. NCLAs anonymous client, John Doe Corporation, is a rare and courageous firm willing to stand up to this Star Chamber, which Justice Kavanaugh once aptly described as an unprecedented extra-constitutional stew. The Boards abusive and one-sided investigative tactics also violate constitutional due process requirements. Not only do the notoriously secretive Board and its private staff employees lack the government supervision and accountability demanded by the Constitution when they perform the core executive functions of investigating and prosecuting American citizens and businesses, but the Boards investigative process also deprives John Doe Corporation and other investigative targets of due process of law. The Board routinely punishes targets for noncooperation with Board investigative demands before they have any opportunity to challenge those demands in a court of law. NCLA is joined by Jacob Frankel, John Nelson, and Brooks Westergard of Dickinson Wright PLLC as co-counsel in this important case. NCLA released the following statements: Sadly, this investigation is par for the course at PCAOB. Operating in secrecy and unsupervised by government officials, Board staff routinely drag out investigations for years with an endless succession of burdensome and expensive demands for documents and sworn testimonyissued under constant threat of fines and debarment for noncooperationuntil most investigative targets give up. It is time to rein in this modern-day Star Chamber. Russ Ryan, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA It is outrageous that private citizens can exert government power over fellow citizens under the auspices of the PCAOB. Only federal officials accountable to the President may properly exercise such executive power. This lawsuit holds the promise of ending PCAOBs egregious lack of due process and restoring constitutional order. Mark Chenoweth, President, NCLA For more information visit the case page here. ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### CALGARY, Alberta, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wilmington Capital Management Inc. (Wilmington or the Corporation) (TSX: WCM.A WCM.B) today announces that Ian G. Cockwell has resigned as Chairman of the board of directors of Wilmington (the Board). Mr. Cockwell will retain his position as a Director of the Corporation. The Corporation thanks Mr. Cockwell for his guidance during his tenure as Chairman of the Board. Effective as of March 27, 2024, the Corporation has appointed Joseph F. Killi as Chairman of the Board and Timothy W. Casgrain as Lead Director. About Wilmington Wilmington is a Canadian asset management company whose principal objective is to seek out investment opportunities in the alternative asset classes that provide shareholders with capital appreciation over the longer term as opposed to current income returns. Wilmington invests its own capital, alongside partners and co-investors, in hard assets and manages these assets through operating entities. WILMINGTON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC. For further information, please contact: Executive Officers (403) 705-8038 TORONTO, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited (CSE: NICO/ OTCQB: NICLF) (the Company or Class 1 Nickel) is pleased to announce that it has granted an aggregate of 11,765,502 stock options to service providers of the Company, including directors and officers. The stock options are each exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of Cdn$0.07 until March 27, 2027. The options vest immediately. About Class 1 Nickel Class 1 Nickel and Technologies Limited (CSE: NICO/OTCQB: NICLF) is a Mineral Resource Company focused on the development of its 100% owned Alexo-Dundonald Property, a portfolio of komatiite hosted magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide Mineral Resources located near Timmins, Ontario. The Company also owns the Somanike komatiite-hosted nickel-copper sulphide property in Quebec, which includes the famous Marbridge Nickel Mine. For more information, please contact: David Fitch, President T: 011 +61 400.631.608 E: dfitch@class1nickel.com For additional information please visit our website at www.class1nickel.com and our Twitter feed: @Class1Nickel. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Chicago, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AR and VR display market size is projected to grow from USD 1.8 billion in 2023 to USD 8.2 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35.6% from 2023 to 2028. The key factors fueling the growth of this market include growing adoption of AR and VR devices in various applications, increasing demand for OLED displays in AR and VR devices, growing adoption of AR and VR HMDs in different industries, adoption of AR and VR devices in gaming industry, and growing popularity of Metaverse. The AR and VR display market is dominated by key established players such as Samsung Electronics (South Korea), Sony (Japan), LG Display (South Korea), eMagin Corporation (US), Kopin Corporation (US), AU Optronics (Taiwan), Japan Display (Japan), Barco (Belgium), BOE Technology (China), To know about the assumptions considered for the study download the pdf brochure https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=180787629 Samsung Electronics is a leading developer and manufacturer of electronics and computer peripherals. The company operates through four business segments, namely, Consumer Electronics (CE), Information Technology & Mobile Communications (IM), Device Solutions (DS), which comprises a semiconductor, Display Panel (DP), and Harman. The Consumer Electronics (CE) segment deals in cable televisions, monitors, printers, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and medical devices. The Information Technology & Mobile Communications (IM) segment deals in handheld products, communication systems, computers, and digital cameras. AR and VR Display Market Dynamics Driver: Increasing demand for OLED displays in AR and VR devices OLED is an emerging display technology and has become the mainstream display technology in many markets. OLED displays do not require a backlight; thus, they are thinner and more efficient than LCD displays. OLED displays offer high picture quality, bright colors, infinite contrast, fast response rate, and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for AR and VR applications. OLED microdisplays are gaining momentum due to advanced features such as higher contrast, faster response time, lighter weight, compact size, negligible image smearing, and a wider operating temperature range than LCDs. They have outperformed conventional LCD and LCoS microdisplay technologies as they are widely used in EVFs and HMDs. In the consumer sector, OLED microdisplays are used in video and VR glasses and EVFs to facilitate search, navigation, and daily personal activities, while the defense sector targets AR helmets for pilots to resolve communication issues during the battle. Restraint: Development of widescreen alternatives Screenless displays are interactive projection technology developed to solve problems related to miniature electronic devices. Devices such as HMDs, HUDs, and AR and VR projectors are small in size; thus, the lack of space on screen-based displays provides an opportunity for the development of screenless displays. The growing advancements in virtual retinal display and holographic display are an imminent threat to AR and VR traditional displays. Projection technology has been evolving for a long time, and its usage has increased in the last decade. Full domes, planetariums, and many other applications utilize projection technology. The increasing adoption of interactive projectors in different verticals and the low cost of interactive projectors, compared with AR and VR devices, are among the factors propelling the growth of the projectors, which hinders the growth of the AR and VR market. Opportunity: Surging adoption of AR technology for enterprise applications The opportunities in enterprise applications are huge. Huge investments in AR and VR devices from enterprises for smart manufacturing will be a major driver for the growth of the market. Companies having factories at varied locations can use AR and employ a small number of engineers to manage large setups. Remote collaboration using AR technology to manage machines and other setups remotely would help manage enterprises effectively. Other important applications of AR in the enterprise vertical are with regard to the instructional use for technicians and other workers in enterprises. The use of head-up displays and smart helmets to understand blueprints and instructions to provide real-time data will help workers function efficiently. Challenge: Developing user-friendly AR/VR systems AR/VR technology suppliers and developers face the challenge of developing user-friendly AR/VR devices and tracking systems. A user-friendly virtual environment allows a user to easily navigate and interact with objects in the virtual environment. AR/VR systems are a combination of hardware and software components. AR/VR devices track a users movements through different sensors and array them on the virtual display. The development of AR/VR software and virtual content is a challenging task for developers as the virtual content displayed must satisfy the users needs. Samsung Electronics has been focusing on the development of displays for electronic gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, and headsets. It also provides displays for TVs, laptops, cameras, and audio systems. The company uses newer technologies for developing high-definition, high-quality displays. Currently, the company is focusing on VR applications for its smart TVs. In addition, it provides wearable devices powered by AR and VR. Samsung has been maintaining its leading position in the display market; it has consistently introduced high-resolution, low-power-consuming, low-cost, and high-yield-rate products. With the rapidly growing demand for AR and VR displays, its technological expertise, and quick expansion of production capabilities, the company has captured a majority share of the market. It is focused on developing display solutions for evolving use cases, including AR and VR and flexible devices, and automotive systems. LG Display, which offers AR and VR displays, is a part of LG Electronics and is listed on the Korea Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. LG Display is now one of the leading manufacturers of TFT-LCD panels, OLED display panels, and flexible displays. It uses technologies such as film-type patterned retarder (FPR), advanced high-performance in-plane switching (AH-IPS), and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) to develop display panels. LG is a major company that offers a broad portfolio of AR and VR solutions globally. It offers a wide range of display panels for televisions, smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, automobiles, and smart wearables, including AR and VR devices. It is focused on offering cost-competitive display products and maintains stable and long-term relationships with its customers. The company is more focused on the development of automotive OLED display panels for HUDs and HMDs that can be used in autonomous cars. The company invests a significant portion of its revenue in R&D activities, which has helped it maintain a leading position in the AR and VR display market. It has a sound financial condition and has been active in exploring and preparing for new business opportunities. NEWARK, DEL, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The GHS label market is expected to be valued at US$ 1,668.4 million in 2024. Rapid adoption of the GHS system by countries has been a boon for the market. The growth of the labeling sector is also contributing to the uptick in demand for the labels. The market is set to register a CAGR of 3.4% over the period from 2024 to 2034. The chemical industry looking for tough material that expounds on the hazardous nature of the material inside is set to invigorate market demand. The incorporation of barcodes and other identifying marks to help in the tracking of hazardous materials is also predicted to enhance demand for GHS labels. Request for a sample of this research report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-9942 The markets value is forecasted to jump up to US$ 2,330.7 million by 2034. Increasing laboratory and research use of chemical materials is marked to add considerable value to the market. An increase in import-export activities related to chemicals is also positively impacting the market. There are, however, factors that slow down the growth of the GHS label market. Certain countries have been slow in the adoption of GHS, such as India where the labeling is not yet mandatory, or have not adopted the system entirely. Other labeling standards such as NFPA and HMIS, though they often are in conjunction with GHS, also limit market growth. To satiate the need for rigid GHS labels, manufacturers are turning to thermal paper. While the market does have to contend with certain drawbacks, the widened functionality of the product and the boosting of the chemical sector are factors that offer much promise to stakeholders, opines Ismail Sutaria, Principal Consultant at Future Market Insights Key Takeaways from the GHS Label Market The GHS label market is projected to be valued at US$ 1,668.4 million in 2024. Thermal transfer is the prevailing printing technology in the market. It is expected to account for 63.4% of the market share in 2024. Direct thermal paper tops the material segment. For 2024, it is anticipated to account for 35.4% of the market share. India is a promising country for the market. For the forecast period, the CAGR for India is estimated to be 4.5%. China and Thailand are pegged to be similarly promising countries for the market. The CAGR for both China and Thailand over the forecast period is predicted to be 4.0% The market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.9% in Japan over the forecast period. Secure Your Future in Business by Investing Now to Embrace Innovation and Emerge as a Market Leader: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/9942 Competition Analysis of the GHS Label Market Making the label-production process more efficient is concentrated upon by market players. Reputed companies are targeting innovation with the help of various inks and printers. Key Companies in the GHS Label Market Avery Dennison Corporation UPM Raflatac PPG Industries, Inc. Brady Worldwide, Inc. 3M Company CCL Industries Corp. Reliance Label Solution, Inc. HERMA GmbH Weber Packaging Solutions, Inc. SATO AMERICA, LLC Brandywine Drumlabels, LLC TCI America, Inc. Loftware, Inc. Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. Teklynx Newco SAS Recent Developments in the GHS Label Market In February 2024, the GHS L.A.B.E.L. Profile program was launched by Reliance Label Solutions. In December 2022, Polysciences made the switch to Epson ColorWorks printers for its GHS labeling needs. Ready to Learn About Our Approach? Explore Our Methodology: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-9942 Key Segments By Product Type: Pre-printed Personalized By Material: Polypropylene (PP) Polyethylene (PE) Polyester (PET) Polyimide Vinyl Direct Thermal Paper By Size: 215mm x 279mm 215mm x 355mm 210mm x 297mm 148mm x 210mm Other Label Size By Printing Technology: Thermal Transfer Pigmented Ink Jet Color Laser By Packaging Formats: Primary Containers Secondary Containers By End Use: Manufacturers Logistic & Transport Companies By Region: North America Latin America Europe South Asia East Asia Oceania Middle East and Africa (MEA) Author By: Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismails strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power. Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. Explore FMIs Extensive Coverage in Packaging Domain: The linerless label market is likely to reach US$ 3.0 billion by 2033. The market is further expected to surge at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period 2023 to 2033. The global labeling equipment market is projected to reach US$ 6,011.9 million by 2033. During the 2023 to 2033 forecast period, sales of labeling equipment are likely to rise at a CAGR of 4.9%. The global in-mold labels market is projected to reach US$ 1,568.1 million by 2033, rising at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2023 to 2033. The global hazardous goods packaging market is projected to accumulate a valuation of US$ 19.4 billion by exhibiting a CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period 2023 to 2033. Artificial Intelligence in packaging market is projected to be valued at US$ 2,080.8 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to US$ 6,015.6 million by 2033. The nanotechnology packaging market size is projected to be valued at US$ 17,210.0 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to US$ 87,412.0 million by 2033. The FMCG packaging market is likely to hold a revenue of US$ 443.1 billion in 2023 while it is anticipated to cross a value of US$ 778.7 billion by 2033. The global beverage packaging market is expected to be worth US$ 164 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.2%. In 2023, the market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 108.7 billion. The global perfume pack market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7%. The market value is projected to increase from US$ 2.3 Billion in 2022 to US$ 3.6 Billion by 2032. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. 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: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube Chicago, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Sulfur Dust Market is projected to decline from USD 1.3 billion in 2023 to USD 1.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of -3.0% during the forecast period, as per the recent study by MarketsandMarkets. The market is expanding due to an increase in the utilization of sulfur dust as a raw material in various industries. Sulfur based fertilizers and other crop solutions have recently gained popularity due to its low adverse effects on the environment and due to its ability to stimulate crop yield. The growing use of sulfur dust in various industries like rubber processing, chemical processing and pharmaceuticals is further expected to boost the market in the coming time. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=177296162 Browse in-depth TOC on "Sulfur Dust Market. 151- Market Data Tables 37- Figures 154- Pages List of Key Players in Sulfur Dust Market: Grupa Azoty (Poland) Jaishil Sulfur and Chemical Industries (India) Jordan Sulfur (Jordan) SML Limited (India) Saeed Ghodran Group (Saudi Arabia) Others Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges in Sulfur Dust Market: Drivers: Growing demand from various industries such as agriculture, chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical Restraints: Hazardous issues related to chemical nature of powder sulfur Opportunity: Advancement in lithium-sulfur batteries Challenge: Fluctuating prices impacting the demand Get Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=177296162 Key Findings of the Study: By form, the precipitated sulfur accounted is expected to account for the largest share of the Sulfur Dust Market during the forecast period, in terms of volume. By end use industry, agriculture are expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period in terms of volume. Asia Pacific is projected to register the largest market share during the forecast period. Based on sulfur form, the precipitated sulfur segment accounted for the largest share during 2023 to 2028. Precipitated sulfur is obtained through a chemical process called precipitation, in which sulfur dioxide combines with other chemical compounds to produce elemental sulfur, that has a purity level of 99.5%. Its fine size and high purity level enables it to be used in various industries like pharmaceuticals, rubber industry, and chemical industry. Based on end-use industry, the agricultural segment accounted for the largest share, in terms of value, of the overall sulfur dust market during the forecast period. The rise in awareness levels regarding sulfur-based fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and other crop solutions has been a major factor. Sulfur and sulfur-based formulations are increasingly being used to treat soil deficiencies and to enhance nutrient levels in order to obtain larger yields and better-quality products. Sulfur dust is also used to treat soil alkalinity and is used to treat plant diseases like powdery mildew. These factors have therefore resulted in a significant growth in the demand for sulfur-based crop products and solutions. Get 10% Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=177296162 Based on region, Asia Pacific is the largest market for sulfur dust, in terms of value, during the forecast period. The region includes both emerging nations like China, and India. Asia Pacific has become a focus for sulfur dust manufacturing, benefiting from recent infrastructure development and industrialization in its emerging nations. These factors have created new opportunities for Sulfur Dust Manufacturers, contributing to the continued growth of this region in the sulfur dust market. Browse Adjacent Markets Specialty Chemicals Market Research Reports Related Reports: VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the Company or Cannabix) reports that Kulwant Malhi has resigned as President and Director of the Company. Mr. Malhi is the CEO of privately held BullRun Capital Inc. and founded Cannabix Technologies Inc. in 2014 and was integral in Cannabix Technologies Inc. becoming a public company on the Canadian Securities Exchange and subsequent financing rounds. Mr. Malhi states, I am pleased to be leaving my Executive role at Cannabix and focusing on our other BullRun Capital early-stage incubations. I believe Cannabix is at a turning point towards proving its technology on a commercial foundation and I wish the Company well in future developments. The Company thanks Mr. Malhi for his contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavours. We seek Safe Harbor. On behalf of the Board of Directors Rav Mlait CEO Cannabix Technologies Inc. For further information, contact the Company at info@cannabixtechnologies.com The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NEW ORLEANS, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until May 20, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares between February 10, 2023, and February 28, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Get Help Chemours investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-cc-2 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Chemours and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 29, 2024, pre-market, the Company disclosed that the filing of its annual report for 2023 was delayed, that it is evaluating one or more potential material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 with respect to maintaining effective controls related to the control environment, including the effectiveness of the tone at the top set by certain members of senior management. and that its President/CEO, Senior VP/CFO, and Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer had been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of an internal review being overseen by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors with the assistance of independent outside counsel. On this news, the price of Chemours shares fell $9.05 per share, or more than 31%, from a close of $28.72 per share on February 28, 2024, to close at $19.67 per share on February 29, 2024. The case is Taylor Jr. v. The Chemours Company, et al., No. 24-cv-00361. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. NEW ORLEANS, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 9, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF), if they purchased the Companys publicly traded Class A shares between July 26, 2021 and December 7, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Get Help Xponential investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-xpof/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Xponential Fitness and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On December 7, 2023, a report by Bloomberg Businessweek highlighted many problems with the Company based on interviews with dozens of its former business partners, employees, and franchisees who revealed that the Company misled many franchisees into a financial nightmare and that the Companys CEO has a track record of combative management, deploying growth-at-all-costs tactics and unleashing aggressive reprisals against anyone who gets in his way, and further that as a result of these unscrupulous tactics many of the companys franchiseeshave either declared bankruptcy or lost their retirement savings. On this news, the price of Xponentials shares fell more than 26% over two trading days on heavy trading volume to close at less than $9 per share on December 11, 2023. The case is City of Taylor General Employees Retirement System v. Xponential Fitness, Inc., No. 24-cv-00285. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. NEW ORLEANS, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until May 20, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against agilon health, inc. (agilon or the Company) (NYSE: AGL), if they i) purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares between November 4, 2022 and January 4, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period), and/or ii) purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares pursuant or traceable to the Companys May 2023 secondary public offering (SPO). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Get Help Agilon health investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-agl or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Agilon and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On January 5, 2024, the Company disclosed that it was slashing its 2023 profit forecasts, specifically, lowering its 2023 Medical Margin expectation to $340 million to $360 million, approximately $110 million below the previous guidance rangedue to $90 million in higher-than-expected medical costs and that its Chief Financial Officer, Timothy Bensley would retire and be replaced later in the year. On this news, the price of agilons shares fell $3.45, or 28.6%, to close at $8.63 on January 5, 2024. The case is New England Teamsters Pension Fund v. agilon health, inc., No. 24-cv-00297. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP In this image released by the National Transportation and Safety Board, NTSB investigators on the cargo vessel Dali, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Baltimore. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP) Peter Knudson/AP In this image released by the National Transportation and Safety Board, a NTSB investigator is seen on the cargo vessel Dali, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Baltimore. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP) Peter Knudson/AP A person views from Fort McHenry a container ship as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. After days of searching through murky water for the workers missing after the bridge collapsed, officials are turning their attention Thursday to what promises to be a massive salvage operation. Matt Rourke/AP People view from Fort McHenry a container ship as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. Matt Rourke/AP Cranes stand idle on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. A container ship rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. Matt Rourke/AP A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. Matt Rourke/AP A tugboat moves by a container ship as it rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore. The ship rammed into the major bridge early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. Matt Rourke/AP BALTIMORE (AP) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a very long road ahead to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved $60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse. Meanwhile the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was moving the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to help remove the wreckage of the bridge, Moore said, so work to clear the channel and reopen the key shipping route can begin. The machine, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, was expected to arrive Thursday evening, and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen said a second crane with a 400-ton capacity could arrive Saturday. The state is deeply grateful for the federal funds and support, Moore said at an evening news conference. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Moore promised Thursday that the best minds in the world were working on plans to clear the debris, move the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge from the channel, recover the bodies of the four remaining workers presumed dead and investigate what went wrong. "Government is working hand in hand with industry to investigate the area, including the wreck, and remove the ship, said Moore, a Democrat, who said the quick aid is needed to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery. President Joe Biden has pledged the federal government would pay the full cost of rebuilding the bridge. This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks," Moore said. We have a very long road ahead of us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Van Hollen said 32 members of the Army Corps of Engineers are surveying the scene of the collapse and 38 Navy contractors are working on the salvage operation. The devastation left behind after the powerless cargo ship struck a support pillar early Tuesday is extensive. Divers recovered the bodies of two men from a pickup truck in the Patapsco River near the bridges middle span Wednesday, but officials said they have to start clearing the wreckage before anyone could reach the bodies of four other missing workers. State police have said that based on sonar scans, the vehicles appear to be encased in a superstructure of concrete and other debris. National Transportation Safety Board officials boarded the ship, the Dali, to recover information from its electronics and paperwork and to interview the captain and crew members. Investigators shared a preliminary timeline of events before the crash, which federal and state officials have said appeared to be an accident. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The best minds in the world are coming together to collect the information that we need to move forward with speed and safety in our response to this collapse," Moore said Thursday. Of the 21 crew members on the ship, 20 are from India, Randhir Jaiswal, the nation's foreign ministry spokesperson, told reporters. One was slightly injured and needed stitches, but all are in good shape and good health, Jaiswal said. The victims, who were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge, were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Butler said. At least eight people initially went into the water when the ship struck the bridge column, and two of them were rescued Tuesday, officials said. The crash caused the bridge to break and fall into the water within seconds. Authorities had just enough time to stop vehicle traffic, but didn't get a chance to alert the construction crew. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the Baltimore Orioles opening day game Thursday, Sgt. Paul Pastorek, Cpl. Jeremy Herbert and Officer Garry Kirts of the Maryland Transportation Authority were honored for their actions in halting bridge traffic and preventing further loss of life. The three said in a statement that they were proud to carry out our duties as officers of this state to save the lives that we could. The Dali, which is managed by Synergy Marine Group, was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. It is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk. Synergy extended sympathies to the victims' families in a statement early Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We deeply regret this incident and the problems it has caused for the people of Baltimore and the regions economy that relies on this vitally important port, Synergy said, noting that it would continue to cooperate with investigators. Scott Cowan, president of the International Longshoremens Association Local 333, said the union is scrambling to help its roughly 2,400 members whose jobs are at risk of drying up until shipping can resume in the Port of Baltimore. If theres no ships, theres no work, he said. Were doing everything we can. The huge vessel, nearly as long as the Eiffel Tower is tall, was carrying nearly 4,700 shipping containers, 56 of them with hazardous materials inside. Fourteen of those were destroyed, officials said. However, industrial hygienists who evaluated the contents identified them as perfumes and soaps, according to the Key Bridge Joint Information Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There was no immediate threat to the environment, the center said. About 21 gallons (80 liters) of oil from a bow thruster on the ship is believed to have caused a sheen in the waterway, Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said Thursday. Booms were placed to prevent any spreading, and state environmental officials were sampling the water. At the moment there are also cargo containers hanging dangerously off the side of the ship, Gilreath said, adding, Were trying to keep our first responders as safe as possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Divers sent to work beneath the bridge debris and container ship will encounter challenging conditions, including limited visibility and moving currents, according to officials and expert observers. Debris can be dangerous, especially when you cant see whats right in front of you, said Donald Gibbons, an instructor with the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also U.S. consumers, who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. The governors of New York and New Jersey offered to take on cargo shipments that have been disrupted, to try to minimize supply chain problems. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who met Thursday with supply chain officials, has said the Biden administration was focused on reopening the port and rebuilding the bridge, but he did not put a timeline on those efforts. From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions, according to the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. ___ This story has been updated to correct that 14 shipping containers holding hazardous materials were destroyed, according to the according to the Key Bridge Joint Information Center. Previously it said 13 were destroyed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___ Press release GENCI and CNRS choose Eviden to make the Jean Zay supercomputer one of the most powerful in France Paris, March 28, 2024 Following the announcement made by the French President at the Vivatech conference in June 2023, the Grand Equipement National de Calcul Intensif (GENCI) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), under the aegis of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, have selected Eviden to provide a major extension to the capacity of the Jean Zay supercomputer, funded by the France 2030 Programme. This announcement marks a new step towards sovereign AI. After a competitive dialogue phase, GENCI and CNRS have selected Eviden to supply a new, NVIDIA-powered computing infrastructure for the French national supercomputing centers. After preliminary works of compute room adaptation, the NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPU-based partition of Jean Zay, GENCI's supercomputer operated by the CNRS's Institut de developpement et de ressources en informatique scientifique (IDRIS), will be installed by Eviden in April and will be fully available to users in early summer 2024. This extension to the Jean Zay computer will allow an increase in the peak computing power from 36.85 to 125.9 PFlop/s. In so doing, available computing capacity will be multiplied by 3.5 in double precision (for high-performance computing) and by 13 if reduced or mixed precision is used, as in the case of artificial intelligence. Also, a new storage infrastructure will make it possible to read/write at high speed and make the associated models and datasets available. In addition to its level of performance, Jean Zay is one of the most eco-efficient machines in Europe, thanks to the massive use of accelerated technologies (GPUs) and core warm water cooling of the computing servers. The machine's waste heat is also re-used to help heat more than 1,000 homes on the Saclay area, thanks to a joint investment by CNRS and EPAPS1. The acquisition of this extension, carried out with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Directorate General for Enterprise (Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty) and the General Secretariat for Investment, in charge of France 2030, has benefited from funding from France 2030. IDRIS will operate a computing machine of exceptional power and functionality, open to national academic and industrial research communities. They will be able to carry out numerical simulations using high-performance computing, and train or specialize so-called "foundation" or "generative" artificial intelligence models, whether in the field of language processing, vision, multimodality, explainable AI, or in biology, health, materials, new energies and low-carbon mobility, fundamental physics, climate/weather, etc. This new evolution is in line with the announcement made by French President Emmanuel Macron on 14 June at the Vivatech 2023 conference, to support the development of sovereign artificial intelligence, in particular generative AI. To this end, GENCI has been awarded 40m. This exceptional grant also includes an additional 10m to strengthen and extend the human resources of the French National Artificial Intelligence Research Programme (PNRIA) and to support AI communities. The goal is to guarantee the long-term quality of the service provided by the CNRS network of AI support engineers, which helps AI communities to carry out their projects at Jean Zay. This new availability of computing resources available to scientific communities will help to boost the capabilities of the French AI sector in the face of international competition. Configuration In total after this extension, Jean Zay will be equipped with 1,456 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, in addition to the 416 NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs and 1,832 NVIDIA V100 Tensor Core GPUs remaining from the old configuration. Jean Zay's increased power will be provided by 14 Eviden BullSequana XH3000 compute racks featuring 364 dual-processor Intel Sapphire Rapids 48-core servers, 512 GB of memory and four NVIDIA H100 80GB SXM5 GPUs, each interconnected by four high-speed NVIDIA ConnectX-7 400Gb/s InfiniBand network adapters. The storage environment will be completely overhauled, offering a first level of 4.3 PB of flash technology (read/write speeds of over 1 TB/s) and a second level of 39 PB of fast disk technology (read/write speeds of over 300 GB/s), both under Lustre and supplied by DDN. Eviden BullSequana extension to Jean Zay supercomputer Quotes Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty France's position as a world leader in artificial intelligence will depend in particular on its access to the public and private computing power needed to develop competitive models. The extension of the Jean Zay supercomputer is the first step in the deployment of a global strategy aimed at developing computing power in France that is accessible to researchers, start-ups and digital companies, in support of the development of our AI ecosystem under sovereign conditions. Sylvie Retailleau, French Minister for Higher Education and Research I would like to congratulate the GENCI and CNRS teams on this new step, which will enable the Jean Zay extension to be implemented very quickly. By enabling Jean Zay to become the largest supercomputer dedicated to AI in France, this investment is essential to meet the new needs, both existing and future, for research and innovation in AI. It will help to raise the profile of France's role in this field, complementing the key roles played by the CEA and Inria in terms of digital infrastructure and AI. Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment, in charge of France 2030 We are delighted with this decisive step, which will enable France to equip itself with a competitive and attractive state-of-the-art computing infrastructure, essential if we are to consolidate our position in the frantic race for artificial intelligence. It will turn the advances made by our dynamic research ecosystem into real industrial successes. With France 2030, our ambition is to combine sovereignty and technology. Philippe Lavocat, CEO of GENCI With the extension of the Jean Zay supercomputer and the choice of Eviden following the procedure conducted jointly by GENCI and IDRIS, France has acquired a major asset that will enable it to put the best computing technologies, combined with artificial intelligence, at the service of science and innovation. The 40m funding is equivalent to what has already been invested in the entire current Jean Zay machine. With more than 1,000 AI projects already using this supercomputer's capabilities by 2023, the new sovereign infrastructure will be a key factor in fostering major breakthroughs in academic and industrial research. Antoine Petit, Chairman and CEO of CNRS The Jean Zay supercomputer is a key factor in France's attractiveness and contribution in terms of AI research at the highest international level. The French government has entrusted the CNRS with the responsibility of hosting and operating this research infrastructure, via its Institut du developpement et des ressources en informatique scientifique (IDRIS), confirming its role as a key player in AI research. The exceptional capabilities provided by the new Jean Zay extension represent a tremendous opportunity for the entire French scientific and industrial community. They will also enable us to meet the challenges posed by foundation models, both concerning scientific research and innovation and technology transfer. Emmanuel Le Roux, SVP, HPC, AI and Quantum Director at Eviden, Atos Group We are delighted to have been chosen by GENCI to develop one of the most powerful supercomputers in France, dedicated to supporting French AI research. Thanks to this collaboration, which brings together the best of our experts, France's academic and industrial research communities will have all the power they need for their work. This collaboration will help to foster the emergence of both new AI models and new computing technologies dedicated to AI. John Josephakis, Global VP of Sales and Business Development for HPC and Supercomputing at NVIDIA The NVIDIA accelerated computing platform supercharges systems such as Jean Zay with the extreme performance required to advance the next generation of scientific research. Jean Zay, powered by NVIDIA H100 and using our advanced AI software and networking, will bring exascale AI and HPC performance to help solve the greatest scientific challenges faced by society. About GENCI Created by the public authorities in 2007, GENCI (Grand Equipement National de Calcul Intensif) is a major research infrastructure. This public operator aims to democratise the use of digital simulation through high performance computing associated with the use of artificial intelligence, and quantum computing to support French scientific and industrial competitiveness. GENCI is in charge of three missions: To implement the national strategy for the provision of high-performance computing resources, storage, massive data processing associated with Artificial Intelligence technologies and quantum computing, for the benefit of French scientific research, in conjunction with the 3 national computing centres (CEA/TGCC, CNRS/IDRIS, France Universites/CINES). Supporting the creation of an integrated ecosystem on a national and European levels Promoting digital simulation and supercomputing to academic research and industry GENCI is a civil company 49% owned by the State represented by the Ministry in charge of Higher Education and Research, 20% by the CEA, 20% by the CNRS, 10% by the Universities represented by France Universites and 1% by Inria. CNRS A major player in basic research worldwide, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is the only French organisation active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist enables it to bring together all of the scientific disciplines in order to shed light on and understand the challenges of today's world, in connection with public and socio-economic stakeholders. Together, the different sciences contribute to sustainable progress that benefits society as a whole. About Eviden2 Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 47,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion. About France 2030 Presented on 12 October 2021 by the President of the French Republic France 2030: Translates a dual ambition : to transform key sectors of our economy (energy, automotive, health, aeronautics and space) over the long term through technological and industrial innovation, and to position France not just as a player, but as a leader in the world of tomorrow. From fundamental research, to the emergence of an idea, through to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire life cycle of innovation, right through to its industrialisation. : (energy, automotive, health, aeronautics and space) over the long term through technological and industrial innovation, and to From fundamental research, to the emergence of an idea, through to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire life cycle of innovation, right through to its industrialisation. Is unprecedented in terms of its scale: 54 billion will be invested to ensure that our businesses, universities and research bodies are able to successfully make the transition in these strategic sectors. The aim is to enable them to respond competitively to the ecological and attractiveness challenges of the world to come , and to develop the future champions of our sectors of excellence, thereby strengthening French sovereignty and independence in key sectors . To this end, 50% of spending will be devoted to decarbonising the economy, and 50% will be earmarked for emerging players, bringing innovation that has no adverse impact on the environment (in line with the Do No Significant Harm principle). will be invested to ensure that our businesses, universities and research bodies are able to successfully make the transition in these strategic sectors. The aim is to enable them to , and to develop the future champions of our sectors of excellence, thereby . To this end, 50% of spending will be devoted to decarbonising the economy, and 50% will be earmarked for emerging players, bringing innovation that has no adverse impact on the environment (in line with the Do No Significant Harm principle). Will be implemented collectively: the plan is designed and deployed in consultation with local and European economic and academic players, who have helped to determine its strategic directions and key actions. Project leaders are invited to submit their applications via open, demanding and selective procedures in order to benefit from government support. Is managed by the General Secretariat for Investment on behalf of the Prime Minister and implemented by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), the French National Research Agency (ANR), Bpifrance and the Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC). For more information : https://www.france2030.gouv.fr Press and Media Contacts GENCI Nicolas Belot I nicolas.belot@genci.fr I +33 (0) 7 60 99 95 19 CNRS Priscilla Dacher | priscilla.dacher@cnrs.fr | +33 (0) 6 09 34 90 21 EVIDEN Laura Fau I laura.fau@atos.net I +33 (0) 6 73 64 04 18 Bruno Le Maires Office presse.mineco@cabinets.finances.gouv.fr I +33 (0)1 53 18 41 13 Sylvie Retailleaus Office presse-mesr@recherche.gouv.fr I +33 (0)1 55 55 82 00 General Secretariat for Investment presse.sgpi@pm.gouv.fr I +33 (0)1 42 75 64 58 1 Etablissement public d'amenagement de Paris-Saclay (Paris-Saclay public development establishment) 2 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion. Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden SAS, 2024. Attachment ST. CATHARINES, Ontario, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The News Forum, Canadas national news broadcaster is releasing a special one-hour special of My Generation Thursday at 10:00 PM on March 28, 2024. Episode Trailer: https://youtu.be/qOnHKYu6lsc Where to find The News Forum Channel: https://www.thenewsforum.ca/wheretowatch According to voter trends, over the past ten years Canada has seen an increase in the GenZ and Millennial demographic showing up to vote in Canadian elections, and recent polls indicate that this demographic are more likely to vote based on the issues they care about most, versus political party lines. What does this mean for the political landscape going into our next federal election? This is the question that host Samuel Miele and his two panelists Anthony Feor and Jonathan Harvey wanted to explore on this extended episode of My Generation. Despite common narratives, Gen Z wants to understand individual policies to make an informed decision when voting, said Samuel Miele, host of My Generation. As a twenty-year old Canadian, hes passionate about inspiring others in his demographic to get involved as well. Were starting to understand it's not about the party, or what they say. Gen Z is interested in public transparency and explanations, and we want to have conversations on a granular level about these issues. This one-hour episode focuses on Housing, Climate and Sustainability Initiatives, Immigration, Healthcare, and Foreign Aid. Each of the panelists were selected for their apparent political differences and invited to discuss each topic from the perspective of their party, with the focus of identifying practical solutions. These are important and necessary conversations, said Anthony Feor, a regular panelist on the show, and its encouraging for the future to know we can have different viewpoints and have a constructive conversation. Canadians of all generations should watch this episode. Jonathan Harvey, a face many Canadians will recognize from social media, or the recently launched Blendr News, joined the panel for this conversation. Equipping the younger generation with a deep understanding of the political landscape is a fundamental step in nurturing a society enriched by informed citizens, critical thinkers, and empowered future leaders. My Generation is a weekly show on The News Forum that encourages Canadians in their 20s and 30s to engage in conversation about the important issues of our time. The program explores a range of perspectives on political, economic, and moral challenges that are relevant to Canadians, and specifically to Gen Z and Millennials. The goal of each show is to explore different perspectives and opinions, through balanced, articulate conversation, and encouraging open dialogue. You can watch recent episodes online at: thenewsforum.ca/series/my-generation/ Media Contact: Danielle Klammer 604 626 6993 d.klammer@thenewsforum.ca About The News Forum The News Forum is a national Canadian news broadcaster available through most television distributors see local listings. TNF is a proud subscriber to the Canadian Press/AP as a significant source of breaking news from across Canada and around the world. https://www.thenewsforum.ca/wheretowatch Additional Information: Website: www.thenewsforum.ca News Website: https://www.forumdailynews.ca/ Twitter: @TheNewsForum_ (https://twitter.com/TheNewsForum_) Facebook: @YourNewsForum (https://www.facebook.com/YourNewsForum/) Instagram: @TheNewsForum (https://www.instagram.com/thenewsforum/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNewsForum TikTok: @thenewsforum_ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a55fa1b1-aa5d-41b1-94a5-da9a0ac7fd73 San Francisco, California, USA, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Capital Global, a leading global private financial group for the middle market, is excited to announce the appointment of John Tesoriero as Vice President at its New York City office. With nearly three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry, Mr. Tesoriero has consistently driven revenue growth, enhanced profitability, and expanded market share. His expertise lies in supporting the development of rapidly growing businesses. Headquartered in San Francisco with principal offices in Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, New York, London, Milan, Zurich, and Dubai, US Capital Global is a full-service global private financial group with an established track record in corporate finance, asset management, and capital formation services. All private placements, securities, and other related services are offered by the groups FINRA-member broker-dealer affiliate, US Capital Global Securities LLC. Prior to joining US Capital Global, Mr. Tesoriero founded and served as the Managing Partner at J Bartolo Capital Advisers, where he provided private commercial business banking services and served as a commercial loan consultant to a diverse clientele. His leadership contributed to notable successes in increasing business capacity through capitalization, consultancy, and strategic branding. Prior to his tenure at J Bartolo Capital Advisers, Mr. Tesoriero held the position of Vice President and Senior Commercial Business Relationship Manager at Chase Bank, where he targeted business prospects with substantial annual revenues and lending needs. Stepping into his new role, Mr. Tesoriero expressed his enthusiasm, stating, Currently, US Capital Global is experiencing substantial growth in the United States and internationally and diversifying into new sectors. I am thrilled to join the groups office in New York City, overseeing the debt and equity financing needs of clients across the Northeastern region of the United States. I am looking forward to contributing to the organizations accomplishments and bringing our comprehensive range of strategic and innovative financial solutions to clients right here in New York and New Jersey, as well as across the United States and our global markets. We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to John Tesoriero as our Vice President at our New York City office as we continue to expand our footprint both within the United States and globally, commented Charles Towle, COO and Managing Partner at US Capital Global. A seasoned Senior Commercial Business Banking Relationship Manager, John has extensive proficiency in commercial lending, business banking, and financial services. He is a valuable addition to our team, and we eagerly anticipate his substantial contribution to US Capital Global. Throughout his career, Mr. Tesoriero has also held various roles in prominent financial institutions such as First Niagara Bank, PNC Bank, TD Bank, Washington Mutual Bank, and Andover Brokerage, LLC, focusing on serving the needs of leading business clients and high-net-worth individuals in commercial lending, business banking, and private financial services. About US Capital Global Founded in 1998, US Capital Global offers a range of advanced financial solutions, including debt, equity, and investment products customized for middle-market enterprises and investors. The firm oversees direct investment funds while delivering comprehensive wealth management and investment banking services, encompassing M&A strategies and capital raising expertise. Among the notable entities within the consortium are US Capital Global Investment Management LLC, US Capital Global Wealth Management LLC, and US Capital Global Securities LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA. To learn more, visit www.uscapital.com. To learn more about US Capital Global, email Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO, at jsweeney@uscapital.com Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (Calibre or the Company) is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a key pre-commissioning and commissioning contract with Reliable Controls Corporation of Salt Lake City (RCC) for the Companys Valentine Gold Mine (VGM) in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Company has also executed a US$60 million short term, gold prepayment agreement with Asahi Refining USA Inc. (Asahi), pursuant to which Asahi has agreed to purchase a total of 27,600 ounces of gold from the Company, comprising less than 10% of the Companys expected 2024 gold production. Darren Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calibre, stated: With construction at Valentine 61% complete I remain confident in our ability to deliver first gold during H1, 2025. To further derisk delivery, I am pleased to announce that we have secured RCC, a team of highly experienced commissioning experts to lead pre-commissioning and commissioning of the process plant. Given the strong gold price environment, and continued investment across our portfolio of assets, we have executed a US$60 million 12-month gold prepay as part of our cash flow management strategy as we transition to a quality mid-tier gold producer. The prepay represents less than 10% of our expected 2024 gold production with deliveries commencing in May 2024. Valentine Gold Mine Plant Site as at March 23, 2024 Reliable Controls Corporation RCC is a specialized and highly experienced mine and mill commissioning business which have worked successfully on numerous mine builds, including with Newmont, Barrick, Rio Tinto and Teck. RCC will support Calibre to ensure all aspects of operational readiness, including human capital are in place to ensure a smooth and efficient transition from construction to steady-state operations. Asahi Gold Prepayment Agreement On March 27, 2024, Calibre entered into a US$60 million gold prepayment agreement with Asahi, pursuant to which Asahi has advanced a first installment of US$40 million and is expected to advance a second instalment of US$20 million on or about April 15, 2024. Calibre is required to deliver Asahi 2,300 ounces of gold per month over a twelve-month period, beginning in May 2024, such ounces determined based on gold forward curve prices averaging $2,239 per ounce. Approximately 2,233 ounces per month will be credited against the prepayment and Calibre will receive a cash payment for the balance. The obligations under the gold prepayment agreement and ancillary documents are guaranteed by certain US subsidiaries of the Company and secured by all present and after-acquired property of such US subsidiaries and certain gold and dore of the Company. About Calibre Calibre is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada, Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for shareholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Darren Hall Darren Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Ryan King Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & IR T: 604.628.1010 E: calibre@calibremining.com W: www.calibremining.com Calibres head office is located at Suite 1560, 200 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3L6. X / Facebook / LinkedIn / YouTube The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to: the Companys expectations toward higher grades mined and processed going forward; statements relating to the Companys 2023 priority resource expansion opportunities; the Companys metal price and cut-off grade assumptions, anticipated timing for operation of the on-site assay lab at the Valentine Gold Mine, and pre-production ramp-up. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Calibre's control. For a listing of risk factors applicable to the Company, please refer to Calibre's annual information form (AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and its management discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2023, all available on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Calibre's forward-looking statements such as potential sanctions implemented as a result of the United States Executive Order 13851 dated October 24, 2022. Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Such assumptions include but are not limited to: the Company being able to mine and process higher grades and keep production costs relatively flat going forward; there not being an increase in production costs as a result of any supply chain issues; there being no adverse drop in metal price or cut-off grade at the Companys properties. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7bf9b72-5b95-44d1-b9ea-e65d5c90fad6 ATLANTA, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE: GTLS) (Chart), a leading global solutions provider to clean energy and industrial gas markets, celebrates the grand opening of its Teddy 2 facility, named as such because it is Charts second manufacturing facility in Theodore, Alabama. This plant will manufacture the worlds largest shop-built cryogenic tanks up to 1,700 cubic meter cryogenic storage vessels. The tanks manufactured at this site will be used for propellant storage for the aerospace industry, hydrogen and LNG storage for marine and power, gas by rail, and for many other applications in the sciences and decarbonization industries. The Teddy 2 facility has direct access to waterways and railways, providing customers with lower freight costs and faster transportation to site. This expansion also contributes significantly to local job creation and economic development efforts for the state of Alabama. Were thrilled to officially expand our presence in Theodore, Alabama with our ability to offer the worlds only shop-built cryogenic tanks of this scale, up to and including 1,700 cubic meters, said Jill Evanko, CEO and President of Chart Industries. This expansion further supports our customers through increased capacity and scale as well as lower freight costs and shorter lead times. We look forward to continuing to hire from the strong, skilled workforce in Alabama. Todays ribbon cutting celebrates a valued and continued partnership in Mobile County and the state of Alabama, said Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey. Chart Industries recognizes both the strength of local engineering expertise as well as our advanced manufacturing and workforce capabilities. Were looking forward to Charts expansion in south Alabama, creating nearly 100 new jobs for our region. We are thrilled for Chart Industries' expansion in Theodore, said Mobile Chamber President and CEO, Bradley Byrne. With the capacity to fabricate the world's largest shop-built cryogenic tanks, Charts Teddy 2 facility brings significant job creation and economic development for Mobile County. Chart's investment not only highlights our skilled workforce, but it positions Mobile as a hub for innovation in aerospace, maritime, and clean energy industries. About Chart Industries, Inc. Chart Industries, Inc. is an independent global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of process technologies and equipment for gas and liquid molecule handling for the Nexus of Clean - clean power, clean water, clean food, and clean industrials, regardless of molecule. The companys unique product and solution portfolio across stationary and rotating equipment is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including engineering, service and repair and from installation to preventive maintenance and digital monitoring. Chart is a leading provider of technology, equipment and services related to liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, biogas, and CO2 capture amongst other applications. Chart is committed to excellence in environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues both for its company as well as its customers. With 64 global manufacturing locations and over 50 service centers from the United States to Asia, Australia, India, Europe, and South America, the company maintains accountability and transparency to its team members, suppliers, customers, and communities. To learn more, visit www.chartindustries.com. Contact: John Walsh VP, Investor Relations 1-770-721-8899 john.walsh@chartindustries.com HONG KONG, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EBC Financial Group (EBC Group or EBC) is pleased to announce that its Cayman Islands subsidiary, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited, has been awarded a full Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) licence. This significant achievement marks a major advancement in EBC's global regulatory portfolio, following its existing accreditations from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Within CIMA's strict regulatory framework, EBC will offer more comprehensive financial services, including trusts, securities, futures, and funds, specifically catering to retail, professional, high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors. The Cayman Islands, recognized as a premier offshore financial centre, gathers 90% of the world's banks and over 85% of hedge funds. CIMA, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, is renowned for its rigorous standards and comprehensive oversight, mirroring the UK's legal framework. Strict information disclosure, client fund protection, and compliance management requirements ensure the integrity and stability of the financial sector. Among the Global Elite with Full Licensing Since its establishment, CIMA has issued only a limited number of full regulatory licences. In the past two years, only four entities have passed the audit. EBC Group stands as one of the very few firms to have secured the coveted full regulatory licence. EBC Group, having undergone stringent scrutiny, secured a full regulatory licence, granting EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited comprehensive permissions in dealing, arranging, managing, and advising, all under CIMA's strictest regulations, including the Securities Investment Business (SIB) framework. EBC adheres to these requirements, ensuring comprehensive investor fund security. Before receiving the full regulatory licence from CIMA, EBC held two top global regulatory licences: EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd is authorized and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The full regulatory licence issued by CIMA consolidates EBC's position as a global top-tier financial group, promotes cross-jurisdictional asset allocation, and provides more comprehensive framework support for expanding global services. EBC Group holds the highest-level Corporate Banking Account with Barclays, providing equal fund security under different regulatory bodies. Consistent with EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited's strict adherence to the FCA's CASS rules, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited rigorously complies with CIMA's client fund protection regulations. Client funds are independently safeguarded at Barclays UK, enjoying the same AAA-level security protection. Future Directions: EBC Group is set to explore new horizons and expand its diversified and innovative services globally. Looking ahead, EBC will adhere to its original intention, strictly abide by CIMA's high standards, ensure that investors enjoy a compliant trading environment, and thus build a safer regulatory protection mechanism to promote industry trust and information transparency. For more information on EBC Financial Group, please visit: https://www.ebc.com/. About EBC Financial Group Founded in the esteemed financial district of London, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its comprehensive suite of services that includes financial brokerage, asset management, and comprehensive investment solutions. With offices strategically located in prominent financial centres, such as Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Limassol and more, EBC caters to a diverse clientele of professional, individual and institutional investors worldwide. Recognised by multiple awards, EBC prides itself on adhering to the highest levels of ethical standards and international regulation. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd is regulated by Australia's Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA). At the core of EBC Group are seasoned professionals with over 30 years of profound experience in major financial institutions, having adeptly navigated through significant economic cycles from the Plaza Accord to the 2015 Swiss franc crisis. EBC champions a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor engagement is treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves. Media Contact: Douglas Chew +6011 3196 6887 douglas.chew@ebc.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/91e6abd0-80e6-4fec-b2d8-9d31ea416203 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2c6c812-dfe4-4c9f-9910-59b56a3b23f4 VENTNOR CITY, N.J., March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNITY Consortium, a non-profit organization focused on preventive health and immunization for adolescents and young adults, is urging parents and young people to Stay on TASK during Adolescent Immunization Action Week (AIAW), April 1-5, 2024. AIAW is a national movement aimed at parents, adolescents and healthcare providers to ensure adolescents are up to date on well visits and recommended vaccines. Across the nation, organizations interested in the health of adolescents are participating in AIAW to help protect adolescents from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Vaccination is critical to preventive health. UNITY survey research shows that while parents prioritize many day-to-day healthy behaviors for their teens, preventive health actions, such as annual well-visits with a healthcare provider and getting needed vaccines, are relatively less prioritized by parents and teens alike. One reason may be that an increase in vaccine misinformation has led to vaccine hesitancy. UNITYs research found that three-quarters of parents and teens believe there is a lot of misinformation about vaccines. Parents and teens recognize vaccine misinformation is a reality, but many feel that factual information isnt easy to find or understand. Social media is the least trusted source of information, but the wide range of information communicated on social media raises concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. During AIAW, Unity is making tools and information available to combat vaccine misinformation. To address these challenges, Unity wants parents to help adolescents and young adults stay healthy by Staying on TASK with vaccines. The letters in TASK are reminders of steps parents, caregivers and young people can take to get up to date on vaccines: Trust credible resources Look at multiple trustworthy sources. Clinical studies show vaccines are safe and effective. Ask your healthcare provider Its normal to have questions about vaccines. Talk to your healthcare provider and include your adolescent in the conversation. Schedule an appointment It is safe to get multiple vaccines during one visit. Know where to get vaccinated The doctors office is a common place to get vaccines, but other trusted places include pharmacies, health clinics and school health fairs. As AIAW kicks off, Unity offers activities and resources to support Adolescent Immunization Action Week efforts, including: A graphic and video animation of Staying on TASK. A national public service announcement (PSA) launching on Comcast channels and via PatientPoint monitors in physician offices nationwide. (PSA) launching on Comcast channels and via monitors in physician offices nationwide. A comprehensive, Spanish language digital and broadcast campaign on TelevisaUnivision including spotlights on Despierta America. A webinar discussion on April 2 at 12:00PM ET featuring Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine, MD, Todd Wolynn, MD, co-founder of Shots Heard Around the World, and Jennifer Sanderson, parent, educator and member of the Unity Mom Advisory Council, and moderator Chelsea Clinton, DPhil, MPH, Vice Chair, Clinton Foundation. Adolescent immunization is vital to protect the health of our community as adolescents represent our future. With the increase in misinformation on the internet, it is more important than ever that families trust credible sources, ask questions and schedule time with their healthcare provider to get needed vaccines, said Judy Klein, President of Unity Consortium. "Thats what Adolescent Immunization Action Week is about taking action for the health of our young people. To learn more about Adolescent Immunization Action Week or access educational information and toolkits, visit unity4teenvax.org and follow the conversations on social media using the hashtag #AIAW24. About Unity Consortium Unity Consortium is a non-profit organization that unites diverse groups around a common passion - the imperative to protect against all vaccine-preventable diseases to support lifelong health. Our members represent public and private organizations, industry, academia, healthcare providers, retailers and advocacy groups. As one strong voice, Unity Consortium addresses the unique challenges surrounding adolescent and young adult health, prevention and immunization. For more information, visit us as https://unity4teenvax.org and follow us on Instagram , LinkedIn , TikTok , and YouTube , and like us on Facebook . For Inquiries: Patty Caballero patty@unity4teenvax.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26102a77-28bf-46bb-8322-fc5a0384f997 Dublin, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Legal Practice Management Software Market (2023-2028) Competitive Analysis, Impact of Economic Slowdown & Impending Recession, Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Market Dynamics and Forecast The Legal Practice Management Software Market is experiencing a significant growth trajectory, with projections indicating a rise from USD 1.98 billion in 2023 to USD 4.74 billion by 2028, accelerating at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.10%. Market dynamics such as increasing demand, technological advancements, and innovative practices are driving this expansion within the legal sector. Detailed Market Segmentations To understand the market scope comprehensively, the Global Legal Practice Management Software Market has been extensively segmented. These classifications include diverse functions, components, deployment options, industries, and geographic regions, allowing stakeholders to grasp the diversification and target markets accurately. This segmentation also aids in identifying the specific needs and requirements of different sectors within the legal industry. Company Profiles and Competitive Analysis An in-depth analysis highlights the performance of key players operating in the global market. The competitive landscape offers insights into strategies adopted by various companies to maintain and enhance their market positions. This analysis is crucial for companies looking to strategize and navigate the competitive legal practice management software environment effectively. Comprehensive Geographic Insights The study covers a broad geographic spectrum, exploring key regions including the Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Each region's unique market characteristics are examined to provide a global outlook on the market's performance and potential growth opportunities. Competitive Quadrant and Strategic Tools The report utilizes proprietary tools such as the Competitive Quadrant to evaluate and rank companies based on industry positions and market performance. Additionally, strategic frameworks like the Ansoff Matrix guide the analysis of potential strategies for market progression, considering the risks and benefits associated with each. Industry Impact and Regulatory Considerations As with any evolving market, the impact of external factors such as COVID-19, economic shifts, and impending recessions are meticulously assessed. Together with the regulatory landscape across different regions, these considerations are vital for informed decision-making and navigation of the global market conditions. Why This Report Is Essential For industry stakeholders, the report provides a detailed examination of the global Legal Practice Management Software Market, offering key insights into the market dynamics, segmentations, competitive landscape, and strategic planning. By delivering comprehensive market analysis, the report acts as a pivotal resource for organizations aiming to fortify their market presence in the legal practice management software space. The insights provided not only highlight historical and current market statuses but also project future market sizing, sharing expertise on the trajectory of the market and the trends shaping its future. The objective of this report is to empower businesses and stakeholders with the data and insights needed to adapt and thrive in a dynamic market environment. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 210 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.09 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $5.01 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.1% Regions Covered Global Companies Featured Abacus Data Systems Access Group Ackert, Inc. Actionstep Aderant Holdings, Inc. BHL Software, Pty. Ltd. CODY Systems Fastcase.com, Inc. Intuit, Inc. LawPro Legal Systems, Ltd. LEX247 LexisNexis Matrix Pointe Software Mitratech Holdings, Inc. MyCase, Inc. Nuance Communications, Inc. Numerica, Corp. Orion Law Management Systems, Inc. Panther Software, LLC Smokeball, Inc. SurePoint Technologies Thomson Reuters Elite For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u0glf 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 RYE, N.Y., March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (the Board) (NYSE: GDV) (the Fund) announced that upon recommendation of the Funds Nominating Committee and all of the Funds independent Trustees, it has nominated Robert P. Astorino for election to the Board by the Shareholders of the Fund at the Funds Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2024. Mr. Astorino has extensive experience in media and communications. He currently is President of SR Media LLC, a company that advises CEOs and other leaders on public policy, media, and government relations. He held senior management positions at Disneys ESPN Radio, SiriusXM, and the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. In these roles, he oversaw the development of key divisions, directly managing personnel, budgets, and operations. Mr. Astorino holds a B.A. in Communications from Fordham University. He has more than 30 years of experience in national, state, and local government, having served two terms as Westchester County Executive, in addition to other elected and appointed positions. He is a member of the iHeart Radio Local Advisory Board in New York and was previously an advisor for AUA Private Equity Partners, serving on the Board of Water Lilly Foods. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Fund, call: Carter Austin (914) 921-5475 About The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with $2.8 billion in total net assets whose primary investment objective is to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on dividends and income. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (OTCQX: GAMI). NYSE GDV CUSIP 36242H104 Investor Relations Contact: Carter Austin (914) 921-5475 caustin@gabelli.com MONTREAL and SAN FRANCISCO, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coveo (TSX:CVO), a leading provider of enterprise AI Search, Recommendations and Generative Experience platforms that enable individualized, connected, and trusted digital experiences at scale with unified relevance, today announced two new GenAI business applications that bring Relevance Generative Answering into additional touchpoints across the Customer Experience journey: Relevance Generative Answering for Agents and Relevance Generative Answering for In-App Search. Coveo also announced more than 15 additional enhancements to the Coveo AI PlatformTM . Coveo has been leading in enterprise search for more than 20 years and has used AI extensively for more than a decade to individualize customer and employee experiences and drive superior business outcomes, said Laurent Simoneau, President, CTO and Co-founder at Coveo. Were expanding our GenAI offering by bringing generated answers to agent and in-app experiences. This enhancement makes our platform more intuitive so business users can leverage our AI to easily power individualized, trusted, and connected experiences in every interaction across multiple channels. Generative AI Innovation Revolutionizing CX and EX The Coveo Platform TM has a robust suite of AI and GenAI models delivering AI-relevance at every point-of-experience across websites, ecommerce, service, and workplace. Last year, Coveo launched Relevance Generative Answering for self-service and commerce use cases, and it's already delivering significant results for early adopters. Today, adding to the breadth of Coveos GenAI offering, Relevance Generative Answering supports the agent and in-app search experiences with additional enhancements. Relevance Generative Answering for Agents empowers business and IT teams to equip agents with fast access to relevant, accurate, traceable, and secure answers to complex service questions. Agents, tasked with being knowledgeable about customers and products while quickly resolving issues, can avoid prolonged search times thanks to generative answering, which promptly delivers summarized and detailed responses to intricate questions. Business teams can effortlessly deploy cutting-edge innovations like Generative Answering and Intelligent Hosted Search Pages by leveraging Coveos no and low code Builder and Atomic UI framework. Relevance Generative Answering for In-App Search equips enterprises to enhance their SaaS-based applications by making features and capabilities more accessible and understandable, fostering adoption through Relevance Generative Answering. Companies with SaaS-based products can easily add generative answering into their apps by leveraging Coveos In-Product Experience (IPX) builder capability. IPX enables users to have quicker access to trusted information, right from where they are working. New Features for Relevance Generative Answering In addition to making Relevance Generative Answering a multi-use case and multi-UI solution that can be used across the customer experience journey, Coveo continues to enhance product capabilities. Early access innovations include: Follow-up questions LLM-generated questions help guide visitors to the next logical question or answer Conversational experiences Enable searchers to have dynamic natural language conversations with LLM-generated follow-up questions that incorporate question history and user context Rich text formatting Provide more visually appealing answers such as lists, code, or tables to visitors questions Multilingual support Support multilingual dialogue in languages including French, Spanish, Italian, and German Empowering Retailers with Product Discovery, AI-Powered Merchandising and Modern Frameworks Retailers looking to engage shoppers with a unique digital storefront and expert knowledge can benefit from Coveos newest innovations. Retailers can streamline commerce by simplifying product catalog management, minimizing manual interventions, and introducing AI-powered tools for merchandisers to balance search relevance with strategic business goals, including the promotion of high-margin products. Innovations include: Extract true shopper intent with Semantic Encoder for Product Catalogs (early access): This new AI model improves query understanding and reduces even further the need for manual tuning and synonym additions. Teams can deliver the most relevant results through users natural language queries. This new AI model improves query understanding and reduces even further the need for manual tuning and synonym additions. Teams can deliver the most relevant results through users natural language queries. Easily index your SAP product catalog data with Coveos Native Push Integration: Retailers can leverage the full power of Coveos AI Search and Generative Answering capabilities in SAP Commerce Cloud storefronts with Coveos native push integration and modern, composable frameworks. Retailers can leverage the full power of Coveos AI Search and Generative Answering capabilities in SAP Commerce Cloud storefronts with Coveos native push integration and modern, composable frameworks. Balance business objectives and relevant results for shoppers with Business-Aware Ranking model (early access): Beyond simply layering business rules on top of AI, merchandisers can now let AI optimize for the outcomes they care about while optimizing the shopper experience. This model gives business users control over product listing results, positively impacting revenue per visitor. Beyond simply layering business rules on top of AI, merchandisers can now let AI optimize for the outcomes they care about while optimizing the shopper experience. This model gives business users control over product listing results, positively impacting revenue per visitor. Empower teams with visual, intuitive ways to manage performance with Search Merchandising Essentials (early access): Empower merchandisers with an easy way to create business rules for boosting, burying, and pinning products with Search Merchandising Essentials added to the Merchandising Hub. Empower merchandisers with an easy way to create business rules for boosting, burying, and pinning products with Search Merchandising Essentials added to the Merchandising Hub. Avoid the dreaded no search results with Query Suggestions Automatic Fallback - now in GA: Enhance customer engagement by automatically presenting the last successful set of suggestions, increasing the likelihood of relevant product discovery. Boost AI Relevance and Results with Superior Connectivity and Data Quality As enterprises adopt AI and GenAI, one challenge is becoming apparent - the need for quality data and knowledge to feed the models. Coveos updates include enhancements to popular enterprise applications through Coveos out-of-the-box connectors. These help business teams filter out bad data to ensure results - or answers - are relevant, accurate, and trustworthy. New event tracking protocols help automate and simplify data tracking, improving the overall AI Search and Generative Answering system. Improve SharePoint Online content relevancy through added filtering and refined permissions: Enterprises can get more out of their SharePoint Online Connector with enhancements focused on helping index more relevant content, limit indexing time, and maintain content freshness. Enterprises can get more out of their SharePoint Online Connector with enhancements focused on helping index more relevant content, limit indexing time, and maintain content freshness. Maximize the relevance of your web content with enhancements to Sitemap Connector: A redesigned UI and enhanced crawling and web scraping configurations enhance site search and generative answer relevance. A redesigned UI and enhanced crawling and web scraping configurations enhance site search and generative answer relevance. Elevate site search and generative answers with Web Connector updates: Leverage default web scraping configurations to empower martech and web professionals to improve findability, discoverability, and answers on sites, removing redundant or low-quality information. Leverage default web scraping configurations to empower martech and web professionals to improve findability, discoverability, and answers on sites, removing redundant or low-quality information. New Event Tracking Protocol: Coveos new protocol simplifies search and event tracking, reducing time to value and enriching machine learning data. Developers can use a Chrome extension to help validate events. Coveos new protocol simplifies search and event tracking, reducing time to value and enriching machine learning data. Developers can use a Chrome extension to help validate events. Take control of your AI Search and Generative Answering implementations with Coveos new Projects feature: Organize new projects by departmental use cases to streamline digital experience management and implementation. Enable teams to focus on their specific use cases for improved usage and adoption of Coveo. Want to dig deeper and achieve an AI-Experience Advantage with the latest innovations from Coveo? Join the New in Coveo session thats right for you. Discover how these features can bring value to your business: Customer Service - Tuesday, April 2, 11am ET (Virtual) Website - Thursday, April 4, 11am ET (Virtual) Commerce - Tuesday, April 9, 11am ET (Virtual) Workplace - Thursday, April 11, 11am ET (Virtual) About Coveo Coveo powers the digital experiences of the worlds most innovative brands serving millions of people and billions of interactions across every digital experience. After a decade of enriching our market-leading AI platform with forward-thinking global enterprises, we know what it takes to gain a trusted AI-experience advantage. We strongly believe that the future is business-to-person, that experience is todays competitive front line, a make or break for every business. To achieve this AI-experience advantage at scale, it is imperative for enterprises to have a spinal and composable ability to bring AI to every point-of-experience, delivering individualized and generative experiences at each customer and employee interaction, powered by AI-Search and GenAI that optimize for both experience and business outcomes. Our single SaaS Composable AI Search and Generative Experiences platform and robust suite of AI and GenAI models are designed to transform the total experience from CX to EX across websites, ecommerce, service, and workplace. Powering individualized, trusted, and connected experiences across every interaction to delight customers and augment employees and drive superior business outcomes. Our platform is certified ISO 27001, HIPAA compliant, SOC2 type 2 compliant, and 99.999% SLA resilient. We are a Salesforce Summit ISV Partner, an SAP Endorsed App, and an Adobe Gold Partner. Coveo is a trademark of Coveo Solutions, Inc. Stay up to date on the latest Coveo news and content by subscribing to the Coveo blog, and following Coveo on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking information). This forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as may, would, should, could, might, will, achieve, occur, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, plan, foresee, believe, continue, target, opportunity, strategy, scheduled, outlook, forecast, projection, or prospect, the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions, although not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent managements expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates, and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made. Although the forward-looking information contained herein is based upon what we believe are reasonable assumptions, actual results may vary from the forward-looking information contained herein. Certain assumptions made in preparing the forward-looking information contained in herein include, without limitation: our ability to capitalize on growth opportunities and implement our growth strategy; our ability to attract new customers, both domestically and internationally; the success of our efforts to expand our product portfolio and market reach; our ability to maintain successful strategic relationships with partners and other third parties; our future capital requirements; the available liquidity under our revolving credit facility; the accuracy of our estimates of market opportunity and growth forecasts; our success in identifying and evaluating, as well as financing and integrating, any acquisitions, partnerships, or joint ventures; our ability to execute on our expansion plans; and the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to macro-economic uncertainties and the risk factors described under Risk Factors in the Companys most recently filed Annual Information Form available under our profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. You should not rely on this forward-looking information, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by this forward-looking information as a result of such risks and uncertainties. Additional information will also be set forth in other public filings that we make available under our profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca from time to time. The forward-looking information provided in this press release relates only to events or information as of the date hereof, and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, 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. Media Contact: Kiyomi Harrington, kharrington@coveo.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/20096b9c-98c0-4e41-a183-d0bf5294dc8b U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Melvin Bell at dock on the Thames River at the service academy in New London. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Connecticut Media In the front, Rear Admiral John W. Mauger, commander of the Coast Guard's 1st District (left), and Lt. Patrick T. Kelly, commanding officer of the Bell. The two officers wore Hawaiian leis to honor the ship's namesake, a native of the state. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group Enlisted crew quarters. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group The bridge of the cutter Bell. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group The ship is named for a World War II hero, a Coast Guard radio operator who sounded the alarm after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group One of two 20-cylinder engines that power the ship. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group A mission boat that can be used for boarding other vessels. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group A cake for the reception following the commissioning. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group Poster detailing Coast Guard hero Melvin Bell's career with the service. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Connecticut Media Members of the Bell crew at the commissioning. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW LONDON The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday inaugurated a new multi-mission ship, the Melvin Bell, named for a World War II veteran who radioed the first alarms after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Held at the Coast Guard Academy in a tent sheltered from steady rain, the commissioning included remarks by the commanding officer of the 154-foot-long cutter, Stonington native Lt. Patrick Kelly, and Robert Bell, son of the ship's namesake, who described his father as a proud native Hawaiian and "fierce American patriot." The $45 million fast-response cutter (FRC) was built by workers at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana. The Bell is designed for drug and migrant interdiction, coastal security, fisheries enforcement, search and rescue, and national defense. She is the 55th of 65 such Sentinel-class ships that the Coast Guard has ordered to replace 1980s-era 110-foot patrol boats. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Petty Officer First Class Alexis W. Green, in charge of food service aboard the Bell. Green also is the ship's master at arms, responsible for keeping order, or "making sure the ship is right and tight," as he put it. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group The Bell is to be moored in Boston, the sixth and final Sentinel-class cutter to be stationed in the city harbor. Kelly said the crew is to sail on its first mission in mid-April. He told the audience packed into the tent that the steeple of the Old North Church is visible from the ship's mooring, reminding him that the Bell is named for a man in the mold of an original American alarm raiser, Paul Revere, who arranged for a signal in the church bell tower and alerted fellow patriots that British soldiers were headed to Lexington and Concord. Melvin Kealoha Bell also was a barrier breaker, the first Pacific Islander to achieve the rank of chief petty officer, the first master chief electronics technician and the first master chief petty officer of color, according to the Coast Guard. He joined the service in 1938 and was assigned initially to the only position then available to men of color, a steward. But since childhood, Bell had an intense interest in radio communications and was later advanced to Radioman Third Class. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was on duty at the Coast Guard radio station at Diamond Head Light on Oahu, where he received a teletype dispatch from the 14th Naval District directing him to alert all commercial ships and stations that the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor was under attack. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bell served through the war and retired from the Coast Guard in 1958, working for the next 45 years in civil service with the Department of the Navy. While serving as an instructor in Groton in 1950, he met and married a New Britain native, Norine Velma Hamlin. The couple, who lived in California, had nine children. Robert Bell said his father, who died at age 98 in 2018, would be surprised and humbled by the commissioning. But he also said his dad lived a life of dedication to family and country, so the ship's name is fitting. Addressing the Bell's crew who were standing at parade rest, he said, "Now go forth and fulfill your mission and make us proud." Powered by two marine diesel engines rated at 6,000 horsepower each, the vessel features advanced communications, surveillance, and reconnaissance abilities, along with improved habitability, according to the service. The Bell carries four 50-caliber machine guns and one 25mm automatic cannon. In fiscal year 2021, FRCs were used for hundreds of domestic fisheries boardings, apprehension of 105 suspected drug smugglers, and seizure of 18,877 kilograms of cocaine, depriving transnational criminal organizations of $787 million in profits, according to the Coast Guard. FRC crews also rescued or intercepted 1,805 migrants at sea. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Twin 50-caliber machine guns on the Bell's deck. The ship carries four such guns and a 25 mm cannon. Jesse Leavenworth / Hearst Media Group The crew of four officers and 20 enlisted personnel have spent the last year training and getting acclimated to the ship, the 31-year-old Kelly, a 10-year Coast Guard veteran, said in an interview after the commissioning. This is his third ship command. With a lei draped over his uniform, Rear Adm. John W. Mauger, commander of Coast Guard missions from the Canadian border to northern New Jersey, made the commissioning official. The crew snapped to attention. The Coast Guard band played the service's marching song, "Semper Paratus" ("Always Ready"), as the crew filed out and walked up the pier to board their ship. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Specifications for the cutter Bell: ORLANDO, Fla., March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM), a leading Company in climate reversing technologies and provider of sustainable solutions, announces signing a Letter-of-Intent (LOI) with D2E. The agreement calls for an innovative collaboration focused on manufacturing, distribution, and sales of sustainable, eco-friendly products in the Northeast United States. Upon entering into a Definitive Agreement, the partnership aims to revolutionize the region and expects to generate over $50 million in revenue from July 2024 to June 2027. Under the terms of the LOI, Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. will take the lead in manufacturing and technology transfer for groundbreaking products like XLR8Bio . In addition, The Company's subsidiary SGTM-VRM, LLC , will oversee the manufacturing and supply of HUMISOIL and its related offerings. The partnerships structure with D2E ensures these eco-friendly products' distribution, sales, and manufacturing across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Upon entering into a Definitive Agreement, the partnership will unfold in three essential phases: strategy development, knowledge transfer, and expanded product offerings. During the first phase, scheduled for completion by the end of the second quarter of 2024, D2E will collaborate closely with SGTM-VRM to devise and test a comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution strategy for HUMISOIL and XLR8Bio in the designated territory. Moving into the second phase, SGTM-VRM will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to D2E. This transfer will empower D2E to establish a robust system and infrastructure for manufacturing, distributing, and selling HUMISOIL and XLR8Bio within the territory. This phase is anticipated to conclude by the end of the third quarter of 2025. The third and final phase will witness D2E taking the reins in manufacturing, sales, and distribution of HUMISOIL and XLR8Bio. D2E will also introduce new products dedicated to waste mitigation, odor elimination, and bio-cleaning. This phase is slated to commence in August 2025. With a target of generating over $50 million in revenue from July 2024 to June 2027, the Definitive Agreement will outline the partnership with its specific obligations and terms, including but not limited to manufacturing, sales, and distribution agreements and a license agreement. SGTM and D2E are excited about this sustainable collaboration, which will bring eco-friendly solutions to the Northeast United States. By combining SGTM's manufacturing expertise with D2E's extensive distribution network, this partnership will significantly impact the environment and the communities we proudly serve. "The size of the Northeastern U.S. market will provide Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. a significant opportunity to collect and recycle a seemingly endless volume of food and fiber waste at scale, said Tony Raynor, CEO/President of SGTM . The relationship will provide an engine for enormous growth in manufacturing and selling our products within the region and exporting them to outside and overseas markets. For media inquiries or further information, please contact Tony Raynor at 1-407-886-8733 and traynor@sgtmltd.com . About Sustainable Green Team, Ltd . (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM): Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM) is a leading Company in climate reversing technologies, a provider of sustainable solutions to improve environmental health, promote sustainable practices, and deliver eco-friendly products and services. SGTM aims to make significant contributions to global sustainability; learn more by visiting the Company website, https://thesustainablegreenteam.com/ , SGTM's YouTube Channel , corporate videos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ7Dp9Coi88&t=1s & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kycfy-UvQsU , and SGTM's Blogs - https://thesustainablegreenteam.com/sgtm-blog . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products, and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of Management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. The Company cautions readers not to rely on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Company Contact: Tony Raynor, CEO Sustainable Green Team, Ltd. (OTCQX: SGTM) ($SGTM) Traynor@sgtmltd.com 407-886-8733 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5aceac15-9452-46a4-8d7f-d3009744859c MAPLE GROVE, Minn., March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopLine Financial Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative , is proud to announce three members have received a $1,000 scholarship from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC). A total of $18,000 has been awarded to 18 credit union members in Minnesota for the 2024-2025 school year. Nearly 650 students from credit unions throughout the state of Minnesota applied for scholarships from Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC). Any TopLine member pursuing post-secondary education by attending a college or university, graduate school, or a 2-to-4-year community, vocational or technical college in the fall of 2024 was eligible. This year three TopLine Financial Credit Union members were recognized and awarded a total of $3,000. Scholarship applicants needed to complete a one-page application and submit an essay (500 words or less) to the FSC that answered the question Who has inspired you for your personal growth, to make a positive difference and why? As one of our scholarship recipients commented, Someone that has inspired me for my personal growth and to make a positive difference is my aunt. Eighteen years ago my aunt had a stroke that changed her life forever. Watching my aunt go through rehab was absolutely amazing. Because of physical therapy and occupational therapy, she made leaps and bounds way beyond what the doctors thought were possible. I want to work with people like my aunt and help them get back to a life that is as normal as possible. She is a true inspiration and the reason I want to pursue my doctorate degree in physical therapy. I would not be where I am today without my aunt, and I am forever grateful for the impact that she has had on my life. It was truly rewarding to read all the personal growth essays, and our board had a remarkably tough decision of just selecting 18 scholarship recipients, said Vicki Roscoe Erickson, Co-Chair MNFSC, and Chief Marketing Officer at TopLine Financial Credit Union. We look forward to continuing to support those pursuing post-secondary education and remain committed to provide annual scholarship opportunities to assist with the costs of higher education. The FSC annual scholarship program is made possible through its annual silent auction and Dice & Ice fundraising events. Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC) strives to build credit union brand awareness and strengthen member relationship through its scholarship program. Visit https://www.mncun.org/scholarship-council.html to learn more. TopLine Financial Credit Union , a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesotas 11th largest credit union, with assets of nearly $800 million and serves over 51,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its five branch locations in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Pauls Como Park as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com . Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit unions foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation. CONTACT: Vicki Roscoe Erickson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer TopLine Financial Credit Union verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ccb4146-200f-48dc-bbe2-a9d8d9d8b978 London, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global physical security market, valued at US$126.8 Bn in 2022, is on track to reach a staggering US$206.3 Bn by 2030-end, reflecting a projected CAGR of 7.2%. This growth is fueled by the increasing integration of physical and cybersecurity, a booming retail industry, and the rising adoption of smart security solutions. A recently released report of Fairfield Market Research highlights several key drivers propelling the physical security market forward. The convergence of physical and cybersecurity is a major trend, as organisations seek holistic protection for their assets and data. Additionally, the expanding retail sector and stringent regulations in banking and finance are fueling demand for advanced security solutions. Get Sample Copy of Report at: https://www.fairfieldmarketresearch.com/report/physical-security-market/request-sample REPORT SCOPE Report Attributes Details Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023 2030 Market Size in 2022 US$126.8 Bn Estimated Market Size in 2030 US$206.3 Bn CAGR 7.2% Growth Drivers Growing Integration of AI, ML, and Data Analytics Rising Boom Around Smart Security Solutions Notable Growth in Security Breaches, and Malicious Activity Segmentation By Component (System, Services) By System (Video Surveillance, Perimeter Intrusion and Detection, Access Control, Exterior Security System, Physical Security Information Management) By Service (System Integration, Remote Monitoring, Others) By End-use Sector (Retail, Transportation, Commercial, Utility & Energy, Government, Banking & Finance, Industrial, Residential, Hospitality, Manufacturing & Industrial) Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America) Middle East & Africa (GCC, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa) "The convergence of physical and cybersecurity is a defining trend shaping the physical security market," says the analyst involved in research, further adding, "Organisations are increasingly recognising the need for integrated solutions, which is forming a strong building block for the expansion of this market. While Fairfields ranking board reveals the top performing segments of the market, regional analysis of the market uncovers that North America captures the largest market share due to high security spending, and extensive expansion of advanced technologies. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is poised for the fastest growth, majorly driven by rapid urbanisation, and government initiatives. For More Industry Insights Read: https://www.fairfieldmarketresearch.com/report/physical-security-market Key Research Insights System components like surveillance cameras, access control devices, and alarms dominate the market due to their core functionality. Video surveillance systems hold the largest market share due to their versatility and effectiveness in threat detection. System Integration as a Service (SIaaS) is the leading service segment, streamlining complex security infrastructure. The retail sector leads the market, prioritising asset protection, theft prevention, and customer safety. Insights into Segmentation Analysis System Components Take the Charge This segment holds the largest market share due to the fundamental role of surveillance cameras, access control devices, and alarms in security infrastructure. Technological advancements like AI, and IoT integration are further enhancing their capabilities and driving demand. As organisations seek comprehensive security solutions and expert guidance, the services segment is expected to witness significant growth. Cloud-based and managed security services, including remote monitoring and threat response, are gaining traction due to the complexity of modern security systems and the need for specialised expertise. Systems Continue to Witness the Maximum Demand Video surveillance systems are the most popular category, owing to their diverse applications and effectiveness in threat detection and real-time monitoring. Advancements in camera technology and the growing demand for remote surveillance are further propelling their market dominance. However, perimeter intrusion and detection systems are anticipated to witness the fastest growth due to the increasing need for protecting critical infrastructure and property. The Primacy of Retail Sector will be Intact The retail sector leads the market due to its prioritisation of physical security for merchandise protection, theft prevention, and customer safety. The adoption of video analytics and integration with inventory management systems further enhances security and operational efficiencies. Meanwhile, the banking and finance sector is expected to witness significant growth due to heightened security concerns, stringent compliance regulations, and the need to protect assets, sensitive data, and customer privacy. Key Report Highlights North America maintains the dominant market share due to its emphasis on security across industries, the presence of leading security solution providers, and stringent regulatory frameworks. Asia Pacific, projected to witness the fastest CAGR, will be afloat with rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, growing middle-class population, and government initiatives for safe and secure public spaces. Insights into Regional Analysis North America's Security Stronghold Prevails North America holds the undisputed crown as the leader in the physical security market. This dominance can be attributed to several key factors. Strong emphasis on security is ingrained in the North American culture. Governments, businesses, and individuals prioritize safeguarding people, assets, and infrastructure. Consistently growing investments in advanced security systems across various industries, from government institutions and critical infrastructure to commercial properties and private residences. North America boasts a thriving ecosystem of leading security solution providers. From established giants like Honeywell, and Johnson Controls to innovative start-ups developing cutting-edge security technologies, the region fosters a competitive environment that drives constant advancements. North American organisations have access to the latest and most effective security solutions available, which favours the growth of the market here. Stringent regulatory frameworks further propel the physical security market in North America. Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) mandate robust security measures for specific industries. This ensures a baseline level of security across the region and incentivizes organisations to invest in compliant solutions. However, North America faces its own set of challenges. The high cost of implementing and maintaining sophisticated security systems can be a barrier for some organisations. Additionally, the ever-evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous adaptation and upgrades, requiring ongoing investments. Asia Pacific Emerges as the Rising Star in Security The Asia Pacific region is poised for the most significant growth in the physical security market. Rapid urbanisation, and industrialisation are leading to the development of new cities and infrastructure, all of which require robust security measures. A burgeoning middle class with increasing disposable income is driving demand for secure living and working environments. Governments across the Asia Pacific region are actively investing in initiatives to create safe and secure public spaces. This translates into increased spending on security solutions for transportation networks, public buildings, and critical infrastructure. The region also presents fertile ground for technological innovation and integration. Growing adoption of smartphones and the increasing availability of affordable internet connectivity create opportunities for the deployment of cloud-based security solutions and mobile-enabled access control systems. However, the Asia Pacific region also faces challenges. A lack of standardised regulations across some countries can hinder the adoption of uniform security practices. Additionally, concerns around data privacy and intellectual property protection may require security solutions to be tailored to specific regional requirements. The region offers immense potential for growth in the physical security market, driven by a combination of economic development, government initiatives, and technological advancements. Key Companies in Global Physical Security Market Axis Communications AB Bosch Security Systems Inc. HikVision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. Honeywell Security Group Johnson Controls International PLC Pelco by Schneider Electric Siemens AG Tyco International Ltd (ADT Security Services) Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. FLIR Systems, Inc. Global Physical Security Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2030 - (By Component Coverage, By System Coverage, By Service Coverage, By End-use Sector Coverage, By Geographical Coverage and By Leading Companies): https://www.fairfieldmarketresearch.com/report/physical-security-market About Us Fairfield Market Research is a UK-based market research provider. Fairfield offers a wide spectrum of services, ranging from customized reports to consulting solutions. With a strong European footprint, Fairfield operates globally and helps businesses navigate through business cycles, with quick responses and multi-pronged approaches. The company values an eye for insightful take on global matters, ably backed by a team of exceptionally experienced researchers. With a strong repository of syndicated market research reports that are continuously published & updated to ensure the ever-changing needs of customers are met with absolute promptness. Contact Fairfield Market Research London, UK UK +44 (0)20 30025888 USA (Toll-free) +1 (844) 3829746 Web: https://www.fairfieldmarketresearch.com/ Email: sales@fairfieldmarketresearch.com LinkedIn | Twitter Nashville, TN, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LBMC Investment Advisors*, a Registered Investment Advisory firm with $1,900,000,000 in Assets Under Management, proudly announces that Managing Partner Greg Herman has been named a 2024 Barrons Top 1,200 Financial Advisor**. This is the fourth consecutive year Herman has ranked in the Top 15 Advisors for Tennessee in Barrons annual list. The rankings are based on data provided by approximately 6,000 of the nation's most productive advisors. This years factors included assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice, and philanthropic work. I am honored to be recognized on Barrons prestigious Top Financial Advisors list again this year, said Herman. We believe the success of LBMC Investment Advisors can be attributed to putting our clients interests first, offering them the value proposition of coordinated tax and investment advice, and providing service through our team approach. About LBMC Investment Advisors LBMC Investment Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, is a $1.9 Billion in Assets Under Management Registered Investment Advisory firm based in Tennessee with the mission of providing financial peace of mind for clients. Founded 25 years ago, LBMC Investment Advisors is a CNBC designated top 25 fee-only wealth management firm and member of the LBMC Family of Companies. Today, LBMC Investment Advisors serves more than 490 clients and is growing at a rapid clip working with clients in the areas of investment strategy development, asset allocation planning, integrations of investments with tax planning, and portfolio analysis. For more information, visit our website. *Advisory services offered through LBMC Investment Advisors, LLC., an Investment Adviser registered with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. **Third-party rankings and recognition from rating services or publications are no guarantee of future investment success. Working with a highly rated advisor does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. This rating should not be construed as an endorsement of LBMCIA or by any client, nor are they representative of one clients evaluation. No fee was paid for consideration of this ranking/award. Attachment Dublin, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Sharps Containers Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Product, Usage, Waste Type, Waste Generators, Container Size, and Distribution Channel" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Market Growth Driven by Healthcare Developments The North America sharps containers market is on course for significant expansion, with expectations to grow from US$ 171.90 million in 2022 to US$ 247.28 million by 2030, advancing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2022 to 2030. This projected growth is attributed to an increased generation of medical waste from healthcare facilities, heightened by the prevalence of infectious diseases, a rise in hospital visits and admissions, and an amplified demand for clinical diagnostics and testing. Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination Programs Large-scale vaccination efforts, particularly witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, have substantially contributed to the market for sharps containers. Billions of vaccines administered have resulted in a corresponding increase in medical waste, such as used syringes, which necessitates the proper and safe disposal provided by sharps containers. Regional Market Analysis The market in North America, specifically the United States, is notably well-established, with stringent regulations surrounding the disposal of medical waste. This regulatory framework necessitates the use of certified sharps containers for the safe disposal of needles, syringes, and similar items. Moreover, the surge in chronic diseases requiring self-administered injectable medicines, such as diabetes and Crohn's disease, has also impelled the market's growth. Market Segments and Leading Contributors The market is segmented into various categories including product type, usage, waste type, waste generators, container size, and distribution channels, allowing for comprehensive analysis and targeted strategic development. Furthermore, key market players are firmly established, contributing to the substantial market share and offering a broad range of solutions to cater to the different needs related to medical waste disposal. Future Market Outlook With projections drawn from current data and trends, stakeholders in the healthcare sector, environmental management, and medical supply chains can anticipate shifts and prepare for the changing demands within the North America sharps containers market. The increasing need for proper medical waste disposal methods underscores the growth potential for this market over the coming decade. This outlook on the North America sharps containers market showcases the industry's progressive trajectory and provides a framework for the anticipated expansion and evolving needs for safe medical waste disposal solutions across the region. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 87 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value in 2022 171.9 Million Forecasted Market Value by 2030 247.3 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.7% Regions Covered North America A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to: Becton Dickinson and Co Bemis Co Inc Bondtech Corp EnviroTain LLC GPC Medical Ltd Mauser Group NV Stericycle Inc The Harloff Co For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rwv0sq 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 Charleston, SC, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liliane Ashe is an accomplished art sleuth with dual quests: tracking stolen art and solving the mystery of her missing mother. When her past comes calling, in the form of Interpol Agent Victor Aldwyn, Liliane is lured into an explosive case that catapults her from the tranquil mountains of New Mexico into Londons criminal underbelly. As Liliane and Victor probe beneath the surface of a prestigious art gallery suspected of shady dealings, they unearth a clandestine and ruthless empire stretching from the cobbled streets of Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia and beyond. A string of murders linked to yet more art heists makes one thing clear: these players will stop at nothing to protect their empire and their secrets. And when Liliane crosses paths with the maniacal ringleader, she discovers two more things: his past is disturbingly entwined with her own, and she has become his latest obsession. Relics Torn is an international thriller that delivers spine-tingling suspense and heart-pounding action, while also painting a complex portrait of moral ambiguity within the underground antiquities trade. Its a great choice for art enthusiasts, mystery lovers, and fans of books like The DaVinci Code, The Rembrandt Affair, and The Eight. Relics Torn is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. For more information about the author, please visit any of her social media platforms Facebook: S.G. Benton, Author Website: sgbenton.com About the Author: S.G. Benton hails from Naperville, Illinois, and has lived a life steeped in law and art. With 30 years experience as a lawyer and university lecturer in art and antiquities law, she also holds a PhD in anthropology with a research focus on objects of cultural heritage. She and her husband, both passionate travelers, have lived in the US, Australia, and Mexico before making their home in Copenhagen, Denmark. Media Contact: S.G. Benton, info@sgbenton.com Available for interviews: Author, Susan G. Benton Attachment NOTTINGHAM, UK, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ideagen, a leader in regulatory and compliance software, has thanked its customers after scooping three G2 2024 Best Software Awards. Ideagen secured positions in the Top 25 UK Companies, Top 50 Office Products and Top 50 Content Management Products. According to G2, fewer than 1% of vendors made it to the Top 30 putting Ideagen firmly among the best solutions providers globally. Commenting on the wins, John Molamphy, Chief Product Officer at Ideagen said: "We are delighted to be recognized in the G2 2024 Best Software Awards. This acknowledgment is especially rewarding for us because it comes from the positive feedback and ratings from our users. "Our purpose is to provide clarity and confidence to regulated industries. The number of reviews and ratings our customers have given us over the last year shows that the safe hands and trusted voices that protect the world continue to feel supported by our solutions. Customer feedback is invaluable; it drives us to continuously improve and innovate." G2 is visited by 90 million software buyers annually and boasts over two million authentic peer reviews, providing real-time ratings on products and solutions based on different criteria. Customers share unbiased feedback on their software experience, offering valuable insights to potential customers. The G2 2024 Best Software Awards ranks the top 100 companies based on a combination of Satisfaction and Market Presence scores, while the top 100 products are ranked through reviews across all categories they are a part of. John added: "We take pride in being a trusted industry partner to businesses around the world. Being honored in the G2 2024 Best Software Awards underscores our commitment to customer centered design and design thinking. "We are dedicated to working with our customers and the industry to understand their challenges and create innovative solutions that dont just meet their evolving needs but delight them." "B2B software buyers, just like consumers, start their purchasing journey with research," said Sara Rossio, Chief Product Officer at G2. "Congratulations to the less than 1% of vendors listed on G2 who made one of our 30+ lists this year, achieving recognition driven by verified data rooted in the source that truly matters authentic customer voice." Ideagen is dedicated to the safety and sustainability of regulated and high-compliance industries worldwide. A tech unicorn, taken into private equity ownership in 2022 for 1.1bn, it is trusted by more than 11,500 customers to support them with their health, safety, risk, quality, audit and collaboration software needs. Their current customers include more than 1,000 government organizations, 250 global aviation organizations, nine of the top ten accounting firms, nine of the top ten global aerospace and defense corporations, 15 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and 65% of the top 20 global food and drink companies. About Ideagen Ideagen brings clarity and confidence to the safe hands and trusted voices protecting our world. By unifying deep regulatory expertise and innovation with affordable, best-in-class software we provide trusted, meaningful intelligence to regulated and high-compliance industries such as life sciences, healthcare, banking and finance, aviation, defense, manufacturing and construction. From the shop floor to the flight deck, from the front line to the boardroom, our 11,500 customers include more than 250 global aviation organizations, nine of the top ten accounting firms, nine of the top ten global aerospace and defense corporations, 15 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and 65% of the top 20 global food & drink companies and includes blue chip brands such as Heineken, British Airways, BAE, Aggreko, US Navy, Bank of New York and Johnson Matthey. Headquartered in Nottingham UK, with offices across the US, Australia, India, Malaysia and UAE, our 1,500+ colleagues are dedicated to supporting industries to turn risk into resilience. Attachment Washington, DC, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace announced today that it is establishing, with the support of the government of Japan, a Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons. The work conducted at Carnegie will focus on preventing conflict and building international cooperation necessary for nuclear disarmament. George Perkovich, a vice president and senior fellow at Carnegie, will be the inaugural Chair. Mariano-Florentino (Tino) Cuellar, president of Carnegie, met with Shigeo Yamada, the Japanese ambassador to the United States, to mark the occasion. In expressing gratitude to Ambassador Yamada, Tino Cuellar noted that the government of Japan recognizes the importance of nuclear disarmament as few others do. So long as some statesor at least their leadersappear interested in using force to achieve their territorial ambitions, other countries must prudently maintain the means of deterrence while we all redouble our efforts, including here at Carnegie with the new Japan Chair, to reduce the danger nuclear weapons pose to humanity and the planet. Following the meeting yesterday, the Japan embassy in the United States shared a photo where Ambassador Yamada and President Cuellar reaffirmed their close coordination to advance the activities of a Japan Chair for a world without nuclear weapons established at the CEIP. The Japan Chair reflects Carnegies understanding that building a durable international peace requires cooperation among the United States, Japan, and other partners on issues from nuclear policy and regional security to trade, the climate transition, and safe applications of artificial intelligence. Consistent with its mission, Carnegie remains committed as a global think tank to provide independent analysis and innovative policy solutions in support of that goal. George Perkovich, a Carnegie scholar since 2002, is an award-winning author of numerous books on nuclear weapons history, nonproliferation, and disarmament. He has advised the U.S. and Japanese governments on nuclear policy and related issues for many years. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a nonpartisan global think tank with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In a complex, changing, and increasingly contested world, the Carnegie Endowment generates strategic ideas and independent analysis, supports diplomacy, and trains the next generation of international scholar-practitioners to help countries and institutions take on the most difficult global problems and advance international peace. ### Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Sunnova Energy International Inc. ("Sunnova" or the "Company") (NYSE: NOVA) investors that an investigation has been filed on behalf of investors that purchased Sunnova securities. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 844-767-8529 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. On December 8, 2023, the stock of Sunnova Energy Corp experienced a significant decline. This drop occurred after key members of the House and Senate Energy Committees requested documentation and communication records from the Energy Department concerning Sunnova. The focus of this inquiry is a $3 billion partial loan guarantee granted to the company. Lawmakers have raised concerns based on reports they describe as "disturbing," pertaining to Sunnova's business conduct. A letter from these U.S. legislators highlights alleged predatory practices by Sunnova, accusing the firm of exploiting elderly homeowners by selling them solar power contracts under questionable circumstances, often close to the end of their lives. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising Austin, TX, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KORMAN, AUSTINS OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER, LAUNCHES ROLEX CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PROGRAM Austin, April 1st, 2024 Korman Fine Jewelry (Korman), Austin's fine jewelry and Swiss timepiece destination for over 50 years, is proud to announce the launch of the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned (RCPO) program on April 1st, 2024. This initiative is set to redefine the luxury watch marketplace, offering clients the exclusive opportunity to purchase a Rolex authenticated pre-owned timepiece online or in store. Korman invites watch enthusiasts to explore its hand-curated selection of Certified Pre-Owned Rolex watches, ensuring uncompromised quality and authenticity. As part of the program, each Rolex timepiece undergoes a meticulous authentication process, serviced by Kormans watchmakers and verified by Rolex experts. This process guarantees customers the highest level of confidence in the authenticity, excellence, and impeccable performance of their Rolex purchase. Larry Stokes, Owner and CEO of Korman, expressed his enthusiasm, Peace of mind is everything, and Korman is thrilled to offer Rolex clients the transparency and value we all seek. You can now purchase pre-owned with confidence knowing Rolex has verified and warrantied the collection in its entirety. As Korman continues to shape the landscape of high-end luxury and service in Austin, the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned program enhances its offerings, providing patrons and watch enthusiasts with a trusted and exclusive experience. Korman welcomes customers to join this exciting journey, setting a new standard for pre-owned luxury in Austin. Materials: https://newsroom.rolex.com/about-rolex/rolex-certified-pre-owned-programme Media Contact: Allison Moreno | Marketing@kormanatx.com 512-451-9292 5011 Burnet Rd, #100, Austin, TX, 78756 About Korman From Korman's humble beginnings in 1973 to today, Korman has become Austin's luxury jewelry destination, offering a hand-curated selection of designer jewelry, the finest diamonds and Swiss timepieces in Central Texas. Since becoming owners in 2018, Kat and Larry Stokes have upheld the legacy of integrity, community and superlative quality and service as their pillars of success. Keeping true to Korman's roots, Kormans new flagship location will open in the fall of 2024 at 29th & Lamar, embodying a timeless and contemporary design in collaboration with Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Korman will house a selection of the finest jewels from designers and diamond cutters from all over the world, in addition to partnerships with the top Swiss timepiece manufacturers and a world-class Rolex service center. Their jewelry social house is always abuzz and there is always fun in the air as they 'Celebrate Every Day'. This has become Kormans ethos as they come alongside clients to pair them with memorable and special pieces that crystalize moments and milestones in their life. Independently owned and operated for over 50 years, Korman is a member of the Longhorn Business Network and a pillar in the Austin community. Attachments Dublin, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Brazil Commercial Greenhouse Market Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Rising Demand Spurs Brazilian Agricultural Innovation In alignment with global agricultural trends, Brazil's commercial greenhouse market is anticipated to experience significant growth, with projections estimating an expansion from US$36.593 million in 2021 to US$43.868 million by 2028. A compounded annual growth rate of 2.62% underscores the vitality of this sector, mirroring Brazil's dedication to adopting modern farming techniques and enhancing productivity within greenhouse cultivation. Push for Modern Farming Fuels Market Evolution Factors contributing to this growth include Brazilian public's increasing awareness of contemporary farming methodologies and the corresponding demand for innovative produce solutions. A landmark development is the ongoing construction of one of Brazil's inaugural modern production greenhouses, specializing in tomato cultivation - set to service the escalating local demand for high-grade food items in Londrina, Parana. Technological Advancements Revolutionize Commercial Greenhouses Synonymous with refinement in agriculture, Brazil observes substantial technological evolutions in greenhouse farming. Adoptions of AI, smart irrigation systems, and sophisticated control software are steering this agricultural segment toward superior efficiency and disease management. Notably, policies and strategies are now being informed by remote satellite monitoring approaches developed through collaboration between Embrapa and its partners. Greenhouses: A Hub for Quality Produce An increasing preference for high-quality, sustainably produced fruits and vegetables is at the heart of the commercial greenhouse market's growth. These encapsulated farming environments provide a safeguard against unpredictable climate variations, while simultaneously supporting sustainable agriculture - consonant with global environmental aspirations. Brazil's Agro Export Potential Surges Beyond local markets, Brazil's commercial greenhouse goods are gaining traction in international trade. As a nation recognized for its sizable agricultural exports, the commercial greenhouse industry is staged to further augment Brazil's position in global markets. Recent ventures such as Farmer Brazil underscore the nation's continuous march towards sustainable, organic produce for global consumption. Vegetable Imports and Market Dynamics In the broader agricultural landscape, Brazil's role in the importation of vegetable products remains noteworthy. Recording substantial imports from neighboring nations, the country continues to enhance its agricultural diversity while addressing internal market demands. Comprehensive market analysis delineates various segments pivotal to the greenhouse market, including the types of structures utilized, accompanying equipment, and the spectrum of applications from fruits and vegetables to nursery crops. This accelerating expansion of Brazil's commercial greenhouse market signifies a promising trajectory for both domestic growth and international trade, positioning Brazil as a key player in the elevation of global agriculture standards for the forthcoming years. The strategic interplay of technology, environmental considerations, and market demand is crafting an environment ripe for innovation and sustained progress in Brazilian agriculture. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 77 Forecast Period 2021 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $36.59 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $43.87 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.6% Regions Covered Brazil Companies Featured Growers Supply Inc Priva Prins Group Netafim For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fwo4w3 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 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lophos Holdings Inc. (CSE: MESC) ("Lophos" or the "Company") is pleased to announce all matters presented for approval at the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company held earlier today March 28, 2024 (the "Meeting") have been approved. A total of 26,839,013 common shares representing 31.26% of the Companys issued and outstanding common shares were voted in connection with the Meeting. Each of the four nominees proposed by Lophos and as set out in the Information Circular provided to shareholders in connection with the Meeting were duly elected as directors. The four directors are Jacqueline Claire Lupo, John Karagiannidis, Jeremy Pestun and Evan Stawnyczy. At the Meeting, shareholders also approved the Companys 10% rolling incentive stock option plan (the Stock Option Plan), and Clearhouse LLP, Chartered Accountants, were appointed auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and the Board of Directors of Lophos (the "Board") were authorized to fix their remuneration. The Company also announces that it has granted a total of 3,260,000 stock options to new and existing officers, directors, staff, and a consultant pursuant to the Companys Stock Option Plan. The options have a grant date of March 28, 2024, and have a term of five years expiring on March 28, 2029. Each option will allow the holder to purchase one common share in the Company at a price of $0.06. The options vest immediately. Following the issuance, the Company has 7,585,000 incentive stock options outstanding. The Companys Stock Option Plan allows the Board to issue the equivalent of up to 10%, subject to certain restrictions, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company on a rolling basis. The foregoing grant is subject to the necessary regulatory approvals including that of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Board would also like to thank Ms. Elyssia Patterson and Mr. Solomon Elimimian, two of the founding directors whose term on the Board ended at the Meeting, for their contributions to the success of the Company and wish them continued success in their other professional endeavours. About Lophos Lophos Pharmaceuticals Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lophos Holdings Inc. (CSE:MESC), stands as a prominent biosciences company specializing in the cultivation, research, and sale of peyote. Distinguished by its Controlled Substances Dealers License (CSDL), the subsidiary is authorized for the possession, sale, sending, transportation, and delivery of various controlled substances, including mescaline, psilocin, psilocybin, LSD, DMT, MDMA, and ketamine. Additionally, the license grants permission for the production of mescaline, psilocin, and psilocybin, showcasing the comprehensive scope of our operations. For further inquiries: Director: Claire Stawnyczy, President & CEO, Lophos Holdings Inc. Email: invest@lophos.com Website: www.lophos.com Phone: 1-833-450-7407 Cautionary Statement Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Lophos' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward-looking information in this press release includes information with respect to the Companys peyote cactus product development. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Lophos at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Lophos is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption Risk Factors in Lophos' final long form prospectus dated August 11, 2023, which is available on Lophos's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state, province, territory 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, province, territory or jurisdiction. Rio Tinto has published its 2023 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, which details $8.5 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally during the year. This compares to $10.8 billion in 2022, which included around $1.5 billion of Australian corporate tax payments related to prior years. In Australia, which is home to almost half of the company's global business, taxes and royalties totalling $6.6 billion (A$10.0 billion) were paid in 2023, including corporate tax paid of $4.1 billion (A$6.2 billion). Rio Tinto also made significant tax and royalty payments in Canada ($601 million), Chile ($477 million), Mongolia ($371 million) and the United States ($123 million). Rio Tinto Chief Financial Officer Peter Cunningham said "We remain committed to being a leader on transparent tax reporting, as we continue to find better ways to contribute to our host countries and communities. "The taxes and royalties we pay play an important role in economic and social development, and can be significant for national budgets and local development priorities such as job creation and skills training. "It is important to us that we make this contribution openly and transparently, as part of our responsibility to extract value from the minerals and materials we produce in the safest and most sustainable way possible." In the past ten years, Rio Tinto has paid $76 billion in taxes and royalties globally, of which more than 78% was paid in Australia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327379859/en/ Contact Please direct all enquiries to: media.enquiries@riotinto.com Media Relations, United Kingdom Matthew Klar M +44 7796 630 637 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Americas Simon Letendre M +1 514 796 4973 Malika Cherry M +1 418 592 7293 Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152 Media Relations, Australia Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Jesse Riseborough M +61 436 653 412 Alyesha Anderson M +61 434 868 118 Michelle Lee M +61 458 609 322 Investor Relations, United Kingdom Menno Sanderse M +44 7825 195 178 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Laura Brooks M +44 7826 942 797 Investor Relations, Australia Tom Gallop M +61 439 353 948 Amar Jambaa M +61 472 865 948 Rio Tinto Plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Ltd. Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category - General ANCOUVER, March 28, 2024 - Greenridge Exploration Inc. ("Greenridge" or the "Company") (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3), is pleased to announce Sean Hillacre has joined Greenridge's advisory team effective March 22, 2024. Mr. Hillacre's extensive experience and background will provide invaluable guidance for the planning and execution of exploration programs at the Company's Nut Lake Project.Mr. Hillacre is currently the President & VP of Exploration of Standard Uranium Ltd. and has over a decade of experience working as an economic geologist in the Athabasca Basin uranium district of Saskatchewan, with 5 years as part of the technical team progressing the Arrow uranium deposit towards production with NexGen Energy Ltd. A proactive, results oriented geoscientist, Mr. Hillacre brings a unique and balanced background integrating academic geoscience with industry experience, along with a comprehensive understanding of project development. Mr. Hillacre received his B.Sc. & M.Sc. degrees in Geology from the University of Saskatchewan and published the first comprehensive academic study on a world-class uranium deposit in the SW Athabasca Basin in Economic Geology. Sean Hillacre, Advisor to the Company, commented, "I am thrilled to be joining the Greenridge team as an advisor, as the Company's Nut Lake Project has significant potential for uranium discovery. I am eager to begin leveraging my extensive experience to help drive the Nut Lake Project forward." Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We are excited to welcome Mr. Hillacre, whose extensive experience in the Uranium industry, particularly in the globally recognized Athabasca Basin region, brings invaluable expertise to our advisory team. We are confident that his knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in guiding our exploration programs and advancing the Nut Lake Project." The Company also announces that it has granted 250,000 stock options (the "Options") under the Company's stock option plan, each with an exercise price of CDN $0.75, to Mr. Hillacre. Each vested option, upon payment of the exercise price, entitles the holder thereof to receive one common share of the Company. The Options, and any shares issued upon the exercise of, will be subject to a hold period of four months in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Greenridge Exploration Inc. Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, and development of critical mineral projects in North America. The Company's Nut Lake Uranium Project located in the Thelon Basin includes historical drilling which intersected up to 9ft of 0.69% U 3 O 8 including 4.90% U 3 O 8 over 1ft from 8ft depth. Additionally, the Company's Weyman Copper Project in southeast British Columbia sits on the south portion of the famous Quesnel Terrance. The Company is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with significant expertise in capital raising and advancing mining projects. 1 Source: 1978 Assessment report (number 81075) by Pan Ocean Oil Ltd On Behalf of the Board of Directors Russell Starr Chief Executive Officer, Director Telephone: +1 (778) 897-3388 Email: info@greenridge-exploration.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company, building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Project and its mineralization potential; the Company's objectives, goals, or future plans with respect to the Project; statements with respect to the expected benefits of appointing Sean Hillacre as advisor to the Company. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Great Island is open to the public for pedestrian access in Darien, Conn. Sunday, March 3, 2024. The Town of Darien purchased the 60-acre island in early 2023 for $85 million and opened it up to the public on March 1, 2024. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Darien's Megan Malone walks with her son, Will Malone, 5, on Great Island in Darien, Conn. Sunday, March 3, 2024. The Town of Darien purchased the 60-acre island in early 2023 for $85 million and opened it up to the public on March 1, 2024. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media DARIEN Darien is running into some rule-breaking residents as people begin visiting Great Island, now it's open to the public. Since launching a soft opening of the town-owned property on March 1, Selectman Monica McNally, chair of the Great Island Advisory Committee, said the town has run into some really concerning incidents of trespassing onto the private property surrounding the site. Ive spoken with the police and they are aware of the situation, McNally said during the committee's March 20 meeting. Some of this is just true confusion and were going to address this. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The town closed on its purchase of the 60-acre estate in May for $85 million, taking over half of the original 110-acre estate owned by baking soda magnate William Ziegler in the early 1900s. The other portion of the property, better known as Ziegler Farm, was sold to a private owner in December for $57.7 million. Some residents reportedly tried reaching the town property through private entrance roads, entering from Ziggys Way, Longneck Point Road and Great Island Road. The only public entrance on or off Great Island is at Rings End Road. Residents have also reportedly been going up to the propertys gatehouse, which is not owned by the town and also constitutes trespassing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weve had instances where people are going up to the door to the gatehouse or looking in the windows or going around the back, McNally said. Thats illegal, and you wouldnt want anybody to do that on your property. Beyond trespassing, McNally said there were also residents bringing their bicycles and pets onto the property. Access is currently limited to pedestrians only, with both pets and bikes specifically prohibited. McNally said she and the Public Works department are looking into posting signs along the private road entrances to ward off any accidental trespassers. According to the town's rules, violations can warrant fines ranging between $25 and $250 depending on the severity of the offense. No fines have been issued yet, McNally told Hearst Connecticut. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We definitely hope that that doesnt happen," McNally said. "All of this is just education, just continuing to let people know theres one entrance. Despite some initial problems, members of the committee said they were optimistic about the public response to Great Island as the town moves forward with improvements. I was there the first Sunday when it opened and the weather was beautiful and there was a great deal of enthusiasm, said Selectman Michael Burke. There were some people who were riding bikes or walking dogs, but they were uniformly courteous when we reminded them there was no access for bikes or dogs yet. So hopefully that spirit of understanding and following the rules will prevail. This next phase is really, really exciting, McNally said. The more input we have from residents, the better." Advertisement Article continues below this ad First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky also said the rules may evolve over time as the town expands use of Great Island beyond the early access months. Were going to stay actively engaged on these rules and refresh them in time, but right now they are in place for peoples safety, Zagrodzky said. Please respect them. Thatll help us ensure that this property can be enjoyed controversy free by all for a long time. Anyone visiting Great Island who witnesses a violation is encouraged to contact the Darien Police Department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CALGARY, March 28, 2024 - Ashley Gold Corp. (CSE: "ASHL") ("Ashley" or the "Company") has completed the due diligence trip to the Sahara Property in preparation of closing the Definitive Agreement next month. Video of the site visit can be found here. Darcy Christian, CEO of Ashley comments "The site visit was a great success. We have confirmed the potential of the property and are working to finalize terms on the Definitive Agreement. This is a property with the opportunity to quickly develop into a cash-flowing asset and we are excited to be a part of it." Day 1 Historical Data Review Day 1 was spent in Salt Lake City meeting with the property owner Greg Kofford to review historical core data and paper reports. Core was available for 4 holes GR-1001 to 1003 and GR-1005 drilled and assayed in 2006. Gamma spectrometer readings were taken and mineralized zones were confirmed. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1 - GR-1003 reading elevated gamma counts of over 1,300 cps at ~ 448.5 ft . 2006 assays state average of 0.10% eU3O8 between 446.5 and 449.0 ft (historical) Several boxes of historical documents were retrieved and reviewed. Many of the boxes contained historical logs of the drilling over Sahara as well as historical maps of surface drilling in addition to important information on the location of the underground decline and workings that are to be reopened for exploration and production. All of this data is in process of being digitized for a complete compilation prior to the May drilling program. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2 -Example of historical drill logs from 1977 Energy Fuels Program Day 2 Property Visit On the way out to the property visit we made a stop at the Emery County Recorders office in Castle Dale, Utah to review the Sahara claims. The trip to the Sahara Property was all on paved roads right to the historic decline entrance. Low-grade uranium waste piles showed increased gamma readings at surface with the potential for blending with high-grade ore in the future. GPS locations of both declines were taken to assist with the digitization of the historical maps. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3 - Greg and Scott Reviewing Sahara Claims At over 40km2 the total Sahara Property is large so the focus was spent on the historical exploration areas. Several historical mine entrances were visited including several old workings including Sahara, Acerson, and Cecilia. Geophysical data suggests that these channel systems hosting the Uranium and Vanadium all extend to the north with excellent potential to significantly expand the known mineralization of the area. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 4 - Sahara Deposit historical drill pads and roads. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 5 - George measuring over 55,000 cps near the Acerson historical workings. Day 3 Sunday Mine Tour and meeting with Western Uranium Day 3 was spent visiting Western Uranium's Sunday Mine Complex and discussing future colaboration with CEO George Glasier and COO Mike Rutter. The Sunday Mine Complex is impressive in size and potential and represents similar Uranium hosted deposits as seen at Sahara. We shared a well earned meal at the local pizza shop in Naruita and discussed the future production capabilities of the proposed Green River processing facility. Discussions also included the potential of Ashley processing local Sahara Mine ore at this location. Western Uranium is looking for additional local feedstock in the area is happy to continue this dialogue. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 6 - George and Darcy at the Sunday Mine Decline. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 7 - Ariel image of the Sahara Uranium-Vanadium Property with respect to Green River, Utah 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. Vancouver, March 28, 2024 - Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: GUN) ("Gunpoint" or the "Company") announces it has received notice from Newmont Corporation (which acquired Newcrest Mining Limited in November 2023) electing to terminate the option and earn-in agreement on the Appaloosa Property ("Appaloosa") between the Company and Newcrest announced on September 28, 2022 and aligned with the end of the Minimum Commitment phase within the earn-in agreement. Appaloosa is a 7 kilometer long mineralized trend inside the Talapoosa land package. During the past 18 months, Newcrest conducted a property-wide, reconnaissance exploration program on Appaloosa. Surface exploration and initial drilling in two areas identified a large potential hydrothermal cell related to and peripheral to the Talapoosa deposit. Reconnaissance work undertaken on Talapoosa indicated potential extensions of the existing deposit in multiple directions and recently discovered an unexplored vein trend with a 450 meter strike length with rock chip samples up to 4 g/t gold. Gunpoint retains 100% ownership of the Talapoosa project including Appaloosa. With this new data, Gunpoint plans to focus on follow-up exploration of the newly identified Talapoosa targets and prioritize drilling to expand the known deposit and test the new vein systems. About Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. Gunpoint owns Talapoosa, an open pit, high grade gold-silver project in Nevada. Talapoosa has a NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate by Tetra Tech WEI Inc., with a measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.1 million ounces of gold and 13.6 million ounces of silver at an average grade of 1.11 g/t and 15 g/t, respectively. Inferred mineral resources add an additional 233,500 ounces of gold at 0.72 g/t and 2.2 million ounces of silver at 6.65 g/t. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charlie Ronkos, Director of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For more information on Gunpoint, please visit our website at www.gunpointexploration.com or contact Randy Reifel, President, at (604) 731-2219. Gunpoint Exploration Ltd. "P. Randy Reifel" President 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 Statements: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking Information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to plans to focus on follow-up exploration of the newly identified Talapoosa targets and prioritize drilling to expand the known deposit and test the new vein systems and the estimated mineral resources at the Company's Talapoosa project. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203403 VANCOUVER, March 28, 2024 - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing La Garra-Metates district (the "La Garra-Metates District" or "La Garra") situated in the heart of the silver-gold-rich Panuco - San Dimas corridor. Reconnaissance work conducted by Vizsla Silver's geologists shows the presence of at least two vein systems with respective strike lengths of 2.6 km and 1.8 km carrying significant silver and gold grades. Highlights Large property package at 16,962 Ha (more than 2x the area of the Company's Panuco project (the "Panuco Project")). While this district has seen past production dating back centuries, the La Garra-Metates District has seen minimal exploration and no drilling. Vizsla Silver's sampling demonstrated multi-kilo silver equivalent grades over several kilometers of strike. Epithermal vein systems trending N-NNW in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and First Majestics Silver Corp.'s San Dimas project ("San Dimas"). Potential for high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on two known vein systems with estimated strike length of 2.6 km and 1.8 km, respectively. Significant potential to discover new veins given the underexplored nature of the district. The La Garra-Metates District has been acquired for less than 3% of Vizsla Silver's market capitalization. "Vizsla Silver has agreed to acquire another highly prospective precious metals rich district in the Sinaloa Silver Belt, marking the first time that the La Garra-Metates District has ever been in a public company." Stated Michael Konnert, President, and CEO. "The consolidation and acquisition of a vastly under-explored, past-producing district in the state of Sinaloa is an excellent addition to our portfolio and demonstrates our strength in the region. Similar to our flagship Panuco Project, which represents one of the largest, undeveloped, high-grade silver primary assets globally, La Garra hosts sub-vertical structures reminiscent of Vizsla Silver's Napoleon vein, as well as flat-lying structures like Copala. Additionally, the La Garra-Metates District is located ~32 kilometers to the south of First Majestic Silver's San Dimas Mine, a prolific precious metals producer and is one of nine billion-ounce silver equivalent districts in Mexico. Vizsla Silver has a long-term view of its role in the silver industry and within this region of Mexico. We believe we have the potential to build a multi-generational asset base and become a globally significant producer of silver in Sinaloa. While Vizsla Silver's focus continues to be to develop the Panuco-Copala district while exploring for new centers of high-grade mineralization, this acquisition allows for new major discoveries in the future and a growing pipeline of potential production as we continue to generate a dominant footprint in this emerging, but globally significant silver-belt." About the La Garra-Metates District The La Garra-Metates District is located 108 kilometres northeast of the City of Mazatlan, in the Municipality of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico and approximately 32 km north-northwest of the Panuco Project and 32 km south-southwest of San Dimas in the Mazatlan municipality. The La Garra-Metates District comprises of 16 claims (15 titled mining concessions and one application) covering 16,962 Ha in the heart of the emerging silver-gold-rich Panuco - San Dimas corridor. The area has been held on private hands for the last ~60 years and has remained unknown to most public exploration and mining companies, hence, the area has seen very little mining and prospecting activities over the decades, and more importantly, it has never been drilled. The La Garra-Metates District area contains N-NNW-trending silver-gold-rich veins in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Epithermal veins dipping at steep and shallow angles to the east are hosted by andesites and felsic volcanic lavas and tuffs of the Lower Volcanic Series (LVS) like at the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Two main vein systems are known to date: the N-S trending La Garra with ~2.6 km of known strike length and the NW trending Cerro Verde - Las Playas vein system with ~1.8 km of strike length. In December 2023, Vizsla Silver conducted a five-day site visit and collected 37 samples on vein outcrops and underground pillars on La Garra and Cerro Verde - Las Playas vein systems: fourteen rock-chip samples collected across veins ranging from 0.30 to 2.50 metres reported silver equivalent grades (AgEq) greater than 200 g/t (2.22 to 12.30 g/t Au and 22 to 1,156 g/t Ag). Base metals were detected in low concentrations <1.0% and deleterious elements such as Sb and As were detected also in low concentrations <110 ppm. All the primary samples and quality controls (standards, blanks, and duplicates) were analyzed at SGS Lab facility in Durango Mexico. Because of its favourable location in the emerging Panuco - San Dimas silver-gold-rich corridor, its geologic setting, vein orientation and observed high-grades, Vizsla Silver's geologists are confident that the La Garra-Metates District has good potential for discovery of high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on the La Garra and Cerro Verde - Las Playas vein systems. Historic mining occurred in the upper 200 metres from surface at most, whereas shoots in the region can have vertical extensions of up to ~550 metres. Additionally, because the area has seen so little exploration and prospecting (La Garra and Cerro Verde - Las Playas occur in an area representing ~15% of the property), it is very likely that many other veins and prospects remain to be re-discovered through mapping. Vizsla Silver plans to take advantage of its experienced team in Mexico to fast track permitting and exploration of the La Garra-Metates District. Sample # Vein Area Sample Length Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq (m) (g/t) (g/t) % % (g/t) G566682 El Orito La Garra Dump 22 7.00 0.05 0.02 495 G566683 El Orito La Garra Grab 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 G566684 Rosita La Garra 0.50 70 2.22 0.44 0.42 243 G566686 Rosita La Garra 0.30 76 1.70 0.16 0.08 193 G566687 Rosita La Garra 1.00 5 0.06 0.02 0.25 18 G566688 FW La Garra La Garra 0.30 25 0.64 0.07 0.05 70 G566689 FW La Garra La Garra 0.90 4 0.05 0.01 0.05 9 G566691 FW La Garra La Garra 0.50 3 0.03 0.01 0.05 7 G566692 La Garra La Garra 0.60 68 0.83 0.08 0.14 127 G566693 La Garra La Garra 0.75 11 0.13 0.01 0.05 21 G566694 La Garra La Garra Dump 110 1.71 0.10 0.09 224 G566696 El Puerto La Garra Grab 6 0.02 0.00 0.00 7 G566697 El Puerto La Garra 1.00 5 0.02 0.00 0.00 6 G566698 La Gigante La Garra 1.10 87 0.49 0.00 0.01 115 G566699 La Gigante La Garra 2.30 343 2.04 0.01 0.01 457 G566700 Manzanillo La Garra 2.00 847 2.29 0.09 0.08 948 G566751 Manzanillo La Garra 0.90 1,156 12.30 0.02 0.04 1,908 G566752 FW La Garra La Garra 0.70 52 0.60 0.45 0.27 112 G566753 La Brillosa La Garra 0.60 4 0.07 0.07 0.00 10 G566754 Nivel 4 Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 641 3.08 0.12 0.17 814 G566756 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas Grab 402 2.50 0.02 0.01 543 G566757 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas Dump 627 10.10 0.39 0.51 1,295 G566758 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 36 0.39 0.01 0.01 60 G566759 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.50 99 0.52 0.01 0.03 128 G566760 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 885 6.03 0.02 0.02 1,231 G566761 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.10 56 0.55 0.00 0.00 89 G566762 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.90 17 0.19 0.00 0.00 29 G566763 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.60 203 2.40 0.01 0.01 351 G566764 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.20 498 4.33 0.01 0.00 756 G566766 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 385 2.75 0.01 0.01 544 G566767 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.00 9 G566768 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.01 9 G566769 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 4 0.21 0.00 0.01 18 G566771 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.80 4 0.02 0.00 0.01 5 G566772 Pozo 1 manto Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.30 71 0.50 0.01 0.00 100 G566773 Manto Gaby Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 226 2.08 0.00 0.00 351 G566774 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 Table 1: Assays from rock samples collected on veins at La Garra. Note: AgEq = Ag g/t x Ag rec. + ((Au g/t x Au Rec x Au price/gram)+(Pb% x Pb rec. X Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn rec. X Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram. Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,424.4/t lead and $2,975.4/t zinc. Metallurgical recoveries assumed are 93% for silver, 90% for gold, 94% for lead and 94% for zinc. The same metallurgical recoveries applied for Napoleon vein in Panuco were assumed (see press release dated February 17, 2022). Terms of the acquisition The Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated March 27, 2024, with Exploradora Minera La Hacienda S.A. de C.V. and Manuel de Jesus Hernandez Tovar (collectively, the "Sellers") pursuant to which the agreed to acquire (the "Acquisition") all of the outstanding shares of Goanna Resources, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a private Mexican corporation, from the Sellers. The Target Company is the owner of the La Garra-Metates District. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has agreed to make cash payments in an aggregate of US$3,075,000 in cash (collectively, the "Cash Payments") and issue an aggregate of 5,555,555 common shares in the capital of the Company (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") to the Sellers. The Cash Payments will be made, and the Consideration Shares will be issued over a period of 24 months from closing. The Company is responsible for the back taxes owing on the concessions. Royalty Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company and the Sellers shall enter into a royalty agreement in a form satisfactory to the Parties, pursuant to which the Sellers will be granted a 1% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") on the La Garra-Metates District. The Buyer will have the right to repurchase such royalty at any time for consideration equal to US$750,000. Pledge Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Sellers a pledge and security agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company and the Sellers and take such other actions sufficient under applicable Laws to grant the Sellers a first priority lien on the Purchased Shares to secure the Company's obligations with regards to the acquisition costs. Finder's fees The finder's fees is 2% NSR of the project payable to an arm's length Mexican Company. The Acquisition is subject to standard closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About the Panuco Project The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 7,189.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits. The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation. On January 8, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq. About Vizsla Silver Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 350,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2024, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +65,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Drill core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver and rock samples were shipped to SGS Lab in Durango Mexico for sample preparation and analysis. The ALS Zacatecas, North Vancouver facilities and SGS lab are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol. Qualified Person In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. 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. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Panuco Project and the potential acquisition of the La Garra Project. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; 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 and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp. Contact and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact: Michael Konnert, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tel: (604) 364-2215, Email: info@vizslasilver.ca, Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca MATHESON, March 28, 2024 - Mayfair Gold Corp. ("Mayfair" or the "Company") (TSX-V: MFG; OTCQB: MFGCF) today announced that it has received a shareholder meeting requisition notice pursuant to section 167 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Requisition") dated March 27, 2024 from MWCGOF SPV III LP (the "Requisitioning Shareholder"), a fund controlled by Muddy Waters Capital LLC ("Muddy Waters"). The Requisitioning Shareholder purports to hold in excess of five percent (5%) of the issued common shares of the Company. The shareholder meeting is being requisitioned to consider: (a) a special resolution to remove all of the directors of the Company (the "Director Removal Resolution"); (b) if the Director Removal Resolution is passed, an ordinary resolution fixing the number of directors at four (4); (c) if the Director Removal Resolution is not passed, an ordinary resolution fixing the number of directors at eight (8) or such lesser number equal to the number of the directors of the Company then in office plus four (4); and (d) electing four (4) director nominees of the Requisitioning Shareholder. The Company is reviewing the Requisition, with the assistance of its professional advisors, and will respond appropriately in due course. In the meantime, there is no need for shareholders to take any action. Mayfair's President and CEO, Patrick Evans, commented: "The Company is grateful for the many expressions of support it has received from shareholders. It is unfortunate that Muddy Waters has chosen to escalate its demands over-and-above those set out in its news release of only a week ago, rather than engage in constructive dialogue with the Company." As it has in the past, Mayfair welcomes the perspectives of its shareholders and looks forward to an ongoing dialogue with them about the Company's governance, performance and strategic direction. The board and management team will continue to prioritize good governance, perform their duties in the best interest of Mayfair and remain focused on advancing the Company's flagship asset, the 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS About Mayfair Mayfair Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the 100% controlled Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit is Mayfair's flagship asset and currently hosts an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate with an effective date of April 6, 2023 with a total Indicated Resource of 113.69M tonnes containing 3.38M ounces at a grade of 0.93 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 5.72M tonnes containing 0.16M ounces at a grade of 0.85 g/t Au at a 0.40 g/t Au cut-off grade (Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report on Fenn-Gib Project, Ontario, Canada, prepared by Tim Maunula, P. Geo., of T. Maunula & Associates Consulting Inc., dated April 6, 2023). Mr. Maunula is deemed a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. The Fenn-Gib deposit has a strike length of over 1.5km with widths ranging over 500m. The gold mineralized zones remain open at depth and along strike to the east and west. Recently completed metallurgical tests confirm that the Fenn-Gib deposit can deliver robust gold recoveries of up to 94%. For further information contact: Patrick Evans, President and CEO Phone: (480) 747-3032 Email: patrick@mayfairgold.ca Web: www.mayfairgold.ca Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Mayfair's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mayfair's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Mayfair undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Mayfair to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. 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. VANCOUVER, March 28, 2024 - Europacific Metals Inc. (TSXV:EUP)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "Europacific") is pleased to announce that it has awarded a drilling contract to SPI, Sondeos Y Perforaciones Industriales del Bierzo, SA, one of the most active drilling companies in Spain and Portugal with a vast working experience. SPI possesses international environmental and quality management certifications, respectively ISO1 4001 and ISO 9001. The Company is planning for the immediate commencement of drilling and is preparing the drill pad locations. "We're making preparations at the drill site for the immediate commencement of drill operations at the Miguel Vacas Copper project, over the last few months we have completed a reinterpretation and geological modelling along with further sampling. This has enabled us to generate a very compelling drill target model at Miguel Vacas. The drill program will focus on and confirm the extensions and the quality of the oxidized blanket for an open pit heap leaching operation. If successful, this will allow us to come up and confirm an initial resource estimation and enable a bulk sample operation in the short term while the sulfide parts of the system are assessed by deeper drilling at a later stage. We have a very experienced technical team and are looking forward to boots on the ground next week." stated Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer. The campaign will be initially focused on Miguel Vacas Copper advanced copper project which is located approximately 180 km east by road from Lisbon and approximately 70 km east from Evora, the Alentejo region capital. Miguel Vacas open pit copper deposit which produced 1.9 million lbs of copper from the oxide zone of a shear zone in schists at least 2,000 meters along strike and 10 to 20 meters in width. Drilling priority will be focused in this phase on the evaluation of the shallow (<80m) open pittable section of the deposit which consists mainly of oxidised copper ore amenable to heap leaching. Historical near surface drilling (60 to 71.63m) intercepted 1.79 % Cu over 10.54m including 2.29% Cu over 7.30 m. An in-house resource estimation based on 20 historical holes carried out by Rio Narcea came up with a total of 1.2 Mt @ 1.23% Cu for the supergene blanket and 4.4 Mt @ 1.24% Cu for the sulphide ore, respectively from 0 to 80m and >80m to 250m over a drilled strike length of approximately 1.1km. The mineralized system extends on at least 2 km along l strike and is open at depth. These drilling data has been compiled from reports from a Portuguese private company, EMIL-Empresa de Mineracao S.A. in the seventies of the previous century and Colt Resources, a Canadian junior, during the period 2014-2015. Highlights of these results are depicted in the table below: The plan includes a total of 11 shallow holes to confirm previous results and detail the morphology of the oxidized blanket in order to outline an initial resource estimation. A deep undercut hole is also planned to confirm the deeper sulphide zone for further follow-up. All relevant authorizations from the public authorities and landowners have all been cleared and drilling platforms have been concluded. Work is scheduled to start effectively in the first week of April 2024. Borba 2 projects have a well-documented potential to host precious and base metals mineralization often enhanced by the presence of abundant Au and /or Cu mineral occurrences in shear zones hosted in Devonian and Silurian metasediments and in epithermal systems associated with intra-Ordovician volcanics. About Europacific Metals Inc. Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe jurisdictions. EuroPacific Metals ("EUP") owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license. Qualified Person Technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "qualified person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits. On behalf of the Board of Directors Europacific Metals Inc. Mr. Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer 11th Floor - 1111 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6 E: k@r7.capital www.europacific.ca This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The readers should not rely on any historical estimates. The Company and the QP have not done sufficient work to classify historical estimate as a current resource. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource. Additional work including drilling will be required to verify and upgrade historical estimates. SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com It is expected that certain directors and officers of the company will participate in the private placement and are related parties within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The participation of certain directors and officers in the private placement will constitute a related party transaction under MI 61-101. The company intends to rely upon exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101. All securities issued under the private placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date. The Company may pay finders' fees in cash. The private placement and finders' fees are subject to regulatory approval. Net proceeds of the private placement will be used for project exploration and general working capital purposes. Please refer to our web site for all news and updated property information: https://arizonagoldsilver.com/ About Arizona Gold & Silver Inc. Arizona Silver is a young exploration company focused on exploring gold-silver properties in western Arizona and Nevada. The flagship asset is the Philadelphia gold-silver property where the Company is drilling off an epithermal gold-silver system. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Arizona Gold & Silver Inc. Mike Stark, President and CEO, Director Phone: (604) 833-4278 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. CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements in relation to the timing, cost and other aspects of the 2023-2024 exploration program; the potential for development of the mineral resources; the potential mineralization and geological merits of the exploration properties; and other future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company. 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 plans or expectations include the risk that actual results of current and planned exploration activities, including the results of the Company's 2023-2024 drilling program(s) on its properties, will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the geology, grade and continuity of any mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; fluctuating metals prices; possibility of accidents, equipment breakdowns and delays during exploration; exploration cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests; availability of capital and financing required to continue the Company's future exploration programs and preparation of geological reports and studies; delays in the preparation of geological reports and studies; the metallurgical characteristics of mineralization contained within the exploration properties are yet to be fully determined; general economic, market or business conditions; competition and loss of key employees; regulatory changes and restrictions including in relation to required permits for exploration activities (including drilling permits) and environmental liability; timeliness of government or regulatory approvals; and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions, including that the Company's 2023-2024 programs would proceed as planned and within budget. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Fur den Inhalt des Beitrages ist allein der Autor verantwortlich bzw. die aufgefuhrte Quelle. Bild- oder Filmrechte liegen beim Autor/Quelle bzw. bei der vom ihm benannten Quelle. Bei Ubersetzungen konnen Fehler nicht ausgeschlossen werden. Der vertretene Standpunkt eines Autors spiegelt generell nicht die Meinung des Webseiten-Betreibers wieder. Mittels der Veroffentlichung will dieser lediglich ein pluralistisches Meinungsbild darstellen. Direkte oder indirekte Aussagen in einem Beitrag stellen keinerlei Aufforderung zum Kauf-/Verkauf von Wertpapieren dar. Wir wehren uns gegen jede Form von Hass, Diskriminierung und Verletzung der Menschenwurde. Beachten Sie bitte auch unsere AGB/Disclaimer A Norwalk police vehicle in a file photo. Norwalk police say they are investigating after two suspects stole a BMW at gunpoint, fled in it and then tried to carjack another vehicle on Thursday. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media NORWALK City police are investigating after two suspects carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and then attempted to steal a second one, officials say. The carjacking took place on Westport Avenue at 5 a.m., Norwalk police Lt. Tomasz Podgorski said in a news release, when two suspects stole a BMW X3 from the owner at gunpoint. Podgorski said the suspects fled and attempted another carjacking at the intersection of Dry Hill Road and Westport Avenue, but the driver was able to maneuver the vehicle past the suspect vehicle and flee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The carjacked vehicle was recovered by Patrol Division Officers in Norwalk later Thursday, Podgorski said, adding detectives are investigating. The crimes were just two more instances of carjackings or attempts that have happened in southern Connecticut this week. On Wednesday state police said they were investigating one carjacking and two unsuccessful ones at rest stops along Interstate 95 one in Darien and two in Milford. Those incidents all happened early in the morning. Then, on Thursday, Stamford police said there had been four armed carjackings across the city since March 25. They said the incidents all targeted high-end vehicles, and have taken place between 5 and 6 a.m. F1 return still not an issue says Vettel Sebastian Vettel has thrown cold water on brand new speculation that he's mounting an attempted return to Formula 1. Sebastian Vettel, British GP 2022 Aston Martin Racing The retired quadruple world champion had a high-profile test with Porsche's works hypercar this week, and is strongly linked with the German marque's third entry at Le Mans for June. There's a lot going on at the moment, he told Bild, on and off the track. But Formula 1 is not an issue for me at the moment. Vettel, 36, admitted his Porsche test was quite fun and he continues to say you never know when asked about a potential return to racing. But the intention was never for me to stop and then start again, said the German. Part of Vettel's reason for being reluctant about a return to top motor racing - let alone the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 - is his young family. Yes, sometimes it happens that one of the little ones says 'daddy, don't do that', he told RTL when asked if his children are worried about his return. 'Then you'd be away so much again'. I've also really enjoyed the time with the children, Vettel said. Maybe the mood will change again, but at the moment things are still going very well. Fascinatingly, Vettel says he has actually talked with Toto Wolff since Lewis Hamilton announced his decision to switch to Ferrari next year. We spoke on the phone, he revealed, and of course we also talked about the fact that a lot is happening at Mercedes. But we didn't specifically talk about me taking that place. Vettel also told Sky Deutschland: "I'm still in contact with people who I've known directly or indirectly for so many years or who have been part of the circus. But we haven't talked specifically about what the future might bring. (GMM) Wyoming made its way to Washington recently, as representatives from Sweetwater Country traveled to the nation's capital to speak out about the need to protect a balanced approach to both conservation and development on public lands. First, Sweetwater County Commissioner Taylor Jones traveled to Washington, D.C., with Senators John Kolb, Stacy Jones, and Dan Dockstader to talk to Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning about the Rock Springs Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) draft. They presented information from local industries, and received reassurance from Stone-Manning that Alternative B in its current form will not be the final plan for the RMP. The following week, Sweetwater County Land Use Director Eric Bingham traveled to Washington to testify about the RMP in a legislative hearing before the Federal Lands Subcommittee, in which Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman also spoke out about the RMP and a bill she introduced to "nullify the implementation of this monstrosity of a plan." Meeting with Stone-Manning While Commissioner Jones had been working with others to look into the possibility of a trip to Washington, the thought became a reality very quickly when they found out on March 11 that they could meet with Director Stone-Manning either in late April, or in three days. Deciding that sooner was better than later, the commissioner and the senators quickly got plane tickets, got the information they needed, and headed to the capital. Jones shared details about his trip with both the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners and the Green River City Council during their regular meetings on March 19. According to Jones, one of the main purposes of meeting with Director Stone-Manning in person was to bring information with a new approach and to create a more positive and personal connection. He explained that the delegation of representatives for Wyoming figured the BLM is already aware of how upset everyone is about the RMP, so the hope for the visit was "to try and move the ball forward instead of kicking the ball." The delegation put together a packet of information to give to Stone-Manning covering a range of topics connected to and impacted by the RMP draft plan, including the trona industry, oil and gas development, school districts, agriculture, and land use. "One of the goals of this trip was to highlight the good things that our industries do to help our communities and our environment," Jones explained. Trona industry leaders included information in the packet about the positive economic development in the area, as well as pointing out information about the trona industry, such as the fact that Wyoming trona is clean and natural, as opposed to synthetic trona from countries like China, which is bad for the environment. Regarding the oil and gas industry, the representatives shared information from a study done by UW graduate Dr. Michael Curran showing that land at reclaimed oil and gas locations flourished more than untouched land. "One of the goals was to show that we've all been good stewards of the land here in Sweetwater County and around the area, and so the desire for drastic changes really isn't necessary," Jones said. The delegation had about an hour with Director Stone-Manning, and Jones noted that she met with them without having any other members of her staff present and that she took notes and asked questions. Overall, Jones felt that the meeting was a positive, open exchange of ideas that was professional and productive while also maintaining a cordial atmosphere. Director Stone-Manning also gave assurances that the BLM's preferred Alternative B would not be the option used in the final draft. "I did mention how detrimental Alternative B is to our county and state," Jones said. "She did commit that moving forward they would not be using Alternative B, it would be something different." Jones added that it's still too early in the process to know what different options the BLM will come up with and what the end result may look like. He also noted that Stone-Manning emphasized the fact that the planning on the RMP moving forward will be done at a state and local level, and they will simply keep her informed so knows what the final product is and whether she wants to sign off on it. Jones noted that he hopes there will be more meetings with BLM Rock Springs Field Office Manager Kimberlee Foster and Wyoming State Director Andrew Archuleta in the future in order to address things at this level. Testifying to the legislature About a week after the delegation's visit with Stone-Manning, another Sweetwater County representative was in Washington to talk about the RMP once again. Land Use Director Eric Bingham testified before the Federal Lands Subcommittee, part of the House Committee on Natural Resources, on March 20. He was invited to testify by Rep. Hageman as she shared information about the bill she introduced, H.R.6085, "To prohibit the implementation of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Rock Springs RMP Revision, Wyoming, and for other purposes." While speaking to the subcommittee, Bingham explained that there were "significant issues" with the RMP and the BLM's choice of Alternative B as the preferred alternative relating to both the content of the plan and the process of developing it. The issues Bingham pointed out include the BLM's failure to comply with the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA), the failure to coordinate with local cooperating agencies in developing a preferred alternative, the proposed alternative's creation of development and access barriers associated with right of way exclusion areas and special designations, and the detrimental socio-economic effects of implementing the preferred alternative. Looking back at the timeline of how the RMP was developed over the past 12 years, Bingham noted that the BLM spent a short time period in 2012 to develop alternatives B and C, but didn't focus on them. "Both alternatives were conveyed as representing a bookend or placeholder versus being functional or reasonable," Bingham said. After 2015, the BLM instructed cooperators to focus on developing alternative D, according to Bingham. Hageman shared a quote from a former BLM employee from the Rock Springs Field Office, James Evans, who testified to Wyoming's Joint Federal Natural Resources Management Committee. Evans also explained the different work done on the alternatives as the RMP draft was developed. "The science and the work was all done on D," Evans said. "We sat down and in one week we did Alternative B and C together. After that was done and we sat down with the cooperative agencies, we spent the next five or six years developing Alternative D." The BLM's choice of Alternative B as the preferred alternative was not only a surprise to cooperators and a violation of policies requiring meaningful cooperation and consensus, but it also creates problems coming from within the plan itself, according to Bingham. He pointed out how right of way exclusions would prevent access to critical infrastructure for new industry projects that would create thousands of jobs, and that the draft predicts a 74% reduction in public revenue, meaning ad valorem taxes could drop from $16.9 million to $4.3 million, which would hit school districts especially hard. "Sweetwater County understands the importance and significance of public lands and the contribution these lands have to our customs, culture, and socio-economics," Bingham said. "We have long worked with the BLM to balance productive uses of federal lands, including solid conservation efforts. The current draft RMP requires significant additional work and further stakeholder input to balance managing multiple uses without compromising the economic health of the communities of Sweetwater County and Wyoming." Rep. Hageman also spoke to the subcommittee regarding the RMP draft, and shared her belief that Alternative B "would have tremendous negative consequences for the state of Wyoming, our nation, energy independence, access to millions of acres of land, and national security." She also said she believes the Rock Springs RMP is "one of the largest land grabs we've ever seen, and an all-out assault on every vital Wyoming industry and the rule of law," as well as being a "test case" by the BLM and the current administration to see if they can deny access to public lands. "We need to put a stop to these illegal land grabs, administrative overreach, and outright violation of our federal land management laws," Hageman said. CHEYENNE A budget to fund Wyoming state government for the next two years was signed into law Saturday morning by Gov. Mark Gordon, hours before the midnight deadline. The governor had the final say on which amendments would be vetoed in the 2025-26 biennium spending plan, since the Wyoming Legislature submitted the budget on the last day of the session, March 8. In a typical budget session, the final week is used to submit a budget to the governor, and he usually has three days in which to sign it or use his line-item veto authority. On the final day of the session, lawmakers can vote to override any of the governors vetoes. Since lawmakers are out of session, however, Gordons word was final. Last year, in my budget veto letter, I congratulated both chambers on passing a budget in record time all while increasing transparency. It is unfortunate this session did not follow suit, Gordon wrote in this years budget veto letter. Over 300 amendments to this one bill, some of which were introduced to save legislation that failed earlier in the session, almost caused the budget bill to share the same fate. Gordon ensured the budget included a number of priorities that were outlined in his State of the State speech on the first day of the 20-day session. Some of those included funding for the 988 suicide prevention hotline, funding K-12 school construction, supporting mental health services and funding large energy projects. This budget addresses our challenges and positions Wyoming for a prosperous future, Gordon said in a Saturday news release. We are fighting federal overreach, advancing our industries, providing practical property tax relief, ensuring adequate funding for our schools, counties, and communities and providing the services Wyoming residents expect. UW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs The University of Wyomings Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) will no longer receive state aid as of July 1. Gordon kept this section of the budget footnote, but, at the same time, made sure diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, functions and activities at the university continue to receive funding. The governor said he recognized the Legislatures intent, but worried the second part of the footnote defunding DEI-related programs jeopardized the millions of dollars of federal grants that regularly flow to the University. Gordon also gave the Board of Trustees the flexibility to use donor and matching funds for research. Clearly, Wyoming need not pursue any woke agenda, and I have encouraged the University to drop such nonsense, Gordon wrote in his veto letter. However, he still recognized that these (federal) grants are vital to research and other core purposes of the University. The budget cut $1.73 million in block grant aid to the university, which would normally fund UWs ODEI. UW President Edward Seidel said in an emailed statement that this will require us to rethink or change the way we do things. We certainly will continue to value and serve students, employees and community members of all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds, and work to make everyone feel welcome, Seidel said in the statement. But the message from lawmakers, regardless of the welcomed line-item veto from the Governor, is that our DEI efforts must change, and discussions are underway to determine the best path forward. Seidel said the university will appoint a working group of faculty, staff and students to scour through all of UWs programs and activities. Members of the working group will determine what programs and activities can and should be continued, as well as explore non-state funding sources to support some essential functions. Our role as Wyomings land-grant and flagship university is paramount, and we are committed to serving the state to the best of our ability, Seidel said. K12 school construction There is already approximately $41.7 million secured for the construction of a new elementary school in Laramie County School District 1, allocated from the 2023 supplemental budget. These funds are contingent upon the results of a most cost-effective remedy (MCER) study, which is currently underway. Funding for school capital construction projects was kept intact in the final budget for the 2025-26 biennium, and it includes the design and construction of a second new elementary school in LCSD1. It is important to note that funding for all school capital construction projects is contingent upon the completion of MCER studies. These studies determine the prioritization of any major maintenance or construction projects for school districts. Gordon struck language from the budget that suggested his office prioritizes school construction projects not included in the School Facilities Commissions budget recommendation. In his veto letter, the governor recognized the need for new high schools in Campbell and Sweetwater counties, but said neither project has qualified for design and construction under the standard facility prioritization process, to his knowledge. I am not vetoing the project, I am only vetoing any implication that I support the Legislature deviating from the standard prioritization process for the construction of school facilities, Gordon wrote. I do recognize the statutes allow for long-range planning, and this would seem to be important to do with these two extraordinarily large and potentially very expensive high school remedies looming on the horizon. Separation of powers Gordon vetoed a budget section that provided for legislative intervention into state employee salary increases in the executive branch. The governor said this section was an encroachment by the Legislature on the separation of powers. My long-held concerns with the constitutionality and functionality of this budget language are only increasing, Gordon wrote. The fiscal control intended by this section is something that already exists in rule. State employee salary increases and compensation benefits are already overseen by the director of the Budget Department, director of Department of Administration and Information and the Human Resource Division administrator. Any increase above what the Legislature approved is already required to be submitted as an exception request in a state agencys budget under current Wyoming statute. This provision infringes on the separation of powers and encroaches upon the inherent prerogative of the executive branch, Gordon wrote. This is contrary to my budget recommendation authority, as it removes my discretionary power relating to the next biennial budget. Since the Legislature only approved 25% of his total recommendation to fund employee raises within the executive branch, the governor also removed language that directed the appropriation of such funds. Given the limited amount of funds, it is imperative that the executive branch develop a distribution method to optimize this allocation in a fair manner, Gordon wrote. He also vetoed a section that required him to identify and eliminate 24 full-time vacant positions in the executive branch. He said this was another encroachment of the Legislature upon the inherent prerogatives of the executive branch. CHEYENNE Late Friday evening, Gov. Mark Gordons office announced that he had vetoed a bill that would have repealed Wyomings gun-free zones. House Bill 125 received widespread support in both chambers of the Wyoming Legislature, but although he signed four bills related to firearms freedom this session and nine others in support of the Second Amendment, he said he couldnt support this one. House Bill 125/Enrolled Act No. 49 erodes historic local control norms by giving sole authority to the Legislature to micromanage a constitutionally protected right, Gordon wrote in his veto letter. Any further clarification of the law, if this bill were enacted, would augment the Legislatures reach into local firearms regulation. He went on to say that if it became law, it would require every one of our unique state facilities, such as the University of Wyoming, Wyoming State Hospital, or the Wyoming Boys School, to receive legislative approval to restrict carrying firearms, or even to set policies as practical as proper weapon storage. The veto doesnt mean Gordon doesnt support the idea of repealing gun-free zones, however. In the letter, he went on to say that the main problem with HB 125 was its lack of transparency and flexibility. He encouraged officials in local school districts, community colleges and the University of Wyoming to take up these difficult conversations again and establish policies that allow for the safe carry of concealed weapons within their facilities. It is one thing to have had the conversation as four school districts in the state have done to allow for trained employees to carry on campus or others who have decided on hiring additional school safety officers; and yet another to avoid the topic altogether, Gordon wrote. He added that he will direct the State Building Commission which he chairs to start the process of reconsidering rules in order to allow concealed carry permit holders to exercise their rights within the state Capitol and other appropriate state facilities. This process will involve significant public input and consist of carefully crafted policies which have the ability to contemplate the unique circumstances in the States array of jurisdictions, he wrote. These conversations will set the state for robust and well-informed legislation in the best traditions of the Wyoming Legislature. HB 125 was sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, who said gun-free zones create soft targets for people who want to do harm to others. During the session, he opposed an amendment designed to let certain government bodies, such as schools, continue to decide whether to allow concealed weapons in their facilities. We are deciding that rights matter in some places, but dont in others, Haroldson said at the time. I have a Second Amendment right to bear arms. When we do this I definitely am all for local control but what we are doing in this situation is we are making a patchwork quilt of legality across the state. We are getting ourselves to a place where we are telling people what their rights are. The bill ultimately passed the lower chamber on a 54-7-1 vote. After being introduced in the Senate, it died in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 3-2 vote, but senators suspended their own rules and forced it out of committee, voting 16-15 to continue debate on the chamber floor. After additional amendments, it passed 22-8-1. Senators like Troy McKeown, R-Gillette, said HB 125 would have restored a fundamental right. We are going to give our constitutional rights over to a government agency. If they are going to deny our Second Amendment rights, whats next? The First Amendment? Fourth Amendment? This is guaranteed in the Constitution, McKeown said during the session. If we let school superintendents decide on this constitutional right, it wont be long before they are deciding on First Amendment rights. But Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, told WyoFile earlier this year that when she arrived at the Capitol this legislative budget session, three death threats were waiting in her mailbox. She told the nonprofit, online news outlet she has watched people stand in the gallery overlooking the House of Representatives, trying to intimidate her all day. If guns were allowed in the Capitol, shed have to make a decision about whether I want to bring my concealed firearm with me to the Capitol or not. In his offices release late Friday, Gordon announced that he had signed four other bills that day to strengthen Wyomings status as a Second Amendment-friendly state. They are as follows: SF 73, Concealed firearms- permit eligibility, which amends the concealed carry permit regulations to make those who have had their firearms rights restored eligible. SF 105, Wyoming Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which protects the privacy and sensitive financial information of people purchasing firearms, firearms parts, or ammunition in Wyoming by prohibiting credit card processors from using firearms or firearm- related merchant category codes. It also prohibits government or private entities from keeping any registry of privately-owned firearms or the owners of those firearms created or maintained through the use of a firearms code. SF 109, Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act, which prohibits red flag gun laws from being enforced or implemented in Wyoming; and SF 86, School safety and security-funding, which creates an account to reimburse school districts for costs related to possession of firearms on school property by school district employees. Then Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman before addressing the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2000. Lieberman's funeral in Stamford on Friday is likely to draw many visitors from his decades spent in state and federal government. Bob Luckey / Greenwich Time Political leaders from around Connecticut and the nation are preparing to gather Friday at a historic Stamford synagogue for the funeral of the late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman. A funeral for Lieberman will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, the city where the senator grew up in a working-class Jewish family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Al Gore, the former vice president whose decision to select Lieberman as his running mate in 2000 made him the first Jewish candidate on a major party ticket, is among those who will be in attendance, according to his office. Others who have said they also plan on attending include U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, as well as other members of the states Congressional delegation, including Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jim Himes. Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons will also be in attendance, her office said Thursday. Gov. Ned Lamont, a one-time rival who challenged Liebermans position on the Iraq War during the 2006 U.S. Senate race, will also be attending, a spokeswoman said. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions on whether President Joe Biden or the first lady would be in attendance. Biden and Lieberman served together for two decades in the Senate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A spokesman for the Stamford Police Department said Thursday that officers will have a presence at the funeral and will escort the procession to the cemetery on Westhill Road, but otherwise will not be closing off streets to traffic. The department has been in touch with the U.S. Secret Service, the spokesman said, but as of Thursday afternoon, it was still unclear if any high-ranking political officials would be attending the funeral. Agudath Sholom is a Modern Orthodox congregation located along Stamfords Strawberry Hill Avenue. The congregations leader, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, told the Jewish news outlet Forward that Lieberman joined the congregation in 2005 and was known to mingle after services. He was a senator, but at the same time, he sat in seats like everybody else, he enjoyed the kiddush like everybody else, Cohen told the website. When he walked home from shul, he got soaked on rainy days. He was one of us. Throughout his political career, Lieberman often stood out for his strict observance of the rules of his Jewish faith, including a refusal to campaign or drive on the Sabbath. Once, when he was needed to break a Republican filibuster of a spending bill on a Saturday in December, Lieberman walked several miles from his home in Washington, D.C. to the Senate chamber in order to cast his vote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He grew up in an Orthodox, Jewish community, recalled DeLauro, his longtime friend and colleague from New Haven. The tenets of his faith, social justice and equality, were all driving forces in what Joe Lieberman did. Lieberman is survived by his wife, Hadassah, children Matthew and Rebecca Lieberman, Hani Lowenstein and stepson Ethan Tucker, as well as their spouses and 13 grandchildren, according to Agudath Sholom. Stamford Advocate Managing Editor Claire Racine contributed to this story. Pierce Brosnan, 70, of Malibu, California, was fined $500, and required to pay a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, a $30 court processing fee, and a $10 special assessment. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on Mar. 14, in Mammoth, Wyoming. Mr. Brosnan pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area. According to court documents, on or about Nov. 1, 2023, Brosnan uploaded pictures to his Instagram page of himself standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs. There are signs posted in the area that warn visitors of the dangers of thermal features and state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails. The United States Attorney's Office asked the court to sentence Brosnan to 2 years' probation and the maximum fine of $5,000. The National Park Service (NPS) reminds Yellowstone visitors that the ground in thermal areas is fragile and thin, and scalding water is just below the surface. Therefore, trespassing on thermal features is dangerous and can harm delicate natural resources within the park. Additionally, the park was established primarily to protect these hydrothermal areas. NPS encourages visitors to exercise extreme caution around thermal features by staying on boardwalks and trails. NPS also urges people to protect themselves and the fragile environment by taking the Yellowstone Pledge: act responsibly and safely and set a good example for others. If you see someone, in person or online, whose behavior might hurt them, others, or the park, tell a ranger. If you're in the park, dial 911. Learn about safety in Yellowstone. For additional information related to Yellowstone National Park, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 307-344-2015 or yell_public_affairs@nps.gov. This case was investigated by the National Park Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes. Last week, in the aftermath of Governor Gordons veto of Senate File 54, the Department of Revenue conveyed to us that the veto would effectively halt any additional legislative efforts toward property tax relief in 2024. However, on Monday, the Department of Revenue informed us that property owners could be notified of the exemption in their September tax bills, although it may lead to some confusion for the taxpayer. This information made us take a second look at whether we would recommend a special session. In the end, we think a special session is a bad idea. The logistics of convening a special session present significant challenges. Since we adjourned the 2024 Budget Session, a quick one or two-day session is not feasible. Without suspending legislative rules, which would occur only after a session is convened, bills must follow the standard process, including multiple readings and committee referrals. A joint conference committee would iron out differences between the houses before bills reach the governor for approval or veto. The Legislature must be in session to receive veto messages and vote by a two-thirds majority to override any vetoes. Realistically, a special session would require at least eight to ten days, with a price tag of about $35,000 per day. We would likely be in favor of a special session, if we could laser-focus solely on Senate File 54, which would grant a 25% tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners on properties up to $2 million in assessed value for two years. However, we believe differing expectations make it unlikely to garner the two-thirds majority vote required to change legislative rules that would speed up the process. Without special rules governing the special session, its likely to be a Pandoras Box scenario devolving into a mini-session akin to what we witnessed in the 2021 special session, where 41 bills were filed, and only one passed. Further in 2021, we were unsuccessful in passing limiting rules for the special session. Based on our history, we fear that expecting self-restraint within the chambers might be wishful thinking. Remember, history has a tendency to repeat itself. Calling for a special session lasting two to three weeks burdens legislators, legislative staff, and their families, who are already balancing numerous commitments including employment, medical appointments, family responsibilities, business obligations, upcoming elections, and interim duties in the months ahead. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of safeguarding the integrity of our citizen legislature. Calling for yet another special session in 2024 would mark the third such occurrence in the last five years, hinting at a potential trend towards a full-time legislature a direction we do not embrace. Protecting the institution of our citizen legislature means respecting its intended function and preserving its capacity to effectively address issues within the framework of regular sessions. Remember, the legislators who are asking for a special session created delay after delay during the budget session by asking for roll call votes, trying to resurrect bills, bringing procedural motions, and filibustering debate. Simply put, they squandered precious time in a budget session where time is our enemy. We had plenty of time in our established calendar to pass bills and do veto overrides. We cannot justify calling ourselves into a special session for matters better suited to the 2025 General Session, where we can thoroughly deliberate and develop comprehensive legislation. Management Council will meet on April 1 to begin that process of developing sound legislation for introduction at the 2025 General Session. We are calling for a vote of our members to see if they want to come into a special session, but we will be a no vote. Albert Sommers is the Speaker of the House and has served In the Legislature since 2013. Ogden Driskill is the President of the Senate and has served in the Wyoming Legislature since 2011. Gov. Gordon visits Sweetwater County in tour to honor veterans A military homecoming is a very moving event as service members jump into the arms of their loved ones. These reunions serve as powerful reminders to veterans that their sacrifices are appreciated. During the Vietnam War, people did not always show their appreciation for veterans who came home. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and his wife, Jennie; Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, the Adjutant General of Wyoming; and Command Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Kenneth Persson, Chairman of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, traveled to Rock Springs, Cody, Powell, and Guernsey, Wyoming, to honor the sacrifices of veterans during the "Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day," on March 23. "Today, we give a lot of thanks to each of you and your families," Gordon said. "We are saying welcome home." Dakota Riddle photo The day of welcoming was codified in state law during the 61st legislative session on March 30 of each year, when the date U.S. combat troops would have set foot on Wyoming soil after returning home from the Vietnam War in 1973. "George Patton IV, son of George Patton Jr., said, 'Wars are fought with weapons, but they're won by the men and women...then in each generation, if we are to remain a great nation, a few of us are called perhaps by the almighty to serve our nation,'" Gordon said. He went on to say that veterans guaranteed and protected the freedoms we enjoy today. "I can proudly say that Wyoming has never forgotten any of our veterans," he said. Gordon read and signed the proclamation. Then Maj. Gen. Porter shared his thanks to the veterans and their families. "In the military profession, particularly in the United States military, we have the tradition that we bring each other along, that those serving now reach out their hands and they bring those that will serve, knowing someday they will assume the mantle and responsibility of protecting this nation. And to tell you thank you is an exceptional privilege," Porter said. Reflecting on his own experiences, he recalled how Vietnam veterans helped him during his early days in the military. "I can remember when I was a young private, the Vietnam veterans that were in our formations, and how we looked up to all of you because you had been there and done that. "You told us how to tie our boots to make sure our feet wouldn't give blisters," he said. "You told us how to tune our weapons to ensure they operated, even when we were dog tired and would rather do something else. You taught us how to make a gourmet meal from c-rations and not to trade your pound cake for anything." "That's our tradition. That's what we do." Porter said. "I am very privileged to be here today to reach out to all of you and tell you thank you for doing that." Dakota Riddle photo U.S. Sen. John Barrasso was unable to attend and field representatives shared his letter. "It is a privilege to recognize you for your service to Wyoming and the United States of America," Barrasso wrote. "This day would not be complete without remembering active duty service members as well as the families that are with us today, with the families across Wyoming. I share my deepest appreciation for those who have or are currently serving in our Armed Forces." All Wyoming veterans, especially those from the Korean and Vietnam War and other veterans who were not properly thanked upon their return home, received gratitude from Wyoming leaders and members of a grateful state. Commissioners, civic leaders, military and family members rallied together to share their thanks. Kenneth Persson shared his experience when service and war were not popular. When you traveled on orders, you were told not to wear your uniform. When he returned from a three-and-a-half-year tour to Germany, his family was met by protesters. "My wife and son were with me, and he was spit on," he said. "Our soldiers come and go without so much as a nod. It is like they are invisible. No one who served deserves to be ignored. Regardless of where you served or when you served, your service must be honored. On behalf of the Wyoming Veterans Commission, thank you and welcome home." March is Women's History Month, and the Sweetwater County Historical Museum is recognizing one of the most groundbreaking women in Wyoming history - Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman governor in the United States. Nellie Ross was born in Missouri in 1876. She became a kindergarten teacher and married lawyer William Bradford Ross in 1902. Later, the Rosses moved to Cheyenne, where Ross established a law practice and served as Laramie County's prosecuting attorney. He became involved in politics and was elected Governor of Wyoming in 1922. In 1924, after complications following an appendectomy, William Ross died. Though she at first resisted calls for her to run for Governor in 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross, a Democrat, relented at the last minute and won handily. She served as Governor until she was narrowly defeated in the 1926 election; many believe her defeat was due to her strong support for Prohibition and her refusal to campaign for herself. In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Ross Director of the United States Mint, the first woman to hold that position. She went on to serve in that post for 20 years, under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. She retired in 1953, traveled extensively, and wrote articles for a range of women's magazines. Nellie Tayloe Ross died in 1976, age 101, and is buried at the Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne. After having initially brought the Circle to Search feature to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google then made it available for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. After that, we were left guessing as to when it would reach older Pixels, but we're guessing no more. Today Google has announced that Circle to Search is headed to the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a later this week. It's also "coming soon" to the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. It's unclear if even older Pixels will ever get Circle to Search. Google has also revealed that the feature will get translation support in the near future. This will translate the contents on screen. Once you've invoked Circle to Search, just tap on the new translate icon in order to use this new functionality, when it has become available. Samsung will start rolling out the update to One UI 6.1, which includes Circle to Search, to the Galaxy S23 series (including the S23 FE), Galaxy Z Fold5 and Flip5, and Galaxy Tab S9 family tomorrow. Via One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI now seeding the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 As promised, Galaxy AI and all its features are trickling down to Samsung's 2023 flagships - the Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold5, and Z Flip5. The firmware requires a download of around 3GBand is live in North America, Europe, India and possibly just about every other part of the world as well. The changelog of the firmware is a few pages long but it's highlighted by Galaxy AI. That means the 2023 phones are getting Circle to Search with Google, live call and conversation translation, translation in text, pictures, signs, and documents, text summarization, voice recording transcription, as well as generative AI for images, and wallpaper generation. There are also a lot of usability improvements, new battery longevity features, and security options. The Guam Power Authoritys proposed $25 million contract for temporary, emergency power passed a legal review at the Office of the Attorney General on Thursday. Attorney General Douglas Moylan at 7 p.m. Thursday, forwarded to the media a revised version of the contract, which addressed a number of issues that the AGs office earlier flagged. With the AGs review out of the way, the contract was scheduled for a decision before the Public Utilities Commission on Thursday night. If PUC gives the final approval, GPA has plans to get the 20-megawatt generators from industrial supplier Aggreko running in about 100 days. But based on that timeline, it may be too late to get the generators running by GPAs target of May. May is typically when temperatures and power demand start to shoot up on Guam, and the power authority was shooting to get the generators online to help stave off rolling blackouts that plagued the island late last year. The blackouts, called load shedding, happen when GPA cant keep up with customer power demand. Aggrekos 20-MW generators are supposed to provide the reserve power needed to keep the lights on if another generator goes down for maintenance or repairs. GPA plans to use the machines for two years. Keeping them running will cost GPA $9.8 million in the first year of the deal, and $10.3 million in the second. The utility will actually save money on fuel using more efficient generators, about $3.8 million in the first year, and $4.3 million in the second. As part of the contract, Aggreko will help GPA repair a number of old generators that are already in service, and bring another 34 MW of power online. These fixes will take longer, between six and nine months, according to the power authority. After 45 years of medical service, Dr. Vincent Duenas will be retiring at the end of March, according to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, which described him as an outstanding individual, a remarkable doctor, and both a blessing and an inspiration to the people of Guam. Duenas, 73, has a long career caring for both adult inpatients and outpatients in Guam and the U.S. He is an internal medicine doctor and currently acting administrator of Medical Services at GMHA. GMHA is proud to have had the privilege of working with Dr. Vincent Duenas, the hospital said in a statement on Thursday. He is an extraordinary physician whose commitment to his island is immeasurable. GMHA will miss his positive spirit, his incredible work ethic, and the outstanding care he has given to patients for over four decades. Duenas has been part of GMHA for 45 years since he first graduated from medical school. He has held several upper-level positions, such as medical director of respiratory therapy and as employee health physician. Duenas has also served in multiple executive roles over the years, including three times as GMHAs associate hospital administrator of medical services. Until his official retirement this week, Dr. Duenas is currently the Acting Associate Hospital Administrator of Medical Services. He has worked as the Associate Hospital Administrator of Clinical Services and Associate Hospital Administrator of Professional Support Services, GMHA said. The hospital said Duenas has served his people faithfully and professionally as a doctor in the private sector, UOG, and at Guams only public hospital, GMHA. In 2019, Duenas became the medical director at the GMHA Skilled Nursing Facility where he oversaw the care of its residents who need long term care. 20 years with National Guard Duenas served as a member of the Guam Army National Guard for 20 years, beginning as medical officer, commander for the 838 Medical Company. When he retired from the Guam Army National Guard, Duenas had achieved the rank of colonel. GMHA is honored to thank Dr. Duenas for his service to the GUANG on behalf of Guam and the U.S., the hospital said. Duenas earned his medical degree in 1976 at the St. Louis School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He completed his internal medicine residency at Michigan State University, Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in 1979, while simultaneously working as an internal medicine resident at Bronson and Borgess Hospital. That same year, he became a certified diplomat with the American Board of Internal Medicine and a privileged doctor at the public hospital in his home island of Guam. When Duenas returned to Guam in 1979, he worked at the Family Medical before moving to The Doctors Clinic for 32 years as an internal medicine staff physician. Always looking for opportunities to serve his people, he joined the University of Guam that same year as its Student Health Center physician, where he kept the students current with their immunizations and other health requirements until 2003. He is a member of good standing with the Guam Medical Association. The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority proudly recognizes Dr. Vincent Duenas, an outstanding son of Guam, GMHA said, and thanks him for 45 years of service to our people as an Internal Medicine Doctor and Acting Administrator of Medical Services at GMHA. The iLearn Academy Charter School finished fiscal 2023 with a net position deficit of $1.4 million, while Guahan Academy Charter School ended with a positive net position of $2.5 million, according to two separate financial audit reports that the Office of Public Accountability released. Both charter schools received an unmodified or clean opinion from independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, indicating a fair presentation of their financial statements. OPAs March 26 report highlighted iLearns growth in student enrollment, accompanied by a $1 million boost in total revenue and a $2 million increase in expenses. iLearn saw its student population grow from 740 in 2022 to 777 in 2023, with kindergarten enrollment peaking at 140 students in the school year 2023-2024, surpassing its previous record of 120 students. This influx can be attributed to transfers influenced by issues in Guam Department of Education public schools such as delayed start times, double sessions, and online learning, the OPA report said. The report indicated that nearly 11% of students enrolled at iLearn are categorized as transfer students. Amid the population growth, the school also faced significant withdrawals primarily due to families relocating off-island for better employment opportunities. Increased revenue As student enrollment rose, a substantial increase was also seen in its total revenue, reaching $5.96 million compared to $4.8 million in 2022, a $1.1 million or 23% growth over the previous year. The notable increase in revenues primarily stemmed from GovGuams appropriation of $5.5M, as stipulated by Public Law 36-107, authorizing iLACS to receive $7.5K per enrollee not to exceed 740 students, as opposed to the previous PL 36-54, which allowed only $6.2K per enrollee, also not exceeding 740 students, the report said. Also, the schools program revenues jumped from $94,000 to $218,000 due to higher student participation in its lunch program, after-school care, and summer program. In terms of iLearn expenses, there was a significant increase from $5 million in 2022 to $7.4 million in 2023, a $2.4 million or 46% difference. The majority of its expenses were allocated to salaries and wages, which amounts to $2.6 million or 34%, an aspect that also increased because of the need to hire new teachers to accommodate growing student population and also due to reclassification of several employees. The report said 34% or the bulk of iLearns total expenses, totaling $2.6 million, was allocated for salaries and wages. This increase resulted from several factors, including the need to hire more teachers to accommodate the growing student population and the reclassification of certain staff members. This can also be linked to the $1.4 million increase in amortization expenses and a $1.2 million interest expense related to leasing The Learning Institute, or TLI, in compliance with government accounting standards on leases. iLearn began using TLIs campus, which provided additional amenities such as classrooms, administrative offices, gymnasium, and cafeteria, in August 2022. A $1.1 million increase in operational costs for building lease maintenance and reclassifications, which was formerly under contract services, also contributed to the overall increase in total expenses. Meanwhile, the report on internal control and compliance revealed no material weaknesses, but auditors found a deficiency of approximately $1 million in amortization expenses due to an error in recording lease expenses, prompting the school to conduct proper reviews of transactions and journal entries at each reporting date. iLearn was advised to carefully review lease invoices and request proper documentation from TLI as they paid extra $22,000 and were not given supporting documents for other charges such as utilities, communication, and trash food services, amounting to $789,000. Guahan Academy The audit report for Guahan Academy, released March 8, on the other hand, shows a $731,000 decrease in total revenue and a $1.2 million decline in expenses. Despite the downturn in total revenue, the school ended fiscal 2023 with $2.2 million excess, a 4% or $88,000 increase compared to the $332,000 drop in 2022. From $6.2 million in 2022, Guahan Academys total revenue went down to $5.5 million, primarily due to an 83% or $836,000 reduction of federal grants in fiscal 2023. Having met the 765 maximum number of students enrolled, the school was granted $4.2 million for fiscal 2023, which means about 77% of its revenue came from government funds. However, any substantial decreases in per-pupil reimbursements could pose challenges to GACSs operational capabilities due to its dependency on GovGuam for funding support, the report stated. Meanwhile, GACS total expenses significantly dropped by $1.2 million, from $6.5 million in fiscal 2022 to $5.4 million in 2023, due to reductions particularly in in-kind, materials and supplies, and books/online resources. It was able to use Buildings C, D, and E in Tiyan without charge through an agreement with the government, which expired on June 30, 2023, requiring them to pay about $953,000 annually thereafter. The school preemptively sought an extension from the Office of the Governor in March 2023 to keep using the place without rent while awaiting resolution, and planned to use it while a new building is being constructed. With student enrollment already at capacity, Guahan Academy aims to expand its facilities and establish a permanent facility capable of accommodating a minimum of 850 students. In an effort to move forward, GACS initiated the process by issuing a Request for Proposal for Programming and Architecture & Engineering Consulting Services on December 22, 2023, as per the report. Since its opening in August 2013, GACS has only been granted temporary use of a facility in Tiyan by the Office of the Governor. Auditors did not identify any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in their report on internal control over financial reporting and on compliance. As Women's History Month comes to a close, Barbara Toves, the Port Authority of Guam's first female dock worker, shared how she bent the arc of history in a male-dominated industry. "When I first applied, I didn't know that I would be the first female dock worker," Toves, now 67, told the Pacific Daily News. "I was entering a field of men (but) I didn't know that until after I came in." When the Port--a male-dominated agency--had job openings, she seized the opportunity. This was an idea that had been lounging in the back of her mind -- to "try something different and new" -- after a year of working at Citibank. With no prior experience but only courage at hand, Toves got accepted and began working at the Port in 1977 at the age of 21 as the first female cargo checker. "Im a fast learner. I'm willing to learn if you give me the chance," she told the interviewers at the time. She worked as a cargo checker, "discharged the vessel, did loading and unloading of containers" and worked day and night shifts. Sometimes she worked 12-hour shifts. Toves even operated a forklift, she said. She firmly believes that "if a man can do it, then a woman can do it just as well." Toves did not encounter problems being a woman among her male colleagues, she said. "As a matter of fact, I was welcomed by all these guys. Being the only woman, they kind of cater to you," Toves said. "They really basically covered me and put me in as one of their own and I really got along with a lot of them. I really miss my fellow workers." The challenging part, however, was wearing the hat of a mother while doing heavy-duty work at the Port. "It was hard ... When you get off, you decompress a little bit, then you cook and then do whatever is necessary to do around the house, and then sleep and wake up, and do the same routine again the next day," she said. "(In) my mind, I'm just going to hang in there and just do my job to the best of my ability." The hard work she had invested at the Port bore fruit as it led to a ripple effect, inspiring other women to follow in her footsteps. "When I came in, they started hiring just a handful," she said. "There (were) a couple of them." She continued to work hard, saying that she never turned down a task and did her best at work. "I've never once turned down and said, No, I can't go, I can't work that night, or I can't work that day. I tried my best and I did successfully," she said. And in 1995, she was not only the first female cargo checker, but she became the first female supervisor, too. But before getting this well-deserved managerial position after being at the Port for 18 years, she stood up and exposed the dirty politics that was happening at the agency at that time. She said there was already a predetermined list in the selection of the supervisor position, leading her to file a grievance against management. "At the time, there was a leader or supervisor position and they already had a list. This person is going to get the supervisor (role). And this person just came out (of) nowhere," she said. She took proactive steps by approaching a reporter to expose this unfair selection, and even went to Adelup to report it to the governor. "The superintendent and everybody there called me up the next day and (said), Hey, what's going on? I said, Hey, why are you giving this person a thing? I can do more. I have more experience than this person that's just coming in from nowhere," she said. "And sure enough, that's how it ended. I got the position." 'Make noise' She urged women to "make noise" when they face situations that do not seem right. "If you feel that they're being discriminated (against), then make noise, file some kind of grievance. Don't be afraid to do it," she said. As the cargo checker supervisor, she oversaw the tower and cargos and ensured that operations at the port were done effectively. "I think I did my best to accommodate them and, and to make the port function effectively," she said. In 2003 or 27 years after working at the Port, she permanently abandoned ship. And right now, she said shes staying at home and living her best life. Toves likes to travel, gamble, and sell freshly harvested produce with her husband at the CHamoru Village every Wednesday and Friday. "If you know that you've done enough and you contributed enough, then, get out and let other people come in," she said. In 2017, she was acknowledged as an "honorary retiree" by the Port. Indeed, Toves, with her exceptional service at the Port as the first female dock worker and her inspiring efforts to empower more women to enter male-dominated fields, rightfully earned her good karma points. Toves' story proves that in the workplace, it's character and skills, not gender-based characteristics, that truly make the difference. With expenses on the rise and billing and collections unable to keep up, the Guam Memorial Hospital may lose $42.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year, based on a proposed budget that the hospital board of trustees approved on Wednesday. GMH is on track to close the current fiscal year with a $26.8 million loss, hospital Chief Financial Officer Yuka Hechanova told trustees, bringing the combined shortfall for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2025 to a projected $69.3 million. Thats even after a total of $50 million in local taxes and fees and federal grant money was pumped into the hospital late last year, to pay out overdue bills from vendors and cover costs for improvements and repairs. Coming up short is normal for the public hospital, which is required to treat everyone who comes in, Hechanova said Wednesday. But she said the gap between how much the hospital rakes in and how much it needs to pay to operate is widening. Our expenses are truly climbing, while our revenues are not, she said. Expenses are expected to climb from $192 million for fiscal 2024 to $232 million for 2025, based on figures shared by Hechanova Wednesday and earlier this year. But actual operating revenues wont keep pace, going from $124 million for fiscal 2024 to a projected $133.7 million in 2025. A requested $8.5 million from tax revenue and fees from the governments General Fund, along with $23.3 million worth of business privilege taxes set aside for the hospital in the GMH Pharmaceutical Fund will buoy the budget. The $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding from the governor will also be carried over to cover improvements to hospital facilities. But the $42.5 million hole wont be covered. GMHs requested budget is due to lawmakers April 1. Costs A nursing shortage and skyrocketing medical supply costsboth the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemiccontinue to grow worse, Hechanova said. Supply costs have gone up tremendously, while the hospital continues to have to pay expensive travel nurses to shore up staffing at GMH, she said. Hechanova added that pay for physicians has also gone up. Payouts to travel nurses have recently been lowered to $100 an hour, but there are still about 38 of the expensive traveling nurses on staff to supplement the shortage of locals, said GMH Nursing Administrator Christine Tuquero. Besides having to pay travel nurses, GMH will have more costs from an 18% pay bump for nurses, meant to entice recruitments and keep nurses from quitting, Hechanova said. The nursing division will see costs rise higher than any other, she added. Some 70 nurses quit the hospital last year, though GMH has been working to recruit more. Cash flow Hechanova said the hospital is working with the Department of Administration to readjust payouts from patients who are on Medicare and Medicaid, two of the largest payers for the hospital. GMH still gets reimbursed from Medicare and Medicaid based on 2014 rates, which are significantly lower than current costs. Hechanova said a consultant may be hired to help with rebasing the reimbursements. The hospital also has the regions lowest per diem cap on how much Medicare and Medicaid will pay for patients. GMH is capped at $1,600 per day, versus $2,000 per day in Saipan and $4,000 at the Guam Regional Medical City, Hechanova said. On a positive note, billings and collections have improved in fiscal 2024 versus 2023. The hospital CFO said staff have billed $54.6 million more than during the same time last year, and collected $8.4 million more. Billing and collections in fiscal 2023 were plagued by a series of issues that jammed up processing, from a cyberattack-spurred network shutdown, issues with the hospitals new electronic health record system, and Typhoon Mawar. Plans Dealing with the funding shortfall will come down to getting more subsidies from the government of Guam, GMH legal counsel Jordan Pauluhn told the board of trustees. We will never as long as we are going to provide the services we serve and to the community we serve, be able to recoup all of the costs sufficient to cover everything. We will be reliant on public funds and thats okay, he said. It really comes down to legislative support and appropriations. That is really the legal solution to this. Trustee Dr. Teresea Borja suggested that management invite Del. James Moylan and Speaker Therese Terlaje to GMH, so they could get an idea of the issues that the hospital faces with Medicare and Medicaid. Trustee Sharon Davis also asked that the cost for a consultant GMH might hire to help with rebasing Medicare and Medicaid rates be included in their budget submission to the Legislature for fiscal 2025. Davis said the proceeds from fixing reimbursements should more than cover the costs. Meanwhile, the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration has already voiced plans to bring in private help to assist with some of the financial and management issues at the hospital. Write-off Trustees on Wednesday night voted to write off, or throw out, about $5 million worth of billings that GMH has deemed uncollectible. The write-off will chip away at the roughly $362 million worth of unpaid bills in the hospitals accounts receivable that have accumulated over the decades. Mold updates Out of 47 areas at the hospital flagged in a recent mold report for having high humidity levels, 42 are now within acceptable moisture levels, GMH acting associate administrator for operations Zaldy Tugade said. He said the hospitals first floor flooring may now need to be changed out to help deal with pooling moisture, which could contribute to mold growth. Over in the obstetrics ward, a contractor has been hired to help get already installed air conditioning units running. A permit for the work is outstanding, and the work will be done in 45 days once it starts. Michael Lujan Bevacqua is an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum. Haiti - News : Zapping... Himler Rebu predicts the failure of the CPT Colonel Himler Rebu of the Party of the Grand Rally for the Evolution of Haiti (GREH) signatory of the January 30 agreement whose representative on the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) is former Senator Edgard Leblanc Fils, coordinator of the Party political "Organization of the People in Struggle" (OPL) predicted the failure of the CPT due to the presence of representatives of political parties in the structure. For Rebu, we must quickly move on to plan B which is the appointment of a judge of the Court of Cassation, the appointment of a Prime Minister and a ministerial cabinet. Consulate of Haiti in Montreal closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal informs that its offices will be closed on Friday March 29 and Monday April 1st, 2024, on the occasion of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Consular services will resume on Tuesday April 2nd, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Easter : Banks closed The Professional Association of Banks (APB) advises the public in general and bank customers in particular that bank counters will be closed due to Easter, on Friday March 29 and Saturday March 30, 2024. Justice : Former deputy Cholzer Chancy, released Former Deputy Cholzer Chancy, President of the political party Alliance for a Society without Exclusion (ASE), arrested on January 22 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41495-haiti-politic-arrest-of-former-deputy-cholzer-chancy.html by Judge Al Duniel Dimanche and after spending 2 months in prison, was released after his hearing by Me Merlan Belabre, the new Judge in charge of the corruption case at the National Equipment Center (CNE). Cholzer Chancy must, however, remain at the disposal of justice. Reopening of the General Hospital unlikely Due to the deterioration of the security situation, Evelyne Fremont, President of the Union of Health Workers of the General Hospital, considers it impossible to resume activities at the Hospital on April 1 as announced by Dr. Jude Milce, Executive Director of the hospital center. Furthermore, Evelyne Fremont launched an appeal to armed bandits asking them to observe a truce in favor of the sick. Gonaives : Shy resumption of school activities Monday March 25, 2024, after more than two months of forced shutdown, school activities resumed timidly in Gonaives. HL/ HaitiLibre The late Merrill Ottwein with Grace Ottwein, his wife of 73 years. Ottwein was the founder of Hawthorne Animal Hospital and had a decades-long career in real estate, developing several local subdivisions. For The Intelligencer Merrill Ottwein, who died on March 21 at the age of 94, was the founder of Hawthorne Animal Hospital. He had a brief stint as a state senator and had a decades-long career in real estate. For The Intelligencer The late Merrill Ottwein with Grace Ottwein, his wife of 73 years. Ottwein was the founder of Hawthorne Animal Hospital and had a decades-long career in real estate, developing several local subdivisions. For the Intelligencer EDWARDSVILLE It may have been through veterinary medicine, real estate or the many community organizations he belonged to, but the late Dr. Merrill Ottwein touched the lives of countless people. Ottwein, who died March 21 at the age of 94, leaves his wife, Grace (Schmidt), of 73 years. Ottwein was known to many people as the founder of Hawthorne Animal Hospital, and others knew him through his decades-long real estate career. Two of Ottweins three daughters, Ann Culp and Emily Ottwein visited the Intelligencer office this week to talk about their dad. (Sister Amy Zagar lives in the Dallas, Texas area and brother, Paul, lives in Edwardsville). They agreed that however people met Merrill Ottwein, he usually became their friend for life. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People had associations with him through different phases of his life, Ann Culp said. His grade school friends and my mom called him Joe, because their reading book in grade school was Little Joe Otter, so Joe Otterwein stuck. Everyone who associated with him through Hawthorne called him Doc. He had a lot of different identities. Ottweins ability to excel in many areas was evident by the time he went to college, as he earned degrees in agriculture, agricultural economics and veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois. Dad was born in an 1880s farmhouse on a farm in Troy that was purchased by his grandfather in 1911. His dad and uncle eventually started Fairview Dairy, and Dad delivered milk on a route before school every day, Ann said. When he went away to college, he had pre-arranged a rented room, but upon arrival at U of I, discovered that the room had been rented out to someone else. His parents had to get back to Troy to milk the cows, so they left him there. He remembered sitting on the base of a statue with his suitcase, fighting back the tears, then decided that knocking on doors was the only option. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He did find a room, and his roommate eventually married Dads sister, Audrey Deeren. He would hitchhike home from Champaign every Friday to be with my mom and ride the bus back every Sunday night. They got married when she was 18 and he was 21. To pay for his schooling, they lived in, and she ran, a boarding house near the university. Mom said she scrubbed sheets on a washboard and they had no heat. Becoming Edwardsville's veterinarian and humanitarian After graduating from Illinois, Ottwein started his own veterinary clinic out of his garage before founding Hawthorne Animal Hospital and building the original location in Edwardsville on Route 159. He did a lot of large animal work, and I remember going on farm calls with him, Ann said of her fathers early days as a veterinarian. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hawthorne now has locations at 5 Cougar Drive and 24 Kettle River Drive in Glen Carbon, and 1516 Alarth Drive in Troy. Ottwein was proud that Hawthorne has remained such a vital part of the community. He was also proud that his grandson, the late Dr. Brent Leh, worked there. Brent died at the age of 32 on Oct. 6, 2018, from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. The Brent Leh Dog Park in Edwardsville is named after him. In 1966, Ottwein moved his family to Honduras, where he spent about a year doing mission work through United Church World Ministries. It takes a lot of courage and conviction to do something like that. I remember his mother being so concerned about him moving his young family to another country, Ann said, laughing. Dad would fly in small planes to rain forest villages and help with wells, vaccinations, and raising chickens, goats, and cows. Looking back, our mom said she can understand why our grandma was worried, but it certainly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Representing, then building, his Madison County community Upon returning to the U.S., Ottwein dabbled briefly in politics. In April 1969, he was elected to the Illinois Senate as a Republican serving the heavily Democratic 53rd Senatorial District. He lost his bid for re-election. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That was when Paul Simon became lieutenant governor, leaving a vacant Senate seat, so Dad ran for the seat to complete that term, Ann said. I dont think he was upset when he didnt get re-elected because he realized that politics wasnt his thing. After that, he bought land in Glen Carbon and started developing. While Ottwein didnt have a love for politics, he found a passion for real estate. He developed several major subdivisions in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, including Cottonwood Station, Lakewood, Ginger Creek and Kettle River. He has definitely left a legacy in those developments. He had a love of trees and shrubs and planted literally hundreds of them with the future in mind. We drive through and can see that his vision has come to fruition, Emily Ottwein said. Later, Ottwein formed a company, Homebuyer's Relocation Services, with his son, Paul. During that time, he served on numerous industry-related boards and committees. He was considered a pioneer in the national movement to exclusive buyer representation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Dad passed the company on to Paul, he kept his real estate license with Coldwell Banker until about two years ago, Ann said of her father, who would have turned 95 on April 24. He was doing some developing on some family property in Troy until that time. Serving his community Like other members of his family, Ottwein also loved music. Singing duets with his sister, being part of a church choir, singing in a barbershop quartet, or just impromptu songs with all of us made him so happy. He just sang all the time, Ann said. He played his trombone in the Troy Community Band for many years, as well as in a five-piece ensemble called Eden Brass. And he never failed to call us on the phone with a rousing trombone or harmonica rendition of 'Happy Birthday' on our special days. Music was so important to him, and therefore, to us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite his many family and business commitments, Ottwein always found time to volunteer for a variety of community organizations. A partial list includes being a board member or president of Edwardsville Rotary Club, Land of Goshen Chamber of Commerce and Cahokia Mounds Council of Boy Scouts of America. Ottwein served on the National Board of Directors of the United Church Board for World Ministries and was a delegate to the United Church General Synod. He was treasurer and president of The National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents and, most recently, a recipient of the Edwardsville/ Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. One of our favorite things about him was that he loved people and cared about their story, Ann said. He could go someplace where he knew nobody and come out with everybodys life story. He truly cared about everyone, and no one remained a stranger for long. Thats a very rare trait and he made people feel they were special, said Mike Culp, Anns husband. He remarked that Merrill had a unique gift for connecting with people from all walks of life. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He always appreciated a good laugh. He was always looking for something funny, Emily added. His family was his world Ottwein had four children, eight grandsons, three step grandsons, two step granddaughters and 12 great grandchildren. His family was his world. Nothing was more important to him than spending time with them. The grandkids called him the fount of knowledge because he knew a little about almost everything. World War II history, and local and Mississippi history were of special interest to him. It got to the point that when he brought up Lewis and Clark, everyone would scatter, Ann said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gracie was the love of his life, Ann said. They met at his school in Troy when she was in fifth grade, and he was in eighth grade. He told us that when he saw her going down the hall and her banana curls were going boing, boing, boing he decided then and there, thats the girl Im going to marry. He never dated anyone else and Gracie was his world. It was a love story until the very last day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A visitation for Ottwein is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday; April 14 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Edwardsville. From today through Easter Sunday local churches will be holding special services for local worshipers to honor the coming holidays. Tonight at 6 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Havre there will be a Maundy Thursday service, as well as one at 6:30 p.m. at St. Jude Thanddeus Catholic to honor the day. For Good Friday First Lutheran Church will also have a Good Friday Service at 6 p.m., as will 5th Avenue Christian Church, which will have communion at the same time. At 6:30 p.m. that day St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church will also have a Good Friday Service. St. Jude Thaddeus will have their Easter Vigil at 8:30 Sunday morning, followed by another service at 10:30 a.m. Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre will have their service earlier in the day, at 7:30 a.m. which will be followed by a serving of breakfast and another service at 11 a.m. Havre Immanuel Church will also have their Easter service at 11 a.m., and Havre Community Alliance Church will have their service at 10:45 a.m. Messiah Lutheran Church and 5th Avenue Christian Church will both have Easter services at 9 a.m. and the latter will have another at 10:45 a.m. First Lutheran Church will have an Easter service at 9:30 a.m. and the Havre Assembly of God will have their Day of the Risen Dead service at 10 a.m. preceded by a free breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Havre Daily News had not heard back from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Presbyterian Church, Our Saviours Lutheran Church or Havre Baptist Church by print deadline this morning. Havre Police Department Edwin Vernel Franklin of Havre, 63, was arrested on a criminal contempt charge related to a 24/7 Sobriety Program violation reported at 7:23 a.m. Wednesday at the police station. -- Officers searched for but couldn't locate a suspiciously parked vehicle reported Wednesday at 9:35 a.m. at a U.S. Highway 2 Northwest parking lot. -- Officers assisted with a Wednesday 12:40 p.m. medical call on Fourth Street. -- Someone stopped at the police station at 1:13 p.m. Wednesday to report a possible sexual or violent offender registry violation. -- Someone stopped at the police station Wednesday at 1:31 p.m. asking for assistance with a VIN inspection. -- Animal control searched for but couldn't locate dogs reported running loose on Second Street Northeast at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. -- A written or verbal warning was issued after a caller on Third Street West asked Wednesday at 3:12 p.m. for assistance. -- Thomas Walter Anderson III of Havre, 34, was issued a summons on an assault charge after a Third Street West caller reported an assault Wednesday at 3:43 p.m. -- Officers were asked at 6:04 p.m. Wednesday to assist Rocky Boy police with a combative man in custody at the hospital. -- A written or verbal warning was issued after a caller at Pepin Park reported two people yelling about a dog at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday. -- Bradley Steven Fox of Dodson, 34, was arrested on charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer or other public servant and failure to carry proof of vehicle insuance after officers initiation investigation of a suspicious vehicle in the First Street West alley at 8:06 p.m. Wednesday. -- A caller on First Avenue reported Wednesday at 8:29 p.m. finding footprints around their home. -- Vanessa Dawna Webb of Havre, 37, was arrested on a charge of probation violation after a disturbance was reported at 11:12 p.m. Wednesday on First Street Northeast. -- Officers assisted Hill County Sheriff's deputies at the hospital at 1:44 a.m. today. Hill County Sheriff's Office Deputies were asked Wednesday at 8:09 a.m. to assist at booking at Hill County Detention Center. -- An arrest was made on a warrant served at the detention center Wednesday at 1:44 p.m.No details on charges were provided. -- Deputies assisted Fort Belknap police department at 4:21 p.m. Wednesday on Second Street. -- A patient with a dog bite was reported at the hospital Wednesday at 5:07 p.m. -- Deputies were asked Wednesday at 9:53 p.m. to assist Havre police. -- A caller at a Box Elder establishment reported at 1:32 a.m. today that a man had been shot. No one was made available to provide details by print deadline, but sheriff's office staff said this morning the investigation of the incident is ongoing. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical technicians responded to two calls Wednesday and one call early this morning in Box Elder. Havre Animal Shelter This morning the animal shelter held two 10-week-old kittens all of unknown gender, five female cats, three male cats and a 20-week-old male kitten. -- Also this morning, the animal shelter held eight mixed-breed puppies between 8 weeks and 7 months old, and seven female and one male dogs. Additionally, five 9-week-old puppies were being housed off-site. The extension marks already the second one-week extension to strikes organised in protest of the labour market reforms and social security cuts outlined by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS at the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) on Wednesday decided to extend the ongoing political strikes until 7 April. The strikes are thereby unusually long for political strikes. Organised by the Finnish Industrial Union, Construction Union, Electrical Workers Union, Transport Workers Union (AKT), Service Union United (PAM) and Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL), the strikes were initially set to last for two weeks, until 24 March. Jarkko Eloranta, the chairperson of SAK, on Wednesday said trade unions have pleaded with the government to adopt a more just and reasonable approach. However, the government is not listening to organisations representing employees. It remains intent on fulfilling numerous goals for industries that are harmful for employees. Several of them have no impact on employment or the balance of public finances, he argued in a press release from SAK. Trade unions, he reiterated, are prepared to stop the strikes as soon as the government shows a degree of understanding for the concerns of employees. Despite having only about 7,000 participants, the strikes have halted the handling of goods at key export ports, disrupted both rail freight and fuel delivery services, and complicated the operations of production facilities in, for example, the steel and forest industries. SAK will re-convene to evaluate the situation after Easter. Eloranta stated to YLE on Wednesday that the organisation will make its decision on possible follow-up actions at the meeting. Corporate concerns about competitiveness, he added, will evaporate by May Day or early July, when the bill to restrict the duration of political strikes is set to enter into force. Thats when the strikes, too, will probably end, he said to the public broadcasting company. A YLE survey published last week found that a narrow but diminishing public majority continues to support the strikes. Technology Industries has revealed that the strikes have compelled around 40 per cent of its member organisations to reduce investments in Finland. Its member survey also revealed that a quarter of large companies have already moved production overseas and that a third of companies intend to furlough or lay off employees due to the strikes. Many Finns will lose their jobs or future jobs wont be created because of the strikes, Minna Helle, the deputy managing director of Technology Industries, warned at a news conference on Monday. Chief economist Petteri Rautaporras argued that the challenging economic conditions could convince some companies to keep production overseas on a permanent basis, a scenario that would also dent demand for sub-contractors in Finland. The survey was conducted on 1318 March, drawing a response from 645 member companies of Technology Industries. Aleksi Teivainen HT ..: 2023 - 29% County announces new public health director David Jenkins The Henderson County Board of Health has named David Jenkins as the new Henderson County health director beginning May 6. Jenkins currently serves as director of Stanly County Health and Human Services, a position he has held since 2018. Jenkins has over 23 years of public health experience, working through the ranks as an environmental health specialist and supervisor in New Hanover County. He also served as health director of Carteret and Scotland counties before assuming the role in Stanly. "My family and I are genuinely excited for the opportunity to work, live and be part of a community we have spent time in and grown to love over the years," said Jenkins. "It has been a long-standing career plan of mine to work with a larger and very well-respected organization such as the Henderson County Department of Public Health. I am looking forward to building a long-term career with Henderson County and will do all I can to help build on the excellent reputation of the Department of Public Health," he added. During his tenure in 2023, Jenkins health department earned reaccreditation with honors status. In 2022, he was the recipient of the Ronald H. Levine Public Health Award, which recognizes exemplary contributions to public health in North Carolina. Jenkins has also served as president of the North Carolina Public Health Association and the North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors as an executive member. David is a personable and strong leader, said Board of Health Chairperson Dr. Maggie Hayes. He has the experience, enthusiasm and knowledge base necessary to continue the important work of the Henderson County Department of Public Health. The Board of Health is delighted to welcome him as our new health director, and we look forward to working with him in the years to come. Jenkins received his bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Public Administration from Walden University. FAMILIES of children at Rupert House School in Henley collected more than 185 Easter eggs for the Nomad food back. Year six pupils delivered the chocolate eggs to the charity at the d:two centre in Market Place. This was the third year running that the independent school in Bell Street has run the initiative and it beat last years total of eggs by more than 50. Headteacher Nick Armitage said: This is a wonderful illustration of how even modest gestures of kindness can significantly impact other peoples lives. I am extremely grateful to the families of Rupert House who generously donated Easter eggs and especially proud of the children who took the time to choose and purchase an egg using their own money. This act of generosity exemplifies the remarkable influence schools and pupils can have on their local communities. Witnessing young individuals actively engage in assisting those in need and fostering positive change in the local community is truly heartening. Jaco Bruwer, a support worker at Nomad, said: We will be delivering the Easter eggs to the 140 children in the area that Nomad supports. The rest of the eggs can be distributed at the centre, for example, via our youth club or to the elderly adults love getting Easter eggs too. AS the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings approaches, Henley Choral Societys spring concert will mark the spirit of the occasion with works on the themes of peace, service and sacrifice. Songs of Peace will include Dona Nobis Pacem (grant us peace) by Ralph Vaughan Williams, The Spirit of England by Edward Elgar and Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice by Gerald Finzi. Richard Harker, the societys musical director, who will conduct, says: The three works have come out of different periods of conflict and represent different attitudes to it. Each one is a response to a different situation and the country at war and a call for peace. Spirit of England comes out of the First World War and its a setting of Laurence Binyons poetry, including the They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, thats incorporated in part of the music. Its very much a focus on that war. The Vaughan Williams comes out of the Second World War so its a combination of different texts. A lot of it is taken from the poetry of Walt Whitman that was written during the American Civil War. Finzi, a British composer, wrote his piece in 1946, a year after the Second World War ended. Richard says: Were performing just a couple of months before the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and there are a lot of quite emotional texts. Its very much thinking of that and connecting to a world that still remains at war in different parts. Its bringing together some bits of music that express a hope for a better, more peaceful world. The choir will be joined by the London String Collective orchestra as well as soprano Christine Cunnold and baritone Ross Ramgobin. Richard says: Abigail Dance, the leader of the London String Collective, and I have worked together for probably 10 years or so now. We first worked together at the Voice of London Festival, which I set up with a few people a number of years ago. Shes a very fine violinist and teacher. Cunnold trained with English National Opera on its Opera Works programme and has sung with the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Aix en Provence Festival and the Birmingham Opera Company. Ramgobin studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the National Opera Studio. He has appeared with the Birmingham Opera Company, English National Opera, Opera Holland Park and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, among others. Richard says: I know Ross from working at Opera Holland Park. He did Marcello there last year in La Boheme and we worked together when he did The Marriage of Figaro a couple of years ago. Hes a fantastic vocalist and I think hes really going places so were lucky to have him with us. Hes also a really nice chap. Christine is a personal friend as well as a colleague. Weve done an awful lot together over the years. We work as a duo with me on piano accompanying her singing and shes also an extraordinary vocalist. Were doing something at the Aylesbury Fringe Festival in May, which will be nice. Richard adds: The concert is going to be quite a moving evening, it wont be your usual run of the mill Messiah or Elijah or something. It will be slightly different but nonetheless very interesting musically and emotionally. Its hard music, a challenge and the choir members are working hard. Theyre being challenged by the words that theyre singing and sort of keeping a distance between the words and what theyre physically having to concentrate on singing-wise. It presents a different type of challenge to normal perhaps for the choir and theyre doing very well. The concert will include a retirement collection in aid of the Royal British Legion. Dr Tim Wilson, chairman of the society, says: The year 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the largest naval, air and land operation in history. It seemed a very fitting time to be putting on such a concert and we therefore chose the Royal British Legion as the beneficiary. Songs of Peace will take place at the Great Hall, University of Reading, in London Road, Reading, on Saturday, April 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost 23, concessions (including veterans and current members of the armed services) 5, family tickets (two adults, two under-18s) 46. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.henleychoralsociety. org.uk China, Africa join forces to empower youth Xinhua) 08:30, March 28, 2024 * In collaboration with nations like Tanzania, Seychelles, Rwanda and Ethiopia, the China-Africa Vocational Education Alliance has been revising and developing job standards and professional teaching norms for critical industries in these countries. * For over half a century, Chinese medical teams and experts have been at the forefront of combating regional diseases and major public health crises, providing comprehensive training for local medical personnel and enhancing Africa's healthcare capabilities. * Established in 2013, the Confucius Institute has seen more than 100 teachers and volunteers from China come to Tanzania and train more than 60,000 Chinese language learners. by Xinhua writer Zhou Chuyun NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- In the early morning, students enter the Ethiopian Luban Workshop located in a three-story building of a vocational training institute in eastern Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, where they are imparted industrial skills and taught robotics technologies. Over the past decade, more than a dozen similar institutions have opened across Africa, symbolizing China's commitment to sharing its vocational education expertise with the continent. Alongside numerous other China-Africa talent-building cooperation projects, these schools help drive the region toward modernization and sustainable development. This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows Yonas Akele (R) and Jiang Jiang communicating on teaching at the Ethiopian Luban Workshop in a vocational training institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) FOSTERING VOCATIONAL SKILLS A group of Luban Workshop students were captivated by their 39-year-old teacher, Yonas Akele, who demonstrated the operation of automated equipment from China, simulating the production process on assembly lines. The Luban Workshop, named after an ancient Chinese architect, is a vocational training program established in around 20 countries for local communities. Having once studied in China, Yonas was inspired by Luban Workshop's integration of theoretical knowledge with practical engineering. Upon his return to Ethiopia, Yonas landed a teaching position here. "Young Ethiopians are fortunate to have this learning opportunity, and I hope to see more Luban workshops established across Ethiopia," Yonas said. Jiang Jiang, head of the Ethiopian Luban Workshop, outlined the facility's specializations, such as industrial sensors, industrial control, industrial robots and mechatronics. "When China and Ethiopia collaborated on establishing the Luban Workshop, Ethiopia voiced a need for an advanced training platform catering to key manufacturing sectors, particularly in areas like automated production," Jiang said. "The employers are delighted with our graduates' performance," Jiang noted, adding that some companies have expressed interest in training their workers at the workshop. The workshop has organized five training sessions in partnership with local governments and international organizations, benefiting nearly 200 talents from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and other nations. As the Ethiopian proverb goes, "He who learns, teaches." These trained African instructors bring advanced knowledge and technology to their respective communities, thus catalyzing Africa's demographic dividend toward sustainable development. In collaboration with nations like Tanzania, Seychelles, Rwanda and Ethiopia, the China-Africa Vocational Education Alliance has been revising and developing job standards and professional teaching norms for critical industries in these countries. Franklin Rwezimula, deputy permanent secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said China can help Tanzania develop a new generation of skilled professionals who know how to drive innovation and build entrepreneurship, thus benefiting sustainable economic growth through training. This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2024 shows a view of the Ethiopian Luban Workshop in a vocational training institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Li Yahui) ENHANCING MEDICAL SERVICES Africa is facing increasing risks of disease outbreaks and health emergencies related to climate change, such as a disproportionately high rate of malaria deaths. According to the World Health Organization, African countries accounted for about 94 percent of all malaria cases globally and 95 percent of deaths in 2022. To improve medical services, China has been dispatching medical personnel and aid to African countries for decades. Since 2007, the China Malaria Prevention and Control Project Team in the Comoros has led malaria prevention efforts and training in collaboration with the Comoros Anti-Malaria Center. By 2017, the diligent efforts of experts from both nations had reduced malaria incidence in the Comoros by over 99 percent, effectively eradicating malaria-related fatalities. Kamal Said Abdallah, the 47-year-old laboratory director of the Comoros National Malaria Control Center, has been working closely with Chinese medical professionals for 12 years. After graduating from Tianjin Medical University, Kamal served as an interpreter for the China-Comoros Anti-Malaria Cooperation Project before transitioning to more hands-on anti-malaria work, with training sessions in China. He elaborated with Xinhua on the complexity of distributing anti-malarial drugs, which he said demands specialized training and guidance. Deng Changsheng, leader of the China Anti-Malaria Project Team in the Comoros, detailed the extensive training efforts conducted between 2018 and 2021, saying it has benefited over 4,000 local personnel involved in malaria prevention and control. He said these initiatives have enhanced the Comoros' medical and healthcare systems, nurturing local talent crucial to maintaining progress. For over half a century, Chinese medical teams and experts have been at the forefront of combating regional diseases and major public health crises, providing comprehensive training for local medical personnel and enhancing Africa's healthcare capabilities. Pemba Island in Zanzibar, Tanzania, once had a high prevalence of schistosomiasis - an acute, chronic, and disabling parasitic disease - but has witnessed a significant decline in recent years, thanks to Chinese medical expertise and collaboration with local health officials. In December last year, the first technical capacity training on schistosomiasis detection was organized on Pemba Island, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of local medical institutions. Seleh Juma Muhammed, an official from the Zanzibar Ministry of Health with four decades of experience in schistosomiasis prevention and treatment, praised the efficacy of Chinese integrated control methods and expressed a dedication to learning from Chinese experts and working with local communities. This photo taken on Nov. 17, 2023 shows Asha Fum Khamis, a Tanzanian Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, talking with a student during a Chinese language class in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua) EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN YOUTH As China and African countries strengthen relations and increase exchanges, more African youth are starting to learn about Chinese culture. Asha Fum Khamis, a 32-year-old Tanzanian Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, told Xinhua that learning Chinese transformed her life. "If it weren't for learning Chinese and receiving a scholarship to study in China, I would still be fishing on a small boat in Zanzibar," Khamis said. Khamis attests to the growing popularity of Chinese language learning in Tanzania, calling it an international language that opens doors for youth employment and career prospects in Africa. Of the 300-plus students she has taught, many have found jobs in local Chinese firms, while around 50 have opted for careers in Chinese language education, reflecting the language's increasing importance in Tanzania. Established in 2013, the Confucius Institute has seen more than 100 teachers and volunteers from China come to Tanzania and train more than 60,000 Chinese language learners. In recent years, a growing number of Tanzanian students have been applying to study engineering, technology, medicine and other professions in China after learning the language. "The Chinese language is the language of the day across the globe. It is the language that unlocks opportunities for the youth, locally and globally," said Khamis. To meet diverse educational needs, Confucius Institutes in Africa integrate Chinese language education with other disciplines to nurture versatile talent. In Senegal, a West African country aiming to boost its agricultural output, the Confucius Institute at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar collaborates with Chinese agricultural specialists to offer a distinctive program that combines Chinese language education with agricultural technology. "Throughout the training, I did not only acquire Chinese vegetable cultivation techniques but also enhanced my language ability," said Moussa Dione, one of the program's participants. "These skills are invaluable for my future career prospects." (Video reporter: Lin Lin, Zeng Tao; video editors: Lin Lin, Mu Xuyao, Liu Yutian, Li Qin, Wang Houyuan) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Leveraging the power of popular searches, digital travel platform Agoda has expanded its partner marketing portfolio. It is now providing a new way for hotel and accommodation partners to reach consumers through a series of dedicated landing pages to innovatively match with some of the travellers top themed searches. Utilising these data insights, Agoda has launched the initiative, Top stays Anywhere in Thailand, with 16 distinct themes that resonate with travellers preferences. These themes include a variety of options across travel budgets and traveller interests, including private islands, seaside villas, beach cabanas, family-friendly and pet-friendly accommodations, with each dedicated page offering a carefully selected list of accommodations by Agodas specialist teams. This tailored approach enhances the trip-planning process, delivering a customised experience directly to the doorstep of ready-to-travel consumers and an opportunity for hoteliers and accommodation providers to reach travellers with intent. Pierre Honne, Senior Country Director for Thailand at Agoda, said: "Often travellers are looking for very specific types of holiday experiences, so we curated these landing pages to quickly allow travellers with high intent to travel to connect with properties that excel in delivering those experiences, whether thats pet friendly spots or rooftop hotels in Bangkok. For partners, its an additional way that Agoda is supporting their ambitions to grow their business and optimise their inventory." Agoda's initiative typifies the company's data-driven approach to supporting its partners to attract more business, harnessing the intel from today's customer travel search behaviours. The initiative not only aligns with travellers' specific preferences but also opens up new avenues for hotels and accommodation providers to increase their visibility among potential customers. The thematic landing pages act as a bridge, connecting properties with consumers who have a demonstrated interest in particular experiences. With Agoda at the forefront, leveraging robust search analytics, hotels are well-positioned to capitalize on up-to-the-minute travel trends and stay competitive in a dynamic market landscape., Pierre added. Agoda is launching the thematic pages with the following URLs. 1. Private islands - agoda.com/privateislandth 2. Seaside villas - agoda.com/seasidevillas 3. Beach cabanas - agoda.com/beachcabanas 4. Family beach villas - agoda.com/familybeachvillas 5. Budget friendly beach - agoda.com/budgetfriendlybeach 6. Hill tribe village - agoda.com/hilltribevillageth 7. Traditional guest house - agoda.com/traditionalguesthouseth 8. Historic Chiang Mai - agoda.com/historicchiangmai 9. Boutique hotels Bangkok - agoda.com/boutiquehotelsbangkok 10. Service apartments Bangkok - agoda.com/servicedapartmentsbangkok 11. Bangkok rooftop hotels - agoda.com/bangkokrooftophotels 12. Romantic getaways - agoda.com/romanticgetawayth 13. Pet friendly - agoda.com/petfriendlyth 14. Family friendly - agoda.com/familyfriendlyth 15. Mountain view retreats - agoda.com/mountainviewretreatsth 16. Unique Thai countryside - agoda.com/uniquethaicountryside TradeArabia News Service Leads the way in transforming kinship care practices for underserved communities Today, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announces approval for Michigan to become the first state to implement separate licensing standards for kin caregivers. Michigan is the first state approved following the Salt River Pima Tribe in Arizona. Last September, HHS finalized a new regulation that allows a child welfare agency to adopt simpler licensing or approval standards for all kin foster family homes as well as requiring that states provide kin caregivers with the same level of financial assistance that any other foster care provider receives. This rule and approval of states and jurisdictions plans, fulfill executive orders by President Biden and align with the administrations priorities to keep families together and increase equity in the child welfare system. It is often grandparents who step up to care for a grandchild when that childs parent cant. We must be partners with those grandparents and support their commitment to care for the child while a parent gets back on their feet, so more children dont end up in foster care, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Michigans robust support for kin caregivers has made it a national leader. The approval of Michigans plan means more kin caregivers will receive the financial support they deserve when caring for family members. Encouraging and helping kin caregivers become licensed or approved foster caregivers is beneficial to both the child and the kin providing foster care. Previously, federal regulations made it harder for family members like grandparents, aunts, and uncles to become caregivers when a child in their family entered foster care as all foster family homes were required to meet the same licensing standards, regardless of whether the foster family home was a kin or non-kin placement. The new rule makes it possible for kin to more readily become licensed or approved, and more quickly receive services and funding for children in kinship foster care, ensuring that during times of family crisis children and caregivers receive assistance sooner. When times are tough, many of us turn to family for help, said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for ACF, performing the delegable duties of the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Jeff Hild. ACF understands grandparents and other kin who are raising children in safe, loving homes deserve support and we applaud Michigan for developing licensing standards that reflect the unique needs and strengths of kin caregivers. Supporting kin caregivers is critical to whole family well-being and we are excited to support Michigan as the first state to implement the rule, said Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Rebecca Jones Gaston. This is a profound acknowledgement of the critical role family connections play in ensuring a childs safety, stability and emotional growth. Michigan has long recognized the value of kin caregivers and we are excited to be the first state in the country to have an approved licensing standard for kin, said Elizabeth Hertel, Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. It is often grandparents and other family members who step in to provide a loving home when parents are unable to do so and they must be supported. New Delhi (India), March 27: Amongst the multitude of delivery brands running across the country, Ecom Delivery Limited is one such technology-supported logistic solution that has been dominating the e-commerce sector for the past ten years. With industry veterans Vanket Saye Shivaram Singh and K Uttam Jana at the helm, the company began its journey in 2014 and has gradually evolved as one of the most reliable in the logistics sector. Given its robust dominance in the logistics industry, this fastest-growing courier company is inviting applicants to their Sales Franchisee Program. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Diverse Solution Spectrum The companys range of services encompasses solutions designed to meet the varied needs of e-commerce marketplaces, platforms, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, and online sellers of all scales. With a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction, the company has introduced groundbreaking initiatives such as: E-commerce Delivery: Automating workflow across various sales channels, saving money and time meanwhile. Same Day Delivery: Offering the quickest delivery options within 24 hours at a reasonable price. Last-Mile Delivery: Ensuring package delivery in the smoothest way possible and thus confirming customer satisfaction International Delivery: Shipping packages across borders and simplifying customer services globally. Bulk Shipping Cargo: Leveraging technology to provide shipping solutions for heavy and bulk shipments. Sprawling Delivery Network Ecom Delivery Limited ensures seamless and hassle-free logistics and supply chain management across India with the help of cutting-edge technology and automated solutions. Considering its robust network spanning 29 states, 6 union territories, and over 1100 cities and towns, the company caters to a vast client base comprising more than 25,000 businesses and individuals. Flagship Logistic Initiatives Under its service banner, the company offers a comprehensive range of solutions, including first-mile pickup, network operation, last-mile delivery, reverse logistics, and returns management. Additionally, Ecom Delivery Limited provides end-to-end supply chain, storage, and fulfillment solutions through its service line, Ecom Fulfillment Services (EFS), and digital solutions under Ecom Digital Services (EDS). Perks of Working With Ecom Delivery Limited The most significant virtue that sets Ecom Delivery Limited apart is its relentless focus on technological innovation, scalability, sustainability, reliability, and customer-centricity. By utilizing advanced technologies such as AI-driven route optimisation and real-time tracking, the company confirms swift and precise delivery operations while minimizing its environmental footprint through eco-friendly practices. Ecom Delivery Limiteds comprehensive suite of services is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses. In pursuit of its vision to create a future where e-commerce delivery is fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly, Ecom Delivery Limited continues to push the boundaries of innovation, setting new standards of excellence in the logistics industry. Become a Part of the Ecom Delivery Success Story! Contact Details:- Call on - +91 9899011597 Timing - 10 am to 5 pm 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. Policybazaar has introduced a one-of-its-kind initiative for its service advisors to accelerate their career growth towards leadership roles. Following the success of the program with sales advisors, LEAP or Level Enhancement and Accreditation Program, is now being extended to Policybazaars service advisors. The innovative initiative, which is rooted in Policybazaars endeavour of continuous employee engagement and investment, aims at rewarding the top-performing insurance advisors by advancing their career progression. The journey from an SME to Manager, which would previously be spanned over a period of 14 years, can now be completed in just 6 years. LEAP creates a pool of new leaders ready to take on people manager roles, enhancing the overall efficiency of the service team. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, PB Fintech, said, We strongly believe that customer satisfaction depends on employee satisfaction. It's essential for us that our top advisors thrive in their career and take pride in what they do. The idea behind launching a program like LEAP is simple - it seamlessly aligns employee goals with the company's goals. It acknowledges and rewards their performance by expediting their career growth. LEAP for Policybazaars service team will entail a comprehensive approach to experiential learning and skill development. Starting with a meticulous performance analysis from April to September 2024, the top 30% performers will be eligible to participate in LEAP Training and Assessment, a rigorous program designed to hone functional, technical and behavioural skills. The final selection, scheduled from January to March 2025, will ensure that individuals maintain their ranking among the top 30% and successfully clear assessments and personal interview rounds. The training includes AI-driven e-learning modules accessible through PB's Learning Platform. The training is imparted by Policybazaar trainers who are subject matter experts. Drawing from their practical insights and real-world experiences, the trainers provide valuable guidance and mentorship to participants, ensuring that the training is both informative and pragmatic. Policybazaar firsthand witnessed the positive impact of such employee-engagement initiatives, when LEAP was launched for sales advisors last year. Over 600 participants and 200 final qualifiers in the Sales domain, with 31 of them already promoted to leadership positions, stand as a testament to the program's success. Since its launch last year, LEAP has helped 584 sales associates get promoted to Chief Sales Consultant Telesales and Assistant Manager Telesales. The service team can now look forward to a similar trajectory of growth, skill development, and career advancement. By providing opportunities for career advancement and personal growth, Policybazaar empowers its employees to reach their full potential while driving the company forward. As a result, Policybazaar's service team can look forward to a future filled with opportunities for growth, advancement, and success. Team Policybazaar Policybazaar's employee enhancement programs also include the Proud to be PB initiative and the CORE program, which aim to upskill employees for leadership roles while promoting insurance awareness. CORE focuses on key behaviours like Courtesy, Ownership, Resilience, and Empathy, with skill enhancement workshops conducted for new and existing advisors. The program emphasises career progression, instilling values crucial for managerial positions. Such initiatives underscores Policybazaar's dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. About Policybazaar (www.policybazaar.com) Policybazaar.com is one of India's largest insurance marketplaces. It is the flagship platform of PB Fintech, which owns the fintech brand, Paisabazaar.com, and the lending & insurance marketplace in the UAE region, Policybazaar.ae. The Policybazaar.com Group has backing from a host of investors including the likes of PE funds and other family offices. Policybazaar.com started with the purpose to educate people on insurance products and with its offerings has addressed the large and highly underpenetrated online insurance markets. 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, March 20, 2024: Wooden Street, Indias leading home furniture, decor and furnishing brand, expands its footprint with the opening of a new store of Light Street, the lighting arm of Wooden Street, in Mumbai. Through this move, they are advancing another leg of their rapid expansion strategy, which includes opening of 50 additional stores in over the next 18-24 months in metropolitan cities of Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, etc. The second retail store of Light Street in Mumbai after the first successful launch in Jaipur, bringing in lighting solutions to fulfil customers diverse needs. The store houses the variety of lighting fixtures like table lamps, chandeliers, pendant etc. to perfectly suit to the aesthetic wants and needs. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The new launch spanning across an area of 2500-3000 sq. ft is located at the prime location of the city, Andheri East. With this new launch, the company will be providing customers with more space to explore the premium lighting solutions under one roof. Light Street by Wooden Street is committed to providing customers with an exceptional shopping experience, combining high-quality products under affordable price tags. "We are working extensively on our plans to magnify the reach of our products across nooks and corners of the country. This new store opening is dedicated to our commitment to providing customers with an unparalleled shopping experience and access to the latest lighting trends and designs." said Lokendra Ranawat, CEO of Wooden Street. The companys expansion is fuelled by its vision of being a leader in lighting industry. With a projected revenue target of 100-150 crore from the new in-house launch, the company aims to strengthen its market position. Light Street by Wooden Street is committed to providing customers with an exceptional shopping experience, combining high-quality products under affordable price tags. The brand's expansion plans conclude in fulfilling the evolving needs of customers and at the same time, establishing a strong presence across India. About Wooden Street Founded in 2015, Wooden Street is a leading brand that offers a wide range of premium-quality and designer furniture, home decor & furnishing items. The brand operates both online and through a network of brick-and-mortars, providing customers with the ease of shopping online or experiencing the furniture first-hand in showrooms. The company has grown immensely, now serving over 1M customers, running 95+ experience stores and 350+ delivery hubs around the country. It offers a vast selection of over 30,000 furniture, decor & furnishing items. Since its inception, Wooden Street has maintained a consistent annual growth rate of 6065%, establishing itself as a reputable name in the furniture world. 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. Pakistan's benchmark index touched an all-time high on Thursday, extending a rally following a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund earlier this month to free up more financial aid for the country. Stock brokers monitor share prices on computers during a trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi.(AFP) The benchmark KSE-100 touched a record high of 67,200.82 points in intraday trade, surpassing its previous high of 67,093.96 touched on Dec. 13. The index was trading at 67,148.65 points at 10:50 a.m. local time (0550 GMT). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Foreign and local institutions buying amid positive news on privatisation and IMF," Topline Securities' Mohammed Sohail said. Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff level agreement on the second and last review of a nine-month, $3 billion Stand By Arrangement, which, if cleared by the global lender's board, will release about $1.1 billion to the struggling South Asian nation. Both sides have also spoken about negotiating a longer term bailout and continuing with necessary policy reforms to rein in deficits, build reserves and manage soaring debt servicing. Pakistan's new government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has also resolved to follow through with a long delayed privatisation process of loss making state owned enterprises that have drained critical funds from the cash-strapped government. Social media unicorn ShareChat raised $48.89 million in a round led by Tencent and Lightspeed. The round, amid a funding winter for tech startups, saw the participation of HarbourVest, Moore Strategic Ventures, Rimco and Alkeon. In the last funding round, Sharechat was valued at almost $5 billion while its peers in the social media space- X (formerly Twitter) and Snap- witnessed large drops in valuation. ShareChat(Mint) Read more: This Google employee was personally asked to turn down job at Open AI by Sergey Brin Sharechat's troubles in the past one year In December 2023, Sharechat fired 200 employees- almost 15 percent of its workforce- which was the second such move last year. The company said that it attempts to cut costs and achieve profitability within the next four to six quarters. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Co-founders of the company Bhanu Pratap Singh and Farid Ahsan also stepped down after raising $3 million in seed funding from venture capital firms India Quotient, Elevation Capital and other angel investors for their startup General Autonomy. A look at Sharechat's financials The company is backed by investors such as X (formerly Twitter), Google, Lightspeed and Temasek. Its revenue increased by 59 per cent to 553 crore in FY23 from the previous year, the company's annual financial report showed. During the same period, the company's net losses shot up 72 per cent to 5,144 crore owing to rising server rents, financing costs, foreign exchange losses, it said. Google cofounder Sergey Brin personally called an employee of his company who was considering leaving the company for OpenAI, it was reported. In the call, Sergey Brin promised additional compensation to convince the employee to stay in the post, The Information reported, citing a "longtime AI researcher" as its source. The unnamed person said that the Google employee was a friend of theirs and the move by Sergey Brin represents a larger trend in Big Tech companies which are competing for AI talent as the poll remains relatively small. Although, the demand for advanced AI skills is at all-time high in the Big Tech. Google co-founder Sergey Brin personally called an employee who was seeking a job at OpenAI, report claimed. (AFP) Mark Zuckerberg's AI plan Not only Google, other major tech companies are also attempting to poach each other's top talent with high salaries. At Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly sent personal emails to AI researchers at Google's DeepMind to offer jobs without interviews. In January, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta had a stockpile of Nvidia's highly sought after H100 chips. He told The Verge that Meta would own more than 340,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs by the end of 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What Perplexity CEO said on AI jobs Earlier, founder and CEO of Perplexity Aravind Srinivas, said he failed to poach a Meta employee because his company didn't have enough GPUs. "I tried to hire a very senior researcher from Meta, and you know what they said? 'Come back to me when you have 10,000 H100 GPUs,'" he said. On working in AI, Aravind Srinivas earlier said, Don't look at markets and decide, you know, don't see, oh, the market wants a sales analyst product. I'm going to build it. If you don't even care about sales, like why do you build an AI for sales? Build what you care about and what you would use because the first user of your product has to be yourself." Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said that the government will soon end toll and the new satellite toll collection system will be introduced. He told news agency ANI, Now we are ending toll and there will be a satellite br toll collection system. Money will be deducted from your bank account and the amount of road you cover will be charged accordingly. Through this time and money can be saved. Earlier, it used to take 9 hours to travel from Mumbai to Pune, now it is reduced to 2 hours. Nitin Gadkari said the new satellite toll collection system will be introduced. Watch what he said here Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On complaints of exorbitant toll taxes, the minister said that highways save time and fuel usage as well, adding, "Earlier, it used to take nine hours to travel from Mumbai to Pune. Now it is a 2-hour journey. Seven hours of diesel get saved. Naturally, we have to pay some money in return. We are doing it through public-private investment. So we will have to return the money too." The minister also discussed the Bharatmala Pariyojana that aims to develop approximately 26,000 km of economic corridors. Nitin Gadkari emphasized its significance alongside the Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) and North-South and East-West (NS-EW) corridors and said that he is confident that the project will revolutionize the nation's future by 2024. He said, The fate of the country will change by the end of 2024. This is because the road network of National Highways will be equal to that of America. That is my goal. I am sure that I will definitely be successful in this. Five Congress legislators on Wednesday threatened to resign if senior party leader and Minister K H Muniyappa's son-in-law Chikka Peddanna was given a ticket to contest from Kolar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, bringing into open the divisions in the outfit. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with his deputy DK Shivakumar. (ANI)(HT_PRINT) The party is yet to announce its candidate in the segment, currently held by the BJP. The five are opposed to Peddanna's candidature, which would give representation for the Left sect of Scheduled Castes. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The three MLAs from Kolar district -- Kothur G Manjunath (Kolar), K Y Nanjegowda (Malur) and MC Sudhakar (Chintamani) -- and two MLCs -- Anil Kumar and Naseer Ahmed (the political secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) -- want the ticket to be given to a candidate from Right sect of Scheduled Castes. READ | Karnataka health minister accuses Centre of interrupting supply of anti-TB drugs Sudhakar is the Higher Education Minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet. S N Narayanaswamy (Bangarapet), another Congress MLA from the district, too said the ticket should be given to SC Right candidate, and that he will decide on his move, once the party decides on the Kolar ticket. "This is continuation of a fight between two factions of the Kolar Congress, one led by food and civil supplies minister K H Muniyappa and another by former Karnataka assembly speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, vying for supremacy in the district", a party insider said. Many see it as pressure tactics on the part of a section of Congress leaders in Kolar against Muniyappa and his "family politics' '. The two MLCs met Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti and showed their resignation letters to journalists. The MLAs were planning to travel to Mangaluru to meet Assembly Speaker U T Khader there, but later cancelled their trip as the latter himself said he is on his way to Bengaluru. They are said to have visited the Assembly secretariat. READ | 'Leaders unanimously agreed to back Shettar from Belagavi': Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa amid reports of dissent However, the legislators later said they have decided to wait following instructions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party state President D K Shivakumar on their future course of action. Urban Development Minister B S Suresha, who is Kolar district in-charge Minister, rushed to 'Vidhana Soudha' to meet legislators and sought to convince them not to resign. Speaking to reporters at Council Chairman's office Suresha said, "On getting to know that legislators are displeased, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, AICC General Secretary and AICC President asked me to pacify and get them back, and the issue will be resolved amicably. I have informed them of the same thing and they have agreed." Both Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, who are on a tour, will be back in Bengaluru tonight and the issue will be discussed thereafter, he said, adding that Kolar ticket has not been announced yet; it will be announced in a couple of days. READ | Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy to contest LS polls from Mandya as NDA candidate Sudhakar said: "Minister Suresha communicated to us the party leadership's instructions, it will also be late by the time the Speaker comes to Bengaluru. We will see what the leadership says and decide our next course of action." He said they have not yet quit, but have taken the prescribed format of resignation letter from the Assembly secretariat. Nanjegowda said the legislators had together shared their opinion with the party high command regarding the Lok Sabha candidate the legislators and sought change, considering the presence of SC-Right community in large numbers in Kolar. He said, "Muniyappa is now a Minister, one of his daughters Roopakala Shashidhar is currently a MLA , so we had said the ticket should not be given to their family and someone else from the SC-Right community should be chosen. We have not recommended any names. Even if the high command wants to give it to the Left community we are fine, but change and don't support family politics is our stand." Muniyappa, a seven-time MP and a former Union Minister, returned to state politics after losing 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He is currently MLA from Devanahalli assembly segment and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies. Reacting to the developments, Muniyappa said during a recent meeting it was decided by all Congress leaders of the constituency that everyone will abide by the decision of the high command, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. "Today's is a new development. I don't know about it. I will abide by the party's decision." Muniyappa further said, "this (SC Left) is a big community, the whole state is watching. I'm a disciplined soldier of the party and hope that the high command will take a decision considering all these things." Stating that he had met Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge and requested for an "opportunity," he said it has been a practice to give two seats to SC-Left and two to SC-Right; for seven-eight times SC-Left candidate has won from Kolar as Congress is strong in the segment. Congress has so far given a ticket to B N Chandrappa (Chitradurga) from SC-Left, Kharge's son-in-law (Gulbarga) from SC-Right, and according to sources it is likely to give the Chamarajanagar ticket to Minister H C Mahadevappa's son Sunil Bose, who is from SC-Right. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said it is true that there is discontent in Kolar, but the candidate has not been announced yet. He said they want the ticket to be given to the SC-Right candidate, and the issue will be resolved amicably. Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief Shivakumar too in Karwar said, the party has not decided on the candidate yet and there is no need for anyone to be worried, and that everyone should abide by party discipline. "I have spoken to everyone, they have agreed. I'm going back to Bengaluru and will resolve everything. We will have to keep the state and party interest in mind," he added. Meanwhile, Horatti said the MLCs have not yet submitted their resignation, and have sought time. "They sought an appointment to give resignation, but now they don't want to give. I cannot take from them forcefully. If they give, I will accept," he said. Seizures in Karnataka on Wednesday crossed the 50 crore mark since the model code of conduct came into effect on March 16, according to the Election Commission. Since March 16 till date, seizures worth 55.76 crore have been made by the Election Commission in Karnataka. (ANI/For representation only) Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka will be held in two phases on April 26 and May seven for its 28 constituencies. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Since March 16 till date, seizures worth 55.76 crore have been made by the Election Commission in Karnataka in coordination with its enforcement teams comprising flying squads, police and static surveillance team, the EC officials said. READ | Cong will decide about making me CM in future, says Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar According to a statement issued by the office of Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, since the Model Code of Conduct came into force, the flying squads, static surveillance teams and police authorities have seized 19.69 crore cash, 65.43 lakh freebies, 8.39 lakh litres of liquor worth over 26.19 crore, 133.68 kg narcotic substances worth over 88 lakh, 9.74 kg gold worth over 5.46 crore, 55.75 kg silver worth over 26 lakh and 21.17 carat diamonds worth 9 lakh among others. They have also registered 847 FIRs with regard to seizure of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metal and freebies while 92,664 arms have been deposited, 875 arms were impounded, 15 arms licences have been cancelled, 7,522 cases were booked under preventive sections of CrPC, out of which 7,438 persons were bounded over. READ | Five Cong legislators threaten to quit in Karnataka over ticket allocation issue The Excise Department has booked 848 heinous cases, 706 cases for breach of licence conditions, 44 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) and 3,013 cases under Section 15 (a) of Karnataka Excise Act 1965 and also 492 different types of vehicles have been seized. The flying squad team has seized over 56 lakh cash in Sravanabelagola, Hassan Parliamentary constituency while the static surveillance team has seized over 20 lakh cash in Pillekeranahalli checkpost in Chitradurga constituency while it seized ornaments -- gold, silver and diamond of value 4.21 crore in MC Halli checkpost in Chikkamagaluru LS constituency, it added. Bhopal: A 70-year-old woman was found murdered in her home in Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district late on Wednesday night, police said. Police have identified the deceased as Chandra Kunwar, a resident of Nimbahera in Rajasthan. (Representative Photo) According to the police, Kunwar had come to her ancestral Lasudia village in Mandsaur a month ago to sell the opium which she grew on a government license. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mandsaur superintendent of police (SP) Anurag Sujaniya said the incident came to light after sharecropper Prahlad Prajapat, who had gone to visit the woman on Thursday morning to discuss the sale of opium, found the house door open and saw the woman lying dead on the floor. Prahlad informed the police about the incident, following which a team reached the spot. The womans throat was slit with a sharp-edged weapon. There are also injury marks on her body as she struggled a lot to save herself before the murder, said the SP. The SP said that the seven kilograms of opium worth Rs.14 lakh, extracted from licensed farmland, was missing from her house, suspecting that theft could be a reason behind the alleged murder. The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) on Thursday held back-to-back rallies in the six assembly segments where bypolls are scheduled simultaneously with Lok Sabha elections on June 1. The BJP has given tickets to six disqualified Congress rebels who made the saffron-switch on March 22 in New Delhi. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur addresses the welcome ceremony of the BJP leader Krishan Lal Thakur in Nalagarh on Thursday. (ANI) Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said that the chief minister was responsible for the political situation in the state. The elected representatives were insulted and neglected and due to the CM ignoring them when they spoke on public interest, the were left with no other way to express their views. Everyone voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha, he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Jai Ram, who attended the welcoming ceremony of BJPs Gagret candidate Chaitanya Sharma, said that all of them (the disqualified MLAs) did not care about their membership to express their views against the government. The government would be remembered for hampering the development of the state, said former minister and Jaswan MLA Bikram Thakur, who is the in-charge of Hamirpur parliamentary affairs. Former Sujanpur MLA Rajinder Rana said that the Congress government had eclipsed the development of Himachal as soon as it came to power. The Sukhu government will be remembered for lying, stopping the development of the state and taking loans repeatedly, said former MLA Ashish Sharma. Sudhir Sharma breaks down, says not a sell-out Former Congress legislator from Dharamshala Sudhir Sharma, in his first visit to Dharamshala since he voted in favour of BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha polls on February 27, said that many allegations were levelled against him but he is not a sell-out. Addressing the public in Dharamshala, Sharma said that he was sidelined just because he raised the voice for his people. He got emotional on stage and cried while saying I am not a sell-out. Sharma was among six congress legislators who voted in favour of the BJP candidate in Rajya Sabha polls in February. They were disqualified later for violating the party whip, following which they joined BJP. They all will now contest bypolls on BJP tickets. I have always fought for the development of Dharamshala. My only fault was that I fought for the establishment of Central University. I fought for the promises made to the public and unemployed youth. But I was humiliated time and again, he said. BJP candidate for Lok Sabha election from Kangra parliamentary constituency Rajeev Bhardwaj also addressed the gathering and said that he was committed to delivering on the responsibility entrusted on him by the party. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur were blessed with a daughter at private hospital in Mohali on Thursday. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur were blessed with a daughter at private hospital in Mohali on Thursday. This is Manns third child as he has a son and a daughter from his previous marriage. (HT file photo) God has given the gift of a daughter. Both mother and the child are healthy, Mann shared in a message in Punjabi on X. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann posted the photo of his newborn daughter on social media on Thursday afternoon. (X) Dr Gurpreet Kaur was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali on Wednesday. Mann arrived at the hospital on Thursday morning and left around 12.15pm. Mann had married Dr Gurpreet Kaur on July 6, 2022, in Chandigarh, four months after taking oath as the chief minister of Punjab on March 16, 2022. This is Manns third child as he has a son and a daughter from his previous marriage to Inderpreet Kaur. He divorced Inderpreet in 2015 and she along with the children, Seerat, 23, and Dilshan, 19, are based in the US. During his Republic Day address in Ludhiana, Mann took the gathering by surprise when he announced that he and his wife were expecting a baby in March. He urged people not to get sex determination tests done, saying: I am also expecting a bundle of joy in my home in March. My wife is seven months pregnant. Weve consciously chosen not to discover the gender and wont do so in the future either. I urge everyone to avoid such practices. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday attacked Rekha Patra, the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from West Bengals Basirhat, for hypocrisy two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to her over the phone and lauded her. Rekha Patra, the BJP candidate from West Bengals Basirhat. (X) Patra is among the women who have accused TMC leaders of atrocities and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Caught red-handed! @BJP4Indias MP candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra, plays the ultimate game of hypocrisy, enjoying the benefits of Smt. @MamataOfficials schemes while aligning herself with Delhis JOMIDARS, the TMC said in a post on X. It asked Modi to inquire about her Swasthya Sathi card the next time he called her. It might help you understand how our leaders brainchild, Swasthya Sathi, surpasses the failed Ayushman Bharat scheme, it said, referring to the scheme under which a family gets 5 lakh insurance cover annually. The TMC posted details including Patras bank account, date of birth, Swasthya Sathi card number, etc submitted for availing the benefits of the scheme. The BJP hit out at the TMC for leaking Patras details and added the health scheme was as good as defunct. Shame on Mamata Banerjee. In a bid to denigrate the protesting women of #Sandeshkhali, TMC stoops to a new low and officially leaks sensitive government data, including personal details of Rekha Patra, BJPs candidate from Basirhat. TMC has to take the blame for any eventuality, said BJPs West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya on X. Malviya urged the Election Commission of India to ensure that the personal details of people with the West Bengal government are not leaked. TMC leader Santanu Sen said family members of BJP leaders such as Sukanta Majumdar and Dilip Ghosh also availed government schemes while standing in queues at government camps. Mamata Banerjee does not differentiate between BJP and TMC when it comes to government schemes. That is a BJP game. They are feeling embarrassed because it has been proved that even BJP leaders and their families avail benefits of Mamata Banerjees schemes. He said the Aadhaar details of 815 million Indians were leaked during the BJPs rule. LUCKNOW: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Lucknow court sentenced seven people to rigorous imprisonment (RI) of three to seven years and imposed fines of 8.3 lakh in two separate cases of bank fraud worth 24.28 crore, said a senior CBI official. For representation (Sourced) In a press note shared with the media, CBI officials informed that the special judge, CBI cases, Lucknow, has sentenced the accused Radha Raman Bajpai, the then officer of Allahabad Bank, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of 2 lakh in the case related to a bank fraud amounting to 22.70 crore. In the same case, the court sentenced one Rikesh Kumar Shukla, to five years of RI and imposed a fine of 1.5 lakh. Additionally, three accused identified as Gopi Nath Tandon, the then special assistant of Allahabad Bank, Sanjay Somani, and Deepak Somani, were sentenced to three years of RI each, along with fines of 1 lakh each, in the case related to losses incurred by Allahabad Bank. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sharing further details, a CBI official said that the CBI had registered a case on April 29, 1994, against Sanjay Somani and others based on allegations that, between March 27, 1992, and January 16, 1994, they conspired to defraud Allahabad Bank, Pheelkhana Branch, Kanpur, causing wrongful loss to the bank and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves. The official mentioned that the chargesheet was filed by the CBI on May 29, 1998. After trial, the court found the five accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly. In the second case, the special judge, CBI cases, Lucknow, sentenced KK Mehta, the then assistant manager of UCO Bank, Halsey Road branch, Kanpur, to five years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of 1.6 lakh. Additionally, one Sunil Kumar Agarwal was also sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of 20,000 in a bank fraud case related to the wrongful loss caused to UCO Bank. The CBI registered the instant case on September 28, 2005, against the officers and staff of UCO Bank, Halsey Road branch, Kanpur over the allegations that during April 2003 to April 2005, the accused misappropriated an amount of 1.58 crore by showing false remittances to UCO Bank, Armapur currency chest branch, Kanpur. The CBI filed a charge sheet on March 30, and the court convicted both accused, sentencing them accordingly. Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi on Thursday penned an emotional letter to the people of Pilibhit after he was denied a ticket by the party to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi (File Photo) Recalling fond memories dating back to his childhood when he first set foot in the region, Gandhi reflected on how the land had become not just his workplace but also a cherished part of his identity, with its people forming an integral aspect of his lifes journey. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Today, as I am writing this letter, countless memories have made me emotional. I remember a 3-year-old little boy who came to Pilibhit for the first time in 1983 holding his mothers (BJP Sultanpur MP Mehaka Gandhi) finger, he had no idea that one day this land would become his workplace and people here would become his family, Gandhi wrote. Gandhi, 44, who represented the Pilbhit constituency twice in the Lok Sabha, was replaced by Uttar Pradesh state minister Jitin Prasada in the BJPs fifth list of candidates released on Sunday, ending months of speculation surrounding the three-time MPs candidature I consider myself fortunate that I got the opportunity to serve the great people of Pilibhit for years, he wrote. He acknowledged the invaluable lessons in ideals, simplicity, and kindness he had imbibed from the constituency people. He added, Even though my tenure as an MP is coming to an endmy relationship with Pilibhit cannot end till my last breath. Gandhis letter came a day after the nomination process for the Pilibhit constituency ended on Wednesday and he did not turn up there ending the subsequent speculations that he might contest the seat independently or as the Samajwadi Party candidate. His mother Maneka Gandhi, the sitting MP from Sultanpur, was, however, given another chance from the same seat by the BJP. This is the first time in over three decades that the mother-son will not be in the fray from the Pilibhit constituency which is located in the Terai belt bordering Nepal. Despite not securing a ticket, Varun vowed to continue serving the community. ...If not as an MP, then as a son, I am committed to serving you throughout my life and my doors will always remain open for you as before, he said. Varun concluded by saying, I came into politics to raise the voice of the common man and today I seek your blessings to always continue doing this work, no matter what the cost. The relationship between me and Pilibhit is one of love and trust, which is far above any political merit. I was, am and will be yours. A two-term MP from Pilibhit and one term from Sultanpur, Varun has been in the limelight for raising the issues of farmers, unemployment and youths, going against the party line. He won the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Pilibhit defeating his nearest rival VM Singh of the Congress and won the 2019 Lok Sabha election defeating SP candidate Hemraj Verma. On Tuesday, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said they will be happy if Varun joined them. The BJPs decision to replace Varun with Prasada also fuelled speculation that he might contest as an Independent. Mumbai, The fare of shared taxi services on the Nashik, Shirdi and Pune routes from Mumbai have been increased in the range of 50 to 200, transport department officials said. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority , in its recent meeting held earlier this month, approved the fare revision of black-and-yellow non-AC taxis and blue-and-silver AC taxis on these three routes. For the AC taxi travel, the passengers boarding from Mumbai will have to pay 100 more for Nashik and 200 more for Shirdi, while they will have to 50 extra for both AC and non-AC taxi travel to Pune, they said. The revised fare of AC taxis on the Mumbai-Nashik and the Mumbai-Shirdi routes will be 575 and 825 instead of the current 475 and 625 respectively. While the fare of the non-AC taxis on the Mumbai-Pune route will be 500 instead of 450, and for the AC taxis it will be 575 instead of 525. As per the minutes of the meeting, the fare revision was approved considering the Maharashtra government appointment as per the report of Khatua panel, set up for revision of taxis fare, and the demands made by the union of cabbies, who are operating on the routes. The authority has not announced the date for the implementation of this fare hike, but sources in the RTO said it is most likely to come into effect from the next month. The authority, however, directed the RTOs to display the revised fare prominently at their taxi stands that are located at Dadar in Mumbai. The Mumbai-Pune taxi route is 155 km long, while the Mumbai-Nashik and Mumbai-Shirdi are 175-km long and 265-km long respectively. RTO officials said the MMRTA has revised the taxi fare on the Mumbai-Pune route in less than three years as earlier it had approved the taxi fare in August 2021. But the transport authority has not revised the taxi fare on the Mumbai-Nashik and Mumbai-Shirdi routes since September 2013. As per the RTO officials, the Mumbai Taxi Association, one of the major taxi unions representing cabbies, was demanding a taxi fare revision on the Mumbai-Nashik route since December 2021, but the transport authority did not take any action. It, however, approved the demand for a fare revision on the Mumbai-Pune route in August 2021. Apart from trains and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses, many passengers opt for shared cabs for traveling to Pune, Nashik and Shirdi. The cabbies, however, complain that their business has been severely affected due to private buses and taxis, and allege that the RTOs have turned a blind eye. Despite repeated attempts, Bharat Kalaskar, RTO of Mumbai Central and secretary of MMRTA could not be reached for a comment. HT Image MUMBAI: A day after the crime branch raided a drug factory in Sangli, investigations have revealed that the mastermind, Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde, 34, who ran the Mephedrone (MD) manufacturing unit, learnt how to make the synthetic drug stimulant from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. After he learnt about the manufacturing of high-quality MD, he started his own venture a few months back and purchased land in Sangli district, said police sources. On Monday, Unit 7 of the Mumbai crime branch busted Shindes drug-making unit in Sangli district and allegedly seized 122 kg of high-quality mephedrone (MD), 15 lakh in cash. Shinde, who earlier lived in Thane, is an SSC graduate who charges 1 lakh per kilogram for the contraband he manufactures. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Monday, Unit 7 of the Mumbai crime branch busted Shindes drug-making unit in Sangli district and allegedly seized 122 kg of high-quality mephedrone (MD), 15 lakh in cash, and gold worth around 253 crore. Six people, including Shinde, were arrested and are remanded in police custody till April 3. The accused are identified as Parvin Bano Gulam Shaikh, 33, a resident of Kurla West, Sajid Mohammad Asif Shaikh alias Debas, 25, a resident of Mira Road, Ijaj Ali Imdad Ali Ansari, 24, and Adil Imtiyaz Vohara, 22, both residents of Surat, Gujarat. Earlier, in this case, on February 16, the police arrested four people and seized 4 kilograms of MD from them. The accused are Vasudev Laxman Jadhav, 34, Prasad Mohite, 24, Vikas Malme, 25, and Avinash Mali, 28, are residents of Kavathe Mahakal in Sangli district, and Laxman Balu Shinde, 35, is a resident of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra. All four are in judicial custody. Shinde is the mastermind who manufactured the contraband with the help of Jadhav, Mali, Mohite and Mamle. After completing his SSC, he came to Thane, where he had four criminal cases registered against him, including one for extortion registered by the Kasarvadavali police in Thane, another for assault in Kalwa police station, said a police officer. The officer added that he came into the drug business a few years ago when he met a person in jail in 2016 and started selling contraband in the city. He later went to Varanasi, where he learnt to make high-quality Mephedrone. Later, Shinde bought a 12-acre plot at his native place, set up the laboratory over about half an acre of land a year ago and started manufacturing MD around seven months back. So far, he has manufactured over 1,000 kg of MD, said Datta Nalawade, deputy commissioner of police, crime branch. He had bought all equipment like dryers, heaters, and various chemicals used for manufacturing MD, which was seized by the police during the raid, added Nalawade. Till now, we have arrested all the people involved in the manufacturing and four peddlers, but others involved in the supply chain are still at large, said the officer. The police got the leads about the Sangli lab after they arrested four people in February and seized 3.641 kg of MD from them. Parvin was first caught by unit 7 on February 16 with a small quantity of contraband in Santacruz. After questioning, she confessed that Debas supplied her with the drugs, and he was also arrested the same day. After their questioning, police later arrested Ijaj and Adil on February 18. From their tip-off, the police got the lead on the Sangli lab. After that, police inspector Atmaji Sawant of unit 7 and his team worked for several days in Irali village, located the factory and arrested six people. Patna: Two minor girls were allegedly gang-raped by seven people at a village in Bihars Vaishali district, police said on Thursday, adding that they have arrested at least one of the accused. (Representative Photo) The minor girls had come to celebrate the Holi festival with relatives in the village. The incident took place on Wednesday evening when they were on their way to the market with one of the relatives, said police. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Preliminary investigation revealed at least six to seven people thrashed the relative, forcibly took the minor girls to an agriculture field and gang-raped them. Police said that hours after the incident, the minor girls somehow reached their relatives place and narrated the whole incident to them. Police said that a complaint was filed by the relatives and a first information report was lodged on the basis of the statement given by the minor girls. All the accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376 D (gang rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 besides relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), said police. Vaishali superintendent of police (SP) Harkishore Rai said that the minor girls have been sent for medical examination and their statement will be recorded before the judicial magistrate. Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Latest Updates: The Bihar School examination board (BSEB) is expected to declare the Bihar board Matric result 2024 soon. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB)'s Class 10th or Matric examination result date and time will be out on its official social media pages. The Bihar board Class 10th result will be declared on the official website of BSEB. The HT portal will also host Bihar board results....Read More BSEB Chairman Anand Kishore will announce Class 10th results at a press conference. The Chairman will announce the names of board exam toppers, pass percentage, etc., and after the PC ends, the scorecard download link will be activated on biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Students can download it using roll code and roll number. Additionally, they can also use the HT Portal to check Bihar board results. The official website could become slow after the result announcement, as lakhs of students will be visiting it to download their scorecards. If the official website does not work on the result day, students can use the HT Portal to check their results quickly. Bihar board 10th result 2024 on the HT portal Students can also register now for the Bihar board Matric result on the HT Portal. By registering in advance, they will get an alert as soon as the result is hosted. Check latest updated on Bihar board 10th result below: Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, KSEAB has announced Karnataka PUC 1 Result 2024 Date. The KSEAB 1st PUC results will be declared on March 30, 2024. Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2024 Live Updates Karnataka PUC 1 Result 2024 Date: KSEAB 1st PUC results releasing on March 30 Candidates who have appeared for 1 PUC Annual examination in February 2024 can check the results on the official website of Karnataka results at karresults.nic.in. The official website of KSEAB is kseab.karnataka.gov.in. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The PUC I examination was conducted from February 12 to February 27, 2024, at various exam centres across the state. The exam was conducted in a single shift- from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm. For some papers, the examination was conducted from 10.15 am to 12.30 pm. Karnataka PUC 1 Result 2024: How to check All those candidates who have appeared for the examination can check their results by following the steps given below. Visit the official website of Karnataka results at karresults.nic.in. Click on the Karnataka PUC 1 Result 2024 link available on the home page. A new page will open where candidates can check the results. Enter the required details and click on submit. Your result will be displayed on the screen. Check the result and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. In 2023, Karnataka 1st PUC results was announced on March 31. Karnataka 1st PUC 2023 exams was conducted from February 20 to March 3, 2023. The result was available on result.dkpucpa.com. For more related details candidates can check the official website of KSEAB. Mar 28, 2024 1:38 PM IST The TANCET MBA exam took place in the second shift on March 9, between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. The MCA entrance examination was conducted in the first shift (10 am to 12 pm). Delhi School Results 2024: The Directorate of Education (DoE) Delhi has announced final examination results for classes 3, 4, 6 and 8. Students and parents can check the final examination results on edudel.nic.in. These examinations were held at school-level in February-March, 2024. Delhi School Result 2024 Live Updates Delhi School Result 2024: How to check DoE Delhi Class 3, 4, 6, 7 results on edudel.nic.in (Screenshot of result page) For Class 5, 8, 9 and 11, results will be declared on March 30, the DoE said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Last year, the DoE announced results of classes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 on March 28 and results of Class 9 and Class 11 on March 31. The DoE is expected to follow a similar timeline this year as well. When announced, students and parents can check DoE Delhi schools results using the following information: Student ID Class Section Date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format The code displayed on the result page. How to check DoE Delhi schools Class 3-8, 9 and 11 results? Go to edudel.nic.in. Open the exam/re-exam page. Select the class and then provide the required information. Check and download your result. Direct link to check Delhi school result 2024: https://edustud.nic.in/result/frmPubliclevelResult_23_24.aspx Here are some important points to remember: Alia Bhatt is hosting her first charity gala on Thursday. The actor, producer and entrepreneur is all set to host her first Hope Gala in London. Hours before turning host for the event, Alia Bhatt was spotted at Mumbai airport as she left for London. Also read: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Neetu Kapoor visit new Mumbai bungalow. Watch Alia Bhatt spotted at Mumbai airport as she headed to London. (Pic: Varinder Chawla) About Alia's charity gala As per a source close to her team, ANI reported that Alia will host the charity event on March 28 in partnership with the Mandarin Oriental hotel group at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Reportedly, the gala will be attended by prolific industrialists and philanthropists from India and London. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The event is in support of Alia's chosen charity Salaam Bombay, which is focused on engaging Mumbai's most vulnerable 'at-risk' children through in-school programmes (leadership and advocacy) and after-school academies (skill building) that help build their confidence, self-esteem and commit them to stay in school. Alia Bhatt's latest projects Alia has recently completed shooting for Jigra, which also stars Vedang Raina. Announcing the wrap, a few days ago, she shared candid photos from the sets of the movie on her Instagram featuring herself and Vedang. The film will be released in theatres in September 2024. Helmed by Vasan Bala, Jigra is co-produced by Karan Johar and Alia herself. Vasan has previously helmed films like Monica O My Darling, Peddlers and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. Jigra marks Alia and Vasan's first on-screen collaboration. Alia will reportedly also be seen in director Farhan Akhtar's film Jee Le Zaraa alongside Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. The film promises to be another tale of friendship in the lineage of Dil Chahta Hai and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. However, the work on the film has not started yet. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place After an almost two-month wait, Fighter finally had its OTT release on Netflix on March 21. The aerial action film, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as IAF pilots, was released in theatres on January 25, 2024. Per Netflix, Fighter was third most watched film from around the world on the platform in the past week (March 18-24); although it had the highest hours viewed. Also read: Fighter movie review Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan's Fighter is in top 3 films on Netflix in its opening week. Top 3 films on Netflix right now As per the latest Netflix data, Fighter had 5.9 million views on the streaming platform in just four days, between March 21-24. The almost 3 hour-film had 16.2 million hours viewed during the period, making it the no. 3 most watched (Non-English) film on the list. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Cat and Dog (Original title: Chien et chat) was the no. 1 film of the week on Netflix with 6.7 million views and 9.7 million hours viewed. Directed by Reem Kherici, The French comedy film tells the story of a pet cat and dog that escape their cages at the airport. On no. 2, was the Turkish film Art of Love, directed by Recai Karagoz. It had 6.6 million views and 10.9 hours viewed. Sara Ali Khan-starrer Murder Mubarak was no. 4 on the list. Fighter is among the top 3 most popular movies on Netflix right now. Fighter OTT release Fighter is about a new and elite unit, Air Dragons, which is commissioned by the Air Headquarters in response to militant activities. The film, directed by Siddharth Anand, featured Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi. Netflix India took to Instagram recently, and revealed that the film will be released on March 21 on the platform. Ladies and gentlemen, FIGHTER is all set for landing!! Fighter is releasing tonight at 12am on Netflix! the caption read. Reactions to Fighter after OTT release Since it dropped on Netflix, people on X couldn't get enough of the film, particularly the chemistry between Deepika Padukone and Hrithik in their first movie together. One tweeted, "A decent story with well written characters, fairly engaging screenplay, Technically so rich film specially BGM, Making and VFX (fire and thumbs up emojis). Excellent Visuals, especially high-octane aerial combat sequences, are really impressive (fire emoji). Hrithik and Deepika and others did their part well." Another X user shared a couple of snippets from Fighter of Hrithik and Deepika together, and wrote, "Please do another film (teary-eyed emojis)." Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Kangana Ranaut said Indian National Congress represents something she has long fought against in her film career nepotism. In an interview with Times Now, Kangana called Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi nepo babies. The actor has been fielded by the BJP for the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. (Also Read: Kangana Ranaut defends calling Urmila Matondkar soft porn star) Kangana Ranaut calls Rahul Gandhi a "nepo baby" What Kangana said "The Congress has always been an appalling party for me. The nepotism in the party has been hugely problematic for me because I was a target of the same system in my industry. I had condemned it openly, I fought against it. Something that was exploiting me... Nepotism, groupism, dynastic politics... I despise this party," Kangana said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Nepo kids," the actor said when she was asked to describe the Gandhi siblings in one line. "They are weird as if they have landed from Mars," she added. Kangana famously took a stand against nepotism in Bollywood when she called filmmaker Karan Johar the flag-bearer of nepotism on an episode of his chat show Koffee with Karan Season 5 in 2016. Kangana vs Congress Earlier this week, when Kangana was announced as a Lok Sabha elections candidate, a controversial comment was posted on social media platforms from Congress leader Supriya Shrinate's accounts against her. The post read, Mandi mein aajkal bhaav kya chal raha hai? (What's the current rate in Mandi). Following a row, Supriya removed the controversial remarks from all her social accounts, claiming that those were not posted by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts. BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj had given a complaint to the Lieutenant Governor, demanding an investigation and the registration of an FIR against Supriya for outraging the modesty of a woman. Delhi Police will also probe who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. Kangana will next star in her maiden solo directorial Emergency, in which she will play former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the grandmother of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. Kangana Ranaut is set to contest Lok Sabha election 2024 from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh on a BJP ticket. The actor-turned-politician addressed the controversy around her old 'soft porn star' jibe at Urmila Matondkar during an interaction at the Times Now Summit 2024 on Wednesday. Also read: When Kangana Ranaut called Urmila Matondkar 'soft porn star Kangana Ranaut reacted to her calling Urmila Matondkar 'soft porn star' in 2020. Kangana Ranaut on calling Urmila 'soft porn star' During the interaction, Kangana said that 'actresses are comfortable calling themselves tandoori murgi, Sheila Ki Jawani or item girl'. Speaking about her old remark against Urmila, she said, "I am not justifying anything. If these actresses are comfortable with words such as tandoori murgi, item girl, Sheila ki Jawani, why is it seen as something violating? It is a matter of fact, if they are comfortable with this, why do you want to shame them? I personally do not think I had any intention of shaming her (Urmila Matondkar) because she is very comfortable in that role." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kangana says porn stars get the most respect in India As she opened up about her old remark, the actor also said that in India, porn stars get immense respect and an example was actor Sunny Leone. She said in Hindi, "Tell me, are 'soft porn' or 'porn star' objectionable terms? No! They are not objectionable terms. It is just a word that is not acceptable socially. The amount of respect porn stars get in India just ask Sunny Leone nowhere else in the world is that the case." What Kangana had said about Urmila earlier During a 2020 interview to Times Now, Kangana, who recently slammed a derogatory post against her by a Congress leader, had made a controversial statement. She had said, I saw one very derogatory interview given by Urmila Matondkar. The way she was talking about me, pulling faces, making a mockery about my struggles, attacking me on the fact that I am trying to appease BJP for a ticket. One doesnt have to be a genius to figure that for me it is not very difficult to get a ticket. Urmila is a soft porn star. She is not known for her acting for sure, what is she known for? For doing soft porn right. If she could get a ticket, why wouldnt I get a ticket?" Urmila, who made her political debut as a Congress candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and joined Shiv Sena in 2020, had in a 2020 NDTV interview slammed Kangana for disrespecting veteran actor Jaya Bachchan, who had objected to the entire film industry being tarnished in a 2020 speech in Parliament. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Akshaye Khanna has carved a niche for himself in his 27-year-old acting career with unconventional choices. The actor has set a benchmark through his pathbreaking films and artistry. Despite working in fewer movies, Akshaye has been able to create a unique identity in Bollywood amid cut-throat competition. A glimpse at some of his performances that prove that he is game for experimental cinema across diverse genres. (Also read: When Akshaye Khanna said he'd never work with dad Vinod Khanna) Akshaye Khanna celebrates his birthday on March 28.(PTI) Taal Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Akshaye's portrayal of Manav in Subhash Ghai's Taal redefined romance and heroism. Akshaye as Manav brought a new perspective to rebellious, unconditional, selfless and sacrificing love on-screen. While Shah Rukh Khan's righteous Raj Malhotra tries to persuade Kajol aka Simran's father, Manav in Taal doesn't believe in conflict. When the protagonist in Subhash Ghai's romance-musical realises the reluctance of Mansi played by Aishwarya Rai, he walks away without any negativity. At a time when cancel culture and toxicity is glorified in pop culture, Manav has aged well as an ideal green-flag. Akshaye brought the passion, vulnerability, heartbreak and compassion of his character with artistic finesse. An out-of-the-box perspective on romance without any machoism, amicably depicted by Akshaye. A must watch for romantic movie buffs. Dil Chahta Hai Akshaye Khanna's character in Dil Chahta Hai was earlier offered to Hrithik Roshan. Akshaye once again set the bar with his portrayal of Siddharth Sinha aka Sid became a cult character among millenials and Gen Z. Akshaye as the no-nonsense, wise, compassionate yet fun-loving Sid resonated wit the youth. Farhan Akhtar's vision to bring a character that was hardly explored by filmmakers was justified by Akshaye's acting prowess. For the unversed, the actor was earlier supposed to play Aakash, while Hrithik Roshan was the original choice for Sid. Aamir Khan had been signed to play Sameer. However, when Hrithik declined the role, the cast changed and a new cinematic wave was witnessed. In the conventional movies on college friends, the male characters were supposed to be loud, forceful, goofy and superhuman. Akshaye's Sidharth established the narrative of a genuine unrequited romance with a generational gap. The actor gave a soulful performance which once again proved his potential to showcase complex human emotions. Gandhi, My Father Akshaye essayed the role of Mahatma Gandhi's eldest son Harilal Gandhi. Darshan Jariwala played Mahatma Gandhi in the Feroz Abbas Khan directorial. The movie was based on the biography of Harilal Gandhi, titled Harilal Gandhi: A Life by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. Feroz had earlier directed play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi adapted from a Gujarati novel Prakash no Padchhayo by Dinkar Joshi. Akshaye's intensity and versatility were lauded in the epic-drama produced by Anil Kapoor. The actor gave it his best shot in confrontation scenes between Harilal and the father of the nation. Akshaye's ability to get into the skin of the character brings the much-needed engagement quotient in some of the hard-hitting sequences. A must watch for the students of cinema. Accidental Prime Minister Akshaye Khanna played Sanjaya Baru in The Accidental Prime Minister. Akshaye Khanna played the role of Indian political commentator and policy analyst Sanjaya Baru in the biopic based on former Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh. Sanjaya was a media advisor and chief spokesperson (PMO) during Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure. The title of the Sanjay Ratnakar Gutte directorial is based on the book written by the former. Although Anupam Kher played the main protagonist, Akshaye's performance was equally appreciated in the political-drama. His on-screen camaraderie with Anupam was visible in some of the emotional and light-hearted scenes. Akshaye's subtle nuances bring a lot of conviction in his portrayal. Section 375 Akshaye Khanna played a brutal lawyer in Section 375. Akshaye plays the character of an ambitious lawyer Tarun Saluja who defends the case of a filmmaker accused of rape. In the movie, Akshaye's client, portrayed by Rahul Bhat, faces rape accusation from an assistant costume designer. Tarun faces his former trainee Hiral Gandhi aka Richa Chadha who fights the victim's case. In a mysterious turn of events across court-proceedings many uncomfortable truths about law and social justice are revealed. Akshaye played a grey-shade character with utmost conviction in this unconventional movie based on a sensitive theme. However, his acting abilities are spot-on, which makes the audiences appreciate his talent rather than judging his character. Drishyam 2 Akshaye Khanna and Ajay Devgn in a still from Drishyam 2. Akshaye essayed the role of Inspector General of Police, Tarun Ahlawat in the Abhishek Pathak directorial. In-spite of the presence of Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Shriya Saran, Akshaye hit the bull's eye with his artistic brilliance. His interrogation scenes with Ajay Devgn showcase his ability to effortlessly delve into the psyche of the character. Although there are shades of grey in Tarun, Akshaye once again win's over the audiences with his intensity and dialogue delivery. The actor is convincing as the ruthless cop and amicably complements Tabu and Ajay with his exceptional performance. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Celebrities cant seem to avoid pregnancy rumours. The latest celeb, who faced pregnancy speculation, is Parineeti Chopra after she wore a loose black 'kaftan dress' to the trailer launch event of her upcoming Netflix film, Chamkila. Parineeti was rolling her eyes at people who wondered if she was pregnant after social media users, including paparazzi pages, put up her videos from the event, and suggested she was hiding her alleged 'baby bump'. Also read: How Bollywood celebs broke their 'good news' to fans Parineeti Chopra at the trailer launch event on Thursday, which led to fresh pregnancy rumours about the actor. Parineeti breaks silence on pregnancy rumours She took to Instagram Stories on Thursday to share her reaction to her assumed pregnancy. The actor wrote, along with a laughing emoji, "Kaftan dress = pregnancy. Oversized shirt = pregnancy. Comfy Indian kurta = pregnancy." Just a few weeks prior, some media portals had also suggested the actor might be pregnant with her first child. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Parineeti Chopra is setting the record straight about her rumoured pregnancy. Parineeti focussing on her work After her recent appearances in oversized outfits left fans wondering if she was expecting a baby with husband Raghav Chadha, a source close to the actor dismissed the speculations in a recent interview to Hindustan Times. There is no truth in the pregnancy rumours. At the moment, she is hustling between several cities, sometimes for professional commitments and sometimes for personal reasons. In fact, it is baffling that someones choice of attire can lead to such speculations, and intrude in someones personal life, the source had said. The insider continued, Parineeti likes to keep her private life guarded, but her actions also dont suggest that she is pregnant. She has not pushed any of her work and shoot commitments in the future, and everything is running at the pace which was planned much earlier. Parineeti is married to AAP leader Raghav Chadha. The couple tied the knot in Udaipur in the presence of friends and family on September 24, 2023. Days after their marriage, Parineeti shared not only her wedding album, but also inside videos from the wedding festivities. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Priyamani has opened up about the 'south actor' tag. In an interview with Pinkvilla, she spoke about the response to her recent Hindi film Article 370, as well as the challenges she faces as an actor, who works predominantly in the south. She said south Indian actors 'might not be as fair and sparkling white as the ladies' in Bollywood, but they were 'as good-looking as anybody else'. Also read | Sridevi to Asin and Shruti Hassan: What south Indian actors said about working in Bollywood Priyamani works in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam films. When asked if she's faced stereotypes in Hindi films, because she started her acting career with Telugu and Tamil cinema, Priyamani, who was seen in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan, said, Yeah, sometimes they (Bollywood filmmakers) will say 'Oh because it is a south Indian character, we want to cast you'. I hope that changes soon." 'We are as good-looking as anybody else' Priyamani added, "See, even though we are from south India, I think we can speak the language (Hindi) quite fluently, we are as good-looking as anybody else. Probably our skin type might not be as fair and sparkling white as the ladies here (Bollywood), but I dont think that should matter. As I said, girls from the south, or men from the south, everybody from the south knows the language; they can speak it (Hindi) quite fluently, albeit maybe the grammar can go a little here and there, but that should not matter as long as the emotions are being portrayed... I think now the thing of north and south should change. We are always Indian actors. Priyamani works in a still from Article 370. Her career Priyamani works in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam films. She made her acting debut with the 2003 Telugu film Evare Atagaadu. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the Tamil film Paruthiveeran (2007), receiving a National Film Award for Best Actress and a Filmfare Award for Best Actress in Tamil. Her other notable projects include Raam (2009), Raavan (2010), Raavanan (2010), Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010), Chaarulatha (2012) and Idolle Ramayana (2016), among many others. She is also seen on the Manoj Bajpayee series The Family Man, and has played supporting roles in the action film Jawan (2023) and Yami Gautam-starrer Article 370 (2024). Priyamani is gearing up for the release of her next film, Maidaan, co-starring Ajay Devgn. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place There doesn't seem to be a precedent for an all-female heist comedy in Bollywood. So naturally, fans are excited to watch Rajesh A Krishnan's Crew starring Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon, set to release in cinemas this Friday on March 29. But before you watch Crew, here are 5 Hollywood heist films that you can catch for a warm-up. (Also Read Crew advance booking day 1: Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Kriti Sanon film earns over 70 lakh already; sells 30000 tickets) Kareena Kapoor's Crew joins a very short list of heist movies led by women. Ocean's 8 Gary Ross' all-female instalment of the popular Ocean's franchise released in 2018. Sandra Bullock anchors the cast as Debbie Ocean, the never-before-mentioned sister of George Clooneys Danny Ocean, who has taken up the family business and prefers to work without hims. 'Hers, she later explains, can go unnoticed. Her gang includes Anne Hathaway, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Jane Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rihanna, and they carry out a heist during the Met Gala. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Thelma & Louise Ridley Scott's 1991 buddy road movie is the OG female heist film. Starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in the titular roles, it featured the two as conwomen on the move, before they themselves get conned by the charming JD, played by Brad Pitt in his breakthrough film. The movie fetched both the leading actors nominations in the Best Actress category at the Oscars, becoming a rare film to achieve that feat. Hustlers Writer-director Lorene Scafaria adapted Jessica Presslers New York Magazine story The Hustlers at Scores into this 2019 film about a bunch of strippers who seduce and steal from rich men at nightclubs. It starred Jennifer Lopez in the much-acclaimed lead role of Destiny. Widows Viola Davis plays Veronica Rawlins, who is married to a very powerful bad man, Harry Rawlins (Liam Neeson). When he and his crew get gunned down during a robbery gone wrong, Veronica is the one the aggrieved come after to collect. She decides to step into Harrys shoes and enlist the widows of his crew to help. Directed by Steve McQueen and also starring Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, and Cynthia Erivo, the film was adapted from a 1983 British television show of the same name. Mad Money Directed by Callie Khouri, who co-wrote Thelma & Louise, this 2008 crime comedy stars Diane Keaton, Katie Holmes, and Queen Latifah, which combined their strengths of motive, means, and moves to loot banks. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Ryan Gosling may be Ken, but his Barbie chose to take a backseat when they had daughters. On the Today show, actor and Ryan's wife Eva Mendes revealed why she gave up on acting after the birth of their daughters. (Also Read The Fall Guy first reviews are here: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's movie is surprisingly romantic) Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes starred together in The Place Beyond The Pines What Eva said It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, 'Ok, he's going to work and I'm going to work. I'm just going to work here. He went and he did his job. He just happens to be really good at his job. And he did it and he came home, said Eva. She said it was a no-brainer for her to quit acting after the birth of their daughters because the job takes her on locations away from her family. Eva Mendes has been in awe of Ryan the actor ever since they shared the screen space in Derek Cianfrance's 2012 epic crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines. I have never experienced anything like that. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they can be. But unfortunately or fortunately there is only one Ryan, she added. Ryan and Eva Ryan, 43, and Eva, 50, started dating in 2011. While they remain unmarried, they had two daughters in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Earlier this year, Eva took to her Instagram handle and congratulated Ryan for his portrayal of Ken in Greta Gerwig's satire Barbie. "So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role. So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars," Eva mentioned in her post. Ryan will be next seen in The Fall Guy. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. Survival dramas always find resonance with the audience and the recent super hit Malayalam film, Manjummel Boys, also proved this. Right on its heels comes another Malayalam survival drama, Aadujeevitham or The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. Interestingly, while both these films are based on real life, they are different in almost every other aspect. The Goat Life, directed by Blessy, is adapted from writer Benyamins novel The Goat Days, which narrates the story of Malayali immigrant Najeeb Muhammed. Also read: Prithviraj Sukumaran exclusive interview The Goat Life movie review: Prithviraj Sukumaran has gotten into the skin of the character to play Najeeb and his commitment must be applauded. The premise Najeeb (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is living happily with his wife Saini (Amala Paul) in Kerala, when he decides to get a job in the Gulf to give his family a better life. He lands up with his friend, Hakim, in Saudi Arabia and ends up with a local man, who they think is their boss and get taken to an unknown destination. Najeeb is dropped off in the middle of the desert with a local farmer and has no connection to the outside world. He only speaks Malayalam and his desperate attempts to communicate with Kafeel, the boss, go nowhere. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He finds himself as a slave herding goats in the middle of the desert, given little food and practically no water, and desperately wants to escape and go back home. As days roll into weeks and months and even years, how does Najeeb survive this horrendous life of torture and slavery and get back home? This is where Ibrahim Khadiri (Jimmy Jean-Louis) and Hakim come in. What follows is the rest of what The Goat Life is about. What works Director Blessy has chosen a tough story to bring alive on screen but has done a commendable job of it. He is not in a rush to tell Najeebs story and you see every step of how Najeeb changes and adapts to this new life. The transformation of a happy and healthy Najeeb swimming freely in the Kerala backwaters to a starving, desperately thin and unkempt one in the desert among rugged goats, is captured beautifully through the stunning visuals. Every feeling that Najeeb has is brought out through small details, like the moment between him and the young goat or when he says goodbye to the goats. There is just the vast expanse of the desert, the goat herd and a suffering Najeeb through most of the first half and Blessy brings out the relationship between the three poignantly one just cannot imagine what the real Najeeb must have gone through. In the second half, Blessy moves towards the arduous and a near-impossible journey to freedom which Najeeb and Hakim face. There are many scenes that stand out Prithviraj Sukumaran has delivered an extraordinary performance as Najeeb. He has gotten into the skin of the character - literally - to play Najeeb and his commitment must be applauded. Right from losing weight to his shaggy beard, black teeth and dirty nails, the Malayalam star has shown that he has given it all for this role. There are many scenes, which stand out and show that no other actor could have done this role. The scene, for instance, where hes reed-thin and walks naked to the water tank to take a bath after years really hits you emotionally. Jimmy Jean-Louis, Talib (Kafeel) and KR Gokul (Hakim) also stand out with their performances while Amala Paul, who just has a few scenes, delivers whats required. Prithviraj Sukumaran in a still from Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life. Technically, Sunil KS has done stellar work as the cinematographer as his visuals are very vivid and capture and convey the mood of every aspect of Najeebs journey compellingly. For instance, you can visually see the thirst that Najeeb feels and as he quenches his parched lips, you feel like drinking water too. AR Rahmans music makes you connect with film Music maestro AR Rahman has elevated the film to another level with background score. In all of director Blessys films, the music plays a very important role in conveying the tone and emotions of the film and The Goat Lifes score is no exception. The BGM is a combination of numerous musical styles (Arabic, Indian, Islamic, etc) and captures the life of these men in the Gulf and in India. In effect, Rahmans background music makes you connect emotionally with this hard-hitting survival drama, right from the Kerala backwaters to the fierce desert sandstorms and the loud winds, to the grief and loss Najeeb experiences. Final thoughts At nearly three hours, Blessys film is a tad long as it tends to drag in some parts, especially in the second half. The Goat Life must be watched on the big screen for a truly wholesome experience. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Actor Naveen Polishetty met with a bike accident in the US recently. The actors team confirmed to Hindustan Times that the actor broke his arm and is currently recuperating. Naveen is yet to share a statement on the same on social media. (Also Read: Internet is my godfather: Naveen Polishetty) Naveen Polishetty has injured his arm in a bike accident He lost control of his bike Reports were doing rounds of Naveen having met with an accident in the US. The actors team confirmed to HT that its true. A member of his team told us, Naveen was riding his bike in Dallas in the US when he lost control of it. He tried his best but it skid, resulting in an arm injury. This happened a few days ago but we only just found out about it. His arm is fractured and hes recuperating in the US right now. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Please be patient Thanking fans for wishing him on his birthday last year, Naveen said that scripting takes time explaining why he has been missing in action for a while now. He wrote on Instagram, You might hear less from me but know thats only cause scripting takes time and I have some very diff and entertaining films coming up for you guys next year. Earlier this year, when a fan shared a clip praising his performance in Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya, the actor responded on X, Pls be patient. Bringing you guys the best quality new age stories takes time but will be worth it. Love. What a bloody brilliant day! He also asked writers to mail him if they had any interesting scripts. Upcoming work Naveen was last seen in the 2023 release Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, directed by Mahesh Babu and co-starring Anushka Shetty. The rom-com received good reviews and the actor was praised for his performance in the film. He is also filming for Kalyan Shankars Anaganaga Oka Raju with Sreeleela. The film has been in the works for a while now, having been announced in 2022. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place The prolonged dispute over fishing rights around Kachchatheevu Island in Palk Bay has been a source of tension between India and Sri Lanka for many years. The recent protests by Sri Lankan fishermen from Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar districts against Indian fishermen are indicative of the severity of the issue. The Sri Lankan navy has seized a total of 18 Indian boats and arrested 146 Indian fishermen since the beginning of 2024. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to address the issue through constructive negotiations with the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Nadu government to bring about a peaceful resolution to the matter. Indian fisherman (HT Photo) The disagreement between both parties arose after signing two agreements in 1974 and 1976 on the maritime boundaries. According to the 1974 Indo-Lanka Maritime Agreement, the Indian Government ceded Kachchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. However, Indian fishermen have been crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) unintentionally and have sometimes been apprehended or faced consequences from the Sri Lankan authorities. This situation has given rise to concerns within Tamil Nadu, as the traditional fishing rights of its people have been affected. These occurrences have raised concerns for the safety of Indian fishermen in Palk Bay and the issue of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. Consequently, it is crucial to take swift action to address these concerns and to call on both governments to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issue peacefully and diplomatically. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In 2016, the governments of India and Sri Lanka proposed the establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to create a hotline in Palk Bay, which could contribute to better peace resolution. However, it is important to note that the Tamil Nadu state government was not consulted during the negotiations with Sri Lanka, and this could be seen as contradicting the principles of an inclusive federal State. Additionally, the 1983 Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation has exacerbated tensions in Palk Bay by placing constraints on fishermen, allowing them to fish only beyond three nautical miles. As a result, fishermen find themselves compelled to cross the IMBL to engage in their fishing activities. India and Sri Lanka have both signed the United Nations Convention Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and it is crucial to consider Sri Lanka's claim that Indian fishermen engage in illegal fishing activities after crossing the IMBL. According to Article 19 of UNCLOS, vessels that engage in such activities in foreign territorial seas are considered a threat to the "peace, good order, or security of the coastal State." Additionally, Article 21 allows "coastal states to adopt laws and regulations" to prevent the infringement of their fisheries laws and regulations. It is essential to address these issues diplomatically to promote better relations between the two nations. Creating a win-win situation requires a comprehensive approach and deep negotiation between the coast guards, navy, and other authorities of the Indian and Sri Lankan governments, with proper consultation with the Tamil Nadu government. It is imperative for the Indian government to carefully examine the factors that could be leading Indian fishermen to enter Sri Lankan waters despite the provision of 5,000 GPS devices to them in February 2023. It is equally important to assess the impact of providing GPS to the fishermen and take appropriate measures to address the matter constructively and effectively. It is worth considering resolving the question concerning the ownership of Kachchatheevu Island in the Palk Bay between India and Sri Lanka through the establishment of a land lease agreement. A potential model for this could be the Tin Bigha case between India and Bangladesh, where the 1974 India-Bangladesh boundary agreement granted India sovereignty over Tin Bigha. Still, a lease agreement in perpetuity was later established to allow the Bangladeshis to utilise it for civilian purposes. This approach could be explored as a possible solution for the disputed territory, as it would provide a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties. The governments of India and Sri Lanka have an opportunity to work together to enhance the maritime security of the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, utilising digital solutions to ensure robust cyber security. This will help to prevent drug trafficking activities by smugglers from the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle and promote regional peace and stability in Palk Bay. It is important to take measures to prevent misunderstandings that may occur between Sri Lankan authorities and Indian fishermen and to avoid any unfortunate incidents. By leveraging advanced technologies such as satellite imagery and algorithms, fishing vessels can be accurately identified in real-time, even in remote areas. This will provide valuable insights for authorities to understand fishing patterns and take the necessary measures to maintain the region's security. Both countries must approach this matter with sensitivity and a willingness to find mutually beneficial solutions. A comprehensive and holistic approach, taking into account the concerns of all stakeholders, including the human rights violations of Indian fishermen in Palk Strait, is necessary to resolve this issue. This article is authored by Diya Jose, research intern, Centre for Public Policy Research, New Delhi. Going out on a date or to brunch with the gang? Snap on a roll of tape on your wrist and show it off with panache! Youll be flaunting one of the most high-end accessories. Priced at approximately $4,000 ( 3.3 lakh), Balenciagas bracelet at Paris Fashion Weeks Fall/Winter 2024 collection looks like a roll of clear packing tape youd get in a stationary store. Balenciagas bracelet, priced at approximately $4,000 ( 3.3 lakh), looks like a roll of clear packing tape (X) Sandwiches, air... Whats next? This is the latest in a series of seemingly-ludicrous luxury items. While Judith Leiber can be credited with the original whimsy bag (from hamburgers to ice cream cones, fries and pancakes), in January, Louis Vuitton unveiled their Sandwich Bag with creative director, musician Pharrell Williams. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. .The Louis Vuitton Sandwich Bag launched in January is priced at $3,130 ( 2.8 lakh)(X) The clutch costs a whopping $3,130 ( 2.8 lakh) and looks like a brown paper bag! Copernis 37-gm Air Swipe bag (X) In March, Coperni showed off their 37gm Air Swipe bag made of air! With handbags poised for a reboot in 2024, are the worlds most luxurious brands just pulling a rabbit out of a hat? Social media users feel so as they expressed disbelief and amusement on Instagram and Twitter at the new tape bracelet. A user asked if it was tax deductible: Ill add it to my stationery expense. Another added: Whats next? Toilet paper as necklace? Here are other reactions: Netizens voiced their disbelief at the new bag (X) The Delhi Rouse Avenue court on Thursday witnessed Arvind Kejriwal arguing his case in front of the court in a rare move while his counsels were there to represent him. As his six-day ED custody came to an end, the Enforcement Directorate sought a seven-day extension of his custody arguing that Arvind Kejriwal had been deliberately non-cooperative, his counsels did not share the income tax details. Kejriwal will have to be confronted with the other accused in the Delhi liquor case, the ED said. ED versus Kejriwal in Delhi's Rouse Avenue court as Kejriwal represented himself in the court and delivered argument challenging his arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam. After the ED's counsel presented the argument for an extension of Kejriwal's ED custody, the Delhi chief minister started his address in the court which the ED opposed as he was supposed to be represented by his counsels. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Arvind Kejriwal argues for himself in court: LIVE updates What Kejriwal said Arvind Kejriwal said the case in connection with which he has been arrested is a two-year-old case and so far there is no evidence against him. There are no charges against him yet, Kejriwal said. Kejriwal said his name has come in only four statements. "First is C Arvind who is the PA of Manish Sisodia. He said a document was given by him in my presence. A lot of people come to meet me and they talk with each other. Is this a sufficient reason to arrest me? Second is Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy who came to meet me to establish his family trust. His son was released after they changed their statement about me. Sarath Reddy said that he met me with Vijay Nair. Where is the money?" Kejriwal said. Smoke screen to crush AAP: Arvind Kejriwal addresses Delhi court, slams ED's 31,000-page report What ED said Enforcement Directorate, after Kejriwal's submission, said they have evidence against Kejriwal that theDelhi chief minister demanded 100 crore. "He wants to play to the gallery by making the same submissions," ED's counsel S Raju said. ED said apart from Kejriwal's personal involvement in the scam being the AAP convener, the money -- the proceeds of the scam -- was used in the AAP Goa campaign. A chief minister is not above law, the ED said. Before Kejriwal's submission, the ED argued that digital data extracted from Kejriwal's possession is to be examined. Raju said Kejriwal's statements were recorded but he gave evasive replies. The ED also mentioned that some senior excise officials from Punjave have been summoned by the ED. Arvind Kejriwal news Highlights: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday produced Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal before a Delhi court as his custodial remand ended. The court extended his remand till April 1. Kejriwal was brought to the Rouse Avenue court at 1.45 pm in connection with the money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam....Read More On Wednesday, Kejriwal was unable to get instant relief from the Delhi high court against his arrest, prolonging the legal battle over his alleged involvement in the capitals controversial 2021-22 excise policy that is playing out just weeks ahead of the general elections. The high court while emphasising the need for a response from the ED to address the legal and validity issues raised in the CMs petition, posted the case for another hearing on April 3. On the petition moved by the Delhi CM, the bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma stated that the respondent (ED) has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply as an opportunity for effective representation, and declining this opportunity would amount to denial of fair hearing as well as violation of one of the principles of natural justice, which is applicable to both parties and not one. Meanwhile, high drama ensued at the Delhi assembly on Wednesday, when the House resumed after a 10-day break, AAP legislators protested the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by ED. The partys MLAs stormed the well of the House and raised slogans, even as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators launched a counter-protest, demanding Kejriwals resignation. Why Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested? Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court saw heated arguments between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the lawyers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during the hearing in the excise policy case on Thursday, March 28. Arvind Kejriwal himself made submissions in the Delhi court and said a smokescreen of the Aam Aadmi Party being corrupt has been created before the nation. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced in the court after being arrested in liquor policy case.(PTI file) The ED said Arvind Kejriwal was giving evasive replies and not disclosing passwords of his digital devices. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Delhi chief minister made the submissions as the ED produced him in the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja and sought seven-day further custody, arguing he needs to be confronted with some people linked with the case. What Arvind Kejriwal said and how ED countered Arvind Kejriwal: I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM? Sarath Chandra Reddy (director of Aurobindo Pharma Limited) donated 55 crore to the BJP. I have evidence of this. Money trail is established as he donated the funds after being arrested. Note: Reddy is one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case. Kejriwal's advocate Ramesh Gupta: The chief minister wants to cooperate in the investigation but not on the ED's grounds for which the agency is seeking extension of his custodial remand. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for ED: During the custodial interrogation Arvind Kejriwal's statements have been recorded and he has been giving evasive replies. We need to confront him with other persons. Statements of some AAP candidates are also being recorded. We require further remand of seven days. He (Kejriwal) has not revealed passwords because of which we are not able to access his digital data. Arvind Kejriwal: This case has been going on for the past two years..I have been arrested and till now, there have been no convictions or allegations against meTill now, there have been 31,000 pages submitted before the court and various statements have been recorded and my name is in 4 statements. First, is C Arvind, who is the PA of Manish Sisodia, and he has said that a document was given by him in my presence. A lot of people come to meet me and they talk with each other. Is this a sufficient reason for my arrest? Second, is Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, who came to meet me to establish his family trust. This statement remains the same until his son is arrested. After which he changes his statements and in the next few days his son is released. There are three statements of his. However, only one statement is brought forward while the other two are notWhy? Third, is Magunta Reddy. seven statements are recorded out of which in six statements he never says anything against me, but in the seventh statement he takes my name and that comes forward not the previous six. Sarath Reddy said he met me with Vijay Nair and that is the basis Nine statements were recorded of his and he names me in only one." Where is the money? The main case came forward after the probe began.They are trying to create a smoke screen to crush the AAP.There is a money trail established where Sarath Reddy has given Rs. 55 crore to the BJP. Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, appearing for Kejriwal: He is conceding the remand application but there is money trail of 55 crore which should be investigated. ASG Raju: "It is a stage of production. How are his submissions relevant"? He is playing to the gallery. ASG Raju: How does he know how many documents are with the ED.? The AAP received the kickbacks and there is a trail which shows that money came from Hawala and was used in the Goa elections. ASG Raju: The money that he says came to the BJP has no connection with the liquor scam..We have not arrested because he is the CM. ASG Raju: We have a right to arrestwe have material to show that he demanded 100 crore kickback. Ramesh Gupta: There is a right of the accused to remain silent, they are saying that the phones have been recovered but he is not giving the passwordit is his right to remain silent. I will cooperate with the investigation but not on their grounds. The Rouse Avenue Court later extended the custodial remand of Arvind Kejriwal by four more days till April 1. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Court on the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand on Thursday, March 28. Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, is expected to reveal the truth regarding the "so-called Delhi liquor scam" in the court on March 28, as claimed by his wife Sunita Kejriwal. Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.(ANI) Additionally, the Delhi high court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) praying for the removal of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi chief minister on Thursday. The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Wednesday, Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal, in a digital briefing, said her husband would reveal the details of the alleged liquor scam in court on Thursday and also present evidence. Also Read | Who is Sunita Kejriwal? 6 things about former IRS officer and wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Sunita Kejriwal said when she met him in ED custody, he told her that the central agency has conducted more than 250 raids in connection with the "so-called liquor scam" in the last two years but "not a single paisa" has been found. The ED raided Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendar Jain's places but no money was found. They raided our (CM residence) place and found just 73,000, she said and asked whether the money was from the so-called liquor scam. In the so-called liquor scam, the ED has conducted more than 250 raids. They are searching for the money of this so-called scam. They have found nothing yet. Arvind Kejriwal has said he will reveal everything in court on March 28. He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is. He will also provide proof, Sunita Kejriwal said. Also Read | The ED had arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with an alleged excise policy-linked money laundering case. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on a petition moved by Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest and also challenging THE ED remand granted by the trial court while not granting any immediate relief. Delhi education minister Atishi said, "What the honourable high court has stated in today's order is a very important observation. Until now, only the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and members of the opposition and the INDIA bloc have repeatedly raised questions, stating that the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal is not legal, undemocratic and politically motivated." "But today, even the HC has said that there is a need to check whether this arrest is politically motivated. The HC has also said that this arrest could be undemocratic and unlawful and that is why the HC has issued the notice to the ED," said Atishi. Refusing to interfere with the arrest of Kejriwal, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice on the AAP leader's petition challenging his arrest and the subsequent remand to the ED's custody, and asked the agency to file its response to it as well as his plea for interim relief of release before April 2. The judge, in the order, clarified the matter would be taken up for final disposal on April 3 and no adjournment shall be granted. The opposition INDIA bloc is holding a "maha rally" at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to "safeguard the country's interests and democracy". Meanwhile, Union minister Smriti Irani lashed out at Kejriwal over the alleged liquor scam and said he does not want any investigation against himself. Speaking at the Times Now Summit Irani said the Supreme Court has said that there is a money trail in the liquor scam. Kejriwal skipped nine summonses issued by the ED. "They (AAP) used money looted in a liquor scam for Goa and Punjab election campaigns," she alleged. Union minister Anurag Thakur also attacked Kejriwal. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the AAP leader should step down from the post of the Delhi chief minister. The Central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in eight districts and 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland, declaring them as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1 this year, unless withdrawn earlier. The Central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in eight districts and 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland, declaring them as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1 this year, unless withdrawn earlier.(File photo) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made the announcement through a notification mentioning that the AFSPA has been extended for next six months in Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts of Nagaland. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Besides, the AFSPA has been extended in the areas falling within the jurisdiction of 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland-- six police stations each in Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts; five police stations in Kohima; three police stations in Wokha; and Yanglok police station in Longleng district. ALSO READ| Amit Shah says Centre will consider revoking AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir These 21 police stations comprise Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima district; Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki 'C' police stations in Mokokchung district; Yanglok police station in Longleng district; Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha district; and Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto district. "Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek and Peren districts in Nagaland and the areas in Nagaland falling within the jurisdiction of i) Khuzama, Kohima North, Kohima South, Zubza and Kezocha police stations in Kohima District; ii) Mangkolemba, Mokokchung-I, Longtho, Tuli, Longchem and Anaki 'C' police stations in Mokokchung District; iii) Yanglok police station in Longleng District; iv) Bhandari, Champang and Ralan police stations in Wokha District; and v) Ghatashi, Pughoboto, Satakha, Suruhuto, Zunheboto and Aghunato police stations in Zunheboto District, are declared as 'disturbed area' under Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2023, unless withdrawn earlier," reads the notification. ALSO READ| Jammu and Kashmir leaders sceptic as Centre mull AFSPA rollback The Centre took the step following a further review of the law and order situation in the state of Nagaland. Earlier, the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had declared eight districts and 21 Police Stations in five other districts of the state of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from October 1, 2023. The AFSPA empowers security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant along with some other actions. Reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an "integral and inalienable part of India," the Ministry of External Affairs said that China may repeat its "baseless claims" as many times as they want. but that will not change the position. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (File Photo) In response to a query during a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Our position on the matter has been made very clear on Arunachal Pradesh time and again. We have recently also issued statements in this regard. I think a couple of statements." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "China may repeat its baseless claims as many times as they want. That is not going to change the position. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India," he added. Randhir Jaiswal's statement comes days after China again came up with its claim over Arunachal Pradesh. Terming the Indian State as "Zangn--an inherent part of China's territory," the Chinese Defence Ministry said that Beijing "never acknowledges and firmly opposes" the "so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India." Following this, India once again rejected the "absurd claims" and "baseless arguments" while asserting that the northeastern state is an "integral and inalienable part of India." In an official statement, MEA noted that the people of Arunachal Pradesh will "continue to benefit" from India's development programmes and infrastructure projects. On March 23, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed on Saturday that the north-eastern state is part of India. While referring to Beijing's claims as "ludicrous", the EAM said that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India because it is a part of the country, and not only because a foreign country says so. During his visit to Singapore, EAM Jaishankar spoke at the Institute of South Asian Studies of the National University of Singapore on his book 'Why Bharat Matters'. Responding to a question during the event, Jaishankar said, "This is not a new issue. China has laid claim, expanded its claim. The claims are ludicrous to begin with, they remain ludicrous today. And Arunachal Pradesh is part of India because it is part of India, not because some other country says it is part of India." "So, I think we have been very clear, very consistent on this. And this is something that will be part of the boundary discussion which are taking place," he added. Bengaluru, Incumbent MP D K Suresh, who was the only Congress candidate to win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, on Thursday filed his nomination from Bengaluru Rural constituency for the April 26 polls. The 57-year-old younger brother of Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar was accompanied among others by Ramanagara district in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Suresh defeated former MLA Anitha Kumaraswamy in the 2013 bypoll after her husband and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy resigned from Lok Sabha following his win in the Assembly polls that year, and was re-elected in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. The BJP-JD combine has fielded noted cardiac surgeon C N Manjunath, who is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and brother-in-law of former Chief Minister and state JD President H D Kumaraswamy, in this Vokkaliga-dominated segment. Manjunath, who is contesting on BJP symbol, had headed the state-owned Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research for 17 years before retiring in January this year. Shivakumar expressed confidence about Suresh's victory and said electoral fights with the Deve Gowda family are not new. We have fought many elections against the Deve Gowda family. We have got a woman elected against Deve Gowda. I have faced Kumaraswamy in an election. Suresh had won an election against Anita Kumaraswamy, who was the joint candidate of BJP and JDS. We defeated Anita Kumaraswamy by a huge margin even when I was not a minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government. People have been supporting us ever since, he said. HT Image The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1. The Delhi CM will remain in custody till Monday, after which he will be presented in front of the court bench for further proceedings in the case. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's ED remand extended The Delhi court has passed this order for the extension of the remand in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, being probed by the ED for the last two years. Kejriwal is the fourth Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader to be arrested in this case. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While seeking the extension of the Delhi CM's remand, ED argued that Kejriwal needs to be brought face to face with some of the accused in the excise policy case. The central agency further said that the data in one of the mobile phones, belonging to Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita, was extracted and is being analyzed. However, data from the other 4 digital devices seized during search at Arvind Kejriwal's premises on March 21 are yet to be extracted as the arrestee has sought time to provide password/login credentials after consulting with his lawyers, reported ANI. The ED said in its fresh remand plea that during his custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded on five days and that he was "giving evasive replies". It said the statements of three other persons have also been recorded during the remand. The Delhi chief minister made a submission in front of the court bench in Hindi on Thursday, where he said that in the 31,000 page document prepared by the ED, there is no concrete proof or allegations against him on the basis of which he has been arrested. Kejriwal not keeping well, says wife Sunita Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal said on March 28 that the AAP national convener is not keeping well and is being harassed a lot while in ED custody over the past week. Sunita Kejriwal, who had come for her husband's court hearing, told reporters, "He has not been keeping well. His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won't last and people will give a reply." Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, sent to 7-days of custody. His arrest has sparked protests in the national capital and the nearby northern state of Punjab, which is also governed by AAP, over the last few days. (With inputs from agencies) The Delhi high court on Thursday rejected a PIL seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of chief minister of Delhi, after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. AAP MLAs wear masks of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal during their protest at the Delhi assembly on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)(HT_PRINT) A bench headed by acting chief justice Manmohan refused to comment on the merits of the issue, saying the same fell outside the scope of judicial interference. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law, the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, said. During the hearing, the court asked petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav's counsel to show the legal bar on the continuation of Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister. There may be practical difficulties but that is something else. Where is the legal bar? the court asked. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, who was arrested on March 21 and subsequently remanded to the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) custody till March 28 by a Delhi court, faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of the excise policy favouring specific individuals. Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday sought a detailed probe from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in connection with the alleged defamatory social media post made by Congress's Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from New Delhi Bansuri Swaraj had given a complaint to the LG seeking probe and registration of an FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty' of a woman, PTI quoted Raj Niwas officials as saying. As per the report, the Delhi LG has forwarded the complaint to the Delhi top cop, directing a "scientific" investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary. Actor Kangana Ranaut and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate The Delhi Police will also probe who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. A massive controversy erupted on Monday after an objectionable post from Shrinate's social media handle against Ranaut, who has been announced as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi. ALSO READ: Supriya Shrinate denied Lok Sabha ticket amid row over remarks on Kangana Ranaut We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur every woman deserves her dignity," the National Award winning actor had said in retaliation to Shrinate's post, which was deleted. ALSO READ: ECI issues notices to Dilip Ghosh, Supriya Shrinate for remarks against women As the controversy intensified, the Congress leader clarified claiming that someone else had posted the objectionable content from her handle. Someone who had access to my meta accounts ( FB and Insta) posted an absolutely disgusting and objectionable post, which has been taken down. Anyone who knows me will know I would never say that for a woman. However a parody account that I have just discovered misusing my name is being run on Twitter ( @Supriyaparody ) which started the whole mischief, and is being reported," she had said. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Thursday launched a fresh attack at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, this time making an allegation regarding the probe in the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College sexual harassment case. Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal (PTI) The Delhi L-G alleged that the transfer file of the accused principal in the sexual harassment case has been held up by Kejriwal for the last 45 days. This comes days after Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj urged LG Saxena to take action against the accused. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A release issued by the L-G's office stated, Even as Delhi's Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has been crying foul over the alleged sexual harassment at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and demanding the removal of its principal, the file for his transfer has been held up for nearly 45 days by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself. "Saurabh Bhardwaj, in a note to LG VK Saxena on March 20, 2024, demanded the immediate removal of Ishwar Singh from his post, alleging that he was uncooperative with the girl victims in the matter and that he discouraged/demotivated them from pursuing the case further," it added. While addressing the delay in the decision of removal of the prime accused from the position of authority, Saxena also questioned the motive of the AAP government in the national capital. The release stated, But what raises serious doubts over the government's motive is the fact that the file for the removal/transfer of Ishwar Singh from Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College has been pending with CM Kejriwal since February 14, 2024, as the same has to be decided by the NCCSA, which is chaired by the Chief Minister. Member Secretary (NCCSA) had also sent reminders to the CM on March 7, 2024 and March 13, 2024, but to no avail. Read more: When Arvind Kejriwal had challenged Narendra Modi in Varanasi This comes on the backdrop of Arvind Kejriwal's ED remand getting extended by the Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday. Kejriwal is to remain in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till April 1. The Delhi CM also made his submission to the court in Hindi today, saying that the ED has no solid proof or allegation against him in their 31,000 page report. Kejriwal alleged that his arrest is a party of a political conspiracy against his party. (With inputs from PTI) Ahmedabad: A special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court in Gujarats Banaskantha district on Thursday sentenced former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years imprisonment in a 1996 drug planting case. Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt (File Photo) Second additional sessions judge Jatin Thakker, who had convicted Bhatt in this case on March 27, declared the sentence on Thursday. He stated that Bhatt, who is currently serving a twenty-year life imprisonment term in a separate case linked to custodial death, will now face an additional twenty years behind bars. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The court also imposed a fine of Rs.2 lakh under the NDPS Act Section 21 (c) (punishment for contravention in relation to manufactured drugs and preparations). Additionally, the court stipulated that failure to pay the fine would result in an extended term of one year in jail. Bhatt has also been convicted of charges under Section 27(a) of the NDPS Act (punishment for possession of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including section 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment), sections 167 (public servant framing an incorrect document) and 204 (destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence) among others. The court ruled that Bhatts jail terms for different sections of the IPC and NDPS Act would run concurrently. This means he will serve a maximum of twenty years despite receiving multiple sentences, said the court. The courts order stated that the twenty-year jail term for the drug planting case and the twenty-year term for the custodial death case would be served consecutively, meaning Bhatt would have to serve a total of forty years in prison. The drug planting case dates back to 1996 when Bhatt, who was the superintendent of police (SP) of Banaskantha in Gujarat at the time, arrested Rajasthan-based lawyer Sumer Singh Rajpurohit for keeping drugs. According to the police statement at that time, they found drugs in the lawyers hotel room in Palanpur in Banaskantha district. A further probe by the Rajasthan police revealed that the lawyer was falsely implicated and allegedly abducted by Banaskantha police from his residence in Pali and that Bhatt had fabricated evidence by planting 1.5 kg of opium in the lawyers room. Bhatt along with his sub-ordinate I B Vyas was arrested in September 2018 after the Gujarat high court ordered an inquiry into the matter. Vyas subsequently became an approver in the matter. Bhatt was dismissed from the services in 2015. Last year in August 2023, the high court rejected a plea filed by him demanding a transfer of his trial in the 1996 drug-planting case to a court in Banaskantha district. He is presently serving life imprisonment in a case related to custodial death. Bhatt, as the additional superintendent of police in Jamnagar (in 1990), had detained over 130 individuals under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) after a communal riot triggered by a Bharat Bandh called by Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Following their release, one detainee, Prabhudas Vaishnani, died, with his family accusing Bhatt of custodial torture. Allegations included reckless beatings, forced acts, and denial of water, resulting in kidney damage. A first infromation report was registered against Bhatt and other officers for the custodial death and cognizance was taken by a magistrate in 1995. A total of seven police officers were accused in the case, including two sub-inspectors and three police constables. In 2019, Bhatt was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in Jamnagar for the custodial death case. In January this year, the Gujarat high court upheld his conviction and life sentence for the custodial death case. Bhatt, along with co-accused Pravinsinh Zala, was convicted under sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. In January this year, Bhatts appeal against the verdict of the Jamnagar court was rejected by the Gujarat high court. Bhatta, a 1988 batch IPS officer, has been a controversial figure. He was also sacked by the state government on various grounds in 2015. The controversial ex-IPS officer had testified against the then-chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots and had claimed that he was part of a meeting on February 27, 2002, when Modi had allegedly ordered police personnel to let the Hindu community vent their anger after the Godhra train burning incident. Indias aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, on Tuesday deferred implementing revised flight duty time limits (FDTL) for air crew, which experts said aligns with international safety standards but appears to now have been put on the backburner due to ostensible pushback from carriers. The DGCA has not given a timeline for implementing the new rules after initially setting a June 1 target date (Representative photo) In a revised regulation dated March 26, the DGCA said, Operators engaged in scheduled air transport operations may continue to operate in compliance with the earlier rules from April 24, 2019 until their respective schemes are approved under this regulation. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While the DGCA did not comment, an official aware of the matter said the deferral resulted from pressure by some major airlines. The official, who requested anonymity, said: The airlines pressure seems to have won the battle for now. The FDTL prescribes limits on duty hours, such as a mandatory break of 36 hours at the end of their work week, and a maximum limit of 13 hours for pilots working night duty. The DGCA on January 8 raised these limits weekend breaks must be of 48 hours and night duty flying has been capped at 10 hours --- and said these were to come into effect from June 1 before the deferment on Tuesday. The DGCA has not given a timeline for implementing the new rules after initially setting a June 1 target date. The regulator did not respond to requests for a comment. The revised limits aimed to enhance safety by addressing pilot fatigue. Some experts warned airlines may need to hire 20% more pilots to maintain operations under the new norms, though others felt the initially proposed June 1 deadline gave carriers ample time to prepare. Aviation veteran Captain Mohan Ranganathan criticised the complicity of DGCA to facilitate the operators at potential cost to safety. The deferral disappointed many pilots looking forward to better working conditions under the revised rules. However, some argued implementing the rules by June 1 risked disruptions. Jaideep Mirchandani of aviation firm Sky One said while the delay offers some respite for airlines, it underscores the need for a proactive approach to addressing pilot fatigue. He noted the Federation of Indian Airlines, whose members include Air India and IndiGo, has said a 25% increase in pilot staff is needed for longer rest periods. NGO Safety Matterss founder Amit Singh said that the implication is that pilots will continue to be fatigued despite fatigue being identified as a threat to safety. ICAO mandates safety risk assessment of all the threats...If any pilot dies or an accident happens then there could be criminal charges since DGCA has willingly deferred the safety barrier (despite being) aware of the implications. External affairs minister S Jaishankar has expressed concern over the death of civilians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war stating that Palestinians have been denied their homeland. He also urged Israel to cater to international humanitarian law in its ongoing retaliation after the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas. However, S Jaishankar acknowledged that the October 7 attack was terrorism. External affairs minister S Jaishankar(AP) S Jaishankar made the statement during an interaction with the Indian community at an event in Malaysia. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "How different pulls and pressures can be. On one hand, what happened on October 7 was terrorism. On the other hand, nobody would countenance the death of innocent civilians. Countries may be justified in their own minds in responding, but you cannot have a response that...every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law," S Jaishankar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. "The fact is whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is underlying issue of the rights of the Palestinians and the fact that they have been denied their homeland," he added. India has continued to support the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. Meanwhile, the external affairs minister held a round-table meeting with CEOs of various companies in Malaysia and appreciated their growing interest in partnering with Indian industries. ALSO READ| Normalcy in ties with China based on troops deployment: Jaishankar What was the October 7 attack? On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a deadly attack in the southern part of Israel. In the attack, Hamas terrorists massacred hundreds of civilians, including, women and children. The terrorists also took hostage more than 200 Israelis, many of whom continue to be in their custody in Gaza. The horrific attack came to be known as "the October 7 attack". Israel retaliated by launching a major military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, leading to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the military offensive aimed to free all hostages under Hamas custody and "completely dismantle" the terrorist network in Gaza. ALSO READ| India backs Philippines national sovereignty, says Jaishankar; China bristles In the ongoing war, there was a brief ceasefire in November during which nearly a hundred hostages under Hamas custody were freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners lodged in Israeli jails. However, since then, efforts and negotiations to ensure the release of remaining Israeli hostages and stop the war, have failed. The war has resulted in the death of more than 32,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza ministry. New Delhi: On the day the Narendra Modi government summoned senior US diplomat to strongly object against remarks of State department spokesperson on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in Liquor scam, a chastised Germany on Wednesday took a decisive U-turn on the issue and refused to wade into internal affairs of India. PM Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Last Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior German diplomat to South Block and served a demarche to Bonn, protesting against the statement of the German spokesperson on the internal affairs of India. The condescending remarks of the German spokesperson were seen by MEA as interfering with the Indian judicial process and undermining the independence of the Indian judiciary. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But the firm counter launched by MEA reaped results as German spokesman yesterday refused to share any details about the summoning in Delhi and also chose not to comment on the case. Also Read | Why was German diplomat summoned by India over Arvind Kejriwal's arrest? The spokesman stated : Have commented on the case. Would not report from confidential conversations now. Both sides have a great interest in deepening the cooperation and we and the Indian side look forward to the next government consultations, which are expected to take place in the autumn of this year. The Indian Constitution guarantees basic human rights and freedoms. We share these democratic values with India as a strategic partner. The response of the spokesperson was in German language and this is the closest translation. The German response came at a time when India made it very clear that democratic countries like the US have to be very careful in commenting on fellow (in this case the largest) democracies over the due process of law. New Delhi has also made it clear that commenting on internal affairs of third countries is a two way street and will lead to bad precedents. It is understood another country from Western Europe has quietly informed India that it will not comment on the arrest of Kejriwal in a ED money laundering probe in Delhi Excise Policy scam. Bollywood actor Govinda joined Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Thursday adding a splash of glamour to the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra. Govinda is likely to be fielded from Mumbai North West as he makes a comeback to politics after a hiatus. Govinda, in 2004, contested from Mumbai North Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket and earned the moniker of a giant-slayer as he defeated BJP's Ram Naik. Later, he resigned from the party and took a break from politics altogether. (Also Read: Govinda enters politics again after saying it was full of 'deception'. Here's what he said in 2007) Bollywood actor Govinda joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena on Thursday. Lok Sabha election 2024: Full coverage Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "I am joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing of God. I thought I would not enter politics again," Govinda said as he was officially inducted into the party by Eknath Shinde. On Mumbai under Eknath Shinde, Govinda said the city looks cleaner and better now. Govinda's parents, the actor said, had a good relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Speculations that Govinda might be interested in his second innings in politics started doing the rounds after he met Eknath Shinde last week. On Thursday morning, Sena leader Krishna Hedge met the actor at the latter's residence in Juhu. While Govinda skirted questions on contesting in the Lok Sabha election, Eknath Shinde said the actor's joining the party comes with no rider. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of a cardiac arrest at the Banda medical college in Uttar Pradesh, shortly after being hospitalised on Thursday evening. Ansari had been lodged in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail. Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari According to a medical bulletin, Ansari was taken to the Rani Durgavati medical college in an unconscious state around 8:25 pm as his health was critical. A team of nine doctors attended him but despite all their best efforts, the patient passed away following the cardiac arrest, the bulletin read in Hindi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mukhtar Ansari was slow-poisoned in jail? A few days ago, Ansari's family members alleged that the 63-year-old was being slow-poisoned by a substance mixed in food given to him in the Banda jail. This claim came after Ansari was admitted to the medical college after he complained of abdominal pain and was unable to pass stool for four consecutive days. During that time, he was discharged after 14 hours and sent back to Banda jail. Ansari's brother and an MP from Ghazipur Afzal, on March 26 said, Mukhtar said that he was given a poisonous substance in food in jail. This happened for the second time. Around 40 days ago also he was given poison. And recently on March 19 and March 22, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad. Earlier, Ansari's family had also expressed apprehension that he could be killed in a fake encounter. UP prison department issued statement Following the family's claim, the Uttar Pradesh prison department issued a statement on March 26 saying that after the gangster-turned-politician fell in the toilet at night, he was immediately provided with treatment by the jail doctor. Due to the sudden deterioration in the health of prisoner Mukhtar Ansari and falling in the toilet in the night, he was immediately given treatment by the jail doctor. After informing the district administration, a team of doctors was called by which the prisoner was referred to the medical college in the night itself. The prisoner was admitted to Medical College Banda under police protection where he is undergoing treatment, the statement read. Ansari has been behind bars in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh since 2005. He had 63 cases of land grabbing, extortion and murder on him and his name was also on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. Ansari was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts of UP and was lodged in the Banda jail. Last year, Ansari also sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment by Ghazipur's MP-MLA court along with a fine of 5 lakh for the kidnapping and murder case of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Krishnanand Rai. Meanwhile, on March 13, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms license in 1990. Following his death, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) - which bars large gatherings - have been imposed across Uttar Pradesh, state Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. A special deployment of police personnel in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts has also been done, he added. India and China held yet another round of diplomatic talks on achieving disengagement in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) though there were no signs of any breakthrough in resolving the standoff that began almost four years ago. For representational purposes only. (HT File Photo) The 15th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs since the standoff began in May 2020 was held in Beijing on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the external affairs ministry on Thursday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas, the statement said. In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, it added. The statement made no reference to forward movement in addressing friction points at Demchok and Depsang, where troops from both sides remain deployed in close proximity to the LAC. Dozens of rounds of diplomatic and military talks have resulted in the two sides withdrawing troops from other friction points such as the north and south banks of Pangong Tso Lake, Gogra and Hot Springs. The joint secretary (East Asia) from the external affairs ministry led the Indian delegation while the Chinese side was led by the director general of the boundary and oceanic department of the foreign ministry. The last meeting of the WMCC was held on November 30 last year and it too had not produced any significant outcome. This was followed by the 21st round of talks between Indian and Chinese corps commanders at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on February 19. After the standoff began in May 2020, the WMCC first met virtually in June the same year, shortly after a brutal clash in Galwan Valley left 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops dead. The first fatalities on the LAC in 45 years took bilateral relations to the lowest ebb since the 1962 border war between India and China. Both sides now have some 60,000 troops each arrayed along the LAC in Ladakh sector. India has consistently said that the overall bilateral relationship cannot be normalised without the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC. Chinas leadership, however, has been contending that the two sides are moving towards a normalised management of the border issue, which should be put in an appropriate place while the two countries take forward relations in other spheres such as trade. External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that restoring normalcy in ties with China hinges on the conventional deployment of troops along the LAC, which will also shape the future relationship with Beijing. My first duty to Indians is to secure the border. I can never compromise on that, Jaishankar said while responding to a question on India-China relations during an interaction with the Indian diaspora in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Were still negotiating with the Chinese. I talk to my counterpart... Our military commanders negotiate with each other. But we are very clear that we had an agreement. There is a Line of Actual Control, we have a tradition of not bringing troops to that line. Both of us have bases some distance away, which is our traditional deployment place and we want that normalcy, he said. Normalcy in troop deployment will be the basis for the relationship going forward and weve been very, very honest with the Chinese about it, Jaishankar said. Senior Indian and Chinese diplomats held another round of talks in Beijing on the stand-off in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and, with no immediate signs of a breakthrough, agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels. The meeting was co-chaired by the MEA Joint Secretary who led the Indian delegation and the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation.(PTI) The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, the readout said without giving details. The Indian delegation for the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs was led by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the ministry of external affairs. Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs led the Chinese delegation. In June 2020, the Galwan Valley in the Ladakh region became a focal point of heightened tensions between India and China. The situation escalated when violent clashes erupted between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. The clash resulted in casualties on both sides, including fatalities, marking the most serious escalation in the border dispute between the two countries in decades. The clash prompted both sides to deploy additional troops and military equipment to the region and also triggered diplomatic and military-level talks between the two countries to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation. India-China ties are currently at their lowest point in six decades, with New Delhi maintaining that the overall relationship cannot be normalised without the restoration of peace and tranquillity along the LAC. Both sides have arrayed more than 50,000 troops each in the Ladakh sector since the standoff began. Despite four rounds of disengagement from Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Gogra (PP-17A) and Hot Springs (PP-15), the Indian and Chinese armies still have tens of thousands of troops each and advanced weaponry deployed in the Ladakh theatre. Problems at Depsang and Demchok are still on the negotiating table. A top official at India's National Disaster Management Authority has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as his special representative for disaster risk reduction. Kamal Kishore(PTI) Kamal Kishore (55) has been appointed as assistant secretary-general and special representative of the secretary-general for disaster risk reduction, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), said Stephane Dujarric, the secretary-general's spokesperson, at the daily press briefing on Wednesday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kishore, in his current position at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), holds the rank of secretary to the government of India. He succeeds Mami Mizutori of Japan at UNDRR. ALSO READ| Heat waves will intensify, milder ones are also deadly, scientist makes pitch to NDMA As part of India's G20 presidency, Kishore led the G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction. He also contributed to the development of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Climate Action Summit in 2019. Kishore "brings to the position nearly three decades of experience in disaster risk reduction, climate action and sustainable development at the global, regional, national and local levels, having worked in government, the United Nations (UN) and civil society organisations", Dujarric said. Before joining the NDMA, Kishore spent nearly 13 years with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Geneva, New Delhi and New York. During this time, he led global advocacy to integrate disaster resilience concerns in the Sustainable Development Goals and a global team of disaster risk reduction advisors to support UNDP-programme countries, a UN statement said. As programme advisor, he also led the development of disaster and climate risk management related elements of the UNDP Strategic Plan (2014-17). Prior to the UNDP, he served as director of information and research and manager of the Extreme Climate Events Programme, covering Indonesia, The Philippines and Vietnam at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre in Bangkok from 1996 to 2002, and as an architect at The Action Research Unit for Development from 1992 to 1994 in New Delhi, where he worked on post-earthquake reconstruction projects. Intensive field experience with The Action Research Unit for Development, where work on post-disaster reconstruction and resettlement after two major disasters -- the Uttarkashi and the Latur earthquakes in 1991 and 1993, respectively -- allowed him to apply his professional skills as an architect. According to his profile on the NDMA website, Kishore has worked on disaster risk reduction and recovery issues for more than 22 years at the local, national, regional and global levels. As UNDP's regional advisor for South and South-West Asia, he supported more than 10 countries on a range of public policy and institutional development issues, while also advising them on the use of appropriate risk reduction tools and methodologies, it said. Kishore has supported post-disaster recovery through strategic advice, needs assessments, programme development, and coordination after major disasters in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, The Philippines and Sri Lanka. Kishore holds a Master of Science in Urban Planning, Land and Housing Development from the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. Geneva-headquartered UNDRR is the UN's focal point for disaster risk reduction and coordinates the UN-wide implementation of the Sendai Framework, which was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides member states with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday maintained his arrest was part of a political conspiracy as he was produced in a Delhi court at the end of his Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at a Delhi court. (PTI) He made the remark when asked to comment on lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxenas statement that the Delhi government will not be run from jail. It is a political conspiracy. The people will give a reply, said Kejriwal before he was produced in the court, where his wife, Sunita, Delhi ministers Gopal Rai, Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were among those present. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued notice on Kejriwals plea seeking his release and declaring his arrest and remand as illegal. It said no order could be issued for immediate relief to Kejriwal until ED was given reasonable time to respond to his petition as well as the plea for interim relief. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 hours after the high court denied his request for interim protection from arrest. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has maintained his arrest was a politically motivated move to tarnish Kejriwals image ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. It has insisted that Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister and he has issued two orders from jail. ED has said Kejriwal was arrested on the basis of evidence linking him to the alleged money laundering activities associated with the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy. New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) United States reiterated its call for fair, transparent, and timely legal processes a day after India summoned a US diplomat and objected to remarks on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. In a response to a question during the State Department briefing about India summoning Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in Delhi and on the freezing of Congress's bank accounts, Miller said, We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues, Miller added. UNI PSP ARN SY New Delhi: The first Tejas Mk-1A aircraft on Thursday made its maiden flight from a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru, and the country can look forward to its early induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF), state-run plane-maker HAL said. Tejas LCA Mk-1A (HT Photo) HAL achieved this significant production milestone with concurrent design and development, amid major supply chain challenges in the global geo-political environment subsequent to the contract in February 2021, HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. HALs chief test pilot Group Captain KK Venugopal (retd) flew the light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A for 18 minutes. IAF ordered 83 Mk-1A fighters for Rs.48,000 crore in February 2021 and plans to buy 97 more Mk-1As at a cost of around Rs.67,000 crore. The first aircraft was to be delivered to IAF by March 31, but there is some delay as some key certifications are still pending, as first reported by HT on March 25. HAL thanked the defence ministry, the IAF, the Aeronautical Development Agency, the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification and other agencies that have contributed to the programmes success. With the continued support of these stakeholders, the country can look forward to early induction of the Tejas Mk-1A by the IAF and more numbers through the three lines of production established at HAL, the company said in a statement. The Tejas Mk-1A will have an advanced electronic radar, superior warfare capabilities, and improved maintenance features, it added. LCA Mk-1A is an advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1, which has already been inducted by IAF. LCA is set to emerge as the cornerstone of IAFs combat power in the coming decade and beyond. IAF, the worlds fourth largest air force, is expected to operate around 350 LCAs (Mk-1, Mk-1A and Mk-2 versions), with a third of those already ordered, some inducted, and the rest figuring prominently on the air forces modernisation roadmap and expected to be contracted in the coming years. In October 2023, HAL handed over the first trainer version of LCA Mk-1 to IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in Bengaluru, with the twin seater set to fill a key training role and double as a fighter if needed. The aircraft was part of an earlier order for 40 Mk-1 jets in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations the first variants of LCA. Of the 40 Mk-1s, IAF inducted 32 single-seater jets and raised two LCA squadrons. The remaining eight aircraft are trainers, and all of them will be delivered to IAF soon. One of the 32 LCA Mk-1s inducted crashed near Jaisalmer on March 12, minutes after taking part in a tri-services exercise that sought to demonstrate the strides India has made towards self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. That was the first LCA crash. In November 2023, Modi flew in the LCA Mk-1 in Bengaluru and described the experience as incredibly enriching while also heaping praise on the countrys indigenous military capabilities. IAF will deploy LCAs at forward air bases in the Western sector to bolster its combat readiness against Pakistan and fill the gap left by the gradual phasing out of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets. Timely delivery is a top priority for the IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons. Amid discontent among workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the candidacy from Belagavi district, former chief minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said on Wednesday that the local leaders had no objection to Jagadish Shettars candidacy but expected nomination of a leader from the district. Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa with BJP candidate from Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency Jagadish Shettar during a road show ahead of the general election, in Belgaum on Wednesday. (PTI) To address growing discontent within the ranks, the former CM has intensified his engagement with senior leaders in Belagavi. He held two meetings with the dissenting leaders on Tuesday night and another meeting on Wednesday morning. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. After the meetings, he said, The local leaders expressed their desire for a candidate from the district, not opposition to Shettar himself. They have unanimously agreed to support Shettar as the party candidate. Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi, who was one of the leaders who initially opposed to Shettars candidacy, said, Initially, we gathered to oppose an outsiders candidature. However, upon Yeddyurappas explanation of the importance of ensuring Narendra Modis third term as Prime Minister, we have all pledged our support to Shettar. Abhay Patil, a legislator representing Belagavi South for the second term, echoed similar sentiments, said, Yediyurappa convinced us of the necessity to ensure Narendra Modis victory. Shettar will receive substantial support from my constituency, which has a strong BJP presence. While former Rajya Sabha member Prabhakar Kore and former MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath did not attend the meetings, Yediyurappa expressed hope of their eventual agreement with Shettars candidacy. Despite some opposition, Shettar expressed confidence in retaining the seat, citing unanimous support from party leaders and workers. However, dissenting voices within the party have raised concerns about Shettars candidacy, citing past grievances and doubts about his commitment to the development of Belagavi. Shettar, who quit the BJP and switched over to the Congress after being denied a ticket to contest last years assembly elections, returned to his old party in January. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra expressed optimism about resolving internal party conflicts, including those in Shivamogga and Belagavi, within the next four days through personal meetings with dissenting members. Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE: The spotlight is on two major political alliances in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections: the INDIA bloc and the NDA. Lok Sabha Election 2024 highlights: The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Numerous political parties have unveiled their candidate lists, vying for success in the world's largest democratic process. Political campaigns have begun to attract voters and garner support. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls will determine representatives for the 543-member Lower House of the Indian Parliament. The election results are scheduled to be announced on June 4. A minimum support of 272 MPs in the Lok Sabha is necessary to establish a government....Read More The spotlight is on two major political alliances in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections: the INDIA bloc and the NDA. The INDIA bloc consists of parties including the Congress, AAP, and TMC, among others, while the NDA comprises parties like the BJP, PMK, and JDU. The ruling NDA government seeks to secure a mandate for a third consecutive term, with an alliance goal of winning more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha. In addition to casting votes for the 543 Lok Sabha seats, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha. Furthermore, assembly bypolls have been scheduled for 26 vacant seats across various states. Lok Sabha Election 2024: Phase-wise schedule: Phase 1- April 19; Phase 2- April 26; Phase 3- May 7; Phase 4 - May 13; Phase 5 - May 20; Phase 6 - May 25; Phase 7 - June 1. Lok Sabha polls 2024: Savitri Jindal, India's richest woman, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), day after resigning from the membership of the Congress. Her daughter Seema Jindal also joined the party. Former Haryana MP Savitri Jindal.(X) The former Haryana minister announced her decision to quit the Congress on a social media post late Wednesday night. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. I represented the people of Hisar for 10 years as an MLA and have served Haryana state selflessly as a minister, the 84-year-old wrote in her post. "The people of Hisar are my family and on the advice of my family, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Congress today." Her decision comes days after her son Naveen Jindal, a former MP, also quit the Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Hours after Naveen Jindal's joining, the BJP announced that he will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Kurukshetra. Also Read | Naveen Jindal begins election campaign in Kurukshetra I represented Congress party in Parliament as Kurukshetra MP for 10 years. I thank the Congress leadership and the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Today, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Congress Party, Naveen Jindal wrote on X ahead of joining the BJP in New Delhi at the party headquarters in the presence of its general secretary, Vinod Tawde. Jindal won from Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat in 2004 and 2009 on Congress ticket. In the 2014 general elections, he was defeated by then BJPs Raj Kumar Saini after which he did not contest the 2019 elections. His father OP Jindal, who died in a helicopter crash, served as power minister in Haryana government and his mother Savitri Jindal also was a minister in the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government. The Lok Sabha elections will be held across seven phases stretching over six weeks between April 19 and June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. Toronto/New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his country is looking to work with India to get to the bottom of the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, prompting New Delhi to say on Thursday that it has not received any concrete information on the case from Ottawa. File Photo India-Canada relations cratered last year after Trudeau alleged there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar, who was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey last June. India dismissed these allegations as absurd and asked Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats from the country. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Responding to a question at a media event in Vancouver on Wednesday, Trudeau said Canada was unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring appropriate investigations into the murder of Nijjar. In this context, Canada is looking to work with India, he said. Were looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened, and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power, Trudeau said. When external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about Trudeaus remarks at a weekly media briefing, he said there was nothing new in Canadas position. The external affairs ministry had said soon after Trudeau made the allegations last September that India is ready to investigate any specific and concrete information if it is shared with us, but we are yet to receive any such information, Jaiswal said. What Prime Minister Trudeau has really said is nothing new, Jaiswal said. We have also cautioned against playing politics and giving extremists more space. Trudeau also said at the media event that the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously. He added, The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in [the killing of Nijjar] is something that we did not declare lightly.... More than nine months have passed since a probe into Nijjars killing was undertaken by an Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) in Canada but no arrests have been announced and no proof has emerged as yet. The Indian side set up a high-level inquiry committee to look into inputs provided by the US into an alleged attempt to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Pannun on American soil. According to an indictment filed by US prosecutors against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, the alleged plot was directed by an Indian official. While the Indian government has not yet said anything publicly about the findings of this inquiry, people familiar with the matter said a middle-ranking official had been removed from his position in an intelligence agency following the probe. Both Nijjar and Pannun were declared terrorists by Indian authorities as part of the drive against the activities of pro-Khalistan groups. Manipur governor Anusuiya Uikeys order declaring March 30-31 as a work weekend for government offices, public sector undertakings, corporations, autonomous bodies, and societies has triggered outrage in the ethnic violence-hit state with tribal groups pointing out that the end of the week coincides with Easter. The order cited end of the 2023-24 financial year for the move. (Facebook) The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an umbrella body of tribal groups, said the order would hurt the sentiments of the Christian community. There are many Christians in Manipur. Sunday is a day of rest and we have Easter Sunday, said ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me, an apex body of Naga student groups, issued a statement requesting the government to withdraw the order. Manipurs 2.8 million Christians accounted for 40.1% of the states population as per the 2011 census. They belong to tribes such as Kukis, Zo, and Nagas. Uikeys order said offices must remain open during the weekend as it marks the end of the 2023-24 financial year. The Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare 30th (Saturday) and 31st (Sunday) March 2024 as working days for all Government Offices including Public Sector Undertakings/Corporations/Autonomous Bodies/Societies under the State Government of Manipur for [the] smooth functioning of Offices in the last few days of the Financial Year (2023-24). This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority, said the order. Protests against a high court order last year asking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government to submit recommendations for the inclusion of majority Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes category triggered protracted violence that has left over 200 people dead and 50,000 displaced in Manipur. The order opened old fault lines between mostly Hindu Meiteis and predominately Christian Kuki and Nagas tribal communities residing in the states hill districts. Meiteis account for around 53% of Manipurs population and live mostly in Imphal Valley. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge issued a sharp response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after hundreds of lawyers penned a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and PM Modi targetted the Congress over it. Kharge, in his social media post, called PM Modi out for manipulating democracy and bullying institution after institution into submission. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed PM Modi over his recent remarks. Responding to PM Modi's 'vintage Congress culture remark, Mallikarjun Kharge said on X, PM Narendra Modi ji, You are talking about Judiciary. You conveniently forget that 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges were forced to hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against 'destruction of Democracy'. That happened under your regime. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. One of the judges was nominated by your Government to the Rajya Sabha. So who wants a 'committed judiciary'? You forget that your party has fielded a former HC Judge in West Bengal for the current Lok Sabha elections. Why was this candidature bestowed on him, he asked the prime minister. Posing four questions for PM Modi, Kharge further said, Why did you bring down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), that was struck down by the Supreme Court? Modi ji, Institution after Institution is being 'bullied' by you into submission, so stop pinning the blame on the Congress party, for your own sins! You have mastered the art of manipulating Democracy and hurting the Constitution, he said in his response. PM Modi's remarks on letter to the CJI After 600 lawyers signed a letter penned to CJI Chandrachud over the pressure put on judiciary by vested interest group, PM Modi wrote on X that it is vintage Congress culture to browbeat and bully others. PM Modi said on social media, "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation." Soon after his remarks, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that PM Modi's "brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy!" Ramesh said, The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is but one example. The Supreme Court declared them to be unconstitutional -- and it is now proved beyond doubt that they were a blatant instrument of fear, blackmail, and intimidation to force companies to donate to the BJP. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday night after he suffered a heart attack in the Banda jail. The dreaded mafia was taken to a hospital after his health deteriorated where he reportedly died. People gathered at Ansari's residence in Ghazipur as the news of his death spread. Mukhtar Ansari died in hospital on Thursday after he suffered a heart attack in jail. (PTI) DGP Prashant Kumar as per the medical bulletin shared by the Banda Medical College, Mukhtar Ansari is dead. He was admitted to the hospital around 8.25pm. A team of nine doctors attended to him before he died. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, were imposed across Uttar Pradesh following Ansari's death, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. There is a special deployment of police personnel in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts, he added. The Samajwadi Party condoled Ansari's death. "Sad demise of former MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. May his soul rest in peace. May the bereaved family members get the strength to bear this immense loss. Humble tribute," the party said in a post in Hindi on X. The death came amid his family members' claim that he was being slow-poisoned in jail. Two days before, on Tuesday, Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to the same medical college when he complained of abdominal pain and was unable to pass stool for four consecutive days. At that time, he was discharged after 14 hours and sent back to Banda jail. Mukhtar said that he was given a poisonous substance in food in jail. This happened for the second time. Around 40 days ago also he was given poison. And recently on March 19 and March 22, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad, Afzal, an MP from Ghazipur, said when his brother was recently hospitalised. The UP prison department then issued a statement that after Mukhtar Ansari fell in the toilet at night, he was immediately provided with treatment by the jail doctor. Mukhtar Ansari has been behind bars in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh since 2005. The 60-year-old don-turned-politician has over 60 criminal cases pending against him. He has been sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts of UP and was lodged in the Banda jail. His name was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. His family members had earlier expressed apprehension that Mukhtar Ansari could be killed in a fake encounter. On March 13, Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. This was the eighth case in which the former five-time MLA has been convicted and sentenced by a court in Uttar Pradesh in the past two years. Ansari was also sentenced to six months of imprisonment under Section 30 of the Arms Act. More than 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, from across India have written to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressing concern over what they perceive as a threat to the judiciary's integrity. The lawyers condemned the "vested interest group" attempting to manipulate judicial processes, influence court decisions, and tarnish the reputation of the judiciary with baseless allegations and political agendas. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.(PTI) According to the letter, these tactics are particularly evident in cases involving political figures accused of corruption, where efforts to sway court decisions and discredit the judiciary are most pronounced. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. One of the alarming tactics mentioned in the letter is the alleged fabrication of false narratives aimed at portraying a skewed view of the judiciary's functioning, with comparisons to a purported 'golden age' of the courts. Such narratives, the lawyers asserted, are intended to influence judicial outcomes and erode public trust in the judiciary. The letter raised concerns about the concocted theory of bench fixing, wherein attempts are made to influence the composition of judicial benches and cast aspersions on the integrity of judges. The lawyers decried these actions as not only disrespectful but also damaging to the rule of law and the principles of justice. They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices, the letter read. These aren't just criticisms; they are direct attacks meant to damage the public's trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws, it added. They expressed dismay over the phenomenon of political flip-flopping, where politicians switch stances on legal matters depending on their interests, thereby undermining the credibility of the legal system. It is strange to see politicians accuse someone of corruption and then defend them in court. If the court's decision doesn't go their way, they quickly criticise the courts inside the court as well as through media. This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system, the lawyers alleged. They also claimed that some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way. "The timing of their modus operandi also merits closer scrutiny- they do it at very strategic timings, when the nation is all set to head into elections. We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narratives. The lawyers called upon the Supreme Court to take firm measures to protect the judiciary from external pressures and uphold the rule of law. Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since few years and too frequently, they said. Describing the NDA partners in Andhra Pradesh Telugu Desam Party (TDP), JanaSena Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an alliance of conspiracies, lies and deceit, YSR Congress party president and chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday called upon the people to reject the unholy alliance. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy greets the gathering at the start of the Memanta Siddham bus yatra, at Idupulapaya in YSR District on Wednesday. (ANI) Launching the party poll campaign at a public rally at Proddatur in Kadapa district, Jagan said the TDP and JanaSena Party had roped in the BJP into the alliance, after realising that they cannot withstand the backing of crores of people for YSRCP. Why is this entire coalition afraid of one individual? None of them possesses the ability to confront me individually, he said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The YSRCP president said the TDP and JanaSena were instigating his sisters YS Sharmila and N Sunitha against him by launching a malicious campaign agains him in the murder of his uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy. The identity and the mastermind behind the tragic murder of my uncle is known to the public of the district. The primary culprit, who confessed to the heinous act of killing my uncle, is roaming free, aided and abetted by TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu. They are trying to tarnish my reputation and are deeply troubling, he said. Referring to the recent seizure of a consignment coming from Brazil, Jagan said the accused were the relatives of BJP state president Daggubati Purandheswari, who is related to Chandrababu Naidu. The CBI has conducted raids in connection with this matter. As soon as news of the riads broke, the TDP began a mudslinging campaign against the YSRCP, knowing fully well that the company involved in this activity was managed by the son and father-in-law of the BJP state president, he said. Cautioning the people that the slew of welfare schemes will continue only if the YSRCP continued in power, Jagan the three parties which had fought the elections together in 2014 had thrown their election manifesto into the dustbin. It is a war between YSRCP that stands for credibility and political values and a combine of political parties that stands for deceit and lies, he said and cautioned people that a vote for the opposition will result in the winding up of welfare schemes and loss of happiness for the poor. Jagan cheated people, says Naidu Addressing the election rally at Madanapalle in Chittoor district, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said the YSRCP president had cheated the people after coming to power by asking them to give him one chance in 2019. In the name of implementing direct benefit transfer schemes through click of the mouse, Jagan had indulged in massive corruption, he said. Stating that only 47 days were left for the Jagan government, and every day counts down to its end, Naidu said the voters had already made up their mind to pull down the government, which made their lives miserable. Reacting to Jagans allegations against the TDP on the murder of Vivekananda Reddy, Naidu said it was Jagan who was the real murderer of his uncle. If you give him another chance, he will decimate everyone of you with his axe, he said. May 13 is the date that will change the fate of the people of the state, he said, adding that the TDP, JanaSena and the BJP had joined hands not for their personal benefit, but to save the bankrupt state. He assured that under NDA governance, there will be no increase in electricity charges, Anna canteens will be reopened, substandard liquor will be eliminated, and measures will be taken to curb the availability of ganja and drugs. He highlighted TDPs significant investment of 68,000 crores in the irrigation sector, which accelerated project completion within five years, and emphasized that water availability would foster industrial growth and development in the region. Over 12,500 criminal suspects apprehended in Afghan Kabul, Mar 28 (UNI) The Afghan police have arrested 12,540 suspects criminal over the past six months across the country, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Thursday. According to the ministry's report, in the six-month operations, 18 people were rescued from clutches of abductors, 18 human kidnappers were killed, and 172 others were captured. Police personnel have organised over 15,500 operations against drug smugglers. Consequently, 5,663 people were arrested on charges of drug trafficking, selling, and buying, the ministry said, adding that 377 drug factories had been demolished during the period. The house of a city-based journalist was burgled at Shailesh Housing Society in Karvenagar area. Police said bulgars stole silver utensils worth of 1,20,000. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) The incident was reported between Monday 6:30 pm and Tuesday 11:30 am. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Police said bulgars stole silver utensils worth of 1,20,000. According to the complainant, his mother is unwell, hence she was admitted in a nearby hospital. There was no one at the home at the time of theft, he said. Complainant said that all family members were at the hospital. When they returned home on Tuesday, he found that door lock from the back side of the house was broken and valuables like silver utensils were missing from the house. Sunita Rokade, senior police inspector at Alankar police station, said, We are collecting CCTV footages from the cameras installed in the locality and soon we will arrest the culprits. A case has been registered at Alankar police station under sections of 454, 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code. There are possibly no parallels to Arvind Kejriwals meteoric political rise over the recent decades barring with former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Mahanta became the chief minister at 33 after playing a key role in the Assam Agitation against undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh. AAP's legal cell members protest in support of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (PTI) Kejriwal quit his cushy job as an Indian Revenue Service officer to become a Right To Information activist before becoming a leading figure in the Anna Hazare-led agitation in 2011. In 2012, Kejriwal formed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has in just a decade managed to form governments in Delhi and Punjab. Kejriwals arrest this month over the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy came as a major jolt to AAP as it hoped to expand its base in the April-June Lok Sabha polls Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Trouble mounts The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now summoned AAP leaders from Goa, including the state chief Amit Palekar ,for questioning in the excise policy case on Thursday. As the party grappled with troubles, AAPs lone Lok Sabha member from Punjab Sushil Kumar Rinku and state legislator Sheetal Angural quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) weeks ahead of the general elections. Rinku accused Punjabs AAP government of not helping him in developmental works. He said he was impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah while lauding the Union government for its development initiatives. Woes in Maharashtra The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) declared its first list of candidates for 17 Lok Sabha seats on Wednesday, sparking tensions within the Oppositions Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Congress urged its ally to reconsider fielding candidates for three seats over which talks were still on. Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Varsha Gaikwad publicly expressed their displeasure. Sanjay Nirupam, who was hoping to contest the Mumbai North-West seat on Congress ticket, said he would look for other options within a week. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the party will contest 22 of the states 48 Lok Sabha seats. The seats include Sangli, an erstwhile Congress stronghold, Mumbai North-West, and Mumbai South-Central. Senas announcement of the candidates brought to the fore tensions within the MVA, the three-party alliance that ruled Maharashtra between 2019 and 2022 before the Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party suffered splits. RJD, Congress yet to seal seat pact A bigger problem for the Opposition escalated in Patna, where the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) was formed in June 2023. Purnea and Katihar of Bihars 40 seats have emerged as the sticking point in seat-sharing talks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. RJD is keen to field Bima Bharti, which quit Janata Dal (United) and joined Bihars main opposition party, from Purnea. The Congress was expected to field Rajesh Ranjan, aka Pappu Yadav, who joined the party this month, if it gets the seat. Ranjan, a five-time member of Parliament, has represented Purnea thrice. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who met with Congress leader Mukul Wasnik in Delhi, claimed a deal had been finalised and that an announcement would be made within the next few days in Patna. Omar Abdullah may contest In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), National Conference (NC) leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah was likely to contest Lok Sabha polls from Baramulla. The NCs Baramulla district committee has sent a list of three names to the party leadership for the seat. Abdullahs name figures on top of the list. NCs top leaders are believed to be keen on Abdullahs candidature from Baramulla. Abdullah, who is poised to be a key player in the polls in J&K, was a minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees government before he became the chief minister in 2009. He has represented Srinagar in Lok Sabha. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday jumped into the debate sparked by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the origins of the popular nationalist slogan Bharat Mata ki Jai. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.(PTI) Reaching out to the minority community in this Muslim-dominated north Kerala district, the chief minister had said Muslim rulers, cultural icons and officials had played a significant role in the country's history and independence movement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Drawing examples from history to prove his point, Vijayan had said the slogans 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' were first raised by two Muslims and asked whether the Sangh Parivar would be ready to abandon them. Therefore, I want to say that the Sangh Parivar who says Muslims should leave India, they should be sent to Pakistan, they should understand this history. Reacting to Vijayan's remarks, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor echoed similar sentiments and said, The fact is that we used to be a country where such distinctions did not matter so much, where indeed someone like Netaji Bose had amongst his closest aides people of every faith. He was accompanied by a Muslim Colonel in the fatal plane crash. That is the gentleman who had coined the phrase 'Jai Hind' for him, Tharoor said, referring to the officer of Bose's Indian National Army (INA), Abid Hasan. Earlier, 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' goes back to the Muslim aide of a Hindu Peshwa. So, that's the way our country used to work. We were not always drawing distinction on the basis of religion, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram added. He argued against reducing historical events to binary divisions based on religion and urged for a more nuanced understanding of India's rich and diverse heritage. "When you think of something like the Battle of Haldighati, who was fighting for the Maharana? Hakim Khan Sur, a Muslim general. Who was fighting for the Mughal Emperor? It was a Rajput King. You have to understand that our history is much more complicated than the black-and-white versions that someone in the BJP or Hindutva movement would like you to believe, Tharoor told ANI. BHUBANESWAR: Six-time Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, former lawmaker and actor Sidhant Mohapatra and noted Santali writer Damayanti Beshra on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJD) triggering speculation that the party may field him in the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP vice president Baijayant Panda and others welcome BJD leaders, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Sidhant Mohapatra and Dr Damayanti Beshra ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in New Delhi on Thursday (ANI) My decision to snap my umbilical cord with BJD may be harsh but it has given me immense relief. This is because I had been living with a kind of pain. When it became unbearable, I took the decision, said 67-year-old Bhartruhari, who was the BJDs floor leader in the Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019, said at an event to join the BJP at the party headquarters. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mahtab, 67, son of former Odisha chief minister Harekrushna Mahtab, has been winning the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat since 1998. He resigned from BJD on March 22, alleging that asura shakti(evil forces) have a firm grip over the party and government. The lawmaker, who also edits Odia daily Prajatantra, has lately been critical of the functioning of the BJD and the Odisha government in multiple editorials. On his decision to make the switch, Mahtab said that sometimes it becomes inevitable to take a decision. Going by the last 10 years of experience, I thought it wise to join the BJP. The enthusiasm of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the confidence of home minister Amit Shah and the inspiration of the partys national president will help me to move ahead. I am going to start a new innings with a new team, said Mahtab. He is likely to be fielded from Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency against Santrupta Mishra of BJD. Also joining the BJP with him was Siddhant Mohapatra, who was elected from the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat on a BJD ticket in 2009 and 2014. The BJD did not give him the party ticket in 2019 when it fielded former union minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu. It was in 2009 when I went to Gujarat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister there. I noticed certain things there. He was thinking of the people and I was inspired by him. I want to see the transformation that the Prime Minister has been bringing about in the country in Odisha too. I will work for the betterment of the people of Odisha, said Mohapatra, who is likely to get the ticket for one of the assembly constituencies of Ganjam district. Damayanti Besra, a noted Santhali writer and educationist, who joined the BJP today, said she was inspired by the BJPs slogan promising development for all. I will work for the welfare of all. The BJP has given me a chance to fulfil this purpose. A change is going to take place in Odisha and in fact, the winds of change are blowing in Odisha. I will reach out to women who have been deprived of development, she said. Over the last fortnight, several politicians including Odia actor Arindam Roy, brother-in-law of BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, BJD MLA Arabinda Dhali, former MLA Mukunda Sodi and BJDs Digapahandi block chairman Bipin Pradhan have joined the BJP. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed the court himself while appearing before the Rouse Avenue Court bench on Wednesday, alleging that he has been arrested without any proof or allegations against him. Kejriwal ripped into the Enforcement Directorate, slamming the 31,000 page report filed by the agency in the Delhi excise policy case. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrives to appear before the Rouse Avenue Court (PTI Photo)(PTI) While addressing the court, Arvind Kejriwal said, This case has been going on for the past two years..I have been arrested and till now there has been no convictions or allegations against meTill now there has been 31000 pages submitted before the court and various statements have been recorded and my name is in 4 statements. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Delhi CM was arrested in relation with the Delhi excise policy case, where ED dubbed him the kingpin of the entire alleged scam. Further, ED is seeking to extend Arvind Kejriwal's custody for seven more days. Giving a breakdown of the four statements in ED's entire report when his name is mentioned, Arvind Kejriwal said, First, is C Arvind who is the PA of Sisodia and he has said that a document was given by him in my presence.A lot of people come to meet me and they talk with each other.Is this a sufficient reason for my arrest? The AAP national convener said that the other three times where is name was mentioned in the documents was by Magunta Reddy and Sarath Reddy. He said that Magunta had approached him to establish a family trust, but many statements from that interaction were deliberately left out in the ED report. Where is the money the main case came forward after the probe began.They are trying to create a smoke screen to crush AAP.There is a money trail established where Sarath Reddy has given Rs. 55 crore to BJP," questioned Kejriwal in court today. Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, appearing for Kejriwal, addressed the court after him and said, He is conceding the remand application but there is money trail of 55 crore which should be investigated. The Congress party has denied a Lok Sabha ticket to Supriya Shrinate from Maharajganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a seat she had unsuccessfully contested in the 2019 general elections. In its eighth list of 14 candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress fielded Virendra Chaudhary, instead of Supriya Shrinate, from Maharajganj. Actor Kangana Ranaut and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate is at the centre of a controversy over a now-deleted social media post on BJP's Mandi candidate Kangana Ranaut. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Monday, Shrinate kicked up a social media storm with her alleged derogatory social media post against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. The now-deleted post with a derogatory caption targeted Ranaut over her candidature from Mandi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Shrinate claimed that many people have access to her Facebook and Instagram accounts, and someone from there made the extremely inappropriate post, which has since been deleted. "As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman. I wanted to know how this happened," she said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Supriya Shrinate for her offensive remarks against Kangana Ranaut. The poll panel said that prima facie, Shrinate's remarks were violative of the Model Code of Conduct and its advisory to political parties to maintain dignity during electioneering. The Commission found the comments to be 'undignified and in bad taste' and has sought her response by 5pm on March 29, 2024. The Congress party released its eighth list of Lok Sabha candidates on Wednesday, fielding Rao Yadvendra Singh against Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh's Guna. It also fielded Pratap Bhanu Sharma against former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Vidisha. Tarvar Singh Lodhi has been nominated from Damoh. The Congress announced candidates for four seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, and three each in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. With this, the total number of candidates declared by the party so far has reached 208. Hyderabad: A former DCP of the Commissioner's Task Force, a wing of Hyderabad Police, and another police official were questioned on Thursday by the police in connection with a case of phone tapping and destroying certain computer systems and official data. On March 23, two additional superintendents of police, who were accused of colluding with suspended DSP of the SIB D Praneeth Rao, were arrested. (Shutterstock/ Representational image) "They are being interrogated," a senior police official told PTI, amid reports of their arrest. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On March 23, two additional superintendents of police, who were accused of colluding with suspended DSP of the SIB D Praneeth Rao, were arrested. Praneeth Rao was accused of erasing the intelligence information from various electronic gadgets as well as phone tapping during the previous BRS government. On March 13, Praneeth Rao, accused of developing profiles of several persons and monitoring them clandestinely, without authorisation and illegally, besides destroying certain computer systems and official data, was arrested. As part of investigation into the case, the police had recently issued a lookout circular against former SIB chief T Prabhakar Rao and then deputy commissioner of police at the Commissioner's Task Force P Radhakrishna and a senior executive of a Telugu TV channel. The lookout circular was issued against them as they were not available for investigation in the case and were allegedly not cooperating, police had said, adding they are suspected to have gone abroad. Praneeth Rao was recently suspended by the Telangana government. He was a DSP during the previous BRS dispensation and was subsequently working in the office of the Director General of Police . He was earlier accused of tapping phones of opposition party leaders. Based on a complaint filed by an additional superintendent of police of the Special Intelligence Bureau on March 10, a case was registered against Praneeth Rao and others at Panjagutta police station here on charges of criminal breach of trust by a public servant, causing disappearance of evidence, and criminal conspiracy and other sections of IPC, PDPP Act and IT Act-2000. The case was registered against them for allegedly destroying certain computer systems and official data of the SIB, including those obtained by him clandestinely and illegally in collusion with others with an intention to make wrongful gain, the police had said. They were also accused of developing profiles of some persons and monitoring them, causing disappearance of physical and electronic records of the SIB, and copying intelligence information into personal drives, police said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. It was the middle of the night when a dispatchers warning crackled over the radio: A massive cargo ship, manned entirely by an Indian crew, had lost its steering capabilities and was heading toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lies on top of the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Maryland, on Wednesday. (AFP) Within about 90 seconds, police officers responded that they had managed to stop vehicle traffic over the Baltimore bridge in both directions. One said he was about to drive onto the bridge to alert a construction crew who were filling potholes on the bridge. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But it was too late. Powerless and laden with huge containers, the 985-foot-long vessel, named Dali, smashed into a support pillar. The 2.6km-long bridge collapsed within seconds, plunging eight construction workers into the icy depths of the Patapsco River and bringing one of the most important ports in the northeast US to a grinding halt. In his remarks from the White House, US President Joe Biden praised them for their prompt action. Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland department of transportation that they had lost control of their vesselAs a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives, Biden said. Video showed the ship moving at what Baltimore Governor Wes Moore said was about 15 kmph towards the bridge. There still was traffic moving across the span, and some vehicles appeared to escape with only seconds to spare. The collision caused the span to break and fall into the water within seconds, and jagged remnants could be seen jutting up from the water later in the day. Aboard the ship, there appeared to be two blackouts just before the collision, when the ship was manoeuvring the operation for entering or exiting ports or passing through channels and rivers. A blackout leads to a loss of engine power instantly, so the ship had no means to move on its own, nor any means to force a stop. Typically, two generators are operational to provide backup power in case one generator shuts off. Backup arrangements are often in place so that recovery from blackouts is quick. On Dali, the power coming on indicated that there was recovery from the first. Thick black smoke spurted from the funnel, videos showed, meaning that the generators had indeed started. But within seconds, the ship sank into darkness again a sign that the generators too had shut down. By the time power was restored, it was too late. US officials said the Singapore-flagged ship suffered a power issue and ruled out sabotage or terrorism. Ship engineers speculate that the fault could have been in the fuel system which is common to all generators. Ship staff are also known to crib about fuel quality. More so since a sulphur cap came into force in 2020. Low-sulphur fuels are often distillates as opposed to residuals of the past meaning they are more refined. But refinement comes with the risk of clogging of pipelines and devices or build-up of sludge in tanks. The modern merchant ship has multiple systems that are often interconnected and individual glitches can often line up and create a domino effect. Investigations are still on into what exactly led to Dalis crash, including whether dirty fuel had any role to play. Dali had two pilots on board these are local experts who know the terrain thoroughly and help steer ships. They operate under the masters command, who is ultimately responsible for any accidents. The pilot of the ship, the head of a trade association for maritime pilots said, tried to slow it down before the crash. Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association, told Associated Press he has been in close contact with officials from the Association of Maryland Pilots who described to him what happened as the ship approached the bridge. He said when the ship was a few minutes out, it lost all power, including to its engines. The pilot immediately ordered the rudder hard to port to keep the ship from turning right and ordered the port anchor be dropped, which it was, Diamond said. The pilot also contacted a dispatch office to get the bridge shut down. Diamond said confirmed that when the lights came on, emergency generators had indeed kicked in, but not the ships propulsion. A statement from the ships owners and managers said the crew was largely safe. We confirm the safety of all crew members and two pilots aboard Dali, with one minor injury reported. The injured crew member has been treated and discharged from hospital, a statement by owners Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and ship manager of Dali, posted on the website of ship management company Synergy Marine Group. Investigations by the coast guard marine board of investigations and US national transportation safety board chair have started. Meanwhile, the Baltimore port, which one of the largest ports in the region, has been shut down, and Dali will have to be send for repairs by salvagers, Synergys representative in London told HT on Wednesday. Synergy had said the crew is All Indian, 22 in total. Its representative told HT there was no information on their repatriation yet. The name and other details of the crew have not been released The name and other details of the crew have not been released. Captain Michael Burns Jr of the Maritime Center for Responsible Energy told the AP that bringing a ship into or out of ports in restricted waters with limited room to manoeuvre is one of the most technically challenging and demanding things that we do. So there really is few things that are scarier than a loss of power in restricted waters, he said. And when a ship loses propulsion and steering, then its really at the mercy of the wind and the current. Two former officers of the Karnataka cadre one Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sasikanth Senthil and another Indian Police Service (IPS) officer K Annamalai who resigned from service in 2019 to join ideologically opposite Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to make their electoral debut in the Lok Sabha elections from their native state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Coimbatore Lok Sabha candidate K Annamalai files his nomination from the Coimbatore parliamentary constituency for the upcoming elections on Wednesday. (K.Annamalai - X) The two officers served in different parts of Karnataka for a decade with Annamalai being two years junior (2011 batch) to Senthil (2009 batch) before taking the political plunge expressing displeasure with the bureaucracy. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Congress is the main ally of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu forming key constituencies of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. Senthil resigned as deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district in September 2019 saying that the countrys values were being compromised and joined the Congress in Tamil Nadu the following month. Speaking to HT at that time, he said that he is joining the Congress, which he views as a forerunner of a larger peoples movement in fighting against the hate politics of the BJP across the country. Senthil actively took part in the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and National Register of Citizen (NRC) movements. Senthil, 45, is known to be Rahul Gandhis choice for Tamil Nadu after his work in the war room for Karnatakas 2023 assembly elections was successful in Congress forming the government. He was also tasked with the Rajasthan assembly elections last year which the BJP won. He has been made the head of election war room in Delhi for the Lok Sabha elections which he would focus on after Tamil Nadu votes on April 19 in the first phase. This election is not just important for the Congress but also for democracy, Senthil said after being named the candidate for the Thiruvallur (SC reserved) constituency on March 24. Nobody takes the BJPs statements seriously that they will win all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. Their (winning) will never be true not just today but in any birth, he added. He will face AIADMKs ally DMDKs K Nallathambi and BJPs Pon V Balaganapathy. Senthil was not reachable, while Annamalai refused to comment until the time of filing the report. While Senthil is considered as soft spoken, Annamalai, 39, who earned the moniker Singham (lion) during his stint in Karnataka as a police officer is fierier in his speeches. While Senthil was born in Chennai, Annamalai hails from Tamil Nadus western region in Karur and he will contest from one of its constituents in the high-profile Coimbatore seat. DMK is contesting in Coimbatore after 10 years by fielding a former AIADMK mayor, Ganapathy P Rajkumar. Any direct candidate from DMK has not won the seat since 1996. However, its allies managed to register a victory on the seat. The region is AIADMKs fortress which left the BJP alliance last September solely blaming Annamalai who called Dravidian stalwarts such as J Jayalalithaa corrupt. AIADMK has fielded Singai Ramachandan as its candidate from the seat. Annamalai, who had quit the force in Karnataka in May 2019, had joined the BJP in Tamil Nadu in August 2020 as the vice-president of the partys state unit. Following the 2021 assembly elections which the DMK won, Annamalai was made the head of the party in the state. He is considered to be close with senior party leaders including Union home minister Amit Shah, who inaugurated his En Man, En Makkal padyatra last year covering Tamil Nadus 234 assembly constituencies which culminated after six months this February in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Annamalai has got under the skin of DMK and AIADMK leaders alike in a way that no other state BJP leader has with corruption and dynastic politics as his and the national parties primary poll plank against the Dravidian majors. So far the appeal of Modi and BJP has not found favour in Tamil Nadu but opinion polls show that their vote share will go up from 3.67% in 2019 to double digits. I just have one question, how many times have you seen the current Coimbatore MP? Annamalai had asked rhetorically while campaigning in Tirupurs Palladam on Tuesday. But from attending weddings to walking to your homes in the yatra you have seen me almost every other day. As an elected representative you will see more of me. I dont take leave from politics because change doesnt happen now. It will never happen. Two of the four people from Kerala, who were cheated by recruitment agencies and forced to engage in the Russia-Ukraine war, have been contacted by the Indian Embassy and are expected to return home soon, officials aware of the matter said. Union MoS for external affairs V Muraleedharan meets the families of Kerala natives, who fell victim to a recruiting fraud aimed at joining the Russian army to fight against Ukraine in Thiruvananthapuram on March 21. (ANI) Union MoS for external affairs V Muraleedharan told local media, Their travel documents are being readied by the Indian Embassy in Russia. We are optimistic that they will be able to return home soon. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The minister, who hails from Kerala, added that talks are ongoing with the Russian government to repatriate the two remaining persons from the state. Prince Sebastian and David Muthappan, natives of Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram district, are expected to be repatriated from Russia in the next few days. People aware of the matter had informed that Sebastian (24) was sustained injuries in the conflict in February and had undergone a surgery. Family members of three men including Sebastian had told HT last week that they were approached by a job agent with the promise of lucrative jobs as security guards in Russia with a monthly salary ranging between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh. The three youths flew to Russia in early January after paying the agent 7 lakh each but were shocked to find out that they had been tricked after landing there. Instead of lucrative jobs, the three men were forced to undergo training for nearly a month with the Russian armed forces and subsequently deployed on the battlefront in Ukraine, they said. Sebastian was injured when a bullet scratched his forehead and a grenade exploded near him while in Ukraine. In a similar case, the fourth man, David Muthappan was also lured on the pretext of jobs and deployed in the war zone in January. . Seoul looking into power abuse by S Korean ambassador to China Seoul, Mar 28 (UNI) The South Korean Foreign Ministry is investigating an alleged power abuse by South Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho against a diplomatic staff member and will take "strict" measures if misconduct is established, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing diplomatic sources familiar with the matter. "The foreign ministry takes strict measures in the event of misconduct, including power abuse, by its employees, based on a fair investigation," an unnamed foreign ministry official was quoted as saying by the news agency. NEW DELHI: India on Thursday described as unacceptable the US administrations call for fair and timely legal processes to deal with Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest and the freezing of the Congress partys bank accounts, and said other states should respect the countrys sovereignty. Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal comes out of the Rouse Avenue Court after he was produced by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy-linked money laundering case in New Delhi (PTI) The US state department on Wednesday doubled down on its call for fair legal processes in the context of Kejriwals arrest, with a spokesperson making remarks on the matter for the second time this week. The state department also sought fair processes to deal with the opposition Congress partys allegations that tax authorities had frozen its bank accounts ahead of the general election. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The external affairs ministry summoned a senior American diplomat on Wednesday to protest the US state departments call for fair legal processes for Kejriwal, and the terse exchanges were in marked contrast to the robust bilateral relationship, which has seen significant advances in areas such as defence and critical technologies in recent months. Asked about the US state departments fresh comments on Kejriwals arrest and the Congress partys allegations, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing that the remarks are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable, he said. India had already lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior US embassy official about the comments by the US state department, Jaiswal said. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact, he said. Jaiswal added: India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding are the foundation of international ties and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others, he said. When US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked about India summoning the senior US diplomat over the American position on the arrest of Kejriwal as well as the freezing of the Congress partys bank accounts, he replied that the US continues to follow these matters closely. We are also aware of the Congress partys allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections, and we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues, Miller said. Miller declined to go into details about the acting US deputy chief of mission being summoned to the external affairs ministry, saying he wouldnt talk about any private diplomatic conversations. But of course, what we have said publicly is...that we encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes. We dont think anyone should object to that, and well make the same thing clear privately, he added. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal last week for his alleged role in Delhis controversial excise policy for 2021-22 that was later scrapped. His Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has rejected the corruption charges. Congress leaders have protested about tax authorities attaching 65 crore from five bank accounts of the party and its youth and students wings against the lien of 115 crore placed by the tax department on the partys accounts over a delay in filing tax returns for 2018-19. India had initially protested about the US state departments position on Kejriwal less than a week after registering a similar protest with Germany. It also said the countrys legal processes are based on an independent judiciary committed to objective and timely outcomes, and casting aspersions on this is unwarranted. On Saturday, the German deputy chief of mission, Georg Enzweiler, was summoned to the external affairs ministry to protest against the position taken by the German foreign ministry on Kejriwals arrest. Enzweiler was told that Germanys stance amounted to interfering in Indias judicial process. The German foreign ministry had said that Kejriwal, like anyone facing accusations, is entitled to a fair and impartial trial. It also said that standards related to the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles should be applied in his case. A day after India summoned acting US deputy ambassador Gloria Berbena to address concerns regarding comments made by the US State Department over the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the ministry of external affairs maintained the same stance and said US' comments on the issue were unwarranted. India objected to US State Department's remarks on the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and summoned acting US deputy ambassador Gloria Berbena. "Yesterday India lodged a strong objection and protest with a senior official of the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department. The recent remarks by the state department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in the weekly briefing of the ministry. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Germany gets message from Modi govt, stays out of Kejriwals arrest proceedings After India's summons to Gloria on the issue, the US again reiterated on Wednesday that it called for a fair, transparent and timely legal process. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal." Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations, the MEA spokesperson added in response to questions on the US's repeated remarks on Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate which is probing the money laundering case in connection with Delhi's now-scrapped liquor police created a ripple globally as the United States and Germany commented on the arrest. The external affairs ministry gave an earful to both of them reminding them that it was India's judicial process. Earlier, the MEA summoned the German embassys deputy chief of mission Georg Enzweiler and conveyed Indias strong protest at the remarks. Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, has taken on a more public persona since her husbands arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.(ANI) Since his arrest on March 21, Sunita Kejriwal has twice relayed Arvind Kejriwal's message publicly in video messages. Sitting in the chair from which her husband delivered numerous addresses, Sunita mounted a defence of her husband and read out messages from him. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. I went to meet Arvind Kejriwal yesterday evening. He has diabetes, and his sugar levels are irregular, but his determination is strong," she said in a video message on Wednesday. Sunita Kejriwal also said Arvind Kejriwal will make a big expose related to the so-called excise policy scam before the court on Thursday. She also said that he would also present to the court evidence to show where the proceeds of crime went. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Sunita Kejriwal for addressing the media twice since the CMs arrest. Union minister Anurag Thakur compared the move to that of former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi saying that when former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav was arrested in the fodder scam, his wife Rabri Devi began to make announcements and gradually became the chief minister of Bihar. Who is Sunita Kejriwal? Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died following a cardiac arrest at the Banda medical college in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday - a day after he was taken to the hospital from the Banda district jail after his health deteriorated. Mukhtar Ansari According to a bulletin by the medical college, Ansari was admitted to the hospital earlier in the day around 8:25 pm as his health was critical. A team of nine doctors attended him but despite all their efforts, he passed away following the cardiac arrest, the bulletin read. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Who was Mukhtar Ansari? Christians across the world observe Good Friday as the day when Jesus Christ died on the cross for humanity so that he could save them from their sins and is observed as a public holiday in various countries including India, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Finland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden among others. For Christians, it is the most sorrowful, sombre and sacred day of the year and is also referred as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday or Easter Friday as the etymology of the term good in Good Friday is contested in various circles where some say good means holy while others say that it is a modification of God Friday but many believe it is an appropriate term since it denotes that Christ suffered and died for his people. Jammu: Christian devotees take part in a procession marking Good Friday and Easter, in Jammu. Good Friday traditions: How Christians around the world celebrate the festival (PTI Photo) For Christians, Good Friday is a day to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity and to contemplate the meaning of his death but Good Friday traditions are different across the world and reflect the cultural and religious diversity of Christianity. Here's how Christians around the world celebrate the festival - Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Catholics do not eat meat on Good Friday but can eat fish instead and it is also customary to eat warm hot cross buns. They normally fast on this day unless they have health issues or are below the prescribed age. do not eat meat on Good Friday but can eat fish instead and it is also customary to eat warm hot cross buns. They normally fast on this day unless they have health issues or are below the prescribed age. Protestants , on the other hand, do not have food restrictions on Good Friday but many follow the no meat rule like the Catholics. , on the other hand, do not have food restrictions on Good Friday but many follow the no meat rule like the Catholics. Germany: In Germany, people participate in the "Karfreitag," which is a solemn church service. People fast on this day, and some communities hold silent processions. In Germany, people participate in the "Karfreitag," which is a solemn church service. People fast on this day, and some communities hold silent processions. India: Some areas hold three-hour long special services at noon, the time when Jesus is said to have been crucified. The lights are dimmed and eventually extinguished with followers wearing black clothes and covering all religious pictures, crosses and icons in the churches and their homes to mourn the absence of God and the associated sadness. A loud noise is created to depict the earthquake that struck during Jesus dying hour. Passages from the Gospel about the Seven Last Words of Jesus are read. Catholics relive the fourteen stations places in and around the church that mark Jesus final journey. The Holy Communion is organised at several places. A bitter drink is prepared from mostly leaves and vinegar, which is tasted by all after the service. Some areas hold three-hour long special services at noon, the time when Jesus is said to have been crucified. The lights are dimmed and eventually extinguished with followers wearing black clothes and covering all religious pictures, crosses and icons in the churches and their homes to mourn the absence of God and the associated sadness. A loud noise is created to depict the earthquake that struck during Jesus dying hour. Passages from the Gospel about the Seven Last Words of Jesus are read. Catholics relive the fourteen stations places in and around the church that mark Jesus final journey. The Holy Communion is organised at several places. A bitter drink is prepared from mostly leaves and vinegar, which is tasted by all after the service. Italy: In Italy, people participate in the "Via Crucis" procession, which is a reenactment of the events leading up to the crucifixion. In some parts of Italy, people perform the "Miserere," which is a solemn song sung in the churches. In Italy, people participate in the "Via Crucis" procession, which is a reenactment of the events leading up to the crucifixion. In some parts of Italy, people perform the "Miserere," which is a solemn song sung in the churches. Mexico: In Mexico, people commemorate Good Friday by enacting the "Via Crucis," or the Way of the Cross. The streets are filled with processions, and people carry a statue of Jesus on the cross. In some parts of Mexico, people participate in a reenactment of the crucifixion. In Mexico, people commemorate Good Friday by enacting the "Via Crucis," or the Way of the Cross. The streets are filled with processions, and people carry a statue of Jesus on the cross. In some parts of Mexico, people participate in a reenactment of the crucifixion. Philippines: In the Philippines, the Good Friday procession is a significant event. People participate in processions called "Senakulo," which is a reenactment of the Passion of Christ. The procession includes floats, statues, and people dressed as Roman soldiers and Biblical figures. In the Philippines, the Good Friday procession is a significant event. People participate in processions called "Senakulo," which is a reenactment of the Passion of Christ. The procession includes floats, statues, and people dressed as Roman soldiers and Biblical figures. Spain: In Spain, people participate in the "Semana Santa," which is a week-long celebration leading up to Easter. On Good Friday, people participate in processions called "La Madrugada," which starts at midnight and continues until early morning. The procession includes people carrying statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. (Representative Image (Unsplash)) In some traditions, church bells are rung slowly and solemnly on Good Friday, and they remain silent until Easter Sunday. In other areas, parades are held in which hymns are sung and prayers offered while open air plays, depicting the last hours of Jesus Christ, are also organised by some communities. Followers and fans of Andrew Huberman, the popular podcaster and Stanford neuroscientist, who was accused of manipulative behaviour, lying and infidelity in an explosive report, weighed in on the chilling allegations made by his acquaintances and former girlfriends. Andrew Huberman has over 6.1 million followers on Instagram. (www.hubermanlab.com) Huberman, who has over six million followers on Instagram, is accused of dating five women simultaneously, all of whom connected on a group chat, according to the New York Magazine report. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. One of his former girlfriends, who did not wish to reveal her real name, made several allegations, including details of his anger issues and how she suspected that she contracted HPV (Human papillomavirus), a common sexually transmitted disease, from Huberman. His office told the publication that Huberman has never tested positive for HPV. A journalist and an anthropologist revealed how his ties with Huberman evolved over the years, with the latter not turning up for camping trips and even cancelling a diving trip with him at the last-minute. Here is how Andrew Hubermans fans and followers reacted to the report: Redditors and X (formerly Twitter) users gave their takes on the report, with many of his fans calling the expose a "hit job". "While I love seeing all types of 'gurus' exposed as clay-footed, this is just a hit piece that reveals nothing except an editorial agenda of some kind," a user said on a subreddit titled Huberman Lab, named after Huberman's hit podcast on Spotify. A 24-year-old woman said she is unsubscribing from Huberman's contents and that she is "feeling betrayed". "Here I thought AH (Andrew Huberman) was my online role model, only to learn he shares the traits of people (men) that have hurt me most in life," the Reddit user wrote. "Feeling duped and losing respect for his online bro clan (Lex) standing up for him. It's not a hit piece, it's reality. I'm done with these online misogynists posing as health gurus." Another woman termed Huberman as a "greenlight for misogyny". "My heart breaks for the women and girls who came to this sub/huberman for help only to know that he doesnt even value or respect women as humans," the user wrote. "How can we as women trust these men in positions of power who claim to be giving helpful advice when they dont even have us in mind." Many people, however, came to his defence and believe that even if the allegations are true, his podcasts are immensely beneficial. "It's the way Huberman explains things that is groundbreaking, he's a Stanford professor and it shows," a user wrote. "Nobody seems to have spread such a breadth of information to such a wide audience in the way he has," another user commented on the thread. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife Gurpreet Kaur welcomed a baby girl on Thursday. He took to social media to announce the news as well as share a photo of the newborn. The newborn is Bhagwant Mann's third child. (X/@BhagwantMann) "The almighty has given (me) the gift of a daughter. Both the mother and the baby are healthy," he said in Punjabi on X (formerly Twitter). Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In another post, Mann, 50, shared a picture of his youngest child. He has two children from a previous marriage, a son and a daughter. Take a look at Bhagwant Mann's post revealing his newborn daughter's face: Hundreds of his followers immediately congratulated the Chief Minister and his wife for the latest member in their family. Mann, a former comedian and actor who has appeared in several films, married Dr Gurpreet Kaur in 2022 after he separated from his first wife, Inderpreet Kaur, in 2015. His popularity rose after he appeared in the television show, "Great Indian Laughter Challenge", in 2008. Mann, who belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took charge as the Chief Minister of Punjab in March 2022 after his party swept the assembly election that year. He was picked for the top job based on a public poll in the state, carried out by the AAP. Mann recently faced criticsm over the deaths of 20 people due to the consumption of spurious liquor in Punjab's Sangrur district. He had visited Gujran village in Sangrur district to meet the families of those who died. He was in Delhi last week to protest the arrest of his Delhi counterpart and party boss Arvind Kejriwal. Reactions poured in from various quarters after an explosive report threw light on podcaster Andrew Huberman's alleged dark side, with many of his followers expressing shock and a sense of betrayal. Huberman, a Stanford neurologist, is accused ofinfidelity and toxic behaviour by his former partners and acquaintances. Andrew Huberman has over 6.1 million followers on Instagram. (www.hubermanlab.com) Huberman, who has over six million followers on Instagram, is accused of dating five women simultaneously, all of whom connected on a group chat, according to the New York Magazine report. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Even as Hubermans office has refuted many of these allegations, several quarters expressed support for him. Among those who slammed the publication for the report are Russian-American computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman and Dr Cyriac Abby Philips aka "The Liver Doc". Fridman came to the defence of his fellow podcaster, saying that Huberman's podcast has helped millions of people. "It's heartbreaking to see a hit-piece written about my friend Andrew Huberman (@hubermanlab). I know him very well, and can definitively say that he is a great human being, scientist, and educator," Fridman wrote on X (formerly Twitter) "Hit-piece attacks like this are simply trash click-bait journalism desperately clinging on to relevance. Andrew should be celebrated. Period. His podcast has helped millions of people (including me) lead healthier lives. Keep going brother!" Here is what Lex Fridman posted on X: In India, Dr Cyriac Abby Philips aka The Liver Doc,, an influential voice on social media, termed the report "a dirty hit job" on Huberman. The hepatologist known for busting medical misinformation said that while he disagrees with Huberman on certain topics like supplements endorsement and his "overconfident clinical advise based on weak evidence", he does not deserve to be covered in this manner. "He does not deserve this. Sad that this is the price one has to pay for fame," Dr Philips wrote on X. Check out what The Liver Doc said on the Andrew Huberman report: Among the many allegations, Huberman was accused by one of his former girlfriends of telling her that being with her was like bobbing for apples in feces" and that her decision to have a second child from a previous relationship was a "bad choice". A Google Maps Street View driver who led police officers on a high-speed chase before crashing into an Indiana creek has pleaded guilty. During the incident, about seven months ago, the driver was escorted out of the vehicle and placed into custody by the Middletown Police Department. As per the court records, he has now pleaded guilty to leading the police on a dangerous chase that ended in a creek. The image shows a car after a Google Maps Street View driver crashed into an Indiana creek. (Facebook/@Middletown Police Department ) 37-year-old Coleman Ferguson agreed to a one-year suspended jail sentence as a part of his plea agreement on March 25, reported The Smoking Gun. He also agreed to pay $3,200 in restitution. He will have to pay the court and the fee of the public defender. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. About the high-speed chase: On August 1, 2023, the Middletown Police Department took to Facebook to share information about apprehending Ferguson, who was driving over 100 miles per hour. As the Vehicle passed by it was identified by Dean (a cop) as a Google Mapping car with several 360 degree cameras mounted on a tall antenna on top of the car. Dean was able to catch up with the vehicle in the 8500 block of West US 36. The vehicle was still travelling at speeds well over 100 miles per hour and was passing several other vehicles. The Google Vehicle refused to stop, the police informed in their post. The Google vehicle lost control and drove through a yard and then into a creek where it became stuck, they added. The driver was identified as Coleman Ferguson by means of a Florida Drivers License. Mr Ferguson stated that he worked for Google and was scared to stop. He was transported to Henry Community Health Hospital in New Castle for medical clearance and then to the Henry County Jail. He was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement with a vehicle, a Level 6 Felony, the department further shared in their post. A pregnant woman is at the risk of facing jail time after writing a negative review about a can of tomato puree. As per reports, the manufacturer of the product accused her of making a malicious allegation, which ended up damaging their business. Though initially released on administrative bail after being charged for writing a review on tomato puree, the pregnant entrepreneur was again arrested after a few months. (Unsplash/omeganova) According to Daily Star, Chioma Okoli, a 39-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, Nigeria, is being prosecuted for breaching the countrys cybercrime laws. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What did she post about the tomato puree? As per CNN, on September 17, last year, Okoli, asked her followers on Facebook to share their opinions about Nagiko Tomato Mix, manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited. She also added that she found the product too sweet. Also Read: Cleaner sacked for eating leftover sandwich at London law firm Her post received several reactions, including one where an individual asked her not to spoil the product, reported the outlet. Stop spoiling my brothers product. If (you) dont like it, use another one than bring it to social media or call the customer service, the person wrote. In response, Okoli shared, Help me advise your brother to stop ki***ing people with his product, yesterday was my first time of using and its pure sugar. What are the charges against Chioma Okoli? The Nigeria Police Force took to X to address the incident. "As Police Reaffirms Prosecution of Chioma. No Sentiment in Law," they wrote. "The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law in the Erisco Tomato matter. The involvement of Mrs Chioma warrants scrutiny as she stands accused of violating some salient parts of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 as preliminary investigations conducted have unearthed compelling evidence indicating Mrs Chioma's alleged role in the violation of extant laws, particularly those related to the proper use of the cyberspace," the department added. Chioma Okolis arrest and administrative bail: Okoli told CNN that she was arrested while she was visiting church and then put in a leaky cell. She has three kids and is pregnant with her fourth baby. I was put in the cell around 6 pm (on September 24). There were no seats, so I stood all through till the next day. My legs were inside the water (that came in from the leaking roof). Sometimes, I squatted to reduce the pressure on my legs. I was thinking about my children who were at home. I was talking to myself. I would think, I would pray, I was messed up, she added. Also Read: Google Maps Street View driver who crashed into creek after leading cops on dangerous chase pleads guilty She was released on administrative bail, and one of the conditions of her release was a public apology to Erisco. Her lawyer Effiong told CNN she agreed to this condition under duress. Hence, once released, she did not apologise. Following this, the police filed a case against her on October 5 and again arrested her on January 9. Counter lawsuit by Chioma Okoli: Effiong, on behalf of Okoli, filed a 500 million naira countersuit against not just Erisco but the police too. How did netizens react to this incident? People had a lot of say while reacting to this incident of Okoli facing jail time for her review of Eriscos tomato puree. Many on social media also called for a boycott of the product. The investigation should have begun by asking why there is sugar in Erisco Tomato, wrote an X user. This is an embarrassment of the highest degree! I cant believe this, added another. Why will you tag customer reviews as cybercrime? joined a third. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit The Mumbai Indians (MI), captained by Hardik Pandya, are having a hard time in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Hardik Pandya has received a lot of flak for his captaincy and for replacing Rohit Sharma as team captain. On March 27, MI lost another match under Pandya. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated MI by 31 runs with the highest-ever IPL total of 277-3. Pandya also faced criticism for making the decision about Jasprit Bumrah's bowling. Bumrah bowled just one over till the thirteenth over. Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal.(AFP) After the match, many people took to various social media platforms to express their reactions on the match. Many netizens and companies, such as Swiggy and Zomato, even took to the route of hilarity while reacting to the match. (Also Read: Yuvraj Singh's 'Laaton ke bhoot...' remark on Abhishek Sharma's shot takes social media by surprise after SRH vs MI tie) Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Check out some of the most hilarious memes here: SRH faced the Mumbai Indians at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH scored the highest team total of 277 runs in 20 overs. Travis Head scored 62 runs in just 24 deliveries, carried forward by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 63 runs in just 23 deliveries. Sharma was also named man of the match for his outstanding performance, while Heinrich Klaasen concluded the inning with 80 runs in 34 deliveries. (Also Read: 'We bowled well, I liked what I saw': Hardik Pandya on MI bowlers despite record 277-run hammering by SRH in IPL 2024 MI was defeated by 31 runs. Tilak Varma led the chase with 64 runs off 34 deliveries. The Mumbai Indians' openers created momentum, with Rohit Sharma scoring 26 runs in 12 balls and Ishan Kishan smashing 34 runs in 13 deliveries. This match set several new records, including the team total (277 runs), the most sixes in a T20 match (38 sixes), the biggest aggregate in a match (523 runs), and the highest second-inning total in an IPL match (246 runs). Afghanistan is not making any progress to root out terrorism from its soil, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said, urging the Taliban rulers in Kabul to tighten border controls further to mitigate the threat faced by his country. Khawaja Muhammad Asif (AFP File Photo) In view of the increase in terrorist incidents, there is a need for a fundamental change in the border situation. The source of terrorism in Pakistan is in Afghanistan and despite our efforts, Kabul is not making any progress in this direction, Asif posted on X on Wednesday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Pakistan, which has witnessed a series of terror attacks in recent months, has openly said it suspects the involvement of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a splinter group of Afghan Taliban. According to the Dawn newspaper, Asif regretted that despite the Taliban administration being aware of the hideouts of terrorism, terrorists were operating freely against Pakistan from their territory. Cooperation from Kabul (for tackling terrorism threat) is not available, the minister emphasised. Asifs comments came against the backdrop of a string of attacks over the past few days including those on the Gwadar Port Authority complex and naval base in Turbat and the suicide attack on the van carrying Chinese workers in Shangla in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The report said that the minister posted these remarks on X after attending a special security meeting convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and added, His remarks in a way reflected the discussion at the meeting as PMO statement on security meeting had expressed concern over sanctuaries available to terrorists across the borders and had called for "a regional approach for countering terrorism. A video clip that recently went viral on social media showed an Afghan Taliban member, identified as Yahya, assisting Pakistani terrorists based in Afghanistan in planning a cross-border attack on Pakistani troops deployed along the border, the newspaper said. The defence minister describing the complexity of the border security challenge said the Pak-Afghan border was different from the traditional international borders. Pakistan will have to enforce all international laws and traditions on this border and the traffic of terrorists will have to be stopped. In this way, both countries can promote their relations like traditional good neighbours. Travel facilities can be continued through passport and visa, he maintained. Since November 1, Pakistan has required that all Afghan citizens must possess a valid passport and visa to enter the country. Simultaneously there was a significant shift to a one document regime policy marking a departure from the longstanding practice of issuing special travel permits to individuals from tribes that span the nearly 2,600-kilometre border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it remains unclear which new measures the minister was referring to for enhancing control over cross-border movements, the Dawn report added. The bodies of two construction workers were found in the cold waters of Baltimore Harbour submerged in their red pickup truck after a cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a catastrophic collapse. The two men were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, originally from Guatemala. A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md.(AP) Maryland State Police Colonel Roland Butler said a red pickup truck containing the bodies of the two men was found in about 25 feet of water near the mid-section of the fallen bridge. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Maryland authorities, faced with the grim task of recovery, announced that six of the eight-man crew were presumed dead, with four still missing amid the wreckage. Sonar scans revealed additional vehicles trapped in the twisted steel debris, prompting a shift from rescue to salvage operations. "Based on sonar scans, we firmly believe that the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down," Butler told a press conference. The container ship, Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, had lost power moments before the collision with the support column of the bridge, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Although the vessel's crew managed to issue a mayday call, the warning came too late for the workers above. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier assured that the ship posed no environmental threat, despite carrying hazardous cargo including billion and a half gallons of oil. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel recovered the ship's data record, or black box, which they hope will help piece together a precise timeline of the accident. New details emerged from recordings of radio chatter by authorities after they were alerted that the cargo ship Dali was drifting out of control toward Key Bridge. "Hold all traffic on the Key Bridge. There's a ship approaching that just lost their steering," someone is heard saying over a police radio minutes before the 1:30 a.m. crash on Tuesday. While voices were heard discussing next steps, including alerting any work crews to leave the bridge, one broke through to say: "The whole bridge just fell down!" The audio was carried by Broadcastify, an open-source audio streaming service. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy told a press briefing that the investigation into the incident may take 12 to 24 months to complete. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge indefinitely shuttered the bustling Port of Baltimore, a vital cog in the machinery of trade along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. The port's cease in operations was particularly impactful, given its handling of a staggering volume of automobile and farm equipment freight, surpassing that of any other port in the country, reported Reuters. (compiled from AFP, Reuters) Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Ottawa is aiming to work constructively with New Delhi to get to the bottom of the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) and Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit S Sajjan visit the Punjab Food Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Wednesday. (REUTERS) Responding to a query during a media event in Vancouver, BC, on Wednesday, Trudeau did not provide an update as to the progress of the investigation into the killing, but said, We are looking to work constructively with the Government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again. Relations between India and Canada collapsed last year after Trudeau stated in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder of Nijjar, who was considered a terrorist in India though none of the charges against him were tested in a Canadian court. However, over nine months have passed since the murder probe was undertaken by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) and no arrests have been announced yet or proof evidenced in this context. Weve been unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring appropriate investigations are being done in full accordance with our justice system and our police independence, Trudeau added. India has set up a high-level inquiry into an alleged attempt to kill Sikhs for Justice (SFJs) general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun in New York last year. A recent Bloomberg report claimed that rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot including a person who instructed Gupta. That unnamed official is still with the Indian government though no longer with the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). However, that inquiry has not touched upon Nijjars case, according to a senior Indian official. The official said details of the report, to be submitted to the government, are being awaited, but since Canada had not provided specific and relevant information regarding the investigation into Nijjars killing, that was not addressed by the inquiry. Follow-up actions are expected to be restricted to the Pannun case, after the inquiry was established after an indictment in a Federal Court in New York was unsealed. An Indian national Nik Gupta is currently in custody in the Czech Republic, awaiting possible extradition to the United States to face charges that he allegedly attempted to hire a hitman to target Pannun. Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now! Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Joseph Lieberman, known for being the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party, has died at the age of 82. A former Connecticut senator, Lieberman died on Wednesday, March 29, due to complications that stemmed from a fall in New York. Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was the first Jewish VP nominee of a major party, has died at 82 (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)(AP) Senator Liebermans love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest, Liebermans family said in a statement, as reported by Punchbowl News first. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Back in 2000, Lieberman was chosen by Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore as his running mate. Lieberman always noted that this was a historic breakthrough for Jewish Americans. Eventually, the election was decided by the Supreme Court in favour of George W. Bush, who was the Texas governor at the time. Lieberman opened up on what he believed politics had become during his farewell speech to the Senate in 2012. It is the partisan polarization of our politics which prevents us from making the principled compromises on which progress in a democracy depends, and right now, which prevents us from restoring our fiscal solvency as a nation, he said. We need bipartisan leadership to break the gridlock in Washington that will unleash all the potential that is in the American people. Who was Joseph Lieberman? Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, which Lieberman later joined as senior counsel, says on its website that he assisted corporate clients on homeland and national security, defense, health, energy, environmental policy, and intellectual property matters. In addition, he counsels clients on international expansion initiatives and business plans. Lieberman served as the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut for six years before he was elected to the Senate. He served as many as 10 years in the Connecticut State Senate. He was a majority leader for three terms. During his tenure, Senator Lieberman helped shape legislation in virtually every major area of public policy including national and homeland security, foreign policy, fiscal policy, environmental protection, human rights, health care, trade, energy, cyber security and taxes, the Kasowitz website says. It adds, He served in many leadership roles including as chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, which is the Senate's major oversight and investigative committee. On that Committee, Senator Lieberman led numerous congressional investigations, including investigations into Enrons collapse, the federal governments response to Hurricane Katrina, the Fort Hood mass shooting, and most recently the deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya. Lieberman was the national founding chair of No Labels, an American political organisation that comprises Republicans, Democrats and Independents whose mission is to usher in a new era of focused problem solving in American politics. Since 2014, Senator Lieberman and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge have Co-Chaired the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, which has provided recommendations to improve the United States' efforts in the biodefense arena, particularly as it relates to biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, the website says. Lieberman was also a member of the Board of Trustees for The McCain Institute for International Leadership and the Institute for the Study of War, and the Board of Directors for the Center for a New American Security, Cohen Veterans Network, and American Federation for Children. Condolences pour in Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Liebermans successor, said in a statement after his death, Connecticut is shocked by Senator Liebermans sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said, While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed. Kasowitz Benson Torres founding and managing partner Marc E. Kasowitz said in a statement, We are profoundly saddened at the passing of our firms senior counsel Senator Joe Lieberman. We were honored when this great statesman joined our firm when he retired from the Senate over ten years ago. We are grateful for his many contributions to our success, and we are proud that he continued to the end to be such an important voice for Americas greatest values, Kasowitz added. Joe was the wisest adviser, the most collegial colleague, and the warmest friend, and he will be greatly missed. Lieberman is survived by his second wife, Hadassah, his three children, as well as a stepson from Hadassahs previous marriage. JAKARTA, Indonesia Indonesias top court heard appeals lodged by two losing presidential candidates who are demanding a revote, alleging widespread irregularities and fraud at the polls in appearances before the judges Wednesday. HT Image Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto won the election with an overwhelming margin: 58.6%, or more than 96 million votes, according to the General Election Commission more than twice the runner-up's share in the three-way race. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But the losing candidates Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo argue that the election was marred by irregularities throughout the campaign. They're asking the Constitutional Court to annul the election results and order a revote, in separate lawsuits. Both candidates presented parts of their cases in person, focusing on allegations that the court itself, as well as outgoing President Joko Widodo, bent laws and norms to support Subianto. We witness with deep concern a series of irregularities that have tarnished the integrity of our democracy, Baswedan told the court. Dozens of protesters held a peaceful but noisy rally near the court building, declaring that they would oversee the trial. Authorities blocked streets leading to the court where about 400 police were deployed in and around the building. Indonesian presidents are expected to stay neutral in races to succeed them, but Subianto, a longtime former rival of Widodo who twice lost elections to him before joining his government, ran as his successor. He even chose Widodo's son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as running mate, even though Raka did not meet a constitutional requirement that candidates be at least 40 years old. Baswedan and Pranowo argue that Raka should have been disqualified, and are asking the court to bar him from a revote. Before the election, the Constitutional Court made a controversial exception to the minimum age that allowed him to run, under the leadership of then-chief justice Anwar Usman, who is Widodo's brother in law. Usman was later forced to resign as chief justice for failing to recuse himself. The Constitutional Court was designed to guard the constitution and stem arbitrariness, not to legitimize fraud and crime, said Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent lawyer who led Pranowos legal team, This election is an opportunity for the Constitutional Court to reclaim its authority and dignity. Baswedan also said that regional officials were pressured or given rewards to influence political choices, and that state social assistance was used as a transactional tool to help one of the candidates. Hefty social aid from the government was disbursed in the middle of the campaign far more than the amounts spent during the COVID-19 pandemic and Widodo distributed funds in person in a number of provinces. If we do not make corrections, the practices that occurred recently will be considered normal and become habits, then become culture, and ultimately become national character, Baswedan said before the eight-judge panel. Subianto himself twice went to the top court to challenge the results of elections he lost to Widodo, but the court rejected his claims as groundless both times. Subianto refused to accept the results of the 2019 presidential election, leading to violence that left seven dead in Jakarta. Baswedan had the first turn before the court in the morning, while Pranowo spoke in the afternoon. What shocked us all, what really destroyed morale, was the abuse of power, Pranowo told the court, When the government uses all state resources to support certain candidates, when the security forces are used to defend personal political interests, then it is time for us to take a firm stand to reject all forms of intimidation and oppression. Chief Justice Suhartoyo, who like many Indonesians uses a single name, adjourned the hearing until Thursday, when Subianto and the General Election Commission will respond. The verdict, expected on April 22, cannot be appealed. The case will be decided by eight justices instead of the full nine-member court because Usman, who is still on the court as an associate justice, is required to recuse himself. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Kuala Lumpur, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Malaysia and his meetings with the country's top leadership presented an opportunity to reiterate commitment to further develop the bilateral Enhanced Strategic Partnership, an official statement said on Thursday. HT Image Jaishankar was in Kuala Lumpur from March 27 to 28 as part of the last leg of his three-nation tour to Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Bin Ibrahim and thanked him for his support in deepening bilateral ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership, India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Jaishankar's visit to Malaysia provided an opportunity to reiterate commitment to further develop the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, it said. Anwar gave his commitment to facilitate the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology branch campus in Malaysia, the official Bernama news agency reported. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, for assisting Malaysia when the country was hit by a rice shortage and hoped for further facilitation on importing agricultural produce from India. "May the Malaysian-Indian relationship continue to grow and blossom for the benefit of the people of both friendly countries," Anwar said. Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation, including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, cultural and education. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and global interest issues, according to the MEA. Jaishankar also met the Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo. During his visit, Jaishankar held a round-table meeting with the CEOs and leaders of the industry. He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia and praised their contribution towards India-Malaysia ties. Malaysia is a key partner for India in ASEAN and its Act East Policy, the MEA said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Authorities in Russia have detained six journalists across the country this month, including a journalist who covered the trials of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny for several years, media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders said Thursday. Russia's President Vladimir Putin(AFP) Antonina Favorskaya was detained and accused by Russian authorities of taking part in an extremist organization by posting on the social media platforms of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, the Russian human rights group OVD-Info said. Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony in February. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Favorskaya covered Navalnys court hearings for years and filmed the last video of Navalny before he died in the penal colony. She is one of several Russian journalists targeted by authorities as part of a sweeping crackdown against dissent in Russia that is aimed at opposition figures, journalists, activists and members of the LGBTQ community. Two other journalists, Alexandra Astakhova and Anastasia Musatova, were also temporarily detained after they came to meet Favorskaya in the detention center where she was being held, Reporters Without Borders said, adding that their homes were searched and equipment seized. Ekaterina Anikievich, of the Russian news site SOTAvision, and Konstantin Yarov from RusNews, were also detained by police while covering the search of Favorskaya's home. Yarov was beaten by police, threatened with sexual violence and taken to a hospital, Reporters Without Borders said. Yarov is accused of "disobedience" towards police and risks 15 days of detention, the group said. In Ufa, 1,300 kilometers (around 800 miles) east of Moscow, Russian authorities detained Olga Komleva, a reporter for RusNews, on Wednesday. They also accused her of extremism and involvement with Navalny and his organization, Reporters Without Borders said. OVD-Info said that Favorskaya was initially detained on March 17 after laying flowers on Navalnys grave. She spent 10 days in jail after being accused of disobedience towards the police, but when that period of detention ended, authorities charged her again and ordered her to appear Friday in Moscow's Basmanny District Court, OVD-Info said. Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation has been designated an extremist organization by Russian authorities, which means that people associated with it potentially face prison sentences if they continue to be involved in its work. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said that Favorskaya didn't publish anything on the Foundation's platforms and suggested that Russian authorities targeted her because she was doing her job as a journalist. What darkness, Yarmysh wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa formed a new cabinet on Thursday in which he will also serve as foreign minister, making an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza a top priority, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and PM Mohammad Mustafa (via REUTERS) Mustafa, an ally to President Mahmoud Abbas and a leading business figure, was appointed premier this month with a mandate to help reform the Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He was also assigned to lead the relief and rebuilding of Gaza, which has been shattered by more than five months of war, while he performs double-duty as foreign minister, replacing Riyad al-Maliki who had served in the position since 2009. Abbas, who as president remains by far the most powerful figure in the PA, appointed the new government in a demonstration of willingness to meet international demands for change in the administration. He approved Mustafa's cabinet with financial expert Omar al- Bitar as finance minister, and Muhamad al Amour, who served as the president of the Palestinian Businessmen Association, as economy minister, but kept Ziad Hab al-Reeh, former chief of the PA's internal intelligence agency, as interior minister, WAFA said. The new cabinet will also include a state minister for "relief affairs". Mustafa said in a cabinet statement addressed to Abbas that the first national priority is an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, in addition to allowing humanitarian aid to enter in large quantities and reaching all areas, WAFA reported. "In order to enable the launch of the recovery process and preparation for reconstruction, stop the aggression and settlement activities, and curb settlers' terrorism in the West Bank," Mustafa added. The PA, controlled by Abbas' Fatah political faction, has long had a strained relationship with Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs Gaza, and the two factions fought a brief war before Fatah was expelled from the territory in 2007. However it has repeatedly condemned the Israeli invasion of the Strip following the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, and has insisted it must play a role in running Gaza after the war. VATICAN CITY Pope Francis appeared in better health on Wednesday, walking into the Vatican audience hall on his own with a cane for his weekly general audience and delivering his prepared text with a clear voice. HT Image The encounter was Francis' first public event since Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peters Square, when he decided at the last minute to skip his homily, avoiding the speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly fragile health. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In recent weeks, the 87-year-old Pontiff has often shown increased difficulties in walking, has asked an aide to read aloud his remarks and has been heard breathing heavily during public events. The Holy Week schedule is challenging for popes even under the best of circumstances. But that is especially true this year for Francis, who has been battling on and off all winter what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold. As Francis discussed the virtue of patience during his Wednesday audience, he renewed his appeal for peace and an immediate stop in ongoing conflicts. The pope also noted that there were two people in the Vatican's Paul VI audience hall two fathers and that one was Palestinian, the other Israeli. He said that both of them had lost their daughters over the course of the Middle East conflict, and they are both friends. They do not look at the enmity of war, Francis said. They look to the friendship of two men who care about each other and have experienced the same crucifixion. The Vatican press office said Bassam Aramin's daughter Abir was killed in 2007 by an Israeli soldier as she left school; Rami Elhanan's daughter Smadar was killed in 1997 in an attack in Jerusalem. The two mens story of friendship was told in the novel Apeirogon by Colum McCann, a winner of the Terzani Prize who met with Francis during an audience with artists on June 23, 2023. Let us think of the beautiful witness of these two people who have suffered the war in the Holy Land in the loss of their daughters, the pope said. Francis met with both men in private before the general audience and then warmly greeted the two men at the end. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Heidi Ledford in Nature: Old mice developed more youthful immune systems after scientists reduced aberrant stem cells in the aged animals1. The technique strengthened the old rodents responses to viral infection and lowered signs of inflammation. The approach, published on 27 March in Nature, treats older mice with antibodies to diminish a population of stem cells that give rise to a variety of other cell types, including those that contribute to inflammation. Excess inflammation can wreak havoc in the body, and these pro-inflammatory stem cells become dominant as mice and humans age. It will be years before the approach can be tested in people, but many aspects of the stem-cell biology that underlies immune-cell production are similar between mice and humans. Its a really important first step, says Robert Signer, a stem-cell biologist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the research. Im excited to see where they take this work next. More here. Prince Harrys recent legal battle to overturn a Home Office decision denying him automatic police protection has come at a significant cost to the taxpayer. According to figures revealed through a Freedom of Information request, the total expenses related to fighting two separate judicial review claims lodged by the Duke of Sussex over his security reached an eye-watering $630,000. Prince Harrys legal battle over police protection hits public pocket. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP) The case has raised questions about the appropriateness of a member of the Royal family taking legal action against the Government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The cost breakdown Counsel fees: More than 180,000 was spent on legal representation. Government legal department: A hefty 320,000 went toward legal support from the Government. Court fees: The court proceedings incurred 2,300 in fees. E-disclosure: Almost 10,000 was spent on electronic disclosure. ALSO READ| Prince William not interested to see Harry after Kate's cancer, wants to avoid drama,' friends say Ravec vs Prince Harry Justice Lane delivered a decisive blow to Prince Harrys case. In a comprehensive 52-page ruling issued in February, he dismissed the Dukes claims after a protracted legal battle spanning two and a half years. The crux of the ruling centered on the decision made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec). Ravec had withdrawn state-funded security for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they stepped back from their royal duties. Instead, they opted to review security needs on a case-by-case basis whenever the couple returned to the UK. Justice Lane found this decision to be neither irrational nor procedurally unfair. The Dukes stance, deemed by the court to be inappropriate and formalist, was that the bodyguards, financed using taxpayer money, should protect the Duke and the Duchess from being photographed by the paparazzi. However, the intended goal of using taxpayers' money for security was not to protect them from a visual capture by the paparazzi. However, the setback could not discourage him, and his persistence did not call in questions. He has already indicated that he will challenge the verdict which entails that the ongoing legal expenses will be tended to increase. Just last May, The Dukes quest to file a different type of a legal challenge was disallowed. If he paid a fee for himself, the Home Office would still quash and retake the applicant, and the applicant would not be granted. ALSO READ| Queen Camilla gives hopeful update on Kate Middleton's health, says Princess is thrilled by Prince Harry continues to assert that the withdrawal of guaranteed police protection renders him vulnerable during visits to the UK. He now provides 30 days notice for travel plans, allowing each visit to be assessed on its merits. The Dukes frustration is evident. When informed of the decision to remove his taxpayer-funded police protection in early 2020, he demanded to know the responsible parties. In correspondence with Sir Mark Sedwill, the then-Cabinet Secretary, he sought answers regarding his vulnerability and risk. After Kate Middleton announced that she is battling cancer, many reports claimed Prince Harry might see her and Prince William during his UK visit in May. However, friends of William and Kate have said the Prince of Wales is not interested in reuniting with Harry and wishes to stay away from the drama. Prince William is not interested to see Prince Harry after Kate's cancer diagnosis, wants to avoid "drama," his friends say (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)(AP) Catherine and William have been very clear they want peace and quiet for them and the kids. A visit from Harry, with all the drama that would bring, would be the opposite of that, one person told The Daily Beast. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. They have come to terms with the estrangement from Harry, and are content to let sleeping dogs lie, another friend said. Royal author Christopher Andersen described William as a world-class grudge-holder. Once he has turned his back on you, its virtually impossible to get back in Williams good graces. He has never gotten over Megxit, the Sussexes confessional Oprah Winfrey interview, or the hurtful things Harry said about him in his memoir Spare, Andersen said. He added that Harry has made several overtures of lateonly to be met with stony silence and that William simply doesn't have the time or the emotional bandwidth to try and make nice with the brother he believes betrayed not only him but the entire royal family. Prince Harry will make efforts to see Kate and William Meanwhile, another royal source has claimed Harry "will make efforts to see Princess Kate and Prince William" when he visits the UK. Harry will likely go to Britain in May 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. "Given Kates cancer diagnosis, Harry will certainly make efforts to see his brother and Kate when he returns to the UK in May, royal author Tom Quinn said. "If it happens at all its to be a very brief carefully choreographed meeting and organised to last a short time so that the brothers can avoid any difficult conversations." "At the same time Harry knows how it will look if he comes back to the UK and doesnt see his brother and Kate. Its going to be a very awkward time, Quinn told The Mirror. Russia struck the northeastern city of Kharkiv with aerial bombs Wednesday for the first time since 2022, killing at least one civilian and wounding 16 others, local officials said. Police experts work at the site where buildings were damaged by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine (REUTERS) The airstrikes caused widespread damage, hitting several residential buildings and damaging the citys institute for emergency surgery. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine in recent days, launching several missile barrages on the capital Kyiv and hitting energy infrastructure across the country in apparent retaliation for recent Ukrainian aerial attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod. Such sporadic attacks, however, have been common throughout the war. The Kharkiv region cuts across the front line where Ukrainian and Russian forces have been locked in battles for over two years since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The region is frequently attacked with missiles and drones. ALSO READ| US-North Korea sanctions target Russia, China and UAE-based firms Sergey Bolvinov, head of the investigative police department in Kharkiv, said in a Telegram post that Wednesdays attack marked the first time aerial bombs were used since 2022. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov also reported the use of aerial bombs. The recent escalation comes as exhausted Ukrainian troops struggle with a shortage of personnel and ammunition and face growing Russian pressure along the front line that stretches over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacked one of his top security officials, replacing him with the head of Ukraine's foreign spy agency in a new reshuffle. Zelenskyy dismissed Oleksii Danilov, who served as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, thanking him for his service in a video address late Tuesday. The president gave no reason and said, without providing details, that Danilov will be reassigned to another area. Zelenskyy replaced him with Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who served as head of Ukraines Foreign Intelligence Service. ALSO READ| Russian ambassador skips meeting after Poland raises concerns on airspace breach The National Security Council is a policy coordination body that is chaired by Zelenskyy. Danilov had held his position since October 2019, a few months after Zelenskyy took office. The dismissal follows Zelenskyy's decision in February to fire Ukraines chief military officer, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and replace him with Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. Tensions between Zaluzhnyi and the president grew after Ukraines much-touted 2023 summer counteroffensive failed to reach its goals. This month, Zaluzhnyi was named Ukraines ambassador to the United Kingdom. 7-Eleven has announced a new sparkling water with an unusual flavour. The popular convenience store chain unveiled the new lineup of their trademark 7-Select sparkling waters. The company, headquartered in Texas, has teamed up with art-inspired beverage brand Miracle Seltzer for their newest launch. The carbonated beverages will be available in lemon lime, green apple, sweet orange, and hot dog flavours. 7-Eleven unveils Big Bite Hot Dog sparkling water(Instagram) Is 7-Eleven's Big Bite Hot Dog sparkling water an April Fool's joke? In a news release on March 27, 7-Eleven described its latest hot dog-flavoured sparkling water as a twist on one of 7-Elevens most beloved snacks, the Big Bite Hot Dog. The company explained that the unusual flavour combines the delicious and mouthwatering experience of 7-Elevens iconic Big Bite Hot Dog into one refreshing beverage ketchup and mustard included. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 7-Eleven's statement further went on to say, Gone are the days of alternating bites of a hot dog with sips of a beverage, now those on the go can swap the bun for bubbles. Given the odd product description and vague details on how to purchase the Big Bite Hot Dog sparkling water, netizens believe it to be an April Fools' prank. More details on the availability of this flavor will be revealed on April 1 but in the meantime, the rest of the 7-Select x Miracle Seltzer lineup including Lemon Lime, Green Apple and Sweet Orange can be found at select 7-Eleven stores, the company added. Netizens dub 7-Eleven's new hot dog sparkling water a prank As 7-Eleven has made the announcement towards the end of the month, fans are certain that the new hot dog flavour is an April's Fool prank. One Instagram user commented under the company's post, Bro i checked the date thinking it was april fools. 7-Eleven replies to claims about Big Bite Hot Dog sparkling water(Instagram) Another comment read, but its not april fools day yet, to which 7-Eleven replied with the side eye emoji. One more user commented, BRO ITS NOT APRIL YET. Yet another said, Youre a week early. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has responded to racist online attacks in the wake of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse earlier this week. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 27: Maryland Governor Wes Moore is interviewed near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 27, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Getty Images via AFP) During an interview with MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid on Wednesday night, Scott addressed the right-wing social media chatter, stating that Black men have been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy White men should have a say in anything. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Scott was targeted by a prominent right-wing X user who referred to him as Baltimores DEI Mayor in a post that garnered over 25 million views. This user's posts attacking diversity initiatives have previously been liked and replied to by Elon Musk. Anthony Sabatini, a Republican primary candidate from Florida, tweeted, DEI did this, in response to the incident. Another far-right influencer attempted to blame the ships operator, Synergy Marine Group, claiming it promotes DEI and is anti-white. In response to these attacks, Scott stated, We know what they want to say, but they dont have the courage to say the N-word. He further emphasized his position as the duly elected incumbent, adding, The fact that I dont believe in their untruthful and wrong ideologyscares them. Addressing Fox News host Maria Bartiromos attempts to link the disaster to immigration, Scott highlighted the immigrant workers who lost their lives in the collapse. He mentioned that these workers came to this country to fulfill the American dream and were filling potholes in the middle of the night so all of us can use that bridge. Scott added, Were ignoring all the conspiracy theorists, everyone whos playing bridge engineer at homeand understanding that what this is about is showing the world once and again that Baltimore cant be broken. The tweet referring to Scott as a DEI mayor has been appended with a community note, pointing out that he won 70% of the vote in the citys mayoral election. The post has faced criticism from several lawmakers and journalists. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates condemned the post, saying, Youre attacking the mayor of a city suffering a tragedy for saying, We have to first and foremost pray for all of those who are impacted and pray for our first responders and thank them....How on Earth could you possibly take issue with this? Despite the federal and local authorities confirming no evidence of the incident being a deliberate act or a terrorist attack, conspiracy theories have continued to spread online. Security footage of an explosion at the Kerch Strait bridge in the Russian-annexed territory of Crimea in 2022 was falsely shared on social media as footage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident. On the day of the collapse, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted about it on X, asking, Is this an intentional attack or an accident? A mere friendly catch-up or chalking out the arsenal before going to war? When Biden takes the stage with Obama at an election fundraiser in New York this week, it will be all smiles for a duo who collectively have spent nearly a dozen years in the White House. But while Biden, 81, will be glad to have the star power of Obama and also former Democratic president Bill Clinton at the event on Thursday, there will also be tensions with his former boss, whom he served as vice president for two terms. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(AFP) Last Friday, former US President Barack Obama had spent numberless hours pondering with the current president, Joe Biden, in the family room in the White House. Kind of a humorous atmosphere was prevailing with the employees laughing, and making jokes as they had much in common, like they worked together since the times of the Obama government. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This reunion, however, had a deeper purpose. Obama has privately expressed to close associates his belief that the upcoming November election, a rematch between Biden and Donald Trump, will be fiercely competitive. He views the 2024 election as an all-hands-on-deck moment, necessitating a concerted effort from all quarters. ALSO READ| Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly ends interview when asked incredibly offensive question about Joe Biden Joe and Kamala back to the White House in November: Obama However, the congressmans visit to the White House Household was mainly a working trip. Together with the president of Biden and the former one of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, he took part into the call from White House, which is the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Health Care Act. In a video message, the former President underscored the importance of the upcoming election, stating, We have the chance to do even more, but that only happens if we send Joe and Kamala back to the White House in November. So, weve got to keep working. At the public viewing, things were, but behind the scenes, Obama assured Biden that his State of the Union address had pinpointed the voters' concerns. He gave weight to the point that the healthcare of prospective patients was the lynchpin of the campaign and, as he stipulated on the brink of these discussions. The campaign has already made plans to have new material ready for release, in which both presidents and joint leaders will feature in them as long as we stay on track. The communications between Obama and Biden are eminent, with Obama maintaining direct trace by key White House officials, whereby his former member of the administration, Jeff Zients, Bidens Chief of Staff, is included. Obama will show support for Biden in a fundraising event Since the announcement of the Biden 2024 campaign, Obama has been a chummy guy, who on several public occasions, has been raising funds and standing in behind-closed-doors conversations raising Democrats concerns about Bidens candidacy. His involvement in the campaign is exepcted to gain more intensity test as the election commences with campaign pledges of organizing multiple campaign occasions chiefly to reassemble the 2020 winning coalition. ALSO READ| Its great for MAGA: Donald Trump rips into RFK Jr. for naming Nicole Shanahan as his running mate To be part of the event opening doors for Biden's campaign is participating in a Manhattan fundraiser this month. The time allotted for this event is for an in-depth dialogue, organized between Biden, Obama, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and televised by the late-night comedy host Stephen Colbert. The price of the show tickets seeds from $225 to $500,000. In the summer of 2020, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Kulvinder Kaur Gill, an Indian-origin physician based in Canada, took a bold stand against government-imposed lockdowns and vaccination mandates. However, her outspoken views were met with legal challenges and slandered with hefty legal fees, but Elon Musk weighs in that he will support Dr. Gill. Dr. Gill receives funding support from X and Elon Musk(Kulvinder Kaur Gill/X/AFP) Embroiled in a legal battle, Dr. Gill faces a staggering CAD 300,000 (approximately USD 220k) in legal fees. Fortunately, X has stepped forward to support her cause by pledging to cover her expenses. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Dr. Gills public opposition to COVID lockdown efforts and vaccination and Because she spoke out publicly on Twitter in opposition to the Canadian and Ontario governments. She faced harassment from the legacy media, censorship by Twitters previous management, and investigations by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. As a result, cautions were placed on her permanent public record. ALSO READ| Horrifying details emerge as girl, 8, dies after being sucked into Texas hotel pool pipe: Body was wedged in there Elon Musk's X will pay legal bills for Indian-origin doctor Tesla boss recently learned about the Indian-origin doctors crowdfunding campaign to pay the judgment. He pledged to assist her. In support of your right to speak, Musk posted. X has now committed to funding the remainder of Dr. Gills campaign, allowing her to cover the hefty $300,000 judgment and her legal bills. When Elon Musk learned earlier this week about her crowdfunding campaign to pay the judgment (https://givesendgo.com/kulvinder), he pledged to help. X will now fund the rest of Dr. Gill's campaign so that she can pay her $300,000 judgment and her legal bills, the X statement reads. The legal proceedings have taken a toll on Dr. Gills financial stability, depleting her life savings and leaving her burdened with substantial debt. Despite the woes, she remains steadfast in her convictions. ALSO READ| What is Melanoma? Very rare type of skin cancer that Fortnite star Ninja diagnosed with Her tweet from August 2020 boldly stated, If you have not yet figured out that we dont need a vaccine, you are not paying attention. #FactsNotFear. In response, Dr. Gill filed a lawsuit against 23 doctors, journalists, and news outlets, alleging that they participated in a defamation campaign against her. Unfortunately for Dr. Gill, a judge dismissed the lawsuit citing anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law. The judge determined that her intention was to stifle her critics speech on a public platform, and she was instructed to cover the defendants legal expenses. Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a judge on Thursday for stealing $8 billion from customers of the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange he founded, the last step in the former billionaire wunderkind's dramatic downfall. FILE - FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court on July 26, 2023, in New York. The former crypto mogul faces the potential of decades in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, March 28, 2024, for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)(AP) U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan handed down the sentence at a Manhattan court hearing after rejecting Bankman-Fried's claim that FTX customers did not actually lose money and accusing him of lying during his trial testimony. A jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty on Nov. 2 on seven fraud and conspiracy counts stemming from FTX's 2022 collapse in what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kaplan said Bankman-Fried had shown no remorse. "He knew it was wrong," Kaplan said of Bankman-Fried before handing down the sentence. "He knew it was criminal. He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught. But he is not going to admit a thing, as is his right." Bankman-Fried stood with his hands clasped before him as Kaplan read the sentence. He was led out of the courtroom by members of the U.S. Marshals Service when the hearing ended. Bankman-Fried, wearing a beige short-sleeve jail t-shirt, acknowledged during 20 minutes of remarks to the judge that FTX customers had suffered and he offered an apology to his former FTX colleagues. The sentence marked the culmination of Bankman-Fried's plunge from an ultra-wealthy entrepreneur and major political donor to the biggest trophy to date in a crackdown by U.S. authorities on malfeasance in cryptocurrency markets. Bankman-Fried has vowed to appeal his conviction and sentence. Kaplan said he had found that FTX customers lost $8 billion, FTX's equity investors lost $1.7 billion, and that lenders to the Alameda Research hedge fund Bankman-Fried founded lost $1.3 billion. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading, it is logically flawed, it is speculative," Kaplan said. "A thief who takes his loot to Las Vegas and successfully bets the stolen money is not entitled to a discount on the sentence by using his Las Vegas winnings to pay back what he stole." The judge also said Bankman-Fried lied during his trial testimony when he said he did not know that his hedge fund had spent customer deposits taken from FTX. Federal prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years. Bankman-Fried's defense lawyer Marc Mukasey had argued that a sentence of less than 5-1/4 years would be appropriate. Addressing the judge, Bankman-Fried said, "Customers have been suffering... I didn't at all mean to minimize that. I also think that's something that was missing from what I've said over the course of this process, and I'm sorry for that." Referring to his FTX colleagues, Bankman-Fried told the judge, "They put a lot of themselves into it, and I threw that all away. It haunts me every day." Three of his former close associates testified as prosecution witnesses at trial that he had directed them to use FTX customer funds to plug losses at Alameda Research. 'MASSIVE IN SCALE' Nicolas Roos, a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, told the judge, "The criminality here is massive in scale. It was pervasive in all aspects of the business." During the hearing, Mukasey sought to distance his client from notorious fraudsters like Bernie Madoff. "Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people," Mukasey said, describing his client as an "awkward math nerd" who worked hard to get customers their money back after FTX's collapse. "Sam Bankman-Fried doesn't make decisions with malice in his heart," Mukasey added. "He makes decisions with math in his head." Bankman-Fried testified in his own defense that he made mistakes such as not implementing a risk management team, but denied he intended to defraud anyone or steal customers' money. His parents, Stanford University law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, attended the sentencing. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, Bankman-Fried rode a boom in the values of bitcoin and other digital assets to a net worth of $26 billion, according to Forbes magazine, before he turned 30. Bankman-Fried became known for his mop of unkempt curly hair and commitment to a movement known as effective altruism, which encourages talented young people to focus on earning money and giving it away to worthy causes. He also was one of the biggest contributors to Democratic candidates and political causes ahead of the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. But prosecutors have said the responsible image he cultivated concealed his years-long embezzlement of customer funds. Bankman-Fried has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since August 2023, when Kaplan revoked his bail after finding he likely tampered with witnesses at least twice. Hunter Biden's legal team have requested the Los Angeles judge to dismiss the tax evasion charges against him. Defence claims political pressure behind tax evasion charges against Hunter Biden. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo(REUTERS) The request was made in the Western District of LA Federal Court on the citing of Judge Mark S. Scarsi, and the defence attorney claimed that the district attorney is under pressure from the Republican legislative line. It is stated that he held or spent about $1.4 million but avoided paying taxes beginning in 2016 and ending in 2019. Judge sceptical as defence cites political influence in Hunter's tax case Defence lawyers, led by Abbe Lowell, believe that Hunter was selectively chosen due to backlash that was heard from within the Republican party. They doubted a Lexicon of events that they believed to be showing a correlation between the process and political pressure. Well, Hunter, who was not in the courtroom, has stayed consistent throughout, claiming that he is not guilty of those charges. Millard's legal defence has indicated that the delinquent taxes were already paid in full. ALSO READ| Barack Obama backs Joe Biden to defeat Donald Trump in coming November The first son, who was not formally identified by the court, has simultaneously denied the accusations by pleading not guilty to the charges. It is on record that his legal aide has been able to prove that all taxes owed have been paid off. Judge Scarsi, however, expressed scepticism regarding the defences argument. During the hearing, he questioned, Do you have any evidence other than the timeline? Lowell conceded that its a timeline, but its a juicy timeline, it was the only evidence they had to suggest undue influence. The judge also questioned the defences assertion that two IRS agents, How are they responsible for whats in the indictment? who disclosed information about Hunter Bidens tax returns. Lowell admitted difficulty in establishing a direct connection between the agents actions and the prosecutions decision to file charges. I cant make the connection that thats why that happened, he admitted. Prosecutor Leo Wise dismissed the notion that the IRS agents had any sway over the prosecutions actions, labelling such claims as patently absurd. ALSO READ| Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, first Jewish VP nominee of a major party, dies at 82 Hunter pled not guilty The trial is set to commence in June, ahead of the November presidential election, which is anticipated to be a tightly contested race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. This legal battle happens as Hunter also contends with a separate criminal case in Delaware, where he faces charges related to the alleged illegal purchase of a handgun. He has pleaded not guilty in this case as well. Special Counsel David Weiss, responsible for both cases, has criticized Hunters legal team for propagating what he terms conspiracy theories regarding the prosecutions motives and actions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Drivers in New York City inched closer to paying a new fee to enter Manhattans central business district after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved the nations first congestion-pricing plan, which could begin as soon as mid-June. New York has become the first U.S. city to approve congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown. Transit authorities approved the congestion pricing plan Wednesday, March 27, 2024(AP) The board of the MTA, which is implementing the toll, authorized the pricing structure in an 11-to-1 vote during its monthly meeting on Wednesday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. New York has more traffic than any other place in the US, and now were doing something about it, Janno Lieber, the MTAs chief executive officer, said at a press briefing following the meeting. The new plan will charge most cars $15 for entering the borough south of 60th Street during peak times. It aims to reduce traffic, improve air quality, boost transit ridership and provide an estimated $1 billion a year to modernize the MTAs network of subways, buses and commuter rails. Congestion pricing we know is going to produce less pollution in the region, less congestion in the region and a better economy in the region, said Carl Weisbrod, chair of the MTA subcommittee that crafted the plan and a former director of New York Citys Department of City Planning. While the MTA vote is a significant step, the program will need final approval from the Federal Highway Administration before the new charges can begin, a procedure that Lieber said hes confident will happen in time for the MTA to begin charging drivers in June. But the program is contentious and faces several court challenges that could block or delay its implementation. While the MTA, transit advocates and environmental groups support it, critics say congestion pricing forces local residents to pay a fee just to return home and will strain small businesses that will need to absorb the expense or pass it on to customers. It also comes at a time when crime on the subways is an increasing concern. For New Jersey drivers who commute into New York City, the plan adds a toll on top of fees they already pay on crossings to get into Manhattan. A New Jersey district court in Newark is set to hear oral arguments on April 3 in Governor Phil Murphys legal challenge thats seeking a longer environmental analysis of the program. This is far from over and we will continue to fight this blatant cash grab, Murphy said in a statement following the vote. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, the United Federation of Teachers and a group of residents have also filed suit to delay or halt the new toll. Those lawsuits have forced the MTA to put on hold subway signal upgrade projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Other projects are at risk: adding new elevators to subway stations, replacing old subway cars, extending the Second Avenue subway line to Harlem and even routine repair projects. Lone Dissent David Mack, who represents Nassau County on Long Island, was the only board member who voted against the tolling plan. He expressed concern that the new fee would hurt businesses and discourage people from returning to office buildings, which are still hurting from the pandemic shift to remote work. Dont kill the goose that lays the egg, Mack said during the meeting. The vote comes after the MTA conducted a public hearing process so residents in the New York City area could voice their opinions on the tolling initiative. Of about 26,000 comments and testimonies the MTA received, 60% were supportive of the congestion-pricing plan while 32% were against it, according to an MTA internal document. Under the plan, passenger cars with E-ZPass will pay $15 during peak periods, with E-ZPass trucks paying $24 during those hours. Vehicles without E-ZPass would pay more. Drivers already paying tolls on the Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown or Brooklyn-Battery tunnels will receive discounts during peak times to help lower the new fee. Driving during the overnight hours is cheaper: E-ZPass passenger cars will pay $3.75 while E-ZPass trucks will pay $6. The Trucking Association of New York called the MTAs decision reckless, saying it will increase costs for businesses and consumers. This decision will have far-reaching impacts on New Yorkers everywhere, who will soon see increased prices for basic goods as motor carriers and the businesses they serve including restaurants, bodegas, pharmacies, grocers, and everything in between adjust to higher costs of doing business, Kendra Hems, the TANYs president, said in a statement. Under the plan, taxi and for-hire passengers will pay a per-trip fee: $1.25 for taxi riders and $2.50 for for-hire customers, such as those using Uber and Lyft. Certain government and emergency vehicles, school buses and private bus operators, including the Hampton Jitney Inc., will be exempt from the plan. State lawmakers approved the congestion pricing initiative in 2019 and tasked the MTA with implementing it. Melina Moe in LARB: I FOUND IT extremely honest, forthright, and moving in ways I had not expected it to be, Toni Morrison wrote to an aspiring novelist in 1977, but it is a shuddering book and one that offers no escape for any reader whatsoever. Still, Morrison, then a senior editor at Random House, liked the manuscript so much that, before responding, she passed it around the office to drum up support. The verdict was intelligent, but also very down, depressing, spiritually abrasive. Whatever the merits of the writing, Morrisons colleagues predicted, the potent mix of dissatisfaction, anger, and mournfulness would limit the books commercial appealand Morrison reluctantly agreed. You dont want to escape and I dont want to escape, her letter concludes, but perhaps the public does and perhaps we are in the business of helping them do that. During her 16 years at Random House, Morrison wrote hundreds of rejection letters. Usually typed on pink, yellow, or white carbonless copy paper, and occasionally bearing Random Houses old logo and letterhead, these are now filed among her correspondence in the Random House archives at Columbia Universitys Rare Book & Manuscript Library. While many of the letters were mailed to New York, Boston, and even Rome, others were sent to writers in more obscure places; some are addressed to general delivery in various small towns across the United States. More here. Former Extra host Tanika Ray, who was a backup dancer for Sean Diddy Combs, has taken to social media to reveal that her experiences with the Bad Boy Records founder made her stay away from him. However, she did not specify what exactly happened with her. Sean Diddy Combs' backup dancer has said the allegations are not surprising (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo) What did Tanika Ray say? In an Instagram post, she wrote, Oh yeah women hold a lot in order to function everyday in a mans world. Unfortch we can compartmentalization out pain and carry on. We utilize the experience as a lesson and move differently. If I told my story in 1996 then What?? I just knew to avoid him at all costs. Yes I danced for him and kept my space. I was on the Vote or die airplane and kept my space. I interviewed him for his projects and kept my space. Nothing that is happening is surprising. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Ladies keep space to heal and move on is key. Gathering to incriminate is goals. But in this wild world with a broke azz system our healing is priority. Shame on all those men that let this continue. Shame on me maybe for prioritizing my mental health some would say. But after working in a place that snatches souls mine is in tact and of the light. I saved myself. Now if someone needs me to pile on my story, give me a call, she added. Diddy, a famed rapper and music mogul, came under spotlight after federal agents with US Homeland Security raided two of his houses in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25 after sex trafficking allegations. Various television stations in Los Angeles aired footage of HSI agents and other law enforcement authorities raiding Diddys home in the Holmby Hills neighbourhood. A search warrant was also executed by federal authorities outside Diddys Miami-area home. Overruling a previous lower court ruling on Monday, a federal appeals court panel said that undated Pennsylvania mail-in ballots should not be counted regardless of their arrival at the election office on time. FILE - A Delaware County secured drop box for the return of vote-by-mail ballots is pictured, May 2, 2022, in Newtown Square, Pa. An exterior envelope date requirement in Pennsylvania's mail-in voting system does not run afoul of a civil rights law, a federal appeals court panel said Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in overturning a lower-court ruling. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)(AP) A 2-1 ruling of the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the enforcement of dated return envelopes, addressing a battle that began in 2020. The potential US Supreme Court clash will work out an essential deciding factor for the upcoming presidential elections slated for the fall. The emerging technical mandate rendered over ten thousand votes invalid in the 2022 election. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Even though the US state may seem to bring in a relatively small number in the larger scheme of things during the electorate war, the recent ruling has spotlighted Pennsylvania significantly. What does this mean in the bigger picture? What is the Pennsylvania mail-in ballot dating rule? In November 2023, a lower court ruled that even mail-in ballots without proper dates should be counted if arriving at the election office in time. US District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter declared the envelope date inconsequential when deciding whether the voter was disqualified. Also read | What is Pink Cocaine, emerging as a big link between Diddy and Yung Miami? The 1964 Civil Rights Act inspired the previous ruling. One of its voting rights prohibits officials from denying the right of any individual to vote in any Federal election because of an error or omission on any record or paper relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting. However, during the Wednesday ruling, Judge Thomas Ambro claimed this section was irrelevant to broad ballot-casting rules. He stated that it is concerned only with the process of determining a voters eligibility to cast a ballot. He ultimately declared that the Pennsylvania General Assembly had decided that voters must date the return envelope of their ballot to make their vote effective. Since the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania unanimously credited this as a mandatory requisite, failure to comply renders a ballot invalid under Pennsylvania law. Also read | Daniel Kahneman - Thinking Fast and Slow Writer dies - 10 life-changing quotes he gave the world Contradicting the Supreme Court ruling, Ari Savitzky, American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania Voting Rights Project lawyer, expressed the union's collective strong disagreement with the conclusion. Mike Lee, ACLU's executive director in Pennsylvania, also voiced his concerns about thousands of the state residents losing their vote over a meaningless paperwork error. The 2019 Act 77 popularised the voting-by-mail option, but incorrectly filled-out ballots have been a red flag for rising debates ever since. To effectively rise above the legal disputes, Pennsylvania redesigned the mail-in ballots in 2023 for the upcoming 2024 primary. These revised ballots are expected to roll out in 67 counties and hope to actively remind voters to date their envelopes under their signatures. Wedding photos or a diplomatic visit? The apparent "bromance" between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has set social media fans alight. Handout picture released by the Brazilian Presidency showing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron holding hands as they hold a bilateral meeting. (AFP) During his three-day visit to Brazil, 46-year-old Macron was pictured smiling and warmly embracing Lula, 78, during a trip to the Amazonian rainforest. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Many of the images have since circulated wildly among social media users in Brazil alongside montages and witty comments. One picture showing the leaders raising their arms underneath a large tree has been edited to show them holding red balloons in the shape of a heart. Another portrays the pair hand in hand, smiling as they look at the horizon while floating in a boat along the Amazon River. "They are going to marry in the Amazon and have their honeymoon in Paris," joked one user on X, while others said pictures from the trip could make up a wedding album. Macron's warm relations with Lula mark a departure from the frosty ties between the French leader and Brazil's former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, who led the country from 2019 to 2022. His trip, which will end Thursday in Brasilia when he meets Lula at the presidential palace, saw the two leaders announce a billion-dollar green investment plan for the Amazon. France, the seventh-largest economy in the world, and Brazil, the ninth-largest, are considered key players in a geopolitical scene marked by rivalry between China and the United States. Paris sees Brasilia as a bridge to large emerging economies whose voices Brazil is trying to amplify through its presidency of the G20, and membership of the BRICS group. An open seat on the House Judiciary Committee has many eager to fill the vacant spot, giving them more access to directly take part in the impeachment inquiry into the president. Two freshman members of the House Freedom Caucus have expressed interest in filling former Rep. Ken Buck's (R-Colo.) seat on the panel. Speaker Mike Johnson and the Steering Committee will ultimately decide who succeeds Buck. "I'd happily serve there if needed," Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) told Punchbowl before adding, "I don't think I'm high on anyone in leadership's list to fill coveted spots like that." Crane was one of the eight Republicans who voted to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) also expressed interest in filling the seat, highlighting that he currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee. Sources close to Johnson reveal the speaker will have a definite interest in filling the open vacancy due to his longtime experience serving on the Judiciary. Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan also has a major say in the decision. Jordan told Punchbowl he's still in the process of consulting with members and staff on who wants to join. "We'll see who wants to come on, but we'll get a new member I'm sure," Jordan said. "I thought he was going to stay, but Mr. Buck has had different positions from me and most of the Republicans in the conference for a while." Buck has long been a thorn in leadership's side, especially the Judiciary panel, since his resignation earlier this month. Buck has been an open critic regarding the House GOP's political agenda. He remains one of the biggest impeachment cynics in Congress, placing doubt that there is sufficient evidence to impeach President Joe Biden. The Colorado Republican also assisted in ruining Jordan's bid for speaker last fall, as he disagreed with Jordan's decision not to certify the 2020 election for Biden. Buck's successor should be someone who agrees with the work they're doing on the panel, believe Judiciary Republicans. "I hope it will be a conservative who will be part of the team that contributes to the work that we're doing," Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) said. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) also chimed in, expressing the need for someone who prioritizes border security and "the weaponization of the federal government." "I certainly hope it's a true conservative fighter," noted Moore. Amid the bid for the open spot, Judiciary Democrats say Buck's absence will be a loss for a more distinct view on the panel. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said, "I will always be grateful that he dared to stand up to his party on the bogus Biden impeachment. He will say out loud what so many of his colleagues know is true and yet they say nothing. I don't take that lightly." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Amidst the growing tensions in the region, Sweden has announced its decision to deploy troops in Latvia, thereby strengthening its alliance with NATO. In a recent statement, Ambassador Axel Wernhoff emphasized Sweden's unwavering dedication. Sweden: NATO Allies Not Doing Enough Wernhoff announced that troop deployment is set to begin in November, with Denmark's forces also participating in rotation. Additionally, there is a possibility of certain missions, such as minesweeping, commencing earlier. "At this stage, we have no illusions about Russia," Wernhoff told Politico. Wernhoff continued by saying, "The NATO Strategic Concept defines Russia very clearly as the obvious military threat. I think we will have to live with this for decades." This position highlights the increasing worries among Swedish officials about Russia's assertive behavior. Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom emphasized the need for strategic responses.In an interview with Euractiv, he emphasized the importance of recognizing Russia's concerning behavior. He highlighted the irresponsible nuclear threats and the potential consequences of Russia's ambitions to regain its former empire, which could negatively impact independent sovereign states. Billstrom's remarks follow French President Emmanuel Macron's call for 'strategic ambiguity' towards Russia, sparking discussions among European leaders. Billstrom clarified Sweden's position on addressing the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that certain proposals, such as training Ukrainian personnel on Ukrainian soil, might be considered excessive, while acknowledging the urgency of the situation. Read Also: France's Defense Minister Rejects Allegations of Supplying Arms to Israel Amid Gaza War Russia-Ukraine Conflict In January, Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin issued a warning to the public about the potential for conflict in Sweden. Highlighting the strength demonstrated by Ukraine in response to Russian aggression, Bohlin emphasized the significance of being prepared as a nation and taking prompt action. In line with Bohlin's thoughts, Commander-in-Chief Micael Byden stressed the importance of citizens being mentally prepared for possible conflict, highlighting the necessity of taking proactive steps. "It is now crucial to transition from mere words and comprehension to taking concrete action," he cautioned. After a conference in support of Ukraine held in Paris on Feb. 26, Macron suggested that Ukraine's Western allies might consider forming a coalition to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces with long-range weapons. Additionally, he mentioned that the possibility of future Western troop deployment to Ukraine should not be dismissed. Several NATO countries, including Poland, the United States, Germany, Czechia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine in response to Macron's statements.According to a source, European NATO member states have been carefully considering the option of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine for several weeks, as reported by the AFP news agency. According to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, there is potential for French troops to assist Ukraine in safeguarding specific borders and participating in exercises or ground air defense. The involvement of French soldiers in battles "directly on the front line" has been ruled out. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas expressed openness to the idea of deploying NATO troops, emphasizing that their forces would be primarily dedicated to training purposes. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is open to receiving "instructors" and "technical personnel" from NATO allied countries, but does not require Western troops on its territory. Zelensky made this statement on March 11. Related Article: Fresh Off Sweden Joining NATO, Romania's President Wants To Become The Military Alliance's Leader @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former President Donald Trump intends to be present at the wake of Jonathan Diller, a New York Police Department officer who tragically lost his life during a traffic stop. A spokesperson from the NYPD has confirmed the reports regarding Trump's intention to attend the wake on Thursday at the Massapequa Funeral Home in New York. Trump has consistently shown support for the NYPD and police officers, going as far as endorsing the death penalty for criminals convicted of killing law enforcement officials. "President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told The Associated Press. Trump posted a tribute to Diller Tuesday on his social media site. "To Officer Diller's family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!" Trump wrote. A tragic incident occurred involving Jonathan Diller, a three-year veteran of the NYPD. The incident took place when Diller and another individual were stopped for illegally parking at a bus stop. A wife and infant son are left behind. Diller lost his life in a shooting incident involving a suspect named Guy Rivera. He and another officer approached the vehicle, instructing Rivera and another man to exit. According to sources, Rivera declined, resulting in a commotion when the fellow passenger opened the door as instructed by the officer. Rivera proceeded to discharge his firearm, resulting in Diller being hit in the torso, right below his protective vest. Diller transported to the hospital in a critical state and unfortunately passed away. Rivera has a lengthy record with 21 prior arrests, nine of which are felonies. The White House addressed the passing of Diller during the regular press briefing on Wednesday, in response to inquiries from journalists. "Our hearts go out to this officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty," stated press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She emphasized that Diller's passing served as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence. Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, expressed his deep sorrow over Diller's shooting, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He stated, "These are bad people doing bad things to good people. It's the good guys against the bad guys." Recent crime statistics indicate a significant decrease in violent crime across many regions of the country. According to recent data released by the FBI, there was an 11 percent decrease in crime rates in cities with populations exceeding one million last year. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Hong Kong: Seniors, carers get district support Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun today officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the District Services & Community Care Teams - Pilot Scheme on Supporting Elderly & Carers. The 2023 Policy Address announced that Tsuen Wan and Southern districts would be selected for engaging care teams to identify households of singleton and doubleton elderly people as well as carers of seniors or people with disabilities in need through visits or other means. These cases will then be referred to social welfare service units for follow-up. The care teams will also assist them with installing and using the emergency alarm system. Mr Sun said the care teams of the two districts have reacted positively to the invitations extended to them by the Social Welfare Department for joining the pilot scheme, which will run for one year as a start. He noted that all the care teams in the 36 sub-districts of Tsuen Wan and Southern districts will take part, fully demonstrating their passion in serving the community and unwavering support for the Government's policy to care for the socially disadvantaged. Along with Permanent Secretary for Labour & Welfare Alice Lau and Director of Social Welfare Charmaine Lee, Mr Sun led the care teams of the two districts in the pilot scheme's pledging session. Together with representatives of the district offices and the care teams, District Social Welfare Officers then visited households of the target service groups and gave them gift packs and leaflets on the available social welfare services. This story has been published on: 2024-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hunter Biden's attorneys made an appearance in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday, seeking to have his tax crimes case dismissed. Special Counsel David Weiss was present in the public benches, observing the proceedings. The attorneys representing the First Son were making their case before LA federal judge Mark Scarsi, seeking the dismissal of the nine-count tax crimes case brought against him by Special Counsel David Weiss. Hunter Biden Faces Dual Trials Amid Tax Evasion Prosecutors allege that he did limited work and failed to pay taxes on $7 million of income from 2016 to 2019, resulting in the charges against him. In 2021, Biden successfully resolved his tax debt by paying the outstanding amount along with the associated penalties and interest. Biden's 2018 taxes are the subject of an indictment for tax evasion and twice submitting false tax returns. According to the prosecution, Biden misclassified $1,500 for an exotic dancer, $30,000 for his daughter's education, and $11,500 for an escort as company costs in that specific year. Biden was charged by Delaware's Weiss with lying on federal firearms documentation. In both cases, Biden has refuted any responsibility. The two indictments preceded the collapse of a plea agreement that would have saved Biden from a possible felony conviction and jail term, as well as the humiliating exposure around a trial that occurred during his father's reelection campaign. Now he will face two trials this year, with the case in L.A. being more grave and intricate compared to the one in Delaware. Biden talks on the months that passed before and after a failed attempt at a plea agreement to remove the tax charges last summer. Regarding the plea deal, Weiss and his team came under fire from Trump and others. Chair of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) referred to it as a "sweetheart plea deal." By then, Biden's protracted criminal investigation appeared to have political effect, as indicated by several public appearances made by IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler. According to the prosecution, Biden's remarks ignore the fact that Trump is no longer president and that his father is the head of the Justice Department. Allegedly, Hunter Biden fabricates a conspiracy theory alleging that the prosecution has "upped the ante" in order to appease lawmakers who have not participated in the trial and are not even employees of the Executive Branch, according to Low Angeles Times. Read Also: Shakira Just Surprised Fans With A Times Square Concert, Promoting New Album Hunter Biden Lawyers Claim Charges Are 'Politically Motivated' Biden wants to dismiss tax charges based on the months before and after the plea bargain collapsed last summer. Biden's lawyers believe political pressure and self-interest have caused the Justice Department to change its charging determinations and increase the ante on Biden. They contend that the prosecution could have pursued these charges years ago and consistently promised to wait, only to withdraw the arrangement, deny it was struck, and pile on felony indictments. Additionally, they want the case dismissed owing to "outrageous government conduct," contending that Biden's constitutional right to due process has been violated by IRS agents Shapley and Ziegler, who purported to be whistleblowers. In July of last year, Biden agreed to a diversionary agreement that precluded prosecutors from filing charges against him for tax offenses in return for him avoiding drug and weapon offenses. Biden's legal team contends that the diversion arrangement is legitimate and compliant. According to federal prosecutors, the diversion plan is just a "draft." Biden is trying to have the case rejected on the grounds that Weiss was not selected by law or has proper funding from Congress. The remaining motions to dismiss focus on alleged technical flaws in the case, including the statute of limitations barring one count, the fact that three counts contain two offenses each, and the fact that four of the charges shouldn't have been filed in California because Biden didn't officially move there until the summer of 2019. The last petition from Biden calls accusing him for failing to pay taxes in 2019 "selective and vindictive" prosecution. Biden's timely filing of his tax return that year and his payment of his taxes, together with fines and interest, was noticed by the defense attorneys. When a taxpayer pays off all their debt, Biden's attorneys say criminal tax charges are not pursued, NBC News reported. Related Article: Former Senator Joe Lieberman Dead at 82 @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Four people were killed and five injured, including one who was critically hurt, in an Illinois stabbing spree, according to officials on Wednesday. There were many distinct locations where the assaults took place in Rockford, which is west of Chicago. Authorities have captured a person they think to be the mastermind of the attacks. The suspect's identity has not yet been made public, however the police characterized him as a 22-year-old man. Rockford Mayor Expresses Concern Over Violent Incident The Mayor of Rockford, Tom McNamera, addressed his deep concerns on the occurrence by expressing his profound dismay at the unnecessary violence. In the areas where the attacks occurred, three bodies were discovered, and one victim later died in a hospital from wounds sustained there.Their deaths are part of the terrible total. One veteran of the United States Postal Service who served for 25 years is confirmed dead by the authorities. Although the authorities have said that not every victim had a stab wound, they have not provided any more information. This is true even if it has been established that the attacks' motivation is still a mystery. Not every victim had stab wounds, and Rockford Police Department Chief Dan Redd made the determination that gunshot wounds were not among the potential causes of the injuries. Tragically, three people lost their lives at the scene of the incident, while the fourth person passed away in a medical facility. Redd confirmed the seriousness of the ongoing investigation and said, "We don't believe there's any other suspects that are on the run or at large at this particular time." Read Also: 'Ninja', Twitch Superstar, 'In Shock' After Melanoma Diagnosis' Rockford Urges Review of Security Footage It has been requested of the populace to examine the home security footage in an attempt to shed light on the events that have occurred. The population of Rockford, which is about 90 miles northwest of Chicago, is estimated to be 150,000. Not too long after the horrific stabbing death of a teenage Walmart employee in Rockford, there was another tragedy. Mayor McNamara responded to a particularly recent incident by expressing shock and emphasizing the community's cooperation for those affected directly by the tragedy. In order to look into the reasons and prevent such situations in the future, he committed to organizing cooperation between several different authorities. The defendant was taken into arrest by a Winnebago County Sheriff's Office officer in response to a report of a possible home invasion. The offender was taken into custody. Sheriff Gary Caruana revealed the horrific trip one of the victims took. The victim had tried to flee from the attacker and had sustained many knife wounds. Eric Patterson, a resident of one impacted street, said, "You cant rationalize this," He described what was happening to a video game that had gone into the real world. "Its almost like playing a video game, but its reality. It makes no sense." Cleveland Avenue neighbor Cassandra Hernandez shared her shocked and sorrow, adding that she was particularly worried about the postal worker who was among the dead. She regret it and said, "You never expect this here," adding that the neighborhood was calm generally and that her neighbor, the postal worker, was a "very good man," Mail Daily reported. Related Article: Hundreds Of Women Sue Chicago Doctor For Sexual Assault, 'I Thought That I Was The Only One' @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NYPD Department officers fatally shot a 19-year-old man who was armed with scissors. The incident occurred following the death of Officer Jonathan Diller. During a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon, the NYPD provided details about a shooting incident that occurred around 1:40 p.m. in the Ozone Park neighborhood of New York City. Man Wielding Scissors Fatally Shot in New York While conducting a routine traffic check in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York City, Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, died. This time, this tragedy took the New York Police Department by shock. The tragedy happened on Monday night, leaving the city in mourning and reigniting concerns about how law enforcement handles mental health emergencies. The incident began when a terrified mother called 911 in a panic, saying that her 19-year-old son was acting strangely and going through a serious mental health crisis. Authorities say that this conversation was the starting point for a number of incidents that quickly spiraled out of control and into danger. During a press conference that followed, New York Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Patrol John Chell called the occurrences that were taking place "hectic, chaotic, and dangerous". This description highlighted the seriousness of the current situation facing law enforcement. A dedicated member of the Queens Community Response Team of the New York Police Department, Officer Diller found himself at the center of this escalating violence. On Monday, just before six o'clock in the evening, he encountered 31-year-old Win Rozario while carrying out a routine traffic stop. Unfortunately, his mental health issues were disregarded due to the strain of the circumstances, according to CBS News. Read Also: Diddy At Center Of 'Creepy' Video With Young Justin Bieber, Following Human Trafficking Raid NY Cop Jonathan Diller's Death Witnesses described an instant escalation of the situation, with shots fired a short while after the police approached Rozario's car. Even though Officer Diller claimed to have made many valiant attempts to disarm Rozario, he was seriously hurt during the gunfight. The horrible tragedy was seen by spectators and locals alike, who recoiled in terror and fear as they watched the sorrowful scene emerge on the lively Mott Haven Avenue. CBS New York was able to gather cellphone footage of the violent aftermath. During the turmoil around them, the video shows police rushing to Diller's help. Following his transfer to Jamaica Hospital, Diller died of his injuries, leaving behind a bereaved family consisting of his wife and young kid, as well as a community that mourned the death of one of its own. Diller died in spite of the emergency personnel's quick response. Concerns over the circumstances surrounding Rozario's behavior and the response of law enforcement have been raised at a time when the city is finding it hard to come to terms with the tragic passing of Officer Diller. Politicians and activists have called for a thorough inquiry into a number of incidents that preceded this grief tragedy, raising concerns about how law enforcement authorities handle mental health situations. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams expressed his concerns about the incident and underlined the need for accountability and openness in the wake of it. Williams said something that showed how important it is to take appropriate action in particularly difficult situations. He stated that "Someone who is calling for assistance because they are going through a mental health crisis should get a response that addresses the mental health crisis," Daily News reported. Related Article: Horrific Moment NYPD Cop Jonathan Diller Fatally Shot in Traffic Stop Caught on Video @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A councilwoman from New Jersey is facing criticism for sharing a meme that made derogatory comments about Easter eggs. Critics argue that the post was disrespectful towards the Christian faith. Paula Gilligan, a councilwoman in the small town of Glen Rock, expressed her thoughts in a statement on the municipal website. She explained that she shared a colorful meme on her Instagram stories, intending to mock pro-life "personhood" laws. New Jersey Lawmaker Calls Easter Eggs 'Aborted Chicken Babies' Around 12,000 people live in the upscale neighborhood of Glen Rock, which is located twenty miles to the northwest of Manhattan. A councilwoman there made a controversial comment on social media, which resulted in a rush of criticism being directed against her. In response to the post, which compared Easter eggs to "aborted chicken babies painted in drag for small children to worship," both critics and defenders of the post replied with a passionate outpouring of opposition. According to TAPinto Fair Lawn/Glen Rock, as stated in the comment section of the Instagram post, a person stated, "This is the 'Happy Easter' message we get from Paula Gilligan." Councilwoman Paula Gilligan posted a statement on the town website to try to explain her intentions. She claimed that her intention was to parody specific laws supported by pro-life organizations, not to mock Easter customs. Gilligan made it clear that she didn't agree with the idea that fertilized embryos should have full constitutional rights from the start. Read Also: Diddy At Center Of 'Creepy' Video With Young Justin Bieber, Following Human Trafficking Raid Glen Rock Council Issues Apology for Social Media Post Additionally, the Borough Council released a statement expressing sorrow for the post and offering its apologies to anyone who found it offensive, especially considering Easter's importance in the Christian calendar. Regardless of one's own opinions, the comment stressed the value of respecting everyone's faith and beliefs. "We all feel very strongly that everyone's religious beliefs and traditions must be treated with respect. They should not be the subject of jokes or inflammatory social media posts," the council's statement affirmed. "That is even more true when the social media post is made by an elected official, because we are here to represent and support all Glen Rockers of all religious beliefs and backgrounds." In addition, the statement stated the council's dedication to promoting inclusiveness and respecting the many faiths that exist within the community. As the discussion came to a close, it was resolved with a request for locals to come together and respect one another, with the full council, including Gilligan, supporting the message, Gateway Pundit reported. Related Article: Shakira Just Surprised Fans With A Times Square Concert, Promoting New Album @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Multiple requests for Apple ID credentials are reportedly being made to Apple users who are the target of a sophisticated attack. As reported by KrebsonSecurity, a wave of system-level messages is being sent to Apple device owners, tricking them into resetting their Apple ID password. In an attempt to deceive, an individual posing as an Apple employee will contact the target and manipulate them into surrendering their password. Apple Users Hit by Password Reset Assault Every Apple product that businessman Parth Patel owns, including his MacBook, Watch, and iPhone, had their passwords reset. There seems to be a sophisticated phishing effort underway that targets a flaw in Apple's password reset utility. This attack is also referred to as "Push Bombing," "MFA Fatigue," or "MFA Bombing." Victims receive a multiplicity of "Reset Password" warnings, all of which say, "Use this iPhone to reset your Apple ID password," and provide them the option to agree or deny. The attacker sends a torrent of alerts to the target, with the expectation that the user would either click Allow by accident rather than using the Don't Allow option, or that they will get so frustrated by the onslaught of messages that they will choose Allow in order to put an end to it. If the attacker were to select Allow in this scenario, they would be able to reset the password for their Apple ID, which would allow them to access the account. If the attackers have the target's phone number, they may proceed to a second phase in case that the sheer amount of notifications proves ineffective. The attackers pose as Apple support representatives and make a call to the victim, according to Apple Insider. Read Also: Baltimore Key Bridge Collapse Likely to Impact US Auto Imports, Exports Fake Apple Support Scam Targets Users The attackers call the victim using a phone number they invented to seem like Apple's official customer support number. When the victim is not mindful, they can get an unusually large amount of notifications that seem to be related to an issue and incorrectly think that the caller is genuinely from Apple. They are then requested to verify their information, and the attacker uses data sources such as websites that supply identification details to "confirm" additional account details. The victims are then asked to verify their information. As soon as the victim is convinced that the caller is from Apple Support, the attacker can initiate the sending of an Apple ID reset code to the victim. This is done in an effort to convince the victim to divulge the one-time password to the "support agent." It's possible that a flaw in Apple's password reset tool made this password reset attempt feasible, but it's still unclear whether or not it was effective. Tom's Guide reached out to Apple on behalf of iPhone owners, providing them with some guidance on how to protect themselves against similar attacks. If you believe that you are the victim of this attack, you must refuse to choose "Allow" on any of the password reset notifications. Should the improbable happen and you get a call from someone posing as Apple Support, you shouldn't provide them any personal information. Rather, you ought to take Patel's lead and confirm the data they have on you beforehand, Toms Guide reported. Related Article: Apple Buys Canadian Start-up DarwinAI, Attempts to Bring Killer Feature to Catch up With Microsoft, Google @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : NYPD) NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller was killed on Monday in New York City. The head of a New York City Police union is reportedly telling politicians who he considers to support anti-cop policies to stay away from the funeral of a slain NYPD officer. The Sergeants Benevolent Association took aim at New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaannee Williams specifically. "Adrienne Adams, Jumaanee Williams and their cohorts should stay home. They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do," SBA President Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post. "They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving. They have caused enough heartbreak and destruction." NYPD cop Jonathan Diller was fatally shot Monday during a traffic stop in a Queens neighborhood. His funeral is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Massapequa. Members of the council will show up to Diller's funeral as a "good photo opportunity," Vallelong claimed in a letter to his union membership obtained by the Post. Vallelong claimed Speaker Adams had not pushed back against bills targeting the NYPD. "We all know who they are, we all know who the cop haters are," Vallelong told the Post. Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the wake on Thursday. "President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told the Associated Press. Diller, 31, was allegedly shot beneath his bulletproof vest by Guy Rivera, after the officer and his partner asked Rivera and Lindy Jones to move their vehicle parked illegally at a bus stop. Rivera, 34, and Jones, 41, allegedly refused to comply with the request, prompting officers to order them out of the vehicle, police said. In response, Rivera allegedly then shot Diller. A surveillance video showed the officer's agonizing final moments. The footage shared to the Instagram account @ny_scoop shows Diller collapsing in the street while wailing in pain and screaming, "Oh, God!" following the sound of three booming gunshots. Diller's partner, Officer Veckash Khedna, then shot Rivera in the back, while another wrestled Jones out of the driver's seat ordering him to the ground, the New York Times reported, citing an internal police report. Diller was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Rivera is expected to make a full recovery. Both suspects involved in Diller's death reportedly have lengthy criminal histories. Rivera was previously arrested 21 times, Mayor Eric Adams said. Nine of those arrests were felony-related. He was released from prison in September 2021 after serving time for a drug conviction. Jones was previously arrested 14 times. Murder charges against Rivera are still pending. Diller was with the NYPD since 2021. He leaves behind a wife and a 1-year-old son. Tunnel to Towers is honored to announce a mortgage payoff for the family of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot and killed during a routine traffic stop on March 25th. Officer Diller is survived by his loving wife, Stephanie, and their one-year-old son. pic.twitter.com/GYXzSlOco4 March 28, 2024 @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images) President Vladimir Putin vowed to shoot down any F-16 fighter jets supplied to Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin called claims that Russian forces will move into Europe if it conquers Ukraine "drivel" and threatened to shoot down any F-16 fighter jets supplied to Kyiv by the U.S. or its Western allies. "We have no aggressive intentions towards these states," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript released on Thursday, Reuters reported. "The idea that we will attack some other country - Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared - is complete nonsense. It's just drivel," the Russian leader said. Putin, speaking to Russian air force pilots, reiterated the accusations that partly prompted his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that NATO has expanded eastward toward Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. "As for the allegations that we are planning to invade Europe after Ukraine, this is utter nonsense meant solely to intimidate their population to make them pay more money," he said, TASS, the Russian news agency, reported. Putin's comments come as Sweden said it will deploy troops in Latvia to bolster the NATO presence there, declaring that Russia is an "obvious military threat." Putin also said the F-16s, which the West has said they will send to Ukraine, will not affect the war in Ukraine. "If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield," Putin said "And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers." Putin also suggested the warplanes could be outfitted with nuclear weapons. "Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets wherever they might be located," Putin said. Ambassador Axel Wernhoff said the Scandinavian country will begin to deploy troops in Latvia beginning in November to strengthen the NATO presence there. "At this stage, we have no illusions about Russia," Wernhoff said. "The NATO Strategic Concept defines Russia very clearly as the obvious military threat. I think we will have to live with this for decades." Shortly before Putin's remarks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said fighter jets should arrive in Ukraine in the next few months. Ukraine has been pleading with the U.S. and other Western nations to supply the F-16s to counter Russia's air superiority. The U.S. has said it will send the fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Denver mother says she took matters into her own hands to get her stolen car back after police said they didn't have anyone to help. Holley Kaufman said it happened Monday as she left work. She found her Mazda stolen from the parking lot but she has an app that connects to the car. "I kept setting the alarm off and stopping the car on the person, and then it has GPS where you can see where your car is," she told KDVR-TV. She saw it was in a Safeway grocery store parking lot and called 911. Kaufman said the dispatcher said they didn't have anyone on duty to help. "I said, 'OK, this is the address I'm going to be at, I'm going to be there in five minutes and you can either meet me or I'll be getting my car," she told the news station. She says she found her car with no damage but a pipe, alcohol and some receipts inside. I just feel super violated, and at that point in time, there is nothing that was going to change my mind. I was getting my car, I knew they didn't have time, so I just got it myself," Kaufman said. She admitted it was probably not the wisest move to try to get the car back on her own. Police agreed and suggested that anyone in the city sign up on the Denver Auto Theft Prevention website. It has tools to help prevent auto thefts and license plate and catalytic converter thefts. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A robotic dog named "Roscoe," shot three times during a dramatic police standoff with a barricaded suspect, is being credited by the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad with saving the lives of officers. Troopers deployed the robotic canine on March 6 after officers were shot at by a suspect, identified as Justin Moreira, who was armed with a rifle and was holding his mother at knifepoint in a Barnstable home, the Cape Cod Times reported. Roscoe, controlled remotely by state troopers, was sent into the home along with two other robots to search for the man and to provide police with information about what was going on inside, the state police said. "In addition to providing critically important room clearance and situational awareness capabilities, the insertion of Roscoe into the suspect residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators and a real dog, and may have prevented a police officer or K9 from being involved in an exchange of gunfire," the troopers said in a statement on Facebook. Roscoe began in the basement and worked its way upstairs where it suddenly encountered an armed Moreira. Moreira knocked Roscoe over and ran out of a bedroom. "Unbeknownst to the suspect, SPOT robots have a self-righting function" that allowed the trooper to get Roscoe upright and continue its pursuit. "When the suspect realized, with apparent surprise, that Roscoe was behind him on the stairs, he again knocked the robot over and then raised his rifle in Roscoe's direction. The robot suddenly lost communications," the state police said. Moreira also shot at another robot but missed it and hit the above-ground pool in the backyard. By then, the SWAT officers lobbed tear gas into the home, and the suspect surrendered without anyone being hurt. "The Troopers would later discover that Roscoe had been shot three times by the suspect and had been rendered inoperable," the state police said. The next day Roscoe was taken to Boston Dynamics, which manufactured it and other such robots, to have the bullets removed. Moreira was arraigned the following day. He is facing charges of kidnapping, nine counts of firearm-armed assault to murder, intimidation of a witness, three counts of carrying without a license, and nine counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, the Cape Cod Times reported. He pleaded not guilty. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disclosed to several US Congress members that victory in Gaza and getting Hamas' senior leadership in the besieged territory are just a "few weeks away." "We've killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. We'll get number two and number one. That's victory. Victory is within reach. It's a few weeks away," said Netanyahu when speaking to a bipartisan group from Congress on Wednesday. Hosting the congressional delegation, organized by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Jerusalem, Netanyahu stressed it is "very important to maintain bipartisan support" but "especially in these trying times." According to CNN, Netanyahu justified that Israel "had no choice" but to move into Rafah as the country's "very existence is on the line." Israel continues to face criticism internationally amid its relentless offensive on the southern Gaza City, where more than one million Palestinians are currently sheltering. The prime minister also said that since the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel has reportedly enjoyed a "remarkable alignment" with the Biden administration despite sharing different perspectives on Israel's move into Rafah. What Did Netanyahu Say About Rafah? Netanyahu had earlier told the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could "just move" out of Rafah and "move with their tents." "There's all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah," Netanyahu said. "People move down, they can move up," the prime minister added. The comments follow five months of Israeli destruction and constant onslaught over the enclave. As the humanitarian disaster continues to worsen, relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden are strained-- to say the least. Disagreements over the Rafah invasion have the leaders at a crossroads. Earlier this week, Netanyahu canceled a scheduled government delegation to Washington in a sign of protest for the US abstention from a UN Security Council vote, which allowed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to pass. The longtime, overdue resolution proposed by the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire for the holy month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza. In a series of meetings on Monday and Tuesday, senior US officials and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant did not reach any agreements on the Israeli invasion of Rafah. However, both sides agreed to continue the facilitation of discussions in the coming days and weeks, reported CNN. The White House announced Wednesday that Netanyahu has agreed to reschedule the planned visit by the Israeli delegation to Washington to further talks on the Rafah operation. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Hong Kong: School granted over $1m in relief The Government has provided Christian Zheng Sheng College with over $1 million in emergency relief from the Beat Drugs Fund to meet the schools imminent needs and tide it over difficult times. The Security Bureaus Narcotics Division made the statement today in response to media enquiries about Zheng Sheng College calling for help from the Government as it is running out of financial resources essential to its teachers and students. It said the emergency funding aims to prevent the schools operation from being affected by the behaviours of certain wanted individuals. It pointed out that the board members of Christian Zheng Sheng Association have been under police investigation for a while. A number of wanted board members, including founder Lam Hay-sing and Zheng Sheng College principal Alman Chan, are still at large. The operation of the school has all along relied on funding from Zheng Sheng Association. Despite multiple requests from the Government and Zheng Sheng College, Lam Hay-sing did not transfer funds to the college from the bank account of Zheng Sheng Association. As a result, the school does not have enough money to take care of its teachers and students. The Government has all along placed the welfare of the college's teachers and students as a top priority. To prevent them from being affected, including the seven students who will sit for public examinations, the Government has taken the initiative to swiftly allocate relief funds to tide the school over these difficult times. The Narcotics Division said Lam Hay-sing has been using different excuses to prevent the funds in the association's bank account from being transferred to the college for maintaining its daily operation, let alone for restructuring the board to completely resolve the fund transfer issue. It strongly condemns the disreputable and selfish acts of these wanted people. We appeal to them not to put their selfishness and personal benefits above the welfare of the teachers and students of Zheng Sheng College, and not to squander the goodwill of the people who donated to Zheng Sheng Association. We urge them to abide by law, return to Hong Kong soon and make amends. This story has been published on: 2024-03-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Offshore wind developments have been a contentious topic for some time now as they share the same waters with critically endangered right whales. Scientists have begged the question, how safely can they coexist? It's important to highlight there are only about 360 of these whales left in the world. Concerning points include the fact that wherever offshore wind farms are being built and maintained, there will be more boats in the water, which increases the chances of a ship strike or collision between a boat and whale, according to Eve Zuckoff, a climate and environment reporter for Cape and Islands. Her statement follows the news from Vineyard Wind as they announced the company is building 62 turbines south of Martha's Vineyard, where each stands as tall as the Eiffel Tower. This presents more of a risk to right whales that could become entangled in marine debris that's coming from the wind farms. Zuckoff told Maine Public Radio that there's a high probability that the wind farms affect the copepods, little crustaceans right whales are known to consume, by changing the circulation of the ocean. Additionally, exposure to noise from the construction of the wind farms has scientists worried that loud pile driving to anchor wind turbines to the ocean floor could result in hearing impairment, masking right whales' vocal communication, which ultimately causes the animals stress and prone to affect their behavior. So what's killing right whales? Climate change. Right whales, like most animals, chase food, and as waters continue to warm, copepods shift into different areas where there is no protection from boat speed limits or fishing rules protect them. Zuckoff reported that if the impacts of climate change are not mitigated, right whales will continue to be displaced, causing more boat accidents and entanglement in more gear. "Look, we've seen offshore wind developers limit noise to protect right whale hearing, slow down their boats, and only do major construction outside of the whales' peak migration season, among other protections, and the federal government is taking steps to codify these and other protections into law," Zuckoff said in the interview. "But if that all goes well, offshore wind farms could be safe for right whales and they could become huge climate change mitigation tools, putting us on track to get the ocean and planet's rapid warming under control." Scientists assert that more funding is needed to research the impacts of offshore wind impacts and say they need regulators to listen to the best practices as they develop. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Over 1,500 people have been killed in Haiti this year from gang violence-- many of whom are children. While dozens of others have been lynched, stoned, or burned alive by armed "vigilante" gangs, the UN human rights office said on Thursday. Violence in Haiti only continues to escalate as heavily armed rival gangs battle one another, launching a wave of new attacks, including raids on police stations and the country's international airport. The escalating tensions follow Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on March 11. "All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement released alongside a UN report describing the "cataclysmic" situation in the Caribbean country. 4,451 killings were documented last year and 1,554 through March 22, reported US News. "The recent escalation of violence has heightened human rights abuses, including killings, kidnappings, and rapes, especially against women and young girls," the report said in its conclusions, calling on states to support the rapid deployment of a UN-backed international security force. The report called for better policing of cargoes to Haiti that might include smuggled arms, despite a UN embargo. "It is shocking that despite the horrific situation on the ground, arms keep still pouring in," said Turk. Many have been killed in their homes in retaliation for their alleged support for the police or rival gangs, while others have been killed in the street by snipers or crossfire. The youngest victim on record is a three-month-old baby. The younger generation is reportedly being recruited into gangs, using little boys as lookouts in kidnappings and robberies. Young girls are used to doing housework and acting as spies. Children who attempted to flee were executed. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Police in Idaho have arrested a third person in connection with the escape of a prisoner. Tia Garcia, 27, of Twin Falls is charged with aiding and abetting escape in connection with the escape of Skylar Meade earlier this month. The Boise Police Department say Garcia had knowledge and was involved in the planning and execution of the escape. Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour were taken into custody in Twin Falls, Idaho, according to police. Umphenour was wanted on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting, in connection with Meade's prison break, which resulted in the shootings of three officers. Authorities allege Umphenour helped facilitate Meade's "brazen" and "coordinated" escape from a Boise, Idaho, hospital in the middle of the night, where the inmate was taken for treatment for an allegededly self-inflicted injury. Umphenour is accused of firing on two Idaho Department of Corrections officers during the breakout. A third officer was shot by a responding Boise cop, said police. The pair of suspects fled in a gray Honda Civic. They were apprehended a few days later. Authorities were also investigating two homicides in the nearby counties of Nez Perce and Clearwater for a possible connection to the two men. Meade was serving a 20-year prison sentence for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and was previously convicted of drug charges, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility when he escaped, police said. He had been locked up since October 2016 and his sentence was set to end in October 2036. Umphenour and Meade had met at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Both have ties to the Aryan Nations white supremacist group, investigators said. Boise Police say they worked with the Ada County Prosecutor's Office to bring charges against Garcia. She was already in custody at the Twin Falls County Jail following her arrest on March 21 for a probation/parole violation. She is being held without bail. Police did not release more information on what tied her to the escape. "The Boise Police Department is continuing to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these criminal acts and we remain dedicated to seeking justice for all victims," said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar. "We are thankful for the coordination among law enforcement officers and prosecutors across the state of Idaho, who helped bring this dangerous situation to an end." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The family of Riley Strain has ordered a second autopsy despite a medical examiner's findings there were no obvious signs of trauma to his body. Strain family spokesperson Chris Dingman said Riley's loved ones are desperate for more information on the moments leading up to the University of Missouri student's death. "The family deserves more answers than we have," Dingman said during an interview with NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas Wednesday. Strain, 22, vanished from a downtown Nashville bar during a visit with his college friends on March 8. His body was found March 22 in the Cumberland River eight miles from where he was last seen alive, following an intense, two-week search. "The only thing that was found with him, as the police stated in the report, was the watch and the shirt," said Dingman. Strain was not wearing pants. Strain's preliminary autopsy report suggested his death was accidental, as there was no evidence of foul play, investigators said, Headlines & Global News reported. "I think there's somebody out there that knows what actually happened that night," said Dingman. Meantime, Strain's funeral is set for Friday. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)) Pope Francis (L) presides the Chrism mass for Maundy Thursday at St Peter's Basilica where the baldachin is covered by scaffoldings for restoration, in the Vatican on March 28, 2024. An Italian organization dedicated to honoring victims of mafia violence has donated oil produced at the site where two judges were killed to several Italian dioceses for the annual Holy Thursday Chrism Mass. Chrism is blessed oil used to sanctify the faithful in the Church's sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, and the Anointing of the Sick. Every year during Holy Week, a special Chrism Mass is held in each diocese where the sacred oils are used in the sacraments for the upcoming year. Pope Francis was to hold his Chrism Mass at 9:30 a.m. local time in St. Peter's Basilica and later preside over the Mass of the Lord's Supper at a women's detention center in Rome, where he will wash the feet of 12 inmates, according to Crux. The Quarto Savona Quindidi Association in Sicily was established to keep the memories alive of victims of mafia violence. Several dioceses vials of oil produced from a grove planted at the site of an infamous 1992 mafia massacre are used to bless during Christmas Masses. The attack had taken place in the Sicilian town of Capaci on May 23, 1992, where an explosion killed Italian judge and prosecuting magistrate Giovanni Falcone, his wife, Francesca Morvillo, along with three police escorts: Antonio Montinaro, Rocco Dicillo, and Vito Schifani. Just two months later, a second Italian judge and prosecuting magistrate, Paolo Borsellino, was killed by the mafia in Palermo in addition to several escorting agents. As part of the association's mission, they planted an olive grove at the site of the 1992 explosion in Capaci. Each olive tree in the grove is named for a victim of mafia violence. In Italian culture, the Church is at the forefront of fighting against organized crime, and several priests have been killed for their advocacy against the mafia. The Catholic Church in Italy has occasionally been blamed for staying idle and even accepting the mob at times, however, in recent decades, it has taken a strong anti-mafia stance. Southern Italy's continued advocacy against the mafia holds quite strong as the regional bishops' conference of Campania announced the establishment of a special diocesan commission to support and guide priests involved in anti-mafia efforts last year. The sacred oil from the Quarto Savona Quindici Association to the Church represents the powerful point of authority the Church has become for Italy's anti-mafia movement. @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) For more than 30,000 New Yorkers viewing the April 8 eclipse will be an impossibility because of a system-wide lockdown. While New Yorkers across the state and Americans across a large swath of the country prepare for the total solar eclipse that will black out the sun for several minutes next month, there is one population that will not get a chance to see the rare occurrence: the inmates currently being held in the state's 44 prisons. The eclipse is expected to sweep across much of the country on April 8, cutting through chunks of upstate New York. Residents of cities including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse can expect to experience a total blackout for 1 to 3 minutes, shortly after 3 p.m. "The April 8 eclipse is a once in a generation experience, and there's no better place to view it than in our beautiful state," New York's Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement on Monday. "New York is ready to welcome millions of visitors, and my administration has been working hard to ensure everyone in the path of the eclipse can safely enjoy this rare event. I encourage anyone traveling for this experience to plan on arriving early to their destination and staying late to enjoy all of what our state has to offer." For more than 30,000 New Yorkers, however, viewing the eclipse will be an impossibility. New York's Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has planned a state-wide lockdown during the event in the spite of the fact that they're also planning to distribute eclipse glasses to inmates, Hell Gate NYC reported. DOCCS Acting Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III issued a March 11 memo explaining that the system shutdown was "a proactive approach to ensure the safety of staff, visitors, and the incarcerated population, and to ensure the integrity of our facilities during this event," according to Hell Gate NYC. The state's prison system argues that the period of darkness constitutes a safety threat - even though all the prisons have electricity and roughly half are outside the path of totality. "It will be 20 years before another opportunity like this exists," David Haigh, a Seventh Day Aventist, who is one of several incarcerated people who are requesting religious freedom exemptions to view the eclipse, told Hell Gate NYC. "I don't believe that just because I am incarcerated that I should be denied this opportunity, especially when this eclipse is scheduled to happen during normal outside recreation time." On social media, writer Brendan O'Connor connected today's incarcerated New Yorkers to inmates at Attica Prison during its infamous and deadly 1971 uprising. During the first night of the rebellion, one elderly inmate reportedly stood outside and looked at the sky, telling others that he hadn't "seen the stars in twenty-two years." During the 2017 eclipse, Muslim inmates "congregated and prayed in the prison yard peacefully and uninterrupted," Woodbourne Correctional Facility resident Jean Desmarat told the outlet. As of right now, just one incarcerated person has gotten an exemption to view the eclipse. Jeremy Zielinski, an atheist, successfully argued that an astronomical marvel like the eclipse has special significance to those who deeply value science. He believes, however, that observance should be a possibility for people of all faiths and no faith. "To be able to put aside our differences and just enjoy something together is really, really important," Zielinski told HellGate NYC. "There's not that many opportunities to do it, especially in a place like this. When you have an opportunity like that, it's a shame to waste it." @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Four Canadian school boards are seeking over $4 billion ($2.96 billion U.S.) in damages from social media firms like Facebook parent Meta, Snap and TikTok owner Bytedance in a lawsuit alleging that their social media platforms are harming students. The legal action was filed on March 28 by the Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, all within the province of Ontario, Reuters reported Thursday. In a joint statement, the boards said that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok were "negligently designed for compulsive use," and "have rewired the way children think, behave and learn." Such effects, they allege, have caused learning and mental health crises in students, resulting in the schools having to invest more in support programs. Read Also: Woman With No Terminal Illness is Eligible for Assisted Suicide, Canadian Judge Rules Several studies have shown that platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be addictive, and their prolonged use can lead to anxiety and depression. It was previously reported that 33 US states sued Meta last year, accusing that its product caused mental health issues among young children and teenagers. Most recently, Meta was also one of the big tech firms targeted by a European Union investigation into alleged antitrust violations under the European Digital Markets Act. Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and ByteDance joined Mark Zuckerberg's firm in the investigations. Related Article: Phishing Scheme: Apple Users Targeted of Password Reset Attacks @ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert believes star guard Donovan Mitchell will eventually sign a long-term extension to remain in Cleveland, per Larry Lage of The Associated Press. Weve been talking to him, sure, for the last couple of years about extending this contract, Gilbert said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. We think he will extend. I think if you listen to him talk, he loves the city. He loves the situation in Cleveland because our players are very young and were just kind of putting the core together that hes clearly the biggest part of. Mitchell is currently in the third season of a five-year rookie scale extension he signed with Utah prior to being traded to Cleveland in 2022. However, the 27-year-old could become a free agent in 2025 if he declines his $37.1MM player option for 2025/26. A five-time All-Star, Mitchell made his first All-NBA appearance in 22/23. While Mitchell wont earn an All-NBA spot this season (he has missed too many games to qualify), that wont have any impact on his next contract, since hes no longer eligible for a super-max deal after being traded. He will be extension-eligible as of this July, however. The Cavaliers could offer Mitchell a new contract thats worth 30% of the 25/26 cap and covers up to four seasons (through 28/29), with 8% annual raises. Based on the latest cap projections, that four-year max extension would be worth an estimated $199MM. Mitchell, who has been dealing with a nagging knee injury as well as a nasal fracture, could reportedly return to action on Friday. He has missed the past six games and 13 of the past 15 as he recovers from the injuries. The Cavaliers have been in a skid of late, going 4-8 over their last 12 games to currently hold a 44-29 record, good for the No. 4 seed in the East. Theyve gone 11-13 without Mitchell this season, Lage notes. The Caledonian hotel celebrates 120th anniversary with the announcement of multi-million-pound transformation and rebrand. Landmark Edinburgh hotel, The Caledonian, is set to receive a multi-million-pound transformation. Private real estate investment fund manager Henderson Park, together with its in-house hospitality operator and asset manager, Klarent Hospitality, have today announced plans to invest over 35 million in transforming the iconic Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian, marking a new chapter in its 120-year history. Having acquired Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, affectionately known as 'The Caley', in July 2023, Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality have investment plans that will see improvements in the infrastructure, bedroom refurbishment as well as upgrading and restoring the public areas to enhance the guest and visitor experience. There are plans to extend the hotel, expanding its capacity to over 300 rooms by early 2026, making The Caley one of Edinburgh's largest leading hotels. The flagship Edinburgh hotel will become part of Curio Collection by Hilton this summer, joining a global portfolio of remarkable, prestigious lifestyle hotels with one-of-a-kind stories to share. Curio Collection by Hilton hotels are handpicked for their individuality and character and are designed to reflect the unique spirit of the cities they call home. Each individual hotel evokes a bespoke story through distinctive architecture and design, world-class food and drink, and curated experiences. The rebrand provides an opportunity for The Caledonian to further elevate its heritage and position as one of Edinburgh's most famous and loved hotels, further cementing its future as a market leader and providing high-end experiences for guests for generations to come. The Caledonian was constructed from 1899 to 1908 and was originally owned by the Caledonian Railway Company, where the hotel takes its name. The new bedroom and suite concepts are inspired by the crests of the historic capital cities of Edinburgh, Stirling and Inverness. The original stained-glass windows will continue to stand proud at the head of the grand staircase showcasing the crests of destinations the former railway station used to serve. The bedroom design concepts offer an opportunity for the hotel to bring its stories to life and through interesting and unique points of discovery will create lasting memories for future guests. The rebrand and investment will ensure that the unique essence of the hotel is brought to life for the next generation of guests, reaffirming its status as one of the UK's most culturally significant hotels. The renowned hotel at the west end of Princes Street has been part of the social fabric of Edinburgh for over a century, welcoming guests from all over the world and hosting famous guests such as Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II and former US President Barack Obama. Klarent Hospitality, led by Chairman John Brennan and Chief Executive Peter Stack, employs over 60 people at its head office in Glasgow and manages a portfolio of Henderson Park-owned hotels across the UK and Europe, including five Hilton Hotels across the Central Belt of Scotland. Hotel website Beijing - IHG Hotels & Resorts held its first owner roadshow of the year in Beijing. It marked significant progress by signing 24 hotel projects across its essentials and premium hotel brands, including Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, and EVEN Hotels. These new hotels will energize the group's presence in multiple cities and tourist destinations such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Kunming, Datong, Rizhao, and Ningde. This achievement signifies IHG's inaugural ventures into many cities and underscores its ongoing expansion in key markets. The move also heralds a new development phase for IHG in Greater China, demonstrating the company's dedication to deepening partnerships with owners, delivering superior business value, and driving long-term growth. During the event, IHG also shed light on new investment trends in the hotel industry and provided forecasts for developing upper midscale hotel brands in the current operational climate and sharing Insights into the growth and direction of Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, and EVEN Hotels. The same day saw the launch of IHG's Greater China Expo, aiming to foster commercial communications and support the high-quality development of the business travel market. Commented on the government's emphasis on tourism to spur economic recovery, this will undeniably act as a powerful stimulus for hotel investment and development, fueling more intense competition within the upper midscale hotel segment. Investors increasingly focus on this segment's cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and appeal to younger consumers. Expanding upper midscale brands with IHG meets the market's demand for quality, highlighting the groups strong competitive standing in this sector. We are committed to continuing this momentum through differentiation and innovation, enhancing industry integration, and delivering lasting value to our guests, owners, and stakeholders. Kent Sun, Chief Development Officer of IHG Greater China The global travel industry's resurgence has bolstered confidence and demand, fostering new opportunities for the hotel sector. As consumer behaviors evolve, upper-midscale hotels are witnessing substantial growth. IHG, harnessing its diverse brand portfolio, customizes hotel solutions for the Greater China market, ensuring ongoing revitalization. Holiday Inn Express Of the 24 new signings, 19 are for Holiday Inn Express hotels. A brand born in the 90s, Holiday Inn Express has pioneered a new era in the global upper-midscale sector. Its unique blend of international standards and localized customization serves as a powerful driver for IHG's expansion in Greater China. Today, the brand boasts over 500 opening and pipeline hotels across the country. Holiday Inn Express has ventured into new markets recently, introducing the first IHG hotel to several regions of Greater China. The brand is deeply invested in understanding the accommodation needs and investment challenges, while continuously refining its offerings based on guest and owner feedback. The late 2022 launch of Holiday Inn Express 3.0 in Greater China introduced refreshed branding, design, and guest experiences, enhancing the quality of stay. Furthermore, Holiday Inn Express has introduced the five pillars of strategic excellence in Greater China, including "Trusted Cooperation, Investment Satisfaction, Brand Confidence, Product Reassurance, and Operational Ease." These core advantages enhance the brand's standing across diverse fronts, furnishing owners and investors with comprehensive support and refined professional services at every juncture. This ensures the brand's sustained value and competitive edge in the market. Holiday Inn and EVEN Hotels The event also saw the signing of multiple Holiday Inn and EVEN Hotels projects, each brand bringing its unique features to the table and providing investors with various investment options. Since its introduction to the Greater China market in 1975, Holiday Inn has been a popular choice among travelers for its inclusivity, flexibility, and innovative approach. The brand caters to various consumer needs, from family travel and leisure to apartments, meetings, and exhibitions, offering owners wider market channels and revenue opportunities. IHG also plans to introduce new room designs and cost structures for Holiday Inn, further enhancing the brand's appeal to investors. EVEN Hotels, as IHG's premium lifestyle brand, has also broken new ground in hotel investment with its dynamic approach and focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle. Embodying the brand philosophy of "unpack your best self", EVEN Hotels encourages guests to strike a balance between business travel and wellness. Additionally, the brand provides unique, multifunctional spaces that enhance efficiency and cater to diverse consumer needs. This revolutionary approach to hotel operations not only boosts revenue but also enhances guest satisfaction and overall experience. Franchise Model Each project signed at this owner roadshow is based on the franchise model, demonstrating IHG's commitment to partnership and collaborative success by implementing this model in Greater China. This approach ensures balanced development and meets diverse needs such as brand representation, group support, and owner participation. IHG has designed a more flexible "franchise+" model for the Greater China region, addressing the specific requirements of local developers and investors. Through this model, the group provides extensive support, including appointing a General Manager, to ensure the full implementation of brand standards, effective use of support tools, and improvements in operational efficiency. Over the past seven years, IHG's implementation of the franchise model in the Greater China region has led to remarkable achievements, significantly propelling the group's growth in the market. By the end of December 31, 2023, nearly 40% of IHG's hotels operating across the region were running under the franchise model, with more than half of the hotels in the pipeline also adopting this model. Presently, IHG proudly features 12 brands within the Greater China market, boasting over 1,200 openings or in the pipeline. Moving forward, IHG is committed to harnessing its extensive brand portfolio to craft memorable stays for guests and further high-quality development alongside its partners in Greater China's hotel industry. Eric Jiang IHG Accor, the regions largest international hospitality group, is delighted to announce the opening of 22 hotels and over 6,000 rooms in Japan on Monday, 1 April 2024. With these openings, the Groups footprint in Japan will instantly double increasing Accors portfolio of hotels in Japan to 46 properties. The hotels, comprising twelve Grand Mercure and ten Mercure hotels, range in location from the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido to the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa and are located close to local hidden gems such as Cape Zanpa in Okinawa, Asuka village in Nara, Shiroi Koibito Park in Hokkaido and Senri Beach in Wakayama. Each hotel offers a range of guestrooms, restaurants, and wellness facilities such as onsen (hot springs), saunas and swimming pools, with select hotels also offering stunning views of the local landscape. Grand Mercure Hotels & Resorts, a premium brand of Accor, appeals to a travellers insatiable quest for discovery, offering an immersive experience that celebrates national culture and stimulates the senses. Each hotel is unique and authentically reflects its destination by embracing the local way of life, infusing age-old traditions with modern flair. Grand Mercure makes its debut in Japan offering Proudly Local premium hotels, inspiring guests to experience their destination through local celebrations and multisensory experiences crafted by local hosts. Mercure Hotels & Resorts, is positioned within the midscale segment and focuses on unveiling the local neighbourhood treasures surrounding each address. Inspired by Mercury, the Roman god of travellers, Mercure hotels offer far more than just a place to sleep they are a portal to the destination, a warm invitation to discover and explore the locale. Accor is proud to unveil the following 22 properties in Japan: Grand Mercure Sapporo Odori Park Grand Mercure Nasu Highlands Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Yatsugatake Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Minamiboso Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Lake Hamana Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Ise-shima Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa Mercure Urabandai Resort & Spa Mercure Nagano Matsushiro Resort & Spa Mercure Toyama Tonami Resort & Spa Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa Mercure Kyoto Miyazu Resort & Spa Mercure Tottori Daisen Resort & Spa Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa Mercure Fukuoka Munakata Resort & Spa Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort Notable properties include Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort and Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa. Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort is a modern hotel located on Zanpa Beach in Okinawa. Boasting splendid ocean views, this resort-style hotel combines modern amenities with traditional Okinawan hospitality. Its strategic location allows guests to enjoy the beauty of the coastline, enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as water sports, or simply relax on the beach. The hotel has one of the largest pool areas in Okinawa, with a river pool, an adults-only pool, water slides, and a children's pool area. The hotel offers a variety of accommodations with 465 spacious guest rooms and suites, dining options, a large public bath, and event space, making it an ideal destination for leisure travellers and those looking to relax in a quiet seaside setting. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of southern Wakayama Prefecture and located in Wakayama Minabe, Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa offers a sophisticated retreat that blends contemporary elegance with a serene environment. Surrounded by a beautiful coastline, the hotel offers a sophisticated getaway for travellers seeking comfort amidst natural beauty. Accommodations at Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa are the epitome of modern comfort with 323 spacious rooms and suites that are equipped with modern amenities and offer charming sea views, creating an atmosphere of relaxation and luxury. Guests can enjoy the diverse flavours of the buffet restaurant, where outstanding chefs use local ingredients to create exquisite dishes and showcase Wakayama's rich culinary traditions. As Japan continues to welcome back international travel and experiences a steady recovery of the tourism industry, we are excited to add these great hotels to our portfolio and in doing so we are doubling our Groups presence in Japan. As the desire to connect with local culture and nature is increasingly in demand amongst travellers today, we offer our loyal guests just that; a range of local experiences offered in charming coastal towns and amongst nature. Popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto will always remain in high demand, however if you want to truly immerse yourself in the authentic culture of a country, sometimes you need to escape the big cities and head off the beaten path Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia. Prior to the addition of these new hotels, Accor was operating 24 hotels (5,741 keys) in Japan, under eight brands: MGallery; Pullman; Swissotel; Mercure; Novotel; ibis; ibis Styles and ibis budget. In addition to the 22 Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels joining Accors network on 1 April 2024, there are two more properties currently in the groups pipeline. For more information or to make reservations for Grand Mercure and Mercure, visit www.accor-resorts-japan.jp. A Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) is a vital requirement prior to opening your hotel after a new build/renovation (without it youre subject to massive, compounding fines!). Because of the necessity of this certification, youll want to work it in to your construction plans from the very beginning to avoid any project delays. Unfortunately, the inspection process involves multiple steps, so its not necessarily quick or straightforward and is prone to oversights. One area we often see overlooked within the process? Telecommunications. Get familiar with specific telecom requirements and regulations in your local jurisdiction by consulting with telecommunications experts and local authorities. To help get you started, we've compiled a checklist of key telecom-specific items to consider that may be subject to inspection: Infrastructure: Inspectors may assess the quality/functionality of hotel telecommunication infrastructure, including: Proper installation/maintenance of telephone lines Data cabling Networking equipment Wi-Fi access points Data privacy and security: With increasing emphasis on data privacy, guest information absolutely must be protected, and hoteliers must maintain compliance with data protection regulations. Inspections may cover aspects like secure storage of guest data, proper network security measures, and adherence to relevant privacy laws. Network reliability and coverage: Ensuring consistent, reliable network connectivity is not only crucial for guest satisfaction, but more importantly, it affects safety. Inspectors may assess the reliability and coverage of the hotel's network, including: Wi-Fi availability Signal strength throughout the location Accessibility for guests: Its typically required to provide accessible telecommunication services for guests with disabilities, including but not limited to those who are hearing-impaired. This may include features like TTY/TDD devices, visual notification systems for incoming calls, and accessible telecommunication equipment. Emergency communication systems: At minimum, hotels are required by law to have reliable emergency communication systems in place within elevators. Additional requirements may include emergency phones in common areas, guest rooms, as well as a public address (PA) system for broadcasting emergency announcements. When it comes to elevator phones, weve seen these challenges: Telecom providers are phasing out the support of analog lines, resulting in increased costs, decreased availability, and slower service for new elevator installations. These industry changes have resulted in limited code-compliant solutions. The coordination of multiple vendors to navigate the installation of necessary wiring causes delays and elevator companies prefer not to have third parties perform any installations on elevators before inspections. Theres a need for immediate service to make the transition from temporary line connectivity to a permanent emergency monitoring service at new construction sites. Weve developed a code-compliant solution that circumnavigates local wiring infrastructure, helping your elevators get through inspection, avoiding phone lines delaying your construction projects, and eventually transitioning you to our turnkey elevator phone solution. We can get your elevator emergency phones 100% compliant in 72 hours. Once end users sign a PreC.O. agreement with us, well ship the required equipment, ready for quick and easy self-set up, at a $0 upfront cost. About Kings III Partnering with Kings III not only provides a streamlined, code-compliant solution to get you through inspection, but will also prep your hotel for emergency response moving forward. Our all-inclusive solution includes equipment, installation, maintenance, and 24/7 monitoring at our own Emergency Dispatch Center. Our best-in-class emergency dispatch service helps reduce risk and liability for hotels, keeping safety a staple of your brand and taking unnecessary pressure and responsibility off your front desk, and all our full-service solution helps eliminate unexpected costs associated with maintenance. Talk to an expert. Need to pass inspection? Get in touch and well hook you up. Clarisa James Business Development Manager 813-934-0837 Kings III Emergency Communications Art and culture are the lifeblood of a space - the connection to something larger that all humans intrinsically want to be part of. They work with architecture and design to accentuate the intended mood and vibe of a space. This was one of several testimonials received from a study of hundreds of real estate professionals for the biennial State of the Art Report by NINE dot ARTS. What emerged from the study was a timely and powerful realization: that architecture, design, and art and culture are equally essential for achieving project success. And as the hospitality industry continues to bounce back from the pandemic while navigating economic challenges and changing traveler preferences, such realizations cannot be understated. Below I describe how the results of this report can benefit the hospitality industry in particular, helping leaders maximize their return on investment by treating art and culture as equally critical as architecture and design. How Art Improves Your Financial Success While art may not be the first thing to come to mind for reaping significant financial returns, it is an undeniable asset when it comes to increasing time and money spent in a space. Findings from the State of the Art Report show that art and culture tend to lean toward a softer ROI - those returns that are difficult to measure like community goodwill, differentiation, and the ability to spark memorable conversations and experiences. But 80% of survey respondents said that the soft ROI generated from art and culture has a considerable impact on hard ROI - real financial metrics like revenue growth, room rates, F&B sales, repeat visitation, and more. Of these same respondents, 83% concurred that art and culture dont get enough credit for their impact on a projects success. Lets take the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, Georgia, where NINE dot ARTS curated a 1200+ piece art collection inspired by a fictional character, a Southern grand dame named Adelaide Harcourt. Thanks to this unique persona, the expansive art program feels more like someones personal collection amassed over a long and fulfilling life, consisting of approximately 3600 styling objects and antiques, as well as works by both world-renowned artists and emerging talent from the nearby Savannah College of Art and Design. The collections sense of intimacy seeps into every element of the guest experience, amplifying the hotels lavish design to create a distinct sense of place reminiscent of old Savannah. Altogether, Perry Lanes art, architecture, and design reinforce one another to tell a compelling story that both enriches the guest experience and reaps financial returns. Not only did Perry Lane sell for the highest dollar per key in the state of Georgia, but thanks to plenty of earned media, it has been recognized in such syndicated platforms as TripAdvisor, U.S. News Travel, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, and Conde Nast. How Art Maximizes Your Budget Todays challenging economic climate has prompted many hospitality leaders to stretch their budgets as far as possible while working to satisfy guests preferences and maintain the integrity of their propertys brand values. And while cutting costs may seem like a necessary evil, report findings indicate one area that wed all be wise to protect. Indeed, the art and culture budget is critical for ensuring a project remains competitive over time. When respondents were asked to consider the costs associated with architecture, design, and art and culture, results found that while all three disciplines are equality critical, their budget impacts are not. Over 60% of those real estate professionals said that an art programs impact is at least double its investment - and even agreed they should be spending more on their propertys artwork. If your mind is wondering how on earth this could be, just take a look at some of the testimonials: [The art budget] is usually the most short-changed and cut back from start to finish. Money stretches the furthest there. It has the longest term impact after construction is complete. Its impact feels more direct to the end user. It can accomplish more, with better community integration. It drives differentiation. These anecdotes indicate that when planned early and with intention, art and culture can actually help save money, producing memorable experiences that are more cost-effective than elaborate architecture or design changes. So whether youre undergoing a performance improvement project and need a cost-effective update to your hotels guest rooms - or youre building from the ground up and need that creative wow factor in your hotel lobby - remember that protecting your art budget can actually maximize your return, producing economical solutions that distinguish your hotel from the masses. How Art Increases Your Social Impact Hotels are places where people come together for business, leisure, and travel. Theyre places where locals can stop by the hotels restaurant for a coffee or cocktail, and out-of-towners can get a glimpse into a citys authentic character. Often, they're the backdrop for conversations, connections, and long-lasting memories. Thus one of the most important ROI metrics for hospitality developers to achieve is a positive social impact. Fortunately, nearly 70% of survey respondents confirmed that art and culture are what most effectively create a positive impact in their projects. Thats because art is uniquely able to showcase diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as promote community identity, engagement, and goodwill. At Denvers award-winning Clayton Members Club and Hotel, for example, a partnership with the local RedLine Contemporary Art Center allowed emerging and underrepresented artists to display and sell their work, and selected artists were even invited to join the social club by contributing to programming and events in lieu of membership fees. Further, by adding a 1% surcharge to every purchase in the building through the charitable Clayton Contributes Fund, the hotel can allocate revenue to local arts and cultural organizations that prioritize opportunity, equity, and inclusion. These innovative amenities have not only elevated the hotels reputation, but have made it the place to be for social gathering amongst locals and visitors alike. So while thoughtful architecture and design are critical for producing ROI outcomes like increased market valuation and recognition, an intentional art and culture program can actually enhance those outcomes by sparking goodwill and good press - not to mention saving developers money in the long run. Ultimately, findings from the State of the Art Report paint a hopeful picture for hospitality leaders who treat art as equally essential as architecture and design, sparking the potential for greater financial returns, budget efficiencies, and ongoing social impact. Super 8 by Wyndham Jasper A more 'hands on' investor will have the ability to realize the significant upside of renovating and owning a hotel property with further potential at a price well below replacement cost. HVS Brokerage & Advisory, as the sole and exclusive advisory firm to ownership, presents the opportunity to acquire the 56-key Super 8 by Wyndham Jasper, a limited-service hotel asset in Jasper, Texas. A more hands on investor will have the ability to realize the significant upside of renovating and owning a hotel property with further potential at a price well below replacement cost. Discount to Replacement Cost Based on current pricing guidance, the asset can be acquired at an attractive discount to replacement cost at $39,285.71 per key. Revenue Performance The hotels three-year-average rooms revenue from 2021 to 2023 equated to $728,408. Based on the hotels February 2024 trailing-twelve-month (TTM) revenue of $623,617.57, the asset is priced at a rooms revenue multiplier (RRM) of 3.52. Ideal Opportunity for Owner/Operator The 56-key count is an ideal size for an owner/operator. A new owner will have the ability to increase the hotels average daily rate (ADR) and occupancy with the completion of Wyndhams property improvement plan (PIP), which would lead to an increase in revenue. The property contains a two-bedroom/one-bathroom onsite managers living quarters. The current absentee-owned property has potential for a more hands-on owner/operator to restructure operations and maximize profitability. Limited Hotel Construction in the Area Only one new hotel has been added to Jasper since 2008, creating a market environment with reduced competition. The last three hotels to open in Jasper are noted below. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jasper March 2008 Best Western Inn of Jasper March 1995 Super 8 Jasper (Subject Property) June 1995 Excellent Location Among Attractive Demand Generators Tourism generates lodging demand, and associated businesses have been developing and expanding. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Martin Dies Jr. State Park, and nearby national forests contribute to year-round leisure demand; moreover, known as the "Butterfly Capital of Texas," Jasper holds an annual Butterfly Festival in October to celebrate the migration of the monarch butterflies. The establishment of the Jasper Airport Industrial Park has added another dimension to the thriving economy. A project of the Jasper Economic Development Corporation, this state-of-the-art airport park serves as a major force in attracting new businesses to the Jasper area. Jasper is firmly established as a leader in the logging industry. For inquiries please visit here to execute the Confidentiality Agreement. What is the best way for guests to get from Cairo Airport to Jewel Zamalek Hotel? Jewel Zamalek Hotel has parking for hotel guests so for most visitors spending time in Cairo, renting a car for around $58/day may be the best option. This will give you the ability to get to and from Cairo Airport, and also give you the flexibility to get around the area. Taking a taxi or rideshare service from the nearest airport, Cairo Airport, to your hotel is often the most cost effective transportation solution. What is the best way for guests to get from Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport to Go Hotels Otis - Manila? For the most freedom while visiting Manila, consider renting a car for about $73/day and parking it at Go Hotels Otis - Manila where they offer parking spaces to hotel guests. One of the more popular options today is to take a taxi or ridesharing service directly from Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport to the hotel. This option is often cost effective, but guests must keep a lookout for peak time rates. These hotels are among the lowest-priced properties for travelers in Buenos Aires. Currently, the lowest price for a hotel in Buenos Aires is $19. The cheapest hotel is Circus Hostel priced at $19. Price data was last updated on March 29, 2024. What is the best way for guests to get from Chicago Midway Airport to Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile? Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile has parking for hotel guests so for most visitors spending time in Chicago, renting a car for around $23/day may be the best option. This will give you the ability to get to and from Chicago Midway Airport, and also give you the flexibility to get around the area. Taking a taxi or rideshare service from the nearest airport, Chicago Midway Airport, to your hotel is often the most cost effective transportation solution. These hotels are among the lowest-priced properties for travelers in Cairo. Currently, the lowest price for a hotel in Cairo is $24. The cheapest hotel is Paradise Boutique Hotel priced at $24. Price data was last updated on March 29, 2024. The premier beach resort in Cyprus, Ayia Napa brings together ancient burial sites and monasteries with a modern, party-loving vibe. Bars and clubs radiate from the central square of Plateia Seferi, while freshly caught seafood is served at traditional tavernas lining the waterfront. Things to do in Ayia Napa Explore the rich seafaring history of Cyprus at the Thalassa Museum, located in the heart of Ayia Napa. This unique museum is set across seven levels, with its underground displays showcasing an array of exhibits, as well as artifacts hanging from the roof. A highlight of Ayia Napa is its medieval monastery that lies partially chiseled into the earth in the middle of town. It is renowned for its ancient sycamore tree at the southern gate, believed to be more than 600 years old. Make a day trip to explore the sights of Cape Greco National Forest Park, which extends to the south-east of Ayia Napa. Its home to one of Europes most beautiful stretches of sand at Konnos Beach, as well as the photogenic Agioi Anargyroi Chapel and the idyllic Blue Lagoon. Visit the Makronissos Tombs, which consist of 19 rock-cut tombs within an ancient burial site. They are believed to date from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, with their rectangular entrances and surface pyres being characteristic of Greek burial traditions. Getting around Ayia Napa Ayia Napa is around 40 minutes drive east of Larnaca and Larnaca International Airport, with regular intercity buses connecting the two destinations. Ayia Napa is an easy town to navigate on foot and there are also a variety of dedicated bicycle lanes and rentals available. With the mighty Nile River weaving its way through the centre, Cairo is a legendary city that is steeped in history. Medieval Islamic sites stand juxtaposed against Coptic houses of worship, together with some of Ancient Egypts most impressive monuments. Things to do in Cairo One of the original Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza are high on most visitorslists, having stood the test of time for around 4,500 years. They are usually combined with a visit to the Great Sphinx, which boasts a commanding position nearby, or the Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypts oldest pyramid located at the Saqqara archaeological site to the south. Follow up with a visit to the world-renowned Egyptian Museum which contains more than 100,000 ancient Egyptian artefacts, including treasures from King Tutankhamuns tomb. Take a stroll around the Paris on the Nile of Midan Tahrir which was built during the 19th century under the rule of Khedive Ismail or peruse the upmarket boutiques in Gezira Islands leafy district of Zamalek. Want to experience more traditional Cairo? Escape the bustle and take a felucca ride along the River Nile to soak up the sights from the water. No trip to the Egyptian capital is complete without spending a day exploring the ancient alleyways and churches of Coptic Cairo, shopping in the vibrant Khan el-Khalili bazaar or wandering the 12th-century Salah El-Din Citadel of Islamic Cairo. Getting around Cairo Cairo International Airport is the main access point for visitors to Egypt, located about 30 minutesdrive from the city centre. Cairo boasts Africas first and most extensive metro system, which is the easiest way to get around the city, although tours are more convenient for those heading to the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara. Hugging the Indian Ocean, Colombo is a sprawling city that combines colonial architecture and glistening high rises with beaches, canals and a central lake. The citys contrasting personalities provide a range of street markets, laid-back seafood restaurants, all-night casinos and treasured religious structures. Things to do in Colombo Colombo lures you in with its seaside promenade Galle Face Green. This five-hectare urban park is filled with locals flying kites and selling shrimp fritters and fresh lime juice from food stalls. Stroll over to Fort, a historic neighbourhood with the towering Old Colombo Lighthouse, 17th-century Dutch Hospital and other colonial buildings. Looking for an authentic shopping experience? Head over to Pettah Floating Market, which has 92 stalls selling food, clothing, handicrafts, electronics and other goods from boats. Prepare for even more local produce and fruit at Manning Market or visit Viharamahadevi Park on Sunday to browse local artwork for sale. Some of Colombos best seafood restaurants, such as Sea Spray Restaurant and Ministry of Crab, are located along Galle Face Beach and Mt Lavinia Beach. However, you can also find street-side stalls, friendly cafes and fine-dining restaurants within the city centre. If you feel like a snack, try kothurotti, a local delicacy of rotti blended with meat, eggs, tomatoes and green chillies. LeisureWorld Water Park is about 35 kilometres from the city centre, but this popular amusement park is worth the drive with its lazy river, racing water slides, wave pool and thrill rides. Combine fun with learning at the Museum of Traditional Puppet Art, where you can watch puppet performances and see traditional Sri Lankan puppets. Getting around Colombo There are numerous transport options in Colombo, but the tuk-tuks are typically the most convenient and quickest. Local buses service many neighbourhoods, while trains and long-distance buses can take you to nearby cities. Uber and taxis are more popular at night and early in the morning. Vibrant and colourful, Dhaka is a sprawling metropolis along the Buriganga River, with a rich history that dates back to the Mughal Empire. The 17th-century old city once served as the capital of Bengal, with charismatic mosques and palaces standing alongside vestiges of British colonial rule. Things to do in Dhaka The Bangladesh National Museum makes a good starting point for first-time visitors to Dhaka, with an impressive collection of sculptures and paintings detailing the citys Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim influences. Witness ancient Bengali documents written in Arabic script, old coins and metalwork, and learn about the natural wonders of Bangladesh. One of the most impressive Mughal architectural landmarks in Dhaka is the Lalbagh Fort, which has witnessed some of Dhakas bloodiest historic battles. Uncover its hidden passages and visit the tomb of Pari Bibir, then admire the Mughal clothing and weaponry on display in the museum. On the banks of the Buriganga River is the Nawab of Dhakas former residential palace at Ahsan Manzil, one of Bangladeshs most significant architectural monuments. The pink-hued Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture makes it instantly recognisable, with an on-site museum for visitors to discover its vivid and turbulent history. Dont miss a visit to the grand Armenian Church, a legacy of Dhakas 17th and 18th-century Armenian community, then wander down to the Dhaka River Port. From here you can jump aboard a ferry to cruise along the Buriganga River and get a unique perspective of Dhaka. Getting around Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is the main gateway to Bangladesh and located around 20 minutes drive north of Dhaka. Both cycle and auto rickshaws are plentiful throughout the city and are ideal for short sightseeing journeys. The home of Hollywood, Los Angeles needs no introduction. Also known as La La Land and the City of Angels, Los Angeles is the beating heart of Americas film industry. If you dig a little deeper, however, youll find theres so much more to the star-studded city. From sun-drenched beaches to multicultural communities, Americas second largest city is full of surprises. Things to Do Start by hitting Hollywood Boulevard, where more than 2,600 stars line the Walk of Fame. Snap a selfie in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, then head to Rodeo Drive for retail therapy or wide-eyed window shopping. Los Angeles is the birthplace of blockbusters, so why take a behind the scenes tours of Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers? If Mickey Mouse is more your scene, head to Anaheim for a magical day at Disneyland. Venice Beach Boardwalk is a must, as is the legendary Santa Monica Pier. For a birds-eye view of the city, nothing beats the vistas found from Griffith Observatory. Beyond the glitz and glamour, Los Angeles is blessed with natural beauty. Stretch your legs with a hike to the iconic Hollywood sign on Mount Lee, or join aspiring celebrities for a jog around Griffith Park or Runyon Canyon. When it comes to food, LA delivers. Find some of the best picks in neighbourhoods like Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Eagle Rock and East Hollywood. Getting Around Los Angeles is big and relies heavily on freeways to get from A to B. This means renting a car is a popular way to explore the city. If youre not keen on driving, city sightseeing tours are a great way to tick off major attractions. Buses run downtown, but connections to wider LA can be slow and unreliable. For a quick and easy ride, Uber is a great alternative. Osaka has long prided itself on embracing neon-lit streets alongside historic temples and mazes of underground shops. To fully experience this city, you must wander down alleyways to find treasures hidden behind an impressive skyline. Things to do in Osaka Visit the 16th century Osaka Castle to browse historic exhibits and witness stunning city views. For rich Japanese culture, explore Osakas best-known temple, Shitenno-ji, home to a five-storey pagoda and Golden Pavilion. Looking for family-friendly activities? Visit the walk-through Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan to see massive tanks full of Japanese marine life. Soar high on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels in Asia, for unparalleled views of Osaka Bay. The river running through the city reveals charming canals, particularly the Dotonbori Canal, lined with nightclubs, restaurants and bars. Art enthusiasts will want to explore The National Museum of Art, an underground art museum where youll find beautiful pieces from Japanese artists. If a day of peace and quiet is needed, pack a picnic and relax among sculptures, ponds and bridges in Tennoji Park. If a day of roller coasters excites you, add Universal Studios Japan to your to-do list. If you prefer to immerse yourself in the culture, however, you might want to spend a day exploring the alleyways of the Edo period Hozenji Yokocho, where you can sample authentic Japanese cuisine in traditional taverns. Getting Around Located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport is conveniently connected to the city via high-speed trains. Osaka is best explored via its excellent public transportation system, as subways and trains are the most cost-efficient mode of travel. Jump on the various JR lines or private rail lines to reach other parts of the Osaka Prefecture outside the city. Taipei City is an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, Japanese colonial history and ancient Taoist temples. Eat your way through the citys colourful food scene, sampling specialties like stinky tofu and pineapple sponge cake along the way. There are plenty of cultural attractions to explore, fantastic shopping opportunities and a lively nightlife scene. Things to Do History buffs will enjoy exploring Taipei Citys melting pot of cultures. You can start with visiting the 300-year-old Lungshan Temple of Manka, built during the Qing Dynasty. Afterwards, you can admire the Japanese colonial houses that dot Qidong Street and discover ancient treasures at the National Palace Museum. For panoramic views of the city, head to the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, towering 509 metres above the city. Take in the views from the observatory, before hitting up the high-end shops and boutiques at ground level. In Taipei, eating out is so popular that many of its pint-sized studio apartments dont include a kitchen. Exploring the citys street stalls and night markets is all part of the fun, with many cheap eats on offer. Get lost in the sprawling Shilin Night Market, or make reservations at one of Taipeis famous themed restaurants. For a breath of fresh air, take a day trip to Yangmingshan National Park. Just 30 minutes from the city, the mountainous area is home to Taiwans largest dormant volcano. Expect scenic hiking trails, bubbling hot springs and knockout views. Getting Around Navigating Taipei is easy thanks to an efficient metro network operating throughout the city. Choose from six major Metro Taipei (MRT) routes, connecting both the city centre and other districts of Taipei County. Buses and taxis are also an option, though expect a bit of traffic in the city centre. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 35F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Clarksburg Gets 3 Years of Free Cash Certified CLARKSBURG, Mass. Town officials have heaved a sigh of relief with the state's certification of free cash for the first time in more than three years. The town's parade of employees through its financial offices the past few years put it behind on closing out its fiscal years between 2021 and 2023. A new treasurer and two part-time accountants have been working the past year in closing the books and filing with the state. The result is the town will have $571,000 in free cash on hand as it begins budget deliberations. However, town meeting last year voted that any free cash be used to replenish the stabilization account Some $231,000 in stabilization was used last year to reduce the tax rate draining the account. The town's had minimal reserves for the past nine months. Chairman Robert Norcross said he didn't want residents to think the town was suddenly flush with cash. "We have to keep in mind that we have no money in the stabilization fund and we now have a free cash, so we have now got to replenish that account," he said. "So it's not like we have this money to spend ... most of it will go into the stabilization fund." The account's been hit several times over the past few fiscal years in place of free cash, which has normally been used for capital spending, to offset the budget and to refill stabilization. Free cash was last used in fiscal 2020. Also on Wednesday, Norcross reported that state Department of Transportation officials had spent some time on Tuesday inspecting West Cross Road for a Safe Routes to School grant. Clarksburg School had applied for a $400,000 grant to develop a safer route for student to reach the nearby Community Center the town's emergency evacuation center. The road has no sidewalks and the pathway through the wooded hillside from the school to the town field is often impassable in the winter. "There was a lot of people who walked the whole route from Eagle Street and Houghton Street intersection, West Road intersection, all the way down to the Senior Center," he said. "They were looking at the width of the road, what can extend if anything, and they're going to go back and come up with a proposal. "They're not sure exactly what can be done. It's in a very preliminary stage but it least it's moving on." The group had consisted of Norcross, Town Administrator Carl McKinney, the school's Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes (who applied for the grant), designers and engineers from MassDOT and representatives from the District 1 highway office in Lenox. He thought addressing the entire road to Middle Road maybe still in play but engineers were going to check on the distance from the school. "The important thing is we have safe routes around that school area and town field area and people are walking there, Norcross said. "We're trying to make the town field more of a center for people to come and be there. And through the MVP possibly have walking trails all in there. So we really want to make sure that that roadway saved through there, but doing them in a reasonable manner." There was some discussion of linking in the Municipal Vulnerability Program for a more comprehensive plan that also might lead to more funding. Norcross also said the students will be working with Flying Cloud Institute on a design challenge related to the project they will present to the MVP Committee and Select Board in the future. In other business: The board voted a 3.5 percent cost of living raise for employees for fiscal 2025. McKinney said he was preparing for the state's one-stop application portal to open next week. The town will be applying for funding on several projects, including a culvert replacement on West Road and the failing concrete retaining wall on Cross Road. His plan was to spread the applications out through different categories so they wouldn't be competing against themselves. Select Board member Dan Haskins asked if the town could purchase a second digital sign. The town purchased one last year but it only lights on one side; the idea would be have two back to back so they can be seen from both sides. McKinney said there is still $23,000 left in American Rescue Plan Act funds and there could be money in the technology account. Haskins said he like to see "the second ordered and get it all done at once ... I don't want to keep kicking it down the road." The board voted to place a dog littering bylaw and an amend the dog licensing date from May to June on the town meeting warrant as recommended by Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau, who prepared the language. McKinney reported that the lift for the school has been ordered and is expected to take eight to 12 weeks to build; the lift is now scheduled to be installed in June. He also said Adelson & Company PC has indicated it may be able to do an audit. The few auditing companies in the region have been very busy, he said. BCC Wins Grant for New Automatic External Defibrillator PITTSFIELD, Mass. Berkshire Community College (BCC) is the recipient of a $2,326 grant, funded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) device. The grant specifically covers a device for use inside one of BCC's security vehicles for easy access when traversing the campus. In total, the Commonwealth awarded more than $165,000 in grant funding to 58 municipalities, 13 public colleges and universities, and nine nonprofits to purchase AEDs for emergency response vehicles. The program is designed to increase access to lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies, when every second matters. An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient's heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. "Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we're equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients," said Governor Maura Healey. "This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event." The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). A 25-year-old from Gambia will have to answer for the drug dealing of narcotic substances after being arrested this morning in Largo Rotonda of the municipal villa of San Nicola la Strada, by the Carabinieri of the mobile section of the company of Caserta. The man, homeless and already known to the police, was stopped while dealing a dose of hashish to a 39-year-old from San Marco Evangelista, who has been reported to the Prefecture of Caserta for the subsequent administrative violation. During the personal search carried out on the Gambian, the Carabinieri found and seized an additional 3.5 grams of the same narcotic substance. The arrested was taken to the prison of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The British Museum has appointed the head of the National Portrait Gallery as its new director following a scandal over stolen artefacts. Dr Nicholas Cullinan, who has been praised for overseeing the renovation of the popular national gallery in London, replaces Dr Hartwig Fischer, who resigned after it emerged the British Museum leadership ignored warnings an insider was selling off artefacts from its collection. Dr Fischer was embroiled in a controversy after nearly 2,000 items went missing from the museum, and some were found to have been listed on eBay. A senior curator, Dr Peter Higgs, was dismissed for gross misconduct in relation to the missing items and is currently being sued by the museum. Trustees now hope Dr Cullinan, whose hiring has been approved by prime minister Rishi Sunak, will apply his recent experience managing major renovations to their 10-year plan to update the museum. Dr Cullinan also inherits increasing diplomatic discussions over the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens, where Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the sculptures would be appreciated in their original setting. Dr Nicholas Cullinan said it was an honour to be appointed British Museum director (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Greece has been campaigning for decades for the return of the artefacts, which once adorned the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, with the country claiming they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation. Speaking about his appointment, Dr Cullinan hailed the museum as one of the greatest in the world, and said it was an honour to become its director. He vowed to lead the museum into a new chapter, which will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be. Dr Cullinan said he looks forward to working alongside the museums wonderful and dedicated staff as well as its hugely impressive board. It was revealed in July 2023 that Dr Higgs was dismissed for gross misconduct after more than 1,800 items were found to be missing, stolen or damaged. Lawyers acting on behalf of the London museums trustees say there is compelling evidence that Dr Higgs abused his position of trust between at least July 2009 and January 2018. It is believed that hundreds of the missing items were listed for sale on eBay, using PayPal to facilitate payment. The court heard earlier this month that, to date, 356 stolen items have been returned. Dr Higgs denies the claims and the case is ongoing. George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, said: He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesnt take sides, but brings people together and won universal acclaim. We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Theres nothing worse than a smart-alec film fan. Weve all done it, of course. Picked apart a cheesy blockbuster for its perceived flaws. Poked holes in some sloppy plot logic. Proposed another ending that would have made oh so much more sense. The fact is, though, were often not as smart as we think we are. Often, films are simply more interested in telling a story than in bulletproofing themselves against pedants. Sometimes, even widely circulated complaints are totally fatuous. People watch Titanic, for instance, and ask why Leonardo DiCaprio didnt simply hop on the door alongside Kate Winslet at the end. Its enough to make you want to scream: Thats not how buoyancy works! But sometimes, plot holes are so egregious that you just cant let them go. These are the ones that really stick in your mind, and leave you searching for any kind of plausible explanation. Some of the best films ever made have still been liable to contain a few baffling plot holes, from Citizen Kane to Back to the Future. No matter what defences people conjure up, theres always some nagging feeling that never quite goes away. Here are 15 of the biggest plot holes in popular movies The Shawshank Redemption Frank Darabonts prison drama features a famous twist, in which it is revealed that the wrongly imprisoned Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) has secretly tunnelled out of Shawshank prison, hiding his escape path with a poster of Rita Hayworth. But how did he manage to reattach the bottom of the poster after leaving through it? The Shawshank Redemption - Trailer The Karate Kid In the final act of the 1980s classic The Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) bests his rival Johnny Lawrence (Billy Zabka) with a sensational kick to the head. However, it was established at the start of the fight that blows to the head were not allowed, per tournament rules meaning LaRusso should have been disqualified. Its a plot hole that was poked fun at in the recent sequel series, Cobra Kai. The Karate Kid (1984) was one of the defining films of Eighties pop cinema (Sony) Toy Story Much of the first Toy Story revolves around Buzz Lightyears (Tim Allen) refusal to accept that he is, in fact, a childrens toy. If this were the case, though, why would he play dead whenever a human enters the room? Its a plot hole that has been questioned by fans for years, and no explanation is ever quite satisfactory. Armageddon Nineties sci-fi blockbuster Armageddon featured a plot hole so glaring that it was ridiculed by Ben Affleck on the films own DVD commentary: with the Earth in dire peril, Nasa decide to train a cadre of drill workers as astronauts, a lengthy, expensive (and, in reality, infeasible) process, rather than just train existing astronauts how to operate the drill. I asked [director Michael Bay] why it was easier to train oil drillers to become astronauts than it was to train astronauts to become oil drillers, said Affleck on the commentary. He told me to shut the f*** up, so that was the end of that talk. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Back to the Future Picking holes in Robert Zemeckiss timeless time-travel romp perhaps goes against the films goofy spirit. But its hard to get past one lingering quibble: why wouldnt Marty McFlys parents notice that their son looked identical to the strange and charismatic teenager who once set them up? Even if you accept that decades have passed since they last saw his face, its a stretch to believe that they wouldnt notice the uncanny similarities. Michael J Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future' (Universal Studios) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Towards the end of Peter Jacksons nearly 10-hour fantasy trilogy, there comes an almighty deus ex machina, as the forces of good are saved by the arrival of the Great Eagles. But the scene left many viewers asking the question: why couldnt the Eagles have simply given everyone a lift to Mordor in the first place? The apparent plot hole has spawned endless debates among Middle Earth fanatics, with counter-arguments digging deep into eagle lore to disprove its merits. But the fact remains that for the everyday viewer this was a head-scratchingly simple solution that everyone on screen ignored. Citizen Kane Even a film as immortally great as Citizen Kane has its foibles and the iconic opening scene is one such. As Charles Foster Kane perishes alone in his bedroom, he utters the enigmatic word: Rosebud. The word becomes a riddle which newspapermen scramble to decode. The only problem? There was no-one around to hear him say it. Beauty and the Beast The titular beast in this classic Disney cartoon is shown to be on the cusp of his 21st birthday; that is when the spell becomes permanent. And yet, one of the songs suggests that he has been living as a beast for a full decade, meaning he was cursed back when he was still a pre-teen. Not only does this raise a whole lot of questions about the circumstances leading to the curse, it also directly contradicts the portrait we see of the beast back when he was a human, and very much looking like an adult. Beauty and the Beast was released during the Disney Renaissance in the 1990s (Disney) Ant-Man In this Marvel caper, it is stated several times that Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) retains his full-size mass every time he shrinks down to the size of an ant. Its what allows him to beat people up while tiny. But this raises a whole load of inconsistencies about the way in which Ant-Man interacts with the world not least when his human-sized mass is able to be flown around on the back of an ant-sized ant. The Butterfly Effect This poorly received thriller starring Ashton Kutcher was pretty solid in its understanding of the butterfly effect at points, showing how small changes to a moment in time can have far-reaching consequences. There were lapses, however, such as the moment when Kutchers character goes back in time to stab his childhood self through the hands which led him to the exact same adult circumstance, only with hand scars. The idea that the experience wouldnt have a greater effect on a young life is, frankly, absurd, and jars with much of what the rest of the film is trying to say. Old M Night Shyamalans 2021 sci-fi drama, about a beach that makes people age rapidly, was twisty, fun and original. Its a small shame, therefore, that the films ending hinged on one of the most bizarre plot contrivances in recent years. Shyamalans own character, tasked with monitoring the beachs victims from afar, decides to pack up his equipment and leave when the last two people dipped underwater for just a couple of minutes apparently deciding that no-one could possibly survive that long. After watching them for many hours, he suddenly couldnt spare another minute to make sure? Its a hilarious moment in a film which is otherwise a thought-provoking and profoundly unsettling watch. Not a day at the beach: Guy (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Trent (Alex Wolff) in Old' (Universal Studios) Star Wars: The Force Awakens Over the course of its dozen-odd films, the Star Wars franchise boasted its fair share of plot holes and inadvertent Easter eggs, though one moment in 2015s The Force Awakens had fans especially up in arms. When Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the gang return from the starkiller base after Han Solos death, General Leia (Carrie Fisher) rushes to give her a sad, grief-stricken hug, completely ignoring Chewbacca, her decades-old friend and Hans former confidante. Out with the old, I suppose. The Dark Knight Rises Though the film had its ardent defenders, there was much about Christopher Nolans 2012 trilogy-capper The Dark Knight Rises that just felt a little underbaked. Whether it was the entire police force being lured underground and trapped, or the fact that internationally famous billionaire Bruce Wayne was able to fake his death and live out his life without being recognised, the plot holes ran so deep in this film you could follow them all the way to the batcave. The Dark Knight Rises - Trailer 3 Black Panther After TChalla (Chadwick Boseman) is nearly killed in a fight with Erik Kilmonger (Michael B Jordan), he lands in a river, and floats downstream until he is dragged out of the water by a fisherman. However, we later learn that the tribe who discovers him is vegetarian so just what are they fishing for? A Quiet Place Though its inarguably one of the better studio horrors of recent years, A Quiet Place has been mocked for a few of its smaller touches such as the whiteboard with How many in Area?? scrawled in huge lettering. One pretty conspicuous plot hole comes midway through the film, when the family go to a nearby waterfall, and are able to shout to one another without the noise being detected over the crashing of the water. Any sensible person would look at that and go why not move nearer the waterfall? Some people just like the quiet I guess. This article was originally published in May 2022 Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Florence Pugh has delighted Marvel fans with an update from the set of the forthcoming film Thunderbolts. In Thunderbolts, Pugh will reprise the role of Yelena Belova, the sister of Scarlet Johanssons Black Widow. She originated the part in 2021s Black Widow, appearing as the character again in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. In a video shared to Pughs Instagram page, the 28-year-old actor is seen in costume addressing the camera. Hey guys, how are you doing? she said. I know Ive dropped off for a little bit, but thats partially because I was whisked off to Atlanta to shoot a movie that Im not really supposed to talk about. But I can show you things, sneakily, as long as you dont tell anyone I can show you a sneak peek of the set. Theyre shooting. Ill be quiet now. In the clip, the Dune: Part Two star proceeds to give fans a tour of the production lot and some of the sets being used for the film, before meeting with the films director, Jake Schreier. Thunderbolts, due to come out in cinemas in 2025, will focus on an ensemble of heroes, and stars Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko, and Harrison Ford. Speaking to The Independent last month, another of the films stars, Geraldine Viswanathan, revealed that Thunderbolts will be a stylistic departure from previous Marvel films, which relied heavily on green screens for special effects. I dont expect to do a lot of green screen, said Viswanathan, who most recently starred in Ethan Coens Drive-Away Dolls. Jake Schreier, our director, has a really cool and different vision for this and its all gonna be pretty practical. So thats really exciting. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Its kind of taking on a new life, she continued. So I dont really know what to expect. Im not expecting the traditional way that Marvel movies have been made. I think this will be different. Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh in Black Widow' (Marvel Studios) Much of the interest surrounding Thunderbolts has concerned the addition of Ford to the cast, with the Indiana Jones actor playing General Thunderbolt Ross. An interview with Ford went viral last year after the actor appeared completely bemused when a fan asked a deep-dive question about Marvel lore. Pugh recently starred in the hit sci-fi blockbuster Dune: Part Two, and also appeared in Christopher Nolans Oscar-winning biopic Oppenheimer. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hawkwind frontman Dave Brock has opened up about how his former bandmate, the late guitarist Lemmy, handled being fired after the band grew fed up with his drug-fuelled antics. Lemmy, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, was a member of the British space-rock band from 1971 until 1975. He was notorious for his hard-livin lifestyle, which included chain-smoking and excessive drugs and alcohol consumption, which caused tension between him and his Hawkwind bandmates. Tensions came to a head in the spring of 1975, when Hawkwind were touring North America and Lemmy was caught in posession of amphetamines while the band were crossing the US border into Canada. The border police mistook the powder for cocaine and threw him in jail for two days, forcing the band to cancel a number of shows. Our manager warned us to make sure we didnt have anything on us when we went over the Canadian border, Brock recalled in an interview with The Telegraph, ahead of Hawkwinds UK tour this April. I was driving and Lemmy was sitting next to us. Hed fallen asleep... he was dribbling a bit. The guards must have said, theres a load of long-haired hippies in there, well have them. And they opened the car door and Lemmy fell out! Lemmy died in 2015, shortly after being diagnosed with prostate cancer (Getty Images) After this incident, Lemmy was replaced by the bands longtime friend, guitarist Paul Rudolph (formerly of the Pink Fairies), while Lemmy went on to team up with Larry Wallis, also of the Pink Fairies, to form Motorhead. He named the band after the last song he wrote for Hawkwind, after his manager advised him against calling his new group Bastard. He was aghast at being kicked out of the group, Brock said. He was flown back to England, he continued. But a year later Motorhead [Lemmys subsequent, highly successful band] were supporting Hawkwind! Then he did better than us! And then Hawkwind were supporting Motorhead! But me and Lemmy were on good terms right up until he died. We were always all right. Lemmy was kicked out of Hawkwind after the Canada incident in 1975 (Getty) In a 2011 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lemmy, who died aged 70 in 2015 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, said he believed he would have stayed with the band had he not been kicked out. I did like being in Hawkwind, and I believe Id still be playing with them today if I hadnt been kicked out, he said. It was fun onstage, not so much offstage. They didnt want to mesh with me. Musically, I loved the drummer, the guitar player. It was a great band. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lydia West did an extremely millennial thing recently. Heavily pregnant with her first baby and trying not to freak out about the huge life event that was about to happen, the actor who shattered our hearts in Its a Sin bought a Stanley cup that had gone viral on TikTok. Owning the stainless-steel water bottle made her feel like she was adulting correctly. We see things on social media and think its going to change our lives, she says, laughing. Its like we use material things to make the chaos of the world a bit quieter. This impulse purchase, and the rationale behind it, could have been a subplot in her new Channel 4 comedy Big Mood. In fact, it is. The show follows two besties, Wests voice-of-reason Eddie and Nicola Coughlans wild child Maggie, as they try to navigate their thirties in the hipster mecca of Dalston. In one scene, a mascara-streaked Maggie, who has bipolar disorder and is in the depths of a depressive episode, tells Eddie: If I could finally get a big Le Creuset, things might really turn around for me. Big Mood is madcap, magnificent and millennial through and through from its stars to the writer (Camilla Whitehill) and director (Rebecca Asher). Cut the show in half and it would bleed avocado toast. There are pop-culture references for my generation in every nook and cranny. Eddie, who owns a rat-infested pub left behind when her dad died, throws Maggie a Love Actually-themed birthday party and the real Joanna Page rocks up with a cake. Maggie tries to think her way out of her disorder like Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind. And the two friends are obsessed with their microbiomes and cant help but scream the lyrics to Avril Lavignes Nobodys Home in the car. Their twenties, they remark, were spent on ketamine. When I saw the script, I was like, Wow, this is our London, says West. Video calling from her home in Walthamstow in northeast London (millennials love Walthamstow), shes wearing a baggy white tee; her curls are pulled back in a bun. The smile is dimpled and lovely. The pop-culture references, the jokes, the way Eddie and Maggie communicate it just felt so real, she continues. "Plus, its about this idea of having your life together. Having kids and a house and all these things. I just had a child, but I dont feel like an adult. Theres still a cost of living crisis and were all worried about what to do next. Her portrayal of Eddie a young woman grappling with who she is while trying to support a friend in need has just the right balance of f***-it energy and uncertain vulnerability. I think often people just kind of forget about our generation, West says. Its either about Gen Z or the boomers and were just there in the middle, floating around, trying to figure out life. But Big Mood isnt about just any millennial friendship its about one where mental illness is the third wheel, punctures and all. I fix problems you have them, Eddie tells Maggie at one point, summing up their co-dependent dynamic. And for a comedy, it really goes to some difficult places. We see evidence of self-harm on Maggies arms; Coughlan spends much of the series dishevelled, with unwashed hair and raggedy clothes; and there are ongoing discussions about lithium, the antipsychotic medication Maggie is taking (which can be toxic and cause hallucinations if the levels arent carefully monitored). Were very comfortable now talking about anxiety and depression, says West. Our generation, especially, has opened that dialogue. But theres a lot of stigma still attached to bipolar disorder and mania and schizophrenia. Someone in crisis or being sectioned thats often the darker side of mental health slash mental illness, which were not 100 per cent comfortable with or we dont understand yet. But showing the ugly side of mental illness is what this show does really well. Wests Eddie comforts Coughlans Maggie in Big Mood (Channel 4) While Big Mood doesnt flinch from these weighty issues, it is, at its heart, a comedy. West a self-proclaimed drama girlie with British shows such as Years and Years, Its a Sin and Inside Man under her belt has dabbled in a little comedy before, in Netflixs The Pentaverate with Mike Myers, but it had a very out there, American kind of sensibility. Big Mood, by contrast, is dumb and hilarious and sarcastic and silly. And West relished experimenting with the deadpan delivery of lines such as, You dont care about the environment you said all humans deserve to burn to death. (Yeah, but I only said that because Id just had that really weird haircut, comes Maggies retort.) West didnt always have her sights set on acting. She grew up in Barnet, north London; her mother was a district nurse, her father a support worker for a drug and alcohol abuse charity. She went to a performing arts school and was into dance from a young age, but ended up studying business at Queen Mary University. After uni I was like, Ooookay, I just need to do something thats not business, she says, cracking up. I dont know what I was thinking doing that. Well, to be honest, I was trying to impress my parents. I didnt yet have a huge sense of self or what I was passionate about. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free At the time, she was a member of a local theatre company, a hobby she describes as literally therapy before I knew what therapy was. It was a way for me to escape my mundane life that I wasnt happy with, a bad relationship and young twenties stuff that was going on. West eventually quit her job as a PA and went to Identity School of Acting, where John Boyega and Letitia Wright trained. Soon after that, she was cast as Bethany, a teenager who identifies as transhuman and wants to turn herself into data, in Russell T Daviess dystopian drama Years and Years. Then came a small role in the BBCs Dracula series, before another Davies project, the groundbreaking Aids drama Its a Sin, arrived. West played Jill, a beacon of light based on a real friend of Davies, who sat at many of her gay friends bedsides throughout the Eighties, holding their hands as they died. Olly Alexander and West in groundbreaking Aids drama Its a Sin (Channel 4) Its a Sin landed in January 2021, when the UK was in the grip of the third lockdown, and captured the nations attention with its painfully resonant story of a mysterious illness sweeping the country. It won two Baftas, with West also receiving a nod for her radiant portrayal of Jill. It was a very wild time, says West. So much love and heart went into it, and we knew how special it was. Historically, queer shows have a large queer audience, but its hard to reach a mass market, so the fact that it did that and it was being talked about and it was striking a chord, we were just thrilled, and we just didnt expect it. That show gave her a huge confidence boost. It made me feel I could choose projects that have that social impact. Ive been afforded the opportunity to be a bit more selective and choose stuff that Im entertained by but thats also important. Its a Sin opened all the doors and allowed me that freedom. Coming back to Channel 4 for Big Mood felt like a full circle moment, she says. Its such a different genre, but still about an important topic and something that hasnt really been seen on telly. She smiles and claps her hands together. It made me think, Yes! This is what I want from my career. Big Mood starts at 9pm on Channel 4 on Thursday 28 March For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fans of the Netflix drama Heartstopper have been left gutted by the news that Olivia Colman will not be returning for season three. The Oscar-winning British actor, 50, played the role of Sarah Nelson, the mother of Kit Connors Nick, in the first two seasons of the popular teen show. However, in a new interview with Forbes, Colman revealed that her character would not be appearing in the forthcoming season. I couldnt do number three. I couldnt fit it in. I feel awful about that, she said. I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things Ive ever been part of. However, she did not write off the possibility that she could return in a prospective fourth season. Fans of the show voiced their dismay on social media, with many re-sharing what might be the series most celebrated scene, in which Kit comes out as gay to his mother. Im so gutted but thank you to Olivia Colman for giving us this scene, one person wrote, alongside the clip. Olivia Colman in Heartstopper (Netflix) Olivia Colman you were the best Sarah Nelson we couldve asked for, another commented. Olivia Colman thank you for playing the best Sarah Nelson we could ever have had. I couldnt have asked for a better person to play her, someone else wrote. Heartstopper is adapted from an acclaimed graphic novel by Alice Oseman, who also wrote the TV adaptation. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In a two-star review of the shows second season, critic Nick Hilton described the show as a chaste look at young love, focused far more on its inclusivity and diversity agenda than any attempt to shock or titillate. He continued: Set at the fictional Truham Grammar (and Higgs Girls) Schools, Heartstopper exists in a generic non-urban milieu, bursting with primary colours and noodly indie love songs. The show has been rightly praised, not just for its candour in depicting themes usually unaddressed in teen romances, but for its sweetness. Being gay or being trans is not, here, the misery business that Hollywood thinks. Instead, its just another thread in the tapestry of adolescence. I have a boyfriend, Charlie proclaims, proudly, to his friends. Yes, were all fully aware! Tao replies wearily. Its a shame then, that in this rush to be affirming, Heartstopper forgets to be good. Heartstopper is available to stream now on Netflix. A release date for season three is yet to be announced. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} HBOs shocking true crime documentary series The Jinx will soon launch its long-awaited sequel, providing an extended look at killer millionaire Robert Dursts long journey to a lifetime prison sentence. Durst was the subject of the US networks 2015 series The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, in which filmmaker Andrew Jarecki investigated the multiple murder allegations pitched against the real estate heir. He was first suspected of killing his wife, Kathleen Durst, after her mysterious disappearance in 1982. Though her body has never been found, her family maintains that Durst was responsible. Then, in 2000, authorities questioned Durst for the killing of his best friend Susan Berman, who is thought to have been close to telling police about his part in Kathleens vanishing before her own death. Finally, Durst was suspected of killing Morris Black, a neighbour, a year later. Durst was arrested for murder only to be acquitted of all charges after claiming he acted in self-defence. Durst was infamously caught admitting to his crimes while unknowingly wearing a microphone for the Jinx series. Audio from the mic captured him saying: What did I do? Killed them all, of course. Less than 24 hours before the Jinx finale aired, Durst was arrested on first-degree murder charges relating to the death of Berman. Robert Durst in court in 2020 (Getty Images) After a resulting trial, Durst was convicted for the murder of Berman in September 2021, and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole though he was never convicted for killing Kathleen Durst or Morris Black. Mere months later, in January 2022, Durst died aged 78 of a cardiac arrest, having suffered a litany of medical issues. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free The Jinx Part Two looks at the aftermath of the documentary becoming a national news story in 2015, through to Dursts eventual conviction in 2021. The logline for Part Two explains: The filmmakers continue their investigation for the next eight years, uncovering hidden material, Dursts prison calls and interviews with witnesses who had not come forward until now. Robert Durst at his 2020 murder trial (Getty Images) When Durst was convicted for Bermans killing, The Jinx director Jarecki admitted that it wasnt a major shock to him, due to all hed discovered in the process of making the series. I cant say I was surprised because if you watch the trial it was extraordinary, he said during an appearance on Good Morning America. Bob admits in the trial that he lied five times and perjured himself in this trial. He also admits that he lied in his prior trial, Jarecki continued. You cant be amazed by it, but at the same time its very gratifying because you also know this is a man whos evaded justice for so long that all you can do is hope for the families of the victims that there are not going to be surprises. The Jinx Part Two will air in the US on Sunday 21 April at 10 pm ET/PT, with new episodes debuting weekly on HBO and streaming on Max. UK viewers can watch weekly episodes exclusively on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW from Monday 22 April. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US reiterated its concerns over Arvind Kejriwals arrest a day after India summoned a top American diplomat to object to remarks made by Washington about the legal trial of Delhis top politician and Narendra Modi rival. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said the Biden administration was monitoring the developments in New Delhi closely, including Mr Kejriwals court trial and freezing of opposition Congress partys bank accounts. Indias financial crime agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Mr Kejriwal, a key national opposition figure and chief minister of the capital territory, last week over charges of corruption in a now-scrapped liquor policy case. The arrest came just weeks before the country is set to hold national elections in a key test for prime minister Modis iron grip on India. ...we continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi chief minister Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress Partys allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections, and we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues, Mr Miller said. The US official was answering a question on summons issued to the senior US diplomat Gloria Berbena by Indias Ministry of External Affairs after Washington warned New Delhi to hold fair, transparent and timely legal process in Mr Kejriwals case. Mr Miller said while he will not talk about any private diplomatic conversations, the State Department encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes, reiterating an already public plea by the US that has irked New Delhi. We dont think anyone should object to that, and well make the same thing clear privately, Mr Miller said. Videos by Indian news agencies showed Ms Berbena being summoned at the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting that lasted nearly 40 minutes. Last week, the German Foreign Ministry said they expected Mr Kejriwal to get a fair and impartial trial, citing Indias democratic nature. However, Indias External Affairs Ministry shot back, saying it was blatant interference in the countrys internal affairs. A court in Delhi on Thursday extended Mr Kejriwals ED custody till 1 April. Mr Kejriwal is among dozens of politicians facing crackdown by Mr Modis federal government before India votes for a new government, starting on 19 April. His Aam Aadmi Party (Common Mans Party) has rejected the charges and called it a witch hunt to prevent the popular Delhi politician from fighting in the elections. Mr Kejriwals party has declared that he will continue to serve as Delhis CM while they challenge the case in court. Additionally, Indias once ruling party and now primary opposition Congress last week said its bank accounts were frozen in a tax dispute by Indias Income Tax department as part of Mr Modis agenda to kill democracy. The move, Congress officials said, has a crippling effect on the party by leaving it without any money for expenses ahead of the critical elections against Mr Modi, where he is likely to come back for a third term. Washingtons reminder to the Indian government to follow free and fair legal processes for political opponents comes at a time it sees Delhi as an important strategic and economic partner in its effort to push back against Chinas growing clout worldwide. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} India has blocked access to critical videos by Australias public broadcaster dealing with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. YouTube reportedly complied with a demand from the Indian government to block access in India to an episode of Foreign Correspondent filmed by ABC News focusing on the Sikh separatist. The episode investigated the killing of Nijjar in Canada, allegedly implicating Indian government agents. Nijjar, a Khalistan separatist, was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on 18 June last year. Canada later said that Indian government agents were involved in the murder of Nijjar which led to a massive diplomatic row between the two countries. In an email sent to ABC on Sunday, YouTube said it had received an order from Indias Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over the upload of Sikhs, Spies and Murder: Investigating Indias alleged hit on foreign soil. According to ABC, YouTube said that the order from the Indian government was confidential and that it came under Indias Information Technology Act, 2000. The order comes a few weeks ahead of Indias massive general election starting 19 April. The news website also claimed that its journalists had faced pressure from the authorities while working on the episode. They were questioned by Indian criminal intelligence officials about the nature of the reporting and were blocked from filming a public event in Punjab, they said. An ABC spokesperson said in a statement: It was meticulously researched and balanced and sought an array of perspectives, and upholds the highest editorial standards. We defend the audiences fundamental right to access this story, regardless of their location. This isnt the first instance of India banning news content related to Nijjars killing. Earlier this month, YouTube and X blocked access in India to a story by CBC News titled The Fifth Estate on Nijjars killing. The platforms were made to comply with an order by Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Indian law obligates X to withhold access to this content in India; however, the content remains available elsewhere, X said in an email to the CBC. We disagree with this action and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts. Following the Indian legal process, we are in current communication with the Indian authorities. Meanwhile, ABC said that YouTube also blocked a news package about ASIO [Australian Security Intelligence Organisation] agents meeting with Sikh activists in Australia regarding Nijjars death. On clicking the YouTube link of the Foreign Correspondent provided on the ABC News website, the following message pops up instead of the video: Video unavailable: This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report. Last year, a BBC documentary titled India: the Modi Question that investigated tensions between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and the countrys Muslim minority was taken down by Indian authorities. The documentary was released in the UK on 17 January last year and was briefly available on YouTube in India but was taken down by Indian authorities. The Indian government issued orders to both YouTube and Twitter to block content related to the documentary using emergency powers under the countrys information and technology laws. The documentary was banned in India as the Indian government called it a propaganda piece which displays bias, [a] lack of objectivity, and frankly a continuing colonial mindset on the part of the BBC. The BBC, meanwhile, defended itself and said that it was conducted by adhering to the highest editorial standards. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Investigators are examining the possible role of dirty fuel in the cargo ship collision which destroyed Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Dali collided with the four-lane road bridge at 1.28am on Tuesday as it sailed out of the Maryland harbour. Minutes before the collision, the propulsion system on board the vessel went down, alarms sounded, and the vessel began veering towards a support for the bridge. At 1.26am, the captain called for crew to try to restart the engine and steer hard to the left. A minute later, he ordered them to drop anchor, and issued an emergency radio call to transport authorities on the bridge. However the Dali, 1,000 ft long and 95,000 tons when empty, would have been virtually impossible to stop. It hit the 1.6mile bridge at 1.28am, causing its immediate collapse into the Patapsco River. The cargo ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland in the early hours of 26 March, 2024 (AP) While vehicle traffic was stopped from entering the bridge, an eight-man construction crew was unable to escape in time. Two workers were rescued from the water in the immediate aftermath. The bodies of two others, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were recovered from the river on Wednesday. Four men remain missing. A joint federal and state investigation into the disaster will include an examination of the fuel, according to The Wall Street Journal. The vessel went dead, no steering power and no electronics, one officer, who was on the ship, told the newspaper. One of the engines coughed and then stopped. The smell of burned fuel was everywhere in the engine room and it was pitch black. The Independent has contacted Unified Command, which is handling the investigation, for comment. Cargo ships, responsible for 90 per cent of global trade, run on bunker or marine fuel. It was described as a witchs brew of used motor oil and industrial byproducts in a 2018 report by The Atlantic Council. The fuel is widely used at major global ports, and has caused at least 200 ships to suffer serious, sometimes complete engine failure, the researchers noted, dubbing it engine killers. Some vessels were left adrift in the ocean, others ran aground, and some were carrying cargoes that could have caused serious human and environmental disasters. National Transportation Safety Board investigators on the bridge of the cargo vessel Dali, on Tuesday (EPA) Dr Alan J Murphy, professor in maritime engineering at University of Southampton, said that problems or contamination of fuel could have caused the Dalis engines to cut out but that it was a complex issue. I would expect that the fuel for the electrical generators and the fuel for the main engines to be different fuels from different tanks and ships of that size have their own fuel purification, separation, filtration and settling tank systems (at least for the removal of water contamination and dirt and solid particles), he told The Independent in an email. [S]o my sense would be that the cause of a total electrical and propulsion power failure might be more nuanced than a single dirty fuel source alone. Tuesdays incident wasnt the Dalis first collision. The ship collided with a quay while leaving the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium eight years ago, according to VesselFinder. That caused significant damage to the hull, and it was docked for repairs before returning to duty. The Dali was also cited by port officials in Chile last June for a deficiency in the category of propulsion and auxiliary machinery, with thermometers, gauges, etc listed, according to the Electronic Quality Shipping Information System (Equasis). In September 2023, the cargo ship was reinspected by the US Coast Guard in New York, and no problems were listed. On its most recent voyage, the Dali was chartered by shipping giant Maersk and operated by Synergy Marine Group. We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected, Maersk said in a statement. Definitive answers remain some way off. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said on Thursday that industry and government experts were just starting to figure out how to remove the debris and cargo ship from the channel. Barges carrying cranes to begin that process were heading for Baltimore on Thursday. This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks, Moore said. We have a very long road ahead of us. With additional reporting from Sheila Flynn Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Bethenny Frankel has revealed in a TikTok comment that she was a victim of the alarming New York City punching trend. In a comment on fashion student Mikayla Toninatos viral TikTok video, the former reality TV star shared her experience. Toninato admitted in the video that she was punched in the face while leaving a class in the city. I turned the corner and I was looking down at my phone and texting, and then out of nowhere this man just came up and hit me in the face, Toninato said in the video. I just texted my friends like: Hi, I just got punched in the face, and then they sent me a TikTok of this other girl in New York who got punched in the face. I dont know if this is like a thing thats going around, Toninato continued. But I guess if youre in New York right now and youre walking while looking at your phone, maybe dont do that. Frankel wrote in the comment section: This is insane [because] this happened to me a few months ago but I was embarrassed to say. I was on the [Upper West Side], Frankel added. Insane. I was taking a video of a bakery. On 28 March, Frankel came out with her own TikTok video, talking at length about her experience. I was in New York City looking for an apartment and I stopped at this cute little deli bakery tiny place and I walked in and I was shooting the baked goods. And as I turned around, she continued. I was walking out the door and this guy punched me. She added that the man - who she later identified as homeless - didnt assault her with a closed fist, so it was less of a punch and more of a smack. I was completely stunned, she said, noting that her driver and security guard initially tried to confront the guy. At the time, she attributed the assault to the crime occurring throughout the pandemic. However, since its become a trend, she decided to come forward with her story. Frankels admission comes on the heels of more and more women continuing to come forward with their experiences of being punched in the face by strangers. The multiple incidents have reportedly happened within days of each other, and within only a few miles of each other. More people began to share their experiences on TikTok after influencer Halley Kate shared that she was punched in the face by a man in Manhattan on 25 March. You guys, I was literally just walking and a man came up and punched me in the face, she told her 1.1 million followers as she fought tears. She showed that she had developed a large welt on the side of her forehead due to the assault. Oh my god, it hurts so bad. I cant even talk. Literally, I fell to the ground and now this giant goose egg is forming. In a follow-up video, the influencer added that she had been walking on the sidewalk and looking down at her phone when she was physically assaulted by an unidentified male. She recalled: This man - I dont know if he punched me or if he elbowed me; I literally passed out so I dont really remember - but I think he just was really mad that my head was down. When the incident occurred, she noticed that the man had been walking a dog. She said that once she was punched, she fell to the ground and blacked out for a second. Once she awoke, Halley said the man was screaming at her before she ultimately ran away. She said she filed a report with the police, who informed her that the incident matched another police report detailing another assault. The New York City police department recently confirmed to NBC News that they have multiple active investigations into at least two similar assaults. However, the NYPD did not confirm nor deny that the assaults were the very same as the recent TikTok videos. The New York Police Department has since made an arrest in connection to influencer Kates assault. Skiboky Stora, a 40-year-old East New York resident, was charged with assault on Wednesday 27 March, though police did not say if Stora was a suspect in any of the other incidents. The NYPD is aware of a viral video circulating on social media depicting a woman who was randomly assaulted in an unprovoked attack, the NYPD posted on their official X account. The individual has been arrested and charged and is a criminal recidivist with an extensive criminal record. Your NYPD detectives were able to identify the man after he was previously arrested for similar attacks, only to be released back onto our streets. This incident will be his third arrest in the past six months, the post continued. Your officers will continue to remain resilient in their efforts to stop violent criminals, ensuring the safety of our communities. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Conjoined twin Abby Hensel, who starred in the reality show Abby & Brittany, privately married an army veteran, Josh Bowling, it has emerged. According to public records obtained by Today, Abby, now 34, and Bowling first tied the knot back in 2021. The publication also noted that the couple lives in Minnesota, where Abby and Brittany teach fifth grade. Meanwhile, Bowling is a nurse and United States Army veteran. The Hensels Facebook profile pic appears to be them at the wedding, as the conjoined twins were wearing a white, lace dress. For his nuptials, Bowling wore a white button-down shirt and grey suit. On his Facebook, Bowling has shared various photos of him with the conjoined twins on different occasions, including one from when they went snow tubing and another from a hiking trip. He also indicated in his bio that hes a father. Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalus conjoined twins, a rare form of conjoined twins who are fused side-by-side with the same pelvis, as noted by the National Institute of Health. Their two heads are on one torso, as they have separate brains, hearts, and other organs. They share all organs below the waist and bloodstream, as Abby controls the right arm and leg and Brittany controls the left arm and leg. The twins who were born in 1990 first publicly shared their story in 1996, when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996. In 2012, they were in their own TLC reality show, Abby & Brittany, which followed their lives after they graduated from Minnesotas Bethel College and were preparing to go to Europe for a teaching job. Conjoined twin Abby Hensel married (Heidi Bowling/Facebook) Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalus conjoined twins. Pictured with Abbys husband (Joshua Bowling/Facebook) People have been curious about us since we were born, for obvious reasons, the twins said during the first episode of the series, as reported by ABC News. But our parents never let us use that as an excuse. We were raised to believe we could do anything we wanted to do. In the reality show, they also opened up about how they coordinate everyday activities with each other, from getting ready for a party to grabbing groceries from the shelves in their home. When it comes to decisions, there are compromises we have to make, Abby said. We take turns. We want to work it so each of us is happy and we find a happy medium. During an interview with Time magazine in 2001, the twins parents Mike and Patty discussed the idea of their children getting married one day. At the time, Mike specified that his daughters were asking about ultimately finding husbands, before he thought why not? to the idea, since other conjoined twins have gotten married. Theyre good-looking girls. Theyre witty. Theyve got everything going for them, except... he said, before pausing and adding: ...theyre together. Abby and Brittany Hensel as children (TLC) Conjoined twin Abby Hensel from Abby & Brittany privately married army veteran (Origin / YouTube) Mike also noted that he and his wife dismissed the idea of separating the twins when they were born since doctors said that there was only a slight chance that both Abby and Brittany would survive the procedure. How could you pick between the two? he said. In more than a decade since Abby & Brittany aired, the conjoined twins have largely kept their personal lives out of the spotlight. The Independent has contacted Abby and Brittany for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sometimes I look back on my twenties with a wistful admiration. Life wasnt better then far from it. I was perpetually broke, lived in horrible house-shares and had yet to figure out how to dress in a manner that didnt make me look like a childrens TV presenter. Still, you know what I do miss about those days? Fancying people. I fancied everyone back then. Well, maybe not quite everyone but pretty much every other person. Go to a house party and youd bump into a minimum of five fanciable characters. Head to a bar and youd daydream about copping off with at least 30 per cent of the patrons. I had a new burning-hot crush to lust after once a fortnight and I have the anguished diary entries to prove it. Its not to say these mild obsessions were all requited the childrens TV presenter sartorial choices put paid to that. But it didnt really matter. The exciting part was that you could effortlessly meet someone anytime, anywhere who made your heart skip a beat. It felt like being permanently on the cusp of your next great love story. There was so much potential; life was pregnant with romantic possibilities. The next decade brought its fair share of butterflies initially. But as the early thirties became mid-thirties, and then tipped into late-thirties, there was a cliff-edge drop-off I came to the depressing realisation that I hadnt had an honest-to-goodness infatuation in six months? A year? Talking to a single friend in her forties recently, I came to the same sad conclusion as her: while we were still capable of the kind of instant connection that prompts sleepless nights and desperate phone-checking for new messages, these experiences had gone from being a fairly frequent occurrence to so rare that catching feelings was like catching a unicorn. I havent properly fancied someone in about two years, she said glumly. I felt her pain. Are crushes a young persons game? (Getty/iStock) I have a job where I meet interesting new people on a regular basis. Im also actively dating, and have gone out with a bevy of fascinating suitors over the last few months. But my innards remain stubbornly in status, seemingly filled with pupae, rather than butterflies. It makes you wonder are we getting more picky as we get older? Is the pool of eligible men shrinking to such a degree that its now basically a puddle? Or are we just no longer hard-wired for crushes that make us ache with yearning? One piece of research posits that our feelings in general lessen with age. Our study suggests that older adults generally report lower levels of emotions whether positive or negative, experiential or global as compared with their younger counterparts, concludes the Getting Older, Feeling Less? study, which surveyed 2,500 people in Germany across a range of ages about their emotions and wellbeing. Perhaps its simply that, as we mature and find deeper emotional stability, the wildness and flightiness that prompts us to fall in love with every stranger we lock eyes with across a crowded train platform diminish. However, other research shows that the physiological experience of falling in love doesnt change, says biological anthropologist Helen Fisher. The basic brain region and pathways linked with feelings of intense romantic love were just as active in people over 50 as they were among the people who were in their twenties, Fisher told The Washington Post of one study she conducted. This is a basic drive, and it doesnt really change. My innards remain stubbornly in status, seemingly filled with pupae, rather than butterflies It could be more about the fundamental truth that many of us become more discerning as we get older. Each relationship has imparted wisdom about who you are and what you want; youve hopefully created a life thats rich and full, and a new partner would have to enhance that rather than detract from it. A study from the University of Queensland based on a survey of 7,325 heterosexual daters found that older women were pickier when it came to romantic partners, with the pickiest demographic being those aged between 35 and 50. But women arent the only ones getting more selective. In a 2018 study of dating app users published in Psychological Science, researchers found that men were less likely to be as particular as women until they hit 40 at which point they took the lead in terms of pickiness. Its not necessarily a bad thing, this evolving self-actualisation. But it does mean that the number of people you view as being a potential love interest steadily dwindles from a gushing tap to an occasional drip. Man, I used to fancy some truly heinous people based on the flimsiest of pretexts we could quote from the same Will Ferrell film, say, or I appreciated their range of Christmas jumpers. While admirable traits, theyre not quite enough to build an entire fantasy life around these days. There needs to be a deeper connection before I start picturing what our unborn children will look like. Perhaps finally believing I deserve the right person, rather than any person, is responsible for the dearth of butterflies (Getty) Its also undeniable that there are fewer available paramours to swoon over as we age particularly for heterosexual women. Ive never been the type to get my kicks from flirting with a married man; in fact, the very presence of a wedding ring dials my sexual interest down to zero. But it does sometimes feel like the all the good ones are taken trope rings true. The unmarried women I know have only become more accomplished and attractive as time goes by. The same cant always be said for their male contemporaries. The data bears out this perceived disparity: Daniel Cox, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, surveyed more than 5,000 people in the US about dating and relationships. Nearly half of college-educated women said they were single because they struggled to find someone who met their expectations; only a third of men said the same. His in-depth interviews were dispiriting, added Cox, revealing that men were limited in their ability and willingness to be fully emotionally present and available by the time they began dating. In her book Motherhood on Ice: The Mating Gap and Why Women Freeze Their Eggs, Yale anthropologist Marcia Inhorn also concluded that educated women freeze their eggs because theyre unable to find a suitable male partner. She charted the frustration, hurt and disappointment of women who were almost without exception trying hard to find a loving partner, but were consistently confronted with commitment-averse men. Crush-wise, its hardly a turn-on when a man starts visibly sweating upon hearing the words future or minibreak. Meanwhile, although women might struggle to find age-appropriate men to fancy, their counterparts have fewer qualms about dating younger. Leonardo DiCaprio is not alone: data shared by OkCupid co-founder Christian Rudder in his book Dataclysm showed that men, regardless of how old they are, forever remain most attracted to women in their twenties. Not so for women, who tend to be most attracted to men around their own age. Its hardly a turn-on when a man starts visibly sweating upon hearing the words future or minibreak But I like to think theres a more hopeful reason not every guy under the age of 50 with his own teeth does it for me anymore. Looking back, I think the real reason I fancied all the male flotsam and jetsam that passed by had more to do with how I felt about myself than about them. Deep down, I wasnt confident that anyone would like me back so I cast the net wide, happy to take whatever came my way. My volume of crushes has decreased in direct correlation to my self-esteem and sense of worth increasing. Perhaps finally believing I deserve the right person, rather than any person, is responsible for the dearth of butterflies. Im still hopeful, though. If theyre currently in their pupae state, its only a matter of time before I meet someone who nudges them into the next stage of the life cycle. Then theyll wake up, emerge from their cocoons and finally fly free whether or not the man in question can quote Will Ferrell on demand. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fast food fans are celebrating the fact Krispy Kreme and McDonald's are getting together. The doughnut chain and the fast food giant unveiled plans this week to offer Krispy Kreme products at McDonald's locations across the United States. A phased rollout is expected to start later this year, the companies said, with availability at participating restaurants nationwide expected by the end of 2026. McDonald's didn't specify how many of its 13,500 US locations 95% of which are franchised would be participating in the deal. Following the announcement of the McDonalds deal, shares of Krispy Kreme soared nearly 30% by late morning Tuesday. McDonalds stock was up about 0.08%. In a prepared statement, Krispy Kreme President and CEO Josh Charlesworth said the partnership would give customers unprecedented daily access to the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company's glazed, filled and frosted treats. By making Kreme Krispy accessible to fans nationwide through this partnership, we expect to more than double our points of access by the end of 2026," Charlesworth said. Krispy Kreme (Krispy Kreme ) Tariq Hassan, chief marketing and customer experience officer for McDonalds USA, said the deal marked a chance to unlock new business opportunities in the Chicago-based chain's breakfast category and the sweet items it sells throughout the day. McDonald's plans to make three Krispy Kreme doughnut varieties original glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and a filled chocolate iced available individually and in boxes of six until daily supplies last. The partnership is hardly the first bringing major restaurant chains and popular food brands together. Taco Bell, for example, has long boasted Doritos-flavored tacos while Wendy's brought a Cinnabon pull-apart treat to its menu last month. Krispy Kreme has teamed up with other businesses before. Krispy Kreme doughnuts are sold at Walmart, Kroger and other grocery chains along with the chains own stores. In total, the company says it operates in 35 countries with more than 14,000 fresh points of access through its own shops, retail partnerships and e-commerce business. In an email to The Associated Press, a Krispy Kreme spokesperson said the company would not be disclosing any financial details about the deal, which is exclusive to the US through 2026. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Penn Badgley has opened up about fatherhood and how he was able to bond with his teenage stepson. The Gossip Girl alum, 37, recently explained how being a stepfather to his wifes 15-year-old son and a biological father to his toddler are two very different things. During an appearance on the New York TimesModern Love podcast, Badgley read an essay about a father who had to be vulnerable around his sons after experiencing the loss of their mother. The essay prompted the You actor to speak about the importance of being vulnerable with his own children. I have an interesting situation where I have a biological son and a stepson, Badgley told podcast host Anna Martin about his wife Domino Kirkes son, Cassius Riley. The couple, who were married in 2017, are also parents to a three-year-old son. And my stepson is - his father is very much in his life, so his father is his father, and Im something else. So I have two different kind of parental roles, Badgley continued. And then my biological son is only three and a half. So, thats a very different thing, too. Im going to need to be able to more consciously show him my vulnerability as he gets older in those years, you know? Elsewhere during the podcast, Badgley described a moment in which he was able to bond with his 15-year-old stepson, who he jokingly admitted doesnt want to spend that much time with his parents. The Easy A star recalled how he and Cassius had watched the 2014 sci-fi action film Edge of Tomorrow together, when he suddenly realised how important it was to spend that time together. Very recently, we had a rare kind of, like, bedtimes - and when you have such an age spread, its kind of hard to make time for everybody. And hes older, and he doesnt want to spend that much time with us anyway, Badgley explained. So this was like a night, an evening where I was sacrificing sleep after many nights of not much sleep, I think. Our littlest was sick, but it struck me, and I was like: Hey, we need to watch a movie. We are going to watch The Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. The John Tucker Must Die star explained how he was determined they were going to have a great time together, though they didnt talk that much during the movie because it was late in the evening. And frankly, I was exhausted, and I was like: Im going to get maybe four or five hours of sleep. And whatever. But I just knew it was important, he continued. It was like the stars had aligned so that my wife and youngest son were asleep, and I was just like, this is a good time to do this. Youre not going to play video games right now. Were going to do this. Badgley shared that Cassius loved the movie, adding: And you want to talk about Modern Love? One of the ways you got to do that is watch things with people. Badgley and Kirke, who works as a doula, have been together since 2014. The two were married at a New York City courthouse in 2017 and welcomed their first child together two years later, after Kirke had suffered from two miscarriages. She shares her son Cassius with former partner and musician Morgan OKane. Last year, Badgley offered fans a rare update about his then two-year-old son during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Well, you know hes a pandemic kid, Badgley told Fallon in March 2023. Anybody who has kids, its a joy, its an immense - I mean, its wild. Its lovely. Its great. Its a challenge. Shoutout to all the parents. Keep going! Keep going, it gets better. When asked whether his toddler knows that his father plays serial killer Joe Goldberg in the Netflix drama series You, Badgley explained that his son isnt entirely aware about his psycho character but he has seen his dad on screen before. Were gonna have to break that one to him, he jokingly replied. There was recently a day where I was doing something really sweet with him, you know, like in my lap, Badgley added. And then I sat on the remote and it just went right to Netflix on the TV, and my face was right on the TV. He was like, Daddy!. I started to race around because the next thing he was going to see was something really crazy. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Karlie Kloss and her husband Joshua Kushner are bringing Life magazine back to life. The supermodel, 31, and her venture capitalist husband, 38, announced on Thursday 28 March that they struck a deal with Dotdash Meredith to revive Life Magazines print and digital distribution through the couples media holding company, Bedford Media. Bedford Media - of which Kloss serves as CEO - will manage the full operations for the new Life Magazine, including editorial strategy, revenue, and media endeavors. Dotdash Meredith previously acquired Time Inc and Life Magazine in 2021, when IACs Dotdash purchased several Meredith Corp brands in a deal worth an estimated $2.7bn. It will continue to own the full rights to the Life Magazines photography and content archives, as well as publish single-topic special interest issues under the name. We see Life as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape, Kloss said in a press release. While Bedford is a new media company, we are deeply inspired by Lifes iconic legacy and ability to connect diverse audiences with universal narratives of humanity. Meanwhile, Kloss husband - who is the brother of former President Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner - will be publisher of the new Life Magazine. Lifes legacy lies in its ability to blend culture, current events, and everyday life - highlighting the triumphs, challenges, and unique perspectives that define us, he said in a statement. A representative for Bedford Media told the Los Angeles Times the newly revived Life Magazine will most likely relaunch as a quarterly, scheduled for early 2025. Life Magazine was initially launched in 1883 as a general-interest magazine, gaining worldwide recognition in the early 20th century for its photography. The American magazine published some of the most iconic images in history, such as Alfred Eisenstaedts famous photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in New Yorks Times Square on V-J Day. It ceased weekly publication in the 1970s and ran as a monthly until 2000. In 2008, Life Magazine became an online archive with occasional newsstand editions. Bedford Media describes itself as a media holding company focused on artisanal storytelling, authenticity, and shared cultural resonance. Blending iconic brands with new ways of doing business and reaching audiences, the companys strategy banks away from ubiquity and reach toward quality and depth. Kloss and Kushners company most recently acquired i-D magazine from Vice Media in November last year. In 2020, the model also led a group of investors in purchasing W Magazine as part of a newly formed joint venture, W Media. Bedford Medias plan to revive Life Magazine comes two days after reporter Lauren Sherman revealed that i-D magazine has laid off 10 members of its UK editorial staff. Last month, longtime editor Alastair McKimm departed i-D magazine after serving five years as editor-in-chief and another five years as fashion director. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kim Kardashian has been sued by late artist Donald Judds estate over allegedly false claims she made about the furniture featured in her SKKN by Kim office tour. Back in 2022, the billionaire businesswoman gave fans a tour of her skincare brand headquarters, which was curated by West Hollywood interior designer Clements Design. The neutral-toned workspace featured several minimalist pieces, including triangular chairs facing her desk, a wooden bookshelf lining the wall, and a grey loveseat at the opposite end of the office. The standout piece of furniture seen in her office tour was a wooden table she said was designed by Donald Judd. These Donald Judd tables are really amazing, Kardashian said in the video, adding that they totally blend in with the seats. However, a new lawsuit filed by the Judd Foundation on 27 March has claimed that the tables and chairs in the video were knockoff versions allegedly produced by Clements Design to resemble those designed by the late artist. The foundation is suing Kardashian for false endorsement and the company for trademark and copyright infringement, the New York Times reported. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California, the non-profit organisation claimed that Kardashian, 43, was well aware the pieces were inauthentic. The foundation accused Clements Design of reproducing two original Judd pieces: the $90,000 La Mansana Table 22, and Chair 84, which cost $9,000 each. In the last 15 years, the foundation stated only three authentic copies of the tables have been sold. The Judd Foundation said the tables and chairs appear identical to Judds signature design of flat, rectangular work, while also claiming the pieces were poor quality imitations. The organisation pointed to an invoice from Clements Design, according to the lawsuit, in which the company described its furniture as in the style of Donald Judd and included an image owned by the Judd Foundation of the authentic dining set. The lawsuit went on to detail how the foundation contacted Kardashian about the furniture three days after the office tour was posted on her YouTube channel; the video was subsequently taken down after the lawsuit was filed. A spokeswoman for Kardashian responded to the complaint, according to the lawsuit, saying they were incredibly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused the foundation and offering to update the video caption with a retraction. Instead, the Judd Foundation wanted the video deleted, the table and chairs recycled, and for Kardashian to issue a public statement. Her representatives countered with an offer to make a social media post in which she supported the foundation, the lawsuit stated. Following the filing, Clements Design issued a statement on Wednesday saying there were obvious key differences between Kardashians office table and the original Judd table. The design company said it felt blindsided by the lawsuit after making efforts to resolve this issue amicably. Clements Design claimed the Judd Foundation was unwilling to settle on reasonable terms, adding: These claims have absolutely no merit. Meanwhile, Megan Bannigan - a lawyer representing the Judd Foundation - maintained that the allegedly knockoff table and chairs were lower quality than Judds furniture. We dont want to be mixed up with Kim Kardashian, Bannigan told the New York Times. We respect what she does, but we dont want to be involved with this. The Independent has contacted representatives for Kardashian and Clements Design for comment. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Australian actor Rebel Wilson has revealed that she did not lose her virginity until the age of 35. The Pitch Perfect star, 44, said that she shared this with fans in the hope of sending a positive message. She writes about the experience in her forthcoming memoir Rebel Rising, which has also recently made headlines due to parts that discuss her grievances with Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen. According to Wilson, she first had sexual intercourse at the age of 35, but had kept this private from friends due to social pressure. Not everybody has to lose their virginity as a teenager, she said, in an interview with People magazine. People can wait till theyre ready or wait till theyre a bit more mature. And I think that could be a positive message. You obviously dont have to wait until youre in your thirties like me, but you shouldnt feel pressure as a young person. A 2023 YouGov poll reported that for British men, the median age for losing virginity is 18, while for women, it was 17. Five per cent of respondants reported losing their virginity at the age of 25 or above. Describing herself as a late bloomer, Wilson said that she had felt embarassed to admit that she lost her virginity in her mid-thirties. There was one vague time, I think I told my best friend, Oh, yeah, I just did it to just get it over with when I was like 23, Wilson said. Just to really avoid the questions. Rebel Wilson pictured in August 2023 (Getty Images for Opera Australia) Normally I would just leave the room when the conversation was happening, she continued. And then the people that said, Oh, at 24, its so late. And then Im sitting here thinking, Oh my God, my numbers 35. What the hell? Im going to look like the biggest loser. In 2022, Wilson announced that she was in a relationship with entrepreneur Ramona Agruma. The couple, who share a daughter, are currently engaged. On Instagram this week, Wilson named Baron Cohen as the man whom she accuses in her memoir of being a massive a**hole. A whole chapter is said to be dedicated to her experiences with the Bruno actor, who appeared with her in the 2014 comedy Grimsby (released in the US as The Brothers Grimsby). In a statement given to The Independent, Baron Cohens representatives denied Wilsons allegations, stating: While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing on a London train. British Transport Police officers were called to Beckenham Junction railway station shortly before 4pm on Wednesday after receiving reports that two men were fighting. Footage shared on social media showed a male wearing a black hooded jacket, black trousers and a face mask holding a large blade, while fellow passengers could be heard telling him to stop. A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with stab injuries and is in a critical but stable condition. On Thursday, police said a 19-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident and a knife recovered. Superintendent Darren Malpas said: We understand the concerns of the public following this incident and our detectives have been working tirelessly to investigate. I hope this arrest will bring some reassurance to those on the rail network. High-visibility patrols will continue in the area and across the network as a visible reassurance to the travelling public. Any witnesses who are yet to get in touch are urged to do so by calling 0800 405040 or texting 61016 quoting reference 397 of 27 March. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police have launched a search for a knifeman who stabbed someone on a south-east London train, leaving a man seriously injured and fellow passengers terrified. The incident was captured in a video which has since circulated on social media, with passengers heard frantically panicking in the background as the suspect stabbed his victim. Heres everything we know so far. When did the stabbing take place? At around 3.56pm on Wednesday, British Transport Police were called after receiving reports of two men fighting while entering a train at Shortlands railway station. While travelling towards Beckenham Junction station, the victim was repeatedly stabbed and sustained serious injuries. Police are searching for the knifeman after the attack on a train in south-east London (Sky News) The video shows a man in a puffer-style jacket and a mask attacking his victim, who appears to be curled on the floor, while carrying a large knife. Passengers can be heard calling the police and asking for an ambulance, while one woman shouts for him to stop. Officers attended alongside the Met Police and the London Ambulance Service and the victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. A media appeal has since been released for information, with enquiries ongoing as they search for the suspect. The shocking video shows a man in a puffer-style jacket and a mask attacking his victim (Sky News) What have police said? Assistant chief constable from BTP Allan Gregory said: This is an incredibly concerning incident which took place in front of other passengers in broad daylight. Overnight and into Thursday, there will be an enhanced police presence at stations in the area as officers continue to carry out extensive enquiries. We do not believe that there is any risk to the wider public. However, we are urging people to come forward with any information that may help us. Please text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 397 of 27 March. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Four men are to stand trial over the theft of a 4.8m solid gold toilet from Blenheim Palace. The fully functioning commode, titled America, was used by more than 100,000 visitors to a New York museum before it was installed at the Oxfordshire country house where Winston Churchill was born and days later stolen in an overnight raid. The final defendant to enter his plea, Bora Guccuk, 40, from west London, pleaded not guilty to charges over the theft on Thursday, denying one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Bora Guccuk leaves Oxford Magistrates Court (PA) It comes after James Sheen, 39, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and Michael Jones, 38, from Oxford, both pleaded not guilty in January to burgling the 18-carat art installation in the early hours of 14 September 2019. Mr Sheen has also denied a charge of transferring criminal property, while both he and 35-year-old Frederick Sines, aka Frederick Doe, from Ascot, Berkshire, have denied a charge of conspiracy to transfer criminal property. All four defendants are next due to appear in court on 24 February 2025. Michael Jones pleaded not guilty in January to burgling the 18-carat art installation in an overnight raid in the early hours of September 14 2019 (PA) The toilet was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan in 2016 for the New York Guggenheim museum before it was housed at Blenheim Palace as the centrepiece of an exhibition that started the week before it was stolen. Mr Cattelan, who has a history of mischievous stunts, was at the time forced to issue a denial he orchestrated the theft of his creation in a Banksy-style prank. The theft of the toilet, which the artist intended to be 1 per cent art for the 99 per cent, reminded some sceptics of Banksys artwork Girl with Balloon, which shredded itself moments after being sold for 1m in October 2018. (left to right) Michael Jones, Fred Sines and Bora Guccuk in court (PA) Mr Cattelan is also known to have stolen the whole show of another artist at a gallery in Amsterdam in 1996. He tried to pass off the exhibition as his own work. Despite police being called, he was allowed to continue the display for several days. The artist said at the time that the theft was a survival tactic after he was given only two weeks to produce work for his exhibit. He added: I took the path of least resistance. It was the quickest and easiest thing to do. Mr Cattelan is set to produce what curators described as a large outdoor artwork on the facade of a prison chapel for the upcoming Venice Biennale. The fully functioning toilet, titled America, was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan (Getty) The Vatican unveiled its groundbreaking project earlier in March. The multimedia installation will be located inside Venices womens prison, created with the active participation of inmates and artists and open to the public under strict security conditions. Mr Cattelan is the most notable among half a dozen artists who will work alongside them, reflecting Pope Franciss belief in the value of dialogue, solidarity and fraternity. Mr Cattelan's return to Venice comes almost a quarter-century after he shocked Catholics with his provocative The Ninth Hour, (La Nona Ora) featuring a life-sized wax Pope John Paul II lying on his side, crushed by a massive black meteorite, that was displayed at the 2001 Biennale. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A carer who smothered his mother in an act of mercy has been spared jail. Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after dementia and osteoporosis sufferer Eileen Pearce for 10 years before he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath, south London, in June 2021. Afterwards, he called police to confess, saying: She was in a lot of pain. The defendant denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility due to his severely depressed state. On Thursday, Judge Alexia Durran sentenced Pearce at the Old Bailey to two years in jail, suspended for two years. She told the court it was a tragic case, but added: Mercy killing is not recognised as an exemption to the law of homicide. She said Mrs Pearce was a fiercely independent woman who had received excellent care at home from her son before the defendant became overwhelmed by the situation. Judge Durran said: I considered you decided death for both of you was the only solution in the incredibly sad position you found yourself. I accept your good character. Your actions can be characterised as an act of mercy. The judge also sentenced Pearce to 240 days of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement. Earlier, prosecutor Jack Talbot told how Mrs Pearce was found dead in her bed at home on June 5 2021. The defendant told officers that he had put his mother out of her suffering with a wet flannel. He said: Then I decided to kill myself but it did not work. I thought it was only fair if I did that to my mum. I have got nothing to live for and no-one. Pearce, who took early retirement from a rail company to look after his mother, said that nobody wanted to know. In a signed note found on his chest of drawers, Pearce wrote: I am sorry but its all got too much. Mums health, dementia, and delirium after her recent hospital stay, really has been so difficult to cope with. I did try my best. I have been her carer for many years and no one knows how hard it has been. Last night was just the final straw. That is not living. That is not my brave, beautiful, bright mum who gave up everything for her boys. In the end, I have given her release. Please forgive me. I do love her and I did my best. Perhaps I should have asked for help but its never been our way. It is not right for me to go on, I accept that and have no regrets. I just feel I have reached the end of everything and there didnt seem to be anyone to turn to or who will miss me. In his police interview, Pearce said his mother was a tough cookie but had been in incredible pain. He said what happened was a kind of blank, a cumulative effect and like a whole stack of dominoes and his whole life falling over. He said: I did what I felt I had to do and then I decided I would go the same way but failed miserably. When asked if he had spoken to his mother to make a plan, the defendant said it was not the sort of thing we talked about. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mrs Pearces older son Terry Pearce said she had brought them up alone after she split up with their father in 1974. He said she had a good sense of morality and good manners. Although I did not keep in close contact with my mother and brother, when I did visit, my mother was always clean and in good spirits and always looked after by Kevin. He appealed for compassion for his brother saying he understood the stress and horror of watching a loved one deteriorate, having cared for his wife before she died from cancer. He said that he could not fully comprehend just what his brother had to deal with and begged the court for understanding. He did not know how his sibling found the strength to care for their mother during the Covid-19 pandemic, adding: The things he did during this time cannot be under-estimated. In mitigation, defence barrister Katy Thorne KC said: This is a tragic but highly unusual case. We say, Mr Pearce did kill his 89-year-old mother in the throes of a depressive episode in the context of a wholly loving, caring relationship with her. She argued for the judge to take an unusual course of imposing a suspended sentence, pointing out Pearces guilty plea and previous good character. Close King Charles waves as he arrives for Easter Sunday church service in Windsor Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} King Charles went on a surprise walkabout to speak to well-wishers outside Windsor Castle following the Easter Sunday service. The service was the Kings most notable public appearance since he was diagnosed with cancer in February. Afterwards, Charles surprised onlookers by greeting gathered members of the public, who later said he looked good and was in high spirits. A Buckingham Palace source told The Telegraph that doctors had changed medical guidance for the King after he had responded very encouragingly to cancer treatment. The walkabout will have meant a great deal to the King, said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. He added: Its the first time that hes been able to meet the public in such a way for several months, the first opportunity to do a walkabout this year, so its a very welcome milestone on the road to recovery. The Kings appearance will also be seen as an effort to reassure the public following the royal familys double cancer scare, with todays service marking just over a week since Kate revealed her own diagnosis. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend the service, but Charles was joined by the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A beer festival in Manchester was compared to Glasgows disastrous Willy Wonka experience after customers turned up to a half empty venue with rude staff. The first International Brewing and Cider (IBC) Festival, which was a two-day ticketed event with prices of up to 40, was held at the Depot Mayfield Manchester last weekend. But its organisers were soon forced to apologise after customers slammed the experience, criticising the quality of the drinks on offer and the costs. One festival-goer said on X: The most disappointing beer event ever. I had three beers which all tasted like a plastic cup. One went in the sink, one a mate finished for me and the third went in the urinal. Left before we had been there for two hours. The Wonka of beer festivals. I paid 43 to get in. Ill get over the financial cost but distrust such events in future. Did you attend the event? If so email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk The IBC replied: We are very sorry that you had a less than perfect experience at the International Brewing & Cider Awards Festival. This was our first festival and everything was not perfect. We are a not-for-profit trade organisation representing the value chain supplying the brewing and beverage industry and organiser of the oldest international brewing and cider awards in the world. As a first time Festival we underwent a steep learning curve & believe we adapted to deliver a better model as the event progressed. Certainly, should we organise a Festival to follow the 2026 Awards all of our learnings and your feedback will be taken into account. Organisers of Willys Chocolate Experience in Glasgow were also forced to apologise for their event (Stuart Sinclair/Facebook) Customer Matt Turner-Allen told BBC News he paid 38.50 for a ticket that came with six tokens - but only for half pints of selected drinks. He said: I texted my boss in Glasgow, and I said this is the Willy Wonka festival of Manchester. I have young kids and I have to be selective with my nights out, so it was a big disappointment. It comes after the organisers of a disastrous Willy Wonka-style experience in Glasgow were forced to apologise after families said they were still waiting for refunds. House of Illuminati, which charged up to 35 for tickets, promised families an immersive experience but instead they arrived to find a sparse warehouse filled with strange AI-generated characters including made-up villain The Unknown, who left children in tears. One parent complained of arriving to find a disorganised mini-maze of randomly placed oversized props, a lacklustre candy station that dispersed one jelly bean per child, and a terrifying chrome-masked character that scared many of the kids to tears. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A convicted murderer who admitted raping his vulnerable victim has been sentenced to a further five years in jail. Valentin Lazar, 23, attacked 45-year-old Maria Rawlings before leaving her in undergrowth in Romford, east London, in May 2021. The manual labourer admitted the murder and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years and six months in February 2022. The following month, Lazar, formerly of Newham, east London, admitted to an officer at Belmarsh prison that he had also raped Ms Rawlings. Valentin Lazar (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media) On Friday, Judge Mark Lucraft handed Lazar a further five years imprisonment to run consecutively to his life sentence. The judge said: In the admissions you made you said you removed Marias clothing before then raping her. You knew Maria was not consenting to sexual intercourse and that then having killed her you took her handbag to make it look like a robbery. The further sentence effectively defers the date the defendant can be considered for release. The court heard that at the time of Lazars sentencing for murder there was not enough evidence to establish any sexual motive which would have raised the starting point for the original sentence. In mitigation, Christopher Whitehouse said that Lazar had wanted to unburden himself and that it was hoped the guilty plea would bring a degree of finality for the victims family. According to the victims father Tony, 15 minutes of anger towards the defenceless grandmother had caused him and his family a lifetime of pain. At Lazars sentencing in 2022, the court heard how Ms Rawlings had visited King George Hospital in Chadwell Heath complaining of a headache after suffering a head injury on the evening of May 3 2021. Having left hospital without being treated, Ms Rawlings got on a bus just after 11pm, where her path crossed with Lazars. The mother of two, who had been staying with her daughter in Witham, Essex, got off the bus when it terminated, along with her killer. They appeared on CCTV to engage in a brief conversation before Lazar guided his victim by the arm towards some shrubbery where they disappeared from view. After 31 minutes, he emerged from the undergrowth alone, with Ms Rawlingss white handbag slung over his shoulder. He rifled through the bag then discarded it on the pavement, the court heard. After the attack, Lazar boarded another bus, eventually arriving home after 1am. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thames Water is facing a fresh crisis as investors have backed out of plans to inject 500m emergency funding into the struggling company. The announcement from the utility firm on 28 March has raised concerns that it may not be able to secure short-term funding. Shareholders withheld the money after the company was unable to meet certain conditions. If Thames Waters financial issues cause it to become unable to deliver its services effectively, it would fall to the government to place the company into special administration. This would mean temporary nationalisation. But Chris Weston, chief executive of Thames Water, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that scenario is a long way off. There is a possibility but the key message today is one of reassurance, he said. A Thames Water employee with a tanker (PA) (PA Wire) The funding withdrawal is the latest in a series of problems for Thames Water. It comes shortly after figures from the Environment Agency showed a 105 per cent rise in raw sewage discharges in the year to March. Thames Water oversaw an above average 163 per cent increase in the duration of sewage dumping due to the companys infrastructure being inadequately able to manage rainfall levels. In early 2024, the company was ordered by water regulator Ofwat to enact plans to resolve its completely unacceptable record on sewage dumping. A record fine of 20.3m was imposed on the company by the Environment Agency in 2017 after 1.4bn litres of untreated sewage were leaked over several years. When did the problems with Thames Water start? Some would argue Thames Waters problems go back to the 1980s, when it was privatised alongside all the other water companies. In 1989, Margaret Thatchers Conservative government sold off England and Wales ten regional water companies to the newly created Water and Sewerage Companies (WSCs) for 7.6bn. The move was unprecedented, and was the second attempt after an unsuccessful first run in 1984, when there was massive outcry against Ms Thatchers plans. However, bolstered by her 1987 general election win, the plans were pushed through. The move came after Ms Thatcher imposed tight restrictions on the water companies which prevented them from being allowed to borrow for capital projects. This then became part of her governments justification for selling them to private owners. Margaret Thatcher gives her last speech as Prime Minister, October 1990 (Corbis via Getty Images) Ms Thatcher once said the Conservatives were against nationalisation because we believe that economic progress comes from the inventiveness, ability, determination and the pioneering spirit of extraordinary men and women. If they cannot exercise that spirit here, they will go away to another free enterprise country which will then make more economic progress than we do. In 2024, England and Wales remain two of the few countries in the world to have fully privatised water services. According to pro-nationalisation campaign group We Own It, water bills in England and Wales have gone up by 40 per cent in real terms since nationalisation, while the average salary of a water service CEO is 1.7m a year. Thames Water in the 21st century Since 2001, Thames Water has had three owners. It was acquired by German utility company RWE in 2001 and sold to Macquarie in 2006 following criticism over leakage targets. Macquaries ownership lasted for 11 years, until 2017. During these years, Thames Water acquired the highest debt in the sector, as owners pursued severe underfunding and cost-cutting measures alongside massive shareholder dividend payouts. Under Macquarie, debts almost tripled from 3.2bn to 10.5bn, as shareholders were paid 2.8bn. The company is now owned by several major shareholders, including several pension funds. The largest ownership shares are OMERS (32 per cent), a Canadian public pension fund, and the UKs Universities Superannuation Scheme (20 per cent). Former Thames Water CEO Sarah Bentley (PA) The path to financial recovery for Thames Water has been difficult, with former CEO Sarah Bentley stepping down suddenly in June 2023 after three years in the role. Ms Bentley was replaced by former British Gas executive Chris Weston the following December, who will receive a pay package of up to 2.3m. Now that the 500m emergency payment has been pulled by shareholders the first in a scheme meant to provide 750m overall the future of the company looks even less certain. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Shareholders have backed out of plans to inject 500m of funding into troubled utility Thames Water, sparking concerns of a government bailout that could cost the taxpayer billions. Chief executive Chris Weston, meanwhile, refused to rule out bill increases of up to 40 per cent for customers, as the firm struggles with increasing debts and huge interest payments. The beleaguered utility company revealed its shareholders had withheld the vital money because they say demands by regulators left its business plan uninvestable. Labour urged the government and regulators to do everything in their power to stabilise Thames Water, with Jeremy Hunt saying that the Treasury will monitor the situation very carefully. While Mr Weston said that the company would be able to cover its operating costs until next year, he admitted there was a possibility of the firm going into special administration if extra money is not invested. Jeremy Hunt said the treasury will be monitoring Thames Water very carefully' (Reuters) When asked on Sky News if bills could be hiked to fill the gap, Mr Weston replied: I dont think we have been at all secretive about that. But the plans that we have put forward which are very much in accordance with what customers are asking us to do require an investment of around 20bn in that 2025-2030 period, and that would result in a bill (increase) of around 40 per cent. Meanwhile, the GMB union accused shareholders of essentially blackmailing customers and Ofwat ahead of a meeting with Thames Water this morning. GMB national officer Gary Carter said: Assets and infrastructure are falling apart instead of putting the money in to fix it, shareholders are refusing to pay a penny unless bills are allowed to rocket. Holding bill payers to ransom for costs after years of underinvestment is completely unacceptable. Thames Water the UKs biggest water supplier with 15 million households across London and the South East said the funding plan drawn up last July was subject to conditions, including a business plan supported by appropriate regulatory arrangements. The company has been battling to secure its future since last summer, with a funding crisis leaving the debt-laden firm on the brink of emergency nationalisation. The GMB union has accused shareholders of blackmailing Ofwat (Reuters) Thames Water has been left with debts of nearly 15bn, while it has also missed sewage spill and leakage targets with the bosses coming under intense scrutiny over the firms performance. Much of the debt was run up by previous owner Macquarie, which sold the utility to its present consortium of owners in 2017. Macquarie, an Australian investment bank, took 1.2bn of dividend payments from the water company during its decade of ownership. The debt has also been inflated by recent shareholder payouts, with Thames Water agreeing to pay a 37.5m dividend in October last year. It has also paid out about 3.7m worth of bonuses, benefits and incentives to company executives over the last three years, while total executive pay, which includes base salaries, surpassed 10.6m over the last four financial years. Steve Reed, the Labour shadow environment secretary, said: The Conservatives weakened regulation, allowing water companies to get massively in debt while the sewage system crumbled and illegal sewage dumping hit record levels. The Conservatives negligence is why the countrys largest water company is now in this worrying position. Thames Water supplies around 15 million households across London and the south-east of England (PA Wire) Thames Water was privatised alongside all other water companies in England in 1989 under Margaret Thatcher, when she sold off the nationalised water and sewage industry for 7.6bn. It has since proven controversial, with water quality improving but debts accumulating and the nine large companies paying out as much in dividends as they have made in profits. Last summer, a rescue funding plan was agreed with shareholders, including a Canadian pension fund and Chinas sovereign wealth fund, that would see them pump in 750m overall with the first 500m due by the end of this month. But it is understood that industry watchdog Ofwat has refused to bow to the water giants demands for concessions, said to include a 40 per cent bill hike for customers, an easing of capital spending requirements as well as leniency on regulatory penalties. Thames Waters sewage treatment works have come under scrutiny (Reuters) The firm has now said these regulations make the plan uninvestable, and as a result the shareholder support letter from last July has not been satisfied. The first 500m of the new equity that had been anticipated will not be provided by Thames Waters shareholders by 31 March 2024, it revealed. Thames Water said it was in ongoing talks with industry regulator Ofwat to secure regulations that are affordable for customers, deliverable and financeable for Thames Water, as well as investible for equity investors. It said once the new regulatory plan is agreed with Ofwat, it intends to pursue all options to secure the required equity investment from new or existing shareholders. Mr Weston said: Our 8,000 staff remain committed to working with our partners in the supply chain to provide our services for the benefit of our customers, communities and the environment. Thames Water has debts of 15bn (PA Wire) He later told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: If at the end of the day, probably well into the end of next year, we were in a situation where we had no equity then there is the prospect of special administration, but we are a long way from that point at the moment. Ofwat has said the water company must seek further funding for its turnaround plan, but sought to assure customers that safeguards were in place to protect services to households. An Ofwat spokesperson said: Safeguards are in place to ensure that services to customers are protected regardless of issues faced by shareholders of Thames Water. Todays update from Thames Water means the company must now pursue all options to seek further equity for the business to turn around the performance of the company for customers. They added: Thames Water is a business with a regulatory capital value of 19bn, with 2.4bn of cash/liquidity available, and an annual regulated revenue of 2bn and new leadership team. Thames Water said it was in ongoing talks with industry regulator Ofwat (PA Archive) In a joint statement, Thames Waters nine investors claimed that Ofwat had not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for their funding and turnaround plan. They insisted their funding agreement was a solution which addresses the root cause of Thames Waters challenges without the need for any taxpayer funding. They added: However, after more than a year of negotiations with the regulator, Ofwat has not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for a business plan which ultimately addresses the issues that Thames Water faces. As a result, shareholders are not in a position to provide further funding to Thames Water. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An American divorcee sweeps one of Britains most eligible royal bachelors off his feet before they relinquish their duties and flee abroad to live happily ever after. Sound familiar? While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may first come to mind, this story follows the just-as-compelling royal saga some 88 years prior between Wallis Simpson and then-King Edward VIII. Plunging the royal family into crisis, Edward abdicated the throne on December 11 1936 as it became apparent his relationship with the American socialite would never be accepted as a marriage. The grand gesture highlighted his devotion to Ms Simpson, however their fledgling romance caused such stir in Whitehall that radical plans were briefly afoot to intervene. Newly viewed Cabinet documents indicate that, at the height of the crisis, conversations over a cash settlement to get rid of Mrs Wallis were actually proposed by her lawyer. King Edward VIII abdicated the throne on December 11 1936 as it became apparent his relationship with American socialite Wallis Simpson would never be accepted as a marriage (Getty Images) If the deal in question went ahead, the royal family would look entirely different today with a different monarch sitting on the throne. The new evidence comes in notes written by the government official and Downing Street advisor Horace Wilson. Prime minister Stanley Baldwin entrusted Wilson to record the information about the situation as the crisis unfolded in 1936. According to his notes, Wallis received a curious visit on December 7 from Theodore Goddard, Walliss lawyer, who appeared to suggest the Kings partner would go away if paid the right amount. Wilsons notes read: After some further talk, I discovered that what Mr Goddard was really saying, in effect, was what price could be paid to Mrs Simpson for clearing out. Their relationship was controversial and marked a crisis for the royal family (Getty Images) The document then details how the solicitor dropped the subject when the proposition did not receive a positive reception. Just four days later, the King resigned from his position making him one of only two kings to not have a coronation for almost 1,000 years. Edward met Ms Simpson in January 1931 when she moved to London and just over six months after his abdication, the pair finally married in France where the lived for the rest of their lives. For religious, moral and political reasons, there was strong opposition to the marriage from the British government and within the monarchy itself. (Getty Images) As Simpson would become Queen consort, the rumours that surrounded her left many feeling her behaviour was unsuitable for that of the throne Simpson had been divorced once and was in the process of divorcing her second husband when Edward proposed in November 1936. There were also religious implications. The Anglican church at the time, who as monarch King Edward was the head of, would not allow divorced people to remarry if their former spouse was still alive. Since Simpsons divorces were not on grounds of adultery - the only kind of divorce the Church of England would recognise - in the churchs eyes, she was not legally divorced. The pair married in June 1937 (Getty Images) Ultimately, King Edward chose his love for Simpson over the throne and his reign lasted just 326 days. The day after he signed abdication papers, he famously made a radio announcement on the BBC, in which he explained to the British public that he would not have been able to fulfil his royal duties without the woman I love. He was succeeded by his younger brother Albert, Queen Elizabeth IIs father, who became King George VI. Royal experts have drawn parallels between the couple and Prince Harry and Meghan Markles situation in recent years. Although not a King or next in line for the throne, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles resignation as a senior member of the royal family in 2020 sparked another crisis for the royals. The pair now live in California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Royal expert and author Tom Quinn told The Mirror that Prince Harry is still hopeful he could be given a minor role in the royal family four years after his exit. Mr Quinn said: Even Edward VIII, after the abdication, was given a few minor roles. And Harry will be aware of that. He added that the relationship between Edward and Mrs Simpson fizzled with time which is something that could happen to Harry and Meghan in the future. He added: Theres a real danger that Harry will feel lost just as Edward VIII felt lost when things had cooled with Mrs Simpson. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Angela Rayner has thrown down the gauntlet to prime minister Rishi Sunak, challenging him and two of his Conservative colleagues to publish their tax records if they want hers. She refused to disclose advice she received amid claims she may have avoided capital gains tax on the 2015 sale of her council house. The Labour deputy leader taunted her Tory critics, stressing that she has done nothing wrong, and saying: If you show me yours, I will show you mine. Naming Mr Sunak, the chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Tory deputy chair James Daly, Ms Rayner said: If [they] all want to say Ill give you the last 15 years of my tax details, Im happy to disclose all of mine as well at the same time. Her challenge came as she and Sir Keir Starmer launched Labours campaign for the 2 May local elections. Parking his partys tanks squarely on the Conservatives lawn, Sir Keir promised to revive Boris Johnsons failed levelling-up agenda. Heaping praise on the ex-PM for having the right idea in investing outside the southeast of England, he sought to drive a wedge between Mr Johnson and his successor, accusing Mr Sunak of strangling levelling up at birth. In a blow to Labours hope of the story petering out, Greater Manchester Police said it would review claims Ms Rayner may have broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago. Bury North MP Mr Daly has alleged she may have made a false declaration about where she was living on the electoral register. Angela Rayner has described the claims against her as a smear (Getty) He says has been told a detective chief inspector is reassessing the forces decision not to open an investigation into the claims. Grilled about the development on Thursday, Ms Rayner said the police had been put under pressure by Mr Daly to launch an investigation and she was confident I have done absolutely nothing wrong. I have been very clear about the advice I have received, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. I dont need to publish all of my details, my childs birth certificate was put out in the public domain and it is not fair on my family. Ms Rayner promised to comply with HMRC, the police and any authorities who want to see her tax advice and, in a challenge to Mr Daly and the Conservatives, she added: If you show me yours, Ill show you mine. She said: If the deputy chairman, Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt all want to say Ill give you the last 15 years of my tax details, Im happy to disclose all of mine as well at the same time. Im open to that if thats what they want us to do. Sir Keir has said Ms Rayner has his full support and full confidence, today and every day, adding that she has answered I dont know how many questions about this she has not broken any rules. Keir Starmer said Rayner has his full support today and everyday (Getty) The Labour leader said he has faith in Angela Rayners answers, and said his team, but not him personally, have looked at the tax advice Ms Rayner received about the council house. He said it is a sign of how desperate the Tories have got, that they want to make this the issue in a local election, which should be about their failure in delivery. Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson and his successors of having preyed on peoples hopes with unfulfilled promises over levelling up. He said: People say to me, the worst thing you can do in politics is to prey on peoples fear. Yet in some ways, preying on their hopes is just as bad. And thats what the Tories did with levelling up. Of course, it struck a chord. Of course a town like Dudley [in the West Midlands] wanted that hope to be real. Not just the promise of a better future we all need that. Its also how that project knowingly spoke to what towns like this have lost, the way of life that disappeared when the factories or pits closed. The community, the security, the chest-out pride that grows when you are certain your contribution is respected. In an appeal to disgruntled Tory 2019 voters, Ms Rayner also hailed Boris Johnsons levelling-up agenda, saying the former PM was onto something. She added: The problem is that the Tories then decided not to do that, hollowed out and took money under the guise of austerity from those areas and then created this Dragons Den bidding process where councils spent millions of pounds bidding against each other for little pots of their own money back. Meanwhile, Sir Keir said the Tories have beat the hope out of people over the last 14 years. He said: Weve got to give people hope. Hope that politics can change, that we can return to a place where promises matter, where values and standards in public life matter. That is one reason why we came to Dudley to launch this campaign, because of course it was right here that the former prime minister, or former, former prime minister to be accurate, gave his big levelling-up speech. Ms Rayner has faced scrutiny about whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her council house due to confusion over whether it was her principal residency. She has rejected suggestions in a book by former Tory deputy chair Lord Ashcroft that she failed to properly declare her main home. Rayner has accused former Tory deputy chair Lord Ashcorft of having an unhealthy interest in her private life (Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty) The unauthorised biography alleges that the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne bought her former council house, in Vicarage Road in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a 25 per cent discount in 2007 under the right-to-buy scheme. The former carer is said to have made a 48,500 profit when selling the house eight years later. Government guidance says that a tenant can apply to buy their council home through the right-to-buy scheme if it is their only or main home. Her husband was listed at another address in Lowndes Lane, about a mile away, which had also been bought under the right-to-buy scheme. In the same year as her wedding, Ms Rayner is said to have re-registered the births of her two youngest children, giving her address as where her husband resided. Ms Rayner has insisted that Vicarage Road was her principal property despite her husband living elsewhere at the time, but neighbours have reportedly disputed her claim that she lived apart from her husband. Tax experts have estimated that, while Ms Rayner may not have owed anything in capital gains tax following the sale depending on her residency situation, there are circumstances in which she could have owed as much as 3,500 to the taxman. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Experts have revealed the tell-tale signs that an essay has been written by ChatGPT and not a student. It comes after the rise of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, has sparked concerns about cheating among pupils in the education sector. Repetition of words, tautology and paragraphs starting with however are some tell-tale features, researchers said. The writing style of the artificial intelligence tool is bland and journalistic, according to a Cambridge University Press and Assessment study. Researchers compared essays written by three first-year undergraduate students, with the aid of ChatGPT, with 164 essays written by IGCSE students. These essays were marked by examiners and the undergraduates were then interviewed and their essays were analysed. The study found essays written with the help of ChatGPT performed poorly on analysis and comparison skills compared to non-ChatGPT-assisted essays. But ChatGPT-assisted essays performed strongly on information and reflection skills. Researchers identified a number of key features of the ChatGPT writing style, which included the use of Latinate vocabulary, repetition of words or phrases and ideas, and pleonasms. Researchers identified a number of key features of the ChatGPT writing style (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Essays written with the help of ChatGPT were also more likely to use paragraphs starting with discourse markers like however, moreover, and overall, and numbered lists with items. The researchers said ChatGPTs default writing style echoes the bland, clipped, and objective style that characterises much generic journalistic writing found on the internet. The report said: The students found ChatGPT useful for gathering information quickly. However, they considered that complete reliance on this technology would produce essays of a low academic standard. Lead researcher Jude Brady, of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, said: Our findings offer insights into the growing area of generative AI and assessment, which is still largely uncharted territory. Despite the small sample size, we are excited about these findings as they have the capacity to inform the work of teachers as well as students. She added: We hope our research might help people to identify when a piece of text has been written by ChatGPT. For students and the wider population, learning to use and detect generative AI forms an increasingly important aspect of digital literacy. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Gove has said the general election will be on the second or third Thursday in November, but made the extraordinary claim he has no inside knowledge at all. A day after meeting with the prime minister, and with fevered speculation about when the election will be held, Mr Gove said he thinks it will be on 14 November or 21 November. The levelling up secretary, who has been one of the most influential Tory MPs since being elected in 2005, made the prediction despite claiming he and Rishi Sunak had not spoken about when the election would be. Michael Gove said the general election will be in November (PA Wire) Appearing on the Political Currency podcast with Ed Balls and George Osborne, Mr Gove said: I think November the 14th or the 21st I have no inside knowledge at all. Mr Balls, a former Labour shadow chancellor, quipped that Mr Gove had just been to see the prime minister today. But Mr Gove said he and the PM did not discuss the election, adding: If he had told me, I couldnt tell you therefore the fact that Ive told you what I think is proof that I didnt know. Ex-chancellor Mr Osborne said: I thought it was November the 14th. And one of the people whose political acumen I read most highly is Michael Gove. Theres no way Rishi Sunak has told Michael Gove. It comes weeks after Mr Sunak confirmed that he would not call a snap general election to coincide with the 2 May local elections, which could see the Conservatives lose hundreds of council seats. Keir Starmer accused the PM of bottling a May election to spend more time flying around in helicopters (Getty Images) Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday accused the PM of having bottled it, with the Conservatives trailing Labour by 22 points in the polls. Speaking at the launch of his local election campaign, Sir Keir said: I was hoping wed be launching a different election campaign here today. But the prime minister bottled it. He wants one last, drawn out summer tour with his beloved helicopter. And so we need to send him another message. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has previously suggested that the general election could be held in October. Meanwhile Downing Street sources have told The Independent the date will be 10 October, with the PM not wanting to wait until mid-November to avoid a clash with the US presidential election. Jeremy Hunt has suggested the general election will be in October (PA Wire) Speculation has been mounting in recent days that Mr Sunak could call a summer election, as he bemoaned having inherited the worst hospital pass for any incoming prime minister in decades from his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Speaking to ex-Tory leader William Hague for Times Radios The Story podcast, Mr Sunak said: Theres lots of frustrations. Weve been through a lot as a country over the past few years, which people are understandably frustrated about and makes the environment trickier. But, asked about a prediction by polling guru professor Sir John Curtice that there was just a 1 per cent chance the Tories could win the next election, Mr Sunak added: Weve had plenty of predictions about elections and referendums in the past years that turned out to be wrong. So we should always remember that. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} George Osborne has suggested that Rachel Reeves is the heir to David Cameron and himself as he predicted Labour will win the next election. The shadow chancellor channelled another former Tory leader, Margaret Thatcher, during part of a major speech on the economy last week. The former chancellor once famously called Lord Cameron, now the foreign secretary, the heir to Blair. At the time, he says, the Tory refuseniks were appalled. But, he adds in a diary for The Spectator magazine, moving on from lost battles is the key to future success. In government, he says, he and Lord Cameron accepted parts of the Blair inheritance social liberalism, the minimum wage and so on, just as Blair had before him accepted the Thatcher inheritance of union laws and the market economy. The same pattern can now be seen in the current shadow chancellor, he suggests. Now Reeves is saying she wants to strengthen the Office for Budget Responsibility I introduced, adopt austere fiscal rules and wont put up corporation tax, he points out, asking: Is she the heir to Cameron/Osborne? Elsewhere, Mr Osborne, once widely seen as the man most likely to replace Lord Cameron as prime minister, predicts Labour is going to win the looming general election. It comes after a polling guru put Labours chances of securing the keys to No 10 at 99 per cent. In a blow to the Tories, Sir John Curtice said the chances the Conservatives could turn around their dire poll ratings was small, and added: The Labour Party will be in a much stronger position to negotiate a minority government than the Conservatives because, apart from possibly the DUP, the Conservatives have no friends in the House of Commons. Labour has consistently been 20 points ahead in the polls. Rishi Sunak has ruled out a general election on 2 May, but the prime minister still faces a potential electoral mauling on the day as voters cast their ballots in the local elections. The PM is also facing an exodus from his party after two cabinet ministers quit ahead of stepping down as MPs at the general election. A total of 63 Conservative MPs, including former PM Theresa May, have now said publicly they will not stand the next time around. A Labour source dismissed the heir to Cameron claims as rubbish. They added: A claim that has about as much credibility as Osbornes campaign for David Cameron to be Labours foreign secretary. And its because of the OBR we know the damage five Conservative prime ministers have done to the economy. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer has fired the starting gun on what is set to be a gruelling year-long general election campaign, promising to get Britains future back after 14 wasted years under the Conservatives. The Labour leader set out plans to revive Boris Johnsons failed levelling up agenda and promised to give people hope that politics can change. Laying into the Conservatives record from David Camerons tenure to Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir said the Tories have beat the hope out of people over the last 14 years. And he said: Weve got to give people hope. Hope that politics can change, that we can return to a place where promises matter, where values and standards in public life matter. was launching the partys campaign for the 2 May local elections from Dudley, in the west Midlands (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) Sir Keir was launching the partys campaign for the 2 May local elections from Dudley, where Mr Johnson in 2020 promised to double down on levelling up and give everyone growing up in this country the opportunity they need. The Labour leader and his deputy Angela Rayner have sought to win over former backers of Mr Johnson, saying that he was onto something with levelling up but that he failed to deliver. That is one reason why we came to Dudley to launch this campaign, because of course it was right here that the former Prime Minister, or former, former Prime Minister to be accurate, gave his big levelling-up speech, Sir Keir said. And on Thursday Sir Keir accused the former PM and his successors of having preyed on peoples hopes. He said: People say to me, the worst thing you can do in politics is to prey on peoples fear. Yet in some ways, preying on their hopes is just as bad. And thats what the Tories did with levelling-up. Of course, it struck a chord. Of course a town like Dudley wanted that hope to be real. Not just the promise of a better future we all need that. Its also how that project knowingly spoke to what towns like this have lost, the way of life that disappeared when the factories or pits closed. The community, the security, the chest-out pride that grows when you are certain your contribution is respected. Sir Keir said levelling up is a good ambition for Britain, and promised to shift more control, from Westminster to local communities if Labour comes to power. It needs an end to politics that is done to communities, not with them, the Labour leader said. He added: No more political hero complexes, no more fantasies, no more easy answers that require nobody politicians or people to lift a finger. Change comes from us all. I mean that. The Tory era of politics as performance art is coming to an end. Keir Starmer said Boris Johnsons levelling up agenda was right for the country, but that the former PM failed to deliver (Pool/AFP/Getty) Sir Keir accused Mr Sunak of bottling a May contest, saying that he wants one last, drawn-out summer tour with his beloved helicopter. And he repeated calls for the PM to set the date of the general election, amid feverish speculation about when voters will head to the polls. The dithering must stop, the date must be set. Britain wants change, and its time for change with Labour, Sir Keir said. He was also quizzed about deputy leader Ms Rayner amid increasing scrutiny over the 2015 sale of her council house. Critics have called for her to publish the tax advice which she said has made her confident that she did nothing wrong, brushing off claims that she may have broken electoral law over information she gave about her living situation a decade ago. But Sir Keir said she has his full support and full confidence, today and every day, adding that she has answered I dont know how many questions about this she has not broken any rules. Sir Keir was also asked about his decision to praise former Tory PMs Margaret Thatcher and Mr Johnson. The Labour leader said Mr Sunak wanted to spend one more summer flying around in his helicopter (EPA) He said he was speaking about leaders who had a sense of mission, a driving purpose. Thatcher did very destructive things across the country, including the Black Country, people are still paying a price, he said. But he added that it is important to distinguish between leaders who have a driving sense of purpose and those that drift. As for Boris Johnson, hands up, Im no fan to tap into something like levelling up promising it would all change without a slogan and not having a viable plan that is why people dont believe their politicians and that is why everybody was pleased to see the back of him, Sir Keir added. And, in an attack on Mr Sunak, he accused the prime minister of lacking any purpose. What is the driving philosophy of Rishi Sunak apart from survival he is just treading water, waiting and waiting, he knows the country wants change, the Labour leader said. Michael Gove said said Sir Keir couldnt be more wrong about the Government failing to deliver its levelling-up agenda. The Levelling Up Secretary told broadcasters: We are the party thats been leading on levelling up for years now. The areas of the country in the Midlands and the North that Labour neglected for decades have had an infusion of cash and a power surge thanks to this Conservative Government. Were the people whove given power to mayors in the Tees Valley and in the West Midlands, whove had a decisive impact on raising wages, levering in investment, empowering local communities. Labour are late to this game and also they come with nothing new to say. No new money, no new powers, no plan at all. And Tory chairman Richard Holden hit back at the sheer audacity of Sir Keir to campaign in the West Midlands after the Labour-run Birmingham council effectively declared itself bankrupt. Mr Holden added: Across the country from Wales to London, wherever theyre in charge Labour mean the same thing: higher taxes and worse public services. Labours lack of a plan left Birmingham high and dry and local taxpayers to pick up the can. With no plan for Britain, we cant let Labour take the country back to square one; like theyve done to the people of Birmingham. George Galloway is under fire from Conservative MPs after accusing Britain of involvement in last weeks terror attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue outside Moscow. Galloway, who last month returned to the Commons after winning the Rochdale by-election, says the UK and US lied about Isis involvement in the attack, which killed 139 people and left 360 injured. Vladimir Putin has admitted Islamic terrorists were responsible but Alexander Bortnikov, director of the FSB security service, has fancifully claimed the US, UK and Ukraine were behind it. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The government has caved under pressure from landlord Tory MPs to water down a long-promised plan to ban no-fault evictions. Michael Gove has written to Conservative backbenchers announcing measures to bolster landlord protections in the Renters Reform Bill, which was designed to provide more security and better value for tenants. The long-delayed bill was introduced to parliament last May to deliver on a commitment from the 2019 Tory manifesto to abolish Section 21 so-called no-fault evictions. But a leaked letter on Thursday revealed Mr Gove had made a series of concessions which he trumpeted as having the support of main landlord groups. Campaigners said the leaked letter, obtained by The Sun, showed the long-delayed bill was fast becoming a landlords charter. Michael Gove was accused of turning the renters reform bill into a landlords charter (PA Wire) The Renters Reform Coalition (RRC) accused the government of making major concessions to landlord groups and pro-landlord Conservative MPs. Delays followed and it was not until 2023 that the Renters Reform Bill made it to the House of Commons. The governments flagship legislation to help renters is fast becoming a landlords charter watch as landlord groups today declare victory now, having exacted a significant toll on this policy in exchange for their support Tom Darling, Renters Reform Coalition A group representing landlords has urged ministers to crack on to ensure the bill can proceed with the scrutiny it deserves and criticised a lack of progress to date as being destabilising and damaging for all concerned. Earlier this month, communities minister Jacob Young told parliament when asked about progress of the bill: We are absolutely committed to the abolition of section 21, I am personally committed to that and we will bring back the bill as soon as were able to. The leaked letter from Mr Young states that the bill will return to the Commons for its report stage when parliament comes back after the Easter break. It notes concerns from colleagues about the smooth operation of the new tenancy system for both landlords and tenants. The lack of progress and uncertainty about the future is destabilising and damaging for those living and working in the private-rented sector Ben Beadle, National Residential Landlords Association The government has previously said the abolition of Section 21 would not come in before reforms in the court system to ensure it was also a fair process for landlords. On Section 21, the letter states that an amendment will be brought forward requiring the Lord Chancellor to publish an assessment on barriers to possession and the readiness of the courts in advance of abolishing section 21 for existing tenancies. Tom Darling, RRC campaign manager, said the government was selling renters down the river with concessions that will prevent the vast majority of renters from seeing the end of Section 21 before the next election, as wed been promised. He added: The governments flagship legislation to help renters is fast becoming a landlords charter watch as landlord groups today declare victory now, having exacted a significant toll on this policy in exchange for their support. Only a watertight bill will curb the unfairness thats hardwired into Englands rigged renting system Polly Neate, Shelter The bill needs to come back to parliament as soon as possible and renters will be hoping to see significant changes to the bill in the House of Lords; otherwise this legislation will hardly be an improvement on the status quo, and in some cases it will make things worse. Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said the rumour, speculation and off-the-record briefings about the future of the bill has caused a huge amount of concern and uncertainty for tenants and responsible landlords. He added: The government has a mandate to end section 21 repossessions. Our focus has been on ensuring that the replacement system works, and is fair, to both tenants and responsible landlords. The changes being proposed would achieve this balance. Ministers now need to crack on to ensure the bill can proceed with the scrutiny it deserves. The lack of progress and uncertainty about the future is destabilising and damaging for those living and working in the private-rented sector. It is time to bring this to an end. The Liberal Democrats said the bill has been left in tatters and accused Mr Gove of caving in to Tory MPs. Housing spokesman Helen Morgan said: Michael Gove has caved in to Conservative MPs, meaning his partys manifesto promise to ban no-fault evictions has been left in tatters. This watered-down plan means the vast majority of renters still face being evicted from their homes through no fault of their own. The Liberal Democrats will keep fighting to stand up for a fair deal for renters who have been disastrously let down by this Conservative government. Labour MP Matthew Pennycook said the government had put the interests of party management ahead of what is right for the British people Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said it was cowardly that the government would rather betray renters than stand up to a minority of MPs hell-bent on browbeating them into watering down the bill. She said only a watertight bill will curb the unfairness thats hardwired into Englands rigged renting system. Labours shadow housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and housing secretary Michael Gove of having chosen once again to put the interests of party management ahead of what is right for the British people. Vowing Labour would immediately abolish section 21 no-fault evictions and deliver the security and rights that renters deserve, he said: After years of delay, private renters have every right to be furious at the watering down of the vital protections the Tories promised them. A government source said: This is a balanced package of measures that delivers our manifesto commitment to get rid of unfair no-fault evictions and will ensure a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. The bill will return to the House of Commons shortly and amendments will be scrutinised, debated and voted upon in the usual way. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Maryland governor Wes Moore gives an update after Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early on Tuesday, 26 March. Searches have resumed for six missing construction workers who are now presumed dead following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Tuesday. The rescue mission was called off on Tuesday night when Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said there was no hope of finding them alive due to the frigid water and the length of time since the accident. It has now shifted to a recovery mission. The bridge collapse occurred after a cargo-carrying vessel called the Dali crashed into a pillar of the bridge around half an hour after setting sail at approximately 1:30am EDT (5:30am GMT) on a 27-day journey to Sri Lanka. The container ship is thought to have lost propulsion as it left Baltimore port, with the crew warning Maryland officials they had lost control of the almost 300-metre-long vessel and that a collision was possible, ABC News reported. This warning call saved lives, the governor noted. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Four of the six construction workers presumed dead after a massive container ship collided with Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge have so far been identified. Hours after the cargo ship Dali slammed into the bridge around 1.30am ET on Tuesday, 26 March, causing its total collapse into the Patapsco River, family members named Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval as being among the workers who were on the bridge at the time disaster struck. Officials announced the following day that they had recovered two bodies found inside a submerged vehicle, identifying them as fellow construction workers Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera. The missing men were hard-working, humble men, according to a fellow employee of Brawner Builders, which had hired construction workers to refill potholes when the tragic incident occurred. By Tuesday evening, the missing workers were presumed dead. The company is in mourning and its a terrible, unanticipated tragedy, the companys executive vice president told the Baltimore Banner. After days of little success in finding the workers, the US Coast Guard said the search is shifting to a salvage recovery operation. Heres what we know about the victims of the Baltimore bridge collapse so far: Miguel Luna Miguel Luna was the first of six victims who went missing when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday to be named. Miguel Luna is one of the missing workers and has been presumed dead (Supplied) Luna is one of the men who is now presumed dead, his wife Maria del Carmen Castellon told NBC sister station Telemundo 44 in Spanish. After the bridge collapsed Ms Castellon said family members like her were able to get into the restricted zone while they desperately waited to hear news of their loved ones. They only tell us that we have to wait, that for now, they cant give us information, she said earlier in the day. [We feel] devastated, devastated because our heart is broken because we dont know if theyve rescued them yet. Were just waiting to hear any news. One relative of Lunas also told Sky News they were distraught as they waited to hear news, and that some family members were taken to a location in Baltimore by police, where they could be with families of the other missing people. His loved ones reportedly said he is from El Salvador and has children. Luna was also identified by the non-profit organisation Casa, which provides services around Baltimore and other areas to immigrant communities. Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home. He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years, Casa wrote in a statement. One of Lunas children, Marvin Luna, told The Washington Post that he knew his father was working on the Key Bridge overnight but did not know it collapsed until one of his friends called him up and said, The bridge is gone. Marvin then called his fathers phone, but there was no reply. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval Another of the workers missing and presumed dead since the bridge collapse in Baltimore has been named as Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, according to Martin Suazo, his brother. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval (Supplied) Martin, who lives in Honduras, told CNN that his family over in Baltimore called him to tell him that his brother was missing after the container ship crashed into the bridge. He is originally from Azacualpa in Honduras and had been living in the United States for more than 18 years. He was married and had an 18-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter. His brother told the outlet that Sandoval was an entrepreneur who had started his own maintenance company, venturing to the US in search of a better life, Martin told the outlet. In an interview with Honduran newspaper La Prensa, Martin said in Spanish, What were living is inexplicable. We wish it wasnt real. Were dismayed, especially the agony of not knowing when theyre going to find the body. My brother was a generous man, the brother told NPR. He gave a lot back to his community in Honduras, Martin said. While working in the US, Sandoval sent money back to Honduras enough to open up a hotel which provided jobs for his town, including his family. On top of this, Martin told the outlet that his brother helped those with disabilities, paid for neighbours medicine and doctors visits, and he even sponsored a youth soccer league. One of eight siblings, the construction worker was described by another one of his brothers, Carlos Suazo Sandoval, as a joyful person who had a vision. We still have faith until this moment, God grant the miracle, it would be beautiful, Carlos told CNN en Espanol on Wednesday. We still have hope, I know that time is our worst enemy. The Suazo family are now focusing on having Sandovals body found, and if they do, they plan to repatriate the body to Honduras, Carlos said. The Honduran Embassy told Martin Suazo that it would work with him to bring his brothers body back to the country for funeral arrangements. Both Sandoval and Luna were members of Casa, the organisation said in a statement: Our hearts break knowing that Miguel and Maynor were part of the six essential workers who were on the bridge when it came tumbling down...They had a dream of a better future for themselves and their families and made the brave decision to travel to this country for a brighter future. In a time when there is so much hatred against the immigrant community, we look to the story of Maynor and Miguel who built bridges to connect communities, not building walls to divide them. Today and always we honor them and their sacrifices, the group wrote. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes Two bodies have been recovered from the Patapsco River after the deadly collapse of the bridge, officials announced on Wednesday. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore was one of the men discovered by divers who spotted a submerged red pickup truck in around 25 feet of water. Fuentes, originally from Mexico, was a construction worker, found trapped inside the vehicle alongside Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera. The tragic announcement was made at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, held by personnel from the US Coast Guard, the Maryland Department of Transportation and state Governor Wes Moore. One of the victims was identified by a drivers license in his pocket, another by a fingerprint, Colonel Roland L Butler, superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police said. Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk, Maryland, also a construction worker, was found trapped inside the submerged pickup truck alongside Fuentes, officials confirmed. Pima Castillo, Cabreras sister-in-law told CNN that he had been working at Brawner Builders for at least three years and loved his job. Cabrera, from Guatemala, was not married and did not have any children, his sister-in-law said. The construction workers cousin, Marlon Castillo, also told CNN that Cabrera came to the US to follow his dream and help his mother. Unfortunately, he was in a place where no one imagined what was going to happen, Marlon Castillo told the outlet. Dorlian Cabrera (via Facebook) Hard-working, humble men Members of a construction crew, employed by contractor Brawner Builders, were refilling potholes when the incident occurred, officials said. Brawner Builders employee Jesus Campos told The Baltimore Banner that all of the victims were all hard-working, humble men. Those presumed deceased are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, authorities said. A search and rescue mission for all six missing construction workers was called off on Tuesday night by the Coast Guard after it said there was no hope of finding them alive (via REUTERS) Guatemalas Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously said that among the unaccounted-for workers were two Guatemalans in a statement. One person is believed to be a 26-year-old from San Luis, Peten and another a 35-year-old from Camotan, Chiquimula; the ministry did not release their names. The victims of the bridge collapse also include Mexican nationals, according to Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexicos Embassy in Washington, CNN said. However, Mr Laveaga did not specify how many of the missing people were from Mexico. The Mexican Embassy also posted on X saying that Mexican citizens were among the workers. Miguel Luna is a father of three (Supplied) Mr Campos told NBC that he had been working on the bridge only a month before this weeks tragic incident. It couldve been me, Mr Campos said. Around a month ago I was working on the bridge we had been moved to the day shift and they went at night. However, he believes that nothing could have been done to save the workers in time and evacuate them. It happened in the blink of an eye It couldnt be done, he added. Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, told the Baltimore Banner that the company is in mourning and its a terrible, unanticipated tragedy. The Coast Guard announced at 7.30pm on 26 March that the search had been paused, and would resume the next morning as a recovery effort with divers being used to search for bodies. Id like to announce tonight that based on the length of time that weve gone in this search, the extensive search efforts weve put into it, the water temperature, that at this point we do not believe that were going to find any of these individuals still alive, said Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath. Mr Butler said on Wednesday evening that agencies were transitioning from a recovery mode to salvage recovery operation. In the day since the tragedy, the community has shown an outpouring of support for the loved ones of the workers. Fundraisers to support the victims families have so far raised more than $200,000. A GoFundMe page, organised by the volunteer group Latino Racial Justice Circle, explained that the cash would be distributed directly to the families of the victims of the bridge collapse. The organisers paused their fundraiser to start giving the $98,000 in funds to the victims. On 4pm on 27 March, the Baltimore City Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs set up another fundraiser, which has collected contributions from 1,529 donations totalling more than $114,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden announced he would be visiting Baltimore next week and his administration approved $60m in emergency aid after the Dali container ship collided with the citys Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to dramatically collapse and propelling members of a construction crew into the cold water below. The cause of the 26 March collision is still unknown. As the investigation is still underway, the mission has shifted from one of recovery to one of clearing the waters. This work will not take hours. This work will not take days. This work will not just take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us. We understand that. And were prepared, Maryland Gov Wes Moore said at a Thursday evening press conference. He praised the Biden-Harris administrations release of funds, as the president administration has promised to use federal funds to rebuild the bridge. While the state works to quickly restore the Baltimore port, the community mourns as six members of a construction crew, who were refilling potholes and fell into the Patapsco River when the Dali slammed into the bridge, havent been found. After a 17-hour search for the missing men on the day of the incident, the Coast Guard suspended search operations, presuming that the six unaccounted-for workers were dead at that point. The search team found two bodies in a submerged red pickup truck the following morning. So far, four of the six missing men have been publicly identified. Heres what we know about the Baltimore bridge collapse: The collision At around 1.30am ET local time, the Singapore-flagged vessel Dali struck a column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading multiple parts of the 1.6-mile-long bridge to tumble into the water. Just moments before the collision, the ships crew issued a mayday call. Maryland Gov Wes Moore added that the call undoubtedly saved lives, giving time for authorities to stop cars from continuing on the bridge. The crew warned the Maryland Department of Transportation that a collision with the bridge was possible, the report said. The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse. Its still unclear what caused the accident. But the ship was just 30 minutes into its 27-day journey to Sri Lanka. Marcel Muise, the chief investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said data from the shipping containers voyage data recorder, sometimes referred to as a black box, was still being analysed. Mr Muise said that around 1.27am on Tuesday, one of the two pilots of the Dali had made radio contact regarding a blackout and ordered for the port anchor to be dropped as well as issuing additional steering commands. Several seconds later the pilot issued another radio call over the radio reporting that the Dali had lost all power and was approaching the bridge, Mr Muise said. Transportation authorities say the water under the bridge is around 50 feet deep. At least six people are still missing as the search continues (PA) There was no indication that the crash was intentional, officials said. Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that it appeared there were some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge, creating unsafe and unstable conditions, and that emergency responders had to operate cautiously. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, said that over 750 tonnes of hazardous materials had been onboard the Dali container ship when the crash occurred. An NTSB hazmat investigator was able to identify 56 containers of hazardous materials, a total of 764 tonnes of hazardous materials, Ms Homendy told a press conference on 27 March. The materials were mostly corrosives, flammables, and some miscellaneous hazardous materials, she added. Some of the hazmat containers were breached, though state authorities have been made aware. The missing men Eight people were initially believed to be in the water after the container ship collided with the bridge four of whom are still missing. Two survivors were pulled from the water on the day of the collision. One has been taken to a trauma unit and is in serious condition, while the other was uninjured. Mr Cartwright said the city was dealing with a developing mass casualty incident. A multi-agency rescue ensued, in search of the six missing people, with dive team members going into the river to try and locate them. The Coast Guard also deployed small boats and helicopters to help in the search. The collapse has been described as catastrophic (via REUTERS) After almost a full day of searching for the six, the Coast Guard announced at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening that the search was suspended and would transform into a recovery effort the next morning. Id like to announce tonight that based on the length of time that weve gone in this search, the extensive search efforts weve put into it, the water temperature, that at this point we do not believe that were going to find any of these individuals still alive, said Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath. Officials revealed that the missing six were members of a construction crew employed by Brawner Builders hired to refill potholes. Brawner Builders employee Jesus Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the still unaccounted-for individuals are all men in their 30s and 40s. They are all hard-working, humble men, Mr Campos told the outlet. Two of the men Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval were named by family members as being among the workers on the bridge who went missing after the structure collapsed into the river below. Both men were married and had children. Luna was from El Salvador and Sandoval was from Honduras; they had both been living in the US for nearly two decades. Their bodies have not yet been recovered. Col Roland Butler Jr of Maryland State Police said at a 27 March evening press conference that agencies made a tragic finding just before 10am that morning: a red pickup truck submerged in 20 feet of water with two victims trapped inside. They were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26. Fuentes was from Mexico while Cabrera was from Guatemala. An unthinkable tragedy The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is an unthinkable tragedy, Baltimore city mayor Brandon Scott said. We have to be thinking about the families and people impacted, folks who we have to try to find. This is what our focus should be on right now, were going to continue to work in partnership with every part of government to do everything we can to get us through the other side of this tragedy, he said. It is unclear what caused the collapse (Sky News) Maryland Gov Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in his state hours after the bridges collapse. On 27 March, the governor announced that the flags would be flown at half-staff. Later that day at a press conference, he said, The collapse of the Key bridge is not just a Maryland crisis. The collapse of the Key Bridge is a global crisis. The national economy and the global economy depends on the Port of Baltimore. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the White House called it a horrific incident. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave condolences on behalf of the White House at a press conference: Our hearts go out to the families of the six individuals still missing. Mr Biden told reporters on Friday, 29 March that he plans to visit Baltimore next week. How did the crash occur? The cause of the collision is still being investigated, but evidence suggests the vessel lost power just before it crashed into the bridge. The NTSB recovered the voyage data recorder (VDR), or black box, which provided a minute-by-minute timeline of the lead-up to the crash. The data was made public on 27 March, showing that the Dali departed from Baltimores Seagirt Marine Terminal at 12.39am on Tuesday 26 March. By 1.24am, the ships bridge audio recorded numerous alarms. Around the same time, the VDR stopped recording the vessels system data, but it was able to continue taping audio from an alternative power source. The VDR resumed recording the system data and captured steering commands and orders about its rudder. Seconds later, the ships pilot issued a radio call to tugboats close by asking for assistance for the stricken vessel. The pilot association dispatcher then called the MDTA duty officer about a blackout, NTSB said. A minute later, the pilot ordered the Dali to drop the port anchor and issued another high-frequency radio call, reporting that the ship had lost all power and was approaching the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A transit authority duty officer alerted two units one on each side of the bridge who were already on the scene and ordered them to stop traffic, shutting down all lanes. Two minutes after the warning call was made, at 1.29am, the VDR recorded 33 seconds of sound consistent with the vessel colliding into the bridge, the NTSB wrote. The Dali was moving at just under 8 miles per hour. The pilot then radioed the US Coast Guard to report the bridge had come down. The 300-metre-long vessel was embarking on a journey to Sri Lanka and was only 30 minutes in when it collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge (Getty Images) While deeper analysis of the black box data has yet to come out, some experts have also questioned whether the structural integrity of the bridge itself was strong enough. Julian Carter, a structural and civil engineering expert, earlier told Sky News that the structures of the bridge were very weak at certain points. Fire officials said earlier that they do not have any information as to whether there was a problem with the 300-metre-long ship, and have not spoken to the pilot of the vessel yet. Chief Wallace added that he could not confirm if there had been a fuel leakage from the cargo ship. We hope as the sun comes up, we will get a much better picture if we do have a fuel spill and what the impact has been so far, he said. Gov Moore said on 27 March that its still unclear what caused the ships power to go out. There needs to be accountability to make sure these things do not happen again and that we have a system in place to make sure they dont, he said at a press conference. Recovery efforts State officials announced they have suspended recovery operations, due to safety concerns for divers and an inability to reach vehicles. Gov Moore announced on Thursday that the operation to clear debris was set to begin after the Biden-Harris administration approved the governors request for $60m to fund the relief effort. The governor noted that the initial funds will serve as a down payment toward initial costs, and additional Emergency Relief program funding will be made available as work continues. Although Mr Moore did not provide an exact timeline for how long the process will take, he warned, This work will not take hours. This work will not take days. This work will not just take weeks. We have a very long road ahead of us. We understand that. And were prepared. At a Friday press conference, Gov Moore labelled the incident a human tragedy, adding, We need to continue to focus on recovery because we need to give a sense of closure to these families. The recovery efforts were paused as the conditions were deemed unsafe for divers until the wreckage was cleared, the governor said. On Saturday, authorities said that rescue divers remained on standby and would return to the waters as soon as conditions improve. Governor Moore told reporters: Right now, the conditions make it unsafe for rescue divers. But as soon as those conditions change, Colonel [Roland] Butler has assured me that those rescue divers will be going right back in the water. Four massive cranes are coming in to help lift the wreckage. Two have arrived, one arrives tonight and the fourth is arriving on Monday, Mr Moore said. A crane works on clearing debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge (Getty Images) One of the cranes the Chesapeake 1000 is capable of lifting 1000 tonnes but the Key Bridge weighs somewhere between three and four times that, so the bridge needs to be cut into sections, he explained. The first crane lift of debris was scheduled to take place on Saturday. At a press conference, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said: This is a step in that process, much like when you run a marathon, youve got to take the first few steps. Were taking those few first few steps, and will continue to get the resources in that will propel us to the finish line, but were working to get there as fast as we can. Were going to open it as soon as possible and were gonna continue to do it safely. The container vessel Dali All members of the crew were accounted for after the crash. The Dalis 22-member crew and its two pilots were all safe, Synergy Marine Group said in a statement. One crew member sustained minor injuries and has since been treated and discharged from the hospital. The injured crew member returned to the vessel on 27 March, the company said. Interviews conducted by the NTSB with the two pilots of the Dali container ship are scheduled for Thursday, 28 March. Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair, said that an interview with the ships captain had taken place on 27 March, along with the mate, chief engineer and one of the other engineers. She added that the container ship currently has power, but is stationary. They are not sitting in the dark, but it cannot move, she said. Reports claim that the crew lost propulsion of the Dali after it left the Baltimore Port (REUTERS) The boats length overall (LOA) is 299.92 metres and its width is 48.2 metres. The Dali had just set sail and had only travelled just over four miles from the Seagirt Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore before it collided with the west side of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to VesselFinder. It was about to embark on a 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is roughly 10,220 miles, although it only managed to complete a fraction of its journey about 30 minutes before it crashed. While the vessel had a fairly good safety record, Mr Buttigieg noted, the Dali had reportedly been involved in another incident back in 2016, port authorities told CNN. The same ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge was also involved in an incident at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, the outlet reported. According to Vessel Finder, the Dali reportedly collided with the side of the stone wall quay as it was leaving the port, and consequently damaged the stern and transom of the vessel. The incident was reportedly blamed on a mistake by the ships master and pilot onboard and there were no injuries. Separately, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said that the Dali had passed previous foreign port state inspections, according to a 27 March statement. While the vessel passed two separate foreign port inspections in June and September 2023, the agency noted that during June, the ship suffered from a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure, which was rectified before the vessel departed the port. In June 2023, a port in Chile reported an issue with the fuel heaters pressure gauges before it was fixed before departing, the Associated Press reported. The Independent has asked the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to clarify at which foreign ports the inspections took place. The Francis Scott Key Bridge Before the Francis Scott Key Bridge catastrophically plummeted into the Patapsco River, the structure had stood for 47 years in its completion as the final link in the I-695 (the Baltimore Beltway). The bridge got its name from Francis Scott Key, the man who penned the US national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner, who also happens to be a distant cousin and the namesake of the writer F Scott Fitzgerald. The Maryland native was thought to be close to where the bridge was eventually erected when he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, inspiring him to write the words to the anthem, the Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on its website. The Francis Scott Key Bridge was completed in 1977 and carried 11.3 million vehicles a year (AP) It took five years to complete the bridge, between 1972 and 1977 and carried some 11.3 million vehicles a year before it fell into the river on Tuesday. The four-lane steel bridge spanned 1.6 miles across the river and had 185 feet of vertical clearance. The bridge leads up to the Port of Baltimore, which is the USs busiest port for car shipments, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration, Reuters reports, as well as being the largest US port by volume for handling heavy farm and construction machinery. NTSB Chair Homendy said that the bridge was fracture critical but had been in satisfactory condition prior to the crash. The last inspection of the bridge occurred in May 2023. The structure receives over 30,700 vehicles crossing it each day, Ms Homendy said. The bridge is fracture critical. What that means is if a member fails, that would likely cause a portion of or the entire bridge to collapse, Ms Homendy told a press conference on 27 March. The preferred method for building bridges today is that there is redundancy built in whether thats transmitting loads to another member or some sort of structural redundancy. This bridge did not have redundancy. There are 17,468 fracture critical bridges in the United States out of around 615,000 bridges total, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). This bridge was in satisfactory condition, Ms Homendy added. The last fractional fracture critical inspection was in May 2023. We have not been able to go through that inspection and all the documents that but that will occur after we leave the on-scene portion [of the investigation]. Earlier on Wednesday US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that while the bridge took five years to build, that does not necessarily mean it will take five years to replace. Implications for global trade In a speech on Tuesday afternoon, President Joe Biden vowed to use federal funds to rebuild the bridge and promised to move heaven and earth to reopen the bridge as soon as humanly possible, emphasising the critical role that the bridge and the port play for daily travel, trade and the economy. Mr Buttigieg reiterated this sentiment at a press conference on Wednesday, saying Mr Biden has urged the federal government to tear down any barriers, bureaucratic as well as financial that could affect the timeline of this project. Mr Biden said that more than 30,000 vehicles cross every day. He called it one of the most important elements of the economy and quality of life in the Northeast corridor. Not to mention that 850,000 vehicles go through the port every year. The port is shut down indefinitely after the bridges catastrophic collapse. Experts have warned that there could be long-term impacts on global trade and insurance premiums as a result of the bridges collapse. Andrew Tettenborn, Professor of Commercial Law at Swansea University, said there could be a short-term impact on global trade in the coal industry, but added that the US are good at diverting coal exports. A lot of the trade will be picked up elsewhere, he said. When asked about the indefinite blocking of the port, he said: Even if it is blocked for a time, I wouldnt think it would have an enormous effect. But the port and its affiliated workers are already feeling the effects. Roughly a dozen cargo ships were believed to be stuck inside the port and another 30 small cargo ships, tug boats and pleasure craft were also in the port, while about 40 heading for Baltimore were forced to divert The president added that 15,000 jobs depend on that port, on top of the 140,000 jobs linked to port activities, Marylands governor noted last month. A day after the incident, Mr Buttigieg said a main area of concern was the livelihoods of port workers, estimating that thousands of jobs could be affected by the incident. Gov Moore also noted that last year the port handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo worth more than $80bn in value. It ranked ninth in the nations ports in foreign cargo handled, and first for volume of autos and light trucks, the statement said. The Port of Baltimore ranked as the 17th top US port in 2023, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. As Mr Biden alluded, the port is a hub for travel. The governor wrote that over 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore in 2023 alone. There is no question that this will be a major and protracted impact to supply chains, the transportation secretary said in the aftermath of the disaster. The port already took a hit hours after the incident. Maersk, which chartered the Dali vessel, said it would be omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area, in a 26 March morning statement. Gov Moore emphasised the impact of the collision: The collapse of the Key bridge is not just a Maryland crisis. The collapse of the Key bridge is a global crisis. The national economy and the global economy depends on the Port of Baltimore. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Dali set out from the Port of Baltimore around 1am on Tuesday, a local pilot manoeuvering the container ship towards open waters after two days in the harbour in preparation for its next sail to Sri Lanka. The 948-foot vessel edged closer to Francis Scott Key Bridge and its four lanes of I-695 over the Patapsco River; early-morning traffic was relatively light as construction crews fixed potholes on the major thoroughfare thats served the region since 1977. The bridge was in fair condition, according to May 2023 inspection records from the National Bridge Inventory; the construction was essentially cosmetic and the workers, presumably, immersed in routine. Then the lights of the Dali went off, on, and off again; it wasnt long before the ship issued a mayday call and officers rushed to stop additional traffic from crossing Key bridge. The Dali, having lost propulsion and power, crashed into a bridge support buttress just before 1.30am; less than a minute later, the majority of the structure vanished beneath the surface of the Pataspco. Moment bridge in Baltimore collapses after ship collision The collapse sounded like a crash to nearby residents; others thought it was an earthquake. But as speechless locals surveyed a scene now devoid of its landmark bridge, authorities launched a frantic recovery effort to save construction workers and motorists whod been caught up in the accident. And everyone began asking questions about how this could have happened. Why did the bridge collapse? It was a time and place: Everything that could have went wrong did go wrong, and the place, unfortunately, was right by the bridge, Kevin Calnan, a marine transportation professor at Cal Maritime, tells The Independent. As far as engine failures and situations like this, it is rare. And then its exceptionally more rare for this to be in a port area. (AP) Despite the rarity of such an event, however, contributing factors may have been at play from both the bridge engineering and shipping sides, according to experts. Construction began on Key Bridge in 1972 and continued after its 1977 opening, but the size of particularly container ships has changed drastically in the intervening decades. Calling the incident a true tragedy, Jerome Hajjar professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University said the collapse could have resulted from a mismatch between the size of the load on the Dali and the expected loads at the time of the bridge design. The bridge supports would most likely have been designed to be able to withstand some amount of sideways or lateral load like this, he told Northeastern Global News . And therefore I would also assume that this load was significantly higher than typical design loads. Older bridges like this one, then, may not have sufficient pier protection cells to act as buffers, essentially stopping any colliding forces from directly making impact with support structures, which are not built to withstand such tonnage, experts say. Regardless of what type of bridge you have, if a cargo ship hits one of the supports, and if the bridge is a multi-span, if one of the supports are gone, that bridge is going to collapse, Atorod Azizinamini, professor of civil engineering at Florida International University, tells The Independent. Should a bridge be able to withstand that type of impact? When we design a bridge, there is a very specific requirement that you have to protect the supports of the bridge against the ship colliding [with] supports, says Azizinamini, who is also director of FIUs Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center. So youve got to remember that the cargo ships the impact force could be in the millions of pounds. So theres very specific requirements you have protection cells or you build some massive structures around the bridge so that the ship doesnt hit the support of the bridge but hits those protection cells or the massive structure. (AP) From what I have seen, it seems like those protection cells that were around the support were minimal, Azizinamini says. It doesnt appear to be up to current codes. But its very early to say. Will this change how bridges are built and maintained? A multitude of agencies were investigating on Tuesday, with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttiegieg, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt and the NTSB on site offering federal support and assistance, the FHWA told The Independent in a statement. Azizinamini, for his part, theorizes that the NTSB report may prompt the issue of some policy changes that maybe re-evaluate the protection structure that you have around the piers, make sure thats up to date, and if you dont have it, go ahead and build it. Many of these bridges have been built many years ago, before the current standards were in place so they may expedite that process, he says. Should the ships crew be held responsible? While Azizinamini and his engineering cohort assess the collapse from a structural standpoint, the maritime community is focusing on the container ship. This morning, since Im a professional mariner, my mind immediately went to: What happened on the ship? versus How can we build bridges better? because one of our rules is: Dont hit things with your ship a very, very simple rule, Cal Maritimes Calnan tells The Independent. So my mind kind of immediately went to, Well, what happened on board? I want the details of the engine failure, were there any deficiencies in any of the engineering equipment that were noted before the ship even left? What happened once it did get underway? Has the ship Dali ever had other issues? Tuesdays incident wasnt Dalis first collision. The ship previously collided with a platform, known as a quay, while leaving the Port of Antwerp in Belgium in July 2016, according to VesselFinder. That caused significant damage to its hull, and it was docked for repairs before returning to duty. On top of that, Dali was cited by Chilean port officials last June for a deficiency in the category of propulsion and auxiliary machinery, with thermometers, gauges, etc then listed, according to the Electronic Quality Shipping Information System (Equasis). Dali was reinspected in September by the Coast Guard in New York, however, with no problems listed. The shipping giant Maersk had chartered the vessel, which was carrying Maersk cargo and was being operated by Synergy Marine Group. We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected, Maersk said in a statement. Calnan noted that the ships crew made the mayday call, adding that the loss of power clearly wasnt something they anticipated happening; Marylands governor highlighted the importance of that emergency call and the subsequent scramble of authorities to prevent more people from crossing the bridge. These people are heroes, Gov. Wes Moore said in a Tuesday morning news conference. They saved lives last night. What does this mean in terms of future shipping safety? Two construction workers survived, while authorities continued to search Tuesday for other victims in the water. It remained unclear how many vehicles had been on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Calnan, for his part, said theres been a noticeable and impressive shift in the shipping safety culture in recent years and awaits the results of the NTSB report to find out what happened here. Despite the tragic loss of life, he says, a disaster such as this leads to legislators and the procedural operation of these vessels it kind of makes all of us stand back and say: All right, well, this happened, we know this, what can we do to avoid this? This is a culture that weve been doing for years and years and years in the maritime industry, in aviation, as well: Learn from mistakes. This is quite unfortunate that it happened, but as far as increasing safety in the future, it wont be in vain. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch a live view of the wreck of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, after Tuesdays cargo ship collision. The search for six missing men, all construction workers who fell into the Patapsco River following the collapse of the structure, has been called off. Coast Guard rear admiral Shannon Gilreath said there was no hope of finding the missing men alive due to the frigid water and the length of time elapsed since the accident. The collapse occurred after a vessel collided with the bridge around 1:30am on Tuesday. Two people were rescued from the water in the hours after the incident, with one in critical condition and the other rejecting medical attention. Officials said eight men were originally unaccounted for. They are now transitioning from search and rescue operation to a recovery operation. Coast guards not going away, none of our partners are going away, but were just going to transition into a different phase, Gilreath told reporters. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A construction worker from Baltimore has revealed how he narrowly escaped the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse thanks to a last-minute change in his work shift. Moises Diaz, a 45-year-old worker at Brawny Builders, told the New York Post that he should have been working on the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday morning but asked to switch his shift. If I didnt ask to switch, I would have been in the water right now, Mr Diaz said through a translator. Its tragic, Mr Diaz continued. Im really appreciative that I wasnt on the bridge. I give thanks to God. Mr Diazs colleagues werent so lucky. Six construction workers from Brawny Builders were filling in potholes on the bridge when the huge Dali container vessel crashed into the structure. So far, two victims bodies have been recovered from the water while the other four are also presumed dead. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk were found inside a submerged truck on Wednesday morning, more than 24 hours into the search. Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval were also named by family members as being among the victims. Two people had been rescued from the river shortly after the gigantic structure collapsed, one of whom is in a serious condition while the other appeared uninjured. Four victims have so far been identified with two bodies recovered from the river (via Facebook) Mr Diaz recalled the moment he learned of the tragedy. When I found out about it, I got a notification. I remembered, Oh my coworkers are on that bridge working. What happened to them? he said. Mr Diaz said that he saw his colleagues as family having built strong relationships with each other while spending long shifts working in tunnels and bridges all across the Baltimore area. We are all basically a family. We work 8-10 hour shifts and are all close to one another, he said. The six victims were carrying out repair work on the broad when a huge cargo ship crashed into it on Tuesday morning (AP) Two bodies have so far been recovered from the river, submerged in the water (AFP via Getty Images) They were good citizens, he added. They were good workers, hard-working. They were good family members, husbands and dads. Mr Diaz said he has been in touch with the brother-in-law of Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval since the accident. Theyre worried, he said of the family. They at least want to know that the bodies are in the water. All the families are hoping that they at least find the bodies of them. The US Coast Guard has said that the rescue mission has now moved to a recovery operation, with no hope of finding the victims alive. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Six people were injured in a reported knife fight at a New York City school on Wednesday afternoon. The incident at New Dawn Charter High School II in Jamaica, Queens, happened at around 12.43pm, according to officials. New York City Police Department told The Independent that officers were called out to the charter school, following reports of an assault in progress. When they arrived, they found five students and a security guard with knife injuries. Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the other three refused treatment, the department said. The NYPD spokesperson said that five of the six injured individuals have been taken into custody, with the investigation still underway. The spokesperson could not confirm reports that a knife had been recovered from the scene. The Queens incident comes after another stabbing in the borough at the beginning of February, which left two students injured. In September, it was revealed that crime had risen by around 16 per cent across NYC schools over the previous year. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 15-year-old girl died saving her sister and friend, a veteran mailman was stabbed to death on the street he had served for years, and a young man and his mother were stabbed to death in their home all in one horrific 20-minute killing spree, allegedly by one man, in Rockford, Illinois on Wednesday. Christian Soto, 22, is now facing multiple charges including four of first degree murder. A warning that some readers may find details in this story distressing. According to charging documents which outline Mr Sotos initial interview with police, the attack began at the home of a friend, who he was smoking marijuana with. Mr Soto reportedly told officers that the weed had been laced with some kind of unknown narcotic, which made him paranoid. He then went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and began stabbing his friend, a 23-year-old man, and his friends mother, who was 63, documents allege. Christian Soto is accused of multiple counts of murder (Rockford Police) As he fled the property, Mr Soto reportedly attacked a postal worker with a knife and his pickup truck, before beating a 15-year-old girl, Jenna Newcomb, to death in her bedroom while her sister and friend were hit too. Jennas mom wants the community to know that Jenna died saving her sister and her friend and protecting them from further harm, Mayor Tom McNamara said on Thursday. Mr Soto is then accused of heading to two other homes, first attacking a mother and her two children before stabbing and wounding a woman at another address. She fled, and he allegedly followed and stabbed her in the street. A Good Samaritan intervened and was injured before police arrived and arrested the suspect. The timeline for the attack was laid out at the briefing on Thursday morning by State Attorney J. Hanley. Jacob and Romona Schupbach Mr Soto reportedly told officers that the incident began after he smoked marijuana with his friend Jacob Schupbach at an address on Holmes Street, but said the drug was laced with some sort of narcotic. Emergency services at the scene of one of the attacks (AP) He then became paranoid, he said, and went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife, before stabbing his friend, who was 23, and his mother Romona Schupbach, 63. At one point, Jacob ran outside, followed by Mr Soto who was reportedly seen by a neighbour hitting or stabbing the victim with an unknown black object. Jacob then ran back inside, while the suspect fled the scene. When police arrived at the home, they found the mother and son dead. Later, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said that it was believed Mr Soto had known Jacob since they were young and that they had grown up in the same neighbourhood. Veteran mailman Jay Larson Mr Soto then apparently told officers that as he fled the scene of the first attack, he recalled taking out the mailman. United States Postal Service worker Jay Larson was stabbed multiple times on nearby Winnetka Drive. A witness saw the mailman being attacked out of his window. He said he opened his front door to hear the mailman yelling for him to call the police, Mr Hanley told reporters. Mr Soto reportedly then began to walk towards the witness home, so he closed the door and dialed 911. He watched the subject walk back to a black pickup truck nearby and retrieve a knife from the vehicle. He described the knife as being distinctive due to it having an orange handle, Mr Hanley said. After allegedly stabbing Mr Larson, Mr Soto got back into his car and ran the postal worker over, twice. The 49-year-old later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Ruth Mendoza, from the US Postal Inspection Service in Chicago, said Mr Larson had been with the USPS for over two decades. This tragedy while Jay was doing his job, like many of us were at that exact time, Ms Mendoza said. Jay was doing what he loved: serving his community, delivering mail to customers that he has served for 25 years. The USPS will be carrying out its own investigation and federal charges may follow because of Mr Larsons job. Jenna Newcomb was watching a movie with her friend Juvenile victims of Illinois knifeman had been watching a movie at home when attacked After this, Mr Soto is said to have broken into a home on Cleveland Avenue. One of three teenage girls in the house at the time, named SDN in charging documents, heard the break-in and managed to get down to the basement where her sister Jenna Newcomb, 15, and her friend, referred to as KIA, were watching a movie on a laptop. Mr Soto allegedly then came downstairs into Jennas bedroom, covered in blood, and holding her softball bat. He called them b*****s and asked where the gun was, Mr Hanley said, becoming visibly emotional. The girls ran to the corner of the bedroom and he started swinging the bat, striking all of the victims. KIA curled up in the foetal position while Jenna was struck a few times and collapsed, the States Attorney said, with the suspect then running out saying he was going to find a gun. KIA then managed to get outside and flag down first responders, but it was too late for Jenna. When he was arrested, Mr Soto reportedly said he recalled attacking the girls. Mother and children attacked Next, Mr Hanley said, Mr Soto broke into another home on Cleveland Avenue. As a woman opened her door to put her dog outside, the suspect forced his way in and stabbed her in the face, before attacking her two children. All three survived but needed treatment in hospital. Mother, children, survived Illinois stabbing rampage thanks to dog and son Woman flees and Good Samaritan intervenes Mr Soto reportedly then ran to another home on Florence Street and Eggleston Road, attacking a woman who fled into the street. The suspect chased after her, stabbing her multiple times before a passing driver, referred to as a Good Samaritan, stopped and tried to intervene. Mr Soto allegedly stabbed him, too, before trying to take the mans vehicle. It was at this point the police arrived and arrested the suspect. Officials said the woman was in a stable condition in hospital. Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of one of the attacks (AP) Christian Soto is facing four first degree murder charges, as well as multiple attempted murder charges and two home invasion charges. Despite Mr Sotos statements, the State Attorney said that the suspect was presumed innocent unless or until he is found guilty by a jury or court of law. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A brutal stabbing attack swept through an Illinois neighbourhood on 27 March, leaving four people dead and seven injured. What started as an attack in one home in the early afternoon spilt onto the streets of Rockford, with a mail carrier ending up as one of the fatalities. Now a 22-year-old man is in custody facing multiple murder and intent to kill charges as a community struggles to come to terms with what happened. Here is everything we know so far. What happened in Rockford? Police tape surrounds many homes as police investigate a mass stabbing along the 2300 block of Holmes Street on March 27, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois (AP) 911 calls started coming into Rockford Police Department at around 1.14pm local time on Wednesday 27 March. First, suspect Christian Soto, 22, allegedly stabbed his friend Jacob Schupbach at an address on Holmes Street, after smoking marijuana laced with some form of narcotic. He also attacked Mr Schupbachs mother, Ramona, who was 63. Both were found dead inside the home. Mr Soto then fled the scene, attacking mailman Jay Larson, 49, with a knife and his pickup truck. The veteran USPS worker later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. After this, three teenage girls were attacked with a softball bat inside a home on Cleveland Avenue, with 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb dying in her basement bedroom. At another house, a woman and her two children were attacked before another woman was assaulted inside a home at the intersection of Florence Street and Eggleston Road. She fled the property, with Mr Soto allegedly following and stabbing her in the street before a passing driver stopped to help. He was then attacked before police arrived and arrested the suspect. The woman was in a stable condition in hospital. Who were the victims in Rockford? (AP) The victims killed were: Jacob Schupbach, 23 Ramona Schubach, 63 Jay Larson, 49 Jenne Newcomb, 15 You can read more about them here. Who is the alleged attacker? Christian Soto, 22, charged with 11 counts of murder/intent to kill and two counts of home invasion (Rockford) Police initially said they had arrested a 22-year-old male suspect, but gave no further details. On Thursday morning, it was confirmed that Christian Soto, 22, had been charged with 11 counts of murder/intent to kill and two counts of home invasion. He appeared in court on Thursday afternoon, with the judge detaining him in Winnebago County Jail until his next hearing at 11am on 2 April. What have Rockford officials said? Stabbing spree in Rockford: Suspect in custody after 4 killed, 5 injured At a briefing on Thursday morning, Rockfords Mayor Tom McNamara became emotional as he gave a message from Jenna Newcombs mother. Jennas mom wants the community to know that Jenna died saving her sister and her friend and protecting them from further harm, the Mayor said. Later, he was asked what stood out to him as the worst part of the attack. Its spring break, you had three girls watching a movie I cant even comprehend that, he said, getting choked up. US State Attorney J. Hanley advised that further charges may come for Mr Soto as the investigation continues. Ruth Mendoza, from the US Postal Inspection Service in Chicago, said the mailman, Jay Larson had been with the USPS for over two decades. This tragedy happened while Jay was doing his job, like many of us were at that exact time, Ms Mendoza said. Jay was doing what he loved: serving his community, delivering mail to customers that he has served for 25 years. Counsellors overwhelmed by need Mayor McNamara told reporters that counselling was being offered for those in Rockford affected by Wednesdays events. The service was being offered free of charge at Flinn Middle School, 2525 Ohio Parkway, on Thursday 28 March between 9am and 8pm, and on Friday 29 March between 9am and 5pm. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sam Bankman-Fried, the former billionaire entrepreneur who founded the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency company FTX, will appear in a Manhattan federal court today to be sentenced on a slew of fraud and conspiracy charges. Just four months ago, a jury determined that Bankman-Fried, 32, had lied to FTX investors, lenders and customers and used their money to build himself up as the King of Crypto. He was convicted on a total of seven charges: two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. On Thursday, Bankman-Fried will return to court where District Judge Lewis Kaplan will hand down a sentence of up to 110 years in prison, Federal prosecutors have asked Judge Kaplan to sentence him to between 40 and 50 years. Bankman-Frieds lawyers meanwhile have pushed back on that, saying no more than 6.5 years is appropriate given he is a non-violent first offender. Judge Kaplan will weigh each sides opinion as well as any supplemental letters or statements from victims of Bankman-Frieds crimes or from people who know Bankman-Fried personally. Other factors such as the likelihood Bankman-Fried would reoffend, his current health and mental wellness as well as his age will come into play. Less than two years ago, Bankman-Fried was on top of the cryptocurrency world as the young but inspiring leader of FTX, the crypto exchange and hedge fund with more than one million users including a slew of famous faces. At its peak, FTX was worth $32bn. But everything came tumbling down, essentially overnight, in November 2022 after a concerning report by CoinDesk revealed that a majority of FTXs assets were held by a quantitive trading company that Bankman-Fried also ran called Alameda Research. The report led to a massive rush of customers looking to withdraw their funds from FTX, causing another problem: an $8bn hole in the company. Bankman-Frieds personal wealth, which he often touted as being used for altruistic matters, sharply fell and he was soon arrested. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is questioned by prosecutor Danielle Sassoon (not seen) during his fraud trial over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange at federal court in New York City, U.S., October 31, 2023 in this courtroom sketch (REUTERS) Throughout his trial last year, federal prosecutors provided a jury with a mountain of evidence that revealed that, behind-the-scenes, Bankman-Fried had bad intentions in purposefully swindling investors, customers and lenders to grow FTX and his wealth. Former executives attested to the horrible mismanagement of the company and testified that Bankman-Fried hatched plans to lie to investors and customers. Meanwhile, Bankman-Frieds lawyers set out to make the former crypto head appear unintentionally misguided in managing the company. Following the jurys decision in November, Bankman-Fried appealed the decision. The appeal is still ongoing. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sam Bankman-Fried was once hailed as the boy wonder of the crypto industry an altruistic self-made billionaire who hung out with presidents and pop stars and had the ear of lawmakers from both parties in Washington DC. Nearly one year after his cryptocurrency empire FTX imploded, the 32-year-old was found guilty of committing one of the largest corporate frauds in US history, following a trial in New York. Then, District Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison and ordered him to forfeit $11.2bn on 28 March 2024. Prosecutors argued that Bankman-Fried siphoned billions of dollars from FTX customers to prop up his ailing hedge fund Alameda Research, while funding a luxurious life in the Bahamas. They outlined to the jury how he sought to gain political influence by making $100m in political donations prior to the 2020 presidential election to ensure light-touch regulations of the crypto industry. In December, Bankman-Fried was arrested at his $40m apartment complex in Nassau and indicted on fraud, money laundering, and campaign finance charges. He was extradited back to the US, and placed under house arrest at his parents Palo Alto home on a $250m bail. His bail was revoked in August when a judge ruled that he had harassed his former girlfriend and fellow FTX executive Caroline Ellison, who testified against him during his trial. Bankman-Fried was held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while awaiting trial. Now, Mr Kaplan says he will issue recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons that Bankman-Fried to serve his sentence in San Francisco, where he can be close to his family, receive medical care and avoid becoming a potential target for violence as he begins his 25-year sentence. Who is Sam Bankman-Fried? Bankman-Fried was born and raised in the Bay Area in California, where both of his parents are law professors at Stanford Law School. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a physics degree before taking a job at Jane Street Capital and, as an adherent to effective altruism, began donating half of his income to charity. At his sentencing hearing, the judge noted Bankman-Frieds privileged upbringing. Ive considered the guidelines and the 3553 factors, Mr Kaplan said moments before he unveiled his sentence. Much of what was said about the defendants background is undisputed. He was privileged, had loving and devoted parents, he had every advantage they could confer on him, he went to MIT. When not lying, he was evasive, hair-splitting, trying to get the prosecutors to rephrase questions for him, Mr Kaplan continued. Ive been doing this job for close to 30 years. Ive never seen a performance like that. Bankman-Fried first rose to prominence after founding cryptocurrency trading firm Alameda Research in 2017 at the age of 25. Sam Bankman-Fried (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Perennially dressed in shorts and sneakers, with unkempt locks and an awkward demeanour, Bankman-Fried befriended prime ministers, presidents and pop stars. In April, Bankman-Fried hosted the Crypto Bahamas conference, where he led an onstage panel featuring Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, a New York Times profile noted. Despite having a net worth of $21.2bn, he continued to lead a relatively frugal lifestyle, donating heavily to philanthropic causes, and pledging to donate his entire fortune to charity. Bankman-Fried emerged as one of the most high-profile crypto champions in Washington DC and used his profile to lobby Congress to relax the rules around crypto trading. FTXs rise and collapse Bankman-Fried, known by his initials SBF, founded Alameda Research in 2017 after figuring out how to exploit a quirk in crypto values that saw Bitcoin trade for slightly less in Asia than in the US. In 2019, he launched the FTX trading platform that was promoted to investors as a trusted, straightforward exchange. It made money by claiming a percentage of transactions. When the value of Bitcoin soared in 2021, FTX became one of the largest crypto traders in the world, worth an estimated $32bn. Bankman-Frieds profile soared as he amassed a net wealth of around $16bn while receiving fawning media coverage for his so-called altruistic beliefs and austere lifestyle. FTX enlisted a band of celebrity backers including Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, hired Larry David to front an expensive Super Bowl advert, and acquired the naming rights to the Miami Heats home arena. Bankman-Fried made around $100m in political donations to both parties, while attempting to influence cryptocurrency regulatory reform, prosecutors said in court filings. Sam Bankman-Fried arrives back in US after extradition from Bahamas When crypto prices collapsed in 2022, cracks began to emerge in SBFs empire. In November, the crypto trade publication Coindesk published a leaked balance sheet showing that Alameda and FTX were unusually close and Alamedas value was built on a foundation largely made up of a (digital) coin that a sister company invented. The story sent shockwaves through the crypto world, and FTX customers raced to withdraw their funds, exposing an $8bn deficit in FTXs accounts. Bankman-Frieds personal wealth fell by an estimated $16bn in a single day on 8 November. FTX filed for bankruptcy days later and Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO. He was arrested in the Bahamas on 12 December. The collapse sent a contagion through the crypto industry that caused several exchanges to implode and prices to collapse. What were the allegations against SBF? During the trial, prosecutors said that Bankman-Fried orchestrated a wide-scale conspiracy to defraud FTX investors and the Alameda Research hedge fund exchange. The founder and CEO of FTX used billions of dollars of customer funds for his personal use, and to make millions of dollars of political contributions to federal political candidates and committees. Bankman-Fried built a house of cards on a foundation of deception while telling investors that it was one of the safest buildings in crypto, the Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler said in a statement last December. Bankman-Fried was charged in the Southern District of New York with seven counts of fraud and money laundering (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Bankman-Fried concealed the close ties between Alameda and FTX from investors, while effectively using customers funds as an unlimited line of credit to make undisclosed venture investments, lavish real estate purchases, and large political donations, Mr Gensler said. Around 90 US-based investors collectively lost $1.1bn, the SEC said. Bankman-Fried was charged in the Southern District of New York with seven counts of fraud and money laundering, some of which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years in prison. In June, prosecutors severed five charges from the current trial which were brought after his extradition from the Bahamas. In August, prosecutors dropped several campaign finance violation charges against Bankman-Fried. What was SBFs defence? Bankman-Fried attempted to convince jurors that he did not have any intent to rip off FTX customers. Rather, his defence attorneys argued, he was out of his depth. Given his high-profile ties and accomplishments, jurors found it hard to believe that Bankman-Fried was a dunce as his attorneys made out. Prior to his conviction, four former FTX executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the companys collapse and appeared at trial after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. The governments star witnesses was Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The governments key witnesses included Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend and the former head of Alameda, and FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who was Bankman-Frieds childhood friend from math camp. The outcome On Thursday 2 November, a federal jury concluded that Bankman-Fried was guilty of defrauding customers on his cryptocurrency exchange out of billions of dollars. After just four hours of deliberation, the 12-member Manhattan panel convicted him of two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He potentially faces over a century in prison. Bankman-Fried reportedly stood and faced the jury as the verdict was read aloud. According to reporters who were present at the hearing, he looked shell-shocked as jurors were polled. He then sat motionless, looking down at his hands in his lap. In a statement following the verdict, his lawyer Mark Cohen said, We respect the jurys decision. But we are very disappointed with the result. Mr Bankman-Fried maintains his innocence and will continue to vigorously fight the charges against him. US attorney Damian Williams told reporters outside court: Sam Bankman-Fried perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history. The cryptocurrency industry might be new. The players, like Sam Bankman-Fried, might be new. But this kind of corruption is as old as time. Bankman-Fried was sentenced several months later, on 28 March. He faces 300 months in prison and must forfeit $11.2bn, per Mr Kaplans order. Prior to the sentencing, the former FTX head acknowledged his crimes. At the end of the day, I failed everyone that I care about and everything that I care about, too, the 32-year-old said, just minutes before he was sentenced. My useful life is probably over, he continued. Its been over for a while now. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A federal judge has sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX who was found guilty of lying to investors and customers, to 25 years in prison. Just four months after a jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty of two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy, he faces an order to forfeit $11.2bn. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the sentencing Thursday morning, hit out at Bankman-Fried for putting on a performance to make himself seem more likeable. When not lying, he was evasive, hair-splitting, trying to get the prosecutors to rephrase questions for him, Judge Kaplan said. Ive been doing this job for close to 30 years. Ive never seen a performance like that. Bankman-Fried, once known as the King of Crypto, was a billionaire who appeared on the covers of magazines and brokered lucrative deals with celebrities to promote his company just two years ago. On Thursday he sat beside his attorneys in a federal courthouse in downtown Manhattan, anxiously hearing his sentencing. He appeared in a beige jumpsuit a fall from his typical suits. The whole time Bankman-Fried showed little to no emotion, even while giving a personal statement to Judge Kaplan. The only time the crypto bro showed concern was after Judge Kaplan read the sentence. Bankman-Fried put his hand to his face. In this courtroom sketch, Sam Bankman-Fried, second from right, stands while making a statement during his sentencing in Manhattan federal court (AP) The hearing marked the end of an extensive investigation and media-frenzied trial in the case of the dramatic fall of FTX and Bankman-Fried. The lengthy hearing included victim testimony and somewhat of an apology from Bankman-Fried. At the end of the day, I failed everyone that I care about and everything that I care about, too, the 32-year-old said, just minutes before he was sentenced. My useful life is probably over, he continued. Its been over for a while now. Barbara Fried and Allan Joseph Bankman, parents of Sam Bankman-Fried, attended his Thursday sentencing (Getty Images) Bankman-Fried had acquired mass wealth through his crypto exchange FTX, which at its height was worth $32bn and had a million users. The famously tousled-haired youngster was somewhat of an anomaly in the world of crypto, both for his age and his intention to use his wealth for altruistic purposes. But that all came crashing down in November 2022 when a CoinDesk report revealed that most of FTXs assets were held by a quantitative trading company that Bankman-Fried also ran called Alameda Research. The revelation sent investors and customers scrambling to withdraw their funds, which later exposed an $8bn hole in the company. As quickly as FTX grew, it fell becoming essentially bankrupt overnight. At the sentencing, Judge Kaplan scolded Bankman-Fried for having little to no remorse for the victims and failing to take full responsibility for the fall of FTX. Last year, federal prosecutors used a trove of evidence and former executives from FTX to show a jury that the fall of FTX was no accident. It was the result of Bankman-Frieds mismanagement and plan to lie to investors, lenders and customers, and use their money to grow his wealth and the companys. On November 15 or 16, [Bankman-Fried] was interviewed by a reporter he knew well who said, You said a lot of stuff about good regulations was that just PR too? He said: Yeah, f*** regulators, Judge Kaplan said. One of his pithier expressions I think, was I f***** up, the judge continued. Mr Bankman-Fried has the right to plead not guilty and go to trial. Everybodys got that right and I dont hold it against him. But I come back to [Caroline Ellisons] testimony. He knew it was wrong. Caroline Ellison was a star witness in Bankman-Frieds trial. Ms Ellison is the former co-CEO of Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency trading firm that Bankman-Fried co-founded she is also his ex-girlfriend. Before Thursdays sentencing, the prosecution asked Judge Kaplan to extend a harsh punishment to Bankman-Fried of at least 40 years in prison. However, Bankman-Frieds lawyers said differently, arguing that the former FTX head unintentionally mismanaged the company to its collapse. They argued he should not receive any more than six-and-a-half years in prison at most. Judge Kaplan said he will issue recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons that Bankman-Fried to serve his sentence in San Francisco, where he can be close to his family, receive medical care and avoid becoming a potential target for violence. Damian Williams, an attorney for the US Southern District of New York, praised Judge Kaplans sentencing in a Thursday statement. Todays sentence will prevent the defendant from ever again committing fraud and is an important message to others who might be tempted to engage in financial crimes that justice will be swift, and the consequences will be severe, Mr Williams said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Wednesday, 40-year-old Skiboky Stora was arrested and charged with assault after multiple women in New York City reported being randomly punched in the street. Accounts of the unprovoked attacks spread online. But Mr Stora later identified by police as the man arrested in connection with the incidents is no stranger to social media and enjoys his own colorful online presence. Heres what you need to know: Online presence and Marcus Garvey claims Mr Stora is very active on social media, with over 10,000 followers on Instagram and over 83,000 on TikTok. He posts regular videos of himself both out in New York and at home. His videos show various exchanges with members of law enforcement, which are sometimes heated. Skiboky Stora, 40, was arrested on Wednesday after women in New York reported being reandomly attacked (@skiboky_stora/ Instagram) He appears to be a supporter of former president Donald Trump, with several of the videos filmed at home taking place in front of a large banner bearing Mr Trumps name. Mr Stora also appears to be an aspiring rap artist. He has posted multiple music videos to YouTube under the artist name Designer Attitude. He also claims to be the descendant of Jamaican-born political and civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. Captions at the bottom of many of his videos read Skiboky Stora 2024 Marcus Garvey Grandson Freedom Party. In his videos Mr Stora often introduces himself to strangers as the great, great grandson of Marcus Garvey and is occasionally seen wearing a hat with the claim on it. The Independent has been unable to verify Mr Storas claim that he is indeed a descendent of Garvey, a leading exponent of the Pan-Africanist movement who died in London in 1940. The claims have been challenged in the comment sections of some of his posts. Political aspirations Mr Stora has made a number of unsuccessful bids for public office in New York City. A recent GoFundMe page set up by Mr Stora states: Im running for Mayor of New York City in 2025. In the three months since its creation, the page has raised just $65 of its $5,000,000 target, though one supporter has commented: F*** yeah skabooky. Last year Mr Strora made a bid for City Council in District 9, but lost out to Democrat Yusef Salaam. He ran on the Freedom Party ticket and ultimately failed to secure a spot on the ballot, according to Ballotpedia. In 2022, he was a withdrawn or disqualified Republican gubernatorial candidate, the site said. Lee Zeldin eventually won the partys nomination but lost out to current New York City Governor Kathy Hochul. During a debate for fringe candidates hosted by Gotham Gazette in 2021, Mr Stora, running under the Out Lawbreaker Party ticket, recounted how he had been shot while living in a homeless shelter in 2005. Stora has made a number of unsuccessful bids for public office in New York City (@skiboky_stora/Instagram) According to City Limits he later unsuccessfully sued the Department of Homeless Services and a security contractor over the incident. The main thing the Mayor Skiboky administration would be known for is people in certain positions being held accountable, Mr Stora said during the debate. In the 2021 mayoral election, Mr Stora ultimately earned just 264 votes. He fell more than 750,000 votes shy of Democrat and current New York mayor Eric Adams. Arrests Mr Stora was arrested on Wednesday 27 March and charged with assault, after a number of women reported being randomly punched in the face in New York. In a TikTok video posted on Monday, influencer Halley Kate tearfully recalled being attacked in Manhattan. You guys, I was literally just walking and a man came up and punched me in the face. Oh my god, it hurts so bad. I cant even talk. Literally, I fell to the ground and now this giant goose egg is forming, the 23-year-old said. Ms Kate later noted that the man was walking his dog when the incident occurred, and she fell to the ground and blacked out for a second. When she got back up, Halley recalled the man was screaming at me and she ran away. She added that after filing a police report she was told by officials that it had matched another police report detailing a similar incident. A statement from the NYPD on Wednesday said an individual had been detained in response to a viral video depicting a woman who was randomly assaulted in an unprovoked attack. The NYPD later confirmed to The Independent that Mr Stora was the individual in question. The forces statement described Mr Stora as a criminal recidivist with an extensive criminal record and had been arrested three times in the past six months. Your NYPD detectives were able to identify the man after he was previously arrested for similar attacks, only to be released back onto our streets, the statement said. According to court records, Mr Stora has had multiple court appearances since last July. He is next scheduled to appear on 3 April. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man accused of going on a killing spree in Rockford, Illinois said marijuana laced with an unknown narcotic sparked the violence which left four dead including a mailman and a 15-year-old girl. Christian Soto, 22, is in custody facing four counts of first-degree murder, as well as multiple attempted murder and home invasion charges. The violence began at lunchtime on Wednesday, with Mr Soto later telling Rockford Police Department officers that he was smoking weed with his friend which he said had been laced with an unknown narcotic. He became paranoid, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began stabbing his friend and his friends mother, aged 23 and 63 respectively. On fleeing the scene, Mr Soto recalled taking out the mailman, whom he stabbed multiple times and ran over in his truck. The postal worker, 49, had been with the service for 25 years, officials said on Thursday. Mr Soto then broke into other homes, leaving seven others injured and a 15-year-old girl dead, after she saved her sister and best friend. The suspect was taken into custody after chasing one of his victims into the street and stabbing her before a Good Samaritan intervened. Christian Soto is accused of multiple counts of murder (Rockford Police) In a statement on Thursday morning, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service told The Independent that it was working with law enforcement. The Postal Inspection Service can confirm that a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was one of the victims in yesterdays incident in Rockford, IL, a spokesperson said. At this time, there are no additional details we can provide, as this is an active investigation. Postal inspectors are working with the Rockford Police Department in this investigation. Police at the scene of one of the attacks (AP) In an initial statement released to My Stateline on Wednesday night, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said city leadership was shocked by the horrific act of violence. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized, Mayor McNamara said. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. We have multiple jurisdictions working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. We will continue to provide updates, the mayor said. A vigil to remember the victims has been planned for 2.30pm at the intersection of Charles Street and Eggleston Road in the city. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Questions around the Baltimore bridges collapse could soon be answered as the vessels black box has been recovered. Meanwhile, two missing members of the construction crew who were working on the bridge and went missing after its collapse have been identified. The Dali container vessel rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1.30am on 26 March after it lost power, causing the bridge to dramatically collapse. Mystery surrounds the cause of the incident, which threw members of a construction crew, who were refilling potholes on the bridge at the time, into the Patapsco River, authorities said. But now details of the cause of the crash could become available. The National Transportation Safety Board retrieved the Dalis voyage data recorder, also known as its black box, the agencys Jennifer Homendy said on Wednesday. It can provide a timeline of the run-up to the collision, give positioning information, and insights into what caused the power loss, she said. Ms Homendy said they could have that information as early as Wednesday afternoon. Workers continue to investigate and search for victims at the scene (Getty) Officials have labelled the crash an accident, saying no signs point toward terrorism. While two survivors were pulled from the river hours after the dramatic collapse, six others were reported still missing. Rescuers suspended their nearly full-day search for the missing individuals on Tuesday evening; the six missing men were presumed dead. The six construction workers were all employed by contractor Brawner Builders, authorities said. Brawner Builders employee Jesus Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the missing individuals are all men in their thirties and forties, and all have spouses and children. They are all hardworking, humble men, he added. Two of the missing men have since been identified: Miguel Luna, 49, and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38. Miguel Luna, a father of three, is reported to have been lost when the bridge collapsed (Supplied) Their relatives have started speaking out. Mr Luna, a father of three, is from El Salvador and had been living in Maryland for just under 20 years, according to a statement from the non-profit organisation Casa. His wife, Maria del Carmen Castellon told Telemundo 44 that she and other family members of the missing men were able to gain access to the restricted disaster zone while they anxiously awaited news of their loved ones. They only tell us that we have to wait, that for now, they cant give us information, she said. [We feel] devastated, devastated because our heart is broken, because we dont know if theyve rescued them yet. Were just waiting to hear any news. One of Mr Lunas children, Marvin Luna, told The Washington Post that he knew his father was working on the Key Bridge overnight but did not know it had collapsed until one of his friends called him up and said: The bridge is gone. Marvin then called his fathers phone, but there was no reply. The Honduran deputy foreign affairs minister also confirmed to the Associated Press that Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval was among the missing men. Mr Sandoval is from Honduras, and had been living in the United States for over 18 years. He is married and has two children. His brother Martin, who lives in Honduras, told CNN that family members in Baltimore called him to tell him that his brother was missing. Mr Sandoval was an entrepreneur who had started his own maintenance company, going to the US in search of a better life, his brother said. Although Martin said that his family was holding on to hope that his brother could be found alive, they now just hope that his body could be recovered so they can give him a proper goodbye. In an interview with Honduran newspaper La Prensa, Mr Suazo said in Spanish, What were living is inexplicable. We wish it wasnt real. Were dismayed, especially the agony of not knowing when theyre going to find the body. The Honduran Embassy told Mr Suazo that it would work with him to bring his brothers body back to the country for funeral arrangements. Col Roland Butler Jr of Maryland State Police said at a Wednesday evening press conference that two victims had been trapped inside a red pickup truck on Wednesday morning. They were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26. Mr Butler didnt specify where the two were from, but said that those presumed deceased are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, from Honduras, had come to America in search of a better life (Supplied) The four others missing have yet to be identified. Two of those are from Guatemala, the countrys ministry of foreign affairs said in a Tuesday statement, adding that one is believed to be 26-year-old from San Luis, Peten and the other is believed to be a 35-year-old from Camotan, Chiquimula. The ministry did not name the two unaccounted-for workers, but told The Independent in a statement that it had been in contact with local authorities and the missing mens families. The Mexican Embassy also posted on Twitter/X saying that Mexican citizens were among the workers who fell into the river. The embassy did not give their names or say how many of the workers were from Mexico. Mr Butler said on Wednesday evening that agencies were transitioning from a recovery mode to salvage recovery operation. Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a Wednesday press conference that he grieved the loss of the six workers. He added that if not for the responders efforts, the mayday call, the maintenance closure that was already underway and the time of day of the impact, the loss of life might have been in the dozens. He said that he has received clear direction from the president to tear down any barriers, bureaucratic as well as financial that could get in the way of rebuilding the bridge as quickly as possible. Joe Biden on Tuesday said he intends to rebuild the bridge entirely through the use of federal funds. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The family of the Missouri student found dead in a Nashville river have cast doubts on his autopsy, which found no signs of foul play in his death. Riley Strain, 22, vanished without a trace one night in early March after he was kicked out of a bar in downtown Nashville. He was last spotted in surveillance footage close to the Cumberland River. Two weeks later, his body was discovered by a worker in the river, around eight miles from the downtown area. Police said they did not suspect foul play in his death and a preliminary autopsy ruled his death an accident. However, some details have sparked questions from Strains family. Now, the 22-year-olds parents have ordered a second, private autopsy to try and get more insight into his death. Chris Dingman, a family friend who also acts as a spokesperson for the family, told NewsNation that Strain was missing his jeans, cowboy boots, and wallet when he was found. The only things that were found with him, as the police stated in the report, was the watch and the shirt, Mr Dingman said. He said the family had hired a private independent company to carry out asecond autopsy to focus on more testing on specific items. Strain went missing after he visited Nashville with his fraternity brothers on 8 March (AP) The original autopsy came out just like theirs [Metro Nashville Police Department] did, with no obvious signs of trauma as in weapons, guns or knives, he said. One thing that threw the family for a loop was the coroner going on record with a news person in Nashville stating about the lack of water in his lungs, Mr Dingman said. It is unclear when this alleged statement was made and to what news outlet. The medical examiner has not publicly confirmed if water was or was not found in Strains lungs. Im not a crime drama person, by no means. But usually, water in the lungs means that you know, they were alive when they went into the water, Mr Dingman told NewsNation, saying that this has raised more questions. So more questions, we hope to get to get some answers with the toxicology [report], he added. The medical examiner told News Channel 5 on Monday that, even if Strain did not have water in his lungs, it would not exclusively mean he was dead before he went into the river. His body was found two weeks later by a worker on the Cumberland River (Metro Nashville Police Department) A person struggling to breathe underwater can have a throat spasm, shutting off the airways and preventing water getting into the lungs, News Channel 5 reported. This is known as dry drowning. On 8 March, Strain was with his fraternity brothers in Nashville for a spring formal trip. He was kicked out of country star Luke Bryans 32 Bridge Food + Drink at around 9.45pm. He told his friends he would return to their hotel, but instead was seen walking towards the direction of the Cumberland River. He was reported missing in the early hours of 9 March when his friends realised that Strain had not returned to the hotel. Two weeks later, his body was found in the river. The Independent has made attempts to reach out to the medical examiners office. Messages to the email address were undelivered. When reached by phone, The Independent was redirected back to the email address and told this was the only form of contact. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Local explorers have found the remains of a steamship that lay at the bed of Lake Michigan for around 137 years, using clues in newspaper clippings to discover the wreck. Explorers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA) made the remarkable discovery of the Milwaukee, a steamship that disappeared into the depths of the lake in 1886 after it collided with another ship around 40 miles from Holland, Michigan, where it now lies in 360 feet of water. The 135-feet-long ship was first commissioned in 1868 by one of the earliest steamship operators, The Northern Transportation Company of Ohio, to join a growing fleet to carry passengers and goods between New York and Chicago. As the railroads continued to expand, the ship was eventually repurposed into a cargo carrier on Lake Michigan, and was then sold in 1883 to haul lumber to Chicago. The MSRA made the discovery of the vesselin June of last year using side-scan sonar, and then spent the summer working to film the shipwreck, trying to confirm its exact identity, the association announced in a Facebook post. They also used a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to document the wreck, assembled especially for the project by the teams engineer. Before this, however, in order to discover the exact whereabouts of the ship, the explorers had to go back to basics, looking into old newspaper accounts rather than using modern-day technology to crack the case of where the ship disappeared to. It was newspaper accounts of the sinking that provided the clues we needed to locate the shipwreck, said Valerie van Heest, who with her husband Jack van Heest, coordinated the search effort together. The accounts painted a picture of the day that led to the ships demise. In July 1886, the Milwaukee was smashed into by another boat, the Hickox, causing the steamship to sink, after a perfect storm of unfortunate incidents on the water. Both ships were sailing such an exact course that around midnight they ended up bearing straight for each other. Under navigation rules, both captains were supposed to slow down, steer right and sound their whistles to indicate their course change. But the old superstition that bad things happen in threes would haunt the captains of both ships that night, the MSRA wrote in their post. The Milwaukee was found almost 140 years after the collision (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association) Neither captain slowed down because visibility was fine, but suddenly a thick fog rolled in, rendering them both blind, the MSRA said. The captain of the Hickox then quickly made a turn and tried to blast his steam whistle, but when he went to do so, the pull chain broke. Unable to see or hear where the other ship was going, Captain Armstrong of the Milwaukee froze, and when the fog cleared, the Hickox was upon the Milwaukee. In a desperate last attempt to evade collision, Armstrong tried to turn, but at that point, it was too late, and the Hickox ploughed into the side of the Milwaukee. Water started to gush into the ship, and a distress signal was blown. Fortunately, all the crew managed to climb safely on the Hickox, but the Milwaukee itself was still doomed, as after two hours, the ship had plunged to the bottom of the lake. The Hickox and another nearby vessel, the City of New York, had even teamed up together by sailing so close to the ship that they managed to sandwich the vessel to keep it afloat, but it was ultimately to no avail. The Muskegon, Michigan Port in the 1880s (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association) As for the two captains involved in the crash on the lake, both had their licences taken away from them for a time after they both failed to slow down. Studying all these stories tucked away in old news accounts meant it only took the MSRA two days to search for the Milwaukee before it was found with the side scan sonar, they said. Weeks after, the team were able to lay their eyes on the shipwreck for the first time using the ROV. Visibility was excellent, says Mr van Heest, who piloted the ROV. We saw the forward mast still standing as the ROV headed down to the bottom. The shipwreck rests remarkably intact upright on the bottom of the lake, still facing northeast just as it was heading that night, unfortunately never making it to its destination. While the sinking of the Milwaukee meant career damage for the two captains over a century ago, the discovery of the wreckage is a proud achievement for the present-day shipwreck researchers as it marks the 19th wreck the association has discovered off the shores of West Michigan. The team have now been able to document details of the ship never recorded before, lost in history at the bottom of the lake. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When it comes to hauling in cash for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign, its now obvious that three presidential heads are always better than one. Thats the lesson Biden-Harris campaign officials are taking away from a star-studded fundraiser to be held on Thursday evening at New Yorks Radio City Music Hall, which is set to raise more than $25m for the presidents campaign coffers. In a statement announcing what they described as the historic result, the campaign said the fundraiser, billed as An Evening with President Biden and Presidents Obama and Clinton, represents the most successful political fundraiser in American history with a 5,000-strong sellout crowd at the historic Manhattan venue and thousands more taking in the spectacle online. In addition to Mr Bidens two Democratic predecessors, the programme will also include musical performances from Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michelle, plus Late Night host Stephen Colbert, who will moderate an armchair conversation with the trio of chief executives. This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built, said Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Hollywood mogul who serves as a co-chair of Mr Bidens 2024 effort. The DreamWorks SKG founder, a longtime supporter of Democratic politics, contrasted Mr Bidens fundraising efforts with those of his likely opponent, presumptive GOP nominee and former president Donald Trump, who is diverting significant amounts of campaign cash to his various legal defence efforts as he fights four sets of criminal charges in four different state and jurisdictions. Future president Joe Biden, then-president Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton at the White House with the US World Cup Soccer Team in May 2010 (AFP via Getty Images) Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the Presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election, he said. The appearance of Barack Obama (president from 2009 to 2017) and Bill Clinton (president from 1993 to 2001) at Mr Bidens fundraiser is a sign of the close relationship the 46th president has forged with the 42nd and 44th as he looks to keep the 45th from defeating him and becoming the 47th as well. Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff to Mr Obama and onetime Central Intelligence Agency director who also served in the Clinton administration, told the AP earlier this week that the image of the three presidents standing side-by-side would be worth a hell of a lot in politics today and said there is everything to be gained by Mr Biden appearing with the two former presidents. The joint appearance is also a reflection of how the three men, once rivals, have united to work together now that political campaigns of their own are a thing of the past for two of the three. And the show of Democratic unity that will be on display Thursday evening will stand in stark contrast to the relative isolation of Mr Trump, who notably does not enjoy the support of his only living GOP predecessor, George W Bush, or his own former vice president, Mike Pence. The ex-president, who will stand trial on criminal charges in his former home state of New York next month, is also slated to be in Manhattan on Thursday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The federal judge overseeing an attempt by Hunter Biden to dismiss tax charges against him appeared sceptical of arguments put forward by lawyers for the presidents son in Los Angeles, saying there was little evidence that special counsel David Weiss had been influenced by Republicans. The office of Mr Weiss has accused 54-year-old Mr Biden of not paying taxes on millions in income from business dealings abroad. Mr Biden, who was not present at the hearing on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty earlier this year. Mr Biden has moved to dismiss the tax charges against him because Special Counsel Weiss was Unlawfully Appointed and This Prosecution Violates the Appropriations Clause and for Selective and Vindictive Prosecution and Breach of Separation of Powers and for Due Process Violations Based on Outrageous Government Conduct, according to a court schedule. Mr Bidens lawyer Abbe Lowell has argued in court filings that the indictment came after political pressure from Republicans. Mr Weiss responded that Mr Biden testified to Congress that the Special Counsel had undermined the impeachment inquiry conducted by House Republicans. Which is it? he asked. Indeed, the defendant has no evidence to support his shapeshifting claims because the Special Counsel continues to pursue the fair, evenhanded administration of the federal criminal laws. The trial has been scheduled for 20 June. On Wednesday, US District Judge Mark Scarsi said there did not seem to be any evidence that efforts by Republicans to pressure special counsel Weiss influenced the prosecutors decision other than the timeline. The judge likened the motion to some smoke but without sufficient fire, ABC News reported. Mr Lowell later conceded that he had no direct evidence of GOP influence, but asked the court to investigate the matter further and connect the dots. He also highlighted the significance of the timeline of proceedings he had filed which includes allegations made by House Republicans and two IRS whistleblowers in an effort to demonstrate that Mr Weiss gave in to political pressure. Its a timeline, but its a pretty juicy timeline, Mr Lowell said. A 56-page indictment was filed in December last year outlining how Mr Biden, struggling with addiction, spent his money on an extravagant lifestyle on everything but his taxes, prosecutors wrote at the time. The taxes and penalties were subsequently paid back by Hunter Bidens personal attorney Kevin Morris, ABC News noted. The charges may lead to as much as 17 years behind bars. They include six misdemeanours and three felonies, such as tax evasion and filing a false return. Mr Biden has also pleaded not guilty to three gun charges brought by Mr Weiss and his office in Delaware, a case also expected to go to trial in June. The tax indictment includes allegations that Mr Biden didnt pay at least $1.4m in federal taxes that he owed between 2016 and 2019. The legal filing came late last year after a plea deal fell apart in July 2023 which was supposed to see Mr Biden admitting to some tax and firearm offences in exchange for avoiding prison time. On Wednesday Judge Scarsi also suggested that any promise of immunity made by the deal should not be valid once it had fallen apart. A natural reading of the agreement document suggested that it wasnt fully implemented because it was missing an approval signature from the Delaware probation office, Judge Scarsi said. Congressional Republicans have used Mr Bidens legal problems, past drug use, and foreign business dealings to open an impeachment inquiry into the president, despite there being no evidence supporting any links to the elder Biden. The nine tax charges were filed against Mr Biden on 7 December. The legal filing stated that he engaged in a four-year scheme to not pay at least $1.4m in self-assessed federal taxes. This second indictment against Mr Biden includes allegations that he didnt file or pay his taxes and that he also evaded assessment, with prosecutors claiming that he instead used the money to pay for drugs, escorts and girlfriends, luxury hotels and rental properties, exotic cars, clothing, and other items of a personal nature. Mr Biden individually received more than $7 million in total gross income between 2016 and October 2020, the indictment stated. But Mr Biden willfully failed to pay his 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 taxes on time, despite having access to funds to pay some or all of these taxes, the prosecutors added in the legal filing. After getting a loan from his personal lawyer, Mr Biden paid all his due taxes and fines in 2020. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former US senator Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish nominee for vice presidency for a major party, has died at the age of 82, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman was in New York City on Wednesday where he was undergoing treatment for complications related to a fall at his Bronx home. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday, the hospital and his family confirmed. His funeral will be held on Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. He is survived by his wife and four children. Senator Liebermans love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest, Liebermans family said in a statement, confirming his death. Lieberman served as many as 10 years in the Connecticut State Senate and was a majority leader for three terms. He almost won the closely contested 2000 election where he was chosen as the Democratic running mate by the then-presidential nominee, Al Gore. However, a recount and a Supreme Court decision later moved the needle in the favour of George Bush. Mr Gore said he was profoundly saddened to learn of Liebermans passing. It was an honour to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail, Mr Gore said in a statement. Ill remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America. Lieberman viewed himself as a centrist Democrat and supported abortion rights, environmental protections, gay rights, and gun control. However, the Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering away from the party line. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one, said Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be Republican John McCains running mate, in a surprising twist. However, Mr McCain later chose Sarah Palin after outrage from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed his campaign. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his sharp foreign policy views, his pro-defence bent and his strong support for environmental causes. Five weeks after the 11 September 2001 attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for a military invasion of Iraq. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. He graduated from Yale University and became Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, later vaulting into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, he joined a New York City law firm. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who once accused one of Washington DCs highest-profile Republican operatives of sexually assaulting him has rescinded his allegations after receiving a more than $400,000 legal settlement. Matt Schlapp, head of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) gathering, was accused by Carlton Huffman a campaign staffer for then-Senate candidate Herschel Walker of groping him during a car ride in 2022 while Mr Huffman drove him back to his hotel room. Mr Huffman further accused Mr Schlapp, who is married to former Trump White House staffer Mercedes Schlapp, of inviting him up to his hotel room. The CPAC and American Conservative Union leader placed his hand on Mr Huffmans leg and began aggressively fondling [his] genital area in a sustained fashion, Mr Huffmans lawyers said in the original suit. Now, in a statement first obtained by Politico through the CPAC chiefs spokesperson, Mr Huffman has described the whole thing as a misunderstanding. The claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family, Mr Huffman said. The Schlapps have advised that the statements made about me were the result of a misunderstanding, which was regrettable...Neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them. CNN reported that Mr Huffman had, in fact, been the recipient of a $480,000 payout. The reason his statement denied this appears to hinge on the wording: it rejects that the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me, but conveniently leaves space for a cash settlement paid by a legal insurance firm. Mr Huffman himself was contacted by CNN about what was essentially a false statement in spirit, if not in letter. He somewhat revealingly responded: I am only legally allowed to say five words, and that is We have resolved our differences. Those are the only five words that Im legally allowed to say. Its a confusing end to a year-and-a-half-long ordeal which tarred the reputation of Mr Schlapp, who runs the annual conservative gathering in National Harbor through his leadsership of the American Conservative Union. Mr Schlapp had long denied the accusations, which were first made anonymously, but later detailed at length in a piece published in The Daily Beast. CPAC head Matt Schlapp at his conference in 2024 (Getty Images) Mr Schlapp put his hands on me in a sustained and unsolicited and unwanted manner, Mr Huffman said in a video obtained by The Daily Beast. The video was purported to have been recorded on the night of the incident itself in 2022. Matt Schlapp of the CPAC grabbed my junk and pummeled it at length, and Im sitting there thinking what the hell is going on, that this person is literally doing this to me, Mr Huffman would go on to say in the recording. It remains unclear as to whether there was physical contact between the two men, even as both parties now insist that the matter was a misunderstanding. A Walker campaign official who knew Mr Schlapp talked to CNN about the incident said that the CPAC chief never directly disputed Mr Huffmans account to them when it was first made anonymously. As far as I know the facts were never disputed, they told CNN. I had no indication that Carlton [Huffman] fabricated his story, then or now. Matt [Schlapp] knew me well enough to call me, he never called me. Earlier this year, Mr Schlapp refused to address the matter when asked about it by The Independent at his CPAC conference. Mr Walker lost his Senate campaign after news reporting revealed that two women whom he had dated alleged that Mr Walker had paid for them to receive abortion services despite his public opposition to the legality of that practice. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Republican Speaker of the House spoke privately with Ukraines president on Thursday as the issue divides the GOP caucus and threatens to throw the lower chamber into chaos once more. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, related the conversation on Twitter and thanked Speaker Mike Johnson for his and the USs critical support of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. He also described briefing the Speaker on an uptick in Russian missile, bombing and drone attacks in the weeks since funding for Ukraines defence has stalled in Congress. Last week alone, 190 missiles, 140 "Shahed" drones, and 700 guided aerial bombs were launched at Ukrainian cities and communities. Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant has gone offline, said Mr Zelensky. In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor. International experts believe that Russia is seeking to wear down Ukraines military and inflict as many casualties as possible while US assistance lags. Specifically, many recent Russian offensives indicate a goal to deplete Ukraines inventory of ground-based air defense, according to a military assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Ukrainian presidents tweet is the first news of his conversation with the GOP leader credited as the main reason an aid package has not reached President Joe Bidens desk. Mr Johnson has yet to issue a public statement about the call; The Independent has contacted his office for comment. The Senate passed the package on bipartisan lines weeks ago and both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have called on Mr Johnson to take up the Senate-passed legislation. But one problem: Mr Johnson is facing a revolt from one of the GOPs most right-wing members. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the conspiracy-loving Trump loyalist from Georgia, threatened in January to bring a motion to vacate against Mr Johnson with the intent of ending his speakership if Ukraine aid was passed through the House (which it almost certainly will if Mr Johnson brings it to the floor). She made good on that promise last week. A spokesperson for the Speaker dismissed her challenge 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 well grow our majority. The Ukrainian presidents tweet on Thursday likely had one intent: increasing the pressure on the Speaker and reinforcing the image of Mr Johnson as the main reason for the holdup of the aid bill. It isnt clear if Ms Greene will actually be able to gather the votes needed to pass the motion, even with just a one-vote majority in the chamber in the weeks ahead. Not known for her political alliances, she has yet to see a single Republican supporter sign on to her motion. But the warning for Mr Johnson remains: ignoring conservative demands around this legislation could cost him dearly. Other conservatives in the chamber remain unhappy with the speakers unwillingness to make demands for deep spending cuts in legislation to keep the government funded passed by the chamber at the end of last week. Mr Johnson has pledged that the House will take up foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel, likely as two separate bills, after the chamber returns from a recess. But theres no specific timeline yet for when either of those bills will make it to the floor. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments as anti-choice activists seek to overturn the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of a drug commonly used to terminate pregnancies. As my colleague Alex Woodward explained in his write-up of the oral arguments, even some of the conservative jurists that former president Donald Trump nominated to the bench seemed to express skepticism about reversing the FDAs approval of mifepristone that happened in 2000. Indeed, Justice Neil Gorsuch cast the ruling by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk last year that threw mifepristone into peril as rash. He added that this weeks litigation, brought by a handful of doctors opposed to abortion, would be turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule. Another group of Republicans might secretly pray that the Supreme Court allows mifepristone to stay on the market: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson and even Trump. On the surface, this might seem puzzling. Johnson is an ardent anti-abortion campaigner who worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal group leading the challenge to mifepristone. Trump nominated Kacsmaryk, the judge who suspended mifepristones FDA approval last year. And McConnell facilitated Kacsmaryks confirmation to the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas when Republicans controlled the Senate. But Trump and McConnell turning the Senate into a judicial confirmation factory indeed, McConnell got rid of the filibuster for Supreme Court confirmations because of Democratic opposition to Gorsuch has been disastrous for Republicans politically. The Dobbs v Jackson decision overturning Roe v Wade came as a result of Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barretts confirmations, and it prevented Republicans from flipping the Senate when President Joe Biden had abysmal poll numbers. Republicans barely flipped enough seats to flip the House which has made life in the majority miserable. Similarly, the chief justice for the Alabama supreme court specifically cited Dobbs in his decision that ruled frozen embryos are legally protected children. That decision forced doctors to halt the practice of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and put Republicans on the defensive, with Alabamas Republican legislature subsequently passing a law to protect IVF. On the national level, Republicans running for Senate and even Trump came out and said they supported IVF. This, despite the fact many anti-abortion activists celebrated Alabamas ruling. The issue has become a potent weapon for Democrats. Just this week, Democrat Marilyn Lands flipped a seat in Alabamas state legislature in a district that had voted for Trump in 2020. Lands talked about her own abortion story on the campaign trail and specifically mentioned defending IVF. As Ive written in the past, defending abortion rights has proven success for Democrats not just in blue and purple states but even in deep red states. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won re-election in McConnells home state of Kentucky largely on the back of an ad featuring a young woman who survived a sexual assault saying people should not be forced to carry pregnancies from rape. Taking mifepristone off the market would be even more radioactive for Republicans. For one, medication abortion is the commonest form of pregnancy termination. According to the Guttmacher Institute, medication abortion accounted for 63 per cent of all abortions in 2023. As a result, Democrats could make hay out of the fact that a ruling against mifepristone could end up affecting most abortions in America, including in blue states. Republicans already know that restricting the use of abortion medication is unpopular. In September, the House voted down a bill to fund the Department of Agricutlure, the FDA and related agencies because the bill would have prohibited the mailing of abortion pills. Many swing-district Republicans voted down the bill, recognising its toxicity. Representative Nancy Mace, the mercurial South Carolina Republican who once told me Republicans need to stop being a**holes to women, joined Republicans in killing it along with every Democrat. Its worth noting that mifepristone is used during the first ten weeks of a pregnancy. After that, other methods of abortion (such as surgical) are usually most appropriate. An AP-NORC poll from last year showed that 73 per cent of Americans support allowing abortion at six weeks and 51 per cent support it at 15 weeks. That means the public feels most comfortable with the time period during which mifepristone can be used. In addition, allowing keeping mifepristone on the market prevents uncomfortable questions about resurrecting the Comstock Act, the 1873 law that prohibited mailing contraception, pornography or drugs intended for producing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use. Congress and Roe v Wade weakened the law, but Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who authored the Dobbs decision, both mentioned the Comstock Act when doing so. Allowing mifepristone to stay on the market would allow for Republicans in every race from the presidency downward to avoid voter scrutiny over such possible implications. Mifepristone surviving might enrage anti-abortion activists, but it would allow Republicans to have a better chance than they otherwise would have in 2024. And another reason why McConnell might hope for a loss for the Alliance Defending Freedom? Its main lawyer arguing before the court, Erin Hawley, is married to one of his Republican nemeses, Senator Josh Hawley. She is far more effective at advancing conservative causes having crafted reply briefs for the Dobbs decision than her senator husband. What better way to stick it to Josh on the way out than to see the Hawley family fail? Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Disgraced former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani owes millions of dollars but he claims that bankruptcy creditors forcing him to sell his condo in Palm Beach, Florida is premature, new court filings show. Mr Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December after a jury ordered him to pay $148m to two Georgia election workers that he defamed. Last month, he filed for an appeal on the jurys decision. On 15 March, the Committee of Unsecured Creditors which represents individuals and entities to whom Mr Giuliani owes money or soon could filed a motion in bankruptcy court requesting the court to force the former mayor to sell his Florida condo. In response, the former mayors lawyers filed a motion on Thursday claiming that Mr Giuliani would be irreparably harmed if the Florida condo is sold and then the defamation payment ruling is overturned on appeal. The committee is assuming that most if not all of that judgment will survive on appeal, his lawyers wrote, which they argue is premature and without legal authority. Mr Giuliani splits his time between his Florida and New York City properties, the lawyers wrote. Both Mr Giuliani and the committee agree that the Manhattan apartment should be sold. Once its sold, the former mayor intends to make the Palm Beach condo his primary home, the filing says. (EPA) Mr Giuliani valued his home in Palm Beach at $3.5m in previous court filings. That makes it is his second most valuable reported assets, with his Manhattan apartment worth even more. The three-bedroom Upper East Side apartment was previously listed for $6.5m but has since been taken off the market, with its value in bankruptcy court filings slashed by nearly a million. Lawyers for the committee previously argued that the Florida condo is a significant drain on estate resources. In January alone, Mr Giuliani made two maintenance fee payments of $15,995, the 15 March filing said. By contrast, the ex-mayors lawyers claim that he pays roughly $8,400 per month on maintenance and real estate taxes. Mr Giulianis attorneys added that while the committee believes he is acting in reckless abandon by insisting on holding onto the Florida condo, the former mayor is actually using sound business judgment by understanding that he cannot afford or legally maintain two properties. If Mr Giuliani is forced to sell his Florida home, then he will be forced to incur expenses for alternative housing, his lawyers argued. Surely the Committee does not intend [Mr Giuliani] to join the ranks of the homeless? On top of this, the filing states that Mr Giuliani uses both of his residences to operate his podcast businesses, citing that each home has a studio. He will need a place to operate the Podcast from if he is to earn money therefrom, the lawyers wrote. The money he earns from the podcast would only serve to benefit creditors, the filing says. The battle to figure out how the man formerly known as Americas Mayor can pay back the millions he owes has led to creditors considering all sorts of possibilities, including discussing the possibility of forcing him to sue his former client Donald Trump. Mr Giuliani previously claimed he is owed that sum for his spurious effort to overturn 2020 election results; however, Mr Giuliani has been insistent that he is owed not by the former president, but by the Republican National Committee or the Trump campaign. Mayor Giuliani will not be suing President Trump, Mr Giulianis political advisor toldThe Independent at the time. (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) But even as creditors mull over how best to get the debt theyre owed, family tragedy may provide an unexpected source of available cash. Last week, Mr Giulianis former mother-in-law died, according to an obituary. Under monthly expenses on a 26 January bankruptcy court filing, Mr Giuliani listed that he pays his ex-wife Judith Giuliani $5,000 in alimony payments every month, which he described at a February hearing as going to [Judith] but for her mother. Mr Giuliani and Judith were married for 16 years. The filing states that he also pays $13,500 per month for court ordered payments to mother-in-law. Both of these monthly payments have been amounting to $222,000 per year. Its unclear how that amount will affect the creditors, who are owed tens of million of dollars, in the future. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Warning: the following livestream has not been independently fact-checked and may contain misinformation. The Independent strives to counteract misinformation across its platforms. Click here for the latest on the 2024 US Presidential Election: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics Watch as Donald Trump attends the wake of a New York City police officer killed during a traffic stop on Monday 28 March. The former president was invited by the family of New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller to attend the wake in Massapequa on Long Island, east of New York City. The 31-year-old officer was shot in the New York borough of Queens on Monday and two suspects have been taken into custody. Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday paying tribute to the three-year NYPD veteran. "To Officer Dillers family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!", Mr Trump said in the post. Close Trumps mental acuity questioned on Fox News Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to wish a happy Easter to all, including all those he claimed were doing everything possible to put him in jail. In a lengthy and all-capitalised post on Sunday afternoon, Mr Trump railed against some of his usual suspects, including DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and Georgia attorney Fani Willis. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL... INCLUDING THOSE MANY PEOPLE I COMPLETELY & TOTALLY DESPISE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA, he wrote. It comes as Republicans, led by the former president, are sounding off on Joe Biden after he issued a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day becasue it happened to coincide with Easter Sunday this year. Created by a Michigan-based transgender activist, Rachel Crandall, in 2009, International Transgender Day of Visibility (often shortened to Trans Visibility Day) falls on March 31 every year. In 2024, that date coincidentally falls on Easter Sunday, which is determined annually by marking the first Sunday after the full moon occurring on or after the Spring Equinox. President Biden marked the push for transgender rights with a statement recognising Trans Visibility Day on Friday that has immediately set off alarm bells on the far right. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump is facing criticism after attending the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller even as hes pushing for the pardoning of January 6 rioters who battled with US Capitol and Washington DC police officers just over three years ago. Mr Diller was shot and killed as he was doing traffic stops this week. On Monday, he approached a car that was illegally parked with a fellow officer. The suspects in the car Lindy Jones and Guy Rivera refused to roll down the windows or to move their car. They also didnt show their hands when asked to. Mr Rivera allegedly then shot Mr Diller, who died after being taken to hospital. At the age of 42, Aquilino Gonell had to retire from his career as a police officer because of the injuries he sustained on January 6, 2021 during the insurrection. In a statement to The Independent on Thursday, Mr Gonell said of Mr Trump: As the opportunistic grifter that he is, he claims to support the police, law and order, the rule of law yet, he has not met with any officers from Capitol Police who were injured and assaulted or the ones that lost their lives because of his actions and inaction in his attempt to cling to power and the mob that he incited and wanted to lead. On Thursday, speaking to the press after attending Mr Dillers wake, Mr Trump said, What happened is such a sad, sad, sad event such a horrible thing. And it's happening all too often and we're just not going to let it happen. We just can't. Mr Gonell went on to tell The Independent that this is the same person who calls the rioters patriots, political prisoners, and hostages instead of calling them for what they are... convicted criminals. Imagine Trump calling the criminal who killed this officer in NYC a hostage or anything but a criminal. Thats what he is doing to the Jan 6 criminals who beat officers and breached the Capitol, he added. The death of the officer in NYC is tragic and reminds all of us of the sacrifices and commitment the men and women in uniform make every day regardless [of the political affiliation or religion of the] people they protect and serve. I hope the full extent of the law is applied to bring this officers killer to justice. Rest In Peace and may his memory be a blessing, Mr Gonell concluded. On Thursday, Mr Trump said, police are the greatest people ... and this should never happen. We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often, he added. Lawyer Ron Filipkowski wrote on X on Thursday afternoon that Nobody exploits a murder like Trump, adding that Meanwhile, he wants to pardon people who beat up cops on J6. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A State Department official responsible for promoting human rights in the Middle East has resigned in protest at Joe Bidens Gaza policy. Annelle Sheline, 38, resigned on Wednesday, the latest example of dissent among officials over American support for Israels war in Gaza. Israels offensive has killed over 32,000 people according to local health officials, destroyed over 60 per cent of homes, and displaced around three quarters of the Strips population. It was launched after the 7 October Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Ms Sheline said she had not planned to make her resignation public but that many of her colleagues shared her concerns and asked her to speak out on their behalf. Ms Sheline worked as a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour before she publicly launched an attack on president Bidens administration, saying she and her colleagues felt betrayed by the White House. Ms Sheline quit one year into a two-year contract with the bureau, with nearly half of that tenure dominated by the war in Gaza. For the past year, I worked for the office devoted to promoting human rights in the Middle East. I believe strongly in the mission and in the important work of that office, she wrote in an opinion piece for CNN entitled Why Im resigning from the State Department. As a representative of a government that is directly enabling what the International Court of Justice has said could plausibly be a genocide in Gaza, such work has become almost impossible, she wrote. Unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my position at the Department of State. Ms Sheline said she was disappointed that the US government did not do more to prevent the deaths of 32,000 people, including 90 Palestinian journalists. She said she tried to raise concerns internally on dissent cables a messaging framework open to foreign service officers and staff forums but her concerns werent heard. She also wrote that Americas credibility as an advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began and her efforts to mobilise help from NGOs were being refused. Her decision to make her resignation public stemmed from the encouragement of her colleagues who told her to please speak for us, she said. So many of my colleagues feel betrayed. I write for myself but speak for many others. Across the federal government, employees like me have tried for months to influence policy, both internally and, when that failed, publicly, she wrote. My colleagues and I watched in horror as this administration delivered thousands of precision-guided munitions, bombs, small arms and other lethal aid to Israel and authorised thousands more, even bypassing Congress to do so. She said she was appalled by the Biden administrations flagrant disregard for American laws. Relations between Mr Biden and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low this week with the US allowing passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the UN and drawing a sharp rebuke from the Israeli leader. Mr Bidens decision to abstain at the UN, coming after months of mostly adhering to a longtime US policy of shielding Israel at the world body, appeared to reflect growing US frustration with the Israeli leader. The president, running for re-election in November, faces pressure not just from Americas allies but from a growing number of fellow Democrats to rein in the Israeli military response to Hamass deadly cross-border rampage. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tens of thousands of Australians have signed a petition calling for wildlife officials to give back Molly the magpie, one half of a dog-and-bird duo made famous on Instagram. Molly was seized from a Queensland family over allegations she was being kept unlawfully with no permit, licence or authority. Magpies are a protected wild species in Australia and play an important role in the ecosystem. Molly became famous on the internet after she was rescued as a chick by Gold Coast locals Juliette Wells and her partner Reece Mortensen. The magpie chick had fallen from its nest in 2020 and the couple say she would have faced certain death if they had not intervened and hand-reared her. Molly struck up a friendship with the couples Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy, and an Instagram page they created to document the real-life Winnie the Pooh and Piglet story now has over 729,000 followers. Wells authored a book about the duo entitled Peggy and Molly matching their Instagram handle which was published by Penguin Australia in November. Queenslands premier has joined tens of thousands of members of the public in an appeal to return an Instagram-famous magpie seized by wildlife officials to its dog best friend and the family that rescued the bird as a chick. However, in an emotional video posted on Tuesday, Wells and Mortensen announced that Molly had to be surrendered to the Queensland Department of Science and Innovation (DESI), as we had a small group of people constantly complaining to them. They revealed that Molly was handed to the authorities on 1 March. A spokesperson for the DESI said in a statement Molly had been illegally taken from the wild. Animals in rehabilitation must not associate with domestic animals due to the potential for them to be subjected to stress and the risks of behavioural imprinting and transmission of diseases, the statement added. Animals from the wild, must stay wild. The couple insists Molly has never been caged or forced to stay inside, and that Molly chose to stay with them. They have called on followers to join them in asking the authorities to reconsider the case, and a petition online requesting the DESI reunite Peggy and Molly has almost 70,000 signatures. In their statement on Tuesday they said Molly was handed over to the authorities back on 1 March. We did everything in our power to work with the department, including training and also me obtaining my wildlife permit, which, after a period of time, I had to retract my application, as it was a bit of a conflict to our page, Mortensen said. Their campaign to have Molly returned received a boost on Wednesday from Queenslands premier Steven Miles, who said he supported the campaign and encouraged the department to work with the couple. I gotta say, Ive got some sympathy for people supporting Molly the magpie, Mr Miles said. I know our environment department, I used to be their minister. I know they take their responsibilities under the law very seriously. But I think in these circumstances, theres room for some flexibility. I just urge them to work with Mollys carers to get the necessary wildlife carer training so that she can get back home. The DESI spokesperson said the magpie was under its care but could not be released back into the wild as it had been "highly habituated to human contact". DESI also addressed the fact that the couple helped nurse Molly back to health, but that animals that are sick, orphaned or injured must go to a person who holds a valid rehabilitation permit, which are issued to people who have demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience dealing with and caring for native animals. The purpose of rehabilitating native wildlife is to provide care so that the animal can be released back to the wild. The statement said Molly would have to be housed in a state facility, where she will most likely live out her remaining days Australian magpies have been known to live up to 30 years. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as Pope Francis visits Italys Rebibbia prison for a foot washing Mass on Thursday 28 March. The pontiff looked well as he began four intense days of events leading to Easter this morning and renewed his own ordination vow on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks Jesuss founding of the priesthood the night before the crucifixion. Francis, who recently curtailed his speaking engagements because of fatigue related to bouts of bronchitis and influenza, read a long homily during a Holy Thursday Mass of the Chrism in St Peters Basilica. Holy Thursday commemorates the day of Jesus Last Supper with his apostles the night before he died. On Thursday afternoon, the Pope presided over a traditional foot-washing ritual in the womens section of Romes Rebibbia prison. Francis is the first pope to hold the foot-washing ceremony outside churches, usually in prisons, homes for the elderly or hospices, continuing a practice he began when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. He is also the first to include women and non-Christians in the service. The ceremony echoes Jesuss gesture of humility toward his apostles on the night before he died. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} French Parliament has approved legislation to outlaw discrimination against dreadlocks, braids, afros and any other hair style, colour or texture. The lower-house of Frances passed the law despite opposition from some who called the bill an unnecessary import of US ideas. Olivier Serva, a Black MP from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, who drafted the bill, said it would help victims of such discrimination, in the workplace and beyond, make their voices heard and win court cases. "There is a lot of suffering (based on hair discrimination) and we need to take this into account," he told Reuters news agency. The bill, which aims to ban all discrimination against hair texture or hair cuts, will also protect blond women from sexist discrimination, Serva said. The new laws will be added to already existing anti-discrimination legislation, if approved by the upper-house of Parliament. The bill was approved by 44 legislators against only two, while many MPs did not vote at all for this first reading of the text. The new legislation has been meet with criticism, particularly by republican politicians. Speaking in a parliamentary committee ahead of the full-house debate, Fabien Di Filipo of the conservative Les Republicains mocked the bill, saying: Should we tomorrow expect a bill on discrimination against bald people, which I think are underrepresented in shampoo ads? He said France already bans discrimination based on looks so the draft bill was redundant, adding it aimed to import a U.S. mindset in French legislation. Philippe Schreck, from the far-right National Rally, told parliament lawmakers should work on more important issues, such as the countrys public debt, rather than on hair discrimination. French law currently fosters a strong culture of universalism, which promote the idea that all people are equal, and does not allow ethnic quotas, or even collecting data based on ethnicity. This new law comes following a 2023 study by Unilevers shampoo brand Dove and LinkedIn that showed that two out of three black women in the United States changed their hair for a job interview. Black womens hair was 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional, the study found. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A $10 billion battle over more than 200 jets stuck in Russia should be heard in London rather than Moscow, Londons High Court has ruled on Thursday. The battle is between reinsurers and aircraft leasing companies seeking payouts. Aircraft lessors, including Irelands AerCap and US-listed Carlyle Aviation Partners, are pursuing insurers for losses after Russias invasion of Ukraine grounded their jets in Russia. The lessors argued the legal case should be heard in London rather than Moscow, to avoid the risk of unfair hearings or inconsistent judgments. However, some major reinsurers including AIG, AXA and some Lloyds of London syndicates, wanted the claims heard in Russia, arguing that the policies stipulate a dispute should be heard in Moscow. Not all reinsurers agreed AAA around 35 had accepted the jurisdiction of the English courts in the dispute, including heavyweights Swiss Re and Chubb. Judge Andrew Henshaw ruled the cases should continue in London, stating in a written ruling on Thursday that the claimants are very unlikely to obtain a fair trial in Russia. A spokesperson for Carlyle Aviation Partners, one of the claimants, welcomed the ruling. Without further delay, we intend to vigorously pursue our claims against all insurers who have failed to provide coverage for losses in the courts of London, as is the right and proper jurisdiction, Carlyle said in a statement. Hundreds of aircraft have been stuck in Russia since Western nations imposed sanctions on the country, prompting a wave of lawsuits against insurers. Thursdays judgment turned on operator policies, under which Russian airlines leased the jets through international lessors, insured them through Russian insurers, and reinsured those policies through the London market. Lessors are named as insured and can therefore also claim directly in some instances. Some lessors led by AerCap, the worlds largest, are also suing insurers under contingent and possessed policies in London, Dublin and some US states. A London mega trial is scheduled for October. Deals with Russia, meanwhile, have started shaving the size of claims. Since launching their lawsuits, lessors have secured settlements totalling more than $2.5 billion for more than 100 jets, with ownership transferred to Russian airlines. The various pieces of litigation in London originally related to 306 aircraft together with 40 engines. After some settlements, they now relate to 208 aircraft and 31 engines, Henshaw said in his ruling. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} French President Emmanuel Macron told Brazilian executives on Wednesday that a proposed deal between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur is bad for both parties. Speaking at a forum in Sao Paulo, Macron said the Mercosur-EU deal is outdated and needs reworking to take climate change into account. His comments reinforced his opposition, which has been the most outspoken among European leaders. The trade deal with Mercosur as it is being negotiated now is a terrible deal. For you and for us, Macron said, according to the translation into Portuguese by Sao Paulo's Industry Federation, whose headquarters held the event. It was negotiated 20 years ago. We need to rebuild it. Macron opposes any agreement so long as South American producers fail to adhere to the same environmental and health standards as Europeans. Farmers raised concerns about pesticides during protests across Europe earlier this year. Mercosur is formed by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Macron hadn't mentioned the topic at the start of his three-day visit to Brazil, during a busy schedule in the Amazon city of Belem with his counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prior to the trip, his office said a potential deal would not be on the agenda. This deal, as it is, I don't defend it, the French president said, with Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin sitting in the audience. Alckmin, who is also Brazil's industry minister, didn't mention the negotiations in his own speech, but alluded to them. President Lula always says there needs to be reciprocity. It is win-win. We gain markets, we open our market, he said. Some Brazilian economists have insisted the EU is not opening enough for Mercosur goods. On Tuesday, Lula and Macron announced a plan to invest 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in the Amazon, including parts of the rainforest in neighboring French Guiana. The two countries governments said in a joint statement the money will be spread over the next four years to protect the rainforest. It will be a collaboration of state-run Brazilian banks and Frances investment agency. On Thursday, the French president will head to Brasilia to again meet with Lula. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A shortage of eggs in shops during Holy Week has led Norwegians to flock to supermarkets across the border in Sweden and hoard the traditional Easter food. Norwegian news outlet Nettavisen said that the Nordby shopping center in Sweden, located just off the border about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the capital, Oslo, has been filled by desperate Norwegians trying to stock up on eggs. The centers Maxi-Mat food store ran out of eggs Tuesday, while the adjacent Nordby Supermarket has had to limit the number of eggs purchased to three 20-packs per household, the news outlet reported. Not only are the Swedish stores better stocked with eggs, a traditional Easter treat needed for many dishes, but the product is also more affordable in Sweden, Nettavisen said. Its far cheaper than you get in Norway if you can get eggs in Norway at all, that is, Stale Lvheim, the head of the Nordby shopping center, told Nettavisen. The last time I was in Norway, the store was empty of eggs. Egg Prices Sticker Shock (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) A pack of 20 eggs in Sweden sells for a price equivalent to 39.90 Norwegian kroner ($3.70), about 30% less than the price in Norway. Concerns about overproduction of eggs in Norway led to farmers being offered compensation to reduce egg production. That and the effects of bird flu have led to a shortage, according to news reports. Egg prices are at near-historic highs in many parts of the world as Easter approaches, reflecting a market battered by disease, high demand and growing costs for farmers. Ranked consistently among the most expensive countries in the world, Norway is known for its substantially high cost of living, especially in regards to food products and alcohol, which are heavily taxed even when compared to well-to-do Nordic neighbors. Many residents living in southern Norway regularly make shopping trips across the border to Sweden, where products and services enjoy a lower value-added tax, a phenomenon that has evolved into a lucrative business for Swedish store owners. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two nightclub employees have been arrested under new laws in Russia as Vladimir Putin launches a crackdown on the LGBT community. Diana Kamilyanova and Alexander Klimov face 10 years in prison after being detained by masked police officers and accused of aiding and abetting extremist activity. Russias supreme court has branded the international LGBTQ public movement as an extremist organisation. Critics say the move is aimed at providing Russians with an enemy within to consolidate President Putins rule, as well as distract from economic and social problems. Although same-sex relations are not against the law in Russia, the Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on LGBTQ citizens since the start of the war in Ukraine. A police officer speaks with a gay rights activist standing with a rainbow flag at Dvortsovaya Square in St. Petersburg, Russia (File photo) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Exiled Russian opposition journalist and LGBTQ rights activist Elena Kostyuchenko told Russian-language news outlet Current Time: The main characteristic of fascism is a mobilised society, that is, a society that is either in a state of war or in a state of preparation for war. And in order to keep society mobilised, external and internal enemies are needed. LGBT people are ideal for the role of internal enemies, because we are everywhere, we are just like you, there are enough of us, and at the same time we are different. The number of Russians who believe that homosexuals should not have equal rights has risen to 60 per cent, from 19 per cent since 2013, according to a recent survey by the independent Russian Field pollster. Other polls, however, have shown consistently hostile attitudes. One of the most vocal supporters of the LGBT crackdown is Ekaterina Mizulina, the head of the pro-Putin Safe Internet League, whose activists inform on gay clubs and scour the internet for offending posts. Mizulina, whose own social media accounts are full of images of hearts and cheery good morning, everyone! posts, has called anti-LGBT laws a serious barrier against the values that are destroying Russia and destroying our identity. The Kremlin has previously used the extremist label to prosecute human rights groups, independent media and political opposition, including allies of the now deceased Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Close Zelensky rejects Putins claims that Ukraine involved in Moscow attack For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia is using barges in a bid to enhance the defences of one of its ports in the Black Sea, Britains Ministry of Defence has said. It comes following a number of successful Ukrainian strikes on navy ships in the region. Recent imagery analysis has identified four barges positioned at the entrance to the Black Sea fleet facility of Novorossiysk Sea Port, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update. This is an effort to enhance the defence of the port against attacks from Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). Elsewhere, A Russian cruise missile strike on infrastructure in Ukraines western Lviv region killed one man, while another died in an attack in the northeast, officials said Sunday. The attack in Lviv destroyed a building and sparked a fire, governor Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on social media app Telegram. He said that rescue operations were being conducted. In the Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said that an air attack killed an 19-year-old man after a missile hit a gas station. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A giant dust storm from the Sahara Desert is covering much of southern and eastern Europe, leaving Mediterranean holiday hotspots such as Greece and Malta with air pollution up to 10 times recommended levels. The dust cloud has negatively impacted the air quality in affected countries and may cause restricted visibility, and mud rain, a mixture of rain and dust, said EU monitoring service, Copernicus. It comes after a similar dust cloud enveloped the Iberian peninsula last week, affecting Spain and Portugal. Images from the Sentinel-3 satellite show the dust cloud hovering over southern Italy, Malta, Greece, Libya, and Tunisia. There was reduced visibility in Athens, and authorities on the Greek island of Crete issued a health alert for airborne particles well in excess of 50 micrograms per cubic metre. Individuals with respiratory issues, young children, and the elderly, were advised to stay indoors where possible. Theodoros Kolydas, director of Greeces National Meteorological Centre, said the pollution and air particles should clear in the coming days as the wind direction changes. The dust has even reached the Baltic today, while covering a large part of Central and Eastern Europe, he tweeted. One Greece resident described the thick air caused by the phenomenon, saying: Its like the air is full of custard powder. The Met Office at the RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, tweeted a satellite picture showing thick high cloud (red) approaching the island from the west. Visibility was reduced to between three and nine miles by the dust particles, it said. In Malta, particulate levels reached 514 micrograms per cubic metre on Wednesday morning, according the Times of Malta. Guidelines by the World Health Organisation say that levels should not exceed an average of 45 over a 24-hour period. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musk has revealed the goals for the next Starship mission following another successful test of the worlds biggest rocket. The SpaceX boss said the next Starship launch, which is expected to take place in early May, will focus on bringing the craft back to Earth safely from orbit for the first time. On Wednesday, SpaceX completed a second static fire test of its latest Starship rocket at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Getting ready for Flight 4 of Starship, Mr Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. Goal of this mission is for Starship to get through max reentry heating with all systems functioning. The static fire test comes less than two weeks after the last Starship mission, which saw the rocket reach orbital velocity for the first time before breaking up upon reentry to Earths atmosphere. Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceXs chief operating officer, said last week that the next launch attempt could take place in the beginning part of May, though no payload will be onboard. The fourth major flight test of the fully stacked Starship rocket system will instead aim to resolve the issues that arose during the last mission. Measuring 120 metres tall, and capable of producing 7.5 million kilograms of thrust, Starship is the biggest and most powerful rocket system ever built. The first commercial missions of SpaceXs next-generation rocket will likely see it deliver Starlink satellites into orbit, with Ms Shotwell saying this should happen before then end of the year. View more SpaceX also has a multi-billion dollar contract with Nasa to provide Starship rockets for the US space agencys Artemis program, which aims to return people to the Moon within the next few years. Beyond that, Mr Musk hopes to use a fleet of Starships to ferry crew and cargo across the Solar System to set up a permanent human colony on Mars. Building a rocket that is both reliable and reusable will be critical to achieving these goals. Two protesters scaled a 250ft crane at a construction site in Atlanta, Georgia and attached their arms to the machine with duct tape before being cut free by police. Bodycam footage shows officers speaking to the pair, 23-year-old Parker Demos and 22-year-old Frederick Hetzel, above the ground while a crowd is cheering below. They had climbed the crane at the construction site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, which many protesters are calling Cop City. Atlanta Police and fire rescue teams were compelled to intervene and remove two anarchists who scaled construction equipment, a statement from the City of Atlanta Police Department read. The protesters were seen cooperating with police as they were brought down safely wearing harnesses. Netflix drama The Crown is not to blame for the recent conspiracy theories surrounding the Princess of Wales, Sir Jonathan Pryce has said. The actor, who plays Prince Phillip in the royal drama, was asked if the show distorts peoples view of the monarchy and contributes to conspiracy theories when he appeared on Andrew Marrs LBC programme on Wednesday (27 March). Sir Jonathan said: It did nothing but enhance the image of the royal family. It made them an entirely sympathetic family with the problems we all have. Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, the UN Security Council resolution passed on Monday was no more than the logical conclusion of a painfully gradual revision of US policy that has been going on since at least January. That does not make it any less of a landmark. Practically every word of Resolution 2728 illustrates just how far the US stance has changed, and how far what was once unacceptable to the US and its ally, Israel has now been accepted by the US. These include the demand for an immediate ceasefire, although initially only for Ramadan, the fact that it should be unconditional that is, not linked to the release of the hostages, which is the subject of a separate demand. There is no mention of Hamas, and the resolution implies the release of hostages/prisoners by both sides. A second clause emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip, which amounts to direct criticism of Israel. Apple CEO Tim Cook looks at brand new Apple products during an Apple event on September 12, 2023 in Cupertino, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Apples main Irish arm paid corporation tax totalling $7.871bn (6.57bn) last year, well over three times more than the tech giant paid as recently as 2020. Apples main Irish-registered entity reported pre-tax profits of $71bn in 2023 in financial accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office here this week. Although the companys filings do not break down where tax was paid, it includes, but is not limited to, corporation tax paid in Ireland where Apple is understood to be among the biggest, if not the biggest, single payer of corporation tax. The accounts are for the California-headquartered technology giants Irish-registered Apple Operations International Limited, which acts as a parent company for dozens of subsidiaries outside the US. The Irish arms turnover last year was $222.8bn, well over half of the global tech giants total sales, including in the United States. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 28th Pre-tax profit was up from $69.3bn in 2022. The Irish arms turnover last year was $218.89bn, down slightly from 2022 but making up more than half of the organisations total sales, including in the US market. The dividend paid by the Irish headquartered arm jumped dramatically, to just over $92bn in 2023 from $20bn a year earlier. Dividends paid to the groups US parent are liable to taxation in the US. Meanwhile, net tax paid by the Irish entity rose again in 2023, although at a much slower pace than the preceding number of years. The accounts show the business here paid $7.871bn in tax. It was up from $7.69bn in 2022, $4.44bn paid out by the same business in 2021 and $2.38bn in 2020. The total of corporation tax collected by the Irish government last year was 23.8bn, itself a massive increase on levels paid a decade ago. A report earlier this week from the Parliamentary Budgetary Office at the Houses of the Oireachtas found the corporation tax take increased 23pc on average each year between 2014 and 2022, before it stabilised last year. The rise in the amount of tax paid by Apple Operations International Limited is therefore in line with the Irish Governments corporation tax trend. Corporation tax surged as adjustments to global tax rules kicked off massive changes in many multinationals corporate structures and intra-company management of profits and tax, but with still highly unpredictable longer-term consequences. In Apples case, the tech giant appears to have exhausting so-called deferred tax assets that helped substantially keep a cap on its overall tax bills in recent years. The latest Apple Operations International Limited accounts dont show any remaining intra group deferred tax assets. It had already decreased to $812m by September 2022, the end of its tax year, from $4bn a year earlier and $7bn a year before that. It is understood these intra group deferred tax assets included Irish capital allowances, which provide businesses with tax breaks based on investments including their purchase of intellectual property from elsewhere in a corporate group such as an Irish unit buying intellectual property from a sister company in another tax jurisdiction. As recently as 2016, the Apple unit's intra group deferred tax assets were as large as $22.5bn according to previous analysis by UCC economist Seamus Coffey, an expert in Irelands corporate tax regime. Apple is thought to be among a number of large multinationals that on-shored intellectual property to Ireland following the global tax reforms in 2015. These reforms limited the benefits of holding assets elsewhere and so ended schemes like the so-called Double Irish that had helped businesses radically limit tax bills. Between 2012 and 2019, every additional service sector job in Dublin consumed 10.2 sq m of office space. But this has fallen to 3.2 sq m since 2020 as Covid mainstreamed hybrid working. Photo: Getty Dublin has experienced six office market cycles since 1960. This is not unusual office cycles are driven by universal forces that make them ubiquitous. Nonetheless, each cycle has a slightly different flavour, and they vary in both their length and depth. Dublins office market is in a downswing. The good news for investors and their funders is this should not be an unusually deep plunge by historical standards. But the bad news is the recovery from bottom-dead-centre may be slower this time round. Because developers respond to the same signals low vacancy and rising rents office supply tends to come in a gush. Developers who get out quickly have the best chance of success because their buildings will face less competition when they are finished. But those who are slower out of the blocks, or who encounter delays, run the risk of delivering into a saturated market. Obviously, the more pipeline space that is in train, the greater the risks for those at the back of the queue. As we entered 2024, more than 400,000 sq m of Dublin office space was onsite for completion by the end of next year nearly 10pc of the standing stock. Developers who get out quickly have the best chance of success because their buildings will face less competition when they are finished This is a striking number, but not necessarily a cause for panic. Todays pipeline is much more modest than in the last cycle, when loose development credit drove completions to almost 10pc of stock in 2007 alone. In addition, demolitions and repurposing of existing buildings will prevent the total stock from rising by the full 400,000 sq m. Typically, when a market is moving towards oversupply, demolition for redevelopment slows. But this time, two factors may keep the wrecking-balls swinging. Firstly, if developers anticipate higher demolition costs in the future, they may opt to knock down buildings now particularly if the foregone cashflows are expected to be limited by high voids and weak rents for older assets. Secondly, given the focus on embodied carbon, some developers may seek to sidestep the risk of future restrictions on demolition by razing buildings now. Given contrasting supply/demand dynamics between the commercial and residential markets, the adaptive reuse of offices has come into focus. Office-to-residential conversions may play some role in dampening the rise in office supply. However, elevation-to-elevation spans often make it challenging to get natural light to the centre of offices once partition walls go up, and most of the proposed conversions are for hotel and life-science uses. Office-to-residential conversions may play some role in dampening the rise in office supply In addition to pipeline supply, over-building risks can be greatly amplified by demand shocks that undermine the markets capacity to absorb space. Between 2017-2021 tech firms accounted for 51pc of Dublin office take-up. However the 2022 tech-wreck triggered a global headcount reduction which has affected Ireland. Tech employment is currently 5pc off its August 2022 peak. Inevitably, this has affected tech firms appetite for space, and they now account for just 21pc of take-up. The second demand-side headwind has been remote working. Between 2012 and 2019, every additional service sector job in Dublin consumed 10.2 sq m of office space. But this has fallen to 3.2 sq m since 2020 as Covid mainstreamed hybrid working. Essentially, the link between employment and office demand has been disrupted. Bringing these strands together and looking ahead, this office downswing should not be abnormally deep. More disciplined lending to speculative developers since the global financial crisis has ensured a manageable pipeline. Consequently, and notwithstanding subdued demand, vacancy is likely to peak at between 16.5 and 17pc in 2025 (currently it is just over 13pc). Historically, Dublin office rents are well supported at vacancy rates below 11pc. Relative to this benchmark the market is heading for an excess vacancy overhang of 250,000 to 270,000 sq m, much less than the 2010 equivalent of 430,000 sq m. However, remote working means the overhang may be digested more slowly than before, causing a drawn-out recovery. Ultimately, the absorption rate will depend on two factors: service sector jobs growth and the office space-per-employee ratio. Remote working means the overhang may be digested more slowly than before If the traditional 10.2 sq m per employee ratio re-establishes itself, 24,500 to 26,500 service sector jobs would be needed to clear the backlog. Based on average jobs growth over the last decade this could happen in little over two years. However, if the occupational density ratio remained at 3.2 sq m, it could take considerably longer. Future jobs growth and occupational density ratios obviously remain unknown, but there are reasons to be positive on both counts. Forecasters predict a strengthening macro-economic outlook and CSO data suggest that, although the percentage of employees working remotely has stabilised, the number of days at home is edging down. Nonetheless, the market is still some time away from peak vacancy and, even with a fair wind, the recovery that kicks-in after that could take at least two years. Dr John McCartney is director of research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland and adjunct associate professor at University College Dublin How Irish cosmetics makers are gearing up for a future where consumers worry as much about health as beauty Firms at Cosmoprof trade show for the skincare and beauty sector in Italy say the industry changed after the Covid pandemic Nicola Connolly of Nunaia Beauty Caoimhe Gordon Thu 28 Mar 2024 at 03:30 A post-pandemic health kick is shaking up the skincare sector and a cohort of emerging Irish skincare brands are looking to win over international consumers by putting as much stress on care as on beauty. Irish digital health company Wellola has raised 2.2m in a recent funding round, bringing total funding to date to 4m. Wellola was founded in Dublin in 2016 by chartered physiotherapist Sonia Neary. The business provides healthcare organisations with a patient communication platform designed to work with existing systems. This platform can then provide hospitals and community clinics with the digital communication tools required to provide healthcare outside of a hospital setting. The funding round was led by Irish investment house Elkstone, with additional funding from Enterprise Ireland and Bay Advisory. The company plans to use the funding to accelerate their growth in Ireland, the UK and other European markets. Wellola is also set to recruit technical and operational staff in both Ireland and the UK. Digital interventions like ours can address health inequalities by being scalable, affordable and accessible, founder and chief executive Sonia Neary said. This investment will enable us to further enhance our Portasana patient care and communication platform and also expand our footprint across the UK, ultimately empowering healthcare professionals to deliver more efficient, effective and personalised care to their patients, she added. The companys Portasana platform is currently being used by a number of organisations, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, North East London Foundation Trust and Birmingham Community NHS Trust. Wellola reported that one NHS Trust department using the platform has reduced the need for return appointments by 30pc, reducing costs by around 325,000 (379,000) a year. Around 95pc of 600 UK patients who completed an education course featured on the Portasana platform also said they had a better understanding of their conditions, with 91pc feeling more confident about managing it. The company also pointed to growing demand for digital health solutions following hospital overcrowding and long waiting lists across Europe. Elkstone partner Barry Brennan said the company is ushering in a new era of healthcare right across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Wellola is revolutionising how hospitals and clinics care for and communicate with their patients, he said. As Irelands largest early-stage venture fund, we are always on the lookout for innovative Irish founders making an impact both at home and abroad. Enterprise Irelands Ruth McAvoy said that the companys technology brings benefits to both patients and healthcare systems. Bank of Ireland has warned young people that allowing their bank account to be used to transfer stolen money for a fee can lead to a criminal record. The process, which is known as money-muling, can also impact travel plans or future employment prospects, the bank said. The warning comes as a number of Irish students plan to travel to the United States this summer on a J1 visa. Young people and students can be recruited as money mules on social media channels, with fraudsters targeting people as young as 14. Criminals request to send stolen money into a bank account, which is then moved to another account, which is usually located overseas. The bank account holder may also withdraw the cash and pass it onto the person who recruited them. The money mule may also be able to keep some of the cash transferred into the account for themselves as payment. Bank of Ireland has advised account holders to ignore requests to make quick and easy money. Fraudsters may also advertise jobs that seem genuine and promise a way to make money quickly. However, they may only ask applicants if they have a bank account as part of the application process. It is also advisable to verify any opportunities that offer the chance to make money by simply working from home. This includes checking the phone number and website of any companies offering such a position. Offers to make quick and easy money can seem appealing but this is a way that fraudsters use people as money mules, Bank of Irelands head of fraud Nicola Sadlier said. Young people and students are being approached with increasing regularity through social media channels including TikTok and Snapchat, she said, adding that people are occasionally approached to do this as a favour for a friend or acquaintance. More often, they are offered a payment for use of their account, Ms Sadlier said. She warned that the consequences for such an action are quite stark, while being naive is not a defence. If you allow your account to be used, it will be reported to gardai and your account will be closed. Gardai may arrest you or search your home, she added. If youre charged, you may have to appear in court, and it could have implications for getting bank loans, visas, or jobs in the future. Bank of Ireland has extended the deadline for its mobile banking customers with older phones to replace them with newer devices. There was a huge backlash from customers who have to fork out hundreds of euro on a new device because the bank will stop issuing security updates for older operating systems. The issue was first reported in the Sunday Independent. The deadline to replace the older devices was this Sunday, but the bank has now made a concession and set a new deadline of July 1. Older phones and tables are not supported by Apple or Google, which means they no longer get software updates from those manufacturers. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 28th Bank of Ireland said that when a device stops getting the latest software updates, over time it can mean the phone or tablet is more exposed to security issues including potential fraud. For this reason, we make sure that the Bank of Ireland app is supported by the most up-to-date operating system for both iOS (Apple) and Android devices, it said. Customers faced with the prospect of having to spend thousands of euro on new devices had reacted with anger to the bank telling them recently that the BoI app will not be supported on older devices after March 31. The new deadline of July 1 will give them more time to replace their devices with ones that will be able to download the latest security updates. But despite having the deadline extended many still face the prospect of huge expensive getting a replacement phone or tablet. The bank said today that from July 1 its app updates wont be available on a device which hasnt been updated to iPhones and iPads using iOS version 15 or above. It said its app updates will only be available on android phones and tablets using Android version 11 or higher. The bank said this does not mean that affected customers will need to buy a new phone to use its app. After July, customer phones and tablets will still have access to the app and customers will still be able to use the app. However, any device that is still using an old operating system (OS 14 or lower for Apple devices and OS 10 or lower for Android), will not be able to update to any later versions of its mobile app. The bank said this means these customers will not have access to new features or improvements and over time, access to existing features will also be affected. Crucially, they will not be getting any Apple or Android security patches or updates, the bank said. If customers cannot use the app through a mobile phone or tablet, they can still bank online by using a browser (e.g. Safari, Chrome, MS Edge) through the Mobile Phone/tablet or a computer by using a Physical Security Key (PSK), the bank said. The PSK is required to ensure customers are fully verified before accessing an account, which is a very important protection for our customers. Customers using Huawei cannot update their operating system since US authorities prohibited access to Android stores for those devices in 2019. The bank said this was outside of its control. Huawei device users can still access their online banking via a desktop/laptop and a Physical Security Key device, the bank said. How a letter to Chuck Feeney helped Mike Feerick create a global e-learning firm Founder hopes his platform can help cut industry costs to make education more affordable Mike Feerick wants Ireland to do more to harness the economic power of its diaspora. Photo: Adrian Weckler Adrian Weckler Thu 28 Mar 2024 at 03:30 Mike Feerick, founder of the Galway-based global online learning portal, alison.com, says a 200-year-old former monastery in the centre of Loughrea, which is earmarked for the firms future headquarters, is almost ready for its temporary role as a Ukrainian family refuge. UK High Court rules against insurance firms in jurisdictional challenge Efforts by reinsurance companies to move from London to Moscow litigation involving as much as 15bn of aircraft that were seized in Russia after it invaded Ukraine have been dismissed by the UKs High Court. Joe Nocera on his new podcast investigating Max Gerlach, the small-time crook upon whom F Scott Fitzgerald may have based flawed protagonist First published in 1925, The Great Gatsby still sells half a million copies a year. Both a brilliant evocation of the Jazz Age in all its exhausting glory and a satire of a country obsessed with money and power, F Scott Fitzgerald's novel is lauded as one of the greatest ever written in English. His editor Max Perkins described it as "a story that ranges from pure lyrical beauty to sheer brutal realism". Jay Gatsby, one of the most celebrated characters in modern literature, has everything. He is young, handsome and rich. He throws the best parties. He is from the right background and knows all the right people. But as narrator Nick Carraway learns more about Gatsby, he begins to realise that much of what he has been telling people about himself is untrue: a second layer of fiction is hidden within the fiction. Which makes it even more surprising to learn that the novel has a real-life origin story. In 1951, a small-time crook and bootlegger called Max Gerlach suggested that he was the inspiration for Gatsby. His claim fell on uninterested ears, and when he died in 1958, the mystery of the link between him and Gatsby died too. In a new eight-part investigative podcast, American Dreamer: Who was Jay Gatsby? (Audible, all episodes available), veteran reporter Joe Nocera and producer Poppy Damon take up the case. I had never heard of Max Gerlach until I started working on this podcast, Nocera tells me. I definitely saw it as literary detective work. I went down a lot of rabbit holes searching for information about this or that obscure but invariably fascinating person who was in some way connected to Gerlach. Whenever we found something, it was like we had found a gold nugget in the Sierra Mountains. The first burning question was whether Fitzgerald knew Gerlach. The answer, is definitely yes, Nocera says. One of the leading Fitzgerald scholars, Matthew Bruccoli, discovered a note Gerlach wrote to Fitzgerald in the early 1920s. En route from the coast, it read. Here for a few days business. How are you and the family, old sport? Old sport was, of course, Jay Gatsbys catchphrase. Thats the first and strongest piece of evidence, and we follow the trail from there. In the novel, Gatsby uses old sport 42 times. Figuring out whos who in a novel is just plain fun, Nocera says. The fascinating trail he follows takes in the shady world of Prohibition-era bootlegging, the Mob, the love story behind Gatsby and the truth behind the great American Dream. The American Dream, Ive come to believe, is not just one thing, he says. I am a baby boomer, a child of the World War II generation. My parents American Dream was to own their own home, raise their children and have a steady, middle-class job. For others, the American Dream was being the first in their family to go to college and make it in elite society. For others, it was about getting rich, whether legally or not. Max Gerlach had a unique American Dream:, to be seen as a real American even though that was a lie. Whatever else you can say about him, he did succeed in doing that. That Fitzgerald threw nothing away is a boon for archivists, so Nocera has plenty of material with which to explore parallels between Fitzgerald and Gatsby as well as those between Fitzgerald and Gerlach. For example, Fitzgerald was fixated on social class and wealth, and so was his character. Gatsby describes himself as a military man. What do you know: when Nocera and Damon go through service records, they discover that so was Gerlach. Nocera keeps on digging, and finds that Gerlachs record was neither as stellar nor as close to the frontline as it first appeared (If Max had a war, it was a very short one, he notes drily in Episode 2, Then Came The War). As with the same teams last hit podcast, Agatha Christie and the Dandelion Poisoner, American Dreamer is an engaging combination of gumshoe detective work and investigative journalism. Nocera cheerfully knocks on doors in search of clues, no matter how small or insignificant they might seem. One of the leading scholars he interviews is Horst Kruse, a 95-year-old retired professor of American literature who spent decades investigating the connection between Gatsby, Gerlach and Fitzgerald. Featuring interviews with academics, authors and private investigators, the series blends scholarship with the dramatisation of incredible characters (both real and fictional), and music and effects are used to create an immersive and cinematic sound design. An enjoyable aspect of Noceras approach is that just when you think hes delivered the crucial piece of information he was working up to, he reveals yet another dark corner to explore or page to turn. Sentence for sentence, there isnt a better-written book in the English language, Nocera believes. The Great Gatsby is a novel in which fiction and fact dance around each other, and reality and illusion change places What is it that Jay Gatsby wants? He wants an illusion a dream of a love affair he once had that he thinks is more real than it probably was. He wants to be accepted by old wealth another illusion. He wants to make money illegally but be accepted as an upstanding member of society illusion number three. Dreams based on illusions usually burst. That is what I think is the message of The Great Gatsby. Given how good the leads are, I almost feel guilty for not liking it a bit more The stars of Derry Girls have been doing really well since the hugely popular sitcom came to an end in 2022. Jamie-Lee ODonnell has served two seasons as a prison officer in Channel 4s Screw. Siobhan MacSweeney can currently be seen in the Disney+ superhero comedy Extraordinary. From Friday, Louise Harlan takes the lead role of highway robber Renegade Nell in Sally Wainwrights historical adventure for Disney+, while Saoirse-Monica Jackson will next be seen in The Decameron on Netflix. Big Mood - Official Trailer And, of course, theres Nicola Coughlan, who returns in May in a third season of Neflixs global smash Bridgerton. In the meantime, however, she and Lydia West, the breakout star of Its a Sin, play best friends Maggie and Eddie, respectively, in the six-part Big Mood (Channel 4, Thursday, March 28), which kicks off with a double bill (all episodes available on channel4.com). The first thing to be said about Big Mood which was originally supposed to be called Super Close is that the two women are terrific together. The chemistry between them is so natural and so easy, you have no trouble at all believing their characters have been best friends for a decade and will always have one anothers back, no matter how difficult things get. Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie (Lydia West) Photo: Chris Baker / Channel 4 / Dancing Ledge This could be something to do with the fact that Coughlan and the series creator and writer Camilla Whitehill, who wrote the part of Maggie specifically for her, are best pals in real life, having met at drama school, and co-host a podcast called Whistle Through the Shamrocks. The strength of their friendship seems to bleed into the scripts. Given how good the leads are, I almost feel guilty for not liking it a bit more. Its billed as a comedy, yet its so conspicuously short on big laughs (something thats sadly typical of a lot of modern TV comedies), a better description might be comedy-drama. Nicola Coughlan as Maggie. Photo: Matt Crockett / Channel 4 Yet by the end of the first two episodes, its debatable whether it fits that label, either. There are certainly moments that induce smiles and chuckles rather than guffaws, but most of them come in the first half-hour instalment, which is the lighter of the two. We first encounter Maggie, in pink tracksuit, enormous shades and a headscarf, zipping cheerfully through London on an electric scooter, waving to all and sundry. Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) Photo: Chris Baker / Channel 4 / Dancing Ledge She bought the scooter on an impulse and just as impulsively gives it away to a pair of complete strangers when she arrives at her destination an early clue to her personality. Maggie has come to see Eddie, who co-owns a rundown, rat-infested pub with her brother Jay (Ukweli Roach). He seems to be scheming to sell the place, which they inherited from their father, behind her back. Maggie, a budding playwright with a few fringe shows in pubs to her name, tells Eddie shes been invited by her old school to give a talk to the primary-level children; she wants Eddie to go with her and pretend to be her high-powered agent. In reality, it was Maggie who asked the school if she could give a talk to the kids. Eddie discovers Maggies real motive is to reconnect with a hot history teacher she fancied, who saved her from the groping hands of a creepy colleague during her prom. Lydia West as Eddie. Photo: Matt Crockett / Channel 4 But said teacher, now the principal and older and less hot than he used to be has decided Maggie should talk to the A-level students: a gang of surly, sneering teenagers with about as much interest in the theatre as a chicken has in Sudoku. Its all going horribly wrong until one of them asks Maggie if she liked school. F**k, no! I hated it, she tells them, before detailing all the reasons why school is a complete waste of time. Theres a decent comedic twist near the end, followed by a darker one which reveals Maggie to be bipolar and going through a manic episode. Big Mood is ultimately about whether a close friendship can survive the stresses of growing older (Maggie and Eddie are hitting their 30s) and the strains of mental health difficulties. Its a laudable subject. Unfortunately, the second episode, set at Maggies surprise 30th birthday party, is flaccid, shapeless and a bit tedious, frankly. Maybe Big Mood will pick up. Im not sure Im in the mood to stick around to find out. It earns an extra star for Coughlan and Wests performances. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD outside Government Buildings at the Anniversary of the Ireland Smoking Ban which on 29 March 2004 the Irish Government, introduced the Public Health (Tobacco) Act banning smoking in all workplaces, bars and restaurants. Photo: Sam Boal /Collins Photos Around 800,000 smokers have quit in the the twenty years since the workplace ban was introduced in Ireland. Tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of the ban which stopped people lighting up in public places. It comes as the go ahead was given today for wider curbs on advertising near schools. Around 74 countries have since followed the example with a complete smoking bans in indoor public places, workplaces and public transport. Smoking rates in Ireland are down from 27pc in 2004 to 18pc last year, although progress has slowed. The HSE said there has been a reduction of smoking rates among children, reducing from 19pc in 2004 to 5pc today. Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who was Minister for Health when the ban was introduced, said today: "This Friday marks twenty years since the introduction of the workplace smoking ban - one of the most important and memorable days in my political career. While it was viewed as a controversial measure at the time and faced stiff opposition, the positive impact that the smoking ban has had on public health in Ireland is clear. "Over the past two decades, smoking rates have reduced significantly - particularly among children. Hundreds of thousands of people have given up smoking since 2004. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD. Photo: Sam Boal /Collins Photos We have continued to push ahead with measures to combat smoking because, simply, there is nothing good about this habit. It is addictive, it is lethal and I have yet to meet a smoker who is happy that they started. Twenty years on from the introduction of the smoking ban, we now face new, worrying challenges posed by vaping. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has taken important steps to ban the sale of vapes to children and is examining further measures to address these challenges. As we mark this anniversary, we remain focused on measures that put the health of our population first, that protect future generations and that will bring closer to our goal of a tobacco-free Ireland." Mr Donnelly announced today he has signed commencement orders to prohibit advertising for nicotine inhaling products around cinema films for children, as well as 200 metres of a school. There is a six-month lead-in time for these measures which will take effect from September 23. From Thursday next test purchasing operations can be carried out by environmental health officers in the HSE to find out if the law around the sale of cigarettes to minors is being followed. Test purchasing operations involve a minor aged 15 or over attempting to purchase tobacco products in contravention of the ban on sales to minors. These operations were previously approved by the High Court for tobacco and from Thursday, they will be contained in legislation for both tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. Since December it has been illegal to sell an e-cigarette to a child. Mr Donnelly said: The commencement will bring into operation further elements of our overall strategy to reduce the exposure of our children to smoking and vaping. "I am particularly pleased to commence the statutory framework for test purchases as it highlights how some of our young people themselves are helping to protect other young people from tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. As we mark 20 years since the introduction of the smoking ban in Ireland, my Department continues to introduce evidence-based policy measures that help to reduce the significant health burden that smoking places on our population. Second-hand smoke causes cancers, heart disease and strokes, and young people who vape are more likely to go on to smoke, so it is vital that we initiate measures to protect them from addictive products. We have made great strides in this area, but the work continues and I want to reaffirm my commitment to reaching our goal of a tobacco free Ireland. My dad was a strong person so if this can happen to him, what else is happening? Martin Abbott's daughter on his death in University Hospital Limerick Efforts are continuing behind the scenes to salvage the Nature Restoration Law after last minute back-tracking by several EU countries. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said the law was rescuable although he remained very worried about it. The landmark law to stop and reverse the loss of nature and habitats on land and sea was passed by the European Parliament and was due to be rubberstamped by EU environment ministers last Monday. However, several countries changed their position and the law was dropped from the agenda. No further meeting of the environment council is scheduled before the European elections in June but Mr Ryan said the law could be stamped by any council. A meeting of Ecofin, the council of economic and financial affairs ministers, is scheduled for April 12 and a council of foreign ministers later in the month. Meanwhile, talks are under way to try to bring at least one of the u-turn countries back on board to give the law the necessary majority. Mr Ryan said it would create serious problems if the law was jettisoned. It completely undermines the European legislative process, he said. You enter into negotiations, you conclude a deal and then one side abandons it. How would any future deal be done when parliament might think, is it real or not? Secondly, its bad for nature and bad for farming. We've a real opportunity to create new income streams, to protect nature and to support a new generation to go into farming and forestry and this would undermine it. It's also very bad for climate change because nature-based solutions are cornerstone to what we need to do and if we dont start addressing that land use element then everything ese would be to no avail. Its deeply worrying. Its not concluded yet but its not looking good. Most Irish MEPs voted for the law and it has Irish government backing, however, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Hungary oppose it. Hungary was initially supportive and its last-minute change of mind precipitated the crisis. Austria, Belgium, Finland and Poland are not helping by planning to abstain. Mr Ryan said Ireland would still devise nature restoration programmes, using some of the 3.15bn climate and nature fund created last October. However, he said the lack of EU-wide action was no small issue. "Withdrawing ambition on climate and nature protection is the last thing we need to be doing. Former Newstalk presenter Chris Donoghue will take senior role under new Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urges Simon Harris to be authentic as taoiseach-in-waiting vows to renew, reset and reconnect party Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney is facing a fresh blow to his political career as one of his key advisers has jumped ship to join taoiseach-designate Simon Harriss team. The move comes after Mr Coveney was stripped of his Fine Gael deputy leader title by Mr Harris in one of his first acts after succeeding Leo Varadkar as party leader. The new Fine Gael leader is set to appoint Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys as his deputy after securing her support for his leadership bid. There is widespread speculation within Fine Gael over Mr Coveneys future at the cabinet table, where he has served as a minister for 13 years. Now it has emerged that Mr Coveneys long-time spokesperson Chris Donoghue has signed up to become Government press secretary once Mr Harris is elected Taoiseach on April 9. Mr Donoghue is a former Newstalk presenter who hosted a popular show with one-time Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates. He took up the job with Mr Coveney in November 2017 when he was foreign affairs minister and has remained a crucial part of the former Fine Gael deputy leaders team since then. Mr Donoghue was involved in Fine Gaels 2020 general election campaign that saw the party lose 15 seats in the Dail. He was also centrally involved in the Governments Brexit strategy and negotiations, and also served alongside Mr Coveney during the Covid-19 pandemic. As press adviser to Mr Coveney, he became embroiled in the so-called Merrion-gate controversy. This involved a party held by former minister Katherine Zappone in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, amid Covid-19 regulations. Mr Donoghue took the unprecedented step of issuing a personal statement after he incorrectly claimed Mr Coveney was not invited to the party, which was attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. In 2018, Mr Coveney was also forced to distance himself from comments made by his special adviser about former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. In a Twitter post, Mr Donoghue said the reintroduction of Mr Ahern as a credible instead of a disgraced taoiseach makes me sick. The adviser also noted Mr Ahern has never addressed the Mahon Tribunals findings against him in the Irish media. It later emerged that Mr Coveney spoke with and sought advice from Mr Ahern on issues relating to Northern Ireland during his term in office. Yesterday, the enterprise minister was telling people in Leinster House they shouldnt believe everything they hear when asked if Mr Donoghue was leaving him to join Mr Harris. When Mr Varadkar made his shock decision to step down as Taoiseach, Mr Coveney announced he would not be standing in a Fine Gael leadership contest. The minister did not publicly endorse Mr Harris, who became party leader after no one else from Fine Gael put their name forward. Mr Harris is currently establishing his backroom team, which is expected to include his long-time adviser Sarah Bardon and recent appointee Max Murphy. Former Fine Gael staffers Joanne Lonergan and Majella Fitzpatrick are also being linked with moves to the Taoiseachs Office after Mr Harris is elected next month. 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 Motor insurers are to be asked to drop policy clauses that discourage drivers from making greener transport choices. Transport officials say penalties such as removing the no-claims bonus makes households reluctant to get rid of their second car. They want insurers to allow people become a named driver on a shared car and still retain their no-claims record in case they choose to get a car of their own again in future. They say other clauses can also lock people into car ownership. Novice drivers have difficulty getting insurance to drive vehicles that are part of car-sharing rental schemes. Drivers have also reported problems when trying to run regular car-pooling with work colleagues. If they ask for contribution to fuel costs that may be considered a commercial arrangement which changes the category of their insurance. The issues are referenced in a long-awaited national plan for reducing car-dependency. Moving Together a Strategic Approach to Improving the Efficiency of Irelands Transport System aims to stem and reduce the countrys fast-growing transport emissions, tackle congestion and improve air quality. The strategy is not prescriptive or binding, however. It focuses on setting policies and providing legislative backing for local authorities to use if they deem appropriate. It provides a firm policy direction and suite of options such as road space reallocation, progressive taxation, freight efficiency, or behavioural incentives that can be taken at national, regional and local levels to bring about the systems changed needed, the Department of Transport explained. It has not been finalised yet as a public consultation process has to be gone through so it will be the end of the year before the final strategy is approved. Local authorities will then have two full years to devise their own local versions of the strategy setting out how they plan to achieve its objectives. The draft strategy, approved by Cabinet yesterday, had a difficult path even getting to that point, with senior government members fearful of upsetting motorists. The document is prefaced with the assurance: This strategy is not about eliminating the car as a mode of transport or curtailing travel. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan added: For many people, particularly in rural or isolated areas, they [cars] will continue to be critical. However, what this strategy is about is finding new approaches to making travel, by whatever means, more efficient and pleasant for everybody. Owen Reidy said Taoiseachs changes merely brought Ireland up to European standards. Photo: PA Taoiseach Leo Varadkars reforms for workers were modest, the leader of the trade union movement has said. Owen Reidy, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), said changes he introduced, including better sick leave rights, merely brought the country up to European standards. He was speaking as Ictu publishes a paper today challenging myths in relation to business groups claims about rising costs and warnings that jobs will be lost. The outgoing Taoiseach while in his role as minister for enterprise, trade and employment brought in some modest but necessary labour market reforms during his term, Mr Reidy said. Among the measures introduced or planned are a higher national minimum wage, a statutory sick-pay scheme, a new auto-enrolment pension scheme, new parental leave, domestic violence leave, a right to request remote working, a new public holiday, increased PRSI to keep the pension age at 66 and pay-related benefits. Mr Reidy said Mr Varadkar is to be congratulated for agreeing to set up a Labour Employer Economic Forum High Level Group. He said it published its work recommending stronger collective bargaining rights in October 2022, which was agreed by the Cabinet. However, he said it has yet to be legislated for, 18 months later. The government, he added, will ultimately be judged by the trade union movement on its implementation of the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive. Mr Reidy said all the signs are that the Government seems intent on failing to transpose it, but we will see. Meanwhile, he called for a discussion on business costs based on reality rather than fantasy. Mr Reidy claimed much of the narrative has gone unchallenged by some of the media. In a foreword to the Ictu Challenging Myths and Improving Working Conditions in a Strong Economy report, he said we have heard a great deal of rhetoric and anecdotes about the rising costs of doing business in Ireland and a false perspective has become accepted truth. He said employers in Ireland pay about half of what employers in the European Union pay when it comes to taxes on labour. Mr Reidy said businesses have received additional supports for nearly a decade due to issues such as Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and cost-of-living crisis, but some groups expect supports to become mainstreamed. It seems some employers are not able to wean themselves off such supports, he said. He added that despite cries of a threat to jobs, there is a record number of people at work, at 2.7 million. Mr Reidy said some sectors shouting the loudest such as hospitality and retail have seen employment growth in the last year. He added that the number of business failures last year was 27 per 10,000, but the average over the last 19 years was nearly two times that, including during the global crash of 2008 to 2009. Mr Reidy said working conditions reforms that bring Ireland into line with European peers have been flagged well in advance, and staged over 10 years in the case of the proposed new national pension scheme. Gardai do not believe the firebombing is linked to similar attacks on properties around the country A still image taken from a video showing the blaze at the Ross Lake Hotel in Roscahill, Co Galway Two local men have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out an arson attack on a disused hotel in rural Galway earmarked for asylum accommodation. Gardai do not believe the firebombing was carried out as part of a wider criminal conspiracy but are investigating if the suspects were influenced by anti-immigrant rhetoric. The arson at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill on December 16 came after concerns were raised locally that some 70 asylum seekers were to be housed at the property. This morning detectives from the Galway division and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations (NBCI) searched a number of properties in the county and arrested four people for questioning. Two of those detained are local men, aged in their 40s and 50s, who are being quizzed on suspicion of carrying out the arson attack at the hotel. Two women, including one of the suspects partners, were also arrested for allegedly withholding information relating to the criminal investigation. The females are aged in their 40s and 50s and are not suspected of involvement in the arson attack itself. Gardai do not yet believe there is any direct link between the Galway arson and approximately 20 similar attacks on properties around the country in recent months. Investigators do however suspect that in many cases those responsible have been influenced by online commentary against asylum seekers from far-right agitators. One source said that the arson incidents had slowed down in recent weeks, which may be as a result of several highly-publicised arrests and charges relating to the fires. In many cases there have been arrests, there have been charges, and there will hopefully be further prosecutions. The message is that people will be held accountable for these attacks, said the source. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 28th Under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the offence of arson carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the most extreme cases. Senior gardai have also previously warned that there is a grave risk to life with such crimes, given that security workers have been on-site in some instances where a fire has been started. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said last month that all of the incidents are being investigated locally, with the Special Detective Unit overseeing the national investigation for any potential commonality and individuals involved. "At this moment in time we've not seen in effect an overall conspiracy. And a conspiracy has to be something more than four or five fire emojis on an X post," Mr Harris added. He also said that a lot of posts are concerning by their content but do not meet the criminal threshold. The counter-terror unit is also investigating what he said was "not a direct parallel but a close cousin" of these arsons relating to the abuse of politicians, which meets the criminal threshold. In a statement at the time of the Galway arson, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in Co Galway last night. There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our republic. Ever. Garda investigations are under way. Latest figures confirm homelessness is now worse than at any other time in the history of the State. File image. There were 13,841 people in emergency homeless accommodation by the end of February, including a record number of children, according to the latest figures from the Department of Housing. There were 4,170 children accessing emergency accommodation at the end of the month. The number of people homeless in Dublin has now crossed 10,000 for the first time. Homeless charities have called on Taoiseach-designate Simon Harris to urgently act on the issue. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 28th The Department of Housing data shows that 9,671 adults were accessing emergency accommodation managed by local authorities during the last full week of February. Two thirds of those were classified as single adults The majority of adult service users were in Dublin, with almost 6,000 men and more than 3,700 women accessing emergency accommodation nationwide during that period. Some 1,994 families accessed emergency accommodation across the country at the end of February, of which almost 50pc were single parent families. The latest figures also show an increase of 2,099 people (18pc) in emergency accommodation in the 12 months since February 2023, including a 24% increase in children. Focus Ireland described the figures as distressing and called on the Government to make tackling homelessness a political priority, while Simon Communities have said the latest figures reflect the scale of the crisis. Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said the Governments housing target for new homes is not good enough and Mr Harris must address the growing crisis. "We welcome figures issued earlier today which report that over 8,000 new homes were delivered last year for people on the social housing waiting list but that is still below the target for last year of 9,000. We must stress that the current targets for housing, especially social housing, are woefully inadequate to meet the growing demand, he said. "The Government continues to say it is meeting its target of 33,000 new homes annually. However, meeting that target is not good enough as it is widely accepted that Ireland now requires more than 50,000 new homes each year to effectively tackle the housing crisis. He said there has been an increase provision of social housing in the last 12 months but it has been simultaneous to a rise in homelessness as it is not being allocated to families and homeless individuals. "There are solutions in the short, medium, and long term to this crisis. We have repeatedly called for a fairer allocation of social homes for homeless households. Simon Harris could act on this issue, and it would have a significant impact as it would lift more men, women, and children out of homelessness and into a safe, secure home, Mr Dennigan said. "With just less than 2,000 families in emergency accommodation the number of new homes required to end this crisis for families in long-term homelessness is not impossible to deliver and this should be a real priority. The charity will next week write to Mr Harris to set out several goals that will help end the human crisis of homelessness, including prioritising the issue, setting realistic targets for home building and ensuring a fairer share of housing supply is allocated to homeless individuals. The Simon Communities of Ireland have said housing and the persistent issue of homelessness must be the priority for taoiseach-designate Simon Harris, with executive director Wayne Stanley calling on government to address the crisis. Recent comments from the incoming taoiseach, Simon Harris, setting out a commitment to greater ambition and funding for housing, is welcome. The figures released today, with a record 4,170 children in homelessness, reflect the scale of the crisis of homelessness that this Government needs to grapple with, Mr Stanley said. The answer to this crisis lies in the construction of more social and affordable housing and more supports to those at risk of homelessness. While a commitment to greater ambition and a recognition of the scale of the crisis is welcome, the Government and the Taoiseach will be judged on results. "A supportive Government that is committed to shielding individuals and families from homelessness will drive the delivery of more social and affordable homes. "We need to see concrete actions to increase the allocation of social homes to those experiencing homelessness, particularly those in long-term homelessness. The Government should deliver on its promise to pass the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill, and enshrine a right to housing in the constitution. President Michael D Higgins has called on the international community to ensure the delivery of aid, a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in Gaza as he warned it is not morally acceptable for countries to remain silent. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has unanimously ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective action to ensure necessary supplies reach those in Palestine in order to prevent the spread of famine. The court observed that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine but that famine is setting in. It comes as the United Nations Security Council voted this week to demand an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. In a statement, Mr Higgins said the latest ICJ order cannot be ignored and called on all countries to contribute to ensuring aid reaches Gaza, to the delivery of a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. "Today's new order by the International Court of Justice that Israel ensure the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance - including food, water and medicine - and open more land crossings in order to prevent the spread of famine and starvation cannot be ignored, he said. It is now not morally acceptable that a single voice would be silent in the European Union or international community, all countries must do all that they can to ensure the immediate delivery of aid, a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in line with this week's UN Security Council resolution, added the President. Tanaiste Micheal Martin yesterday announced that Ireland will intervene in the case initiated against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the ICJ. As I said in the Dail last month, intervention as a third party in a case before the International Court of Justice is a complex matter and is relatively rare, Mr Martin said. "Since 1948, only four other interstate cases have been initiated under the Genocide Convention before the International Court of Justice. "Ireland intervened in one of these - the Ukraine v Russia case and, after a rigorous and comprehensive process of analysis and consultation over the last six weeks, we have determined that we will do so again in the South Africa v Israel case. It is for the Court to determine whether genocide is being committed, said Mr Martin. "But I want to be clear in reiterating what I have said many times in the last few months; what we saw on 7 October in Israel, and what we are seeing in Gaza now, represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale. The taking of hostages. The purposeful withholding of humanitarian assistance to civilians. The targeting of civilians and of civilian infrastructure. The indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The use of civilian objects for military purposes. The collective punishment of an entire population. The list goes on. It has to stop. The view of the international community is clear. Enough is enough. The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale. The European Council has echoed this call, Mr Martin said. The situation could not be more stark; half the population of Gaza face imminent famine and 100pc of the population face acute food insecurity. "As the UN Secretary General said as he inspected long lines of blocked relief trucks waiting to enter Gaza during his visit to Rafah at the weekend; it is time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: surge or starvation. I echo his words today. The top United Nations court on Thursday ordered Israel to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into the war-ravaged enclave. The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign launched after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Israel denies it is committing genocide and accused South Africa of trying to undermine Israel's inherent right and obligation to defend its citizens. Thursdays order came after South Africa sought more provisional measures, including a cease-fire, citing starvation in Gaza. Israel, which had urged the court not to issue new orders, said it places no limits on aid entering Gaza and vowed to promote new initiatives to bring in even more assistance. In its legally binding order, the court told Israel to take measures without delay to ensure the unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies. It also ordered Israel to immediately ensure that its military does not take action that could that could harm Palestinians' rights under the Genocide Convention, including by preventing the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The court told Israel to report back in a month on its implementation of the orders. The U.N. and international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order. The Israeli Foreign Ministry accused South Africa of making cynical attempts to exploit the world court to undermine Israels right to self-defense and to win the release of remaining hostages. Israel says Hamas continues to hold some 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others either killed on Oct. 7 or who died in captivity. Israel will continue to promote new initiatives, and to expand existing ones, in order to enable and facilitate the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip ... despite the operational challenges on the ground and Hamas active and abhorrent efforts to commandeer, hoard and steal aid, it added. Israel has been working with international partners on a plan to soon begin deliveries of aid by sea. Israel has repeatedly feuded with the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees and main provider of aid in Gaza. Israel accuses the agency of tolerating and even cooperating with Hamas a charge UNRWA denies. The court said in its order that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine ... but that famine is setting in." It cited a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs that said at least 31 people, including 27 children, have already died of malnutrition and dehydration. Plan to reduce the number of people in queues by 39,327 by end of year. Photo: Getty Evening and Saturday clinics will be part of the drive to take 1.81 million patients off hospital waiting lists this year. The flexibility arises from a new work contract for specialists that allows consultants to be rostered in the evenings and on Saturdays. However, such is the demand that an additional almost two million public patients are due to be added to hospital waiting lists this year. It means that at the end of the year, the reduction in numbers in the queue will be 39,327. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly outlined the 360m waiting list plan for 2024, saying a crucial element will be cutting the time people are in the queues. Overall, at the end of this year, there will be 632,086 patients waiting, down from 671,413. The plan is to carry out 466 surgeries on children who have scoliosis or spina bifida. It also includes a target to do 224 bariatric surgeries on adults who have obesity. The minister said the measures will include using the new consultant contract to deploy extra clinics and maximise the use of clinic infrastructure for late evenings and on Saturdays. Surgical hubs in north and south Dublin are also expected to begin on a phased basis in the last quarter of the year. Around 179m is to be given to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to buy slots in private and public hospitals. Figures show 86pc of patients on outpatient lists are waiting less than 15 months, and the aim is to increase this to 90pc. Around 78pc of people needing surgery are facing delays of under nine months,and the target is to push this also to 90pc. There is huge pressure on the need for more gastrointestinal scopes, and the hope is to hold the line at 95pc in the queue for less than nine months. Meanwhile, the HSE is asking people to consider all options over the Easter holiday when looking for emergency care in a bid to keep pressure from building up on emergency department trolleys. It has a plan in place to try to maintain patient flow with weekend discharges. A HSE spokeswoman said that despite the recruitment freeze, HSE chief Bernard Gloster has made derogation provision for emergency departments and other essential services. Mr Gloster said: We have never failed to recognise the challenges in a recruitment pause. However, it is being repeatedly reported out of context as if there is a cause and effect relationship between the recruitment pause and trolley pressures, and this is not an accurate representation. Una Bowden and daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (10) killed in Mayo road crash were on the way home after visiting Unas father Grieving husband and father was overseas when he learned of tragedy Woman and two young girls killed in crash on the N17 at Castlegar in Mayo A mother and her children who died in a road accident in Co Mayo on Tuesday had been returning home from visiting family in Donegal. Una Carlin Bowden (47) and daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (10) died instantly when their vehicle collided with a fuel lorry on the N17 outside Claremorris, Co Mayo. The family had lived in Gortachalla, Moycullen, Co Galway, for several years and the girls attended school locally. Ciara was a first-year student in the Salerno Secondary School in Galway city. Saoirse was in third class in Scoil Naomh Bride, Tullykyne National School in Moycullen. Una Carlin Bowden and daughters Saoirse and Ciara Ms Carlin Bowdens husband, David Bowden, who works as a senior project manager for the UN, was expected to arrive back in Ireland last night. It took gardai many hours to make contact with Mr Bowden, who was working on a major humanitarian project in Ethiopia. Ms Carlin Bowden was originally from the Raphoe area of Co Donegal. It is understood the family were returning from visiting her father, John Carlin, in Donegal when the road accident happened. It is believed the Bowdens had lived for many years in Africa before returning to Ireland and settling in Moycullen with their two daughters. Mr Bowden continued his work with UN, but travelled home regularly to Moycullen. He had been due to return home tomorrow. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said were all horrified and traumatised by the deaths of a mother and her two daughters in a road crash in Co Mayo on Tuesday. Our hearts and our thoughts go out to the family and to the wider community, their family and friends, it is a shocking loss of life. Such beautiful, young people who were really participants in sporting clubs, as we heard this morning on radio. This is a shocking loss of life. Brian MacLochlainn, the principal of Scoil Naomh Bride, said the whole school community was completely devastated and heartbroken by the tragedy. We here in Scoil Naomh Bride, Tullykyne are deeply saddened by the loss of three wonderful members of our school community, he said. Saoirse was a third-class student and was an incredibly joyful, talented young girl with an infectious enthusiasm and wit that couldnt help but be a positive influence on everyone she met. She was such an incredibly well-loved character in our small school community, and we are completely devastated by her loss. Ciara didnt attend school here, but we got to know her over the years as the wonderfully kind, caring older sister and daughter that she was Una was a brilliant mother. She cared so wonderfully for her family and was a brilliant support to the school in every way possible. Today, our entire community in Tullykyne and the wider Moycullen area are all completely devastated and heartbroken by the loss of three amazing people. As we try to offer whatever support we can, our thoughts are now with David and the entire Bowden family at this unimaginably difficult time. Ciara and Saoirse were both members of Oughterard Rugby Club, where their mother Una provided IT assistance, too. Julie Ann Brown, Oughterard Rugby Club PRO said while they were quiet girls, they had "beautiful energy" and described how the community were in shock. "It's such a tragedy for the area. Three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies just gone in a moment," Ms Brown told RTEs Morning Ireland. "They were such a multi-talented family and a pleasure for all to meet them. Always beautiful big smiles on the sideline for Oughterard girls rugby or getting in with the tackles and running and scoring the tries in the rugby club and at many games that they played," Ms Brown added. Ms Brown said the community have come together to grieve the loss of the mother and two daughters and remember them and "their wonderful personalities". "People have been coming together, they're talking to the children and talking is very, very important especially to young children to get them aware of what has happened and not to shy away from the wonderful personalities that Ciara and Saoirse had and indeed Una had, to remember them fondly through talking about them and remembering their beautiful smiles, remembering the energy that they had and the quiet energy that they had," Ms Brown said. Parish Priest in Maigh Cuilinn Fr Martin Whelan said the family were involved in many clubs in the area and were well known in the community. "There are a lot of young families here so a lot of sports clubs that play at a top level, a lot of social clubs and the family was very much involved in all of them and very well known. That's why the community so devastated," Fr Whelan said. A service was held in the local church on Wednesday evening where locals gathered to remember Una, Ciara and Saoirse. "We dedicated that half an hour of prayer [to] remember the family and it was also just an opportunity for people to gather as well," Fr Whelan added. Councillor Noel Thomas, who lived near the Bowden family in Moycullen, said the news had devastated the community. Everyone is shocked and devastated. I think its the most tragic awful news that has hit this community for as long as I can ever remember, he said. For two children to lose their lives with their mother is just unimaginable, and their poor father coming home to face into this nightmare. I really cant imagine the pain that man is feeling. There is no doubt about it, you couldnt get a more supportive community than Moycullen. And I am sure all the friends they have made here will come together and anything they can to help the poor family in this terrible time. A local woman described Ms Carlin Bowden as beautiful and gentle. She seemed like one of those mothers who just wanted to make life fun and fulfilling for her daughters, she said. Every mother is devoted, but she really seemed to live for her girls. We are all just broken with shock. How such a terrible thing like this could happen makes you question this world. I wish those beautiful girls and their mammy the warm loving embrace of heaven tonight. The collision happened shortly after 2pm on Tuesday on a straight section of the N17 outside Claremorris and near Knock. It is not known what caused the accident, but initial inquires have suggested that Ms Carlin Bowden lost control and her car strayed into the path of an oncoming fuel lorry. It is understood her vehicle was pulling a trailer and this might have destabilised it. A van driver who was immediately behind the family managed to take evasive action and crashed into a ditch, but was uninjured. Both the van and lorry driver were treated at the scene for shock and were taken to Mayo University Hospital to be assessed. Post-mortems took place yesterday at Mayo University Hospital. The stretch of road where the tragedy happened is a notorious accident black spot and has been the scene of multiple casualties over the years. The deaths of Ms Carlin Bowden and her daughters brings to 55 the number of people killed on Irish roads this year. There has been a 24pc increase in road deaths since January 1 compared with the same period last year. Fourteen people died on Irish roads this month alone, which equates to an average of one death almost every 48 hours. Co Mayo had 12 road deaths last year, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). There have been eight deaths in the county so far this year, including five in the Claremorris area. Experience is supposed to equip us to respond to challenges. When the record is positive, it is used as an endorsement of our effectiveness. When there are blemishes or the performance has been less than stellar, it is shied away from. Talk will turn to new horizons, clean slates and innovative real-time responses. This is what Simon Harris will be leaning in to, in the parlance of spin, as he seeks to ramp up Fine Gaels role. His party has been in power for 13 years, so the new leader understands it is only what he does, not what he says, that counts. On immigration one of the most divisive issues he will face he said Ireland needs to move beyond an emergency response. You cannot argue with that, but you might ask why it has taken until now to bring coherence and urgency to what has been a crisis for some time. The Government wants to move away from the scenario where the last hotel in a town has to be commandeered. And so, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman is to be given an expanded programme for buying and building. Such steps were needed as the community feels theyre not being heard, Mr Harris said. If they were not heard, who was not paying attention? Fine Gael must demonstrate that more than the script has changed there is a credibility gap on delivery of accommodation at all levels. It can only be filled by evidence that tangible, transformative action is in motion. As a people, he said, we can be proud of our compassionate response to date. The country responded admirably in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. However, in recent months our failings, rather than our successes, have been in focus. We have seen hundreds of men sleeping in tents on freezing nights. Mr Harris says a co-ordinated approach is needed. In reality, it is overdue. Quite simply, this idea of taking whatever is available right now is not sustainable, he said. But talk alone of ending our total reliance on private providers will not turn the tide. The goal of providing 14,000 state-owned beds for international protection applicants by 2028 is bold. That represents a quadrupling of what is now on offer. Time will soon tell whether it is achievable, but one thing is not in doubt: depending so heavily on the private sector to provide shelter has not worked. The State needs to step in and step up. It must take the lead role. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has proposed that Ireland opt into the EU asylum and migration pact, which aims to align EU countries in their approach, thus streamlining responses. It includes a new solidarity mechanism for countries to make financial contributions. No system will be perfect, but attempting to deal with a global concern on our own will not work. Ronan Clogher, deputy general secretary of AGSI, and Justice Minister Helen McEntee at the organisation's annual conference in Westport, Co Mayo. Photo Conor McKeown Your report on the garda conference in Westport (McEntee will lay out plans for keeping gardai safe in their work, March 26), mentioned that the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) had asked for mandatory sentencing for assaulting members of An Garda Siochana as offenders were walking free from the courts. Justice Minister Helen McEntee refused the proposal on the grounds that an extensive review had been carried out and the findings that came back to her showed it would be overstepping the mark in her role as minister. She is right in that. She doesnt make laws that is up to the Dail but she should have given the conference a bit of encouragement by saying the matter would be referred to the Dail. Who took part in this review? Were any members of the public involved? I would expand the motion to include any public servant who is assaulted in the course of their duties. It is not so long ago that there were riots on the streets of Dublin following a violent incident. I vividly recall a garda officer being surrounded by a gang of masked thugs on OConnell Street, and he had to fight for his life. Fortunately, he wasnt harmed, but you can imagine the terror he felt. Gardai are there to protect us, but equally we have a duty to protect them in the line of duty. There is absolutely no mitigation for assaulting a garda officer. John Fair, Castlebar, Co Mayo What proposals are being considered to keep people safe on our cities streets? I refer to your article, McEntee will lay out plans for keeping gardai safe in their work, in relation to the justice ministers speech at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference. The thought struck me that, as laudable as the proposals are, will the minister also lay out plans for keeping people safe when walking in the streets of our cities and towns? George OGorman, Inchicore, Dublin 8 I must admit to having a drink problem in that I cant afford it any more The latest increase in the price of a pint has finally forced me to admit that I have a problem with drink I cannot afford it. Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 Pint price increase would have been less of a joke if announced on April 1 Your article, Hammer blow for pubs as Diageo to increase pint of Guinness again next month (March 26) tells us the price increase will take effect from April 15. Why not April 1, or would that be taking drinkers for fools? Stephen OHara, Carrowmore, Sligo As Putin lights candles, lets remember a man who preached love and peace Vladimir Putin entered the private church on his country estate in the aftermath of the Moscow theatre killings. There he was filmed alone, lighting a candle in memory of those who died. As he gazed at the flickering flame, did he spare a thought for the thousands of dead in Ukraine, for which he bears responsibility? His warped ideology is no different from that of the Moscow theatre attackers. Down through history, despots and tyrants like Hitler, Franco, Stalin and Pol Pot, to name but a few, have justified mass slaughter on the pretext that their cause is more noble and true than that of their enemies. At the root of it all is a bloodthirsty lust for power and possession. Do the Israeli war cabinet believe their own peoples lives matter more than those of Palestinians? How can rulers compartmentalise their minds into believing some deaths are justified and others should be mourned? All blood runs red. This Easter week, many of the Christian faith will remember the life of a man who preached peace and that all human life was sacred, no matter the colour or creed. When people light candles this week, it will be in celebration of a man who made no distinction in the sanctity of human life. Joseph Kiely, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Terror attack in Moscow is horrifying, but so was the Mariupol theatre bombing The attack on a concert crowd in Moscow is horrifying. The Russian bombing of the Mariupol Opera Theatre in Ukraine in March 2022, which killed over 600 people, was also an act of nihilistic insanity. Eugene Tannam, Firhouse, Dublin 24 Why has it taken so long for Security Council to tell Israel enough is enough? Finally, the UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, including a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance. Thankfully, the US paved the way by at least abstaining, although it seems perverse to give thanks to the US and for the chamber to greet the decision with a round of applause in the depths of such a disaster for the people of Gaza. At last, the world is where it should have been months ago, with Ireland, but why has it taken so long? All that remains now is for the UN and the international community to hold Israel and Hamas to account, so they might to comply. Unfortunately, asking a terrorist organisation that is outside the nations of the world to comply will be difficult, but not impossible. However, we should expect and demand more of Israel, as it should of itself. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 Politicians can flip-flop all they want with draconian hate speech legislation We can all agree that the results of the March 8 referendums gave the Government and, uniquely, almost all those occupying the opposition benches, a bloody nose. Now the talk is all about the Hate Speech Bill, with some parties being accused of flip-flopping in that they appear to be changing their position to this proposed legislation. I would normally be very suspicious of this kind of behaviour, but in relation to this draconian piece of legislation, all flip-flopping will be understood and forgiven. Peter Declan OHalloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan The small rescue dog, who is aged around 13 or 14, disappeared from a remote area of Coolea Sinead said that Ruby went missing from the Coolea area on Monday, March 26. A Coolea woman is looking for help to find her dog Ruby after the small Yorkie-Pomeranian mix disappeared under strange circumstances in the locality earlier this week. Sinead Folan told The Corkman that she has owned Ruby for three and a half years and that the rescue dog, aged around 13 or 14, has got osteoarthritis and is also nearly blind. Sinead said that given Rubys condition and general lack of enthusiasm for walks, it is surprising that her dog disappeared from outside a friends house she was helping to clean on Monday. I brought Ruby up with me on Monday afternoon and she was in the sitting room but she wouldnt settle and all the doors were open. So, she was pottering in and out and I was just keeping an eye on her, Sinead said. Then, all of a sudden, she was gone. She was nowhere to be seen, it was like she vanished into thin air. After briefly returning to her own home to care for her other foster dog, Sinead returned to where Ruby went missing from, which is in a remote area with a forest nearby, but had no luck in finding her pet. With the assistance of friends, Sinead carried out more searches for Ruby on Tuesday and Wednesday but these also proved unfruitful. One theory is that a fox may have taken the small dog, but Sinead said she finds it difficult to believe that this is what happened. [Ruby] wasnt the kind of dog who liked to be picked up. She would have screamed or barked if a fox had tried to take her, I would have heard, Sinead said. Sinead said that she has notified the Gardai and the CSPCA of Rubys disappearance. Shes also posted to Facebook about her missing dog, and she said she has received a huge response from people offering help and advice. Sinead has urged anyone that might have come across Ruby to get in touch. It is very clear that this current government can only stagger on if the Independents play on and support them, said Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald who reiterated her call for a general election during a visit to County Cork this week. Speaking to The Corkman, Ms McDonald called on the Taoiseach-in-waiting Simon Harris to seek a mandate and call a general election. The case for a general election has never been more pressing. We are heading into our third Taoiseach in four years. It is the clearest evidence this government has run out of ideas and steam. If Simon Harris wants to be Taoiseach, he should seek a mandate for that. He should go to the people. It is very important that the people are in charge and decide who is in government and who leads government, she said. It now seems inevitable that Mr Harris will be selected as the new Taoiseach on Tuesday, April 9 when the Dail reconvenes after the Easter recess. Ms McDonald said she found it astonishing that when there were growing calls for a second motion of no confidence in Mr Harris during his tenure as health minister back in 2020, a general election was called to save the then government. This is a person who has sat around the cabinet table for many a long year, a person who held the health ministry, a person who is the reason why the last government collapsed because nobody was prepared to vote confidence in him. An Taoiseach number three without the people being referred to again is not a credible position at all. It is astonishing that four years ago, Fianna Fail for example couldnt vote confidence in Simon Harris as a health minister yet now it seems they are confident he should be Taoiseach. We should go to the people, present our programmes and positions and ask the people what they think. What government do the Irish people want and who do they think should be Taoiseach? she added. The Sinn Fein party leader said peoples desire for political change since 2020 has not changed under the present Coalition Government. There is serious work to be done. There is serious change that needs to be brought. We are going to continue with that message as we present our policy programmes and our serious desire to deliver that change. I believe that people will respond. A lot has changed since 2020, but one thing that has not changed and that is peoples desire for change. Recent opinion polls indicate a decline in the Sinn Fein vote in recent months. The party leader acknowledged the need to build up the support nationally again. It is my job as party leader to keep the team moving forward. Of course we want to build our support back up again. The issues we face are so serious. The issue of housing, the issue of accommodation, the issues in our health services, the length of the waiting lists, issues around mental health particularly for younger people. With every passing day with an incoherent government that is now proposing to stagger across the line, with every young person who leaves our shores and maybe never ever coming back. Every time that happens that reinforces the need to get things right and we can. We will need the biggest mandate that we can achieve to do that. We will keep working hard. Lets do better for everybody, she added. Ms McDonald reiterated her desire to form a government if possible without Fianna Fail and Fine Gael after the next general election. Everywhere I go the overarching message is change. I am hearing that for a very long time. I still believe the best outcome is the opportunity of government without Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for the first time in history. I think that is the best opportunity for a government of change. I have said consistently that after the election I will talk to everybody because I actually respect the people. When people cast their vote I am going to respect that. The real question is which party or who will sign on for the proper housing programme, said the Sinn Fein party leader. Which party will sign on for the proper programme for health including mental health, which party understands as clearly as we do what the cost of living crisis really looks like because it is still with us. Ms McDonald reemphasised the partys core objectives: I am for people being able to afford their own home. I am for people being able to afford their own rent. I am for families when they go to the supermarket being able to afford what they need and people having opportunities. We are for Irish reunification. Our job as opposition is to set out all the things we are for. We have done that in a very strong fashion. Our difficulty is when you are faced with a government who have been in power for far too long. It is 13 years and counting that we are looking at these guys. Noting the recent calls by Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik for a dedicated Department to undertake the necessary detailed work of reconciliation, integration, and unity planning, Ms McDonald said planning for Irish unity needs to move quickly. Im very disappointed the Irish Government havent established a Citizens Assembly on Irish unity. They need to move quickly. "I noticed that the Labour Party at their conference is now making positive soundings around unity. That is another mark, just another wee straw in the wind that this big change is on. We need to manage it in a responsible and orderly way, she added. A West Cork pub has been lauded in a road trip feature which has appeared in The Wall Street Journal. Journalist and author Vic OSullivan of The Wall Street Journal put together a road trip along the 1,600 mile long Wild Atlantic Way, starting from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south, using a number of quintessential pubs as checkpoints. From the Rusty Mackerel in Donegal, McDonnell's Bar in Mayo, Tigh Ned in the Aran Islands and O'Loclainn's Irish Whiskey Bar in Clare, to John B. Keanes Pub in Listowel, many iconic watering holes feature. This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Vics trip concludes, though, with a stop at Levis Corner House in Ballydehob, West Cork which has been in the hands of one family for over 100 years. The iconic pink pub is beloved by many for its welcoming atmosphere, live music gigs and weekly fresh market shop. Take in the staggering views of cornflower seascapes and Three Castle Head, a limestone medieval ruin that teeters on a bluff by the ocean, before arriving at Levis Corner House, Vic writes. There, Caroline ODonnell and Joe OLeary, a fourth-generation pub owner, pull creamy pints from a large tap devoted to Murphys, County Corks home-court stout. An old grocery counter that Joes grand-aunts once presided over is now part of an intimate stage for travelling musicians, he adds. The colourful spot has even become a stomping ground for local resident and renowned actor Jeremy Irons who has on a number of occasions played piano in the pub. The Wild Atlantic Way at 1,600 miles is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. The journey unfolds the wonders of nature, the power of the ocean and the enchanting villages nestled along the coast. Our homes and hearts are broken, but our will and fight is not. That was the message sent out by the 1,600 strong crowd which turned out to hear the politicians response to The Peoples Document There was a huge turnout of homeowners, campaigners and politicians at a public to hear elected representatives response to The Peoples Document at The Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana. The large crowd was told that the government can no longer be allowed to play Russian roulette with defective concrete homeowners. The document has been put together by campaign groups to outline the details of a true 100% redress and includes recommendations from homeowners put forward at a previous public meeting on March 4. 'The People's Document'. While outlining the details of the document, campaigner Michael Doherty said the document started as a two page document but had expanded due to the homeowners input. He said homeowners can no longer be allowed to play Russian roulette with the redress scheme and said Donegal has been taking the lead on this issue since the beginning. Follow Independent Donegal on Facebook A lot of the drive comes out of Donegal and the people who are here. Although, it is good to see tonight that there is a parallel event being held. This is great to see and it makes it easier then to gain the support of other counties, said Mr Doherty. The four TDs who attended the meeting - Sinn Fein Deputies Padraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty, Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh and Independent TD Thomas Pringle. There was a large turnout of Donegal County Councillors with all parties represented, while Donegal TDs Thomas Pringle, Joe McHugh, Padraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty also set out their response to the document. Deputies Pringle and McHugh fully endorsed The Peoples Document and said they would do everything in their power to get the details of the document enforced. The Sinn Fein TDs, however, failed to fully support The Peoples Document in its entirety. They say it is their partys position that if in government they will deliver 100% redress for principle private residences and one rental property. Deputy Pearse Doherty added they want to do an assessment in relation to all other properties affected including commercial properties and holiday homes. He said the results of the assessment would ascertain the type of scheme needed to address these properties. He said, We have looked at this document and we know exactly what we want to deliver. We know the energy and effort that has gone into it. "I looked earlier on when the hands were going up in the air to show that their prinicipal primary residence, your family home is affected. "My commitment to you, if we are in government and I am the Minister for Finance and that is the job I want to do, I will ensure that money is there so that your house will be built 100 per cent, end to end. "It will be built to modern standards, we will make availability for PC subs, we will provide the support on the ground to support you and your family. "Our commitment is clear, said Deputy Doherty. Donegal government Minister Charlie McConalogue sent a message to the organisers regarding his absence and said he was at an agricultural and fisheries council meeting in Brussells and added that the Fianna Fail representatives at the meeting would represent him. Senator Niall Blaney also sent a message to MAG chairperson Lisa Hone and said he would not be at the meeting as he was on the campaign trail. Over 1,500 people attended the public meeting in Donegal. Other representatives in attendance included Mary T Sweeney of Aontu, Labour candidate Michael McLaughlin and members of the 100% redress Party who are seeking election. Brian OBoyle of People Before Profit addressed the meeting and said it is a small thing to stand before people when they are faced with a crisis. This should be the basic bare minimum that any political representative should want to say. I spoke to a few people on the way in here and they said their homes and hearts are broken, but your will is not broken, your determination is not broken, said Mr OBoyle. Speaking about the document, Deputy Joe McHugh said he fully endorsed the document and added that it is a very good document that is coming from the grass roots. He also added that he and Donegal County Councillor Johnny McGuinness had sent The Peoples Document to new Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach-in-waiting Simon Harris and it should be on this desk by now. Deputy McHugh said the previous 90/10 scheme was agreed to reluctantly but in good faith. He said the scheme was butchered and soon became a 60/40 scheme. Deputy McHugh previously resigned the party whip after voting against the government on aspects of the DCB scheme. "Six months after my decision I got a call from Leo Varadkar and I rang Michael and I asked what do we need to achieve here for me to go back into the party? "Michael mentioned penalty free downsizing and transfer of eligibility and that did not happen and I am still outside the party fold. "I feel a continued sense of responsibility that we need to get to a better place. "This has to be raised to a level within government that has seriousness marked at the top of the page, said Deputy McHugh. Padraig MacLochlainn said the impact of defective concrete blocks is felt everyday across Donegal and is having a detrimental impact on the lives of families in every corner of the county. "There is not a day of my life that I am dealing with a family that is distraught. "There is a black cloud over this county and it is devastating lives, families, relationships and some people have even taken their own lives. "These families are dealing with the reality that they are tens of thousands euro short due to impossible bureaucracy. I said to campaigners that this reminds me of 2020 all over again a dread on the landscape until the people rose up, said Deputy MacLochlainn. Deputy Thomas Pringle described the The Peoples Document as one which should never have had to be drawn up but pledged that he will do whatever is in his power to ensure it is delivered. "Were facing into the third bite of the cherry to get this right and its a sad reflection on Irish society, our country and the political system, that this is allowed to happen. He also added that the previous two scheme were absolute disasters and it is now time to go back again. I have no faith in this government that they will sort this out or be interested in sorting this out in the next nine to tens months. "The reality is that it comes to the next government to do that and I can tell everyone in this room now if I am re-elected, I will make The Peoples Document the core part of what I do, said Deputy Pringle. Other issues were raised from the floor including rental properties and a lack of construction workers in the county to carry out the works that will be required. Acknowledging the large crowd in attendance, Campaigner Michael Doherty said it showed that the scheme is not fit for purpose and that the people of Donegal are ready to fight for what they deserve. CSO stats revealed a 42pc hike in reported thefts from the person last year. Pic: Stock photo A Dublin woman said she now feels really uncomfortable going into town since being robbed twice in the last month. Beibhinn Jones told the Irish Independent that the first incident happened on March 5 when she was on the Luas travelling to see Rick Astley perform at the 3Arena. I had my wallet deep in my pocket, and I was conscious of keeping my hand over it while we were aboard, she said. Once or twice, I took my hand off it to keep my balance as we came to a stop. It was only when she got off the Luas that she realised her wallet was gone, adding that she didnt feel anything. Her wallet had roughly 90 in cash, a 150 Arnotts voucher, a 30 Brown Thomas voucher, and a 90 voucher for Dunnes Stores, which she said had been given as birthday and Christmas presents. Reporting it to a garda at the final stop, she said the officer told her it was an hourly occurrence. The second incident happened last Saturday when her wallet was swiped again as she sat outside Mani, a pizza spot on Drury Street. This comes as Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures published this week show a total of 74,144 thefts last year, up 12pc in 2022. This included a 42pc hike in reported thefts from the person. Ms Jones said she hasnt been able to get a lot of updates through a victim support line for people that An Garda Siochana operate. It does have an impact on you, and I feel really uncomfortable going into town now, she said. Its sad that I dont have an easy sense about going freely into the city, and it irritates me. She added that while we are being encouraged to use more public transport to reduce emissions, it needs to be safer. MEP slams harmful vaping 20 years on from smoking ban A Dublin MEP is putting pressure on government ministers to ban disposable vapes, labelling them as highly toxic and harmful to the environment. MEP Barry Andrews has written to Ministers Stephen Donnelly and Eamon Ryan concerning the potential harmful impact of vaping on human health and the environment. This call comes as Ireland marks 20 years of the smoking ban tomorrow, which was introduced by Micheal Martin on March 29, 2004, and has saved roughly 1,500 lives per year. The Fianna Fail MEP said that while he welcomes the recent ban on selling vapes to minors, he believes it doesnt go far enough and outlines that efforts so far to limit the use of vapes are not working. Walk down any street in cities and towns across Ireland and you quickly come across plastic vapes discarded on paths, roadsides, in parks, under trees and lampposts, in canals and on beaches, Mr Andrews said. It also remains the case that those under 25 account for the highest usage of vapes. I understand that banning vapes is a radical move, but we in Ireland are not afraid to take radical measures to protect future generations from the harmful impact of tobacco products. He added that by failing to introduce an outright ban on disposable vapes, we could be leading younger generations into an environmental and health crisis that is entirely avoidable. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that have a cartridge containing a liquid. This liquid usually contains nicotine, as well as flavourings and other chemicals. Dublin MEP Barry Andrews is calling for an outright ban on disposable vapes The Irish Cancer Society says that while short-term evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes, more evidence is needed to assess the long-term risks. They add that while they cannot categorically say that the use of e-cigarettes and disposable vapes increases the risk of cancer, they can say that they may cause other health problems such as lung inflammation and DNA damage in the lungs. These products can also alter vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate. A 2020 review, published by the American Association for Cancer Research, suggests that using e-cigarettes causes significantly less harm to the body than smoking tobacco, but may still pose serious health risks. Mr Andrews added that the lithium batteries inside disposable vapes are very harmful to the environment. When disposed of improperly, they leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water, posing a significant threat to our ecosystems, he said. Most disposable vapes contain metals that can take years to decompose. They also contain plastic that never fully decomposes. It turns into microplastics which continue to pollute the environment and contaminate our food and drinking water. Dublin musician Saibh Skelly on why shes joining the Big Busk in aid of Focus Ireland Today FM presenter Louise Cantillon with busker Saibh Skelly getting in tune for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland on April 12 A Dublin musician said she has definitely seen an increase in homelessness since she started busking five years ago. Saibh Skelly (20), who mainly performs on Grafton Street, first took to the streets with her guitar when she was just 15 and is still doing what she loves. On April 12, she is taking part in the Big Busk in aid of Focus Ireland, supported by TodayFM, which is now in its third year. This year, it includes a Super Focused Setlist of songs requested by people experiencing, or who have experienced, homelessness. Saibh, who supported Hozier in The Academy last April, said taking part in the Big Busk allows her to use her passion for music to contribute in a positive way to addressing the homelessness issue. Shes been really supportive of the Big Busk as her mother has worked in homeless services for years, including in the past for Focus Ireland. Being a busker and performing in the city centre of Dublin, I get to see the first hand experience of homelessness and the problem in Dublin at the moment, she said. It hits a little bit harder for me. This is such a great way to bring awareness to it. As someone whos not homeless, I can only really see the surface level of how bad the problem is. From my point of view, Ive noticed it getting worse, its awful to see. Ive definitely seen an increase in the problem since I started busking. Theres no one solution that will fix the homelessness problem in Dublin. This could help in a tiny way and if we can start with that, it might help the problem a little bit. I like to use any chance I get to show awareness on these situations and topics that need to be talked about a little bit more, and try to raise funds, she added. Focus Ireland believes that everyone has the right to a place they can call home and provides services nationwide to people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, with the end goal to help them secure a home of their own. According to the group, homelessness is currently at an all-time high, with a record total of more than 13,500 people, including 4,000 children, now homeless in Ireland. The Big Busk for Focus Ireland aims to raise urgently needed funds to deliver vital homeless services and move toward ending homelessness. Later this year, The Sunday Independents Rock Against Homelessness, also in aid of Focus Ireland, will take place on Sunday, May 26 at the 3Olympia Theatre. The event, hosted by TV presenter Laura Whitmore, will feature performances by Corinne Bailey Rae, Toshin, Aimee, The White Horse Guitar Club and Isaac Butler. Tickets priced from 30 are on sale now on Ticketmaster Ireland. Oral hearings on the 9.5bn Metrolink project have now ended MetroLink could be a transformative solution for Dublins congestion challenges, it has been claimed. During closing statements at an oral hearing into the 9.5bn project, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said the ever-increasing need for the high frequency railway line is evident as Dublin grapples with congestion. Trains along the MetroLink line are proposed to run every three minutes during peak periods, with the capacity to carry up to 20,000 people per hour in each direction. The 18.8km line plans to include 16 new stations and is intended to operate from Swords in north county Dublin, to Charlemont in Ranelagh, via Dublin Airport and the city centre. Peter Walsh, Director at TII, delivered a closing statement on behalf of TII today, saying they have striven to engage with stakeholders throughout the oral hearing. MetroLink is a high-capacity, high-frequency metro railway connecting major transport hubs and key destinations across the Greater Dublin Area, he said. It will provide the spine of the public transport network in Dublin. Indeed, given the connectivity with heavy rail, the Dart and the Luas that Metrolink will achieve, it will transform public transportation in Ireland. TII has demonstrated how MetroLink will addresses critical issues such as congestion, accessibility and sustainable growth. The ever-increasing need for MetroLink is evident as Dublin grapples with congestion and inefficient transport systems. With Dublin ranked as the 35th most congested city globally, the economic and societal costs of traffic delays are staggering. MetroLinks intervention along the Swords, Dublin Airport, Dublin City Centre corridor is essential to alleviate congestion, reduce reliance on private cars, and enhance public transport connectivity. Mr Walsh concluded by saying the MetroLink project will approve accessibility to jobs, education and other social and economic opportunities. He also highlighted that in submissions of criticism from third parties impacted by the construction of MetroLink, most were prefaced by their support for the overall project. An Bord Pleanala has confirmed that the oral hearing into the estimated 9.5bn project has concluded for now and a decision on the railway order will be issued in due course. Niall Haverty, Senior Planning Inspector, also said that any subsequent decision to re-open the oral hearing would be at the boards discretion. Several documents were submitted throughout the oral hearing, including an additional 200 documents from TII, with 39 documents submitted on the first day of the oral hearing which began six weeks ago. The parties who made submissions throughout the hearings modules were invited to give closing statements. Hampstead Residents and Griffith Avenue & District Residents Association, who were represented by Declan Campbell, said they have been participating in the planning process since 2018. One particular note from Mr Campbell was that TII has not engaged in an in-person meeting with the residents who will be impacted by a large above ground structure in Albert College Park. It is a sad reflection on the current application that so many private deals, subject to non-disclosure agreements, appear to have been entered into since the start of these oral hearings, he added. He said that due to this being a publicly funded transport infrastructure project, the presence of NDAs is worrying. Anne Meehan, who also lives in Glasnevin and will be impacted by the construction of the railway line, reiterated her previous statements of disapproval, saying TIIs handling of the project so far has been shambolic and chaotic. She added that TII has been drip-feeding information to the public, which she attributes to being likely due to the information being unavailable to begin with. Ms Meehan concluded by urging the board to listen to her concerns and said that the only light she sees at the end of this project is the oncoming train. Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan encouraged An Bord Pleanala to approve the railway application, saying there was a need for a railway link to the airport. He said that while he encourages the board to approve the Dublin MetroLink, he suggests the approval should be subject to conditions. These conditions include the possibility of exploring ending the railway line in the city centre instead of Charlemont, south of the city centre. The Green Line Luas serves a similar area where the Metrolink plans to run, and Deputy OCallaghan says Dublin needs a railway link that will link up the whole city. He said if the current plan for the MetroLink is approved, which ends in Charlemont, he doesnt see it proceeding toward the southwest of the city. A Dublin senator has called for a rodent control management plan to be put in place during works along sections of the proposed MetroLink route. Labour Senator Marie Sherlock told the hearing into the rail project today that this is a key issue for the residents of Glasnevin and Phibsboro who will be impacted by the works. She said that due to the projects proximity to the canal, there was a very real concern around a significant rodent infestation in the area upon the commencement of the works. Through the documents she had reviewed, she identified the lack of a rodent control management plan. Residents in The Court, Dalcassian Downs, in Glasnevin, will be hugely impacted by the construction of the 18km railway line, which plans to stretch from Swords to Ranelagh. Ms Sherlock also called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to provide a forum for residents for transparency around the project. I want to appeal to TII and An Bord Pleanala that there would be a clear planning condition for a forum between residents and TII where there is transparency, she told the hearing. I have a grave concern that engagement will take place with individual residents but it is those residents who are best able to represent themselves who will get the best outcomes. Senator Sherlock also raised a concern around the lack of transparency regarding third-party agreements which have been entered into with TII. Id have to pose the question as to how the use of taxpayers money has meant that non-disclosure agreements have been entered into; theres a lack of visibility, she added. It was announced yesterday that the public consultation process is reopening due to a significant amount of additional documents that were submitted to An Bord Pleanala over the past six weeks of the oral hearings by TII. Many submissions have been made throughout the past number of weeks by parties who may be impacted by the railway lines construction. Throughout this time, several submissions made at the public hearing began with the individual stating that they were not given enough time to review additional documents submitted by TII since the oral hearings began. Senator Sherlock noted that the documents that have been submitted throughout this process ideally shouldve been submitted in advance. She noted that a decision from An Bord Pleanala on the railway project should be made as quickly as possible to avoid any further delays. This is needed because the people I am representing are currently dealing with the misery of uncertainty on whats going to happen to their homes and communities, she added. Irish singer George Murphy, performing in the intimate church venue of St. Mary's Church of Ireland, Killarney, as part of the Wander Wild Festival. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. Staff from Hilliards cooking up a storm, as part of the Wander Wild Festival in Killarney. The adventure and wellness festival, sponsored by Nature Valley. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. A Dip at Dawn: Brave souls, Josephine O"Driscoll, left and Julienne O'Sullivan enjoying the Wander Wild Sunrise Dip at Dundag in Killarney National Park as part of the Wander Wild Festival. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. The ice-cream man cometh...John Fleming, with his signature Muckross Creamery ice-cream, on the street, as part of the Wander Wild Festival in Killarney. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. Chris and Amy Horgan competing in the Kerry Orienteering event, in Knockreer Estate, Killarney National Park, as part of the Wander Wild Festival in Killarney. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. A Dip at Dawn: Helena Ni Bhroin, left, Jacinta Buckley and Caitriona Shanahan enjoying the Wander Wild Sunrise Dip at Dundag in Killarney National Park as part of the Wander Wild Festival. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan. Last weekends Wander Wild Festival in Killarney has been hailed as a massive success with an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people attending ticketed events and street activities during the festival which this year celebrated its third birthday. Many ever-popular activities returned this year much to the delight of attendees as well as some exciting new additions - many of which completely sold out. Some of these activities included stand up paddleboarding (SUP), a Dark Sky hike, kayaking, national park night walks, rock-climbing in the Gap of Dunloe, the Coomloughra Horse Shoe Hike and the Carrauntoohil Climbs to name but a few. The expanded evening programme was a real hit with visitors as they got to enjoy engaging fire-side chats with adventurers and a Seanchoiche evening featuring storytellers and writers. A thumping twilight musical set by SHEE had people dancing in the streets on Saturday evening and eagle eyed visitors may even have spotted a Grulaffo hiding in the woods in Killarney House as part of the treasure hunt which was just one of 17 childrens activities that had little wanderers entertained over the weekend. This years festival also introduced autism-friendly festival activities in support of As I Am, including the Sensory Quiet Zone, and the Autism-Friendly Family Walk in the Blue Pool. The festivals educational programme this year included a very successful workshop on the Killarney Coffee Cup Project as well as an outreach programme with local schools which was a great success. Pat Chawke, Chairperson of Wander Wild Festival, expressed his delight with the success of the festival, thanking all involved for their support in showcasing Killarney as the outdoor capital of Ireland. The atmosphere around town all weekend was fantastic - expanding the evening programme has been really successful as it offers people the chance to relax, enjoy and unwind in the company of other adventurers after a day on the mountains or on the lakes, he said. "We are delighted to have featured autism-friendly activities with AsIAm and also to expand the festival onto Main Street so that we could involve many more local businesses. The feedback from attendees is amazing and they left in awe of the place we call home, he continued. Organisers said that the festival would not have happened without the months of dedication by the organising committee and the over fifty volunteers and suppliers who supported the festival over the weekend. Holly and Harley Barrett with residents of Coolcappa protesting at Limerick County Hall. Photo: Brendan Gleeson Limerick residents have welcomed the councils decision to ask the Minister of Health for a full and up-to-date report on the effects of wind-farms on the publics health. The motion was put forward by Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale Stephen Keary during a Limerick City and Council meeting held on Monday, March 25. The Fine Gael councillor said there needs to be clarity on the effects of turbines on residents health after planning permission for a number of wind-farms have been recently lodged across the county. The reason I put it forward is that Ive listened to a lot of people who have serious concerns about serious health issues emanating from wind turbines in various locations in Limerick and Tipperary, Cllr Keary told The Irish Independent. I want to get full clarity from the Department of Health on their take on the safety or non-safety of wind-farms, to relate back to the people that I represent in my area. Cllr Keary highlighted issues that have been linked to wind-farms, including noise, shadow flickers, health issues and depopulation of rural areas. He also pointed out that the regulations currently in place are outdated as they were approved approximately 20 years ago. On Monday, Coolcappa Community Action Group held a silent protest at the council buildings in Dooradoyle ahead of the monthly meeting. The protest was well attended and we are overwhelmed with the public support for our campaign, a spokesperson for Coolcappa Community Action Group said: The group welcomed Cllr Kearys motion and said the councils decision is extremely important to them. They added: We cannot emphasis how significant this is, it has been over ten years since the Department of Health last issued a review on wind turbines. It is a big win for us. The show included a wide variety of acts with plenty of dancing, acting, modelling and singing performed by students and teachers with Liam Sharkey as MC for the night. Katie Cloke who has qualified for the Junk Kouture national finals with her creation Broken Hearts also took to the stage to model her outfit. "The Transition Year class of 2024 should be extremely proud of their performance on the night and there is no doubt that some have very promising careers ahead whether it is in music, acting or the creative arts, said School Principal Dr Ian Wickham. A scene from All-Stars Nursing home at Enniscorthy Community College's Variety Show recently. Teachers took part in the lip sync battle and many of the students stepped outside of their comfort zone to perform. Other students enhanced their organisational skills through their involvement with the show as they learned how to promote an event, the importance of effective teamwork in reaching goals and dealing with setbacks. Dr. Iain Wickham thanked the production team of Anita Cullen, Anna Nolan, Jessica Doyle, Natalie Doyle and Liam Sharkey for their passion to make the show an outstanding success and this definitely rubbed off on the students. Transition Year Coordinator Luke Maher was also praised for his behind the scene work in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Deputy Principal Tina Merriman was also acknowledged for providing adequate cover on the lead up to the show ensuring that there was minimum disruption to teaching and learning. The Parents Association, parents/Guardians and the wider community were also thanked for their ongoing support as well as the staff who were front on house on the night and the PLC Hairdressing department. This month, celebrations kick off for Co Wexford company Guardian Fire & Safety as they mark two decades of helping business owners and managers to meet their obligations and protect what matters most life and livelihoods. As an award-winning pioneer in the field, New Ross based Guardian Fire and Safety has established itself as a trusted leader in fire protection services. The journey began in the early 2000s when Brendan Stamp was working in Dublin, managing fire and life safety projects for some of the capitals most prestigious multinational companies. Life was good but this yellow belly longed to get back to his roots in County Wexford. This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details So, in 2004 with the support of his sister, Jackie Carthy, and after securing a single customer (Dockrells Vegetable Producers, who remain to this day), Brendan took the giant leap, establishing Guardian Fire & Security as it was originally known. After a couple of years, it became clear that the company was best placed to firmly focus on its key strengths and so rebranded as Guardian Fire & Safety. The company's growth was bolstered by the addition of Margaret Goldsmith and Brendans brother James. Guardian Fire & Safety boasts a team of highly qualified engineers and the company ensures that every product and system it employs and provides is rigorously tested by their experienced team. This forward thinking business has become the fire and life safety partner of choice to many sectors including the arts, community and heritage, hospitality and leisure, retail and commercial, industrial, education and healthcare while also providing specialist support, advice and legislative guidance to architects, consultant engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, contractors and end users on current standards and best practice. With a dedicated service manager, round-the-clock call-out service, and comprehensive training for clients, Guardian Fire & Safety remains at the forefront of customer service and fire safety education. Guardian boasts a dynamic team of 20 with its support office headquartered at Bosheen, New Ross and a satellite office in Dublin 12. Brendan credits the companys success to its people, its commitment to fostering and maintaining meaningful relationships, together with a dedication to ongoing learning and development which allows the business to deliver sound and sustainable solutions with the right support at the right time. Remaining true to our core values of care, trust and professionalism has guided us through the tough times and there has been many, recalls Brendan, reflecting on the recession of 2009 and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic, but we have a 100pc record of coming out the other side. Margaret Goldsmith said: Were incredibly proud to celebrate 20 years of dedication to fire safety and we have the utmost appreciation and admiration for the fantastic work done by all the team here. This milestone is a testament to them and to the trust our clients place in us. Guardian Fire & Safety extends its heartfelt thanks to its loyal customers, dedicated team members and families, and the communities it serves for their continued support. Nine months in jail was prescribed in Wexford Circuit Court for a 31-year-old Gorey man found to have thousands of child sexual abuse files on a lap-top. Landscape worker Aaron Archer of 29 Springdale Apartments, Clonattin Village, admitted the offence. The illicit material was found on analysis of a Lenovo lap-top computer seized by gardai who searched his home on May 18 in 2021. Vaccines are available from clinics in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Wexford People in counties across the South East are being offered a measles catch-up vaccine as the HSE launch their MMR catch-up vaccine programme. The MMR catch-up campaign has been created due to recent reports of a rise in measles cases in certain regions of the UK and other parts of Europe. As result, people are being advised to be vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. Measles is most common in children but can affect anyone. It is easily spread when a person breathes, coughs of sneezes and can cause serious disease, complications and even death. Symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. The campaign is focusing on delivering the MMR vaccine to key groups, who may have missed their vaccines in the past. These key groups include children, young adults and health care workers. Dr. Lucy Jessop, Director of the HSE National Immunisation Office, explained: Measles is highly infectious and can be an acute and serious infection. It causes a rash illness, with cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and high fever. Complications of measles include ear infections, pneumonia, febrile seizures and less commonly encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death. The only protection against measles is vaccination . Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed and if a child or young adult is not fully protected then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or HSE Vaccination Clinic. The following clinics are taking place across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary and Wexford: Carlow A vaccination clinic is being held in Carlow on Thursday March 28 from 10am to 3pm at the Carlow Vaccination Centre in the grounds of St. Dympna's Hospital, Athy Road, Carlow Town, R93 X7TV. Wexford A vaccination clinic in Wexford will also be held on Thursday March 28, but from 10am until 2pm in Grogans Road Primary Care Centre in Wexford Town, Wexford, Y35 DA39 Kilkenny On Friday March 29 from 10am to 3pm, a vaccination clinic will be held on the grounds of Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital Kilcreene, Kilkenny City, R95 DK07. South Tipperary A vaccination clinic will be held in South Tipperary Vaccination Centre on the grounds of St. Lukes Hospital, Conmel, E91 PR83 on Friday March 29 from 12pm to 4pm. Some walk-in appointments available but to ensure there is a slot you can book an appointment online on the HSE website. The HSE will also provide targeted clinics for specific groups including students and young people in education settings, underserved groups including refugees, applicants seeking protection and other minority groups. Ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend, hospitals around the country are facing continued pressure with high levels of attendance in Emergency Departments. At Wexford General, management say that theyve implemented several measures to reduce the numbers of patients waiting on trolleys for an acute bed, however, some patients are still experiencing long wait times for the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) and Emergency Department (ED). "As we move into Spring, the demand on the hospital has only slightly reduced, Wexford General Hospital Manager Linda OLeary said. "Patient attendances for the Emergency Department remain very high. Bank holiday weekends can be exceptionally busy, so we are asking the public to know their options for care should they require treatment. Management and clinicians at the hospital urge all patients where appropriate to consult with their GP or Care Doc prior to attending the ED. The Emergency Department will continue to deal with all medical emergencies. Within the Emergency Department, patients will be prioritised based on the severity of their illness. Hospital Management would like to thank the public for their support and understanding during this period. Green Party Councillor Lourda Scott was in the Charlesland Community Centre, in Greystones, for a family-friendly event to officially launch her campaign for the Local Elections, which take place on Friday, June 7. Green Party MEP for Ireland South Grace OSullivan was in attendance as guest speaker. There was a strong showing of support for Cllr Scott, with a mix of young and old from the community coming out to talk and enjoy some baked goods from local businesses. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Ms OSullivan spoke about her work in Europe, giving insights into her varied career as an environmental activist as well as her experiences working as a MEP in Brussels. People also took the opportunity to share their stories of working with Cllr Scott on a number of local issues, testifying to her persistence in resolving issues for them and how her inclusive working style had prompted more action from the Council. Cllr Scott spoke about her motivations to enter politics and shared some of her experiences as a sitting councillor and only female councillor in Greystones. She referred to some of the successful projects she has brought forward to the community, in the areas of road safety, biodiversity and environmental protection, school places and enhancements in local amenities and accessibility. I am truly blown away by the kind words spoken today and the amount of people that came, Cllr Scott said. As a councillor you are often on your own so its wonderful to feel the support in the room for the work I have been doing in the last five years. I have worked hard to bring improvements to our community and want to keep doing this work. Im a big believer in finding a solution and getting on with fixing the problem. Ive learned that persistence is key in getting results and I am very persistent. Apart from seeing issues getting resolved, one of the best things about the last term has been meeting all of the incredible people we have in the community. We live in a world where words of hate and division seem to be getting louder and amplified on social media. We need to stand together and keep our communities strong and welcoming places, no matter where you come from. I really believe that who we elect to represent the place where we live has a massive role to play in that. Now more than ever we have to keep pushing for environmental causes and now more than ever we have to keep fighting for social justice. And that fight has to be underpinned by compassion. I really want to bring these values to my work in the Council for another term, she concluded. Julie Kelleher, Artistic Director of Mermaid Arts Centre, with Cllr Anne Ferris, Chairperson of Mermaid Arts Centre, Niamh Hourigan, Labour Candidate for Europe, and Ivana Bacik, Leader of the Labour Party. Labour Candidate for the European Parliament Election in Ireland South, Niamh Hourigan, has called for action on short-term lets after discovering on a visit to Bray that there were over 1,000 short-term lets advertised on Air BnB, at a time when people locally are crying out just for a place to live. There are currently over 1,000 short-term lets advertised on Air BnB in Bray, versus only 10 on daft.ie, she said. To date this huge short-term rental market has been under-regulated, exacerbating our housing supply crisis. Labour have repeatedly called for action at European level to limit or regulate short-term lets, she added. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details A cursory search on the Air BnB website for the first week of April returns a shock over 1,000 places in Bray response, with prices ranging from 74 a night for a single room, to almost 400 for a three-bed home. Granted, some of the lets are bordering on South County Dublin, while others take in the towns of Greystones, Delgany and surrounding areas. By contrast, just 10 lets are advertised on daft.ie, the cheapest being a one-bed apartment for 1,192 on Quinnsborough Road, Bray, and the most expensive being a small, three-bed house for 2,300. A bill passed by the Socialists and Democrats in the European parliament recently proves that EU institutions can be part of the solution to our housing crisis, Ms Hourigan continued. It requires platforms to insist that short-term letting hosts are given a registration number, that information provided by hosts is correct and that authorities will be able to take action in cases of fraudulent use of the platforms. This is the starting point for better regulation for local authorities and shows that the EU could have a real transformative impact in our housing crisis if our representatives at EU level can push strongly enough for it. The Ireland South EU Candidate also said on her visit that Wicklow County Council must invest further in flooding relief, particularly given the concerns that local people have raised about flooding of the Dargle River. We all know that flooding is becoming an increasing concern as the climate heats up. It poses a direct threat to residents in areas near rivers which are in danger of bursting its banks. I am calling on Wicklow County Council to invest further in flood relief, and to monitor rivers like the Dargle, which are in danger of flooding. Climate change is the global issue but managing a just transition is important at local National and EU level, she concluded. Works to carry out a complete renovation of the Assembly Hall in Wicklow town have commenced and are still on target for completion by Junes deadline. Last year funding of 340,000 was allocated under the Community Recognition Fund to carry out a complete overhaul of the Assembly Hall located at Bachelors Walk. The Community Recognition Fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. The fund will support the development of facilities that will be used by all members of the community. The works started on Monday, March 4 and are progressing well. Works will include the upgrade of electrical and heating systems, refurbishment of existing toilets and kitchen facilities, creating of a meeting room space upstairs to create a multi -functional building for different user groups, plus other aesthetic improvements throughout the building. Three time All-Ireland hurling champion Brendan Maher and former Miss Universe Ireland Aoife Hannon have welcomed their first child together. Former pageant queen Aoife gave birth to a baby boy, named Hugo, in recent days. The proud parents announced the news on Instagram by sharing a video of some sweet moments of the now family-of-three. Our little boy Hugo James Maher has arrived and we couldnt be more in love. Aoife captioned the video. She later shared a series of photos, including on the way to the hospital in early labour, Hugos arrival and the moment they got to bring their newborn son home. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 28th Former Tipperary star Brendan was tagged in the posts. "Some special moments from the past week, Aoife wrote on Instagram alongside the heart warming snaps. The couple have been inundated with well wishes from followers online, including social media influencer Louise Cooney, who wrote: Hes home! I hope yer (sic) enjoying every minute of him. Robyn Flanagan, who is expecting her first child with rugby star husband Joey Carbery wrote: Massive congratulations. Aoife Hannon and Brendan Maher Meanwhile, former Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh also passed on her congratulations, commenting: Congrats, hes adorable. The happy couple shared the news that they were expecting last November with a Polaroid photo that showed them beaming as they held up a sonogram. Captioning the joint post, they wrote: We have a little baby due in March and we couldnt be happier. Brendan and Aoife have been together since 2014 and tied the knot last May after getting engaged in 2020. They said I do at Dromquinna Manor in Kenmare, Co Kerry surrounded by their family and friends, including a host of GAA stars. We have such incredible members and followers here that I wanted to share it with you. Were now on honeymoon, they said at the time. Tipperary hurler Brendan, who also won five Munster titles, retired from inter-county in 2021 but is still heavily involved with the sport, joining the Offaly background team this year. Brendan was nominated for Hurler of the Year in 2010 and has won three All-Stars awards and eight major trophies in his inter-county career. Aoife, who is a qualified physiotherapist, was crowned Miss Universe Ireland in 2011 and went on to set up her own business the Pilates Programme during the pandemic. Selling Sunset star Chelsea Lazkani has filed for divorce from her husband Jeff Lazkani after seven years of marriage. The court documents, seen by TMZ, quote 'irreconcilable differences'. The former couple have a son, Maddox (5), and a daughter, Melia (3), together. TMZ reports Chelsea Lazkani as requesting spousal support as well as 'joint physical and legal custody' of the kids. There is no mention of a pre-nup agreement in the legal documents. Chelsea has already deleted nearly every trace of Jeff from her Instagram. Since she joined LA real estate reality show Selling Sunset on its fifth season, her former husband has made a few cameos. According to Chelsea, she met famed real estate mogul Jason Oppenheimer through her former husband. The former duo met on Tinder in 2015. They got married at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California and enjoyed their honeymoon traveling across Thailand, Singapore and the Maldives. Newly elected MP George Galloway has accused the UK of being involved in last weeks terrorist attack in Moscow in comments quoted in a Kremlin-linked newspaper. The Rochdale MP accused the US and the UK of lying about the involvement of Islamic State (IS) in the attack, which killed 139 people and injured 360, in quotes in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, a newspaper published by the Russian government. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were once rivals for the Tory leadership - Truss won but later had to resign and Suank took over. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/Getty Rishi Sunak has suggested he had been handed the worst hospital pass of any new prime minister in decades when he took over as |Tory leader from Liz Truss. Law-enforcement figures in Italy believe they can put an end to the Mafia by taking younger generations into care. Photo: Getty Children of Italian gangsters, including some who have been ordered to kill their mothers for suspected infidelity, are being placed in foster care or moved to safe houses under a newly expanded scheme. French lawmakers are debating legislation on Thursday that would ban discrimination over the texture, length, colour or style of someone's hair. Its authors hope the ground-breaking measure sends a message of support to black people and others who have faced hostility in the workplace and beyond because of their hair. Europe Pope uses Easter address to call for Gaza ceasefire: How much suffering we see in the eyes of children Photo Courtesy: S Jaishankar X page Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Malaysian leaders during his visit to the country when they discussed issues ranging from political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture to education. S Jaishankar paid an official visit to Malaysia from March 27 and March 28. "EAM paid a courtesy call on H.E. YAB Dato Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and conveyed him greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Modi. He thanked Prime Minister Anwar for his support in deepening bilateral ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. "EAM held bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, H.E. Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan. The two leaders held wide ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture and education. They also exchanged views on issues of regional and global interest. EAM also met H.E. YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital," the statement said. During the visit, EAM held a round-table meeting with the CEOs and leaders of industry. He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia and praised their contribution towards India-Malaysia ties. Concluded my program in Malaysia by meeting Digital Minister @GobindSinghDeo. Discussed digital cooperation, including exchange of best practices and exploring business opportunities. pic.twitter.com/OH4xjkBw3p Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 28, 2024 Malaysia is a key partner for India in ASEAN and our Act East Policy. EAMs visit to Malaysia provided an opportunity to reiterate commitment to further develop the Enhanced Strategic Partnership. S. Jaishankar, at the invitation of his counterparts, will be on an official visit to Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia from March 23 to 27. "The visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations with the three countries, and would provide an opportunity for engagement on regional issues of mutual concern," read the MEA statement. File image of PM Modi meeting Xi Jinping/ courtesy: UNI New Delhi/UNI: India and China exchanged views on achieving complete disengagement and resolving the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector of their border areas, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday. During the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels, the Ministry said. The meeting in Beijing on Wednesday was held between the Indian delegation, led by the MEA Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation, led by the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas," the Ministry said. In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mahua Moitra New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra is likely to skip the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s third summons in connection with the foreign exchange violation case, media reports said. Moitra, who is the TMC candidate from West Bengal's Krishnagar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, was summoned to ED's Delhi office along with businessman Darshan Hiranandani in the case linked to the cash-for-query case. Moitra will continue with her campaign for the upcoming polls, reports said. The expelled Lok Sabha MP was supposed to be questioned by the ED over her transactions linked to a NRI account. Days ago, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided Moitra's Kolkata residence in the case, which led to the 49-year-old politician losing her parliamentary seat. She was elected to Lok Sabha from Krishnanagar in 2019. Earlier, Lokpal, an anti-corruption authority, had asked the CBI to probe into the allegations and send a report within six months. Brief about the case The controversy was triggered after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on October 15, 2023 accused Moitra, who is known for her fiery speeches in Parliament, of asking questions on businessman Gautam Adani in Parliament in exchange for money. Moitra, whose choice of words had triggered rows both inside and outside Parliament in the past, has been accused of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and sharing her Parliament login details. Dubey, a three term MP from Jharkhand's Godda constituency, even cited a letter from Moitra's estranged partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, a Supreme Court lawyer, in claiming that Moitra received bribes. In several interviews, Moitra, who was expelled by the Lok Sabha on the report of the Ethics Committee, claimed she received a few gifts from Darshan but no money and shared the login details to put her questions on the portal only but she used to receive the OTP on her phone. Kejriwal told the court his arrest was an attempt by ED to 'crush' AAP. (Image Credit: video grab ) New Delhi: Aam Admi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently jailed on corruption charges in an alleged liquor policy scam, has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for four more days till April 1, media reports said. The court extended his remand by three days as the period of ED custody expired today, reported NDTV. Earlier this month, Kejriwal was arrested following the Delhi High Court's refusal to intervene. Shortly after, the ED officials conducted a raid on the residence of the Aam Aadmi Party leader and took him into custody. Although Kejriwal initially appealed to the Supreme Court for relief, his legal team decided to withdraw the plea citing unfavourable legal precedent for the Delhi Chief Minister. Kejriwal was then placed in ED custody for a week, which has now come to an end. Meanwhile, Kejriwal has sought legal intervention against his arrest by moving the Delhi High Court, contending that the actions of the probe agency infringed upon his fundamental rights. However, the court opted not to take immediate action and instead issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate, requesting a response by April 2. The hearing at the Delhi High Court is scheduled to resume on April 3, the report said. Furthermore, the court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking Kejriwal's removal from the position of Chief Minister due to his arrest. Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, heading the bench, declined to comment on the merits of the matter, stating that it was beyond the scope of judicial interference. Earlier today, Kejriwal was granted permission to directly address the court. In a brief yet impassioned speech, he accused the probe agency of attempting to "crush" his party. Kejriwal, reiterating AAPs statement on his arrest, said that none of the alleged Rs 100 crore in bribes had been recovered and emphasised that no court had declared him guilty. Photo courtesy: UNI New Delhi: Congress on Thursday alleged that atrocities on women have increased under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to stop crime against women. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba said questions asked to the Centre regarding crime against women went unanswered. It was expected that Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani would reply, but she maintained silence over the issue. She said, "We had expected that the country's Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani would hold a press conference and present the report card of her department. However, she kept avoiding this but now we have decided to hold her accountable. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asked questions to Ms Irani about various issues to which she replied on Twitter. It is expected that she should hold a press conference and not use Twitter to give answers. Taking a dig at the Union minister, Lamba said Iranis attitude towards women and child safety hasnt changed since the Covid lockdown. because when children and women were on the streets of the country, Smriti Irani was playing Antakshari. The Congress leader said, "BJP's slogan was - Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao." But this slogan changed to 'BJP se Beti Bachao' as BJP is only in the country that gives protection to rapists". Lamba also posed some questions to Irani on increased crime against women and children. Highlighting the rape of a 4-year-old girl in Delhi, Lamba further asked whether Irani, the National Commission for Women Chairperson or president of Mahila Morcha took the pain to meet the victims family. (With UNI inputs) Photo Courtesy: PIB New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday launched a strong attack on the Congress party after 600 lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over attempts to undermine the judiciary's integrity using political and professional pressure. "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. Five decades ago, they itself had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation," PM Modi said in a post on the microblogging website X. "No wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi said. To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024 His post comes after over 600 lawyers in India, including senior advocates Harish Salve and Pinky Anand, have expressed concerns regarding efforts by a "special interest group" to exert influence on the judiciary, media reports said. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, these lawyers have raised concerns about alleged pressure tactics employed by this group to influence judicial decisions, especially in matters related to political figures and accusations of corruption. "These actions pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes," the lawyers further said in the letter under the subject head "Threat to judiciary". Union Minister and Arunachal West candidate Kiren Rijiju said sane voices are openly coming out now, referring to the letter by the lawyers. "These Congress people coined the concept of committed judiciary and suspended Indian Constitution. The Congress and leftists want courts and constitutional authorities to serve them or else they immediately start attacking the very institutions," Rijiju said. Sane Voices are openly coming- out now. These Congress people coined the concept of committed Judiciary and suspended Indian Constitution. Congress and Leftists want Courts & Constitutional Authorities to serve them or else they immediately start attacking the very institutions. https://t.co/UyQmYOD5Zi Kiren Rijiju ( ) (@KirenRijiju) March 28, 2024 Responding to Modi's post, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister's comments "is the height of hypocrisy". "The PM's brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy. The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The electoral bonds scheme is but one example..." Ramesh said in a post on X. "All that the Prime Minister has done in the last 10 years is divide, distort, divert, and defame. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon," the Congress leader said. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Mallikarjun Kharge New Delhi/IBNS: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comment on the Congress and said that the PM has mastered the art of "manipulating: democracy and hurting" the Constitution. Taking to his social media handle X, Kharge said, "Modi ji, Institution after institution is being 'bullied' by you into submission, so STOP pinning the blame on the Congress party, for your own sins!". "You are talking about Judiciary. You conveniently forget that four senior-most Supreme Court judges were forced to hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against "destruction of Democracy". That happened under your regime," he said. PM @narendramodi ji, You are talking about Judiciary. 1. You conveniently forget that 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges were forced to hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against "destruction of Democracy". That happened under your regime. One of the judges was Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 28, 2024 In his post, Karge also mentioned the PM nominating one of the judges to the Rajya Sabha and also fielding a former HC Judge in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress president questioned the Prime Minister, "Who brought the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)? Why was it stuck down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court?" Earlier in the day, PM Modi launched a strong attack on the Congress party after 600 lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over attempts to undermine the judiciary's integrity using political and professional pressure. "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. Five decades ago, they itself had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation," PM Modi said in a post on the microblogging website X. "No wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi said. To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024 His post comes after over 600 lawyers in India, including senior advocates Harish Salve and Pinky Anand, have expressed concerns regarding efforts by a "special interest group" to exert influence on the judiciary, media reports said. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, these lawyers have raised concerns about alleged pressure tactics employed by this group to influence judicial decisions, especially in matters related to political figures and accusations of corruption. "These actions pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes," the lawyers further said in the letter under the subject head "Threat to judiciary". Photo courtesy: PR Team After a well-received performance at International Film Festivals across the globe, Berlin will premiere in India on the silver screen at Red Lorry Film Festival curated by BookMyShow, Indias leading entertainment destination. Set to captivate cinephiles, the Film Festival spotlights a power-packed slate of over 100 illustrious titles that will serve as enchanting gateways, offering glimpses into diverse cultures, perspectives and storytelling legacies. A large section of this esteemed lineup comprises titles making their debut on the Indian silver screen following their international theatrical releases, alongside exclusive titles commencing their theatrical journey at Red Lorry Film Festival. In the heart of Berlin, a deaf-mute man finds himself ensnared in a web of suspicion, accused of espionage. As authorities close in, a skilled sign language interpreter steps into the fray, tasked with unraveling the truth on behalf of a government operative. This espionage drama unravels a gripping tale of deception, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the Cold War era. Ishwak Singh, brimming with excitement, stated, "Being a part of 'Berlin' has been an extraordinarily enriching journey. Portraying the complexity of a character silenced by circumstance was a profound challenge. "I am really excited to bring "Berlin" to the dreamy city of Mumbai! Congratulations to the entire team for this feat!" Director Atul Sabharwal expresses his gratitude, saying, "The acceptance of 'Berlin' at The 'Red Lorry Film Festival' is truly humbling. "It reflects the universal themes and emotional depth of our story that resonates with audiences worldwide as we witnessed at premieres in Los Angeles, London, Canada. I am eagerly looking forward to sharing our labor of love with our very own Mumbaikars again!" Aparshakti Khurana, reflecting on the film's journey, adds, "Working on 'Berlin' has been absolutely beautiful, it allowed me to explore the depths of resilience, and having it selected for The 'Red Lorry Film Festival' is a testament to the collective effort of our entire team. I am thrilled to witness the audience's reaction at the Red Lorry Film Festival!" Shariq Patel, Chief Business Officer at Zee Studios, emphasizes the significance of the festival selection, stating, "The inclusion of 'Berlin' in The 'Red Lorry Film Festival' lineup underscores its cinematic brilliance and storytelling prowess. We are excited to showcase the film to Mumbai's discerning audience and beyond." Zee Studios' impact extends beyond blockbuster successes previously with films and web series like 'Brown,' 'Joram,' 'Aatmapamphlet,' 'Gandhi Talks,' and 'Kennedy' earning accolades on the international stage further establishing them as a global content leader. It gave audiences power packed hits in their previous years with Gadar 2 and Kashmir Files and now with Berlin selected to yet another international film festival. 1. Aadujeevitham Twitter Review: Viewers Disappointed As The Goat Life Hits Screens Without English Subtitles Picture Of Prithviraj Sukumaran/Indiatimes On March 28, 2024, Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life makes its grand debut, sparking lively discussions on Twitter. Helmed and co-produced by Blessly, this cinematic rendition of a real-life tale features Prithviraj Sukumaran delivering a compelling performance in the lead role. Since its trailer first premiered, the film has mesmerised audiences with its gripping storyline. As it hits theatres, admirers are praising Prithviraj's depiction of a Malayali immigrant labourer entangled in the harsh grip of slavery in Saudi Arabia. 2. Elvish Yadav Makes First Public Appearance After Noida Snake Venom Case Bail, Visits Siddhivinayak Temple Elvish Yadav, the celebrated champion of 'Bigg Boss OTT 2', grabbed headlines anew with his visit to Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple following his release on bail in the Noida snake venom case on Thursday. Elvish Yadav Makes First Public Appearance After Noida Snake Venom Case Bail, Visits Siddhivinayak Temple/Indiatimes The well-known YouTuber shared snapshots of his spiritual excursion on Instagram, offering glimpses of moments spent inside the temple with his friends. 3. Kangana Ranaut Declares Herself And Shah Rukh Khan As 'Last Generation Of Stars,' Here's Her Career Graph Following her declaration of entering politics with a bid in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi constituency on the BJP ticket, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, during the Times Now Summit 2024, likened her career journey to that of Shah Rukh Khan, underscoring the cyclical nature of success and failure in the film industry. Kangana Ranaut Declares Herself And Shah Rukh Khan As 'Last Generation Of Stars,' Here's Her Career Graph/X 4. IPL 2024: Replacing Rashmika And Tripti, Kavya Maran Becomes The 'National Crush', Social Media Abuzz With Adoration In an exciting showdown between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI), SRH clinched the victory, much to the dismay of MI fans. Yet, it wasn't solely the exhilarating match that made headlines; it was the vibrant celebration of SRH co-owner Kavya Maran that stole the spotlight and won over the hearts of fans nationwide. IPL 2024: Replacing Rashmika And Triptii, Kavya Maran Becomes The 'National Crush', Social Media Abuzz With Adoration/X 5. Aditi Rao Hydari Shares Photo Of Her And 'Fiance' Siddharth's Engagement Rings, Captioned 'He Said Yes' Amid swirling rumors of their wedding, actor Aditi Rao Hydari has shared a photo with Siddharth, putting speculations to rest by confirming that they are engaged. The photo, paired with a caption confirming their engagement, depicted both actors proudly displaying their rings. The Picture That Aditi Rao Shared/Instagram For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Kangana Ranaut stood her ground and has defended her controversial statement against Urmila Matondkar. The actress, amid the Supriya Shrinate row, justified calling Matondkar a "soft porn star." In her argument, Kangana said that Matondkar is comfortable with such roles and that it is also an art form. Kangana Ranaut defends calling Urmila Matondkar a 'Soft Porn' star X The actress who is contesting Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from Mandi said that being called a soft porn star isn't shameful. Referring to Sunny Leone, a former adult film star, she said, "Is soft porn or porn star an objectionable term? No! It is not an objectionable term. It is a word that is not socially acceptable. Humare desh mein jitna porn star ko respect milta hai, puchiye Sunny Leone se, utna respect poore world mein kisiko nahi mil sakta." X Kangana made this comment during Times Now Summit 2024. " I was asked to comment on Urmila ji (Matondkar) asking on what basis was the BJP considering me for a foray into politics. That was her question. I believe there are different realms of art. Sensational art, the one we refer to as massy art, which only titillates or physically stimulates you, that is also an art form. However, that can never be superior to the art that is intellectually motivating, one which stimulates your mind," she added. Furthermore, justifying labeling Urmila Matondkar as 'soft porn' star, she said, "I personally believe that I belong to that balanced cinema artiste tribe. I have never done item numbers. So, all I said was that if she could join a party (Congress) with her kind of filmography, then I have a more ravishing body of work." X Comparing porn stars with prostitutes, the Emergency actress said, "Why do we have this kind of mindset for prostitutes whereas we accept porn stars socially? Is it because they have more money? Because they have glamour? We dont treat prostitutes the same as porn stars." Do you agree with Kangana Ranaut's defence against calling Urmila Matondkar a soft porn star? Let us know your views in the comments section below. Also Read: Kangana Ranaut-Supriya Shrinate Controversy: Actress' Past Remark About Urmila Matondkar Stirs Debate Also Read: Urmila Matondkar Takes A Dig At Kangana Ranaut After She Calls Mumbai 'My Beloved City' Also Read: Urmila Matondkar Hits Back At Kangana Ranaut, Challenges Her To Share 'List Of Names' With NCB For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. After announcing her foray into politics by contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi constituency on the BJP ticket, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut at the Times Now Summit 2024 drew parallels between her career trajectory and that of Shah Rukh Khan, emphasising the cyclic nature of success and failure in the film industry. Kangana Ranaut Declares Herself & SRK As 'Last Generation Of Stars' There's no artist in this world for whom all the films are hits. #ShahRukhKhan didn't have a hit film for 10 years,but then Pathan became a hit.I didn't have a hit for 7-8 years,then #Queen worked.Again,I didnt have a hit for 34 years,& then #Manikarnika worked - #KanganaRanaut pic.twitter.com/si2ra79nMx Babumoshai (@TeraKabil) March 28, 2024 She said even the biggest superstars face setbacks. Shah Rukh Khan had his share of failures before his comeback with Pathaan. He added that her recent films might not have fared well, but you never know; "Emergency" might turn the tide. Asserting her belief in the enduring power of traditional stardom, Ranaut declared, "Shah Rukh and I are the last generation of stars. OTT platforms cannot create stars like us. We have a presence that transcends screens." Kangana's Career Graph Still From Kangana's Film 'Queen'/X Kangana Ranaut is a prominent Indian actress and filmmaker known for her work in Hindi films. Here's an overview of her background, career, achievements, controversies, and personal life: Background: Birth: Kangana was born on March 23, 1987, in Bhambla, a small town in Himachal Pradesh, India. Early Life: She initially aspired to become a doctor but later pursued a career in acting. Education: Kangana attended the DAV School in Chandigarh and later pursued a degree in arts from the Government College for Girls in Chandigarh. Career: Debut: Kangana made her acting debut in Bollywood with the 2006 film "Gangster," directed by Anurag Basu, for which she received critical acclaim and won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Breakthrough: Her breakthrough came with films like "Woh Lamhe" (2006), "Life in a... Metro" (2007), and "Fashion" (2008), for which she won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Versatility: Known for her versatility, Kangana has portrayed a wide range of characters, from intense dramas to comedy and biographical roles. Directorial Debut: In 2019, Kangana made her directorial debut with the film "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi," in which she also played the lead role of Rani Lakshmibai. Also Read: Kangana Ranaut Justifies Labeling Urmila Matondkar As 'Soft Porn' Star, Calls It An Art Form Achievements: Awards: Kangana has won numerous awards throughout her career, including multiple National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. Controversies: Public Spats: Kangana is known for her outspoken nature and has been involved in several public disputes with fellow actors and filmmakers in the industry. Critical Acclaim: She is praised for her intense performances and dedication to her craft, earning her a reputation as one of Bollywood's most talented actresses. Nepotism Debate: She sparked controversy in 2017 by calling out nepotism in Bollywood, particularly targeting certain influential figures in the industry. Legal Issues: Kangana has been involved in legal battles with various individuals, including defamation cases and disputes with former partners. Personal Life: Relationships: Kangana has been romantically linked with several individuals in the past. However, she is known to keep her personal life private. Political Views: She is known for her vocal support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2024, she announced her candidature for the Lok Sabha election from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi constituency on the BJP ticket. Social Media: Kangana is active on social media platforms, where she often expresses her opinions on various issues and interacts with her fans. Overall, Kangana Ranaut is a highly accomplished and controversial figure in Indian cinema, known for her talent, boldness, and outspoken personality. Ranaut's pivot to politics comes as no surprise, given her vocal support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Last week, the BJP announced her candidature from Mandi, her birthplace, cementing her alignment with the party's ideology. Also Read: Aryan Khan Shoot Video, List Of K-Dramas To Watch In April And More From Ent Expressing her gratitude on social media platform X, Ranaut stated, "I am honoured to officially join the Bharatiya Janata Party and contest from my birthplace. I look forward to serving as a dedicated representative and contributing to the nation's progress." As Ranaut embarks on this new chapter, her political aspirations seem to overshadow her recent cinematic setbacks, marking a significant shift in her public persona and career trajectory. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. A Hindu temple, propagating teaching of a Sufi saint, and serving iftar meals. Unreal as it sounds, a temple in Mylapore, Chennai set up by a Hindu man and propagating teachings of Sufi saint Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib has been serving iftar meals for 40 years now, and counting. Migrated during partition, set up temple in India Dada Ratanchand, a Hindu man who migrated from Sindh during partition, found refuge in Chennai. He established the Sufidar Trust, a temple dedicated to spreading the teachings of Sufi saint Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib. Instagram The temple's walls are decorated with pictures of various Sufi saints, Hindu saints, Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, Guru Nanak, Sikh gurus, leaders from Radhaswami and Chidakashi sects, and Sai Baba, showcasing true religious unity. Origin of practice dates back to Arcot family For the past four decades, the Sufi Dar trust has faithfully observed the tradition of preparing iftar meals. The origin of this practice dates back 40 years, when members of the Arcot royal family inspected the temple kitchen established by Dada Ratanchand for its cleanliness and hygiene. Current Prince of Arcot/ X The Royal House of Arcot traces its lineage back to Caliph Umar, the second successor of the Prophet Muhammad, according to their tradition. Nawab Anwar ud-din Khan, the inaugural ruler of this dynasty, served under Nizam ul-Mulk in the Deccan region. Impressed by the standards, they entered into an agreement with him to provide iftar meals for Muslims fasting during Ramadan. Ram Dev of the Sufidar Trust said, as quoted by TOI, All gods are one, said our guruji. We wear skull caps while serving our Muslim brothers iftar meals as a mark of respect for their sentiments and to ensure sweat and hair do not fall into the food. Instagram In an instagram video, Ram Dev mentioned the iftar food items served, ... rice variety, milk beverage. After that, drinking water, dates, banana, wafer biscuits, sweets, etc. are served. This initiative by the Sufidar Trust showvases an extraordinary display of religious tolerance and unity. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Wang Qi, also known as Raj Bahadur, was born in China and served as a soldier during the 1962 war. Afterward, he got married and settled in Madhya Pradesh, and became a caring father and grandfather. However, his identity is now being questioned as China doubts his participation in the 1962 war. Wang Qi crossed border into India during 1962 war Wang, who will celebrate his 85th birthday on May 2 this year, was captured by the Indian Army for entering Arunachal Pradesh on January 3, 1963. He claims he was working as a mechanical survey engineer for Chinas People's Liberation Army (PLA) and accidentally crossed the border. Since the 1962 war had ended, he was treated as a spy rather than being recognised as a prisoner of war (POW). Wang spent eight years in prison. Upon his release, he adopted the Indian name Raj Bahadur and settled in Tirodi village in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. He got married, had children, but always longed to return home. Wanq Qi with his wife/ BCCL 54 years later, Wanq Qi visited China After years of struggle, Wang and his family finally visited China in February 2017, receiving a warm welcome in Xiaozhainan, where his elder brother resides. His homecoming was extensively covered by the Chinese media. He returned to India after spending three months there. Now, in a surprising turn of events, the Chinese embassy has asked him to provide evidence of his participation in the 1962 war and military enlistment. 1961 war/ Wikipedia China asks Wanq to prove participation in war Wangs son told TOI, This has never happened before. My father wrote to the embassy for his pensions and other benefits that were due from the Chinese govt but in return they asked him to prove that he participated in the war and was enlisted in the army. SCMP Vishnu mentions that his father has already submitted all the records, such as ID cards, photographs, and documents from Indian courts, as evidence of his arrest. He had been anticipating retirement benefits from the PLA, but they are currently on hold due to his official declaration as "dead" in records, according to sources. To rectify his record, the PLA initiated an inquiry into his "disappearance from duty" in January 1963 and the circumstances surrounding his declared death, as per sources. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Authorities and conservationists in Indonesia have launched a search mission to find Javan tigers in the wild. The Javan tiger, one of the three subspecies of tigers native to Indonesia, along with Balinese and Sumatran tigers was listed as extinct in 2008 by the IUCN Red List. EXTINCT ANIMALS Javan tigers have not been seen in the wild since the 1970s and are believed to have become extinct because of poaching and increasing conflict with humans. Are javan tigers really extinct However, things changed in 2019 when a local resident reported a Javan tiger sighting in a plantation in a forest near Sukabumi City in West Java province. A hair was taken from a fence where the big cat was alleged to have jumped, and footprints and claw marks were found. Scientists from Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) along with conservationists discovered genetic traces of the Javan tiger in the hair, according to a study published by Cambridge University Press last week The tiger hair shared similarities with Sumatran and Bengal tigers but was distinct from other tiger subspecies, the researchers said. EXTINCT ANIMALS How Indonesia is looking for Javan tigers This has reignited hopes that a small population of Javan tigers could still be there in the wild. "The research has sparked speculation that the Javan tiger is still in the wild," Satyawan Pudyatmoko, the ministry official who oversees conservation, told Reuters. "We have prepared and will prepare efforts to respond to it." Measures include setting camera traps around the area and seeking advice from genetics experts, he added. "If, for example, it is proven that it still exists, it will certainly become a protected animal. It is the obligation of all parties, including the society, to participate in preserving their population," he said. WILD FACTS Tigers in Indonesia Indonesia was once home to three subspecies of tigers -Javan, Bali and Sumatran tigers. Out of this Javan and Bali tigers have been declared extinct. Only the Sumatran tiger remains, and with fewer than 400 believed to be in the wild, it is also considered critically endangered. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. China recently experienced a unique cultural exchange as the Indian embassy hosted a whisky-tasting event, offering a sampling of "India's finest" alcohol. The event, aimed at fostering diplomatic and cultural ties, showcased India's burgeoning whisky industry, which has been gaining recognition globally for its quality and distinct flavours. Amidst China's growing interest in spirits beyond traditional offerings, this event allowed attendees to explore Indian whisky's rich heritage and craftsmanship. With India emerging as a key player in the global whisky market, the event celebrated the spirit's taste and highlighted the evolving landscape of international alcohol appreciation. As participants savored the flavours and learned about the intricate processes behind Indian whisky production, it signaled a promising step towards deeper cultural understanding and collaboration between the two Asian giants. This event not only offered a glimpse into India's thriving alcohol industry but also served as a reminder of the potential for cross-cultural exchange and cooperation in gastronomy and beyond. What Did The Indian Embassy Hold In China? 'India's finest' alcohol is tasted by Chinese guests at Indian embassy event | Image: X Earlier this month, the Indian embassy in Beijing, China, organized a whisky tasting affair. During the event, the embassy presented seven diverse varieties of whiskies from various Indian labels. These whiskies were complemented with traditional Indian culinary delights. The official social media account representing India in China shared insights about the occasion on the microblogging platform, along with sharing snapshots capturing the ambience of the gathering. India in China expressed on March 5th how the Embassy of India in Beijing orchestrated a memorable Indian Whisky Tasting Event, showcasing seven outstanding whiskies from Amrut, Paul John, and Indri. 'India's finest' alcohol is tasted by Chinese guests at Indian embassy event | Image: X The initiative is viewed as a stride towards introducing more of India's premium offerings to the global stage! "The event, inaugurated by Ambassador Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat, warmly welcomed whisky experts and enthusiasts from China to indulge in tasting seven exceptional Indian whiskies. Following the tasting session, attendees enjoyed a dinner showcasing Indian delicacies meticulously paired to enhance the whisky experience." 'India's finest' alcohol is tasted by Chinese guests at Indian embassy event | Image: X In the images shared, Ambassador Mr Pradeep Kumar Rawat tells the event's significance to the audience. Another picture depicts attendees engaged in the tasting of various whisky selections. Where Can You See The Pictures? You can see the viral pictures on X posted by @EOIBeijing. On March 5, Embassy of India in Beijing hosted a remarkable Indian Whisky Tasting Event featuring 7 exceptional whiskies from Amrut, Paul John, and Indri. A step towards introducing more of India's finest to the world! pic.twitter.com/1263wvvfoA India in China (@EOIBeijing) March 27, 2024 How Did The Internet React? Since its posting on March 27, the initial tweet has garnered significant attention, amassing over 5,000 views. Additionally, the post has garnered numerous likes and comments, indicating a strong engagement from the audience. Many individuals took to the comments section to express their reactions and thoughts about the showcased event, further contributing to the discourse surrounding Indian whisky tasting in China. Internet reacts to 'India's finest' alcohol is tasted by Chinese guests at Indian embassy event | Image: X Internet reacts to 'India's finest' alcohol is tasted by Chinese guests at Indian embassy event | Image: X What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently posted a photo with Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang. And ofcourse, it went viral on the internet. What did Mark Zuckerberg post? Zuckerberg simply captioned the photo, "Jersey Swap" | Image: Instagram In the shot, Zuckerberg and Huang swapped coats, with the Nvidia CEO wearing a brown jacket and the Meta CEO wearing Huang's signature black jacket. Zuckerberg simply captioned the photo, "Jersey Swap." This photo received over one lakh likes in less than a day. Meta executive Melinda Davenport reacted on the post, saying, "This is absolutely epic." "Two Legends." Another Instagram user asked Zuckerberg if he planned to buy Nvidia's H100 graphics processing unit (GPU) chip, and he replied that he intended to buy the B100 processors instead. Someone another added, "I don't know who that is, but I'm just glad you're having fun." Zuckerberg responded to this criticism by describing Huang as " "He's like Taylor Swift, but for tech." How did people on the internet react? Zuckerberg was alluding to Huang's large fan base of tech, AI, and gaming fans. This comment received more than 1,300 likes. According to Quartz, Huang has worn a black jacket to almost all of his public appearances since 2013. In 2016, Huang participated in a Reddit ask-me-anything (AMA) session. At the beginning of the Q&A, he introduced himself as "I am Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of NVIDIA." You may recognize me as 'the guy in the leather jacket who repeats things three times.' ha ha ha." Who is Jensen Huang? Huang's public presence has grown substantially in recent years, owing to the advent of AI-powered technology. His business, Nvidia, is credited with creating the graphics processing unit (GPU) utilized in gaming computers. GPUs have now become fundamental to AI-based deep-learning applications, bringing Nvidia new clients and global prominence. According to Forbes' calculations, Huang is the 17th richest person in the United States and the 76th richest person worldwide. Check the post here. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. With Lok Sabha elections just about three weeks away, all eyes will be on who India votes to power in 2024. While the nation gets ready to go for general elections soon, can you guess how much it costs to hold elections in India? Let us look at the cost of holding Lok Sabha elections, and what all comprises such cost. How much do Lok Sabha elections cost? eci The cost of holding Lok Sabha elections has increased significantly, from Rs 10.5 crore in 1951 to Rs 3,870.3 crore in 2014. In the meantime, India's eligible voter population increased by more than five times, from 17.32 crore in 1952 to 91.2 crore in 2019. India is the largest democracy in the world based only on the size of its electorate. Every poll since 1957 has shown an increase in cost, with the exception of the general elections. The expenses increased by more than three times, from Rs 1,114.4 crore to Rs 3,870.3 crore, between the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 and 2014, as per Indian Express report. The elections are funded by the central government. The costs cover the administrative costs incurred by the Election Commission (EC) for the deployment of poll workers and armed security personnel, the installation of polling booths, the purchase of electronic voting machines, the administration of voter education campaigns, and the issuance of voter ID cards. But as of yet, the EC has not disclosed how much the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will cost. The cost of procuring EVMs evms/indianexpress Since 2004 every constituency has used electronic voting machines (EVMs) in general elections. The cost of acquiring and maintaining EVMs has increased steadily since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, especially in the 20232024 Budget. After the election, the Center set aside Rs 25 crore for EVMs in the first Budget. Initially, Rs 1,891.8 crore was set aside in the most recent Budget for EVMs. FM Sitharaman has proposed an additional Rs 611.27 crore in grant requests during the current House Winter Session. Although the EC receives funding directly from the annual Budget, the Ministry of Law and Justice's Budget covers some election-related costs, such as those for EVMs. The EC has 22.15 lakh control units and 31.03 lakh ballot units as of March 2023. Voters use the ballot unit, which is a button interface, while control units connect to it to count the votes. The EC purchased 2.5 lakh control units and 3.82 lakh ballot units in 2014. Given that EVMs only last for about 15 years, the majority of these devices are probably still in use. The EC purchased extra EVMs totaling over 13 lakh ballot units and roughly 10 lakh control units in 2018 and 2023. Cost of ECs administration voting/wikipedia The budget of the Election Commission (EC) has also increased annually, from Rs 236.6 crore in the year prior to the 2019 general elections to Rs 340 crore in the budget for 20232024. Sitharaman presented an additional request for funding totaling Rs 73.7 crore during the Winter Session to support the agency's efforts to get ready for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The EC staff is expected to increase from 591 employees in 2022 to 855 employees in 2024, according to budget documents. Growing scale of Lok Sabha polls lok sabha elections 2024/ndtv Considering the size of the elections, it is perhaps not surprising that their costs are increasing. The number of voters has grown significantly, as has the number of parties, candidates, polling places, and constituencies. In the general elections of 1952, 1,874 candidates representing 53 parties ran in 401 constituencies (including dual member seats), necessitating the installation of 1.96 lakh polling places. By 2019, there were 8,054 candidates from 673 parties in 543 constituencies with 10.37 lakh polling boothsa multiple of the numbers mentioned earlier. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here At a time when India is dreaming of becoming a developed country and is having high ambitions as it approaches 100 years of independence when 2047 arrives, a new study has revealed that the divide between the rich and poor is worse now, when compared to the British rule era. Rich-Poor Gap In India Now Is Worse Than That During British Rule rich poor divide india/ET India's income inequality has skyrocketed due to the country's recent golden age of billionaires, according to a new study from the World Inequality Lab. It is currently among the highest in the world and more pronounced than it is in the United States, Brazil, and South Africa. The group of economists who co-authored the study, which included the well-known French economist Thomas Piketty, claimed that because of the current disparity between the rich and the poor in India, the country's income distribution was more equitable during British colonial rule. 271 Billionaires In India Hold Almost $1 Trillion Wealth Hurun Research Institute's 2024 global rich list, released earlier this week, shows that the current total number of billionaires in India is peaking at 271, with 94 new billionaires added in 2023 alone. With a combined wealth of close to $1 trillion, or 7% of the world's total wealth, that is the highest number of newly wealthy individuals in any nation outside the United States. A few Indian tycoons, including Sajjan Jindal, Gautam Adani, and Mukesh Ambani, are now socializing with some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Also Read: India's Richest 21 Billionaires Have More Wealth Than 700 Million Indians The authors claim that "the Billionaire Raj, led by the contemporary bourgeoisie in India, is now more unequal than the British Raj, led by the colonialist forces." income inequality india rich poor divide/reuters The statement is especially striking in light of the fact that India is currently being praised for its 8% GDP growth economy, according to Barclays Research, and that some analysts predict it will overtake Germany and Japan to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2027. However, the World Inequality Lab study's authors came to this conclusion by calculating the share of wealth and total income held by India's top 1% of earners. While wealth (or net worth) is the total value of assets owned by an individual or group, income is the total of earnings, interest on savings, investments, and other sources. To present the study's findings, the authors compiled national income accounts, wealth aggregates, tax tabulations, rich lists, and surveys on wealth, consumption, and income, TIME report mentioned. The economists examined annual tax tabulations for income that have been made public by the Indian and British governments since 1922. They discovered that the top 1% held between 20 and 21 percent of the nation's income, even during the highest documented period of inequality in India, which took place during the interwar colonial era from the 1930s until India's independence in 1947. Currently, 22.6% of the nation's income is owned by the 1%. The dynamics of wealth inequality were also monitored by the economists, starting in 1961 when the Indian government started conducting extensive household surveys on assets, debt, and wealth. By merging this study with data from the Forbes Billionaire Index, the authors discovered that 40.1% of India's total wealth was possessed by the top 1% of earners. The total net worth of these people over this period as a percentage of India's net national income "boomed from under 1% in 1991 to a whopping 25% in 2022," the authors said, because the country's billionaire population increased from one in 1991 to 162 in 2022. Also Read; List Of World's 10 Poorest Countries In Terms Of GDP Income Inequality Has Been Rising Since BJP Came To Power In 2014 shutterstock The report also discovered that since the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party first came to power in 2014, there has been a particularly noticeable increase in inequality. Major political and economic reforms over the past ten years have resulted in "a growing nexus between big business and government, coupled with an authoritarian government with centralization of decision-making power," according to the report. They claim that this had the potential to "facilitate disproportionate influence" on the political system and society. They also said that if the government increased public spending on nutrition, health care, and education, then regular Indians, not just the elite, could still benefit from globalization. Furthermore, the authors contended that a "super tax" of 2% on the net worth of the 167 wealthiest Indian families in 20222023 would generate revenues equal to 0.5% of the country's income and "create valuable fiscal space to facilitate such investments." However, the authors warn against the possibility of India's decline toward plutocracy until the government makes such investments. The authors note that even the quality of economic data used in India to study inequality has recently decreased, despite the fact that the nation was once a model for post-colonial countries in maintaining the integrity of various important institutions. As per the TIME report, the authors also argue that income and wealth inequality in India needs to be closely monitored and addressed, if only for this reason. Also Read: 15 Rich People Who Decided Not To Leave Inheritance For Their Kids For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here The progress of the new 400 kV overhead transmission line being built between Greece and Albania was discussed in Tirana by the administrations of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) IPTO: Working meeting with the Administrator of Albania to strengthen cooperation - Households across all continents wasted over 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and a third of humanity faced food insecurity, says a UN report. The report, titled UN Food Waste Index Report 2024, was released on Wednesday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste. The report said food waste continued to hurt the global economy and fuel climate change, nature loss, and pollution. The report, co-authored with WRAP, provides the most accurate global estimate of food waste at retail and consumer levels. The document provided guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste. READ MORE: Lagos Begins Sale Of Food Items At 25% Off In 2022, the study notes that there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kilogrammes per capita and almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. Out of the total food wasted in 2022, it reported that 60 per cent happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent. Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world. Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature. The good news is we know if countries prioritise this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals, said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since 2021, theres been a strengthening of the data infrastructure with more studies tracking food waste. Globally, the number of data points at the household level almost doubled. Nevertheless, many low and middle-income countries continue to lack adequate systems for tracking progress to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030, particularly in retail and food services. In her reaction, Harriet Lamb, the Chief Executive Officer of WRAP, called for greater coordinated action across continents and supply chains amidst the huge cost to the environment, society and global economies caused by food waste. We support UNEP in calling for more G20 countries to measure food waste and work towards SDG 12.3. This is critical to ensuring food feeds people, not landfills. Public-private partnerships are one key tool delivering results today, but they require support: whether philanthropic, business, or governmental, actors must rally behind programmes addressing the enormous impact wasting food has on food security, our climate, and our wallets, said the WRAP CEO. (NAN) The Labour Partys (LP) Board of Trustees (BoT), has said it will steer the affairs of the Party, following the expiration of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Julius Abure. In a Wednesday statement by Chairman of the BoT, Comrade S.O.Z. Ejiofor, the step was to avoid leadership vacuum. In tandem with the development, the BoT faulted the Partys National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra State, which re-elected Abure as its National Chairman for a second term through unanimous affirmation by delegates yesterday. According to the BoT, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, it would communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention. It furthered that the step is in line with the March 20, 2018 Federal High Court consent judgement delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owners of LP and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive national convention of the party be held. The decision of the Board of Trustees is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 27th June 2022, which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). READ ALSO: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Slain Soldiers, Offers Scholarships To Children While we commend members of the Labour Party, especially workers, students, youths, market women and men, Obidients, and candidates on the platform of the Labour Party, for their contributions and fidelity to the ideals of the party, the Board of Trustees promises to quickly set in motion processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive national convention. Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive national convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and, ultimately, at the national level. This process will not leave any genuine member of Labour Party out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents and the general public. We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorise the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence. The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace, the BoT stated. The Convention, Information Nigeria was held in the absence of LPs key members, including the Partys 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti; and Senators of the party from Anambra State, Victor Umeh, and Tony Nwoye. A Federal High Court sitting in Borno State has ordered the release of at least, 313 suspected terrorists arrested by the Nigeria military. It was gathered that the court disclosed that the allegations levelled against the suspected terrorists lack evidence after investigation. READ MORE: Kidnapped Borno IDPs Went Beyond Permissible Distance, Didnt Inform Officials Of Their Movement DHQ INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, led this out during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said: The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters. Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action. Tigran Gambaryan, the detained Binance executive, has sued the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu, as well as the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged violation of his fundamental rights. In the originating motion dated and filed March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan sought five reliefs before the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo. Also, his fleeing partner, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binances Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody on March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla who sought the same relief, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, sued the ONSA and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents, as disclosed by the News Agency of Nigeria. The United States citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in his application, sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). He said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution. He also sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect. Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance. The official, who sought an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him, also prayed for the cost of the action on a full indemnity basis. In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on February 26 February, along with Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Escaped Binance Personnel Fled With Smuggled Kenyan Passport NSA Confirms Giving an 11-ground argument as to why his application should be granted, he said that he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting. According to him, after the meeting, the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then. He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time. The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company, he said, adding that he was not a member of the Board of Directors of Binance. When the two suits were called on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo, appeared for Anjarwalla and Gambaryan and told the court that though the respondents were served two days ago, they were not represented in court. Krukrubo however, drew the attention of the court to their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla filed on March 26. Although he did not give details of why they were withdrawing their legal representation, this might not be unconnected to the disappearance of the applicant in custody. Justice Ekwo said having withdrawn their legal representation, it means that the applicant has no legal representation and requires that the matter be adjourned for the applicant to seek legal representation and for the respondents to be given an opportunity to come to court. Also, upon resumed hearing in Gambaryans suit, Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond. He therefore sought an adjourned date, saying the respondents time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday. Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention. Ahead of 2027 presidential election, the Labour Party, during the National Convention, on Wednesday, declared that it has designated its candidacy for the partys leader, Peter Obi. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the LP also announced a right of first refusal for the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, should he decide to seek reelection on the partys platform. This means that Governor Otti will have the first opportunity to accept or decline the partys gubernatorial ticket before it is offered to anyone else. The development was made known in a statement released by the party after the National Convention, which convened in Nnewi, Anambra State, today. READ MORE: Julius Abure Re-Elected As LP National Chairman Despite Opposition By NLC The statement reads: The Convention in session based on the antecedents of the Presidential candidate before, during and after the 2023 General Election recommend that the 2027 Presidential ticket of the party be solely reserved for His Excellency, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the National leader of the party. Furthermore, the Convention in session reviewed ongoing development and performance of its Governor in Abia state, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti and pass a vote of confidence on him and recommend the 2027 Abia state Gubernatorial ticket of the party be reserved for His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, on Thursday, disclosed he will engage Nigerians on the recent saga surrounding the national leadership of the Party. Recall that National Convention of the Party held in Nnewi, Anambra State, yesterday, amidst the opposition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The convention, following the amendment of the Partys constitution and the dissolution of the National Working Committee, elected national officers including the reelection of Julius Abure as Partys National Chairman. However, the positions of the NLC and Trade Union Congress were declared vacant. READ ALSO: We Didnt Monitor Labour Partys National Convention INEC Amidst the imbroglio, the Independent National Electoral Commission went on to disown the event as it was it monitored by the umpire. Reacting to the development via X, Obi wrote: Dear Nigerians, I wish to remind you of my scheduled X space engagement with you on @ParallelFacts tomorrow, Friday, 29 March 2024 by 7pm. I wish to respectfully appeal that we all join the space so that we can share ideas and exchange views on contemporary issues bedeviling us. The labour union had accused Abure of financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of NLC, and of unilaterally trying to hold a national convention in contravention of the constitution of the party. The operatives of Rivers State Police Command, paraded a Juju Priest, identified as Ugochukwu Onuigbo, alongside 25 others, suspected to be working for a car snatching ring operating in the State. Parading the suspects on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, narrated how they were arrested. Disu disclosed that most of the cars stolen are taken to Kano,Anambra where they pieced and sold as scrap. He said: For some time now we have noticed that a lot of cars were being stolen and some robbed in town and we tasked officers of our tactical team and our investigators to move into it. Today, I am very happy to inform you that about 26 suspects who specialize in stealing vehicles and robbing them have been arrested. Our greatest joy is the arrest of Chidozie Anthony Onyekwe and Kelechi Igwe. READ MORE: Two killed in fresh Rivers cult clash Chidozie is the leader of persons who come into Rivers State to steal cars. Not only does he come in here, he trains his men well. He is linked to all the suspects here who have been arrested before for this same offense of stealing cars. At the same time Kelechi Igwe is an expert at removing trackers from vehicles. Almost all the vehicles stolen from Rivers State must pass through Kelechi for him to remove the trackers for them. Hes also a wonderful mechanic. A former chief security officer to the late military head of state, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said that Nigeria government, is using wrong approach to solve security issues in the country. Al-Mustapha led this out on Wednesday, during a visitation of the President of Nigeria Youth Organisation, Ambassador Duke Alamboye visited him at his Abuja residence. The former CSO said that dirty politics brought about the funding, formation and sustenance of terrorism in the country. Al-Mustapha said the military had been used for the role the police should be playing which is leading the country to nowhere. He said: The way we have handled the issue of solving the insecurity in the country has been very wrong. Away from the management of counter-terrorism in Nigeria. Away from the dirty politics that brought about funding, formation and sustenance of terrorism in Nigeria, adequate intelligence, foreign and domestic has got many things compounded. When the visions of the managers of internal security become a bit beclouded with one or two issues, I do not want to talk about, you will be far away from getting results. It would amount to fetching water with a basket from the river and with a drum to fill. It will take you a longer time and energy to succeed. READ MORE: FG Tackling Poverty, Insecurity The Wrong Way Gov Sani Nowhere on earth should the military be domesticated to take over the primary functions of the police. I said to many and I have offended them and Im still ready to offend them for the collective interest of Nigeria, Nigerians, our future, our investments and our well-being than to do otherwise. Nowhere on earth and no serious-minded country will allow the military to play police role for more than three months, it should not happen. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the national convention held by the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday was not monitored by the electoral umpire. The LP which conducted its convention at the Grand Seasons Hotel, in Nnewi, Anambra State, re-elected Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Party. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Media Aide to INECs Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday to News Agency of Nigeria. However, Oyekanmi did not specify why INEC did not monitor the convention. READ ALSO: 1 Billion Meals Squandered Per Day Globally UN Report Recall that the convention was initially slated for March 29 but was later changed to March 27 as the initial day falls on Good Friday, a very important date for the Christian faithful across the world. The venue was also changed from Abia to Anambra. Speaking on the change of venue, Kehinde Edun, LPs National Legal Adviser, said the party duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date. So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time, Edun said. Kubernetes plays an important role at Microsoft. The container management system is a foundational piece of the companys many clouds, from Microsoft 365 and Xbox, to Azure, to partners like OpenAI that use Microsofts Kubernetes to host their own services. As a result, Microsoft has invented many of its own Kubernetes management tools. These include Kaito for deploying AI inferencing workloads and Fleet for large-scale management of Kubernetes clusters. All of Microsofts various tools sit underneath its two managed Kubernetes services, Azure Kubernetes Service and Azure Container Service, allowing you to deploy and orchestrate your container-based applications without needing to build the necessary management framework. It all comes for free, with APIs, portals, and command line interfaces. In the old days, that would have been it. Microsoft would have used these features to differentiate itself from its competitors and their Kubernetes clouds. But Microsoft has taken the open-source model to heart, with many of the leaders of its Kubernetes initiatives coming from an open-source background. Instead of keeping its Kubernetes tools to itself, Microsoft releases them as open-source projects, where anyone can use them, and where anyone can contribute new code. Introducing the Retina observability platform One of the latest Azure tools to become an open-source project is Retina, a network observability tool designed to help you understand network traffic in all of your clusters, no matter how theyre configured or what OS they use. Theres no tie to Azure functionality, either. You can run Retina in any Kubernetes instance, on-premises or in AWS, Azure, or GCP. At the heart of Retina, much like the Falco security tool, are extended Berkeley Packet Filters (eBPF). These let you run code in the kernel of the host OS, outside your application containers, so you can use eBPF probes without significantly affecting the code youre running. Theres no need to add agents to your containers or add monitoring libraries to your code, and one eBPF probe can monitor all the nodes running on a host, whether its a cloud VM or on-premises physical hardware. Running Retina probes in-kernel simplifies network monitoring. You dont need to know what network cards are installed on the host server, or how your Kubernetes install uses a service mesh. Instead, you get a look at how the host OSs networking stack is handling packets. You can track packet types, latency, and packet loss, taking advantage of low-level TCP/IP features that may not be accessible at a higher level. By focusing on making cloud-native networking observable, Retina is designed to fit into any monitoring tool set and any Kubernetes install. Theres support for both Linux and Windows, which should help you monitor and debug hybrid applications that mix Linux and Windows services. As eBPF probes are code, you can think of them as customizable plugins, allowing Retina to evolve with new Kubernetes features and to support the metrics you need for your monitoring requirements. Data is delivered to the familiar Prometheus logging service at a node level. Data gathered include DNS, layer 4 operations, and packet captures. Because the data is labelled, you can build a map of operations in your Kubernetes environment, helping track down issues like a blocking microservice as Retina logs the pattern of flows in and around your Kubernetes instances. Getting started with Retina Start by cloning the Retina GitHub repo, then use the bundled Helm charts to install. You may need to configure Prometheus as well, to ensure that Retina is logging data. If you want to use the Retina CLI, you need to be running on a Linux-hosted Kubernetes. The CLI runs in kubectl, so will be easy to use alongside your other Kubernetes CLI tools. Alternatively, you can use YAML custom resource definitions to configure and run a network capture. On Linux the eBPF network capture plugin is a version of the open source Inspektor Gadget tool. This was originally developed by the Kinvolk team, now part of Azure and still focused on container engineering. Inspektor Gadget is a library of Kubernetes eBPF tools that works with Kubernetes applications of any size, from single nodes to large clusters. Retina uses Inspektor Gadget trace gadgets to observe network system events. Observing container networks The Retina website provides detailed instructions for working with the tool. Retina offers three different operating modes: basic metrics at a per-node level, more detailed remote context metrics with support for aggregating by source and destination pod, and a local context option that allows you to choose which pods to monitor. Its important to note that you dont see everything by default, as that could be overwhelming. Instead, different metrics are enabled by different plugins. For example, if you want to track DNS calls, start by enabling the DNS plugin. All the metrics include cluster and instance metadata, so you can filter and report using labels to identify specific target nodes and pods. Local and remote context options add labels that track source and destination. Configuring Retina also requires setting up a Prometheus target for the data, along with an appropriate Grafana dashboard. Microsoft provides sample configurations for both on GitHub in the Retina repository. The defaults display networking and DNS data for your cluster. Having the data in Prometheus allows you to use other tools to work with Retina data, for example feeding data into a policy engine to trigger alerts or automate specific operations. With Retina installed and Prometheus and Grafana configured, you can now go beyond the defaults, configuring the Retina agent and plugins via YAML. Additional metrics configuration is via Kubernetes custom resource definitions. Measuring Kubernetes network operations Retina isnt really a tool for continuous monitoring at a packet level, as it will generate a lot of data in a busy cluster, unless of course you use it with a policy-based tool to identify exceptions from normal operation. In practice, its perhaps best to use Retina to identify the root causes of issues with a running cluster. Perhaps nodes are failing to communicate with each other, or you suspect that errors may be due to latency in a specific service interaction. Here you can trigger the required packet capture with a single command that collects all of the data you need to run a diagnosis. Continuous operation is reported via metrics that give you statistical information about key network issues. These can be managed using Prometheus to generate alerts, with Grafana dashboards to give you an overview of the overall performance of your cluster, along with data from other observability tools. One useful metric offered by Retina is one thats often ignored: API latency. However, in cloud-native development, youre often working with third-party APIs. Some might be platform services from a cloud provider, while others could be essential line-of-business data sources, like Salesforce or SAP Hana. Here you can use Retinas API server latency to get metrics that help track server response times. Having this data lets you start a diagnostic process with your API provider, helping track down the source of any latencies. Delays in API access can be a significant blocker in your applications, so having this data can help you deliver a more reliable and responsive application. A maturing Kubernetes ecosystem Microsoft has made a preview version of a Retina-based observability tool available for Azure Kubernetes Service as the Network Observability add-in. This works with Azures managed Prometheus and Grafana. You can find a list of the pre-configured metrics in its documentation, but it currently offers only a subset of Retinas capabilities, delivering only node-level metrics. One key point to consider with Retina is that it builds on Azures experience with Kubernetes. The metrics captured out-the-box are what the Azure team considers important, and youre building on the knowledge that supports one of the largest and most active Kubernetes environments anywhere. If you need alternative metrics, you can build your own eBPF probes for Retina, which then can be shared with the wider Kubernetes community. Open source requires shared expertise to be successful. By opening up the code base, Microsoft is encouraging Retina developers to bring their knowledge to the platform, with the hope that AWS, GCP, and other at-scale Kubernetes operators will share the networking lessons they have learned with the world. As Kubernetes matures, eBPF-based tools like Retina and Falco will become increasingly important, providing the data we need to deliver secure and reliable cloud-native applications at scale. Chocolate Easter bunnies on sale just before Easter last year. They may cost consumers more this holiday, and the price is only expected to increase amid a historic cocoa bean shortage. Read more In candy aisles this week, last-minute Easter shoppers are in for another round of sticker shock as cocoa prices skyrocket to historic levels. The commoditys price has more than doubled since January as lackluster harvests in West Africa contribute to a cocoa bean shortage. Closer to home, companies are upping prices. Last month, Hershey implemented its most recent hike on some grocery and food-service items in an attempt to recoup the increased costs of cocoa and sugar which is up 8% and counteract a recent drop in sales volume. Mondelez, which owns Cadbury, increased chocolate prices as much as 15% in 2023, according to executives. Across all brands sold in the United States, chocolate egg prices are up 12% compared to last year, Bloomberg reported. There are signs that consumers are tired of high prices and less willing to splurge on holiday treats than they were in recent years: U.S. adults are expected to spend a total of $3.1 billion on candy this holiday, down from $3.3 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Last year, chocolatiers reported that demand was as high as ever, with customers seemingly willing to spend no matter the cost to continue annual traditions that they had to pause during the pandemic. Advertisement But, chocolate lovers enthusiasm could soon wane more dramatically, as industry experts expect consumers to feel the full impact of the cocoa shortage within the next year, likely in the form of even higher prices. The worst is still yet to come, Paul Joules, commodities analyst at Rabobank, told CNBC. What does all this mean for Philly-area residents who have yet to shop for the bunnies, eggs, and other sweet treats that will fill Easter baskets this weekend? We looked at the Easter deals in this weeks digital circulars for ShopRite, Acme, and Weis, as well as circulars from last Easter week, to provide a snapshot of about how much youll be spending relative to last year on some holiday favorites: A SEPTA law enforcement officer walks up stairs from a platform where earlier a SEPTA transit police officer reported a shooting and a victim down on the westbound platform at 15th Street Station near City Hall in Philadelphia Jan. 11. Read more Prosecutors have withdrawn all charges including homicide against one of two people accused of killing a 16-year-old at a SEPTA station in January. Zaire Wilson, 16, and an 18-year-old had been arrested on charges of homicide, aggravated assault, and related crimes in the fatal shooting of Tyshaun Welles. Welles was killed by a stray bullet when someone opened fire into a crowd of teens standing on the platform of the City Hall SEPTA Station. Investigators believe that Welles, who had no previous contact with law enforcement, was not the intended target of the shooting. Police initially said video showed Wilson pulling out a gun before Quadir Humphrey fired the gun toward a group of young people on the train platform. Advertisement But during their investigation, prosecutors found additional surveillance video from SEPTA that showed Wilson was not involved in the shooting and dropped the charges against him last month, said Jane Roh, spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. In the interest of justice, our office withdrew all charges and moved quickly to notify the court and the JJSC [Juvenile Justice Services Center] to secure this juveniles release from detention, Roh said in an email. Wilson was released from custody Feb. 29, the same day prosecutors dropped the charges, said Geoffrey Seay, Wilsons attorney. The night of Jan. 11, Welles, who had spent the evening with friends at LevelUp, a neighborhood organization in West Philadelphia, was standing on the subway platform of the City Hall SEPTA station, waiting for a train. As Welles and a group of teens talked on the platform, police said at the time, Wilson brandished a gun and Humphrey opened fire as the train approached. One of the bullets struck Welles in the head. Transit police who were on the platform during the gunfire scooped Welles into their arms and rushed him to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. After days fighting for his life, Welles died Jan. 16, after doctors determined that he was brain dead and his family decided to take him off life support. Racquel Clark, Welles mother, said she was shocked when she learned Wilsons charges were dropped. I was hurt, she said. I was at a loss. I didnt understand. Basically, I want answers. My son was an innocent bystander. Wilson had maintained his innocence from the start, said Seay. Wilson and his mother both said surveillance footage would prove the teen was not involved in the fatal shooting. We reviewed the video with Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci and Assistant District Attorney Flores, and it showed that my client had nothing to do with the shooting. He just happened to be near the person, said Seay. But there was no connection between the two of them at any time. Initial reports that Wilson had brandished a gun and handed it to Humphrey were untrue, Seay said, adding that Humphrey pulled the gun out of his waistband before firing. Wilson knew Humphrey from school but the two were not friends, he said. The time Wilson spent in custody and going to and from court hearings was a mental and emotional strain on the teen, said Seay, and his family is looking into getting him into therapy. For a 16-year-old thats never been in trouble, it was quite traumatic, he said. Humphrey is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 1. Welles mother said she will keep pushing for justice for her son and for the crowd of teens who were on the SEPTA platform when the shots rang out that January day. I want justice for my son. I also want it for the sake of the other kids, said Clark. He endangered a lot of people. He didnt have regard for anyone. Students who applied to the eight Ivy League universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton, were to find out Thursday whether they got in. They will also be the first group of students to be admitted following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision last year to ban the use of race as a factor in admissions decisions, forcing colleges to find new ways to achieve diversity in their classes. Many other selective colleges in the Philadelphia area, including Dickinson, Haverford, Villanova and Swarthmore, have already released their acceptance decisions. The six other Ivies expected to announce Thursday were Brown, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth and Cornell. Over the next month or so, students will decide where they want to enroll. That freshman class and, specifically, its demographics will undoubtedly be compared with prior years to gauge what impact the courts decision has had. READ MORE: What Philly-area schools are saying about the SCOTUS ruling to end race-based admissions in colleges What did the Supreme Court decision say? The court ruled in June that colleges could not use race as a factor in deciding whether students should be admitted. It overturned more than 40 years of admissions policy at many of the nations campuses, raising concern that it could reduce the number of Black and Latino students at many elite colleges and harm schools efforts to create diverse classes. READ MORE: Colleges are bracing for a court decision on affirmative action. Heres what Princetons president is doing to prepare. Advertisement The lawsuits were brought by Students for Fair Admissions, a group founded by Edward Blum, a conservative activist who has spent years battling affirmative action policies. Plaintiffs had accused both Harvard and the University of North Carolina of discriminating against Asian and/or white students through the use of race-conscious admissions policies. Even before the courts decision, considering race was already barred in certain states, including California and Michigan. In those two states, some colleges have reported a decline in Black and Latino students as a result. READ MORE: Penn students lament SCOTUS decision on race-based admissions: All of our progress is disappearing How did the Supreme Court decision affect the admissions process this year? Both Penn and Princeton declined to discuss the impact, as more lawsuits are expected to be brought against colleges in the coming months and years over their admissions practices. But Whitney Soule, dean of admissions at Penn, said in a recent interview with the schools alumni magazine that Penn had trained staff and adapted its process to adhere to the law. READ MORE: Colleges should shoulder the burden of SCOTUS admissions ruling, not students, say Philly college advisers Do we know the race or ethnicity of applicants, like we did before? No, we dont, she told the Pennsylvania Gazette. Yet were reading every detail that they provide, and were trying to understand how they see themselves and how they want to contribute. Penn also collaborated more with Heights Philadelphia, an organization that helps Philadelphia school students get into and through college, said Sean E. Vereen, co-president of Heights. Penns provost, John L. Jackson Jr., also joined the Heights board, he said. There is already a long partnership there, but were also deepening that partnership, he said. Adam Nguyen, whose company, Ivy Link, advises students on getting into the Ivies and other elite colleges, said many colleges introduced new or altered essay questions to learn more about applicants. Did students of color mention their racial background in their essays? Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. outlined in his decision a way that race still could come into play, particularly in the admissions essay portion of an application: ... nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected the applicants life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university. Admissions experts said some students of color chose to write about their racial backgrounds as it related to their identities. There were students who spoke to it in their essays and really thought it was an important part of their identity, Vereen said. And I think there are some students [who had] some real trepidation ... and really did not talk about race in their application. Jess Lord, vice president and dean of admission and financial aid at Haverford College, said that probably more students made reference to many aspects of their identity including their race and ethnicity. But, he said, not substantially more. We did consider it in the context of students connecting their racial identity to experiences theyve had and qualities and characteristics they had developed that were in some way connected to their racial identity or their experience with that identity, Lord said. Nguyen said students were advised to weigh whether including it enhanced their narrative. We have to take each student and their background and look at the race component in the full context of who they are and what they achieved, he said. Was it possible to see applicants race during admissions? No, Penns Soule told the alumni magazine: Anybody involved with application review and selection in Penn Admissions does not have access to any reporting or data fields that are related to race in aggregate or at the record level. We just cant see it. But the Common App, which many students use to apply to college, still gives students the option to indicate their race, but colleges are able to hide (that is, suppress) the self-disclosed race and ethnicity information from application PDF files for both first-year and transfer applications, a spokesperson said. That means when they receive an application PDF from Common App, the race and ethnicity data will not be visible. Common App said it could not share how many colleges chose to suppress that information. Applications from underrepresented minority applicants increased 10% this year, Common App said. When will we know the racial makeup of the incoming class? Its not clear when colleges will release that information. Some colleges may attain and release the information about their accepted students; others may wait until after May 1 when students declare whether they will accept the offer of admission and enroll; and others may wait even longer, until after the wait-list process when their final class is formed. The Harvard Crimson, Harvards student newspaper, reported this week that the university isnt expected to release its details until this summer. Under federal law, colleges eventually must report the racial makeup of their classes, and thats when a comprehensive look at colleges admitted classes will be possible. You will get data maybe in the fall, Nguyen said. When Penn issued a statement on its acceptance decisions last year, it did not give a racial breakdown. But the school said the group collectively represented the most diverse group of admitted students in Penns history in terms of racial and ethnic background, socioeconomic diversity ... and those who are the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college or university. What the university will say this year remains to be seen. Do experts expect the diversity of the incoming class to be impacted? Im concerned that this will have a negative impact on the racial diversity of the incoming class, said Lord, the Haverford dean. Heights Vereen, who worked in admissions at Penn from 2008 to 2012, predicted declines in diversity at more selective colleges on a national level. Its a little bit of the Wild West for the next couple years, he said. Everyone is trying to calibrate to what is the new reality. Given Penns strong commitment to students in the Philadelphia area, those declines may be tempered there, he said. Nguyen also predicted a dip in diversity, at least in the first year. When the [court] decision came out, colleges were scrambling to respond, he said. Cara McClellan, a Penn associate practice professor of law, said last year that the percentage of students from underrepresented groups at Harvard was expected to drop by 50% without race-conscious admissions. She worked on Harvards case at the appellate level for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and at that time, Black students made up 14% of Harvards incoming class, and Latino students and students from other underrepresented groups made up another 14%. But John E. Jones III, president of Dickinson College in Carlisle, said he is guardedly optimistic that the diversity of the class will be similar to last year, when 25% were students of color. Dickinson reached out to organizations, including Heights, for more assistance in getting students of color to apply, he said. It had even started doing that before the court decision, he said. Anecdotally, what we believe is that has been extremely helpful in getting our name out there and connecting us with students and that will add to the diversity on campus, he said. Only one in five Pennsylvania hospitals are meeting federal requirements for posting prices. Read more Only one in five Pennsylvania hospitals is doing enough to make sure patients can find the prices of medical procedures on their websites, an analysis by a patient advocacy group has found. Patient Rights Advocate, a group that advocates for price transparency, looked to see how many hospitals across the nation are fully complying with a federal price transparency rule that went into effect in 2021. It requires hospitals to post machine-readable files, such as a downloadable Excel spreadsheet, with prices for every procedure under every insurance plan accepted at the hospital. Most hospitals in the Philadelphia-area are meeting the requirement to post a spreadsheet of prices that can be downloaded, but many are incomplete, according to a report released by the organization last month. For instance, the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia has a spreadsheet of prices by insurance plan on its website. But upon opening, a viewer would see a majority of price fields are filled with hash symbols. Advertisement CHOP said it is in full compliance with the price transparency requirements. Patients can see dollar values by expanding the price column or clicking on the individual field in the spreadsheet. The rule is supposed to make it easier for patients to shop around for medical care by enabling them to see prices for common services and compare rates between hospitals. READ MORE: A progress check on hospital price transparency The information can also be useful when patients receive a bill thats higher than they anticipated, said Ilaria Santangelo, the organizations director of research. People can compare the prices they were charged to the rates listed on the hospitals website. Federal health officials began fining noncompliant hospitals earlier this year, but has so far only cited 14, none in Pennsylvania. Patient Rights Advocate considered a hospital noncompliant if more than half of the price fields in its spreadsheet were empty, or contained anything other than a dollar value, such as dashes or hashes. We understand that a hospital isnt going to have prices for every item and service they offer, but when the majority of the file doesnt have prices, that raises concerns, Santangelo said. Jefferson hospitals disclosing pricing differently Even within the same system, price reporting varies. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital landed on Patient Rights Advocates noncompliant list because the hospitals price spreadsheet does not break down prices for every health plan. Spreadsheets must include prices for every health plan accepted even when the hospital accepts multiple plans from the same insurer. Jefferson Abington Hospital, meanwhile, is fully compliant because it lists prices for each individual plan. Jefferson did not respond to a request for comment. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Medical Center, Torresdale Hospital, and Frankford Hospital are among the Philadelphia-area institutions that the Patient Rights Advocate determined were fully compliant. From left, Samuel Grasty, Derrick Chappell and Morton Johnson. The men were granted new trials in the murder of Henrietta Nickens, 70, of Chester in 1997. Read more Three Delaware County men who have spent more than two decades in prison for a murder they say they did not commit are one step closer to possible freedom after a judge on Thursday granted them new trials. Derrick Chappell, Samuel Grasty, and Morton Johnson were barely out of high school in 1997 when police accused them of killing an elderly Chester woman found beaten and sexually assaulted in her apartment. Each man was found guilty of murder and related crimes by juries in the early 2000s and received de facto life sentences. But over 20 years and a series of appeals, the three men maintained their innocence, as their lawyers said unreliable witnesses, a false confession, and unscrupulous police work led to their clients improper arrests. Their plea for new trials advanced last August during hearings before a Common Pleas Court judge in which their lawyers contended that if Chappell, 41, Grasty, 46, and Johnson, 42, were tried today, DNA technology that was not available in 1997 would exonerate them by proving that a single, unknown perpetrator had assaulted 70-year-old Henrietta Nickens. Advertisement Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Alice Brennan on Thursday ordered that the three men be granted new trials though whether those trials occur will depend on whether Delaware County prosecutors choose to appeal the order or retry the case. Were ecstatic, said Paul Casteleiro, Grastys defense attorney and the legal director of exoneration nonprofit Centurion. Its an order that affirms what weve been telling the Delaware District Attorneys Office for years that these guys are innocent. Casteleiro said Brennans order means that if the evidence from the August hearings were presented at a new trial, theres a likelihood that the verdict would be different. Casteleiro said hes hopeful this is the beginning of the end. We are hopeful the commonwealth will not appeal and that our clients can begin to move on with their journeys, said Nilam Sanghvi, legal director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, one of the exoneration groups representing Chappell. The Delaware County District Attorneys Office declined to comment. The court set a May 23 bail hearing for Chappell, Grasty, and Johnson. Casteleiro said he spoke to Grastys mother by phone Thursday, and had given the message to State Correctional Institution Phoenix, where Grasty is incarcerated, and expected a call from him later. Its kind of overwhelming in a lot of ways, the attorney said of his conversation with Grastys mother. You could imagine what his mom thinks and the emotion thats attached to everything for 25 years, its I didnt do this, I had nothing to do with it, and then finally, finally, finally, someone is saying, Yeah, we agree with you. " David Haase, one of Chappells attorneys who took the case pro bono, said it was impossible to adequately convey the emotions of his call with Chappells mother Thursday. In all my days, he said, I will never forget that call. " A glass of milk. A Lancaster County farmer is in a legal battle over his sale of raw milk products. Read more A dairy-laden legal battle is playing out in Lancaster County, where the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is suing an Amish farmer to stop his sale of raw milk products that authorities have tied to illnesses in several states. Amos Miller has been selling raw, unpasteurized milk, as well as products made from it, since at least 2014, the department said in a lawsuit filed in January. As a result of legal issues dating back nearly a decade, Miller has become something of a political figure, with prominent Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) and Donald Trump Jr., as well as Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. weighing in on social media. Proponents have also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Millers legal fees through online fundraising platforms. This is the final stage of a long war by Big Ag, food processors and their government puppets to destroy family farms and wholesome food production, Kennedy wrote last month on X, formerly Twitter. Thank you Amos for standing up for our health and our liberty to grow healthy food. Advertisement Supporters have said in court that Millers milk has worked wonders for their health, and his legal team argues that stopping sales is a violation of his and his customers rights. But the Department of Agriculture says that the raw milk and other unregulated products are a danger to public health, and that he is selling them in violation of food safety laws. It is legal to sell raw milk in Pennsylvania with a permit from the Department of Agriculture. Most other products made from raw milk such as yogurt, butter, and soft cheeses cant legally be sold in the state. About 114 other dairies in Pennsylvania are permitted to sell raw milk, but Miller has historically refused to pursue a permit. Authorities have also alleged that Millers retail operations arent registered. Now, as part of the ongoing case, a Lancaster County judge has issued an order keeping Miller from selling raw milk and related products in Pennsylvania as litigation plays out, but seemingly allowing sales to continue to residents of other states. The case started with a search warrant In early January, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a search warrant on Millers farm in Upper Leacock Township that stemmed from an investigation into food-borne illnesses in Michigan and New York. In court filings, authorities said that health officials in those states informed them that two people had been sickened by products traced back to Millers Organic Farm, including raw eggnog. The illnesses, court documents indicate, were caused by a strain of E. coli. Authorities seized raw milk and other products, and restricted other food items from being sold or used. About 25% of the samples taken during the search tested positive for listeria, an illness-causing bacteria, according to court documents. In a court filing, Millers lawyer, Robert Barnes, argued that the Department of Agriculture materially mislead the court with perjured affidavits to obtain their warrant. Miller is ordered to stop raw milk sales Following the search, the Department of Agriculture sued Miller, seeking an injunction to stop the production and sale of his raw milk and other products. Miller and his co-defendants which include his wife and their various businesses operate in flagrant violation of Pennsylvania laws enacted for the purpose of protecting public health and safety, the departments complaint said. Judge Thomas Sponaugle of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas granted the injunction, writing in an order that allowing sales to continue would cause immediate and irreparable injury. Millers legal team wrote in a filing that the injunction caused substantial harm to not only Miller, but also the local Amish community, and thousands of Americans unable to produce or procure the food they need to survive. The ruling, the objection added, would bankrupt Miller, damage Lancasters Amish farming economy, and violated the constitutional protected individual choice of customers. Several supporters testified in Millers defense at a February hearing. One North Carolina woman testified that a nutritionist had recommended raw milk as a treatment for her son who had been diagnosed with autism, and said that he was a different kid after consuming it, according to Lancaster Online. Millers legal team filed more than 350 declarations from customers nationwide on his behalf, the publication reported. Still, on March 1, Sponaugle issued another order preventing Miller from marketing and selling raw milk and other products, but allowing him to produce them for immediate family members on a noncommercial basis. Sponaugle wrote that ignoring legal requirements for the sale of raw milk would improperly usurp the authority and responsibility of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. If Miller applied for a raw milk permit, Sponaugle continued, the court would immediately reconsider whether to modify or terminate the order. Barnes, however, told the court that Miller getting a permit to sell raw milk would prevent him from selling other raw milk-derived products, according to Lancaster Online. Miller has also argued that he does not sell his products to the public, but rather to members of his farms private membership association, and the states regulations should not apply to him. The legal battle continues Earlier this month, Millers legal team filed a motion asking the court to allow sales for customers outside of Pennsylvania. The case, lawyers wrote, presents the question of whether the states raw milk laws can reach beyond the state of Pennsylvania. The farm faces substantial irreparable injury without relief, out-of-state purchasers of raw milk products from the farm will suffer substantial harm if not afforded access to these products, and the public benefits from protection of constitutional rights, the motion read. As a result, Millers legal team requested that sales be halted only within the commonwealth. Federal law, however, requires milk to be pasteurized if it is shipped from one state to another. Barnes previously told Lancaster Online that that law has been challenged in court, and the Food and Drug Administration has backed off from enforcing it. Sponaugle last week changed the order to only bar Miller from selling raw milk and related products in Pennsylvania. On social media, Barnes called it a major win. Court agreed to modify injunction so that it only applies within the state of Pennsylvania removing the ban on sales to customers outside the state, Barnes wrote on X. But on Monday, lawyers for the Department of Agriculture asked the court to enjoin Miller from offering the products from Pennsylvania, regardless of where customers live. Sales outside of the commonwealth, the department argued, still violate the states laws, and there is no regulatory requirement that the persons to whom the products are being offered must reside in Pennsylvania. Barnes did not respond to a request for comment. Sponaugle has yet to rule. Laishah Nala Bloom Holloman, who was the manager of a farm run by Wyncote Academy. She was killed last November by a driver allegedly under the influence. Read more A Philadelphia man has been charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence in the November death in Montgomery County of 33-year-old Laishah Nala Bloom Holloman, who was the manager of a farm run by Wyncote Academy. Shaikan Pitts, 38, who has never had a valid drivers license, according to the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.135%, which is above the legal limit. Cannabinoids also were found in his blood, prosecutors said. Holloman was the manager of Wyncote Farm, an educational farm and outdoor classroom owned and operated by Wyncote Academy in Elkins Park. She was best known as Nala Bloom, a name she chose for herself because of her lifelong love of farming, said Mark Linkins, head of school at Wyncote Academy. Shortly before 6 p.m. on Nov. 25, Cheltenham Township police responded to a two-vehicle crash at Old York Road and Spring Avenue to find Holloman trapped under her white Ford van. Investigators determined that the van was pulling out of a private driveway when it was struck by a silver Nissan Rogue on the drivers side door so violently the van spun and overturned, prosecutors said. Advertisement Holloman, of Elkins Park, was pronounced dead at the scene. Pitts, the driver of the Nissan, allegedly was driving 69 mph in a 40-mph zone and did not brake or take any evasive action prior to the crash, prosecutors said. Pitts was arrested Tuesday and charged with multiple offenses. He was being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $90,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing for Pitts was scheduled for April 8. No lawyer was listed for Pitts in court records. Holloman had a daughter, according to her obituary. She joined Wyncote Farm as a volunteer in 2022 and was hired as the manager last year. She was unlike any other volunteer we had ever known. She was there night and day, Linkins, the academys head of school, said in a phone interview. Linkins called her the brightest of lights who was beloved by students, staff, and faculty. At the farm, she oversaw beekeeping and egg production, among many duties. With several Wyncote students, she coordinated and ran weekly farmers markets in North Philadelphia and Center City, Linkins said. She was also a key member of Wyncote Farms community-based maple syrup program, Linkins said. She helped to tap more than 150 maple trees in East Oak Lane, Melrose Park, Elkins Park, Jenkintown, Wyncote, and Huntingdon Valley. In an interview last year with the Glenside Local, Holloman talked about her journey as a farmer and learning how to tend to the land. Its come with a lot of responsibility, but I also feel truly grateful to be responsible for the food were growing and the animals were caring for, she said. Im a student in nature whos growing right along with them. A detective works the crime scene at the Marie Dendy Recreation Center at 10th and Jefferson Streets, where a 15-year-old boy was shot in the back on April 19, 2023. Read more A man accused of shooting a 15-year-old boy on a playground outside a North Philadelphia recreation center last year has been arrested, police said Thursday. Djean Williams, 21, was arrested Thursday morning in connection with the April 19, 2023, shooting, in which police said he rode a bicycle to the playground of Marie Dendy Recreation Center and shot the teenager in the back. Williams will be charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and related crimes, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office said. Because of a probation violation related to carrying a firearm without a license in 2022, he will not be eligible for bail, the spokesperson said. Williams was apprehended in Philadelphia with collaboration from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, police said. A police spokesperson declined to comment Thursday on a suspected motive in the shooting. The 15-year-old was taken to St. Christophers Hospital for Children and experienced a long-term injury from the shooting, officials said. A gun was recovered at the scene. Two days after the shooting, authorities identified Williams as a suspect, which they credited to newly installed security cameras outside the recreation center part of a Safe Play Zones initiative placing 100 cameras at rec centers citywide. Following the shooting at Dendy, city and state officials announced they would bring trauma-informed therapy and workshops to recreation centers and summer camps in some of the citys neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. According to an Inquirer analysis, between 2015 and spring of 2023, at least 629 people were shot within 500 feet of a city rec center, including 87 children. Third Circuit judicial nominee Adeel Mangi testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on judicial nominations, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Read more In the fall of 1992, after serving as a federal district court judge for just over a year, I was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This was a high honor, and I looked forward to a confirmation process in which my record would be scrutinized thoroughly, but fairly, by the Senate. And thats exactly what occurred. I was just the 16th person of color appointed to a federal court of appeals, but my racial identity did not appear to be an issue. No one questioned my faith or religious affiliation. Nor was I attacked politically, even though it was an election year. In fact, I was confirmed by unanimous consent less than a month before Election Day. I cant help contrasting that experience with what I see today, and I am deeply troubled. Advertisement The Senate is currently weighing the nomination of Adeel Mangi to the same Philadelphia-based court I sat on. Mangi is eminently qualified for the position. And if he is confirmed, he would be the first Muslim in our nations history to sit on the federal appellate bench. Mangi is eminently qualified for the position. Mangi is a highly respected, Oxford- and Harvard-educated attorney. He has handled complex litigation for decades in both federal and state courts. His trial skills received headlines around the country in a trade secrets case when he won the largest jury verdict ($2 billion) in the history of Virginia. His pro bono work has also been outstanding and has made an enormous difference in peoples lives. This is a nominee who should and ordinarily would have widespread bipartisan support. But sadly, Mangi has been made a target of vicious political and personal attacks because he is Muslim. That hostility was on full display at his confirmation hearing in December. Under the thin pretext of his membership in a Muslim bar association and participation in a Rutgers University program aimed at combating racism and Islamophobia, Mangi was questioned by Senate Republicans about whether he supported an intifada in the United States, whether he celebrates 9/11, and worse. READ MORE: Islamophobia in Philadelphia is on the rise | Opinion Despite support by numerous Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, Mangi has been falsely accused of antisemitism and being a supporter of terrorism. One dark-money group has paid for an ad campaign targeting Democratic senators up for reelection, including Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, repeating baseless slurs against Mangi and urging them to vote against Mangi. This is appalling, and it must stop. A presidential nomination to the federal bench should be something to aspire to through hard work and a steadfast commitment to the law. But that will no longer be true if the nomination brings with it the threat of personal attacks and defamation, particularly for nominees from underrepresented communities who can instead expect their work and dedication to be repaid with bigoted smears. This will do immeasurable harm to our very worthy goal of diversifying the federal bench, an effort which recognizes that a variety of perspectives and lived experiences among judges improves the quality of their work, and thus the nations welfare. The freedom to exercise ones religious faith is a fundamental tenet of our democracy. If we believe democracy is on the ballot in November, then we must support all that democracy entails, including freedom of religion and not use a judicial nominees religion against him. The Senate must disregard the baseless attacks against Mangi and treat him with the same respect I experienced in 1992. Mangi is exactly the kind of jurist we need. He will be a welcome addition to the Third Circuit and to our nations ongoing effort to live up to its promise of equality for all Americans. I have faith that Sen. Casey and a majority of the Senate will agree and vote to confirm Mangi. Timothy K. Lewis, a former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, is based in Pittsburgh. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is escorted from the Lefortovsky court in Moscow on Jan. 26. Gershkovich was arrested on March 29, 2023, on espionage charges, which he and the newspaper deny. Read more The disinformation coming out of Russia surrounding the deadly concert hall terror attack underscores the desperate need for a free press there and around the globe. Even before the more than 130 bodies had been counted, President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine and the West for the massacre despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the assault. The state-controlled Russian media followed Putins lead, suggesting Ukraine was responsible. Only after the U.S. and France confirmed ISIS was to blame, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied his country was involved, did Putin acknowledge the terror groups role. The differing narratives unfolded as Evan Gershkovich, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, approached one year of imprisonment in Russia on bogus charges of being a spy. The U.S. State Department condemned Gershkovichs arrest and said he is being wrongfully detained as part of Russias ongoing war against the truth. Advertisement Journalism is not a crime. But over the years, Putin has systematically shut down Russias free press. Nearly 60 journalists have been killed in Russia since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. READ MORE: My brother, Evan Gershkovich, has been unjustly detained in Russia for a year | Opinion At least 22 journalists are in prison in Russia for essentially doing their job, including Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian American editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty who was arrested in October. Russia is not the only country that has cracked down on the free press. More than 320 journalists are behind bars around the globe. One-third of the jailed journalists are in China (44), Myanmar (43), and Belarus (28), the CPJ said. The war in Gaza has proved particularly deadly, with almost 100 journalists and media workers reported dead since Oct. 7. The suppression of fact-based information comes as authoritarians are on the rise and democracy weakens across the globe. Half of the worlds countries are suffering from weakened election systems and curtailed rights, including freedom of expression and assembly, a report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance found. The attacks on democracy and the free press are also happening in the United States, thanks in large measure to the rise of Donald Trump. Shortly after being elected president in 2016, Trump accused the press of being an enemy of the American people. Trump labeled the news organizations and articles he did not agree with as fake news, a term he repeated 2,000 times during his one term in office. During a meeting with FBI Director James Comey, Trump said reporters who publish classified information should be imprisoned. Trump has repeatedly called for loosening libel laws to make it easier to sue journalists. Efforts to chill news reporting have been part of the Trump playbook for decades. In 1979, he threatened to sue the Village Voice. In 1984, Trump sued the Chicago Tribune after the architecture critic called one of his building plans aesthetically lousy. The case was dismissed. In 2005, Trump sued journalist Timothy OBrien for a book that detailed how the real estate mogul was not a billionaire. That case was also dismissed. In 2016, Trump threatened to sue the Washington Post for an article that detailed how his casinos went bankrupt. READ MORE: Stop the war on a free press | Editorial In January, Trump was ordered to pay the New York Times nearly $400,000 in legal fees after his lawsuit against the paper for detailing his finances was dismissed. Earlier this month, he sued ABCs George Stephanopoulos for comments regarding Trumps sexual assault of E. Jean Carroll. A study by the CPJ found Trumps attacks on the press dangerously undermined truth and consensus across the country. If elected, Trumps allies have said he would seek retribution against the media. Thats a stark contrast from President Joe Biden, who said the U.S. is working around the clock to free Gershkovich. The unjust jailing of reporters like Gershkovich is an assault on truth and freedom that too many Americans take for granted. A sign at a protest rally summed up the stakes by borrowing from Martin Niemollers famous Holocaust poem: First they came for the journalists. We dont know what happened after that. Freeing Gershkovich and other jailed journalists is essential to telling the stories strongmen like Putin and Trump want to hide. TikTok is running ads in Pennsylvania and other battleground states to pressure senators to prevent a ban of the app. Read more TikTok has launched a campaign aimed at pressuring senators from Pennsylvania and other battleground states as the U.S. Senate weighs a bill that seeks to force a sale of the Chinese-based social media platform. The companys new ad highlights the broad groups of people who use the app, from a rancher to a teacher and a nun. Pennsylvania is one of eight states where the ad will air after TikTok reserved $2.1 million of television ad space, according to a CNBC report that cited data from AdImpact. Five of the states where the ad will play are represented by Democratic senators in tough reelection fights, according to the report, including Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) who faces a challenge from well-funded Republican Dave McCormick. Casey has not taken a firm position on the bill yet, but said he is skeptical of the app under its ownership of Beijing-based company ByteDance. Advertisement Im concerned about the national security implications of TikToks ties to the Chinese Communist Party, Casey said in a statement. As I review the House bill, my top priority remains U.S. national security and protecting Americans from influence by an adversarial government. Sen. John Fetterman, the states other Democratic senator, said he will vote yes on the bill. READ MORE: Why three Pa. representatives voted against the TikTok ban bill The app has become a staple of pop culture, with consumer patterns or jokes at school being dictated by what goes viral on it. But the apps future in the U.S. is uncertain after the House earlier this month passed a bill that would require the app to be sold to a company that isnt based in China or otherwise be banned. While President Joe Biden said he would sign the bill if it passes Congress, its fate in the Senate is unclear. The TikTok debate has drawn attention to Pennsylvanias richest man, Jeff Yass, and his potential political power due to his interest in the app. A U.S. ban of TikTok would be a blow to Yass, whose Bala Cynwyd-based Susquehanna International Group was an early investor in ByteDance. Susquehannas stake is measured at about 15%, the Wall Street Journal reported last year, and worth about $21 billion. READ MORE: Who is Jeff Yass, Pennsylvanias Republican megadonor and TikTok investor? Reuters reported last week that Yass is the biggest donor in the 2024 election so far but has not donated to former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. Trump tried to institute a ban of the app himself as president, but recently came out against the idea after meeting with Yass earlier this month. Trump said he did not discuss TikTok in his meeting with Yass. Also this month, Bloomberg reported that Yass name is being floated as a potential cabinet member should Trump become president (though those close to Yass said they cant imagine him agreeing to serving in any presidential cabinet), and as of December, Yass company holds a financial stake in Trumps social media company Truth Social. Alex Brunson speaks during a rally for trans lives at City Hall in Philadelphia on Friday, March 31, 2023. March 31 is the annual Trans Day of Visibility. Read more While a transgender pride flag will be raised at City Hall on Thursday, it wont be accompanied by its usual fanfare. Celena Morrison-McLean, the executive director of the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs, announced earlier this month that the citys Annual Trans Day of Visibility flag-raising event will not be happening this year. The flag will still be raised on Thursday and remain through the weekend. Raising the Trans Flag at City Hall holds profound significance, Morrison-McLean said in a public letter posted to the citys website announcing the change. It is a public declaration of our dedication to creating a more inclusive city that embraces diversity in all its forms. In a statement to The Inquirer, Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers office and the Office of LGBT Affairs said the city made the change due to a variety of logistical concerns. The statement said the flag would still be raised with the city of Philadelphias full and proud support. Advertisement Trans Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31, was created in 2010 by Rachel Crandall, a transgender advocate in Michigan. She wanted to create a day focused on empowering transgender people and acknowledging their fight against discrimination, according to GLAAD. The day is different from the Nov. 20 annual Trans Day of Remembrance, which honors transgender people killed by anti-trans violence. Last year on March 31, hundreds of people gathered in front of City Hall to call for an increase in trans rights amidst a surge of anti-trans legislation. Morrison-McLean did not explain in her letter why this years event was canceled, but she acknowledged challenging times. The announcement came just under a week after she and her husband Darius McLean received widespread attention for a traffic stop on I-76 that Morrison-McLean captured in a 90-second cell phone video shared on social media. A state trooper was placed on restricted duty over the couples arrest and the couple said they intend to file a lawsuit over the incident. READ MORE: Philadelphia LGBTQ official and her husband say they intend to sue following their arrest on I-76: Ive never felt more helpless Christian Lovehall, a Philadelphia transgender advocate and founder of the Philly Trans March, said that while the flag holds symbolic meaning by recognizing trans peoples contributions to the city, it doesnt change the injustices they face. The community tends to look inward, not to the city, to celebrate, he said, so the events cancellation wont get in the way of community-building. I think people may think that theyre gifting us with something by raising the flag, but I think the flag raising is more of a tool of education for people outside of the community, Lovehall said. He said that while there are valid reasons for not doing it this year, he doesnt know why it was cancelled. We know that Celina [Morrison-McLean] recently experienced an injustice, so if I were in her shoes, I would want to take a little break from organizing just to tend to my self care, he said. In her announcement, Morrison-McLean said Philadelphians can commemorate the holiday by acknowledging the flag at City Hall, and encouraged support for local organizations and initiatives. Mayor Parker and the Parker administration strongly support the transgender community and all LGBTQ residents of our city, said Joe Grace, the mayors spokesperson. Other ways of celebrating trans visibility Last week, Philadelphia City Council recognized the holiday in a resolution, and Councilmember Rue Landau, the citys first openly LGBTQ+ member, spoke on the floor. This is a day to celebrate the vibrant contributions of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive individuals in our community and lift up the joy, triumphs, and pride that transgender people experience and bring into our communities, she said. Landau also sponsored a resolution honoring Philadelphia transgender advocates including the organizers of the Philly Trans March, Attic Youth Center, and Lovehall, who works as a constituent services representative for Landau. On Friday, Philly Trans March organizers will rally in front of City Hall for trans youth and to honor Nex Benedict, 16-year-old non-binary Oklahoma student who was bullied and died by suicide after a fight in a school restroom. This tragedy comes at a time where anti-trans legislation throughout parts of our country have been established in place, putting all trans folk in jeopardy, organizers posted on Facebook. We will gather as form of resistance to show that we as a community demand better for our youth and community overall. READ MORE: John Fetterman and Bob Casey pulled support of LGBTQ William Way Community Center after LibsofTikTok kink parties tweet Also on Friday, the William Way LGBT Community Center will host a vendor market and fashion show for the Trans Day of Visibility in partnership with the Office of LGBT Affairs, Philly AIDS Thrift, and the Independence Business Alliance. Morrison-McLean, whose husband is chief operating officer at William Way, will attend on behalf of the city. Aerial rendering of all the proposed apartment buildings from Haverford Square Properties LLC, which would replace some expiring-subsidy affordable houses in West Philadelphia's Belmont neighborhood. Read more Haverford Square Properties LLC plans to build 1,050 units of multifamily housing across eight apartment buildings in West Philadelphias Belmont neighborhood with 30% of the units designated to rent for below market rate. The proposal would replace 103 units of affordable housing that were owned by the Friends Rehabilitation Program, known as the Sarah Allen Community Homes. Haverford Square acquired the buildings as the nonprofits deed restrictions that allows tenants to pay cheaper rent are set to expire, and plans to do one-for-one replacement of the units on nearby city-owned land. On Tuesday evening, Haverford Square president German Yakubov presented his plans to a packed community meeting at Calvary St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Belmont. Yakubov said that his companys proposal would triple the amount of subsidized housing that is being lost by demolishing the existing buildings, and that homes would be earmarked for those living in the existing units. He also promised to fund parking permits, tree plantings, street cleaning, and pocket parks, and noted that Haverford Square has been developing in the area for 17 years. Advertisement In theory, we dont have to do anything, we just let [the affordability] expire, charge market rate, rent, and live our merry lives, said Yakubov in an interview after the meeting. But what were trying to do here is help revitalize the community and give back benefits outside of just housing. Neighbors react Much of the land slated for these eight apartment buildings was recently zoned for single family housing, at the urging of neighborhood groups. If the company tries to get approval from the zoning board for other types of buildings, meetings will be required with those same community organizations. But Yakubov emphasized that Tuesday evenings presentation was a voluntary gesture of goodwill on his part and that permits have not yet been filed, so this couldnt count as the legally required neighborhood meeting. We wanted to start the process early and see what we could do to come up with a plan that is going to redevelop these sites in an intentional, responsible way that keeps the community in mind, Yakubov told residents. Residents had mixed reactions to Yakubovs presentation, with some intrigued by potential retail or jobs, and others concerned that such a large project would raise their property taxes, make parking more difficult, and potentially displace longtime renters. If this is one extra unit of affordable housing, its a positive, said Ted Smith, a neighborhood advocate. Some of the cons are building that many units in such a short amount of time and how it would effect the taxes for homeowners and our seniors. Neighborhood groups Belmont Alliance Civic Association CDC and West Belmont Civic Association hope to begin crafting a community benefits agreement in future gatherings that would lay out in writing what Yakubov would deliver to the neighborhood in exchange for their support. Council support uncertain Councilmember Jamie Gauthier represents the area and says she will be closely watching Haverford Squares negotiations with the community. She hasnt yet decided whether to support the project. Gauthier could support it before the zoning board or use legislation to change the zoning in a way that allows the project to proceed. But she said any positive action from her would depend on the developer treating existing affordable housing residents with compassion and taking the community feedback seriously. I was definitely surprised when I saw the proposals scale. This would be the densest development in Belmont, by far, said Gauthier in a statement. I am pleased the developer is opening with a concept to build more affordable housing on the site than currently exists. A huge ask for residents Yakubov emphasized that as the deed restrictions on the current units expire, his company plans to build single family homes in addition to his proposed apartment buildings specifically for the people who would be displaced from their existing homes if the buildings previously owned by Friends Rehabilitation Program are demolished. They will be completed before demolition starts, so residents can move directly into the replacement houses. Most current tenants of the Friends Rehabilitation Program housing have housing vouchers from the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which Yakubov said Haverford Square is working with to convert the rent subsidies to the agencys homeownership program for those interested. All of the replacement townhouses would be in the neighborhood, within two to four blocks of their current houses, he said. The rest of the newly built affordable housing would be backed by federal affordable housing tax credit, and would be either adjacent to the new apartment buildings or in them. Some attendees were skeptical of Yakubovs proposal, raising concerns that this volume of new construction would drive up prices both for renters and homeowners, through increased property tax assessments. We will be paying hundreds of dollars more in property taxes because of this development, said Park Frost, a nearby resident. We had the neighborhood rezoned to single family, so he cant build any of this without us. So for me, there has to be a lot more affordable housing. This is a huge thing youre asking. Yakubov said that the market-rate units will be going for prices like $1,300 for a one-bedroom unit or $1,600 for a two-bedroom, but that they would be much cheaper than the rents in Center City or higher-income areas like Northern Liberties. He said he didnt believe that new apartment buildings would boost property taxes for single family homes but noted that the city has myriad programs to shield lower-income owners from hikes. As the meeting wrapped up, Bettye Ferguson of the Belmont Alliance CDC told attendees that it was important they continue coming to meetings, including a sequel without Yakubov in April where the groups would plan their community benefits agreement proposal. We need to plan the menu, so we arent on the menu, Ferguson told the crowd. Further reinforcing our strategic vision, Blackrock has announced its intention to tokenize $10 trillion of its assets, Madhu said. Concurrently, we witness the steady adoption of blockchain technology across traditional financial institutions and asset classes, including fiat currencies, equities, government bonds, and real estate. As pioneers in the RWA market, we are energized by the transformative potential of our repositioning and the expansion into new business lines, which we believe will create significant value for our shareholders. Accelerating to the top No mountain is too high for the 15 fastest-growing insurance companies recognized as the Fast Brokerages of 2024 by Insurance Business Canada. Despite persistent and complex industry and economic challenges, the winning brokerages have shot forward by embodying: resilience and adaptability entrepreneurial mindset passion for client service strategic planning prioritizing sustainable growth The Fast Brokerages have achieved a remarkable 144% average growth rate over the last two years. For the four brokerages named Fast Starters, with three years or less in business, an impressive 452% average growth rate serves to amplify the outstanding success of this years awardees. The bottom line is were staying true to our clients and aiming to turn this growth spurt into a long-term success story, says Omar Chafchak, president and co-founder of Premium Insurance Brokers, a 2024 Fast Brokerage with double-digit growth in revenue and staff. Fast Starter BrokerUnion Insurance is also on a noteworthy upward trajectory, rapidly progressing in revenue growth, diversity, and market expansion. We take pride in our growth, says president Muqit Aziz. Many companies wait for growth and then invest, but we have done it the opposite way. Weve invested first in providing the infrastructure for sustainable growth. Thought leader David Mamane, a partner and insurance industry senior analyst at RSM Canada, explains how the winning brokerages share a combination of attributes and approaches such as: technology investment and innovation developing and leveraging strategic networks and partnerships focusing on niche markets He says, All these aspects help a brokerage grow faster. Its about paying attention to providing exceptional customer service, engaging with clients through modern channels, and driving more pipelines and referrals, leading to higher customer retention. Strategic early investments fuel growth at BrokerUnion Insurance Since converting from an agency model with a $0 book of business in September 2020, the firm headquartered in Pickering, Ontario now boasts over 40 brokers and staff and multiple service locations throughout the GTA. In 2022, it was named Brokerage of the Year (under 25 brokers) by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. There is no secret formula, Aziz says. We believe in supporting our brokers, who are there for our clients every day. And we believe in caring for the people who work for us. Since opening its doors, the company has become a $19.5 million brokerage, with Aziz targeting $50 million by 2026. Several responsible and sustainable growth factors have contributed to the brokerages prosperity: investing in critical infrastructure at the outset establishing oversight measures in all facets of the brokerage I believe we need first to lay the infrastructure, and then growth will be a by-product of that, Aziz says. We have invested in training and development from day one, with staff dedicated to customer service, audits, and analytics. The company celebrates its diverse and inclusive culture with staff who speak over 22 languages. Aziz says, We live diversity, and we are not only there for our clients, but we speak their language, literally. Even though the brokerage is a relatively new player, it has successfully attracted and retained a talented workforce passionate about delivering exceptional client service and satisfaction by taking pride in representing the brand. The brokerages business philosophy has given it a competitive edge, enabling it to be at the industrys forefront. It has nurtured a thriving workforce with strategic investments early on that have set it up for success. We continue to invest in our people, and we cannot achieve growth and success without them, says Aziz. We will continue to focus on our people, brand, and reputation and provide the necessary infrastructure, empowering our people by educating them and providing all the necessary tools to focus on our business and growth. One of our brokers came up with a great line: insurance is a buy-now, benefits-later product, and if you cant afford the premium now, you likely cant afford to go without the benefit later. I thought it was succinct to say that its a bit of a zero-sum game. Selection process for Fast Brokerages 2024 In November 2023, IBC called for entries, asking companies to provide financial details for 2022 and 2023, alongside their notable achievements. The process was aimed at identifying brokerages that had not only grown significantly but had also shown remarkable resilience and innovation. According to the CDI, Lovett had defrauded at least nine individuals through a series of schemes conducted between 2011 and 2016. Several of the victims were senior citizens whom he met at a church in Carpinteria. He also targeted individuals who came to him seeking level advice through his legal aid information business. No more than 5% of policyholders a year A key stipulation of the proposed legislation is the limitation placed on insurers, restricting them from canceling no more than 5% of their policyholders in any given parish per year, barring exceptional circumstances as authorized by the insurance commissioner. How broker relations are changing Amid so many developments in the broker landscape, the relationship between the broker and the reinsurer is also evolving, Gaspa Rebull said. Where traditionally, the broker was seen as the transaction vehicle, the new advisory component to what they do now means they need to focus on growing the trust of their clients. That means giving the best advice possible and understanding that its no longer just about the transaction itself, but also about helping buyers actively manage their risks. This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Compliance and producer management are like the proverbial frog boiling in the pot. If you walked in fresh to a new organization, disordered compliance practices, manual processes, and missing producer data would be horrifically apparent, like a waving red flag. But when youre struggling to keep up with manual onboarding processes in addition to all the other things required to do your job, those errors and data gaps slowly build until theyre overwhelming. So, before youre a frog boiling alive in a pot of compliance issues, how can you correctly identify the chief areas of concern in your producer management processes? And do you have any idea how to measure your own success or failure? Here for your own evaluation, weve rounded up the top three categories we use to evaluate the efficacy of an organizations compliance as well as the criteria we see organizations use to objectively measure outcomes. If you can answer yes to all three questions, you might not have a compliance problem. For the majority of people working in insurance, however, you may recognize one or more of these symptoms pointing toward your own little compliance problem (stay tuned for how to actually solve it!). 1. Is your compliance real-time, integrated, and automated? With data thats continually up-to-date and integrated across your tech stack, your team can make better decisions at every stage of business. However, out-of-date information weighs down your infrastructure. Compliance processes that involve delays, siloing, and manual inputs create a lot of drag on internal processes for agencies and carriers. Instead of being able to make well-informed, speedy decisions, every decision is burdened with manual data verification or the risk of skipping necessary compliance steps altogether. Its an open industry secret that manual processes, legacy systems, and hours of emails and phone calls are how internal compliance teams currently handle compliance. But it doesnt have to be this way. Following are before-and-after profiles of businesses that implemented automated compliance solutions. If you find yourself identifying with the before, you could be in need of a compliance upgrade: BEFORE : The chief compliance officer routinely took work home on weekends to maintain manual compliance in the state of Texas alone. : The chief compliance officer routinely took work home on weekends to maintain manual compliance in the state of Texas alone. AFTER : He now keeps the business within business hours, managing producers in all 50 states in less time than it used to take for a single state. : He now keeps the business within business hours, managing producers in all 50 states in less time than it used to take for a single state. BEFORE: With two fulltime compliance officers, this business still lacked clarity about their compliance rate. As a business with an aggressive growth map ahead, the executive team lived in dread of a state compliance review. With two fulltime compliance officers, this business still lacked clarity about their compliance rate. As a business with an aggressive growth map ahead, the executive team lived in dread of a state compliance review. AFTER : They reduced both compliance officers workloads by 25 percent, freeing them up to leverage their knowledge elsewhere for the company. The best part? With visibility into their own data, they moved from serious uncertainty about their compliance to having 100 percent confidence that every sale is properly executed by someone with the appropriate license and appointment. : They reduced both compliance officers workloads by 25 percent, freeing them up to leverage their knowledge elsewhere for the company. The best part? With visibility into their own data, they moved from serious uncertainty about their compliance to having 100 percent confidence that every sale is properly executed by someone with the appropriate license and appointment. BEFORE : One compliance officer said a single new-hire class of agents would require him to block off two weeks for manual processing and data input. : One compliance officer said a single new-hire class of agents would require him to block off two weeks for manual processing and data input. AFTER: The entire process of onboarding a new class of agents is two hours. Do you recognize yourself in the before, or in the after? Do you have access to your compliance and producer data at the point of decision-making, or does it require digging? Consider, what do those manual hours of digging to find the right information cost you every week? Every year? As one AgentSync customer said, We dont bill for our own time, but the truth of it is that the company was spending way more money on me trying to muddle through compliance than on AgentSync where its now automatic and effortless. 2. Do you offer a world-class agent experience? As retaining talent becomes mission-critical, businesses that empower their agents with data and self-service tools put themselves in an advantageous position. Its no surprise that agents value their speed-to-revenue. For businesses that fail to grasp the essentials of agent experience, theyll spend thousands or even millions of dollars on recruitment programs to attract experienced, reputable downstream partners. But theyll never see the ROI from that spend thanks to constant churn, as agents fall off during the onboarding period or soon after. According to data from a report AgentSync co-sponsored with research firm Aite-Novarica, having digital options and speedy service are key in recruiting the next generation of producers. The study reported 97 percent of young agents saw speed and time-to-quote as highly important to placing business. Yet, 54 percent of agents reported their appointed carriers didnt offer an online or mobile onboarding option. Your compliance might be a roadblock in attracting and retaining solid agents if the following examples feel familiar: BEFORE : One business struggled with an average onboarding experience that took weeks, sometimes even months. Although the compliance and operations teams knew from experience that this was in line with industry norms, the whole organization was dissatisfied. : One business struggled with an average onboarding experience that took weeks, sometimes even months. Although the compliance and operations teams knew from experience that this was in line with industry norms, the whole organization was dissatisfied. AFTER : With solutions that prioritize a world-class agent experience, the start-to-finish onboarding process became a matter of days, sometimes even hours! : With solutions that prioritize a world-class agent experience, the start-to-finish onboarding process became a matter of days, sometimes even hours! BEFORE : A compliance officer struggled with hours of manual work to onboard a single new producer. : A compliance officer struggled with hours of manual work to onboard a single new producer. AFTER : Once the business implemented modern solutions, the same result is now a few clicks away. : Once the business implemented modern solutions, the same result is now a few clicks away. BEFORE : With a previous solution, a single agents name or address change meant an operations team member hunting through numerous external state websites. : With a previous solution, a single agents name or address change meant an operations team member hunting through numerous external state websites. AFTER: Agents are empowered with agent portals and can control their own information. Two-way data syncs enable agents to update and correct their information directly instead of trapping information in emails and voicemails and necessitating hours of manual middleman labor. The ultimate result of this emphasis on agent experience is that companies with automated compliance solutions retain good agents. By retaining superior agents, they spend less on recruitment efforts, and instead can thrive on referrals from already-excited existing partners. As one AgentSync customer said, Having data immediately at my fingertips helps me shine, impressing my colleagues and our recruits alike. 3. Data intelligence to optimize distribution We want to be able to justify our business decisions with data and business intelligence, but, often, our choices are made by instinct and gut reaction. If your compliance and producer management data is tied up in spreadsheets and sticky notes, then you might have the data to make intelligent decisions, but dirty data isnt usable data. Instead, youre operating in the dark, potentially wasting thousands of dollars in fees for unnecessary appointments or licenses, not to mention the risk of fines for opaque compliance practices. While the number of businesses that want to make smart, data-driven decisions is, we would guess, near 100 percent, even carriers that have built their businesses off long-term actuarial data are at a loss when it comes to their own business data. According to one study, 75 percent of financial and insurance services execs are challenged by the fractured nature and vast amount of data available. That statistic isnt a complete surprise if youve worked at a business plagued by siloed, manual data that lives on spreadsheets, personal drives, emails, and sticky notes. In fact, one industry blogger asserts a staggering 88 percent of corporate data is sitting idle. But what if you could access and analyze your data? BEFORE : One compliance officer used to spend weekends manually compiling reports about where his business spent money on licensing fees. : One compliance officer used to spend weekends manually compiling reports about where his business spent money on licensing fees. AFTER : With transparent and accessible data reports in a comprehensive compliance solution, it takes him two minutes to generate a report that helps him optimize the fees for his business. His business is operating leaner than ever, and hes got his weekends back. : With transparent and accessible data reports in a comprehensive compliance solution, it takes him two minutes to generate a report that helps him optimize the fees for his business. His business is operating leaner than ever, and hes got his weekends back. BEFORE : One compliance officer described her firms approach to compliance as constantly reactive because the team had no choice but to submit license applications to a state and wait to see if they had missed key information. : One compliance officer described her firms approach to compliance as constantly reactive because the team had no choice but to submit license applications to a state and wait to see if they had missed key information. AFTER: This business has de-risked its distribution pipeline, was able to transfer a DRLP seamlessly across 50 states in less than two weeks, and is now taking a predictive, strategic approach to growth. With missing data a thing of the past, they can selectively apply for licenses only in necessary areas and divert business to licensed providers in specific sales areas without a flurry of phone calls. With alerts set to flag only applications that need attention, compliance teams using automated compliance systems flush with data no longer need to touch every application. In-good-order business drives itself, leaving only not-in-good-order paperwork and red-flagged business for hands-on attention, and allowing the business to drill down into the data that matters. Keeping on keeping on is slowly draining your business If youre treading (boiling) water with the inefficiencies of manual compliance and producer management, we get it. Sometimes youre barely keeping your head above the surface and survival feels like an accomplishment. But barely making it isnt what success looks like. Teams that cant take vacation without everything grinding to a halt arent teams that can give their best. Teams that are making decisions based off whats on fire right now arent teams that are planning for longevity. So, think of what percent of your efforts this week went to waste. Was it a normal week? Take that number times 52, and thats what your inefficient compliance is costing you this year and every year that you stay in the ever-hotter pot of hellish manual compliance. Stop keeping on keeping on. Its time for compliance that rocks, agents who are enthusiastic about joining you, and business data that gives you an edge. Its time for AgentSync. Republican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania are pushing Gov. Josh Shapiros administration to do more to investigate the deaths of older adults who are the subject of an abuse or neglect complaint after Pennsylvania recorded a steep increase in such deaths, starting in 2019. Shapiros Department of Aging has balked at the idea raised by Republican lawmakers, who have pressed the department, or the county-level agencies that investigate abuse or neglect complaints, to gather cause of death information from death records. Getting more information about the cause of death is a first step, Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said in an interview Friday. So you have the information, and then the next step is what do we do to protect them, to make sure theyre not on a fatality list somewhere, Grove said. Thats that next step, which is the important aspect. We need to get to it. In a House Appropriations Committee hearing last month, Rep. John Lawrence, R-Chester, told Shapiros Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich that it was unacceptable that the department isnt already gathering that information when someone dies. These folks end up dead after someone reported them as being vulnerable and your agency is telling the press, well, we really dont know. We really cant explain. Maybe they died of abuse or neglect. We didnt really ask,' Lawrence told Kavulich. Kavulich told Lawrence that the department is collecting the data that the law has told us we need to. Kavulich followed up in recent days with a letter to the House Appropriations Committee that noted caseworkers are supposed to contact the county coroner in cases where there is reason to suspect that the older adult died from abuse. Legal Authority But Kavulich also wrote that neither the department nor the county-level agencies have the legal authority to access cause of death information. Grove questioned that, saying death certificates are public record and that the department or county caseworkers should be able to request the information from a coroner or a health department. In a statement, Lawrence called Kavulichs written response an incoherent word salad that casts blame in every direction but fails to take any responsibility. It gives me great pause that I cannot get a simple answer to a simple question why arent you asking why these seniors died? Lawrence wrote. If the state attorney generals office is not already looking into the matter, it should launch an investigation tomorrow, Lawrence wrote. Lawmakers raised questions since Pennsylvania recorded a more than tenfold increase in the deaths of older adults following an abuse or neglect complaint, from 120 in 2017 to 1,288 last year. They peaked at 1,389 in 2022. The department does not typically make the deaths data public and released it in response to a request by The Associated Press. The increase came as COVID-19 ravaged the nation, the number of complaints grew and agencies struggled to keep caseworkers on staff. Explaining the Increase The Department of Aging has suggested the data could be misleading since the deaths may have had nothing to do with the original abuse or neglect complaint. Department and county-level agency officials have speculated the increase could be attributed to a growing population of people 65 and older, an increase in complaints and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. Its not clear whether better data collection also helped explain the increase, but evidence suggests that other similar jurisdictions such as Michigan and Illinois did not see such a steep increase. The broader death rate of older adults did not increase nearly as steeply during the pandemic, going from about 4% of those 65 and older in 2018 to 4.5% in 2021, according to federal statistics. The department has contracts with 52 county-level area agencies for aging to investigate abuse or neglect complaints and coordinate with doctors, service providers and if necessary, law enforcement. Most calls involve someone who lives alone or with a family member or caregiver. Poverty is often a factor. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Pennsylvania The city of Boston will pay about $4.6 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the police killing of a mentally ill man in 2016. The mother of Terrence Coleman, 31, filed the federal lawsuit six years ago. Hope Coleman had called for an ambulance to take her son to the hospital when Boston police fatally shot him. Terrence Coleman was a Black man diagnosed with schizophrenia. His mother filed the lawsuit with a goal of bringing change to the way first responders deal with people with mental illnesses. No mother should have to witness her child killed at the hands of police and fight, the way that I have had to fight now for so many years, to gain accountability, said Hope Coleman in a statement. Nothing can bring Terrence back, but today at least some measure of justice has been done. Boston city officials said in a statement Tuesday that the city will pay about $3.4 million to Colemans mother and estate, along with an additional $1.2 million to cover legal expenses under the terms of the settlement. The city said in a statement that it acknowledges that its procedural failures within the litigation process delayed resolution of this matter. The statement also said the resolution does not include an admission of liability by the city and that the city has invested in alternative response programs for people experiencing mental health episodes, and we are determined to ensure continued support for mental health throughout our neighborhoods. Attorneys for Hope Coleman said a judge dismissed the lawsuit on Monday. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Miller, the London-based independent specialist re/insurance broker, announced that GIC, Singapores sovereign wealth fund, has completed the acquisition of Cinvens shares in Miller. GIC and private equity firm Cinven acquired Miller in 2021 from Willis Towers Watson. Since then, Miller said, it has undergone a period of significant expansion driven by both strong organic growth and strategic international M&A. Miller recently announced its 2023 results, which saw the business increase its total revenues by 26% year on year to 240 million, while placing gross written premium of approximately $4 billion. Financial details of the deal, which was first announced in December 2023, were not disclosed. Completion of transaction, which sees GIC become Millers majority shareholder, secures the brokers independent future by providing a long-term investor in the business, the broker asserted. Miller now has over 900 colleagues across offices in the UK, Europe, Bermuda and Asia. Were hugely excited to have GIC as our majority investor. The completion of this transaction is the culmination of three years of outstanding growth since Miller returned to independence, commented James Hands, CEO, Miller. We have added exceptional talent, built out our international footprint and moved into new classes where we have identified demand for genuine specialism and service, he added. Today we are a business that has meaningful scale and market-leading specialism, underpinned by our one team culture. Our focus is now on continuing to move ahead at pace with our strategy, capitalising on the energy I see throughout our business to attract new talent, capture new opportunities and help our clients solve new challenges. About GIC Established in 1981, GIC manages and invests Singapores foreign reserves. These investments include equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, venture capital, and infrastructure. Headquartered in Singapore, GIC has a global talent force of over 2,100 people in 11 key financial cities with investments in over 40 countries. Source: Miller Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Vast Space LLC, founded by cryptocurrency billionaire Jed McCaleb, is being sued by a former engineer who claimed he was fired for refusing to use improper radio frequencies in designs for a commercial space station the company hopes to launch as soon as next year. Christopher Timperio joined Vast in April 2023 and led a team developing communication systems for the companys first space station, called Haven-1. In their haste to get the station into orbit, Timperios bosses demanded he use radio frequencies that would be out of compliance with the Federal Communication Commissions regulations, according to the whistleblower lawsuit he filed Tuesday day in Los Angeles. Timperio tried repeatedly to dissuade Chief Executive Officer Max Haot and Chief Technology Officer Alex Hudson from using the frequencies and came up with alternatives that would comply with FCC regulations, but he was fired Dec. 1 for disagreeing with the technical direction of the leadership at Vast, the suit alleges. Vast, based in Long Beach, California, is developing Haven-1 as a first step in its plan to build giant commercial stations that spin to create artificial gravity environments. In May 2023, Vast announced a deal with Elon Musks SpaceX to launch Haven-1 into orbit on Falcon 9 rockets and ferry people to the station inside SpaceX crew capsules. A Vast executive pushed back on Timperios claims. We are aware that former Vast employee Chris Timperio raised a concern, after his separation from Vast, about the companys plans for spectrum licensing, Krystle Caponio, the chief legal officer, said in a statement. The company retained outside counsel who conducted a thorough investigation into Mr. Timperios concerns and determined they had no merit. The company intends to vigorously defend against Mr. Timperios claims. Spacecraft Communication Any company launching spacecraft must receive licensing from the FCC, which carves out the specific radio frequencies engineers can use to communicate with their orbiting vehicles. FCC officials told Timperio and his team that Vasts plan to use certain frequency channels for Haven-1 wouldnt be approved, and NASA expressed concern the companys station would interfere with other spacecraft communications, the suit claims. According to Timperio, Haot and Hudson argued in favor of using the frequencies. Hudson, who used to work at SpaceX, claimed that Musks company also used the frequencies and Vast should do the same, the suit alleged. Hudson joked in one meeting that they could put a camera on Haven stations to fall under the governments earth observation classification to gain access to the radio frequencies the company wanted, according to the suit. Timperio began to be concerned because it would likely be his signature on the application to the FCC and he didnt not want to make a material misrepresentation to the federal government, the suit said. Timperio said he made a presentation to Vast executives, including Hudson and Haot, showcasing a solution that would change Haven-1s design to comply with the FCCs recommendations, and tried repeatedly to change the companys direction. After receiving pushback when he spoke out about using the frequencies, he was fired, the lawsuit alleges. Timperio claims he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for being a whistleblower. Hes seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. The case is Timperio v. Vast Space, 24STCV07544, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Claims A federal court decision has raised new legal risks for a corner of Wall Street that bundles consumer loans into asset-backed securities. A US appeals court last week for the first time upheld the power of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to sue trusts that issue the securities if debt-collection companies or others they hire run afoul of the law. The trusts outsource the role of collecting on the loans that they package into bonds and sell off to investors. The precedent could boost borrowing costs for firms that use securitizations by spurring investors to demand higher yields to compensate for the risk the trusts could be hit with lawsuits that would claw away funds. Credit rating firms may also be more cautious about assigning high grades to securities backed by debts from risky borrowers, like auto loans and subprime mortgages. There are roughly $750 billion of US asset-backed securities outstanding and about two-thirds of that is backed by various forms of consumer debt, according to data from Barclays Plc. Much of that is owed by borrowers with lower credit scores, a segment of the industry thats frequently drawn attention from regulators for its aggressive debt-collection practices. This could have big consequences for trusts that contract with servicers that dont have rigorous and incorruptible practices, said Steven Schwarcz, a professor at Duke University School of Law and an expert in securitization. The decision by the third circuit appeals court stems from a 2017 lawsuit filed by the CFPB against trusts originally set up by First Marblehead, a Boston-based company that bought up 800,000 student loans from banks starting in the 1990s. First Marblehead then transferred the loans into a series of trusts, which issued bonds to investors and contracted with outside companies to service the loans. They filed thousands of lawsuits against debtors seeking to collect payment. The CFPB sued the trusts and a debt collector for them, Transworld Systems, alleging that they relied on faulty paperwork in many of the lawsuits. The trusts have argued theyre outside the CFPBs enforcement authority because they dont have any staff and instead rely on separate companies known as servicers to collect money from borrowers. A judge rejected that argument in 2021, and the trusts appealed it. Last weeks decision by a three-judge panel denied the argument that theyre exempt from the scope of the CFPB, ruling that the trusts were subject to its authority because they hired the servicers. It then handed the case back down to the lower court to let it proceed. The CFPB declined to comment. Transworld didnt respond to requests for comment. Lawyers and industry groups are holding meetings to discuss implications of the case. An American Bar Association committee plans to discuss the case at its next meeting this week. And the Structured Finance Association, an industry lobbying group, on Friday held the first meeting of a task force assembled to discuss it, said Michael Bright, the groups chief executive officer. We are disappointed by this ruling and are concerned about the very meaningful negative implications of it, said Bright. While the ramifications of the latest ruling are still unclear, ratings agencies have been following the case closely. After the lower courts ruling, Fitch Ratings highlighted possible lawsuits as a new risk, while Moodys Ratings warned that pools of loans to riskier borrowers could be targeted by authorities. Photograph: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics USA The mother of an 8-year-old Texas girl who died over the weekend after being violently sucked into a gap in a hotels pool system has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel seeking damages in excess of $1 million. Houston police said that Aliyah Jaico was swimming with family members on Saturday, March 23 in the lazy river swimming pool at the DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow hotel. She was reported missing and found hours later inside a large pipe in the pool area, police said. She was pronounced deceased by paramedics. A lawsuit filed by Jose Daniela Jaico Ahumada, Aliyah Jaicos mother, says that Ms. Ahumada began frantically searching for her daughter at 5:20 p.m. Hotel management denied Ms. Ahumadas request and explained that police would have to be present to view the video surveillance. At 5:45, Ms. Ahumada called 911 and reported her daughter missing. Aliyah Jaicos body was discovered wedged in the pipes of the malfunctioning pool equipment, the lawsuit says. Ms. Ahumadas lawsuit names Unique Crowne Hospitality D/B/A Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow as defendant. The lawsuit alleges that Aliyah Jaicos resulting injuries and death were directly and proximately caused by the hotels negligence and/or a defective condition on the hotels premises. All the evidence is going to point to this hotel (running) an establishment with many violations, the familys attorney, Richard Nava with Nava Law Group, said at a press conference. The pool was not in working order. Hilton said in a statement to Houston TV station KTRK-TV that the property is independently owned and operated by a third party. Hilton does not own, manage, or control the day-to-day operations of the property and does not employ any of the propertys staff or its third-party operators, the statement said. Hilton said in the statement that is is cooperating fully with all authorities. Topics Lawsuits Robert Purbeck, also known as Lifelock, and Studmaster, who hacked into the computer servers of the police department of Newnan, Georgia and a medical clinic in Griffin, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of computer fraud and abuse, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. Prosecutors said Purbeck, after hacking the Georgia facilities, then targeted at least 17 other victims across the country in the process stealing personal information of more than 132,000 individuals. As part of his plea agreement, Buchanan said Purbeck agreed to pay more than $1 million in restitution to the victims of his hacking. Sentencing for Purbeck is scheduled for June 18 in the U.S. courthouse in Newnan. Purbeck breached computer systems in our district and across the country, stole vast amounts of personal information, and aggravated his crimes by weaponizing sensitive data in an egregious attempt to extort his victims, said Buchanan. Cyber-attacks on health care facilities and local governments pose a grave risk to the security of personal information. According to investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and information presented in court, in June 2017 Purbeck purchased access to the computer server of a Griffin medical clinic on a darknet marketplace. He then used the stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access into computers of the medical clinic and stole medical records and other documents, which contained sensitive personal information of more than 43,000 individuals, including names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers. Subsequently, in February 2018, Purbeck purchased access to a city of Newnan Police Department server on a darknet marketplace, according to the charges. Purbeck then used these stolen credentials to hack into the citys computer systems and steal records consisting of police reports and documents, which included personal information of more than 14,000 people. FBI agents executed a federal search warrant on Purbecks home in Meridian, Idaho, where they seized multiple computers and devices containing personal information of more than132,000 individuals obtained through numerous data breaches. Source: U.S. Attorney Topics Cyber Georgia Law Enforcement Medical Professional Liability BlackRock Inc. faces the prospect of being barred from offering securities in Mississippi after state officials accused the investment firm of making fraudulent statements regarding its climate strategy. This marks at least the second time BlackRock has faced legal action from a Republican-led state over environmental, social and governance factors, joining Tennessee. Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson issued an administrative cease and desist order released on Wednesday to the worlds largest money manager. In a 33-page document, Watson alleges that BlackRock is misleading investors in its funds about the firms climate-related efforts. Many of BlackRocks acts, practices and courses of business operate or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon investors and potential investors in Mississippi, Watson said in the order. In response, BlackRock said it operates in one of the most highly regulated industries in the country and is committed to following the law in every respect. The company added that our only agenda is maximizing risk-adjusted returns for the funds our clients choose to invest in. BlackRock manages about $10 trillion of stocks, bonds and other assets around the world. For the past three years, the New York-based firm has found itself in the middle of a political and reputational conundrum, with some Republican politicians in the US deciding to pull money from the company. BlackRock has 30 days to respond to the Mississippi complaint. Its possible the firm could be banned from doing business in Mississippi where its registered as an investment adviser and broker-dealer, according to the secretary of states order. Specifically, Watson said BlackRock has claimed that ESG factors provide a financial benefit, when theres no proof that ESG-related metrics result in improved investment returns. The order comes three months after Tennessee filed a lawsuit against BlackRock, claiming the firm breached consumer protection laws by making misleading statements about its ESG strategy. Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink has said he no longer uses the ESG label because its become too politicized. He does still refer to the transition to clean energy, a key tenet of ESG investing. Just last week, the Texas State Board of Education announced plans to pull about $8.5 billion from BlackRock, the largest amount withdrawn from the money manager tied to the political backlash. The firm said the decision ignores our $120 billion investment in Texas public energy companies and defies expert advice. Watsons complaint focuses on BlackRock investments, including exchange-traded funds. He alleges that the firms statement that it doesnt follow a sustainable, impact or ESG investment strategy for such products is untrue or misleading because BlackRock does press companies to decarbonize through its engagement policies, shareholder voting and lobbying efforts. On its website, BlackRock says climate risk is an investment risk. The firm adds that while it helps clients navigate these risks, it doesnt engineer a specific decarbonization outcome. Watson also cited BlackRocks participation in groups such as the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, which aim to push companies to reduce their corporate emissions. According to NZAM, asset managers committing to the international initiative ultimately invest in line with their clients desires and mandates and are subject to government regulation. (NZAM is part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, which is co-chaired by Mark Carney, who is chair of Bloomberg Inc. and a former Bank of England governor, and Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.) Photo: BlackRock headquarters in New York. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Texas Mississippi Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh didnt tell the truth when FBI agents repeatedly asked him where more than $6 million he stole ended up and whether another attorney not yet identified helped him steal from clients and his law firm, federal prosecutors said in court documents Tuesday. The prosecutors want a judge to revoke their end of a plea deal with Murdaugh on theft and other charges and order him to the maximum of well over 100 years in prison when he is sentenced in Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday. Murdaugh, 55, is already serving life without parole in state prison after a jury found him guilty of murder in the shootings of his wife and younger son. He pleaded guilty to stealing money from clients and his law firm in state court and was sentenced to 27 years, which South Carolina prosecutors said is an insurance policy to keep him behind bars in case his murder conviction was ever overturned. The federal case was supposed to be even more insurance, with whatever sentence Murdaugh received running at the same time as his state sentences. But that deal is in doubt after the FBI said the disbarred attorney failed a polygraph. Previous Interviews The test came in October, after three previous FBI interviews of Murdaugh led investigators to think he wasnt telling the full truth about where at least $6 million he stole ended up and the role of an attorney who has not been publicly identified in his crimes, federal prosecutors said. In court papers, prosecutors asked to keep the report on the polygraph test and summaries of Murdaughs four FBI interviews from the public, saying a grand jury is continuing to investigate and the information could be used to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. Murdaughs attorneys didnt respond to messages Tuesday. They have not filed a response in court, although a footnote in the prosecutions filing said they were against keeping the polygraph report secret. Federal prosecutors said Murdaugh did appear to tell the truth about the roles banker Russell Laffitte and attorney and old college friend Cory Fleming played in helping him steal. Laffitte was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, while Fleming is serving nearly four years behind bars after pleading guilty. Each of the 22 counts Murdaugh pleaded guilty to in federal court carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Some carry a 30-year maximum. Prosecutors said they will ask for the stiffest sentence possible since the plea agreement was breached and require Murdaugh serve his federal sentence at the end of any state sentences. They said there is a long history of federal law that wont allow Murdaugh to revoke his guilty plea since he broke the terms of the deal. State prosecutors estimated Murdaugh stole more than $12 million from clients by diverting settlement money into his own accounts or stealing from his family law firm. Federal investigators estimate at least $6 million of that has not been accounted for, although Murdaugh has said he spent extravagantly on illegal drugs after becoming hooked on opioids. Investigators said that as Murdaughs schemes were about to be exposed in June 2021, he decided to kill his wife and son. Paul Murdaugh was shot several times with a shotgun and Maggie Murdaugh was shot several times with a rifle outside the familys home in Colleton County. Murdaugh has adamantly denied killing them, even testifying in his own defense against his lawyers advice. As he pleaded guilty in federal court on Sept. 21, it was the first time he admitted to a crime and promised to stick to the requirements of his deal, including being fully truthful and forthright with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by providing full, complete and truthful information about all criminal activities about which he/she has knowledge. I want to take responsibility. I want my son to see me take responsibility. Its my hope that by taking responsibility that the people Ive hurt can begin to heal, said Murdaugh, standing in his orange South Carolina prison jumpsuit. Photo: Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh arrives in court in Beaufort, S.C. Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Murdaugh appeared publicly as a convicted murderer for the first time at the state court hearing regarding the slew of financial crimes allegedly committed by the disbarred South Carolina attorney. (AP Photo/James Pollard) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Fraud South Carolina Former licensed insurance agent Brett E. Lovett, 53, of Camarillo, California, was found guilty of 29 felony counts including grand theft, elder abuse, money laundering, and burglary after a 15-month California Department of Insurance investigation reportedly found he defrauded at least nine victims, including senior citizens, of nearly $1.2 million. Lovett was arrested in 2017 after the departments investigation revealed that between 2011 and 2016, he defrauded at least nine victims. Several of his victims were reportedly senior citizens whom he met and befriended at a place of worship in Carpinteria. Other victims sought legal advice from Lovett through his legal aid information business. Victims entrusted Lovett with their money for proposed investments that never existed, or for financial management purposes. Lovett then misappropriated the money for his own personal use and to repay some of his victims. In 2007, doing business as Northwest Asset Fund, Lovett was ordered to pay more than $675,900 in restitution, fines and sanctions by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Lovett never paid the fines or restitution. The CFTC entered a permanent injunction against Lovett, who never registered with the CFTC. Between October 2002 and August 2005, Lovett solicited money from individuals, purportedly to trade commodity futures, through false promises of high returns from a low-risk investment. Lovetts license to transact insurance expired in May 2000. He was not acting as an insurance agent during this time, but he was reportedly giving financial advice which he was not licensed to give. Lovett is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on May 9. The Santa Barbara County District Attorneys office is prosecuting the case. Topics California Agencies Chinas merchandise trade surplus has reached an all-time high and is likely to rise further. A key driver appears to be a policy push to further bolster Chinese domestic manufacturing production, implying the danger of significant overcapacities. Chinas imbalance between domestic production and consumption implies that China draws on the domestic demand of other countries to sustain its economic growth. It does so at the potential expense of production and employment of those trading partners with high trade deficits with China. As this constellation could be the source of growing trade conflicts, this article analyses Chinas growing trade surplus in several dimensions with a focus on China's trade relation to the EU. Time and again, large Chinese trade surpluses have been an issue of global relevance. This is true for the 2000s, when the Chinese currency was significantly undervalued, as well as during Donald Trumps US presidency, when he targeted China in order to reduce the immense bilateral trade imbalance. And Chinas considerably increased trade surplus vis-a-vis the EU was a key concern for the Europeans at the EU-China Summit in December 2023. The issue is of major relevance as there are fears across the industrialised world that Chinas industrial policy will result in Chinese overcapacities in high-tech and green-tech industries, which would lead to a wave of cheap Chinese exports flooding world markets (Durfee et al., 2023). This is a major bone of contention as advanced economies have comparative advantages in many high-tech sectors, and they are also trying to establish those advantages in many green-tech fields with the aim of providing new jobs in the green sector for those workers who will lose their jobs in the green transition. As these objectives rank very high on the economic agendas of the EU and the US, the danger of new trade conflicts with China is looming large. An ominous sign of concern regarding rising industrial overcapacities lies in the redirection of state-directed credit in China due to the real estate crisis (Graham, 2023). New bank loans to the real estate sector have declined from over US $1 trillion in late 2018/early 2019 to nearly zero recently, while new bank loans for manufacturing have risen continuously from around only US $60 billion to nearly $700 billion in the third quarter of 2023. It is well known that bank loans in China that are connected to industrial policy aims are often handed out at subsidised below-market rates (OECD, 2021; DiPippo et al., 2022). The problem of overcapacity has plagued the Chinese economic model for a long time. Chinas state capitalism relies on five-year plans that set supply-side targets, which are followed by many political and economic actors often with little regard for demand conditions. Overcapacities are frequently the result of this strategy, for example, in the steel or aluminium sector, as well as in many other sectors (EUCCC, 2016; Li et al., 2019; Guo et al., 2022). Currently, there are concerns about excess capacities in electric vehicles, wind turbines or electrolysers (Graham, 2023; Just Auto, 2023). In fact, Durfee et al. (2023) point to a review by Reuters of official documents in China showing that dozens of local and provincial government entities are increasing the share of public loans to green development, advanced manufacturing and strategic industries. Moreover, China already dominates global manufacturing and exports as two recent studies indicate impressively from different points of view: Baldwin (2024) points out based on OECD trade in value added (TIVA) data that Chinas relevance as a manufacturing hub has risen from about 5% of global manufacturing production in 1995 to about 35% in 2020. At that level, China dominates global production and global value added. Its production share was higher in 2022 than that of the next nine largest manufacturing countries in the world combined, including the US, Japan and Germany. China gained this immense dominance over time at the expense of these other countries. In 1995, the aforementioned nine countries still commanded about two-thirds of global manufacturing production; by 2020, their share decreased to just one-third. When considering global manufacturing exports, China also commands a higher share than any other country, with around 20% in 2020. All other major exporters have individual shares of much less than 10%. The next nine largest exporters in 2020 account for 40% of global manufacturing exports. This share continuously declined from close to 60% in 1995, while Chinas share rose more than sixfold from about 3% in 1995. Jean et al. (2023) look at global dominance from another perspective. The authors identify product-level dominant positions in world trade, defined as a share of more than 50% of worldwide exports. Based on this measure, they find that out of a total of about 5,000 products, China held a dominant position in almost 600 products in 2019. This is outstanding and atypical when comparing this result to other countries and over time since 1970. For example, China holds a dominant position in at least six times as many products as the United States, Japan or any other country and twice as many products as the European Union considered as a whole. The current weakness of Chinas economy aggravates the situation. Pettis (2023) argues that in an economy with chronically weak consumption, Chinas aim to sustain a 4%-5% rate of economic growth is only reachable with an ongoing expansion of manufacturing production and exports and the implied excess capacities. In other words, in order for China to keep growing quickly, other major economies would have to tolerate the decline of their shares in global production. Unless China manages to significantly raise domestic consumption, major trade conflicts are looming also from this perspective. In other words, if Chinas trade surplus remains so high, other countries will be concerned that China will effectively draw on their domestic demand and domestic production base in order to sustain its economic growth. Against this background, this article dissects the development and the structure of Chinas rising trade surplus and hints at implications for other countries and particularly for the EU. Development and state of Chinas trade surplus Figure 1 shows that the share of Chinas merchandise trade surplus as a percentage of GDP has nearly doubled in recent years from below 2.7% in 2018 to 5% in 2022. However, compared to other years after the turn of the century, this share does not appear excessively large. Higher levels were prevalent between 2006 and 2008 and in 2015, similar levels in 2005 and 2016. These results are based on data from the Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS) (IMF, 2024) for merchandise trade and from the World Economic Outlook Database (IMF, 2023) for GDP and exports. Figure 1 Chinas merchandise trade balance over time Sources: IMF (2024); IMF (2023); German Economic Institute. As the relevance of Chinas economy has grown immensely over the past two decades, its economic impact on other countries is much larger today than when China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. At that time, Chinas GDP in US dollars accounted for only 2.3% of global GDP. Today this share is about six times as large with 13.4% in 2022. Thus, todays global impact of a trade surplus of 5% of GDP in China is not comparable to the impact of a similar trade surplus nearly 20 years ago. Figure 1 also illustrates this by adding other perspectives on Chinas trade surplus. In 2022, it amounted to 3.6% of worldwide exports and 0.7% of global GDP a level that had yet only been reached in 2015. In absolute terms, Chinas merchandise trade surplus had reached an all-time high of nearly US $890 billion in 2022. One could assume that the rise in Chinas merchandise trade surplus might have resulted from declining imports in light of the weakness of Chinas economy in recent years. However, this is not the case when a comparison is made between 2022 and 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, Chinas merchandise trade surplus more than doubled from US $430 billion to nearly US $890 billion. This large increase of about US $460 billion was the result of an increase in imports of more than US $640 billion that was outweighed by an even larger surge in exports of more than US $1,100 billion. Chinas merchandise exports to the world increased by 44% during these three years alone. This development is striking in relation to the concerns emphasised earlier in this paper. Comparing the data for January-September 2023 to that of the same period for 2022 shows that Chinas trade balance was as high in 2023 as it was in 2022 with a level of nearly US $660 billion in the first three quarters. However, the contributions of exports and imports were completely different compared to the period between 2019 and 2022. In the more recent period, both exports and imports declined by a good US $150 billion. This amounts to a decrease in Chinese merchandise exports of 5.6% and a decline in merchandise imports of 7.5%. In view of the much larger rise in Chinas exports between 2019 and 2022, however, the much smaller export decline in 2023 is of minor relevance. Baldwin (2024) differentiates based on OECD TIVA data up to 2020 between various kinds of product categories. He shows that Chinas trade balance in 2020 is large and positive (and has increased further since 2015) in manufacturing goods, but it is small and negative for agricultural products and moderate and negative for mining products and services. As a result, when only manufacturing trade is regarded, Chinas trade surplus is likely to be even higher than depicted in Figure 1, which includes agricultural and mining products (but not services). This result justifies the fears that Chinas dominance as a manufacturing juggernaut could increase even further. Global perspective It is relevant to analyse how Chinas trade surplus has developed vis-a-vis other countries. Figure 2 shows that all of the important trading partners had to cope with the rising bilateral trade surplus of China between 2019 and 2022. Chinas bilateral trade surplus with the US rose by 37% to more than US $400 billion. The trade imbalance with the EU was somewhat smaller in 2022 with US $276 billion from Chinas perspective. However, Chinas trade surplus with the EU rose from US $113 billion in 2019 and thus by 144% up to 2022. Strikingly, China also features an increasing trade surplus with the rest of the world. This is remarkable, as it has not been the case during parts of the period after 2010. Figure 2 Chinas merchandise trade surplus by major trading partners in billion US dollars Sources: IMF (2024); German Economic Institute. When looking at data for 2023, the trade balance vis-a-vis the world remains broadly the same when data for the first three quarters are regarded. However, the structure of the trade surplus has changed. While Chinas merchandise trade surplus with the EU and the US decreased by about one-fifth, the rest of the world saw a further increase by over 80% in terms of US dollars. This raises the question of how many countries worldwide have to face up to a Chinese trade surplus. Figure 3 provides an overview by drawing on IMF DOTS data, but from the perspective of Chinas trading partners, because their trade balance with China is related to their GDP in the following. Individual countries trade balance with China as shares of their GDP are ranked and then grouped into different intervals, as depicted in Figure 3. The following results stand out: Figure 3 Distribution of 181 countries merchandise trade balances with China, 2023 Countries grouped by trade balance with China as shares of their GDP Note: Estimates for 2023 based on data from January to September. Sources: IMF (2024); IMF (2023); German Economic Institute. In 2023, 150 out of 181 countries, i.e. five-sixths, had a merchandise trade deficit with China. Only 31 countries did not, most of which are resource-rich countries like Congo, Angola, Turkmenistan, Australia or Brazil. Due to Chinas large economic size, many countries trade imbalances are large in relation to their economy. In fact, 43 countries have a trade deficit with China of more than 5% of their GDP and more than 84 countries have a deficit of more than 3%. For 51 countries, the trade deficit with China lies in a more moderate bracket of 1%-3% of GDP, which is still sizeable, however. A moderate trade deficit with a respective country is a normal phenomenon in a global economy. For example, comparative advantages, differences in competitiveness and capital flows can contribute to such macroeconomic imbalances. Moreover, importing low-priced products from China is attractive for consumers and importing industries. However, a trade deficit of more than 3% of GDP with one country only points to sizeable imbalances. It raises the question of whether Chinas outsized production sector draws on an excessive portion of domestic demand in the affected countries, to the detriment of their domestic production base. How the pros and cons of such large trade imbalances with China should be weighed requires further analysis and might also be country specific. But the combination of Chinese overcapacities, industrial policy subsidies, Chinas growing size, and the large imbalances are surely a cause of concern that deserves further thought. European perspective The EUs trade deficit with China the natural mirror of the Chinese trade surplus with the EU is the focus of this section. Figure 4 shows a marked rise in the trade deficit with China from the EUs perspective. In 2022, it reached nearly 400 billion. Compared to 2019, the EUs trade deficit increased by more than 140% (similar to the increase based on IMF DOTS data). Comparing data from January to October 2023 to the same period in the year before shows a decline of 89.1 billion or about one-fifth relative to 2022. However, the trade deficit in 2023 is still significantly higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Figure 4 Trade balance of goods of the EU with China in billion euros Sources: Eurostat; German Economic Institute. Figure 5 depicts the trade balance of EU countries in relation to GDP in 2022 and provides an estimate for 2023. For the EU, this share amounted to about 2.5% of GDP in 2022 and should remain close to 2% in 2023. This is still a high ratio for an individual trading partner when considering that the EUs macroeconomic imbalance procedure (European Commission, 2016) stipulates that an overall trade deficit of 4% of GDP is a warning sign for EU countries. Figure 5 Trade balance of goods of EU countries with China in % of GDP Note: Estimate for 2023. Sources: Eurostat; European Commission; German Economic Institute. Looking at individual EU countries, large differences are visible in Figure 5. Some eastern EU countries have very high trade deficits. Particularly, Slovenia stands out with two-digit trade balance shares as a percentage of GDP in 2022 and 2023. Also, Czechia, and to some extent Hungary and Poland, far exceed the EU average. This indicates that China uses these countries as bridgeheads into the EU. Likewise, the Netherlands and to a smaller degree Belgium have very high trade deficits with China. However, their large ports distort the picture as the depicted Eurostat data does not take into account whether the goods imported by these countries are transferred to other countries. This becomes obvious when the German trade deficit with China in 2022 based on Eurostat data (23 billion) is compared to the data from the German Statistical Office (85 billion). Thus, the de facto trade deficits of the Netherlands and Belgium are lower than shown in Figure 5 while those of countries that import in part via Dutch and Belgian ports are higher. In the following, the question is analysed as to what contributed to the decline in 2023. Are there reasons to assume that the EUs trade deficit with China will decline further or has 2022 been an outlier with only temporary effects playing out in 2022 and 2023? A look at product groups on a 2-digit and 4-digit level provides some insights. Particularly, it can show whether the trends have been broad-based or concentrated. Short-term comparison 2023 vs 2022 Figure 6 focuses on the comparison of January to October 2023 to the same period in 2022 and depicts a selection of important 2-digit industrial product groups where most EU trade with China is concentrated. The overall decline of the EUs trade deficit with China of 89.1 billion in this period implies an improvement in the EUs trade balance with China to the same extent. This positive change in the trade balance is accounted for by a decline in EU exports to China by 4.1 billion (which reduces the EUs trade balance) and a much larger decline in EU imports from China by 93.2 billion (which increases the EUs trade balance with China). Figure 6 Export and import change contributions to the improvement of the EUs trade balance with China of 89.1, Jan-Oct 2023 compared to Jan-Oct 2022, selected product groups in billion euros Notes: Selected industrial product groups. The trade balance normally results from the difference between exports and imports. To show the contributions of both imports and exports so that they add up as comparable contributions to the trade balance, the import change is depicted with an opposite sign (import decrease: positive sign; import increase: negative sign). Sources: Eurostat; German Economic Institute. Figure 6 illustrates this way of looking at the contributions of exports and imports. It shows that all depicted 2-digit product groups contributed to some extent to this development, but that some product groups stand out. This is true especially for computer, electronic, optical products (CPA classification number 26) and chemical products (20), which contributed about 20 billion each (green dots in Figure 6). In both groups, a large decline in imports from China outweighed a much smaller decline in exports to China (please note that the decline in imports is depicted with the opposite sign). An outlier is the CPA group 29 motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, which is highlighted in more detail below. A closer look at the 4-digit level of the CPA trade classification reveals that out of some 700 product groups, only a few contributed a sizeable amount to the improvement of the EUs trade balance of 89.1 billion with China between January to October 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. This could indicate that a sizeable part of the EUs import decline from China in 2023 might be only temporary. Other organic basic chemicals (CPA classification number 2014) contributed more than 17 billion to the decrease in the trade balance. This large effect likely stems from an outsized special effect in trade statistics similar to the development in German trade statistics (Matthes, 2023) because there has been a massive, but only one-off increase of EU imports from China in this product group in 2022 that was no longer relevant in 2023. Computers and peripheral equipment (2620) contributed some 15 billion, and communication equipment (2630) nearly 6 billion to the improvement of the trade balance. Again, a large decline in EU imports from China is solely responsible for this development. This import decline might be explained by a hoarding of these products in 2022 (as a reaction to former severe supply shortages). In this case, well-stocked warehouses could be a key factor in explaining the import decline in 2023. In the medium term, an increase in imports appears likely again as China has comparative advantages in these product groups. This is an argument against a further decline of the EUs trade balance with China as far as these product groups are concerned. The product groups batteries and accumulators (2720) and motor vehicles (2910) both had a negative contribution to the reduction of the trade balance, i.e. they raised the EUs trade deficit, ceteris paribus. Here again, longer-term effects seem to be at work that were visible before. The trade deficit of the EU in batteries and accumulators increased continuously in recent years from 2.6 billion in 2019 to 21.1 billion in 2022. And with regard to motor vehicles, the formerly large surplus of the EU also decreased before 2023 from 16.5 billion in 2019 to 6.3 billion in 2022. This decline was due to a combination of a very large rise in imports and a stagnation in exports. As a result, these product groups are likely to continue to contribute to a rising trade deficit in the future. The opposite appears to be true for pharmaceutical preparations (2120). This product group contributed positively with 5.8 billion to the reduction of the EUs trade balance, mainly because of rising EU exports to China. Here, the EU seems to have a comparative advantage as the positive trade balance in this group doubled between 2019 and 2022 already. Additional factors might allow the development in 2023 appear to be a correction of other special effects that led to the large increase in the EUs trade deficit with China in 2022. For example, large price hikes in 2022 (that bolstered trade values and thus the trade deficit) might be corrected to some extent in 2023, which could contribute to the decline in the EUs trade deficit. Furthermore, severe lockdowns in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic weakened the Chinese economy in 2022 so that Chinese firms were inclined to export more of their production because demand from domestic buyers was low. This effect is also temporary, as the Chinese economy recovered in 2023 (albeit by less than initially expected). Overall, a further considerable reduction in the EUs trade balance with China beyond 2023 does not appear likely the focus on the most relevant product groups does not indicate it, nor does the evaluation of other special effects like hoarding, price developments, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinas exporters. Medium-term comparison 2023 vs 2019 Finally, we analyse which product groups contributed most to the increase in the EUs trade deficit (or decrease of the trade balance) with China of 107.2 billion between January to October 2019 and January to October 2023 (see Figure 4). Again, Figure 7 illustrates which role export and import developments played. In nearly all depicted product groups, import increases (negative signs in Figure 7) were the main contributing factor in absolute value terms. This indicates that the trade relationship with China has grown increasingly unbalanced on a rather broad basis. The only exception are pharmaceutical products (CPA classification 21) and textiles, apparel and leather products (13-15), where exports have increased more than imports. Figure 7 Export and import change contributions to the deterioration of the EUs trade balance of 107.2 billion with China, Jan-Oct 2023 compared to Jan-Oct 2019, selected product groups in billion euros Notes: Selected industrial product groups. The trade balance normally results from the difference between exports and imports. To show the contributions of both imports and exports so that they add up as comparable contributions to the trade balance, the import change is depicted with an opposite sign (import decrease: positive sign; import increase: negative sign). Sources: Eurostat; German Economic Institute. Again, a concentration on certain product groups is visible. The most marked contributions came from electric and electronic product groups (26 and 27) and from chemical products (20). These three product groups alone contributed about 80 billion to the decrease in the EUs trade balance of 107 billion. In addition, machinery products and transport equipment also contributed in a relevant way to the worsened trade balance. This is remarkable particularly from a German perspective, as Germany used to have comparative advantages here and as Germanys overall trade surplus largely stems from both these sectors. Conclusion Chinas merchandise trade surplus has risen significantly in recent years. Relative to Chinas economic size, the surplus appears elevated but not excessive with close to 5% of GDP, when considering that this share was higher on several occasions in the past two decades. However, Chinas GDP has grown considerably during this period and the absolute value of Chinas merchandise trade surplus has reached an all-time high. On the current policy trajectory, the surplus is likely to increase further in the near future unless China manages to significantly raise the level of private consumption. A key driver of Chinas growing trade surplus appears to be a significant policy push to bolster Chinese domestic manufacturing production capacities even further. This is indicated by the fact that bank loans to the manufacturing sector have increased immensely in recent years obviously with the goal of sustaining Chinese growth in the face of an ailing real estate sector. The danger of this policy course is that the spillovers of Chinas large trade surplus to the world economy could rise even further. Currently, 150 out of 181 countries have a merchandise trade deficit with China (based on IMF data). Moreover, 43 countries have a merchandise trade deficit with China of more than 5% of their GDP, and more than 84 countries have a deficit of more than 3% of GDP. It is true that cheap imports are a source of welfare and that moderate trade imbalances are a normal phenomenon in a global economy. However, trade deficits of this size with only one country appear to be a cause for concern and need further analysis. Chinas imbalance between domestic production and consumption implies that China draws on the domestic demand of other countries to sustain its economic growth and its production base. It does so at the potential expense of production and employment of those trading partners with high trade deficits with China. If Chinese trade surpluses should indeed continue to rise, this constellation could be the source of growing trade conflicts. From the perspective of the EU, the trade deficit with China in goods has also risen considerably since 2019. However, an outsized increase in 2022 that was due to some special effects seems to have led to a moderate decline in 2023. Currently, the EUs trade deficit with China hovers around 2% of GDP. This is a high level for an individual trading partner, considering that an overall trade deficit of more than 4% of GDP is considered to be a warning signal in terms of macroeconomic imbalances. A further considerable reduction in the EUs trade balance with China beyond 2023 does not appear likely. Neither the focus on the most relevant product groups appears to indicate this nor does the evaluation of other special effects like hoarding, price developments, or the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on Chinas exporters. References Baldwin, R. (2024, 17 January), China is the worlds sole manufacturing superpower: A line sketch of the rise, CEPR VoxEU, https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/china-worlds-sole-manufacturing-superpower-line-sketch-rise (30 January 2024). DiPippo, G., I. Mazzocco and S. Kennedy (2022), Red Ink: Estimating Chinese Industrial Policy Spending in Comparative Perspective, https://csis-website-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/220523_DiPippo_Red_Ink.pdf?VersionId=LH8ILLKWz4o.bjrwNS7csuX_C04FyEre (29 January 2024). Durfee, D., K. Yao and E. Baptista (2023, 13 November), Chinas high-tech manufacturing loans raise fears of wave of cheap exports, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/china/with-manufacturing-loans-rising-can-china-avoid-new-supply-glut-2023-11-12/ (29 January 2024). European Union Chamber of Commerce in China - EUCCC (2016), European Chamber Releases New Major Report On Overcapacity in China, https://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/press-releases/2423/european_chamber_releases_new_major_report_on_overcapacity_in_china (29 January 2024). European Commission (2016), The Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure, https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-08/ip039_en.pdf (29 January 2024). Graham, N. (2023, 11 December), Chinas manufacturing overcapacity threatens global green goods trade, Atlantic Council, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/econographics/chinas-manufacturing-overcapacity-threatens-global-green-goods-trade/ (29 January 2024). Guo, J., H. Dong, H. Farzaneh, Y. Geng and C. L. Reddington (2022), Uncovering the overcapacity feature of Chinas industry and the environmental & health co-benefits from de-capacity, Journal of Environmental Management, 308, 114645. International Monetary Fund (2023), World Economic Outlook Database, https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October (29 January 2024). International Monetary Fund (2024), Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS), https://data.imf.org/?sk=9d6028d4-f14a-464c-a2f2-59b2cd424b85 (29 January 2024). Jean, S., R. Ariell, S. Gianluca and V. Vincent (2023), Dominance on World Markets: the China Conundrum, CEPII Policy Brief, 44, http://www.cepii.fr/PDF_PUB/pb/2023/pb2023-44.pdf (30 January 2024). Just Auto (2023, 12 December), The polarisation of Chinas automobile production capacity, https:/www.just-auto.com/analyst-comment/the-polarisation-of-chinas-automobile-production-capacity/?cf-view (29 January 2024). Li, P., F. Jiang and J. Cao (2019), Industrial Overcapacity and Duplicate Construction in China: Reasons and Solutions, Series on Chinese Economics Research, World Scientific. Matthes, J. and T. Puls (2023), Beginnt das De-Risking?, IW-Report, 43, https://www.iwkoeln.de/studien/juergen-matthes-thomas-puls-beginnt-das-derisking.html (29 January 2024). OECD (2021), Measuring distortions in international markets: Below-market finance, OECD Publishing, https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/trade/measuring-distortions-in-international-markets-below-market-finance_a1a5aa8a-en;jsessionid=M1KSQ1JbS8oQGtVmirgxILqDyYks7IhNlHH-e4em.ip-10-240-5-69 (29 January 2024). Pettis, M. (2023, 4 December), What Will It Take for Chinas GDP to Grow at 45 Percent Over the Next Decade?, China Financial Markets, https://carnegieendowment.org/chinafinancialmarkets/91161 (29 January 2024). Farmer protests in various cities around Europe have captured headlines in the early months of 2024. Although seemingly initiated by a random series of country-specific issues, they have converged around a series of demands that call for a change in course in the direction set for Europes agricultural policy in the most recent revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and in the agricultural elements of the European Green Deal. The European authorities and national governments have hastily put together a series of responses to what the Commission has described as a crisis situation in EU agriculture (European Commission, 2024) in the hope of calming the protests. Meanwhile, a key group of stakeholders are taking part in their individual capacities in a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture designed to overcome the polarisation that now characterises farm policy discussions. This Dialogue was called for by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address in September 2023 and initiated in January 2024 with a view to bringing about a common vision for the future of agriculture and the food sector by summer 2024. It is thus unlikely to feed into or influence the election campaigns for the European Parliament elections in early June 2024. At the time of writing (mid-March 2024) farm protests continue. This article looks at the origins of this recent wave of farm protests and asks whether a crisis situation exists in European farming as the Commission has suggested. It examines the measures that have been adopted and proposed in response. These measures, while consistent with the previously existing trend to roll back elements of the Green Deal, are in themselves limited in scope. While signalling a willingness to respond to farmers concerns, they are unlikely to significantly change their situation. More radical changes have been put on the table, and these elements will play a role in the European Parliament elections in June 2024. Discussions are already beginning on the shape of the CAP post-2027, and a formal legislative proposal will be made by the new Commission. The outcome of the European Parliament elections will be crucial in determining the future prospects for the green transition in agriculture and the future extent for environmental and climate ambition in the CAP. Protests by farmers against farm policies in Europe are not new. The current wave of protests might be traced back to the proposals by the Dutch government to reduce nitrogen emissions in half, including by cutting livestock numbers by up to one-third. This prompted large tractor protests in October 2019, which led to the creation of the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging, BBB) the following month. The fact that the BBB emerged as the biggest party winning the most seats in all twelve provinces in the Netherlands in the provincial elections in March 2023 was the first demonstration of the political power of agrarian protest and sent shock waves through the political establishment. Protests by farmers in Germany in mid-January 2024 were instigated by the proposal of the Federal Government to phase out tax breaks on agricultural diesel as an emergency response to the Constitutional Court decision to declare illegal off-budget sources of financing of government spending. Italian protests were prompted by the proposed scrapping of an income tax exemption that had been in force since 2017. Spanish protests have been amplified by drought-induced restrictions on water use, French farmers are angry at supermarket prices, while farmers in central Europe bordering Ukraine want restrictions on Ukrainian imports, which they blame for lowering the prices they receive. A feature of the protests is the role played by social media and informal organisation, with the mainstream farm unions seeking to retain control after the event. This leaves the door open to the potential for disinformation by outside actors (via social media) as well as attempts to influence the protests by non-farm groups. While the farm protests have a local flavour in each country, there are certain common themes. Farmers complain that farm prices are too low to provide a fair income, that imports not produced to European standards are undermining their markets and that the growing burden of environmental regulations has become intolerable. Farm unions have also used the Russian invasion of Ukraine to re-emphasise the importance of food production as a guarantee of EU food security and thus the need to rebalance priorities between production and environmental objectives. Whether these issues add up to a crisis in the agriculture sector is debatable. If we look at farm incomes, for example, there is no doubt that many smaller farms are struggling to earn a decent income. But this is not a new phenomenon. Of the 9 million holdings in the EU (45% of which are in Romania and Poland alone), 65% are smaller than 5 hectares. Agricultural incomes relative to average wages and salaries in the non-farm sector have been steadily improving (from around 40% at the EU level in the mid-2000s to around 60% in the past three years) but as can be seen from Figure 1, a significant productivity and thus income gap remains. Figure 1 Relative growth in EU real farm and non-farm incomes, 2005-2023 Source: Own construction based on Eurostat data. This improvement in the relative income of agricultural workers has been driven mainly by farm consolidation (and the exit of farmers) rather than by an increase in the real value added in the sector overall. What is striking in Figure 1 is that agricultural income in the period 2021-2023 (also in real terms) was never higher. Despite higher input costs due to the war in Ukraine, 2022 was a record year for farm income, as the war also pushed up output prices given the difficulties Ukraine had in exporting to the world market. Farm prices (and input costs) have fallen by 11% from their high point in October 2022 in the year to October 2023 but they are still well ahead of pre-war levels. For a better understanding of the income situation, an understanding of the great heterogeneity of farms is crucial. Those larger farms that produce the great majority of farm output can make a decent return for their labour at current prices (according to data from the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network, the largest 19% of farms represented by that sample account for 77% of farm output). Conversely, this implies that many of the remaining 81% of farms are not able to properly remunerate a full-time worker and thus are hardly viable at their current scale in the longer run. The significant productivity gap that remains will only be closed by further farm consolidation. Thanks to the improved education that farmers have given to their children, these children now have a wide range of opportunities also in the non-farm sector. Returning to take over a non-viable family farm is no longer an attractive option. Many farmers feel keenly the lack of a successor to take over their farm. This ongoing process of structural adjustment, however necessary and inevitable, causes frustration, resentment and anger among those involved and is no doubt a deeper factor behind the recent protests. In the past, farmers may have put up with lower incomes because of the sense of status and respect that came from being a farmer. Farmers are bitter because they feel they are losing this respect. Instead of being seen as heroic producers of a vital commodity, they are increasingly described as environmental villains and climate destroyers. In particular, the steady stream of criticism of those producing animal foods, whether on animal welfare grounds or because of their high climate footprint or their contribution to water and air pollution, has a sapping effect on morale. Instead of taking responsibility for these problems, farmers often adopt a defensive position of denial, manifesting itself in the recent wave of protests. Environmental regulation The focus of the protests on the burden of environmental regulation may reflect the introduction of the new CAP regulations in January 2023. The CAP is a subsidy policy and not a regulatory policy, but those farmers who benefit from CAP payments are expected to observe certain conditions. Some of these, the Statutory Management Requirements, are legislative requirements that would have force even in the absence of the CAP. The other conditions, referred to as cross-compliance in the previous CAP (2014-2022) and enhanced conditionality in the 2023-2027 CAP, consist of a series of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards. Administration of these enhanced conditionality standards requires on-farm inspections for a small sample of farms each year, with the risk that farmers can lose some of their direct payments if found to be in default. The GAEC standards in the new CAP are somewhat more stringent than in the previous CAP. For example, member states are now required to protect wetlands and peatlands (GAEC 2). Arable farmers over a certain size are required to implement crop rotation to improve soil health (GAEC 7) rather than just crop diversification as under the previous CAP. They are also required to set aside a minimum of 4% of their agricultural area for non-productive features to support biodiversity (GAEC 8), whereas a greater number of options were available under the previous CAP, including production on this land. Despite these higher requirements, there was a significant reduction in the value of the direct payment support that farmers received. This was to some degree because the CAP budget overall was slightly reduced, in part because new eco-schemes are financed out of the direct payments budget, and in part because of further redistribution of existing payments, which inevitably results in losers as well as winners. The complaints about the excessive burden of environmental regulations may reflect this changing context as well as fears about the potential impact of impending legislation (see below). Trade competition Another front in the farm protests is the issue of competing imports, where two main concerns have been raised. For farmers in those Central European countries bordering Ukraine, particularly Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, the issue is imports of Ukrainian farm producers under the so-called autonomous trade measures. These were introduced in June 2022 and liberalised imports of agricultural products from Ukraine which had previously been subject to tariffs or tariff rate quotas. In April 2023, several frontline states unilaterally banned or threatened to ban imports of certain agricultural products from Ukraine because of their adverse impact on prices received by their own farmers. The Commission responded by allowing entry of imports of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed only to member states other than the five frontline states (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) as well as providing limited financial assistance to farmers in these countries. The autonomous trade measures were extended for one further year in June 2023 but the safeguard measures lapsed in September 2023. At that stage, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia immediately reintroduced their unilateral import bans, and Polish farmers initiated a complete blockade of the Polish-Ukrainian border in February 2024. For farmers elsewhere in the EU, their argument is that trade agreements encourage imports of products from countries whose farmers are not required to meet the same standards as EU producers, thus putting them at a competitive disadvantage. Farmers oppose the conclusion of free trade agreements that further liberalise agricultural trade such as the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. For trade in general, the demand is that higher environmental standards should be accompanied by mirror clauses, essentially a requirement that imports into the EU should meet the same standards as demanded of EU producers. There are many sources of competitive advantage, including access to land and lower labour costs, but also access to cheaper credit, more dynamic sources of innovation, government subsidies and a more effective institutional environment. How cost differences due to differences in environmental standards compare to these other sources of competitive advantage is an empirical question. For import-competing sectors, restricting imports on environmental grounds would be an additional form of protection contributing to higher prices for domestic producers. Initial responses to the farmer protests The farmer protests have already brought about changes in the political landscape at the EU level, reflected in a pulling back of the Green Deal legislative agenda, a weakening of some of the environmental initiatives introduced in the recent CAP reform, and the introduction of greater restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products. These measures, on their own, are unlikely to satisfy the more militant protestors, but more far-reaching changes will depend on the outcome of the European Parliament elections. Environmental legislation The argument that food production should be given greater priority in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the burden of environmental regulation, were widely used to justify opposition to legislative initiatives proposed by the Commission designed to pursue several of the targets set out in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. These strategies set targets, for example, to halve pesticide use by 2030, to cut fertiliser use by 20%, to devote more land to non-agricultural use and to double organic production. The major political group in the European Parliament, the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP), decided to reposition itself as more farmer friendly in the light of several national and regional election results which highlighted growing support for far-right parties in rural areas. As a result of its stance, the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive which would have set member state targets for the reduction in pesticide use was voted down in the European Parliament and subsequently withdrawn by the Commission. The Nature Restoration Law Directive was eventually passed in Parliament as EPP MEPs were divided on this issue, but with several targets relevant to agricultural ecosystems removed or diluted, following political agreement with the Council. However, several member states subsequently withdrew their support and at the time of writing it appears that the Council may not approve this law despite its previous agreement. The Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive (as it will be called) has been approved by Parliament and is expected to receive Council approval, but the Commissions proposal to bring more industrial pig and poultry units as well as large cattle units under its scope was mostly rejected. The Commission also decided not to bring forward a Framework Law on Sustainable Food Systems, intended to mainstream sustainability in all food-related policies, during its current mandate. Revisions to the new CAP Following the European Council meeting on 1 February 2024 which called on the Council and Commission to respond to the challenges in the agricultural sector, the Commission proposed a series of amendments to the CAP regulation agreed in 2021 and implemented since 2023. These include some simplification measures to reduce the burden of inspection and control measures for farmers and national administrations, but more importantly some relaxation of the GAEC standards that farmers should observe for eligibility for direct payments. An initial relaxation of GAEC 8 gave a temporary exemption for one year from the requirement to maintain 4% of arable land as non-productive area by allowing the production of nitrogen-fixing crops or catch crops without pesticides on this land. Rules around the maintenance of permanent grassland (GAEC 1) were also adjusted. GAEC 7 requiring crop rotation on larger arable farms was amended to allow this obligation to be fulfilled by crop diversification. The most significant change has been the removal from GAEC 8 of the obligation to maintain a minimum of 4% of arable land as non-productive areas. Instead, member states will be obliged to introduce an eco-scheme that would pay farmers to take on this obligation. In addition to these responses at EU levels, individual member states have also introduced measures including reinstating tax reliefs and providing additional financial aid. Parallel with these developments, the Commission has launched a survey to gather farmers perceptions of the administrative burden of regulations. It is also working on actions to improve the position of farmers in the food chain and protect them against unfair trading practices, with proposals to be presented shortly covering issues such as market transparency, trading practices in the value chain and costs of production. Tighter restrictions on Ukrainian imports With three member states continuing their unilateral bans on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine, the Commission proposed in January 2024 a further renewal of the autonomous trade measures for one year from June 2024. To meet objections from the sugar, poultry and egg sectors, additional reinforced safeguards were introduced under which the trade regime for these products would revert to the original tariff rate quotas if imports from Ukraine exceeded the average levels in 2022 and 2023. The Parliament proposed to extend this safeguard to cereals as well as honey, and to include the year 2021 in the baseline for the level of imports to trigger the safeguard clause (thus tightening the trigger as Ukrainian imports were much lower in that year). The trilogue agreement with the Council in March 2024 did cover additional products but not wheat, and did not include 2021 in the baseline for the trigger. Poland, Hungary and France pushed at the European Council summit on 21-22 March 2024 to adopt the European Parliaments original position, including wheat as well as the year 2021 in the baseline, a move which has been estimated would cost Ukraine 1.2 billion annually. The EU leaders asked the Council and Commission to work to address these issues in a fair and balanced way while preparing a solution in the framework of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement/Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (European Council, 2024). Domestic concerns over the farmer protests turn out to trump promises to aid Ukraine. Implications for the European Parliament elections Farmers leaders are often quoted as saying that farmers want to be listened to and respected, and feel that this is currently not the case. This can seem a strange complaint from an interest group that traditionally has enjoyed unprecedented and privileged access to decision-makers and a historically close relationship with its responsible government ministry. What the complaint most likely reflects is that recent negotiations are no longer a cosy bilateral relationship between the farm unions and the familiar agricultural ministry but now involve a series of new actors with different priorities, including most obviously environmental agencies and interest groups but also public health advocates and climate activists. In this new world, farming interests are no longer the only game in town. It is no wonder that farmers feel they no longer have the ear of governments as readily as in the past. In support of this assessment, we can point to the division of responsibilities for the Farm to Fork legislation. When the new Commission took office in December 2019, key responsibilities for implementing the agri-food aspects of the Green Deal were given to the Commissioners for Environment, and Health and Safety, rather than to the Commissioner for Agriculture, while climate legislation was the responsibility of the Commissioner for Climate, who was also the Commission Executive Vice-President with responsibility for implementing the Green Deal (Matthews et al., 2023). These Directorates-General had not only different priorities, but also different cultures and ways of working. Farmers did not have the same relationship with them and found it more difficult to get their views across. What is at stake in the European Parliament elections is whether these new structures will be dismantled and agricultural policy will return to a narrower focus on market management and farm income support. Some farm leaders would like to see the withdrawal of all Green Deal legislation, the abandonment of climate targets and any proposed limits on emissions, and an end to the regulation of environmental pollutants. These populist demands have been taken up by far-right parties in many countries attracting considerable support. On the other side, the calls for action to prevent biodiversity loss, to avoid the death of marine life in polluted rivers, lakes and coastal waters, to address increasing water scarcity in drought-prone regions, and to limit the adverse consequences of climate change, will only grow louder as these impacts become more obvious. The European Parliament elections will reveal how European voters decide between these priorities. References European Commission (2024), Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Amending Regulations (EU), 2021/2115 Establishing Rules on Support for Strategic Plans to Be Drawn up by Member States under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and Financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Repealing Regulations (EU), 1305/2013 and (EU), 1307/2013 and (EU) 2021/2116 on the Financing, Management and Monitoring of the Common Agricultural Policy and Repealing Regulation (EU), 1306/2013, as Regards Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition Standards, Schemes for Climate, Environment and Animal Welfare, Amendments to CAP Strategic Plans, Review of CAP Strategic Plans and Exemptions from Controls and Penalties, Brussels. European Council (2024), European Council meeting (21 and 22 March 2024) Conclusions, EUCO 7/24. Matthews, A., J. Candel, N. de Muelenaere and P. Scheelbeek (2023), The Political Economy of Food System Transformation in the European Union, in D. Ressnick and J. Swinnen (eds.), Political Economy of Food System Transformation, 310-337, Oxford University Press. Putting the high public debt ratios on a downward path after the surge during the pandemic and allocating sufficient resources to deliver on the green and digital transition will be among the priorities confronting the EU institutions emerging from the June 2024 European elections. After a long and painful debate, EU institutions have agreed upon a new fiscal rulebook that aims to incentivise the reallocation of national public spending to the green and digital transition. However, the additional public investment is unlikely to suffice to comply with the goals of net zero that the EU has set for itself. In particular, investments of a transnational nature will remain undersupplied. This article proposes setting up a successor to NextGenerationEU a new EU fund until 2030 for financing European public goods (EPGs) to address the double transition. Access to the facility would be conditional on adherence to the EU fiscal rules. By tying up the implementation of the new fiscal framework, the debate on the future of NextGenerationEU and the next multiannual EU budget post-2027, the credibility and internal consistency of these various instruments will be greatly enhanced. In December 2023, the EU Council agreed after lengthy discussions on a revised European fiscal rulebook. In February 2024, negotiators of the Commission, Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the reform of the EUs economic governance framework. While the text is very close to that adopted by the Council, the Parliament managed to introduce some provisions aimed at strengthening the incentives for reforms and investments. The formal vote is expected to be held ahead of the European Parliament elections. The reform of the EUs economic governance framework addresses some of the shortcomings of the previous Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). A major and most welcome element of the new rulebook is the adoption of a differentiated approach towards each member state. Since its inception, the one-size-fits-all approach of the SGP had been a major impediment to the credibility of the rules. Under the new rules, member states may benefit from longer adjustment paths, of up to seven years, to put the public debt ratio on a sustainable trajectory if they commit to reforms and investments that improve the economic growth potential, foster the green and digital transition and support fiscal sustainability. This will help garner public support for budgetary discipline as restrictions on national spending need not stand in the way of continued public investments in strategic areas such as digital, energy, social or defence. Under the new rules, long-term investment projects are protected against the typical pro-cyclical fiscal behaviour over the economic cycle. While the attempt to find a balance between fiscal discipline and growth-friendly incentives is welcome, national fiscal policies under the new rules are unlikely to meet the huge investment needs linked to the double transition. According to estimates by the European Commission, the additional annual public and private investment needs are of the order of 645 billion until 2030, split between 520 billion for the green transition and 125 billion for the digital transition (European Commission, 2022). The Institute for Climate Economics estimates average annual climate investment needs (private plus public) of more than 800 billion to reach the 2030 EU objectives. At the moment, the investment volume is only half of this. The financing requirements are of such a magnitude that a rethinking about what should be financed at the national level and what requires financing at the European level is needed. Under the new rulebook, public investments for the double transition may be financed from European funds. In particular, until 2026, funds can be deployed from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which forms the centrepiece of the 800 billion NextGenerationEU (NGEU) initiative. This groundbreaking initiative, which is partly financed by common borrowing, was taken to help Europe recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As the temporary facility is set to expire at the end of 2026, there is a need to consider how the financing of public investment can be assured in the future under the new economic governance framework. The discussion on the future of NGEU is relevant for the report on European competitiveness that Mario Draghi is set to deliver to the European Council in the coming months. It is also a key issue in the reflection on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027, which will be a main focus of the EU institutions that emerge following the European elections in June 2024. We argue that EU policymakers should tie up all these elements by establishing a new EU successor facility designed in such a manner that it incentivises investing in European public goods (EPGs), for example hydrogen infrastructure and high-speed railways, addressing the double transition while at the same time maintaining budgetary discipline at the national level. Several other papers relate to this issue. Garicano (2022) proposes a European Climate Investment Facility that provides grants and loans to countries for investments in climate improvement. Access to the facility is conditional on adherence to the fiscal rules. Abraham, OConnell and Oleaga (2023) advocate the establishment of a 500 billion EU Climate and Energy Security Fund. Pisani-Ferry et al. (2023) propose an EU energy and climate governance framework to accompany the Green Deal, which would include an EU Green Investment Plan. Draghi (2023) points to the increasing number of shared goals and the need to collectively finance these. The European Fiscal Board (2022) proposes an EU budget contribution to pay for EU public goods with each country having its own compartment in the allocated budget, which is forfeited if the country makes insufficient use of it. Buti et al. (2023) advocate the need for a permanent EU central fiscal capacity providing EU public goods. Our proposal, building on Bakker and Beetsma (2023), establishes a direct link between compliance with the EU fiscal rules and EU financial support for transnational investment projects, i.e. projects with cross-border spillover effects. The paper is organised as follows: first, we spell out the rationale for an EU fund focusing on transnational investment (hereafter, the fund); we then lay out the main features of the fund and its conditionality regime and consider the actual implementation of the proposed fund. The final section concludes. Beyond NGEU: Shifting the focus on EPGs The need for a European investment fund as a successor to NGEU has strengthened in recent years as the investment gap with the United States continues to widen at a disconcerting pace. The US has been investing in technology at a rate that has outpaced Europe for a considerable time. European expenditure on research and development is about one-third lower as a share of GDP than in the US (Eurostat, 2023), which has contributed to the lagging of EU growth rates compared to the US. Increased geo-economic fragmentation has strengthened the need for Europe to regain its strategic autonomy in crucial sectors and critical raw materials. While the European Commission has proposed several regulations to foster strategic autonomy, the EU financial resources allocated to this goal have remained limited. Climate requirements add to the need for a transition to more climate-friendly production strategies. Europes ambitions to satisfy at least 42.5% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 can only be realised by a pan-European approach to the necessary public and private investments in the coming decades, many of which are of a cross-border nature. Sizeable investments are needed to put Europe on the path to climate neutrality, while keeping it competitive and addressing its strategic autonomy agenda (Institut Rousseau, 2024; Institute for Climate Investment, 2024). This can only be achieved if national borrowing for public investments is complemented by European financing instruments. Common financing is needed for cross-border challenges that every member country faces but are too big to solve alone or whose broader benefits are insufficiently internalised at the national level. Although NGEU was a groundbreaking programme, its focus on transfers to member states led to investments which, while under the general umbrella of the green and digital transition, addressed national needs. The purpose of the new fund would be to finance EU-wide infrastructure as well as EU-wide energy and digital transitions. A European approach towards such broad goals is especially beneficial when national fiscal space is limited. Such public investments would benefit more countries and, more generally, would strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the entire EU. Features of the EPG fund We argue for the establishment of an EU fund for EPGs targeted at enabling the climate and digital transition and strengthening European competitiveness and growth potential. Whereas NGEU targeted national investment plans, the successor fund would aim at cross-border and EU-wide investments with multinational spillovers that, in the absence of European financing, would be less likely to come about. The duration of the new fund would be five years, covering the period 2026-2030. This appears appropriate given the goal of emission reduction that the EU has set for itself by 2030. As the transition to net zero is a multiannual commitment, a fund covering a long time horizon is needed. At the same time, a sunset clause would enhance its political acceptability and facilitate appropriate evaluation for the investments, which would be needed beyond this timespan to eventually reach the 2050 objective of climate neutrality. A review clause could be foreseen in 2027 in the context of the discussions on the new MFF. As for the size, a fund of about the size of NGEU appears roughly appropriate to cover the expected EU-wide part of the total investment needs. An amount of 750 billion would correspond to about one-fifth of the total investment needs until 2030. The remainder of the investments would need to come from the private sector and the member states, either directly or in the form of co-financing. As in the case of NGEU, the support from the proposed fund would take the form of grants and loans. The specific share under the fund would have to be decided. Under the RRF, about 47% of the EU support is provided in terms of grants and the rest as loans. Obviously, the higher the share of grants, the larger the set of countries that would benefit from the fund. At the same time, political and financial viability would benefit from a sizeable share of loans. There would be country envelopes reflecting their share of GDP and population allocated on a yearly basis. In case of a lack of use of the resources (e.g. because of ineligibility of certain countries), the latter would be reallocated to other beneficiaries. The legal foundation of the EPG fund could closely follow that of NGEU (European Commission, 2020). The latter relies on Article 122 TFEU; under paragraph 1, the Council, upon a proposal by the Commission, may decide, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, upon the measures appropriate to the economic situation, in particular if severe difficulties arise in the supply of certain products, notably in the area of energy (Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union, 2012). The climate crisis and the agreement to decarbonise would, in the absence of investments supporting the energy transition, endanger the supply of energy. Given the investment nature of the projects, the EPG fund would be financed by issuing EU debt. The financial infrastructure built by the Commission to raise funds for NGEU has functioned well and could be used. An advantage of this way of financing is the opportunity to deepen the market for EU debt, thereby lowering the financing costs. Obviously, this positive effect increases with the length of the commitment period. Such an effect would depend on the guarantee structure underpinning the issuance of EU debt. In the recent past, two forms of guarantees have been used: pooled national guarantees to finance the SURE programme to mitigate unemployment risks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and an EU budget guarantee (margin between own resources ceiling and spending commitments) to finance NGEU. Both have pros and cons and, in any case, are unlikely to be sufficient without addressing the issue of adequacy of own resources (Buti, 2023), as the latter provides the legal basis for the needed room to borrow and repay. A further in-depth discussion will be needed before putting forward a concrete proposal. The fund for EPGs would be kept outside the regular multiannual financial framework, just as the NGEU initiative. This would help overcome political obstacles in some member states to common borrowing by introducing safeguards and ensuring that resources are targeted to public goods with a common European interest. In this way, the fund would underline the common approach to European challenges by focusing on investments with multinational spillovers, which warrant common borrowing. It would provide a proper counterweight to the current pursuit of national industrial policies and help formulate a comprehensive European industrial policy. Increased cross-border investments in European public goods would help preserve strategic autonomy and support the green and digital transitions. Building the right incentives: The conditionality regime To ensure budgetary discipline and preserve the integrity of the new fiscal rulebook, member states access to the EPG fund would have to be made conditional upon compliance with the new EU budgetary rules. Such a requirement would build on the conditionality regime that was introduced in January 2021 in the context of the NGEU initiative. In order to qualify for access to funding under the initiative, countries designed reforms and investment plans and received funding conditional on achieving certain milestones. The aim of the so-called Conditionality Regulation was to protect the financial interests of the European Union as countries applied for these EU funds. It allowed the EU to take protective measures, for example, through the suspension of payments to member states that do not respect the principles of the rule of law. The access by member states to EU funds was thus made conditional on respect for the rule of law. The thinking behind the regime was that the EU budget, as an expression of solidarity, is based on the requirement that European resources are used in a responsible manner in accordance with the commitment of member states to comply with the obligations and values under the EU Treaty (Heinemann, 2018). If this is endangered by improper institutional or judiciary arrangements in member states and by non-cooperation to address these issues, the conditionality regime may be applied. The conditionality regime applies to the use of all EU funds, including the use of funds under the NGEU initiative. Until now, the regime has been activated in the case of Poland and Hungary. Endorsement of their national recovery and investment plans was suspended in view of the rule of law situation in both countries. As there is a need to clarify the nature, purpose and application of the conditionality regime, we propose the development of a redefined conditionality regime that links access to the proposed fund to budgetary discipline at home, in line with the implementation of the new fiscal rules. The purpose of such a regime would be to protect the integrity of the new economic governance framework by making access to the proposed fund conditional on compliance with the new fiscal rulebook. This would fit in the reasoning of the Conditionality Regulation, which provides that European resources, as an expression of solidarity, are used in compliance with the obligations under the EU Treaty, including the new economic governance framework. The application of conditionality for the use of the EPG funds resources would ensure that the countries would pursue sound fiscal policies at home and give assurances to creditors that EU borrowing will remain of triple-A quality. Conditionality thus helps protect creditors and enhances the effectiveness of the credit given. The proposed fund would help finance EPGs alongside the national investment and reforms agreed upon as part of an extended adjustment path under the revised EU fiscal rules. Thus the conditionality regime would help improve EU growth potential and support fiscal sustainability in member states. By making access to the fund conditional, increased debt issuance at the European level should be accompanied by lower debt issuance at the national level. Although conditionality has been a common feature in European finances, the proposed conditionality regime under the EU fund for EPGs would be of a different nature than that applied under the ESM financial assistance programmes. The new conditionality regime, by analogy to the Conditionality Regulation, would see to it that countries using EU funding adhere to the new economic governance framework, thus preserving the integrity of the common values on which the Economic and Monetary Union is built. Instead of being penalised for non-adherence, as was the case under the old SGP, countries under the new economic governance framework would be rewarded for good behaviour. The conditionality would cover respect of the fiscal targets and of the reform and investment commitments in case of extended fiscal-structural plans. Implementation The practical implementation of the EU fund for EPGs could parallel that of NGEU and build on the experiences gained. Once the fund is agreed upon, countries would be invited to present public investment plans. As the projects would have a transnational nature, they should be presented jointly by two or more countries. The investment projects could usefully follow the framework that has been applied for the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). As the IPCEIs presently do not receive EU funding, the framework would need to be revamped to allow a contribution from the EPG fund. For the assessment of the investments in relation to the final goals of the EU fund for EPGs, a useful role could be played by the European Investment Bank (EIB), which has gained considerable expertise in the funds priority areas of climate, infrastructure and innovation. The EIB would assess eligibility to the funds resources on the basis of coherence with the twin transition, the transnational potential and cross-country spillovers of the proposed projects as well as their costs. The EIB in specific cases could play a co-financing role in addition to the resources of the new fund. There would be an assessment by the Commission and the EIB to ensure that the cross-border spillovers are sufficiently strong. The spillovers are estimated on the basis of the projected financial returns on the project, which should show a sufficiently high positive net present value (NPV) in excess of the projected NPV accruing to the investing countries if they were to do the investments on their own. The grants component of the fund incentivises countries to make investments that would not come about when countries are left to their own initiative and compensate the investing countries for the fact that they may not internalise the benefits accruing to other countries. Where appropriate, in order to ensure that most countries benefit from the investment financed by the fund, specific provisions related to diffusion of results would be part of the contract between the fund and the beneficiaries. The European Commission would ascertain that the countries submitting the plans adhere to the fiscal rulebook (i.e. are fulfilling the relevant deficit and debt criteria or are reducing net spending in line with the recommendation to correct an excessive deficit). For countries that received an extension of the adjustment path, the Commission would in addition assess whether the reforms and investment conditions in the fiscal-structural plans are fulfilled. To increase credibility and political acceptability, the countrys eligibility to the new fund would be based on implemented reforms and investments rather than mere announcements. Based on these assessments, the Commission will make a proposal to be voted on in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. Disbursement of funds will be in tranches based on milestones in terms of realised delivery. Conclusion The design of the new EU fund for EPGs, based on adherence to the new economic governance framework, would fit in a wider trend of EU policies using EU funds to achieve broader EU policy objectives while effectively preserving adherence to agreed common values, such as budgetary discipline. It builds on the proven concepts of NGEU and the existing conditionality regime of the European Union. It would thus help attain the double objective of achieving Europes climate targets and fostering a credible implementation of the new economic governance framework. A well-designed EU fund to boost the supply of EPGs would increase Europes potential growth and facilitate the continents economic and political integration (Buti and Corsetti, 2024). To get the fund off the ground, it needs to be included in the programme of the next President of the European Commission. Work on the funds design would need to start as the new College of Commissioners has taken office. Importantly, the value added of the proposed fund would be increased by complementing it with other policies. One set of measures pertains to the promotion of an EU capital markets union (ELEC, 2024). Progress on the capital markets union covers a wide range of measures that contribute to the integration of the EU capital market, which raises the net return on savings and encourages savings to flow to where (risk-corrected) expected returns are highest. Examples are the harmonisation of insolvency regimes, simplifying prospectus rules and harmonising withholding taxes on dividends and interest. A second set of measures concerns the involvement of private sector parties. While public authorities at the national level, and possibly at the EU level for projects that cover the entire EU, have a coordinating role, much of the overall funding needs to come from the private sector. Hence, sufficiently strong incentives need to be given to private sector parties to participate. In particular, institutional investors with long-term horizons, such as pension funds and life insurance companies should be enticed to co-finance investments. This requires, for example, the commitment of public authorities to create predictable policies and complete envisaged investments, and the design of adequate models to share the revenues coming from user fees (such as firms connecting to a hydrogen infrastructure). Taking on the responsibility of running a treasured icon can be a heavy weight on younger shoulders but one where hard-won family advice can make the transition a more seamless process. Irelands tourism sector accounts for a significant portion of the nations employment, and continues to reap rich rewards due to the hotel pioneers back in the 1960s and 70s who laid the groundwork for the solid foundation of today. Being in business for over half a century is a major milestone by any standard, and especially when it comes to the third family generation taking the reins. Hoteliers and brothers, Mark and Joseph Scott-Lennon, are now taking control at Dublins Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney. The two sons of retiring chief executive Eithne Scott-Lennon have plans to invest 10 million in the hotel over the next five years, in addition to the 2 million already spent enhancing the venue over the past five years. Eithne Scott-Lennon says her sons will continue to uphold Fitzpatrick Castle Hotels values of hospitality and excellence. This hotel has been more than a business to me, Eithne explained. It has been a labour of love filled with countless memories. As I retire from my role as owner and chief executive, I have every confidence that Mark and Joseph will continue to uphold the values of hospitality and excellence that have defined this establishment for generations to come. Having celebrated its 50th anniversary during the pandemic, the castle first opened to guests as a 13-bedroom operation in 1971, then run by Paddy and Eithne Fitzpatrick. Coming on the market in 1970, Eithnes father Paddy saw the opportunity to purchase the property as the chance of a lifetime. The place was derelict and none of the rooms were habitable our parents took over a veritable wreck. I can remember physically making the curtains with my mum. To keep costs down, we kept as many jobs as possible in-house. By the 1990s, the family-owned hotels in Dublin, Cork, Shannon and New York. But when Eithnes mother died suddenly, the family were forced to focus on succession planning. Each of us had to decide where our focus lay into the future, so Paul took over the Shannon Shamrock, John chose to grow the US business through our hotels in Manhattan, and I took over the Castle. We each had our different styles as hoteliers. As the third generation to take the reins, Mark is comfortable with the weight of tradition, and the efforts of previous generations to take the business to its current four-star status. My brother and I would of course be very aware of the risks taken by my grandad in buying the hotel in the first place, and the hard work it took to get it to where it is today. It has an established reputation that was carried on and added to by our mother, and certainly is something Joseph and myself would want to continue. We want to maintain the standards already set, and add to that by our ambitions for the business. Understanding the work ethic required in a 24/7 industry, Mark admits his decision to become the third generation came about organically: In the beginning it was about earning pocket money during school and college, but over time I really developed a love of the business. Having gone on to take an Economics & Politics degree at UCD, he committed to the business full-time in 2009. After completing the management trainee programme at the Castle, coupled with a Masters in Hospitality Management from Dublin Institute of Technology, he also gained experience overseas in Canada and the USA another tried and tested route for future management in family businesses. I have also been a member of the Irish Hotels Federation National Council and served two years as Dublin branch chairman and as vice-president for two years during the pandemic. Fitzpatrick Castle is a family business that filters down to the staff many of whom have been there decades. We are very fortunate in having great people, many of whom have worked with us for 30 and 40 years, Mark explains of the one hundred and sixty full time and part time employees. Its the people who make a hotel, they come before the systems and the property if you dont have the right people in the right places everything suffers. Having so many people with us for so long has contributed hugely to the success of the hotel, and is a great sense of pride. Mark and Joseph Scott-Lennon look to the future with cautious optimism, carrying on the family business into the next half century. We are a people focused business who try to go above and beyond for all of our guests, trying to create experiences that make their visit a memorable one. We have always been geared to exceed visitors expectations, and that will continue into the future. The message is clear, it pays to invest in your people Irish family businesses are each unique; in how they are structured, in how they operate and in the culture they embed, says Aileen Stephens, private tax director, Deloitte. However, whilst each Irish family-owned business is distinctive, this community of companies are operating in a disruptive marketplace where the pace of change and transformation is rapid. Attracting, developing, and retaining talented workers and adapting to changing workplace environments are important agenda items to be a successful Irish family business. Based on a Deloitte partnered survey, the findings are clear: great experiences build connections, strong connections create loyalty and loyalty drives business results, she says. Organisations that prioritise their workforce with high impact initiatives are 1.6x more likely to achieve better customer outcomes. The message is clear it pays to invest in your people. "Creating a culture of employee development and promotion from within the organisation lowers staff attrition rates and provides employees with a clearly defined career path thereby encouraging a shared objective to grow the business. Structures that were originally in place in the early phase of a business's lifecycle will likely be outgrown as the business scales, and as such may not be sufficiently robust to provide for the growth of the enterprise and its workforce, Ms Stephens explains. Deloitte work with founding shareholders and / or next generations of the family members to assess and provide recommendations on how to bolster, where necessary, the structures that govern the key decision-making strategies and policies. The succession-planning process is a critical event in the life cycle of family businesses. The important aspect that can often be overlooked is the process and it is through this journey that family businesses resolve what is the best succession plan for their unique business. The plan should be aligned to the DNA of the enterprise and to the aspirations of the family members. This can, of course, result in the next generation taking over the helm, or indeed can see the passing of the business baton to a professional CEO and or management team where the family members take on a more stewardship role. Like all things in life and business, timing is everything, she points out. At Deloitte, we have the privilege of advising some of the most successful family businesses in Ireland. In these engagements we work with the founders, shareholders and wider family stakeholders to navigate the succession planning assessment process. In our experience, the earlier the process commences, the more likely the outcome delivers family harmony and a strong business driving forward. Deloitte has developed a unique offering centred on family business dynamics where they explore with families through a Discovery Workshop the many facets and range of issues that should be explored. Two outcomes are never the same and there is no template solution each family business is treated with the care, respect and expertise that it deserves. It is widely cited that 30% of family-owned businesses successfully transition from first to second generation. By the 4th generation, it is suggested that 3% of family businesses have survived. However, when adopting the Deloitte formulated model, family businesses succeed through the generations achieved through the deliberate management of several factors, including communication, transparency, family member equality, governance, structure and with a keen eye on the next generation development. Family harmony coupled with a thriving business is the ultimate prize, and at Deloitte we know that it's there for the taking. We see the world not just as it is, but as it could be and we are here to help Irish family businesses on the journey of imminent change and to grow in success. www.deloitte.com The Family Business Network (FBN), the organisation representing family-owned businesses throughout Ireland, has called for the establishment of a Commission on Public Expenditure to comprehensively examine the allocation and utilisation of the States revenue. FBN highlighted the unprecedented rate at which State expenditure has risen over the past decade, and argues that expenditures have ballooned without ensuring value for the States money, resulting in excessively high levels of taxation on individuals and businesses. While these high rates of taxation were initially introduced during a period of unprecedented economic crisis, given the currently robust exchequer receipts, FBN argues that it is crucial to review and rationalise public expenditure to ensure it aligns with the States current needs and long-term fiscal health. "Family-run businesses in every constituency combine to deliver the most stable source of the States tax income including corporation taxes, local rates, income taxes and PRSI," said John McGrane, executive director of the Family Business Network. "Last years Commission on Taxation and Welfare turned out to be a missed opportunity. Instead of providing a comprehensive evaluation of both our taxation and expenditure, it focused solely on generating additional revenue, without examining our outgoings. As our national spending surges, it is vital that robust checks and balances are in place to examine how and where it is being spent. The workers and businesses who pay the taxes that are funding this growth in expenditure deserve to see that it is being spent efficiently and effectively. A Commission on Public Expenditure would be an appropriate mechanism to provide transparency and accountability, and to ensure that taxpayers get the best value for their money." The 2023 Summer Economic Statement has confirmed that, for the third consecutive year, public spending will exceed this Governments own self-imposed 5% cap, again emphasising the need for better governance and value for taxpayers money. "We all agree what we want to invest in, but we also agree we should at least not jeopardise public services by spending scarce funds badly. We cannot squander the opportunity, while we have it, to look at where all the publics money goes, eliminate wasteful spending and fix the roof while the sun is shining," said Mr McGrane. The call for the establishment of a Spending Commission is one of eleven recommendations presented to the Government in the Family Business Networks submission to Budget 2024. The submission centres around sustaining indigenous businesses throughout Ireland and addressing capacity issues in the economy. It also calls for the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to invest windfall corporation tax receipts. 3.75m to support the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication programme this year has been confirmed by Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. This increased funding includes direct support to farmers with test-positive animals, the minister said, and a 20% increased payment towards testing at 2.40 per animal, supporting up to 25 animals per herd. This is an increase from 2 per animal in 2023. Last year, the programme received support of 2.25m. Mr McConalogue said that at the outset of the programme, BVD was costing farmers some 102m each year, a cost "which would continue into perpetuity". Mr McConalogue said that the investment by farmers and the state over the past 10 years in delivering the vastly improved disease situation has almost eliminated all these financial costs from farmers, as well as the stress experienced by farm families tending to sick calves. BVD support details For animals disclosed as BVD test positive or inconclusive, a payment will be made on supply of payment details following submission of a payment form for each eligible animal that is removed to a knackery, abattoir or meat plant and has a date of death recorded on the AIM system. 11-21 days from the date of latest positive/inconclusive test to slaughter is the cut-off interval for payment/compensation. For dairy animals, the payment is 160 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test; for beef, the payment is 220. The payment is 30 if the animal is removed between days 11 and 21 of the first positive or inconclusive test. Where the programme may require retesting of an animal, the animal must be removed within three weeks of the most recent BVD positive or inconclusive test result. IBR In addressing other health concerns such as Johne's Disease and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Minister McConalogue expressed a commitment to further engagement with stakeholders on these industry-led initiatives at the Animal Health Ireland (AHI) coordinated implementation groups. The minister acknowledged the participation of some 10,225 farmers who undertook snapshot testing of their herds for IBR in the state-funded National Beef Welfare Scheme in 2023. This provided over 3m by way of direct support to farmers. The outcome data from this scheme is available to those farmers to help them understand the IBR status of their herds and manage the risk. From a public good perspective, the overall collective anonymised data is available to inform industry stakeholders in the technical working and implementation groups coordinated by Animal Health Ireland (AHI), as they consider the development of an IBR eradication programme. "Preliminary information shows that some 50% of participating herds and 88% of animals tested negative for IBR, which is an invaluable insight into the challenge ahead," Mr McConalogue said. I understand that future research is necessary to validate the efficacy of bulk milk testing as a surveillance methodology in any future control/eradication programme. "I have therefore committed 100,000 to AHI to support their research into this and ancillary surveillance test methodologies. The minister also indicated that he is seeking to include an animal health measure in the 2024 National Beef Welfare Scheme which will be announced later this year. He added that there would be benefit in the industry exploring the development of a small ruminant health programme. "I have asked my officials to initiate immediate engagement with industry stakeholders on this and I look forward to seeing progress in this area," he said. Exotic diseases Acknowledging the threat of the introduction into Ireland of exotic diseases such as Avian Influenza, Bluetongue and African Swine Fever which are currently spreading across Europe, Minister McConalogue confirmed the allocation of additional funding towards addressing this risk through enhanced surveillance activities, including post-import testing, and awareness raising. The minister said that the success of the farming year is dependent on many factors, "but much hinges on the health and wellbeing of a farmers livestock". "Good animal health not only enhances farm productivity and profitability but also leads to reduced antibiotic usage, improved animal welfare, lower carbon emissions, and minimised risks of zoonotic diseases," he added. He starred in one of the years most profoundly moving films, All of Us Strangers, and won praise for bringing Uncle Vanya to the London stage. Now Andrew Scott continues an impressive run of work by giving audiences a fresh take on one of the most iconic characters of them all. Since US novelist Patricia Highsmith first brought Tom Ripley to life in a series of novels, the shrewd criminal and con-artist has enthralled readers and audiences alike. Over the years, actors including Alain Delon, John Malkovich and Matt Damon have brought Ripley to the screen. Now the Dublin actor takes a deep dive into Ripley in a new series for Netflix - and characteristically makes the role his own. Not only does Scott take on an American accent for the role - impressively, he learned to speak Italian to play the character, who moves to the Mediterranean in the late 1950s. I had a wonderful Italian teacher and learned it for three or four months before we started just so you could understand it. It's a beautiful language to speak. And then of course, when you're around it, you become more interested in it," says Scott. It's one of the things you have to get used to a little bit as an actor - you've got to become really adept at something for a particular period, and then you have to move on to something else. I love that about acting, actually. But I'll try to keep it, I'm going to go back to Italy this year. Scott has given us a Ripley for the ages in the suspenseful series. Its written and directed by Steven Zaillian, whose previous screenwriting credits include Schindlers List, The Irishman and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Andrew Scott with Dakota Fanning and Johnny Flynn in Ripley. Zaillian brings Hitchcockian levels of tension to the storytelling, shot in black and white and striking in its attention to detail. It's the most extraordinary character and we spend so much time inside his mind and inside his world, says Scott of taking on Ripley. I think that's what's remarkable about it. Sometimes in a television series where there's eight hours of this, it might be about a couple, or a police department, or a family, or a hospital. This is really based on one person. We spend so much time with this guy, the character's in 95% of the eight hours, that's an awful lot of time to spend with one character. And so the challenge of it is to not blot the copybook too much in relation to how wonderful the mystery of the man is, as well as what we do know about him, which is that he is an enduring character that people love. But I think the questions about him, and his mysteriousness and his secretiveness, are a reason that he's so fascinating to play. Understandably, he opted not to watch other performances depicting Tom Ripley, though he had seen Alain Delon in Purple Noon and Matt Damon in The Talented Mr Ripley years previously. I love both those versions for different reasons. It's happened before in relation to Shakespearean characters, you think: Oh, I don't want to see that. You want to be able to put your own stamp on it. I was very lucky because I received the full eight hours of scripts, a big pile of scripts to read, which is very unusual for an actor. You usually get maybe one or two episodes. I had the whole thing mapped out and I knew immediately how extraordinarily written they were and sparsely written. I love the film noir-ish element to it. It's absolutely exquisite to look at and I love the opaqueness of playing this character. It felt like a real departure for me. The series was shot in New York and various glamorous locations throughout Italy including Rome, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Palermo, as Scotts Tom Ripley travels to Europe to seek out an old acquaintance, the wealthy and privileged Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn). Andrew Scott in Ripley, on Netflix. As a boy, a shy Scott took up acting classes and quickly fell in love with the craft - playing the Tin Man in one of his first ever performances. Years later, he went on to star in several Irish dramas including Jimmys Hall and Handsome Devil. He gave us the villainous Moriarty in a TV adaptation of Sherlock and the legendary hot priest in Fleabag. I think we all as human beings want to do something that's of use to other people, he says of his career. You want to do something that's useful in the world. I suppose I appreciate more now, how much this can be of use to people, and how it genuinely helps. I do feel like I try to force myself sometimes into appreciating that what I do can be of use to people and it's not a frivolous thing, because I know that actors and artists of all different persuasions have really helped me. There have been many memorable screen performances from the Irish actor, but theatre is at the very heart of what he does, and his recent successes include an award-winning run of Vanya, which also screened widely in cinemas. It's just like injecting the atmosphere straight into your veins, he says of live performance. You don't wait around - you're the chief artist, if I'm honest, as an actor. In the theatre, you're in charge. If the audience is getting bored, it's your job to pick the pace up, it's your job to be sort of all seeing, and there's nothing like that. If you don't exercise those muscles, you lose them and I don't want to lose them. I find it just the purest form of storytelling. Vanya was exhilarating, and exhausting, and all the things. Scott brought audiences one of the finest screen performances of the year in All of Us Strangers, which audiences are falling in love with on streaming services following its successful cinema run. He and his friend and co-star Paul Mescal entertained fans with their banter while publicising the film. It's been extraordinary, says Scott of the films reception. Im still processing that actually, how affecting the film was for people. I suppose I understand for my own personal reasons more now why it affected people so much. I did that project with people that I really love - Paul especially. And when we brought it back to Ireland it was completely magical for both of us. It was very, very special. I'm very grateful to have just been part of it, not just the film, but the process and the reception and everything about it. A revised plan to house asylum-seekers will see the State purchase turn-key properties, empty offices and deliver rapid-build homes in a bid to deliver 14,000 extra beds by 2028. Integration Minister Roderic OGorman also said the State needs 20 to 30 reception centres. A previous plan had said just six would be needed, but that was based on just 3,500 asylum seekers arriving. The reality now is between 13,000 and 16,000 people seeking international protection will arrive in Ireland every year. The locations will include sites currently in use such as Knockalisheen in Clare, a site in Athlone, Co Westmeath, sites in Newtownmountkennedy and Trudder in Co Wicklow, and Thornton Hall in North Dublin. The reforms will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. It comes as Roderic OGorman has warned Cabinet that there is an increasing likelihood that families including women and children could find themselves without an offer of State accommodation in the coming weeks and or months. A total of 1,465 male asylum seekers have not been offered State accommodation and are sleeping rough. Justice Minister Helen McEntee said between 50-70% of arrivals here every week already have IP applications in another country. She said her department is reviewing eight countries that may be added to the safe countries list which would see faster deportations. The revised plan will see the conversion of commercial properties to international protection with a focus on empty office blocks, acquire HSE and State lands to develop fast prefabricated units and the targeted purchase of medium and large properties in turnkey or near turnkey condition". Mr O'Gorman's department plans to lease two locations from the HSE and one from the Department of Justice. Rapid build prefabs will be built on this land and each IP applicant will be allowed to remain in the reception centre for six months, down from 12 months under existing criteria. The State wants to bring larger turnkey properties onstream without having to build them and wants expressions of interest from the private sector to offer solutions which the State would purchase outright. The Government will also further extend planning exemptions to allow for the conversion of commercial properties to accommodate asylum seekers. Mr OGorman refused to say the plan's overall cost as it may impact the tendering processes and the proposed costs to the State. However, he said Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has increased funding to his department from 50 to 74m this year and from 100m to 114m next year and a significant amount will be spent on the plan. Those who enter Ireland with no documents will be housed in designated facilities and have their applications dealt with in a matter of weeks under a new EU migration plan. Justice Minister Helen McEntee secured Cabinet clearance to seek the necessary approvals from the Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in to measures in the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. A major part of the pact is a so-called "border procedure" which will see swifter processing of those coming from so-called safe countries. It will also apply to people who have misled authorities such as by destroying identity documents, who are a danger to national security or public order, or who come from countries with a 20% or lower approval rate for asylum applications across the EU. Those who are processed under the border procedure will not be authorised to enter Ireland and will be accommodated at "designated locations" and their applications must be processed within three months. If unsuccessful, they must be removed within a further three months. After the Cabinet meeting, Ms McEntee said that while no country in the EU wants to deny refuge to those who are fleeing persecution, neither do we want our asylum process to be used as a backdoor to economic migration. She said that the pact would be of particular use to Ireland because of its moves on so-called "secondary movements", where a person has applied for asylum in one EU state and moves to a second. She said that between 50-70% of IP applicants to Ireland are secondary movers. The pact also features a new solidarity mechanism requiring countries to either make a financial contribution to or agree to relocate some asylum seekers from countries facing particular pressures. It will also see the expansion of the categories of migrants who will be fingerprinted and checked against the Eurodac database when they arrive. The pact includes legally binding timeframes for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals as well as a greater focus on "efficient returns" for unsuccessful applicants. There will also be accelerated processing including for those from safe countries, those with no or false documents, and those who have crossed borders illegally. Ms McEntee confirmed, however, that the pact will not be enacted until 2026 when Ireland's immigration system will be aligned with Europe's for the first time. The opposition, however, has called for the Government to reject the pact. Sinn Fein's Justice spokesperson Pa Daly said that Ireland should opt out of parts of the deal, saying that it is "an important question of sovereignty". The EUs Asylum and Migration Pact is a mixed bag of seven proposals. Alongside Denmark, we are the only country with the opportunity to remain outside all or some of these EU measures. We should use that ability to opt-out, as is our right. We simply do not have enough beds in our IPAS system to continue accommodating people who should be in other EU countries. This misuse of beds has resulted in hundreds of migrants sleeping in tents on our streets. This is not sustainable." Four people have been arrested as part of a garda investigation into an arson attack at a Galway hotel earmarked for asylum seekers. The former Ross Lake House hotel, which is owned by a Texan family with Irish roots, was due to house up to 70 asylum seekers for up to a year. However, on December 16 there was a major fire at the hotel and an investigation was launched. As part of this ongoing investigation, four individuals were arrested on Thursday morning. Two males, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act and are currently detained. Two females, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State Act. All four individuals are being held at a garda Station in the North Western Region. The investigation is ongoing. A Government notice from the Department of Integration, on December 15, said that the Ross Lake House hotel, in Killaguile, Rosscahill, was going to be used as temporary emergency accommodation for international protection applicants. It said: From December 21 onwards, 70 beds will be provided for people seeking refuge in Ireland who are an International Protection Applicants. A protest was then organised, with around 30 people. By 11.35pm, a fire broke out and the building was badly damaged, and the area was sealed off for a technical examination. Cyberattacks, damage to undersea cables, and disruption to oil supplies have all been identified as key risks for Ireland, a new Government report has found. The National Risk Assessment for Ireland 2023 has warned that there is a very high likelihood of further cyberattacks against Irish communications and IT systems, with concerns about sabotage of underwater telecoms and energy pipelines becoming more pressing. In recent years, Ireland has been hit with multiple cyberattacks, including the large-scale attack against the HSE in May 2021 which saw confidential medical documents published online. Speaking at the launch of the report, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that the risk of a cyberattack has increased exponentially since the war in Ukraine began, calling such attacks a significant concern. He cited the cost of such attacks, particularly the HSE cyberattack. We experienced our own cyberattacks on our health service, which basically paralysed our health service for a number of weeks, entailing extraordinary human costs and financial costs, Mr Martin said. Regarding subsea cables, Mr Martin said the issue was around co-operation with like-minded countries, and not all about ensuring there are ships patrolling Irish waters. Its also investment in intelligence. Everyone has an idea that its all about ships. Yes, we need more ships on the ocean and we have an issue with recruitment and retention, but the more fundamental issue actually is around collaborating with others, Mr Martin said. Asked if Ireland was vulnerable to undersea cable attacks, Mr Martin said: Were no more vulnerable than anybody else. The key to it is to collaborate with others, to be alert, to be attentive and to communicate. Alongside identifying risks to undersea infrastructure, the report also highlights the potential impact of disruption to energy sources, including oil, gas, and electricity disruption. Mr Martin also flagged concerns about potential interference in Irish elections, saying that there have been incidents in other jurisdictions previously. There could be more immediate risks, Mr Martin said, citing the establishment of the Electoral Commission, which will be empowered to deal with misinformation and disinformation. Now we have to build up the capacity of the Electoral Commission in relation to any risks to our electoral process, he said. However, he said that there is no evidence of any interference taking place at this stage in advance of both the local and European elections in June. Professor Caroline McMullan, who headed up DCUs Futureproof-IE project, said that both experts and the general public have greater awareness of the risks to Irelands supply chains following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Professor Caroline McMullan said there is greater awareness of the risks to Irelands supply chains since the war in Ukraine began. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos We did see a greater awareness of the fragility of our supply chains, whether thats food, medicines, energy, oil, so people were more aware of that, Professor McMullan said. They were more aware of perhaps the changing nature of warfare, so the use of drones or the use of cyberattacks would certainly have been more prominent in everybodys mind. Alongside risks to infrastructure, the report highlights an increased risk to people from antimicrobial-resistant infections, which have become more likely to emerge since the previous risk assessment in 2020. Professor McMullan said that these infections had previously been an emerging risk but focus groups have listed such infections as the top risk facing us at the moment. A High Court challenge has been brought against An Bord Pleanala's decision to grant planning permission for an telecommunications mast in Co Cork. The judicial review action has been taken by Moira O'Donovan a retired hospitality employee from Woodville House, Kilbrittain, over the board's decision last January to grant permission for a 15-metre telecommunications mast at the Eircom Exchange, Main Street, Glanduff, Kilbrittain. The application to erect the mast was made by Towercom Limited on behalf of Eircom to Cork County Council 2022. The council rejected the application, on the grounds that the proposal contravened the local development plan. It is claimed that decision was successfully appealed to An Bord Pleanala, despite the fact the board's inspector recommended that permission be refused. In her action challenging the board's decision, Ms O'Donovan claims that the mast would be located 32 metres from her home, is located in a residential area and is close to two local schools. She has brought the action over health concerns. She adds that she has no problem with communications masts, but says they should be put in suitable locations. It is claimed that the decision is flawed because the board's decision contravenes the local county development plan. It is also claimed that the decision failed to have regard for ministerial guidelines on the location of antennae or to have proper regard for relevant material submitted as part of the application. It is further alleged that the board erred in its decision by finding the proposed development did not need to be subjected to an Environment Impact Assessment. Represented by John Kenny Bl, instructed by Eoin Brady of FP Logue Solicitors, the applicant seeks various orders and declarations including an order quashing the board's decision. Both Eircom and Towercom are notice parties to the proceedings. The matter was briefly mentioned before Ms Carmel Stewart this week. The judge deemed the application formally opened before the court, and adjourned the application to a date in May. A 66-year-old man who is wanted in Hungary to serve a multi-year sentence has been arrested in Northern Ireland. He was arrested by local policing officers in North Belfast, with assistance from the International Policing Unit. Gardai have arrested a soldier after a significant quantity of drugs and cash was found during a search at an army base in Cork. The arrested man, who is described as of junior rank, was followed by detectives as he drove in a military vehicle from Dublin to Collins Barracks. After he arrived, members of the Military Police closed the gates after him. They are understood to have then waited for him to go to his accommodation in the barracks before they and Garda detectives stopped and questioned him about what he was doing. They then searched him, the Defence Forces vehicle he had been driving, and his accommodation block. The Irish Examiner has been told by sources a significant amount of both cash and drugs have been seized. A Defence Forces spokesperson said: We can confirm that following an investigation led by the Military Police, a search of sections of Collins Barracks, Cork, was carried out in collaboration with An Garda Siochana. During this operation, illegal substances and cash were discovered, leading to the arrest of a member of the Defence Forces. [They are], as a result, presently under investigation by An Garda Siochana. Additionally, a Defence Forces vehicle was handed over to An Garda Siochana for examination as part of this ongoing investigation. This is now a matter for An Garda Siochana and the MPs will assist with the investigation. A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai arrested a man in his 30s following the seizure of suspected drugs and cash near the Old Youghal Road in Cork on Wednesday evening. "The man is currently detained at Cork Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996." Things are coming to a head at the University of Limerick (UL). For an academic institution, reputation is everything. Its what makes a student aspire to attend there, to hold with pride the qualifications attained there, and to wax lyrical as time goes by about their times there. Of course, your average Irish university is more than capable of throwing up a scandal or two one has only to look at the Technical University of Dublin (TUD) in the past 24 hours to gauge that fact. However, in terms of bad news stories, UL is in a league of its own. The sort of headlines that UL has been generating for years now are anathema to what a university should be aspiring to. For its president since 2020, Professor Kerstin Mey, time may now well be up. Last year, Prof Mey appeared at the Public Accounts Committee ostensibly to argue that UL had turned a corner in terms of governance. However, it was regarded as an inept performance during which she was asked a question 23 times as to the media training she had received, before finally providing an answer. The fallout saw the universitys provost, Shane Kilcommins, briefly vacate his post a week later, only to re-emerge alongside Prof Mey as a fully united executive committee, while announcing the creation of a strategic governance committee to deal with outstanding issues at the institution. Unfortunately for all concerned, the intervening period since that PAC debacle has seen matters get even worse. There are two specific issues engulfing the institution: One of them legacy, the other (relatively) new. The first is the ill-fated purchase by UL of the old Dunnes Stores building in Limerick, in 2019, for 8.3m. The initial controversy over that acquisition stemmed from the fact no formal valuation was prepared of the site, which as recently as 2017 had been estimated to be worth just 3m. On January 31 of this year, Prof Mey wrote (at considerable length) to all UL staff and admitted that, while the overpayment for the building was not extreme as had previously been suggested, the university had still lost 3m on the transaction. The second issue, which had been brewing for months at the time Prof Mey sent that email, but which had not yet reached boiling point, concerned the purchase of 20 houses at the Drominbeg housing development at Rhebogue 2km from ULs main Castletroy campus for student accommodation in the summer of 2022. The university is currently subject to planning enforcement by the local authority over that acquisition, which has been housing students since last October, due to no planning application having been lodged to that effect. However, it is a second email sent by Prof Mey last Friday concerning Rhebogue that has brought matters to a head. In it, the president admitted that UL had paid significantly above market price for those 20 houses, to the tune of more than 5m probably closer to 6m when transactional fees and stamp duty are taken into account. In two emails, sent just 51 days apart, the professor had updated staff of losses to the institution of close to 9m. For a body dependent on State funds for its existence, the implications are calamitous. The reason the Rhebogue purchase is so damaging to Prof Mey is that it happened on her watch, in an institution that had already been devastated by allegations of financial impropriety over the previous decade. For right or wrong, the Dunnes purchase predated her time as president. However, letting history repeat itself should have been unthinkable. While the president has said that there will be action taken over the Rhebogue purchase, she may well not get the chance. It seems the UL staff population has finally run out of patience with her. Over the past five days, the following has happened: The union representing roughly 50% of ULs 2,000 employees has expressed no confidence in Prof Mey; 10 of the 13-man executive committee she heads has expressed no confidence in her; 73 of the universitys professors have expressed no confidence in her; and the universitys Kemmy Business School has expressed no confidence in her. In their letter to university chancellor Brigid Laffan on Monday, expressing a lack of confidence, members of the KBS management group said that the continued poor leadership decision-making has caused considerable harm to the reputation of the university, adding that damage may soon be irreparable should action not be taken. Strangely, the rebel executive committee members calling for Prof Meys head list Prof Kilcommins among its number. The executive is united no more it would seem. Can Prof Mey survive? The situation continues to evolve at a breakneck pace. On Tuesday, Ms Laffan unexpectedly announced that she would address the entire university body this afternoon. That meeting will immediately precede another one, that of the universitys governing authority, which will be considering its own review of the Rhebogue transaction. Amid talk of Government disquiet, the withholding of capital funding cannot be dismissed. Should that transpire, it will be the third time during Prof Meys tenure. It was then to be off to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on April 11, a hearing which could have proved a tough experience for UL given the ammunition the PAC members had for questioning but Prof Mey has informed the Dail committee that she cannot attend because she is "incapacitated". There are two types of political parties. The first type is the principled party. This party is old-fashioned: it is defined by a distinctive philosophy, which it promotes and defends notwithstanding of electoral success. People Before ProfitSolidarity and Aontu are two extreme examples: two parties that enter the political arena resigned to being in opposition, picking up small crumbs at each electoral turn, but content to fly the flag of their ideological stance. The other type of party is the weathervane party. More modern and unscrupulous, it concocts its policies depending on the way the political wind is blowing. The weathervane party has only one objective: to win elections. Its principal goal is to control the levers of power and rewards its supporters and lackeys. This type of party is not bothered by philosophical beliefs or ideological principles. Fine Gael is a perfect example of the weathervane party, although it is certainly not the only one on the scene: the three major parties in Ireland today all share the same DNA. Sooner or later, all weathervane parties enter a crisis. At some point, voters no longer know why they should vote for them since they dont know what these parties stand for. Thats understandable, considering weathervane parties dont know themselves what they believe in, apart from political power. Without a clear philosophy as a backbone, weathervane parties are spineless. Voters demand and deserve better. This is the predicament Simon Harris finds himself in. He has inherited a party that is everything and nothing, indistinct and profoundly bland. Without a clear philosophy to guide it through lean times, all weathervane parties eventually get found out. Fine Gael is not an exception, in spite of its historical pedigree. Coming out of the traps at flashing speed the instant Leo Varadkar announced his resignation, Simon Harris proclaimed his government would be one of "equality of opportunity". If this is Simon Harriss best effort to remind his dwindling voters of Fine Gaels grounding philosophy, then his party is in even bigger trouble than we thought. Equality of opportunity is a notoriously vague principle, open to many interpretations, a black box from which people can draw the most diverse policies. Perhaps thats why Simon Harris picked this concept: true to his partys weathervane lifeblood, Simon Harris couldnt resist a high-sounding term that could mean whatever the voters want it to mean. Judging from his comments in the last few weeks, one can safely assume Simon Harris embraces this understanding of equality of opportunity. A vote for Fine Gael would pave the way for more free-market, less government intervention, more market solutions to social problems, which is precisely what Ireland doesnt need right now. Picture: PA In political philosophy, we distinguish between two radically opposed conceptions of equality of opportunity. One interpretation suggests opportunities are equal when, in a race, everyone starts from the same starting line and may the best person win. Equality of opportunity is nothing more than an attempt to legitimise meritocracy under a veneer of equality. Superficially, there is nothing wrong with rewarding effort, except that in life there is no such thing as a level-playing field. Social, economic, and natural contingencies will inevitably benefit some and penalise others, and effort cannot compensate for circumstances beyond ones control. Equality of opportunity, far from being egalitarian, thrives on and exasperates structural inequalities. Meritocracy is a convenient excuse to make the rich richer and the poorer more marginalised. Judging from his comments in the last few weeks, one can safely assume Simon Harris embraces this understanding of equality of opportunity. A vote for Fine Gael would pave the way for more free-market, less government intervention, more market solutions to social problems, which is precisely what Ireland doesnt need right now. It is the blind trust in the magic powers of market forces that has created the worst housing crisis in living memory. The other interpretation of equality of opportunity takes equality seriously. An opportunity to do or obtain something exists for me if and only if there is some course of action lying within my power and not simply depending on my will. This is a crucial distinction. People have certain mental and physical capacities at any given time and no "effort of will" can overcome the limits imposed by these capacities. Some people cannot, merely by an effort of will, completely transform their personalities or circumstances. True equality of opportunity is about empowerment, its about giving everyone a chance to improve themselves and fulfil their potential, starting with those who are less advantaged. The problem with Simon Harris, and Fine Gael more generally, is that he seems to have no conception of the structural inequalities at the heart of Irish society, of the sense of hopelessness experienced by far too many people expected to compete for school places and houses and jobs with others who enjoy vast undeserved privileges and advantages. In the forthcoming local and European elections, and in the imminent Dail elections, the wind of change may prove to be too strong for weathervane parties to appease. Tailr The momentum is really starting to build ... As a garment technologist who worked in the personal protective equipment (PPE) industry, Shana Chu designed and developed firesuits. I experienced firsthand the disconnect between the brand and the factory and met people from other brands who had the same issue, she explains. Hence the idea for her company, Tailr, which is using artificial intelligence to accurately predict how fabric handles during production. This means that we can ensure that brands get consistent sizing coming out of production and we also ensure consistency on garments between thread, trims and fabric. This means that when it reaches the production stages, brands can be assured that everything will go smoothly in the production process and this also helps reduce the amount of production waste. As the founder and CEO of Tailr, Chu availed of many of Enterprise Irelands supports when starting out. One of these was what was formerly known as the Competitive Start Fund (CSF). This offer has now been updated to the Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF), an initiative specifically designed to help early-stage companies become investment-ready to attract future seed funding and includes investment of up to 100,000 and 10 mentoring sessions. This investment helped me to build an MVP a minimum viable product and meant I could test it with different brands, explains Chu. As a sole female founder, I had no team with me, so to get the CSF was amazing because otherwise I wouldnt have been able to build the platform. The mentorships were also so helpful when it came to preparing myself for the pre-seed funding stage and what investors were looking for. A feasibility grant from Enterprise Ireland then allowed Chu to introduce extra features to the product and additional commercial goals. With the data from that round of testing, they were then able to raise pre-seed funding last year of 700,000 one of the investors was Enterprise Ireland . That allowed me to scale up my team so I was able to bring on a chief technology officer and make some key hires. Chu says her ongoing relationship with Enterprise Ireland has proved invaluable as momentum behind Tailr continues to grow. I have availed of supports from different Enterprise Ireland offices around the world, primarily the London and New York offices. They have been an amazing support for me in terms of making introductions and allowing me to use office space when I am in London. Tailr has now partnered with some of the biggest fabric mills in the world and Chu is already working with huge international brands. The momentum is really starting to build as we get our name out there about what we are doing. Scurri Being involved with Enterprise Ireland just gives you bigger ambitions. Founder and CEO of Scurri, Rory OConnor. Scurri is a delivery management software for e-commerce, helping merchants such as Gymshark or ONeills make deliveries as efficient as possible. What that means is that we look after all the technology, from creating barcode labels to logistics and tracking information, explains founder and CEO Rory OConnor. Consumers dont know what we do but we are in the background powering their delivery. Having started Scurri in 2010, OConnor admits he knew from very early on that it had the potential to be an international company. We knew there was a huge opportunity in the UK so we were focusing on that and I knew that we could scale up to a reasonable size, and thats where Enterprise Ireland came in. OConnor first took part in the New Frontiers programme, which offers expert advice, mentoring and financial support to people with innovative business ideas. He then worked with the county Enterprise Board before becoming a recipient of the CSF (now the PSSF). This made a huge difference. Being involved with Enterprise Ireland just gives you bigger ambitions, he affirms, adding that being linked in with similar companies by Enterprise Ireland was of great benefit. They connected us to start-ups of a similar age and also you learn from people who are a bit further along than you. Once Scurri reached the UK market, the Enterprise Ireland office there was a huge help. They were introducing us to suppliers, new customers and industry experts, it was fantastic. Scurri then received a high potential start up (HPSU) feasibility grant, which also offered significant access to the global Enterprise Ireland network. Once they reached the seed funding stage, Enterprise Ireland came on board along with other venture capitalists. This really helps with foreign investors, who see that the Irish agency is not just supporting us on a voluntary basis, they are willing to invest in us. Positive Carbon Enterprise Ireland has been with us for every moment on our journey Aisling Kirwan, co-founder of Positive Carbon. Having worked in the very glamorous world of food waste for over a decade with her partner Mark, Aisling Kirwan, the co-founder of Positive Carbon, spied a gap. With food waste in retailers, it is very easy to track it because of barcodes, she explains. But we realised in a commercial kitchen it is much more difficult as you have food coming in, its transformed into meals and you have plate waste going back food waste occurs at different stages across multiple teams, which makes it a much more complex problem. And although that industry wastes significantly more food than food retailers, they didnt really seem to have a solution for it. This is where Positive Carbon came in. Businesses knew they were wasting a certain amount every month but they didnt have the granular detail of how and where that waste was occurring, Kirwan says. Chefs needed the data but it needed to be a fully automated system as they dont have the time. You cant manage what you cant measure and we now help them do that so they can make changes to purchasing, preparation or production and thus reduce the food waste at the source. Kirwan says they went to Enterprise Ireland at the very beginning, taking part in the New Frontiers programme as she quickly learned the skills needed to get their business off the ground. Having a dedicated programme that touched on all the key parts of starting and running a business was really helpful. It was such a learning curve so I took advantage of all the mentoring supports. They match you up with a specific mentor, so I was able to learn from someone working in the food industry and learn about making relationships, which was going to be my role in the business. Positive Carbon then availed of the CSF (now the PSSF), receiving 50,000 in funding. Enterprise Ireland then came in with us on our subsequent seed rounds, so theyve been with us for every moment on our journey. They are a full equity partner. Having received seed funding in November of last year, they are beginning to scale and will expand into the UK later this year. Any Irish business that is setting up should reach out to Enterprise Ireland. Its not just the financial side of it, it is all the other supports that are there. It is unique in terms of all the supports they provide. Israeli airstrikes killed nine people in southern Lebanon late on Wednesday, including paramedics who were preparing to respond to the first strike, the state-run National News Agency said. That raises the number of people killed by Israeli strikes on Wednesday to 16, after an earlier attack hit a different paramedic centre linked to a Lebanese Sunni Muslim group, killing seven of the groups members. And earlier on Wednesday, the Shia militant group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing a barrage of rockets into the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and a military base, which killed one person. It said the rockets were in response to the deadly strike on the paramedics centre. Women mourn during the funeral procession of paramedics who were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Hebbariye village (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) The Lebanese news agency said Israel bombed the village of Teir Harfa after sunset, killing five, and a second strike killed four people as paramedics gathered near a cafe in the coastal town of Naqoura. Hezbollahs Islamic health society said two of its paramedics were killed in Teir Harfa while the Islamic Risala scout association, also a paramedic group, said one of its members was killed in the strike on Naqoura. Hezbollah said two of its fighters were killed, without saying where. The Amal movement, a Shia political and paramilitary organisation, said the strike on Naquora killed one of its local commanders, identified as Ali Mahdi. Israels military said it had struck a Hezbollah military compound in Teir Harfa and a terrorist cell in Naqoura. Israel said the earlier strike in Hebbariye killed a member of the Sunni al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, or the Islamic Group, and several other militants. It said the man was involved in attacks against Israel. Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel since the day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7. The near-daily violence has mostly been confined to the area along the Lebanon-Israel border. Nearly 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 40 civilians have died in Lebanon. The fighting has killed nine civilians and 11 soldiers in Israel. Elsewhere, Israeli authorities said an attacker wounded three people after opening fire at several vehicles on a main route in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military said the attacker fled the scene following Thursdays shooting and that forces were conducting searches. Magen David Adom of the Israeli rescue service said the injuries were moderate or light and that a 13-year-old was among the wounded. Two-thirds of Gazas 36 hospitals are not functioning after Al Amal hospital in the south of the territory ceased operations amid intense military activity, UN humanitarian officials said. According to the UN World Health Organisation, Gaza now has just 12 operating hospitals: two that are minimally functional and 10 that are partially functional, four in the north and six in the south. Russia fired salvoes of drones and missiles overnight at southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, authorities said on Thursday, injuring more than a dozen people as the Kremlins forces persevered with attacks designed to wear down Ukrainian defences. Air defence systems intercepted 26 out of 28 Shahed drones, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces also launched five missiles overnight, it said. The regular bombardment of Ukraine by the Kremlins forces during the war has recently gained momentum, with missile barrages of the capital Kyiv and strikes on energy facilities across the country. Rescue workers clear the rubble of destroyed houses after a Russian drone attack in Zaporizhzhia (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko) The attacks also aim to weaken Ukrainian morale and act as retribution for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian soil. One of Russias goals is to deplete Ukraines inventory of ground-based air defence, according to a recent military assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). That would erode some of Ukraines combat ability as it waits on pledged but delayed military support from the West, including ammunition for its artillery and air defences. Kyiv is confronted by the threat that an attritional war in the air domain will increasingly favour Russia without adequate support from the US and its allies, the IISS said. We will destroy their warplanes just as we destroy their tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers Ukraines ability to continue to counter Russian air threats and impose costs on the Russian aerospace forces remains important to the outcome of the war. Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, which will help place pressure on Russia, from its Western partners. Ukrainian pilots have been training in the West for months on how to fly the warplanes. Russian president Vladimir Putin warned Ukraines Western allies against providing air bases in their countries from where the F-16s could launch sorties against the Kremlins forces, saying those bases would be a legitimate target. Vladimir Putin speaks to military pilots while visiting an air base in Torzhok, Tver region (Sergei Karpukhin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them when they are on the ground. Military analysts have said the arrival of potentially dozens of F-16s will not be a game-changer, though Ukrainian officials have welcomed them as an opportunity to hit back at Russias air dominance. Mr Putin insisted the F-16s wont change the situation on the battlefield. We will destroy their warplanes just as we destroy their tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers, Mr Putin said in comments to military pilots during a visit to an air base late on Wednesday. Even so, Mr Putin said, Russia has no intention of starting a war with Nato. He said it was sheer nonsense to think that Russia could attack a Nato member country after the Ukraine war. Authorities in the Mykolaiv region, near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, said 12 people were injured and six residential buildings were damaged in a Russian strike on the city on Wednesday afternoon with a ballistic missile. In an overnight attack on the southern Ukraine region of Zaporizhzhia, Shahed drones struck a residential area, injuring two women aged 72 and 74, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. Rescue services said seven buildings were damaged. The Black Sea city of Odesa repelled three missile and drone attacks, officials said. Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday for billion-dollar fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the worlds most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency. Bankman-Fried, 32, was convicted in November of fraud and conspiracy a dramatic fall from a year earlier when he and his companies seemed to be riding a crest of success that resulted in a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like gridiron star Tom Brady and comedian Larry David. US District Judge Lewis A Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionise the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. Mr Kaplan said the sentence reflected that there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And its not a trivial risk at all. He added that it was for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time. Mr Kaplan agreed with prosecutors that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their lost money back. Barbara Fried and Joseph Bankman, parents of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, arrive at Manhattan Federal Court, Thursday, March. 28, 2024, in New York. Picture: AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez He called the argument logically flawed and speculative. He said customers lost about $8bn (7.3bn), investors lost $1.7bn (1.5bn) and lenders were shorted by $1.3bn (1.1bn). Mr Kaplan also cited three instances where he concluded that Bankman-Fried committed perjury during his trial testimony, including when Bankman-Fried testified that he didnt know, until weeks before FTX collapsed, that customer funds were being diverted to a hedge fund offshoot of FTX. Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologised in a rambling statement. He said: A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And Im sorry about that. Im sorry about what happened at every stage. Defence lawyer Marc Mukasey said his client was misunderstood. Mr Mukasey said: Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people. Sam Bankman-Fried doesnt make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head. A jury found that Bankman-Fried illegally used money from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, alleged bribes to Chinese officials and private planes. Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years. In a court filing, prosecutors told Judge Lewis A Kaplan: The defendant victimised tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence. Bankman-Frieds attorneys, friends and family have urged leniency, saying he is unlikely to reoffend again. They also say FTXs investors have largely recovered their funds a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors. Mr Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion, wrote John Ray, the chief executive of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. The business he left on November 11 2022 was neither solvent nor safe. Two weeks ago, Bankman-Frieds lawyer Marc Mukasey attacked a probation office recommendation of 100 years in prison, saying a sentence of that length would be grotesque and barbaric. Barbara Fried, mother of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, arrives at Manhattan Federal Court, Thursday, March. 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) He urged the judge to sentence Bankman-Fried to a term of five to six-and-a-half years in prison. Sam is not the evil genius depicted in the media or the greedy villain described at trial, Mr Mukasey said, calling his client a first-time, non-violent offender. Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and chief executive of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time. FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami. But the collapse of cryptocurrency prices in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTXs hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alamedas balance sheet with FTX customer funds. Three other people from Bankman-Frieds inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial. The biggest name among the three was Caroline Ellison, once the girlfriend of Bankman-Fried. Ellison described Bankman-Fried as a calculating individual who knew that he was likely committing crimes when he directed the use of customer funds. Two other one-time friends of Bankman-Fried: Gary Wang and Nishad Singh; also testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud. Thursday, Mar 28th, 2024 (11:02 am) - Score 1,000 CityFibre has today provided a progress update on their 21m project to roll-out a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network across the Lincolnshire (England) city of Lincoln, which began in March 2022 (here) and has now largely completed its build across the wards of Abbey, Glebe, Minster, Castle, Carholme and Birchwood. The deployment, which was originally supported by civil engineering firm Trust Construction, is now said to be in the process of expanding their construction work into the Hartsholme area of the city. But a quick look at local street works suggests that theyre currently still busiest around the Glebe Park and West Lindsey areas. The work supports the operators wider ambition of covering up to 8 million UK premises (funded by c.2.4bn in equity, c.4.9bn debt and c.800m of BDUK subsidy) or around 30% of the UK by the end of 2025 (here). CityFibres network currently covers 3.5 million UK premises (3.2m Ready for Service) and theyre aiming to grow their network coverage by another 1 million premises in 2024, albeit via a mix of new build fibre and acquisitions (M&A activity alone could theoretically add up to 1.5-3 million extra premises to their coverage). CityFibre is based in London and is owned by funds managed by Antin Infrastructure Partners and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company and Interogo Holding. Bashir Ahmed, CityFibres Partnership Manager for Lincoln, said: Our Lincoln build is at an exciting stage, as more residents are able to benefit from unparalleled digital connectivity. Wed like to thank the people of Lincoln for their support as we rollout this critical infrastructure, which will bring with it a boost in productivity, innovation and investment gains not to mention a new era of lag-free gaming, streaming and work. The original announcement in 2021 noted that CityFibre would aim to complete their deployment to almost every home and business in the city during 2024, although at the current pace we wouldnt be surprised if this slipped a bit into 2025. The town is also home to gigabit-capable broadband rivals such as Virgin Media (VMO2 + nexfibre / Upp) and Openreach, as well as smaller builds from ITS Technology, Spring Fibre, FibreNest and OFNL. 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. Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 56F. WSW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 56F. WSW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Tomorrow Considerable cloudiness. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) US arms transfers are conditioned by federal law, as the Congressional Research office explains, which prohibits security assistance to any country the government of which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. (Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended in 1976 with Section 502B(a)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2304(a)(2)). The Biden administrations arms transfers to Israel are therefore blatantly illegal. But there is a difference between theoretical law and practical legality. The latter has to be adjudicated by some official body a court, Congress, the State Department. As Americas chief diplomatic organ,the State Department would make a pretty good arbiter here. Unfortunately, the State Department is in the hands of a genocide-denier and -enabler, Antony Blinken, whose boss, Joe Biden, is an even bigger genocide-denier and -enabler. So State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on March 25 of Israels total war on Gaza, We have not found them to be in violation of international humanitarian law, either when it comes to the conduct of the war or when it comes to the provision of humanitarian assistance. So we view their assurances through that ongoing work that we have done. Mr. Blinken apparently does not have a smartphone, or he could have seen the unfolding war crimes and atrocities committed by the Israeli military in real time. Most smart TVs have YouTube, so he could just watch Al Jazeera English live streaming. Hed see quite a lot of evidence that Israel is in violation of the laws of war and of the requirements it allow in to Gaza humanitarian aid. Millers statement ranks up there with the Kremlins denial that its troops committed war crimes in the Ukrainian city of Bucha or Bashar al-Assads denial that he had any role in the massive deaths racked up during the Syrian Civil War. Just after Miller made his statement, a State Department official, Dr. Annelle Sheline, loudly denounced him, saying, To say this when Israel is preventing the adequate entrance of humanitarian aid and the US is being forced to air drop food to starving Gazans, this finding makes a mockery of the administrations claims to care about the law or about the fate of innocent Palestinians. Sheline noisily resigned from State. She had served for a year as a foreign affairs officer at the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the Department of States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The Young Turks Video: BRAVE State Dept. Official Resigns Over Bidens Handling Of Gaza War She wrote, Israel has used American bombs in its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 32,000 people 13,000 of them children with countless others buried under the rubble, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Israel is credibly accused of starving the 2 million people who remain, according to the UN special rapporteur on the right to food; a group of charity leaders warns that without adequate aid, hundreds of thousands more will soon likely join the dead. Sheline was supposed to have been liaising with Middle Eastern NGOs working on human rights. None of them wanted to touch the US with a ten-foot pole. You cant enable genocide and expect to be welcome in circles that value basic human rights. So she may as well resign. Biden and Blinken made her job impossible to do. The Department of States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has been made a laughingstock and a pariah. Ronna McDaniel was fired from NBC News almost immediately after she was hired, since the anchors at NBC and MSNBC denounced her for having fomented the Big Lie that the 2020 election was fraudulent. McDaniels behavior was egregious and she shouldnt have been hired. The firing was entirely justified. But Ronna McDaniel didnt deny that it is genocide to bomb over 30,000 civilian noncombatants to death in their apartment buildings, hospitals, schools and places of worship, even in their tents once they were made refugees. Ronna McDaniel hasnt arranged for over 100 arms sales to Israel during the past 5 months, as Joe Biden and Antony Blinken have. Maybe she would, but she didnt. But NBC would even now blithely bring on screen genocide denialists. Both McDaniel on the one side and Blinken and Biden on the other are dire threats to the stability and integrity of America. McDaniel tried to undermine the state domestically, Blinken and Biden are undermining it internationally. Both are purveying the Big Lie at a time when the public can fact check it in real time. By Priya Gupta, McGill University | (The Conversation) The intentional destruction of homes by a government or private entity, during war or peacetime, on an individual or communal basis is referred to as domicide by scholars and by Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing. Domicide can constitute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It has been used in armed conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Myanmar and now in Gaza, where Israel has destroyed more than 60 per cent of homes. The bombings of Gazan homes have also killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. In the wake of Russias demolition of homes in Ukraine in 2022, Rajagopal argued that domicide goes beyond collateral damage and deserves stand-alone prohibition and punishment in international law. Cutting homeland ties Homes are more than physical dwellings or property. Widespread domicide extinguishes individual and collective identity, memory and ties to homeland. The deep connection of homes in Gaza to Palestinian land, territory and nationhood renders Israels destruction of them a genocidal tactic. Israels long history of intentional and arbitrary destruction of Palestinian homes, and the subsequent displacement of Palestinians, have been accompanied by the legalized annexation of Palestinian land. This history reveals a strategy of deliberately targeting homes to harm Palestinians as a national, racial and ethnic group. The home is a crucial site of Palestinian group identity and national belonging. In the words of social work scholar Nuha Dwaikat-Shaer: Palestinians see the home as a symbol of existence and as a means that connects them to the land. The UN Commission on Human Rights further makes note of the deep attachment of Palestinians to their homes and agricultural land, including olive and citrus trees. Home is critical to Palestinians as a group While the home is central to many communities, it holds a particular significance to the continued existence of Palestinians as a national group. The home is where identities, localities, social relations, cultures and nationhood are produced, as feminist historian Rosemary Sayigh has argued. Video: CNNs Clarissa Ward shares exclusive look at destruction in Gaza In a volume of studies into the 1948 Nakba the mass dispossession and displacement of more than 750,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel by political scientist Ahmad Sadi and anthropologist Lila Abu-Lughod, ethnographic accounts document how the Palestinian home is a site of individual and collective memory passed on generationally. In the face of the ongoing erasure of Palestinian experiences, culture and places, that memory is also political. Memories of the Nakba continue to infuse present-day Palestinian life. Subsequent displacements are being collectively experienced as a continuation of Nakba. Under constant threat and attack by Israel, the security and meaning of the home have become central to Palestinian national existence and identity. As Palestinian legal scholar Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian explains, the Palestinian home is responsible for the preservation of psychological and social life and the prevention of social death. As a site of collective memory-making, the home is also essential to the preservation of Palestine as a national homeland with territorial sovereignty and the continuation of Palestinians as a distinct national group protected by the United Nations Genocide Convention. Domicide as genocide Under the 1948 Genocide Convention, when committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, acts causing serious bodily or mental harm or deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about a protected groups physical destruction constitute genocide. Both of these prohibited acts are implicated by the destruction of Palestinian homes in Gaza. As South Africa argued at the International Court of Justice in November 2023 in reference to crimes committed by Hamas and militants from other armed groups on Oct. 7, 2023 and the continued holding of Israeli hostages no matter how outrageous or appalling an attack or provocation, genocide is never a permissible response. Domicide inflicts deep emotional trauma that is passed on to future generations. In Gaza, the tragic last public words of journalists, poets, academics, doctors and medical personnel, residents and international aid workers bear witness to Israels widespread destruction of homes, forcible displacement and the mental and physical suffering in the ensuing long journeys to the southern Gaza Strip. Israel has displaced 75 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million people at a staggering pace. Approximately 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are concentrated under abominable conditions in Rafah, forced to sleep in the street and burn garbage to cook while being subjected to frequent bombings. Domicide and mass displacement have also created conditions for greater suffering and loss of life due to inadequate shelter, disease, starvation and lack of medical care. It has exacerbated the vulnerability of children, disabled people, the elderly, LGBTQ2A+ people and women, exposing them to severe physical and mental harm. Doctors have described the horrors of Gazan children losing limbs and being operated on without supplies or anesthesia and losing their entire families now referred to by the acronym WCNSF (wounded child, no surviving family). The dehumanizing statements by senior Israeli officials about Palestinians along with the staggering violence in Gaza sometimes graphically celebrated by Israeli soldiers suggests an intention to bring about the total or partial destruction of Palestinian life. Recognizing domicide in Gaza The illegality of disproportionate destruction of civilian property and dwellings is currently recognized under international law. However, the significance of the destruction of the home warrants further attention. Whether through its existing role in international crimes or additionally as a separate crime, the atrocities in Gaza highlight the need to recognize domicide as deliberately furthering the destruction of a group. When Israel attacks Palestinian homes in Gaza, it is doing more than destroying property it is demonstrating a genocidal intention to destroy Palestinians as a group. Given the widespread current destruction, the indications of an intent to destroy Palestinians as a group and the International Court of Justices ruling on the plausibility of genocide in Gaza, there are compelling reasons to assess Israels destruction of Palestinian homes as genocide. Priya Gupta, Associate Professor of Law, McGill University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Note: All estimates are in-situ except for the proven reserves at Greens Creek which are in surface stockpiles. Mineral resources are exclusive of reserves. (8) The term "mineral resources" means a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. It is not merely an inventory of all mineralization drilled or sampled. (9) The term "measured resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a measured mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because a measured mineral resource has a higher level of confidence than the level of confidence of either an indicated mineral resource or an inferred mineral resource, a measured mineral resource may be converted to a proven mineral reserve or to a probable mineral reserve. (10) The term "indicated resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an indicated mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because an indicated mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than the level of confidence of a measured mineral resource, an indicated mineral resource may only be converted to a probable mineral reserve. (11) The term "inferred resources" means that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an inferred mineral resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Because an inferred mineral resource has the lowest level of geological confidence of all mineral resources, which prevents the application of the modifying factors in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability, an inferred mineral resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project and may not be converted to a mineral reserve. (12) Mineral resources for operating properties are based on $1,750/oz gold, $21/oz silver, $1.15/lb lead, $1.35/lb zinc, unless otherwise stated. Mineral resources for non-operating resource projects are based on $1,700/oz for gold, $21.00/oz for silver, $1.15/lb for lead, $1.35/lb for zinc and $3.00/lb for copper, unless otherwise stated. (13) The resource NSR cut-off values for Greens Creek are $230/ton for all zones except the Gallagher Zone at $235/ton; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2023): 80% for silver, 74% for gold, 82% for lead, and 89% for zinc. (14) The resource NSR cut-off values for Lucky Friday are $200.57/ton for the 30 Vein, $227.90/ton for the Intermediate Veins and $198.48/ton for the Lucky Friday Veins; metallurgical recoveries (actual 2023): 96% for silver, 95% for lead, and 85% for zinc. (15) The average resource cut-off grades at Casa Berardi are 0.12 oz/ton gold for underground and 0.03 oz/ton gold for open pit; metallurgical recovery (actual 2023): 85% for gold; US$/CAN$ exchange rate: 1:1.3. (16) The resource NSR cut-off value at Keno Hill is $129.10/ton (CAN$185/tonne); using minimum width of 4.9 feet (1.5m); metallurgical recovery: 96% for silver, 93% for lead, 72% for zinc; US$/CAN$ exchange rate: 1:1.3. (17) Indicated resources for most zones at San Sebastian based on $1,500/oz gold, $21/oz silver, $1.15/lb lead, $1.35/lb zinc and $3.00/lb copper using a cut-off grade of $90.72/ton ($100/tonne); $1700/oz gold used for Toro, Bronco, and Tigre zones. Metallurgical recoveries based on grade dependent recovery curves: recoveries at the mean resource grade average 89% for silver and 84% for gold for oxide material and 85% for silver, 83% for gold, 81% for lead, 86% for zinc, and 83% for copper for sulfide material. Resources reported at a minimum mining width of 8.2 feet (2.5m) for Middle Vein, North Vein, and East Francine, 6.5ft (1.98m) for El Toro, El Bronco, and El Tigre, and 4.9 feet (1.5 m) for Hugh Zone and Andrea. (18) Mineral resources for Fire Creek, Hollister and Midas are reported using $1,500/oz gold and $21/oz silver prices, unless otherwise noted. A minimum mining width is defined as four feet or the vein true thickness plus two feet, whichever is greater. (19) Fire Creek mineral resources are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.283 oz/ton. Metallurgical recoveries: 90% for gold and 70% for silver. (20) Hollister mineral resources, including the Hatter Graben are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.238 oz/ton. Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for gold and 66% for silver. (21) Midas mineral resources are reported at a gold equivalent cut-off grade of 0.237 oz/ton. Metallurgical recoveries: 90% for gold and 70% for silver. A gold-equivalent cut-off grade of 0.1 oz/ton and a gold price of $1,700/oz used for Sinter Zone with resources undiluted. (22) Measured, indicated and inferred resources at Heva and Hosco are based on $1,500/oz gold. Resources are without dilution or material loss at a gold cut-off grade of 0.01 oz/ton for open pit and 0.088 oz/ton for underground. Metallurgical recovery: Heva: 95% for gold, Hosco: 88% for gold. (23) Indicated and Inferred resources at the Star property are reported using a minimum mining width of 4.3 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $150/ton; Metallurgical recovery: 93% for silver, 93% for lead, and 87% for zinc. (24) Inferred open-pit resources for Fire Creek calculated November 30, 2017 using gold and silver recoveries of 65% and 30% for oxide material and 60% and 25% for mixed oxide-sulfide material. Indicated Resources reclassified as Inferred in 2019. Open pit resources are calculated at $1,400 gold and $19.83 silver and cut-off grade of 0.01 Au Equivalent oz/ton and is inclusive of 10% mining dilution and 5% ore loss. Open pit mineral resources exclusive of underground mineral resources. NI43-101 Technical Report for the Fire Creek Project, Lander County, Nevada; Effective Date March 31, 2018; prepared by Practical Mining LLC, Mark Odell, P.E. for Hecla Mining Company, June 28, 2018. (25) Inferred resources reported at a minimum mining width of 6.0 feet for Bulldog and an NSR cut-off value of $175/ton and 5.0 feet for Equity and North Amethyst veins at an NSR cut-off value of $100/ton; Metallurgical recoveries based on grade dependent recovery curves; metal recoveries at the mean resource grade average 89% silver, 74% lead, and 81% zinc for the Bulldog and a constant 85% gold and 85% silver for North Amethyst and Equity. (26) Inferred resource at Monte Cristo reported at a minimum mining width of 5.0 feet; resources based on $1,400 Au, $26.50 Ag using a 0.06 oz/ton gold cut-off grade. Metallurgical recovery: 90% for gold and 90% silver. (27) Inferred resource at Rock Creek reported at a minimum thickness of 15 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $24.50/ton; Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for silver and 92% for copper. Resources adjusted based on mining restrictions as defined by U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest in the June 2003 'Record of Decision, Rock Creek Project'. (28) Inferred resource at the Libby Exploration Project reported at a minimum thickness of 15 feet and an NSR cut-off value of $24.50/ton NSR; Metallurgical recoveries: 88% for silver and 92% copper. Resources adjusted based on mining restrictions as defined by U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest, Montana DEQ in December 2015 'Joint Final EIS, Montanore Project' and the February 2016 U.S Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest 'Record of Decision, Montanore Project'. (29) Mineral resources at the Rackla-Tiger Project are based on a gold price of $1650/oz, metallurgical recovery of 95% for gold, and cut-off grades of 0.02 oz/ton gold for the open pit portion of the resources and 0.04 oz/ton gold for the underground portions of the resources; US$/CAN$ exchange rate: 1:1.3. (30) Mineral resources at the Rackla-Osiris Project are based on a gold price of $1,850/oz, metallurgical recovery of 83% for gold, and cut-off grades of 0.03 oz/ton gold for the open pit portion of the resources and 0.06 oz/ton gold for the underground portions of the resources; US$/CAN$ exchange rate: 1:1.3. VANCOUVER, BC, March 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing La Garra-Metates district (the "La Garra-Metates District" or "La Garra") situated in the heart of the silver-gold-rich Panuco San Dimas corridor. Reconnaissance work conducted by Vizsla Silver's geologists shows the presence of at least two vein systems with respective strike lengths of 2.6 km and 1.8 km carrying significant silver and gold grades. Highlights Large property package at 16,962 Ha (more than 2x the area of the Company's Panuco project (the " Panuco Project ")). project (the " ")). While this district has seen past production dating back centuries, the La Garra-Metates District has seen minimal exploration and no drilling. Vizsla Silver's sampling demonstrated multi-kilo silver equivalent grades over several kilometers of strike. Epithermal vein systems trending N-NNW in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and First Majestics Silver Corp.'s San Dimas project (" San Dimas "). project (" "). Potential for high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on two known vein systems with estimated strike length of 2.6 km and 1.8 km, respectively. Significant potential to discover new veins given the underexplored nature of the district. The La Garra-Metates District has been acquired for less than 3% of Vizsla Silver's market capitalization. "Vizsla Silver has agreed to acquire another highly prospective precious metals rich district in the Sinaloa Silver Belt, marking the first time that the La Garra-Metates District has ever been in a public company." Stated Michael Konnert, President, and CEO. "The consolidation and acquisition of a vastly under-explored, past-producing district in the state of Sinaloa is an excellent addition to our portfolio and demonstrates our strength in the region. Similar to our flagship Panuco Project, which represents one of the largest, undeveloped, high-grade silver primary assets globally, La Garra hosts sub-vertical structures reminiscent of Vizsla Silver's Napoleon vein, as well as flat-lying structures like Copala. Additionally, the La Garra-Metates District is located ~32 kilometers to the south of First Majestic Silver's San Dimas Mine, a prolific precious metals producer and is one of nine billion-ounce silver equivalent districts in Mexico. Vizsla Silver has a long-term view of its role in the silver industry and within this region of Mexico. We believe we have the potential to build a multi-generational asset base and become a globally significant producer of silver in Sinaloa. While Vizsla Silver's focus continues to be to develop the Panuco-Copala district while exploring for new centers of high-grade mineralization, this acquisition allows for new major discoveries in the future and a growing pipeline of potential production as we continue to generate a dominant footprint in this emerging, but globally significant silver-belt." About the La Garra-Metates District The La Garra-Metates District is located 108 kilometres northeast of the City of Mazatlan, in the Municipality of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico and approximately 32 km north-northwest of the Panuco Project and 32 km south-southwest of San Dimas in the Mazatlan municipality. The La Garra-Metates District comprises of 16 claims (15 titled mining concessions and one application) covering 16,962 Ha in the heart of the emerging silver-gold-rich Panuco San Dimas corridor. The area has been held on private hands for the last ~60 years and has remained unknown to most public exploration and mining companies, hence, the area has seen very little mining and prospecting activities over the decades, and more importantly, it has never been drilled. The La Garra-Metates District area contains N-NNW-trending silver-gold-rich veins in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Epithermal veins dipping at steep and shallow angles to the east are hosted by andesites and felsic volcanic lavas and tuffs of the Lower Volcanic Series (LVS) like at the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Two main vein systems are known to date: the N-S trending La Garra with ~2.6 km of known strike length and the NW trending Cerro Verde Las Playas vein system with ~1.8 km of strike length. In December 2023, Vizsla Silver conducted a five-day site visit and collected 37 samples on vein outcrops and underground pillars on La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas vein systems: fourteen rock-chip samples collected across veins ranging from 0.30 to 2.50 metres reported silver equivalent grades (AgEq) greater than 200 g/t (2.22 to 12.30 g/t Au and 22 to 1,156 g/t Ag). Base metals were detected in low concentrations <1.0% and deleterious elements such as Sb and As were detected also in low concentrations <110 ppm. All the primary samples and quality controls (standards, blanks, and duplicates) were analyzed at SGS Lab facility in Durango Mexico. Because of its favourable location in the emerging Panuco San Dimas silver-gold-rich corridor, its geologic setting, vein orientation and observed high-grades, Vizsla Silver's geologists are confident that the La Garra-Metates District has good potential for discovery of high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on the La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas vein systems. Historic mining occurred in the upper 200 metres from surface at most, whereas shoots in the region can have vertical extensions of up to ~550 metres. Additionally, because the area has seen so little exploration and prospecting (La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas occur in an area representing ~15% of the property), it is very likely that many other veins and prospects remain to be re-discovered through mapping. Vizsla Silver plans to take advantage of its experienced team in Mexico to fast track permitting and exploration of the La Garra-Metates District. Sample # Vein Area Sample Length Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq (m) (g/t) (g/t) % % (g/t) G566682 El Orito La Garra Dump 22 7.00 0.05 0.02 495 G566683 El Orito La Garra Grab 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 G566684 Rosita La Garra 0.50 70 2.22 0.44 0.42 243 G566686 Rosita La Garra 0.30 76 1.70 0.16 0.08 193 G566687 Rosita La Garra 1.00 5 0.06 0.02 0.25 18 G566688 FW La Garra La Garra 0.30 25 0.64 0.07 0.05 70 G566689 FW La Garra La Garra 0.90 4 0.05 0.01 0.05 9 G566691 FW La Garra La Garra 0.50 3 0.03 0.01 0.05 7 G566692 La Garra La Garra 0.60 68 0.83 0.08 0.14 127 G566693 La Garra La Garra 0.75 11 0.13 0.01 0.05 21 G566694 La Garra La Garra Dump 110 1.71 0.10 0.09 224 G566696 El Puerto La Garra Grab 6 0.02 0.00 0.00 7 G566697 El Puerto La Garra 1.00 5 0.02 0.00 0.00 6 G566698 La Gigante La Garra 1.10 87 0.49 0.00 0.01 115 G566699 La Gigante La Garra 2.30 343 2.04 0.01 0.01 457 G566700 Manzanillo La Garra 2.00 847 2.29 0.09 0.08 948 G566751 Manzanillo La Garra 0.90 1,156 12.30 0.02 0.04 1,908 G566752 FW La Garra La Garra 0.70 52 0.60 0.45 0.27 112 G566753 La Brillosa La Garra 0.60 4 0.07 0.07 0.00 10 G566754 Nivel 4 Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 641 3.08 0.12 0.17 814 G566756 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas Grab 402 2.50 0.02 0.01 543 G566757 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas Dump 627 10.10 0.39 0.51 1,295 G566758 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 36 0.39 0.01 0.01 60 G566759 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.50 99 0.52 0.01 0.03 128 G566760 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 885 6.03 0.02 0.02 1,231 G566761 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.10 56 0.55 0.00 0.00 89 G566762 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.90 17 0.19 0.00 0.00 29 G566763 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.60 203 2.40 0.01 0.01 351 G566764 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.20 498 4.33 0.01 0.00 756 G566766 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 385 2.75 0.01 0.01 544 G566767 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.00 9 G566768 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.01 9 G566769 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 4 0.21 0.00 0.01 18 G566771 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.80 4 0.02 0.00 0.01 5 G566772 Pozo 1 manto Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.30 71 0.50 0.01 0.00 100 G566773 Manto Gaby Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 226 2.08 0.00 0.00 351 G566774 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 Table 1: Assays from rock samples collected on veins at La Garra. Note: AgEq = Ag g/t x Ag rec. + ((Au g/t x Au Rec x Au price/gram)+(Pb% x Pb rec. X Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn rec. X Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram. Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,424.4/t lead and $2,975.4/t zinc. Metallurgical recoveries assumed are 93% for silver, 90% for gold, 94% for lead and 94% for zinc. The same metallurgical recoveries applied for Napoleon vein in Panuco were assumed (see press release dated February 17, 2022). Terms of the acquisition The Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated March 27, 2024, with Exploradora Minera La Hacienda S.A. de C.V. and Manuel de Jesus Hernandez Tovar (collectively, the "Sellers") pursuant to which the agreed to acquire (the "Acquisition") all of the outstanding shares of Goanna Resources, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a private Mexican corporation, from the Sellers. The Target Company is the owner of the La Garra-Metates District. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has agreed to make cash payments in an aggregate of US$3,075,000 in cash (collectively, the "Cash Payments") and issue an aggregate of 5,555,555 common shares in the capital of the Company (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") to the Sellers. The Cash Payments will be made, and the Consideration Shares will be issued over a period of 24 months from closing. The Company is responsible for the back taxes owing on the concessions. Royalty Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company and the Sellers shall enter into a royalty agreement in a form satisfactory to the Parties, pursuant to which the Sellers will be granted a 1% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") on the La Garra-Metates District. The Buyer will have the right to repurchase such royalty at any time for consideration equal to US$750,000. Pledge Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Sellers a pledge and security agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company and the Sellers and take such other actions sufficient under applicable Laws to grant the Sellers a first priority lien on the Purchased Shares to secure the Company's obligations with regards to the acquisition costs. Finder's fees The finder's fees is 2% NSR of the project payable to an arm's length Mexican Company. The Acquisition is subject to standard closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About the Panuco Project The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 7,189.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits. The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation. On January 8, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq. About Vizsla Silver Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 350,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2024, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +65,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Drill core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver and rock samples were shipped to SGS Lab in Durango Mexico for sample preparation and analysis. The ALS Zacatecas, North Vancouver facilities and SGS lab are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol. Qualified Person In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. 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. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Panuco Project and the potential acquisition of the La Garra Project. Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; 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 and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Canadian Metals Inc. (CSE: CME) ("CME" or "the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Quentin Yarie, P.Geo as Director and Chairman of the Board. In addition, Michel Gagnon has stepped down as Chairman of the Board and will remain as a Director. Mr. Yarie is an experienced geophysicist and a successful mining entrepreneur. He has more than 25 years of industry experience in senior executive roles, founding and leading companies domestically and internationally. He is recognized for his relationship management capabilities and broad leadership skillset, with extensive project management, business development, and corporate governance experience. He has financed and developed multiple companies, by attracting and retaining top talent. He is an effective communicator who synergistically interacts with other directors, providing clear and concise counsel, with a strong interest in First Nations' communication and negotiation. Jonathan Gagne, Director of Canadian Metals commented, "On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank Michel for his valuable contribution and leadership as Chairman of the Board and we look forward to continuing to work with him." Gagne continued, "I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Quentin, as our newest board member. His distinguished career and strategic vision will be highly valued as we move the project forward, particularly in areas of project management, business development, and corporate governance. He brings extensive experience in the mining sector with both international capital markets as well as technical evaluations of projects. I look forward to working with him and our well-rounded leadership team." About Canadian Metals Inc. Canadian Metals Inc. is a diversified resource company focused on creating shareholder value through the development of large-scale mineral deposits in specific commodities and safe jurisdictions. The company currently has 28,822 hectares of highly prospective land in New Brunswick, Canada, the projects are within and bordering the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) and are 100% owned. The properties cover a range of geological target types including VMS style, structurally controlled gold, porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum, and skarn lead-zinc-copper-silver mineralization. For more information, please contact: Wanda Cutler Mobile: +1-416-303-6460 Website: https://canadian-metals.com/ Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenridge Exploration Inc. (Greenridge or the Company) (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3), is pleased to announce Sean Hillacre has joined Greenridges advisory team effective March 22, 2024. Mr. Hillacres extensive experience and background will provide invaluable guidance for the planning and execution of exploration programs at the Company's Nut Lake Project. Mr. Hillacre is currently the President & VP of Exploration of Standard Uranium Ltd. and has over a decade of experience working as an economic geologist in the Athabasca Basin uranium district of Saskatchewan, with 5 years as part of the technical team progressing the Arrow uranium deposit towards production with NexGen Energy Ltd. A proactive, results oriented geoscientist, Mr. Hillacre brings a unique and balanced background integrating academic geoscience with industry experience, along with a comprehensive understanding of project development. Mr. Hillacre received his B.Sc. & M.Sc. degrees in Geology from the University of Saskatchewan and published the first comprehensive academic study on a world-class uranium deposit in the SW Athabasca Basin in Economic Geology. Sean Hillacre, Advisor to the Company, commented, I am thrilled to be joining the Greenridge team as an advisor, as the Companys Nut Lake Project has significant potential for uranium discovery. I am eager to begin leveraging my extensive experience to help drive the Nut Lake Project forward." Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, We are excited to welcome Mr. Hillacre, whose extensive experience in the Uranium industry, particularly in the globally recognized Athabasca Basin region, brings invaluable expertise to our advisory team. We are confident that his knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in guiding our exploration programs and advancing the Nut Lake Project. The Company also announces that it has granted 250,000 stock options (the Options) under the Company's stock option plan, each with an exercise price of CDN $0.75, to Mr. Hillacre. Each vested option, upon payment of the exercise price, entitles the holder thereof to receive one common share of the Company. The Options, and any shares issued upon the exercise of, will be subject to a hold period of four months in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Greenridge Exploration Inc. Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, and development of critical mineral projects in North America. The Companys Nut Lake Uranium Project located in the Thelon Basin includes historical drilling which intersected up to 9ft of 0.69% U 3 O 8 including 4.90% U 3 O 8 over 1ft from 8ft depth. Additionally, the Companys Weyman Copper Project in southeast British Columbia sits on the south portion of the famous Quesnel Terrance. The Company is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with significant expertise in capital raising and advancing mining projects. 1 Source: 1978 Assessment report (number 81075) by Pan Ocean Oil Ltd On Behalf of the Board of Directors Russell Starr Chief Executive Officer, Director Telephone: +1 (778) 897-3388 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company, building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Project and its mineralization potential; the Companys objectives, goals, or future plans with respect to the Project; statements with respect to the expected benefits of appointing Sean Hillacre as advisor to the Company. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Amex Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMX) (FSE: MX0) (OTCQX: AMXEF) ("Amex or the Company") is very pleased to announce that it has intersected the highest-grade gold composite to date on the Gratien Zone ("Gratien"), on the Perron Project in the Abitibi region of Quebec. The near-surface intercept of 76.69 g/t Au over 3.50 m was found in the western extension of the Gratien orebodies, in follow up drilling to the previously announced results in the February 20, 2024 press release. With a metal factor of 268.42, this intercept represents Amex's highest-grade composite outside of the High-Grade Zone. The Gratien Gold Zone has become a current focus for Amex Exploration to add significant value to the project. See Figure 1 for a plan view of the geology of the Perron Project, Figure 2 for a plan view of the Gratien Gold Zone, Figure 3 for a longitudinal of Gratien, Figure 4 for images of gold mineralization in Gratien, Table 1 for assay results, and Table 2 for drillhole coordinates. Highlights include: Western Extension Gratien Zone PEG-24-742 returned 3.50 m of 76.69 g/t Au, including 0.60 m of 431.72 g/t Au at a vertical depth of ~130 m in the Gratien Gold Zone; PEG-24-738 returned 7.30 m of 8.16 g/t Au, including 0.50 m of 98.17 g/t Au at a vertical depth of ~160 m in the Gratien Gold Zone; Results from PEG-24-742 represent the highest-grade intercept seen to date in the entirety of the Gratien Zone and is also now the highest metal factor composite outside of the High-Grade Zone. This newly discovered western extension of the Gratien Zone is rapidly expanding with the current drill program. By referring to the longitudinal of Gratien in Figure 3, it can be observed that these heavily mineralized centimetric quartz-carbonate veins were found in a previously untested portion of Gratien West and appear to be an at-depth extension of the existing zone. Gold mineralization is hosted in quartz-carbonate veins parallel to iron formations and straddling mafic intrusions within the Normetal South Block. Multiple mineralized lenses exist in the Gratien Zone (see Figure 2). The Upper Gratien is found within the rhyolite of the Beaupre Block, while several other kilometric mineralized lenses of the main Gratien are found within the andesite of the Normetal South Block. To date, this is the highest-grade mineralization that Amex has found situated outside of the Beaupre Block and opens up the entire Normetal South Block for additional discoveries (see Figure 1). Many additional drill holes have been planned to further define this new high-grade extension. Jacques Trottier, PhD, Executive Chairman of Amex Exploration commented, "The Gratien Zone is open in all directions and is kilometric in strike. This previously untested western extension of the Gratien Zone is providing some of the best mineralization we have encountered across the Perron property. The results have opened up a large new area for rapid expansion and we have deployed three drills to this target. The amount of visible gold mineralization observed in hole PEG-24-742 is similar to what we typically see in the High-Grade Zone (HGZ)." The Company also wishes to provide an update on the upcoming NI 43-101 resource estimate which it is now targeting to release in early to mid Q2 2024. Figure 1: Geological map of the Perron Project, showing each of the significant mineralized zones identified to date, including the Gratien Gold Zone. Figure 2: Geological map of the Gratien Gold Zone, showing gold mineralization greater than 0.50 g/t Au. Three main gold zones occur at Gratien, hosted in an autoclastic rhyolite of the Beaupre Block and in the mafic to intermediate volcanic rocks of the Normetal South Block. Figure 3: Longitudinal section of the Gratien Gold Zone looking to the south. Showing contoured metal factor (Au g/t*core length) and the location of today's released drill holes. Figure 4: Highlight photos of the Gratien Gold Zone in drillholes PEG-24-738, PEG-24-742 and PEG-24-745. Gold mineralization is associated with centimetric quartz-carbonate-sulfide veins and contains visible gold. Abbreviation: VG - Visible Gold. Table 1: Assay results from the Gratien Zone at Perron. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Core length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Vertical depth (m) Metal Factor* (g/t Au*m) Gold Zone PEG-24-729 194.55 195.30 0.75 3.09 1.30 ~140 2.32 Upper Gratien (Rhyolite) And 216.50 217.00 0.50 1.27 0.70 ~155 0.64 PEG-24-731 197.50 199.00 1.50 0.57 0.40 ~165 0.85 Upper Gratien (Rhyolite) And 259.80 260.40 0.60 0.64 1.00 ~215 0.38 And 350.40 351.00 0.60 0.83 1.20 ~285 0.50 PEG-24-734 156.00 159.50 3.50 1.057 1.00 ~135 3.70 Gratien (Andesite) PEG-24-736 72.80 73.80 1.00 1.93 1.20 ~55 1.93 Gratien (Andesite) And 131.50 135.20 3.70 0.90 0.30 ~100 3.34 PEG-24-737 180.50 181.00 0.50 6.10 0.70 ~151 3.05 Gratien (Andesite) PEG-24-738 15.50 17.00 1.50 11.28 1.00 ~15 16.92 Upper Gratien (Rhyolite) And 178.50 180.00 1.50 1.68 0.10 ~150 2.52 Gratien (Andesite) And 193.20 200.50 7.30 8.16 0.96 ~160 59.56 Including 193.20 193.70 0.50 18.86 1.80 9.43 Including 200.00 200.50 0.50 98.17 8.00 49.09 PEG-24-739 224.30 225.10 0.80 3.26 5.50 ~205 2.61 Upper Gratien (Rhyolite) And 296.50 301.70 5.20 1.96 3.46 ~270 10.18 And 376.00 383.50 7.50 0.51 0.63 ~340 3.82 PEG-24-740 157.00 158.50 1.50 2.17 1.00 ~105 3.25 Gratien (Andesite) And 177.70 188.80 11.10 1.07 0.42 ~125 11.84 Including 185.50 186.50 1.00 4.05 0.50 4.05 PEG-24-741 270.00 270.50 0.50 2.18 2.50 ~220 1.09 Gratien (Andesite) PEG-24-742 131.00 134.50 3.50 76.69 5.88 ~130 268.42 Gratien (Andesite) Including 131.00 131.60 0.60 431.72 33.80 259.03 Including 131.60 132.50 0.90 8.54 0.10 7.69 PEG-24-743 14.20 15.00 0.80 0.85 1.30 ~10 0.68 Upper Gratien (Rhyolite) And 69.60 70.70 1.10 0.50 1.45 ~60 0.55 Gratien (Andesite) And 153.60 154.40 0.80 0.58 0.60 ~135 0.46 PEG-24-744 211.50 214.80 3.30 0.55 0.74 ~200 1.82 Gratien (Andesite) PEG-24-745 63.90 67.90 4.00 6.98 0.60 ~65 27.90 Gratien (Andesite) Including 65.90 66.40 0.50 23.86 2.80 11.93 PEG-24-746 85.00 86.20 1.20 5.71 0.20 ~70 6.85 Gratien (Andesite) And 195.50 199.00 3.50 0.59 0.73 ~165 2.08 *Metal Factor is defined as gold grade multiplied by core length. Table 2: Drillhole coordinates for today's results. Hole ID Azimuth () Dip () Start (m) End (m) Length (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) PEG-24-729 156 -48 0 400 400 613238 5430983 326 PEG-24-731 146 -57 0 451 451 613238 5430983 325 PEG-24-734 196 -60 0 231 231 612574 5431041 326 PEG-24-736 227 -51 0 231 231 612573 5431040 326 PEG-24-737 184 -58 0 252 252 612780 5431011 327 PEG-24-738 184 -58 0 285 285 612665 5431038 327 PEG-24-739 150 -66 0 475 475 613188 5430993 325 PEG-24-740 150 -45 0 250 250 612477 5431066 328 PEG-24-741 200 -58 0 400 400 612585 5431198 328 PEG-24-742 180 -75 0 279 279 612480 5431065 328 PEG-24-743 170 -65 0 250 250 612480 5431065 328 PEG-24-744 157 -74 0 253 253 612480 5431066 329 PEG-24-745 201 -72 0 208 208 612480 5431066 329 PEG-24-746 133 -58 0 253 253 612480 5431065 328 Qualified Person and QA&QC Jerome Augustin P.Geo. Ph.D., (OGQ 2134), an Independent Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The drilling campaign and the quality control program have been planned and supervised by Jerome Augustin. Core logging and sampling were completed by Laurentia Exploration. The quality assurance and quality control protocols include insertion of blank or standard samples every 10 samples on average, in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples accredited by Laboratoire Expert during the analytical process. For all analyses targeting gold mineralization, gold values are estimated by fire assay with finish by atomic absorption. Values over 3 ppm Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with finish by gravimetry by Laboratoire Expert Inc, Rouyn-Noranda. Samples containing visible gold mineralization are analyzed by metallic sieve. For additional quality assurance and quality control, all samples were crushed to 90% less than 2 mm prior to pulverization, in order to homogenize samples which may contain coarse gold. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historical information on the Property or neighbouring projects, particularly in regards to historical drill results. However, the Qualified Person believes that drilling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results. About Amex Amex Exploration Inc. has made significant gold discoveries on its 100% owned high-grade Perron Gold Project located ~110 kilometres north of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, consisting of 117 contiguous claims covering 4,518 hectares. The project is well-serviced by existing infrastructure, on a year-round road, 10 minutes from an airport and just outside the town of Normetal (~8 km). In addition, the project is in close proximity to a number of major gold producers' milling operations. The project host both bulk tonnage and a high-grade gold style mineralization. Since January 2019, Amex has intersected significant gold mineralization in multiple gold zones and discovered copper-rich VMS zones. For further information please contact: Victor Cantore President and Chief Executive Officer Amex Exploration: +1-514-866-8209 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, the planned exploration program on the HGZ and Denise Zone, the expected positive exploration results, the extension of the mineralized zones, the timing of the exploration results, the ability of the Company to continue with the exploration program, the availability of the required funds to continue with the exploration and the potential mineralization or potential mineral resources are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "to earn", "to have', "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned exploration expenditures, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, general business and economic conditions, changes in world gold markets, sufficient labour and equipment being available, changes in laws and permitting requirements, unanticipated weather changes, title disputes and claims, environmental risks as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE) (OTCQB:PGEZF) (FSE:5D32) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that is has commenced a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 17,857,143 units of the Company, at a price of $0.14 per unit, for gross proceeds of up to approximately $2.5 million (the "Placement"). Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc, has agreed to purchase 15 million units of Stillwater pursuant to the Placement, for gross proceeds of $2.1 million. Each unit under the Placement is comprised of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.21, providing up to approximately $1.875 million additional funding, if exercised in full. The warrants shall be exercisable for three years from the date of issue. Stillwater President and CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, "We are pleased to have Glencore's continued support through their participation in this placement as we advance our flagship Stillwater West project as a large-scale source of nine metals that are now listed as critical in the USA. With the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district, and high co-product values of copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold, we are uniquely positioned to play a key role in the US government's stated objective of building domestic supply chains of these essential commodities." Net proceeds of the Placement are intended to be used for exploration and development activities at the Company's North American nickel projects, as well as for working capital. The Placement is expected to close, subject to customary conditions, upon acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company expects that certain insiders of the Company may subscribe for units under the Placement, however, the exact value of such subscriptions has not yet been determined. The issuances of any units to insiders will be considered related party transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements in MI 61-101 in respect of any such insider participation, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued, nor the fair market value of the consideration for the securities to be issued, insofar as it involves such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101.This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Upcoming Events Stillwater Critical Minerals confirms that Michael Rowley, President and CEO, will be attending the Energy Transition Metals Summit in Washington, D.C. April 29-30, 2024. For more information, click here. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. To date, five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold at Stillwater West, and all deposits remain open for expansion along trend and at depth. Results are pending from resource expansion drilling completed in fall 2023. Stillwater also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals' development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinums Wellgreen deposit in Canadas Yukon Territory. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" in accordance with applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, and expectations regarding the completion of the Placement, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals or satisfaction of other conditions to closing of the Placement, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The UN expert who concluded Israel was committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip received broad support at the United Nations on Tuesday, with countries speaking up to back her and her report. Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, told the UN Human Rights Council that countries should impose an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel. Expanding in person on her report released on Monday, Albanese said Israel was characterising the entire Gazan population as "targetable, killable and destroyable", and had ostentatiously laid bare its "genocidal intent" to "rid Palestine of Palestinians". Dozens of diplomats, mostly representing Arab and Muslim countries but also Latin America, took the floor to defend her mandate and her work. Pakistan, speaking for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, backed her call for sanctions and an arms embargo. "We commend your courage in documenting... acts amounting to genocide in Gaza," Islamabad's representative said. "The occupation force's dangerous and ruthless push for a final solution to the Palestinian question is plain for all to see, as its forces encircle Rafah like vultures and its ravenous land grab continues unabated in the West Bank." Egypt, speaking for Arab group countries, affirmed their support for Albanese's mandate and said they were gravely concerned about Israel's "structured and systematic attack to make the Gaza Strip uninhabitable". And Qatar, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, thanked Albanese for her report and demanded the international community "put an end to genocide being perpetrated by the Israeli war machinery". - 'Erasure' - In her speech, Albanese told the top UN rights body that Israel had "destroyed Gaza". "When genocidal intent is so conspicuous, so ostentatious, as it is in Gaza, we cannot avert our eyes: we must confront genocide, we must prevent it and we must punish it," she said. "The genocide in Gaza is the most extreme stage of a long-standing settler-colonial process of erasure of the native Palestinians." Special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, although they do not speak on behalf of the UN. In response, Russia said it was "horrified" by Israel's military operation that had seen "civilian infrastructure targeted" while China said it was was ready to facilitate peace talks. The European Union called for "proper and independent investigations on all allegations" and while appalled by the civilian death toll it recognised Israel's right to self-defence. - 'One-sided narrative' - Albanese's speech concluded to applause in the chamber. Israel was not present, nor was its chief ally the United States. Israel has long been harshly critical of Albanese, and on Monday immediately rejected her report as an "obscene inversion of reality". The United States called her mandate "biased against Israel". In the rights council on Tuesday, the only firm support for such positions came from non-governmental organisations. The World Jewish Congress said Albanese's mandate "seeks to entrench divisions and a one-sided narrative instead of pursuing a balanced and inclusive approach". The European Union of Jewish Students said Albanese's "resignation is imperative" for the council to retain any credibility on issues concerning Israel and the Palestinian territories. The bloodiest ever Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 32,400 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory. A French court on Wednesday handed former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara a 30-year prison sentence for violence against civilians and complicity in crimes against humanity during Liberia's first civil war. Kamara, now 49, had been sentenced to life in prison during a first trial in Paris in 2022. The Paris criminal court, after an appeals trial that lasted three weeks, upheld a guilty verdict against Kamara for "acts of torture and inhuman barbarity" against civilians between 1993 and 1994, including a teacher whose heart he reportedly ate. He was again found guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity for not preventing soldiers under his command from repeatedly raping two teenage girls in 1994. The prosecution had on Monday urged the court to uphold his life sentence. The allegations against Kamara date back to the early years of the back-to-back conflicts that would ultimately kill 250,000 people in the West African nation between 1989 and 2003. The fighting was marked by mass murders, rape and mutilations, in many cases by child soldiers conscripted by warlords, with atrocities against civilians common. Kamara was a regional commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), a rebel group that fought the National Patriotic Front of ex-president Charles Taylor. The case against Kamara was initially brought by the crimes against humanity division of the Paris criminal court, after he was arrested in France in 2018. It was set up in 2012 to try suspected perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide detained on French soil, irrespective of where their alleged crimes were committed. It was the first case taken by the unit that was not related to the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Sabrina Delattre, lawyer for the NGO Civitas Maxima and eight Liberian civil parties, on Wednesday said that it was "important for the victims and the civil parties who for the second time have been heard, and believed". She said they had been able to "obtain the justice they had not obtained in their country". So far, only a handful of people have been convicted in Liberia itself for their part in the brutal wars. A motion was approved this month to set up a long-awaited war crimes court, seen as the first step towards trying perpetrators of human rights violations. Lee Jung Hyun is attracting attention as she returns to the prime time scene with the upcoming dark fantasy series "Parasyte: The Grey" with Jeon So Nee and Koo Kyo Hwan. Not only does it mark her first work of the year but it also celebrates her milestone as a mother as it was her first acting project after entering motherhood. Keep on reading. Lee Jung Hyun Lauded By Fans For Professionalism During Filming Lee Jung Hyun is creating a massive buzz after attending the special promotional events for "Parasyte: The Grey." Apart from her much awaited return, the series marks her first-ever project after childbirth and family care in 2022, unlocking and celebrating a milestone in one. In "Parasyte: The Grey," Lee Jung Hyun transforms into Choi Jun Kyung, the leader of a task force that destroys the parasites from outer space that live in human bodies to invade the Earth. The horror series is an anticipated work in Hallyu. What shook the public is the action scenes that are incorporated in the show, which Lee Jun Kyung took on just 3 months after giving birth. Despite not being fully recovered, she showed off her professionalism and intense immersion with her character. In an exclusive interview, Lee Jung Hyun let fans in on a secret. "Director Yeon Sang Ho wrote the script when I was pregnant. He said would wait for me," Lee Jung Hyun revealed. "I was so thankful for him so I rapidly lost weight and returned after three months." According to her, she lost 14 kilos at 44 in order to seamlessly transform into Choi Jun Kyung. She maintained her weight until they concluded filming, meeting the director's expectations. READ MORE: Jeon So Nee Gets Candid About 'Parasyte: The Grey' Role, Working With Koo Kyo Hwan & More With this, viewers look forward to seeing Lee Jung Hyun's performance in "Parasyte: The Grey," a work that will bring impact to her acting repertoire. Here's What You Should Know About 'Parasyte: The Grey' Netflix's "Parasyte: The Grey" heralds a new yet familiar narrative of ruin and coexistence among unknown life-forms and living humans on Earth. Based on the popular Japanese comic of the same name, viewers will be able to delve into the relationships between the human hosts and parasites while trying to find ways on how to survive. Moreover, it will capture the culture and bigger picture of South Korea, which is set to deliver a new yet similar story from the original work. Check out the series this April 5 on Netflix. ALSO READ: 'Parasyte: The Grey' Guarantees High Satisfaction With Jeon So Nee, Koo Kyo Hwan - Here's What the Director Said Are you excited for "Parasyte: The Grey"? Share your thoughts on the drama in the comments down below! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mariscotes. Pierre Poilievre rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says the Conservative leader's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy speaks in the government's new communication centre in the basement of a building connected to the Ontario legislature by tunnel on Tuesday March 26, 2024. The Ontario government is spending about $310,000 on a new space for press conferences, which opposition parties say duplicates a room that already exists and will mean less access for the media. THE CANADIAN PRERSS/Liam Casey Thursday, March 29, 2024 - A woman's plan to traffick 57 pellets of cocaine to Madagascar by escaping the grip of security apparatus at the Jomo Kenyatta Intn'l Airport proved futile on Tuesday night when anti-narcotics detectives discovered the drugs stuffed in her undergarments and rerouted her travel itinerary to a police cell. In the 10.30pm interception, Apoko Damaris Adhiambo, 32, was flagged down at terminal A1's central screening area, as she checked in to board Kenya Airways KQ 256 flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar. A body scanner at the checkpoint revealed suspicious items concealed around her pr!vat3s, triggering a quick search that saw over 600g of the highly addictive drug discovered. A spot test conducted on the discovery was positive for the coca product. After a moment of interrogation by female anti-narcotics officers, Apoko revealed to have been recruited by a Ugandan national identified as Harriet Asaba who resided in the Kenyan Capital. Deploying forensic technologies, detectives traced Asaba to Accra Road in Nairobi CBD and effected her arrest. In the painstaking pursuit to break the entire syndicate, the second suspect led officers to the Free Area Hotel building and into the VIP Beauty Shop, where a meticulous search was conducted and another 33 pellets of crack found. Therein, three more suspects namely Nangonzi Shirah (a Ugandan national), Esther Wanjiru, 24, and Sophia Kathambi aged 24 were also rounded up. A presumptive test on the second recovery also tested positive for Cocaine, weighing approximately 396 grams. Whereas prosecution processes have been instigated on the arrested suspects, further investigations are ongoing jointly with the InterPol team to track down the recipients of the drugs in Madagascar. Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Keitany has asked President William Ruto to fire her ex-husband, Mithika Linturi, over the fake fertilizers being distributed to farmers. During an interview, Kitany said it was shameful for the Agriculture CS and his cartels to sell fake fertilizers to farmers. She argued that it was unfortunate cartels were hoodwinking farmers by packing sand and excess urea and then packaging and selling that as legitimate fertilizer under the State's subsidy program. "For me, it is economic sabotage because if this farmer is not going to grow maize in the next seven years because of someone trying to get rich by adding some stones and more urea than is required," she explained. However, before she could finish her thought, the show's host interjected and asked, "Should President William Ruto show Mithika Linturi the door?" The MP then responded by challenging the Head of State to make a decision he deems fit to protect the farmers. "I think the President should lead from the front on this particular issue because fertilizer has been his running call and us within UDA and the Kenya Kwanza Government have actually lagged behind because we have seen the fruits," she stated. "He needs to take action, whatever action that is required of him." The former couple had earlier been embroiled in a lawsuit over ownership of their mansion in Runda, Nairobi County. A suit that Kitany had filed in 2023 seeking to prevent Linturi from kicking her out of the property was rejected by the court. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 - A student at Thika Institute of Business Studies (TIBS) has been found brutally murdered and his body doused with acid, days after he went missing. Kelvin Ongoi, who was also working as a boda boda rider, went missing on March 22nd and his motorbike tracker was disabled. His family has been frantically searching for him, only for his mutilated body to be found dumped at an abandoned quarry in Juja. Detectives have launched an investigation into the tragic incident. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas wife, Dorcas Rigathi, has come clean over who is funding her Boychild Initiative that has so far gobbled millions of shillings. This is after Kenyans raised concerns that she could be using taxes to fund her initiative. Speaking to the media, Dorcas clarified that the Boychild Initiative is not funded by taxpayers' money, contrary to popular belief. She highlighted that the project is funded by partnerships from well-wishers and donors. "There are no funds set aside by the government. We don't have a budget that will contribute to the rehab development because this job has not been done before by past administrations," she explained. "Now after we took office, it's something that has since been highlighted and we've seen the extent of the damage that it had caused in society." At the same time, Dorcas revealed that it costs an arm and a leg to fund her boychild empowerment initiative that seeks to rehabilitate young men struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. According to her, it costs an average of Ksh80,000 monthly to rehabilitate one person. She stated that the person graduates from her rehabilitation centers after two years. She noted that her foundation is in the process of registering thousands of youth across the country who are battling addiction. "For now, we have wellwishers who are willing to fund these projects. Some offer funds, others material goods. A person in rehab can use about Ksh40,000 to Ksh80,000 monthly, it is quite expensive and some spend almost 2 years in the institution," she stated. The Second Lady expressed her commitment to seeing through her fight against drugs no matter the cost, even if it leads to the closure of businesses participating in the trade. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed claims that he has been using filters to attract the young generation. In recent months, the county boss has come under criticism from some quarters who accuse him of using online filters to enhance his looks in posts. However, the county boss has dismissed the claims, arguing that it's his natural look devoid of enhancement. Sakaja challenged those who've interacted with him to come out and confirm that he doesn't use filters in his posts. "Check this out... People are arguing that I'm using a filter. What for? This is how I usually look. "If you've ever seen me, please confirm. Help me win this argument," he said. However, Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, was not convinced by Sakaja's argument and stated that the governor whom he termed as her has been using filters. "Her Excellency.Zimeanza kushow.Nairobi ina mambo Kweli," Babu Owino stated The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 A British mercenary who is fighting for Russia in Ukraine has said hes willing to die for the cause. Ben Stimson, 48, and Aiden Minnis, 37, both fled to the Donetsk region to join Vladimir Putins forces and posted a video bragging about it. But in a new move, Minnis claims hes willing to die for the cause. He said his fellow soldiers are his brothers, adding: I trust them and I will die for them. They have proven themselves and helped me a lot. We understand each other. A bit of pidgin English and pidgin Russian and sign language. It gets done. Minnis mum, Tina was not aware her son was fighting for the Russians, and says she has not had contact with her son for years after disowning him. They are the first two British men known to be fighting for Putin, with Stimson, from Oldham, Manchester, saying in the video: Every man takes his choice a lot of us, the foreign volunteers, have chosen to come over to this side, to the Russian side. Minnis is a former National Front member and convicted criminal from Chippenham, Wiltshire, and is believed to have joined Stimson after the war in Ukraine broke out. He has multiple charges, ranging from dangerous driving causing the deaths of two people, a racist attack and beating up a homeless man. He was arrested upon his arrival back in the UK and jailed for five years. The British mercenarys claims come as a former British Army commander slammed the two Brits as a disgrace for taking up arms against Ukraine. Former British Army commander Colonel Richard Kemp told the Mirror: These two are an absolute disgrace and are traitors who upon their return to the UK should be arrested and jailed. These two traitors clearly dont know who the enemy is. Stimson first went to Ukraine in 2015, when he fought alongside Russian separatists in the Donbas region. Before he left for Russia again, he posted: Im ready to go now, bags packed. I just hope the British police dont arrest me and make something up or twist things to incriminate me on something that does not exist. He was arrested upon arrival at Manchester Airport, but was still allowed to fly to Moscow through Istanbul. Stimsons father Martin, 76, has disowned his son since 2016 Martin said of his mercenary son: Ive cut him off. Before I cut him off he was in Moscow. Ive been looking after Ben on and off for years and years. Hes on his own now. Hes 48 now, he can do what he wants. Hes been a constant worry. I want a bit of peace at my age. You never know what hell do next. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 A woman was thrown out of her marital home for refusing to drop a defilement case against her brother-in-law who assaulted her 8-year-old daughter. Activist Njeri Wa Migwi, who disclosed this in a post on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, said the father of the victim also supports the dropping of the case against his brother, preferring to resolve the matter at home. This lady has been thrown out of her marital home for continuing with a defilement case of her 8yr old child after pressure to drop the case since it's her brother in law. They want the case to be resolved at home not to bring shame. The way rapists get to have community support, she wrote. She is in our office because she's been told not to go back unless she drops the case. No on e cares about the harm the little one is going through. Today was the mention of the case and the family raised bail for the perpetrator. Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has hit out at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua days after the latter apologized to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta. Speaking during an interview, Kioni dismissed the legitimacy of Gachaguas apology, stating that it was not directed towards the intended recipients. He also raised doubts about the sincerity of the apology, suggesting that it may have been made solely for personal preservation. Kioni further remarked that the derogatory remarks made by the deputy president and other Kenya Kwanza politicians during the campaigns had a detrimental impact not only on the Kenyatta family but also on the wider community. As a result, Kioni demanded a fresh apology be made in public and the presence of a larger crowd. He further urged other Kenya Kwanza politicians who similarly made scathing remarks on the Kenyatta family to follow suit and apologize. The critical question is whether this apology is cosmetic or genuine. It is important that we acknowledge the insults that happened in 2017, these insults affected more than just the first lady, the former president, Kioni noted. The insults affected the community at large and even people who value lead were also hurt by insults that characterized the campaigns that were done by Kenya Kwanza at large, he added. Kioni's demand to the deputy president comes two days after Gachagua issued an apology to Mama Ngina Kenyatta over the fallout in 2022. Speaking during a roundtable interview with journalists from the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua attributed the insults he pelted on the former first lady to the political temperatures during the pre-election period. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, March 28, 2024 - Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria, has apologised to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for saying that uncircumcised Kenyans cannot be allowed to lead the country. Kuria, while campaigning in 2022, warned the GEMA community against voting for Raila Odinga, who was then the Azimio One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate, saying he was uncircumcised. However, in what can be termed as a start of a reconciliation journey between the former Premier and Kuria, the latter on Wednesday apologised to the former for making such uncouth remarks. "The way you (Gachagua) showed me yesterday, I also called former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and told him that the issue around circumcision that I used to mention was not about him, but my own children. "I was addressing it to my children. But if I offended him, I asked him for forgiveness," Kuria said during a burial in Laikipia County. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Clergyman, Kingsley Okonkwo, has asked women to run once a man starts describing himself as an alpha male''. In a post on his X handle, Okonkwo opined that a man who repeatedly describes himself as an alpha male is one of the biggest signs of toxicity, narcissism, and insecurity all mixed up in one. Read his post below Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Busia County Woman Representative, Catherine Omanyo, has urged President William Rutos government to compensate farmers over the fake fertiliser scandal that has affected millions of farmers. Addressing a press conference in Busia County on Thursday, she called for speedy investigation and immediate arrest of the cartel who have taken advantage of subsidized fertiliser programs to con farmers, pushing them further into poverty amidst these hard economic times. The government must act swiftly on the individuals who seem to have infiltrated the subsidized fertiliser program for personal gains sparking fears among farmers due to impending losses in waiting, Omanyo noted. Her sentiment comes barely 12 hours after Police in Eldoret seized 560 bags of DAP fertiliser that was being offloaded at a trading center meant to be the temporary deport which were supposed to help farmers cut down on transport costs. I want to appeal to the Kenya Kwanza administration if indeed the value lives of over six million farmers to compensate them especially those who purchased fake fertilisers and seeds. This is the only way the farmers will recollect themselves and be able to re-cultivate as long rains commence, she added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 - One of former Prime Minister Raila Odingas lieutenants has blasted the Kenyan mainstream media for refusing to cover the funeral procession of late influencer and tiktocker, Brian Chira. Chira died two weeks ago and was laid to rest on Tuesday in Githunguri, Kiambu County. His fellow Tiktokers stormed the Kenyatta University morgue and were among thousands of people who attended the burial. However, despite the much-publicized burial, no mainstream print press covered his burial and this has forced Prof Makau Mutua to attack them. Makau said it is sad for the media to give Brian Chira's funeral a blackout. According to the professor, when Chira was alive, he taught many Kenyans, especially the youth, 'some lessons Its SAD Kenyas print press has DELIBERATELY avoided giving real, deep, and thoughtful coverage to the funeral and phenomenon of BRIAN CHIRA. "The young fella was a bundle of the torment of the Kenyan youth as well as its great promise. "He taught us many lessons. SHAME!, Makau wrote on his X page. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Githunguri Member of Parliament, Gathoni Wamuchomba, has said she has been victimised by President William Rutos government for speaking for ordinary Kenyans commonly known as hustlers. Wamuchomba, who was elected on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, has refused to join Rutos government, claiming that the head of state is oppressing Kenyans through high taxes. Speaking on Wednesday, Wamuchomba said she has never been shy to speak her mind and this has seen the ruling party go to the extent of sending other politicians to counter her, in her constituency. "I am not muzzled, I speak my mind and you know that. I have been victimised quite enough. "If there is anyone who has been victimised for her political stand in this country it is Gathoni Wamuchomba by the executive, by the ruling party. "I have been victimised to the extent of people coming to my constituency to fight me politically in physical presence. My people in Githunguri know what I'm talking about," Wamuchomba said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Thailands parliament has approved a marriage equality bill, a landmark step that moves one of Asias most liberal countries closer to becoming its third territory to legalize same-sex unions. The legislation was passed on Wednesday, March 27, by 400 of the 415 lawmakers present, with only 10 voting against it, and could see Thailand join Taiwan and Nepal in allowing same-sex unions. We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality, Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill, told lawmakers ahead of the reading. I want to invite you all to make history. The bills passage marks a significant step towards cementing Thailands position as one of Asias most liberal countries on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness and progressive attitudes coexisting in society alongside traditional, conservative Buddhist values. Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant and visible LGBTQ social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBTQ travelers. But rights activists have long maintained its laws and institutions do not reflect changing social attitudes and still discriminate against LGBTQ people and same-sex couples. The legislation passed on Wednesday is the consolidation of four different draft bills and recognizes marriage between two people regardless of gender, rather than a husband and wife as previously defined. LGBTQ advocates who were on the parliamentary committee had during Wednesdays debate pushed unsuccessfully for the terms father and mother to be changed to the gender-neutral parent in references to the family unit, to avoid complications in issues such as adoption.'' Im happy indeed but this isnt a full marriage equality, it is only same-sex marriage, Nada said. The right to marriage has been granted but not the full right to family establishment. It is a shame that we didnt go the full way. Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBTQ advocate and a law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University, said the passing of the bill was a positive step but there were some unresolved issues. Thursday, March 28, 2024 Two bodies have been recovered from the Patapsco River following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The two men, identified as 35-year-old Alejandro Hernandez Fuentez of Baltimore, and 26-year-old Darlene Rania El Castillo Cabrera of Dundalk, were brought to shore on Wednesday morning, police confirmed. 'The teams made a tragic finding shortly before 10:00 ET with a red pickup truck near the bridge' Ronald L Butler from Maryland State Police said at a briefing on Wednesday evening. 'Divers recovered two victims trapped within the vehicle' he told reporters. 'My heart, and the heart of the entire city of Baltimore, is with you and will be with you forever' Mayor Brandon Scott said of the victim's families. All six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge when a cargo shipping container vessel crashed into it are presumed dead, with four bodies yet to be recovered. Two surviving workers were pulled out of the water on Tuesday. The search for those missing began early on Wednesday morning after the Coast Guard called off its active search and rescue mission on Tuesday. However, divers are now unable to safely navigate the waters due to the concrete and debris that has fallen into the water from the destroyed bridge, Maryland police said on Wednesday evening. Police have used sonar scans and believe that the other vehicles are 'encased in superstructure and concrete.' Earlier on Wednesday a port worker claimed that the Dali cargo ship which smashed into the bridge suffered a 'severe electrical problem' while docked in Baltimore days before. Julie Mitchell, co-administrator of Container Royalty, a company which tracks cargo, told CNN the ship was anchored at the port for at least 48 hours prior to the deadly crash. Following the devastation, she said: 'And those two days, they were having serious power outages they had a severe electrical problem. It was total power failure, loss of engine power, everything.' Mitchell explained that refrigerated boxes tripped breakers on board the ship on several occasions, and mechanics had been trying to fix the issue. She said she didn't know whether the problem had been fixed when the ship set off. The 1.6-mile Key Bridge partially collapsed after the cargo shipping container vessel crashed into one of its support structures just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the ship's crew notified officials that it had lost power in the moments before the collision. Mitchell told CNN that major power problems on board large vessels like the Dali are 'not really that common at all', describing the freak incident as 'very rare'. 'They shouldn't have let the ship leave port until they got it on under control,' she said. It has been widely reported that the Dali suffered a loss in propulsion which caused steering issues in the lead-up to the crash that caused the iconic bridge to collapse like a 'house of cards.' One officer on the Dali also said that before the crash, the engines 'coughed and then stopped.' There was not enough time before the ship hit the bridge to drop anchors prompting the vessel to drift. 'The vessel went dead, no steering power and no electronics... The smell of burned fuel was everywhere in the engine room and it was pitch black,' the officer said. Thursday, March 28, 2024 - Member of Parliament (MP) for Githunguri Constituency Gathoni Wamuchomba has revealed why she fell out with President William Ruto and his government despite being elected on the ruling party. Speaking yesterday, she noted that she has received major victimisation because of her political stand. Wamuchomba explained her fallout with the ruling party led by President William Ruto. According to the MP, she is the most victimized leader in Kenya, with the ruling party UDA executives fighting her over her political stand. Victimised to the extent of people coming to my constituency to fight me politically, in physical presence. People from Githunguri know what Im talking about, she stated. Stating this a day after unveiling a new opposition team, Wamuchomba noted that laxity and silence in the current Opposition team were failing Kenyans. The opposition in Kenya seems to have been muzzled and the voices of reason are fading away. The voices of reason from civil society are fading away. The media seems to be intimidated, she stated. The legislator further faulted the media for failing to keep the government in check. I have been in the media, he has been in the media for many years and we can confidently tell you that the vigour and the muscle the media had to check over government is no longer there, she explained. On Tuesday, Wamuchomba and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino unveiled a new opposition team to fight for Kenyans' rights. The team members include Saboti Constituency MP Caleb Amisi, Charles Nguna, Starehe constituency Amos Mwago, Busia Women representative Catherine Omanyo, and MP for Embakasi West Mark Mwenje. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 There is no end in sight for the ongoing doctors' strike which has paralyzed the health sector in the country. This is after the government of President William Ruto refused to negotiate with the striking doctors anymore. Taking to social media, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) expressed frustrations with the move, citing the negligence by the Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha-led team as proof of the government's inability to heed the citizens' pleas. This is after Nakhumicha skipped the meeting with the doctors where they were to negotiate further in a bid to find a way to end the strike which is on the 14th day. "Despite our openness to discussions and negotiations, it's disheartening that our government has abandoned the negotiation table, failing its citizens," KMPDU stated. "The ongoing doctors' strike highlights their disregard for public health. It's not the doctors on strike, it's the government." The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, March 28, 2024 - A female Kikuyu pastor is trending after she was filmed assaulting a man within the church premises. While it is not clear what led to the altercation, the rogue pastor is seen confronting the man and assaulting him. She calls him stupid and smacks his face with a Bible. You claim to be a pastor but you have the audacity to assault me and call me stupid within the church premises. The Lord is watching your deeds, the man is heard lamenting in his native Kikuyu language. Other men who were in the vicinity were seen trying to calm down the pastor in vain. The video has caused divided opinions on social media. A section of social media users defended the pastor, saying she is also human while others castigated her for not controlling her anger. Mrs. Reverend is also human. Sometimes we humans get annoyed to an extent we are unable to control our anger, one of the social media users defended the pastor. She's human, what do you expect when you all gang up on her left right, and center and you are all men, another user commented. The reason I stay in my house pray for myself and God always answers my prayer, wrote another user wrote. Watch the video. The Kenyan DAILY POST. The Governments current approach to identifying the suitability of potential accommodation centres for Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants in Kilkenny has been placed under heavy scrutiny by local councillors. There were heated scenes in County Hall earlier this week when two motions were tabled by elected members in relation to the issue. The first motion, from Cllr David Fitzgerald, called for the provision of temporary accommodation for the Ukrainian response and international protection applicants to be compliant with the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan. Acknowledging that the Ukrainian humanitarian response up to this point has been difficult and challenging, he stated that we are no longer in a crisis mode and called for no scheme to be fast-tracked or bullied through the system. His motion was seconded by party colleague, Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, who stated that the current approach from government is generating mistrust, distrust and fear. She stated that the lack of consultation with local councillors and communities is perpetuating neverending misinformation, extremism and scaremongering. The second motion, from councillors Andrew McGuinness and Michael Doyle, called upon the local authority to write to Minister for Integration, Roderic OGorman, to express deep concern and disappointment regarding the lack of consultation with local communities. The motion was also to outline our opposition to accommodating large numbers of occupants in various areas in Kilkenny City and county with little regard for infrastructure, amenities, capacity, planning and the local area. The worst part is that were left to speculation, he said. When you have speculation, you have serious division, serious fights. Us as elected members dont know and dont have answers. The Minister has a lot to answer for. Enough is enough. Although there were no objections made to the first motion, Cllr Maria Dollard stated that she could not put her name to the second motion. I think we have to be careful with the words that we use, she said, adding that it is important that it does not become an us versus them narrative. My own experience with refugees in Kilkenny has been extremely positive, she noted. Cllr Dollard told elected members that she regularly engages with international protection applicants who volunteer their free time for positive civic initiatives in Kilkenny. She further stated that many other international protection applicants have secured employment, some getting buses from Kilkenny up to Dublin every morning to work. It was also raised by Cllr Dollard that Kilkenny has one of the lowest per capita figures for international protection applicants across all 32 counties. There is too much scope to interpret this motion as opposition to refugees in Kilkenny, she concluded. I cannot put my name to it. Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Sean McKeown, confirmed to elected members that there have been two statutory instruments introduced by government for the provision of temporary exemptions for emergency accommodation for displaced persons on the Planning and Development Act. Developers who come forward with proposals for consideration can be exempt under both statutory instruments simultaneously, he said. You can imagine, for us dealing with the situation, that causes further complexities and its important to note that. Mr McKeown further explained that while both of these statutory instruments have expiration dates, the government can opt to extend them if deemed necessary. This is the process that we have to deal with and were doing our best with that, he said. We are implementing and complying with the statutory instruments. We are not being cajoled. We are implementing the statutory instruments that have been given to us. Mr McKeown further added that there is no provision within the statutory instruments for the public to make submissions or for public consultation. We are receiving requests from local communities all over the county with genuine concern in relation to some developments that are being proposed and we are doing our best to brief those communities, he said. Also issues have arisen in some developments and enforcement files have been opened. Mr McKeown also confirmed that the statutory instruments remove developer proposals from the scope of the County Development Plan. Director of Services Fiona Deegan, who has spearheaded the management of displaced Ukrainian persons in Kilkenny for the past two years, made the point that transport solutions have to be built into all proposals across the county. Responding to comments made about integration, Ms Deegan stated refugees are very well integrated. In terms of our Ukrainian people, 54% of the adult population are now in employment, she said. Of the international protection applicants, 51% are employed. We also have a new local area integration team in place that works with everybody that arrives here in Kilkenny. Cllr Eugene McGuinness, during his contribution, lambasted government TDs for speaking out from both sides of their mouths. He stated that the issues raised are being replicated across the country. Cllr Peter Chap Cleere made a similar point, noting that the reality is our Oireachtas TDs have failed us. We were elected by people to represent the people but we have no say, he added. Talk about a devolution of power. Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, who recently served as the President of the Association of Irish Local Government, also hit out at the powers of councillors being taken away. Joining him was the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Michael Doyle, who took issue with the erosion of power from local representatives. We should be able to affect our local communities and we cannot, he said. Cllr David Fitzgerald branded Waterford Airport as being 'a white elephant' at this week's meeting of Kilkenny County Council. The city councillor made the comment after it was mentioned that there is planned to be a 400,000 funding commitment from the local authority to part fund the runway extension at Waterford Airport under the Council's Capital Programme (2024-2029). Cllr David Fitzgerald stated that the move would be a 'waste of money' and described Waterford Airport as 'a white elephant', adding that 'nobody uses it'. "Dublin Airport is at capacity," he continued. "Dublin needs a second airport. If we're serious about air transport into this region what we really should be doing is funding a feasability study to build a second airport for Dublin near Carlow-Kilkenny on the South Kildare border where there is lots of flat land and connectivity to the motorway." Responding to Cllr Fitzgerald's remarks was Head of Finance Martin Prendiville, who noted that the issue of Waterford Airport has been on the agenda for quite some time and had been in the Capital Programme for a number of years. "The last public announcement was that there was a private investor willing to put significant money into the development of the runway and the facility at the airport," he said. "Obviously that won't happen without agreement with the provider. There are strong views that the investment would make a significant contribution to the South-East region. "I think the investment at this stage if it goes ahead is in excess of 20 million so I think it certainly has to be considered within the context of the economic development of the South-East region." Prendiville also used Kerry Airport, often called Farranfore Airport, as an example of how a similar project has seen success. RTE journalist Barry O'Kelly was confronted by far-right protesters while documenting an anti-migrant demonstration in Dublin. Barry, who was filmed by demonstrators remained cool while being told "he was reporting for the government." The reporter, who works for RTE Investigates, has been praised "for calmness, courage and dignity in responding to people who harassed a very good journalist at work," said former RTE broadcaster Cathal Mac Coille in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The man leading "the debate", which has been shared on social media, was Philip Dwyer. On the footage, he can be heard saying: "RTE Investigates likes to slander these innocent Irish people who are out there with concerns for their communities and can't walk around safely. Do you report on that?" Barry O'Kelly calmmy replies: "I am not the story I am only here to report on it." Phillip then goes on to say: "You are writing this story for the government and you don't question it." The journalist, who kept his calm during the exchange, told the demonstrators what they were doing was "attributing immigrants to crimes," while one of the demonstrators, in reference to Barry O'Kelly, expressed: "let the man hang himself." Social media users, including several high-profile journalists, have defended Barry O'Kelly in comments posted on the video which was shared to X. One user said: " Patience of a saint indeed. Well done Barry, I hope you are ok after that. Somewhat intimidating." The attack by Islamic State terrorist in Moscow was an act of evil. 133 innocent people died. Islamic State is an evil organisation. The response of the Putin Government was also evil, albeit in a lesser way. The United States privately and publicly warned them of a likely terrorist attack on a concert, based on intelligence they intercepted from Islamic State. Islamic State has publicly claimed credit for the attack. Yet the Putin Government is publicly blaming the attack on ukraine. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low near 45F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low near 45F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Federal prosecutors say Alex Murdaugh, seen here during a hearing in Columbia, South Carolina, in January, failed a polygraph test violating a plea agreement that required him to be truthful. A new library just opened in Johnson County, Missouri and it pays homage to a family that fought to desegregate its schools. The Webb Family room at the Merriam Plaza Library is now the embodiment of the familys mission. Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF (TSE:HLIT Get Free Report) shares dropped 1.4% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$20.70 and last traded at C$20.70. Approximately 545 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 2,358 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$21.00. Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Price Performance The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$20.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$24.69. Get Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF alerts: Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 8th were issued a $0.7035 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. This represents a yield of 2.5%. Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Company Profile The Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF (the ETF or HLIT) is the first Canadian-listed ETF focused exclusively on providing exposure to the global lithium market. HLIT seeks to replicate, to the extent possible and net of expenses, the performance of an index that is designed to provide exposure to the performance of global, publicly listed companies engaged in the mining and/or production of lithium, lithium compounds, or lithium related components. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nepsis Inc. reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 36,567 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 398 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 4.4% of Nepsis Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Nepsis Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $15,596,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mendel Money Management grew its stake in Mastercard by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 2,133 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $839,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. Americana Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 68.2% in the 3rd quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 4,786 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,907,000 after purchasing an additional 1,940 shares during the last quarter. Giverny Capital Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. Giverny Capital Inc. now owns 20,760 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $8,219,000 after purchasing an additional 1,452 shares during the last quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,196,000. Finally, Armstrong Fleming & Moore Inc acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at $315,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $530.00 to $545.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $425.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $480.00 to $490.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $433.00 to $482.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $452.00 to $504.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $479.62. Mastercard Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:MA traded up $1.15 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $477.95. 2,249,400 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,446,885. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $352.80 and a 12 month high of $490.00. The company has a 50 day moving average of $463.16 and a 200-day moving average of $426.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $445.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.08. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.08 by $0.10. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.60% and a return on equity of 191.22%. The firm had revenue of $6.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.46 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.65 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.36 EPS for the current year. Mastercard Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 8th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is presently 22.32%. Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 5th that authorizes the company to repurchase $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to buy up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity at Mastercard In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total transaction of $97,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 97,543,308 shares of the companys stock, valued at $47,527,976,823. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total transaction of $97,450.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 97,543,308 shares in the company, valued at $47,527,976,823. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 8,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $430.26, for a total transaction of $3,829,314.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 46,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,003,217.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 50,628 shares of company stock valued at $23,309,067 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Mastercard Company Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A veto Thursday by Russia ended monitoring of U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear program, prompting Western accusations that Moscow is seeking to avoid scrutiny as it allegedly violates the sanctions to buy weapons from Pyongyang for its war in Ukraine. Russias turnaround on the U.N. monitoring reflects how Moscows growing animosity with the U.S. and its Western allies since the start of the Ukraine war has made it difficult to reach consensus on even issues where there has been longstanding agreement. The veto came during a vote on a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on North Korea for a year, but which will now halt its operation when its current mandate expires at the end of April. The vote in the 15-member council, with 13 in favor, Russia against, and China abstaining, has no impact on the actual sanctions against North Korea, which remain in force. Russia had never before tried to block the work of the panel of experts, which had been renewed annually by the U.N. Security Council for 14 years and reflected global opposition to North Koreas expanding nuclear weapon program. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council before the vote that Western nations are trying to strangle North Korea and that sanctions are losing their relevance and detached from reality in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the country. He accused the panel of experts of increasingly being reduced to playing into the hands of Western approaches, reprinting biased information and analyzing newspaper headlines and poor quality photos. Therefore, he said, it is essentially conceding its inability to come up with sober assessments of the status of the sanctions regime. But U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood called the panels work essential and accused Russia of attempting to silence its independent objective investigations because it began reporting in the last year on Russias blatant violations of the U.N. Security Council resolutions. He warned that Russias veto will embolden North Korea to continue jeopardizing global security through development of long-range ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts. White House national security spokesman John Kirby condemned Russias veto as a reckless action that undermines sanctions imposed on North Korea, while warning against the deepening cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly as North Korea continues to supply Russia with weapons as it wages its war in Ukraine. The international community should resolutely uphold the global nonproliferation regime and support the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russias brutal aggression, Kirby told reporters. Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said Russias veto follows arms deals between Russia and North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions, including the transfer of ballistic missiles, which Russia has then used in its illegal invasion of Ukraine since the early part of this year. This veto does not demonstrate concern for the North Korean people or the efficacy of sanctions, she said. It is about Russia gaining the freedom to evade and breach sanctions in pursuit of weapons to be used against Ukraine. This panel, through its work to expose sanctions non-compliance, was an inconvenience for Russia, Woodward said. Frances U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere added that North Korea has been providing Russia with military material in support of its aggression against Ukraine, in violation of many resolutions which Russia voted in favor of. Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky responded, calling these unfounded insinuations that only strengthened our conviction that we took the right decision to not support the extension of the panel of experts. The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Koreas first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking so far unsuccessfully to cut funds and curb its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017. China and Russia vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in May 2022 that would have imposed new sanctions over a spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches. The Security Council established a committee to monitor sanctions and the mandate for its panel of experts to investigate violations had been renewed for 14 years until Thursday. In its most recent report circulated last month, the panel of experts said it is investigating 58 suspected North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023 valued at approximately $3 billion, with the money reportedly being used to help fund its development of weapons of mass destruction. The experts said North Korea continues to flout sanctions, including by further developing its nuclear weapons, and producing nuclear fissile materials the weapons key ingredients. It also continues to import refined petroleum products in violation of council resolutions. (AP) By Kim Hyun-bin Foreign ambassadors to Korea took part in the event "Forest and Innovation New Solutions for a Better World" at the National Institute of Forest Science in Seoul, commemorating the International Day of Forests. Organized by the Korea Forest Service and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), the event saw the participation of ambassadors from AFoCO member countries, including Kazakhstan, Chile, Brunei, Myanmar, the Philippines and Tajikistan. Kazakh Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov stressed the flourishing cooperation between Kazakhstan, the Korea Forest Service and AFoCO in forest accounting and restoration. Two collaborative projects are currently underway to automate forestry data collection and enhance technology for the mass production of high-quality planting material. These initiatives aim to support Kazakhstan's national reforestation goals. He also hailed the successful collaboration with Korea in planting saxaul trees (haloxylon) on the desiccated bed of the Aral Sea. Discussions between the Kazakh diplomat and Korea Forest Service Minister Nam Sung-hyun centered on the potential establishment of a regional education and training center and an AFoCO Regional Representative Office in Kazakhstan. Furthermore, both parties exchanged insights regarding forest fire control and explored the integration of advanced technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, satellites, and digital technologies for forest monitoring. Kazakhstan has been an AFoCO member since 2019, with Madi Nurpeisov, a representative from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, serving as a fellowship officer at the AFoCO Secretariat. The timing of the event, coinciding with the Nauryz celebration, which symbolizes the renewal of nature and harmony between humans and the environment, adds a symbolic touch to the dedication toward forest conservation and restoration. Nauryz holds significant importance for Kazakhs, representing the commencement of a new year. By Lee Jong-eun This month, a South Korean missionary was arrested in Russia on charges of espionage. According to Russias official news agency, Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a South Korean citizen on suspicion of passing state secrets to a foreign intelligence service. Other sources have speculated the missionarys involvement in assisting North Korean defectors in Russia motivated the arrest. Since then, South Koreas embassy has been in confidential negotiations with Russia to release its citizen. The recent event is a continuation of the challenges South Korea has faced over the past two years in implementing its tightrope diplomacy with Russia. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, Russia has drawn closer toward partnership with North Korea, while South Korea has expanded its partnership with the United States and Japan. Similar to the West and Japan, the South Korean government has voted for the U.N. resolutions condemning Russias invasion and has participated in international sanctions against Russia. Last year, South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine after attending the NATO Summit and pledged expansion of humanitarian and economic aid. At the same time, South Korea has shown caution in mitigating direct conflicts with Russia. The Yoon government has refrained from directly sending military aid to Ukraine, though it has exported arms and munitions to the U.S. and European countries. It has also negotiated with the U.S. for exemption in continuing financial transactions with the Russian Ministry of Finance, allowing the latter to repay debt to South Korea. In contrast to Japan, which had expelled multiple Russian diplomats in protest of Russias alleged war crimes, the South Korean government has been more equivocal in its diplomatic statement. Early this year, South Koreas Defense Minister Shin Won-shik declined to describe the deaths of Ukrainian civilians in the village of Bucha conclusively as a massacre. This month, South Koreas foreign ministry declined to make official statements on the reelection of Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in contrast to other countries that publicly criticized the election outcome as undemocratic. South Koreas nuanced approach toward Russia has produced mixed results. Russia has displayed relatively less hostility toward South Korea than toward other US allies. Russias ambassador to South Korea has described South Korea as most favorable among Russias list of unfavorable countries. Nonetheless, bilateral tensions have increased in the past two years. Russia has criticized South Koreas increased alignment with the U.S. and Japan and has warned against South Koreas involvement in supporting Ukraine. South Korea, in turn, has criticized Russia for increased diplomatic and economic support toward North Korea, emboldening the DPRK regime to continue military provocations in East Asia. South Koreas foreign ministry has also expressed concerns about Putins recent comment in a public interview that North Korea already has a nuclear umbrella, which could be interpreted as Russias tacit recognition of the DPRK as a nuclear-armed state. To some skeptics, South Koreas tightrope diplomacy toward Russia might appear futile in the New Cold War era between the West and the alliance of revisionist countries such as Russia, China and North Korea. However, for South Korea, preserving diplomatic ties with Russia may be based on a strategic calculation that current Russia-DPRK security ties are only transactional. In the West, there are growing concerns that certain U.S. policymakers perceive alliances as transactional partnerships rather than long-term commitments. The current Russia-North Korea partnership, however, is also transactional, based upon the present overlapping interests of the two countries. Prior to the war in Ukraine, Putins Russia had limited strategic interests in actively supporting the DPRK regime. As recently as 2017, Putin signed a presidential decree implementing the U.N. Security Councils sanction on North Korea. Instead, Russia pursued what was characterized as equidistance diplomacy, seeking economic and strategic benefits from its relationship with both Koreas. The Russia-Ukraine War has strengthened Russia's partnership with North Korea at the expense of the Russia-ROK relationship. North Korea is one of the few countries that have endorsed Russias war and has supplied military arms to Russia. In return, Russia has circumvented international sanctions to provide economic aid to North Korea and used its U.N. Security Council veto to prevent future sanctions. Russia may have also provided or could provide in the future, technological assistance to enhance North Koreas military and nuclear capacity, causing tensions with South Korea. But how long would the bilateral partnership continue? At present, Russia considers North Koreas military assistance as beneficial to its war with Ukraine. But if the war eventually ends, what other strategic benefits could North Korea offer to Russia? North Korea lacks China's economic and technological resources or Irans regional clout. North Korea could distract the United States with its nuclear provocations, but Russia could consider the risk that North Korea is too independent to be Russias reliable strategic partner. If North Koreas value to Russias strategic interests declines, Russias incentive to maintain close partnerships could also decline. Subsequently, despite current tensions, South Koreas motivation to maintain diplomatic relations with Russia may be based on a strategy to exploit the eventual weakening of the Russia-DPRK partnership. Isolating North Korea from its potential allies is a key strategic objective for South Korea, perhaps almost as important as preserving its own alliances. South Koreas preservation of diplomatic ties with Russia could be an important factor in dissuading Russia from being motivated by hostility toward South Korea to continue robust support for North Korea. Paradoxically, North Koreas strategic interest may be for the Russia-Ukraine War to continue indefinitely. In contrast, South Koreas strategic goal is to navigate the risks from the war until its end, then take advantage of the changes to Russias reliance on North Korea. Lee Jong-eun is an assistant professor of political science at North Greenville University. Thailand's parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday, a landmark step that moves one of Asia's most liberal countries closer to becoming its third territory to legalize same-sex unions. The bill had the support of all of Thailand's major parties and was more than a decade in the making. It still requires approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king before it becomes law and would take effect 120 days later. The legislation was passed by 400 of the 415 lawmakers present, with only 10 voting against it and could see Thailand join Taiwan and Nepal in allowing same-sex unions. "We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality," Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill, told lawmakers ahead of the reading. "I want to invite you all to make history." The bill's passage marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand's position as one of Asia's most liberal countries on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness and progressive attitudes coexisting in society alongside traditional, conservative Buddhist values. Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant and visible LGBT social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travelers. Equal rights guaranteed But rights activists have long maintained its laws and institutions do not reflect changing social attitudes and still discriminate against LGBT people and same-sex couples. The legislation passed on Wednesday is the consolidation of four different draft bills and recognizes marriage between two people regardless of gender, rather than a husband and wife as previously defined. It grants a couple full rights of a married couple under the country's civil and commercial code, including those concerning inheritance and adopting children. The Constitutional Court had in 2021 ruled Thailand's current marriage law, which only recognizes heterosexual couples, was constitutional, recommending legislation be expanded to ensure rights of other genders. Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBT advocate and a law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University, said the passing of the bill was a positive step but there were some unresolved issues. LGBT advocates who were on the parliamentary committee had during Wednesday's debate pushed unsuccessfully for the terms "father" and "mother" to be changed to the gender-neutral "parent" in references to the family unit, to avoid complications in issues such as adoption. "I'm happy indeed but this isn't a full marriage equality, it is only same-sex marriage," Nada said. "The right to marriage has been granted but not the full right to family establishment. "It is a shame that we didn't go the full way." (Reuters) Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain's running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82. The Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering from the party line. Lieberman's independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats, the party he aligned with in the Senate. Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one," said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat. "He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. Over the last decade, Lieberman helped lead No Labels, a centrist third-party movement that has said it will offer as-yet-unnamed candidates for president and vice president this year. Some groups aligned with Democrats oppose the effort , fearing it will help presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump win the White House. The group on Wednesday called Lieberman's unexpected death a profound loss, describing him as a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. Lieberman came tantalizingly close to winning the vice presidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges and a Supreme Court decision. He was the first Jewish candidate on a major partys presidential ticket and would have been the first Jewish vice president. Gore said in a statement Wednesday night that he was profoundly saddened by the death of his one-time running mate. He called Lieberman a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with" and said his dedication to equality and fairness started at a young age, noting Lieberman traveled to the South to join the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail, Gore said. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be McCains running mate. He and McCain were close pals who shared hawkish views on military and national security matters. McCain was leaning strongly toward choosing Lieberman for the ticket as the 2008 GOP convention neared, but he chose Sarah Palin at the last minute after ferocious blowback from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed McCains campaign. Lieberman generated controversy in 1998 when he scolded President Bill Clinton, his friend of many years, for disgraceful behavior in an explosive speech on the Senate floor during the height of the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Yet Lieberman later voted against the impeachment of Clinton. While he had a tortured relationship with Democrats, Lieberman defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, saying he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart. Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency. In announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman acknowledged that he did not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes and felt his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state and country, not his political party. During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock. It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party, said Lieberman. That is what is desperately needed in Washington now. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he didnt always agree with the independent-minded Lieberman, he respected him. Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Liebermans principles or his patriotism, Reid said. And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions. Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about Liebermans forays across party lines , which they saw as disloyal. He bolted his party and turned independent after a 2006 Senate primary loss in Connecticut. Liebermans strong support of the Iraq War had hurt his statewide popularity. Democrats rejected Lieberman and handed the 2006 primary to a political newcomer and an antiwar candidate, Ned Lamont, who is now serving a second term as Connecticut governor. Citing his Senate experience, congressional clout and support for the state's defense industry, Lieberman went on to win reelection to a fourth term as an independent. Many of his Democratic allies and longtime friends, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, had supported Lamont in that election. Lieberman was candid about what he considered a betrayal by old pals such as Dodd, but the two men later reconciled. In a statement issued Wednesday expressing condolences, Lamont said he and Lieberman eventually became friends after their grueling and contentious race. While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious, Lamont said in a statement. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle." When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed," he added. After his rebound reelection in 2006, Lieberman decided to caucus with Democrats in the Senate, who let him head a committee in return because they needed his vote to help keep control of the closely divided chamber. But it wasnt long until Lieberman was showing his independent streak and ruffling his Democratic caucus colleagues. He was an enthusiastic backer of McCain in the 2008 presidential contest, and his speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, struck a deep nerve. Lieberman cast Obama as a political show horse, a lightweight with a thin record of accomplishment in the Senate despite his soaring eloquence as a speaker. In the Senate, during the 3 1/2 years that Sen. Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to ... accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done, Lieberman said at the convention. Eloquence is no substitute for a record, he said. Lieberman campaigned heartily across the country for McCain. Many Democrats considered it a betrayal of Obama and his former party colleagues. Joe Lieberman has said things that are totally irresponsible when it comes to Barack Obama, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a radio interview during the 2008 race. In a message posted Wednesday on X, Pelosi called Lieberman a leader of integrity and patriotism while acknowledging they often disagreed on politics. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Lieberman's death was devastatingly sad and speculated that McCain, who died in 2018, was giving him an earful about how screwed up things are. After the election, there was speculation Senate Democrats might strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy branded Liebermans attacks on Obama as beyond the pale. But at Obamas urging, Senate Democrats decided not to punish Lieberman for supporting McCain and the GOP ticket. Obama was eager to strike a bipartisan tone for his presidency and giving Lieberman a pass helped reinforce that message. On Wednesday, Obama acknowledged they didn't always see eye-to-eye, but noted Lieberman had an extraordinary career in public service. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and staunch liberal, called Lieberman's convention comments a slap in the face for millions of Americans who backed Obama. Connecticut Democrats considered censuring Lieberman. Longtime friend Nick Balletto, former chairman of the state party, acknowledged many were unhappy with Lieberman and noted that the discontent overshadowed everything he had done for the state. Before the U.S. Senate, Lieberman served in the state Senate and as Connecticut Attorney General. He was the most genuine, honest, straightforward politician youd probably ever meet. What you saw is what you got, said Balletto. His issues were the issues of the people. ... He didnt move because it was where the wind wanted to be today. He stayed strong in what he believed in his heart and his mind. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his hawkish foreign policy views, his pro-defense bent and his strong support for environmental causes. Five weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and later voted in favor of the military invasion of Iraq. His vocal support for the war would later help doom his candidacy in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary. Lieberman tended to vote with Democrats on most issues and was a longtime supporter of abortion rights, a stance that would have proved problematic with conservatives had McCain chosen him as his running mate in 2008. He played a key role in the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security. Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. Lieberman graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven. As Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, he was a strong consumer and environmental advocate. Lieberman vaulted into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, Lieberman joined a New York City law firm. His funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. An additional memorial service will be announced at a later date. Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children. (AP) Angola, IN (46703) Today Rain likely. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Rain likely. Thunder possible. Low near 40F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Former I.O.I-turned-soloist Jeon Somi announced the launch of her makeup brand. Sadly, not all of her fans are happy, with some raising their brows and said that they would boycot it for THESE reasons. After building a successful career as an idol, Jeon Somi prepares to transform into a businesswoman with the launch of her own beauty and makeup brand called GLYF. Unfortunately, it didn't meet a favorable reception after netizens announced the boycott of her products. What could be the reason? Jeon Somi Reveals the Making of GLYF Jeon Somi who introduced her beauty brand in an interview with Allure magazine shared the process of making her products and brand, from writing the product development, package design, and website. Since 2023, she has been working with her GLYF team. Regarding its name, Jeon Somi revealed its meaning. "GLYF was created with inspiration from ancient hieroglyphs, glyphs. Like ancient hieroglyphs with different shapes and meanings, I interpret my cosmetics in my own way and express the beauty that each person has." ALSO READ: Jeon Somi's Biggest Fansites Close Down Why Are They Disappointed With Idol? "It contains the meaning that I want people to freely express their personalities. I only changed the 'ph' to 'YF' and expressed it in a stylish way. From the brand concept to product development, there was no part where I didn't participate. We had meetings for as many as 6 hours." Along with the launch of the company, she also announced that she will be releasing the first product in April, a special highlighter palette with four different shades. K-pop Fans Announce Boycott of Jeon Somi's Beauty Brand GLYF Upon the news, many of Somi's fans expressed their excitement. They claim that the product would surely not disappoint, given the background of the idol as a fashion and beauty enthusiast. However, people's opinions are already divided into two reasons. First, they complained that the four-color highlight palette is "too expensive." For a new beauty brand, Somi's product costs 43,000 won ($32), and beauty lovers are contemplating that they would rather buy the same product from a tested or luxury brand as the difference will not be that high. They also criticized its packaging, which is similar to those products that could be bought for a cheaper price in Daiso. "Can highlighter be this expensive?" "I wanted to buy it, but I'm hesitant because it's too expensive." i better not be seeing anyone buying this shit https://t.co/vjO1jq2sRG (@nephemerals) March 28, 2024 we will NOT be buying https://t.co/PyyDzep5hW March 28, 2024 Literally nobody asked for this https://t.co/VmghNcswiy .*: (@j3llydelly) March 28, 2024 Aside from it being "too expensive," international fans also called for a boycott, accusing her of being a "Zionist" or a person who showed support to Israel. Recently, she received massive backlash for "promoting" Starbucks, which is a company said to be funding Israel to push the genocide in Palestine. Even after deleting the said TikTok video, she continued to receive backlash for not giving a proper apology and not addressing it properly. READ MORE: K-Netz Defend K-pop Idols from 'Starbucks' Issue Started by International Fans Here's What Happened For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dela Cruz Italian luxury fashion house Gucci has once again turned to K-pop sensation NewJeans' Hanni, appointing her as their latest beauty ambassador. This announcement comes as a testament to Hanni's growing influence in the global fashion and beauty industry. Official Announcement and Photo Release On the 28th, NewJeans officially revealed through its social media platforms that Hanni had been chosen as the ambassador for Gucci Beauty. Accompanying this exciting news was a striking photo of Hanni adorned in a sleeveless Gucci ensemble, exuding a chic and sophisticated aura. Hanni's Appeal Hanni, a beloved member of NewJeans, has garnered immense admiration for her distinctive vocals and impeccable sense of fashion. Her ability to seamlessly blend trendsetting styles with a touch of individuality has captivated audiences worldwide. IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: NewJeans Hanni Recent Airport Fashion Sparks Mixed Reactions Previous Ambassadorship and Second Appointment This isn't Hanni's first collaboration with Gucci. Back in October 2022, NewJeans proudly announced Hanni as Gucci's newest global brand ambassador. Now, with her role as a beauty ambassador for the renowned fashion house, Hanni solidifies her position as a key figure in the world of luxury brands. Netizens' Reactions Fans were quick to express their excitement and support for Hanni's latest achievement. Comments flooded social media platforms like: "OH MY GOD???? CONGRATS HANNI" "so awesome! Grats to her!" "She's beautiful" "Ahhhhh congratulations our Gucci princess Hanni ~ proud of u" "Omg congrats our baby Hanni. We're so proud of u" "Proud of our Gucci princess Hanni, let's gaur!!" "she is drop gorgeous wow" "If i buy gucci product, can i get hanni?" Recently, Hanni from NewJeans recently took part in IU's "H.E.R" World Tour concert in Seoul, performing as a special guest. Afterward, Hanni shared her heartfelt experience on the group's fan communication app, Phoning, discussing the intense emotions surrounding the opportunity and the valuable lessons learned. She recounted a poignant moment during IU's performance of "Above The Time," connecting it to her days as a trainee. Hanni reflected on her initial struggles with the Korean language and how IU's music, particularly the song "Above The Time," became a source of comfort and inspiration during challenging times. Her story highlights the profound impact of music in overcoming obstacles and finding solace in shared experiences. YOU MIGHT BE ALSO INTERESTED IN: NewJeans Hanni Is Drawing Mixed Reactions in Vietnam for THIS Reason For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Cassidy Jones. HOMER, La. Less than 24 hours after his arrest, police Chief Van McDaniel was back on the Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Zhejiang will continue to ramp up efforts to enhance its business environment in order to attract more foreign investment and encourage privately owned businesses amid measures to promote local high-quality development, authorities said. The province will continue to foster a favorable business environment while accelerating the formation of new mechanisms for trade, investment and cooperation, said Lu Shan, vice-governor of Zhejiang, during a news conference held on Wednesday by the State Council Information Office. "We are committed to creating a first-class business environment characterized by marketization and internationalization, and based on the rule of law," he said. "Through regularly hosting roundtable meetings for foreign enterprises, we aim to address challenges in production and operation, ensuring smooth progress of foreign investment." Wang Hao, governor of Zhejiang, said that in 2023, the total number of market entities in the province reached 10.4 million, while the total foreign trade volume amounted to 4.9 trillion yuan ($678 billion). Zhejiang's export volume, totaling 3.57 trillion yuan, accounted for 15 percent of the national share, ranking among the leading provincial-level contributors to the growth of national imports and exports, he said. The province's efforts have already won support from many big brands and companies. Following Zhejiang's global investment promotion campaign, which aims to attract a group of high-quality and innovative foreign investment projects, Saudi Aramco one of the world's largest oil exporters signed a 24.6 billion yuan investment agreement with Rongsheng Petrochemical Co last year to further expand its presence in the province. The deal represents the continued growth of Aramco's downstream presence in Zhejiang, as the oil giant eyes greater investment and cooperation opportunities amid China's high-quality development, Aramco said. Li Shuirong, chairman of Rongsheng, said the agreement also signifies an important step forward in the Zhejiang-based company's internationalization strategy. Wang Lining, director of the oil market department of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corp, said the nation has been encouraging participation of foreign companies in the refining sector and has attracted investment by several such companies over the past few years. Large domestic private enterprises, including Rongsheng, have played a key role in China's advanced refining capacity in recent years, he said. Wang Hao said that while Zhejiang looks forward to more foreign investment through continuous policy measures, it will also continuously foster a favorable business environment and maintain the sustainable growth of privately or individually owned businesses in the province. "We will vigorously promote innovation and deepen reforms, in order to inject new vitality into the regional economy and create more new business opportunities," he added. Zarazeno ct 28.03.2024 03:03:30 Vydano Zdroj scio.gov.cn Original english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2024-03/28/content_117089841.htm lang en New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, following a collision with a container ship early on March 26, has brought trade through the Maryland port to a grinding halt, causing significant disruptions to the flow of commodities, particularly coal and cobalt. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, the closure of the bridge, which serves as artery for the transportation of goods in and out of the Port of Baltimore, has led to the suspension of vessel traffic, severely impacting trade operations at one of the United States' key maritime hubs. Also Read | US: Four Killed, Seven Wounded in Northern Illinois Stabbings, Cops Say One Suspect in Custody (Watch Video). The bridge collapse has effectively blocked access to major US coal export terminals, including CSX Curtis Bay and Consol Marine Terminal (CNX), disrupting the flow of coal shipments. Baltimore, as the top originating port for US thermal coal exports, faces a substantial setback, with approximately 17.1 million metric tons of thermal coal exported from the port in 2023 alone. Also Read | Shiv Jayanti 2024 Wishes in Marathi: WhatsApp Messages, Quotes, Banners, Greetings, Images and Wallpapers To Celebrate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti. Furthermore, the closure is expected to impede US coal exports to key destinations such as India, China, Canada, and the Netherlands, with Baltimore handling a significant portion of these shipments. Primary shippers of coal from Baltimore, including Arch Resources, Consol, and XCoal, among others, are likely to face logistical challenges as alternative routes may not provide sufficient capacity to compensate for the disruption. While some of the impacted coal tonnage may be diverted to terminals in Hampton Roads, Virginia, industry experts anticipate short-term disruptions in Baltimore coal exports, albeit with limited pricing impacts due to well-stocked markets. Baltimore's significance in the metals trade is also underlined by the disruption, particularly in cobalt imports. The port serves as the largest source of US cobalt imports, with over half of total shipments flowing into Baltimore in 2023. The closure has halted cobalt shipments, leading to tight inventories and a halt in spot cobalt offerings in the US. Moreover, Baltimore's ports were the third-largest destination for US imports of unwrought primary aluminum in 2023, further exacerbating the impact on metals trade. Shipments of tin, copper, zinc, and lead are also expected to face delays, affecting supply chains and market dynamics. Bulk ferrous scrap exports from Baltimore terminals in 2023 witnessed a significant increase, with the collapse likely to impede further shipments. Additionally, the closure may affect exports of LDPE film bales, albeit representing a small portion of total US scrap plastic ethylene derivative exports. While the bridge collapse has had little impact on US refined products flows and prices, bunker supplies on the Atlantic Coast could tighten as vessels seek alternative refuelling ports. Furthermore, the closure is likely to necessitate the shifting of container traffic to other area ports, including those in New York, New Jersey, and Norfolk, Virginia, adding complexities to shipping operations. Across various commodities, price reactions have been observed. While coal prices remained relatively stable, cobalt prices saw an uptick following the disruption. Similarly, aluminium transaction premiums reached a five-month high, reflecting market uncertainties and supply chain disruptions. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) BusinessWire India Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 28: Jindal Aluminium Limited, the largest producer of aluminium extruded products in India, has completed two years since the commencement of its Bhiwadi operations. The company concluded an Rs 100 crore acquisition of Indo Alusys Industries Limited Bhiwadi assets and announced the successful commencement of production in January 2022. Over the last two years, Jindal Aluminium has transformed the 1,02,000 sq m campus into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with another investment of approximately Rs 300 crores. It utilizes cutting-edge production techniques to ensure efficiency and precision throughout its operations. This valuable acquisition has increased the company's total extrusion capacity by 40 per cent to 1,50,000 TPA. Commencing the newly acquired plant's production at 500 tonnes per month, the company has managed an impressive turnaround of this unit, now producing 2500 tonnes of engineered Aluminium per month at Bhiwadi. It has significantly enhanced the plant's operations by adding a new foundry, extrusion presses, heat treatment, and surface treatment facilities, including anodizing and powder-coating. It has undertaken multiple other infrastructure developments to service its customers, employees, and the local ecosystem. Commemorating the milestone, Pragun Jindal Khaitan, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Jindal Aluminium Ltd., said, "As the demand for engineered aluminium products continues to rise, this significant expansion aligns with our core strength of catering to the evolving market demands consistently. With a steadfast focus on innovation, sustainability and quality, we are committed to contributing to the thriving economy and local community, shaping the future of the aluminium downstream industry in India." Jindal Aluminium has significantly impacted the employment landscape by generating over 1000 jobs through its Bhiwadi facility by different means. Moreover, the company remains committed to upholding its environmental and social responsibilities. The Bhiwadi facility is working towards achieving 'Zero Water Discharge' by implementing advanced wastewater treatment technologies. The company endeavours to create a conducive and nurturing work environment by offering various amenities, including food, accommodation, and recreational centres. Through continuous innovation and sustainable practices, the company strives to build a brighter and more prosperous future for its employees and the communities it serves. Also Read | Hezbollah Announces Death of Five Operatives in Israeli Airstrike. Founded by Dr Sitaram Jindal in 1968, Jindal Aluminium Limited is a pioneer in manufacturing Aluminium products. With a state-of-the-art facility and expertise in manufacturing intricate Aluminium profiles, it is the largest producer of Aluminium extruded and the second-largest producer of Aluminium flat-rolled products in India. The company believes in building an enriched society brought about by innovation and excellence in manufacturing Aluminium products. Jindal Aluminium is the first Indian Aluminium extrusion company with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) and ISO 9002 certification (currently revalidated as per IS/ISO 9001:2015). It is also certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for marine applications and AS9100D aerospace certification. To know more, visit - www.JindalAluminium.comWatch YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57pNr3UpfH4Media resource bank, click - Media BankCommon industry jargons, click - Common Industry Jargons - Downstream Aluminium.pdf Forward-looking cautionary declaration Also Read | Maharashtra: Man Jumps Off Train to Catch Mobile Phone Thief, Dies; Accused Arrested. This press release's statements may be forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as but not limited to the development of general economic conditions, future market or industry conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. Jindal Aluminium Limited does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time on behalf of the company. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will Jindal Aluminium or its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): Total funds amounting to Rs 10.3 lakh crore have been transferred to state governments as a devolution of share of taxes by the central government, which is Rs 2.25 lakh crore higher than it had done the previous year, the Ministry of Finance said in a release on Thursday. The minister today published the monthly account of the Union Government of India up to the month of February, 2024. Also Read | RR 9/1 in 1.4 Overs | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals Live Score Updates, IPL 2024: Mukesh Kumar Dismisses Yashasvi Jaiswal. The centre received Rs 22.45 lakh crore (81.5 per cent of corresponding revised estimates of 2023-24 of total receipts) up to February, 2024 comprising Rs 18,49 lakh crore Tax Revenue (Net to Centre), Rs 3.60 crore of Non-Tax Revenue and Rs 36,140 crore of Non-Debt Capital Receipts. Non-Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans Rs 23,480 crore and Miscellaneous Capital Receipts of Rs 12,660 crore. Also Read | Good Friday 2024: From The Passover Plot To Pilate and Others, Here Are 5 Must-Watch Biblical Films Depicting the Story of Jesus Christ. Further, total expenditure incurred by centre is Rs 37.47 lakh crore (83.4 per cent of corresponding revised estimates of 2023-24), out of which Rs 29.41 lakh crore is on revenue account and Rs 8.05 lakh crore is on capital account. Out of the total revenue expenditure, Rs 8.80 lakh crore is on account of interest payments and Rs 3.60 lakh crore is on account of "major" subsidies. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 28: Kotak General Insurance, an insurance provider in India is proud to mark a significant step towards car insurance. Kotak General Insurance highlights its affordable and comprehensive car insurance plans with a firm commitment to making insurance accessible to every vehicle owner. Also Read | Aadujeevitham aka The Goat Life Review: Prithviraj Sukumarans Intense Act As Najeeb Gets Lauded by Critics in Films Miserablist Narrative. Kotak General Insurance aims to bridge the gap in the market by providing car insurance plans that cater to different segments of the population by recognising the diverse needs of vehicle owners. These plans offer financial protection without compromising on coverage, ensuring that all vehicle owners can protect their cars against unforeseen risks. Car insurance plans from Kotak General Insurance are a testimony of commitment and to ensure that every car owner can afford and access quality car insurance coverage. Also Read | Kolkata: CISF Jawan Shoots Himself Dead at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Key features of Kotak General Insurance's car insurance plans Kotak General Insurance highlights some of the key features of car insurance plans: Affordability Kotak General Insurance is redefining affordability in the insurance industry. The car insurance plans are priced competitively, making them accessible to a broader audience beyond economic status. This ensures that financial challenges do not become a barrier to securing adequate insurance coverage for cars. Comprehensive car insurance Kotak General Insurance's car insurance plans do not compromise on coverage despite its affordability. The plans are crafted to provide comprehensive car insurance against various risks, including accidents, theft, natural disasters and third-party liabilities. Ease of purchase Kotak General Insurance understands the value of time and the car insurance plans come with a seamless and quick purchasing process. Customers can secure car insurance coverage without unnecessary hassles with user-friendly interfaces and minimal documentation requirements. Digital accessibility Kotak General Insurance ensures that customers can access and manage their policies conveniently through online platforms by embracing the digital age. This not only simplifies the insurance process but also aligns with the evolving preferences of today's tech-savvy consumers. Community impact Kotak General Insurance's initiative aims to have a positive impact on communities beyond individual benefits and contributes toward creating a more secure and resilient society by making insurance affordable for a wider demographic. This move by Kotak General Insurance aligns with the broader industry trend of reimagining traditional insurance models to better serve the evolving needs of consumers. As the insurance industry continues to evolve, Kotak General Insurance remains committed to staying at the forefront of innovation. About Kotak General Insurance At Kotak General Insurance, we believe in being a partner in our customer's journey, ensuring that they have the right coverage for their unique needs. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that protect what matters the most to them. Kotak General Insurance was established to service the growing non-life insurance segment in India. The company aims to cater to a wide range of customer segments & geographies offering an array of non-life insurance products like Motor, Health, Home, etc. As a practice, the company seeks to provide a differentiated value proposition through customised products and services leveraging state-of-the-art technology and digital infrastructure. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) NewsVoir Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 28: BBG stands as a leading real estate company in India, dedicated to realizing the aspirations of individuals to own a piece of land, thereby catalysing opportunities in the real estate sector. Also Read | Aadujeevitham aka The Goat Life Full Movie Leaked on Tamilrockers, Movierulz & Telegram Channels for Free Download & Watch Online; Prithviraj Sukumaran's Film Is the Latest Victim of Piracy?. Philosophy: Our philosophy at BBG is distinctive and differs from conventional norms. Central to our philosophy is the concept of "Your True Wealth." While many individuals typically associate wealth with financial assets, possessions, or material acquisitions such as cars and houses, BBG recognizes a deeper dimension. According to BBG's philosophy, genuine wealth lies in the aspirations and dreams of one's children and family, the values they cherish, and the legacy they wish to leave behind. Also Read | Aadujeevitham aka The Goat Life Movie Review: A Committed Prithviraj Sukumaran Invokes Mix of Nausea and Awe in Blessys Gruelling Survival Drama (LatestLY Exclusive). Purpose: BBG's purpose is deeply rooted in empowering the girl child, particularly in terms of education and holistic development. To date, our initiatives have impacted the lives of 170,000 girls through five core programs, affectionately referred to as the "Pancharatnas", (Suraksha, Swashakthi, Ahlada, prerana, Bharosa) which are integral to nurturing their personalities and potentials. In the academic year 2023-2024, BBG extended its reach to certain areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Notably, the establishment of Bharosa centers in Telangana has been instrumental in supporting girls who have faced adversity, while the Prerana Program, conducted in various government schools, focused on instilling values, fostering self-confidence, and offering guidance to students, particularly those preparing for board exams. BBG firmly believes that the true wealth of a society lies in the development and empowerment of its girl children. As such, we have expanded our efforts to encompass approximately 48,000 students in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the academic year 2023-2024. Looking ahead to the academic year 2024-2025, BBG is committed to reaching out to even younger students, particularly those in primary schools, with a focus on enhancing their physical and mental well-being. To achieve this, BBG is actively collaborating with various third-party organizations and planning to provide essential services such as self-defence training, spoken English skills, and primary medical check-ups to assess the physical and mental health of the young girls, whom we affectionately term as "Bangaaruthalli". Additionally, in an effort to expand the reach of our "Pancharatnas," BBG is identifying central locations in both Telugu states, including Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Nizamabad in Telangana, and Nellore, Kurnool, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. These centers will serve as hubs for empowering both primary and high school girls through the engagement of freelance trainers. BBG remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a brighter future for the girl children of our society, recognizing that their empowerment is the cornerstone of true prosperity and progress. (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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Four terrorists were on Thursday given life imprisonment in a terror conspiracy case related to the banned Babbar Khalsa International outfit by a NIA special court in Mohali, according to an official statement. The terrorists convicted and sentenced by the court include chief conspirator Kulwinderjeet Singh alias Khanpuria, involved in several terror cases, including a bomb blast at Connaught Place and a grenade attack at Red Fort in Delhi, in the nineties, said the statement issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Also Read | Delhi Horror: Five-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Raped and Killed in Bawana; Accused Arrest From Kolkata. He was also wanted in several terror cases, including a conspiracy to carry out targeted killings in Punjab, it said. Khanpuria was found to have masterminded the BKI terror conspiracy in the instant case, the statement said. Also Read | Rs 2000 Banknotes: Exchange, Deposit at RBI Regional Offices Won't Be Available on April 1 Due to 'Annual Closing of Accounts'. He had been absconding since 2019 and was arrested by the NIA from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, on his deportation from Bangkok in November 2022. He had then been carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh for his arrest and was declared a proclaimed offender by the NIA court. "In a major victory for NIA in its fight against the terror outfits and networks, the NIA special court, Mohali, on Thursday sentenced four terrorists to life in a terror conspiracy case related to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) outfit," the statement said. NIA investigations had revealed that Khanpuria, along with his handlers and associates, based in India and abroad, had planned and conspired to carry out terrorist attacks in India. He later managed to flee from India. "While he was based abroad, he came in contact with Harmeet alias PhD, and subsequently with wanted Pakistan-based ISYF (International Sikh Youth Federation) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, who roped him into using his India-based terrorist associates for targeting various identified individuals as well as establishments," the statement said. All four were actively involved in the criminal conspiracy to unleash a wave of terror attacks across the country, with the aim of reviving the terrorist movement in Punjab, it said. To further their nefarious anti-India agenda, they had collected funds, arms and ammunition, and had also conducted a recce of significant targets, including the Dera Sacha Sauda complex, security-related establishments in Punjab and BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) office in Chandigarh, NIA investigations had revealed. NIA had charge-sheeted them earlier under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The case was originally registered by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, on May 30, 2019. It was taken over and re-registered by the NIA later in pursuance of the Union Home Ministry's order dated June 26, 2019. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) A court here Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the excise policy case. The agency sought seven-day custody of the AAP chief, but the court said he has to be produced before it on April 1 at 11 am. Also Read | MHA Extends AFSPA in Parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for Six More Months. The ED had produced him before Rouse Avenue court Special Judge Kaveri Baweja as his current six-day custody was ending on Thursday. The ED said in its fresh remand plea that during Kejriwal's custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded over five days but he was "giving evasive replies". Also Read | Bengaluru: Woman Techie Quits Job to Become 'Full-Time Thief' and Steal Expensive Electronics, Held. It said statements of three other persons relevant to the case have also been recorded during the remand period. It said that during the ED custody, Kejriwal was confronted with C Arvind, the then personal secretary to deputy CM Manish Sisodia who was handed over the draft Group of Ministers (GoM) report for the 2021-22 excise policy at the residence of the chief minister. It said the statement of one of the AAP candidates in the 2022 Goa elections was also recorded during Kejriwal's ED custody. It revealed that the candidate did not have any money and his election expenditure was "taken care of by the AAP Office Delhi only through their associates", The plea said that during the custody, data from the mobile phone of the chief minister's wife have been extracted and were being analysed. "However, data from other four digital devices seized during the search at Kejriwal's premises on March 21 (belonging to Kejriwal) are yet to be extracted as the arrestee (Kejriwal) has sought time in providing password and login credentials after consulting with his lawyers," it said. The application said the movable and immovable property details, income tax returns (ITRs), and other financial details sought from Kejriwal were yet to be provided by the chief minister, or his family members. The federal probe agency said it had sought the details regarding the appointments made with the chief minister in the online portal in his office. It said the during the interrogation, summonses were issued to senior excise officials in Punjab who were "involved in the arm-twisting of certain (liquor) wholesalers of Delhi." The agency said that when the demand for bribes was not fulfilled, these officials either shut down their factories or did not allow the wholesalers to despatch their goods to Punjab. The plea said the officials concerned sought time on the summonses, citing the hooch tragedy in Sangrur. "The arrestee needs to be interrogated further in the wake of these reasons or findings. Hence, it is imperative in the interest of investigation that seven days' further custodial remand of Arvind Kejriwal may be granted to the Directorate of Enforcement," the plea said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) India on Thursday said Beijing may "repeat its baseless claims" as many times as it wants but that is not going to change New Delhi's position that Arunachal Pradesh "was, is and will always remain" an integral and inalienable part of the country. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this during his weekly press briefing, in response to a query on China continuing to harp on its claim over Arunachal Pradesh. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: BRS Candidate Kadiyam Kavya for Warangal Seat Withdraws From Contest. His comments came days after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Monday reiterated China's claim. "Our position on the matter, Arunachal Pradesh, has been made very clear, time and again. Recently also, we issued a statement in this regard. China may repeat its baseless claims as many times as they want, that is not going to change our position. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India," he said. Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Dies: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Asks Officials To Beef Up Security After Mafia-Turned-Politician's Death in Banda. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on March 19 it had noted the comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry "advancing absurd claims over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India. Jaiswal on Thursday was also asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau again commenting on the allegations linked with killing of a Khalistani separatist leader on Canadian soil, as reported in the media. "What Prime Minister Trudeau has said is nothing new," the MEA spokesperson said, and recalled the comments made by his predecessor last September in a press briefing that India was "ready to investigate any specific and concrete infirmation if it shared with us. But, we are yet to receive any such information. We have also cautioned against playing politics and giving extremists more space". He was also asked about the Chinese foreign ministry's comments related to the case of Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "India and the United States, as two countries adhering to rule of law, are capable of dealing with any issues that we have between ourselves. There is no role for any speculative comments and gratuitous advice by unrelated third parties," the MEA spokesperson said. The United States is working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, according to the Biden administration. An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged by federal prosecutors in November last year in connection with his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. On the UN Security Council on March 25 passing a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramzan, after more than five months since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, "We see that resolution as a positive development", the MEA spokesperson said in response to a query. He said India has repeatedly called for "deescalation and preventing the spread of he conflict". "We have condemned terrorism, called for release of hostages, protection of civilians, and reiterated the need for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and aid to the people of Palestine. And, we also stand for a two-state solution," Jaiswal said. On a query on the visit of the Sri Lankan prime minister to Beijing, he said, "We monitor all developments that have an impact on our economic and security interests and we take necessary action that are required to be taken." (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 28 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash amounting to Rs 3.89 crore and other incriminating materials during searches conducted at 26 residential and business premises related to one Bhupinder Singh and other private persons, along with two senior IAS officers in Punjab, in relation to the Guava Orchard Compensation scam. The agency made the revelation a days after its Jalandhar unit carried out the search operations in Punjab's Ferozepur, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Bathinda, Barnala, Patiala and Chandigarh districts under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the case. The 26 locations raided on Wednesday also included premises of officers of revenue and horticulture department in various districts across Punjab. Also Read | Bhiwandi Shocker: Class 10 Student Allegedly Assaulted, Stabbed With Knife by Three Students for Not Helping in Copying During SSC Exam; Trio Booked. During the search, the ED said in a statement, various incriminating evidences, property documents, mobile phones and cash worth Rs 3.89 crore were recovered and seized. ED initiated investigation on the basis of First Information Report registered by Punjab's Vigilance Bureau under various sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Bhupinder Singh, Jasmine Kaur and others. Also Read | Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Party: Veteran Bollywood Actor Meets Maharashtra CM Ahead of Lok Sabha Election 2024 (Watch Video). ED investigation revealed that in 2016 Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Punjab started the process of acquiring land of various villages of SAS Nagar, Punjab for "Setting up Aerotropolis Residential Project Near IT city and Aerocity in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar". ED said that private persons close to officers of GMADA, revenue department and horticulture department were aware of the fact that compensation for fruit bearing trees (guava trees) would be assessed separately from the value of land acquired and additional compensation was to be granted as per the quality, age and various other parameters related to Guava trees planted. Accordingly, the federal agency said, persons involved in the scam (beneficiaries, officers of GMADA, revenue and horticulture department) "colluded amongst themselves and created false and forged records and reports regarding existence, age, quality and density of guava trees to avail wrongful compensation." As per the ED, the total Proceed of Crime (PoC) identified so far is Rs 140 crore. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Stock exchanges BSE and NSE on Thursday launched the beta version of T+0, or same-day trade settlement on an optional basis for select stocks. To begin with, this will offer investors an option to transact in 25 securities in T+0 settlement. Also Read | Delhi Horror: Five-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Raped and Killed in Bawana; Accused Arrest From Kolkata. More than 60 members each participated in both exchanges on the first day. On the BSE, 63 members participated in this optional segment. As many as 41 members traded in 10 scrips and placed 329 orders, resulting in 90 trades. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Releases First List of Eight Candidates, Renominates Sitting MPs in Seven Seats. Unique investors using this facility stood at 49, the bourse said in a statement. Separately, the NSE said 66 trading members placed 209 orders for 87 unique PANs in 24 securities on the first day. This resulted in 46 trades in 14 securities involving 32 trading members and 41 PANs. Designed to settle trades on the same day, the T+0 settlement facilitates quicker receipt of funds and securities in investor accounts, thereby reducing the risks associated with time lag. The rollout involved collaboration between regulators, exchanges, clearing corporations, depositories, and the member community at large. "We are pleased to inform the successful implementation of the first T+0 settlement cycle today (28th March 2024). This is a significant step towards greater efficiency and reduced risk in our market," BSE Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sundararaman Ramamurthy said. "We are confident that this optional settlement cycle will contribute to the continued growth and development of the capital markets in India," Ramamurthy said. Bajaj Auto, Vedanta, Hindalco Industries, State Bank of India (SBI), Trent, Tata Communications, Nestle India, Cipla, MRF, JSW Steel, BPCL, ONGC, NMDC and Ambuja Cements are among the 25 scrips available for T+0 settlement. After deliberations and approval of the Sebi's board, the regulator last week put in place a framework for introduction of the beta version of T+0 settlement cycle on an optional basis from March 28. Sebi, in its effort to keep pace with the changing times and carry out its mandate of development of securities markets and investor protection, shortened the settlement cycle to T+3 from T+5 in 2002 and subsequently to T+2 in 2003. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Since February 14, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been sitting on the file that recommended the removal of the principal of a medical college, where women faced sexual harassment, Raj Niwas officials said on Thursday. Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena had sent a note in the matter to Kejriwal before his arrest on March 21, officials said. Also Read | Mukhtar Ansari Dies: Mafia-Turned-Politician Passes Away After Suffering Heart Attack in Prison; Section 144 Imposed in Three Districts of Uttar Pradesh. In the note, Saxen alleged that neither transfer/posting, nor "vigilance action on sensitive matters" could be initiated due to "inaction" on part of Kejriwal. Hitting back, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday said Saxena had taken action against officers earlier too without consulting the chief minister. Also Read | CBI Files Closure Report Against NCP Leader Praful Patel in Corruption Case. In a note to LG on March 20, Bharadwaj had demanded the immediate removal of the principal of the state-run medical college, alleging that he was uncooperative with the victims and that he discouraged/demotivated them from pursuing the case further. Saxena has already directed the Delhi Police to expedite criminal proceedings and also directed the chief secretary to expedite disciplinary proceedings in the case. "I find it pertinent to highlight that the Hon'ble Health Minister, in both the current note and a previous correspondence to the Chief Secretary, has requested the immediate transfer of the incumbent principal and the Head of the Department of Pharmacology. "The irony lies in the fact that although the Hon'ble Health Minister has made a request for the transfer of the Principal of ... the file for his transfer has been held up by you, as the chairman of NCCSA, since February 14, 2024. Despite reminders from the Member Secretary of NCCSA, the proposal is still pending for your recommendations on the matter," read LG's note. Kejriwal is the chairman of NCCSA. He was arrested on March 21. Bharadwaj on Thursday said that the file Saxena is talking about pertains to transfer of 17 medical directors and medical superintendent of different hospitals and the name of the principal was among them. "It was a routine file. There was no mention of the sexual harassment case," the minister said. On January 31, a professor at the medical college made "obscene" remarks to two MBBS students and tried to inappropriately touch them. The aggrieved students filed their complaints at the principal's office on February 1. "After lodging the complaint, the students had hoped that perhaps some action would be taken in this matter. This case was also referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), but days passed and no action was taken," he said. Instead of taking action, the principal and other hospital officials exerted pressure on the students to withdraw their complaints, he charged. The students then approached police and FIRs were registered on February 22. "I learned about this case through social media on March 18. I immediately called those two students for a meeting. They, along with their seniors and a warden, came to my office and explained the whole incident in detail. "After listening to the students, when I spoke to the principal of the medical college, he seemed to protect the guilty professor and instead started accusing the students," the minister said. Bharadwaj said he wrote a letter to the chief secretary the same day, asking why he had not received the report of the ICC, formed in early February, in the case. Bharadwaj said a doctor or any other health officer or employee is transferred from one place to another using the "detailment" procedure, and there is no need for NCCSA approval for this. He also said that the health secretary has the power to use his power to transfer any officer or employee of the health department from one hospital to another. "I also wrote to the LG that when the police can complete their report within so many days, then why is the ICC taking so long to complete its investigation report?" he said. Bharadwaj said he has learnt that the ICC had given a clean chit to the accused. "I urge the LG that the health secretary has the authority, you can immediately detail those guilty officials. I request you to take immediate action against these guilty officials and detail them as soon as possible," 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) Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 28 (ANI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has evacuated a seriously ill man from a tugboat off Gujarat's Veraval coast and shifted him to a government hospital for treatment, officials said. After receiving information regarding a medical emergency on tug 'ABS Anokhi' on Tuesday, ICG interceptor craft IC-121 immediately rushed from ICG Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre at Veraval in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, it said in a statement. Also Read | Sacred Lemons That Devotees Believe Can Cure Infertility Being Sold for Rs 2.36 Lakh at Tamil Nadus Villupuram Temple. 47-year-old crew member K Ponnusamy was evacuated from the tug located around 10 kilometres from Veraval, the Indian Coast Guard said. "India Coast Guard MRCC Mumbai received a distress call from Tug ABS Anokhi for 47 yr old critically sick crew member. Swift action by ICGS IC-121 from Veraval ensured prompt evacuation and medical aid. The patient was safely transferred to Government Hospital," the ICG said. Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal To Be Produced Before Rouse Avenue Court Today. Earlier on February 20, the ICG safely evacuated a Mexican national who suffered a heart attack onboard a passenger vessel off the Goa coast. A medical evacuation at sea was successfully executed by the ICG Ship C-158, ensuring the safety and well-being of Mexican national Fernando Cruz Mendez (53). The coast guard received a message from Celebrity Millennium, a passenger vessel, about a medical emergency around 7.25 pm on Monday, around 40 km from the coast, he said. A passenger had suffered a heart attack onboard the vessel, which was proceeding towards Mumbai. The Coast Guard Headquarters in Goa immediately diverted ICGS C-158, which was on area patrol. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Banda (UP), Mar 28 (PTI) Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to a hospital in Banda district after his health deteriorated again, his lawyer said on Thursday. Naseem Haider, Ansari's lawyer, said he was informed by the jail authorities that the gangster-turned-politician was taken to the Banda Medical College but no further information was provided. Also Read | Delhi Horror: Five-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped, Raped and Killed in Bawana; Accused Arrest From Kolkata. On Tuesday, Ansari was taken to a hospital from Banda jail and was later discharged. According to jail sources, Ansari's condition deteriorated on Thursday evening after which he was rushed to the hospital. Also Read | Rs 2000 Banknotes: Exchange, Deposit at RBI Regional Offices Won't Be Available on April 1 Due to 'Annual Closing of Accounts'. Ansari has served as an MLA from Mau several times. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, March 28: The Congress will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls here on April 6, party's Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Thursday. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will release the party's manifesto at a public meeting in Jaipur. Randhawa was talking to reporters after the meeting regarding election strategy in the Congress' 'War Room' here. He said in today's meeting, the preparations for this public meeting were also discussed. Lok Sabha Election 2024: Congress Likely To Hold Meeting on March 31 To Finalise Remaining Candidates for General Polls. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra handed over responsibilities. He said there is enthusiasm among the leaders and the people, and more and more crowd will come to the public meeting. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. On the question of Congress candidate Sudarshan Rawat expressing his desire not to contest the elections from Rajsamand after being named in the list, Randhawa said every party has to change the ticket from time to time. Many parties change tickets at the last moment, he added. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress Releases Its Eight List of Candidates for General Polls, Fields Nakul Dubey From Sitapur; Check Names of Candidates. Dotasra said on the occasion that our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are coming and will release the party's election manifesto in the public meeting. Targeting the BJP government of the state, he said, "In four months, they have done only tours, speeches and mislead the people. Apart from this, they have done nothing else." Dotasra claimed that there is enthusiasm among the people about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He described the electoral bonds as the biggest scam in the country. (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 28 (PTI) BJP's Krishnagar Lok Sabha candidate 'Rajmata' Amrita Roy dismissed her opponent, the formidable TMC candidate Mahua Moitra, as a non-threat, asserting that the "misrule and corruption" under the TMC government in Bengal has compelled her to enter politics. In an interview with PTI, Roy praised the union government for implementing the CAA rules, stating that it would benefit the refugee population, including the Matua community, who had fled neighbouring countries to escape religious persecution. Also Read | Bengaluru: Woman Techie Quits Job to Become 'Full-Time Thief' and Steal Expensive Electronics, Held. Roy, who hails from the royal family of Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy and holds the title of 'Rajmata of the Rajbari', said the people of Bengal are "fed up" with the misrule and corruption charges against the state government. "Joining politics was a conscious decision. I am an apolitical person, but I have joined the BJP on request as it is a good platform. All of us living in Bengal are fed up with the misrule of the TMC. People are not happy with the TMC," she said. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: SP Candidate Asim Raja's Nomination From Rampur Seat Rejected on Technical Grounds. Roy claimed that wherever she had campaigned, she observed how people were deprived of their rights due to corruption and misrule. "I want to work for the development of the people of the state. People had voted for the TMC with a lot of expectations, but they are disappointed now. You can say this disappointment has forced me into politics. As a woman and as a citizen, I thought I have a role to play given the situation of the state," she added. A fashion designer by profession, Roy asserted that the overwhelming response she received during campaigning gave her confidence that she would win the seat by a significant margin, defeating TMC's Mahua Moitra. "I don't consider my rival as a threat as the response and love that I have been getting speaks a lot about my acceptance among the people of Krishnanagar," said the Rajmata, whose family holds considerable respect in the Krishnanagar area. Regarding the implementation of CAA and its impact in her constituency, which has a considerable Matua population, she said, "CAA will help the Hindus who had to flee neighbouring countries due to religious persecution." According to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), rules of which were notified on March 13, the government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians -- from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. On the issue of Sandeshkhali, where a section of women accused TMC leaders of sexual abuse, Roy said such "shameful incidents" reflect the ground situation in the state. She emphasised that women's education and health would be her focus areas if she wins the election. "There are no good hospitals in Krishnanagar. You have to go to Kolkata or Kalyani (in the same district) to get good treatment," she mentioned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called up Roy, who is married to Soumish Chandra Roy, the 39th descendant of Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy. According to the details of the conversation shared by the party, she informed the prime minister that her family is being labelled traitors by the TMC and highlighted that Krishnachandra Roy worked for people and joined hands with other kings to save "Sanatan Dharma." Commonly referred to as 'Rajmata' due to her royal lineage to the Krishnanagar Royal family, Amrita Roy maintained her stance that the 18th-century Bengal king Krishnachandra Roy sided with the British during the Battle of Plassey in 1757 because Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah was a tyrant and Santan dharma was under threat during his rule. The assertion of the first-time contestant has sparked controversy as the Trinamool Congress has been campaigning that the Maharaja had sided with Mir Jafar, a military general who helped the British defeat Siraj in the Battle of Plassey and later became the king. Roy suggested that the TMC should read the history before making baseless remarks. "The allegation is Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy had sided with the British. The question is why did he do that? It's because of the tyranny of Siraj-ud-Daullah. If Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy had not done that, Hinduism and the Bengali language would not have survived in Bengal," Roy argued. "The Santan dharma was under threat because of Siraj-ud-Daulah's tyranny. Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy saved Bengal and Hinduism," she concluded. Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy, born in 1710 and reigning until 1783, was a key figure in Nadia's history, known for resisting Siraj-ud-Daulah and fostering public festivals like Durga Puja and Jagadhatri Puja. His governance, spanning 55 years, also left an indelible mark on Bengal's administrative reforms. Roy accused the TMC of misconstruing historical facts. The Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat is scheduled for polls on May 13 in the fourth phase. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) There will be no change of guard ceremony on March 30 due to the Bharat Ratna presentation ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official statement issued on Thursday said. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition that is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards to take charge. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Releases First List of Eight Candidates, Renominates Sitting MPs in Seven Seats. "The change of guard ceremony will not take place this Saturday (March 30, 2024) at Rashtrapati Bhavan due to Bharat Ratna presentation ceremony," said the statement issued by the President's office. BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister L K Advani, former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh as well as agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan have been selected for the award of Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour. Also Read | TMC Files Complaint to EC Against PM Narendra Modi, BJP Candidate Amrita Roy Over Their Telephonic Conversation. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 28 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded an apology from Kathir Anand, candidate of the ruling Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) from Vellore Lok Sabha constituency, over his alleged remarks against women during an election event. Expressing dissapointment over the alleged 'fairness cream' remarks by the ruling party's candidate, Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy called it 'nonsense' adding that the DMK government is 'making a mockery' of people. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Releases First List of Eight Candidates, Renominates Sitting MPs in Seven Seats. "This is not just an insult. They think people are fools. This is nonsense. This DMK government is making a mockery of people. He should apologise for what he has said," the BJP leader said. DMK leader Kathir Anand made the alleged remarks earlier on Wednesday, March 27, while addressing an election event, highlighting the state government's financial aid scheme offering Rs 1000 monthly assistance to women heads of family. Also Read | Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Case: NIA Arrests One Key Conspirator After Massive Raids Across Multiple Locations in Three States. "Everyone's face looks stunning and bright. All are shining. It looks like you have all applied fair and lovely, ponds powder and singhar kum kum. What is the reason? Didn't you all receive Rs 1000? After the election whoever else missed will also get Kalaignar financial aid," Kathir Anand said. The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam (Kalaignar Women's Rights Grant Scheme) of the state government was launched in September last year. The scheme is among the crucial poll promises that catapulted the DMK to power. Under this scheme, Rs 1000 is being deposited into the accounts of all eligible women beneficiaries. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh [India], March 28 (ANI): Four-time Patiala MP and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Preneet Kaur has expressed her willingness to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Patiala seat. "If BJP wants, then I will contest (from Patiala)," she said, indicating her readiness to serve the party's interests. Also Read | MHA Extends AFSPA in Parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for Six More Months. Kaur is no stranger to politics. Kaur a four-time Patiala MP and former Congress leader is the wife of Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab, who also switched his allegiance from the Congress to the BJP in 2022. Notably, Preneet Kaur was suspended from Congress for indulging in anti-party activities and helping the BJP. Her political career includes multiple successful runs in the Lok Sabha elections. She was first elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004.Kaur won the elections in 2009 and 2019 and was re-elected to the Lok Sabha. Also Read | Bengaluru: Woman Techie Quits Job to Become 'Full-Time Thief' and Steal Expensive Electronics, Held. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes is slated for June 4. In Punjab, voting for the 13 Lok Sabha seats will take place on June 1. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious with 303 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) managed to secure only 52 seats. This was a significant increase from the 2014 elections, where the BJP won 282 seats and the INC got 44 seats. In Punjab, the 2019 elections saw the INC winning 8 seats, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 2 seats each. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to win only one seat. In 2014 elections the SAD and AAP won 4 seats each, the INC won 3 seats, and the BJP secured 2 seats. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 28 (ANI): A tiger hiding in the bushes after straying out of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was rescued, an official informed on Thursday. The big cat was rescued in the Neoria Khurd area of the Pilibhit district on Thursday, the official said. Also Read | Bhiwandi Shocker: Class 10 Student Allegedly Assaulted, Stabbed With Knife by Three Students for Not Helping in Copying During SSC Exam; Trio Booked. Neoria Khurd is adjacent to the Mahof range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Manish Singh said the forest department received word from some villagers in Neoria Khurud earlier in the day that a tiger had been spotted in the bushes. Also Read | Govinda Joins Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena Party: Veteran Bollywood Actor Meets Maharashtra CM Ahead of Lok Sabha Election 2024 (Watch Video). Swinging into action after being alerted to the straying tiger, the forest officials cordoned off the area where it was spotted and disabled it with a tranquillizer dart. "The rescued tiger is a male. He is about 3.5 years old and is presently in good health," Singh said. "We will take further action based on the instructions received," he added. Further details are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 28 (ANI): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's relentless efforts to enhance law and order in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years are poised to wield significant influence in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state, said a statement from the government of UP on Wednesday. The absence of a single riot in the last seven years of the government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the guaranteed safety of women and traders, effective action against mafias and gangsters, as well as significant transformation brought about in Uttar Pradesh's security landscape since 2017 are likely to play a vital role in helping voters make their choices during the LS elections in the state, added the statement. Also Read | Sacred Lemons That Devotees Believe Can Cure Infertility Being Sold for Rs 2.36 Lakh at Tamil Nadus Villupuram Temple. It is worth mentioning here that the state's law and order dynamics were instrumental in securing CM Yogi's victory in the 2022 Assembly elections as well. Now, as the 2024 general elections approach, this same factor could wield significant sway in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's quest to clinch a substantial number of seats, notably aiming for a resounding victory, potentially securing as many as 80 seats for the third consecutive time. Owing to the strict implementation of a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals, Uttar Pradesh has not experienced a single instance of communal violence in the past seven years, added the statement. Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal To Be Produced Before Rouse Avenue Court Today. From November 2019 to November 2023, illegal assets worth over Rs 3723 crore belonging to 68 identified mafia dons and gang members were confiscated and destroyed. Furthermore, measures were taken to seize assets valued at over Rs 4268 crore from various other mafia groups under the Gangster Act from January 2021 to October 2023. Over the period from March 2017 to November 2023, a total of 22,301 cases were registered under the Gangster Act, resulting in the arrest of 70,879 accused individuals, said the official statement further. Additionally, assets exceeding Rs 120 billion were seized. During this timeframe, 192 criminals were killed in encounters, while 5800 sustained injuries. In comparison to the year 2016, significant reductions in crime have been recorded in Uttar Pradesh until the year 2023. There was a decline of more than 87 percent in dacoity, more than 72 percent in robbery, 40 percent in murder cases, 68 percent in kidnapping for ransom cases and 24 percent in rape cases, added the statement from government of UP. Similarly, extensive preventive action was taken from 2016 to 2023, recording 4 percent increase under the Arms Act, 26 percent increase under the NDPS Act, 23 percent under the Gangster Act, 31 percent under the Goonda Act, and 32 percent under the Excise Act. Ensuring the safety of women has been a top priority for CM Yogi, and significant efforts have been made in the state in this regard. A total of 1698 Anti-Romeo squads have been formed, which have registered 21,422 cases across the state. Women help desks have been established in all 1584 police stations of the state and Women Cyber Crime Cells in 18 zonal offices. Notably, from March 2022 to November 2023, 12855 accused were sentenced in cases of crimes against women and under POCSO act. The death penalty was given to 16 accused, life imprisonment to 1298, over 10 years of imprisonment to 3422, and up to 10 years of imprisonment to 8119. To curb crimes against women and children and raise awareness about their safety, 10,378 women's beats were formed in 1518 police stations of the state, with a total deployment of 15,130 female personnel. During their patrols, women beat personnel resolved 63,175 complaints and provided necessary assistance through counseling to 60,790 victims. Additionally, Women and Child Safety Organisation (WCSO) was established by consolidating 1090, Mahila Samman Cell, Police Women Assistance Cell. Besides, 1090 was integrated with UP 112 while 80 new terminals and data analytical centers were also established. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Aggrieved investors of edtech major Think and Learn, owner of Byju's brand, will participate in the extraordinary general meeting of the company to be held on Friday morning, sources aware of the development said on Thursday. Byju's EGM is scheduled to start at 10 AM IST on Friday to seek shareholders' approval to increase the authorised share capital of the company, following the USD 200 million rights issue. Also Read | Good Friday 2024 FAQs: Is Stock Market Open or Closed on Good Friday? Is There a Bank Holiday on Good Friday? Heres All You Need To Know. "Most of the investors, especially those who have gone to the NCLT, will participate in the EGM as it is the place to record their vote and raise issues," a source from the group of discontented Byju's investors said. A group of four investors - Prosus, General Atlantic, Sofina, and Peak XV - along with support from other shareholders, including Tiger and Owl Ventures, have approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against Byju's EGM. Also Read | Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: Things to Know About Key Bridge aka Beltway Bridge in the US That Collapsed Into River After Being Struck by Cargo Ship. The source said investors want to access the financial books of Byju's which they can get through EGM. The NCLT Bangalore bench on Thursday allowed investors to have access to Byju's financial books. The investors had called EGM in February to oust founder CEO Byju Raveendran and his family from the board over alleged "mismanagement and failures". Investor sources claimed that more than 60 per cent of the shareholders voted in favour of all the seven resolutions, which included removing the current management, reconfiguration of the board and a third-party forensic investigation into acquisitions done by the company. However, sources close to Byju's put the number at 47 per cent. Byju's has approached Karnataka High Court against the EGM called by investors to invalidate it, as the meeting was convened without following the proper procedure set out by the law and the company's Articles of Association. According to Byju's, to pass any resolution, the meeting needs to have a proper quorum and a set of people who are mandatory, and as per the company's articles, the quorum requires the presence of at least one founder director. Byju's sources said that the company granted investors on February 19 access to its financial books. However, they preferred to move to the NCLT against the company. "Since the matter was sub-judice, the access to financial records was closed for them. The NCLT has now allowed access to financial books to investors. The company never objected to investors accessing financial books. Even before the rights issue they were given access to the documents, which were leaked by them to select media," Byju's sources said. The resolution proposed by Byju's will be passed if over 50 per cent of shareholders cast their votes in its favour. Besides, voting through postal ballots is also open for investors till April 6. The scrutinisers' report will be prepared after the closing of postal ballots. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) The Delhi Police has launched an investigation after animal remnants, suspected to be of cattle, were found in a vacant plot in north Delhi's Burari area on Thursday, officials said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) M K Meena said, "Acting on the call, a team from Burari police station reached the spot which was in Garg Enclave. On the spot there were animal remnants in the field." Also Read | Good Friday 2024 FAQs: Is Stock Market Open or Closed on Good Friday? Is There a Bank Holiday on Good Friday? Heres All You Need To Know. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory photographed the spot and took biological exhibits from there. Animal remnants have been taken to Gazipur MCD Centre, the DCP said. An FIR has been registered under the Indian Penal Code section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc) and provisions of Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, he said. Also Read | Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: Things to Know About Key Bridge aka Beltway Bridge in the US That Collapsed Into River After Being Struck by Cargo Ship. "Further investigation into the matter has been started," the DCP added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Noida, Mar 28 (PTI) A 22-year-old woman was strangled to death here allegedly by her lover, who later attempted suicide by sliting his own throat with a blade, police said on Thursday. The 42-year-old man has been booked for murder and taken into custody by the police, a senior officer said. He is currently hospitalised for treatment Also Read | Good Friday 2024 FAQs: Is Stock Market Open or Closed on Good Friday? Is There a Bank Holiday on Good Friday? Heres All You Need To Know. Additional DCP, Central Noida, Hirdesh Katheriya said the Sector 63 Police Station was informed about the incident in Chhijarsi village around 10 pm on Wednesday by the local residents. "When the police team reached the site they found both of them in an injured condition and were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared the woman dead while the man was admitted for treatment because of the injuries on his throat," Katheriya said. Also Read | Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: Things to Know About Key Bridge aka Beltway Bridge in the US That Collapsed Into River After Being Struck by Cargo Ship. "During probe, it came to light that the woman, identified as Nisha, a native of Ballia district who was staying in Delhi, and the man, Dhanajay Kumar, who lived in Chhijarsi village in Noida, were in a love relationship," the officer said. They were in a relationship for about a year now but on Wednesday, when Nisha came to meet Dhananjay at his residence, an argument broke out between them over some issue and he strangled her to death, Katheriya said. Police are still in dark about the row that led to the violent attack on the woman. Katheriya said the police have lodged an FIR under IPC section 302 (murder) and once the accused is discharged from the hospital he would be produced in local court. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Maryland, March 28: The bodies of two victims in the Key Bridge collapse were recovered from a truck in the wreckage of the collapsed structure, the Maryland state police confirmed on Thursday. The remains of two people were recovered Wednesday from a red pickup submerged in the Patapsco River, a day after a massive container ship crashed into and collapsed Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, authorities said Wednesday evening. Baltimore Bridge Collapse: US President Joe Biden Praises Prompt Action of Indian Crew of Ship Which Hit Francis Scott Key Bridge. Earlier in the day, federal authorities at a White House press briefing said that they are balancing efforts to recover the remains of those missing, assess and remove the bridge debris and relocate the ship--all before efforts to rebuild can even begin, The Washington Post reported. Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: US Bridge Collapse Sends Ripples Through Indian Coal, Petcoke Markets. Moreover, at least six people, part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes and masonry on the bridge, were presumed dead, however, two other workers were rescued. National Transport Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said that the investigators boarded the ship to recover the data recorder -- "which is essentially the black box," and are developing a timeline of events, according to The Washington Post. Notably, Governor Wes Moore has ordered the Maryland flag lowered to half-staff, effective immediately. It will remain at half-staff until further notice. Reportedly, this is done in honour of the victims who tragically lost their lives as a result of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden lauded the prompt action by personnel on board the cargo ship 'Dali', which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to plunge into the river below sending several people and vehicles into the water. Shipping company Synergy Maritime Group, which managed the Singapore-flagged freight ship in a statement on Tuesday that the entire 22-member crew of the vessel are Indians. Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel, prompting the local authorities to close the bridge to traffic before the catastrophic impact, a move which "undoubtedly" saved lives, President Biden on Wednesday said during his comments at the White House regarding the Baltimore bridge collapse. Moreover, among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US, are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sao Paulo (Brazil), Mar 28 (AP) Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has requested federal authorities return his passport and authorise travel to Israel so he can accept an event invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit in May, Bolsonaro's lawyers said on Thursday in a statement. The attorneys submitted Bolsonaro's request to the Supreme Court on Monday, the same day The New York Times published security camera footage revealing that the former president spent two nights at Hungary's embassy in Brasilia. His stay, in February, came just days after Federal Police seized his passport during a raid related to an investigation into whether he and top aides plotted to ignore 2022 election results and stage an uprising to keep the defeated leader in power. Also Read | FTX Collapse: Sam Bankman-Fried, Crypto Entrepreneur, Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Massive Fraud. The revelation of his stay sparked widespread speculation he may have been attempting to evade arrest, as agents would not have jurisdiction to enter embassy grounds due to diplomatic conventions restricting access. Bolsonaro's lawyers denied that was his intent, saying in a separate statement it was illogical to think he was seeking asylum or avoiding authorities. The stay formed part of his political agenda with the Hungarian government, with whom he has well-known alignment, the statement said. Also Read | Daniel Kahneman Dies: Nobel-Winning Economist and Israeli-American Cognitive Psychologist Passes Away at 90. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Israel's Netanyahu, both leaders of a global far-right movement, are key international allies of Bolsonaro. By contrast, Netanyahu in particular has had frosty relations with Bolsonaro's rival and successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Last month, Israel's foreign minister said Lula would not be welcome in his country until he apologises for comments he made comparing Israel's war in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of a very serious antisemitic attack. Netanyahu said Lula's comments trivialised the Holocaust and crossed a red line. In his petition to the Supreme Court for authorisation to travel to Israel from May 12 to 18, Bolsonaro's lawyers said the proposed trip wouldn't jeopardise the ongoing legal processes he faces, as he has scheduled appointments after his planned date of return. The request didn't specify which event Bolsonaro aims to attend, but the proposed period coincides with Israel's Independence Day. As is public knowledge, part of political activity involves international relations as well as expanding dialogue with global leaders, Bolsonaro's lawyer Fabio Wajngarten said on X, formerly Twitter. The Supreme Court's press office said it will analyse the request and that there is no deadline for a decision. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Los Angeles, Mar 28 (AP) Former Los Angeles deputy mayor Raymond Chan was convicted on Wednesday of racketeering, bribery, fraud and giving false statements to investigators in a sprawling pay-to-play corruption scandal at City Hall. The federal jury reached the guilty verdict less than 24 hours after lawyers finished closing arguments, the Los Angeles Times reported. Also Read | Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba To Visit India From March 28, Discuss Regional and Global Issues. Sentencing was set for June 10. Chan's attorney, John Hanusz, told the judge that they will appeal. Prosecutors did not immediately comment after the verdict was read. This was Chan's second trial in the bribery case involving downtown Los Angeles real estate development projects. The first fell apart after his lawyer, Harland Braun, was hospitalised and unable to return to work for months. A judge declared a mistrial last April. Also Read | Mumbai City Is Asias Billionaire Capital Going Past Beijing, Shanghai: Check List of Top-10 Cities With Most Billionaires in the World. In the latest trial, Assistant US Attorney Brian R Faerstein told jurors that Chan and former City Council member Jose Huizar used the downtown real estate boom of the prior decade to enrich themselves and their allies, the Times reported. Faerstein described Chan as a crucial intermediary between Chinese developers looking to build high-rises and Huizar, who headed the powerful committee that shepherded such projects. In opening arguments March 12, Faerstein said Chan "got bribes for himself, and he got bribes for other public officials". Chan is the last defendant charged in the City Hall corruption investigation to go on trial. Huizar, who pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion charges, was sentenced in January to 13 years in prison. More than a half-dozen others have been convicted or pleaded guilty to federal charges, including Huizar's brother, Salvador Huizar. "This case was, and always has been, about Jose Huizar," Hanusz said. Hanusz agreed that Huizar and the others were corrupt. But he said while Huizar accepted flights to Las Vegas, casino chips and lavish hotel stays, Chan received none of those things. Chan, while working with developers, was motivated not by greed but by a desire to make Los Angeles more business-friendly, Hanusz said. Chan was the top executive at the Department of Building and Safety until 2016, when he became the deputy mayor in charge of economic development under Mayor Eric Garcetti, who was not implicated in the scandal. Chan held that job for slightly more than a year, then left city government to become a private-sector consultant, representing real estate developers. Prosecutors have accused Chan of secretly setting up a consulting firm while working for the city and overseeing government actions for which he was paid by a developer after he left his city employment, the Times said. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Mar 28 (AP) King Charles III on Thursday stressed the importance of friendship and acts of caring in a recorded message delivered to a traditional pre-Easter church service, which the monarch skipped as he continues to undergo cancer treatment. Queen Camilla represented her husband during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral, presenting bags of specially minted coins to people being honoured for public service. The event is held every year on the Thursday before Easter, known as Maundy Thursday in Britain. Also Read | Nigeria: Businesswoman Faces Jail Over Her Review of Tomato Puree on Social Media. The personal message from Charles comes after the recent announcements that both the king and the Princess of Wales had been diagnosed with cancer. While the message made no direct reference to the royals' health problems, it marked the king's first public comment since his daughter-in-law revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy. Charles said that Jesus set an example of how we should serve and care for each other, and how as a nation we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need". Also Read | Moscow To Attack Europe After Ukraine Is 'Utter Nonsense', Says Russian President Vladimir Putin. The service, which dates back to the year 600, commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of service and humility. Sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times. Instead, Camilla presented purses filled with special coins, known as Maundy money, to 75 women and 75 men, a number dictated by the king's age. The service reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service to follow Christ's example not to be served but to serve", Charles said in his message. That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart. The king stepped back from public appearances in early February, when he announced that he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. He has continued to carry out his state duties, including regular meetings with the prime minister and reviewing and signing government documents. The Princess of Wales, wife of Prince William, announced last week that she, too, was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer. The news came after the princess, formerly Kate Middleton, underwent abdominal surgery in January. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ottawa [Canada], March 28: Responding to the update on the investigation regarding the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after taking a long pause, said that they are looking to work constructively with the Indian government to get to the bottom of the matter, according to the Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). Trudeau was asked, "how is India's cooperation shaping up on the assassination investigations of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar when Canada has credible allegations and India expects Canada to complete its own investigation first?" The Canadian PM said, "The killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously." "The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in--that is something that we did not declare lightly, but our responsibility to protect all Canadians from illegal actions by foreign governments is something that, as a country grounded in diversity, we need to take very seriously," he added. Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing: Video Reveals Six Men, Two Vehicles May Have Been Involved in Murder of Khalistani Terrorist Outside Gurdwara in British Columbia, Says Washington Post Report Further, he said that the Canadian government is ensuring that appropriate investigations are being done, according to a video shared by the CPAC. "That's why we've been unequivocal about standing up for the rule of law and ensuring that the appropriate investigations are being done in full accordance with our justice system and our police independence," Canadian PM Trudeau said. Moreover, Trudeau said that they are working constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this. "At the same time, we are working. We're looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this, to understand how this could have happened, and to make sure that no Canadians are ever vulnerable again to foreign interference by any international power," he added. The apparent targeted killing of the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara ultimately led to accusations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing--a claim that has been denied by India--and has led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Earlier this month, purported video footage of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar surfaced, showing Nijjar being shot by armed men in what has been described as a 'contract killing', Canada-based CBC News reported. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023. The attack is described as being 'highly coordinated' and involved six men and two vehicles. India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Canada Visa Application Centres Continue to Operate in 10 Indian Cities, Says VFS Global Meanwhile, almost nine months later, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is yet to name suspects or make arrests in relation to Nijjar's killing. However, India has rejected the allegations, calling them "absurd and motivated." According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Canada has not been able to present any evidence to back its claims over the killing. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge leading to the collapse (Photo credits: Reuters) Maryland [US], March 28 (ANI): The Synergy Marine Group expressed sympathies on Wednesday to "everyone affected and their families" in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland after the Singapore-flagged container ship 'Dali' collided with one of the pillars leading to the collapse in the early hours of Tuesday. The shipping company, which is responsible for managing the vessel involved in the Key Bridge collision, said in a statement that all the crew member and the two pilots who were aboard the ship were safe, with only one of them sustaining minor injuries. It further informed that the injured crew members had been discharged from the hospital after the treatment. Also Read | Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba To Visit India From March 28, Discuss Regional and Global Issues. "We confirm the safety of all crew members and two pilots aboard "DALI," with one minor injury reported. The injured crew member has been treated and discharged from hospital. Unfortunately the incident also impacted those who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the time, and based on reports from the Baltimore fire chief and ABC News and other media outlets there have so far been two rescued from the water, including one person with serious injuries," the statement read. The shipping company further stated, citing the United States Coast Guard, that the search and rescue operation had been called off for the night. Six people are presumed to be dead. Also Read | Mumbai City Is Asias Billionaire Capital Going Past Beijing, Shanghai: Check List of Top-10 Cities With Most Billionaires in the World. "We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and their families. Our thoughts are with them as we coordinate closely with the authorities to manage the incident's aftermath, including environmental impact assessments," it said. Our Emergency Response Team has been dispatched and is presently in Baltimore to support the ongoing efforts to ensure crew safety, maintain vessel integrity and facilitate the swift and safe reopening of the waterway. Earlier, US President Joe Biden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore thanked the crew members on the vessel crew for issuing a 'mayday' warning prior to the impact, which they said had probably saved lives, CNN reported. Authorities from the US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) boarded the vessel to carry out investigations. Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel, prompting the local authorities to close the bridge to traffic before the catastrophic impact, a move that "undoubtedly" saved lives, President Biden said on Wednesday during his comments at the White House regarding the Baltimore bridge collapse. The Maryland state police said that six people who were missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed have been presumed dead. Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US, are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], March 28 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold a meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faiz Isa today, on the matter related to the IHC Judges' letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), as reported by ARY News. According to sources, PM Shehbaz, along with Law Minister Nazir Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan, will meet the top judge today at 2 pm on the premises of the Supreme Court. Also Read | Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba To Visit India From March 28, Discuss Regional and Global Issues. This comes after the CJP sent a message to PM Shehbaz over the matter of the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court on 'interference in judicial affairs', the sources said. Earlier, the Supreme Court held a full court meeting on Wednesday to deliberate on a letter by the six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges about the alleged interference of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with "judicial functions," ARY News reported. Also Read | Mumbai City Is Asias Billionaire Capital Going Past Beijing, Shanghai: Check List of Top-10 Cities With Most Billionaires in the World. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, among other top court judges, attended the meeting that lasted for over two hours in the federal capital. The development took place after the bar associations and legal experts called for a probe into the letter. On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges urged the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to convene a judicial convention over the alleged interference of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in judicial matters, according to Geo News. All seven judges of the IHC, except Chief Justice Amer Farooq, wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council and all judges of the Supreme Court, highlighting, how senior ISI officials have been influencing judicial proceedings and pressuring judges. "We are writing to seek guidance from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) with regard to the duty of a judge to report and respond to actions on the part of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation, as well as the duty to report any such actions that come to his/her attention in relation to colleagues and/or members of the courts that the High Court supervises," the letter read. This came days after the apex court declared the removal of former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui illegal and directed that he may now be considered a retired judge, as reported by Geo News. "Justice Siddiqui had been removed after he had publicly alleged that operatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence ("ISI"), led by Major General Faiz Hameed (DG-C of ISI), were determining the constitution of benches at IHC and interfering with proceedings of the Accountability Court Islamabad," the letter added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): Sita Ram Meena has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Niger, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced on Thursday. Meena currently serves as Director in the Ministry. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi-Bill Gates in Freewheeling Chat, AI to Climate Change Discussed (Watch Video). In a press release, MEA stated, "Ministry of External Affairs Shri Sita Ram Meena (YOA: 2008), presently Director in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger." "He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," it added. Also Read | Nigeria: Businesswoman Faces Jail Over Her Review of Tomato Puree on Social Media. Notably, bilateral relations between India and Niger are cordial, according to MEA. The bilateral activities between the two nations gained momentum after India's Mission in Niamey was opened in May 2009. Niger opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 2011. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, DC [US], March 28 (ANI): US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China's "dangerous" water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday. In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty which binds both nations to support each other if a third party attacks either the Philippines or the United States. Also Read | Hezbollah Announces Death of Five Operatives in Israeli Airstrike. "Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad US commitment to the Philippines following the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia's dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on March 23. He emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and reiterated that the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty extends to both countries' armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft--including those of its Coast Guard--anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea," US Department of Defence said in a statement. "The two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows. They highlighted that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling is final and binding on the parties and called on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law," it said. Also Read | US: Four Killed, Seven Wounded in Northern Illinois Stabbings, Cops Say One Suspect in Custody (Watch Video). Both leaders also agreed to foster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the South China Sea and also underscored both countries vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "The officials discussed historic momentum in US-Philippine defence ties and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance, which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years," the release said. "They agreed to bolster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the South China Sea and committed to accelerate a number of bilateral initiatives to enhance information-sharing, interoperability, and capability enhancements for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They also underscored both countries' shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in transparency, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes," it added. The conversation came after the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its "strong protest against the aggressive actions" undertaken by China's Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militias against the Philippine mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The department said it has also instructed its mission in Beijing to lodge a formal complaint over the incident. The move comes a day after Philippines' National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the confrontation that injured three Filipino soldiers caused severe damage to the Unaizah May 4 vessel. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, DC [US], March 28: On comments by a US diplomat regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for alleged money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that they encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for the issue. Addressing a press briefing, Miller was asked about his response to India's summoning US diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of Congress party's bank accounts. The US State Department said that they are following these actions closely. "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections," Miller added. India Summons US Diplomat, Strongly Objects to State Department's Remarks on Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest (Watch Video) "And we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues," he stressed. However, he also denied talking about any private diplomatic conversations, and said, "What we have said publicly is what I just said from here, that we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes. We don't think anyone should object to that." Earlier on Wednesday, India took a "strong objection" to the remarks of the United States State Department Spokesperson about certain legal proceedings in India. "In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement today. The MEA defended India's legal system, emphasising its independence and dedication to impartial and expedient judgements. "India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the foreign ministry statement read. Earlier today, US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes. Arvind Kejriwal Arrested: Delhi High Court Raised Questions on Delhi CM's Arrest, Gave ED One Week's Time To File Its Reply, Says AAP Minister Atishi (Watch Video) Moreover, last week, India summoned the German Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest against their foreign office spokesperson's remarks on the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Making a strong statement against the German Foreign Office spokesperson's remarks, India said that it sees these remarks as interference in India's 'judicial process' and 'undermining the independence' of the Indian judiciary, the Ministry of External Affairs said. On Friday, a spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, when questioned on the arrest of Kejriwal, said that he was entitled to a fair trial. "We have taken note, that India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of Judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case. Like anyone facing accusations, Mr Kejriwal is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, this includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions. The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to him," the spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry had said. Kejriwal was on last Friday, remanded to ED custody till March 28, a day after he was arrested by the probe agency for alleged money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Actress Joey King, who gained major fandom with her work in The Kissing Booth franchise, has opened up about facing anti-semitism at the age of 12 and also having trauma counselors on the sets of Holocaust series We Were the Lucky Ones set'. Talking about her facing anti-semitism, the 24-year-old actress said it was when she joined Instagram at age 12. Within the first couple months I got my first anti-Semitic remark and it would dip in terms of how frequent or how much it would happen, and it would kind of roller coaster in terms of how often I would experience it, but that was shocking when I was that age, she said. Joey King and Steven Piet Get Married in Mallorca! Check Out Newlyweds Dreamy Pics from Their Spanish-Style Wedding. Now I just expect it because anti-semitism is not the only thing I experience in terms of bullying online. So it almost feels like one of many symptoms of a grand diagnosis of horrible Internet people. Im saddened, but Im not really surprised. She is gearing up for We Were the Lucky Ones, a series based on Georgia Hunters best-selling novel of her familys fight to survive the Holocaust. It also stars Logan Lerman, Sam Woolf, Robin Weigart, Lior Ashkenazi, Hadas Yaron, Amit Rahav and Eva Feiler. I think anyone who is a method actor is truly so brave and amazing, but Im personally not a method actor, King told 'Just for Variety' podcast. The actress added: And when shooting a show like this, I just dont know how I could be because having those moments of release in between setups and in between takes with your friends (is needed). Sometimes you need that release at the snack table with each otherbecause it got really dark, she added. The actress said that it would get so sad and there would be times where you just didnt know when it was going to hit you. Joey King Will Never Regret Playing Elle in The Kissing Booth Trilogy, Says Playing That Character Made Me Happy. Everyone had different moments where were all sitting there having a nice time together, just filming a scene and then someone is hyperventilating and crying because its a wave that washes over you, she said. The channel also made trauma therapists available for cast and crew on set, reports variety.com. They would come and check on each of us a lot, which I thought was so great, King said. Kings movie nights with co-stars were particularly helpful: Wed watch Finding Nemo because we just needed to. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2024 10:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, March 28: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued exam city information slip for the JEE Main Session 2 exams today, March 28. Candidates can check the information on the official website i.e. jeemain.nta.ac.in. The JEE Main Session 2 will be held from 4-12 April 2024. The exams will be held in two shifts. The exam timing for 1st shift is from 9 am -12 pm while second shift exams begin from 3-6pm. While the city intimation slip has been released now, the JEE Main admit cards will be released three days before the start of the exams. Maharashtra SSC Board Exam 2024: Class 10 Examination Begins Today; Know Shift-Wise Timings, Important Guidelines. JEE Main 2024 Session 2 Exam City Slip: Steps To Download Here are the steps to download the JEE Main 2024 Session 2 Exam City Slip: Visit the official website at jeemain.nta.ac.in. Look for the JEE Main city intimation 2024 link available on the homepage. A login page will open on the screen. Enter your application number and date of birth/password. JEE Main 2024 Session 2 City Intimation Slip will be displayed on the screen. Download the city intimation slip. The JEE Main City Intimation Slip 2024 for the April session will include crucial details such as the examination city, date, and time. The final test venue address and additional specifics will be provided along with the release of the JEE Mains admit card for the 2024 session 2. TANCET 2024 Exam Result: Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test Results Declared by Anna University at tancet.annauniv.edu, Know How to Check Marks and Rank List. JEE Main 2024 Admit Card: How to Download? Visit the official website of JEE Main at https://jeemain.nta.ac.in/ Click on the link for "JEE Main Admit Card 2024" (The link will be available closer to the exam date). Choose the option to download the admit card using your application number and password. Enter your application number and password and then click on 'Sign In'. Your JEE Mains admit card session 2 will be displayed on the screen. Download and print a copy of the hall ticket for future reference. The result for April session of JEE Main will be declared on April 25. The top 2.5 lakh candidates will be able to register for JEE Advanced 2024. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2024 01:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, March 28: A five-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped, killed and her body was then dumped in a factory by a man in the national capital, the police said on Thursday. The police said that they have arrested the accused identified as Totan Lohar a.k.a Khudi in Kolkata. The police said that on Sunday, at around 11 p.m., a call was received at Bawana police station regarding the suspected kidnapping of a five-year-old girl from Sector 1 DSIDC, Bawana. "The statement of the girl's parents was recorded, and a case under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code was registered," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer-north) R.K. Singh. Delhi Shocker: Man Kidnaps Minor Girl, Takes Her to Kolkata, Rapes and Murders Her in Abandoned Factory; Arrested. The parents operate a tea shop in Bawana, and the girl resides with them during the daytime. They last saw her at around 5 p.m. on Sunday. Despite their efforts to locate her, she could not be found. Finally, they contacted 112. "Immediately, multiple teams were assembled, and an extensive search commenced in the area, with the parents participating. This search continued throughout the night in and around the last-known location," said Singh. Various CCTV footage was obtained by the police team from the area, one of which showed the girl walking with a man identified as Khudi, who was later found to be absconding. Delhi Shocker: Three-Year-Old Girl Raped by Tenant in Peeragarhi Area, Accused Absconding; Case Registered Under POCSO Act. "Local inquiries revealed that he may have fled to West Bengal via train, possibly on the Poorva Express. Multiple teams were deployed to apprehend him, with one team dispatched to New Delhi Railway Station," said the DCP. Various efforts were made in collaboration with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), ticket examiners (TTE), and the intermediate police stations. "Simultaneously, a team was dispatched to Kolkata. Upon arrival, they boarded a train to Asansol railway station and awaited the Poorva Express. Upon its arrival, the team boarded the train and commenced a search for the suspect. After a few minutes, they successfully identified and apprehended him. He was then brought back to Delhi on the morning of March 27," said the DCP. On questioning, the accused confessed to committing rape and thereafter, killing the girl before dumping the body in an adjacent factory in the Bawana area at around 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. "At the accused's instance, the scene of crime was identified, a body along with one blade and one brick has been recovered. The videography and photography of the scene of crime was done properly," said the DCP. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2024 09:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Rampur, March 28: The election office on Thursday rejected candidature of Asim Raja as Samajwadi Party's nominee from Rampur Lok Sabha seat on technical grounds. Muhibullah Nadvi had also filed his papers as the SP candidate on Wednesday, when the party declared him its official candidate. SP Clears Confusion About Authorised Candidates in Rampur, Morababad District Magistrate Jogender Singh said that Raja's nomination paper was rejected as some documents were not attached to it. Raja is considered close to senior SP leader and former minister Azam Khan. He had unsuccessfully contested for the state assembly in a 2022 bypoll after Azam Khan was disqualified from the House, following a court verdict which sent him to three years in jail in a hate speech case. Arvind Kejriwals ED Custody Extended: Delhi Court Extends Enforcement Directorate Remand of Delhi CM Till April 1 Rampur Parliamentary seat saw a piquant situation for the SP as two persons claiming party's nominee filed nomination on the last day of nomination for the first phase of elections. Rampur will go to polls on April 19. Nadvi is the imam of Parliament Street Jama Masjid in Delhi, had also filed nomination as SP candidate from Rampur on Wednesday. Raja had also claimed himself to be the official SP candidate but the party later declared Nadvi as its official candidate. In a shocking incident in Delhi, a 5-year-old missing girl was allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered by a man in Kolkata. Police officials said that on March 24, they received a call about a minor girl missing. Post this, the police registered an FIR and scanned CCTV footage where the girl was seen going with an adult. The girl's parents identified the man as Totan Lohar. Post this, police teams were sent to his place where they learned that he had left for Kolkata. Later, a team was sent to Kolkata. The police team arrested the accused from Asansol Railway Station and brought him back to Delhi, During interrogation, the accused confessed to his crime and told cops that he kidnapped, raped and murdered the girl in an abandoned factory. The police recovered the girl's body and arrested the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act. Delhi Shocker: Three-Year-Old Girl Raped by Tenant in Peeragarhi Area, Accused Absconding; Case Registered Under POCSO Act. Missing Girl Raped and Murdered in Kolkata #WATCH | Delhi: DCP Outer North Ravi Kumar Singh says "On March 24, a PCR call was received at Bawana PS, in which the parents informed that their 5-year-old daughter was missing. FIR of kidnapping was registered. In the CCTV footage, the girl was seen going with an adult, who pic.twitter.com/hOoRDtAQgB ANI (@ANI) March 28, 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.) China and Mexico are good friends and good partners a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on 27 March, commending earlier comments made by Mexicos Presidentwho indicated that his country did not want a trade war with China. End of preview - This article contains approximately 342 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 27 March Brazils Presidentand his French counterpartattended the launch event in Rio de Janeiro state of a submarine developed under a Brazilian-French defence technology programme. End of preview - This article contains approximately 401 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 27 March 11 pastors and ministry leaders of Puerta de la Montana, the Nicaraguan branch of US evangelical ministry Mountain Gateway, were convicted in Nicaragua of money laundering. End of preview - This article contains approximately 400 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 27 March Colombias foreign ministry announced that Argentine diplomatic staff will be expelled from the country following insults against Presidentfrom Argentinas President, who called Petro a murderous terrorist. End of preview - This article contains approximately 567 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Donald Trump has started selling the "God Bless the USA Bible," also known as the "Trump Bible," and as expected, many are already mocking him for hypocrisy and the fact he started selling them while having money problems that stemmed from his two major civil trial losses against E. Jean Carroll and the state of New York. Despite an appeals court lowering his bond for the New York fraud case, Trump's money problems are far from over, as he now has less than ten days to find a bond company that would help him out and pay the $175 million bond needed to pause the collection of the almost $500 million collection of his penalty in that case. He also recently paid a massive $92 million bond over the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit. Trump's money problems and the timing of his selling the so-called "Trump Bible" have now led to some vicious mockery from critics and even other conservatives who admitted that selling Bibles while having financial troubles is not a good look. The website selling the "Trump Bible" claims that it is not political and has "nothing to do with any political campaign," according to the Hindustan Times. However, the mere fact that Donald Trump is the one hawking it has led many to question the timing of the sale. While many were mocking the former president for his money problems, others were pointing out his hypocrisy, including his own niece, Mary Trump, who pointed out on X that he has never prayed once in his life. Meanwhile, Ron Filipkowski questioned Donald Trump's Bible knowledge and posted a video of him struggling to even identify the Bible's contents as he gave ambiguous replies to Bible-related questions. Since Trump is now selling Bibles, here is a montage of clips of Trump giving us his vast and extensive knowledge of the Bible. pic.twitter.com/VKXQdT5wLA March 26, 2024 READ MORE: Donald Trump Hush Money Trial: Judge Slaps Ex-POTUS With Another Gag Order For Witnesses' Safety 'The View' Hosts Also Mock Donald Trump Over 'Trump Bible' Meanwhile, over at "The View," the hosts are blasting the former president, calling his hawking of the "Trump Bible" for $60 as nothing short of "blasphemous" hypocrisy, according to The Wrap. "The last time he was on his knees, he was looking to pick up a french fry, please" commented co-host Joy Behar. She then reminded viewers that his own fixer, Michael Cohen, had once testified that the former president had stated that pastors are "all hustlers," and that Trump also complained about religious figures after a meeting with them. Behar added, "This is hypocrisy at its most religious!" Sara Haines, meanwhile, agreed with Behar that Trump was merely pandering to his base, adding that Trump was not an example of someone who follows the teachings of Jesus. Donald Trump Attacks Judge Who Imposed the Gag Order in His New York Hush Money Trial With the "Trump Bible" sale, the former president sought to present himself as a righteous and religious Christian, with many of his followers believing that he is one. However, as he sells the "Trump Bible," he is facing charges of using campaign funds to keep a porn star he had sex with to keep silent about their affair while his third wife, Melania Trump, was still pregnant with their son, Baron. Trump was slapped with a gag order over his penchant for publicly attacking witnesses and court officials and placing them in danger, thanks to his rabid supporters. As expected, Trump complained about it, claiming that the gag order was "illegal, un-American, unconstitutional." He then went on to attack the judge's daughter, whom he claims is a Biden operative. He also claims that his circumstances prevent him from getting a fair trial. READ MORE: Donald Trump Lashes Out as Letitia James Closes In, Sends Dozens of Emails Begging Supporters for Money This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Trump asked about religion, malfunctions and spits out random words The governments of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras have confirmed that the six workers who died in the Baltimore bridge collapse were citizens of their countries. This comes as two bodies have been recovered while four remain missing and are already presumed dead because of how cold the water is and how long it has been since they fell into the water. Guatemala has already confirmed that two of its citizens were among the eight workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland working on potholes. They fell into the water when a cargo ship struck the bridge, leading to its collapse. The incident has already led to misinformation and conspiracy theories, especially from right-wing outlets and personalities. Of the eight people who fell, two were rescued, while another two have been recovered. Recovery efforts for the other four are still ongoing, with their relatives waiting anxiously for news about the search. Martin Suazo Sandoval, brother of one of the missing workers, who owns a small hotel in Honduras, spoke with the Associated Press about the missing Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38. He stated that his brother "always dreamed of having his own business." Another brother noted that he wanted to retire one day in Guatemala. Meanwhile, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated that three of the workers were Mexican. One of them was rescued but was injured, while the other two are still missing. He then blasted US politicians on the right, saying, "This demonstrates that migrants go out and do risky jobs at midnight. And for this reason, they do not deserve to be treated as they are by certain insensitive, irresponsible politicians in the United States." El Salvador's foreign minister, Alexandra Hill Tinoco, identified one of the still-missing workers as Miguel Luna on social media. READ MORE: Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Misinformation and Right-wing Conspiracies Pop Up After Francis Scott Key Bridge Incident Cargo Ship Lost Power Before Crashing Into Francis Scott Key Bridge, Causing Baltimore Bridge Collapse The Dali is a Singapore-flagged ship that was supposed to travel from he port of Baltimore to Sri Lanka in 27 days. However, as it was leaving port, it lost all its power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the Baltimore bridge collapse. According to the BBC, the vessel was essentially dead when it crashed into the bridge as it had no electronics and engine power and was adrift and powerless to stop the crash. Nobody aboard died, but the crew was able to send a mayday and warned authorities that the ship may crash into the bridge. This quick action led Baltimore authorities to completely close the bridge off and save many lives. However, the eight workers from Mexico and Central America still fell into the water, along with several cars. Ship in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Was Cleared and Passed Inspections Meanwhile, the ship losing power soon after leaving port raised many questions. This includes the question of why it lost power and why it was allowed to leave port. The Dali was in the port of Baltimore to fix a "faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure." According to Al Jazeera, the ship passed inspections before the incident. In fact, it underwent two separate foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023. READ MORE: Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Confirms 7 National Guard Recruits Died After Training Incident This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: The Baltimore bridge collapse was 'completely preventable,' says Donald Broughton - CNBC Television Members of the presidential Haiti transitional council issued their inaugural statement on Wednesday, signaling a crucial step towards the selection of a new prime minister amid the nation's turmoil. The eight signatories expressed unwavering determination to address the long-standing challenges faced by the Haitian people, emphasizing the restoration of "public and democratic order." The Haiti Transitional Council's statement arrives in the wake of severe violence, with gangs targeting vital government institutions and causing significant destruction. Since the onset of the attacks on February 29, including assaults on police stations, the international airport, and prison breakouts, scores have lost their lives, and thousands are displaced, AP News reports. With downtown Port-au-Prince witnessing the recent escalation of Haiti gang violence, the council members vowed to execute a comprehensive action plan focused on reinstating public safety, alleviating poverty, and facilitating free elections. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has been leading Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, reiterated his commitment to resign upon the council's formal establishment. However, internal discord among party leaders has hindered progress, prolonging the crisis. READ NEXT: Haiti: Sunrise Airways Resumes Miami Flights Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Violence Persists As political deadlock persists, Haiti grapples with an escalating humanitarian crisis, according to France24. UNICEF warns of a looming catastrophe, with malnutrition and lack of healthcare endangering countless lives, particularly children. Nearly half of the country's population faces acute food insecurity due to related Haiti gang violence, exacerbating an already dire situation. The healthcare system, already strained, teeters on the brink of collapse amid the violence. Hospitals struggle with shortages of personnel, medicine, and essential resources, severely compromising emergency services. With only one operational public hospital in Port-au-Prince, the situation is dire. Medical facilities have been targeted, exacerbating the plight of the populace. Doctors plead for assistance amid dwindling supplies of oxygen and water, essential for treating the wounded. The relentless violence has forced numerous medical centers to shutter, leaving communities devoid of vital healthcare services. Efforts for Political Transition Amid Turmoil Prime Minister Henry's attempts to return to Haiti have been fraught with obstacles, underscoring the tumultuous political landscape, CNN noted. The international community, including the United States and Canada, urges swift action to facilitate a political transition. Concerns mount as neighboring nations fortify borders amid fears of mass migration and potential security threats stemming from the unrest in Haiti. While the nation grapples with immediate crises, long-standing issues persist, exacerbated by political instability, Haiti gang violence, and environmental challenges. With millions in need of humanitarian assistance, urgent and coordinated efforts are imperative to address Haiti's multifaceted crisis. The country stands at a critical juncture, with the Haiti transitional council offering a glimmer of hope amid pervasive uncertainty. As the nation navigates through tumultuous times, concerted international support and decisive action are essential to pave the path toward stability, democracy, and recovery. READ MORE: Haiti Transitional Council Nearing Completion Amid Rising Gang Violence This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: How Haiti's transitional governing council will work - From CBC News The Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela has started yet another feud with a neighbor, this time with Argentina after Venezuelan opposition leaders met with Argentinian diplomats inside the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas. Argentina President Javier Milei slammed the Maduro regime and claimed that the Venezuelan government cut off the power for the embassy in a "deliberate action that endangers the safety of Argentine diplomatic personnel and Venezuelan citizens under protection." According to CNN, diplomats from Argentina invited members of the Venezuelan over. In a statement, the Argentine Embassy said that they did so because of "the deterioration of the institutional situation and the acts of harassment and persecution directed against political figures in Venezuela." Milei and Maduro have had a very contentious start to their relationship, with the Venezuelan autocrat saying that the "neo-Nazi extreme right" had won power in Argentina soon after last year's Argentinian elections concluded. As this meeting happened, the Venezuelan government was accused of repressing the opposition as the 2024 elections in July approached. Maduro's allies in the Supreme Court have already banned his top opponent, Maria Corina Machado, forcing the opposition coalition to name Corina Yoris, a college history professor who has never held public office, as their replacement candidate. Argentina, as well as other South American countries like Brazil and Colombia, have voiced their concerns over the fairness of the Venezuelan elections, especially with Maduro's actions in forcing the opposition to choose a relative unknown because many of the other Venezuelan opposition leaders have already been disqualified. READ NEXT: Venezuela Arrested a Manager for Oil Giant Chevron Amid Crackdown Vs. Government Critics Venezuela Opposition Leaders Sheltering in Argentina Embassy As for the opposition members who attended that meeting with Argentinian diplomats in Caracas, they are now reportedly being sheltered by the Argentinian Embassy there. This was confirmed by the office of President Javier Milei. "We have sheltered political opposition leaders in our embassy in Caracas," confirmed presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni. "We call for a solution soon." Al Jazeera noted that the announcement from Milei's government came after the Argentinian president released a statement expressing "concern" at the "acts of harassment and persecution directed against political figures in Venezuela." Milei also warned Maduro against "any deliberate action that endangers the safety of Argentinian diplomatic personnel or Venezuelan citizens under [the embassy's] protection" after his Venezuelan counterpart was accused of cutting off the embassy's electricity. Venezuela Opposition Says Electoral Authorities Tried To Stop Candidate Corina Yoris From Registering As the Venezuelan elections approach, the government's electoral authorities have now been accused of causing more shenanigans as the united opposition coalition's candidate, Corina Yoris, was about to register her candidacy. Omar Barboz, who represents the opposition candidate, revealed on X that electoral authorities did not let Yoris register as the deadline ended on Monday night. She was able to register in the end but this incident has thrown whatever the election results may be into doubt as Maduro has been known for his election shenanigans. READ MORE: Venezuela Elections: Three Times Nicolas Maduro Undermined Democracy During an Election Year This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Maria Machado names substitute while she fights ban - AP Archive Former President Barack Obama's recent visit to the White House signifies not just a friendly reunion with Joe Biden but a pivotal moment in the latter's bid for re-election against Donald Trump. The jovial atmosphere during their meeting belied the serious discussions about the upcoming 2024 presidential election, which Obama views as a crucial moment requiring unified efforts, according to CNN. Since the launch of Joe Biden's 2024 campaign, Barrack Obama has been actively involved in fundraising efforts and private conversations aimed at addressing concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden's candidacy. His engagement is set to intensify as the election approaches, with plans for multiple campaign events geared towards rallying the winning coalition from 2020. One notable event in this regard is the Manhattan fundraiser, where Biden, Obama, and former President Bill Clinton will engage in a televised dialogue moderated by Stephen Colbert. With ticket prices ranging from $225 to $500,000, the event underscores the significance of garnering support for Biden's re-election bid, Hindustan Times noted. Furthermore, high-dollar guests can get their photographs taken with all three presidents, adding an exclusive touch to the fundraising endeavor. READ NEXT: Trump Slip-Up: Former President Mistakenly Refers to Joe Biden as 'Obama' Multiple Times Challenges and Strategic Adjustments in Biden's Campaign Despite initial optimism surrounding Biden's re-election bid, recent months have seen mounting challenges and concerns about his prospects against Donald Trump. Joe Biden's approval ratings have plummeted, and he trails or ties with Trump in most head-to-head matchups. The fragmentation of the coalition that propelled him to victory in 2020 poses additional hurdles for his campaign. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Barrack Obama has conveyed his concerns about the campaign's progress, particularly regarding field operations and strategic decision-making. The upcoming presidential election presents a formidable challenge, with Donald Trump positioned stronger than ever to reclaim the White House. Campaign Strategies and Grassroots Mobilization Efforts Despite the daunting challenges, Biden's campaign remains resolute in its efforts to turn the tide in its favor. With a substantial financial advantage and a record of accomplishments to showcase, the campaign is gearing up for an aggressive advertising blitz and grassroots mobilization efforts. The campaign's multi-pronged approach includes a comprehensive outreach strategy targeting key battleground states and demographic groups, per the Times. From TV ads highlighting Donald Trump's perceived threats to democracy to door-to-door canvassing and digital platforms for volunteer engagement, Biden's team is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for victory. Barrack Obama's active involvement in Biden's re-election campaign reflects the collective determination within the Democratic Party to secure victory in the face of formidable opposition. As the campaign intensifies, Joe Biden's team is deploying a range of strategies and resources to overcome challenges and mobilize support across the nation. With the stakes higher than ever, the upcoming presidential election promises to be a fiercely contested battle for the future of American democracy. READ MORE: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Reveals His Vice-Presidential Pick This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Obama, Clinton step in to help Biden defeat Trump in 2024 | NewsNation Now - From NewsNation Failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate and current Arizona Senate Republican candidate Kari Lake has lost yet again. This latest defeat came in a defamation lawsuit by an Arizona election official who accused the MAGA Republican of defaming him over her claims that the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election results were fraudulent. This is the latest Kari Lake defeat as she continues to lose cases regarding her claims about the 2020 and 2022 elections being stolen. Her actions have caused a deep divide in the Arizona Republican Party, with the McCain Republicans publicly rebuking her after she tried to reconcile. Lake infamously attacked the late Senator John McCain to appeal to the MAGA base and please former President Donald Trump. Unlike her other court defeats where Lake usually acted combative and challenged everything that was against her, Lake did not even try to fight this one, which was filed by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, also a Republican. The Daily Beast reported that Lake has already notified the court that she "has no intention of defending her claims" that Richter "deliberately wrecked her gubernatorial campaign in 2022." In that lawsuit, she is accused of falsely accusing the Arizona election official of "intentionally [printing] 19-inch images on 20-inch ballots," resulting in the counting of 300,000 "illegal, invalid, phony or bogus" early ballots. Richter was also the target of internet abuse from Lake's supporters as she constantly targeted the Republican election official on social media, often calling him an "incompetent, corrupt fool" and a "reprehensible human being." Lake did try to have this lawsuit tossed but this attempt was previously denied by a judge in one of her many legal defeats. After the judge tossed out Lake's bid last December, Richter stated, "My family and I have faced endless and vile threats, including calls for our execution, and I've lost important personal relationships and seen my reputation severely damaged by the Defendants." READ NEXT: Arizona Supreme Court Rejects Kari Lake Bid To Toss Out Defamation Lawsuit Over False Election Claims Kari Lake Still Spreading Election Disinformation Despite Latest Legal Defeat When Lake backed down, she essentially conceded to have defamed Richter. This also means that the case would not go to trial anymore and would immediately head to deciding how much damages she would have to pay. Despite this, CNN noted that the infamous Donald Trump ally is still not backing down on her already-debunked claims that the elections in 2020 and 2022 were stolen. In fact, she recently doubled down on these claims and vowed to continue her challenges to her 2022 election loss despite courts throwing out her claims one after another. Kari Lake Struggling in Her Senate Run After losing her other court battles, her 2022 election run for Arizona governor, and this latest lawsuit, polls have shown that the MAGA Republican is also poised to lose her run for Senate, though she is still expected to call foul soon after. According to MSN, these struggles were thanks to moderate Arizona Republicans whom she has dubbed the McCain Republicans remaining against her. While she remains a favorite against her Primary opponent, Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, she continues to struggle in the general election as polls continue to show that she would lose against Democrat Ruben Gallego. A big part may be those McCain Republicans either not voting or voting against her. READ MORE: Arizona: Man Hired by Donald Trump and Kari Lake To Find Voter Fraud Admits He Found Nothing This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Kari Lake concedes she made false statements about Stephen Richer - AZFamily | Arizona News Utah mom and author, Kouri Richins is facing charges for allegedly poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a sandwich before his death from a fentanyl overdose. Eric, 39, expressed suspicions about his wife's actions a month before his demise in March 2022, confiding in a friend that he believed she tried to fentanyl poison him with a sandwich left in his truck on Valentine's Day, according to New York Post. Summit County prosecutors have charged Utah mom Kouri Richins, 33, with attempted murder and fraud charges. Eric experienced severe symptoms after consuming the sandwich, including hives and loss of consciousness. Despite contacting Kouri, who advised rest instead of medical help, Eric struggled to counteract the effects. He confided in friends about the incident, expressing fear for his life and suspicions about Kouri's involvement. The court documents indicate Eric's desperate attempts to mitigate the poisoning's effects despite having no known food allergies. The case portrays Eric's fear and suspicion toward his wife before his tragic death. READ NEXT: Colorado Dentist Poisons Wife's Protein Shakes to Pursue Affair with Mistress Fentanyl Poisoning Husband and Financial Fraud Charges Kouri Richins, a mother of three, appeared on "Good Things Utah" to promote a book discussing her husband's unexpected death. She denied claims of his allergic reaction in a text to a friend. Her lawyer asserts her innocence, unaffected by new charges, ABC News reports. Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose in March 2022, with levels far above lethal. Kouri mentioned they drank Moscow Mules before his death. Prosecutors accuse her of purchasing fentanyl before both incidents. She faces charges including distributing controlled substances, forgery, insurance, and mortgage fraud. Allegations include forging her husband's signature on an insurance application and falsifying bank statements. At the time of Eric's death, Kouri faced financial distress, owing over $1.8 million in loans. She was the beneficiary of multiple insurance policies totaling $1.35 million but mistakenly believed in an additional policy worth $500,000. Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Murder Conspiracy in Husband Following her husband's death, Utah mom Kouri Richins promptly handled property matters and celebrated with friends, Daily Mail noted. Shortly thereafter, she self-published a children's book about a father's watchful presence after death. Court records indicate disputes between the couple regarding Kouri's real estate plans before Eric's demise in March. Prosecutors uncovered financial misconduct by Kouri, including obtaining a $250,000 home equity line, withdrawing $100,000 from Eric's accounts, and spending excessively on credit cards. Allegations extend to misappropriating $134,000 from Eric's business for personal use. Utah mom Kouri Richins procured life insurance policies exceeding $1.9 million amid substantial debts and legal battles, prompting mortgage and insurance fraud charges post-Eric's death. On the night Eric passed away, Kouri and her mother, Lisa Darden, celebrated a property deal. Investigators are suspicious of Darden's involvement due to past incidents leading to a search warrant in May 2023, implicating her potential role in Eric's demise. READ MORE: Texas Girl Found Dead This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Utah Mom Kouri Richins Tried to Kill Her Husband More Than Once: Prosecutors - From Law&Crime Trials Brendan Paul, a 25-year-old former Syracuse guard recently accused in a lawsuit of being Sean 'Diddy' Combs' drug "mule," was arrested on Monday on charges of cocaine and marijuana possession, according to records obtained by Rolling Stone. Miami-Dade police apprehended Diddy mule Paul at Opa-Locka Airport around 4:30 PM, with assistance from Homeland Security agents. His attorney, Brian Bieber, stated that all legal matters would be addressed in court, refraining from media discussions. Simultaneously, a federal sex trafficking investigation involving Sean Combs unfolded, marked by Homeland Security-led raids on his properties in Miami and Los Angeles. This operation followed several civil lawsuits against Combs, although it remains unclear if the raids are directly tied to these allegations. Sean 'Diddy' Combs, reportedly in Florida during the raids, had his phones seized by officials before a scheduled trip to the Caribbean. Diddy mule Paul's arrest is believed to have a connection to a lawsuit filed by music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones against Sean Combs. In this suit, Jones accused Paul of facilitating Combs' drug-related activities. Arresting officers found contraband in Brendan Paul Diddy's mule's possession, leading to his detainment at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of cocaine possession and possession of a controlled substance. READ NEXT: Diddy's LA Home Searched by Homeland Security Allegations of Sex Trafficking and Drug Trafficking in Lawsuit Jones collaborated with Sean 'Diddy' Combs on "The Love Album: Off the Grid," producing nine tracks between September 2022 and November 2023. According to Jones, Sean Combs mandated him and Brendan Paul to carry firearms and engage in drug trafficking. The lawsuit implicates Kristina Khorram in orchestrating various illicit activities, including drug trafficking and procuring sex workers for Combs, USA Today reports. Jones alleges the involvement of celebrities like Yung Miami and producer Stevie J in Combs' affairs. Yung Miami, among others, purportedly received monthly payments for providing sexual services to Combs. The lawsuit also implicates Yung Miami's cousin in a sexual assault incident involving Jones during a gathering in 2022. Additionally, it accuses Stevie J of recruiting sex workers for Combs and participating in "freak-offs," which refer to sexual encounters with sex workers. Federal Investigation Intensifies Amid Allegations A Department of Homeland Security officer revealed that the investigation into Combs has been active for weeks, focusing on various allegations, particularly concerning sex trafficking, Fox News noted. The officer emphasized that the investigation was prompted by concrete and detailed allegations, not random suspicion. Allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs surfaced publicly after his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a federal civil suit in November, followed by three more suits alleging sexual assault. During Monday's raids on Combs' residences, authorities confiscated electronic devices and other potential evidence, hoping to uncover communications relevant to the investigation. The multi-agency investigation, led by the US attorney's office for the Southern District of New York, is intensifying as officials delve deeper into the allegations against Sean Combs. Despite these developments, Sean' Diddy' Combs' attorney has not responded to requests for comment, emphasizing that the investigation is based on substantial evidence and not unfounded accusations. READ MORE: Nicki Minaj, Husband Need to Pay for Assaulting a Security Guard in 2019 This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Diddy's alleged 'drug mule' arrested | FOX 5 News - From 5 Atlanta A 3-year-old boy has died following a shooting Thursday at an Allentown home, city police said. The incident unfolded around noon in the 900 block of East Hamilton Street, Assistant Chief of Police Support Services James Gress said. Investigators found the toddler suffering from a gunshot wound; attempted the administration of lifesaving measures; and then transported him to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township for treatment, Gress said in a news release. The boy at 12:44 p.m. was pronounced dead at the hospital, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said. The death was caused by a gunshot wound and the manner is expected to be ruled by the Lehigh County Coroners Office following an autopsy. The autopsy is scheduled for Friday. Police said theres no threat to the community. Gress told lehighvalleylive.com the investigation is continuing into what led up the gunfire. The investigation is being handled by Allentown Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the Lehigh County Coroners Office. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk on Thursday evening issued the following statement on the shooting: Im completely stunned to learn of the loss of a young life on the east side of Allentown. My heart goes out to his family as they grapple with something that is truly impossible to comprehend. The details are still coming together, but one thing that I understand clearly is that a gun is at the center of the story. Im urging everyone in Allentown to take all necessary action to protect our community from harm. Enough is enough. Those with information about the shooting are asked to call Allentown Police Department detectives at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753, ext 1. Additionally, anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 App on the Allentown Police Departments Facebook Page or the Allentown Police Departments website. Allentown police investigate gunfire that left a toddler dead Thursday, March 28, 2024 in the 900 block of East Hamilton Street, according to Assistant Chief of Police Support Services James Gress.Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A former Carbon County teacher living in Northampton County was sentenced to up to nearly two years in county prison after having unlawful contact with a minor, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday. Michael Feifel, 56, of Walnutport, pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to charges of felony unlawful contact with a minor and felony criminal use of a communication facility. He was sentenced Wednesday to serve 12 months, less a day, to 24 months, less a day, at the Lehigh County jail, followed by a consecutive period of 12 months of probation supervision. Sentences set at one day less than 12 months typically allows defendants to avoid serving time at state correctional institutions. Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg presided over the case and delivered the sentencing. Matthew Glenn Schnell, the defense attorney representing Feifel, couldnt immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning. Feifel previously was employed as a social studies teacher at Lehighton Area High School, according to a LinkedIn page. The Lehighton Area School District administrations previously told lehighvalleylive.com during the time of Feifels arrest their number one priority is to keep students safe and will make that a priority when making future employment determinations of Feifel. A multi-jurisdictional human trafficking operation was held by law enforcement on June 29, 2023 in South Whitehall to combat sex trafficking. It included members of Homeland Security Investigations; the Lehigh County Human Trafficking Task Force; the Northampton County Human Trafficking Task Force; and the Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force. The operation included posting several advertisements on websites used for prostitution, according to the the DAs Office. An undercover Allentown police detective during the operation posed online as a 17-year-old girl. Feifel responded to the advertisement and agreed to meet whom he thought was the teen for sex acts in exchange for cash, the DAs office said. Feifel arrived at an agreed upon location in South Whitehall to meet whom he thought was the teen. Instead, he was met by members of the human trafficking task force and immediately placed under arrest, the DAs office said. The case was investigated by Lehigh County Detective Matthew Tretter and prosecuted by Lehigh County Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin P. McCloskey. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A Pen Argyl Area High School student is being charged after bringing an automatic knife to school, police said. The 18-year-old male is charged with misdemeanor possession of a weapon on school property. The charge has been filed at the office of District Judge Alicia Zito. The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. March 20 at the school, 501 West Laurel Ave. in Pen Argyl, Slate Belt Regional police said. Assistant Principal Amber Krisukas turned over to responding investigators a pink automatic knife with a 2-inch blade. She reported it being found in the center console of a parked 2011 black BMW driven to the school by the teen. Easton renters who allow serious crimes in their homes would face a mandatory eviction under a potential ordinance before Easton City Council. The new ordinance, introduced by councilman Frank Pintabone at the councils committee meeting on Tuesday, March 26, would force landlords to evict tenants who allow serious crimes to take place in their homes, crimes including drug dealing, illegal gun possession, human trafficking and possession of child pornography. The mandatory eviction would be triggered by the execution of a search warrant based on months of investigation, a judge approving the search, and suspected criminal activity found at the home, Pintabone said. Landlords who fail to evict their tenants would have their residential rental license suspended, and the property would not be eligible for rent, according to the bill. Tenants would have five days to vacate the property. After that, the eviction process would become immediately effective, Pintabone said. The city would maintain a database accessible to all licensing landlords, listing all evicted tenants and their charges. So, a troublesome tenant wouldnt be able to rent elsewhere in Easton without the new landlord knowing about the criminal charges, Pintabone said. Chief of Easton Police Carl Scalzo Jr. said the law would hold landlords accountable for their tenants and keep communities safer. With the dealing of drugs comes violent crime, and no one wants to live in an environment where theres violent crime, Scalzo said. I think we all want these neighborhoods to be actually safe, and just a pleasurable experience for all of us. He said that while most leases dont tolerate criminal activity, this amendment will guarantee support and assistance from the police department to remove tenants from their property. Scalzo also predicts the new law, the database and the risk of losing a home will deter individuals from committing crimes. The goal of this is not to put people out or make people homeless, Pintabone said. He said the goal is to make Easton safer. Pintabone said he has spoken to a number of landlords, residents and officials who support the amendment. Council members Ken Brown and Crystal Rose said they support it. We lose good neighbors and good people when there are irresponsible landlords who dont address some of those issues, Rose said. I dont want to see good people leave the city. Councilwoman Taiba Sultana questioned the amendment. She said a required eviction and entry into the database are added penalties on top of criminal court penalties and could prevent first-time offenders from finding homes and a second opportunity to live their lives. Everybody deserves a second chance. If somebody pays the consequences and now that person is trying to live a good life, now we are, as legislators, putting up barriers, Sultana said. She said the database should not constitute a life-long ban, but should only be posted for a certain period of time. Scalzo said the eviction is a consequence of the criminal activity. He said the database is only a resource for landlords. The city cant tell landlords who they can and cant rent to. The goal is to show the intolerance the city has for criminal activity, he said. An ordinance of this nature will help us continue to eradicate not only the drug dealing, which we want to get out of our city, but also the violent crime itself, Scalzo said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Chelsea Kun may be reached at ckun@lehighvalleylive.com. Anglers can get their fill of several species of sportfish at a Pocono Mountains lake as most limits are lifted starting April 6, ahead of a dam replacement that will require a complete lake drawdown set for later this year. Once the drawdown begins at Tobyhanna Lake in Tobyhanna State Park, the lakebed will be entirely off-limits to the public, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Thursday. There could be unexploded artillery shells uncovered as part of the project, state officials warned the park was previously used as the Tobyhanna Military Reservation, where munitions were tested. The dam replacement announced Thursday by the DCNR will consist of a full replacement of the existing dam structure in the park spanning the Monroe-Wayne County border. Originally built in the 1950s, the dam at Tobyhanna will be brought up to current standards with the replacement project, the department said. The project will involve replacing the dam, in-kind, and a new spillway, DCNR Bureau of State Parks Assistant Regional Manager Alex Stout said in a news release. Currently, the dam is not meeting the needs for maximum flooding, so we will increase its height during this process as well. The infrastructure improvements to the dam and spillway are critical for the safety and operations at the park. It also gives us an opportunity to improve the fish habitat and the visitor experience for the thousands of anglers who visit each year. Its part of Gov. Josh Shapiros administrations efforts to address infrastructure needs across Pennsylvania state parks and forests, which last year included the single largest investment in decades, according to the release. In connection with the project, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is alerting anglers that effective Saturday, April 6, all seasons, sizes, and creel limits for all species except trout will be lifted on Tobyhanna Lake. The lake is still scheduled to be stocked with trout on April 3 and April 16, Fish and Boat spokesman Mike Parker confirmed Thursday. The lake is currently closed to fishing until the start of trout season on April 6. At that time, anglers must continue to abide by all trout fishing regulations (seasons, sizes and daily creel limits), but they may keep as many fish of other species as they wish, he explained. A small perch is caught before being released Sept. 21, 2015, at Pickerel Lake Park, part of the Fred Meijer Nature Preserve, in Cannonsburg, Michigan. As part of a dam reconstruction project at Tobyhanna State Park in Monroe and Wayne counties, Pennsylvania officials are alerting anglers that effective Saturday, April 6, 2024, all seasons, sizes, and creel limits for all species except trout will be lifted on Tobyhanna Lake. In addition to stocked trout, the lake offers angling opportunities for warm-water sportfish species including largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed and chain pickerel.Neil Blake file photo | For MLive.com In addition to stocked trout, the 170-acre lake about a 50-minute drive north of Easton offers angling opportunities for warm-water sportfish species including largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed and chain pickerel. We have modified the regulations to reduce the number of fish in Tobyhanna Lake in advance of the complete drawdown, stated David Nihart, chief of the Fish and Boat Commission Division of Fisheries Management. While trout anglers must still abide by seasons, sizes, and creel limits as usual, we encourage anglers to fish the water for other species to make good use of as many fish as they can prior to the lake being drained. The temporary regulations will remain in place until further notice. The lake drawdown is set to begin in mid-September 2024 for site preparation, with construction scheduled to begin in 2025. Trout will not be stocked in the fall during the repairs. The lakebed has not been scanned for unexploded ordinances, according to the DCNR, though the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to do so as the project progresses. Fencing and warning signs will be placed to inform the public that it is not safe to enter the lakebed. The DCNR on the webpage for Tobyhanna State Park, which is near Gouldsboro State Park, advises visitors to its more remote and undeveloped areas to be aware that they could encounter old, unexploded artillery shells. Three types of shells have been found in the park, officials said: The largest projectile is 18 to 24 inches in length and about 6 inches in diameter. Medium projectiles are 2.5 inches in diameter and from 10 to 14 inches in length. The smallest projectile is 3 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter. Shells are found in severely rusted condition without any recognizable markings or imprints, according to the department, and their overall appearance is that of a pointed cylinder of rusted steel. Visitors encountering such items should not touch, attempt to move, or otherwise disturb the items, and should call the park office at 570-894-8336 to report the location for proper disposal. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Garryhinch Wind Farm on the Laois Offaly border is among the projects in a new deal possibly worth over 1 billion between Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables. The 50:50 joint venture which will target the delivery of up to 800 MW of new renewable onshore wind energy for Ireland through wind farm projects on Bord na Mona land in the Midlands. It could see over 1 billion invested in the next ten years. The 12 turbine Garryhinch project is at planning stage. Its turbines would be located in Laois and Offaly and have a tip height of between 200 and 220 metres. Bord na Mona and SSE now plan to deliver a significant portfolio of new onshore wind projects across the Midlands through a lease agreement on existing Bord na Mona lands in suitable locations. It will result in additional wind farms across Laois and the wider midlands. Bord na Mona Chief Executive, Tom Donnellan said: The portfolio of projects contained within this joint venture will be developed through a lease agreement at sites across Bord na Monas landbank, helping to benefit communities we have been operating in for the past 90 years. Our dedicated Community Benefit Fund will also support the local communities neighbouring our wind farm projects which could amount to annual multi-million-euro investments when all projects are fully operational. The joint venture includes three projects already in pre-planning development, including the proposed Lemanaghan Wind Farm in north-west Offaly, the proposed Littleton Wind Farm in Tipperary, and the proposed Garryhinch Wind Farm on the border of Laois and Offaly. These three projects have the potential to collectively deliver approximately 250MW of new renewable energy generation for Ireland. The joint venture also intends to progress a portfolio of future development prospects, which will represent up to 550MW of additional new onshore wind energy, he said. According to Mr Donnellan, Bord na Mona will lead on Community Engagement across the lifetime of the projects. All onshore wind farms developed by this partnership will have strong commitments to community investment, delivering new public amenities where possible, and contributing to biodiversity net gain across all sites. Once operational, each wind farm will have an associated Community Benefit Fund to invest in local communities across the midlands. Managing Director of SSE Renewables, Stephen Wheeler said: At SSE Renewables, were proud of our commitment to Ireland. Weve invested billions so far to deliver the low carbon energy infrastructure needed to help decarbonise Irelands energy mix. Our operational onshore wind portfolio is the backbone of Irelands clean energy transition, and were currently building what will be one of Irelands newest wind farms, the 101MW Yellow River project in County Offaly. Now, through this important new partnership with Bord na Mona, we can accelerate delivery of up to 800MW of new renewable energy generation for Ireland. By working together, our two organisations can deliver vital new onshore wind projects across the Midlands that will support regional economies and jobs, generate new homegrown energy for Irish consumers, while providing crucial supports to local communities across the heartland of Ireland. And in doing so, our partnership will help power the momentum needed for Ireland to meet its climate action goals for 2030 and beyond. The deal, which has reached completion, follows the receipt of Ministerial consent from Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan. He said: Renewable green energy is going to play a crucial role in helping Ireland move towards greater energy security and deliver on our emission reduction targets, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero by 2050. This joint venture between Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables will deliver up to 800MW of green electricity to power homes and businesses right across Ireland. Importantly, this joint venture will also see significant investment being made in the Midlands and local communities, a region which has historically played a significant role in powering Ireland. Todays announcement highlights the evolving nature of this role and how the Midlands is pivoting to the delivery of green renewable energy, to sustainably support future energy needs, Minister Ryan said. The companies say the partnership has the potential to support hundreds of jobs across the Midlands during construction and operation of the onshore wind projects. The ESB has been granted planning permission for a major expansion of its national training campus in Portlaoise. The national electrical utility said it needs additional space due the extra 1,000 staff being hired between 2022 and 2025 to support the delivery of Net Zero by 2024. It applied to construct an additional nine classrooms, a canteen and an office at its national training centre on the Abbeyleix Road at Curriesbog, Portlaoise. The proposed development will also consist of 53 new car parking spaces, bicycle spaces, footpaths, lighting poles, underground cabling and all associated site works. The existing access from the N77 would be used at the site. An ESB Networks spokesperson said: ESB Networks is hiring 1,000 staff between 2022 and end of 2025 to support the delivery of Net Zero by 2040. The ESB Networks Training Centre in Portlaoise is a unique asset among electrical utilities in Europe and its extension will enable existing staff, apprentices, external electricians and contractors, to gain the competency skills and necessary approval levels to be able to safely and effectively deliver the significant work programme set out in the future. Laois County Council approved the application with 14 conditions attached. A busy road used by commuters in Laois is due to close for works next week. Laois County Council has announced revised plans to close Station Road in Portlaoise on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2 and 3 between 9.30am and 5.30pm. The closure takes place from Portlaoise Train Station to the Junction with the N80. Transport for Ireland Local Link Laois Offaly said the closure will cause disruption to its services. Due to a road closure on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd April our 858 Thurles to Portlaoise and 834 Portlaoise to Roscrea services will not be able to pick up or drop off at the train station between 8am and 6pm on both days. Please make your way to the stop at JFL Avenue for both days where departure time will be same as train station departure time. Apologies for any inconvenience caused due to this unavoidable disruption, TFI Local Link stated. The council said the closure is needed in order to facilitate drainage works. They issued a map with diversions outlined. Any objections or observations can be emailed to: rglynn@laoiscoco.ie and copied to wwilkinson@laoiscoco.ie and kquinn@laoiscoco.ie Emo Court Parklands and House had 100,000 fewer visitors last year than in the previous two years. The figures were revealed by the Office of Public Works(OPW) which released visitor numbers for all of its heritage sites nationwide. Despite the large drop in visitor numbers, Emo Court Parklands and House remains one of Irelands leading attractions with 238, 039 people having visited the site in 2023. In 2022, the figure was 350,000 while in 2021 a whopping 379,161 visitors enjoyed the attraction. Despite a drop of over 100,000 visitors in 2023, the figure is still almost double the number for nearby Clonmacnoise in Co Offaly, where 122,718 people visited in the same year and that figure was up 29% on 2022 for the attraction which has an entrance fee. Visitor Figures at another leading OPW run attraction in Laois, The Rock of Dunamase, have remained relatively stable in the past three years. It had 48, 832 visitors last year, up on 45,215 in 2022 and 27, 244 in 2021. The OPW said 2023 was a successful year for visitor numbers with 15.3 million people enjoying sites across Ireland, up for 15 million in 2022. The Office of Public Works is responsible for caring, maintaining and operating 780 important heritage sites in Ireland. The OPW said the numbers show the top heritage locations in each of two categories: Paid Visitor attractions and Free Access Sites. Iconic Irish heritage sites such as Kilmainham Gaol, The Rock of Cashel and Glendalough continue to play a pivotal role for both domestic and international tourism. The major parks, such as the Phoenix Park, St. Stephens Green and parklands around Doneraile Court have remained top of the list, continuing the trend of visitors utilising these recreational spaces. Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick ODonovan welcomed the figures. The 2023 visitor data clearly indicates that there is a strong interest in heritage tourism and that an increasing number of visitors regard Irelands heritage sites as great places to visit, he said. We are fortunate to have such a rich and diverse collection of landmarks across the country. The continued investment by the State in our heritage portfolio- from ancient monuments to medieval castles- is so important for the safeguarding and preservation of our built heritage. It is wonderful to see the continued upward trend in visitor numbers to both the paid attractions and the recreational spaces which the public can access for free, all year round, he added. Click on this link for a full list of the OPW visitor numbers for 2021 to 2023. Laois man and IFA President Francie Gorman has called on retailers to stop discounting fresh food prices this Easter because his it is insulting and undermining the farmers and growers who produced it. He said vegetables, potatoes and lamb are being sold below the cost of production at a price during Easter week. Farmers are having an awful time with weather and cost pressures and then they see what they worked so hard to produce being devalued on the shop shelf, said the Ballinakill man. "This latest marketing stunt by retailers to attract footfall into their stores is morally wrong and will ultimately drive farmers out of business. Farmers are sick of listening to retailers telling us that they are funding the cost of the discounting when everyone one knows it is dragging the market down and causing a race to the bottom amongst the retailers, he said. Mr Gorman who recently travelled to Italy to support the sale of Irish beef, said the IFA says it has long called for Government to legislate against the practice of below-cost selling, as other EU member states have done. There was an opportunity in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 to prohibit this practice, but the Government bottled it under pressure from retailers. The Minister for Agriculture must introduce an amendment on below-cost selling now. Discounting potatoes, carrots, parsnips and other Irish-produced vegetables below breakeven levels for farmers needs to stop. The vegetable sector is in serious decline and this practice of slashing prices is completely undermining growers. It will see Ireland without vegetable growers unless the Government put a stop to this cheap marketing stunt. Retailers, and the discounters in particular who regularly use these below-cost promotions, will argue that the farmer does not bear the cost of these promotions which may be true in the short term, but this practice is killing the Irish horticulture sector, he said. The IFA says that similarly, sheep farmers are recognised as a low-income sector, and they need support to remain farming. The IFA say Lidl & Aldi are selling lamb well below the cost of production this week and this could potentially undermine the market and see farm gates prices fall as a result. This is at a time when farmers are at their wits end due to the weather conditions. Farmers cannot stand by and let multinational companies such as Lidl & Aldi with millions in annual profits undermine the livelihoods of Irish farmers, concluded the Laois farmer. A total of 857 international protection applicants were ordered to leave Ireland last year but the government does not know whether or not they left. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee confirmed their deportation order papers were signed in each case. However, it is only known for certain that 153 international protection applicants who were refused asylum actually left the country. It was also confirmed by Minister McEntee that 105 voluntarily returned to their home country. A further 34 were forcibly removed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) which enforces the government's deportation orders. Neither Minister McEntee nor the state can say what has happened to the other 704 unsuccessful applicants. Minister McEntee said in reply to written questions from Deputy Alan Kelly that the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. "Where a person's application for international protection is refused, the person concerned is advised of this in writing and provided with the option of taking up a voluntary return arrangement," Minister McEntee said. "Where this option is not taken up, a deportation order is issued in respect of that person. The numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify in the absence of exit checks," she said. The minister also said the total cost of deportations of individuals from the State was 494,829 for 2023. This included flight costs and some accommodation costs were required for all deportations and removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU removals as well as IP deportations. * In collaboration with nations like Tanzania, Seychelles, Rwanda and Ethiopia, the China-Africa Vocational Education Alliance has been revising and developing job standards and professional teaching norms for critical industries in these countries. * For over half a century, Chinese medical teams and experts have been at the forefront of combating regional diseases and major public health crises, providing comprehensive training for local medical personnel and enhancing Africa's healthcare capabilities. * Established in 2013, the Confucius Institute has seen more than 100 teachers and volunteers from China come to Tanzania and train more than 60,000 Chinese language learners. by Xinhua writer Zhou Chuyun NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- In the early morning, students enter the Ethiopian Luban Workshop located in a three-story building of a vocational training institute in eastern Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, where they are imparted industrial skills and taught robotics technologies. Over the past decade, more than a dozen similar institutions have opened across Africa, symbolizing China's commitment to sharing its vocational education expertise with the continent. Alongside numerous other China-Africa talent-building cooperation projects, these schools help drive the region toward modernization and sustainable development. FOSTERING VOCATIONAL SKILLS A group of Luban Workshop students were captivated by their 39-year-old teacher, Yonas Akele, who demonstrated the operation of automated equipment from China, simulating the production process on assembly lines. The Luban Workshop, named after an ancient Chinese architect, is a vocational training program established in around 20 countries for local communities. Having once studied in China, Yonas was inspired by Luban Workshop's integration of theoretical knowledge with practical engineering. Upon his return to Ethiopia, Yonas landed a teaching position here. "Young Ethiopians are fortunate to have this learning opportunity, and I hope to see more Luban workshops established across Ethiopia," Yonas said. Jiang Jiang, head of the Ethiopian Luban Workshop, outlined the facility's specializations, such as industrial sensors, industrial control, industrial robots and mechatronics. "When China and Ethiopia collaborated on establishing the Luban Workshop, Ethiopia voiced a need for an advanced training platform catering to key manufacturing sectors, particularly in areas like automated production," Jiang said. "The employers are delighted with our graduates' performance," Jiang noted, adding that some companies have expressed interest in training their workers at the workshop. The workshop has organized five training sessions in partnership with local governments and international organizations, benefiting nearly 200 talents from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and other nations. As the Ethiopian proverb goes, "He who learns, teaches." These trained African instructors bring advanced knowledge and technology to their respective communities, thus catalyzing Africa's demographic dividend toward sustainable development. In collaboration with nations like Tanzania, Seychelles, Rwanda and Ethiopia, the China-Africa Vocational Education Alliance has been revising and developing job standards and professional teaching norms for critical industries in these countries. Franklin Rwezimula, deputy permanent secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said China can help Tanzania develop a new generation of skilled professionals who know how to drive innovation and build entrepreneurship, thus benefiting sustainable economic growth through training. ENHANCING MEDICAL SERVICES Africa is facing increasing risks of disease outbreaks and health emergencies related to climate change, such as a disproportionately high rate of malaria deaths. According to the World Health Organization, African countries accounted for about 94 percent of all malaria cases globally and 95 percent of deaths in 2022. To improve medical services, China has been dispatching medical personnel and aid to African countries for decades. Since 2007, the China Malaria Prevention and Control Project Team in the Comoros has led malaria prevention efforts and training in collaboration with the Comoros Anti-Malaria Center. By 2017, the diligent efforts of experts from both nations had reduced malaria incidence in the Comoros by over 99 percent, effectively eradicating malaria-related fatalities. Kamal Said Abdallah, the 47-year-old laboratory director of the Comoros National Malaria Control Center, has been working closely with Chinese medical professionals for 12 years. After graduating from Tianjin Medical University, Kamal served as an interpreter for the China-Comoros Anti-Malaria Cooperation Project before transitioning to more hands-on anti-malaria work, with training sessions in China. He elaborated with Xinhua on the complexity of distributing anti-malarial drugs, which he said demands specialized training and guidance. Deng Changsheng, leader of the China Anti-Malaria Project Team in the Comoros, detailed the extensive training efforts conducted between 2018 and 2021, saying it has benefited over 4,000 local personnel involved in malaria prevention and control. He said these initiatives have enhanced the Comoros' medical and healthcare systems, nurturing local talent crucial to maintaining progress. For over half a century, Chinese medical teams and experts have been at the forefront of combating regional diseases and major public health crises, providing comprehensive training for local medical personnel and enhancing Africa's healthcare capabilities. Pemba Island in Zanzibar, Tanzania, once had a high prevalence of schistosomiasis - an acute, chronic, and disabling parasitic disease - but has witnessed a significant decline in recent years, thanks to Chinese medical expertise and collaboration with local health officials. In December last year, the first technical capacity training on schistosomiasis detection was organized on Pemba Island, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of local medical institutions. Seleh Juma Muhammed, an official from the Zanzibar Ministry of Health with four decades of experience in schistosomiasis prevention and treatment, praised the efficacy of Chinese integrated control methods and expressed a dedication to learning from Chinese experts and working with local communities. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN YOUTH As China and African countries strengthen relations and increase exchanges, more African youth are starting to learn about Chinese culture. Asha Fum Khamis, a 32-year-old Tanzanian Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute at the University of Dar es Salaam, told Xinhua that learning Chinese transformed her life. "If it weren't for learning Chinese and receiving a scholarship to study in China, I would still be fishing on a small boat in Zanzibar," Khamis said. Khamis attests to the growing popularity of Chinese language learning in Tanzania, calling it an international language that opens doors for youth employment and career prospects in Africa. Of the 300-plus students she has taught, many have found jobs in local Chinese firms, while around 50 have opted for careers in Chinese language education, reflecting the language's increasing importance in Tanzania. Established in 2013, the Confucius Institute has seen more than 100 teachers and volunteers from China come to Tanzania and train more than 60,000 Chinese language learners. In recent years, a growing number of Tanzanian students have been applying to study engineering, technology, medicine and other professions in China after learning the language. "The Chinese language is the language of the day across the globe. It is the language that unlocks opportunities for the youth, locally and globally," said Khamis. To meet diverse educational needs, Confucius Institutes in Africa integrate Chinese language education with other disciplines to nurture versatile talent. In Senegal, a West African country aiming to boost its agricultural output, the Confucius Institute at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar collaborates with Chinese agricultural specialists to offer a distinctive program that combines Chinese language education with agricultural technology. "Throughout the training, I did not only acquire Chinese vegetable cultivation techniques but also enhanced my language ability," said Moussa Dione, one of the program's participants. "These skills are invaluable for my future career prospects." (Video reporter: Lin Lin, Zeng Tao; video editors: Lin Lin, Mu Xuyao, Liu Yutian, Li Qin, Wang Houyuan) Infections that are resistant to medicines are the biggest risk facing Ireland, according to an expert assessment. The next biggest threats are a pandemic, cyber attacks and disruption to critical supply chains, according to Irelands National Risk Assessment. The report aims to give direction to Government on how to prepare for possible threats over the next three years. Professor Caroline McMullan, the lead researcher of the academic project Futureproof.ie which helped with the assessment, said the report provides an evidence base for creating policy around emergency planning. She said the top risks facing Ireland, analysed by experts based on likelihood and impact, are antimicrobial resistance, followed by another pandemic, attacks on key computer systems, and disruption to critical supply chains. An over- or inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to a wider range of bacteria that do not respond to traditional treatments, she added. This risk is part of a global trend and is not unique to Ireland, but it is the first time antimicrobial resistance has been named as the top threats to the country. A report will be prepared for Government on each risk in order of priority. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he views cybersecurity as a key risk and also highlighted the need for adaptation to climate change. Since the war in Ukraine, cyber attacks have increased exponentially, this has been documented by quite a number of sources, he said. We experienced our own cyber attack on our health service, which basically paralysed our health service for a number of weeks and (caused) extraordinary human costs and financial cost. We need to adapt more quickly to climate because climate is happening right now, and we have witnessed that in terms of the flooding, our water levels are very high will that affect our food production system this year in terms of tillage? On the subsea cables, again, the issue there is more collaboration across like-minded countries across the European Union, which we do. Its also an investment in intelligence everyone has an idea that its all about ships. Yes, we need ships on the oceans and we have an issue with recruitment and retention but the more fundamental issue actually is is around collaborating with others. Professor McMullan said members of the public were asked to rank the same risks as the experts and there was quite a number of overlap but added that the public rated cybersecurity as the top risk. The war in Ukraine was to the forefront in the minds of both the expert focus groups that assessed the risks and the public, she said. We did see a greater awareness of the fragility of our supply chains, whether thats food, medicines, energy, oil. Also, they were more aware of perhaps the changing nature of warfare. So the use of drones or the use of cyber attacks. Last time, when we undertook the National Assessment in 2020, antimicrobial-resistant infections had been the subject of study because they were emerging risks rather than a fully mature risk. But this time, the expert focus groups have rated antimicrobial-resistant infections as the top risk facing us at the moment, and so thats quite a shift. Its important not to chase things that get more, if Im honest, coverage and stick to the research-informed processes that we have in place. So we do need to use those priorities and not be side-tracked by, if Im honest, media coverage. So we should be tackling the top risks in order. She added: Central government came out with a 90% rating in terms of trust that the public would follow what advice was given during an emergency. Its an incredible score for central government to achieve and it was only topped by the emergency services and the national weather service. Portlaoise College's Student Council hosted an innovative conference on the theme of belonging last Thursday. The event, organised by the school's Student Council alongside their teachers Ms. Lawlor, Ms. Heath, Mr. Hogan, and Ms. Egan, aimed at discussing the sense of community and inclusivity among the school community. At the beginning of the night, participants were asked to think about the words that came to mind for them when they thought about belonging. The conference featured a line-up of distinguished speakers who shared insights on the importance of belonging. Among them were teachers, guidance counsellors, students, and community leaders, including Georgi Phipps from the Parent's Council, Damien Bowe representing the Board of Management, and Director of Schools from LOETB, Linda Tynan. Kicking off the evening was a vibrant choral performance by the school's Choir, under the guidance of Ms. Spencer, setting the tone for the event. Mr. Maher, serving as the emcee, skillfully guided the audience through the proceedings, ensuring a seamless flow of discussions and presentations, with a few witty comments thrown in to lighten the mood. Ms. Lawlor, one of the key organisers of the conference, emphasised the significance of the event. "Belonging is fundamental to a student's academic and personal growth. Our aim with this conference was to foster a culture of inclusivity and support within our school community, ensuring that every student feels valued and accepted." Throughout the evening, attendees were treated to thought-provoking discussions and inspiring anecdotes, all centred around the theme of belonging. Students from across the year groups spoke of what, for them, gave them this sense of belonging. Ranging from debating and the Homeroom to Green Schools and Volleyball, a variety of activities and spaces in school brought this sense of community. Students remarked that at the base of all of them were teachers who wanted the best for their students and wanted to provide a space for them to achieve. Principal of Portlaoise College, Noel Daly echoed Ms Lawlor's sentiments, highlighting the importance of initiatives that promote a sense of belonging among students. "At Portlaoise College, we believe that every student deserves to feel like they belong. Events like this conference reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive both academically and socially," he said. That opening question about belonging concluded with a mentimeter. The most common word highlighted was 'Friendship' amongst those gathered. Mr Daly concluded that schools are at their heart, a community of people who want to belong and at Portlaoise College they have found that place. As Portlaoise College continues to prioritise initiatives that promote inclusivity and support, events like the Student Council Conference serve as an example of Student Voice and Leadership in the school. A Naas District Court judge was visibly angry at both a Tusla representative and a garda during an emergency court application. Judge Desmond Zaidan was critical of the representative and garda during the application, which was heard in-camera (in private) on Thursday, March 21 last. The court was told that the application concerned a teenage girl who was at risk of becoming homeless, as she had been kicked out of the family home. A few minutes prior to the application, which was heard at around 3pm, Judge Zaidan announced that he would have to block adjourn the rest of the cases for the day due to the emergency nature of the application. He told one solicitor in open court: "It (the incident which prompted the emergency application) probably only happened a few days ago... just you wait and see." When the Tusla worker approached the judge, she told him that a garda enacted Section 12 of the Children's Act the previous day, at 4pm. In summary, this provision of the Act refers to the power of An Garda Siochana to take a child to safety, if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the child is at risk or is in danger. Judge Zaidan asked the Tusla worker: "Why wait until now, why not come in at 9am or 10am? Instead, you come in and disrupt my entire list; just because it suits Tusla!" "I'm grateful for the court making time (for Tusla)," the worker said, to which Judge Zaidan replied: "Well, I'm not." The judge further said: "You guys were aware of all of this since 4pm yesterday, you come in and throw my list into disarray, you should have come first thing in the morning! "This is just abusing my time... get on with, please," he said, and requested the worker to call the garda to the stand. After the garda gave a brief outline of the incident, and explained that he had spoken with the girl's mother, the judge asked him to show him the mother's statement. However, when the garda replied that he didn't have it, Judge Zaidan said: "You had all night and morning, I need it in writing. "It's not good enough... how am I meant to test your credibility? "This didn't happen half an hour ago, it happened at 4pm yesterday! You are abusing your dominant position." "That wasnt my intention, judge," the garda responded. "It's not good enough, you're a member of the gardai." "Sorry judge," the garda replied. He added: "I didn't know that there was an emergency care order in place." "When did you find out?" Judge Zaidan asked him. "10am." The judge also chastised the garda for not asking him for permission to refer to his notebook. As a result, the judge ordered him to 'start the evidence from scratch.' The Tusla worker then asked the garda why they enacted Section 12, and the garda explained that the girl was kicked out of her home, and has nowhere else to stay. "Is the mother here?" Judge Zaidan asked. "No," said the garda. "Then it's hearsay; it's inadmissible," the judge replied. The Tusla worker told Judge Zaidan that the mother was contacted by a courier on behalf of Tusla, but refused to come down to court. In response, the judge said: "You should have brought in an affidavit from the courier saying what happened. Do you see where I'm coming from?" "Yes, judge," the Tusla worker replied. "You don't have an affidavit, and the garda doesn't have evidence... it's appalling." When the judge asked the garda where the girl was at present, he replied that she was in Tusla accommodation. A youth worker also involved with assisting the teenager was called to the stand, but Judge Zaidan criticised the fact that her affidavit was not signed: "Seriously, guys... this is getting embarrassing; I have to accommodate you and your proofs are not in order," he remarked. After consideration, the judge said that he would grant the order, owing to the fact that the girl doesn't have any other relatives she can stay with, and noted how she previously was in contact with the social worker even before the incident "She is obviously a vulnerable young person, I can read between the lines," he said. The judge granted an interim care order until the case resumes at a later date, but reiterated that he wasn't satisfied with the proofs not being in order. A new campaign to create an annual National Voter Registration Day on April 30 was launched yesterday, March 27. The initiative aims to establish a national day in Ireland to promote voter registration among eligible voters. The three founders of the initiative, Liliana Fernandez, Programme Manager at Common Purpose Ireland, Leon Diop, Co-Founder of Black and Irish, and Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager at the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS), say that their main focus is to increase greater political participation among minority groups and young people ahead of the local elections in June 2024 Speaking about the launch of National Voter Registration Day, Liliana Fernandez said that there is a lack of knowledge about voter rights, which raises concerns about civic engagement and representation in Irish politics. In anticipation of the upcoming local elections, we are collaborating with community leaders across the country to inform minorities and young people of their political rights, educate them on the roles of local councillors, the functions of local authorities, and how to register to vote, she added. Brian Hearne said, We want to ensure that anyone who is eligible to vote is registered to vote, but in particular, we want to reach underrepresented groups and young people who are often unaware of their voting rights in Ireland. For example, many migrants who do not have Irish citizenship are unaware that they can vote in local elections. Our aim is to have as many voter registration centres as we can throughout Ireland. The campaign will see work being done to implement a nationwide National Voter Registration Day on April 30 through the collaboration of community leaders, groups, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders. Materials will also be made available for voter registration drives to happen across Ireland, with the official launch taking place at the Mansion House in Dublin. Over 30 organisations from across the country are supporting the initiative, including Black and Irish, the Irish Council for International Students, the National Womens Council, the Electoral Commission, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, and the National Traveller Women's Forum. 2024 Northwest Event Show Focuses on DEI Programs + Give-Back Partners Enhancing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Event Industry Space, NWES Offers a Quiet Room, Real-Time Closed Captioning, and a Diverse Speaker Line-Up for 2024 SEATTLE, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In one week, the 2024 Northwest Event Show (NWES) will showcase the latest innovations, services, and products at the forefront of the west coast's event industry. NWES 2024 is dedicated to Marion Clifton, who founded the event 30 years ago in 1994. In remembrance of Marion, who passed away this past December, NWES has partnered with Fill It Forward to promote sustainability and philanthropy directly at the conference and beyond. Fill It Forward, renowned for encouraging environmental responsibility, has generously provided refillable water bottles for all event attendees. Each bottle comes with a QR code that unlocks a donation to the SEARCH Foundation and tracks your environmental footprint, showing the tangible impact of every day choices. "Marion's vision has been a guiding light for NWES," says Event President, Stuart Butler. "Her legacy of innovation and community has profoundly shaped the PNW event industry. Through initiatives like these, we aim to keep her spirit alive." In addition to new give-back partners, NWES 2024 is proud to increase its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by offering the following: Quiet Room: Recognizing the diverse needs of attendees, NWES is introducing a quiet room in 2024 - a serene space where attendees can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the event. This space will cater to those who might find the sensory overload overwhelming. Closed Captioning with Interprefy: To ensure session content is accessible to all, NWES will be using Interprefy, our sponsor for Inclusive Captioning, for real-time closed captioning on all stages. This technology bridges the communication gap and allows for a more inclusive experience for attendees. Diverse Speaker Lineup: The NWES speaker selection process is rooted in diversity and showcases a wide range of voices and perspectives, not only enriching the learning experience but also providing varied insights into the challenges and successes within the events industry. Accessibility at the New Seattle Conference Center Summit Building The Seattle Convention Center, celebrated for its LEED Platinum certification and sustainable event efforts, complements the show's DEI efforts with comprehensive accessibility features, ensuring an enjoyable and comfortable experience for all attendees. For the full list of exhibitors and sponsors, please visit nweventshow.com/exhibitors. About The Northwest Event Show Founded in 1994 and marking its 30th anniversary this year, the 2024 Northwest Event Show (NWES) will be held on April 3-4, 2024 at the Seattle Convention Center. Not just another industry conference, the show is a comprehensive hub for event industry professionals and any business that plans and executes meetings and events on the West Coast. The Northwest Event Show features: 250+ Exhibitors: Offering the latest in event technology, services, and solutions, spanning across two floors, including an experiential hall designed for hands-on learning; Networking Opportunities: With over 3,000 industry professionals expected to attend, the event promises unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers, thought leaders, and potential partners; Educational Sessions: The show will feature CEU-accredited sessions across three concurrent tracks, covering cutting-edge topics essential for our industry's growth and adaptability; Innovative Experiences: Beyond traditional booths, the show incorporates interactive and immersive experiences, showcasing the latest trends and technologies in event planning. Important Links: Tickets | Newsletter | Website | LinkedIn About Seattle Convention Center Since opening its doors in 1988, the Seattle Convention Center has been the Northwest's premier meetings and events facility, welcoming thousands of visitors from around the globe each year, offering industry-leading service, award-winning catering, and a comprehensive range of services for event planners, exhibitors, and guests. The new Summit Building addition recently made its 2023 debut as America's first high-rise convention center. A massive, state-of-the-art facility, the $2 billion addition to Seattle's classic Arch building adds 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use space through its connected tower, retail space, and events building. It can service up to 13,000 people, and offers over 9,000 hotel rooms within a 6 block radius of Downtown Seattle ? perfect for global gatherings, conferences, conventions, and world-class shows. Covering 1.5 million square feet, Summit and the original Arch building, together create a campus built to usher in the future of meetings and conventions in the Pacific Northwest. Media Contact Sienna Spencer-Markles, SpenceMark PR 818-281-7416 | [email protected] SOURCE Northwest Event Show 27 march 2024 at 18:30 News published onand distributed by: Rio Tinto releases details of $8.5 billion of taxes and royalties paid in 2023 Rio Tinto has published its 2023 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, which details $8.5 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally during the year. This compares to $10.8 billion in 2022, which included around $1.5 billion of Australian corporate tax payments related to prior years. In Australia, which is home to almost half of the company's global business, taxes and royalties totalling $6.6 billion (A$10.0 billion) were paid in 2023, including corporate tax paid of $4.1 billion (A$6.2 billion). Rio Tinto also made significant tax and royalty payments in Canada ($601 million), Chile ($477 million), Mongolia ($371 million) and the United States ($123 million). Rio Tinto Chief Financial Officer Peter Cunningham said "We remain committed to being a leader on transparent tax reporting, as we continue to find better ways to contribute to our host countries and communities. "The taxes and royalties we pay play an important role in economic and social development, and can be significant for national budgets and local development priorities such as job creation and skills training. "It is important to us that we make this contribution openly and transparently, as part of our responsibility to extract value from the minerals and materials we produce in the safest and most sustainable way possible." In the past ten years, Rio Tinto has paid $76 billion in taxes and royalties globally, of which more than 78% was paid in Australia. 27 march 2024 at 20:25 News published onand distributed by: EIG's MidOcean Energy Completes Acquisition of Tokyo Gas' Interests in Portfolio of Australian Integrated LNG Projects MidOcean Energy ("MidOcean"), a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company formed and managed by EIG, a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, today announced the completion of its previously announced agreement to acquire Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd's ("Tokyo Gas") interests in a portfolio of Australian integrated LNG projects. The acquisition includes Tokyo Gas' interests in the Gorgon LNG, Pluto LNG and Queensland Curtis LNG projects. The portfolio benefits from experienced operators, including Chevron, Woodside and Shell, and spans the LNG value chain from upstream operations to midstream, liquefaction and sales. As part of the transaction, MidOcean will open an office in Perth, Australia, to support and oversee the projects. R. Blair Thomas, EIG's Chairman and CEO said, "We are strong believers in the role of LNG as a key enabler of the energy transition and have formed MidOcean to provide partners and investors differentiated exposure to the asset class. With these foundational assets, MidOcean has entered key projects and markets in Asia, which form the center of gravity of the global LNG business. De la Rey and team have an ambitious growth strategy that is expected to build on this foundation and expand geographically. Our focus on integrated projects is central to the strategy and affords MidOcean the opportunity to capture value across the full LNG value chain." "The acquisition of these high quality, cash flowing LNG projects is a significant milestone in MidOcean's strategy to build a diversified, global ?pure play' integrated LNG company that supports the world's transition to a low-carbon future," said De la Rey Venter, MidOcean's CEO. "This transaction accelerates our ambition to be a leading player in the global LNG sector for decades to come, and we look forward to servicing key LNG customers in Japan, Asia and across the globe." Barrenjoey, Barclays and JP Morgan acted as financial advisors to EIG and MidOcean in connection with the transaction. White & Case acted as legal advisor to EIG and MidOcean. About EIG EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $22.9 billion under management as of December 31, 2023. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 41-year history, EIG has committed over $47.1 billion to the energy sector through over 405 projects or companies in 42 countries on six continents. EIG's clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. About MidOcean Energy MidOcean Energy, an LNG company formed and managed by EIG, seeks to build a diversified, resilient, cost and carbon competitive global LNG portfolio. It reflects EIG's belief in LNG as a critical enabler of the energy transition and the growing importance of LNG as a geopolitically strategic energy resource. MidOcean Energy is headed by De la Rey Venter, a 26-year industry veteran who has held a variety of senior executive roles, including Global Head of LNG for Shell Plc. For additional information, please visit EIG's website at www.eigpartners.com or MidOcean Energy's website at www.midoceanenergy.com. 28 march 2024 at 03:05 News published onand distributed by: Boca Raton Real Estate Advisor Ranks #1 in the Americas Engel & Volkers Americas Honors Michael Ledwitz as Top Advisor in GCI at Multi-National Conference EVX BOCA RATON, Fla. , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Engel & Volkers Florida today announced the outstanding achievement of Michael Ledwitz, Broker/Owner of Engel & Volkers Boca Raton, who has been recognized as the Top Advisor in GCI for his outstanding performance in 2023. This prestigious accolade was unveiled during the awards ceremony at Engel & Volkers Americas' annual multi-national conference, EVX, held from March 4 to 6 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Nevada. "Through our brand's commitment to excellence and client-centric approach, I am empowered to deliver exceptional results for my clients in this exclusive market segment, solidifying Engel & Volkers as the premium choice for luxury real estate transactions." "Being recognized as the #1 Advisor in GCI for 2023 is an incredible honor, and I am immensely proud of this achievement," said Ledwitz. "I couldn't have earned it without the unwavering support and partnership of my wife, Wendy. Engel & Volkers provides us with the unparalleled resources, support, and global network necessary to excel in the competitive world of luxury real estate and our niche expertise of premier country clubs. Through our brand's commitment to excellence and client-centric approach, I am empowered to deliver exceptional results for my clients in this exclusive market segment, solidifying Engel & Volkers as the premium choice for luxury real estate transactions." Ledwitz joined forces with Engel & Volkers in 2017 when he acquired the franchise rights to Engel & Volkers Boca Raton. With over $1 billion in sales volume, his extensive industry experience dates back to 1993, with a specialized focus on premier country club communities, luxury waterfront properties and new construction in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach. "It was very gratifying to see Michael be recognized for his achievements in Palm Beach County and be named the top advisor for Engel & Volkers in the Americas," said Peter Giese CEO Engel & Volkers Florida. "In an ever-evolving real estate landscape, discerning luxury home sellers and buyers seek the expertise of dedicated, full-time advisors supported by an exceptional brand reputation. Michael exemplifies this standard of excellence, and his success is a testament to the trust our clients place in our advisors." About Engel & Volkers: Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 300 shop locations with over 6,500 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brand's global network of over 16,600 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate and yachting. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs, and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings, and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit www.evrealestate.com. About Engel & Volkers Florida: Engel & Volkers Florida, as the Master License Partner of the esteemed luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in Florida, stands as a beacon of excellence in the state's real estate landscape. The company is renowned for its multifaceted marketing approach, seamlessly blending traditional and modern methods, offering training programs tailored for seasoned real estate professionals seeking to enhance their existing businesses, and for fostering a collaborative global network. Engel & Volkers Florida's unique business model propels its franchisees to the forefront of the premium market, enabling them to seize market share and fortify their bottom line. With a robust presence spanning over 50 markets, including iconic destinations, coastal retreats, thriving metropolises, and quaint towns, Engel & Volkers Florida represents a network of franchise locations strategically positioned to cater to the discerning needs of luxury clientele across the Sunshine State. Continuing its strategic growth initiatives, Engel & Volkers Florida is committed to further strengthening and expanding its footprint in key premium real estate markets statewide. For those interested in learning more about the Engel & Volkers brand or exploring opportunities to join its esteemed global network, renowned for its hallmark attributes of competence, exclusivity, and passion, inquiries are welcomed at our corporate office located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Alternatively, you can reach us by phone at +1 239-348-9000. For comprehensive information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit http://www.florida.evrealestate.com. Media Contact Kaitlin Weigelt, Engel & Volkers Florida, 1 2393489000, [email protected], Engel & Volkers Florida SOURCE Engel & Volkers Florida 28 march 2024 at 05:20 News published onand distributed by: Ontario's Largest School Boards Sue Social Media Giants for Disrupting Students' Fundamental Right to Education School boards seek damages for disruption to student learning and the education system TORONTO, March 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Peel District School Board (PDSB), Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) have commenced legal action against tech giants Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (SnapChat), and ByteDance Ltd. (TikTok) for disrupting student learning and the education system. The lawsuit claims that social media products, negligently designed for compulsive use, have rewired the way children think, behave, and learn, leaving educators and schools to manage the fallout. Students are experiencing an attention, learning, and mental health crisis because of prolific and compulsive use of social media products. The fall out of compulsive use of social media amongst students is causing massive strains on the four school boards' finite resources, including additional needs for in-school mental health programming and personnel, increased IT costs, and additional administrative resources. Collectively, the boards are advancing claims in excess of four billion dollars. This action calls on social media giants to remediate these enormous costs to the education system, to redesign their products to keep students safe. Neinstein LLP, a Toronto-based boutique litigation firm, has been retained by the aforementioned school boards to represent them in their fight for social media change. The goal of the litigation is to provide school boards with the resources needed to support student programming and services, and to respond to the school-based problems social media giants have caused. School boards will not be responsible for any costs related to the lawsuit unless a successful outcome is reached. To learn more about the lawsuit and to follow developments, please visit the Schools for Social Media Change Alliance at https://schoolboardsforchange.ca . Quotes "The influence of social media on today's youth at school cannot be denied. It leads to pervasive problems such as distraction, social withdrawal, cyberbullying, a rapid escalation of aggression, and mental health challenges. Therefore, it is imperative that we take steps to ensure the well-being of our youth. We are calling for measures to be implemented to mitigate these harms and prioritize the mental health and academic success of our future generation." - Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director of Education, Toronto District School Board "There has been growing concern for years about the effect of social media on students' development, mental health, safety and emotional well-being. Urgent action is needed to protect students from further harm. That is why we have come together in bringing action against social media giants to make their products safer while addressing the disruptions they are causing to our educational mandate." - Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education, Peel District School Board "Fostering a nurturing environment of learning is critical to student success and stands at the heart of our educational mission. Yet, the intricately crafted and inherently addictive nature of social media platforms can hamper a students' capacity to absorb knowledge. Social media has an undeniable toll on student mental health which cannot be overlooked. In the absence of effective measures from the architects of these digital platforms, our educators find themselves increasingly involved in mitigating social media-induced matters, diverting precious time away from academic instruction." - Brendan Browne, Director of Education, Toronto Catholic District School Board "As the largest school board in Eastern Ontario, we are committed to the well-being of our students. The crisis caused by social media giants is putting children and youths at risk. Our students, society's next generation of leaders, deserve better." - Pino Buffone, Director of Education, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board "A strong education system is the foundation of our society and our community. Social media products and the changes in behaviour, judgement and attention that they cause pose a threat to that system and to the student population our schools serve. We are proud to support our schools and students in this litigation with the goal of holding social media giants accountable and creating meaningful change." - Duncan Embury, Partner, Head of Litigation, Neinstein About Schools for Social Media Change Schools for Social Media Change is a concerned group of school boards, Canadian leaders and organizations working together to strengthen our students' fundamental right to education. Social media products, designed for compulsive use, have rewired the way children think, behave, and learn. Our schools are unfairly bearing the brunt of the learning and mental health epidemic caused by the negligent conduct of social media companies. The school boards listed on schoolsboardsforchange.ca have commenced legal action against social media giants for this disruption to student learning and the education system. SOURCE Schools for Social Media Change 28 march 2024 at 06:01 News published onand distributed by: Optimi Health Confirms Presenting Sponsorship at the 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optimi Health Corp. (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN), a leading Health Canada licensed psychedelics pharmaceutical manufacturer, specializing in controlled substances such as natural psilocybin and MDMA, proudly announces its role as a Presenting Sponsor at the highly anticipated 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference. The event is scheduled to take place in Boston, Massachusetts on May 23-24, 2024. The 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference convenes renowned researchers and esteemed leaders from academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government sectors to explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in the research and development of psychedelic therapies for various health conditions with significant unmet needs. The conference presents a tremendous opportunity for Optimi to showcase its strength as a tier one GMP psychedelics pharmaceutical manufacturer committed to producing high-quality, GMP products that adhere to the strictest standards of safety and efficacy. "We have predominantly maintained a low profile over the last three years while developing and enhancing our operational and quality assurance capabilities," stated Bill Ciprick, CEO of Optimi, speaking from the company's 10,000 sq ft cultivation and formulation facility in Princeton, British Columbia. "We believe this conference serves as an excellent platform for us to engage with key stakeholders, exchange ideas, and drive innovation in the field of psychedelic therapeutics," he added. Ciprick will deliver a presentation on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10:50 a.m. EST. His session, titled "Manufacturing the Future of GMP Psychedelics: What Researchers, Clinicians, and Drug Developers Need to Know," promises to provide invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) psychedelic drugs. Optimi delegates will be available at the conference to host networking sessions for those seeking more information about the company's GMP and API drug products. To schedule a meeting, please contact Michael Kydd at [email protected] or utilize the conference delegate networking system. Currently, the Company is collaborating with Mind Medicine Australia to provide its GMP natural psilocybin extract and encapsulated MDMA as part of Australia's Authorised Prescriber Scheme. Additionally, on March 26, 2024, the company disclosed an agreement to supply The Institute for Psychedelic Research at Tel Aviv University (IPR-TLV) with research-grade active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) MDMA. For media inquiries, please contact Michael Kydd: [email protected] 902.880.6121 For investor inquiries, please contact: [email protected] www.optimihealth.ca ABOUT OPTIMI (CSE: OPTI) (OTCQX: OPTHF) (FRA: 8BN) Optimi Health Corp. an end-to-end drug researcher and formulator licensed by Health Canada to produce and supply, for clinical research purposes, psychedelic substances such as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("MDMA"), natural GMP-grade psilocybin, as well as functional mushrooms that focus on the health and wellness markets. Built with the purpose of producing scalable psychedelic formulations for transformational human experiences, the Company's goal is to be the number one trusted, compassionate supplier of safe drug candidates throughout the world. Optimi's products are grown and manufactured at its two facilities comprising a total of 20,000 square feet in Princeton, British Columbia. FORWARD?LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements") that relate to Optimi's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "expects," "will continue," "is anticipated," "anticipates," "believes," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "forecast," "projection," "strategy," "objective," and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. forward-looking statements made in this news release include the proposed use of the proceeds of the Offering. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Optimi's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Optimi undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Optimi to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 28 march 2024 at 07:30 News published onand distributed by: Grid Battery Exploration Team begins work on its Clayton Valley Lithium Project COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) is pleased announce that our 2024 Exploration Program has officially started on its Clayton Valley Lithium Project. The 2024 Exploration Program will begin with a Magnetotelluric (MT) geophysics survey performed by the KLM Geoscience ("KLM") as overseen by Grid's Qualified Professional, Mr. Steven McMillin P.G.. KLM Geoscience LLC ( https://www.klmgeoscience.com/ ) is an industry leading, Nevada-based geophysical exploration company. Established in 2014, KLM specializes in a wide array of geophysical methods. Using state of the art equipment, KLM's services include induced polarization (IP), natural-source magnetotellurics (MT, AMT), controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), passive seismic and magnetic potential field surveys. With a head office location in Nevada, this allows KLM to rapidly mobilize and begin work at a moment's notice throughout the Western United States and beyond. KLM has been a preferred vendor for Grid and its management team for many years. Clayton Valley MT Site Design: At the Grid Clayton Valley Lithium Project, MT Systems will be deployed using 100m inline and 100m crossline electric field dipoles, at a station spacing of 250m and line spacings of 500m. A total of 85 station sites are planned for the survey. A pair of horizontal (x,y) magnetic field sensors, oriented parallel to the electric field dipoles will be deployed at every other site and MT sites will record overnight for a minimum of 14-16 hours. The geophysical survey plan is to deploy a minimum of five (5) MT sites per day, using a six (6) person crew. Grid's Clayton Valley Lithium Project The MT survey is a preferred method for identifying strata that may contain lithium brine (evidenced by low resistivity), structures that potentially focus brine, and basin floor geometry. The follow-on soil sampling program will identify where subsurface brine may have reached the surface. The combination of MT and geochemistry will assist the Company in determining the next steps for its 2024 exploration including the planning of a first phase drill program. Tim Fernback, Grid President & CEO comments "KLM is a company that our geological team has successfully used several times in the past for lithium exploration work in Nevada. The MT survey has just begun, will be followed by a detailed soil sampling program by Rangefront Exploration under the guidance of our Qualified Professional. Together these results will allow us to select drill targets for subsequent exploration programs later in the year. As everyone is aware, Clayton Valley Nevada is home to North America's only lithium brine producer (Albemarle Corporation's Silver Peak Mine) and our property is immediately to the west of their lithium property and production facility." Qualified Person Mr. Steven McMillin, P.G. is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information contained within this news release. About Grid Battery Metals Inc. Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. www.gridbatterymetals.com. About Texas Springs Property The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded results with average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium . The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF) and comprised of 725 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023 ). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023 ). Our exploration results are on-trend with these results. About Clayton Valley Lithium Project The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley. Volt Canyon Lithium Property The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada. About the British Columbia, Nickel Projects The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of three claim blocks with a total area of 10,569 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite. The Mitchell Range Group area claim consists of one claim block covering 8,659 hectares with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Nickel cobalt mineralization has not been well explored, but the presence of awaruite has been documented. The Company's B.C. Nickel properties are held within Grid's wholly-owned subsidiary, AC/DC Battery Metals Inc. The Company has previously announced plans to spin out its wholly-owned subsidiary, AC/DC Battery Metals Inc., finance it separately, and separately list it on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2024. This transaction once complete, will provide a valuable share dividend to each Grid Shareholder of record for no additional cost. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim Fernback" Tim Fernback, President & CEO Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Phone: 604- 428-5690 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. It should be noted that results from any adjacent property(s) are not an indication of what may be found on the Company's property(s). SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc. 28 march 2024 at 07:30 View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by: Greenridge Exploration Announces Appointment of Sean Hillacre to its Advisory Team VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenridge Exploration Inc. ("Greenridge" or the "Company") (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3), is pleased to announce Sean Hillacre has joined Greenridge's advisory team effective March 22, 2024. Mr. Hillacre's extensive experience and background will provide invaluable guidance for the planning and execution of exploration programs at the Company's Nut Lake Project. Mr. Hillacre is currently the President & VP of Exploration of Standard Uranium Ltd. and has over a decade of experience working as an economic geologist in the Athabasca Basin uranium district of Saskatchewan, with 5 years as part of the technical team progressing the Arrow uranium deposit towards production with NexGen Energy Ltd. A proactive, results oriented geoscientist, Mr. Hillacre brings a unique and balanced background integrating academic geoscience with industry experience, along with a comprehensive understanding of project development. Mr. Hillacre received his B.Sc. & M.Sc. degrees in Geology from the University of Saskatchewan and published the first comprehensive academic study on a world-class uranium deposit in the SW Athabasca Basin in Economic Geology. Sean Hillacre, Advisor to the Company, commented, "I am thrilled to be joining the Greenridge team as an advisor, as the Company's Nut Lake Project has significant potential for uranium discovery. I am eager to begin leveraging my extensive experience to help drive the Nut Lake Project forward." Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We are excited to welcome Mr. Hillacre, whose extensive experience in the Uranium industry, particularly in the globally recognized Athabasca Basin region, brings invaluable expertise to our advisory team. We are confident that his knowledge and experience will play a crucial role in guiding our exploration programs and advancing the Nut Lake Project." The Company also announces that it has granted 250,000 stock options (the "Options") under the Company's stock option plan, each with an exercise price of CDN $0.75, to Mr. Hillacre. Each vested option, upon payment of the exercise price, entitles the holder thereof to receive one common share of the Company. The Options, and any shares issued upon the exercise of, will be subject to a hold period of four months in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Greenridge Exploration Inc. Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, and development of critical mineral projects in North America. The Company's Nut Lake Uranium Project located in the Thelon Basin includes historical drilling which intersected up to 9ft of 0.69% U 3 O 8 including 4.90% U 3 O 8 over 1ft from 8ft depth. Additionally, the Company's Weyman Copper Project in southeast British Columbia sits on the south portion of the famous Quesnel Terrance. The Company is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with significant expertise in capital raising and advancing mining projects. 1 Source: 1978 Assessment report (number 81075) by Pan Ocean Oil Ltd On Behalf of the Board of Directors Russell Starr Chief Executive Officer, Director Telephone: +1 (778) 897-3388 Email: [email protected] Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company, building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Project and its mineralization potential; the Company's objectives, goals, or future plans with respect to the Project; statements with respect to the expected benefits of appointing Sean Hillacre as advisor to the Company. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 28 march 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: American Clean Resources Group Establishes Environmental Sustainability Board LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / American Clean Resources Group (OTC:ACRG) proudly announces the formation of an Environmental Sustainability Board comprised of distinguished industry leaders. This Advisory Board aims to champion and contribute to the realization of American Clean Resources Group's corporate objectives and globally impactful cleantech strategies. Serving as a driving force behind ACRG's renewable revolution, the board will collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, federal agencies, and Fortune 500 industrial partners, to provide innovative solutions and economically sound strategies to address some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. The Environmental Sustainability Board boasts members with extensive expertise in various fields, including global tailings management, soil and water remediation, infrastructure management, waste-to-energy technology, smart mining and reclamation engineering. These esteemed individuals will act as key advisors, project collaborators, and stakeholders for the organization. ACRG Environmental Sustainability Board Members Aaron Johnson Advisory Board Member Aaron Johnson is the Executive Director of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), a position he has held since 2016. In addition to his work with the Institute, Dr. Johnson serves as Co-Chair of the Minerals Working Group for the United Nations Framework Classification under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. He is also a member of the United States Federal Advisory Committee to the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, where he provides oversight and direction to the United States Geological Survey's competitive mapping grant processes. Dr. Johnson holds adjunct professor positions at Missouri State University and Northwest Missouri State University. Ann Thomas Advisory Board Member Ann Thomas has 20 years of experience in commodities, risk management, and portfolio management. She was recruited by Citibank and JP Morgan Chase to build institutional commodities risk management departments with global capabilities. She has also served as a portfolio manager with Medley Capital's MACRO Fund, achieving an 11-year 12% ROR. Her integrated experience and longstanding industry relationships provide insights into the fundamentals of the macro market and access to executive-level expertise. Ms. Thomas maintains a long and untarnished history of compliance with regulators. Carin Meyer Advisory Board Member Carin Meyer, with over 18 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry, holds two master's degrees and specializes in pipeline control, leak detection, cyber security, theft detection, monitoring, and SCADA. She is a certified EUCI Instructor and periodically testifies and advises Congress on matters related to PHMSA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and regulatory guidelines. Corey Marshall Advisory Board Member Corey J. Marshall is an executive powerhouse with a career spanning over three decades across various industries, demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and brand development skills. With a strong foundation in executive management, Corey has held senior executive positions such as President of Rudolph Ranch, Inc., CEO at Tivoli Brewing Company and Tivoli Distributing Company, and Strategy & Development Officer at Mill 95, where he has led and motivated large teams, driven revenue growth, and fostered high-performance cultures. His tenure at these companies has resulted in significant accomplishments, including tripling Tivoli's revenue, implementing a complete strategic overhaul at Mill 95, and contributing to the startup and success of six businesses. As an Executive in Strategy, Finance and M&A at Ford Motor Company, Coors and Molson Coors, Corey helped lead these companies to new successful ventures and expansions. Corey also served as Associate Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he contributed to the future of the brewing industry with his extensive knowledge and experience. Jay Lesser Advisory Board Member Harold M. Lesser II (Jay) is the CEO of Alpine Companies, Founder of MRD Mining Research & Development Corporation, Inventor/Designer, and co-owner of the Gladstone Toll Mill in Idaho Springs, Colorado. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of MineTeck. His expertise spans the science of mineral extraction and metallurgical processes, encompassing circuit development, tailings pond and dam reclamation, water filtration, gravity separation, and geochemical analysis. For over three decades, he has brought innovative ideas to fruition, leading the industry in geotechnical construction, feedstock-specific gravity concentration research and development, as well as the implementation of many cutting-edge green protocols. Josh Rosenblatt Advisory Board Member Joshua Rosenblatt brings to ACRG over 30 years of public service, offering extensive experience in water management, compliance, and the regulatory industry. His expertise spans groundwater monitoring, pollution remediation, wastewater, and solid waste management within both private and public sector facilities. His workflow has been instrumental in expanding his expertise in EPA Regulations, the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund, and corresponding State Regulations. His qualifications encompass municipal, industrial, and environmental operations, along with regulatory compliance. Joshua has developed municipal water and energy conservation programs, training documentation, and has been active in interagency and public presentations, as well as stakeholder meetings. Luke Saban Advisory Board Member An accomplished C-level executive and advisor, Luke Saban has over 30 years of experience. He is regularly consulted to resolve various operating issues and to prepare companies for successful liquidity events. His extensive background spans finance, operations, private equity, and venture capital, with specific experience in industries including healthcare, energy, and technology. Recently, he served as CFO and President of RAM Group Global, a winner of the XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing Detection Challenge, and as CFO at Alphabet Energy, backed by TPG as the first low-cost, high-efficiency thermos-electrics provider. His career began at Price Waterhouse and continued at Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc.), eventually leading to C-level roles in strategic-backed entities within supplier relationship management, building materials, healthcare technology, and midstream energy sectors. Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson Advisory Board Member Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson joined the Colorado School of Mines in 2014 as a Professor and Department Head of Mining Engineering, after serving as a Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, Division Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation, and Provost and Professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is internationally renowned in geological, civil, and tailings engineering and has published over 200 technical and scientific papers. Dr. Nelson is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), past president of its Geo-Institute, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a lifetime member and the first president and Fellow of the American Rock Mechanics Association. Recognized as a Mole and Tau Beta Pi Eminent Engineer, she has received the Kenneth Andrew Roe Award from AAES and the Henry L. Michel Award from ASCE. In 2016, she was named a Global Inspirational Woman in Mining by WIM/UK, and in 2018, she was honored with the Outstanding Educator award from UCA of SME. In 2020, she established the Tailings Center in collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, and the University of Arizona. Rusty Lowdermilk Advisory Board Member Mr. Lowdermilk's business career has spanned more than 40 years across several industries. Beginning at age 14 and continuing through his early 20s, he learned the nuts and bolts of a legacy heavy earth moving/highway construction company in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Over the years, he has acquired a diverse range of skills and experiences, having been a superintendent in charge of gold production, among other roles. Mr. Lowdermilk's passion for photography steered him toward the motion picture industry, where he worked on commercials, movies, and owned a production rental company serving the Colorado Motion Picture industry for over 27 years. Alongside photography, he has had a profound interest in mining and moving rock. Samuel K. Mansfield, Jr. Advisory Board Member Early in his career, Mr. Mansfield was licensed in the securities business. Throughout his diverse career, he has held positions including corporate historian, intercorporate liaison, senior sales executive, senior vice president, and managing director. In the 1980s and early 1990s, he participated in generating over one billion dollars in funding for programs in single-family housing, tax credit programs for affordable housing, congregate care facilities, and infrastructure development for raw land. At that time, Mr. Mansfield raised capital for ongoing operations in the construction, clothing, arena development, printing, aerospace, and transportation sectors. In the late 1990s, he began working with NGAS, a publicly-held independent energy company headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, contributing to the company's growth from drilling ten wells a year to hundreds through multiple partnerships, and was instrumental in capital formation for their drilling operations. Tracy Weslosky Advisory Board Member Tracy Weslosky is the Executive Director of the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) and Founder, CEO, and Director of InvestorNews Inc., the publisher of InvestorNews.com-an independent source of market news that garners over 120 million hits annually. Along with her role as an online publisher, InvestorNews has provided digital media services in the capital markets for two dozen years. Renowned for hosting major critical mineral events globally, Tracy co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of CMI, focusing on critical minerals for a decarbonized economy. Her past ventures include co-founding REE Stocks PLC, a FTSE-recognized rare earths indices company, and being a principal partner in the investment banking firm Weslosky & Cowans Ltd., which had an Exempt Market Dealers license for eight years. Additionally, she produced and hosted the business television series 'DealFlow', distributed to 294 million households worldwide, including on CNBC. Trevor Jones Advisory Board Member Trevor Jones is the Founder and CEO of Lynx Global Intelligence, a Denver-based software platform that enhances support for the mining and renewable energy industries through advanced technology. His initiatives aim to render data more accessible and actionable, aligning with sustainable reporting frameworks and integrating environmental and social data. His efforts improve communications with regulators, communities, and shareholders through the innovative use of big data and AI tools. Born in Denver, Trevor holds an MA in International Security from the University of Denver and a BA from Tulane University. He actively contributes to the promotion of robust domestic supply chains, as evidenced by his involvement in the Colorado Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition. This newly established Environmental Sustainability Board reflects ACRG's unwavering commitment to driving positive environmental change while delivering value to stakeholders. As ACRG continues its mission to lead the charge in reshaping the future by cleaning up mining tailings and through its renewable energy investment, the guidance and expertise provided by the Environmental Sustainability Board will be invaluable. The historical method of mineral and metal extraction, reliant on fossil fuels, draws a parallel with the future of reprocessing mining waste using renewable energy, reflecting the foundational link between past practices and future advancements shaping America's trajectory. In a recent announcement by the Biden administration, it granted half a billion dollars to projects by leading mining companies including those in Nevada and Arizona for clean energy projects. There is a logical partnership between the mining and renewable industry. In the Department of Energy announcement it said "By shifting to clean energy, this project (Nevada Gold Mines) could demonstrate a replicable way for the mining industry to reach net-zero operations." "It is with great pleasure that I join the Advisory Board of American Clean Resources Group, Inc., which aims to spearhead one of the largest renewable energy projects in the U.S.," commented Weslosky. "ACRG's focus on sustainability and strategic acquisitions, such as SWIS Community, LLC, announced recently, resonates with my commitment to advancing climate change initiatives for a decarbonized economy." Tawana Bain, CEO of ACRG concludes: "As we embark on this journey toward a sustainable future, I am honored to welcome the esteemed members of the Environmental Sustainability Board to American Clean Resources Group. Their collective expertise and commitment to environmental stewardship will play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic initiatives and driving meaningful change in the renewable energy sector." Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about American Clean Resources Group, Inc. and its management's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) changes in renewable energy, minerals and mining, (ii) capital and credit market volatility, (iii) local and global economic conditions, (iv) our anticipated growth strategies, (v) governmental approvals and regulations, and (vi) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and American Clean Resources Group, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. About American Clean Resources Group, Inc.: American Clean Resources Group (OTC: ACRG), an environmentally sustainable development platform, is at the forefront of renewable and environmental development in the United States, through comprehensive Resource Management and processing of precious minerals and metals in a carbon-neutral and environmentally safe manner. Dedicated to revolutionizing the new American Supply Chain by aiming to deliver goods with a net-zero environmental impact, ACRG is committed to advancing climate change reduction, strengthening the American Supply Chain, and aiming to lead one of the largest renewable energy projects in the U.S. ACRG leverages existing assets and pursues strategic acquisitions across air, water, and land domains to benefit both public and private properties within the United States. For additional information, please contact: Susan Assadi Media Relations 347-977-7125 [email protected] SOURCE: American Clean Resources Group Inc 28 march 2024 at 08:32 View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by: CCC, Orgues Letourneau to provide organ for Australian cathedral OTTAWA, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CCC is pleased to announce that it was awarded a contract by the Perth Diocesan Trustees to provide a pipe organ made by Orgues Letourneau to St. George's Cathedral in Perth, Australia. Through CCC's government to government (G2G) contract, Orgues Letourneau will design, construct, install, and voice a new pipe organ with an attached three-manual console. The organ's casework will be built by Letourneau's artisans from red oak while the instrument itself will boast a total of 3,225 pipes. Established in 1888, St George's Cathedral is the principal Anglican church in the city of Perth, Western Australia, and the mother-church of the Anglican Diocese of Perth. The diocese made history in 2017 by electing the Right Rev'd Kay Goldsworthy as Archbishop of Perth, the first woman to hold that office in the Anglican church in Australia. Headquartered in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Orgues Letourneau is a Canadian SME (small and mid-size enterprise) that has built more than 140 organs since it was established in 1979. Its pipe organs are found in concert halls, universities, and in houses of worship across the world. Letourneau and CCC have a history of successful partnerships, including in designing, building, and installing pipe organs for St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas, Texas, for the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia, and for Selwyn College at the University of Cambridge in the UK. For over 75 years, CCC has been helping Canadian companies to establish successful commercial relationships with international buyers. We provide practical business development advice, referrals, and tools that are designed to enable each stage of an international sale opportunity. To learn more, contact our team . St. George's Cathedral Quotes "CCC is pleased to help Orgues Letourneau export its world-class expertise in crafting beautiful organs that captivate audiences." ? Kim Douglas, VP of Business Development and Marketing. "We are proud to work with CCC to bring our unique tonal design and internationally acclaimed craftsmanship to St. George's Cathedral in Perth." ? Andrew Forrest, President of Orgues Letourneau. Related Contact For media enquiries, please contact [email protected] About CCC CCC is Canada's government to government contracting agency. We help build successful commercial relationships between Canadian businesses and governments around the world through our government to government contracting approach. We are also the Government of Canada's designated contracting authority for U.S. DoD requirements from Canada. To learn more about how we have facilitated billions in trade between Canadian businesses and governments around the world, visit ccc.ca . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce11ccaf-0007-4ae9-8fdd-4d800a610508 28 march 2024 at 09:00 News published onand distributed by: ReAlta Life Sciences Announces New Research Collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to Evaluate RLS-0071 as a Medical Countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. ("ReAlta" or the "Company"), a mid-stage clinical biotech company dedicated to saving lives by rebalancing the inflammatory response to address life-threatening diseases, today announces that the company will be utilizing the preclinical services program offered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to evaluate RLS-0071 as a medical countermeasure for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Under a research collaboration, scientists at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), working with support from the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) at NIAID, will evaluate the ability RLS-0071 to mitigate the gastrointestinal effects of ARS (GI-ARS) in a preclinical mouse model. "We are very pleased to partner with NIAID and AFRRI to evaluate ReAlta's lead drug candidate, RLS-0071, as a radiation countermeasure for GI-ARS," says Dr. Ulrich Thienel, Chief Executive Officer of ReAlta. "Our collaboration may provide a much-needed therapy for radiation-induced tissue damage that is associated with high mortality." Dr. Neel Krishna, Chief Scientific Officer at ReAlta adds that, "the anti-inflammatory, dual mechanism-of-action of RLS-0071 enables the rapid inhibition of both complement activation and neutrophil effectors that are key initiators of deadly inflammation in ARS." About the National Institutes of Health (NIH) As one of the 27 institutes and centers of the U.S. NIH, NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. For more than 60 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. About AFRRI AFRRI was established in 1961 and operated by the U.S. Defense Atomic Support Agency and the Defense Nuclear Agency until 1993, when it was realigned with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). AFRRI is unique and powerful radiobiological research institute, with six decades of active, robust, and outstanding support to the U.S. Department of Defense through research, reach-back, and education. It is the only U. S. Department of Defense medical R&D facility dedicated solely to nuclear and radiological defense. About Acute Radiation Syndrome ARS, also known as radiation sickness or radiation poisoning, is a collection of health effects that are caused by exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation in a short period of time. Symptoms can start within minutes of exposure and can last for several months. Early symptoms are usually nausea and vomiting. In the following hours or weeks, initial symptoms may appear to improve, before the development of additional complications, after which either recovery or death follows. Exposure to radiation can occur accidentally or intentionally, and may involve nuclear power reactor accidents or attacks, certain devices used in cancer therapy, dirty bombs, or nuclear or radiological weapons. About ReAlta Life Sciences ReAlta Life Sciences, Inc. is a mid-stage clinical biotech company dedicated to saving lives by rebalancing the inflammatory response to address life threatening acute inflammatory and rare diseases. The Company's EPICC peptides are based on research into the human astrovirus, HAstV-1, which causes a non-inflammatory, self-limiting gastroenteritis unique among viruses by inhibiting components of the innate immune system. ReAlta's therapeutic peptides leverage these virus-derived mechanisms to rebalance complement and inflammatory processes in the body. The company's pipeline is led by RLS-0071, which has received IND clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute graft-versus-host disease, and IND clearance, Orphan Drug Designation, and Fast Track Designation by the FDA, and Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency, for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The company launched in 2018 and is located in Norfolk, Virginia and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.realtalifesciences.com. 28 march 2024 at 09:35 News published onand distributed by: Prime Minister of France Gabriel Attal to visit Canada OTTAWA, ON, March 28, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Prime Minister of France, Gabriel Attal, will travel to Canada from April 10 to 12, 2024. Canada and France enjoy a strong relationship rooted in close co-operation and shared history, culture, and values. Prime Minister Attal's visit to Canada will provide an opportunity to advance our work on shared priorities including climate action, conservation, and building a net zero economy; growing trade; reaffirming our unwavering commitment to promote the French language and francophone cultures; and protecting democracy and human rights around the world ? including in support of Ukraine against Russia's brutal war of aggression. On April 10 and 11, Prime Minister Attal will be in Ottawa, where he will meet with Prime Minister Trudeau to strengthen bilateral co-operation, with a focus on climate action. Prime Minister Attal will also meet with the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon. Following the Ottawa portion of his visit, Prime Minister Attal will visit Quebec City and Montreal on April 11 and 12. Quote "Canada and France are friends united by a shared language, a shared history, and shared values. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Attal to Canada and to working together to advance some of our shared priorities, from climate action, to trade, to protecting democracy. Together, we can make life better for people on both sides of the Atlantic." ? The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Facts This will be Prime Minister Attal's first official visit to Canada , and his first official travel outside of the European Union since he became Prime Minister. , and his first official travel outside of the European Union since he became Prime Minister. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the G7, and the G20, a founding member of the European Union, and a leading partner in La Francophonie, France is a key ally for Canada on the international stage. is a key ally for on the international stage. In 2023, France was Canada's third largest merchandise export market in the European Union, and its twelfth-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $12 .9 billion. was third largest merchandise export market in the European Union, and its twelfth-largest trading partner globally, with two-way merchandise trade totalling .9 billion. In 2023, Canadian exports to France amounted to $4 .3 billion, while imports from France totalled $8 .6 billion. amounted to .3 billion, while imports from totalled .6 billion. In France , Canada is represented by an embassy in Paris and consulates in Lyon , Nice , and Toulouse. France is represented in Canada by its embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver , Toronto , Montreal, Quebec City, and Moncton . Associated Links This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office 28 march 2024 at 10:49 News published onand distributed by: Key Piece of "Titanic" Movie Memorabilia Purchased By Titanic Museum Attraction One of the most iconic and talked about pieces of movie memorabilia will surface soon at the Titanic Museum Attraction, which has locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri. The ornate wood panel, which is known to most movie-goers as the "door" that featured prominently in the Oscar-winning blockbuster "Titanic," recently was purchased by the attraction and will become part of one of the largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts anywhere. The wood panel is an integral character in the "Titanic" movie and one of the most talked about props in Hollywood history; it helped save the character Rose, portrayed by Kate Winslet, from drowning when the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. Since the movie was released in 1997, fans have speculated whether Jack, the film's other main character portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, could have fit on the wood panel with Rose, thereby saving his life. Visitors to the Titanic Museum Attraction now will be able to consider for themselves what role the movie artifact could have played in the characters' survival. The movie prop was purchased on March 23 at the Heritage Auctions' Treasures from Planet Hollywood auction; it was the auction's highest-selling item, outselling 1,600 key show business items and costumes from other notable films, including "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," "Spider-Man 3" and "The Shining." The valuable artifact has been in storage for two decades and previously was on display at Planet Hollywood in Orlando. This spectacular piece of cinematic history joins more than 1,000 artifacts at the Titanic Museum Attractions' multi-million dollar collection. Titanic Museum Attractions always look for opportunities to display extraordinary pieces from RMS Titanic as well as exhibiting iconic memorabilia from the widely acclaimed movie. "Being able to obtain this highly-treasured prop used in the 'Titanic' movie is a monumental acquisition for our attraction," said Mary Kellogg-Joslyn, President of Titanic Museum Attractions. "It's such an iconic part of the film's history and popularity, and it will give fans of the movie a unique glimpse into this spectacular film. Adding this piece of memorabilia to our collection of Titanic artifacts will allow our guests to see this one-of-a-kind piece of movie history, and we are solidifying plans for how best to display it at both of our locations in the future." Officials with Heritage Auctions said the eight-foot balsa wood movie prop was based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the 1912 tragedy; the intricately carved prop bears a striking resemblance to the Louis XV-style panel housed in the Maritime Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Director James Cameron of "Titanic" the movie, regularly visited the museum when doing research for the Oscar-winning film, which inspired him to create a similar piece of debris to stage Jack and Rose's emotional final moments. Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri open daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at 800-381-7670. 28 march 2024 at 12:45 News published onand distributed by: Mark Lindquist Law: Victim Sues for Sexual Assault on Plane Delta Air Lines Employee Pled Guilty in Criminal Case SEATTLE, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today aviation attorney Mark Lindquist filed a lawsuit on behalf of a victim of an in-flight sexual assault committed by a Delta Air Lines employee. Delta and its employee Duane Brick are defendants in the suit, which was filed in King County, Washington. On March 20, 2023, the victim was returning home from a Taylor Swift concert in Phoenix, Arizona, on a Delta Air Lines flight. Mr. Brick, an adult male in his fifties, sat next to her. She smelled alcohol on his breath. While the plane was en route to Seattle, the victim fell asleep. Mr. Brick put his hand under her shirt and placed her hand on his crotch. According to Mr. Brick's guilty plea to criminal charges, "Duane Brick took the Victim's hand and placed it on his crotch for several minutes. Duane Brick then put his hand under the Victim's shirt, touching her bare breasts." After the victim woke up and realized she was being sexually assaulted, Mr. Brick went to the restroom. He was visibly intoxicated and left behind empty airline alcohol bottles. According to the lawsuit, both a witness and the victim reported the sexual assault to flight attendants. Mr. Brick was still allowed to return to his seat next to the victim. After approximately 15 minutes, flight attendants finally moved the perpetrator to a different seat. In 2023, the Seattle Times reported a "disturbing uptick" in sexual assaults on planes. An agent with the FBI said most in-flight sexual assaults occur when the victim is asleep. "Everyone should feel safe to fall asleep on a plane without the risk of being groped and sexually assaulted," Lindquist said. "Airlines can and should do more to stop these gross violations." Upon landing in Seattle, the victim reported the sexual assault. The United States Attorney's Office charged Mr. Brick with Abusive Sexual Contact. He pled guilty on March 5, 2024. Lindquist's lawsuit alleges Negligence, Gross Negligence, Assault and Battery. "As a common carrier, Delta owes the highest duty of care and has a legal duty to provide airline passengers, including the Plaintiff, with a safe flight that is free from unauthorized and abusive sexual contact from other passengers, including from Delta's own employees," the lawsuit states. Further, Lindquist alleges Delta overserved alcohol to Mr. Brick, failed to adequately train employees on how to prevent and address sexual assaults, and failed to properly monitor the cabin and protect passengers. Mark Lindquist Law , an aviation and personal injury firm, is located in Tacoma, Washington. Lindquist is the former elected prosecutor for Pierce County, Washington. He represented dozens of victim families in the two crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and currently represents 27 passengers in the recent door plug blowout on a Boeing Max 9. SOURCE Mark Lindquist Law 28 march 2024 at 12:47 News published onand distributed by: PMI Foods Gives Easter Donation of 15,000 Pounds of Prime Rib to New Life Church in Arkansas SALT LAKE CITY, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Parker Migliorini International (PMI Foods) announced a historic partnership with New Life Church in Arkansas to provide meals to the needy. With 18 church campuses across the state, this donation will directly benefit underserved communities and those facing food insecurity. "PMI Foods is thrilled to be partnering with New Life Church to distribute food across 18 campuses as we work together to feed kids and hungry families across the state of Arkansas," said Darin Parker, President of PMI Foods. "Easter is a time of hope and rebirth, and we are committed to fighting food insecurity as we work to help those in need." New Life Church in Arkansas has been a beacon of hope and compassion for many years. With a steadfast commitment to serving the community, the church has been actively involved in various charitable works. Its unwavering dedication to supporting those in need has earned it a reputation as a compassionate and caring institution in the state of Arkansas. Through its charity efforts, New Life Church has been able to make a positive impact on a wide range of issues from hunger and homelessness to education and healthcare. "Our commitment to the community extends far beyond delivering God's word. As shepherds of God's people, every day we put His word into action," said New Life Church Pastor Rick Bezet. "PMI Foods is helping us do God's work with these food donations and we are truly blessed to have such a partner that is committed to ending the hunger crisis in Arkansas." PMI Foods is committed to deepening the relationship with New Life Church and groups such as Every Arkansan that are committed to hunger relief and helping the needy. With more announcements to come, PMI Foods will continue to make a difference as we work to double our food donation efforts in 2024. Learn about PMI Foods at https://www.pmifoods.com/ About Parker Migliorini International LLC PMI Foods is a global enterprise that supplies an extensive range of products to all major international markets with corporate offices strategically located in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. PMI Foods operates on several platforms representing two brands: PMI Global Solutions; managing product procurement, sales, and logistics, and PMI Distribution; supplying the needs of local wholesale markets, and PMI Food Service, which provides a constant supply source while focusing on personalized services and customer-specific adaptation of products and packaging. About New Life Church God gave Pastor Rick and Michelle the dream of 50 campuses throughout Arkansas; and as we grow, we see Him faithfully moving to accomplish this vision. We continue to see God do immeasurably more than we imagine; it is our joy to see and be a part of the Lord moving through our nation. Jesus remains at the center of our church, and we aim to honor Him in all we do. As the Church, we are a great force upon the earth, an undeniable presence demonstrating God's love in action. We believe that we are better together, and we love working alongside churches to reach communities for Jesus. We are a people of one heart and soul, made complete by the Spirit of God. Our house is a home for all generations, a place of encouragement and joy, and a family who finds their hope in Jesus. Additional information about New Life Church is available at https://newlifechurch.tv SOURCE PMI Foods 28 march 2024 at 13:52 News published onand distributed by: Stillwater Critical Minerals Announces Private Placement with $2.1M Lead Order from Glencore VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce that is has commenced a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 17,857,143 units of the Company, at a price of $0.14 per unit, for gross proceeds of up to approximately $2.5 million (the "Placement"). Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc, has agreed to purchase 15 million units of Stillwater pursuant to the Placement, for gross proceeds of $2.1 million. Each unit under the Placement is comprised of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.21, providing up to approximately $1.875 million additional funding, if exercised in full. The warrants shall be exercisable for three years from the date of issue. Stillwater President and CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, "We are pleased to have Glencore's continued support through their participation in this placement as we advance our flagship Stillwater West project as a large-scale source of nine metals that are now listed as critical in the USA. With the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district, and high co-product values of copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold, we are uniquely positioned to play a key role in the US government's stated objective of building domestic supply chains of these essential commodities." Net proceeds of the Placement are intended to be used for exploration and development activities at the Company's North American nickel projects, as well as for working capital. The Placement is expected to close, subject to customary conditions, upon acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company expects that certain insiders of the Company may subscribe for units under the Placement, however, the exact value of such subscriptions has not yet been determined. The issuances of any units to insiders will be considered related party transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements in MI 61-101 in respect of any such insider participation, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued, nor the fair market value of the consideration for the securities to be issued, insofar as it involves such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101.This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Upcoming Events Stillwater Critical Minerals confirms that Michael Rowley, President and CEO, will be attending the Energy Transition Metals Summit in Washington, D.C. April 29-30, 2024. For more information, click here. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team and strategic investments by Glencore, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group, nickel, and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, positions Stillwater West with the largest nickel resource in an active US mining district as part of a compelling suite of nine minerals now listed as critical in the USA. To date, five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold at Stillwater West, and all deposits remain open for expansion along trend and at depth. Results are pending from resource expansion drilling completed in fall 2023. Stillwater also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals' development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinums Wellgreen deposit in Canadas Yukon Territory. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director Email: [email protected] Phone: (604) 357 4790 Web: http://criticalminerals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" in accordance with applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, and expectations regarding the completion of the Placement, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals or satisfaction of other conditions to closing of the Placement, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals 28 march 2024 at 14:40 View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by: TEAMSTERS AT CENCORA/AMERISOURCEBERGEN RALLY FOR FAIR CONTRACT IN SACRAMENTO Striking Warehouse Workers Demand Fair Pay, Improved Benefits SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Striking Teamsters at pharmaceutical giant Cencora (formerly known as AmerisourceBergen) rallied today outside the company's Sacramento distribution center. The 124 warehouse workers are members of Teamsters Local 150 and have been on strike since March 11. Local 150 members went on strike after months of contentious negotiations for a contract that addresses years of concerns on the job. The warehouse workers are seeking a fair wage progression, lower health care costs, stronger seniority rights, and paid time off. "While Cencora executives rake in millions, hardworking Teamsters are left fighting for scraps," said Dale Wentz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 150. "Workers deserve fair wages, affordable health care coverage, and adequate paid time off. It's time for this company to prioritize the well-being of their employees over corporate profits." Cencora's CEO Steven H. Collis took home $138 million over the past four years, including $43 million in the past year alone ? 570 times what the median employee earns. On the same day Local 150 members went on strike, top executives received millions of dollars in special retention awards, including $2 million for the Chief Human Resources Officer and $3 million for CFO James F. Cleary Jr. "AmerisourceBergen has prioritized profits over people, leaving workers in the lurch. All we want is a fair deal that improves our workplace, addresses our health care concerns, and fixes our outdated wage progression," said Chris Simpkins, a 33-year warehouse worker at AmerisourceBergen. "This used to be a good place to work, but it's clear where management's priorities lie. This company has lost its way. We perform an important job and deserve better." Contact: Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 150 28 march 2024 at 18:30 News published onand distributed by: Port of Baltimore cranes at a standstill following the collapse of the city's largest bridge, March 27, 2024. ALEX BRANDON / AP It was August 2023. The Port of Baltimore in Maryland was looking forward to receiving the Evergreen Ever Max, a 165,000-ton freighter capable of carrying over 15,400 containers. "It's no secret why these massive containerships want to call on the Port of Baltimore," hailed Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. "They know Maryland's port is a valuable resource and a terrific partner in moving goods efficiently across the state and throughout the region." He went on to praise the 15-meter-deep channel and the gigantic cranes capable of unloading such cargo. Six months later, another cargo ship, with a capacity of just 10,000 containers but almost as monstrous, the Dali, created a catastrophe, striking a pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge spanning the bay. It collapsed on Tuesday, March 26, at around 1:30 am. Baltimore and the United States are now questioning what was still a source of optimism in the summer of 2023. First, there's the issue of ship size, which has been steadily increasing over the years, especially since the Panama Canal's gauge was enlarged in 2016. Baltimore had equipped itself to receive these giants of the seas. Was that a good thing, in the end? Then there's the question of the bridge's structural integrity. Built in 1977, it was not specifically designed to withstand this type of accident, and the channel was not protected. With a main span of 400 meters, it was the second-longest continuous truss bridge in the US. Read more Subscribers only Baltimore bridge collapse: The spectacular accident of cargo ship Dali The accident, which left six people missing, now presumed dead, revives an age-old debate about the obsolescence of American infrastructure, particularly bridges, although it's hard to see how any steel structure could have withstood such an impact. According to a 2021 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, 42% of America's 617,000 bridges are at least 50 years old and 7.5% of them are considered structurally deficient, even though 178 million vehicles cross them every day. However, the last fatal disaster reported by the press dates back to 2007, when a bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing 13 people. This event is therefore exceptional. The work will take months, if not longer. "My intention is that the federal government will pay the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect Congress to support that effort," promised President Joe Biden, in the midst of an election campaign, adding that "ship traffic in the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we'll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume." You have 59.11% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. French Assemblee Nationale MP, Olivier Serva, center, is photographed during an interview with The Associated Press, at the Assemblee Nationale, in Paris, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. THIBAULT CAMUS / AP France's lower house of parliament on Thursday, March 28, approved a bill forbidding workplace discrimination based on hair texture, which the draft law's backers say targets mostly Black women wearing their hair naturally. The bill's author, Olivier Serva, an independent member of the Assemblee Nationale for the overseas territory of Guadeloupe, said it would penalize any workplace discrimination based on "hairstyle, color, length or texture of hair." Read more French lawmakers debate bill to ban hair discrimination Serva, who is Black, said women "of African descent" were often encouraged before job interviews to change their style of hair. Backers of the bill also said that men who wear their hair in styles like dreadlocks are also affected. Similar laws exist in around 20 US states which have identified hair discrimination as an expression of racism. In Britain, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidelines against hair discrimination in schools. The bill was approved in the Assemblee Nationale lower house with 44 votes in favor and two against. It will now head to the Senat where the right has the majority and the vote's outcome is much less certain. 'Target of discrimination' A Black Air France air crew member in 2022 won a 10-year legal battle for the right to work with braided hair on flights after a decision by France's highest appeals court. Serva, who also included discrimination suffered by blondes and redheads in his proposal, points to an American study stating that a quarter of Black women polled said they had been ruled out for jobs because of how they wore their hair at the job interview. Such statistics are hard to come by in France, which bans the compilation of personal data that mention a person's race or ethnic background on the basis of the French Republic's "universalist" principles. While statistics are difficult to come by, high-profile people have faced online harassment because of their hairstyle. In the political sphere they include former government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye, and Audrey Pulvar, a deputy mayor of Paris, whose afro look has attracted much negative comment online. Read more Subscribers only Paris 2024: 'Who better than Aya Nakamura to represent France at the Olympics?' The draft law does not, in fact, contain the term "racism," noted Daphne Bedinade, a social anthropologist, saying the omission was problematic. "By only talking about hair discrimination, it is obscuring the problems of people whose hair is highly discriminated against, essentially Black women," she told Le Monde. The bill's critics say it is unnecessary, as discrimination based on looks is already banned by law. A woman carries charcoal to the Kibati market on January 13, 2023. With the resurgence of the M23 rebellion north of the city of Goma, tens of thousands of people have crowded into makeshift camps near the Nyiragongo volcano. GUERCHOM NDEBO / AFP Is the herd of elephants in Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) still the largest in Africa? Since the rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) entered the locality of Rwindi in mid-March, only a handful of eco-guards have kept watch over the 600 pachyderms that had migrated from Uganda to settle on the Congolese side in 2020. The management of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) deplores the fact that these animals are increasingly exposed to poaching but is unable to say how many have been killed due to a lack of monitoring. At the heart of the conflicts between armies and militias that have torn the Great Lakes region apart over the past 30 years, Virunga Park has not been spared the fighting between the M23 insurgents, backed by Rwanda, and the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) allied with pro-government groups. The fragile progress made in environmental protection in the 7,800 km2 park in recent years may well be jeopardized. South of the Rwindi plains, most of the territory covering the slopes of volcanoes and tropical forests "is also under M23 control," said Corneille Semakuba, coordinator at the Center for Research on the Environment, Democracy and Human Rights (CREDDHO). The rebels also control the area where almost a third of the world's population of mountain gorillas (Gorilla Beringei Beringei) lived before the start of the war. "No massacres have been reported recently but it's difficult to say how many are still on the DRC side since it's almost inaccessible," said Jerome Lombart, the park's program director. Just over a thousand mountain gorillas These primates are found in the Virunga Mountains, between the DRC and Rwanda, and in the Bwindi forest in Uganda. According to the latest estimates, just over 1,000 remain on the planet. This endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has enjoyed unexpected population growth over the last decade. This success attracted tourists nearly 3,000 each year before the park's closure in March 2020 due to Covid-19. "Around 40% of the park's income disappeared overnight," said Olivier Mukisya, Virunga's spokesman. The other attractions that made the park's reputation have not reopened, with the exception of the Tchegera camp, an island in Lake Kivu known for its crescent shape. The trek to climb the Nyiragongo volcano and observe its lava lake the largest in the world was no longer passable due to the last eruption in May 2021 and is now in zone M23. Read more Virunga Park once again at the heart of conflicts in the eastern DRC The kidnapping of two British tourists in May 2018 also dealt a heavy blow to the park. The attack was attributed to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), created by former Hutu leaders of the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda and since settled in the DRC. Over the past 30 years, this armed group has made the park its rear base. It is an extremely lucrative hideout, thanks in particular to charcoal. In a country with one of the lowest electrification rates on the continent, demand is immense and "makala" (in Kiswahili, the regional language), which is essential for cooking, is sold at a premium. At least 500,000 displaced at the gates of Goma "The types of wood found inside the Virungas, such as ndobo or kiwelewele, burn longer and are considered of better quality by buyers," said Lara Collart, a researcher in development economics at the University of Antwerp. Before the resurgence of the M23, this trade brought in over $11 million (over 10 million) a year for the FDLR, according to an estimate published in 2022 by the Pole Institute, a research center in the province of North Kivu. But the turnover of this group hostile to Kigali may have been affected by the presence of the Rwandan army and the M23, which has regained control of part of the forest area. "It's hard to say who's at the head of this traffic today. But one thing is certain: deforestation continues," said an ICCN source. Fleeing the fighting, at least 500,000 displaced people are crammed together at the gates of Goma in camps that spill over into the Virunga protected areas. "Their situation is extremely difficult and precarious. To survive, they clear land to grow crops and cut wood to cook or turn into charcoal to sell," said Semakuba. Even before the war, 14% of the park's total surface area was used illegally for agriculture and makala. A NEWLY-declared independent candidate in Junes local elections is hoping to promote west Limerick as a tourist destination. Jim Barrett, 48, is from Barna and says he intends to put himself forward in the Newcastle West local election area (LEA). He says he wants towns and villages to be supported, and wants to welcome migrants into the community. The father of two, and local business owner, has spent the past 25 years working for Irish Rail. In 2011, he also founded Pedal Pursuits, a bike hire facility for those traversing the Great Southern Limerick Greenway. I have always had a great belief that west Limerick has great potential as a tourist destination and because of this, I took an active role in promoting the area. This included joining West Limerick Tourism where I was voted in as chairman, Mr Barret said. READ MORE: Elections 2024: Date confirmed for Limerick to go the polls in June If elected, Mr Barrett says he would prioritise supporting farmers, small business owners, and towns and villages. He would also look for a greater garda presence in rural towns and villages, and hopes to install local pride in the community. Finally, Mr Barrett believes that local representatives should be contactable, helpful, respectful, supportive and most of all have your back no matter how big or small your issue. UL PRESIDENT, Professor Kerstin Mey, has gone on sick leave, it is understood, amid mounting pressure on her to resign following the revelation that the university overspent by more than 5m on housing. According to sources, and reports on RTE's Morning Ireland, Professor Mey went on sick leave on Wednesday. The University of Limerick declined to comment on the matter when contacted this Thursday morning. Pressure has been mounting on Professor Mey after it emerged the institution lost 5.2m after paying inflated prices for 20 homes in Rhebogue last year. Professor Mey has been asked to consider her position by a number of groups including members of the college's executive committee. In an unusual step, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has requested that UL's governing authority conduct a review of matters related to the purchase of a number of houses adjacent to its campus. Minister of State Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins said under the Universities Act, universities are independent in their operation and governance. Speaking to Limerick Live this Thursday morning, Mr Collins said: "It is a matter for the UL Governing Authority to deal with these issues, however, the HEA has a statutory remit to oversee our third level sector given that public monies are given to our universities and where issues arise in the public interest they can step in and investigate." READ MORE: UL stalemate as president battles to remain in post The move by the HEA comes as the chancellor of University of Limerick (UL) Brigid Laffan prepares to hold a meeting of all staff and students at University Concert Hall this Thursday at 1.30pm. In a letter sent to the chancellor by the sole trade union on campus, UL Unite - which represents almost 900 workers - they demanded an investigation be undertaken to identify those involved in this debacle and hold them accountable for this waste of money. Separately, the governing authority of UL is due to meet later this Thursday afternoon. It is understood a report on the Rhebogue transaction has been completed by an outside independent former high ranking civil servant. HUNDREDS of students and staff of University of Limerick (UL) gathered at University Concert Hall (UCH) this Thursday afternoon to hear from its chancellor Prof Brigid Laffan. The Higher Education Authority (HEA), which funds UL, has ordered an investigation into UL's purchase of homes in Rhebogue at above the market rate. This news was confirmed by Prof Laffan, who was addressing the college community following a week of controversy, which has seen the president of the college, Prof Kerstin Mey go on sick leave. The UL governing authority will conduct what's known as a Section 64 investigation into the purchase, while HEA officials will be on the college's campus at Castletroy later this month. READ MORE: Upgrades to Limerick amenity's lights ruled out In essence, this means the college will not be in a position to agree its own rules around how the investigation will take place, and will instead need to engage with the HEA. Ms Laffan said the review will involve "extreme oversight" and "the sooner we get it up and running the better". She referenced communication from the HEA where it expressed its "deepest concerns" over "the governance and culture of the institution and to the potential impact on the reputation and financial stability of the university." The chancellor acknowledged that due to the overpayment on the properties in Rhebogue, the college is facing a "significant impairment" of 5m. She said that since that meeting she has been engaging with university stakeholders saying it is important that trust is maintained in the university by funders. Ms Laffan - who chairs the UL governing authority, which also met this Thursday - said that she acknowledged that concerns exist because what happened with Rhebogue happened on foot of a previous impairment of 3.4m in relation to the purchase of the Dunnes Stores building in Limerick city. And she reassured attendees that she will ensure that what happened with Rhebogue will never happen again. "That might be seen as cheap talk as I'm sure equivalent statements were made in relation to Dunnes Stores but I will guarantee you that we will put in place the governance systems that will not allow this to happen again because I have no interest in being the Chancellor of this university for the next four years unless we get to the bottom of the university to change." Ms Laffan also defended the institution, saying: "There is so much about the university that is working extremely well where there are no governance issues. We must not convince ourselves that all is rotten. It's not. This is a fine institution." During the meeting which lasted almost 90 minutes, Ms Laffan told attendees: "I will describe to you what the last week has been like". Over the last week, things have come to a head. And as you know, the university will have a serious impairment on the basis of that capital acquisition of 5m plus. Can I just say, as an academic, I know how hard it is to get your expensive universities, for cups of coffee, travel or whatever. So 5m is a very large sum of money. I need to tell you what we've been doing since the alarm bells started ringing. Firstly, I have actively engaged with our stakeholders. It is really important for this university, that trust is maintained in us by those who fund us and those who regulate us. Now, it wasnt all me ringing them, I have to tell you they were on my case as well. I have actively engaged with stakeholders at the highest level to make sure that how we manage this from here on out, will do no further damage to this university. One of the attendees, artist and researcher, Dr Eoin Callery who is course director in the MA in composition and creative music practice at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, spoke of the terrible decisions made my multiple people. In addition to the problems within governance within the university, we are now embroiled with planning permission, property, in the middle of a housing crisis. It's a terrible look and terrible decisions have been made by multiple people, Dr Callery said. Not by one individual, possibly not by one single committee. I think any correspondence that relates to this deal should be made public. I would hope that if any freedom of information requests that come from media or other concerned parties, that they would be treated with the utmost seriousness. That may make life very difficult for many of us, but I would hate to see that the University of Limerick, given how public this has become - and how it is leeching into other areas of public life - refused reasonable freedom of information requests about this, he said. Also speaking at the meeting Prof Eoin Devereux, convenor of Unite - which represents almost 900 staff at the university said: "As a trade union, we recognise fully that the appropriate processes and procedures must be followed. "However, lest there be any misunderstanding, the position of UL Unite concerning the leadership, management and governance of this university has not changed. Our position is consistent with the views expressed in writing by 10 members of the university executive, 73 professors, the postgraduate students union and a number of faculty management groups in the university. "As our cultural audit convincingly demonstrates the issues we face are not only about bricks and mortar, they are about fundamental issues in the day-to-day operations of this fine, proud university." Mr Devereux who is a cultural sociologist and creative writer who teaches at the University of Limerick, continued: "As a trade union, we are asking that the governing authority take decisive action on these issues today. We do not need another UL solution for a UL problem. University of Limerick deserve nothing but the highest level of governance and staff and students expect nothing less from the GA and its executive." Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner is reporting this Thursday afternoon that the University of Limerick president Kerstin Mey has declared herself to be incapacitated to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in mid-April. They report that last Friday, March 22, Professor Mey sent an email informing the PAC that she was incapacitated and therefore cannot honour our commitment to attend on 11 April 2024. She added she would make every effort to attend at a future date in the current term. The email, they say, was sent at 5.17pm. IT'S THE sort of thing you read about in wartime situations, a Clare TD has said after an inquest heard that a man may have lay dead for over an hour on a hospital floor before he was discovered. The deceased could not be ventilated by a doctor because rigor mortis had already set in, an inquest has heard. The inquest into the death of Martin Abbott, aged 65, of Deilginis, Shannon and late of Assumption Park, Roscrea took place in Kilmallock Courthouse on Monday. Mr Abbott died in the Emergency Department (ED) of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. UL Hospitals Group have issued an apology after being contacted by Limerick Live this Thursday. "UL Hospitals Group wishes to express its sincere sympathy with the family of Mr Abbott on their loss. We strive to uphold the highest standards of patient care and safety, and its clear in this case, these standards fell short of what was expected. "We apologise for the deficiencies and shortcomings in Mr Abbotts care and for the distress and trauma this has caused his family," reads the statement. Ralph Riegel, of the Irish Independent, reports that Limerick Coroner's Court recorded a verdict of death by medical misadventure. Coroner John McNamara warned that while Limerick has a proud reputation on the hurling field, UHL "is in the news for all the wrong reasons (because of) overcrowding. Mr McNamara said the verdict of death by medical misadventure was not to blame anybody as that was not the role of the coroners court. There were 141 patients in the emergency department on December 16/17, 2019. Mr Abbotts daughter, Anne Marie, wants the circumstances of his death to serve as an urgent catalyst for change in Ireland's healthcare system. "I just do not know how many more people have to die before the system changes," Ms Abbott warned. Clare TD Michael McNamara, who read the coverage this Thursday morning, said his reaction is one of shock and anger. That somebody would be dead for that length of time in an emergency department for them not to be aware of it is profoundly shocking. It is the sort of thing you read about in wartime situations, not a 21st century healthcare setting. It is profoundly shocking. That combined with the HIQA report that was released in June 2022 based on an unannounced visit in March 2022 and then the death of Aoife Johnston the following December. The circumstances seem alarmingly similar to the risks highlighted in the HIQA visit, said Deputy McNamara. Mr Abbott, the Irish Independent have reported, had spent three days in UHL on a trolley waiting for a hospital bed. Mr Abbott, who had a complex medical history, had his vital signs checked by nursing staff at 3am on December 17. He was found lying face-down on the floor beside his trolley in a cubicle at 4.40am. The Irish Independent reports that a ventilation or airway tube could not be inserted because the former taxi driver's face and neck were rigid with rigor mortis. READ MORE: University of Limerick president goes on sick leave Deputy McNamara said he has raised repeatedly the entirely inadequate state of UL Hospitals Group and in particular the ED department. There are many excellent healthcare professionals working in UHL in all departments, including the ED, but the ED is simply dysfunctional. My constituents are afraid to go there and I don't think people should be afraid to seek healthcare but that is where we are at. I am not suggesting for a moment that every death in UHL is preventable but certainly Aoife Johnstons looks like it possibly was and to be dead for possibly over an hour before you are seen is unimaginable. I accept there is a problem in our healthcare system everywhere in our country but they are of a very different magnitude in the Mid-West to other parts of the country. We are not second-class citizens, said Deputy McNamara. The Independent TD said either the resources are inadequate or the management team is not up to job of utilising those resources and I am not in a position to judge which is the problem. One way or the other there is a huge problem with UHL and it cant be allowed to continue. Enough is enough at some point, said Deputy McNamara. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Martin Abbott on the devastating loss of a much-loved husband and father. Mr Abbott and his family deserved to have known that he would be safe in University Hospital Limerick and would receive timely, appropriate care. The events described at the inquest are nothing short of harrowing. This is every familys worst nightmare and can never be allowed to happen again. Senator Paul Gavan extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Abbott on the devastating loss of a much-loved husband and father. "Mr Abbott and his family deserved to have known that he would be safe in University Hospital Limerick and would receive timely, appropriate care. The events described at the inquest are nothing short of harrowing. This is every familys worst nightmare and can never be allowed to happen again," said Mr Gavan, who added the people of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary "deserve better". Shannon Airports bustling summer schedule for 2024 has officially launched, with the airport offering the dream gateway to sunshine breaks and city escapes across Europe, the UK and the USA. A new daily service to New York-JFK with Delta will commence on May 24, providing a boost to the airports transatlantic service offering through the busy holiday period. This is in addition to the airports existing daily Boston and New York services with Aer Lingus and its Chicago and Newark services with United. To meet additional holiday travel demand, the airport will also have increased frequency on nine services this summer, providing an additional 130,000 seats to popular European and UK destinations such as Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Lanzarote and London. Read More: New pre-clearance app will help passengers save time at Shannon Airport In recent weeks, services to holiday favourites, including Marseille, Malta, Mallorca and Reus have returned to the skies from Shannon for the summer holiday season, while a number of other popular routes, including Beziers, Girona, Naples and Porto, will resume from the Midwest airport in the coming weeks. Ryanairs popular Corfu service will also return to Shannon on the 4th June, just in time for the school holidays. For the first time since 2016, the airport will operate a Paris service through the peak summer holiday season, with Aer Lingus service to the international hub of Charles De Gaulle. Ryanairs Gran Canaria service will also operate through the summer season for the first time, providing passengers with even more sunshine destination options. Commenting on the launch of the summer schedule, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said: We are expecting a busy summer ahead with 150 weekly flights and 33 services including our new daily New York-JFK service with Delta." "This year, we will also have increased frequency on nine of our services, providing an additional 130,000 extra seats to firm holiday favourites like Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Lanzarote. "This reflects the growing popularity of Shannon Airport as a vital gateway for European, UK and transatlantic travel. We are experiencing an influx of customers from every corner of the country, which is testament to our commitment to providing a seamless experience from the moment passengers arrive in our car parks, to when they depart on one of our services," she continued. "It truly has never been easier to fly Shannon, with our hi-tech security screening measures, US Preclearance facility, age-friendly measures and airport sensory room, customers can look forward to an easy and enjoyable experience as they prepare to jet off on those well-deserved breaks. The new summer schedule is being supported by a major advertising campaign which targets audiences throughout Ireland across billboards, press, YouTube, social media channels and cinema advertising. A refreshed shannonairport.ie website has also recently launched, with new features aimed at providing an even more efficient customer experience. The website now boasts more streamlined flight booking, car rental and hotel search engines, as well as live flight radar for customers to track the status of flight arrivals and departures in real time. A click and collect currency booking facility is also available, where passengers can book their currency for collection on arrival at the airport. An advanced purchase option for Heathrow Express train tickets for London-bound passengers is another convenient new feature, while a new Shannon Airport mobile application (app) will also launch on the Apple App Store and Google Play in the coming weeks. For more information about Shannon Airports Summer Schedule 2024 visit shannonairport.ie The president of the University of Limerick Professor Kerstin Mey, has gone on sick leave, it is understood, amid mounting pressure on her to resign following the revelation that the university overspent by more than 5m on housing. According to sources, and reports on RTE's Morning Ireland, Professor Mey went on sick leave on Wednesday. The university of Limerick declined to comment on the matter when contacted this Thursday morning. Pressure has been mounting on Professor Mey after it emerged the institution lost 5.2m after paying inflated prices for 20 homes in Rhebogue, close to its campus in Limerick city, last year. Professor Mey has been asked to consider her position by a number of groups including members of the college's executive committee. In an unusual step, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has requested that UL's governing authority conduct a review of matters related to the purchase of a number of houses adjacent to its campus. Minister of State Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins said under the Universities Act, universities are independent in their operation and governance. Speaking to Limerick Live this Thursday morning, Mr Collins said: "It is a matter for the UL Governing Authority to deal with these issues, however, the HEA has a statutory remit to oversee our third level sector given that public monies are given to our universities and where issues arise in the public interest they can step in and investigate." The move by the HEA comes as the chancellor of University of Limerick (UL) Brigid Laffan prepares to hold a meeting of all staff and students this Thursday afternoon. In a letter sent to the chancellor by the sole trade union on campus, UL Unite - which represents almost 900 workers - they demanded an investigation be undertaken to identify those involved in this debacle and hold them accountable for this waste of money. Separately, the governing authority of UL is due to meet later this Thursday afternoon. It is understood a report on the Rhebogue transaction has been completed by an outside independent former high ranking civil servant. An Garda Siochana is seeking views from members of the public and stakeholders on its draft Code of Practice for the use of Body Worn Cameras ahead of their roll out. The first cameras will be deployed in the coming months as part of the Proof of Concept phase and gardai say they are "keen to hear views from across society" on the Code of Practice document. The draft document has been published on the garda website and members of the public are being encouraged to submit their views by April 19, next. According to the draft Code of Practice, Body Worn Cameras "must be operated fairly, responsibly, with respect for the rights of others, without unlawful discrimination and as is necessary for a policing purpose in accordance with the Garda Siochana (Recording Devices) Act 2023." The document states that prior to operating body worn cameras, "consideration must always be given to balancing the potential impact on individuals and their privacy against the duty of An Garda Siochana to seek out and preserve all evidence that has a bearing or a potential bearing on the issue of guilt or innocence." It adds that the operation of BWCs "does not replace conventional forms of evidence gathering" and that garda personnel "must continue to follow current practices and procedures for achieving best evidence." We are in the process of drafting our Code of Practice for Body Worn Cameras as part of a Proof of Concept for their use. We're keen to hear views from across society on the Code of Practice document. To provide your views, just follow this link: https://t.co/zox5l3dMJS pic.twitter.com/MBImtV25No Garda Info (@gardainfo) March 27, 2024 According to the tender documents published earlier this year, 600 cameras and the associated infrastructure will initially be rolled out to a small number of garda stations to allow for an evaluation to be carried out over a 12-month period. The areas where BWCs will be initially used are Pearse Street garda station (Dublin), Kevin Street garda station (Dublin), Store Street garda station (Dublin), Waterford garda station and Henry Street garda station in Limerick. According to the tender documents, it is envisaged that a different supplier will be selected for each of the three garda divisions which are to be included in the Proof of Concept period. "It is proposed to select three suppliers for the PoC with each supplier being assigned to one of the three specific divisions. In other words, a suppliers solution will only operate in one of the three divisions with the other suppliers solutions operating in another one of the divisions," states the tender, which adds that An Garda Siochana "has no plans to use live facial recognition on body worn cameras. "The purpose of Body Worn cameras is to capture interactions between members of An Garda Siochana and members of the public. The footage captured will be uploaded into a Digital Evidence Management System. This combination will be an invaluable tool for members of An Garda Siochana, Director of Public Prosecutions, and others in processing evidence and in the ability to provide a level of transparency with outside parties that was previously unachievable," adds the lengthy document. While the document set out various technical and legal requirements which are to be met by potential suppliers, it also also stresses that the Proof of Concept period will be essential for learnings, such as how and where the cameras can be mounted on uniforms, before any wider roll-out of BWCs. Speaking ahead of the roll out of the first cameras, Andrew OSullivan, Chief Information Officer for An Garda Siochana, commented: "This is the next step in the procurement and roll out of body worn cameras for An Garda Siochana continuing our ongoing commitment to providing our Gardai with the most modern electronic tools to be effective in keeping them and people safe in todays society. "The Proof of Concept phase is an essential element to introducing body worn cameras, in a way which is clearly explained and understood by everybody in society, as a tool to assist members of An Garda Siochana in their day to day duties. A 29-year-old man wanted in the United States to stand trial for murder has been extradited from Northern Ireland. The extradition on Thursday followed partnership work between the PSNI and the US authorities and the US Marshals Service. A PSNI statement said: The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work with our international partners and will use all means available to ensure offenders are brought to justice. Man extradited from Northern Ireland to United States of America to stand trial for murder. https://t.co/LcBuA80FUy pic.twitter.com/y3Q6rwKBy3 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 28, 2024 If fugitives travel to Northern Ireland to avoid the consequences of their previous crimes, it is only a matter of time before they are arrested and brought before the extradition courts. Our message is clear, that we will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime. Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man was extradited to Poland on Wednesday. He was wanted to serve a sentence for driving convictions in the country dating back to 2012. BEIJINGThe rise of electric vehicles is dividing the global auto market into two: one that welcomes China-made cars, and the other that effectively rejects them. Last spring, a group of Nissan executives huddled at the companys headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, staring at a world map. The map color-coded the world in four: red, for countries that block vehicle exports from China; yellow, for countries that risk halting them in the future; gray, for countries that might place some restrictions in the future; and green, for countries without restrictions or such likelihood. The exercise was designed to find out whether Nissan had a shot at exporting cars it made in China, including electric vehicles, even as geopolitical tensions grow. The executives found that roughly 60% of the countries fell under what the company assessed as green" or gray." Including the yellow" countries, the tally was higher. When you look at the map, you can see that 80% of the market has an environment in which it could accept" China-made cars, said Masashi Matsuyama, who heads Nissans China investment unit. Nissan declined to say which countries fell under which color category. Nissan decided to give its export plan a go. In November, the automaker said it would start shipping vehicles from China in 2025, including electric and plug-in hybridsthough it has yet to disclose the exact destinations of those cars. Nissan is in good company: Ford, Tesla and BYD have all been increasing exports from China. Their moves underscore how geopolitics is reshaping the car industry, driving carmakers to update their strategies for where they make and sell cars. The schism in the global auto sector follows similar splits in areas such as the telecom industry and the internet as the world becomes increasingly polarized around the top two economic powers. More global carmakers are considering increasing exports from Chinawhere cars, and especially EVs, are typically cheaper to makebut only to select destinations. Few are likely to end up on the U.S. market, but places such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East are rapidly growing markets. Wary of sanctions Meanwhile, Chinese carmakers are setting up factories in Europewhere they face an antisubsidy probeand in Mexico, possibly to export into markets such as the U.S. from there and get around some tariffs. Global and Chinese carmakers are also becoming more cautious about where they get certain technologies and components, and which markets those cars with such technology and parts can end up in, to avoid getting hit by sanctions or restrictions in the future. Volkswagen, the biggest foreign carmaker in China, plans to keep certain China-developed technology, such as chips and software linked to autonomous driving, in China to limit the fallout from geopolitical tensions. It recently had to halt imports to the U.S. of thousands of luxury cars containing a sanctioned Chinese part. In China this year, officials urged major Chinese automakers to source more chips from domestic suppliers, according to people familiar with the matter. For consumers, a gap could emerge between two blocs: one region that is increasingly dominated by lower-cost, advanced-technology EVs made in China, and the other region, likely including the U.S., with more expensive cars and a slower adoption of EVs. Its unlikely that new technology will scale at the same pace in mature markets like the U.S.A., which will become increasingly isolated, and new technology will only be dispensed at premium prices," said Bill Russo, chief executive of Automobility, a Shanghai-based strategy firm. China as Asias Detroit In the U.S., as demand for electric vehicles loses momentum, some auto companies have been delaying plans for EV spending. In China, the worlds biggest EV market, many companies are still investing heavily even as the market becomes crowded and many manufacturers operate at a loss. Industry executives say Chinas electric transformation is on course given that EVs and other battery-powered vehicles already account for one-third of sales, even though sales growth has been slowing. China is pushing its carmakers and parts suppliers to go global as well as export more. Fears of the world being flooded with less costly Chinese imports are growing in some regions. Last year, China surpassed Japan to become the biggest automotive exporter, shipping some five million vehicles overseas. The biggest destinations included Mexico, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Chinese cars are rarely seen in the U.S., given the U.S. already levies an additional 25% tariff on vehicles imported from China. In February, President Biden ordered the Commerce Department to open an investigation into foreign-made software in cars, an effort to halt Chinese EVs from flooding the U.S. market. Europe was the biggest recipient of China-made electric vehicles in 2023, accounting for about 40% of the $34 billion exported, data from the Atlantic Council showed. The European Union last year launched an antisubsidy investigation into Chinas electric-vehicle makers. In early March, the European Commission said it found sufficient evidence that vehicles were subsidized, and was taking steps to prepare for tariffs to be applied retroactively. China has called the European probe protectionist, while it has called on the U.S. to stop discriminating against Chinese companies. Many of Chinas top exporters are homegrown companies such as Chery Automobile and BYD, which has overtaken Tesla as the worlds top EV seller and has ambitious plans to increase exports. Global carmakers want to position their China plants as export hubs, too, given Chinas proximity to markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Tesla has been exporting its Shanghai-made cars to regions including the Asia-Pacific. It shipped about 344,000 vehicles overseas last year, up 27% from a year earlier, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed. Ford, which has been grappling with declining sales in China, is targeting Southeast Asia and the Americas. It said it exported more than 100,000 vehicles from China last year. In Thailand, the market share of the traditionally dominant Japanese carmakers including Toyota and Nissan fell to 78% in 2023 from 85% a year earlier, as Chinese brands swept up most of the electric-vehicle sales, data released by Toyota Thailand showed. From the perspective of consumers around the world, Chinas carmaking technology is strong enough to be accepted globally, said Nissans Matsuyama. We want to utilize that for our global strategy," he said. Raffaele Huang contributed to this article. Write to Yoko Kubota at yoko.kubota@wsj.com Kotak Mahindra Bank announced the successful acquisition of Sonata Finance Private Limited ("Sonata"). This acquisition, finalized today for a total consideration of approximately Rs. 537 crore, marks Kotak Mahindra Bank's full ownership of Sonata. The stocks of Kotak Mahindra Bank were trading in green up 1.15 per cent at 1796, on March 28, at 1:33 pm on BSE. The Company's stock is around 12 per cent down from its 52-week high of 2,063. Kotak Mahindra Bank enjoys a market capitalisation of 3,57,015 crore. Also Read | India Shelter share price jumps 5% after Kotak initiates coverage on stock with a buy call As previously communicated in February 2023 and October 2023, the Bank had expressed its intention to acquire Sonata. Now finalized, this acquisition brings Sonata's extensive microfinance network under the Kotak Mahindra Bank umbrella. Also Read | Why has Kotak Mahindra Bank stocks valuation de-rated? Sonata, a Non-Banking Finance Company Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), operates across 10 states through 549 branches. As of December 31, 2023, it boasted an impressive Asset Under Management (AUM) of approximately Rs. 2,620 crore. Earlier in February 2024, Kotak Mahindra Bank decided to give up its majority stake in the general insurance business. The private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank announced that Zurich Insurance will acquire a 70 per cent stake in the banks general insurance arm, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance, for 5,560 crore, in a single tranche. In November 2023, the private lender had announced the sale of a 51 per cent stake in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance to Zurich Insurance for 4,051 crore through a combination of fresh capital infusion and share purchase. This was supposed to be followed by a 19 per cent stake sale within a period of three years. BSE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Large organized retailers are flocking to religious destinations in India as better infrastructure coupled with a surge in tourism creates new avenues of growth for offline retailers. As more pilgrims and spiritual seekers visit holy cities in India, retail brands across segments, including fashion and apparel, food and beverage, hypermarkets, homeware and department stores and consumer electronics brands, are expanding by tailoring the offerings to the pilgrims needs. This trend underscores the symbiotic relationship between spiritual tourism and the retail industry, benefiting both sectors from the increased foot traffic," real estate consulting firm CBRE South Asia said in a report. The report studied markets such as Amritsar, Ajmer, Varanasi, Katra, Somnath, Shirdi, Ayodhya, Puri, Tirupati, Mathura, Dwarka, Bodh Gaya, Guruvayur, and Madurai as key cities witnessing this retail boom. Retail brands are strategically adapting their offerings in both established mall clusters and high-street locations to cater to the growing tourist population, it said. Government initiatives to promote tourism and improve connectivity between pilgrimage sites are further boosting this growth. The rise of online retail platforms offering easy access to faith-based products and services is also a key factor," said Anshuman Magazine, chairman & CEO, India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE. For example, Ayodhya has seen expansion of retailers such as Manyavar, Reliance Trends, Raymonds along with Pantaloons and Reliance Smart. Large cities, such as Amritsar and Varanasi, already have the presence of established retailers such as Burger King, Domino's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Croma, Zudio, and others. While spiritual tourism has been a big draw for travellers in India, enhanced infrastructure is enabling better access and connectivity to such cities. For instance, improved highways, upgraded railway stations, and new airports in cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Amritsar, etc., are strengthening access to such destinations. Additionally, streamlined travel services such as online booking systems, tourist information centres, and heightened security measures enhance the overall travel experience. This shift towards experiential travel is largely driven by younger generations seeking cultural immersion and spiritual growth," according to the report. Meanwhile, hospitality companies too are tapping demand in such cities with a strong pipeline of hotels. Several cities have a strong pipeline of new hotel projects, with well-known brands like Marriott, Taj, and Hyatt showing keen interest in entering this market. Branded hotels are emerging as key players, offering a blend of comfort and traditional hospitality tailored for spiritual seekers. Boutique and experiential hotels provide personalised services, curated spiritual activities, and authentic local experiences," the report said. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bengaluru: In May 2022, Aurum PropTech acquired HelloWorld Technologies, the co-living and student housing vertical of Bengaluru-based NestAway Technologies, a managed-home rental startup that was struggling. After stabilizing and scaling up its operations for a year, in June 2023, Aurum acquired NestAway itself for about $11 million, at a significant haircut. NestAway was founded in 2015 and had raised about $110 million from a bevy of marquee investors, including Tiger Global, Ratan Tata-backed UC-RNT Fund and Goldman Sachs. It was valued at nearly $220 million in 2019. The pandemic, which began in 2020, halted the expansion plans of many co-living startups due to a sharp drop in demand and occupancy. NestAways troubles, however, preceded the pandemic. As one of the first movers in Indias shared living ecosystem, the startups growth was brisk, attracting early investors to bet on a nascent real estate business. Flush with funds and chasing growth, its losses ballooned. So, after the pandemic hit, when revenues shrank and new money was hard to come by, the startup, which once said it aimed to be the Indian version of Airbnb, didnt have a choice but to look for a buyer. Post acquisition, Aurum PropTech took a slew of steps to turn the company around. HelloWorld turned Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) positive in June 2023, while NestAway turned profitable in December. Before that, Nestaway was losing around 2.5 crore every month, Jitendra Jagadev, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of HelloWorld and NestAway, said. View Full Image Co-living is the residential version of the co-working model. There are 119 co-living startups in India, 68 of which are active. HelloWorld, which was operating 7,400 beds pre-acquisition, manages around 15,000 beds today. Nestaway has scaled to 20,000 rental units from 15,000 units. Jagadev said costs were drastically brought down to improve profitability. And operations were halted in a few cities that were not profitable. By leveraging technology, operational efficiencies were enhanced, which has significantly reduced people and other direct costs," he said. Co-living is the residential version of the co-working model, where companies operate shared living facilities on a monthly rental basis. As per data by Tracxn, there are 119 Indian co-living startups, 68 of which are active. The sector dates back to 2015. It has undergone a sharp churn. To begin with, funding has been hard to come byit plunged from $128.7 million in 2021 to $14.6 million in 2023. Many early operators didnt survive the multiple challenges of an operationally heavy business, fund-raising and occupancy pressure, which led to the basic business model being questioned. The largest and most-funded startup in this space, Stanza Living, is also losing more money than it earns. Going by data from Tofler, Stanza Living, which provides student housing and co-living accommodation and is backed by Alpha Wave, Matrix Partners and Accel, clocked 442 crore in revenue from operations in 2022-23, compared to 115 crore in 2021-22. It posted a loss of 495 crore in 2022-23 compared to 417 crore in the preceding year. The rental housing sector in general saw an all-time peak in prices in the last two years, as demand returned and ready supply was limited. Now, with many new players coming in and existing operators exploring more viable business models and profitability, the co-living sector may also have an opportunity to reinvent itself. Will it work this time around? What went down View Full Image Oyo Living, the co-living vertical of Oyo Hotels & Rooms, was an early mover in the sector. Indias rental housing market has mostly been fragmented and unorganized. The build-to-rent model, which worked well globally in many countries, hadnt even scratched the surface here. It was a market ripe for disruption. Between 2015 and 2018, a slew of startups came in, offering young adults and millennials shared living spaces. The slightly higher rents and low-deposit model worked well, and they were far better in look and feel than paying guest facilities. There was good demand, investments came in at high valuations, and the sector was poised to create a new real estate rental asset class. Flush with funds, the startups grew too fast and too soon, spreading themselves thin by scaling to multiple cities. Among the early movers, Oyo Living, the co-living vertical of Oyo Hotels & Rooms, scaled down from 2021 onwards. It gave up several properties, converted some into hotels, and currently operates only a few co-living centres. NestAway and HelloWorld faced challenges until their acquisition. Bengaluru-based Homigo, founded by three IIT-Kanpur alumni, ran into trouble after multiple tenants accused the startup of fraud and cheating. When the pandemic hit, co-living was the worst hit among all real estate sectors. Being a high-volume, low-margin business, it became a survival issue, as funding also dried up. View Full Image Stanza Living has over 70,000 beds in 24 cities. SimplyGuest, another Bengaluru-based bootstrapped co-living startup founded in 2015, shut shop in March 2021. Co-founder Mayank Pokharna says that while the startup couldnt survive the pandemic-led challenges, the co-living business model in general was being questioned. Acquisitions of assets happened at unreasonable costs and landlords asked for fixed rentals. When operators underwrite the risk, and then they cant fill the beds, they wont break even. But they had scaled so much, it was tough to reduce costs," said Pokharna, now a co-founder of ArtofCo, a co-living consultancy. Stanza Living has over 70,000 beds in 24 cities. It raised $220 million in equity and debt. When equity funding was drying up, Stanza raised $57 million in a debt round, but even then it had said the funding was for growth and multi-city expansion. Acquisitions of assets happened at unreasonable costs and landlords asked for fixed rentals Mayank Pokharna Stanza acquired properties at very high costs and expanded to too many cities. Their master lease agreements with property owners were at fixed rentals and they anticipated huge demand. But in the past year, they have been trying to rationalize costs, reduce losses and streamline operations. We have to see how it pans out," said a person familiar with the matter who didnt want to be identified. A Stanza spokesperson didnt respond to Mints queries. The good news for the sector is that demand has been strong since the beginning of 2023. The shake-up has led to consolidation and acquisitions. The learning curve View Full Image Housr founders Deepak Anand (left) and Kalpesh Mehta. For three months last year, Gurugram-headquartered managed-accommodation platform Housr decided to pause its expansion plans, relook at its inventory, surrender a few non-performing properties, and cut losses. After launching in October 2018, Housr, which has a co-living vertical for singles and Housr Homes for young couples and small families, primarily operated centres that were mid-income properties. Post covid, the startup tweaked its strategy and started looking at very premium properties. With many operators fighting for survival in the post-covid era, Housr acquired Bengaluru-based co-living company Stayabode in 2022 to enter the southern market. Currently operational in Gurugram, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Vizag, it is soon launching in Chennai and Ahmedabad. We have carved a niche and want to operate super-premium properties, and the demand is huge. Earlier, everyone was focusing on the number of beds and offered budget-conscious low-quality inventory, similar to paying guest or hostel accommodation. There was also no focus on the bottomline and they blew up a lot of money," said Housr founder and chief executive Deepak Anand. In Gurugram, for instance, its co-living facilities charge between 35,000- 70,000 per month for single rooms with food. Housr Homes, which offers fully-furnished serviced apartments, would typically charge 75,000 for a one bedroom-hall-kitchen. Good-quality supply meant for rental housing or co-living is a challenge. Suresh Rangarajan So far, most co-living startups have largely leased regular buildings from owners, repurposed them for co-living and then leased them to multiple tenants. Now, companies are trying to create differentiated properties that are built for the sole purpose of co-living or renting. The strategy has to be supply-focused because the demand is there. Good-quality supply meant for rental housing or co-living is a challenge. That prevented businesses like ours from taking off," said Suresh Rangarajan, founder and CEO of Colive, which was launched in 2017. In 2023, Colive launched PropEx, an online marketplace that helps user buy or rent properties that are meant only for rental housing. PropEx and Colive would collaborate with a developer for a particular building, in which the developer can sell the units to individual investors. The PropEx platform would help in selling the units, and once sold, investors would give them on rent to Colive, which would lease them to tenants, manage the property, and earn a share of the rent. Many co-living operators are moving towards a hybrid hospitality model, which is a mix of a hotel and a rental stay. Pokharna said that many co-living operators are moving towards a hybrid hospitality model, which is a mix of a hotel and a rental stay, offering both short-term and long-term stays. The larger focus now, however, is on growth in a sustainable manner, without burning too much cash. Both HelloWorld and NestAway, for instance, have moved away from a top heavy verticalized structure to a flat structure with a portfolio management approach. Post acquisition, the sourcing of real estate, acquisition and onboarding of tenants is tech-enabled, with acquisition teams using data analytics for rent proposals to landlords and property owners. This basically means that at the land stage itself, the company can forecast the kind of rentals it can generate from a proposed property, the pace at which it can be filled up, and the kind of returns it can generate. NestAway has also moved from lease and sub-lease to a service agreement model, where the risk of vacancy is reduced. New strategies View Full Image File photo of a ZoloStays co-living space. The company was founded in 2015. Co-living platform ZoloStays recently tied up with AxisRooms, a hotel distribution technology provider, where it will use some of its empty or unoccupied rooms for short stays of one-two days. Normally, under co-living, it has to be a minimum one-month stay. Founded in 2015, Zolostays, which also provides student housing, has a co-living investment platform, Zeassetz, like Colives PropEx. Last year, Zeassetz helped sell about 300 crore of apartments on behalf of developers to investors in co-living facilities with the promise of assured rentals. Zolo manages the properties and leases them to tenants. We have reduced our losses, and post covid, while we are growing, the pace of growth has become more rational," said Nikhil Sikri, CEO and co-founder, Zolo. The company also plans to raise a fresh round of funding. For Guesture, which operates around 3,500 beds in two properties in Bengalurus tech corridor Electronics City, expansion has been slow since it was launched in 2014. It has signed two properties under the built-to-suit model in another tech hub, Whitefield, which will be ready in two years. Once built, the two co-living properties would have 5,000 beds or so. Several challenges still remain. Guesture founder Sriram Chitturi says it is difficult to compete with the unorganized rental housing segment on both pricing and the facility offered. Co-living facilities that typically offer over 150-200 sq. ft of space per person or per bed are competing with those who give 40 sq. ft per person in a paying guest accommodation. Co-living players have to charge 18% goods and services tax (GST) above the monthly rent, while unorganized operators dont need to charge any GST. Co-living being a new alternative asset class has not seen large investments from developers due to the lack of demand from buyers. The buy-to-rent model is still evolving here. Once SM Reits (small and medium real estate investment trusts) buy such rent-yielding assets, post completion, a major challenge for enabling supply of efficient co-living inventory will be solved," Chitturi said. New kids on the block Many startups have entered the rental housing space, offering a range of solutions that vary from co-living and student housing to more niche facilities. Nomadgao, which operates co-working and co-living spaces in Goa and Dharamshala, targets remote workers and the digital nomad community. It plans to open up another property in Lonavala. Settl, which launched in mid-2020, raised 10 crore from investors, including Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath-backed venture capital fund Gruhas and We Founder Circle this year, when funding has been sparse. The newer operators are more focused and cautious. There have been more failures than success stories, and we are cognizant of that. We want to grow steadily, and instead of entering too many markets, we want to go deeper into each city. We have 4,000 beds and want to reach 8,000 beds by 2024-25. We are not chasing mad growth," said Abhishek Tripathi, co-founder, Settl. Another player, Union Living, which became operational in 2021, said it has focused on Mumbai and Pune given the huge market potential. Now, its planning a built-to-suit facility in GIFT City, Ahmedabad, and is also exploring Jaipur and Delhi. Yello! Living, another new entrant, recently unveiled its first co-living facility in Whitefield, to tap into the tech professional tenant base. There is increased awareness of the mistakes made in the past. Operators are exploring different kinds of business strategies, and figuring out what is working and what isnt. There is huge demand for such facilities, so we expect the sector to only grow from here on," said Pokharna. The Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) on Thursday said it has concluded placements for the Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics (PGP-BA) 2024 and the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) 2024. The placement week, which ended on February 7, 2024, saw 503 students placed, while 13 students were placed in a subsequent rolling placement process. The median annual salary stands at Rs. 32.5 lakhs. A record 29 students were placed abroad with Infosys Consulting (7), Strategy & Middle East (6), Jindal Shadeed (5), TransformationX (3), EY Parthenon Singapore (2), JP Morgan Chase London (2), Health City Cayman Islands (2), Fast Retailing, Japan (1) and Landmark Group, Middle East (1) while 487 students will be working in India, IIM-Bangalore said in a statement. Acknowledging that 2024 has been a challenging year regarding the placements, Prof Ganesh N Prabhu, Chairperson, Career Development Services, IIMB, said, In a difficult placement year, we are immensely grateful to Accenture as they reposed confidence in IIMB students by making a record of 58 offers across its three units Global Networks, India Markets Unit and Data & AI." Also Read | A race against time to meet these 7 deadlines which expire on March 31 Giving the details of the placement offers, the IIM- Bangalore said Consulting firms made the most offers (218), while offers in finance, banking and investments were 81. IT firms and e-commerce firms made 49 offers each. Manufacturing and infrastructure firms made 36 offers, conglomerates made 30 offers, and consumer goods and retail firms made 28 offers. Also, analytics and AI firms made 13 offers and healthcare-relate firms made 12 offers. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE: Court extends ED custody of Delhi CM till April 1 The IIM- Bangalore further said Accenture Global Networks offered the maximum number of placements (48) followed by McKinsey & Company (21) and Boston Consulting Group (14). In the banking and finance sector, Goldman Sachs offered 8 placements followed by Credit Saison (5), and NAVI (5). Microsoft topped the IT Software sector placement list followed by Browserstack (4) and HCL Tech (4). Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, two Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Sidhant Mohapatra switched teams and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday. Mahtab, a six-time Cuttack MP, had recently resigned from the BJD. He was representing the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat since 1998. Along with Mahtab, MP Sidhant Mohapatra and Padma awardee Dr Damayanti Beshra also joined the BJP. BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP's Odisha chief Manmohan Samal, and national vice president Baijayant Panda were present at their joining. Soon after joining the BJP, Mohapatra said , "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's double engine government has to be brought in Odisha." Both Beshra and Mohapatra met BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi after joining the BJP. Recently, several BJD leaders have quit the party for the BJP. Among those who resigned were a close relative of BJD organising secretary PP Das and popular Odia actor Arindam Roy. Another BJD senior tribal leader and former minister Balabhadra Majhi had joined the Congress after alleging that he was neglected and sidelined from the party for the last five years. The BJP were in talks with BJP over an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, but it was not seen through. In the 2014, the BJD emerged as the dominant party, securing 20 out of the 21 seats, while the BJP had won a single seat. And in 2019, the 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 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha are set to take place in four phases. The voting dates have been scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! New Delhi: The star ratings of white goods are set to be validated by the consumer affairs ministry for claims of energy-efficiency, two persons aware of the matter said amid growing complaints about the premium prices charged for such products. The validation will be conducted through the governments testing agency, the National Test House (NTH), in coordination with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The ministry will engage BEE for this purpose through an agreement to be signed between NTH and BEE, one of the two people said. Complaints have grown from consumers paying a high premium for star-rated white goods such as air conditioners, refrigerators and television sets. New companies and counterfeit goods making inflated energy-efficiency claims pose an additional challenge. Queries sent to the ministries of consumer affairs, NTH and BEE remained unanswered till press time. The testing of a product's quality should be done by government agencies as it's reliable and people rely on the findings of state-run agencies," the person cited above said. It is the Bureau of Energy Efficiency that determines the energy efficiency of electrical products in India, based on which star ratings are assigned. A higher star rating indicates greater energy efficiency," the second person said. Currently, testing is primarily conducted by private agencies. However, enforcement, testing and setting standards should be the responsibility of the government, said the people cited above. The planned new system will see the involvement of NTH scientists, who will validate star ratings on the basis of an agreement to be inked between NTH and BEE, the second person said. All the big companies and all major brands comply with the standards of the government. The problem lies with non-branded products. Major discrepancies have been found with all such products," said Avneet Singh Marwah, who is the CEO of Super Plastronics, a consumer durables manufacturing company with licence for brands such as Thomson, Kodak and Blaupunkt in India. "The reputed companies dont sell their products on just any e-commerce portal or offline store," he said. The government is trying its best to implement strict regulations that will help in improving the quality of products and putting a check on substandard products. This shows that the government is very serious about energy saving." We welcome any initiative of the government that is in the best interest of the industry. As BlueStar complies with all the quality standards, we hail this initiative of the ministry to increase testing through NTH labs," said B Thiagarajan, managing director of BlueStar. The government has already rolled out a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to boost manufacturing of AC and LED light components with an outlay of 6,238 crore. According to BNP Paribas, the market size of ACs in India is 18,000 crore and it is estimated to grow 12-15% by 2027. Manjeet S Chawla, general manager, Development Control & Planning of LG Electronics, said: We support consumer affairs ministry's plan to validate star ratings of energy-efficient products like ACs, refrigerators. We hope and believe that this Initiative will put a check on substandard products from market and end users will get truly energy efficient Products." Mint reported on 5 March that the consumer affairs ministry is planning to create a new system to help identify and contain the flood of counterfeit products in the retail market. The ministry is planning to revisit its conventional sample collection mechanism by engaging scientists from NTH and developing a methodology that can identify counterfeit goods within a fixed time frame. A recent Ficci report said the total global economic and social costs due to counterfeit products were around $2.2 trillion in 2022, accounting for a massive 3% of the world's GDP. A Ficci study from 2022 estimates a 163% increase in tax losses to the exchequer from counterfeit products over 10 years, amounting to 58,521 crore across five key industriesconsumer durables, textiles, readymade garments, tobacco products and capital goods. Additionally, nearly 1.6 million domestic jobs were lost in just these five industries alone due to this significant challenge. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is tightening its scrutiny of the credit card industry. Recently, it asked Federal Bank and South Indian Bank to stop issuing new co-branded credit cards. Mint explains the regulators concerns around such cards. What are co-branded credit cards? These are hybrid credit cards issued by a bank through a tie-up with a brand. There are of two types: one is issued in partnership with retail merchants and the other is issued in partnership with fintech companies. These cards offer customers benefits in the form of rewards or loyalty points. Travel, fuel and e-commerce are the three major sectors under which co-branded credit cards are issuedfor instance, ICICI Bank-Amazon Pay card or HDFC Bank-Swiggy card. Typically, co-branded cards have the logos of the partners. However, the co-branded partners must abide by RBI regulations. Whats in it for banks and their partners? Banks can tap the co-branding partners customer-base to issue cards and acquire new customers. The co-branding partner can support the bank with marketing initiatives like loyalty, rewards and branding. These partners will oversee the marketing and distribution of these cards, while the banks will undertake the credit risk and underwriting for the customers. Banks can also partner with fintech firms, under which fintechs take care of credit card issuance and operations. As per RBI rules, the co-branding partner cannot have access to information relating to transactions undertaken through these cards. How big is the co-branded credit card market in India? As of January 2024, the number of credit cards in circulation was 99 million, up from 97.9 million in December 2023. According to industry estimates, co-branded credit cards constitute 10-15% of all cards. Four large banks make up around 60% of the market share. Axis Bank has 14 co-branded credit cards, ICICI Bank has 11, HDFC has 17 and SBI Card has over 20. Whats behind the RBI stricture? RBI found that the risk rating for the onboarding of credit card customers and their underwriting was not in full alignment with its own processes, market experts said. Typically, the co-branded partner is responsible for getting the leads while banks are supposed to onboard customers. However, in some cases, RBI found that banks had shared the scoring system, which is based on risk, with their partners, increasing the risk of customer data being leaked. Scoring systems should be done by the banks, in-house. What explains the scrutiny? RBI wants to check the unbridled growth in credit cards and prevent the backdoor entry of firms into the industry. In February, RBI asked Visa to stop card-based B2B payments through third party fintechs. Some fintechs were facilitating payments to entities that may not be registered merchants, which is not allowed in the know your customer (KYC) regime. This led RBI to ask issuers to set up a system that can ascertain the end-use of fundskeep a check on fintechs trying to stretch regulatory boundaries. Indian tiles exporters have borne the brunt of the Red Sea crisis leading to a dip in volume and value. Tiles exports by volume fell by 12.5% month-on-month and 4.2% year-on-year to 40.6 million square metre in January, showed government data compiled by ICICI Securities Ltd. Thanks to the base effect, for April 2023-January 2024, exports remained strong at around 491 million square metre, up nearly 35% year-on-year. The top three geographies for tile exports during this period included GCC countries, the US, and Iraq. According to industry participants, the month-on-month slowdown in tile exports was due to higher freight rates and longer transit times due to geopolitical instability at Suez Canal. If the export slowdown from Morbi continues, it may lead to oversupply in domestic markets, which could create pricing pressure. Thus, domestic branded manufacturers may see adverse impact on operating margins going ahead, said the ICICI report. The steel industry has been bogged down by price pressures for a while now. The average price of domestic (HRC) steel dropped for the sixth time in a row in March to 52,857 per tonne, according to market intelligence platform BigMint. Weak demand in global markets is a key factor weighing on domestic prices. Respite in the near term appears unlikely as delayed economic recovery and a drop in steel prices in China exacerbate the situation. Chinas production strength makes it a key market for the metals industry and the countrys economic developments have a bearing on the sector. Moreover, there has been a sharp $30-40 per tonne drop in HRC export prices from South Korea and Japan, according to a BNP Paribas Securities India report on 26 March. With this sharp decline, Indian domestic HRC prices are at a meaningful 4,000 per tonne premium to import prices from these countries," the report said. In effect, this means a further fall in domestic HRC price cannot be ruled out. Back home, government spending and infrastructure projects may see a slowdown given the upcoming elections, adding more pressure on domestic steel prices. But theres a bright spot. The costs of raw materials used in steel production are also falling, thus brightening the margin outlook. The average price of coking coal in March is down by more than 10% month-on-month to $284 per tonne, according to BigMint. Further, the price of another key inputiron oreis also on a free fall globally. State-owned iron ore producer NMDC Ltd slashed prices recently by 3-5%. The price of lump ore and fines stand at 5,800 per tonne and 5,060 per tonne, respectively. On the back of a sharp fall in global iron ore price, the discount of NMDC price to global price has narrowed to 38% for March 2024 versus an average of about 50%, noted the BNP Paribas report. This indicates the scope of correction in NMDC iron ore prices, the report added. However, the effect of lower raw materials costs would reflect with a lag. As such, the March quarter (Q4FY24) would be nothing to write home about for Indian steel makers. Sure, volumes would see an uptick helped by seasonality, but lower prices sequentially would impact realizations. Tata Steel Ltd expects realization in its domestic business to drop by about Rs1000 per tonne month-on-month in Q4. Moreover, the consumption cost of coking coal is likely to be higher. For instance, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd expects coking coal costs to increase by $10-12 per tonne in Q4. (For Indian steel players), we estimate an Ebitda margin compression of more than 1,500 per tonne sequentially," said analysts at JM Financial Institutional Securities in a report on 21 March. Ebitda is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Meanwhile, the prices of other metals on the London Metal Exchange also paint a grim picture. The price of aluminium has been range bound at $2100-2400 per tonne for many months now. This is likely to be the situation for a while given that there is enough supply to meet any increase in demand. Further, the elevated cost of production would prevent a significant downfall in the metals price. The average price of lead in the March quarter is down by over 2% sequentially. Clearly, an uptick in global demand is the need of the hour for the metals industry. Though the Nifty Metal index has gained 3.5% in 2024 so far, investors would do well to closely track the extent of the rebound in the Chinese economy. Small and mid-cap stocks have emerged as favorites among Indian retail investors in FY24. The upward surge in stock prices has significantly enhanced the value of their portfolios. Most stocks in the mid- and small-cap sectors have reached unprecedented highs during FY24, contributing to a notable milestone in market capitalisation. Amidst this rally, even stocks that had previously remained on the sidelines have participated in the bullish trend, adding to the overall fervor of the market. The retail investor preference for mid- and small-cap stocks isn't a new phenomenon in FY24; it has been ongoing for years. Also Read: Multibagger Stock: Gravita India gained 992% in 3 years, zoomed nearly 3000% in 4 years Empirical research indicates that small-cap stocks consistently outperform large-cap stocks, a trend observed across different time frames and regions. Retail investors have always been on the lookout for a stock that would deliver multibagger returns within a year. The possibility of a large-cap stock generating a multibagger return is quite low due to their already established market positions with high market valuations. However, when it comes to small and mid-cap stocks, the possibility of achieving multibagger returns is much higher. This is because these companies often operate in dynamic and rapidly growing sectors, allowing for greater potential for growth and appreciation in stock prices. It's worth noting that large companies can also operate in such sectors. However, the potential for a large-cap stock to deliver multibagger returns within a short period, like a year, is generally lower compared to small and mid-cap stocks. Also Read: Correction in midcap, smallcap stocks an opportunity: Emkay Global While some mid-and small-cap stocks benefited from the recent market rally, others experienced gains due to significant order wins amidst the ongoing recovery in India's capital expenditure. Sectors such as defence, railways, renewable energy, and power have all witnessed substantial order wins. Meanwhile, retail investors have also pumped billions of rupees into mid- and small-cap schemes. In the calendar year 2023, small-cap and mid-cap schemes accounted for 40 percent of the total net inflows into active equity schemes, receiving 64,000 crore of total inflows of 1.6 trillion. The substantial influx of funds has garnered regulatory scrutiny, prompting mutual fund houses to conduct stress tests every 15 days. The first test results, released on March 15, revealed that India's leading small-cap fund managers may take from one to 17 days to liquidate a quarter of their portfolios. Also Read: How India's top 10 mid-cap mutual funds fare on liquidity stress test Asset managers would likely require a minimum of three days and a maximum of 34 days to exit half of their mid-cap stocks. Stellar performance The Nifty Smallcap 100 index in FY24 has gained 76.15%, spiking from 8,701 points to 15,327 points. Over the past 11 months, the index closed positively in 9 months, with November registering the highest monthly gain at 12%. Remarkably, the index maintained an average return of 5% across these nine months. Also Read: Nifty 50 is expected to deliver 16% earnings growth in 2024-25: Report The Nifty Midcap 100 index has also jumped sharply, rising by 61.21% in FY24, climbing from 29,775 points to 48,027 points. Similar to the small-cap index, the mid-cap index experienced its most significant monthly gain in November, recording an increase of 10.37%. Skyrocketing returns In the Nifty Smallcap 100 category, a significant number of individual stocks have outperformed the index, with 56 stocks recording returns exceeding 76% in FY24. Among these, 40 stocks have achieved multibagger status, with PSUs like HUDCO, MRPL, Cochin Shipyard, and Ircon International leading the pack, boasting returns of 362%, 329%, 323%, and 321%, respectively. Other notable performers include Titagarh Rail Systems, NBCC, Himadri Speciality Chemical, Tata Investment Corp., Swan Energy, NLC India, Apar Industries, Olectra Greentech, Hindustan Copper, JBM Auto, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Birlasoft, ITI, Intellect Design Arena, Global Health, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Angel One, Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank of India, all yielding returns exceeding 150%. Also Read: History repeats? Is the surge in mid and small-cap stocks similar to that of 2018? Similarly, in the Nifty Midcap 100 segment, 52 stocks have surpassed the index with returns exceeding 62%, with 28 of them achieving multibagger status. BSE Suzlon Energy, SJVN, Rail Vikas Nigam, Kalyan Jewellers India, and BHEL have emerged as the top performers, with massive returns of 511%, 451%, 300%, 281%, and 251%, respectively. Other notable gainers include Bharat Heavy Electricals, FACT, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Prestige Estates Projects, Macrotech Developers, Torrent Power, Oracle Financial Services, Dixon Technologies, and Bank of Maharashtra, all boasting returns exceeding 150%. Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The eagerly awaited T+0 settlement cycle in the Indian capital markets became operational on 28 March, albeit on an optional basis, after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) board approved a pilot. For now, T+0 settlement will run parallel to the existing T+1 settlement cycle in the equity cash segment. Sebi will assess the pilot after three and six months before deciding what to do next. Mint explains what all of this means for investors and the wider market. What is T+0 settlement? T+0 settlement simply means trades are settled on the day they are executed. That is, investors receive their securities or funds within hours rather than having to wait a day, as with the current T+1 cycle. How will it work? The T+0 settlement cycle will initially apply to a group of 25 stocks and a limited number of brokers. The plan is to implement it gradually, as with the T+1 cycle, which was fully implemented in January 2023. The 25 stocks are Ambuja Cements, Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, Bank of Baroda, BPCL, Birlasoft, Cipla, Coforge, Divis Laboratories, Hindalco Industries, Indian Hotels Company Ltd, JSW Steel, LIC Housing Finance, LTIMindtree, Samvardhana Motherson International, MRF, Nestle India, NMDC, ONGC, Petronet LNG, SBI, Tata Communications, Trent, Union Bank of India, and Vedanta. For now there will be a single, continuous session for T+0 settlement, from 9:15 am to 1.30 pm, with client code modifications allowed until 1:45 pm. T+0 settlement will not apply to certain trading sessions, including pre-open, special pre-open, block window, auction, periodic call auction, and post-close. The specifications for T+0 securities, such as ISIN, symbol, tick size and market lot will be the same as those of the corresponding T+1 securities. The closing price of the T+1 settled security will be the closing price of the corresponding T+0 settled security, meaning there will be no separate closing price for T+0 securities. What are the advantages of quicker settlement? T+0 settlement is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of the stock market in the long term. Selling stocks and being able to use the funds immediately to buy others will boost liquidity and trading volumes. "Same day settlement will result in higher trading volumes and more competitive bid-ask spreads, reducing the impact cost (the cost of executive a trade)," said SK Joshi, ED, Khambatta Securities. It is also expected to reduce counterparty risk and operational costs for market participants, and allow regulators to monitor market activities. What about the potential downsides? Though its expected to make the market more efficient over time, a shorter settlement cycle could also increase volatility, especially during periods of high trading activity. Brokers, custodians, depository participants and clearing corporations that updated their technology to provide T+1 settlement will now have to do so again for T+0, which will eventually become mandatory. T+0 settlement could also hurt brokers that rely on interest income from clients funds during the float period that is, the time it takes to settle a transaction. The shift to a T+0 settlement cycle will shorten this period and thus reduce the interest earned. Foreign institutional investors, especially large funds, may also face challenges with the T+0 system as it requires them to deposit larger sums in advance, increasing their exposure to currency risks. Foreign investors will need to provide funds at least a day prior to trading, after accounting for time-zone disparities. Which other global markets offer T+0 settlement? Stock exchanges in Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong offer T+0 settlement for certain types of securities. In February 2023 the New York Stock Exchange said it would shorten its settlement cycle from two days to one from 28 May 2024. Penny stock Frontier Capital has delivered extraordinary multibagger returns just in the last 1 year, surging from 2.5 in March 2023 to approximately 33.2 at present. This translates to an impressive return of nearly 1228 percent. If an investor had allocated 10,000 to this stock in March last year, the initial investment would have grown to 1.32 lakh by now. Frontier Capital Limited, a non-deposit-taking non-banking finance company, engages in the business of granting loans and advances in India. The company was formerly known as Frontier Leasing and Finance Limited. The company was incorporated in 1984 and is based in Mumbai, India. Frontier Capital Limited is a subsidiary of Inimitable Capital Finance Private Limited. The stock has surged around 118 percent in 2024 YTD, giving positive returns in 2 of the 3 months this year so far. It has shed 6 percent in March so far, snapping after 7 straight months of gains since August 2023. Between August 2023 and February 2024, the stock soared 981 percent. Meanwhile, it rallied 501 percent in February and almost 54 percent in January this year. Currently trading at 33.21, the stock is over 18 percent away from its all-time high of 40.58, hit earlier this month on March 12, 2024. Meanwhile, it has skyrocketed 1437 percent from its 52-week low of 2.16, hit on April 6, 2023. The notable surge in value signifies a robust surge of market confidence and optimistic sentiment towards the stock, highlighting a remarkable feat for the company amid prevailing market conditions. Earnings In the December quarter (Q3FY24), the company posted a 17 percent decline in its net profit at 2.9 lakh as against a net profit of 3.3 lakh in the year-ago period. Meanwhile, its total revenue from operations also fell almost 23 percent to 6.1 lakh versus 7.9 lakh in the same period last year. Brokerage view According to ICICI Direct's analysis, the company is currently observing a surge in net cash flow and cash generated from its operational activities. Additionally, it is a company with low debt and has also been able to generate and improve its net cash flow in the last 2 years, which are again key positives, said the brokerage. Meanwhile, its weakness, as per the brokerage, is its degrowth in quarterly revenue and profit in the recent December quarter results (YoY). What are penny stocks? Penny stocks are shares of small companies that typically trade at low prices, often below 10 per share, in the Indian market. These stocks are typically issued by companies with low market capitalisation and may have limited liquidity, meaning there are fewer buyers and sellers compared to larger, more established stocks. Penny stocks are considered speculative investments because they often lack the same level of financial reporting and scrutiny as larger companies. While penny stocks have the potential for significant gains due to their low price, they also carry higher risks. They are more susceptible to price manipulation and fraud, and their prices can be highly volatile. Additionally, penny stocks may lack transparency and regulatory oversight, making it important for investors to conduct thorough research and exercise caution before investing in them. Investing in penny stocks can be appealing to some investors because of the potential for significant returns if the stock price increases substantially. However, it's essential to recognise that penny stocks also carry significant risks. Diligent research, thorough analysis, and effective risk management are essential when considering investments in penny stocks to navigate the inherent uncertainties and minimise potential losses. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. Please speak to an investment advisor before making any investment decisions. SJVN More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! On the day the Narendra Modi government summoned senior US diplomat to strongly object against remarks of State department spokesperson on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in Liquor scam, a chastised Germany on Wednesday took a decisive U-turn on the issue and refused to wade into internal affairs of India. Also read: Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE Updates Last Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior German diplomat to South Block and served a demarche to Bonn, protesting against the statement of the German spokesperson on the internal affairs of India. The condescending remarks of the German spokesperson were seen by MEA as interfering with the Indian judicial process and undermining the independence of the Indian judiciary. India protests Germany's remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: 'Most unwarranted' But the firm counter launched by MEA reaped results as German spokesman yesterday refused to share any details about the summoning in Delhi and also chose not to comment on the case. After Germany, US reacts to Kejriwal's arrest: 'Encourage timely legal process The spokesman stated : Have commented on the case. Would not report from confidential conversations now. Both sides have a great interest in deepening the cooperation and we and the Indian side look forward to the next government consultations, which are expected to take place in the autumn of this year. The Indian Constitution guarantees basic human rights and freedoms. We share these democratic values with India as a strategic partner." The response of the spokesperson was in German language and this is the closest translation. Kejriwals case: Foreign governments must respect Indias sovereignty The German response came at a time when India made it very clear that democratic countries like the US have to be very careful in commenting on fellow (in this case the largest) democracies over the due process of law. New Delhi has also made it clear that commenting on internal affairs of third countries is a two way street and will lead to bad precedents. It is understood another country from Western Europe has quietly informed India that it will not comment on the arrest of Kejriwal in an ED money laundering probe in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. (Disclaimer: This story first appeared on hindustantimes.com) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Thursday sought a detailed probe report from Police commissioner Sanjay Arora on the allegedly derogatory social media post made by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. According to Raj Niwas officials, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bansuri Swaraj had filed a complaint with the L-G demanding an investigation against Shrinate. She has also urged for the registration of an FIR against the Congress leader for "outraging the modesty of a woman. In the controversial post on social media platforms from Shrinate's accounts, the Congress leader had shared a picture of the Bollywood actor with an allegedly derogatory remark. Kangana been fielded by the ruling BJP as its candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Shrinate, following a row on the post, removed the post from all her social accounts, and claimed that those were not posted by her, adding that she could never make such personal and indecent comments about any woman. L-G Saxena has forwarded the complaint to the police commissioner, directing a "scientific" investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary, the Raj Niwas officials said. According to news agency PTI citing sources, the Delhi Police will also probe who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. Also read: EC issues show cause notice against Supriya Shrinate On Wednesday, the Election Commission issued a show cause notice to Supriya Shrinate, saying that her remarks violates the Model Code of Conduct provisions and the ECI advisory. Shrinate is the Chairperson of Social Media and Digital Platform for All India Congress Committee. Also read: Congress drops Supriya Shrinate from Lok Sabha candidates list Following the show-cause notice, the Congress party has pulled out her name from the Lok Sabha election 2024 candidate list. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari reportedly died on Thursday. Ansari had been brought back to the Banda Medical College after his health deteriorated in jail. Ansari has been taken to Government Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Banda amid heavy security arrangement. People gathered outside the residence of the gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in Ghazipur. Paramilitary forces have also been deployed outside Banda Medical College. According to Hindustan Times, Mukhtar Ansari's brother Afzal Ansari said Mukhtar Ansari was poisoned in jail by a substance mixed in food. Mukhtar said that he was given poisonous a substance in food in jail. This happened for the second time. Around 40 days ago also he was given poison. And recently on March 19 of March 22, he was again given this (poison) due to which his condition is bad," Afzal, an MP from Ghazipur, said when his brother was recently hospitalised. Earlier, Mukhtar Ansari was shifted from Uttar Pradesh's Rani Durgawati Medical College to jail after his discharge on Tuesday. Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain in jail. Mukhtar Ansari's lawyer, Naseem Haider, claimed that the former MLA in the Uttar Pradesh assembly is experiencing difficulty speaking. "Some reports are pending. He is stable, but he is having difficulty speaking," Naseem Haider told news agency ANI. Mukhtar Ansari has been elected as an MLA from the Mau constituency five times, including twice as a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate. He last contested the assembly polls in 2017. Earlier on March 13, Ansari was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990.This was the eighth case in which the former five-time MLA has been convicted and sentenced by a court in Uttar Pradesh in the past two years. Before this, in December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi had found Mukhtar Ansari guilty of threatening Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta, and had sentenced him to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of 10,000 against him. On October 15, last year, the Enforcement Directorate attached lands, a building and bank deposits worth more than 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering investigation against Mukhtar Ansari. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Jailed gangster-turned-politician, Mukhtar Ansari died due to cardiac arrest on Thursday after he was admitted to a hospital in Uttar Pradesh 's Banda district because of his health condition. He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state after he complained of vomiting. Also Read: UP news: Jailed Mukhtar Ansari admitted to hospital after abdominal pain The five-time MLA from eastern UP's Mau was involved in the property business and was also involved in 52 criminal cases in UP and at many other places. He contested elections twice as Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) candidate. He last contested the assembly polls in 2017. Soon after his death, prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed across Uttar Pradesh, said Police on Thursday. View Full Image Mukhtar Ansari complained of vomitting and was brought to hospital in an unconscious state. Who was Mukhtar Ansari? Mukhtar Ansari was involved in the property business and contract work, and he is said to have begun expanding his network in the world of crime in the 1990s across eastern Uttar Pradesh, also known as Purvanchal. Also Read: Mukhtar Ansari gets over 5 years rigorous imprisonment in 26-year-old case. Details here The history-sheeter in Mohammadabad police station of Ghazipur district, Ansari was acquitted by a Delhi court in the murder case of BJP MLA Krishna Nand Rai in 2005. Along with him, six others including brother and BSP MP Afzal Ansari, were also acquitted in the case. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a three-decade-old fake arms licence case by a special MP-MLA court on March 13. In 2017, a local court of Ghazipur, UP acquitted him in a case related to the 2009 murder of Ajai Prakash Singh, a contractor, in Mau. He was one of the most celebrated Robinhoods in the region as voters in Mau (sadar), 100 km from Gorakhpur, elected him five times over, many times when he was in jail. Earlier, Ansari's brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari had alleged that he was given poison in jail. Section 144 imposed across UP, security heightened in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi Many police personnel were deployed outside the hospital shortly after Ansari was brought there. After the confirmation of Ansari's death, prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) were imposed across Uttar Pradesh following Ansari's death, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. Section 144 prohibits large gatherings in public places. Moreover, police personnel have been deployed in additional numbers in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi districts, he added. Ansari was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. Samajwadi Party condoles Mukhtar Ansari's death Expressing condolence on Ansari's death, the Samajwadi Party paid tribute to the gangster-turned-politician on Thursday. "Sad demise of former MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. May his soul rest in peace. May the bereaved family members get the strength to bear this immense loss. Humble tribute," the party said in a post in Hindi on X. The 63-year-old gangster-turned politician was behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday successfully completed the first flight of indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet in Bengaluru, news agency ANI reported First flight of the Made in India indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft has been completed in Bengaluru by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited today," the agency quoted HAL officials as saying. The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight," the officials added. This is a big step today and it will help us to move towards the delivery of the aircraft to the Indian Air Force We are also looking to deliver one more LCA trainer aircraft to the IAF before March 31. We have already delivered four trainer-version aircraft to them," HAL Chairman Ananthakrishnan said. According to an India Today report, the fighter aircraft is likely to be deployed at Nal airbase in Rajasthans Bikaner near the Pakistan border. The first squadron of aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary. Earlier this month the agency reported that the state-owned public sector unit is working towards delivering the first twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the IAF at the earliest citing defence sources. The report said the work is on towards meeting the delivery by the end of March 31. It is important to note that the IAF has already signed a contract worth over 48,000 crore with the HAL for supplying 83 LCA planes. The IAF has clearance to buy 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets at 65,000 crore. In 2016, the LCA Mark 1 aircraft were inducted into the IAF. The Indian Air Force has two of their squadrons (45 Squadron and 18 Squadron) having the light combat aircraft Tejas. Terming the LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet clearance a "landmark event" the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, "We already had 40 LCAs of the original IOC and FOC version. So with this, in the long run, the strength of the Indian Air Force will grow to 220 LCA mark 1As, which will equip almost ten squadrons of the Air Force." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Nirav Modis luxury apartment in London is likely to be sold for 55 crore (5.25 million) or more. The apartment, held by a trust, is now allowed to be sold after a March 27 high court ruling in the UK. Trident Trust Company (Singapore) was the claimant in the case, which had representations from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The apartment, owned by the 52-year-old fugitive diamond merchant, is located in the Marylebone area of central London. Barrister Harish Salve appeared on behalf of ED. He told the court that it had been agreed upon to sell the asset to safeguard the interests of the primary beneficiary, likely the Indian government, and prevent a rushed sale of the asset. The asset, as per ED, is connected to the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud worth 16,672 crore. Modi has been facing extradition proceedings since 2022 when he lost the legal battle in the Supreme Court. Master James Brightwell presided over the hearing, which Modi attended virtually from prison. I am satisfied that it is a reasonable decision to allow for the property to be sold for GBP 5.25 million or above," the judge concluded. Master Brightwell also noted EDs objections about the creation of the trust that holds the property. The trust was created in December 2017 in the name of Nirav Modis sister Purvi Modi and their family as beneficiaries. The case, as per the judge, is a very unusual one". Purvi Modi and her adult children, as per an arrangement with the Indian authorities, did not take part in the case proceedings. Nirav Modi claimed that he should be treated as a beneficiary for being the true settler" of the trust. Nirav Modis argument Nirav Modi either gifted or loaned to the trust 6.5 crore (625,000), which was used to buy the property, he argued. It also gives him rights, according to Modi, to any money made from selling the property. He expressed concern that ED could freeze any money received from the sale. In April 2021, then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel issued Nirav's extradition order on the basis of Judge Sam Goozees Westminster Magistrates Court ruling. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! As many as 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, have written to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud , raising concerns against the actions of a specific interest group" that, they said, is tainting the image of the Judiciary. The letter addressed to the CJI says that a special group" is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. They have accused the interest group" of creating a false narrative about judges and the court. Lawyers have also accused the group of bench fixing," comparisons of domestic courts to those in lawless regimes," and attacks on judges honour." Arvind Kejriwal's ED remand ends today; CBI likely to seek Delhi CM's custody They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices," the letter reads. The lawyers said these interest groups" selectively criticise or praise court decisions based on their political agenda as a My way or the highway" approach. Transparency in poll funding could lead to a national clean-up Further, the lawyers' group pointed out the timing of the tactics employed by the interest group". It said, The timing of their modus operandi also merits closer scrutiny-they do it at very strategic timings when the nation is all set to head into elections. We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-19 when they took their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating false narratives." The senior members have requested the Supreme Court to take protective measures against these attacks to maintain the judiciarys integrity. No tweaks to new online gaming taxation regime till SC decision The letter also called for a united stand in support of the judiciary to ensure it remains a strong pillar of democracy, urging decisive leadership in addressing these challenges. The lawyers said that efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances...Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to harm." "We need to speak out against these underhanded attacks, making sure our courts stay strong as pillars of our democracy," the letter added. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! India's history is much more complicated than black-and-white, said Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday while jumping in the debate with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Vijayan had said that the 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' were first raised by two Muslims and challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party to renounce them. The Thiruvananthapuram MP gave a little background on both the slogans and said that Indian history is more complex than the BJP or Hindutva movement would like people to believe. The fact is that we used to be a country where such distinctions did not matter so much," Tharoor said. 'Jai Hind' Tharoor said the slogan Jai Hind comes from Netaji Bose's aide-- a Muslim Colonel who was accompanying in the fatal plane crash. "Someone like Netaji Bose had amongst his closest aides people of every faith. He was accompanied by a Muslim Colonel in the fatal plane crash. That is the gentleman who had coined the phrase 'Jai Hind' for him," he said. 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' The Congress MP said that the slogan 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' was given by the Muslim aide of a Hindu Peshwa. That's the way our country used to work," he added. "'Bharat Mata ki Jai' goes back to the Muslim aide of a Hindu Peshwa. We were not always drawing distinctions on the basis of religion," he added. Arguing against reducing historical events to binary divisions based on religion, Tharoor urged for a more nuanced understanding of India's rich and diverse heritage. When you think of something like the Battle of Haldighati, who was fighting for the Maharana? Hakim Khan Sur, a Muslim general. Who was fighting for the Mughal Emperor? It was a Rajput King," he said. "You have to understand that our history is much more complicated than the black-and-white versions that someone in the BJP or Hindutva movement would like you to believe," Tharoor added. Shashi Tharoor on CAA On the Citizenship Amendment Act, Tharoor said it was an attempt to corner the Muslim vote, while emphasising that Muslims are educated and they would know what is going on. "I think it is very clear that they are making a brazen attempt to try and corner the Muslim vote. Muslims are educated like everybody else. They will know what is going on," he said. The Centre on March 11 notified the rules for the CAA bringing the act into force. Pinarayi Vijayan on the slogans Earlier this week, Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, said that "Bharat mata ki Jai" and "Jai Hind" were originally coined by two Muslims. He also challenged the BJP to renounce them. "Now, in some programmes we hear some Sangh Parivar leaders asking people to chant 'Bharat mata ki Jai'. Who coined the slogan Bharat mata ki jai? Was it some Sangh Parivar leader? I don't know if the Sangh Parivar knows this. His name is Azimullah Khan. I don't know if they know that he is not a Sangh Parivar leader," he said. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Income Tax department is expected to issue a reassessment order for the assessment years spanning from 2014-15 to 2020-21 by March 31 in the matter of Indian National Congress (INC), Business Line reported . A number of reports suggest that the demand could be more than 500 crore post reassessment. For assessment year 2018-19 135 crore has already been recovered from the Grand Old Party. Besides, the next date of hearing for notice related assessment year 1994-95 in the Supreme Court is April 1. Until then, Congress has not got relief in litigations filed before various quasi-judicial bodies and courts. Quoting sources, the Business Line reported that on the basis of various searches related to INC, reassessment proceedings under section 153C (Assessment of income of any other person.) of Income Tax Act were initiated for AYs 2014-15 to 2020-21. During the entire proceedings, Congress has not provided a reply on merits. Each objection raised was duly disposed of," a source told the newspaper. Pending matters The Congress party has already filed writ petitions against the proceedings of all the seven years. Out of these seven years, hearings have culminated in the case of AY 14-15, 15-16, and 16-17. In fact, the order is also reserved by the Delhi High Court. ALSO READ: Delhi HC dismisses Congress plea seeking stay of Income Tax notice for recovery of over 105 cr And for the remaining four years, the date of hearing is to be notified soon. Talking about notice for AY 1994-95 (FY 1993-94), the national party has moved the Supreme Court and next date of hearing is April 1. Appeal effect of the said order was given creating a demand (tax plus interest) of around 53 crore," a source added. It is worth recalling that the issue first surfaced because of demand raised for AY 2018-19. On July 6, 2021, assessment order of AY 19 was passed creating a demand of 105.17 crore, as per the sources. Without paying the required 20 per cent of the disputed demand in full, the INC filed an appeal before CIT (Appeal). However, it was dismissed as the required amount was not deposited. Now, a notice of recovery was served on the Congress party and the measures were undertaken to recover demand of around 135 crore (which includes tax as well as interest). Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Top Events of the Day: The interim protection granted to Byju Raveendran by the Karnataka High Court ends today. Amid the Bengaluru water crisis, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will conduct a water adalat today. Akasa Air will operate its first international flight to Doha on March 28. Shriram Finance to replace UPL in Nifty50 from March 28. AAP to organise door-to-door campaign to invite people to a grand rally: Leading up to the INDIA bloc rally scheduled for March 31 at Ramlila Maidan, where protests against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will take place, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is conducting door-to-door outreach efforts to rally support, according to a report by Indian Express. LS polls Phase 1 election nomination papers to be scrutinised on March 28: The deadline for nominations for Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections was March 27 for all 20 States and UTs, except Bihar, where it is March 28 due to a festival. The scrutiny of nomination papers will occur on March 28, except for Bihar, where it is scheduled for March 30. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 20, whereas for Bihar, it is April 2. In the initial phase of the elections on April 19, voting will take place in a total of 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 States and Union Territories (UTs). Bourses to roll out beta version of T+0 settlement: In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) guidelines, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has announced plans to launch a beta version of the T+0 settlement system. The BSE stated in a notice on Friday that the beta version of the T+0 settlement will be introduced on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Furthermore, the BSE clarified that following the introduction of the beta version of T+0 settlement, all charges and fees applicable to T+1 settled securities, such as transaction charges, STT, and regulatory/turnover fees, will also apply to T+0 settled securities. Byju Raveendran's interim protection by HC ends today: The Karnataka High Court prolonged the temporary safeguard provided to Edtech company Byju's until March 28. This extension shielded founder Byju Raveendran from any potential removal by investors in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). Amid Bengaluru water crisis, BWSSB to conduct water adalat: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will conduct a water adalat to hear grievances related to waterbilling, delays in domestic connection, delays in water supply, and sanitary connection, among other issues. Akasa Air will operate first international flight to Doha: On March 28, 2024, Akasa Air will launch its inaugural international flight from Mumbai to Doha, marking its entry into the global aviation arena. This achievement makes Akasa Air the first Indian airline to commence overseas operations within an impressive timeframe of only 19 months since its establishment. Shriram Finance to replace UPL in Nifty50: Shriram Finance is set to replace UPL in the Nifty 50 index. This announcement was made by the NSE, confirming Shriram Finance's inclusion in the Nifty 50 while replacing UPL. The adjustments to the index will be implemented on March 28, 2024. Furthermore, Jio Financial Services is slated to join the Nifty Next 50 index. Varanasi Court to hear Gyanvapi plea on Mar 28: The fast-track court presided over by a civil judge (senior division), has scheduled March 28 as the upcoming date for the hearing of a petition filed by Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, a resident of Lohta. Ansari seeks to be included as a party in original suit no. 610/1991 titled Ancient Idol of Swayambhu Lord Vishweshwar vs Anjuman Intezamia Masajid and others." Xiaomi's electric car will launch in China on Mar 28: Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi will launch its first electric vehicle this month, a four-door tech-laden sedan that it hopes will capture interest at a time when EV sales in China are slowing and a host of competitors are cutting prices. Alia Bhatt to host her first charity gala in London: Alia Bhatt is preparing to host a grand event! The multi-talented actor, producer, and entrepreneur will be hosting her inaugural Hope Gala in London. According to a source familiar with her team, Alia will lead the event, scheduled for March 28, in collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental hotel group at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. SHRIRAM FINANCE More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Delhis Rouse Avenue court on Thursday extended Arvind Kejriwals ED custody till April 1 in the Delhi liquor policy scam case. The Nifty 50 and the Sensex closed with healthy gains on Thursday, ending the financial year 2024 with robust gains. Here are the top news events on March 28: Delhi Court extends CM Arvind Kejriwals ED custody till April 1 Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced in front of Delhis Rouse Avenue court in the Delhi liquor policy scam case today. Questioning EDs arrest AAP national convener asked whether four statements recorded by the ED mentioning his name are enough to arrest a sitting CM". While speaking at the court, Arvind Kejriwal accused the ED is working to destroy Aam Aadmi Party". He also alleged that a smokescreen has been created to portray AAP as corrupt in front of nation". The court extended AAP convener's ED custody till April 1 Claiming that he is ready to face Enforcement Directorate inquiry, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal asked, I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are 4 statements enough to arrest a sitting CM?" The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to interfere in his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. Stock market today: Nifty 50, Sensex jump almost 1% each Indian stock market benchmarks - the Nifty 50 and the Sensex - closed with healthy gains on Thursday, March 28, ending the financial year 2024 with robust gains. The domestic stock market today ended higher on the last trading day of FY24 amid positive global cues. Nifty 50 opened the day at 22,163.60 against the previous close of 22,123.65 and traded in the green throughout the day. The index closed the day at 22,326.90, up 203 points, or 0.92 per cent. The Sensex opened at 73,149.34 against its previous close of 72,996.31 and touched its intraday high of 74,190.31. The index ended at 73,651.35, up 655 points, or 0.90 per cent. Mid and smallcap segments also ended with decent gains. The BSE Midcap index rose 0.62 per cent while the Smallcap index ended 0.33 per cent higher. India's Apr-Feb fiscal deficit at 15 trillion, 86.5% of FY24 target Indias fiscal deficit during the first 11 months of FY24 stood at 15.01 trillion, or 86.5% of the revised annual estimate, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts on Thursday. The fiscal deficit for the corresponding period of the previous year was at 14.54 trillion, or 82.8% of the annual estimate of 17.55 trillion for FY23. Tax department could demand 500 crore from Congress in reassessment order: Report The Income Tax department is expected to issue a reassessment order for the assessment years spanning from 2014-15 to 2020-21 by March 31 in the matter of Indian National Congress (INC), Business Line reported. A number of reports suggest that the demand could be more than 500 crore post reassessment. For assessment year 2018-19 135 crore has already been recovered from the Grand Old Party. Besides, the next date of hearing for notice related assessment year 1994-95 in the Supreme Court is April 1. Nirmala Sitharaman has no money to enter LS poll race: Here's how much it costs Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has declined BJP President JP Naddas offer to contest Lok Sabha polls. Wonder why? Because the countrys finance minister says she does not have that kind of money to fight elections. Imagine, if a union minister, that too who holds the finance portfolio, doesn't have the money to fight polls, how much does a candidate need to contest an assembly or a Lok Sabha election in India? Let's take a look: The cost of contesting an election depends on the wealth that the candidate has. But there is also a cap on expenditure by the Election Commission of India. US Q4 GDP: US economy grows at 3.4% YoY in Oct-Dec The US economy grew at a solid 3.4 per cent annual pace from October through December, the government said Thursday in an upgrade from its previous estimate. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Economist Kaushik Basu has commented on the massive rise of unemployment in India over the last couple of decades. The remarks by the former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India are about the India Employment Report 2024 , published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD). Describing it as a new worry for educated youth in India", Basu wrote on X (formerly Twitter), Share of those with secondary & more education in total unemployed youth has jumped from 35.2% (2000) to 65.7% (2022). Shows what cronyism & the erosion of trust are doing." He added, Im optimistic ordinary people can see this & change is coming." The report says the share of young people with at least a secondary education among the unemployed has nearly doubled from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022. Also, 83% of the total unemployed people in India are young individuals. Also, many students leave school after secondary education, especially in less wealthy areas and among disadvantaged groups. Even though more people are going to college, there are still worries about the quality of education. The report indicates significant disparities between what students are taught and what they actually learn in schools and colleges. On March 27, the Congress accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre of trying to "distort, distract, and divert." The Grand Old Party insisted that unemployment among the youth remains a defining issue to address as the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 approaches. Rahul Gandhi slams Centre Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP-led NDA government after CEA V Anantha Nageswaran commented that the government would not be able to solve all social and economic problems. According to Gandhi, the employment report reveals the "massive failure" of the Narendra Modi government. "The report says there is a skill gap. We will make freshers a skilled workforce through 'Pehli Naukri Pakki'. New jobs have to be created, says report - Our 'Youth Light' guarantee is bringing 5,000 crore of support for start-ups," he said. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- President Emmanuel Macron is inviting Brazilian companies to step up investment in France as he seeks to diversify international partnerships. Brazilian companies must believe more in France," he told business leaders gathered Wednesday in Sao Paulo, Brazils financial capital. We can do much more." Macron cited a gap in bilateral investment between both countries: While more than 1,000 French companies have invested about $44 billion in Brazil, Brazilian companies have put only $2 billion in France, according to figures compiled by the Elysee. Brazilian banks, he said, would be particularly welcome in France. We are the big winners of post-Brexit," the French leader said, after meeting with chief executives of two large Brazilian financial institutions, Itau Unibanco SA and Banco BTG Pactual SA. Read More: Macron Goes to Brazil Seeking Movement on Ukraine: What to Watch Sao Paulo was Macrons second stop in his three-day visit to Brazil, part of his push to expand political and business partnerships beyond Frances traditional allies. He started his tour in Belem, in the Amazon forest, where he met his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Both presidents have been trying to revive relations between France and Brazil, which soured under Lulas predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Yet for all of their personal chemistry, they have some large obstacles to overcome, including opposing views on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and disagreements over the current proposal for a trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! WASHINGTONRussian trolls farms linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin remain active months after the mercenary chief died in a plane crash and are likely to continue peddling disinformation aimed at influencing opinions on the war in Ukraine and the 2024 U.S. elections, according to new cybersecurity research. Several distinct online influence campaigns with covert or financial links to the former paramilitary chief were active throughout 2023 and underwent subtle shifts in their targeting, Googles Mandiant Intelligence unit said. The activity continued even as propaganda outfits more overtly connected to Prigozhin appeared to be dismantled by the Russian government in the wake of his August death. The findings come as senior U.S. intelligence officials have warned that Russia and other U.S. adversaries, including China and Iran, are likely to deploy new technologies including artificial intelligence to target the 2024 presidential election with disinformation, aiming to seed doubts in the legitimacy of the resultsand potentially try to affect the outcome. Senior intelligence officials have said they havent spotted major foreign interference attempts targeting the 2024 election yet but anticipate that several countries could seek to do so. None of the campaigns appeared to have gained significant traction online, said John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant, reflecting the difficulty Russia and others have had in matching the scale of the Kremlins disinformation operations seen in 2016. But the continued activity of these groups points to Russia maintaining a capability it could increase as American elections draw closer, he said. We will likely see a number of threat actors target our elections and we have to take the threat seriously, but we also have to be careful not to overestimate what they can do," Hultquist said. Its not easy to be an influencer." Prigozhin had for years been a central figure in Russias global disinformation operations, according to the U.S. government. The U.S. sanctioned him for his role in funding the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm that was part of what the U.S. says was a Russian disinformation campaign to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Later, Prigozhin, who headed the Russian mercenary firm Wagner Group, became a central figure assisting Moscows war in Ukraine, where his forces played a prominent role in the fighting. Following a failed coup attempt against the Kremlin, Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash that many believe was an assassination ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhins operations have remained actively involved in U.S. electoral politics since the 2016 presidential contest, according to U.S. officials. A heavily redacted U.S. intelligence community report on foreign influence operations during the 2022 midterms released in December said that a Prigozhin-linked organization worked to resurface sexual assault allegations" against President Biden. Those efforts included an interview from a redacted organization tied to Prigozhin and an unidentified American. The report concluded the Kremlin and its proxies attempted to weaken the Democratic Party and undermine voter confidence ahead of the elections. The Russians have for years in their information operations been trying to basically discredit the legitimacy of our processes and ultimately our Democratic system," Avril Haines, the U.S. director of national intelligence, said during congressional testimony this month. That is one of their main objectives." Russian tactics have evolved since 2016 when Russia orchestrated a well-funded, multipronged online interference campaign that sought to denigrate Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, according to disinformation researchers and Western officials. While efforts once focused largely on attracting large audiences to viral content on social-media platforms, a central focus now is creating websites that pose as legitimate news sources. Advances in generative artificial intelligence have made writing fake articles easier than it was just a few years ago. Some newer methods also include paying unwitting actors to post misleading videos on the Cameo app that, for example, accuse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being a drug addict. But traditional social media continues to remain an area of focus for Russian trolls seeking to seed inauthentic accounts on various platforms, experts say. One of the disinformation efforts tracked by Google, Newsroom for American and European Based Citizens, has kept active on social media despite having its stand-alone website taken offline following its exposure by Reuters in 2020, Google said. A Jan. 16, 2024, post on a niche website that Google identified as tied to that group showed a U.S. state map awash in red, signifying Electoral College victories in November for Republicans except in a handful of states. An October post linked to the campaign wrote: As long as NATO exists, there will never be peace in the world." Cyber Front Z, a Telegram channel, has focused its attention on promoting narratives in support of the Russian war effort and anti-Ukraine messaging, Google said. During the period between Prigozhins armed uprising in June and his death in August, Cyber Front Z sought to promote Wagner Group and its security role in several African countries and has continued to promote pro-Russia content related to the war since then, Google said. Another influence outfit tracked by Google is an independent, Togo-based organization with reported financial links to Prigozhin. The organization targets African audiences in the Sahel region, especially in Burkina Faso, and demonstrated an increase in activity after Prigozhins downfall and death, Google said. The narratives promoted on its social channels included support for Nigers coup last summer. Google said it was unable to determine who has been running the Prigozhin-linked assets since he died. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that Russian intelligence agencies were peddling false narratives about American biological testing in Africa through the African Initiative," an online news service set up late last year whose staff have ties with the Wagner Group. Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life was released on March 28. The Malayalam movie stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Amala Paul, and Shobha Mohan in major roles. Directed by Blessy, it has received highly positive reviews from celebrities and netizens alike. Lets take a look. Celebs react Following The Goat Life's journey for a while now, and today is the big release! Kudos to Blessy for his unwavering vision and to Prithviraj and the entire team for their tireless efforts. This film is a labor of love, and I can't wait to experience it. Sending all my love and best wishes," Mohanlal posted on X (formerly Twitter). "I really thank Blessy for the hard work; this really happened to someone. Mani Ratnam, wondered how you worked. In the interval, you feel like drinking more water. Your thirst for making a different kind of cinema is also seen," Kamal Haasan said. Especially the shot he (Prithviraj) bathes, I never thought you would have gone this far... excellent film, I want people to support it as well," he added. Netizens react Aadujeevitham is a cinematic masterpiece! It's a heart-wrenching, truly magical survival thrillerit's a movie you CANNOT miss", wrote one user. Another user wrote that in Aadujeevitham, Prithviraj Sukumaran has delivered his career-best performance", adding, Right from the physical transformations to dubbing, he has given everything he can." It is one of the most amazing movie I have ever seen. Based on a true story, one of the best survival movie ever released in the big screen, these type of movies which are only one time watchable! But you wont get tired even after watching this movie 3,4 times [sic]," wrote a user. There is no doubt that this is one of the most amazing movies I've ever seen. I highly recommended Goat Life movie [sic]," said another. Beautiful BGM, heart-touching songs, Beautiful acting by Prithviraj, sure to get three to four national awards [sic]," posted another user. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Reacting to a cartoon against Indian crew members onboard the ill-fated 'DALI' container ship that crashed with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in US' Baltimore on Wednesday and caused the collapse of the same, netizens slammed the cartoon calling it 'racist', while some others pointed out that the ship was likely being steered by a local American. A racially insensitive cartoon by Foxford Comics, a US-based webcomic recognized for its politically incorrect contentportrayed the Indian crew members in 'brownface attire', standing inside the ship's control room amid murky water. They all are wearing just loin cloth and seem to be in shock as the vessel eventually approaches and collides with the bridge. "Last known recording from inside the Dali moments before impact," the Foxford Comicscartoon was captioned on microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The cartoon also has the audio of people swearing at each other in a strong Indian English accent. But these cartoons were far from reality, The Singapore-flagged ship 'Dali' had actually suffered a "power issue" and issued a distress call moments before the crash, officials said. Not only Maryland Governor Wes Moore but also US President Joe Biden hailed Dali's crew members for their quick-thinking and sending a Mayday call. Biden said that the crew "undoubtedly saved lives" by swiftly alerting transportation officials about losing control of the container ship. This had resulted in closing the bridge on time. Maryland Governor Moore said, "These people are heroes, they saved lives last night." Sharing the illustration, Indian economist Sanjeev Sanyal said that the ship was likely being steered by a local pilot at the time of the incident. At the time that the ship hit the bridge, it would have had a local pilot," he said. Slamming the cartoon, the Indian economist said that the crew of Dali warned the authorities, which is why casualties were relatively few for a disaster like the Baltimore bridge collapse. Netizens reaction The viral illustration which has since garnered 4.1 million views and 1.8k comments on X was criticised by hundreds of people calling it 'racist'. A user replied to Sanyal's post and said: "Why aren't you guys doing something about this? I mean, racism against Indians has skyrocketed recently." "Prejudice can cloud judgment to the point where one even ignores the fact that the Indian crew of the ship were the ones to take immediate action to save lives and minimise the disaster's impact, something rightly acknowledged by POTUS Biden," reacted a user "Do these people know that mostly cargo ships have crews majorly from India and Philippines, I doubt no. They wouldn't make such racist comments otherwise," another user reacted. Another user pointed out, "Despite the ship being steered by a local American, the heroism of the all-Indian crew during the Baltimore bridge incident is undeniable. This highlights the importance of recognising and addressing systemic issues like racism." This racism-based mockery is in very poor taste," said one user. "In very bad taste! Also looks racist and bigoted. Some facts: Local Baltimore pilots were navigating the ship; Indians were smart to alert/SoS local authorities to stop vehicular traffic on the bridge, saving so many lives!! Now this... (sic)," reacted another user Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NEW YORK (AP) New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its central business district after transit officials approved a $15 fee for most motorists headed to the busiest part of Manhattan. Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday voted to greenlight the congestion pricing plan, expected to go into effect in June. The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters. The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles that drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone that's south of Central Park, during daytime hours. Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles. Supporters of the new tolls say it will push more people to use public transport, reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles, reduce pollution, and raise money needed to improve the subway system. Opponents say the fees are a burden on workers and will increase the prices of staple goods that are driven to the city by truck. To enter Manhattan, commuters from other states and boroughs already pay around $15 in bridge and tunnel tolls and the congestion fee will come on top of that. Daily parking costs already run $25 to $50 in the congestion zone, which includes a dozen neighborhoods in Manhattan that are south of 60th street. New Yorks plan has drawn lawsuits from small business owners and the state of New Jersey which demand more thorough environmental assessments before the plan moves forward. In court documents, state officials argue the plan will cost its commuters millions but won't fund improvements in New Jersey transit agencies, even as it funds public transit in New York and Connecticut. The state Legislature approved the tolls in 2019, mandating that the program should raise $1 billion per year to fund public subway and bus systems for the citys 4 million daily riders. It also established the boundaries of the zone, which covers the busiest part of the city, and scaled back early proposals to include the area up to 86th Street. The pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project. Tolls will vary based on the time of day and the size of the vehicle, ranging from $1.75 for motorcycles crossing overnight to $36 for sightseeing buses and trucks with trailers during the day. The overnight period runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. Visitors without E-ZPasses a device that collects toll information remotely will pay more. And as on bridges, license plate readers are expected to identify other drivers, so that they can be billed by mail. Taxis will charge passengers $1.25 per trip that touches the zone, while app-based rides will charge $2.50. The vote Wednesday followed two months of public comment in which over 100 categories of drivers asked to be exempted from the tolls. They ranged from small groups like holders of diplomatic license plates to large groups like residents of the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut. But the $1 billion in toll revenue mandated by the state law meant that eliminating charges for one group would increase the price for everyone else, so most requests for exceptions weren't granted. Some exceptions survived, including a free pass for emergency vehicles, specialized city vehicles, and buses with regular public routes or city school contracts. Vehicles carrying disabled people and certain low-income commuters also get a pass. Low-income drivers are eligible for discounts and tax credits. If the plan survives those legal challenges, New York will become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion pricing scheme. Such schemes have been implemented in London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore. In 2017, Virginia officials implemented a toll system to reduce congestion during rush hour on Interstate 66 near Washington, D.C. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! (Bloomberg) -- Australia will invest A$1 billion ($652 million) to ensure more solar panels are made domestically, as the nation looks to reduce its dependence on imports from China. The Solar Sunshot program will offer production subsidies and grants to help Australia capture more of the global solar manufacturing supply chain, the government said in a release. While the nation has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world with panels on one in three households just 1% of those have been made locally, it said. Australias rapid shift away from its aging fleet of coal power stations and massive uptake of household solar has made it a test case for the global energy transition. The new program follows similar moves by countries including the US and India in encouraging local supply, but may still struggle to push out manufacturers from China, which provide more than 90% of Australias panels. Australia should not be the last link in a global supply chain built on an Australian invention," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in the release, referring to pioneering work on the technology at the University of New South Wales. We have every metal and critical mineral necessary to be a central player in the net zero transformation, and a proven track record as a reliable energy producer and exporter." Albanese on Thursday visited the site of AGL Energy Ltd.s Liddell coal plant in the Hunter region north of Sydney which closed last year after more than half a century in a symbol of the transition. AGL signed an agreement with SunDrive, an Australian startup backed by activist billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, to explore the development of a solar manufacturing facility on the site, it said in a separate release. Meanwhile, global solar supply is facing a crisis after the rapid expansion of plants outpaced demand and squeezed margins, Bloomberg NEF said in a report this month. About $78 billion of surplus solar manufacturing capacity could be added through 2027, it said. --With assistance from Ben Westcott. (Updates with AGL company release in fifth paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Maryland state police confirmed on Thursday that the bodies of two victims in the Key Bridge collapse were recovered from a truck in the wreckage of the collapsed structure. ANI reported citing authorities that the remains of two people were recovered Wednesday from a red pickup submerged in the Patapsco River, a day after a massive container ship crashed into and collapsed Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, authorities said Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, federal authorities at a White House press briefing said that they are balancing efforts to recover the remains of those missing, assess and remove the bridge debris and relocate the ship--all before efforts to rebuild can even begin, The Washington Post reported. Additionally, it is believed that at least six individuals, who were members of a construction team tasked with repairing potholes and masonry on the bridge, lost their lives, although two other workers were successfully saved. Also Read: Baltimore bridge collapse: How Indian crew of DALI ship saved 100s of lives; Joe Biden says move which National Transport Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said that the investigators boarded the ship to recover the data recorder -- which is essentially the black box," and are developing a timeline of events, according to The Washington Post. Furthermore, Governor Wes Moore has issued an immediate order for the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff, with the directive remaining in effect until further instructions are given. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden praised the swift response of the crew aboard the cargo ship Dali, which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, resulting in the bridge collapsing into the river below and causing multiple people and vehicles to fall into the water. Also Read: 22 Indians on board ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse In a statement on Tuesday, the shipping company Synergy Maritime Group, responsible for managing the Singapore-flagged freighter, revealed that all 22 members of the vessel's crew are of Indian nationality. Crew members aboard the ship managed to notify the Maryland Department of Transportation about their loss of control over the vessel, leading local authorities to swiftly close the bridge to traffic prior to the devastating collision. President Biden commended this action during his remarks at the White House, stating that it undoubtedly" saved lives. Furthermore, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington, that among those who are unaccounted for after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US, are Mexican citizens. (With inputs from ANI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The 29th session of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs took place, during which both parties engaged in thorough discussions regarding achieving complete disengagement" and addressing outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. The statement further stated that the key meeting was held in Beijing on March 27. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The statement informed that the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the statement said. Also Read: India to deploy 10,000 additional soldiers along border with China in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols," it said. The 28th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on November 30 last year. Also Read: Indian military building invisible road near China border: What we know so far Earlier on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that restoring normalcy in bilateral relations with China hinges on the conventional deployment of troops, which will serve as a necessary condition for shaping the future relationship with Beijing. My first duty to Indians is to secure the border. I can never compromise on that," Jaishankar said while responding to a question on the current state of India's relations with China during his interaction with the Indian diaspora here in the Malaysian capital, as reported by PTI. (With inputs from PTI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NewsClick case: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and attorneys from Guernica 37 Chambers, known for their focus on human rights and international criminal law, have filed a complaint with the European External Action Service (EEAS), urging the EU's diplomatic body to address and respond to the police raid on journalists linked to the independent online media outlet NewsClick . As per a NewsClick report, the complaint is directed at four officials from the Delhi police's counter-terrorism unit, accused of being involved in crackdown on journalists in India. This development follows the approval by Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of a request from the Delhi Police. They have been granted a 10-day extension to continue their investigation against Prabir Purkayastha, the founder and editor-in-chief of NewsClick, on March 20. Also Read: NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha arrested in anti-terror case amid China fund allegations The case, registered under the anti-terrorism law UAPA, accuses NewsClick of receiving funds to spread pro-China propaganda. The police argued that the investigation was in a critical phase and needed more time to conclude. According to the FIR, large amount of funds to the news portal came from China to disrupt the sovereignty of India" and cause disaffection against the country. It also alleged Purkayastha conspired with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Also Read: NewsClick founder approaches SC to challenge his arrest under UAPA According to a report by NewsClick, RSF and Guernica 37 are advocating for the imposition of European Union sanctions on these police officers through a mechanism established in December 2020 to tackle significant human rights abuses in non-EU countries. Such sanctions could encompass measures such as barring entry into the European Union, freezing assets within EU territory, and prohibiting engagement in business activities with European entities. Worrying context of repression of journalists.. NewsClick reported citing Celia Mercier, Reporters Without Borders that the actions of the Delhi Police Special Cell against journalists associated with NewsClick represent one of the most blatant attacks on press freedom in India". "These raids, carried out on an unprecedented scale, with the deployment of 500 police officers, are an alarming step in an already worrying context of repression of journalists. These acts of terror require urgent action on the part of the European Union. This would be a strong act to alert the international community on the unacceptable repression of journalists, and a necessary warning to the Indian authorities in the run-up to the general elections," Mercier added. Also Read: Newsclick Raids: 500 cops, 25 questions, 30 locations- Top updates of Delhi Police crackdown amid China fund allegation Toby Cadman, Barrister and Founder of Guernica 37 Chambers said that the Delhi Polices Special Cell seems to be one of the go-to bodies for the government of India to target critics, including journalists. Their speciality lies in the use of the UAPA to target dissidents. Both the UN and multiple foreign governments have warned the UAPA is ripe for misuse by authorities," Cadman added. On October 3, 2023, raids were carried out at 88 locations within Delhi and seven others in different states by the police. These raids targeted individuals mentioned in the FIR as well as those whose names emerged during data analysis, as stated by the police. Also Read: Interpol cites 'misuse of UAPA', rejects India's Red Corner plea for Khalistan separatist Approximately 300 electronic devices were seized from both the NewsClick offices and the homes of the journalists who were under investigation. The Special Cell interrogated a total of 46 individuals, including nine female journalists. India ranks 161 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Though the candidates are the same as last time, the 2024 US presidential election promises to be unique in other ways -- pitting two men facing challenges unprecedented in the 235-year history of US democracy. Joe Biden was already fending off misgivings about his advanced years in 2020, but America's oldest-ever president will have four more candles on his birthday cake this November. And Donald Trump, who was facing scrutiny during the last election over his conduct before and during his term in office, now has four criminal indictments to his name -- unprecedented for a US president. There isn't much 81-year-old Biden can do about his age, except crack the occasional joke and point out that his opponent is less than four years younger. ALSO READ: Why Americas political parties are so bad at winning elections But Trump has tried to leverage his legal woes -- treating his court appearances as if they were campaign rallies, complete with defiant, grievance-laden speeches before the media and cheering fans. Fist raised The speeches themselves aren't exactly presidential -- it's hard to imagine Abraham Lincoln lashing out at judges or smearing political opponents as "Marxist thugs" -- but Trump's loyal base enjoys his proclivity for incendiary rhetoric and personal grievance. They are likely to see more of it, with jury selection beginning April 15 in Trump's trial for campaign finance violations in New York. "He likes to be able to play the role of a victim," says Todd Belt, a politics professor at George Washington University. The strategy comes at a price. Trump has been buried under legal costs stretching into the hundreds of millions of dollars -- bills that he finances, in part, via campaign funds. "It also takes him away from being able to do his MAGA rallies, get out among the people," says Belt. The contest is not set in stone until the parties' nominating conventions this summer, but since the rematch became all-but-inevitable weeks ago, Trump has held just one of his signature rallies, in Ohio. ALSO READ: Donald Trump is selling Bibles for funds to pay legal bills His step back is unusual for a showman who -- despite his own many verbal slip-ups -- enjoys putting on a stiff gait and pretending to be confused as he mocks Biden, delighting supporters in packed arenas. Trump has long denigrated his rival as "Sleepy Joe," but Team Biden has been returning the compliment lately, cheekily appropriating a Trumpism to decry "Low Energy Don." 'Human connection' Like Trump, Biden's age could be a major obstacle as he digs deep to inspire passion in voters over what is set to be one of the most longest, most arduous campaigns in history. But he has surrounded himself with aides who play to his strengths. The Democrat has been blitzing the all-important swing states during a recent campaign schedule that has taken in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. He has eschewed the stadiums that Trump likes in favor of smaller gatherings, sometimes away from the television cameras, or low-key visits to small businesses -- a barber shop with an African-American clientele, a Mexican restaurant. He will take part in chats around the kitchen table -- set-piece events carefully stage-managed by aides who send out flattering videos after the fact rather than allowing in journalists. Biden, hunched over a hamburger and milkshake, will talk about student debt with a group of undergraduates or comfort a youngster suffering from his own childhood affliction, a bad stutter. Avoiding interviews with the national press, Biden prefers short exchanges with local or community-based media, and seldom holds news conferences. "Part of what makes President Biden a successful president is that he has that human connection with people. And that's different from Trump's mega rallies," said Ben Wikler, Democratic Party chief in the swing state of Wisconsin. In recent weeks, Biden has begun to regain ground in some polls. With its coffers well-stocked, the Democrat's campaign is stepping up its TV ad buy and banking on a targeted approach. But Biden's most loyal backers acknowledge that he needs to embrace the media spotlight if he is to reassure voters of his stamina and exuberance. "They also know that he needs to be out there to overcome this image of him not being particularly young and vigorous," added Belt, the politics professor. "I think they know that they can't keep hiding him." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. Deliberations of the 16th Finance Commission (FC) are now proceeding in earnest. The appointment of the full commission only by the end of January has left it with just 19 months until end October 2025 to complete its work and submit its recommendations, well short of the full two years or so that is usually available. Fortunately, its terms of reference have been limited to the core issues mandated by the Constitution. Unlike in the case of recent FCs, the 16th FC has not been loaded with a host of other issues under the any other matters" clause [article 280 (3)(d)]. This gives it the opportunity to focus its deliberations on core issues without having to devote time to other issues. This is important because the commission will have to contend with some daunting challenges, a few of which are discussed here. The first issue relates to projections of revenue, especially from taxes, for the central and state governments. Macroeconomic projections are always important inputs for economic policy decisions, but particularly so for the volume of tax devolution to the states. The FC-recommended devolution formula applied to the divisible pool of central taxes will determine the volume of tax devolution that will flow to the states. If the actual volume of central tax revenues (except cesses and surcharges) turns out be more than the projections, then the devolution flows will provide some fiscal elbow room for both the Centre and states. But if the tax revenues turn out to be less than the projections, it will lead to fiscal stress for the central government as well as all state governments. Hence, the reliability of tax revenue projections is critical and the method adopted for making projections needs to be robust. A series of repeated shocks impacting the time series data used for forecasting makes the task very challenging. The financial crisis of 2008 was followed by demonetization (2016), roll-out of the goods and services tax (2017), the covid pandemic (2020-21 and 2021-22) and finally the Ukraine and Gaza wars that have roiled international commodity markets. The 15th FC, which had to make its projections under conditions of extreme uncertainty in the middle of the covid pandemic, took the unusual step of examining the implications of three alternative growth paths. Though comparatively less now, the level of macroeconomic uncertainty is still high and projections for the 16th FC period are also likely to be subject to large error margins. Reliable forecasting of central and state revenues will thus be a very challenging exercise. The second issue is finding a balance between the principle of subsidiarity and the compulsions of centralization. The subsidiarity principle holds that in federal governance systems, decisions are more efficient when the decision-making authority is as close as possible to the constituents affected by the decision, while higher levels of authority should hold a subsidiary role; i.e., the delegation of authority essentially moves from the lower level upwards only when the issue to be decided upon effects constituents beyond the jurisdiction of the lower-level authority (such as a state government). Examples of such externalities include national security and defence, and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability and nationwide infrastructure systems. There is also the question of equity in providing a comparable level of public services, or merit goods like subsidized food, to constituents in all states across a common national tax jurisdiction. The allocation of subjects under the Constitutions 7th schedule to the central list, states list and concurrent list is broadly consistent with these competing compulsions of decentralization and centralization. However, it has been argued that the present subject allocation does not adequately take account of externalities and needs to be revisited. The 16th FC obviously cannot change the 7th schedule. But if it decides to address these issues even in its observations, it will need to tread very carefully. Any such re-allocation of subjects would be a very sensitive political issue when many states, especially those ruled by non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments, have complained that the Centre is encroaching their constitutional space through the use of centrally-sponsored schemes. A third issue is ensuring adequate resources for the third tier of government. Local governments provide many of the key services that citizens need, like water supply and sanitation. Rapid urbanization has made this particularly urgent for urban local bodies. The Constitution referred to the importance of local governments but left it to state governments to determine what functions should be delegated to local governments. Subsequently, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments elaborated on this in great detail, but again left it to state legislatures to decide what should be done. There is a direct conflict of interest here between state legislators and those elected to local bodies, which accounts for the continuing weakness of most local governments. FCs are mandated to recommend measures to augment the consolidated fund of state governments to supplement the resources of local governments based on the recommendations of state finance commissions. The last three FCs struggled with this mandate, but with limited success. Some states have failed to even appoint state finance commissions on time. Even when appointed, their recommendations are often ignored. The challenge is to design suitable incentives for state governments to induce them to effectively strengthen local governments. These are the authors personal views. Last week, there was a rather unusual news report in some business papers about a new agreement in the family of Venu Srinivasan. As chairperson of TVS Holdings Ltd (formerly Sundaram-Clayton) and chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company Ltd, he announced that his nuclear family members, comprising himself, his wife Mallika Srinivasan, daughter Lakshmi Venu and son Sudarshan Venu, had executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), effective 21 March 2024, to avoid competition among themselves with specific reference to the use of the TVS brand name, complete with a non-compete pact and more. This is an interesting and unique family business development for three reasons. One, it is between the father and son on one side and the mother and daughter on the other. Second, while Venu Srinivasan inherited parts of the larger TVS Group in an earlier family settlement, Mallika, who originally hails from another large South Indian business family (of the Amalgamations Group) inherited Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) from her father, A. Sivasailam. Third, the current family agreement is partly with regard to the use and non-use of the TVS brand, an intangible asset. An accomplished business leader in her own right, Mallika Srinivasan is the chairperson and managing director of the tractor-maker TAFE. Their daughter Lakshmi Venu is director of TVS Motor Company and deputy managing director of TAFE Motors and Tractors Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TAFE. Their son Sudarshan Venu is the managing director of TVS Motor Company. On the face of it, the division of responsibilities drawn out within this nuclear family appears to be on gender lines, with Venu Srinivasan and Sudarshan Venu aligned in the management of the TVS Group and Mallika and Lakshmi Venu largely with TAFE. It also conveys a semblance of succession planning for the two children, both of whom are married. In Indias traditional and large family businesses, members of well-known business families often marry among themselves. The marriage of Venu Srinivasan and Mallika Srinivasan was one such. However, the difference here is that rarely do women inherit a major business from their family. In the case of Mallika, she may have done at least partly because her parents had only two daughters, though the dominance of male succession has come down in recent years. Between Venu and Mallika Srinivasan, they inherited and now own two significant businesses from two different family groups. The latest agreement, which partly pertains also to the ownership and use of the TVS brand, assumes significance because as we have seen in the past, there have been disputes within other family businesses, like the Hero Group, where competing claims to use of the Hero brand between two factions of the same extended family, one under Naveen Munjal of Hero Electric and the other under Pawan Munjal of Hero Motocorp, had to be resolved through courts. Which brings us to an important point. A brand is a valuable intangible asset. In the past, such assets were not given much heed to. But, as we have seen in recent times, especially in fields of technology where companies like Apple and Google in the US and even the troubled Byjus and Paytm in India see their valuations rise and fall to a large extent based on perceptions, reputations and assessments of intangible more than physical assets, brands matter enough to be bones of contention. Even though the phenomenon of family businesses in India is a few hundred years old and constitutes a dominant segment of the Indian economy, we have seen that most of them do not last beyond three generations. One of the many reasons is that family brand names are not nurtured well enough. There have been exceptions, like Tata and Mahindra, with their families having paid greater attention to this aspect. It is in this context that the move by Venu Srinivasans family should be seen. The other interesting aspect of the TVS family agreement is its barring of competition among its four members by means of special clauses. In this age of conglomerates and diversification, it is important for a business family to delineate sectors of interest so that the probability of infighting is reduced. It can be recalled that the larger TVS Group, which included Venu Srinivasans cousins, had made effective a family settlement in 2022 which among other things also related to the TVS brand name. However, this comes with a caveat: as we have seen in cases of some other business families, the dominant faction of the family business sometimes tends to ride rough-shod over other factions and it is difficult for those at the receiving end to find a remedy. Venu Srinivasan is 71 years old and Mallika is 64. By Indian family business standards, they are not too old. There have been many instances of business family patriarchs refusing to let go, which can lead to conflict and infighting in the next generation. The apparent fight that erupted between Mukesh and Anil Ambani of the Reliance Group in the early 2000s may perhaps have been partly responsible for the proactive succession planning done by Mukesh Ambani for his three children. Proactive succession planning and sound management of intangible assets by the TVS family could serve as role models for other family businesses in the country. Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna has been known as a disruptor for nearly a decade now, and this time, his decision to accept an award from the Madras Music Academy has both his supporters and detractors in a huff. His detractors remain firm in their view that Krishna is destroying their carefully walled-in world of cultural superiority; his supporters are unsure about why he is returning to the fold when he has travelled so far. While this debate animates a minuscule section of society, the Carnatic music ecosystem of Chennai could serve as an example to explain why inclusion is petrifying to some: Lead performers, concert organizers and even critics and arts writers come largely from the same caste, their centuries of social capital working to keep them in that position, even allowing them to keep others out. Until about a decade ago, journalists with the wrong surname" who were covering the arts beat in Chennai were at times stonewalled by gatekeepers of the insular world of Carnatic music. The profiling can be sophisticated or direct. As a cub reporter in Chennai years ago, I have been asked gently leading questions by both organizers and musicians about my background, or more direct ones about my caste location. In a few cases, theyve chosen not to share stories about their art, experience and practice because I am not from the same caste or because Id chosen not to answer. To be sure, these instances cannot compare with what performers from marginalized communities have said they face. There may have been some easing of this bias against those who are merely observers of this world, as I was, but conscious exclusion remains and music and dance are tightly leashed. For practitioners who do not tick all the boxes, navigating the system can be near impossible. As recently as two years ago, an upper-caste writer published a review (which has since been edited) that questioned the merit of a show by a hereditary-caste performer because the dancer did not adhere to Brahminical notions of beauty, movement and symmetry. Late last year, another review on the same site hinted that a certain performer drew large audiences only on account of the individuals caste identity. This review was also edited and republished after there was an outcry on social media. The Carnatic music world puts certain individuals, spaces and organizations on a pedestal and lays down their terms of engagement. True inclusion would require a ceding of power and an acknowledgement of ones own complicity in perpetuating inequality. It is far easier to invoke ideas of respect and tradition to retain the status quo. Academia, politics, the corporate world and almost every other sphere of activity have been forced to confront caste, however imperfectly, and consider ways to work on inclusion, but the world of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam seems to have shut itself off. The systemic alienation, erasure and snubbing of hereditary performing communities in an effort to create pure" classical art forms has not been acknowledged. It often comes as a surprise to many that Sadir was appropriated and refashioned into Bharatanatyam. There are plenty of reliable and accessible sources for more information on this . Krishna has written and spoken about some of this injustice, looking within to question an unfair social ecosystem that sustains Carnatic music, the role of creativity in such a structured form of classical art, the role of the arts in democracy, and more. This time, though, he has chosen not to explain why he is accepting an award when so little has changed since he first decided in 2015 not to perform during the Margazhi season, the string of Carnatic music concerts held every winter, and spoke out against its insular ways. He has since performed with fisherfolk and Jogappa artistes and made choices and statements that have enraged traditionalists. A few years ago, Sadir practitioner Swarnamalya Ganesh, who, like Krishna, has plenty of social and cultural capital, acknowledged the following in an opinion piece for The News Minute in the context of dance: Of course, if the attempt is by a well-accepted artiste, the norm itself often shifts to accommodate it." This seems to be happening at the Music Academy now. Would a performer from another social bracket have been considered for this award by the institution under the same circumstances? Many performers, especially hereditary-caste performers, have been blacklisted for saying far less. While the award does signal a nearly 100-year-old institutions willingness to consider change, performers from other castes and communities still seem too few and far between. This entire storm over Krishna, the Music Academy and purported protectors of tradition, therefore, remains an esoteric argument among privileged upper-caste performers and connoisseurs about who should be allowed" to play in their" performance spaces. Those who have been kept on the sidelines and those whose art forms have been appropriated remain on the margins of this conversation on inclusion. The gap between intention and action remains a yawning oneand it will take more than signalling to bridge it. Comments by representatives of foreign governments on the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal have got Indias government understandably miffed. On Wednesday, the external affairs ministry summoned the US acting deputy chief of mission in New Delhi and objected to remarks by a state department spokesperson that it was monitoring Kejriwals case and expected a fair and timely legal process." Just days ago, Germanys foreign office had stated that Kejriwal was entitled to a fair trial. These statements reflect a disposition of suspicion vis-a-vis citizens entitlement to fair trials, and by implication cast Indias justice system in some doubt. As New Delhi said, this is tantamount to interference in our internal affairs. The US, however, has a long history of sending signals of its expectations to other countries. Although Indias partnership with Washington has strengthened considerably, New Delhi has never signed up as an official ally or anything that might attract client-state treatment or admonitions. As befits a sovereign nation, India has the right to reject such comments. Its not as if Indian civil society is incapable of watching Kejriwals case take its course. The tensions between Jerusalem and Washington demonstrate that neither understands the situation. Israel needs to learn to fight an attrition war against a much larger adversary, Iran. The U.S. must accept the strategic requirements of its regional partner, despite the politically driven drivel offered by President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and a Congress that refuses to act. Failure to grasp the conflicts fundamentals will lead to bad policy and, ultimately, calamity. Irans objectives are expansive: the elimination of American regional power and the destruction of Israel to clear the path for the Islamic Revolutions ascendance throughout the Muslim world. Its means, however, are relatively limited. Iran lacks the high-tech weapons to take on the U.S. and Israel directly. The Axis of Resistanceits proxy alliance, spanning the Levant and Yemenlacks the cohesion or capability to conquer Israel. Irans strategy is long-term attrition. It hopes to keep the U.S. and Israel under continuous military stress through Hamas pressure in Gaza and Houthi attacks on international shipping. Iran patiently accumulates operational advantages by building up forces in Syria and Lebanon, squeezing Jordan, and driving the U.S. from its handful of Levantine bases. A key is the al-Tanf complex in Syria, which constrains Iranian logistics and helps shield Jordan from Iranian pressure and smuggling. By creating interlocking strategic dilemmas, Tehran can make it impossible for Jerusalem or Washington to resolve the confrontation with a brief high-intensity operation akin to the 1967 war or the 2003 Iraq war. Iran hopes to compel Israel and the U.S. to turn on each other, leaving both isolated and vulnerable. Countering Iran will require tolerating more risk. Yet even American willingness to hit back against Iranian harassment of U.S. bases wouldnt yield a swift and straightforward result. Iran would counter, leading to an extended conflict. An extended conflict is all but guaranteed at this point. Large-scale airstrikes on Iranian territory would impose some cost on Tehran but wouldnt destroy its operational capacity. A ground invasion is out of the question for strategic and political reasons. The only remaining option, beyond capitulation, is a long-term campaign that undermines Iranian power projection and destabilizes the Iranian state. This reality explains the trouble Israeli and American strategists have had in responding to Iranian actions. For the campaign outlined above is unmistakably one of attrition. Attrition is a dirty word in American and Israeli strategic circles. In America, it evokes the Western Fronts brutal stalemate from 1914 to 1918, during which millions were sent to their deaths, and tens of thousands wounded and crippled, for no territorial gains. It also connotes the Vietnam War, when a body count" approach to measuring battlefield progress failed to defeat the North Vietnamese. American military thought emphasizes combined-arms maneuver"the synergistic employment of combined arms, air power, and other elements to collapse the enemy system, as best employed during Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. But most American wars have been won through attrition" broadly construedthat is, the cumulative effect of pressure applied over time and in many contexts. The North African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns that preceded the invasion of Normandy are examples. The U.S. has seldom fought wars it can win with a single maneuver campaign, making attrition a coherent strategy. Israeli military thinking avoids attrition for different reasons. An attrition war implies a long one, in which rivals try to outlast each other. Israels greatest strength is its whole-of-society commitment to survival, which has produced a mass-mobilization conscript army better trained and with higher morale than almost any comparable force in the world. Israeli societys relative size compared with that of its adversaries is its greatest weakness. Among its immediate neighbors, only Lebanon is smaller. Hence rather than pitting its small but committed society against a larger adversary in a protracted contest, Israel favors rapid campaigns waged offensively, meaning in enemy territory. Since neither the U.S. nor Israel can fight its preferred style of war in the Middle East today, both find it extraordinarily difficult to respond to Iranian actions. Strategy, however, is about placing ones strengths against the enemys weaknesses. This can be done in an attrition campaign. Irans strengths are its size and the support its proxies provide, which allow it to maintain pressure on the U.S. and Israel, absorb damage over time, and keep the fight away from its borders while threatening Israeli territory. Israels strength is its conscript army, which can execute operations beyond its borders. Americas strength is air and naval power, excellent reconnaissance, and the ability to hit targets almost anywhere in the region. Israel and the U.S. need to put Irans strengths at risk. Their most effective approach is to jeopardize the Axis of Resistance, replacing it with actual direct Iranian control over the Levantine powers it employs as legal shields. The Axis greatest benefit is that it provides the power of an imperial entity with very little of the cost. While Lebanons Hezbollah handles essential governing tasks in the countrys south, no Axis member formally controls a state. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen all exist as legal entities. Thus, they are responsible for the basic, costly tasks of civil administration, such as providing public services, setting economic and social policy, and maintaining public finance. Iran provides financial backing to its Axis partners, and in Syria and Lebanon to the states themselves. But Tehran still outsources the burden of actual governance to these states, which increasingly lack control over their territory and exist primarily to reduce Irans direct burden and maintain the fiction of sovereign independence. Israel and the U.S. have the tools to strike Iranian military capacity in Syria and Lebanon. This is the operational decisive point of Irans campaignnot Gaza and Yemen, despite the public focus on Hamas and the Houthis. The U.S. and Israel can rapidly degrade state capacity in Lebanon and Syria, forcing Iran to assume direct control of both territories, or to shrink its defense perimeter to Iraq, thereby essentially abandoning its ability to pressure Israel and the U.S. in the short term. Winning the Middle Eastern war means ending Irans existence as a regional threat. It requires accepting the current conflicts fundamentalsspecifically, understanding that attrition is the only coherent paradigm to apply. The risk is that absent a real grasp of the challenge they face, Israel and the U.S. will talk pastand ateach other, while both fail to develop an effective strategy. Mr. Cropsey is president of the Yorktown Institute. He served as a naval officer and as deputy undersecretary of the Navy and is author of Mayday" and Seablindness." Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament (MP) Varun Gandhi on March 28 issued a heartfelt note to the people of Pilibhit. The BJP dropped Varun and replaced him with former Congress leader Jitin Prasada to contest from Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit seat in the partys fifth list of candidates released on March 25. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, Today, as I am writing this letter, countless memories have made me emotional. I remember that 3 year old little boy who came to Pilibhit for the first time in 1983 holding his mother's finger, how did he know that one day this land would become his workplace and the people here would become his family." I consider myself fortunate that I got the opportunity to serve the great people of Pilibhit for years. The ideals, simplicity, and kindness I received from Pilibhit have a huge contribution in my upbringing and development, not only as an MP but also as a person. Being your representative has been the greatest honour of my life, and I have always championed your interests to the best of my ability," he added. The letter, further reads, Even though my tenure as an MP is coming to an end, my relationship with Pilibhit cannot end till my last breath. If not as an MP, then as a son, I am committed to serve you throughout my life, and my doors will always remain open for you as before. I came into politics to raise the voice of the common man and today I seek your blessings to always continue doing this work, no matter what the cost. The relationship between me and Pilibhit is one of love and trust, which is far above any political merit. I was, am and will be yours." Pilibhit, the seat in Uttar Pradesh that Varun won twice, goes to polls in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The filing of nominations by candidates for the seat closed on March 27. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Fourteen years ago, Bollywood actor Govinda had claimed that politics was never his cup of tea and that joining politics was a "big mistake. It was in 2012, five years after quitting the Congress party, that Govinda made news with that sensational claim. "It was a big mistake to join politics... was never my cup of tea," the actor stated. However, on Thursday, breaking his 'vanvaas', the 60-year-old joined Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. So what has changed? What has inspired Bollywood actor Govinda to join Shiv Sena-BJP? Bollywood actor Govinda cited the "clean aura" of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction as the reason for his return to politics. "The clean aura (of Shiv Sena) inspired me. I have always said that PM Modi is a very different person. We have seen the same level of progress here (in Maharashtra) in the last two years, as we have seen in the country in the last 10 years," he said. Impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development policies, Govinda, once a Congress MP, said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance. "We will focus on the beautification of the state and the growth of art and culture..." Creating a parallel of his return to politics with Ramayana's vanvaas, the veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said, "I was in politics from 2004 to 2009. It is a coincidence that I am returning to politics after 14 years." Praising CM Shinde for development work in Maharashtra, Govinda said, "Eknath Shinde has done the amount of work that previously took 29-30 years to complete. I believe the progress that the nation has seen over the last 9-10 years will now be seen in the state." On the actor joining the Sena, the CM said, "My government is pro-development and pro-people, and he was impressed (with its policies)," The chief minister has not clarified whether Govinda will be fielded from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha seat. However, Shinde said the veteran actor hadn't put any conditions. "He just wants to work for the film industry," the CM said, adding Govinda hasn't joined the party for an election ticket. Why did Govind quit Congress? In 2009, Bollywood's 'King of Comedy' had claimed that even though the central leadership of the Congress was willing to once again field actor Govinda from the Mumbai North seat for the then Lok Sabha elections, his rivals in the party created obstacles for him. "I was literally gheraoed within my own party. Some people did not want to work with me," Govinda had said. During his tenure as MP, the Bollywood actor was surrounded by allegations of not being accessible. His famous 2012 claim was made at the World Marathi Literary Meeting. "Politics was never in our blood and in our family... I will never return to it," he had said. Again in 2013, Govinda had reiterated that joining politics was perhaps the biggest mistake of his life. "If I am given a chance to change all that, then this is one part of my life I would always like to change," he had said. (With agency inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will produce Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhis Rouse Avenue court on March 28, as his custody ends in connection with the now-scrapped Liquor Policy case. Also read: Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE Updates After the ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to seek Kejriwals custody in connection with the probe. The CBI was, in fact, the first central investigation agency to register an FIR naming 14 people, including Delhis former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in the case. Sisodia is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The ED is investigating the allegation of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the now-scrapped excise policy on March 21. The next day, the trial court remanded Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody until March 28. Also Read: Will Sunita Kejriwal become Delhi CM? Anurag Thakur says, 'Just like Rabri Devi...' On March 28, the Delhi High Court declined to provide interim relief to Kejriwal, who is in ED custody, issued notice to the investigation agency and listed the plea on April 3. Kejriwal had challenged his arrest in the HC. The ED had told the Rouse Avenue Court that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) benefitted from the Delhi liquor policy and allegedly used 45 crore of it for the Goa elections. Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal in jail: Can LG VK Saxena suspend Delhi govt? Will Atishi be the next CM? All your queries answered The AAP has denied the corruption accusations claiming they were fabricated. The party said Kejriwal will continue to be Delhis Chief Minister while it fights the accusations in court. On March 29, Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal's wife, said that the Chief Minister would reveal in the court on March 28 where the money from the so-called liquor scam is. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Less than a month before the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government notified the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 . According to a report by The Hindu, the CAA act may allow local priests to issue eligibility certificates" to validate applicants' religion, as per a response obtained through the Union Ministry of Home Affairs CAA helpline. Also Read: CAA: Why are Muslims worried? What makes Citizenship Amendment Act controversial? Explained The certificate, a mandatory document, is to be enclosed along with an affidavit and other documents that the applicants are to upload on the CAA portal. The reasons for which applicant wishes to acquire Indian citizenship" must also be stated. The act allows the members of six minority communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to get Indian citizenship faster. While notifying the rules, the government said the act aims to ensure proper resettlement of these persecuted minorities, who have faced years of oppression. Also Read: CAA rules notified: 7 steps to apply for citizenship under 2019 act. Check eligibility, procedure, special requirement The Ministry initiated the helpline number 1032 on March 21 to provide assistance and information regarding the CAA, enabling applicants to make toll-free calls from any location in India between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. According to the report, The Hindu contacted the helpline on March 26 to inquire about the format of the eligibility certificate, the person on the call responded, It can be on a blank sheet of paper or on a judicial paper with a stamp value of 10." Regarding who can issue the certificate, it was informed that any local pujari (priest) can be asked to issue it." When the rules were notified, the Ministry did not specify the authority or the body that could issue the certificate. Also Read: CAA does not cancel: Govt issues statement for 18 crore Indian Muslims amid protests Meanwhile, The Hindu noted citing a source, Any institution which has the trust of people can issue the certificate. The final decision to grant citizenship will be taken by the empowered committee, the local institution is only recommending that they belong to a particular faith." Individuals who migrated to India before December 31, 2014, from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh due to religious persecution" and belong to six religious minorities- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian are eligible to get citizenship under the CAA Act. Requirement of special document for CAA? Furthermore, the regulations outline two supplementary documents in addition to those stated in Section 6B of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules. Firstly, applicants are required to submit an affidavit affirming the accuracy of the information provided in their application, along with a separate affidavit from an Indian citizen endorsing the applicant's character. Also Read: SC seeks Centre's response to pleas calling for stay on CAA rules, next hearing on April 9 Secondly, applicants must furnish a declaration confirming their proficiency in one of the languages specified in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. These additional requirements aim to ensure thorough verification and adherence to the eligibility criteria set forth in the CAA regulations. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a PIL seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister. Also read: Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE Updates As reported by Bar and Bench, "It is for the Executive to decide... There is no rule to remove him." Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister." PTI reported that a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan refused to comment on the merits of the issue, saying the same fell outside the scope of judicial interference. It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law," the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, said. During the hearing, the court asked petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav's counsel to show the legal bar on the continuation of Kejriwal as the chief minister. "There may be practical difficulties but that is something else. Where is the legal bar?" the court asked. The investigative agency arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with a purported money laundering case linked to the excise policy. Meanwhile, the AAP supporters are expected to escalate their demonstrations in the capital. Additionally, the INDIA bloc plans to convene a joint rally at Ram Leela Maidan on March 31 to protest against the arrest. The case revolves around alleged irregularities and money laundering during the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy in 2022. The ED initiated its prosecution complaint in November 2021, asserting that the policy was intentionally structured with loopholes, allowing the clandestine formation of cartels to benefit AAP leaders. (With inputs from agencies) ARVIND More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj came down heavily on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, alleging that the BJP had offered money, security and positions to AAP MLAs in Punjab to switch and join the BJP. As reported by ANI, the AAP leader said, I think what Arvind Kejriwal was saying earlier has turned out to be true today --- Operation Lotus has been floated just to break AAP and topple our governments in Delhi and Punjab," Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE Updates: Delhi High Court rejects PIL to remove arrested CM from post says, no rule to. Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the alignment of AAP legislators from Punjab, Sushil Kumar Rinku, a Member of Parliament from Jalandhar, and Sheetal Angural, an MLA from Jalandhar West, with the BJP in Punjab's Jalandhar region, despite the BJP's anticipated fourth-place finish in the elections. Bharadwaj said, If the BJP is in such bad condition in Punjab, why did it poach our MP (Sushil Kumar Rinku) and MLA (Sheetal Angural) yesterday? Our MLAs from Punjab told us yesterday that several MLAs in the state were offered money to switch and join the BJP and that they were offered Y security and positions. They were also given the offer to contest Lok Sabha elections."\ Also Read: Delhi HC dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM, says, no rule to remove him "Sushil Kumar Rinku's MP tenure has concluded. A model code of conduct is in place. He can do only one thing now, which is contest elections. You can ask anyone for an assessment. The BJP will come in fourth in Jalandhar, Punjab. They can do whatever they want, but they will be fourth. The question is, why would an MP join the BJP to come fourth?" said Bharadwaj. The AAP leader also said that three AAP Punjab MLAs had held a press conference wherein it was discussed that a majority of AAP MLAs received phone calls where they were lured to join the BJP. "I think what Arvind Kejriwal was saying earlier has turned out to be true today - Operation Lotus has been floated just to break AAP and topple our governments in Delhi and Punjab. But we are proud of our MLAs that they brought this to the knowledge of party leadership and held a press conference," said Bharadwaj. Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal in jail: No respite for Delhi CM, HC issues notice to ED on plea challenging arrest; hearing on Apr 3 On Wednesday, two Aam Aadmi Party legislators representing Punjab, Sushil Kumar Rinku and Sheetal Angural, made the decision to join the BJP. They met with the BJP's national president, JP Nadda, at his residence shortly after joining the party at its headquarters. During the meeting, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar was also present. Rinku also alleged that no development work has been done in Punjab by the AAP government. "No development work has been done in Punjab by the AAP government. On the other hand, I am impressed by the developmental work initiated by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also helped me a lot in the developmental work I have done in the Jalandhar constituency," Rinku said. Rinku is joining the BJP despite being announced as the AAP candidate from Jalandhar. He won the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency by a margin of 58,691 votes in a by-poll in 2023. Also Read: Excise policy case: Delhi HC to pass order on CM Arvind Kejriwal's delaying tactics plea at 4.30pm On Tuesday, Ravneet Bittu, the Congress MP representing Ludhiana, made headlines by joining the BJP. Bittu, who is the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, assassinated in a 1995 suicide bombing in Chandigarh, has now aligned himself with the BJP. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Bittu secured victory over Simarjeet Singh Bains from the Lok Insaaf Party by a significant margin of 76,372 votes. Similarly, in 2014, he defeated Harvinder Singh Phoolka from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by 19,709 votes. This development comes in the wake of the BJP's recent announcement to contest the upcoming Punjab elections independently, following its split with long-time ally Shiromani Akali Dal. The term Operation Lotus" refers to the BJP's strategy of enticing or luring MLAs and MPs from other political parties, often through offers of inducements or positions, intending to consolidate power, particularly in states where they lack a majority, ANI reported. (With inputs from ANI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bollywood actor Govinda made a political comeback on Thursday after joining the ruling Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai. The actor had earlier won elections on a Congress ticket from the Virar constituency after defeating BJP stalwart Ram Naik. The Raja Babu actor made his political debut in 2004 when he emerged as a giant killer" after defeating senior BJP leader Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat with a Congress party ticket. The 60-year-old actor was welcomed by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde saying he was a popular figure in all sections of the society. "I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," Govinda remarked after joining the Shiv Sena. The actor said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance. Applauding the work done by the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Govinda, fondly called Chi Chi, said, We have seen the same level of progress here (in Maharashtra) in the last two years, as we have seen in the country in the last 10 years. We will focus on the beautification of the state and the growth of art and culture." Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would come back to the same field. Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Shinde has become the chief minister, he stated. Also Read: Delhi HC dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM, says, no rule to remove him "I am joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing of God. I thought I would not enter politics again," Govinda said as he was officially inducted into the party by Eknath Shinde. Govinda's parents had a good relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Welcoming Govinda into the party, Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora said he had known the veteran Bollywood actor for 25 years. Recalling the 2004 elections, Deora said he and Govinda had fought elections together. I have known Govinda for almost 25 years. In 2004, we both fought elections together. My late father had brought him to Congress. He is a man with a clean heart, and he wants to represent the creative industry and the cultural capital of the country, Mumbai," Milind Deora said. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahu Gandhi will release the Congress manifesto for Lok Sabha polls on April 6 at a public meeting in Jaipur. Also Read: Foreign investors taking out money: Congress' Chidambaram slams BJP for false claims on Indian economy Party high command and senior leaders discussed preparations for the Jaipur public meeting during the Congress meeting on Lok Sabha election strategy, said the party's Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday while confirming the date of the launch of poll manifesto by the party. Also Read: India's richest woman and former Haryana minister Savitri Jindal quits Congress, joins BJP Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dostara gave responsibilities for elections to party leaders and workers. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also said that people are enthusiastic about the Congress poll manifesto. He also expressed confidence that more and more people will come to the public meeting. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. Also Read: Congress drops Supriya Shrinate from Lok Sabha candidates list amid controversial remark against Kangana Ranaut Reacting to Congress candidate Sudarshan Rawat's announcement to not contest the Lok Sabha elections from Rajsamand after he was named as party candidate from the same, Randhawa said that every party has to change the ticket from time to time. Congress state president Govind Singh Dostara announced that the party's election manifesto will be released in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the public meeting, set to take place in Jaipur. Apart from the announcement, he criticised the BJP government for misleading the public. While speaking at the event, he said that the saffron party leaders have only done tours and speeches and done nothing else. "In four months, they have done only tours, and speeches and misled the people. Apart from this, they have done nothing else," Dostara targeted the BJP government in the state. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! M Abdul Salam is the only Muslim face among over 400 candidates fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The former vice-chancellor of Calicut University is contesting the elections from Keralas Muslim-dominated Malappuram seat. In a series of interviews after his candidature was announced in the first nomination list of the party on March 2, Salam, who is also BJPs minority morcha national vice-president, has said that the perception of Prime Minister Narendra Modi among Muslims has changed over the years and the community has no reason to fear him. Also Read : CAA Act: Local pujari may issue eligibility certificates for citizenship validation, says report The Muslim perception of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slowly changing. Has Prime Minister Modi hurt any Muslim in the last decade? Why should the community fear PM Modi?," Salam said in an interview with the Indian Express. Salam said he has met several Muslim mothers who supported PM Modi for abolishing triple talaq, the instant divorce practice within the community. Also Read : Lok Sabha polls 2024: PM Modi, Amit Shah, among others in Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's star campaigners list Salam, 71, an agronomist with over 70 published international research papers, said that he felt honoured to be BJPs lone Muslim face in the seven candidate lists released so far. Salam said that Muslim leaders of the country should join the BJP and be part of the partys mission to make India a world power. As an educated Muslim, I found it my duty to join Modi in this mission to make India a world power. Muslim leaders must not be puppets at the hands of those elements that are jealous of Indias growth," Salam said in another interview with Hindustan Times. . Salam also accused the Congress and the CPI(M) of falsely projecting the Citizenship Amendment Rules as discriminatory towards Muslims only to win communitys votes. CAA is meant to do justice to the minority people who were affected by Partition. Muslims are not among the persecuted minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. They are not minorities in those countries and do not face any persecution there. The CAA is a promise to the persecuted minorities in Pakistan at the time of Partition. Muslims should understand why they were dropped from the list of such migrants eligible for citizenship," he said. Also Read : Arvind Kejriwal's ED remand ends today; CBI likely to seek Delhi CM's custody in Liquor Policy probe The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 rules were implemented on March 11, weeks ahead of seven-phase Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP is trying to make in roads in southern states including Kerala in this general election. In 2019, the Congress-led UDF won 19 out of the 20 parliamentary constituencies in the state. The CPM-led LDF, which is in power in the state, won only one seat. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could not win a single seat in Kerala. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Reacting sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vintage Congress culture remark , Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the PM of manipulating Democracy. Citing instances like offering a Lok Sabha ticket to a former high court judge in Bengal and a Rajya Sabha nomination for another, Kharge asked PM Modi to stop blaming Congress for own sins". Earlier in the day, PM Modi took a swipe at the Congress after more than 600 lawyers wrote to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over the actions of a specific interest group". The lawyers alleged that the group is trying to pressure the judiciary and defame courts. In his social media post, Congress President Kharge launched a scathing attack on the PM for conveniently forgetting that 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges were forced to hold an unprecedented press conference" to warn against the destruction of Democracy". You forget that your party has fielded a former HC Judge in West Bengal for the current Lok Sabha elections. Why was this candidature bestowed on him?" he asked. Kharge concluded his post by asking the PM to stop blaming the Congress party for his own sins" and accused PM Modi of mastering the art of manipulating Democracy and hurting the Constitution". Mallikarjun Kharge also mentioned the National Judicial Appointments Commission and asked why the Supreme Court stuck it down. What was PM Modi's vintage Congress culture remark? Prime Minister Narendra on Thursday rapped the grand old party after more than 600 lawyers wrote to CJI Chandrachud expressing concerns over the actions of a specific interest group". In his remark, PM Modi said it was the Congress' culture to browbeat and bully others while shamelessly" wanting commitment for their selfish interests. "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi wrote in a post on X. What are the concerns shared by 600 lawyers to CJI DY Chandrachud In their letter to CJI DY Chandrachud, nearly 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, accused the specific interest group" of tainting the image of the Judiciary. They said the special group" is employing pressure tactics to affect judicial outcomes, specifically in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. These lawyers have also accused the group of bench fixing" and comparing domestic courts to those in lawless regimes". Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! BENGALURU : Last summer, Marriott International, which operates hotels across 139 countries, agreed to start a 350-room hotel on Al Marjan Island, one of the four islands of Ras Al Khaimah, a city in the United Arab Emirates. Set to open in 2026, under Marriotts Le Meridien brand, the property is being developed by a company called Three Musketeers Hospitality. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of UAE-based Plus Holding Ltd. Surendra Bagri, Ajay Halwasiya and Hari Shankar Tibrewala are the three founders of this hospitality company. The current turmoil in small-cap stocks can be better understood from the investments they, and family members of one of the three executives, made. The S&P BSE SmallCap Index, which comprises 946 companies, is down nearly 5% since 1 March. Recently, Madhabi Puri Buch, chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, warned about a potential bubble forming in small-cap stocks. She pinned this on the role of some investors and the decisions some companies took. Obscure offshore funds may have played a role in running up the share price of certain companies, Mint has discovered based on reviews of public filings and interviews with about half a dozen executives. Many musketeers First, a recap. Suraj Chokhani, a Kolkata-based resident, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month. The arrest resulted from the economic crimes agencys investigation into the illegal Mahadev Online betting app scandal. The ED also seized the assets of 13 companies that it believes were used as vehicles to launder illicit money made from the betting app. Chokhani owns eight of these companies, show documents reviewed by Mint. The other five companies have links to Dubai. Caterfield Global DMCC, owned by Jitendra Kumar and established in June 2020, buys and sells stocks, bonds and other financial instruments. It also trades in pearls and precious stones, according to registration filings with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the UAEs free trade zone. JE Impex DMCC, which was set up in April 2016, calls itself a global cashew importer and exporter. It also buys and sells furniture and machine spare parts. But its business of owning and selling shares is what sets it apart. Its owner is Surendra Bagri, one of the co-founders of Three Musketeers Hospitality. In his mid-40s, Bagri, apart from his interest in trading and hospitality, was also into films. A relative of Bagri is a scriptwriter and Bagri himself bankrolled Bombairiya, a 2019 Hindi film starring Radhika Apte. Caterfields office is a 10-minute walk from JE Impex in Dubai. The three remaining firms are Zenith Multi Trading LLC, Ecotek General Trading LLC, and Plus Commodities DMCC. These are owned by Hari Shankar Tibrewala, the Dubai-based co-founder of Three Musketeers Hospitality (the ED in its probe filings has spelt his last name as Tibrewal). Zenith Multi Trading, set up in June 2013, and Ecotek General Trading, which came up five years later in 2018, share the same telephone number. Plus Commodities, which was started in October 2019, and Ecotek operate out of different offices but have the same person managing the two offices, according to filings made by these funds to Sebi. Tibrewala, 46, claims to be conversant in Hindi, English and Gujarati. A bachelor of commerce graduate from the University of Calcutta, he worked at his fathers company for some years in the 2000s. Later, he moved to Dubai. He manages funds worth $2 billion for wealthy individuals in West Asia, his LinkedIn profile states. Ajay Halwasiya, the third co-founder of Three Musketeers Hospitality, is the grandson of Madan Mohan Halwasiya, who founded the Kolkata-based Universal-Halwasiya Group.Ajays younger brother is Aditya Halwasiya, managing director of Cupid Ltd, a contraceptive maker (well come to how the companys ownership changed hands in a bit). Ajay Halwasiya told Mint that the ED is not probing any of the Halwasiya family members. Nonetheless, the executives mentioned above attempted to, or took control of, certain companies. Cupids jump On 8 September 2023, Universal-Halwasiya Group and Aditya Halwasiya agreed to spend 160 crore to buy out the 41.84% equity held by the promoters of Cupid Ltd. Consequently, an open offer was triggered under which the Halwasiyas were to buy 26% of the shares in Cupid from the public, paying 325 apiece, translating to an additional 112.7 crore. Shares of Cupid ended trading on 8 September at 392.03 each, up 3%. Since the share price was more than what the new owners had offered to pay, the response to the open offer, which started on 12 December and ended on 26 December, was poor: Only 0.01% of the shares were tendered by public shareholders. Four months later, on 5 January, the Nashik-headquartered Cupid announced that its board, in a meeting on 23 January, would take up a proposal for raising money by issuing shares on a preferential basis. The stock ended the day at 1,315.4 a share. About a fortnight later, Cupid announced it would issue warrants that would convert into shares at 1,750 apiece to raise 385 crore. Six foreign funds agreed to participate in the preferential allotment of regular shares. Combined, they would own 14.08% of the Cupid stock. Cupid, in short, saw more than a four-fold increase in its share price in four months. BLBs control BLB Ltd is a Kolkata-based firm that buys and sells shares. Sometime during January-March last year, Tano Investment Opportunities Fund made its first appearance on BLBs cap tablewith an 8.65% stake in the company. Who owns this fund is not clear as disclosures made to the stock exchanges by two public companies point to two owners. Tano Investment has invested in Gensol Engineering Ltd, an Ahmedabad-based firm that installs ground-mounted and rooftop solar panels. Gensol, in a filing dated 9 February, mentions Hari Tibrewala as the beneficiary owner of Tano Investment. But Cellecor Gadgets Ltd, a Delhi-based electronic goods company in which Tano has invested, says in a 12 March disclosure to the exchanges that Ashwanee Ramsurrun, a Mauritius-based lawyer, is the beneficiary owner of the fund. Tano Investment Opportunities Fund is registered in the Mauritius. OFS Finserv Services Ltd, which counts Ramsurrun as the cofounder, manages Tano Investment, according to registration documents Tano filed with the Mauritius Financial Services regulator. View Full Image The Enforcement Directorate mentions Hari Tibrewala as a hawala operator. Be as it may, Chokhani, whom the ED arrested and refers to as Tibrewalas Indian counterpart, swooped into the company in December and made an open offer in January. He was expecting to spend 31 crore. Shares of BLB, which were trading at 21.75 apiece at the end of March 2023, jumped to 52.55 a share by 29 February this year. The ED issued a statement on 1 March calling Tibrewala a hawala operator". Consequently, Chokhanis plan of buying out BLB came to naught. The company informed the exchanges on 8 March about the arrest of Chokhani. The surprising thing is why would a person running an obscure fund look to buy a company?" asked a Delhi-based executive at an alternate investment fund, declining to be identified. Running a listed company comes with more scrutiny from the regulator than merely running a fund." The same faces BLB may not have changed hands for now. But over the last 15 months at least five small-cap firms, valued at between 400 crore and 3,000 crore, have raised capital after issuing shares to a group of investors. These companies are Specialty Restaurants Ltd, which runs the Oh! Calcutta and Mainland China restaurants; agro-processing firm BCL Industries Ltd; Ok Play India Ltd, which makes plastic-moulded toys; engineering firm Balu Forge Industries; and Gensol Engineering Ltd. All these firms issued shares to some investors, a few of whom are now being probed by ED. There is nothing wrong with a company raising capital through convertible warrants. These financial instruments allow investors to buy equity in a company or allow a company to issue shares to investors, enabling swift capital-raising. So what was common in the above transactions? The same facesTibrewala, Bagri, Kumar, and Ajay Halwasiya and familysurface again and again. Also, the share price of companies that issued preferential shares jumped. Sample this. Speciality Restaurants, in December 2022, made a preferential allotment of shares. The group of investors included Tibrewala and Bagri. Ekta Halwasiya, the mother of Ajay and Aditya Halwasiya, also bought shares. Finally, Kumar, who owns Caterfield Global, too subscribed. Gensols preferential share allotment saw participation from both Tibrewala and Bagri, while Balu Forge Industries preferential issue of equity saw both Tibrewala and Kumar investing in the shares. The share price of many of these companies had already run up before the preferential allotment. Shares of Balu Forge Industries, for instance, had almost doubled in the 12 months to 21 June 2023, when its board agreed to raise money from the preferential allotment. Post the allotment, the share price further jumped 40% between 22 June and 7 March this year. View Full Image The share price of many of these companies had already run up before the preferential allotment. To be sure, preferential allotment by these six small-cap firms was not limited to only these entities or individuals. Gensol Engineering raised 900 crore through a preferential share allotment to 162 investors, who would own a 21.6% stake in the company. Speciality Restaurants raised 127.23 crore by issuing shares to two dozen investors. Balu Industries raised 158.5 crore from 14 investors. BCL Industries raised 210 from preferential allotment to 28 public investors. Anjan Chatterjee (founder of Speciality Restaurants) is a dear friend and the deal was formulated by Prabhudas Lilladher Investment Banking and preferential warrants were allotted to a Halwasiya family member," Ajay Halwasiya told Mint. BCL Industries deal was brought to Aditya by a reputed (investor relations) and brokerage firm and investment was done on the basis of its promising business and future prospects," he added. Having investments along with multiple other investors (30-60+ investors) in certain preferential allotments does not mean the Halwasiya family has business dealings with Hari Tibrewala if one or two of Haris connected entities are also listed as allottees in a specific deal," Ajay Halwasiya further said. All Indian investments are done from proprietary funds of the Halwasiya family from India and the Halwasiya family does not remit funds abroad into any foreign companies," he clarified. Tourist inflow Tourism Finance Corporation of India, a company financing hotels, travel and tour operators, announced it would issue preferential shares on 21 February this year. The same day, Aditya Halwasiya picked up a 13.06% stake in the company at an average price of 209.75 a share. Five days later, Halwasiya, Cupid (the company he bought), and Columbia Petro Chem (the flagship company of Universal Halwasiya Group) were the only three investors that, together, agreed to buy an additional 7.79% equity in Tourism Finance Corp., at 225 a share announced under the preferred share allotment. Halwasiya gained control of a fifth of the Tourism Finance Corporation of India. The total Bill? 450 crore. The shares of Tourism Finance surged from 82.25 a share on 1 January 2023 to 251.5 on 29 February this year. By now, many in the market were questioning the price rise in small-cap stocks and the role of offshore funds, especially the Dubai-based entities. In an interview to Mint on 5 March, veteran investor Shankar Sharma said returns from small caps had gone into a different planet". This (small cap) is the only train (from) which you should jump off when it is going at high speed rather than when it is slowing down," he had said. In the second week of March, a friend of Aditya Halwasiya posted a note on a WhatsApp group of investors, many of whom them shareholders in Tourism Finance Corp. Fact check, stop rumours, dig deeper unless proven otherwise," read the headline of the message, seen by Mint. The executive defended the participation of some public Mauritius-based funds, including Elara India Opportunities Fund, Aries Opportunities Fund, and Nova Global Opportunities Fund in the preferential share allotment of some of the small-cap companies. All the funds are Mauritius based where the government has already done severe scrutiny None of these have any Dubai DMCC link which is the case where the current fiasco is happening," wrote the executive in the post. On 22 March, Cupid, in a U-turn, informed the stock exchanges that it had withdrawn its plan to invest in Tourism Finance. The change of mind has come about after a lot of deliberation and is a strategic decision to ensure we utilise capital where it is most value-accretive for Cupid," Aditya Halwasiya told Mint. One of the reasons why Cupid decided to walk away from the preferential share issue of Tourism Finance Corp., which was not a good decision because they were investing in an unrelated business, could be that the spotlight is on them over the promoters ties with Hari Tibrewala," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern Research. While the ED is not probing any of the Halwasiya family members, remember, Ajay Halwasiya owns or owned one-third of The Three Musketeers. His partner, Tibrewala, is being probed. Over an e-mail response, Ajay Halwasiya said he has quit The Three Musketeers. As of 24 March 2024, I (Ajay Halwasiya) have resigned and stepped down from Plus Holding (PH) and Three Musketeers (TM) as a director," he told Mint. I am overseeing the contract termination process with Marriott International and will only be able to legally and contractually relinquish my shareholding once Marriott signs off on the mutual termination of agreements." Meanwhile, the ED probe can be troubling for the future of some of the funds and their India operations. Caterfield Global DMCCs current registration ends on 27 June. Any revocation of its licence as a registered foreign portfolio investor by Sebi, considering that the ED has seized its assets, will spell trouble for Jitendra Kumar. Same for Tibrewala, whose two fundsEcotek and Zenithcome up for renewal in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Dont know them Following the EDs decision to seize the shares owned by the funds, at least a dozen small companies told the exchanges they didnt know much about the funds participating in the preferential allotment of shares; that these funds were merely shareholders and that the promoters had nothing to do with the owners of these offshore funds. These companies include Ok Play India, Balu Industries, BCL Industries and Gensol Engineering. Zenith (fund owned by Hari Tibrewala), a passive shareholder since September 2022, holds less than 1.5% in Gensol and holds neither decision-making rights nor any involvement in the business and operational strategies of the company," Gensol Engineering told the exchanges on 13 March. The company does not exercise control over or have access to its shareholders business dealings or private transactions," it further added. We have already submitted our clarification on the subject matter on NSE & BSE on 13/03/2024, that neither the company nor its promoters have any personal association with any of the alleged entities including M/s. JE Impex DMCC or its promoters except that it has been allotted 10,00,000 equity shares on preferential basis by the company in January 2023, which is not even 2% of the total allotments," BCL said in a clarification to Mint. Not everyone buys this defence. Any fund managing even a few hundred crores does good due diligence of the company before participating in preferential shares," said the executive at the Delhi-based financial firm cited above. From meeting with the management to having factory visits or speaking with vendors and employees, the due diligence process is elaborate." Similarly, a company also does background checks on investors and funds. After all, a company will not just share information with any fund claiming to have money," the executive said. An email sent to Tibrewala and Surendra Bagri went unanswered. Jitendra Kumar could not be reached. None of the companies that offered preferential shares, except BCL Industries, replied to Mints questionnaire seeking clarifications. So far, we have not received any query from ED or Sebi about the investments made by M/s. JE Impex DMCC in the company," BCL stated in its clarification, adding that the company had completed all due diligence required by Sebi. Four students arrested and others are suspended following protest at Vanderbilt University Officials say four students were arrested and more than a dozen were suspended for their actions during a protest at Vanderbilt University stemming from the war in Gaza that included an overnight sit-in at an administration building Provides context or background, definition, and detail on a specific topic. Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags? This obscure rule helps explain why Xinhua Special: Experiencing Boao's international charm Pub Date:24-03-28 09:46 Source:Xinhua Once a humble fishing village in China's tropical island province of Hainan, Boao now welcomes visitors from both nearby and afar. Join Xinhua as we explore the town's international charm both within and beyond the Boao Forum for Asia. Editor:Qin Shuying Related News Xinhua Headlines: China, Africa join force... Six Chinese sites named UNESCO Global Geop... China pursues new quality productive force... Hefei to launch a direct flight to Seoul, ... The Health Minister wants to raise the minimum age for smoking to 21. Stephen Donnelly said the Government is also looking at a range of legislative measures to come down hard on vaping. He made the remarks at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the workplace smoking ban in Ireland, which prohibited smoking in indoor commercial spaces. The process for legislating new restrictions, which involves a public consultation, is complicated by Irelands inclusion in the EU single market. Asked if he would consider banning younger people from smoking so that they will never legally be able to buy tobacco products, Mr Donnelly said: What weve been looking at is can we, and should we, increase the minimum age from 18 to 21. Its formed part of our public consultation. Were going to be looking at that, and my own belief is we should. Mr Donnelly said he would personally recommend the increase in the smoking age and that legislation was being prepared in the event it was agreed at Government level. Really, its a measure aimed at people who are 15, 16, 17 years of age that with a smoking age of 18 they find it relatively easy to go to either buy the cigarettes themselves, or get a friend or an older sibling to get them. But if you move to 21, it makes it much more difficult. A public consultation will also looking at issues such as a ban on disposable vapes and extending prohibited smoking zones to outdoor seating areas. On March 29 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. Since the introduction of the workplace smoking ban, the HSE says smoking rates are down from 27% in 2004 to 18% in 2023. The health service said this means there are 800,000 fewer smokers in Ireland and that countless lives have been saved. Seventy-four countries have since followed Irelands example and banned smoking indoors. The measure was introduced Micheal Martin, who was the health minister at the time. Now Tanaiste, Mr Martin said it had been one of the most important and memorable days of his career, but accused the tobacco industry of operating on a strategy of getting young people addicted at a very young age. He said: It meant we had an epidemic and huge impacts on heart disease, respiratory disease, COPD, lung cancer, stroke and a whole range of other conditions. He said there had been a tremendous reduction in cardiovascular disease over the last 20 years. Mr Martin said the next battleground is the vapes, adding: Without question the same playbook is in operation in respect to vapes as was in operation for tobacco. Essentially, its an addictive substance, get them young get them addicted for life. He criticised the presentation of vaping products as sweets that are easily accessible to children. Last year, the Government banned the sale of vapes to under-18s and is examining further measures to address these challenges. Mr Donnelly said the HSE enforcement team will now be using children aged between 15-17 to test if shops are adhering to the selling ban. He said that further measures are being introduced this week to target the advertising of vapes in areas like cinemas and on public transport. Additionally, the minister said that legislation is now being drafted to target marketing of vapes in shops, adding: Were looking at flavourings, were looking at packaging as well. Mr Donnelly said: So there are a lot of different measures that were taking in terms of really coming down hard on vaping. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 28 2024 Devin Anthony Magarian allegedly used credentials of doctors from across the country to issue prescriptions for narcotics like Oxycodone, and Promethazine and Codeine. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced a Florida man was indicted on criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal diversion charges for allegedly commandeering the e-prescribing privileges of multiple doctors across the country to issue thousands of narcotic prescriptions for controlled substances. Devin Anthony Magarian, 21, from Kissimmee, Florida, was arraigned before Judge Robert A. Schwartz on charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony), two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony), Criminal Diversion of Prescription Medication and Prescriptions in the Second Degree (a D felony) and 15 counts of Criminal Diversion of Prescription Medication and Prescriptions in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor). The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The defendants remand was continued, and he is due back in court on April 23, 2024. Devin Magarian is a central player in a wide-ranging drug operation to hijack the e-prescribing credentials of doctors across the United States and use those fraudulently obtained accounts to issue and fill tens of thousands of prescriptions for dangerous narcotics including Oxycodone, said DA Donnelly. Our investigation into this alleged criminal conspiracy continues. We thank our partners in local and federal law enforcement as we pursue the case against this defendant and attempt to unravel this operation. DA Donnelly said that in February 2023 an unnamed defendant was arrested outside a Great Neck pharmacy after picking up two prescriptions that were not in his name. After an extensive investigation, it was determined that the unnamed defendant was in contact with Devin Anthony Magarian, a Florida resident. Magarian is allegedly a leader in an elaborate, multi-state conspiracy that has fraudulently compromised the e-prescribing credentials of doctors throughout the United States and then used those credentials to issue tens of thousands of prescriptions for narcotics across the country. Magarian typically used the privileges to create prescriptions for Oxycodone, and Promethazine and Codeine, a common cough syrup that is abused by drug users. As part of the scheme, associates of Magarian, or runners, picked up prescriptions at pharmacies in multiple states. The prescriptions were typically issued in fictitious names and sent to both chain and mom-and-pop pharmacies. The defendant allegedly operated a channel on the Telegram mobile app that served as an advertisement board. Magarian allegedly let his customers know when the next round of prescriptions via a compromised doctors e-prescribing privileges was coming, so that they could place their orders. The defendant allegedly referred to these moments as portals. Customers allegedly messaged Magarian directly to purchase from the defendant either prescriptions which the customer would then be responsible for filling themselves or actual controlled substances, including Oxycodone, and Promethazine and Codeine. The defendant was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department in New York City on January 17, 2024. Magarian was in the New York area to receive approximately $14,000 from a single individual who was picking up prescriptions for Oxycodone allegedly at the defendants direction. The money was compensation for a total of seven prescriptions of Oxycodone 30 mg, each of which contained 90 tablets, for a total of 630 pills. The investigation is ongoing. The Nassau County District Attorneys office thanks the Nassau County Police Department, the DEA New York Division, the DEA Orlando District Office Tactical Diversion Squad, the New York State Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, and the Orange County and Osceola County Sheriffs Office in Florida. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Brian Rodriguez of the Narcotics, Firearms & Gangs Bureau. Magarian is represented by Douglas Rankin, Esq. Israeli forces in IDF Northern Command taking part in a training program for officers in northern Israel. (IDF) One person died in northern Israel after Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Kiryat Shmona on March 27, just one day after the terrorist group targeted a military base on Mount Meron in northern Israel. Pro-Iran al-Mayadeen claimed the attack on Kiryat Shmona was in response to an Israeli air force raid that happened overnight between March 26 and March 27 and targeted a compound near al-Habbariyeh in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah routinely justifies its daily attacks on Israel as retaliation for Israeli attacks. The IDF has continued to strike Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, including fighter jets that struck a terrorist cell located in a Hezbollah military compound in the area of Tayr Harfa, and an additional terrorist cell in the area of Naqoura, the IDF said. Locals in Lebanon claimed several people were killed in the airstrike. Earlier on March 27, the IDF also said Hezbollah launched an unmanned aircraft over the border located in the area of Rosh HaNikra in northern Israel. IDF soldiers were dispatched to check the aircraft and the incident is under review. While it was unclear what type of UAV was found in this instance, Hezbollah has launched numerous drones at Israel since it began its attacks on October 8. The escalation in the north comes amid a number of IDF developments. The IDF recently announced it was creating a new Mountain Brigade to secure Mount Dov and Mount Hermon. The IDF said on March 27 that it is conducting a training program in northern Israel to prepare units for offensive plans. The training is under Israels Northern Command and its leader Maj. General Ori Gordin, and it includes division, brigade and battalion commanders from regular army and reserve units. Most of the units involved were not specified, but Israel has two divisions that are responsible for securing the north, the 91st along the Lebanon border and the 210th in the Golan. The training program was led by the 36th division, which is an armored division often based in the north. The 36th played a key role in Gaza before it was sent north in January, taking with it the 188th armored brigade and Golani infantry. It left the 7th armored in Gaza to aid operations in Khan Younis. According to the IDF, Israels Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi HaLevi, presented the strategic challenges and assessments for the continuation of the war. The training included a focus on artillery, intelligence, engineering, and the use of technology. Gordin gave comments during the training in which he referenced the recent operation against Jamaa al-Islamiyya and discussed the Hezbollah attack on Kiryat Shmona. We are determined to change the security situation in the north so that the residents can return to the north safely and with a sense of security. On the other hand, we are striking Hezbollah very powerfully and strongly, the Hezbollah organization, and also causing a lot of damage in the area where it operates. If we understand that we need to act, we will act tonight as well, and the readiness is there. The IDF says that the Israeli Air Force is also resuming a training program that was paused following October 7 and after five months of intense action in Gaza and on other fronts. The air force has often kept many of its assets reserved and ready in the north for carrying out strikes in both Lebanon and Syria. Now, a new training program for 2024 has been approved and will focus on increasing the IAFs readiness for war in the northern arena and in other arenas during prolonged combat. The IDF says the training will include preparation for regional threats. The framework of the training will include massive, long-range strikes, flying deep into enemy territory, and surprise exercises will be held for the various units. The IDF did not specify the squadrons involved but statements seem to suggest preparation for more escalation in the north. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. French leader has stepped into gap created by Britains departure from the EU and a German government rife with divisions French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference at the end of the international conference aimed at strengthening Western support for Ukraine, at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on February 26, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference at the end of the international conference aimed at strengthening Western support for Ukraine, at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on February 26, 2024 Photo credit: AFP French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference at the end of the international conference aimed at strengthening Western support for Ukraine, at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on February 26, 2024 Photo credit: AFP Emmanuel Macron didnt need to release images of himself walloping a punching bag to tell the world he was up for a fight. Even before he broadcast Raging Bull poses all over Instagram, the French presidents hawkish new stance was evident when he contrived to very publicly refuse to rule out sending troops to Ukraine. With the UK no longer in the European Union and Germanys government riven with division, Macron has been fashioning himself into the continents de-facto figurehead on foreign policy. Hes taken a lead on confronting Russian aggression and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. But not all his allies are convinced hes the best champion of their interests. His controversial comment about boots on the ground earned an instant and very public recrimination from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and angered US officials who privately say such a move might even risk fomenting a clash with Moscow, according to a senior official familiar with the discussions among allies. Macrons hints were issued to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin guessing, he said at the time, but officials familiar with NATO discussions on Ukraine said they may have had the opposite effect. By forcing Berlin to publicly rule out the possibility of sending troops, Macron managed to dispel what lingering ambiguity there had been about the whereabouts of allies red lines, according to a senior US official. Nor were the comments very smart from the standpoint of operational security - according to separate officials who also spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity - especially given that several countries already, quietly, have some personnel in Ukraine. Russian threat The matter of Europes military unity is all the more important now Putins emboldened by victory in the election he staged on the anniversary of his annexation of Crimea, while months-long doubts over the supply of Ukraines weapons have yet to clear. Theres also French domestic politics at play. Macron is throwing Ukraine to the forefront of the campaign for European Parliamentary elections in June, depicting his far-right rival Marine Le Pen as a Putin ally. Its increasingly clear that Russia is a threat to us, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told a news conference on Tuesday. We cant permit ourselves to envisage a Russian victory. Also read: Frieden rules out sending Luxembourg troops to Ukraine Theres little doubt some EU premiers are looking to Macron for leadership, with many welcoming his hardened stance on Russia, according to an official familiar with discussions at their most recent Brussels meeting. At the same time, France has backed Poland in demanding the EU thinks again on allowing Ukrainian grain to flow freely into the single market, something thats fueled farmer protests. But one of Europes many plans to resolve the shortage of arms in Ukraine is emblematic of why Macron rubs some allies the wrong way. The French presidents critics say hes more talk than action. The Czech Republic is leading an initiative that foresees the procurement of some 800,000 shells in the near future from sources outside the EU. Even though Macron said last month that he backed the Czech initiative, France has yet to make a financial contribution. Germany, by contrast, is spending 300 million to buy 180,000 shells. Lagging behind Since the start of the war, France has lagged far behind its allies in terms of overall aid sent to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institutes Ukraine Support Tracker. Its pledged Kyiv less than 2 billion in support, in contrast to Germanys 22 billion. Thats a stark discrepancy, though the French government says those figures dont take into account the disproportionate impact its modern weapons have had on the battlefield. Macron has sought to fill the void left when Angela Merkel stepped down as German chancellor in 2021 and in flexing Frances foreign policy muscle, the countrys youngest leader since Napoleon taps into a long legacy. He was bolder than some fellow European leaders when, according to a readout of the conversation from Macrons office, he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel that any forced transfer of people out of the city of Rafah would constitute a war crime. Yet recent foreign policy adventures outside Europe have had some misses. His Africa strategy is in tatters as France struggles to convince nations in the Sahel region to tolerate the presence of a former colonial power. Niger had been a linchpin in Macrons strategy there, but last year the French government had to evacuate its citizens after soldiers took the president of Niger hostage and declared themselves in control. But after almost seven years in power, the French president has also built a track record of experience. He is one of just two leaders in the Group of Seven, for example, who have worked with Donald Trump. Ahead of an election in which the former president may return to the White House, Europeans are already questioning the US commitment to transatlantic relations and Ukraine, with more than $60 billion (55.4 billion) in funding for Kyiv held up in Washington. Macron missed an opportunity at decisively grabbing European leadership at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, said Rym Momtaz, a Paris-based researcher for the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He is now making strides toward rectifying that mistake. (Additional reporting by Alberto Nardelli, Peter Martin, Michael Nienaber and Richard Bravo) 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PUTNEY When Kate Cleghorn first visited Puebla, Mexico in 1984, she found the country a revelation. In a recent interview, she launched into a discussion of Mexicos origin story, noting that its leader Montezuma believed that gods from the East would come to rule. When the Spanish explorer Cortez came from the East, Montezuma asked only for Cortezs helmet. Cortez agreed but asked for it to be returned filled with gold. When it was, Cortezs conquest gained urgency. In that early exchange lie paradoxes at the root of Mexico today. Faith in a spiritual world led to temporal destruction. What the Western world saw as weakness belies an inner strength and celebration of mystery. That belief in prophecy, of a spirit world that governs life that sense intrigued Cleghorn. In her many travels throughout rural Mexico, the Southern Vermont photographer came to see that there is magic in this acceptance of a spiritual world residing in nature. Her new book, Mexico: Spirit of Place, contains 48 full-page black-and-white photographs. Puppet Priest fuses the Spanish influence of Catholicism with the indigenous beliefs, in this case the love of giants, as embodied by the man in the foreground wearing a costume. Part of this fusion of Catholic and indigenous beliefs, Cleghorn notes, is that many current cathedrals are built on ancient religious sites. For Goat Herder, Cleghorn did not intend to create a centaur, yet the blurring of goat herder and dog hints at a closeness, and their images, too, are close to the tree that dominates this dry landscape. Bare Feet is influenced by Nell Dorr, who traveled to Mexico and wrote a book with that name. I happened upon this woman on the beach, said Cleghorn. She did not want to be photographed, but agreed to step into the frame and have her feet photographed. Photographing ordinary people, ordinary things ties into themes of another photographer she admires, Manuel Alvarez Bravo. Incense underscores Mexicans use of incense in ceremonies. A priest stands in the background. The shapes are in harmony here, the sweep of scarf, the arch above, the woman in the center of this impromptu image. (And just what is the man in white shirt doing? Photoshop could remove him but this is a film image.) Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro buried by lava by the volcano Paricutin shows the effects some 80 years after the volcanic eruption. Cleghorn likes this image in part because of her efforts to get it: It was so hard to get to: I had to ride a horse for a couple of hours and walk across lava. The lack of vegetation all these years later shows what the lava can do, she said. Fish, Puerto Escondido was taken on the Oaxacan coast of the Pacific Ocean. I loved the textures involved and the play of the light and dark ... I like organic subjects fish, dogs, plants, said Cleghorn. She has returned to this image repeatedly using gravure, platinum print, and salted paper to vary textures and shadings. Part of her motivation for publishing the book was to show Mexico, a place she loves, in a positive light. She always felt safe there, whether traveling alone and with others, at times helping a professor from Rice University leading tours. She has been away for nine years, but doubts that things in rural areas would have changed. I never had any problems ever ... People are hospitable, they bring you into their homes. "Mexico: Spirit of Place" is available at Vermont Center for Photography, vcpbookshop.org, of Brattleboro. NORTH BENNINGTON Local tapestry artist Eve Pearce is showing work inspired by a memorable trip to Lo Manthang the capital of the former Kingdom of Lo in the Left Bank Maurice Kahn Gallery in North Bennington. The city of Lo Manthang, still inhabited since its construction in the 15th century, is in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas, within the country of Nepal but bordering on Tibet. It sits at an elevation of 12,500 feet above sea level. To the west, even the foothills rise steeply and slope precipitously. To the east, the plains of the Tibetan plateau spread out as far as the eye can see. These walls belong to the palace of the raja of the place, explained Pearce, as she stood next to the piece titled "Lo Manthang." In it, the scene of a solitary woman standing in the crook of a street near a doorway pulls the viewer in. The piece sparks questions who is this woman, and what is her story and what is this place, with its ancient high walls? Immediately, there is a sense of an enigmatic and obscure location that is deeply and distantly remote disconnected from the modern world. Back when we traveled, we were some of the first it was once a trade route, but it was forbidden to outsiders for for more than a generation. At the time, we were among the first allowed entry, Pearce explained, as she spoke about the history of the region. The medieval city had been constructed within high walls (nearly 20 feet high) the only way out through a gated doorway. There, in that remote region sealed off from outsiders, walled up and gated a way of life was preserved as the world around it raged and changed. The buildings are kind of like adobe block construction said Pearce, indicating the image of the building with a broken window. Lumber is really precious. Trees are really scarce. Water is really, really scarce. This window, she indicated the broken glass in the tapestry. Glass is scarce, so it just stayed broken. You can kind of see the idea of this village, Pearce said. The roofs are flat. They go up on the roofs with buckets of white wash, and basically pour the white wash down the sides of the building. But, they love decorating painting around the windows and the doors but all these pigments wash away and they are very water soluble. So, when they get wet, they just run down the face of the buildings. The red, ochre, and black the turquoise and olive its sort of a favorite color combination, said Pearce of the stained walls. The colors of the region can be seen throughout all of Pearces work in the gallery a compilation expressing the longing and deep connection she continues to feel for a land, a belief system, and a culture far away. Over the next 10 years, I wove eight of these pieces, said Pearce, noting that the last and final piece in the collection had just been completed. Pierces artist statement, "As a Pilgrim in Lo," speaks to the desire to reflect the nature of her sentiments, to give back, to illustrate this profound and intense experience of hers to others to share, to offer, and to connect. It was a world apart, in which every expression of human life was saturated in Buddhist belief. I couldnt have been more of a foreigner, or more joyously at home. Here in Vermont I practice. I identify. I work at being a good Buddha, the statement reads. These are unapologetically religious pieces. Though they have been out in the world, this is the first time they have been seen together. Each of them supports the others. Taken together, I trust they communicate something of the power, the wonder of this extraordinary place and time. Pearce is immersed in recollection. And, theres sort of a corner here, she explained, moving her hand across the bottom right portion of the tapestry recalling, bringing the memory back in order to describe the scene to others. Were coming inside the walled city, and this is the road that goes around a pretty sharp corner, she moved her hand back toward where the woman was standing. We came around this corner, and she was sweeping the dirt outside her door. The startled expression on the face of the woman is woven indelibly into the fabric of the piece and, perhaps it is no wonder. We were there at a time when foreigners were a sort of scary thing, a real oddity, recalled Pearce, laughing. Everybody had to travel in a sort of supervised way. There were only the four of us, Westerners, and I mean, even children would run from us. So, we came around this corner, my daughter and I, and we saw her out there sweeping. And she just freaked. Pearces daughter had captured the moment in a photograph, which Pearce later used to recreate the memory, And, its been many years since I wove it. Woven into "Lo Manthang" and the other tapestries on display are pieces of Pearces beloved pets whose hairs are just a natural addition, grasping onto the linen, wool, and silk threads and yarns used to weave the tapestries. Also included are Pearces own hairs, as she pointed out and pieces of her soul. To Pearce, these tapestries are a collection of memories. They are representative of a period of spiritual development in her life, of times spent with her daughter, and of a time where she dared to follow her heart. Theres always some of mine woven in, happenstance, said Pearce, who mentioned the various pets whose hairs also resided in the scenes of the various pieces of art. Her friends dog, for example, contributed to "The Guardian," a tapestry in brilliant tones of red and orange, vibrant blues and greens, and rich browns and grays. Some of the pets, like the one whose hairs are found woven into "Lo Manthang," are no longer with us they are memories, like the tapestries. Whether a textile artist or a fiber artist, or just an artist, Pearce isnt certain how to define herself. Its taken me a lot of time to get comfortable sitting with that term artist, said Pearce, reflectively. I dont know why. I guess I just grew up thinking that if you were going to be an artist you would know how to paint or sculpt, or do something Overhearing the conversation, a young woman viewing the gallery interjected, You are truly an artist. This is incredible just incredible. To this, Pearce nodded, Thank you. Thank you. But, she flushed. Im very comfortable, said Pearce, of who she is and with her lifestyle. I live on a farm by myself with my dogs, and Im comfortable being alone and this is very, very solitary work. I mean, when Im in the drawing phase it can be really difficult for me unless Im working directly from a photograph, Pearce said, as she explained that it is at these times that she often reaches out to a skilled friend or two for assistance. And, I might have someone help me set up the warp on the loom to start with. For various reasons, Im working from the loom I had and Im working from the back, explained Pearce. I can be weaving a piece anywhere from five months to five years. So, because of the way I weave, all I see is the back. Im trying to see the image Im weaving, but Im working blind half the time. In her sixth decade of tapestry making, Pearce has found ways to authentically produce the scenes and the themes that she recalls the imagery that she finds compelling. In the construction process, she trusts because, what else can she do? This is construction. Youre building. Its over and under, and locking construction. So, you cant just go back after youre done. Theres all these ways that you dont see whats happening and you dont see them for a long, long time until its too late and its time to take it off the loom, she said. It is when a piece has reached completion that Pearce celebrates. So, its all these months of working alone and Im happy; it really suits me. So, the first time I get to see what you see here, is when its cut off the loom. I usually invite friends over and pop a bottle of champagne and we all get a pair of scissors. Pearce and her friends work together to remove the tapestry from the loom, and roll it out. Together, they celebrate it for whatever it is. So, thats the way of working." Pearce's work is on view until April 28, at the Left Bank Maurice Kahn Gallery, 5 Bank St., North Bennington. SPRINGFIELD The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority agreed to modify its contract with the citys CRRC rail car company giving them more time and more money, saving some 400 jobs in the city and ensuring annual tax payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars continue. The deal will extend the companys deadline to deliver a total of 404 railway cars from the long-missed due dates of January 2022 and September 2023 and increase the cost of the contract by $148 million to over $1 billion. A program funding childcare for homeless families in Boston is helping parents set their young children up for success before kindergarten, as well as improve the outlook for their whole family. The program provides bridge childcare vouchers to homeless families with children under 6 so they can put their children in daycare and preschool programs without worrying about the cost. Homelessness in America, especially for families with young children, is what I would characterize as policy violence, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, said at a press conference Thursday. It is a humanitarian crisis. In my opinion, it is a moral failing. It is a policy choice, and it is preventable. Its a byproduct of cycles of poverty that have become all too common in our nation. Pressley secured $1 million in federal Community Project Funding for 2023 for the childcare vouchers, which have been administered by the city of Boston. She said unhoused families often struggle to access subsidized childcare programs, so the vouchers allow them to immediately place their children in childcare, freeing up parents to otherwise improve their situation. According to Pressley, one in 19 children under the age of 6 in Massachusetts have experienced homelessness. She said that opportunity can make the difference between families simply surviving and instead beginning to thrive. Children experiencing homelessness will be connected to wraparound resources such as behavioral and mental health, food service, diapers, clothing and other essentials, she said. It will also provide parents with the opportunity to access the services that they need to become gainfully employed and to become healthy. Many of the childcare programs also provide supports to families outside of daycare. Horizons for Homeless Children pairs each parent with a family advocate to guide them toward other services, education and employment opportunities. We were particularly impressed at how this funding was deployed by the city, Horizons President and CEO Kate Barrand said. They have used this funding to train more providers in this important work. This money will be used to support people in developing trauma-informed approaches to working with young children and to supporting their families in getting access to vital services. Before the press conference, Pressley and Mayor Michelle Wu met with childcare providers from around the city. Those providers told them how the program has allowed them to welcome homeless children without worrying about where the funding will come from. They also spoke with three parents of children at Horizons, who said having both childcare and wraparound supports has allowed them to improve their lives and move toward securing permanent housing. Wu said during the press conference that the discussion emphasized how difficult it is for homeless families to access programs meant to help them. Earlier this week, the city announced a new portal where all Boston families can search and apply for childcare and preschool options in order to streamline that process, but Wu said unhoused parents need more. We have resources, we have systems, but often they are designed by people who havent lived these experiences and therefore the steps are all out of order, she said. How can you possibly be trying to find housing and get a job while youre waiting to get funding for child care so that you can actually make sure that your little ones are cared for? That is always going to be the top priority of families. Pressley said that in addition to supporting families that need it, providing childcare will boost the local economy by getting parents back into the workforce. When parents are able to work and their babies are safely cared for, everyone benefits, she said. The state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities announced Thursday that Massachusetts is one of eight states chosen to participate in the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator, a federal program to address homelessness. The 12-month program, run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health and Human Services will provide technical assistance for the state on several initiatives meant to help people find stable housing. The state will explore creating a map of housing-related services and studying the cost of building a permanent supportive housing program and whether Medicaid or other federal funding could be used for the program. A former Wheaton College mens lacrosse player has been charged in connection with sexually assaulting and choking a female lacrosse player in a dorm room in 2021, according to court documents. Court documents show that 22-year-old Darien, Connecticut, resident Oliver La Du pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and one count of strangulation or suffocation in Attleboro District Court on Tuesday. The case was impounded after news of the charges broke on Wednesday. Attorney and New England Law Boston professor Wendy Murphy told MassLive Thursday that her unnamed client was terribly traumatized by the incident, and that shes proud of her for coming forward. Its not easy to go forward in a case like this when you suffered as much as she has, Murphy said. La Dus lawyer, William Keefe, did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday, but told The Boston Globe Wednesday that his client is 100% innocent. Hes the victim of a false allegation of rape. The encounter alleged was 100% consensual, Keefe told the newspaper. He denies the allegations and he looks forward to having his day in court to clear his name. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that false reporting accounts for an estimated 2% to 10% of reported rape allegations. On Tuesday, La Du was released on his own personal recognizance, but was ordered to have no contact with the victim, according to court records. He is now a University of Colorado Boulder student, but is due back in court on June 7, according to the Globe. Neither college responded to a request for comment Thursday morning. Police reports describe the victim telling officers she met La Du in September 2021 while attending a party with players from both the mens and womens lacrosse teams, the Globe reported. She was a freshman and he was a sophomore, and when he approached and tried to talk to her, she indicated her disinterest through one-word answers. The victim told police she left the party around 12:15 a.m. and visited a friend before deciding to return to the party alone around 12:45 a.m., the Globe reported. When she arrived, La Du told her the party was over and offered to walk her back to her dorm. Instead, when they reached La Dus dorm, he told the victim to come up to his room while he got something from it which she did, despite a feeling of unease, the Globe reported. Once inside the room, the victim told police, he locked the door and told her they were going to have sex. The victim told officers she made clear to La Du that she didnt want to have sex and then tried to leave, but he blocked her exit, pushed her onto his bed and sexually assaulted her, according to the Globe. He is also accused of pressing his hand to her throat and laughing when she told him it hurt and made it hard for her to breathe. The victim called a friend immediately following the assault and later met up with her to discuss it, the Globe reported. The day after the assault, the victim went to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro to complete a sexual assault evidence exam. The victim spoke to police after the rape kit was submitted, but at the time, she did not want to go forward with charges, according to Murphy. The police report obtained by the Globe refers to an interview the victim did with police in August 2023. The FBI does not consider delays in reporting to be indicative of a false report, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. I think she deserves to be a source of support and inspiration for other victims, especially where time has passed, Murphy said of her client. Victims often say, I didnt file charges right away. Maybe its too late. Its never too late. A separate sexual assault case at Wheaton College came to light in May 2023 when a female athlete filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging it failed to protect her from a male athlete who had a history of sexual misconduct that the school was aware of, The Sun Chronicle reported. The male student is accused of raping her in a dorm bathroom in February 2020, and was later expelled from the college. A former Winthrop Police lieutenant who was accused last year of raping a child pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Boston courtroom to multiple new child sexual abuse charges. Prosecutors said James Feeley, 56, of Winthrop, admitted to police that he sexually exploited the child, who was between 10 and 11 years old, roughly a half-dozen times over a year-and-a-half long span. Feeley was arrested on Dec. 26 after Winthrop police officials said he confessed to the conduct on Christmas night. The death of a 4-year-old girl on Sunday in Bostons Seaport was ruled an accident by police, according to a Boston Police Department report obtained by MassLive. Gracie Gancheva, whose family lives in Denver, was walking in the area of Congress and Sleeper streets in the Seaport neighborhood of Boston around 5 p.m. Sunday when she was hit by a vehicle and killed, police said. Gancheva was taken to a hospital after the crash, where she was pronounced dead. After an autopsy, police ruled the girl died of blunt force injuries. Police previously said the driver who hit Gancheva would not face criminal charges. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden offered his condolences to the girls family. Its difficult to adequately express the scope of tragedy in losing someone so young, Hayden said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wus administration had planned safety upgrades to the area where the girl was hit prior to the collision, including new, accessible sidewalks, safer crosswalks, street-light upgrades, and street trees and landscaping, according to the citys website. We want to build a street that is safe, convenient, comfortable for everyone, while meeting the needs of residents and businesses, the citys website reads. Boston Childrens Museum president and CEO Carole Charnow said the museum was devastated by this tragedy. Our hearts go out to the family of the little girl, Charnow said. She did not say if the girl was visiting the museum. Charnow said the museum is aware of issues with the intersection, particularly related to speed and site lines. While we know that there are plans in the works to permanently address this issue, we hope that something can be done right away to ensure pedestrian safety, she said. A man convicted on manslaughter and vehicular homicide by reckless operation charges in Worcester County Superior Court in connection with an October 2021 car crash that killed a 35-year-old Worcester woman was sentenced on Thursday, a spokesperson with Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office told MassLive. Judge William Ritter sentenced Mfouad Faris to serve four and a half to five and a half years in state prison, the spokesperson said. Faris was found guilty on March 15 and also faced charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and racing a motor vehicle, but prosecutors entered a nolle prosequi for both charges, which acquitted Faris on those counts. Faris sentencing comes on the heels of the sentencing of another man involved in the crash, Fares Shaikh-Omar, to two years of probation after pleading guilty to a single charge of negligent operation of a motor vehicle. On Oct. 10, 2021, Faris and Shaikh-Omar were drag racing on Goldsberry Street, just blocks from the Worcester Police Department headquarters, when Faris lost control of his vehicle. Traveling at around 70 mph in the wrong direction on a street with a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit, Faris crashed his Mitsubishi Lancer into the front of a Subaru Forester, Worcester police said in 2021. Jessica Simone, 35, the daughter of Kevin Harkins, whose 1994 murder drew widespread attention, was ejected from the backseat of Faris car, officials said. She was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center and later pronounced dead. Faris and his front-seat passenger, who broke her right arm, were also treated at the hospital. The driver of the Subaru sustained minor injuries, police said. Simones mother, Mary Jean Simone, delivered a statement after the verdict. This isnt a triumph, Mary Jane Simone said, according to the Telegram & Gazette. There are no more celebrations, no more milestones with Jessica. She wont witness her sons prom, him graduating high school, all because you chose to be reckless with two innocent souls in your car. During the trial, Faris testified that he was not in fact drag racing. His lawyer Steven Goldwyn told the jury Faris righted the ship after traveling in the left lane on Goldsberry Street, having control of the vehicle until hitting a bump in the road, sending the car in a tailspin and colliding with the Subaru, the Telegram reported Improperly disposed smoking materials likely caused the death of a Newton man when a fire ravaged his home on March 24, State Fire Marshal Jon Davines office announced. Scott Patz, 69, died after a fire engulfed his home at 1243 Walnut St., Davines office said in a statement. Another person who was injured was able to drive themself to the hospital. The Newton Fire Department responded to the fire at the address at around 8:30 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls, the Fire Marshals Office said in a press release Sunday afternoon. When they arrived at the home, firefighters saw flames coming from the first-floor windows and learned that one person was still inside. Firefighters soon entered the home through the front and found Patz inside, Davines office said. Video and photos of the fire show smoke pouring out of the homes windows, especially on the first floor. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes. Investigators believe the fire began near the living room couch, caused by smoking materials, the fire marshals office said. Mr. Patz and his loved ones remain in our thoughts at the Newton Fire Department and across our city, Newton Fire Chief Gregory Gentile said in the statement. We also want to remind our residents that more than 100 Massachusetts residents have lost their lives in smoking fires over the past 10 years, and hundreds more have been injured or lost their homes. If you must smoke, or if you have guests who do, its important to use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and fully extinguish your smoking materials. Put it out, all the way, every time. Along with the smoking materials, investigators found that the home did not have working smoke alarms. Every family should have working smoke alarms on every level of their home, Davine said in his statement. A house fire can become deadly in less than three minutes. Smoke alarms can give you the warning you need to get out quickly, especially when youre sleeping. Test them every month to be sure your family is protected, and practice an escape route so you know where to go when you hear them activate. No property is worth your life get out and stay out when you hear the smoke alarm sounding. This story was updated to correct the gender of the person arrested by Revere police in a human trafficking investigation. Revere police arrested a 64-year-old woman earlier this month in connection with a six-month-long human trafficking investigation, the department said in a statement posted to Facebook. Xiu Ying Zhang, of Revere, was arrested during a search of 50 Nahant Ave. in Revere on March 19. During the search of the residence, police found a Chinese national who had been smuggled into the U.S. through Mexico, the statement said. Zhang is charged with trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, and maintaining a house of prostitution, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys office. Zhang was held on $500,000 bail after her arraignment, police said. She will return to Chelsea District Court on April 19 for a probable cause hearing. Revere Police Chief David Callahan thanked the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims unit for its continued dedication and commitment in assisting us with these complex and evolving multijurisdictional cases. A Sutton man known for 20 years as a local magician was sentenced to prison on child sex abuse material charges and for exploiting children in Cambodia, Acting United States Joshua Levys office announced. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns sentenced Scott Jameson, 47, to 78 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, Levys office said in a statement Thursday. Jameson was also ordered to pay $20,000 in special assessments. Scott Jameson thought that by traveling overseas to Cambodia in order to sexually exploit children, he could get away with it, Levy said in the statement. He was wrong. Sexual exploitation of children is unconscionable, regardless of where the victims live. Our office works with international authorities regularly to make sure that individuals like Mr. Jameson are held accountable for their criminal conduct. We will not cease in our efforts to bring individuals who harm children to justice. Action Pour Les Enfants contacted federal authorities in early 2022 to report that Jameson engaged in inappropriate behavior with minors in Cambodia, Levys office said. The non-government organization was founded to prevent child abuse and exploitation. Jameson was a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland, and had traveled from Boston to Cambodia in August 2022, something federal authorities were notified of in September, Levys office said. He returned to the United States on Oct. 19, 2022, and was stopped at Logan International Airport. A search of his belongings found a video made during his trip in Cambodia, depicting the genitals of a young boy between 5 and 7 years old. Jameson told law enforcement officials that he had worked as a magician for more than 20 years, performing at libraries and family events across New England, Levys office said. Jameson said he usually performed for children as young as kindergarten age to as old as eighth graders. He admitted to authorities he made the video and admitted to transferring the video from his camera to a hard drive that he had with him when he was stopped at Logan, Levys office said. The case involving Jameson was included as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Levys office said. Crews continue to search for a U.S. Marine from Massachusetts who was swept away in a rip current while vacationing with his family in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Samuel Wanjiru, 26, went missing on Wednesday afternoon after going into the water in the beach area of La Pared in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard said. Wanjiru came into distress after going into the water, the Coast Guard said. A 911 call reporting Wanjirus emergency came in to the Coast Guard on Wednesday afternoon, and Coast Guard watchstanders launched a helicopter to search for the Massachusetts man. Search efforts for the missing Massachusetts man were ongoing as of Thursday, amidst the Coast Guards cautions to beachgoers and boaters of high surf and life-threatening rip currents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the weekend. The search efforts will include an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, the Coast Guard said. Several emergency management offices in the area, along with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau and Puerto Rico Police, were also involved in the search on Thursday. Another man had been pulled dead from the water just hours before Wanjiru went in, the Coast Guard said, at a different beach called Montones Beach in Isabela, P.R. Coast Guard officials were alerted and tried to save the man, but he died after his rescue. This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico, said Capt. Jose E. Diaz, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. Diaz urged the public to listen to the National Weather Services warnings, which include advisories through the weekend including high-surf, small-craft and life-threatening rip currents for eastern, northern and western beaches in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are several hundred miles of open ocean beaches which are extremely dangerous in the present conditions, and most do not have lifeguards. People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to search and rescue cases with surface vessels without further endangering our crews and assets, Diaz said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones to the sea, we hope they find strength during this most difficult time, he said. More information on National Weather Service advisories for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can be found by clicking National Weather Service San Juan. The Leicester man accused of killing a woman inside a Worcester business on Thanksgiving in 2023 pleaded not guilty after he was indicted by a grand jury. Marcel Santos-Padgett, 31, was arraigned in Worcester County Superior Court on Thursday. Wearing a white T-shirt, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge ordered him to be held without bail without prejudice. His pretrial conference was scheduled for May 21. Santos-Padgett was charged with murder in the death of Yueping Zhang, 34, on Nov. 23, 2023, at Angies Bodywork Spa on 383 Pleasant St. Last week, Worcester County grand jury handed up indictments against him on three counts including murder, possession of a loaded firearm not at home or work and possession of a firearm not at home or work, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office said in a statement released Wednesday. Additional charges, specifically armed assault with intent to murder, possession of a loaded firearm not at home or work and possession of a firearm not at home or work, stem from an Aug. 20, 2023, shooting on Illinois Street where a woman was shot at but not injured, Earlys office said. Zhangs name was released Wednesday in the same statement from Earlys office. Worcester police previously told MassLive she was from China. Since the day of the shooting, Angies Bodywork Spa has remained closed. In the weeks following Zhangs death, MassLive reached out to its two business phone numbers but was unable to speak with the owner or any employees. Phone numbers on the bodywork spas business cards were found listed on various female escort websites, including hot.com, callescort.org, Callgirlxguide, SumoSearch and RubsGuide. Workers were seen clearing out Angies Bodywork Spa on Jan. 12, where they were tossing furniture, boxes and panels, among other items, into a large trash bin, according to the Telegram and Gazette on Jan. 12. Between December and January, the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure Board of Registration of Massage Therapy investigated Angies Bodywork Spa. The business was accused of advertising massage services despite not being properly licensed by the state and not being a massage business, according to a report. Bodywork spas can operate without a massage therapy license as long as they do not advertise offering massage services to customers, according to state law. Massage therapy businesses require licenses from the state. Attempts by Worcester and several attempts by the state to not only regulate bodywork spas ,but also prevent them from being spaces used by human traffickers, have been unsuccessful over the years. After several days when investigator Andrew Lutynski attempted to contact the spas owner YuYing Etpison, she submitted a response. She states that the last few weeks have been difficult because of what happened at her business, Lutynski wrote. She indicates that she has closed her business, has not renewed her lease with the landlord, and canceled her business phone number and business insurance. When asked about the websites advertising, Etpison said she paid someone to build the website and he made mistakes, the report asserted. She admitted that she should have paid more attention to the words used on the website and that English is not her first language. Etpison said Angies Bodywork Spa was closed indefinitely and that there were no employees, and told Lutynski nothing else about the services provided at the business, the report stated. Lutynskis final note stated that the board should consider whether the bodywork spas failure to obtain licensure violated state business law and/or other statutes and regulations as applicable. Worcester police pulled over and arrested an 18-year-old man who threatened to shoot people in another vehicle, the department announced. Govanie Molina of E Kendall St. was arrested Wednesday and was charged with possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card and resisting arrest, the department said in a statement. At around 6:15 p.m. on March 27, the departments gang unit was on patrol around Endicott Street when the saw a Mitsubishi drive through a red light on the corner of Endicott and Millbury streets, police said. The Mitsubishi pulled over on Ward Street after police, with lights and sirens on, followed the car. Before meeting with Molina, police received information that the person inside the car was seen pointing a gun at people and threatening to shoot them. Police pulled Molina out of the car and found a loaded gun inside the center console, the department added. He did not have a firearm license, and police placed him in custody. They were few in number. But their message was unmistakable: Spending on Massachusetts emergency shelter system is out of control. And the Bay States taxpayers have been left holding the bag. [Gov.] Maura Healey, shame on you, Lou Murray, the chair of Bostonians Against Sanctuary Cities and one of a handful of protesters who gathered on the State House steps on Wednesday, said, according to the Boston Herald. I think if we have one message today, its end the right to shelter [law] and close the Healey hotels, he continued. The lawmakers are woke, and the taxpayers are broke. And were tired of it. The latter is a pejorative reference to the hotels and motels across the state that have been pressed into service as shelters for unhoused Massachusetts residents and the growing number of migrants who are entering the state from other countries have been overwhelmed. Its hard to think of a public policy challenge facing lawmakers and the executive that is more emotional, more urgent, and more riven by politics than the states rapidly escalating shelter crisis. Depending on who you listen to, the migrants flooding into Massachusetts and other states are either desperate asylum- seekers fleeing violence and mayhem at home, or they are hardened criminals poisoning the blood of the nation. Immigration, and what to do about it, is now one of the central issues of the 2024 campaign. And many voters are putting it at the top of their list of concerns. As is so often the case, however, rhetoric can cloud the reality. MassLive spoke with migrants sheltering at Logan Boston International Airport who, like those generations before them, said they wanted little more than a safe home and a new start for themselves and their families. We have nothing, a 30-year-old Haitian man named Roldy said in Spanish about his family of three. At the moment, I dont even have a dollar. In a state where the cost of everything, from housing to basic necessities, is climbing out of reach for too many residents, that plea for basic humanity is tough to ignore. But a horrifying rape case in Rockland earlier this month also unfortunately provided Gov. Maura Healeys critics with the opening to argue that the opposite was true. One thing is absolutely true: The Bay States Right-to-Shelter Law obligates the commonwealth to provide emergency housing assistance to needy families with children and pregnant woman with no other children, according to a state website. As a practical matter, however, the housing is anything but temporary, with the average shelter stay now stretching a year or longer, according to a Healey administration-authored report. At the same time, the system is costing the state $75 million a month, according to published reports. The House and Senate each have passed dueling funding bills that seek to limit shelter stays to nine months, with extensions under certain conditions, MassLive previously reported. The clock is ticking on legislative negotiators to reconcile the differences between their respective proposals. Thats because funding could run out by April without an agreement, according to published reports. Democrat Healey, and the top leaders in the state Legislature House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, and Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk would undoubtedly quarrel with Murrays demand to scrap the shelter law and to turn off the funding tap. And while they disagree on the means and the mechanism to fix it, all three leaders agreed this week that the overstuffed and cash-strapped system is on the brink of collapse. I think all three of us understand that this program needs constraints; that it will sink under its own weight unless we begin to look at ways in which we can control it, Mariano said during a news conference. And I think we all arrived at different positions at different times. But it seems as if were all going in basically the same direction. On Monday, Healey, who has remained resolute in arguing that its up to Washington to clean up the mess its dumped on states, announced that her office would now require new arrivals and long-term residents of Massachusetts staying at state overflow shelters to prove they are working toward independence every month. But the message today is clear that for those who are coming into our overflow sites, our safety net sites, there are certain requirements that were imposing as a state, she said " ... Were providing services ... And those who want to participate in the program need to be ... seeking jobs, attending [English as Second Language] classes, [and] working with case management. The whole idea of this is to divert people from our emergency shelter system to get them on a different path. On Wednesday, outside the State House, Henry Barbaro, of the Massachusetts Coalition for Immigration Reform, asserted, according to the Herald, that tax dollars are a precious resource. What is happening in Massachusetts is [an] entirely unsustainable expenditure of tax dollars. I think that there are plenty of poor and needy Americans that should come first, he said. Late last year, Healey told MassLive that she finds inspiration in the people behind all the policy, and that theres people behind all the numbers. Too often in this debate, the towering numbers have threatened to overwhelm the people behind them, taxpayers and newcomers alike. In the absence of action from Washington, Massachusetts policymakers face a seemingly impossible challenge. But that does not necessarily mean it has to be a binary one. SPRINGFIELD The Last Call Foundation awarded the Springfield Fire Department a $44,000 grant to buy two pairs of 9 Alarm Apparel Inc. Defender Briefs for each of its 258 firefighter members. The underwear retails for $99.99 a pair for men and $79.99 for women. Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note que lEnvironment Bill sera introduit au Parlement, que la Central Water Authority va echanger des tuyayx dans la region de Mahebourg, de lextension des aides aux Export-Oriented Textile and Apparel Enterprises, quau 27 mars 2024 il y avait 330 cas actifs de la fievre Dengue a Maurice et 147 a Rodrigues, entre autres. 1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of the Environment Bill into the National Assembly. The main object of the Bill is to repeal the Environment Protection Act and replace it with a modern legislative framework with a view to ensuring better environmental protection, management and conservation. The Bill, inter alia, provides for: (a) the integration and mainstreaming of environmental sustainability in planning and development with a view to achieving sustainable development and the transition to a green and circular economy; (b) the establishment of an Observatoire de LEnvironnement that would act as an interface with stakeholders for the purpose of environmental protection, management and conservation, and evaluation of environmental policies; (c) the introduction of a mechanism to ensure better management and protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) which would facilitate the coordination amongst different institutions, as well as the establishment and updating of an ESA inventory and ESA maps; (d) the enhancement of transparency of the Preliminary Environmental Report (PER) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mechanisms, as well as the introduction of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) framework; (e) the requirement of a completion certificate prior to operating an undertaking, so as to ensure that projects have been effectively implemented in accordance with its PER, EIA or SEA licence or approval; (f) the establishment of a National Oil Spill Coordination Committee which would ensure a prompt, planned and coordinated response to any current or potential oil spill; (g) the introduction of a framework for plastic management to achieve the Governments vision for a plastic-free Mauritius; and (h) the strengthening of the existing enforcement and compliance mechanisms for a more effective and efficient application of environmental laws, and to provide for tougher penalties. 2. Cabinet has taken note of the promulgation of the Central Water Authority (Dry Season) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2024 to extend its application until 30 April 2024. The Regulations provide, inter alia, for a person entitled to carry out irrigation of sugarcane to abstract water from a watercourse provided that such watercourse did not feed impounding reservoirs and where the Central Water Authority did not abstract water for domestic water supply. In addition, such abstraction should not cause prejudice to any interest that a person might hold in the concerned watercourse. 3. Cabinet has agreed to the Central Water Authority implementing the renewal of pipelines in the lateral roads in the region of Mahebourg (Phase 3) project. Works would consist of laying of around 6.2km of pipelines and shifting of around 950 household connections as well as resurfacing works. 4. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the project relating to Consultancy Services for the Feasibility Study, Design, Preparation of Bid Document and assistance during Bid Evaluation for Downstream Works of Riviere des Anguilles Water Treatment Plant by the Central Water Authority. The Integrated Project for the Riviere des Anguilles Dam would consist of the following: (a) construction of a rockfill dam; (b) construction of a water treatment plant; (c) construction of a mini-hydropower station; and (d) downstream works (pipe laying, service reservoirs, etc.) 5 Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Motorways and Main Roads (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2024 with a view to classifying the newly constructed La Vigie La Marie Link Road under MAIN ROADS A. 6. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the following projects by the National Development Unit and the Drains Infrastructure Construction Ltd, estimated at around Rs 670 million: (a) drainworks at Belle Vue Maurel; (b) consultancy services for the construction of retention basins at Morcellement Happy Valley, Sainte Croix; (c) upgrading of main road from Terminus to Lallman, Creve Coeur; (d) construction of cut-off drain at St Hubert, including St Hilaire; and (e) flood mitigating measures at Debarcadere, Poste de Flacq Phase 1. 7. Cabinet has agreed to the following support being extended to Export-Oriented Textile and Apparel Enterprises that were being negatively impacted by a significant increase in their cost of production: (a) an additional monthly financial assistance of Rs1,500 in respect of each of the full-time employees of these enterprises drawing the National Minimum Wage for the period April to June 2024; and (b) a monthly financial assistance of Rs1,000 for payment of the 2023 Salary Compensation for the period April to June 2024 in respect of each of the full-time employees of these enterprises drawing the National Minimum Wage. 8. Cabinet has taken note that the French authorities had completed the ratification process for La Convention dextradition entre la Republique de Maurice et la Republique Francaise and La Convention dentraide Judiciaire en matiere penale entre la Republique de Maurice et la Republique Francaise. These two Conventions would come into effect on 01 May 2024. The Conventions aim at establishing a more effective cooperation between the two countries with a view to combatting cross-border organised crime, economic and financial offences. The Conventions also provide that Mauritius and France undertake to grant each other mutual legal assistance and to reciprocally hand over persons who are being either prosecuted for criminal offence or sought for the purpose of executing a custodial sentence imposed by the judicial authorities of either Party, while guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights. 9. Cabinet has taken note of the status of drain projects being implemented by the different implementing agencies and spearheaded by the Land Drainage Authority, under the National Flood Management Programme. As at end of January 2024, some 526 drain projects had been completed and 114 projects were being implemented. 10. Cabinet has taken note of the actions taken by the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping for the establishment of Areas To Be Avoided around Mauritius and Rodrigues, which are defined limits in which either navigation is particularly hazardous or it is exceptionally important to be avoided by all ships, or by certain classes of ships, to prevent casualties. 11. Cabinet has taken note that a special leave of two hours would be granted on Friday 29 March 2024 as from 1400 hours to public officers of Christian faith, subject to exigencies of service, in the context of the Easter Celebrations 2024. This measure would apply to officers of Parastatal Organisations, Local Authorities as well as Government-Owned Enterprises. 12. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius has excelled in the 13th African Games, by winning 25 medals. Mauritian athletes secured nine gold medals, five silver medals and 11 bronze medals. This remarkable performance at continental level placed the Republic of Mauritius in the ninth position on the medal table among 54 countries. 13. Cabinet has taken note that Mr Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) would be in Mauritius on 05 and 06 September 2024. An OECD mission led by the Head of Division in the OECD Global Relations and Corporation Directorate would be in Mauritius during the first week of April 2024 to hold discussions with members of the Steering Committee set up for the development of the Country Programme. The OECD would launch the first Annual OECD African Roundtable on Banking and Financial Markets that would bring together regulatory high-level officials from Africa, including Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in September 2024. 14. Cabinet has taken note of the implementation of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), introduced to support the Public Sector Business Transformation Strategy, in Ministries and Departments for financial year 2022-2023. The five KPIs at the level of Ministries and Departments relate to filling of vacancies, implementation of Phase III of the e-HR project, utilisation of training budget, Good Governance and compliance of buildings housing Public Officers with fire safety requirements. 15. Cabinet has taken note that, as at 27 March 2024, there were 330 active cases of Dengue Fever in Mauritius of which 52 had been hospitalised in both public and private hospitals. For Rodrigues, 147 active cases of Dengue Fever had been recorded as at 27 March 2024, of which 22 were hospitalised. Vector control activities and sensitisation of the population were ongoing. Mosquito repellents were being distributed in highly affected areas. 16. Cabinet has taken note of the situation on Cholera at global level and preparedness actions initiated in Mauritius. In this connection, surveillance for Cholera of incoming passengers at the seaport and the airport had been reinforced by the health authorities. Some 51 countries with known active local transmission of Cholera were on the surveillance list. 17. Cabinet has taken note that, in the context of the first edition of Sega Day, celebrated on 06 April in memory of Late Serge Lebrasse, the following activities would be organised by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage: (a) a Roundtable Discussion on 06 April 2024, on the History of Sega and its evolution with the participation of the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture Trust Fund, the National Heritage Fund, the Creole Speaking Union and the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation; (b) performances by Sega artists on 06 April 2024, at the SSR International Airport to greet passengers/tourists at the international arrivals terminal; and (c) a musical sega concert on 13 April 2024, in the Plaza Hall yard with the performance of different styles of Sega by local artists. 18. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the 26th Meeting of the Mauritius-Seychelles Joint Commission of the Extended Continental Shelf held recently in Seychelles. The Joint Commission is responsible for establishing policies and regulations relating to the natural resources and related activities in the Joint Management Area. The main outcomes of the discussions held pertained to, inter alia: (a) the first phase of sea cucumber exploration fishing and the second phase of the sea cucumber exploratory fisheries; (b) the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027; (c) United Nations Development Programme Stand Alone Project on the website of the Joint Management Area and the Zoning Framework; (d) Monitoring, Control and Surveillance of the Joint Management Area; (e) Carbon Credit Project; and (f) Marine Scientific Research. 19. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in the Ministerial Conference of the Third Summit for Democracy held in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Summit, on the theme of Democracy for Future Generations, aimed at addressing pressing challenges to democratic governance, particularly focusing on digital threats and youth engagement, and to advance democracy renewal and resilience through multiple avenues. In the margins of the Conference, the Attorney General had meetings with the US Secretary of State, the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. 20. Cabinet has taken note of the renewal of the contractual employment of Mr Hemprakash Dhotah as General Manager of the Rose Belle Sugar Estate Board for a period of two years. The nightly TV pictures from beleaguered Gaza leave little to the imagination. The distress and agony of its people are palpable; the images of hunger and death with no end in sight make the world recoil in horror at the persecution. And amid all the chaos, volunteers and medics and aid workers strive nobly to bring a measure of comfort to blameless victims. But human nature being human nature, there is another side to the coin of compassion. Within the enclave itself, there are those only too ready to profiteer from the suffering and to enrich themselves on the back of the ill fortune of their brethren. With the tacit support of Israel, these mafia-like clans exploit every opportunity to make themselves wealthy at the expense of their distressed countrymen. Immune from the control of Hamas, which gives them a wide berth, these Gazan clans have for many years been power brokers, but now, with the territory in turmoil, they have become even more brazen than before. Criminality will always find willing hands to do its dirty work, regardless of the cost in human misery, and Gaza is no exception. The distribution of humanitarian aid within Gaza, even when it gets through the border crossings, is a massive problem. The criminal families, or clans, who control the region are adept at interrupting and diverting aid. The result is that aid agencies have been compelled to actually employ the clans to protect and help distribute food to the starving people of the strip. So corrupt has the system become, albeit unavoidably, that in some cases the criminal families are able to offer aid agencies safe warehousing and protection for the goods for an appropriate fee. Otherwise, they arrange the theft of the aid, which they later sell on at extortionate prices. Televised images of armed men, brandishing sticks and guns and riding atop humanitarian trucks, have been cited by Israel as examples of Hamas stealing aid relief, but such claims have been dismissed by aid workers as bogus. The armed protectors were, rather, clan members recruited by the agencies themselves to protect food from desperate crowds who might ransack the lorries. What distressed humanitarian workers most was the apparent complicity of so-called rival players in the control of Gaza. Israel, it is well known, allows favourable treatment of certain Palestinian business interests, with the connivance of Hamas. Aid workers cite documented cases of trucks owned by favoured Palestinians being allowed to cross from Israel carrying commercial goods while, at the same time, humanitarian aid was being blocked. One of the most egregious examples of shameless corruption came in the early days of the conflict when the population of Gaza city were ordered to abandon their homes and to move, en masse, south to the already overcrowded Rafah and the coastal strip. Within days, their homes had been looted and ransacked. Everything of value was stolen, from fridges to kitchen appliances to furniture stolen not by the invading Israelis, but by the Palestinian Gazans who roamed the city, stealing the possessions of their departed neighbours. Months later, the stolen goods would turn up on the street markets of Rafah and the south, where the former owners could buy back their own property. For the crooks who run Gaza, the less humanitarian aid that gets through, the better. In that way, black market prices can be hiked up and profits extorted, regardless of the human cost. The aid agencies, on the other hand, maintain that the only solution is to flood Gaza with aid, ensuring that supply will easily exceed demand. But they too have come to suspect that there may be more than one vested interest in keeping the people in a state of near starvation. There are many placenames in Mayo that are older than the name of the county. Four of these are associated with the barony of Carra, including the name Ceara. Another two are critical to this article Partry/Partrai and Obha, as in the parish of Ballyovey, Baile Obha. (The fourth, Stringeall, in Ballintober, need not concern us for now.) Partry is a village along the N84, Ballinrobe Road. However, the etymology of the word has long-puzzled many scholars. The name has appeared in 9th century ancient tracts as a population group or Tuatha in Irish, known as Na Partrigia, often subdivided to Partraighe an tSleibhe (the Mountain Partry people) and Partraighe an Locha (the Lake Partry people). Scholars speculate Party may mean people of the crab and may have been distantly related to an Illyrian tribe whose memory survives in the name of the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen near Innsbruck in the Bavarian Alps. In his OS letter of 1838, John ODonovan mocks the ridiculous townland name of Portroyal (Partrai) as a pseudo-translation of Partraighe and says Portroyal House is no Port-Riogh! The parish of Ballyovey, Baile Obha, means Townland of Obha (Lumpy Place) or a personal name, Ovas townland. In Portroyal Electoral Division, in the Civil Parish of Ballyovey, in the Barony of Carra, there is a townland called Furnace that I never knew existed until late last month, when Paul Maguire brought it to my attention. Paul farms here, and he was eager to show me his unique 18th-century treasure: a furnace (what else?) once used to produce pig-iron. This structure was an important contributor to the west of Irelands industrial output, from local resources at nearby Srah (iron seams), Furnace (sandstone for the structure and oak for fuel), and the Cloon River and Lough Mask for transport towards Galway and on to Britain. Iron smelting in a blast furnace has a 300-year-plus history in Ireland and one of the best-preserved blast furnaces in the country is the one on Pauls farm. Having a blast In 1838, John ODonovan wrote: [Furnace] Contains 220 acres. The property of the Established Church. This townland is not let to tenants as it is good for nothing, nearly all mountain bog and of a very soft nature. A great many years ago there was an iron foundry in this townland, the furnace of which remains and from it is derived the townland name. At the time of Griffiths Valuation (1847-1864), the townland was occupied by Anthony Knox Gildea, but in both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the owners were the Naughton family, ancestors of Paul Maguire on his mothers side. Paul described the boshes in the casting house and the bellows in the blowing house to me. I read about the tuyere (an iron nozzle which directed the air blast from the bellows into the base of the furnace) in Colin Rynnes book, Industrial Ireland 1750 1930: An Archeology published in 2006. Paul also took me up the ramp where the raw materials would have been charged. Back around the year 2000, Paul contacted Dr Colin Rynne in UCC to inform him about the furnace. As an expert in industrial archaeology, Colin was astonished to learn of the existence of this blast furnace. He subsequently wrote an academic paper and book chapter about it. His first reaction was that it may have been a lime kiln, but when he saw Pauls photographs, he quickly changed his mind and confirmed it was a blast furnace used in iron manufacturing. The furnace, the walls of which are still there, in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is thought that peat and wood from the bogs and woods of Derrymore were used to burn the iron ore found on the Partry mountains. As much as 42 tonnes of oakwood are required to make enough charcoal to generate temperatures of 1500C and produce one tonne of iron. The blast furnace is not the only interesting feature on the farm. Paul has planted over 8.9 hectares of broadleaf and native trees, and his forest is a balm to the senses. In recent years, Paul has hosted social farming therapeutic events and open days during Heritage Week in August, in collaboration with Joyce Country Geopark. My time spent on Pauls farm was extremely enjoyable and worthwhile. It was very exciting to be shown such a unique, well-preserved item of our built heritage. Dr John OCallaghan is a mountain walk leader who has organised and led expeditions both at home and abroad. He has served on the board of Mountaineering Ireland and is currently on the Irish Uplands Forum board. Minister of State Jack Chambers travelled to Mayo this morning to turn the sod on the new 6.8 million Westport Coast Guard Station. The new state of the art station will be located at the Quay in Westport and will be the home of the 24-member strong Westport Coast Guard unit. A large crowd attended the official sod turning which was also attended by representatives of the three Coast Guard units in Mayo as well as representatives of the other emergency services. Mayo Oireachtas members Minister of State, Dara Calleary TD, Michael Ring TD and Alan Dillon TD as well as Senator Lisa Chambers and local councillors were also in attendance. Minister Chambers, who has special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, said he was delighted to be invited to turn the sod of the new Westport Coast Guard Station and paid tribute to all the volunteers for their dedication and commitment. I would like to acknowledge the role of the IRCG volunteers as I have seen first-hand the dedication, commitment and passion of these people. It is evident to me that this is alive and well in the Westport unit and it is essential our volunteers have state of the art facilities to undertake their essential, lifesaving work, he said. Minister Chambers, whose parents are native to Mayo, added that the investment in the new station in Westport shows the commitment he has to ensuring the Irish Coast Guard is safe and fit for purpose. Over the last 20 years the Westport unit has responded to many calls for help within its catchment area stretching from Killary Harbour to Mulranny in both their search function and their boat rescue function. Many people have been rescued in response to those calls and lives have been saved. The Department of Transport is responsible for the IRCG building programme and I would like to reinforce my commitment to the on-going construction and maintenance of Coast Guard stations to ensure they are safe and fit for purpose. This has been demonstrated by an investment of 6.8 million into this new station which will provide much improved facilities for the 24 volunteers who operate from the Westport unit as well as vehicle, boat and equipment storage. The site of the new Coast Guard station is located on Roman Island and will be constructed by Castlebar-based MVS Construction and is expected to take 18 months to complete. The Westport Coast Guard unit had previously operated out of a temporary steel shed which was also located on Roman Island. The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-functional division within the Department of Transport whose role it is to provide maritime search and rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response service. The IRCG, with almost 1,000 volunteer members, is one of the States Principal Emergency Services along with An Garda Siochana, the Fire Service and Ambulance Service. THE possibility of a military aircraft flyover of Blacksod Lighthouse is being explored for June as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings in 1944. A number of events are currently being organised to take place in Blacksod on June 6 as part of the 80th anniversary of the landing of Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. The D-Day Normandy landings was the turning point in the war against Nazi Germany and gave the Allied Forces a staging post for the liberation of France and the eventual end of World War II less than 12 months later. The landings were originally due to take place on June 5, 1944 but were postponed by 24 hours thanks to the weather report from Blacksod lighthouse which forecast bad weather. The weather report by the then 21-year-old Maureen Sweeney played a pivotal role in the outcome of the war with many historians claiming that without it the Normandy landings may not have been as successful. The local community are planning a number of events to mark the role Blacksod played in ending the war. Fergus Sweeney, the Tourism Office with the local Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub, who is also the grandson of Maureen, told The Mayo News that plans are at an early stage but they are looking at the possibility of getting an aircraft to do a flyover on June 6. Early stages We are at the early stages of planning but we hope to have an event at Blacksod lighthouse with an event at sunrise to make the first hour the troops landed at Normandy, he explained. We are looking at the feasibility of having an aircraft fly-by so whether that is an Irish Air Corps aircraft or if we could get one of the vintage aircrafts which would have been in the skies of Europe that day for the anniversary. We would love it if they could divert to Mayo to do a flyover of the lighthouse. For the 75th anniversary, a bunch of guys parachuted into Normandy to recreate the paratroopers landing. They were in communications with Blacksod Lighthouse that morning and we sent them a weather report to reenact the whole thing. We think that we might have enough connections to get a crew to fly a plane over but we have to look at the logistics. We will know more later on if it is possible but the plan is to have a day long event, he said. A native of Kerry, Maureen also worked for the post office at Blacksod and later married Ted Sweeney who was the lighthouse keeper at the time. Fergus explained that they are working with Met Eireann and An Post and the Defence Forces to be part of the occasion. The plan after that would be for a marquee at the lighthouse with a representative from Met Eireann and An Post and the Defence Forces who would be on hand with materials relating to the D-Day weather forecast and what was life like for An Post during the emergency. It will give people an understanding of how the war affected these three agencies because they were all agencies Maureen was connected with Met Eireann through her weather reports, An Post working in the post office and the fact Ted, Maureen's husband was involved with the Coast Watch service during the war. The plan is to have a day long event at Blacksod Lighthouse so people can get a better understanding of Met Eireann, An Post and the Defence Forces during the war and tie it back into Maureen's life and Blacksod's role in D-Day, he explained adding that they hope to secure funding from Mayo County Council for the event. US Recognition The role played by Maureen in ending the war has been recognised significantly in recent years with the US House of Representatives awarding her a Congressional Record. Through research we have realised how crucial the weather forecast was and how much on a knife edge the Allied command was on, said Fergus. There was a fine line between success and failure so when we look at what Maureen did and the diligence in her weather forecast it was her information which allowed Eishenhower to take the gamble on D-Day. Maureen died last December at the age of 101 years and Fergus admitted that they had hoped she would live long enough to see the 80th anniversary. However he added that the event will also be an opportunity to remember her and celebrate her long life. For the family it is a big one and this is a time for us all to celebrate Maureen's role properly, he said. A MAYO cancer charity has called on the Government to put 'their money where their mouth is' and provide greater funding for community cancer support units. Mayo Cancer Support, a Castlebar-based charity which provides free emotional support to people affected by cancer, must raise 210,000 each year to cover the costs of providing services. Orla Gillespie, the Manager Mayo Cancer Support, told the monthly meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District that of that 210,000, they receive just 10 percent in Government grants with the rest coming from fundraising and donations. She explained that community cancer support units like Mayo Cancer Support are an integral part in a cancer patient's recovery but this is not measured in State assistance. I do not like going around with the begging bowl but our challenge is very real and very stark for us. It is no joke to coordinate a church gate collection or a flag day. The drain on our resources is huge but we are so dependent on fundraising that we have to. If you are working with local TDs or lobbying ministers, please do reinforce the importance of putting their money where their mouth is when they tell us how much they value our service with funding that is sustainable for us, she said. Mayo Cancer Support, which was formerly known as Rock Rose House, is based at St Patrick's Avenue in Castlebar and this year celebrates 25 years since it was founded in 1999. As well as providing a drop-in service at the Rock Rose House Centre in Castlebar, they also have outreach centres in Ballina and Achill with plans to continue to expand this service in other parts of the county. Ms Gillespie explained that they employ two professional psychotherapists who provide free one to one counselling services for anyone who needs it as well as other healing services. She said that on average they provide 1,200 client sessions per year along with 250 complementary therapies and 450 counselling sessions. We do not charge our clients for any of the services we give them and it is not just for the cancer patients, their family members are equally welcome to try them. Sometimes it is more relevant for the family member because they are carrying everything and they are equally affected by stress and fear. At the moment the grants we receive annually account for about 10 percent of our 210,000. We get a section 39 grant from the HSE but unfortunately that has been reduced for two years in succession now. The HSE gets the same figure every year but the number of organisations applying to them is growing and there is not enough money to go around. It means unfortunately long standing organisations like us are seeing continuous cuts to what we have historically been getting from them, she told the councillors at the meeting. Ms Gillespie thanked the local councillors for their financial support towards Mayo Cancer Support over the years by way of their GMA allocation and asked them to lobby local TDs to ensure community charities are supported by central government. The work done by Mayo Cancer Support was lauded by the local councillors who all offered their assistance in any way they could to support the charity. Thank you for what you do for people in their darkest hour and I will be lobbying TDs - and I'm sure we all will - for greater funding because it is really needed, said Cllr Donna Sheridan. Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne added that the care Mayo Cancer Support gives people in their darkest hours cannot be understated but pointed out that there can be some confusion among the public regarding Mayo Cancer Support and other charities such as Mayo Roscommon Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society. Ms Gillespie accepted this is the case and asked the local councillors to spread the word about Mayo Cancer Support and the services they provide to the community. Sinn Fein local election candidate, Maura OSullivan, has called for The Imperial Hotel to be kept in public ownership. Ms O'Sullivan said Mayo County Council need to stand up and demand that this historic building is kept in public ownership. Castlebar Town Council acquired the empty hotel in 2011 for 800,000, and in 2021, 5 million in funding was secured to transform the hotel into public office space and an innovation hub. Ms OSullivan asked why sell the hotel, when we have secured the money for its restoration and development. The Imperial Hotel, originally known as Dalys Hotel, is a site of profound historical significance. Built in 1720, it was there that Michael Davitt and James Daly established the Irish Land League in 1879. Under Davitts guidance, the Land League forged itself into a mass agrarian movement that led to the eventual demise of the oppressive landlord system in Ireland. The Land Leagues strategy of mass civil disobedience brought millions of acres of farmland back into the ownership of those who laboured upon it. The Land League introduced the word boycott into the English language. Ms OSullivan pointed out that under private ownership, there is no guarantee that the hotels role in the land league struggle would be preserved. In the spirit of Michael Davitt and in his memory, this iconic building should be kept in public ownership and protected for future generations, she said. The Mayo county council candidate explained that the public ownership of the hotel would have a positive impact on Castlebars economy. Ms OSullivan said that a creative approach to developing the site is needed to ensure it becomes a main attraction in Castlebar and brings visitors to the county town. Under private ownership, there would be no guarantee that the legacy of Davitt, the Land League and the hotel would be maintained in collective memory. Mayo County Council will decide the fate of the Imperial Hotel. I urge councillors to think beyond the electoral cycle to the long term development of the culture and heritage in Castlebar, she concluded. GERMAN violinist Carolin Widmann returns to Irish Chamber Orchestra with a fabulous programme featuring three timeless classics. ICO will visit venues in Tallaght, Limerick, Newport in Mayo, and Wexford from the April 10 to 13. Hugely versatile, Carolin Widmanns oeuvre spans the great classical concerti, new commissions specially written for her, solo recitals, and a range of chamber music. She regularly directs from the violin and with her astonishing control and magical music drive, Carolin can make anything sound irresistible. She has chosen three much loved masterworks from the baroque, classical and romantic repertoire. Mozarts Eine Kleine Nactmusik is one of the most famous and best loved works. Audiences will be blown away by this multi-faceted serenade, with an enduring vivacity that defies Mozarts lyrical simplicity. Who could not fail to be seduced by a title as alluring as A Little Night Music? This gorgeous gem will charm audiences. Widmann will thrill audiences with JS Bachs A minor Violin Concerto, one of the all-time great concertos full of inventive melodies. This glorious offering combines technical mastery and an excessive beauty that has endeared it through the centuries. Enjoy magnificent show-off moments that require dexterous finger work against the sumptuous backdrop of ICO. Finally, feel the love and joy as audiences are transported to the streets of Florence delving into magic of a city that inspired Tchaikovskys sparkling Souvenir de Florence. Smitten by the city that was home to cultural giants including Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli and Galileo, Tchaikovsky could only produce a diamond that would delight and dazzle - a lush, heartstring- tugging masterwork that will sink you in your seat! MORE Do not miss a seductive night of nostalgia with Irish Chamber Orchestra on Friday, April 12 at St Patricks Church, Newport at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at 25, students 10. Funded by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaion, ICO is based at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. For more see www.irishchamberorchestra.com. Mayo native and graduate of the University of Galway, Maire P Walsh, returned to the west of Ireland to share her insights at Platform94, the west of Irelands largest technology innovation centre The Chief Executive and Managing Partner of leading climate investment and advisory firm, Belayer, shared exclusive insights from the heart of Silicon Valley, focusing on navigating the fundraising frontier. Ms Walsh came to Galway to lead an exclusive event for scaling businesses at Platform94, sharing valuable insights on navigating the fundraising landscape to help businesses scale on a global level. The Castlebar native shared her extensive knowledge and expertise in a session entitled Insights from Silicon Valley: Navigating the Fundraising Frontier. The events priority is to establish Platform94 as an international centre of excellence for scaling technology businesses. Speaking ahead of the event, the newly appointed Platform94 CEO, Marie Donnellan, said she was delighted to be welcoming Walsh. Maire specialises in investing, and in bridging the gap between Silicon Valley's wealth of knowledge, expansive network, and capital, to European startups. She brings a huge amount of experience and expertise to tomorrows event, and I think we can build a really strong and mutually beneficial alliance into the future, she said. A former senior vice President of digital technologies at Enterprise Ireland, Walsh drove significant impact for deep tech and travel technology startups, earning her the ITLG Silicon Valley 50 Award in both 2020 and 2023. Her contributions have also been recognised by The Irish Times, where she was named as one of the most influential Irish women in technology abroad. Her work not only showcases professional excellence, but also a profound dedication to making a positive impact on the startup world. Castlebar native Kate Heneghan will host the first event in the run-up to Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo next month. Fleadh Mhaigh Eos first concert will take place in the Dome suite of the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, on Sunday, April 21. Twenty-eight-year-old Kate is a harpist, violinist and pianist, who boasts an impressive musical journey. Graduating with distinction from Ulster University with a Masters in Music Composition and Performance, and previously attaining a first-class honours BA in Performing Arts (Irish Music) from the University of Limerick, Kates educational achievements underscore her dedication to her craft. Aside from music, Kate was crowned as the 2023 Mayo Rose of Tralee, representing the county at the renowned festival. Her musical talent has led her to perform globally, gracing prestigious venues like Sydney Opera House and the National Concert Hall with her lively and authentic performances. Kates passion for music education led her to co-found Westport Scoil Cheoil, recognised as one of Irelands premier music summer schools. She teaches Irish traditional and classical music on-site and online worldwide. Additionally, Kate presents music radio programmes, hosts theatre shows, and performs on national and international radio and television stations. Recipient of prestigious awards including the Music Generation/U2 Bursary Exceptional Musician Award, Kates versatile talent extends to her role in the award-winning country music band Hurricane Highway. Their debut album Exposed earned critical acclaim and multiple awards, cementing Kates status as a multi-faceted and accomplished musician. The event, which is the first of many surrounding Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo 2024, will see an array of talented musicians take to the stage, stay tuned to The Mayo News, for information on all participants. Tickets are available from Eventbrite or the Westport Plaza hotel reception. A nurse who altered prescriptions as she didn't think her doctor would give her any more of a certain drug because she was addicted to it, appeared at last week's district court. Barrister Suzanne Dooner said her client Deirdre Payne (54) of Riverdale, Clonmore Edenderry, was pleading guilty to the offences and had been fully cooperative. Ms Payne was charged with entering four pharmacies on different dates with duly issued prescriptions which had been altered with intent to deceive. The incidents took place at Ryan's Chemist on Main Street in Daingean, on November 22, 2022. Medical Hall, JKL Street, Edenderry on September 23, 2022. Tedders Chemist, JKL Street, Edenderry on September 8, 2022 and Quinn's Pharmacy, Granary Court, Edenderry on September 7, 2022. In her evidence, Sergeant Justine Reilly said two of the prescriptions were copied and the other two had been altered. Barrister Suzanne Dooner said her client was very ashamed and embarrassed and it was having a significant impact on her. She had an alcohol addiction and had attended the Rutland Centre. She also attended St John of God and is doing well. In addition she attends AA and completed a course in Cuan Mhuire in 2023. Deirdre Payne is currently suspended from her work and this will have a significant impact on her life going forward. Ms Dooner said she was supported by her husband who accompanied her in court. She said she had allowed her mental health condition to get the better of her. Ms Dooner asked if the court would consider a probation report. Judge Cody said there was a very high bar for a nurse working in a hospital with prescriptions. He said it was not the case at the moment that she was fully recovered. He adjourned the case for 12 weeks to June 26, 2024 for a probation and welfare report. ''I won't make any promises''. He said, when a nurse forges a prescription it is not conducive to doing so. An application for legal aid was granted by Judge Cody. 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." advertisement advertisement 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 Richard Whitman , Columnist, March 27, 2024 S4 Capital chief Martin Sorrell told analysts today on an earnings call that the company has received no buyout offers worthy of consideration. We have received no credible offer for the board to consider, Sorrell said on the call, which followed the firms release of its full-year 2023 results. advertisement advertisement Earlier this month The Wall Street Journal reported that S4 Capital had turned down recent approaches by private equity firms and Stagwell because they undervalued the company. Asked about the viability of S4 Capitals offering as a stand alone asset in the marketplace, Sorrell responded that our offer is effective and competitive and can compete with more scaled competitors, as well as specialists and consultants. He added that the firms three-tiered offering of content, data/digital and technology services integrates well in both pitches and relationships. The biggest hit to its numbers for 2023 was the loss of one of its so-called whopper clientsMondelez. It accounted for 30 million GBP, or about 3.3% of the companys 4.5% organic revenue decline last year said Scott Spirit, S4s Chief Growth Officer who was also on the call. The companys goal is to reel in 20 whoppers--defined as clients that generate at least $20 million in net revenue annually. Last year the firm lost two and added two to keep the total at ten, the same as in 2022. In addition to Mondelez it lost an undisclosed tech company while adding a telecommunications firm and fast-moving consumer goods company. S4 is taking steps to improve its sales efforts and it is further tweaking its land and expand approach to landing clients and upselling with additional services. We need to get our house in order said Sorrell, referring to top-line and margin improvement. The firm imposed strict cost measures and cut its staff from 9,000 to 7,700 last year. by Sarah Mahoney , Staff Writer @mahoney_sarah, March 27, 2024 Meijer may be a grocery name everyone in Michigan knows. But thanks to enhanced measurement tools, the Grand Rapids-based regional chain thinks it should be on the lips of national brands looking to better connect with Midwestern shoppers. And like the hundreds of retailers rolling out ad networks, the company is carefully balancing retail media's revenue potential against fickle shoppers' brand expectations. Derek Steele, group vice president of customer strategy and marketing, and Jeff Leitch, director of Meijer Media and category marketing, tells Retail Insider how the company is trying to stand out from larger competitors. Retail Insider: Retail media is dominated by vast companies like Amazon and Walmart+. Why is a retail media network a good idea for a regional grocer? Jeff Leitch: I've been in media for my entire career, 18 years, most on the media sales side. Digital media specializes in identifying the right people, serving the message and measuring the results -- and retail media brings all that together very effectively. We first started in 2019, and have been asking ourselves since: How does retail media integrate with what we do, and how does it best serve our customers? They don't see shopper marketing or retail media. They don't see traditional or digital. They just see how we work with brands to create their shopping experience. So were outsourcing less. And were focused on delivering industry-leading premium solutions. Its what our customers would expect, so its what our brand partners should expect. Retail Insider: So what does a customer-first experience look like? Derek Steele: Right from the get-go, we wanted to make sure people didnt face what I call the NASCAR experience, where theyd land on a page and get hit with a mishmash of stuff. We are trying to drive this idea of relevancy from a customers experience. If a person is searching for Bushs Baked Beans and we steer them into Oreos, that person will say, "Hang on, whats going on here?" So, we took some time to develop a strategy to connect the data. One of the advantages a retailer like Meijer has is that customers interact with us frequently, giving us a rich data perspective. And our customers give us a lot of credit. Relative to some of our competitors, our customers give us a unique right to win because of that relationship. Retail Insider: Does that mean you reject ads if you feel the content isnt relevant or up to your standards? Leitch: Our partners appreciate our flexibility. But if the creative does not match the experience we provide and expect for our customers, I wouldnt say we reject them. We come back with recommendations. And we have the capabilities to help our partners. Steele: It helps that we have so much experience in shopper marketing. We know what people expect to see in Meijer and what it should look and feel like. And retail media is just a digital extension of that. Retail Insider: Youve just announced some enhancements, including expanding the ability to measure closed-loop marketing performance through onsite display, Google Advertising Manager, and off-site display with DV360. As a result, partner activations rose 53% this quarter, with campaign volume up 76%. Why is this important? Leitch: Closed-loop measurement is a highly sought-after capability. Part of our challenge is to catch up with others and leap ahead. This kind of measurement reporting on both display advertising and off-site advertising, in essence, helps provide better omnichannel performance. Retail Insider: Some in the industry are already discussing an inevitable shakeout -- that there likely isnt room for hundreds of these networks. Do you agree? Steele: We are still a year or two away from consolidation. Our strength is that we are an established 90-year-old brand. We have a foothold in the lives of people in the Upper Midwest. Were trusted. And were making sure that any brands we partner with will bring us up and not drag us down. Leitch: Were learning from other retail media networks in all industries. There are also large technology companies that want to have some influence that will shape the future. Retail Insider: I understand why regional brands are a great fit for you, but whats the sales pitch for a national advertiser? Steele: This just happened. A national brand came to us and said, "Were great on the East and West Coast but lagging in the Midwest." What they were doing on other networks wasnt working. Are there bigger networks they could use? Sure. But the Midwest customer still matters, and were a great partner to help brands figure them out. It's not about a mass audience, but trying to move the sales needle. And were nimble, with a long history of helping brands innovate. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, March 28, 2024 Just months after joining Horizon Media in the new role of "human intelligence" within its vaunted WHY cultural intelligence division, Scott Lukas has been put in charge, succeeding the unit's founder Sheri Roder, who is leaving the agency as part of a planned transition. In his new role as executive vice president-Chief of WHY Group, Lukas will focus on driving innovation and revenue via "thought leadership, cutting-edge research and new product development," the agency said in a statement. Lukas -- who joined the group in September from Boston-based MMB, where he was head of strategy for the Gulf State Toyota account -- has held a variety of agency, speaking and writing roles since starting out in the ad industry as an account planner at Chiat/Day in 1991. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 28, 2024 Kentucky lawmakers have passed a privacy bill that would empower residents to wield some control over their data, but wouldn't give people the right to reject a common form of online behavioral advertising. If signed, House Bill 15, introduced last month and approved Wednesday by the state legislature, would enable residents to learn whether their personal information has been processed, and to have that information deleted. While the bill includes a provision stating that people have the right to opt out of ad targeting, that provision doesn't apply to pseudonymous information -- like data linked to cookies or device identifiers -- provided such data is kept separately from information that could be used to identify people. Common behavioral ad targeting techniques rely on pseudonymous identifiers to track people across the web and infer their interests. advertisement advertisement If signed by Governor Andy Beshear, the law will take effect in 2026. The advocacy group Consumer Reports on Thursday urged Beshear to veto the measure, arguing that the privacy rights outlined in the bill are undercut by other provisions in it, including the exemption for pseudonymous information. This bill claims to be a consumer privacy measure, but it really only codifies the status quo preferred by large tech companies, Consumer Reports policy analyst Matt Schwartz stated Thursday. If enacted, Kentucky would join more than a dozen other states with new privacy laws. Of those other states Iowa, Tennesseee and Florida don't appear to require companies to allow people to opt out of ad targeting based on pseudonymous data. Highlights: Prolonged exposure to bright nighttime light increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke Environmental factors such as light pollution and particulate matter are implicated in brain health Addressing excessive artificial illumination is crucial for mitigating stroke risk and promoting public health Trusted Source Outdoor Light at Night, Air Pollution, and Risk of Cerebrovascular Disease: A Cohort Study in China Go to source Trusted Source Did you know? In addition to increasing the risk of stroke, light pollution has been linked to disruptions in sleep patterns, decreased melatonin production, and an increased risk of developing other cardiovascular diseases. #strokeawareness #healthresearch #medindia Advertisement Light Pollution is Real Advertisement Artificial Light is Affecting Our Health Individuals with heightened exposure to outdoor nighttime light faced a staggering 43% increased risk of cerebrovascular disease compared to their counterparts in low-light environments. Moreover, heightened levels of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide corresponded to elevated risks of cerebrovascular disease, underscoring the multifaceted impact of environmental factors on health. Advertisement Artificial Light Disrupts Circadian Rhythm Urgent Need to Curb Light Pollution Outdoor Light at Night, Air Pollution, and Risk of Cerebrovascular Disease: A Cohort Study in China - (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.044904) The ubiquity of artificial light has illuminated our nights, but at what cost? Recent research published in, a scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, suggests that prolonged exposure to bright nighttime light may heighten the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke ).While bright outdoor lights serve to enhance visibility and safety, their excessive use has led to a global epidemic of light pollution. Surprisingly, approximately 80% of the world's population resides in areas where artificial light dominates the night sky, as revealed by the study's authors.Unlike previous investigations focusing on cardiovascular disease , this study pioneers the exploration of the nexus between light pollution and brain health . Jian-Bing Wang, Ph.D., and his team conducted a comprehensive review involving 28,302 adults in China to elucidate this connection. Using satellite imagery to map light pollution, the researchers scrutinized stroke cases over six years.The analysis unearthed alarming correlations:Dr. Wang postulates that continuous exposure to artificial light disrupts melatonin production, perturbing the body's internal clock and exacerbating sleep disturbances. Notably, poor sleep has been linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, accentuating the importance of healthy sleep patterns in maintaining heart health The implications of these findings are profound. Urgent action is warranted to mitigate the adverse effects of light pollution on public health . Dr. Wang advocates for the implementation of stringent policies and preventive measures, particularly in densely populated urban areas.Conducted from 2015 to 2021 in Ningbo, China, the study enlisted adults devoid of cardiovascular disease. Despite its robust methodology, the research has its limitations, including a focus on a single city and the absence of data on indoor lighting. Nonetheless, these findings underscore the imperative for further exploration through large-scale prospective studies.As we navigate the illuminated landscapes of modernity, we must heed the perils of excessive artificial illumination. The revelations of this study serve as a clarion call for collective action to safeguard public health from the encroaching shadows of light pollution.Source-Medindia Highlights: Pheromones can influence biological clocks Odors may hold potential for combating jet lag in humans Understanding moth behavior can revolutionize pest control strategies Trusted Source Pheromone-mediated command from the female to male clock induces and synchronizes circadian rhythms of the moth Spodoptera littoralis Go to source Trusted Source Did you know? Certain animals, like lemurs and fruit flies, rely heavily on scent cues to regulate their internal clocks and coordinate behaviors such as mating and foraging. #circadianrhythms #biologicalclocks #medindia Advertisement Role of Pheromones in Circadian Rhythms Advertisement Bridging the Gap between Moths and Humans Advertisement Harnessing Nature's Tools for Pest Management Pheromone-mediated command from the female to male clock induces and synchronizes circadian rhythms of the moth Spodoptera littoralis - (https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)00217-3?) Male moths' circadian rhythm , or biological clock, is significantly influenced by the pheromones released by female moths, raising intriguing questions about the potential for odors to combat jet lag in humans, suggested a new study (). Led by Abhishek Chatterjee and Sagnik Ghosh, both alumni of Presidency College in Kolkata, this research has far-reaching implications beyond the realm of insect behavior.Traditionally, it has been widely accepted that light synchronizes the internal clock of organisms with the external environment's cyclic patterns. However, the recent discovery challenges this notion, suggesting that biological or social cues can also entrain the biological clock . Published in, the study conducted at the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris (iEES-Paris) sheds new light on the intricate relationship between scent and circadian rhythms.While the direct applicability to humans remains uncertain, Chatterjee and his team propose that specific scents or odors could hold the key to resetting our biological clocks, offering a potential remedy for jet lag. Jet lag, affecting not only travelers but also individuals with irregular sleep patterns, poses a widespread challenge. By exploring the effects of various scents on the circadian clock, researchers aim to uncover novel strategies for managing this common phenomenon.Chatterjee, an alumnus of Presidency College and the University of Calcutta, alongside Ghosh, who pursued his Bachelor's degree at Presidency University and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Paris-Saclay, elucidates how pheromones, typically used by female moths to attract mates, can disrupt the mating efficacy of moths when introduced at irregular intervals. This disruption holds promise for bio-control strategies aimed at managing agricultural pests, thereby safeguarding crops and human health.Building upon the insights gained from moth behavior, researchers envision innovative approaches to manipulating vectors and pests, such as mosquitoes and agricultural pests. By administering pheromones during atypical times, mating cycles can be disrupted, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional pesticide use. Ghosh emphasizes the potential impact on pest populations, particularly in agricultural settings where moths pose a significant threat to crop yield.The interdisciplinary nature of the study, involving researchers from France and Italy, underscores the global significance of understanding biological clocks and their modulation by environmental cues. Moving forward, investigations into the precise mechanisms underlying odor-mediated entrainment of circadian rhythms offer exciting prospects for both basic research and practical applications in pest management and human health.In summary, the study's findings illuminate the intricate interplay between scent, circadian rhythms, and behavior, paving the way for innovative solutions to longstanding challenges in both agriculture and human well-being. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of biological clocks, the potential for harnessing nature's tools for pest control and jet lag mitigation holds immense promise.Source-Medindia Recently, reporters visited the "5G Blueberry" plantation in Shiwu Village, Langxi County, Anhui. Rows of blueberry greenhouses stood in perfect order, with clusters of blueberries hanging from the branches. Workers skillfully picked and packed the ripe berries. These blueberries were not grown in the ground but in pots. The entire greenhouse is equipped with intelligent drip irrigation, spraying systems, and temperature and humidity control systems. Through precise regulation, each blueberry receives ample water and nutrients. "This is the result of introducing 5G Internet of Things technology to the plantation," said Mei Yihe, the person in charge of the plantation. Since 2016, they have been engaged in blueberry cultivation and have been seeking new methods to break the limitations of traditional farming practices. Now, with the help of 5G IoT technology, not only has blueberry cultivation achieved full-scale intelligence and precision management from sowing to harvesting, but it has also significantly increased the yield and quality of the blueberries. In January of this year, Mei Yihe's daughter, Mei Wei, gave up her high-paying job in Shanghai and returned to her hometown to grow blueberries. "As a newcomer in the industry, all I need is a mobile phone to take care of over 40,000 pots of blueberries in the greenhouse. The computer automatically collects data on the culture medium, achieving water and fertilizer conservation and cost-effectiveness," Mei Wei told reporters. "Currently, we have over 50 greenhouses and 47,000 pots of blueberries, mainly consisting of four premium varieties," Mei Yihe said. "After careful cultivation for ten months, the 5G blueberries hit the market at least a month earlier than regular blueberries. Now, large-sized blueberries sell for 200 yuan per catty, while ordinary ones sell for 150 yuan per catty, gaining popularity among consumers in the Yangtze River Delta region." Smart management has not only brought economic benefits but also provided employment opportunities for local villagers. It is reported that the plantation construction, harvesting, and sales operations have created nearly a thousand job opportunities for the local community. "We plan to expand the scale of blueberry cultivation and continue relying on 5G IoT technology to contribute more to rural revitalization," Mei Yihe expressed full confidence when discussing the future. Source: anhuinews.com In this regard, the head of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park, Regulo Franco, gives us details about this measure and the recommendations that visitors to the Inca citadel the main tourist icon of Peru must comply with. He underscored that in order to manage the large influx of visitors, the Machu Picchu team has carried out an exhaustive technical assessment of the tourist circuits, prioritizing the conservation of the site. intensive work has been carried out to enable new circuits and guarantee an optimal experience for visitors, anticipating a larger influx from June 1 to October 15, when 5,600 people are expected per day. In an interview with Andina news agency, Regulo stated that, anticipating a larger influx from June 1 to October 15, when 5,600 people are expected per day. Regarding entry control to Machu Picchu, the official indicated that different shifts will be implemented starting 6 a.m. to distribute visitors and avoid crowds. "Three visiting circuits have been established, each offering a unique experience ranging from panoramic views to emblematic places such as Huayna Picchu and the Inca Bridge," he said. In terms of security, Regulo affirmed that more security cameras have been installed at the sanctuary and in the town of Machu Picchu, in cooperation with the Municipality of Machu Picchu Town and citizen security groups. In addition, a surveillance and regulation committee has been established to monitor safety and visitor compliance with the rules. (END) VDV/MAO/RMB Starting today, March 28, Holy Thursday, the visitor capacity at the Llaqta of Machu Picchu will increase to 5,000 people daily.Published: 3/28/2024 08:03 | Lima, Mar. 28. "We have visited the city of Toronto, Canada, along with an entire delegation, and Peru is once again an attractive destination," he told Andina news agency on Wednesday. "Mining is one of the fundamental pillars of economic growth. We have 51 projects to invest nearly US$60 billion," he said. "Investment needs three essential conditions: political stability, legal stability, and tax predictability," he added. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) , Peru ended 2023 with a mining investment exceeding US$4.715 billion, a figure that surpasses the target set in the middle of last year. Two soldiers were hospitalized with minor injuries after their AH-64 Apache helicopter went down Wednesday evening during a routine training exercise out of Fort Carson, Colorado, base officials confirmed Thursday. The crash is the second in just 48 hours involving an Army Apache; the airframe has seen several other incidents over the last year that injured or killed service members. In the incident at Fort Carson, a single Apache from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, crashed at about 6:30 p.m. local time during an exercise in a southern training area, according to a statement from the base. The injured soldiers were taken to Evans Army Community Hospital on the base after emergency personnel responded to the crash "within minutes," and they were treated and released the same night, the statement added. Read Next: All US Commissaries Plan to Offer Home Delivery of Groceries Starting in Late Summer "We are grateful our soldiers are safe, and the unit is ensuring the crew, their families and friends are receiving all possible care and support during this time," the emailed statement said. "An investigative team from the Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Novosel, Alabama, will investigate the incident. The command has temporarily grounded all aviation assets on Fort Carson until further notice." The Fort Carson crash comes on the heels of an Apache crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state on Monday. Like Wednesday night's incident, Monday's crash happened during what base officials described as routine training and injured two soldiers, who were taken to the hospital. The two Apache crashes this week follow two other incidents involving the aircraft in February, including one fatal crash, that prompted the Army National Guard to temporarily ground all of its helicopters. First, on Feb. 12, two Utah National Guardsmen suffered minor injuries when their Apache went down near Salt Lake City. Then, on Feb. 23, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, were killed when their Apache crashed in northern Mississippi. While three of the four most recent incidents weren't fatal, it is a rarity to survive helicopter crashes. And while the Apache is in the spotlight with this week's crashes, the military has grappled with an array of rotary-wing aircraft mishaps. In November, five soldiers were killed when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, and nine troops were killed in March 2023 in a crash involving two Black Hawks out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Kentucky crash was one of the deadliest training incidents in the Army's history and prompted the service to temporarily ground all of its aircraft. Meanwhile, the Army National Guard in particular has struggled with a high number of incidents. At least 28 Guardsmen were killed in helicopter accidents from 2012 to 2021, according to an April 2023 report from the Government Accountability Office. During the same period, the Army and Air National Guard reported a total of 298 helicopter accidents during non-combat flight operations. The GAO cited difficulties with maintenance and ensuring pilots meet their flight-hour goals as possibly contributing factors in the helicopter crashes in the Guard, where the units are largely manned by part-time troops. Related: 2 Army Apache Helicopter Pilots Injured But Stable After Training Crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Force officials quietly fired the commander of the 727th Air Mobility Squadron at RAF Mildenhall Air Base in the United Kingdom earlier this year, Military.com has learned, marking another in a string of leadership removals since the beginning of the year. Maj. Ligel Brown was relieved of command Jan. 25, but the leadership change was not publicized in a press release or previously covered by the media. Military.com learned of the removal through a social media post, and officials later disclosed some details. Staff Sgt. Joshua Crossman, a spokesman for the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, the squadron's parent unit, told Military.com in an emailed statement that Brown was "relieved due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead." Read Next: Picture of Special Forces Soldier Wearing Nazi Patch Triggers Army Investigation The services rarely disclose specific reasons why commanders or military leaders are fired. Officials often cite the federal Privacy Act -- which protects military records -- or simply state that it was due to a "loss of trust and confidence" instead of providing additional details or revealing whether potential misconduct happened. Crossman did disclose that there are no ongoing investigations related to Brown and that she is no longer assigned to the 727th Air Mobility Squadron. "There are no pending or ongoing investigations related to Maj. Brown's time in command of the 727th Air Mobility Squadron," Crossman told Military.com on Thursday. Maj. Scott Conrad, who was previously the 727th Air Mobility Squadron's director of operations, assumed command the same day Brown was relieved. Brown could not be reached at phone numbers listed for her in public records. She took command of the squadron in July 2023, according to a service biography provided by the Air Force. Prior to that, she was a student at Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and the chief of global force management for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. Brown joined the Air Force in 2004 and graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Her first assignment was Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, where she was an F-15/F-16 aircraft maintenance analyst through 2009. She then commissioned as a logistics readiness officer through Officer Training School in 2010, according to her biography. The revelation of Brown's removal comes amid a number of leadership shake-ups in the Air Force. On Monday, Col. Danzel Albertsen, commander of the 49th Maintenance Group at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, was removed from his leadership role. And earlier this month, Air Force officials at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina removed two commanders and reassigned one senior enlisted leader from a medical group at the base. Related: Air Force Colonel Heading Maintenance Group at New Mexico Base Is Relieved of Command Troops, military families and veterans in the U.S. may be able to have their commissary groceries delivered right to their front door this summer, according to the Defense Commissary Agency. The home deliveries, set to begin in late summer, are planned as an expansion of the agency's COVID-19 pandemic-era accessibility program and would be provided within a 20-mile radius of commissaries at bases in the continental U.S., Tressa Smith, a DeCA spokesperson, told Military.com in an email. During the pandemic, the agency created the "Click2Go" program so patrons could order food from home and pick it up, limiting contact with others. This new delivery feature will similarly be available through DeCA's website and its "Commissary Click2Go" application. Read Next: Picture of Special Forces Soldier Wearing Nazi Patch Triggers Army Investigation "The plan is to eventually deliver groceries from all commissaries in the continental U.S. to customers on and off base, in barracks or housing, and offices," Smith said of the program. Because of regulation differences overseas, the program will not be available outside of the continental U.S. No contract has been awarded yet regarding who will provide the delivery services, Smith told Military.com. "The delivery solicitation is in the contract sensitive stages with a goal of having the solicitation on sam.gov by late April," she added, referring to a federal website for contractors. The home delivery system has already been tested at eight locations, including commissaries at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Fort Liberty South in North Carolina, and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. In August, John Hall, the then-new director of DeCA, told Military.com that Click2Go needed to be overhauled to make it more user-friendly. Commissaries were doing just around 1% of sales online versus the industry average of about 10%, he said, adding that DeCA needed to greatly grow that capability. Smith said that is being addressed with this new feature. "The Defense Commissary Agency has made doorstep delivery an important aspect of the agency's efforts to make it more convenient for customers to use their commissary benefit," Smith said. "Across our agency, we have a renewed focus on customer service -- every decision we make is through the eyes of our patron -- striving to meet their needs, be it extended hours, special orders or commissary delivery." The home delivery system is part of a series of changes the agency has made over the last few years in an attempt to better serve more veterans and troops. In addition to working to update overall store facilities, commissaries are switching to environmentally friendly multi-use shopping bags and offering quick healthy-food kiosks at certain Army installations. The hope is that an expanded home delivery service will increase commissaries' reach and, consequently, their funding by being more accessible to the 4.1 million disabled veterans who were given commissary access as of 2020. "Any veteran with any level percentage of service-connected disability -- it can be a 0%, 5%, it doesn't matter," DeCA's senior enlisted adviser, Marine Sgt. Major Michael Saucedo, said in July at the Veterans of Foreign Wars conference in Phoenix. "If you have a service-connected disability rating, they now have access to the commissary benefit for the rest of their life." Editor's note: This story was updated with an additional statement from the Defense Commissary Agency. -- Rachel Nostrant is a Marine Corps veteran and freelance journalist, with work published in Reuters, New York Magazine, Military Times and more. Related: New Commissary Chief Eyes Store Improvements, Expansion of Delivery Services Elias Irizarry, who was a Citadel cadet when he was arrested for being part of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, has filed as a Republican to run against a veteran S.C. House of Representatives member. Irizarry, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, will run in House District 43, which covers much of Chester County and part of southeastern York County. Irizarry, 22, filed late Wednesday. He will be running against incumbent Rep. Thomas Randy Ligon, R- Chester, a Chester realtor, auctioneer and farmer, who filed March 16. Ligon has been in office since 2019. My record speaks for itself in getting conservative results, Ligon said in a statement. Im confident our voters will make a wise choice on June 11. Looking forward to the conversation. Irizarry could not be reached for comment. Irizarry and Ligon and any others who file for that seat will run against each other in the June Republican primary. The Citadel said Thursday that Irizarry is enrolled as a student at South Carolinas military college. Irizarry was a freshman at The Citadel on Jan. 6, 2021, when, sporting a red Make America Great Again hat, he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol with a mob of thousands who had broken through barricades and fought with police. Unlike many rioters, he did not assault police officers or damage property but he was photographed carrying a metal stick that he had picked up. Irizarry was one of 26 South Carolinians who have been arrested by the FBI for their actions that day. So far, 19 have pleaded guilty to various offenses. Another was found guilty by a District of Columbia jury. Charges against the other six are pending. The Citadel allowed Irizarry, who had an excellent record as a student leader and was an honors student, to continue his studies. He was suspended after October 2022, when he pleaded guilty in Washington before U.S. Judge Tanya Chutkan. The Citadel announced it was suspending him because he had committed conduct unbecoming a cadet. The misdemeanor charge to which Irizarry pleaded guilty to was entering and remaining on restricted building. Chutkan, the federal judge who will preside over former President Donald Trumps Jan. 6-related trial, sentenced Irizarry to 14 days in jail. According to the federal Bureau of Prisons, Irizarry finished serving his sentence in May 2023. In court, Irizarry admitted that he entered the Capitol through a broken window after passing barricades and going through fencing outside. He climbed on statues and took pictures inside with others. He left the Capitol after 27 minutes. In court, Irizarry also renounced what he called the crazy insurrectionists who sought to stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power and admitted to making what he called the worst mistake of my life. Last spring, Irizarry got a job in the S.C. House of Representatives working as a page with the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Irizarry was sponsored by state Rep. David ONeal, a York County Republican and former mayor of Tega Cay who spent 20 years in the U.S. Army. Hes a good kid. He made a mistake, ONeal told The State. And we can all use redemption sometimes, you know, and a second chance, and this kid is worth saving. Hes just that good of a kid. Larry Barnett, York County Republican Party Chairman, said anyone who has legal standing to run for office can do so. Candidates do not have to ask the county party or state party to file, Barnett said I am okay with Elias running, Barnett said. At one court hearing, Judge Chutkan underscored the seriousness of the Jan. 6 insurrection, telling Irizarry that he was part of a mob (that) almost caused the halt of the transfer of power in this country in whats tantamount to an attempt to overthrow this government. Irizarry, the judge continued, may not have carried a weapon, he may not have stolen anything, he may not have assaulted a police officer, but hes alleged to have been part of that mob. Irizarry had travelled to Washington on Jan. 6 with friends to attend former President Trumps Stop the Steal rally and was on a break from The Citadel, according to court records. Trump has made numerous false claims that Democrats cheated him out of victory in the November 2020 election. But some 60 lawsuits filed in that elections aftermath failed to find fraud, and Trumps own Attorney General, William Barr, said there was no fraud substantial enough to have changed election results. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 1,355 people have been arrested for charges related to the storming of the Capitol. Of those, 486 face charges of assaulting police or employees and 127 are charged with using a dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. The arrests and investigation into the Capitol breach are continuing. 2024 The State. Visit thestate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Coast Guard said Thursday it is searching for a Marine who went missing off the coast of Puerto Rico after having gone out swimming in high surf. According to the Coast Guard, 26-year-old Samuel Wanjiru went swimming in the beach area of "La Pared" in Luquillo on the western side of the U.S. territory near San Juan on Wednesday afternoon when he became distressed and a 911 call went out. Wanjiru is a Massachusetts resident who was visiting the island with his family, according to the statement. Military.com reached out to the Marine Corps for more information about Wanjiru's service history but did not hear back in time for publication. Read Next: All US Commissaries Plan to Offer Home Delivery of Groceries Starting in Late Summer After receiving the 911 call, the Coast Guard said it launched an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to search for the Marine. On Thursday, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen were part of the search, along with "multiple Office of Emergency Management offices in the area" and Puerto Rico police, the statement noted. The commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Capt. Jose Diaz, said in a statement that "this month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico." On the same day that Wanjiru went missing, the Coast Guard helped recover another distressed swimmer off Montones Beach in Isabela, Puerto Rico. He was recovered unresponsive and later declared dead. The National Weather Service had issued advisories since Tuesday warning swimmers that "a high risk of life-threatening rip currents" was present along the majority of the island's northern coastline. "People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to search-and-rescue cases with surface vessels without further endangering our crews and assets," Diaz warned. Puerto Rico's State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management also warned people "to NOT go to beaches this week because they are dangerous due to high tide" in a Facebook post providing updates on the search for Wanjiru. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones to the sea, we hope they find strength during this most difficult time," Diaz said. Related: Marine Who Drowned Saving 2 Children Remembered As 'One of Our Best' In early March the Navy notified the Environmental Protection Agency that it had detected "unvalidated test results " finding high levels of total petroleum |hydrocarbons, or TPH, in water samples taken from an on-base school and a home in the Aliamanu Military Reservationboth of which had their water systems flushed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also detected "abnormally high levels of TPH " in drinking water samples from two piers. EPA Region 9 Director Amy Miller sent an email on Tuesday notifying Red Hill Community Representation Initiative board Chair Marti Townsend of the tests. In the email, Miller said that later "validated " test results had determined that the samples tested were actually below the "method detection limit " and thus deemed safe. But members of the CRI expressed frustration that EPA is sharing information about the testing after a community meeting last Thursday. "To get this email after the CRI meeting happened, and they had had this information since the beginning of March, is a huge red flag, " said Mandy Feidnt, a member of the CRI, who said that it "calls the EPA's integrity into question." As of press time, officials did not specify at which school the results were found. The CRI is made up of a mixture of local residents and activists along with people directly affected by the Red Hill water crisis, which began in November 2021 when fuel from the Navy's bulk Red Hill fuel storage facility entered and contaminated the Navy's Oahu water system, which serves 93, 000 people. The CRI was created as part of a federal consent order involving the EPA, state Department of Health and military regarding the closure of Red Hill. The CRI and community members have raised questions about the reliability of tests, particularly amid an increase in complaints of illnesses by residents on the Navy water line. After the crisis began the Navy spent months flushing the system, and in March 2022 the Navy and DOH declared water from the system was safe to drink again, but many residents remained skeptical. Last year the EPA began testing homes of people reporting symptoms. In December, the EPA released a report after testing four homes. Three of them had traces of petroleum in the water, and in each case previous Navy testing had shown no traces. Since then there has been a surge in complaints. "The bottom line is these families are still getting very sick, " said Feidnt. "And it's not just family that have been there the whole time, it is brand-new families that are moving in and didn't know anything about the water crisis before." The Navy, for its part, has assembled a "swarm team " of experts to examine the water. During a March 7 meeting of the Red Hill Fuel Tank Advisory Committee, a DOH initiative, a member of the swarm team said detections of TPH, found in test samples throughout the past two years, didn't necessarily indicate the presence of petroleum. He asserted that nonpetroleum substanceslike chemicals found in plasticcould trigger a positive test for TPH, saying, "In a sense you could call them false positives." During the CRI's March 2024 meeting, Capt. James Sullivan, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii, said the way the lab had been testing the water was "not a drinking water method " because "as we all know, there should not be fuel in drinking water. So therefore, there was not a method developed for that specifically " and that the service made due with what it had. Feidnt said that potentially calls all tests into question, and asked "if there can be false positives, why can't there be false negatives ?" According to Miller's email, the two detections in March had "exceedances above the Incident Specific Parameter (ISP ) level of 266 ppb (parts per billion )." On March 8 the Navy notified the EPA of "unvalidated results " from a classroom sink at a school with TPH detected at 324 ppb. The email did not specify which school. On March 11 the Navy notified the EPA of a reading of 359 ppb from the residence in the Aliamanu Military Reservation. "In both instances, the taps were flushed and split samples were collected and analyzed using modified lab methods (chlorine quenched micro-extraction ), " Miller wrote. "Both the School and AMR residence returned validated results that were NON-DETECT for TPH (ie, below the method detection limit of 50 ppb)." On March 12, the Navy was informed that NOAA industrial hygienists had collected drinking water samples from two piers in late February and sent them off-island to an independent, EPA-certified lab for analysis of TPH. "The results entailed abnormally high levels of TPH, exceeding the established ISP, " said Miller. " NOAA's lab reported on 15 Mar, that the initial TPH detections were incorrect. The lab reanalyzed the samples which were NON-DETECT for TPH in both risers and produced a memorandum voiding the original lab results due to lab contamination (quality control ) and certifying the second, Non-Detect results. Navy's Rapid Response Test was NON-DETECT and the Navy also received VALIDATED Long Term Monitoring results of NON-DETECT for both piers, which has addressed the matter of a false TPH." Feidnt said "they'll take the samples and all of a sudden, they're above the 266or they're highand they'll come back, they'll flush the system who knows how many times, then they'll take two samples, and they'll split it to validate it. And there's no record then of there ever being an exceedance. There's only a record of it being totally fine. And it makes us wonder how often has this happened." The CRI has been calling on the Navy, DOH and EPA to issue a water safety advisory for the Navy's water system. In November 2021 the DOH put out a water advisory when residents were reporting getting sick and the Navy continued to insist the water was safe. By December the Navy acknowledged that contaminated water had entered its water line. In regards to why the DOH sent out an advisory in 2021 but not for the most recent reports of illness, the agency said in the statement "the situation right now in March 2024 is different in multiple ways." The agency said that in November 2021 "there was a known fuel release at the Red Hill facility " and that "through observation of a fuel-like odor from samples taken on the Navy's water system, a preponderance of complaints from residents, and the acute nature of those hospitalized or reporting injury, DOH made the quick and precautionary decision to issue a Health Advisory for the entire Navy drinking water system on Nov. 29, 2021 because the Navy did not to do so." By contrast the DOH said that currently "the water source for those on the Navy's water system is coming from the Waiawa Shaft (not the Red Hill shaft, which was still in use in November 2021 ). The Red Hill Shaft has been shut down since late November 2021. Joint- Task Force Red Hill has removed almost all the fuel from the underground storage tanks and there has been no known fuel release." But the DOH said that it "takes reports of symptoms seriously and is working to identify if there is a drinking water related cause. Using the multiple lines of evidence approach to water quality testing, there is no substantial evidence to support a change in the Navy water distribution system's water quality at this time. However, we acknowledge that some are experiencing symptoms, and we continue to investigate." "All we're saying, as a representative for the community, is the facts are people are sick, there's a visible sheen (on the water ), " said Feidnt. "While you guys figure it out what it is, while you get your story straight, what is the harm in putting out an advisory so that people are informed and they can protect their families ?" ___ (c)2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Service members still aren't getting enough sleep, in large part because there's no coherent Pentagon effort to remedy the problem, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office released this week. The GAO found that fatigue among service members "appeared to be more the rule than the exception," with active-duty troops sleeping less than seven hours nightly twice as often as civilians. That lack of sleep has contributed to safety mishaps, near-misses and numerous deaths. "There's recognition of this [problem] within the military," GAO report author and military readiness expert Diana Maurer told Military.com in a phone interview. "The problem is no one owns it." Read Next: All US Commissaries Plan to Offer Home Delivery of Groceries Starting in Late Summer Health experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep for adults. It's not just quantity: Sleep quality is important too, making it hard for troops with uncomfortable mattresses or pilots dealing with noise and light to get meaningful shut-eye. Pilots, missileers, aircraft maintainers and vehicle operators all noted in the report how fatigue has led to near-misses at work. "Sometimes when I'm driving, I find myself falling asleep and I have to catch myself," one vehicle operator said in the report. "I could kill someone on accident because I'm not getting the right sleep." Despite the military undertaking almost 130 fatigue-related research projects since 2017, most research findings are stovepiped, inhibiting information-sharing and sowing confusion over who within the Defense Department should oversee sleep and fatigue issues. Offices that manage training, readiness, safety and suicide prevention don't share information on fatigue-related events under their purviews either. "There is universal recognition that it's an area of concern," Maurer said. "Everyone agrees that someone should do it, to take actions to address it, but it wasn't clear who that someone should be. "So, if no one's in charge of addressing the problem and everyone else thinks someone else's taking care of it, you're not going to see major change," she said. The report comes as the DoD has recently refused to say whether troops are getting adequate rest time at home between deployments, and as service members are spending more time away from home than ever. Almost 500 deaths, serious injuries and property damage events were reported within the Department of the Navy between 2015 and 2019 -- all related to driving while fatigued, according to the GAO report. "DoD recognizes that impairment from fatigue can be equivalent to the effects of alcohol intoxication and significantly increases the risk of physical injury," the report says. In 2017, two disastrous Navy ship collisions led to the deaths of 17 sailors and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage. Fatigue was later identified as a contributing factor in both collisions. It's not just safety that sleep affects. Chronic conditions such as obesity, depression and heart disease can all be spurred by sleeplessness. The report also noted the links between lack of sleep and increased risk of death by suicide, a longtime struggle for the DoD. It's overlap like this that makes Dr. Vince Mysliwiec, a sleep researcher at University of Texas Health-San Antonio and former sleep medicine consultant to the Army's surgeon general, wish the DoD would create a stand-alone office to oversee better sleep and human performance practices. "The implementation of these [best sleep] practices servicewide is what needs to happen," he told Military.com in a phone interview. "They've identified the problem too much." Mysliwiec added that, while the study captured the need more a more focused effort, it didn't reference two other issues likely affecting some troops struggling with sleep -- alcohol and smartphones, both of which are notorious sleep disruptors. But any actual implementation from new sleep efforts ultimately won't fall to the top brass, Mysliwiec said. It will be up to unit leaders. "At the end of the day, when the mission is there, you have to recognize the ultimate responsibility for the military is to accomplish the mission," he said. "And then at times, sleep will be sacrificed. But it doesn't have to be sacrificed every day." -- Kelsey Baker is a graduate student at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, and a former active-duty Marine. Reach her on X at @KelsBBaker or bakerkelsey@protonmail.com. Related: Crew Shortages, Bad Mattresses Causing Navy Surface Sailors to Lose Shut-Eye, Watchdog Says ? Representantes de la @FiscaliaPeru fueron atendidos esta manana por personal del Despacho Presidencial, el que recibio una notificacion dirigida a la presidenta de la republica, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra. Cats are so cute that humans have kept them as pets for thousands of years. When it comes to wild cats, many start out as adorable kittens, then grow into intimidatingly large adults. Some wild cats, however, stay small for life, keeping their cuteness factor. Some of the smallest wild cats are: Advertisement Rusty-spotted Cat " " Rusty-spotted cat. Felineus / Shutterstock Prionailurus rubiginosus is even smaller than a domestic cat, with a body just 13 to 19 inches (35 to 48 centimeters) long, a height of 8 inches (20 centimeters) and a weight of 2.2 to 3.5 pounds (1 to 1.6 kilograms). It may be cute, but the rusty-spotted cat is a formidable hunter. The species feeds primarily on small rodents, but this tiny creature has been known to attack gazelles. Sand Cat " " Sand cat. Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images Felis margarita is adorable not just because of its tiny stature (18 to 22.5 inches or 45 to 57 centimeters long and 3 to 7.5 pounds or 1 to 3.5 kilograms in weight), but its wide face and huge eyes, which give the sand cat that "baby face" look. And let's not forget its velvety fur! Sand cats live in some of the world's driest climates: the Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula and parts of Central Asia. Kodkod " " Kodkod. tya.studio / Shutterstock Leopardus guigna, also known as the guina, is the smallest cat in all of Central and South America. It lives in Argentina and Chile and looks like a tiny leopard. These little animals are just 14.5 to 22 inches (37 to 56 centimeters) long and weigh 3.3 to 6.6 pounds (1.5 to 3 kilograms). Black-footed Cat " " Black-footed cat. Mark Newman / Getty Images Felis nigripes of Southern Africa is the continent's smallest feline, standing 8 inches (20 centimeters) tall, 14 to 20 inches (36 to 52 centimeters) long and weighing 2.2 to 5.5 pounds (1 to 2.5 kilograms). According to local legend, black-footed cats can take down a giraffe. A woman has urged others to inspect their rice bought from Aldi after claiming to have found a "gross" blue substance inside her bag of white rice. After pouring some of the rice out on Monday, Jade noticed something "blue" in the opened bag. "I thought at first actually that it was like a measuring cup," she said online. "No, it's the rice dyed, I think from the bag, and it's all hard and gross." Jade told Yahoo News Australia she had bought the packet of Imperial Grain from her local Aldi supermarket in Charlestown, near Newcastle, NSW. A woman found a gross blue substance in her packet of Aldi rice. Source: Getty/TikTok Yahoo has since reached out to Aldi to determine what this could have been caused by, and if there have been other reports of a similar substance found in rice packets. Aldi has declined to provide comment on the matter. So, while Jade believes it's dye from the packaging, at this stage there is no confirmation on what the blue contamination could be. Aldi does encourage customers to contact it directly via the help centre for concerns such as this so an investigation into the circumstances can be carried out. Second alleged find in Aldi rice within a week Just seven days ago another packet of Imperial Grain rice from Aldi was called out online after an Australian man discovered what he described as a "dead mouse" inside. Richard Ellis purchased the packet of Imperial Grain rice from his local Aldi store in Keilor Downs, Victoria but what he found inside left him feeling sick to his stomach. "I feel like I'm going to throw up just talking about it," he told Yahoo at the time. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa, killing at least 45 people. The only survivor of the crash was an eight-year-old child, who was receiving medical attention, according to authorities in the northern province of Limpopo. They said the child was seriously injured. The Limpopo provincial government said the bus veered off the Mmamatlakala bridge on Thursday and plunged 50 metres into a ravine before bursting into flames. Search operations continued, the provincial government said, but many bodies were burned beyond recognition and still trapped inside the vehicle. Authorities said they believed the bus was travelling from the neighbouring country of Botswana to the town of Moria, which hosts a popular Easter pilgrimage. They said it appeared that the driver lost control and was one of the dead. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga was in Limpopo province for a road safety campaign and changed plans to visit the crash scene, the national Department of Transport said. She said there was an investigation under way into the cause of the crash and offered her condolences to the families of the victims. The South African government often warns of the danger of road accidents during the Easter holidays, which is a particularly busy and dangerous time for road travel. More than 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend in 2024. The Zionist Christian Church has its headquarters in Moria and its Easter pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across South Africa and neighbouring countries. This year is the first time the Easter pilgrimage to Moria is set to go ahead since the COVID-19 pandemic. The devastated wife of a tourist feared dead after falling off a cruise ship has revealed the last message he sent her before vanishing. Liam Jones was celebrating his mums birthday on the MSC Euribia bound for Amsterdam and Hamburg earlier this month when he inexplicably toppled overboard. The 23-year-old student was last seen on the boats deck on March 16 just one day after setting sail on the luxury seven-day holiday. Liam Jones was celebrating his mum's birthday when he fell from the MSC Euribia cruise ship bound for Amsterdam. Source: Daily Record/supplied In his last text, the Scottish tourist complained to his wife Sophia Mcphee, 20, that he was feeling seasick. Not long after Liams sister broke the tragic news. She said there had been an accident and Liam wasnt coming back, Sophia told the Daily Record. She then said she had seen CCTV and hed gone overboard. The heartbroken wife said she has so many questions about her husbands disappearance and is not getting any answers to whats happened. I feel so lost. Hes just...gone. Im never going to see him again. Im devastated, she added. Police boarded the MSC Euribia after it returned to the UK last week. Source: Port of Hamburg Police board docked cruise ship Police boarded the MSC Euribia after it returned to Southampton in the UK on Friday. A spokesperson for MSC Cruises told the publication a passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on 16 March as the ship was sailing to Hamburg. This was reported to the authorities. The police in Southampton boarded the vessel today and investigated on behalf of the coroner. 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. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Satellite images showing a Chinese military training site appearing to replicate the road network surrounding Taiwan's Presidential Office, is a sign, some believe, of a planned invasion of Taiwan. China has ramped up its push to reunify Taiwan with the mainland under a "one country, two systems" policy in recent years, however the island state vehemently rejects such a move, stressing its desire to become a recognised democratic nation. President Xi Jinping has not ruled out using military force to achieve his goals, with both China and Taiwan flexing their military muscles as tensions rise in the region. The daunting satellite images, which appear to be new, are an indication of China's latest "geopolitical play," according to French political commentator Julien Hoez, who shared the side-by-side images on X, formally Twitter, this week. One image shows a Chinese military training site in China's Inner Mongolia region which is "an exact replica of the road network near Taiwan's Presidential Palace", also pictured. A satellite image of a Chinese military training site in China's Inner Mongolia region is 'an exact replica of the road network near Taiwan's Presidential Palace' could be a sign of imminent invasion. Source: X/Getty "Make no mistake: China fully plans to invade Taiwan in a geopolitical play that will unbalance the region," Hoez warned on social media. China putting 'pressure' on Taiwan ahead of election But threats such as this are "nothing new" says Wen-Ti Sung, sessional lecturer in Taiwan Studies at the Australian National University. "China has been using replicas of Taiwanese buildings and landscapes for their military drills for years," he told Yahoo News Australia. Most notably, in 2020, a replica of Taiwan's Presidential Office building was shown on China's nightly prime-time news program, CCTV, with a news story about Chinese military exercises. Story continues This particular image, and others like it, are surfacing again now "possibly as a security theater" ahead of Taiwan's 2024 election. "It's an indirect way to exert pressure against Taiwan's government ahead of Taiwan's presidential transition in May," he explained. "They can exert threat without directly threatening anyone, so it won't get criticised by others for being provocative. And if it works it may just nudge Taiwan's next government's China policy in a direction more favourable to Beijing." A Chinese military training site in China's Inner Mongolia region is an exact replica of the road network near Taiwan's Presidential Palace. Make no mistake: China fully plans to invade Taiwan in a geopolitical play that will unbalance the region. pic.twitter.com/80nWa3peoN Julien Hoez (@JulienHoez) March 26, 2024 Threats of war with 'one China' policy China has stood firm that Taiwan is part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and refuses most contacts with countries that maintain formal ties with the island democracy. It threatens retaliation against countries merely for increasing contacts. "We inform sternly the Taiwan authorities that engaging in separatist activities for Taiwan independence is against the will and interests of the Chinese nation and against the trend of history, and is doomed to a dead end," Chinas former Foreign Minister Qin Gang previously said. Last month, US top admiral of the Indo-Pacific command John Aquilino warned of a potential invasion by 2027. Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron said this would have an "absolutely calamitous effect" globally. "We dont want to see any unilateral action to change the situation between China and Taiwan," Cameron said. "Theres no doubt that were there to be something like a blockade it would have an absolutely calamitous effect, not just on Taiwan, but on the global economy. "Weve had recent evidence of a calamitous event with Covid. I think if that were to happen with Taiwan, it would be more significant." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Everett Harris & Co. CA cut its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 51.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 215,082 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 224,163 shares during the quarter. Everett Harris & Co. CAs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $14,798,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 60,391,016 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,422,963,000 after buying an additional 398,367 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 26.3% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 29,775,952 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,634,700,000 after acquiring an additional 6,195,934 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,050,168 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,413,244,000 after purchasing an additional 391,238 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in Charles Schwab by 62.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,853,005,000 after purchasing an additional 8,563,389 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter worth $1,325,555,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Stock Up 2.0 % Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded up $1.41 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $72.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,356,362 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,839,497. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52 week low of $45.65 and a 52 week high of $72.94. The company has a market capitalization of $128.42 billion, a PE ratio of 28.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $65.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 21.33%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.07 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 39.37%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 16,390 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.94, for a total transaction of $1,047,976.60. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 61,331,688 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,921,548,130.72. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 29,991 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.80, for a total transaction of $2,033,389.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 81,446 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,522,038.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 16,390 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.94, for a total transaction of $1,047,976.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 61,331,688 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,921,548,130.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 216,584 shares of company stock valued at $14,200,769. 6.60% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on SCHW. StockNews.com raised Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Raymond James dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 18th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. TD Cowen raised shares of Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $87.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.12. Get Our Latest Stock Report on SCHW Charles Schwab Company 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Klondex Mines Ltd. (TSE:KDX Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$3.07 and traded as high as C$3.09. Klondex Mines shares last traded at C$3.07, with a volume of 1,962,298 shares. Klondex Mines Price Performance The firms 50-day moving average is C$3.07. About Klondex Mines (Get Free Report) Klondex Mines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, explores, develops, and produces mineral properties in the United States and Canada. It primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. The company holds 100% interests in the Fire Creek mine covering approximately 19,000 acres located in Lander County; the Midas mine and ore milling facility covering approximately 30,000 acres situated in Elko County; and the Hollister mine approximately 18,000 acres located in Elko County. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Klondex Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Klondex Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. More people in Belgium are arriving at clinics with serious lesions in their noses amid rising cocaine consumption, doctors say. The ear nose and throat (ENT) clinic of Liege's University Hospital Centre (CHU) often sees patients with nasal obstruction. Cocaine can cause blood vessels to narrow in the nose which can damage tissue. This can lead to perforations in the mucose membrane and the cartilage. There is damage to both the mucus membrane and cartilage so to the nasal septum, which is affected, as well as the internal structures, said Dr Sophie Tombu, a doctor at the ENT clinic at Liege Hospital Centre (CHU). When the perforation of the septum is wider, this leads to a collapse of the nasal pyramid and this will be visible from the outside, Tombu added. Often people 'in their forties' The patients these doctors see are relatively young, often in their forties. Sometimes a little older. Theyre not [younger] patients [aged] 25. They are more likely to be in their forties, Dr Philippe Lefebvre, head of the ENT Department at CHU Liege, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF. Thats where we find them, with fairly privileged socio-economic and professional backgrounds. They may be managers or teachers or people who work in banking or something like that," Lefebvre added. When the nasal septum is damaged, the nose may need to be reconstructed, a procedure called a rib graft rhinoplasty which involves taking a piece of cartilage from the patient's rib. We will then model it to reconstruct the nasal pyramid and reconstruct the function of the nose, Tombu said. While this can help patients breathe normally again, doctors say not many patients with cocaine use can undergo operations like this. This is because the patient needs to have stopped cocaine consumption for at least six months for the mucous membrane to heal before the operation. Story continues "Even if we have a lot of patients in consultation with this type of pathology, the number of operations is limited because stopping cocaine is complicated, said Tombu. A report published recently by the Belgian health authority suggests cocaine use has increased over the past five years in Belgium, while heroin use has decreased. For more on this story, watch the video in the media player above. Morton Capital Management LLC CA decreased its position in shares of Green Dot Co. (NYSE:GDOT Free Report) by 18.1% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 17,946 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,960 shares during the period. Morton Capital Management LLC CAs holdings in Green Dot were worth $178,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GDOT. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in Green Dot by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,718 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 688 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Green Dot in the 2nd quarter worth about $114,000. Point72 Middle East FZE raised its position in shares of Green Dot by 3,257.1% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE now owns 6,177 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $116,000 after acquiring an additional 5,993 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming grew its stake in shares of Green Dot by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 8,812 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $139,000 after buying an additional 633 shares during the period. Finally, Caxton Associates LP acquired a new stake in shares of Green Dot in the 3rd quarter valued at about $141,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.56% of the companys stock. Get Green Dot alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Green Dot In other Green Dot news, insider Principal Co Lp Starboard sold 150,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.17, for a total transaction of $1,225,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 276,595 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,259,781.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CRO Christian Devin Ruppel purchased 33,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $9.06 per share, with a total value of $298,980.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive now owns 101,715 shares in the company, valued at approximately $921,537.90. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Principal Co Lp Starboard sold 150,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.17, for a total transaction of $1,225,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 276,595 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,259,781.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.90% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on GDOT shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Green Dot from $15.00 to $12.50 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Barclays downgraded Green Dot from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $8.00 to $7.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. TheStreet downgraded Green Dot from a c- rating to a d rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on Green Dot from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Green Dot presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.13. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on GDOT Green Dot Price Performance Shares of NYSE GDOT traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $9.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 539,373 shares, compared to its average volume of 755,473. The stock has a market capitalization of $485.24 million, a P/E ratio of 70.66 and a beta of 1.03. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $8.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.05. Green Dot Co. has a 12-month low of $7.30 and a 12-month high of $21.37. Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.04. The company had revenue of $361.72 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $350.14 million. Green Dot had a net margin of 0.45% and a return on equity of 6.78%. On average, equities analysts predict that Green Dot Co. will post 0.84 EPS for the current year. Green Dot Profile (Free Report) Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and registered bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company provides deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GDOT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Green Dot Co. (NYSE:GDOT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Green Dot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Green Dot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Queensland Premier Steven Miles says he has "sympathy" for those eager to have an Instagram-famous magpie returned to its former owners and dog 'best friend' after it was surrendered to government authorities. Molly the magpie had been with the family since 2020 after it was found in a park alone, believed to have been abandoned. After the bird was taken home a "bond" formed between Molly and the family's staffy Peggy and countless videos have been shared online since with the content amassing millions of followers across social media platforms. Queensland premier Steven Miles said he has 'sympathy' for those who are eager to have Peggy and Molly reunited. Source: Instagram and Getty However "heartbroken" owners Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen surrendered the magpie to Queensland's Department of Science, Environment and Innovation (DESI) on March 1 after the department received "constant complaints" from a group concerned about the bird's welfare. Queensland premier wants Peggy and Molly reunited On Wednesday, Steven Miles confirmed he backed the campaign to have the magpie returned to Juliet and Reece, and over 10,000 people have shared a similar sentiment by signing a petition in support of the cause. Former owners Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen are heartbroken the magpie was surrendered to authorities. Source: Instagram "I know our environment department, I used to be their minister. I know they take their responsibilities under the law very seriously. But I think in these circumstances, theres room for some flexibility," he told media. "I just urge them to work with Mollys carers to get the necessary wildlife carer training so that she can get back home." "I gotta say, Ive got some sympathy for people supporting Molly the magpie." Why was the magpie surrendered? The DESI confirmed to Yahoo News this week that the magpie was "voluntarily surrendered" to staff. It is believed neither Juliet or Reece hold an appropriate permit, licence or authority to have possession of the bird under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Story continues "It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued by DESI," it said. Videos online showed Molly the magpie and Peggy the dog's special 'bond'. Source: Instagram The department stressed the risks involved with wild animals and domestic animals interacting with one another such as behavioural imprinting and transmission of diseases. "Animals from the wild, must stay wild," DESI added. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Xi calls for more China-US exchanges 08:48, March 28, 2024 By Cao Desheng ( Chinadaily.com.cn President Xi Jinping meets on Wednesday with representatives of the business, strategic and academic communities of the United States at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. WANG ZHUANGFEI / CHINA DAILY The Chinese economy is healthy and sustainable, and China will consistently improve its business environment to provide broader development space for enterprises from various countries, including the United States, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. He made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities. China did not collapse as predicted by the "China collapse theory", nor will it peak as forecast by the "China peak theory", Xi told the US guests. The meeting took place amid intensive meetings of senior Chinese officials with global business executives in the past weeks, and it is widely considered as a significant step China has taken to stabilize the expectations of foreign investors with regard to the Chinese market. On China-US relations, Xi said that whether China and the US engage in cooperation or confrontation matters to the well-being of both peoples and the future of humanity. "The two countries' respective success presents an opportunity for each other. As long as both sides regard each other as partners, show mutual respect, coexist peacefully and pursue win-win cooperation, China-US relations can get better." He talked about his meeting with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco in November, saying that the most important common understanding they reached was that China-US relations should stabilize and improve. In line with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, working groups from both countries have maintained communications over the past months, and made progress in fields such as politics, diplomacy, the economy, trade, finance, law enforcement, anti-drug cooperation, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. Under the current circumstances, the common interests of China and the US are not diminishing but are increasing, Xi said, citing traditional fields such as the economy, trade and agriculture, and emerging areas including climate change and artificial intelligence. Promoting the recovery of the world economy and addressing international and regional issues all require China and the US to coordinate and cooperate with each other, he added. Xi urged the US to establish the right strategic perception about China, handle sensitive issues properly and promote the sustained, stable and healthy development of China-US relations. China-US relations cannot go back to the old days, but they can embrace a brighter future, he said, urging the US to meet China halfway to explore the right way to get along with each other for a sustained and stable relationship. On the Chinese economy, the president said that the prospects for China's development are bright, and "we have confidence and determination about that". China will consistently promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization, which will not only allow the Chinese people to enjoy a better life, but also make greater contributions to the sustainable development of the world, Xi said. He reiterated China's commitment to reform and opening-up, saying that China's reform will not pause, and its opening-up will not stop. He noted that the Chinese government is planning and implementing major measures to comprehensively deepen reform to build a world-class, market-oriented business environment that is governed by a sound legal framework in order to provide broader development space for enterprises from various countries. Faced with the new situations and changes in China-US economic and trade relations in recent years, both sides should adhere to mutual respect, mutual benefits and consultation on an equal footing, act in accordance with market rules to expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, respect each other's development rights, and pursue win-win outcomes for both China and the world, Xi said. More American companies are welcome to participate in the joint building of the Belt and Road, participate in the China International Import Expo, and continue to "invest in China, deepen their presence in China, and achieve success in China", he added. Evan G. Greenberg, chair of the Board of Directors of the National Committee on US-China Relations, Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman and CEO of Blackstone, Cristiano R. Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm, Graham Allison, founding dean of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, spoke at the meeting. They noted that China's exceptional economic growth and transformation over the past decades speak to its strong resilience and vitality. Saying that the development rights of the Chinese people should be respected, they expressed confidence that China will realize its development goals and contribute to a stronger, more integrated global economy. Sharing close economic ties, the United States and China can only develop and thrive in peaceful coexistence, and the Thucydides trap is not inevitable, they said. They said that US businesses applaud the measures that China has recently rolled out to further reform and open up, are optimistic about China's development prospects, will maintain their strong commitment to the Chinese market, and pursue close and long-term cooperation with China. The US business, strategic and academic communities support the US and China in bolstering exchanges and communication at all levels, enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, joining hands to address global challenges, and fostering a stable, sustainable and productive US-China relationship, they added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) (ECNS) -- Lebanese scholar Adham Sayed said in an interview with China New Network that it is necessary to let more people in the world see the real China, a good example of a nation working to make a better future. Sayed, who is also a research fellow at the Institute of East Asian Studies of Zhejiang Gongshang University, made the remarks in Wuyishan, Fujian Province while attending the First Wuyi Forum, hosted by Renmin University of China. Sayed is engaged in research on the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese history and economy. He created the "China Window" program to tell Chinese stories, and the videos he produced have attracted a lot of followers both at home and abroad. Speaking about the original intention behind creating this program, Sayed said, I'm living in China, but many people in the Middle East know very little about China. All that they knew about it didn't come directly from here. It came from the West. So my plan was to tell the truth about China directly from someone who lives in China. The scholar has visited Southwest China's Xizang, Northwest China's Xinjiang, and many other regions in China. He said Western media have fabricated lots of fake news about these regions. The real China is a good example for us in Arab countries. It is a good example of a nation that works to make a good future. Some Western media don't want us to see the real China and this good example, but I have the duty to tell people about China, he said. He further pointed out that as the world's largest developing country, China not only seeks its own development but also shares development experiences with other countries through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. China gives hope for all the world, especially developing countries, he said. Sayed also noted China is promoting new quality productive forces and he mentioned China's assistance to Arab countries in building advanced infrastructure. He believes that the new quality productive forces offer hope to other developing countries because China's experience of modernization is a good example for other developing countries. An Aussie mum's controversial petrol station admission has stirred up a heated debate, with parents across the country chiming in on the divisive topic. The mum of two posed the question on social media this week asking if other parents left their kids in the car or took them into the servo while filling up and paying for petrol. "I leave my kids in the car to get petrol. Is that bad?" the Victorian woman said asking if she was "a bad mum". "You don't take them in, surely. Surely mums aren't taking their kids in. Since having two kids, there's no way I'm taking them both out of the car to go and pay for petrol." The Victorian mum admitted she always leaves her kids in the car to pay for petrol. Source: TikTok Parents divided over whether or not to leave kids unattended Her admission shared on TikTok ignited a heated discussion over "what is right" and how parents should tackle the familiar conundrum. The woman named Montana was pleased to learn she wasn't the only one to leave her kids. "Absolutely not taking them in," another woman said of her four kids. "Too hard. Ive got three. Never happening," agreed another. One admitted "the struggles" of unbuckling young children saying it's not worth the "two seconds" it takes to pay a sentiment shared by many. Some suggested "cracking the windows and locking the doors" before running in to quickly pay, saying doing this makes them feel ok about briefly leaving the kid unattended. But many others agreed it's "not at all safe" to leave kids in the car, even for a moment, with some suggesting "anything can happen". "What if someone crashed into your car (next to the bowser) no way. Takes 2 secs to take them in," one said. "Its bad. Think about someone stealing your car with your kids there while youre inside the store in a line paying for petrol," shared another. While others said it's "terrible" that parents even consider leaving them, "especially on warm days". Story continues What does the law say about leaving children in cars? In most Aussie states and territories, it is illegal to leave a child unattended in a car, regardless of the length of time. However, according to Shine Lawyers partner and special counsel Will Barsby, it's unlikely police will prosecute someone for popping inside to pay for petrol. "These laws are there to protect kids from greater dangers, things you hear about like a kid left in a hot car while mum and dad are in the casino and the like," he previously told the ABC. He said it often comes down to "reasonableness". Leaving kids inside a car for "a reasonable period of time" to duck in or out really comes down to each individual circumstance, he added saying you must apply a "sensibility test". In most Aussie states and territories it's illegal to leave children unattended in cars. Source: Getty "If you're at the servo and you can see the line is 15 people deep because they've been lining up for the cheap fuel, maybe that's the instance you have to get out, take the two kids with you and line up, or come back another time with someone to help you." In Queensland, where the laws are stricter, the RACQ says: "Our advice to parents has always been never leave a child unattended in a car" and where parents need to run errands, including filling up petrol they should try to "make other arrangements to leave the child where they're safer at home". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. An Auburn native has been named the leader of a central New York health care network. Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, a 1988 graduate of Auburn High School, was named president and CEO of Cooperstown-based Bassett Healthcare Network, according to a news release. Thompson had been serving as interim president and CEO since Jan. 1. According to its website, Bassett consists of a medical center in Cooperstown, a medical group of more than 400 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, and a network of specialists who travel to see patients at Bassett-affiliated community hospitals, including ones in Cobleskill, Delhi, Little Falls and Oneonta. I am thrilled to join a legacy of exceptional leaders at Bassett Healthcare Network, she saiid. Bassett Medical Center was founded in 1922 by Dr. Mary Imogene Bassett, a pioneering leader and true trailblazer who held a vision for rural medicine focused on access, social equity, research, and academics. It is an honor to continue this work and lead Bassett forward surrounded by a team of talented and capable leaders. I am also humbled to work alongside 5,000 amazing caregivers who are dedicated to our patients and communities. For more information, visit bassett.org. AUBURN The artworks in Made in NY 2024 at the Schweinfurth Art Center represent a diverse set of mediums: a foam sheep covered in printed pink fabrics, a painting of a rural road partially covered with water, and a moody night photograph of a diner, its lighted sign beckoning people to come inside. The pieces represent a vast array of talent, said Donna Lamb, executive director of the Auburn art center. Jurors Bill Hastings and Juan Perdiguero selected 70 artworks from the hundreds of New York state artists who applied. Made in NY 2024 will be on display through April 27 at the Schweinfurth, located at 205 Genesee St., Auburn. Paintings represent the largest percentage of artworks in the show, with sculptures and photographs tied for second. The pieces also reflect a diversity of topics. Caitlin Marx, of Oswego, created Behind Every Great Man, the fabric-covered sheep and a matching fabric-covered suit and briefcase, to symbolize women who have had their professional success taken credit for or stolen by men in their field. It creates the symbolic comparison between men taking women's accomplishments like humans take the wool and hide of sheep, she said. When working together on projects with male peers, it is often assumed that the work I did was done by them instead, she continued. Or during critiques it feels as though no matter what I say, if a male student restates my comments, he will always receive more positive feedback from professors and peers. Marx said she has received positive feedback, typically from women who find her work relatable. But she has also received negative feedback, especially when addressing such topics as taboos around menstruation, family trauma and depression. When I presented Behind Every Great Man during critique, I saw some of my male peers roll their eyes and quickly lose interest when I started to talk about my concept, she said. That reaction has only reinforced her determination to pursue her art in those areas. Ithaca artist Joy Adams painting Forty Days reflects an internal struggle. A native of Britain who became a U.S. citizen, she often returns to cultural differences she feels and observes. Her current series, The Road to Nowhere, takes a personal approach. I'm focusing on how the old world constantly makes way for the new, the octogenarian said. My own aging process has allowed me to become intensely aware that change is certain. Forty Days shows a road in need of repair, wet from a recent rain and full of reflections. Ominous clouds, rendered in black, blue and yellow, suggest a bleak forecast, Adams said. But that sharp slice of light piercing the gray is a hopeful sign. The dystopian architectural models and landscapes of Oneonta artist Jamie Banes often reflect societal and political discord. I think of them as snapshots of our present reality, symbolizing the turbulence and uncertainty of our time, he said. They present narratives on topics spanning from climate change to consumer culture to wealth distribution and the politics that coincide with each. Banes has two pieces in Made in NY 2024: Diminished Reach and Plot Loss. Both are assembled from found and collected materials and are based on observations he made on recent visits to the inland deserts of Southern California. I recall the stark difference in landscape between affluent desert communities and their desolate surroundings, and the unsettling beauty of industrial structures in the form of massive transmission lines and aqueducts hazily appearing, then fading again against the merciless terrain, he said. These pieces are expressions of perceived or imagined safety in what feels like a very perilous time to be living, he added. The brutal nature of the desert is a fitting metaphor for the difficult challenges we face on a range of issues ahead. Honeoye Falls artist Paul Bergwall submitted The Highland Diner, Rochester NY, a moody night shot of the diner, located at 960 S. Clinton Ave. in Rochester. My gift was never drawing or painting, he said. Photography allowed me to arrange my subjects in a frame that was never blank. A blank paper or canvas is paralyzing. A camera allowed me freedom to be creative in a medium that is magic. Bergwall began his career in photography, working mostly in the dark, making other photographers look good. He worked in commercial labs, photo studios and Eastman Kodak, before earning an education degree and teaching photography and art at Minerva DeLand school in Fairport. Highland Diner is one piece in his longtime series that began during COVID-19, when he started posting a picture a day taken during his walks. That morphed into his current series, called Aint Talkin, Just Walkin, in which he branches outside Honeoye Falls and takes a photo of a place along the way or a self-portrait. The Highland Diner was on one of my walks in Rochester, he said. Initially shot during the daytime, the pictures screamed at me to go back at night. When the voice is that loud, I listen. Bergwall is drawn to capturing echoes of the past. I love buildings that tell a story: old movie theatre marquees, barber shops, ghost signs, storefront churches, he said. That diner is out of step with our present day and deserves to be celebrated. Also on display at the Schweinfurth alongside Made in NY 2024 are Expanded Vision: Two Centuries of Paintings from the Cayuga Museum Collection and The Way I See It: Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places, a solo exhibit of artist Eric Shutes watercolor paintings. The exhibits are sponsored, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the governors office and the New York State Legislature. If you go WHAT: Made in NY 2024" WHEN: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through April 27 (closed March 31 for Easter) WHERE: Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee St., Auburn COST: Reception admission free and open to the public; regular admission $10 adults, free for Schweinfurth members and children 12 and younger, or $15 for joint admission to Schweinfurth and Cayuga Museum of History & Art INFO: Visit schweinfurthartcenter.org or call (315) 253-1553 'Made in NY 2024' artists Joy Adams, of Trumansburg: Forty Days Jerry Alonzo, of Geneseo: No Words Kathy Armstrong, of Rochester, Rust & Rivets Katherine Baca-Bielinis, of Honeoye Falls: Fortress Patricia Bacon, of Lyons: Forever Yours Jamie Banes, of Oneonta: Diminished Reach and Plot Loss Stephen Barber, of Brooklyn: Narcissus Cyndy Barbone, of Greenwich: It's MY Body Brian Batista, of Phoenicia: Color Bar Marna Bell, of Syracuse: DEJA VU 2 Paul Bergwall, of Honeoye Falls: The Highland Diner, Rochester, NY Roger Bisbing, of New Paltz: Interview, COVID Lydia Boddie-Rice, of Rochester: Abundance Kathleen Bolin, of Pittsford: Bedazzled Jody Borhani-DAmico, of Fishkill: Fixing Paul Brandwein, of Rochester: Out of the Blue II Ariel Bullion Ecklund, of Ithaca: Renewal Ceremony Nancy Callahan, of Gilbertsville: Specimen 382 Stephen Carlson, of Syracuse: The Deep and What Almost Was Fernando Carpaneda, of Freeport: The Son of Man Stephen Carpenter, of North Bay: Etude in Orange Hues - Spiral Frequencies Chris Charles, of Rochester: American Crow Eunsuh Choi, of Rochester: Housed Barrier VIII Sage Churchill-Foster, of Walworth: As the Crow Flies and Scarlet Hood Specimen Susan Cohen, of New York City: Bouquet Bob Conge, of Wayland: A Man Ray Night Greg Cost, of New Hartford: Lindy Nicholas Daniluk, of Ithaca: Second Repose Tielin Ding, of New York City: Into the Wild Sharon Draghi, of Harrison: Domestic Benjamin Entner, of Rochester: Costanza Lori Farist, of Endwell: Emergence Kathleen Friedrich, of Trumansburg: Pond Alan Garry, of Sleepy Hollow: Monrovia 1.1 Robert Glisson, of Syracuse: On the Way Home Kristy Guenther, of Rochester: Forest Fungi Lindsey Guile, of Poughkeepsie: Comfortable Jennifer Hecker, of Brockport: Swirligig #1 Dale Inglett, of Pittsford: Forest Floor, As Fleeting Jeffrey Kell, of Rush: Self-Portrait with Camo Sandra Kirker, of Binghamton: Wetland Reflections John Kosboth, of Ontario: Square Moon Claudia Lambdin, of Auburn: Root Chakra Mark Larsen, of Norwich: Divi Tree Amber Lia-Kloppel, of Ithaca: Susanna Pointed and Renaissance (Reconstruction) Mauro Marinelli, of Spencer: Awnings NAZARE Caitlin Marx, of Oswego: Behind Every Great Man Elizabeth McMahon, of Freeville Flight and Flux Kathleen Miles, of New York City: Blue Bloom Gabriella Mirabelli, of Croton-on-Hudson: Cold Water Robert Morgan, of Petersburg: Covid Camping Kyle Mort, of North Syracuse: The Modern Age Willie Osterman, of Rochester: Maple and Masking Portrait Amanda Parry Oglesbee, of Wellsville: Alma Pond Paul Pearce, of Mattydale: You're not welcome Mitchell Poon, of Brooklyn: Bok Choy Birdies Jaroslava Prihodova, of Cortland: Article One Nancy Ridenour, of Ithaca: November Still Life Romilly Rinck, of New York: Lernaean Hydra Daniel Rothenberg, of Pittsford: Natury Carmen Schaefer, of Rochester: Androgyny Zachary Schulman, of Brooklyn: Norris Thompson Gregory Williams, of Olmstedville: Losing Ground Gary L. Wolfe, of Kenmore: 01010100 01000001 James Young, of Syracuse: Reef Walter Zimmerman, of Rochester: Journal and Wring Stefan Zoller, of Henrietta: Diluvian No. 21 Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day 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_ The Auburn Police Department is investigating after a large sum of money was stolen from a city resident through fraud. APD on Wednesday said they were looking for a white Toyota SUV with no license plate on its front and an out-of-state plate, possibly from Georgia, on its back. Friday, the department said the vehicle had been located and detectives were no longer seeking information about the vehicle. The investigation into the fraud was still ongoing Friday, but APD said that additional details would not be immediately available. Police: Vehicle involved in Auburn theft Often, hospital authorities do not make healthcare documents of patients accessible to them; although it is mandatory under the medical council of India rules, besides under the Right to Information Act (RTI). In fact, under the RTI Act, central information commissioner (CIC) Prof Shridhar Acharyulu, in a second appeal hearing in 2016, had ordered that patients and their relatives are entitled to know the treatment details including names and qualifications/ experience of doctors. He further added that As per the law, this information has to be given within 72 hours, under section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. This falls under the scope of the definition of information as per the RTI Act. Last week, RTI empowered a citizen with access to healthcare information in Madhya Pradesh, thanks to state information commissioner (SIC) Rahul Singh. In a landmark decision, SIC Singh has ordered that All clinics and hospitals in Madhya Pradesh must come under the ambit of the RTI Act. Timely provision of registration and operational approval details of hospitals and clinics within 30 days of an RTI application is mandatory. Mr Singhs decision has a reference to an RTI application. RTI applicant Sunita Tiwari from Jabalpur, who was seeking accountability for the death of her daughter, was denied crucial information regarding Star Hospital's registration. Despite repeated appeals, pertinent documents were withheld, prompting the information commission to order Rs5,000 compensation for Ms Tiwari due to the negligence of local health authorities. Mr Singh stressed the urgency of tightening regulations surrounding healthcare facilities. He cited the example of a recent fire incident at a private hospital in Jabalpur as a poignant example of the risks posed by non-compliance. He observed in his order that The responsibility lies with the health department to ensure adherence to established standards, with the public having a right to know the operational status of healthcare facilities. SIC Singh further stated in his order, The commission is aware of the loss of life due to the severe fire incident in a private hospital in Jabalpur. In that case, the private hospital was operating by completely disregarding the rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of the health department to prevent the operation of illegally operated clinics and hospitals, but the negligence of the health department was also prominently evident in the Jabalpur fire incident. Mr Singh has also directed the principal secretary of Madhya Pradesh's public health and family welfare department to disseminate this order to all district chief medical and health officers across the state. This mandate compels the timely provision of hospital and clinic registration and operational approval information to RTI applicants within 30 days. In his order, Mr Singh commented that such transparency by hospitals, will act as a deterrent against the proliferation of unlawfully operated clinics and hospitals, posing a direct risk to public safety. It may be noted that the Maharashtra government has recently begun a campaign to identify unregistered testing laboratories for healthcare. Mr Acharyulu, in his 2016 decision, had also referred to several court orders about the transparency of hospitals, public or private. The RTI applicants son had died in Sri Gangaram Hospital due to alleged negligence by the hospital authorities. He wrote in his order that: it is clear that the patients and their relatives are entitled to know the treatment details including names and qualifications/ experience of doctors. * As per the law, this information had to be given within 72 hours, under section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. * This falls under the scope of the definition of information as per the RTI Act. The lack of responsibility from the respondent authority reflects its utter disregard for the law. Withholding such information under sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act is illegal as it does not conform to the provisions of the Act, concluded Mr Singh. Right to Information under medical council of India regulations *The medical council of India has imposed an obligation on hospitals as per the regulations notified on 11 March 2002 amended up to December 2010 to maintain the medical record and provide patient access to it. These regulations were made in exercise of the powers confirmed under section 20A (read with section 33(m) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), by the medical council of India, with the previous approval of the Central government relating to the professional conduct, etiquette and ethics for registered medical practitioners, namely: Maintenance of medical records: 1.3.1. Every physician shall maintain the medical records pertaining to his/ her indoor patients for a period of three years from the date of commencement of the treatment in a standard proforma laid down by the medical council of India and attached as appendix 3. 1.3.2. If any request is made for medical records either by the patients/ authorised attendant or legal authorities involved, the same may be duly acknowledged and documents shall be issued within the period of 72 hours. 1.3.1 provides for information, among other things, pertaining to diagnosis, investigations advised with reports, diagnosis after investigation and advice. While imposing a penalty of Rs18 lakh, market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has barred for two years three people for providing illegal investment advisory services and portfolio manager services (PMS). These three include: Vishal Lath (noticee 1), proprietor of Maxx Innovation Growth (MIG), Jitendra Bharbhuja (noticee 2), proprietor of Maxx Innovation (MI) and Vipin Sharma, an employee of both firms. While imposing a fine of Rs6 lakh each on all the three noticee, SEBI also asked Mr Lath, Mr Bharbhuja and Mr Sharma to refund Rs93.43 lakh collected as fees from clients, investors, or complainants as fees or consideration or in any other form for their unregistered investment advisory activities. In an order, Dr Anitha Anoop, chief general manager (CGM) of SEBI, says, "I note that the noticees promised a certain percentage of return to its clients or investors. I agree that promising returns is an active concealment of the material fact that every investment in the market is subject to market risk. In this regard, I note that the noticees adopted business tactics to induce the clients into availing the services he offered. I also note that promising returns in the securities market amounts to misrepresentation and misleading the investors. Such reckless conduct intended to induce investors to deal in securities constitutes 'fraud' under the PFUTP Regulations." The market regulator received various complaints against the noticees. MIG was alleged to be involved in investment advisory services without any registration with SEBI. One of the complainants, Gangadhar, stated that MIG and its associates target people through telephonic marketing, promise huge returns, and ask clients to deposit amounts in their accounts. MIG also created a fake portfolio tracking account on its website maxxinns.com, and regularly provided fake client IDs and bogus trade sheets. Mr Gangadhar claimed that the firm had charged Rs58,900 to him and refused to refund the money. According to the SEBI investigation, Maxx Innovation Growth-MIG was providing various services such as stock cash, stock future, stock option, index future, commodity and stock cash. On further observation by SEBI, it was noted that the MIG website provided Mr Sharma's bank account details for receiving payments. The market regulator stated that in the account opening form (AOF) for MI's bank account maintained with HDFC Bank, Mr Bharbhuja is identified as MI's sole proprietor and signatory. Additionally, the annexure includes the gumasta licence submitted by Mr Bharbhuja to HDFC Bank, indicating his sole proprietorship of MI. It is also observed that in the mentioned AOF, he filed the nature of business and nature of industry as service advisory and stock broking services advisory, respectively. SEBI further mentions that Mr Lath confirms his employment with Mr Bharbhuja and acknowledges transactions totalling Rs10.29 lakh in unregistered advisory business activities involving share entries, tips, and trading. He also mentioned payouts or refunds to investors, supported by bank statements. This, SEBI says, corroborated evidence from website screenshots, complaints, fund transfers, and additional documents such as account opening forms and know-your-customer (KYC) records. The CGM of SEBI observed that both Mr Lath, proprietor of MIG, and Mr Bharbhuja, proprietor of MI, are related entities and operated by the same group of people. "Firstly, both entities share the same contact number, as listed on the websites of MIG and MI. Additionally, the websites of MIG and MI exhibit identical content and design. MIG operates its website under maxxinns.com, while MI operates under maxxinns.in. Furthermore, the agreements provided by complainants feature the same logo and letterhead, with an address identical to that of MIG." Further, SEBI observed that the amounts credited in the bank accounts of the noticees are alleged to have been received as fees for the services rendered as investment advisors and portfolio managers. Specifically, an amount of Rs1.35 crore was credited in the bank account of Maxx Innovation Growth, Rs37.26 lakh to Maxx Innovation, and Rs30.24 lakh to Mr Sharma's account. All three are restrained for two years from selling assets, properties, and mutual funds, shares, and securities held by them in demat and physical form except for the sole purpose of making the refunds. "They shall not undertake, either during or after the expiry of the period of restraint and prohibition, either directly or indirectly, investment advisory services or any activity in the securities market without obtaining a certificate of registration from SEBI as required under the securities laws," the market regulator says The trends of the major indices in the course of the weeks trading are given in the table below: As the final market day of FY23-24 concluded, Indian markets experienced one of their best years, with the Nifty ranking among the top-performing markets in Asia, yielding nearly 29% USD return (second only to Japan). Conversely, China and Hong Kong faced significant underperformance. Within India, the Mid and Small-cap Index stood out, delivering remarkable returns compared to the Nifty, almost 2.2-2.4 times higher, despite experiencing some corrections in the last month. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained active on both sides of the market concluded the year on a positive note. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), who injected a substantial amount of funds into the market, also contributed significantly. As attention shifts to full-year earnings in the coming months, sectors such as banking and IT companies will remain in the spotlight. While periodic corrections may provide opportunities for investors to reassess mid and small-cap stocks, the allure of large-cap stocks is expected to grow in the foreseeable future. New Ventures/ Capacity Expansion Alkem Laboratories has incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) of the Company in the name of Alkem Medtech. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has entered into an exclusive partnership with Sanofi Healthcare India (SHIPL) to promote and distribute their vaccine brands across private markets in India. Biocon has received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), U.K., for its complex formulation Liraglutide (6mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen), which was filed through its European partner, Zentiva. GOCL Corporation has inked an initial pact with Hyderabad-based Squarespace Builders to initiate the strategic monetization of approximately 264.50 acres of prime land located in Kukatpally for Rs3,402 crore. Jindal Stainless and IIT Kharagpur partnered to jointly work on metallurgical projects like primary alloy production and materials characterisation. Tejas Networks had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telecom Egypt (TE), ITIDA (Information Technology Industry Development Agency) and NTI (National Telecom Institute) to replicate its experience of implementing Bharatnet (Rural Broadband Project) and NKN (National Knowledge Network) projects in Egypt. IPCA Laboratories entered into a Technology Transfer Agreement with Omexa Formulary for a biosimilar clone, process development and knowledge transfer for the global market. Under this agreement, IPCA will grant to Omexa a non-exclusive right to research, develop, manufacture and market a anti-cancer biosimilar for global market HCL Technologies was selected by Oriola Corporation, a leading health and wellbeing company operating in the Nordic region, to accelerate Oriolas digital transformation journey and deliver enhanced customer experiences. Shakti Pumps (India) received a patent for inventing methods & apparatus for soft starting and stopping a motor. AstraZeneca Pharma India has received permission to import for sale and distribution of Trastuzumab deruxtecan lyophilized powder for concentrate for solution for infusion 100mg (Enhertu) from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India. Caplin Point Laboratories subsidiary -- Caplin Steriles has been granted final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Ketorolac tromethamine Ophthalmic Solution 0.5% (eye drops), a generic therapeutic equivalent version of (RLD), ACULAR Ophthalmic Solution of Allergan Inc. Order Wins DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations has secured prestigious work order from one of the Artilleries of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. The contract entails the supply of cutting-edge FPV (first person view) drones equipped with night vision capabilities, marking a significant advancement in its collaboration with the Indian Army. Larsen & Toubros (L&T) construction arm -- L&T construction has secured multiple orders in the domestic and international markets for its buildings & factories business. NTPC inked a pact with a Japanese agency for sourcing foreign currency loans of $200 million (JPY 30 billion or around Rs1,650 crore). Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), a government policy-based financial institution, will provide 60 per cent of the facility amount and the balance amount will be provided by other commercial banks under JBIC guarantee. Astra Microwave Products has bagged order worth Rs385.58 crore for supply of MPR sub-systems from Bharat Electronics (BEL), Ghaziabad. Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has received an order worth Rs4,000 crore from Adani Power. Investments/ Acquisitions/ Mergers/ Stake sale Solara Active Pharma Sciences received approval from board of directors to sell 100% shareholding in SeQuent Penems. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 95% stake of Gopalpur Ports (GPL) from the existing shareholders. Tata Steel raised Rs2,700 crore through allotment of 2,70,000 - 7.79% fixed rate, unsecured, redeemable, rated, listed, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) having face value Rs1,00,000 each, for cash, for a tenor of 3 years, to identified investors on private placement basis. Adani Power has received approval from Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) for acquisition of Lanco Amarkantak Power. Wipros wholly-owned subsidiary -- Wipro Holdings (UK) has transferred its entire shareholding in Wipro Gulf LLC (step-down subsidiary) to Wipro IT Services UK Societas (wholly-owned subsidiary). Tech Mahindra has planned to merge its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Born Group and Tech Mahindra (Americas), to synergise business operations, optimise operational cost, and reduce compliance risks. Kotak Mahindra Bank has acquired 100% issued and paid up capital of Sonata Finance for Rs537 crore. Sonata is operating in 10 states through 549 branches and has an Asset Under Management (AUM) of approximately Rs2,620 crore. DLFs wholly owned subsidiary -- DLF Home Developers (DHDL) has received approval for the allotment of 60,000 non-convertible debentures (NCDs), having face value of Rs1 lakh each, for an aggregate principal amount of Rs600 crore on a private placement basis to eligible investors. Spandana Sphoorty Financial has raised Rs50 crore through the allotment of 5,000 Secured, Rated, Listed, Redeemable, Transferable Non-Convertible Debentures having face value of Rs1,00,000 each at par, on private placement basis. KAMA Holdings has sold 675000 of equity shares capital of SRF which is its subsidiary company. Consequently, the shareholding of the Company in SRF has reduced to 50.25%. UltraTech Cement has entered into Energy Supply agreement and Share Subscription and Shareholders agreement to acquire 26% equity shares of M/s O2 Renewable Energy XXII, a company engaged in generation and transmission of renewable energy. Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services has received approval for the acquisition of 9,00,000 Equity Shares of face value of Rs10 each at a price of Rs275 per share (including a premium of Rs265 per share) constituting 45% stake in Span Across IT Solutions (Span Across) Consequent to which Span Across will become an associate of the Company. Info Edge (India) has planned to invest an amount of Rs30 crore in Naukri Internet Services, wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Other Announcements Maruti Suzuki India recalled over 16,000 units of Baleno and WagonR to fix a possible defect in a part of the fuel pump motor. Insider Trades Bharat Wire Ropes promoter bought net 42,000 shares through open market. Ugar Sugar works promoter bought net 22,521 shares through open market. Krishana Phoschem promoter bought net 10,301 shares through open market. Smartlink Holdings promoter bought net 13,550 shares through open market. Medicamen Biotech promoter sold net 200,000 shares through open market. Shrenik promoter sold net 6,590,000 shares through open market. Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation promoter bought net 31,000 shares through open market. Firstsource Solutions insiders bought net 100,000 shares through open market. Pidilite Industries Promoter sold net 186,249 shares through open market. Sundaram Finance Holdings Promoter bought net 250,000 shares through open market. Gokul Agro Resources Promoter bought net 150,500 shares through open market. Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Promoter sold net 50,000 shares through open market. Sapphire Foods India Promoter sold net 36,439 shares through open market. Ganga Forging Promoter sold net 400,000 shares through open market. Jsw Steel insiders sold net 86,471 shares through open market. Dhampur Bio Organics Promoter bought net 40,000 shares through open market. Pennar Industries Promoter bought net 15,800 shares through open market. Zydus Lifesciences Promoter sold net 583,000 shares through open market. Choice International Promoter bought net 219,000 shares through open market. Ncl Industries Director sold net 60,000 shares through open market. Dr Lal Path Labs Director sold net 7,500 shares through open market. Top Gainers and Losers of the major indices for the week are given in the table below: David Wilcox Executive editor Follow David Wilcox Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today About a year and a half after listing them for sale amid financial difficulties, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester is in the process of selling three of its properties in Auburn. Housing Visions, of Syracuse, has entered into a contract with the diocese to purchase the school at Holy Family Church. Located at 85 North St., the school opened in 1928 and closed in the early 1970s. The former school briefly served as the first location of Chapel House homeless shelter, which later moved to Franklin Street. Housing Visions originally planned to repurpose the school as 15 to 20 permanent housing units and recreation space. Vice President of Business Development Chris Trevisani did not respond to requests by The Citizen for comment on the nonprofit's plans there. However, the nonprofit recently applied for a use variance from the Auburn Zoning Board of Appeals to turn the property into a homeless shelter. The board voted against approving the variance Monday, leaving the former school's fate unknown. The application came as Housing Visions encounters opposition to its proposal to build a new three-story, 80-bed shelter at 290-292 Grant Ave. The other two Auburn properties being sold by the diocese are located at St. Alphonsus Church on East Genesee Street. According to an application filed in January in New York State Supreme Court, which must approve the sale of church properties, the diocese is selling the former St. Alphonsus rectory at 10 S. Lewis St. to Dr. George Ben, an infectious disease specialist affiliated with Auburn Community Hospital. Ben did not immediately respond to a request by The Citizen for comment on the purchase. The church's school at 89 E. Genesee St., previously St. Joseph School, is "still in negotiation with potential buyers," diocese finance director Shawn Gillen-Caryl told The Citizen. The 1949 school was previously St. Alphonsus and then Blessed Trinity schools, and includes a 1950s-style soda fountain in its basement. St. Joseph School closed in June 2020 due to declining enrollment. The school's "for sale" sign remains up, while the rectory's sign says "sold." The sale of neither the rectory nor the Holy Family school has closed. The three properties were listed by Clare Real Estate. The diocese chose to sell the properties following a years-long review of all its properties in northern Cayuga County, including nine churches. The review was prompted by declining church attendance, priest scarcity and the state of the properties themselves, among other factors. For example, the roofs of both the Holy Family and St. Alphonsus schools need to be replaced, according to a report. While a pastoral planning committee initially recommended closing four of the nine area churches, community pushback led the diocese's Bishop Salvatore Matano to instead ask the parishes to "divest themselves of unnecessary properties and to utilize only those facilities needed to serve the religious, pastoral and spiritual needs of the faithful." The Holy Family school was listed for $299,000, the 8,594-square-foot St. Alphonsus rectory for $604,700 and the 46,812-square-foot former St. Joseph School for $790,000. Gallery: Catholic churches in Auburn and northern Cayuga County More than 50,000 Harriet Tubman commemorative coins have been sold in nearly three months, according to the U.S. Mint. The coins, which recognize Tubman's role in the Underground Railroad and her Civil War service, went on sale Jan. 4. More than 45,000 coins were sold in the first month, the U.S. Mint reported. Sales have slowed, but crossed the 50,000-coin milestone this month. The total number of coins sold includes 3,725 three-coin sets. The sets contain a $5 gold coin, $1 silver coin and a clad half-dollar. The most popular option among buyers is the silver dollar. From Jan. 4 through March 24, 15,901 proof and 5,961 uncirculated silver dollar coins have been sold. Proofs are the highest quality coins. The gold coins are the most expensive, with proofs costing $759.75 and uncirculated versions priced at $749.75. So far, 1,309 proof and 1,011 uncirculated gold coins have been sold. There have been 9,815 proof and 5,334 uncirculated clad coins sold. Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed legislation in 2022 allowing the U.S. Mint to sell the Tubman commemorative coins. The bill authorizes the sale of up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad coins. Surcharges from the sale of the coins will benefit two sites: The Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Coin sales could get a boost during the upcoming tourism season. Karen Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, previously told The Citizen that they plan to sell coins to visitors. They have been working with the U.S. Mint on a process for those orders. By Shawn Touney | Mar 28, 2024 Pictured from left to right: Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson, Murray State University Board of Regents Vice Chair Virginia Gray, Congressman James Comer, Murray State University Executive Director for Government and Institutional Relations Jordan Smith and Murray State University Board of Regents Chair Leon Owens MURRAY, Ky. The Murray State University Police Department will receive $1.1 million in funding from the Commerce Justice Science Byrne Justice Program. Through the support of Congressman James Comer, the funding is part of a successful Community Project Funding request and will assist the Universitys Police Department with communications and surveillance technologies to continue to serve the campus community. The Universitys Police Department holds accreditation with the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police and is staffed 24/7. We greatly appreciate Congressman Comer and all who have been involved with assisting Murray State University through this important funding, Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson said. We have a wonderful police department which is committed to the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. We are very grateful to be recipients of this funding from the Commerce Justice Science Byrne Justice Program, which allows us to continue to provide effective service for those on our campus, said Murray State Chief of Police Ryan Orr. To learn more about the Murray State University Police Department, visit murraystate.edu/police. FILE PHOTO: The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, January 5, 2023. FILE PHOTO: A bottle of Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder is seen in a photo illustration taken in New York, February 24, 2016. A chance encounter nearly three years ago led to the New York State Thruway unveiling its first adult changing station at a rest stop near Syracuse this week. In July 2021, state Sen. Pam Helming had a meeting at a diner in central New York when she was told Joanie Mahoney, the former Onondaga County executive who now chairs the Thruway Authority's board of directors, was also in the restaurant. Helming, who shared the story during an interview with The Citizen Wednesday, said she approached Mahoney about adding adult changing stations to the new Thruway rest stops. "I talked to (Mahoney) about the need and she jumped on board right away," Helming said. "She thought it was a fantastic idea and said she would take it back to the board and discuss it with them." After the conversation, Helming felt optimistic. She followed up by sending letters to the Thruway Authority reiterating her support for including adult changing stations at the reconstructed rest stops. The inspiration for Helming's advocacy came from her family she has relatives with muscular dystrophy who are in wheelchairs and constituents who attended mobile office hours. Helming, whose former district included parts of Auburn and Cayuga County, heard from families about the struggles they faced while traveling between Rochester and Syracuse with children who have physical disabilities. If there was bad weather, she was told parents would have to lay their children on the floor of the rest stop restroom. If it was nice outside, they would lay a blanket on the grass and change them there. "There's no dignity or respect in that," Helming said. The timing of the feedback coincided with the Thruway's plan to revamp its 27 service areas. The $450 million project to rebuild or renovate the rest stops began in July 2021 the same month Helming made her pitch to Mahoney in that Syracuse-area diner. Warners Service Area, a rest stop along Interstate 90 west of Syracuse, was the 15th rest stop to reopen this week. It is the first equipped with an adult changing station. The adult changing station includes an adjustable table with a padded cushion and a strap. When the Thruway Authority announced the reopening of the Warners Service Area, Mahoney issued a statement praising Helming. "Senator Helming's support was instrumental in making this a reality and I'd like to thank her for her tireless advocacy on behalf of those with disabilities and their families and caretakers," Mahoney said. Four other Thruway rest stops Angola in western New York, Ontario near Rochester, Pattersonville in the Capital Region and Sloatsburg in the lower Hudson Valley will have adult changing stations. Those service areas are scheduled to reopen later this year or in 2025. Helming acknowledged that it feels good to see the product of successful advocacy, but she credited the families who raised awareness about the challenges they face while traveling and the Thruway Authority for heeding calls to include adult changing stations in plans for select service areas. "It was a great team effort," she said. US court keeps Texas border security law on hold in win for Biden A rendering of the new University of Guam School of Engineering facility is displayed during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at the UOG campus in Mangilao. Construction continues on the Ukudu Power Plant as seen on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Dededo. Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/. As U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney faces a Republican primary challenge, Donald Trump endorsed the three-term congresswoman in the 24th Congressional District race. This is the fifth consecutive election Trump has endorsed Tenney, who represented a Utica-area district for two terms before being elected to represent the 24th district, which extends from western New York to the North Country, in 2022. "Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is doing a great job for the fantastic people of New York's 24th Congressional District!" Trump said in a statement Wednesday. "Claudia is fighting hard to secure our border, support our brave law enforcement and veterans, defend our always under siege Second Amendment, keep men out of women's sports, cut taxes and hold Joe Biden and the radical left accountable for their corruption." Trump continued, "As chairwoman of the House Election Integrity Caucus, Claudia is working tirelessly to eliminate fraud in our elections. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is a strong conservative and has my complete and total endorsement!" Tenney, R-Cleveland, has maintained close ties to Trump since his first presidential bid in 2016. She was one of his early supporters in that race and remains a strong ally. She endorsed Trump for president in January. Republicans are expected to hold the 24th district, where Trump received 60% of the vote in 2020 and there are roughly 80,000 more GOP voters than Democrats. The redrawn 24th Congressional District includes all or parts of 14 counties, stretching from Niagara County in western New York to Jefferson County in the North Country. The northern portion of Cayuga County is in the district. Although the general election is not expected to be competitive, Tenney must win the Republican primary. Mario Fratto, a Geneva attorney and businessman, wants a rematch of the GOP primary in 2022. In that contest, Tenney defeated Fratto by 13 points, 53 to 40%. Despite Tenney's status as one of the more conservative members of the House and her relationship with Trump, Fratto is attempting to run to her right. He has criticized her voting record, questioned her conservative credentials and labeled her a "carpetbagger" for moving into the district two years ago. Tenney has already secured the support of Republican Party committees and chairs in the 24th district. Trump's endorsement should give her a boost in the GOP primary. "President Trump has been a longtime friend and supporter, and I appreciate his support for my campaign," Tenney said. "I fought alongside President Trump to secure the border, cut taxes, support our military and fully fund our police. President Trump is a true champion for the people of New York's 24th district and I look forward to serving with him to save New York and America." The primary election is Tuesday, June 25. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. NIO changes Q1 2024 delivery outlook NIO Inc. announced on March 27 it had revised its delivery projections for the first quarter of 2024. According to the latest business update, the company anticipates delivering around 30,000 vehicles during this period, a slight adjustment from the previous estimate of 31,000 to 33,000 vehicles. Photo credit: NIO Changan UNI-Z hits market On March 28, Changan Auto's new compact SUV model, the Changan UNI-Z, hit the market. Coming with three trim levels, it features a price range of 117,900 yuan to 131,900 yuan. Photo credit: Changan Auto Geely-backed InfiMotion closes Series A financing InfiMotion Technology ("InfiMotion"), a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, announced that it completed a Series A financing round totaling hundreds of millions of yuan on March 26. Established in December 2021, InfiMotion is a developer of high-performance electric drive systems and components. The company's team boasts nearly 20 years of research and manufacturing experience in the fields of powertrain systems and electronic components. Joyson Electronics' annual revenues grow 12% YoY in 2023 In 2023, Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp. ("Joyson Electronics") continued its robust growth across various business sectors, achieving annual revenues of roughly 55.7 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year (YoY) growth of around 12%, according to the annual results it issued this week. SiEngine closes Series B funding, targets million-unit shipments for SE 1000 chip in 2024 SiEngine, a Chinese provider of high-performance automotive-grade processor solutions, officially announced on March 28, that it successfully completed a Series B financing round worth hundreds of millions of yuan. eVTOL developer TCab Tech secures $20 million Series A financing TCab Tech, a Shanghai-based tech company specializing in electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced the completion of a $20 million Series A strategic financing round on March 26, 2024. Desay SV's annual revenue exceeds 20 billion yuan in 2023, up 46.71% YoY In the past year, Desay SV's annual revenue reached 21.908 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year surge of 46.71%. It reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.547 billion yuan, jumping 30.57% from the previous year. Additionally, Desay SV secured new project orders with an annualized sales volume exceeding 24.5 billion yuan. Changan Auto introduces Lumin BEV, DEEPAL S07, L07 REEV models to Thai market On March 25, the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show officially kicked off. Changan Auto took the stage, introducing the Lumin alongside the extended-range versions of the DEEPAL S07 and L07 models. RoboSense's annual revenue doubles YoY in 2023 RoboSense, a leading provider of LiDAR solutions, on March 27 released its financial report for the year ended December 31, 2023. The report reveals significant growth in revenue and sales, albeit accompanied by an increase in net loss. CATL, Yutong Group co-launch new battery with 15-year service life On March 28, at a new energy commercial vehicle product launch event, Chinese commercial vehicle giant Yutong Group announced it has joined hands with CATL to launch a long-life battery capable of working 15 years and traveling up to 1.5 million kilometers. SGMW unveils interior images of Baojun Yep Plus SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW") recently releases the interior images of the Baojun Yep Plus all-electric SUV model, which is set to hit the market in April this year. XPENG announces foray into German market On March 28, XPENG announced its official entry into the German market, with the Launch ("Shangshi" in Chinese Pinyin) Edition of the G9 and P7 models introduced at the same time, according to the Chinese automaker's WeChat post. Venezuelans are increasingly stuck in Mexico, explaining drop in illegal crossings to US View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) Venezuelan migrants often have a quick answer when asked to name the most difficult stretch of their eight-country journey to the U.S. border, and its not the dayslong jungle trek through Colombia and Panama with its venomous vipers, giant spiders and scorpions. Its Mexico. In the jungle, you have to prepare for animals. In Mexico, you have to prepare for humans, Daniel Ventura, 37, said after three days walking through the Darien Gap and four months waiting in Mexico to enter the U.S. legally using the governments online appointment system, called CBP One. He and his family of six were headed to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, where he has a relative. Mexicos crackdown on immigration in recent months at the urging of the Biden administration has hit Venezuelans especially hard. The development highlights how much the U.S. depends on Mexico to control migration, which has reached unprecedented levels and is a top issue for voters as President Joe Biden seeks reelection. Arrests of migrants for illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped so this year after a record high in December. The biggest decline was among Venezuelans, whose arrests plummeted to 3,184 in February and 4,422 in January from 49,717 in December. While two months do not make a trend and illegal crossings remain high by historical standards, Mexicos strategy to keep migrants closer to its border with Guatemala than the U.S. is at least temporary relief for the Biden administration. Large numbers of Venezuelans began reaching the U.S. in 2021, first by flying to Mexico and then on foot and by bus after Mexico imposed visa restrictions. In September, Venezuelans briefly replaced Mexicans as the largest nationality crossing the border. Mexicos efforts have included forcing migrants from trains, flying and busing them to the southern part of the country, and flying some home to Venezuela. Last week, Mexico said it would give about $110 a month for six months to each Venezuelan it deports, hoping they wont come back. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador extended the offer Tuesday to Ecuadorians and Colombians. If you support people in their places of origin, the migratory flow reduces considerably, but that requires resources and that is what the United States government has not wanted to do, said Lopez Obrador, who is barred by term limits from running in June elections. Migrants say they must pay corrupt officials at Mexicos frequent government checkpoints to avoid being sent back to southern cities. Each setback is costly and frustrating. In the end, it is a business because wherever you get to, they want to take the last of what you have, said Yessica Gutierrez, 30, who left Venezuela in January in a group of 15 family members that includes young children. They avoided some checkpoints by hiking through brush. The group is now waiting in Mexico City to get an appointment so they can legally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. To use the CBP One app, applicants must be in central or northern Mexico. So Gutierrezs group sleeps in two donated tents across the street from a migrant shelter and check the app daily. More than 500,000 migrants have used the app to enter the U.S. at land crossings with Mexico since its introduction in January 2023. They can stay in the U.S. for two years under a presidential authority called parole, which entitles them to work. I would rather cross the jungle 10 times than pass through Mexico once, said Jose Alberto Uzcategui, who left a construction job in the Venezuelan city of Trujillo with his wife and sons, ages 5 and 7, in a family group of 11. They are biding time in Mexico City until they have enough money for a phone so they can use CBP One. Venezuelans account for the vast majority of 73,166 migrants who crossed the Darien Gap in January and February, which is on pace to pass last years record of more than 500,000, according to the Panamanian government, suggesting Venezuelans are still fleeing a country that has lost more than 7 million people amid political turmoil and economic decline. Mexican authorities stopped Venezuelan migrants more than 56,000 times in February, about twice as much as the previous two months, according to government figures. The underlying question here is: Where are the Venezuelans? Theyre in Mexico, but where are they? said Stephanie Brewer, who covers Mexico for the Washington Office on Latin America, a group that monitors human rights abuses. Mexico deported only about 429 Venezuelans during the first two months of 2024, meaning nearly all are waiting in Mexico. Many fear that venturing north of Mexico City will get them fleeced or returned to southern Mexico. The U.S. admits 1,450 people a day through CBP One with appointments that are granted two weeks out. Even if they evade Mexican authorities, migrants feel threatened by gangs who kidnap, extort and commit other violent crimes. You have to go town by town because the cartels need to put food on their plates, said Maria Victoria Colmenares, 27, who waited seven months in Mexico City for a CBP One appointment, supporting her family by working as a waitress while her husband worked at a car wash. Its worth the wait because it brings a reward, said Colmenares, who took a taxi from the Tijuana airport to the border crossing with San Diego, hours before her Tuesday appointment. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has touted his own efforts to explain the recent reduction in illegal crossings in his state, where at least 95% of Border Patrol arrests of Venezuelans occur. Those have included installing razor wire, putting a floating barrier in the Rio Grande and making plans to build a new base for members of the National Guard. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has mostly credited Mexico for the drop in border arrests. Some Venezuelans still come north despite the perils. Marbelis Torrealba, 35, arrived in Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, Texas, with her sister and niece this week, carrying ashes of her daughter who drowned in a boat that capsized in Nicaragua. She said they were robbed by Mexican officials and gangs and returned several times to southern Mexico. A shelter arranged for them to enter the U.S. legally on emergency humanitarian grounds, but she was prepared to cross illegally. I already experienced the worst: Seeing your child die in front of you and not being able to do anything. ___ Spagat reported from Tijuana, Mexico, and Gonzalez reported from Matamoros. Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., also contributed. By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN, ELLIOT SPAGAT and VALERIE GONZALEZ Associated Press Rescue California Save America logo View Photo Sonora, CA The California Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, has approved the group pushing for the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom to collect signatures. Rescue California announced its new effort to remove Newsom from office a month ago, as earlier reported here. The group justified another recall, citing several reasons, including the states growing homelessness problem, high taxes and a large budget deficit, rising crime rates, and immigration issues. We started the process of recalling Gavin Newsom because he has abandoned the state to advance his presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 billion budget deficit that is climbing and a public safety, immigration, and education crisis, said Rescue Californias Campaign Director Anne Dunsmore. This is their second attempt to remove Newsom. In 2021, 1.5 million citizens signed a recall petition, putting it on the ballot. But Newsom fought off that attempt when, later that year, nearly 62% of Californians voted against recalling the governor. This time, the group needs fewer signatures to get it on the ballot. The state code dictates that supporters must gather 1,311,963 valid signatures from March 26 to Sept. 3. Those signatures equal 12% of the nearly 11 million votes cast in the 2022 election, which Newsom also won. Last month, when this second recall was announced, Governor Newsom had this reaction, stating, Trump Republicans are launching another wasteful recall campaign to distract us from the existential fight for democracy and reproductive freedom. We will defeat them. The Latest | Israel must open more land crossings for Gaza aid, UN court says The Latest | Israel must open more land crossings for Gaza aid, UN court says View Photo In a legally binding order, the top United Nations court says Israel must open more land crossings into Gaza for food, water, fuel and other supplies. The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures Thursday in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its war in Gaza charges Israel strongly denies. The U.N. has reported that 100% of Gazas 2.3 million people are at severe levels of food insecurity. Aid deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order, according to the U.N. and international aid groups. And in the West Bank, Israeli authorities say an attacker wounded three people Thursday after opening fire at several vehicles on a main route in the territory. The military says its still searching for the shooter. Tensions in the West Bank have surged since the start of the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 32,000 people and wounded 74,000, according to the Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and another 250 people abducted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, triggering the war in Gaza. Currently: Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the wars toll on Palestinian children. Talks resume on bringing Israeli officials to the U.S. to discuss Gaza operation, the White House says. Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 16, militant rockets kill 1 Israeli as cross-border violence soars. U.S sanctions online media site Gaza Now and its founder for allegedly supporting Hamas. Israelis who fled towns near Gaza border must weigh whether to return. Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war. Heres the latest: ISRAELI STRIKE IN RAFAH KILLS AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE, INCLUDING WOMEN AND KIDS RAFAH, Gaza Strip An Israeli airstrike killed at least 12 people when it slammed into a residential building late Thursday in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians, according to health officials. Two children and four women were among the dead pulled from the rubble, said Dr. Saleh al-Hams, the head of the nursing department at the European Hospital. Eight of the bodies, including two mangled and unidentifiable corpses, were transferred to the European Hospital. The rest of the remains were taken to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, according to hospital records. After almost six months of war, about a dozen of Gazas 36 hospitals are only partially functioning. Israel has promised to launch a ground invasion of Rafah, saying the city on the border with Egypt is the last remaining Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have continued to bombard areas where they told civilians to take shelter including Rafah. Over half of Gazas population has sought refuge in Rafah, many in makeshift tent camps, United Nations shelters and crowded apartments. The U.S. says it shares Israels goal of defeating Hamas but a major assault on the city would be a mistake. U.S. HAS NOT GIVEN ISRAEL ALL THE W EAPONS IT WANTS FOR GAZA WAR, TOP U.S. GENERAL SAYS WASHINGTON The top U.S. general says the Biden administration has not given Israel all of the weapons it has requested as the war against Hamas in Gaza grinds on. Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Thursday that he makes recommendations, but not the final decision, on what military aid will be provided. U.S. officials have been under pressure to use the ongoing delivery of weapons as leverage to get Israel to increase humanitarian support in Gaza and to provide greater protection for civilians, particularly as Israel looks to go after Hamas battalions and leadership in the southern city of Rafah. Asked if the U.S. has held back some weapons to press Israel to expand humanitarian aid, Brown said, some of that is because theyve asked for stuff that we either dont have the capacity, right, or not willing to provide right now in particular. But it is a constant dialogue with them. Speaking at a forum sponsored by George Washington Universitys Project for Media and National Security, Brown said the U.S. does make such decisions based on how it could impact Americas military readiness, especially when it involved sending weapons from Pentagon stockpiles. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, declined to provide details on which systems the U.S. has so far opted not to send. ISRAELS SUPREME COURT SAYS ULTRA-ORTHODOX MEN WHO WONT JOIN ARMY WILL LOSE FUNDING TO THEIR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS JERUSALEM Israels Supreme Court has ruled that the government can no longer fund religious seminaries for ultra-Orthodox men of enlistment age. The dramatic ruling Thursday capped off a week of tense negotiations over mandatory military service for religious Jewish men. In its decision, the court said that funding for religious students between the ages of 18 and 26 will be cut off on April 1. Under longstanding agreements, Israel has granted ultra-Orthodox men exemptions from military service that is otherwise compulsory for most Jewish males. The exemptions, along with stipends for the religious students, have generated widespread anger, especially with the country at war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The ultra-Orthodox say that integrating into the army will threaten their generations-old way of life and that their dedication to upholding the Jewish commandments protects Israel as much as a strong army. Among Israels Jewish majority, mandatory military service is largely seen as a melting pot and rite of passage, and the army says it is suffering a manpower shortage because of the nearly six-month war in Gaza. The ruling will affect approximately a third of the 180,000 yeshiva students who receive subsidies from the government for full-time learning, according to Israels Channel 12. The Supreme Court also has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present a new proposal to increase ultra-Orthodox enlistment by the end of March. Netanyahu, whose coalition relies heavily on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, on Thursday asked the court for a 30-day extension. Benny Gantz, Netanyahus top political rival and a centrist member of the war cabinet, praised the courts decision, saying it recognized the need for everyone in our society to take part in the right to serve the country. SYRIAN ARMY SAYS ISRAELI STRIKE NEAR DAMASCUS WOUNDS 2 CIVILIANS DAMASCUS, Syria The Syrian army says an Israeli airstrike Thursday on a suburb of the capital Damascus wounded two civilians and caused material damage. Syrian state media quoted an unnamed military official as saying that the strike hit a residential building without saying in which suburb the attack occurred. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit the southern Damascus suburb of Sayida Zeinab where Iran-backed fighters have presence. It had no immediate word on casualties. There was no immediate statement from Israeli officials on the strikes. Israel frequently launches strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria but rarely acknowledges them. The strikes have escalated over the past five months against the backdrop of the war in Gaza and ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the Lebanon-Israel border. U.N. TOP COURT ORDERS ISRAEL TO OPEN MORE GAZA LAND CROSSINGS FOR AID THE HAGUE, Netherlands The top United Nations court on Thursday ordered Israel to take measures including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into Gaza to tackle crippling shortages in the war-ravaged enclave. The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign launched after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Israel strongly denies it is committing genocide and says its military campaign is self defense. Thursdays order came after South Africa sought more provisional measures, including a cease-fire, citing starvation in Gaza. Israel urged the court not to issue new orders. In its legally binding order, the court told Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full co-operation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance including food, water, fuel and medical supplies. It also ordered Israel to immediately ensure that its military does not commit acts which constitute a violation of any of the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza as a protected group under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance. The court told Israel to report back in a month on its implementation of the orders. NETANYAHU SEEKS 30-DAY EXTENSION TO CRAFT A LAW ADDRESSING MILITARY DRAFT FOR ULTRA-OTHODOX MEN TEL AVIV, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is seeking a 30-day extension to craft a law to deal with the mandatory enlistment for ultra-Orthodox men, after weeks of negotiations in his cabinet were unsuccessful. Israels Supreme Court has ordered the government to present legislation aimed at increasing recruitment among the religious community by the end of March. Netanyahu asked for the extension on Thursday afternoon. Broad exemptions from mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men have reopened a deep divide in the country and rattled the government coalition. Netanyahus fellow War Cabinet members are staunchly opposed to his proposed new conscription law. In a letter to the Supreme Court, Netanyahu said that additional time is needed because it has been proven in the past that enlistment without an agreed-upon arrangement actually has the opposite effect. Most Jewish men are required to serve nearly three years followed by years of reserve duty. Jewish women serve two mandatory years. But the politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions if they are studying full-time in religious seminaries. The exemptions and the government stipends many seminary students receive through age 26 have infuriated the wider general public, especially while the country is embroiled in a war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The Supreme Court has ruled the current system discriminatory and given the government until the end of March to present a bill and until June 30 to pass it. WHITE HOUSE SAYS ITS TOO SOON TO TELL IF NEW PALESTINIAN CABINET WILL DELIVER SOUGHT-AFTER REFORM WASHINGTON White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Thursday it was too early to make any broad assessments of the new Palestinian Authority Cabinet and whether it would deliver on the credible and far-reaching reforms that the Biden administration has called for. Weve long talked about a revitalized Palestinian Authority and how important thats going to be to eventually delivering results for the Palestinian people and to help establish the conditions for stability both in the West Bank and in Gaza, Kirby said. This is about meeting the aspirations of the Palestinian people. We believe that a reformed and revitalized PA can do that, he said. Israel has rejected U.S. calls for a reformed PA to administer postwar Gaza ahead of eventual Palestinian statehood. President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades, announced the new government in a presidential decree on Thursday. None of the incoming ministers is a well-known figure. Abbas tapped longtime adviser Mohammad Mustafa to be prime minister earlier this month. Mustafa is a politically independent U.S.-educated economist. He has vowed to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. U.N. PEACEKEEPERS DECRY ESCALATING VIOLENCE ON LEBANON-ISRAEL BORDER BEIRUT The U.N. peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel is calling for ending the escalation a day after exchanges of fire killed 17 people. The force known as UNIFIL said Thursday it is very concerned over the surge of cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Lebanese militant groups including Hezbollah. On Wednesday, a series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 16 people and a barrage of rockets fired by Hezbollah killed one Israeli man, making it the deadliest day in more than five months of fighting along the border. UNIFIL said the escalation has caused a high number of civilian deaths adding that it is imperative that this escalation cease immediately. We urge all sides to put down their weapons and begin the process toward a sustainable political and diplomatic solution, UNIFIL said. It added that the peacekeeping force remains ready to support that process in any way it can. The fighting along the border started a day after the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas into southern Israel on Oct. 7. The violence has displaced tens of thousands in both countries, caused widespread damage in towns and villages and killed civilians, including journalists. Nine civilians and 11 soldiers have died in Israel, and more than 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 50 civilians have been killed in Lebanon. ABBAS ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET FOR PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY RAMALLAH, West Bank The Palestinian Authority has announced the formation of a new Cabinet as it faces international pressure to reform. President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades and remains in overall control, announced the new government in a presidential decree on Thursday. None of the incoming ministers is a well-known figure. Abbas tapped Mohammad Mustafa, a longtime adviser, to be prime minister earlier this month. Mustafa, a politically independent U.S.-educated economist, had vowed to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. Mustafa will also serve as foreign minister. Interior Minister Ziad Hab al-Rih is a member of Abbas secular Fatah movement and held the same portfolio in the previous government. The Interior Ministry oversees the security forces. At least five of the incoming 23 ministers are from Gaza, but it was not immediately clear if they are still in the territory. The PA administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Its forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007, and it has no power there. The United States has called for a revitalized PA to administer postwar Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. Israel has rejected that idea, saying it will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with Palestinians who are not affiliated with the PA or Hamas. Its unclear who in Gaza would be willing to take on such a role. Hamas has rejected the formation of the new government as illegitimate, calling instead for all Palestinian factions, including Fatah, to form a power-sharing government ahead of national elections. ATTACKER WOUNDS 3 AFTER OPENING FIRE IN WEST BANK TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli authorities say an attacker wounded three people after opening fire at several vehicles on a main route in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military says the attacker fled the scene following Thursdays shooting and that forces were conducting searches. Magen David Adom of the Israeli rescue service said the injuries were moderate or light and that a 13-year-old was among the wounded. Tensions in the West Bank have surged since the start of the war in Gaza and Israeli forces have engaged in near-nightly raids in the territory to clamp down on militancy. There has been a spike in shooting attacks by Palestinians during that time. Since the start of the war, Israel has arrested roughly 3,600 Palestinians in the West Bank, the military says. The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 454 Palestinians have been killed and about 4,700 wounded in the West Bank and east Jerusalem since Oct. 7. U.N. SAYS A HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN GAZA HAS CLOSED, LEAVING ONLY 12 LEFT UNITED NATIONS Two-thirds of Gazas 36 hospitals arent functioning after Al Amal Hospital in the south of the territory ceased operation amid intense military activity, U.N. humanitarian officials report. According to the U.N. World Health Organization, Gaza now has just 12 operating hospitals two that are minimally functional and 10 that are partially functional, four in the north and six in the south, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Wednesday. More than two dozen staff, six patients and a companion and the bodies of two people killed inside Al Amal were moved Monday by the U.N. humanitarian office, the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the International Committee for the Red Cross before the hospital was closed Tuesday, Dujarric said. Andrea De Domenico, the head of U.N. humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, visited the partially functioning Kamal Adwan hospital in the north last week and reported that it is receiving about 15 malnourished children a day and is struggling to maintain services, Dujarric said. The hospitals only generator has been heavily damaged, and health workers and patients desperately need food, water and sanitation assistance, the U.N. spokesman said. According to the U.N. World Food Program, Dujarric said, roughly 70% of northern Gazas population is facing catastrophic hunger but efforts to deliver life-saving aid have been impeded by fighting and access constraints in getting food to those in need. This month, WFP was only able to send 11 convoys to the north with food for some 74,000 people, far below the colossal needs of the population, Dujarric said. ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES IN LEBANON KILL 9 PEOPLE INCLUDING PARAMEDICS, STATE NEWS AGENCY SAYS BEIRUT Israeli airstrikes killed nine people in southern Lebanon late Wednesday, including paramedics who were preparing to respond to the first strike, the state-run National News Agency said. That raises the number of people killed by Israeli strikes Wednesday to 16, after an earlier attack hit a different paramedic center linked to a Lebanese Sunni Muslim group, killing seven of the groups members. And earlier Wednesday, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing a barrage of rockets into the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and a military base, which killed one person. It said the rockets were in response to the deadly strike on the paramedics center. The Lebanese news agency said Israel bombed the village of Teir Harfa after sunset, killing five, and a second strike killed four people as paramedics gathered near a cafe in the coastal town of Naqoura. Hezbollahs Islamic Health Society said two of its paramedics were killed in Teir Harfa while the Islamic Risala Scout Association, also a paramedic group, said one of its members was killed in the strike on Naqoura. Hezbollah said two of its fighters were killed, without saying where. The Amal movement, a Shiite political and paramilitary organization, said the strike on Naquora killed one of its local commanders, identified as Ali Mahdi. Israels military said it had struck a Hezbollah military compound in Teir Harfa and a terrorist cell in Naqoura. Israel said the earlier strike in Hebbariye killed a member of the Sunni al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, or the Islamic Group, and several other militants. It said the man was involved in attacks against Israel. Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel since the day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7. The near-daily violence has mostly been confined to the area along the Lebanon-Israel border. Nearly 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 40 civilians have died in Lebanon. The fighting has killed nine civilians and 11 soldiers in Israel. IN RARE SPEECH, HEAD OF HAMAS FIGHTERS IN GAZA CALLS ON MUSLIMS TO LIBERATE JERUSALEM MOSQUE GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Hamas has released a rare recording of what it says is the shadowy head of its military wing calling on Muslims around the world to liberate Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque. Wednesdays recording was a reminder of the difficulty Israel has faced in realizing its stated goal of destroying Hamas military capabilities. Mohammed Deif delivered the message in a voice recording posted Wednesday on the militant groups channel in the messaging app Telegram. Start marching today, now, not tomorrow, toward Palestine, Deif says in a message aimed at Muslims globally, calling them to join the honor of jihad and participation in the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Al-Aqsa is the third-holiest site in Islam, and sits on a disputed hilltop revered by Jews and Muslims in Jerusalems Old City. No image of Deif appears in the recording, and it was not possible to authenticate it. It was not clear when the recording was made. The leader of Hamas Qassam Brigades has not been seen in public in decades, and the last time Hamas published a voice recording of him was the day of the Oct. 7. attack that triggered the war. Israel says Deif is one of the masterminds of the attack, and he tops Israels most-wanted list alongside Yehya Sinwar, the overall leader of Hamas in Gaza. Deif is thought to be paralyzed after surviving multiple assassination attempts. Israel has released a small number of photos of what it says are Deif. NETANYAHU SAYS CIVILIANS IN RAFAH CAN JUST MOVE AWAY FROM AN ISRAELI GROUND INVASION TEL AVIV, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has downplayed U.S. fears of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel launches a planned ground invasion into Gazas southernmost city, saying civilians would be able to flee the fighting into other parts of the war-torn territory. Speaking Wednesday to a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation visiting Israel, Netanyahu said people sheltering in Rafah now more than half of Gazas 2.3 million population will be able to move away from the fighting. People just move, they move with their tents, Netanyahu said. People moved down (to Rafah). They can move back up. Israel says a ground offensive is needed to destroy thousands of Hamas fighters in Rafah. The planned incursion has raised global alarm because the city on the Gaza-Egypt border is jammed with 1.4 million Palestinians in sprawling tent camps and U.N. shelters, most of whom have fled fighting elsewhere. The United States, Israels top ally, has urged Israel not to carry out the operation without a credible plan to evacuate civilians. Rafah is also the main entry point for desperately needed aid into Gaza, where the U.N. says 100% of the population is at severe levels of food insecurity. Netanyahu suggested that the dispute over Rafah was just another in a series of disagreements between the allies and that he appreciates President Joe Bidens support, but that Israel will act alone if we have to. Israels military has said it plans to direct the civilians to humanitarian islands in central Gaza ahead of the planned offensive. By The Associated Press 4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois, with a suspect in custody 4 people killed and 7 wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois, with a suspect in custody View Photo ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) Four people were killed and seven were hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage Wednesday across multiple locations in a northern Illinois community, authorities said. A 22-year-old man is in police custody and was being questioned, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. She said one of the people who was wounded remained in critical condition. My heart goes out to the families right now that are suffering a loss, Redd told reporters. She said the Rockford Police received a medical call at 1:14 p.m. followed by additional calls for police and paramedics. We dont believe theres any other suspects that are on the run or at large at this particular time, Redd said. Right now, we dont have a clear motive as to what caused this individual to commit such a heinous crime. Not all of the victims found at multiple addresses in the city had stab wounds and none were shot, according to Redd. Rockford Police initially said five people had been injured. Cori Hilliard, a public information officer with the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office, told The Associated Press Wednesday evening that two more victims were among those hurt. Three people died at the scenes. The fourth died at a hospital. Police later identified those victims as a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man and a 22-year-old man. Their names were not released. Redd said residents in the area were being asked to review their home surveillance camera footage for anything related to the attacks. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (145 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago. The violence Wednesday came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said. Now that the suspect is in custody, he continued, Our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. The mayor wrote on the citys Facebook page that multiple jurisdictions are working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. The suspect was arrested by a Winnebago County sheriffs deputy after they were called to a reported home invasion, Sheriff Gary Caruana said. The young lady ran from him, Caruana said of one of the survivors. She got some stab wounds in her hands and her face. She is in serious condition. One of the good Samaritans stopped to help her out. He did get some stab wounds. He is being checked out. Resident Eric Patterson said he was struggling to make sense of the violence on his street. You cant rationalize this, Patterson told the Rockford Register Star. Its almost like playing a video game, but its reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. Im going to run over the mailman here. Im going to stab a couple people there. I am going to go in this house over here. Another resident, Vanessa Hy, told WREX-TV in Rockford that the experience of witnessing the arrest was unreal, like a movie. All of the sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming Stop! Get down! Hy told the station. Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody. Cassandra Hernandez, another neighbor, told the Rockford paper that she is friends with one of the victims. You never expect this here, Hernandez said. We have such great neighbors. Hawaii says 30 Lahaina fire survivors are moving into housing daily but 3,000 are still in hotels Hawaii says 30 Lahaina fire survivors are moving into housing daily but 3,000 are still in hotels View Photo HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday some 3,000 people displaced by Lahainas wildfires are still living in hotels more than seven months after the August blaze but that up to 30 people are moving to longer-term housing each day. Green told a news conference the state and federal government have lined up sufficient long-term rental units to shelter everyone who is currently in one of 11 hotels still housing survivors. The state and federal governments are also building some modular transitional housing units for displaced residents. Green said he expects all displaced residents will leave the hotels by July 1. Nearly 8,000 Lahaina residents were living in 40 hotels in the days immediately after the fire. Maui has a severe housing shortage. In West Maui, much of the housing that does exist has been used as vacation rentals for tourists. In December, Green threatened to use the hammer of emergency orders to impose a moratorium on Maui short-term rentals if enough property owners didnt make their units available to Lahaina residents. But Green said Wednesday such a moratorium wont be necessary. He said the state has contracts for 1,300 units and that the number of households in hotels has dropped to under 1,300. One issue now, Green said, is that many available rentals are not in West Maui, and some Lahaina residents have refused them because they want to stay near their jobs and their childrens schools. A lot of people have been offered an apartment, housing, and have rejected it because its too far away from West Maui, or it didnt suit their family circumstance, Green said. Green said people are being given four opportunities to accept housing that is offered and two chances to appeal an option provided. He said some people have rejected housing four, five and even six times. Green said authorities are trying to be understanding because they dont want to disrupt peoples lives even further but that people will need to leave the hotels eventually. Once that transitional housing comes online, honestly, people will have to go move into those if they havent left the hotels yet because its only fair, Green said. We need the resources so that we can build the next school, so that we can rebuild clinics that were lost during the fire. Jordan Ruidas, a founder and organizer of the Lahaina Strong community group, expressed disappointment that Green didnt impose a moratorium. Today Governor Green chose the comfort of short-term vacation rental owners over the needs of thousands of fire survivors, Ruidas said in a text message. She said Green was turning away from his responsibility and authority to use his executive powers to prohibit vacation rentals in West Maui. Green said in his news conference that he has asked his attorney general to get serious about enforcing laws against illegally operated short-term rentals. Ruidas said she looked forward to hearing how the attorney general will do that. Using the Hawaiian word for land, Ruidas said Lahaina Strong hopes the planned crackdown occurs before more families leave the aina and communities many have called home for generations. The fire destroyed 3,971 properties and caused $4 billion to $6 billion in property damage. Of these properties, 561 were occupied by homeowners. One-quarter of these lots have already been cleared of debris, Green said. That means theyre going to get permits sometime later this year to begin to rebuild back in Lahaina, Green said, while acknowledging water, sewer and electricity service will need to be restored to these lots. By AUDREY McAVOY Associated Press Beijing (Gasgoo)- TCab Tech, a Shanghai-based tech company specializing in electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced the completion of a $20 million Series A strategic financing round on March 26, 2024. Photo credit: TCab Tech A renowned overseas investment firm made exclusive strategic investments in TCab Tech, aiming to establish "air taxi" application scenarios in the Middle East region. As an early developer of manned tiltrotor eVTOL technology in China, TCab Tech has overcome numerous engineering challenges and steadily progressed through validation work for scaled-down models, framework models, and prototypes. The funds from this financing round will be utilized to accelerate product development and airworthiness certification processes. In October 2023, TCab Tech's independently developed E20 eVTOL successfully completed its first flight test, marking a comprehensive integration of design, development, manufacturing, and flight operations. From assembly to the first flight, TCab's team only took four months. On October 27, 2023, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) East China Regional Administration officially accepted TCab Tech's E20 eVTOL type certification application. With the acceptance of the type, TCab Tech will continue discussions with regulatory authorities on complementary verification methods. Currently, the E20 eVTOL has entered the tilt testing phase. While securing orders for hundreds of units of the eVTOL from domestic operators, TCab Tech has established deep connections in regions along the Belt and Road Initiative such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia, steadily expanding its overseas market presence. Suspect charged with murder, attempted murder in deadly Rockford rampage View Photo CHICAGO (AP) A 22-year-old man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in a frenzied stabbing and beating rampage that left four people dead in a matter of minutes in a northern Illinois city, authorities said Thursday. Christian Soto is also charged with seven counts of attempted murder and home invasion with a dangerous weapon following the attacks in Rockford on Wednesday. Seven people were injured. Court and jail records show Soto appeared in court briefly Thursday afternoon and remains held without bond. He is next due in court Tuesday when a judge will determine if he stays in jail pending trial. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, who was clearly shaken and struggled to hold back tears during a news conference Thursday, listed the victims as 63-year-old Romona Schupbach; 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach; 49-year-old Jay Larson; and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Three people remained hospitalized Thursday, officials said. The other four were treated and released, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said. Authorities have released little information about Soto, who was arrested Wednesday. A woman who identified herself as Sotos sister declined to comment to The Associated Press. Redd said Soto acted alone and that police do not know his motive for the attacks. She said Soto and Jacob Schupbach had grown up together. Soto told police that the two were smoking marijuana at Schupbachs home before the attack, Winnebago County States Attorney J. Hanley said. Soto said that he believes that drugs provided to him by Jacob were laced with an unknown narcotic, Hanley said. Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen and proceeded to stab his friend and his friends mother to death. Hanley provided details of the deadly attacks that quickly unfolded in a neighborhood of ranch-style homes soon after 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Redd said less than 20 minutes passed between the initial 911 call and Sotos arrest. Rockford police responded first to a home on Holmes Street, where they found the bodies of Jacob Schupbach and his mother, Romona. Hanley said witnesses saw Jacob Schupbach being chased across the street, and that the attacker hit or stabbed him as he lay on the ground. They said the attacker then drove a pickup truck over Schupbach, who was able to make it inside the home. Witnesses said the attacker followed him but left soon after and drove away, Hanley said. Hanley said officers next found Larson alive in a front yard on nearby Winnetka Drive, but he had been stabbed multiple times and died soon after in a hospital. Ruth Mendonca, inspector-in-charge of the Chicago office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, told reporters that Larson had been a mail carrier in the area for 25 years. A witness said he heard a commotion and saw a man beating Larson on the grass near his home, Hanley said. The witness dialed 911 as the attacker walked toward his locked front door. The attacker retrieved a knife from a black pickup and stabbed Larson before driving over him twice and running away. Soto told police that he recalled taking out the mailman, Hanley said. Around that time, police began receiving 911 calls about an attack on nearby Cleveland Avenue. A woman and her adult son and daughter told officers that a man armed with a knife forced his way into their home. The man stabbed the mother near her left eye as she opened the door to let their dog out, Hanley said. Her children fought with Soto and also were wounded. The son told police that the attacker ran away after he struck him with a syrup bottle. Residents then flagged down first responders about another attack on the same street, Hanley said. Jenna Newcomb and a friend were watching a movie in her basement and Jennas sister was upstairs when Soto entered their house through an unlocked door. Hanley said one of the girls later told police Soto was covered in blood. He beat all three teens with a baseball bat and Jenna died in the attack. The girls who survived are 14 and 15. Jennas mother said she died trying to protect her sister and friend from further harm, according to McNamara. Soto then broke a window to get into a home close by on Florence Street. A woman fled the home and Soto chased her into the yard and stabbed her. Keith Fahreny, who was driving by, saw the attack and stopped to intervene, Hanley said. Soto attacked Fahreny and tried to steal his vehicle, but Fahreny dragged him from the car. Soto once again fled on foot, but he was soon arrested by a sheriffs deputy. The woman and Fahreny both survived the attack. Resident Vanessa Hy told WREX-TV in Rockford that she witnessed the arrest. We heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming, Stop! Get down! Hy told the TV station. Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody. Clearly distraught, McNamara spoke of how the slayings have disrupted his community. Right now, the focus is on these individuals who have lost their lives this week, he added. Their families, making sure theyre getting healing that they need. You might hear grief and sadness from me, the mayor said. Im also really pissed off. Rockford, home to about 150,000 people, is about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Chicago. Its economy was decimated by industrial change in the 1980s and now largely depends on manufacturing and healthcare. Some residents bristle at the mention of a 2013 Forbes article classifying it as one of the countrys most miserable cities, that pointedly noted Rockfords double-digit unemployment rate. Forbes and other media outlets have been more complimentary in recent years, noting the citys affordable cost of living and efforts to support local restaurants and entertainment venues. But Rockfords police force, like many across the U.S., has reported increases in violent crime since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last years violent crimes totals dropped by about 19%, according to the departments annual report, but there were 20 murders compared to 15 in 2022. The stabbings Wednesday came just days after a teenage employee was stabbed and killed inside a Walmart in the city. A suspect in that killing has been arrested. Clergy from different faiths gave prayers Thursday afternoon at a vigil for those slain and wounded. I came today because I didnt want to grieve alone, said the Rev. Caleb Hong, senior pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford. And I was hurting, and my guess is many of you are hurting or youre scared, or youre wondering why does this happen? Were all feeling the same way. Were all hurting, he said. ___ Callahan reported from Indianapolis and Williams reported from Detroit. Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed from New York. By KATHLEEN FOODY, RICK CALLAHAN and COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Having HIV will no longer automatically disqualify someone from serving as a Metropolitan Nashville Police Officer, the Tennessee city agreed in a legal settlement on Friday. The agreement settles a federal discrimination lawsuit filed last year by a former Memphis police officer of the year. The officer, who filed under the pseudonym John Doe, said Nashville police rescinded a job offer in 2020 upon learning that he had HIV. That was in spite of a letter from his health care provider saying he would not be a danger to others because he had successfully suppressed the virus with medication to the point that it could not be transmitted. At the time, Nashvilles charter required all police officer candidates to meet the physical requirements for admission to the U.S. Army or Navy. Those regulations exclude people with HIV from enlisting and are currently the subject of a separate lawsuit by Lambda Legal, which also represented Doe. Since then, Nashville has voted to amend its charter. In the Friday settlement, Nashville agreed to pay Doe $145,000 and to rewrite its civil service medical examiners policies. That includes adding language instructing medical examiners to individually assess each candidate for their health and fitness to serve as first responders or police officers. Medicine has progressed by leaps and bounds, allowing people living with HIV to live normal lives and there are no reasons why they cannot perform any job as anyone else today, Lambda Legal attorney Jose Abrigo said in a statement. We hope this settlement serves as a testament to the work we need to continue to do to remove stigma and discrimination and update laws to reflect modern science. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department last month sued the state of Tennessee over a decades-old felony aggravated prostitution law, arguing that it illegally imposes tougher criminal penalties on people who are HIV positive. Tennessee is the only state that imposes a lifetime registration as a violent sex offender on someone convicted of engaging in sex work while living with HIV. By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press Trump attends wake of slain New York officer, calls for law and order, to show contrast with Biden Trump attends wake of slain New York officer, calls for law and order, to show contrast with Biden View Photo MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP) Donald Trump attended Thursdays wake of a New York City police officer gunned down in the line of duty and called for law and order, as part of the presumptive Republican presidential nominees attempt to show a contrast with President Joe Biden and focus on crime as part of his third White House campaign. The visitation for Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday, was held in suburban Massapequa on Long Island. Police said the 31-year-old Diller was shot below his bulletproof vest while approaching an illegally parked car in Queens. Diller, who was married and had a 1-year-old son, was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Trumps visit came as Biden was also in New York for a previously scheduled fundraiser with Democratic ex-presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Trump has accused Biden of lacking toughness and his campaign sought to contrast his visit with Bidens fundraiser. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, noted Trumps visit and said, Meanwhile, the Three Stooges Biden, Obama, and Clinton will be at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the president has spoken with New York Citys mayor, but she said she didnt have any private communications to share when asked if Biden had spoken to the family of the officer who was killed. Jean-Pierre said the administrations hearts go out to the officers family. Speaking aboard Air Force One, she said Biden has supported law enforcement throughout his entire career and took a dig at Trumps record. Violent crime surged under the previous administration, Jean-Pierre said. The Biden-Harris administration have done the polar opposite, taking decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime. After visiting in the funeral home with Dillers family, Trump spoke outside to news reporters with about a dozen local police officers, half in patrol uniforms, half in tactical gear, forming as a backdrop behind him. One officer standing in front held his rifle across his chest. Trump called Dillers killing such a sad, sad event, such a horrible thing. The police are the greatest people we have. Theres nothing and theres nobody like them. And this should never happen, Trump said. He spoke about Dillers wife and young son, saying he doesnt know how his life has been changed. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently. This is not working. This is happening too often, Trump said. After his brief remarks, he repeated himself as he walked away toward his motorcade and added: Weve got to toughen it up. He did not elaborate. Trump has deplored crime in heavily Democratic cities, called for shoplifters to be shot immediately and wants to immunize police officers from lawsuits for potential misconduct. But hes also demonized local prosecutors, the FBI and the Department of Justice over the criminal prosecutions he faces and the investigation while he was president into his first campaigns interactions with Russia. He has also embraced those imprisoned for their roles on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, when a mob of his angry supporters overran police lines and Capitol and local police officers were attacked and beaten. Massapequa and the surrounding South Shore towns have long been a popular destination for city police officers and firefighters looking to set down roots on Long Island. The road leading to the funeral home was painted with a thin blue line, a symbol used as a sign of police solidarity, and the road was flanked by American flags and American flags with a thin blue line. Parked nearby were two pickup trucks with pro-Trump decals and flags bearing his Make America Great Again slogan. Dozens of supporters wearing Trump paraphernalia stood nearby in pouring rain. Though Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York, this area is a heavily Republican part of Long Island that Trump won in the 2020 presidential election. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, accompanied Trump and told reporters it was a tremendous comfort to the family to have Trump visit. Inside the funeral home, Trump spent more than 10 minutes meeting privately with Dillers wife, Stephanie, before joining her in the main viewing room and saying a prayer over the officers casket, Blakeman said later. Trump then met with the rest of the family, giving his condolences to Dillers mother, siblings, aunts and uncles, he said. Dillers grandmother asked the former president for a hug and the family also asked him to write a note on a mass card. It was a really good, warm conversation, Blakeman said. It was all talking about Jon and what kind of person he was as a father, son, husband. It was not about public policy or anything like that. The former president and his supporters sought a similar split screen with Biden earlier this month as they went after the president over crime and illegal immigration while both were campaigning in Georgia. Trump during his visit to the state met with the family of slain nursing student Laken Riley. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally is charged with her death. Trump posted about Dillers death on his social media network Tuesday, offering prayers to Dillers family and appreciation for law enforcement. He also called the shooter a thug and noted that police said the shooter had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he NEVER should have been let back out on the streets. On Thursday, prosecutors in Queens charged the alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, with first degree murder and other charges. Rivera, who was shot in the back when Dillers partner returned fire, was arraigned from his hospital bed. Riveras lawyers at Legal Aid declined to comment, according to spokesman Redmond Haskins. Diller was the first New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in two years. The previous line-of-duty deaths were the fatal shootings of two New York City police officers, and the day after the second funeral, Biden visited the police departments headquarters and spoke to officers and top brass. Biden has pledged that the federal government will work more closely with police to combat gun violence and crack down on illegal guns. New FBI statistics related earlier this month showed that overall violent crime in the U.S. dropped again last year, continuing a downward trend after a pandemic-era spike. The FBI data found murders dropped 13% in the last three months of 2023 compared with the same period the year before, and violent crime overall was down 6%. The FBIs report was in line with the findings of the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice, which found that homicides were down an average of 10% from the year before in a survey of 32 cities, though it found violent crime still remained higher than before the coronavirus pandemic in many cities. ___ Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Colleen Long aboard Air Force One and Karen Matthews in New York City contributed to this report. By MICHELLE L. PRICE and PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press In Mali, Russian Wagner mercenaries are helping the army kill civilians, rights groups say View Photo DAKAR, Senegal (AP) The Russian mercenary group known as Wagner is helping government forces in central and northern Mali carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed scores of civilians, including many children, rights groups said in reports published this week that span the period from December to March. Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by jihadi groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russias mercenary units for security assistance instead. Violence has escalated in Mali since Russian mercenaries arrived there following a coup in 2021. Its ruling junta has ramped up operations, carrying out deadly drone strikes that have hit gatherings of civilians, and raids accompanied by Russian mercenaries that have killed civilians. Residents of the Sahel region that includes Mali say Russias presence doesnt appear to have changed since Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a suspicious plane crash last year. Malis Russia-backed transitional military government is not only committing horrific abuses, but it is working to eliminate scrutiny into its human rights situation, Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, in a statement Thursday. In an example of a raid carried out by Russian-backed government forces in January, Human Rights Watch said the army entered a village near a military base in central Mali and arrested 25 people, including four children. Their bodies were found later that day blindfolded and with bullet wounds to the head, the report said. Amnesty International said in separate report earlier this week that two drone strikes in northern Mali killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged 2 to 17. A pregnant woman who was injured in the bombing miscarried days after the attack, it said. Human Rights Watch has said the Turkish-supplied drones in Mali are capable of delivering precise laser-guided bombs. The group has also documented how drone strikes have killed civilians. In one example, a drone strike in central Malis Segou region killed at least seven people at a wedding, including two boys, it said. The following day, a second drone strike targeted a funeral held for those killed in the previous days strike. The juntas ruling Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso earlier this month announced a joint security force to fight the worsening extremist violence in their Sahel region. This follows steps taken by the juntas to step away from other regional and Western nations that dont agree with their approach and rely on Russia for security support instead. 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 share borders and their security forces fighting jihadi violence are overstretched. By JESSICA DONATI Associated Press Harare woman receives 14-month sentence for unlawful drug possession In a recent ruling by the Harare Magistrates Court, Prudence Chinhoi, a Glenview resident, has been handed a 14-month prison sentence for the unlawful possession of drugs. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed the verdict, shedding light on the circumstances that led to Chinhois arrest. According to the NPAZ statement, police officers, acting on a tip-off, approached Chinhoi on June 10, 2023. Posing as potential buyers of illicit substances, the officers engaged her in a transaction involving dagga (marijuana) and illegal cough syrup. The disguised officers apprehended Chinhoi during the encounter and seized a significant quantity of contraband. Reports indicate that law enforcement recovered 50 bottles of Adco-salterpyn cough syrup, along with a plastic bag containing 980 grams of loose dagga. She was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment of which 6 months were suspended. She will serve 8 months effectively, reads the statement. Breaking News via Email Suspended City of Harare principal road maintenance engineer, Albert Madanha, bashed Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption officials who arrested him at his home on Sunday, on allegations of abuse of office. When the three ZACC officials introduced themselves and informed Madanha of their intention to arrest him, he allegedly tried to close the door. However, the officers stepped in and prevented him from closing it. Madanha, according to the State, strongly resisted the arrest and turned violent. He started kicking and punching the officers. After a prolonged scuffle, the officers later managed to handcuff him and took him to the ZACC offices. A second charge of assault was preferred against him in addition to the criminal abuse of duty charge. The court heard that in September 2022, Southern Plan Energy, approached Madanha seeking assistance on how they could acquire land from the City of Harare for the purpose of establishing an LPG Cylinder Filling Station. Madanha allegedly advised Southern Plan Energy to identify a vacant piece of land, which might be suitable for their intended business. Southern Plan Energy identified an area at the corner of Wilson Road and Piers Road in Borrowdale, which is a road servitude. It is the States case that Madanha, without the permission and approval from Council, entered into an agreement with Southern Plan Energy, which enabled the company to do its construction work and designs on Council land for the purpose of operating an LPG Cylinder Filling Station. This was without following proper Council land leasing procedures. He allegedly issued a forged design permit and a notice to Southern Plan Energy for them to proceed with improvements on the land without following the dictates of the Urban Councils Act. On June 2 last year, using documents and certificates which were forged, Madanha allegedly made Southern Plan Energy pay US$2 084 as land development levy to him and the money was not remitted to the City of Harare. Madanha appeared before magistrate Taurai Manuwere and was remanded in custody to today for bail considerations. Anesu Chirenje appeared for the State. HMetro. Breaking News via Email Its no secret that the wealth of the West was built on the exploitation of Africa. Millions of Africans were killed, tens of millions were enslaved, and many African nations were brought to ruin. Meanwhile, profits from slave trading, cheap slave labor, and abundant African natural resources were benefiting and transforming the Western economy for centuries. During the last twenty years, Western officials have been speaking a lot about the Wests responsibility for the crimes of colonialism. Recently, they have even raised the question of reparations owed to Africa for the large-scale atrocities perpetrated during colonial rule. But it looks like in reality, nothing has changed in their minds since the colonial times the same old white supremacy story is still there. Take the case of the recent G7 initiative to implement a diamond tracking system. Under this system, all African diamonds would be mandated to acquire certification in Antwerp, Belgium, several thousand miles away from where they were mined. The G7 says this tracking system is aimed at curbing Russian diamonds from their markets. Yet it says nothing about what it means for Africa. Meanwhile, Africa is the largest contributor to global diamond production. Over 60% of the worlds rough diamonds originate from African soil namely Botswana, Angola, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and several other countries. According to the new G7 initiative, African countries will not be allowed to certify their own mined diamonds anymore. Instead, they will have to deliver them to Antwerp to get an origin confirmation before sending them for polishing or selling. A white G7 diamond bureaucrat in Antwerp, several thousand miles away from Africa, now decides whether an African diamond has the right origin, i.e., not Russian, or not. For many African countries, proceeds from diamond mining represent a significant share of state revenues. Tens of millions of people across Africa are involved in the industry, working in harsh conditions and putting their lives and health at risk every day for as little as 2 dollars per day. Under the new G7 initiative, their fate is poised to be dictated by a distant white man ensconced in the comfort of an Antwerp office. Beyond ethical concerns, this arrangement carries significant cost implications and delays in diamond processing. This G7 initiative clearly undermines African countries sovereignty. At a critical juncture when the diamond market is poised for growth amidst tighter supply, promising increased wealth and prosperity for Africa, the G7 seeks to seize control and strip Africa of its rightful treasures and profits. Its the same old story. They are trying to take control of our resources and thus enslave new generations of Africans. Lets make it clear according to the proposed tracking system, whites, i.e., G7 countries, will control the trade and rules of diamond circulation, while blacks, i.e., African countries, will take over all the hard rough diamond mining work for less than 2 dollars per day. Whites will have the margins and control over the markets, while blacks will have the mines and the responsibility to prove that nothing has been violated, i.e., the diamonds are not of Russian origin. Only a white man from Antwerp can decide on the origin of diamonds an African can never be trusted in this. Isnt that modern-day slavery? Is there really a big difference for Africans between the proposed system and the slave camps created by white supremacist Cecil Rhodes in the late 19th century in the Cape Colony, where thousands of Africans died in diamond mines? The G7 initiative has already been publicly questioned by De Beers and other diamond producers, as well as by the Kimberley Process, the international certification scheme for conflict diamonds. Moreover, in an open letter addressed to the G7, presidents and members of 27 diamond bourses worldwide expressed apprehension, highlighting potential adverse effects on the industry. But while the G7 has yet to provide public feedback, Antwerp customs and the diamond office have unilaterally initiated restrictions, leading to the blocking and detainment of African shipments entering Belgium until proper evidence of origin is provided. It is clear that the implications of the proposed diamond tracking system extend far beyond the world of commerce its a moral and ethical issue that demands attention and action from all African countries. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, a key architect of the new tracking system, stands poised to be remembered in Africa as a modern-day adherent of King Leopold II of Belgium, infamous for his brutal regime in the Congo. Some African leaders have already called the new tracking system what it is a direct attack on African independence while others still have no guts to say that. Its imperative for African nations to resist this encroachment on their sovereignty and resources. The exploitation of Africas wealth to fuel the prosperity of Western nations is a recurring narrative, and the G7s diamond tracking system risks exacerbating this exploitation under the guise of international regulation. Phenyo Butale (PhD) Breaking News via Email Yves here. Even though the IMF policy recommendation may seem bland, the implications are important. The US has aggressively insisted that countries take sides as far as the Ukraine war is concerned, and even was so presumptuous as to try to muscle China into backing the US. China initially refused to condemn Russia without siding with it, but is now supporting Russia. Similarly, we have repeatedly brow-beaten India, a major power if not quite a superpower, for not falling into line. Indias foreign minister Jaishankar has repeatedly and patiently explained that it makes sense to maintain good relations with everybody. The IMF is effectively repudiating what China has decried as a bloc mentality, of trying to pit various groups of countries against each other, militarily and economically. The IMF, operating out of what might depict as an economic realist school, points out that trade and supply chain fragmentation comes at a cost. Emerging economies are likely to bear a big share of it and should do what they can to avoid being forced to choose sides. By Jomo Kwame Sundaram, former UN Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development. Originally published at Jomos website The IMF no. 2 recommends non-alignment as the best option for developing countries in the second Cold War as geopolitics threatens already dismal prospects for the world economy and wellbeing. IMF Warning Ominously, International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath warns, With the weakest world growth prospects in decades andthe pandemic and war slowing income convergence between rich and poor nations we can little afford another Cold War. While recognising globalisation is over, she appeals to governments to preserve economic cooperation amid geoeconomic fragmentation due to the second Cold War. Growing US-China tensions, the pandemic and war have changed international relations. The US calls for friend-shoring while its European allies claim they want to de-risk. While still pleading for globalisation, China realistically stresses self-reliance. Multilateral rules were rarely designed to address such international conflicts as ostensible national security concerns rewrite big powers economic policies. Hence, geoeconomic conflicts have few rules and no referee! Historical Perspective After the Second World War, the US and USSR soon led rival blocs in a new bipolar world. After Bandung (1955) and Belgrade (1961), non-aligned countries have rejected both camps. This era lasted four decades. World trade-to-GDP rose with post-war recovery and, later, trade liberalisation. With the first Cold War, geopolitical considerations shaped trade and investment flows as economic relations between the blocs shrank. According to her, such flows increased after the Cold War, reaching almost a quarter of world trade during the hyper-globalization of the 1990s and 2000s. However, globalization has stagnated since 2008. Later, about 3,000 trade restricting measures were imposed in 2022 nearly thrice those imposed in 2019! Cold War Economics Gopinath sees ideological and economic rivalry between two superpowers as driving both Cold Wars. Now, China not the Soviet Union is the US rival, but things are different in other respects too. In 1950, the two blocs accounted for 85% of world output. Now, the global North, China and Russia have 70% of world output but only a third of its population. Economic interdependence grew among countries as they became much more integrated. International trade-to-output is now 60% compared to 24% during the Cold War. This inevitably raises the costs of what she terms economic fragmentation due to geopolitics. With the Ukraine war, trade between blocs fell from 3% pre-war to -1.9%! Even trade growth within blocs fell to 1.7% from 2.2% pre-war. Similarly, FDI proposals between blocs declined more than those within blocswhile FDI to non-aligned countries sharply increased. China is no longer the USs largest trading partner, as its share of US imports has fallen from 22% in 2018 to 13% in early 2023. Trade restrictions since 2018 have cut Chinese imports of tariffed products as US FDI in China fell sharply. However, indirect links are replacing direct ties between the US and China. Countries that have gained the most in US import shareshave also gained more in Chinas export shares and FDI abroad. A BIS study found supply chains have lengthened in the last two years, especially between Chinese suppliers and US customers. Hopefully, Gopinath suggests, despite efforts by the two biggest economies to cut ties, it is not yet clear how effective they will be. For Gopinath, trade restrictions diminish the efficiency gains from specialisation, limit economies of scale due to smaller markets, and reduce competitive pressures. She reports IMF research suggesting the economic costs of fragmentation could be significant and weigh disproportionately on developing countries, with losses around 2.5% of world output. Losses could be as high as 7% of GDP depending on the economys resilience: losses are especially large for lower income and emerging market economies. Much will depend on how things unfold. She warns, Fragmentation would also inhibit our efforts to address other global challenges that demand international cooperation. Policy Options Policymakers face difficult trade-offs between minimising the costs of fragmentation and vulnerabilities, and maximising security and resilience. Gopinath recognises her first best solution to avoid geoeconomic hostilities is remote at best, given current geopolitical hostilities and likely future trends. Instead, she urges avoiding the worst-case scenario and protecting economic cooperation despite polarisation. She wants adversaries to target only a narrow set of products and technologies that warrant intervention on economic security grounds. Otherwise, she advocates a non-discriminatory plurilateral approach to deepen integration, diversify, and mitigate resilience risks. Despite the odds, Gopinath appeals for a multilateral approachfor areas of common interest to safeguard the global goals of averting climate change devastation, food insecurity and pandemic-related humanitarian disasters. Finally, she wants to restrict unilateral policy actions such as industrial policies. They should only address market failures while preserving market forces, which she insists always allocate resources most efficiently. Not recognising the double standards involved, she wants policymakers to carefully evaluate industrial policies in terms of their effectiveness But, she is less cautious and uncritical in insisting on neoliberal conventional wisdom despite its dubious track record. Unsurprisingly, two IMF staffers felt compelled to write in 2019 of The Return of the Policy That Shall Not Be Named. Despite much earlier extensive European and Japanese use and US President Bidens recent embrace of industrial policy, the Fund seems caught in an ideological trap and time warp of its own making. While making excessive claims about gains from globalisation, Gopinath acknowledges economic integration has not benefited everyone. Thankfully, she urges developing countries to remain non-aligned and deploy their economic and diplomatic heft to keep the world integrated as the new Cold War sets the world further back. Pragmatically, Gopinath observes, If some economies remain non-aligned and continue engaging with all partners, they could benefit from the diversion of trade and investment. By 2022, more than half of global trade involved a non-aligned countryThey can benefit directly from trade and investment diversion, reducing the Cold Wars high costs. Molly the magpie: Australia debates seizure of Insta-famous bird BBC Climate #COVID19 China? BRICS Building Bloc in Africa Infobrics Myanmar Syraqistan Dear Old Blighty King lauds friendship in time of need in first comments since princesss diagnosis Guardian. There will be a reduced number of members of the royal family present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds. Health risks? Large crowds? But why? New Not-So-Cold War Haiti Baltimores Key Bridge Collapse Digital Watch The Hidden History of Those Who Wrote the Christian Story Time The Power of Pamphlets in the Anti-Slavery Movement JSTOR The Final Frontier Space is as cold and black as a squillionaires heart: Final Words Last year, I had a life-changing experience at 90 years old. I went to space, after decades of playing an iconic science-fiction character who was exploring the universe. I thought I would experience a deep connection with the immensity around us, a deep call for pic.twitter.com/5xKaTIKaje David Ullrich (@DavidUllrich202) March 25,/ 2024 Healthcare Zeitgeist Watch Class Warfare Daniel Kahneman, Who Plumbed the Psychology of Economics, Dies at 90 NYT Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. John Helmer continues to follow the Crocus City Hall story closely, here focusing on the presumed aims of the perpetrators and whether they can claim any success. Helmer argues that (aside from the death toll), the massacre did not achieve key aims, one of which was to foment discord on ethnic lines. Other commentators claim that the slaughter has strengthened Russia resolve to win in Ukraine decisively. As far as the ultimate perpetrators, as in the organizers of the mass killing, the Russians are going full Liam Neeson. However, unlike action movie viewers, we may never find out who some (most?) of the targets are even if the Russians are fully successful. By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears Grief, anger, recriminations, media moneymaking, and political ambition make a highly inflammable combination whose smoke and heat on both sides of the war against Russia distort what caused the Crocus City Hall attack and what will happen next. Methodical analysis of cause of death and of culpability in conspiracy to kill doesnt persuade as quickly and profitably as incendiary propaganda. This, said the Orthodox Churchs Patriarch Kirill on Wednesday, is aimed to use internal problems with the migration situation, to aggravate interethnic relations in our country, including with the help of a radical Islamist factor. In particular, we are talking about the enemys intention to clash two traditional religions and divide people according to religious principle. Of course, we cannot allow anything like this in Russia. The Church warning, during the celebration of Ramadan until April 9 and ahead of Orthodox Easter on May 3, follows President Vladimir Putins remarks to security officials on Monday, and the subsequent clarifications by security chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Nikolai Patrushev of the Security Council. Click for details and context. If there is an operational military objective for the March 23 attack on the part of the mercenaries, their command and controllers, and the US and other intelligence services engaged, triggering inter-communal violence in Russia is it. Sow panic in our society while demonstrating to their own people that not all hope is lost for the Kiev regime, Putin said on Monday. All they need to do is follow the orders of their Western patrons, fight until the last Ukrainian, obey Washingtons commands, endorse the new mobilization law, and form something resembling a new version of the Hitler Youth. To comply with all of this, they will seek new weapons and additional funds, much of which will likely be embezzled and, as is customary in Ukraine today, put into their own pockets. From this warfighting point of view of the Ukrainians and the Biden Administration, however, the Crocus Hall operation has turned out to be a triple failure. The effectiveness of the Russian security forces in pursuing the getaway car; monitoring in real time the social media and telephone communications of the gunmen in the vehicle, and then capturing them alive minutes after they had proved their destination was the Ukraine is a major operational success and a deterrent for follow-up enemy operations in planning. The failure of the Ukrainians to provide the gang with either safe haven or execution to hide the command and control is also a deterrent for the planned sequels. Its also a negative for the case the Zelensky regime has been making to the US Congress and NATO allies for more money, weapons, and men to take their war deep into Russian territory. Finally, there has been no intercommunal violence in Moscow, religiously motivated protests, or pogroms of Tajiks. The Russians have proved they are not the Germans towards Jews, the English towards Irish, the Israelis towards Palestinians, or American Trump voters towards Mexicans. Yet to be acknowledged, though, there has been an operational failure for the Kremlin and the Moscow city and Moscow region governments, but it is neither military nor ideological. This is that the casualty toll is at least twice the number it might have been if not for the maladministration of the Crocus building construction permits and the failure to enforce fire security and evacuation codes. The building went up much too fast and we still have no video evidence of fire suppression, let alone a functioning alarm system, comments a US engineer. Ive looked at the walls and ceilings. There were no pull stations, sprinkler heads, smoke or heat detectors visible. When people were being led out, there were no strobe lights, bells, klaxons, or any other emergency signage. The majority of Russians are well aware that shoddy engineering and corrupt administration can cause mass loss of life; for example from methane explosions in the coalmines of the Kemerovo region, and in the slow poisoning of air and water in the steelmaking cities of the Urals. But in the most recent public opinion polling across the country, optimism for the future has never been higher. This public sentiment isnt going to be damaged or distracted by the propaganda following the Crocus City Hall attack. The priority in public opinion remains to take the war to the enemy before he exploits another chance; and for that, Russian confidence in the military has not been higher since 1945. In the 30-minute interview on Gorilla Radio, recorded on March 28, Moscow time, Chris Cook leads the discussion. Click to listen. The interview begins at Minute 30. Dont miss listening to the song, This is genocide from Min 28:40. Click: https://gradio.substack.com/ For the introduction to this broadcast, access to the 20-year Gorilla Radio archive, and Chris Cooks blog, click here. Australia and China can improve relations through regular dialogue and increased exchanges especially in areas of business and culture, said David Olsson, national president and chairman of the Australia China Business Council. And there have been opportunities for the two countries to work collaboratively in numerous areas, particularly on green economy projects, he said during an interview with China Daily at the Boao Forum for Asia. Australia has access to abundant quantities of renewable energy, which can then be applied with Chinese technology and know-how to develop the industries of the future, Olsson said. This kind of collaboration can help "to decarbonize our iron ore and other sectors, and to create green hydrogen to help the transport industry. There are many areas where we can work together". Australia and China have had a very long trade and investment relationship. Although over the last few years investment by China in Australia has declined, as has Chinese investment generally in many other parts of the world, "there are some significant opportunities for the two to work together now", as they have "stabilized the relationship and are looking forward to a productive future", Olsson added. Geopolitics has been a major issue over the past few years. "But importantly, we've now got to a stage where our political leaders are talking to each other again. And we are now starting to look at the opportunities where we can collaborate more closely together." Olsson said he believes the most important thing for bilateral relations is to meet and talk more regularly. "We've had the last three or four years when we've not been able to travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions," he recalled. "Now we're starting to travel more frequently, and there are far more opportunities for regular, sustained, outcome-focused dialogues. "So we are working very hard on reestablishing constructive dialogue between Australia and China at a high political level," he said, adding that businesses in both Australia and China are now working very hard to try and find opportunities that they can work together on. The warming of the Australia-China trade relations is positive for growth, Olsson said, adding that both the Chinese and Australian economies need each other. "Our trade is largely complementary. Despite talk about economic decoupling, the evidence of it taking place is scant. The challenge ahead will be to manage the political and technological challenges that arise in such a way that preserves the mutual benefit that China's economic rise has brought to both China and the rest of the world." Given China's influential role in the region, Australian business leaders will need to invest a lot more effort in seeking to better understand China, in all its complexity, he said. "The more we can do this, the better we will be at managing the relationship, and ensuring that Australia's approach to our region reflects our own unique perspectives and interests." With all the expansion of trade and investment between nations, "people of both countries need to be very clear about what their ambitions are, very clear about the areas where we can cooperate, and the areas where it's not feasible for us to do so", he added. Olsson said he believes that the low-carbon economy can be a new frontier for trade and investment in the decades ahead. Now is a time to once again enjoy tourism and travel. "We want to see more and more Chinese students coming to Australia. We want more Australian students to come to China. We want more Australians to visit China for tourism, study and build new connections to China. So these are the most important things we can do in the short term," he said. Climate change is the single biggest threat facing all nations, he said. "We hope that with the improvements in the bilateral relationship, there will be agreement around some form of effort to develop a program of activity to strengthen practical cooperation around climate challenge and green economic development." Beijing (Gasgoo)- SiEngine, a Chinese provider of high-performance automotive-grade processor solutions, officially announced on March 28, that it successfully completed a Series B financing round worth hundreds of millions of yuan. Photo credit: SiEngine The financing round was led by the second phase of the China State-owned Enterprise Structural Adjustment Fund, with participating investments from CoStone Capital and others. The proceeds from this financing will be allocated towards further production and supply of the mass-produced 7nm automotive-grade chip SE1000, the market promotion of high-end intelligent cockpits and cockpit-drive-park integrated solutions based on the SE1000, as well as the testing, validation, and market introduction of the new premium intelligent driving product AD1000 for all-scenario high-level intelligent driving. As of the end of 2023, shipments of the SE 1000 have exceeded 200,000 units, said SiEngine. With the strong sales of the popular Lynk & Co 08 model, SiEngine's innovative strength and leading position in the domestic high-end automotive-grade chip field have been further confirmed, breaking the monopoly of foreign brands in the high-performance intelligent cockpit SoC domain and providing Chinese automakers with new options. Additionally, the architectural advantages of the SE 1000 have enabled rapid porting of different operating systems, powering over 20 key vehicle models from various mainstream automakers. SiEngine's multiple cooperation projects with first-tier suppliers domestically and internationally are progressing smoothly, with shipments of the SE 1000 expected to reach the million-unit level in 2024. Each spring, the Nashville Symphony brings a top fashion designer from anywhere in the world to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for the annual Symphony Fashion Show. Illustrious designers who have headlined past shows include Brandon Maxwell, Lela Rose, Carolina Herrera, Zang Toi and Jason Wu. Now in its 19th year, the event presented in partnership with Gus Mayer and taking place April 23 raises crucial funds for the symphonys education and community initiatives, like music education program Accelerando. This years evening of high style will be headlined by Nepalese American designer Prabal Gurung. 2024 Symphony Fashion Show Tuesday, April 23, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Gurung is a perfect match, as he has spent years using his platform to advocate for human rights and uplift marginalized communities. Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Gurung studied fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, where he apprenticed with Indian designer Manish Arora. Having returned home to Nepal after school, Gurung was inspired by an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show about living your dream he decided to move to the United States and further pursue design. While at the Parsons School of Design in New York City, Gurung interned for fashion icon Donna Karan. He then worked for global lifestyle brand Cynthia Rowley before serving as design director for Bill Blass. In 2009, Gurung struck out on his own to create the eponymous design label PRABAL GURUNG. Using designs that speak to both Eastern and Western culture, Gurung filled his fall 2024 collection with bold colors and flowing yet structured fabrics. Shearling plays a prominent role in many of the looks, and Gurungs more feminine pieces offer a kind of comfort-in-strength quality. The collection aptly named West Meets East will be on view at the Symphony Fashion Show in April. Known for using his celebrity, his megaphone and at times his runways to send a message, Gurung has worked to uplift communities in both the United States and Nepal. Its an honor to headline the 2024 Symphony Fashion Show and to have the opportunity to showcase my newest collection at the beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center, says Gurung in a release. I am passionate about artistic expression in every form, so its truly a joy to support the Nashville Symphonys educational programs through this wonderful event. Throughout his career, Gurung has earned a range of accolades. In 2010, he received the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award and was runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The next year, he received a USA Network Character Approved Award, was named goodwill ambassador of anti-trafficking group Maiti Nepal, was a finalist for a Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award and received the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear. He was also named Designer of the Year at the 2022 American Image Awards. For a look at the designers spring and pre-fall collections, visit our sister publication Nfocus. A bill that requires that schools show a fetal development video in classrooms and names one produced by a pro-life advocacy group passed the Tennessee House of Representatives last week and is making its way through the Senate. HB2435/SB2767 would require that the family life curriculum in Tennessee public schools include the presentation of a high quality, computer-generated animation or high-definition ultrasound of at least three minutes in duration. The bill names a video called Meet Baby Olivia. Family life curriculum is an abstinence-based curriculum required in counties (including Davidson County) where the teen birth rate exceeds 19.5 per 1,000 females between ages 15 and 19. The three-minute video in question was created by Live Action, a pro-life advocacy group, and released in 2021. In the Meet Baby Olivia debate, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi takes issue with the content and tone, while a medical professional interviewed by Scene sister publication the Nashville Post cites flaws in the fetal development timeline. Meanwhile, one legislator doubles down and another argues that full accuracy is not necessarily imperative. Local obstetrician-gynecologist Nicole Schlechter says the most egregious issue in the video is how it measures the timeline of pregnancy. The video measures from conception, while medical professionals count from the first day of the last menstrual period. This could cause confusion for patients, she says, as the video states that a fetus could survive outside the womb at 20 weeks, which would be 22 to 23 weeks measured by the last missed period. Gino Bulso Wants to Require Anti-Abortion Propaganda in Public Schools Let's take a look at 'Meet Baby Olivia,' the shady anti-abortion video Republicans want to make Tennessee's kids watch A 2022 study that analyzed outcomes of about 10,000 infants found 30 percent of infants born at 22 weeks survived while 55.8 percent survived at 23 weeks. Just one has survived at 21 weeks, breaking a world record. I would love for more babies to survive, but I dont want to give people false hope, Schlechter says. That is what this video is doing, inadvertently. Theyre trying to teach human development but theyre just teaching false embryology. The video also claims a heartbeat can be detected at three weeks after fertilization. Schelechter says there are pulsations in the structure that will become the heart at three weeks after fertilization, but the heart is not formed until about six weeks (nine weeks after the last menstrual cycle). Per the video, she says it is a stretch to say that a baby is playing, but it is moving reflexively at 11 weeks since conception. Schlechter points out that the video is aesthetically pleasing, with a mesmerizing voice actress, a contrast from the graphic images that got Live Action banned from social media sites. If you took that same animator and even that same voiceover with scientists and educators I think human development, embryology and reproduction should be taught in school," she says. Thats really important. Ashley Coffield, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, took issue with the cartoonish nature of the film in a March 20 press conference, though she did not detail the organizations alleged medical inaccuracies. Baby Olivia is a fake ultrasound video that depicts fetal development in an unscientific and emotionally manipulative way by a radical anti-abortion organization, Coffield says in a press release. It parrots the same lies and misinformation that anti-abortion groups and lawmakers used to impose a total abortion ban on Tennessee. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), who, speaking with a reporter for Scene sister publication The News, sought to discredit the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a membership organization with 60,000 members. Recognize that the ACOG is a pro-abortion advocacy group, Bulso told The News. They say that on their website. They say abortion is essential health care under a column called advocacy. If someone is going to say something is inaccurate, obviously its incumbent on them to point out what is inaccurate. Bulso acknowledged the discrepancy between counting from the day of conception instead of counting from the last missed period to The News, but at a March 22 Williamson Inc. panel discussion he doubled down. I think that's going to be to the benefit of all public school students across the state, because it's 100 percent scientific, and it's just a beautiful illustration of how life begins, and certainly should form part of any family life curriculum, Bulso said. Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) a physician, voted for the bill. He told The News he did not know Live Action was behind the video. North Dakota passed a similar bill in 2023 and Iowa, West Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri are fielding bills referencing Baby Olivia this year. It does give a good general description, I think," says Hensley. "Whether its exactly accurate about what happens at certain times or not, it may not be." Whether all of the exact details are correct, I don't think that is important," he adds. "Schools can use other depictions if they need to. They dont have to use that one. If theres one thats more accurate they can use it. ... Whether the times are exactly right, I dont think that is important because children arent going to be looking at that part. This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post. From today, young people aged 18-35 from NATO member and partner countries are invited to register their interest in attending NATOs annual Youth Summit on 13 May 2024. Aspiring delegates will also have the chance to enrol in the Youth Summit challenge to compete for a sponsored seat at the conference. NATO will co-host the fourth edition of the NATO Youth Summit, together with the Aspen Institute, Aspen Institute Romania, and the Swedish Defence University. The summit will take place in two locations across the Atlantic - Miami, (US), and Stockholm (Sweden) - with virtual watch parties also happening across the Alliance. Successful Youth Summit challenge participants will receive a sponsored seat in one of the two event locations. Eligible participants can enrol in the challenge by submitting proposals explaining their role in shaping a more secure tomorrow. Submissions can be presented through video engagement, artistic expression (i.e. photography, poetry or graphic design) or as a short essay. A variety of formats are accepted and creativity and innovation are actively encouraged. In addition to attending the summit, winning participants may also be invited to present their proposal on stage. To learn more about the challenge and to apply, please visit: www.natoyouthsummit.com. The NATO Youth Summit is a flagship event designed to engage young audiences from Allied nations, partner countries and beyond. The agenda will amplify young voices and raise awareness of our shared security environment. The summit will delve into topics as varied as NATOs role in preserving peace, the need for diverse perspectives in the security arena, efforts to combat disinformation, the impact of emerging technologies, human rights, the security implications of climate change, and the importance of integrating gender perspectives into the security agenda. More information about the Youth Summit programme, its speakers, and opportunities to participate can be found online here - www.natoyouthsummit.com The website will continue to be updated in the coming weeks. Big pharma is more woke than you imagine Big Pharma is not your friend. Whether its hiking up drug prices or bribing the Swamp, the pharmaceutical industry works against the peoples interests. Many Americans are aware of Big Pharmas greed and the power it wields over Washington, D.C., but fewer are aware of just how left-wing the industry is. It serves as a cash cow for the left and pushes woke ideas on its employees and the country at large. This may explain why Democrats, who act like they hate Big Pharma, serve the industrys interests. (Article by Paul Bradford republished from AMGreatness.com) While the drugmakers spread their cash around all of DC, they overwhelmingly prefer Democrats. In recent elections, Big Pharma donated significantly more money to Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. From 2016 to 2022, the industry gave a whopping $29 million to Democratic candidates. This trend stands true for the current election cycle, with more cash going to Democrats once again. This favoritism extends to the presidential race. The drug lobby has donated four times more money to Joe Biden than it has to Donald Trump. And the industrys generosity to Team Blue doesnt end with individual candidates. Its chief lobby, PhRMA, also gives millions to liberal campaign arms like the Democratic Attorneys General Association. Democratic campaigns are just one aspect of Big Pharmas wokeness. The pharmaceutical giants lavishly donate to left-wing causes outside of electoral politics. Big Pharma finances left-wing front groups that serve its interests. One such group is the PBM Accountability Project, which is an effort intended to support legislation against pharmacy benefit managers. PBMs are third-party operators that negotiate for lower drug prices on behalf of health insurance recipients. Big Pharma has an interest in reducing their influence on the market so they can rake in even more profits. The PBM Accountability Project is the creation of Americas Agenda, which is financed by PhRMA. The group brings together figures associated with labor unions to lobby for restrictions on PBMs. Unions are critical to Americas left-wing coalition, and Big Pharma utilizes their muscle for its own interests. Its no surprise, then, that union-loving Bernie Sanders is advancing a bill to restrict PBMs in Congress. The socialist senator and Big Pharma have a lot in common. The big drugmakers proudly endorsed Black Lives Matter and its radical agenda in 2020. Many of its leading executives issued groveling statements that apologized for their white privilege and Americas alleged systematic racism. As the CEO of the worlds largest healthcare company, I must state unequivocally that racism in any form is unacceptable and that black lives matter, Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky declared at the time. And as a white man, I also need to acknowledge the limits of my own life experience and listen to those who have faced systemic injustice since the day they were born. Read more at: AMGreatness.com Border Patrol chief highlights smuggling networks control over illegal immigration According to Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens, smugglers are significantly influencing the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S., posing both humanitarian and national security challenges. (Article republished from YourNews.com) United States Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Jason Owens has highlighted the substantial influence that criminal networks of people smugglers have on the current flow of illegal immigrants into the country. In a March 24 interview on CBS News Face the Nation, Owens revealed that his agency is on track to apprehend over a million illegal immigrants since the beginning of 2024, with the majority of crossings being facilitated by these smuggling networks. Owens detailed how smugglers are effectively managing the flow of migrants and exploiting the humanitarian responses of border security, thereby stretching the agencys resources thin and potentially allowing other illegal activities to occur unnoticed. The challenge is compounded by the vastness of the U.S.-Mexico border, spanning over 1,900 miles, and the finite number of border patrol agents. Despite having 20,000 agents, Owens underscored the logistical difficulties in covering such a vast area continuously, emphasizing the strategic disadvantage this presents against well-organized smuggling operations. Adding to the complexity of border enforcement efforts are the significant numbers of gotaways, individuals who cross the border undetected and unapprehended. Owens expressed particular concern over this group, labeling it a national security threat. With at least 140,000 people categorized as gotaways, the risk they pose is not trivial, especially considering the potential for among them to be individuals with malicious intent towards the United States. Former federal officials and security experts have raised alarms about the possibility that individuals on the FBIs terrorist watchlist could be entering the U.S. amidst the vast numbers of migrants. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Border Patrol agents apprehended 172 people from the watchlist along the southwest border, with the total reaching 736 when including all ports of entry. Despite these security concerns, Owens acknowledged that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are people seeking better lives, escaping from dire circumstances in their home countries. He noted that while these individuals might not have malevolent intentions, their actions strain the U.S. border security infrastructure and, by extension, can indirectly compromise the safety of American communities. Owens advocated for stronger immigration policies to deter illegal entry into the United States, including potential jail time for violators and a reevaluation of the countrys asylum laws to ensure they cater only to those with legitimate claims. He emphasized the importance of enforcing existing immigration laws to maintain order and security at the border, arguing that clearer consequences for illegal entry could reduce the incentive for individuals to attempt crossing unlawally. Read more at: YourNews.com MORE DETAILS, mysteries surrounding the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse A mass casualty incident is being reported after the Francis Scott Key Bridge (also known as the Key Bridge) in Baltimoreafter being struck by a large container ship in the early morning hours of March 26. At 1:27 a.m., the bridge, which crosses the Patapsco River, fell piece by piece, all in a row, after the container ship issued a "mayday" while traveling at 9 mph. Reports indicate that the vessel lost power before colliding with a section of the bridge's support columns, bringing basically the entire thing down onto the ship and into the river. "As the vessel struck the bridge in the middle of the night, it caused a din that could be heard ashore and immediately toppled an essential mid-Atlantic thoroughfare into the frigid waters," the Baltimore Sun reported. "Several cars were knocked into the Patapsco River and as of Tuesday around 11 a.m., authorities were searching for six construction workers who had been repairing potholes on the bridge. Two others were rescued one who was briefly hospitalized and another who declined to go to a hospital. Extensive rescue efforts were ongoing." Following the incident, states of emergency have been declared by both Mayor Brandon Scott and Gov. Wes Moore. (Related: Speaking of Baltimore, did you know that 95 percent of public school students in the entire state of Maryland lack proficiency in basic mathematics?) Vehicles detected in water hours before collision? Prior to the collision, the container ship's crew notified authorities that a power outage had occurred aboard the vessel. This "mayday" warning allowed the Maryland Transportation Authority Police on the highway above to stop many cars from driving onto the bridge just moments before the catastrophe. 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. "These people are heroes," commented Gov. Moore at a morning news conference. "They saved lives last night." As of this time, there is no indication that the collision was a terrorist attack, at least according to official sources. Gov. Moore promised the world that the bridge will be rebuilt, but that it is too early to announce how much it will cost or how long it will take. President Biden also gave an address indicating that the federal government, meaning United States taxpayers, will pay for a new bridge. "I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said. "This is going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with it every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt." Strangely, just a few hours before the collision, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said that local authorities had detected the presence of vehicles in the water using sonar technology. Water in that particular area is around 50 feet deep. A Coast Guard briefing report states, concerning the vessel losing power, that "a harbor pilot and assistant were onboard and reported power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge, and loss of propulsion prior to the incident." "This is a tragedy that you could never imagine ... It looked like something out of an action movie," added Mayor Scott at a news conference. The cargo ship in question, called Dali, bore a Singapore flag, which depicts an eclipse not unlike the solar eclipse that will cross the United States on April 8. Its pilot will now undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of an investigation. The Key Bridge was a substantial one, spanning 1.6 miles in length and marking a key part of Interstate 695. The bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023, or about 34,000 vehicles per day. More related news about disasters across America can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: Brighteon.social BaltimoreSun.com NaturalNews.com Venezuelan illegal calls for 300,000 followers to invade unoccupied U.S. homes (Article by Jamie White republished from InfoWars.com) In a recent TikTok post, Leonal Moreno said he learned of a legal loophole in some states like New York that allows squatters to live inside empty homes. My people have thought about invading a house in the United States because I learned that there is a law that says that if a house is not inhabited we can expropriate it, Moreno said in Spanish. NEW: TikToker is going viral by telling illegal immigrants how to "invade" homes in America thanks to progressive squatting laws Remarkable. "We can invade a house in the USA, what do you think about this new law?" a video from one TikTok user read. The man said he has African pic.twitter.com/b92DT9fYq7 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 20, 2024 The law says that if the abandoned houses are deteriorated and that are in bad condition, we can get, repair and live in it and even sell it. Moreno went on to explain that he knows some African migrants whove already expropriated 7 other unoccupied houses in the U.S. and wants to turn the outrageous squatting scheme into a business. And I think it will be my next business invade abandoned homes, since I searched for some codes with my African friends and they told me they already have 7 expropriated houses, he said. The Venezuelan national goes on to say that the best course of action for illegal aliens like him is to invade houses since we are in a street situation and it is the only way we have to avoid living on the street and not be a public burden. Moreno made headlines last month after bragging on TikTok how he exploits his child to leech off the U.S. taxpayer to avoid working and lives like hes on vacation. 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, Moreno said. MIGRANT BRAGS ABOUT SCAMMING TAXPAYERS THE TRICK IS pic.twitter.com/Irb4wpqbCx Angelo Guarino (@AngeloG_016259) February 27, 2024 This comes in the wake of a disturbing story that a New York homeowner was arrested for trying to evict squatters from her house. I am being arrested for being in my own home, Adele Andaloro told the news cameras as she was handcuffed. My deed is current and legal. Unbelievably, squatters in New York have rights to a residence after occupying it for more than a month. And now illegal aliens are aware of this absurd legal loophole and seem eager to exploit it. Read more at: InfoWars.com Israel declares major LAND GRAB in West Bank The Israeli government has claimed almost 2,000 acres in the West Bank as state-owned land, in a move described by rights groups as the largest land grab on occupied Palestinian territories in decades. Nevertheless, the growth of Jewish settlements in the West Bank is considered illegal under international law. In 2016, the United Nations Security Council defined them as "a major obstacle to the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, however, claimed that the declaration of state-owned land in the Jordan Valley on Friday, March 22, was "an important and strategic issue." "While there are those in Israel and the world who seek to undermine our right to Judea and Samaria and the country in general, we promote the settlement movement with hard work and in a strategic manner across the country," Smotrich said in a statement. As reported on local media, the classification of plots of land as Israeli government-owned land clears the way for the construction of settler houses, in addition to commercial development. (Related: "Great Israeli Real Estate Event" sparks outrage after illegally advertising properties that are on track to be confiscated from besieged West Bank.) Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now described the announcement as the biggest since the 1993 Oslo Accords, stating further that "the year 2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration gave the go-ahead to the recent construction of over 3,400 new settler homes, attracting more criticism from the UN and the Palestinian Authority. 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. UN human rights chief Volker Turk stated in his report to the Security Council on March 8: "The West Bank is already in crisis. Yet, settler violence and settlement-related violations have reached shocking new levels, and risk eliminating any practical possibility of establishing a viable Palestinian State." Smotrich said in February that the expansion of settlements was a legitimate reaction to Palestinian terrorist attacks. "Our enemies know that any harm to us will lead to more construction and more development and more of our hold all over the country," Smotrich wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The move arrived almost three weeks after the Defense Ministry body that approves settlement construction expedited plans for 3,426 new Israeli homes to be constructed beyond the Green Line. Settlements Minister Orit Strock announced back then that after a months-long pause in West Bank construction approvals, the Civil Administration's High Planning Subcommittee had boosted projects to build 2,402 new homes in Ma'ale Adumim, 694 homes in Efrat and 330 homes in Keidar. The projects in Ma'ale Adumim and Keidar were authorized through a previous planning stage called a deposit, while the homes for Efrat acquired a more advanced planning approval before construction. Smotrich, under whose auspices the subcommittee falls, called the recent expansion an "appropriate Zionist response" to a terror attack outside Ma'ale Adumim, in which one man was killed and 11 were injured, as well as a pregnant woman. More than 490,000 Israelis are living in settlements across the West Bank Despite opposition abroad, Israel has in the past few decades developed dozens of settlements across the West Bank. They are now home to more than 490,000 Israelis, who dwell in the territory along with around three million Palestinians. The Biden administration stated last month the settlements were "inconsistent" with international law after Israel declared recent housing plans. Palestinian authorities denounced the land grab and growth of illegal settlements. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the newest move a "crime" that is a portion of an "official policy racing against time to annex the West Bank and eliminate the possibility of creating a Palestinian state." "There are no morals, values, principles or international resolutions that can stop the extremist right. The international failure to protect our people is complicity and cover for Israel's ongoing evasion of punishment," the ministry said. The Palestinian Authority has called on all nations to put individuals connected to settler organizations or companies investing in settlement construction across the occupied Palestinian territories on their terror lists. The UN has already compiled a list of companies with business relations in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Israel. Watch the video below about the ongoing West Bank settler expansion issue. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The REAL plan comes out: Forced RELOCATION of 2+ million Palestinians so Israel can STEAL more land (Gaza). Israel is ISOLATING ITSELF as the world unites against its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. MORE WAR CRIMES: Israeli soldiers dressed up as fake MEDICS to kill Palestinian patients at hospital in West Bank. Sources include: RT.com TimesOfIsrael.com TasnimNews.com Brighteon.com Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW") recently releases the interior images of the Baojun Yep Plus all-electric SUV model, which is set to hit the market in April this year. Continuing the iconic interior design from the Baojun Yep, the Baojun Yep Plus features a sleek, minimalist center console with a floating design, complemented by an independent instrument panel and center screen layout. Moreover, it offers a choice between sophisticated black and elegant white interior color schemes, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Photo credit: Baojun In terms of interior detailing, the Baojun Yep Plus employs odor-free 3D Mesh advanced eco-materials, covering a substantial area with soft wrapping for heightened comfort. Notably, it achieves 100% leather coverage in high-contact areas like the dashboard, armrests, and seats. Photo credit: Baojun Benefiting from its native BEV-dedicated platform, the Baojun Yep Plus boasts an expansive cockpit space, offering a longitudinal length of 2,682mm. Regarding space, the Baojun Yep Plus integrates ingenious storage space layouts tailored to the daily travel habits and storage scenarios of mainstream family users. The original volume of the Baojun Yep Plus' trunk space is 385 liters, easily accommodating four medium-sized suitcases. Additionally, each rear seat can be independently folded in a 5/5 split, expanding the maximum trunk volume to 1,715 liters when fully folded down. Photo credit: Baojun Inside the vehicle, there are up to 28 flexible storage spaces, including a nine-in-one multifunctional armrest and storage compartments for both the driver and front passenger, meeting users' daily storage needs. Photo credit: Baojun Looking back at the exterior design, the Baojun Yep Plus continues the Yep family's square box design language, blending classic ruggedness with urban rounded design elements, distinguishing itself among new energy small cars. In terms of body color options, the Baojun Yep Plus comes with five new trendy color options named Mist Gray, Ocean White, Sky Blue, Aurora Green, and Deep Space Black. The new model measures 3,996mm long, 1,760mm wide, and 1,726 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,560 mm, a loaded ground clearance of 150mm, and a turning radius of only 5.35m. Photo credit: Baojun In terms of exterior details, the Baojun Yep Plus features classic urban zebra headlights and racetrack taillights. The entire range of the new model comes standard with automatic front headlights, with 184 built-in LED lamp beads, a >45 angle of low-beam irradiation, and a far-beam irradiation distance of up to 178m, significantly enhancing driving safety while providing recognition. Photo credit: Baojun The Yep Plus's side-opening tailgate design incorporates thoughtful features like a 12-liter storage space and a rear-mounted small table, facilitating convenience and versatility for users. Additionally, a metallic luggage rack on the roof further enhances its utility. Under the hood, the Baojun Yep Plus features a rear-mounted single-motor drive layout, enabling up to 102hp and a top speed of 150km/h. Its CLTC-rated range extends up to 401km. Additionally, to meet the outdoor needs of mainstream family users, the Baojun Yep Plus also features a 220V V2L (vehicle-to-load) function, ensuring worry-free power supply for camping and outdoor scenarios. Israeli lawyer who spread Hamas mass rapes hoax now reportedly scamming donors The Israeli operative responsible for pushing the "Hamas mass rapes" hoax on the world is back in the news for scamming donors of millions of dollars while continuing to spread misinformation. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, also a lawyer, stands accused of ripping off numerous major donors, including one who is a member of the Biden regime. Despite being awarded the Israeli Prize last week, Elkayam-Levy continues to lie about Hamas atrocities that never happened, and failed to deliver on her promise of delivering a major report about alleged sexual violence on October 7. "People have disassociated themselves from her because her research is inaccurate," an Israeli government official told YNet about the scandal. "After all, the whole story is that they want to accuse us of spreading fake news, and her methodology was neither good nor accurate." The Israeli government was particularly upset at Elkayam-Levy over false claims she spread that a Hamas militant cut an unborn baby from a pregnant woman before raping said woman. That lie was originally concocted by confirmed fraudster Yossi Landau of the corrupt ZAKA organization. "The story about the pregnant woman who had her stomach cut open a story that was proven to be untrue, and she spread it in the international press," the same Israeli official complained about this lie from Elkayam-Levy. "It's no joke. Little by little, professionals began to distance themselves from her because she is unreliable." (Related: Remember when The New York Times was caught lying about "Hamas mass rapes" by promoting the hoax as if it were true?) 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. Elkayam-Levy pretended to represent Tel Aviv while bilking donors Another thing Elkayam-Levy did to alienate herself from the Israeli government is spin her "civil commission" out of a one-woman operation she was running called the Deborah Institute. By doing this, Elkayam-Levy created the illusion that she was representing Tel Aviv in some official capacity, which is not the case. "In the beginning she was really very active, which was very nice," the same Israeli government source is quoted as saying about Elkayam-Levy. "Then it started calling itself a civilian commission. People got confused, members of Congress turned to people who work with Israel and asked what it is 'Israel built a commission?' It's a confusing name. And to the question of whether there is such a thing at all? Is there such a body?' The answer is no. It is the body. She is the civil commission." It is through that Deborah Institute that Elkayam-Levy was able to grift millions of dollars from unsuspecting donors who trusted that she was telling the truth. Some of the high-dollar folks that Elkayam-Levy conned out of money include wealthy American Jewish donor Rahm Emanuel, formerly of the Obama regime, who is currently the Biden regime's ambassador to Japan. When first launching her so-called "civil commission," Elkayam-Levy begged for $8 million, $1.5 million of which was for "management and administration." The same Israeli official quoted throughout this article said that Emanuel gave her money, and after that she continued to ask for more money for "lectures." Five months later and Elkayam-Levy still has nothing to show for all that money she bilked from donors. She promised to reveal some big things but has since done nothing, reportedly, except land herself back in the news for fraud. "Not a trace of remorse for the thousands of deaths of defenseless women and children whose torture, humiliation, and deaths Elkayam-Levy is largely responsible for," one commenter noted about all of Elkayam-Levy's collateral damage. "While I doubt Rahm Emanuel was scammed since he knows the whole war is just a scam to genocide the Palestinians ... there is some kind of riff between American Jews and Israeli Jews," speculated another. A lot of what the world was told about October 7 isn't true. Find out more at Prophecy.news. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com Japan to start charging for mRNA vaccines in April 2024 There are rumors circulating right now claiming that Japan has banned all mRNA (modRNA) Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" after discovering an excess in "sudden" deaths. The truth is quite different, sadly, as Japan is not only keeping mRNA injections, but it is going to start charging for them , come April. In an announcement, the Japanese government revealed that mRNA injections for the Chinese Virus will no longer be free (taxpayer-funded), as was the case since April 2020. Starting in April 2024, people who want to get injected with an mRNA shot in Japan will need to pay for it out of pocket. "Fully public-funded vaccination of the new coronavirus vaccine will end on March 31," the Japanese government said. As is too often the case, some media reports are falsely claiming that Japan has banned mRNA COVID shots based on an apparent mistranslation of the Japanese government's announcement. X put up a warning on tweets and retweets claiming a ban that adds readers' context from someone who lives in Japan: "I am a citizen of Japan and this is a blatant false rumor," this person wrote about the ban claims coming from some media outlets. "As described ... by the ministry of health of Japan, Japan will continue mRNA vaccination after April, but it will be just charged." (Related: Did you know that three out of every four Pfizer COVID jab-caused deaths in Japan occur within 10 days of injection?) Sadly, Japan is actually expanding its mRNA lineup to include the world's first "self-amplified" mRNA injection, known as ARCT-154. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. According to reports, ARCT-154 contains RNA (sa-mRNA) technology that allows it to target COVID using a different technological mechanism than the original mRNA injections offered by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Late last fall, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) gave the green light to ARCT-154, calling it "a historic and exciting milestone" for Japan and the world. The way it works is sa-mRNA instructs the body of the recipient to replicate mRNA, effectively amplifying the amount of protein made so less antigen is needed for the injection to "work." "ARCT-154 is based on Arcturus Therapeutics' STARR technology, which combines self-replicating RNA with its LUNAR lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform technologies," reports explain. "The firm claims the former triggers rapid and prolonged antigen expression within host cells, resulting in protective immunity against infectious pathogens. The LUNAR tech, meanwhile, tackles delivery problems typically associated with viral vectors and existing lipid vector technology by capturing therapeutic nucleic acids and safely moving them to target cells using an endocytosis process." The two companies behind ARCT-154 are CSL and Arcturus, both of which gained access to the technology to co-develop their new sa-mRNA COVID jab. The two companies also plan to use sa-mRNA in a new influenza injection they are developing. The $200 million deal forged by CSL and Arcturus to co-develop sa-mRNA was described by the analytics and consultancy firm Clarivate as "the most valuable RNA platform partnership," a partnership that ultimately led to the new injection being developed at warp speed. "Self-amplifying mRNA technology has the potential to be an enduring vaccine option," commented Nobel laureate Drew Weissman just prior to CSL and Arcturus receiving approval for the shot. "I look forward to seeing this next generation mRNA technology protect many from COVID-19 and possibly other harmful infectious diseases." On X, several people noted that Japanese leaders are still, sadly, promoting and defending not only the new sa-mRNA shots for COVID but also the original mRNA shots for COVID, despite the high number of excess deaths that have been reported. The latest news about vaccines can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: Cov19-vaccine.mhlw.go.jp NaturalNews.com BioprocessIntl.com Macrons suggestion of NATO deploying troops to Ukraine receives little support Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has asserted that French President Emmanuel Macron is suggesting deploying North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) soldiers into Ukraine amid allegations that the military bloc's members were plotting to divide the country. Zakharova claimed that Macron had initially raised this idea two weeks prior, advocating for all potential options, including military intervention, in response to the crisis in Ukraine. However, she noted that Macron's proposal had received little support from other NATO members, indicating divisions within the alliance. Zakharova emphasized that Macron's recent remarks implied that France would send troops to Ukraine on its own, especially if Russia advances on major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv or Odesa. (Related: Western special forces are UNOFFICIALLY in Ukraine to fight Russia as WWIII looms.) According to Zakharova, Macron's remarks, along with those of other NATO politicians, suggested a broader agenda aimed at exerting influence over Ukraine's territorial integrity rather than solely protecting its sovereignty. She argued that NATO's hesitance to extend membership to Ukraine stemmed from territorial ambitions, as not all NATO members were willing to recognize Ukraine's claimed borders, which include all of the Donbas and the Crimean Peninsula. Zakharova contended that there was ongoing "moral preparation" within NATO countries and Ukraine for the potential partitioning of Ukraine, with some politicians openly discussing such scenarios. 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. Zakharova cautioned against placing trust in NATO, accusing its members of exploiting the pretext of countering Russia to advance their interests. She highlighted historical examples, reminding France of its failed military campaigns in Russia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the first instance, Napoleon Bonaparte's ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812 resulted in catastrophic losses for the French army. Similarly, a lesser-known French expedition occurred in 1918 when around 15,000 French soldiers landed in southern Russia to support anti-Bolshevik forces. However, they suffered defeats at the hands of the Red Army and eventually withdrew in 1919. Zakharova's remarks underscored Russia's skepticism toward Western intentions in Ukraine and its historical grievances with France's military interventions in Russian territory. The statement reflected broader tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and the geopolitical maneuvering of key international players. France sending mixed signals on desire to deploy troops in Ukraine Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu made it clear in an interview earlier this month with French broadcaster BFM TV that the idea of deploying combat troops to Ukraine is currently off the table. Macron's stance has received mixed reactions from the United States and many of Paris' European allies. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden and most other European NATO member states have ruled out sending combat troops to Ukraine. Lecornu explained that while combat troop deployment is not under consideration, France may still explore sending military personnel to Ukraine for training purposes or to engage in mine-clearing operations. Alternative proposals that France is considering is facilitating French arms manufacturers establishing partnerships with Ukrainian counterparts to manufacture military equipment, possibly including ammunition, within Ukraine itself. Czech President and former Chair of the NATO Military Committee Petr Pavel has expressed his support for exploring ways to support Ukraine other than simply just pouring funding and arms into Kyiv. He has stated he is open to sending troops for non-combat engagements in Ukraine, later clarifying that he believes NATO should consider sending a training mission, which would not violate international norms. Watch this episode of "The Alex Jones Show" on InfoWars discussing Macron's threat of invading Ukraine to fight against Russia. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: France promises to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, putting a target on itself for Russias nuclear weapons. Slovakia's PM reveals NATO, EU states still considering sending troops to Ukraine. Russian warnings of nuclear escalation deter NATO members from sending troops to Ukraine. Sources include: RT.com KyivIndependent.com Brighteon.com SURVEY: Majority of Palestinians support Hamas retaining control of Gaza after the war A recent poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research revealed that a majority of Palestinians believe Hamas should maintain control over the Gaza Strip at the conclusion of the conflict with Israel. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,580 adults in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from March 5 to 10, asked Palestinians: "If it was up to you, which of those would you prefer to see in control of the Gaza Strip?" Fifty-nine percent of respondents say they prefer Hamas to control Gaza after the war. Notably, respondents in the Gaza Strip (52 percent) are less likely to support the notion than residents of the West Bank (64 percent). The percentage of Palestinians who support Hamas keeping its power over the region has only dropped by one percent compared to a poll conducted in December. Meanwhile, only 13 percent believe that the internationally recognized interim government of Palestine, the Palestinian National Authority, or simply the Palestinian Authority (PA), without current President Mahmoud Abbas should take over Gaza. Slightly fewer people 11 percent believe an Abbas-controlled PA should take over Gaza. Three percent believe one or more Arab countries should take control of Gaza, one percent say the United Nations should take control and one percent believe Gaza should be occupied by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Another question provided respondents with different scenarios regarding how Gaza should be governed at the end of the war. Sixty-three 63 percent say they prefer the return of Hamas 66 percent of respondents from the West Bank and 59 percent from Gaza say they prefer Hamas' return to power. 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. Eighteen percent nine percent from the West Bank and 33 percent from Gaza say they prefer the return of the PA under Abbas, while four percent say they want Gaza to be controlled by a group of tribes or large, influential families. Netanyahu also likes to take control of Gaza If Israel were to come out victorious, it is unlikely the desires of Palestinians would be taken into consideration regarding the future of Gaza. Back in November, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would take control of security in Gaza for an unspecified period after the current conflict ends. Netanyahu said this during an exclusive ABC News interview with journalist David Muir. At the time, Muir asked Netanyahu who should govern the territory after the war. "I think Israel will, for an indefinite period, have the overall security responsibility [in Gaza] because we've seen what happens when we don't have it. When we don't have that security responsibility, what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn't imagine," Netanyahu said. However, Mustafa Barghouti, the head of the influential political party the Palestinian National Initiative, warned that Israel occupying Gaza would lead to disaster. Barghouti said Palestinians needed a unified leadership that "could prepare the ground for free democratic elections and end the occupation, not only of Gaza Strip but also of the West Bank and East Jerusalem." (Related: Israel-Hamas war will continue until rights are recognized analyst.) In other words, Palestinians should be the ones reoccupying and governing Gaza once the war is over. Watch this clip about the warning signs of World War III. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Hamas leaders preparing for "permanent war" with Israel. Netanyahu: Israel to take over security in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war. World War 3 could be imminent as Israel-Hamas war escalates, experts warn. Looking for more trouble? Israeli airstrikes hit Damascus amid escalating Israel-Hamas war. Middle East scholar: Iran-backed Hezbollah joining Israel-Hamas war is a "game-changer." Sources include: FreeBeacon.com PCPSR.org [PDF] RT.com ABCNews.go.com BBC.com Brighteon.com End of home owners? The rise of build-to-rent communities In that headline photo, are they getting a key or are they letting it be taken from them? (Article by M Winger republished from WTLReport.com) You vill own nothing and you vill be happy. Klaus Schwab It seems there are many in power that share the same beliefs as Schwab. What if their plan was to make it so you couldnt buy a house at all, only rent forever? The end of homeownership is their goal. Sounds like Mr. Potter from Its A Wonderful Life has taken over the real estate market. Today we see many young couples struggling to be first time owners. Why? Do they just need to work harder and pull themselves up by their bootstraps? Well, lets just take a look at the difference between mortgages and income of the average American, now and then: "You will own nothing and be happy" - World Economic Forum, Agenda 2030 pic.twitter.com/mQ0kRJpJOS End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 21, 2024 It would seem the wages arent keeping up with the rise of mortgages. (Mort in mortgages, by the way, means death. So mortgages literally means death note) And if that wasnt bad enough, we have companies swooping in to buy up the houses. This is what a modern day slave owner looks like. Smh. pic.twitter.com/RDbpLPJ2vE CJ ? (@APopularNobody) March 26, 2022 Someone made a comment that makes you wonder if this is truly their goal: Company buys all the house. Blackrock buys company. Not your house, not your rules. They Replace keys with a pass/card/chip. New law introduced ; lockdowns is the new norm. Your under surveillance, police alerted as soon as youre opening your door when curfew. Forbes reports: There is a new asset class Ive seen in several different alternative investment wrappers. Besides using DSTs alternative investment, companies are also putting this new asset class in 3-5 year programs to build, lease up and sell. This new asset class is single-family build to rent. As millennials reach an age where many start families, theyre encountering a challenging housing market. A lack of available homes, skyrocketing prices, and affordability issues make homeownership difficult for many. This has led to a surge in the popularity of single-family build-to-rent homes, offering spacious living solutions without the burden of a mortgage. The median age of millennials was 33 at the end of 2021. Today, that median age is 36 years old. According to Harvards The State of The Nations Housing 2023 report, growth in households headed by people ages 3544 more than doubled from 210,000 per year in 20172019 to 560,000 per year in 20192022. As these younger Americans age, their housing preferences are likely to transition from prioritizing walkable amenities over space and security to larger homes in suburban locations more traditionally attractive to family households. This need is satisfied by investor demand for high-quality single-family rental communities. There are finite assets available for investment, creating an attractive supply/demand dynamic for property valuations. Blackstone has already invested more than $9.5 billion cash into single-family rentals in the last 30 months. Cushman & Wakefields CWK -2.3% December 2023 The State of Build-to-Rent notes build-to-rent communities are averaging substantially more absorption. Sources: (3) Green Street market forecasts; (4) NewStar estimates; (5) U.S. Census than traditional multifamily measured as a percentage of total inventory: Since 2020, BTR product has averaged about 3% absorption, topping out at nearly 5% earlier this year, whereas (traditional multifamily) product has averaged 0.6% of its inventory and topped out at less than 2% at the peak in 2021. Cushman & Wakefield estimates it would take just a year and a half to absorb all of the new BTR construction, compared to approximately four years to absorb new multifamily construction. Two years ago, the average cost of a house in this country was $215,000. Today its $400,000. Our kids don't have a chance to own a home. Im going to change that. pic.twitter.com/jPFvsz3lAThttps://t.co/LNww83irzR Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) March 21, 2024 StudyFinds adds: In the wake of the Great Recession, a new breed of landlords has emerged: corporate investors. These Wall Street-backed entities have been quietly amassing vast portfolios of single-family homes, particularly in economically distressed neighborhoods. Now, a team of researchers led by Carol Camp Yeakey, the Marshall S. Snow Professor of Arts & Sciences at Washington University is launching a two-year national study to examine the implications of this trend, especially for marginalized communities of color. The study builds upon Camp Yeakeys recent paper, Corporate investors and the housing affordability crisis: Having Wall Street as your landlord, published in January in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology. The paper details how the foreclosure crisis of the late 2000s created a perfect storm for corporate investors to snap up thousands of homes at bargain prices. Our research details how corporate investors buy low and rent high to populations who can least afford it, Camp Yeakey says in a university release. As wages have stagnated and the cost of housing has risen, an increasing number of Americans are now being priced out of the housing market entirely. To grasp the scale of this phenomenon, consider this: As recently as 2011, no single corporate entity owned more than 1,000 single-family rental (SFR) units nationwide. Fast forward to 2021, and the five largest SFR operators collectively owned approximately 300,000 homes, out of 350,000 overall acquired by corporate landlords across the country. This rapid consolidation has been particularly pronounced in the Midwest and Sunbelt regions, where Camp Yeakeys preliminary research shows corporate investor-owned SFRs predominate. But its not just the speed and scale of acquisition thats concerning its also the tactics employed by these corporate landlords. Camp Yeakeys research found that they often maximize profits at the expense of tenant safety and well-being, including massive rent increases, eviction filings, dangerous lack of maintenance, steep fines, and more. Some have even likened this targeting of low-income, Latino, and Black homeowners to a form of modern-day redlining. Greed and control. We are watching this monster grow in real time. This Is The Final Nail In The Coffin For The Middle Class & American Dream Build To Rent Communities are the new development projects taking off all over the country In a Build To Rent Community, they never sell it. All of the houses go for rent. If you wanna kill middle pic.twitter.com/X2lnNaB9SN Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 19, 2024 But there is always hope. We will win and get our freedoms back. Read more at: WTLReport.com Russia probes Ukraines possible involvement in concert hall terrorist attack Russia is currently investigating the possible involvement of Ukraine in the Crocus City concert hall attack During a video call with law enforcement officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin attributed the attack to radical Islamists, rejecting assertions from the United States and its allies that Ukraine was not involved and insisting that the Islamic State (ISIS) was responsible. Despite international narratives, Putin emphasized Russia's resolve to uncover both the perpetrators and those who ordered the attack. Russian law enforcement is diligently pursuing the apprehended individuals, ensuring a thorough and unbiased investigation. The tragic incident, which resulted in the loss of over 130 lives at a concert venue northwest of Moscow, saw armed assailants opening fire on the crowd and igniting a fire within the hall. The terrorist group ISIS-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the heinous act. Following the attack, Russian security services detained seven alleged perpetrators, identified as ethnic Tajiks, who were intercepted while traveling toward Ukraine. (Related: Deadly Moscow terror attack was clearly carried out with the help of Ukraine and the CIA.) Additionally, four suspected accomplices were apprehended. Putin underscored the significance of the perpetrators' intended destination, raising questions about potential connections within Ukraine. While the U.S. and the European Union promptly dismissed any Ukrainian involvement, attributing the attack solely to ISIS, Putin stressed the importance of conducting a thorough investigation. He highlighted the need to uncover any potential links between the attackers and individuals awaiting them in Ukraine, suggesting a deeper layer to the situation. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. In his remarks during the meeting with government officials, Putin not only reiterated the involvement of radical Islamists in the attack but also underscored the urgency of uncovering those behind the orchestration of the atrocity. His statements hinted at a broader geopolitical context, suggesting a possible link to Ukraine and implying a pattern of intimidation tactics aimed at Russia. Putin's reference to the "neo-Nazi Kyiv regime" and the insinuation that the attack could be part of a series of hostile actions dating back to 2014 shed light on the underlying tensions between Russia and Ukraine. This narrative aligns with Russia's longstanding accusations of Ukrainian involvement in various destabilizing activities within the region. Putin casts doubt on the "official narrative" floated by the West Despite ISIS-K claiming responsibility for the attack, Putin chose not to explicitly mention their involvement, leaving room for speculation regarding the true instigators. This omission could be seen as a deliberate attempt to cast doubt on the official narrative and maintain a broader geopolitical narrative that serves Russian interests. The skepticism expressed by Putin toward U.S. assertions of Ukrainian innocence, coupled with his repeated questioning of who awaited the attackers in Ukraine, further fuels suspicions of potential collaboration or support networks operating within the country. This narrative fits into Russia's broader strategy of portraying Ukraine as a destabilizing force in the region. Putin's remarks also reflect Russia's reluctance to accept assistance from Western intelligence agencies, highlighting the country's preference for conducting its investigations autonomously. This stance underscores Russia's desire to maintain control over the narrative surrounding the attack and to avoid potential interference from external actors. In contrast to Putin's assertions, both the U.S. and French intelligence agencies have provided evidence indicating ISIS involvement in the attack. This discrepancy in narratives underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Western nations and highlights the challenges of navigating competing narratives in an increasingly polarized global landscape. Putin blames the West for the terror attack. Watch this video. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russian media group head insists ISIS was not behind attack on Moscow concert hall. Over 100 people in Russia DEAD in ISIS-claimed terrorist attack at concert venue right outside Moscow. ISIS gearing up for blood-soaked comeback amid Gaza conflict. Sources include: RT.com Brighteon.com 16 U.S. states file lawsuit against Biden administration over temporary ban on approving new liquefied natural gas export permits Sixteen states have jointly filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government's ban on approving applications for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the lawsuit argues that the United States' federal government lacks the authority to broadly deny these permit applications. Back in January, President Joe Biden announced the temporary pause on approving new LNG exports to allow officials to review the process for assessing the economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export lucrative and high-demand LNG to regions such as Europe and Asia. The pause has raised concerns regarding the future of over a dozen planned gas export terminals all along the Gulf of Mexico coast and has sparked widespread apprehension among energy lobbyists, environmental groups and local residents alike. In addition to Texas, the other 15 states challenging the pause are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. LNG export pause expected to have significant impact on economy According to an analysis, if all proposed LNG projects were to proceed and ship gas overseas, it could result in 3.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases equivalent to the entire annual emissions of the European Union. "This pause on new LNG approvals acknowledges the climate crisis for what it isthe existential threat of our time," remarked Biden upon announcing the pause in January. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It argues that the Department of Energy's pause negatively affects the economy and undermines America's effort to provide allies in Europe with a reliable supply of LNG as the continent works to reduce its reliance on gas piped in from Russia. Europe is already facing energy shortages due to disruptions in supply from Russia. The Biden administration's move is only hurting the energy situation in the continent and could strain transatlantic relations. Republicans further argue that the decision undermines American efforts to support its allies and could ultimately strengthen Russia's position as the dominant energy supplier to Europe. Biden's decision to halt LNG exports is seen as a calculated move in an election year, responding to pressure from environmental activists who advocate for a complete overhaul of American energy policies. The environmental activists argue that LNG exports contribute to global emissions and exacerbate so-called climate change. In an attempt to appease these groups, which make up a significant portion of his support base, Biden has announced the pause on new LNG export approvals. (Related: Biden plans to revise climate-related criteria for approving lNG export terminals to win support of climate-minded voters.) The decision has raised concerns about its potential impact on the economy and energy security. LNG exports have been a significant contributor to the U.S. economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs, particularly in industries like steel manufacturing and fracking. By halting these exports, the administration risks undermining these economic benefits and weakening the nation's energy independence. Watch this episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discussing how Biden's ban on new LNG export permit approvals is an act of economic sabotage against Texas and Europe. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden's LNG export ban an "outrageous attack on American energy," says House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Joe Biden cuts off LNG exports in latest act of economic sabotage against Texas and Western European countries. Chicago mulls ban on NATURAL GAS in most new buildings to fight "climate change." Washington State Democrats move to ban natural gas in new residential and commercial buildings. Appeals court cancels Biden's CAPRICIOUS energy regulatory actions targeting dishwashers and washing machines. Sources include: InfoWars.com NYTimes.com EnergyCommerce.House.gov Brighteon.com Trump and Biden have different strategies to deal with RFK Jr. The campaigns for incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have different strategies in dealing with independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), according to Axios. The outlet's Sophia Cai reported on March 25 that the Biden campaign is "so worried about [RFK Jr.'s] potential impact on the election that it has built an entire operation dedicated to attacking [him]." According to her, the independent candidate "threatens the Biden campaign's premise that the election is a choice between [the incumbent's] stability and Trump's chaos and divisiveness." To this end, the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have dedicated a team of staffers and consultants to undermine RFK Jr.'s candidacy. According to the DNC, the son of the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy Sr. is a "stalking horse" for Trump. It pointed to a common megadonor businessman Tim Mellon that links both Trump and the younger Kennedy. According to the Axios piece, Mellon has given millions to two political action committees (PACs) this election cycle. He has given $20 million to the Kennedy super-PAC American Values 2024 (AV2024) and $15 million to Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) Inc. super-PAC. (Related: Major Trump donor also backing RFK Jr.'s presidential run, FEC filings reveal.) Moreover, the White House also noted that the Kennedy family considered one of the royal families in the Democratic Party has been critical of RFK Jr.'s bid. Biden posed for a photo with 50 members of the Kennedy family on St. Patrick's Day, insinuating that the family supports Biden over one of their own. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. The DNC also filed a complaint against RFK Jr.'s campaign with the Federal Election Commission. The committee alleged that the campaign is receiving an illegal contribution from AV2024 as the latter is trying to get him on the ballot in several states. As of writing, RFK Jr.'s name is officially on the ballot in only one state Utah. "We know the GOP is already working to prop up third-party candidates like [RFK Jr.] to make them stalking horses for Trump," said DNC spokesman Matt Corridoni. "We're going to make sure voters are educated, and we're going to make sure all candidates are playing by the rules." Trump campaign follows a "wait and see" approach In contrast, the Trump campaign appears to be espousing a "wait and see" approach as RFK Jr. could take away key votes Biden needs. According to Cai's piece, "top Trump allies say they're watching RFK Jr. closely. But for now, [they] aren't planning to burn resources to go after him." Trump's campaign initially dubbed RFK Jr.'s independent bid "a vanity project for a liberal Kennedy." The Republican National Committee even put out a list of reasons why he should be deemed a "radical Democrat," noting his call to cut back on fossil fuels. However, the former president's campaign team appears to have reversed its stance, now seeing RFK Jr. as hurting Biden's standing more than Trump's. "Trump allies acknowledge that [RFK Jr.'s] criticism of vaccines is attractive to some of Trump's base. But they think that if necessary, they could easily hit [RFK Jr.] on his stance on the environment and other issues," the Axios piece stated. Meanwhile, RFK Jr.'s campaign claims it has enough signatures to put his name on the ballot in New Hampshire, Nevada and Hawaii. AV2024 also said it has enough signatures in several key states, including Michigan, Arizona and Georgia. "[RFK Jr.] plans to take votes from both President Biden and former President Trump," RFK Jr. campaign press secretary Stefanie Spear said. "Of course the DNC is worried. [RFK Jr.] has the highest favorability among the candidates and outpaces Biden and Trump among independents." Watch this Fox News report about the three-man race in the November 2024 presidential election. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Lawfare with Tom Renz: Trump could lose presidential election over COVID-19 vaccines Brighteon.TV. RFK Jr. to continue his presidential run as an INDEPENDENT candidate after ditching rigged DNC. RFK Jr. claims DNC is RIGGING presidential primaries to favor Biden. Poll: RFK Jr. running as independent would help Trump, hurt Biden. Marist poll: RFK Jr.'s independent run could help Biden in 2024. Sources include: Axios.com Brighteon.com COLLUSION: Newly released emails show Biden White House officials met with and communicated with pro-censorship group America First Legal (AFL) has published emails revealing more ties between the Biden White House and the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) a controversial group originally based in the UK thats believed to be involved in censorship pressure around the world. (Article by Didi Rankovic republished from ReclaimTheNet.org) The emails originate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State and refer to using US assets designed to counter domestic terrorism to work with CCDH, the non-profit has announced. AFL which positions itself as a counterpoint to ACLU has filed several lawsuits concerning various government bodies involvement in collusion with private tech companies, aimed at promoting censorship. AFL now notes that the Biden administration from the very beginning of the current presidents mandate embraced various initiatives leading to curtailing speech, and to censorship, and was not shy to enlist the national security apparatus, either. The administration at one point said that in order to maximize understanding of domestic terrorism, it should back and making appropriate use of the analysis performed by entities outside the government. CCDH is one of those entities, AFL says, and the documents now released concerned how the group worked with the White House to suppress speech in the US on topics like vaccine mandates and the questioning of the integrity of the 2020 presidential election all the while trying to fit that within the concept of domestic terrorism. DHS and CCDH got in touch in late March 2022, when DHS Under Secretary Robert Silvers and CCDH head of policy at the time, Eva Hartshorn-Sanders, started their communication, which is revealed in the emails. AFL notes that Sanders was involved in various controversial government efforts in different countries, including UKs Online Safety Bill. Already in June 2022, the Biden Administration set up the Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse. By September 23, 2022, CCDH was directly meeting with officials from the White House, the NSC, and the Department of States Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT), updating them with CCDHs latest findings, AFL said. And when in March of last year the task force received its Initial Blueprint, Sanders said her organization was able to feed in research and policy recommendations for its development. Other examples of the Biden administration-CCDH ties came to light earlier, specifically how the UK-based outfit helped the US government pressure Facebook to censor content about Covid vaccines. Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org Israel cancels scheduled delegation visit to Washington after U.S. refuses to veto UN Security Council ceasefire resolution Israel has canceled the scheduled visit of a delegation to Washington, D.C. after the United States refused to veto the passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza UNSC Resolution 2728, adopted on March 25, with 14 out of 15 Security Council members voting in favor, demands an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war for the month of Ramadan that will lead to a lasting peace, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza. The proposal was submitted by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, including Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Korea and Switzerland. (Related: New U.S.-backed United Nations resolution calls for "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza.) The U.S. has vetoed similar resolutions in the past, including one submitted for voting just 11 days after the conflict began on Oct. 18 calling for "humanitarian pauses" to the conflict. On Dec. 8, the U.S. vetoed another ceasefire resolution introduced by the United Arab Emirates calling for "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" alongside a demand for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and "ensuring humanitarian access" into Gaza. On Feb. 20, the U.S. vetoed another resolution. But for UNSC Resolution 2728, the administration of President Joe Biden chose instead to abstain from the resolution, choosing not to use its veto power following the passage of certain amendments to the resolution. 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. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that a failure to implement the resolution would be "unforgivable." "The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable," Guterres wrote on X. In response to the resolution's passage, Israel canceled the scheduled visit of a delegation to Washington, D.C. The delegation was supposed to be made up of National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister of Strategic Affairs and former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, who is also a close adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The delegation was meant to discuss a planned military offensive into the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than 1.4 million Palestinians are now sheltered seeking refuge from the violence. The Israeli national security delegation was also supposed to hear U.S. alternatives to the planned offensive. Furthermore, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly declared that the country will be ignoring the UNSC resolution. "The State of Israel will not cease fire," Katz said. "We will destroy Hamas and continue to fight until the last of the hostages returns home." U.S. was torn between supporting and vetoing the resolution but ended up abstaining U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield explained that while the resolution did incorporate edits requested by Washington, the U.S. still could not fully support it because it "did not agree with everything" written down in the resolution. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed the statement and believed the final copy of the resolution aligned with U.S. policy. However, Blinken also noted that it does not condemn Hamas' action during the Oct. 7 attack. "Because the final text does not have key language we view as essential, notably a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it. This failure to condemn Hamas is particularly difficult to understand coming days after the world once again witnessed the horrific acts terrorist groups commit," Blinken said. Meanwhile, another source claims that the U.S. originally planned to veto the Security Council resolution, but due to intensive diplomatic efforts, the Biden administration was forced to abstain. Visit WWIII.news for more stories related to the conflict in Gaza. Watch this clip showing Israel's 11th consecutive day of shelling in the Gaza Strip. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Iran calls for TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE in Gaza. NEW POLL: 70% of Americans support a CEASEFIRE in Gaza. White House interns demand PERMANENT CEASEFIRE for Gaza via letter to Biden. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for immediate humanitarian CEASEFIRE in Gaza. U.S. vetoed Gaza ceasefire on same day it profited from arms sale to Israel. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Edition.CNN.com 1 Edition.CNN.com 2 Brighteon.com Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On March 28, at a new energy commercial vehicle product launch event, Chinese commercial vehicle giant Yutong Group announced it has joined hands with CATL to launch a long-life battery capable of working 15 years and traveling up to 1.5 million kilometers. This new battery product will be applied in various segments including buses, light-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks, with plans for integration into vehicles under Yutong Bus and Yutong Heavy Industries. With an unprecedented 1.5-million-km ultra-long warranty for the battery, Yutong Group is committed to significantly reducing operational costs and maximizing returns for commercial vehicle operators. At the event, Yutong Group also took the opportunity to introduce 12 new commercial vehicle models, which have been put onto the market upon the launch. In 2022, CATL and Yutong Group renewed their strategic cooperation by signing a new ten-year agreement. Per the deal, both parties would leverage their respective expertise to strengthen collaboration across the supply chain, fostering an industry ecosystem with efficient collaborative competitive advantages. The scope of cooperation would encompass multiple commercial vehicle sectors including buses, heavy-duty trucks, light-duty trucks, engineering machinery, and sanitation vehicles, driving innovation and application of new materials, systems, and technologies. Additionally, they would jointly formulate technical standards for commercial vehicle batteries. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos invests $1 billion to DESTROY FARMING Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has earmarked a whopping $1 billion investment to destroy the farming industry and food production at large. This investment came in the form of the Bezos Earth Fund's (BEF) $1 billion commitment to "food transformation." BEF Vice Chair Lauren Sanchez, also the tech bigwig's current partner, announced an initial $60 million commitment to establish Bezos Centers for Sustainable Protein (BCSPs) as part of the bigger endowment. She announced this endeavor during the second day of the Aspen Ideas Climate Conference, held from March 11 to 13 in Miami. Sanchez's 10-minute speech on March 12 focused on food "innovations," spicing it up with fearmongering language in this case, the threat of global hunger and famine. "How do we feed 10 billion people with healthy, sustainable protein throughout this century? This will need a ton of innovation," she addressed the audience. "We're investing heavily in [the] livestock sector and inventions that will give consumers meat options that are better for the Earth." "I'm thrilled to announce, and I'm very excited about this one, [the investment of] $60 million to establish [BCSPs] that will help grow these ideas. Their inventions will make plant-based, lab-grown meats cheaper, healthier and tastier. And those sustainable proteins really are getting better, trust me." (Related: Jeff Bezos invests $60 million to lower costs, improve taste and boost nutritional value of FAKE MEAT.) An accompanying press release from the BEF regarding Sanchez's announcement continued: "To date, challenges in biomanufacturing the production, at scale, of sustainable protein products, whether plant-based, fermented or cultivated are resulting in high costs and limited quality. There are also enormous opportunities to enhance the texture and boost flavor through innovation in cell biology and engineering." 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. But according to Thai MBC, "the food transformation Sanchez dreams of is 'plant-based lab-grown meats, [and] for anyone who has any logic or common sense, no such food exists nor can it ever. Irrespective of how much money is poured into this technology, it will still be technologically produced fake food with unknown ingredients causing untold harm." Bezos adds "climate tyrant" to his resume The BEF press release also mentioned that Sanchez's March 12 announcement build's on the fund's $1 billion commitment to "support farmers and expand food production." However, the document's plans to accomplish these two goals were rather contradictory. "Work includes reducing methane from livestock and innovating in pasture management to help take pressure off forested land. The [BEF] is also working with investors, researchers and entrepreneurs to improve the resilience and carbon absorption of major food crops." Moreover, the press release falsely claimed that "food is the second largest cause of climate change, and agriculture is the primary driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss." Such a claim, Thai MBC remarked, proves that the BEF has "no intention of supporting farmers or improving food security." The $1 billion commitment is just the start, according to the outlet, as the BEF plans to invest a bigger $10 billion "to fund scientists, activists, [non-government organizations] and other actors that will drive climate and nature solutions." According to its website, the fund "has the potential for transformative influence in this decisive decade" with an ultimate goal of fully allocating funds by 2030 "the [year] by which the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals must be achieved." Sanchez also interestingly mentioned during her March 12 speech that the BEF has launched the MethaneSat satellite to ostensibly "find and measure the thousands of methane leaks happening all over the world." The satellite launched on March 4 will help measure methane pollution from oil and gas facilities worldwide. But Thai MBC was skeptical of the endeavor, putting forward the possibility of MethaneSat being "a spying operation under the guise of measuring methane." Head over to JeffBezosWatch.com for similar stories. Watch Del Bigtree and Jefferey Jaxen discuss the collapse of the fake meat industry, which Jeff Bezos bankrolls, in the clip below. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BLOODY SECRET: Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos want us eating LAB MEAT grown from the fetal blood of unborn baby cows. Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos pushing for a new lab-grown meat industry that harvests the blood of unborn cow fetuses. Amazon's Jeff Bezos demonizing farming while investing more than $1.27 billion in fake food production. Bill Gates quietly pushing globalist-backed FAKE MEAT by investing in companies that manufacture it. Bill Gates bankrolls cancer-causing fake meat. Sources include: ThaiMBC.com Brighteon.com Netanyahu rejects UN ceasefire resolution, says hostages still in Gaza must be returned or the bombings will continue Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is saying to the ceasefire compromise proposed by the United Nations (UN) Security Council, sparking fresh conflict between Israel and the United States. Unless Hamas releases every last Israeli hostage still in Gaza, Netanyahu says he will not agree to any proposed ceasefire, no matter the position the U.S. takes on the matter. In an historic first, the U.S. abstained from voting on the UN Security Council's ceasefire resolution, which many say means the Biden regime is turning its back on Israel. Congress, meanwhile, just passed a behemoth spending bill that includes $14 billion in additional U.S. aid for Israel, as well as the defunding of UNRWA, the Palestinian aid arm of the UN. Netanyahu disapproves of the compromised hostage deal and demand that Israel immediately withdraw all troops from Gaza as proposed by the UN. The fact that the U.S. abstained from the vote "attests to the damage done by the UN Security Council's resolution," Netanyahu said. (Related: Israel pressured the U.S. Congress to stop funding Palestinian aid over allegations of Hamas ties, even as Israel conducts its own torture campaigns against Palestinians.) State Department spokesman rebuffs Netanyahu's claims In a statement, Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, contradicted Netanyahu's claims. According to Miller, Hamas prepared its response to Israel's proposal before the UN vote. What Netanyahu is saying is "inaccurate in almost every respect and unfair to the hostages and their families," Miller added. 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. To show his disapproval, Netanyahu threatened to cancel the planned visit of a senior Israeli delegation to Washington in the event that the U.S. failed to veto the UN resolution. When the U.S. abstained, Netanyahu followed through by cancelling the visit, which was to be attended by Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer. The visit was scheduled for the purpose of discussing how Israel might avoid conducting a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, the last remaining stronghold in the Gaza Strip where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees are now living in tents. The canceled trip suggests that Netanyahu fully intends to launch a ground invasion of Gaza, no matter what the UN or anyone else says. Analysts says the U.S. abstention marks the first "empirical data point" that the allyship between the U.S. and Israel is eroding. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant did still meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Pentagon this week to beg for more weapons and ammunition from U.S. stockpiles. Austin opened that meeting with something that neither Gallant nor his boss Netanyahu wanted to hear. "In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high, and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low," Austin said. Despite months of expressed opposition to Netanyahu's actions in Gaza, the Biden regime has continued to provide Israel with a steady supply of weapons and ammunition, which the Zionist state has used to kill some 32,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children. After the meeting between Gallant and Austin, another U.S. official stated that the hope is for negotiations to lead to the release of the roughly 130 hostages who Israel claims are still being held in Gaza. Austin told Gallant that Israel should find an "alternative to a full-scale and perhaps premature military operation" in Rafah to avoid excess civilian casualties. The Biden regime emphasized that it supports Israeli military action in Rafah just so long as it is not a full-scale ground assault. The latest news about the escalating situation in the Middle East can be found at Prophecy.news. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net AlJazeera.com NaturalNews.com New York City Council files notice of appeal after court strikes down law that allows NON-CITIZENS to vote in local elections The New York City Council has filed a notice of appeal to reverse a state appeals court ruling that deemed a local law unconstitutional. The appeal was filed with the state's Supreme Court in a bid to reinstate the controversial legislation, Local Law 11, which gave legal noncitizens the right to vote in municipal elections. In 2022, New York City granted approximately 800,000 green card holders and other legal noncitizens with federal work authorizations and who are residents of the city the right to vote in local elections for city positions such as mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough president and for members of the City Council. The Democratic supermajority in the City Council easily passed the bill in December 2021, but Republicans immediately sued it as soon as it became law. Justice Ralph Porzio, a lower court judge in Staten Island, struck down the law as unconstitutional in June 2022. (Related: New York City's non-citizen voting law struck down as unconstitutional.) Mayor Eric Adams' administration immediately appealed Porzio's decision. Last month, in a ruling with only one dissent, the Second Judicial Department of the Appellate Division of the New York State Unified Court System declined to overturn the decision, with Associate Justice Paul Wooten writing in the majority opinion that "this local law was enacted in violation of the New York State Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law and thus must be declared null and void." City Council claims legal noncitizens have the right to vote because they pay taxes The City Council has argued that legal resident noncitizens contribute to the city through taxes and community involvement, thus, justifying their right to vote under the principle of "no taxation without representation." 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. "Empowering New Yorkers to participate in our local democratic process can only strengthen New York City by increasing civic engagement," said NY City Council spokesperson Rendy Desamours. Furthermore, Desamours clarified that the appeal seeks a decision on whether the law is "consistent with the State Constitution, Election Law, and the Municipal Home Rule Law." Supporters of the legislation, including the Our City, Our Vote Coalition, rallied on the steps of City Hall in solidarity with the appeal. The coalition, serving as interveners in the legal battle, garnered support from various other local organizations. Murad Awawdeh, the president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, argued the significant economic contributions of immigrants to NYC while lamenting their lack of voting rights despite taxation. "The Our City, Our Vote legislation was supposed to change that by empowering nearly one million New Yorkers with permanent residence status or work authorizations the opportunity to vote in municipal elections," he said. Nevertheless, opposition to the law remains steadfast. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) of Staten Island voiced concerns about election integrity and criticized the allocation of taxpayer funds toward legal battles. Malliotakis urged the city to prioritize addressing pressing issues affecting residents' quality of life and public safety rather than pursuing costly legal appeals. "There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of our elections," said Malliotakis. Read more news about attempts to rig U.S. elections at VoteFraud.news. Watch this clip from Real America's Voice discussing how a non-citizen has been appointed to run San Francisco's elections. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Coming soon: Noncitizens to outvote Americans as San Francisco names first noncitizen as election official. Rep. Chip Roy introduces bill cracking down on illegal immigrants voting in federal elections. Sen. Bill Hagerty accuses Democrats of plotting to use illegals to gain more congressional seats. America's 2024 election may be decided by 23 million ILLEGAL ALIENS. Censorship expert Mike Benz says 2020 election RIG for Biden was planned at least SEVEN MONTHS ahead of time. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Politico.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com Putin condemns NATOs 1999 illegal bombing of Yugoslavia on 25th anniversary of attacks Russian President Vladimir Putin recently took advantage of the 25th anniversary of the start of the United States-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization's illegal bombing campaign against Yugoslavia to remind the world of the tragedy. In an interview for the documentary "Belgrade," Putin told the TV station Russia-1: What the West did was completely unacceptable. Without any resolution of the [United Nations] Security Council, they directly began a military operation, a war in fact, in the center of Europe, and with the bombing of the capital of [Yugoslavia], Belgrade. He was referring to the start of an illegal bombing campaign in March 1999, when NATO's Operation Allied Force bombed the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, made up of Serbia and Montenegro, for 78 days on behalf of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. It marked the first time NATO attacked a sovereign European country. The airstrikes killed over 2,500 civilians, according to the Serbian government, at least 80 of whom were children, and severely damaged Serbia's infrastructure. NATO didn't just hit strategic targets. Civilian infrastructure like railway lines and bridges were also hit. The Chinese embassy in Belgrade and a convoy of refugees were also accidentally targeted. The headquarters of Yugoslavia's national TV broadcaster RTS was also hit, resulting in the deaths of multiple journalists and technicians. (Related: Clip of then-Sen. Biden bragging about how he proposed 78-day NATO air bombardment of Belgrade goes viral in China.) The aerial bombing campaign is viewed very differently by Western nations, who consider it a way to address genocide. The fact that they never received approval from the UNSC for their actions is largely glossed over by the West, as are the many civilian lives lost. Instead, it is considered a justifiable response to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevics ethnic cleansing of Kosovar Albanians. 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. However, for Russia, it was a move by the U.S. and its NATO allies to take advantage of Russia's weakness in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union and to destroy a key Russian ally, Serbia, and chip away at its influence in the region. In a speech Putin gave on Feb. 21, 2022, when he announced Russia would be recognizing the Ukrainian breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, he identified the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and its support for Kosovo as part of his justification. He essentially said that just as the West can redefine the borders of Kosovo, he can also redraw the borders for Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. Putin could soon turn his efforts to going after a NATO country Now that Putin has secured another six years in charge following an election with no credible opposition, many believe he will devote his efforts to confronting the West and NATO. In a victory speech, he reminded Russians that he wont let the West intimidate them, saying: No matter who or how much they want to intimidate us, no matter who or how much they want to suppress us, our will, our consciousness no one has ever succeeded in anything like this in history. It has not worked now and will not work in the future. Never. In a post-election press conference, he did not mince words when he was asked whether Russia could get involved in a direct confrontation with the West. He replied: I think everything is possible in the modern world? it is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale Third World War. The West is also preparing for such a possibility, with President Joe Biden stating in December that he believes Putin will attack a NATO country after his work in Ukraine is done. In addition, NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer said in January that member states should be prepared for an all-out war with Russia in the next two decades. Sources for this article include: RT.com En.Kremlin.ru ForeignPolicy.com Telegraph.co.uk Trump says Israel made a big mistake bombing civilians in Gaza Former President Donald Trump warned in a recent interview that Israel needs to finish up the war against Hamas and said that bombing civilian buildings in Gaza was a big mistake that is stirring up antisemitism. In the interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, he said: "And I will say, Israel has to be very careful, because you're losing a lot of the world, you're losing a lot of support, you have to finish up, you have to get the job done. And you have to get on to peace, to get on to a normal life for Israel, and for everybody else. I wanted to call [Israel] and say dont do it, Trump said, referring to the footage they released of retaliatory action in the Gaza Strip. These photos and shots. I mean, moving shots of bombs being dropped into buildings in Gaza. And I said, Oh, thats a terrible portrait. Its a very bad picture for the world. When asked how he would deal with rising antisemitism if he were president, he reiterated that he thinks the country made a very big mistake. At the same time, however, he admitted he would have responded in very much the same way as Israel to that type of attack, adding that you would have to be crazy not to do so. He also said that Israel now needs to work on its public relations as the country is losing support in America. He said: "It bothers me that people don't talk about Oct. 7 anymore. They [only] talk about how aggressive Israel is." His words were interpreted by some to indicate he is is blaming Israel for antisemitism. His campaign released a statement clarifying his stance, saying he "made clear, he fully supports Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate the terrorist threat. He also believes that Israel's interests will be best served by completing this mission as quickly, decisively and humanely as possible so that the region can return to peace and stability." 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. Israel is losing support around the world, including the U.S. The comments come at a time when the United States seems to be losing patience with Israel. The administration of President Joe Biden, for example, has been openly critical of a potential military offensive Israel is planning in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently canceled a trip by top Israeli officials to Washington to discuss their plans for Rafah in protest over the U.S.s failure to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages by Hamas. However, he reversed that decision days later and said the officials will be there as early as a week after the initial cancelation. Relations between the two leaders have been deteriorating, and it is clear that Israel is losing the support of what was once one of its strongest allies. According to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and Biden warned in a recent interview with Seth Meyers that the Jewish state is losing support. Israel has had the overwhelming support of the vast majority of nations. If it keeps this up with this incredibly conservative government they have theyre going to lose support from around the world, he cautioned. Netanyahu has said that the war will not end until they have eliminated Hamas and Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. It is something he expects to take months, not years and by that time, they may have no support left. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com ABCNews.go.com Axios.com Reuters.com Some weather phenomena continue to fascinate humanity. Some could be a mystery when seen by the naked eye, but the characteristics of being odd still mesmerize the public. Here are some of the unusual weather phenomena that the public might be interested to know about: Mammatus Clouds Mammatus clouds are some of the most unusual and distinctive clouds formations with a series of bulges or pouches emerging from the base of a cloud, according to the UK MET Office. The shape of mammatus formations can vary widely; and it goes from the classic protruding shape to a more elongated tube hanging from the cloud above. These clouds are usually formed in association with large cumulonimbus clouds. Typically, turbulence within the cumulonimbus cloud will cause mammatus to form, especially on the underside of the projecting anvil as it rapidly descends to lower levels. This reverses the usual cloud-forming process of upward growth, making for an uneven cloud base. Mammatus clouds generally form in the most unstable cumulonimbus, meaning that there is also a chance of hail, heavy rain and lightning in the vicinity, and if the air is cold enough during winter they can even produce snow. However, there are instances that some mammatus may form on other cloud types which produce no rain, though this is far less common. Arcus Clouds On the other hand, experts defined arcus clouds as spectacular low-level, long and thin clouds associated with powerful thunderstorms. They are sometimes seen beneath cumulonimbus clouds. Shelf clouds are attached to the storm cloud, whereas roll clouds are a horizontal column separated from the storm cloud. This type of cloud usually forms when a cold downdraft from a cumulonimbus cloud reaches the ground. The cold air will then spread rapidly along the ground, pushing existing warm moist air upwards. As this air rises, water vapor condenses into the patterns associated with the arcus clouds. Sundogs The National Weather Service defined sundog as a concentrated patch of sunlight that is occasionally seen to the right or the left of the sun or even on both sides of our star in the sky simultaneously. Usually, they appear as a pair of patches of light with subtle colors which manifest at the same altitude over the horizon as the sun. They can also appear in a variety of forms, sometimes as colorful spots, or other times, so intense and bright they appear to be two additional suns in the sky. Sundogs are formed when light passes through hexagonal plate crystals of ice, suspended in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds located at altitudes of around 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) and higher, up to 40,000 feet (12,000 meters). Ball Lightning Scientists said that this bizarre phenomenon usually appears during thunderstorms as a floating sphere that can range in color from blue to orange to yellow, disappearing within a few seconds. Also known as globe lightning, this phenomenon could sometimes be accompanied by a hissing sound and an acrid odor. Researchers from Lanzhou, China's Northwest Normal University had recorded a ball lightning event while they were conducting a study on a 2012 thunderstorm using video cameras and spectrometers. The ball appeared just after a lightning strike and traveled horizontally for about 10 meters (33 feet). Read Also: Trace Gases Can Be Formed From Aerosol Particles That Seed Clouds Brinicles Research has shown that the name brinicle is a combination of brine and icicle, and they grow downwards from sheet ice. The freezing process forces out salt, creating intensely cold, salty water that does not freeze because of the salt concentration. This is heavier than normal sea water; therefore, it tends to sink. This is characterized as a finger of ice slowly descending from above, freezing everything it touches and leaving a trail of frozen corpses. It is often deemed as an unusual underwater phenomenon, sometimes found in the Antarctic Ocean. Frost Flowers Frost flowers are thin layers of ice that are extruded through slits from the stems of white or yellow wingstem plants, among others, the National Weather Service described. Their formation requires freezing air temperature, soil that is moist or wet but not frozen, and a plant's stem that has not been previously frozen. Not all individuals produce frost flowers on the first day of good conditions. Virga Clouds Virga clouds re trails of precipitation that fall from the underside of a cloud but evaporate or sublime before it can reach the earth's surface. This happens when falling rain or ice passes through an area of dry or warm air. Virga clouds are often associated with precipitation that does not reach the ground, often happening in isolated locations on sometimes, the finest of days. However, in some instances, these clouds can lead to the development of microbursts, which pose a dangerous threat to planes and aircraft. Related Article: Ocean Gases From Phytoplankton Aid in the Formation of Dense Clouds That Reflect Sunlight in Antarctica Endangered animals are known to be threatened with being closer to extinction. Due to habitat loss and overhunting, some animal species of today are experiencing drastic population decline due to various factors, including human activities. Combined with wildlife trafficking, climate change, and pollution, wildlife as we know it could disappear or be less than ever before by the middle or end of the 21st century. Over the decades, conservationists, scientists, and other concerned groups have made efforts to protect endangered species of animals, as well as plants. However, in recent years, researchers have found that different marine and terrestrial ecosystems are at risk and are threatened by anthropogenic or human-induced climate change. Furthermore, natural disasters such as droughts and global warming are threatening biodiversity. World's Endangered Animals There are many animal species with a conservation status of being "endangered," a term used to describe any species of flora and fauna that are not doing very well. For animals, they typically become endangered due to excessive hunting or habitat destruction, according to the Australian Museum. This means that an endangered animal is close to extinction, entailing that its kind is no longer abundant in the world. Over the last 100 years, Earth has seen the extinction of previously endangered animal species such as the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger, golden toad, paradise parrot, Sicilian wolf, and others. While scientists have monitored the populations of wildlife until now, the threat is far from over. Below are some of the world's most endangered animals or species most at risk as of March 2024, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): Javan rhino Amur leopard Sunda Island tiger or Sumatran tiger Mountain gorilla Tapanuli orangutan Yangtze finless porpoise Black rhino African forest elephant Sumatran orangutan Hawksbill turtle The database of the world's endangered animals is based on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Currently, there are over 44,000 species threatened with extinction out of more than 157,100 species on the IUCN Red List. The percentage of threatened animals on the list includes 41% amphibians, 37% sharks and rays, 36% corals, 34% conifers, 26% mammals, and 12% birds. Also Read: 5 Critically Endangered Animals in The World Major Threats to Endangered Species While there is a myriad of factors against endangered animals, previous studies have shown both natural and artificial phenomena serve as major threats to endangered species. According to wildlife experts, the combination of habitat loss or destruction, natural disasters, diseases, illegal wildlife trade, and urbanization are some of the greatest contributors to animal population decline. According to the non-profit charity organization, Animal Charity Evaluators, predation, starvation, and human-wildlife conflict are also major threats to wildlife. To prevent or mitigate biodiversity loss, there are several ways to protect wildlife such as raising awareness, preserving natural habitats, choosing plant-based options, and other related measures. Related Article: 10 Endangered Animals That Will Be Extinct by 2050 The weather forecast reveals that a rainstorm can unload rounds of rain this week, bringing potential travel dangers and commute risks. Limiting outdoor plans is recommended to stay safe from challenging weather conditions. The late week of March can unload a challenging weather outlook in parts of the US, with a chance of rain and snow. The NWS Weather Prediction Center warns of potential showers and storms that could bring heavy rainfall to portions of Southeast, with a risk of scattered flash flooding from the Florida Big Bend to southeast Georgia. In the Southern Region, the forecast reveals scattered thunderstorms in the Southeast. Residents should stay aware of potential severe thunderstorms and isolated damaging winds, with possible tornado risks. Over the East Coast, residents should stay alert for potential stormy conditions this week, with drenching rain and slower commutes. Outdoor enthusiasts can be vulnerable to flooding concerns. For motorists, they should be more careful in navigating the roads due to slippery commutes and foggy conditions. Threat of Rainstorm on East Coast This Week According to the latest forecasts, cooler conditions and a chance of rain can unload in the midweek. On Wednesday, the rainy outlook is expected in the following areas: Burlington Portland New York Washington Buffalo In New York, the forecast warns of cloudy skies through the middle of the week. The showery outlook can increase on Wednesday. On Thursday, residents can still anticipate a wet weather outlook. Areas in low-lying areas are vulnerable to flooding risks. In the afternoon, the weather is expected to be cloudy with northeast winds. Temperatures are expected to become below normal. Meanwhile, Boston can anticipate a stretch of damp weather outlook, with potential widespread rainfall on Wednesday and through early Friday. In the late week, the forecast monitors a possible coastal storm. The stormy conditions can occur in the following areas: Charlotte Virginia Beach Baltimore New York Boston Burlington Halifax Portland In Pittsburgh, the weather monitors a possible weak cold front in the region. Homeowners should check for a cloudy outlook with cooler air in the afternoon. In the late week, residents can expect potential high pressure with sunshine conditions. Also Read: Northeastern Weather Forecast: Rain, Snow to Unload This Week; Below-Average Temperatures Possible Keeping Safe From Possible Rainstorms on the East Coast The latest weather forecast warns of potential rainstorms on the East Coast this late week. People should stay alert for the latest forecasts, particularly if they have any travel plans. Preparing emergency kits is advisable to stay safe from the challenging weather outlook in the region. In addition, the main concern is power outages and dangerous commutes this week. People are advised to store emergency kits, which should include medicine kits, food packs, bottled water supplies and small radio. Related Article: Weather Forecast in Pacific Northwest to Southwest: Higher Elevation Snow To Hit in Southern Rockies; Slower Commutes Possible For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News According to information published by Fincantieri on March 28, 2024, the Italian shipbuilding company, announced the signing of a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, valued at 1.18 billion euros, for the supply of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (PPA). Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel Francesco Morosini at LIMA 2023. (Picture source: Italian MoD) These ships, capable of performing a wide range of operations from patrol and sea rescue to civil protection and frontline combat roles, are currently under construction at Fincantieri's Integrated Shipyard in Riva Trigoso-Muggiano. The engagement of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence with these units was influenced by the performance of the Francesco Morosini, the second ship in the PPA class of the Italian Navy, which demonstrated its capabilities during a maritime campaign in the Far East, including a stopover in Indonesia in July 2023. This acquisition is expected to foster further operational, industrial, and technological cooperation between Italy and Indonesia, enhancing the latter's national security efforts and contributing to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Under the terms of the agreement, Fincantieri will serve as the prime contractor, coordinating with industrial partners such as Leonardo for the customization of the combat systems and logistic services. The agreement's finalization is contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals from relevant authorities. The CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero, highlighted the deal as a cornerstone for developing strategic relations between Fincantieri and Indonesia. He emphasized the importance of Southeast Asia in the company's growth strategy and the potential for future collaborations with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. Technical data The "Full" version of the PPA has a light displacement of 4,994 tons, which increases to a full load displacement of 6,270 tons. The "Light+" variant slightly reduces these figures, with a light displacement of 4,912 tons and a full load displacement of 5,880 tons. The "Light" version is the most streamlined, with a light displacement of 4,880 tons and a full load displacement of 5,830 tons. All variants share common dimensions, measuring 143 meters in length overall and 133 meters between perpendiculars, with a beam of 16.5 meters and a draught of 10.5 meters. The depth of these vessels is 5 meters. The propulsion system is a CODAG CC scheme, integrating a General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine and two MTU 20V 8000 M91L diesel engines, supplemented by MAN GenSets diesel engine generators, which in later PPAs are replaced by Isotta Fraschini engines. The electrical power is provided by two electric engines and emergency generators, with propulsion through two shafts driving controllable pitch propellers. These vessels are capable of reaching speeds up to 31.6 knots with CODAG, varying down to 10 knots on electric-diesel engine power alone, ensuring a range of 5,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots. Accommodation varies with configuration, offering up to 173 beds, with crew sizes of 120 for the Full version and 90 for the Light and Light+ versions, which can be augmented for specific missions. The onboard technology includes advanced systems for navigation, surveillance, and combat. The Leonardo naval cockpit and various radar and sonar systems provide comprehensive situational awareness. The electronic warfare capabilities are enhanced with the Elettronica-ELT Spa ZEUS System, and armament options range from guns and missiles to anti-submarine warfare equipment, tailored to the specific variant of the PPA. The aviation facilities can accommodate either two SH90 helicopters or one AW101, underscoring the versatility and multi-role capability of the PPA class. According to information published by Obozrevatel on March 25, 2024, following a missile strike in Crimea, in addition to two amphibious ships, a third vessel of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Yuriy Ivanov class (Project 18280) intelligence ship Yuriy Ivanov, may have been damaged. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Russian Yury Ivanov-class intelligence ship Yury Ivanov. (Picture source: Kchf) The Russian intelligence ship Yury Ivanov, and its involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, offers a significant case study in the utility and vulnerabilities of modern naval intelligence assets. Intelligence ships like the Yury Ivanov are designed for signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection, a crucial capability that includes the interception and analysis of electronic communications and signals for military intelligence purposes. The operational activities of such vessels are central to a nation's ability to gather strategic and operational intelligence on adversaries, contributing to situational awareness, threat assessment, and decision-making processes at the highest levels of military command. Beyond traditional SIGINT, intelligence ships like the Yury Ivanov are likely involved in broader electronic warfare and cyber operations. These operations can disrupt or deceive enemy communications and radar systems, further contributing to the strategic advantage of Russian military forces. Intelligence ships can act as floating command centers, providing real-time data and communication links between the Russian mainland, naval vessels, and airborne assets. This capability ensures that command and control remain robust, even if terrestrial communications are compromised or destroyed in the conflict. However, these ships also face significant risks. As highlighted by the reported attacks on Russian intelligence vessels by Ukrainian drones, these high-value assets are targets for enemy forces. Technical data Yury Ivanov has a standard displacement of 2,500 tons and can reach up to 4,000 tons when fully loaded. The vessel measures 95 meters in length and 16 meters in width, with a draft of 4 meters, tailored for operational efficiency in its designated roles. It is powered by a combination of two DRA-5DRA diesel engines and two 11D42 engines from Kolomensky, producing a total of 5,032 horsepower (3,700 kW). This propulsion system, comprising two shafts and variable-pitch propellers, enables the ship to maintain a cruising speed of 16 knots for economical operations and a maximum speed of 20 knots. The ship's design allows for a range of 8,000 nautical miles at cruising speed and supports autonomous operations for up to 45 days, facilitated by its crew of 120. The Yury Ivanov is equipped with MR-231-3 radar systems for its primary role in intelligence gathering. For defense, it has two MTPU mounts for 14.5 mm machine guns and portable air defense systems including Igla and Verba missiles. The ship also has the capability to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Orlan-10. FRANKFORT, Ky.Lawmakers in the Kentucky Senate have successfully amended a sweeping child protection measure to include age verification requirements for adult websites or web platforms with content considered "harmful to minors." House Bill (HB) 278, which was already advanced through the House of Representatives, originally prohibited school superintendents and administrators from hiring any person "convicted of an offense that would classify the person as a violent offender, a sex crime ... [or] who is required to register as a sex offender." This portion of the bill also applies to some individuals charged with specific misdemeanors. However, Republican Sen. Gex Williams of Verona on Tuesday introduced Senate Floor Amendment 3 and successfully advanced the bill through its third reading Wednesday with the amendment attached. The Williams amendment reaffirms the Kentucky General Assembly's position that pornography is a public health crisis, despite the fact that porn is not considered a public health crisis by practitioners. It also integrates copycat language, establishing age verification requirements targeting online platforms that host content reportedly "harmful to minors." The overall goal of this particular bill is to really get around to showing zero tolerance for child sexual assault, child sexual abuse, child pornography, and even human trafficking, said proponent Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Winchester, on the Senate floor, via Kentucky Today online. It provides for digital identification requirements, including government-issued ID cards and other "reasonable" measures like private and public transactional data. Language in the bill is considerably extreme, notes critics. Mike Stabile, the director of public affairs for the Free Speech Coalition, posted to his followers on X that the floor amendments specify "harmful content to minors" as acts of masturbation, homosexuality and lesbianism. He points this out in the context of comparing the amended House Bill 278 to an age verification measure adopted in Kansas that raised concerns that it would censor forms of First Amendment-protected speech that aren't even considered pornographic or obscene. AVN reported on this bill, citing the concerns from Democrats who say that age verification applied broadly would censor a variety of content on the internet, including material dealing with LGBTQ+ rights and sexual and reproductive health. The amendment also provides legal procedure and creates a new tort allowing individuals to sue adult platforms for not having active age verification in place. The House is expected to consider the amended bill before it is advanced to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's desk. It is possible Beshear will sign the bill as amended. The Kentucky legislature previously took up age verification measures in the forms of House Bill 241 and Senate Bill 276, which are identical and feature language similar to other age verification proposals throughout the United States. As the amended House Bill 278 measure advances back to the House, it appears that these bills will stall in the legislative calendar. Adding age verification provisions to a bill that is ultimately unrelated is a tactic similar to what happened in North Carolina. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, signed House Bill (HB) 8which contained a provision requiring adult websites to verify the ages of users logging in from North Carolina IP addressesinto law in October 2023. But theres a catch: HB 8 originally had nothing to do with protecting minors from viewing age-restricted content on the internet. North Carolina state Sen. Amy Galey, a Republican, managed to insert age verification language into a proposal that initially focused on high school computer science curriculum. Nothing in the original language mentioned pornographic content. In December 2023, Pornhub's parent company Aylo blocked North Carolina IP addresses. According to information published by the Japanese MFA on March 28, 2024, the second 35M patrol vessel, currently under construction with the assistance of Japan, was launched in Tokyo with the participation of Captain Weiss of the Djibouti Coast Guard. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link 2nd patrol boat for Djibouti's Coast Guard. (Picture source: Japanese MFA) Japan's strategy of donating patrol boats to countries around the world is part of its broader approach to enhance maritime security, strengthen bilateral relations, and counterbalance China's growing influence in strategic regions. This initiative is underpinned by Japan's provision of naval defense equipment freely to "like-minded" nations through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program. For the fiscal year 2024, countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, and Djibouti have been earmarked for assistance. In Djibouti, Japan's involvement is particularly noteworthy due to the country's strategic location along key maritime routes and its proximity to China. Japan has leased military bases in Djibouti since 2011, reflecting the critical importance of the Bab el-Mandeb strait for Japan's commercial and energy supply lines. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been actively channeling aid to Djibouti, including a significant US$26 million grant under the Maritime Security Capacity Improvement Plan, which encompasses the building of patrol boats and infrastructure for the Djibouti Coast Guard. This Japanese strategy of donating patrol boats and other maritime security equipment is not limited to Djibouti but extends to other nations, including Kenya and Vietnam, indicating a pattern of strategic engagement across different continents. In Kenya, for instance, Japan donated 17 patrol boats to the Maritime Police Unit to enhance maritime security and combat terrorism, reinforcing the longstanding cordial relations between Japan and Kenya. Similarly, in Vietnam, Japan's donation of patrol boats is part of a broader engagement to support Vietnam's maritime law enforcement capabilities amidst tensions in the South China Sea. In comparison, China has established its first overseas military base in Djibouti. This Chinese military base, operational since 2017, is part of China's broader "String of Pearls" strategy aimed at securing significant maritime footholds across the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. China's approach in Djibouti is multifaceted, combining military presence with substantial infrastructure investment. LONDONSexual wellness PR and communications agency, Little Leaf Agency, has been appointed on retainer as the UK agency to represent the luxury lubricant brand uberlube. This new partnership marks a significant milestone for both Little Leaf Agency and uberlube as the brands join forces to bring uberlubes selection of premium products to consumers across the UK. Uberlube is joining the ranks of Little Leaf Agencys clientele of award-winning brands and experts including Eye Of Love, Fun Factory, Love Not War, Good Vibes, Sextoys.co.uk, Babeland, ERIKALUST, and Alice Lovegood. Kathryn Byberg, founder and managing director of Little Leaf Agency commented, uberlubes reputation for excellence in not just sexual wellness but also in the areas of medicine, beauty, and sport, aligns perfectly with our mission to champion brands that prioritize intimacy, health, and pleasure. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to amplify uberlubes message and reach in the UK market." Founded in 2002, uberlubes goal was to create a world-first, premium lubricant with long-lasting performance that supports the joy of intimacy and doesnt leave a sticky residue. 20 years later, the brand has been named Best Lubricant Brand of the Year, is recommended by over 7,000 medical professionals worldwide, and is stocked in retail giants across the globe. uberlube's brand director, Cheryl Sloane commented, With its reputation for being a leader in the industry, we are confident that the partnership with Little Leaf Agency will ensure successful growth in the UK market. Their expertise in the field of sexual wellness PR will undoubtedly help us reach our target audience. Together, Im confident that we will empower individuals to prioritize sexual well-being and embrace pleasure. Under the guidance of Little Leaf Agency, uberlube plans to implement a comprehensive PR campaign to enhance the visibility of its products to the UK market. This will include engaging with influencers, securing media coverage in top-tier publications, and organizing events and product demonstrations. For more information on Little Leaf Agency visit littleleaf.agency or for more information on uberlube, visit uberlube.com. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Florida, March 28 D aniil Medvedev turned back a late charge by Chilean Nicolas Jarry en route to a 6-2, 7-6(7) win, set an Australian Open final rematch with Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Miami Open. Medvedev made just three unforced errors to Jarrys 14 in the first set alone before Jarry worked his way back into the match and came within two points of stealing the second set in a rollercoaster tie-break. But Medvedev held his nerve to extend his winning streak at Hard Rock Stadium to nine matches as he moved to within two wins of successfully defending a title for the first time in his career, ATP reports. Jarry would have returned to the Top 20 and become the first Chilean to reach the Miami semi-finals since Fernando Gonzalez in 2004 had he beaten Medvedev. Earlier on the day, Sinner moved into his fourth semi-final of the year and captured a season-leading 20th match win at the Miami Open. The Italian produced a squeaky-clean performance to oust Czech player Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2 in 91 minutes. Sinner, who has twice reached the final in Miami (2021, 2023), is into the last four for a third time. Aiming for his second ATP Masters 1000 crown, the No. 3 player in the ATP Rankings boasts a 20-1 season record with titles at the Australian Open and in Rotterdam. Medvedev beats Jarry to set Sinner semifinal in Miami Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Glad I could target both off and leg side...: SRH batter Travis Head after win over MI Hyderabad, March 28 F ollowing his side's win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Australian opener Travis Head said that he was pleased with how he could score well both on the off-side and on the leg-side of the ground. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a 31-run win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Following the match, Travis said in the post-match presentation, "Feeling good, the batting team has done an exceptional job in the last two games, feels good to contribute. It was very enjoyable tonight. We were aggressive in the first game as well, that is one thing we want to do at the top. I am pleased I could target both the off-side and leg-side. Earlier, I would just target the leg side. It is a great blueprint for us moving forward. I was pleased with how things worked out in the powerplay. They (MI) got so much power and experience as well. With 280-odd, I felt we had enough." In the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad were put to the test first by the Mumbai Indians. MI got Mayank Agarwal (11) early. But fiery knocks came from Travis Head (62 in 24 balls, with nine fours and three sixes), Abhishek Sharma (63 in 23 balls with three fours and seven sixes) that powered SRH to 148/2 in their 10 overs. Abhishek-Head put on a 68-run partnership for the second wicket. Following a brief 48-run stand between Abhishek and Aiden Markram (42* in 28 balls, with two fours and a six), Heinrich Klaasen (80* in 34 balls, with four boundaries and seven sixes) formed a 116-run stand in 54 balls to take SRH to 277/3 in their 20 overs, the highest-ever IPL total. Gerald Coetzee (1/57), skipper Hardik Pandya (1/46) and Piyush Chawla (1/34) took wickets for MI. South African U19 star Kwena Maphanka was hit for 66 runs in his debut IPL game in four overs. Chasing 278, openers Rohit Sharma (26 in 12 balls, with a four and three sixes) and Ishan Kishan (34 in 13 balls, with two fours and three sixes) gave MI a fine start, racing to 56 in 3.2 overs. After both openers were dismissed, Naman Dhir (30 in 14 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (64 in 34 balls, with two fours and six sixes) formed a 84-run stand, taking MI to 150 in 10.4 when Dhir was dismissed, in an unbelievable counterattack. Tilak kept fighting for MI along with skipper Hardik Pandya (24 in 20 balls, with a four and six), taking MI to 182/4 in 14.1 overs at the time of Tilak's dismissal. In the death overs, Tim David (42* in 22 balls, with two fours and three sixes) battled it out for MI along with Pandya and Romario Shepherd (15* in six balls, with two fours and a six). But MI had been controlled well by SRH bowlers and restricted to a commendable 246/5 in 20 overs, losing by 31 runs. Skipper Pat Cummins (2/35) and Jaydev Unadkat (2/47) were the top bowlers for SRH. Shahbaz Ahmed also got a wicket. Abhishek took home the 'Player of the Match' award for his fifty. Glad I could target both off and leg side...: SRH batter Travis Head after win over MI Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, March 28 A ctor Naveen Polishetty, who is known for his work in Telugu cinema, and rose to prominence with the sketches of the comedy collective 'AIB', has been injured as he met with a bike accident in the US recently. As per the media reports, the actor was riding a bike in Dallas, Texas when his bike skid as he lost control. The actor tried to manoeuvre his bike but he lost control resulting in an injury to his arm. The actor's arm got fractured. Currently, he is receiving medical care in the US. However, the actor is yet to share a statement on the same on social media. Meanwhile, on the work front, Naveen was last seen in 'Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty'. The film, which was directed and written by P Mahesh Babu, also featured Anushka Shetty. Currently, Naveen is busy with the Kalyan Shankar directorial 'Anaganaga Oka Raju' alongside Sreeleela. The music is composed by Thaman S. Telugu actor Naveen Polishetty fractures arm after car crash in US Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Washington, March 28 A ctor Florence Pugh is back on the Marvel set. The actress shared some behind-the-scenes moments of the Atlanta set where she is currently shooting for the upcoming 'Thunderbolts', according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Hey guys, how are you doing? I know I've dropped off for a little bit, but that's partially because I was whisked off to Atlanta to shoot a movie that I'm not supposed to talk about," Pugh said in a video posted to Instagram. "But I can show you things, sneakily, as long as you don't tell anyone ... I can show you a sneak peek of the set." https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5CH-R2IjU8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== As per The Hollywood Reporter, Pugh plays assassin Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her character first appeared in 2021's Black Widow and later in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. Pugh appears in costume in the video, elevating the camera to show off Yelena's outfit before going on to reveal additional 'Thunderbolts' structures under construction. She also chats with filmmaker Jake Schreier. "I don't even think you're supposed to be doing this," Schreier tells Pugh when she pans to a playback monitor and reveals Yelena in a fighting stance. Pugh's video also featured a glimpse of a crew member's chair, and observant fans are now wondering why the Thunderbolts title is written with an asterisk. The Thunderbolts Marvel comics reveal the complicated narrative of a bunch of criminals, but storyline information for the film adaptation are scant. Early rumours mentioned new parts for Steven Yeun and Ayo Edebiri, as well as returning Marvel performers Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Harbour, and Olga Kurylenko, however, Yeun and Edebiri left the project early this year. Lewis Pullman from Top Gun: Maverick and Geraldine Viswanathan from Drive Away Dolls replaced the two actors. The film's production was delayed by last summer's writers' and actors' strikes and is currently set for release on July 25, 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Florence Pugh shares BTS moments from sets of 'Thunderbolts' Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Mumbai, March 28 I mtiaz Ali's next 'Amar Singh Chamkila' starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra is among the most anticipated films of the year. Actor Parineeti Chopra arrived in Mumbai from London to attend the trailer launch event of the film earlier today. The actor opted for casual attire. She opted for a jacket and trousers. Parineeti can be seen smiling while posing for the camera https://x.com/ANI/status/1773272174503043370?s=20 The film presents the untold true story of Punjab's original rockstar of the masses, 'Amar Singh Chamkila' who emerged from the shadows of poverty and rose to the heights of popularity in the eighties due to the sheer power of his music, angering many on the way, which finally led to his assassination at a young age of 27. The highest record-selling artist of his time, Chamkila is still regarded as one of the best live-stage performers that Punjab has ever produced. The film has been produced by Mohit Choudhary, Select Media Holdings LLP, Saregama, and Window Seat Films. The music of the film is available on Saregama. Director Imtiaz Ali earlier said, "Making 'Amar Singh Chamkila' about the life of the iconic music star of the masses has been a unique journey for me. I could not have asked for better actors than the immensely talented Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra to play in this film, especially since it involves some live singing. The film follows the crazed popularity of Chamkila's daring songs, which society could neither ignore nor swallow." Diljit said, "Playing Amar Singh Chamkila has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, and I am thrilled to be returning to Netflix with yet another exciting story. It has been a pleasure to work with Parineeti and the entire team that has worked extremely hard to bring this beautiful story to life. To be able to sing to Rahman sir's exemplary music was a meditative experience and I hope I have been able to do justice to his vision. Thank you, Imtiaz Bhajee, for believing in me for this role." Parineeti said that it was "an immensely enriching experience" to have shared screen space with Imtiaz.She said, "It is a privilege to play Amarjot, Chamkila's singing partner and wife, in this incredible film and I am truly grateful to Imtiaz sir for this opportunity. Sharing the screen with Diljit has been an immensely enriching experience. For me, singing is a passion and to collaborate with the legendary AR Rahman has been a long-awaited dream." 'Amar Singh Chamkila' is set to stream on Netflix from April 12. Parineeti back from London, attends 'Amar Singh Chamkila' trailer launch in Mumbai Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Attorneys representing the mother of a teenage girl who was raped while a patient at The Champaign Pavilion Foundation treatment center have questioned whether the facility staff's continuously monitored hallways on the adolescent floor. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. By engaging regularly with their family dog and teaching it a series of tricks and commands, children with developmental disabilities experienced a significant increase in their daily physical activity, a new study from Oregon State University researchers found. Children in the experimental group increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity by 17 minutes per day, while simultaneously reducing their sedentary time by nearly an hour per day. We often talk about physical activity as just fitness or exercise, but really, it's about moving and being active on a daily basis. It's getting out with your dog, playing, having fun." Megan MacDonald, study co-author, head of OSU's School of Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences in the College of Health Previous research has found that more than 80% of American children are not getting the recommended amount of physical activity -; at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -; and that overall physical activity declines progressively with age. Studies have also shown that children with developmental disabilities are significantly less physically active than their peers without disabilities. "In my opinion, the biggest barrier is just access: access to physical activity from your home, from your community and often from your school. Those are the places we know kids are getting physical activity," MacDonald said. "But if we want to engage in a sport or activity that's not inclusive, or that has concerns about adding someone with a disability, that's an issue. If we have schools that aren't engaging in inclusive or adaptive physical education -; which they are legally required to do -; that's an issue." For the current study, published today, MacDonald teamed up with Monique Udell from OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences. As director of the Human-Animal Interaction Laboratory, Udell's research includes animal training, human-animal bonding and mutually beneficial interactions. The team started in 2017 with 45 child-dog pairs, where each child was identified by parents as having some form of developmental disability. The canine participants included a wide range of breeds, ages and previous training experience. The study revolved around the "Do As I Do" training intervention, in which participants are essentially playing a game of "Simon Says" with their dogs. Pairs in the experimental group received 10 hour-long one-on-one sessions with a dog trainer where they learned about dog body language and behavior, and taught their dogs multiple commands, including the "Do it" command that tells the dog to mimic the behavior their owner has just demonstrated. "Not all kids got to the final protocol, but what was kind of amazing was that everyone progressed," MacDonald said. "At the end we had a little showcase, and everyone was able to show something new they could do with their dog." Participants assigned to the "active control" group engaged in a dog-walking program for the same amount of time as the Do As I Do program, while kids in the "waitlist control" group did not participate in any guided physical activity with their dogs. All children were fitted with accelerometers to record their physical activity levels before and after the program. In the end, 14 kids had enough accelerometer data to be included in the results. Compared with the waitlist control group, children in the Do As I Do training group increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity time by 17.3 minutes per day, and decreased their sedentary time by 58 minutes per day. The group also increased their time spent in light activity by about 40 minutes per day. An increase of 17 minutes daily amounts to almost 30% of the total recommended time (60 minutes) kids spend in moderate to vigorous physical activity. "It's very hard to get significant differences in physical activity; it's a behavioral thing," MacDonald said. "So we're pretty excited about these results." And kids are receiving more than just physical benefits, she said. In teaching them to recognize and respond to dogs' body language, the program also helps kids gain more awareness of nonverbal cues from the people around them. Training with their family dog also helps build responsibility, independence and a sense of ownership -; while, perhaps, giving the parents who are usually responsible for 100% of dog care a much-needed break, MacDonald said. "It's one of the coolest studies I've worked on," she said. OSU co-authors on the study also included Saethra Darling, Duo Jiang, John Schuna and Shelby Wanser. The team is already working on a similar study with pet cats, and has been doing outreach in the Pacific Northwest with dog trainers, who have shown a lot of interest in becoming involved, MacDonald said. Parents are frequently asked to decide whether their child should attend school or stay home because of sickness. This decision is often straightforward if the child has a contagious disease or is seriously ill. For example, a vomiting child or one with a high fever should be kept home, as would one with chickenpox or measles rash. Conversely, in many other situations, the outcome is more nuanced. Parents need to consider a range of factors to make the right decision. Aside from the illness itself, the need to navigate the physical, mental, and emotional stresses of a crowded school and typical academic day program must be considered. The C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital in Michigan recently released their report on a national poll asking parents of middle and high school students how and what they decided when their children reported feeling sick. Study: Mott Poll Report. Image Credit: FamVeld / Shutterstock.com Parental concerns In over 50% of cases, parents decided to let the children stay home when it was unclear if the child was too sick to attend school. About 25% of parents indicated that they would still send the child to school, while 20% left the decision to the child. Less than 4% of parents sought medical help to make the decision. For 55-60% of the parents, some of the different factors they considered while making their decision included whether the child was well enough to complete a full day at school or whether attendance would affect the health of others. Moreover, 35-40% of parents considered the childs behavior and whether staying home involved missing an important academic activity. Additionally, about 20% of parents considered whether at least one parent could stay home with the child. The same proportion of parents considered the childs need for a mental, rather than physical, break from school. Student concerns About 66% of parents reported that their children expressed concern about whether their absence from school would cause grades to fall or that they would miss their friends or school activities. However, almost 80% of parents did not consider that their children would be stressed by having to make up for lost day(s), as they were provided sufficient time and a reasonable amount of homework. Attendance policies Overall, about 33% of parents reported that their children missed one or fewer days of school from January to February, with a similar number missing two to three days during the same time period. About 20% of children missed four to five days, whereas 15% missed at least six. Although 75% of parents believed that school attendance policies are necessary to enforce student attendance, 25% of parents indicated that these policies did not work well for children with chronic illnesses. In fact, over 20% of parents believed that these policies encouraged them to send their children to school even when sick. Those whose children missed six or more school days over the year were more likely to be dissatisfied with the attendance policy. The inconvenient or unpleasant consequences of letting their child miss school for too many days included teachers notes or calls, doctors note requirements, having to meet school staff, and truancy charges, which were reported by 63%, 50%, 35%, and 40% of parents, respectively. About 20% of parents reported their child being barred from activities due to their absence. Recognizing the need Both parents and children considered the adverse impact of missing classes, though in different proportions. About 66% and 40% of students and parents, respectively, worried about the adverse effects of missing school, and about 40% of parents considered. A childs reluctance to stay home when sick may be reassuring, as this behavior may suggest the child is highly motivated to attend class. However, this reaction may also reflect insecurity about school performance, which could indicate anxiety or poor preparation. Thus, parents must listen to their children to better recognize these factors when making decisions. Addressing mental health needs About 20% of parents indicated that they considered their decision to let the child stay home to provide them with a mental health day. This may mirror the stress of a typical school setting to perform well academically and keep up socially. Romantic breakups, disruptions of close friendships, or being shamed, deliberately or otherwise, on social media may indicate that the child is unwilling to face peers immediately. Concerned parents may try to help the child by allowing school absences. However, this is essentially a self-limited response, as children will eventually return to school and face these issues directly. Nevertheless, mental health days may encourage the child to think out or plan a response, learn and use new methods to de-stress and dissipate anxiety, as well as identify support people at school. For children with a mental disorder like depression or anxiety, the childs psychologist or psychiatrist should be involved in making these decisions. Helping sick children Children with chronic medical conditions are a significant challenge, as they often require specialist care or more frequent healthcare visits, thus necessitating more extended periods of absence from school. These parents should let the school know in advance about their childs need for extra healthcare services. Schools may ask the childs doctors for notes requesting greater flexibility in attendance requirements, including allowing schoolwork to be completed at home or extending the deadline as appropriate. Researchers from Monash University and Osaka University have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery regarding the pivotal role of sensory neurons in orchestrating tissue repair and regeneration, offering significant promise for patients with poorly healing tissues and diabetes. Collaborating with Professor Shizuo Akira from IFReC, a research team led by Associate Professor Mikael Martino from Monash University, who also held a cross-appointment position at Osaka University, recently published a significant advancement in regenerative medicine in Nature. Their research sheds light on the intricate interplay between the nervous and immune systems, highlighting the critical involvement of sensory neurons in the repair and regeneration of tissues. While nociceptive sensory neurons are primarily associated with pain sensation, their contribution to tissue regeneration has been unclear until now. Through their research, the team demonstrated that the removal of a specific subtype of sensory neurons containing the Nav1.8 ion channel significantly impairs skin wound repair and muscle regeneration following injury. Furthermore, they revealed that the endings of these sensory neurons extend into injured skin and muscle tissues, communicating with immune cells through the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) during the healing process. This neuropeptide plays a crucial role in influencing immune cells to aid tissue healing after injury. In preclinical models, such as mice lacking sensory neurons and diabetic mice with damaged peripheral nerve cells, the administration of an engineered version of CGRP, designed to enhance its efficacy, accelerated wound healing and promoted muscle regeneration. These findings hold great promise for regenerative medicine, particularly in addressing poorly healing tissues commonly observed in conditions such as diabetes. Looking ahead, the team aims to develop innovative therapies targeting the underlying causes of impaired tissue repair by harnessing neuro-immune interactions. Monash University is one of Osaka University's Global Knowledge Partners, a strategic partnership aimed at developing high-quality and sustainable research and education programs that can contribute to the resolution of global issues. Lead author Mikael Martino, a key advocate for collaboration between the two universities, emphasized the importance of the strong inter-institutional relationship and cross-appointment system in enabling international researchers like himself to collaborate effectively with scientists at Osaka University. Keralas Kochi Water Metro is prioritising sustainability and prompting its research team to explore hydrogen fuel cell technology. As per a report in The New Indian Express, the project aims to introduce a vessel powered by green hydrogen in the near future. Kochi Water Metro Limited (KWML) managing director (MD) Loknath Behera stated that staying ahead of the curve in terms of technological advancement is important for ensuring sustainability. Our existing electric boat fleet will become redundant in the next five to ten years, and new technology will be introduced. We are now exploring the possibility of introducing a hydrogen-fuel-cell vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). Large-scale adoption will be examined for our future boats. However, some modifications will be required to make them cost-effective, KWML, MD, Loknath Behera said as quoted by The New Indian Express. Green hydrogen is now quite expensive, but this wont be the case in the future, he added. Following the recent start of operations on the South Chittoor, Eloor, and Cheranalloor sections, KWML, MD, Loknath Behera stated that the Fort Kochi-High Court stretch is next in line. Giving further updates, he asserted that the trial run for parking boats near the floating pontoon at Fort Kochi port has been finished, and the boats will be tested on the path between High Court and Fort Kochi in the days to come. KWML, MD, Behera shared information about the services, stating that they intend to begin operations on the line in April 2024, with a focus on tourists. The goal is to run three boats on the route once service begins, he said, adding that CSL is anticipated to supply one more boat soon. With schools closed for summer vacations, the High Court-Fort Kochi service will appeal to more tourists. Kochi Water Metro currently provides service on the High Court-Vypeen, High Court-Bolgatty, High Court-South Chittoor, South Chittoor-Cheranalloor, Cheranalloor-Eloor and Vyttila-Kakkanad routes. In addition, the services connecting the High Court to Fort Kochi, one of the citys key tourist attractions, are projected to significantly increase Kochis tourism industry. Meanwhile, KWML has set up a floating pontoon and marine platform at the Fort Kochi Water Metro terminal. All of the ferry services boat jetties are equipped with concrete floating pontoons. They allow for simple and safe boarding and deboarding regardless of the tide. Because the Fort Kochi terminal is located at the convergence of the Arabian Sea and backwaters, deploying regular floating pontoons could jeopardise passenger safety. Dearness relief (DR) has recently been increased for central government pensioners by 4 per cent to 50 per cent. The increased prices are effective as of January 1, 2024. According to an Office Memorandum dated March 13, 2024, the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoPPW) would apply the enhanced DR to the following categories: Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners, including Central Government absorbee pensioners in PSU/Autonomous Bodies, for whom orders have been issued under this Departments OM No. 4/34/2002-P&PW(D)Vol.II dated 23.06.2017, for the restoration of full pension after the 15-year commutation period has expired. The Armed Forces Pensioners or Family Pensioners and Civilian Pensioners or Family Pensioners are paid from the Defence Service Estimates. All India Service Pensioners and Family Pensioners. Railway/Family Pensioners. Pensioners on a provisional pension. The Burma Civilian Pensioners/Family Pensioners, as well as the Pensioners/Families of Displaced Government Pensioners from Burma/Pakistan, have received instructions under this Departments OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 11.09.2017. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 52 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 and this Departments OM No. 45/73/97-P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended from time to time, an Office Memorandum dated March 13 reads. The laws governing the regulation of DR if a pensioner receives several pensions would remain intact, the department noted. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will issue separate orders for retired Supreme Court and High Court judges, according to DoPPW. What amount of DR will pensioners and family pensioners receive? There has been a 4 per cent increase in dearness relief. The monthly pension of retired central government employees will increase when the DR rises. For example, a central government pensioner receives Rs 40,100 per month as a basic pension. At 46 per cent dearness alleviation, the pensioner will receive Rs 18,446 as DR. Following the most recent increase, he will receive Rs 20,050 as DR per month. As a result, his monthly pension will increase by Rs 1,604. The pension disbursing agencies, including nationalised banks, are responsible for calculating the amount of DR payable in each case. Pensioners and family pensioners are set to receive hike dearness relief soon since DoPPW has instructed banks to begin disbursing DR for pensioners and family pensioners without waiting for further orders. After Raghuram Rajan called India believing the hype around its strong economic growth the greatest mistake and said there are significant structural problems that needs to be fixed, the former RBI governor has now come under fire. In an interview with Bloomberg, the 61-year-old economist has said, Weve got many more years of hard work to do to ensure the hype is real. Believing the hype is something politicians want you to believe because they want you to believe that we have arrived. But it would be a serious mistake for India to succumb to that belief, Rajan added. He also said it is unlikely that India will not be a developed economy by 2047 adding that it would be nonsense to talk of that goal if so many of your kids dont have a high school education and drop-out rates remain high. The remarks by Rajan attracted sharp comments from experts. Mohandas Pai, chairperson of Manipal Global Education, in a post on X said, Silly arguments by RR (Raghuram Rajan), school dropout rates are down, college enrolment increased, huge jobs created, Wrong comparison about chil subsidy given over many years, to annual spend on HE. NITI Aayog member and economist Arvind Virmani also said Raghuram Rajans comments seemed like those made by global experts who have never been to India. During the 1990s BOP crisis, we used to have a word for visiting WB, IMF and other MDB economists: Parachute economists. Sad that a former RBI Governor sounds like that to someone who has worked on Indian economy for 1/2 a century, Virmani said in a post on X. Stocks To Watch on March 28: Indian markets showed strength amid mixed global cues and gained over half a percent on Wednesday. In todays trade, shares of JSW Energy, IDFC First Bank, Zydus Life, Alkem Labs, Tata Elxsi among others will be in focus due to various news developments. Bharat Heavy Electricals, Adani Power: The state-owned company has secured a contract from Adani Power to establish the 2800 MW Raigarh Phase-II Thermal Power Plant in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, according to an exchange filing. BHEL stated that the total cost of the project, excluding GST, is estimated to be Rs 4,000 crore. Under the terms of the contract, BHEL will provide equipment such as a Boiler, Turbine, and Generator, and oversee the erection and commissioning of the 2800 MW power project, which is based on supercritical technology. The first unit is expected to be delivered within 31 months of the contract execution, while the second unit is scheduled for delivery within 35 months. Tata Elxsi: Tata Elxsi has partnered with Drager to advance critical care innovation in India. Under the partnership, Drager will establish its offshore development center (ODC) at Tata Elxsis facility in Pune. IDFC First Bank: Cloverdell Investment, a Warburg Pincus affiliate, is considering divesting its stake in the private lender, IDFC First Bank. As per a report by CNBC-TV18, the company might offload its entire 2.25 per cent stake through block deals on March 28. The expected offer size is around Rs 1,191.40 crore, with the company planning to sell approximately 15.9 crore shares. The base price is set at Rs 75 per share, which represents a 4 per cent discount to the current market price. Dr. Reddys: The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical giant has unveiled an exclusive alliance with Sanofi Healthcare India to boost the promotion and distribution of Sanofis vaccine brands throughout India. The alliance will encompass paediatric and adult vaccine brands such as Hexaxim, Pentaxim, Tetraxim, Menactra, FluQuadri, Adacel, and Avaxim 80U, which collectively recorded sales of approximately Rs 426 crore ($51 million) according to IQVIA MAT February 2024. Sanofi has confirmed that it will retain ownership, continue manufacturing, and import these vaccines to India. Chalet Hotels: On March 27, the board of directors of Chalet Hotels approved a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) to raise funds up to Rs 1,200 crore. In a filing to the stock exchange, Chalet Hotels stated that the floor price for the QIP is set at Rs 780.76 per equity share. However, the company has the discretion to offer a discount of up to 5 per cent on this price. The issue price will be Rs 755 per share. REC: On March 27, the Board of REC Ltd gave its approval for the PSU firms comprehensive market borrowing programme, which is valued at Rs 1.6 lakh crore for FY25. The Board sanctioned a market borrowing programme of Rs 1.45 lakh crore for FY25, which will be executed through domestic bonds and debentures. Additionally, the Board gave the green light for securing a short-term loan of Rs 15,000 crore from various sources such as banks, financial institutions, NBFCs, and commercial papers. Alkem Laboratories: The pharmaceutical company said on March 27 that its manufacturing facility in Baddi was inspected by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) from March 19 to March 27, 2024. Further, the company said it received a Form 483 with ten observations, as per a filing to the stock exchange. The company stated, USFDA conducted an inspection at our Baddi manufacturing facility from March 19 to March 27, 2024. We received a Form 483 with ten observations at the end of the inspection. Zydus Lifesciences: The company announced on March 27 that the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued four observations regarding the companys injectable facility in Ahmedabad. Zydus Life disclosed in an exchange filing that the US FDA conducted an inspection of the injectable facility from March 18th to March 27th. The inspection took place at the SEZ Onco Injectable manufacturing plant, as per the statement. The company further clarified that there were no observations related to data integrity as a result of the inspection. In the press statement, it was added that The Company will work closely with the USFDA to address the observations. Bajaj Finance: Bajaj Housing Finance, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finance Ltd, has begun initial discussions with multiple investment banks regarding a potential initial public offering (IPO). The IPO is expected to value the company between $9 billion and $10 billion, in accordance with regulatory standards, as stated by three individuals privy to the matter. As per the existing regulatory timeline set by the RBI, Bajaj Housing Finance is required to list by September 2025. Paytm: One97 Communications Ltd, the parent company of Paytm, is reportedly on the verge of bringing HDFC Bank on board as the third partner for merchant migration, according to a Moneycontrol report. Paytm has already enlisted Axis Bank and Yes Bank as merchant acquisition partners, both of which became operational on the Paytm UPI platform on March 15. The report suggests that HDFC Bank and SBI are expected to commence operations this week as payment service provider (PSP) banks for Paytms third party application provider (TPAP) business. Life Insurance Corporation of India: LIC announced on Tuesday that it has received a demand notice from tax authorities for an approximate amount of Rs 178 crore due to the underpayment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) spanning two fiscal years. The Additional Commissioner of Central GST & Central Excise in Jamshedpur has issued a communication/demand order to LIC for interest and penalty, as per the regulatory filing by LIC. The demand notice pertains to the premature utilization of Input Tax Credit under the reverse charge mechanism. The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has announced the date for the release of the KSEAB 1st PUC result. As per the official notification, the Karnataka 1st PUC result 2024 will be published on March 30, 2024. Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2024 The Karnataka board conducted the 1st PUC exams from February 12 to February 27, 2024. Moreover, the board is all set to conduct the Karnataka 1st PUC supplementary exam in 2024, from May 20 to May 31, 2024. Those who are willing to appear for the supplementary examinations will have to submit their exam fee by April 20, 2024. Karnataka PUC I Result 2024: Where Can I Check Scores? Students who have taken the exams can access their KSEAB Class 11 result 2024 online via the official websites of the board at karresults.nic.in, and result.dkpucpa.com. To view the results, candidates need to provide their registration number and date of birth. Students can also use the SMS facility to check their Karnataka board results in case the website doesnt work properly. Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2024: Steps to Check Step 1: Candidates need to visit the official website of the Karnataka Board at karresults.nic.in to access the results. Step 2: Then, search for and click on the Karnataka result portal available on the homepage. Step 3: Now, tap on the Karnataka 1st PUC result link. Step 4: Login into the portal by entering the roll number/ registration number. Step 5: Hit submit and the 1st PUC result will be displayed on the screen. Step 6: View the result and download the scorecard for further reference. Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2024: Details Mentioned On The Marksheet Upon downloading, students must verify these details in the marksheet. In case of any discrepancy, they must immediately connect with their respective schools to rectify it. Name of the Student Registration number Subject name Date of birth Subject-wise marks Total marks Result status The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board will conduct the Karnataka 1st PUC supplementary exam 2024 in two shifts. The examinations, to be conducted in the morning shift, will begin at 10:15 AM and run until 1:30 PM, while the afternoon session will be held from 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM on May 31. The supplementary exam will consist of Hindustani music, information technology, retail automobiles, and beauty and wellness papers. Anna University has officially released the results for The Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2024 today, March 28, reported Hindustan Times. The varsity has also released the CEETA PG 2024 results. Candidates who participated in TANCET 2024 can access their results by visiting the official website of the institute, tancet.annauniv.edu. TANCET 2024 Exam Result Live Candidates can download their scorecards between April 3 and May 3. Its crucial to ensure candidates have their scorecards before counselling and further admission process before the deadline. The TANCET entrance exam for the Master of Computer Application (MCA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs at Anna University was held on March 9. The MCA exam took place in the morning shift from 10 am to 12 pm, followed by the MBA exam in the afternoon shift from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. This offline exam is conducted for 120 minutes or two hours. TANCET 2024 Result: How To Download? To download their TANCET 2024 result, candidates can follow these simple steps: Here are the steps to download your TANCET 2024 result: Step 1: Visit the official website of TANCET 2024 at tancet.annauniv.edu. Step 2: Navigate to the Results section on the homepage. Step 3: Look for the link labeled TANCET 2024 Results and click on it. Step 4: Enter your login credentials, such as your registration number, date of birth, and/or password. Step 5: Click the Login button to submit your details. Step 6: Your TANCET 2024 result will be displayed on the screen. Step 7: Review your result carefully. Step 8: Download a copy of your TANCET 2024 result. Step 9: Take a printout of your result for future reference. TANCET 2024 Result: Whats Next? After successfully clearing the exam, candidates can participate in the counselling process. Candidates must stay updated by regularly checking the official website for announcements regarding counselling registration, document verification, seat allotment, and other related dates following the release of the results. Additionally, candidates must ensure they have the necessary documents prepared for verification during the counselling sessions. TANCET is an annual examination for individuals seeking admission to Anna Universitys MBA and MCA degree programmes. To be eligible for counselling, candidates must have achieved a minimum of 50 per cent in their graduation. However, for candidates belonging to reserved categories, the minimum required percentage is 45 per cent. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission or TNPSC has invited applications for direct recruitment to the posts included in Combined Civil Services Examination-I (Group-I Services). The last date to apply for the exam is April 27. Candidates willing to take the exam can check the official notification and apply for the exam on the official website at tnpsc.gov.in. The commission has notified a total of 90 posts. Through the recruitment drive, candidates will be selected for the posts of Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, among others. Vacancy Details Deputy Collector 16 Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category-1) 23 Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) 14 Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies 21 Assistant Director of Rural Development 14 District Employment Officer 1 District Officer (Fire and Rescue Services) 1 Candidates are required to apply online by using the commissions website tnpsc.gov.in or tnpscexams.in. Candidates need to register themself first at the One Time Registration (OTR) platform available on the website and then proceed to fill out the online application for the examination. If the candidate is already registered, s/he can proceed straightway to fill out the online application for the examination, the official notification states. TNPSC CCSE 1 Group 1 Services 2024: How to Apply? Step 1: Go to the official website at tnpsc.gov.in. Step 2: On the homepage, look for the Combined Civil Services Examination-I (Group-I Services) link Step 3: Click on the link and register yourself. Fill out the form Step 4: Submit the application form. Take a print out of the confirmation page for further use. The application correction window will open for three days from May 2 to 4. During this period, candidates will be able to edit the details in their online application. The exam comprises two stages preliminary examination (objective type); and main examination (written and interview) for the selection of candidates for various posts. Navneet Rana, an incumbent MP from Amravati, joined the BJP in Nagpur late on Wednesday night in the presence of the partys state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule. She joined the BJP at the Bawankules residence in Nagpur along with her supporters and in the presence of senior party leaders from Amravati, Nagpur, Wardha and other places. Her husband Ravi Rana, an MLA, was also present when she joined the BJP. The BJPs Central Election Committee on Wednesday announced her name as the partys candidate for the Amravati seat. Bawankule said she would file her election nomination on April 4. Addressing a press conference around midnight at Bawankules residence, Navneet Rana said that she followed the development path of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the last five years as a supporter of the NDA. Rana expressed happiness over joining the BJP and said that she would ensure that the Amravati parliamentary constituency would be among the 400 seats that the party would win in the general elections. Bawankule said that Navneet Rana joined the BJP to support the Viksit Bharat vision of PM Modi. He also slammed Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray for sending Navneet Rana to jail during his tenure as chief minister of Maharashtra over the issue of chanting Hanuman Chalisa. Rana first contested from Amravati on an NCP ticket in 2014 and was defeated by Shiv Senas Anandrao Adsul. In 2019, she contested the seat as an Independent supported by NCP and defeated Adsul. However, after 2019, Rana started supporting the BJP. Last month, The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on Navneet Ranas plea challenging the Bombay High Court verdict cancelling her caste certificate. On June 8, 2021, the high court said the Mochi caste certificate was obtained fraudulently using fabricated documents. It had also imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the Amravati MP. The Congress party on Wednesday dropped its Lok Sabha polls candidate Supriya Shrinate amid the ongoing row over her remarks on actor Kangana Ranaut, the Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi. Notably, Shrinate has been dropped as the candidate from the constituency she contested in 2019. The Congress leader contested the last Lok Sabha polls from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh but lost to BJPs Pankaj Chaudhary. The party replaced Shrinate with Virendra Chaudhary as its pick for the Lok Sabha seat. The development came after Shrinate attracted a lot of criticism over her derogatory social media post on actor Kangana Ranaut, BJPs candidate from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi. Featuring a photo of Ranaut, Shrinate in her objectionable Instagram post said, Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi main koi batayega? (Can someone say what is the going rate in Mandi?) Shrinates Clarification Following the outrage, Shrinate promptly clarified and said that several people had access to her social media accounts, and one of them made the inappropriate post. As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman. I wanted to know how this happened, the Congress leader said. Meanwhile, the Election Commission also issued a show-cause notice to Shrinate over her post. Someone who had access to my meta accounts ( FB and Insta) posted an absolutely disgusting and objectionable post, which has been taken down. Anyone who knows me will know I would never say that for a woman. However a parody account that I have just discovered misusing my name Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) March 25, 2024 Kangana Ranauts Response Responding to the Congress leaders remarks, Ranaut took to social media and said, Dear Supriya ji. In the last 20 years of my career as an artist, I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in Queen to a seductive spy in Dhaakad, from a goddess in Manikarnika to a demon in Chandramukhi, from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii, posted Ranaut on X, addressing the Congress spokesperson. Dear Supriya ji In the last 20 years of my career as an artist I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in Queen to a seductive spy in Dhaakad, from a goddess in Manikarnika to a demon in Chandramukhi, from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii. pic.twitter.com/GJbhJTQAzW Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 25, 2024 We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur every woman deserves her dignity, she added. The Congress will announce the names of its remaining candidates for the four Lok Sabha constituencies of Jharkhand by April 1, a party official said. The grand old party had announced the names of candidates for Lohardaga, Khunti and Hazaribag on Wednesday evening, following a go-ahead from the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC). Kalicharan Munda, Sukhdeo Bhagat and Jai Prakashbhai Patel will contest the polls in Khunti (ST), Lohardaga (ST) and Hazaribagh seats, respectively, the party had announced in New Delhi. Congress will announce the remaining candidates for four seats by April 1, while a consensus on seat-sharing is likely by tomorrow, the party leader told PTI. The Lok Sabha polls will be held in four phases for the 14 seats in Jharkhand, starting May 13. There are more than 2.54 crore voters in the state 1.29 crore males, 1.24 crore females and 413 transgenders. Wherever Arun Govil goes in Meerut, men, women, and children of all ages flock to touch his feet. Ravan ke sasural mein Ram aaye hain (Ram has come to Ravans in-laws place, since his wife Mandodri is believed to be from Meerut)," said a group of young women when asked why they were doing so. Govil, BJPs surprise Lok Sabha poll candidate from Meerut, says he is overwhelmed by the love. Bhagwan Ram is in kann kann (everywhere), he does not come here or there. But, yes, a man has come here whose name is Arun Govil and who played the character of Lord Ram in Ramayan. People do not touch my feet per se but they pay obeisance to their belief in Lord Ram. Woh unki aastha hai Ram mein jiske prati woh naman karte hain, ab unko swaroop mil gaya hai Arun Govil naam ka (people have found a symbol of Lord Ram in me)," Govil told News18, in his first exclusive interview since coming to Meerut on Tuesday. Meerut has become a high-profile seat with Govils arrival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will canvass for him on March 31, kicking off his Uttar Pradesh campaign with a big rally in Meerut. Earlier from a stage, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said Meeruts identity will now be known by Arun Govil and mentioned how his portrayal of Lord Ram in the 1987-88 TV series Ramayan remains popular even today. I dont know politics, wont do politics You can term it a so-called political entry, but the reality is rajeenti mujhse hoti nahi aur naa mein karunga (I do not know politics, nor will I do politics). I just thought I should do something for the people. I got the Meerut seat, and there is no better place than Meerut, and this lands love has brought me back. I will do all with the love and empathy I have and I will do sewa (work) for more development," Govil told News18. Arun Govil said that he was born in Meerut and stayed here for the first 17 years of his life. I studied in Saraswati Shishu Mandir and Government Inter College in Meerut. Every year, a student used to be murdered and my college would remain closed for a month. But see the development now in Meerut. It is my ghar wapasi (homecoming). I cannot even recognise Meerut today, it has become a mega city," Govil told News18. He was yet to visit the area where he was born but said that place may also have changed. Govils opponents from the Samajwadi Party have termed him an outsider who knows nothing about Meerut and say he would go away and not work for the seat if elected. Why would I not give time to Meerut? I had left at 17 for work and to build my career. Now I am back. I always do work after putting thought into it and with a vision and ideals. I do not do anything on impulse and change my mind or forget about it. I have intellectual honesty and principles. Jeevan hai hi ek safar (Life is a journey)," he told News18. Govil was present during the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. I used to feel sad about going to Ayodhya in earlier years as our temple was not there, but now we feel a grand temple is there of Ram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath have set a benchmark," he added. BJPs change By putting up Govil from Meerut, the BJP has tried a bigger gambit in western UP, which has been roiled by Hindu-Muslim politics for the past decade. It has dropped its three-time MP, Rajendra Agrawal, from Meerut. Govil though credited Agrawal for the development of Meerut. There have been some murmurs about an outsider to the BJP being fielded. But Agrawal has been alongside Govil to ensure a smooth transition. Parivartan toh hota hai (change happens), this is natural. Govil is already in our hearts for Rams portrayal. Ram temple was made in Rams birthplace and Govil is in his birthplace," Agrawal told News18. Locals say Meerut has been one of the safest seats for the BJP but it was difficult for Rajendra Agrawal to win again after three terms. So it is good that the BJP has changed its candidate, and even better that Arun Govil has been chosen to be the one. He will win with a record margin," a group of locals in Meeruts Shastri Market told News18. Govil is talking about the 12-lane Meerut Expressway that has reduced the travel time to Delhi to just 45 minutes, the Rs 32,000-crore RapidX project, and the Meerut Metro project among the BJPs achievements. I will continue further," he says. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday hit out at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo MK Stalin and called him a puppet chief minister. EPS speaking at an election campaign in Tenkasi said that despite being in power for three years, DMK did not speak about its achievements in the election campaign, rather they only slammed him. The Tamil Nadu chief minister has done nothing for the state, so there is nothing to talk about, the AIADMK leader said, adding that Stalin is a puppet chief minister. In fact, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly said that Stalin mistakenly became the CM, and because of this regime, people are suffering a lot. People are suffering under his rule but Stalin puts a pen symbol in the sea (pen-shaped monument for former CM M Karunanidhi) in memory of his father. If you want to put a pen symbol in your fathers memory, put it in your trust fund, why are wasting peoples money? Palaniswami raised questions. He also accused DMK of being in an illegal relationship with the BJP and said, Since the day we walked away from the BJPs alliance, Stalin has been saying that we are in an illegal relationship with the BJP. Stalin should speak with dignity. Meanwhile, addressing public meeting in Tenkasi, CM MK Stalin jibed at Palaniswami and said, Spine is the most important thing for a person to get up and walk but AIADMK general secretary EPS is spineless. Stalin also levelled allegations against EPS and said that the AIADMK general secretary is betraying the rights of Tamil Nadu. Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing a poll rally in the Thoothukudi district, EPS slammed Stalin and said that he is keen only on retaining his power and not about the peoples welfare. He accused the ruling DMK of doing precious little to improve the condition of the people who were affected by the unprecedented rain and flood during December last year. There was no power supply, food or water for the affected people. Instead of rushing to provide aid to them, the chief minister went to Delhi, Palaniswami said. The AIADMK general secretary also hit back at Stalins earlier comment about the former having a secret pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that DMK changed its colours after coming to power. When in opposition, Stalins DMK said Go back Modi; after coming to power, the DMK is saying Welcome Modi, EPS said in is attack on Stalin and his party. Unlike the ruling party, Palaniswami said, the AIADMK is firm on not forming any alliance with the BJP as people are more important than sharing power at the Centre. However, Palaniswami said that though his party (AIADMK), the DMK and the BJP lead separate fronts for the Lok Sabha elections, the fight is only between his party and the ruling DMK. Then also, EPS had slammed Stalin and asked what he had achieved in three years after assuming power. He alleged that the DMK is a family party and a corporate company which has an aim to loot at the Centre and in Tamil Nadu as well. EPS had also hit out at the ruling governments handling of the Cauvery water issue and said, Tears of Tamil Nadus delta farmers will bring defeat to DMK. Karnataka says it will not give Cauvery water and asserts it will build Mekedatu dam across Cauvery river. Stalin is however silent. In Lok Sabha polls, teach lesson to Stalin who betrays Tamil Nadu and its farmers, Palaniswami said. (With PTI, ANI inputs) Ajit Pawar-led NCP is likely to get the Nasik Lok Sabha seat in exchange for Satara. Sources say that Pawar has been bargaining with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to give the seat to the NCP. Sources indicate that party MLA Chhagan Bhujbal may contest Lok Sabha election from Nasik if NCP gets the seat. In a show of strength, Bhujbal supporters gathered in large numbers in Pune while Ajit Pawar had called a meeting of his party workers. Party sources say that the final call on the Nasik seat will be taken in the Mahayuti meeting, likely on Thursday. Shiv Sena UB chief Uddhav Thackeray has given the Nasik Lok Sabha ticket to Rajabhau Waje while talks are still underway in the Mahayuti with Shiv Sena and NCP both claiming on this seat. Along with Chhagan Bhujbal, names like former MP Devidas Pingle and Manikrao Kokate have also been discussed for the Nasik seat over the last three days at NCP meetings. Sources say that a few leaders from the party have also suggested Ajit Pawar to announce a fresh Maratha face from Nasik to attract the Maratha communitys votes. After much deliberation, party members have given all rights to finalise the candidates for Lok Sabha polls to Ajit Pawar. However, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is adamant about not leaving their incumbent Nasik seat. Last week, Shiv Sena MP Shirkant Shinde announced that Hemant Godse will again contest from the Nasik seat. But BJP and NCP had objected to his announcement. The BJP also sent senior leader Girish Mahajan to Nasik to take stock of the situation. Sources in the Mahayuti alliance have informed that if the NCP agrees to leave Satara Lok Sabha seat, the BJP may help them get the Nasik seat by convincing Eknath Shinde. However, the question remains as to whether Eknath Shinde will give away the Nasik seat to NCP. Sources say that BJP Rajya Sabha MP Udayanraje Bhosale wants to contest the Satara Lok Sabha seat, which he had represented till 2019 as NCP candidate. For the past few weeks, he has been stationed in Delhi to get this seat. A source within the Shiv Sena indicated that leaders of the party are not happy with the way the BJP is cutting the tickets of incumbent MPs. They are also worried that if the situation remains the same till Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, many incumbent MLAs will also not get tickets. The source further said that MPs and MLAs have informed the Shiv Sena leadership of this and have asked them to raise the issue in Mahayuti meetings. Sena leaders are also of the opinion that Mahayuti leadership should consider the ground reports of local leaders instead of sticking to surveys done by the BJP. As actor Govinda joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Thursday ahead of Lok Sabha polls, he reminisced his time in politics between 2004 and 2009 and said that there was vanvaas from 2010 to 2024. It (vanvaas) has ended. I have entered Ram Rajya under Shinde ji, Govinda said. After joining Shiv Sena, veteran Bollywood actor Govinda said, The clean aura (of Shiv Sena) inspired me. I have always said that PM Modi is a very person. We have seen the same level of progress here (in Maharashtra) in the last 2 years, as we have seen in the country in the last 10 years. We will focus on the beautification of the state and the growth of art and culture A Look At His Political Journey The actors entry into politics dates back to 2004 with a big victory in Lok Sabha elections on Congress ticket. He defeated BJP veteran Ram Naik from the North Mumbai Lok Sabha seat by 50,000 votes. His victory was significant as the seat was considered as BJP stronghold. Thereby, as Govinda defeated Ram Naik, a five-time MP he made a significant mark in his political career. The 60-year-old actor has also been a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. During his time as an MP, the actor was unable to be present in the Lok Sabha on a regular basis and was severely criticized because of that. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi has made an emotional appeal to the people of Pilibhit a day after he was denied the Lok Sabha ticket from the seat and Jitin Prasada was announced as a candidate instead. Gandhi posted a letter on micro-blogging website X saying he will continue to serve the people of Pilibhit even though his term as an MP is coming to an end. My term as Pilibhit MP may be ending, but my relationship with Pilibhit will not end till my last breath. I seek your blessings to continue to raise the voice of the common man, no matter what price I have to pay for it, Gandhi wrote in his letter. Recalling the forst time he came to Pilibhit, Gandhi said, I remember the 3-year-old child who came to Pilibhit in 1983 for the first time, holding his mothers hand. Little did I know that this land will become my workplace and its people will become my family. He also said that he will serve the people of Pilibhit as a son if not as an MP. If not as an MP, then as a son, I am committed to serve you throughout my life and my doors will always remain open for you as before. I came into politics to raise the voice of the common man and today I seek your blessings to always continue doing that, no matter at what cost, Gandhi wrote. The Pilibhit seat has been a stronghold of the Sanjay Gandhi family since 1989. Maneka Gandhi registered her maiden Lok Sabha victory from Pilibhit in 1989 on a Janata Dal ticket. In 1991, she lost the seat to Parshuram Gangwar, a BJP candidate, but won it back in 1996, under the Janata Dals banner. After this, her winning streak continued in 1998, 1999, and 2004 as an independent candidate. In 2009, her son Varun made his debut and won Pilibhit on a BJP ticket. In 2014, Maneka Gandhi won the seat on a BJP ticket, after which Varun again emerged victorious on a BJP ticket in 2019. The Karnataka Congress is witnessing a full blown infighting over parivarwaad. Several legislators and leaders are up in arms against Karnataka Minister KH Muniyappa and the candidate for the Kolar Lok Sabha seat. Muniyappa was reportedly assured of the Kolar seat for his son-in-law KG Chikka Peddanna by the Congress high command. Amid these reports, four MLAs and two MLCs from Kolar district, including Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar, have threatened to resign from the membership of the legislature if Muniyappas son-in- law is given the ticket. State Congress MLAs KY Nanjegowda, SN Narayanswamy and Kothur G Manjunath are also among those who have threatened to resign. In fact, two MLCs, Naseer Ahmed and M L Anil Kumar, met the legislative council chairman BS Horatti on Wednesday with their resignation letters in their hands. But Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convinced them not to press for their resignation until he reached Bengaluru from Mysuru. Former Karnataka speaker Ramesh Kumar, who recently lost from the Srinivaspura assembly seat in Kolar, is also against Muniyappas demand. Ramesh Kumar and Muniyappa had been at loggerheads since the Assembly elections last year. The contention of the protesting legislators is that Muniyappa holds a ministerial post and his daughter, Roopakala, is also an MLA. She was also given the chairmanship of a state board recently. Giving the Lok Sabha seat also to his son-in-law is too much. We cannot have every member of one family getting so many posts. We are keen on a candidate who hails from the Right Sect of the Scheduled Caste community that constitute 3.8 lakh voters, one of the dissenting leaders told News18 on the condition of anonymity. Dr MC Sudhakar, explaining why he offered to resign, said that he had suffered due to the politics played out by Muniyappa and his family. He added that despite being a five time MLA, Sudhakars father had to face the brunt of his politics. I was also troubled and I had appealed to the party high command time and again. This gentleman (Muniyappa) was an MP and a central minister, our words were not respected. I have no issues with the party high command. I have the highest regard, yet his word was taken and not ours, the state minister alleged. He added that Muniyappa would encourage dissidence in the constituency. He would align with my opponents, with all these things, I got fed up and offered to leave the party. Though I was offered a ticket twice, I refused and contested as an Independent. The pain I have gone through cannot be expressed, the Karnataka minister said. One may recall that in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the same group of dissenting Congress leaders had teamed together to directly work against KH Muniyappa while extending their support to then sitting MP S Muniswamy. This led to Muniyappas defeat, the first in his political career. Another MLA, Manjunath, told News18, We are not going to accept any pressure tactics from KH Muniyappa. The party has given him enough and we should work for the party and not for a family. Minister Muniyappa and his son-in-law hail from the Left Sect of the Scheduled Caste. The rebellion in the Congress is linked to the internal dynamics within the Dalit community in the state. The scheduled castes in Karnataka are divided into Dalit Right and Dalit Left sects. The protesting Congress leaders and MLAs want a candidate from the Dalit Right to be given a ticket this time from Kolar . There are more than 4 lakh SC (Right) voters in Kolar district and the community needs representation, say leaders from the party. They have suggested the name of SC (Right) leader CM Muniyappa as the rightful aspirant for the Kolar Lok Sabha seat. Another name that is being pitched for the same seat is that of former Rajya Sabha MP L Hanumanthaiah. Incidentally, the Left Sect is larger in number in the Gulbarga constituency where Radhakrishna Doddamani, son-in-law of AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge is the party candidate and KH Muniyappa is said to have a better connect with the SC (Left) voters. Hectic negotiations have been taking place since the developments and the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his troubleshooter colleague DK Shivakumar are expected to meet the MLAS later today to iron out differences and address their concerns. A late night meeting of the disgruntled legislators with CM Siddaramaiah did not take place as he was in Mysuru. I will call and speak to the leaders. This happens in politics. I will meet the Kolar leaders this evening. I will speak to them when I reach Bangalore, Siddaramaiah said on Thursday. No one will give resignation, theres a pressure from their side. The ticket has not been announced yet, we will take a decision this evening. The party will work on winning the first seat, we will work together. Congress party will not give prominence for any individuals prestige, DK Shivakumar said. Whatever the Congress party decides, I will abide by it. When they (dissenting MLAs) defected, I appealed to the high command. Yet they were taken back into the party and given ministries. Still, I stood by the party as I wanted the Congress to form the government and save the people of this state. I kept quiet. And now I will abide by whatever the high command decides, said Minister Muniyappa. Muniyappa has previously served as a member of the Lok Sabha for nearly three decades representing the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency. He was also a union minister in both UPA governments and held important portfolios like Railways and Transport at the time. He recently won from the Devanahalli assembly constituency, having lost the 2019 LS polls. The Congress will release its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls here on April 6, partys Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Thursday. He said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will release the partys manifesto at a public meeting in Jaipur. Randhawa was talking to reporters after the meeting regarding election strategy in the Congress War Room here. He said in todays meeting, the preparations for this public meeting were also discussed. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra handed over responsibilities. He said there is enthusiasm among the leaders and the people, and more and more crowd will come to the public meeting. He said the people have come to know what they (the central government) have done for the people during their 10 years in office. On the question of Congress candidate Sudarshan Rawat expressing his desire not to contest the elections from Rajsamand after being named in the list, Randhawa said every party has to change the ticket from time to time. Many parties change tickets at the last moment, he added. Dotasra said on the occasion that our leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are coming and will release the partys election manifesto in the public meeting. Targeting the BJP government of the state, he said, In four months, they have done only tours, speeches and mislead the people. Apart from this, they have done nothing else. Dotasra claimed that there is enthusiasm among the people about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He described the electoral bonds as the biggest scam in the country. Day after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amravatis independent MP Navneet Rana landed in Mumbai on Thursday to meet Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Navneet joined the BJP at the Bawankules residence in Nagpur along with her supporters and in the presence of senior party leaders from Amravati, Nagpur, Wardha and other places. Her husband Ravi Rana, an MLA, was also present when she joined the BJP. Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi first hit the national headlines in 2022 in connection with a controversy over reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. The lawmaker couple was booked under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code for resisting arrest and obstructing cops from performing their duty. The duo had allegedly obstructed police officers, who visited their residence in Mumbais suburban Khar for arresting them after they announced a plan to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside the private residence of then Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in Bandra. Who is Navneet Rana? According to a report by India.com, Navneet Kaur Rana hails from Mumbai and is the daughter of an Army official. After completing her schooling, Rana started working as a model. She appeared in multiple music videos. Soon Rana also started working in South Indian films. Naveent Rana also hogged the headlines after she blamed the MVA government for the Udaipur-like killing in Amravati as she criticised the former Amravati police commissioner for communal riots and killings, a report by IANS stated. She started her political career after marrying politician Ravi Rana, and contested her first election from Amravati in 2014 on an NCP ticket but did not manage to win the election. Later, Rana was elected from Amravati in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. IANS report stated that Navneet Rana shares a good rapport with deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and also with BJPs central leadership, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Some reports stated that the Bombay high court had fined her Rs 2 lakh in 2021 for submitting a fake caste certificate. Last month, the Supreme Court completed the hearing on the petition against Ranas caste validity and is expected to pronounce the verdict next week. In a case of the BJP allegedly claiming Lok Sabha seats from its ally Shiv Sena, the saffron party has fielded sitting MP Navnit Kaur Rana from her constituency in Maharashtras Amravati. Many leaders in the Eknath Shinde-led party are unhappy that their partner for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is taking away tickets, citing ground surveys. The BJP has claimed Amravati and given a ticket to Rana, who contested and won from the seat as an Independent in the 2019 general elections. But, this has left former MP Anandrao Adsul miffed. The Shiv Sena leader had defeated Rana from this seat in 2014. Navnit Rana is going to lose as there is a pending case against her. There is a lot of anger against her, so how will she contest the election? he asked, adding that the BJP has given a ticket to her, and not the Mahayuti as a whole. Mahayuti did not give her a ticket; yes, the BJP is in the Mahayuti but has declared many tickets on its own. On the ground, the entire BJP cadre is against her, he said. Adsul further said the decision to give a ticket to Rana was not made by Mahayuti, but someone has made the seat a prestige issue. According to Sena sources, party MLAs and MPs want their top leadership to speak to the BJP and ask them not to claim seats based on survey reports. They have also requested the leadership to consider the ground reality from local leaders instead of blindly trusting these surveys. From 1999 to 2014, Amravati was considered a Sena bastion. It was held by Shiv Sena leader Anant Gundhe from 1999 to 2004, and then by Adsul from 2009 to 2019. In 2014, he defeated Rana, who was then contesting on an NCP ticket. She had lost to him by a margin of more than one lakh votes but, in 2019, she wrested the seat from him by 36,501 votes. Last week, Rana was formally inducted into the BJP when the party declared her as a candidate from Amravati. A small induction ceremony was organised at state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankules house in Nagpur. On Thursday, Rana landed in Mumbai to meet deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at his residence in Mumbai. All alliance partners of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) have been asked to cooperate with the official candidates of the Mahayuti. I will also seek the blessing of all senior leaders of the NDA in my constituency. To achieve PM (Narendra) Modi jis dream of development, I will continue to work for the people of Amravati, she told News18. Union home minister Amit Shah has indicated that the Centre would revoke AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act from J&K. In an interview to Gulistan News, Shah said the situation is normal. We are considering revocation of AFSPA. The government has already drawn a roadmap for the withdrawal of troops and that the process will be initiated after elections, as quoted by The Hindu. With assembly elections likely to be held in September in J&K, Shah said, Enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modis promise and it will be fulfilled. However, this democracy will not be confined to three families alone and will be a peoples democracy. What is AFSPA? AFSPA was introduced across troubled areas of the country in three separate acts, the Armed Forces Special Powers (Assam and Manipur) Act, 1958; The Armed Forces (Punjab and Chandigarh) Special Powers Act, 1983; and The Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir). AFSPA has been imposed in the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab during the militancy years. Punjab was the first state from which it was repealed, followed by Tripura and Meghalaya. It remained in force in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, J&K, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Act gives special powers to the Indian Army to maintain peace in areas, which were considered disturbed by the Centre. The Act is controversial as it empowers security personnel to use force and shoot as deemed fit to maintain public order. It also grants soldiers executive powers to enter premises, search, and arrest without a warrant on the basis of reasonable suspicion. It allows the armed forces to open fire, even causing death, against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition. The Supreme Court in its 1998 order upheld the constitutionality of AFSPA, and said a suo-motu declaration can be made by the Central government, however, it is desirable that the state government should be consulted by the Centre before making the declaration. Historically, AFSPA was introduced by the British to stop the Quit India Movement in 1942 launched by Mahatma Gandhi. The Act was implemented on August 15, 1942. Why There is No Need for AFSPA in J&K The Centre introduced the Act in J&K in 1990s as it believed several parts of the J&K were disturbed, and defence forces should be given power to maintain peace in the region. It was implemented during the rise of militancy in the Union Territory. The then J&K government declared Kashmir Valley as a disturbed area under Section 3 of AFSPA. Later, in August 2001, it extended provision to Jammu province. Since the Abrogation of Article 370, militancy related incidents have declined in the J&K, paving the way for the Centre to consider the need to remove AFSPA in the region. During the BJP government at Centre, only 2,197 militancy-related incidents took place in J&K compared to 40,164 cases between 1994 and 2004, and 7,217 from 2004 to 2014. According to J&K Police data, militancy cases have seen a decline of 80% in 2023 compared to previous years. What is the Status of AFSPA in Northeast? AFSPA is currently enforced in 31 districts and partially in 12 districts of four states in the Northeast Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, was completely withdrawn in Meghalaya in 2018, Tripura in 2015 and Mizoram in the 1980s. The Centres announcement of reducing the disturbed area under AFSPA in the Northeast was made by Amit Shah based on the recommendations of a high-level committee set up to examine the possibility of lifting the law after the killing of 14 civilians by the Army in Nagalands Mon district in December 2021. All 15 districts of Nagaland have been declared disturbed area since 1995. In Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang and Longing districts, and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevour police stations in Namsai district bordering Assam were declared disturbed areas under AFSPA. In for Assam, a notification was issued by the state government, which said disturbed area under the AFSPA has been withdrawn completely from 23 districts and one sub-division of the states 33 districts. In Manipur, the disturbed area tag will no longer be applicable in seven police station areas of Imphal West district, four police station areas under Imphal East district and one police station area each in the districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam. The disturbed area declaration is in force in entire Manipur, except Imphal municipality area, since 2004. A Bengaluru man died of colon burst after his friend put the nozzle of an electric blow-dryer for vehicles into his rectum and inflated it for fun, police said. According to the police, 24-year-old Yogish died after his friend Murali (25) pumped hot air into his rectum playfully. The incident took place on March 25 in Bengalurus Sampigehalli area when Yogish visited the CNS bike Service Centre where Murali worked. Police told News18 that Murali was employed at the service centre, where his friend Yogesh went to get his two-wheeler washed. Police said after the motorbike wash was done, both started playing with a powerful electric blow-dryer used to dry vehicles. Murali first used the blow-dryer on Yogeshs face, then his back, and finally filled his rectum with hot air, police said. As the warm-hot filtered air entered Yogishs body via the anus, his abdomen expanded and he collapsed. As Yogish collapsed, Murali rushed him to the hospital where doctors said due to the high pressure of the blow-dyer, there was massive damage to Yogishs intestines. Doctors said Yogish needed an emergency operation. However, Yogish failed to respond to the treatment and died at a local hospital on Wednesday morning. Police said Yogish hailed from Vijayapura and worked as a delivery agent in Bengaluru. Police also said that he was living with his grandmother at Thanisandra. A case has been filed at Sampigehalli police station under Section 304 (culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code. Police have arrested Murali. The police, however, said they were waiting for the postmortem report to know how Yogishs organs were damaged. The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected the pleas moved by the Congress party against the initiation of income tax re-assessment proceedings against it for four years by the tax authorities. The matter was heard by a division bench of Justices Yashwant Varma and Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. Earlier on March 22, the court dismissed the petitions filed by Congress to challenge the re-assessment proceedings for assessment years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The latest four petitions for other assessment years in relation to which IT Department has initiated their proceedings, were dismissed by the court on similar grounds on Thursday. The Congress party in the recent few weeks faced multiple tax-related proceedings. Launching an attack on the ruling BJP government, Congress has accused the Union government of attempting to financially cripple the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Congress has received back-to-back dismissals from the courts against its challenge to the proceedings initiated by the IT Department. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday alleged in a letter that an incident of sexual molestation of two students at a medical college in Delhi was suppressed by the Health Secretary. Deeply shocked to know that young girl students of medical college run by the Delhi government, were denied justice because the government was never informed by the Secretary (Health) about such ghastly incident, the Delhi minister said in his letter. According to an Indian Express report, the alleged incident took place on January 31 during the practical exam of the Pharmacology department. The student claimed in her complaint that the professor asked her uncomfortable questions and touched her private parts. The complainant further said the professor asked her to come to the department alone on the pretext of teaching her how to write answers for the exam. In his letter, Saurabh Bharadwaj further claimed that the Secretary (Health) tried to defend his inaction on the pretext that it is a services matter and doesnt fall under the purview of the Health Minister. I fail to understand how can sexual molestation with girl students in a Medical College can be termed as a Services matter. And in the name of Services matter, the Secretary (Health) is trying to escape all accountability, the Delhi Health Minister said, adding how can the criminal activities be given shelter in the name of Services matter? Saurabh Bharadwaj further noted it is even more shocking that the actions of the Secretary (Health) were defended by the Chief Secretary (CS). Instead of following the directions of the Health Minister with respect to negligence and apathy being shown by the Internal Complaints Committee, the CS chose to question the wisdom of the Health Minister. It comes as no surprise that the same Internal Complaints Committee gave a clean chit to the accused Professor, the Delhi Health Minister noted in his letter. According to a TOI report, Saurabh Bharadwaj, on March 20, wrote to Delhi LG VK Saxena urging him to take strict action against the accused in the matter. The Union government is pushing for rigorous training of IPS and judicial officers on subjects related to cybercrime and digital fraud. For the first time, elite training institutes have prepared a training calendar emphasising on these issues by dedicating almost 50 per cent of the sessions to such topics in 2024. Officials aware of the schedules have told News18 that, in a first, the government has asked elite institutes to dedicate maximum sessions to these topics. According to the calendar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) has planned courses like cybercrime investigation, OSINT & Social Media Analysis, Cyber Security for Judicial Officers etc for mid-level to senior-level IPS and judicial officers. Sources said during the DGP/IGP Conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also expressed a desire to focus on the next level of crimes and train police regarding the same. The conference will also deliberate on futuristic themes in policing and security like the challenges posed by new technologies such as AI, Deepfake etc. and ways to deal with them, the Prime Ministers Office had said in a press release. Among over a dozen topics on the agenda, issues such as Emerging cyber threats from national-state actors and strategies to mitigate threats on critical information structure, Challenges posed by AI Tools: Chat GPT, AI enabled crime and use of Internet of Things devices and Weaponisation of Social media: Challenges and Responses saw long discussions and brainstorming sessions during the last conference. Apart from these topics, training sessions on digital payment frauds, cyber forensic dark web and crypto currency have been planned for officers up to the level of IGPs. A government official said the highest-ever sessions have been dedicated to such issues this year. A senior government official told News18 that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)s cyber experts will also take sessions on these topics, not only for IPS officers but also for judicial officers. Sources said this year, the number of sessions has been doubled, hinting at the priority of the government. The government is also training a few officials to create a new dedicated wing of cyber commandos who will be drawn from police forces of states and Union Territories as well as from central police organisations. In its latest communication to states and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all police forces to identify 10 suitable cyber commandos. The idea of the cyber commando wing had come up earlier this year when PM Modi recommended its setting up during the DGP/IG conference. A special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court in Gujarats Banaskantha district on Thursday sentenced former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years of jail in a case of alleged drug planting dating back to 1996. The court had, on Wednesday, held Bhatt guilty of falsely implicating a Rajasthan-based lawyer by claiming that in 1996 police had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur where the lawyer was staying. Bhatt, who is already in jail for a custodial death case, was sacked from the Indian Police Service in 2015. He was then serving as the superintendent of police of Banaskantha district. The district police under him had arrested Rajasthan lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in 1996, claiming they had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur where he was staying. However, the Rajasthan police later said Rajpurohit was falsely implicated by the Banaskantha police to compel him to transfer a disputed property located at Pali in Rajasthan. Former police inspector IB Vyas had moved the Gujarat High Court in 1999 demanding a thorough inquiry into the case. 10 facts about Sanjiv Bhatt A former IPS officer of the Gujarat-cadre, 60-year-old Sanjiv Bhatt is known for his role in filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India against the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, concerning Modis alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. In 2015, Bhatt was removed from the police service for unauthorised absence. In October 2015, the Supreme Court quashed Bhatts plea for constituting a special investigation team (SIT) for cases filed against him by Gujarat government. The court also lifted a stay on his trial in these cases and asked him to face prosecution. Bhatt belongs to a Kashmiri Pandit family and has a masters degree in engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is married to Shweta Bhatt. In 1990, as the Additional Superintendent of Police, he detained 150 people to control a riot in Jamnagar district. Prabhudas Vaishnani, one of the detainees, died of kidney failure a few days later, after being hospitalised. His brother lodged an FIR against Bhatt and six other policemen, alleging that he had been tortured in police custody. Another man, Vijaysinh Bhatti, alleged that he had been beaten up by Bhatt. He was accused in another custodial torture case in 1998. From December 1999 to September 2002, he worked as Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence in the State Intelligence Bureau at Gandhinagar. He was responsible for looking after the states internal security, border and coastal security, and security of vital installations. In 2003, Bhatt was posted as the superintendent of Sabarmati Central Jail. There, he became very popular among the prisoners. He introduced desserts like gajar ka halwa on the jail menu. He also posted undertrials in the Godhra train burning case on a jail committee. Two months after his appointment, he was transferred for being too friendly with the prisoners and bestowing favours upon them. In November 2012, Bhatt and six other policemen were charged with murder in the 1990 custodial death case of Prabhudas Vaishnani. On 20 June 2019, he was sentenced to life in the case. (With inputs from PTI, agencies) HANGZHOU, March 27 (Xinhua) -- On a warm spring day, Liu Song strolled past the lush green wheat fields and through the blooming rapeseed flower fields that span 100 mu (about 7 hectares) before arriving at his office. There, he had a meeting scheduled with his team to discuss investment promotion matters. He is a village CEO, also known as an agricultural manager. Like a CEO overseeing a company, a village CEO manages various aspects of a village's agricultural and economic activities. This includes supervising agricultural cooperatives, providing technical assistance, and overseeing marketing efforts aimed at promoting agricultural products. Since September 2020, Liu has been employed by Yong'an Village in Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. His position became available after it was included among the 13 new professions introduced jointly by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Bureau of Statistics in 2019. Yong'an Village spans a total area of 7.09 square kilometers, with 97 percent of the land designated as permanent basic farmland. Upon his arrival, Liu was told that "the village lacked funds, skilled professionals, and suitable space for business investments." However, Liu decided to tackle these challenges head on. Having grown up in a rural area, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Zhejiang University. With experience in three listed companies and a background in entrepreneurship, Liu was determined to create opportunities out of adversity. Being located near Hangzhou, the provincial capital, Yong'an has seen a shift away from traditional farming as the primary source of income for local villagers. Many younger residents sought job opportunities elsewhere, while older generations remained, relying on rice cultivation for their livelihoods. Nevertheless, the village's most valuable asset remains its vast farmland. Liu saw this as his first challenge and promptly devised a solution. He focused on integrating the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors to enhance the local economy, maximize growth, and boost overall competitiveness. After more than three years of efforts, the comprehensive income per mu of land in Yong'an has increased from around 2,755 yuan (388.3 U.S. dollars) to about 8,000 yuan. In 2022, the operating income of the village surpassed 5 million yuan. Liu is among numerous village CEOs in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Yunnan who have spearheaded efforts to attract professionals to contribute to developing rural areas across China. Fueled by a love for rural life, urbanites are increasingly drawn to such positions, which also offer competitive salaries. Liu now leads a team of over 30 members. He has also encouraged his team members to cooperate with eight neighboring villages. Shen Yan, who works in Xiadoumen Village, is one of them. She is a native of Yong'an Village with experience studying abroad. "Returning to my hometown is a natural choice, and there are many things I can do here," she said. "When I was young, the roads in the village were very bumpy. I can't even count how many times I fell off my bike and landed in a ditch. Now the village roads are smooth, the trees by the houses have grown tall, and the river water has become clearer. In September 2023, Liu joined a provincial vocational training program for village CEOs and worked as a mentor. He said, "Every village has unique resources, and we are willing to share our experience and exchange ideas with peers." Operational capabilities and management experience honed in the market, combined with an open mind, enthusiasm, and commitment, are important prerequisites for becoming a Village CEO, Liu said. In the long run, it is crucial to nurture local individuals with knowledge and skills to propel rural development, he added. A fire broke out in an eight-storey commercial building in suburban Malad area of Mumbai on Thursday, officials said. The blaze was reported around 11.30 am, and it is confined to some shops on the fifth and sixth floors of the Central Plaza Complex located on Daftary Road in Malad East, a civic official said. There is no report of any injury to anyone, the official said, adding that smoke engulfed the fifth and sixth floors of the building. At least six fire engines and other vehicles were rushed to the spot for the firefighting operation, he said.Personnel of the Mumbai police, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies have been mobilised. Further details about the incident are awaited. Underlining that legal processes in the country are only driven by the rule of law, India on Thursday rejected the latest comments made by the US State Department as completely unacceptable and added that fellow democracies should respect the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such imputation on our electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are only driven by the rule of law. Anyone who shares a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact, External Affairs Ministry (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference on Thursday. India is proud of its robust and democratic institutions. We are committed to protecting them from any form of undue external influence. Mutual respect and understanding form the basis of international relations, and states are expected to respect the sovereignty and internal affairs of others, Jaiswal said in response to a question during the presser. MEAs strong rebuttal comes as the United States stuck to its remarks on Arvind Kejriwals arrest, despite India summoning a senior US diplomat to lodge its protest. The country has also now commented on the freezing of bank accounts of the Congress. On Wednesday, Washington stressed that it encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes and we dont think anyone should object to that. We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Miller was responding to a question during the State Department briefing over India summoning Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in New Delhi earlier in the day, as well as, on freezing of Congress partys bank accounts. We are also aware of the Congress partys allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. And we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues, the State Department said. Millers remarks came a day after the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena at its office in South Block in Delhi and lodged a strong protest against a US State Department officials remarks on Kejriwals arrest. The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes. Earlier, the Indian government took strong objection to the remarks of the spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents, the MEA said. Indias legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted, the MEA said. The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi governments excise policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped. Over 600 lawyers from across India have addressed a letter to the Chief Justice of India, expressing serious concerns over what they describe as political and professional pressure to influence judicial outcomes. The letter titled, Judiciary under threat safeguarding judiciary from political and professional pressure, has been signed by prominent lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Agarwal, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand and Swaroopama Chaturvedi, among others. The letter alleges actions of a specific interest group aiming to undermine the judiciarys integrity. This group, according to the lawyers, is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. These actions, they argue, pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes. The lawyers have highlighted several concerning methods, including the propagation of false narratives about a so-called golden era of the judiciary, aimed at discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts. They create false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of the courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present. These are nothing but intentional statements, made to sway court decisions and to embarrass the courts for certain political gains. Its troubling to see some lawyers defend politicians by the day, and then try to influence judges through the media at night. Implying that the courts in the past were easier to influence shakes the publics trust in them, the letter says. The letter has also accused the pressure group of floating a theory of bench fixing, calling it disrespectful and contemptuous. They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices, the lawyers added. The lawyers have also hit out at the tactics employed by the interest group involving selective criticism or praise of court decisions based on their political agenda described it as a My way or the highway approach. Concerns have also been raised about political flip-flopping, where politicians alternate between accusing individuals of corruption and defending them in court. The lawyers have also pointed to the alleged use of underhand tactics and dissemination of false information to influence judicial appointments and outcomes. The lawyers note the strategic timing of these tactics around election periods, drawing parallels to similar activities in 2018-2019. Senior members of the bar have requested the Supreme Court to take protective measures against these attacks to maintain the judiciarys integrity. The letter calls for a united stand in support of the judiciary to ensure it remains a strong pillar of democracy, urging decisive leadership in addressing these challenges. The Manipur government which had declared that March 31, which is Easter Sunday, as a working day has retracted its order on Thursday following protests by the Christian community. Christians worldwide celebrate the Easter festival which marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The state government on Wednesday said in a notification that March 30 and 31 will be working days in government departments despite being Saturday and Sunday for smooth functioning of offices in the last few days of financial year. The government modified the order on Thursday. A notification by the General Administration Department said, In partial modification of the government order dated March 27, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to declare that only March 30 will be a working day for all government offices including public sector undertakings/ corporations/ autonomous bodies/ societies under the state government The modification came after the previous order caused a stir among the Christian population in the northeastern state. The Tangkhul Naga Baptist Convention, Mao Baptist Churches Association and Senapati District Students Association condemned the order, terming it as a blatant violation and infringement to the religious rights and freedom of Christians in the state. Telangana polices new eagle squad is almost ready and will become operational soon. Recently, the smart eagles that have been trained to bring down drones gave a demonstration at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy in Moinabad. Three birds painstakingly trained over the last three years intercepted drones with precision. One of the eagles was fitted with surveillance cameras to take images of targets. The eagle squad is part of the Internal Security Wing (ISW), a branch that oversees VVIP protection in Telangana. Sharing details about the development, Tafseer Iqbal, deputy inspector general of police (ISW) said: This demonstration was the result of three years of experimentation and hard work. We found out which species of eagles works best for us and the best ways to train them. Economically sound The police worked with two bird trainers Abir Bhandary and Md Fareed for the project. This is touted as the only eagle squad in India and the second one in the world after the Netherlands. Tafseer Iqbal said that the birds are used in red-zone areas where drones are not allowed. They cannot differentiate between home and enemy drones. One of the biggest advantages of this squad is the low cost. Its economically very sound. Investment in nano and macro-level drones for such projects involves crores of rupees. But in the eagle squad, we need to spend only on the birds and training, said the IPS officer, who was recently appointed special secretary to the government, and commissioner, minority welfare department. These trained birds are very good at spotting the drones and they bring them down immediately. After this demonstration, we are receiving queries about it from all over the world. Its interesting to note that though the Dutch police started using an eagle squad for the same purposes in 2016, they discontinued it after a year. The reasons cited were that the squad was inefficient, the maintenance of the birds was expensive, and that it was not safe for the eagles. Reasons for concern One of the factors to be considered here, say experts, is the safety of the birds. Drones have propellers, which have sharp blades. They might injure the bird. Also, drones have anti-collision sensors. They might sense the birds and change their course, said bird behaviourist Ali, who advocates for cage-free birds through his initiative Fancy Feathers. Eagles are best suited for this kind of job as they have the required body weight and a large wing span. But the ability of the birds to take down these aerial vehicles also depends on the size of the drones. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday after he suffered a heart attack at a jail in Uttar Pradeshs Banda district. He was admitted to Rani Durgavati Medical College, Banda after his health deteriorated. Also Read: Mukhtar Ansari Death & Funeral Latest Updates The official medical bulletin said that Ansari died of cardiac arrest. He was brought to Rani Durgavati Medical College in an unconscious state at around 8.25 pm. Ansari, who has served as MLA from Mau several times, has been sentenced in various cases and was lodged in Banda jail. Meanwhile, the police have tightened security in Mau, Gazipur, and Banda and section 144 of CrPc has been imposed in these districts. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, were imposed across Uttar Pradesh following Ansaris death, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. There is a special deployment of police personnel in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts, he added. Samajwadi Party (SP) expressed condolences over the former MLAs death. , ! Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) March 28, 2024 Former Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said Ansaris poison complaint was not taken seriously and constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases. Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 28, 2024 Congress leader Surendra Rajput said Ansaris death in the jail raises a big question against the BJP-led UP government and demanded that this should be investigated thoroughly so that everyone gets to know what is going on. The 63-year-old is a five-time former MLA from the Mau Sadar seat and has been behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He has over 60 criminal cases pending against him. On March 26, the gangster was admitted to the same medical college for around 14 hours after he complained of abdominal pain. Principal of Rani Durgavati Medical College, Banda, Sunil Kaushal said that Ansari was admitted to the hospital following pain in the stomach and problem in urinating and excretion. He was discharged later. As per the official statement of the prison department released in Lucknow on Tuesday, Mukhtar Ansari fell in the toilet in night. (with inputs from PTI) Police claimed to have busted a share trading scam with the arrest of a man from Mira Road locality in Maharashtras Thane district. They also seized seven mobile phones, 15 SIM cards, nine ATM cards of different banks, two cheque books, two PAN cards and four rubber stamps, senior police inspector Gajanan Kadam said. The scam came to light after a man lodged a complaint, in which he alleged that he was duped of Rs 29 lakh between January 18 and February 29 this year after being lured into investing in share trading schemes that promised high returns, he said. Acting on the complaint, Navi Mumbais cyber police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of 39-year-old Piyush Jawarilal Lodha from Mira Road in the early hours of March 23. During the interrogation, Lodha admitted that he was involved in the scam, he added. In a move to mitigate the financial damage caused by the scam, the police worked closely with banks to freeze an amount of Rs 16,71,750, identified in various accounts linked to the scam, Kadam said. The CBI has filed a closure report in its probe into the alleged irregularities in the leasing of aircraft by NACIL, a company formed by the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines during the UPA era, as there was no evidence of any wrongdoing, officials said Thursday. The CBI, which had taken up the investigation in 2017 on the orders of the Supreme Court, filed the closure report before a special court recently. The officials said other cases related to alleged irregularities in Air India, including the seat-sharing arrangement with private international airlines, are continuing. The special court will decide whether to accept the report or direct the agency to probe further on the points the court may raise. The case pertained to the allegations regarding irregularities in leasing a large number of aircraft by Air India which resulted in huge losses to the national carrier while private persons made pecuniary gains. This leasing was done by the public servants of Ministry of Civil Aviation under minister Praful Patel and National Aviation Corporation of India Ltd. (NACIL) despite the airlines running with very low load because of large scale aircraft acquisition and several flights, especially overseas ones, running almost empty at a huge loss, the FIR had alleged. The National Aviation Corporation of India Ltd. was formed after the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines. The agency has alleged that the decision was made dishonestly, and the aircraft were leased even while an acquisition program was going on. The leasing decision was taken in conspiracy with other unknown persons on extraneous considerations that resulted in pecuniary benefit to private companies and consequent loss to government exchequer, the FIR had alleged. The aircraft leasing decision in 2006 was taken despite overseas flights running almost empty at a huge loss, it had alleged. Air India, to benefit private parties, dry leased four Boeing 777s for a period of five years in 2006, whereas it was to get the delivery of its own aircraft from July, 2007 onwards. As a result, five Boeing 777s and five Boeing 737s were kept idle on the ground at an estimated loss of Rs 840 crores during the period of 2007-09, the FIR had alleged. A jawan of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) allegedly shot himself dead while on duty at the Kolkata airport on Thursday, officials said. He was posted outside gate number 5 at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here, they said. The 25-year-old jawan, who hails from Telangana, allegedly shot himself with his service gun early on Thursday, the officials said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, they said. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Bullying and browbeating others is vintage Congress culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday while responding to a letter to Indias Chief Justice by hundreds of lawyers, who flagged what they described as a threat from actions of a specific interest group aiming to undermine the judiciarys integrity. The Prime Minister took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a committed judiciary they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them. To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture.5 decades ago itself they had called for a committed judiciary they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians https://t.co/dgLjuYONHH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2024 PM Modi was referring to the time when Congress Indira Gandhi, in the 1970s, advocated a committed judiciary. The Congress government had then superseded three judges to make a CJI and repeated the same a couple of years later, attracting a lot of resistance from the legal community. Congress reacts Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X in response to PM Modis post, calling it the height of hypocrisy. He said 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon, a reference to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from April to June. The PMs brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy!The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is but one example. The Supreme https://t.co/R00ZRdWa7S Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 28, 2024 Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also responded to PM Modis post asking listing four points and asking him to stop blaming his party. PM @narendramodi ji,You are talking about Judiciary. 1. You conveniently forget that 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges were forced to hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against destruction of Democracy. That happened under your regime. One of the judges was Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 28, 2024 Earlier in the day, over 600 lawyers from across India addressed a letter to the Chief Justice of India, expressing serious concerns over what they describe as political and professional pressure to influence judicial outcomes. The letter titled, Judiciary under threat safeguarding judiciary from political and professional pressure, was signed by prominent lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Agarwal, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand and Swaroopama Chaturvedi, among others. The letter alleges actions of a specific interest group aiming to undermine the judiciarys integrity. This group, according to the lawyers, is employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. These actions, they argue, pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes. The lawyers have highlighted several concerning methods, including the propagation of false narratives about a so-called golden era of the judiciary, aimed at discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts. Chanting lessons from the Quran, discussing desh prem (patriotism), teaching the duties of being a Hindustani, and lessons on Bharatiyata while learning the true meaning of Kashmiriyat this is how Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, affiliated to the Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan project, has made successful inroads among Kashmiri Muslims and managed to establish and run 1,250 schools for children in the Valley, that has an over 95% Muslim population. Sewa Bharati is an educational initiative of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The 1,250 Ekal Vidyalayas (an informal school education system) spread across 10 districts in Kashmir valley also include 180 such schools in Kashmirs Baramulla district, which has witnessed several terror attacks on civilians and security forces. According to data available with the organisation, the Valley saw an around 53% jump in the number of Ekal Vidyalayas since 2022, from 800 to 1,250 in the past two years. News18 has accessed exclusive details of the success story of Sewa Bharati, which has achieved a feat that was almost unthinkable in Kashmir a few years ago, said security experts and academicians. For security reasons and to respect the sensitivity of the situation in the Valley, News18 is withholding the names and details of the teachers, and the project leads of various districts in Kashmir. Key objectives The schools have Muslim students, primarily girls, and have been run and maintained by Muslim teachers and Aviyan Pramukhs (project in-charges). Village committees with five to six members in each supervise the schools. Some of them are local representatives of panchayats as well. The primary objective has been to teach the true value of Kashmiriyat, desh prem, duties of being a Hindustani, and protecting them from joining the stone-pelters, said a senior member of the committee. The medium of teaching is Kashmiri and Urdu. We do not want our children to become stone-pelters or join groups of terrorists. We do not want them to indulge in drug addiction, said Amir Mirza (name changed), a senior associate with the project. Over the past five years, in Baramulla district, no student of Ekal Vidyalaya dropped out or joined the stone-pelters for money. They are all proud Hindustani Muslims. We do teach them the Quran here and we never faced any adverse reaction from the organisation in this regard. Amir joined the project 12 years ago when he was 24. In the past years, he was threatened several times by armed militants and witnessed multiple instances of violence in his village. The project was termed a conspiracy as well, he said. However, he managed to stick to his work and got support from the locals. Fight for Kashmiriyat The young members who run the whole system are the local Kashmiris. They call the project their fight to save Kashmiriyat. Ekal Vidyalayas have been running in the region for over a decade, but they have received a rousing response and support from the locals in the past five to six years. Even though the senior members of the state committees dont want to connect the rise in numbers with the abrogation of Article 370 sections, they say that society and locals have been witnessing a change, as they are connecting with the idea of national integration. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu-Kashmir event last month saw a huge public response, reflecting the change in Kashmiri society, said a senior member of the organisation. The Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan has a four-tier structure to run the schools, which include Anchal Abhiyan Pramukh (area head), Prashikshan Pramukh (teaching head), Mulyankan Pramukh (evaluation head) and Jagaran Pramukh (campaign head). All these positions have Kashmiri Muslims who work as volunteers to fight for Kashmiriyat, said the senior member. Around 70% or more teachers are women. The schools follow the syllabus of the general education system in J&K. Some children come from the villages where there are no formal schools, while others come from very poor families who cannot afford the school education system, said Hina Ahmed (name changed), a teacher. We try to provide primary and post-primary education to the kids. Apart from the general subjects, we teach about nationalist ideas and have a special subject called Kashmiriyat. We also teach them about the history of the region. The students in the school celebrate Independence Day, Republic Day, and all other major local and national festivals, she added. Numbers grew by 53% According to the last published annual report of 2021-22 by the Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan, until 2022, the organisation ran these schools in 480 villages in the Kashmir valley. The number of schools in each village could be more than one as well. In 2021-22, the organisation received Rs 129 crore as domestic donations, while Rs 44 crore came from international donors. The report stated, Ekal emphasises through its school curriculum, student enrolment, volunteers selection and other operating practices with equal respect for all religious faiths. Due emphasis is placed on local cultural heritage to consolidate a sense of pride and self-respect. The fact that Ekal Vidyalaya are running in 480 villages of Kashmir valley, which is exclusively inhabited by Muslims and similarly in several villages of Tamil Nadu and Kerala which are predominantly Muslim or Christian, is testimony to such true secular practice. During a meeting this month of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), known as the highest decision-making body of the RSS, Manmohan Vaidya, a senior Sangh functionary and joint general secretary, said that the minorities are coming closer to the organisation. Situation tense in Uttarakhands Udham Singh Nagar after unidentified assailants shot dead Nanakmatta Gurudwara Kar Sewa chief Baba Tarsem Singh. According to police, two bike-borne men fired indiscriminately at Baba Tarsem Singh inside the dera around 6:30am on Thursday. Singh, who was critically injured in the incident, was taken to a hospital in Khatima where he was declared dead. Udham Singh Nagar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manjunath TC reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Two unidentified assailants who came on bike opened fire at Baba Tarsem Singh inside the dera. We have deployed several police teams, along with the special task force (STF), to nab the killers. We will also constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the murder, Uttarakhand additional director general of police (Law and Order) AP Anshuman said. A report in Times of India quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the men on the motorcycle entered the deras open gates and opened fire at Tarsem Singh, who was seated on a chair inside. We are committed to apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice swiftly. Three gun shells of .315 bore have been recovered from the spot which indicate that country-made pistols were used in the shooting, SSP Manjunath was quoted as saying. The Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara is a revered Sikh shrine located on the Rudrapur-Tanakpur route in Udham Singh Nagar district of the state. In a tale of a mans undeterred spirit to contest polls, Tamil Nadus K. Padmarajan, popularly known as Election King failed 238 times in his attempt to secure a seat. However, the 65-year old man remains unperturbed as he gears up to participate in the 2024 Lok Sabha Election. The tyre repair shop owner began fighting elections in 1988 from his home town of Mettur, located in Tamil Nadu. This year, however, he will be contesting a parliamentary seat in Tamil Nadus Dharmapuri district. When asked about his repeated participation in the polls over the years, Padmarajan said, All candidates seek victory in elections, Not me. While adding that for him, the victory is in participating, he claimed that when his defeat inevitably comes, he is happy losing. Indias Election King has reportedly competed across the country in elections ranging from presidential to local polls. Victory is secondary, he said. Who is the opposite candidate? I do not care. Padmarajans main preoccupation now is extending his losing streak. Over more than three decades of him contesting polls he claimed to have spent a huge amount of money in nomination fees. For his recent tilt, he has paid a security deposit of Rs 25,000 which will not be refunded unless he wins more than 16 percent of the vote. His one victory has been to earn a place as Indias most unsuccessful candidate in the Limca Book of Records, the countrys archive of records held by Indians. In 2011, Padmarajan had his best performance, when he stood for the assembly elections in Mettur. He won 6,273 votes, as compared to more than 75,000 for the eventual victor. I did not even expect one vote, he said. But it showed that people are accepting me. Along with his tyre repair shop, Padmarajan also provides homoeopathic remedies and works as an editor for local media. But among all his jobs, fighting elections was the most important, he said. Lessons From Defeat Padmarajan, who was once ridiculed is now asked to address students about resilience. He uses his campaigns to explain how to bounce back from defeat. I do not think of winning failure is best, he said. If we are in that frame of mind, we do not get stressed. Talking about individual right and need to vote, Padmarajan said it was important, now more than ever, that every citizen of the country exercise their franchise. It is their right, they should cast their votes, in that respect there is no winning or losing, he said. The tyre shop owner from Tamil Nadu has claimed that he will continue to fight elections until his last breath, but would be shocked if he ever won. I will have a heart attack, he laughed and said. (with inputs from AFP) The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO), responsible for recruitment within the UKs National Health Service (NHS), aims to position India as the global hub for medical talent. The largest group of 65,000 doctors of Indian origin in the UK plans to transform India into a top choice for doctor recruitment or for Indians seeking opportunities abroad. We aim to make India the skill capital of the world, Parag Singhal, national secretary, BAPIO, told News18 in an exclusive interview. We are entering skill building in India. Our three-year programme will enable MBBS graduates to gain UK qualifications and open the doors to the world, he said over a phone call. Ending the speculation about the NHS hiring 2,000 doctors from India, Singhal clarified: The NHS is not recruiting the speculated 2,000 doctors from India. While it has been hiring from the country, its not in such large numbers. He claimed that BAPIO is the only organisation via which NHS hires in India. We run 13 centres in India in several states where we train doctors and then hire for roles in NHS hospitals. In fact, in the last three years, we have hired 140 doctors from India all at junior and middle levels. He said that at present, NHS is hunting for consultant level hiring from India which is senior-level recruitment. Weve begun hiring according to our needs. However, its uncertain how many vacancies will arise in NHS hospitals. It could be as few as five or as many as a hundred. Expanding Footprints in India The lobby has decided to expand its footprint in the country. We are adding more centres. The list includes Cloud Nine hospitals across India, South Delhi, Mohali, Siliguri, new centre in Nagpur and Aurobindo University Hospitals across Madhya Pradesh. Presently, the centres are in Delhi (five centres), Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Indore, Gwalior, Bengaluru, Calicut and Chennai. Singhal clarified that the NHS also recruits from numerous other countries, not just India. We are running similar programmes in the Middle East, Pakistan, and European Union for hiring consultants. Soon, we will be opening centres for junior-level hiring in the Middle East and Central Asia. How do they train Indian doctors for UK? While labelling Indian doctors as brilliant and outstanding, Singhal said those at the junior level who have recently finished MBBS require understanding to execute whatever they have learnt so far. Mid-level doctors need more soft skills. The curriculum in India does not teach the way doctors should communicate with the patient, patients family, compassion and teamwork. Knowledge is not a problem with Indian doctors. We only need to polish them. Senior-level doctors who are hired for consultant roles in the UK face a mismatch of expectations. The role of a consultant is different in the UK from India. In the UK, you are a leader if you are a consultant. From managing the staff to deciding the team budget, managing the financial crisis, the consultant shoulders additional responsibility of team leader apart from handling his patients. Singhal believes that gaining work experience in the UK equips doctors to excel in various global settings, including the US and Europe. Moreover, if doctors choose to return to India, their experience will also benefit the country. Easter is important to millions of Christians throughout the world as it represents Jesus Christs triumphant resurrection after his crucifixion and marks the end of the sorrowful 40-day period known as Lent. Easter, which commemorates Jesus Christs rebirth, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by Christians around the world. It is believed that on this day, Jesus resurrected from the dead after being crucified on Good Friday. While certain festivals, such as Christmas, have set dates, the date for Easter varies from year to year. This year, Easter falls on Sunday, March 31. ALSO READ: Happy Easter 2024: Best Wishes, Images, Messages and Quotes to Share With Loved Ones Easter 2024: Date And Why Is Easter Earlier This Year? According to Fox10, as believers focus on the profound themes of sacrifice, redemption, and renewal, Easter acts as a beacon of hope and spiritual rebirth, reminding them of the enduring power of faith and the promise of fresh beginnings. Easter Sunday not only marks the end of Holy Week and the end of the solemn month of Lent, but it also announces a time of joyful celebration and rejuvenation for Christians worldwide. The date of Easter changes with each passing year, and this years Easter arrives a little sooner than normal, bringing an added layer of excitement to the festivities, Fox10 reports. According to Almanac.com, Easter always falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Moon, which is the full moon that occurs on or after the March or spring equinox. While Christmas is fixed on a solar calendar, Easter is dependent on lunar cycles, hence the date might change. Rest assured; Easter dates are planned well in advance. Easter 2024: History And Significance The story of Easter is told in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus was arrested by Roman authorities because he claimed to be the Son of God. Pontius Pilate, the Roman Emperor, sentenced him to death by crucifixion. His resurrection three days later commemorates Easter. This day is also strongly related with the Jewish Passover holiday. Easter marks the end of the Passion of Christ, which began with Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, and finished with Holy Week. Maundy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus last supper) and Jesus Christs death on Good Friday are part of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. Easter 2024: How It Is Celebrated Around The World? Easter is celebrated in many ways around the world, with many nations infusing their own traditions and rituals into the festival. The weeklong festivities begin a week before Easter Sunday. The period is known as Holy Week, and it is supposed to cover the time between Jesus arrival in Jerusalem and His crucification. The festivities begin on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. It is a time when Catholics get together to remember and participate in Jesus Christs Passion. The Passion marked the end of Christs life in Jerusalem. Several churches start the celebration on Saturday night with an Easter Vigil religious service. Meanwhile, non-religious celebrations include the tradition of Easter eggs, which represent fertility and birth, and the Easter bunny, which gives chocolates and sweets to children on Sunday mornings. Easter 2024: Quotes The trailer of Imtiaz Alis highly anticipated film Amar Singh Chamkila is finally out. It was launched at a grand event in Mumbai on Thursday which was also attended by the films cast including Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra. The film will be released on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi i.e. on April 13. The trailer revealed that the film was shot in real locations. It introduces us to Amar Singh Chamkila Punjabs original rockstar, who was often referred to as the Elvis Presley of Punjab. It also promises to take audiences to the vibrant and rhythmic world of Punjabs folk music, right to the rustic Akhadaas (live music performances in villages) where Chamkilas voice would once roar. The trailer also makes it clear that in the film, Parineeti Chopra will be seen playing the role of Amarjot, Chamkilas wife and singing partner. At the launch, Imtiaz Ali opened up on how he got Diljit on board for the film. We were thinking about who we act in it. The first name that came up was Diljit paajis. But that time somehow we were thinking, maybe he wont do it, maybe it wont happen. I even remember talking to Angad (Bedi). Even he said, Why dont you talk to Diljit? Angads wife, Neha Dhupia, who was hosting the event, jokingly said, Now, I am hoping Diljit recommends Angad for a film! Imtiaz continued, I spoke to Diljit. I thought Pata nahi whether itll happen or not. I thought I will have a five minutes conversation taken through the story, but it went on for an hour. What happens with actors is that when you are telling a story, if you like it, then thats the actor you want. I believe without Diljit and Parineeti, this film couldnt have been made. The film will stream on Netflix. The Cannes Film Festival is all set to unfold its 77th edition this May. There is the usual buzz about what may and may not be in the festival. Arguably termed the Queen of Festivals, it takes place every May in the south of France, once the playground of the rich and the famous. Some call it the Mecca of cinema with some of the worlds greatest celebrities stepping on the famous red carpet. Last year, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, and Scarlett Johansson walked the Red Carpet for the premiere of their latest movies. This time, Hollywood may have a smaller presence thanks to actors and writers strikes that caused production delays and a sagging economy that led to tighter purse strings. But there will be stars this year (but of course) apart from Greta Gerwig, whose Barbie created a box-office storm. She will head the main international jury. And what movies would she and her fellow jurors watch and give away several Palm dOr prizes? The grape wine has it that films such as Jacques Audiards musical melodrama Emilia Perez starring Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez; Kirill Serebrennikovs Limonov, The Ballad of Eddie starring Ben Whishaw; Ali Abbasis Donald Trump movie The Apprentice with Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong; Paolo Sorrentinos untitled work with Gary Oldman; David Cronenbergs The Shrouds starring Vincent Cassel and Diane Kruger; Audrey Diwans Emmanuelle starring Noemie Merlant and Noemie Watts; Gilles Lellouches LAmour Ouf with Adele Exarchopoulos and Francois Civil; and Nabil Ayouchs Everybody Loves Touda are likely to feature as part of the festival. The Festival is also said to be looking at hosting Yorgos Lanthimos Kinds of Kindness; Andrea Arnolds Bird starring Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski, and Francis Ford Coppolas self-produced epic Megalopolis with Adam Driver and Forest Whitaker. For Coppola, this could be a grand comeback. His 1979 masterly creation, Apocalypse Now, premiered at Cannes 45 years ago. And just before the screening, he gleefully declared, We had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little we went insaneMy film is not about Vietnam, it is Vietnam There is still no word from India. We have not had much luck at Cannes. And what about the streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, which have become big players in the international film circuit in recent years. Unfortunately, Cannes has a rigid policy of not allowing streaming movies to debut in competition, and this has become a huge gain for Venice, which takes place in August-September. Cannes will take place from May 14 to 25. Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon are gearing up for their upcoming film Crew, which is set to release in theatres this Friday. Set against the backdrop of the airline industry, the film also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma. And with such a star-studded cast, expectations are sky high from the film. However, multi-starrers often tend to become grapevines favourite topic of discussion. Ego tussles, insecurity and rivalries among peers on a film set arent unheard of. And when youve three top stars spending so much time under the same roof, speculations are bound to erupt. But Crew seems to be an exception. BTS videos and the trailer launch event of the film bore a testament to the easy camaraderie that Tabu, Kareena and Kriti share. In fact, director Rajesh A Krishnan, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, rules out ego battles among the cast members of Crew. If it did happen, I wasnt aware of it. Even if there was ego play, I didnt see any because most of my focus was on work. I didnt feel the need to get involved in small talks. Neither did I encourage any of that nor was I pulled into it. Tabu, Kareena and Kriti are all stars who came on-board and they knew pretty much what they were getting into, he says. Instead, the vibe on set was lively with the three women getting along with each other exceptionally well. I saw they had a lot of respect for each other. There was a lot of chatting going on and I had to stop them saying, Okay, children, the shot is ready. I almost had to tell them to stop messing and fooling around (laughs), he jokes. Working with the trio gave the filmmaker the chance to witness a confluence of three different styles of acting like a Mercedes logo with three lines converging to the centre. Lauding Tabu, he says, She internalises things. Regardless of the lines she was saying, the emotional quotient always felt right. She was open to doing multiple takes if there were technical glitches and the continuity guys had to intervene. According to Rajesh, Kareena was more into studying the director. For Bebo, it was important to know what my pitch was. Her first takes are always her interpretation of a scene and the second would be a mix of what she wants and what I want. We would go for a third take with her very rarely and even if we did, she would do it just the way I wanted, he shares. As for Kriti, the Lootcase director attributes her meticulousness to her engineering degree. She got into very interesting details and every small details mattered to her. She would ask me a lot of questions about her character. Sometimes I would have the answers and at other times, I had to tell her that its not relevant. She wanted to know the character out and out as that would help lend it a certain mannerism on camera, he remarks. Crew Movie Review: When was the last time you saw a Bollywood heist film led by women? Cant recall any? As per our research, thats because this is a genre that has never been tapped. Overseas, Oceans Eight, Thelma & Louise, Hustlers, Widow and Mad Money ventured into this lesser-known space and set a precedent. Back home, we finally have Crew, a heist comedy headlined by Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon. Its refreshing and genre-defining for sure but is it worthy of joining this coterie? The chances are slim. Whats indeed refreshing is that and at the cost of sounding like a prude we finally have a feminist film that doesnt need to resort to constant banal chatter about libido, orgasms, G-spots, singlehood and boyfriends. Nor is Crew like a didactic narrative about women empowerment. Set against the backdrop of the aviation industry, it revolves around in-flight supervisor Geeta Sethi, senior flight attendant Jasmine Rana and junior flight attendant Divya Bajwa, all of who works with Kohinoor Airlines. Geeta stays with her loving and supportive husband Arun who runs a cloud kitchen after he was cut off from his family by his brother. Jasmine lives with her maternal grandfather and aspires to be a rich CEO of her own company someday. Shes street smart, sassy and has no qualms defying morals to progress in her life. Divya was a school topper and had always dreamed of being a pilot. But as luck would have it, shes an airhostess. She, however, has lied to her parents that she, in fact, is a pilot just so that they dont get their hearts broken. On the professional front, the airline company they work for is going through a rough patch of bankruptcy and the trio along with their other peers havent been paid their salaries for the last six months. Geeta, Jasmine and Divya are constantly on the lookout for a better life and so, when they recover slabs of gold from their boss who suddenly dies in the airbus, theyre tempted to steal the same. Soon, they learn that he along with Mittal, the HR head, would smuggle gold to Dubai and earn money. After much back and forth, they decide to start working for Mittal with the hope to get an escapade from their financially mediocre lifestyles. But as luck would have it, all hell breaks loose as sub-inspector Mala comes to know that something is fishy. At the outset, its a novel plot. So much could have been done to make it a trailblazing film. But there are far too many loopholes in the screenplay. Even at 2 hour 4 minutes, Crew appears far too stretched out. The narrative barely picks pace and you feel like youre stuck in a mono rail with nowhere to run. What starts out as extremely promising and fresh soon fizzles out like a damp firecracker. And when you have ace actors like Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan joining forces for what turns out to be a borderline threadbare film, it truly breaks your heart. Crew is touted to be a heist comedy. While it has ample interesting heist scenes, its humour quotient is almost zilch. Most jokes dont land. By the time you reach the second half, youre already engulfed with monotony wanting some miracle to happen and change the course of the story. Were sorry to report that nothing of that sort happens. Even actors like Diljit Dosanjh and Kapil Sharma, who have carved a niche for themselves with their impeccable comic timing, are wasted here. Tabus Geeta is given some funny one-liners and local slangs but even they dont nudge you to let out an occasional laugh or two. The music, unfortunately, also isnt memorable. Having said that, Crew is a stunning film to look at. Tabu, Kareena and Kriti look drop dead gorgeous and kudos to the costume department for the same! The women involved with putting the film together co-producers Rhea Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor and co-writer Nidhi Mehra deserve applause. Because womanhood in Crew is never used as a device to push out loaded statements on modern-day feminism even while portraying women as ambitious and unapologetic beings and celebrating sisterhood. The protagonists are flawed and relatable but not undesirable. And theyre supported by men who might not have much screen time but are green flags who dont feel threatened watching their women shine. But it is the sloppy screenplay that tends to dilute these little sparks. Crew is directed by Rajesh A Krishnan who earned wide critical acclaim for his dark comedy film, Lootcase starring Kunal Kemmu. Here, he doesnt get to bring forth his impressive style as the writing overpowers his directorial instincts. It is Kareena who elevates the narrative several notches. Her Jasmine is a treat to the sore eyes and the character is tailor-made for her. Nobody could have pulled off Jasmine so effortlessly. Shes fierce, enterprising, unyielding and unafraid of twisting her ethics for what she thinks will benefit her. She renders some much needed lustre to the story and it is pure joy watching perform. She marks her return to a glamorous role after a long time and wins your heart. Shes the ultimate epitome of style and substance and truth be told, Crew would have never taken off without her, her feisty charisma and her breaking into Sona Kitna Sona Hai every now and then. With Geeta, Tabu forays into the glam zone and while she gives it her all, the writing doesnt do her justice. Her scenes with Jasmine as they engage in banters is pure gold. Their camaraderie look organic and one would wonder how delightful it would be to see the two badass women performing stunts in a high-octane action film (which is written well)! Tabu brings a certain sense of stillness and natural emotionality to the table and her chemistry with Kapil (who plays her husband) is endearing. Kritis character has a cinematic backstory but the writers seem to have only scratched the surface rather than exploring the other layers of Divya. Rajesh Sharma and Trupti Khamkar are impressive. Saswata Chatterjee, on the other hand, is wasted as a prototype of Vijay Mallya named Vijay Walia who owns Kohinoor Airlines. Crew might not have reached the destination that it had set out for. Its definitely not Kareena, Tabu or Kritis best work. Nonetheless, its a great attempt at being a cookie-cutter. Give it a chance because it celebrates female friendships and despite the troughs and the crests, they fiercely love, protect and support one another, and we dont get to see these themes in our films too often. Also, do you really want to miss out on the chance of watching Kareena looking her best self and embracing the Bebo we all fell in love with in the 2000s? Fat chances. But on a parting note, heres hoping that the trio headlining the film gets to do another film that does them justice. Elvish Yadav visited the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai recently. On Wednesday evening, the YouTuber took to his Instagram stories and shared a picture from his visit to the sacred temple. In the photo, Elvish was seen posing inside the temple along with his friends. Elvishs visit to the Siddhivinayak temple comes days after he was granted bail in the Noida snake venom case. The Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner was arrested by Noida Police in connection to the case earlier this month. The case was lodged under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and for criminal conspiracy under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, they said. A day after his arrest, NDTV claimed Elvish had admitted to his crimes. However, no official statement was released. However, Yadav was granted bail, on a 50,000 bail bond a week later. Talking about the same, his lawyer Prashant Rathi told the media, Our arguments in this case was that he was falsely accused and no substance was obtained from him or his friends that violated the NDPS act. The court has granted bail to him (Elvish Yadav) as well as his two friends on two sureties of Rs 50,000 each. Later, Elvish also recalled the time he spent in jail and called it a very bad phase of his life. The one week that went by, no doubt, was a very bad phase of life. What to talk about the time I was inside (jail). Lets start a new chapter on a positive note. All those who supported me didnt support me, talked badly or well about me, thanks to all. I can only thank everyone. I am back to my work, he said in one of his vlogs. The Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner further expressed his confidence in the Indian judiciary and added, Na hum kuch galat kehte hai, na kuch galat karte hai (Neither do I do nor speak anything wrong). Emma Stone reunites with director Yorgos Lanthimos for their latest project, Kinds of Kindness, previously titled AND, following their success with Poor Things. The recently released 45-second teaser showcases the star-studded cast, including Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Hong Chau, Mamoudou Athie and Hunter Schafer. Despite its brevity, the teaser captivates audiences with glimpses of intriguing scenes set to Eurythmics 1983 hit Sweet Dreams. From a body being dragged in a hallway to Stone dancing in daylight, the teaser promises a mysterious and visually stunning experience. Lanthimos distinctive filmmaking style is evident throughout the first look, featuring black and white shots and a breathtaking underwater scene. Notably, the movie marks the fourth collaboration between Stone and Lanthimos, following their success with the 2018 film The Favourite, which received 10 Oscar nominations. Their previous collaborations also include a silent short film titled Bleat. According to the official synopsis, the upcoming movie is described as a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability." Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley previously collaborated with Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos in Poor Things. The movie won multiple awards at various events. Additionally, Joe Alwyn, who appeared in The Favourite alongside Stone and Lanthimos, also joins the cast of Kinds of Kindness. While details about the plot remain scarce, Yorgos Lanthimos previously shared insights with The Guardian, describing the film as contemporary and set in the US. He mentioned, Its is a contemporary film, set in the US, three different stories, with four or five actors who play one part in each story, so they all play three different parts. It was almost like making three films, really. But its great to be working again with Emma. It makes it so much easier to have someone there who trusts you so much and who you trust so much." Further, discussing his frequent collaborations with Stone, the director admired the actress for her unique talents and dedication towards the project. The filmmaker explained that he recognised her abilities after seeing her previous work and believed that she would shine in The Favourite. Lanthimos also praised Stones willingness to go above and beyond to achieve the results. The Greek filmmaker believes that its their communication and mutual understanding which allow them to work together with such ease. While the initial glimpse of Kinds of Kindness looks promising, the film has to surpass the impressive achievements of Poor Things. The movie earned a total of 11 nominations at the Academy Awards, including in categories such as Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director. During the press night of MJ: The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on Wednesday, Michael Jacksons three children, Paris, Prince and Bigi, walked the red carpet making a rare appearance together. The appearance coincides with the trios court dispute with Grandma Katherine Jackson regarding the late pop stars estate funds. All three siblings looked on point, with Prince (27) and Bigi (22) wearing classic black suits. Prince had his hair pulled back into a sleek bun and was dressed in a maroon button-down shirt with a glittering tie underneath his jacket. Bigi, formerly known as Blanket, sported a white shirt with a more laid-back attitude by leaving a couple of the top buttons undone. Paris (25) was dressed in a rust-coloured dress with exquisite sheer sleeves, a pleated skirt and maroon shoes. Her soft, wavy haircut and jewellery, which included big hoop earrings and a plethora of bracelets, reflected her own boho flare. Their youngest sibling Bigis recent legal actions have a significant influence on the events surrounding their reunion. At first, he sided with his paternal grandmother Katherine to oppose the choices made by the administrators of their fathers estate. Their disagreement centred mostly on how to spend Michaels estate finances, especially concerning a secret financial arrangement that was rumoured to entail a $600 million catalogue transaction with Sony. The family alliance changed when a judge ruled in favour of the estates executors, which caused Bigi to reevaluate his position. Bigi withdrew his support once Katherine decided to file an appeal because he thought the court struggle ahead would be pointless. On March 20, Katherine (93), filed a formal response in which she stated that the executors of the estate had sufficient funds to pay her $50,000 in legal expenses. Her filings, which People has reported in full, criticise the executors for holding onto control of the estates assets in defiance of the Trusts generous distribution requirements. The estate responded on March 21 with a document outlining the significant financial assistance Katherine had received since MJs death in 2009, further complicating the story. Katherine may be able to finance her legal pursuits on her own, as the estate revealed that she had accumulated over $55 million, including sizable amounts from a monthly allowance, according to TMZ. Priyamani enjoys a massive fan following. One of the finest actresses in Indian cinema, she has come a long way with rich content driven and commercial films. The actress has also worked alongside many talented actors, who have allowed her to shine as well. Speaking of which, she recently opened up on working with Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan. While the actress is currently basking in the success of her recently released film Article 370, the actress is also awaiting the release of her next Bollywood film Maidaan. She would be seen sharing screen space with Ajay Devgn for the same. In an interview with Pinkvilla, the actress shared, that Ajay Devgn is phenomenal. That man, he is a different league altogether. Such a brilliant actor, he speaks so much with his eyes. I still remember the times when we shot together. She further added, Whenever we shot emotional scenes, I remember he didnt have much dialogue in them. But yet, he doesnt have to speak. His eyes, his body language, and his expressions, that speaks volumes. And I think how he has brought Rahim Saab to life I think is brilliant. Back in 2023, Priyamani also shared the screen space with Shah Rukh Khan for his hit film Jawan. When asked about working with him, the actress said that he is also expressive with his eyes. But they express it in a very different way. In the same interview, Priyamani also confessed that with time she has become self critical. Sharing the reason behind it, she told, Thats because when I see myself, I think like I could have acted a scene a little better; I could have done this better because nobody is satisfied with their performance. You are always hungry to do better. But there was a responsibility that once the National Award was announced and I got the award, I was clear in the choices of films I was doing. It could be a modern film; it could be a song and dance number where I had to fly to Switzerland to shoot. I am saying thats not wrong, but as long as the character had something to add to the movie, I was okay with it, which I am doing right now, and I am quite okay. Coming back to Maidaan, Priyamani and Ajay Devgns film is all set to release on April 10, 2024. Actor Thalapathy Vijay marked his entry into the political arena. He announced the name of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. This announcement was made after Thalapathy Vijays fan association, Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVMI) was in the national capital for a meeting with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to begin the registration process of the actors political party. It was attended by Vijays trusted friend, Bussy Anand and the fan associations legal team. Now, according to reports, Thalapathy Vijays father, director S A Chandrasekhar is worried about his political careers future. As per reports, it was S A Chandrasekhars dream to see the Varisu actor enter politics. But it looks like Thalapathy Vijay supporting Bussy Anand, despite the conflicts with his father, has not gone down well with SA Chandrasekhar. who expressed his displeasure regarding this in an interview, according to reports. SA Chandrasekhar reportedly shared that many would think that he was deliberately trying to find mistakes about Bussy Anand. He added that Bussy Anand has an online group, of which his son is a part. SA Chandrasekhar opined that a politician would not do this. He critiqued that as soon as Bussy Anand steps out of the meeting room, there will be a photo op of him lying down on the bench and the picture will be shared online with 100 people liking it. They stage a drama and make it look real. It raised the question of whether Bussy Anand would work for the party like this by lying down. SA Chandrasekhar expressed that as a father, he is worried about Thalapathy Vijays future if he continues to stay in touch with a person like Bussy Anand. Bussy Anand is the General Secretary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The TVMI has been functioning like a de facto party and has contested in rural local body polls in 2021 in nine newly reconstituted districts. It won 115 out of the 169 seats that they contested in. The fan association has always been active in carrying out social services like organising food for school children or participating in relief efforts during disasters in the state. The association also helped in distributing aid materials to those affected by the floods in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Will Smith might have fallen in love with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the sets, but the actress felt motherly towards the rising star, now 55. The actress recently opened up about her experience working with Smith on the 1993 film and shared that she had immediate chemistry with him. While shooting the film, Smith was just 23, newly married to Sheree Zampino, and had just welcomed their son Trey. Earlier in 2021, the actor, in his memoir, opened up about falling in love with Stockard Channing on the sets of the film and that he was desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard. Years after the honest confession, Stockard shared her viewpoints. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporters It Happened in Hollywood podcast, Channing said, He (Will Smith) made a lot of money from his music, or even Fresh Prince. I remember we talked about it. However, there was no big-shot stuff at all. Stockard Channing, while noting that she saw a real survival instinct in him, added, It was completely perfect for the part. He had a genuine charm and lovely sweetness. During this time, she also spoke about having an instant chemistry with him and recalled, It was just natural and easygoing. In response to host Seth Abramovitchs question about their equation, while shooting the film in the backdrop of Smiths 2021 confession, Canning clarified that there was nothing between them and that she felt motherly towards him. There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly toward him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart, the actress said. It is pertinent to note that Channing also won an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film. The story revolves around a New York socialite who connects with a young con artist played by Smith. Talking about Will Smith, the actor in his 2021 memoir spoke about being newly married to then-wife Sheree Zampino and a new father to his first son, Trey. During shooting, I fell in love with Stockard Channing. After the film wrapped, Sheree, Trey, and I moved back to L.A. Our marriage was off to a rocky start. I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard, he wrote. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in the last few years, has been in the eye of a storm, with Indias debilitated Opposition blaming it for all its woes. Is the ED draconian? Has it been targeting the Opposition unfairly? Let the truth be told. The Opposition has failed miserably to match Prime Minister Narendra Modis unrelenting popularity which shows no signs of waning. The ED is being used merely as a lame excuse by the Opposition to justify its resounding electoral losses in one election after another. Let it be known that the ED has been doing a phenomenal job with full integrity. With reference to the EDs sweeping powers, the Supreme Court on April 5, 2023, refused to entertain a petition filed by fourteen political parties from the Opposition space. These parties alleged that central investigating agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being weaponised by the Modi government to clamp down on dissent, by arresting Opposition leaders. This verdict, therefore, came as a stinging slap on a combined Opposition that had the gall to doubt the bona fides of our premier probe agencies and then had the audacity to file such a petition in the apex court. Surely, the Congress and these Opposition parties were caught on the wrong foot when the Supreme Court said that political leaders cannot claim a higher immunity than ordinary citizens and hence a special set of guidelines cannot be issued for them. Imagine the entitlement of the Opposition that it even dared to demand that politicians are a privileged class and need to be treated with kid gloves. The BJP on the other hand, has always stood for inclusivity and has never played the politics of entitlement, bordering on narcissism. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the lawyer for the Opposition, eventually had to eat humble pie. He took the court through certain statistics to argue that centrally controlled investigating agencies are being increasingly deployed in a selective and targeted manner against political opponents. He argued that while between 2004 and 2014, of the 72 political leaders investigated by the CBI, 43 were from the Opposition, now, this same figure has risen to over 95 per cent. The same pattern, he alleged, is reflected in EDs investigations as well, with the proportion of Opposition leaders from the total number of politicians investigated rising from 54 per cent (before 2014) to 95 per cent (after 2014). After outlining the said figures, Singhvi argued that there is a skewed application of CBI and ED jurisdictions and the skewed application of law has a chilling effect on our democracy. Well, Singhvi clearly suffers from selective amnesia, because if democracy has indeed ever been threatened in India, it was only when the Congress regime was in power, including the dark era of emergency under the draconian Indira Gandhi, from 1975 to 1977. Are you saying that because of these statistics, there should be immunity from investigation? Chief Justice Chandrachud asked Singhvi in the April 2023 hearing. Political leaders cant claim higher immunity, the CJI further added, saying, The problem with this petition is that you are trying to extrapolate statistics into guidelines, where the statistics only apply to politicians. But, we cannot have guidelines exclusively for politicians. Singhvi, in a futile bid to score some brownie points for his petitioners, added, Mass arrests are a threat to democracy. It is a sign of authoritarianism. The process becomes the punishment. To this absurd and devious charge by Singhvi, the CJI went on to say, Political leaders stand absolutely on the same standing as the citizens of the country. They do not claim a higher identity. How can there be a different set of procedures for them? Chief Justice Chandrachud in April 2023 also, while asking the Opposition/petitioners to come back with specific instances, said that the top court could not lay down abstract guidelines, adding, It would be dangerous to formulate general guidelines in the absence of such specific facts. However, clearly, the biggest rebuttal and a clear snub to the 14 Opposition parties came when the CJI told Singhvi, When you say that space for Opposition has shrunk, the remedy is in that space, the political space. Not the court. With those words, the CJI called out the bluff of Indias electorally vanquished Opposition which was desperately trying to find a judicial remedy to a political matter, after repeatedly losing elections at the hustings. This petition by Singhvi, on behalf of the Opposition, was put in the trash can by the apex court, sending out a loud and clear message that any attempts to de-legitimise the ED and CBI or the Modi governments war against corruption, will not find any takers in the highest echelons of the judiciary, unless backed by hard facts. What the Congress and the TMC say is of little relevance because the mother-son duo of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are out on bail in the National Herald scam. They have still not been given a clean chit. Again, Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata Banerjees nephew, is also out on bail in the ongoing Cash for Jobs scam. The limited point is thisfor decades together, the Opposition-led parties, particularly the Congress which ruled India for 54 out of the first 67 years in post-independent India, have been guilty of institutionalising corruption. PM Modi after taking charge in 2014 started the process of clean, transparent and accountable politics, with zero tolerance for corruption. And it is precisely this no-nonsense attitude of PM Modi that has completely unnerved and rattled the Opposition. Speaking of PM Modis unrelenting anti-corruption crusade, besides the April 5, 2023 verdict which came as a shot in the arm for the Modi government, even back in July 2022, the apex court upheld the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002, thereby dismantling the puerile hopes of a debilitated Opposition which wanted PMLA provisions to be diluted. The verdict relied on a judgement given earlier, under Vijay Madanlal Choudhary versus Union of India. It was pronounced by a bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar on a batch of 241 petitions challenging the validity of the law. The court upheld the validity of Sections 3 (definition of money laundering), 5 (attachment of property), 8(4) (taking possession of attached property), 17 (search and seizure), 18 (search of persons), 19 (powers of arrest), 24 (reverse burden of proof), 44 (offences triable by special court), 45 (offences being cognizable and non-bailable). The court also held that the supply of Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under PMLA proceedings by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is not mandatory, since ECIR is an internal document and cannot be equated to a First Information Report (FIR). Supply of ECIR to the accused is not mandatory and only disclosure of reasons for arrest to the accused, during the arrest is enough. Even the ED manual is not to be published since it is an internal document, the court held. It also rejected the argument about the proportionality of punishment under the PMLA Act, with respect to scheduled offences as wholly unfounded. The court added that the stringent conditions for bail under the PMLA Act are legal and not arbitrary. Enforcement Directorate, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials, and not police statements recorded during an inquiry are valid evidence, the Court added, in a stinging rebuttal to Modi baiters and the Opposition which has been making frivolous allegations about the supposed high handedness of the ED. This landmark judgement by the Supreme Court upholding powers of the ED under PMLA came at a time when the Congress party had been desperately trying to shield the Gandhi dynasty from persistent ED summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi who are out on bail in the National Herald money laundering scam. Sonias lackey, P Chidambaram, is also out on bail in the INX Media scam. What an irony that while the entire top brass of the Congress is out on bail in either money laundering or tax evasion charges, including the much-maligned Deputy CM of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, Rahul Gandhi and his minions preach about ethics and integrity to all and sundry. Besides the Congress, Mamata Banerjees TMC has been floundering, with key TMC heavyweights like Partha Chatterjee convicted in the SSC scam, Anubrata Mondal convicted in the Cattle scam and many others from the TMC behind bars. While Mamata can scream from the rooftops about vendetta politics by the BJP, the harsh truth is that the TMC is a web of notoriety and corruption given that the likes of Partha and Anubrata have been close aides of Mamata and were ministers in the West Bengal regime. These TMC heavyweights have been indicted by the courts and not the BJP. While the trial is still underway in most cases, it is clear that TMC leaders find themselves sentenced by the judiciary due to ample evidence and not due to any alleged shenanigans by the BJP. What the Opposition fails to realise is that the courts have repeatedly upheld the proof submitted by the ED and the CBI and hence each time the Opposition blames the Modi government, it is actually undermining the very core of our impartial judicial process. Backing the ED with a crucial judgement, the top court in 2022 upheld almost all the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in proceeds of crime, search and seizure, power of arrest, attachment of properties, and bail, which were under challenge in the court. Section 19, which deals with the power to arrest, does not suffer from the vice of arbitrariness, the court said, adding that Section 5 of the Act relating to the attachment of property of those involved in money laundering, is also constitutionally valid. Money laundering not only affects the social and economic fabric of the nation but also tends to promote other heinous offences such as terrorism, offences related to the NDPS etc., the court said. The petitioners had argued that unchecked power to arrest the accused without informing them of grounds of arrest or evidence is unconstitutional. They further said the ED recording incriminating statements from an accused during questioning under the threat of being fined for withholding information amounts to compulsion. The petitioners said that putting the burden of proof on the accused violates fundamental rights like the right to equality and the right to life. Another major challenge, that filing PMLA charges on cases that occurred before 2002 (when PMLA came into existence) is unconstitutional, was also turned down last year by the apex court. The Modi government justified it by saying that money laundering is a continuing offence, and not a single act but a chain. Proceeds of crime could have been generated before 2002 but could have still been in possession or in use by the accused, post-2002. EDs money laundering raids are up 26 times under the Modi government. Proceeds of crime worth Rs 99,356 crore were attached between 2014 to 2022 while only Rs 5346 crore was attached between 2004 to 2014, under an inept Congress regime. While there were 888 prosecution complaints under the Modi government, there were just 104 between 2004 to 2014, showcasing how increased searches endorse PM Narendra Modis commitment to preventing money laundering. The apex courts verdict upholding arrests by the ED under PMLA is a big blow to the Left and the Congress ecosystem, which has been crying hoarse needlessly about how arrests by ED are such cases tantamount to gross violation of stated procedures. Coming back to PMLA, what exactly were the concerns of the petitioners, which were in any case found to be devoid of any merit by the apex court in its July 2022 judgement? Well, the petitioners had questioned various aspects of the law including the wide powers given to ED for search, seizure and attachment, the reverse burden cast on the accused to prove innocence, the admissibility of statements made to ED as evidence, the stringent conditions for grant of bail and the impact of predicate offence and its outcome, in PMLA cases. The Modi government had argued that the offence of money laundering under Section 3 is a standalone offence so long as there is a predicate offence irrespective of whether there is acquittal or conviction in such a predicate offence. Pertinently it was also argued by the Central government that money laundering under Section 3 is a continuing offence, irrespective of the time at which the predicate offence is included in the Schedule. Basically, the apex court stated that money laundering is a standalone offence under the PMLA, in a big victory for the Modi government which has zero tolerance for corruption and has been fast-tracking such money laundering cases, much to the discomfiture of the Opposition. The top court justified the constitutional validity of the provisions of the PMLA, thereby nailing the Oppositions bluster. The Modi government has repeatedly defended the amendments to PMLA, saying money laundering poses a threat not only to financial systems but also to the integrity and sovereignty of nations, since it is conducted not just by corrupt businessmen, but also by terror groups. It would suffice to say that honesty is still the best policy under Prime Minister Modis government. Also, amidst allegations that its probes are launched for political reasons, the ED has claimed a conviction rate of 96 per cent in cases registered under the PMLA, in which trials have already been completed. According to the latest data released by the ED, of the 25 cases (as of January 2023) with completed trials, 24 resulted in a conviction, leading to the sentencing of 45 accused. Trials are in progress in other 1142 cases, with the ED having filed chargesheets. A 96 per cent conviction rate in PMLA cases is in fact, an excellent rate of conviction, in contrast to the 56 per cent notched in cases prosecuted under the IPC. During the last 10 years, the ED has also attached assets worth over a solid Rs 1.15 lakh crore in about 2000 attachment orders. It recovered more than Rs 20,000 crore by selling confiscated assets and returning the money owed to the banks by errant borrowers. Major recoveries have been made from the sale of assets belonging to fugitive economic offenders like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. What a travesty of fate that while the Congress shouts and hollers against Nirav Modi in India, in London, it was Abhay Thipsay, a Congress leader, who fought tooth and nail to prove Nirav Modis innocence. That Thipsay lost the Nirav Modi case is another matter altogether. The moot point is simply thisIndias electorally vanquished Opposition has failed to take on PM Modi, given Modis unstoppable popularity and his focus on welfarism. The ED and the CBI are only doing their job impartially, without any political bias whatsoever. Hence it is time for Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal and their ilk to wake up and smell the coffee! PM Modi was, is and will always be against corruption. The probe agencies are operating independently, as they should be. The actions of agencies do not depend on whether they will benefit the BJP or not. Last but not least, the BJP has a principled stand against corruption irrespective of electoral advantages or disadvantages. And most importantly, the common citizens of India are against corruption and stand in complete solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has an impeccably clean reputation. The Oppositions electoral losses are not because there is no level playing field. The Opposition is losing one election after another precisely because it has lost the pulse of Indias voters and still refuses to learn from its mistakes. The AAP had an 18 per cent vote share in Delhi in Lok Sabha 2019 and it did not win a single seat. With a massive 57 per cent vote share in Delhi, the BJP won all 7 Lok Sabha seats, with a 100 per cent strike rate in Delhi, in Lok Sabha 2019. So all this false bravado by Kejriwal and his acolytes about PM Modi and the BJP running scared of AAP is as laughable as it gets. Even in the Gujarat Assembly elections held in December 2022, the AAP was limited to a mere 5 seats with a 12.92 per cent vote share, vis a vis the BJP at a massive 156 seats with a 52.5 per cent vote share, on the back of an unrelenting Modi wave. Those who accuse the Modi government of discouraging a level playing field should realise that the Indian voter is very aware and smart. By questioning Indias electorate that has repeatedly reposed trust and faith in PM Modi, this cabal of Modi naysayers is only further alienating itself from the voters. In Modis New India, a poor woman called Rekha Patra (Sandeshkhali victim) has been given the Lok Sabha ticket from Basirhat by the BJP. In stark contrast, under the Congress, Modi-hating journalists were awarded Padma Shri and more. Today, the very lot that enriched itself for decades under the previous Congress regime in a classic case of you scratch my back, I will scratch yours is whining about a level playing field. Well, the field is a level-playing one because India is a vibrant democracy. What the Opposition lacks, however, is a leader of Narendra Modis impeccable reputation and stature. The Opposition certainly cannot blame PM Modi for not having a single leader in its midst who can come even remotely close to Modis towering persona. Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson of the BJP and the Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. YSRCP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday, during an election campaign, alleged a witch-hunt against him by the Opposition, select media houses, and two of his sisters. Andhra CM said that all of them were united in a battle against one man but he had the public and Gods support. The YSRCP president made the remarks while addressing a public meeting at Proddaturu in Kadapa district as part of his Memanta Siddham (we are all ready) election campaign. He accused the TDP, the Jan Sena party, the BJP and the Congress of together waging a war against him. Chandrababu Naidus TDP, BJP and Jana Sena have joined hands for the Lok Sabha polls, a union which Reddy called an alliance of conspiracies. For support, the TDP and the Jana Sena brought a party (BJP) from the Centre. And they brought another party (Congress) indirectly from the Centre. All of them together are waging a battle against one Jagan. As if they are not enough, they brought two of my sisters also. All of them are united in battle against one man, the Andhra CM was quoted by India Today. Without taking names, Reddy was referring to his younger sister YS Sharmila, who is the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief, and his cousin Sunitha Narreddy, who is heading a campaign to solve the murder case of her father, YS Vivekananda Reddy. I am alone. All these parties have allied to fight against me. I only have the support of the public and God, the Andhra CM told ANI. Reddy urged the people of the state to help the ruling party win the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls to teach a fitting lesson to the Opposition. Reddy further alleged that the Opposition parties were running a false campaign against him in connection with the murder of his uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy and the recent seizure of drugs in a container at Vizag port. Reddy stressed that the company that imported the container belonged to the relatives of Andhra Pradesh BJP chief D Purandeswari and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. If any crime occurs, they falsely accuse the YSRCP. Even NTR was betrayed, he further said. The YSRCP chief began his campaign for the upcoming elections with a 21-day bus tour from Idupulupaya in Kadapa district. Assam Chief Minister Himata Biswa Sarma said that he guarantees that the Congress unit in his state will be empty verty soon. While addressing the media at Numaligarh in Assams Golaghat district, Sarma said, As Modi guarantee, you believe my guarantee, within a short time Assam Congress will be empty. He further said, As every Indian believes PM Narendra Modis guarantee, likewise I too give you a guarantee, though not as big as Modijis. The Assam CM has been in talks with some district level Congress leaders including Dwipen Barua, state secretary of Assam Congress. He said that all of them have expressed their wish to join the BJP. This indicates that people of Assam have complete faith on Narendra Modis policy and good governance. Sarma said. Referring to Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra he said, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra has proved that it has started a new Yatra of making Congress empty. And you will see many things by 2024. After that there will be only one political party, well be together and work together. Referring to Sarmas previous statement, all the candidates of Assam Congress, except one, will now or later join. When reporters asked about the candidates who are willing to join BJP he said, I can call even the MP Candidate of Kaziranga, Roslina Tirki but I wont do it today. They are like my family member. They will be called whenever, however we wish. Bringing reference of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC)s President Bhupen Boras joining BJP he said, I have been repeatedly telling about his joining, but he never commented on this. While you started asking him, now he is denying. But it is sure that after MP elections Bhupen Bora will also join BJP. When reporters asked about Bhupen Boras statement regarding being the next CM of Assam, Sarma said, He may be the CM of Assam, but from platform of BJP. Whatever post he might get, hell get it from BJPs platform. Arvind Kejriwal News: The Enforcement Directorate was granted a four-day extended custody (April 1) of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday. The agency had earlier sought a seven-day extension. Meanwhile, the High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) which sought removal of Kejriwal and prevention of issuing orders while being in ED custody, saying that it is the violation of the legal framework as well as against the principle of fair investigation. AAP, however, claimed that the federal agency had no reply to the questions raised by the Delhi chief ministers lawyers in the High Court over his arrest. When Kejriwals lawyers said before the court that the arrest by ED was illegal and unconstitutional and there was no evidence against him, the agency had no answer to this, AAP leader Atishi said at a press conference. The partys response came after the HC on Wednesday gave no relief to Kejriwal and granted ED time to file a reply on the Delhi CMs interim plea seeking release from the agencys custody. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma gave the anti-corruption agency time till April 2 to file a response and scheduled the next hearing for April 3. Delhi High Court rejected on Thursday a plea seeking to remove Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister. According to the petitioner, Kejriwals credibility has been damaged due to his arrest in a money laundering case related to a controversial liquor policy case in the national capital. Delivering the verdict, the High Court bench said that the issue lies outside the scope of judicial interference. The High Court bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora clarified that it wont enter the political gimmick. It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law, the bench said. The plea was moved by Surjit Singh Yadav, a Delhi resident, claiming that a Chief Minister accused of a financial scandal should not be permitted to continue in public office. The plea also sought direction to investigate how AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who is operating as Chief Minister of Delhi from jail, is passing orders from ED custody. Petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav, who filed a PIL against Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi High Court, said The Public interest litigation (PIL) that has been filed in the Delhi High Court has many aspects, first is of secrecy, second is when he (Arvind Kejriwal) wont be able to take cabinet meeting, for instance last time due to Yamuna flood, cabinet meeting was held and decisions were taken, that cannot happen; third- in Delhi, CM accords report to Delhi L-G regarding every departments work that cannot happen as well Its not possible to hold the responsibility of a CM and work from jail as a CMIn PIL, we have mentioned that his CM position should be removed and as a CM the monthly salary that he gets is higher than an MLA, so if he is not able to work as a CM then the money given to him is not valid, Yadav added. Kejriwal is currently in custody of the Enforcement Directorate, which is ending today. Meanwhile, the investigation agency is set to produce Kejriwal before the Rouse Avenue Court. A spectre is haunting Washington. It is what Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently described as China-phobia. Just as some neurotic people see ghosts in broad daylight, so American politicians watch Chinas every move with suspicion and apprehension. They view Chinese products such as 5G equipment, port cranes and cars as Trojan horses, and are working hard towards a TikTok ban on national security grounds. Beneath Washingtons fear lies the perception of China as a major adversary, which it believes is intent on destroying the rules-based international order. What would an upending of the system mean for Washington? Washington attempted for decades to shape China. Nevertheless, as US national security adviser Jake Sullivan recently admitted, its efforts were to no avail. With Washingtons beloved international order gone, such failures would increasingly be the order of the day. Additionally, Washington would have to give up its penchant for war on the soil of other countries. As the most warlike nation in the history of the world, as former US president Jimmy Carter put it in 2019, the US had been at peace for only 16 of its 242 years as a nation. The US would no longer be confident that waving a tiny bottle of powder at the UN Security Council convinced the world that invasion of another sovereign country is justified. Human right violations would become a detestable excuse to wage war against countries that Washington deems in the way of its geostrategic objectives. The late Colin Powell, then the US secretary of state, holds up a vial to show what a teaspoon of anthrax, a biological weapon Iraq was accused of developing, looked like, as he addressed the UN Security Council on February 5, 2003 in New York. Soon after, the US invaded Iraq. No weapons of mass destruction were found. Photo: AFP The US would also lose its firm grip on the global financial system. Once the US dollars position as the worlds major reserve currency is battered, Washington would no longer be able to shift the burden of its economic crisis onto other countries, as it did in the 2008 financial crisis. Neither could it hope to fleece other countries by varying its monetary policy. Moreover, it may struggle to cut other countries access to international payment systems, Swift (short for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or otherwise. Upturning the rules-based international order would mean the loss of American exceptionalism. In the US, federal law can take precedence over international laws and its courts have been known to have declined to apply international laws. Last year, a Chinese commerce ministry report found the US had the largest number of cases of non-compliance with WTO rulings. In the event of a collapse of its beloved international order, the US would have to trash its everybody-but-me approach and observe international rules as other countries do. It may also be forced to respect the opinions of other nations so that every country is equal before the international law. Obviously, such a transformation would be extremely painful for Washington. However, wouldnt Washingtons loss be a gain for the developing world? In essence, Washingtons rules-based international order equates to its global hegemonic position. It runs contrary to the fundamental interests of the Global South, who desire a fairer international order, not one designed to maintain the Wests entrenched privileges. This inevitably places Washington on a collision course with the developing world. In contrast, China champions an international order based on international law. It pushes for a shared future for mankind, with no country left behind, and strives to build a multipolar world where every nation, big or small, has a say. Importantly, Beijing has time and again stressed that it has no intention of replacing the US. Instead, it seeks peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual benefits. But Chinas words seem lost on Washington. Those educated with the winner takes all tenet believe, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken does, that you either sit at the table or end up on the menu. The idea of everyone having a seat at the table is beyond their imagination. But Chinas aspirations for the future of the world appear to be in alignment with those of other developing countries, as evidenced by the increasing popularity and dynamism of Brics, a grouping backed by China. The author, Zhou Xiaoming, is a senior fellow at the Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing and a former deputy representative of Chinas Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva. This article first appeared on the SCMP. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday said that his party was firm on contesting from Maharashtras Sangli Lok Sabha seat, stressing that nobody should do anything that will directly help the BJP. Raut was responding to questions about Congress exasperation after his party on Wednesday announced its first list of 17 candidates, including for the Sangli seat and a few from Mumbai. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) are partners in the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar had asked their MVA partner to reconsider its decision, stressing that it did not suit coalition dharma. Raut said there is always give and take in an alliance and they gave Ramtek and Kolhapur seats to the Congress. He said Sena (UBT) has also given Amravati to the Congress. Even our local cadres were upset but we did not allow the resentment to spiral, he said. Congress took Ramtek so Sena (UBT) said it would contest from Mumbai North. In an alliance, there is a need to strengthen and expand it, not individual parties, he said. The Congress has to lead the nation and we support the party in its endeavour. Will Congress give up the fight against BJP just for one seat (Sangli), he asked. If the opposition alliance stays together as a cohesive unit, MVA can easily win the Sangli seat, he said. Sena (UBT) has nominated wrestler Chandrahar Patil for Sangli. If someone has other intentions to help the BJP indirectly, we will not allow that to happen, he said. According to Congress leaders, the party is keen to contest from Sangli, Mumbai South Central and Mumbai North West seats, all included in the list released by Sena (UBT). Raut was also asked about the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) deciding to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls. He said it is Ambedkars duty to protect the Constitution and democracy. I am sure Ambedkar will not take any step to help the BJP, he added. Lok Sabha polls for Maharashtras 48 seats will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20 and votes will be counted on June 4. Google has already faced questions about the credibility of its AI model Gemini and now the company is hit with further issues, this time related to the AI-powered Search. Most people have got access to the AI avatar of Search recently, and some of the results you see for a subject is reportedly including links to dangerous sites, other platforms that harbour scams. The biggest concern about the new-look Search is that people can mistakenly end up installing malware by clicking on any of these suspicious sites which can steal their data and harm in other ways. The details about the new issue for Google has come via this report, which quotes one Lily Ray, who is a SEO consultant. The report mentions that some of the links available through the AI-powered search results are similar to the sites that redirect a user and take them to a malicious website. In some cases, you might be redirected to a site that resembles YouTube but is basically tempting you into clicking something to infect the device one way or the other. You might also be bombarded with spam alerts and messages once you accept or click on any of the links, which could be another channel for the virus or malware to enter your system. The report mentions that Google has been informed about the issue plaguing the AI-based search, and feels that people could easily fall into the trap as the website and results look genuine. Google clearly has a lot of work to do with its AI systems, and ensure the clean up is done regularly, or else, scams like these can severely dent the image of its AI tools and make search less popular among billions across the globe. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently said about 45 executives from various semiconductor companies expressed a unanimous sentiment that India stands as the next natural frontier for semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting the countrys future potential and how big the industry could be. However, to fully harness the potential, particularly in the chip sector, a substantial influx of tech talent and engineering prowess with equal representation from both men and women is imperative. Data from the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22 sheds light on the gender distribution in engineering and technology studies at the undergraduate level. Of 39.04 lakh enrolled students, just 29.1 per cent are female and 70.9 per cent are male. This stands in stark contrast to disciplines like Arts and Medical Sciences, where gender parity is more evident. Within the broader spectrum of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), of the 98,49,488, total enrolment (at UG, PG, MPhil and PhD levels), 56,56,488 are males and 41,93,000 are females. The data showed that in engineering and technology, male enrolment is significantly higher compared to females. This poses potential challenges for achieving gender diversity in specialised sectors like semiconductors. Delving into the intricacies of the semiconductor industry, it becomes apparent that a diverse workforce is crucial, given the multifaceted skill requirements. For example, roles such as Semiconductor Technicians, Process Engineers, and Equipment Engineers demand a blend of technical expertise and problem-solving skills. However, the underrepresentation of women in engineering and technology studies in India could pose hurdles in achieving gender diversity within the semiconductor workforce. Globally, the semiconductor industry has been predominantly male-dominated, with women comprising only a fraction of the workforce, including in technical leadership positions. According to the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) and Accentures 2022 report, the median of women representation in the total semiconductor workforce lies in the 20-25 per cent range, with technical women representation at 10-15 per cent. Moreover, over half of the companies report less than 5 per cent representation of women in technical director roles, highlighting the gender disparity in leadership positions too. Despite these challenges, Indias demographic dividend presents a unique opportunity for its semiconductor industry, something which countries like Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia dont have. With a massive youth population poised to remain the youngest globally for decades to come, the country holds immense potential for scaling semiconductor manufacturing and that will require more hands on deck to fuel the growth. Executives from the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) have affirmed that there is no bias in hiring workers. Rather the industry, which has been getting a lot of attention since the announcements of Gujarats Dholera, Sanand and Assam projects, is hungry to employ as many engineers as possible and it is just a matter of who is available. The industry also believes that the skilling and reskilling policies which the government has been promoting would help to fill the gaps. However, it should be noted that the semiconductor industry and the electronics manufacturing industry are like interlocking pieces in the world of technology. Its not just semiconductors that go into electronics. The electronics industry also provides feedback to the semiconductor industry. They identify areas where chip improvements can benefit the development of new electronic devices. So it is important to understand what has been happening in the electronics manufacturing sector which has already crossed the $100 billion mark. As per the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), the distribution of women workers varies significantly across regions. While South India boasts an impressive ratio of 70 per cent or more, the Northern counterpart lags behind at merely 15-20 per cent, predominantly in day-shift roles. Women workers in electronics manufacturing are assigned various roles, including operators, supervisors, and quality control positions. Their salaries are equivalent to those of their male counterparts, suggesting a level of pay parity within the industry regardless of gender. The ICEA anticipates that Indias semiconductor plants will make concerted efforts to foster gender diversity, aiming for a minimum of 15 per cent representation of women employees within the semiconductor industry. Although numerous companies are dedicated to hiring more women and providing training if needed for the employees, achieving gender diversity and a level playing field across industries also necessitates efforts from women. This entails actively opting for STEM education, engineering or technology degrees to increase enrolment percentages because India cannot risk missing out on leveraging its vast young population, which includes both males and females. Microsoft is enhancing the functionality of its AI-driven Copilot in Microsoft Teams by adding new ways to call upon the assistant for summaries, meeting conversations and other purposes. Copilot is already able to summarise Teams sessions, but in the next few months, it will merge spoken transcripts and written discussions into a single display, making it simpler to catch up on missed meetings. According to the Microsoft 365 blog, the Teams app is getting a lot of updates powered by AI. One of the updates is an improved Microsoft Copilot that can summarize your meetings. In April, Copilot will also be able to recognise you in transcripts based on your voice and face. In May, Copilot will be able to listen to meetings in real time and then give you a summary afterwards, including a written record of what was said and a log of the text chat. In June, Copilot will also be able to track your VOIP calls and provide you with AI-powered insights about the call, so you don't have to remember everything yourself. If you often struggle with what to say in meetings, Copilot will have a new text-based feature in April. You can ask Copilot to help you expand your message to better achieve your goals. Microsoft says you can even ask it to make you sound like a pirate, which could be fun for International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Additionally, Microsoft has said that it is turning on its AI-powered Intelliframe function by default. This feature makes it easier for remote workers to call into a physical meeting room to see who is present and who is not. The AI can switch between different camera views automatically, ensuring that everyone stays in the shot even if they move out of view. It will also have AI-powered voice isolation to minimize background noise, like when someone suddenly starts vacuuming during a call. Finally, Microsoft has partnered with AT&T, Virgin Media O2, Odido, Vodafone UK, and other companies to make Teams Phone Mobile more widely available later this year. This solution aims to simplify communication by providing users with a single phone number to use for both Microsoft Teams and their regular phone app. Indians never cease to amaze with their Desi Jugaads, whether its at home or on the streets. And just when you think youve seen it all, along comes an auto-rickshaw driver, ready to silence any doubts about the ingenuity ingrained in every Indian. Whats the latest feat, you wonder? Well, in a viral video making rounds, an auto-rickshaw is spotted sporting a rather unconventional addition a pipe strategically placed in front of the driver. Now, this isnt your ordinary pipe. Its a dual-ended wonder, with one extending outside the vehicle and the other inside the drivers compartment. And whats the purpose, you ask? Ingeniously, it acts as a targeted airflow system, providing the driver with a refreshing breeze during scorching summer days. Sounds too good to be true, right? But theres science behind the magic the Venturi effect, where fluid velocity increases and pressure decreases as it passes through a narrow section of a pipe. Also Read: Nothing Funny: Bengaluru Womans Phone Jugaad on Scooter Raises Safety Concerns So, while it may sound like rocket science, for a Chennai auto-rickshaw driver, its just another day proving that India isnt for beginners. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ramez (@sangeeeramez) The video, shared on Instagram, quickly gained attention and sparked a wave of comments. While some wondered about the purpose of the pipe, others took a more humorous approach. Free Air force, exclaimed one user. Another joked, I thought it was a horn If you see it, sound will come more right. One commentator even suggested an improvement, writing, Can improve further by applying the Venturi effect, decrease the size of the tube opening on the inside. It will cause the speed of the air to increase as it goes through a constriction, leading to a decrease in pressure and subsequently a drop in temperature. While were no scientists, its worth noting that the Venturi effect typically occurs in a pipe system with a constriction, affecting fluid flow. In this case, the pipe seems to function more as a makeshift fan to direct airflow towards the driver. While its possible that the narrowing of the pipe could result in some increase in airflow speed, the primary purpose here seems to be about directing air towards the driver rather than exploiting the Venturi effect for cooling. Also Read: IndiGo Passenger Using Headrest Cover As Eye Mask is Desi Jugaad At its Best, See Viral Pic Since its share, the clip has skyrocketed to fame, amassing a staggering 38 million views on the platform. A mesmerising spectacle unfolded high above the North Atlantic as a Dutch pilot, Christiaan van Heijst, seized an extraordinary moment from the cockpit of a Boeing 747. Capturing the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights, Christiaan shared the breathtaking images on Instagram. Van Heijst seized these captivating images while flying a few hundred miles south of Iceland, soaring above the vast expanse of the North Atlantic Ocean. He portrayed the Northern Lights as A turquoise aerial fire in the form of aurora borealis. A few hundred miles south of Iceland, somewhere over the North Atlantic ocean. A turquoise aerial fire in the form of aurora borealis while the city lights of Reykjavik illuminate the horizon in a contrasting, orange glow, far away, Christiaan wrote. Dutch pilot Christiaan van Heijst shared not only breathtaking images of the Northern Lights but also an entertaining anecdote behind capturing the moment. Describing the scene, he wrote Artificial lights on the horizon: a beacon of civilisation and connectedness to the world after many hours of isolation: no communication in my headset except for the bare minimums in regard to procedures, nor any personal interaction from my Icelandic captain, whos been mute ever since the landing gear went up on the other side of the planet. A character known for his absolute approach to colleagues and deliberate lack of conversational depth during flight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christiaan van Heijst (@jpcvanheijst) As the flight progressed and the lights of Reykjavik came into view, the captain broke his silence. Van Heijst recounted the moment with amusement: Without need, heed or warning, he opens up the intercom and takes his time to start his declaration for a single-person audience: me. Staring out of his window, eyes set on the distant orange glow from his left-hand window, he solemnly proclaims a few seconds later: the centre of the universe, allowing some moments of quiet contemplation and thought on my side, before switching his intercom off again, as if to underline this statement and retreating back in his cone of silence. Stoic minimalism at its best and I cant help but silently chuckle at this unexpected and utterly dry sense of humour. After their landing at the cargo airport in central Europe, the silence between van Heijst and the captain continued. However, as they prepared to part ways, the captain broke the silence once more. Youre a fun guy, looking forward to flying with you next time, he confided to van Heijst. The post garnered praise from online users, with one expressing, Amazing! Thank you for sharing! Another wrote, Thank you for again sharing your wonderful magical world in the sky with us on earth. Very lovely photo. On April 8, a total solar eclipse will intrigue the viewers as the moon completely blocks the Suns rays from Earth, creating a brief period of darkness known as totality. During this extraordinary event, observers may catch a glimpse of the Suns corona, revealing dark-pink towers and loops of electrically charged plasma. Notably, similar prominences were witnessed during a total solar eclipse in Australia on April 20, 2023, impressing spectators with their spectacular display. North America is set to experience these mesmerising prominences during the upcoming total solar eclipse. Reports from Live Science suggest that the event coincides with the peak of the Suns 11-year solar cycle, known as solar maximum. Even after the eclipse concludes, enthusiasts can use a hydrogen alpha telescope to observe these prominences for several days afterwards. Additionally, observers are encouraged to remain vigilant for other rare phenomena during totality. Say Totality! With just 2 weeks until a total solar eclipse across North America, brush up on your eclipse photography skills with tips from @nasahqphoto.Remember: Safety first. Dont look at the Sun without solar filters unless its totally blocked.https://t.co/2TxveMdE6R pic.twitter.com/zOJZknTZ97 NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) March 25, 2024 One such phenomenon is a coronal mass ejection (CME), described by a solar physicist from the National Solar Observatory in Boulder, Colorado, USA. These CMEs appear as twisted, spiral-like structures high in the Suns atmosphere, comprising magnetic fields and plasma mass ejected from the corona. Despite their rapid movement, CMEs may appear stationary, offering a sight visible from locations such as Rochester and Dallas, albeit at different stages of the same eruption. Solar flares, another remarkable occurrence, are powerful bursts of radiation emitted from the Suns surface at the speed of light. While the likelihood of witnessing a solar flare during totality is minimal, they often follow CMEs and can reach Earth in just eight minutes, providing a fascinating celestial display. Eclipse chasers eagerly await the opportunity to observe giant eruptive prominences during totality on April 8. These prominences, varying in size, are most commonly observed during solar maximum and may even detach from the Suns surface, floating freely within the corona. In summary, the total solar eclipse on April 8 promises to offer not only a breathtaking display of the Suns corona but also opportunities to witness rare celestial phenomena, captivating observers across North America and beyond. A Google Maps Street View driver, nearly a year after his arrest, has now pleaded guilty to leading Indiana police officers on a high-speed chase before crashing into a creek. To everyones surprise, the criminal charges on the man have been reduced to misdemeanour as the man accepted a suspended one-year jail sentence for his act and even agreed to pay $3,200 (around Rs 3 lakh) in restitution. The 37-year-old Coleman Ferguson was escorted out of the vehicle and placed into custody" by the Middletown Police Department for about seven months. On August 1, 2023, the Department, through a Facebook post, shared information about arresting Ferguson for driving over 100 miles per hour. The police officer who arrested the driver reported that the suspects unusual vehicle was blowing past a high school and passed another car at nearly double the posted 55 mph speed limit. The police report said, [The car] was Google wrapped and had a large 360 camera on top of the vehicle." Check The Post Here: As the officer turned on his sirens and gave chase, the driver picked up speed. Police further said that the vehicle went airborn for several feet" before stopping in a creek in a northeast suburb of Indianapolis. Ferguson, on the other hand, blamed police for making him flee from them as he reportedly was driving with a suspended license and expired plates earlier and was convicted for the same. The department, in its post, further shared, Mr Ferguson stated that he worked for Google and was scared to stop. He was transported to Henry Community Health Hospital in New Castle for medical clearance and then to the Henry County Jail. He was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement with a vehicle, a Level 6 Felony." The police department, however, is yet to discover how Ferguson, working as a Google contractor, came to operate a Street View car. The driver was found to have a rap sheet including two separate convictions for driving with a suspended license and expired plates. As per the reports, he was working in the facilities department of an Indiana university. In a shocking revelation, several women have shared TikTok videos recounting horrific incidents of being unpredictably punched by strangers. These incidents occured in New York City. As per New York Post, at least two such assaults during broad daylight were reported to the police this week. Halley Kate, a social media influencer with 1.1 million followers, shared a video following one of the assaults. She described how the attack caused her to fall to the ground and lose consciousness. The case is being investigated. You guys, I was literally just walking, and a man came up and punched me in the face. Oh my God, it was so bad, I cant even talk, Kate said. Kate did not provide specific details about the time or location of the alleged incident. However, her video narrating the experience seemed to be filmed on 7th Avenue, situated between West 15th and 16th streets in Chelsea. A few hours later, Mikayla Toninato, a student at Parsons School of Design in Greenwich Village, tagged Kate in a post, sharing a similar narrative. Just got punched in the face, walking home. I was literally like leaving class, I turned the corner and I was looking down and I was looking at my phone, and texting, and then, out of nowhere, this man just came up and hit me in the face, she wrote. Toninato said the attack took place at West 14th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. On March 17, another woman, Oliva Brand used the platform to recount a similar encounter, as depicted in a video recorded on Mulberry Street in Nolita. I literally got punched in the head on the sidewalk. He goes, Sorry, and then punches me in the head. Holy crap, what the hell just happened? Oh my God, Brand said. Similarly, on March 17, a 25-year-old woman was walking her dog just before noon at the intersection of Kenmare and Mulberry streets when she was punched in the head by an unknown individual, as per officials responding to inquiries about Brands video. Police indicated that it was uncertain whether the incidents were linked. President Ferdinand Marcos on Thursday said that the Philippines will not be cowed into silence by Beijing after confrontations in the South China Sea that injured Filipino troops and damaged vessels. We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience, Marcos said in a statement posted on his X handle. Over the course of these past days, I have met with and spoken to our countrys National Security and Defense leadership. They have made their considered recommendations and, through exhaustive consultations, I have given them my directives.I have also been in constant Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) March 28, 2024 He said the Philippines would respond with a countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia. Filipinos do not yield, Marcos said. Marcoss remarks followed the latest clashes in the disputed waterway, during which the China Coast Guard fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel carrying supplies for troops garrisoned on a remote reef. Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near contested reefs in recent months. Chinese water cannon China Coast Guard hits a Philippine Supply Vessel with a water cannon, blocks it as it approaches Ayungin Shoal. Chinese action causes near collision. pic.twitter.com/DCYfJ8vrHN Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 24, 2024 The incident last Saturday left three Filipino navy personnel injured and caused severe damage to their supply vessel, Manila said previously. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. On Thursday, China blamed Philippine actions for recent rising tension between the two sides in the hotly contested waters. The provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue, Beijings defence ministry said in a statement entitled China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully. Relying on the backing of external forces the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international communitys perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road, it added. (With agency inputs) Mosaic held its first prom on Tuesday afternoon at the Countryside Event Center. Individuals from two Southeast Nebraska Mosaic campuses and volunteers danced, had snacks and Shirley Temple drinks at their prom. Mosaic Community Relations Manager Joyce Wenzbauer said they wanted to be able to get everyone out and away from campus. We had to be confined for so long during the pandemic, she said. We just wanted to be able to get out and socialize. What better way to make new friends than to have a dance? Wenzbauer said there were several volunteers from the community, family and friends that joined the individuals at the prom. She noted they received a lot of support from the community. Dan and Lori Crawford with the event center, Jeff Carr did the music, Colleen Deines and Cassie Hawkins helped with hair and make-up, Denise Pahl at Tall Tree for collecting dresses, Dianes Dresses and so many people who donated formal wear, she said. Executive Director Lydia Paulsen said the Mosaic in Omaha had invited the Beatrice campus, but it wasnt feasible for them to take everyone that far. So, we decided to have our own event, she said. We do dances on campus for special occasions, and they really seem to enjoy it. Its important for us to have fun. I think its been really successful, and we hope to make it an annual event. The community involvement was incredible. This was a huge effort. We were actually able to help another campus with some dresses. Ben Martin said he liked the dancing at the prom. He also really liked the cupcakes. Attorneys for Hunter Biden asked a judge Wednesday to toss out the tax case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle. President Joe Bidens son has pleaded not guilty to the nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses. His attorneys argued the prosecution is politically motivated, was tainted by leaks from IRS agents who claimed publicly the case was mishandled and includes some allegations from before he moved to California. Prosecutors framed the claims as far-fetched during the three-hour hearing. Prosecutor Leo Wise scoffed at the idea that the case was tainted by the IRS agents who I couldnt have picked out of a lineup. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell, on the other hand, maintained the case was hopelessly contaminated by partisan politics, calling it the least ordinary prosecution a person could imagine. U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi appeared to be skeptical, telling Lowell the hard evidence for some of his claims was lacking. You cite to a lot of things on the internet, he said. Scarsi said he would likely rule on motions to dismiss by April 17. Hunter Biden has also been charged in Delaware with lying on a federal form to buy a gun in 2018 by saying he wasnt using or addicted to illegal drugs, even though he has acknowledged being addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, which also accuses him of possessing the gun illegally. Both cases are overseen by special counsel David Weiss and now have tentative trials scheduled for June, though defense attorneys are also trying to get the Delaware gun charges tossed out. The two sets of charges come from a yearslong federal investigation that had been expected to wrap up over the summer with a plea deal in which Hunter Biden would have gotten two years of probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges. The presidents son, who has since repaid the back taxes with a loan, also would have avoided prosecution on the gun charge if he stayed out of trouble. Defense attorneys argue that immunity provisions in the deal were signed by a prosecutor and are still in effect, though prosecutors disagree. But the deal that could have spared Hunter Biden the spectacle of a criminal trial during the 2024 presidential campaign unraveled after a federal judge in Delaware began to question it. Now, the tax and gun cases are moving ahead as part of an unprecedented confluence of political and legal drama: As the November election draws closer, the Justice Department is actively prosecuting both the Democratic presidents son and the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Hunter Bidens original proposed plea deal with prosecutors had been pilloried as a sweetheart deal by Republicans, including Trump. The former president is facing his own criminal problems 91 charges across four cases, including that he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden. Hunter Bidens criminal proceedings are also happening in parallel to so-far unsuccessful efforts by congressional Republicans to link his business dealings to his father. Republicans are pursuing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. No evidence has emerged to prove that Joe Biden, as president or previously as vice president, abused his role or accepted bribes, though questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden familys international business dealings. In launching their Biden impeachment inquiry last year, the House Republicans relied in large part on unverified claims from an FBI informant released by Senate Republicans suggesting that payments totaling $10 million from Ukrainian energy company Burisma to the Bidens were discussed. The now-former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, was arrested last month in a case also overseen by Weiss. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he fabricated the bribery allegations. His attorney attended Wednesdays hearing, though he did not speak in the courtroom. If convicted of the tax charges, Hunter Biden, 53, could receive a maximum of 17 years in prison. India and China held the 29th round of border consultation in Beijing on March 27 and discussed ways to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region. The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 27 March 2024 in Beijing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by the Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement added. Complete disengagement Ties between India and China nose-dived significantly following the deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in more than four decades. The last meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on November 30 last year. After the meeting on Wednesday, MEA said, The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols, MEA said. The latest round of border talks came as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday stressed that normalcy in bilateral ties will only be achieved based on the traditional deployment of troops, which will be the prerequisite for the relationship. Good ties with neighbours My first duty to Indians is to secure the border. I can never compromise on that, Jaishankar said while responding to a question on the current state of Indias relations with China during his interaction with the Indian diaspora here in the Malaysian capital. He said every country wants good relations with its neighbours. Who doesnt? But every relationship has to be founded on some basis. Were still negotiating with the Chinese. I talk to my counterpart. We meet from time to time. Our military commanders negotiate with each other. But we are very clear that we had an agreement. There is a Line of Actual Control. We have a tradition of not bringing troops to that line. Both of us have bases some distance away, which is our traditional deployment place. And we want that normalcy, he said. So that normalcy that returns to where we are in terms of the troop deployment will be the basis for the relationship going forward. And weve been very, very honest with the Chinese about it, Jaishankar said. A man accused of helping smuggle people across the US-Canada border into the state of Minnesota, including four members of an Indian family from Gujarat, who froze to death in 2022, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to human smuggling. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 28, entered his plea during a brief teleconference with US Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois of Duluth. US authorities said Steven Shand, 49, was hired by Patel to drive the Indian nationals from the Canadian border to the Chicago area. Shand, of Deltona, Florida, pleaded not guilty during the same hearing to four counts contained in an updated indictment against them that was unsealed last week. Shand was arrested and charged with human smuggling two years ago. He remains free on his own recognizance. READ MORE: Indian-Origin Man Held In Chicago Over Death of Gujarati Family Found Frozen Near US-Canada Border This development comes as Patel, who goes by the alias Dirty Harry, remains in federal custody. According to a court document, it was revealed that Patel was refused a US visa at least five times, including four at US consulates in India and once at the US consulate in Ottawa, Canada. He is in the US illegally, the agent said. Patels name didnt emerge until he was arrested in Chicago last month on a previously sealed warrant issued last September. Unsealed court papers connect Patel with a human trafficking group based in the northwest Indian state of Gujarat. The group allegedly would get Indian nationals into Canada on student visas, then move them on to the Chicago area. The migrants would work for substandard wages at Indian restaurants while they paid off debt to the smugglers, according to the court documents. US prosecutors allege Shand was driving a rented 15-passenger van when it was stopped by the US Border Patrol in Minnesota just south of the Canadian border on Jan. 19, 2022. Inside the van were two Indians from Gujarat who had entered the US illegally, while five others were spotted walking nearby. According to court documents, they told officers theyd been walking for more than 11 hours in temperatures well below zero Fahrenheit (-34 Celsius). One person was hospitalised with severe cold-related injuries. A man with the group told authorities he paid the equivalent of about $87,000 to get smuggled into the US. He also had a backpack that contained childrens clothes and a diaper, but there were no children in the group. The man told authorities he was carrying the items for a family of four with a small child, all of whom had become separated from his group during the night. Later that day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the four dead, just 10 meters from the border near Emerson, Manitoba. According to a series of messages sent via WhatsApp, Shand told Patel, Make sure everyone is dressed for the blizzard conditions please. Patel replied, Done. Then Shand remarked, We not losing any money. The victims were identified as Jagdish Patel, 39; his wife, Vaishaliben, 34; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son Dharmik, all from the village of Dingucha in Gujarat. Jagdish Patel and his wife were educated and had worked as teachers, but sought a better life in the US, according to their relatives. The victims faced not only bitter cold, but also flat, open fields; large snowdrifts and complete darkness, the Mounted Police have said. They were wearing winter clothing, but it wasnt enough to save them. A court filing unsealed last month said Shand told investigators he first met Harshkumar Patel, whom he also knew by the nickname Dirty Harry, at a gaming establishment Patel managed in Orange City, Florida. Shand said Patel originally tried to recruit him to pick up Indian nationals who were illegally crossing the US-Canada border in New York. Shand said he declined, but agreed to pick up others in Minnesota. Shand said Patel paid him about $25,000 altogether for five trips to the border in December 2021 and January 2022. He said he dropped off his passengers at an Indian supermarket in Chicago, a residence in a wealthy part of the Chicago area, and at a suburban Chicago motel. (With AP inputs) Amid Israels war against Hamas in Gaza, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday underlined the rights of Palestinians and the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law. During his visit to Malaysia, Jaishankar once again described the October 7 attack on Israel as terrorism but he also acknowledged the death of innocent civilians in the ongoing conflict that has seen enormous casualties and is set to enter its seventh month. EAM Jaishankar on the Israel Palestine issue:whatever the rights or wrongs, underline fact is Palestinians have been denied right, have been denied homeland pic.twitter.com/VN3WM66ehk Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 27, 2024 October 7 was terrorism On one hand, what happened on October 7 was terrorism. On the other hand, nobody would countenance the death of innocent civilians, Jaishankar said during an interaction with the Indian Community in Kuala Lumpur. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is an underlying issue of the rights of the Palestinians and the fact that they have been denied their homeland, he added. The war broke out when Hamas launched its unprecedented October 7 attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians. Hamas also took about 250 hostages. Israel says that, after an earlier truce and hostage deal, about 130 captives remain in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead. Israels retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,490 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry. Without naming any country, the external affairs minister said, Countries may be justified in their own mind in responding (to attack), but every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law. While condemning the terror attack, minister Jaishankar reiterated Indias longstanding position on the two-state solution. Jaishankars remarks came as Israeli forces pounded Gaza on Wednesday and fought Hamas around several hospitals, despite a UN Security Council demand for a ceasefire. Talks in Qatar towards a truce and hostage release deal involving US and Egyptian mediators have brought no result so far, with Israel and the Palestinian militant group blaming each other. Tensions have risen between Israel and its top ally the United States over dire food shortages in Gaza and the soaring civilian death toll in the war. The US also opposes Israeli plans to push its ground offensive into the far-southern city of Rafah, crowded with up to 1.5 million people, most of them displaced by the war. Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit hoping to boost bilateral cooperation with India, which is a longstanding partner of its nemesis Russia. Kuleba will meet with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, as well as the deputy national security advisor, according to an External Affairs Ministry readout. On Thursday, Kuleba will pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat memorial site. I began my visit to New Delhi upon @DrSJaishankars invitation. The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties. Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will pay specific attention to the Peace Formula, Kuleba said in a post on X. I began my visit to New Delhi upon @DrSJaishankars invitation.The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties. Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will pay specific attention to the Peace Formula. pic.twitter.com/PNNuc6TrmP Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 28, 2024 Talks With Putin, Zelenskyy His visit comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On March 25, while announcing his India visit, Kuleba evoked Mahatma Gandhi in his address. His ideal and final goal was freedom and independence. And this is exactly what Ukrainians are fighting for today. The visit foreign minister had said that supporting Ukraine today means supporting freedom and independence. Amid the Ukraine conflict, New Delhi has stressed the need for diplomacy and dialogue on ending the war and has expressed its willingness to contribute to peace efforts. On March 20, PM Modi posted on social media platform X, to say he had expressed to Zelenskyy Indias consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing in an early end to the ongoing conflict, adding that the country will continue to provide humanitarian assistance. This came after Modi spoke to Putin to congratulate him on his re-election as president. Today, India celebrates Holi, the most beautiful and colorful spring holiday. I wish everyone a happy Holi! Standing here in Kyiv, in front of Mahatma Gandhis monument, I am also pleased to announce that this week I will pay my first ever visit to India. pic.twitter.com/j38tNyGvUw Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 25, 2024 Peace Summit During the phone conversation, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen their relationship, while Modi reiterated that dialogue and peace was the best way forward for the Russia-Ukraine war. In his phone call with Modi last week, Zelenskyy said he encouraged India to participate in the Peace Summit that Switzerland has offered to organise. Ukraine is interested in strengthening our trade and economic ties with India, particularly in agricultural exports, aviation cooperation, and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade, the Ukrainian president said in a post on X. A day before the Ukrainian foreign ministers India visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said Indias position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield and New Delhi wants to find a way of bringing this conflict to an end. Responding to a question on Indias position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict during his interaction with the Indian diaspora here in the Malaysian capital, Jaishankar said that there are no winners of a conflict. We took the position from the start, that youre not going to get a solution to this conflict on the battlefield, he said. At the end of the day, every party and a lot of innocent bystanders or other nations also get ruined or affected. One way or the other by conflict. So, our position has been here to find a way of bringing this conflict to an end, he said, adding that very honestly, in some circles, this was not a very popular position at that time. Indias close ties have been subject to criticism from Western media, especially over its oil purchase amid the Ukraine conflict. During his last Russia visit in December, Jaishankar noted the importance of Indias relationship with Russia. I have written about it in my book, and I mean I said it in Moscow. I said it publicly in Moscow even before my meeting with President Putin happened, which is that we value this relationship. It is a relationship that has served India well, he had said. (With agency inputs) Police in Houston are investigating the death of an 8-year-old girl whose body was found inside a large pipe for a lazy river at a Houston hotel where shed been swimming with her family. Aliyah Jaicos death on Saturday was ruled an accidental drowning by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. It said she died from drowning and mechanical asphyxia, when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing. Her autopsy report is pending. Police said the girl was found inside a large pipe in the pool area and was pronounced dead by paramedics. A lawsuit filed Monday against the hotel by her mother, Jose Daniela Jaico Ahumada, alleges that the child was sucked into an unsecured opening in the pools flow system that was 12 inches (30 centimeters) to 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide. They had to break up concrete in order to extract her, cut pipe, it was absolutely horrific, Richard Nava, her mothers attorney, said Tuesday at a news conference. The family was staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow, which is named as a defendant in the lawsuit along with Hilton Worldwide Holdings. A Hilton spokesperson said they were deeply saddened by the girls death and noted that the property is independently owned and operated by a third party. The spokesperson said that Hilton had not been served with a lawsuit and doesnt comment on pending litigation. A law office that the Hilton spokesperson said represented the hotel ownership did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Ahumada said in the lawsuit that shed rented the room so her family could enjoy a day of swimming, an activity Aliyah loved. Four people were killed and seven were hurt when a man went on a stabbing rampage Wednesday across multiple locations in the US state of Illinois. Local Police Chief Carla Redd said a 22-year-old man was in police custody and was being questioned. Rockford police said one of the people who was wounded remained in critical condition. My heart goes out to the families right now that are suffering a loss, Redd told reporters. She said the Rockford Police received a medical call at 1:14 p.m. followed by additional calls for police and paramedics. RELEASE: Multiple Victims in Afternoon Attack; Suspect in Custody pic.twitter.com/qrg3ku174K RockfordILPolice (@RockfordPD) March 28, 2024 Dont have a clear motive We dont believe theres any other suspects that are on the run or at large at this particular time, Redd said. Right now, we dont have a clear motive as to what caused this individual to commit such a heinous crime. Not all of the victims found at multiple addresses in the city had stab wounds and none were shot, according to Redd. Rockford Police initially said five people had been injured. Cori Hilliard, a public information officer with the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office, later said on Wednesday that two more victims were among those hurt. Three people died at the scenes. The fourth died at a hospital. Redd said residents were asked to review their home surveillance camera footage for anything related to the attacks. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 145 kilometers miles northwest of Chicago. The violence Wednesday came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said. Now that the suspect is in custody, he continued, Our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. Multiple crime scenes The mayor wrote on the citys Facebook page that multiple jurisdictions are working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. The suspect was arrested by a Winnebago County sheriffs deputy after they were called to a reported home invasion, Sheriff Gary Caruana said. The young lady ran from him, Caruana said of one of the survivours. She got some stab wounds in her hands and her face. She is in serious condition. One of the good Samaritans stopped to help her out. He did get some stab wounds. He is being checked out. Resident Eric Patterson said he was struggling to make sense of the violence on his street. You cant rationalise this, Patterson told the Rockford Register Star. Its almost like playing a video game, but its reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. Im going to run over the mailman here. Im going to stab a couple people there. I am going to go in this house over here. (With agency inputs) Dr. Ted Vlahos has been performing amputations on horses for 24 years. As one of just three veterinarians in the country that perform this surgery, hes had horses travel from all over for his care. But today, for the first time, a horse flew to see Dr. Vlahos at Yellowstone Equine Hospital in Cody, Wyoming. The horse, named Buck, landed Wednesday evening in Billings, after flying from Alabama via FedEx. After getting his leg stuck in barbed wire fencing, he was treated at Auburn University for about six weeks before his owners decided to bring him out west to see Dr. Vlahos. The owners just love him and are not ready to euthanize him, said Cathy Vlahos, Dr. Vlahos's wife and the office manager at Yellowstone Equine Hospital. Theyd much rather do everything they can to save him. After the amputation and several weeks of healing, Dr. Vlahos will take a mold of the leg and ship it to the prosthesis maker. Theyll send back a test prosthesis, and if its a good fit, a permanent prosthesis will be made. Once a horse returns home from Dr. Vlahos, the prosthesis requires daily care on the part of the owner. It must be removed every day for cleaning and be replaced every one to three years. The horse has to be a good candidate for surgery and the owner also has to be a good candidate, Cathy said. It takes commitment from the owner. Though horses with prostheses cannot be ridden, they can still mate and live a long life. Why put them down if theyre healthy and youre committed to take care of them? Vlahos said. A horse named Cheyenne, who had an amputation performed 16 years ago by Dr. Vlahos, is still alive and living a good life. The owners love that horse, Cathy said. Theyve had a great 16 years with that horse. That said, prosthetics remain controversial. Were in a ranch type of area, Cathy said. If a horse cant do its job, some people would not invest in that. Dr. Vlahos said that surgery is not the right fit for every horse, but for those for which it is, it's life-saving. As for Buck, hell be acclimating to Cody for the next few days and will be evaluated by Dr. Vlahos, before undergoing surgery later this week. Montana State University Billings will host the 54th Annual MSU Billings Powwow on April 5 and 6 in Alterowitz Gym on the university campus. The Powwow grand entry begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 5, and will continue Saturday, April 6, at noon and 6 p.m. The Powwow host drum is Blackfoot Confederacy from Canada, Master of Ceremonies is Charles Moran of MHA Nation, and Arena Director is Terry Brockie of the Fort Belknap Tribe. Head Woman Dancer is MSUB student Taylor Medicine Horse, a nursing major from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Tribes, and Head Man Dancer is MSUB student Waycen Owens-Cyr, an accounting & finance major from the Fort Peck Tribe. The theme for the 2024 Powwow is Resilient Relatives. By highlighting the resilience of relatives within Indigenous communities, the Powwow can serve as a platform to showcase the resilience of individuals, families, and communities in overcoming adversity and preserving their cultural heritage, Sunny Day Real Bird, director of MSUBs Native American Achievement Center, said in a statement. It can also serve as a reminder of the importance of solidarity, support, and mutual empowerment within Indigenous families and communities as they navigate the complexities of the modern world while staying rooted in their traditions and values. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, an MSUB alumni breakfast will take place in the Physical Education Building, Room 122, on MSUBs University campus. It is open to all alumni. Those interested in attending should call 406-657-2244 to RSVP. MSUBs Powwow is free and open to the public. For more information about the Powwow, visit the Powwow webpage at www.msubillings.edu/naac/powwow.htm or contact Sunny Day Real Bird at sunnyday.realbird@msubillings.edu. A MAN who stole US$5 from a motorist before causing a car accident has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Blessing Moyo was facing two counts of armed robbery when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi yesterday. Initially, he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment of which six years were suspended conditionally. He will serve an effective 14 years in jail. Prosecuting, Mrs Cecilia Mashingaidze told the court that Moyo robbed Mr King Kamungeremu who had given him a lift from Chitungwiza to Harare City centre. Agreed facts are that Moyo and his accomplice, who is at large, got into Mr Kamungeremus car near St Marys clinic. Upon arrival at Manyame River bridge, the accomplice, who was in the front seat, produced a pistol and pointed it at the complainant, instructing him to surrender his valuables including the motor vehicle. Mr Kamungeremu then surrendered his wallet which contained US$5. Moyo instructed Mr Kamungeremu to turn left into a nearby dust road and drive towards Kabrit Zimbabwe National Army main camp. However, before arriving at the army base, and in a desperate bid for survival, Mr Kamungeremu drove into the oncoming traffic lane where he was hit on the rear by another car. Mr Kamungeremu then stopped the car and disembarked from the vehicle shouting for help. As soon as the car stopped, Moyos unknown accomplice reportedly took off, leaving him trapped in the car. Some of the motorists who witnessed the accident then helped Mr Kamungeremu capture Moyo and took him to the police station. The court further heard that during their searches, the Good Samaritans recovered a pellet gun that the robbers had used. Herald Boston Dynamics says a four-legged Spot robot that took three bullets during a standoff on Cape Cod earlier this month is the first of the robots to be shot while on duty. In a Facebook post , Massachusetts State Police said the robot dog, nicknamed Roscoe, was used to search a home for an "armed barricaded subject." Roscoe was being remotely controlled by a bomb squad trooper when the suspect "suddenly appeared from a bedroom armed with a rifle" and knocked the robot over. "Unbeknownst to the suspect, SPOT robots have a self-righting function," police said. They said that when the suspect "realized, with apparent surprise" that Roscoe was behind him on a staircase, he knocked the robot over again and raised his rifle. "The robot suddenly lost communications." Police said Roscoe was shot three times in the side and "neck" by the suspect, who also fired at officers, a SWAT vehicle, and another robot, NBC News reports. Juan Moreno was safely arrested in the Barnstaple home after police deployed tear gas. "We are relieved that the only casualty that day was our robot," a Boston Dynamics rep tells NBC. "It's a great example of how mobile robots like Spot can be used to save lives." Roscoe was returned to the company to have the bullets removed, the AP reports. The company is planning to keep it for research and will send police a new robot. The incident "provided a stark example of the benefits of mobile platforms capable of opening doors and ascending stairs in tactical missions involving armed suspects," police said. "The insertion of Roscoe into the suspect residence prevented the need, at that stage of response, from inserting human operators and a real dog, and may have prevented a police officer or K9 from being involved in an exchange of gunfire." (More robots stories.) Joe Lieberman, a four-term senator who was elected as a Democrat, won reelection as an independent, endorsed a Republican presidential candidate, and helped found the No Labels movement, died Wednesday. His family said he died in New York City of complications after suffering a fall, per the Washington Post . He was 82. Lieberman was Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore's running mate in 2000, making him the first Jewish candidate on a major party's national ticket. The Connecticut senator launched his own unsuccessful campaign for the party's presidential nomination four years later. On social issues including abortion access, protecting the environment, gay rights, and gun control, Lieberman largely was aligned with the Democrats, and he considered himself a centrist in that framework. On foreign policy, especially, he often broke with them. That included his support of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent war there, which critically damaged his presidential campaign and Senate reelection bid in 2006. He prevailed in the Connecticut race by running as an independent, substituting support from Republicans and independents. He later said he also was helped by GOP money steered his way by an aide to President George W. Bush, per the Post. He then worked with Democrats in the Senate. Although he and Gore lost by one of the smallest margins in US history, Lieberman's candidacy had a historic impact, wrote the authors of Jews in American Politics, per Politico. "The net effect of the nomination has been to change the perception of what is possible for Jewish candidates for office for all time," the book says. Eight years later, Lieberman campaigned for Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee running against Barack Obama, even speaking at the GOP convention. When Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema left the Democratic Party in 2022 to become an independent, Lieberman offered his support. "We're in a time when the two major parties have not played the role that they are intended to play, which is to help the country solve some of our problems," he told the Times. (More obituary stories.) Four people were killed and five were hurt in stabbings in northern Illinois on Wednesday, authorities said. A suspect is in police custody and was being questioned Wednesday afternoon, according to Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd. She said: "We have four individuals who are deceased. We have one that's in critical condition right now and an additional four that are in stable condition," the AP reports. Redd said that not all of the victims had stab wounds. None were shot. "We have a suspect in custody who is being interviewed at this time," she said. "We don't believe there's any other suspects that are on the run or at large." "Right now, we don't have a clear motive as to what caused this individual to commit such a heinous crime," Redd said. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said the victims included a young woman who was stabbed in the hands and face and a good Samaritan who tried help her, the Chicago Tribune reports. He said the suspect was arrested by a sheriff's deputy. Police described the suspect as an adult male who "attacked and stabbed multiple individuals" in a residential area, NBC Chicago reports. Rockford is around 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Mayor Tom McNamara wrote on the city's Facebook page that "multiple jurisdictions" are "working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again." (More Illinois stories.) If you've ever spent a rainy day browsing through Harvard's "Ask a Librarian" FAQ, you may have stumbled upon one particularly gruesome query : "What is the status of the book bound in human skin at Harvard?" After a decade of debate and controversy, that status now has an updatethe binding of the book in question has now been removed, and the university says it's seeking "a final respectful disposition of these human remains," per a statement from Harvard cited by the New York Times . The book is "Des Destinees de l'Ame" ("The Destinies of the Soul") by Arsene Houssaye, a "a meditation on the soul and life after death" published in 1879 that currently resides in the school's Houghton Library, per the FAQ. The book found its way to Harvard in 1934, long after its first owner, the French doctor Ludovic Bouland, had wrapped the tome in skin he swiped without permission from the back of a deceased female patient in the psychiatric hospital where he worked during the Civil War era. Harvard more or less confirmed that fact in 2014, though Houssaye's book turned out to be far from alone in its grim origins: The Times notes that, in 2022, Harvard issued a report that identified more than 20,000 human remains in total throughout the university's collections, ranging from pieces of hair and bone to teeth and full skeletons. In its latest statement, Harvard Library noted that it was decided to remove the binding "after careful study, stakeholder engagement, and consideration," and "due to the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history." It's now offering an apology, acknowledging its "past failures" that "further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being whose remains were used for its binding." story continues below "This important work is long overdue," a library spokesperson tells the Harvard Crimson. "We recognize that." The book, whose access had been restricted in 2015, is now once again on full view in the library, as well as online. As for what staff will do with the removed binding, which is said to be in "respectful temporary storage": "We expect this process to take months, and perhaps longer," per the FAQ. (More strange stuff stories.) A Lame Deer man admitted Thursday to attempting to have sex with two minor girls on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. The defendant, Travis Dean Two Two, Sr., 35, pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement and to attempted sex trafficking of a minor as charged in an indictment, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. Two Two faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to a lifetime of supervised release on each charge. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Aug. 1 and Two Two was detained pending further proceedings. From about May 2023 to August 2023, in Lame Deer and Ashland, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Two Two communicated with a 14-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, through social media, according to court documents. Responding to a tip about the communications, law enforcement obtained messages in which Two Two confirms Doe 1 is 14 and indicates the two of them will have some fun together. Law enforcement obtained permission to take over Doe 1s account and communicate with Two Two. The communications became increasingly sexual and Two Two requested naked pictures of Doe 1 and made plans to meet with her for sex. Ultimately, Two Two discussed meeting Doe 1 at MontanaFair in Billings, indicated he wanted to take nude pictures of her and maybe make a video of sex acts with her. He noted that he like(s) them young, according to court documents. Law enforcement arrested Two Two on Aug. 19 as he was leaving MontanaFair. In addition, from about June 2023 until September 2023, at Lame Deer, Two Two attempted to engage a minor girl in commercial sex, according to court documents. In August 2023, law enforcement interviewed a 16-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 2, who indicated she had met Two Two in 2021 and that they had communicated though text messages in the summer of 2023. Doe 2 told law enforcement Two Two provided her with marijuana and that in exchange, Two Two began asking for sexual contact, to include a kiss and to grab her butt, which she allowed on a couple of occasions. Two Two later asked for sex in exchange for the marijuana, and Doe 2 rejected this offer, according to court documents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno B. Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Northern Cheyenne Investigative Services conducted the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. UPDATE Mar 29, 2024 12:00 AM CDT The glitzy New York City fundraiser featuring Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and a host of other big names hauled in a record-setting $26 million-plus for President Biden's reelection campaign Thursday night, the AP reports. The mood at Radio City Music Hall was electric as Obama praised Biden's willingness to look for common ground and said, "That's the kind of president I want." Clinton said simply of the choices facing voters in 2024: "Stay with what works." Biden himself went straight at Donald Trump, saying his expected GOP rival's ideas were "a little old and out of shape." Moderator Stephen Colbert, in an armchair conversation with the trio, called them "champion talkers" and joked that the three presidents had come to town "and not one of them is here to appear in court," a dig at Trump's many legal troubles. (Much more on the evening here.) Mar 28, 2024 1:00 AM CDT Political donors can typically expect to see one president when they buy tickets to a reelection fundraiser, but this Thursday will give them a rare opportunity to hear from three at once. President Biden will be joined by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for an event that brings together more than three decades of Democratic leadership, the AP reports. The fundraiser will be a gilded exclamation mark on a recent burst of presidential campaign travel. Biden has visited every political battleground in the three weeks since his State of the Union address served as a rallying cry for his reelection bid. The New York City affair is an hours-long event with different tiers of access depending on donors' generosity: Russian President Vladimir Putin has again denied any intention to invade other countries in Eastern Europe, which might not provide much comfort. As Politico notes, Russian officials also denied Moscow had plans to attack Ukraine in the months before Russia's invasion of the country two years ago. Putin made the comment Wednesday during a meeting of military pilots in Tver Oblast. "The possibility of an attack on some other countries, on Poland, the Baltic states, the Czechs are scared. It's just nonsense," Putin said. Russia has "no aggressive intentions toward these states." In recent weeks, some military officials in Europe warned Russia could be planning to attack a NATO country. Russian officials have repeatedly painted the expansion of NATO as a threat. While Putin said the idea of a Russian attack on a NATO country was "complete nonsense," he didn't rule out attacks on countries holding enemy weaponry, per Reuters. Asked about the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Putin noted such aircraft could carry nuclear weapons and added, "If they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located." (More NATO stories.) A magpie taken in as a chick stole the hearts of millions of people around the world who were warmed by the bird's unlikely friendship with its Aussie caretakers' bull terrier. But caretakers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen say their hearts have been torn apart in having to surrender Molly the magpie to Queensland's Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) after four years of care. The couple announced the move in a video posted Tuesday, saying a small group of people had "constantly" complained about the living arrangement, per CNN . A DESI rep said the magpie, a protected species in Australia, had been "illegally" taken from the wild and held with "no permit, license, or authority." DESI views magpies as undomesticated birds who should only be housed temporarily for rehabilitation. "Animals in rehabilitation must not associate with domestic animals" due to risks of stress, disease, and behavioral imprinting, the department adds, per CNN. "We are asking why a wild magpie can't decide for himself where he wants to live and who he wants to spend his time with," say Wells and Mortensen, who found Molly abandoned in a local park. They say they nurtured the bird, hoping "to get him back out into the wild." But Molly bonded with bull terrier Peggy and didn't leave. During the pandemic, the couple began sharing photos and videos of the unlikely friends and drew nearly 2 million followers on social media. In their current plight, they're backed by a group of 77,000 and growing, some bird experts, and Queensland Premier Steven Miles. "If you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible," Miles said Thursday, per the BBC. "I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail." DESI, which is hoping not to encourage others to follow the couple's lead, said that its "number one priority is the ongoing welfare of the magpie," who's "undergoing rehabilitation" but is too habituated to human contact to be released into the wild, per CNN. But if the department were really interested in Molly's welfare, it would return the bird to its family, says Griffith University behavioral ecologist Darryl Jones. Though the magpie should never have been taken from the wild, Molly "now thinks it belongs to that family," Jones tells CNN. (More Australia stories.) A shortage of eggs in shops during Holy Week has led Norwegians to flock to supermarkets across the border in Sweden and hoard the traditional Easter favorite, reports the AP . Norwegian news outlet Nettavisen said Thursday that the Nordby shopping center in Sweden, located just off the border about 62 miles south of the capital, Oslo, has been filled by "desperate" Norwegians trying stock up on eggs. The center's Maxi-Mat food store ran out of eggs Tuesday, while the adjacent Nordby Supermarket has had to limit the number of eggs purchased to three 20-packs per household, the news outlet reported. Not only are the Swedish stores better stocked with eggs, a traditional Easter treat needed for many dishes, but the product is also more affordable in Sweden, Nettavisen said. "It's far cheaper than you get in Norwayif you can get eggs in Norway at all, that is," Stale Lvheim, the head of the Nordby shopping center, told Nettavisen. "The last time I was in Norway, the store was empty" of eggs. A pack of 20 eggs in Sweden sells for about $3.70, about 30% less than the price in Norway. Concerns about overproduction of eggs in Norway led to farmers being offered compensation to reduce egg production. That and the effects of bird flu have led to a shortage, according to news reports. Egg prices are at near-historic highs in many parts of the world as Easter approaches, reflecting a market battered by disease, high demand, and growing costs for farmers. Ranked consistently among the most expensive countries in the world, Norway is known for its substantially high cost of living, especially in regard to food products and alcohol, which are heavily taxed even when compared to well-to-do Nordic neighbors. Many residents living in southern Norway regularly make shopping trips across the border to Sweden, where products and services enjoy a lower value-added tax, a phenomenon that has evolved into a lucrative business for Swedish store owners. (More eggs stories.) The person was taken into custody after police executed a search warrant at a residential address in Redwood at around 7:30am Thursday and a clandestine drug laboratory was located, Canterbury CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnson said. Police National Clandestine Laboratory Response Team were in attendance at the address to conduct an examination and safely handle the scene. A 51-year-old man appeared in the Christchurch District Court later on Thursday. The discovery of the drug laboratory has been described as "unacceptable" by police. "Police work hard to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs into our community, as it has the potential to cause immense harm in our community," Det Snr Srg Johnson said. "Police want to acknowledge the incredible support of our communities and the depth of feeling about the harm the distribution of drugs is causing. "We are committed to investigating both individuals and organised criminal groups who cause that harm, and a big part of that is the information we receive from the public." After getting off to a rocky start in 2022, the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) can be completed digitally by any air or maritime travellers arriving in New Zealand, meaning they don't have to fill out a paper arrival card. The NZTD can now be completed by passengers and crew of international cruise ships arriving at Aotearoa either on the NZTD website or through the app. Sharon May - Customs NZ's Deputy chief executive finance technology and infrastructure - said the digital system enables "a more automated and streamlined border experience that gives travellers a more flexible option". "It is straightforward to use and helpful in guiding people through what they need to declare," said May. "The latest addition of cruise ship travellers to the NZTD system, following successful trials, is the last step in New Zealand's transition to a digital arrivals declaration system, marking a major milestone towards more seamless travel across borders." Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today 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%. The first nurse-midwife program in the state will launch in August at Montana State University, giving practitioners the opportunity to take on a specialty and improve maternal health care in their communities. Starting this August, eight to 10 practicing nurses will begin a three-year, full-time program to become nurse-midwives. The degree will focus on increasing maternal health care access in rural and tribal communities. The beauty of (this) is that we are educating nurses in place, said Mariah Hill, an assistant clinical professor at MSU who leads the program. The idea is that we are finding nurses who are already embedded, rooted in these communities and getting them additional education. Over half of Montana counties are classified as maternity care deserts, according to a report from nonprofit March of Dimes, which means there are no hospitals that provide obstetric care, no birth centers, no OB/GYN doctors and no certified midwives. Only four other states have a greater share of counties without maternal health care. Outcomes for parents and babies show the consequences of this landscape. Montana has the sixth-highest maternal mortality rate in the United States with a maternal morbidity rate when severe complications arise for the woman giving birth 35% higher than the national average. Disparities are especially severe among rural and tribal communities. Native American infants in Montana are three times more likely to die than non-Native newborns, and rural residents chances of facing complications during pregnancy are double that of women who live in the states few higher-density areas. Women are often forced to drive long distances on rural roads or brave inclement weather to reach adequate health care. This might require taking time off work or finding replacement caregivers for children and relatives. When thats not possible, people are often forced to deprioritize prenatal care altogether. This program will really expand the scope of practice, the type of work that we can bring to rural communities to provide this really critical piece, said Maggie Thorsen, an MSU associate professor who focuses on health care equity. Nurse-midwives deliver babies for low-risk pregnancies, and they work closely with OB/GYNs in higher risk scenarios or when a C-section is required. They provide extensive prenatal care and postnatal care that would otherwise be inaccessible. Research shows that receiving regular care during a pregnancy improves the health of the parent and baby. We think of midwifery as birth providers, but thats just one piece of the puzzle, Hill said. Most of our births in Montana do happen at a major hospital. The hope is that we are bringing perinatal, postpartum, contraceptive and mental health care right there at home. They may still have to travel three hours for their birth, but at least all those earlier visits are within reach. Access to maternal health care in tribal communities A major focus will be expanding access within tribal communities, where many people have experienced harmful interactions with the health care system thats caused lingering distrust. Janelle Palacios grew up on the Flathead Reservation. She has specific memories of her friends becoming pregnant when they were teenagers, and knowing, even then, that my friends were not treated well where they went for care. When Palacios first saw what maternal health care looked like off the reservation when visiting a birthing center in Washington state, it changed things for her almost instantaneously. The birth I knew happened in a very sterile, very stern, very icy, unfriendly institute, she said. Today, she works as a midwife in California, where Palacios incorporates Indigenous caretaking practices into her clinical work as well as into her instruction of OB/GYN residents. The knowledge that we use today is rooted in human practices, and its only today that we have the so-called scientific tools to measure what we have known for millennia, she said. This is not new information, it just happens to be new to the so-called evidence of science, but its something that has been passed on and carried." Palacios takes seriously her identity as a Native health care provider, and the impact she could have on patients and people who come from historically marginalized groups. When you have an opportunity to see someone who looks like you, talks like you, comes from a similar background as you, there is a familiarity and trust thats already built-in because youre coming from a place of understanding, she said. "Who knows, there might be a young kid who saw someone like me who spoke like and who inspired them. MSU's existing initiative, called Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP), bolsters support for Native American students studying nursing. It provides tailored counseling, financial aid and other resources. There are over 130 CO-OP alums living in Montana, and the director has been actively reaching out to these nurses to encourage them to consider the nurse-midwife program so they can serve Native families in this way. Additionally, all registered nurses in the state of Montana received an email from MSU alerting them of the opportunity to apply for the nurse-midwife degree. Montanas first nurse-midwife program There are only about 50 certified nurse-midwives in Montana, according to Hill. All had to receive their education out-of-state or complete an online program provided by an institution based elsewhere. MSU already offers undergraduate nursing degrees as well as two types of advanced nurse practitioner tracks. The nurse-midwife program will be the third. Funding for the program comes partly from a private donation from Mark and Robyn Jones. In 2021, the couple donated $101 million to the College of Nursing to help it grow and graduate more nurses, with $3 million earmarked specifically for the nurse-midwife track. St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings donated another $3 million to help cover operating costs such as travel expenses typically borne by students to reach their clinical sites. Classroom instruction for the first half of the program will be delivered online so students can complete their coursework at home. In-person gatherings will take place about once a semester at one of MSUs nursing campuses for orientation as well as labs and simulations. Hill said during this time continuing to work as a part-time provider would be feasible. Then, students must complete four semesters of clinical work in a health care facility, where they will manage at least 40 vaginal births in order to graduate. Clinical placements will try to be made as close to home as possible, she said, but there will be more driving for people who live in particularly rural areas. You name it, and the health outcomes get better the more you have midwives integrated into the health care system, Hill said. When you have more midwives providing care, what happens to those maternal newborn outcomes is really just pretty stunning across the board. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued an order to distribute Eid Al Fitr gifts to all widows and orphans who are registered with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF). HM the King directed the RHF, led by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HM the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, to oversee the distribution of the royal gifts to all beneficiaries. HH Shaikh Nasser extended sincere congratulations to HM the King on the order to distribute Eid Al Fitr gifts. His Highness praised HM the Kings constant support for RHF-sponsored families, keenness to engage with them on various occasions, including Eid Al Fitr, and his directives to provide distinguished services and care for those families to ensure their wellbeing. On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, HH Shaikh Nasser extended his congratulations to His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the people of Bahrain, and the Arab and Islamic nations. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the RHF Secretary-General, affirmed that His Majesty the Kings annual gesture, which brings joy to RHF-supported families, reflects a deep commitment to citizens well-being. He extended congratulations to His Majesty the King, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Nasser, and the people of Bahrain and the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. AFP | Hyderabad The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, reaffirmed the longstanding Bahrain-Japan relations, which have grown over the years through robust multisector collaboration and strategic partnership. HRH Prince Salman highlighted the Kingdoms commitment to furthering bilateral relations and coordination to meet mutual aspirations. His Royal Highness was speaking as he received yesterday the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Bahrain, Her Excellency Okai Asako, at Riffa Palace. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Asako to the Kingdom and wished her success in performing her diplomatic duties. During the meeting, regional and global developments and issues of common interest were discussed. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Report by Zahra Ayaz Food delivery riders in Bahrain are defying the challenges of fasting during Ramadan while rushing to deliver iftar orders to customers doors. Even amidst the flood of orders during the holy month, these dedicated riders remain committed to their task. The Daily Tribune had the opportunity to speak with several riders from leading delivery service companies, shedding light on their experiences. Irshad Mohammed, one of these riders, skillfully navigates through bustling streets to ensure that orders are fulfilled within the stipulated time frame set by his company. Mohammed, who completes around 10 deliveries daily during Ramadan, shared his perspective: I dont experience any fatigue during Ramadan because my mind is productively occupied when working. I genuinely enjoy my job and try to do it well. Ramadan is significant as its a time for prayer and introspection. Its our responsibility to fulfil our duties. Breaking fast When asked about how he manages to break his fast during iftar time while still delivering food, Mohd explained, I stop my bike at a safe spot to break my fast with dates and water. I always keep a few dates and a bottle of water with me. Later, after completing my deliveries, I visit nearby Shawarma restaurants to satisfy my hunger. Abdulrahman, another delivery rider, shared his initial struggles, stating, I have to do my job even if I am fasting. During the first two days, it was challenging to find a suitable spot to break my fast. However, people are really kind, and when orders are close to iftar, they often offer me dates, fruits, or water. He further added, I usually prefer midnight deliveries because, at that time, I dont have to worry about opening my fast. During Ramadan, most people place their orders just before Maghrib and at midnight. Expressing his desire to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with his family next year, Abdulrahman mentioned that this year he would have to connect with them over a call. Strategy Nouman Malik, another delivery rider, emphasised the importance of delivering food promptly, especially during the evening hours when traffic is heavy and people rely on them to open their fasts. He revealed his strategy, saying, I always keep a sandwich and dates with me to break my fast during working hours. Last Wednesday, near the Juffair signal on the red light, a group of children were distributing Iftar meals, and they gave me one. Acknowledging the challenges of fasting during humid weather, Malik expressed his contentment with fulfilling his job responsibilities, stating, Although the weather is changing and fasting during humidity presents challenges, its part of our job, and we are happy with it. As food delivery riders in Bahrain continue to serve the community during Ramadan, their dedication and resilience shine through, reminding us of the spirit of unity and devotion that characterizes this holy month. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Report by Ashen Tharaka The Bahrain Flour Mills Company (BFMC) yesterday revealed plans to expand and modernize its operations in tune with the Kingdoms strategy to ensure longterm food security and provide value-added products. Talking on the sidelines of the companys annual general meeting, BFMC Chairman Basim Mohamed Al Saie unveiled ambitious plans for the coming decades, including the construction of a new, state-ofthe-art flour mill and a focus on digital transformation. These aim at strengthening food security in Bahrain while ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products to meet evolving customer demands, he said. We will embark on designing the new mill site this year, Al Saie told The Daily Tribune. This project will be a landmark for Bahrain, featuring cutting-edge technology and a significantly larger capacity to process 520 metric tons. This increased capacity has the potential to not only enhance food security but also diversify BFMCs product range, ultimately providing customers with a wider variety of high-quality options. Beyond the physical expansion, BFMC is embracing digital solutions. The company has already transitioned to a new ERP system and established an e-commerce platform. The e-platform replaces the outdated bank coupon system, Al Saie explained. This digital solution enables us to better understand our customer base, identify their needs, and deliver the most suitable products efficiently, resulting in a more satisfying customer experience. Strategic plans The planned new mill and digital transformation initiatives come on the heels of three successfully implemented strategic plans. These previous plans focused on expanding the existing factorys capacity, expected to complete by March 2024 and upgrading the companys systems. BFMCs commitment to innovation and growth, coupled with the support of Mumtalakat, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, positions the company for a prosperous future and continued contribution to the Kingdoms food sector. Now the system is centralized and focused on important sector to move faster and gain more than before, he said. A musk ox bull shot in 2023 in Canada's Nunavut Territory has been certified a new world's record by judges for the Missoula-based Boone and Crockett Club. California hunter Aron F. Wark killed the musk ox on Aug. 1, 2023, near Contwoyto Lake. The bull was scored by two teams of judges to confirm its 131 4/8 points. The massive set of horns weighed 46 pounds. Warks musk ox beat the old record of 130 4/8 points set by Alex Therrien in 2020. I had the best time of my life, even without shooting a musk ox, Wark said in a club news release. The 57-year-old was quick to credit his guide, Sam Kapolak. A lot of people think this is an easy hunt, but its not, Wark said. We covered 20 miles in a day, and its not flat. The walking sucks. I want to get these hard hunts out of the way before I get old. Before Warks entry could be made official, Boone and Crockett Club procedures require that the final score of a potential Worlds Record be verified by either an Awards Program Judges Panel or a Special Judges Panel. In this case, the club held a Special Judges Panels at club headquarters in Missoula. The measurers included the panel chairman and the clubs director of big game records, Kyle Lehr, as well as Fred King, Rebecca Spring, and Jennifer Schwab, assistant director of big game records. The Boone and Crockett Club has been measuring North American big game since 1895. As a way to measure conservation efforts the club began keeping records in the 1920s and released the first record book in 1932. Keeping a record of the largest representations of North American big game isnt a competition between hunters, its a tool for hunters and resource managers to help them understand how wildlife management is or isnt working in a given area, Lehr said. Every animal is a trophy, said Tony A. Schoonen, chief executive officer of the Boone and Crockett Club. Sometimes, truly magnificent animals are taken that represent North America's conservation success story. Thats really what were celebrating. Nearly all call for investment in AI, training and responsible regulation, with government and industry working together MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 28, 2024 /CNW/ - The artificial intelligence (AI) boom across all industries has Canadian employees torn over AI's role in society: 57 per cent hold hope and see AI as beneficial, while 61 per cent believe it could be a threat. Six in ten Canadians believe that Canada should invest in AI, not only to ensure our country is a technology leader but also to increase the training and upskilling of workers in AI, according to a new survey commissioned by TECHNATION, Canada's largest technology industry association. While AI adoption is surging globally, Canada is experiencing a lag in Industry adoption. Theres a lot of work to do to increase national AI readiness and Canadians understanding of and trust in AI, said Angela Mondou, president and CEO of TECHNATION. (CNW Group/TECHNATION) Nearly two-thirds of Canadians say that the country will lose talented people to other countries if we don't invest in AI and 42 per cent believe our standard of living depends on how much we invest in the technology. But while many respondents believe that there are benefits from using AI such as better fraud detection (86 per cent) and improved government services (73 per cent), there is still some apprehension. Canadians want transparency about when AI is being used and are uneasy about potential national security risks (95 per cent and 93 per cent have some concerns about these, respectively). Interestingly, nine in 10 Canadians expressed some level of unease around misinformation and "deep fake" videos or images being used in Canadian elections, which is concerning as Canada could be heading to the polls this year or next. TECHNATION's AI Survey of Canadian Employees, which polled 2,000 Canadian workers about their awareness and perceptions of AI, revealed that Canadian workers are in the dark when it comes to AI as 43 per cent say they know very little or nothing about the topic. "While AI adoption is surging globally, Canada is experiencing a lag in Industry adoption. There's a lot of work to do to increase national AI readiness and Canadians' understanding of and trust in AI," said Angela Mondou, president and CEO of TECHNATION. "Canadians want investment in AI and are calling on government and businesses to work together to ensure workers are trained and prepared for the future. Canadians also clearly see the benefits of AI as long as there's responsible (agile) regulation." AI can boost productivity, according to workers The results clearly show that most Canadian employees view AI as highly relevant to them personally and to their work. Sixty-nine per cent of employers felt AI could help their workers take care of repetitive tasks, which would allow them to focus on work "that matters" (60 per cent) and increase employee productivity (57 per cent). While office workers see the greatest potential for AI to help their employers, two-in-five (42 per cent) of trades and service industry workers also say that AI could help improve productivity. Survey respondents also feel that AI could help them with a broad range of tasks. The vast majority said they'd be comfortable using the technology for analyzing and summarizing large amounts of data and copy (73 and 68 per cent respectively) and assisting in research (63 per cent). Surprisingly, 55 per cent of Canadian workers are not comfortable using AI to help them make decisions, implying that there is distrust in AI and its potential to replace humans in decision-making processes. Perhaps that's why 87 per cent of employees have concerns about job loss due to automation from AI and less than one in five believe that AI will create more jobs than it eliminates. Mary Ann Yule, TECHNATION Chair and HP Canada President and CEO said: "With Canada's economy comprised of 98 per cent small-medium enterprises (SMEs), our government must also consider the investment gaps in AI that some SMEs face and review policy levers to accelerate AI adoption by employers and industry sectors, enabling them to sufficiently participate and thrive in this transformational era driven by AI." Need to guard against misinformation and deep fakes Canadian workers say it's important to regulate financial and banking applications (61 per cent), the use of deep fake videos (56 per cent) and using facial recognition in public spaces (53 per cent). Mondou noted, "The results of the survey align with what the tech industry knows: with the right level of investment, training and regulation we can enable Canadian employees while accelerating the responsible adoption of AI in Canada. We're working closely with industry leaders and the federal government to preserve Canada's reputation and leadership in how we develop, regulate, and adopt responsible, ethical AI. Ultimately, Canada needs a revamped national AI strategy to reduce national barriers to adoption". About the Survey These are findings of a survey conducted by TECHNATION from January 18-24, 2024 among a representative sample of 2,000 adult Canadian workers. The respondents are members of Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 1.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. About the Angus Reid Forum The Angus Reid Forum is Canada's most well-known and trusted online public opinion community consisting of engaged residents across the country who answer surveys on topical issues that matter to all Canadians. About TECHNATION TECHNATION is the industry-government nexus for technology prosperity in Canada. As a member-driven, not-for-profit, TECHNATION unites Canada's technology sector, governments, and communities to enable technology prosperity in Canada by providing advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities across industry and governments at all levels; connecting Canadian scale-ups with global tech leaders; engaging the global supply chain; and filling the technology talent pipeline. TECHNATION has served as the authoritative national voice of the $242 billion ICT industry for over 60 years. More than 45,000 Canadian ICT firms create and supply goods and services that contribute to a more productive, competitive, and innovative society. The ICT sector generates more than 717,590 jobs and invests $10.3 billion annually in R&D, more than any other private sector performer. TECHNATION was formerly the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC). For more information: www.technationcanada.ca Click here for additional media assets. SOURCE TECHNATION For further information: Adam Dooley, [email protected] , 204-291-4092; Caroline Verboom (Ontario). [email protected], 416-452-4626; Emilie Marsolais (Quebec), [email protected], 514-967-2263 Canada Post is proud to mark two festivals, celebrated by more than a million Muslims in Canada, with stamp featuring the popular treat OTTAWA, ON, March 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Canada Post issued a new stamp today to mark two important Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The commemorative stamp features maamoul, Middle Eastern cookies, and a traditional carved wooden mould used to make them. Stamp commemorates Islamic festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (CNW Group/Canada Post) Melt-in-your-mouth cookies stuffed with a delicious walnut, pistachio or date filling, maamoul are a sweet staple during Eid celebrations. They are traditionally handmade from semolina and flavoured with fragrant rose or orange-blossom water and mahlab a spice made from ground cherry pits. Before baking, the balls of dough are stuffed with walnut, pistachio or date filling and formed with specially carved wooden moulds. Early versions of maamoul can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Today, family and friends often gather before Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to bake the cookies together. Served to guests and given as gifts, maamoul are also made across much of the Middle East to celebrate other holidays, such as Easter and Purim. This year, Eid al-Fitr the Festival of Breaking the Fast begins in April, after the end of Ramadan. The stamp was issued today, so that it can be used to send greetings before the festival. Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest Muslim city. In 2024, Eid al-Adha begins in June. Celebrated by more than one million Muslims in Canada, both events can last several days and include communal prayers and feasts, visits with family, gift-giving and acts of charity. Celebrating Canada's culturally diverse population The 2024 issue is Canada Post's sixth Eid stamp; the others were issued in 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Eid stamp is one of several stamps Canada Post issues each year to mark annual celebrations important to Canada's culturally diverse population others include Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas. About the stamp The stamp was designed by Kristine Do, photographed by Maya Visnyei, with food styling by David Grenier. Printed by Colour Innovations, the issue includes booklets of six Permanent domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover cancelled in London, Ontario. The new stamp and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada. For links to images of the stamps and other products, and more resources: External folder with high-resolution images Read the Canada Post magazine article featuring a maamoul recipe recipe Social media platforms Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn TM Trademark of Canada Post Corporation. SOURCE Canada Post For further information: Media Relations, 613-734-8888, [email protected] Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh led a six-person delegation to Taiwan last week to try to woo Micron Technology suppliers to come to Central New York. While no deals were made, officials said they made a strong pitch about why Taiwanese companies should set up shop next to Microns planned semiconductor plant in Clay. There wasnt a single meeting that wasnt constructive, productive, where we didnt learn something important about that business, the industry as a whole, and what its going to take for those companies to be successful here in the United States, said Rob Simpson, president of CenterState CEO, the local economic development agency. Over two days, the contingent met with seven suppliers, all of which supply Microns operations in Taiwan. Micron suggested the companies and wrote letters of introduction, said Bob Petrovich, executive director of the county Industrial Development Agency. The local officials wouldnt name the companies, but said they were all Taiwan-based and had no or little presence in the U.S. Some were chemical companies that supply Micron and other chip-makers with the wide array of chemicals needed to make semiconductors. McMahon said that as Europe and the U.S. are expanding domestic chip manufacturing and offering big subsidies, the Taiwanese companies are paying attention. The greatest semiconductor ecosystem in the world is Taiwan, and they support that ecosystem, McMahon said. But I think theres an acknowledgment from all the companies that for their businesses to grow, a lot of that growth is going to be diversified across the world. The island of Taiwan, which sits 100 miles off the southeast coast of China, is the worlds chip-making capital of the world. More than half of all computer chips are made there, including 90% of the most advanced chips, referred to as leading-edge. Micron has several factories in Taiwan, where it employs 10,000 people and makes the majority of its best-selling memory chips. Micron has $13 billion worth of assets in Taiwan, more than in any other country, according to the companys most recent annual report. Micron plans to build four fabrication plants, or fabs, on the 1,400-acre White Pine Commerce Park, at the corner of Route 31 and Caughdenoy Road. The county Industrial Development Agency bought all that land and will sell it to Micron. OCIDA also bought more than 100 acres across Route 31 for a supplier industrial park. Thats where officials are trying to lure the Taiwanese companies. Two other people made the six-day journey to Taiwan: Bill Gilberti, attorney for the development agency; and Dan Feng, of Progressive Expert Consulting, a language instruction tech company, in Syracuse. Officials said they didnt know how much the trip cost because bills were still coming in. The six flew to Taiwan on Saturday, March 16: Walsh said he couldnt leave before the Syracuse St. Patricks Parade that afternoon. It took more than 30 hours to get to Taiwans capital, Taipei City, where the group stayed. Walsh made the parade, but the group from one of New York states most Irish cities missed St. Patricks Day entirely. Because of the flight time and the crossing of the international dateline, they left on Saturday and landed in Taiwan on Monday. St. Patricks Day was Sunday. The delegation attended the Smart City Summit and Expo on Tuesday, then met with suppliers Wednesday and Thursday. They didnt have time to see Microns major fab, which is in Taichung City, about two hours from Taipei. There could be more trips to Taiwan in the future, McMahon said. Well go back in a heartbeat for one of these deals to happen, he said. Growing the core Dave Naugle and Scott Morford manage their Working Lands science team lab at the University of Montana under the auspices of Working Lands for Wildlife. Funding for the six to nine positions from wildlife biologists to remote sensing scientists comes from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. The labs four main areas of research are conifer encroachment, annual invasive grasses, cropland conversion and mesic restoration places with a moderate amount of moisture. Here's how Naugle explains his lab's work. There are two frameworks covering the western half of the nation, he explained. The first one is the framework for conservation action in the sagebrush biome. And the second one is the framework for conservation action in the Great Plains grasslands. Thats why the Landscape Explorer program maps those two ecoregions. The nations Farm Bill funds conservation work in those two regions, as well, which is about 90% of all rangelands nationwide. In the sagebrush biome, we started with the Sage Grouse Initiative in 2010, which marks about a $620 million dollar investment in sagebrush conservation on private lands, Naugle said. Comparing that before the Sage Grouse Initiative started, that has ramped up private land conservation about seven-fold. In 2023, SGI celebrated its 10 millionth acre of conservation of private land through the framework of the sagebrush biome, he added. Our M.O. is wildlife conservation through sustainable ranching, Naugle said. Despite the investments in conservation, sage grouse populations have continued to decline in parts of the West. The biggest threat facing the sagebrush biome right now is invasive annual grasses, Naugle said. Cheatgrass and other species have grown more prolific. Weve flipped the narrative with our Defend the core, grow the core, Naugle said. So instead of trying to conserve areas that are already taken over with cheatgrass you have very low success, you spend a lot of money there. Instead, were using tools like remote sensing to map where those intact rangelands are and are being very proactive in finding the initial cheatgrass places and trying to get rid of those while its inexpensive and you can let the native plants battle back and be dominant. Defend the core, grow the core. Thats the battle cry now. The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Labour Party (LP) says it has taken over the affairs of the party. S.O.Z. Ejiofor, chairman of the BoT, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision was taken to prevent a leadership vacuum in the party. However, a national convention of the party took place in Anambra state on Wednesday, which saw Julius Abure re-elected as chairman of the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it did not monitor the LPs national convention. The electoral umpire is yet to say why. Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party, the statement reads. This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party. This is in line with the March 20, 2018, Federal High Court consent judgement delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, which recognised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the owner of the Labour Party and mandated that an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party be held. The decision of the Board of Trustees is also in furtherance of the agreement signed between the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Julius Abure, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 27th June 2022, which was mediated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While we commend members of the Labour Party, especially workers, students, youths, market women and men, Obidients, and candidates on the platform of the Labour Party for their contributions and fidelity to the ideals of the party, the Board of Trustees promises to quickly set in motion processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention. A CHARADE TOOK PLACE IN ANAMBRA The LP BoT said the convention that took place in Anambra was a charade. It further said it will organise an all-inclusive national convention in due course. Unlike the charade that took place today in Nnewi and in tandem with the principles of popular democracy, the all-inclusive National Convention will start with grassroots congresses at ward, local government, state and ultimately at the national level, the statement added. This process will not leave any genuine member of the Labour Party out and will be held in the full view of the Independent National Electoral Commission, media, civil society, security agents and the general public. We commend the leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and key stakeholders in the Labour Party for declining to deodorise the malfeasance that took place in Nnewi with their presence. The BOT assures all stakeholders that we are committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace. President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administrations commitment to deepening democracy by ensuring adherence to the rule of law and expediting the sustainable provision of good governance, justice, and fairness to all Nigerian citizens. Tinubu gave the assurance while playing host to a delegation from the United States Congress led by Senator Cory Booker at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday. Tinubu said it is germane for democracy to be defended, adding that it must translate into tangibles of quality healthcare, good education, food security, shelter, and overall economic prosperity for the people of Nigeria. He said Nigeria is a necessary partner for the sustenance of democracy in Africa and beyond, stressing that, as the continents biggest economy and largest democracy, Nigeria is well-positioned to set the best continental example by delivering good governance to its people. Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, had suffered leadership elephantiasis years back. I am determined to change that. Adhering to the principles of democracy and the rule of law is very important to us. I wonder how democracy will survive if we do not fight for it. I fought for this democracy. I risked my life for it. Military truncation of democracy is unacceptable. The power of our citizens is and must remain supreme, the President said. Tinubu emphasised the need for the United States to evolve a more prudent and pragmatic partnership with Africa. According to him, the U.S. Congressional delegation should consider upscaling critical development programmes to strengthen ties with the continent. He said: It is important for our partners to help strengthen democracy in Africa. Our developmental programmes need serious capital. We are not asking for freebies. All we are asking for is understanding. After the Second World War, Europe was impacted. America developed and executed the Marshall Plan to pull them back up. Today, Europe is standing firm and tall as a result. What about a Marshall Plan for Africa? How can we be categorised and thrown into IMFs basket of trickle-down slices? We are blessed in Africa, but these are the same resources causing conflicts because of exploitation and a lack of alignment. The presence of the resources does not reflect in the living conditions of the people. We must not use yesterdays methods to address todays challenges. Nobody wants to risk their life to run away from Africa. America needs to look at the situation in Africa critically. What is happening in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger emanates from a helpless feeling people have that they are not being helped economically. They find that their former colonial masters are not letting go and are still seeking to exploit them. We have mineral resources. What technology can you bring to help turn that into economic prosperity? Can you put de-risking finance in place to incentivize John Deere to assist us in massively mechanising our food production processes? There is so much we can do in the advancement of education. See Africa as a necessary partner for the sustenance of democracy. Supporters of a potential ballot measure to implement a half-cent sales tax to support public transit and public safety in the Bismarck area unsuccessfully attempted to convince the Bismarck City Commission to put it on the June ballot. The tax would allocate two-tenths of a cent toward public transportation funding and three-tenths of a cent to public safety. The request came after organizers fell short of the signature requirement to try to amend the Bismarck home rule charter -- though the signature count needed for a public vote on such a tax in Mandan, which shares a public transit system with Bismarck, was met by advocates in that city. The Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday didn't take any formal action, and is not scheduled to hold another regular meeting until after the city's April 8 deadline with the county to place items on the ballot for June. The city had asked organizers to submit petitions by March 22 -- last Friday -- to ensure appropriate time for signature verification ahead of county deadlines. As of the deadline supporters had collected only around 1,100 of the more than 1,400 signatures necessary to qualify, but backers, including Commissioner Michael Connelly, wanted the issue on the ballot in June in Bismarck to match the effort in Mandan. At the heart of the issue is accessible travel for many seniors and disabled residents who utilize Bis-Man Transit's paratransit service -- a door-to-door ride available to people who cannot use fixed route Capital Area Transit bus service. Multiple community members spoke at Tuesday's meeting, including coordinating committee member Carl Young, to advocate for the importance of accessible and available transit. "We will all have to ask ourselves, what does our community look like?" Young said. "Do we support all of the members of our community or just those who are able to have the ability to drive? If we have a very small on-demand service for public transportation, we know that the needs will by far exceed resources." The three-tenths of a cent of the tax that would go toward public safety would be eligible for use in building police and fire stations, acquiring emergency vehicles and for paying the costs of the city's use of the Burleigh Morton Detention Center. The proposed sales tax comes amid funding instability within Bis-Man Transit: the service loses roughly $1.35 million per year and has been relying on reserves, which will be gone by 2026 if no changes are implemented, to fill that gap. The nonprofit system with a budget of $5.2 million in 2023 is funded through local, state and federal money, along with fares and advertising revenue. A portion of its budget comes from property tax revenue. The Bismarck City Commission last July allocated $225,000 for 2023 and $230,000 for 2024 to Bis-Man Transit. The Mandan City Commission gave $44,823 for 2023 but did not make commitments for 2024. Both allocations were made to ensure the continued operation of the paratransit service outside of the legally required operating hours of weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. excluding holidays. Bis-Man Transit also spent time last year starting to revise its strategic plan, which it does every five years, and at the time a sales tax was one possible route for revenue presented in the system's organizational structure and revenue needs, according to a study accepted by the city. Connelly said a sales tax is an opportunity to ensure funding stability for public transit and address the matter before money in the Bis-Man Transit reserves runs out -- and that it would also allow the transit system to think about big-picture improvements in a way that might otherwise be challenging while it's supplementing revenue streams with its reserves. "If you had to pick between two and you can only have one side -- a snowplow or a ride for grandma and grandpa -- who's likely going to win the conversation every time?" Connelly said. "When we're talking about public transportation, they're always going to be a little bit on the outside looking in." Other members of the commission seemed hesitant about acting on the issue. Mayor Mike Schmitz said he was worried about the potential of a "Christmas tree effect" on tax-related future ballot measures, citing the potential of a statewide effort to allow voters to weigh in on the elimination of property tax, as well as the subsequent budget impact. Commissioner Steve Marquardt said he wants the City Commission to "do its due diligence on the matter" to understand the funding breakdown and potential impact of the proposed measure, while alluding to the idea that any effort would likely have to end up on the November ballot. "We knew we had to take a look at," Marquardt said. "But I think this is the first day that's come up or that or we've had an in-depth discussion about it." The City Commission eventually adjourned without taking action, and is set to hold its next regular meeting on April 9 -- one day after the city's deadline for ballot qualification, according to City Administrator Jason Tomanek. A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Thursday identified why there is little or no banditry in the Southwest. Shittu said the level of education was the reason why the region has little or no record of banditry. Featuring on Arise TV Morning Show, the former Minister said bandits are people rebelling due to lack of education. Shittu, who was a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari said: Why there is no banditry in the southwest is because we chose to educate the children. When you fail to educate people, over the years they will grow up to find out that the social inequality like some people enjoying light, some driving cars, and they are left out. This makes them start rebellion against the society. What is happening in the Northwest and Northeast in particular is a rebellion against the neglect of the poor. Now that we have the issue of banditry on our hands, we have over the years been spending billions of naira in kinetic approach and its because people left out of education and civilization that Westernization brings about are rebelling. This follows Shittus advice to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to give bandits a promising future by negotiating with them. He said most of the bandits are able-bodied men who the Federal Government should retain. The former Minister said a non-kinetic approach in dealing with banditry would bring about a lot of results. A High Court sitting in Enugu State has ruled in favour of Bianca, widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as rightful beneficiary of the late Igbo leaders estate. The judgment was delivered on Wednesday in a suit instituted by Chief Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu. Debe had approached the court seeking to be declared the first son of the late Dim Ojukwu. The plaintiff had also sought an order restraining the defendant, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu from interfering with the administration of the estate of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as well as a declaration that the latter died intestate. He also claimed entitlement to letters of administration of the late Odumegwu-Ojukwus estate. The Biafra leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu died on November 26, 2011. His wife, Bianca, who is the first defendant, as well as Mr James Ezike, the second defendant, had been named within his will, as trustees and executors of his estate. This matter was brought before the court in 2013 challenging the validity of the late Ojukwus will by the plaintiff, Chief Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu who though claiming to be the first son of the deceased, the late Ojukwu did not mention or acknowledge in his will as his son. The issues before the court presided over by the Hon. Justice A.O. Onovo of the Enugu High Court, Enugu Judicial Division were: whether from the evidence adduced before the court, the plaintiff had adduced enough evidence to establish that he was a son of the deceased and had been acknowledged as such by the deceased in his lifetime; whether the deceaseds will was properly and validly made, and whether the plaintiff, and by extension the children of the plaintiff were entitled to benefit from the estate of the deceased, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The plaintiff, Debe Ojukwu died in 2018 while the matter was still pending in court. His two daughters, Nene Grace and Obianuju Sarah applied for substitution in the suit which, though challenged by counsel to the defendants, Messrs Emeka Onyemelukwe and Ngozi Abafor, was allowed by the court. In delivering his judgement which lasted over two hours, Justice Onovo held that from all the evidence presented before the court, the plaintiff was not able to prove that he was acknowledged by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in the course of his lifetime as his biological son. According to the judge, it is the prerogative of a man to recognize a child born out of wedlock as his child. He maintained that acknowledgement of paternity could also be inferred from certain acts by a father towards a purported son, and that these were not evident in the instant case. The plaintiff had averred that he had been recognized by groups, associations and other members of society as a son of the late Dim Ojukwu but the Hon. Justice maintained, can public opinion be the sole basis of determining the paternity of a child born out of wedlock? I do not think so. The Plaintiff also challenged the validity of the will of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, citing some typographical errors and signatories, and seeking for a declaration that Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu died intestate. The court, with all the evidence presented before it, held that the will and codicil were properly and validly made, and therefore valid in the eyes of the law. Regarding the right of the children of the plaintiff to challenge the Ojukwu will, the court held that in order to have the locus to challenge the will they must first prove that they are the grandchildren of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and entitled to the benefits accruing therefrom. Since in the suit initiated by the plaintiff, their father, he was unable to prove himself to be a son of the Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, then on what basis would the children of the plaintiff be challenging the will of the latter? Having failed to prove this, they have no beneficiary interest through their father Chief (Dr) Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu, in the estate of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and there is therefore no merit to this case, the judge concluded. The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has advised priests against misleading their members with false teachings. Onaga gave the advice in a homily during a Chrism Mass held at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu on Thursday. Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday, during which priests renew their vocation and are consecrated with the oil of Chrism. According to the bishop, priests should be careful of what comes out of their mouth as people believe in them and call them Father. He emphasized that their call was a divine trust to herald the word of God given to them and urged them to do it with conscientiousness. Our words matter a lot not just when we are in the church but wherever we find ourselves. Our flock calls us Father because they believe that we have been transformed. We should teach people true words. If your words are lies, you are teaching your parishioners to lies and you are teaching them to tell lies and give false witnesses, Onaga said. The cleric explained that Reverend Fathers were the custodians of the word of God adding that they should refrain from false preachings and prophecies. We should not compare ourselves with other pastors because to him whom much is given, much is expected. We have a very sacred juice of priesthood. The word of God is sacred and should not be defiled and the priest is the dispenser of the word of God in his place with the people of God, he said. He charged the priests to possess a Christlike heart with love, saying priesthood is love. It is love in us that will define what we teach our members; you dont abuse them but teach them word of God with love and that which come from Christ we represent, should dominate everything we do. Onaga also admonished the Catholic priests to do away with unforgiving anger, greed, selfishness and pride but engage in the work of God with love and humility. The highlight of the Holy Mass was the renewal of the vow and commitment made by no fewer than 500 priests during their ordination, blessing of the oil of the sick, oil of the Catechumen and consecration of the oil of Chrism. Senstor Abdul Ahmed Ningi, through his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has requested reinstatement to the senate. Ningi, representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended on March 12, 2024, by the senate for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion. Ningi, in a letter through Falana, accused the Senate President Godswill Akpabio of violating his clients fundamental right to fair hearing. He advised Akpabio to his Ningis suspension or be reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC. The human rights lawyer disclosed that Akpabio caused him to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14. In a letter dated March 25, 2024, addressed to Akapbio, the lawmaker said that the Senate President pronounced him guilty and suspended him. At the end of the trial, you pronounced our client guilty and declared, the letter reads in part. That the Senate do suspend Senator Abdul Nigin (Bauchi North) for three months and he should forfeit all his entitlements and be disallowed from the precincts of the National Assembly Complex during the period of the suspension. He should also apologise to the Senate in writing, thereafter the senate can consider his remorse and recall him, part of his letter read. A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus and members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State have declared support for President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara. A former Minister of Transportation and the Director-General, PDP-PCC Rivers State, Dr Abiye Sekibo, made the declaration at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday. Present at the briefing were Secondus; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara; Celestine Omehia, former Deputy governor of the state, Tele Ikuru; Senator Lee Maeba; and former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson. among others. The council supported the PDP presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, in the last elections. Details shortly Abubakar Kutigi, judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court, has chastised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for filing frivolous charges against Mohammed Bello Adoke, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice. At the court session on Thursday, Kutigi upheld the no-case submission filed by Adoke and dismissed the charges of fraud, bribery and conspiracy against the former minister on the grounds that the EFCC failed to adduce credible evidence to prove the allegations contained in the charge. Although the judge commended the prosecution for conceding that it did not have sufficient evidence to oppose the no-case application by Adoke, he criticised the anti-graft agency for wasting four years prosecuting the case. The judge added that the defendants ought not to have been charged in the first instance. The judge further noted that a charge must not be filed just for the purpose of filing, adding that a frivolous charge does damage to the judicial system. It is argued that people can be arrested circumstantially, the judge said. But every trial, more so, a criminal trial is a different ball game which must be undertaken with utmost care and attention to details, particularly, the quality of the evidence and availability of witnesses. It cannot be right or fair, that in this case, for example, nearly about 30 counts in the case involving forgery, the documents subject to these counts were not presented in evidence and material evidence led to situate the elements of forgery. If as stated by the lead investigator, PW10, that they demanded for about 37 documents from the CAC but only a few were made available, this then begs the question, why a charge will be filed involving those documents the prosecution does not have access to? I must therefore make the point that the whole trial process whatever its inherent imperfection is entirely evidence driven, evidence which requires quality and probative value. This is so whether it is at this stage of situating a prima facie, as in the present situation, or at the point of determining guilt, or otherwise of the defendants. Without evidence in either of the two situations, it is self evident that such a case stands compromised ab initio. On the whole, the prosecution has failed to prove the essential elements of the offences for which the defendants were charged and accordingly, the no case submission has considerable merit and must be sustained. To allow this proceedings to continue having regard to the totality of evidence laid bare on the record by the prosecution is to inflict undue hardship and injustice on the defendants. They ought not to have stood trial in the first place if the evidence on record was all the prosecution had to offer. The legal consequence of a successful submission of no case to answer is that such a discharge is equivalent to an acquittal, and dismissal of the charge on the merits. In my final analysis, and for the avoidance of doubt, my firm decision on the basis of the provision of section 302 of the ACJA 2015 is that the evidence adduced by the prosecution on record is not sufficient to justify the continuation of this trial. For this reason, I hereby preclude them from entering upon their defence. And accordingly, I hereby dismiss, I hereby discharge the defendants of all the entirity of the charge preferred against them. THE CHARGES The EFCC had charged Adoke before the FCT high court, Abuja, on January 15, 2020, along with Aliyu Abubakar, Gbinije of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd, Shell Ultra Deep Nigeria Ltd, and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo). Adoke was accused of collecting a gratification of N300 million from Abubakar over the OPL 245 resolution. He was accused of conspiring with other defendants to commit the offence of public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to cause injury or to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture. The former AGF was accused of knowingly disobeying direction of law by allegedly saving Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Company Limited from charges of taxes. Adoke denied all allegations, maintaining that he was a victim of political victimisation by former president Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the Abacha family who felt cheated in the OPL 245 transaction. Adoke and five other defendants were discharged of all the charges, leaving Gbinije, the third defendant to open his defence in the remaining counts. Sam Bankman-Fried, former chief executive officer (CEO) and founder of Futures Exchange (FTX), has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of defrauding his customers, investors, and lenders. Bankman-Fried was sentenced on Thursday in a Manhattan federal court presided by Judge Lewis Kaplan. The 31-year-old crypto expert faced up to 110 years, however, prosecutors argued for a sentence of 40 years to 50 years, while Bankman-Frieds lawyers asked for six and a half years. At the court, his lawyers argued Bankman-Fried eschews materialistic trappings and suffers from a severe condition that causes his near-complete absence of enjoyment, motivation, and interest. But Kaplan said he would recommend to the bureau of prisons that Bankman-Fried be placed in a medium-security facility or any lower-security facility the bureau finds appropriate. Medium-security federal prisons have strengthened perimeters often double fences with electronic detection systems and mostly cell housing, according to the bureau of prisons. Just before announcing Bankman-Frieds 25-year sentence, Kaplan said there was a risk that this man (Bankman-Fried) will be in a position to do something very bad in the future, and its not a trivial risk. Bankman-Fried acknowledged his mistakes and said he was sorry for what happened to customers but never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes, Kaplan said. He knew it was wrong. The judge also said many facts are not disputed, including that the former FTX boss had an exceptionally privileged background. He is extremely smart. And he suffers from autism, and is capable of huge accomplishments, he said. Kaplan also agreed with prosecutors claim that Bankman-Fried wanted to be a hugely, hugely politically influential person in this country, and that propelled his financial crimes. In 2022, Bankman-Fried was arrested by Bahamian authorities due to criminal charges filed by the US government. On November 3, 2023, Bankman-Fried was found guilty of fraud and money laundering at the end of a month-long trial in New York. A former Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to promise bandits a promising future by negotiating with them. Shittu said most of these bandits are able-bodied men whom the Federal Government should retain. Featuring on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Tuesday, the former minister said non-kinetic approach in dealing with banditry would bring about a lot of results. If I am in position, it is not too late to use non-kinetic measures in negotiating with bandits, giving them a promising future. Let us retain them. Many of them are very intelligent, many of them are able-bodied, Shittu said. The ex-minister said the millions of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria is a production factory for banditry in the country. This is coming when controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, had urged the Federal Government to negotiate with bandits. Gumi had urged Tinubu against toeing the path of former President Muhammadu Buhari who refused to negotiate with bandits. Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia has visited and donated relief materials to hundreds of displaced people in six council wards in Kwande Local Government Area of the State. He promised to put an end to attacks on the community by bandits suspected to be herdsmen militia. Gov Alia disclosed this on Friday in Jato Aka while addressing the people in Ichongo Traditional Council, Jato Aka, RCM Special Science Primary School, Nyihemba and Achia Primary Health Care, Usambeliev Ikyurav ya. He assured them that the government would not fold her hands and watch bandits kill, destroy and take over their communities. Represented by his Deputy, Dr Sam Ode, Gov Alia promised that a Military post would be established in Abaji to prevent the bandits from attacking farmers in Anyiase, Abande and Nundugh. He directed the commissioner of Police to back up the police station in Jato Aka with fifty more police personnel for swift response. Gov Alia said the boundary demarcation between Benue, Taraba, Cameroon, Ebonyi and Nasarawa would commence next month, a measure he believes would serve as a non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity in the state. The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Joseph Alakali and Chairman, Kwande Local Government Council, Rev. Mark Hule assured the people of the governors commitment to their welfare and were making frantic efforts to resolve the issue once and for all. While assuring the people of Turan and Ikyurav ya that the police are on top of the situation, Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina said two bandits were killed and one arrested and weapons recovered from them. The Ter Kwande, Chief Timothy Ahire thanked the Governor for the visit and lamented that the markets in Anyiase Abande, Nundugh and Abaji are no longer witnessing patronage due to attacks by herdsmen militia. The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, James Iorpuu assured the people of the agencys continuous supply of food and non-food items to cushion the sufferings. A victim, Terver Ageba from Nyihemba, Mbakyor council appreciated the Governor and his entourage for giving them a sense of belonging, pointing out that the herdsmen have dislodged them from their homes and they have nowhere to lay their heads. President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Bassirou Faye on his victory as Senegals president-elect. Tinubus felicitations are contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson. Although the official results are yet to be announced, tallies released so far predict a win for Faye. Ahead of the declaration, opposition leaders, including Amadou Ba, former prime minister and the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition, and Senegalese citizens have congratulated 44-year-old Faye. Tinubu said Faye has great promise and a sterling record and wished him success in his new role. The president also congratulated Macky Sall, outgoing Senegalese leader, for overseeing an election widely adjudged as peaceful and transparent. Senegals election was initially slated for February 25 before it was postponed by Sall a development which led to unrest in the country. The opposition viewed Salls action as an attempt to extend his stay in office beyond the constitutional limit, despite his promise not to run for a third term. Tinubu said the success of the presidential election in Senegal and Liberia a few months ago has affirmed his long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa. As chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the president said the successful conduct of the Senegal election is a boost to the sub-regional organisation in its efforts to promote peace and constitutional order, as well as strengthen ties among member states. Tinubu congratulated the people of Senegal and assured them of Nigerias best wishes and support. An estimated 6,000 more emails from the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem have been recovered this time from a personal laptop, Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Thursday. The Attorney Generals Office released 2,700 pages of messages from Stenehjems state email to media on Wednesday after the records were found by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation in February. The former attorney generals email account was permanently deleted by state employees immediately after his death in January 2022. But some of the messages still existed on his personal phone, which the BCI had copied and stored using investigative software. The agency discovered the messages after executing a federal warrant to search the phone. In light of what was found in the phone data, Wrigley figured it would be worth checking Stenehjems personal computer for similar information, he said. It occurred to me that there could be evidentiary value in Waynes laptop that we dont have, Wrigley told the North Dakota Monitor. Under Wrigleys direction, law enforcement with the BCI in early March asked the Stenehjem family if they still had the device. The Stenehjems handed it over voluntarily, Wrigley said. The BCI found approximately 6,000 more state emails cached on the laptop, according to the attorney general But theres more where that came from, Wrigley said. When searching Stenehjems cellphone data, investigators also discovered the former attorney general was using his personal email account for state business. Its been determined and relayed to me that there was a personal email account also on his phone, and that there appears to have been state business conducted on his personal email, Wrigley said, adding that he did not yet know how many there are. Wrigley added that it wasnt improper for Stenehjem to use his personal email, but that they are still public records under state law if they relate to state business. Wrigley said he hasnt reviewed the records and is not sure whats in them. Its possible the 6,000 cached state emails could contain duplicates of the first approximately 2,000 messages, he said. The attorney general didnt have a timeline for when the additional emails would be released, but said his office is making the matter a priority. A review of the first roughly 2,000 emails by the North Dakota Monitor found most related to ordinary attorney general business. The emails were sent between November 2021 and late January 2022, when Stenehjem died. Investigators were not able to access copies of all of Stenehjems state emails on the cellphone because the device appeared to only have a few months worth of messages downloaded, Wrigley said. It only went back to November of 2021, he said. And so it initially appeared that those were the only emails that we were going to have. While some of the content of the original batch of emails was redacted under public records exemptions, no messages were withheld, Wrigley said. The Attorney Generals Office did not charge the media for processing the emails released Wednesday. Background The emails garnered significant public attention after Stenehjem died in office. Immediately after his death, the former attorney generals executive assistant, Liz Brocker, directed IT staff to wipe Stenehjems email account. News of the emails erasure first became public after members of the media requested records related to an over-budget building project pursued by Stenehjems administration. In February, Wade Enget, the Mountrail County states attorney who was asked to assist on the case, announced he would not bring criminal charges for the deletion of the emails. The state Information Technology Department, Microsoft and an outside expert determined the emails could not be recovered. In wake of the attorney generals death, the Stenehjem family asked the BCI for help unlocking his cellphone. Due to technological limitations, the agency was unable to access the device until summer 2023. At that point, the BCI returned the phone to the Stenehjems. In February, BCI personnel realized the software used to unlock the phone had copied and stored Stenehjems phone data, the North Dakota Monitor reported previously. State police then notified Wrigley of the discovery. The state obtained a federal warrant to search the phone as part of its investigation into former Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, who is indicted on child sex tourism charges. Holmberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is expected to go to trial in September. Wrigley has said Stenehjem was a close associate of Holmberg and was interviewed as a witness in the case. The Nigerian military has finally released Segun Olatunji, the editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15. Olatunji was released to select journalists in Abuja on Thursday, who were asked to guarantee that they would make him available if needed. The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15. After he was taken away, family members of the editor were kept in the dark on his whereabouts or on why he was seized. Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, had clamoured for Olatunjis release for days on end. On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the IPI said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, PAC, has issued a warning to the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue, FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, fir refusing to honour its invitation. The committee said that Adedejis actions amounted to contempt of parliament. The Chairman, PAC, Rep. Bamidele Salam, said this at the resumed investigative hearing of revenue leakages in Abuja on Thursday. While reading the riot act against the FIRS chairman, Salam said that it was the fourth time the committee would be inviting the FIRS chairman but failed to show up. According to him, in addition to writing him officially, the committee had also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number. And we condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of his parliament, he added. He said that several letters had been written to him without responses, adding that the value-added tax that the federal government should be collecting on Remitta had not been collected by FIRS. He said some VAT from the revenue collected by Remitta ought to have gone to the FIRS, but added that they would rather add the VAT together and shared it with the CBN, Bank, and Remitta. He said, by the time we finished our reconciliation, the money would be in the hundreds of billions, adding that this was what they were asking the FIRS to come and collect, but the service had refused to show up. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared that his administration will not be cut short, as he claimed that the people of Rivers State can attest that he won the 2023 gubernatorial election. Fubara, who called on the people of the state not to panic, assured them of his administrations determination to protect their lives and properties. He spoke while addressing members of the Family Support Group, who were on a solidarity visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. Represented by the Head of the Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, the governor said the government is for youth, women, men, and every well-meaning Nigerian who wishes the state well. A statement by the governors Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, reads: The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this administration. Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will traverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months. But I think it will be completed before the time because the progress of the work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking. The official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start very soon and will begin from Port Harcourt. A lot of plans have been made for that road, and very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened. Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The government has already awarded the contract. The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has inaugurated a coordinating governor for each of the six geo-political zones in the country. The six governors were officially sworn-in on Wednesday by Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the party, at the APC national headquarters in Abuja. . Abdullahi said the governors were inaugurated to coordinate party activities in their zones. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, is to take charge of south-west; Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, will coordinate the south-east zone, while Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River will handle the south-south. Also, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, will take charge of north-central. Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe, is the coordinator of north-east, and Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, coordinates the activities of the party in the north-west. Highlighting the committees terms of reference, Ganduje added that they will mobilise governors of the zones to effectively and physically participate in party activities within and outside their zones. They will consult with governors of the zones on issues that will further enhance the progress and unity of the party within the zone, assist the party on resource mobilization within the zones, participate in any other activity that may be assigned by the party, Ganduje said. A Bergen County man was accused this month of sexually assaulting a teenage girl after he started an online romantic relationship with and enticed her mother to visit him in New Jersey in 2022, federal prosecutors said. Corey Hipscher, 52, of Lodi, was charged with one count each of production, receipt and possession of child pornography. He was ordered to be detained after his first court appearance in Newark federal court on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a release. Between 2020 and August 2023, Hipscher communicated with a now 15-year-old girl who lived in a different, undisclosed country using a social media platform, the office said. During these chats, he encouraged her to send him images and videos of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, authorities said. He then began an online romantic relationship with the girls mother and in September 2022, the family visited him in New Jersey, investigators said. During the visit, he allegedly sexually assaulted the girl and took sexually explicit photos of her younger sister, who is now 10 years old, at his apartment, authorities said. The family returned to their home country in October 2022 before returning to New Jersey at some point last year. On Aug. 5, 2023, police received an allegation that Hipscher had sexually abused the older daughter, according to a criminal complaint. Five days later, police executed a search warrant of his home and found a cellphone on his bedside table which contained disturbing and sexually explicit videos and photos of the siblings, the complaint stated. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A Bergen County man was arrested and charged with the fentanyl drug overdose death of a Garfield man last year, authorities said Thursday. Melvin E. Guzman, 29, of Garfield, is charged with first-degree strict liability in a drug-induced death and third-degree distribution of fentanyl, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Two overdose victims were found by Garfield police on Sept. 17, 2023, in the 200 block of Lincoln Place, Musella said in a statement. Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, including the administration of Naloxone, Musella said. The victims were taken to a local hospital, where one of the victims, a 30-year-old man, was pronounced dead. Guzman was arrested Thursday in Garfield and taken to the Bergen County Jail ahead of a court hearing. Attorney information for Guzman was not listed in jail or court records. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. As New Jersey environmental regulators and North Wildwood officials continue to be locked in a battle for how best to remedy coastal erosion issues in the city, the problems appear to be growing even more dire. In January, waves broke through sand dunes at 13th Avenue. A vehicle path near 16th Avenue was recently closed. And on Tuesday, residents reported high tides pushing water over the remaining dunes near 14th and 15th Avenues. I would say the dune, specifically between 13th and 15th, is gone now, Nic Long, North Wildwood administrator, said Thursday on the phone. Long said it appeared the dune breach was growing, instead of an entirely new hole opening up on the shore. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Jersey Shore town have clashed since 2020 over the future of the citys shore. So far, 10 blocks worth of a 36-block-long beach have eroded away. A federal project set to benefit North Wildwood is not expected to offer protection until 2025, as a lengthy real estate easement process plods along. Some homeowners have contemplated moving. We notified the state before ... we wanted to build a bulkhead between 12th and 15th avenues. The NJDEP ultimately denied that saying that no emergency condition (existed). We did not agree. That was when the dune breached and we were very vulnerable, Long said. Now that the dune breached, theres nothing protecting us. Experts warn climate change can fuel stronger storms and fierce wave action making the issue of erosion even more problematic. Worse for North Wildwood which was recently denied twice from doing an emergency bulkhead installation local officials say they can no longer replace the sand from nearby Wildwood due to thinned out sections of shore where trucks would need to travel. State officials have previously noted that erosion has worsened in some areas where physical structures, like bulkheads were installed. North Wildwood engineers have disagreed. Long doubled down Thursday, noting that the message to concerned residents is: We hear you ... and we hope the DEP comes around to the actual conditions on the ground. READ MORE: These Jersey Shore beaches eyed for massive facelifts as summer approaches NJDEP officials could not be immediately reached for comment. Western Carolina University experts earlier this month estimated that about $40 million worth of sand replenishment work was recently completed at the Jersey Shore. Not a grain of it was dropped in North Wildwood. Our concerns for this summer in North Wildwood are pretty serious, Long said. We have the exposure between 12th and 15th, thats our main concern. Our next concern is what public access is going to look like to the beach for the entire beach north of 17th Avenue. In addition to preparing for an influx of visitors to the Wildwoods this summer, Long noted that a $33 million legal battle between the state and North Wildwood remains ongoing. Right now, he said no emergency beach fixtures are planned and the city is waiting to hear about the next steps from the state. An outfall pipe is pictured near 13th Avenue (close to a dune breach reported in January 2024) in North Wildwood, NJ.Steven Rodas | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Steve Rochette, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District, previously said federal planners recognize the issues in North Wildwood. We know stakeholders want this project constructed as soon as possible and were doing everything we can to move it forward, Rochette said, but it is important to note that acquiring real estate easements is a legal requirement for a project to be constructed. As far as that easement process, after a February meeting a letter was sent to mayors in towns set to benefit from the expansive Army Corps Project North Wildwood, Wildwood, Lower Township and Wildwood Crest. A copy of the letter, provided by the NJDEP, outlines that a contract award for the project is expected in June 2025. North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello, a Republican, is worried about that timeline. The mayor has also previously called out the NJDEP and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy for what he said was inaction on the states part to protect his shore. Signs were posted on the beach in North Wildwood imploring visitors to voice their concerns with state officials. During a March 13 appearance on WNYCs Ask Governor Murphy, the governor was asked by a caller if it was finally time to bury the hatchet. So theres no real hatchet to bury, Murphy said in response. Murphy touted $10 million in grants recently provided for North Wildwoods boardwalk, as part of funding provided across the shore. And while the governor said he was sick of the stand-off, he recognized the significant erosion issue in the city. The erosion problem is real ... theres no question about that. But the problem is the approach that the mayor has wanted to pursue versus what our Department of Environmental Protection has wanted to pursue are two different approaches, Murphy said. ...We want to get this fixed, I promise you. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @stevenrodasnj. Princeton University will continue to give a slight advantage to the children of alumni known as legacy applicants in its admissions policy while also aiming to admit a more economically diverse group of students, according to an announcement by school officials. The Ivy League universitys board of trustees approved a review of its admissions policies this month that sets the goal of a student body that is 70% eligible for need-based financial aid and 22% eligible for Pell Grants, the federal aid available to students from low-income families. The move to admit more lower-income students follows last years Supreme Court decision to abolish affirmative action in college admission decisions. Some schools hope that by focusing on students based on their economic status, they will be able to continue enrolling a diverse group of students because of the close correlation between race and family income. Princetons excellence depends upon attracting and supporting talent from all sectors of society, said Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber, in the universitys announcement Tuesday. I am grateful to the board for its vigorous commitment to the diversity of our student body and for these thoughtful recommendations about how best Princeton can create new opportunities for students from all backgrounds, he said. While some in higher education have called for the end of legacy admission policies that give the children of alumni an advantage over other applicants in the admissions process, Princetons trustees recommended keeping a limited use of the universitys legacy preference. Under the current system, legacy is used as a tie-breaker. That means when two equally qualified students are considered for admission, the child of Princeton alumni will be chosen, the university said. The system helped fewer than 30 students gain a spot this year out of a class of 1,366. The legacy preference has little effect on the overall composition of the universitys undergraduate population, according to the trustee subcommittee that issued the report. They noted that as the alumni pool becomes more diverse, the pool of legacy applicants will as well. The increase in the number of students receiving financial aid is part of a long-term effort to make Princeton more affordable. While 52% of the Class of 2008 received financial aid, that grew to 67% for the class of 2027. In the class of 2008, only 7% received Pell Grants, while around 20% have in recent years, school officials said. In 2001, Princeton was the first college to eliminate loans from its financial aid packages, according to the report. About 25% of the student body currently receives a full ride to the school because they come from households earning less than $100,000 a year. This year, Princetons undergraduates are 54% white, 34% Asian, 14% Black and 11% Hispanic, according to the schools annual diversity report. Some studies have shown that if colleges and universities wish to maintain a diverse student body after the affirmative action decision, increasing financial aid is an expensive solution. Providing a large admissions bump for Pell-eligible students may allow selective colleges to achieve Black and Latino representation in enrollment similar to current levels, but it would require a very large increase in enrollment of Pell-eligible students, according to a December report from the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think thank. A class-based affirmative action program would place even greater demands on the financial aid budgets of selective institutions, the report said. Princeton University has one of the largest endowments in higher education, valued at more than $34 billion last year. It has helped the school increase its financial aid programs in recent years. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com. Veteran WCBS-TV evening news anchor Dana Tyler said goodbye to viewers in an emotional sign-off during her final newscast Wednesday. This is my last newscast, my last 6 oclock news with you here at Channel 2, its my last day at Channel 2, 34 years Ive been here, Tyler said Wednesday sitting next to her co-anchor, Dick Brennan. Tyler, 65, began her career with the network in 1990 where she started out as a weekend co-anchor and general assignment reporter. She and Reggie Harris became the first Black anchor team in New York, according to WCBS-TV . In a pre-taped video, Tyler thanked her colleagues and viewers following a video tribute celebrating her long career. Im so honored to be here, so honored to say thank you to my several thousand co-workers in every department here, who over the past 34 years, and to this very second have collaborated with me, challenged and taught me, given me valuable, constructive criticism and encouragement, Tyler is seen saying in the video. Weve laughed, weve cried together, weve tried to do our best for you, and my heart is full of gratitude and respect for my co-workers, she continued. Tyler expressed that she was proud to have shared the truth with the New York metro area while enacting change for the people for whom we work. I say thank you, Channel 2 viewers, youre loyal, youre kind, you keep us on our toes, Tyler said. Ive always felt privileged for these 34 years that youve invited me, us, into your homes, your firehouses, your bodegas, so many places. Throughout her career, Tyler won six Emmy Awards for her coverage of breaking news events in New York City, including her 2009 coverage of Flight 1549 Lands in the Hudson River. She also received several Emmy nominations, including her coverage on the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Tyler has been honored with the New York Association of Black Journalists 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2022. Saleah Blancaflor may be reached at sblancaflor@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @saleyley and Instagram. The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission filed complaints Wednesday against Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, his nine running mates for city council, and their campaign treasurer, charging they failed to file final reports on the citys 2022 May non-partisan elections. One of the two complaints announced by the commission names then mayoral candidate Baraka and his campaign treasurer, David McNight, as respondents, charging they failed to file reports due soon after the election that should have detailed contributions totaling more than $400,000 and expenditures totaling more than twice that amount. As of the date of this complaint, Respondents have not filed a 20-day post-election report or post-election quarterly reports for the 2022 municipal election, the complaint states. Between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, Respondents received 568 contributions totaling $400,857.00 and made 749 expenditures totaling $847,246.96. The complaints come just over a month after Baraka announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination for New Jersey governor in 2025. Baraka issued a statement Wednesday that did not dispute the filing failures, which he called unacceptable and vowed to address. This is about filing necessary paperwork on time regarding our municipal races and absolutely needs to be done, Baraka said. We have a firm handling this, and I communicated to them that this was unacceptable and needs to be taken care of as soon as humanly possible. I believe deeply in government transparency, and I am confident this will be done and that every dollar will be accounted for and reported. An April 2023 story on NewJerseyGlobe.com identified the campaigns accounting firm as PKF OConnor Davies based in Bethesda, Maryland, with offices in Cranford. Kathleen OToole, a PKF partner, told NJ Advance Media that the firm was still working on the campaign, though she declined to comment on the ELEC complaints. McKnight could not be reached for comment. Eight of the nine Team Baraka council candidates were elected along with the mayor on the first ballot in the May 2022 election or in the June runoff elections and have served on the council since then. They are Council President LaMonica McIver, C. Lawrence Crump, Anibal Ramos, Jr., Dupre Kelly, Luis A. Quintana, Carlos M. Gonzalez, Louise Scott-Rountree, and Patrick O. Council. East Ward Councilman Michael DeSilva beat Barakas running mate, Louis Weber, and he was not named in the complaint. Weber was. None of the council members responded to requests for comment, and Weber could not be reached. The Team Baraka complaint charges that the campaign did not file post-election reports for 590 contributions totaling $713,375 and 497 expenditures that totaled $731,728. The complaint also charges that the campaign failed to report eight contributions of at least $1,900 made less than 13 days before the May 10 election. Those so-called last-minute contributions, totaling $51,900, are required to be reported within 48 hours. The complaint stated, As of the date of this complaint, Respondents have not reported any contributions received or expenditures made between January 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. The commission is a state enforcement agency with statutory power to levy fines depending on a final determination by its commissioner, Ryan Peters, a lawyer and former Navy seal. Fines for failing to report the last-minute contributions can be as high as $9,800 per violation for each candidate, according to the complaint. An ELEC spokesman, Joe Donohue, said the timing of the complaints was a function of state law approved last year tightening the commissions filing deadline to a maximum of two years after the election involved, which is just a month and a half away. The old deadline was 10 years, Donohue said, and ELEC cases can take years to settle. The one prior complaint against Baraka in the commissions 10-year-old online database is a case in point. It involved his first successful run for mayor in 2014 and charges of multiple late filings. In that case, the commission didnt issue a final determination until November 2021, when Baraka and his treasurer at the time, Frederick Murphy, agreed to pay a total of $30,394 in fines, according to ELEC. Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com Forecasters say there is the likelihood of snow in northern North Dakota and ice in the southern part of the state through Good Friday. Northwest North Dakota could see 1-3 inches of snow, and the north central region could see 2-5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. There is a high chance -- 70-100% -- for ice accumulations in the Bismarck-Mandan and Dickinson regions, and low to medium chances in other parts of southwest and south central North Dakota. Ice could range from a light glaze to around one-tenth of an inch. The system was expected to move in Thursday night. "Precipitation should begin as rain across the southwest, transitioning to freezing rain as it moves into the central, and eventually into snow across the north," the weather service said. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski reported that, "While neither the rain nor the snow looks excessive, the storm will affect a broad area as one part of the storm races eastward from the Northern Plains on Friday to across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Saturday." Tulsa World Meteorologist Kirsten Lang, a member of the Lee Enterprises Weather Team, said "The good news is, though, it should be clearing (in North Dakota) by late Friday, so hopefully not impacting Easter weekend." The forecast for Easter Sunday in Bismarck-Mandan calls for a 30% chance of precipitation, either snow or rain. Early next week should see mostly sunny skies. The latest system comes on the heels of a spring snowstorm last weekend that dropped 3-5 inches of snow on the Bismarck-Mandan area, and up to 8 inches in western North Dakota. That system also ushered in colder weather that has lingered this week. Daytime highs in the capital city are forecast to warm from the 20s in recent days into the upper 30s Friday through the weekend -- still about 10 degrees below normal for late March. But a warmup is expected early next week, with highs in the 40s on Monday, the 50s on Tuesday and approaching 60 on Wednesday. Normal for early April in Bismarck is a high around 50. The struggling Hudson County network of hospitals being propped up by an infusion of cash from the state may have found another lifeline. CarePoint Health System, which operates Hoboken University Medical Center, Bayonne Medical Center and Christ Hospital in Jersey City, confirmed Thursday it is collaborating with the Flint, Michigan-based healthcare network Insight to stabilize its finances. The surviving relatives of a 17-year-old girl whose parents were killed in a March 16 crash in Hudson County have started a GoFundMe campaign to defray burial costs and support the teenagers recovery. Jamaal Stewart started the fundraiser on Tuesday for his niece Khameryn Oliver, whos in a medically induced coma after a horrendous five car accident caused by a wayward driver, according to the verified GoFundMe page. The family had raised more than $73,000 as of Thursday afternoon for Khameryns medical care and the burial of her parents, Rhakeem Oliver and Shavonn Stewart-Oliver, of West Orange. NJCU hosts Ecuadorian president New Jersey City University (NJCU) served as the host for a community visit when Daniel Noboa, the newly-elected president of the Republic of Ecuador, held an official gathering with more than 400 invited members of the Ecuadorian immigrant community who reside in Hudson County. The community encounter was held in early March at NJCUs Gilligan Student Union. Jersey City Board of Education allies turned the tables on Vice President Younass Barkouch, demoting him back to the rank of member just two weeks after he helped lead the removal of the prior leadership team. We did make a mistake last (meeting), Trustee Chris Tisdale said Wednesday about selecting Barkouch as vice president. You dangled your vote against all of us. You had no intention of working with the group. This was always about you. As a result, you are out. The surprise removal came after board members DeJon Morris, Afaf Muhammad, Paula Jones-Watson, Tisdale and Barkouch pushed out previous leaders Natalia Ioffe and Noemi Velazquez over the past two school board meetings. Morris was then voted in as president and Barkouch as vice president. Jersey Citys City Hall was evacuated for more approximately 45 minutes Thursday afternoon when a bomb threat was called into the building. The building was evacuated just after 2 p.m. while police, firefighters and members of the Hudson County Sheriffs Office responded to the Grove Street facility. A K-9 unit performed a sweep of the building and the building was eventually deemed safe for workers to return inside at approximately 2:45 p.m. It could not be determined if the bomb threat was related to the Transgender Day of Visibility events at City Hall Thursday afternoon. A spokesman for the Hudson County Sheriffs Office declined to comment on its response. Jersey City officials did not immediately return a request for more information. Publishers Clearing House may boast of a winner every five minutes, but scammers rely on an older slogan that increases their own odds: Theres a sucker born every minute. A Secaucus couple has been charged with taking advantage of multiple trusting people across the country, scamming them out of at least $1.1 million and as much as $2.2 million by tricking them into thinking they had won the popular sweepstakes contest, authorities said Thursday. The arrests of Hakeen Lee, 30, and Majda Hodzic-Lee, 42, Wednesday were the result of a nearly two-month investigation by the Secaucus Police Departments Detective Division, spearheaded by Detective Sean Egan, and the assistance of the United States Postal Police. This case is a representative example of the determination put forth by members of the Secaucus Police Department in the pursuit of justice for the innocent victims who were scammed, Police Chief Dennis Miller said. These elaborate scams provide sources of income for criminals and it is extremely gratifying to make them answer for their crimes. In early February, the United States Postal Service reported to Secaucus police they had intercepted a package that contained approximately $52,000 in money orders sent by an elderly fraud victim, Miller said. The package was destined for the Lee couples Edna Place home in Secaucus, one of numerous packages delivered to the Edna Place residence in the recent past, Miller said. The investigation revealed that in 2023 numerous victims from numerous states, including Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Nebraska were scammed out of more than $2.2 million. The scheme involved the scammers contact the victims by phone and claiming they had won the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes and would receive a variety of winnings, including vehicles and large sums of money. But to collect their prizes, they were first required to send cash, money orders and/or gift cards to pay for taxes, fees and IRS payments. It hasnt been determined if Hakeem Lee or Majda Hodzic-Lee made any of the phone calls to the victims, but their bank records revealed more than $1.1 million currency believed to be sent from victims of the Publishers Clearing House scam passed through their bank accounts. Additionally, money was transferred to separate accounts for businesses that Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee own, such as Oxi Nation, a trucking company, and European Sparkle, a cleaning company. Bank records also showed the Lees likely had co-conspirators with businesses in Florida, Canada, Jamaica and Japan. Police arresting the couple Wednesday seized a large amount of banking documents, computers and cell phones, Miller said. Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee were each charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit theft by deception and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They were released on summonses, pending their first appearances in court. The investigation is ongoing and Secaucus detectives have been in touch with police agencies from others states and additional charges may be filed and/or additional arrests may be made, Miller said. A Middlesex County man who previously admitted to embezzling $2.37 million from the New York-based company that employed him as controller was sentenced Tuesday to two years and three months in prison, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Gerard Beauzile, 63, of South Plainfield, pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said in a release. Beauzile issued about 140 company checks to himself and deposited those checks into his bank accounts between 2014 and 2020, according to court documents. He covered the thefts by entering the checks into the companys accounting system under various vendors as the payees, leading the system to falsely show the checks were payable to those companies instead of Beauzile, authorities said. The scheme netted $2,372,738, according to court papers. Beauzile spent the money at restaurants, retail stores, department stores and liquor stores, along with using the funds to pay for utility bills, transportation costs and home maintenance expenses and furniture. Beauzile was employed at a company that court filings described as a provider of news, data, analysis and research for the global energy industry, but the business name was not released. In addition to his prison term, a federal judge sentenced Beauzile to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $2.37 million and forfeiture of $2.37 million, the office said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Authorities are asking for the publics help as they continue to search for the person responsible for killing the owner of a Neptune City convenience store owner during a robbery more than 28 years ago. Smita Amin Patel was stabbed to death inside her business the Little Brown Jug on Route 33 in Neptune City shortly before 10 a.m. on March 22, 1996, authorities said at the time. She was able to call 911 before she died from multiple, deep stab wounds of the neck and chest, authorities said. The attacker fled with cash and lottery ticket, and her body was found by a customer, authorities said shortly after the killing. The 35-year-old Tinton Falls resident and her then 41-year-old husband owned the grocery and convenience store, which is in the Gables Shopping Center across the street from what is now called Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The convenience store is still in business. In addition to her husband, Patel was survived by a then 4-year-old son, according to media accounts from 1996. Both her husband and son were in India at the time of the killing, prosecutors said at the time. A $5,000 reward is being offered by the Monmouth County Crimestoppers. This was an unspeakable tragedy that claimed the life of a Neptune City business owner, and it is imperative that we remind Mrs. Patels loved ones that she has not been forgotten, Neptune City Police Chief Matthew J. Quagliato said in a statement released Thursday. Just because a case is considered cold does not mean that we consider it hopeless. Every victim deserves justice. Anyone with information is asked to call Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Sergeant Christopher Guy at 800-533-7443 or Neptune City Detective James VanEtten at 732-455-0117. Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling the confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) Canadas federal government and the provincial Manitoba government agreed Friday to spend tens of millions to help search a landfill for the remains of two slain Indigenous women. A sum of $20 million Canadian (US$14.7 million) from each government is to go toward a search of the privately owned Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg, where the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran are believed to be. Cambria Harris, daughter of Morgan Harris, said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew told her they are going to search every part of the area where her mother is believed to be. She confirmed the amounts. I am very grateful, she said. Jeremy Skibicki is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Harris, Myran and two other women. The other two are Rebecca Contois, whose partial remains were found in a different landfill, and an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman. The remains of Buffalo Woman have not been found. Police in 2022 rejected the idea of a search, in part because of the potential danger from toxic materials and the sheer volume of material at the landfill. Were glad to be able to move forward with the funds necessary to search every cubic meter of the relevant space, Kinew said in a written statement. While we dont know if the search will be successful, we have to try. An Indigenous-led committee commissioned two reports on the feasibility of a search, which has been estimated to cost $90 million Canadian (US$66 million) if completed within a year. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously said the disappearances and deaths of Indigenous women in Canada have too often been treated as a low priority or ignored. The leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said she hopes the governments will fund whatever search efforts may be needed. We dont want to go back and back again to ask that this work be complete, Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said. Experts have already sounded alarm bells about the April solar eclipse causing potential eye damage. They also are warning people to brace for possible cellphone disruptions, flight delays and strains on fuel demand for all the extra cars and people that will be traveling to see the eclipse across the path of totality. State Police in New York said they are coordinating with other law enforcement officials, along with emergency management and transportation agencies in preparation for the big solar eclipse coming on April 8 a rare event that is expected to draw huge crowds to the Empire State. Cellular networks may be overloaded by high volume, the New York State Police said in a press release issued last week. On top of that, call volume to the states 911 emergency system may rise because of the big influx of people flocking to the state to see the eclipse. New York is one of 15 states in the U.S. that have areas within the so-called path of totality where the moon will completely block the sun for 2 to 4 minutes during daylight hours on April 8. Among the slew of concerns voiced by the police agency: Potential for transportation system disruptions and/or impacts. Potential for delayed/disrupted emergency service responses and prolonged response times. Potential for stranded motorists. Out-of-the-area visitors and potential weather/road concerns. Fuel infrastructure may not be able to support an increase in vehicular traffic. Gridlocked traffic may increase fuel, food, and water demand depending on duration. The state police are urging drivers to NOT park or stop in the roadway to watch the eclipse. If you wish to stop, find a safe location that does not interfere with traffic. A report by AL.com says people are advised to have their cellphones charged and bring chargers with them. Other safety tips include fueling up the day before the event, carrying extra food and water in your car, and, if possible, staying in the region on the night of the event. In addition, police are advising visitors not to use electric vehicles that cannot go 10-plus hours without charging, the website says. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a special notice expressing concerns about potential flight delays and rerouting of planes near areas of the United States that will see the total solar eclipse during the daytime on April 8. Those areas, criss-crossing 15 states, are expected to draw the biggest number of visitors to catch a glimpse of the full eclipse. This map from NASA illustrates the path of the moons shadow across the U.S. during the total solar eclipse coming on April 8, 2024. During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks the sun while it passes between the sun and Earth. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk, and those standing in the path of totality may see the suns outer atmosphere (the corona) if weather permits.NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio The purpose of this notice is to inform airmen of the possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path during the period April 7, 2024 (6 a.m. Eastern time) through April 10, 2024 at midnight, the FAA notice says. 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, the notice adds. Among the long list of airports that could be impacted by delays and higher volumes of air traffic during the week of the eclipse are 21 airports in New York state and seven airports in Pennsylvania. In the U.S., the path of the total solar eclipse will first cover parts of Texas, then move through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, NASA says. Small portions of Tennessee and Michigan will also be in the path of totality. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality. Academic tenure has been a significant component of American higher education over the last century. When a college or university faculty member receives tenure, their job cannot be easily or arbitrarily terminated. Historically and currently, this protects faculty from having their positions terminated due to expressing an opinion that differs from those of the institutions funders. Tenured faculty can certainly still be dismissed under some conditions. Tenure has had broader impacts on social life surrounding higher education. The time spent working toward tenure, and the benefits of working with tenure, encourage faculty to settle down into their college or universitys surrounding community. Tenure facilitates stability, institutional memory, and culture for institutions and college towns. Institutions of higher education where instructors swiftly come and go do not offer students the same kind of community and opportunity. For these reasons, it is worth paying attention to tenure trends in North Dakota. Just as tenure at North Dakotas colleges and universities has shaped our communities, its decline unravels aspects of our communities. As such, I am revisiting the trends and updating readers on this subject as I have for several years in my column. Full-time tenured and tenure-track positions in North Dakota have declined by 220 positions from 2015-16 to 2022-23, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Averaging a loss of about 31 positions per year, North Dakotas tenure/tenure-track faculty have decreased from 1,448 in the 2015-16 school year to 1,228 in 2022-23. What is driving this trend? First, it is important to note that among our states five tribal colleges -- Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, Sitting Bull College, Turtle Mountain Community College and United Tribes Technical College -- there is no tenure process. North Dakotas four private institutions -- Trinity Bible College, University of Jamestown, University of Mary and for-profit Rasmussen University -- also have no tenure process. Meanwhile, each of our states 11 public colleges and universities have some form of tenure. Therefore, tenures decline in North Dakota is driven entirely by our public institutions. Is the decline in tenure driven by lower student enrollments? Declines in student enrollment play a role in explaining decreases in tenure-track positions, but there is much more to the picture. If declining student enrollment was, on its own, the cause of the decrease in tenure-track positions, then surely all other staff positions should be similarly decreasing. However, this is not so. Statewide, full-time instructional positions that are not on the tenure track have been increasing over the 2015-16 to 2022-23 period. Part-time instructors have also been on the rise in this same period. Meanwhile, full-time non-instructional staff positions have decreased while part-time non-instructional staff positions have increased. Ultimately, declines in staffing have not simply mirrored changing student enrollment. Instead, higher-quality jobs are being replaced by lower-quality jobs. Namely, tenure-track jobs are being replaced by jobs that are not on the tenure track. And generally, full-time positions are being replaced by part-time positions. These trends also mean that benefited positions are being replaced by unbenefited positions. However, declining job quality is not unique to higher education. Workers in a variety of sectors are disappointed by the scarcity of high-quality jobs. Are there differences among institutions when it comes to these broad, statewide patterns? Yes, there are some different trends among institutions. Some institutions follow the broader pattern more closely than others. I invite you to visit EllieShockley.com to find institution-level trends in North Dakota higher education staffing. I have included trends for tribal, public and private institutions. The effects of Tuesdays collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor will be felt in New Jersey, with more ships detoured to the nations second-busiest container port, and a renewed focus on safety, an engineering expert said. The Baltimore bridge carried I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, across the Patapsco River. It collapsed after a container ship known as the Dali, which was leaving Baltimore Harbor, lost power several times, causing a lack of steering that sent it heading at an angle toward one of the Key Bridges supporting piers, said W. M. Kim Roddis, a professional engineer and Professor Emerita at George Washington University Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. As of Thursday, four people who were part of a pothole repair crew working on the bridge are missing and presumed dead. Vincent Dransfield turns 110 years old Thursday, but the lifelong Passaic County resident doesnt seem to be slowing down. He still lives at home, socializes with a wide range of friends and family, keeps up with the New York Yankees opening day is his birthday and even continues to drive his Hyundai sedan on local errands. I guess Im doing all right, for my age, Dransfield said by phone from the Little Falls house where he has lived since 1945. He playfully gave some of the credit for his longevity to a half-century of drinking Ovaltine, the flavored milk drink. Though, he said he sticks with the simple malt version, not the chocolate Ovaltine. I guess that contributed to it, and being a nice guy, he said. He remains on the roster of Singac Volunteer Fire Co. No. 3 in Little Falls, where signed up more than eight decades ago and once served as fire chief. The fire company held an early, 110th birthday party for Dransfield on March 16. About 50 showed up for the three-hour party, said Erica Lista, his granddaughter. Her in-laws came up with the perfect gift for the occasion. They presented him with $110. He got such a kick out of that, Lista said. Vincent Dransfield celebrating his upcoming 110th birthday at Singac Fire Co. No. 3, where he has volunteered for more than eight decades, in Little Falls.Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media Supercentenarians, the term for those 110 or older, are exceptionally rare. Experts estimate there are no more than several hundred supercentenarians in the world. While official records are maintained about the oldest residents in New Jersey, another New Jersey resident, Launa Mitchell, turned 110 in Lakewood last May. Dransfield has one daughter, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His wife of 54 years, Ann, died in 1992. He has had a remarkable run of good health, his granddaughter said. Hes really never had anything wrong with him, Lista said. Challenges pertaining to aging, though, are unavoidable. My knees are bothering me now. When you get older, the bones dont work the same as when youre younger, Dransfield said. He said he is grateful to be able to drive. He typically swings by the local QuickCheck and ShopRite for coffee, newspapers, groceries and conversation. I still do all right. Thank God for that. Im driving pretty good, he said. Fellow firefighters James Meisberger, left, and Leonard Shark, right, celebrate Vincent DransfeldOs 110th birthday at the Singac Fire Co. No. 3, where he volunteered for over 85 years, in Little Falls on March 16, 2024.Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media Dransfield has never lived anywhere other than Little Falls and Paterson, where he was born in a house on Preakness Avenue on March 28, 1914 the same day as 1968 vice presidential candidate Edmund Muskie. Woodrow Wilson was president, the U.S. was about to enter World War I, and Yankee Stadium had not yet been built. I graduated from School 5. The old School 5, Dransfield said, refering to the building in Paterson down the street from where classes were relocated starting in 1939. He quit school after the eighth grade. Lista said he was delivering milk in his early 20s when his customers included legendary boxer Joe Louis, who trained in Pompton Lakes in the mid-1930s. When World War II broke out, he was working as a manager at the Schmid company, which supplied condoms to U.S. troops overseas. He told his granddaughter he was not drafted into military service because his job was classified as a civil defense position. He later worked as a manager at Crane Motors in Little Falls for 25 years, followed by several years at another job dealing with car parts, before retiring. Dransfield got married in 1938, when he was 24, and his wife introduced him to Little Falls. When they moved into their house in 1945, it was located where a road did not yet exist. An undated photo of Vincent Dransfield, left, when he was chief of Singac Fire Co. No. 3 in Little Falls, New Jersey. Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media He is especially proud of his long tenure at the Singac fire company, which was organized in 1912, two years before he was born. For his birthday party, he was wearing a cap reading, oldest active firefighter in the U.S.A. Firefighters unveiled a plaque honoring Dransfield on his 100th birthday in 2014. Harry Seebode, a longtime friend, was among those greeting him at the March 16 party. He was chief of the fire department when I joined in 1962, said Seebode, 87. Hes amazing, just put it that way, he said. Dransfield is a longtime New York Yankees fan ever since the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957, he explained. This year, opening day, for only the second time in his long life, is coinciding with his birthday. He said his favorite player over the decades was Derek Jeter, the retired Hall of Fame shortstop. And he tries to keep informed on all the roster changes. Its hard to keep up as you get older, Dransfield said. Lista, a West Caldwell resident, and several of her relatives will be visiting Dransfield at his home Thursday. They have a pretty good idea what he will want to eat. He always loves pizza. Same as last year, Lista said. Vincent Dransfield celebrating his upcoming, 110th birthday at Singac Fire Co. No. 3 in Little Falls, New Jersey, March 16, 2024.Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. 0:02 [Music] 0:22 [Music] 0:36 [Applause] [Music] 0:42 defense [Music] 0:56 and then 1:09 we interrupt this program to bring you a bulletin from Europe. Germany has invaded Denmark. 1:16 belgium early this morning by land and from the air by paradise 1:22 today president roosevelt now clearly taking a harder line on hitler's aggression, said this nation will remain a neutral 1:29 nation but i cannot ask that every american remain neutral in thought and we see reports from london that 1:35 british prime minister neville chamberlain has just resigned repeating 1:42 hitler now master of most of the continent of Europe. the world's eyes are on winston Churchill; he's been prime minister for three extraordinary days 1:50 you ask what is our policy i will say it is to wage war 1:56 by sea land and air, with all the strength that god can give us 2:02 to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark lamentable 2:08 catalogue of human crime that is our policy to ask 2:15 what is our aim? i can answer in one word victory victory at all 2:22 costs oh harry good you read churchill's cable yes 2:30 and sun's over the odd arm join me glad to sir 2:38 you know i can't lend britain 40 or 50 destroyers without the specific authorization of congress 2:45 much as you know we'd both like to you lost a lot of weight in the hospital 2:51 you're eating enough trying you know what does the doctor say said they got it all you told churchill we're gonna be the 2:57 arsenal of democracy eleanor and i were talking this morning what we want what we both want 3:06 is to get you out of that little apartment of yours and move you in here with us i can't do that 3:12 sir old country already thinks i have too damn much influence with you they'll tear you to pieces you let me 3:18 worry about the country that's what i get paid for anyway i need you here 3:25 all the time what can we do for britain right now 3:34 we can ship today 500 000 enfield rifles 130 million rounds rifle ammo 975 3:42 millimeter guns 80 000 machine guns got his whole army backed up on the beaches of dunkirk 3:49 he could lose it all, i know get right on it 3:56 the german army advanced to france 4:03 as well as major elements of the french and belgian forces, are being forced into a small and 4:09 shrinking pocket around the port of Dunkirk, their backs to the english chapel 4:16 this is the BC home service the admiralty today requested all owners of small craft 4:21 to report for what is called a special requirement, it is something to see charles literally hundreds of boats from 4:27 huge warships to tiny fishing boats being manned by the weaker will i had thought i would have to announce 4:35 the greatest military disaster in british history but that calamity has 4:41 not befallen the allies, wars are not won by evacuations but 4:46 there was a victory inside this deliverance; we got the army away 4:59 we shall not flag or fail; we shall go on to the end 5:04 we shall fight in france we shall fight in the seas and oceans. We shall fight 5:10 with growing confidence and growing strength in the air we shall defend our island whatever the 5:16 cost may be we shall never surrender an evening which i do not for a moment believe 5:24 this island or a large part of it was subjugated and starving and our empire beyond the seas armed and 5:31 guarded by the british fleet would carry on the struggle until in 5:37 god's good time the new world with all its power and might 5:43 steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the earth tell the war department to make 5:49 estimates of how many planes and whatever else we can spare generous estimates very generous 5:56 estimates [Music] 6:02 a lot of attacks on great britain last night are you standing on the rooftop 6:07 near piccadilly circus and i see the search lights coming on now there's one there's another now a lot of them 6:15 and there called the yak gun 6:21 hitler knows he will have to break us in this island or lose the war let us therefore brace 6:29 ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that 6:34 if the british empire and its commonwealth last for a thousand years 6:40 men will still say this was their finest hour 6:48 [Applause] ah he's right churchill's right we have 6:55 to get the destroyers for right now start you know a lot of this could be settled if churchill and i could just 7:01 sit down together for a while we're stopping you can't be arranged right now we don't have an ambassador over there 7:07 they don't have one over here how about me going over for you mr president no no can't spare you i've got the state of 7:13 the union message coming up the budget the third inaugural i need you for all of them 7:18 plus the lindby's fight with congress yes but if identity no i've seen it with my own eyes i might be some help 7:34 [Music] 7:40 [Music] 7:51 ample naval forces will be available to contain japan in the pacific 8:03 of course i know who harry hopkins is a social worker or something involved in roosevelt's work relief 8:12 ooh really personally 8:19 ah oh no and if any red carpet has survived the 8:26 blitz by all means roll it out for mr harry hopkins 8:34 dear mr hawkins what a very great do hope honor this not been kept waiting 8:41 not at all lord well this is a great occasion i think we can 8:48 possibly find a more comfortable place to talk from this tell the president are you warm enough 8:55 harry fine england in january 9:01 tell the president we seek no treasure we see no territorial gains we seek only 9:08 the right of man to be free his right to worship his god and leave 9:14 his life in his own way secure from personal 9:19 prime minister i don't think the president will give a damn for all that you see we're only interested in how you propose to beat 9:25 that son of a [ __ ] in berlin 9:31 you say you'll be here for two weeks harry i will make every detail of information 9:38 and opinion available to you you will not leave england until you know everything there is to know 9:52 [Music] 10:03 at four o'clock this morning hitler attacked and invaded russia 10:10 this was no surprise to me in fact i gave clear and to stalin 11:32 citizens of the soviet union the soviet government and its head comet 11:38 stalin have authorized me to make the following statement at four o'clock this morning 11:44 despite the fact that there was a non-aggression pact between the soviet union and germany 11:49 and without a declaration of war german troops attacked our country 11:54 attacked our frontier in many places and bombed from their airplanes our cities 12:00 of jitomir kiev sevastopol kaunas and others our cause is good the enemy 12:08 will be smashed victory will be ours 12:22 this is the end why harry doesn't make sense to me what 12:30 does hitler have in mind you think he's trying to get world opinion on his side by attacking 12:36 communism that's what he thinks winston will set him straight in one big hurry i think hitler has just made his first 12:43 big mistake no one has been a more consistent foe of 12:48 communism than i have the last 25 years i will unsay no word 12:54 that i have spoken about it but all this fades away before the spectacle which is now unfolding 13:01 this bloodthirsty gutter snipe hitler must launch his mechanized armies of slaughter pillage and 13:08 devastation can you doubt what our policy will be 13:14 we are resolved to destroy hitler and every vestige of the nazi regime 13:23 from this nothing will turn us nothing we shall fight him by land we shall 13:30 fight him by sea we shall fight him in the air until with 13:35 god's help we have read the earth of his shadow and liberated the people from his yoke 13:43 [Applause] it follows therefore that we shall give 13:50 whatever help we can to russia it is not for me to speak the action 13:58 of the united states a lot of people the usual ones are taking the position that since russia can't hold out there's no 14:03 point sending any stuff to them i don't agree but this i will say 14:10 if hitler imagines that his attack on soviet russia will cause the slightest division of 14:16 aims or slackening of effort in the great democracies he is woefully 14:21 mistaken comrades brothers and sisters 14:26 men of our army and navy in spite of the heroic resistance of the red army 14:33 the enemy continues to push forward hitler's troops have succeeded in 14:38 capturing lithuania a considerable part of latvia the western part of bayel russia 14:45 and part of the western ukraine a grave danger hangs over our country 14:54 in case of a forced retreat all the rolling stock must be evacuated 14:59 the enemy must not be left a single pound of grain or a gallon of fuel all that cannot be 15:06 withdrawn must be destroyed conditions must be made unbearable for the enemy 15:13 they must be hounded at every step his secretary of the navy says the best information he can get is that it will 15:19 take anywhere from six weeks to two months for hitler to clean up on russia but ambassador davies just cabled from 15:25 moscow says that the red army will amaze and surprise the world these people who've shown themselves 15:31 worth backing the advantage we should reap if the russians could keep the field 15:36 and go on until the winter closes is measureless find out what they need harry and how we 15:42 can get it to them yes sir in this war of liberation we shall not be alone we shall have 15:50 loyal allies in the people of europe and america our forces 15:56 are numberless the masses of our people will rise up in their millions all 16:02 forces of the people for the demolition of the enemy 16:08 forward to victory we've just gotten their first request mr 16:14 president they're enormous three thousand bombers three thousand pursuit planes oh davey says the result 16:19 will depend on air power we are making marshall stalin very heavy air attacks both by day and 16:26 by night upon all germans within our reach then we hope to force hitler to bring 16:32 back some of his air power to the west and gradually take some of the strain off of 16:37 you we've only got to go on fighting to beat the life out of these villains 16:45 we're going to have to start coordinating with the british all across the board what they'll get what we should both 16:51 give to russia strategy how about me going back over for you mr president would you harry tell churchill everything especially 16:58 tell him not to ask when we're coming into the war i only met churchill once in 1918. 17:07 as i was assistant secretary of the navy we had dinner together in london at gray's inn the whole war cabinet was 17:15 there he was already famous whatever impression he made on you mr president i'll bet you made just as big a one on 17:21 him well he was a real stinker rude as could be lorded it over us tell him i think we 17:29 ought to get together personally as soon as possible set that up for me will you harry yes sir 17:36 the position of the soviet forces at the front remains tense the military situation of the 17:42 soviet union as well as great britain would be considerably improved if there 17:47 could be established a front against hitler in the west in northern france 17:52 which could not only divert hitler's forces from the east but at the same time make it impossible 17:58 prime minister for hitler to invade great britain anything sensible and effective that we 18:04 can do to help will be done i beg you however to realize the limitations opposed to 18:10 polish by our resources and generally realize germans have 40 divisions in france 18:17 alone the whole coast bristles with cannon wire pill boxes and beach mines 18:22 to attempt a landing in force would be to encounter a bloody repulse it would all be over without there 18:28 having to move a single unit from your front notwithstanding the difficulties it 18:34 should you must remember marshall stalin that we have been fighting alone 18:39 for more than a year and although our resources are growing and will grow fast from now on we are 18:47 at the utmost strain both at home and in the middle east by land and air and also 18:54 that the battle of the atlantic on which our life depends strains our naval resources to the land 19:01 it should be done prime minister not only for the sake of our common cause but also britain's 19:07 own interest this is the most we can do at the moment i wish it were more 19:18 my dear friend how are you feeling glad to be here in july when a man can 19:24 take his coat off indoors cognac please situation is a little 19:29 different from last time rushes in what we want to know of course is when are you going to get in 19:36 that's the one question the president says you can't ask me but he did ask that i get you two 19:43 together in some lonely bay as quickly as possible the sooner the better 19:50 what he does want us to discuss right away is one your ability to withstand invasion he's 19:56 concerned your airfields are vulnerable to hitler's parachute troops we think he's got sixty thousand of them 20:03 second the wisdom of trying to defend the middle east egypt libya syria india the equipment 20:10 and men you're sending there might be needed here as far as the invasion of britain is concerned 20:16 we have the situation well in hand and we have taken special measures to defend 20:21 all our air jobs and we would be able to tell three weeks in advance if the germans 20:28 plan to cross the channel in regards to egypt and the niles valley we have an army 20:36 of half a million men here nearly half hour more production is sent 20:43 here and in spite of objections from friends it will be our policy 20:50 to go ahead and reinforce the middle east we really need hard information on how 20:56 the russians are doing your app will be most valuable everything production shipping supply 21:02 strategy depends on how long the russians can hold out 21:07 i'm wondering whether you would find it useful for me to go to moscow it's a long trip very hazardous you'd be 21:12 totally exhausted harry it would be worth doing if stalin knew in an 21:17 unmistakable way we mean business on a long-term supply job 21:22 stalin might tell the truth or at least part of it to the personal representative of the 21:28 president of the united states absolutely go 21:34 tell stalin tell him 21:42 tell him britain has but one ambition today 21:47 but one desire to crush hitler tell him he can depend on us 21:54 by harry god bless you thank you sir 22:05 i don't know what will happen if britain is fighting alone when 1942 comes 22:19 i come marshall stalin is a personal representative of president roosevelt who considers hitler the enemy of 22:25 mankind and thinks the most important thing in the world is to defeat him he therefore wishes to give all possible 22:32 aid to the soviet union in its fight against germany welcome to the soviet union your 22:37 president has asked me to talk to you as i would talk to him the first thing i want to say is 22:44 concerning hitler and germany there must be a minimum 22:49 moral standard among nations without such a minimum moral standard nations cannot exist 22:58 therefore our views coincide i have two practical questions the 23:04 president wants me to ask you first can you tell me what russia will require most that the united states could 23:10 deliver immediately and second what would your requirements be based on a long war please see 23:19 immediately we require anti-aircraft guns machine guns 50 caliber to defend 23:27 our cities the rifles 30 caliber i would need a million or 23:34 more for a long war we would need aviation gasoline 23:41 aluminum for aircraft give us anti-aircraft guns and aluminum 23:48 and we can fight for three or four years come come 23:55 the germans have found that moving mechanized forces across 24:00 russia is very different than moving them over the boulevards of belgium 24:06 and france the germans can move up another 40 divisions 24:12 but probably not before the hot weather sets in 24:18 we will hold within 100 kilometers of our present position 24:24 but tell the president that while i am absolutely confident 24:30 that we can withstand the germans the question of supply 24:36 is a serious one and we need your help 24:48 hold on hitler is going to lose 24:55 now i am sick and tired of hearing that they are going to get this and going to get that i don't want to hear what's on 25:01 order i want to hear what's on the water get those planes off with a bang even if they have to be taken from the american 25:07 army mr prime minister how are you feeling oh 25:12 fine fine fine i think i got what i wanted but you can't ever be sure 25:18 let's go see the president the president harry i cannot tell you how excited i am 25:26 finally to have the chance to meet him face to face i wonder if he like me what sort of man 25:31 is he having he must tell me all about him he doesn't remember 25:52 welcome aboard mr prime minister very great pleasure this is for me mr president to 25:58 meet you long enough in 1918 in graze and i'm absolutely delighted to 26:06 meet you too winston together at last cigarette and holder in the long cigar 26:12 glass being lit from the same match 27 years ago today and began their last 26:19 war you must make a good job of it this time twice want to be enough 26:24 we will talk about everything of course but first 26:30 i believe these gentlemen have a little job to do yeah they do the same job in britain 26:45 what i want to hear first winston is how you think this war will be won 26:53 this is a mechanized war mr president the mobile war in the air on land 27:00 could see immense land armies less important by far than in the last 27:05 war fighting on land in the middle east north africa yes 27:11 anywhere the germans exist on even or fairly even terms there we must attack them 27:20 but in fortress europe not with land armies not at first 27:27 we must destroy the foundation upon which the german war machine rests 27:32 the economy which feeds it morale which sustains it the sublies which 27:38 nourish it and the hopes of victory which inspire it 27:44 this war will be won by blockade by subversion and most of all my strategic bombing yes 27:52 but no major land armies what do you tell the russians 27:58 the war goes upon many fronts and before it is over there may be yet 28:05 further fighting fronts that will be developed but our resources no immense are limited and it must 28:13 become a question as to where and when those resources can best be used 28:18 i can only reiterate the absence of a second front simply favors our common enemy mr 28:25 president it is inevitable that america will finally come to grips with hitler on some battlefield 28:32 the might of germany is so great that even though russia will defend herself it will be very difficult for britain 28:38 and russia combined to defeat the german machine the one thing that could defeat hitler and 28:44 perhaps without even firing a shot would be the announcement that you are going to join in the war 28:54 i hope you won't take it amish mr president do i tell you that i cannot answer for 29:00 the consequences if russia is compelled to sue for peace and say by next spring hope has died in 29:08 britain that america is coming into the war governments such as ours can only move 29:16 in keeping with the thought and will of the great majority of our people if i would put the issue of 29:21 peace or war to the congress they would debate it for three months 29:27 what i can do is look for an incident in the atlantic i can wage war and not 29:34 declare it hitler will have the dilemma either attack our convoys and our navy or hold back 29:42 and give us the battle of the atlantic splendid 29:47 harry you know i met him once before in 1918. when he was assistant secretary 29:56 of the navy and i was in the war cabinet he made a most vivid impression on me even then 30:02 extraordinary man 30:17 the situation of the soviet forces during the last three weeks has deteriorated considerably with the 30:23 germans having transferred to the eastern front 30 to 34 fresh infantry divisions and an 30:29 enormous number of tanks and aircraft they consider danger in the west a bluff 30:34 and are transferring all their forces to the east with impunity remember being convinced that no second 30:42 front exists in the west and that none will exist as a result we have lost more than half 30:47 the ukraine and in addition the enemy is at the gates of landing remember 30:52 there is only one way out of this situation to establish in the present year a 30:58 second front somewhere in the balkans of france capable of drawing away from the eastern front 30 to 40 divisions 31:05 and at the same time we should shrink from no exertion there is in fact no possibility of any 31:12 british action in the west except air action which would draw the german forces from the east before the 31:18 winter sets in action however well meant leading only 31:23 to costly fiascos would be no help to anyone but hitler to continue and at the same time ensuring to the 31:30 soviet union 30 000 tons of aluminum and the monthly minimum of aid amounting to 400 31:36 aircraft and 500 tanks of medium size without this to foreign we are now 31:43 prepared to send you from british production one half of the monthly total for which 31:49 you ask in aircraft and tanks we hope the united states will supply 31:54 the other half every possible effort a billion dollars worth 32:00 two billion thank you as i was saying without these two forms of help the 32:05 soviet union will either suffer defeat or be weakened to such an extent that it will lose for 32:10 any long period a capacity to render to its allies experience has taught me to face up to 32:17 reality no matter how unpleasant it may be and not to shrink from telling the truth remember that 32:25 only four months ago we in this island did not know whether you were coming in against us on the german 32:31 side indeed we thought it quite likely that you would 32:37 whatever happens and whatever you do you of all people have no right to make 32:42 reproaches to us i have cabled our mission in moscow today to make a commitment to russia of 32:49 400 additional tanks a month and 3 600 additional combat planes very simply 32:57 and very bluntly we are pledged to pull our own ore in the destruction of hitlerism i fully 33:05 sympathize with russia in her agony but they have no right to approach us we 33:12 have acted with absolute honesty we have done our very best to help them at the cost of deranging all 33:18 our plans for re-armament and exposing ourselves to heavy risk i know spring invasion 33:26 but marshall stalin 33:33 we shall do our utmost to repair the grievous curtailments which your war 33:38 industries have suffered through the nazi invasion 33:45 if they keep fighting it's worth it if they don't we don't have to send it 33:56 [Music] 34:15 are you convinced that we will be able to hold moscow 34:20 i am asking you with pain in my heart answer me truthfully answer me as a 34:28 communist commander of his majesty's armed forces 34:35 in the middle east which is impossible to explain to 34:41 parliament how our armies have had to stand for 34:47 four and a half months without engaging the enemy in north africa 34:52 by all the time russia is being battered to pieces 34:57 order of the day declare a state of siege moscow will be defended to the last 35:09 comrades brothers and sisters i stated at the beginning of the war 35:14 that a serious danger was facing our country today as a result of four months of war 35:21 i must emphasize that this danger has increased the enemy has captured the greater part 35:27 of the ukraine by yellow russia moldavia and estonia 35:33 has penetrated the donbass is looming like a black cloud of a laning grid 35:38 and is menacing our glorious capital moscow 35:44 wherein lie the reasons for the temporary setbacks of the red army mr president i honestly hope that you 35:51 will be able to raise the general level of your war production by an immediate short-term effort 35:58 double it one of the reasons consists in the absence of a second 36:03 front in europe it is a fact that there are no armies of great britain 36:09 or the united states on the continent of europe at the present and this fact brings about a situation 36:16 where the germans considering their rear in the west secure have the possibility of marching their 36:23 troops against our country if it were possible 36:29 to make any successful diversion upon the french shore we should order it even at the heaviest 36:34 cost all our generals are convinced bloody republic is all that would be 36:42 sustained however in order to clear things up and to plan for the 36:50 future i am ready to send two generals to meet you in moscow 36:55 they will be able to tell you exactly what is possible and what we think is wise do you want 37:00 them if the generals will come to moscow with a view to concluding an agreement on the two fundamental 37:06 questions war aims and plans for the post-war organization of peace 37:12 and of mutual military assistance against hitler i would naturally be very happy to meet 37:19 them if however the mission of the generals is confined to secondary matters 37:26 it would not be i think worthwhile in such a case it would be very 37:33 difficult for me to find time for their conversations 37:41 i don't know what stalin wants bad relations a rupture who would that benefit 37:57 reeling from the allied embargo on steel and oil japan did offer some diplomatic concessions 38:03 but the president said that nothing less than japanese withdrawal from china and indochina would be acceptable 38:10 please get this right off the emperor of japan market personal 38:20 well this son of man has just sent his final 38:26 message to the son of god that's the last card i have to play for peace in the 38:34 [Music] 38:44 pacific 39:02 how is that good having lunch with the family you know my 39:08 cousin ellen adams brought all her children down hopkins we're gonna have lunch with them 39:14 but it's sunday but we might get a little quiet desk work done while we 39:33 what is it 39:39 no it must be some mistake 39:48 i tried to keep us out of war i wanted to finish my administration 39:55 without war 40:04 yesterday december 7th 1941 a date 40:12 which will live in infamy the united states of america was 40:18 suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire of japan 40:28 i regret to tell you that very many american lives have been lost 40:35 yesterday the japanese government also launched an attack on malaya 40:42 last night japanese forces attacked hong kong 40:49 last night japanese forces attacked guam last night 40:57 the japanese attacked wake island and this morning they attacked midway 41:05 island with confidence in our armed forces with the unbounding 41:12 determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph 41:19 so help us god [Applause] 41:33 we have won after all 41:41 england will leave the commonwealth of nations 41:46 and the empire will live once again in our long island history 41:54 we shall emerge however mold and mutilated 42:00 safe and victorious we shall not be wiped out our history 42:08 will not come to an end hitler's fate is sealed mussolini's fate is sealed 42:17 as for the japanese they will be ground to powder 42:28 today we are all in the same boat with you and the people of the empire winston 42:35 and it is a ship which will not and cannot be sunk 42:44 [Music] 42:50 we are now in this war we are all in it all the way every single man 42:56 woman and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our american history 43:03 it will not only be a long war it will be a hard war that is the basis on which we now lay 43:10 all our plans 43:17 [Music] franklin now that we are 43:23 as you say in the same boat would it not be wise for us to have another conference 43:30 delighted no need for the cautious approach to 43:36 america now that's the way we talked to her when we were wooing her 43:42 now she's in the harem you talk to her quite differently prime minister i propose a treaty 43:50 between us with a secret protocol dealing with europe post-war frontiers that the soviet union's front here with 43:56 poland be based on the kurzen line and the soviet union is to regain her frontiers of 1941 44:03 with finland and romania and will recover the baltic states 44:09 we cannot agree to definite frontiers without breaking pledges we have already made poland and others and we are not going 44:16 to do that it's a pity 44:27 the transfer of peoples to soviet usher against their wills is contrary to all the principles for 44:33 which we are fighting this war would dishonor our cause 44:40 no one can foresee how the balance of power will lie or where the winning armies will stand 44:45 at the end of the war it seems probable however 44:50 that the soviet union will need our aid far more than we shall need theirs 44:57 hitler's losses in russia are the prime fact in the war at this time he now faces the 45:04 shock of a winter of slaughter and the expenditure of fuel and equipment on the largest scale well 45:10 he hasn't reached moscow yet and i don't think he's going to this 45:16 message came from the marines on wake island just before they were overrun merry 45:21 christmas send us more japs 45:27 anyone want hot coffee no okay please hey 45:38 germany's the prime enemy once she's defeated the collapse of italy and the defeat of japan will flop 45:45 germany first our main objective for 1942 should be 45:51 the occupation of the whole coastline of africa that would reopen the mediterranean 45:57 route for shipping to the middle east and the far east and starts to tighten a ring around everything the germans now 46:03 control we'll put three divisions in north africa more if necessary 46:09 i want american forces involved as quickly as possible we can do more help for us every way we 46:14 can mom germany and blockade them then in 1943 the way may be cleared 46:23 to return to the continent here's the 1942 man 46:31 here's to a year of toil here of struggle and peril and a long step forward 46:38 victory here here may we all come through its shape and with honor winston 46:47 trust me to the bitter end 46:54 i would like to stress that it is now when the soviet union is exerting all its power to throw back hitler's 47:00 troops that the fulfillment of america's deliveries including aircraft and tanks 47:08 is essential to our common cause i'm terribly disturbed that an adequate number of ships is not available to 47:15 russia this government has made a firm pledge to russia and we simply cannot go back 47:20 on it where's harry be worse than to have the russians collapse 47:25 i'd rather lose new zealand australia or anything else than to have the russians collapse 47:31 i don't want to be in the same position as the english the only reason we stand so well to the russians is because we've kept our promises 47:37 you've got to find some ships at once for this russian business general wadel supreme commander 47:44 southwestern pacific i think you want to realize how we view the situation in singapore there must 47:53 at this stage be no thought of saving the troops or sparing the population the battle 47:59 must be fought to the bitter end but all costs 48:04 commanders and senior officers should die with their troops 48:11 the honor of the british empire and the british army is at stake but the russians fighting as 48:19 they are and the americans so stubborn in the philippines 48:24 the whole reputation of our country and our race is involved 48:49 i realize winston how the fall of singapore has affected you and the british people 49:00 the greatest disaster in our history but no matter how serious our setbacks 49:06 and i do not for a moment underrate them we must constantly look forward to the 49:12 next moves that need to be made to hit the enemy this means we now take primary 49:19 responsibility for the reinforcing of australia and new zealand and getting assistance to china and our navy 49:26 defends against all further advances of the japanese when i reflect how i have long 49:34 prayed for the entry of the united states into the war 49:40 i find it difficult to realize how gravely our british affairs have deteriorated since december 7th 49:49 we might as well admit the difficult military side of the problems 49:54 there's no use giving a single further thought to singapore or the dutch indies they're gone 50:02 australia must be held and we are willing to undertake that india must be held and you must do that 50:09 you must hold egypt the canal syria iran and the route to the caucasus 50:20 i know you will not mind winston if i tell you that you should take a 50:27 leaf from my notebook every month i go to hyde park for four days crawl 50:34 into a hole and pull the hole in after me i wish you would try it 50:41 and i wish you would lay a few bricks or paint another picture i am so grateful 50:48 for all your thoughts about my affairs and personal kindness i went to chartwell last week and found 50:55 spring there in all its beauty the goose i called the naval aid to call 51:01 and the male black swan have both fallen victims to the fox 51:06 the yellow cat however made me sensible of his continuing friendship 51:12 although i have not been there for eight months i find it very difficult to get over 51:18 singapore but i hope we shall redeem it air long 51:30 comrades along the tremendous front from the arctic ocean to the black sea red army and red navy 51:37 men are fighting fierce battles at moscow the red army defeated the german fascist troops which 51:45 threatened to encircle the soviet capital it threw the enemy back from moscow and 51:50 continues to push him westward the initiative is now in our hands 51:56 there is a winter you know in russia where the temperature is up to fall very 52:02 low there is snow there is frost and all that 52:07 hitler forgot about this russian winter he must have been very loosely educated 52:15 we all heard about it at school but he forgot it [Music] 52:21 i have never made such a bad mistake as that 52:27 mr president i doubt if any single thing's more important than getting some sort of front this summer against germany 52:33 the war plans division says we've got to go to europe to fight and we've got to quit wasting resources 52:38 all over the world and still worth wasting time if we're to keep russia in save the 52:44 middle east india burma got to begin slugging with air at west europe 52:49 followed by a land attack as soon as possible i still like the idea of french north 52:55 africa what do marshall and the joint chiefs say western europe 53:01 is the only place where vital air superiority can be staged the only place where the bulk of british ground forces can be committed in 53:08 cooperation with u.s forces and success there will afford maximum support for the russian front what harry will 53:16 tell you winston has my heart and mind in it your people and mine demand the 53:22 establishment of a front to draw off pressure on the russians and these people are 53:28 wise enough to see that the russians are today killing more germans than you and i 53:33 put together go to it harry yes sir 53:39 and uh make sure harry gets to bed early i am in entire agreement in principle 53:46 with all you propose the conception underlying it accords 53:51 with the classic principles of war concentration against the main enemy 53:57 marshall stalin i have in mind a very important military proposal to relieve your 54:03 critical western front i wish you would consider sending mr molotov to washington in the 54:09 immediate future 54:14 molotov can arrive not later than may 15. it goes without saying that he will also 54:20 go to london to exchange views with the british mr cocktail will be welcome here 54:30 you should not agree to any proposal to start a second front in western europe on any assumption that we do not mean 54:35 business our disposition is to take great risks to leave the russian front 54:40 at the same time if the japanese have gained control of the indian ocean not only will the middle east be in 54:47 danger but we shall lose the oil supplies in the persian gulf yes australia japan the middle east 54:55 will certainly discharge your obligations but our whole heart will be in the cross-channel invasion in 1943 55:02 1942 if necessary to avert a russian collapse our view is the decision to proceed with 55:08 the second front in europe is one of the most momentous ever faced the decision once taken cannot be reversed 55:16 if adopted this will constitute the major effort of the united states in the war 55:23 and there is complete unanimity in the framework of the cross channel invasion in 1943 55:31 full preparations can now go ahead i feel better about the war than anytime 55:37 in the last two years 55:43 let me now set out my own view of what had so far been decided what i thought should be 55:50 done i was ready to give the cross-channel assault a fair run 55:56 with other suggestions north west africa northern norway before the planning committees i was 56:02 almost certain that the more it was looked at the less it would be like but 56:11 i had to work by influence and diplomacy in order to secure harmonious action without cherished ally 56:18 without whose aid nothing but ruin face the world i did not therefore open any of these 56:25 alternatives at our meeting 56:31 i've been charged by my government to come to london to discuss the establishment of the second 56:37 front this is no new problem the coming weeks and months on the russian front are filled 56:43 with the most serious consequences to both of us we must know how you view the prospects 56:48 of growing of at least 40 german divisions from the ussr in 1942 56:54 the problem of landing in france this year is being studied preparations are being made please be 57:01 seated two points should however be born in mind 57:06 first with the best will and endeavor it is unlikely that any move we could 57:12 make in 1942 even if we were successful would draw 57:18 off large numbers of enemy land forces from the eastern front in the air the position is different if 57:25 our plan for forcing air battles over the continent proved successful the germans might be faced with the 57:31 choice either of seeing the whole of their fighter air force in the west destroyed 57:37 or making withdrawals from the air strength in the east 57:42 the second point relative to your proposition that our aim should be to draw off not less than 40 57:48 german divisions from russia we have confronting us in libya 57:55 norway france and the low countries 44 divisions but 58:04 we are not satisfied and if any plan can be made for drawing the weight of russia in 1942 58:12 we shall not hesitate [Music] 58:20 i have no doubt that you genuinely wish for the success of the soviet army against the germans this summer 58:27 but in your view are the prospects of our success whatever your views might be i would be 58:33 glad for a frank expression for opinion good or bad we feel great confidence 58:40 in the strength and ability of the soviet army now you want to talk about the treaty of 58:47 alliance between our countries these are the minimum conditions my 58:52 government insists on recovering the territory violated by hitler the baltics lithuania 59:00 latvia estonia we must secure our frontiers poland is the most delicate question but 59:06 the soviet government will do its best to come to terms with poland 59:13 we propose to substitute for a territorial agreement a general treaty 59:18 of alliance for 20 years committing all references for frontiers difficulties are mainly that we cannot 59:26 go back on our previous undertakings to poland and have to take account of our own and 59:32 american opinion the big question is can we work with russia 59:37 now and after the war is it stalin's aim to overrun and communize the continent 1:00:06 we are most grateful to you for meeting our difficulties in this treaty as you have done i am sure the reward in the united 1:00:13 states will be solid we have done a great deal breaking down 1:00:19 the barriers between our countries thank you thank you 1:00:25 churchill is a strong man very strong unfortunately he'll never make a good 1:00:35 [Music] 1:00:40 communist 1:00:49 [Music] this may be the biggest battle we have ever 1:00:55 so far 10 000 men 350 tanks 1:01:00 345 guns enemy killed and wounded probably equal and possibly 1:01:06 greater than ours this is a business not only of armor 1:01:12 and willpower everybody must fight they must fight exactly as they would it 1:01:19 came from mr president i am here as you know to 1:01:26 talk about the second fraud this year hitler is the master of all europe 1:01:32 to be sure the russians might hold and fight on all through 1942 but it is only 1:01:37 right to look at the darker side of the picture hitler might throw in such reinforcements in manpower and 1:01:44 material that the red army might not be able to hold out 1:01:50 so mr president i put this question to you frankly can you undertake such offensive action 1:01:57 as we'll draw up 40 german divisions 1:02:02 if the answer is yes the war will be decided in 1942 1:02:07 if no we will fight on alone doing our best and no man will expect more from us than 1:02:15 that my government wants to know what position you take on the question of a second front and whether you are 1:02:21 prepared to establish one i request a straight answer 1:02:28 you may inform marshall stalin and we expect the formation of a second front 1:02:36 we must never let the plan for invading north africa pass from our minds 1:02:42 tell marshall stalin we'll put it in the communique full understanding has been reached with 1:02:49 regard to the creation of a second front in europe in 1942 1:02:57 good god 1:03:03 tell molotov to come back through london see a churchill again 1:03:10 we are making preparations for landing on the continent in augusta september of 1942 which is 1:03:16 impossible to say in advance whether the situation will be as such as to make the operation 1:03:22 feasible when the time comes you can therefore make no promise in the matter but 1:03:27 if it appears sound and sensible we shall not hesitate to put our plan into effect 1:03:33 never before has our association been so close or our mutual pledge for the future so 1:03:42 complete 1:03:52 wanting a second front and having a second front 1:03:58 are two different things 1:04:06 the important thing is we may be and probably are faced with real problems on the 1:04:12 russian front and must make our plans to face it arrangements are being made pleasure 1:04:19 harry for a landing on the coast of northern france in september 1:04:26 we are disturbed here by what appears to be a lack of clear understanding between us in the event the russians get pushed 1:04:32 around we do not favor an operation certain to lead to disaster it would not 1:04:38 help the russians whatever their plight would gravely delay the main operation in 1943 1:04:44 no responsible british military authority has so far been able to make a plan 1:04:49 for crossing the channel in 1942 which has any chance of success unless the germans 1:04:55 become utterly demoralized of which there is no 1:05:06 likelihood 1:05:16 has surrendered the 25 000 men taken prisoner 1:05:27 defeat is one thing disgrace is another 1:05:37 what can we do to help 1:05:50 i am ashamed i cannot understand why the book gave in 1:06:00 25 000 of our men 1:06:10 send 300 german tanks 105 millimeter self-propelled guns to the middle east 1:06:16 right away 1:06:26 the military misfortunes of the last fortnight have transformed the situation 1:06:31 throughout the mediterranean we have lost upwards of 50 000 men 1:06:38 rommel has advanced nearly 400 miles from the desert and is now approaching the fertile delta 1:06:45 of the nile evil effects of these events cannot yet 1:06:51 be measured if there are any would-be profiteers of 1:06:57 disaster if feel able to paint the picture in darker colors 1:07:04 they are certainly at liberty to do so 1:07:19 american ground forces must be put into position to fight against german ground forces in 1942. i do not 1:07:26 believe we can wait until 1943 to strike against germany invading france is of such grave 1:07:32 importance that every reason calls for it and we cannot do northern france we must take second best french 1:07:38 north africa or the middle east we're gonna have to go see winston for 1:07:44 me again harry 1:08:01 mr president sorry it took us so long to get through the british will not willingly go ahead 1:08:06 with francis here down 1:08:13 if france is definitely and finally out of the picture i want you to determine another place 1:08:19 for us troops to fight in 1942. north africa is by far the best chance 1:08:25 for effective relief to the russian front take into consideration the effect of losing the middle east 1:08:32 here is the true second front of 1942 losing the middle east would mean the 1:08:39 loss of egypt the suez canal loss of syria persian gulf access to persian gulf oil germany and 1:08:46 japan joining up and the probable loss of the indian ocean 1:08:55 north africa 1942 full steam ahead as you say full steam ahead 1:09:15 franklin about shipping for russia we've been considering very carefully the number of convoys we're able to send 1:09:22 it seems to be that any word reaching stalin that our supplies were stopping would have a most unfortunate effect i fear not only the 1:09:29 political repercussions in russia but even more the fact that our supplies will not reach them properly i beg you 1:09:34 not to press us on this of the current convoy only four ships have breached our kingdom 1:09:40 and for 33 percent out of 600 tanks little more than a hundred have a ride 1:09:46 this cannot help anybody except the enemy i must reluctantly 1:09:51 agree marshall stalin my naval advisers tell 1:09:59 me that the german forces can now guarantee the complete destruction of any convoy to northern russia it is 1:10:06 therefore with the greatest regret that we have reached the conclusion that to attempt to run 1:10:12 convoy number 18 would only involve dead loss to the common cause 1:10:17 but at the same time i give you my assurance that if we can devise arrangements 1:10:22 the british government refuses to continue the sending of war supplies to the soviet union 1:10:28 i must explain the dangers and difficulties of these convoy operations in war time no important operation can 1:10:36 be affected without the risks or losses in any case i never expected that the british 1:10:42 government would stop this patch of war materials just at the very moment when he viewed the situation on the soviet german front 1:10:48 we require these materials more than ever believe me my comrade and friend no no 1:10:55 no striker oh believe me if one or two of our very few most 1:11:02 powerful battleships were to be lost the whole command of the atlantic would be lost besides 1:11:08 affecting the food supplies by which we live how war effort would we [ __ ] our naval 1:11:15 experts consider your reasons holy and convincing they are of the opinion that with 1:11:20 goodwill and readiness to fulfill your obligations those convoys could be regularly 1:11:26 undertaken above all the great convoys of american troops across the ocean 1:11:32 presently 80 000 in a month would be prevented in the building up of a really strong 1:11:39 second front in 1943 rendered impossible 1:11:47 1943 1:11:52 the second front in 1943 in spite of the agreed communique 1:11:57 concerning the urgent task of creating a second front in 1942 1:12:03 the british government postpones until 1943 i must state in the most emphatic manner 1:12:11 that the soviet government cannot acquiesce in the postponement of a second front in europe 1:12:16 until 1943. i do not propose to embark upon winston 1:12:22 your reply to stalin must be handled with great care you've got always to bear in mind the 1:12:27 personality of our ally in the very difficult and dangerous situation which can promise us 1:12:35 try to put ourselves in his place 1:12:45 i am willing marshall stalin if you invite me to come to meet you 1:12:54 i could tell you plans we have made with president roosevelt for offensive 1:12:59 action in 1942 believe me there is nothing that is 1:13:05 useful and sensible that we and the americans will not do to help you in your proud struggle 1:13:12 we hope to resume the convoys to separate the enemy is moving into the area 1:13:17 they will overrun their last line of defense organize a real guard with instructions to fight to the death to 1:13:23 give the army units time to pull back i will come to moscow i will if you desire 1:13:28 fix or conviction the enemy stands two miles from the city stalingrad may fall today or tomorrow 1:13:35 see to it that the commanders of the north and northwest forces strike the enemy at once to delay now is a clan 1:13:44 any date would suit me mrs hargreaves 1:13:51 send a telegram to the president i should greatly like your aid in my 1:13:58 talks with joe i have a somewhat of a raw job by 1:14:03 carrying a large lump of ice to the north pole 1:14:14 [Music] 1:14:23 what is it my duty to say to them the solemn finished a bolshevik state 1:14:29 i once tried so hard to strangle his path and which until hitler appeared i 1:14:36 regarded as the mortal foe of civilized freedom what is it my duty to say to them now 1:14:45 i would not have come to moscow unless you have felt sure that you will be able to discuss realities 1:14:51 there are no people with weak nerves here prime minister i suppose you want me to come to the 1:14:57 question of the second front as you wish i wish to speak frankly 1:15:03 and to invite complete frankness from you in return when mr molotov came to london i told 1:15:10 him that we were trying to make plans for a diversion in france i also made it 1:15:16 clear that i could make no promises about 1942 since then an exhaustive examination of 1:15:23 the problem has been carried out the british and american governments do 1:15:28 not feel themselves able to undertake a major operation in september which is the latest month in which the 1:15:36 weather is to be counted upon but 1:15:41 as you know we are preparing for a very great operation in 1943. 1:15:46 is it impossible to attack any part of the french coast 1:15:51 in 1942 yes there is not a single german division 1:15:56 of any value in france there are in france 25 german divisions nine of 1:16:02 which are of the first line and you are unwilling even to land six divisions 1:16:08 war is war but not folly and it would be folly to invite disaster 1:16:13 if by throwing in 150 to 200 000 men we could render you aid by drawing away from the russian front 1:16:20 appreciable german forces we would not shrink from this course on grounds of loss 1:16:26 but if it drew no men away and smiled the prospects for 1943 it would be a great view of war 1:16:33 is different a man who is not prepared to take a risk cannot win a war troops must be blooded 1:16:42 in battle if you do not blood your troops you have no idea what their value is 1:16:49 why are you so afraid of the germans i cannot understand have you ever asked 1:16:55 yourself why hitler did not come to england in 1940 when he was at the height of his power 1:17:01 and we had only 20 000 trained troops he did not come the fact is that hitler was afraid of 1:17:07 the operation it is not so easy to cross the channel that is no analogy 1:17:13 the landing of hitler would have been resisted by the people a british landing in france and the 1:17:18 people would be on the side of the british it seems that you expect to pay your way 1:17:25 by bombing germany the present bombing of germany's centers of industry is nothing to what will be 1:17:30 done in six or even three months time it is not only german industry that should be bombed 1:17:36 by the civilian population too we look upon the morale of german civilians as a 1:17:41 military target we sought no mercy and we shall show no mercy 1:17:46 if need be we hope to shatter almost every dwelling in almost every city in germany that 1:17:54 would not be bad it'll be better still we've now begun to 1:17:59 use four ton bombs let's talk again about the second front 1:18:04 which is what i've come for 1:18:10 i do not think france is the only place for such an operation 1:18:15 we and the americans have decided upon another plan 1:18:21 which i will now tell you about secretly you i hope nothing about it will appear 1:18:29 in your british presence i wish i could control the british press as you control the soviet press 1:18:35 you have quite enough powers to exercise control whenever you wish to 1:18:45 we want to take the strain of you our plan is called operation torch 1:18:52 if we can end this year in possession of north africa 1:19:01 we can threaten the belly of hitler's europe 1:19:06 this is the crocodile our intention is to attack 1:19:15 the soft underbelly of the crocodile and thus open another front 1:19:22 and all the time holding the enemy in france when will this be no loaded on october 1:19:30 30th 1942 1:19:58 first this operation torch will hit the normal in the back yes 1:20:05 second it will overall spain yes third it will produce germans 1:20:12 fighting frenchmen in france yes 1:20:17 and fourth it will expose italy to the whole brunt of the war and fifth it will shorten the 1:20:25 sea rule to the mediterranean 1:20:31 stalin will make a big mistake if he treats us roughly after coming so far stein is a very wise 1:20:38 man you may be sure that however he argues he understands all 1:20:56 no organization of the second front in europe was decided 1:21:02 during the visit of molotov to london you have not kept your promise 1:21:09 i repudiate that statement an aid memoir was given to mr molotov which distinctly says 1:21:16 provided that it proved sound and sensible now we wonder whether we can in fact believe in the african campaign 1:21:23 which is only a political front not military why are you so much afraid 1:21:31 of germans your convoys scatter for the first time in history the british navy turns tail 1:21:38 your british infantry should be like the russians they would find it not so bad you have to fight one way or the other 1:21:46 you cannot win a war without fighting i pardon that remark 1:21:52 only on account of the bravery of the soviet troops where is the guarantee that this solemn 1:21:58 promise to invade western europe in 1943 will also not be broken the british 1:22:05 prime minister will once again prove to us that this country is not in a position to sacrifice men while 1:22:11 always sacrificing 10 000 men a day no ring of comradeship 1:22:17 in your attitude i have traveled far to establish good working relations 1:22:22 we have done our utmost to help russia and will continue to do so remember we were left entirely alone for 1:22:29 a year against germany and italy alone now i find that you do not believe the 1:22:35 sincerity of my statements now i hear you distrust my motives 1:22:40 now i tell you this now that the three great nations are allied 1:22:45 victory is certain provided we do not fall apart 1:22:52 my god i like your spirit why should we not have some drinks 1:23:08 i'm always in favor of such a policy in principle what do you think should we let molotov 1:23:15 have one with us is the marshall aware that on molotov's 1:23:22 recent visit to washington he said he was going to bear visit to new york entirely by himself 1:23:28 and the delay in his return was not due to any defect in the airplane but because he was off on his own it 1:23:35 wasn't in new york he was in chicago with all the other gangsters 1:23:40 the one thing about the molotov is he can't drink any differences that exist between us 1:23:49 in this war are only ones of method 1:23:57 we'll try to remove even those differences by deeds cheers 1:24:09 excellent i'm sure it was better to have it out this way than any other 1:24:16 he knows the worst and we parted an atmosphere of goodwill 1:24:23 all is clear a campaign in africa and italy they simply want to 1:24:30 be the first in the reaching the balkans they want us to bleed white 1:24:37 in order to dictate their terms to us later on 1:24:57 to defend stalingrad that part that's been captured must be liberated 1:25:06 winston torch the north african attack should be launched at the earliest 1:25:12 possible date full blast i feel very strongly that the initial attacks must 1:25:17 be made by an exclusively american ground force supported by your naval and 1:25:22 transport and air units the british will come in only as and when you judge expedient 1:25:28 all our hopes now are centered on the battle alexander and montgomery are going to fight against rommel 1:25:35 it may well be the key to the future tell alexander let me have the word zip 1:25:41 when you start mr president prime minister our position in the stalingrad area has 1:25:48 deteriorated due to the shortage of fighters which makes it impossible for us to 1:25:54 defend our troops if together you could supply us with 800 fighters a month 1:26:00 britain giving roughly 300 the usa 500. we will ship you 276 combat planes this 1:26:07 month we will give you 150. 1:26:13 tens and hundreds of thousands of soviet men women and children are dying 1:26:18 and churchill wants to barter for a couple of dozen hurricanes rely only on ourselves don't count on 1:26:25 getting any aid from our allies 1:26:37 [ __ ] great battle in egypt has opened well mr president the whole force of the 1:26:44 british army will be engaged all the shermans and self-propelled guns which you gave me on that dark to brook 1:26:51 morning they will play their part mr freedom who will have seen with pride all that 1:26:58 your valiant new zealanders are doing mr curtin you will have observed with 1:27:05 pleasure the distinguished part with the nice australian division are playing 1:27:10 we are cutting into the enemy in the air on the ground on the sea general alexander 1:27:18 with your hopes academy maintained i propose to ring the bells 1:27:25 all over britain for the first time this 1:27:30 war 1:27:45 yes thank god thank god 1:27:52 that sounds great congratulations 1:27:57 casualties are comparatively light much below predictions 1:28:04 thank god we've landed in north africa 1:28:09 we're striking back 1:28:16 [Music] 1:28:25 we have begun offensive operations in this stalingrad area 1:28:31 [Music] has been defeated it has been routed 1:28:37 it has been very largely destroyed it's a fighting force the operation is proceeding satisfactorily 1:28:44 [Music] 1:28:51 now this is not the end it is not even the beginning of the end 1:28:57 but it is perhaps the end of the [Applause] 1:29:05 [Music] beginning 1:29:17 [Music] 1:29:36 so [Music] 1:29:50 so [Music] I love it! It's fun once in a while I've never tried it, but I'd like to Not my thing Vote View Results Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. On March 22, Gambit published a story on a failed and possibly illegal deal New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell inked with an Ohio refrigerant company while on a junket to Dubai last year. Based on hundreds of pages of internal emails and documents obtained under a public records request, our story on the citys Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zoetic Inc. provides a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the increasingly secretive Cantrell administration. And what it shows is disturbing. First, and perhaps most distressing, the mayor appears to have made what should be a science-based, carefully vetted policy decision after getting an elevator pitch from someone she randomly met at a conference. She did so without consulting experts and despite a city ordinance explicitly requiring her to obtain the New Orleans City Councils approval before signing any MOU. Second, aside from Cantrells communications staff, most of her top aides were left in the dark about what the mayor was doing. Officials responsible for implementing the agreement were not consulted on its details in advance. In fact, they only learned about it days after it was signed via an administration press release. The idea that Cantrell could unilaterally, without even consulting her administrations own experts and in a matter of hours assess the efficacy of Zoetics technology, the citys relative needs, and the appropriateness of using public resources in this manner is plainly absurd, and possibly even malfeasance. Finally, the story also shows the mayor is starting to lose even her own advisors. For most of her second term, the mayor has been able to brush off public criticism as sour grapes or the result of political conspiracies orchestrated by her enemies. In this case, internal emails showing aides joking about the Zoetic deal and repeatedly expressing concerns about its fundamental soundness make clear that alarm bells are now sounding inside the administration as well. The story also raises some scary questions. Did Cantrell make other commitments binding the city without sufficient (or any) due diligence? If she has, how many of those deals have collapsed, as the Zoetic deal appears to have, and how much time and resources has she wasted as a result? Getting answers to those questions was always difficult and has become even more so of late. As The Times-Picayune noted March 24, Cantrell has basically abandoned her traditional weekly press conferences, opting instead to rely on her heavily curated social media feeds to communicate with the public. Her communications office also increasingly ignores requests for comment or forces journalists to submit public records requests for basic information, a process which can take weeks or even months to produce results. While that strategy may allow the mayor to pump out a steady stream of glowing press releases, it does a great disservice to residents. It leaves behind the many New Orleanians who rely on traditional news media outlets for their honest information, while also hampering the Fourth Estates ability to question her and her decisions in public. At a minimum, Cantrell should immediately resume her public briefings and answer questions about her deal with Zoetic. A half-century has passed since Louisiana voters ratified a new state constitution. Is it time to write a new one? A lot of folks from across the political spectrum would respond yes to that question including Gov. Jeff Landry and some of his top supporters. Louisianas current charter is bloated, having been amended more than 200 times since 1974. Theres widespread disagreement, however, as to who should draft a proposed new constitution, how the drafters should proceed, and how much input average citizens should get during the drafting process. Then theres the difficult question of which provisions of the current constitution to keep and which to remove. In the past decade, a handful of lawmakers and interest groups have floated the idea of rewriting part or all of Louisianas constitution, but the idea never gained traction. That kind of heavy lift requires a governors muscle. Landry is giving it that. Though it wasnt a centerpiece of his campaign last year, Landry wants legislators to finish their current session two weeks early on May 20 rather than June 3 and immediately hold an eight-week constitutional convention. Landry supports Republican state Rep. Beau Beaullieus House Bill 800, which outlines the process for rewriting the current constitution by all 144 state lawmakers as well as 27 additional drafters chosen by Landry. Beaullieus bill requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, which is never easy even with a governors backing. Some of Landrys allies are already pushing back. State Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, recently told The Louisiana Illuminator he doesnt like the idea of rushing the Senates work just to go headlong into a constitutional convention and stay in Baton Rouge till July 15. Lawmakers have already held two special sessions, and many (if not most) would prefer to spend the summer with their families not arguing over what to leave in, what to take out. Beaullieus HB 800 also has some troubling provisions, such as allowing private donors (read: special interests) to pay for convention activities, subject to public disclosure. His proposed eight-week convention also leaves little, if any, time for public input or even serious debate. The delegates who drafted the current constitution spent more than a year at their task including five months of committee hearings and citizen input. All that said, Landrys stated goal of creating a streamlined document has merit. The best constitutions include only the basics, giving lawmakers wide latitude to address challenges as they arise. Louisiana voters, however, have a longstanding mistrust of politicians, which is why the present charter protects K-12 education and other priorities. Beaullieu foresees converting many current constitutional provisions into statutes, which can be changed by a simple legislative majority every year. Ultimately, voters will have the final say in November. That may be the hardest sell of all, given the many special interests, priorities and constituencies protected in the current constitution and voters inherent mistrust of their elected leaders. Guest column: Plaquemines officials sacrificing our water for LNG. Whom are they serving? A pirate ship has hove into view on Ilfracombe seafront to inspire the next generation of swashbuckling youngsters with a brand new play area. Eager children and their families have watched the pirate-themed play area take shape near the clapping circle at Capstone and is was officially opened on Wednesday (March 27) by Councillor Julie Hunt in her last engagement as chair of the council. She was joined by fellow councillors, families and pirate re-enactors from local group Pirates De Marisco as she cut the ribbon to declare the new play area officially open. The play equipment is suitable for children of up to 12 years of age and the equipment has been designed to be inclusive of a range of physical and mental needs for children. The pirate ship reflects the town's coastal location and North Devons piratical past and was selected to be in keeping with the seafront's Victorian heritage. New planters and benches will also be added around the play area. The 87,000 play area is the first project delivered of the Ilfracombe Seafront Masterplan, a series of improvements to public facilities and open space in the area. The project will be added to with new public toilets and a bus shelter east of the Victorian Pleasure Grounds later this year. The pirate ship has been funded by Section 106 open space funds, paid by developers as part of planning applications for new developments, to provide community facilities and infrastructure. Work on the ship started in February and was completed by Pennine Playgrounds Ltd. Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Ian Roome, said: "We have a shared vision for Ilfracombe to improve the public realm. We are delighted to be able to deliver this fantastic new play area which can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike and see the town benefitting from significant S106 funding. It is wonderful to have a stimulating space for young people to enjoy in the heart of the town, and even better to see the smiling faces of children already enjoying the equipment. I have no doubt it will become a much-loved space for families in our community. Did you know? North Devon has a rich history of pirates not to mention wreckers who lured ships to their doom and Lundy Island, not so far from Ilfracombe, was a base for many sea raiders over the centuries. In 1235 a rebel down-at-heels nobleman called William de Marisco murdered a kings messenger and fled to Lundy, where his family turned to piracy. He was caught and executed but the island continued to be a haven for pirates, raiding the easy picking of trading ships bound for Bristol. Notorious Barbary pirates also used the island and as late as the 17th century slaving raids were launched from Lundy to carry off the residents of coastal towns on the English or Irish mainlands and take them to the slave markets of the Ottoman Empire. Sam Bankman-Fried went from cryptocurrency golden boy to the face of the industry's collapse. The founder and former CEO of the massive cryptocurrency exchange FTX was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday after being convicted of fraud for stealing at least $10 billion from customers and investors. The collapse of one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world shook the digital currency world and sent prices plunging. Here is a timeline of how it happened. 2022 Nov. 2: Coindesk reports Alameda Reseach, Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency trading firm, holds a large amount of FTT, a token issued by FTX, suggesting the finances of the two are intertwined and Alameda faces a cash crunch. The report spooks participants in the crypto market. Nov. 6: Rival cryptocurrency exchange Binance announces that the firm plans to sell all its holdings in FTT. The price of FTT tanks. Nov. 8: Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said his company had signed a letter of intent to buy FTX because the smaller exchange was experiencing a significant liquidity crunch. That deal would be contingent, however, on a look at the books at FTX. The price for bitcoin tumbles 13%. Nov. 9: Cryptocurrency prices plunge and after getting a closer look at the finances of FTX, Binance retreated and said there would be no acquisition. In the beginning, our hope was to be able to support FTXs customers to provide liquidity, but the issues are beyond our control or ability to help, Binance said in a statement. Bitcoin prices drop another 14%. Nov. 10: Cryptocurrency lender BlockFi announced it is not able to do business as usual and was pausing client withdrawals as a result of FTXs implosion. Nov. 11: FTX files for Chapter 11 and Bankman-Fried resigns. John Ray III, a long-time bankruptcy litigator who is best known for having to clean up the mess made after the collapse of Enron, is named the new CEO. In its bankruptcy filing, FTX listed more than 130 affiliated companies around the globe. The company valued its assets between $10 billion to $50 billion, with a similar estimate for its liabilities. Bitcoin falls 10%. Nov. 17: Ray gives a damning description of FTXs operations under Bankman-Fried, from a lack of security controls to business funds being used to buy employees homes and luxuries. Dec. 12: Bankman-Fried is arrested in the Bahamas, where FTX is headquartered. Dec. 13: The U.S. government charges Bankman-Fried with a host of financial crimes, alleging he intentionally deceived customers and investors to enrich himself and others, while playing a central role in the companys multibillion-dollar collapse. Federal prosecutors said Bankman-Fried devised a scheme and artifice to defraud FTXs customers and investors beginning the year it was founded. He illegally diverted their money to cover expenses, debts and risky trades at Alameda Research, and to make lavish real estate purchases and large political donations, prosecutors said in a 13-page indictment. Dec. 22: Bankman-Fried's parents agreed to sign a $250 million bond and keep him at their California home while he awaits trial. 2023 August 11: Judge revoked Bankman-Fried's bail and sent him to jail after concluding he had repeatedly tried to influence witnesses against him. Oct. 3: Jury selection began for the trial. Oct. 27: Bankman-Fried took the stand in his trial. He again acknowledged failures but denied defrauding anyone. Nov. 3: Bankman-Fried is convicted of fraud for stealing at least $10 billion from customers and investors. 2024 March 28: Bankman-Fried is sentenced to 25 years in prison. Bitcoin has roared back from a massive sell-off during the scandal. Prices are up nearly 70%. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Horizon Bank made donations to Opportunity Enterprises and Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana. The Michigan City-based bank gave $5,000 to Opportunity Enterprises, a 57-year-old Valparaiso-based nonprofit that helps people with disabilities attain a measure of independence and lead rich full lives. "I am honored to be Chairman of the Board of Directors of Opportunity Enterprises and have seen firsthand what donations like this can do for the betterment of OE clients and staff," Lake County Market President John Freyek said. The money will go to support Opportunity Enterprises' services that benefit people with disabilities, such as residential, daily living skills, transportation, consulting and jobseeking programs. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Horizon Bank for their commitment to creating a more inclusive community for all," Opportunity Enterprise's President and CEO Neil Samahon said. "Through their support, we can empower individuals with disabilities to thrive. Horizon Bank also gave $3,000 to Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana to help pay for its operations and personal and family support programs. "On behalf of Horizon Bank, and as a proud Board Member, I am happy to provide continued support to the mission of Mental Health America of NWI," said Kim Modigell, Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer at Horizon Bank. The nonprofit, which aims to improve wellness and advocate for those facing emotional challenges, has had to make difficult funding choices recently as a result of an increase in charitable support requests. We are grateful for the care and kindness Horizon Bank has shown to us at Mental Health America. We are especially grateful to Horizon for stepping in with additional support this year to offset other funding challenges," said Andrea Sherwin, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana. VALPARAISO A Portage man accused of murdering his wife was injured so badly at the Porter County Jail this week that his murder trial scheduled for next week has been postponed, records show. Richard Cooley was involved in a "physical altercation" Tuesday night that required him to be taken to the hospital, according to a motion to continue the trial filed by defense attorney Russell Brown Jr. Cooley has been returned to the jail, but is in the medical ward, Brown said. "It is unclear at the time of this motion the extent of Mr. Cooley's injuries," according to his attorney. A spokesman for the Porter County Sheriff's Department said Thursday morning the incident is under investigation, after which time the department will consult with the county prosecutor's office. "Additional information will be released at that time," the department said. Online records show next week's trial was cancelled and a status hearing is scheduled for April 5. Richard Cooley, 64, is accused of pressing a gun to the chest of his wife, 47-year-old Dana Cooley, during the morning of Feb. 13, 2023, and pulling the trigger, which resulted in her death. Cops: 2 juveniles suffer life threatening injuries in third stolen vehicle pursuit this week PORTAGE Two juveniles suffered life threatening injuries late Wednesday morning in what was at least the third pursuit this week across the Cooley claims the shooting was an accident. But the results of an autopsy paint a different picture and determined she died from a single gunshot wound to her chest, police said. "This gunshot wound was a hard contact wound to the chest, meaning the gun was pressed against her chest," the charging document says. "This determination was based upon soot with no stippling and inferior hard contact muzzle abrasion on the wound itself and soot present on the shirt that Dana Cooley was wearing at the time she was shot." "This information is contrary to the version of events as told by Richard Cooley," police said. The trial was scheduled to begin Monday before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer. This is the second delay in the trial. It was set to get underway in August, but was derailed by the discovery of a last-minute witness. Brown said prosecutors discovered the new witness shortly before the August trial date and thus he needed time to investigate as part of his preparation. Two weeks had been set aside for the trial and Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Harry Peterson had said he anticipated taking five to six days to present evidence against Cooley. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is considering an array of options to help fight invasive white perch and promote the growth of desirable fish populations in Cedar Lake. During the DNR's 2023 general fish survey, 86% of fish collected in the lake were white perch. Native to the Atlantic coast of North America, they are considered a pest species in Midwestern lakes, where they breed quickly, eat the eggs of other species and outcompete native fish for resources. Cedar Lake The Department of Natural Resources is investigating ways to fight invasive white perch in Cedar Lake. Around 30 local residents gathered at Cedar Lake Town Hall on Tuesday to hear a presentation from DNR fisheries biologist Tom Bacula, who outlined potential strategies for handling the lake's white perch problem. The DNR plans to continue stocking the lake with hybrid striped bass a predator fish that officials hope will flourish as it feeds on pests adding additional fish in June. "We're moving that forward because it's not going to do really any harm," Bacula told the Times, "so we don't necessarily need any buy-in for that one." Other predators, including largemouth bass, bluegills and crappies are also being considered. A more extreme intervention eradicating the lake's entire fish population with a chemical toxicant is likely a nonstarter, Bacula said. A fish eradication campaign carried out in the 1960s using the toxicant rotenone, which kills fish by binding to their gills and preventing them from consuming oxygen, proved both expensive and ultimately ineffective as a pest-control measure. Conducting another eradication campaign in Cedar Lake, "would be the largest current renovation or recent renovation that we'd have in the state," Bacula said, and could cost around $1 million. "We're not willing to set ourselves up for another failed renovation," Bacula told attendees. The DNR would restock the lake with desirable fish species, but eradicating Cedar Lake's entire fish populations would spell an end to fishing in the area for around five years as the populations recover. Moreover, rotenone is currently unavailable while it undergoes a reregistration process with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. No suitable substitutes exist, Bacula said. "I know we're very concerned about Cedar Lake but there's a lot of other scary fish throughout the U.S. and if they get into some locations, we have no way to control those," he said. "As a fish biologist and looking at that big picture, it's pretty scary that we don't have that tool." Particulate matter suspended in the relatively shallow Cedar Lake is another impediment to sustaining healthy populations of desirable fish. Silt and other fine debris blocks sunlight from reaching the lakebed, hampering plant growth and depriving fish of food and habitat. To help combat particulate matter in the lake, the DNR is considering treating the water with aluminum sulfate, commonly known as alum. The chemical promotes the clumping of fine particles into heavier precipitates, which sink and form a layer on the lakebed. During the meeting, Cedar Lake native Lisa Lackie floated the idea of a temporary ban on large boat traffic as a way to help resolve the particulate problem. "If you just for a couple years said 'only fishing boats on this lake right now,' just for a couple years, we could probably really get it back to where we wanted for fish and for people boating," she said. Bacula agreed. "Basically if you can reduce the wake, however that is, that will definitely change the lake," he said. Limiting boat traffic or imposing a speed limit, however, is outside the purview of the DNR's fish conservation project, Bacula told the Times. Cedar Lake Town Manager Jeff Bunge said that any restrictions on boating would have to be implemented by the state, which owns the lake. "With the kind of draw that we have with tourists and out-of-towners for weekends, I can't see any big change like that coming," he told The Times. PHOTOS: Dredging of Cedar Lake begins Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake HAMMOND Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. appears to be indefinitely banned from entering the United Kingdom and a host of affiliated nations, including Canada, Australia, and many Caribbean islands, for allegedly harming the reputation of Catherine, Princess of Wales. McDermott said he received a letter Thursday from a lawyer purportedly working for King Charles III and Prince William accusing the leader of Northwest Indiana's most populous city of defaming the former Kate Middleton on his "Left of Center" podcast. The Times reached out to the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., to attempt to confirm the validity of the letter, which McDermott suggested may be an extremely elaborate, early April Fool's prank. The embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter that has an envelope bearing older, canceled Royal Mail postage, an air mail designation, and a return address with a postal code whose territory includes the Buckingham Palace home of the king. The message is printed on "Royal Communications" letterhead; uses British name and date conventions, such as "programme" and "centre;" and is signed by "Rodney J. Baer, Esq., Counselor to HRH the King and the Prince of Wales." In the letter, Baer who appears to mistakenly use "his royal highness" instead of "his majesty" when referring to the king, and who has a seemingly nonexistent internet presence despite his supposed lofty role accuses McDermott of defaming the princess and demands such statements "must cease in their entirety." He also advises McDermott his statements are being investigated for possible sanctions under the 2013 Defamation Act, an actual U.K. law. Baer acknowledges in the letter that McDermott, as an American, is outside U.K. jurisdiction. But he notes McDermott still may be liable for monetary damages, legal fees and other expenses in connection with his alleged defamation if he visits the U.K. or an affiliated nation. In the meantime, Baer said McDermott is indefinitely prohibited from entering the U.K. or any affiliated nation while the defamation matter is under investigation. "Any attempt to thwart this prohibition will be met with a denial of entry and may result in a permanent ban without regard to the merits of the enquiry. Please govern yourself accordingly," Baer said. McDermott's remarks on the March 13 episode of his semiweekly podcast centered on various conspiracies concerning Kate Middleton's health and apparent disappearance prior to the princess publicly announcing her cancer diagnosis March 22. During the segment, the mayor also praised the princess' unusual attractiveness and dental health for a British royal, speculated on the marital fidelity of Prince William, suggested a royal divorce may be imminent, and seemed to anticipate the negative response. "There's outrage in England after LOCPOD's latest episode!" McDermott joked using a popular abbreviation for his podcast. Following receipt of the letter, McDermott said he really hopes it's a well-done prank, since a travel ban could ruin his summer plans to visit Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K. "If it's an April Fool's joke, I tip my cap," McDermott said. "I certainly don't want to be closed out of parts of the world because of what I said on a podcast." "But I am impressed with LOCPOD's pull if I got banned from the U.K." McDermott promised to say more about his relationship with the United Kingdom during his podcast that's available live at 7:30 a.m. Region time Friday on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and other podcast and video streaming sites. The program also is recorded for later listening or viewing. Utility relocation work has started on SoLa, the much-anticipated $280 million mixed-used development that's expected to transform downtown Michigan City and give it one of the most dramatic skylines in Northwest Indiana. The towering 14-story development will be one of the tallest buildings in Michigan City and feature cutting-edge architecture, including a glassy facade and a donut shape with a hole circling around a fourth-story rooftop deck with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. The 628,000-square-foot project will include two boutique hotels, condos, townhomes, upscale restaurants, retail, bars and a rooftop pool overlooking Lake Michigan just steps from the Washington Park beach. NIPSCO has been out at the site, getting it ready for construction. "Now that the weather's better, they're moving the utilities," Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said. "They've started relocating the gas lines. Basically, they're relocating the gas lines and prepping the site to begin." Scott Goodman is leading a group of developers to build SoLa, short for South of the Lake in the abbreviated style of hip New York City neighborhoods like TriBeCa in Manhattan or Dumbo in Brooklyn, to the You Are Beautiful site where the Michigan City News-Dispatch building and police station used to be. It's now an empty field just south of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts where one of Chicago-based artist Matthew Hoffman's You Are Beautiful sculptures had been displayed. He's a prominent Chicago developer whose Sterling Bay firm developed Fulton Market, the Bronzeville Lakefront and the Tyson Food Headquarters. He's said he hopes to make Michigan City as popular for visitors and Chicagoans with second summer homes as nearby New Buffalo just across the state line in Michigan. The project will capitalize off of all the beach traffic that flocks to Michigan City every summer, Deuitch said. "We have a booming tourism business," she said. "SoLa is part of that because it had hotels, condominiums and townhomes. That there is really geared toward residential and tourism. We know we have tourism but we also want residents to live here." The project is projected to generate $680 million in economic impact over the next 15 years. The hotels would drawn an estimated 100,000 visitors a year who would come to visit local attractions like the Indiana Dunes National Park, Mount Baldy Beach, the Washington Park Beach, the Blue Chip Casino, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets and Washington Park Zoo. SoLa is expected to create 800 jobs, including 292 permanent jobs generating $18.4 million in annual wages. Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana Executive Director Clarence Hulse said his agency was in the process of filing tax credit documents with the state to help incentivize the more-than-quarter-billion-dollar investment. "It's a huge project with a lot of complexity," he said. "It will have hotels, a parking garage and 25,000 square feet of retail. It's a huge project and very complex." The nearly unprecedented scope of SoLa shows the economic momentum Michigan City has been experiencing. "For a small city of 32,000, we're punching above our weight," Hulse said. SoLa will include a 396-space parking garage tucked out of view and two hotels: TRYP by Wyndham and Trademark Collection by Wyndham hotels. They collectively will have 255 rooms, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, a gym, a spa, a 15,000-square-foot resort-style swimming pool and views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The fourth-floor deck overlooking the shoreline will have the pool, a hot tub, pickleball, movie screenings, art shows and community events. The development will have a 14-story condo tower and 17 duplexed townhomes facing Lake Michigan. "We're excited about it. They're continuing to work on the design. It's going to be absolutely phenomenal," former Michigan City Redevelopment Commission President Don Babcock said. "The preliminary renderings I've seen of it show it will be the most magnificent building in Northwest Indiana by a long shot." New renderings should soon be released. "The amenities are pretty close to remaining the same but the look is better," he said. "There have been some preliminary drawings but they're not as nice and elegant. It's a similar look but more enhanced and nuanced." For more information, visit www.SoLAmichigancity.com or follow @SoLAmichigancity on Facebook and Instagram. Details have begun to emerge about some of the people who were missing after being plunged into the water when the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on Tuesday. On Wednesday, divers worked through dangerous conditions searching for the bodies of the six missing men. Two were recovered from a submerged vehicle, and the other four are presumed dead, officials said. But the search was ended later in the day, after officials concluded that the other bodies were encased in the wreckage. Two people were pulled from the river alive shortly after the collapse. Heres what we know so far about the men, who were working as contractors doing overnight maintenance on the bridge: The two whose bodies were recovered on Wednesday were Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk, Md., authorities said. Miguel Luna, in his 40s, from El Salvador, is married and has three children, said Gustavo Torres, the executive director of the nonprofit CASA, which provides services to immigrants in Baltimore. He said Mr. Luna had been living in Maryland for at least 19 years. Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, in his 30s, of Honduras, immigrated to the United States more than 17 years ago, according to Mr. Torres, and is married with two children. In a statement provided to The Times via CASA, Mr. Suazos brother, Carlos, described him as having a special talent for repairing and operating all kinds of machinery, and said that he dreamed of starting his own small business. He was always so full of joy, and brought so much humor to our family, Carlos Suazo said, noting that the family was planning to celebrate his brothers next birthday on April 27. Jose Lopez, originally of Guatemala, had gone to Baltimore lead his family toward a better life in the United States, his brother, Jovani Lopez, told The Times on Thursday. Jovani Lopez said his brother was married with two children, a boy and a girl, in elementary school. All but one of the eight men worked for Brawner Builders, a contractor based in Baltimore County, the company said. The men who went missing after the collapse were all immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, according to consular authorities and the nonprofit. Kirsten Noyes contributed research. Follow our live coverage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. Hold all traffic on the Key Bridge. The terse command from an officer in Baltimores busy commercial shipping port was one of the first warnings of a disaster that experts now predict will transform shipping on the Eastern Seaboard and change how ships and bridges function around the world. But after the cargo ship Dali lost power early Tuesday, there were precious few minutes to act. In those minutes, many people from the ships crew, who sent out a mayday signal, to the transportation authority police officers, who stopped traffic heading onto the Francis Scott Key Bridge did what they could to avert catastrophe, most likely saving many lives. And yet no matter what anyone did several factors made catastrophe all but inevitable. When a ship of this size loses engine power, there is little to be done to correct its course, even dropping an anchor down. And the Key Bridge was particularly vulnerable. As long ago as 1980, engineers had warned that the bridge, because of its design, would never be able to survive a direct hit from a container ship. Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been awarded one of four federal multimillion-dollar environmental justice grants for projects to help underserved communities in the lower Lake Erie watershed. The $5.6 million grant comes from a new program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the November 2021 passage of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act and is part of a larger $1 billion Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Waterkeeper was among four organizations familiar with grant writing that will listen to municipalities and community groups as they explain challenges of gathering money to fund projects in areas that bear a disproportionate environmental burden, such as ongoing contamination issues and polluted sites. Those organizations will then help the smaller groups unfamiliar with the process of applying for related federal funding. Jill Jedlicka, Waterkeepers executive director, said she has high hopes for the Western New York Environmental Justice Grant Program. Western New York is home to numerous underserved communities who are faced with a disproportionate burden of environmental stressors and injustices, and it is the primary goal of this project to empower local communities and increase their capacity to implement solutions, she said. The federal government wants to get funds into those communities, and is using an approach with local representatives to locally manage local priorities after hearing from the communities themselves. Grant awarded to help Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper monitor waterways The project calls for citizen science volunteers and a STEM-based mentorship with Buffalo Public School students. Waterkeeper is partnering with the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, Erie County Department of Environmental Planning and the Lake Erie Watershed Alliance. Sixteen grants are anticipated to be awarded over six years from the pot of money, with the bulk going directly into communities and the rest being used for capacity building for local groups engaged in the projects, Jedlicka said. Grant recipients could be neighborhoods, towns or parts of communities with a heavy environmental burden, she said. This grant comes on the heels of three others Waterkeeper received in 2023. In October, $2.5 million was awarded to Erie County to support continued efforts to restore the Buffalo River. In May, $480,000 was allocated to monitor waterways that include Lake Eries eastern basin, and in April the organization got $900,000 to support improving habitat in the Scajaquada Creek watershed. Other Environmental Justice grants include $5.8 million to improve underserved communities in Ohios Lake Erie watershed, $4.2 million for communities in southeast Michigan and nearly $20 million to Restore Americas Estuaries, which will focus on the entire Great Lakes Basin. Theres no exaggerating the importance of protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, EPA Region 5 Administrator and Great Lakes National Program Manager Debra Shore said Wednesday in announcing the program grants. They provide our drinking water, fuel our economy, offer us spaces for recreation and harbor vital resources for many Tribes. Follow our live coverage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. Under the center span of the collapsed Baltimore bridge, divers on Wednesday morning found a red pickup truck with the bodies of two men, the first victims to be recovered during a two-day search that has been complicated by the bridges twisted debris and bad weather. Now, officials say they will need to pause the recovery effort altogether with four more victims not yet found so that pieces of the crumpled bridge can first be removed from the Patapsco River. Col. Roland Butler, who leads the Maryland State Police, said officials understood the importance of giving closure to the families of the six construction workers presumed dead after a cargo ship slammed into the bridge, the Francis Scott Key, early Tuesday. But, he said, other vehicles that fell from the bridge possibly with the construction workers inside are trapped behind debris that makes the area too dangerous for divers. We have exhausted all search efforts in the area around this wreckage, and based on sonar scans, we firmly believe that the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down, he said. For now, Colonel Butler said, the authorities would focus on cleaning up the debris. Once that salvage effort takes place, and that superstructure is removed, those same divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure, he said of the victims families. Barges, including some with cranes, are already on the way to the collapse scene to pull the mangled structure from the river, the Coast Guard said. The two men who were found on Wednesday morning are Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, who lived just outside the city. Mr. Hernandez was originally from Mexico, and Mr. Castillo from Guatemala. Officials said one of the victims was identified by a drivers license found with him, and another by his fingerprints. Both men, as well as the four still missing, were doing maintenance work on the bridge when a large cargo ship barreled into a support pier, bringing the span down into the river below at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland said that divers started the search for victims less than an hour after the bridge collapsed. He said officials have been taking the recovery part of the search as seriously as they took the rescue effort, when they believed the missing victims might have still been alive. Jacey Fortin contributed reporting. Israels air force on Wednesday continued to pound the Gaza Strip with strikes, and Hamas fighters kept up attacks against Israeli soldiers, a further indication that a United Nations Security Council resolution this week calling for a cease-fire had failed to persuade either side as attempts for an agreement appeared to falter. Over the two days since the U.N. resolution passed on Monday, the Qassam Brigades, Hamass military wing, has said it is continuing to carry out attacks against Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military said on Wednesday that warplanes had hit dozens of targets over the previous day, including tunnels, military compounds and militants. Israel has been outspoken in its condemnation of the Security Council resolution, which called for a cease-fire for the remaining weeks of Ramadan that would lead to a lasting, sustainable halt in the fighting and the unconditional release of all hostages held by militants in Gaza. The United States, which has vetoed previous attempts, abstained, allowing the resolution to pass. Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, met in Jerusalem on Wednesday with Senator Rick Scott, Republican of Florida, and continued to express defiance over the U.S. decision. He argued, according to a statement from his office, that it encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas. Israel and Hamas appear no closer to negotiating a stop in fighting, with significant gaps remaining between them. On Wednesday, three Palestinian human rights groups said that there had been an intensification of Israeli bombardments on Rafah over the previous 72 hours, killing dozens. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans are sheltering there. Some of the strikes described by the groups occurred after the Security Councils resolution passed, while several others took place prior. Gazan authorities reported on Wednesday that Civil Defense teams had pulled Palestinians out of the rubble after strikes in the Jabaliya neighborhood of northern Gaza, though the timing was unclear. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its teams had picked up the bodies of two people killed by artillery fire in the Nuseirat neighborhood. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports. On Wednesday afternoon, Hamas said that it hit a soldier in the area surrounding Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City with sniper fire, after saying Tuesday that it had targeted two Israeli tanks in the Khan Younis area, and an armored personnel carrier and a soldier on the coastal north-south road. Since early last week, Israeli forces have been raiding Al-Shifa in what the military has said is an effort to crack down on Hamas. Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm over the situation at the medical facility, which, along with the surrounding area, had been sheltering thousands of people. Over the last 48 hours, the Qassam Brigades has also published videos purporting to show militants firing on Israeli forces, but it was not clear when the videos were taken. Hezbollah militants fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, in what they said was retaliation for an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon overnight. The militants barrage came as pro-Palestinian protesters turned up the pressure on the government in neighboring Jordan to sever ties with Israel. It also came as the United States said a previously canceled meeting with an Israeli delegation in Washington to discuss a planned offensive into the southern Gazan city of Rafah would be rescheduled. For months, Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group based in Lebanon, has traded fire with Israeli forces across the border, and on Wednesday, the Israeli military said its forces had targeted a significant terrorist operative near the town of al-Habbariyeh in southern Lebanon. Lebanons Ministry of Health, which said the Israeli strike had hit an emergency medical center and killed seven paramedics, denounced it as unacceptable. A White House spokeswoman said on Wednesday that the Israeli government had agreed to try to reschedule a visit by a group of officials whose trip to Washington to discuss a possible assault on a key southern city in Gaza was scrapped over the U.S. decision not to veto a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. President Biden had asked Israel to send a delegation to Washington to discuss alternatives to a ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than a million people have sought refuge. But Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called off the delegations trip at the last minute after being angered by the U.S. decision to abstain from a vote on the resolution at the U.N. Security Council on Monday. The prime ministers office said that they want to reschedule this meeting so that we can talk about the Rafah operations, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters on Wednesday. We welcome that. And were going to work with their teams to make sure that happens. John F. Kirby, a White House spokesman, added on Thursday that the administration was working with the prime ministers office and other Israeli officials to finalize a date for the rescheduled meeting. Were hoping that this meeting can be scheduled in person here in Washington as was the original plan, he told reporters. There was no immediate confirmation of a desire to reschedule from Mr. Netanyahus office, which, just hours before Ms. Jean-Pierres comments, had issued a statement denying reports that a meeting was back on. Contrary to reports, the prime minister didnt approve the departure of the delegation to Washington, the statement said. On three prior occasions, the United States had vetoed a cease-fire resolution. But by abstaining on Monday, it allowed the resolution, which was less strongly worded than previous ones and called for a cease-fire for the holy month of Ramadan, to pass. In October 1981, when the art dealer Larry Gagosian first laid eyes on a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, he had never heard of the artist. My hair stood on end, he said of seeing the 20-year-olds work. Just six months later, when Basquiat opened a solo show at Gagosians gallery in West Hollywood, the place, Gagosian recalled in an interview, was absolutely mobbed. Few stars have risen so fast, and burned out so quickly. (Basquiat died in 1988 of a drug overdose at age 27.) His story is an archetypal tragedy, in which personal exceptionalism meets catastrophically with systemic prejudice in his case, not only toward his race, but against his youthful, pan-cultural fame, his blatant ambition, his physical beauty and charisma, and his louche comportment. Even at the height of his success, New York where he reportedly had trouble hailing a cab was never an easy place for him. Los Angeles, however, Basquiat liked so much that after his first visit in 1982, he soon returned, twice staying for months at a time and setting up studios at first in and then near Gagosians home on Market Street, a block from Venice Beach. For a spell, he was joined by his girlfriend Madonna, not yet a star, before she packed up and went home to New York. His output during his time in California was enormous, numbering around a hundred works, most now acknowledged to be museum-grade masterpieces. After the yelling, the hearings, the lawsuit, the dismantlement, Richard Serra entered the last decade of the last century with his mind cast toward the classics. He was happy to see the end of the 80s. The American sculptor, who died Tuesday at 85, got caught up in the Reagan-era culture wars with Tilted Arc, a 120-foot plate of curved Cor-Ten steel that sliced across Manhattans Federal Plaza. It drew outrage almost as soon as it was installed in 1981. His fellow New Yorkers shouted at him on the street. People called his loft on Duane Street with death threats. (This newspaper, too, was not always kind.) The work was finally removed in Serras estimation, destroyed in March 1989. You could see the appeal of a trip to Italy. In Rome, he visited San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: a chapel designed by Francesco Borromini thats one of the prizes of Baroque architecture, topped by an oval dome. The central space is simply a regular ellipse, and the walls that surround it are vertical, he would later recall. I walked in and thought: what if I turn this form on itself? Now that tickets to the Museum of Modern Art are priced at an astonishing $30 apiece, you could be forgiven for timing your visits carefully, making sure that they count. So, lets say you find yourself in Midtown Manhattan with an hour or two to spare, and you are yearning for some culture. Perhaps you have already seen MoMAs latest exhibitions, or perhaps you are not quite in the mood to fork over that kind of money. May I instead suggest stopping by Tiffany & Co.s flagship store on Fifth Avenue? No, there are no Demoiselles dAvignon there, and no Starry Night, but what The Landmark (as it is called) does offer is a heady fusion of contemporary art and luxury retailing that is as relevant, and discomfiting, as anything you could hope to find in a museum. Peter Eotvos, a towering Hungarian composer and conductor who linked modernist traditions in 20th-century European music and whose multifaceted work was singularly evocative, died on Sunday at his home in Budapest. He was 80. His wife, the librettist Maria Eotvosne Mezei, announced his death. Mr. Eotvos (pronounced OAT-voesh) was a tireless advocate of contemporary music and composed in almost every conceivable genre. At the dawn of the 21st century, he found widespread acclaim as an opera composer. His final work in that genre, Valuska, premiered at the Hungarian State Opera in December 2023. Based on the novel The Melancholy of Resistance, by Laszlo Krasznahorkai, it was his first opera written to a Hungarian libretto. (Others are in a number of languages, including German, French and English.) Like his German opera-composing contemporary Aribert Reimann, who also died this month, Mr. Eotvos was drawn to literary works both modern and classic. He adapted novels and plays by Anton Chekhov, Jean Genet, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Tony Kushner and Jon Fosse, the Norwegian author who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature last year. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe. Our fiction recommendations this week include a gleeful romp of a series mystery, along with three novels by some heavy-hitting young writers: Tea Obreht, Helen Oyeyemi and Tommy Orange. (How heavy-hitting, and how young? Consider that Obreht was included in The New Yorkers 20 Under 40 issue in 2010 and shes still under 40 today. So is Oyeyemi, who was one of Grantas Best Young British Novelists in 2013, while Orange, at 42, has won the PEN/Hemingway Award, the John Leonard Prize and the American Book Award. The future is in good hands.) In nonfiction, we recommend a painters memoir, a group biography of three jazz giants, a posthumous essay collection by the great critic Joan Acocella and a journalists look at American citizens trying to come to terms with a divided country. Happy reading. Gregory Cowles THE MORNINGSIDE Tea Obreht After being displaced from their homeland, Silvia and her mother move into the Morningside, a weather-beaten luxury apartment building in Island City, a sinking version of New York in the middle of all-out climate collapse. Silvia learns about her heritage through the folk tales her aunt Ena tells her, and becomes fascinated with the mysterious woman who lives in the penthouse apartment. Kate Clegg knows what it is like to be the only woman in a room of executives. The chief marketing officer at ACV Auctions has spent so much of her career while in leadership roles surrounded by men that she had become conditioned to look past gender in the workplace. But it wasnt long before women working for the growing Buffalo startup at the intersection of the automotive and technology industries both typically dominated by male leadership came to her, seeking support in career development and in connecting to other females across the companys growing footprint. It reiterated for Clegg the importance of an employer providing the foundation for empowering women voices. And ACV has made that a priority. Its so important to have a place of belonging in an organization, said Clegg, whos been with ACV for almost five years. Woman and allies do feel like this is a place where they can grow, get better, ask questions, get whatever they need. Even as the 2021 IPO company, which was founded four years prior, has become a billion-dollar unicorn" and grown faster than anticipated, ACV is making the effort not to lose track of whats important. The driving force of that effort for the past few years has been the initiative Women@ACV. The three pillars of the program that brings women together from throughout the company are focused on connection, career development and community building. ACV lauds talented women steering the business from product development to thought leadership who are now further connected through this group. It helps ACV attract and keep talented women employees, while providing workers with programming that lifts them up and brings them mentorship, helping them build confidence and promoting new ways for them to advance in their careers. Ive never worked in an organization that is as supportive of each other, Clegg said. You go into a meeting and everyone has the best intentions and is asking how they can help. You dont find that very often. Anika Banakh, an immigrant from Ukraine, whos a senior technical program manager of engineering at ACV, has been a leader in the growth of Women@ACV. The Toronto resident appreciates the inclusive environment at ACV and said Women@ACV has been crucial for the growth and confidence development of the women working in the male-dominated field. Leadership recognizes that every voice adds robustness to the perspective and decision-making of the company, and their efforts to foster and promote female voices is reflected in the rapid growth and success weve experienced since our inception, Banakh said. The Women@ACV group is the inflection point for these efforts. The new and unique voices that are added to the conversations happening at ACV add even more value to the work being created. For a rapidly growing organization with a complex operating and service structure, the significance of the efficiencies created through fostered female empowerment cannot be understated, she added. Amy Kassim, senior title specialist at ACV, quickly found out that theres room for growth and advancement for women at ACV. She came to the company on the advice of her sister-in-law, who works in accounting and encouraged her to apply. After selling flooring for over a decade, Kassim was hired at ACV in January 2020 as an administrator in the titles department and since was promoted to a consultant focused on customer success, titles specialist and then a concierge handling some of the companys biggest buyers. In her current role, she handles training and development and one day, would like to move into project management and data analytics. My sister-in-law told me that ACV is getting bigger and bigger and she told me it would be a really great opportunity, said Kassim, an active member of Women@ACV. I feel like if I could have done anything differently, I would have applied before I did. Buffalo native Maggie Donnelly, a research engineer at ACV, said its nice to know that the company has her back as a woman. It makes her feel comfortable and excited about coming to work, she said. In her fifth year with ACV, Donnelly said theres something different to do all the time as the company grows in its technology phase and increases the data available for vehicle sellers and buyers. I think I have thought less about who I am when I walk into a room around here than I have ever previously, said Donnelly, who earned her masters degree at the University at Buffalo as she was working full time. Its a nice balance of being able to show up to do what I need to do and be who I am, and I also know that these support networks exist here. Donnelly has been there for the companys growth from a startup environment that may not have had the space and bandwidth to provide such a supportive structure for employees to these days building in the structure to make sure it is part of the foundation of the company. To watch that growth and know that its not just about business, business, it feels supportive, she said. And the people here are part of that and are about making sure that is fostered. Critical to that foundation has been Women@ACV, which is becoming part of the companys cultural structure. The initiative has grown to provide content and sessions helpful to any woman in the organization much of it focused on confidence building and being ones own advocate. Its also about connections and learning from peers. One of the programs offered through Woman@ACV is a virtual coffee, creating connections between female employees at the company from different departments or working in different area codes. Some of the uniqueness is to make sure women and allies learn to present what theyre able to do. Women tend to be less comfortable with presenting their capabilities, said Clegg, whos become an executive sponsor for the group. We have an amazing group of women at ACV who are so talented. Kassim said Women@ACV, which began as only a few people, has grown exponentially as female employees from throughout the company have joined. In April, the group is hosting a roundtable with women who have started at the bottom and worked their way up at the company. I like that theres a lot of opportunities here, Kassim said. What I really think is cool is that many of our bosses and directors are women. Its inspiring. Russia intensified online efforts to derail Ukraine funding Russia is escalating its efforts to undermine military funding for Ukraine from the U.S. and Europe, according to disinformation experts and intelligence assessments. One of the Kremlins main tactics is amplifying online arguments for isolationism ahead of the U.S. elections. The stepped-up operations, run by aides to President Vladimir Putin, come at a critical moment in the debate in the U.S. over support for Ukraine. Russian operatives are laying the groundwork for what could be a stronger push to support candidates who oppose aiding Ukraine, U.S. officials and independent researchers say. Investigators say that firms working in the Doppelganger network are creating fake versions of real news websites in the U.S., Israel, Germany and Japan, among other countries. U.S. officials noted that these techniques make identifying Russian operations particularly difficult. American intelligence agencies do not believe the Kremlin has begun its full-bore influence effort. Putin will probably shift to influence operations that more directly support former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee. In February last year, a new Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max plane was on one of its first flights when an automated stabilizing system appeared to malfunction, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing soon after they took off. Less than two months later, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane with eight hours of total flight time was briefly grounded until mechanics resolved a problem with a fire detection system. And in November, an engine on a just-delivered United Airlines 737 Max failed at 37,000 feet. These incidents, which the airlines disclosed to the Federal Aviation Administration, were not widely reported. There were no indications that anyone was in danger, and it was not clear who was ultimately responsible for those problems. But since Jan. 5, when a panel on a two-month-old Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet blew off in midair, episodes like these have taken on new resonance, raising further questions about the quality of the planes Boeing is producing. Theres a lot of areas where things dont seem to be put together right in the first place, said Joe Jacobsen, an engineer and aviation safety expert who spent more than a decade at Boeing and more than 25 years at the F.A.A. In a sign of easing tensions between Australia and China, China said Thursday that it would lift the tariffs it placed on Australian wine more than three years ago. The tariffs, which were first imposed in 2020 amid a nasty diplomatic spat between Australia and China, had all but vaporized the countrys biggest overseas market, worth 1.2 billion Australian dollars or around $800 million at its peak. Australian winemakers faced desperate hardship and were stuck with a surfeit of big-bodied red wines. The decision to lift the tariffs was announced by Chinas Ministry of Commerce. In a statement, Australias prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said that he welcomed the decision, and that the outcome came at a critical time for the Australian wine industry. He added: We will continue to press for all remaining trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed. As of August, Australia had the equivalent of 859 Olympic swimming pools of wine in storage, according to a report from Rabo Bank. Thats going to take some time to be depleted, said Lee McLean, the chief executive of Australian Grape & Wine. And China is not going to solve that on its own. Kushner and Kloss take over Life magazine Life, the iconic photography-focused chronicler of the 20th century, has taken on many forms, including a weekly magazine, a website and the occasional special issue. Now, it is set to resume regular print publication, thanks to a deal between Barry Dillers IAC and Josh Kushner, the venture capitalist whose Thrive Capital is one of the biggest investors in OpenAI, and his wife, the entrepreneur and model Karlie Kloss. Kushner and Kloss are buying the publication rights to Life from Dotdash Meredith, the print and digital publisher. The deal is being done through Bedford Media, the media start-up that Kloss leads as C.E.O. (The price wasnt disclosed.) Life was once a central part of American culture, featuring the work of renowned photographers like Robert Capa and writing by top authors. (Ernest Hemingways The Old Man and the Sea first appeared in its pages.) Linda Bean, an heir to the Maine outdoor retailer L.L. Bean who created a company of her own to market other famous Maine products, chiefly lobster rolls and seaside rentals, and who was an outspoken conservative in a state with a tradition of favoring political independents, died on Saturday. She was 82. An obituary, which did not cite a cause or say where she died, was posted by the funeral home handling her burial. Ms. Bean was a granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, the purveyor of rubber-soled duck boots and plaid flannel shirts that crossed over from hunters to preppies, fueling the companys growth into a national catalog behemoth and one of Maines largest employers. As one of about 30 heirs, with a seat on the board of the privately owned company, Ms. Bean used her wealth to support right-wing causes and politicians, including former President Donald J. Trump; to amass paintings and properties associated with the Wyeth art family; and to set out as an entrepreneur in her mid-60s. The last two coal-fired power plants in New England are set to close by 2025 and 2028, ending the use of a fossil fuel that supplied electricity to the region for more than 50 years. The decision to close the Merrimack and Schiller stations, both in New Hampshire, makes New England the second region in the country, after the Pacific Northwest, to stop burning coal. After shutting down, the plants will be converted to solar farms and battery units that can store electricity generated from offshore wind turbines along the Atlantic Coast, the owner said. Environmentalists waged a five-year legal battle against the New Hampshire plants, saying that they had discharged warm water from steam turbines into a nearby river without cooling it first to match the natural temperature. Ashlee Wiseman, a waitress at a Sizzler in Idaho Falls, Idaho, was 10 weeks pregnant when a nurse phoned with crushing news: a test of fetal DNA in her blood had found that her baby girl had trisomy 18, a catastrophic genetic abnormality, and was unlikely to survive. Devastated, she called her partner, Clint Risenmay, who was at work. He broke down in tears. Ashlees response was different. A still small voice took over me, she said. Im like, Im not going to listen to them. There has to be something that can help her. And there has to be someone who can help. A social media search led her to Dr. John Carey, a professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Utah, who has devoted his life to helping families dealing with trisomy 18. He supports pregnant women who chose abortion, but also helps couples who want to have babies with this rare condition, though most will be stillborn or die within a year. But the vegetable-centric Zaytinya has become one of the groups most successful restaurants. When it first opened, in 2002, its modern interpretations of Greek, Lebanese and Turkish mezze bowled over diners in the capital, who were more used to steak and potatoes; on Saturday nights, they would happily wait two and half hours for a table. A year later, it was shortlisted for the James Beard Foundations award for the best new restaurant in America. Today, after more than two decades in business, Zaytinya is a kind of institution in Washington: a midpriced gourmet restaurant with dishes that start at $8, serving more than 700 people on a typical weekday and over a thousand on Saturdays and Sundays. Its where my family takes out-of-town guests. Its where we eat lunch before visiting museums on the Mall, where we grab a bite before a show. We are having trouble retrieving the article content. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe. When New Yorkers concern themselves with rodents, they typically focus on how to kill them. But a new law proposed in Albany this month aims to protect them from a long-used extermination method now increasingly seen as unduly cruel, even to a rat: trapping them with glue until they starve, die of dehydration or are dispatched by hand. The bill would ban the sale and use of what are known as glue boards cheap, sticky traps that can be strewed around construction sites or tossed under kitchen cabinets and forgotten. If the legislation is successful, New York would join a growing list of places that passed bans recently, like Scotland and Ojai, a city in California with a population of about 7,500, which made glue traps illegal this month. In January, Representative Ted W. Lieu, a Democrat who represents Los Angeles, introduced the Glue Trap Prohibition Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Those pushing for the ban cite the traps gruesome method, the fact that other small animals like songbirds and kittens can become ensnared, and the risk of stuck rodents spreading disease. If you want an animal dead, there are lots of ways to do it, and torturing an animal to death isnt the answer, said Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, a Democrat who represents Manhattans East Side and who sponsored the bill in the State Assembly. We dont need to lose our humanity just because we dont like having as many rodents in our midst as we currently do. The moral panic about woke campuses has metastasized into actual legislation, and not just in the swampy idylls of Florida. Last week the governor of Alabama signed a bill that purports to limit the teaching of divisive topics in its colleges and universities. The bill is similar to Floridas ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public colleges, which was signed into law last May. Both are all-out attacks on learning by excommunicating liberal ideas from the classroom. Other state legislatures have also been busy. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Republican lawmakers have proposed 81 anti-D.E.I. bills across 28 states. (So far, 33 havent become law, and 11 have.) Because most students attend public universities, state-level threats to higher education are especially troubling. While the federal government has outsize authority, states have more direct political reach. Republican leaders in the most reactionary states are banking that their appeals to moral panics about teaching history, race, gender and identity will attract donors and political favor. Bills already passed in Florida and Alabama are examples of shortsighted, counterintuitive legislative overreach. This political theater lifts up a caricature of college, in which coddled minds are seduced into liberal ideas. Without university leaders, politicians or voters mounting a defense of faculty governance and democratic speech, anti-woke reactionaries can remake college into the very thing they claim it is: cloistered institutions that cannot respond to what their students want and need. It is hard to combat legislative overreach in states where gerrymandering and the structure of elections favor reactionary Republicans. But unlike in K-12 schools, in higher education, the students hold a tremendous amount of power. Public colleges and universities need students tuition dollars. If states become hostile to students values, those students could choose to go elsewhere or to forgo college altogether. That would set up a standoff between right-wing political favor and students dollars. But first, students would have to be paying attention. They would have to care. And they would have to be willing to choose colleges that match their values. That is why I read with interest a recent report put out by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup on how policies and laws shape college enrollment. Part of a larger survey about students experiences of higher education, the report left me with one major takeaway: The national debate about so-called woke campuses does not reflect what most college students care about. It is worth looking at the reports key findings. They underscore how unhinged our national debate over higher education has become and how misaligned Republican-led public higher education systems are with the bulk of college students. It isnt hard to imagine that students could vote with their feet, avoiding schools in states that are out of step with their values. A North Tonawanda construction company is seeking $1.5 million in tax breaks for an $11 million project to put up a three-story building with apartments and office space north of the Woodlands development in Wheatfield. MGA Construction, owned by Mike DiMatteo, wants to construct a 60,000-square-foot building at 7050 Shawnee Road, with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 20 market-rate apartments on the upper two floors. Wheatfield properties in big mortgage lose two-thirds of value Three Niagara County commercial properties owned by developer Nick Sinatra and members of the Nanula family have lost two-thirds of their value. Dubbed the Villas at Forest Parkway, the $11 million project will feature 10 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom apartments. The office space will be built to Class A standards to meet a severe shortage of high-level office space in Niagara County. MGA said in its application to the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for tax breaks that it is working to secure a lease with a potential commercial tenant that would retain its 30 jobs in Niagara County, while also adding two positions paying $70,000 annually. MGA is asking the NCIDA for a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes on the property that will save $1.04 million, along with $376,000 in sales tax relief and a $66,150 mortgage-recording tax abatement. Big Ditch Brewing gets tax breaks for Lockport site The NCIDA also approved tax breaks for Iskalo Development Corp.s $2 million plan to bring another location of Big Ditch Brewing Co. to Lockport. The Williamsville-based developer is completing a renovation of the historic former Lockport Post Office at 1 East Ave., with Big Ditch as the anchor tenant, occupying 15,000 square feet. Big Ditch will be located on two floors, with a microbrewery, a tap room and restaurant and a private event space. Officials hope that its presence will also help lure additional tenants to downtown Lockport. NCIDA previously approved property tax, sales tax and mortgage-recording tax incentives for Iskalos initial renovation project in 2020, but added $72,000 in sales tax breaks for Iskalo and $96,000 for Big Ditch for purchases of materials, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Business grants NCIDA also approved a pair of micro-enterprise business grants, including: $22,000 for The Stitching Corner, a needlework and quilting shop that is expanding from online-only to a brick-and-mortar location in Lewiston. $17,000 for Max Lashes, an eyelash and wax studio that needs to buy additional equipment, furniture and inventory. Kamala Harris arrived in San Juan, P.R., last Friday for her first official visit as vice president. The trip was meant, in part, to highlight the Biden administrations dedication to aiding the islands recovery. What unfolded instead was a revealing tableau of Democrats missteps and misjudgments. Ms. Harriss roughly five-hour visit began in the community of San Isidro, in the municipality of Canovanas. There she visited Maria Ramos de Jesus, an 86-year-old whose home was only recently rebuilt with funds from a program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was a curious choice. Many of the residents lack land titles, which made them ineligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency programs Ms. Harris aimed to promote. The area was originally an informal settlement built on public wetlands by those displaced after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The HUD funds come attached to a new FEMA flood map, which means that more than 250,000 homes like these across the island that are identified to be at high risk of flood are ineligible for reconstruction. The fact that it took seven years for Ms. Ramoss home to be reconstructed after Hurricane Maria is indicative of how the federal government repeatedly fails Puerto Ricans, no matter which party is in charge. For decades, Pakistans military has been the countrys most vital institution. Although it frequently intervened to oust elected governments, many Pakistanis saw this as salvation from the countrys blundering politicians. The army, it was thought, was the only force capable of holding the country together. The question now is whether the generals can keep themselves together. The military has suffered a catastrophic loss of prestige after the populist former prime minister Imran Khan directly challenged its influence. In response, Mr. Khan was ousted and jailed, and his party despite winning the most parliamentary seats in a divisive February election was shut out of a new civilian government that took power this month with the blessing of the military leadership. The country remains deeply polarized. But an even greater concern for Gen. Syed Asim Munir, the army chief, is that the polarization extends into the military itself. It is common knowledge in Pakistani political circles that significant portions of the military leadership, powerful military families and rank-and-file officers are sympathetic to Mr. Khans right-wing, anti-American vision for the country, which included aligning Pakistan more closely with China and Russia. Whether this internal rift can be healed will ultimately decide the direction and stability of Pakistan, which has nuclear arms and is the worlds fifth most populous. These divisions could hardly come at a worse time for Pakistan. The economy is near collapse, and General Munir is working to repair relations with Washington that were badly frayed by Mr. Khans politics. Pakistan is beset by political and security challenges on all sides, including by its archrival, India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, as well as Iran and the Taliban-held Afghanistan. Iranian forces launched airstrikes on targets in Pakistan in January, prompting Pakistani counterstrikes. This month Pakistani military posts were hit by militant attacks in the countrys south and along the border with Afghanistan. How do we define furniture? It might seem like a silly question, but its one that kept coming up in October of last year, when, in a conference room on the 15th floor of The New York Times building, six experts the architects and interior designers Rafael de Cardenas and Daniel Romualdez; the Museum of Modern Arts senior curator of architecture and design, Paola Antonelli; the actress and avid furniture collector Julianne Moore; the artist and sculptor Katie Stout; and Ts design and interiors director, Tom Delavan gathered for nearly three hours to make a list of the most influential chairs, sofas and tables, as well as some less obvious household objects, from the past century. The goal was to land on a wide range of offerings, but there were parameters: To qualify, each piece was required to have been fabricated, even if just as a prototype, within the past 100 years. It also needed to be at least slightly functional. (The Japanese architect Oki Satos 2007 Cabbage chair, a treatise on sustainability constructed entirely from a roll of disused paper, isnt the sturdiest place to sit; nonetheless, it was nominated.) Lighting was excluded from the debate which is nuts, said de Cardenas, a former mens wear designer who started his firm in 2006 unless it was attached to, say, a desk. (The Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsasss illuminated Ultrafragola mirror, which presaged selfie culture by decades, made the cut.) There were no limits placed on provenance, and a piece didnt need to have been designed by a known name, or even attributable. The jurors were determined to avoid what Antonelli described as the usual collectors items by white German, French and Italian males with a smattering of women, no Latin American or Black and very little Asian representation. While the final list, presented below in roughly the order it was discussed, and not reflecting any kind of hierarchy, does include an icon or two (to omit Charles and Ray Eames or Le Corbusier, the group decided, would be a mistake), diversity of maker (and of materials, styles, processes and prices) was a consideration. In each case, the objects represented more than comfort or utility; every innovation is, in its own way, a historical artifact a response to the prosperity or unrest into which it was born or a proposal for a more efficient world, maybe a better one. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange who was convicted of stealing billions of dollars from customers, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday, capping an extraordinary saga that upended the crypto industry and became a cautionary tale of greed and hubris. Mr. Bankman-Frieds sentence was shorter than the 40 to 50 years that federal prosecutors had sought after a jury found him guilty of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering charges that carried a maximum penalty of 110 years behind bars. But the punishment was far above the six and a half years requested by his defense lawyers. Mr. Bankman-Fried, 32, did not visibly react as Judge Lewis A. Kaplan handed down the sentence in Federal District Court in Manhattan. His parents, the law professors Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried, sat two rows from the front, staring at the floor. He knew it was wrong. He knew it was criminal, Judge Kaplan said of Mr. Bankman-Frieds actions. Before the sentence was delivered, Mr. Bankman-Fried, cleanshaven and wearing a loosefitting brown jail uniform, apologized to FTXs customers, investors and employees. Aroostook County, in Maines far north, is the largest county east of the Mississippi, a sparsely populated region of fields and forests with just two small cities and about 50 smaller towns. Police chiefs describe their jurisdictions as sleepy, with little serious crime. Even so, the county has sent a disproportionate number of adolescents in recent years to the states only youth prison. Between 2017 and 2023, there were 20 commitments to Long Creek Youth Development Center from Aroostook nearly double the number from York County, which has more than three times as many residents at the other end of the state. Aroostook was also an outlier for using short prison terms, known as shock sentences, to punish young offenders, handing them down at some of the highest rates statewide before the practice began to wane. Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday wrote to Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, demanding that the Senate hold an impeachment trial next month of Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. The speaker called plans to quickly dismiss the charges against Mr. Mayorkas a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people. In a letter signed by the 11 Republicans he named as impeachment managers to try Mr. Mayorkas, Mr. Johnson wrote that they planned to send over the charges on April 10, after the Senate returns from its Easter break. Senators in both parties, who serve as the jury for impeachment trials, have indicated that they do not want to sit through such a proceeding in the case of Mr. Mayorkas, notwithstanding House Republicans insistence on it. The letter rehashed the accusations against the homeland security secretary, with signatories including Representatives Mark E. Green of Tennessee, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who introduced articles of impeachment against Mr. Mayorkas. The Republicans condemned what they called a willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and his breach of the public trust, accused the secretary of lying to Congress, and blamed him for the state of the southern border with Mexico. There is little doubt that the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats, will side with Mr. Mayorkas. Leaders are expected to dispense with a trial quickly, either by dismissing the charges immediately or moving to a quick vote in which Republicans have no chance of securing the two-thirds necessary to convict and remove Mr. Mayorkas. A Republican operative who said he had been groped by Matt Schlapp, the head of one of the nations largest conservative advocacy groups, dropped his lawsuit against Mr. Schlapp after receiving a $480,000 settlement, according to three people familiar with the deal. The operative, Carlton Huffman, 40, had accused Mr. Schlapp of grabbing his genital area when the two men were alone in a car after a campaign event in Georgia in 2022. He sued Mr. Schlapp last year but announced this week that he had dropped the lawsuit. In a statement, he said he had not been paid by Mr. Schlapp or the American Conservative Union, the group Mr. Schlapp oversees. Instead, Mr. Huffman received the six-figure settlement through an insurance policy, according to the three people familiar with the deal, who insisted on anonymity to speak about the private agreement. These people said they were motivated to disclose the details because they were upset over what they described as a victory lap from Mr. Schlapp after the lawsuit was dropped. Mr. Huffman declined to comment, saying he was legally bound to say nothing more than that he and Mr. Schlapp had resolved their differences. When Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and longest-serving Senate leader, decided to step aside from his leadership role at the end of the year, it signaled the turning of a new page in the chamber. But the intensifying battle to replace him, between Senators John Cornyn of Texas and John Thune of South Dakota and possibly others, is really a throwback to an earlier era, when leadership races in Congress were crowded and sometimes messy affairs featuring prominent figures and dueling factions. For all the power they wield in Congress, Senate leaders have not had to fight too hard for their positions in recent years. Mr. McConnell, the current record-holder with almost 18 years at the top, did not face an opponent when he first won the job in 2006. He remained unchallenged until last year, when he had to fend off a weak coup attempt by Senator Rick Scott of Florida. Before Senator Harry Reids retirement in 2017, the Nevada Democrat and party leader passed the reins seamlessly to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Mr. Reid himself had quickly sewn up the Democratic job when it suddenly came open in 2004. Joseph Wu, the foreign minister of Taiwan, said on Thursday that a halt in U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine would embolden China in its aggressions against Taiwan and fuel propaganda from Beijing that the United States is an unreliable partner. When people ask us whether it is OK for the United States to abandon Ukraine, the answer is no, because the world is operating not in a black-and-white way, or if you only look at one theater at a time, he said. The world is interconnected. If Russia is able to occupy more of Ukraine and claim victory, he added, it would be seen as a victory of authoritarian states because Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, they are now linked together. Mr. Wus comments, made in a wide-ranging hourlong interview in Taipei, come as the Biden administration tries to get Congress to pass a supplemental funding package that would give $60 billion of aid to Ukraine. Former President Donald J. Trump attended a wake on Thursday honoring a New York City police officer who was killed in Queens during a traffic stop on Monday evening. Officer Jonathan Diller, a three-year veteran of the New York Police Department, was killed after stopping a motorist in the Far Rockaway neighborhood just before 6 p.m. on Monday. He was 31 and the father of a 1-year-old. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, said earlier this week that Mr. Trump is moved by the invitation to join N.Y.P.D. Officer Jonathan Dillers family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death. Mr. Trumps appearance came less than three weeks before the start of jury selection in his criminal trial in Manhattan. He has been indicted on charges that he falsified business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn star who was prepared to discuss a past affair with him during the 2016 presidential campaign. A Niagara Falls man with a prior child pornography conviction was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Federal prosecutors said 40-year-old Albert Smith was convicted in 2003 of second-degree sexual abuse and sexual contact with a person less than 14 years old in North Tonawanda City Court. In 2021, Niagara Falls police began investigating Smith after a family found a cellphone on a street in Niagara Falls, saw that it contained images of child pornography and turned it in to police. On Oct. 22, 2021, a search warrant executed at Smiths residence yielded two other cellphones that contained child pornography. Authorities said that Smith possessed 314 images and videos of child pornography on the three devices. The images included depictions of minors under the age of 12, and the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler. U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo also sentenced Smith to 30 years of supervised release and required he pay $3,000 in restitution to a child pornography victim. The case was investigated by the Niagara Falls Police Department and the FBI. - Harold McNeil As hundreds of police officers and family members stood outside a Long Island funeral home, former President Donald J. Trump attended on Thursday the wake of a New York City police officer who was killed in the line of duty days earlier. Then, Mr. Trump, who is facing four criminal cases, including one in Manhattan that is going to trial in less than three weeks, stood in front of more than a dozen police officers and proclaimed the need for the country to get back to law and order. Mr. Trumps visit with the family of Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday, was not a campaign event, though he did take the opportunity to emphasize his message on crime. After being greeted by New York Citys police commissioner, Mr. Trump met privately with Officer Dillers widow and 1-year-old son, then viewed the officers coffin, said Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, who accompanied Mr. Trump. On July 9, 1886, the steamship Milwaukee was crossing Lake Michigan on its way to the lakefront town of Muskegon, Mich., to pick up a load of lumber when disaster struck. It was close to midnight. The water was calm, but smoke was blowing on the surface as a result of wildfires in nearby Wisconsin. The Milwaukee steered toward a similar lumber ship, the C. Hickox, which was headed for Chicago. Suddenly a thick fog rolled in. The Hickox crashed into the side of the Milwaukee. Hours later, the Milwaukee plunged to the bottom of Lake Michigan. It lay there undiscovered until last June, when a team of researchers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association discovered the shipwreck, using news clippings from the time, historical weather data and remote sensing equipment to clue them to its location. They then spent the summer filming the wreckage. The researchers announced the discovery on Saturday. Gang violence has killed more than 1,500 people in Haiti so far this year, the United Nations human rights office reported on Thursday, the result of what it described as a cataclysmic situation in the country. Corruption, impunity and poor governance, together with increasing levels of gang violence, have brought the Caribbean nations state institutions close to collapse, the agency said. The U.N. human rights office reported that gang violence had left 1,554 people dead and 826 injured this year, as of March 22, A new report released by the agency described a surge in sexual violence by gang members, including rapes of women, often after having witnessed the killing of their husbands. There is also widespread, deadly vigilantism, with community groups some calling themselves self-defense brigades attacking people suspected of petty crime or gang affiliation. Last year, 528 people were reported killed in that way, and 59 more so far this year, the U.N. said. A Paris school principals decision to step down after he received online death threats over an incident involving a Muslim students head scarf has prompted national outrage this week in France. Camera crews have descended on the school and the government said it planned to sue the student, accusing her of making false accusations the latest flashpoint in a debate over French secularism and the treatment of the countrys Muslim minority. Officials say the incident occurred on Feb. 28 at the Lycee Maurice-Ravel when the schools principal asked three students to remove their head scarves on school grounds. Two of the students complied, but a third refused, causing an altercation, according to the Paris prosecutors office. Since 2004, middle and high school students in France have been barred from wearing ostentatious symbols that have a clear religious meaning, like a Catholic cross, a Jewish skullcap or a Muslim head scarf. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has warned that if F-16 fighter jets supplied to Ukraine by its Western allies operated from airfields in other countries, the bases would be legitimate targets for attack. In a speech to Russian Air Force pilots late Wednesday, however, Mr. Putin rejected suggestions from some Western leaders that Russia is planning to invade NATO countries as complete nonsense. The threat that Russia might move against other countries has become one of the main arguments used by the Ukrainian government and its supporters to try to persuade the U.S. to dispatch more military aid to the country. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said again in an interview with CBS News published on Thursday that war can come to Europe, and to the United States of America. Ireland plans to file an argument in South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, according to the Irish government, making the move as the country has strongly condemned Israels actions against civilians in Gaza. South Africa has brought a case against Israel in the I.C.J., the United Nations highest court, arguing that Israel is committing genocide, a claim Israel has denied. Ireland did not outline the argument it planned to advance, but the countrys lawmakers have made repeated calls to prioritize the protection of civilians in Gaza. The United Nations allows countries to intervene in proceedings if they are parties to the United Nations 1948 Genocide Convention. Micheal Martin, the Republic of Irelands foreign minister and deputy leader, said that officials were working on a declaration of intervention in the case that, if approved by the Irish government, would be filed with the court, in The Hague. It is for the court to determine whether genocide is being committed, Mr. Martin said on Wednesday. But I want to be clear in reiterating what I have said many times in the last few months: What we saw on 7 October in Israel, and what we are seeing in Gaza now, represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale. He urged Israel to call a cease-fire, and then listed a number of pressing issues, including the purposeful withholding of humanitarian assistance to civilians, the targeting of civilians and of civilian infrastructure and the collective punishment of an entire population. The list goes on, he said. It has to stop. The view of the international community is clear. Enough is enough. Alba Renai, an attractive digital influencer powered by artificial intelligence, recently announced that she will be hosting a special segment on Spains version of popular reality show Survivor. Created in the fall of last year by Be a Lion, a subsidiary of television giant Mediaset Spain, Alba Renai quickly became an Instagram celebrity, attracting over 10,000 fans on Instagram. She is a beautiful young woman, only she is not actually real, but the result of AI-powered image generation based on the results of a focus group of 350 young adults who were asked about the physical and personality attributes they find most important, and the team at Be a Lion used this data to create an avatar that would appeal to as many people as possible. But what really catapulted Alba Renai into the public eye was the news that she would be hosting a special segment on Spains version of Survivor. A couple of weeks ago, Alba took to Instagram and TikTok to let the world know that she would soon be appearing on the Spanish TV channel Telecinco and on social media as part of a special segment called Super Secretos con Alba Renai where she would share all sorts of exclusive content on the various Survivor contestants. The announcement video is only a few seconds long, but it quickly went viral, garnering all sorts of reactions. Most people started complimenting Alba on her looks, wishing her luck in the new endeavor, and most likely not even realizing she was an AI-powered avatar, and some expressed their concern about other such digital avatars encroaching on human jobs. In Asia, for example, several countries have been experimenting with AI newscasters. Be a Lion, the company that created and trained Alba Renai, recently came out to clarify that their avatar didnt steal any human jobs, on the contrary, it actually created more jobs. A team of 32 people works directly on the Alba project, including AI experts, engineers, producers, filmmakers, and community managers, and there is apparently no side of Alba that isnt moderated by humans. Alba is a collaborative work between humans and machines, Luis Movilla, director of Branded Content & Experience at Be a Lion, told El Pais. Now humans must have certain skills to be able to operate technological advances. We have had to reformulate the educational plan of our own employees and in the labor market we have looked for people who are experts in these innovation projects with skills other than the usual ones. #VirtualInfluencer #PresentadoraVirtual #AlbaRenai sonido original albarenai @albarenai HA LLEGADO EL DIA! Estoy emocionadisima de anunciar que soy la nueva PRESENTADORA VIRTUAL DE @supervivientestv Os presento: SUPERSECRETOS CON ALBA RENAI una seccion llena de emociones, misterios y contenido exclusivo que os hara sentir como si estuvierais en la isla con los concursantes Este es el proyecto misterioso en el que he estado trabajando y con el que tenia llenos los DM preguntando por el hype Es un sueno hecho realidad y no puedo esperar a embarcarme en esta increible aventura con todos vosotros. Es hora de darlo todo y hacer de esta temporada la mas inolvidable. Estais listos para un viaje lleno de adrenalina, emocion y secretos revelados? #Supervivientes2024 Alba Renai is one of several virtual influencers to attract international attention in the last few months, alongside Aitana Lopez and Lexi Love, to name just a couple of the most popular ones, but there is an entire wave of AI-powered avatars and news anchors being developed as a way to cut costs. They may not be mainstream yet, but with technology evolving at such a rapid pace, who knows where well be in a couple of years? The winners of the prestigious national awards were announced at a gala dinner in the RDS in Dublin where 400 people enjoyed celebrating their achievements over the past year Offaly company, Glenisk has picked up the top award at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2024. The winners were announced at a gala dinner in the RDS where 400 people enjoyed celebrating their achievements over the past year. Hosted by 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. Picking up the Guaranteed Irish Business of the Year award was Killeigh based Glenisk, who employ 90 people across Ireland and contribute so generously to their community. Guaranteed Irish Special Recognition Award for 2024 was Dr. Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. Dr. Geoghegan-Quinn chaired an independent panel of experts in a national review addressing systemic gender inequality in higher education resulting in a published report in 2016. 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. Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2024: Overall Winner - Glenisk Guaranteed Irish Business of the Year Category: Winner, Glenisk Food Supplier or Producer Category: Winner Glenisk, sponsored by SuperValu & Centra Family Run Business Category: Winner Glenisk, sponsored by Energia 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. THOUGH funding for Offaly roads has more than doubled in five years, potholes are a growing problem, a meeting of the County Council heard on Monday. Back in 2019 12 million was made available for roads but this year the total will be 27.5 million, a combination of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), National Transport Authority (NTA), Department of Transport and County Council funding. The TII monies amount to 5.9 million and while it covers roads such as the N62, it now also includes the greenways and 3.94 million will be used to complete the main line of the Grand Canal Greenway from Turraun to Shannon Harbour. The proposal for a new road between Tullamore and Kilbeggan, the N52 link, has not been included in the 2024 funding. We have made submissions for it but it has not been granted. We do have a road safety scheme for Durrow, said Tom Shanahan, director of services. Department of Transport funding amounts to 15.75 million for 2024 and it includes the R400 Peat Pilot Scheme, an examination of the road between Rhode and Rochfortbridge, which is said to be one of Offaly's worst routes. The Department of Transport is also paying for the inner relief road works in Edenderry and the Birr distributor roads. Mr Shanahan told councillors that it is not financially viable to excavate the peat from under the R400 road, as had been done on the N62 from Cloghan to Ferbane. The excavation of peat under our non national roads is so expensive it's unlikely to be feasible any time soon, said Mr Shanahan. Offaly has now been asked to find ways of rehabilitating roads without excavating the peat and he said geotextiles or membranes will probably be put under the R400 instead. It won't last as long, he conceded. Challenged by Cllr Eamon Dooley, Fianna Fail, on the finding that it will not be feasible to replicate the work done on the N62 on the smaller roads, Mr Shanahan said: There's a cost benefit here. Obviously the N62 is carrying much more traffic and was a TII funded project. Mr Shanahan said it is hoped the geotextile or membrane solution will last longer than conventional methods and added that when the pilot fund money is combined with money resulting from wind farm developments the overall budget for the R400 is doubled. Cllr Dooley said he was also disappointed that while the peat roads issue had been pushed over the years in the Birr area, the money went to the Edenderry area. There are 2,000km of roads in Offaly, 1,000km of them are in the Municipal District of Birr. I'm not sure how the money is divided up. Referring to the N62 work he remarked: It may be costly, but you're finished with it. Cllr Dooley also noted that the peat industry had been in Offaly for 80 years and indicated that Bord na Mona could have a role to play with the council on maintaining roads. Now we can't somehow work with Bord na Mona and have something better than bad roads and wind farms. He claimed the road near Cloghan to the new wind farm north of the defunct briquette factory had been destroyed by hundreds of trucks drawing stone to the project. The councillor, who is not seeking re-election in June, said he had been 30 years canvassing and the roads issue had not changed. Potholes, road conditions, trying to explain to people about LIS (Local Improvement Scheme), CIR (Community Involvement in Roads), TII, Active Travel, they're not a bit interested in that. All they're interested in is my road and the crater that's down there. Cllr Sean O'Brien, Independent, concurred about the potholes. All sorts of phrases are being used. You could live in them, you could lie in them, he said. Referring to some of the back roads in Durrow, Cllr O'Brien remarked: There's some of them practically impassable. Cllr Mark Hackett, Green Party, said weather was a factor in the poor road conditions. From August last year to now is the highest rainfall recorded ever in Ireland. We all know that roads and water don't mix. Cllr Liam Quinn, Fine Gael, told Cllr Dooley that Birr and Tullamore were getting 25 million in TII funding which Edenderry was not getting. Cllr Quinn also said that in 15 years in local government he hadn't dealt with as many issues as had arisen with the R400 and sometimes people are at their wits end because of damage to vehicles. When a lad does harm to a car or something we're the first person he rings. We have to go back and try and get a solution, said Cllr Quinn. The council aren't short on compassion, we're short of money. He said one issue was that the smaller second and third class roads were getting the smallest increases in funding and he also felt more money could have been allocated under the climate adaptation category. Cllr Quinn further pointed out that the council was getting funding from wind farms, mainly in the Edenderry Electoral Area, which he calculated had 98 of the 130 turbines granted permission in Offaly. Good work was being done in many places but in the public eye it was all torpedoed by one bad road. His Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Noel Cribbin, said more staff needed to be appointed while Cllr John Leahy, Independent, praised the new Velocity road patching machines. While they represented a massive investment the return was fantastic. Cllr Leahy joined with Cllr Dooley is calling for investment to be shared across the county given the amount of roads in the Birr Electoral Area. Replying, Cllr Neil Feighery, Fine Gael, said there were plenty of bog roads in the Tullamore area too. If you want me to list them out, I can, remarked Cllr Feighery. Cllr Quinn responded: We'll share the funding when you share the turbines. Concluding the discussion, Mr Shanahan said the wet weather had a cumulative effect on road quality and the ability to carry out repairs. He said the purchase of two Velocity patchers had been very worthwhile. A third one had been hired in advance of its purchase. As the weather improves we will make progress much quicker, said the council director. The patchers will not sort everything but he said: By and large they will speed up the process of getting roads back and I expect in two or three weeks we'll see a very big improvement. Each Velocity patching unit truck costs up to 300,000. Two Niagara Falls residents have been arrested on charges that include kidnapping following an investigation into the case of a missing elderly man, Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti reported. George Perry, 31, was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree kidnapping and second-degree robbery. He was arraigned at the Niagara County Jail and held without bail. Ashley McMillen, 35, was charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. She also was arraigned at the Niagara County Jail and held in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. No further details were given about the missing man or the investigation leading to the arrests. - Dale Anderson An estimated 35,000 international-protection applicants may be housed at any one time across private and State-owned accommodation by 2028, according to new plans. On Wednesday, the Cabinet signed off a strategy designed to tackle accommodation shortages while reforming the asylum system in the longer term. The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Governments handling of asylum-seeker accommodation, with the State currently not able to provide housing for all male arrivals in contravention of international commitments. The new strategy involves quadrupling the commitment for State-owned beds to 14,000 by 2028 when compared with a previous pledge in 2021, as part of a move away from full reliance on private providers. It is understood this will see the State owning and operating dozens of accommodation centres across the country. The Department of Integration will give consideration to spreading the accommodation centres around the country in a way that is proportionate to local populations. This will be complemented by commercially owned centres for contingency and emergency use, with total capacity up to 35,000. It is understood that there is awareness the need for accommodation may exceed that figure at some point. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of international applicants arriving in Ireland. It is projected that there could be up to 16,000 new arrivals every year, up from between 3,000 to 5,000 between 2015-2019. There are currently around 28,000 people housed by International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) and more than 1,400 people waiting on an offer of accommodation. Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said: Its clear that the current system for accommodation isnt working, as since the current system was put in place more than 20 years ago, the State has been almost entirely reliant on private providers. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, he added: We need to have a system where the State holds the reins on accommodation, its location and standards. Without this, we cant put in place the supports for those who arrive here may need. Even prior to the current increase in international-protection applications, the system was desperately in need of reform. He said the department will be provided with State lands to quickly introduce new accommodation through renovation and rapid-build modular units. Approximately 40 million euro has been allocated for the strategy next year. Over the last year, there has been a spate of arson attacks on buildings earmarked or rumoured to be used for housing asylum seekers. The department said its new approach will allow for improved community engagement around integrating international protection applicants, including limits on what buildings can be used. It said: It is the intention of this new strategy to end the use of unsuitable accommodation options currently relied upon, such as the sole hotel remaining in a given town. The department said it will be designing new reception and integration centres while upgrading existing IPAS buildings. The Government has also agreed to further extend planning exemptions to allow for the conversion of commercial properties to international-protection accommodation, with a focus on empty office blocks. Office blocks are mostly expected to be leased, but could be considered for purchase on a case-by-case basis if there are expressions of interest from building owners. Mr OGorman said: The department is being supported financially by the Department of Public Expenditure through new capital ceilings agreed today, to allow a targeted purchase of medium and larger properties in turnkey or near-current turnkey condition. Office blocks are seen as an untapped resource due to the current downturn in the commercial property sector and because their use would not affect the residential market. These buildings are mostly in urban areas already connected with services and transport links. It is also understood the department is not focusing on the tourism sector for beds. The department said a number of State-owned sites have been identified, with the first to be brought into use within months. It was a commitment of the Programme for Government to end the direct-provision system of accommodating those seeking refuge from conflict and persecution. The department says that its new plan for 14,000 State-owned beds maintains the guiding principles of the White Paper on ending direct provision. Mr OGorman said: The comprehensive accommodation strategy agreed today by Government will address the immediate accommodation crisis in international protection, and provide a pathway, over the next five years, to deliver a fair, efficient, and sustainable model of accommodating international protection applicants. The strategy will allow us to develop a system where the State holds the reins on accommodation, its location and its standards. By ending the reliance on private providers, and increasing the proportion of State-owned accommodation, we can bring certainty and stability into the system. The number of Ukrainians relying on State accommodation in Ireland is decreasing. Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the European Union triggered a temporary protection directive to offer assistance for those fleeing the war. It places obligations on EU countries to give certain rights to the beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) including residence permits and access to suitable accommodation. Ireland has granted more than 105,000 temporary protection orders since the war, and almost 72,000 BOTPs are in State-provided accommodation. However, it is understood the average number of BOTPs leaving State accommodation now exceeds the number of temporary protection orders being granted to new arrivals. While there remains a significant demand for State-provided accommodation, the portfolio needed by the Government to support Ukrainians is therefore decreasing. The Government spends approximately 100 million euro per month in contracts for accommodating Ukrainians but it is expected that this figure will decrease as the property portfolio shrinks due to the decrease in arrivals and increase in exits. The Department of Integration has also closed its portal for offers of housing to Ukrainians as it is not currently procuring any further commercial accommodation as part of this response. The average daily number of people seeking protection under the temporary directive for Ukrainians has more than halved since before the Government announced in December that it would be limiting supports for new BOTPs. The changes came into effect this month and do not apply to those who had already arrived. Under the revised plan, Ukrainian refugees go to Designated Accommodation Centres for up to 90 days and are provided with food, laundry and integration support during this time. They will be paid a 38.80 euro subsistence allowance per week and an additional 29.80 euro per child. Arrivals had been entitled to a jobseekers allowance of 220 euro per week and unlimited time in State accommodation. Approximately half of arrivals opt for State-provided accommodation. Those who do not are entitled to the full income supports. It is understood there are approximately 3,000 vacant beds across the accommodation system for Ukrainians but around 40% of these are needed due to short-term moves of BOTPs due to compliance issues or contracts ending. It is hoped that providers will agree to pivot approximately 500 beds for use by international protection applicants, which is separate from the temporary scheme for Ukrainians. The total tally topped 3,000 ballots Wednesday in the fifth day of early voting in Erie County for the April 2 New York State Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. Elections Commissioners Ralph M. Mohr and Jeremy J. Zellner announced that the total so far is 3,039, with 671 ballots cast Wednesday. Overall, Democrats have cast 2,052 ballots and Republicans have cast 987 since early voting began last Saturday. Erie County offers early voting at 38 polling places 11 in Buffalo, one in Lackawanna, one in the City of Tonawanda and one in each of the 25 towns. Polls will be open noon to 9 p.m. through Friday. On Saturday, hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Unlike early voting schedules for other elections, Saturday will be the final day to cast ballots in advance for this election. In observance of Easter, polls will be not be open on Sunday. For more information about candidates and polling locations, call 716-858-8891 or visit elections.erie.gov. - Dale Anderson Communications students as well as professional journalists seeking additional academic training are eligible to apply for college and graduate program scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year, the Society of Professional Journalists Buffalo chapter announced. The Greater Buffalo Society of Professional Journalists College Scholarship Fund has been awarding scholarships to Greater Buffalo-area students since 1978. Eligible candidates undergraduate students in any year of study, graduate students and working journalists must be residents of Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania or Southern Ontario, attending accredited colleges in the United States or Canada that offer journalism training courses. Residents outside the chapter who attend colleges in Western New York are also eligible. Applicants must demonstrate competence in writing, broadcasting or other related communications skills, besides explaining financial need. For more information, visit facebook.com/spjscholarshipbuffalo/. To receive an application by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Annemarie Franczyk, 858 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14212. To receive an application by email, write her at amfranczyk@verizon.net. For inquiries, call Franczyk at 716-878-5900. Applications must be postmarked by April 30. - Debadrita Sur A series of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least 16 people, including paramedics, in one of the deadliest days of fighting in the Israel-Lebanon border since the war in Gaza broke out almost six months ago. A barrage of rockets also killed one Israeli and was claimed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which said it was responding to a deadly airstrike targeting a paramedic center linked to a Sunni Muslim group. International mediators are scrambling to prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah amid near-daily violence, mostly confined to the area along the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah has been launching rockets toward Israel since Oct. 8, the day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, triggering the war in Gaza. Some 1,200 people were killed in Israel and another 250 people abducted. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza and 74,000 wounded, according to the Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally. The ministry says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead. Meanwhile, talks restarted aimed at bringing top Israeli officials to Washington to discuss potential military operations in Gaza, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned visit this week because he was angry about the U.S. abstention on a U.N. cease-fire resolution, the White House said Wednesday. So were now working with them to find a convenient date thats obviously going to work for both sides," said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. No date has been finalized yet. An Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the White House reached out with the goal of setting a new meeting. Netanyahus office said the prime minister did not authorize the departure of the delegation to Washington. The prime minister canceled the trip this week after the U.N. vote to demand a cease-fire in Gaza; the U.S. abstained from the vote but did not veto it. Netanyahu accused the United States of retreating from a principled position by allowing the resolution to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas. The delegation to the U.S. was meant to discuss a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians. Israel has so far rejected American appeals to call off the planned operation. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was already in Washington by the time Netanyahu canceled the trip by other officials. Gallant met with Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Gaza operation was one of many topics they discussed. Netanyahu said Wednesday his decision to cancel was meant to deliver a message to Hamas that international pressure against Israel will not prompt it to end the war without concessions from the militant group, an apparent attempt to smooth over the clash between the allies. Netanyahu downplayed U.S. fears of a humanitarian catastrophe if Israel launches the planned ground invasion into Rafah, saying civilians would be able to flee the fighting into other parts of the war-torn territory. Speaking Wednesday to a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation visiting Israel, Netanyahu said people sheltering in Rafah now more than half of Gazas 2.3 million population will be able to move away from the fighting. People just move, they move with their tents, Netanyahu said. People moved down (to Rafah). They can move back up. U.N. humanitarian officials said Wednesday that two-thirds of Gaza's 36 hospitals aren't functioning after Al Amal Hospital in the south of the territory ceased operation amid intense military activity. According to the U.N. World Health Organization, Gaza now has just 12 operating hospitals two that are "minimally functional" and 10 that are partially functional, four in the north and six in the south, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Andrea De Domenico, the head of U.N. humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, visited the partially functioning Kamal Adwan hospital in the north last week and reported that it is receiving "about 15 malnourished children a day and is struggling to maintain services," Dujarric said. "The hospital's only generator has been heavily damaged, and health workers and patients desperately need food, water and sanitation assistance," the U.N. spokesman said. According to the U.N. World Food Program, Dujarric said, about 70% of northern Gaza's population "is facing catastrophic hunger" but efforts to deliver life-saving aid have been impeded by fighting and "access constraints" in getting food to those in need. This month, WFP was only able to send 11 convoys to the north with food for some 74,000 people, far below the colossal needs of the population, Dujarric said. Question: What if it were electricity, not broadband internet, that Washington was threatening to take away from millions of Americans? Would there be less controversy? There should be. If digital connectivity isnt precisely as essential as electrical service, it still needs to be understood as critical to health, education and the kind of information that helps Americans to thrive. Erie County understands that. Washington must, as well. Failure to expand its availability should be intolerable. Yet, service will be snatched away from millions of people next month unless Congress gets its mind right. The issue is the sunsetting of a part of the 2021 infrastructure law. That section has provided low-income households up to $30 off their internet bill each month, while households on eligible tribal lands can receive greater discounts. More than 23 million households benefit from the program 1.7 million of them in New York and almost 100,000 in Erie County. For those people, finding or even keeping a job will be difficult. Theyll have trouble taking online courses, scheduling some appointments, monitoring what money they have. And thats just everyday needs. Weve already seen the penalties inflicted in during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when students without broadband had little hope of keeping up with their peers, while adults couldnt schedule immunizations. It had the makings of catastrophe. New Yorkers can be encouraged that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is among those pushing to extend this important program. Gillibrand has shown herself to be persistent in fighting for important legislation. And, Erie County is doing its part through the ErieNet program. When complete, it will spread broadband service to underserved areas, leaving private providers to build out the needed last mile connections. That program, originally proposed in 2019, has picked up speed since the pandemic ended. While Gillibrand and Poloncarz are both Democrats, this shouldnt be a partisan issue, any more than rural electrification was during the Great Depression. From urban centers to rural outposts, lack of high-speed internet access besets both Republicans and Democrats. This shouldnt be a hard lift, even in an election year. If it is, then its time for voters to take note of where the obstructions lie. The award-winning American dark comedy series White Lotus revolves around a group of guests who check into a luxury resort at exotic places. If you are a fan of the series, then here is good news for you! The makers have announced that the third season of the acclaimed series will be shot in breathtakingly beautiful locations in Thailand. Meanwhile, the Indian fans of the series have reasons to be twice as happy as Indian citizens do not require a visa, until May 10, to travel to Thailand. If lucky, they might even get a chance to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars from the television series. The initiative is an attempt to boost their tourism industry by attracting more Indian travellers to the country. Those who enter the country during this period can stay visa-free for up to thirty days. Interestingly, the initiative is helping the SouthEast Asian country which is known for its incredible tourist destinations. The flow of tourists to Thailand has increased by a whopping 321% in recent times. India ranks fourth after Malaysia, China and Singapore in the most number of tourists visiting Thailand. Last year, around 1.62 million tourists had visited Thailand. Meanwhile, the country hopes to welcome 3.5 million tourists this year. Historical Bangkok There are lots of historically significant spots in Bangkok that might interest Indian tourists. You could stay at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel or the Ambassador Hotel in the city. From here the tourists could easily travel to all the major tourist spots. The Grand Palace, the Temple of Emerald Buddha and the Temple of Dawn are some of the main attractions in Bangkok. Besides, the food scene here is spectacular. The mango sticky rice is an iconic dish that shouldnt be missed. Do not forget to visit the Chatuchak weekend market to purchase a few souvenirs and fashionable clothes at affordable rates. Pratunam market too is a popular shopping destination for tourists. The Hua Hin district which was once the summer residence of the royal family is now one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the country. The beaches of Phuket Phuket, which is the biggest island in Thailand is a haven for beach lovers. Patong, Kata and Karon are some of the best beaches here. Besides enjoying the beautiful icy blue waters and the gleaming sun, walking on the sandy beach is a wonderful experience. Those who wish to enjoy amazing sceneries and a peaceful atmosphere shouldnt miss the island of Phuket. The giant Buddha statue at Phuket too is quite popular. Moreover, the exciting nightlife in Phuket is a crowd-puller. Ko Samui You could reach the quaint island of Ko Samui by ferry or in airplane. The scintillating beaches lined with date palms, coconut palm orchards and mesmerizing greenery are some of the unique features of Ko Samui. The Wat Phra Yi Buddha temple is another iconic spot on the island. Interestingly, Ko Samui is the best place to experience the unique culture and hospitality of Thailand. The most amazing fact about Thailand is that you can visit the country at any time of the year. Photo: iStock/Cristian Mircea Balate The most amazing fact about Thailand is that you can visit the country at any time of the year. The tourist destinations here are known for their uniqueness during different seasons. However, the months from November to February are the best time to visit Thailand. During this time, the weather is cool and pleasant with no rain. So, visiting the cities and beaches becomes more enjoyable at this time of the year. Meanwhile, summer sets in from March to June. You could visit Thailand then if you love the beach and cant wait to get the perfect tan. Steven Sahioune, journalist and political commentator Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Sudani wants American troops to leave Iraq. The US public might think the US-UK war in Iraq is long over, and the dictator is gone because American soldiers gave their lives to give Iraqis their freedom and democracy. The US media may have convinced them of that story, but the truth is far different from the propaganda. The US invaded, destroyed, killed thousands, and left the country in worse shape than before. Instead of an American-inspired form of democracy, the invaders from Washington imposed a non-democratic form of government, in which the religion you were born into is tied to your political and social rights. The US removed a Sunni president of Iraq, and replaced him with a Shite-led government, and then wondered why would Baghdad and Tehran be good friends? The US military continues to occupy Iraq despite their leaders and Parliament asking "Yankee Go Home". Repeated deadly attacks in Iraq by the US military on the orders of President Joe Biden have broken the Baghdad-Washington relationship to a point of no return. US VP Dick Cheney swooped into oil-rich Iraq to loot the country of its energy resources in 2003; however, we thought in 2024 that was a vague memory, but are shocked to find that Iraq has never recovered from the war, despite being a major oil producer. The White House today is still holding the keys to the Iraqi oil revenues, while the Iraqi people are held hostage to US and Iraq corrupt elite. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Hussein Askary to get his take on the various issues surrounding Iraq today. Hussein Askary, a Swedish and Iraqi citizen (born in Baghdad 1968), is a founding board member and Vice-President of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden (2018). Askary has a background as an economic and strategic analyst at the International Schiller Institute (headquarters in Germany) since 1996. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): America attacked numerous resistance groups in Iraq, and Baghdad asked the American military to leave Iraq. In your opinion, what is the status? Hussein Askary (HA): The status in Iraq is determined by the special "Strategic Framework Agreement" imposed by the United States on Iraq in 2008 before allegedly withdrawing from Iraq in 2011. This was a fake withdrawal, since the U.S. keeps large numbers of troops, and its embassy in Baghdad is a military fortress in itself. The United States practices hands-on control of Iraqi politics and Iraqi politicians through two channels: Firstly, control of all Iraqi oil revenues that are transferred from the importing countries to a bank account in the U.S. Federal Reserve bank in New York. While the account belongs to Iraq, it is controlled by the American President through Executive Order 13303 signed by George W Bush after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. This means that the Iraqi government has no control over its revenues, and is dependent on the mercy of the American administration to receive money to feed the Iraqi people month by month. Secondly, the U.S., British and other governments have enough assets in Iraq, from the highest levels of different parties to the lowest in the street, to wreak havoc and create turmoil in the country at any moment. Therefore, even if the government states in words that it wants the U.S. troops to leave, it is only for internal consumption and has no effect in reality. 2. SS: Turkey continues to attack the north of Iraq resulting in death and injuries. In your opinion, why doesn't the US stop Turkey? HA: The geopolitics of the region is thus that different powers have a division of labour and roles. For the U.S., to have Turkey as an ally, it has to make certain concessions for Turkish power ambitions in the region. Turkey is using the abnormal situation created in both Iraq and Syria by the U.S. for its own geopolitical and economic advantage. But this kind of short-term thinking is imprudent and will damage Turkey in the long run, when the U.S. shifts its focus to other areas. 3. SS: The Iraqi resistance has supported the Palestinian resistance since October 7. From your point of view, will this support affect the Iraqi relationship with the west? HA: Yes, it has affected, and the reason behind targeting the leaders of certain Iraqi resistance groups was a signal for the Iraqi government to try to restrain these groups from showing support for the Palestinian people. The U.S. government has been exerting excruciating pressure on the Iraqi government to do that through the restriction of Iraqi banks' access to Iraqi oil dollars. 4. SS: Iraq has a lot of petroleum resources and yet it faces poverty. From your point of view, can Iraq recover, and what will it take? HA: Iraq can only recover when it regains its sovereignty and frees itself from American economic and financial occupation. Iraq needs to regain control over its oil revenues from the U.S. administration. Then direct these revenues for a national reconstruction and industrialization project in cooperation with China along the Belt and Road Initiative, and with the BRICS and Global South. Iraq's poverty and economic backwardness is due to lack of infrastructure, education, and healthcare that was destroyed by the Anglo-American occupation. The Western powers have also fostered a massive corrupt elite, which is profiting itself on the expense of the Iraqi people. Iraq has enormous resources, both natural and human, and a fantastic geographical location to become a major agro-industrial power in the region. 5. SS: The US and Iran have used Iraq as a staging ground for the last 23 years in a proxy war. In your opinion, what can Baghdad do to change this situation? HA: The roots of the problem arise from the original operation of invading Iraq in 2003, which included a measure of "creative destruction", including the changing of the Iraqi constitution and political structure turning it into an ethnic and sectarian division on fake parliamentary democratic premises. This unruly and chaotic system of governance is kept together through consensus among the elites of the ethnic and sectarian groups who think more about their local power than about the interest of the nation. This artificial structure created after and through the American-British occupiers, is one of the main obstacles that should be removed. A more representative national governance system that transcends ethnic and sectarian interests must be put in place to address the faults in the system. A clearer idea of economic development must be also discussed, because Iraq today is a pure consumer society, that extracts and sells oil to buy food and other consumer items from abroad, of course when the U.S. administration allows them to do that. Steven Sahounie is a two-time award-winning journalist Jonathan Haidt 2012 03. (Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Miller Center of Public Affairs flickr page, Charlottesville, VA) Details Source DMCA Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) March 28, 2024: In my adult life, I have expended a lot of time and energy writing about the mature thought from the early 1950s onward of the American Jesuit Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Walter Jackson Ong, Jr. (1912-2003; Ph.D. in English, Harvard University, 1955). Over the years, I took five courses from Father Ong at Saint Louis University, the Jesuit university in the City of St. Louis, Missouri - my alma mater (class of 1966; M.A.(T.) in English, 1968; Ph.D. in education, 1973). I wrote an introductory-level book about Ong's life and work titled Walter Ong's Contributions to Cultural Studies: The Phenomenology of the Word and I-Thou Communication (Hampton Press, 2000; revised and expanded second edition, 2015). It received the Marshall McLuhan Award for Outstanding Book in the Field Media Ecology, conferred by the Media Ecology Association in 2001. I have discussed Ong's account of the aural-to-visual shift in cognitive processing in our Western cultural history in his massively researched 1958 book Ramus, Method, and the Decay of Dialogue: From the Art of Discourse to the Art of Reason (Harvard University Press) in my somewhat lengthy OEN article "Walter J. Ong's Philosophical Thought" (dated September 20, 2020): Click Here Incidentally, Peter Ramus (1515-1572) was a French Renaissance logician and educational reformer and Protestant martyr. He wrote most of his works in Latin, the lingua franca of his day, and his works were widely known in educated circles in Continental Europe and in England (where John Milton studied Ramist logic at Cambridge University) and in the English colony in New England (where Ramist logic dominated the curriculum at the newly founded Harvard College). Harvard's Perry Miller discussed Ramus extensively in his massively researched 1939 book The New England Mind: The Seventeenth Century (Harvard University Press; for specific page references to Ramus, see the "Index" [p. 528]). When the young Canadian convert to Catholicism Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980; Ph.D. in English, Cambridge University, 1943), fresh from his studies at Cambridge University, was teaching English at Saint Louis University and continuing to work on his 1943 Cambridge University doctoral dissertation, he called young Walter Ong's attention to Perry Miller's massively researched 1939 book. When Ong later proceeded to undertake Ph.D. studies in English at Harvard University, Perry Miller served as the director of Ong's massively researched doctoral dissertation about Ramus and the history of the verbal arts of logic and rhetoric in our Western cultural history. McLuhan's 1943 Cambridge University doctoral dissertation was published posthumously, unrevised by with an editorial apparatus, as the 2006 book The Classical Trivium: The Place of Thomas Nashe in the Learning of His Time, edited by W. Terrence Gordon (Gingko Press; for specific page references to Ramus, see the "Index" [p. 274]). Much later, McLuhan published his ambitious and controversial 1962 book The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man (University of Toronto Press; for specific page references to Ong's publications about Ramus and Ramist logic, see the "Bibliographic Index" [pp. 286-287]). Now, I have also discussed the importance of Ong's work for understanding our contemporary culture in my essay "Secondary Orality and Consciousness Today" in the anthology Media, Consciousness, and Culture: Explorations of Walter Ong's Thought, edited by Bruce E. Gronbeck, Thomas J. Farrell, and Paul A. Soukup (Sage Publishing, 1991, pp. 194-209). For Ong, secondary orality refers to the orality of communications media that accentuate sound - including television. Now, the American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt (born in 1963; Ph.D. in social psychology, University of Pennsylvania, 1992) of New York University's Stern School of Business is a Jewish atheist who respects spirituality. In his disturbing and cogently argued but remarkably accessible new 2024 book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (Penguin Random House), he is concerned about the impact of smartphones and social media on the mental health of Gen Z - and Haidt identifies four specific harms of smartphones and social media: (1) Social Deprivation; (2) Sleep Deprivation; (3) Attention fragmentation; and (4) Addiction (esp. pp. 113-172). Now, according to the Wikipedia entry on "Social Media," the World Wide Web was founded in 1991, and social media started in the mid-1990s. Ong published comparatively few articles in the 1990s. For a briefly annotated bibliography of Ong's 400 or so distinct publications (not counting translations and reprintings as distinct publications), see Thomas M. Walsh' "Walter J. Ong, S.J.: A Bibliography 1929-2006" in the 2011 anthology Language, Culture, and Identity: The Legacy of Walter J. Ong, S.J., edited by Sara van den Berg and Thomas M. Walsh (Hampton Press, pp. 185-245). Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). After 30 years, Western democracies need to reaffirm the results of the Cold War. To do this, democracies need to really defeat Russia! But to do this, residents of Western democracies will have to face a reality in which they do not look as perfect as they imagined. This is the main obstacle to saving Ukraine! Political labyrinth What is happening now in Ukraine is more than a struggle between Russia and the collective West. This is the end of a story that began in 1991, when the USSR collapsed. Then the dominant worldview became the opinion of the sinlessness and invincibility of Western democracies that defeated the Socialist camp without war. Now there is a big question mark in this story since the behavior of Western democracies in Ukraine refutes the image winners of the Cold War. No wonder. After all, during the Cold War, Western democracies created an attractive, but not real, image for themselves. This invented image helped win the Cold War. But victory did not make the winners better. It's the other way around. Left without an opponent, Western democracies stopped supporting the invented but an attractive image. Masks are off! Western democracies showed the world their characteristic features, which turned out to be not ideal. This is so not ideal that many people want to choose something else. This brings back memories of the times when the USSR existed. Then the world could choose between communists and democrats. The Ukrainian tragedy only strengthened this desire. Because the war in Ukraine is the apotheosis of the manifestation of the characteristic features of the Western world. It was not possible to defeat Russia again by deceiving! Now everything is real! NATO turned out to be an instigator but not a reliable ally. And the EU is just a pampered egoist who is not ready to take on all the worries about the wounded Ukraine. The longer the war in Ukraine lasts, the worse the image of Western democracies becomes. It is no longer possible to correct a damaged reputation without radical steps. But are the countries of the collective West capable of this? What Ukraine needs To save Ukraine, it is necessary to introduce military contingents of NATO countries into the territory of this country and possibly enter into a direct armed conflict with Russia. Fortunately, Putin is demonstrating prudence. The Russian leader is fighting without using nuclear weapons. This is one of his steps to emphasize its superiority over the Western world whose leader the US used nuclear weapons. Therefore, a possible war between NATO and Russia will not be fatal for all humanity. If the rules are followed, it will be a fair fight without the use of nuclear weapons. To do this, the results of the war should not threaten the existence of one of the warring parties. Ukraine also needs to be accepted into the EU. This must be done quickly and decisively during the war with Russia. This will require breaking a lot of bureaucratic procedures. But this is a case when the ends justify the means. This will lift the spirit of Ukrainians and unite Europeans in the face of such a big problem as the restoration of Ukraine. The cost of this restoration is very high. But defeating Russia cannot be easy or cheap. Residents of Europe will be forced to test their moral values. This requires that the soul be more important than the stomach. These two steps will lead to the death of voters and large expenses for the budgets of Western countries. But this is not the main difficulty. The biggest test for residents of Western democracies will be the reality that their countries are not as perfect as they previously thought. For many this will be a shock. However, God no longer gives an opportunity for the collective West to win without paying for it! Is it possible for the West to be a real winner? The answer to this question will be given in the near future. Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited, a supplier of agricultural raw materials to Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods), has collaborated with CP Foods' animal feed mills across Thailand to encourage public participation in reporting corn field burning through the For Farm Application. This initiative aims to mitigate PM 2.5 dust from crop burning. It aligns with the Charoen Pokphand Group policy of not purchasing and not importing News / National by George Tshuma In the sinister saga unfolding within Zimbabwe's gold mining industry, Francesco Marconati emerges as a dark specter, casting a menacing shadow over the operations of DGL Investments Number Five (Pvt) Ltd. Despite being a mere minority shareholder, Marconati's malevolent influence looms large, his grip on the company tightening like a vice.In an effort to take back the company from the self-styled Italian mafia boss, legal documents obtained by this publication indicate that the CEO and majority shareholder Xi Mingchang has written to the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department.The self-styled Italian Mafia Boss was on Wednesday convicted of attempting to murder his fellow business partner Li Song.With a shareholding of only 25%, alongside his business partner Li Song, Marconati's ascendancy within DGL Investments Number Five defies rational explanation. The company's share structure, which sees the majority ownership distributed among Xing Mingchang (45%), Wan Ke (10%), and Mark Hughes (20%), should have relegated Marconati to a marginal role. However, reality paints a different pictureone where Marconati's sinister machinations reign supreme.Adding further to the chilling narrative is Marconati's sordid pasta past stained by violence and depravity. Convicted as an attempted murderer by the Harare magistrate court for threatening to kill his very own business partner, Li Song, Marconati's presence within DGL Investments Number Five takes on an even more sinister hue. His actions speak volumes, painting a portrait of a man consumed by greed and devoid of conscience a man for whom the ends justify the most heinous of means.In the face of Marconati's tyranny, legal analyst Nicholas Ncube voices incredulity, questioning how a minority shareholder could wield such disproportionate power. His sentiments echo those of many, who find themselves dumbfounded by Marconati's audacity and ruthlessness.Indeed, Marconati's reign of terror knows no bounds. His tactics bullying, intimidation, and outright criminalityhave transformed DGL Investments Number Five into a battleground, where the forces of good struggle against the tyranny of one man's ambition. It is a tale of greed, betrayal, and moral bankruptcya tale that plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy, with Marconati cast as the villainous protagonist, hell-bent on securing his ill-gotten gains at any cost.But amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of hope a hope that justice will prevail, and Marconati's reign of terror will come to an end. The call for action reverberates through the corridors of power, as voices clamor for the authorities to intervene. Nicholas Ncube's impassioned plea serves as a rallying cry for law enforcement to step in and bring Marconati to account for his crimes.In the annals of Zimbabwe's mining industry, Marconati's name will be remembered as a cautionary talea cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked ambition and unchecked power. For as long as there are those who seek to exploit the vulnerable and trample on the principles of justice, there will be those who stand against themthose who refuse to be cowed by the forces of evil. And it is in their courage and determination that the true hope for a brighter future lies. Reno, Nevada - March 27, 2024 - As the population and businesses in Reno continue to grow, the demand for reliable moving services has risen significantly. Whether it's a local move or a long-distance relocation, the challenges involved in moving can be overwhelming. In such scenarios, hiring a full-service moving company can offer numerous benefits, especially for large moving jobs. Since considerable work is ahead, people have to make numerous decisions London, UK Dynamics Square, a leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner, is proud to announce its commitment to supporting manufacturing companies across the UK with the implementation of Dynamics 365. With a focus on delivering tailored solutions and comprehensive support services, Dynamics Square aims to empower businesses to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and drive growth in the competitive manufacturing landscape. As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve, companies face increasing pressure to Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the worlds most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency. Though he described Bankman-Fried as extremely smart, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the courts probation officers. A major Lane County health care provider owned by the controversial Optum Inc. is informing an untold number of patients that it will no longer treat them. In letters, Oregon Medical Group is telling patients that their doctors have left the practice , and it doesnt have enough other physicians to offer a replacement. A Hillsboro mans sentence of life in prison without parole after his sixth conviction for public indecency the latest for masturbating while on a MAX train in Washington County did not violate the U.S. Constitutions prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, a federal appellate court has ruled. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Oregon U.S. District Judge Ann Aikens decision that Terry E. Iversens sentence was not grossly disproportionate to his offense. This sentence is not constitutionally infirm in light of the gravity of Iversens offense and criminal history, the opinion said. Iversen was prosecuted in Washington County Circuit Court and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2017 after he pleaded guilty to his sixth conviction for public indecency. He also had prior convictions for third-degree rape of a 15-year-old girl and first-degree sodomy of a 12-year-old girl. At the time of his 2017 sentencing, he admitted to three factors that led to his sentencing enhancement: his history showed persistent involvement in a similar crime; prior sanctions had not deterred him from committing new crimes; and he was on supervision for a prior conviction at the time of his latest public masturbation offense. Under Oregon state law, Iversens sixth public indecency conviction, together with his prior felony convictions for rape and sodomy, triggered a presumptive life without parole sentence under an Oregon sex offender recidivism statute, the appellate court found. Iversens lawyers, Oregon Chief Deputy Federal Public Defender Stephen R. Sady and Assistant Federal Public Defender Tihanne K. Mar-Shall argued that people convicted of much more serious crimes, including murder, receive substantially lower sentences in Oregon. They also argued that Iversens mental illness triggered his repeated public indecency. Life without parole for the relatively minor conduct underlying the offense of conviction showing his penis in public does not merit being condemned to die in prison, regardless of prior convictions, they wrote in court briefs. The offense conduct categorically constitutes a misdemeanor in the absence of recidivism. The conduct does not involve physical contact with others and has no common law roots as a serious offense. This is the extreme case of gross disproportion triggering the special constitutional protection for sentences to life without parole. But the federal appellate court found that the state court had considered Iversens multiple felony convictions, acknowledged his mental health record and failure to reform, recognized that the states public safety interest in incapacitating and deterring repeat felons was a legitimate goal and picked a sentence that adhered to Oregons sex offender recidivism law. Washington County Circuit Judge Oscar Garcia told Iversen at his last sentencing that he had been given many opportunities to change but had failed to do so. All we can do is incarcerate you because thats the only thing that works from preventing you to offend again, Garcia said. Iversons case was unlike a 2008 case heard by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed a 28-year prison term for a convicted sex offender in California who faced the more than two-decade prison term under the states three strikes law of failing to register his change of address as required by the states sex offender registration law. In that case, the federal appellate court found the lengthy prison term grossly disproportionate to the offense because the crime was a technical violation of the registration law and harmless. In contrast, Iversen was not convicted of a harmless regulatory offense. Instead, he was convicted of public indecency for the sixth time. This is in addition to his extensive history of sex offenses, the 9th Circuit Court panel ruled. While some fair-minded jurists may disagree on the correctness of Iversens LWOP (life without parole) sentence, the Oregon state courts decision concerning his sentence is not contrary to the Supreme Courts Eighth Amendment jurisprudence. U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo, of the Western District of Texas, was among the three-judge panel for the 9th Circuit that heard the case. Joining him on the panel were Circuit Judges Jacqueline H. Nguyen and Eric D. Miller. Montalvo wrote the opinion. - Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Gresham police arrested a man in a shooting that left one dead Tuesday night, officials said. Myles Menefee, 19, faces likely charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, a police spokesperson said. The Biden administration on Thursday restored rules to protect imperiled plants and animals that had been rolled back under former President Donald Trump. Among the changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for species newly classified as threatened. That means officials wont have to craft time-intensive plans to shield each individual species while protections are pending, as has been done recently with North American wolverines in the Rocky Mountains, alligator snapping turtles in the southeastern U.S. and spotted owls in California. The restoration of more protective regulations rankled Republicans who said the Endangered Species Act was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth. Meanwhile, wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched. The blanket protections rule had been dropped in 2019 as part of a suite of changes to the application of the species law under Trump that were encouraged by industry. Those changes came as extinctions accelerate globally due to habitat loss and other pressures. Another rule Thursday said officials will not consider economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants need protection. The rules from the wildlife service and National Marine Fisheries Service make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations. Species that could benefit from the rules include imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, where the aquatic animals in many cases are absent from portions of their historical range, officials have said. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement that the rule changes underscored the agencys commitment to using the best available science to halt population declines as climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease threaten many species. Details on the rules were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release. Officials said almost a half-million public comments were submitted on the three rules. Environmentalists expressed frustration that it took years for Democratic President Joe Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks. Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again ease protections. Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former Fish and Wildlife Service director and now president at Defenders of Wildlife, characterized Thursdays announcement as a marginal win that restores essential protections for wildlife, but leaves in place some of the changes made in 2019 under Trump. The environmental group said the retained provisions would open the door to the destruction of habitat critical for some species to survive. The rules have gotten strong pushback from Republican lawmakers, who say Bidens Democratic administration has hampered oil, gas and coal development, and favors conservation over development. We know the Endangered Species Act is an outdated piece of legislation that has repeatedly failed its primary goal of recovering listed species, yet Biden is now undoing crucial reforms and issuing new regulations that will not benefit listed species, said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas. Many energy companies, ranchers, developers and representatives of other industries have long viewed the 1973 Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump, they successfully lobbied to weaken the laws regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards. Trump officials also rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves and other species. The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Trumps political appointees used faulty science to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court in 2021. The Endangered Species Act is credited with helping save the bald eagle, California condor and scores more animals and plants from extinction since President Richard Nixon signed it into law. It currently protects more than 1,600 species in the United States and its territories. --The Associated Press When large numbers of gray whales began washing up along North Americas Pacific Coast nearly six years ago, marine scientists could only speculate at the reason: Was it disease? Ocean pollution? Increasing ship collisions? Many of the doomed cetaceans looked skinny or emaciated, while others looked torn up by orcas. Some had clearly died after being struck by a ship, or getting entangled in fishing gear. Still others provided no discernible clues. Now after more than 700 gray whales have washed ashore in Mexico, Canada, California and other U.S. states since late 2018 new research published Tuesday in PLOS One suggests the culprit was a critical drop in food availability in the mammals Arctic and sub-Arctic seafloor feeding grounds. What remains unclear however is whether this malnutrition was caused by a change in the ocean, or the whales themselves. Did something happen to their food supply in those years that put them under acute nutritional stress and which resulted in a lot of whales being in really poor condition and dying? said study co-author Padraig Duignan, a pathologist at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. Or did the number of whales in the population build up to such a level that they have competed with each other for food and then again, a proportion of the population died off because they couldnt compete for the available resources? he said. The research builds on an investigation that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched in early 2019, after declaring the whale deaths an unusual mortality event, or UME. Researchers, observers and stranding coordinators across North America began working together alerting one another to strandings; sending crews to document and collect tissue samples; and performing necropsies (the animal form of an autopsy). The NOAA investigation recorded 690 dead whales since Jan. 1, 2019. However, researchers suspect the true number is thousands more than that. Most whales die at sea and sink to the seafloor, far beyond the sight or reach of humans. Joshua Stewart, a quantitative ecologist at Oregon State Universitys Marine Mammal Institute, who was not an author on the paper, estimates the gray whale population was reduced by half during the most recent mortality event. The population is 14,000 down from 27,000 or so, he said. Thats a big drop. NOAA declared last week that the die-off was over. Every year, California gray whales make a roughly 13,000 mile round-trip journey from the chilly waters of the Arctic to the balmy lagoons of Mexicos Baja Peninsula, and back again. During the summer months, they feed on a smorgasbord of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as shrimp-like copepods, that flourish in the mud and sand of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Here they mate and fill their bellies, readying themselves for the long trip south to the warm, protected nurseries of the shallow Baja estuaries. Along the way, they dodge ships and fishing equipment, navigate polluted waters, and hide from hungry orcas. They also have to contend with biotoxins and infectious diseases. So when researchers began looking at the whales bodies, they tried to determine which of these various calamities was the primary cause of the population die-off. Although other gray whale die-offs have occurred along the Pacific Coast, they have been less closely researched. In 1999 and 2000, 651 whales stranded onshore, but only three whales were necropsied. Another die-off in the late 1980s was studied even less. This time, however, the scientific investigative team was large spread across three nations highly coordinated, and had access to new technologies, such as drones, which enabled them to create a more thorough picture of the whales who died, and those that remained alive. I think funding was a big part of it as well, said Stephen Raverty, a veterinary pathologist with the Marine Mammal Research Unit in British Columbia, and lead author of the study. Its really afforded an opportunity to respond to these animals. And then were always trying to get the information back to the First Nations community or sharing it with the public. And I think that engages more people to actually want to contribute and participate in these efforts. He also gave a nod to co-author Deborah Fauquier, a veterinary medical officer with the national fisheries services Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, Md. He said Fauquier was instrumental in organizing the sharing of information across nations, departments and individuals. But even with such resources, studying whale die-offs is difficult. Despite the hundreds of whales that washed ashore, researchers could only properly examine 61. Thats because the majority of reported carcasses were either discovered weeks or months after the animal had died and were far too decomposed for proper analysis or they were located on remote islands, inaccessible coves, or the prows of ships at sea. Of the 61 whales they examined, researchers determined the cause of death in just over half. Sixteen were severely emaciated and likely died of starvation; 11 died of blunt force trauma although two of those whales were also extremely underweight; at least three bore fatal wounds from killer whales and two were tangled in fishing gear. Overall, 18 whales were considered emaciated, 27 deemed thin, nine average and two fat. In the five others, nutritional state could not be determined. One thing that was clear: The die-off wasnt due to disease. Large animal die-offs are often due to biotoxins, viruses or bacterial infections. The avian flu currently circulating around the globe is one example. The domoic acid outbreak during the summer of 2023, which killed hundreds of sea lions and dolphins, is another. We didnt find any evidence of anything that looks like an infectious disease, said Duignan. There were no telltale signs of infection of any kind. And we did do a lot of testing for viruses, bacteria, toxins, and there was nothing significant. Now, the question is whether the gray whale population will recover, continue to decline, or has hit a level that is sustainable, considering the massive changes occurring in their summer feeding grounds. Raverty noted that during this latest investigation, reports of unusual feeding behavior by the whales was observed relatively frequently. While the biological mantra had always been that gray whales feed only on bottom-dwelling organisms in the northern seas during the summer months and fast for the rest of the year reports came in of gray whales filter feeding and skimming krill off the surface, in places such as San Francisco Bay. The ability of gray whales to adapt has long been known but the frequency with which these behaviors were occurring suggested to some an immediate adaptive reaction to lack of food, or possibly behaviors no one had ever really paid heed. Thats partly what is so exciting about this research, said Raverty. It enabled scientists to build a baseline upon which they can now make comparisons. If we look at another five or 15 years, if we get another recurrence, he said, theyll have this data with which to compare. As for the future and population recovery? The way I think about this is ... these whales arent going away. Theyre not going to go extinct, Stewart said. But if the environment becomes much more marginal, we might just not see as many whales as we have had in the past when we had really robust, productive Arctic [seafloor] habitats. --The Los Angeles Times via The Associated Press Only five years after graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School, Peggy Nagae received a phone call from Minoru Min Yasui, a lawyer and civil rights activist she deeply respected. Yasui wanted to challenge his 1942 conviction for violating curfew laws targeting Americans citizens with Japanese ancestry during World War II. When Min Yasui called me up and said, Could you put together a group of Asian lawyers in Portland to figure out if I can reopen my case? I did that, Nagae said, recalling the conversation from the early 1980s. And the meeting didnt work out so well. But I turned to him and said I would be honored to work on your case, because it would make those three years of torture called law school worthwhile. Born and raised in Boring, Oregon, Nagae said her own Japanese American familys incarceration during World War II and the civil rights movements of the 1960s inspired her to pursue a career in law. During law school, Nagae had heard of the related court cases of Minoru Yasui, Gordon Hirabayashi and Fred Korematsu, even wanting to complete her senior thesis on their outcomes, which were based on exclusionary laws. Each year on March 28, Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon, Nagae affirms her lifes work: the court cases and legacy of Yasui. His pivotal role in challenging exclusionary laws is a reminder of the Japanese American experience during World War II and a lesson to continue fighting for democracy, Nagae said. On March 28, 1942, Yasui, of Hood River, Oregon, was arrested on the streets of downtown Portland for violating curfew. The United States had recently established a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m for everyone of Japanese descent following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Minoru Yasui was only 25 years old when he decided to prove the unconstitutionality of the curfew laws during World War II. Photo courtesy of Holly Yasui. He spent the evening wandering downtown, but it was nearly midnight when Yasui burst into police headquarters, insisting officers arrest him. Familiar with the exclusionary laws at the time, the 25-year-old University of Oregon School of Law graduate wanted to initiate a test case in court. Yasui was a patriot, who believed that the court would vindicate his rights as a U.S. citizen, said Nagae, who continues to work as a lawyer and diversity and inclusion consultant. In his hearing, the courts determined that the curfew could only apply to aliens, not Japanese American citizens. However, the hearing also determined that Yasui was not a citizen, as he had previously worked for the Japanese government at its consulate in Chicago. Yasui was found guilty and spent nine months in solitary confinement at the Multnomah County Jail. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld his conviction in 1943. In 1982, Yasui set out to reopen his case, accompanied by the cases of Hirabayashi and Korematsu. Hirabayashi was arrested in Seattle and convicted of violating curfew and failing to register for departure to an internment camp. Korematsu was arrested in San Leandro, California, and charged with violating evacuation orders to an internment camp, choosing to stay behind with his fiancee and take a new identity. All three cases had been taken to the U.S. Supreme Court and upheld, as the curfew and detention centers were deemed a military necessity. We didnt know what this case was going to entail, Nagae said. It was the case of my generation and certainly in my community. Nagae and the rest of the legal team filed three petitions for Yasui in Portland, Hirabayashi in Seattle and Korematsu in San Francisco asking the courts to correct a fundamental error that had been discovered after sentences had been served. Peggy Nagae spoke at a Minoru Yasui Day event held on March 21, 2024 at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse.Chiara Profenna Materials were found that showed the curfew was based on racial discrimination, not military necessity. The Oregon federal district court overturned his previous convictions in 1986, which were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1987. However, the court did not grant an evidentiary hearing that would have given Yasui the justice he sought. The hearing would have educated people about the fact that the government lied to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Nagae. I was disappointed, Nagae said. Because for me, the governments role is to seek justice, not to win off escape or conceal exculpatory evidence. Hirabayashi and Korematsus names were also cleared in the process, and all three cases became fundamental in challenging the constitutionality of the curfew, internment and exclusionary laws. Nagae worked on the case until 1987, after Yasuis death in 1986, and continued her work on Yasuis legacy well into the present day. Nagae worked on the Minoru Yasui Tribute Project, spearheading the efforts for Yasui to award a Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he received in 2015. The following year, Nagae was also instrumental in the passing of House Bill 4009, which designates March 28 as Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon. She later co-founded the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project in 2018 with Yasuis daughter, Holly Yasui, who passed away in 2021. The organization works to defend civil rights and advance social justice. Nagae spoke last week at a Portland event highlighting the continuing relevance of the cases along with Lorraine K. Bannai, professor emerita and director emerita of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law. The event was sponsored by the Oregon Judicial Department and the Multnomah Bar Association. These are all parts of American history, Bannai said of the cases. And they help us as a country learn from our errors and in turn, learn to avoid repeating them. Bannai contributed to Korematsus case and participated as part of a broader team of lawyers handling all three cases collectively. And I will also say, while young, it was just one of the most extraordinary legal teams, [and] collaborative efforts Ive ever had a chance to work on, Bannai said. Really, incredibly smart, talented, but absolutely dedicated and committed group of people. Bannai and Nagae continue to support the legacies of Yasui, Hirabayashi and Korematsu as well as the present day relevance of their cases, upholding that democracy and freedom have to be fought for every generation. I read some newspaper interviews from 45 years ago that I gave, and Im talking about the same issues that Im talking about now, Nagae said. So, this has been my body of work and the body of work has largely been about seeking justice and equity. Learn more Minoru Yasui Day celebration: Learn more about Yasuis impact and legacy at the upcoming event Advancing Democracy In The Face Of Current Threats at 1 p.m. April 6 at the University of Oregon White Stag Building. More information and tickets can be found here. On exhibit: Visit the Japanese American Museum of Oregon to learn more about Japanese American history in the Pacific Northwest and see the Multnomah County Jail cell where Yasui was held on display. Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiara_profenna The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. News / Regional by Simbarashe Sithole There was drama at Kunaka village in Bindura where a sex-starved man broke into his neighbour's bedroom before begging for sex.The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates courts yesterday where Oliver Kachoro appeared before magistrate Tatenda Masaraunga.He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody to April 3 for sentencing.Prosecutor Carson Kundiona told the court that on March 22 around 02:45 hours Kachoro broke into Cecilia Madaizi (31) found her sleeping, and jumped on top of her before begging for sex.Madaizi refused and cried for help.Kachoro tried to flee but was caught by Madaizi and he removed the t-shirt he was wearing before taking to his heels.Madaizi stormed the police station with Kachoro's t-shirt leading to his arrest. NEW YORK Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCains running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82. The Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering from the party line. Liebermans independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats, the party he aligned with in the Senate. Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years. Lieberman came tantalizingly close to winning the vice presidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges and a Supreme Court decision. He was the first Jewish candidate on a major partys presidential ticket and would have been the first Jewish vice president. He was also the first national Democrat to publicly criticize President Bill Clinton for his extramarital affair with a White House intern. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be McCains running mate. He and McCain were close pals who shared hawkish views on military and national security matters. McCain was leaning strongly toward choosing Lieberman for the ticket as the 2008 GOP convention neared, but he chose Sarah Palin at the last minute after ferocious blowback from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed McCains campaign. Lieberman generated controversy in 1998 when he scolded Clinton, his friend of many years, for disgraceful behavior in an explosive speech on the Senate floor during the height of the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Yet Lieberman later voted against the impeachment of Clinton. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Conn., right, speaks with a reporter at the Capitol in Washington, June 22, 2021.AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File He defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, saying he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart. Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency. In announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman acknowledged that he did not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes and felt his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state and country, not his political party. He had a tortured relationship with Democrats. During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock. It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party, said Lieberman. That is what is desperately needed in Washington now. Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he didnt always agree with the independent-minded Lieberman, he respected him. Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Liebermans principles or his patriotism, Reid said. And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions. Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about Liebermans forays across party lines, which they saw as disloyal. He bolted his party and turned independent after a 2006 Senate primary loss in Connecticut. Liebermans strong support of the Iraq War hurt his statewide popularity. Democrats rejected Lieberman and handed the 2006 primary to a political newcomer and an anti-war candidate, Ned Lamont. Defying Democratic leaders and friends, Lieberman ran successfully for reelection as an independent and drew support from some Republican allies. Lieberman won praise from the White House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans, such as then-New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who himself later ran as an independent. Lieberman made his Senate experience and congressional clout a strong selling point, saying hed fight hard for the states defense jobs and its fair share of federal largesse. The strategy paid off. Lieberman won reelection to a fourth term, even though many of his Democratic allies and longtime friends, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, supported Lamont. Lieberman was candid about what he considered a betrayal by old pals such as Dodd, but the two men later reconciled. After his rebound reelection in 2006, Lieberman decided to caucus with Democrats in the Senate, who let him head a committee in return because they needed his vote to help keep control of the closely divided chamber. But it wasnt long until Lieberman was showing his independent streak and ruffling his Democratic caucus colleagues. Despite the decision of Democrats to let him join their caucus as an independent, Lieberman was an enthusiastic backer of McCain in the 2008 presidential contest. Liebermans speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, struck a deep nerve with many Democrats. Lieberman cast Obama as a political show horse, a lightweight with a thin record of accomplishment in the Senate despite his soaring eloquence as a speaker. In the Senate, during the 3 1/2 years that Sen. Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to ... accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done, Lieberman said at the convention. Eloquence is no substitute for a record, he said. Lieberman campaigned heartily across the country for McCain. Many Democrats considered it a betrayal to Obama and his former party colleagues. Joe Lieberman has said things that are totally irresponsible when it comes to Barack Obama, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a radio interview during the 2008 race. After the election, there was speculation Senate Democrats might strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy branded Liebermans attacks on Obama as beyond the pale. But at Obamas urging, Senate Democrats decided not to punish Lieberman for supporting McCain and the GOP ticket. Obama was eager to strike a bipartisan tone for his presidency and giving Lieberman a pass helped reinforce that message. Yet Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and staunch liberal, called it a slap in the face for millions of Americans who backed Obama. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his hawkish foreign policy views, his pro-defense bent and his strong support for environmental causes. Five weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and later voted in favor of the military invasion of Iraq. His vocal support for the war would later help doom his candidacy in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary. Lieberman tended to vote with Democrats on most issues and was a longtime supporter of abortion rights, a stance that would have proved problematic with conservatives had McCain chosen him as his running mate in 2008. He played a key role in the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security. Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. Lieberman graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven As Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, he was a strong consumer and environmental advocate. Lieberman vaulted into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, Lieberman joined a New York City law firm. Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children. --The Associated Press A Calgary church will be incorporating drag artists and the trans community in its Easter sermon this Sunday, which also falls on Trans Visibility Day. And while the sold-out event, Drag Me to Church, is garnering attention for its creative and inclusive intentions, organizers are also preparing themselves for protests. Rev. Samaya Oakley, the minister with the Calgary Unitarians, says the event has been in the works since the fall after an office administrator suggested they include drag performers into their sermon. When Oakley realized Easter also fell on Trans Visibility Day March 31 she thought it was perfect timing. The church has a long history supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In 2005, several congregants made a 500-foot pride banner to set on the steps of Parliament Hill the day same-sex marriage was legalized. Silvie Small holds up a section of a 500 foot rainbow flag around Parliament Hill in support of same-sex marriage in Ottawa, June 19, 2005. REUTERS/Jim Young Easter Sundays event is a play on Drag Me To functions, which feature drag performers hosting activities like bowling or bingo. This one will feature drag queens and kings performing and telling Easter stories. The service itself is called "TRANSformation: What does transformation mean today?" Resurrection is about affirming who we are, who weve always been, Oakley tells Yahoo Canada. Its not about changing who we are. With the rise of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, transphobia in the world today, Unitarians Universalists have always sided with the side of love. Oakley says the event is a church service, not a drag show, though the performers will play a big part of it. Tickets for Drag Me To Church sold out quickly, with organizers expecting 250 people. They're also prepared for protests across the street, and have been working with police since they started organizing. As drag storytimes become targets of hatred and protest, Calgary Unitarians forges on. They have every right to protest across the street, Oakley says. Well probably bring them tea and coffee if theyd like. There will be a police presence. Story continues Calgary Unitarians Reverend Samaya Oakley. Resurrection is about affirming who we are, who weve always been. Drag artist Liv Brightly: 'Drag is for everybody' Liv Brightly, one of the scheduled performers, says that while she doesnt have a connection to church, shes thrilled to be taking part, especially as a trans person whos recently started transitioning. I believe drag is for everybody and Im excited to be sharing my talents and craft with the church, she says. Brightly says drag performers are about sharing their art and their unique form of talent. She thinks its unnecessary for all-ages drag performances to be targeted, because just like movie ratings, drag artists can modify their work to fit the intended audience. If you tell me its an all-ages showIm going to perform in a nice outfit and Ill perform an all-ages song, she says. (Critics) might not understand that. They might see us being raunchy, which is a form of drag and part of what it is, but we also understand that when youre doing all-ages shows, you have to be respectful to who youre entertaining. The Drag Me to Church event at Calgary Unitarians will also include performances and storytime by artists Indigo, Jessica and Visa De'Klein. Rev. Oakley: Easter is a time to share message of acceptance Oakley says Easter is an ideal time to be sharing the message of acceptance, and hopes that her service inspires that. Every time a child is born, its a holy moment, she says. This divine spark of life comes into being. Who are we to judge what journey this spark of life takes on? Whatever this spark of life takes on is sacred and holy and we need to recognize that. Yaounde, Cameroon (PANA) - Vital food assistance to refugees in Cameroon may cease unless funding shortfalls can be filled, UN humanitarians have warned Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The Mauritius Government on Thursday called on the population to demonstrate solidarity and humanitarian support to the Gaza population, by contributing to the national appeal for the people of Palestine An estimated 13 000 protestors took part in a mass demonstration protesting against planned Government cuts in employee rights and social welfare on February 1 in Helsinki. Photo: Ilona Savitie och Sami Makinen. An estimated 13 000 protestors took part in a mass demonstration protesting against planned Government cuts in employee rights and social welfare on February 1 in Helsinki. Finnish Trade Unions Decide to Extend Strikes for Another Week March 28, 2024 - The Executive Board of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) announced its decision to continue an ongoing national program of political strikes for a further week. The Executive Board will meet again to review the situation and any further continuation of industrial action after Easter. "We have sought a fair and moderate approach from the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, but the Government has turned a deaf ear to employee organisations and is still seeking to implement several industrial policy goals with negative consequences for employees," said Jarkko Eloranta, President of SAK. "Many of these goals will have no impact on employment or on the balance of public finances." Eloranta emphasized that the unions remain willing to call off the strikes at any time if the Finnish Government shows some appreciation for the concerns of employees. The ongoing strikes in the transport and logistic sector have forced some Finnish pulp and paper producers to temporarily halt production at their mills due to the interruption of the rail transportation of wood the primary raw material in the production of pulp for papermaking. Major producers such as Metsa Group, UPM and Stora Enso have announced temporary shutdowns at a number of mills throughout Finland. A total of some 7,000 employees organized in the Industrial Union, the Finnish Transport Workers' Union AKT, Service Union United PAM, the Finnish Construction Trade Union, the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL and the Electrical Workers' Union have been on strike since March 11. SOURCE: SAK and industry reports Photo: (Photo : Pexels/Lukas ) Alaskans are gearing up to receive another round of stimulus checks courtesy of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), an annual distribution based on the state's mining and energy profits from the previous year. As mandated by the state, the PFD aims to provide financial assistance to its citizens, with $1,300 checks already disbursed this year. However, residents have until March 31st to secure their forthcoming stimulus payments from the fund. The Permanent Fund Dividend operates under the purview of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, managing a diverse portfolio spanning real estate, private equity, domestic and foreign equities, and US bonds. As of July 31, 2022, the fund boasted a substantial valuation of $75.08 billion. Looking ahead to 2023, the fund projects allocations of 36% to public stocks, 20% to fixed income, and 17% to various other investments. Despite the PFD's commendable performance, which yielded a five-year return of 9.16% as of July 31, 2022, the fund remains committed to diversification and aims for an average yearly return of at least 5%. However, revenue distribution via the Permanent Fund Dividend is contingent upon various factors, including investment performance and a formula prescribed by Alaskan state law. Read Also: March Brings Unexpected $7,430 Stimulus Checks for Eligible Americans-Find Out If You Qualify Significance of the Stimulus Check for Alaskans This forthcoming stimulus check holds significant importance for thousands of Alaskans and their families, offering a financial lifeline during uncertain economic times. With a population of approximately 736,000, a vast majority of whom are citizens, this additional income provides much-needed relief. Notably, Alaska's income inequality, with a Gini index of 0.437, falls below the national average. To qualify for the stimulus check, residents must meet specific eligibility criteria, including enrollment in the 2023 Permanent Fund Dividend program, absence of previous distributions in 2023, residency in Alaska for the full calendar year, and compliance with criminal status requirements. The payment schedule for the stimulus checks is as follows:- "Eligible-Not Paid" status on February 7, 2024, will result in checks being sent out on February 15, 2024.- "Eligible-Not Paid" status on March 13, 2024, will result in checks being sent out on March 21, 2024.- "Eligible-Not Paid" status on April 10, 2024, will result in checks being mailed out on April 18, 2024. Anticipation Builds for Vital Economic Support As the deadline approaches, Alaskans eagerly await the arrival of their stimulus checks, providing much-needed financial assistance and reaffirming the state's commitment to supporting its residents during challenging times. With economic uncertainty prevailing, these payments offer a glimmer of hope for families across Alaska. Related Article: Boost Your Tax Refund: IRS Raises EITC Payments to $7,400, Check If You're Eligible In a significant financial development, Ghana has received a boost with the disbursement of a US$300 million loan facility from the World Bank. The funds have been officially released for budgetary support, marking a crucial milestone in the countrys economic recovery efforts. The substantial amount was credited to the account of the Central Bank of Ghana today, Wednesday, March 27, 2023. This injection of foreign capital comes as part of the Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation, aiming to bolster crisis response and resilience in Ghana amidst ongoing economic challenges. This disbursement represents the initial tranche of a planned series of three operations, each amounting to $300 million, from the World Bank. The subsequent tranches are expected to follow in due course, further supporting Ghanas efforts to navigate the current economic landscape and enhance its resilience to future crises. The release of this much-needed financial support is anticipated to have a positive impact on the Ghanaian economy, providing valuable resources for critical government expenditures and initiatives. As the country continues to address economic challenges and pursue sustainable development goals, the timely arrival of these funds is poised to contribute significantly to Ghanas ongoing recovery efforts. This latest development underscores the World Banks commitment to supporting Ghana in its journey towards economic stability and resilience. With the receipt of this substantial loan facility, Ghana is poised to strengthen its financial position and advance its efforts towards sustainable growth and development. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The '1 student, 1 tablet' initiative by the government, supported by the All Teachers Alliance Ghana (ATAG), marks a positive stride towards digitalization amidst the global shift towards technology integration in education. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled plans to distribute Smart Tablets to 1.3 million Senior High School (SHS) students nationwide, as part of the Ghana Smart Schools Project launched in Accra on Monday. The initiative aims to equip students under the free SHS policy with crucial technological skills, aligning with the governments commitment to leveraging technology for educational advancement. The ATAG Chairman, Mr. Isaac Ofori emphasized the importance of providing students with essential tools like tablets in the digital age to facilitate their transition into digital learning environments. However, he also urged the government to address the shortcomings in basic schools, emphasizing the significance of a strong foundation for students' success in SHS. In addition, ATAG has expressed solidarity with the ongoing teachers' strike, advocating for improvements in teachers' conditions of service. They called upon the government to not only agree to proposals on paper but also to implement direct benefits to teachers through their pay slips, similar to other allowances. Source: Sika Ayim/ Peace FM Newsroom 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 TORONTO Canada Post has released a stamp featuring Middle Eastern cookies to commemorate an annual festival that marks the end of a holy month for Muslims. The Crown corporation says Canadians can use the stamps to send greetings ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a four-day Islamic festival in April that follows Ramadan, a holy month many Muslims spend fasting from sunrise to sunset and volunteering for charities. The stamps feature cookies called maamouls that are baked and consumed by Muslims across the world during times of celebration and can be traced back to ancient Egypt. This is the sixth stamp issued by Canada Post that celebrates a festival marked by many of the two million Muslims living in the country. The corporation says the stamp is also one of several it releases each year to mark celebrations important to Canada's diverse communities, such as Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas. Canada Post says its latest stamp can also be used to celebrate the Muslim festival called Eid al-Adha in June, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2024. The Canadian Press The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations, Louisa Atta-Agyemang (Mrs.) on March 28, 2024 rounded up a three-day working visit to the Greater Accra, Volta and Oti Regions. She ended the tour in the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region where she expressed satisfaction with the limited rollout of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Biometric Membership Authentication System (BMAS). The working visit was a follow-up monitoring of the BMAS project piloted in some selected 40 credentialed healthcare provider sites nationwide. She visited the Dangme West Community Complex Medical,. Ayikuma CHPS compound, Tapa Amanya CHPS compound, Jasico College Clinic, Kitikpa Community Clinic Hohoe and Hohoe Adabraka Health Centre where the limited rollout of the Biometric Membership Authentication System is ongoing. The ultimate goal of the BMAS limited rollout is to test how the system will function in urban and rural settings as far as network connectivity and the systems performance are concerned. A complete rollout of the BMAS by mid-May, 2024 will ensure the development of accurate reimbursable Claims submitted for healthcare services rendered to NHIS members. The BMAS is spearheaded by the NHIA MIS Directorate in collaboration with Margins Ghana Limited and the Project Director is the Ag. Director, MIS, Daniel Blankson with the Ag. Deputy Director, Business Systems, MIS, Joe Annor-Darkwah as the Project Coordinator. Staff engagements The visit also afforded Mrs. Atta-Agyemang the opportunity to interact with and hear directly from NHIS district management teams and their expectations from Executive Management. She acknowledged the hard work of the NHIS district management teams and the frontline staff saying, "Let's lift the NHIS to an enviable position." She emphasized that staff loyalty wouldn't go unnoticed and reassured them of Executive Management's determination to address some of their operational challenges. At the various NHIS district offices, the Management Information Systems (MIS) Directorate Ag. Director, Mr. Daniel Blankson, Ag. Director of Operations in the Coastal Belt, Mr. Bernard Brown and the Ag. Deputy Director, Business Systems, MIS, Joe Annor-Darkwah responded to some legitimate concerns raised by staff. According to the DCE Operations, the NHIA is on course to achieve the objective of providing financial risk protection against the cost of quality healthcare services for NHIS members. Tapa Amanya CHPS compound Staff of the Tapa Amanya CHPS compound in the Oti Region were inspired by the Deputy Chief Executive Operations, Louisa Atta-Agyemang's visit to their office. Recognizing her as the youngest NHIA Deputy Chief Executive for Operations, the elated staff said her visit had rekindled their spirit of accepting to work in the deprived community. Louisa Atta- Agyemang (Mrs.) praised the Nurses for their selflessness to the community's development, especially, combining taking care of their babies and attending to people. In a related development at the Tapa Amanya CHPS compound, it was an amazing moment meeting Madam Rose Ansah, a former bonded NHIS premium collector at the Tapa Amanya community, from 2005 to 2012. The NHIA DCE Operations was informed that Madam Rose Ansah was a dedicated and faithful premium debt collector, who still helps in community mobilization during NHIS mass membership registration in the Tapa Amanya and other satellite communities. MyNHIS App campaigns Throughout the working visit, Louisa Atta-Agyemang (Mrs.) reinforced the importance of using the self enrollment platform known as MyNHIS App for multiple registrations and expired membership renewals. Anywhere she went, the DCE Operations reminded the NHIS District management teams to intensify campaigns on the MyNHIS App and the Mobile Renewal Service platform as means to decongest the district offices. Interacting with some pregnant women at the Jasikan NHIS District Office in the Oti Region, the DCE Operations educated them on the significance of the MyNHIS App and the Mobile Renewal Service platform and urged them to take advantage of the systems in renewing their expired NHIS membership and doing fresh registrations. Jasikan MCE courtesy call As part of the tour, the DCE Operations conferred with the Jasikan Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Elizabeth Kessewa Anim Adjornor. The Jasikan MCE called for proactive measures to retool the Jasikan NHIS District Office to enable the staff to improve their performance in increasing the Scheme's active membership. Louisa Atta-Agyemang (Mrs.) said the NHIA Executive Management is poised to ensure that the Scheme remains Ghana's leading vehicle to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by the year 2030. Accompanying the DCE Operations were the NHIA Management Information Systems (MIS) Directorate Ag. Director, Mr. Daniel Blankson, Ag. Director, Coastal Belt, Mr. Bernard Brown, Ag. Deputy Director, Business Systems, MIS, Joe Annor-Darkwah, Ag. Senior Manager Corporate Affairs (CAF), Abdul Karim Naatogmah, Senior Manager, DCE Operations Secretariat, Edmund Obeng Amaning and a staff of the MIS Directorate, Nusrat Gyasi. 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 The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has implored striking teachers to reconsider their action and return to the classroom. The ongoing Teacher Union strike is a disappointing situation that could have been avoided, he lamented. He took a swipe at the National Labor Commission and Education Ministry for failing to avoid the strike. The National Labor Commission was aware of the looming threat of a strike but failed to take necessary action to avert it. The Ministry of Education, which has been doing an incredible job under President Akufo-Addo, cannot be excused for dropping the ball on this matter, he said but urged the teachers not to bargain their students future. He stressed; While we respect the Teacher Unions' right to strike, it is unfair to leverage their pupils' education to drive their bargain. This is excessive and unfair to the pupils. He further pleaded with the teachers to focus on the governments good works for them and resume work. The government has done a lot for teachers, including terminating the punitive 3-month policy inherited from the NDC and introducing the Professional Teacher Allowance of GHC 1,200 for professional and GHC 600 for non-professional teachers. This avoidable deadlock must not be allowed to taint the government's unprecedented investment, totaling GHC 114.5 billion, in the educational sector. Three teacher unions have begun a nationwide strike on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, over what they describe as the governments disregard for their service conditions. The three teacher unions are the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT). The unions' decision is driven by several unresolved issues, including the persistent delay in salary payments, arbitrary alterations to academic timetables without proper consultation, and the protracted postponement of providing laptops to educators. The national president of GNAT, Isaac Owusu, stated in a citinewsroom.com report that all teachers must heed the directive. He also expressed significant concern over the distribution of laptops, the frequent changes to the school calendar without engaging teacher unions, and the obstruction of teachers' salaries by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, bypassing established procedures, as some of the reasons for their strike. The distribution of laptops to all teachers is of concern. The rampant changes in the school calendar without recourse to negotiation with the teacher unions are affecting the smooth operation of the service. Also, the blockage of teacher salaries by the Office of the Special Prosecutor without recourse to the laid down procedures is a major worry. In the light of the above circumstances and given the delays and unfulfilled promises on the part of the employer and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and also threats from the rank and file of our members we, the pre-tertiary teacher unions, do stand with our members and hereby declare a nationwide industrial action effective today, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to press home our demand, he stated. 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 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. The Ghana Police Service mourns three gallant officers who lost their lives in a tragic accident on 27th March 2024, at Kyekyewere, near Suhum in the Eastern Region, on the Accra - Kumasi Highway, while on their way for Police operational duties. The deceased officers; Chief Inspector Michael Adzaho, PW Inspector Theresa Zampiah and General Corporal Emmanuel Asamoah were with the Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the Ghana Police Service. One other officer, General Corporal Samuel Jude Koufie sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention. In line with our tradition, members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) visited the families of the deceased officers to formally inform and commiserate with them. The Inspector General of Police, who personally led some POMAB members to the FPU to formally inform personnel of the Unit about the tragic incident and interact with them, spoke on the phone with family members of the three (3) deceased personnel. On behalf of the entire Ghana Police Service, the Police Administration wishes to assure the families of our fallen heroes that our thoughts and prayers are with them in these trying moments. May the souls of our dearly departed colleagues rest in perfect peace. Police said. source: Theannouncergh.com 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 The Cyber Security Expert Association of Ghana (CSEAG) is cautioning politicians and political parties on the possible use of advanced technology to manipulate and undermine our democracy. According to the President of the Cyber Security Expert Association of Ghana, Issaka Abubakar, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other forms of cyber tools to attack individuals or political parties to destabilize the security of the country or threaten the election process. Emphasizing the advent of artificial intelligence technology can be used to manipulate and undermine our democracy. Despite the advantages of Artificial Intelligence, there are many new challenges, and some of them are very dangerous elections. Citing the recent incidents of deep fake being used to create false or misleading pictures and video content of politicians, journalists, and media houses in the country, which caused harm to the victims and caused confusion and outrage among the public. These acts do not only affect our national security but also democratic values and principles. In an interview with Peace FM News, Mr. Abubakar stated that this technology can be used for the creation of deceptive content that often portrays individuals engaged in actions they never actually performed. The abuse of this technology can cast doubt on the authenticity of media content, particularly as we approach this year's election. We need to guild against the use of this technology in our electoral processes to avoid the creation of mistrust between the media and the public, defamation, and the spreading of falsehood. Mr. Abubakar stressed the need for immediate action to deal with these multifaceted AI threats and safeguard the sanctity of Ghanas democratic process by constituting an independent committee to verify AI-powered acts that seek to undermine this years campaign process. He appealed to all political parties in Ghana to uphold cyber integrity and adhere to ethical standards in the run-up to the upcoming elections. And media houses and journalists, seek assistance from professionals to verify and authenticate information before releasing it to the public. Furthermore, urged all political parties in Ghana to refrain from engaging external experts who may have ulterior motives or hidden agendas to influence this year's campaign process leading to elections. And caution all cyber security experts in Ghana not to allow politicians to use them to carry out any malicious act that can jeopardize the election. Source: Sika Ayim/ Peace FM Newsroom Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah has commended Drive to InspireAfrica for its focal role in inspiring and monitoring the youth, particularly girls. Drive to InspireAfrica, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with the overarching objective of motivating and challenging teenagers and young adults (especially girls) to reach their God-given potential. Speaking at a fundraising event in Accra on Wednesday, 27th March, Dr. Eric Nkansah pledged to rally support to expand the organisations noble mission. He said, "Your dedication to inspiring and mentoring teenagers and young adults, particularly girls, is truly commendable and deserving of celebration. It reflects a commitment to nurturing future leaders who will positively impact their homes, communities, and countries. As we unite to empower and mentor African youth, particularly girls, we recognise the transformative potential in widening their horizons. This formal launch marks a pivotal stride in enhancing education in Ghana, fostering collaboration, and shaping a brighter future. Together, let us forge an educational landscape that equips our students with the skills to excel and contribute meaningfully to Ghanas development. The United Nations resident coordinator, Charles Abbani, mentioned that, Ghanas greatest asset for its self-reliant future lies in its people. Thus, investing in human capital lies at the heart of the United Nations mission. He added that, Ghanas greatest asset lies in its people. Investing in their potential and empowerment is fundamental to our mission. By nurturing human capital, we pave the way for a self-reliant future, where every individual can contribute meaningfully to our nations prosperity and resilience. He added that, amid the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 17 on partnerships stands as a linchpin for progress. With focus on key areas like food systems, energy, and education underscores the UNS commitment to transformative action. As we strive to achieve our goals, partnerships play a pivotal role, particularly highlighted by SDG 17. Collaboration allows us to address critical challenges such as education and climate change effectively. Together, we can harness the collective power of diverse stakeholders to drive transformative impact and create a brighter future for all, he said. On her part, founder of Drive to Inspire-Africa, Nana Adjoa Hackman recounted how the NGO was established. In July, 2023, I marked my 45th birthday with the incorporation of drive to inspire Africa. A whole lot has happened since then. I applied to KPMG and asked them to come on board as a partner accountability partner. Thankfully, they did. So did the Ghana Education Service. Statistics like the fact that almost 60% of the population of our continent is under the age of 25 and youth unemployment is more than double that of adult unemployment, underscored for me the critical point that in order for Africa to achieve the level of transformation that we all desire, the mindset of our youth must be transformed. They must be inspired, motivated, guided and supported to not only learn, but also to have an unshakable can do spirit. They must be free to dream and they must be guided to have the courage to manifest their dreams. This is why we picked the tagline inspiring minds, empowering youths empowering youths transforming Africa ladies and gentlemen, the vision the mission of drive to inspire is to build a generation of confident and capable leaders on our continent using the transformative forces of education and mentorship, she said. She announced that the NGO will soon start a scholarship programme. We believe in the mantra that society must not only prepare a better future for the youth but must also prepare the youth to build a better future for themselves. We have set out to achieve this through our activities, which include career guidance, character building and personal development talks, adolescents health education and mentorship for girls. In a few months, with your kind help, we will be starting our scholarship program. It no doubt is a worthy course. The idea is to establish a template that works in the three regions we currently operate in Greater Accra, eastern and central, and then scale up to cover the rest of Ghana while developing a franchise system to run that template in other countries in Africa as well, she said. The event which took place on (Wednesday 27th, March) at the Alisa Hotel, served as both the official launch and first fundraiser. The initiative aims to empower African youth and drive transformative impact across communities. The ceremonial unveiling of the plaque was gracefully carried out by the founder, accompanied by esteemed partners such as KPMG, Ghana Education Service, Devtraco Estate, alongside other valued collaborators. The symbolic gesture marked a moment of collective recognition and celebration, underscoring the collaborative spirit and shared commitment towards the initiatives mission and goals. About Drive to Inspire Drive to Inspire-Africa was established by Nana Adjoa Hackman in July 2023, the initiative was born amidst a milestone birthday celebration. The initiative seeks to mentor teenagers and young adults, especially girls between the ages of 13 and 25 years. Drive to Inspire-Africa, believes in the societys role to empower the youth to shape their own futures. Through career guidance, character building, personal development talks, health education, and mentorship for girls, the initiative aims to achieve this objective. With the forthcoming scholarship program of Drive to Inspire-Africa, which will further establish cause; they plan to establish a scalable model in Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central regions, expanding across Ghana and beyond, with a franchise system for broader African impact. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Rwanda has received 57 Eritrean and 35 Sudanese asylum seekers, days after 91 other refugees and asylum seekers arrived in the country from Libya. The 183 refugees and asylum seekers will remain in Rwanda pending the processing of their resettlement applications, the UN's refugee agency said on Wednesday. The arrivals are part of a programme supported by the UN's refugee agency, African Union and European Union. Since 2019, the programme has sent more than 2,200 refugees and asylum seekers of various nationalities from Libya to Rwanda. Over 1,600 of them have been resettled in the US and across Europe. The latest arrival of the refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda comes as the UK attempts to pass new legislation that would allow it to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. The UK Supreme Court had earlier quashed the plan, terming it unlawful. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wuntumi, has reassured his party faithful that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is poised to break the 8-year electoral cycle. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP affirmed that power will not transition to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and their flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama. I can assure you that in 2024 we are breaking the 8, they delayed us in 2008 but they cant stop us, we are more united than before. They can't stop us; we are united and we are breaking the 8. We are not going to give it to you. John Dramani Mahama you are not the option, we are not going to give it to you to spoil the good work that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has done. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is going to succeed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he said during the inauguration of the Ashanti Region NPP campaign team over the weekend. Joining the chorus of confidence, the Campaign Chairman of the NPP ahead of the 2024 general elections, Dan Kwaku Botwe, assured supporters that the party remains united and focused on victory. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the successful internal elections at various levels of the party hierarchy, underscoring the unity within the NPP. "We are not divided at all, we have had successful polling station elections, successful electoral elections, successful constituency elections, successful regional elections, successful national elections, and successful presidential elections. We are united, and we will do it at the right time, he said. Source: ghanaweb.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 The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed displeasure over what it describes as judicial bias in the scheduling of political cases by the Supreme Court. The NDC asserted that, the Chief Justices decision to prioritise the hearing of a case filed by the MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, over an earlier case filed by Richard Dela Sky against the anti-gay bill, is troubling. According to the NDC, the case filed by Richard Dela Sky challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, should have been heard first, as it was filed two weeks before Dafeamekpors case, which questions the constitutionality of recent ministerial nominations. It is recalled that, a private legal practitioner and media personality, Richard Dela Sky filed his writ of summons in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, on March 5, 2024, whereas the South Dayi MP filed his writ of summons on March 18, 2024, challenging the constitutionality of the latest ministerial nominations by the president. This, according to the NDC, is two weeks clear, yet, the court has scheduled to hear the latter first. In a statement convened by the General Secretary of the party, Fifi Kwetey, the NDC argued that the scheduling order of the two cases undermines the principle of judicial independence and suggests a potential bias towards the government. He said, Given the recent political deadlock that these two legal suits have created between the Executive arm and the Legislative arm of government, one would have expected that the date of filing of the cases would have informed the timing of their hearing by the apex Court. Yet, for some strange reasons, the case of Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor which was last in time to be filed, has been hurriedly listed for hearing, while that of Richard Dela Sky which predated the Dafeamekpor case by two weeks, has not been listed for hearing at all. This is in spite of the fact that no application for abridgement of time has been filed by any of the parties in the Dafeamekpor case, he stated. Fifi Kwetey further alleged that the delay is a ploy by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, to keep the anti-gay bill on the shelves for as long as she wants. Its quite apparent, that this is a ploy by the Chief Justice to fast-track the determination of the suit filed by Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor, while the determination of the Richard Dela Sky suit is deliberately and unduly delayed, to enable the President to shelve the crucial Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill that has been passed by Parliament. The arbitrary exercise of administrative discretion by the Chief Justice, particularly in the scheduling of cases in the Supreme Court, goes to fortify the high perception of bias on the part of the judiciary. Such judicial manipulations go to confirm the growing public perception that the current Chief Justice is a pliant accomplice and abettor of the misrule of the despotic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, Fifi Kwetey added. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Member of Parliament of Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has criticised the current Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, accusing her of engaging in judicial thuggery. According to Sam George, the Chief Justice's decision to hear the case filed by the South Dayi Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, is a deliberate attempt to delay the hearing of the suit filed earlier by Richard Dela Sky. It is recalled that after the passage of the Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, otherwise known as the Anti-Gay bill, media personality and private legal practitioner, Richard Dela Sky, challenged the bill at the Supreme Court. Sam Nartey George wondered why the Chief justice will decide to hear the suit by Rockson Dafeamekpor restraining the Speaker to stop the vetting of the newly appointed ministers by the President Akufo Addo, which he believes, came way after Richard Dela skys supreme court filing. Taking to his X platform, Sam George wrote, "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the current Chief justice is engaged in judicial thuggery and poses an existential threat to the dispensation of justice in an equitable, fair, and just manner." He added that, he suspects some political influences at the Supreme Court, an act he believes should not be entertained as it is appears detrimental to the democracy in Ghana. "Such partisan behaviour at the apex our judiciary must not be entertained and must be condemned with all the force reasonable people can muster. "Judicial gangesterism is a precursor for the breakdown in the dispensation of justices and the doctrine of the rule of law,'' he stated. According to the one of the proponent of the bill, there is a need to offer proper discretion in the process of dispensing justice. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the current Chief Justice is engaged in judicial thuggery and poses an existential threat to the dispensation of justice in an equitable, fair, and just manner. Such partisan behaviour at the apex of our judiciary must not bebe entertained and must be condemned with all the force reasonable people can muster. Sam 'Dzata' George (@samgeorgegh) March 27, 2024 Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Residents of the capital, Port-au-Prince, are facing a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by surges of gang violence [Reuters] A new report by the UN describes the "outrageous practices" used by gangs in Haiti to brutalise, punish and control the civilian population. It says that the gangs, which are estimated to control more than 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, recruit and abuse children, sometimes killing those who try to escape. UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk chief said the situation was "cataclysmic". He warned that weapons continue to pour into the country. Warning: Some readers may find the details in this article distressing. The report published on Thursday found that there had been a significant increase in armed violence caused by criminal gangs in the five months leading up to March. Gangs used sexual violence in particular to spread fear in areas where they fought for control, it says: "During gang attacks, several women and girls have been subjected to rape, including collective rape, in their homes, often after having witnessed the killing of their husbands." It adds that some of the rape victims had been mutilated or killed after the attacks. According to the report, Haiti's armed criminal gangs also inflicted violence on children. The victim in one particular incident was a three-month-old baby while in a surge of violence in an area of the capital previously considered relatively safe, entire families were burned alive in their homes. The report focussed in particular on the months from September 2023 to the end of February. It found that armed violence caused by criminal gangs had "significantly increased in intensity" and the gangs had expanded their geographic reach. Many people have been confined to their homes due to the violence, so getting aid in is crucial [Courtesy of ICRC] Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation for Haiti, Marisela Silva, said that almost 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, was now controlled by or under the influence of armed groups. Ms Silva described how there had been a shift in the violence in recent weeks as rival armed groups appeared to have united and were now attacking the police rather than each other. Story continues She warned that the population was caught in the crossfire. With so much of the capital under the control of armed groups, access to emergency services has become almost non-existent. "There are only two ambulances that are able to circulate in the proximity of the areas affected by the armed violence," she said. Aid operations in the capital have also been hampered by ambushes along key access routes. Ms Silva said the ICRC had managed to access its medical supplies after "a very complex operation that included dialogue with various armed groups". The ICRC follows strict security protocols when moving around Port-au-Prince [Courtesy of ICRC] "We need to be able to bring what is needed to those in the field," she stressed, recognising that even though the ICRC's neutral and impartial approach had succeeded in building trust it was not always possible to gain access to areas controlled by the armed groups. "We don't have armed protection, our only way of preventing security incidents is through a dialogue with all actors," Ms Silva said. The Haiti delegation head said that she was worried the humanitarian situation in Haiti could deteriorate even further as more and more people are displaced and struggle to access safe drinking water, food and even the most basic health services. "Haiti is prone to epidemics, such as cholera. If there is no safe water, if there is no minimum hygiene, then there is a risk of that," she warned. The Supreme Court has dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to prevent Parliament from proceeding with the vetting of new Ministers nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. In a unanimous decision today, a five-member panel of the court held that the application was frivolous and an abuse of the court process. The applicant, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Member of Parliament for South Dayi, had sought to halt the vetting process in Parliament pending the determination of his suit challenging the constitutionality of the President's decision to reassign Ministers without Parliament's involvement. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the MP's case had no direct relevance to the nominees currently before Parliament, as it primarily concerns reassigned Ministers. Source: Graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video John Boadu has jumped to the defence of NDC guru, Kwesi Ahwoi over the latter's comments regarding John Dramani Mahama and his Running Mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. Kwesi Ahwoi, delivering a speech at a reception organized last Thursday by the Churchstreet group of NDC faithful for Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, asked the Running Mate to ready herself to be President of Ghana. Mr. Ahwoi gave the impression that Mahama may suffer the same fate as the late President Atta Mills, hence may not finish his four-year term should he become President, thereby giving Prof. Jane Naana the opportunity to taking over the reins of government. The NDC stalwart has however apologized for his comments saying I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections". He added; I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement. But John Boadu says he doesn't understand why Kwesi Ahwoi would render an apology as, to him, the latter spoke nothing but the truth. According to him, Kwesi Ahwoi only voiced the things in his mind and didn't have to apologize for it. John Boadu asked "why are you apologizing?", stressing what Mr. Ahwoi expressed publicly was an initial thought and precaution to the National Democratic Congress as there is a precedent where a sitting President couldn't end his term, referring to the late John Evans Atta Mills. The former NPP General Secretary and current Director-General of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) argued it is a known fact that Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has supporters who like her to succeed Mahama, therefore wondering what is wrong if Kwesi Ahwoi tells it publicly. "The context is right. He spoke the truth...I don't believe he should have apologized," he insisted on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Wednesday morning. 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. Featured Video Former Deputy Attorney-General and Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has expressed grave displeasure about the Attorney-General Godfred Dame, for the way and manner he went about applying for the expeditious hearing of the injunction application by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor against the consideration of the new ministers of President Akufo-Addo. Dr. Ayine explained that, when the A-G applies for an abridgment of time in a case filed at the court, it is paramount to serve notice to the lawyer for the other party in order to prevent any form of surprises. According to the learned lawyer and legislator, the lawyer for the applicant for the injunction was not informed in this particular case. If you apply for a speedy hearing of the case you ought to serve the lawyer for the other party, that was not what was done in this particular case. He said to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, March 27, It is unethical to ambush the lawyer for the other party. In an earlier statement, the Attorney-General, Mr Godfred Dame had said that he applied for a speedy hearing of Dafeamekpors injunction application against the consideration of the ministerial nominees. Mr. Godfred Dame explained that the Court Act and the Constitution permit a party to a case to apply for expeditious hearing of the case hence he does not understand the criticism against the Supreme Court for hearing this matter quickly. The Attorney-Generals comments come on the heels of the backlashes by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonorr, in the scheduling of political cases in the Supreme Court. The NDC accused her of being biased against them. The partys concern was with regards to the listing of the case filed by Mr Dafeamekpor, for hearing, ahead of the case of Richard Dela Sky v. the Parliament of Ghana and the Attorney-General. According to a statement issued by the NDC on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, it was intriguing that Richard Dela Sky filed his writ of summons in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, on the 5th of March 2024. This was almost two (2) clear weeks before Hon. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor filed his writ of summons on 18th March, 2024 challenging the constitutionality of the latest ministerial nominations by the President. Speaking to Journalists in Accra after the Supreme Court dismissed Dafeamekpors application, A-G Godfred Dame said, the duty to fix the date for the hearing rests with the registry of the Supreme Court and I do not understand where this business of people actually scrutinizing when applications are fixed for hearing or why this case has not been fixed for hearing, came from. Back in the day, if you file an application in the Supreme Court of Ghana it takes you even three months for you to get a date for a hearing. It is only after a party has made an application for an expeditious determination of the process that the matter will come up for hearing. Even the record show that in this particular case, I specifically applied for an expeditious determination of the matter so it is not the Supreme Court of Ghana picking and choosing which location should hear and not to hear. My first application for an expedited hearing of a matter in the Supreme Court, I did it way back in 2006 and I did another one in 2013 when we were in opposition. So it is always the prerogative of the Supreme Court registry to fix applications for hearing and if the date for the hearing has not been fixed or it is too far it is incumbent on the party to apply for the CJ in accordance with the court act and constitution for an expedited hearing. He further described the injunction application by Dafeamekpor against the consideration of the ministerial nominees, as frivolous and an abuse of the court process after stating that it was an application was an attempt to frustrate the work of the government. Asked why it appears he is taking a keen interest in only matters that favor the government and not filing for an expedited hearing in the application against anti-gay bill, Mr. Dame said we have filed a relevant affidavit in opposition in that matter, so I think all these comments are unwanted and indeed are baseless. We actually filed our opposition to the affidavit in answer to the Richard Sky matter before we filed the affidavit in answer today to this one." It is most instructive that parliament itself was opposed to this application for interlocutory injunction by Dafeamekpor and I find it very interesting because the same Speaker of Parliament who earlier on adjourned proceedings in my view wrongly, on account of the pendency of this application then later on somersaulted and came to the supreme court and opposed the application and that is a point of interest to me. I think it shows clearly that the application clearly was frivolous and it ought not to be any manipulation of what went on in court, even parliament itself was opposed to the application. He further added, It is most unfortunate that persons who file processes before the court and then fail to take an interest in it. Indeed even when the same application for interlocutory injunction is pending has not been determined, a day before they proceed to go and file another application for interlocutory injunction, there cannot be a greater demonstration of a desire to abuse the court process than this. Clearly, it shows an attempt to frustrate the republic from pursuing its business and all. That is why it is necessary that as lawyers for the Republic, we take a keen interest in what happens and we make sure that such things are dealt with so that the state business can proceed. On Wednesday, March 27 the Supreme Court dismissed an injunction application filed by Dafeamekpor against Parliaments approval of ministerial nominees by President Akufo-Addo. By a unanimous decision, the apex Court said the injunction application is frivolous and an abuse of the court process. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor had filed an injunction restraining Parliament from vetting and approving new ministers as well as reshuffled ministers given various portfolios. He was praying the court to deem the action by President Akufo-Addo as unconstitutional. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has disclosed that there are currently 10,720 housing units in the Greater Accra Region that are at various levels of development to help reduce Ghanas housing deficit. He made the disclosure when he led the staff of the Ministry to inspect ongoing construction works at the various sites on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Speaking to journalists during the inspection exercise, the Minister emphasized that with a current urban population of 58 percent, an urbanization rate of 3.3 percent, and a housing deficit of 1.8 million units, the pressing issue of housing has become a critical developmental challenge for the country, that which needs addressing urgently. Giving details on the scope of the housing projects, the Ofoase-Ayeribi lawmaker highlighted various initiatives underway with a specific focus on key areas such as the Tema Development Company (TDC) Affordable housing enclave in Kpone and Community 22, Pokuase, Tessano, and Lartebiokorshie. More than 10,000 units of property are under development in various stages. Under the TDC Affordable Housing enclave, weve already done about 1,072 and were just about to start work on phase IV which is about 800. In Community 22 weve already done 300 heading to 400 and then theyre going to start the next phase which brings it to about 600." He said, in Pokuase, there are about 8,000 though theyre behind schedule. In Tesano weve got about 320 that are almost completed and in Lartebiokorshie weve got about 100 units. So by the time all of it is completed, this should give us more than 10,000 units. The housing deficit has been a pressing issue in Ghana for many years. This lack of affordable housing has led to substandard living conditions among Ghanaians. However, the construction of these new housing units, according to the Minister is part of a broader government initiative aimed at increasing housing stock and bringing down rental prices. He said the types of housing units being constructed vary from single-family homes to subsidized 1, 2 and 3 housing units. This variety aims to cater for the diverse needs and income levels of the population. The sector minister said the Ministry is working collaboratively with private sector developers and stakeholders to expedite construction and bring these housing units to market as soon as possible. He said the government is also exploring additional avenues to construct more affordable houses to bridge the 1.8 million deficit. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Akwaaba Festival earmarked to celebrate Ghanas rich culture through music, food and accessories was climaxed with an auspicious awards night on Friday, March 8, 2024 to honor Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi and other notable figures who have taking notable steps in service to humanity and showcasing the beauty of the motherland. The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in a joint effort with National Commission on Culture (NCC), Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), and Ceejay Multimedia hosted a large number of people from Ghana and the Diaspora at the National Theatre for the three day event which commenced on Thursday, March 6, 2024. The GTA official in recognition of his notable efforts and contribution to society was awarded with an honorary Black Star award, and commended by a number of distinguished guests from various industries in the government and private sector. Organizers of the festival evidently attested in his citation which says, The organizers of Akwaaba Festival are pleased to offer to you the Black Star Honorary Award 2024 in appreciation of your priceless services and incalculable contributions to Ghana's arts, culture, and tourist sector." The Pan-Africanist in his acceptance speech, thanked the GTA's board of directors, management, and staff for their unwavering support over the years. He added that his humble service has afforded him many opportunities in and outside of Ghana He proudly announced his promotion to the new Deputy Director in charge of Domestic Marketing as of February 1, 2024. This years festival, held as the third edition of the Akwaaba festival, gave Ghanaians a genuine sense of Ghanas rich heritage through a variety of cultural exhibitions, ranging from Ghanaian art coupled with, food bazaars and musical renditions from Ghanaian music talents. The eclectic activities held on 6th and 7th March were spotlighted by Highlife Time a two-day free musical concert sponsored by MUSIGA. With all preparations made to suit the occasion, the National Theatre drew the celebrations to an end with an exuberant awards night. A few other notable figures were given honorary awards of service to humanity, including Madam Amy Frimpong, Executive Director of the National Theatre, Mr. Stephen Ofori, General Manager of the Volta Hotel, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, Executive Director of the Ghana National Commission on Culture (NCC) and Mr. Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of the Diaspora Affairs, Office at the Presidency, among others. About Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi is the Deputy Director in charge of Domestic Marketing at the Ghana Tourism Authority. He his an alumnus of Prempeh College Secondary School in Kumasi, attaining his First Degree with the University of Ghana, Legon. Bachelor of Arts B. A (Philosophy). He proceeded to the then Ghana Institute of Journalism ( GIJ) now UNIMAC - IJ to pursue a First Masters of Arts Degree. M. A. in Public Relations (MA PR) in 2020 . In 2022, he made advancements towards a Second Masters Degree in Marketing ( Masters in business Administration MBA, Marketing) at Methodist University College, Ghana. He holds a Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. As a Pan-Africanist and proud son of Africa, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi was appointed as the Board Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Ghana Tourism Authority from 2010 to 2014, and served as the Special Assistant to then late CEO of the Authority, Mr. Charles Osei Bonsu from 2014 to 2017. He served as the Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs from January, 2018 to January, 2024 before being appointed onto his new portfolio. Serving on various Tourism Committees, Programmes and Activities, has expanded his horizon over the years and has served him with a countless number of opportunities in and outside of Ghana. These include As a writer, cultural activist public relations and Marketing Practitioner. He has served as a Judge for major Beauty Pageants across the country. They include: MISS CULTURE GHANA MISS TOURISM GHANA MISS GOLDEN STOOL MR AND MISS AKWAABA (GH MEDIA SCHOOL) FACE OF KAAF (KAAF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE) MISS AKWAABA, 2023 (CEEJAY MULTIMEDIA) Mr. Kusi has been honoured for several awards such as 1. World Peace Ambassador - The International Parliament for Safety, Peace and Justice (UNITED NATIONS AFRICAN CHAPTER) 2. Africa Early Childhood Education Awards - Honorary Award 3. Ghana Event Staffers Awards 4. Africa Young Talent Achievers Awards (AYOTAA), 2023 - Africa Corporate Man of the Year Award 5. Convergence of Young African Leaders / Awards, 2023 - Young Tourism Icon of the Year Award 6. GTA Staff Dinner and Awards - Best Performing Staff (Corporate Affairs Department), 2023 ETC. Mr. Kusi as an unapologetic and unrepentant Pan Africanist, believes that IT IS TIME FOR AFRICANS TO WRITE AND EXHIBIT OUR OWN STORY, OUR HISTORY , AND OUR PROUD HERITAGE. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BUILD SELF - CONFIDENCE IN OUR YOUTH, FOR THE FUTURE." 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 From LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) An East Donegal Township man beat a postal worker unconscious at the Marietta Borough post office after the worker did not have a package the man was expecting, according to police. Police charged James Gordon Moore, 47, of Sable Drive, with aggravated assault after he punched the postal worker twice, leaving him unconscious on the floor until police came. Susquehanna Regional Police responded just before 1 p.m. Monday to the post office, where an officer found the attacked worker on the ground with a swollen right eye and jaw. The worker was dazed and told police he was attacked by Moore, who remained in the lobby of the post office, according to charging documents. Police arrested Moore, who told police he was angry over not getting a package he said was worth $1,000 and said he did not attack the postal worker. Police did not say what was in the package. Investigators interviewed two postal workers. One entered the post office after the worker had been attacked. The returning worker called the police, described Moore and said it was strange Moore was hanging around the office after the attack, according to charging documents. The second postal worker, who works in route delivery and attempted to deliver Moores package to his home about 20 minutes before the incident at the post office, said Moore was not home when he stopped by his house just outside the borough. He told police he left a note on the door instructing Moore to pick up the package from the post office. Moore is in Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $200,000 bail. He does not have a lawyer listed on his docket and is scheduled for a hearing April 2. A Michigan man was arrested on Sunday after police say he stabbed someone at an elementary school Easter egg hunt. Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said officers were called to Valley View Elementary School in Battle Creek after getting a report of a violent attack. Upon arrival, they found a 36-year-old man wielding a knife, according to reports from Fox News and CBS News. While setting up the event, the man and a woman had gotten into an argument about the placement of the eggs, police said. When a family member attempted to intervene, the man took out a knife and cut the family member several times. Police convinced the unidentified man to drop his weapon and he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The victim was treated for minor lacerations at the scene and is expected to recover. No one else was injured during the incident, police said, adding that the children had not yet arrived for the egg hunt. 20th Special Forces Group pic.twitter.com/LkrhJHAiqX SynCronus (@syncronus) March 26, 2024 The U.S. Army is investigating how a National Guard unit headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, posted a photo on social media showing a service member with a helmet patch linked to symbols used by troops for Nazi Germany. Military Times is reporting that the 20th Special Forces Group posted the photo to its official Instagram account showing the patch, which appears to show the SS Totenkopf or deaths head image. By David Matthews, New York Daily News (TNS) Subaru is recalling nearly 120,000 vehicles over defective airbags. (Dreamstime/TNS)TNS Subaru is recalling nearly 120,000 vehicles over defective airbags. The recall covers 118,723 Legacy sedan and Outback crossover models from 2020-2022 with a sensor issue that could prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying during a crash, according to documents the Japanese automaker filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The company said no injuries caused by the defect had been reported. Subaru said the affected sensor does not recognize that someone is in the front passenger seat. The issue is caused by a faulty circuit board in the vehicles Occupant Detection System. Drivers will know there is an issue because the airbag system warning lamp will illuminate, the front passengers frontal airbag OFF indicator will illuminate and the front passenger airbag may not deploy in certain crashes as designed, the recall states. This recall only relates to the passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain Subaru vehicles, and does not affect our driver-side front airbags, which were not equipped with a Takata (airbag) inflator, Subaru said in a statement. Therefore, if your vehicle requires a recall service, we recommend that occupants not use the front-passenger seat until the repair is performed. The company said owners can have the issue fixed for free at dealerships, which have been made aware of the problem and solutions. More than 4 million vehicles from several other automakers have been recalled since the start of the year for a variety of problems. 2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Update: Lancaster library bomb threats might have come from outside US: officials By Dan Nephin, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) Whoever is behind an emailed bomb threat that prompted police to evacuate large parts of Lancaster on Saturday faces an array of possible criminal charges. Work to identify the responsible person or persons continues, according to Lancaster police Chief Richard Mendez. We are actively investigating, Mendez said Tuesday, adding that the investigation is likely to take longer than some observers might expect. Potential charges include harassment, a summary offense; disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor; and the most serious charges are criminal use of a communication facility, terroristic threats and threat to use weapons of mass destruction, which are third-degree felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. The responsible party also could be ordered to pay restitution. The cost of the law enforcement response has not been determined, but is sure to be thousands of dollars and could include the costs of the state police bomb squad and responding officers from nearby jurisdictions. The bomb threat was sent by email shortly after noon Saturday and specifically cited a planned Drag Queen Story Hour at Lancaster Public Library. The threat came two hours and fifteen minutes after the organizer of the event, Lancaster Pride, canceled it. That decision was made after two bomb-detecting K-9s reacted to a package inside the library. The email with the bomb threat claimed responsibility for placing bombs in the library, suggesting that whoever sent the email may have sought to capitalize on news of the suspicious package. At the time the email was sent, no details about whether the package indeed contained a bomb or other hazardous material had been released. Police did not announce until around 3:20 p.m. that the packages contents were deemed to be safe. It turned out to contain coloring books from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the library was expecting. Lancaster police said they are coordinating their investigation with the county district attorneys office. The two law enforcement agencies urged anyone with information about the source of the bomb threat to call 717-735-3300 or submit an anonymous tip online at lancaster.crimewatchpa.com. We are exhausting all efforts to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We understand the importance of transparency and will continue to provide updates when we can release more information, the agencies said in a joint statement. Hawkwinds Dave Brock says hard-living Lemmy was aghast at being kicked out of the band Hawkwind frontman Dave Brock has opened up about how his former bandmate, the late guitarist Lemmy, handled being fired after the band grew fed up with his drug-fuelled antics. Lemmy, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, was a member of the British space-rock band from 1971 until 1975. He was notorious for his hard-livin lifestyle, which included chain-smoking and excessive drugs and alcohol consumption, which caused tension between him and his Hawkwind bandmates. Tensions came to a head in the spring of 1975, when Hawkwind were touring North America and Lemmy was caught in posession of amphetamines while the band were crossing the US border into Canada. The border police mistook the powder for cocaine and threw him in jail for two days, forcing the band to cancel a number of shows. Our manager warned us to make sure we didnt have anything on us when we went over the Canadian border, Brock recalled in an interview with The Telegraph, ahead of Hawkwinds UK tour this April. I was driving and Lemmy was sitting next to us. Hed fallen asleep... he was dribbling a bit. The guards must have said, theres a load of long-haired hippies in there, well have them. And they opened the car door and Lemmy fell out! Lemmy died in 2015, shortly after being diagnosed with prostate cancer (Getty Images) After this incident, Lemmy was replaced by the bands longtime friend, guitarist Paul Rudolph (formerly of the Pink Fairies), while Lemmy went on to team up with Larry Wallis, also of the Pink Fairies, to form Motorhead. He named the band after the last song he wrote for Hawkwind, after his manager advised him against calling his new group Bastard. He was aghast at being kicked out of the group, Brock said. He was flown back to England, he continued. But a year later Motorhead [Lemmys subsequent, highly successful band] were supporting Hawkwind! Then he did better than us! And then Hawkwind were supporting Motorhead! But me and Lemmy were on good terms right up until he died. We were always all right. Lemmy was kicked out of Hawkwind after the Canada incident in 1975 (Getty) In a 2011 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lemmy, who died aged 70 in 2015 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, said he believed he would have stayed with the band had he not been kicked out. I did like being in Hawkwind, and I believe Id still be playing with them today if I hadnt been kicked out, he said. It was fun onstage, not so much offstage. They didnt want to mesh with me. Musically, I loved the drummer, the guitar player. It was a great band. UPDATE: This post was updated at 4:56 p.m. Thursday with some additional information from the Cumberland County District Attorneys office. Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack has ruled the March 7 fatal shooting of an armed Hampden Township man by police officers who were in a stand-off with him outside his Erbs Bridge Road home was justified. District Attorney Sean McCormacks finding is based on the results of a Pennsylvania State Police investigation into the incident, which left 44-year-old Gregor Fleming, who lived at 5008 Erbs Bridge Road, dead. The investigation, Hampden Township Police Chief Jason Yerg said, showed that the officers fired at the last possible moment after Fleming, who was moving toward them with an intentional pace, brought his gun down on sites where it was aimed at police and the person who had called them to the scene. Two officers, who have not been publicly identified, then opened fire, striking Fleming four times. It was at the last possible moment where they were in fear for their safety when they opened fire, Yerg said after Thursdays press conference on McCormacks finding. State Police said Hampden Township officers were initially sent to Erbs Bridge Road at for an unspecified disturbance at 6:04 p.m. Yerg said that call was placed by the 19-year-old daughter of Flemings fiancee, Kelly Shoemaker. They all lived at the home together. Shoemakers daughter reported that Fleming was suicidal and holding a handgun to his head. While the caller had left the home, she said Fleming, her Mom and her 21-year-old brother were all still inside. Police arrived quickly and as they were talking to the caller and setting up a protective perimeter around the home, Fleming came out of the home and walked across Erbs Bridge Road to the south bank of Conodoguinet Creek, McCormack said. A separate witness had previously told PennLive he saw Gregor Fleming sitting on a bench along the creek, handling a handgun as the incident was unfolding. He too believed Fleming was contemplating suicide. After about 10 minutes of attempted negotiation, the witness said he saw Fleming approach officers with the gun in hand, ignoring multiple commands to drop the gun before he was shot. McCormack said the shots were fired at or about 6:21 p.m. Given all the circumstances, the district attorney concluded, the Hampden Township officers were justified in using deadly force to prevent death or serious bodily injury to themselves and the public. Coroner Charley Hall has said Fleming died from gunshot wounds to the body and his death was ruled a homicide, meaning a death at the hands of another. The manner of death ruling does not consider criminal intent, just whether the actions of another person caused the death. A native of Thornliebank, Scotland, Fleming moved to the United States in 2013 and had been due to get married later this year to Shoemaker, who has also said she watched the incident unfold. In a report published in a Scottish newspaper after Flemings public identification as the shooting victim last week, Kelly Shoemaker was cited as paying tribute to Fleming as a selfless, kind, generous and loving person who was an amazing stepfather to her four children. She also stated, according to The Scottish Sun, Fleming was depressed and had been drinking heavily around the time of his death after a medical scan indicated he may have cancer. He has been in severe pain since February after breaking his back and on top of that the imaging found a mass on his esophagus that was likely cancer, Shoemaker stated, according to the report. He spiraled out of control and started drinking heavily and became suicidal. As to the shooting, Shoemaker gave this account of what she saw to The Sun: He left the police with no choice. They told him to drop the gun several times and he refused. He started walking towards them with the gun and they had no choice but to do what they did. Its an image burned in my mind that I will never forget. I watched the love of my life die right in front of me. Fleming had been training to be a plumber while in the United States and reportedly had plans to eventually move back to Scotland with Shoemaker. The eyewitness who spoke to PennLive said when he saw Fleming on the bench along the Conodoguinet Creek across from their homes that evening, it seemed obvious to him that Fleming was intent on hurting himself. The witness, who had asked not to be identified to avoid further publicity, said his first instinct was to run out and try to talk him out of it: I was that confident that he wasnt going to hurt anyone but himself, the man said. It was just my instinct. But when he stepped outside he was immediately ordered back inside by police who had already taken up positions in the neighborhood based on the initial call. For a period of time, the witness said, police made a continued effort to engage with Fleming and get him to drop the gun. Other residents in the area confirmed that police were on the scene for quite some time before they heard the gunshots. After what seemed to him like about 10 minutes, the eyewitness said, Fleming left the area of the creekside bench and started walking toward officers positioned near the intersection of Erbs Bridge and Good Hope Roads, about 50 yards away. The witness stressed that he couldnt say for sure if Fleming was specifically aiming his gun at police officers as he approached them. But he clearly had his arm extended, the gun in hand, and continued to refuse commands to drop it, the witness said. After Fleming had covered about the half the ground between the bench and the officers, the witness said, police opened fire. The gun Fleming had was owned by Shoemaker, Yerg said. Fleming did not fire any shots during the encounter. Yerg said that the two Hamdpen officers involved in the shooting have been on administrative leave since the shooting, pending completion of the investigation. He said his plan is to have them return to full duty on Friday. Story by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA In this weeks quiz: a Pennsylvania billionaires ties to Trumps Truth Social, the row officer managing the commonwealths money, and a gaming ban in Philadelphia. Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | March 28, 2024 A bill would give victims of voter intimidation the right to sue. Dollar Tree is closing 1,000 Family Dollar stores nationwide, several of which are in Pennsylvania. PennDOT wants to know how they did this winter. And a mind-bobbling case gets resolved. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA. The Patriot-News, after intense coverage of the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Londonderry Twp., Dauphin County, printed a special section on April 16, 1979, called The Agony of the Atom. That section included this chronology, detailing the days around the countrys worst nuclear power plant accident, 45 years ago now. At Easter in 1985 Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich had just visited Ethiopia, where people were starving to death during a famine. As reported in the Irish Times, Cardinal O Fiaich urged more aid and compassion to feed the hungry. Cardinal O Fiaich said, Lack of food and water is a terrible thing. Lack of love and compassion and hope would be even worse. The five top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation, with the CEO earning $1.9 million last year. Ontario Power Generation signage is seen facility at the Darlington Power Complex, in Bowmanville, Ont., Friday, May 31, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston RagBag Features In the Land of Saints and Sinners opens on a busy pub, but its introductory text spells trouble: Northern Ireland, 1974. A bombing attempt goes awry, sending its IRA perpetratorsled by the ruthless liberationist Doireann McCann (Kerry Condon)on the run from Belfast to a coastal town in Donegal, just south of the border. They decide to lay low, but this quaint village in the Republic of Ireland happens to be the home of hitman Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson), whose path they eventually cross, resulting in a consistently watchable (if politically disengaged) drama about regret. The film is an Irish production, but American filmmaker Robert Lorenz imbues it with a distinctly Western vibe. The opening notes of its score by GREAT GARBOthe Swiss-Austrian trio made up of siblings Diego, Nora, and Lionel Baldenwegsound distinctly inspired by Ennio Morricone, albeit with the occasional use of Irish folk instruments. These settings may not mix on the surface, but Lorenzs Wild West approach to Troubles Ireland is less about flash and more about introspective mood. It also feels inspired by Lorenzs longtime collaborator, Clint Eastwood. Despite its use of echoing, Morricone-esque flutes and harmonicas in its scorereminiscent of Sergio Leones The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly, which starred Eastwoodthe movie takes more after Unforgiven, a deconstructive neo-Western. Like Paul Munny, Eastwoods character in that movie, Neesons Finbar is a widowered former assassin. Unlike Munny, his bounty-hunting days arent quite so far in his rearview. In an amusing coincidence, Finbarwho moonlights as a book salesmanhappens to retire from his life of crime the very same day that Doireann and her crew arrive. With Neeson in the role, its a pleasure to see his cold-hearted determination slip and transform into remorse in real time. His raspy delivery of I have a very particular set of skills in Taken is iconic, but the way he stews and reflects in silence is infinitely more powerful. (See also: Joe Carnahans survivalist thriller The Grey.) Lorenz knows exactly how to deploy Neesons gifts; his dialogue, especially his chummy bickering with cop friend Vinnie (Ciaran Hinds), is a pleasant front to conceal lurid secrets. Story continues Colin Farrells Sugar Has a Disastrous Bombshell Twist For all the moral murkiness of its backdrop, In the Land of Saints and Sinners is surprisingly straightforward in that department. Finbars life as a button man may weigh heavy on his heart, but he rarely actually reckons with his actions. The film practically establishes up front that killing people who have it coming, in some fashion, is a-okay. Finbar is a murderer with a heart of gold, who shows kindness to a neighborhood girl just trying to bring groceries home to her family. So when he discovers that one of the IRA bombers has been hurting the young lass, well, the solution isnt complicated. A cat and mouse game ensues, as Finbar plays mentor to Kevin, an overbearing novice hitman played with delightful flair by Game of Thrones Jack Gleeson. Only theres an ideological void where the movies subtext ought to be. In the Land of Saints and Sinners may be set during the Troubles, and some of its dialogue may gesture towards political metaphorFinbar refers to being locked in a cycle of vengeance with Doireann, though it seldom feels that waybut the film is completely disengaged from any political perspective, beyond presenting its IRA quartet as ruthless, two-dimensional killers. At least the leads are consistently captivating. The film may have dispiritingly little to say about Doireann, but Condon makes a meal out of these scant ingredients. Shes utterly terrifying at times. Meanwhile, Neesonwhose career pivoted to these sort of burdened roles after a family tragedy in 2009proves yet again that his face is the perfect canvas for anyone hoping to paint the tale of a man afflicted by death. (He also plays a widowed assassin in Lorenzs The Marksman). The filmmaking is largely unobtrusive, with the kind of broad, straightforward blocking and dramatic presentation that allows the actors to do all the talking. Except for a key scene that ramps up the tension near the end, the camera rarely enhances any of the performances, but it also rarely needs to. Lorenz knows just when to get out of the way, and in the process, he crafts an enjoyable airplane movie. That may seem like a backhanded complimentthe film has plenty of flaws when it comes to political opticsbut when a turn your brain off movie works, it works like a charm. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Money to purchase an icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard to be based in Juneau is in a pending federal defense bill more than a year after similar funding was dropped at the last minute from another budget bill, members of Alaskas congressional delegation said on Thursday. The pending Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which is part of a broader federal budget bill, includes $125 million to buy an icebreaker to add to the Coast Guards meager fleet, the delegation members said. This is really good news for Alaska, good news for America, and certainly good news for Southeast Alaska and the Juneau area, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said in a telephone news conference. The Coast Guard currently has only two icebreakers capable of operating in the Arctic: the 399-foot Polar Star, commissioned in 1976 and working mostly in Antarctica, and the 420-foot Healy, commissioned in 1999, and used in Arctic waters off Alaska and beyond. The Healy, homeported in Seattle, is commonly used to support scientific missions, but it also is employed in search-and-rescue missions and other Arctic work. Although the budget bill has yet to pass, members of Alaskas congressional delegation called inclusion of the icebreaker money an important milestone. Over the last eight years, I have overseen over a billion and half dollars towards the Polar Security Cutter Program (PSC) so that we can strategically compete in the Arctic, Sen Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a statement issued by all three members. Through the purchase of this Commercially Available Icebreaker, and by protecting against further cuts to the PSC Program, our icebreaker fleet is back on the right track. I have elevated this to the highest priority within the White House and Congress and I wont rest until our icebreaker fleet is the envy of the Arctic. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, agreed on its importance. Its never been more essential for the United States to be a leader in the Arctic, and this is a major step in that direction, Peltola said in the statement. Efforts to boost the Coast Guards icebreaking capabilities have been underway for several years. The Coast Guard is in the process of building a new polar-class icebreaker, but that is expected to take several years. The purchase of an icebreaker already available on the commercial market would help build Coast Guard capabilities in the shorter-term interim, supporters say. The Coast Guard estimates that it will take six to seven years to get a purchased icebreaker fully operational for Alaska and Arctic missions, according to the delegation. But Sullivan said he hopes the timeline can be speedier than that. There is a specific ship that the Coast Guard is considering buying: the Aiviq, owned by Edison Chouest. The Aiviq has a history in Alaska. The ship was contracted by Royal Dutch Shell as a support vessel in the companys unsuccessful $7 billion attempt a decade ago to explore for oil in Arctic waters off Alaska. The Aiviq was the ship towing the Kulluk drill rig across the Gulf of Alaska during an end-of-year storm in 2012. Ultimately, the Kulluk broke away from the Aiviq and grounded on New Years Eve near the Kodiak Archipelago. A Coast Guard investigation cited problems with the Aiviqs winch system. Shell, after spending billions of dollars acquiring leases in federal territory in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas and billions more attempting to drill wells, in 2015 abandoned the offshore Arctic program. The Alaska Beacon is an independent, donor-funded news organization. Alaskabeacon.com. Susan Doherty, general manager for Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA), speaks about the Crystal Lake hatchery broodstock concerns and the sport fishery management plan from the podium in the borough assembly chambers during the Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee discussion on March 20. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) preseason forecast estimates 1,400 adult Chinook returning to the terminal harvest area this summer. The low abundance triggered the department to close the freshwaters of Blind Slough for fishing king salmon this season. The last time freshwater was fully closed for a season was in 2013. ADFG ordered the closure according to the management plan for the sport fishery. It is a conservation effort to protect the broodstock for the Crystal Lake hatchery. In reaction to the freshwater area closure, members of the community criticized the management pla... Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, talks with Rep. Laddie Shaw, R-Anchorage, on Feb. 22, 2023, during a session of the Alaska House of Representatives. When Carol Mooers came to Alaska to teach, she was not compensated for all of her previous teaching experience in Maine and Texas. That is because state law allows only six to eight years of out-of-state teaching experience to be counted when calculating salaries. She is still a school counselor in the Bering Strait region, but said Alaska would be more attractive to teachers like her younger self if that limit did not exist. Mooers testified in support of a new proposal that would allow teachers interested in Alaska careers to be compensated for their previous experience at the discretion of the school district. "If Alaska wants to bring quality, experienced out-of-state educators, then we must pay teachers according to their actual experience," she said. Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, herself a former teacher, proposed House Bill 230, which would eliminate the cap on experience-based compensation from state law. She said the cap is a potential barrier to attracting talent to the state. For example, an experienced teacher with a master's degree can only be compensated for up to eight years of previous teaching experience - even if the district is willing to pay more. "So you bring that experience in, and you take an immediate potential pay cut by only having eight of the years available to be recognized because of state statute," she said. "I'm trying to get the state out of the way of the districts." Himschoot said she developed the proposal after reading the Governor's Teacher Retention and Recruitment Working Group report, where it was recommended. Emily Vanderpool, a veteran teacher and current school administrator in Aniak, said she supports the change because recruitment and retention is a huge challenge in her district in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. "Teacher recruitment and retention has never held a greater challenge than it does today. Currently, we have 20% of our certified positions unfilled still at this point in the school year. And we have one school that has no teachers in person at all," she said. She said the district has not been able to hire any teachers for the coming school year, and is short on special education staff, principals, and district level directors too. Alaska's university system does not produce enough teachers to fill the teaching position job openings each year, so the state must compete with the Lower 48. Some districts have hired international teachers to staff their classrooms. Education Committee Co-Chair Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, gave committee members until next Wednesday to present any amendments. The Alaska Beacon is an independent, donor-funded news organization. Alaskabeacon.com. The son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau was sentenced to more than six and a half years in prison for involvement in a transnational heroin trafficking conspiracy, the US Justice Department announced Tuesday. Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, 52, planned to use the proceeds to finance a coup in the West African country that would lead to his eventual presidency and establishment of a "drugs regime," according to the statement released by the US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. "Malam Bacai Sanha Jr. wasn't any ordinary international drug trafficker," said Douglas Williams, special agent in charge of the FBI Houston Field Office. "He is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason -- to fund a coup." Sanha was a leader and organiser in the heroin trafficking conspiracy and was involved in its importation from Europe to the United States, according to the statement. He was arrested along with a co-conspirator after arriving in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in July 2022. They were extradited to the United States shortly afterwards. In September 2023, Sanha pled guilty "to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for the purpose of unlawful importation," according to Tuesday's statement. He was sentenced to 80 months in prison. Read more on RFI English Read also: How Black History month has slowly made its way to France Guinea-Bissaus president dissolves parliament after last weeks failed coup Guinea-Bissau's President Embalo says several people were injured or killed in failed coup bid Practice makes perfect as the old saying goes, however, in this case it is true for two of the members of the Burns Future Farmers of America. Rylie West and Hadyen Hubbard won the Regional speech contest in Laramie, Wyoming. They each had separate contests they were in. West was in the Creed speech contest. This is his third win this year for the Creed. The Creed is five paragraphs that describe the strong beliefs and values about agriculture. It has the belief that inspire past, present, and future FFA members in agriculture. West was able to express his passion and show the judges how impor... Remembering Las Vegas Grinder & Retired Dealer Howie Cornbleth March 28, 2024 Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Back on March 11, the Las Vegas poker scene lost one of its own in Howard Howie Cornbleth, who passed away at age 85. Born August 27, 1938, Cornbleth was a retired casino dealer who had lived in Southern Nevada since 1965. He was known for his unique sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends according to his obituary. Not only that, Cornbleth was a familiar face at poker tournaments across Las Vegas, not necessarily as a dealer, but also as a player. He was known for grinding two tournaments a day, and that was reflected in his $744,819 in career tournament earnings dating back to 2010 according to The Hendon Mob. That included a career-best $26,560 for finishing in third place in the 2012 LA Poker Open $225 No-Limit Holdem Event. In 2019, he finished runner-up in the Goliath Phamous Poker Series Event #7: $260 NLH 50K in a Day for $19,302, and at the 2022 Orleans Summer Open took down the $200 NLH Monday Special for $17,380. Cornbleth was a regular at South Point Casino his last 13 cashes all came from that property but it wasnt unusual to see him grinding at The Orleans, Wynn, Venetian, and pretty much anywhere a good poker tournament could be found. Howie Cornbleth playing at Venetian. Jason Fennell, a friend of Cornbleths from the poker tables in Las Vegas, had this to say: All I can say is we met playing poker and we became good friends. I have a great picture of him winning one of the Wynn Dailys wearing the shirt that I had specially made for him for Christmas. He had a tremendous effect on me not only in poker but in life, he was one of the good ones and well be missed. "He had a tremendous effect on me not only in poker but in life, he was one of the good ones and well be missed. The shirt in question, which is pictured in the lead image, had a fun story behind it. As Fennell explained: Howard and I were deep in a daily event and just talking and I asked, Whats that shirt supposed to say? And he said, Old people never bluff. But we were laughing together because the letters were so worn off that no one could read them. I told him jokingly, Well, when I win this tournament Ill get ya a new one. I won it and decided it would be a nice Christmas gift for him. He was so happy when he saw it. According to his obituary, Cornbleth is survived by his daughter, Stacie Cornbleth; three sons, David, Vinnie, and Paul Cornbleth; sister, Royce Weiss; and four grandsons, Dillon, Brian, Dante, and Adam. He was laid to rest at Palm Easter Cemetery in Las Vegas. PokerNews offers its condolences to the friends and family of Cornbleth and recognizes his contributions to the poker community. *Lead image courtesy of Wynn. Sharelines Howie Cornbleth, who passed away, was known to grind two tournaments every day throughout Las Vegas. Vice President Kamala Harris announced action by the Biden administration to protect the privacy and civil rights of the American people from government use of AI. According to a White House Fact Sheet: Today, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is issuing OMBs first government-wide policy to mitigate risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and harness its benefits delivering on a core component of the President Bidens landmark AI Executive Order. The Order directed sweeping action to strengthen AI safety and security, protect Americans privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more. Federal agencies have reported that they have completed all of the 150-day actions tasked by the E.O, building on their previous success of completing all 90-day actions. This multi-faceted direction to Federal departments and agencies builds upon the Biden-Harris Administrations record of ensuring that America leads the way in responsible AI innovation. In recent weeks, OMB announced that the Presidents Budget invests in agencies ability to responsibly develop, test, procure, and integrate transformative AI applications across the Federal Government. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. By December 1, 2024, Federal agencies will be required to implement concrete safeguards when using AI in a way that could impact Americans rights or safety. These safeguards include a range of mandatory actions to reliably assess, test, and monitor AIs impacts on the public, mitigate the risks of algorithmic discrimination, and provide the public with transparency into how the government uses AI. These safeguards apply to a wide range of AI applications from health and education to employment and housing. Vice President Kamala Harris Announces Protections On Government Use Of AI Vice President Harris explained to PoliticusUSA during a call with reporters how the Biden administration is prioritizing privacy when the government uses AI. Harris said: We are announcing new standards to protect rights and safety when government agencies use AI tools, we will now require them to verify that those tools do not endanger the rights and safety of the American people. Ill give you an example. If the Veterans Administration wants to use AI in VA hospitals to help doctors diagnose patients, they would first have to demonstrate that AI does not produce racially biased diagnoses. So that I offer as an example. The second requirement binding requirement relates to transparency. The American people have a right to know that when and how their government is using AI, that it is being used in a responsible way. And we want to do it in a way that hold leaders accountable for the responsible use of AI. Transparency, often and we believe should facilitate accountability. And so today, President Biden and I are requiring that every year, US government agencies publish online, a list of their AI systems and assessment of the risks those systems might pose and how those risks are being managed. Third, and finally, a requirement that relates to internal oversight. We have directed all federal agencies to designate a chief AI officer with the experience expertise and authority to oversee all Im going to emphasize that all AI technologies used by that agency, and this is to make sure that AI is used responsibly, understanding that we must have senior leaders across our government, who are specifically tasked with overseeing AI adoption and use. As Trump and the Republicans take away freedom and rights, Biden and the Democrats are using the power of the government to protect rights. Remember the Patriot Act, and the violations of Americans privacy and rights that were ushered into existence after 9/11? In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration is using the power of the government to protect rights. The Biden administration has revealed itself to be very forward looking in terms of policy, and their commitment to protecting rights and liberties has American better positioned in a quickly changing modern world. After news that former Trump campaign chairman and convicted felon Paul Manafort might rejoin Donald Trumps campaign, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore) asked the DNI to declassify a Senate report with details about Manaforts relationship with Russian government operatives. It is critical that these details be made public to the greatest extent possible, Wyden wrote to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. As the Committee recommended, the public should be informed as soon as a foreign influence campaign is detected. In this case, a known grave counterintelligence threat is reportedly joining a presidential campaign. Only by understanding the details of that threat can the public guard against a malign foreign influence effort that could once again threaten an American election. Pointing out that the Senate report identified Manafort as a conduit between the Trump Campaign and Russia, Wyden continued: : To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. I write to request that you declassify information from Volume 5 of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligences report on Russian Active Measures Campaigns and Interference in the 2016 U.S. Election (Counterintelligence Threats and Vulnerabilities). Specifically, I request the declassification of information related to Paul Manafort, who reportedly is expected to take a position in Donald Trumps 2024 presidential campaign (Trump may enlist Paul Manafort, who was criticized for Russia ties, Washington Post, March 18, 2024) According to the public version of the bipartisan report: The Committee found that Manaforts presence on the [2016] Campaign and proximity to Trump created opportunities for Russian intelligence services to exert influence over, and acquire confidential information on, the Trump Campaign. Taken as a whole, Manaforts high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services, particularly [Konstantin] Kilimnik and associates of Oleg Deripaska, represented a grave counterintelligence threat. Full letter: Here The backstory: Josh Dawsey at the Washington Post reported that Manafort is in talks to return to the Trump campaign. Trumps campaign operation is not the usual political campaign, given that Donald Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election, refused to honor the peaceful transfer of power, and incited what Director Wray called a terrorist attack against his own country in an effort to maintain power. Manafort had accepted a plea deal in the case in September 2018, admitting to money laundering, tax fraud and illegal foreign lobbying connected to his years working for Ukrainian politicians, the American Bar Associationreported. Manafort also admitted lying to investigators and under oath before a grand jury about his contact with a Russian associate during the 2016 campaign, breaking the plea agreement. In 2019, Manafort was convicted of conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice by tampering with witnesses, in what was the first case from Justice Department special counsel Robert Muellers investigation to go to trial. Manafort was one of 34 individuals and a number of corporations to be indicted in the investigation. Donald Trump pardoned Paul Manafort in December of 2020, after he lost the 2020 election and just days before he would incite an insurrection against his own country in an attempt to maintain power. While there is always the concern of not panicking the public as well as trying to keep hostile foreign powers from ready access to our intelligence, the public should be informed about the nature and extent of the danger posed by this convicted criminal Donald Trump chose to lead his 2016 campaign especially in light of his ties to Russia as Russia seeks to weaken Ukraine by getting the U.S. to stop its aid and support of the country after Putin invaded it illegally. Russia also seeks to undermine western democracies like the United States, and therefore any person running for president of the U.S. should not be associating with Russian operatives. A Georgia judge has ruled that vice chair of the state Republican Party voted illegally nine times by voting while on felony probation for check forgery. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported: A judge ruled Wednesday that the Georgia Republican Partys first vice chairman, Brian K. Pritchard, violated state election laws when he voted nine times while serving probation for a felony check forgery sentence. Pritchard, a conservative talk show host, must pay a $5,000 fine and receive a public reprimand from the State Election Board, according to the decision by Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Pritchard has previously alleged the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent on his show, but now he has been found to have voted illegally. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for Pritchard to step down from his position in the state party because Republicans according to her are supposed to be the party of election integrity. Pritchard is the latest example of the voter fraud that Republicans claim exists happening within their own party. There still has yet to be a proven case of mass voter fraud committed by Democrats. The same Republicans who claim that Democrats cheated to win the 2020 election are out there committing voter and election fraud for the Republican Party. The voter has been found, and it is being committed by Republicans. 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. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Jaeger provided unredacted information to the city council during the worksession. He also offered to discuss privately any of the potential retailers with individual city council members. Pet supply retailer When Retail Strategies was hired, the national pet supply retailer immediately came up on the Retail Strategies radar as a "great cultural fit" for Aiken, Jaeger said. He said the retailer was focused on a particular shopping center with a "high-end grocer" because the grocer is a complimentary use. But, within the last six months, the pet supplier retailer has entered discussions with developer of the Lowes Foods shopping center because they feel Lowes Foods is enough of a complimentary use, Jaeger said. Chicken and breakfast restaurants The corporate team at the national chicken restaurant has approved Aiken as a market and there is a franchisee looking to develop in the market, Jaeger said. Retail Strategies is helping find a site, Jaeger added. The national breakfast restaurant has searched for a Whiskey Road site for five years, Jaeger said. "We think they're a perfect fit for the mall," Jaeger said. "We're looking at turning their heads toward that." Aiken Towne Park The publicly available information also mentions two projects: Aiken Towne Park (formerly known as the Aiken Mall) and an "Aiken development project." Two national retailers, Chicken Salad Chick and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, have been confirmed for sites at Aiken Towne Park. There have been a lot of headwinds with the Aiken Towne Park project, Jaeger said. First, developers across the country are looking for ways to make malls successful in the current climate, he continued. "The project that Southeastern [the mall redeveloper] has undertaken that is going to be a long time to complete is going to be a fantastic addition," Jaeger said. "The retail component of that is going to bring a lot of retail eyes." Aiken County voters could face choices in six local races in June and five local races in November. South Carolina House District 81 will include a Republican primary and the winner of the Republican nomination will face a Democrat in November. A Republican incumbent and a Democratic challenger will face off in South Carolina Senate District 24. South Carolina Senate District 40 will include a Democratic primary and the winner of the Democratic nomination will face a Republican in November. Two men have filed to run for the Republican nomination in Aiken County Council District 4. The Aiken County sheriff race will feature a Republican primary. And there will be Republican and Democratic primaries in the Second Congressional District. The winners of the party nominations will face off in November. House District 81 Jensen Jennings filed to run as a Democrat in House District 81. House District 81 includes most of the Southside of Aiken. Bart Blackwell said earlier this month that he wouldn't seek another term. Jennings will face the winner of the Republican nomination in the Nov. 5 general election. Three people, Betsy Lamb, John Lewis and Charlie Hartz, filed to seek the Republican nomination in the June 11 primary. Senate District 24 Dee Elder filed to run as a Democrat in Senate District 24. Senate District 24 includes most of Aiken County except some of the Midland Valley area. Elder will face Republican incumbent Tom Young Jr. in the Nov. 5 general election. BEAUFORT A former employee of a local charitable organization has filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired weeks after she reported misused funds. Dedriene Green, a former accountant with the Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit March 12 alleging the commission fired her after she made a report to the groups board of directors and to the states Inspector Generals Office. The Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commissions mission includes the administration of new programs designed to improve the health, education, welfare, housing or employment of residents in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Greens complaint alleges that money given to the commission by the United Way was used to cover up other misappropriated funds from the nonprofits Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Community Service Block Grant, which are meant to assist low-income families with home energy bills and other services. The complaint did not specify how the money was allegedly misappropriated. Inspector General Brian Lamkin confirmed that a report had been made to his office. The issue was investigated and referred on to the FBI, he said. Kevin Wheeler, a public affairs officer with the FBI, declined to confirm or deny if an investigation into the nonprofit is ongoing. United Way of the Lowcountry is aware of the lawsuit and the allegations, said Wendy Jones, a United Way spokeswoman. As this is a legal matter, we are unable to comment at this time, Jones said. However, we want to assure you that we take all accusations seriously and will cooperate fully with any investigations. Jones also clarified that the funds mentioned in the lawsuit were allocated by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority and distributed regionally through various local United Way affiliates throughout the state. Greens complaint and summons present a timeline of events that began Dec. 5, 2022 when Greens boss, Executive Director James Williams, allegedly accused Green of disclosing confidential information and reprimanded (her) for telling employees that they would receive a $5,000 bonus from the United Way funds. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Three new dining spots are opening any day in downtown Charleston and in Park Circle, while several locally owned retail stores are popping up across the region. The owner of a popular Atlanta-based speakeasy is bringing his business to Meeting and Columbus streets. The Select, a restaurant and bar, is expected to open in May on the first floor of the Greystar headquarters building. It'll will be owner Dave Green's second Select location and his first venture in Charleston. Green opened the original Atlanta Select in 2019, inspired by a 1920s "brasserie known for being a free-spirited meeting place where artists and literary figures such as Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Chagall, Picasso and Gertrude Stein" would get together. Tanger tenants One of North Charleston's biggest shopping centers is welcoming five new businesses. Kate Spade New York, Pandora, All-star Elite, Boho Collective and It's All in the Biscuit are opening soon at Tanger Outlets near I-526 and International Boulevard. It's the second new local change for Kate Spade, the clothing and accessories chain: Its downtown Charleston store recently relocated to 284 King St. from 236 King. More the merrier North Charleston's Park Circle area will welcome two new restaurants soon. Sissy Bar is expected to open any day in the former Three Sirens Restaurant space at 1067 E. Montague Ave. Founded by Mike Whitely, the same owner of Delilas cocktail bar in downtown Charleston, the Park Circle bar and restaurant will feature a Southern California, West Coast-themed menu with dinner Monday through Saturday and brunch only on Sunday. COLUMBIA Dick Harpootlian stirred up the pot again. The Democratic state senator, high-profile defense attorney and easily quotable figure received criticism for taking up arms against a proposed apartment complex in the North Main neighborhood of Columbia. His objection: it will bring homeless veterans into the area. Its not the first time Harpootlian has weighed in on touchy neighborhood disputes, or received criticism. Harpootlian has amassed a reputation for being outspoken and polarizing in his decades in the public eye, including as a prior chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party. He's been involved in disputes between neighborhoods and businesses, represented murderers in court and broken with party lines on controversial legislation. He is no stranger to pushback. But as he runs for re-election this year, he doesn't plan to change anything. Harpootlians latest uproar came this week, when he joined Cottontown residents in opposing the proposed Woodley apartments, slated for a tract of land between North Main and Sumter streets. The senator appeared before the city Design and Development Review Commission on March 21 at the request of neighbors who fear the project will house homeless veterans using government vouchers to pay rent, without providing necessary supportive services. These people dont need homeless people living in their neighborhood, he said. My office is two blocks from here. I dont need more homeless people defecating in my parking lot every morning, which is what is happening right now. Developers of the project maintain the complex will be a run-of-the-mill apartment idea, though not all details have been finalized. The complex was approved by both city planning and design review commissions in March. Thirty awards were doled out at the inaugural James Beard Awards ceremony, held in New York City on a large vessel named the MS New Yorker. Dubbed the food Oscars by esteemed food critic Ruth Reichl, the May 1991 ceremony was the largest gathering of American chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers and cookbook authors ever assembled in one place, she wrote in a recap for the Los Angeles Times. California had a strong showing that year, with all three Best Chef nominees hailing from the Golden State. Chefs in attendance werent there just to enjoy the festivities a dozen of them were assigned the task of catering the 1,000-person event. South Carolina James Beard Award winners Wade's Restaurant, America's Classics, 2024 Rodney Scotts BBQ, Best Chefs, 2018 FIG, Outstanding Wine Program, 2018 Berthas Kitchen, Americas Classics, 2017 Jason Stanhope (FIG), Best Chefs, 2015 Sean Brock (McCradys), Best Chefs, 2010 Mike Lata (FIG), Best Chefs, 2009 Robert Stehling (Hominy Grill), Best Chefs, 2008 Bowens Island Restaurant, Americas Classics, 2006 Louis Osteen (Louiss at Pawleys Island), Best Chefs, 2004 It is safe to say that no awards banquet anywhere has ever had such wonderful food, Reichl wrote, commenting on bites like Emeril Lagasses Louisiana crawfish etouffee. The James Beard Foundation, founded in 1985 by a group led by Julia Child, cannot confirm whether any South Carolina chefs were in attendance that night. They do know that South Carolina did not take home a single award. It wasnt until 2004 when Louis Osteen of Louiss on Pawleys Island was awarded Best Chef, that South Carolina would notch its first James Beard Award. Though the Palmetto States nominations have been plentiful over the years, the state has only made it to the podium in the James Beard Foundations Restaurant and Chef Awards category nine times since Osteens win two decades ago. GREENVILLE A 14-year-old accused of fatally shooting a classmate at Tanglewood Middle School in 2022 will be tried as an adult, but could face lesser charges depending on negotiations with prosecutors. Jordan Williams who was 12 years old when authorities say he fatally shot fellow 7th grader Jamari Jackson inside the school will be waived up to general sessions court to be tried as an adult, Judge Jessica Salvini announced in a family court hearing March 28. I feel, right now, like theres two deaths essentially," Salvini said. "Two lives have been ruined. That this (Jackson's) family here has lost their child forever, and this child here has the ability to be rehabilitated and come home. And this is the most-fair and appropriate thing based on what Im required to consider. Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The ruling, which Salvini issued more than three months after hearing arguments from the state and Williams attorneys, marks the newest chapter of the tragedy that rocked the community. Solicitor Walt Wilkins said his office will negotiate a plea deal with Williams' attorneys, but if the deal is declined and the charge is brought to a jury trial, he could face a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison. If the case had been kept in family court, Williams would have been released at age 21. The Post and Courier has named Williams because he is being tried as an adult. One of Williams' defense attorneys, Lance Crick, told The Post and Courier in a statement that in light of the ruling "the defense team will be meeting with the prosecutors in this case moving forward as we seek a resolution." He declined to comment further. Salvinis ruling comes nearly two years to the day of the shooting, which left Jackson inside the school west of Greenville and sent the community reeling. CLEMSON The call to pause a seven-story student housing development got a little louder last week as a new billboard advertisement went up just outside Clemson city limits encouraging lawmakers to vote against the Keowee Trail project. The billboard, across from the Hartwell Village Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 123, calls for No more sprawl yall! and directs viewers to a website dedicated to opposing the development. On its website saveclemson.org the Save Clemson PAC calls itself a grassroots effort by residents and friends of Clemson to hold the mayor and city council accountable. Hub Clemson, the latest proposed project on Keowee Trail in Clemson, involves 1,300 beds of student housing, splicing the road and fueling a lawsuit from developers who claim the city has purposefully delayed its projects and cost them millions of dollars. Save Clemsons listed issues with the Hub include its size and scale, runoff into Lake Hartwell, lost community space, lack of parking and a potential conflict of interest by council members named in the Keowee Trail lawsuit who are scheduled to vote on the project April 1. The lawsuit was brought by multiple parties, including family members of university President Jim Clements, who through a spokesman has said he has no direct interest in the legal action or development. Some residents have called for a legal inquiry into the conflict of interest. The South Carolina Ethics Commission cannot confirm or deny complaints to its board, according to a spokesperson. Public officials must recuse themselves from any matter in which they have a conflict of interests, according to the ethics act, meaning they cannot use their office to economically benefit themselves, their family, their associates or business with which theyre associated. Opponents of the current project at least five have been proposed in the eight years Keowee Trail LLC has owned the parcels across from Abernathy Park spoke at a public hearing to remind the council it isnt their duty to guarantee developers profits or fill Clemson Universitys housing gaps. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. The Williamsburg County Libraries announce Read to Ride 2024 begins at the libraries on April 1, 2024. When children aged 3-18 check out ten books at one time, or when they receive their first library card they receive a chance to win a bicycle at the end the program on May 24, 2024. This pr Read moreGet read, get set, go! 2024 Read to Ride is on! 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? NORTH CHARLESTON Police charged a man with murder after finding a woman dead in bushes near the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott close to the Tanger Outlet. The body of Kelly Wingate, 48, was discovered March 27, according to a statement from North Charleston Police Department spokesman Harve Jacobs. Wingate suffered from blunt force injuries, according to a March 28 statement from Charleston County Coroner Bobbi O'Neal. Detectives arrested 42-year-old Robert Deantonio Gardner and charged him with murder March 27. He was apprehended on the 5000 block of International Boulevard, according to Jacobs. Jail records show Gardner is being held without bond. Gardner has been booked into the Charleston County jail nearly two dozen times before, jail records show. Convictions have mainly been for non-violent offenses such as drugs and property crimes. The strong armed robbery charge was reduced to robbery and he was sentenced to five years on probation in December 2020, according to court records. This is the fourth homicide being investigated by NCPD this year, according to records maintained by The Post and Courier. There were nearly 80 homicides in the tri-county area in 2023. What happens if children in South Carolina attend a school that does not work for them? Perhaps they are being bullied. Perhaps they love theater, but their school does not offer performing arts. Or perhaps they have a learning disability that their school is struggling to accommodate. If their family can afford it, they will probably use their resources to find their child a better fit. But children whose family does not have the means are often out of luck. Not only is this bad for South Carolinas families, but its also flat-out wrong. However, with House bill 5164, we can fix this taking meaningful steps toward expanding opportunities for all our children, no matter their background or their familys socioeconomic status. Gov. Henry McMaster and state legislators have already made progress on expanding opportunities. Last year, McMaster signed the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act into law, empowering qualified S.C. families with direct access to resources so that they can create the educational experience their child needs, whether it be through tuition, textbooks, tutoring or other education-related expenses. Legislators also made a strong push last year when they began efforts to expand eligibility for the states Exceptional Needs Childrens Fund program. That program a tax credit scholarship program provides a scholarship for students with disabilities to attend a private school that best serves them. Individuals and businesses who make charitable donations to the scholarship receive tax credits. These programs are based on a simple premise that reflects S.C. values: Regardless of what unique needs children may have, they deserve access to the educational experience that is going to best meet and serve those needs. That premise should apply to every child in our state. If we value giving all children what they need to be successful, then we should be creating more opportunities for all of them. I just put the Stars and Stripes back up outside my house. Though hard winds keep blowing it down, I put it up again. Having it regularly knocked down has me reflecting on what it means to be American in 2024. Read moreCommentary: Why I put my US flag back up again even as the hard winds blow When the novel coronavirus roared into South Carolina in March of 2020 and Gov. Henry McMaster sent the kids home from school, it seemed reasonable to believe that if everybody just stayed away from other people for a couple of weeks a month tops we could end this thing. Read moreEditorial: Four years after COVID stole Easter, a time to rejoice in progress made FLORENCE Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin launched her reelection campaign on March 28, promising to make Florence one of South Carolina's leading cities while pushing back against criticism. She laid out a vision of Florence as a growing city with an emphasis on economic development and sustainability that benefits all residents, and she said she has the credentials to make it happen. "I am proven leadership," she said at an invitation-only event that drew nine people. She added "I'm not (presenting) ideas or potential. I'm presenting solid leadership, experienced leadership, proven leadership." Ervin already has drawn a challenger in Lethonia "Peaches" Barnes, a first-term City Council member. The two Democrats will face off in the June 11 primary. Barnes announced March 26 that she would challenge Ervin, and she didn't hold back her criticism. In front of a packed crowd, Barnes accused Ervin of sowing division among City Council members and city staff. She described the mayor as an "obstructionist" more concerned with her own ego than the city's well-being. "We cannot afford another four years of council having to fight a mayor to make Florence a premier city," Barnes said. Barnes also unveiled a series of high-profile endorsements, including from four City Council members and two County Council members. The clash between Ervin and Barnes lays bare simmering tensions on City Council. The mayor often stands alone, voting against policies supported by the rest of the council members and leaving them visibly frustrated. Barnes called Ervin an "obstructionist." Ervin dismissed criticism of her voting record, saying she votes based on what her constituents want and what she feels will serve them. "I will not be intimidated and bullied into getting in line," she said. LAKE CITY Maj. Patrick Miles is Lake City's new police chief, marking the end of a process that saw the original pick drop out. The decision announced at a March 27 press conference comes after a monthslong search to find a new top cop after former Police Chief and Deputy City Administrator Joseph Jody Cooper resigned in October. Cooper's original replacement Emmanuel Williams declined the offer shortly after city officials announced his selection. Miles "has the respect and admiration of the entire Police Department, Lake City City Administrator William Hall said. He has already been leading the day-to-day operations in the Police Department. Miles' first action was to promote Lt. Dedrick Graham to major and his second in command. Graham has served the Lake City Police Department for about 14 years and was lieutenant of patrol for the past 2 years. Miles has served in the Lake City Police Department for 18 years and in that time served in investigator and drug enforcement capacities. He led the department while the initial search for a chief was underway. That came to an end when he became the subject of an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division after his wife was arrested by the Florence Police Department. Alisa Miles was charged with unlawfully carrying a handgun. Officers also discovered she was carrying drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine. Those cases are still pending in the general sessions court of the 12th Judicial District, according to online court records. Florence Police requested the investigation of Miles for official misconduct, weapons violations and drug violations. Lake City officials placed him on unpaid administrative leave during the course of the investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation of Miles has closed. The Post and Courier has submitted a FOIA request for the result. A spokeswoman for Lake City said she couldnt provide any details on the investigation. COLUMBIA The races for two of South Carolinas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will go forward under questionable lines after a federal court determined there isnt enough time for the Supreme Court to rule on their constitutionality. A trio of federal judges ruled March 28 that the 2024 congressional election in the 1st and 6th districts will go forward under their current boundaries. The lines affecting the two seats have been challenged as unconstitutional and determined by a lower court to be racially gerrymandered. The seats in question cover the 1st District, which stretches from Charleston to Hilton Head Island and is held held by Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, and the 6th District seat held by Democrat Jim Clyburn. It runs from Charleston to Columbia but spreads out to include much of the states impoverished Interstate 95 corridor. The ruling means the lines will be in play for the upcoming June 11 Republican and Democratic party primaries and comes as the judges agreed that state officials are out of time to get early ballots out while they wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to act. In their ruling, the judges acknowledged it is unusual for them to order elections to be run on maps they have found to be unconstitutional. But with the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical, they wrote. State Sen. Chip Campsen, an Isle of Palms Republican who led the process to redraw the states congressional lines in the Legislature, applauded the courts ruling. Im not surprised, he told The Post and Courier. If there was an order to redraw the lines that would be basically impossible to pull off, and it would be chaotic. The NAACP blasted the ruling. A second election under an infirm map is justice delayed when plaintiffs have made every effort to get a decision and remedy before another election under a map that denies them their rights, Leah Aden, senior counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said in a statement. ROCK HILL Less than a year after serving federal prison time for breaking into the U.S. Capitol in the Jan. 6 riot, a 22-year-old college student and York County resident has filed to challenge a sitting Republican state representative. Elias Irizarry, 22, is one of 25 people from the Palmetto State who were charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, mayhem in Washington, D.C. A federal judge sentenced the Citadel student on March 15, 2023, to 14 days in jail on his guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Federal records show Irizarry completed the sentence by May 26, 2023. He was also ordered to pay $500 restitution. On March 27, he filed as a Republican candidate for the state House District 43 seat currently held by Randy Ligon, who has held the office since 2018. District 43 includes parts of York and Chester counties. The GOP primary is June 11. Irizarry, who attended Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill, filed his candidacy with a Rock Hill post office box as his address. He could not be reached for comment March 28. Federal prosecutors used photos during the riot at the Capitol to identify Irizarry, dressed in a dark-red hoodie, brown boots and a red "Make America Great Again" hat and holding what was described as either a pipe or a piece from a bicycle rack. He was charged in March 2021. At the time, Irizarry was also a cadet at The Citadel in Charleston. The college suspended him for the spring 2023 semester following his conviction. As of March 28, the school's media relations office confirmed Irizarry is a student again at The Citadel, but did not say which semester he returned. Before the conviction, Citadel alumni wrote to the school to have Irizarry removed. Instead, he continued to attend classes, and his attorney said at the time that he was posting good grades. SPARTANBURG In 2023, a $100 million effort was launched in Spartanburg County to increase educational attainment and economic mobility. Some of that money is now being invested in Converse University. The effort, Movement 2030, is spearheaded by Spartanburg Academic Movement, a nonprofit working to help residents attain high-level educational success. A goal of Movement 2030 is to return to school the more than 48,000 Spartanburg County residents with some college and no degree. Erin Smith, director of adult degree re-engagement at OneSpartanburg one of the over 30 organizations participating in Movement 2030 said an educated workforce is important for attracting employers. It's important to have a ready and able workforce to meet those growing needs for different companies in the country, Smith said. To boost these efforts, Converse University received more than $1 million from SAM and OneSpartanburg to aid the universitys adult learners and veteran services programs. Both these programs fit the goals of Movement 2030 of education re-engagement and degree completion. We want to make sure that students have the tools and the resources to stay in college once they get there, said Meghan Smith, director of college and career readiness at SAM. Converse University already has Converse II, a program that offers students 25 or older education at a discounted rate. The universitys president, Boone Hopkins, said the program also offers extra support such as tutoring. The extra money would boost the marketing for Converse II and hire an admission counselor to focus on non-traditional students. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 17:30:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 351 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Technology continues to transform the workforce raising fundamental questions about how to better prepare women for career opportunities in the tech industry.To help students better understand the tech landscape, on Tuesday, March 26, AEG in partnership with California State University Dominguez Hills, in Carson, CA, hosted a "Women in Technology" Panel, where over 45 female students had a chance to learn from top women leaders about what it takes to successfully navigate careers in the industry.The panel discussion was moderated by Jennifer Larock, VP, Ticketing Strategy at AXS, and featured a lineup of inspirational women. Each panelist brought a wealth of experience to the discussion, offering invaluable advice based on their own journeys, a glimpse into the diversity of tech-related jobs and insights about the types of skills needed to build a tech career.The panelists included:Jackie Slope, VP Business Intelligence & Dig Analytics, AEG GT Bus Tech & Data Sahra Roberts, Director Privacy & Consumer Data, AEG Alana Olschwang, PhD, Associate Vice President, University Effectiveness, Planning, and Analytics California State University, Dominguez Hills Maryam Maleki, Associate Professor, Systems Engineering California State University, Dominguez Hills"AEG is proud to partner with Cal State University Dominguez Hills during Women's History Month to provide female students with the information they need to succeed in the ever-changing tech industry," said Christina Tulfo, Manager, Supplier Diversity, AEG. "The goal of this day was to inform students about the variety of opportunities and experiences available to them." Following the panel discussion, students participated in a job fair led by AEG's Manager, Talent Acquisition, April Barfield, in conjunction with LA-Tech, a nonprofit coalition founded by the Los Angeles area tech community to expand economic opportunity for LA's under-served communities. The job fair provided students with insights into current job openings and upcoming opportunities within the organization.Speakers on AEG and California State University Dominguez Hills' "Women In Technology" Panel. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AEG on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: AEGWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aeg Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: AEG PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 13:32:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 918 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / American Clean Resources Group (OTC:ACRG) proudly announces the formation of an Environmental Sustainability Board comprised of distinguished industry leaders. This Advisory Board aims to champion and contribute to the realization of American Clean Resources Group's corporate objectives and globally impactful cleantech strategies. Serving as a driving force behind ACRG's renewable revolution, the board will collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, federal agencies, and Fortune 500 industrial partners, to provide innovative solutions and economically sound strategies to address some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.The Environmental Sustainability Board boasts members with extensive expertise in various fields, including global tailings management, soil and water remediation, infrastructure management, waste-to-energy technology, smart mining and reclamation engineering. These esteemed individuals will act as key advisors, project collaborators, and stakeholders for the organization.ACRG Environmental Sustainability Board MembersAaron Johnson Advisory Board MemberAaron Johnson is the Executive Director of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), a position he has held since 2016. In addition to his work with the Institute, Dr. Johnson serves as Co-Chair of the Minerals Working Group for the United Nations Framework Classification under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. He is also a member of the United States Federal Advisory Committee to the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, where he provides oversight and direction to the United States Geological Survey's competitive mapping grant processes. Dr. Johnson holds adjunct professor positions at Missouri State University and Northwest Missouri State University.Ann Thomas Advisory Board MemberAnn Thomas has 20 years of experience in commodities, risk management, and portfolio management. She was recruited by Citibank and JP Morgan Chase to build institutional commodities risk management departments with global capabilities. She has also served as a portfolio manager with Medley Capital's MACRO Fund, achieving an 11-year 12% ROR. Her integrated experience and longstanding industry relationships provide insights into the fundamentals of the macro market and access to executive-level expertise. Ms. Thomas maintains a long and untarnished history of compliance with regulators.Carin Meyer Advisory Board MemberCarin Meyer, with over 18 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Industry, holds two master's degrees and specializes in pipeline control, leak detection, cyber security, theft detection, monitoring, and SCADA. She is a certified EUCI Instructor and periodically testifies and advises Congress on matters related to PHMSA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and regulatory guidelines.Corey Marshall Advisory Board MemberCorey J. Marshall is an executive powerhouse with a career spanning over three decades across various industries, demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and brand development skills. With a strong foundation in executive management, Corey has held senior executive positions such as President of Rudolph Ranch, Inc., CEO at Tivoli Brewing Company and Tivoli Distributing Company, and Strategy & Development Officer at Mill 95, where he has led and motivated large teams, driven revenue growth, and fostered high-performance cultures. His tenure at these companies has resulted in significant accomplishments, including tripling Tivoli's revenue, implementing a complete strategic overhaul at Mill 95, and contributing to the startup and success of six businesses. As an Executive in Strategy, Finance and M&A at Ford Motor Company, Coors and Molson Coors, Corey helped lead these companies to new successful ventures and expansions. Corey also served as Associate Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he contributed to the future of the brewing industry with his extensive knowledge and experience.Jay Lesser Advisory Board MemberHarold M. Lesser II (Jay) is the CEO of Alpine Companies, Founder of MRD Mining Research & Development Corporation, Inventor/Designer, and co-owner of the Gladstone Toll Mill in Idaho Springs, Colorado. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of MineTeck. His expertise spans the science of mineral extraction and metallurgical processes, encompassing circuit development, tailings pond and dam reclamation, water filtration, gravity separation, and geochemical analysis. For over three decades, he has brought innovative ideas to fruition, leading the industry in geotechnical construction, feedstock-specific gravity concentration research and development, as well as the implementation of many cutting-edge green protocols.Josh Rosenblatt Advisory Board MemberJoshua Rosenblatt brings to ACRG over 30 years of public service, offering extensive experience in water management, compliance, and the regulatory industry. His expertise spans groundwater monitoring, pollution remediation, wastewater, and solid waste management within both private and public sector facilities. His workflow has been instrumental in expanding his expertise in EPA Regulations, the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund, and corresponding State Regulations. His qualifications encompass municipal, industrial, and environmental operations, along with regulatory compliance. Joshua has developed municipal water and energy conservation programs, training documentation, and has been active in interagency and public presentations, as well as stakeholder meetings.Luke Saban Advisory Board MemberAn accomplished C-level executive and advisor, Luke Saban has over 30 years of experience. He is regularly consulted to resolve various operating issues and to prepare companies for successful liquidity events. His extensive background spans finance, operations, private equity, and venture capital, with specific experience in industries including healthcare, energy, and technology. Recently, he served as CFO and President of RAM Group Global, a winner of the XPRIZE Rapid Covid Testing Detection Challenge, and as CFO at Alphabet Energy, backed by TPG as the first low-cost, high-efficiency thermos-electrics provider. His career began at Price Waterhouse and continued at Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal, Inc.), eventually leading to C-level roles in strategic-backed entities within supplier relationship management, building materials, healthcare technology, and midstream energy sectors.Dr. Priscilla P. Nelson Advisory Board MemberDr. Priscilla P. Nelson joined the PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 13:01:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1030 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Cisco Systems Inc.By Laura QuintanaLinkedIn workforce data shows that women are still significantly underrepresented in the Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM). Despite making up almost half (49.3%) of total employment across non-STEM occupations, women represent just 29.2% of all STEM workers.As technology moves quickly, that underrepresentation shapes the technology of tomorrow as well as amplifies existing gender bias in technology. As Cisco's corporate purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, Cisco Networking Academy chooses to take action to address gender parity in tech by encouraging young girls and women to consider STEM as a career option.AI is not newThe idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not new. Metropolis, the classic Fritz Lang film featured a humanoid robot in 1927. Even in academia the interest in AI and machine learning dates back more than half a century. Alan Turing wrote a paper on Computing Machinery and Intelligence in 1950.Despite what seems like a long history, it took the confluence of increased computational capacity, big data, and years of research and training before AI genuinely burst into the mainstream in 2023. One third of respondents to McKinsey's Global Survey last year said their organizations are using generative AI regularly in at least one business function. This is less than a year after many of these tools debuted.The AI revolutionAI is now seen as a revolution with organizations and people working diligently to understand opportunities and implications.Along with revolutions come challenges, however. Cisco's position on AI is that while there is enormous positive potential for humanity, we must deploy the technology responsibly. Cisco research reveals there are gaps in preparedness for the AI revolution in 86 percent of global organizations.In our recent Quarterly Student Outcome Survey,* 63 percent of Cisco Networking Academy students tell us they are using AI today and 17 percent already have advanced skills in this area. We are proud our students are at the leading edge of technology learning. In fact, 88 percent of our students believe Cisco Networking Academy is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving tech world.Unfortunately, we are already seeing a gender gap in AI.According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), women comprise only 22 percent of AI professionals globally, only 18 percent of authors at leading AI conferences are women, and only 2 percent of venture capital flowed to start-ups founded by women in 2019.Equally troubling, the WEF believes this gender gap in AI is self-perpetuating."There is an urgent need to rebalance the situation for women in AI to avoid biased analyzes and to build technologies that take into account the expectations and needs of all of humanity," says Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.Are you AI-ready?Celebrating its 10th year in 2024, Cisco Networking Academy's Women Rock-IT program is a global initiative aimed at closing the gender gap in the technology industry by encouraging young women to pursue careers in tech.The program highlights successful women in tech as role models and provides free introductory tech courses through Cisco Networking Academy. Since its inception, Women Rock-IT has seen more than two million participants and 870,000 course enrolments. On International Girls in ICT Day on April 25, 2024, Women Rock-IT will host a special event that aims to empower our audience by providing immediate, actionable steps to become AI-ready. We underscore the need to develop skills to harness the vast potential of AI and machine learning for businesses, public services, and society at large.Cisco supports Girls in ICT Day 2024This year more than 240 Cisco volunteers are organizing events and inviting local schools to visit Cisco offices to see what types of careers are available in the world of tech.Over 250 Cisco Networking instructors have registered to run classes in Introduction to Cybersecurity and Introduction to Data Science as part of a Global Learn-A-Thon to introduce new students to the world of tech and to consider technology as a career pathway.And a worldwide virtual broadcast in multiple time-zones will feature speakers with expertise in AI. These speakers are using artificial intelligence to forward developments in areas such as nature conservation and human development.Meet the speakersWe are thrilled to announce our two speakers who are women at the cutting edge of the AI revolution:Nadin Kokciyan - Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh.Nadine is deeply involved in ethical and future-oriented studies of technology as a Senior Research Affiliate at the Centre for Technomoral Futures, Edinburgh Futures Institute.As the director of the Human-Centered AI Lab (CHAI Lab), Nadin's work emphasizes the development and study of AI systems that prioritize human needs and values. Additionally, her affiliations with the Artificial Intelligence and its Applications Institute (AIAI), the Security and Privacy group, and the Technology Usability Lab In Privacy and Security (TULiPS) underline her multifaceted approach to AI research.Nadin aims to bridge the gap between technical AI advancements and their societal implications, ensuring that AI development aligns with ethical standards and contributes positively to human welfare.Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf - Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute, Ohio State UniversityTanya is a professor of Computer Science Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the Ohio State University. As a computational ecologist, her research is at the unique intersection of computer science, wildlife biology, and social sciences.Tanya is a member of the US National Academies Board on Life Sciences and CNRS International Scientific Advisory Board, Artificial Intelligence for Science, Science for Artificial Intelligence (AISSA) Centre. She also sits on advisory boards for Conservation X Labs and the Ocean Vision AI (OVAI) project.She is also co-founder of the AI for wildlife conservation software non-profit Wild Me, home of the Wildbook project, which has been chosen by UNSECO as one of the top AI 100 projects worldwide supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Recently, Tanya was awarded a US National Science Foundation grant to establish a new field of study: Imageomics.As a computational ecologist, her research is at the unique intersection of computer science, wildlife biology, and social sciences.AI everywhereArtificial Intelligence will affect everyone and every business. From nature conservation, to the fa PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 12:35:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 956 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision is pleased to announce multiple new SaaS developer sign-ups for its augmented reality experience platform providing AR indoor navigation.Both partnerships mark significant milestones in ARway's mission to redefine human interaction with physical spaces through augmented reality. ARway continues to expand its capabilities and reach around the globe, enabling a augmented reality in everyday applications.Empowering Real Estate with Augmented Reality: La Casa de Juana (Chile) ARway is delighted to welcome La Casa de Juana, a pioneering real estate platform based in Chile, to its growing network of innovative collaborators. With a strong presence in the Chilean market, La Casa de Juana specializes in offering comprehensive online services for evaluating and booking rental property tours. By signing up for ARway's developer plan, La Casa de Juana aims to prototype and introduce augmented reality real estate tours, leveraging ARway's cutting-edge technology. This initiative will allow clients to enjoy immersive property viewings, enhancing their decision-making process with a blend of virtual and real-world experiences. This partnership is similar to the recently announced deal with Aigentless. By leveraging the ARwayKit SDK, Aigentless aims to transform property tours into immersive journeys. Users will benefit from AR navigation to guide them to the right property spaces while highlighting key features and amenities through engaging AR visuals.Watch a video demo example of ARway's technology for a real estate use case: click hereNavigating the Future: Navigine Integrates ARway's Augmented Reality into its Indoor Navigation Solutions (Global, with offices in New York/Berlin)Navigine, a global provider of hardware-based indoor navigation and wayfinding software, headquartered in New York and Berlin, has chosen to incorporate ARway's augmented reality technology into its expansive tech stack. Navigine's expertise in utilizing WiFi and Bluetooth technologies, alongside its blue dot technology, offers indoor navigation experiences. Navigine specializes in indoor navigation through hardware and beacons, covering over 3,000 unique facilities.ARway is unique in that it has disruptive technology differentiators. By integrating ARway's innovative AR solutions, Navigine will be able to offerNO-CODE, NO-BEACON, NO-HARDWAREtechnology which will combine accurate indoor positioning with interactive, visually engaging navigation cues.With ARway, customers can launch into the world of AR with minimal upfront investment, free from the hassle of costly hardware installations, 3D scanning devices and upkeep. This enables the creation of AR experiences and navigation in hours, not weeks for clients. They will also enjoy a worry-free AR experience with no ongoing hardware maintenance, keeping operational costs low and satisfaction high. ARway's technology also ensures a low barrier to entry with minimal commitment, making it effortless for customers to get started.Recent News ARway.ai Announces Major 300,000 SQ FT. or 30,000 Sq M. Retail Store Pilot of its AR Navigation Platform ARway.ai Announces EWROS as New Partner in Turkey for its Augmented Reality Navigation Experience Platform ARway.ai Releases SDK 3.0 Marking a Major Upgrade For Its Spatial Computing Platform ARway.ai Expands Global Education Industry Reach with New SaaS Student Plan Subscriptions Sign up for Investor News - HERETo learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai About ARway.ai ARway.ai (CSE: ARWY) (OTCQB: ARWYF) (FSE: E65) is a spatial computing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) providing an array of augmented reality (AR) experiences for indoor spaces. ARway's breakthrough no-code no-beacon IPN allows for the easy creation of navigation, tours, information sharing, notifications, advertising and gamification. ARway works seamlessly as a cross platform solution on iOS/ Android. ARway's technology is optimized for both mobile devices and AR glasses: Apple's Vision Pro, Magic Leap and Microsoft's HoloLens. ARway has unlimited use cases for augmenting physical spaces, making it a valuable tool for creators, brands and companies in various industries. The complete ARway platform includes: the Web Creator Studio, the ARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK) and a mobile app for iOs and Android.Nextech 3D.ai On October 26, 2022, ARway.ai . was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech3D.ai (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: 1SS). Nextech retained a control ownership in ARway.ai . with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech3D.ai is a Generative AI powered 3D modeling Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARitize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech3D.ai , visit www.nextechar.com For further information, please contact:Investor Relations Contact Julia Viola investor.relations@arway.ai ARway.ai Evan GappelbergCEO and Director866-ARITIZE (274-8493)Forward-looking StatementsThe CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as 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. ARway.ai will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.SOURCE: ARway Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 12:02:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 551 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The leader in professional translation services advises that businesses seeking translators and people seeking translation positions should follow updated precautions on job postings and contract work.DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / As online employment scams proliferate on social media, ASTA-USA Translation Services Inc. has learned of several incidences of individuals fraudulently citing the company's name and website in schemes to deceive people searching for jobs as translators.ASTA-USA, a leading provider of language and document translation services for corporations, educational organizations, and government agencies, is announcing the incidents to raise awareness about the risks of employment scams and to warn job searchers in all industries.Online employment scams are running rampant on job boards and platforms and put job searchers at risk for phishing attempts, hacking, identity theft, financial damage, and illegal money laundering.These scams have become more common with the rise of remote work and freelance work in all industries and put job searchers at risk for phishing attempts, hacking, identity theft, financial damage, and illegal money laundering."People seeking translation work may be more vulnerable because English may not be their primary language. Businesses should be wary of unscrupulous translation firms that may be exploiting these less skilled and experienced workers," said Alain J. Roy, Founder/CEO of ASTA-USA Translation Services."In the event that something feels off' when applying for online translation jobs, trust your instincts. Whether the offer seems too good to be true, the person you are interacting with seems suspicious or the processes don't align with your past experiences, always err on the side of caution," Roy said.Roy advises people seeking document or language translation work that ASTA-USA never posts individual jobs or assignments on any online platform to protect the privacy and confidentiality of its clients. ASTA-USA also never conducts interviews or contacts potential translators via Telegram or Instagram. Job candidates will be contacted only via an authorized @ ASTA-USA.com email address.The U.S. Federal Trade Commission advises that job applicants apply through company websites when available or verify any communications that occur by connecting with the company directly using the contact information provided on their official website or social media platforms. The agency also cautions that legitimate employers will never ask job applicants to pay fees upfront before being hired.Similarly, Roy said that ASTA-USA does not ask translators to perform unpaid work, purchase equipment, or pay certification, training, or other fees when hiring. ASTA-USA's hiring process is extensive and requires background checks, skills assessments, and several other processes."While there are many online translation jobs available with legitimate translation service companies, keep in mind that the great ones will only hire professional translators with experience, certifications, and a thorough hiring process to ensure optimal quality for their clients," Roy said.To learn more about ASTA-USA Translation Services and its work for business, government and non-profit organizations, visit https://asta-usa.com About ASTA-USAASTA-USA Translation Services Inc. is a leading provider of language and document translation services for corporations, educational organizations, and government agencies. ASTA-USA Translation Services Inc. provides professional translation in more than 70 languages via its 700 primary translators and network of more than 12,700 translators and linguists worldwide.Contact InformationAlain J. Royajroy@ asta-usa.com SOURCE: ASTA-USAView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 17:01:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 508 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HILLSBORO, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon, when artist Naomi Sarna's 703-carat L'Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as the world's largest cut tanzanite, on March 9.A standing room only crowd witnessed the "weigh in" as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event."As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful gem' in Hillsboro, I couldn't have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum's doorstep," said Gail Copus Spann, president, board of directors, Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals.Several years ago, artist Naomi Sarna was invited to travel to the Tanzanite mines located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She was asked to create a carving for an international competition. The mines are on the ancestral land of the Maasai and it is the only place in the world where this blue-violet gemstone is found. While there Sarna was asked to do humanitarian work, so she taught Maasai women how to make wire-wrap jewelry from tanzanite. Touched by the community, the poverty and the eye disease she witnessed, Sarna decided that she when she sells her award-winning tanzanite L'Heure Bleu carving, she will donate the profits to the world-renowned Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare to the Maasai. Dr. Andreas Lauer, Chair of the Casey Eye Institute came as its representative and just as the weighing ceremony took place, doctors from the Institute were touching down in Tanzania for a cataract conference!"The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi's debt. In the future, patients, their families and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision," commented Dr. Andreas K. Lauer, director, Casey Eye Institute."The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L'Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania," stated artist Naomi Sarna.While she was in Tanzania, Sarna was presented with several tanzanite crystals eventually selecting the piece that she hand-carved into the 703-carat L'Heure Bleu. It won a First-Place Spectrum Award for carving from the American Gem Trade Association. It sits on a Sterling Silver base inspired by the winds of Tanzania's Great Rift Valley.Contact InformationNaomi Sarnainfo@ naomisarna.com Related ImagesSOURCE: Naomi Sarna DesignsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:02:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1019 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP informs investors that today the firm has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit against agilon health, inc. (NYSE:AGL) ("agilon" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired agilon common stock between November 4, 2022, and January 4, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action, captioned Hope v. agilon health, inc., et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-00305, is filed in the United States District Court for the Western District Texas.Important Deadline Reminder: There is one related class action case pending against agilon in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. That first-filed action issued a notice of its filing pursuant to the federal securities laws which triggered the deadline of May 20, 2024, for any investors who purchased agilon common stock to seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. The filing of the Hope Action does not change the May 20, 2024, lead plaintiff deadline.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR AGILON LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/agilon-health-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=agl&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: MAY 20, 2024CLASS PERIOD: NOVEMBER 4, 2022, THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2024CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Email at info@ ktmc.com DEFENDANTS' MISCONDUCTagilon is a healthcare and technology company that acts as an intermediary between physician groups that provide medical services to senior citizens and Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurers. One of agilon's key financial metrics is "medical margin," which the Company defines as medical services revenue less medical services expenses.The Class Period begins on November 4, 2022, when agilon announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2022 (filed after the market closed the prior evening). In connection with these results, Defendant Sell (agilon's CEO) emphasized the Company's "[m]embership, revenue and medical margins were above the high end of our guidance ranges" and indicated that, "[t]his year, we are driving substantial growth in medical margin PMPM [per member per month]." Defendant Bensley (agilon's CFO) stated that, "[f]or the full year 2022, we have raised our membership, revenue and medical margin outlook to reflect the strong performance in our [Medicare Advantage] business." Throughout the Class Period, Defendants repeatedly touted the strength of agilon's medical margin. Additionally, Defendants downplayed the significant cost pressures on the Company's medical margin and profitability. For example, on June 7, 2023, just days before other health insurers such as UnitedHealth Group Inc. and Humana Inc. reported significant increases in medical costs, Defendant Bensley, speaking at an analyst-sponsored healthcare conference, reported that Defendants "expect this year to generate somewhere around $550 million of medical margin," noting that the Company has seen "steady progress on medical margin upwards." Investors began to learn the truth about the cost pressures impacting agilon's medical margin and profitability on November 2, 2023, when the Company announced its third quarter 2023 financial results after the market closed. Critically, agilon reported a net loss of $31 million for the third quarter of 2023 and slashed its fiscal year 2023 medical margin to a range between $455 million and $470 million. Defendant Sell also assured investors that agilon's more conservative approach to guidance "should reduce the risk of negative claims development next year." On this news, the price of agilon common stock declined $3.78 per share, or more than 22% over two trading-days, from a close of $16.89 per share on November 2, 2023, to close at $13.11 per share on November 6, 2023.After several additional disclosures in November 2023, investors more fully learned the truth about the cost pressures on agilon's medical margin and profitability before the market opened on January 5, 2024, when agilon updated its fiscal year 2023 financial results and provided its initial outlook for 2024. Critically, agilon further slashed its 2023 medical margin guidance more than $100 million, to a range between $340 million and $360 million, due to "higher-than-expected medical costs." This represented a decline of more than 34% from the $550 million in medical margin it had predicted. On the related investor guidance call, Defendant Sell acknowledged that agilon "failed to recognize these elevated cost trends" and had "a data and analytics gap that led to [the Company] being late in both recognizing the magnitude and source of the utilization shifts." Defendant Sell further indicated that the increased cost trends were expected to persist through 2024. Also on January 5, 2024, Defendant Bensley announced that he would retire in 2024. On this news, the price of agilon common stock plummeted $3.45 per share, or nearly 29%, from a close of $12.08 per share on January 4, 2024, to close at $8.63 per share on January 5, 2024.WHAT CAN I DO?agilon investors may, no later than May 20, 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 agilon investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All o PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:01:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1005 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Toronto based CO2 GRO Inc. ("CO2 GRO" or the "Company") (TSXV:GROW)(OTCQB:BLONF)(Frankfurt:4021) is thrilled to announce the successful installation and commissioning of its largest commercial project in Canada.Spanning an impressive 3 hectares, this cutting-edge facility is designed to revolutionize the cultivation of long English and mini cucumbers with its state-of-the-art aqueous CO2 enrichment technology.The project, valued at approximately CAD $500 thousand, is a testament to CO2 GRO Inc.'s commitment to sustainable agriculture and was completed under a PFU (Purchase For Use) contract.It incorporates a sophisticated misting system, an infusion system, and a Dynamic Monitoring & Control System, all accessible through an online digital dashboard for optimal operational efficiency. This venture follows a successful commercial contract based on data and reference with Cucumber Man TAP in Alberta in 2022, further solidifying CO2 GRO Inc.'s position as a leader in agricultural innovation.The newly commissioned facility will serve a crucial role in the direct-to-store distribution of cucumbers across Canada, marking a significant milestone in CO2 GRO Inc.'s ongoing efforts to enhance crop yield, profitability, and sustainability through technology.Aaron, a key spokesperson for CO2 GRO Inc., and the company's VP of Sales, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:"We are proud to have commissioned our largest commercial project in Canada to date. One of the main reasons for installing our technology is CO2 savings. The grower has been purchasing liquid CO2 for enrichment in the greenhouse during spring through fall."Despite this, atmospheric CO2 levels in the greenhouse were not getting above 500 ppm during the day due to venting. Our C-stainable Crop Enhancement technology will save this grower up to 200 MT of purchased CO2 per year, or between $100,000 to $200,000 per year."In addition, our aqueous CO2 enrichment will also provide greater plant energy balance resulting in increased production, revenue, and profit. We look forward to installing more commercial projects in Canada and around the world." CO2 GRO Inc.'s latest project is a landmark achievement in the field of agricultural technology, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable farming practices.By reducing the need for purchased CO2 and enhancing plant growth, CO2 GRO Inc. is paving the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly agriculture.For more information and to explore how CO2 GRO is contributing to a greener future in agriculture, visit https://co2gro.ca (English) or https://es.co2gro.ca (Spanish)About CO2 GRO Inc.CO2 GRO Inc. is a precision ag-tech, clean-tech company with a focus on People, the Planet and Prosperity. Our vision is to become one of the leading companies enhancing global food production from protected agriculture. By helping our customers sustainably increase yield and profitability, we could help feed up to half a billion people worldwide while reducing our customers' ecological footprint. Check out our webinar, corporate updates, and ESG report.About 300 million MT of fruit and vegetables are grown annually from about 5 million hectares of protected vegetable facilities globally (6 kg/m2/year of average production). A 30% yield increase using our technology could add up to 100 million MT of fruits and vegetables per year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual fruit and vegetable consumption of up to 200 kg per year per adult.Our Target Market: The estimated 800 billion square foot global protected grower market is comprised of 700 billion square feet of fruits & vegetables (Cuesta Roble 2019 estimate), and an estimated 100 billion square feet of protected floriculture and other medicinal plants and non-food varieties.Our Technology: CO2 Delivery Solutions enriches plants with CO 2 by misting an aqueous CO2 solution directly onto plants grown in greenhouses and other protected grow facilities globally.Value Proposition: Approximately 98% of protected grow facilities globally cannot add CO 2 by atmospheric gassing, missing out on up to 30% increased yield potential and 100% more gross profit. CO2 GRO's technology enables all protected growers regardless of facility or location to enrich their plants with CO2 to realize up to 30% yield increases. In addition, our technology suppresses the growth of micro-pathogens such as E.coli and powdery mildew, leading to healthier crops. Growers currently employing CO2 gassing can save up to 90% of CO2 gas used, reducing their ecological footprint and production costs.Patent Protection: CO2 GRO's CO2 Delivery Solutions technology is protected by a suite of patents and patents pending.Business Model: Our technology is sold to growers based on the cultivation area installed at prices that provide a high return on their investment and high margins for our shareholders.Global Expansion: CO2 GRO's management is rapidly expanding its international marketing partner relationships into Mexico, Spain, the EU, the UK, South Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America as well as in its US and Canadian base.Environmental Social and Governance ESG: CO2 GRO is committed to good Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies and practices. We are an equal opportunity employer of choice and opportunity. Access our ESG Report here.Forward-Looking Statements and DisclaimerThis press release contains statements which constitute "forwardlooking 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. Forward looking information is often identified by the words "may," "would," "could," "should," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect" or similar expressions and include information regarding: statements regarding the future direction of the Company; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business and financial objectives; plans for expansion and the ability of the Company to obtain, develop and foster its business relationships; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 15:30:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1008 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company") provides an update of progress on the refinancing efforts of its 100%-owned Araguaia Nickel Project ("Araguaia" or the "Project"). Further to the Company update on 19 February 2024 in which Horizonte announced the Cost to Complete ("CTC") capital expenditures required to complete the construction of Araguaia, commission the Project, and deliver first metal (together, "Project Completion"), the Company is providing a further update in relation to the refinancing amount required to fully fund the Project, progress on discussions with relevant financial stakeholders and deferral of interest payments.FULL FINANCING UPDATEThe CTC estimate of US$454 million announced on 19 February 2024 is the capital required for Project Completion. As explained in that announcement, a higher amount would be required to fully fund the Project when including ramp-up and contingencies.Horizonte estimates the full funding required to complete construction and bring the operation to positive cashflow is US$567 - 592 million. This consists of the Project CTC of US$454 million, as announced on 19 February 2024, plus US$89 million of pre-production costs, ramp up costs, general & administration and working capital required to bring the operation to positive cash flow, and US$25 - 50 million that relates to transaction costs and a minimum cash contingency.In addition to these costs, the Company will need to reach a restructuring solution for the group's existing liabilities which as of 15 March 2024 were ~US$418 million, comprised of US$241 million in senior debt, a US$27 million cost over-run facility ("COF"), US$68 million to trade creditors and US$82 million of convertible loan notes, and a restructuring solution for its existing royalties arrangements. Reaching a potential restructuring solution with existing creditors may increase the full funding requirements.The Company continues to hold discussions to restructure the group's debt in conjunction with seeking a fully funded solution and is actively engaging existing and new potential investors. In connection with such discussions, the Company is continuing to provide information to senior lenders, and existing and new potential investors (under confidentiality agreements), including the full financing amount. As previously announced, the Company expects that it will require additional interim funding around mid-April to implement such full funding solution.Existing shareholders should note that whilst the Company continues to work closely with its major shareholders and senior creditors on a full funding solution, there can be no guarantee that a refinancing and restructuring solution will complete (including any interim funding). Even if it does, the conclusion of any such solution is unlikely to lead to a positive outcome for existing shareholders, noteholders and creditors of the Company. Further, if it becomes apparent that an interim and/or a fully funded solution is unlikely to be found, the Company will have to look at all potential options which could include putting the group's projects in care and maintenance, liquidation of assets, and or starting formal administration procedures in the UK in relation to the Company.By way of background and further information, the Company informs that in November 2023, Araguaia Niquel Metais Ltda (" ANML "), the Company's Brazilian subsidiary, engaged Moelis & Company Assessoria Ltda in Brazil to act as financial advisors to ANML in connection with the restructuring of its debt and the Company has also recently engaged FRP Advisory Trading Limited in the UK to act as advisors to the Company and its board of directors in connection with restructuring options and contingency planning.DEFERRAL OF INTEREST PAYMENTSAs announced on 1 March 2024, the existing senior lenders agreed to extend waivers including the deferral of interest originally due 31 December 2023 to the 29 March 2024 (subject to certain conditions). The Company is in discussions with senior lenders and has requested that they extend such waivers until the end of April 2024. Whilst the Company expects that it will reach an agreement with senior lenders on the request for extension, there can be no guarantee that senior lenders will consent to further extend the current waivers.If no extension is agreed, deferred interest originally payable at the end of December 2023 will become immediately due and payable on 30 March 2024 and interest payable at the end of Q1 2024 will become due and payable on 1 April 2024. If these amounts remain unpaid after becoming due and payable, the senior lenders will be entitled to: (a) immediately cancel the undrawn portion of the senior debt facility; (b) declare all outstanding senior debt amounts (including interest) immediately due and payable; and/or (c) seek to enforce the senior lenders' security, which encompasses all or essentially all of the group's assets.As announced on 14 March 2024, ANML has been granted an injunction (Brazilian Precautionary Measure) giving it a 60-day stay period against the enforcement of debt and certain security held by senior lenders and creditors, in order to negotiate and work on a restructuring plan to be approved by its creditors.As a guarantor of ANML's debt under the senior loan facilities, if claims are made in relation to the guarantee given by the Company, the Company may also need to consider applying for protective measures that may be available to it, or alternatively appoint administrators for the Company in the UK.The disclosures contained in this announcement should not be regarded as an indication that the Company or its representatives consider the forecasts or projections contained herein to be a reliable prediction of future events, and such forecasts and projections should not be relied upon as such.Further updates will be provided in due course.For further information, visitwww.horizonteminerals.comor contact:Horizonte Minerals plc Patrick Chambers (Head of IR) info@ horizonteminerals.com +44 (0) 203 356 2901Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Ross AllisterDavid McKeownBhavesh Patel+44 (0)20 7418 8900BMO (Joint Broker) Thomas RiderPascal Lussier DuquetteAndrew Cameron+44 (0) 20 7236 1010Barclays (Joint Broker) Philip LindopRichard Bassingthwaighte+44 (0)20 7623 2323ABOUT HORIZONTE MINERALS Horizonte Minerals Plc (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) is developing two 100%-owned, Tier 1 projects in Para state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are high-grade, low-cost, with low carbon emission intensities and are scalable. A PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 15:01:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 467 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Industry Executive Brings Expertise in ESG, Strategy and M&AHOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / InnoVent Renewables announces the addition of Lemar Marie Brown to its Advisory Board. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by mitigating the global environmental challenge of waste tires. InnoVent Renewables has a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals, and is setting up its first commercial plant in Monterrey, Mexico. As an Advisory Board Member, Brown will provide her expertise to InnoVent Renewables in areas such as ESG, strategy, and new partnerships.Lemar Marie Brown "We are thrilled to have Lemar join InnoVent Renewables' Advisory Board," noted InnoVent Renewables CEO Vibhu Sharma. "Lemar has rich experience working for global companies like Shell and Goldman Sachs as well as renewable energy and her proven success in capital projects and business development and her expertise guiding companies through strategic growth will be essential to helping InnoVent Renewables achieve our growth and ESG targets." "I am excited to join the InnoVent Renewables Advisory Board and support them in their ESG, strategy and growth initiatives," said Brown. "This is a unique opportunity to have a substantial positive impact on climate health, the circular economy, and the profitable growth of InnoVent Renewables." Brown is a seasoned dealmaker and strategist who has negotiated and closed complicated multi-party deals, each worth over $500 million, and brings over 25 years of progressive engineering and leadership roles with Shell plc and Goldman Sachs. Her deep industry experience spans oil & gas upstream, downstream, and midstream, LNG, power, trading, and finance. She is the founder and Managing Partner of Negocium Group, an advisory firm serving as a resource to C-suite executives by enabling organizational goals in negotiations, strategy, business planning, risk mitigation and management, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures (MA&D), and portfolio management.She was an independent director of Certarus, a private Canadian company that provides low-carbon energy solutions. Certarus transports compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), and Hydrogen over the road. Certarus self-funded rapid growth and more than doubled its adjusted EBITDA from 2020-2022, culminating in a successful sale of the company in 2023 for $1.05 billion Canadian dollars.About InnoVent RenewablesInnoVent Renewables is a U.S.-based technology and operations company with a proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals. InnoVent's corporate mission is to drive renewable energy forward by addressing the global environmental challenge of waste tires. With operations currently in Houston (USA), Pune (India), and Monterrey (Mexico), InnoVent has aggressive international expansion plans. InnoVent Renewables can be found at innoventrenewables.com Contact Information:Matt FlanaganMedia Contactmatt.flanagan@innoventrenewables.com 713-927-6136SOURCE: InnoVent RenewablesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 17:30:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 317 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky informs shareholders that a settlement has been reached in the pending class action lawsuit against Envision Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: EVHC). The settlement provides for a fund of $177,500,000 to benefit class members. For the purposes of the settlement, the class is defined as: all Persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the common stock of Envision between February 3, 2014 and October 31, 2017, inclusive, including common stock purchased or otherwise acquired in or traceable to the December 1, 2016 merger between AmSurg Corp. and Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc.If you are a class member as defined above, you may be entitled to a pro-rata share of the settlement fund. In order to receive a share of the settlement, you must file a claim form by April 8, 2024.For more details on the settlement, including a copy of the claim form, please visit: https://zlk.com/settlement-form/?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly96bGsuY29tL3NldHRsZW1lbnQvZW52aXNpb24taGVhbHRoY2FyZS1jb3Jwb3JhdGlvbi1zZXR0bGVtZW50&spr=246&wire=1&ticker=EVHC Levi & Korsinsky did not act as lead counsel or otherwise participate in litigating the above class action. We are providing this information as a courtesy to remind class members of the claims deadline so they can file their forms in a timely fashion.Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 05:00:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 430 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Demand for digital skills is increasing and Liberty has solutions to help Australians finance their education for a bright future.MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / A recent Digital Skills Organisation report projected a 370,000 shortfall of digital workers in Australia by 2026. The report indicated increasing demand for programmers and analysts as well as digital skills across finance, technology, and business.According to leading lender Liberty, if those looking to upskill select a training course not eligible for government support, a personal loan could help keep their plans on target.Head of Consumer Communications Kate Jenkinson says personal loans could offer Australians the budget flexibility to invest in their future through education."Learning new skills could help make job candidates more attractive and competitive in their industry, which could lead to a higher future earning potential," Ms Jenkinson said."A personal loan could help people to upskill and open the door to greater employment opportunities without needing to dip into their savings." The flexibility and easy online application process of personal loans can help borrowers bridge gaps in cash flow and fast-track plans. Fixed repayments can also make budgeting easier as they remain consistent over the life of the loan.Offering both secured and unsecured personal loans, Liberty has flexible options allowing borrowers to take advantage of opportunities when they come knocking.For borrowers who require funding quickly to move their plans forward, Liberty's fast turnaround times can help provide funds faster."At Liberty, our goal is to help borrowers secure the funding they need to reach their goals. This could range from educational courses to purchasing a new car, undertaking home renovations, or celebrating life's biggest milestones," Ms Jenkinson said."We take a personalised approach to lending to help find solutions that suit individual circumstances and needs." Liberty's free-thinking credit assessment practices help borrowers get financial.About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. Over more than 26 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 850,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance products. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial.Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 87 2 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial.Contact Information: Kate JenkinsonManager - Group Communications+61 3 8635 8892 mediaenquiries@ liberty.com.au SOURCE: Liberty PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:00:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 372 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MARKHAM, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Neptune Nanotechnologies is proud to announce its selection as one of nine innovative companies to receive support from Natural Products Canada (NPC) through its Commercialization Programs. This significant recognition comes with a contribution of $250,000 towards Neptune's ongoing research and development efforts.Neptune Nanotechnologies specializes in the creation of chitin nanocrystals, a sustainable and eco-friendly material derived from waste shells of crab, shrimp, and lobster. These nanocrystals boast properties that are stronger than steel, lighter than plastic, and fully biodegradable in soil, presenting a game-changing solution for various industries."We are thrilled to be recognized and supported by Natural Products Canada. This partnership enables us to accelerate our mission of developing nature-based solutions that contribute to a greener economy and a healthier planet." - Aaron Guan, Founder and CEO, Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc.The support from NPC will facilitate a total investment of $250,000 in strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the commercialization of Neptune's innovative technologies. These initiatives are expected to address critical challenges in sustainability and material science, setting new standards for environmentally responsible manufacturing.Neptune Nanotechnologies is poised to make significant strides in its journey towards commercialization, with the backing of NPC's strategic investment and the broader Natural Product Innovation Cluster.For more information about the grant, please visit: https://www.naturalproductscanada.com/en/natural-products-canada-boosts-canadas-bioeconomy-with-smart-capital-for-9-sustainable-start-ups/ About Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. is an innovative bio-nanotechnology startup dedicated to the commercialization of a revolutionary technologies capable of transforming organic fishing waste into exceptionally valuable nanocrystals. These nanocrystals surpass steel in strength while weighting similar to plastics, they are entirely derived from bio-based sources, demonstrating non-toxic, bio-compatible, and biodegradable characteristics. Serving as physical additives, they exhibit the potential to enhance strength, decrease weight, and supplant hazardous chemical additives across a diverse spectrum of materials used in aerospace, automotive, 3D printing, composites, adhesives, and packaging applications.About Natural Products Canada (NPC): Natural Products Canada is a national organization that supports the development and commercialization of naturally-derived products and technologies. NPC offers a suite of commercialization programs and connects Canadian innovators with resources, investors, and industry leaders to foster sustainable economic development.Contact:Aaron GuanFounder & CEOaaron.guan@neptunenano.com Spencer PieczonkaBusiness Developmentspencer.pieczonka@neptunenano.com SOURCE: Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:01:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 523 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Long-standing reputation for robust quality is confirmed as company enters 2024SAN GERMAN, PR / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Pace Life Sciences, LLC, a full-service FDA-registered central laboratory and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced the receipt of an overall positive review from The Food & Drug Administration (FDA), following a three-day general inspection of the company's quality systems and client data delivery processes at its laboratory in San German, Puerto Rico.Lou Forcellini, Head of Quality Assurance at Pace Life Sciences, shares, "The success of this inspection is a positive reflection of our entire laboratory network, including the strength of our quality leadership, the team of highly experienced laboratory professionals, and our commitment to data integrity and compliance through robust quality systems. More than five years have passed since our previous US FDA inspection in San German, and we have remained diligent. We host more than 60 client audits each year that challenge our system and ensure we are robust and up to date with current quality expectations." The operation in Puerto Rico includes a team of more than 60 fully bilingual chemists and microbiologists who have decades of proven expertise and a strong track record supporting pharmaceutical and medical device clients from around the world. In 2023, this laboratory achieved an average turnaround time of 10 working days for client projects, a remarkable industry benchmark. With over 22,000 square feet of chemistry and microbiology laboratory space, this location is registered with both the US FDA and the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Primary services offered at this laboratory include:Chemistry & Microbiology Laboratory Testing Raw Material Clearance Programs In-Process & Finished Product Testing ICH Stability Programs Facility Environmental Monitoring Programs Cleaning Verification/Disinfectant Efficacy StudiesPace is a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners and Los Angeles-based Aurora Capital Partners.ABOUT PACE LIFE SCIENCESPace Life Sciences provides a full suite of contract CMC development, clinical trials materials manufacturing, regulatory compliance, consulting, and facility support services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and gene therapy industries. Our network of CDMO sites consists of GMP analytical testing laboratories and manufacturing support service centers. Our experienced, highly trained industry experts and our investment in state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facilities emphasize our commitment to efficiently advancing client programs through the clinic to commercialization. We are dedicated to delivering the best and most reliable services with positive customer experiences across all channels of our business. More at pacelifesciences.com ABOUT PACEPace makes the world a safer, healthier place. Pace people are committed to advancing the science of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in our Life sciences laboratories and supporting businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more in our Analytical Services Laboratories. Pace offers local-level service backed by a national laboratory network. For customers with in-house labs, Pace provides a range of professional services to keep their operations moving forward. Pace people work in partnership with customers by providing the service, science and data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all.Contact Information:Pam BednarMarketing Directorpam.bednar@pacelabs.com 612-297-0651Chelsea SimpsonAssociate Marketing Directorchelsea.simpson@pacelabs.com 860-338-3429SOURCE: Pace Life SciencesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:05:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 704 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement (the "Placement") of 5,000,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.24 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,200,000 ("Proceeds"). Each Unit will consist of one fully paid common share and a half purchase warrant. Each whole warrant (a "Warrant") shall entitle the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.40 for a period of 3 years after the closing of the Placement.The Placement has been fully subscribed by insiders and supportive long-term shareholders.Proceeds will fund continuing exploration at the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project, where the Company recently reported results from the first drillhole (refer 18 March 2024 News Release) including:422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au & 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* (from 198 m); including 132 m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/ Au, 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45% CuEq)* (from 220m); Including 80 m @ 0.6% Cu, 0.77 g/t Au & 3.2 g/t Ag (1.30% CuEq)* (from 468m).The anticipated closing date of the Placement is Monday April 15, 2024.In connection with the Placement, the Company may pay finder's fees of up to 7% in cash and 7% in finder's warrants from the sale of Units to third parties sourced by finders. Finder's warrants will be on the same terms as those issued under the Placement and entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.40 per share for a period of 3 years from the closing date.Any securities issued in connection with the Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, as applicable. The Placement is subject to CSE acceptance.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD INVESTOR CONTACTJoseph van den ElsenPresident & CEO Joseph van den ElsenJoseph@ pampametals.com ABOUT PAMPA METALSPampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIR), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges.In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. Reported intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central include:413.5 m@ 0.47% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)* (167-580.5 m); 422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* (198 - 620m); including 132m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/t Au, 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45% CuEq)* (220 - 352m); including 80m @ 0.6% Cu, 0.77 g/t Au, 3.2 g/t Ag (1.30% CuEq)* (468 - 548m) 558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* (362-920.2 m EOH) including 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* (362-492 m)Qualified PersonTechnical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04.Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTThis news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 21:32:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New Ride Grand Opening on April 4thRIVIERA BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Rapids Waterpark, South Florida's largest waterpark, debuted its latest and most exhilarating attraction to the media - MEGA MAYHEM, Florida's only Dueling Water Coaster! The official grand opening will be on April 4th.MEGA MAYHEM Florida's only Dueling Water Coaster will open on April 4th at Rapids Waterpark.MEGA MAYHEM is a massive water ride that will take thrill-seekers on an unforgettable journey. The ride stands close to 54 feet tall with 2 flumes spanning over 1,600 feet in length. This unique water coaster experience features two side-by-side lanes where riders race against each other down twists, around high-banked turns, and uphill, propelled by a powerful blast of water at high speeds.This innovative technology launches riders forward in a two-person raft as they zoom through three "blast zones", adding an extra level of excitement to the race. In addition, riders speed around four exhilarating giant bowls at high speeds before racing to the finish."This ride will you blow you away. The blast zones are incredible, and like no other water ride. This isn't just a slide, it's a water coaster, launching you through the twisting turning race course," said Bryan Megrath, Rapids Waterpark General Manager. "With more than 40 rides and attractions, the addition of MEGA MAYHEM transforms Rapids Waterpark into the Thrill Capital of South Florida." Riders can see flashes of their friends and family racing alongside periodically throughout the ride. The ride experience is never the same, as guests race through a series of turns, drops and uphill blast zones.Designed by industry leader ProSlide Technology Inc., MEGA MAYHEM will be the longest dueling water coaster of its kind in North America.The ride installation represents a milestone in the park's 45-year history being the largest attraction to ever be built at Rapids Waterpark.Rapids is South Florida's premier waterpark, featuring over 35 acres of fun and more than 40 slides and attractions. The park features a 14 mile lazy river, 25,000 square foot wave pool, FlowRider surf simulator, kids' structure with tipping bucket, body slides, mat racer, tube slides and raft rides for the whole family.This year is Rapids Waterpark's 45th Season and will celebrate with special events all season long, including Family Friendly Foam Parties, Dive-In Movies, Mermaid & Pirate Party, as well as DJ Adults Only Parties.The 2024 season is open daily through September 2nd, followed by a weekend-only schedule September 7th through December 1st.Visit www.rapidswaterpark.com for hours, special events, to purchase 1-day tickets or a Season Pass, or to reserve a cabana.About Rapids WaterparkRapids Waterpark has been voted USA TODAY 10Best Outdoor Water Park. The park is located at 6566 North Military Trail, Riviera Beach, FL 33407. For details on park hours, season passes, and offers, please visit www.rapidswaterpark.com or follow the park on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.Contact Information:Tina Hatchertina@3 iadvertising.com 561-722-2012Related VideoSOURCE: Rapids WaterparkView the original press release on newswire.com FOUNTAIN CITY Tom Vilsack has been around the farming community for many years but he called the first product entering the market under Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities an historic day. This is a very important day, said Vilsack, who has more than 11 years experience under two presidents as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary. Theres nothing but good news here today. Vilsack made his remarks March 26 at an event at Great River Organic Milling in Fountain City that unveiled rice with the first Climate-Friendly-Certified label. Its part of the $3.1 billion USDA-Commodity Credit Corp. climate-smart commodities grant program for pilot projects in farming that reduce climate emissions. Climate-smart farming, Vilsack said, will open opportunities for all farms to diversify, create new partnerships and has potential for multiple income streams. After the initial announcement he emphasized that in a smaller meeting with local-government officials, economic-development representatives and farmers. He created a chart on a whiteboard that showed new sources of income. Along with value-added revenue that comes with the Climate-Smart label, Vilsack said there are other new revenue streams or costs savings. grant funds to produce sustainable aviation fuel or fertilizer from farm waste regional food-business centers that link small farmers to local food purchasers income through outcome-based contracts for the reduction and removal of carbon dioxide through the adoption of new climate-smart practices The program supports farmers in a transition to greener practices and funds projects looking to track the amount of emissions saved. The initiative is expected to reach 60,000 farmers and 25 million acres of land and will create hundreds of expanded markets. The climate-smart initiative has funded 141 projects including 27 potential projects in Wisconsin, Vilsack said. Among the national projects are three pilot rice projects in the south funded for more than $130 million. Jim Whitaker, a fifth-generation rice farmer from Arkansas, spoke about how he has embraced bringing sustainability into growing rice, which is very water-intensive and emits large amounts of methane. He said he uses water sensors to help with precise irrigation. He also uses a technique called alternate wetting and drying allowing the fields to dry before irrigating. They have reduced irrigation by half and fertilizer input by 20 percent. He said they now use less water on their rice fields than on land growing cotton, corn and soybeans. Today marks a milestone, said Jeff Van Pevenage, president and CEO of Columbia Grain International. We are launching climate-friendly rice for consumers across America. Great River Milling was in 2023 purchased by Enrich Foods, a subsidiary formed by Columbia Grain International. Its Sustainably Grown Rice was developed by Ag Tech partner AgriCapture under the Great River Milling brand. By 2030 conventional rice cultivation will be responsible for 23 percent of agricultures contribution to global warming, said Tyler Hull, president of AgriCapture. With funding from the USDA, AgriCapture is bringing 425 million pounds of climate-friendly rice to market by 2025. We rely on partners like Enrich Foods to bring this product to market, making it accessible for everyone at home. Vilsack said theres funding set aside for as long as five years for the pilot projects. Along with funding for technical and financial assistance to producers to implement climate-smart production practices on a voluntary basis on working lands, the funding also will pay for monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse-gas benefits as well as developing markets and promoting climate-smart commodities. American agriculture created the floor that allowed for the creation of our countrys other industries, Vilsack said. But since 1981 our country has lost 544,000 farms and 151 million acres of farmland. Since the get bigger or get out mentality that has driven much of agriculture, currently the top 7 percent of farms receive 89 percent of the income and generate 65 percent to 75 percent of the nations crops. Vilsack said climate-smart farming is a chance to make farming sustainable and profitable for all size operations. This is an opportunity to create a different story about American agriculture, he said. This is an original article written for Agri-View, a Lee Enterprises agricultural publication based in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit AgriView.com for more information. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:01:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 328 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 /Skycharger, a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Johannes Copeland as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With a distinguished background in renewable energy and operational leadership, Copeland brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.Johannes Copeland Johannes Copeland headshotA former US Marine Corps Officer with two deployments in Iraq, Copeland's journey in renewable energy began after studying Economics at the University of Chicago. Over the past decade, he has held key positions at renowned companies such as SolarCity, Tesla Energy, and ChargePoint, where he led initiatives in solar energy deployment and electric vehicle infrastructure development.At Skycharger, Copeland will lead the company's operational efforts, driving its mission to expand EV charging infrastructure for fleet and public drivers alike. His strategic vision and operational acumen will be instrumental in advancing Skycharger's commitment to sustainability and innovation."We are thrilled to welcome Johannes to the Skycharger team," said Andy Karetsky, President of Skycharger. "His extensive experience and proven leadership make him the perfect fit to lead our operational initiatives as we continue to grow and innovate in the EV charging industry." Beyond his professional achievements, Copeland is deeply committed to community service and sustainability. He has led initiatives to provide affordable housing and clean energy solutions to underserved communities, aligning with Skycharger's values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility."I am honored to join Skycharger and contribute to its mission of advancing clean transportation solutions," said Copeland. "I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Skycharger to deliver innovative EV charging solutions that benefit both our customers and the planet." Copeland resides in Sutter Creek, CA, with his family. His passion for renewable energy and dedication to excellence make him a valuable addition to the Skycharger team.Contact Information Alexandra Ponyalexandra@ ponycommunications.com 250-858-0656SOURCE: SkychargerView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 13:01:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1041 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 First significant gold occurrence in volcanic rocks ST.JOHN'S , NL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB:SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to report total pulp metallics assay results from the first three holes completed as part of the current drilling program at the 552 Zone. A total of 1825 m has been completed in the current program to date (12 holes) and visible gold has been intersected in five of the holes. Approximately 300 m of drilling remains in the current program including 150 m proposed in three holes in the upper portion of the Footwall Splay where gaps exist in the current geological model linking the zone to surface. The Footwall Splay has returned some of the highest grades on the Moosehead property including MH-20-115 (4.60 m grading 47.20 g/t Au from 64.0 m downhole), and MH-21-163 (5.10 m grading 30.83 g/t Au from 45.0 m downhole).The three holes being reported today (MH-24-578 to 580), all drilled on the same section (same setup) encountered the 552 structure with the deepest hole, MH-24-580, cutting a 2.05 m zone at 53.70 m downhole that included two 0.30 to 0.50 m intervals with up to 30 specks of fine (sub-millimetre) visible gold. The intersection is highlighted by a 1.65 m interval averaging 10.21 g/t Au, including a 0.50 m section grading 27.78 g/t Au.Drilling Highlights from 552 Zone Note: reported thicknesses are believed to be 90% of true thicknessMH-24-578 0.68 g/t Au over 0.85 m from 40.60 m downhole MH-24-579 3.07 g/t Au over 1.25 m from 40.85 m downhole MH-24-580 8.31 g/t Au over 2.05 m including; 10.21 g/t Au over 1.65 m, including 27.79 g/t Au over 0.50 m from 53.70 m downholeThe three-hole section lies 30 m west of the previously reported MH-23-574 (see February 14, 2024 news release) that cut 2.10 m of 5.0 g/t Au with 12 specks of sub-millimetre visible gold noted. The current diamond drilling program (minimum 2000 m of HQ-size drill core) will focus on testing at least 150 m of strike and 125 m of depth (vertically) of the 552 Zone. Drilling to date at 552 has defined a continuous, roughly east-west trending, two- to five-metre-wide zone of locally vuggy (epizonal), quartz veining/quartz breccia, locally with 2%-3% disseminated sphalerite, boulangerite and chalcopyrite, in variably sheared to locally undeformed sedimentary units approximately 400 m east of the main Eastern Trend mineralization and 100 m southeast of the 253 Zone.Timothy Froude, P. Geo., President and CEO states; "This is the first significant occurrence of gold in volcanic rocks we have seen on the property and will be targeted aggressively. We are pleased to see grades continuing to improve within the 552 Zone and that the Zone remains open in all directions. Of note is that at the expected depth of 58.0 m, MH-24-588 intersected a 1.3 m vein with 3 flecks of visible gold. It occurs at the contact between deformed mafic volcanics and sandstone. Previous intersections in the 552 Zone occur proximal to mafic dykes but not at the mafic volcanic contact. Its orientation is similar to that of the other 552 Zone intersections and its mineralogy of darker-brown sphalerite and elevated arsenopyrite also supports this conclusion. Given this development, MH-24-588 was deepened through the deformed mafic volcanics and intersected a 0.90 m vein at 102.20 m with up to 14 flecks of visible gold with sphalerite and arsenopyrite. The initial orientation data and mineralogy support it being related to the 552 Zone." 552 Zone intersection in MH-24-580 featuring brecciated upper contact in the top row (8.16 g/t Au over 0.30 m) and laminated high-grade section (27.78 g/t Au over 0.50 m) in the lower row.Drill Plan MapQPThis news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp.Analytical Techniques / QA/QCSamples, including duplicates, blanks, and standards, were submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd. in Springdale, Newfoundland for gold analysis. All core samples submitted for assay were saw cut by Sokoman personnel with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference. Samples were delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman personnel. Eastern Analytical Ltd. is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples with visible gold were submitted for total pulp metallics and gravimetric finish. All other samples were analyzed by standard fire assay methods. Total pulp metallic analysis includes: the whole sample is crushed to -10 mesh; and then pulverized to 95% -150 mesh. The total sample is weighed and screened to 150 mesh; the +150 mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150 mesh fraction is fire-assayed for Au; with a calculated weighted average of total Au in the sample reported as well. One blank and one industry-approved standard for every twenty samples submitted is included in the sample stream. Random duplicates of selected samples are analyzed in addition to the in-house standard and duplicate policies of Eastern Analytical Ltd. All reported assays are uncut.About Sokoman Minerals Corp.Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100% flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, as well as Crippleback Lake; and East Alder (optioned to Canterra Minerals Corporation) along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. Sokoman now controls, independently and through the Benton alliance, more than 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims - 1,500 sq. km), making it one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly emerging gold districts.In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. The agreement provides for Piedmont to earn up to 62.5% of the Killick Lithium Project (formerly Golden Hope project) by funding up to $12 million in exploration expenses and issuing $10 million common shares in three stages. The Killick Lithium Project has been transferred to Killick Lithium PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 14:01:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 632 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / South Beach Detox, a leading Florida treatment facility, has announced that it now accepts Oscar health insurance policies. The move aligns with the rehab center's goal of broadening accessibility to its high standard of patient care.Luxury Florida Rehab Oscar began in 2012 as an alternative to traditional health insurance companies. The idea was to build an insurance company around a full-stack technology platform and offer members a more personal touch. South Beach Detox is proud to work with Oscar to help patients receive the treatment they need.At South Beach Detox in North Miami Beach, Florida, patients can undergo medically supervised detox, addiction counseling, and mental health support in a state-of-the-art facility designed for rest and recovery. This includes a wide range of amenities that help keep patients as comfortable as possible during their inpatient stay, such as private and semi-private bedrooms, multiple lounge and recreation areas, and gourmet meals cooked by an on-site chef and overseen by licensed nutritionists.Safety is another critical component of South Beach Detox's treatment environment. Individuals who are undergoing medical detox are provided with constant medical supervision and monitoring, as well as round-the-clock psychological support. And in the event of a medical emergency, on-site medical personnel are available to take immediate action.These and other facility features are an essential part of South Beach Detox's approach to substance use recovery and help support the overall health of patients as they pursue sober living. To the same end, South Beach Detox prioritizes adequate nutrition, hydration, rest, and medical attention, all of which further meet the needs of patients and increase the chances of an optimal treatment outcome.Patients in need of care will find two specialized types of treatment services at the South Beach Detox facility:Medical detox facility services - For acute medical detoxification of patients suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Inpatient medical detox takes place in a secure environment and is overseen by an experienced team of physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians, and highly-trained support staff. Mental health services - South Beach Detox offers a safe space for patients who require personalized inpatient treatment for one or more mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, impulse control disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders.South Beach Detox offers private and professional services that further ensure patient comfort as they work on sobriety and practice the necessary skills to integrate back into their lives. Support is available in both English and Spanish, and licensed therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists are always available to meet the individual needs of patients as they move through the recovery process.A comfortable environment isn't the only thing needed during medical detox and mental health treatment, but it is important. South Beach Detox is proud to help meet the demand for high-quality substance use care and will continue to look for new ways to help patients feel safe and supported during their stay.For more information on South Beach Detox's treatment facility and services, or to schedule a tour, please visit the center's website or contact South Beach Detox directly.About South Beach DetoxSouth Beach Detox is an acute care facility offering state-of-the-art residential and inpatient programs for individuals struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders. As one of Florida's top-rated medical complexes, South Beach Detox serves communities throughout the region, including Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. The center offers a range of mental health treatments in addition to 24/7 medical care and strives to provide all patients with a safe, secure, and effective environment for moving forward with their recovery.For more information, visit www.sbdetox.com Contact:South Beach Detox(800) 940-0082Contact InformationSouth Beach Detox (800) 940-0082SOURCE: South Beach DetoxView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 15:15:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 777 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Get quick insights from large high-dimensional datasets from our new Event Analytics capabilities. Enable everyone in operations to address complex use cases, such as energy management, OEE, and event-based tag reporting with Custom Calculations. Get a 360 view of operations and bring shift teams closer to operational data by integrating Shiftconnector to your contextual data layer. HOUSTON, TX, HASSELT, BELGIUM, and DARMSTADT, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / TrendMiner, the advanced industrial analytics platform powered by AI, is marking a significant advancement in event analytics capabilities with the launch of its 2024.R1 release.Our latest update helps process manufacturers streamline operations by expanding the number of addressable use cases within our user-friendly software environment. It helps users generate quick insights into the relationship between production events and features new ways to extract aggregated information from sensor-generated data. With this update, companies can build an enhanced data layer for extracting ad-hoc insights and develop solutions that provide value throughout the factory, from the control room to the board room. The new 2024.R1 release also adds an enhanced overview of the shop floor by adding Human Intelligence fromEschbach Shiftconnector as contextual data to available time-series data. This provides users with a 360-degree view and full control over the production process."With the 2024.R1 release, we are doubling down on our commitment to providing our users with the most intuitive and powerful analytics tool on the market. The integration with Eschbach Shiftconnector, which has already proven to be successful atBayer , brings a new layer of insights to our analytics and empowers users to seamlessly incorporate shift information into their analysis. Combined with the addition of event analytics, TrendMiner is enhancing both the precision and relevance of the insights being generated." --Rob Azevedo, Head of Product Marketing, Strategic AlliancesCustom CalculationsAs companies grow in analytics maturity, they also can address more advanced use cases. These include energy management, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), shift-based reporting, and non-linear soft sensors. For quick insights on these areas of operational performance, TrendMiner now features Custom Calculations. Users can generate time-series tags in a high-code interface for more complex formulas. They can be used just like any other tag in TrendMiner: For graphical visualization, searching, monitoring, or creating a dashboard.Better Visualization of Process EventsWith the growing success of advanced industrial analytics, companies are gathering more data to get deeper insights in operations. TrendMiner's new Event Analytics module helps users get an overview of large, high-dimensional datasets. It provides operational experts with new ways to calculate, visualize, and refine their data through histograms and parallel coordinates. These highlight distributions and correlations of the data that make root-cause analysis simpler, provide more possibilities for monitoring process conditions, or offering a chance to simply explore the data.Seamless Integration with Eschbach ShiftconnectorOur new integration with Eschbach Shiftconnector provides operational experts with an enhanced view of the situation on the shop floor with information typically siloed in shift logs for analyzing operational performance. This new connection links the shift information and Human Intelligence from the Shiftconnector platform as contextual events to the time-series data in TrendMiner's Enhanced Data Layer. Operational experts can investigate incoming Shiftconnector data in more depth and dimension by providing access to the equipment data.Further InformationFor details about all the new capabilities and improvements in the TrendMiner 2024.R1 release, visitwww.trendminer.com . Users of the TrendMiner software will get more information via other communication channels. Learn more about this release in our upcoming webinar at 4 p.m. CET (10 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, April 3, 2024.Register here .About TrendMinerTrendMiner , delivers advanced industrial analytics software to optimize process performance in chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, metals & mining, water & wastewater, and other process manufacturing industries. TrendMiner unlocks the full potential of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) data infrastructure, regardless of vendor, and taps into the available human intelligence for making data-driven decisions. The solution includes standard integrations with a wide range of data sources, such as OSIsoft PI, Yokogawa Exaquantum, AspenTech IP.21 , Honeywell PHD, GE Proficy Historian, Wonderware InSQL, Cumulocity, Aveva Data Hub, AWS S3, AWS IoT SiteWise, Amazon Timestream, Microsoft Azure Data Lake, Azure Data Explorer, Microsoft Fabric, and SAP's S/4 HANA, and DMC.TrendMiner empowers everyone in manufacturing operations across multiple locations with powerful yet intuitive capabilities to iteratively generate and validate real-time context-aware time-series insights individually and as a team. Search, diagnostic, and predictive capabilities help speed up root cause analysis, define optimal processes, and configure early warnings to monitor production 24/7. TrendMiner helps operators make data-driven decisions to improve production quality, meet business objectives, and increase profitability.Media ContactMatt Saxton TrendMiner Editor +1 408-490-5345 matthew_saxton@ softwareag.com SOURCE: TrendMiner PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 21:11:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 853 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CARLSBAD, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 /True I/O , a blockchain platform company under the Dealbox Ventures portfolio, has announced the appointment ofVincent Maheras its new CEO, in a bid to further solidify its position in the Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization market. This move comes amidst growing demand for RWA tokenization and the increasing need for transparency and efficiency in the financial sector. With Maher's extensive experience in the African mobile industry, True I/O has the potential to become a notable player in the blockchain sector.Dealbox Ventures, which focuses on tokenized venture capital investments, facilitated True I/O's Series A funding round. True I/O raised $9 million in 2022, and the successful funding round reflects confidence in True I/O's strategic direction and technological capabilities.Thomas Carter , founder of Dealbox Ventures, praised True I/O, saying, "We are thrilled to have True I/O in our portfolio. We know that Vincent's leadership will contribute significantly to True I/O's direction. The company represents a pivotal part of our strategy to advance blockchain technology applications." The sector of RWA tokenization has gained increased attention, partly due to BlackRock's recent announcement of a $100 million fund to explore tokenized assets on the Ethereum network. This move by a major asset management firm is indicative of the growing interest in blockchain as a tool for financial innovation and asset management."Integrating blockchain with real-world assets and tokenizing devices for security in mobile payments and supply chain security can exponentially improve how assets are managed and accessed," said Vincent Maher, True I/O's new leader in this effort. "Our unique approach to this field means that we are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity and drive growth in the market." True I/O's unique take on RWA tokenization involves tokenizing physical assets like IoT devices for security. They seek to make the process of tokenization secure and efficient, providing a reliable and trustworthy solution for users. This approach is particularly relevant as the number of IoT devices continues to grow, and security concerns around these devices become more prevalent.One of their initiatives involves collaborating with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) to enhance telecommunications security through blockchain technology. Specifically, they are working on developing electronic Mobile Equipment Identifiers (MEIDs) through this collaboration.Maher's appointment is a deliberate move to expand their reach in Africa's rapidly growing digital market, especially in the dominant mobile payments market. Maher has considerable experience at mobile operators like Vodacom, broadcasters like MultiChoice Group, social network Mxit, and social platform startup Motribe, which adds a wealth of expertise to True I/O's team.The company has recently partnered with Digital Solutions Group, which will serve as a reseller and development partner, to extend its reach within Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With this partnership and Maher's experience, True I/O plans to develop globally relevant blockchain solutions and make a significant impact on the African digital market.About True I/O https://www.trueio.io/ True I/O is a company focused on developing the foundational elements of truth for the token economy. The team believes in the potential of tokenization and the notable potential it holds for shaping the future of trust. The company's vision is to enable the tokenization of billions of devices and assets, creating an ecosystem of digital trust between market participants. The goal is to create a future where trust and security are the norms, so that individuals and businesses can benefit from the vast potential of tokenization.About Deal Box https://www.dealbox.io/ Deal Box is a digital assets platform transforming venture investments. Since 2017, Deal Box has rigorously vetted and digitized over $250M of assets, embedding transparency and compliance into thousands of venture transactions. Capital markets leader Thomas Carter laid the groundwork of what would eventually become Deal Box in Carlsbad, California, in 2005. Since then, the company's mission has grown into a leading global operation dedicated to unique value creation for issuers and investors. From deal structuring to digitizing company shares, Deal Box manages the entire asset lifecycle to deliver investors a secure and seamless ownership experience. In addition to its digital assets platform, Deal Box provides comprehensive capital advisory services through Investment Packaging.About Digital Solutions Group (DSG) https://dsg.co.za/ With a track record spanning more than two decades, DSG has become one of South Africa's leading providers of on-demand customer experience and digital solutions, serving some of South Africa's premier consumer-facing and corporate brands. DSG consolidates leading-edge digital solutions and information technologies that deliver measurable results in an always-connected digital landscape, and is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed digital solutions and technology service provider. The company offers Integrated CX Strategy, Business and Technology, Consulting, Systems Integration, Digital Transformation, Service Design/UX, Data/Analytics, AI, MVNO partners' business and Digital Resilience, and works through collaborative client partnerships. DSG builds comprehensive solutions to forge strong business relationships and yield a mutual return on investment. The company's multifaceted suite of customer-centric digital solutions builds successful brands by delivering best-in-class integrated customer experiences.Contact:Vincent Maher vincent@ trueio.ioor +27 82 998 5412SOURCE: True I/O PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-28 13:40:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 486 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / XCAD Network - a tokenisation platform for YouTubers to connect and reward their viewers with crypto tokens - today announced it has signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with multiple governments to expand incentivised Web3 education to millions of people across the globe.By securing the support of several governments, XCAD aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3, and enable more people to partake in the Web3 Space.XCAD Networkhas announced the first government agreement, which is with Pakistan. Under this partnership, XCAD will distribute and incentivise the consumption of educational media among Pakistani citizens.Education is the first step in bringing new people into the Web3 space. As part of the MOUs, XCAD Network will work with governments to launch pilot campaigns to educate their citizens on Web3. These campaigns will be joint campaigns launched by governments and the XCAD team alongside select content creators from that country's jurisdiction.Users will have to download the XCAD Network application to watch interactive educational content on various Web3 topics. Upon completing the modules and consuming content, users are rewarded with tokens.Blockchain, cryptocurrency and the Web3 world will be the key focus areas. However, governments can also focus education on other subjects, such as financial literacy.Oliver Bell, the Chief Executive Officer of XCAD Network, commented, "Working directly with Government entities is incredibly exciting for the XCAD project and the Web3 Space as a whole. What we're doing aligns with the government's vision towards digitisation and global blockchain adoption"Another way that XCAD plans to work with Government entities, is by leveraging the XCAD platform to boost travel and tourism engagement in their country. They want to partner with creators and citizens to create engaging educational content around tourism in their country. Those who consume the content are then rewarded.XCAD Network has already onboarded some of the biggest YouTubers in the world to issue creator tokens on its platform. However, getting governments involved gives the project more credibility. This allows XCAD Network to attract even bigger names to issue creator tokens, stay on top of regulatory requirements and drive more users to the XCAD platform.About XCAD NetworkXCAD Network allows YouTube creators to launch personalised tokens and generate dedicated economies around their loyal fanbase It also offers new upstart creators a way to earn tokens and generate income even before the creator generates traction on YouTube itself.In addition to helping generate new revenue, XCAD Network fosters deeper engagement through gamification and rewards. Fans benefit monetarily from the growth of their favourite creators, thus strengthening the bonds between creators and their followers.The XCAD ecosystem consists of DEXs, a governance portal, a browser plugin with YouTube integration, cross-chain bridges, staking pools, and creator swap, which lets users exchange creator tokens.For more information, users can visit: https://xcadnetwork.com/ ContactRoelien Vd WesthuizenDverse roelien@ d-verse.io SOURCE: xcademy The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has warned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji against his alleged refusal to appear before the committee on invitation. The committee said that Mr Adedejis actions amounted to contempt of parliament. Chairman, of the committee, Bamidele Salam, said this at the resumed investigative hearing of revenue leakages in Abuja on Thursday. The chairman, while reading the riot act against the FIRS chairman, said that this is the fourth time the committee would be inviting the FIRS chairman but he failed to show up. According to him, in addition to writing him officially, we have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number. And we condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of the parliament. He said that several letters had been written to him without responses, adding that the Value Added Tax that the federal government should be collecting on Remitta had not been collected by FIRS. He said some VAT from the revenue collected by Remitta ought to have gone to the FIRS, but added that they would rather add the VAT together and share it with the CBN, Bank, and Remitta. He said, by the time we finished our reconciliation, the money would be in hundreds of billions, adding that this was what they were asking the FIRS to come and collect, but the service had refused to show up. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Eniola Ajao, the producer of Ajakaju (Beasts of Two Worlds), has reversed her decision regarding the Best Dressed Female award presented at the movies premiere held on Sunday at Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos State. Bobriskys emergence as Best Dressed Female with an award of N1 million sparked numerous controversies and ignited endless social media debates. The Best Dressed Male won by ex-BBNaija housemate Groovy with N1 million went unnoticed. Bobriskys Best Dressed Female award was condemneddescribed as disrespectful to women, Nigerian culture, and tradition. Eniola, in a statement on her Instagram page Wednesday, apologised for the distress and turmoil the award caused and announced new winners for the Best Dressed Female category. The statement signed by Abigail Akinrinmade of The Hype Agency read in parts: I write to you today with a heavy heart, filled with regret and remorse over the events that unfolded at my movie premiere, Beast of Two Worlds Ajakaju on Sunday, 24 March 2024. I address you all today, taking full responsibility and seeking your pardon with my deepest regrets for the distress and turmoil caused by the events surrounding the selection of Best Dressed at the premiere of Ajakaju. To make amends and correct my mistakes, I have decided to honour two females, Bode Alao and one other beautiful woman, as the best-dressed females at the premiere. Each will receive N1 million as a token of my sincere apology and appreciation for their grace and elegance. Womanhood Eniola, who made her acting debut in the 2004 Igba Aimo movie, apologised to women angered by her actions. The Lagos-born actress emphasised the importance of upholding and honouring the gender with dignity and respect, saying, As a woman, I value these principles deeply. I want to assure you that I hold the utmost reverence for womanhood, and I would never intentionally engage in any behaviour that diminishes or disparages the role of women in our society, Eniola added. She said, I want to extend my sincerest apologies to the Muslim community, especially during this sacred month of Ramadan. I acknowledge and respect the significance of this time, and I never intended to offend or upset anyone with the proceedings of our premiere. Please accept my sincerest apologies for any distress my actions may have caused during this sacred time. Further apologies The filmmaker further apologised to actor Femi Adebayo, who had unfairly faced backlash due to the Best Dressed Female announcement he made at the premiere. Eniola stated in an interview with Arise News TV on Tuesday that the actor did not mastermind Bobriskys win. She reiterated that Adebayo was innocent of everything that occurred at the movie premiere. The Accountant-turned-actress clarified that he ( Adebayo) was not among the judges, noting that she only called upon him to announce the winners. Furthermore, Eniola apologised to Adebayos wife, Omotayo Maimunat, and actress Dayo Amusan for the insults and disrespect directed towards them. She said, I take full responsibility for any harm caused. More so, the actress apologised to Bobrisky for placing the crossdresser in a challenging predicament. The decision to award you was never meant to cause harm or controversy but was rather an attempt to generate publicity for our movie. I am truly sorry for any distress this may have caused you, she stated. Rationale The alumna of the University of Lagos disclosed that she awarded Bobrisky Best Dressed Female to promote the movie scheduled to hit cinemas on 29 March. She said: While I may have misled you along the way, please understand that my intentions were never malicious or harmful. I am deeply sorry for any pain or discomfort my actions may have caused. I am committed to learning and growing from this experience; your forgiveness and support would mean the world to me. Background The movie features famous actors and actresses such as Sola Sobowale, Bimbo Akintola, Odunlade Adekola, Ibrahim Chatta, Adedimeji Lateef, Femi Adebayo, Faithia Balogun, Mercy Aigbe, Eniola Ajao, Peju Ogunmola, Yinka Quadri, and many others. It tells the story of a formidable woman named Ajakaju, who possesses human and animal traits. Throughout the storyline, she roams the forest at night, wreaking havoc on hunters by killing and maiming some of them and destroying crops, thus weakening the towns economy. In the movie, King Towobola ventures into the forest to confront her. Following an epic battle, they agree to marry, hoping to reconcile with Ajakaju. As anticipated, Ajakaju gives birth to a son but then throws the boy into the fire, representing the hope for the kings lineage. This action triggers a series of twists and turns, rendering the movie entertaining, daring, and suspenseful. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The 137 children of a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State rescued from bandits by the Nigerian military were presented to their parents at a government facility in Kaduna State on Wednesday. However, the state government said they would not be handed over to the parents until Thursday when Governor Uba Sani would be available to do the handing over. The parents met the children in the presence of some top government officials led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdulkadir Meyere. It would be recalled that the children were handed over to the state government on Monday by the military authorities in the state. The children were abducted on 7 March and rescued 17 days after in Zamfara State by the military. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Wednesdays occasion was the first time the parents set eyes on the children who had been undergoing psychotherapy since their rescue, according to the government Mr Meyere addressed the parents and explained why the governor was not at the event. He said: The governor himself would have loved to be here himself today, but he has gone to Abuja on an equally important assignment. But, he has said that, he would not allow them go back to Kuriga until he comes back tomorrow to personally bid them farewell. By the grace of God, your children will be handed over to you tomorrow, he said. A father of one of the children, who spoke at the meeting, Idris Abdullahi, said he was overcome by emotions. Please, bear with me because of my voice. It is nothing but because I was in tears of joy. There is no doubt, only God knows what was going through our minds, he said. First, we are expressing our gratitude to God Almighty that bestowed His mercy on us. There is nothing we are going to say to the governor other than to thank and pray that Allah reward him abundantly. We are praying that Allah will protect him, make him succeed in his tenure and get re-elected, he said. One of the rescued students, Suleiman Lawal, said they have been well received and taken care of by the government since their return to Kaduna. Those that are injured were treated and we are happy. We are grateful to the government and governor of Kaduna State. May God continue to uplift them, he said. Aisha Mohammed, another rescued student, spoke in the same vein. We are grateful to the government, especially the Commissioner Human Services and the Governor that helped us to see our parents again, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A prominent disability rights advocate in Nigeria, Debola Daniel, has narrated how he endured humiliation at a KFC outlet, a fast-food joint, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos due to his disability. Mr Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor and serving senator for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, shared his ordeal in a series of tweets on X account on Thursday, of how he faced discrimination as a wheelchair user. Today, I felt less than human, like a guard dog not allowed into the house. Lonely and isolated. Never has this been more true than it has ever been today when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @kfc @kfcnigeria at an international airport Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos is unthinkable, he said. Despite embracing his disability as part of his identity, Mr Daniel said he felt compelled to speak out against the injustice he encountered. He further recounted how he, along with his family, was publicly humiliated when the manager of the KFC outlet declared, NO WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED. Despite his familiarity with airport procedures as somebody who flies regularly, Mr Daniel was taken aback by the food outlet managers callous remarks. Expressing his frustration, he condemned the systemic discrimination against disabled individuals in Nigeria, describing it as a solitary and daunting reality. Familys intervention In response to the incident, Mr Daniels wife and brother revisited the KFC outlet to confront the manager, recording their conversation. The manager reiterated the discriminatory policy, leaving Mr Daniel feeling dehumanised and marginalised. Our group paused in confusion, before my brother, Taiwo, asked what she meant. She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at @kfc @kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately. My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her position with her, ultimately culminating in raised voices and strong verbal protests. If theres one thing I hate more than anything in this life is to create a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself and as such I began pleading with my people that we should just leave. My wife took some video footage and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least 5 other witnesses at the scene, who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventually, our party departed to another lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off, he explained. KFC Nigerias Response In a statement on X, KFC Nigeria expressed its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all customers. Acknowledging the severity of the incident, the fast-food company issued a formal apology to Mr Daniel, expressing deep regret for the distress he experienced. Furthermore, KFC, reportedly owned by an American, announced plans to conduct sensitivity training for all employees to prevent similar incidents in the future. The company emphasised that discrimination, in any form, is unacceptable and does not align with its values. KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values. However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest. In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it. We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest, the statement said. FAAN speaks Following allegations of disability discrimination at the KFC outlet at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, the public affairs department of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) initiated an investigation. Earlier in a statement on X, the Authority confirmed their active engagement with KFC management. They expressed a commitment to ensuring compliance with established guidelines and regulations, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing discrimination allegations. The investigation aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and assess whether any breaches of disability rights or regulations occurred. The public affairs department of the Authority is currently investigating this issue and has met with the management of @kfcnigeria. We shall work with all parties involved to ensure compliance with set guidelines, the department said. FAAN orders KFC to shut down operations In a statement later issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, FAAN said it has decided to shut down activities of KFC after its findings, which is following Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs. She said the closure serves as a decisive measure to address the reported discrimination and uphold the rights of passengers with disabilities. She explained that FAAN has instructed the KFC management to issue a written apology to the affected PRM. Additionally, the management must prominently display a policy statement of non-discrimination at the entrance of their facility at MMIA before resuming operations. The Authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation, she stressed. Ms Orah added that FAAN expresses its regret over the incident and reassures all airport users of its commitment to ensuring equal treatment and accessibility for all passengers. What the Disabilities Act says Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, in section 1 subsections 1 and 2, the Act condemns any form of discrimination. A person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of his disability Prohibition by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance. (a) a body corporate, a fine of N1,000,000; and (b) an individual, a fine of N100,000 or six months imprisonment or both. Mr Daniels experience highlights the persistent challenges confronting people with disabilities in accessing public spaces, underscoring the pressing need for increased inclusivity and awareness. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and dignity faced by 27 million people with disabilities in Nigeria and worldwide. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Chippewa County man will be released April 7 after serving 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. John Jipson is expected to reside in the town of Eagle Point after his release. According to court records, the now 65-year-old was convicted in Chippewa County Court in 2001 for second-degree sexual assault of a child. Judge Thomas Sazama ordered a 20-year prison sentence and then 10 years of extended supervision. In 2004, he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child for repeated sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. In 2008, Jipson was convicted of third-degree sexual assault of a child and was ordered to serve three more years, tacked onto his 20-year sentence. The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense," Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said in a press release sent Wednesday. "Further, his criminal history places him in a classification level that reflects the potential to re-offend. Jipson will be under supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections until April 2035 and will be subject to GPS tracking for the rest of his life. He is also required to register with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registration Program for life, the release states. He is not wanted by the police at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear, rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public, Hakes states. Hakes said he believed informing the community of Jipsons upcoming release and the measures that will be taken to monitor him is important for public safety. Jipson will live at a home at 8986 Highway 124, north of Chippewa Falls in the town of Eagle Point, according to the release. Wisconsin state law authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, at the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection." Mr. Jipson is to have no unsupervised contact with minors unless approved by the Department of Corrections, no contact with his victims and he cannot use illegal drugs. He is to comply with standard sex offender rules and cooperate with electronic monitoring, the release states. He is required to have face-to-face contact with law enforcement for registration purposes, to comply with all requirements, and is a lifetime registrant of Wisconsins Sex Offender Registration Program. Hakes wrote that Jipson has served the prison sentence imposed on him by the courts and that once released will be under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections. A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday, admitted a senator, Benson Konbowei (PDP Bayelsa), bail in the sum of N50 million. Mr Konbowei, who represents Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, was earlier arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on forging the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate among others. Read also Nigerian lawmaker arraigned for alleged forgery of NYSC certificate The counsel to the police, Reuben Egwaba, had opposed the bail application for the defendant. He noted that the defendant would interfere with his trial if granted bail. While the charge was filed, the defendant took several steps to interfere with the matter. He also wrote a lot of petitions against me to truncate the matter. We urge my lord to refuse the application, he urged the court. The counsel for the defendant, Gordy Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court he would not jump bail if granted one. Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Christopher Oba, said the defendant must provide two sureties in the like sum who must have landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory. Mr Oba said the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) of the sureties must be confirmed to be authentic. He, however, ordered that the senator be remanded in Kuje correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions. The law is settled that bail is at the discretion of the court. Taking a look at the matter, it is not a capital offence. The judge then declined an oral application moved by the defendants lawyer to write an undertaken to produce the senator in court until he perfects his bail. He subsequently, adjourned the matter until 24 June for a hearing. Earlier, a former senator, Moses Cleopas, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel admitted to writing the defendants primary school and discovered some inconsistency in his certificate. Mr Egwaba sought to tender the letter and the response as exhibits, but the defendants lawyer objected. This document is not relevant to the charges preferred against the defendant. Count one deals with fraudulent forgery of the exemption certificate. There was nowhere his first school leaving certificate was mentioned. Sections 4, 5 7, and 9 of the Evidence Act have settled this. Also, these documents were not signed and not dated. An unsigned document is worthless in law. It doesnt pass the test of admissibility. It also has no name of the officer who signed it. It contains no evidence that any money was paid to get the certified copies of the documents he told the court. But Mr Egwaba said the documents set to be tendered were responses to a letter the former senator wrote. There are original copies of a letter addressed to Moses, a private individual. A letter issued from a public office to an individual cannot be certified. A photocopy can be tendered if the foundation is laid for it. Attached to the letter were private documents. It does not need to be certified. Count three is relevant to the document we seek to tender. He lied on oath to INEC. Also, the primary school certificate was frontloaded in their process and also included in their proof of evidence. We will amend our charges. We urge you to discount his objections. This document shows that he is a serial forger he told the court. The trial judge overruled Mr Uche and admitted the documents as exhibits. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)on Thursday announced an increase in the capital base for different categories of banks in the country. A statement by the CBNs Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, said the capital base of banks with international authorisation had been increased to N500 billion while that of national banks was increased to N200billion. The CBN noted that commercial banks with regional authorisation are expected to achieve a N50 billion capital base. In contrast, merchant banks are expected toshore up their capital to N50 billion as the minimum capital requirement. The apex bank directed non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations to boost their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion, respectively. The CBN noted that all banks are required to meet the minimum capital requirement within 24 months, commencing from 1 April and terminating on 31 March 2026. According to the banking industry regulator, the policy shift was made in furtherance ofits statutory responsibility to promote a safe, sound and stable banking systemand in line with Section 9 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act(BOFIA) 2020, the statement said. Olayemi Cardoso, the apex bank chief, is on a drive to help President Bola Tinubu attain his dream of a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and had enjoined banks as early as last November to brace up for a capital raise that will enable them boost capital adequacy and accelerate an economy that has seen sluggish growth since exiting a recession three years ago. Thursdays directive to banks leaves them with options including seeking new equity capital by way of private placements, rights issue and/or offer for subscription; mergers & acquisitions and/or upgrade or downgrade of license authorisation. For existing banks, the minimum capital shall comprise paid-up capital and share premium only. For the avoidance of doubt, the new capital requirement shall not be based on shareholders fund, CBN said. It further stated that additional Tier 1 capital the type of capital that represents the main equity assets of a bank does not qualify for the purpose of fulfilling the new requirement. Lenders that flout the capital adequacy ratio requirement will have to infuse fresh capital to regularise their position, CBN said. READ ALSO: CBN directs Nigerian banks to increase capital base All fresh requests for banking permits submitted after 1 April have to conform to the new minimum capital requirement. The apex bank directed all banks to hand in an implementation plan showing the selected option for meeting the new capital requirement to the Director of Banking Supervision Department of the bank by the end of next month. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print FirstNews editor Segun Olatunji, who regained his freedom on Thursday after 14 days in military detention, has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. Mr Olatunji was abducted from his Lagos home on 15 March by the military and was taken to Abuja, where he was held incommunicado for days until his release. While in detention, several journalists unions and his media organisation relentlessly demanded his freedom. His colleagues at FirstNews also went spiritual in the quest to get him released. Shortly after his release, Mr Olatunji gave a vivid account of his ordeal at a joint presser organised by the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja. He said at the dusk of Friday, 15 March, he and his seven-year-old son were watching a popular television programme on TVC, Journalists Hangout, at home when armed military personnel broke into his living room in a Gestapo way. He said the men were accompanied by his wife, whom they had taken from her shop and forced to take them to his house. He said he was immediately arrested and whisked away to the air force base, also in Lagos. On March 15 March, I was at my house in Lagos, watching Journalists Hangout with my seven-year-old son, when suddenly, soldiers burst into the sitting room. I saw my wife and one-year-old son amongst them, crying. I asked what happened, and she said they arrested her from her shop and asked her to take them to where I was, Mr Olatunji described how the soldiers used his wife as a bait to arrest him. He would later learn while being incarcerated by the military that some intelligence officers had lodged at a hotel near his wifes shop days before they invaded his house to effect his arrest. Giving further insights into the event of 15 March, Mr Olatunji said he identified a top military officer among the menacing soldiers simply called Lawal, a colonel, from whom he sought to know why he was being arrested. I asked an officer, whom I identified as Colonel Lawal if I could know why they were looking for me, and he said no, that they were from the military and they were there to arrest me. Immediately, he seized my phones as he had earlier seized my wifes phones. I said okay, let me go in and dress up since I was only in my boxer shorts; some of them (soldiers) even followed me to my room as I took my shirt and trousers. The embattled journalist said he stepped out of his house into a waiting crowd of armed military personnel comprising the army, Air Force and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). They handcuffed me and put me into the vehicle. At first, I thought they were taking me to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) in Apapa (Lagos), but then we made a detour to the Air Force Base and straight to the office of the National Air Defence Corps (NADC) where we waited for about three hours. I didnt know we were waiting for a military aircraft to come pick me up. Journey to Abuja, cuffed and blindfolded After a while, when the aircraft came, someone came to me and asked me to hand over my glasses and then put a blindfold on me. They moved me into the aircraft, and we took off; when we landed, they took all my clothes. I was left with my boxer shorts. They also put leg cuffs on me in addition to the handcuffs and put me in a cell, Mr Olatunji narrated his perilous journey from Lagos to Abuja. The pain of torture Upon arrival in Abuja, the journalist was driven from the airport to a detention facility. At a point, one of the officers came and tightened the cuffs on my right hand and leg. I was there groaning in pain, and it was that way for three days. When they released it all, the right side of my body felt numb. As Im talking to you, I can still feel the numbness in my right hand and leg, Mr Olatunji said as he tried clutching a microphone he used to address journalists. The next day, Mr Olatunji was taken to a military clinic where a doctor examined him with his urine and blood samples taken. Allegations Days after he was thrown into the dungeon, Mr Olatunji was summoned for interrogation. They were asking me about certain stories that FirstNews had carried. One of them told me that I was one of those abusing the chief of defence intelligence. I said how? He said we did a story, and I replied that it was a general story. They didnt say much about that. He also asked me about a story we carried about the chief of staff to the president. I think that was the major thing, Mr Olatunji said, attributing his ordeal people in the corridors of power who are not happy with what FirstNews is doing, and they are bent on taking their own pound of flesh. The military authorities equally accused Mr Olatunji of terrorism. Freedom at last But talks about Mr Olatunjis release only began after a thorough search on his phone to ascertain the sources of his outlets stories and obtaining a statement from him. On Tuesday, they asked me to write a statement, they went through my phone and checked my source, then they left me in the cell till last night (Wednesday) when they asked me to call someone in Abuja who can guarantee my release. So, I called Mr Yomi Odunuga, a good friend and brother who brought me into journalism some 27 years ago when I joined The Punch.' After that, the military authorities phoned Mr Odunuga, a deputy editor at the Nations Newspaper, directing him to somewhere around the ECOWAS Secretariat in the Asokoro area of Abuja. Mr Odunuga was accompanied by Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the general secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), to secure Mr Olatunjis release from the military on Thursday. After lots of back and forth, they eventually took me somewhere under the bridge in Abuja here, where he was also asked to come, and he came. I was happy when he came. They asked him to sign some files, and when he did, they released me to him. My life no longer safe After his release, Mr Olatunji expressed concerns about his safety. The journalist said he was trailed for weeks before his eventual abduction by the military. I would like to say something. Given the series of events, I want to say that my life is not safe because they have everything about me; they know my house. I was even made to understand that they would have arrested me in my hometown on 8 March. I was there for an ICT programme by Senator Olamilekun Adeola Yayi, my senator. One of them told me how they had been trailing me and watching me for about two or three weeks. They even lodged in a hotel close to my wifes shop, and it was from there they arrested her and my one-year-old son, he said. Mr Olatunji said the militarys baseless allegation of terrorism against him further fuelled his worry about his familys safety. He, however, expressed gratitude to individuals and organisations who relentlessly demanded his release from the Gulag I want to thank everybody once again. Im very grateful for being steadfast in asking for my release. God will bless you all, thank you. Journalists must unite to fight oppression While speaking at the presser on Thursday, the Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES and President IPI, Musikilu Mojeed, urged journalists to unite and be each others keepers. He praised Nigerian journalists for standing up and demanding Mr Olatunjis release from the military. Mr Mojeed emphasised that journalism remains an essential component of every democratic society. Earlier, Mr Uwugiaren, while reading a press statement at the event, said the militarys initial denial of Mr Olatunjis abduction portends danger for the countrys democracy. The DIAs action is a direct attack on press freedom. Without freedom of the press, our democracy is endangered. Mr Uwugiaren said Mr Olatunjis release by the military was not the end of the matter. The Nigerian media community shall consult further in the next few days on the actions to take against the Chief of Defence Staff (Christopher Musa), the Chief of Defence Intelligence (Emmanuel Undiandeye), and the military regarding this matter. He said Nigerians and the international community were horrified by the lawlessness and fear-provoking action of the Director of the Intelligence Agency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged South-east governors and security agencies to redouble efforts to end insecurity in the region. The group made the call in a communique issued on Wednesday in Enugu at the end of Ohanaeze Ndigbo retreat. Ohanaezes National Secretary, Okey Emuchay, and the National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, signed the communique. The communique noted that insecurity in the South-east was a major hindrance to the development of the region and urged the South-east governors, security agencies and civil society organisations to redouble efforts in the security sector. It added that the consensus was that the provision of security would unlock great potentials, especially in agriculture, in the region. The retreat also harped on the capacity of the Igbos (Ndigbo) for self-sufficiency in food production and urged the governors in the region to key into the vision as well as ensure tight security in the region to earn the confidence of intending investors. According to the communique, the retreat resolved to intensify its drive for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra. It noted that Ndigbo had enormous human and natural potential to initiate a made-to-fit regional development agenda that aligns with the current global reality. We also observed that Ndigbo have not exploited the opportunistic media space to identify the power centres in the region and galvanise them for collective action. The various specialised Ohanaeze committees were therefore urged to swing into action to ensure the realisation of the new Igbo agenda in sync with 21st Century socio-economic realities, it said. It said the Igbo leaders emphasised the imperative of collaboration between Ohanaeze leadership and the South-east governors for the realisation of Ala-Igbo Transformation Agenda. The communique further said Igbo leaders endorsed the proposed N10 billion endowment fund from Igbos in Diaspora to give Ohanaeze a reasonable degree of financial stability. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has forwarded another list of 12 commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday in Akure. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Aiyedatiwa had on 1 March sworn in six commissioners and some special advisers. The letter containing the list of the nominees was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Adeniyan said. The nominees are Segun Ayerin, Olaolu Akindolire, Hamidu Takuro, Banji Ajaka, Boye Ologbese, Sunday Akinwalere, Lola Fagbemi, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye and Rasheed Badmus. Others are Olayato Aribo, Adewale Akinlosotu and Gbenga Olaniyi. Mr Adeniyan said the governor urged the Assembly to give immediate consideration to the confirmation of the nominees. Some of the new nominees like Messrs Ajaka and Yusuf-Ogunleye served as commissioners in the immediate past administration of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Mr Aiyedatiwa, who was formerly the deputy governor to Mr Akeredolu, became the substantive governor of the state followimg the passing of the latter in a German hospital late last year. Few weeks after he assumed office as Governor, Mr Aiyedatiwa dissolved the cabinet he inherited from his predecessor and appointed new persons, deemed to be his loyalists, to form his own cabinet. The State House of Assembly is yet to set the date for the screening and confirmation of the new nominees. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has directed mining new marshals drawn from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to smoke out illegal miners and all those who flout the nations mining laws. Mr Alake gave the directive while inaugurating the first batch of mining marshals drawn from the NSCDC to combat illegal mining. He said that 60 marshals have been specially trained and deployed to the 36 states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The minister said the newly activated Mining Marshal Corp, which currently has 2,220 personnel, is an inter-agency security outfit established to secure the mining environment. He said plans were underway for other security sister agencies to integrate their officers in to the outfit structure across the country for a robust output. According to the minister, the ministry plays a pivotal role in supporting the operations of the mine marshals to ensure their success. `Effective intelligence gathering through our state mines inspectorate, harnessing valid data of troubled mining areas and giving the requisite directives for precise operations are necessary factors for coordination of the activities of the marshals. The minister earlier held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to discuss securing the mining environment. Mr Badaru stated that the federal government was already making a headway in routing illegal miners, as clearance operations have commenced in some troubled spots. President Bola Tinubu set up a presidential Inter-ministerial committee on 17 Jan to produce a blue print for securing Nigeria`s natural resources, which comprises of mineral sites, marine economy and the forest. The activities of illegal miners, just like pipeline vandals and other economic saboteurs, have been negatively impacting the revenue-generating capacity of the country for years. While the government makes efforts to clamp down on such illicit activities, the illegal miners devise cleverer ways to continue their nefarious activities unabated. NAN MAA/SH Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Wednesday dismissed reports that there is a downward adjustment of price on petrol and diesel at its retail stations nationwide. NNPC Ltd made the clarification in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the company. There were reports that the ex-depot price crashed from N640 per litre to N630 per litre for independent marketers, while NNPC Ltd sold at N570 per litre. But in his reaction, Mr Soneye said that the reports are false and urged Nigerians to disregard them entirely. The NNPC Limited wishes to clarify rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail stations nationwide. The company asserts that these reports are false and urges Nigerians to disregard them entirely, Mr Soneye said. NNPC Ltd reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Thursday said it discovered a deceptive rice weight claim in the Garki Modern market in Abuja. The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement signed by its acting Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Adamu Abdullahi. Mr Abdullahi said the commission on Wednesday conducted a targeted enforcement operation at the Garki Modern Market in Abuja. He explained that the action was part of the commissions ongoing efforts to protect consumer rights and interests, as mandated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, particularly under Sections 17(l)(s), 116(2), 124, 125, 138, and 155. He noted that the operation aimed to verify the accuracy of product claims on 25kg and 50kg bags of rice. Our findings revealed discrepancies between the weight claims and the actual content. Such practices not only violate the FCCPA but also exploit consumers through deceptive means. Consequently, we have issued summons to the perpetrators. They are required to appear before the Commission and provide written undertakings to cease these deceptive practices. A Mutual Supervisory Understanding (MSU) will also be issued to monitor compliance. As we approach the festive season, like every other season, the FCCPC encourages consumers to demand and insist on full value for money. We advise verifying the weight of rice packages to align with stated claims and report any inconsistencies through the complaint tab on our website, he said. Mr Abdullahi said in accordance with Section 125 of the FCCPA, businesses must not make false or deceptive representations about material facts to consumers. Section 138 further places liability on manufacturers, importers, distributors, and suppliers for breach of implied obligations by law, including product claims, he added. He assured that the commission is committed to safeguarding consumer rights and will continue to relentlessly pursue fairness in the marketplace. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, paid tributes to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, saying that his reign was impactful even though it was short. Speaking when he paid a visit to the family at the Alarere residence of the late monarch in Ibadan, Mr Obasanjo said the deceased monarch exalted Yoruba traditional heritage with his carriage and mien while his reign lasted. He was accompanied on the visit by Oyewale Fasawe and Gbenga Adewusi, among other dignitaries. The late Olubadan died on 14 March, this year, barely 72 hours after the celebration of his second coronation anniversary. In a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, former President Obasanjo was quoted to have described the late Oba Balogun as a personal friend and that the visit to his family was a duty. The late Olubadan carried the position very well, he was Gbobaniyi. Naturally, we would have loved him to be around us for much longer, but God knows best. As it is said in Yoruba that o wuni ka jeran pe lenu, oofa ona ofun o je. That is, as much as we want to hold the meat in our mouth, the drawer from our oesophagus wont allow us. Assuming that death did not come when it came but a worse thing happened, what could have been our reaction? We thank God for him, it is not how long, but how well, the former president said. In his terse condolence message in the register, Mr Obasanjo wrote, Kabiyesi Balogun, sleep in your creators bosom. Responding on behalf of the family consisting of two of the Oloris, Olayinka and Olufunmilayo, and few of the children, Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Tajudeen Aremu, said that what the former President did by the visit was a demonstration of genuine love. Theres nothing our late father can do for anybody now. He is no more in a position to offer anybody anything, either tangible or intangible. So, whatever anybody does for him now is not because of receiving anything in return from him, but out of deep love and concern. The family appreciates Your Excellency and it is our prayer that God will preserve you more for the country in general and for Yoruba in particular, Mr Aremu added. Welcoming him and his entourage earlier, the Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade recalled that the former President was among the dignitaries that paid the late Olubadan visit before his coronation. He added that his visit now after his death was a clear demonstration of the love that existed between the two of them. He prayed that the Almighty Allah should repay him for the good deeds and love being showed to the family of the late Olubadan. He also urged him not to make the visit a one off, but periodic, as a way of identifying with the family. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An Ikeja High Court on Thursday issued a bench warrant against the former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd., Olusegun Ogunbanjo, and others charged with N950 million fraud. Other defendants in the suit numbered ID/21559C/2023 whom Justice Ismail Ijelu also ordered a bench warrant against were Olawunmi Ogunbanjo, Vaneloo International Ltd., Valeco Global Ventures, Bagco Garba, Taofeek Ogunbanjo, Ifeanyi Odogwu, Bound Media Ltd., and Godwin Benson. Mr Ijelu ordered the arrest after the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendants following their non-appearance in court. A counsel, one Ms Ugochukwu, who held brief for her principal counsel, (the first defence counsel, Charles Jiakponna), did not oppose the request but prayed for a short adjournment for her senior colleague to be in court. The judge, in his ruling, said the first defendant had been served with proof of service since 12 December 2023 when Mr Jiakponna had been appearing as his counsel in the case. He said Mr Jiakponna had made a passionate plea to the court in the previous proceedings to avail all the defendants in court at the next date of adjournment but failed to do so. According to him, a general rule in criminal proceedings is that when a defendant is aware of criminal charges against him but wilfully stays away without a valid reason, his attendance could be secured by a bench warrant. He said: The law empowers the court where it is sacrosanct that the defendant is absent without a valid reason to issue a bench warrant against him in order to ensure his presence in court. I have considered the antecedent of this case and I find out that the first defendant was aware of this case, the counsel appeared for him on December 12 2023 and told this court that he received the proof of service on his behalf. I, therefore, find and hold that the first defendant is fully aware of the criminal charges against him. Consequently, a bench warrant is hereby issued for the arrest of the first defendant and other defendants in this case. Mr Ijelu adjourned the case until 30 April for arraignment. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the arraignment of the defendants on 19 March suffered a setback due to their absence in court. The court had on 26 February overruled the objections of the first defendant that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. The court had ruled that it thoroughly examined the information and proof of evidence in the case and formed the view that its jurisdiction to entertain the case was intact. The court had ordered that all the defendants be produced in court to take their plea. The Lagos State Government had on 10 March 2023 arraigned Mr Ogunbanjo before a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates Court for alleged N950 million fraud. Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun had granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum, following his not guilty plea to the three-count charge of obtaining by false pretences, forgery and stealing. Mr Ogunbanjo allegedly obtained N450 million from one Olusola lkuyajesin and N500 million from one Durodola Balogun under false pretences of using the money to buy stationeries. He also allegedly forged his former employers local purchase orders to carry out the acts, in contravention of Sections 287, 314 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Election workers will introduce Badger Books, an electronic poll book, in Chippewa Falls beginning with the April 2 presidential primary and spring election. The use of the e-books will not change the voting process but is intended to streamline computerized voter check-ins, election day registrations and absentee recordings by poll workers. The e-poll book will replace the old method of verifying and recording voters with pen and paper. Badger Books are not tabulators. People cannot cast ballots on a Badger Book. Voting itself will continue to be done on paper ballots. With the ability to scan a Wisconsin driver's license or ID card, information is automatically populated, reducing data entry errors, Chippewa Falls city clerk Bridget Givens stated in a press release Tuesday. The data will be verified, and the voter will sign with a stylus or fingertip on the touchscreen. The voter is assigned a number, provided a ballot and directed to the voting booths. The e-poll book data is imported directly into WisVote, eliminating the need for clerks to manually record election participation and enter Election Day registrations. Badger Books will have polling location data, so voters can go to any open Badger Book to be checked in; they only need to be in the correct polling location. The use of Badger Books should result in shorter wait times and more efficient registration processing, Givens said. If a voter arrives at the wrong polling location, the system prompts a poll worker to redirect them to the correct location. Election Day voter check-in Voter will still state their name and address and present their Photo ID. Poll workers will look up the information in the Badger Book and select the voter. Badger Book provides the poll worker with all valid types of photo ID that can be accepted, including specific expiration dates. The poll worker will turn the Badger Books screen to the voter for signature. Badger Book automatically prints a voter number slip that the voter presents at the ballot table to receive their paper ballot. The voter marks their ballot and feeds it through the tabulator. E-poll books also can help election inspectors handle complicated Election Day processes by providing step-by-step instruction, an election commission memo states. Badger Book software was developed by the Wisconsin Elections Commission in 2017. According to a 2017 memo from the Wisconsin Election Commission to Wisconsin County Clerks, the e-poll book system will be an electronic version of the paper poll books that have been used for years. Badger Books is the only electronic poll book software created to integrate with Wisconsins statewide voter registration system, according to the Wisconsin Election Commission website. Badger Books have enhancements to keep data secure. Each Badger Book communicates with one another on Election Day via a secure router that is used solely to link the Badger Books at the polling location. Badger Books do not use an internet connection, and no personal data is stored on the books, Givens wrote. Badger Books work together to continually update the list of voters who have checked in and to assign sequential voter numbers. Givens said nearly one-third of registered voters in the state utilize Badger Books on Election Day. Badger Books are currently in use in the town of Eagle Point, town of Lafayette and village of Lake Hallie in Chippewa County. Givens said she is excited to join other municipalities in Chippewa County in offering Badger Books to voters in the city of Chippewa Falls and looks forward to a more efficient and expedient experience for voters at the polling locations. Following an election, clerks are afforded at least 30 days to enter voter participation and Election Day registrations. The Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the 2024 FCT statutory allocation would help to complete existing infrastructure projects before initiating new ones. Mr Wike made this known during a project inspection in Abuja on Thursday. The projects the minister inspected are the ongoing 7.3-kilometre Gaba-Tokulo road in Bwari Area Council and the 5km temporary access road from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) to the old Keffi road in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), also known as Saburi road. He reassured that the 5km temporary access road from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) to the old Keffi road in AMAC, which elicited a lot of excitement when it was flagged off, will be completed this year. Mr Wike stated that 58 per cent of the capital budget has been dedicated to ongoing projects, while the remaining 42 per cent is allocated for new ones. He said this strategic approach underscores the FCT Administrations dedication to fulfilling existing commitments while strategically investing in future development needs. He reiterated his belief that each project represents a significant investment of public funds and must be brought to fruition to maximise returns on investment. He assured stakeholders that implementation of the budget would commence promptly upon presidential assent to the statutory bill. He said, We have allocated 58 per cent of the capital budget to ongoing projects and 42 per cent for new projects. After the assent of Mr. President to the statutory bill, then we will start the implementation of the new projects in the 2024 statutory appropriation. It will not be proper to abandon old projects because they are all public funds. We believe in the projects that have been awarded before we came, and by the mandate of Mr. President, we have to make sure those projects are brought to a logical conclusion. So, I can tell you that its a realistic budget, and once the President assents to it, full implementation will commence. Project in area councils Mr Wike said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is working in the nations capital because of laudable ongoing projects. He promised to bring developmental projects to the rural communities within the FCT because the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu was not only for the city centre. He added that the administration is currently constructing rural roads in all six area councils to ensure residents have basic infrastructure facilities once the budget is signed into law. Im very glad to say that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working, particularly as it concerns the area councils. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not only for the cities. Its also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration. We are here in Saburi, which is under Abuja Municipal Area Council, and you can see the work going on. When we came to flag off this project, you could see the enthusiasm among the people. The contractors are doing very well, and by the grace of God, all the projects, particularly the six projects in the six area councils, will be completed before the end of this year. Also, that will not stop us from starting the 2024 infrastructure provision in the area councils as we promised. READ ALSO: FCT to establish rapid response team to tackle insecurity Wike Frankly speaking, all of us will see that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just in theory; its in practice. Seeing is believing, and I want to sincerely thank Mr. President and Commander in Chief for allowing us to be part of his administration and for the tremendous support he has been giving to the FCT Administration. Thats why we can say that we are very happy, and everything we have started, there are signs that they will be completed soon, the minister said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Hours after the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute revealed that personnel of the Defence Intelligence Agency were responsible for the abduction of FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji, officials of the Nigerian military have admitted they have the missing journalist in their custody. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, quoted top military officers as admitting their men seized the editor, after twelve days of denial. Mr Idris disclosed this to officials of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the International Press Institute on Wednesday night. He said the Defence Intelligence Agency had now committed to releasing the journalist on Thursday. IPI Nigeria had earlier on Wednesday called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, an army general, to immediately produce the abducted journalist or charge him to court if he has committed any offence. The rule of law demands that an accused person is allowed to defend himself in a court of law within a reasonable time, the IPI said in a statement, jointly signed by Mr Mojeed and and the institutes Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi. This also conforms with the provisions of Nigerias 1999 Constitution, which forbids the detention of any citizen or resident beyond 48 hours, except with a valid court order. The IPI Nigeria said multiple checks revealed that Mr Olatunji is in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), an agency that reports directly to the Chief of Defence Staff. As a matter of urgency, the military should tell the world why Mr. Olatunji was arrested, where he is being kept, and why he has not been charged in court, it said. The IPI Nigeria noted that Mr Olatunjis abduction has triggered speculations among journalists and human rights activists around the world that the Nigerian military may be keeping some vital information away from the public concerning the journalists safety. The international community should also pay attention to the unjust detention of Mr. Olatunji by the Nigerian military, the statement added. IPI Nigeria is reminding the Nigerian authorities that when it comes to upholding human rights, Nigeria continues to rank low in the comity of nations. Keeping a citizen beyond the period allowed by the Constitution will only worsen Nigerias standing in the International community. The time to act is now. Journalists abduction Armed men in military uniform stormed Mr Olatunjis Lagos residence and whisked him away about two weeks ago. The abductors did not leave any information behind as to where they were taking him or what his offence was. He has been kept incommunicado since then. The management of First News suspected it was connected to a series of reports published recently by the news platform. The first report is titled, Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business Public Interest Lawyers. The second report, titled, EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials Investigation, was later pulled down by the medium. Until the latest revelation, the editors whereabouts or his abductors were unknown. Mr Olatunjis experience adds to the dozens of press attacks that Nigeria, Africas largest country, witnesses annually. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nigeria witnessed more attacks on the press in 2023 than in previous years. Between January and August 2023, Nigeria witnessed at least 74 press attacks, according to data from Press Tracker a record high that overtook the 2019 record of 72. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, named and inaugurated six of the partys governors as its coordinators in the zones. Mr Ganduje named Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the co-ordinator for the South-east, while Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State is the co-ordinator for the North-central, and Governor Mai Mala Buni the coordinator for North-east. He also named Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as the North-west coordinator, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will serve as South-west coordinator and Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State as the South-south coordinator. Mr Ganduje said the governors are expected to initiate periodic interface with the partys leadership. They should liase with the party to commence immediate process of genuine reconciliation of aggrieved members in the geo-political zone. Mobilise governors of the zones to effectively and physically participate in the partys activities in the zone, consult with governors and resolve issues that will further enhance its progress and unity. They are to also assists the party on resource mobilisation in serving the party and participate in any other activity that may be assigned by the party, he said. We want to change the narrative, we want our political party to be active throughout the year. Therefore, all our offices must be physically operational, all our offices must be functionally operational. Right from the local government to state level, there must be activities throughout, but this cannot happen by chance, he said. The APC national chairman also said political parties in Nigeria lacked identity and ideology, leading to frequent defections from one political party to another. He said that the situation must change for the better. Responding, Mr Uzodimma, also the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), expressed delight and commended the partys leadership for the initiative. We are very delighted and happy that the party in its wisdom, introduced this new policy of proper co-ordination, we at the PGF has a membership of 20 governors which means 20 states currently being governed by APC. We have to start from there to ensure an inclusive participation of all our party members, and to take this participation to the grassroots, I think that is the wisdom behind this inauguration, Mr Uzodimma said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned Wednesdays Labour Party (LP) National Convention in Anambra. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief press secretary to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday. Mr Oyekanmi said that the conduct of the convention was not monitored by INEC, declining to state further why it was not monitored. NAN however, reports that the LP had on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia to Nnewi, Anambra State. Speaking on the venue change, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date. No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi. So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time, Mr Edun said. Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting. This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees, and other governing bodies or nominating candidates. (NAN) OBE/ABI Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police command in Benue has killed two notorious bandits in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) of the state and recovered arms. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Makurdi, by the States Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sewuese Anene. Mr Anene said in the statement that the police command had acted on information about the regrouping of bandits at De-Mtsa village, Kastina-Ala, for nefarious activities. According to him, a team from Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), led by its Commander, Felix Nomiyugh, swiftly invaded the area and killed two of the bandits during heavy gun battles. Upon arrival at the scene, on March 27, the bandits engaged the police in a gun duel, but superior firepower from the operatives dislodged them. Consequently, while two of the bandits sustained gunshot injuries and were confirmed dead at the hospital, one was arrested and the others escaped with wounds, but they are currently being trailed by the operatives. Exhibits recovered from the scene include one type 06 Rifle, three AK-47 magazines loaded with 7.6mm ammunition, 80 other ammunition, camouflage uniforms and assorted phones, the spokesperson said. The statement further quoted the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, as commending the officers for their bravery, urging them to always take the war to the doorsteps of the criminals. He also urged the people of the state to always support the police with useful and timely information. NAN reports that those killed are members of the dreaded gang leader, Terwase Akwaza, a.k.a Ghana, who was killed in a similar operation. NAN further reports that the gangs members, before their deaths, terrorised Abaji, Tor Donga and other neighbouring villages in Katsina-Ala. Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum LGAs have particularly faced unprecedented bandit activities for more than a decade. Respite is yet to come despite the joint security operations in the area and the death of Ghana. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An appeal court here has upheld the 2022 conviction of Kunti Kamara, a former commander of the Ulimo rebel group, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Lofa County during Liberias first civil war. The court of three judges and nine jurors, delivered the final verdict Wednesday evening following more than eight hours of deliberations. In the French judicial system the jury needed to have an innate belief in Mr Kamaras guilt to convict. A simple majority of jurors seven of the 12 needed to find him guilty for conviction. Announcing the final verdict, the presiding judge, Jean Marc Lavergne, said Mr Kamara has five days to lodge an appeal against the decision. The court upheld Mr Kamaras earlier sentence of 30 years prison. Following the verdict, the civil parties asked for 1 euro each in moral damages, as a symbolic gesture. The Court granted the request. In a protective glass box, where he had sat throughout the hearing, Mr Kamara looked dejected as the judge read out the jury decision, closing the chapter to his appeal. Judge Lavergne asked Mr Kamara if he had a reaction. Mr Kamara responded, No, I dont have anything else to say. Soon afterwards he was handcuffed and led back into the holding area of the court complex to resume his sentence. The appeal court found Mr Kamara guilty of rape and sexual slavery committed by his subordinates; subjecting a man to severe suffering and participating in the public eating of his heart; executing a sick woman who had just lost her baby, because she was accused of witchcraft; subjecting two men to forced labour in inhumane conditions; and torturing a civilian. The crimes were found to have happened between 1993 and 1994 during the First Liberian Civil War. A Liberian plaintiff testifies before the Appeal Court Throughout the four weeks of the appeal hearing, the court heard from 22 witnesses, nine civil parties, and five experts including psychologists and a psychiatrist. All of the witnesses who testified in the earlier trial in 2022 which sentenced Mr Kamara to life imprisonment, traveled from Liberia again to testify in the appeal, except for one witness who died shortly after his return to Liberia in 2022. It also heard from contextual witnesses including former Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission chairs John Stewart and Massa Washington, war photographer Patrick Robert and documentarist Christophe Naigeon. Mr Kamaras former ally, Alieu Kosiah, also came to testify. He was convicted on appeal in Switzerland to 20 years imprisonment for war crimes and crimes against humanity, for his involvement in some of the same acts for which Kamara has been found guilty. Civitas Maxima, the Swiss justice activists, which were also a civil party in this case, filed the criminal complaint in July 2018 that started the proceedings in France where Mr Kamara was residing after securing Dutch citizenship. This was a historic case for both France and Liberia. For France, the Kamara case was the first universal jurisdiction trial not linked to the Rwandan genocide, and with the defendant present. It was only the fifth trial of this type to take place in France. For Liberia, this verdict confirms the first ever conviction for crimes against humanity linked to the Liberian civil conflicts. In a statement Civitas Maxima said, the conviction for complicity in crimes against humanity is particularly meaningful Mr Kamara was found guilty to have, knowingly, facilitated the preparation or commission by his soldiers of such torture or inhumane acts, including rape and sexual abuses. Because of the historical relevance of the case, both the first instance proceedings and the appeal were recorded, and added to the French audiovisual archives of justice. This was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In collaboration with the Gender Adolescent School Health and Elderly Care (GASHE) division of the Family Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Parenting for Lifelong Health and the Global Parenting Initiative at the University of Oxford on Tuesday in Abuja convened a workshop aimed at enhancing parenting support interventions in Nigeria. The workshop was part of a project funded by the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children (GPEVAC) through the Government of Japan. It is aimed at helping five pathfinding countries including Nigeria to enhance their national infrastructure to provide and scale evidence-based parenting programmes towards preventing violence against children. The workshop brought together an array of stakeholders to address critical issues surrounding parenting in the country. NOA DGs remarks The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was the guest speaker at the event, underscored the vital role of responsible parenting in shaping the future of Nigerian children. Among other issues, he addressed the challenges of absentee parenting and the influence of foreign media on childrens development, outlining plans for collaborative efforts between NOA and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to regulate television content and promote locally produced cartoons. Some of the steps we are currently taking at NOA with regards to en-placing responsible parenting includes our current engagements with cartoon creators aimed at ensuring that the cartoons that our children watch going forward are reflective of our heroes, our culture, our folklore, our diversity, our challenges, and our victories, he said. We are taking these engagements with cartoon creators with the highest degree of seriousness and commitment because, even though many of you may not have noticed, we are currently raising foreigners in our various homes across Nigeria. The cartoon contents that our children spend hours watching and which are shaping their character and worldview do not project the nuances of our culture and values. Mr Onilu also revealed that the agency would be establishing initiatives such as Citizens Brigades in primary and secondary schools to instill positive values in Nigerian children. In addition, NOA is in the process of establishing Citizens Brigades in Secondary and Primary schools. The plan in the short term, is to establish 1,000 per state in the 36 states and the FCT, making 37,000 citizen brigades promoting the contents of the National Values Charter in the first instance, he said, adding that: The core purpose of this is to familiarise our children from their formative stage with the promises that Nigeria is making to them and the commitments that they in turn owe to the country and their fellow citizens. In this way, we intend to develop children who are values-conscious. Our advocacy on the National Values Charter emphasises the centrality of responsible parenting. Workshop Meanwhile, the workshop tagged: Scaling Positive Parenting to Reduce Violence against Children in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Context of the Triple Threat of COVID-19, Conflict and Climate Crisis, attracted participants from various ministries, UN agencies, and non-governmental agencies. Isang Awah, representing Parenting for Lifelong Health and the Global Parenting Initiative at the University of Oxford, led the project team in delivering an intense presentation on the urgent need for responsive parenting interventions in Nigeria. She said the major objectives of the event was to bring together stakeholders to deliberate on the state of parenting support interventions in Nigeria. The expert added that the effort was also to provide a broad overview of the parenting support landscape. We did a situational analysis and we are going to share the findings to show you what we have in terms of parenting support in Nigeria. She said the workshop also sought to capture the details of the various parenting support interventions that are currently being implemented and we will do that by having some presentations from a few of the implementersWe only selected three, and they will share some of the challenges and gaps and ways that we can support to strengthen the programmes and their scale-up. She gave snippets of the findings which formed the nucleus of the workshop. I am here to advocate for support for all parents and caregivers. That is our mission at Parenting for Lifelong Health and the Global Parenting Initiative which is at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford, she said. We want all parents and caregivers to get the support they need to raise their children. The workshop is to share findings from the situational analysis of parenting programmes in Nigeria. We found out that there are different implementers working on different parenting programmes in Nigeria and they all have different challenges one of which is funding. Another is the lack of a policy on parenting which we need in the country. They also need support to strenthen capacity. Recommendations On recommendations, the expert said: I think it is very important to strengthen first of all the programmes because the implementers are doing a fantastic job but need to be supported. We need to strengthen their capacities, support them where they need funding even in carrying out evaluationand even in developing a curriculum and content of the different programmes they are implementing. And in terms of policies, it would be helpful if we could have a policy on parenting. It would also be very great to see how we can include parenting support and intervention in some of the services we already have in some of the federal ministries. Also, in her presentations, Mrs Awah highlighted the impact of economic decline, conflict, and natural disasters on families, leading to negative coping mechanisms such as child labour, reduced nutrition, and child marriage. The presentation emphasized the critical role of parenting in child development and advocated support for families affected by humanitarian crises. The presentation also shared the state of parenting programmes in Nigeria and revealed that there was no policy on parenting in the country. Deliberations A robust discussion facilitated by John Ovuoraye, Director of GASHE Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, ensued, with participants including key policymakers from relevant ministries, NOA, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO, UNODC, FHI360, Society for Family Health, Jhpiego, and members of the press. The discussion centered on the necessity of a national parenting policy and the imperative to support parents with effective interventions. The workshop concluded with a consensus on concrete steps to facilitate the development of a comprehensive parenting policy in Nigeria, signaling a significant milestone in advancing support for families across the nation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have bombed the Police Divisional Headquarters, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria. Residents of the community told PREMIUM TIMES that the hoodlums invaded the police facility in the early hours of Thursday and threw explosive devices into the facility. One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said the hoodlums wanted to free some inmates in the facility. He could not, however, say if any inmate was eventually freed by the hoodlums during the attack. When contacted on Thursday morning, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Okoye, a superintendent of police, said the explosive devices thrown by the attackers affected part of the police facility. Our operatives gallantly resisted the attackers, which made them flee, he said. The spokesperson said no life was lost and that the hoodlums neither carted away weapons nor abducted any police operative during the attack. He said police operatives were currently carrying out operations in the area to track down the hoodlums. Not the first time. This is not the first time a police facility has been bombed by gunmen in the state and region. Several police facilities have been attacked and razed by gunmen terrorising residents across the state and the region. Apart from police facilities, offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission have been the target of similar attacks across the region which has witnessed deteriorating security in recent times. Hundreds of persons, including security agencies, traditional rulers and government officials, have been killed or abducted in such attacks. The Nigerian government has accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied any involvement. IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Suspended Bauchi Central senator, Abdul Ningi, has written to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, demanding his reinstatement. Mr Ningi conveyed the letter through his lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). According to the letter, Mr Ningi gave a seven-day ultimatum to the senate leadership to reinstate him or risk legal action. The Senate suspended Mr Ningi for three months on 12 March, for accusing the leadership of the Senate of fraudulently smuggling projects worth N3 trillion into the 2024 budget. The lawmaker had claimed that he sought the services of a private auditor to review the budget and discovered some projects that did not have locations. PREMIUM TIMES has reviewed the claims of Mr Ningi and found them to be true. This newspaper reviewed the proposed 2024 budget, the approved budget and Mr Ningis document which he uses as a reference and discovered several projects worth billions of naira without specific locations and a proper description. My suspension illegal In the letter addressed to the Senate leadership, Mr Ningi maintained that his suspension was illegal because the Nigerian parliament does not possess the power to suspend or expel a legislator and confiscate his salaries and allowances. The senator said he would not hesitate to report Mr Akpabio to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if the Senate leadership refused to lift his suspension within seven days. The upper legislative chamber is currently on Easter and Eid-el-Fitri holiday and will reconvene on 16 April. The letter reads: On March 9, 2024, our client granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 Appropriation Act. He expressed his views on the budget of the Federal Government in the exercise of his fundamental right to freedom of speech guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Dissatisfied with the interview, you caused our client to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024 contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018. This is a breach of Section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act. As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court had struck down the suspension of some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who had accused the leadership of both houses of budget padding, corruption or abuse of office. Specifically, the court declared the suspension of the affected legislators illegal and unconstitutional. As a senior lawyer, you (Akpabio) ought to have drawn the attention of the members of the Senate to these decisions and several others where the high courts of some states and the Court of Appeal have held that no parliament in Nigeria has the power to suspend or expel a legislator and confiscate his salaries and allowances. In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that the suspension of Senator Ningi and the denial of his entitlements are illegal and unconstitutional in every material particular. We are compelled to request you to ensure that the said suspension is lifted forthwith. However, if you fail to accede to our request seven days upon receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client. We shall equally report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Deputy Speaker of Nigerias House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, has requested the amendment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly rules to accommodate more emergency items for consideration. The deputy speaker is part of the Nigerian delegation to the 148 IPU General Assembly in Switzerland. Details of his proposal are contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Thursday. Mr Kalu is proposing to amend section 11.1 of the IPU rule on the introduction of emergency items for consideration by the Assembly. The amendment, if adopted, would allow every continent to present at least one emergency item for consideration. According to the existing rule, only one emergency rule can be proposed and such must get a two-thirds majority of all members. A request for the inclusion of an emergency item must relate to a recent major situation of international concern on which urgent action by the international community is required and on which it is appropriate for the IPU to express its opinion and mobilise a parliamentary response. Such a request must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast in order to be accepted. The Assembly may place only one emergency item on its agenda. Should several requests obtain the requisite majority, the one having received the largest number of positive votes shall be accepted, Rule 11.1(an and b) reads. However, about five emergency items were proposed at the ongoing Assembly. The rule allows multiple items on the same subject matter to be consolidated. The five proposals before the Assembly There is a proposal by South Africa with support from the Arab group and the African group, titled; Raising awareness of the International Court of Justice provisional measures for Israel in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, and of the need for urgent action on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel also has a proposal for the immediate release of the hostages in Gaza. And there is also the proposal by Indonesia and Malaysia on parliamentary diplomacy for peace in Palestine. Also, Denmark, France, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom have a proposal for the Call for urgent action regarding the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, there is another proposal on Africa on the Call for urgent action to end the aggression and massive violations of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, Argentina, on behalf of the delegations of Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay also proposed Free, fair and transparent elections without prohibitions: Towards an orderly and peaceful democratic transition in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In line with the rule, the proposal on Gaza got the attention of the Assembly while the one on Congo was not considered. Rules not in Africas favour In his debate, Mr Kanu said the existing rule does not favour Africa, noting that the continent has several issues that require emergency interventions. He proposed that every continent should present one item at every Assembly. I am proposing one item per continent at every Assembly to energise the voices of concern across the globe, he said. Speaking further, Mr Kalu said, We must reconsider our approach to addressing emergency items. Rule 11.2 allows for flexibility, suggesting the possibility of addressing multiple urgent issues. Neglecting regions like Africa, where significant challenges persist is unacceptable. Let us interpret the rules purpose addressing pressing issues to allow for consideration of multiple emergency items. By reforming our processes, we can ensure parliamentary diplomacy truly reflects the worlds diverse needs. Its concerning that Africas plight, where ongoing conflicts claim thousands of lives, hasnt been addressed urgently. From Sudans horrific situation with over 13,000 lives lost to the ongoing tragedy in the D.R. Congo and the militancy and terror in Sahel Africa, the human cost of these conflicts cant be overlooked. These crises in Africa have ripple effects that ultimately impact the world, he said. Lamenting the poor percentage of women in politics, the deputy speaker called for gender equality and inclusion in governance, stressing that womens underrepresentation in parliament impeded progress. Gender equality and inclusion in governance and peacebuilding is essential. Statistically, the representation of women in parliament in the world, hovering around 26 per cent, is a stark reminder that we have yet to fully utilise the talent and perspective of half of the worlds population, Mr Kalu said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Congressman Derrick Van Orden visited Campbell to celebrate $2 million in federal spending approved for a municipal water system in the town. The water system would help the town recover from PFAS contamination in private wells throughout French Island. The $2 million comes from a federal appropriation request by Van Orden. The congressman sent the request to the House Committee on Appropriations in March 2023 and the spending bill was approved in November. This isnt the most popular Republican position, and I dont really care, Van Orden said. Im incredibly proud to work with everybody here on the local, state and federal level to make sure we can help people be able to drink water out of their own faucet. No municipal water system currently exists on French Island. About 1,600 private wells in the town of Campbell have been contaminated by PFAS, forcing 4,300 residents to consume bottled water for more than three years since the contaminants were found. PFAS contamination seeped into French Islands water wells from firefighting foam used at the La Crosse Regional Airport for air crash events and exercises. Airfields were previously required to use the foam until May 2023 when Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration to advise against the requirement. The federal government mandated that PFAS be used on these airfields. Its the federal governments responsibility for cleaning it up, Van Orden said. The town is looking to install an elevated storage tank as part of a municipal water system. With funding collected from various outlets, town leaders hope to begin seeking permits for construction in May. Were trying to stack up finances from all over the best we can, said Campbell town supervisor Lee Donahue. Its an investment in the health and safety of these residents. Its going to be a lot of money, but were grateful for everything weve got so far. To start a municipal water system, Campbell leaders have to submit plans to the DNR and Public Service Commission. These requests require EPA approval every step of the way. Donahue is hopeful that the town will break ground before the end of 2024. In the past two years, Campbell has also secured $600,000 from the La Crosse County Board for a test well and $1.7 million from Congressional Direct Spending U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin secured for a municipal water system. Although he operates on the federal level, Van Orden also encouraged the release of Wisconsins $125 million trust fund to combat PFAS contamination currently locked in the states Joint Finance Commission. If theyre there, then they should be used, Van Orden said about the funds. In the same appropriations bill for Campbells funding, Van Orden acquired another $2 million for PFAS water filtration equipment in Eau Claire. The detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has sued the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged violation of his fundamental rights. Mr Gambaryan, in the originating motion dated and filed 18 March by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binances Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody on 22 March, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Messrs Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents. They sought the same reliefs. Mr Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in his application, sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of the Nigerian Constitution. He said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution. He also sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect. Mr Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him concerning any investigation into or demands from Binance. The official, who sought an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him, also prayed for the cost of the action on a full indemnity basis. In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on 26 February, along with fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria. Giving an 11-ground argument as to why his application should be granted, he said that he and his colleague, Mr Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting. He said after the meeting the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then. He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he committed in Nigeria at any other time. The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company, he said, adding that he was not a member of the Board of Directors of Binance. When the two suits were called on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo appeared for Messrs Anjarwalla and Gambaryan Mr Krukrubo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that though the respondents were served two days ago, they were not represented in court. The senior lawyer, however, drew the attention of the court to their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Mr Anjarwalla filed on 26 March. Although Mr Krukrubo did not give details of why they were withdrawing their legal representation, this might not be unconnected to the disappearance of the applicant in custody. Justice Ekwo said having withdrawn their legal representation, it means that the applicant has no legal representation and requires that the matter be adjourned for the applicant to seek legal representation and for the respondents to be given an opportunity to come to court. The judge adjourned the matter until 8 April for further mention. Also, upon resumed hearing in Mr Gambaryans suit, Mr Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond. He, therefore, sought an adjourned date, saying the respondents time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday. Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until 8 April for further mention. (NAN) TOA/SH Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Six Labour Party (LP) Enugu State House of Assembly members have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They made their defection known on Thursday in Enugu in a letter read by the Speaker of the Assembly, Uche Ugwu, during plenary. The defectors include the Majority Leader, Johnson Ani (Enugu North); the Chief Whip, Ejike Eze, (Igbo-Eze North 1); and the Deputy Chief Whip, Princess Ugwu (Enugu South Rural). Others are Pius Ezugwu (Nsukka East); Williams Amuka (Igbo-Etiti West); and Osita Eze (Oji River). In the letters, the defectors said their defection resulted from irreconcilable division and incessant crisis within the LP at the national level and across all the state chapters. They regretted that the party had evolved into perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles, undermining its ability to effectively serve the peoples interest. According to them, the LP, once considered a beacon of hope for progressive ideas, has regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of the electorates. They cited the cases of Julius Abure and Limido Apapa factions as well as the national treasurer as some of the divisions within the party. They expressed the hope that the PDP would give them the platform to continue serving their peoples interests and thanked the LPs leadership for their support. The defectors also acknowledge that the letters were sent to the speakers office by themselves, adding that they would work wholeheartedly for the progress of their new party in Enugu State. In his remark, the Speaker welcomed the defectors into the PDP and promised that they would be carried along in the legislative activities of the House. With the defection, the PDP now has the majority in the House with 17 members, while the LP has six members. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Nigerian journalist, Segun Olatunji, has regained his freedom after 14 days in a military detention facility in Abuja. Mr Olatunjis release was announced on Thursday at a joint presser by the International Press Institute, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja. Mr Olatunji, the editor of FirstNews, was abducted from his home in Lagos, South-west, on 15 March. Hours later he was blindfolded and flown into Abuja on a military aircraft. But the military authorities denied Mr Olatunjis abduction until Wednesday evening when they admitted detaining the journalist. When confronted by three journalists associations in Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, a general, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, a major general, lied that the journalist was not in their custody. The journalist (Mr Olatunji) was being detained and tortured by the Defence Intelligence Agency in Abuja, the Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, who read the joint press statement said on Thursday. At the presser on Thursday, Mr Uwugiaren was flanked by Musikilu Mojeed, the Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times and President, International Press Institute in Nigeria as well as the President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo and Mr Olatunji. The IPI, NGE and NUJ had consistently demanded Mr Olatunjis release. How journalist was released Narrating how Mr Olatunji regained his freedom on Thursday, Mr Uwugiaren said the Defence Intelligence Agency phoned Yomi Odunuga, a deputy editor at the Nation Newspaper, to come to its facility at Asokoro District of Abuja to collect the detained journalist. While Mr Odunuga was riding in a car with Mr Uwugiaren in Abuja on Thursday, the pair kept receiving phone calls from the DIA, directing them to different places where they were to receive Mr Olatunji. Eventually, the military personnel directed Messrs Odunuga and Uwugiaren to a bridge in Asokoro where Mr Olatunji was released to them after Mr Odunuga signed a bail bond for the detained journalist. One of the conditions for Mr Olatunjis release is that Mr Odunuga must produce the former whenever he is required in court. My life no longer safe, journalist cries out Recounting his ordeal at the hands of the military, Mr Olatunji said his life was no longer safe on account of the manner he was abducted from his home, blindfolded and tortured by the soldiers. He said the DIA hacked his phone, tracking his movements for weeks before his abduction on 15 March. My life is not safe because they (military) know my house. They had been trailing me three weeks before the arrest. My life is no longer safe given the manner the soldiers tracked me from my village to Lagos before my abduction. I was with my seven-year-old son when the army broke into the house. They bundled me into their vehicle, he said. Experience in detention Narrating his experience while in detention, Mr Olatunji said the military took away his eye glasses before blindfolding him. Thereafter, he said he was handcuffed. I was blindfolded and groaning in pain. I can still feel the numbness on my right wrist because of the handcuffs. They cuffed my legs and put me in an underground cell. They asked me about stories we carried about the Chief of Staff to the president (Femi Gbajabiamila.) Those behind my arrest were people in power who were not comfortable with our reporting. Last night, I was asked to call someone who would stand as a surety. It was then that I phoned Yomi Odunuga. He thanked Nigerian journalists and everyone who pressured the military for his release. Tinubu shouldnt condone Mr Olatunjis abduction At the press briefing on Thursday, the journalists associations urged President Bola Tinubu not to condone arbitrary arrest and detention of Mr Olatunji by the military. They described the militarys action as vicious, uncivilised and criminal. The action is alien to Nigerias democratic space. It is now clear that there are some officers in our military who are still finding it difficult to subject themselves to civil authority 24 years after our country returned to representative governance. If officers in a military institution like the DIA could hack a journalists telephone, mishandle his wife, abduct him, detain him secretly for 14 days and disobey senior officials of the federal government, then our democracy cannot be said to be safe, Mr Uwugiaren said. He noted that the militarys action was an attack on press freedom in Nigeria. Without freedom of the press, our democracy is endangered. The journalists acknowledged the efforts of Nigerias Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in securing Mr Olatunjis release. Background PREMIUM TIMES reported how armed military men stormed Mr Olatunjis residence in Lagos at 6:00 p.m on 15 March and abducted him. Mr Olatunjis wife said the soldiers seized her husbands telephone before shoving him into a van. They whisked him away and kept him incommunicado. Safety of journalists has been a major concern in Nigeria with many instances of harassment, abduction and even deaths. In 2021, Tordue Salem, a parliamentary reporter at Vanguard Newspaper in Abuja, vanished for weeks and was later found dead in a morgue in Abuja. A plethora of questions trailed polices explanation that Mr Tordues mangled remains were found after the journalist was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Defence Headquarters says troops killed 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in one week. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major general, made this known while giving an update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Buba said the troops also recovered 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 ammunition comprising three M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, three PKT gun, 24 locally fabricated gun, and 36 dane guns. He added that they recovered seven locally fabricated pistols, 1,716 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 494 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo amongst other items. In the North-east East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages during the week under review. He added that troops also recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst others. In the North-central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, killed 47 terrorists, apprehended 17 and rescued four kidnap victims as well as recovery of cache of arms. In the North-west, the defence spokesperson said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 62 terrorists, arrested 12 others and rescued 162 kidnapped hostages. He said the troops also recovered 46 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, 352 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amonsgt other items. He added that the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorists commander Maudi Maudis and Mallam Aibos enclaves in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State. Following confirmatory ISR, the rocky terrain at the locations used by terrorists as hideout and forward base was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures and logistic base destroyed. Additionally, following reports on the massing up of terrorists, the air component conducted another air interdiction on location of interest in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. The location was acquired and engaged with rockets while Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed, he said. Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 43 violent extremists and recovered cache of arms and ammunition. He added that the air component in several passes conducted armed recce missions and air interdiction at terrorists locations Yadi and Abu Bilals enclave in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to him, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons killing several terrorists and their logistics destroyed. In the Niger Delta, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 944,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 171,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK. He said the troops also discovered and destroyed 61 illegal refining sites with 102 dugout pits, 41 boats and 36 storage tanks, 49 cooking ovens, six pumping machines and eight vehicles. According to him, troops apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists as well as recovery of 12 weapons and 113 assorted ammunitions. In the South-east, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended suspected violent extremists/kidnappers, gunrunners and raided IPOB/ESN camp in Anambra and Ebonyi states. He said the troops killed 11 terrorist and apprehended 14 violent extremists as well as recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 254 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, two magazines and three vehicles amongst others. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has condemned the discriminatory incident against a passenger with reduced mobility at the KFC outlet located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday. In the statement issued Thursday by its Executive Vice Chairperson, Adamu Abdullahi, the FCCPC said it strongly condemns any form of discrimination against consumers, especially those based on disability. The commissions reaction is in response to a discriminatory incident faced by a disability rights advocate in Nigeria, Debola Daniel, after he and his family members were prevented from accessing the KFC fast-food joint at the Lagos Airport because of his disability. Mr Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor and serving senator for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, shared his ordeal in a series of tweets on X Thursday. Today, I felt less than human, like a guard dog not allowed into the house. Lonely and isolated. Never has this been more true than it has ever been today when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @kfc @kfcnigeria at an international airport Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos is unthinkable, his tweets partly read. Mr Daniels tweet prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to initiate an investigation into the matter. In a statement later issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, FAAN said it decided to shut down activities of KFC after its findings, in line with Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs. Amidst reactions and condemnation from Nigerians, KFC expressed its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all customers in a statement on X. The food outlet also acknowledged the severity of the incident and formally apologised to Mr Daniel, expressing deep regret for the distress he experienced. FCCPC reacts On Thursday, the FCCPC said discriminatory actions, such as those witnessed at the KFC outlet, undermine the principles of the commission and, as such, will not be tolerated. Section 17 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) outlines the functions of the Commission, emphasising the obligation to eliminate practices detrimental to competition and consumer welfare and to safeguard consumer interests, the commission said. Under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, Section 1 unequivocally prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in any manner or circumstance. The FCCPC, mandated by the FCCPA, is duty-bound to enforce all enactments aimed at protecting consumers, including those with disabilities. The commission said discrimination against persons with disabilities is not only unlawful but also inhumane and contrary to societal values. Our team will work closely with relevant authorities to ensure appropriate redress for the aggrieved consumer in this case, as well as ensure that the KFC outlet in question takes full responsibility for its actions, the statement said. We will closely monitor developments and take appropriate actions in accordance with the provisions of the FCCPA, the FCCPC said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print How did the officer from the amphibious battalion, who led a team to Okuama on 14 March on what was supposed to be a peace mission, understand and define his mandate? Was the mission to Okuama over the alleged kidnap of one Anthony Aboh from neighbouring Okoloba (in retaliation for an Okuama youth allegedly killed by persons suspected to be from Okoloba), his job as a soldier or that of a first responder, say, the police? When Lt. Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Ali, 49, assumed duties as commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army, all his mother, Hassana, could do was pray. Three years ago, Alis younger brother, Jamilu, a captain, had been killed in action by bandits in Katsina State. As an officer in the North-East, Ali himself had escaped death a number of times in battles against Boko Haram insurgents. His father had died after retirement from the Army. After his death, Alis ageing mother has been nursing her loss, in addition to coping with the death of her son in Katsina, and later, the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law in a road accident. But Ali, a soldiers soldier promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in November 2020, knew better than to demur when he was moved from commander of the 63 Brigade Garrison in Asaba, to head the amphibious battalion. The battalion was part of efforts by the military to restructure the Joint Task Force (JTF) in 2016, following widespread oil theft in the region which, according to the Financial Times, had reached $1billion monthly. Task Force Dilemma In a statement at the time, the military said the restructuring of the JTF was to tackle the emerging security challenges in the Niger Delta region such as piracy, bunkering, vandalism and other criminal activities prevalent in the area. The task force comprising other services, but led by the military, as expedient as it was, was also an official admission that the Police could no longer cope with the situation. Oil money, mixed with militancy and violent local politics in the area, has created and nurtured private armies with money, weapons and political clout comparable to rogue states. The relationship between the state and some of these private armies is complicated, even incestuous. With revenues in billions of naira monthly, for example, a few are better equipped than the military. But politicians dont mind. In their desperate search for solutions to the problem of oil theft and also to consolidate their political hold, they have indulged the private armies. Officers deployed in the area are left to invent their own ways of serving two masters the state and the communities on the one hand, and the powerful private armies on the other. With a population of about 31 million and over 40 ethnic groups, the Niger Delta is a cauldron, radicalised by decades of poverty, agitation, militancy and violent politics. A quarrel between a husband and wife could spill into an intra-communal dispute, which could engulf the community. Hindsight is 20/20. There has been no shortage of opinions about what might have been. Given the enormity of what happened to the Major and his men, couldnt Ali have done a recce, and possibly mobilised other services before going in? Did the alleged use by the military of boats belonging to a private security company perceived to have a vested interest in the conflict further endanger this mission? On 14 March, a lingering spark of dispute between Okuama and Okoloba (one Urhobo and the other Ijaw, two of the largest ethnic groups in Delta State) over a fish farm, erupted in violence. More Questions How did the officer from the amphibious battalion, who led a team to Okuama on 14 March on what was supposed to be a peace mission, understand and define his mandate? Was the mission to Okuama over the alleged kidnap of one Anthony Aboh from neighbouring Okoloba (in retaliation for an Okuama youth allegedly killed by persons suspected to be from Okoloba), his job as a soldier or that of a first responder, say, the police? Was the officer like many others, too embedded in the local politics to draw the line? Or did he anticipate that after the failure of the peace accord facilitated by the Delta State government, military mediation was necessary to quench the fire? Media reports suggested that leaders in Okuama broke kola nuts with the officer (some accounts say he was a Major) and his team when they arrived. At what point did murderous violence erupt? If people in the community were opposed to the officer taking their leader away for statements at the army base in Bomadi, as was reported, was murdering him and his team and seizing their weapons the answer? Meanwhile, back at the base on the same day, Lt. Col. Ali did not know what was happening in Okuama. He was in Kano only two weeks earlier to visit his ailing mother, his wife, Hauwa, and six children, and may have visited again at Sallah, if he got a pass. Okuama was the last thing on his mind. And then, it happened. Soldiers who had been waiting in a boat at the Okuama creek escaped after the peace team was attacked and reported to Ali what had befallen the major and the three other soldiers believed to have followed him into the town. Hindsight Hindsight is 20/20. There has been no shortage of opinions about what might have been. Given the enormity of what happened to the Major and his men, couldnt Ali have done a recce, and possibly mobilised other services before going in? Did the alleged use by the military of boats belonging to a private security company perceived to have a vested interest in the conflict further endanger this mission? In a conflict zone where the private armies have gunboats, specially fitted crafts, and relatively modern arms, while the military depends largely on improvisations, how is a commanding officer supposed to respond to an emergency like the one in Okuama, where his men had been murdered and their weapons seized? Perhaps, out of a sense of holy rage, Ali took the plunge. He gathered his men and went to Okuama. Sadly, that was his last journey. He and his men were ambushed and brutally killed by people they had sworn to protect. Its hard to say at what point the tail of a savage few started wagging the dog of what by several accounts had been a largely peaceful community. Its improbable that the Major and his men who went first would have done so if the community had a reputation for collective savagery. Now, the entire community has a bad name and a difficult future. The savagery has called to question the humanity of the perpetrators. Okuama has been compared with Odi in Bayelsa State in 1999, and Zaki Biam in Benue State, two years later where military operations killed hundreds of people extrajudicially. Those who make such comparisons are mistaken, a retired top military officer told me over the weekend. In Odi and Zaki-Biam, the communities were harbouring persons believed to have committed crimes against the state. Okuama was savage militancy. Perhaps one thing common to the three, however, is the increasing mismanagement, if not weaponisation, of conflicts by politicians, a posture that has further damaged and compromised an undertrained, undermanned, underfunded and under-equipped military. Command and control is fuzzy. In a crime scene like Okuama, for example, a commanding officer has to worry about what his chief would say and where Abuja stands with the private armies and local strongmen. Being in good standing with the host states, and, of course, the morale of his troops, are also not far from his mind. The art of serving many masters, itself an enemy of a single-minded mission, complicates the terrain. Tail Wags Dog Its hard to say at what point the tail of a savage few started wagging the dog of what by several accounts had been a largely peaceful community. Its improbable that the Major and his men who went first would have done so if the community had a reputation for collective savagery. Now, the entire community has a bad name and a difficult future. The memory of the dead deserves justice and its just as well that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made this clear. Perhaps, also, it is time to review the role of the military in domestic conflicts. Sadly, the harvest of heart-wrenching violence in many parts of the country today and, in this instance, the Niger Delta, was largely seeded during Nigerias civil war. During that war, swathes of the region were ruined and radicalised by the extrajudicial killings of thousands of innocent civilians. We cant afford to let the mission to Okuama haunt us 57 years from now. If two wrongs dont make a right, well do well to avoid a third, not just for the sake of the dead and their grieving families, but also to break this cycle of violence and grief. Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print While it is gladdening that the freedom of the Kuriga kids has been secured after they were held for more than two weeks in the criminals den, I still ask: Cant we get another Lagbaja of Kaduna to re-strategise and lead the troops from the front towards degradations of criminal activities while restoring the peoples confidence in the safety of the axis? Nigerian afrobeat musician, Bisade Ologunde, is better known by his stage name, Lagbaja. His signature face mask denotes him as the countrys everyman the faceless individual. As a Yoruba word, Lagbaja could mean a person whose name and identity are purposely concealed or an invisible person. He is somebody, anybody, and everyone. He is the soul of the community. It was pretty interesting, if not surprising, when in March 2021, the Chief of Army Staff, now deceased General Ibrahim Attahiru, appointed Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja as General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army. I initially wondered how anyone would bear Lagbaja as a name beyond just a generic appellation. I later learned the indisputable fact that the military officers family name evolved from his fathers car dealership business, Lagbaja Motors, especially in Osun State. As the GOC in Enugu, this peculiar Lagbaja in the Army displayed the uncanny leadership trait of being both hot and cool in instilling a high level of discipline among the troops. He sought to refine every man every officer into the best version of their professional selves. With a carrot-and-stick approach deployed in equal measure, there was always the reward for gallantry and good conduct, in tandem with punishment for cowardice and misconduct. For instance, in June 2022, while inaugurating a general court martial to try some soldiers for alleged indiscipline, Lagbaja stated that the process was to instil overall discipline in the army by punishing erring officers in a manner that would serve as a deterrent to others. The following month, while honouring some soldiers with brand new motorcycles and awarding them letters of commendation for diligence in their duties, Lagbaja described their performances as laudable, while charging other soldiers to emulate the exemplary conduct of the honourees. After the death of General Attahiru in a plane crash, the new Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya, redeployed Lagbaja to Kaduna as the GOC of the 1st Division due to the deplorable activities of bandits and terrorists in that axis, which had become a grave source of concern, and was spilling into and constituting a threat to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. It was in Kaduna that General Lagbaja rose into a household name as he led the battle against violent criminals from the front. Rather than simply mounting roadblocks, he and the troops he commanded waded deep into the forests, taking the war to the enemies in their conclaves. The then Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was so delighted with the various military successes that he regularly issued statements through his Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, praising Lagbaja and his troops for the commendable feats and notable security breakthroughs made since he took command of the Division. In the first month of his assumption of office as the 39th GOC of the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Lagbaja stormed kidnappers dens. He rescued the victims while leading fighting patrols in Manini village, Buruku, Udawa, Manini, Birnin Gwari, Doka, Maganda, Kuyello and Dogon Dawa communities. Apart from eliminating scores of bandits, others were captured alive. The following month, September 2022, the troops under his command struck the camps of the notorious banditry gangs of Boderi Isiya and Musti, which were responsible for the security breach at the Nigerian Defence Academy, the kidnappings of students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, the attack on the Emir of Bungudu, among other such atrocities. In the operation, the troops eliminated kingpins such as Musti, Yellow Mai-Madrid, and Dan-Katsinawa, among others, whose battered corpses littered the operational areas, especially along the Tollgate and other axis of Chikun and Sabon Gida. Similarly, in October 2022, the troops sustained their onslaught against the bandits. They recovered massive caches of weapons during the Operation Forest Sanity campaign, which traversed Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki and Anguwan Madaki in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area. The clearance operation extended to Sabon Birnin Zartake, Ungwan Lima Riyawa and Tungan Madaki general area, with the interception of numerous fleeing bandits from Kagi Hill. In fact, from November 2022 till June 2023, the military operations led by Lagbaja as GOC culminated in the wiping out of many terrorists and the rescue of kidnapped victims, besides the recovery of sophisticated weapons and hoards of ammunition and motorcycles in the general area of responsibility. The then Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was so delighted with the various military successes that he regularly issued statements through his Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, praising Lagbaja and his troops for the commendable feats and notable security breakthroughs made since he took command of the Division. Likewise, the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, through the Army Spokesperson, General Nwachukwu, applauded Lagbaja and his gallant troops for their unrelenting zeal in decimating banditry and terrorism in that axis. In July 2023, after the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General Lagbaja, who was the arrowhead of the successes that troops were recording against armed bandits, terrorists and cattle rustlers in Kaduna and surrounding states, was redeployed to an administrative position in the military high command in Abuja, beyond the operational one that he had made a massive success of. The situation in Kaduna is so disturbing that almost every month, there are devastating stories of woe and routine assault on the people, who have now become hapless victims of banditry and terrorism. The PRNigeria Monthly Security Reviews provide glimpses of many of these atrocities. Since then, Kaduna has not been the same, making me often ask where the Lagbaja of Kaduna is, as we are now very unfortunately inundated with reports of attacks on worship centres, homes and the abduction of vulnerable people, especially women and schoolchildren. The situation in Kaduna is so disturbing that almost every month, there are devastating stories of woe and routine assault on the people, who have now become hapless victims of banditry and terrorism. The PRNigeria Monthly Security Reviews provide glimpses of many of these atrocities. For instance, in January, terrorists attacked Ungwan Sako, Kunkurai, and Dokan Kaji in Dawaki Ward in Kauru Local Government Area, from where they abducted dozens of people, after killing a number of the locals. In February, terrorists invaded Gindin Dutse Makyali village in the Kufana district of Kajuru and burnt several houses. At least 12 people were burnt to death in their rooms, as it became impossible for them to escape the bandits, who were also shooting sporadically. They also killed the Principal of Kuriga Secondary in Chikun for resisting a kidnap attempt, while making efforts to escape with some women. The terrorists similarly invaded Gwada and Kassam in Igabi, as well as areas in Kauru, killing and maiming people. At the same time, scores were also abducted, including a retired Central Bank of Nigeria director. The month of March witnessed more daring attacks and massive kidnappings. After the daredevil bandits abducted over 280 Kuriga schoolchildren, another group of gunmen opened fire on worshippers during the Friday prayer at a Mosque in Angwar Makera, Kwasakwasa Community, a few days before the commencement of Ramadan. Terrorists also attacked the Kajuru-Station village and a nearby Dogon Noma community, where over 100 people were reportedly abducted, including women and children, as usual. Similar situations occurred as the miscreants stormed Tantau ward, looting local shops, before fleeing with dozens of men and women herded away like cattle. Even in the Buda community, also in Kajuru, no fewer than 61 people were reportedly abducted in another organised attack. Kidnappings for ransom payments have become an almost daily occurrence and lucrative businesses for criminal gangs as if the security services are powerless and helpless to stop them. While it is gladdening that the freedom of the Kuriga kids has been secured after they were held for more than two weeks in the criminals den, I still ask: Cant we get another Lagbaja of Kaduna to re-strategise and lead the troops from the front towards degradations of criminal activities while restoring the peoples confidence in the safety of the axis? Yushau A. Shuaib, the author of An Encounter with the Spymaster and Crisis Communication Strategies writes from Abuja www.YAShuaib.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A human rights activist in Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accusing some police operatives in Anambra State of extorting $13 000 meant for the victims school fees abroad. In the petition dated 24 March and addressed to Mr Egbetokun through the Complaint Response Unit of the police, Mr Gwamnishu urged the police chief to wade into the matter and bring the perpetrators to the book. The activist, in the petition, which he forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES, wants the inspector general of police to ensure the refund of the extorted money to the victim, whom he identified as Ekene Onyeogulu. He posted part of the petition on X. He said the erring operatives are attached to the State Investigation Bureau in the police headquarters in Anambra. The extortion According to Mr Gwamnishu, the armed police operatives broke into the victims house at an estate in Awka on 12 March. Mr Onyeogulu narrated that he was immediately handcuffed and kept inside his sitting room while the officers went into his room to carry out a search without his consent and later brought out marijuana and took him away. The victim, according to the petition, was taken to the operatives office in Awka, while his phones were taken away. Mr Gwamnishu said the victim was forced to sign a statement in custody. Afterwards, the operatives who searched his phone saw his account balance in a mobile wallet. They began to threaten him and forced him to transfer the amount to a mobile wallet address they provided. The money was extorted through Bitcoin, he said. The operatives, Mr Gwamnishu said, warned the victim that he would be imprisoned if he disclosed the incident to his relatives or police authorities. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Ikenga Tochi, when contacted, told PREMIUM TIMES that an investigation on the matter has been ongoing for over two weeks now. Mr Tochi said the state commissioner of police has waded into it and promised to update the public on the outcome of the investigation. Police extortions soar despite punishment Cases of police extortion in the country have been on the increase despite punishment, such as dismissal from service, meted out to erring operatives. The latest extortion allegations came a few weeks after an operative was dismissed while two others were suspended for allegedly extorting $3,000 from two Nigerians in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A Divisional Crimes Officer of Abraka Division in Delta State was removed from office for allegedly extorting over N2 million. This newspaper reported the detention of some operatives at the Force headquarters in Abuja for allegedly extorting N30.3 million. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has called for an increase in the number of troops deployed to the state. He made the call on Monday when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the governor, during the meeting, briefed the chief of defence staff about the security situation in Zamfara State. Mr Lawal expressed concerns over the resurgence of attacks in some parts of his state and appealed to Mr Musa, an army general, to deploy more troops and weapons to the state. He said: Today, I am here to discuss the issue of insecurity that has been affecting Zamfara State. I was here a few months ago for the same reason. Recently, there have been recurring issues with bandit attacks in some areas of the state. Yesterday, an attack occurred in Tsafe LGA, resulting in fatalities, including a member of our Community Protection Guards (CPG). Military operational vehicles, including those of the Community Protection Guards, were set on fire by bandits. We are experiencing a shortage of personnel in Zamfara as some officers have been redeployed to the Northeast. Farmers are unable to tend to their farms, and the continuous assaults have claimed numerous lives. I would like to use this opportunity to urge you to mobilise and deploy troops to Zamfara. Such action is crucial for combating the threat of insecurity and reinstating peace in the state. The deployment of security forces will undoubtedly uplift the peoples spirit and discourage criminals from engaging in their nefarious deeds, the governor added. Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, appreciated Governor Lawals efforts in fighting banditry in Zamfara State. He said: I want to express my appreciation for your efforts in combatting insecurity. We plan to adjust and reposition resources using the same approach as Maiduguri. We are convening a conference with all theatre commanders and stakeholders to address the issue of attacks, which deeply saddens us. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says it released 313 terrorism suspects to the Borno Government in compliance with the orders of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, an army major-general who clarified on Thursday in Abuja, said the suspects were detained on suspicion. However, no evidence was found against them after an investigation. According to him, the cases were prosecuted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, wherein the court ordered their release. Accordingly, they were handed over to the Borno State Government for further action, he said. Meanwhile, the military said its troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded massive successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists after killing scores of them and arresting their collaborators during the week. Mr Buba said that terrorists commanders and combatants also surrendered to troops in Jere, Chibok, Monguno, Gwoza, and Bama local government areas of Borno, and Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa. According to him, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted multiple air interdiction on terrorists in Arina Woje and Tumbum Shitu near Lake Chad on 22 and 24 March, respectively. The locations were observed to be active with terrorists activities and logistics. Consequently, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs, and Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their logistics destroyed. Overall, troops neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 137, and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages in the Northeast during the week under review. Troops recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, one locally made explosive, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO. Others are 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, six AK47 rifle magazines, two M56 rifle magazines, two magazine carriers, one motorcycle, six mobile phones, one HH radio, three bicycles and the sum of N340,500 amongst others, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Dane County jury deliberated for 90 minutes Wednesday before finding a state law enforcement agent not guilty of recklessly firing his gun at a suspect during an arrest operation two years ago on Madisons Far East Side. The verdict acquitted state Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Mark Wagner, 51, of Milwaukee, of second-degree reckless endangerment, a charge he faced for firing two shots at Quadren Wilson, 40, who had been boxed in between two DCI trucks as agents moved in to arrest him in February 2022 as part of a long-standing drug probe. There were restrained smiles in the packed courtroom immediately after the verdict, and Wagner showed little immediate emotion. But as Wagner left the courtroom with his attorneys, Michael Steinle and Daniel Sanders, applause and cheers broke out in the corridor outside the courtroom, where supporters including a phalanx of DCI agents lined both sides and applauded and cheered as Wagner and his lawyers passed through them. They did not stop to speak to reporters. Wilson, who is currently in the Dane County Jail on new drug-related charges, listened to the verdict on the phone. Members of his family who had attended most, if not all, of the trial were not present when the verdict was reached. District Attorney Ismael Ozanne commented briefly after the verdict was read. The jury did their job, he said. They heard all the evidence. We knew this would be a difficult decision. This is what we have. Agents from DCI, along with members of other law enforcement agencies, converged on a vehicle Wilson was driving near the intersection of American Parkway and Eastpark Drive on Feb. 3, 2022, pinning the vehicle between two trucks in a turn lane. Wilson tried to break free from the maneuver, called a subject in custody maneuver, sending up plumes of smoke from his tires, according to testimony at the trial. Wagner, with a ballistics shield, led two other agents toward the vehicle, and Wagner shouted commands to Wilson to show his hands. Wagner testified Tuesday that Wilson, in the drivers seat, squared his shoulders toward Wagner, which Wagner believed was an indication Wilson had a gun. Wagner fired his 9mm handgun, which prompted fellow agent Nathan Peskie to fire his AR-15 rifle into Wilsons car. Wagner also said he thought he was struck by gunfire that knocked him backward. Wilson was struck in the back by bullet fragments from Peskies rifle. Wagners shots did not hit Wilson. Peskie was not charged with a crime and testified Monday under an immunity agreement. Jury instructions At the end of the trial, jurors were to consider whether Wagner endangered the safety of others by criminally reckless conduct that risked injuring others. That risk had to be unreasonable and substantial, according to jury instructions, and Wagner had to be aware that what he did created an unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm. Jurors were also allowed to consider that, as a police officer, Wagner had the privilege to use deadly force if, while making an arrest, he believed the use of force was necessary and his belief was reasonable. Jurors could also consider whether Wagner acted in self-defense, and whether he believed he needed to use force to defend himself or others, and whether the belief was reasonable even if mistaken. During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Moeser said Wagner acted unreasonably because he never saw Wilson with a gun. How did Mr. Wagner endanger Mr. Wilsons safety? He fired a handgun at close range at Quadren Wilson twice despite the fact that Mr. Wagner never saw a gun or an object that looked like a gun, Moeser said. He said Wilson was finally complying and putting his hands up. Ozanne argued that although Wilson had been gunning the vehicles engine, sending it careening back and forth between DCI vehicles that were pinning it in place, there was testimony from a federal Drug Enforcement Agency agent in the lead vehicle that the shooting started only after there was a pause in the acceleration. There was a pause before shots rang out, Ozanne said, and then the agent took cover in a vehicle. We cant discount the fact that we have a witness, a credible witness, a law enforcement witness, who indicates there is a pause, Ozanne said. The screeching of the tires, there is a pause, before gunshots ring out. Closing arguments Steinle, though, spent much of his closing argument attacking Wilson, telling the jury that Wilsons testimony, that he was trying to comply with Wagners orders, was not to be believed. He highlighted Wilsons criminal history, his lack of a work record or a drivers license, and his history as a drug dealer. How many times in those 26 (convictions) did he look up at the judge and say, Im going to do better, Im going to get a job to support my children? Im not going to do this anymore, Steinle said. Hes a con artist, ladies and gentlemen, he doesnt like authority, he doesnt like the black robe up there telling him, When you get out of prison I want you to get a job where you get a paycheck and support those children. What did he do? He thumbed his nose. Steinle added later, Hes just a bold-faced liar. You cant believe him. He said the prosecutions case against Wagner was all about the fact that Wilson did not have a gun, but that wasnt enough to convict Wagner. I dont care if theres a gun, he said, its the belief that theres a gun. How can Peskie say, I saw the muzzle of a gun when there is no gun and hes justified, and then Mark Wagner says I believed he was coming up with a gun but hes not justified? Peskie says he saw the muzzle of a gun, but thats not true but thats what he believed. So were giving him a pass but Mark has to suffer. That doesnt make sense, ladies and gentlemen. The investigation, Steinle said, included an unenlightening re-creation of conditions on that day that would let investigators see what Wagner could see when he looked through Wilsons heavily tinted windows. He also called an attempt to trace bullet trajectories a clown show. But the case was not about Wilson but was about what Wagner did, prosecutors said. Ozanne told jurors that they didnt have to like Wilson, but the law must protect Mr. Wilson, because if the law doesnt protect Mr. Wilson the law doesnt protect any of us. Moeser said police officers are, and should be, protected by law for situations in which they have to use force that risks death or great bodily harm to avoid death or injury to others. But just like any privilege, its limited. Its limited only to circumstances in which thats reasonable and necessary, he said. Theyre protected if their beliefs are mistaken, as long as theyre reasonable. Civil action still possible Wilsons attorney, Stephen Eisenberg, said he was not surprised by the verdict. But he said he will continue to look into a possible civil lawsuit, now that he is able to seek police reports and other materials that he couldnt get before. Under Wisconsins open records law, records from pending criminal cases can be withheld. He said much of what he heard at Wagners trial he was hearing for the first time. I think that the entire decision making process by DCI to arrest Quadren in the manner in which they did with 30 police officers and tactical armor was a precursor to the entire disturbing police action, Eisenberg said. The way they played cowboy, he said, and arrested someone who was wearing a GPS monitor, so they knew where he was at all times, was absolutely horrendous and laid the foundation for what happened. Quadren is not Pablo Escobar and hes not Scarface, Eisenberg said. It was so unnecessary. DCI should at least be thankful they didnt kill Quadren, though I think they dont care that much. The Defence Headquarters has declared eight people wanted over the recent killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State. The military authority announced this in a circular posted on the official Facebook page of the Nigerian army on Thursday. PREMIUM TIMES reported how suspected residents of the Okuama Community on Thursday ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of 181 Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers. The troops were ambushed and killed while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in the South-southern state. Wanted suspects According to the circular, those declared wanted include Arthur Ekpekpo, a professor; Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (a.k.a Amagbem); and Akata Malawa David. Others are Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Ogenerukevwe, Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi, the only woman among the wanted suspects. Who are the wanted suspects? Mr Okolo, one of the wanted suspects, is the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State. He was newly installed as the communitys monarch. Also, Mr Omotegbono, aka Amagbem, is a suspected militant leader in the Niger Delta. He was said to have been tracked by soldiers to the Igbomoturu Community in Southern-Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State a few days after the murder of the 17 military personnel. But the soldiers could not see him. Another wanted suspect, Mr Ekpekpo, is the president-general of the Ewu Kingdom. Mr Baru is a young man who made a viral video recently, narrating why the military personnel were killed. He did not specifically say he was among the killers but claimed that the military personnel were killed because they were fighting in favour of the Okoloba Community. Ms Ebi is said to be the mother of one of the wanted persons, while Messrs Bakriri, Atata and Oliki were linked to a criminal gang in the region. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The new consumer-grade handheld 3D scanners further streamline the 3D scanning process with AI-powered features and robust hardware SHENZHEN, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3DMakerpro, a pioneer in consumer-friendly 3D scanning technology, announces the launch of the Moose Series, beginner-friendly 3D scanners with AI visual tracking technology. The Moose series is 3DMakerpro's latest consumer-grade 3D scanner line-up offering, designed to handle real-world medium-sized objects into 3D models with remarkable efficiency and precision. Powered by a set of AI features and in collaboration with Oqton, developers of Geomagic Wrap, 3DMakerpro aspires to make 3D scanning easier and more accessible to beginners and advanced users in the creative field. "The Moose series brings consumer 3D scanning to new heights of accuracy and allows more users to benefit from the convenience of 3D scanning," said Tianshi Yuwen, Global Marketing Director of 3DMakerpro. "Our dedication to innovation empowers us to democratize high-precision 3D scanning and push beyond the boundaries of making all creative visions a reality." Lifelike 3D Models Reproduced The Moose series 3D Scanners have been engineered to provide unparalleled precision and accuracy, effortlessly handling objects with dimensions ranging from 15 to 1500mm. Equipped with a 24-bit color capture, Precision-Blue Imaging System, and Smart Platform, the Moose ensures 100% color restoration while enhancing vividness, contrast, and intricate details in the model. Weighing only 280g, the Moose is not a burden at all for users to maneuver through. With upgraded range cameras, the Moose can create exact 3D models with an impressive accuracy of 0.03mm and resolution of 0.07mm, making it suitable for various applications by generating models that closely mimic reality. The Moose Lite, which is the budget-friendly option of the line-up, features mono textures with an accuracy of 0.05mm and resolution of 0.1mm, and weighs only 250g. Moreover, the Moose offers a depth of field ranging from 50mm to 500mm and can capture a larger vertical space, simplifying the scanning of deep cavities and complex objects with significant surface variations. The Moose series boasts a 40% improvement in accuracy and a 20% improvement in resolution compared to its predecessors. Users benefit from the Moose series' capability to capture fine details and vibrant colors, facilitating precise replication of real-world objects and enhancing project quality. Additionally, the single-frame encoded structured light technology enables the instant generation of a point cloud with every frame, empowering users to efficiently convert scanning modules into detailed 3D models with ease and confidence. Professional Performance at Ease The Moose scanners offer a user-friendly alternative to traditional scanning equipment, which is known for its complexity and cumbersome nature. Equipped with AI-powered visual tracking technology and advanced anti-shake modules, these scanners ensure adaptability to objects with intricate structures and diverse surfaces, including deep-colored and dense surfaces. This adaptability enables the Moose scanners to consistently deliver reliable results with minimal user intervention, eliminating concerns about interruptions during the scanning process. The advanced AI Visual Tracking technology of the scanning system guarantees a smooth and efficient scanning process without leaving any marks on the object, while also ensuring the protection of the scanned object from damage. With enhanced surface feature detection, users can rely on precise and accurate scans, obtaining a detailed representation of scanned objects. This empowers users of all skill levels to explore new realms of 3D design and printing, effectively saving time and catalyzing creativity by encouraging them to explore boundless possibilities and reach their objectives without constraints. Superior 3D Remodeling Experience JMStudio software provides a comprehensive scanning experience, allowing users to closely monitor the entire scanning process. The auto-align function in JMStudio ensures seamless stitching in most scenarios, significantly enhancing the user experience. Moreover, JMStudio software visualizes the scanning process for users and offers free lifetime OTA upgrades to continually enhance the user experience. 3DMakerpro collaborates closely with Oqton, a renowned provider of manufacturing software solutions, to develop Geomagic Wrap for 3DMakerpro. This software offers a range of industry-grade functions and tools, including Point Cloud Clean Up, Rebuilding of Complex and Organic 3D Models, surfacing tools, and automatable functions. Now, these advanced functions and tools are accessible to general users who aspire to excel in their creative projects. Collaborating with Geomagic Wrap for 3DMakerpro, the Moose series enables users to further optimize their 3D models, meeting sophisticated design requirements. These tools are particularly suited for advanced users aiming for superior results in their 3D modeling endeavors. Pricing and Availability: The Moose and Moose Lite 3D Scanners, priced at $699 and $399, respectively, are now available on the 3DMakerpro website. About 3DMakerpro 3DMakerpro, a distinguished overseas brand under Shenzhen Jimuyida Technology Co., Ltd., was established in 2015 as a prominent provider of 3D solutions. We specialize in offering cutting-edge 3D scanning devices. Our mission is to deliver professional-grade and user-friendly scanners, empowering individuals to craft their immersive 3D world. With a dedicated team exceeding 100 R&D experts, we have independently developed industry-leading software algorithms, including the multi-spectral projection system, visual tracking, no-marking registration algorithm, and automatic model processing. 3DMakerpro is committed to pioneering innovation in the realm of 3D technology. Website: https://store.3dmakerpro.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3DMakerProCares Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official3dmakerpro Twitter: https://twitter.com/3DMakerPro SOURCE 3DMakerpro NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global abaca fiber market size is estimated to grow by USD 356.6 mn from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 13.76% during the forecast period. The Abaca fiber market encompasses industrial applications, including textiles, papermaking, and rope and twine. Its demand surges due to productivity gains, revenue share in specialty paper applications, and environmental sustainability. Abaca fiber's unique pulping characteristics yield high pulp yields and superior quality. Key sustainable fibers include Abaca, Manila hemp, and natural fibers. Market expansion opportunities lie in eco-friendly textiles, handicrafts, and agricultural commodities. Fiber properties and fabric production technologies contribute to its versatility and growth. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Abaca Fiber Market 2024-2028 To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Innovation Sparks Market Growth: Abaca fiber, also known as Manila hemp, is a high-demand non-wood fiber in the textile industry and papermaking sectors. Its productivity and unique pulping characteristics make it a valuable raw material for specialty paper applications, including currency and security papers. The demand-supply gap for abaca fiber continues to widen, leading to increased revenue share for sustainable fiber producers. Abaca fiber's properties make it suitable for various industrial applications, such as textile product segments like fashion textiles and interior designing practices. Its use in eco-friendly textiles and handicrafts aligns with sustainability goals and environmental concerns. The fiber's pulp yield and quality are essential metrics for its use in specialty paper applications, such as tea bags and pulp production. Abaca fiber's sustainability and expansion opportunities lie in its use as biomaterials and production technologies for sustainable fibers. The textile industry's shift towards eco-friendly textiles and industrial applications of abaca fiber presents significant revenue opportunities. The fiber's use in specialty fibers, rope and twine, and agricultural commodities further highlights its versatility and importance in various industries. Addressing Challenges: Abaca fiber, also known as Manila hemp, is a natural fiber with significant potential in the textile industry. Extracted from the Abaca plant, this sustainable material is eco-friendly and versatile, with applications ranging from industrial uses to handicrafts. Its properties include high mechanical strength and resistance to salt-water damage, making it suitable for textile manufacturing, paper making, and specialty fibers. Industrial applications include cigarette filter papers, tea and coffee bags, and even currency notes. In the automotive industry, Abaca fiber is used as a filling material, bolster, and interior trip parts, providing strength and durability. It can also replace glass fiber and reinforced plastic components in exterior semi-structure components. The demand for bio-based materials continues to grow, driving industry growth and product adoption. Abaca fiber's unique properties make it a valuable agricultural commodity, contributing to sustainable agriculture. As importers seek eco-friendly alternatives, the market for Abaca fiber is poised for expansion in textile manufacturing, clothing, curtains, and screen and furnishings. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Market Overview The Abaca Fiber Market is a significant global industry that deals with the production, processing, and trade of Abaca fibers. Abaca, a banana plant species, is the primary source of these fibers. The market consists of various players involved in different stages of the value chain, including farmers, processors, manufacturers, traders, and consumers. Abaca fibers are known for their strength, durability, and resistance to water, making them ideal for various applications such as ropes, mats, textiles, and paper. The market is characterized by a complex supply chain, with major producing countries like the Philippines and Ecuador supplying the bulk of the global demand. The market is also influenced by several factors, including production costs, demand trends, and government policies. The Abaca Fiber Market is expected to grow in the coming years due to increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Companies: Abaca Fiber Market is concentrated ; 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. Abaca Fiber Market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Celulosa de Levante SA, Chandra Prakash and Co., Ching Bee Trading Corp., DGL Global Ventures LLC, Heayi Trading Co. Ltd., PALTEX COMPANY LTD, SAMATOA, Simor Abaca Products, Specialty Pulp Manufacturing Inc., Wigglesworth and Co. Ltd., TERRANOVA PAPERS SA Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Pulp And Paper Cordage Fibercraft Textile Others Type Raw Refined Or Blended Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alto Adige Wines continues its Digging Deeper Roots campaign in the US market through comprehensive and thoughtful trade and media initiatives. Launched in 2023, the program enhances this Italian region's reach, awareness and understanding with key target audiences. It is led by the region's agency of record, Teuwen, an Evins Communications Company. CAMPAIGN FINANCED ACCORDING TO EU REGULATION N. 2021/2115 Core to the campaign are the Alto Adige Wines Ambassadors, who share a mission to educate and engage industry peers, and spread the word, knowledge, and love for the region's wines in the US. For 2024, two new Ambassadors join Chris Struck (New York, NY) and Tiffany Tobey (Dallas, TX): Allison Bremer ( San Francisco, CA ): Wine Director at Californios ): Wine Director at Californios Torrence O'Haire ( Chicago, IL ): Corporate Beverage Director for Gage Hospitality Group The Ambassadors further the region's presence in principal cities for Alto Adige wine distribution and leading on and off-premise markets. The Ambassadors will conduct "peer-to-peer" in-person educational wine tastings and authentically connect with their following. Allison and Torrence will kick start the year with an immersion trip to Alto Adige. The Agency aims to share many of the stories of Alto Adige Wines through layered media outreach. From pairing the wines with unexpected dishes and examining how elevation affects a wine, to a new look at classic grapes, the 2024 communication strategy will educate and engage a range of audiences. Alto Adige is located in Italy's northeastern corner. One of the country's smallest regions, it is also one of its most multifaceted: 17 varieties are grown in vineyards ranging from 600 to 3,300 feet above sea level and a complex mosaic of soils. Defined by the Dolomite mountains and Alpine culture, Alto Adige also embraces its Mediterranean influences resulting in wines and an environment, which are truly singular. For more information on the US campaign, please contact [email protected]. AGENCY CONTACTS Beth Cotenoff I Marisa Jetter Wesoly I Kaila Raymond [email protected] I [email protected] I [email protected] ABOUT ALTO ADIGE WINE CONSORTIUM The Alto Adige Wine Consortium was formed in 2007 to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. One of Italy's smallest wine-producing regions, Alto Adige is also one of its most multifaceted. Twenty grape varieties are cultivated on vineyards stretching from Mediterranean-influenced valleys to Alpine hillsides, tended by individual growers, small family-wineries, and cooperatives alike. ABOUT TEUWEN Teuwen, an Evins Communications Company, is an award-winning food, wine and spirits public relations and marketing agency with insight and influence. A collaborative and creative team, authentic industry connections, and personalized approach to each client produces strategic, integrated programs across multiple touchpoints, with powerful results. SOURCE Alto Adige Wines A statewide partnership that includes Columbus Area United Way (CAUW), Community and Family Partnership (CFP) and Bring Up Nebraska is working to color area communities blue in April. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and these groups are hoping to raise awareness on the importance of community-based support for all children and families. As part of these prevention efforts, the community is urged to wear blue on Friday, April 5, to show support for child abuse prevention month. Gather your co-workers, friends, and family to post your BLUE photo to the local CFP Child Abuse Prevention Council Facebook group. The council will determine their favorites and award plaques to those chosen. This is an opportunity to show your support for child abuse prevention. Engaged and supportive citizens and communities within Nebraska have the power to prevent many of the situations and conditions where child abuse and neglect occurs. Child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the knowledge, resources, skills and support they need to provide a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment for all of Nebraskas children. Abbi Shanle with Faith Regional Health Services Child Advocacy Center shares the importance of focusing on prevention. Child abuse is one of the leading community health problems facing children today, and the frightening truth is that children are most often abused by someone they know and trust, Shanle said. One in 10 children will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday, and one in nine children experience online exploitation. While alarming, these statistics paint a picture of a community problem that requires a collaborative response. The Faith Regional Health Services Child Advocacy Center works with many community partners, including law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, advocates, mental health providers, medical providers, and others, to address child abuse in our communities. We look to other adults working with children to be informed and say something if they suspect child abuse. Everyone in Nebraska is a mandatory reporter, and we encourage you to say something if you see something. You can make a difference in the life of a child! Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed when families are supported before there is a need to call child protective service. Positive change and impact occur when a community is willing to listen and act on the wisdom and lessons that those with personal experience are willing to share and teach. These efforts also succeed because of partnerships created among state, regional and local health, and social service agencies, as well as those in the community including faith and medical communities, schools, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business sector. "Raising awareness about the child abuse issues in our area is very important. It takes every community member to identify the possibility of child abuse and report it. Our law enforcement officers cannot help if they do not know where help is needed, said Susie Jarecki of CASA Connection. When you see blue pinwheels, jars, shirts, or signs in April, remember that it takes every person in our community to help prevent child abuse, one small action at a time. Amsive once again secures a spot in the highest tier of the Google Partners program NEW YORK and CHICAGO, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amsive, a data-led performance marketing agency, has again attained Premier Partner status within the Google Partners program for 2024. This milestone marks a moment of great pride as the agency celebrates our recognition in the program for more than a decade. As the most exclusive tier of the program, Premier Partner status is reserved for the top 3% of Google Partners in their respective countries. This continued recognition underscores Amsive's leadership and unwavering focus on amplifying client performance. We're excited to continue empowering businesses with innovative strategies and unparalleled support for their growth. Post this "We're proud to maintain our standing as a Google Premier Partner," said Michael Coppola, President of Amsive. "Being part of this exclusive group highlights our decades-long commitment to delivering exceptional marketing solutions and showcases our expertise with Google Ads and related products. As a Premier Partner, we're excited to continue empowering businesses with innovative strategies and unparalleled support for their growth." As a Google Premier Partner for several years, Amsive gains access to exclusive benefits that support continued success for clients, including dedicated strategic account support, pilot opportunities, and executive experiences and networking. "Achieving Google Premier Partner status is a testament to Amsive's dedication to excellence in digital marketing," continued Michael Candullo, EVP of Digital Operations. "It reflects our team's diligence, proficiency, and leadership in the ever-evolving digital landscape. We look forward to driving even greater success for our clients." About Google Partners The Google Partners program is designed for advertising agencies and third parties that manage Google Ads accounts on behalf of other brands or businesses. Its mission is to empower companies by providing them with innovative tools, resources, and support to help their clients succeed and grow online. About Amsive Amsive is a data-led performance marketing agency that enhances ROI through innovative customer acquisition, engagement, and communications solutions. A full-service partner with both digital and direct-native expertise, Amsive design audience, creative, and channel strategies that amplify growth using in-house campaign and production capabilities for seamless execution. At the core of Amsive's success is Audience Science, our unique approach to audience building and analysis, channel activation, testing, and measurement. We navigate today's marketing complexity to develop optimal audiences and surpass performance objectives, always focusing on your next best customer. To learn more, visit Amsive.com . Media Contact: Mary Beth Keelty, [email protected] SOURCE Amsive INDIANAPOLIS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America (AGP-North America) , an operating business of Ardagh Group , has partnered with Stevens Point Brewery to locally supply the brewery's glass beer bottles. The partnership connects Stevens Point Brewery with AGP-North America's Burlington, Wis., glass manufacturing facility, helping to keep the brewery's promise to source local products and incorporate sustainable practices into its operations. "The Stevens Point Brewery distributes 1.7 million cases annually of Point Craft Beer, Ciderboys Hard Cider, Whole Hog Beer and Point Gourmet Soda to over 30 states," said Brian Elza, Purchasing Director for Stevens Point Brewery. "Of that, half of the volume is in glass bottles. Sourcing glass closer to home is more efficient from an energy-standpoint and supports our state economy. Put simply, this partnership aligns with our values." The local partnership not only strengthens the regional economy and communities in Wisconsin, but shorter transportation distances result in a smaller carbon footprint, decreasing emissions and minimizing the impact on air quality. "Ardagh Glass Packaging enjoys partnering with craft brewers like Stevens Point Brewery to supply locally produced, sustainable glass bottles for their craft beer," said Rashmi Markan, Vice President, Beer & Beverage for AGP-North America. "Our close proximity to one another allows for better collaboration to align production processes and quality all the way from Ardagh's manufacturing lines to Stevens Point Brewery's filling lines." Ardagh Glass Packaging has a long history of serving the craft beer industry, offering a wide selection of high-quality, American-made 100 percent and endlessly recyclable glass beer bottles in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes. For customers interested in purchasing bottles by the pallet, the BOB platform offers convenient online ordering, and payment via credit card or PayPal. For bottles in less than truckload (LTL) or truckload quantities, brewers can contact Ardagh directly at 636.299.5495 or [email protected] . To view Ardagh's extensive glass beer bottle stock portfolio, which offers a variety of colors, sizes, styles and finishes all made in the U.S.A., visit ardaghgroup.com/beer2024 . Ardagh will showcase its glass packaging solutions for craft brewers in booth #2403 at the Craft Brewers Conference at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas from April 22-24, 2024. Download image here . Notes to the editor Ardagh Glass Packaging is a leading supplier of sustainable and infinitely recyclable glass packaging. Ardagh Glass Packaging operates 39 production facilities in North America, Europe and Africa and employs approximately 15,000 people and has recorded revenues of $4.6bn. Home to Point Special Lager, Point Craft Beers, Ciderboys Hard Ciders, Whole Hog Brews, Point Sodas, and now Tea Runner Hard Iced Tea, the Stevens Point Brewery has survived and thrived for 163 years thanks to a loyal community in Wisconsin, which radiates out. Martino is happy to admit, "We wouldn't be here without this community, and we're proud to invest right here in Wisconsin." SOURCE Ardagh Group S.A. Television Star Drops the Mic on BIC's Anti-Clogging Razor SHELTON, Conn., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the success of last year's award-winning partnership, BIC EasyRinse is reuniting with television star, Broadway actress, and New York Times Best-Selling author Ariana Madix to celebrate her personal renaissance. Television Star Ariana Madix is dropping the mic on BICs anti-clogging razor, BIC EasyRinse In social content posted today, join Ariana for an episode of the Unclogged Era podcast, where she shares some motivation, including her secret for an unclogged era, with a special guest (who is wearing a familiar-looking red dress). In the podcast-style chat, Ariana reveals to "listeners" how BIC EasyRinse razors are a total gamechanger anti-clog technology and a smoother, less irritating shave*. Followers can look forward to a second piece of content that drops first on linear TV through Bravo on April 2, and then on Ariana's social channels, CTV and OLV on April 8. In this piece of content, Ariana shares several "new hobbies" she's picked up, thanks to the time she has saved with the switch to BIC EasyRinse and no longer having to deal with clogged razors. "After the success of our 2023 partnership with Ariana , we realized we were onto something special," said Katie Potocki, Marketing Director, Blade Excellence. "Through continued culture mining and social listening, we decided now was the perfect opportunity to reunite and together, encourage consumers to try BIC EasyRinse in a fun and cheeky way." To celebrate the partnership, BIC is offering consumers 20% off BIC EasyRinse razors on Amazon by entering the code 20EASYRINSE, valid 3/27/24 through 4/30/24. With over 9,000 5-star reviews**, BIC EasyRinse for women and men is available at major retailers online and in stores nationwide starting at $6.47. For more information, please visit BIC's website. *vs. BIC Sensitive/Silky Touch **Walmart.com and Amazon combined About BIC A world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide. Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids, BIC Flex, BodyMark by BIC, Cello, Djeep, Lucky Stationery, Rocketbook, Soleil, Tipp-Ex, Us., Wite-Out, Inkbox and more. In 2022, BIC Net Sales were 2,233.9 million euros. The Company is listed on "Euronext Paris"," is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes, and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It received an A- Leadership score from CDP. For more, visit www.bic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube. Contact: Amanda Cohen [email protected] SOURCE BIC Researchers will present seven collaborative studies utilizing Aster Avatar and ORIEN multimodal data TAMPA, Fla., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aster Insights, the leading provider of scientific and clinical intelligence for oncology discovery, today announced its schedule of research presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in San Diego, California, April 5-10, 2024. The seven abstracts, which are a combination of oral and poster presentations, will be presented by researchers from institutions within the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), a research consortium administered by Aster Insights. All abstracts utilize data from ORIEN and Aster Avatar, the best-in-class, deepest multimodal dataset for discovery research in oncology. The abstracts cover a broad range of research across several cancer types, including predictors of response to immunotherapy, the role of the tumor microbiome in patient outcomes, and the study of cancer in minority patient populations. Several of the presentations are ORIEN intermember studies developed by the consortium's research interest groups, which are designed to increase multidisciplinary, collaborative research among premier national cancer centers. Additionally, most of the abstracts include co-investigators from Aster Insights' scientific leadership, reflecting the unique roles of both the company and ORIEN in driving critical cancer discovery. "There is no better demonstration of the versatility of Aster Insights and ORIEN than the selection of abstracts that will be presented at AACR this year," said Dr. Anand Shah, CEO of Aster Insights. "The breadth of these investigations is a testament to the impact we have by bringing together the best expertise in cancer research to unlock new treatments and cures." Official schedule of Aster Insights' presentations at AACR: Tarhini, A.A. Differential infiltration of key immune cell populations across malignancies varying by immunogenic potential and likelihood of response to immunotherapy (abstract 71/7) Poster Presentation: Sunday, April 7, 2024 , 1:30 PM 5:00 PM Section 3 Session PO.IM01.01 - Biomarkers, Immune Monitoring, and Immune Assays (abstract 71/7) Poster Presentation: , Section 3 Session PO.IM01.01 - Biomarkers, Immune Monitoring, and Immune Assays Grencewicz, D. Gavage with Candida albicans leads to fungal colonization of colorectal tumors and decreased response to radiotherapy (abstract 1282) Oral Presentation: Sunday, April 7, 2024 , 4:05 PM 4:20 PM Room 16 Convention Center Mezzanine Level Session MS.TB11.01 - Microbes and Tumors: Time for Mechanisms (abstract 1282) Oral Presentation: , Room 16 Convention Center Mezzanine Level Session MS.TB11.01 - Microbes and Tumors: Time for Mechanisms Obermeyer, A. Analysis of clonal heterogeneity within paired primary and metastatic tumor samples of patients with solid tumors and implications for neoantigen-based personalized cancer vaccines (abstract 3886) Oral Presentation: Monday, April 8, 2024 , 2:35 PM 2:50 PM Room 6 CF Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.CL10.01 - Application of Real-World Evidence to Cancer Care (abstract 3886) Oral Presentation: , Room 6 CF Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.CL10.01 - Application of Real-World Evidence to Cancer Care Soupi, A.C. Genomic landscape and estimation of immune infiltration of soft tissue sarcoma histology subtypes from the ORIEN network (abstract 3928) Oral Presentation: Monday, April 8, 2024 , 2:35 PM 2:50 PM Room 31 Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.MCB08.01 - Advances in Cancer Genomics: Carcinogenesis, Tumor Evolution, and Heterogeneity (abstract 3928) Oral Presentation: , Room 31 Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.MCB08.01 - Advances in Cancer Genomics: Carcinogenesis, Tumor Evolution, and Heterogeneity Villarreal Velazquez , E.I. Multi-omics characterization of molecular features and global-local genomic ancestry analysis of colorectal cancer in Hispanic-Latinos (abstract 3932) Oral Presentation: Monday, April 8, 2024 , 3:35 PM 3:50 PM Room 31 Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.MCB08.01 - Advances in Cancer Genomics: Carcinogenesis, Tumor Evolution, and Heterogeneity , E.I. (abstract 3932) Oral Presentation: , Room 31 Convention Center Upper Level Session MS.MCB08.01 - Advances in Cancer Genomics: Carcinogenesis, Tumor Evolution, and Heterogeneity Garay Raygoza , J. Tumor gene expression patterns affecting response to BCl-2 inhibitor venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia (abstract 5852/28) Poster Presentation: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 , 1:30 PM 5:00 PM Section 23 Session PO.ET03.07 - Drug Resistance 3: Regulation of Gene Expression , J. (abstract 5852/28) Poster Presentation: , Section 23 Session PO.ET03.07 - Drug Resistance 3: Regulation of Gene Expression Chan, C.H.F. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition gene signature changes and poor oncological outcome in Candida-positive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (abstract 7615/9) Poster Presentation: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 , 9:00 AM 12:30 PM Section 45 Session PO.CL01.13 - Predictive Biomarkers 7 "Fostering a rich culture of collaboration with multidisciplinary researchers is fundamental to the work Aster Insights has led for 10 years together with ORIEN," said Michelle Churchman, PhD, Scientific Director at Aster Insights. "This spirit of cooperation makes ORIEN truly unique in oncology, and we look forward to sharing our work with the broader cancer research community at AACR." Aster Insights leadership will be attending AACR. Please contact us to request a meeting. About Aster Insights Aster Insights is the leading provider of scientific and clinical intelligence for oncology discovery. We partner with drug, biologics, diagnostics, and medical device developers to accelerate oncology product discovery and development. Aster Insights leads the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), a consortium of the nation's leading cancer centers that conduct Total Cancer Care, the world's largest and longest running observational research study in oncology. Together, we are changing the way cancer is studied, treated, and prevented. Learn more at www.AsterInsights.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. SOURCE Aster Insights NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atomic Spectroscopy Market by Application, Type, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027 report has been published by Technavio. The market is set to experience significant expansion, fueled by several factors including government-led initiatives, technological innovations, and rising applications across various industries. The market, projected to witness a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.02% between 2022 and 2027, is estimated to increase by a staggering USD 2,214.33 million during this period. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Atomic Spectroscopy Market 2023-2027 To know about all major vendor offerings -Download A PDF Sample Report Driving Factors: One of the primary drivers fueling market growth is the proactive approach taken by governmental organizations worldwide towards environmental testing and ensuring product safety standards. Furthermore, the proliferation of research activities, clinical trials, and the escalating demand for portable spectroscopy systems are contributing significantly to market expansion. Additionally, the burgeoning utilization of atomic spectroscopic techniques in diagnosing ailments like Alzheimer's disease and monitoring neural health is further propelling market growth. Report Coverage Details Page number 173 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.02% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,214.33 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 6.4 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 42% Key countries US, Canada, Germany, France, and China Technological Segmentation: The market is segmented into various technologies including atomic absorption, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and others. Atomic absorption, characterized by its ability to detect specific light wavelengths absorbed by neutral state atoms, has witnessed a steady rise in market share. This growth is attributed to its widespread adoption across diverse industries such as biomonitoring, chemical, and food sectors. End-User Analysis: End-users encompass pharmaceutical and biotechnology testing, food and beverage testing, environmental testing, and other industries. Notably, atomic spectroscopy plays a pivotal role in drug development, quality control in food and beverages, and compliance with environmental regulations, thereby driving its adoption across these sectors. Get a glance of this market - Download A PDF Sample Report Regional Insights: North America is expected to dominate the global market share, with the US being a key contributor. The region boasts numerous system manufacturers focusing on developing atomic spectroscopy-based solutions tailored to meet specific end-user requirements and regulatory standards. Key Players: Among the prominent market players, A KRUSS Optronic GmbH stands out due to its technological innovation and effective marketing strategies. However, competition remains fierce with key players such as Agilent Technologies Inc., Perkin Elmer Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. continuously investing in R&D to introduce innovative products and maintain market dominance. Challenges: Despite the promising growth prospects, the market faces challenges stemming from the high cost of advanced instruments and maintenance services. This hurdle impedes widespread adoption, particularly in industries where budget constraints are prevalent. For more insights on the market - Download A PDF Sample Report Market Analyst Overview: Experts foresee a promising future for the atomic spectroscopy market, fueled by increased investments in technological advancements and regulatory compliance measures. The emphasis on food and drug safety by government bodies and pharmaceutical industries' investments in advanced analytical techniques further underscore the market's growth potential. Conclusion: In conclusion, the global atomic spectroscopy market is poised for substantial growth driven by a convergence of factors including government initiatives, technological innovations, and increasing applications across diverse industries. As market players continue to innovate and address challenges, the landscape is primed for expansion, offering lucrative opportunities for stakeholders across the value chain. To learn more about this report - Download A PDF Sample Report Analyst Review The atomic spectroscopy market is witnessing significant growth propelled by a myriad of factors such as increased investments, stringent regulations, and growing concerns regarding food and drug safety. As regulatory authorities worldwide tighten their grip on ensuring compliance with food safety standards, the demand for advanced analytical techniques like atomic spectroscopy is escalating. Atomic spectroscopy encompasses a range of techniques including atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). These methods play a crucial role in analyzing the elemental composition of various samples across industries such as chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and life sciences. The market is also being driven by technological advancements, particularly in instrumentation and equipment. Companies like PerkinElmer, Inc., Bruker Corporation, Rigaku Corporation, and Shimadzu Corporation are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge atomic spectroscopy systems capable of delivering accurate and reliable results in diverse applications. The demand for atomic spectroscopy is further fueled by the need for quality control and assurance in industries such as pharmaceuticals, where ensuring the purity and potency of drugs is paramount. Additionally, in industrial chemistry, elemental analyzers and spectroscopic techniques are indispensable for monitoring processes and ensuring product quality. Government bodies and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are actively involved in shaping regulatory frameworks and promoting the adoption of advanced analytical technologies for various applications including environmental testing, biotechnology, and food and beverage testing. Market research analyses conducted by firms like MarketsandMarkets provide insights into market trends, growth opportunities, and competitive landscapes, aiding companies in making informed decisions regarding investments and new product launches. Conferences and industry events organized by associations such as the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies, the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, and the Canadian Society for Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing technological innovations in atomic spectroscopy. With the global market for atomic spectroscopy poised for continued expansion, companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and Agilent Technologies are expected to play pivotal roles in driving innovation and meeting the evolving needs of diverse industries for accurate and reliable analytical solutions. To learn more about this report - Download A PDF Sample Report 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 provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The automotive engine oil market size is set for steady growth in the forecast period from 2024 to 2028, according to a recent market analysis report. With an estimated increase of USD 14.29 billion during this period, the market size is forecasted to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.71%. This growth is attributed to various factors including the rising number of vehicles in use, increasing demand particularly in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, and the surging popularity of full synthetic engine oil. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Engine Oil Market 2024-2028 For more insights on the historic (2018 to 2022) and forecast market size (2024 to 2028) - Request a Free sample report Key Drivers Fueling Market Growth: A significant driver propelling the market forward is the growing demand for full synthetic engine oil. Full synthetic engine oil offers numerous advantages over conventional options, leading to heightened consumer demand. Advanced lubricants and chemicals in fully synthetic engine oil enhance its performance, although at a higher cost. Major players such as Exxon Mobil Corp, Shell plc, and Valvoline Inc. are meeting this demand with their offerings, further driving market growth. Trends Shaping Market Dynamics: The market is witnessing a rise in strategic alliances among vendors, including collaborations, agreements, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). These alliances are fostering market growth and innovation. Additionally, advancements in engine design and construction technology are driving improvements in engine fuel technology, further fueling market expansion. Challenges and Potential Hindrances: Fluctuating crude oil prices present a significant challenge to market growth. Engine oil production relies on petroleum hydrocarbons, and price fluctuations in crude oil impact production costs and market demand. The unpredictability of crude oil prices poses a potential impediment to market growth in the forecast period. For more insights on the market - Request a Free sample report Dominant Market Players: Leading companies in the automotive engine oil market include AMSOIL Inc., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Shell plc, and Valvoline Inc. These companies are employing various strategies such as strategic alliances, partnerships, and product launches to enhance their market presence. Segments Driving Growth: The passenger vehicles segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. This segment primarily utilizes passenger car motor oil (PCMO), with consumption dependent on factors such as engine type and cylinder displacement. Major players offering engine oil for passenger vehicles include BP Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corp., Shell Plc, and Valvoline Inc. Regional Insights: The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is forecasted to contribute significantly to global market growth, accounting for 47% of the growth during the forecast period. Factors such as a high population of vehicles and growing consumer awareness about synthetic oil benefits are driving revenue generation in this region. To learn more about this report - Request a Free sample report Conclusion: With steady growth expected in the automotive engine oil market, fueled by increasing vehicle numbers, rising demand in APAC, and the popularity of synthetic oils, stakeholders are urged to adapt to evolving market trends and challenges to seize growth opportunities. Analyst Review The automotive engine oil market in India is a dynamic landscape shaped by various factors such as vehicle types, servicing frequencies, consumption rates, and the presence of key players. With a diverse range of vehicles traversing Indian roads, from motorcycles to commercial vehicles and passenger cars, the demand for engine oils remains robust. In the motorcycle segment, where servicing frequencies and engine oil consumption play significant roles, the market is driven by the sheer size of the motorcycle population and their usage rates. This segment witnesses a substantial consumption of engine oils due to frequent servicing requirements, particularly in urban areas with dense traffic conditions. Moreover, motorcycle production and sales contribute to the overall demand for engine oils, indicating a steady market flow. The passenger vehicle segment, characterized by SUVs and other categories, also contributes significantly to the engine oil market. With existing vehicle fleets requiring regular maintenance and engine oil changes, this segment offers a steady stream of demand. However, there might be fluctuations, such as a dip in engine oil consumption during economic downturns or when vehicle sales experience a slump. In the commercial vehicle segment, which includes heavy-duty diesel engines and generators, engine oil consumption remains high due to the demanding nature of operations. Companies like Cummins play a pivotal role in this domain, providing engine oils tailored for heavy-duty applications. The India Automotive Engine Oils Industry is dominated by key players such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, BP PLC (Castrol), Gulf Oil International, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. These companies leverage their expertise in marketing and technology collaborations to offer premium engine oil products like Mobil Super Pro and Valvoline. ExxonMobil Corporation, with its subsidiaries focusing on upstream activities, product solutions, and low carbon initiatives, also contributes significantly to the market. Through global distribution networks and marketing efforts, ExxonMobil ensures a substantial market presence. Looking ahead, the market size is expected to grow during the forecast period, driven by emerging trends such as the shift towards premium engine oils and the increasing adoption of mineral-based formulations. Moreover, collaborations between industry players and advancements in technology are likely to shape the future trajectory of the automotive engine oil market in India. To learn more about this report - Request a Free sample report Related Reports: The automotive purge valve market size is forecast to increase by USD 973.87 million, at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2023 and 2028. The heavy-duty truck suspension system market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.79 billion, at a CAGR of 2.71% between 2023 and 2028 ToC 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Award-winning Balcones Distilling joins forces with The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Brooklyn to celebrate the artistry in whisky-making and the connection between craftsmanship and self-expression WACO, Texas, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Balcones Distilling and The Other Art Fair , two trailblazing brands redefining the art and whisky spaces, are thrilled to announce a new partnership for its upcoming circuit of spring fairs. Balcones Distilling The Other Art Fair combines boundary-pushing yet affordable works with immersive installations, performances and the odd tattoo or taxidermy class, believing that art shouldnt be confined to convention or rule, and how people enjoy it shouldnt be either. The Balcones distillery is forged on a fault line where two opposing landmasses meet, fueling an energy and creative heat that drives Balcones continuous journey of experimentation and innovation with whisky. The Texas-based distillery, recently named World's Best Craft Producer of the Year 2024 at the World Whiskies Awards, and the global art fair program are joining forces because of a shared commitment to foster creativity, pursue innovation and champion originality. Balcones is at the forefront of the whisky revolution in Texas and is known for its whisky that comes from a different "place". The distillery is forged on a fault line where two opposing landmasses meet, fueling an energy and creative heat that drives Balcones' continuous journey of experimentation and innovation. At the heart of the partnership is the "Spirit of Balcones: Artist in Residence Program", a new initiative to empower artists to transcend traditional studios and create artwork that showcases their interpretation of bold, free thinking, reinvention, and embracing the magnetic sense of possibility that comes from expressing your full self. "The partnership with The Other Art Fair is a natural fit because of Balcones' commitment to creativity and supporting the arts. Led by a distilling team that has a background in art, music, writing, and a head distiller who is a master in both whisky and ceramics, Balcones sees whisky as an art form - a delicate dance between science and soulful expression," said Frank Dudley, brand director of Disruptive Whiskies at DIAGEO. In addition to the Artist in Residence program, attendees 21+ years old on site at The Other Art Fair will have the chance to connect with members of the Balcones distillery team, savor hand-crafted Balcones cocktails and try various Balcones whiskies at each fair's sample station. "This partnership is not only a chance to introduce our whiskies to attendees throughout the three weekends, but it allows us the opportunity to support The Other Art Fair in their mission to celebrate the possibility that comes from limitless creativity and expressing one's full self, an ethos we at Balcones share," said Dudley. In the art world, The Other Art Fair combines boundary-pushing yet affordable works with immersive installations, performances and the odd tattoo or taxidermy class, believing that art shouldn't be confined to convention or rule, and how people enjoy it shouldn't be either. "Balcones' and our shared values of independence and creativity form the foundation of this collaboration," said Ryan Stanier, Founder of The Other Art Fair, "Our mission is to reframe how art is experienced, showcasing the creations of independent artists and striving to dismantle the hurdles to artistic participation by championing affordable pieces. Now with Balcones as a partner, we look forward to inspiring art enthusiasts and whisky aficionados alike through an exciting program of events and initiatives." The Artist in Residence program will debut at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles (April 4-7) at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., with painter and muralist Madeleine Tonzi of Los Angeles, followed by The Other Art Fair Dallas (May 9-12) and The Other Art Fair Brooklyn (May 16-19). An individual artist will be selected in each city, and their work will be on display for the first time at their respective fairs. "Expressing our shared appreciation for boldness, excellence in design, and dedication to create, I am honored to collaborate with Balcones," said Madeleine Tonzi, Los Angeles Artist in Residence, drawing inspiration from the wide-open skies, expansive views, and the sense of freedom and exploration of the western landscape where she was raised. In the weeks leading up to The Other Art Fair, participating bars in Los Angeles, Dallas and Brooklyn will also be offering Balcones cocktails to celebrate the fairs. Visit theotherartfair.com/partners/balcones for a full list of participating locations. Additional details on The Other Art Fair can be found here . For more information on Balcones Distilling, and where to purchase your own whisky, visit BalconesDistilling.com . The Other Art Fair Los Angeles takes place from April 4-7 in the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California . takes place from in the Barker Hangar in . The Other Art Fair Dallas takes place from May 9-12 at Dallas Market Hall in Dallas, Texas takes place from at Dallas Market Hall in The Other Art Fair Brooklyn takes place from May 16 - 19 at Zerospace in Brooklyn, New York About Balcones Distilling Balcones Distilling pioneered a new landscape for whisky by combining centuries of single malt distilling tradition with the unique flavors of Texas. Synonymous with quality and innovation, Balcones Distilling is an award-winning distillery that is changing the state of whisky through its high-quality ingredients and unique processes to create layers of flavor in every expression. Creator of the original Texas whisky, Balcones Distilling distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco. Guests can visit the distillery for tours, tastings and events to discover the new state of whisky with Balcones. Visit BalconesDistilling.com for more information. About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. About The Other Art Fair The Other Art Fair is a global art fair that connects independent artists with thousands of art buyers in a welcoming and creative environment. Set against the backdrop of the world's biggest cities, each Fair delivers the unexpected, combining access to boundary-pushing yet always-affordable artworks with immersive installations, performances, and unique features. The result is an inspiring, evocative, inclusive, and fun event that creates lasting connections between artists and art lovers. Since its launch in 2011, The Other Art Fair has worked with over 3,000 artists from more than 20 countries and now hosts 10 fairs annually across the UK, the US, and Australia. For more information, visit www.theotherartfair.com . SOURCE The Other Art Fair, Balcones INDIANAPOLIS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bell Techlogix, an Indianapolis-based IT managed services and solutions company, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has honored Bell Techlogix on its 2024 Tech Elite 250 list. This yearly compilation showcases solution providers based in the U.S. and Canada, that have distinguished themselves by attaining top-tier certifications and specializations from leading technology vendors in the areas of infrastructure, cloud, and security. This is Bell Techlogix's eighth year recognized on this distinguished list and fifth consecutive year. Post this 2024 CRN Tech Elite 250 graphic with Bell Techlogix logo To help customers navigate today's IT complexities and harness the advantages of state-of-the-art solutions, solution providersranging from strategic service providers and systems integrators to managed service providers and value-added resellersstrive to uphold rigorous levels of training and certification from strategic IT vendors, often aiming for the pinnacle tiers within these vendors' partner programs. Recognition on this distinguished list for the eighth year and fifth consecutive year underscores Bell Techlogix's commitment to excellence and dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation. By achieving the highest levels of technical certification, Bell Techlogix has proven its ability to provide customers with cutting-edge solutions tailored to their desired outcomes. "We are honored to be recognized once again by CRN as part of the Tech Elite 250," said Ron Frankenfield, CEO. "This achievement is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our team, who continuously strive to deliver best-in-class solutions to our customers. We remain committed to maintaining our technical proficiency and providing unparalleled service to help our customers achieve their goals." "CRN's Tech Elite 250 highlights leading-edge solution providers within the IT landscape, distinguished by their comprehensive technical proficiency, expertise, and commitment to achieving top-level certifications in critical technology areas," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor of CRN at The Channel Company. "These solution providers persistently strengthen their capabilities to bring the advanced IT solutions to market that customers need." Coverage of the Tech Elite 250 will be featured in the April issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/techelite250. About Bell Techlogix Bell Techlogix, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, provides transformational Next Generation Digital Workplace and Infrastructure Management solutions to large and mid-market enterprises, as well as the public sector. With services that build, integrate, and support the next wave of operational transformation Bell Techlogix provides a true client partnership and an enhanced digital experience. Bell Techlogix provides a flexible approach that is globally capable but locally oriented that will systematically allow you to achieve growth, cost-savings, and acceleration of your business. For more information on Bell Techlogix, please visit us on the web at www.belltechlogix.com, follow us on Twitter, like us on LinkedIn or Facebook. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: X, LinkedIn, and Facebook. 2024. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE Bell Techlogix Emerging, innovative fintech player draws $5.5 mil. from leading venture capital funds, including Play Ventures & F4 Fund, to fuel the next stage of growth in its mission to disrupt the fast-growing consumer cash rewards arena. NEW YORK and OULU, Finland, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Benjamin Capital Partners announced today the closing of a seed round, raising a total of $5.5 mil. from Play Ventures & F4 Fund. Other prominent investors in the round include inventor, investor, and serial entrepreneur Anton Gauffin; tech CEO and 20-year payment veteran Shane Happach; and Ilkka Teppo, founder of Reworks. The raise will serve to aggressively fuel growth for the Benjamin cash rewards app, which has generated robust consumer demand and revenue growth since its launch in October 2023. Since coming out of beta in October, the Benjamin app already has over 300,000 installs and 195,000 monthly active users (MAUs). Many users are already earning over $100 per month; some are over $1,000 per month in earnings. Moreover, more than 50% of installs are staying as MAUs. Revenue growth has also been very strong, growing north of 40% month over month since October. Benjamin Logo Benjamin announces a $5.5M seed round and welcomes a new CEO, Lon Otremba. We have a simple goal, said Otremba. To enable consumers to generate at least a Benjamin a month $100 using the Benjamin app. The injection of funds will go towards aggressive user acquisition and funding product development. The raise coincides with the imminent release of an enhanced version of the app as well as the hiring of Benjamin's first CEO. Lon Otremba, a media, marketing, and technology veteran, has joined the company. Most recently, Otremba was the CEO of pioneering native advertising tech platform, Bidtellect, whose growth he spearheaded through to acquisition last year by Simpli.fi. Otremba is a seasoned and versatile industry leader whose career hallmarks include successfully running AOL's Interactive Marketing Group; being the founding President of Mail.com (exit via IPO and eventual sale to AT&T); and being a founding executive at CNET Networks (exit via IPO). "We have a simple goal", said Otremba. "To allow consumers to generate at least a Benjamin a month - $100 using the Benjamin app." The Benjamin app allows consumers to generate cash rewards - called Benjamin Money Moments - on a broad range of everyday activities including purchases, mobile gaming, and viewing ads. This versatility allows Benjamin to up the ante to compete against other established players in the cashback arena. Bilt Rewards, which recently raised $200 million with a multi-billion dollar valuation, is focused on cash rewards for paying rent or one's mortgage. Another player, Upside, which previously generated a $165 mil. Series D round, is focused in generating cash back on consumer gas purchases for their cars. "Our vision is for Benjamin to be the facilitator of a comprehensive cash rewards lifestyle across the full range of commercial brands and entities with which consumers interact on a daily basis," said Erno Tauriainen, Founder of Benjamin Capital Partners, who is a 15-year veteran of the cash rewards space, with two previous exits. "The Benjamin wallet will be the initial catalyst for an entire ecosystem centered on 'Benjamin Money Moments', or 'MoMo's' for short, for consumers as they go throughout the course of their days. They can use the app in the morning at their local Starbucks and get 2% cash back. And then when they are commuting on the train to their jobs, playing their favorite mobile games, they can earn money there too. This MoMo-based ecosystem represents a whole new paradigm." Gaming has emerged as Benjamin's most robust area of growth since launch. Play and F4 are both leaders in gaming investment. Along with gaming, Tauriainen and Otremba, are focused on two other key pillars of opportunity for the newly enhanced Benjamin product. The first one is daily cashback earnings, which again generates rewards for consumers on all of their daily purchases from groceries to Netflix. In this age dominated by social media, the Benjamin team is also prioritizing the "Social Money" features on the app. This would include the ability to earn money for creating social posts. As the ad industry struggles with how to maintain scale of accurate digital ad targeting and measurement in the face of signal loss precipitated by Google's deprecation of third-party tracking cookies, brand marketers are focusing increasingly on harnessing and applying first-party, consented data. With Benjamin's comprehensive, cross-vertical coverage, the company is poised to become a major partner with leading brands across the spectrum. "Play Ventures is very excited to lead the seed round of Benjamin as they continue to build category-defining consumer reward products. With nearly half of the US population playing mobile games, and consumer credit card rewards reaching new heights every year, we believe that the intersection of consumer rewards and mobile games is a major emerging opportunity. We are excited to put our expertise in scaling gaming companies to work with the Benjamin team to help them seize the opportunity to redefine lifestyle products in the category", said Harri Manninen, Founding Partner at Play Ventures. "We at F4 Fund are thrilled to be investors and backers of Benjamin. The brilliance of their cashback app lies in its simplicity, effectiveness, and unique reach into gaming, which opens up new avenues for monetization and distribution of games," said Joakim Achren, General Partner, F4 Fund. "The team at Benjamin has impressed us with their knowledge in this space and their skills in delivering an unparalleled solution. " About Benjamin Capital Partners Benjamin Capital Partners is the holding company for the Benjamin App, a new cash-rewards platform for consumers, merchants and gamers to earn cash, called Benjamin Money Moments, by completing daily tasks, playing casual games, viewing content and ads, and making everyday card purchases with cash back. Founded by industry pioneer Erno Tauriainen, and led by digital industry veteran Lon Otremba, Benjamin will disrupt a number of massive industries, including cashback, gaming, and digital advertising. About Play Ventures Play Ventures is the leading early-stage VC fund investing in games and games services startups around the world. Visit us at www.playventures.vc About F4 Fund F4 is an early stage fund that backs founders building magical products across consumer technology, communications and interactive media. Find us at f4.fund. Media contact info for 4127677, Lon Otremba, +1 917 698 4101 SOURCE Benjamin NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloxcross, a premier payment solutions provider, and GoDirectPay, an e-payment expert, have collaborated to launch a groundbreaking mobile application that revolutionizes global payments. https://directpay.blox.global/register/ This custom-built app will redefine the landscape of financial transactions by enabling institutions and individuals alike to send blazing fast global payments to vendors and friends. Experience the Future of Finance: Introducing the BloxCross and GoDirectPay Mobile App - Seamlessly Send Cross-Border Payments Anytime, Anywhere Intuitive Interface in the GoDirectPay App Dashboard. Unlock Seamless Global Transactions for your business today with the power of Blox! Tailor Made for the Mobile Industry Blox and GoDirectPay joined forces to develop a tailored application, harnessing GoDirectPay's expertise in the payments industry and its established network. This bespoke app empowers users to seamlessly initiate payments in any currency with just a few taps, accommodating both small daily payments and substantial financial transfers, with a generous limit of up to $5 billion per user per day. For businesses, this translates to expedited access to revenue and enhanced cash flow management. What sets this app apart is its unparalleled simplicity, allowing individuals and businesses to execute rapid payments to anyone, anywhere in the world, and in any currency. The goal is to make financial services accessible to everyone, irrespective of their level of financial expertise. Never before has a wire transfer been so quick and easy for an individual to execute. Blox is dedicated to empowering individuals by placing financial control in their hands and eliminating traditional barriers to money movement. GoDirectPay's mission is to connect the digital and physical realms, by allowing users to easily convert virtual currencies into tangible money. Given these aligned missions, the partnership between Blox and GoDirectPay was a logical and natural step forward to break into the mobile money movement industry. A Seamless Financial Ecosystem "We're excited about removing traditional barriers and empowering individuals and businesses alike to effortlessly transfer funds across borders. With our services extending throughout Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, GoDirectPay clients can now easily initiate cross-border financial transactions," says GoDirectPay Co-Founders Luis Bello and Marlon McKenzie. With this application, users can effortlessly navigate the complex world of finance without the traditional barriers that often accompany it. Users can seamlessly initiate wires, ACH payments, or stable coin transactions to friends or vendors globally, all while on the go - available 24/7. The transfers occur instantly and are readily available for withdrawal on the recipient's end within seconds, supporting a multitude of currencies, including stable coins. The unparalleled freedom users experience with the ability to send money in one currency and withdraw it in the recipient's currency of choice is unmatched. Modern Finance In an era reliant on tools without borders, the application provides a timely and essential link between traditional and modern financial systems. It empowers individuals and businesses to have their money where they want it, when they want it, all while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with robust security. In the words of the visionaries behind this collaboration, the future of finance is within reach, and it begins now with this revolutionary custom application. "Our vision for a seamless financial ecosystem is now a reality, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile money movement," said Leandro Meneses, the Chief Revenue Officer at Blox. About GoDirectPay At GoDirectPay, we understand the importance of seamless and secure transactions when it comes to transferring money across borders. We are passionate about providing a reliable and efficient platform for individuals and businesses to transfer their virtual assets into tangible value no matter the destination. www.godirectpay.com/ About Blox Bloxcross, a premier payment solutions provider, focuses on furnishing the necessary tools and infrastructure to facilitate fast cross-border transactions. With established roots in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Bloxcross possesses the ability to execute transactions in any country and currency, thus leading the charge toward effortless global financial operations. www.blox.global/contact/ Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Bloxcross, Inc. Greetings, weve crossed the horizon and the end of session is rapidly approaching. At the time of writing this article, were 12 legislative days away from Sine Die. Senator Albrechts LB441, introduced last session, saw intensive debate by the body. The bill would have made changes to obscenity laws by creating a Class I misdemeanor to prepare, distribute, order, produce, exhibit or promote obscene materials in schools. A motion to invoke cloture failed on the 20th. On March 18, LB1031, one of my bills and a priority bill for the Transportation and Telecommunications committee, was voted to Select File. LB1031 would change Nebraska statute to end ongoing Nebraska Universal Service Funding (NUSF) support to services that are not capable of at least 100/20 Mbps. speeds 18 months after the effective date of the bill. Under the NUSF program, as it now operates, incumbent providers receive what is called ongoing support. This support is for the long-term sustainability of our broadband network. In rural areas of the state, where there are few customers, the cost of operating and maintaining the network far exceeds what any provider will receive in customer revenues. NUSF support is vital to filling the high-cost gap. Going forward, only those broadband services capable of 100/20 Mbps. speeds will receive the ongoing NUSF support. On the 20th, my bill, LB1030 was voted to Select File. LB1030 amends the County Bridge Match Program which provides matching grant funds to counties to repair or replace aging and deficient bridges. Specifically, LB1030 creates the County Bridge Match Working Group consisting of three individuals from the Department of Transportation chosen by the Director and two representatives from a list of county highway superintendents, county surveyors, or county engineers. This working group would be responsible for scoring and awarding County Bridge Match Program grants to counties. The bill also provides additional funding to the program to carry out its essential work. From June 9-14, 4-H and the University of Nebraska will be hosting a weeklong simulation for high school students to take on the role of lawmakers. Students will learn about the inner workings of the legislature directly from senators and staff. The deadline to apply is May 20 and registrants are encouraged to apply for a Greg Adams Civic Scholarship award, which covers the full cost of admission. Applicants must submit a short essay. For more information you can visit www.nebraskalegislature.com/uyl. Easter brings hope to our lives, new beginnings and eternal life, all made possible by Christ who loved us enough to die for us. Christ triumphed over death and offers eternal life for us. With Christ we also can rise above setbacks, obstacles and continue living in His grace. The Easter message resounds in the greatest act of Love! May you be Blessed this Easter Season. Legislative offices will be closed on Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, due to the Easter Holiday. You can reach my office at 402-471-2719 or bbostelman@leg.ne.gov. In 2023 alone, more than 10 customers and partners signed commercial agreements with C2A Security, including a global, long term enterprise agreement with an European Commercial Vehicle Manufacturer JERUSALEM, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- C2A Security's DevSecOps Platform, "EVSec," has been gaining widespread traction as the automotive industry rushes to meet cybersecurity regulations and industry standards, such as UN Regulation No. 155, ISO/SAE 21434, Chinese GB Standards, and others. 2024 is a pivotal year for cybersecurity regulations in the automotive industry, as UN Regulation No. 155 goes into full effect. C2A Security's EVSec risk-driven product security platform allows developers to focus on creative features and manage software and operations at scale, in an automated manner. EVSec automates archaic manual processes and enables cross-functional sharing and collaboration between teams, customers, and supply chains while offering full digital twin capabilities. EVSec applies continuous feedback from product operations and vulnerabilities to improve development and design, as part of agile software development. In 2023, C2A Security added multiple OEMs and Tier 1s to its portfolio of customers, successful evaluations, and partnerships such as BMW Group, Daimler Truck AG, Marelli, NTT Data, Siemens, and Valeo, among others. The collaboration with C2A Security supports the customers on the applicable standards and best practices for regulatory compliance. EVSec maps and automates the relevant standards and regulations, like ISO/SAE 21434 and UN Regulation No. 155, to simplify compliance efforts, which are essential to business success, as companies forge new grounds for their vehicles, develop innovative EV-powered vehicles, and plan for the EV infrastructure that supports them. "We're thrilled that EVSec has proven so popular and effective, as companies like Daimler Truck AG choose it as its product security platform. Dealing with current and emerging regulatory demands, software development at scale and overall product security operations can be a limitation on business continuity of a company if not automated," noted Roy Fridman, CEO, C2A Security. "At the end of 2023, we witnessed the first case of a premium car maker that stopped the sale of their most popular model in the European Union because it failed to comply with the regulation. To stay competitive companies must utilize advanced product security automation in their development and operations and we are excited to support them in achieving this goal." Images available here. About C2A Security C2A Security is the only risk-driven DevSecOps Platform vendor that addresses the specific needs of car makers, Tier 1 suppliers, and mobility companies. Founded in 2016, C2A Security's customers and technology partners include top-tier global players including Daimler Truck AG, BMW Group, Siemens, Valeo, ThunderSoft, Marelli, NTT Data, and Evvo Labs, among others. C2A Security transforms cybersecurity from being a company-wide limitation to a business value multiplier through advanced security automation and compliance to shorten software release times and decrease costs. Our vision is to turn product security into a seamless, automated, and transparent process, reducing time to deployment and costs of managing automotive software products and resources. C2A Security was founded by NDS/Cisco veteran Michael Dick, with its global headquarters in Jerusalem, Israel. www.c2a-sec.com. Media contact: Estee Yaari C2A Security [email protected] SOURCE C2A SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Calico Life Sciences LLC (Calico), a biotechnology organization focused on the biology of aging and age-related diseases, and founded by Alphabet and Arthur D. Levinson, Ph.D., today announced the appointment of Michael Lenardo, M.D., as its new Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Lenardo will join the company in August after completing his term as Co-Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Clinical Genomics Program at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lenardo is an accomplished molecular immunologist and geneticist whose medical research career spans four decades. He has been recognized for his work on fundamental immunological mechanisms and is particularly known for discovering the genetic basis, pathogenesis, and treatment of several congenital disorders of the immune system. "Securing someone of Mike's caliber for the critical role of Chief Scientific Officer is a major achievement for Calico," said Dr. Levinson, CEO of Calico. "His outstanding scientific background and collaborative nature, combined with a track record of innovation and leadership will serve Calico well as we accelerate into our second decade and continue to advance our mission of understanding the biology that controls human aging and developing interventions to allow people to lead longer and healthier lives." In addition to directing NIAID's Clinical Genomics Program, Dr. Lenardo currently serves as an NIH Distinguished Investigator and the Institute's Chief of Molecular Development of the Immune System section. He has worked at NIAID since 1989, when he established an independent research unit there. Dr. Lenardo has been recognized with numerous awards and designations such as membership into the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine, and designated an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E), conferred by Queen Elizabeth II. He received his bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Lenardo completed his residency in internal medicine and research in biochemistry at the University of Iowa. He performed his postdoctoral training with Nobel laureates David Baltimore and Phillip Sharp at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Working to answer the big scientific and medical questions about how we age is an incredibly important mission that has the potential to help all of us experience longer healthspans," said Dr. Lenardo. "The commitment to scientific excellence and integrity at Calico, coupled with the highly talented team, is truly impressive and reflected in the impactful progress they are making. I am looking forward to being a part of this unique and highly collaborative organization." About Calico Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. To learn more about Calico, visit www.calicolabs.com . SOURCE Calico Before Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of Newark, blessed the construction site and the builders that will make the solemn structure possible, he reflected on the significance of the occasion and what it will mean to families and future generations who will honor the lives of their loved ones with this resting space, like so many Catholics before them. "Friends, this mausoleum to be built here is where the bodies sealed in the name of Christ will lie at rest awaiting the dawn of the Lord's coming and glory," prayed Cardinal Tobin while surrounded by cemetery staff. "May it always be a reminder of the life we are to share in Christ. He will transform our earthly bodies to be like His in glory. Let us pray during our time here that God will bring this construction to successful completion and that His protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury." As part of the ongoing commitment by Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark to offer a new place of peace and reflection at Holy Cross Cemetery, the future Open-Air Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit represents a significant stride in combining functionality with aesthetic grace. The meticulously planned mausoleum features an easily navigable layout, ensuring that visits are comforting and convenient for all families with heritage in the original mausoleum, which is 95 percent reserved. The structure itself will feature architectural elegance, fixed skylights, and magnificent liturgical artwork. It will integrate with the natural surroundings, accented by majestic trees and brilliant seasonal flora. The new Open-Air Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit will feature a prayerful committal chapel with a colorful liturgical mosaic at the center and three crosses above. Granite-covered crypts and cremation niches will provide families with sacred resting spaces for their loved ones to pray and honor their memory for generations to come. Reserve Spaces During Open House Weekend April 6 & 7 The Open House weekend, April 6th and 7th presents an opportunity for individuals and families to secure their space within this serene setting from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Whether looking to preserve the family's legacy or embarking on the thoughtful journey of pre-planning, securing a place now ensures visitors receive the best possible pricing before the commencement of construction. During the Open House, professional and caring Memorial Planning Advisors will be available to demonstrate how simple pre-planning can be with no obligation. They are dedicated to guiding families through a complex decision-making process, ensuring visitors reserve the proper memorialization at the best prices, with affordable financing options available. Their expertise and compassionate approach will provide clarity and ease during the planning process, allowing visitors to make informed decisions with peace of mind. By attending the Open House, new and returning visitors can explore the facilities, understand the unique features of the latest mausoleum, and secure their family's place in history at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum located at 340 Ridge Road in North Arlington, Bergen County, NJ. The original mausoleum is 95 percent reserved. Those seeking to preserve family heritage or embark on pre-planning for themselves or loved ones are encouraged to secure space before prices increase April 8, 2024. For more information and video, visit the website: www.holycross-cemetery.org or click here. Review and save the date for the remaining spring open house weekends: APRIL 6 & 7 - HOLY CROSS Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum 340 Ridge Rd. North Arlington, NJ 07031 (Bergen County) www.HolyCross-Cemetery.org April 20 & 21 - SAINT GERTRUDE St. Gertrude Cemetery & Mausoleum 53 Inman Ave. Colonia, NJ 07067 (Middlesex County) www.SaintGertrudeCemetery.org MAY 4 & 5 - HOLY NAME Holy Name Cemetery & Mausoleum 823 West Side Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306 (Hudson) www.HolyNameCemetery.org SOURCE Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark ZURICH, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) will hold its first quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The company expects to issue its first quarter earnings release and financial supplement after the market closes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. These documents will be available on the company's investor website at investors.chubb.com. The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast at investors.chubb.com or by dialing 877-400-4403 (within the United States) or 332-251-2601 (international), passcode 1641662. Please refer to the Chubb website under Events and Presentations for details. A replay will be available after the call at the same location. To listen to the replay, click here to register and receive dial-in numbers. About Chubb Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. SOURCE Chubb Limited NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent analysis of the global concrete surface treatment chemicals market , it has been forecasted that the market will witness substantial growth between 2023 and 2027. The market is estimated to reach USD 4,576.1 million at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.55% during this period. This growth is primarily attributed to increasing urbanization, rising disposable income, and a surge in demand for construction chemicals. For more insights on the historic period (2017 to 2021) and forecast market size (2023 to 2027) - Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Concrete Surface Treatment Chemicals Market 2023-2027 Key Drivers Fueling Market Growth One of the significant drivers propelling the market forward is the rising demand for concrete curing compounds. These compounds play a crucial role in retaining moisture content in concrete, thereby enhancing its strength and durability. Moisture-curing adhesives, a type of concrete curing compound, are witnessing increased demand, further boosting the market growth. Trends and Challenges The market is witnessing trends such as a diversified product portfolio and strategic positioning of Research and Development (R&D) centers by major companies. This ensures a wide range of product offerings to customers and enhances innovation. However, regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) used in manufacturing mold release agents pose a challenge to market growth. Stringent regulations aim to reduce VOC emissions, which could potentially hinder market expansion. Key Players and Competitive Landscape Several prominent companies are actively participating in the concrete surface treatment chemicals market. These include Teknos Group Oy, 3M Co., Akzo Nobel NV, BASF SE, and others. Companies are employing various strategies such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and product launches to strengthen their market presence. Get a glance of this market - Request a sample report Market Segmentation and Regional Analysis The non-residential segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Concrete surface treatment chemicals find extensive use in non-residential construction projects worldwide. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is anticipated to contribute significantly to market growth, with China and India leading the construction industry. Market Analyst Overview The concrete surface treatment chemicals market is experiencing robust growth, primarily driven by factors such as population expansion, economic growth, and increasing construction activities, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific. Public and private investments in initiatives such as Smart City Mission and urban transformation projects further augment market demand. Conclusion The concrete surface treatment chemicals market continues to grow steadily, propelled by urbanization, construction activities, and regulatory frameworks. As the construction sector expands, the demand for these chemicals is expected to rise, ensuring longevity and durability of concrete structures worldwide. For more insights on the market - Request a sample report Analyst Review The Concrete Surface Treatment Chemicals Market in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in countries like China and India, is experiencing significant growth due to rapid urbanization, population expansion, and robust economic development. As the construction sector in the Asia Pacific continues to flourish, both public and private investments are pouring into infrastructure projects, fueled by initiatives like China's construction industry's market value and India's Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart City Mission. One of the critical drivers of the concrete surface treatment chemicals market is the growing demand for infrastructure development in developing regions like China and India. These countries are witnessing a surge in construction activities, necessitating the use of advanced surface treatment solutions to enhance the durability and performance of concrete structures. However, amidst this growth, concerns about environmental sustainability and compliance with regulatory frameworks are paramount. Governments, particularly in India, are implementing stringent real estate regulations to ensure responsible construction practices. This has led to an increased focus on the use of environmentally friendly concrete surface treatment chemicals. Water-based mold release agents are gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits compared to harmful raw materials traditionally used in the industry. These agents not only provide superior surface finish but also offer protection against water, reducing the risk of blowholes, cracks, and other surface defects. Additionally, they aid in curing compounds, sealants, and moisture and dust control, ensuring the longevity and resilience of concrete floors and walls. The market for concrete surface treatment chemicals is characterized by a wide range of products tailored to specific needs and applications. From curing compounds to mold release agents and sealants, manufacturers are innovating to meet the diverse requirements of construction projects in the Asia Pacific region. With the ongoing trend of urbanization and the increasing emphasis on sustainable development, the demand for concrete surface treatment chemicals is expected to continue rising. As China and India remain at the forefront of economic growth and infrastructure development, investments in construction activities will remain robust, further driving the growth of the market in the region. In conclusion, the Asia Pacific concrete surface treatment chemicals market is witnessing significant developments driven by the construction sector's growth, public and private investments, and regulatory frameworks promoting sustainable practices. Manufacturers are innovating to meet the demand for environmentally friendly solutions, ensuring the durability and resilience of concrete structures in the face of rapid urbanization and population expansion. For more insights on the market - Request a sample report Related Reports: The concrete contractor market is projected to grow by USD 571.3 million with a CAGR of 0.71% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026. Furthermore, this report extensively covers the market segmentation by end-user (building construction, building renovation, and other constructions) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Eco-friendly buildings and construction are one of the key market trends contributing to market growth. The concrete superplasticizer market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 2,028.33 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (ready-mix concrete, precast concrete, high-performance concrete, and others), type (sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde (SNF), modified lignosulfonates (MLS), polycarboxylic acid (PC), and sulfonated melamine formaldehyde (SMF)), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The increasing demand for concrete admixtures is a key factor driving the growth of the global concrete superplasticizer market. 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 focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- California must require insurance companies to sell home insurance to homeowners who protect their homes from wildfire in order to restore consumers' access to affordable coverage, Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber will testify in comments before the Little Hoover Commission today. Mandatory coverage for homeowners who do the right thing is the only option to quickly get Californians insured again, Balber will testify. View the livestream of the hearing here and see Consumer Watchdog's presentation. "Appeasing the insurance industry has failed to protect consumers' access to home insurance in California," said Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber. "Any company that wants the privilege of selling home and auto insurance in the largest market in the nation should be required to cover every Californian who does the right thing and protects their home from wildfires. The added bonus will be depopulating the FAIR Plan to help stabilize the finances of the state's insurer of last resort." A mandate would require insurance companies to sell coverage to any home or condo owner who meets state "Safer From Wildfire" mitigation guidelines - including home-hardening and defensible space measures that reduce the risk a home will burn in a wildfire. To incentivize homeowners to complete these mitigation steps they must be confident they will be able to buy insurance at the end of the process. A recent study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that "structural modifications can reduce wildfire risk up to 40%, and structural and vegetation modifications combined can reduce wildfire risk up to 75%." Balber's presentation also makes the following points: The home insurance industry was more profitable in California over the last two decades than it was nationwide, with 8.8% average return on net worth from 2002-2021 compared to 6.2% nationwide. California did even better in recent years, with return on net worth reaching 19.4% in 2021, compared to 1.3% on average nationally. Rate regulation under California's strongest-in-the-nation insurance oversight law, Proposition 103, has allowed home insurance companies to get the rate hikes they need to cover legitimate cost increases. Home insurers in California received an average 92% of the premium increases they requested between 2021 and 2023 and all but one of the top ten insurance companies in the state received rate hikes in the last year, some with multiple increases. Insurance Commissioner Lara announced a deal with insurers last September that he said would expand home insurance coverage for Californians. The only consumer benefit of the plan was a supposed "commitment" by insurers to increase insurance sales in wildfire areas. However, documents Consumer Watchdog obtained under the Public Records Act reveal that the legislation his plan is based on would not require insurers to offer comprehensive home insurance to a single new homeowner. Insurers could instead meet their commitment by offering bare-bones FAIR Plan-equivalent policies, leaving consumers no better off than they are today. State Farm recently announced it will dump 72,000 policyholders despite a 20% rate hike of approximately $500 million that took effect this month. The move makes clear that California must do more to prevent insurance companies from abandoning consumers who have paid their premiums responsibly for decades. The insurance industry proposals embraced by Commissioner Lara have already been tried in Florida where they failed to stabilize that state's insurance market. Insurance rates in Florida are 2-4 times as high, five times as many homeowners are insured by the state's insurer of last resort, and insurance companies continue to leave the market. SOURCE Consumer Watchdog NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Cotton Market size is forecast to increase by USD 7.97 billion between 2022 and 2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 3.08%. APAC drives 87% of global market growth, led by China's dominant textile production and export market. Growing cotton fiber usage in clothing and home furnishing, fueled by rising populations and incomes, propels the region's textile industry. India emerges as a key player, poised to dominate the APAC market next. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Cotton Market 2023-2027 Charts & data tables about market and segment sizes for a historic period of five (2017-2021) years have been covered in this report Download The Sample Report Report Coverage Details Page number 155 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.08% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 7.97 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 2.68 Regional analysis APAC, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America, and Europe Performing market contribution APAC at 87% Key countries Turkey, China, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Technavio has extensively analyzed 15 major vendors, including Ambika Cotton Mills Ltd., Asha Cotton Industries, Banswara Syntex Ltd., Carr Textile, Damodar Group, Fazal Cloth Mills Ltd., Hengli Group Co. Ltd., Huafu Fashion Co. Ltd., Loyal Textile Mills Ltd., Lu Thai Textile Co. Ltd., Oswal Group, Shri Vallabh Pittie Group, Sintex Industries Ltd., Sutlej Textiles and Industries Ltd., The Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd., The Lakshmi Mills Co. Ltd., Trident Ltd., Unifi Inc., Vardhman Group, and Weiqiao Textile Co. Ltd. and Vendor Offering for any 2 Vendors Key Benefits for Industry Players & Stakeholders The report offers information on the criticality of vendor inputs, including R&D, CAPEX, and technology. It also provides detailed analyses of the market's competitive landscape and vendors' product offerings. The report also provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. Expand operations in the future - To get requisite details: Ask for a custom report Customer Landscape - Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria by Technavio One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity, an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage. Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important), which range between LOW and HIGH. Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered. Get a holistic overview of the endoscopic closure devices market by industry experts to evaluate and develop growth strategies Download the Sample Cotton Market - Segmentation Assessment The market is segmented by Application (Cotton fiber, Cotton seed oil, and Cotton seed), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (APAC, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America, and Europe) The Cotton Fiber segment, valued at USD 35.50 billion in 2017, leads the market. Primarily produced in tropical and subtropical regions like India, it's integral to the textile industry's growth. With China and India processing the majority of global production, the demand for natural fibers fuels market expansion. To get detailed insights about inclusions and exclusions Buy the report Regional Analysis: APAC is estimated to contribute 87% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. APAC dominates global production. However, most of it produced is domestically consumed in contrast to Western countries where cotton is grown mainly for exports. China is leading the global production and export market. The textile industry in APAC is growing due to the growing usage of cotton fibers as prime material in clothing, the rising population, increasing disposable incomes, and a rise in the demand for home furnishing products. This has a positive impact on the market in APAC. It is also the prime cash crop in most of the countries in APAC, such as China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The development of China's textile industry has increased the consumption of cotton, along with the consumption of cotton linters, cotton waste, and comber noil. India is considered one of the largest players in the market in APAC. The Indian textile industry is predominantly a cotton-based industry. India is considered next in line to dominate the APAC market. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform What are the key data covered in this Cotton Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the Cotton Market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the Cotton Market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the Cotton Market industry across APAC, Middle East and Africa , North America , South America , and Europe and , , , and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of Cotton Market vendors Analyst Review: The Cotton Market remains a vital component of the global textile industry, serving various sectors including apparel manufacturing markets, home furnishings, and industrial products. With the rise in global textile mills and apparel manufacturing markets, the demand for cotton continues to witness steady growth. Cotton yarn, an essential raw material in textile production, drives the demand for cotton, leading to increased cotton consumption worldwide. The versatility of cotton makes it a preferred choice for a wide range of textile products, including garments, knitted fabrics, and home furnishings. Moreover, cotton's significance extends beyond the textile industry, finding applications in medical dressings, medical gauze, cotton swabs, and traditional diapers. Cottonseed oil, a by-product of cotton production, serves various industrial and culinary purposes, further enhancing the market's value. Market trends indicate a steady increase in cotton exports, driven by export demand from countries heavily reliant on cotton for apparel manufacturing and industrial products. Organizations like the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) play crucial roles in monitoring and analyzing cotton production, consumption, and export volumes. In conclusion, the cotton market remains integral to various industries, offering a versatile and sustainable solution for textile and non-textile applications alike. With increasing global demand and evolving market trends, cotton continues to be a cornerstone of the global economy. Market Overview: The Cotton Market is a vital component of the global textile industry, with tropical and subtropical regions serving as major production hubs. Cotton fibers sourced from these regions are indispensable in the manufacturing processes of various textile products, including apparel, garments, home furnishings, and industrial products. The demand for cotton is driven by the global textile mills and apparel manufacturing markets, with export demand playing a significant role in shaping market dynamics. Cotton yarn, known for its versatility and durability, is a key intermediary product used in the production of textiles. The METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitor cotton production, consumption, and export volume, providing valuable insights into market trends. Additionally, cotton finds applications beyond textiles, such as in medical dressings, gauze, swabs, traditional diapers, and cottonseed oil, further underscoring its versatility and importance in various industries. Related Reports: The cotton ginning machines market size is forecast to increase by USD 24.27 million, at a CAGR of 3.18% between 2023 and 2028. The cotton harvester market size is forecast to increase by USD 835.66 million with growth at a CAGR of 5.26% between 2024 and 2028. About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio 26 direct-flow water purifiers and 3 NanoTrap filters certified by the WQA for meeting NSF/ANSI 401 standards 40 Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purifiers recognized for microplastic removal by Intertek SEOUL, South Korea, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An analysis by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) suggests that the average person ingests as many as 5 grams of microplastics weekly that's the equivalent of eating a whole credit card. While the exact effects of plastics on human health are still relatively unknown, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted potential adverse effects, such as the production of reactive oxidative species and inflammatory responses in the body. Coway Icon Water Purifier 2 (CP-7211N) Coway, the Best Life Solution Company and a leader in the global water purifier industry, has taken proactive steps to combat environmental pollution and potential health risks associated with microplastics. Coway has certified its water purifiers for their performance and microplastic removal with the assistance of international bodies. NSF/ANSI 401 Standards for Direct-flow Water Purifiers The current NSF/ANSI 401 standards, designated by the USA's National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), are the only standards for the microplastic reduction performance of water filtration systems. A certified water filtration system is proven to remove fine particles ranging from 0.5 to 1 micrometer in size, including microplastics[1]. To date, 26 of Coway's direct-flow water purifiers, a.k.a NanoTrap water purifiers, and 3 NanoTrap filters have been certified as conforming to the NSF/ANSI 401 standards by the Water Quality Association (WQA). The water filtration systems, such as the Icon Water Purifier (CP-7211N), have over 99% reduction efficiency of particles a testament to Coway's commitment to water safety. Intertek Recognitions for RO Water Purifiers Coway's reverse osmosis (RO) membrane water purifiers, widely used in Southeast Asian households, have been verified for microplastic removal performance through stringent testing by Intertek, a leading international certification organization. Since there are currently no global standards for microplastic removal for RO systems, Coway, in collaboration with Intertek, established the test protocol[2] that verifies the reduction of nano-sized particles as small as 30 nanometers approximately 1000th of a human hair. By Intertek's validation for microplastic removal performance, Coway's reverse osmosis water purifiers are verified to reduce nanoparticles with an efficiency of over 99%. To date, 40 models of Coway water purifiers have been confirmed to be effective in removing of nano-sized particles (30nm) via performance test reports. These models include the Neo Plus (CHP-264L), the AIS/My Ice (CHPI-7520L), and the Villaem II (CHP-18AR). A Coway official said, "We rigorously verify and ensure the safety of our products against emerging harmful substances from various sources, so consumers can enjoy clean water without worries under any circumstances. Moving forward, we are committed to advancing filter technology and giving our customers even more confidence in our water purifiers." [1]Microplastic performance claims are based on the NSF/ANSI 42 Class 1 Particulate, 0.5~1um, protocol as a surrogate test. The systems that comply with the NSF/ANSI 42 Class 1 conform to NSF/ANSI 401 for reducing microplastics. [2]Coway's exclusive performance testing methodology for water purifiers was approved and adopted as a test protocol by Intertek for evaluating and certifying microplastic removal efficacy. About Coway Co., Ltd. Established in Korea in 1989, Coway, the "Best Life Solution Company," is a leading environmental home appliances company making people's lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, bidets, and mattresses. The company's most recent venture, the BEREX brand, aims to improve sleep and wellness through cutting-edge mattresses and massage chairs. Since being founded, Coway has become a leader in the environmental home appliances industry, with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer service. The company has proven dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled market share, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. Coway continues to innovate by diversifying product lines and accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, the USA, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe, based on the business success in Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.coway.com/ or http://newsroom.coway.com. SOURCE Coway Co., Ltd. NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The data center server market size is on a trajectory of substantial expansion, with forecasts predicting a remarkable surge of USD 115 billion at a CAGR of 15.27% from 2022 to 2027. This surge is attributed to the accelerating adoption of AI-powered servers and the ever-expanding cloud ecosystems across various industries. The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Request Free Sample Report. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Data Center Server Market 2023-2027 AI-Powered Servers Revolutionize Enterprise Cloud Applications The adoption of AI-powered servers is revolutionizing enterprise cloud applications by offering high-performance computing capabilities while concurrently reducing power consumption. These servers, exemplified by industry leaders like Egenera, Fujitsu, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, cater to the diverse needs of today's data-driven world. Report Coverage Details Page number 182 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 15.27% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 115 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 13.82 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key countries US, China, Australia, Japan, and UK Commercial Server Segment to Witness Exponential Growth The commercial server segment is poised for significant growth, driven by investments from communication service providers and colocation service providers in expanding their data center capacities. Major players such as Dell, Cisco, and Fujitsu are investing in new centers, amplifying the market's focus during the forecast period. Market Dynamics and Customer Landscape While investments in scaling up in-house data centers propel market growth, challenges such as server workload optimization persist. However, the market remains buoyant with the surge in demand for server disaggregation to enhance utilization rates and address power consumption concerns. For more insights on the market - Request Free Sample Report. Key Companies and Regional Analysis Leading players in the market including IBM, Lenovo, and Oracle are strategically positioning themselves through alliances, partnerships, and product launches. North America, particularly the US, is anticipated to drive substantial growth, fueled by investments in edge computing and the rising adoption of edge data centers. Market Analyst Overview The data center server market is experiencing rapid growth, propelled by the demand for machine learning capabilities and the expansion of cloud computing. Key players are offering advanced solutions to meet evolving industry needs, supporting operations across various sectors including finance, healthcare, and retail. Micro Data Centers Witnessing Growth Micro data centers equipped with high-performance compact servers are catering to diverse needs efficiently. These solutions enable operations optimization, machine learning, and processing power, benefiting sectors such as manufacturing while addressing environmental concerns through energy-efficient technologies. In conclusion, the data center server market is poised for substantial growth driven by AI innovation, cloud expansion, and the evolving needs of industries worldwide. As key players continue to innovate and expand their offerings, the market landscape is set to undergo significant transformations, ushering in a new era of data-driven capabilities and infrastructure efficiency. To learn more about this report - Request Free Sample Report. Analyst Review The Data Center Server Market is experiencing robust growth, driven by industry demand for advanced and high-performance compact servers with reduced power consumption. Prominent players in this market are investing heavily in AI infrastructure to cater to the needs of small- and medium-scale businesses and organizations across various industrial verticals. These servers boast powerful processors, ample memory, and extensive storage capacity, making them ideal for hosting websites, running applications, and storing vast amounts of data. They are typically housed in temperature-controlled facilities with redundant power sources and stringent security measures to ensure uninterrupted operations. In today's digital landscape, characterized by the proliferation of IoT devices, smartphones, social media, e-commerce, and online platforms, the demand for data center servers has surged. Organizations are increasingly relying on these servers to handle their digital services and support their digital transformation initiatives. The market is witnessing significant growth not only in North American and European regions but also in Asian countries like Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. Additionally, Central American and South American regions, including countries like Brazil and Mexico, are emerging as key markets for data center server infrastructure. Key players such as IBM Cloud, American Airlines, and VMware HCX are leading the charge in providing scalable server solutions that meet the scalability, energy efficiency, and operational needs of businesses worldwide. With the rise of AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing, the demand for high-performance data center servers is on the rise. These servers play a crucial role in processing vast datasets and driving insights for industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on environmental concerns and sustainability goals in data center operations. Companies are increasingly adopting energy-efficient technologies to reduce power consumption and minimize their environmental impact. This shift towards sustainability is driving infrastructure overhauls in traditional data centers and promoting the adoption of micro data centers and cloud ecosystems. As the world transitions to 5G networks and embraces the data-driven world, the Data Center Server Market is poised for significant growth during the forecast period. It will continue to be a cornerstone of enterprise cloud applications, cloud computing, and operations optimization across various industries globally. To learn more about this report - Request Free Sample Report. Related Reports: The Data Center market is projected to be valued at USD 731.77 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 12.73%, between 2022 and 2027. The data center power market is projected to reach a value of USD 50.28 billion in 2027 between 2023 and 2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 11.1%. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Decisions, global provider of a leading business process automation platform and intelligent business rule engine, proudly announces that the company has been Certified by Great Place To Work for 2024 in both the U.S. and India. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. Certification is uniquely based on direct employee feedback about work experience and company culture. According to survey responses, 93% of U.S. Decisions employees say it is a great place to work compared to 57% at a typical U.S.-based company. "We are honored to receive the Great Place To Work designation and thrilled that our employees in multiple countries rate their work environment so positively," said Decisions co-founder and CTO Heath Oderman. "Certification is a great step for us, and the process has helped us identify areas where we can improve on behalf of the team. Our goal is continuous improvement and remaining a Great Place to Work." The Great Place To Work Trust Model is used as the definitive standard of what it means to be a great workplace. It defines a great workplace as one where employees trust the people they work for, take pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with. In respect to culture, 98% of Decisions U.S. employees affirmed that coworkers care about each other. Additionally, 98% stated they have time off as needed and were made to feel welcome when joining the company. According to a Hyderabad, India employee testimony, "The culture here really helps members become an integral part of the company rather than just being an employee." According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company's profits, and have a fair chance at promotion. About Great Place to Work Certification Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified. About Great Place To Work As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. About Decisions The Decisions platform is a comprehensive low-code process automation solution that seamlessly integrates AI, rules engines, and workflow management. It empowers businesses to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, ensure regulatory compliance, and modernize legacy systems, ultimately optimizing outcomes and approaches. Trusted globally, Decisions serves as a reliable guide across industries for streamlined workflows, improved accuracy, and transformative business processes. SOURCE Decisions The new content creation and personalization ecosystem will streamline content supply chains and insights with Adobe and AWS NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte Digital, in collaboration with Adobe and Amazon Web Services (AWS), is proud to introduce the Content Intelligence Hub, a solution designed to deliver intelligent content in a personalized and privacy-centric manner. This innovative platform is built to help brands better connect with their customers through media and owned properties. The technology leverages Adobe's full experience suite including Adobe Experience Platform, enriched by media data, and third-party data in a secure, privacy-centric collaboration using AWS Clean Rooms, for the first time to address sector specific challenges. The technology leverages Adobe Experience Cloud and the power of AWS and its breadth of advanced data and modeling to enhance content agility and automation. Together, these capabilities will enrich and enhance media data, and third-party data in a secure, privacy-centric setting. The Content Intelligence Hub delivers flexible and agile content delivery, allowing brands to leverage any data source to map to specific needs in their industry. The Content Intelligence Hub is built to help brands better connect with customers through media and owned properties. Post this "The integration between Adobe and AWS, facilitated by Deloitte Digital's Content Intelligence Hub, enables brands to seamlessly scale their marketing and advertising efforts," stated Stephen Frieder, chief revenue officer, Enterprise, Adobe. "This collaboration allows brands to maximize their data investments on AWS and activate customer insights with Adobe to deliver powerful and personalized experiences that offer a strategic advantage in the marketplace." The Content Intelligence Hub unites the strengths of Adobe, AWS and Deloitte Digital to bring brands a transformative solution for secure, intelligent content creation and personalization: Adobe: Enables brands to use Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Workfront, Adobe Experience Platform (Adobe Customer Journey Analytics, Adobe Real-Time CDP, Adobe Journey Optimizer) and soon Adobe GenStudio to supercharge personalization and speed up the content supply chain. Enables brands to use Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Workfront, Adobe Experience Platform (Adobe Customer Journey Analytics, Adobe Real-Time CDP, Adobe Journey Optimizer) and soon Adobe GenStudio to supercharge personalization and speed up the content supply chain. AWS: Creates a safe and secure environment with flexibility to collect, unify, analyze and activate any accessible data sets within a secure zero-copy data collaboration. Creates a safe and secure environment with flexibility to collect, unify, analyze and activate any accessible data sets within a secure zero-copy data collaboration. Deloitte Digital: Activates and automates industry-specific insights with Deloitte's creative, content, analytics and integration capabilities. Deloitte can bring the Converge Solution Set and client adapted generative AI tools for efficient content creation and distribution tailored to specific sectors. "Today's marketers are looking for ways where scalability can meet the demands of marketing to continuously innovate and activate their content to their customers," said Robert Bavis, principal, and Deloitte Digital's Global Adobe chief commercial officer. "By introducing the Content Intelligence Hub, Deloitte Digital brings a solution that allows customers flexibility to bring a wide range of data sources, to deliver content in a more compelling way. This revolutionary offering enables brands to power all content with the data and insights needed through an industry lens to maximize the impact and ROI of each experience." The Content Intelligence Hub allows brands to merge first and second-party data, and even purchase external data sets, such as those from other media partners. This combination of information allows organizations to further specialize in sectors and incorporate more sector-specific data. With this new agility, brands will be able to acquire and integrate data sets as needed to enrich and append profiles. The content solution uses generative AI tools powered by Adobe Firefly and Deloitte Digital language models, securely tuned specifically to each client, resulting in a more private, AI-focused environment. The Content Intelligence Hub will be integrated into Deloitte Digital's evolving generative AI technology and platforms created to help clients navigate a complex, constantly changing landscape, bringing together creativity, technology, collaboration, design and more. The data solution allows organizations to further specialize in sectors and incorporate more sector-specific data. With this new agility, brands will be able to acquire and integrate data sets as needed to enrich and append profiles. The combination of these solutions drives better personalization and optimization of content and experiences in an agile environment. To bring this to life, consider a life sciences health care company utilizing this solution: A life sciences company can utilize this solution to build customer profiles, using both known and unknown data, enabling precise audiences and cross-channel activation powered by Adobe Real-Time CDP. With AWS and Adobe, the client can analyze first-party data, assessing content performance at an individual level across the entire content ecosystem. Additional data from other markets to enhance and refine audience profiles can be used here. The company can leverage data on how the content is being consumed to optimize it in real-time (closed-loop content optimization). Regulatory workflow can be managed and streamlined to better deliver agility and speed to market with generative AI. With refinement, the model could provide a preliminary score for a human reviewer, helping to identify potential problem areas that require review or necessary updates, thus implementing a 'human in the loop' approach. By offering a secure, flexible environment for data, analytics and AI-powered content creation, the Content Intelligence Hub is poised to transform content strategy and audience engagement. Deloitte Digital is proud to return as a Diamond Sponsor to Adobe Summit, the premier global digital experience conference, March 26-28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At Adobe Summit, Deloitte Digital will showcase how we bring together deep industry expertise with leading content supply chain, data, analytics, and generative AI capabilities to create great experiences that create greater impact at scale. Deloitte continues to scale its AI capabilities, alliances and offerings following the introduction of its Generative AI practice in 2023. With a full spectrum of tailored AI services and its deep industry and domain knowledge, Deloitte supports clients at every stage of their transformational journey, from developing AI strategies to building and implementing GenAI solutions that enhance productivity and deliver greater client impact. Deloitte is infusing generative AI capabilities across its own enterprise rolling out purpose-specific Large Language Models (LLMs) and chatbots to support specialized teams across its business. These tools are applied with Deloitte's Trustworthy AI framework to manage AI risks and improve user confidence and trust. Additionally, Deloitte is increasing AI fluency, training more than 120,000 professionals via the Deloitte AI Academy and investing more than $2 billion in global technology learning and development initiatives to boost skills in AI and other areas. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 457,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. SOURCE Deloitte Digital NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The demand response (DR) market is set to witness substantial growth in the coming years, driven by advancements in technology and regulatory initiatives. With a forecasted increase of USD 2.90 billion between 2023 and 2028, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.01%. This growth is attributed to various factors, including the emerging concept of the internet of things (IoT), increased generation of electricity from clean energy sources, and the advent of data-driven demand response solutions. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Demand Response Market 2024-2028 The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Request a Free Sample Report. Market Trends: A significant trend shaping the DR market is the increased generation of electricity from clean energy sources. Governments worldwide are imposing regulations to boost the percentage of energy generated from renewable sources, driving utilities to offer incentives for consumers to invest in clean energy solutions. This trend opens avenues for consumers to become energy producers, fostering the adoption of DR programs and solutions. Report Coverage Details Page number 182 Base year 2023 Historic period 2018-2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.01% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 2.90 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2023-2024(%) 7.25 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 60% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Largest-Growing Segments: The hardware and software segment emerges as the fastest-growing segment in the DR market. With advancements in technology, hardware- and software-based DR systems offer enhanced capabilities, empowering end-users to manage energy consumption efficiently. IoT implementation further fuels this segment's growth, providing opportunities for sophisticated solutions in industrial and commercial sectors. Regional Analysis: North America dominates the DR market, contributing 60% to global growth. The US and Canada lead the region, driven by awareness among end-users about the benefits of DR programs and initiatives. Government support and collaboration between utility companies and DR aggregators further propel market growth in North America. To learn more about this report - Request a Free Sample Report. Key Drivers and Challenges: The increasing gap between electricity supply and demand serves as a key driver for market growth. Urbanization and population growth elevate the need for electricity, necessitating tools like DR to maintain reliability in energy systems. However, the growing threat of hacking poses a significant challenge to market expansion, highlighting the importance of stringent security measures in DR solutions. Customer Landscape: The market research report covers the adoption lifecycle of DR solutions, offering insights into adoption rates and key purchase criteria across regions. Companies can leverage this information to develop effective growth strategies tailored to customer needs. Major Market Players: Leading companies in the DR market include ABB Ltd., ALSTOM SA, Cisco Systems Inc., and Honeywell International Inc., among others. These companies employ various strategies such as strategic alliances and product launches to enhance their market presence and meet evolving customer demands. Get a glance of this market - Request a Free Sample Report. Market Analyst Overview: The DR market experiences substantial growth driven by technological advancements and regulatory frameworks, particularly in the US. Smart grid deployments enable bidirectional communication, facilitating energy management systems and integration of renewable energy sources. DR programs incentivize energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing grid stability. Conclusion: With a favorable regulatory environment and technological advancements, the demand response market is poised for significant growth. Companies can capitalize on emerging trends and address challenges to seize opportunities in this dynamic landscape. Analyst Review The Demand Response (DR) market is experiencing dynamic growth, fueled by advancements in technology, regulatory frameworks, and a growing awareness of sustainability. DR programs are instrumental in enhancing grid stability, reducing carbon emissions, and optimizing energy consumption across residential, commercial, and industrial segments. Key players in this market include building owners, homeowners, industrial consumers, and utility verticals, all of whom are leveraging smart grid roll-outs and automation in transmission and distribution (T&D) systems to implement DR solutions. Customer energy management systems, intelligent metering, and advanced ICT DSM solutions enable customers to participate actively in DR programs, particularly during peak demand periods. The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification plays a pivotal role in promoting energy management in buildings. The LEED DR Pilot program incentivizes building owners to adopt DR strategies by offering LEED credits for implementing energy-saving measures and integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) such as renewable energy and energy storage systems. In the residential segment, homeowners can benefit from DR programs by adjusting their energy usage during peak requirements, supported by larger appliances equipped with smart grid technology. Commercial and industrial segments also stand to gain from DR initiatives, which offer flexibility and responsiveness to optimize energy usage and reduce costs. Commercial demand response is facilitated by the integration of renewable energy sources and the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations, promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Industrial consumers can leverage DR solutions to manage peak requirements and mitigate operational costs while contributing to grid stability. Hardware technology improvements, including control equipment and metering devices, are driving industry growth by enabling bidirectional communication and seamless integration of DR systems. The U.S. smart demand response market is expanding rapidly, driven by advancements in energy efficiency and the need to address peak demand challenges. Overall, the DR market is characterized by its ability to adapt to evolving energy landscapes, offering a pathway towards grid modernization, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced sustainability. As smart grid deployment continues to proliferate, the integration of DR programs will play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy management and consumption. Get a glance of this market - Request a Free Sample Report. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The disposable respirator market size is experiencing significant growth, with a forecasted increase in size by USD 878.57 million between 2022 and 2027. The market is set to expand at a CAGR of 4.67%, driven by several key factors including heightened demand from the manufacturing sector, stringent safety regulations, and efforts by companies to bolster production capacities. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read a Free PDF Sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Disposable Respirator Market 2023-2027 Market Drivers: The surge in demand from the manufacturing industry is a pivotal driver behind the market's growth trajectory. Manufacturing activities across various sectors, such as paper mills, metal fabrication, and food processing plants, often release harmful airborne particles into the atmosphere. These particles pose serious health risks, necessitating the use of disposable respirators to protect workers from inhaling contaminants. Report Coverage Details Page number 172 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.67% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 878.57 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 4.11 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, Germany, France, China, and Japan Market Trends: An emerging trend in the market is the increasing utilization of disposable respirators by individuals concerned about air pollution. With urbanization on the rise, air quality has become a pressing issue globally. Burning of fossil fuels and industrial emissions contribute to air pollution, leading to respiratory problems among inhabitants. As awareness of these issues grows, so does the demand for respiratory protection, spurring market growth. Market Challenges: Despite the market's growth, challenges persist, particularly with the adoption of advanced respiratory equipment in lieu of disposable respirators. While advanced equipment offers enhanced filtration capabilities, disposable respirators remain indispensable in many industries due to their efficiency in filtering out harmful particles. Get a glance of this market - Read a Free PDF Sample Report Key Market Players: Several prominent companies are shaping the disposable respirator market landscape. Among them, Gateway Safety Inc. stands out, offering a range of personal safety equipment including disposable respirators. Additionally, companies like 3M Co., Honeywell International Inc., and Kimberly Clark Corp. are implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen their market presence. Fastest-Growing Segment: The N-series segment, characterized by its efficacy in filtering solid and liquid aerosol particulates, is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. End-users ranging from healthcare professionals to individuals utilize N-series respirators, with the N95 type being the most widely employed due to its FDA approval and effectiveness against air pollution. Key Regions: North America emerges as a pivotal region in the disposable respirator market, contributing 41% to global market growth. Stringent safety regulations in the region, coupled with a robust manufacturing sector and burgeoning healthcare industry, are driving demand for respiratory protection equipment. For more insights on the market - Read a Free PDF Sample Report In conclusion, the disposable respirator market continues to evolve, propelled by the imperative need for worker safety and rising awareness of air pollution hazards. Despite challenges posed by advanced equipment, disposable respirators remain indispensable across various industries, ensuring the well-being of workers worldwide. Analyst Review The disposable respirator market is a critical sector encompassing various segments, particularly the N-series type, which caters to diverse industries such as medical, construction, and mining. These respirators, commonly known as disposable face masks, play a pivotal role in safeguarding individuals from airborne microorganisms and contaminants. Crafted from non-woven fabric with nose clips and adjustable straps, they offer reliable protection against viral transmission and other hazardous particles. Key players like 3M Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Alpha Pro Tech dominate this market, leveraging advanced respiratory protection technology. They continually innovate filter materials to enhance fit, comfort, and overall performance. Moreover, intelligent respiratory monitoring technology ensures compliance with regulatory standards and promotes workplace safety awareness. Amidst public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks and epidemics, demand for disposable respirators skyrockets, driven by healthcare workers and the general public alike. Industrial activities also influence market dynamics, with heightened requirements in manufacturing, construction, and mining sectors. However, counterfeit and substandard products pose significant challenges, necessitating strict adherence to regulatory guidelines and quality standards. In the United States, e-commerce platforms play a pivotal role in facilitating the distribution of disposable respirators, catering to diverse segments like healthcare and construction. Companies like Alpha Solway Ltd, Avantor Inc, Bunzl plc, and Dragerwerk AG & Co contribute significantly to the market landscape, offering a wide array of disposable respirator options. The N-series segment remains particularly prominent, addressing the need for protection against airborne particles, dust, and contaminants. Honeywell International Inc stands out as a major player in this segment, alongside industry giant 3M. Market conditions dictate demand forecasts, influenced by raw material availability, manufacturing capacities, and public health considerations. However, alongside market growth comes the challenge of waste generation and improper disposal of disposable respirators. Efforts to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainable practices are imperative. Additionally, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards remains paramount to address concerns regarding counterfeit products and substandard quality. In conclusion, the disposable respirator market is a dynamic sector shaped by evolving market conditions, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks. As the world grapples with public health crises and industrial activities continue to expand, the demand for reliable respiratory protection solutions is poised to grow, driving innovation and market competitiveness. For more insights on the market - Read a Free PDF Sample Report Market Overview The disposable respirator market, particularly the N-series segment, is witnessing significant growth due to rising concerns regarding microorganism transmission. These disposable face masks, crafted from high-quality non-woven fabric, offer reliable protection against airborne particles. Enhanced with nose clips and adjustable straps, they ensure a secure fit for various facial contours, maximizing comfort and efficacy. Incorporation of respirator valves enhances breathability, making them suitable for medical professionals, construction workers, and miners alike. With stringent safety standards driving demand, the disposable respirator market is poised for substantial expansion, catering to diverse sectors where respiratory protection is paramount. For more insights on the market - Read a Free PDF Sample Report ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio AMR Paramedics and EMTs Vote Overwhelmingly for Union Representation SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 200 workers at American Medical Response (AMR) in Springfield and Greenfield have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 404. "This is a huge win for these workers who will now have union representation with the Teamsters," said Tom Mari, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10. "These workers put their lives on the line every shift and deserve a contract that recognizes their bravery." "Thank you to Joint Council 10 organizers who worked with AMR workers to make sure that they understood the benefits of becoming Teamsters," said Bryan Donovan Jr., President of Local 404. "With this victory, workers have sent a strong message to the company, making it clear that they are unified and ready to fight for their future. I am proud to call AMR workers our newest brothers and sisters and look forward to working with them on a first contract they can be proud of." Paramedics and EMTs with AMR organized to fight for a strong contract, better wages, and respect on the job. "I am in awe of how quickly everyone came together. Our organizing committee stepped up immediately to support and educate our co-workers on what being in the union would mean for them and their families," said Tim Papoutsakis, a paramedic at AMR. "We are looking forward to a long and productive relationship." Teamsters Local 404 represents 1,300 workers and their families throughout Southwestern Massachusetts. For more information, visit teamsters404.com. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (617) 894-0669 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 404 CHICAGO , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Endoscopy Equipment Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $32.3 billion in 2024 and is poised to reach $46.2 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth in this market is primarily driven by factors such as increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases, rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries, technological advancements leading to enhanced imaging and procedural capabilities, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and growing awareness about early disease diagnosis and treatment. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=689 Browse in-depth TOC on "Endoscopy Equipment Market" 740 - Tables 59 - Figures 604 - Pages Endoscopy Equipment Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $32.3 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $46.2 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% Market Size Available for 20212029 Forecast Period 20242029 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Endoscopy Equipment Market: Product, Application and End User Geographies Covered North America US Canada Europe Germany UK France Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific (RoAPAC) Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of Latin America (RoLA) Middle East & Africa GCC Countries Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Booming healthcare sector in developing economies Key Market Drivers Growing focus of hospitals to invest in technologically advanced endoscopy instruments and expand endoscopy units "Based on product, the endoscopes segment is expected to account for the largest share of the endoscopy equipment market." In the forecast period, the endoscopes segment dominated the global endoscopy equipment market. This significant share can be credited to the increasing favouritism of minimally invasive procedures by both patients and healthcare professionals, along with the elevated uptake of such equipment by end users. Moreover, continuous advancements in endoscopy technologies contribute to the segment's substantial presence in the market. "On the basis of application, obstetrics/gynaecology endoscopy segment the endoscopy equipment market has accounted the third largest share in the forecast period." Based on application, the obstetrics/gynecology endoscopy segment of the endoscopy equipment market accounted the third largest market share in the forecast period. This growth subjected to the rising incidence of gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids. Technological improvements in visualization systems and endoscopes, accessories tools like grasping tools are driving the growth of the gynecology endoscopy segment as well. "Based on end user, ambulatory surgery centers/clinics segment holds the second-highest market share in the endoscopy equipment market" Ambulatory surgery centers/clinics secure the second-largest market share in the endoscopy equipment market. This largest share comes from the increasing trend towards outpatient procedures due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries in these settings drives the adoption of advanced endoscopy equipment. As ambulatory surgery centers continue to grow in popularity, the demand for endoscopy equipment in these facilities is expected to witness steady growth in the foreseeable future. "Based on Region, Europe to possess the second largest market share in the endoscopy equipment market during the forecast period" Europe to possess the second largest market share in the endoscopy equipment market in the forecast period due to its rising investments towards medical technology, high adoption rates of advanced medical technologies, and increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases. These factors drive demand for endoscopy equipment, positioning Europe as one of the leading market regions. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=689 Endoscopy Equipment Market Dynamics: Drivers: 1. Growing focus of hospitals to invest in technologically advanced endoscopy instruments and expand endoscopy units Restraints: 1. High overhead costs of endoscopy procedures with limited reimbursement in developing countries Opportunities: 1. Booming healthcare sector in developing economies Challenge: 1. Shortage of trained physicians and endoscopicts Key Market Players of Endoscopy Equipment Industry: Prominent players in the endoscopy equipment market include Olympus Corporation (Japan), KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG (Germany), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), JOHNSON & JOHNSON (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Medtronic, plc (Ireland), Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Japan), HOYA Corporation (Japan), Nipro Corporation (Japan), Smith & Nephew plc (UK), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (US) A breakdown of the primary participants (supply side) for the endoscopy equipment market referred to for this report is provided below: By Company Type: Tier 135%, Tier 220%, and Tier 345% By Designation: C-level45%, Director Level25%, and Others30% By Region: North America36%, Europe26%, Asia Pacific21%, Latin America -10%, and Middle East & Africa _ 7% Recent Developments of Endoscopy Equipment Industry: In November 2023 , Olympus Corporation launched the EVIS X1, an advanced endoscopy system in the existing product portfolio of the company. , Olympus Corporation launched the EVIS X1, an advanced endoscopy system in the existing product portfolio of the company. In September 2023 , Stryker launched, 1788, a minimally invasive surgical camera, offering more vibrant image with balanced lighting. , Stryker launched, 1788, a minimally invasive surgical camera, offering more vibrant image with balanced lighting. In January 2022 , The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies (JJMDC) collaborated with Microsoft Corporation Inc, (US) to enable and expand JJMDC's secure and compliant digital surgery ecosystem. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=689 Endoscopy Equipment Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The study will assist industry leaders/new entrants in this market by providing information on the closest approximations of the endoscopic equipment market and its segments. This research will assist stakeholders understand the competitive landscape, obtain insights to better position their firms, and develop appropriate go-to-market strategies. The study will also assist stakeholders in understanding the market pulse and obtaining information on major market drivers, constraints, opportunities, and challenges. This report provides insights into the following pointers: Analysis of key Drivers: Drivers (rising requirement for endoscopy to diagnose and treat target diseases, increasing investments, funds, and grants by governments and other organizations, growing focus of hospitals to expand endoscopic units, ongoing advancements in endoscopic technologies, rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, increasing preference for minimally invasive surgeries, higher adoption of single-use endoscopy instruments, rsing focus of medical specialists to shift from manual to automated endoscopy reprocessing), Restrains (unfavorable healthcare reforms in US, high overhead costs of endoscopy procedures with limited reimbursement in emerging economies, high risk of getting viral infections during endoscopic procedures), Opportunities (rapidly developing healthcare sector in emerging economies), Challenges (increasing number of product recalls, lack of proper sterilization and reprocessing, shortage of trained physicians and endoscopists) influencing the growth of the endoscopy equipment market. Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the leading companies in the endoscopic equipment market. The report breaks down the market by product type, end user, and region. Product Enhancement/Innovation: Detailed information about forthcoming trends and product launches in the endoscopic equipment market. Market Development: Comprehensive data on attractive rising markets broken down by product category, application, end user, and region Market Diversification: Comprehensive information on new products, expanding geographies, current advancements, and investments in the endoscopic equipment market. Competitive Assessment: In-depth analysis of market share, growth strategies, product and service offerings, and capabilities of the main endoscopic equipment manufacturers. Related Reports: Neurovascular Devices Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Endoscope Reprocessing Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Laparoscopic Instruments Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Medical Cameras Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 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. 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To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/endoscopy-devices-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets PUNE, India , March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Epoxy Resin Market by Type (Aliphatic Epoxy Resin, Bisphenol Epoxy Resin, Glycidylamine Epoxy Resin), Physical Form (Liquid, Solid), Source, Application, End-Use - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $11.85 billion in 2023 to reach $18.74 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.76% over the forecast period. ' Epoxy Resin Market Expansion: Driven by Innovation and Diverse Global Demand' The global market for epoxy resin, a versatile and robust synthetic material, experiences significant growth propelled by its essential role across various industries. Epoxy resin is increasingly preferred in the automotive, aerospace, and wind energy sectors because of its exceptional strength, durability, and chemical resistance. These industries value the material for its contributions to creating lightweight yet durable components, a critical factor in the ongoing push toward fuel efficiency and renewable energy sources. The United States and Brazil lead the charge in the Americas, with the demand mainly arising from their robust aerospace, automotive, and construction sectors. Meanwhile, Europe stands out for its emphasis on sustainability, driving innovations in bio-based epoxy resins. 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Additionally, novolac epoxy resins elevate the bar with superior chemical and heat resistance, which is essential for industries facing extreme conditions, such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing. Together, these advancements in epoxy resin technology underscore a commitment to enhancing material durability and performance, meeting the rigorous demands of modern industrial applications. Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/epoxy-resin ' Olin Corporation at the Forefront of Epoxy Resin Market with a Strong 10.86% Market Share' The key players in the Epoxy Resin Market include Olin Corporation, 3M Company, Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd., Huntsman Corporation, Kolon Industries, Inc., and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions. 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Ask Question to ThinkMi @ https://app.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/epoxy-resin ' Dive into the Epoxy Resin Market Landscape: Explore 180 Pages of Insights, 470 Tables, and 26 Figures' Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Epoxy Resin Market, by Type Epoxy Resin Market, by Physical Form Epoxy Resin Market, by Source Epoxy Resin Market, by Application Epoxy Resin Market, by End-Use Americas Epoxy Resin Market Asia-Pacific Epoxy Resin Market Europe , Middle East & Africa Epoxy Resin Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/epoxy-resin Related Reports: About 360iResearch Founded in 2017, 360iResearch is a market research and business consulting company headquartered in India, with clients and focus markets spanning the globe. We are a dynamic, nimble company that believes in carving ambitious, purposeful goals and achieving them with the backing of our greatest asset our people. Quick on our feet, we have our ear to the ground when it comes to market intelligence and volatility. Our market intelligence is diligent, real-time and tailored to your needs, and arms you with all the insight that empowers strategic decision-making. Our clientele encompasses about 80% of the Fortune Global 500, and leading consulting and research companies and academic institutions that rely on our expertise in compiling data in niche markets. Our meta-insights are intelligent, impactful and infinite, and translate into actionable data that support your quest for enhanced profitability, tapping into niche markets, and exploring new revenue opportunities. Contact 360iResearch Mr. Ketan Rohom 360iResearch Private Limited, Office No. 519, Nyati Empress, Opposite Phoenix Market City, Vimannagar, Pune, Maharashtra, India - 411014. Email: [email protected] USA: +1-530-264-8485 India: +91-922-607-7550 To learn more, visit 360iresearch.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2359256/360iResearch_Logo.jpg SOURCE 360iResearch SHANGHAI, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK, "Everest", or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines, today announced its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2023, along with a corporate update. "2023 was an exciting year for Everest as we transformed into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with full value chain of capabilities," commented Rogers Yongqing Luo, CEO of Everest Medicines. "We have taken a lean and focused approach to commercialization, and built an effective commercial organization around the launch of our first product, Xerava, in the Chinese market at the end of July. Nefecon, the first-in-disease treatment for adults with primary IgAN and our blockbuster product in the renal portfolio, was also approved in mainland China and commercially launched in Macau in December 2023. The successful sales of these two products resulted in the ninefold increase in revenue last year to RMB125.9 million, significantly exceeding our guidance in mid-2023. Nefecon will be launching in mainland China soon and our anchor product in the autoimmune space etrasimod is expected to receive approval in Macau and start commercialization in the Greater Bay area this year, so Everest will have three commercialized products before end of 2024. With these product launches and several other drugs advancing through clinical and regulatory approval stages, we have paved the way for even more substantial growth in 2024 and set a revenue guidance of RMB700 million. " "We also head into 2024 with an upgraded dual-engine approach to our pipeline growth strategy, which is in-house discovery plus in-licensing. As we terminated the collaboration and licensing agreements with Providence, we will develop our own discovery products utilizing this mRNA platform, but now hold full intellectual property rights and global rights. We have developed cancer vaccines from this platform which will enter clinical stage this year. Meanwhile, we will continue our in-licensing efforts, focused on our carefully chosen, less-crowded therapeutic areas of renal disease, infectious disease and autoimmune disease. This dual-engine approach will enable us to further capitalize on our commercial organization's capabilities to maximize synergies in our core product areas, while developing those products we have full intellectual property rights and global rights," Mr. Luo concluded. Recent Key Product Highlights and Anticipated Milestones RENAL PRODUCTS PORTFOLIO Nefecon 2023 - In February 2023, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) granted Global Innovative product on Fast Track (GIFT) designation to Nefecon for the treatment of primary IgAN. - In March 2023, partner Calliditas reported positive topline results from the global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial NefIgArd, which investigated the effect of Nefecon versus placebo in patients with primary IgAN over 2 years. The trial met its primary endpoint with Nefecon demonstrating a highly statistically significant benefit over placebo (p value < 0.0001) in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over the two-year period of 9-months of treatment with Nefecon or placebo and 15-months of follow-up off drug. The key primary endpoint, eGFR over 2 years, was on average 5.05 mL/min/1.73 m2 higher with Nefecon compared to placebo (p<0.0001). A treatment benefit on eGFR was apparent across baseline urine protein creatinine ratio (UPCR) subgroups, and sustained proteinuria effects and long lasting eGFR treatment benefit were observed even 15 months after discontinuation, supporting disease modification. The results also indicate that Nefecon was generally well-tolerated. - In April 2023, the Company launched Nefecon for clinical use in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital's Hainan Bo'ao subsidiary through an early-access program. The launch of this early-access program in Hainan marked the beginning of a new treatment era for IgA nephropathy in China. - In June 2023, our partner Calliditas presented data from the NeflgArd Phase 3 Study at the European Renal Association European Dialysis and Transplant Association Congress (ERA-EDTA). The presentations showed data and analyses from the NefIgArd Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Nefecon in patients with IgAN. In addition to data disclosed in March, at 24 months, eGFR was reduced by 6.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 from baseline in the Nefecon arm compared with 12.00 mL/min/1.73 m2 reduction in the placebo arm, demonstrating 50% less loss of kidney function. - In August 2023, the Company announced the completion of patient enrollment for the China open-label extension (cOLE) of the Phase 3 NefIgArd study. The cOLE study offers an additional 9 months of treatment with Nefecon to all qualifying patients who have completed the NefIgArd study and evaluates the efficacy and safety of extended and repeated Nefecon treatment in patients with IgAN. We hope this will provide more insight into Nefecon future clinical use. - In October 2023, our partner Calliditas presented new biomarker and subgroup analyses from Nefecon's Phase 3 NefIgArd study in both posters and oral presentations at the 17th International Symposium on IgA Nephropathy. Investigation of the effect of Nefecon on circulating levels of IgA-IC in the Part A population of the NefIgArd clinical trial showed that patients treated with Nefecon 16mg/day exhibited a statistically significant decrease in IgA-IC levels compared to patients who received placebo when evaluated at the 3-, 6- and 9-months post randomization. Suppression by treatment with Nefecon of both IgA-IC formation and galactose-deficient IgA1 as previously reported offers an unprecedented opportunity to target the fundamental immune abnormalities that drive IgA deposition in the kidney and development of IgAN. - In October 2023, the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region, China, approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Nefecon for the treatment of IgAN in adults at risk of disease progression. - In November 2023, the Company made a late-breaking poster presentation at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2023 on Chinese patients enrolled from mainland China. Clinical results from the global Phase 3 trials of Nefecon demonstrated even stronger results in the subpopulation of patients from mainland China. At 24 months, the eGFR in the Chinese patients was 66% less deteriorated compared to 50% in the global population. The mean percent reduction in UPCR was 31% greater at 9 months vs. placebo in Chinese patients and 43% greater than placebo at 24 months. Lastly, the percent of Chinese patients without microhematuria during the observational follow-up period increased to 57.5% from 26.9% at baseline, while it was maintained at 14.3% in the placebo group. These data demonstrate Chinese patients show faster disease progression compared to the global population. - In November 2023, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Nefecon for the treatment of primary IgAN in adults at risk of disease progression. China has the highest prevalence of primary glomerular diseases in the world with an estimated five million IgAN patients. - In November 2023, the Nefecon NDA was accepted for review by South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for the treatment of primary IgAN in adult patients. - In December 2023, partner Calliditas announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had fully approved Nefecon delayed release capsules to reduce the loss of kidney function in adults with IgAN at risk for disease progression, irrespective of proteinuria levels. - In December 2023, Nefecon issued its first prescription at Kiang Wu Hospital in Macau, marking the official start of the company's first-in-disease drug to patients across Asia, opening a new era of treatment for IgA nephropathy patients in the region. At the same time, a PAP program was officially launched at the Kiang Wu Hospital, which will provide financial assistance to Chinese mainland citizens who prescribe Nefecon in Macau. - In December 2023 the New Drug Application (NDA) for Nefecon was accepted for review by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for the treatment of primary IgAN in adult patients. 2024 - In March 2024, Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approved NEFEGAN for the treatment of primary IgAN in adults at risk of disease progression. The NDA for NEFEGAN, known in other Everest's territories as Nefecon, was accepted by HSA in April 2023. - We expect Nefecon to be commercially launched in mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore in 2024 - We anticipate receiving Nefecon NDA approvals in Taiwan and South Korea in 2024. - We expect to report Nefecon China open label study results in 3Q 2024. INFECTIOUS DISEASE PORTFOLIO XERAVA (eravacycline) 2023 - In March 2023, the NMPA of China approved the NDA for XERAVA (eravacycline) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in adult patients. The Company launched XERAVA in July 2023 in mainland China. - In April 2023, the Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic partnership with a subsidiary of Shanghai Pharma, SPH Keyuan Xinhua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to promote import and channel distribution of XERAVA (eravacycline) in China. - In July 2023, the Company launched XERAVA (eravacycline) in China with its first prescription issued at Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University. The commercialization of XERAVA in China marks Everest's transformation into a commercial- stage innovative biopharmaceutical company. - In September 2023, the TFDA approved the NDA for XERAVA (eravacycline) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in adult patients in Taiwan. - In 2024, eravacycline's clinical breakpoint was officially approved by ECAST, so that the drug can be used more accurately in clinical practice. Cefepime-taniborbactam 2023 - In September 2023, the Center for Drug Evaluation of the China NMPA recommended Priority Review for cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, based on the criteria of "innovative drugs for the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases and rare diseases that meet urgent clinical needs." 2024 - In February 2024, partner Venatorx Pharmaceuticals announced that The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published the results of the CERTAIN-1 Phase 3 clinical study of the investigational agent cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of adult patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including acute pyelonephritis. The results showed that cefepime-taniborbactam was superior to meropenem for the treatment of complicated UTI that included acute pyelonephritis, with a similar safety profile to meropenem. - We expect to submit NDA of the cUTI indication in China in 2024. AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE PORTFOLIO Etrasimod (VELSIPITY) 2023 - In October 2023, licensing partner Pfizer Inc. received FDA approval for VELSIPITY (etrasimod) for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). - In November 2023, the Company reported positive topline data results from a multi-center Phase 3 clinical trial of etrasimod in Asia for the treatment of moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis (UC). Etrasimod treatment resulted in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint and all key secondary and other secondary endpoints (including mucosal healing, symptomatic remission and endoscopic normalization) after the 12-week induction treatment period. The safety profile was consistent with previous etrasimod studies and no new safety findings were observed. 2024 - In March 2024, Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region, China, accepted Everest's NDA for etrasimod for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Macau is expected to be the first of Everest's Asian territories to get etrasimod regulatory approval. - We expect to report etrasimod topline results from the Phase 3 Asian clinical trial maintenance period in 2H 2024. - We expect to submit NDA for etrasimod to the China NMPA in 2H 2024. Zetomipzomib 2023 - In September 2023, Everest entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Kezar Life Sciences to develop and commercialize Kezar's lead drug candidate zetomipzomib, a novel, first-in-class, selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome for a range of autoimmune diseases including lupus nephritis, in Greater China, South Korea and some Southeast Asian countries. 2024 - In February 2024, China's NMPA approved Kezar's IND application for initiation of the Phase 2b PALIZADE trial in China of zetomipzomib in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Everest plans to join its partner, Kezar Life Sciences, in PALIZADE, a global, placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of two dose-levels of zetomipzomib in patients with active lupus nephritis. Commercialization We achieved RMB125.9 million in revenue in 2023, substantially above the previous guidance of RMB70-100 million. In 2023, the Company launched two products, developed a focused commercialization model driven by product clinical value, and built a 200-member lean and efficient commercial platform. This team worked on a concentrated strategy and managed to promote Xerava in around 300 core tertiary hospitals in just five months, laying a solid foundation for our future commercial success. Xerava has been recommended by multiple treatment guidelines in China and globally for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Nefecon received NDA approvals in Macau and mainland China in Oct. 2023 and Nov. 2023, respectively and Everest plans to make the product available to an estimated five million patients in mainland China in 2024. The Company prepared for this launch by initiating an early access program in the Hainan Boao pilot zone. This program demonstrated significant demand for Nefecon, with approximately 700 patients signed up. In addition, approximately 20,000 Chinese patients have registered in an IgAN patient program funded through a charity foundation, which underscores the significant unmet needs for this first-in-disease medicine and these patients will be a part of our patient base when Nefecon is officially launched in mainland China. By the end of 2024, we expect to have three commercialized products in our core therapeutic areas. We will focus on successfully commercializing Nefecon in China, continuing to grow the sales of Xerava, while starting to commercialize etrasimod in the Greater Bay area. We expect to achieve a revenue target of RMB700 million in 2024 from the combined sales of Xerava and Nefecon. With our strong balance sheet and expected substantial increases in revenue, the Company has set a goal of reaching cash breakeven by the end of 2025. We will continue to increase patient access through patients registered for our charity program for Nefecon, and gradually establish a second sales team of up to 120 nephrology-focused representatives commercializing Nefecon across 600 hospitals, which covers approximately 60% of the IgAN patient population in China. We also plan to engage in National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) negotiations in 2024 for Nefecon, with the goal to be included in 2025 so more patients can enjoy the benefits of the medicine. We plan to expand Nefecon approvals to additional territories, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea this year. Discovery Everest will develop its own products utilizing the mRNA platform, of which it now has full intellectual property rights and full global rights. Based on this clinically-validated mRNA platform, therapeutic vaccines such as cancer vaccines will be the focus of research and discovery activities at Everest. Everest plans to announce new mRNA pipeline products that are entering clinical stage in 2024. Business Development Our business development efforts centered around renal diseases and autoimmune disorders in 2023. We continue to bolster our leadership position in these areas by expanding our pipeline. In September 2023, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Kezar Life Sciences to develop and commercialize zetomipzomib in lupis nephritis and other potential autoimmune diseases. The in-licensing of zetomipzomib added another mid-to-late stage autoimmune asset to our pipeline. Going forward, we will continue to pursue first-in-class or best-in-class assets in our focused therapeutic areas, including commercial-stage products that could utilize our established commercial capabilities and complement our pipeline. In February 2024, Everest terminated the collaboration and license agreements with Providence Therapeutics Holdings Inc. Everest will continue to develop its own products utilizing the mRNA platform, and will own full intellectual property rights and full global rights of those products going forward, with no obligation to pay milestone or royalty fees for products it develops in the future, except for if we develop the rabies or shingles vaccines which were developed in collaboration with Providence. KEY CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS In March 2023, the Company received full upfront payment of $280 million from Immunomedics, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gilead Sciences, Inc., for Trodelvy rights in certain Asian territories. We will work with partners to establish an innovative ecosystem for kidney disease diagnostics and treatment, with the aim to provide IgAN patients with a tool to diagnose the disease and show disease progression without biopsy. Financial Highlights IFRS Numbers: Revenue increased by RMB113.1 million or 884% to RMB125.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 , from sales growth of Xerava in Singapore , the launch of Xerava in mainland China and Hong Kong , the launch of Nefecon in Macau and sales of Trodelvy during the transition period with Gilead in Singapore . or 884% to for the year ended , from sales growth of Xerava in , the launch of Xerava in mainland and , the launch of Nefecon in and sales of Trodelvy during the transition period with Gilead in . Our general and administrative expenses decreased by RMB111.3 million or 40.3% to RMB165.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 . The decrease was primarily attributable to optimization and rationalization of the organizational structure. or 40.3% to for the year ended . The decrease was primarily attributable to optimization and rationalization of the organizational structure. Research and development (the "R&D") expenses decreased by RMB269.6 million or 33.3% to RMB540.1 million . The decrease was primarily attributable to a number of our drug candidates having completed clinical trials and advanced to the registration phase or commercial stages. or 33.3% to . The decrease was primarily attributable to a number of our drug candidates having completed clinical trials and advanced to the registration phase or commercial stages. Our distribution and selling expenses decreased by RMB95.3 million or 29.2% to RMB231.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 . The decrease was primarily attributable to the building of a more efficient and leaner commercial team for optimal value creation. or 29.2% to for the year ended . The decrease was primarily attributable to the building of a more efficient and leaner commercial team for optimal value creation. Net loss for the year increased by RMB597.2 million to RMB844.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 , primarily attributable to gain from Trodelvy transaction in 2022, which was a one-time item. Adjusted for one-time gain from Trodelvy transaction, net loss for the year declined by RMB725.1 million due to growth of product sales and optimization of the organizational structure. to for the year ended , primarily attributable to gain from Trodelvy transaction in 2022, which was a one-time item. Adjusted for one-time gain from Trodelvy transaction, net loss for the year declined by due to growth of product sales and optimization of the organizational structure. Cash and cash equivalents and term deposits amounted to RMB2,349.7 million as of 31 December 2023 . Non-IFRS Measure: Adjusted loss for the year was RMB713.6 million for the year ended 31 December 2023 , representing an increase of RMB696.2 million , primarily due to increased IFRS loss. Adjusted for one-time gain from Trodelvy transaction in 2022, loss for the year declined by RMB626.2million due to growth of product sales and optimization of the organizational structure. Financial Table Years Ended December 31 RMB'000 2023 2022 Revenue 125,932 12,792 Cost of revenue (34,414) (4,645) Gross profit 91,518 8,147 General and administrative expenses (165,155) (276,547) Research and development expenses (540,054) (809,736) Distribution and selling expenses (231,419) (326,687) Other income 13,175 4,624 Other (losses)/gains - net (100,803) 1,143,399 Operating loss (932,738) (256,800) Finance income net 84,608 32,887 Fair value change in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss ("FVPL") 848 (21,748) Fair value change in financial instruments issued to investors 2,819 (1,614) Loss before income tax (844,463) (247,275) Income tax expense - (8) Loss for the year (IFRS measure) (844,463) (247,283) Adjustments to Non-IFRS measure Loss for the year (Non-IFRS measure) (713,614) (17,426) Loss for the year (Non-IFRS adjusted for Trodelvy one- time transaction gain) (713,614) (1,339,733) Conference Call Information The English session of the conference call will be held at 9:00 AM on March 28, 2024 Beijing Time (9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on March 27, 2024) and the Mandarin session of the conference call will be held at 11:00 AM Beijing Time on the same day (11:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on March 27, 2024). The conference calls can be accessed by the following links: For English Session: Time: 9:00 AM Beijing Time, Thursday, March 28, 2024 Pre-Registration Link: https://www.acecamptech.com/eventDetail/60505757 Webcast Link: https://www.acecamptech.com/meeting_live/70507680/12318?event_id=60505757 Alternatively, participants may dial in to the conference call using below dial-in information: United States: +1-646-2543594 (EN) Chinese Mainland: +86-10-58084166 (EN) +86-10-58084199 (CN) Hong Kong, China: +852-30051313 (EN) +852-30051355 (CN) United Kingdom: International: +44-20-76600166 (EN) +1-866-6363243 (EN) Password: 886892 For Mandarin Session: Time: 11:00 AM Beijing Time, Thursday, March 28, 2024 Webcast Link: https://s.comein.cn/AkXE8 Alternatively, participants may dial into the conference call using below dial-in information: United States: +1-202-5524791 Chinese Mainland: +86-400-188-8938 +86-10-53827720 +86-10-53560182 Hong Kong, China: Taiwan, China: +852-57006920 +886-277031747 Singapore: +65-31586120 United Kingdom: +44-2034816288 Password: 726461 The replay of English session will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company's website at http://www.everestmedicines.com. About Everest Medicines Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products and vaccines that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record from both leading global pharmaceutical companies and local Chinese pharmaceutical companies in high-quality discovery, clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of first-in-disease or best-in-class products in the Company's therapeutic areas of interest including renal diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and mRNA platform. For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may make statements that constitute forward-looking statements, including descriptions regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the business operations and financial condition of the Company, which can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, or other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company and are unforeseeable. Therefore, the actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and assumptions, such as future changes and developments in our business, competitive environment, political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, advisors or representatives has no obligation and does not undertake to revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances after the date of this news release, except as required by law. SOURCE Everest Medicines DUBAI, UAE, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GymNation, the homegrown UAE fitness brand, has today announced that due to unprecedented growth, it is reaching capacity across its 12 UAE gym locations and diversifying into a new market, brewing up a storm with the launch of its first-ever branded coffee shop. Extra bicep curls with your cappuccino? GymNation expands into coffee market with the launch of the worlds first Fit-Cafe concept By creating weighted coffee cups and utensils that double as dumbbells, The Daily Grind Fit-Cafe aims to promote active lifestyles by turning every sip and every bite into a rep. Other features include a queuing system that pushes you to run while you wait and espresso's that require some pulling power to grind down fresh coffee beans. Loren Holland, Founder and CEO, GymNation said, "GymNation launched because we felt for too long UAE residents had been overcharged for substandard gym facilities. We've now grown to 12 locations, with twelve more in fit-out and over 65,000 members, becoming the UAE's largest gym. However, as we continue on our ambition to make going to the gym less intimidating, more affordable, accessible, and fun for everyone we are reaching the limits of our ability to take on new members." "Core to GymNation's DNA is to challenge tradition and coffee is ripe for disruption with the UAE's coffee sector expected to grow to over $325m by 2028*. The Daily Grind cafe will do for coffee culture what GymNation has done for health and wellness. Some might think this is a tall order, but we're serious about giving this our best shot. It's a frothy market, but as we have done with the gym industry, we are ready to roast the competition by making even going for a coffee an opportunity to stay active and improve health and well-being, with the world's first-ever Fit-Cafe concept," he continued. GymNation is offering unlimited free coffee for 1 year to the first 100 people to register on https://gymnation.com/coffee About GymNation GymNation is the region's leading gym operator with 12 UAE locations and 65,000 members, GymNation aims to become the largest gym chain across the GCC with further expansion planned across the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374262/GymNation.jpg SOURCE GymNation SALT LAKE CITY, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis. Joining him will be Scott Stubbs, Executive Vice President and CFO. During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability. To Participate in the Conference Call: A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2a9f1400a8d044119e6707854d2128d9. The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Conference Call Playback: A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning May 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and will remain available for one year after the call. Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. About Extra Space Storage Inc. Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.4 million square feet of rentable storage space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States. For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc. NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fiber Optic Cable Market size is forecast to increase by USD 8.33 billion. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.61% between 2022 and 2027. The telecommunication segment is poised for significant growth, offering advantages like data transmission and high bandwidth. It finds applications in computer networking, broadcasting, and Internet services, enhancing connectivity and performance. With a valuation of USD 3,252.55 million in 2017, its benefits include supporting vast data, high speed, reliability, and immunity to interference. Rising demand, especially in developing countries like India and China, driven by increasing internet penetration, is expected to propel market growth. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fiber Optic Cable Market 2023-2027 Here is an Exclusive report talking about Market scenarios with a historical period (2017-2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) Download Sample Report in minutes! Report Coverage Details Page number 156 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.61% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 8,335.11 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 10.69 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 46% Key countries US, China, India, Germany, and the UK The report on the fiber optic cable market provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. Market Dynamics The Rise in Internet penetration and data traffic boosts market growth: Rising Internet penetration and data traffic are key market drivers, particularly fueled by increased smartphone adoption. Investments in healthcare and telecommunications are on the rise, especially in developing nations, enhancing distribution channels and logistics. This trend is boosting global shipping and cross-border e-commerce. Mobile commerce (M-commerce) is also gaining traction, especially in developing countries where web-enabled mobile handsets are the primary Internet access point. Growing Internet penetration, notably in countries like India and China, is expected to further drive the optical fiber cable (OFC) market. Data center proliferation is a driving force in the market, with companies worldwide establishing or leasing space due to the escalating volume of data. Cloud computing emphasis further boosts data center demand. Increased investments in data center construction, exemplified by expansions like Teraco's JB4 data center and Colt DCS's fourth center in Japan , are propelling market growth. , are propelling market growth. High cable costs pose a significant hurdle. While optical fiber cables offer advantages like real-time data monitoring in challenging environments, their expense compared to alternatives is a drawback. Affordability varies based on applications, cable types, and operating conditions, limiting accessibility for organizations requiring real-time monitoring. Complex installation and maintenance further impede market growth. Market Segmentation The fiber optic cable market analysis includes End-user,Type and geography landscape. This study identifies the The Fiber Optic Cable Market experiences significant growth due to the increasing demand for fifth-generation networks and digital transformation. Fiber optic infrastructure is essential for delivering high-speed connectivity, security, and reliability. Companies invest in building or leasing data centers, which require advanced fiber optic cable systems for bandwidth-intensive applications. While copper cables have their place, fiber optic cables offer superior capabilities, including greater bandwidth and lower signal loss. Notable investments include Teraco's JB4 data center expansion in Johannesburg and STT GD's USD242 million data center project in Pune, India. as one of the prime reasons driving the fiber optic cable market growth during the next few years. Telecommunication segment shows significant growth potential, driven by its advantages in data transmission and high bandwidth provision. Widely used in computer networking, broadcasting, internet, and cable television for superior performance. Growing demand for long-distance network connections further fuels adoption. Valued at USD 3,252.55 million in 2017, the telecommunication segment leads due to benefits like vast data support, high speed, low attenuation, reliability, and immunity to interference. Increasing global demand, especially in developing nations like India , China , Brazil , and Malaysia , propelled by rising internet penetration requiring higher bandwidth. These factors are poised to drive segment growth and overall market expansion. shows significant growth potential, driven by its advantages in data transmission and high bandwidth provision. Widely used in computer networking, broadcasting, internet, and cable television for superior performance. Growing demand for long-distance network connections further fuels adoption. Valued at in 2017, the telecommunication segment leads due to benefits like vast data support, high speed, low attenuation, reliability, and immunity to interference. Increasing global demand, especially in developing nations like , , , and , propelled by rising internet penetration requiring higher bandwidth. These factors are poised to drive segment growth and overall market expansion. The single-mode fiber segment is set to drive market growth due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. It facilitates direct signal transmission over longer distances in various applications such as data centers and military communication. With stronger light and lower attenuation, single-mode fiber offers higher efficiency and affordability compared to multi-mode options, fueling market expansion. 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 Companies Mentioned AMETEK Inc. Bhuwal Insulation Cable Pvt. Ltd. Claron Fibre Optics Pvt. Ltd. Cross Co. Dron Edge India Pvt. Ltd. Fiberoptics Technology Inc. Finolex Cables Ltd. HUBER PLUS SUHNER AG igus GmbH Ningbo Cibo Communication Technology Co. Ltd. Orient Cables India Pvt. Ltd. Pratap Digital Communications Pvt. Ltd. Precision Fiber Products Inc. Prysmian Spa Vindhya Telelinks Ltd. Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd. Co. Arabian Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing LLC HFCL Ltd. Hunan GL Technology Co. Ltd. Sterlite Technologies Ltd. AMETEK Inc: The company offers fiber optic cables such as telescopes, microscopes, beam delivery, and complex system. Bhuwal Insulation Cable Pvt. Ltd: The company offers insulation cables, silicone rubber cables, PTFE cables and wires, and EPR rubber cables. Claron Fibre Optics Pvt. Ltd: The company offers fiber optic cables such as fiber Optic Cable, ce approved Fibre Optic Cable, VDE-approved Fibre Optic Cable, and IS 9968 approved Fibre Optic Cable. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Analyst Review: The Fiber Optic Cable Market continues to witness robust growth driven by the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and telecommunications infrastructure. Fiber optic technology, known for its superior performance compared to traditional copper wire, relies on light pulses rather than electronic pulses to transmit data, making it ideal for various applications. In today's digital age, fiber optic cables play a crucial role in facilitating online transactions, virtual meetings, and internet connectivity. Moreover, they find extensive use in industrial applications such as mechanical inspections, lighting, and decorations, as well as in critical sectors like healthcare for surgeries and government programs. The market's growth is further fueled by initiatives such as 5G deployment, with the European Commission spearheading public-private partnerships and research to advance 5G technology. Public funding and collaborations are driving innovation and reducing installation costs, thereby accelerating the adoption of fiber optic technology. Key players in the Fiber Optic Cable Market are continuously investing in research and development to enhance product offerings and meet evolving industry standards. However, challenges such as market competition, regulations, and disruptions pose significant hurdles. Despite these challenges, the Fiber Optic Cable Market presents abundant opportunities for growth and expansion. As demand for high-speed data transmission continues to rise, the market is expected to witness steady growth, with innovations driving its evolution and shaping the future of telecommunications infrastructure worldwide. Market Overview: The Fiber Optic Cable Market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by the demand for fifth-generation networks and the ongoing digital transformation across industries. Fiber optic infrastructure offers unparalleled security, reliability, and high bandwidth compared to traditional copper cables. Utilizing light pulses for data transmission instead of electronic pulses, fiber optic cables support various applications such as online transactions, virtual meetings, and 5G connectivity. Moreover, they are cost-effective and find extensive use in industrial applications, lighting and decorations, as well as critical sectors like healthcare for surgeries and mechanical inspections. Government programs, including those led by the European Commission, promote 5G deployment through public-private partnerships and funding initiatives, aiming to overcome installation costs and accelerate the adoption of fiber optic technology. Related Reports: The fiber optics market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.03% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 3,594.94 million. The cable tester market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.76% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 154.07 million. Key Topics Covered: 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 focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ Newsroom: SOURCE Technavio Those in Platte County may have been slightly alarmed March 27 as the tornado sirens went off at 10 a.m., but thankfully there was no tornado. Platte County Emergency Management was testing the alarm system as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Meteorologist David Pearson with the National Weather Service said this week of awareness efforts by the NWS and local emergency management is important as Nebraska moves into the severe weather season. "I liken it to driving in the winter," Pearson said. "People tend to forget what it's like until they're in it. It's good to have a reminder now that we're leaving winter, getting back to severe weather season, getting people into that mindset." Platte County Emergency Manager Tim Hofbauer said the siren test on Wednesday served as a sort of reminder to area residents that a tornado or severe weather alert could arrive at any time and for them to think about their plan if it does. "The whole idea is for the public to, at the time of the sirens, to go and review, either with coworkers or family members or just themselves, if this were actually a tornado, 'what would I do at this point?'" Hofbauer said. By the time severe weather makes it to the public eye, it's already severe weather season, Hofbauer said. Pearson described severe weather season as anywhere from April to sometimes June. Knowing what to do ahead of time helps dramatically when the real thing is coming, Hofbauer said. Pearson said in Nebraska in general, wind, hail and flooding are prevalent concerns. "Especially as we get into March and April, severe weather is inclined toward that time historically, there's thunderstorms, potential for wind, tornados, hail, floods, all those are in play here in Nebraska strong winds and flooding most recently," Pearson said. In this area, high winds and thunderstorms can cause some serious damage, especially the 80 mile per hour winds that sometimes occur, Hofbauer said. "That's going to cause similar damage to what a small tornado would, that's considered an extreme storm by the National Weather Service," Hofbauer said. "That's probably the thing to be most prepared for and you treat that as you would a tornado go in the center of the house, stay away from windows." Hofbauer said he advises everyone to have some kind of plan in place and practice it at least occasionally, like a fire drill. He also advised for the severe weather location to be stocked with some manner of supplies and a way to get weather updates in case of longer stays. "For severe weather, you're going to go to shelter, you know where that shelter might be," Hofbauer said. "If we're having a wind event or floods, we're coming up on flood waters, turn around, don't drive through. As a family, plan what you would do or as an individual, think it through a little bit, 'If this were to happen to me now, what would I do?'" Pearson added that one of the best ways to make sure one is prepared is to have a way to get severe weather alerts as they happen, such as an app or weather radio. "The biggest thing we advise is a way to get alerts, some way you can get severe weather alerts that works and you're using it to stay informed," Pearson said. "That's the biggest thing is being aware of when potential bad days can occur." For information on local weather, Pearson said, the National Weather Service can be found at weather.gov. For the Omaha/Valley map, which covers Platte, Colfax, Butler, Nance and Boone Counties, one can go to weather.gov/oax. For area updates on severe weather conditions, the Platte County Emergency Management Facebook page posts relevant information. NEW YORK , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent market analysis forecasts a substantial jump in the fire hose market , with experts predicting a notable expansion by the year 2027. The report attributes this growth to several key factors driving demand, including product innovation and escalating safety concerns across residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download a Free Sample before buying Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fire Hose Market 2023-2027 The fire hose market, essential for extinguishing fires by delivering water or retardants, is set to witness a remarkable increase of USD 1,212.1 million between 2022 and 2027, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.14%. This growth trajectory is fueled by continuous product evolution, the introduction of advanced hose designs, and the adoption of cutting-edge manufacturing processes. Report Coverage Details Page number 155 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.14% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1,212.1 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 5.6 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution Europe at 33% Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany One of the significant contributors to market growth is the emphasis on product innovation, exemplified by inventions like the Aqua Blaster, designed by Ken Blocker. The Aqua Blaster boasts a unique nozzle design that enhances user control, exemplifying the market's drive for enhanced functionality and performance. Segmentation analysis reveals the dominance of type 3 hoses, prized for their minimal friction loss and high tolerance for rugged terrains. Municipal and industrial brigades predominantly utilize type 2 hoses, which feature enhanced abrasion resistance and liquid-repelling coatings. Meanwhile, type 1 hoses find utility in applications involving the transfer of natural gas and propane. For more insights on the market - Download a Free Sample before buying Geographically, North America emerges as a key market leader, with the United States and Canada spearheading revenue generation. The region's focus on implementing stringent safety measures in buildings contributes significantly to market dominance. Key challenges facing market players include navigating diverse regional standards and building codes, which can vary widely and impact product specifications. Nevertheless, initiatives by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) aim to standardize regulations and promote fire safety awareness globally. The market's customer landscape spans various sectors, including industrial facilities, marine operations, and commercial establishments. Advanced firefighting technologies, such as drones and high-performance hoses, revolutionize traditional fire suppression methods, catering to evolving safety needs. To learn more about this report - Download a Free Sample before buying In conclusion, the global fire hose market is poised for substantial growth, driven by innovation, rising safety concerns, and stringent regulatory standards. As stakeholders focus on enhancing product durability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability, the market is primed to meet the evolving demands of firefighting applications worldwide. Analyst Review The Fire Hose Market is experiencing a significant surge in demand across residential buildings, commercial establishments, and industrial settings, primarily driven by a growing awareness of fire safety measures and increased governmental regulations. As construction activities intensify and natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires become more frequent, the need for robust firefighting equipment becomes paramount. Fire departments and governments worldwide are mandating stringent protocols for fire hazard prevention, prompting a heightened focus on the quality and reliability of firefighting gear. This has led to a spike in the adoption of advanced firefighting technology, including innovative materials like nylon filament, pioneered by companies such as Angus Fire and National Fire Fighter. The market has witnessed several notable developments, including new product launches, mergers, and acquisitions. Companies like NIEDNER Inc and ALTRA 3D are introducing cutting-edge solutions tailored for various applications, from water rescue to industrial premises and offshore operations. In response to evolving needs, fire hoses are being designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions and rigorous testing procedures. They are increasingly utilized in basements, marine sectors, and industrial settings, where the risk of fire is particularly high. One area of innovation is the development of flotation devices integrated into fire hoses, enabling water rescue applications in addition to firefighting. This innovation expands the utility of fire hoses beyond traditional firefighting applications. The service life and maintenance costs of fire hoses are critical considerations for end-users, prompting manufacturers to invest in research and development to enhance durability and reduce upkeep expenses. The introduction of fire-resistant attack hoses addresses concerns about storage and environmental effects, offering a sustainable solution for firefighting operations. The fire hose market is also witnessing the integration of drone technology for firefighting applications, enabling efficient monitoring and response in remote or hazardous areas. This technology is particularly valuable for combating bushfires and managing industrial incidents involving explosions. Commercial establishments, residential establishments, and industrial establishments alike are investing in advanced firefighting equipment to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of occupants and assets. As manufacturing processes evolve and regulatory requirements tighten, the demand for high-quality fire hoses is expected to continue rising, driving innovation and growth in the global fire hose market. To learn more about this report - Download a Free Sample before buying Related Reports: The fire trucks market size is expected to increase by USD 1.21 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.18%. The fire-resistant fabrics market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 1,749.97 million. TOC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About US Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact US: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio DUBLIN, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global IoT in Agriculture Market: Focus on Application, Product, and Country-Wise Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The relevance of IoT in the agriculture business cannot be emphasized, as it offers a tremendous leap forward in the potential to control and optimize agricultural processes. Farmers and agribusinesses who use IoT get access to a variety of real-time data from sensors that monitor soil moisture, crop health, weather conditions, and other variables. This data is used in advanced analytics to enable precision farming, which allows for the precise application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, lowering costs and environmental impact while increasing yield and quality. Furthermore, IoT technology allows for the automation of agricultural activities ranging from planting to harvesting, which can help to alleviate manpower shortages and increase production. The use of IoT in agriculture not only improves efficiency and sustainability but also contributes to food security by allowing smarter, more responsive agricultural systems that can adjust to changing climatic circumstances and rising global demand. Asia-Pacific was the highest-growing market among all the regions, registering a CAGR of 14.93%. Rest-of-the-World is anticipated to gain traction in terms of IoT in agriculture adoption owing to the growing demand for modern agricultural methods among countries. Moreover, favorable government policies are also expected to support the growth of the IoT in agriculture market in North America and Europe during the forecast period. In North America, the U.S. is anticipated to show the highest growth in the IoT in agriculture market among other countries in North America. The U.S. is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.67%. The growth of the U.S. in the IoT in agriculture market is mainly due to the factor that the U.S. has a robust start-up ecosystem that drives innovation in the agricultural IoT sector. Start-ups such as Farmers Edge and Arable Labs are pushing this innovation by offering cutting-edge solutions. Market Introduction The modern agricultural sector uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform farming processes, resulting in what is commonly referred to as 'Precision Agriculture.' The Internet of Things enables a network of smart devices to interact and automate decision-making processes in real time. Sensors distributed across fields capture data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, meteorological conditions, and crop health and send it to central management systems. Farmers and agribusinesses use this data to make educated decisions about when to plant, water, and harvest, reducing waste while increasing yields. Drones with superior imaging technology monitor crop health from above, while self-driving tractors and harvesters operate with GPS precision, lowering labor requirements and boosting field management. The incorporation of IoT technology thereby simplifies agricultural operations, increases resource efficiency, improves product quality, and promotes sustainability, signaling a substantial shift from traditional farming practices to a more data-centric strategy in agriculture. Industrial Impacts The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a disruptive industrial influence on the agriculture business, prompting a fundamental rethinking of agricultural techniques and supply chain management. The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) into agriculture, often known as 'smart farming,' has resulted in a data-driven business. Sensors placed across fields assess a range of characteristics, including temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and crop health, allowing farmers to make better-informed decisions. The real-time data acquired aids in the correct application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, lowering costs and minimizing environmental effects. Furthermore, with IoT, agricultural machinery such as tractors and harvesters are becoming more self-sufficient, enhancing operating efficiency. On a larger scale, the use of IoT technology in agriculture is causing alterations in labor dynamics, investment patterns, and even regional development strategies. As farms become more technologically advanced, there is a greater demand for a workforce that is proficient in both agriculture and technology, resulting in the development of new educational and training programs. Furthermore, the data-centric approach of IoT is drawing substantial investment from technology firms, venture capitalists, and even governments, all looking to capitalize on the efficiency and opportunities it offers. The industrial environment is being transformed, with technology providers and agribusinesses forming strategic partnerships and alliances to harness IoT to gain a competitive advantage in the ever-changing agriculture industry. Market Segmentation: Precision Crop Farming Segment to Dominate the Global IoT in Agriculture Market (by Application) The IoT in agriculture market is led by the precision crop farming segment, with a $7,829.3 million in 2022 in terms of revenue. Increasing demand for precision farming techniques is driving the growth of the IoT in agriculture industry. Precision farming can rigorously monitor and control the micro-variables of farming by integrating IoT sensors, devices, and platforms, ranging from soil moisture levels and nutrient content to microclimate conditions and plant health. This detailed level of data collecting allows for the precise distribution of water, fertilizers, and pesticides where they are required, dramatically decreasing waste and environmental effects. IoT-enabled devices may automate irrigation and application systems, resulting in accurate and timely interventions that maximize plant growth and production. Software Segment to Witness the Highest Growth between 2023 and 2033 The software segment dominated the global IoT in agriculture market (by component) in 2023, with a $9,748.8 million in terms of revenue due to the need to be integrated into various platforms to carry out the tasks. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis The companies that are profiled have been selected based on thorough secondary research, which includes analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, market penetration, and insights gathered from primary experts. The IoT in agriculture market comprises key players who have established themselves thoroughly and have the proper understanding of the market, accompanied by start-ups who are looking forward to establishing themselves in this highly competitive market. In 2022, the IoT in agriculture market was dominated by established players, accounting for 73% of the market share, whereas the start-ups managed to capture 27% of the market. With the growth in advancements in agricultural technologies among the nations, more players will enter the global IoT in agriculture market with each passing year. Scope and Definition Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment Agricultural Drones Autonomous Systems and Agricultural Robots Blockchain for Traceability Market Drivers Increase in Demand for Agricultural Efficiency and Productivity Advancements in Agricultural Technologies Rise in Adoption of Precision Farming Market Restraints Lack of Trained Personnel High Initial Investment Costs Market Opportunities Integration of IoT in Robotics Livestock Monitoring and Management Supply Chain Analysis Value Chain Analysis Research and Development Review Patent Filing Trend (by Country, Number of Patents) Regulatory Landscape Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles Deere & Company Microsoft CNH Industrial N.V. Robert Bosch GmbH Kalera Inc. Heliospectra AB Signify Holding AKVA Group ASA Eruvaka Technologies AGRIVI Climate LLC AeroFarms AmHydro Connecterra B.V. OSRAM GmbH For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/94d8uc About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Smart Insulin Pens Market" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global smart insulin pens market accounted for USD 0.769 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach at USD 2.30 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 10.47% during the forecast period 2024-2034. The factors driving the market expansion will involve the increasing prevalence of diabetes, technological advancements, growing adoption of digital health solutions, patient-centered care, and partnerships and collaborations. Globally, diabetes mellitus has become a significant public health concern. Diabetes, particularly types 1 and 2, is becoming more common, which has increased demand for cutting-edge and effective insulin administration systems like smart insulin pens. Advanced technology like Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone applications, and electronic dose-tracking features are all integrated into smart insulin pens. For instance, Novo Nordisk A/S and Dexcom announced a collaboration in August 2023 to create a smart insulin pen of the future that is coupled with CGM technology to enable automated insulin delivery. By connectivity type, the Bluetooth segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global smart insulin pens market is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption of digital health solutions, advancements in Bluetooth technology, and rising demand for remote monitoring capabilities, driving greater convenience and improved management of diabetes. For instance, Sanofi's next-generation smart insulin pen with Bluetooth connectivity and improved dosing features received CE mark approval in July 2023. By application, the type 1 diabetes segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global smart insulin pens market in 2023 owing to the growing prevalence of type 1 diabetes, increased focus on personalized diabetes management, and rising adoption of advanced insulin delivery technologies tailored to the needs of type 1 diabetes patients. For instance, Companion Medical launched a new subscription service for its InPen smart insulin pen in September 2023, providing customers with options for data analysis and remote support. Additionally, the type 2 diabetes segment is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes, expanding diabetic population, and increasing awareness about the benefits of smart insulin pens for managing insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes patients. By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies & diabetes clinics/centers segment accounted for the highest revenue-grossing segment in the global smart insulin pens market in 2023 owing to the growing adoption of smart insulin pens in clinical settings, increased focus on optimizing diabetes management protocols, and the convenience of obtaining prescriptions and guidance on insulin therapy in hospital pharmacies and specialized diabetes clinics/centers. For instance, Eli Lilly and Company and Abbott announced a partnership in October 2023 to investigate the possible integration of Lilly's insulin with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM system for use in smart pens. Additionally, the online sales segment is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the expansion of e-commerce platforms, increasing consumer preference for online purchasing, and the convenience of accessing a wide range of smart insulin pen options and related products from the comfort of home. North America is anticipated to have the highest revenue share during the forecast period owing to the high prevalence of diabetes, advanced healthcare infrastructure, robust adoption of technological innovations, and supportive regulatory environment fostering the uptake of smart insulin pens in North America. Additionally, the Asia Pacific region is predicted to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the rapidly increasing diabetic population, improving access to healthcare services, rising awareness about diabetes management, and growing investments in healthcare infrastructure and technology in the Asia Pacific region. This extensive research report concentrates on the size and projections of the global and regional markets from 2023 to 2034. Report Scope: Base Year: 2023 Forecast Period: 2024-2034 Study Coverage Market Forecast by Connectivity Type, Application, and Distribution Channel Market Forecast for 5 Regions and 17+ Countries North America (U.S. and Canada ) Europe ( Germany , France , UK, Spain , Italy , Russia , Rest of Europe ) Asia Pacific ( China , Japan , India , Australia , South Korea , Rest of APAC) Latin America ( Brazil , Mexico , Argentina , Rest of LATAM) MEA ( South Africa , GCC, Rest of MEA) Company Profiles of the Top 10+ Major Market Players Novo Nordisk Sanofi Companion Medical Emperra Eli Lilly and Company Bigfoot Biomedical Diamesco Pendiq InPen by Companion Medical Jiangsu Delfu Medical Device Medtronic Diabnext Berlin-Chemie Diabecare Capillary Biomedical Report Segmentation By Connectivity Type Bluetooth USB By Application Type 1 Diabetes Type 2 Diabetes By Distribution Channel Hospital Pharmacies Online Sales Retail Pharmacies Diabetes Clinics/Centers Smart Insulin Pens Market Analysis & Forecast by Region 2023 - 2034 (Revenue USD Bn) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France UK Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea Rest of APAC Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of LATAM Middle East & Africa South Africa GCC Rest of MEA & For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w9yu0c About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, announced that Ellen S. Rebne has been named Senior Vice President - Sales, effective June 1, 2024. Rebne will replace David G. Maxwell, who is planning to retire. Rebne has 35 years with Graybar and currently serves as District Vice President in the company's Chicago District. After starting her Graybar career in accounting and finance, she moved into sales and business leadership roles, where she consistently led her teams to achieve positive results. "We congratulate Ellen on her promotion," said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, Graybar's chairman, president and CEO. "Ellen is highly respected within Graybar and throughout the industry for her leadership, her experience, and her passion for our customers. As she joins our senior executive team, I am confident that she will play a vital role in sustaining profitable long-term growth for Graybar." Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 345 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer (314) 578-7672 [email protected] SOURCE Graybar DUBLIN, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The "Green Hydrogen Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, Technology, Renewable Energy Source, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global green hydrogen market was valued at $828.2 million in 2023, and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 67.19% during the forecast period 2023-2033 to reach $141.29 billion by 2033. This growth of the green hydrogen market is likely to be driven by low variable renewable energy (VRE) electricity cost, global plans for net-zero emissions by 2050, and increasing awareness regarding green hydrogen. Green hydrogen represents a significant breakthrough in the field of renewable energy and sustainability. It is a form of hydrogen gas produced using renewable energy sources, distinguishing it from grey or blue hydrogen, which are derived from fossil fuels. The primary method for producing green hydrogen is through the electrolysis of water, a process that utilizes electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This method is particularly advantageous because it results in zero carbon emissions, making green hydrogen a clean energy source. It is also highly versatile, finding applications in various sectors such as transportation, industry, and energy storage, and can act as a medium for storing surplus renewable energy. However, the production of green hydrogen is currently faced with several challenges, including high costs and significant energy requirements. Moreover, there is a substantial need for investment in infrastructure to facilitate its production, storage, and distribution. Despite the current challenges, the outlook for the green hydrogen market is very promising. As technology continues to advance and production costs decrease, the market is expected to expand significantly. This expansion will likely include integration with other renewable energy technologies and sectors, such as transport and industry. Key to this growth will be the support from government policies and international cooperation. In 2022, Europe is poised to hold the highest share in the global green hydrogen market, a status underscored by its strategic, economic, and policy-driven initiatives. This leadership stems from Europe's aggressive approach toward renewable energy and a strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Key to this dominance is Europe's robust policy framework, exemplified by ambitious climate goals such as the European Green Deal and various national strategies explicitly supporting green hydrogen development. The region has witnessed significant public and private investments in green hydrogen, encompassing not just production but also the development of necessary infrastructure for storage and distribution. Technological innovation in Europe is at its peak, with leading renewable energy technology companies spearheading advancements in green hydrogen production. Industrial Feedstock Application to Dominate Global Green Hydrogen Market (by Application) The application of green hydrogen as an industrial feedstock represents a significant and transformative segment of the global green hydrogen market. As industries worldwide seek to reduce their carbon footprint and transition toward sustainable practices, green hydrogen emerges as a pivotal player, especially in sectors heavily reliant on traditional hydrocarbon feedstocks. The industrial sector's hunger for clean feedstocks presents a golden opportunity for green hydrogen. Ditching fossil fuels like coal and gas for green hydrogen in chemical production, steelmaking, and other processes promises significant decarbonization without sacrificing progress. Imagine replacing grey ammonia with its green counterpart, made using clean hydrogen, for fertilizers and beyond. Alkaline Electrolyzer to Lead the Global Green Hydrogen Market (by Technology) The alkaline electrolyzer segment held the largest share of the green hydrogen market in 2022. Alkaline electrolyzers were the initial electrolyzers to enter the market for industrial applications, and they remained the sole electrolyzer technology available until the 1970s, when proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology emerged. Unlike PEM electrolyzers, alkaline electrolyzers do not require the use of precious metals, offering a longer operational lifespan and a more cost-effective solution. Solar Energy to Hold Highest Share in Global Green Hydrogen Market (by Renewable Energy Source) The assertion that solar energy will hold the highest share in the global green hydrogen market is rooted in several key factors. The cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been decreasing rapidly, making solar energy more economically viable for hydrogen production. This cost-effectiveness is crucial in the context of green hydrogen, where production costs are a significant concern. Solar energy's role in the global green hydrogen market is becoming increasingly prominent, offering a pathway to a sustainable and economically viable hydrogen economy. How can this report add value to an organization? Product/Innovation Strategy: In the realm of the global green hydrogen market, technological advancements are transforming agricultural landscapes to create winning products, choose the right unmet needs, target the right customer group, and compete with substitute products. The product segment helps the readers understand the different types of technology used for the green hydrogen market. Also, the study provides the readers with a detailed understanding of the global green hydrogen market based on application and product. Growth/Marketing Strategy: The global green hydrogen market has witnessed remarkable growth strategies by key players. Business expansions, collaborations, and partnerships have been pivotal. Companies are venturing into global markets, forging alliances, and engaging in research collaborations to enhance their technological prowess. Collaborative efforts between hydrogen manufacturers and suppliers' experts are driving the development of cutting-edge monitoring tools. Additionally, strategic joint ventures are fostering the integration of diverse expertise, amplifying the market presence of these solutions. This collaborative approach is instrumental in developing a comprehensive, user-friendly, and efficient green hydrogen market. Competitive Strategy: In the competitive landscape of the green hydrogen market, manufacturers are diversifying their product portfolios to cover various applications. Market segments include application, technology, and renewable energy sources. Competitive benchmarking illuminates the strengths of market players, emphasizing their unique offerings and regional strengths. Partnerships with research institutions and agricultural organizations are driving innovation. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis Among the prominent players in the global green hydrogen market, the public players dominate, commanding approximately 93.3% of the market share in 2022. The remaining 6.67% is held by private companies. Some prominent names established in the global green hydrogen market are: Linde plc Air Liquide Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Engie Uniper SE Siemens Energy Green Hydrogen Systems Cummins Inc. Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation Nel ASA SGH2 Energy Global Corp. Plug Power Inc. Aker Horizons Fusion-Fuel Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Scope and Definition 1 Markets 1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment 1.1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment 1.1.2 Trend 1: Decarbonization on the Horizon 1.1.3 Trend 2: Infrastructure Development 1.1.4 Trend 3: Falling Renewable Energy Costs 1.2 Supply Chain Overview 1.2.1 Market Map 1.3 Research and Development Review 1.3.1 Patent Filing Trend (by Country and Company) 1.4 Regulatory Landscape 1.4.1 Consortiums and Associations 1.4.2 Regulatory Bodies 1.4.3 Government Programs 1.4.4 Programs by Research Institutions and Universities 1.5 Start-Up Landscape 1.5.1 Key Start-Ups in the Ecosystem 1.6 Impact Analysis for Key Global Events: COVID-19 1.7 Market Dynamics: Overview 1.7.1 Market Drivers 1.7.1.1 Low Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) Electricity Cost 1.7.1.2 Global Plans for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 1.7.1.3 Increasing Awareness Regarding Green Hydrogen 1.7.2 Market Restraints 1.7.2.1 High Cost of Production 1.7.2.2 Limited Dedicated Transport Infrastructure 1.7.3 Market Opportunities 1.7.3.1 Wide Application of Green Hydrogen 1.7.3.2 Scaling Up of Technologies 2 Application 2.1 Application Segmentation 2.2 Application Summary 2.3 Green Hydrogen Market (by Application) 2.3.1 Oil and Gas 2.3.1.1 Hydrocracking 2.3.1.2 Hydroisomerization 2.3.1.3 Hydrodealkylation 2.3.1.4 Hydrodesulfurization 2.3.2 Industrial Feedstock 2.3.2.1 Ammonia 2.3.2.2 Methanol 2.3.2.3 Steel 2.3.2.4 Others 2.3.3 Mobility 2.3.4 Power Generation 2.3.5 Others 3 Products 3.1 Product Segmentation 3.2 Product Summary 3.3 Global Green Hydrogen Market (by Technology) 3.3.1 Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer 3.3.2 Alkaline Electrolyzer 3.3.3 Anion Exchange Membrane 3.3.4 Solid Oxide Electrolyzer 3.4 Product Segmentation 3.5 Product Summary 3.6 Global Green Hydrogen Market (by Renewable Energy Source) 3.6.1 Wind Energy 3.6.2 Solar Energy 3.6.3 Others 4 Regions 4.1 Regional Summary 4.2 Drivers and Restraints 4.3 North America 4.3.1 Regional Overview 4.3.2 Driving Factors for Market Growth 4.3.3 Factors Challenging the Market 4.3.4 Application 4.3.5 Product 4.3.6 U.S. 4.3.6.1 Application 4.3.6.2 Product 4.3.7 Canada 4.3.7.1 Application 4.3.7.2 Product 4.3.8 Mexico 4.3.8.1 Application 4.3.8.2 Product 4.4 Europe 4.5 Asia-Pacific 4.6 Rest-of-the-World 5 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles 5.1 Next Frontiers 5.2 Geographic Assessment 5.2.1 Overview 5.2.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio 5.2.3 Top Competitors 5.2.4 Target Customers 5.2.5 Key Personnel 5.2.6 Analyst View 5.2.7 Market Share 6 Research Methodology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mwaalm About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets NEW YORK, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global green tea market size is estimated to grow by $ 7.72 bn from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.22% during the forecast period. The Green Tea Market is influenced by farming practices, weather conditions, and climate changes. Price challenges, segmentation, and product forms like tea bags, loose leaves, and loose leaf powder, impact market growth. Innovative flavors, health-enhancing nutritional profiles, and distribution channels including supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, and online retail, drive sales. Advanced technologies, equipment, and quality assurance are crucial for producing high-quality beverages. The Food Industry Association monitors trends in groceries, while refrigerant leaks and quality issues are ongoing concerns. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Green Tea Market 2024-2028 To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Innovation Sparks Market Growth: In the dynamic Green Tea Market, farming practices adapt to weather conditions and climate changes, shaping price challenges. Segmentation thrives with form analysis, including tea bags, loose leaves, loose leaf powder, ready-to-drink tea, capsules, and tablets. Enticing tastes and health-improving nutritional profiles cater to mainstream and innovative flavors like honey, citrus, floral, fruity, and unflavored. Distribution channel analysis expands availability through supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, and online retail. Wider availability fuels sales growth, while advanced technologies and equipment ensure quality of beverages. The Food Industry Association monitors groceries, addressing issues like refrigerant leaks and ensuring quality assurance. Addressing Challenges: In the past few years, the Green Tea Market has experienced significant growth, driven by increasing concerns over immunity and overall health during the pandemic. The supply chain has faced challenges due to the outbreak, leading to increased trade activities and demand for antioxidant-rich foods. The Greentype Tea Industry has become a key player in the Antioxidant & Nutrient-rich Beverages sector, with American adults, particularly those prediabetic, showing a preference for functional ingredients. The Indian Tea Association reports a rise in demand for specialty teas, driven by their association with cardiovascular health and cancer risk reduction for prostate, breast, and esophagus. Understanding the importance of antioxidants and flavonoids, consumers seek quality products for on-the-go nutrition and healthy hydration. Technological advancements and novel packaging have emerged as restraining factors, but awareness of the benefits of green tea continues to drive growth. Despite these trends, discretionary incomes remain a concern for some. Novel tea varieties, naturally flavored and organic, continue to attract buyers, offering pure and pure solutions for normal body functions. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Analyst Review research_analysis Market Overview The global Green Tea Market is experiencing significant growth due to its numerous health benefits and increasing consumer awareness. The key players in this market include Unilever, Dabur India, and Nestle. These companies are focusing on innovation and expansion to meet the rising demand for green tea. The market is segmented by type, such as Matcha, Sencha, and Gunpowder, and by distribution channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online retailers. The market is also driven by the rising trend of functional foods and beverages, as well as the growing popularity of herbal teas. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years. The future of the Green Tea Market looks bright, with new product launches, strategic collaborations, and technological advancements shaping its future. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Companies: Green Tea Market 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. Green Tea Market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Aiya Europe GmbH, Amorepacific Corp., Arbor Teas, AriZona Beverages USA LLC, Davidsons Organics, Equal Exchange, Fortnum and Mason, Heavenly Tea Inc., ITO EN Ltd., John Swire and Sons Ltd., MARIAGE FRERES, MJF Exports Pvt. Ltd., Nestle SA, PALAIS DES THES, Rishi Tea and Botanicals, Tata Consumer Products Ltd., The Art of Tea LLC, The Coca Cola Co., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., The Republic of Tea Inc. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape Product Flavored Green Tea Unflavored Green Tea Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio CAMBRIDGE, Mass., ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and SUZHOU, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harbour BioMed ("HBM" or the "Company"; HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibody therapeutics focusing on immune-oncology and immunology, released annual financial results of full year 2023. "We made progress in two significant undertakings in 2023, the third financial year since listing on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong: preparing Harbour Therapeutics to operate as a faster, more focused clinical-stage next-generation therapeutics company and initiating Nona Biosciences to leverage our unique global patent-protected technology platforms to empower global therapeutic innovation. We recorded a significant increase in our revenue, demonstrating the Company's excellent global business development capabilities," said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Harbour BioMed. "We are navigating a fiercely competitive world that is going through rapid changes, facing human being's fundamental quest for longevity and quality of life, and having a greater demand for biotechnological breakthroughs and innovative therapeutics. We've been well-positioned in the new era to achieve results that will propel the Company to new heights and create robust business value." FULL YEAR 2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Harbour BioMed recorded the profit of US$22.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2023. This is the first time that the Company has recorded a net profit on its annual financial statements. Other financial highlights include: Revenue: The revenue for the full year 2023 is US$89.5 million , which increased significantly by US$48.8 million , or 119.9%, compared with US$40.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2022 . Our revenue primarily consists of molecule license fee, research service fee and technology license fee. The increase is primarily attributed to license out and collaboration agreement with Pfizer, Cullinan Oncology and Kelun-Biotech. The revenue for the full year 2023 is , which increased significantly by , or 119.9%, compared with for the year ended . Our revenue primarily consists of molecule license fee, research service fee and technology license fee. The increase is primarily attributed to license out and collaboration agreement with Pfizer, Cullinan Oncology and Kelun-Biotech. Research and development costs: The research and development expenses decreased by 66.6%, from US$135.1 million in 2022 to US$45.1 million in 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to the combined impact of (i) optimized investments in our clinical programs and our molecule assets in discovery and pre-clinical stages; and (ii) the efficient implementation of cost control measures. The research and development expenses decreased by 66.6%, from in 2022 to in 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to the combined impact of (i) optimized investments in our clinical programs and our molecule assets in discovery and pre-clinical stages; and (ii) the efficient implementation of cost control measures. Administrative expenses: The administrative expenses decreased by 28.6%, from US$27.3 million in 2022 to US$19.5 million in 2023. ROBUST PORTFOLIO AND DIFFERENTIATED PIPELINE Harbour Therapeutics, a sub-brand parallel to Nona Biosciences, is individually responsible for the development of the Company's product pipeline. Focused on oncology and immunology, Harbour Therapeutics has a robust and diversified pipeline of more than ten potentially differentiated drug candidates, four of which are in clinical development stage. Batoclimab (HBM9161), porustobart (HBM4003), HBM7008 and HBM1020 are the main products. Batoclimab , as the clinically most advanced FcRn inhibitor being developed in Greater China , has the potential to be a breakthrough treatment for a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases in Greater China . Harbour Therapeutics completed the treatment of patients in early 2023 and announced the positive topline results of the phase III clinical trial of batoclimab for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in March, which is also the first positive pivotal trial outcome for batoclimab worldwide. This marks a major milestone as it is the Company's first product to complete phase III clinical trial and be poised for commercialization to benefit the gMG patients. The Company also initiated open-label extension clinical trial in 2022 and completed enrolment in March 2023 . As the cut-off of open-label extension clinical trial for gMG in November 2023 , the data showed sustainable efficacy and safety of batoclimab in long-term disease management. , as the clinically most advanced FcRn inhibitor being developed in , has the potential to be a breakthrough treatment for a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases in . Harbour Therapeutics completed the treatment of patients in early 2023 and announced the positive topline results of the phase III clinical trial of batoclimab for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in March, which is also the first positive pivotal trial outcome for batoclimab worldwide. This marks a major milestone as it is the Company's first product to complete phase III clinical trial and be poised for commercialization to benefit the gMG patients. The Company also initiated open-label extension clinical trial in 2022 and completed enrolment in . As the cut-off of open-label extension clinical trial for gMG in , the data showed sustainable efficacy and safety of batoclimab in long-term disease management. Porustobart (HBM4003) is the next-generation, fully human heavy chain only anti-CTLA-4 antibody generated from the HCAb platform. It is also the first fully human heavy chain only antibody which has entered into clinical development around the world. In 2023, Harbour Therapeutics conducted the global clinical development program of porustobart for multiple types of solid tumors, and positive data of efficacy and safety profile have been read out in the ongoing trials of neuroendocrine neoplasms and hepatocellular carcinoma. is the next-generation, fully human heavy chain only anti-CTLA-4 antibody generated from the HCAb platform. It is also the first fully human heavy chain only antibody which has entered into clinical development around the world. In 2023, Harbour Therapeutics conducted the global clinical development program of porustobart for multiple types of solid tumors, and positive data of efficacy and safety profile have been read out in the ongoing trials of neuroendocrine neoplasms and hepatocellular carcinoma. Another example demonstrating Harbour Therapeutics' strong research capabilities is the discovery of HBM7008 , a novel product targeting B7H4 and 4-1BB. Developed from the immune cell engager platform HBICE , HBM7008 is the only bispecific antibody against these two targets globally. Leveraging and integrating the expertise in biology and antibody engineering and the unique characteristics of HBICE platform, HBM7008 showed exciting performance both in efficacy and safety profile at pre-clinical stage. In 2022, the Company conducted the phase I trials in the U.S. and Australia . In February 2023 , to maintain a leading position in the development of this first-in-class asset, the Company entered into a co-development collaboration with Cullinan Oncology, to expand its study process in the U.S., Europe and Australia . , a novel product targeting B7H4 and 4-1BB. Developed from the immune cell engager platform HBICE , HBM7008 is the only bispecific antibody against these two targets globally. Leveraging and integrating the expertise in biology and antibody engineering and the unique characteristics of HBICE platform, HBM7008 showed exciting performance both in efficacy and safety profile at pre-clinical stage. In 2022, the Company conducted the phase I trials in the U.S. and . In , to maintain a leading position in the development of this first-in-class asset, the Company entered into a co-development collaboration with Cullinan Oncology, to expand its study process in the U.S., and . HBM1020 is a first-in-class fully human monoclonal antibody generated from Harbour Mice platform targeting B7H7. As a newly discovered member of the B7 family, B7H7 expression is found non-overlapping with PD-L1 expression in multiple tumor types, which potentially plays a more important role for tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. HBM1020 is the first product against B7H7 in clinical stage globally. With its excellent product design and target features, HBM1020 presents great potential to address huge unmet medical needs on solid tumors. is a first-in-class fully human monoclonal antibody generated from Harbour Mice platform targeting B7H7. As a newly discovered member of the B7 family, B7H7 expression is found non-overlapping with PD-L1 expression in multiple tumor types, which potentially plays a more important role for tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. HBM1020 is the first product against B7H7 in clinical stage globally. With its excellent product design and target features, HBM1020 presents great potential to address huge unmet medical needs on solid tumors. Driven by the Company's leading drug innovation and discovery engine, new assets are continually being developed, of which HBM1020, HBM1022, HBM1007 and HBM9033 obtained the IND clearance from the U.S. FDA to initiate clinical study in the U.S. in 2023, and HBM9027 obtained the IND clearance from U.S. FDA in the first quarter of 2024. obtained the IND clearance from the U.S. FDA to initiate clinical study in the U.S. in 2023, and obtained the IND clearance from U.S. FDA in the first quarter of 2024. In addition, we have a number of pre-clinical stage products in the pipeline, including HBM7004, HBM1047 and HBM9014, which have shown great potential for development. PLATFORM-VALUE-MAXIMIZED BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS In 2023, the Company continued to expand its business collaborations with leading academic institutions and select industrial partners focusing on innovation and efficiency across the world. The business collaboration model is not only limited to out-licensing, but also to engage with academic institutions or other leading innovative pioneers in the industry for co-development and incubation of joint ventures on next-generation innovative therapy. With flexible business models built around proprietary technologies and platforms, the Company can and will maximize its platform value to address global unmet medical needs. Assets Collaboration of Harbour Therapeutics Harbour Therapeutics has entered into several external collaborations in terms of pipeline licensing and collaborations. In 2023, Harbour Therapeutics has granted the regional out-licensing of HBM7008 in the U.S. to Cullinan Oncology, and HBM7022/AZD5863, which was licensed to AstraZeneca in 2022, has entered into clinical stage. Meanwhile, the three assets which have been licensed the Greater China Rights to Hualan Genetic obtained IND approvals from NMPA to initiate clinical study in China. In addition, HBM9378, which was developed in collaboration with Kelun-Biotech, completed its phase I clinical trial. With these multiple collaborations based on the assets generated from HBICE, Harbour Therapeutics has shown its strength and unique advantages in building a comprehensive portfolio in immune cell engagers. And the co-development and collaboration of the pipeline is not only the recognition of the industry partners for the Company's products and technology platforms, but will also help the Company to improve the efficiency of portfolio advancement, spread the costs and risks, and make the development of the Company more robust. Multiple Collaborations of Nona Biosciences In addition to collaboration through the molecules and pipeline generated from the platforms, the Company is also focusing the vision on more original and innovative collaborations on early stages. By integrating the industry leading Harbour Mice and HCAb PlusTM platforms with an experienced therapeutic antibody discovery team, Nona Biosciences provides a one-stop solution for therapeutic antibody discovery, engineering and development from I to ITM (Idea to IND) with flexible business models. From the end of 2022, Nona Biosciences achieved big success in its launch as it has landed several international collaborations in multiple innovative formats. It is worth mentioning that Nona Biosciences has granted the global out-licensing of HBM9033, a potential best-in-class MSLN-targeted ADC, to Pfizer. Until now, Harbour Mice platforms have been validated by over 50 industry and academic partners. Nona Biosciences has established four leading technology units based on HCAb, including protein engineering, conjugation technology, delivery technology and cell therapy to empower the next-generation therapies. With the multiple collaborations based on the assets generated from HCAb PlusTM, Nona Biosciences has demonstrated its robust capabilities in antibody discovery and development, exploring a new path to expand the collaboration network and maximize the value of the platforms. Incubation on Cutting-Edge Collaborations To give full play to the value of the unique platform technologies, the Company has continued to explore the expandability of platform technology application scenarios which generate impactful values and bring us new value growth points with minimal marginal investment. Representative projects include HBM Alpha Therapeutics, in partnership with Boston Children's Hospital, and Shanghai NK Cell Technology Limited. 2024 OUTLOOK: EXTENSIVE GLOBALIZATION AND BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION Looking to the future, Harbour BioMed will keep driving business growth and accomplishing its mission through two key pillars, Harbour Therapeutics and Nona Biosciences. The former will advance multiple clinical trials of the internal pipeline to fully advance the global clinical development project, and the latter will keep providing integrated discovery solutions for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and ultimately create an innovation ecosystem to promote biological advancement. A range of products based on the technology platform and generated from the concept of T-cell engager and NK cell engager, will be pushed forward to clinical stage in the following years. With a combination of in-house development and business collaborations, the Company will continuously form a portfolio of products with a differentiated competitive advantage in immuno-oncology. The platform-valued-maximized business collaborations, driven by Nona Biosciences, will further walk the Company down the path of global development. Positive outcomes have been attained through platform-based collaborations with top institutions around the world and more extensive global collaborations are expected in 2024 as our preclinical products become increasingly mature. About Harbour BioMed Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142) is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel antibody therapeutics focusing on immunology and oncology. The Company is building its robust portfolio and differentiated pipeline through internal R&D capability, collaborations with co-discovery and co-development partners, and select acquisitions. The proprietary antibody technology platforms Harbour Mice generates fully human monoclonal antibodies in two heavy and two light chains (H2L2) format, as well as heavy chain only (HCAb) format. Building upon the HCAb antibodies, the HCAb-based immune cell engagers (HBICE) bispecific antibody technology is capable of delivering tumor-killing effects unachievable by traditional combination therapies. Integrating Harbour Mice, and HBICE with a single B cell cloning platform, our antibody discovery engine is highly unique and efficient for the development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies. For further information, please refer to www.harbourbiomed.com. SOURCE Harbour BioMed HERNDON, Va., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HawkEye 360 Inc., the world's leading defense technology company for space-based radio frequency (RF) data and analytics, announced its new members of the Advisory Board, forming the Class of 2024 today. Retired Generals, Gen. David D. Thompson, and Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, two individuals with unique perspectives and vast experience, join for the first time, while Terry McAuliffe and Joan Dempsey return for another term. Lt. General H. R. McMaster (Ret.) General David D. Thompson (Ret.) "HawkEye 360 is delighted to introduce a stellar group of advisors for 2024," announced John Serafini, Chief Executive Officer of HawkEye 360. "Their wealth of experience and knowledge, spanning government, military, intelligence, and commercial sectors, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. Their invaluable contributions will propel our RF-sensing satellite network forward, a crucial step in providing the U.S. Government and our international allies with timely, critical data to combat illegal and unauthorized activities." General David D. Thompson (Ret.) brings 38 years of experience in the Air and Space Forces to his role, highlighted by his service as the first Vice Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force. In this capacity, he contributed to creating the Space Force and represented the Chief of Space Operations in high-level meetings, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Thompson has commanded at squadron, group, and wing levels and has held senior positions at the National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force Warfare Center, and United States Strategic Command. His education includes a Master of Science in National Security Industrial Policy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University, and a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. Thompson's career showcases his strategic planning and execution skills in national security and space operations. "I was drawn to HawkEye 360 by the vision and passion of the company leadership to serve the security needs of the Nation and its Armed Forces," Gen. Thompson noted. Lt. General H.R. McMaster (Ret.) is a soldier and scholar who brings a unique blend of strategic insights and global defense understanding to HawkEye 360. McMaster served in the US Army for thirty-four years and commanded forces in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq before serving as the 25th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina and authored two bestselling books. He is a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute, a lecturer at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, and a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Arizona State University. "The capabilities that HawkEye 360 delivers to its clients are and will remain in high demand for governments, businesses, and any organization that needs to anticipate and respond to security threats," remarked Lt. General McMaster. Joan Dempsey & Terry McAuliffe are welcomed back to the HawkEye 360 Advisory Board, each bringing a distinguished blend of experience and achievements to our team. Joan offers unparalleled strategic insights with her extensive background in intelligence, security, and leadership roles at Booz Allen Hamilton and various high-level federal positions. Terry, recognized for his dynamic tenure as the 72nd Governor of Virginia and his significant contributions to economic development and cybersecurity, brings a visionary approach to our mission. Together, their combined expertise and achievements will continue to guide HawkEye 360 in its strategic initiatives and further advancement in the industry. These individuals, forming HawkEye 360 Advisory Board's Class of 2024, will join the board's 20 current members. For the complete list of HawkEye 360 advisors, please visit https://www.he360.com/about-us-rf-analytics/hawkeye-360-team/#advisors About HawkEye 360 HawkEye 360, based in Herndon, Virginia, is a pioneer in defense technology, delivering comprehensive insights into global human activities through advanced radio frequency (RF) geospatial insights. The company's space-based systems detect, characterize, and pinpoint RF signals, offering unparalleled RF data and analytics. This capability facilitates the early detection of suspicious behaviors and adversarial actions, supports the identification and tracking of covert vessels, and enhances overall situational awareness. By providing crucial, timely insights on significant events and behaviors, HawkEye 360 enables effective tip-and-cue operations, empowering decision-makers with the confidence to act decisively. SOURCE HawkEye 360, Inc SHERIDAN, Wyo., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HighBridge Holdings, Inc. and Surly Brewing are pleased to announce they have entered into a contract for production of HighBridge Premium's THC infused beverages. Both parties are looking ahead to Q2, at which time Surly is expected to complete the overhaul of its Brooklyn Center (MN) production facility. "As we complete the renovation, Surly will be uniquely equipped to provide the efficiency, capacity and quality required by HighBridge. We look forward to providing production services for HighBridge, a leading Multi-State Organization dedicated to premium quality infused beverages", said Tom Nientimp, Surly COO. The sentiment was echoed by HighBridge Founder & CEO, James Hunter. "We have been looking for the "right fit" to relocate and centralize production. Surly was the logical choice because it shares the HighBridge principals of high quality, service to the community, and leadership in this evolving industry", said Hunter. HighBridge Premium HighBridge Premium HighBridge makes a variety of premium THC infused beverages, including its benchmark "faux" Beers; Effervescent Botanicals; Energy Drinks and other Delta-9 THC infused beverages. Currently distributing in 5 States, HighBridge has an appetite for rapid growth and is targeting 10 additional States for distribution in 2024. "Having the confidence to produce new products, like our "Majical Ice TeaZ", co-branded with Belushi's Farm, allows HighBridge to accelerate growth and help solidify our reputation as a leader in the THC infused beverage space" said Vicky Hunter, Co-Founder and CAO of HighBridge. "The entire Surly team listened to our concerns and goals, and mapped out a plan that was professional, quality focused and streamlined. Surly has become one of the best known and successful craft beer operations. Its willingness to adapt to new ideas and products, and overall reputation for quality and state-of-the-art facilities, assures a solid collaboration between Surly and HighBridge. Surly's dedication to a consistent and satisfying drink experience, aligns nicely with the HighBridge mantra "All the Best; All the Time." DISCLAIMER LANGUAGE HighBridge Premium (Highbridge Holdings, Inc.) is a Wyoming corporation that, in conjunction with its consulting, lab and marketing partners, develops premium beverages for the recreational cannabis industry. HighBridge currently has 10 market ready products and expects to add several more in 2024. HighBridge products are currently available in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Texas, and expects to add 10 additional states in 2024. The HighBridge goal is to be a Multi-State Organization with an International footprint. Our dedication is to quality and product integrity. For more information visit the company website: www.highbridgepremium.com Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail and discussed on the Company's website; www.highbridgepremium.com. Forward-looking statements are made based on information available to the Company on the date of this press release. HighBridge assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release. Contact: Vicky Hunter [email protected] C 763.443.5337 SOURCE HighBridge Premium TEMPE, Ariz., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is written by Dr. Steven Gonzales, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges, a member of the American Association of Community Colleges: Dr. Steven Gonzales, chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges Arizona, like many states across America, is facing a nurse shortage. The pandemic has taken a toll on existing nursing staff due to staffing shortages, employee burnout and retirement. Despite the number of nursing graduates entering the workforce, it is clear that Arizona needs to catch up with current demand levels. National nurse shortages already threaten essential health care services, and in Arizona, we are particularly vulnerable to its effects, given our rapidly growing and aging population. In fact, as of 2022, Arizona ranked in the top five with the largest hospital staffing shortages. Nationwide, the demand for nurses certainly outweighs the supply. A 2020 nursing workforce survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing found that the average age of registered nurses is 52. In addition, millions of registered nurses are expected to leave the profession by 2030, and the United States will need a minimum of 1.2 million new nurses to meet needs. Further, with the demand for nurses, the strain is felt at colleges and universities across Arizona and the country. As a result, many institutions have waitlists for nursing programs because of limited faculty and resources to teach students. Simply put, America needs more nurses. We are fortunate that the Arizona Legislature recognizes that higher education is only one solution to the problem. The passage of Arizona House Bill 2691 last year launching the Nurse Education Investment Pilot Program is a much-needed step toward addressing the state's critical nurse shortage. The funding enables the Maricopa County Community College District to equitably allocate money among the eight nursing programs across our system. Over the next three years, the funding will support the expansion and renovations of classrooms, the hiring of 26 new faculty and support staff, innovative retention and student support, and procurement of supplies and lab equipment. We anticipate that by 2026, our system will produce 5,464 nursing graduates at all levels certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN) and bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). It's clear that the future of our health care system depends on having more skilled professionals enter the market. As Arizona's top provider of workforce training, Maricopa County Community College District is a pipeline for the nursing profession. Each year, our colleges accept 3,600 students, which includes nursing assistants and LPNs, into our programs. During the 2022 calendar year, 992 nursing students in our system graduated with an associate in applied science (AAS) in nursing. More than half also graduated with a bachelor's degree through the Concurrent Enrollment Program. More than 80% of those graduates entered the workforce, and 20% transferred to a university to complete their bachelor's in nursing. As one of the first community colleges in Arizona to offer baccalaureate degrees, our system understands the urgency to alleviate the demand for the nursing profession. For this reason, our Bachelor's Advisory Committee has selected GateWay Community College to move forward with the authorization and approval processes to offer a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in the fall of 2024. It's a milestone for the district that'll provide an attainable and affordable pathway for aspiring health care professionals. The Nurse Education Investment Pilot Program is undoubtedly a step in the right direction; however, more innovative solutions are needed to mitigate the burden on Arizona's strained health care system. It is crucial to the future of Arizona's health care system to have enough skilled nursing professionals for many years to come. 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/ SOURCE American Association of Community Colleges Rise of Crypto Titans: USA and Russia Set to Dominate Blockchain World by 2027 https://cimg.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28223816/1711665496-2c94a599-0c02-4d8a-8db7-0482b26cf241.mp3 Listen to Article 00:00 / 00:00 Russia and the USA are expected to take the lead in crypto adoption, according to a new report published on Statista called Digital Assets: Market Data & Analysis. According to the figures, the number of crypto users in Russia could reach 38.5 million by 2027. Thats a 15% increase year-on-year (yoy) from the 19.3 million crypto users in 2022. This percentage is the highest average growth rate for any of the countries or regions surveyed in the report. That means Russias total number of crypto users, which at present exceeds high numbers posted by UK, Japan, Canada and Germany, will go on being the second highest in the world for cryptocurrencies, ahead of every European and Asian rival and second only to the U.S.. Over the Pacific, the US recorded a staggering 52.8 million crypto users in 2022, a figure which exceeds Russias projected 2027 figure by a fraction over 37%, indicating the world-leading scale of adoption in both the former Cold War rivals. However, adoption in the US will skyrocket too, with a near doubling over five years to a projected 102.2 million users by 2027. Altogether, the year-on-year growth rate for the US between 2022 and 2027 is 14%, which is in line with Japanese and European projections but lags 1% behind Russia. The number of European crypto users in 2022 was 101.5 million; this looks set to blow up to 191.6 million by 2027. The rest of the world will see exponential growth in crypto adoption. At present, the total number of users across all the countries that are not USA or continental Europe is 291.7 million. That figure will mushroom 20% year-on-year to peak at 729.3 million in 2027. Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or DeFi? One interesting point to observe is how the popularity of NFTs and Decentralized Finance protocol users varies by region. NFTs are undoubtedly more popular in the USA than any other region, with 0.9 million NFT users in 2022. That figure is expected to rise sharply to 1.6 million by 2027. Hardly anywhere else takes NFTs nearly so seriously, though. The closest contender to the US, Russia, at present has a third of the NFT users of its rival. The projections for 2027 broadly reflect a proportionate increase as the number of Russian NFT holders doubles from 0.3 million to 0.6 million. While people think of America as the land of supersized highways and Mcdonalds meals, continental Europe far exceeds it in metrics for NFT and DeFi use, although this remains proportionate to the overall number of users in both regions, with Europe nearly doubling the States and projected to comfortably maintain the lead by 2027. In general, the figures are positive for all aspects of crypto. The report highlights expectations that tokens (both fungible and non-fungible) and dapps will remain a thriving part of the broader cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem in the post-regulation landscape. How Regulations Drive Russian Crypto Adoption This brings us to one key area that affects countries attitudes towards crypto, and by extension, their adoption level, namely: regulation. So, understanding Russias lead on crypto should be simple when we examine the context. Singapore research firm TrippleA estimated about 17.3 million Russians owned crypto in early 2021. The figure represented 12% of the population at the time. It grew by 2 million the following year. The lofty numbers are hardly surprising in a country where 46% of its internet users pay for goods and services using e-money, $16.8 billion of which is on-chain, according to 2022 figures. However, Russias crypto fans have hard a nervy ride. The Kremlin wasnt always so accommodating. In January 2022, the Russian central bank published a public and industry consultation paper calling for tight oversight on crypto and an outright ban on a lot of crypto-related activities in the territory, including mining. This changed with the invasion of Ukraine. Now, Russia is taking a flexible approach. This week, government ministers have been discussing a new draft bill submitted by miners that aims to recognise the activity as a form of entrepreneurship. The bill has support from a swathe of lawmakers but lacks a final seal of approval from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. But on the whole, the Russian government has been reserved about cryptocurrencies. While cryptocurrencies present a potential avenue to help Russian citizens to evade US sanctions, the authorities have been focusing their energy instead on the digital ruble. How Regulations Drive Crypto Adoption in US The regulation narrative will also continue to drive adoption in the US, albeit for different political and geopolitical reasons. The number one driver of adoption in the USA currently is the spot Bitcoin ETF narrative. ETFs are investment vehicles from funds that buy and hold Bitcoin to create and sell shares for their funds on exchanges. The industry was looking to US approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs to be the number one driver of institutional and family office adoption of crypto, because they provide a regulated means for anyone with a brokerage account to buy and hold Bitcoin to exploit its potential gains. Many regions legalised ETFs in recent years, including Canada and Europe. However, the prospect of a US ETF looked distant because the regulator responsible for approving one, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has pursued an openly anti-crypto agenda since Chairman Gary Gensler took office in 2021 and started a crackdown by suing multiple actors in the industry, aka regulation-by-enforcement. Last year, things changed. A federal court overturned a ruling by the SEC that denied crypto-friendly asset manager Grayscales application to convert its Bitcoin trust into an ETF. The Judge ruled the SECs rejection arbitrary and capricious. Fast forward to 2024 and the SEC conceded 11 spot Bitcoin ETFs to the industry. They have been some of the most successful ETF launches in history, netting to date over $11.7 billion in inflows. Elsewhere in Washington, fierce debates have ignited around a proposed bill by anti-crypto lawmakers that the industry says puts far too stringent reporting requirements on crypto. In general, the US may be far behind the EU and Canada in terms of regulatory clarity, but cryptos Stateside believers are likely to hold their dominating grasp on the world market in the short term. Neurology Devices: Global Markets is basically a detailed study or report about the worldwide market for medical tools used in treating neurological conditions. These devices could be anything from equipment that helps stimulate the nervous system to instruments used in brain surgeries. The report looks at things like how much these devices are used, where they're used, and how the market for them is growing. It's helpful for companies that make these devices, doctors who use them, and others who are interested in the field to understand what's happening and what might happen in the future. BOSTON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research study, the demand for Neurology Devices: Global Markets expected to grow from $23.7 billion in 2023 to $31.7 billion by the end of 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% from 2023 through 2028. This report thoroughly examines the global market for neurology devices, categorizing it by product type and region. It analyzes segments like neurosurgical, neuromodulation, neurovascular, and neurodiagnostic devices across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. The study investigates growth drivers, major players, and newcomers in the industry. Specifically, it explores neurosurgical instruments, support equipment like surgical microscopes and navigation systems, and imaging technologies such as CT and MRI scanners for diagnosing brain tumors and performing radiosurgery. However, it doesn't include neuro diagnostic assays or research-focused instruments, focusing solely on clinical applications. Non-surgeons are increasingly performing spinal cord stimulation procedures instead of neurosurgeons due to the rising global burden of low back pain. With 619 million people affected in 2020 and an expected increase to 843 million by 2050, when conventional treatments or surgery aren't suitable, spinal cord stimulation becomes an option. Typically, neurosurgeons place a device with electrodes to block pain signals. However, more of these procedures are being done by non-surgeons in ambulatory centers, contributing to market growth. In another context, while radiation therapy is commonly used in cancer treatment, only about 50% of brain cancer cases can be cured by it. This highlights the need for advanced technologies to achieve a 100% cure rate, presenting an opportunity for further development in the field. Unlock the possibilities in the Global Neurology Devices Market. Dive into our comprehensive research for valuable insights and strategic analysis. Click here to explore further. Key Market Drivers of Neurology Devices: Global Markets: Increasing prevalence of neurological disorders: refers to the growing occurrence or frequency of conditions affecting the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, among others. It indicates that these disorders are becoming more widespread in the population over time. Technological advancements for precision therapy and monitoring: refers to the development and progress of new technologies that allow for more precise and personalized treatment and monitoring of medical conditions. This could include innovations in medical devices, diagnostic tools, imaging techniques, and data analysis methods that enable healthcare providers to tailor therapies and closely monitor patients' health status with greater accuracy and effectiveness. Growing healthcare expenditure: refers to the increasing amount of money being spent on healthcare services, equipment, medications, and other related expenses. This could be due to various factors such as population growth, aging populations, advances in medical technology, rising costs of healthcare services, and increased demand for healthcare services. Increasing R&D investments: refers to the rising amount of money being allocated to research and development (R&D) activities in various fields. This could include investments made by companies, governments, and other organizations to fund scientific research, product development, and innovation. The aim of increasing R&D investments is typically to drive technological advancements, discover new treatments or therapies, improve existing products or services, and ultimately stimulate economic growth and competitiveness. Request a Sample Copy of the Neurology Devices: Global Markets: Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period considered 2023-2028 Base year market size $22.7 billion Market Size Forecast $31.7 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 6.0% for the forecast period of 2023-2028 Segment Covered Product, Type, and Geographic Region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of the World Countries covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, and Africa Key Market Drivers Increasing prevalence of neurological disorders. Technological advancements for precision therapy and monitoring. Growing healthcare expenditure. Increasing R&D investments. Segmentation Analysis of Neurology Devices: Global Markets: By Product Type- The market for neurology devices is segmented by product type, including neurosurgical devices, neuromodulation devices, neurovascular devices, and neurodiagnostic devices. Neurosurgical devices encompass instruments and support equipment used in neurosurgery, such as surgical microscopes and navigation systems. Neuromodulation devices include technologies that modulate the nervous system's activity, often used in conditions like chronic pain or movement disorders. Neurovascular devices are designed to diagnose and treat disorders of the blood vessels in the brain, while neurodiagnostic devices aid in the diagnosis of neurological conditions through techniques like imaging. Each segment addresses specific needs within neurology, reflecting the diversity and complexity of neurological healthcare. By Region: The neurology devices market is divided into different regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC (which stands for Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (RoW). North America includes countries like the United States and Canada, Latin America covers areas like Central and South America, Europe includes countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, APAC covers places like China and Japan, and the Rest of the World category includes regions not covered by the other regions. These divisions help us understand how the market for neurology devices is doing in different parts of the world. This report on neurology devices: global markets provide comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions: What is the projected market size and growth rate of the neurology devices market? The global neurology devices market is projected to grow from $22.7 billion in 2022 to $31.7 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0% during the forecast period. What are the key factors driving the growth of the neurology devices market? The neurology devices: global markets is propelled by the necessity to treat aged people suffering from neurological disorder such as Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease using neurology devices to improved the patient outcome. Growing adoption of neuro devices in treating chronic pain and management, treating epilepsy patients who are drug-resistant, increasing awareness within both medical practitioners and patients plays a pivotal role in enabling timely diagnosis and intervention. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of stroke, aneurysm cases and having accessibility to advanced neurovascular devices such as embolic and clot retriever drives the demand. Ongoing research endeavors and collaborative initiatives further contribute to develop advanced technologies to treat various disease indications in the field of neurology. What segments are covered in the global neurology devices market? The neurology devices market is segmented based on the product type, and by geographic region. By Type, which segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028? The neurosurgical segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028. Which region has the highest market share in the Myasthenia Gravis market? North America holds the highest share in the market. Some of the Key Market Players Are: ABBOTT AXONICS INC. BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORP. SCIENTIFIC CORP. B. BRAUN SE DANAHER CORP. ELEKTA GE HEALTHCARE INTEGRA LIFESCIENCES JOHNSON & JOHNSON SERVICES INC. KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. LIVANOVA PLC MEDTRONIC NATUS MEDICAL INC. NEVRO CORP. NIHON KOHDEN CORP. PENUMBRA INC. STRYKER CORP. SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG TERUMO MEDICAL CORP. Browse More Related Reports: Epilepsy Monitoring Devices: Global Market Outlook: is a report that looks at how devices used to monitor epilepsy are doing around the world. It checks things like how many of these devices are being used, where they're being used, and how the market for them is growing. This information is useful for companies that make these devices, doctors who use them, and others who want to understand more about epilepsy and how it's managed. Neurostimulation: Technologies and Global Markets: is a report that explores the use of technology to stimulate the nervous system and its market around the world. It looks at different devices and techniques used to send signals to the nerves for treating various conditions like chronic pain or movement disorders. This report helps companies that make these devices, doctors who use them, and others interested in understanding how technology is advancing treatments for neurological conditions. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with BCC Research. For further information or to make a purchase, please get in touch with [email protected]. About BCC Research BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: BCC Research LLC, 49 Walnut Park, Building 2, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA Email: [email protected], Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE BCC Research LLC "Amidst a rapidly evolving industry, Bryan is a beacon of servant leadership striving to increase the welfare of every stakeholder he encounters," said Steve Young, Integrity's Chairman of the Board. "He is a progressive, vibrant and hardworking leader who has united Integrity's employees, agents and carriers with the clear purpose of innovating insurance and financial services. He has also achieved the remarkable undertaking of bringing together industry legends and trailblazers to form a network of leading partners with shared values and a common mission to serve. Under Bryan's leadership, Integrity is creating and implementing the industry's most holistic planning solutions for life, health and wealth, which are essential for today's American families." Comparably regularly collects comprehensive, employee-submitted data in nearly 20 different workplace categories. The prestigious Best CEO award is the result of anonymous sentiment ratings gathered from thousands of Integrity employees over a 12-month period. Adams was named one of the top leaders out of more than 70,000 companies across the United States and Canada. Long considered one of the nation's foremost industry experts, Adams is leading the transformation of insurance and financial services by spearheading the development of powerful, end-to-end solutions that streamline and refine processes. Integrity's innovative and proprietary technology platforms, which are integrated to deepen client relationships and create holistic planning opportunities, include Ask Integrity, LifeCENTER, MarketingCENTER, LeadCENTER and MedicareCENTER. In addition to his striking industry achievements, Adams has driven Integrity's "Putting People First" commitment to building a strong company culture and providing exceptional employee benefits. Noteworthy among these is the Employee Ownership Plan, which provides all Integrity employees with meaningful company ownership. Under Adams' visionary guidance, Integrity also launched the Integrity Foundation, the company's philanthropic initiative which connects partners, employees, agents and carriers to enriching service opportunities that improve the vitality of their communities. "I'm humbled by this recognition and honored to lead an extraordinary team of dedicated leaders, trailblazers and innovative thinkers," shared Bryan W. Adams, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity. "This award is really a reflection of Integrity's commitment to streamline and humanize the process of securing life, health and financial wellbeing for consumers in the right way and it's gratifying to know that it comes from employee feedback. I especially want to thank our employees, partners, executive team and board members whose continued vision, guidance and commitment to our mission make our collective achievements possible. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished at Integrity, and I can't wait to help many more American families plan for the good days ahead!" "Bryan has a remarkable way of making every interaction meaningful to those he serves," explained Integrity Co-Founder, Tom Schueth. "He embodies Integrity's core values in his personal and professional life and possesses the rare quality of truly wanting others to succeed. By valuing innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement, Bryan has helped shape Integrity into a leading force that offers its many different stakeholders unmatched opportunities. We're grateful for his example of humble dedication, which elevates the entire Integrity family." Comparably recognized Integrity this year with additional awards for Best Company for Employee Happiness and Best Company for Perks and Benefits. Integrity was also named a Power Partner by Inc. For more information about Integrity and its award-winning values, culture and leadership, visit www.integrity.com/Culture. About Integrity Integrity, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of innovative solutions for wealth management and retirement planning. Through its broad partner network of agents and advisors, Integrity helps millions of Americans protect their life, health and wealth with a commitment to meet them wherever they are in person, over the phone and online. Integrity's proprietary, cutting-edge technology helps expand the insurance and financial planning experience for all stakeholders using an omnichannel approach. In addition, Integrity develops products with carrier partners and markets them compliantly through its nationwide distribution network. Providing best-in-class service to their clients and consumers is at the center of Integrity's holistic approach to life, health and wealth protection. The company and its partners focus on helping families and individuals prepare for the good days ahead, so they can make the most of what life brings. For more information, visit www.integrity.com. About Comparably Comparably is a leading workplace culture and corporate brand reputation platform with over 15 million anonymous ratings on 70,000 companies. With the most comprehensive data on large and SMB organizations in nearly 20 different workplace categories based on gender, ethnicity, age, experience, title, industry, location and education it is one of the most used SaaS platforms for employer branding and a trusted third-party site for workplace culture and compensation data. For more information on Comparably and its annual Best Places to Work, Best CEOs and Best Brands series, visit www.comparably.com. SOURCE Integrity Marketing Group, LLC STOCKHOLM, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik will publish its first quarter results on Monday, April 22, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM CEST. A combined webcast and conference call for investors, analysts and financial media will be held at 1:00 PM CEST. The report will be presented by Stefan Widing, President and CEO as well as by Cecilia Felton, CFO. The presentation will be broadcasted live on our website home.sandvik Dial-in details for the conference call: SE: +46 (0) 8 505 100 31 UK: +44 (0) 207 107 06 13 US: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 From about 12:30 PM CEST presentation slides will be available on our website home.sandvik Stockholm, March 28, 2024 Sandvik AB For further information, contact Louise Tjeder, VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 707 826 374 or Johannes Hellstrom, Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 707 211 008. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/invitation--presentation-of-sandvik-s-report-of-the-first-quarter-2024,c3953575 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/3953575/2700853.pdf Invitation Presentation of Sandvikas report of the first quarter 2024 SOURCE Sandvik CX Today recognises Invoca as the foremost visionary in the Conversational Intelligence category. Additionally, expands its European presence with a new Data Centre and the appointment of Duncan MacPherson as UK Director of Sales. LONDON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Invoca , the leading revenue execution platform for revenue teams, has won the CX Today Award for 'Best Conversational Intelligence Solution' of 2024. CX Today, the leading international news publication honouring excellence in CX technology, hosted the CX Awards to honour excellence in CX leadership, technology innovation, and industry success. CX Today recognises Invoca as the foremost visionary in the Conversational Intelligence category. Additionally, expands its European presence with a new Data Centre and the appointment of Duncan MacPherson as UK Director of Sales. "Invoca's exceptional work in conversational intelligence has helped push the category forward, and we are thrilled to see their accomplishments acknowledged at CX Awards 2024," said Charlie Mitchell, Senior Editor at CX Today and host of the awards. The award recognises Invoca's strength in empowering revenue teams across marketing, contact centre sales, and customer experience to enhance buying experiences, increase high-value leads, and boost revenue. For businesses that acquire customers over the phone, Invoca enables these digital marketing and contact centre teams to collaborate to drive revenue growth. Invoca stands out for capturing deep insights from consumer calls and digital interactions and ingesting revenue driven by calls and other metadata from CRM and contact centre solutions, making Invoca the source of truth for consumer engagements. "We're thrilled to be named the Best Conversational Intelligence Solution of 2024 by CX Today as we highlight our longstanding vision to help brands acquire customers and grow their revenue," said Gregg Johnson, CEO of Invoca. "As AI pioneers in this space, having first introduced our broad base of patented AI technologies in 2015, artificial intelligence and machine learning are core to helping companies improve the customer experience and connect the buyer journey." The CX Awards' judging panel, including Dan Miller, Lead Analyst at Opus Research, reviewed hundreds of applications for their organisation's ability to improve overall customer experience through innovation and high-impact features. "Invoca continues to demonstrate that they are a clear leader in conversational intelligence AI. We recognised Invoca for their ability to employ a sophisticated blend of AI technologies including patented machine learning, generative AI, voice biometrics, and deep learning neural networks, to drive revenue," said Dan Miller, CX Awards judge and Lead Analyst at Opus Research. Invoca Launches New European Platform and Data Centre Amid U.K. Sales Leadership Expansion Invoca continues to reinforce its commitment to maintaining data excellence with unwavering reliability and strict adherence to security standards . Protecting customer data privacy remains a top priority, particularly given the heightened concerns surrounding security and privacy. Invoca's new European platform and localised data centres support its growing customer base by ensuring all customers can adhere to the highest level of enterprise-grade data privacy, and GDPR compliance standards . Invoca's powerful EU-based infrastructure enables its customers to recreate the same Invoca experience using the full feature suite while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Invoca has also welcomed Duncan MacPherson as UK Director of Sales. MacPherson brings extensive experience with large companies and start-ups selling customer engagement solutions. This is part of an overall expansion in the UK market, which includes hiring a localised sales and customer success team, sales development, and marketing support. More Information: See the results you can get with Invoca's award-winning conversation intelligence: https://www.invoca.com/customers Invoca's GDPR Compliance: Everything You Need to Know: https://www.invoca.com/blog/invocas-gdpr-compliance-everything-you-need-to-know Watch the CX Today Awards winners revealed on demand: www.cxtoday.com/cxawards Join Invoca's talented team today: https://www.invoca.com/company/careers About Invoca Invoca is a revenue execution platform that connects marketing and sales teams to help them track and optimise the buying journey to drive more revenue. By using a comprehensive revenue execution platform with deep integrations with leading technology platforms, revenue teams can better connect their paid media investments directly to revenue, improve digital engagement, and deliver the best buyer experiences to drive more sales. With Invoca, top consumer brands, including AutoNation, DIRECTV, Mayo Clinic, Mutual of Omaha, and Verizon, experience unbelievable results powered by undeniable data. Invoca has raised $184M from leading venture capitalists, including Upfront Ventures, Accel, Silver Lake Waterman, H.I.G. Growth Partners, and Salesforce Ventures. For more information, visit www.invoca.com. About CX Awards Hosted by CX Today, the awards ceremony has become the beacon of recognition for companies and professionals pushing the envelope in the CX technology sphere. The CX Awards 2024 is here for its fourth year and is bigger and better than ever before! Winners of the 2023 awards included Vonage, Calabrio, and UJET and more. Then, the ceremony included exclusive streams from our people winners, Jay Patel from Webex and Kimberley Wood from Ultimate. Yet, this year's event featured many more CX leaders who shared their unique takes on the space. SOURCE Invoca CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (NYSE: JELD), a leading global manufacturer of building products, was recognized as one of the "Most Trustworthy Companies in America" in 2024 by Newsweek and Statista. This marks the third consecutive year JELD-WEN has been celebrated for its commitment to trust across critical dimensions of customer, investor and employee trust. Newsweek and Statista names JELD-WEN as one of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America in 2024. "Being named a 'Most Trustworthy Company in America' by Newsweek for the third year in a row is a testament to our values of integrity and excellence in all that we do," said CEO William J. Christensen. "A trustworthy company is a reflection of the dedication of our employees, the loyalty of our customers and the faith of our investors. We remain committed to serving our employees, stakeholders and communities at the highest standards of trustworthiness, integrity and respect." The Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 ranking represents a comprehensive evaluation of trustworthiness. The criteria for the recognition involved a holistic approach, incorporating three main pillars of trust: customer, investor and employee trust. The selection process included a market definition phase considering all U.S.-headquartered companies with revenues over $500 million, an extensive survey of approximately 25,000 U.S. residents resulting in 97,000 evaluations and a robust social listening effort that analyzed over 523,000 mentions across various media segments. For more information about JELD-WEN's commitment to its people, customers, quality products and environmental stewardship, visit our global newsroom or follow us on LinkedIn. About JELD-WEN, Inc. JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (NYSE: JELD) is a leading global designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-performance interior and exterior doors, windows, and related building products serving the new construction and repair and remodeling sectors. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company operates facilities in 15 countries in North America and Europe and employs approximately 18,000 associates dedicated to bringing beauty and security to the spaces that touch our lives. The JELD-WEN family of brands includes JELD-WEN worldwide, LaCantina and VPI in North America, and Swedoor and DANA in Europe. For more information, visit corporate.JELD-WEN.com or follow LinkedIn . Media Contact: JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. Caryn Klebba Head of global public relations 704-807-1275 [email protected] SOURCE JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. - Head of Kia Global Design, Karim Habib, named 'Designer Disruptor of the Year' for groundbreaking 'Opposites United' design philosophy - Kia EV9 awarded 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year' for innovative applications of advanced technologies - Newsweek awards, now in their third year, recognize those driving fundamental, transformative change with measurable real-world results - Awards are latest in long line of recognition for innovative Hyundai Motor Group products and personnel NEW YORK, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia is celebrating victory in two key categories at this year's Newsweek World's Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards, with the all-electric EV9 winning 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year' and its Head of Kia Global Design, Executive Vice President Karim Habib, named 'Design Disruptor of the Year'. Kia honored with dual accolades at 2024 Newsweek Worlds Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards (Photo by Natalie Jane) These latest accolades follow on from previous Hyundai Motor Group successes, including 2022 wins in the 'R&D Team of the Year' and 'Powertrain of the Year' categories, as well as individual honors for Executive Chair Euisun Chung - named 'Visionary of the Year' in 2022 and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke named 'Designer of the Year' in 2023. Announced during an event at Newsweek HQ in New York, the World's Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards recognize those driving fundamental, transformative change with measurable real-world results. A central figure in Kia's success since his arrival in 2019, EVP Karim Habib is the driving force behind the brand's award-winning Opposites United design philosophy. Taking inspiration from the contrasts found in nature and humanity, Opposites United shapes the exterior, interior, color, and materials employed across all new Kia models, and is particularly evident in the striking styling of the all-electric EV9. Speaking upon the announcement of his award, EVP Karim said: "It makes me extremely happy that Kia is seen as pushing the boundaries when it comes to design, and I believe that it is essential for designers to consistently take creative risks. "It is important that design remains authentic and true to our brand values. At Kia, an innovative and forward-thinking mindset is an intrinsic quality, essential for providing relevant and meaningful products and experiences. We want our brand to provide environmentally responsible mobility for all; and we want our brand to be a symbol of innovation and progressive solutions." Winner of Kia's second award of the evening, for 'Research and Development Disruptor of the Year', the Kia EV9 features multiple innovative R&D features including 800V architecture, Over The Air (OTA)[1] update technology, and a drag coefficient of just 0.28 - despite its available 7.8 inches of ground clearance and seven-seat capacity. With an affordable entry price and an EPA-estimated 304-mile range on the Light Long Range RWD[2], the Kia EV9 brings next generation technology, luxury, and efficiency to more buyers than ever before. Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of Kia R&D Division, said: "Kia R&D is driven by process, but not limited by it. At Kia, that means our engineers have the agency and trust to accelerate development, continue to pioneer new technology, and deliver improvements faster than the industry average. "The EV9 was designed to reshape expectations in the segment, but affordability is a defining factor in the three-row mainstream segmentespecially for growing families. We wanted the EV9 to offer the best of everything, without passing on those costs to the consumer." A key vehicle for the North American market, the EV9 recently followed in the footsteps of the EV6 in being crowned North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The success of the model has also prompted the expansion of Kia's West Point assembly plant in Georgia, which is expected to allow the three-row all-electric vehicle to become the first Kia EV to commence US assembly later this year. Receiving the award on behalf of Kia, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon added: "The recognition of Newsweek's editors is of particular significance to Kia, which strives to disrupt the status quo through innovative products which enrich the lives of their users. "These dual awards demonstrate that the visionary leadership offered by our senior executives is having a real and meaningful impact on the vehicles which we create, delivering on Kia's goal to become the leader in sustainable mobility solutions." END Editor's note:. Product specifications and availability may also vary depending on the region and country. [1] Over-the-Air features and updates may require an additional cost and may vary by model, model year, and trim level. Features, specifications, and fees are subject to change. Kia Connect subscription is required and Kia Connect terms and conditions apply. [2] Based on combined (city/highway) EPA estimates on a full battery charge. Actual range will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, charging practice, battery age, weather, temperature and your vehicle's condition. Battery capacity will decrease with time and use. For more information on range, please see www.fueleconomy.gov SOURCE Kia Corporation Largest Kidney Patient Group Honors Expert Authors Known for Patient Advocacy WASHINGTON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the largest and oldest independent kidney patient organization in the nation, is celebrating National Doctors Day by highlighting three top kidney medical experts and authors known for their tireless work as advocates for patients and high-quality healthcare. Since 1933, March 30 has been recognized as National Doctors Day, an annual observance aimed at appreciating physicians who help save lives. AAKP defines high quality healthcare as patient care choice of, and access to, medical innovations that best empower kidney patients to pursue the same aspirations as any other American. Those aspirations include maintaining part-time or full-time work in a chosen profession or trade, starting and providing for a family, owning a home, and a secure retirement. AAKP is a strong advocate for greater innovation in kidney-related diagnostics, drugs, and devices and the removal of government barriers that impede timely regulatory and payment approvals. AAKP President Edward V. Hickey, III, stated, "Kidney disease has a devastating impact on people, their employment, and their families. Treating it effectively requires highly educated and credentialed professionals who possess both scientific and medical expertise as well as the sophisticated ability to understand how this disease impacts people within the context of everyday life. On National Doctors Day, we salute all kidney professionals and call special attention to three medical leaders whose books have impacted the public's understanding of the disease and why America must move beyond status quo care, adopt early screening for at-risk people, embrace innovation, and save more lives." Hickey is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Chair of AAKP's Veterans Health Initiative, and has a professional background that includes senior posts on Capitol Hill and in two presidential administrations. AAKP highlighted their strong ally and nephrologist Dr. Paul L. Kimmel, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Emeritus at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science (GWU/SMHS), and the launch of his recently released book entitled "The Body's Keeper: A Social History of Kidney Failure and Its Treatments." For the past six years, AAKP has been a strategic partner with GWU/SMHS on the annual Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations, a virtual international event that draws medical experts, industry leaders, and patients from over 100 nations. In his book, Dr. Kimmel takes readers on a journey through the history of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation, often drawing on both his extensive research and decades of experience in the field. Dr. Kimmel explains the development of treatments, technologies, and medical practices that have advanced the care of patients with kidney diseases and saved lives. The Body's Keeper includes case studies, personal histories, and first-hand accounts that unveil the complexities of modern healthcare by examining the exploitation of vulnerable populations, how the lack of opportunity and access to timely care have led to life-threatening consequences for many Americans, and how misalignments in payments, incentives, and overwhelming unmet patient needs contribute to suffering on a wide scale. Dr. Kimmel discussed his book with AAKP's Paul T. Conway, Chair of Policy and Global Affairs and a former dialysis patient and 26-year transplant recipient, during an interview AAKP has made available for free OnDemand. Conway has served in four presidential administrations and on the Nephrology Specialty Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). In addition to Dr. Kimmel, AAKP also highlighted two other highly esteemed fellow kidney professionals and their books. Dr. Stephen Z. Fadem, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, and Chair of AAKP's Medical Advisory Board is the author of "Staying Healthy with Kidney Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients," published in 2022. Dr. Fadem discussed his book before an audience of patients that AAKP has also made available for free OnDemand. Dr. Vanessa Grubbs, Associate Director of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California San Francisco is the author of "Hundreds of Interlaced Fingers: A Kidney Doctor's Search for the Perfect Match," published in 2017. Dr. Grubbs can also be viewed discussing her book before an audience of patients, professional, and innovation leaders AAKP has made available for free OnDemand. Since 1969, The American Association of Kidney Patients has been a patient-led organization driving policy discussions on kidney patient care choice and medical innovation. Over the past decade, AAKP patient advocates have helped advance lifetime transplant drug coverage for kidney transplant recipients (2020); the presidential Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health (2019); new job protections for living organ donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) via the U.S. Department of Labor (2018); and Congressional legislation allowing HIV-positive organ transplants for HIV-positive patients (2013). Follow AAKP on social media at @kidneypatient on Facebook, @kidneypatients on X, and @kidneypatients on Instagram, and visit www.aakp.org for more information. MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Rate Director, Communications and Digital Operations [email protected] (813) 400-2394 SOURCE American Association of Kidney Patients - Kyung-man Bang secures presidency with overwhelming shareholder support - "We will enhance corporate value by driving growth in core business areas, and build a stronger foundation of trust with stakeholders," said Mr. Bang SEOUL, South Korea, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G Corporation ("KT&G" or the "Company") (KRX:033780) held its 37th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") on March 28, 2024 at KT&G Human Resources Development Center in Daejeon, South Korea, and appointed Kyung-man Bang as President (CEO) and Representative Director. Kyung-man Bang was elected President with overwhelming shareholder support, winning the highest number of votes. The election of CEO and Outside Director was conducted jointly through combined cumulative voting as per shareholder request, with the aim of protecting minority shareholder rights. Kyung-man Bang, newly appointed CEO of KT&G said, "I am deeply grateful to the shareholders for entrusting me with the honorable opportunity to serve the company as CEO, and to the employees for their tireless work and dedication across both domestic and international business arenas." "We are committed to achieving our vision of becoming a 'Global Top-tier' company by taking a leap forward and leveraging our three core business areas- Overseas Combustibles, Next Generation Product, and Health Functional Food- as the cornerstone for growth. We will also put our best effort to enhance corporate value and to establish a strong foundation of trust with stakeholders by sharing our profits with various stakeholders," Mr. Bang added. Furthermore, Mr. Bang introduced 'T-O-P strategy', a new business strategy designed to propel KT&G towards its 'Global Top-tier' vision. The 'T-O-P strategy' focuses on three keywords, 'Trust', 'Origin', and 'Professionalism'. It demonstrates KT&G's commitment to enhancing stakeholders' 'Trust' with proactive engagement, establishing an undisputed 'Origin' with a first-mover approach, and securing global expertise and 'Professionalism' through performance and growth. Mr. Bang also encouraged employees to build upon KT&G's legacy of persevering through numerous crises and to aspire to new heights of success by taking on new and daring challenges. Since joining Korea Tobacco and Ginseng (KT&G's predecessor) in 1998, Kyung-man Bang has held various management positions at the company, including roles such as Managing Director of Brand Management, Executive Managing Director of Global Headquarters, Executive Managing Director of Strategy and Planning Headquarters, and Chief Business Officer. Mr. Bang has garnered profound insight and expertise of the company's overall business operations by serving leadership roles across diverse business areas. Notably, under Mr. Bang's leadership as Managing Director of Brand Management, KT&G solidified its leadership position in the domestic market by successfully launching ESSE Change, which has become the leading brand with the highest market share. Moreover, during his tenure as Executive Managing Director of Global Headquarters, Mr. Bang has successfully expanded KT&G's overseas market presence to over 100 countries and achieved the unprecedented milestone of delivering 1 trillion KRW in overseas sales by developing tailored brand portfolios for each market and accelerating market expansion efforts. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bang has been playing a pivotal role in executing the company's mid-to-long term growth strategy that focuses on three core business areas. He has made significant contributions to expanding the direct business model for Overseas Combustibles business, driving rapid growth in Next Generation Product business, and establishing localized value chains for overseas Health Functional Food business. Mr. Bang has been recognized as the most qualified candidate to guide KT&G towards achieving its 'Global Top-tier' vision. He has received positive evaluations and garnered strong support from shareholders for taking a leading role in formulating and executing the best-in-class shareholder return policy, thus enhancing both corporate and shareholder values. Additionally, the AGM approved appointment of Dong-hwan Shon and Sang-wook Kwak as Outside Directors, with Mr. Kwak also serving as an Audit Committee member. "We are fully dedicated to driving the company's growth and enhancing shareholder value, with the newly formed Board of Directors leading the change at the forefront," said KT&G spokesperson. SOURCE KT&G Corporation NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Le Monde Gourmand, a leading fragrance and self-care brand under the parent company Tru Fragrance & Beauty, proudly announces its latest retail partnership with Ulta Beauty, the nation's largest beauty retailer. Beginning March 24, 2024, bestselling Le Monde Gourmand products will be available to shop at select Ulta Beauty locations across the US and Ulta.com. Le Monde Gourmand, a leading fragrance and self-care brand announces its latest retail partnership with Ulta Beauty. Post this Fresh Body Mist Assortment from Le Monde Gourmand at Ulta Beauty Le Monde Gourmand Petale Ephemere Eau De Parfum at Ulta Beauty Le Monde Gourmand Assortment at "Since our initial launch, Le Monde Gourmand has emerged as a go-to for premium-quality, collectible fragrances," said Ann Somma, Chief Brand Officer at Tru Fragrance & Beauty. "Following strategic distribution expansion in 2021, annual sales doubled, driven by our distinctive proposition of affordable creative perfumery and community engagement. A #perfumeTok favorite, Le Monde Gourmand's new presence at Ulta Beauty lets our devotees and curious fragrance enthusiasts alike bid adieu to blind buying." The brand's expansion into Ulta Beauty signifies a substantial growth and milestone in expanding its affordable, trend-driven creative fragrances and self-care products to new consumers. With a primary demographic of 18-28 beauty enthusiasts, the Le Monde Gourmand consumer is continually restocking their scent library with a mix of new classics and fresh, limited-edition releases. The initial assortment at Ulta Beauty will feature seven of the brand's beloved eau de parfums including fan favorites Creme Vanille, Chai Epice, and Santal Supreme ($25), along with their Parfums De Voyage Set ($38) featuring travel-sized sprays of their top ten scents. The brand will also launch Petale Ephemere, a new fragrance exclusive to Ulta Beauty. Featuring a luscious combination of peach, raspberry blossom, and fluffy marshmallow, the fragrance is a magnetic must-have. Le Monde Gourmand will also offer its new mousse and body oil collections in Creme Vanille and Lait de Coco, as well as four electrolyte-infused body mists with delicious scents, including The Matcha and Papaye Tropique. The brand is also proud to be a part of Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty, reflecting the retailer's clean, vegan, and cruelty-free pillars and aligning with Le Monde Gourmand's giveback initiative with non-profit organization The New York Bee Sanctuary. "We are thrilled to welcome Le Monde Gourmand to the Ulta Beauty family," said Penny Coy, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Ulta Beauty. "With elevated body care and fragrance layering on the rise and as beauty enthusiasts continue to prioritize self-care routines as a form of self-expression, the brand's beautiful collection of scents ranging from warm and comforting to fresh, floral and fruity, create a differentiated offering for our guests to discover. We are delighted to introduce new and existing guests to their assortment of long-lasting parfums and mists, along with hydrating oils and moisturizing mousses." The recent appointment of Brice Kadari, Vice President and Brand Lead for Le Monde Gourmand, further illustrates the brand's commitment to excellence. With distribution channels including Urban Outfitters, ASOS UK, Amazon, and its own site, GourmandBeauty.com, the brand has solidified its position as a frontrunner in the fragrance and self-care realm. Kadari's background in digital marketing and branding will continue to be pivotal in steering Le Monde Gourmand towards continued growth and international expansion. Kadari shares, "The brand's international expansion strategy prioritizes key markets including Canada, the UK, and Europe." Somma concludes, "From our debut at Ulta Beauty to the extension of our line into fragranced bath and body essentials, our momentum sets the stage for continued exponential growth throughout 2024." About Le Monde Gourmand: Le Monde Gourmand is an inviting atelier of addictively indulgent scents, from chic modern classics to creative inspirations. With scents and indulgences that are continuously curated, there's always something new to discover to elevate your style and self-care. Le Monde Gourmand is available at Ulta Beauty, on gourmandbeauty.com, Amazon, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom Rack, ASOS (UK) and other fine retailers. For more information please visit https://www.gourmandbeauty.com/ . About Tru Fragrance & Beauty: Tru Fragrance & Beauty operates out of Willowbrook, Illinois and New York City. The company's portfolio includes Gen-Z favorite Le Monde Gourmand, fragrance-as-wellness brand Lake & Skye, and licenses including Yellowstone and Wrangler. Tru maintains a premier position as a multidisciplinary innovation engine and supplier, with a roster of A-list celebrity and retail partners, including American Eagle Outfitters, Target, TJ Maxx, and Urban Outfitters. For more information, please visit https://www.trufragrance.com . EKPR Contact: Erin Kelly PR [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Le Monde Gourmand DENVER, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WillowWood Global, a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of prosthetic products, today announced that it has acquired Xtremity. The transaction builds on WillowWood's growing strength in custom solutions which includes central fabrication, design liners, and now fully adjustable prosthetic sockets. Leading Prosthetics Manufacturer WillowWood Acquires Innovative Socket Manufacturer Xtremity Based in Denver, Colorado, Xtremity was formed in 2017 and successfully patented and commercialized a unique socket "preform" using a proprietary carbon reinforced polymer. The innovative material replicates the strength and durability of a carbon fiber laminated socket, but with the added benefits of much quicker fabrication, ongoing clinician adjustability and improved comfort to enhance patient outcomes. "Acquiring Xtremity supports our strategy at WillowWood to focus on leveling the playing field for clinicians by empowering them to optimize patient outcomes. Xtremity's spot-heat adjustments quickly resolve fitting issues and secure patient comfort, and so is a game-changer in socket technology" said Daniel Rubin, COO of WillowWood. Mahesh Mansukhani, CEO of WillowWood, added "We've followed Xtremity's progress for some time and are very excited to fully integrate it into WillowWood. O&P providers can now heat, thermoform, trim, and assemble the XtremityTT socket in about one hour and this fact alone has the potential to transform the productivity of our industry." Xtremity customers can continue to order through their current channels and the offering will be showcased at WillowWood's booth at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) 50th Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Chicago, from March 6th to 9th, 2024. About WillowWood Global LLC: Based in Mount Sterling, Ohio, WillowWood Global (www.willowwood.com) is an industry leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of prosthetic products, including liners, feet, vacuum systems and components. Recognized for its products' superior innovation, quality, and patient outcomes, WillowWood's portfolio includes the Alpha family of liners, the Koa LP and Meta families of high-activity feet, the LimbLogic vacuum system, and the OMEGA CAD system. For over 115 years, WillowWood's prosthetic products have helped individuals with limb loss find comfort and functionality, remain active and live life to the fullest. About Xtremity: Now part of WillowWood, Xtremity is a premium medical device maker developing cutting-edge thermoformable prosthetic socket technology and creator of the XtremityTT Socket System. To learn more, visit https://www.xtremity.com/ or follow Xtremity on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Media Contact: Hugo Rubin, [email protected] SOURCE WillowWood Global Russian Government, Central Bank Come to Consensus on Crypto Russian government bodies, the nations anti-money laundering agency, and the Central Bank have reportedly come to a consensus on crypto policy. The breakthrough could finally put an end to a long-standing crypto impasse in Moscow. It could also see Russia belatedly start regulating the crypto sector. Russian Governments Crypto Breakthrough According to the media outlet RBC, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, and Rosfinmonitoring have agreed on an approach to regulating cryptocurrencies. Rosfinmonitoring is the countrys anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing agency. It has recently called for Moscow to fast-track crypto regulations after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) downgraded Russias compliance rating. The FATF noted that Russia had adopted insufficient regulation of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies at a February 23 plenary meeting. The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank have been at loggerheads over crypto policy for years. The ministry wants to regulate crypto and legalize industrial mining. It also wants to let Russian firms use crypto as an international payment tool. Miners this month petitioned ministries in a third concerted effort to have their industry placed on an official register of licensed business activities. Ministries have responded positively, Russian reports have claimed. However, the Russian government is not united on the matter. The nations trade and industry ministry is reportedly unhappy with the proposal. However, the acting director of the Financial Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance, Alexey Yakovlev, said both the state and market participants were interested in legalizing the industry. Miners have claimed Moscow can expect to raise millions of dollars worth of tax every year from their booming industry. They have also claimed that if Moscow nurtures their industry, Russia will be able to displace the United States as the worlds biggest crypto mining power. Anton Siluanov (left), Russias Minister of Finance. (Source: Studio Production/YouTube) Third Time Lucky for Russian Crypto Miners? The Ministry of Finance has reportedly begun drafting a bill that will deal with matters related to crypto mining. The same ministrys last attempt to create a crypto bill resulted in abject failure in 2022, when the Central Bank countered with its own rival bill. Exclusive: Russian oil firms face delays of up to several months to be paid for crude and fuel as banks in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates become more wary of US secondary sanctions https://t.co/k5GeQosBA2 Reuters (@Reuters) March 27, 2024 The crypto-skeptic Central Banks 2022 bill proposed a China-style ban on almost all forms of crypto-related activities. Crypto Consensus Forming in Moscow? However, Yakovlev offered hope. He said that both the bank and Rosfinmonitoring were consulting with the ministry on the draft bill. Yakovlev said the bill would address matters including how miners must handle coins. The bank has previously said it will only countenance crypto mining if miners swap their coins for fiat on overseas crypto trading platforms. Law enforcement agencies have expressed their destain for this plan, saying that it will open the door to money laundering. Raiffeisens Plan to Repatriate Russia Cash Clears First Hurdle https://t.co/gmQkyst71T Bloomberg (@business) March 27, 2024 RBC also quoted a Ministry of Finance spokesperson as expressing the hope that the State Duma would be able to consider a bill on the regulation of cryptocurrencies in the current session. Yakovlev has previously said it would be pointless for the Russian government to attempt to ban crypto mining. In March 2022, he poured cold water on ministry proposals to ban private mining and legalize industrial the mining sector. HONG KONG, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions has won the award for Best KYC Data Solution at the RegTech Insight APAC Awards 2024. The award acknowledges the company's outstanding contribution in the field of Know Your Customer (KYC) data solutions. LexisNexis Firco Compliance Link provides a comprehensive end-to-end screening solution that enhances the efficiency and accuracy of KYC procedures by centralizing account, transaction and shipment screening to streamline and optimize financial crime compliance operations. The solution simplifies processes, reduces manual efforts and ensures adherence to intricate regulatory requirements. "We are proud to receive the Best KYC Data Solution award at the RegTech Insight APAC Awards 2024," said Ramanathan Sivabalan, director of financial crime compliance and payments at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "This recognition underscores our steadfast commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that help organizations navigate financial crime compliance challenges. We will continue to work hard for our clients to continuously innovate screening processes so they can mitigate risks, enhance operational efficiency and uphold regulatory compliance standards." The RegTech Insight APAC Awards are renowned for spotlighting technology providers that make significant contributions to the advancement of regulatory technology in the Asia-Pacific region. The Best KYC Data Solution award highlights the progress made by LexisNexis Risk Solutions in delivering products and services that foster innovation and excellence in the regulatory technology space. "These awards celebrate providers of leading RegTech solutions, services and consultancy across Asia Pacific," said Angela Wilbraham, CEO at A-Team Group, who hosted of the second annual RegTech Insight Awards APAC 2024. "The winners were selected by A-Team Group's RegTech Insight community and demonstrate exceptional creativity in building solutions that solve regulatory challenges. Our congratulations go to LexisNexis Risk Solutions for winning Best KYC Data Solution." About LexisNexis Risk Solutions LexisNexis Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses across multiple industries and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions and RELX. Media Contact: Joyce Lee +852 9883 9321 [email protected] Sophia Kong +852 9206 4411 [email protected] SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions Annual list is a benchmark ranking of Canadian companies leading in executive gender diversity BRAMPTON, ON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - MDA Space (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, announced today that it has been recognized on The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine's prestigious Women Lead Here list. This annual evaluation identifies Canadian businesses with the highest executive gender diversity and is considered a benchmark ranking for Canadian companies. Currently 40% of the MDA Space executive leadership team are female, including three of the company's four executives with profit and loss responsibilities. "At MDA Space, we know that diversity, equity and inclusion are driving factors in our success and that greater gender balance is tied to better business performance," said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. "Bringing to bear a wide range of diversity of thought, perspectives and experiences is critical to our ability to innovate and tackle some of the greatest challenges on Earth and in space. This Women Lead Here ranking recognizes the significant contributions and business impact of women at MDA Space." For the 2024 ranking, Report on Business conducted a journalistic analysis of close to 500 large publicly-traded Canadian companies. In total, 97 companies earned the 2024 Women Lead Here seal. The ranked companies have made tangible and organizational progress related to gender parity. "Recognizing the achievements of companies that effectively address the challenges of executive gender parity represents a pivotal stride forward," says Dawn Calleja, the editor of Report on Business magazine. "Although there's always more that can be done, the businesses showcased here serve as catalyst for corporate Canada, inspiring them to progress toward gender parity and, in turn, cultivate exceptional enterprises." ABOUT MDA SPACE Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that's been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we'll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space. SOCIAL MEDIA SOURCE MDA Space World's first NVIDIA Omniverse software in healthcare, MEDIP shows digital twin simulation tech Digital twin and simulation of medical images using AI, recognized for its "Educational value" SAN JOSE, Calif. and SEOUL, South Korea, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital twin-based AI solution company MEDICAL IP Co., Ltd. (CEO Joon S. Park) announced on the 22nd that it successfully participated in GTC (GPU Technology Conference) 2024, the world's largest annual conference for AI (artificial intelligence) developers, hosted by NVIDIA in San Jose, California from March 18th to 21st. At GTC 2024, which attracted a record-breaking 300,000 visitors, MEDICAL IP was invited as an 'NVIDIA Partner' to unveil MEDIP, the AI digital twin and simulation software, as one of the premier use cases of NVIDIA Omniverse. *Omniverse: NVIDIA's real-time 3D collaboration platform for metaverse application development. MEDICAL IP's 'MEDIP X NVIDIA Omniverse' is a convergence platform, based on AI digital twin, which allows real-time 3D modeling of medical images in virtual space, as well as segmentation and modeling through AI. It enables users to expand the internal human body information to the metaverse for simulations without constraints of time and space. "MEDIP" is the world's first software in healthcare to utilize NVIDIA Omniverse, providing various functions such as real-time digital twin sharing of medical images, expert quality 3D visualization, VR surgery simulation, blood flow dynamics, extension of medical images into AR/VR, and engineering analysis. At GTC 2024, MEDICAL IP's demonstration of simulating the human body in the metaverse through Omniverse garnered significant attention from GTC attendees. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang in his keynote speech mentioned specifically 'improvement of simulation with AI,' stating that realistic 3D digital twin simulation can reduce system operation errors and maximize productivity and efficiency in industries such as automotive, aviation, shipping, and healthcare. Furthermore, Huang emphasized that next great impact of AI will be seen in healthcare. MEDICAL IP has collaborated with NVIDIA for the past three years for the implementation and application of AI and digital twin technology, successfully building the first Omniverse product in the field of healthcare. An example of the digital twin implemented through the company's technology adorned the front cover of Radiology (Aug 2023), the most impactful journal in the medical imaging field. In response, MEDICAL IP CEO Joon S. Park stated, "The announcements at GTC 2024 provide important insights into the future direction of AI and simulation technology, opening up exciting possibilities in the field of medicine." He further expressed, "Digital twin simulation based on individual patient data requires advanced technology. Through the combination of AI digital twin software MEDIP and NVIDIA Omniverse, we can better educate medical students on patient anatomy information, provide more personalized information to patients, and provide healthcare professionals with simulation data pre and post treatment, thus achieving precision medicine." About MEDICAL IP Co., Ltd. MEDICAL IP is revolutionizing medical services sector ranging from education and diagnosis to prevention and surgical interventions, using digital twin-based artificial intelligence technology. Our technology and endeavor for precision medicine aim to realize prediction and prevention of more illnesses. Our products detect body components including but not limited to lesions from medical images(CT, MR, X-ray) using AI technology and extract quantitative data such as volume and area using our accurate and precise segmentation analysis. This is core technology that sets the basis for the realization of precision medicine by enabling the prediction of the possibility of disease occurrence and monitoring of the patient progress. For more information, visit medicalip.com . MEDICAL IP Contact Hyun Cho Leader of Sales & Marketing Dept. [email protected] SOURCE MEDICAL IP ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercy names Jennifer Brown its new chief legal officer and senior vice president, beginning April 1, 2024. "Health care has become increasingly complex, while at the same time transformative change is accelerating," said Steve Mackin, Mercy's president and CEO. "That's why it's imperative we have innovative counsel who can guide Mercy as we enter our third century of care. Jennifer's excellent leadership ability will contribute to Mercy's growth and collaboration efforts while shepherding Mercy through an increasingly complex regulatory environment. She will bolster our commitment to integrity, ethics and compliance." "It's imperative we have innovative counsel who can guide Mercy as we enter our third century of care." Post this Brown most recently served as chief administrative officer and general counsel of Graphite Health, a nonprofit start-up founded by Kaiser Permanente, Intermountain Health, SSM Health and Presbyterian Healthcare Services, where she led a team overseeing legal, human resources, finance, policy and compliance. Prior to Graphite, Brown served as chief legal officer at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she had oversight for the legal, risk and compliance departments. Brown also has previous Mercy experience, working as outside counsel in the early 2000s and later as Mercy's first in-house vice president of senior transaction counsel from 2011 to 2014. "My earlier work with Mercy played a transformational role in my life, and it's a tremendous privilege to return," said Brown. "I look forward to working collaboratively with teams across Mercy to meet the challenges and opportunities of today's ever-changing health care landscape in support of Mercy's vision." Brown, a Texas native, earned a bachelor's in political science and economics from Texas A&M University in College Station. She later earned her doctorate in jurisprudence from The University of Texas School of Law in Austin. With over 30 years of experience, Brown will focus on optimizing existing standards across Mercy to ensure local and regional compliance. As she transitions into her new role, she will work with Phil Wheeler, Mercy's current legal counsel lead who is retiring after 14 years of service. "Mercy has experienced significant growth and change during Phil's tenure," said Mackin. "We are thankful for his dedication and how his expertise helped shape our future, helped us operate at the highest compliant standard and safeguarded our interests." "Mercy has a remarkable history of caring for communities," said Brown. "I will strongly advocate for patient rights and health care for all. I believe in Mercy's heritage and mission and will work hard in supporting our reputation as a pillar of trust in the communities we serve." About Mercy Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation's largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children's, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners and 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid. SOURCE Mercy "We're thrilled to partner with the barraq team as they join a growing list of global fintech partners choosing MoneyGram for our vast network, leading technology and mobile APIs," said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chief Executive Officer. "barraq is anticipated to be the Middle East's fastest-growing financial app, so we're excited to reach new customers and expand our leadership position in one of the world's largest outbound remittance regions." MoneyGram has established itself as the preferred remittance partner in the Middle East digital ecosystem, evidenced by the Company's recent successes with digital partners and significant growth in the region. As MoneyGram continues to deepen relationships with existing partners in the Middle East, today's announcement highlights opportunities for even further expansion. "We are pleased to launch this strategic partnership with MoneyGram, a trusted money transfer provider with an expansive global network," shared Ahmed Alenazi, barraq Chief Executive Officer. "It's been exciting to see demand build for barraq, and we look forward to our app ranking very highly among digital wallet options for its features, secure payment methods and device compatibility. We look forward to partnering with MoneyGram on our journey." About MoneyGram International, Inc. MoneyGram International, Inc. is a global financial technology company enabling consumers and businesses to move and manage money in nearly every country around the world. Through its innovative cross-border platform, MoneyGram provides millions of consumers globally the ability to send money home for family and friends to pick up in cash or receive directly to a bank account, mobile wallet or card. The Company is a pioneer in the use of blockchain technology at scale and also enables consumers to buy, sell and hold digital currencies on its industry-leading app. With one of the world's most extensive and dynamic cash distribution networks, MoneyGram has become the single largest on and off-ramp provider for digital currencies in the world. The MoneyGram team spans the globe with over 2,000 employees across 36 countries, representing more than 75 nationalities. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and known for its strong corporate culture globally, MoneyGram has been named a recipient of the Top Workplaces USA award for two consecutive years. By the numbers, MoneyGram serves more than 50 million people in over 200 countries and territories each year, processing more than $200 billion USD annually. Relentlessly digital-first and customer-centric, the Company's digital transactions now account for over 50% of its money transfer business. Media Contact Sydney Schoolfield [email protected] About barraq barraq is Saudi Arabia's latest innovative financial technology app. Developed by young Saudi talents, barraq obtained its license from the Saudi Central Bank in January 2024. barraq aims to provide financial products and services that will transform daily life and fulfill users' exact needs while combining both convenience and joy at every interaction. Media Contact Abdulaziz Alrediny [email protected] SOURCE MoneyGram NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NHS) (the "Fund") has announced a distribution declaration of $0.0905 per share of common stock. The distribution announced today is payable on April 30, 2024, has a record date of April 15, 2024, and has an ex-date of April 12, 2024. Under its level distribution policy, the Fund anticipates that it will make regular monthly distributions, subject to market conditions, of $0.0905 per share of common stock, unless further action is taken to determine another amount. The Fund's ability to maintain its current distribution rate will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and stability of income received from its investments, the cost of leverage and the level of other Fund fees and expenses. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay a distribution of any particular amount or that a distribution will consist only of net investment income. Due to an effort to maintain a stable distribution amount, the distribution announced today, as well as future distributions, may consist of net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2024 will be made after the end of the year. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $463 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman's investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. UNPRI named the firm a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in environmental, social and governance practices. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last ten years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of December 31, 2023. Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. Contact: Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC Investor Information (877) 461-1899 SOURCE Neuberger Berman DALLAS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NexPoint Capital, Inc. (the "Company"), a non-traded publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P., today announced the expiration and final results for its tender offer (the "Tender Offer") for up to 2.5% of its outstanding common stock ("Shares") at a price of $5.30 per Share (an amount approved by the Company's board of directors on March 27, 2024), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the Tender Offer. The Fund's Tender Offer expired on March 25, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 267,516.177 shares of the Company were tendered for repurchase in the Tender Offer. Any questions regarding the Tender Offer can be directed to the Company's Tender Agent, DST Systems, Inc., at (844) 485-9167. The Company's current offering price for its Shares, as well as other information, including information about management and the healthcare-focused investment strategy, are available at nexpoint.com. The information on or accessible through nexpoint.com is not incorporated by reference herein. About NexPoint Capital, Inc. NexPoint Capital, Inc. is a non-traded, publicly registered business development company sponsored and managed by NexPoint Advisors, L.P. About NexPoint Advisors, L.P. NexPoint Advisors, L.P. ("NexPoint Advisors") is an SEC-registered adviser on the NexPoint alternative investment platform ("NexPoint"). NexPoint Advisors serves as the adviser to a suite of funds and investment vehicles, including a closed-end fund, interval fund, business development company ("BDC"), and various real estate vehicles. For more information visit www.nexpoint.com. Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. 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 NexPoint Advisors' sponsored investment products, 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. NexPoint Advisors undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statement. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Neither the Company, nor the Company's Board of Directors, nor NexPoint Advisors makes any recommendation as to whether to tender or not to tender any Shares in the Tender Offer. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. Contact Information for Tender Offer: Financial Advisors: (855) 498-1580 Shareholders: (844) 485-9167 Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE NexPoint Capital, Inc. PLANO, Texas, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Noodoe, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, is proud to announce its recent achievement in obtaining a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. This significant milestone, marked by the contract number 47QMCA24D0005, positions Noodoe as a key player in the federal marketplace, offering its innovative EV charging technologies to a range of government agencies. Noodoe's EV charging technology makes managed EV charging infrastructure hands-off and reliable. Jeff Rothe, Vice President of Sales, expressed enthusiasm about this new venture: "We are honored to receive the GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract, which is a testament to our dedication to quality and innovation. This contract opens new doors for Noodoe, allowing us to play a pivotal role in supporting the government's environmental objectives. We are excited to bring our expertise in EV charging solutions to government agencies, contributing to a sustainable future for all." The GSA MAS contract signifies a streamlined procurement process, enabling federal, state, and local government entities to access Noodoe's cutting-edge EV charging solutions efficiently and cost-effectively. This contract underscores Noodoe's commitment to supporting the U.S. government's sustainability goals and the broader transition to electric transportation. Key Highlights: GSA MAS Contract Award: Noodoe's inclusion in the GSA Schedule, under contract number 47QMCA24D0005, facilitates government agencies' access to state-of-the-art EV charging infrastructure. Supporting Government Sustainability Initiatives: Noodoe's EV charging solutions align with the government's focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, supporting initiatives to increase the adoption of electric vehicles within government fleets and facilities. Enhanced Accessibility: Government agencies can now leverage Noodoe's technology through a simplified procurement process, ensuring that they benefit from competitive pricing and top-tier EV charging solutions. About Noodoe: Noodoe is a global leader in EV charging technology, providing innovative solutions that enhance the charging experience for users while offering intelligent management systems for operators. With a focus on continuous innovation and customer-centric design, Noodoe is dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to sustainable transportation. https://www.noodoe.com/ For more information, please contact: Jeff Rothe Vice President, Sales Noodoe [email protected] SOURCE Noodoe Inc Higher Education Institutions Can Link D2L Brightspace Data to the Nuventive Improvement Platform for Powerful Analysis and Action PITTSBURGH, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuventive, the data-informed improvement company, today announced a partnership with D2L, a global learning technology company, to simplify student outcomes analysis and advancement. By linking reports from the D2L Brightspace learning management system (LMS) to the Nuventive Improvement Platform, faculty and staff can view aggregated and disaggregated student learning data in context of their plans to help students reach their full potential. To simplify the process of outcomes assessment, the combined solution uses student assessment and rubric data entered by faculty into D2L Brightspace, visualizes them in powerful dashboards and reports in Nuventive, and presents them alongside the institution's plans and initiatives. This enables faculty and staff to take action on the information more easily, using D2L Brightspace as the student assessment entry point and Nuventive for analysis and planning. "To deliver data-informed improvement, higher education institutions need easy access to critical data at the time they need it, in context of the decisions being made," said Dr. David Raney, CEO of Nuventive. "This partnership allows institutions to leverage the unique strengths of Nuventive and D2L to foster improved student outcomes while lessening the workload for faculty and staff." Nuventive helps institutions make better use of their information by providing it, sorted by purpose, in context of specific improvement processes. Having a single place to access data from learning management systems (LMS) like D2L Brightspace, business intelligence (BI), artificial intelligence (AI), public sources, and other tools enables users to access all the information they need in the moment they need to make decisions. This saves faculty and staff valuable time and helps institutions realize greater value from their existing technology investments. D2L customers can log in and learn more about the integration from Nuventive's profile on the D2L Brightspace Integration Hub at https://integrationhub.brightspace.com/details/nuventive. To learn more about Nuventive and request a demo, visit www.nuventive.com. About Nuventive Nuventive, the data-informed improvement company, enables higher education institutions to turn their priorities into progress through the better use of information. Its cloud-based platform combines business processes and information to support any improvement initiative, including overall strategy, accreditation, student success, diversity, learning outcomes, general education, administrative outcomes, program review, and sustainability. Nuventive is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit nuventive.com or follow Nuventive on LinkedIn. Media contact: [email protected] Nuventive, the Nuventive logo, and the marks relating to other Nuventive products and services referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuventive LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Nuventive Advisory consulting firm helps to expand Omada's presence in the U.S. market COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Omada A/S ("Omada"), a global leader in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), announced today that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with EVOTEK, an advisory consulting firm. This partnership will help joint customers who need a solution that not only helps with compliance, but that can also fuel efficiency gains by replacing manual processes and secure and mitigate identity-based attacks. Based in California, EVOTEK provides technology solutions, advisory services and strategic sourcing with a focus on enabling digital business. By working in cooperation with the business and IT, the company facilitates alignment, reduces dependence on functional silos and concentrates on customers' business objectives. The EVOTEK- Omada partnership will help bring the power of IGA, coupled with market-leading services, to enterprises that need to tackle growing, complex identity workflows and those looking to replace their existing, legacy IGA with a modern solution. It will also aid enterprises looking for executive advisory services with deep identity governance expertise. Cesar Enciso, chief executive officer, EVOTEK, said: "We provide a cohesive approach to digital initiatives while driving business impact. Part of this approach is recommending and selling solutions that help clients achieve their security goals. This partnership with Omada is a perfect fit, as their leading IGA solution helps organizations manage the complexities of modern work life, including remote work and multiple digital identities. We're proud to add Omada to the arsenal of tools that we offer clients." Michael Garrett, chief executive officer, Omada, said: "Omada remains committed to helping customers improve operational efficiency and agility through identity. This partnership with EVOTEK is already bearing fruit; we've experienced success and great collaboration. We see this partnership as key part of how we will grow our market share in the U.S. as we jointly offer the IGA that modern enterprises need." About Omada Omada, a global market leader in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), offers a full-featured, enterprise-grade, cloud native IGA solution that enables organizations to achieve compliance, reduce risk, and maximize efficiency. Founded in 2000, Omada delivers innovative identity management to complex hybrid environments based on our proven best practice process framework and deployment approach. For more information, go to omadaidentity.com About EVOTEK EVOTEK is North America's premier enabler of secure digital business focused on innovation. With an integrated set of technical domains, including Platforms, Security, and Networks, EVOTEK provides a cohesive approach to digital initiatives while driving business impact. In addition to architecture and engineering, EVOTEK offers advisory services and strategic sourcing to help bridge the gap between IT and business, reducing functional silos and facilitating alignment. EVOTEK was named Inc. Magazine's "Best Places to Work" in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023. In addition, for seven consecutive years, EVOTEK was listed in The San Diego Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" and recognized in CRN's "Solution Provider 500" list, CRN's "Next-Generation 250" list, CRN's "Triple Crown" and highlighted as CRN's "Top 150 Growth Companies". SOURCE Omada South Korean Civil Servant Charged with Crypto Fraud A South Korean civil servant was arrested on March 27 on charges of committing crypto-related fraud and carrying out voice phishing attacks. According to Fn News, the accused is a level six district office official in her 50s. Police said she received money from multiple victims. Police say she converted the fiat to Bitcoin (BTC). She then reportedly sent the coins to a voice phishing gang member. South Korean Civil Servant Worked for Voice Phishing Gang Police in Seouls Dongdaemun District said they had arrested the woman on charges of fraud at a bank in the Jegi Neighborhood. Officers said that the civil servant converted over $74,000 worth of her voice phishing fraud funds into Bitcoin. She then allegedly sent the coins to a voice phishing organization member. This person allegedly paid her a fee for her activities. The woman reportedly stated she was deceived into joining the gang by an individual. This person, she claimed, said she could make money through legitimate means. A police spokesperson said officers were still investigating evidence. Officers said they were also identifying potential additional victims. Officers said they had searched addresses connected to the civil servant, and were now examining additional data. Police said they were conducting an investigation into whether the public official had used information she learned at work to prey on potential victims. Rise in Crypto Crime? In recent years, police have noted an uptick in crypto-related crimes, including voice phishing. Attackers often pose as civil servants, tax service workers, or bank employees. They often tell potential victims that their bank accounts are under attack or that they are being investigated for tax-related offenses. Attackers often tell victims that they have the power to solve these issues, and invariably request bank or crypto transfers to help fund their solutions. In June 2023, the nation was stunned by the case of a government worker who allegedly escaped to the Philippines after stealing around $3.5 million from the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC). The NHIC operates South Korean nursing care funds. The civil servant allegedly embezzled the money from April 2022 to September 2022. He then reportedly converted the money to crypto. He then allegedly fled to live a life of luxury at an expensive resort in the Philippines. Local police arrested the man in January this year, and he was repatriated to face charges shortly after. A risky ETF in the US that aims to deliver twice the daily performance of short-term CME Bitcoin futures is seeing strong demand from Korean investors https://t.co/k120xMXrkH Bloomberg (@business) March 27, 2024 In 2022, photographers caught a high-ranking South Korean civil servant buying Dogecoin (DOGE) on his cell phone in the middle of a key local government meeting. Sherr Law Group Represented the Fire Company PHILADELPHIA, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherr Law Group, representing Lincoln Fire Company, is pleased to announce a significant legal victory following the reversal of a lower court decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. Stefanie Sherr and Anthony Sherr successfully navigated the legal proceedings, ensuring that Lincoln Fire Company retains control over its assets, in line with the wishes of its members. The case arose from Whitemarsh Township's decision to remove Lincoln Fire Company, one of the three volunteer fire companies serving the township. In response, Lincoln Fire Company's members voted to distribute 75% of its assets to the Montgomery County Fire Academy and the remaining assets to North Penn Goodwill Services during dissolution proceedings. However, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office contested these designations, leading to a legal dispute in the Montgomery County Orphans Court. Judge Lois E. Murphy ruled in favor of applying the doctrine of cy pres, designating Spring Mill and Barren Hill as beneficiaries of Lincoln Fire Company's assets. This decision has now been overturned by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. In its ruling, the Commonwealth Court emphasized the importance of honoring the autonomy of Lincoln Fire Company and respecting the intentions of its members. The court acknowledged Lincoln Fire Company's intent to identify suitable beneficiaries and manage its affairs independently, rendering the application of cy pres unnecessary. The case has been remanded back to the Montgomery County Orphans Court, allowing Lincoln Fire Company, with the continued representation of Sherr Law Group, the opportunity to designate other beneficiaries. Stefanie Sherr, Partner at Sherr Law Group, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court's recognition of Lincoln Fire Company's autonomy and the rights of its members. This outcome ensures that Lincoln Fire Company can continue its charitable endeavors and serve its community effectively." Sherr Law Group boasts decades of experience representing clients in Pennsylvania's courts in areas such as municipal and employment law, insurance defense, and products liability. Since 1957, they have earned the confidence of clients as a trusted partner in law and litigation. Case Reference: In re: Lincoln Fire Company, Non-Profit Corporation, Appeal of Lincoln Fire Company, No. 479 C.D. 2022 (Pa. Cmwlth. Ct. 1/16/2024) Contact: Anthony Sherr, Managing Partner Sherr Law Group Phone: 484-591-3001 SOURCE Sherr Law Group DUBLIN, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Poland Gift Card and Incentive Card Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics (Databook) - Q1 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Polish gift card market demonstrates robust growth trends, with an impressive CAGR of 7.1% projected through 2024-2028. Industry insights reveal a dynamic market that is expected to rise from an estimated US$1.7 billion in 2023 to a remarkable US$2.5 billion toward the end of the forecast period. This surge is attributable to numerous factors, such as the expansion of e-commerce, the rise of remote working, digital gifting innovations, and strategic efforts from various industry sectors aimed at stimulating market vitality. Consumer and Corporate Engagement Market intelligence suggests that both retail and corporate segments are contributing equally to the gift card sector's expansion. The flexibility and convenience offered by gift cards leave them poised as favored gifting alternatives, driving consumer engagement across diverse product categories and retail sectors. Corporate interest in gift cards is similarly on the incline, particularly as businesses explore new avenues for employee and consumer incentives amidst a shift towards more remote work arrangements. Digital Gift Card Market Growth Aligned with global trends, Poland's digital gift card space is witnessing substantial growth. This segment's rise, specifically within retail and corporate domains, signifies a paradigm shift in purchasing behaviors. The adoption of digital gift cards is facilitated by various purchase occasions, from festive celebrations and personal milestones to employee and customer incentivization, reinforcing the market's strength and resilience. Consumer Insights and Demographics As the market landscape evolves, a closer look at consumer behaviors and demographics provides a window into the preferences driving gift card purchases. Age, income level, and gender play pivotal roles in shaping purchasing behavior, suggesting tailored marketing efforts could prove advantageous in capturing targeted segments. Analysis of gift card spending by consumer demographics presents opportunities for stakeholders to strategize more effectively, ensuring relevant product offerings that resonate with the consumer base. Segment-Specific Opportunities In-depth market understanding further uncovers segment-specific opportunities. With comprehensive data on gift card preferences across various industries such as food & beverage, healthcare, apparel, electronics, and more, stakeholders have the intelligence needed to target growth segments accurately. Additionally, insights into distribution channels, including online and offline sales dynamics, provide clarity on the changing landscape of gift card purchases, contributing to a more strategic sales approach. Strategic Benefits Access to these market insights equips businesses and retailers with the foresight needed to navigate and capitalize on the expanding gift card market in Poland. Navigating the nuances of consumer attitudes and behaviors, and harnessing the data on sector-specific trends, enables stakeholders to develop market-specific strategies that cater to the emerging needs of both retail and corporate consumers. Companies Mentioned Biedronka Dino Lidl Kaufland Intermarche Leroy Merlin Media Expert Pepco RTV Euro AGD For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kh6tha About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Porte Brown LLC, www.PorteBrown.com, a Chicagoland accounting firm, is pleased to announce the firm has been named a Great Lakes Regional Leader by Accounting Today as well as a Firm to Watch in this year's "Top 100 Firms and Accounting's Regional Leaders" report. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in the accounting industry, benefiting the industry's economy, workforce, and businesses. Accounting Today Several hundred firms from across the nation participate in the annual survey process, which ranks U.S.-based firms by their net revenue. This is the ninth consecutive year that Porte Brown has been named a "Great Lakes Regional Leader," which includes the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The Great Lakes region is the second-largest region in terms of revenue and average firm growth was 11.45% in 2023. According to Accounting Today, "the overall average growth rate [for the Great Lakes region] was off from last year, but of the 41 firms in the region, 26 reported double-digit growth." Porte Brown was also named to the Firms to Watch list for the fourth time in five years. "We are honored to once again be acknowledged as a leader in the Great Lakes region and recognized as a Firm to Watch," stated Joseph A. Gleba, CEO & Managing Partner. "In an ever-evolving business landscape, our dedication to delivering exceptional client experiences remains steadfast. We remain committed to exceeding expectations, providing top-tier solutions, and fostering growth alongside our valued clients. We extend our gratitude to our clients and partners for their trust and collaboration, and we're excited to continue our journey of growth and success together." About Porte Brown Porte Brown LLC is a full-service accounting and consulting firm headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more than 75 years Porte Brown has focused on providing the highest level of service to individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the region. In addition to the traditional accounting services such as tax planning and preparation, audit, business valuations, and retirement plan administration, Porte Brown also provides strategic consulting and leading-edge technology implementation for clients in cloud and non-cloud environments. Wealth management services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC.* For more information, visit www.portebrown.com or call 847-956-1040. *Wealth Management Services provided by Porte Brown Wealth Management LLC. The views and opinions presented in this article are those of Porte Brown Wealth Management and not of Avantax Wealth Management or its subsidiaries. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. Contact: Pam Metzger [email protected] 847-956-1040 www.portebrown.com SOURCE Porte Brown Trailblazers Join ResBiotic's Leadership Team, Cultivating Positive Gut Health For Targeted Whole Body Restoration BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ResBiotic Nutrition, Inc. (ResBiotic), the pioneering physician-developed pre/probiotic wellness scale-up, proudly announces the appointments of Stefany Nieto as Vice President of Operations and Brittany Zenner as Director of Marketing. Nieto is a seasoned CPG entrepreneur with a proven track record of building international ventures with enduring social impact, Nieto brings a wealth of experience and a passion for holistic well-being to ResBiotic. Zenner is an accomplished brand marketer at the intersection of wellness, science, and CPG, with almost a decade of experience driving growth and customer retention for startups in the better-for-you space. Stefany Nieto - VP of Operations Developed by world-class physicians, ResBiotics microbiome supplements, including the latest launch of prebeet ENERGY+ Prebiotic, operates as a holistic approach to health while simultaneously targeting vital body systems. Developed by world-class physicians, ResBiotic's microbiome supplements, including the latest launch of prebeet ENERGY+ Prebiotic, operates as a holistic approach to health while simultaneously targeting vital body systems. In her new role at Resbiotic, Nieto will helm all day-to-day business operations, wholesale expansion, and a roadmap for the brand's hyper-growth while also leading the team in new product development. "Appointing Stefany as our Vice President of Operations and Brittany as our Director of Marketing marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards redefining wellness," stated C. Vivek Lal, MD, FAAP, Founder & CEO of ResBiotic. "Their remarkable spirit, coupled with a profound dedication to holistic health and positive social impact, aligns seamlessly with ResBiotic's core values." In her previous roles, Nieto co-founded Gwella and Mojo Microdose, successful ventures specializing in functional mushroom supplement gummies that enhance modern wellness. In fact, the mushroom gummies just received a deal from Dragons' Den, the Canadian equivalent to Shark Tank. Her commitment to community well-being is further exemplified through her leadership at Green Iglu, an award-winning food sovereignty start-up dedicated to establishing food production facilities in remote communities across Canada, including the Arctic. Over the past few years, Zenner has immersed herself in the world of biotechnology, first at Gladskin and Phyla, and now leading marketing efforts at ResBiotic. What excites her most is the opportunity to merge cutting-edge science with consumer packaged goods, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of wellness. Her guiding principle in every role has been simple - believing in and loving the products she's marketing. ResBiotic's latest product, prebeet ENERGY+, and other wellness options are available to purchase on resbiotic.com , Amazon and Walmart , as well as other select retail locations, which can be found at https://resbiotic.com/pages/retail . About ResBiotic: ResBiotic Nutrition, Inc. is a science backed wellness company pioneering clinically validated supplements for lung, gut and immune health. Founded by physician-scientists, the company is the culmination of decades of research at the intersection of health and microbiome science. ResBiotic's first product, resB Lung Support, targets the gut-lung axis with a combination of clinically studied probiotic strains and bioactive botanicals. Dr. Lal, the founder of ResBiotic is the Director of Clinical Innovation at Marnix Heersink Institute of Biomedical Innovation at University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. To learn more, visit www.resbiotic.com. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE ResBiotic Nutrition, Inc. There's a growing market for rice water skincare products, fueled by the demand for natural beauty solutions. This trend is expected to continue as new rice water products hit the shelves. A report by FMI dives deep into this market, analyzing what's driving this popularity, potential challenges, and future opportunities. It even helps you make smart business decisions with investment analysis and market research tools. NEWARK, Del. , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rice skincare water market foresees its current market valuation at US$ 12.34 billion in 2024. The market valuation is estimated to be US$ 16.04 billion by 2034, projected at a CAGR of 2.7%. Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19355 The rice water skincare market sees economic growth as consumers propel natural and traditional beauty remedies for their skincare routines. The popularity of rice water skincare products has pushed upwards globally, thus leading to a raised demand for clean and natural beauty solutions. Manufacturers are introducing advanced formulations and incorporating rice water for existing product lines. A huge emphasis is given on market efforts marketing efforts due to the natural and nourishing properties of rice water that help to discriminate these skincare products in a competitive market landscape. Report Scope Attributes Details Estimated Market Size in 2024 US$ 6.8 billion Projected Market Valuation in 2034 US$ 12.85 billion Value-based CAGR 2024 to 2034 6.5 % Forecast Period 2024 to 2034 Historical Data Available for 2019 to 2023 Market Analysis Value in US$ billion Key Market Segments Covered By Product Type: Cleansers Toners Serums Moisturizers Face Packs/Masks Other Skin Care Products By Skin Type: Acne Prone Skin Dry Skin Normal Skin Oily Skin Sensitive Skin Combination Skin By Consumer Orientation: Men Women Unisex By Sales Channel: Hypermarkets/Supermarkets Specialty Stores Drug Stores & Pharmacies Convenience Stores Online Retailers Other Sales Channel By Region: North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe South Asia and Pacific East Asia Middle East and Africa Key Countries Profiled The United States Canada Brazil Mexico Germany The United Kingdom France Spain Italy Russia Poland Czech Republic Romania India Bangladesh Australia New Zealand China Japan South Korea GCC countries South Africa Israel Key Coverage in the Rice Water Skincare Industry Report Adjacent Study on Rice Water Skincare Market India Rice Water Skincare Market Rice Water Skincare Market Size, Current Insights, and Demographic Trends Global Rice Water Skincare Prices Key Strategies in the Global Rice Water Skincare Market Key Takeaways from the Market Study By nature, the conventional segment is accounted to hold a market share of 89.6% in 2024. The United States is estimated to register at a CAGR of 1.8% by 2034. is estimated to register at a CAGR of 1.8% by 2034. China experiences significant growth, projected at a CAGR of 3.2% by 2034. experiences significant growth, projected at a CAGR of 3.2% by 2034. Based on sales channel, the hypermarket segment is anticipated to expand at 34.6% CAGR by 2034. "The upward push in consumer preference for natural and traditional beauty remedies is one important reason for upgrading the rice water skincare market," says Sneha Varghese (Senior Consultant, Consumer Products & Goods at Future Market Insights, Inc.) Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape of the rice water skincare market features established brands and emerging players propelling for market share. Major companies leverage the recognition of brands and extensive distribution of their networks, while smaller brands tend to focus on innovation and niche marketing strategies. Some of the key developments are: In 2023, Procter & Gamble introduced a new rice water-based facial cleanser under its skincare brand that focused on gentle yet effective cleansing while harnessing the natural benefits of rice water for hydrated and radiant skin. introduced a new rice water-based facial cleanser under its skincare brand that focused on gentle yet effective cleansing while harnessing the natural benefits of rice water for hydrated and radiant skin. In 2023, Unilever launched a rice water-infused moisturizer as part of its skincare line that asserted its hydrating and soothing properties to address dryness and promote healthy skin barrier function. Purchase now and gain full access to the Rice Water Skincare Industry report, featuring comprehensive Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, DROT Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives. More Valuable Insights Available Future Market Insights offers an unbiased global rice water skincare market analysis, providing historical data from 2019 to 2023 and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034. To understand market opportunities, the rice water skincare market is segmented based on Product Type (Cleansers, Toners, Serums, Moisturizers, Face Packs/Masks, Other Skin Care Products), Skin Type (Acne Prone Skin, Dry Skin, Normal Skin, Oily Skin, Sensitive Skin, Combination Skin), Consumer Orientation (Men, Women, Unisex), Sales Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Speciality Stores, Drug Stores & Pharmacies, Convenience Stores, Online Retailers, Other Sales Channel) and Region (North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, and the Middle East and Africa). About the Consumer Product Division at Future Market Insights The consumer product team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time-efficient research, and strategic recommendations to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With over 100+ reports and one million+ data points, the team has analyzed the industry lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team briefly analyzes key trends, including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts. About the Author: Sneha Varghese (Senior Consultant, Consumer Products & Goods) has 6+ years of experience in the market research and consulting industry. She has worked on 200+ research assignments pertaining to Consumer Retail Goods. Her work is primarily focused on facilitating strategic decisions, planning and managing cross-functional business operations, technology projects, and driving successful implementations. She has helped create insightful, relevant analysis of Food & Beverage market reports and studies that include consumer market, retail, and manufacturer research perspective. She has also been involved in several bulletins in food magazines and journals. Explore FMI's Extensive Coverage in the Consumer Products 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 NEW YORK, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: NYCB) between March 1, 2023 and February 5, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 8, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased NYCB securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the NYCB class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22391 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 8, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Signature Bank acquisition would not be immediately accretive to the Company because it caused NYCB to be required to comply with materially enhanced prudential standards, including, among other things, risk-based and leverage capital requirements, and liquidity standards, and required that NYCB build capital, reinforce its balance sheet and strengthen its risk management processes; (2) NYCB failed to comply with the materially enhanced prudential standards; (3) NYCB overstated the quality of its commercial office loan assets; (4) NYCB was experiencing higher net charge-offs and deterioration in its commercial office portfolio than represented; (5) NYCB was reasonably likely to incur higher loan losses because it was experiencing higher net charge-offs and deterioration in its commercial office portfolio; (6) NYCB was reasonably likely to be forced to increase its allowance for credit losses due to its status as Category IV bank; (7) NYCB's loan loss provisions were understated so it overstated quarterly earnings and/or understated quarterly losses; (8) NYCB failed to have adequate internal risk or disclosure controls and procedures; and (9) that, as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements about NYCB's business, operations and financial condition were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the NYCB class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22391 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. NEW YORK, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Daqo New Energy Corp. ("Daqo" or the "Company") (NYSE: DQ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Daqo and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 3, 2023, Daqo announced that its Chairman and Founder, Guangfu Xu, would step down from his position as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), effective immediately, but would remain as a director on the Board. The Company also announced that Longgen Zhang will step down from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company with immediate effect due to personal reasons. On this news, Daqo's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $1.71 per ADR, or 4.74%, to close at $34.34 per ADR on August 3, 2023. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP WINDSOR, ON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SharpQuest, Inc., a software services provider with a niche in cloud and mobile-app solutions, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new branch office in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in our commitment to serving our North American clients and contributing to the local economy. Why Windsor? Windsor, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and thriving business community, provides an ideal environment for SharpQuest's growth. Here are some compelling reasons why we chose Windsor: Proximity to the U.S. Border & Current Headquarter: Windsor's location on the Detroit River makes it a gateway to the United States , facilitating cross-border trade and collaboration. Our Canada office is 35 minutes away from our headquarter in Troy, Michigan . Skilled Workforce: The city boasts a highly educated and skilled workforce, ready to contribute to our success. Affordability: Windsor offers competitive operating costs, making it an attractive destination for businesses seeking cost-effective solutions. Quality of Life: With beautiful waterfront parks, cultural festivals, and a vibrant arts scene, Windsor provides an excellent quality of life for our employees. Our Commitment to the Community At SharpQuest, we believe in giving back. As part of our commitment to Windsor, we plan to engage in local initiatives, support community organizations, and create job opportunities for residents. Quotes from SharpQuest Leadership: "We are excited to bring our expertise and innovative solutions to Canada through Windsor," said Piyush Bhatt, CEO of SharpQuest. "This expansion allows us to increase our capacity within American Time Zones and meet the increasing demands of our clients in North America." About SharpQuest, Inc. SharpQuest is a software development company providing hybrid outsourcing to enterprise clients in US & Canada. We envision a world where businesses can confidently leverage global workforce to remain competitive. For media inquiries, please contact: Piyush Bhatt, CEO Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (248) 268-2592 Note: For further information, please visit our website at https://www.sharpquest.com SOURCE SharpQuest, Inc. Strategic Partnership Between Silent Quadrant and JBB Advanced Technologies Maximizes Subsidiary Value, showcasing JBBAT's commitment to innovation and security. DALLAS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silent Quadrant, a premier cybersecurity consultancy, through its strategic partnership with JBB Advanced Technologies (JBBAT), significantly enhanced Tronic's cybersecurity posture, contributing to its remarkable $12.25 billion sale to Tronic Ventures. As a Web3 innovator of immersive marketing experiences, Tronic represented a valuable asset requiring unassailable cybersecurity. By enlisting Silent Quadrant's elite cybersecurity team, JBBAT demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to fortifying its competitive edge while future-proofing Tronic's growth potential. The JBBAT-Silent Quadrant alliance has forged a new model, reshaping how organizations synergize disruptive technologies and secure cyber defenses to redefine what's possible. Post this Silent Quadrant conducted an exhaustive audit of Tronic's infrastructure, seamlessly implementing a tailored suite of advanced defensive capabilities. This crucial move was a cornerstone in elevating Tronic's market value and priming it for a successful future. Kenneth Holley, Founder and Chairman of Silent Quadrant, emphasized, "Our partnership with JBBAT exemplified the exponential value created when an organization's security posture is treated as a catalyst for success rather than a bolt-on or afterthought." Silent Quadrant assesses, deploys, and manages cybersecurity solutions while factoring in all contextual nuances across an entire organization to ensure business outcomes are as protected as every asset. John B. Billingsley, Chairman and CEO of JBBAT, hailed the collaboration as a masterclass in strategic foresight. "Tronic's remarkable success demonstrates how prioritizing cybersecurity from the ground up isn't just about mitigating risk it's about unlocking unprecedented growth opportunities," he stated. "Thanks to Silent Quadrant's expertise, we've raised the bar for innovators to harmonize technology and security to unlock value that resonates across the entire digital landscape." As Tronic transitions to new ownership under Tronic Ventures, this landmark deal is a testament to the transformative power of proactive cybersecurity integration. The JBBAT-Silent Quadrant alliance has forged a new model, reshaping how organizations synergize disruptive technologies and secure cyber defenses to redefine what's possible. About Silent Quadrant: For nearly three decades, Silent Quadrant has partnered with and protected the most influential firms in America. Our clients trust us to remain vigilant in a rapidly evolving digital world. Leveraging the fabric of resilience and the agency of trust to provide tailored digital protection. Our clients' work is critical, and protecting their reputation and influence is paramount. Learn more at silentquadrant.com. About JBBAT: Founded in 2021, JBB Advanced Technologies focuses on developing advanced technology solutions, including artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies, and fosters and supports consumer adoption and application of Web3 and blockchain technology and development and production of renewable energy generation, delivery, and integration. The company's expertise allows us to invent practical solutions for diverse industries, utilize cutting-edge, superior technology, and deploy energy efficiency. Learn more at jbbadvancedtechnologies.com. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Silent Quadrant Atlanta-based Black Millennial Owned Marketing Agency Ranked Number 6 in Southeast Region NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine revealed that Six Degrees Marketing has been recognized as the 6th fastest growing company on its annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Southeast list: the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Southeast private companies, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Puerto Rico. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Southeast economy's most dynamic segment its independent small businesses. Six Degrees for Inc. 5000 Regionals "Six Degrees is honored to be recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America by Inc.," said Co-Founder Brian Wright of Six Degrees Marketing. "We've seen tremendous growth with an unmatched client roster over the past few years, one of the few premier minority-owned marketing agencies," said Desmond Attmore, Co-Founder of Six Degrees. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, the regional listing represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Southeast economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Southeast region. Between 2020 and 2022, the 223 private companies had an average growth rate of 166.43%. By 2023, they'd also added 20,496 jobs and $8.8 billion to the region's economy. "The honorees in our Inc. 5000 network are the Who's Who of private companies. They're energizing regional economies as they engineer the future of their industries. Learn who they are and what they do they'll be impacting things for a while," said Eric Hagerman, special projects editor at Inc. Media. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Southeast, including company profiles, can be found at inc.com/Southeast. It includes an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area and other criteria. More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals Methodology The 2024 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2020 and 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2022. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. About Six Degrees Marketing Founded by Brian Wright and Desmond Attmore, Six Degrees is an Atlanta-based Black-owned creative agency that helps global brands and artists engage with their audiences in unique ways. Specializing in experiential marketing, branding, influencer marketing, and content production, our team of six utilizes its connections to cultural innovators within and beyond the entertainment industry to produce campaigns, products, and experiences that set brands apart. For more information, please visit sixxdgrs.com SOURCE Six Degrees Marketing Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack on Thursday announced that police were justified in a fatal shooting in Hampden Township on March 7. Gregor Fleming Jr., 44, of Hampden Township, was killed in the shooting the evening of March 7 by two Hampden Township Police officers, whom McCormack did not name. McCormack said he came to the conclusion following an investigation using officers body cameras footage, in-vehicle dash camera video and statements from witnesses and officers. During a news conference Thursday, McCormack laid out the timeline of the incident that started with a womans call at 6:03 p.m. about an allegedly suicidal man who had a gun to his head. Although the caller was outside the home on Erbs Bridge Road, her mother and her brother were still in the house, according to McCormack. Police arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter, blocking traffic on Erbs Bridge Road and Sporting Hill Road. Five minutes after they arrived, Fleming exited the home with a handgun, McCormack said. McCormack said Fleming walked toward Conodoguinet Creek across the street from his home, and during this time, he was instructed multiple times to drop the weapon. The DA said Fleming unloaded and reloaded the firearm on at least two occasions during this walk. Fleming pointed his gun once at officers but didnt fire, and police at that time did not fire at Fleming, McCormack said, but at this time, one civilian attempted to drive around two patrol cars with flashing lights that were blocking traffic, even as multiple officers were using the vehicle for cover. Shortly after officers worked to get the civilian back out of the scene, McCormack said Fleming walked toward officers blocking the intersection, ignoring their calls to stop, and again pointed his gun at them. To protect themselves and any public behind them in the vicinity of Sporting Hill Road, two Hampden Township officers fired their firearms at Fleming, McCormack said. Fleming was struck three times in the torso and once in the upper thigh, and he died at the scene, though McCormack said officers and the ambulance crews staged nearby attempted to provide emergency aid. McCormack said with the danger police believed themselves to be in, he ruled the shooting justified. Where the actor believes that force, in this case deadly force, is necessary for the purpose of protecting himself, or others, against the use of unlawful force by such other person, or persons, then the force is justified, he said. In this case, the force Gregor Fleming was threatening to use against the officers was the type that was intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to the police and others. Therefore, the Hampden Township Officers were justified in using deadly force to prevent the death or serious bodily injury to themselves and the public. Advance sign-up for free Magic Joe car washes ($20 value) on April 18 now live SAN DIEGO, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Soapy Joe's Car Wash, an award-winning and family-owned car wash operator with 23 locations, today announced April 18, 2024, as the ninth annual Soapy Joe's Day and will celebrate by offering the public free Magic Joe car washes ($20 value) and aims to set a new Guinness World Record for most high fives by a mascot in one minute. The festivities also include Soapy Joe's merchandise giveaways to the first 75 customers at each of its locations and a one-day limited-edition air freshener drop. Soapy Joes Celebrates Ninth Annual Soapy Joes Day with Free Car Washes and Aims to Set New Guinness World Record Cars line up for their free car wash during the annual Soapy Joe's Day celebration. "We've been proudly serving San Diego as a family-owned business for over a decade," said Soapy Joe's Founder and CEO Lorens Attisha. "Soapy Joe's Day is one of the many ways we give back to the community that has supported us all these years. Rest assured, our team works tirelessly to pull out all the stops to make this annual moment special for all from first-time guests to long-term members and this year is no exception." City of San Diego councilman Kent Lee will present a proclamation marking April 18 Soapy Joe's Day at 10 a.m. at the Convoy location. Directly following at 11 a.m., the company's mascot Soapy and 25 volunteers will aim to set the official Guinness World Record for most high fives by a mascot in one minute to commemorate National High Five Day. "Pushing the envelope and having fun is in our DNA," said Soapy Joe's VP of Marketing Anne Mauler. "We are the Guinness World Record holder for the World's Largest Air Freshener, which was installed in our headquarters in 2019, and we're excited to go after another record in a new category. If you're near our Convoy location on April 18, we invite you to come cheer us on." Free Magic Joe car washes will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 9 p.m. The public is encouraged to register in advance here to receive a barcode which can be redeemed at any of the 23 Soapy Joe's locations. Visit the store locator here to find a location near you. To learn more about Soapy Joe's and become a member, please visit soapyjoescarwash.com. About Soapy Joe's Soapy Joe's Car Wash is a locally-owned family business with multiple locations serving San Diego County. Soapy Joe's prides itself in its commitment to the environment, using advanced water reclamation systems, and earning the International Carwash Association's WaterSavers designation. Over the past 12 years, Soapy Joe's has donated more than 100,000 free washes, benefiting veterans, healthcare workers, schools, hospitals, firefighters, and more. Soapy Joe's prides itself on its contribution to the environment, the community and members. For more information, current brand news and updates please visit soapyjoescarwash.com and follow Soapy Joes on Instagram @soapyjoes. Media Contact Julia Trachsel, 541-272-1726, [email protected] SOURCE Soapy Joe's Car Wash With the first market-ready SOM based on the powerful and efficient Hailo-15H AI vision processor, SolidRun is empowering the quick development of AI Vision applications with unprecedented performance and efficiency TEL AVIV, Israel, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SolidRun, a leading innovator in high-performance System on Module (SOM) solutions and developer of embedded systems, is proud to announce the release of its ultra-compact Hailo-15H SOM. Leveraging the cutting-edge Hailo-15H AI vision processor, this groundbreaking deployment-ready solution sets a new standard in AI vision applications, offering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and flexibility. "SolidRun's SOM based on our Hailo-15H SOC represents a significant milestone for in-camera edge AI processing and provides engineers with a compact solution that delivers unparalleled performance and energy efficiency for a wide range of AI vision applications. Working with SolidRun, we're able to empower customers to quickly unlock the full potential of AI at the edge, and drive innovation across countless industries," said Yaron Ofer, Regional General Manager at Hailo. The Hailo-15H SOM marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of edge AI, providing engineers with the tools they need to develop and quickly bring to market powerful AI vision applications for a variety of industries, including security, industrial automation, smart cities, retail, automotive and more. With its unique combination of AI inferencing capabilities and advanced computer vision engines, the Hailo-15H SOM empowers engineers to push the boundaries of what's possible in edge AI. "Our vision at SolidRun has always been to simplify the complex world of embedded systems and empower engineers to innovate without constraints," said Dr. Atai Ziv, CEO at SolidRun. "Collaborating with Hailo to develop the Hailo-15H SOM, we've introduced an integrated solution that achieves just that. This market-ready solution seamlessly combines cutting-edge AI inferencing capabilities with ease of integration, ultimately reducing engineering time and costs. Most importantly, it enables developers and engineers to devote their energies entirely to realizing their product vision." Unprecedented AI Performance The Hailo-15H SOM revolutionizes AI processing with its unmatched performance capabilities. Featuring a powerful quad-core Arm processor and a high-performance AI accelerator integrated onto a single System-on-a-Chip (SoC), the Hailo-15H delivers up to 20 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second). This high compute capacity enables leveraging the AI for both image enhancement, such as low-light denoising and high dynamic range, as well as for superior video analytics. This unique combination empowers developers to process multiple complex deep learning AI applications in parallel, providing unrivaled speed and efficiency and unparalleled video quality. Additionally, the Hailo-15H enables high FPS DL model processing, ensuring fast and highly accurate detection of objects in real-time. All these cutting-edge features are delivered within the standard camera power consumption and cost envelope, making the Hailo-15H SOM the go-to solution for next-generation AI-powered applications. Superior Image Quality Equipped with AI-powered vision enhancement capabilities, the Hailo-15H SOM ensures exceptional image quality with support for premium 4K60 or 2x4K30 resolution and a 12MP ISP video pipeline. Leveraging its comprehensive vision library and advanced image processing algorithms, the Hailo-15H SOM delivers unmatched clarity and precision, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of AI vision applications. Moreover, the Hailo-15H SOM is compatible with various micro camera solutions, including models from Leopard Imaging. Its pre-tuned MIPI-CSI2 interface seamlessly integrates with a range of micro camera solutions, providing developers with a hassle-free, plug-and-play experience. This ensures effortless incorporation of high-quality imaging capabilities into AI-powered applications, further enhancing their functionality and performance. Flexible, Secure, and Compact The Hailo-15H SOM offers unparalleled flexibility and security, packed into an ultra-compact form factor measuring just 47mm x 30mm. Despite its small size, this SOM is designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions, with a temperature range spanning from -40C to 85C. This ensures reliable operation in a variety of industrial settings, making it ideal for deployment in harsh environments. Comprehensive Software and Security The Hailo-15H SOM comes with a comprehensive software suite, including drivers, libraries, and tools designed to streamline the development of AI vision applications. With support for standard ML frameworks such as Keras, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and ONNX, as well as specialized image and video processing algorithms, the Hailo-15H SOM provides engineers with everything they need to accelerate their AI projects. Additionally, the Hailo-15H SOM features industry-standard infrastructures and frameworks, coupled with robust security measures such as secure boot and debug with hardware-accelerated crypto library, TrustZone, TRNG, and Firewall. Availability The Hailo-15H SOM is now available through SolidRun's official website and select distributors, with a starting price of $149. Additionally, SolidRun will soon announce an expansion to the Hailo SOM product line, which will include a Hailo-15M SOM, featuring the same pinout for seamless integration, as well as a new carrier board to expand the development and prototyping with these new SOMs. The Hailo-15 SOM will be demonstrated at the Embedded World exhibition in Nuremberg, April 9-11, at the Hailo booth #126 in Hall 1, as well as at the ISC-West exhibition in Las Vegas, April 10-12, at the Hailo booth #31065. To schedule a meeting at the Hailo booths, click here. For more information about the Hailo-15H SOM, please visit https://www.solid-run.com/hailo-15-som/. For more information about SolidRun, please visit www.solid-run.com. Click Here for Press Kit Materials About SolidRun SolidRun is a global leading developer of embedded systems and network solutions, focused on a wide range of energy-efficient, powerful, and flexible products. Our innovative compact embedded solutions are based on ARM and x86 architecture and offer a variety of platforms including SOMs (System-on-Module), SBCs (Single Board Computer) and industrial mini-PCs. SolidRun offers a one-stop-shop for developers and OEMs, providing a complete service from hardware customization to software support and even product branding and enclosure design. With a mission to simplify application development while overcoming deployment challenges, SolidRun proudly provides customers faster time-to-market and lower costs. About Hailo Hailo, an AI-focused chipmaker, is developing specialized AI processors that enable data center-class performance on edge devices. Hailo's processors are the product of a rethinking of traditional computer architecture, enabling smart devices to perform sophisticated deep learning tasks such as object detection and segmentation in real-time, with minimal power consumption, size, and cost. The processors are designed to fit into a multitude of smart machines and devices, impacting a variety of sectors including automotive, security, industry 4.0, and retail. For more information visit https://hailo.ai. Note: All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. Media Contacts: Michael Farino New Era Communications [email protected] 949-346-1984 SOURCE SolidRun All deals will be available through White Castle's website, social media or Craver Nation loyalty app COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The special deals and offers are raining down this spring at White Castle, America's first 24/7 fast-food chain. White Castle is offering discounts on gift cards and special deals for Tax Day, Mother's Day and Memorial Day Weekend. And on April 20, Craver Nation members can roll up to White Castle for a BOGO offer on the Impossible Slider, made from plants for meat lovers. Special Deals and Offers Are in Full Bloom Day and Night! This Spring at White Castle. As days grow longer, White Castle is giving Cravers even more reasons to celebrate the night at Night Castle. The first fast-food hamburger chain to be open 24/7, White Castle has long been known as a late-night oasis where people can satisfy their cravings at all hours from the restaurant's full menu. The best way to access even more deals is through White Castle's free Craver Nation app. New members receive a free Original Slider combo just for signing up! Orders placed in the app can be scheduled for pick-up at the Castle or convenient delivery to your home or work. "What better way to emerge from winter hibernation than to treat you and your family to Sliders and sides that will fill you up without emptying the bank," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "We know Cravings can pop up anytime, and these deals will make sure anytime is the right time to enjoy White Castle, morning, noon or Night Castle." Below are the offers and deals scheduled for April and May. Special Offers (available with coupons on White Castle's social media and/or website) Occasion Offer Dates Gift Card Discount 10% off $30 gift cards (In Castle only) April 1 30 Tax Day 15% off your order (Online orders use code WC15OFF) April 15 Gift Card Discount $25 gift card for $19.21 (In Castle only) May 1 30 Mother's Day 20% off any order (Online orders use code WCMOM) May 12 National Slider Day Free Original Slider No purchase necessary (Online orders use code SLIDERDAY) May 15 Memorial Day Weekend $3 off any Crave Clutch of 20 Sliders (Online orders use code CLUTCHDEAL) May 25 27 Offers for Craver Nation Members (available through the White Castle app) Order type Offer Dates Mobile Night Castle 9 p.m. 3 a.m.: 2 Cheese Sliders small soft drink and choice of 3-piece Cheese Sticks, 6-piece Chicken Ring or medium fries for $4.50 ($5 NY/NJ/AZ/FL) April 1 June 9 Mobile $2 off a sack of fries April 1 June 9 At Castle Breakfast 5 a.m. 10 a.m.: $2.99 Breakfast Slider Combo April 1 30 At Castle BOGO free 1921 Sliders April 1 30 At Castle Tax Day: BOGO free any Combo April 14 16 At Castle 4/20: BOGO Impossible Slider April 20 Delivery Night Castle 9 p.m. 3 a.m.: 20% off delivery orders April 1 30 "The foundation of White Castle was built on the idea of providing delicious food and creating memorable moments, and the deals we're offering this spring accomplish just that," said Richardson. About White Castle White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates about 340 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle received the Great Place to Work Certification in 2021, 2022 and 2023 the only fast-food restaurant to earn this distinction three years in a row and is known for the legendary engagement of its team members, more than 1 in 4 of whom have worked for the business for at least 10 years. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans ("Cravers"), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the Craver Nation loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. They can also have their orders delivered using one of White Castle's delivery partners. For more information on White Castle, visit whitecastle.com. SOURCE White Castle NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Storelocal, a membership organization dedicated to improving outcomes for self-storage operators, announced the launch of the Storelocal Storage Brand Licensing Program. Storelocal Storage is a unique business model designed to allow independently owned storage facilities to compete with much larger self-storage conglomerates. Storelocal Storage leverages the 'power of more' by allowing individually-owned storage facilities to rebrand as Storelocal Storage with national brand recognition and SEO domain authority. The program includes 'operations-in-a-box', with everything from a complete brand kit, a dedicated team of SEO specialists, to an industry-leading tech stack powered by Tenant, Inc. Storelocal Storage tested the business model over 3 years and quickly grew to 90 locations nationwide. Members are realizing significant value from their membership, including the strength of the brand, significant improvements in operational efficiency provided by the Tenant, Inc., software platform, improved digital marketing performance, and increases in storage rentals. Dane Elefante, CEO of Platinum Storage Group, said, "We joined Storelocal Storage 2 years ago because we knew it was the only viable path to being competitive in the long term. The results have been incredible: We've seen increased organic search results, more leads through our Google Maps, and an incredible tech and marketing infrastructure that supports our greater operations." Jesse Harmon VP of Marketing for Cedar Creek Capital, said, "We have 25 Storelocal Storage facilities, and since joining Storelocal Storage one year ago, we've seen a 300% increase in online conversions." Although the self-storage industry has consistently been one of the top-performing and least volatile sectors in the real estate industry, it has become highly competitive, and can be extremely difficult for a smaller storage operator to compete with much larger companies. The Storelocal Storage business model was created to help individual storage owners with portfolios ranging in size from 1 to 50 stores compete with much larger entities. "We founded this business model because we, ourselves, were storage owners who did not want to stand back and watch massive publicly traded entities squeeze out thousands of smaller operators who didn't have the resources to compete. We're providing those very resources, and utilizing the power of numbers to make individual facilities more efficient, more profitable, and more competitive than they could be on their own," said Travis Morrow, CEO of Storelocal Storage. About Storelocal Storage Storelocal is a membership organization created to empower independent self-storage owners and operators to increase their competitive advantage in the marketplace. Storelocal members gain access to a multitude of discounts, enabling them to lower operational costs and increase profits through access to best-in-class products and services, in-house technology development, and vendor partnerships. In addition to membership, Storelocal offers the ability to join the Storelocal Storage brand licensing program , which offers self-storage owners a complete Ops-in-a-Box platform, including Tenant, Inc.'s state-of-the-art property management software, branding elements, and storage rental websites on the storelocal.com domain with recognized domain authority. With more than 1,500 members and a real estate value worth more than $10 billion, Storelocal is stronger than ever. SOURCE Tenant Inc. Dive into West Coast Cure's Captivating Contests and Enter to be Eligible to Win an Entire Year of Top Shelf WCC Cannabis for Just $4.20* IRVINE, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- West Coast Cure (WCC) , a pioneering force and household name in the cannabis industry, is rolling out two exclusive contests tailored for the state of California. The cannabis brand offers an opportunity to win a year's cannabis supply for $4.20*. Set to captivate cannabis aficionados, these contests run from March 29 through April 20, 2024 (for the UGC campaign) and June 1, 2024 (for the Diamond Tickets campaign), blending creativity and skill to celebrate California's cannabis culture. West Coast Cure Logo West Coast Cure's Diamond Ticket Contests Winning Ticket Participants can enter to be eligible to win in one of two ways: find one of the four Diamond Tickets secreted within 4 Jefferey 5-pack minis across participating retailers who carry the Jefferey 5-pack minis or unleash their creativity in the #WCCDIAMONDS UGC contest. Those lucky enough to discover a Diamond Ticket will be eligible to engage in a skills-based trivia contest to validate their win. Meanwhile, UGC participants are invited to craft the most creative photo or video featuring a gutted Jefferey, with the winner chosen by WCC co-founder JCURES based on their originality. Up to five lucky participants can win weed for an entire year for just $4.20, making this contest an unbeatable opportunity for cannabis enthusiasts. "At West Coast Cure, we're thrilled to connect with California's weed community through these unique contests," said Jonathan Jones, WCC's Chief Marketing Officer. "It's more than a competition; it's a tribute to the creativity and passion that define our community. We're excited to see participants' innovative expressions of their passion for the plant, celebrating everyone from connoisseurs to casual enthusiasts and reinforcing our commitment to the culture." The contests spotlight the Jefferey Minis, a testament to West Coast Cure's commitment to quality. These infused joints, with premium flower, THCa diamonds, and top-shelf kief, show WCC's dedication to excellence and innovation. With an expansive selection of 15 strains for the Jefferey 5-pack Minis, participants can explore a spectrum of experiences tailored to their tastes. The lineup includes iconic strains like Jack Herer, Blackberry Kush, and OG Kush, alongside delightful varieties such as Pink Lemonade, Blueberry Haze, and Frozen Cherries. For those who prefer a unique twist, there's Gelato, Maui Waui, and Blue Dream, as well as dessert-inspired offerings like Strawberry Cream, Cereal Milk, Strawberry Shortcake, and Watermelon Zkittlez. This diverse range ensures that every cannabis connoisseur, whether seeking relaxation, invigoration, or a burst of creativity, finds their perfect match. Participants and budtenders are encouraged to enter the contests, fostering a communal enthusiasm for California's cannabis excellence. * For full contest rules, visit 420.wcc.com/diamond-tickets/rules/2024 and 420.wcc.com/diamond-tickets/rules/ugc . About West Coast Cure: West Coast Cure is one of California's oldest and finest cannabis brands. We are driven by a singular passion: to produce the highest-quality cannabis products on the market today at the most affordable prices. Consumers have come to trust West Coast Cure because of our decade-long experience in hunting and selecting the gassiest strains while fostering relationships with top cultivators and innovative wax artists. West Coast Cure is available at your local dispensary or delivery service in California. For more information about West Coast Cure, visit https://wcc.com/ Instagram: @westcoastcure X (Formerly Twitter): @WestCoastCure Youtube: @westcoastcureofficial Weedmaps: West Coast Cure Media Contact: Andrew Fern Talent Resources [email protected] / 612.669.8103 SOURCE West Coast Cure KANE COUNTY, Ill., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lightstar Renewables announces the successful permitting of the Nesler Road agrivoltaics community solar project. At 4.95 MW AC and spanning 36 acres, this is the largest privately developed and commercially operated crop-specific agrivoltaics project in Illinois. The project will generate enough clean, renewable solar energy to power 1,100 Illinois homes each year, all while maintaining the land's agricultural vitality by cultivating hay; providing necessary nutrients to grazing livestock during winter months and drought periods. Executed approvals from the zoning board of appeals, the development committee, and the county board culminated in making the Nesler Road project officially permitted this March. Nesler Road will be submitted for capacity in the Illinois Shines Program this summer. "This exemplifies the value in safeguarding family land from development, keeping it active in agriculture production." Post this Fresh Energy, Fresh Hay, and Preservation of Farmland The Nesler Road solar installation solidifies Kane County's commitment to both preserving farmland from permanent development and spearheading renewable energy initiatives. By hosting dual-use land that harmonizes solar power generation with agriculture, and surrounded by pollinator habitats on the project perimeter, Kane County serves as a model for rural sustainability nationwide. Residents of Kane County who subscribe to the project once it is operational can anticipate reduced utility bills thanks to the project, which merges environmental consciousness with financial savings. This initiative is poised to set a precedent for how communities can invigorate their local economies and lead in eco-innovative practices. Driving the Project Home "This project, now fully permitted, exemplifies the immense value in safeguarding family land from sprawling development. Keeping the land active in agriculture production, while ensuring energy freedom and resilience for the community, is a benchmark in American land stewardship," expressed Cecelia Stephens, Development Manager at Lightstar, who spearheaded the permitting process. "Projects like this one highlight how rural communities can be catalysts for economic development while maintaining their agricultural heritage." About Lightstar Lightstar Renewables is a greenfield community solar developer and long-term owner and operator of community solar farms across the US. Currently Lightstar is active in 15 states with a pipeline of over 1,000 Megawatts (MWs) and growing. Founded by a seasoned team of solar developers, our mission is to build solar for the land and community. We are the leading greenfield developer in the industry in community solar development that integrates local ecology and agriculture with every project. Stewarding the land and the communities and providing energy freedom to all is key to the success of the clean energy transition. SOURCE Lightstar Renewables, LLC More Pain is Expected in 2024 REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recently published report from Dell'Oro Group, the trusted source for market information about the telecommunications, security, networks, and data center industries, telecom operators are now scaling back their investments in 5G. Preliminary findings show that worldwide telecom capex, the sum of wireless and wireline/other telecom carrier investments, declined for the full year 2023 in nominal USD terms, recording the first contraction since 2017. This deceleration in the broader capex spend is consistent with the aggregate telco equipment slump previously communicated for the six Dell'Oro telecom programs (Broadband Access, Microwave Transmission & Mobile Backhaul, Optical Transport, Mobile Core Network, Radio Access Network, Service Provider Routers & Switch). "The fundamental challenges have not changed. Operators have a fixed capital intensity budget and capex is largely constrained by the revenue trajectory," said Stefan Pongratz, Vice President and analyst with Dell'Oro Group. "What is complicating the situation is that the revenue pie remains fixed. Following some positive developments amidst the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, our analysis shows that operator revenue growth slowed in 2023 and has more or less remained stagnant over the past decade. And based on the guidance, operators, in general, are not overly optimistic that emerging opportunities with generative AI, edge computing, enterprise 5G, FWA, and 5G-Advanced will expand the pie," continued Pongratz. Additional highlights from the March 2024 Telecom Capex report: Global carrier revenues are expected to increase at a 1 percent CAGR over the next 3 years. Market conditions are expected to remain challenging in 2024. Worldwide telecom capex is now projected to decline at a mid-single-digit rate in 2024 and at a negative 2 to 3 percent CAGR by 2026. The mix between wireless and wireline remains largely unchanged, reflecting challenging times still ahead for wireless. Wireless related capex is on track to decline at a double-digit rate in the US in 2024. 5G era capital intensity ratios peaked in 2022 and are on track to approach 15 percent by 2026, down from 18 percent in 2022. About the Report The Dell'Oro Group Telecom Capex Report provides in-depth coverage of more than 50 telecom operators highlighting carrier revenue, capital expenditure, and capital intensity trends. The report provides actual and 3-year forecast details by carrier, by region by country (United States, Canada, China, India, Japan, and South Korea), and by technology (wireless/wireline). To purchase this report, please contact by email at [email protected]. About Dell'Oro Group Dell'Oro Group is a market research firm that specializes in strategic competitive analysis in the telecommunications, security, enterprise networks, security, and data center infrastructure markets. Our firm provides in-depth quantitative data and qualitative analysis to facilitate critical, fact-based business decisions. For more information, please contact Dell'Oro Group at +1.650.622.9400 or visit www.delloro.com. SOURCE Dell'Oro Group Welcomes New Leadership as Experienced Executive Prepares for Retirement OMAHA, Neb., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenaska Chief Executive Officer Chris Leitner today announced the promotion of Tim Kudron to president of Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV), a Tenaska affiliate and leading North American natural gas marketer. Kudron, a 28-year employee of Tenaska, board member and current chief financial officer of TMV replaces Mark Whitt who will be retiring. Current Senior Vice President of Credit Risk, Mark Soulliere will become CFO of TMV. Kudron and Soulliere will step into their new roles effective April 1, 2024. "This planned succession is a testament to TMV's dedication to preserving a customer-focused culture and reinforces its leading market position," said Leitner. "Tim brings a wealth of financial and energy industry knowledge to the position and his decades-long experience as an executive at Tenaska will allow TMV to build upon the robust foundation that Whitt maintained and enhanced, reflecting Tenaska's proactive approach to seize new opportunities and drive future growth." Leadership Transition and Sustained Excellence After dedicating 22 years to TMV, Whitt is slated to retire in March 2025. He will assume an executive advisory role at Tenaska to work closely with Kudron. This collaboration will span over the next year, allowing for a smooth transition to facilitate the handover of responsibilities and maintain TMV's strong performance and customer relationships. Under Whitt's leadership, TMV not only maintained its leading position in the industry but has also achieved significant growth. Since 2020, TMV's natural gas wholesale volumes have increased. The company has expanded its customer base and extensive storage and transportation assets, securing its position as the No. 1 physical gas marketer in the U.S., according to S&P Global Platts Gas Daily and Natural Gas Intelligence. Consistently achieving top ranking in MASTIO & Company's Natural Gas Marketer Customer Value/Loyalty Benchmarking Study within the Major Marketing Group category, TMV has claimed this honor eight times in the last ten years and remained among the top 5 since 2007. "I am proud of our accomplishments at TMV and am grateful for the opportunity to work with our customers as well as our talented and committed team," said Whitt. "Our reputation for reliability and exceptional customer service is a testament to this team's dedication and expertise. We have an extremely strong commercial team coupled with our best-in-class operations group that will continue to provide exceptional customer service. I have full confidence in Tim and Mark to uphold these values and drive TMV's success into the future." Strong Leadership and Strategic Direction Both Kudron and Soulliere bring over two decades of dedicated service and a wealth of industry knowledge to their new roles. Kudron's career at Tenaska began in 1995, where he has held various roles in corporate accounting, finance and administration. His rise to the role of senior vice president of finance set the stage for his position as TMV's CFO. As President of TMV, Kudron's leadership extends to overseeing the entire operation. Soulliere's tenure at TMV started in 1997 as the sole risk analyst. He initially led the market risk, deal capture, and credit groups during TMV's formative years. Subsequently, he dedicated his efforts to enhancing the credit system and assembling a team to support the trade floor as TMV continued to expand its footprint. As CFO of TMV, Soulliere will have direct oversight of all accounting and back-office functions. "Mark Whitt has been a key contributor to Tenaska's success and a respected leader in the industry. We thank him for his dedication," Leitner said. "The board and I are confident that Tim will continue to provide strong leadership and strategic direction for TMV as we navigate the evolving energy markets." About Tenaska Marketing Ventures Tenaska Marketing Ventures / Tenaska Marketing Canada / Tenaska Gas Storage (TMV) is an affiliate of Omaha, Nebraska-based energy company Tenaska. TMV offers tailored solutions to meet wholesale customers' needs for natural gas buying and selling, price hedging, asset management, and supply and demand volume swing management. For more information, visit www.tenaska.com. About Tenaska Consistently ranked among Forbes' List of America's Largest Private Companies, Tenaska is a leading energy company with business operations that span the energy value chain. Tenaska Marketing Ventures (TMV) and Tenaska Power Services Co. (TPS) are among the largest natural gas and electric power marketing companies in North America. The company has an operating fleet of 7,700 megawatts (MW) of natural gas and renewable generating facilities and throughout its history has developed, managed and/or operated approximately 22,128 MW of natural gas-fueled and renewable generation. Tenaska's development services portfolio includes more than 28,887 MW of solar, wind and energy storage projects including 10 carbon sequestration projects capable of storing 50 million metric tons of CO 2 per year. Tenaska seeks investment opportunities to allocate its capital into generation assets nationwide. For more information, visit www.tenaska.com. Contact: Leighton Eusebio 402-691-9534 [email protected] SOURCE Tenaska NAPA, Calif., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Doctors Company, the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, announced today that it has approved a 2024 premium dividend of approximately $14.7 million, bringing the total of declared dividends to date to $470 million. "We are pleased to reward members once again with earned dividends," said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company and TDC Group. "Dividends are an important part of our mission to advance, protect, and reward the practice of good medicine." Dividends of up to 10 percent were approved by The Doctors Company Board of Governors for eligible members in the following states: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Members of the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons may also receive a dividend, depending on their eligibility. Eligible members will receive this year's dividend on their annual premium for policy renewals between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Unlike commercial insurance companies, which look for ways to reward shareholders, The Doctors Company is dedicated to rewarding its members. In addition to dividends, the company provides the Tribute Plan, an unrivaled career benefit that has awarded more than $150 million to retiring doctors. "As a member-owned company, we are committed to sharing the results of our financial success with the healthcare professionals we insure," said Deepika Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer of The Doctors Company. "Our multiyear dividend program recognizes the outstanding outcomes achieved by our members." About The Doctors Company Founded and led by physicians, The Doctors Company (thedoctors.com), the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, is relentlessly committed to advancing, protecting, and rewarding the practice of good medicine. The Doctors Company helps physicians manage the complexities of today's healthcare environmentwith expert guidance, resources, and coverage. The Doctors Company is part of TDC Group (tdcg.com), the nation's largest physician-owned provider of insurance, risk management, and healthcare practice improvement solutions. TDC Group serves the full continuum of care, from individual physicians to academic medical systemsover 100,000 healthcare professionals and organizations nationwidewith annual revenue of $1 billion and over $6.9 billion in assets. To learn more about our data-driven insights and to stay up to date on industry trends, follow and subscribe to The Doctors Company on X (@doctorscompany), YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. SOURCE The Doctors Management Company Huntington receives Joe Belew Award for Lift Local Business program supporting historically underserved communities COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Huntington National Bank and its Lift Local Business program have been nationally recognized by the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) with the 2024 Joe Belew Award. The award honors CBA member banks for their efforts to address pressing social and community issues, with this year's focus recognizing impactful programs that seek to improve workforce development and educational opportunities. Huntington's Lift Local Business program supports minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned small businesses throughout the business life cycle, from start-up to expansion. In addition to direct lending, the program offers business planning support, free financial education courses through Operation HOPE, and other services to help small business owners take charge of their careers and create long-term wealth for themselves and their families. "Small businesses are the backbones of our communities and local economies. At Huntington, we recognize that some small businesses face more challenges when it comes to receiving funding," said Brant Standridge, Huntington's Consumer and Regional Banking President. "We created Lift Local Business to help address these socioeconomic barriers, and we're honored to be recognized as the 2024 Joe Belew Award winner." Lift Local Business is a key component of Huntington's $40 billion Strategic Community Plan, which is focused on driving economic inclusion through access to capital, affordable housing and home ownership, and community lending and investment. Since Huntington launched the program in 2020, the bank has provided funding to more than 1,450 small businesses, totaling $101 million in loans. "Huntington is proud of the number of small businesses we've supported through Lift Local Business. We're committed to investing in our small business lending program, so we can help more small businesses start, grow, and prosper, and help the communities throughout our footprint become the best they can be," said Maggie Ference, Huntington's Small Business and Small Business Administration Director. "Small businesses play an integral role in our economy, from supporting communities to employing and serving local residents," said CBA President and CEO Lindsey Johnson. "That's why I'm so pleased that Huntington Bank received this year's Joe Belew Award for its Lift Local Business program that supports minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned small businesses." The Joe Belew Award was established to honor former CBA President, Joe Belew, for his commitment to community development. The focus of the award changes annually, with this year's award presented to the CBA member-bank applicant with the most responsive and impactful program seeking to improve workforce development and educational opportunities. The award winner was selected by volunteers from CBA's membership. As the 2024 Joe Belew Award winner, Huntington has selected the 1 Million Black Businesses initiative, which is powered by Operation HOPE and provides the black community a successful path to wealth creation through sustainable and profitable business ownership, as its nonprofit of choice to receive a donation from the CBA. For more information about Huntington's Lift Local Business program, visit https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/loans/lift-local. To learn more about the Joe Belew Award, visit https://www.consumerbankers.com/cba-media-center/media-releases/cba-announces-award-recipients-cba-live-2024. About Huntington Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $189 billion asset regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumers, small and middlemarket businesses, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations with a comprehensive suite of banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Huntington operates approximately 1,000 branches in 11 states, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Visit https://www.huntington.com/ for more information. SOURCE Huntington National Bank South Middleton School Board has to decide whether hiring an academic program coordinator should be included in the 2024-25 district budget. The board convened a workshop meeting Monday as it continues to mull a proposed 5.3% real estate tax increase to close a projected $1.32 million budget deficit. The tax hike would increase the district rate to 12.9542 mills. The owner of an average home, assessed at $209,600, would pay $136.65 more in taxes. The current timeline calls for approval of a preliminary budget on May 6, followed by a vote on final adoption on June 17. State law requires school districts to submit final budgets to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by June 30. The board plans to schedule a follow-up workshop in April to continue its review of the numbers, including a $150,000 line-item to support the salary and benefits of the coordinator position. During the workshop Monday, board Vice President Robin Scherer asked the administration for details on the benefits of having a coordinator. The coordinator would work directly with teachers and content area program chairs to review, develop and refine curriculum at all grade levels, as well as enhance professional development opportunities, Superintendent Kevin J. ODonnell said. Not only is this person going to look at where we are with our current curriculum maps, but also where were going with career pathways [at Boiling Springs High School] and projected growth [districtwide]. While some of this work is being done by current staff, it is not at the volume or intensity of focus to bring about the desired level of measurable improvements, ODonnell said. I dont have the capacity to address all those areas at the same time. Scherer also asked how the job of coordinator would be different from that of the assistant to the superintendent, a position currently held by Jason Baker. ODonnell said the only practical overlap would be Bakers role as district assessment coordinator. Management of the Bubbler Cyber Academy would move from Alex Smith, director of student services, to the academic program coordinator, ODonnell said. As a follow-up in April, board member Rodney Wagner said he would like to see a breakdown of how time is spent among those staff members tasked with job duties that resemble the proposed coordinator position. Wagner also asked Tina Darchicourt, director of business and operations, whether a further review of proposed expenditures could yield additional significant cuts. We did review this budget by the line-items, Darchicourt said. We have sharpened our pencils. I do not believe it is going to be significant. District administrators came into the budget cycle with just over $49 million in projected expenses that include requests for additional staff from various departments. Following a preliminary review, administrators trimmed about $1.2 million to reduce expenditures to the current level of just over $48 million. Since the February workshop, administrators had to adjust the budget to account for a higher-than-expected increase in health insurance rates. The district thought it was being conservative when it budgeted a 12% increase, only to learn from Highmark, its carrier, that the increase could be over 20%. In expressing support for the coordinator position, Board President Brad Group said South Middleton is not an administration heavy district. Unlike other nearby districts, South Middleton has no assistant principal position at either of its elementary school buildings, Group said. The bulk of day-to-day administrative oversight at the central office level is being handled by ODonnell and Baker, he said. Group retired after 35 years as a second-grade teacher at the W.G. Rice Elementary School. We never felt we had too many administrators, Group said, referring to his colleagues. Unlike other districts, content area department chairs in South Middleton carry a full load of courses in addition to what administrative duties they can manage, he said. Board member Eric Berry said he would rather spend money on a proposed secondary teacher than the coordinator position. The line-item for the teacher is about $103,000 for salary and benefits. The millage always goes up. ... It never goes down, Berry said. It is the trajectory, but it is frustrating. I see that as a problem. We cannot do this forever. QIONGHAI, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sub-forum on Religious Harmony and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations at the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 ("BFA 2024") is set to feature its first ever roundtable discussion on March 29th. Serving as a platform for imparting wisdom and demonstrating responsibility, the goal of the sub-forum is to foster meaningful exchanges and forge consensus centered around the theme "Flow of Dharma to the East and Thousands of Miles of Fellowship - Confronting Challenges and Achieving Mutual Growth Through the Wisdom and Compassion of Buddha". The Sub-forum on Religious Harmony and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations at the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 (BFA 2024) is set to feature its first ever roundtable discussion on March 29th. YIN SHUN, Head of the Youth Division of China Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP), Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and President of the Buddhist Association of Hainan Province This year's sub-forum has attracted an unprecedented number of participants and countries, with notable attendees including: BOUR KRY , the Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayutta Order of the kingdom of Cambodia ; , the Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayutta Order of the kingdom of ; HARADA MITSUNORI , Deputy Superintendent and Director of Zennosato Affairs Promotion Office of Daihonzan Eiheiji of Soto Zen School; , Deputy Superintendent and Director of Zennosato Affairs Promotion Office of Daihonzan Eiheiji of Soto Zen School; LHARKYAL LAMA , Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and Chief Abbot of the Palyul Ling Monastery in Kathmandu ; , Vice Chairman of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) and Chief Abbot of the Palyul Ling Monastery in ; KIRINDE ASSAJI , Rajakeeya Panditha, Deputy Chief High prelate of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka ; , Rajakeeya Panditha, Deputy Chief High prelate of Gangaramaya Temple in ; MU AE , Chairman of the Acharya Review Committee at the Education Institute of Jogye Order and Member of the Sangha Examination Council of Jogye Order; , Chairman of the Acharya Review Committee at the Education Institute of Jogye Order and Member of the Sangha Examination Council of Jogye Order; THICH DUC THIEN , Vice President, Secretary General of Executive Council of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, Head of Department of International Buddhist Affairs and Member of The National Assembly of Vietnam ; and , Vice President, Secretary General of Executive Council of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha, Head of Department of International Buddhist Affairs and Member of The National Assembly of ; and YAN JUE , Vice President of the China Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP), Co-chair of the Religions for Peace, President of the Buddhist Association of China ; At the media meeting on 28th March, religious representatives from Cambodia, China, Japan, and Nepal, representing the three major Buddhist traditions of Han Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism, engaged in exchanges and interactions with Chinese media outlets, including CCTV and Xinhua News Agency. The event sought to promote mutual learning between world religions and civilizations of the East and West through the "Boao Dialogue". HARADA MITSUNORI commented, "I feel optimistic about future cultural exchanges between Buddhist communities in China and Japan, fostering bridges of understanding and camaraderie between our two nations." BOUR KRY, remarked that the exchanges and co-operation between the Buddhist communities of China and Cambodia have expanded from the initial focus on Buddhist culture to encompass Buddhist education, youth development, public welfare and charity, medical and healthcare services, and ecological and environmental protection, among others. The Chinese Buddhist community, led by YIN SHUN, Head of the Youth Division of China Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP), Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and President of the Buddhist Association of Hainan Province, has played a pivotal role in strengthening the bonds between China and Cambodia. At the media conference, YIN SHUN highlighted the remarkable achievements of the past years. The Buddhist Association of China has proudly hosted eight Boao Religious Sub-Forums, eight South China Sea Buddhist Roundtables, and the "Overseas Spreading and Influence of Chinese Chan Culture - Dahongshan Forum". Additionally, for a decade, the organization has organized the cross-border public interest initiative known as the "Silk Road Charity and Brightness Action Tour", providing cost-free surgical treatment to tens of thousands of cataract patients in multiple countries. Meanwhile the Buddhist Association of China has recruited apprentice monks from various countries to pursue advanced studies at the Nanhai Buddhist Academy, and presided over the compilation of the first and most innovative digital edition of the Dictionary of Chinese Buddhism, among other endeavors. These achievements underscore the efforts and contributions made by the religious community to engage into the process of Chinese-style modernization, promoting the sinicization of religions, and fostering consensus for the construction of the Free Trade Port. They also demonstrate that only a sinicized Buddhism can better serve Chinese-style modernization. Since its inception in 2015, the religious sub-forum of BFA has completed eight sessions, attracting a distinctive lineup of esteemed guests representing many of the world's religions, Nobel laureates, nationally recognized scholars, and leading journalists. These individuals, representing countries from the East and West, have converged to foster meaningful exchanges and mutual understanding on the topic of the world's major religions and civilizations, contributing to global peace, prosperity, and the advancement of a shared future for mankind. SOURCE The Buddhist Association of China HANGZHOU, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd. ("Tigermed" or the "company") (Stock code: 300347.SZ / 3347.HK), a leading global provider of integrated research and development solutions for biopharmaceutical and medical device industry, announced its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the "Reporting Period"). This press release is for information and summary only and is not intended to provide any representation, in whole or in part, of the relevant matters. For further information, please refer to the 2023 annual results and relevant announcements published on the websites of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (www.szse.cn) and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (www.hkexnews.hk). All financials disclosed in this press release are prepared based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) except for those specifically noted otherwise. The 2023 Annual Results of the Company has been audited. Financial Highlights: Total revenue achieved 4.2% year-over-year ("YoY") growth to RMB 7,384 million during the Reporting Period. year-over-year ("YoY") growth to RMB million during the Reporting Period. Adjusted Non-IFRS net profit attributable to the owners of the Company increased by 7.2% YoY to RMB 1,786 million during the Reporting Period. YoY to RMB million during the Reporting Period. Segment revenue generated from Clinical Trial Solutions reached RMB 4,168.1 million and that from Clinical-related and Lab Services reached RMB 3,215.9 million, representing a YoY growth of 1.0% and 8.6% , respectively. million and that from Clinical-related and Lab Services reached RMB million, representing a YoY growth of and , respectively. Geographically, China's revenue increased by 17.6% YoY to RMB 4,234.5 million. The company's overseas revenue decreased by 9.6% YoY to RMB 3,149.5 million in 2023. Business Highlights Tigermed continued to empower pharmaceutical and medical device innovation in 2023 and navigated the complexities of the life science sector, solidifying its leading position in the clinical CRO industry. From 2004 to 2023, Tigermed provided services to 61% of all Class I new drug approvals in China. During the reporting period, Tigermed assisted in the approval of 22 Class I new drugs and 6 innovative medical devices in China. Additionally, Tigermed opened its International Headquarters in Hong Kong in 2023, serving as the main hub for overseas functional support and business development. As of December 31, 2023, Tigermed had 9,701 total employees in 28 countries worldwide, including 1,632 overseas employees. In the clinical trial solutions field, as of December 31, 2023, Tigermed has 752 ongoing drug clinical trials and 465 ongoing medical device & IVD projects. In 2023, Regulatory Affairs had a total of 1,009 accumulated project experience, added 29 new US FDA IND projects, and assisted 9 products to receive approvals in China. Medical Translation added 86 new customers in 2023. Besides, Medical Device & IVD assisted 6 innovative medical device products to receive China launch approvals. Moreover, Real World Studies projects have been further expanded to multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, rare diseases, orthopaedics, etc. In the clinical-related and lab services field, as of December 31, 2023, Tigermed Data Management & Statistical Analysis ("DMSA") team had over 850 professionals globally, serving a total of 340 customers, with ongoing projects increasing to 826. In addition, Tigermed Site Management ("SMO") had 1,952 ongoing SMO projects as of December 31, 2023 and provided services to support 50 Class I innovative drug approvals in China accumulatively. Tigermed's Clinical Trial Sites of Excellence ("E-Site") had 224 core collaborative sites and 74 green channel sites. Furthermore, Independent Central Imaging has provided services for over 280 clinical trials, with 25 products approved. In 2023, Tigermed laboratory services--Frontage, completed the acquisition of Nucro-Technics Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary, Nucro-Technics, Inc. ("Nucro Technics"), expanding its lab capacity by over 60,000 square feet. Moreover, on June 6, 2023, Frontage Suzhou Safety Assessment Center obtained the GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certification issued by the NMPA. In 2023, Tigermed accelerated the integration of innovative and digital technologies into clinical development, introducing a wide range of virtual and hybrid approaches to Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCT). The company's in-house DCT technology has been widely used in various projects, including pivotal clinical trials, post-marketing studies, real-world studies, etc., covering therapeutic areas including oncology, hematology, central nervous system, respiratory and endocrine, etc. As of December 31, 2023, 13% of Tigermed's ongoing clinical trials had adopted the DCT hybrid model. Further, Tigermed played a significant role in the development of China's DCT ecosystem and published the landmark report on the DCT Industry Best Practice and authored Tigermed DCT Global Regulatory Handbook. In 2023, Tigermed continued to deepen its global presence and service capabilities. Tigermed US clinical operation business saw rapid growth in revenue and backlog with a well-supported integrated platform and a growing team. Tigermed US team had accumulated know-how from over 100 clinical trials. As of December 31, 2023, Tigermed had 59 ongoing multi-regional clinical trials (MRCTs) conducted in countries across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa, as well as 194 ongoing single region overseas clinical trials, primarily in South Korea, Australia, and the United States. Tigermed's exceptional performance earned recognition from industry, media outlets, and other stakeholders, including an upgrade to an AA rating by MSCI. Tigermed has also received notable awards, such as being named the Best Medical Device Overseas Enabling Service Provider and LinkedIn Best Employer Brand Award, etc. Management Comments "Despite industry fluctuations in 2023, Tigermed maintained a steady growth, reflecting our team's dedication and the company's robust capabilities and resilience," stated Dr. Xiaoping Ye, Co-Founder and Chairman of Tigermed. "Looking ahead, the life science industry remains ripe with vast opportunities and potential. The company will continue to embrace regulatory changes, technological innovation, and global expansion to deliver value to society." Dr. Xiaochun Cao, Co-Founder, Executive Director, and President of Tigermed, said: "Since our founding in 2004, Tigermed has been integral to China's pharmaceutical evolution from imitation to innovation. With global expansion and exceptional quality, we're driving impactful advancements in clinical research and addressing patient needs for better health outcomes." Mr. Hao Wu, Executive Director and Co-President of Tigermed, said: "Tigermed is dedicated to delivering professional, high-quality, and efficient services, actively responding to market changes, and advancing innovative product launches to meet diverse customer needs. Looking forward, Tigermed remains steadfast in its mission, collaborating globally to drive medical industry development and contribute to human health." Forward-Looking Statements The information communicated herein may contain certain "forward-looking statements", which are not historical facts but instead include predictions about future events based on our beliefs and information currently made available to us. Although we believe that these predictions are reasonable on the date hereof, future events are inherently uncertain and these forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty by nature because they relate to events and will depend on circumstances that will occur in the future relating to, inter alia, our ability to compete effectively, our ability to develop and market new service offerings, our ability to expand into new markets, the risks associated with listed subsidiaries of the Company, unforeseeable international tensions, regulatory or governmental scrutiny in certain countries, the impact of emergencies and other force majeure events. We undertake no obligations to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments except as required by applicable laws or listing rules. Any investment in any securities issued by the Company or its subsidiaries will also involve certain risks. There may be additional material risks that are currently not considered to be material or of which the Company and its advisors or representatives are unaware. Against the background of these uncertainties, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements. Non-IFRS Measure To supplement our financial information which are presented in accordance with IFRS, we use adjusted net profit attributable to owners of the Company as an additional financial measure, which is not required by, or presented in accordance with IFRS. We define adjusted net profit attributable to owners of the Company as profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company before certain expenses and amortization. We define adjusted net profit attributable to owners of the Company as profit attributable to owners of the Company adjusted for (1) share-based compensation expense, (2) net foreign exchange loss/(gain), (3) amortization of intangible assets arising from acquisitions, (4) listing expenses incurred by our Group, and (5) increase in fair value of financial assets at FVTPL. Adjusted net profit attributable to owners of the Company is not an alternative to (i) profit before tax, profit for the year or profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company (as determined in accordance with IFRS) as a measure of our operating performance, (ii) cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of our ability to meet our cash needs, or (iii) any other measures of performance or liquidity. We believe that this non-IFRS measure is useful for understanding and assessing underlying business performance and operating trends and that the owners of the company and we may benefit from referring to this non-IFRS measure in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual, non-recurring, non-cash and/or non-operating items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our business. However, the presentation of this non-IFRS measure is not intended to, and should not, be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with the IFRS. You should not view the non-IFRS measure on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under the IFRS, or as being comparable to results or a similarly titled financial measure reported or forecasted by other companies. About Tigermed Tigermed (Stock code: 300347.SZ/3347.HK) is a leading global provider of integrated research and development solutions for biopharmaceutical and medical device industry. With a broad portfolio of services and a promise of quality, from preclinical development to clinical trial to commercialization, we are collaborating with over 2,800 customers and committed to moving their development journey efficiently and cost-effectively. Tigermed currently represents a worldwide network of more than 180 locations with over 9,700 employees across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. We are devoted to building an integrated platform that enables the boundless possibilities for the healthcare industry, embracing challenges to fulfill our commitment to serving unmet patients' needs, and ultimately saving lives. SOURCE Tigermed Info-Tech's Infrastructure and Operations 2024 report highlights the top areas of focus for infrastructure and operations leaders this year, including embedding FinOps integration, cost control, cloud resilience, data strategy, and zero trust security. The insights provided in the report aim to equip leaders with the strategies required for optimizing infrastructure, ensuring security, and driving organizational success in the dynamic digital economy. TORONTO, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As organizations consider the emerging digital and business opportunities of 2024, they face the task of not only maintaining their current IT operations but also adopting and integrating emerging technologies like generative AI (Gen AI). The recently published Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report from Info-Tech Research Group offers research-backed guidance to I&O leaders working through this dual challenge. Info-Tech Research Groups Infrastructure and Operations Priorities 2024 report highlights the top areas of focus for infrastructure and operations leaders, including embedding FinOps integration, cost control, cloud resilience, data strategy, and zero trust security. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) Info-Tech's annual report highlights five strategic priorities essential for navigating the exponentially evolving digital landscape, focusing on realism and responsibility in embracing technological change. The report provides actionable insights to help leaders align their I&O strategies with broader business objectives, ensuring they remain competitive in an exponentially digital economy. "Infrastructure and operations leaders grapple with the critical task of setting priorities for the year, a process that's as much about the art of strategic foresight as it is about the science of operational management," says Emily Sugerman, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. "This delicate balance between maintaining existing systems and showcasing IT's broader business value is complicated by external factors and past decisions. Yet, it's the essential groundwork, system maintenance alongside innovative project work, that enables IT to deliver substantial business value, even as the technological landscape evolves." The Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report delves into the significant shifts and challenges that I&O leaders must negotiate. It highlights the critical impact of Gen AI, economic pressures, cloud migration, and the imperative of maintaining robust security measures. By identifying these areas as focal points, the report aims to equip I&O professionals with the insights needed to align their strategies with the evolving demands of the digital landscape, ensuring operational resilience and strategic growth in the face of change. "As the landscape continues to evolve, I&O teams must embrace adaptability, moving beyond traditional methods to innovative solutions like no-code platforms while also navigating financial constraints to fuel growth and innovation," explains Sugerman. "This shift toward a more democratized IT landscape not only mitigates risks but also carves out new pathways for delivering enhanced services and achieving strategic business outcomes." Drawing on a wealth of data and insights, the new report is based on a blend of data and insights, incorporating findings from in-depth CIO interviews and expert analyses. It also uses data from Info-Tech's CIO Business Vision diagnostics program and the Tech Trends 2024 report. This comprehensive approach ensures the report offers a well-rounded view of the industry's current state and future. The Infrastructure and Operations Priorities 2024 report provides I&O leaders with five pivotal priorities for this year. The following priorities will assist in fostering innovation, aligning strategies with organizational objectives, and ensuring readiness for future challenges and opportunities: Embed FinOps: Unearthing cloud's business value. This priority underscores the need to manage cloud costs proactively, moving beyond simple usage to a strategic approach that ensures every dollar spent on the cloud drives business value. By implementing FinOps practices, organizations aim to balance cost, speed, and quality, making cloud spending more transparent and accountable. I&O leaders should champion a collaborative FinOps culture, focusing on transparency and accountability in cloud costs. The research recommends the establishment of cross-functional FinOps teams and the utilization of cost management tools. Control Costs in Operations: Respond to economic challenges with efficient resource management. In response to economic pressures, this focus emphasizes the importance of resource efficiency. According to the research, this means doing more with less, streamlining operations, and cutting unnecessary expenditures without compromising on service quality or business continuity. IT and finance teams must work together to implement cost-control measures, focusing on automation and efficient resource management to navigate economic pressures. Establish Business Continuity Plans for Critical Systems in the Cloud: Improve IT resilience. Highlighting the shift of critical systems to the cloud, this priority advocates for robust continuity planning to ensure resilience. It involves preparing for and quickly recovering from data breaches or system failures to minimize downtime and maintain trust. According to the report, I&O professionals should lead the development of robust business continuity plans, ensuring systems remain resilient in the face of disruptions. Support the Productization of Data: Proactively seek to understand Infrastructure's role. This initiative calls for treating data as a strategic asset, emphasizing its role in decision-making and business strategies. It involves enhancing data management practices to improve accessibility, accuracy, and security, thereby enabling better business outcomes. Data architects and I&O leaders need to collaborate on enhancing data management practices, focusing on security, accessibility, and the strategic use of data to drive business outcomes. Continue to Pursue Zero Trust Security: Collaborate with security teams to implement zero trust security. With cybersecurity threats evolving, adopting a zero-trust framework is crucial. This approach assumes that threats could be internal or external, and therefore, verifies every access request as if it originates from an open network, minimizing the risk of data breaches. The report recommends that security and I&O teams implement zero-trust frameworks, with a focus on rigorous access controls and continuous verification to mitigate cyber threats. With the digital era evolving at an exponential pace, the Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report aims to provide I&O leaders with a critical roadmap to align their operations with both emerging and future demands. By embracing the recommended priorities, leaders can position their teams at the forefront of innovation and operational excellence. This strategic approach empowers organizations to not only meet but exceed business goals and ensures they remain agile and competitive in a landscape marked by constant change and technological advancement. For exclusive media commentary from Emily Sugerman, an expert on IT infrastructure and operations, or to access the complete Infrastructure & Operations Priorities 2024 report, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to view the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group MIAMI, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique online platform, My Yoga Journey, has been launched by Yourself Yoga for Menopause to provide yoga exclusively for women in menopause who prefer a natural solution to help alleviate their symptoms. Founded by menopause yoga expert, Julie Ann Garrido, who is one of only 600 yoga teachers worldwide with specialist menopause yoga accreditation, My Yoga Journey, offers a lifeline to menopausal women who are looking to practice yoga for menopause, but are unable to access classes locally. Founder of Yourself Yoga for Menopause and the creator of My Yoga Journey - an exclusive yoga platform for women in menopause - Julie Ann Garrido is menopause yoga expert and one of only 600 yoga teachers worldwide with specialist menopause yoga accreditation. In addition to yoga classes that are categorized according to menopause symptoms My Yoga Journey, which is available via an App, sets itself apart with its unique 7-stage Journey. Incorporating guided practice calendars, tutorials for key yoga poses, and a menopause symptom tracker, this simple yet structured 'journey' helps women to navigate menopause yoga and at the same time alleviate their symptoms too. The success of My Yoga Journey is nothing short of astonishing. As well as introducing menopause yoga to countless women worldwide who have significantly improved their symptoms, it has helped many transform lives as a result of their new-found confidence and energy. Julie Ann Garrido explains: "Menopause Yoga is probably one of the world's best kept secrets. Not only is it an effective solution for alleviating menopause symptoms, but it is also more powerful than most other solutions but with no need for pills or potions. "Yoga has the power to ease most of the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that menopause brings from age 40 onwards, yet many medics and menopause specialists remain ignorant to this. Therefore, my mission is simple: I want every woman to know that there is an alternative solution for menopause. Not every woman can take synthetic hormones and neither do all women want to take medications, so at last there is an effective natural solution to help," she adds. Whilst there are countless styles of yoga available these days, not all are suitable for menopause. Menopause yoga, also known as yoga for menopause, is designed to support women through the transition from perimenopause into menopause and post-menopause. By incorporating a mix of yoga styles including Slow Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra, menopause yoga is able to address a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional changes that this phase of life can bring. In addition, menopause yoga can specifically target symptoms such as anxiety, hot flushes, joint pain, brain fog, low moods, poor sleep, and many more. Overall, menopause yoga promotes wellbeing and enhances the overall quality of life during this key stage. Typically, 'less is more' at this stage of key stage of life. Therefore, knowing that most menopausal women can't physically manage a standard one-hour yoga class or don't have the time, and that menopause symptoms can be better managed by breaking down that one hour into four 15 minute yoga sequences per week, My Yoga Journey comes packed with short sequences and beginner-friendly content that can be practiced by every woman at any stage of menopause either from home or whilst on the go. What sets My Yoga Journey apart from other yoga platforms Menopause symptoms: this unique platform boasts 350+ yoga videos that are categorized according to menopause symptoms. These include: anxiety and overwhelm, fatigue, sore joints, low mood, aches and pains, brain fog, digestive issues, hot flashes, menstrual problems, PMS, pelvic floor issues, stress, and sleep problems. In addition, classes can be found for balance, morning yoga, chakra balancing, and strength and flexibility. The 7-stage Journey: this sets My Yoga Journey apart from other online yoga platforms. This simple yet structured 'journey' incorporates guided practice calendars, tutorials for key yoga poses, and a menopause symptom tracker to help women to navigate menopause yoga and at the same time alleviate their symptoms too. Yoga for busy schedules: the idea behind My Yoga Journey is that yoga should fit in with a woman's busy life, and not the other way around. Consequently, most videos are as short as 10, 15 and 20 minutes. Meditations: the platform also offers a wealth of meditations that are also categorized according to menopause symptoms. Ranging from 5 10 minutes in length, they are the perfect compliment to a yoga practice and for calming a chaotic menopause mind. Yoga tutorials: so that women can learn the fundamentals of yoga, the platform includes tutorials covering all the key yoga poses. As well as teaching the foundations and alignment of poses, these videos also demonstrate modifications to suit the level of experience or individual's body shape. Pranayama / Breathwork: the platform also includes videos for breathing techniques which can be used to ease a variety of menopause symptoms from hot flashes to anxiety and stress. Guided Calendars: so that women can monitor their progress on the mat, 3-week calendars accompany each of the 7-stage Journey. This means that they never have to wonder what to practice, for everything is meticulously laid out for them. Symptom Tracker: a unique Menopause Symptom Tracker accompanies the 7-stage Journey so that women can monitor the improvements in their symptoms as they progress on the mat. Menopause Yoga Community: My Yoga Journey comes with it's very own private community of women who are all following the 7-stage Journey to ease their menopause symptoms. The Story Behind My Yoga Journey My Yoga Journey was borne out of Julie's personal disappointment in trailing bio-identical hormones for menopause that caused her more harm than good. She therefore embarked on finding a natural solution to ease her persistent anxiety, stress, and fatigue. It was after first stepping on a yoga mat at the age of 53 that Julie realized the challenges of finding yoga content suitable for her age, her lack of experience, and her menopausal body. Non-existent in public classes, it was also impossible to find online too. Knowing that most menopausal women felt uncomfortable with their size and shape and didn't have the confidence or energy to attend a yoga studio, she felt increasingly frustrated that yoga did not cater for their needs. After practicing regular short sequences at home, not only did Julie's anxiety, stress, and fatigue improve, her hot flashes began to subside, her energy levels soared, the brain fog lifted, and the joint pain that used to keep her awake at night was a distant memory. Julie knew she had struck gold and had discovered that yoga was the answer to a natural menopause. With a new-found passion and purpose, Julie became committed to making menopause yoga accessible to every woman, no matter where they were in the world. After embarking on yoga teacher training and becoming certified in menopause yoga, she set about creating accessible, affordable, and beginner-friendly menopause yoga classes that could be enjoyed from the sanctuary of the home. But it is the 7-stage Journey that is the real secret behind My Yoga Journey's success. The 'journey' offers a simple yet clear structure that guides women from taking their first steps on a yoga mat to mastering some of the more complex balancing poses. But by being able to track their menopause symptoms throughout, they can see first hand the amazing transformation in their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing at every stage. Success breeds success, and with yoga now being an integral part of their life, these women go on to make significant life changes and embrace the freedom and excitement that this new chapter of life brings. Are you a beginner and want to start a home yoga practice? If so, download our FREE guide to yoga for beginners. Start a 7-day FREE trial of My Yoga Journey and enjoy access to our 7-stage Journey. Check out our menopause wellness retreats for 2024 that are all exclusively designed for women in menopause. Join our menopause support community for yoga to enjoy free tips and advice, and meet other like-minded women who are experiencing the same menopause challenges. About Us: Located in the UK, Yourself Yoga for Menopause was founded in 2019 to help women alleviate their menopause symptoms with the power of yoga. Yourself Yoga for Menopause was founded by menopause yoga expert, Julie Ann Garrido , who is one of only 600 yoga teachers worldwide with specialist menopause yoga accreditation , who is one of only 600 yoga teachers worldwide with specialist menopause yoga accreditation Yourself Yoga's unique online menopause yoga platform, My Yoga Journey can be accessed via an App which enables women to practice yoga that is specifically designed to ease menopause symptoms, all from the comfort of their home. What sets My Yoga Journey apart from other online yoga platforms is it's unique 7-stage Journey which incorporates guided practice calendars, tutorials for key yoga poses, and a menopause symptom tracker. This simple yet structured 'journey' helps women to navigate menopause yoga and at the same time alleviate their symptoms too. My Yoga Journey offers a 7-day FREE trial to encourage women to try the platform before they buy. The company also specializes in year-round menopause wellness retreats that combine yoga with other holistic practices and adventure. Bringing together women from all over the globe, they provide a refuge for women to step off the hamster's wheel of menopause symptoms and rest, recharge, and rediscover themselves. SOURCE Yourself Yoga NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global washing machine market in US size is estimated to grow by USD 1.65 bn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. The U.S. washing machine market is driven by consumer preferences for smart technologies and lifestyle changes. Top players like Whirlpool and Miele dominate, with innovations such as fully automatic segment, Wi-Fi access, and apps. Urbanization and technological advancements fuel growth. Key trends include Whirlpool's top-load washers with 2-in-1 agitators, Miele's smart washing machines and T1 dryers, and efforts in product development, strategic initiatives, and mergers and acquisitions. However, challenges like mold formation and mildew in vertical gaskets, and chronic back pain from traditional top-load machines persist. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Washing Machine Market in US 2024-2028 For more insights on the historic (2018 - 2022) and forecast market size- Request a sample report Washing Machine Market In US Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.2% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 1.65 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.56 Regional analysis US Performing market contribution North America at 100% Key countries US and North America Key companies profiled AB Electrolux, Alliance Laundry System LLC, Avanti Products LLC, Danby, Felix Storch Inc., General Electric Co., Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Midea Group Co. Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Toshiba Corp., Transform Holdco LLC, Whirlpool Corp., and Aosom LLC Segment Overview This washing machine market in US report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user (Residential, Commercial) Technology (Fully automatic, Semi-automatic) Distribution Channel (Offline, Online) Geography (North America) Market segmentation by End-user The US washing machine market experiences significant growth due to expanding middle-class populations and increasing disposable income, particularly among Millennials. Distribution channel insights reveal a shift towards both offline retail shops and online segments, including e-commerce marketplaces. Capacity insights indicate a rising demand for above 8 kg washing machines from major brands like Samsung, LG, and Haier. The work-from-home culture and heightened focus on hygiene have fueled this trend. Technological advancements, such as AI and IoT, have transformed the industry, enabling connected appliances and optimization processes through mathematical calculations and monitoring environments. Consumers, especially urbanized and information-centric age groups, seek touchpoints with smart homes and innovation. The online distribution channel, driven by sales growth, continues to dominate, with technological advancements shaping the future of the US washing machine market. Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2018 - 2022) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report The U.S. washing machine market is shaped by consumer preferences, with the fully automatic segment dominating the forecast period. Lifestyle changes, urbanization, and technological advancements drive strategic initiatives in product development. Key players like Whirlpool, Miele, Samsung, and LG introduce innovations such as 2-in-1 removable agitators, smart washing machines, and Wi-Fi access through apps. Urban markets favor front-load machines, addressing concerns of mildew and chronic back pain through vertical gaskets. Capacity insights indicate growth in the above 8 kg segment. E-commerce marketplaces expand distribution channels, with offline retail shops remaining significant. Work-from-home culture and hygiene boost demand, with AI and IoT integration shaping the US industry. The US washing machine market encompasses offline retail shops and online e-commerce marketplaces. Brands like Samsung, LG, and Haier dominate, capitalizing on the work-from-home culture and hygiene concerns. Consumers increasingly prefer information-centric buying, engaging with connected appliances through AI and IoT. Urbanization drives technological advancement, optimizing sales processes and monitoring environments via mathematical calculations. Smart homes and innovation continue to shape the online distribution channel, catering to various age groups. Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2018 - 2022) and forecast period(2024-2028)- Request a sample report! Research Analysis Market Research Overview The washing machine market in the US is a significant sector, with various brands and models catering to consumer preferences. Home appliance companies, such as Whirlpool, LG, and Haier, offer a range of washing machines with advanced technologies like front load and top load machines, smart technology, and energy efficiency. Consumers seek machines with capacity, durability, and convenience, leading to the popularity of high-capacity machines and those with various wash cycles. The market also focuses on sustainability, with eco-friendly detergents and energy-efficient machines gaining traction. The market is competitive, with companies implementing pricing strategies and product innovations to attract customers. The future of the washing machine market in the US lies in smart technology and energy efficiency, as consumers increasingly prioritize convenience and sustainability. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Residential Commercial Technology Fully Automatic Semi-automatic Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography North America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Growth investment poised to enhance customer experience, accelerate product development and support strategic M&A for Keltec, a leading provider of aftermarket filtration solutions LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vance Street Capital ("Vance Street"), a Los Angeles based private equity firm, today announced it has partnered with Keltec Technolab Inc's ("Keltec") management team to support the business during the next chapter of its growth. Keltec is a leading North American provider of aftermarket filtration components for compressed air solutions. The acquisition represents Vance Street's seventh platform investment out of Vance Street Capital III L.P. and leverages the firm's experience in industrial technology as well as in the aftermarket filtration consumables space. Headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, Keltec specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing an extensive array of filtration solutions for compressed air solutions across various industries, including general industrial, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and many others. Keltec's product offering is diverse with over 12,000 SKUs, spanning from Air/Oil Separators to Air Filters, Oil Filters, Coalescing Filters and Refrigerated Air Dryers, all of which are essential in avoiding defects and extending the useful life of compressed air systems for its customers. Keltec, founded by the Kaiser family over 40 years ago, is a valued partner to its global base of customers recognized for its customer service and high quality products. As part of the transaction, the Kaiser family is retaining a significant ownership position in Keltec and will continue to lead the business going forward. "I'm thrilled about this partnership as it empowers us to invest in growth, both organically and through M&A, thereby strengthening our market position as an aftermarket filtration parts provider. This opportunity also allows us to maintain a culture dedicated to surpassing the needs and expectations of our customers," said Ed Kaiser, CEO of Keltec. "Vance Street's track record of focusing on how to grow an organization, investing in the right people, process and product innovation, is a great fit for our organization." "Vance Street is always looking to partner with successful entrepreneurs like the Kaisers," said Nic Janneck, Partner at Vance Street. "Over the last 40 years, the Kaisers and their team have built a highly differentiated company. With Vance Street's additional support and capital, Keltec will be able to invest in the business, accelerate its new product development and continue to provide its customers best-in-class service." "We are excited to partner with the Kaiser family to support Keltec's commitment to offering an extensive suite of high-quality products to its global customer base," said Yousaf Tahir, Vice President at Vance Street. "Vance Street's ability to leverage its experience in industrial technology as well as the consumable filtration ecosystem makes Keltec a great fit for us." "Keltec is a great opportunity for Vance Street to leverage its value-creation playbook," said Mike Janish, Managing Partner at Vance Street. "We are honored to be partnering with the Kaiser family during the company's exciting next phase." Goodwin Proctor LLP acted as legal advisor to Vance Street Capital. Signet Capital Advisors served as financial advisor and Brennan Manna Diamond LLP served as legal advisor to Keltec. Debt financing for the transaction was provided by Apogem Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Vance Street Capital LLC Vance Street Capital is a middle-market private equity firm focused on investing in highly engineered solutions businesses across the medical, life science, industrial technology, and aerospace & defense sectors. For over two decades, Vance Street's partners have worked with management teams and family owners to accelerate revenue growth, improve operations and acquire strategic assets for the companies in their investment portfolio. For more information please visit: www.vancestreetcapital.com. Media Contact: Natalie Yates Head of Business Development and Investor Relations [email protected] SOURCE Vance Street Capital HOUSTON, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sarah "Sassie" Duggleby, CEO of Venus Aerospace, has been named to the Texas Space Commission's Board of Directors. Duggleby is at the forefront of developing reusable hypersonic technology aimed at revolutionizing aviation, defense, and other sectors. The commission, initiated by Governor Greg Abbott and announced at NASA's Johnson Space Center, strives to solidify Texas' role as a national leader in the space industry, ensuring its continued contribution to space exploration and development for future generations. Sarah "Sassie" Duggleby, CEO of Venus Aerospace, has been named to the Texas Space Commission's Board of Directors. Post this In her new role, Sarah "Sassie" Duggleby will collaborate with fellow board members to enhance Texas' leading position in civil, commercial, and military aerospace by fostering innovation in space exploration and promoting the integration of space, aeronautics, and aviation into the state's economy. "Texas is home to trailblazers and innovators, and we have a rich history of traversing the final frontier: space," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who appointed Duggleby. "Texas is and will continue to be the epicenter for the space industry across the globe, and I have total confidence that my appointees to the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee will ensure the Texas space industry remains an international powerhouse for cutting-edge space innovation." "I am really excited Sassie Duggleby has been appointed to the Texas Space Commission and appreciate her willingness to serve, " says Representative Greg Bonnen. "She is a talented and successful engineer and entrepreneur who will provide valuable insight and direction. Venus Aerospace is a cutting edge industry leader and exemplifies the type of company we are proud to have in Texas, where we will continue to lead innovation and development in the rapidly growing aerospace industry." In her new role, Duggleby will collaborate with fellow board members to enhance Texas' leading position in civil, commercial, and military aerospace by fostering innovation in space exploration and promoting the integration of space, aeronautics, and aviation into the state's economy. Duggleby is eager to contribute to the Commission's efforts and looks forward to collaborating with a team of experts dedicated to advancing Texas' position in the aerospace industry. Read Governor Abbott's release here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-launches-texas-space-commission About Venus Aerospace Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Houston, Venus Aerospace is developing reusable hypersonic technology that will revolutionize and redefine the boundaries of aviation, defense, and beyond. We specialize in designing and manufacturing Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDRE) and hypersonic drone platforms for Flight Test, research, defense, and commercial global missions. Press Contact: Stephanie Gracia [email protected] SOURCE Venus Aerospace NYSE: VZLA TSX-V: VZLA VANCOUVER, BC, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the past-producing La Garra-Metates district (the "La Garra-Metates District" or "La Garra") situated in the heart of the silver-gold-rich Panuco San Dimas corridor. Reconnaissance work conducted by Vizsla Silver's geologists shows the presence of at least two vein systems with respective strike lengths of 2.6 km and 1.8 km carrying significant silver and gold grades. Highlights Figure 1: Location map of the La Garra-Metates District, Panuco Project and San Dimas District. (CNW Group/Vizsla Silver Corp.) Figure 2. Geology of the silver-gold-rich Panuco San Dimas corridor. (CNW Group/Vizsla Silver Corp.) Cash Payments and Consideration Shares (CNW Group/Vizsla Silver Corp.) Large property package at 16,962 Ha (more than 2x the area of the Company's Panuco project (the " Panuco Project ")). project (the " ")). While this district has seen past production dating back centuries, the La Garra-Metates District has seen minimal exploration and no drilling. Vizsla Silver's sampling demonstrated multi-kilo silver equivalent grades over several kilometers of strike. Epithermal vein systems trending N-NNW in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and First Majestics Silver Corp.'s San Dimas project (" San Dimas "). project (" "). Potential for high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on two known vein systems with estimated strike length of 2.6 km and 1.8 km, respectively. Significant potential to discover new veins given the underexplored nature of the district. The La Garra-Metates District has been acquired for less than 3% of Vizsla Silver's market capitalization. "Vizsla Silver has agreed to acquire another highly prospective precious metals rich district in the Sinaloa Silver Belt, marking the first time that the La Garra-Metates District has ever been in a public company." Stated Michael Konnert, President, and CEO. "The consolidation and acquisition of a vastly under-explored, past-producing district in the state of Sinaloa is an excellent addition to our portfolio and demonstrates our strength in the region. Similar to our flagship Panuco Project, which represents one of the largest, undeveloped, high-grade silver primary assets globally, La Garra hosts sub-vertical structures reminiscent of Vizsla Silver's Napoleon vein, as well as flat-lying structures like Copala. Additionally, the La Garra-Metates District is located ~32 kilometers to the south of First Majestic Silver's San Dimas Mine, a prolific precious metals producer and is one of nine billion-ounce silver equivalent districts in Mexico. Vizsla Silver has a long-term view of its role in the silver industry and within this region of Mexico. We believe we have the potential to build a multi-generational asset base and become a globally significant producer of silver in Sinaloa. While Vizsla Silver's focus continues to be to develop the Panuco-Copala district while exploring for new centers of high-grade mineralization, this acquisition allows for new major discoveries in the future and a growing pipeline of potential production as we continue to generate a dominant footprint in this emerging, but globally significant silver-belt." About the La Garra-Metates District The La Garra-Metates District is located 108 kilometres northeast of the City of Mazatlan, in the Municipality of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico and approximately 32 km north-northwest of the Panuco Project and 32 km south-southwest of San Dimas in the Mazatlan municipality. The La Garra-Metates District comprises of 16 claims (15 titled mining concessions and one application) covering 16,962 Ha in the heart of the emerging silver-gold-rich Panuco San Dimas corridor. The area has been held on private hands for the last ~60 years and has remained unknown to most public exploration and mining companies, hence, the area has seen very little mining and prospecting activities over the decades, and more importantly, it has never been drilled. The La Garra-Metates District area contains N-NNW-trending silver-gold-rich veins in a geological setting akin that of the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Epithermal veins dipping at steep and shallow angles to the east are hosted by andesites and felsic volcanic lavas and tuffs of the Lower Volcanic Series (LVS) like at the Panuco Project and San Dimas. Two main vein systems are known to date: the N-S trending La Garra with ~2.6 km of known strike length and the NW trending Cerro Verde Las Playas vein system with ~1.8 km of strike length. In December 2023, Vizsla Silver conducted a five-day site visit and collected 37 samples on vein outcrops and underground pillars on La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas vein systems: fourteen rock-chip samples collected across veins ranging from 0.30 to 2.50 metres reported silver equivalent grades (AgEq) greater than 200 g/t (2.22 to 12.30 g/t Au and 22 to 1,156 g/t Ag). Base metals were detected in low concentrations <1.0% and deleterious elements such as Sb and As were detected also in low concentrations <110 ppm. All the primary samples and quality controls (standards, blanks, and duplicates) were analyzed at SGS Lab facility in Durango Mexico. Because of its favourable location in the emerging Panuco San Dimas silver-gold-rich corridor, its geologic setting, vein orientation and observed high-grades, Vizsla Silver's geologists are confident that the La Garra-Metates District has good potential for discovery of high-grade shoots along-strike and at depth on the La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas vein systems. Historic mining occurred in the upper 200 metres from surface at most, whereas shoots in the region can have vertical extensions of up to ~550 metres. Additionally, because the area has seen so little exploration and prospecting (La Garra and Cerro Verde Las Playas occur in an area representing ~15% of the property), it is very likely that many other veins and prospects remain to be re-discovered through mapping. Vizsla Silver plans to take advantage of its experienced team in Mexico to fast track permitting and exploration of the La Garra-Metates District. Sample # Vein Area Sample Length Ag Au Pb Zn AgEq (m) (g/t) (g/t) % % (g/t) G566682 El Orito La Garra Dump 22 7.00 0.05 0.02 495 G566683 El Orito La Garra Grab 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 G566684 Rosita La Garra 0.50 70 2.22 0.44 0.42 243 G566686 Rosita La Garra 0.30 76 1.70 0.16 0.08 193 G566687 Rosita La Garra 1.00 5 0.06 0.02 0.25 18 G566688 FW La Garra La Garra 0.30 25 0.64 0.07 0.05 70 G566689 FW La Garra La Garra 0.90 4 0.05 0.01 0.05 9 G566691 FW La Garra La Garra 0.50 3 0.03 0.01 0.05 7 G566692 La Garra La Garra 0.60 68 0.83 0.08 0.14 127 G566693 La Garra La Garra 0.75 11 0.13 0.01 0.05 21 G566694 La Garra La Garra Dump 110 1.71 0.10 0.09 224 G566696 El Puerto La Garra Grab 6 0.02 0.00 0.00 7 G566697 El Puerto La Garra 1.00 5 0.02 0.00 0.00 6 G566698 La Gigante La Garra 1.10 87 0.49 0.00 0.01 115 G566699 La Gigante La Garra 2.30 343 2.04 0.01 0.01 457 G566700 Manzanillo La Garra 2.00 847 2.29 0.09 0.08 948 G566751 Manzanillo La Garra 0.90 1,156 12.30 0.02 0.04 1,908 G566752 FW La Garra La Garra 0.70 52 0.60 0.45 0.27 112 G566753 La Brillosa La Garra 0.60 4 0.07 0.07 0.00 10 G566754 Nivel 4 Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 641 3.08 0.12 0.17 814 G566756 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas Grab 402 2.50 0.02 0.01 543 G566757 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas Dump 627 10.10 0.39 0.51 1,295 G566758 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.30 36 0.39 0.01 0.01 60 G566759 Veta La Yaqui Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.50 99 0.52 0.01 0.03 128 G566760 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 885 6.03 0.02 0.02 1,231 G566761 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.10 56 0.55 0.00 0.00 89 G566762 Veta Petra Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.90 17 0.19 0.00 0.00 29 G566763 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.60 203 2.40 0.01 0.01 351 G566764 Mina La Juanita Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.20 498 4.33 0.01 0.00 756 G566766 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 385 2.75 0.01 0.01 544 G566767 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.00 9 G566768 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 6 0.05 0.00 0.01 9 G566769 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 2.00 4 0.21 0.00 0.01 18 G566771 Mina Las Playas Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.80 4 0.02 0.00 0.01 5 G566772 Pozo 1 manto Cerro Verde - Las Playas 0.30 71 0.50 0.01 0.00 100 G566773 Manto Gaby Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 226 2.08 0.00 0.00 351 G566774 Cerro Verde Cerro Verde - Las Playas 1.00 1 0.01 0.00 0.00 1 Table 1: Assays from rock samples collected on veins at La Garra. Note: AgEq = Ag g/t x Ag rec. + ((Au g/t x Au Rec x Au price/gram)+(Pb% x Pb rec. X Pb price/t) + (Zn% x Zn rec. X Zn price/t))/Ag price/gram. Metal price assumptions are $24.00/oz silver, $1,800/oz gold, $2,424.4/t lead and $2,975.4/t zinc. Metallurgical recoveries assumed are 93% for silver, 90% for gold, 94% for lead and 94% for zinc. The same metallurgical recoveries applied for Napoleon vein in Panuco were assumed (see press release dated February 17, 2022). Terms of the acquisition The Company entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") dated March 27, 2024, with Exploradora Minera La Hacienda S.A. de C.V. and Manuel de Jesus Hernandez Tovar (collectively, the "Sellers") pursuant to which the agreed to acquire (the "Acquisition") all of the outstanding shares of Goanna Resources, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a private Mexican corporation, from the Sellers. The Target Company is the owner of the La Garra-Metates District. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has agreed to make cash payments in an aggregate of US$3,075,000 in cash (collectively, the "Cash Payments") and issue an aggregate of 5,555,555 common shares in the capital of the Company (collectively, the "Consideration Shares") to the Sellers. The Cash Payments will be made, and the Consideration Shares will be issued over a period of 24 months from closing. The Company is responsible for the back taxes owing on the concessions. Royalty Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company and the Sellers shall enter into a royalty agreement in a form satisfactory to the Parties, pursuant to which the Sellers will be granted a 1% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") on the La Garra-Metates District. The Buyer will have the right to repurchase such royalty at any time for consideration equal to US$750,000. Pledge Agreement Within 90 days of the closing date, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Sellers a pledge and security agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company and the Sellers and take such other actions sufficient under applicable Laws to grant the Sellers a first priority lien on the Purchased Shares to secure the Company's obligations with regards to the acquisition costs. Finder's fees The finder's fees is 2% NSR of the project payable to an arm's length Mexican Company. The Acquisition is subject to standard closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About the Panuco Project The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of Mazatlan. The 7,189.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits. The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation. On January 8, 2024, the Company announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Panuco which includes an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 155.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 169.6 Moz AgEq. About Vizsla Silver Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 350,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2024, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +65,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district. Quality Assurance / Quality Control Drill core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico and in North Vancouver, Canada for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver and rock samples were shipped to SGS Lab in Durango Mexico for sample preparation and analysis. The ALS Zacatecas, North Vancouver facilities and SGS lab are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Silver and base metals were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish and gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption ("AA") spectroscopy finish. Over limit analyses for silver, lead and zinc were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol. Qualified Person In accordance with NI 43-101, Jesus Velador, Ph.D. MMSA QP., Vice President of Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The terms "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the "CIM Definition Standards"), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. An inferred mineral resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral reserve. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SEC Modernization Rules"), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be "substantially similar" to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. 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. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at the Panuco Project and the potential acquisition of the La Garra Project. Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; 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 and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp. WICHITA, Kan., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, consent has become a highly debated topic of conversation. And, with consent laws varying from state to state, it's no surprise why. Our team of sex crimes lawyers in Wichita at the McConnell Law Firm have years of experience defending clients falsely accused of sex crimes and are breaking down what you need to know about consent laws in the state. Keep reading to learn more about Kansas's unique consent laws and the penalties for violating them. What Is Consent? Legally speaking, consent refers to the voluntary agreement to engage in a particular activity, oftentimes of a sexual nature. Because consent is considered an ongoing process, it can be revoked at any moment during an interaction, requiring clear communication and mutual understanding between all parties involved. The most important thing to understand about consent is that it must be given freely, without coercion, intimidation, or incapacitation, and individuals must be of legal age to be able to provide consent. What Is the Age of Consent in Kansas? So, what's the legal age of consent, you may be asking? While we've already established that the age of consent varies from state to state, the legal age of consent in Kansas is on the lower end of the spectrum at 16 years old. This means that individuals aged 16 or older are legally able to consent to sexual relations with others of similar age or older, provided that the interaction is consensual and non-coercive in nature. Age of consent laws apply regardless of gender or sexual orientation, and it's important to remember that consent cannot be given by individuals who are mentally incapacitated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even if they are 16 years or older. Expert Tip: Ignorance of a minor's age is not a valid defense. You are responsible for verifying the age of your partner and ensuring you have legal consent before engaging in sexual activity. Failure to do so does not absolve you of legal liability. Penalties for Violating Age of Consent Laws Violating age of consent laws can result in severe legal consequences. Engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16, even if the minor appears to be willing, is considered aggravated indecent liberties and is punishable by law since any individual under the age of 16 is legally not able to provide consent. The severity of the penalties will remain dependent upon various factors, such as the age difference and the nature of the relationship. In Kansas, engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 16 is classified as a felony offense, with penalties including imprisonment, fines, post-release supervision, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. The severity of the punishment may increase with the presence of aggravating factors such as coercion, force, or exploitation. A Real-World Example: If a 17-year-old engages in sexual activity with a 15-year-old, it will still be considered a crime, as the 15-year-old cannot legally provide consent; however, in some instances, a prosecutor may use discretion and charge it as a less severe crime due to the short distance in age. "Generally speaking, violating age of consent laws and engaging in sexual behaviors with a minor under the age of 16 may result in a lifetime registration," said Erica Ramstad Whitsell, sex crimes lawyer at the McConnell Law Firm. "Not only will some offenders be required to be on post-release supervision for the rest of their lives, but should they commit another felony, they could be sent back to prison. No matter the accusation, it's important to consult with an experienced sex crimes attorney when facing such allegations, as they have the knowledge and expertise necessary to help navigate the registration process and rebuild your future." Have You Been Accused? If you have been accused of violating age of consent laws, we encourage you to contact the McConnell Law Firm as soon as possible. While every case is different, and no conclusions should be drawn without first consulting one of our sex crimes lawyers in Wichita about the specifics of your case, it is always in your best interest to have a skilled attorney by your side from the beginning. Request a Free Consultation Do you or a loved one need the assistance of one of our sex crimes lawyers in Wichita? We encourage you to contact the McConnell Law Firm at (316) 243-5903 for a free consultation. jonathanwmcconnell.com/contact SOURCE McConnell Law Firm AVENTURA, Fla., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WM Partners, LP, a diverse-owned private equity firm certified by the National Association of Investment Companies, focused on investing in lower-middle market companies and driving value creation in the health and wellness sector, today announced the promotions of several members of the investment team: Eli Minski to Principal, Jonathan Tarich to Senior Vice President and Leon Lacs to Senior Associate. "These individuals originated and completed the first two acquisitions in Fund III at attractive acquisition multiples in a continued difficult and competitive M&A environment in the health and wellness industry," stated Ernesto Carrizosa, CIO and Managing Partner. "We are very proud of their results and contributions to the firm and excited for the strong foundation established in Fund III's portfolio," he added. Eli Minski, Principal, joined WM Partners in 2015 and is a member of the investment team and one of the first employees of the firm. Eli has been involved in all transactions since the firm's founding. In his new role he will continue to lead the deal team as well as new firm initiatives. Eli received an M.B.A. from Babson College and a B.S.M. in Finance from Tulane University. Jonathan Tarich, Senior Vice President, joined WM Partners in 2016 shortly after the formation of the firm's first fund. He is a long-time member of the investment team with deep involvement in most of the firm's transactions. Jonathan continues to be responsible for business development, pipeline execution, and portfolio monitoring. Jonathan graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Florida. Leon Lacs, Senior Associate, joined WM Partners in 2020. He is a member of the investment team and supports the deal team by identifying, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities, as well as monitoring existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining WM Partners, Leon worked at Sunlight Financial in New York City. Leon graduated from the University of Florida where he earned an M.A. in International Business and B.S. in Finance. He is also a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Miami. About WM Partners WM Partners is a middle-market private equity firm specializing in buyout investments in the health and wellness sector. WM Partners seeks to acquire small and medium size businesses with attractive growth prospects and generate sustainable, long-term value through its operational expertise in the health and wellness sector, and strategic business approach working in collaboration with experienced management teams. WM Partners is certified as a diverse-owned firm by the National Association of Investment Companies and is a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action Initiative. WM Partners is based in Aventura, FL. More information about WM Partners is available at www.wmplp.com. For media inquiries about this press release, please contact: WM Partners, LP Investor Relations Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 754-260-6507 SOURCE WM Partners Virginia State Police are asking for the publics assistance tracking down a convicted sex offender. In a Wednesday statement, the state police said 63-year-old Sheldon Locke Davis is wanted on four counts of failing to re-register as a sex offender. Davis previously lived in the Rhoadesville area of Orange County, according to the state police. He has moved but has not provided authorities with his new address. The state police said Davis, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 175 pounds, may still be living in Orange or a surrounding locality. He has brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information can provide tips to the state police by using the departments online sex offender webpage: vspsor.com. Romantic Thriller Hailed by Critics and Audiences Worldwide NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Woody Allen's newest film is set for release in select theaters across the United States on April 5, 2024. COUP DE CHANCE, a romantic thriller shot entirely in French and starring an acclaimed international cast including Lou de Laage (International Emmy winner. The Mad Women's Ball), Valerie Lemercier, (The Visitors), Melvil Poupaud, (Eric Rohmer's A Tale of Summer), and Niels Schneider (Heartbeats, How I Killed My Mother) is Allen's 50th film as director. Coup de Chance is the fifth collaboration between Academy Award-winning director Woody Allen and Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. 2022 Gravier Productions, Inc., Photography by Thierry Valletoux. Melvil Poupard and Lou de Laage play a happily married couple whose lives are upended by a chance encounter in the romantic thriller, Coup de Chance, directed by Woody Allen. 2022 Gravier Productions, Inc., Photography by Thierry Valletoux. A sensation when it debuted at the Venice Film Festival, COUP DE CHANCE has received glowing reviews during its international release across Europe and Asia with comparisons to some of Allen's most acclaimed masterpieces including Blue Jasmine, Match Point, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Midnight in Paris. In English, the title means "stroke of luck," and the film centers around the central role of chance and luck in our lives. Fanny (de Laage) and Jean (Poupaud,) look like the ideal married couple: they are professionally accomplished, live in a gorgeous apartment in a tony part of Paris, and seem to be in love just as much as they were when they first met. But when Fanny accidentally bumps into Alain (Schneider), a former high school classmate, she's swept off her feet. They soon see each other again and get closer and closer. Ben Croll at The Wrap says, "Allen's trademark philosophical asides and well-tuned one-liners fit neatly into French", while Variety's Owen Gleiberman calls COUP DE CHANCE "absorbing, thrilling, and cheekily satisfying." Roger Friedman at Showbiz411.com described the film as a "tight 90-minute murder mystery with a surprise ending that will blow you away." COUP DE CHANCE was written and directed by Woody Allen. It was produced by Letty Aronson and Erika Aronson and features cinematography by the legendary Vittorio Storaro, who shot Apocalypse Now and Last Tango in Paris as well as Allen's four previous films. With a soundtrack including pieces by jazz giants Cannonball Adderley and Milt Jackson, COUP DE CHANCE is a feast for the eyes and ears. MPI Media Group is releasing COUP DE CHANCE on April 5, 2024 in theaters across the country including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Florida and Ohio followed by a digital/VOD release on April 12. SOURCE Gravier Productions The winners were unveiled last night at the I&D Impact Awards ceremony in Miami, where hundreds of global executives from leading organizations gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements, advancements, and progress in DEI. Partners of the I&D Impact Awards, including Amazon, Best Buy, Cognizant, Joshin, RHR International, and SLBall esteemed World 50 member companies and DEI championsjoined in the festivities. "The 2024 I&D Impact Awards once again underscore the steadfast commitment of today's leading companies to building a brighter future for us all," said Jennifer Bird Newton, World 50's chief impact officer. "We are in a pivotal moment for DEI. The significance of coming together to acknowledge our achievementswithout resting on our laurelscannot be overstated. Last night's festivities served as a powerful reminder of the impact of collective action, and we extend heartfelt congratulations to this year's winners." Chosen from a competitive pool of more than 140 entries from 74 unique organizations, the 2024 I&D Impact Awards winners represent leaders from diverse industries, spanning nine categories: I&D Ally Award: Ferrero Transparency Award, in partnership with Best Buy: Rio Tinto Innovation Award, in partnership with Amazon: Victoria's Secret & Co. Gender Equality Award: Kimberly-Clark I&D Team of the Year, in partnership with Cognizant: Inizio Evoke Highly commended: Humana I&D Leader of the Year, in partnership with RHR International: Lydia Smith , Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria's Secret & Co. Highly commended: Sherri Neal , Chief Diversity Officer, HCA Healthcare Community Impact Award: Amazon Inclusion Award, in partnership with Joshin: EY Highly commended: Union Pacific I&D Impact Award, in partnership with SLB: Cummins Highly commended: Cargill The winners were meticulously chosen by a panel of esteemed, independent judges comprising 24 top DEI executives from leading organizations, including AstraZeneca, Discover, Cognizant, Hilton, Lenovo, Mars, MetLife, and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others. "Witnessing the passion, creativity, and impact of these winning initiatives reignites my belief in the power of inclusion to reshape our future," said Crystal Andrew Banks, global head of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at The Kraft Heinz Company. "Bravo to all companies that submitted a nomination, and let's keep pushing boundaries together." Earl Newsome, chief information officer at Cummins, added: "Each submission showcased the beauty of creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. Every entrant should take pride in the impact they are making." The I&D Impact Awards serve as a cornerstone of the World 50 I&D Impact Community , one of the largest groups of global DEI leaders in the world. Members convene regularly to exchange best practices and amplify what works when advancing DEI initiatives across the organization. Participation is complimentary for heads of DEI at World 50 member companies. Learn more about the World 50 I&D Impact Awardsand how to get involved in 2025 here . About World 50 Group Leaders of the world's most respected companies join World 50 to learn from one another. More than 4,800 global CEOs, board directors, and senior executives across every functionfrom 40 countries across six continentstrust the World 50 community for insights that deliver impact at scale. World 50 is the safe space to exchange ideas, navigate complex challenges, and evolve as a leader. Members are at the forefront of transformation, leading organizations with a total market cap exceeding $34 trillion and more than 37 million employees worldwide. To learn more about membership and request an invitation, visit world50.com . SOURCE World 50 Group The human race finds itself confronted with an immensely powerful artificial intelligence, demanding our utmost attention and consideration. SHANGHAI, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The radiance of new science and technology illuminates the entire world from the shores of the South China Sea. On March 26, the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 was successfully held on the theme "Asia and the World: Common Challenges, Shared Responsibilities," aiming to foster consensus on development and strengthen unity and cooperation. Mr. Yuan Hui, Chairman and CEO of Xiao-I Corporation, was invited to participate the forum where he shared profound insights on cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence. According to the press conference of the BFA Annual Conference 2024, this year's conference brought together nearly 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries and regions, along with more than 1,100 journalists from approximately 40 countries and regions. The conference focused on key topics including "global economy," "technological innovation," "social progress," "international cooperation," and "tackling challenges." Participants extensively collaborated to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by Asia and the world in today's era. Regarding the "Technological Innovation" section, the BFA Annual Conference 2024 focuses on the forefront of global technological development, emerging industry development, and global AI governance. At the sub-forum on "when and where the breakthrough moment of technological revolution is?", the participants engaged in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics such as the mutual empowerment of disruptive technologies like strong artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and controlled nuclear fusion, the "singularity" of technological revolution, and the scientific research driven by artificial intelligence (AI for Science). This is Mr. Yuan's eighth participation in the BFA Annual Conference, as well as the AI sub-forum. According to Mr. Yuan's recollection, as early as 2016 when he attended the BFA Annual Conference, he firmly believed that "the AI singularity will definitely occur within the next thirty years". Mr. Yuan emphasized that AI is a new species defined by humans and is different from all previous technological tools. The AI that humans envision is a new species with self-awareness, and humanity needs to attach great importance to the enormous challenges brought by AI. From weak AI to strong AI, AI has progressed from aiding humans in basic tasks to creating various forms of content such as text, videos, music, and code using advanced models. Currently, we are faced with an incredibly powerful form of AI. Combining the concept of "new productive forces", Mr. Yuan highlights that the relationship between humans and means of production has evolved from mere tool usage to tools rapidly transforming humans themselves. In the next stage of AI development, the ability for individuals and businesses to effectively utilize AI tools will be crucial for outperforming the market. Mr. Yuan highlights that, in the past, artificial intelligence was limited to empowering specific sectors such as smart cities, call centers, and finance. However, with the advancement of large-scale model technology, today's AI can empower diverse sectors. The previous global economic model revolved around finite natural resources like land, creating a "land-centered economy" , which is the root cause of conflicts. However, there has been a shift in global attention towards the digital economy. Mr. Yuan suggests that in the new era, data has become the most significant production factor surpassing land, with its usage rapidly increasing. Algorithms play a crucial role in controlling and generating immense added value from data, making artificial intelligence central to humanity's future in the digital economy. Furthermore, Mr. Yuan emphasized that today's AI has the potential to empower all industries. It is no longer possible for humans to control AI using technology alone. "If we want to ultimately control AI, it must be done in a non-AI way." As AI has already permeated every aspect of life, no industry should reject it. To stay ahead in the next stage of development, it is important to adopt AI on a large scale as early as possible. The rapid progress of large-scale models, integration of multimodal capabilities, and acceleration of new productive forces have garnered significant attention in Asia and worldwide. AI continues to deeply integrate with various industries, creating a future that presents both challenges and opportunities for collaboration between humans and AI. SOURCE Xiao-I Corporation DUBAI, UAE, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bold move to address the challenges of the highly fragmented African healthcare sector, XRP Healthcare is excited to announce the incorporation of XRP Healthcare Africa, in Uganda. This strategic decision marks a significant step towards consolidating healthcare services and streamlining operations across the continent, fostering a more unified and efficient healthcare landscape. XRP Healthcare move forward as one entity for African M&A venture XRP Healthcare recognizing the critical need for an integrated healthcare system, has taken decisive action by establishing XRP Healthcare Africa, in Uganda - a fully autonomous entity with a compliant legal structure to operate on the African continent. This development is a testament to XRP Healthcare's commitment to creating a sustainable and independent operational framework in Uganda and Africa. "Our vision for XRP Healthcare Africa is to create a robust and unified healthcare entity that can efficiently address the needs of the African population," stated CEO/Founder Kain Roomes at XRP Healthcare. "By consolidating our mergers and acquisitions local operations under XRP Healthcare Africa, we are eliminating dependencies on third-party entities such as The Burnratty Investment Group, which will no longer be part of our plans moving forward, but rather we have opted for a fully owned entity such as XRP Healthcare Africa, ensuring a streamlined and cohesive approach towards achieving our M&A goals here in Uganda." The Dubai-incorporated arm of XRP Healthcare, established last year in the UAE, will be pivotal in facilitating the organization's acquisitions across the continent. Additionally, the recent incorporation of XRP Healthcare Africa in Uganda signifies a strategic move to enhance the company's ability to manage local transactions and operations efficiently, further solidifying its presence and commitment to improving healthcare in Africa. "Setting up XRP Healthcare Africa in Uganda is a critical step in our strategy to deepen our engagement with local communities," explained Laban Roomes, Business Development Officer at XRP Healthcare. "This local incorporation allows us to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities within the African healthcare sector more effectively, ensuring that our efforts are closely aligned with the needs of the communities we serve." Over the coming weeks and months, XRP Healthcare is poised to share updates and progress on its journey to consolidate the fragmented healthcare sector in Uganda and beyond. This initiative underscores the organization's dedication to raising funds independently and leveraging its consolidated structure to drive significant improvements in healthcare access, quality, and efficiency across Africa. "We are thrilled to be streamlining and developing our local operations, now bolstered by an independent legal framework fully aligned with Uganda's legal system," said Chairman Whitney Lynn, who has over 45 years of experience in the M&A sector expressed his enthusiasm for the strategic direction of XRP Healthcare and the incorporation of XRP Healthcare Africa, in Uganda. "The establishment of a cohesive and autonomous entity in Uganda marks a significant milestone in our journey. I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to reveal our plans and the progress we anticipate in Uganda. This move not only strengthens our commitment to the region but also sets the stage for a transformative impact on healthcare delivery across Africa." About XRP Healthcare XRP Healthcare is the first Pharma and Healthcare platform on the XRP Ledger, enabling fast global payments, improving healthcare access in emerging markets, and creating real-world utility by transforming global healthcare through mergers, acquisitions and blockchain. www.xrphealthcare.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2373918/XRP_Healthcare_1.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2365357/XRP_Healthcare_Logo.jpg SOURCE XRP Healthcare Automotive Aftercare Franchise Launches Partnership with Born In Detroit & Mission 22, Unveils Museum Exhibit Ziebart announces a partnership with Born In Detroit Apparel, LLC, with a specially-branded clothing line available for purchase and all proceeds to be donated to Mission 22 a national non-profit supporting military veterans & their families. Ziebart unveils a new exhibit of its 65-year history now being featured in the Detroit Historical Museum. Founder Kurt Ziebart's daughter cut the ribbon in honor of father's legacy. daughter cut the ribbon in honor of father's legacy. Ziebart reveals its new advertising campaign, featuring a knight mascot and the new tagline, "Your Vehicle's Best Defense." TROY, Mich., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziebart International Corporation (Ziebart) the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services for 65 years marked the milestone anniversary with an announcement of a charitable partnership that will benefit military veterans nationwide, as well as a creative new ad campaign and brand mascot to launch the brand into the future. Ziebart Knight Ziebart's 65th Anniversary Event During a celebratory event, Defending Our Legacy: Ziebart's 65th Anniversary, Ziebart revealed the company's first ever mascot: A knight in shining armor, standing ready to protect and defend vehicles for the next 65 years and beyond. Along with the knight, comes Ziebart's new tagline: Your Vehicle's Best Defense. Both the knight and the tagline will be seen in commercials across the country throughout the year. "As we mark 65 years of innovation and quality, we extend gratitude to our franchisees, customers, employees and community that kept us successful all these years," said Thomas A. Wolfe, President and CEO of Ziebart. "Our newly announced charitable partnerships and museum exhibit honoring our founder pay homage to those who got us here. The introduction of our new knight mascot stands as a symbol to the defense every vehicle needs that will carry our franchisees into the future." Celebrating Detroit-Roots Ziebart was founded in Detroit by Kurt Ziebart in 1959. As demand for rustproofing services soared, the brand began franchising in 1963, and quickly expanded service offerings to now include auto detailing, paint correction and protection, window tinting, bed lining, and accessories. Today, Ziebart operates more than 400 locations, with 1,300 service centers in 37 countries. As a nod to its Detroit-roots, Ziebart announced it is partnering with Born In Detroit Apparel, LLC, a shop dedicated to showcasing the vibrant companies and products that make Motown iconic. Limited-edition, Ziebart-branded Born In Detroit apparel, including T-Shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and tumblers, will be available to purchase through its online store intermittently throughout the year. "Born In Detroit was founded on a mission to honor the incredible companies and organizations that were built here in Motown," said Anthony Tomey, CEO of The Tomey Group and Co-Owner of Born In Detroit Apparel, LLC. "From the very invention of rustproofing, to continuing to grow and innovate 65 years later, we are thrilled to partner with Ziebart as the brand furthers Detroit's legacy as the automotive capital of the country." Committed to Supporting U.S. Veterans The collaboration with Born in Detroit also comes with a charitable component: All proceeds from Born In Detroit's Ziebart store will be donated to Mission 22, a national veteran non-profit organization that provides support to veterans and their families. Ziebart chose to donate to Mission 22 at the recommendation of Morgantown, VA franchise owner and Air Force veteran Nick Lambie. This furthers the brand's already well-established commitment to supporting U.S. veterans. In fact, as a proud member of VetFran, Ziebart offers a significant military discount, waiving the entire initial franchising fee for veterans. With a third of their U.S. franchise owners coming from military background, both VetFran and Entrepreneur have recognized Ziebart as a top franchise for veterans. "I'm honored to work for a company that not only makes it possible for veterans to enter the franchising space with ease, but also one that backs causes that are important to their franchise owners," Lambie said. "I'm proud to support Mission 22, a veteran-found organization that provides invaluable services to veterans and their families, helping to get us through all of the ups and downs that come upon returning home." "We are incredibly grateful for Ziebart's generosity during such a momentous time for the company," said Nick Ostrowski, Mission 22 Ambassador. "It's companies like Ziebart, who recognize the challenges many veterans face when re-entering the workforce, that make it possible for organizations like Mission 22 to continue to provide the necessary support to veterans and their families. We're humbled to have veterans like Nick Lambie in our corner, advocating for those who have served." Defending Our Legacy: Ziebart's 65th Anniversary Event Ziebart kicked off its 65th Anniversary with a celebratory event at the Detroit Historical Museum on March 28. As guests walked into the America's Motor City exhibit, they were greeted by Detroit local artist Desiree Kelly, live-painting a mural on a car door, while the University of Michigan's Victor the Frisbee Dog opened up the event. Company Founder Kurt Ziebart's daughter, Doris Ziebart-Hagedorn, gave a heartwarming speech about what this milestone means to her and her family, as she and her older siblings watched their father create the art of rustproofing and build Ziebart International Corporation from the ground up. International Franchise Association (IFA) CEO and President Matt Haller also addressed the crowd, recognizing Ziebart as one of the top 100 oldest franchise brands in the world, giving insight into the strength and longevity of a franchise business model. Capping off the event, was the unveiling of Ziebart's new exhibit in the Detroit Historical Museum. Wolfe, Ziebart-Hagedorn, and the knight mascot stood together as they cut the ribbon to the exhibit, which features photos and artifacts from the last 65 years of Ziebart's history. The exhibit will be on display through June. For more photos, videos, and soundbites from Ziebart's 65th Anniversary celebration event, please visit the Ziebart Media Room. To purchase items from Born In Detroit's Ziebart line, visit Born In Detroit Ziebart Apparel Partnership Supporting Mission 22. For more information on Ziebart, including franchising opportunities, visit ziebart.com. ABOUT ZIEBART Founded in 1959, Ziebart International Corporation is the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services that extend the life of vehicles. Ziebart operates over 400 locations, with 1,300 service centers, in 37 countries. Ziebart continues to grow and offers domestic and international franchising opportunities, a best-in-class investment for qualified prospects. For more information about Ziebart including franchise opportunities, please visit ziebart.com . ABOUT BORN IN DETROIT APPAREL, LLC Founded in Detroit, Michigan in conjunction with 8 Mile Vodka in 2015, the Born In Detroit tagline that was featured on the 8 Mile Vodka bottle, was then trademarked, and brought to life in 2020. Born In Detroit reflects the vision and passion of two sets of brothers and a close friend, who were all Born in Detroit. This is not just another apparel company, it's an apparel company with a cause. The brand is a way for the community that was born in Motown, part of the big three, or local hard-working families, to show off their stomping ground and pride in their hometown, Detroit. The apparel line features clothing and products showcasing the trademarked Born In Detroit and the ability to customize and collaborate with schools and other brands. Born In Detroit, along with their sister company, 8 Mile Vodka, supporting their roots, and their community, is something they strive for each day. For additional information on Born In Detroit apparel, please visit www.BornInDetroit.store. ABOUT TOMEY GROUP The Tomey Group was founded in 2003 by Fawzi Tomey, President, and is family owned and operated, and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Siblings, Anthony Tomey; CEO, Michael Tomey, CFO and Christine Tomey, Chief Compliance Officer, along with their uncle Tony Tohme, Chief Administrative Officer, run the daily operations for the group. Opening their first Jimmy Johns location in 2003 in Novi, Michigan, the Tomey Group has expanded and currently owns and operates over 50 Jimmy Johns throughout Southeast Michigan. The Tomey Group are proud of their local roots in Michigan and continue to support the community through charitable initiatives and providing job opportunities to currently over 650 employees. The partners are also co-owners for specific brands that further show their pride and represent their hometown through the award-winning vodka, 8 Mile Vodka and Born In Detroit apparel brand. The mission of the Tomey Group is to provide outstanding customer service, deliver top-quality products and provide a workplace environment that makes each employee feel part of the Tomey family. For additional information about the Tomey Group, please visit www.TomeyGroup.com. SOURCE Ziebart WIESELBURG, Austria, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The narrow front and rear lights, which were developed by ZKW in Wieselburg, are very unusual. At the front, the dark, high-resolution LED headlamps blend harmoniously into the front of the BMW XM. At the rear of the powerful SUV, BMW relies on all-round, narrow full LED lamps with separate controls. "Alongside the BMW X7, the BMW XM is the first rear lamp project with the BMW Group. We are proud to be able to incorporate our innovative lighting solutions into these premium models," says Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group. This unique project presented ZKW's engineers with major challenges. Due to the low height of the headlamp, a special light guide concept had to be developed. "The development of the headlamp presented the BMW design team and ZKW with a particular challenge. It had to be as narrow as possible in order to emphasize the unique design of the vehicle," explains Wolfgang Zeidlhofer, project manager at ZKW. ZKW developed a split front light with two high-resolution LED modules that integrate headlamps with low beam and high beam as well as daytime running lamps with LED light guides for position lights, direction indicators and sidemarkers (for the US version). Highest standards in design and production When developing the front and rear lamps for the BMW XM, not only was technical perfection required in very small installation spaces, but also maximum dimensional accuracy and small gaps. The adjustment system for the components in the rear lamps is unique, allowing a particularly small gap to be achieved between the different light functions. However, the small installation space in the bumper for the headlamps also presented the ZKW development team in Wieselburg with a major challenge, which was successfully overcome with a space-saving design. The headlamps of the BMW XM are produced in various international ZKW plants. Click to download related images. About ZKW The ZKW Group is the specialist for innovative premium lighting systems and electronics. Since 2018, ZKW has been part of the LG Group as a subsidiary of LG Electronics Vehicle Solutions. As a system supplier, ZKW is a global partner to the automotive industry. The group develops and produces products based on our motto of "Bright Minds, Bright Lights," combining bright minds with modern production technologies to produce complex premium lighting and electronic modules for international automotive manufacturers. Our top products include powerful and cost-efficient complete LED systems. The ZKW Group has a total of twelve locations worldwide, with intelligently networked development and production. In 2023, the Group employed around 10,000 workers and generated total revenues of 1.54 billion euros. In accordance with the corporate vision "Ground-breaking premium lighting and electronic systems from ZKW for all mobility concepts of the global automotive industry", the company's primary goal is to produce top-quality high-tech products and to promote the development of innovative holistic lighting systems. With our discoveries and inventions, the ZKW corporate group makes vehicles more desirable, more unique, safer, and more energy efficient. Our 360 degree product portfolio includes headlamps and fog lamps, rear lamps, flashers, interior and license plate lamps as well as electronic modules. Major automotive manufacturers trust their brands to innovative products from ZKW. We are proud of our customers like BMW (BMW, Rolls Royce), DAIMLER (MERCEDES-BENZ Cars and Trucks), FORD (Lincoln, Ford), GEELY (Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Geely), GENERAL MOTORS (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac), Hyundai/Kia, JLR (Jaguar, Land Rover), Stellantis (Opel, Citroen), RENAULT/NISSAN (Infiniti, Alpine), VGTT (Volvo Trucks, MACK) and VW (Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Skoda, Seat/Cupra, VW, VW Commercial Vehicles, MAN, Scania). With intelligent lighting systems and innovative styling, ZKW is shaping the look and character of vehicles worldwide. Contact ZKW Group GmbH Sandra Simeonidis-Huber Group Communication und Marketing Rottenhauser Strae 8 3250 Wieselburg / AUSTRIA / EUROPE T +43 7416 505 2051 [email protected] SOURCE ZKW Group An unusual standoff between a judge and a lawman brought an Albemarle County courtroom to a standstill Monday. The dispute, which centered around courtroom microphones, delayed the hearing of Bobby Maurice Nicholson, who recently pleaded guilty to incest, by half an hour and pitted Albemarle County Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins against Albemarle County Sheriff Chan Bryant. The conflict was already underway before Nicholsons hearing could start. Did you say, Im not moving fing microphones anymore? Higgins asked one of the courtroom bailiffs, who are deputies under the Albemarle County sheriff. Standing at the bench at the front of the courtroom with his back to the gallery, the bailiffs answers were not immediately discernible. But the judges displeasure was. I want to see the sheriff, said the judge. A bailiff disappeared behind a door and came back a few minutes later with a message. Your honor, the bailiff said, the sheriff is busy now. Amid another search for the sheriff, the judge said that after some outbursts at Nicholsons last hearing she wanted to be sure that Nicholson couldnt get his hands on a microphone. At that hearing, which took place on Feb. 8, Nicholson appeared via video link from jail and managed to interrupt and talk over court personnel, including the judge and his own lawyer, according to a member of the gallery that day. I do not want anyone handing a microphone to the defendant, Higgins said Monday, especially after the problems that arose at the last hearing. At that Feb. 8 hearing, Nicholson ultimately signalled his agreement to an Alford plea, a guilty plea in which a defendant maintains his innocence but admits that the prosecutions evidence would likely result in a guilty verdict if brought to trial. The 60-year-old Nicholson pleaded guilty via the Alford plea to three counts of incest and three counts of forcible sodomy. The deal Nicholson accepted would see him imprisoned him for 12 years, after which he would be barred from unsupervised contact with children and would have to maintain good behavior for another 40 years or risk another 28 years in prison. He would also have to register as a sex offender. While Nicholson initially accepted the terms of that deal, it appears he has had second thoughts. In several handwritten motions written from the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, where he has been held without bail, Nicholson faulted his lawyers for steering him into the plea. I ask over and over to see the discovery video, statements, body cam, to help build my defense, he wrote. Kept getting plea deal information, not trial information. But on Monday, before Higgins would allow Nicholsons hearing over his legal representation to begin, she demanded to see the sheriff, Bryant. When Bryant at last appeared before the bench, Higgins wanted to know if the sheriff had instructed her bailiff deputies not to move microphones. Thats correct, your honor, said Bryant. Theyre here for courtroom security and to maintain order in the gallery. Theyre not here to move microphones. The judge said that if the bailiffs wont move microphones, shed have to hire someone for the task or ask attorneys to do it. While Nicholson watched calmly in his shackles and chains as this debate raged, the judge said shed seen another defendant head-butt someone in court and didnt want a repeat. I am concerned about the security, and Mr. Nicholson was somewhat agitated, even on video, said Higgins. I do not want Mr. Nicholson in reaching distance of any attorney. Courtroom security became a particularly hot topic in January when a defendant in a Las Vegas courtroom leaped over the bench and attacked a judge after hearing his sentence. In the wake of that incident, several courtrooms across the country began to take extra precautions. Albemarle General District repositioned its two lawyers tables; the defense and prosecution tables, formerly positioned perpendicular to the judges bench, were moved to face the bench. Back in Albemarle Circuit Court, Higgins wanted to get Nicholsons case moving, but Bryant, who answers to the electorate, wouldnt budge. She said she needed to speak with an attorney and a risk management adviser. How long will it take? asked Higgins. Bryant wasnt sure. In the meantime, Higgins said that Bryants bailiffs would be held in summary contempt if they refuse her order to move a microphone. They will pay the fines, said Bryant. Higgins tried a new tack. She began reading from Virginia Code, section 53.1-120, which begins, Each sheriff shall ensure that the courthouses and courtrooms within his jurisdiction are secure from violence and disruption and shall designate deputies for this purpose. Still, Bryant wouldnt budge. So Higgins ordered John Howard, one of Bryant's deputies, to move a microphone. He declined. I hold deputy Howard in contempt, said Higgins. Thats a $50 fine. Approached by The Daily Progress afterward, Howard said, Sheriff Bryant is the best. Back in court, prosecutor Alicia Milligan had an idea to get the hearing moving. Shed promise to project her voice and give up her microphone to one of Nicholsons two defense attorneys. With that problem solved, at least for that particular hearing, the court considered Nicholsons request: the ouster of his legal team, Jennifer Quezada and Miriam Airington-Fisher. While Quezada told the court that she supported her own ouster because the relationship has been irreparably damaged, Milligan, the prosecutor, opposed the motion to withdraw because of the toll the case has taken on its victim. She has been through a lot, Milligan told the court. She deserves some closure. After the judge approved the withdrawal, she appointed Peter Frazier as Nicholsons fourth legal adviser in the case and set the matter for a scheduling hearing on April 1. Milligan said that her days of offering Nicholson any deals are over. We wont go down this road again with any other plea agreement, she told the court. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here A play that unfolds over three days in the kitchen of a charismatic minister and Civil Rights leader and the speechwriter wife behind much of his success dives into issues of love, grief, identity and meaning. Arianna Jones portrays Olivia Grace and Simeon Brown plays the Rev. Charles Emmanuel Grace in the Virginia premiere of Fireflies, which opens Friday at Charlottesvilles Live Arts. The second play in Donja R. Loves The Love Plays trilogy examines queer love through the lens of Black history. Theres so much in that 60-something page script, director Ti Ames told The Daily Progress. It draws you in from page one, and you feel involved in these peoples lives. Fireflies begins in the autumn of 1963, right after the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, exposes some deep clefts in the Graces marriage. Loves play acknowledges the different manifestations of grief in Black men and Black women. The first things that we talked about were the traditions of grief in the Black community, Ames said of Jones and Brown. The characters they play are textbook examples of how Black men and Black women grieve. And we know that hurt people hurt people. A bomb planted under the church steps on Sept. 15, 1963, killed four young people whod gathered to take part in the adult service on Youth Day: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair and Carole Robertson, all 14; and Cynthia Wesley, 9. Sarah Collins, Addie Mae Collins sister, survived the blast, but lost her right eye. The tragedy sent shock waves through not only the Black community, but the entire nation in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. Intimacy is emotional, and is mental as well, Ames said. From day one, I had my actors checking in with each other. The violent deaths of the young people in the Birmingham blast affects the Graces in different ways. For the reverend, his one wish is to be a father, and hes very concerned about leaving a legacy in the wake of the bombing, Ames said. His response to the killings is to resolve to raise independent, smart Black children in hopes of creating a better, kinder world. For his wife, its a bit more complicated. Olivia worries about not only the children who have died, but the children who are not born yet, Ames said, and shes not sure she wants to give birth to something that could be taken away from you because of all the hatred in the world. Fear intensifies both spouses emotions, and Olivia chafes under her husbands expectations. Olivia is a closeted queer person in a homophobic Black community in early-1960s America, and this makes her life a thousand times harder, Ames said. She has a lot of reasons to be grieving. They keep arguing about this word ladylike, Ames said, noting that qualities upheld as ladylike in that era often equaled straight. Olivias response: Why cant I just be Olivia? Queer Black people at that time in history did not know that they were alive, that they were surviving, that they deserved to be in the world, the director said. Ames added that getting caught up in Fireflies can prompt deeper examination of how well people know each other, and themselves. The intensity of the couples lives and unrelenting schedules heats up after the bombing stirs so many complex emotions, which means that they have no respite in this show, Ames said. Not only is there no physical respite from this grief, but theres no respite from the emotional grief. Loves exploration of the different forms love can take and the heartbreaks it can bring along with the joys invites audience members to examine the role of empathy in their own lives and responses to the world. I think being able to see other human beings go through this is very important, the director said. We are being given the gift of access, of complexity. This play could easily be about your aunt and uncle. It could easily be about your coworkers and their spouses. Children are dying daily in violence in Gaza and other places in the world in 2024, which means the deeper questions that consumed a couple under stress in the 1960s remain compelling today. What matters is that children are dying, Ames said. It does speak to what we are going through right now. Ames is proud to be part of the Virginia premiere of Fireflies, adding that unexpected moments of joy will help to shape a fuller emotional experience for audience members. This show is so sensitive, and so powerfully written. Its an honor to be able to take it on, Ames said. Telling hard stories is not an easy feat, but were doing it. Amess creative team includes Khadijah Williams as production stage manager, Kieryn Burton as assistant stage manager, Bee Smith as scenic designer, Ant Ma as scenic design mentor, AV Legere as props designer/set dressing, Laurence Hugo as lighting designer, John Holdren as sound designer, Kasey Brown as costume designer, Daniel Kunkel as fight choreographer and Laura Rikard as intimacy consultant. Florida, March 28 : Daniil Medvedev turned back a late charge by Chilean Nicolas Jarry en route to a 6-2, 7-6(7) win, set an Australian Open final rematch with Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Miami Open. Medvedev made just three unforced errors to Jarryas 14 in the first set alone before Jarry worked his way back into the match and came within two points of stealing the second set in a rollercoaster tie-break. But Medvedev held his nerve to extend his winning streak at Hard Rock Stadium to nine matches as he moved to within two wins of successfully defending a title for the first time in his career, ATP reports. Jarry would have returned to the Top 20 and become the first Chilean to reach the Miami semi-finals since Fernando Gonzalez in 2004 had he beaten Medvedev. Earlier on the day, Sinner moved into his fourth semi-final of the year and captured a season-leading 20th match win at the Miami Open. The Italian produced a squeaky-clean performance to oust Czech player Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-2 in 91 minutes. Sinner, who has twice reached the final in Miami (2021, 2023), is into the last four for a third time. Aiming for his second ATP Masters 1000 crown, the No. 3 player in the ATP Rankings boasts a 20-1 season record with titles at the Australian Open and in Rotterdam. Los Angeles, March 28 : Actress Joey King, who gained major fandom with her work in 'The Kissing Booth' franchise, has opened up about facing anti-semitism at the age of 12 and also having trauma counselors on the sets of Holocaust series 'We Were the Lucky Ones' set'. Talking about her facing anti-semitism, the 24-year-old actress said it was when she joined Instagram at age 12. "Within the first couple months I got my first anti-Semitic remark and it would dip in terms of how frequent or how much it would happen, and it would kind of roller coaster in terms of how often I would experience it, but that was shocking when I was that age," she said. "Now I just expect it because anti-semitism is not the only thing I experience in terms of bullying online. So it almost feels like one of many symptoms of a grand diagnosis of horrible Internet people. I'm saddened, but I'm not really surprised." She is gearing up for 'We Were the Lucky Ones', a series based on Georgia Hunter's best-selling novel of her family's fight to survive the Holocaust. It also stars Logan Lerman, Sam Woolf, Robin Weigart, Lior Ashkenazi, Hadas Yaron, Amit Rahav and Eva Feiler. "I think anyone who is a method actor is truly so brave and amazing, but I'm personally not a method actor," King told 'Just for Variety' podcast. The actress added: "And when shooting a show like this, I just don't know how I could be because having those moments of release in between setups and in between takes with your friends (is needed)." "Sometimes you need that release at the snack table with each otherbecause it got really dark," she added. The actress said that it would get so sad and there would be times where "you just didn't know when it was going to hit you." "Everyone had different moments where we're all sitting there having a nice time together, just filming a scene and then someone is hyperventilating and crying because it's a wave that washes over you," she said. The channel also made trauma therapists available for cast and crew on set, reports variety.com. "They would come and check on each of us a lot, which I thought was so great," King said. King's movie nights with co-stars were particularly helpful: "We'd watch 'Finding Nemo' because we just needed to." Kolkata, March 28 : A CISF jawan allegedly shot himself dead at Gate number 5 of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Thursday. As the regular routine work was being conducted at the airport in the morning, the jawans were alerted by the sound of a gunshot. When the other CISF jawans rushed to the spot they saw their colleague lying in a pool of blood. He was promptly shifted to a private hospital near the airport. However, he soon died there. The deceased CISF jawan has been identified as C. Vishnu (25). He was attached with CISF from 2022, and was an original resident of Telangana. Following the incident there was tension at the airport premises. The top officials of CISF and the cops from the local police station rushed to the spot. An investigation is on to find out the reason behind his suicide. Florida, March 28 : No.14 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova continued her impressive form at the Miami Open, making the semifinals with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 upset win over No.5 seed American Jessica Pegula at the WTA 1000 event. The 29-year-old Alexandrova also matched her career-best WTA 1000 performance with the come-from-behind win; she previously made the semifinals at WTA 1000 Madrid in 2022. Pegula was nearly perfect behind her first delivery in the opening set, where she won 13 of her 14 first-serve points (92 percent). However, Alexandrova's power game clicked into gear in the second set, where she had 15 winners to Pegula's four, WTA reports. In the decisive third set, Alexandrova double-faulted an early break away, putting the set at a 3-3 deadlock. However, the 29-year-old Russian took another opportunity two games later, moving ahead with aggressive returns and finishes in the forecourt to break Pegula for 5-4. She then converted her second match point to seal the comeback victory. Alexandrova, the last player into the final four, will face the last remaining American Danielle Collins on Friday. Collins reached the semifinals with a straight-sets win over Caroline Garcia earlier on the day. To reach her first final at this level, she'll have to defeat No.14 Alexandrova in Thursday's semifinals. New Delhi, March 28 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday concluded his three-nation Southeast Asia tour, beginning March 23, to strengthen bilateral relations and engage on regional issues of mutual concern. During his official visit from March 27-28, he paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Bin Ibrahim and conveyed his greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He thanked PM Ibrahim for his support in deepening bilateral ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership. EAM Jaishankar met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture, and education. They also exchanged views on issues of regional and global interest, following which EAM also met Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital. "Concluded my program in Malaysia by meeting Digital Minister @GobindSinghDeo. Discussed digital cooperation, including exchange of best practices and exploring business opportunities," Dr Jaishankar said in a message on X. During the visit, EAM held a round-table meeting with the CEOs and leaders of industry and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in the country, praising their contribution towards India-Malaysia ties. While addressing the diaspora, the EAM took on China for failing to uphold longstanding agreements with India just as he underscored the importance of normalising troop deployment at the India-China border. As the EAM reached the Philippines, he addressed a press briefing in Manila alongside Enrique Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, extending India's firm support following China's "aggressive" action against Filipino navymen in the South China Sea. He called on all countries to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) "in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit". EAM Jaishankar and Manalo discussed shared interests in ensuring maritime safety, given that the two nations contribute so much to the global shipping industry. EAM Jaishankar met Bongbong Marcos, President of the Philippines, who lauded and thanked the Indian Navy and the government for their swift and decisive action in rescuing Filipino seafarers after they were attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden this month. During his visit to Singapore from March 23-25, the EAM had several bilateral engagements with the leadership and senior Ministers of the Cabinet. He called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and met the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong. "Honoured to call on Prime Minister @leehsienloong at The Istana. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Valued his perspectives on the current state of the world," the EAM wrote on X. With Wong, the EAM exchanged views on deepening engagement in the identified pillars of our cooperation including fintech, digitalisation, green economy, skills development, and food security. He also called on Singapore's Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan with whom he "exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and West Asia". "Reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation. Spoke about preparations for the next ISMR (India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable) meeting. Discussed marking 60 years of our diplomatic ties," Dr Jaishankar said. Envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, the first ISMR between the two nations, seeking to "deepen existing cooperation and identifying opportunities for collaboration in new and emerging areas", was held in 2022. Following the inaugural meeting then, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation and hoped that initiatives like ISMR would help further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. Seoul, March 28 : Intern doctors in South Korea, who have left their worksites in protest of a plan to hike the number of medical students, will be barred from training in the first half of this year unless they register for jobs by April 2, a senior official said on Thursday. Deputy Health Minister Jun Byung-wang urged intern doctors to "return to the training hospitals within this month." Unless they do so, Jun said, "Internship training in the first half of this year is impossible", Yonhap news agency reported. About 12,000 interns and resident doctors have remained off the job since February 20 in protest of the push to hike the number of medical students, forcing surgeries and other public health services to be cancelled or delayed at major hospitals. In support of junior doctors' labour action, medical professors, who are senior doctors at major university hospitals, have also begun tendering their resignations starting this week. Prospects for resolving the standoff throughout talks are slim as the government allocated the additional 2,000 medical school admission seats to universities, in a sign that the government won't back down from the plan. With the mass walkout by trainee doctors continuing for more than five weeks, major general hospitals temporarily shut down part of their wards and rearranged staff. The five major hospitals -- Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital -- have suffered more than 1 billion won ($741,344) of losses per day and have been in an emergency management mode to overcome the crisis, according to officials. Seoul National University Hospital closed 10 out of its 60 wards temporarily, including those for emergency patients and cancer patients after sending patients there to other wards, "for flexible operation given the current situation," an official said. Srinagar, March 28 : The agitation in Ladakh UT intensified on Thursday after the Leh Apex Body and climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk announced a march to the border on April 7. Climate activist Wangchuk has called the decision to march to the border a "Gandhian way of protest" to safeguard the interests of the fragile environment and the people of the region. The Leh Apex Body is agitating for grant of statehood to Ladakh and inclusion of the region in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution for the protection of the environment. The protesters have decided to continue the ongoing hunger strike which the Leh Apex Body said will be followed by a chain of hunger strikes by women, youth, religious leaders and elders. The April 7 protest march is proposed to be taken to Changthang which borders with China. "This would be like Gandhi ji's Dandi March", the leaders said. Climate activist, Sonam Wangchow has alleged that the Changthang grazers, famous for producing Pashmina wool, are being forced to sell their animals because over 20,000 acres of grazing land was taken by industrialists to set up their plants. "We do not want solar energy at the cost of our people's livelihood and dislocation. They are taking away our land because there are no safeguards", Wangchuk alleged. He accused the BJP of backtracking from its promises to the people of Ladakh. "We were shocked when the Union Home Ministry straightway rejected our demands on March 4. We are seeking our rights and fulfilment of the promises. Parliamentary polls have been announced and the BJP is again making various guarantees to the people, but who is going to buy these promises this time", he added. Ladakh Lok Sabha seat was won by the BJP candidate, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in 2019. Shillong, March 28 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fielding BJP candidates in two parliamentary seats in the state. The Chief Minister has been campaigning for his sister and National People's Party candidate Agatha Sangma in the Garo Hills region. He said, "I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for opting out from pitting BJP candidates in Meghalaya. This shows the Prime Minister's love for my late father and sister." CM Sangma also said that under PM Modi's leadership, northeast including Meghalaya has witnessed huge development. According to the CM, the Prime Minister has envisioned a brighter future for the nation and "Meghalaya will contribute significantly in the growth story of the country". Notably, the ruling party in Meghalaya, NPP declared candidates for two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya in December last year. Later it was considered that the BJP might put its candidates for contesting polls. Mumbai, March 28 : Bobby Deol, who created waves with his menacing character Abrar Haque in 'Animal', is all set to go gray once again for Alia Bhatt's upcoming spy film by Yash Raj Films. "Bobby Deol's inclusion to the YRF Spy Universe is an incredible casting coup by Aditya Chopra! Bobby will become a cold-blooded, menacing villain set to destroy Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in this action spectacle that will blow the minds of audiences," said a source. In the upcoming yet-untitled film, Alia plays a female agent, directed by YRF's homegrown director Shiv Rawail. The film also stars Sharvari, who is paired with Alia as super agents on a mission. Rawail has previously helmed 'The Railway Men'. The yet-untitled film will be the seventh film of YRF Spy Universe after 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Tiger Zinda Hai', 'War', 'Pathaan', 'Tiger 3' and 'War 2'. The film is reportedly set to go on floors later this year. Tel Aviv, March 28 : The Israel government is bracing for a final operation in the Rafah region in Gaza bordering Egypt where it believes that most of the Israeli hostages and their handlers are. According to sources in Israel's defense ministry, the country is gearing up for such an operation and it was all along its plan B, if talks in Qatar failed. Indirect peace talks in Qatar had hit a roadblock after Israel refused most of the demands put forward by negotiators on behalf of Hamas. After the talks failed, Israel activated its Plan B and would conduct a military operation three days after the end of Ramadan month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli intelligence have briefed the war cabinet on the outcome of the incursion as well as the logistics involved. Rafah is a densely populated area and an expected 1.3 million Palestinians are living in this region in makeshift tents and regular buildings. Most of the displaced Palestinians from north and central Gaza have moved to the Rafah region which is the southernmost tip of the Gaza Strip. The Israel army has informed the war cabinet that it has a clear cut plan with all the logistics to shift the civilian population from Gaza. The army will conduct surveillance using high end cameras mounted atop drones to monitor the movement of civilians from the Rafah area to make sure that no Israeli hostage is taken out from the region. The IDF has a clear assessment on the strength of Hamas in the region and according to its information-revealed by defense ministry sources, Hamas has only four battalions remaining in the Rafah area. Meanwhile, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi that Israel was forced to attack the Rafah region as all other options for the release of hostages have failed. In a related development, former Hamas chief Khaled Mashal, in a speech at Amman, Jordan, said that Israel was preparing for a major offensive after the end of Ramzan and added that Hamas would fight the battle. A student at Albemarle High School is facing criminal charges after reportedly punching a teacher so hard they had to seek medical treatment. The student, whose identity has not been released to the public because of their age, has been charged with three counts of assault. The conduct of the student was a severe violation of our school rules and policies, Albemarle Principal Darah Bonham said in a statement to parents on Friday. The student, who is a minor, will face both school and criminal consequences due to these actions. According to Bonhams account, the student was in the hallway outside the teachers classroom on Friday morning when the teacher tried redirecting the student. The student was not cooperating and when the teacher approached to identify the student, the student punched her, Bonham told parents. The teacher received medical treatment at the school nurses office, according to Bonham. When The Daily Progress reached out to Albemarle County Public Schools, school division spokeswoman Helen Dunn would not provide the teachers identity or the severity of their injuries. Albemarle High School administrators and security teams both responded to the incident and transported the student to the school office Friday morning. The administrators then contacted Albemarle County police who came to the school and charged the student with three counts of assault. The punch was not the only act of student-teacher aggression that day, according to the school. In his message to parents, Bonham also mentioned another situation in which a student inappropriately touched a staff member in the face. Again, the school divisions spokeswoman would not provide any additional details regarding the second situation, other than to say the two were related. I want to assure you that we take the safety and security of our students and staff seriously, and such incidents will not be tolerated in our school, said Bonham in his message to parents. New Delhi: The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud during a hearing on the electoral bonds case. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : A group of senior lawyers, including Senior Advocate Harish Salve, Bar Council of India Chairperson, Manan Kumar Mishra, in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), expressed concerns against mounting political and professional pressure through the actions of an interest group, which they alleged was aimed at undermining the judiciary's integrity. Without naming anyone in the letter dated March 26 to CJI, DY Chandrachud, the lawyers have accused the group of employing pressure tactics to influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures, which pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes. "This heated interest group operates in various ways. They create false narratives of a supposed 'better past' and 'golden period' of the courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present. These are nothing but intentional statements, made to sway court decisions and to embarrass the courts for certain political gains. It's troubling to see some lawyers defend politicians by the day, and then try to influence judges through the media at night," the letter stated. "They have also concocted an entire theory of 'bench fixing' - which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous - it's an attack on the honour and dignity of our courts. At times, it also leads to slanderous attacks and insinuations on respected judges. "They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions of unfair practices. These aren't just criticisms, they are direct attacks meant to damage the public's trust in our judiciary and threaten the fair application of our laws," the letter added. The lawyers have also accused some vested interests of trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way, threatening the fairness of Indian courts and striking at the heart of legal principles. The lawyers have pointed to the timing of the tactics of the group as the nation heads for the Lok Sabha elections and have drawn a parallel with similar activities in 2018-2019, including fabricating narratives. The group of lawyers, who are behind the letter titled 'Judiciary Under Threat-Safeguarding Judiciary from Political and Professional Pressure', number around 600 and also include Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi, sources said. Though the lawyers behind the letter have mentioned no specific cases, the development comes at a time when courts are dealing with several high-profile cases of corruption involving politicians. New Delhi, March 28 : AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday alleged that BJP has poached their party's MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural, and that "numerous MLAs in the state had been tempted with financial incentives to defect and align with the BJP, with promises of Y+ security and positions". Addressing a press conference here, Minister Bharadwaj questioned that if the BJP was experiencing such dire circumstances in Punjab, "why did it recruit our MP and MLA yesterday?" "Our MLAs from Punjab informed us yesterday that numerous MLAs in the state were enticed with monetary offers to defect and join the BJP. They were promised Y+ security, positions, and even the opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha elections," said Bharadwaj. The party's lone MP in the Lok Sabha, Sushil Kumar Rinku (48), and MLA from Punjab Sheetal Angural joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. "The proposition of party switching is not uncommon, but when it comes to Punjab, it's beyond comprehension. Rinku's tenure as MP has concluded, and with the Model Code of Conduct in effect, his options are limited to contesting elections," said Bharadwaj. "If you seek an evaluation, it is evident that BJP will rank fourth in Jalandhar, Punjab," claimed the Minister. Bharadwaj also said that during a press briefing on Wednesday, three Punjab MLAs, namely Amandeep Singh, Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina, and Jagdeep Kamboj, revealed that not only these three, but a significant number of our MLAs, received enticing phone calls urging them to defect to the BJP. "It seems that what Arvind Kejriwal had previously mentioned has materialised today -- 'Operation Lotus' appears to have been orchestrated with the aim of destabilising AAP and undermining our governments in Delhi and Punjab," he added. Last week, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a closed-door meeting with Rinku to gather feedback about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Congress had won in five out of the nine segments in the Jalandhar parliamentary seat, while the AAP bagged the remaining seats. The 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will go to the polls on June 1. Abhishekh Khan on why it's 'incredibly easy' to work with Rajat Kapoor: Treated me like his son. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 28 : Actor Abhishekh Khan, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his work in the recently released streaming series 'Lootere', has shared his experience of working with the acclaimed actor Rajat Kapoor in the series. Abhishekh shared that the latter is a very easy actor to work with. He also said that Rajat treated him like a son during the shoot. In the series, Abhishekh essays the character of Mudit Jain, a member of the ship's crew. His character is marked by wit, quick thinking, and compassion for his colleagues. Reflecting on his experience of working with Rajat Kapoor, Abhishekh said: "It was incredibly flexible and easy to work with Rajat (Kapoor). He made me feel like family, treated me like his son. There was always an enjoyable conversation, centered around good cinema and meaningful discussions." Abhishek also shared that the two often discussed the film 'Mithya' directed by Rajat. The actor shared: "I'm a huge fan of 'Mithya', one of his directed films, and we often discussed it among many other topics. He never carried himself with an air of superiority; instead, he fostered a welcoming atmosphere. Initially, I was quite shy, but he made the set environment lively and enjoyable. Working with Rajat sir was truly one of the best experiences I've had, without a doubt." 'Lootere' streams on Disney+ Hotstar. New Delhi, March 28 : Top corporate executive of the yesteryear and now an acclaimed author and public intellectual, Gurcharan Das, has laid out a feast for thought in 'The Dilemma Of An Indian Liberal' (Speaking Tiger), which was formally released here on Wednesday evening. Known for consistently advocating liberal values, Das began by explaining etymologically what the word 'liberal' stands for. He noted that out of the three-fold guiding principle of the French revolution -- Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity -- fraternity seems to have been forgotten today, even as the noise around liberty gets louder. Making no bones about the journey of his 'evolved' socialist values, he said that "the liberal is always suspicious" of those who wield religious, military, economic, or political power. Talking about his liberal "heroes" -- Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru -- and pointing out that the country's first prime minister introduced the word 'socialism' in our national vocabulary, turning the author and his family into socialists, he shared an anecdote from the time when he worked for the US multinational, Procter & Gamble, that produced Vicks Vaporub. There was a year of the flu and "we produced a hell of a lot of Vicks Veporub". But in those days of the Licence Raj, the companies produced way more than they were permitted to. As a result, far from celebrating what they thought was a great job done during an epidemic, they had to deal with the governmentas summons accusing them of breaking the law. Informed of a possible three-year jail sentence for breaking the law (by overproducing for consumers in need), his interaction with the bureaucrat led Das to change his mind and he became a libertarian from a classical liberal. And he joined the Swatantra Party. Recalling his "moment of conversion", Das emphasised the fundamental importance of a market economy. "Nehru was a creature of his times and all were socialists then, but by the time of Indira Gandhi, the world saw the rise of Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, that had already become Asian Tigers or were in the process of becoming that," he said. Das pointed out that they became a middle-class country from a poor country on the basis of labour-intensive manufacture; and by the time Indira Gandhi could see that there was an alternate path, the world, which admired Nehru and India for safeguarding liberal democracy, began to regard the country's experiments with a socialist mixed economy as being pathetic. The cardinal error was that although Nehru wanted compassionate socialism, the bureaucracy toppled it with Licence Raj. India achieved political freedom in 1947, but it was in 1991 that India got its economic freedom, emphasised Das. Recounting another story about the 'steel frame' of the nation, Das mentioned an unsung hero, Amar Nath Varma, who was Principal Secretary to Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, who held a meeting every Thursday. It was called the 'Thursday Committee'. The secretaries of all economic ministries attended the committee meetings and one new reform was discussed every week. The meeting's minutes were discussed in the subsequent Cabinet meeting and press notes were released that evening. And in the weekend edition of popular business dailies, "It was Diwali." The Congress government is believed to have ushered in Liberalisation in 1991, yet it fell foul of reforms in the long run. "The mistake was that none of the reformers sold the reforms to the public," Das said. Quoting examples of Deng Xiaoping, who spoke every day about the market, and Margaret Thatcher, who said she spent 20 per cent of her time reforming and 80 per cent of her time selling reforms, the author said: "We were doing reforms 'chupkey chupkey' (furtively)." And none of the future reformers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh and "even Modi, none of the reformers have taken the trouble to sell the reforms, which means that people still believe that reforms make the rich richer and the poor poorer. They still believe there is no difference between being pro-market and pro-business." Noting that manufacturing represents less than 17 per cent of the GDP when it should be double of that, and the exports of any manufactured commodity are less than 2 per cent of the total production, Das said: "If we increase that by 2-3 per cent, we will have an industrial revolution." So, what went wrong? We did not create that industrial revolution, "but we are in a far better position right now to create it because our infrastructure is far better that it was in 1991". In 2014, when the author was fed up because of the absence of real reform, what attracted him most to the change promised by Narendra Modi was his slogan of 'Minimum government, maximum governance'. Landmark events such as demonetisation and its flawed execution began to make Das lose faith in Prime Minister Modi, but he's now convinced that it is only the Modi government that can truly fast forward necessary reforms. (Kavya Dubey may be reached at kavya.d@ians.in) Chandigarh, March 28 : Days after her industrialist son Naveen Jindal joined the BJP, former Haryana minister Savitri Jindal, 84, quit the Congress. Chairperson emeritus of the OP Jindal Group, Savitri Jindal with a net worth of $29.1 billion is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. She announced her decision to quit the Congress on a social media post. "I represented the people of Hisar for 10 years as an MLA and have served Haryana state selflessly as a minister. The people of Hisar are my family and on the advice of my family, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Congress today," she wrote in a post in Hindi. Her son Naveen Jindal, who represented the Kurukshetra constituency in Lok Sabha from 2004-14 as a Congress MP, will contest Lok Sabha elections 2024 from the same seat on the BJP ticket. The BJP had won all 10 seats of Haryana in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Seoul, March 28 : Kia, South Korea's second-biggest carmaker by sales, said on Thursday that it has unveiled the K4 compact sedan at the New York auto show as it plans to launch the vehicle in North American markets this year. Kia will assemble the K4 compact at its plant in Mexico, and sell it to customers in the United States and Canada during the second half of this year, reports Yonhap news agency, citing a company spokesperson. The new model will be available in two versions, one with a 2.0-litre gasoline engine and the other with a 1.6-litre gasoline turbocharged engine, it said. The model won't be imported to Korea, the spokesperson added. Kia said it will exhibit dozens of models, including the K4, the EV6 and EV9 all-electric cars, and the Telluride SUV, during the motor show due March 29 through April 7. Ramtek : , March 28 (IANS) Jolting the Congress, the Election Commission has rejected the caste certificate of the party nominee in the reserved Ramtek (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, Rashmi S. Barve, here on Thursday. The validity of the caste certificate came up during the scrutiny of Barveas nomination papers -- filed earlier this week -- taken up on Thursday by the poll authorities. The development has raised an embarrassing question mark on her candidature for Ramtek (SC) parliamentary constituency, and Barveas team rushed to move the Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) for urgent relief. However, Congress leaders in Mumbai and Nagpur declined to comment on the matter, or indicate whether the party leadership would change its candidate. The MahaYuti has fielded a ruling Shiv Sena candidate Raju Parwe to lock horns with Barve, though the ally Bharatiya Janata Party was also keen to contest the same seat. With erstwhile royal in fray, Krishnanagar LS poll battle will be tough. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, March 28 : Krishnanagar in Nadia District, is one of the most watched constituencies in West Bengal in these Lok Sabha elections for multiple reasons. On one hand, Trinamool Congress has re-nominated controversial leader Mahua Moitra and on the other hand the BJP has fielded Amrita Roy, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Krishnanagar, who is popularly called 'Rajmata' by the local populace. Amrita Roy's nomination got a boost in the national perspective when she received a telephone call from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, soon after her nomination was announced. The PM promised her of legal initiatives for giving back Rs 3,000 crore to the people of West Bengal which were confiscated by the central agencies in different cases relating to financial corruption in the state. The second reason is Trinamool Congress' campaign targeting late Raja Krishnachandra Roy from the former royal family of Krishnanagar. The Trinamool Congress has started a tacit campaign against Amrita Roy for carrying the lineage of late Raja Krishnachandra Roy, who was responsible for conspiring with the British against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula. In fact, during the telephonic conversation with the PM, which had gone viral, Amrita Roy updated him about the campaign by the ruling party. The PM advised her not to take such campaigns seriously and said that these were "baseless slanders against a great social worker like Krishnachandra Roy just to hide the current flaws of the ruling party." Amrita Roy has made it clear that she will concentrate on two factors in her campaign, the first being corruption charges against the ruling party and the state government and the second is 'Modi ki guarantee' on development of West Bengal. Also in the poll fray is CPI(M)'s SM Sadi, a thorough organisation man and a former legislator from the Palashipara Assembly constituency, one of the seven under the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat. Since the very first day after his nomination was announced, SM Sadi has been concentrating on door-to-door campaigns and small roadside meetings, rather than mega rallies. Krishnanagar, an erstwhile Red bastion, has been witnessing fluctuating mandates since 1999. From 1971 to 1998, the voters of the constituency gave CPI(M) candidates eight consecutive victories, first being Renu Pada Das and then Ajoy Mukherjee. However, in 1999, the BJP had a surprise victory from there with senior advocate of Calcutta High Court, Satyabrata Mukherjee, emerging as the winner. Then in 2005, Satyabrata Mukherjee got defeated by the CPI(M) candidate and gold medal winning athlete in Asian Games, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar. However, since 2009, the voters of the constituency have backed Trinamool Congress for three consecutive terms, first being actor-turned-politician Tapas Paul and finally Mahua Moitra in 2019. Krishnanagar has a total voter strength of around 15,00,000 and is a mix of urban and rural belts. The constituency is famous for production of clay dolls, which are globally acclaimed. Besides handicrafts, a large percentage of the population there is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Key investors move NCLT against Byjus rights issue, firm says yet to get any petition (Lead). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : In a breather for embattled edtech company Byju's, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Thursday refused to stay the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by the board of directors to raise the capital via the rights issue. The tribunal in Bengaluru has given April 4 as the next date of hearing. According to sources, the tribunal judge was convinced by the evidence submitted and arguments made by Byjuas counsels, who made a case that the "only objective of the petitioners is to be restrictive". The court also cited a Supreme Case judgment to conclude that since the only objective is to increase the authorised capital for the rights issue, there is no reason to pause or postpone the EGM. Last month, the NCLT directed Byju's to keep funds received from the rights issue in an escrow account till the disposal of the case. As funds remain stuck, Byju's has mandated all its employees to work from home as it gives up office spaces across the country amid several cash crunch. "We processed part salaries for everyone for February to the extent of capital we could get outside the rights issue. The company will pay the balance once the rights issue funds are available, which we expect shortly," the company had said in a letter to employees. The company is giving up office spaces as the leases expired, keeping only its Bengaluru-based headquarters. New Delhi, March 28 : Against the backdrop of the Raffles Udaipur, the hotel's Writers Bar hosts an evening of literary enchantment, leaving an indelible mark on all those in attendance. The event unfolded seamlessly with esteemed guests and literature enthusiasts gathered for an unforgettable rendezvous with acclaimed Indian Novelist & Columnist, Shobhaa De. The evening commenced with a champagne reception, a nod to the elegance and sophistication that permeates every corner of Raffles Udaipur. As guests mingled and immersed themselves in the ambiance of the Writers Bar, anticipation mounted for the main event - a captivating reading session by none other than Shobhaa De, a luminary in the literary world. She mesmerized the audience with excerpts from her latest book, 'Insatiable', with her words weaving a tapestry of emotions and drawing guests into the heart of her narrative. As the event drew to a close, guests had the privilege of having copies of 'Insatiable' personally signed by Shobhaa De, transforming each book into a cherished memento of the evening's festivities. Nestled within the magnificent walls of Raffles Udaipur, the Writers Bar stands as a testament to the legacy of literature and the art of storytelling. With a collection boasting over 3500 books, including works by some of the world's most prolific writers, the Writers Bar has long been revered as a sanctuary for literary connoisseurs. IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in Retired D.C. police officer Michael Fanone wants you to watch the bodycam footage from the most traumatic day of his life. Its been more than three years since he and more than 100 of his fellow officers were injured as a mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the election of President Biden. Fanone is frustrated, exhausted and concerned. Those emotions are a result of his yearslong campaign to dispel the many myths surrounding Jan. 6, 2021, and the public apathy he says he often encounters in the course of that work. Ive been out here for three years trying to educate Americans as to what really happened on Jan. 6, Fanone told The Daily Progress. Going places and talking to people, years out from the day itself, who seem just completely indifferent to my experience and the experience of so many other police officers on the sixth. Fanone describes himself as politically inconvenient. Hes a White man from the suburbs. He has neck tattoos and a Southern accent. He voted for Trump in 2016. Many Americans, especially Trump voters, dont want to hear his story, Fanone said. Some have gone so far as to call him a traitor. He and his family have received violent threats. Its fighting against what seems oftentimes like an insurmountable opponent, he said. Its me and my story versus the former president and those that support him, and everything that they bring to bear against people that oppose him. He is determined, nonetheless. Armed with footage from his own body-worn camera, the Alexandria native recently completed a tour across Virginia, meeting with legislators, community leaders and newspapers to tell his story in hopes it might prevent more political violence and a repeat of the day that changed his life. I knew the first time that I saw my body-worn camera footage that that would serve as a definitive account of what really happened on the sixth and how brutal the violence really was, he said. That footage is disturbing to watch. Viewers are put in the shoes of a policeman being dragged away from other officers and into an angry mob. I got one! a man yells as he pulls Fanone away from the outnumbered officers. Surrounded, separated and scared, Fanone was beaten with a flagpole and shocked at the base of his skull with a Taser. He suffered a heart attack and sustained a traumatic brain injury. He can recall rioters reaching for his gun tell him they would use it to kill him. He tried to appeal to the humanity of his assailants. Ive got kids, he can be heard yelling in the video. That seemed to help. With some assistance from sympathetic people in the crowd, he eventually got back inside the Capitol. He was unconscious for several minutes as other police officers sought to get him medical assistance. Fanone has dedicated himself to teaching people about Jan. 6, willingly reliving his trauma, he said, because he hopes to counter the lies and conspiracy theories that have surfaced since. The presidential election is fast approaching, and Fanone wants people to know about his experience before they cast a ballot in November. I dont know whos going to win in 2024, he said. But Im going to do absolutely everything that I can do to ensure that the candidate that does win in 2024 is somebody who respects our democracy, that upholds and values the Constitution and who will actively participate in the peaceful transition of power. As Fanone continues to condemn the violence that tore him down, Trump continues to claim those who perpetrated that violence have been treated terribly and very unfairly. The former and potentially next president has repeatedly honored the men and women now incarcerated for their participation in the criminal insurrection, some who pleaded guilty to their charges and others who were found guilty by juries. Trump regularly refers to them as hostages and has floated the possibility of pardoning them for their crimes if he is reelected. That language is conveying a message that were at war. Were at war with the opposing political party, and the opposing party has taken hostages or is holding people essentially as prisoners of war, Fanone said. If thats not a message designed to invoke or incite violence, I dont know what is. The upcoming election in Virginias 5th Congressional District features two Republican candidates who have their own firsthand accounts of Jan. 6. Rep. Bob Good was one of 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the election results. His primary challenger, state Sen. John McGuire, attended Trumps Stop the Steal rally which immediately preceded the violence. McGuire has said he did not enter the Capitol, but that doesnt matter to Fanone. Theres absolutely no way that anyone who was at the Capitol that day was not aware of the fact that police officers were being assaulted. And so their mere presence, to me, should disqualify them from holding office in this country, Fanone said. Similarly, Fanone said he believes that Good and his 146 colleagues should be disqualified from holding public office. Good, he said, hasnt told the truth about what happened that day. Certifying an election is a significant role that they play in our election process and in our democracy. To cast a vote like that, with no evidence to support it, to me, is just as egregious as storming the Capitol and assaulting police officers, Fanone said, referring to the lawmakers as the insurrectionist members of Congress. It may not be a crime, but it certainly should preclude them from representing Americans, because essentially what they did was violated their oath to the Constitution, Fanone said. Neither the Good nor McGuire campaigns agreed to a Daily Progress request for comment. Fanone sees parallels between what he witnessed in 2021 and the infamous 2017 Unite the Right rally-turned-riot, when White supremacists descended upon Charlottesville to protest the removal of the citys Confederate monuments, wreaking havoc, injuring dozens and killing counterprotester Heather Heyer in the process. Fanone said that on Jan. 6 it wasnt until he was dragged out of the Lower West Terrace tunnel that he realized the magnitude of the crowd that had gathered at the Capitol. Some of the most horrifying images were not those of the individuals themselves. It was the banners and flags that they were waving as they marched up the West Terrace. I saw swastikas, Confederate flags, all these symbols of hatred being unfurled on the Capitol steps, he said. Those same anarchist, racist, homophobic and anti-immigrant symbols were also seen at Unite the Right, he said. Several months ago, Fanone and some friends went on a fishing trip on a chartered boat in Maryland. The captain was a staunch Trump supporter and spent much of the trip talking politics. That didnt bother Fanone much. It was a daylong excursion, and he was there to fish. Im pretty sure that like by the end of the trip, he just thought that I was another fking good old boy trying to catch some rockfish, Fanone said. But it was around the end of the trip when the captain began talking about Jan. 6. He said it wasnt violent. He said he didnt know any police officers who were hurt that day. Thats when Fanone spoke up. I was like, We can debate why it happened. We can even debate whether or not Donald Trump is fking responsible. But let me tell you, I was there, he said. Fanone pulled out his phone and showed the man his bodycam footage. They watched it together. He still expects that boat captain to vote for Trump in November. But what he wont ever do is tell someone else that Jan. 6 was not violent and that police officers werent brutally assaulted, Fanone said. Youve got to take the small victories. What Fanone is more concerned about is not hardcore Trump supporters, but those disillusioned by the political process who dont plan to vote in the upcoming election. They feel like we got two old White motherfkers and neither of them cares about or speaks to any of the issues that Im passionate about, he said. He hopes to convince those people that this election is worth their participation, if not because of policies and positions then because of freedom and fairness. Biden, he said, has had a very long political career. Hes lost a few races in his lifetime, and hes got a track record of conceding. Hes never tried to overthrow the results of a free and fair election, Fanone said. Donald Trump has a much shorter career in politics and already has one insurrection under his belt. I think the choice is pretty clear if you value democracy and freedom which candidate youre going to support. At least it is to me. Ukrainian FM arrives in India to build on talks between PM Modi, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to reinvigorate bilateral ties with India. He will build on the dialogue between Prime Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace. In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Kuleba began his two-day official visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. "I began my visit to New Delhi upon @DrSJaishankar's invitation. The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties," Kuleba said in a post on X on Thursday. "Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will pay specific attention to the Peace Formula," he added. He would call on EAM Jaishankar and Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri to discuss matters pertaining to the bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier. Kuleba's visit comes just as Prime Minister Modi spoke to Presidents of the warring Ukraine and Russia over the telephone this month. In his talks with Zelensky, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between Kiev and Moscow. The Prime Minister added that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution as Zelensky appreciated the country's continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. Bengaluru, March 28 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that there was no scope for individuality and all the party leaders had to work towards victory in the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency. He said this a day after a minister and five legislators threatened to submit their resignations if the Kolar ticket was given to Chikka Peddanna, son-in-law of Minister K.H. Muniyappa. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence here, Shivakumar said, "There is pressure from candidates for the ticket in Kolar. It will be discussed in a meeting with the Chief Minister. No one will resign from the party over this." Asked about the star campaigners from Congress, he said, "AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is from Karnataka itself. We have requested Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to visit Karnataka. Considering they have to travel across the country for campaigning, we can't expect them to spend too many days in Karnataka." Asked about taking on BJP and JD(S) in Bengaluru Rural constituency, he said, "We have fought many elections against the Deve Gowda family. We have got a woman elected against Deve Gowda. I have faced Kumaraswamy in an election. Suresh had won an election against Anita Kumaraswamy, who was the joint candidate of BJP and JD(S). We defeated Anita Kumaraswamy by a huge margin even when I was not a minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government. People have been supporting us ever since." Replying to a query on preparations for elections in Bengaluru Rural parliamentary constituency, he said, "It is not about election work, Suresh has been in the service of the constituency every single day. During Covid, the Union government did not even allow the body of Union Minister Suresh Angadi to be brought to his native place. On the other hand, D.K. Suresh purchased fruits and vegetables from farmers and distributed them to the people of the constituency. He gave medical kits to people. He even conducted last rites of the victims wearing a PPT kit." Replying to a question on BJP fielding Govind Karjol from Chitradurga, he said, "Let them field anyone, we have fielded Chandrappa. BJP has refused tickets to sitting MPs and ministers and it clearly shows that BJP has weakened in the state." Lucknow, March 28 : UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's governance model is getting increasingly popular in the south Indian states where there is considerable curiosity among the people, Shipra Pathak, popularly known as 'Water Woman', said. Pathak, who travelled 3,952 km from Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, said that, "Under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, there is a sense of unparalleled security among the daughters of the state. Not only within our state but across the nation, daughters of Uttar Pradesh have the confidence that their voices would be heard everywhere in case of any wrongdoing against them. This is because Yogi Adityanath has become synonymous with Uttar Pradesh." Pathak, India's first 'padayatri' on the Ram Janaki Van Gaman Path from 'Saryu to Sagar', started her journey from Ayodhya on November 27, 2023, and ended in Rameshwaram on March 11, 2024. In the course of her journey, she passed through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and crossed the forests of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Her route was on the Ram Van Gaman as mentioned in epic Ramayana. Providing details about her journey, Shipra revealed that alongside her padayatra, a vehicle carrying water from various rivers, bearing the registration number of Uttar Pradesh, accompanied her. This vehicle served as a symbol of her association with Uttar Pradesh. Everywhere she travelled, people greeted her with joy and inquired whether she hailed from CM Adityanath's Uttar Pradesh. Pathak remarked that being associated with Uttar Pradesh has become a source of pride nationwide. "UP and Yogi have become inseparable. Wherever I travelled, I was warmly welcomed, and people were delighted to learn that I hailed from UP. From Ayodhya to Rameshwaram, there was a palpable sense of respect towards Chief Minister Adityanath for his decisive leadership," she observed. Pathak further said that during her Yatra, she came across a number of people who were all praise for Chief Minister Adityanath. "Above all, he has transformed Uttar Pradesh into a state that prioritises the safeguarding of religion and spirituality. Throughout Uttar Pradesh's developmental journey, there has been a noticeable unanimity across all sections of society on preserving religious traditions and respecting heritage," she added. Pathak hails from Dataganj, Budaun in Uttar Pradesh. Pathal, a social activist, holds a post-graduate degree in English Literature and has been actively involved in the political sphere. Her late grandmother Santosh Kumari Pathak served as MLA from Dataganj four times, while her maternal grandfather (nana), Triveni Sahay Sharma, also held the position of MLA from Dataganj. Kolkata, March 28 : The ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP in West Bengal got engaged in a war of words on Thursday over releasing a 'white paper' on the funds sanctioned and their implementation under two Centrally-sponsored schemes -- MGNREGA and PMAY. It all started with a post on X by Trinamool General Secretary and the party's Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, in which he ridiculed the Union government for not accepting his challenge of releasing a "white paper" on these two schemes since 2021, the year the state went to the polls. "It's been nearly TWO WEEKS, clocking close to 350 HOURS, the @BJP4India continues to shy away from accepting my CHALLENGE and RELEASING WHITE PAPER on AWAS PLUS and MGNREGA since their 2021 defeat in WB. BENGAL AWAITS, SEEKING NOTHING BUT ABSOLUTE ACCOUNTABILITY!" Banerjee wrote. Reacting to the Trinamool leader's remarks, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya questioned whether the state government or Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has the courage to release a 'white paper' on the implementation of the above-mentioned schemes in the state. "The entire Trinamool leadership is clueless. They are levelling the same allegations again and again, but their accusations do not have any merit. The people of the state don't believe in such allegations anymore," Bhattacharya said. The two schemes in question have become a contentious issue between the Centre and the state government for some time now. While the Trinamool accuses the Centre of deliberately holding back central funds due to the state government under these projects, the BJP accuses the ruling party of resorting to irregularities in the utilisation of funds marked under the two schemes, which were released earlier. CM not above law, says ED as Kejriwal questions rationale behind his arrest (Lead). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday said a chief minister was not above law even as Arvind Kejriwal questioned the rationale behind his arrest in the liquor policy case. Delhi CM, on being allowed to put forth his assertions in the Rouse Avenue court, questioned the ED's action and also the reason behind his arrest. Kejriwal said that the CBI filed 31,000 pages while ED filed 25,000 pages in the case but no court has proved him guilty. "The case has been going on for two years. The case was filed on August 17. No court has found me guilty. There are no charges against me nor has any case been filed against me. But I have been arrested," he said. The investigative agency, on the other hand, sought seven more days of his custody while claiming that the AAP convener was being evasive and not co-operating in the investigations. Kejriwal also said that he was not opposed to ED's custody and said that they can keep him in custody as long as they want. "My name was taken by four witnesses, people come and talk at my residence, is that enough to arrest a sitting CM," he asked the court. Calling his arrest a political conspiracy, Kejriwal alleged that people are "being turned approver" in the case and they are being "forced" to change their statements. He also raised the issue of electoral bonds and claimed that BJP was "getting money", a charge the ED strongly opposed. The Additional Solicitor General, replying to Kejriwal's charge of Sarath Reddy donating Rs 55 crore to the BJP, said it has nothing to do with the liquor scam. "We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam," he said. The ASG submitted that the ED has evidence to show that Delhi CM demanded Rs 100 crore in kickbacks. "We have not arrested him because he is the Chief Minister, we have arrested him on the basis of material in our possession," the ED told the court. -- IANS mr/svn Kanpur : , March 28 (IANS) The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur (IIT-K), has signed a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agreement with Gliders India Limited, a leading defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), to drive innovation in the healthcare sector. Under this CSR collaboration, Gliders India Limited will provide financial assistance and mentorship to startups incubated at SIIC working on advanced medical technologies, digital health solutions, telemedicine applications, and healthcare infrastructure innovations. The partnership aims to leverage IIT Kanpur's technological prowess combined with Gliders India Limited's industry expertise to develop impactful solutions addressing critical healthcare challenges in India, said an official press release. Ankush Sharma, Professor-In-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, emphasised the shared mission to drive innovation and said, "We are thrilled to join forces with Gliders India Limited. This collaboration creates a powerful ecosystem where our incubated startups can tap into Gliders India Limited's vast industry experience to translate their innovations into real-world impact." Gliders India Limited will connect startups with domain experts, industry resources, and market networks, thereby accelerating their growth and commercialisation journeys. The PSU's strategic support will enable these startups to navigate the complex healthcare landscape effectively. V. K. Tiwari, Chairman and Managing Director of Gliders India Limited, said, "As a responsible corporate citizen, Gliders India Limited is committed to positive societal change. Partnering with SIIC allows us to harness innovation's potential and contribute to national well-being by addressing pressing healthcare challenges." This industry-academia collaboration highlights SIIC, IIT Kanpur's dedication to encouraging synergies between educational institutions, industry players, and government bodies. By combining these strengths, SIIC and Gliders India Limited are poised to make significant strides in transforming healthcare for India and beyond. Hyderabad, March 28 : Police placed BJP MLA Raja Singh under house arrest here on Thursday to stop him from visiting Chengicherla village which witnessed communal skirmishes three days ago. Raja Singh, who represents Goshamahal constituency in the city, was planning to visit the village in Medchal Malkajgiri district to meet people. As BJP general secretary and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumaras visit to the village on Wednesday had created tension, the police placed Raja Singh under house arrest as a precautionary measure. Defying the police orders, Bandi Sanjay along with his followers forced their way into the village, leading to a scuffle with police personnel. On Thursday, police registered a case against Bandi Sanjay and others. A police officer complained that he was attacked while he was performing his duties. The case was registered at Medipally police station under the limits of Rachakonda Police Commissionerate. Police have stepped up security in the village, especially at places of worship to prevent any untoward incident. Trouble broke out in the village when some people were playing loud music in front of a place of worship on March 24, a day before the Holi. A heated argument between two groups led to a clash. Five persons were injured in the violence. Following the incident, police beefed up security. Paramilitary force was also deployed as a precautionary measure. After his visit to the village, Bandi Sanjay alleged that some people were targeted. He also claimed that victims, including women, were booked by the police without ascertaining the facts. Islamabad, March 28 : Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped into become a mediating partner between the judiciary and the powerful military establishment to avert a possible disastrous confrontation between the two. Reliable sources have said that the open letter by at least six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges in relations to interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters have the tendency to trigger a dangerous rift between the two institutions. This is why Sharif, who is known to be close to the military establishment has been assigned to intervene in the matter and put it to rest at the earliest. Sharif is meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa on Thursday (today) to not only discuss details of the open letter but also to come out with a face-saving conciliatory statement that talks more about value of coordinated working mechanism between parliament, judiciary and the establishment. "The PM along with Minister of Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awaz will meet with the CJ Qaxi Faez Isa and Senior Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah. Meeting will take place at the SC premises," a senior government official said. Concerned speculations of a possible conflict between the two powerful institutions have become more evident after at least six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) wrote a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) seeking clarity on the interventions and interference of spy agencies and their operatives in judicial matter. The open letter, written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justive Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justive Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz highlighted the blatant and disturbing interference of countryas intelligence agencies in the affairs of the court. "We, therefore request that a judicial convention be called to consider the matter of interference of intelligence operatives with judicial functions and/or intimidation of judges in a manner that undermines the independence of the judiciary," the open letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan by the IHC judges stated. Earlier, the Supreme Court held a full-court meeting to discuss the content of the IHC Judges' letter, in which at least six of eight judges pointed direct fingers at the intelligence agencies for using coercive tactics to influence court proceedings, discussed the constitutional and judicial value of the letter and what action can be taken in this regard. Pertinent to mention here that the latest controversy of a letter by the IHC Judges' is part of a newly found confidence to stand against the powerful military establishment and its institutions among the serving judges after the recent notification of the SJC was set aside by CJ Qazi Faez Isa which resulted in the dismissal of former senior puisne judge of the IHC Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. Justice Siddiqui had also accused the intelligence agencies of manipulating the proceedings of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) during a speech at Rawalpindi Bar in July 2018. Now, with Sharif due to meet in a rare meeting with the CJ Isa, senior lawyers are concerned of a manipulation in the final response of the Supreme Court in response to the IHC Judges' letter. "CJ Isa should have sought endorsement from all the judges before the meetings; otherwise it will not send a good optic for the judiciary as an institution," said a senior lawyer. "IHC judges wrote a letter to the Supreme Court and not to the government. The response should be representative of the Judiciaryas position as an institution only," he added. "There is no need for such meetings rite now when the countryas largest political party, the PTI, is claiming that they have been a victim of the manipulations of judicial proceedings in the past. Prime Minister Shehbaz should not have asked to meet the Chief Justice. Instead, he should have requested the chief justice to conduct an inquiry into the serious allegations made by the IHC judges," another senior lawyer said. The letter of IHC judges' has certainly opened up a debate on the interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matter, decision and their timings of announcements. Pakistan has a history of civil military divide and confrontations resulting in military takeovers. This time, it seems that a strong section of the judiciary has decided to take on the military establishment and its allied spy agencies to expose their forced maintenance of matters within the judiciary as well. While the confrontation can have serious and dangerous consequences, PM Shehbaz seems to be on a damage control mission to have the apex court melt down the heat with its positioning on the critical matter. Hyderabad, March 28 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy cast his vote in the by-election to the Telangana Legislative Council at the Mahabubnagar local authorities' constituency on Thursday. Hyderabad, March 28 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy cast his vote in the by-election to the Telangana Legislative Council at the Mahabubnagar local authoritiesa constituency on Thursday. As an ex-officio member in his capacity as the MLA from Kodangal, Revanth Reddy cast his vote in his home constituency. Representatives of the local bodies exercised their franchise at 10 polling stations in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district on Thursday. The polling, which began at 8 a.m., concluded at 4 p.m. A total of 1,439 voters, including municipal councillors, MPTCs, ZPTCs, and ex-officio members were eligible to cast their votes. The by-election is witnessing a direct fight between Manney Jeevan Reddy of the ruling Congress and N. Naveen Kumar Reddy of the main opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). An Independent candidate -- Sudershan Goud -- is also in the fray. Fearing poaching of their elected representatives, the Congress and the BRS had shifted them to Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa. They returned on Wednesday. The BRS enjoys an absolute majority in the local bodies as the party almost made a clean sweep in the elections held in 2019. The BRS has a strength of 1,039 (71 per cent), Congress 241 (16.67 per cent), BJP 119 (8.23 per cent), and others 46 (3.18 per cent). However, cross-voting is feared in the by-election, considered prestigious for both the Congress and the BRS ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The by-election was necessitated after Kasireddy Narayan Reddy of the BRS resigned and successfully contested as a Congress candidate from the Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency in the recent elections. The Congress won 12 out of the 14 Assembly seats in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district. Thiruvananthapuram, March 28 : Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and NDA's candidate from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat Rajeev Chandrasekhar pointed out that despite the union government sanctioning funds through the Jal Jeevan Mission three years ago, 2.6 lakh households in Thiruvananthapuram have not been provided with safe drinking water connection. He is pitted against sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor seeking a fourth successive term and LDF's Panniyan Ravindran who had won a by-election here in 2005. "The responsibility lies squarely with the state government, which has yet to release the matching grant. If elected, I pledge to prioritise bringing safe water to every household in Thiruvananthapuram," said the minister. Thiruvananthapuram has seven lakh households. In 2019, drinking water connection was available to only 23.20 per cent of people, but through the Prime Minister Jal Jeevan Mission, 62.40 percent of people got drinking water. "What the state government could not do in 70 years, the Modi government has done in four and a half years," he said. Kerala is slated to go to the polls on April 26 to elect 20 Lok Sabha members. Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday announced he has vetoed seven more bills, including measures to set up a legal market to sell cannabis and bills to increase the states minimum wage. In 2021, the state made it legal for adults to possess and use small amounts of cannabis but did not authorize buying or selling, and a black market has emerged in the void. Youngkin has long said that he was not interested in setting up a legal market for sales. The proposed legalization of retail marijuana in the Commonwealth endangers Virginians health and safety, Youngkin said in a statement Thursday. States following this path have seen adverse effects on childrens and adolescents health and safety, increased gang activity and violent crime, significant deterioration in mental health, decreased road safety, and significant costs associated with retail marijuana that far exceed tax revenue. The cannabis bills were Senate Bill 448, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Rouse, a Virginia Beach Democrat, and House Bill 698, sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek, a Fairfax Democrat. Youngkin said the legislation Virginia lawmakers passed also does not eliminate the illegal black-market sale of cannabis, nor guarantee product safety. Addressing the inconsistencies in enforcement and regulation in Virginias current laws does not justify expanding access to cannabis, following the failed paths of other states and endangering Virginians health and safety. Youngkin also vetoed Senate Bill 696, sponsored by Sen. Angelia Williams Graves, a Norfolk Democrat, which would require a hearing to review reducing sentences for individuals currently incarcerated or on community supervision for felony marijuana convictions. Youngkin said in his veto message: This bill grants eligibility to a significant number of violent felons who have already received a full and fair hearing. He added: Now is not the time to allow an imprudent resentencing process that undermines public safety. Youngkin also vetoed Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Louise Lucas, a Portsmouth Democrat, and House Bill 1, sponsored by Del. Jeion Ward, a Hampton Democrat, that would increase the minimum wage from the current $12 an hour to $13.50 on Jan. 1 and $15 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2026. Today I am also vetoing bills that would implement drastic wage mandates, raise costs on families and small businesses, jeopardize jobs, and fail to recognize regional economic differences across Virginia, Youngkin said. The governors veto statement echoes concerns Republican lawmakers expressed when the minimum wage proposals were debated in the legislature this winter that the mandate would be a burden to small businesses in different parts of the state. A one-size-fits-all mandate ignores the vast economic and geographic differences and undermines the ability to adapt to regional cost-of-living differences and market dynamics, Youngkin wrote. The bills would have continued Virginia on a trajectory first outlined four years ago. The governor also signed 100 more measures. Youngkin, on a record-shattering pace, has now vetoed 87 bills this year and a total of 128 partway through the third year of his term. Democrat Terry McAuliffe held the previous modern record for a Virginia governor, vetoing 120 bills in his four-year term from January 2014 to January 2018. Youngkin is plowing through hundreds of bills that the legislature passed in the session that ended March 9. The governor faces an April 8 deadline to sign, veto or seek to amend legislation. Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond April 17 to take up the governors vetoes and his proposed amendments. Democrats hold a 21-19 edge in the Senate and a 51-49 edge in the House of Delegates, which means they likely will not have the two-thirds vote they would need to override any of his vetoes. Approval of an amendment requires a simple majority. The administration announced the actions a day after the public collapse of the $2 billion proposed arena project in Alexandria that was Youngkins top legislative priority. Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBAs Washington Wizards and the NHLs Washington Capitals, joined D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to announce a proposed deal that would keep the teams in Washington until 2050. Hard feelings between Youngkin and Democratic leaders over the arena project now overshadow any action on the two-year budget for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. Patna March 28 : Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi filed his nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Gaya as the NDA nominee on Thursday. Voting for the first phase of elections in Gaya, Nawada, Jamui, and Aurangabad in Bihar will be held on April 19. Jitan Manjhi filed his nomination papers at the district magistrate's office in Gaya on Thursday. "Everyone contests elections for victory. I have been in politics for the past 44 years, and I still have some more time left in my political career. Today, I filed my nominations for the Gaya seat to contest the Lok Sabha elections. PM Narendra Modi has always given me respect, even when I was with the Mahagathbandhan," Manjhi said. "When the first meeting of the INDIA bloc was held in Patna, I had said that it would break one day and that is what is happening now. They haven't even finalised the seat-sharing formula for Bihar," Manjhi said. In Gaya, Manjhi is pitted against RJD's Kumar Sarvjeet, who also filed his nomination on Thursday. In Nawada, RJD candidate Shrawan Kushwaha also filed his nomination on Thursday, accompanied by senior RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav and party strongman Ashok Mahto. Kushwaha will challenge BJP's Vivek Thakur in Nawada. New Delhi: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being brought out of ED office to be taken to Rouse Avenue Court. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in its application for further custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, said that a statement from an AAP candidate in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections was obtained, revealing that his election expenditure was taken care of by the AAP office in Delhi. "He (the candidate) has revealed that he was not having any money and his election expenditure (all expenses for rallies/events/public hoardings) was taken care of by the AAP Office Delhi only, through their associates," read the remand application submitted in the Rouse Avenue Court. The ED said that during the CMas custody, summons was also issued to senior Excise Department officials in Punjab who were allegedly "involved in arm-twisting of certain wholesalers of Delhi when they refused to pay the demanded bribes in Delhi". "The factories of these wholesalers were either shut down or (they) not allowed to dispatch their goods in Punjab by these Punjab Excise Officials when the demands of bribes were not fulfilled in Delhi. However, they could not appear on these summons due to the Hooch tragedy in Sangrur, Punjab and sought some time," it said. The ED argued that Kejriwal needs to be interrogated further in the wake of several findings. The remand application submitted by the ED stated that during his custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded on five consecutive days - March 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 - and that his responses were "evasive". The ED said that in addition, statements of three other persons were also recorded during this period. aDuring the ED custody period, C. Arvind, PS to then Dy CM Manish Sisodia who was handed over the draft GoM report 2021-22 at the residence of Arvind Kejriwal and in his presence, was confronted with him," the remand application read. "Further, during the ED custody, data in one mobile phone (belonging to the arrestee's wife) has been extracted and is being analysed. However, data from the other 4 digital devices seized during the search at Arvind Kejriwal's premises on March 21, 2024 (belonging to the arrestee himself) are yet to be extracted as the arrestee has sought time in providing password/login credentials after consulting with his lawyers," it said. The ED also said that some of the documents/details such as movable/immovable property details, ITR, other financial details etc. were sought and Kejriwal said that he would tell his counsel/family members and the information would be shared by them. "However, no details were furnished by him and his counsel/family members," it said. It said that during the custody period, the ED has called for the visitor register from the CM's office/camp office. However, it is informed that there no registers are maintained there and the appointments with the CM are made on the online system/portal in the CM's office. The information has been sought again from the CM's office and its delivery is awaited. New Delhi, March 28 : Calling the US State Department's remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "unwarranted", India on Thursday said that any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated on Wednesday its call for "fair, transparent, timely legal processes" as India summoned an American diplomat and lodged a strong protest over the remarks. Addressing a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that "yesterday, India had lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the State Department". "The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable," Jaiswal said in response to a question. Asserting that in India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law, Jaiswal said that anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. He further said that India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions and is committed to protecting them from any form of "undue external influences". "Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others," Jaiswal said. The meeting at the foreign ministry's South Block office with Gloria Berbena, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in Delhi, lasted 45 minutes with India objecting strongly to the US stance on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor. After Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, Kejriwal was the third AAP leader who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Earlier, India summoned a senior diplomat from the German Embassy and lodged a strong protest over comments on Kejriwal, saying that the Chief Minister is entitled to a fair and impartial trial India called it a "blatant interference" in the country's internal matters. Ramtek : , March 28 (IANS) The Congress got a shock on Thursday after the Social Justice Department's caste certificate scrutiny committee rejected the caste certificate of Rashmi S. Barve, the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Ramtek (SC) in Nagpur district. Ramtek (Maharashtra), March 28 (IANS) The Congress got a shock on Thursday after the Social Justice Departmentas caste certificate scrutiny committee rejected the caste certificate of Rashmi S. Barve, the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Ramtek (SC) in Nagpur district. The development came as the Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated the scrutiny of nomination papers filed by all the candidates for the five Lok Sabha seats in the state that will go to the polls in the first phase on April 19. Congress sources said that Barveas team has moved the Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) seeking urgent relief in the matter on Thursday. However, they pointed out that in case the ECI also rejects Barveas nomination, her husband and Congressa dummy candidate, Shyamlal Barve, shall contest the seat. The Social Justice Departmentas order came after a person recently filed a complaint questioning the caste certificate of Barve, claiming that she did not follow the due legal process to acquire it. Barve claimed that the move to cancel her caste certificate at the last minute was apolitically motivateda, which she will challenge in court. The MahaYuti has fielded a ruling Shiv Sena candidate -- Raju Parwe -- in place of two-time sitting MP Krupal Tumane to lock horns with Barve. Incidentally, MahaYuti ally BJP was also keen to contest the same seat. New Delhi/Kohima/Itanagar, March 28 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months with effect from April 1, officials said on Thursday. A Nagaland government official, quoting the MHA notification, said that the AFSPA was extended in 8 districts - Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren - and 21 police station areas in five other districts of Nagaland, which has 16 districts. Another MHA notification said that the AFSPA has been extended for another six months in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh as well as areas under the jurisdiction of Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham police stations in Namsai district, bordering Assam. The official said that the Centre took the step following a review of the law and order situation in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The AFSPA empowers the Army, para-military, and other security forces to arrest a person without a warrant, enter or search premises without a warrant, along with some other actions. With the improvement in the security situation in the northeastern states, the Centre, in April 2022, reduced the number of disturbed areas under AFSPA in many areas of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. It was lifted from Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018 and Mizoram in the 1980s. Many political parties, NGOs, and civil society organisations in the northeastern region have been demanding its complete repeal. The demand intensified after security forces killed 14 people and injured 30 others in Nagaland's Mon district in December 2021 in a case of "mistaken identity". New Delhi, March 28 : Two budding criminals, who wanted to establish name and fame in the world of crime, were arrested for allegedly killing a restaurant owner in the national capital over an enmity, a Delhi Police's Crime Branch official said on Thursday. The accused were identified as Sumit aka Monu (21), and Deepak aka Mohit (22) -- both residents of Brahmpuri. Multiple bullets were pumped in the 32-year-old Sanjay, a resident of 1st Pushta, New Usmanpur, who owned a restaurant named 'Goa Bar' in the New Usmanpur area Police said that seven empty shells, four lead pieces and one live round of 7.65 mm were found at the spot. According to officials, Sanjay's brother Nitin was informed by a friend that Sanjay had been shot near Hanuman Mandir Wali Gali service Road, 2nd pusta Usmanpur on the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday, at about 12:05 a.m. When Nitin reached the spot, he found his brother bleeding at the spot. The victim had sustained injury in his head, right shoulder, right elbow and right-side abdomen area. He was rushed to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Amit Goel said that based on CCTV footage and specific information, a team apprehended two murderers named Sumit and Deepak from the ground near Jag Pravesh Hospital on Wednesday. Both accused, along with another associate, were implicated in the murder of Sanjay. During interrogation, they revealed that they resided in the same vicinity as the victim, and harboured personal animosity towards Sanjay. "Sanjay, known locally for his criminal activities, had a prior criminal record involving a murder case. Sanjay and his brother frequently insulted both Sumit and Deepak to assert dominance," said the DCP. On March 8, Sanjay's younger brother assaulted Sumit without provocation. "Sumit refrained from retaliating, fearing that if he did, Sanjay would retaliate further. Additionally, Sanjay had previously clashed with Deepak," said the DCP. Seeking revenge, they conspired to murder Sanjay. Sumit orchestrated the murder plan with Deepak and another associate who had previously been incarcerated for violating the Arms Act. "Sumit acquired two pistols and bullets from his contacts. They executed the plan on March 26, targeting Sanjay while he was alone, and carried out the killing," said the DCP. "Sumit and Deepak harboured aspirations of gaining notoriety and wealth within the criminal underworld," the DCP added. New Delhi, March 28 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking Arvind Kejriwal's removal as the Chief Minister of Delhi, saying there is no scope of judicial interference, and that it is for the other wing of the government to examine the same in accordance with law. A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan questioned the petitioner if there is a prohibition or bar which he can show which prevents Kejriwal from continuing as Chief Minister. "Today, you'll have to show some bar or prohibition. If there is a constitutional failure, President or Governor will act on it," the court said. The court asked the petitioner if there is any scope for judicial interference in the matter. The petitioner, Surjit Singh Yadav, a resident of Delhi and self-proclaimed farmer and social worker, had contended that Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the liquor policy case renders him unfit to hold a public office. Yadav had argued that a Chief Minister -- currently in ED's custody -- embroiled in a financial scandal should not be allowed to continue in office, asserting that his incarceration not only obstructs the due process of law but also undermines the constitutional machinery of the state. Citing Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution, the petitioner claimed that Kejriwal's current status as an inmate incapacitates him from fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of his position as a Chief Minister. The bench on Thursday said: "We read today's newspaper. The L-G is examining the issue. It will go to the President. It belongs to a different wing. It may be very, very difficult, but that is it practical difficulty." It added: "We don't impose President's Rule. No high court does it. The executive branch will look into this aspect." The court dismissed the PIL saying that there was no scope for judicial interference in the matter. The court clarified that it has not commented on the merits of the case. The plea talked about the practicality of a jailed Chief Minister conducting governmental affairs from prison, suggesting that the scrutiny imposed by prison authorities on all materials reaching Kejriwal would violate the oath of secrecy administered to him as Chief Minister. Additionally, Yadav had argued that allowing Kejriwal to retain his position would permit him to influence investigations in which he is implicated, contradicting principles of criminal jurisprudence. The petitioner had urged the court to issue a writ of Quo Warranto, compelling Kejriwal to justify his authority to hold the office of Chief Minister and, ultimately, to remove him from the position. Govinda joins Shiv Sena in CM Shinde's presence; may be fielded from Mumbai North West. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 28 : Bollywood actor and former MP Govinda on Thursday joined the Shiv Sena headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. There is a buzz in the Shiv Sena that he may be fielded from the Mumbai North West seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections against Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Amol Kirtikar. On Wednesday night, Govinda met Shiv Sena functionary and former legislator Krishna Hedge, who said the actor-politician expressed his desire to work at the national level. After formally joining the Shiv Sena, Govinda thanked Chief Minister Shinde, and said that he is entering active politics after a 'wilderness' of 14 years. In the 2004 general elections, Govinda had contested the Mumbai North seat on a Congress ticket and defeated BJP veteran Ram Naik. However, after his term got over, Govinda again took to acting and didn't take part in politics, i.e., until now. Chennai, March 28 : The death of MDMK leader and sitting MP from Erode Lok Sabha constituency, Ganeshamurthy on Thursday, due to a cardiac arrest after an alleged suicide attempt, has put the INDIA bloc on the back foot in Tamil Nadu. The 76-year-old veteran MP passed away on Thursday morning in a Coimbatore hospital. According to Ganeshamurthy's family members, the leader had allegedly consumed an insecticide on March 24. They alleged that this was a suicide attempt by the veteran leader after he was denied a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha poll from his Erode seat. It may be recalled that the MDMK swapped the Erode seat with the Tiruchi seat of the DMK. The MDMK took over the Tiruchi seat for Durai Vaiko, the son of party founder leader Vaiko, to contest. While Vaiko told media persons that he had consulted Ganeshamurthy twice on the issue, sources in MDMK told IANS that the decision was taken unilaterally by Vaiko without any consultations in the party. Ganeshamurthy's death has created problems for the DMK, MDMK and the INDIA bloc as they would have to face allegations by rival parties on the issue during electioneering. M Subramanian, a businessman and voter of Erode constituency told IANS, "Ganeshamurthy was a simple politician who used to interact with everyone. The father-son duo of Vaiko and Durai Vaiko cannot wash off the sin of the death of our sitting MP. People know clearly that he died due to the suicide attempt and the reason that led to him attempting suicide." While the main Opposition party AIADMK and the BJP have not publicly leveled allegations yet, it is certain that in the days to come this will be a hot subject. A senior AIADMK leader told IANS on condition of anonymity, "The DMK and its allies have turned into family parties and no democracy exists in such parties. The death of sitting MP Ganeshamurthy is a serious matter and a proper answer from the DMK and MDMK is expected. "In the entire western and northern belts of Tamil Nadu this death will have ramifications and the INDIA bloc would have to answer." Sarangapani, another voter in Erode constituency and a DMK supporter told IANS, "This was cruel. Ganeshamurthy was a good MP and approachable and was in the forefront of all activities in Erode. He was actually killed by his party MDMK by denying him a ticket. I came to know from my contacts in Tiruchi that DMK local leaders and workers are sad and at the same time angry with Vaiko and his son over this." Ganeshamurthy, it may be recalled, won the Erode Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 210,618 votes in 2009, defeating his nearest opponent G.Manimaran of the AIADMK. C Rajeev, Director, Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank based out of Chennai told IANS, "This is really sad. It may be recalled that Vaiko, who was a senior leader of the DMK, had come out of that party and floated his own party MDMK after raking allegations of dynastic politics in the DMK when the present Chief Minister, MK Stalin was brought into the mainstream by Karunanidhi. Now the same Vaiko has brought up his son to contest a Lok Sabha seat thereby resulting in the alleged suicide attempt and subsequent death of Ganeshamurthy who was expecting a re-election." He added that the INDIA bloc will have a lot of answering to do on this before the public and added that the damage has already been done for the front in Tamil Nadu. Mumbai, March 28 : The Maharashtra Congress on Thursday accused the state Bharatiya Janata Party President Chandrashekhar Bawankule of allegedly committing contempt of the court and violating the model code of conduct by making certain claims on party candidate from Amravati, actress-turned-politician Navneet Kaur-Rana, here on Thursday. Shooting off a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said that Bawankule had made "false and misleading statements" regarding the Supreme Court's case verdict on Kaur-Rana, who joined the BJP on Wednesday. "On Thursday, Bawankule fraudulently claimed that there was an order and judgement from the honourable SC in favour of Navneet Kaur-Rana, following her joining the BJP on Wednesday," said Londhe. "This deliberate spreading of false information is a clear attempt to influence voters and violates not only the model code of conduct but also constitutes a crime under the Indian Penal Code and amounts to contempt of court," Londhe told the Maharashtra CEO in the letter. For impact, Londhe has also sent the CEO the video clips of Bawankule's statements, and a copy of the SC case status and February 28, 2024 orders reserving its verdict in the Navneet Kaur-Rana matter. "It is clear from this that Bawankule's claims are entirely false and misleading. It is evident that he has intentionally provided false information to citizens and voters to manipulate their perception," Londhe said. Kaur-Rana had won the reserved Amravati (SC) Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 elections as an Independent supported by other parties, and this time she was nominated as a BJP candidate. Kerrville, TX (78028) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. New Delhi, March 28 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the city government to consider a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as a representation regarding the provision of seamless Wi-Fi access in all district courts across the national capital. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora has mandated the government to address the representation, within eight weeks. The court noted that the petitioner, lawyer Arpit Bhargava, had bypassed the procedure of making a representation to the Delhi government and directly approached the court. Emphasising the importance of due process, the bench urged the petitioner to first present the grievances to the government authorities for appropriate action. "It is directed that the petition be treated as a representation and the respondent is directed to decide the same by way of a reasoned order in accordance with law within eight weeks," the court stated while disposing of the plea. The PIL sought the Delhi government's intervention to ensure consistent maintenance of internet connectivity, including Wi-Fi access, in all district courts. The petitioner argued that given the widespread awareness of the issue, formal representation was unnecessary as the government was already acquainted with the challenges and the adverse impact of unreliable internet connectivity on legal proceedings. The plea pointed out the hurdles faced by lawyers and litigants due to the lack of internet access, hindering various essential functions such as virtual court hearings, email correspondence, and e-filing. It criticised the government's inaction, alleging negligence in addressing the plight of stakeholders within the court premises. New Delhi, March 28 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that China's repetitive claims on Arunachal Pradesh will not change India's position, and the northeastern state will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. India and China have been exchanging barbs over Arunachal Pradesh ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state earlier this month to inaugurate the strategically important Sela tunnel. "Our position on Arunachal Pradesh has been made very clear time and again. We have also issued statements in this regard recently," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in his weekly media briefing on Thursday. "China may repeat its baseless claims as many times as it wants... that is not going to change our position. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India," Jaiswal said in response to a media query. For the fourth time in this month, China said that Zangnan -- the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh -- has always been its territory, even as India rejected Beijing's claims as "ludicrous and absurd". During his recent Southeast Asia tour, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar left no opportunity to slam the Asian nation for failing to uphold the longstanding agreements with India. The response from the MEA came after both nations held the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing to discuss and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of the border areas. Further, responding to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's remarks on Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in British Columbia in June last year, Jaiswal said there is "nothing new" in what the Canadian leader said. "I would recall that on September 21 last year, my predecessor (Arindam Bagchi) had mentioned that India remains ready... and I would like to reiterate that we are ready to investigate any specific and concrete information if it is shared with us," Jaiswal told reporters. "But, we are yet to receive any such information," he said, adding that "we have also cautioned against playing politics and giving extremists more space". Trudeau told Canada-based Cable Public Affairs Channel that the "killing of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously". Stating that the declaration by him on September 18 was not made lightly, Trudeau added that they are looking to work constructively with the Indian government "to get to the bottom of this (issue)". Bengaluru, March 28 : Amid the government's call to bridge the skill gap in emerging technologies, IT major Wipro on Thursday announced a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to offer eligible employees a higher education programme in artificial intelligence (AI). The online Master's in Technology (MTech) course will emphasise upon key areas such as AI, foundations of ML/AI, data science and business analytics, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these domains, the company said in a statement. "GenAI is evolving at a rapid pace, and we are confident that selected employees will gain immensely from the knowledge at IISc and develop capabilities for the opportunities ahead delivering strong business outcomes," said Sanjeev Jain, SVP and Global Head, Business Operations, Wipro. As part of this collaboration, selected Wipro employees will have full access to IISc faculty members, online lectures, libraries and alumni networks. They will also benefit from mentorship by seasoned professionals from the data, analytics and AI practice at Wipro. The acceptance of the programme will be subject to rigorous entrance tests and evaluations designed by IISc, said the company. "The programme curriculum for working professionals has been designed with the same high standards as our full-time programmes, with our faculty members delivering content online to train students on foundational concepts and real-world applications," said Professor Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean, Division of EECS, IISc. New Delhi, March 28 : A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped in the Peeragarhi area on Delhi's outskirts, police said on Thursday, adding that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the absconding accused. Police said that a police control room (PCR) call was received about the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Peeragarhi village. "Immediately a police team, including the ACP and Station House Officer (SHO) of Paschim Vihar West police station reached the location," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer, Jimmy Chiram said. He said that the minor victim was found there along with her mother and shifted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital and necessary medical treatment was provided. "The accused is a tenant of the same building," the DCP said. Based on the information, police have registered a case under Sections 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 6 of the POCSO Act. "The police team is actively on the looking out for the accused. The victim was discharged after examination and counselling," the DCP added. Itanagar, March 28 : Superintendent of Police of Arunachal Pradesh's Longding district, Dekio Gumja, was injured after some people pelted stones during the scrutiny of nomination papers of Assembly poll candidates on Thursday, officials said. A police official said that some people suddenly started pelting stones outside the office of the returning officer in Longding town and the security forces had to fire in the air to disperse the agitated crowd. An official said that the people became angry after they unofficially heard that the nomination of one of the candidates in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly polls was rejected during the scrutiny. The election to the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly will be held in the first phase on April 19 along with the state's two Lok Sabha seats a" Arunachal West and Arunachal East. The deadline for filling nominations was Wednesday and the last date for withdrawal of the candidature is March 30. Mumbai, March 28 : Prahar Janshakti Party founder Bacchu Kadu a.k.a. Omprakash Babarao Kadu, who is an Independent MLA from Achalpur Assembly in Maharashtra's Amravati district, and a key constituent of MahaYuti alliance, has opposed the BJP's move to nominate Navneet Kaur-Rana in Amravati Lok Sabha seat. In open defiance, Kadu has threatened to support any candidate who can defeat Kaur-Rana. Incidentally, her nomination came when Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction had expressed its strong reservation while former union minister Anandrao Adsul had staked his claim over the Amravati seat. However, a Shinde faction leader said that Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are expected to speak with Kadu seeking his cooperation for Navneet Kaur-Rana's victory which they will plead essential to achieve MahaYuti's Mission 45 plus in Maharashtra. Kadu, who was Minister of State in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, had walked out of the government and joined hands with Eknath Shinde after his rebellion in 2022. Kadu has recently been given the minister of state rank as he heads the state level committee for the Divyang Welfare Department. "It is BJP's wish to give a ticket to Navneet Kaur-Rana. Being nominated does not mean winning. We will do our job properly. Is victory ensured by merely giving a nomination? If not, can Navneet Kaur-Rana be defeated by supporting a good candidate? We will see. We are looking for a good candidate who can win," said Kadu, whose political rivalry with Navneet Kaur-Rana is well known. Her husband, Ravi Rana, is an Independent legislator in Amravati district. Kadu said that senior leaders from Amravati constituency should unite with an aim to defeat Navneet Kaur-Rana. "The time has come to see whether money or honesty play a key role in the present elections," he noted. "I request BJP workers to defeat Navneet Kaur-Rana. The BJP is confident of crossing 400 seats. It doesn't matter if one nominee loses the election. An offence has been committed by giving false caste documents. We want to hurl the 'gulal' of pride and self-respect," said Kadu. Meanwhile, Navneet Kaur-Rana appealed to Kadu to work together hours after his criticism. "I can only appeal to the senior leaders. Everyone should come together for the development of Amravati," she said. Further, she said the Amravati seat would be an integral one in the Mission 400 plus seats and urged Kadu and Shinde faction leader Anandrao Adsul to join hands for her victory. "Let it be Anandrao Adsul Saheb, or Bacchu Kadu, all of us are constituents of NDA. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is needed for the development of Maharashtra and for Amravati district," she said. CM not above law, says ED as Kejriwal questions rationale behind his arrest (Lead). Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 28 : A Delhi court on Thursday extended, till April 1, the ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, holding that there were "sufficient reasons" while allowing him to meet his family members and lawyers. CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his six-day ED remand on Thursday. Judge Baweja, who is hearing the case, had sent him to ED custody on March 22. On Thursday, the probe agency sought the Chief Minister's custody for seven more days. However, after hearing the arguments, the court extended the AAP supremo's ED remand by four days till April 1, observing that there appear to be "sufficient reasons" to permit his further custodial interrogation, particularly keeping in view the submissions of the ED. The probe agency submitted that he is required to be confronted with the material collected and statements recorded so far in the course of the investigation. The court directed the investigation officer to ensure that further interrogation and confrontation etc. of the accused is done without any delay. Judge Baweja allowed Kejriwal to meet his family members, including his wife, daughter, PA and advocates. Moreover, the court has directed the agency to conduct the interrogation at a place with CCTV coverage and for the preservation of the footage. The ED has also been asked to provide the requisite medication to Kejriwal and get him medically examined in accordance with the law during the period of his custody. During the hearing on Thursday, the courtroom was packed with CM Kejriwal's supporters. His wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Atishi, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, among others, were also present in the courtroom. Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju submitted that Kejriwal needs to be confronted with some individuals connected to AAP who have been summoned from Goa. He also accused Kejriwal of not cooperating with the probe and giving evasive replies, adding that digital data needs to be checked for which the ED needs passwords. "Kejriwal says he will ask his lawyers whether to give the passwords," he said. As the court also allowed Kejriwal to make personal submissions, he said the CBI has filed 31,000 pages while the ED has filed 25,000 pages in the case, but no one has been found guilty. "My question is, why have I been arrested," he asked. "I am not opposing the ED custody... It can keep me for as long as it wants, but this is a scam. My name was taken by four witnesses... Many people come to my residence, is that enough ground to arrest a sitting CM," Kejriwal said. He also claimed that people are being made approvers in the case and forced to change their statements. On Kejriwal's claim that Sarath Reddy gave over Rs 50 crore to the BJP, the ASG said that it had nothing to do with the liquor scam. "The BJP did not have the right to make the (excise) policy. We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam," he said. He also claimed that the ED has materials to show that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore in kickbacks. The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after questioning him for over two hours at his official residence in Delhi. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant any interim relief to Kejriwal, who contended that his arrest and the remand order passed by Judge Baweja were illegal and that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately, holding that the probe agency has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply. The ED has termed Kejriwal the "kingpin and the key conspirator" of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders, and other persons. Mumbai, March 28 : A Special CBI Court has convicted a former Western Railway engineer in a 9-year-old bribery case and handed him three years rigorous imprisonment, an official said here on Thursday. The convict, identified as K.L. Meena, the then WR Divisional Electrical Engineer, was arrested after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a complaint against him in April 2015. The complainant said Meena had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 3 lakh as gratification for awarding certain contracts to him. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught Meena red-handed while accepting a part of the bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. After completing the investigations, the CBI lodged its chargesheet in October 2015 and a year later, the charges were framed by the court. Following the long trial in which 12 witnesses were examined, the probe agency's case stood before the Special CBI Court which found the accused guilty and sentenced him, said the officials. Kolkata, March 28 : A new political equation has emerged in the hills of North Bengal after the Ajoy Edwards-founded Hamro Party on Thursday announced its support for the Congress-led INDIA bloc. Speaking to mediapersons, Edwards said that his party will support the candidate field by the Congress-Left Front alliance for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency in the forthcoming general elections. Although neither the Congress nor the Left Front has announced any candidateas name for the Lok Sabha polls, there is a strong rumour that the grand old party might field estranged Trinamool Congress leader from the hills, Binay Tamang, as the alliance nominee. Despite winning the Darjeeling seat for three consecutive terms, the BJP leadership has not taken any initiative for the development of the hills, Edwards claimed. aDuring the previous Congress regime too, there were not many development activities in the hills. But whatever was done then was immensely significant. That is why I have decided to join the INDIA bloc," Edwards said. Ahmedabad, March 28 : The Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested a Bangladeshi citizen, identified as Mohmandlabhu Mohmandakhil Sardar, residing in the city with Indian and Bangladeshi passports, officials informed on Thursday. The operation was initiated following a confidential tip-off received by the Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Ahmedabad City, on March 27. Later on Wednesday, the accused was arrested. Sardar allegedly possesses a Bangladeshi passport besides fraudulently acquiring an Indian passport using forged documents. Investigation revealed that "Sardar, under suspicious circumstances, managed to secure various Indian identification proofs, including a passport from the Gulbai Tekra office in 2015, an election card, and an Aadhaar card, facilitated by an acquaintance named Rameshbhai. Despite attempting to migrate to Malaysia with the help of an agent and investing Rs 30,000 for the purpose, Sardar's plans fell through when the agent met with a fatal accident." an official said. Authorities found that Sardar, who has been in India since 2001, was engaged in street vending in Ahmedabad and was married to a local Muslim woman, with whom he has three children. He led a discreet life in a dilapidated house near the Chandola Lake, supplementing his income through a small grocery store. A smoke-covered highway complicated responders work at a duplex fire Wednesday, March 27, in Lebanon. Firefighters were alerted to a burning building in the early evening in the 3600 block of South Santiam Highway, according to a news release from the Lebanon Fire District. A Place to Sleep, episode 5: Lebanon How did the last couple of elections change the way East Linn County interacts with its unho The first ladder truck arrived to find smoke coming from the attic of a duplex and radioed an offensive fire attack, quickly searching the homes and cutting a ventilation hole in the roof, the news release states. A following engine laid 700 feet of supply line to bring in more water. Low-lying smoke covered all four lanes of Highway 20, adding to the danger for fire crews at the location, according to the release, which states the Lebanon Police Department and Oregon Department of Transportation were called in to handle traffic. The fire was under control within minutes, the release states, and crews were on scene for 2 hours mopping up hotspots, clearing smoke and investigating the cause. The Lebanon Fire District investigation team is continuing to determine a cause. No injuries were reported, but the occupants of both residences were displaced due to smoke and fire damage. Related stories: Sam Bankman-Fried sent to jail over witness tampering, VPN use charges. Image Source: IANS News San Francisco, March 28 : Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder and CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US for seven counts of conspiracy and fraud charges. Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered a 240-month sentence and a 60-month sentence to be served consecutively, reports The Verge. "On obstruction of justice, I find that Bankman-Fried's text to the former general counsel did, in fact, constitute attempted witness tampering. I make 3 perjury findings based on trial testimony," the judge said. The customers of FTX lost $8 billion and Bankman-Fried "falsely testified about when he learned of the missing $8 billion". Bankman-Fried is already in custody and has been residing in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) since August 11, 2023. Last November, the FTX CEO was found guilty on all seven counts related to fraud and money laundering. The US Attorney's office at the Southern District of New York had said in a statement that he perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history -- a multibillion-dollar scheme designed to make him the 'King of Crypto'. "While the cryptocurrency industry might be new and the players like Sam Bankman-Fried might be new, this kind of corruption is as old as time. This case has always been about lying, cheating, and stealing, and we have no patience for it," said US Attorney Damian Williams. FTX -- once the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange -- filed for bankruptcy in November 2022. Jaipur, 28 March : Around 2.54 crore voters will exercise their franchise in the 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in Rajasthan that will go to the polls in the first phase on April 19. According to the final list of voters for the first phase of polling released by the Election Commission, there are 13 voters above the age of 120. Over 45 lakh voters are aged 60 years or more. Of these, over 23 lakh are women, while over 21 lakh are men. Jaipur City, Jaipur Rural, Dausa, Nagaur, Karauli-Dholpur, Bharatpur, Alwar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Bikaner and Ganganagar are the 12 seats that will go to the polls on April 19. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta held a meeting with the representatives of all the recognised political parties at the Secretariat on Thursday, during which he informed about the publication of integrated voter lists for the Lok Sabha constituencies where polling will be held in the first phase. Gupta said the total number of general voters is 2,53,15,541 for the first phase, of which 1,32,89,538 are male voters, 1,20,25,699 are female voters, while 304 voters belong to the third gender. As many as 7,98,520 are first-time voters aged 18-19 years, while 2,51,250 persons with disabilities are eligible to exercise their franchise during the first phase of polling. Gupta said that among the 12 Lok Sabha constituencies that will vote in the first phase, Jaipur has the highest number of voters at 22,87,350, while Dausa has the least number of voters at 18,99,304. Jhunjhunu has the highest number of voters above 100 years of age -- 1,802. Gupta also said that 24,370 polling stations, including 719 auxiliary polling stations, have been set up for the first phase of voting. New Delhi, March 29 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter said that "to browbeat and bully others is the vintage culture of the Congress" while reacting to an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, which was signed by over 600 advocates. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "Five decades ago itself they had called for a 'committed judiciary' - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation." "No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them," PM Modi added, in a veiled dig at the grand old party's flagging fortunes as the latter gets overpowered by its allies in the seat-sharing talks for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Responding to this, Kharge said: "PM Modi, you are obviously not aware, but it is not proper form for the PM to comment on our judiciary. The Congress leader, in a statement, also posed some questions to PM Modi. "Why did 4 senior-most Supreme Court judges hold an unprecedented press conference and warn against 'destruction of Democracy' by your regime? "Why was one of the judges nominated by your government to the Rajya Sabha? "Why has your party fielded a former high court judge from West Bengal for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?" Kharge also asked: "Why did you bring the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) that was struck down by the Supreme Court? The Congress chief, addressing the Prime Minister, further said: "PM Modi ji, India's institutions are the property of India's people. You are personally responsible for usurping their powers and weakening our country. "The Congress party helped build and nurture these institutions. Thousands of our workers and leaders gave their lives for them. We will take these institutions back from you and return them to the people of India," he added. Earlier on Thursday, country's top advocates, including Harish Salve, Pinky Anand, Manan Kumar Mishra, Chetan Mittal, Hitesh Jain, and many others, sent an open letter to the CJI, expressing their concern over the attempts made by vested interest groups trying to put pressure on the judiciary, influence the judicial process, and defame the courts, particularly in the politically sensitive cases. Throwing his weight behind the hundreds of lawyers protesting against such vested interests, PM Modi pointed out how the Congress wanted a 'committed judiciary' five decades ago but is now resorting to 'bullying tactics' for selfish interests. Anantapur : , March 28 (IANS) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday called Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy a 'big liar' for stating that the killers of his uncle Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy are roaming free. Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), March 28 (IANS) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday called Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy a abig liara for stating that the killers of his uncle Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy are roaming free. The former Chief Minister hit back at Jagan Reddy a day after the latter's allegations against the opposition parties, and claimed that Vivekananda Reddyas killers always accompany the Andhra Pradesh CM. Naidu launched a scathing attack against the Chief Minister while addressing public meetings in Anantapur district as part of his aPrajagalama campaign. "Jagan Mohan Reddy claims that the killers of his 'Babai' (uncle) are roaming freely, but it's a big lie. Everyone in the state knows the truth about your Babai's killers, including your family members and yourself. The killers of Jagan Reddy's Babai are always beside him, but Jagan Reddy is trying to deceive the people. The killers of his Babai are clapping and smiling too," he said. The TDP chief also highlighted the alleged inconsistencies in YSRCP's narratives surrounding the murder and Jagan Reddy's withdrawal of the petition from the high court seeking a CBI inquiry into the matter. Describing Jagan Reddyas aMemantha Siddama as a failure, he urged people to support the opposition alliance in rebuilding the state, which suffered under Jagan Reddyas regime, and to establish a government for the people. Naidu also said that the ego of Jagan Reddy will collapse after May 13, as he asserted that the public is prepared to defeat Jagan Reddy in the upcoming Assembly elections. Expressing his desire to create a society without poverty, Naidu emphasised that Anantapur will become the number one district in the country if the farmers are provided with water, drip irrigation, subsidies, and necessary tools, enabling them to export fruits worldwide. He also outlined his plans to bring light in the lives of the farmers by implementing drip irrigation with 90 per cent subsidy, and bringing Godavari water to the region once again. He also pledged to create 20 lakh jobs for the youth within five years, providing them with a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 until employment is secured. Naidu further promised to increase the pension amount to Rs 4,000 from Rs 3,000, delivering it directly to the doorsteps on the first day of every month. "Women aged between 18 and 59 years would receive Rs 1,500 per month through Aadabidda Nidhi, along with free RTC bus travel. The NDA government, under the Thalliki Vandhanam scheme, would provide Rs 15,000 annually to every school-going student, and three free gas cylinders per year under the Deepam Scheme," Naidu said. Mumbai, March 28 : The Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) on Thursday announced a strategic collaboration with Europe's Starburst, in a bid to boost the aerospace, new space, and defence (ASD) industry in India. The partnership aims to strengthen India's position as a hub for ASD innovation on the global stage, as well as offer a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. "This strategic collaboration between IIM Mumbai and Starburst signifies a crucial step towards nurturing and empowering the burgeoning ASD startup ecosystem in India," said Prof. Manoj K Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai. "By leveraging the expertise and resources of both institutions, we aim to provide unparalleled support to ASD startups, enabling them to thrive and contribute significantly to India's ASD industry." Through the collaboration, Starburst, known for its global network and deep industry knowledge, will provide ASD startups "with access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and international networks", said Francois Chopard, Founder and CEO of Starburst. "We are excited to partner with IIM Mumbai to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the aerospace, new space, and defence sector in India," he added. Lucknow, March 28 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a high-level meeting at his residence on Thursday night, following the death of jailed politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died in Banda earlier in the evening following a heart attack. The meeting that was attended by DGP Prashant Kumar and senior officials took stock of the situation and discussed the security issues arising due to the death of Ansari. The Chief Minister directed the concerned officials to ensure the maintenance of law and order in all the districts across the state. It is noteworthy that Ramzan is on and tomorrow is a Friday, when congregation of Muslims takes place at all mosques. A five-term MLA, Mukhtar Ansari also enjoyed a Robin Hood image among his community members. According to sources, the Chief Minister gave directions to the officials to beef up security in all the sensitive areas. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has expressed grief over the demise of Ansari in an official post on X. DG (Jail) S.N. Sabat said in a statement that Ansari had been fasting during Ramzan and his condition deteriorated after he broke his fast on Thursday. Gurugram, March 28 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to make the 2024 Lok Sabha elections historic by winning 400-plus seats, continued with its rounds of poll meetings in Gurugram on Thursday. An important meeting was held at the Gurukamal office under the chairmanship of the Lok Sabha election in-charge for Haryana, Satish Poonia. At the meeting, the dates for the rallies to be held in the run-up to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state were discussed. After the meeting, Poonia claimed that the BJP will win all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. "The role of the organisation is important during elections, and the BJP is organisationally strong in Haryana. The people of the state love Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are satisfied with the work of the double-engine government in Haryana," Poonia claimed. He also said that Haryana is determined to achieve the 'Mission 400' target in the Lok Sabha elections. "In the last 10 years, people from all sections enjoyed the benefits of the government schemes without any discrimination. Respect for India has increased in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. A transparent system has been created in Haryana to employ the youth without any 'slip' or 'expense', due to which the youth are getting jobs based on merit," he said. Lucknow, March 28 : Contrary to the image he later cultivated for himself, Mukhtar Ansari belonged to an illustrious background. The jailed gangster-turned-politician, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Thursday evening aged 60, was the grandson of Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, a prominent figure in India's freedom movement who was also the President of the Indian National Congress. Born on June 30, 1963, in Uttar Pradesh's Yusufpur, Mukhtar Ansari's journey from the alleys of crime to the corridors of power was captivating, to put it rather mildly. Ansari's foray into the world of crime began in the 1980s. His involvement in organised crime escalated through the 1990s, particularly in the districts of Mau, Ghazipur, Varanasi, and Jaunpur. He became a notable figure in the underworld, engaging in fierce rivalries, mostly with Brijesh Singh, over the control of lucrative contracts spanning coal mining, railway construction, and other sectors. The period was marked by violent confrontations, including an ambush on his convoy in 2002 that left three of his men dead and sparked further bloodshed in the region. Ansari slowly transitioned into politics and managed to win the Assembly elections for five consecutive terms since 1996 from Mau. Ansari's political career was characterised by its duality. While he was seen by some as a Robin Hood figure, others viewed him through the lens of his criminal activities. His tenure in politics included affiliations with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), where he was portrayed as a 'messiah of the poor', and later the formation of the Quami Ekta Dal (QED) with his brothers after being expelled from the BSP. Ansari's life was marked by legal troubles, as he faced charges in more than 60 cases since being lodged in prison in 2005. His criminal record included accusations of murder, kidnapping, and extortion. In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for the killing of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai. In March 2024, he received a life sentence in connection with a fake arms licence case. Patna, March 28 : As the seat-sharing arrangement has not been finalised in the Opposition INDIA bloc, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh has launched a veiled attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National President Lalu Prasad and said that he can give tickets to any leader from the INDIA bloc without even holding discussions with the Congress and Left parties in Bihar for the Lok Sabha elections. "INDIA bloc does not exist here in Bihar. Lalu Prasad can distribute tickets to anyone. He is acting like a king. The Congress has no value for him," Singh said while interacting with mediapersons in Bihar's Begusarai. The RJD supremo has given tickets to six candidates without consulting the Congress and Left parties in Bihar, the Minister added. Four out of the six candidates are contesting the Lok Sabha election in the first phase, he said. "Today is the last day of filing nomination for the first phase of election but INDIA bloc has not yet finalised the seat-sharing arrangement in Bihar. Congress does not know the number of seats it is contesting here," Singh added. "Such a situation is not only in Bihar but also in Maharashtra as well. The party leaders in NCP-led Sharad Pawar are claiming one constituency and candidates of Uddhav Thackerey-led Shiv Sena are in another. Congress is on the sidelines there as well. The INDIA bloc has no relevance in the country," he said. Mumbai, March 28 : Taking a dig at the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asked the ally on Thursday whether it wants to 'forfeit' the Prime Minister's post for the sake of one seat - after a battle royale erupted between the two parties on Wednesday. Mumbai, March 28 (IANS) Taking a dig at the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asked the ally on Thursday whether it wants to 'forfeit' the Prime Minister's post for the sake of one seat after a battle royale erupted between the two parties on Wednesday. The Congress leaders have expressed their strong disapproval at the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s unilateral announcement of 17 candidates before the seat-sharing discussions were completed, particularly in the Sangli constituency and certain seats in Mumbai. When questioned about this, Raut called upon Congress not to create a ruckus over the Sangli seat in which the SS (UBT) has named wrestling champ Chandrahar Patil as its candidate. Raut said the Congress is a huge party and the SS (UBT) has allied with it for the past nearly five years, and all the Opposition parties have united to contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and make the Congress candidate the next Prime Minister. "The Congress has to lead the country after the elections, not us Are they going to miss the opportunity of getting the PM's post over a single (Sangli) seat," asked Raut. Going further, Raut said the Congress had gone ahead and announced its nominees in Ramtek (SC), Kolhapur, and Amravati (SC) seats, which were held by the undivided Shiv Sena and on which the SS (UBT) had staked its claim. "We did not raise any objections to that... we also gave up Mumbai North and let them take Ramtek (SC), but we want to contest Sangli in exchange for the Kolhapur constituency. In alliance politics, such give-and-take occurs and there should be no problems about it," declared Raut. Responding to the Congress' claims that Sangli has been its traditional bastion where it has a strong base, Raut said even the SS (UBT) has a cadre base there, as also in several other seats it is contesting. The SS (UBT)'s decision to declare 17 candidates on Wednesday evoked sharp reactions from the top Congress leaders like Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwari, Balasaheb Thorat, Sanjay Nirupam, Vishwajeet Kadam, and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, among others. In fact, Kadam has threatened that if the SS (UBT) fails to concede Sangli, the Congress workers will not campaign for Chandrahar Patil, to which Raut expressed his disapproval, and hinted at grim consequences for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance on poll eve. School is out on a sunny Wednesday, March 20, at Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis. In the school compound, students mill around, and some are filing into a yellow school bus bound for home. A group of four sit at the bus stop waiting. Just opposite the school, in a white duplex with a U-Haul partly covering the garage door, a family has left town as they come to terms with a most devastating loss. A Place to Sleep, episode 9: Sleep The latest episode is here, and this time we put a lot less emphasis on the word "place" and a lot more on "sleep." On Saturday, March 9, 34-year-old Vonetta Johnson was fatally shot in her kitchen. Police have named 53-year-old Jerry Bruce Mitchell of Long Beach, California as the suspect. Her two children, ages 10 and 14, were home when the incident happened. Fiercely devoted Johnson, according to a few people who knew her and agreed to speak on the record, was a fiercely devoted mother. "Vonetta was a really good mom. She very much sheltered her children because she was fearful of the world, because of the trauma she's endured," said her aunt, Juanita, whose last name is being withheld due to safety concerns. Johnson took her role as a mother very seriously. She lived for her children, one of whom is autistic. She filtered who had access to them, tried to encourage their dreams, made effort to let them travel and see the world. "She worked two jobs to take care of those kids," Juanita said by phone. "Her life was her children." But she was also a wonderful cook and was on a high school dance team. She laughed a lot. And was a talented hairdresser. "She was just multifaceted," Juanita said. Shocked. Horrified. Confused. Hurt. Saddened. These are some of the emotions Juanita said she felt when she first learned Johnson had been fatally shot. Trinity Williams, who considers Johnson her best friend, said the two met in 2020, and their friendship blossomed the following year. Johnson introduced Williams to her brother, to whom she's now engaged, she said. He was the one who told her about Johnson's murder after coming across a news release. "I think we're all devastated. It's been rough; we're all questioning why this had to happen," Williams said during a phone interview. "Vonetta was very courageous and brave. She definitely was a friend that was going to stand 10 toes behind you, that sort of thing," Williams said. According to Williams, Johnson was not scared to speak her mind and was about living her life, staying happy. And like Juanita described, she was an dedicated mother. "She did an amazing job at making sure her kids had everything that they needed and that they stayed innocent throughout everything," Williams said. It has been a harrowing time for both children, whom Juanita said, are now in the care of relatives outside Corvallis, trying to adjust to new environments and schedules, and life without their fiercely protective mother. "They just want to see their mom again, and thats not possible. And Im just heartbroken," Juanita said. 'Not a good person' Though a news release called Mitchell Johnson's boyfriend, both Williams and Juanita say they were not romantically involved. According to a police affidavit, Johnsons 24-year-old sister, Ciara Page whom Juanita described as a second mom to Johnson's kids told police officers he was Johnson's boyfriend as she was being rushed to the hospital. After allegedly shooting Johnson, a police affidavit says Mitchell told Page Look at what you made me do, and then shot Page in the head and shoulder, leaving her with serious injuries. Williams said she was introduced to Mitchell as Johnson's stepdad. "She'd had incidents with her kids' dad, and (Mitchell) came, and he was helping her with the kids; that's as far as I knew the relationship was," Williams said. "I did not know him directly, but know of him," Juanita said. There was no pending domestic violence case filed against Mitchell before March 9, but Juanita said there was talk of violent crime he may have committed as a teenager in the 1980s in Portland. The only thing on his Oregon rap sheet before being accused of murder in the first degree is a speeding ticket in February. "Im not sure how they were monitoring his whereabouts or anything like that, but everyone whos been around him, everybody knows that hes not a good person," Juanita said. "Vonetta was very much manipulated. She was experiencing her own hell, but she couldnt talk about it," Juanita said. "She was stuck, she was in a place where she couldnt get out." Mitchell's not guilty plea, Juanita said, was like a slap in the face. Domestic violence homicides are infrequent in Corvallis and across Oregon. The Corvallis Police Department recorded no offenses or arrests in 2020 and 2021, according to the state's annual domestic violence reporting data. Johnson's represent the first homicide in Corvallis since December 2017, according to Lt. Ben Harvey. Support needed According to Juanita, not only is the family reeling from the loss, but they are in need of as much love and support from the community they can get. "Very little support has come to them, (and) more support is needed," Juanita said. Page, still recovering from brain surgery, is set to become the childrens primary caretaker, with assistance from another niece and extended family members. "We have to figure out how best to support her because she will become the kids primary caregiver, but we need to get her to a healing space, and thats been very frustrating," Juanita said. "I really think it has to do with her being a Black woman," Juanita said. A crowd-sourcing fundraiser at www.gofundme.com/f/vonetta-johnson has been set up to support Page and her sister in caring for Johnsons children. More than a quarter of the $20,000 goal has been raised so far. The funds will go into assisting Page, who has been living with her grandmother, find a new home for Johnsons children. It will also go toward setting up a trust for the children, especially autistic care and educational support. "These are young girls that are going to be raising these children, and so they do need the communitys support," Juanita said. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. "They are in their mid- and early 20s, and now theyve taken on the responsibility, beautifully, of raising two children. But its a lot," Juanita said. Instead of a 35th birthday celebration this May 7, Johnsons birthday, family, friends and relatives will gather for a celebration of Johnsons life. "Thats how she would want it," Juanita said. At the Johnson's residence on March 20, flowers had been placed along the garage door with a small pictorial reproduction of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Related stories: New Delhi, March 29 : A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped in the Peeragarhi area on Delhi's outskirts, police said on Thursday, adding that they have nabbed the 27-year-old accused. Police said that a police control room (PCR) call was received about the sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Peeragarhi village. "Immediately a police team, including the ACP and Station House Officer (SHO) of Paschim Vihar West police station reached the location," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer, Jimmy Chiram said. He said that the minor victim was found there along with her mother and shifted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital and necessary medical treatment was provided. "The accused is a tenant of the same building," the DCP said. Police have registered a case under Sections 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 6 of the POCSO Act. "The victim was discharged after examination and counselling," the DCP said, adding that the accused was caught after CCTV footage and call details were scanned and searches conducted in over 30 locations. Jaipur, March 29 : Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje said on Thursday that the Congress had boycotted the Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' and now the people of the country will boycott the grand old party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. She also called the Congress a sinking ship, where there is panic among the workers. "Congress candidates are returning their tickets. They are leaving the election field and running away, saying that they do not want party tickets," said Raje while addressing a party workers' meeting in support of MP Dushyant Singh, the BJP candidate from Jhalawar-Baran. Raje also expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for renominating Dushyant Singh as the BJP candidate. When the workers raised 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' slogans and called for winning the Jhalawar-Baran seat by a margin of five lakh votes, the former CM said that this dream is not big, and can be fulfilled through hard work. She also counted the achievements of Narendra Modi and said that because of the work done by the Prime Minister, he will be elected to the post for a third term, while Dushyant Singh will become the MP for the fifth time. Imphal, March 29 : Amid the run-up to the parliamentary elections and the ongoing ethnic strife, fresh influx of refugees from trouble- torn Myanmar reported in Manipur, following fresh clashes between the Army and pro-democracy armed forces in the neighbouring country, officials said. According to the security officials, the latest influx of refugees, believed to be more than 200 in number, during the past few days highlights the escalating violence in Myanmar, with concerns mounting over further clashes, particularly given the significant presence of Myanmar army personnel in Walphabung village, predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community. A senior security official said that latest reports from Moreh, a border town along India-Myanmar border with Manipur, reveal intense firing between Myanmar's military Junta and armed rebel groups at Walphabung village in Tamu district, igniting panic among more than hundreds of Myanmar nationals, including women and children. Seeking safety, more than 200 men, women and children have fled across the border into Manipur's border town of Moreh, nearly 110 km south of capital city Imphal. Senior police and paramilitary officials confirmed the immigration crisis from across the border continues even after the security along 400 km Manipur's border with Myanmar further strengthened. The unrest in Myanmar has impacted Manipur a long time ago, exacerbating the existing ethnic strife between the Kuki-Zomi and the Meitei communities that started since May 3 last year. "The influx of refugees fleeing violence from across the border adds another dimension to the complex dynamics of the region, further straining resources and deepening tensions," a senior police official said, requesting anonymity. A senior leader of a ruling political party said: "With allegations of illegal immigrants being involved in sustaining the unrest in Manipur, the situation becomes even more volatile, demanding a comprehensive and nuanced approach to address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the underlying ethnic tensions." Immediate action and coordinated efforts are imperative to prevent further escalation and foster stability in the region, he added. Around 8,000 and 32,000 Myanmar nationals earlier fled to Manipur and Mizoram respectively, after the military Junta seized power in that country on February 1, 2021. The Manipur government has been collecting the biometric details of the Myanmar nationals sheltered in the state. The Mizoram government, however, turned down the Union Home Ministry's advice to collect biographic and biometric data from the Myanmar refugees. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio, often said that a section of immigrants from Myanmar are involved in various illegal activities, including illicit poppy cultivation and drug-peddling in Manipur. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) Kolkata, March 29 : The Left Front on Thursday complained to the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) that the Kolkata Police was unnecessarily creating hurdles for the CPI-M candidate from Kolkata-Dakshin Saira Shah Halim from leading a small campaign procession through a lane near the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As per the complaint, Halim was conducting her campaign programme this morning in the Bhabanipur area and as the procession reached Harish Mukherjee Road, they were stopped by police. Following the development, the CPI-M candidate and party activists had a heated argument with the cops. The area where Halim was stopped is also quite close to the residence of Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. "The road belongs to everyone. The cops cannot prevent any party from exercising his or her democratic right of peaceful campaigning in a particular area," she said. The niece of iconic actor Naseeruddin Shah and daughter of former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (retired), Halim, before joining politics, was a business development and communications trainer with the West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd. After marriage, she inherited the legacy of Marxist leaning as her husband Dr Fuad Halim, is a popular leader of the CPI-M and his father, late Hashim Abdul Halim, had been the longest-serving Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly from 1982 to 2011. Mumbai, March 29 : NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday held an urgent meeting with the party's Working President Praful Patel and state unit chief Sunil Tatkare after senior state minister Chhagan Bhujbal expressed his strong desire to contest from the Nashik constituency on the party's clock symbol, and not on BJP's lotus symbol. Mumbai, March 29 (IANS) NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday held an urgent meeting with the party's Working President Praful Patel and state unit chief Sunil Tatkare after senior state minister Chhagan Bhujbal expressed his strong desire to contest from the Nashik constituency on the partyas clock symbol, and not on BJPas lotus symbol. Bhujbalas move came after the sitting Shiv Sena MP, Hemant Godse, recently met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and urged him not to leave the Nashik seat to the BJP or the NCP. CM Shinde met his two deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, late on Wednesday night to overcome the hitches in seat-sharing arrangements, though they are yet to arrive at a consensus. The NCP is expecting at least seven seats in the seat-sharing arrangement. Bhujbal told IANS, "I have talked to the party chief Ajit Pawar and evinced interest in contesting from Nashik. I am overwhelmed by the support from all the political parties. Even a survey shows my winning prospects. I hope I will get the party ticket.aa Bhujbal also said that he has communicated the same to the party, making it amply clear that he will contest on an NCP ticket with the clock symbol, and not on a BJP ticket with lotus symbol. Bhujbal, who is the founder of Samata Parishad, has been hogging the headlines for his war of words with pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil on the reservation issue. The senior leader has reiterated that he is not opposed to Maratha reservation, but it should not be given through the OBC quota. He also took strong objection against giving Kunbi certificates to the eligible Maratha community members, claiming that it was a back door entry into the OBC quota. Meanwhile, despite claims by the BJP and the NCP, the Shinde faction is not in a mood to sacrifice the Nashik seat, claiming that the party is in a comfortable position to retain it. Moreover, Shinde has assured sitting MP Hemant Godse and other party workers not to be impatient, but wait for an honourable arrangement. New Delhi, March 29 : The opposition INDIA bloc will stage a protest outside the BJP headquarters in the national capital on Friday against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the electoral bond issue, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Thursday. The INDIA bloc had announced on Sunday that it will hold a joint rally at the Ramlila Maidan in protest against Kejriwal's arrest on March 31. "We are organising a grand rally at the Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to protest against the current state of affairs in the nation. The prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc will be actively involved in this event," Gopal Rai, the AAP's Delhi convenor, had said. Rai, accompanied by fellow Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely and other senior leaders, said, "Democracy and the nation are facing imminent threats. All parties belonging to the INDIA bloc will join forces in this grand rally to safeguard the interests of the nation and uphold democracy." Jaipur, March 29 : Union Minister Kailash Choudhary filed his nomination papers for the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday. He reached the office of District Election Officer Nishant Jain at the auspicious time and filed his nomination papers. Independent MLA Priyanka Chaudhary, who announced she was extending support to Kailash Choudhary, state Minister K.K. Vishnoi, and MLA Adooram Meghwal, among others, were present on the occasion. A large number of MLAs, religious leaders, and public representatives from across the district also came to the nomination meeting. Addressing the gathering, the BJP leaders enumerated the achievements of the Narendra Modi government. The contest in the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency has become interesting here after independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati announced he would contest the elections too. Bhati became an MLA after rebelling against the BJP when the party refused to give him a ticket for the Assembly polls. Congress, meanwhile, has fielded Ummeda Ram Beniwal who joined the party recently from the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party. The nomination process for 13 seats in Rajasthan, going to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Apil 26, started on Thursday. Rajkot, March 29 : Gujarat unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president C.R. Paatil on Thursday convened a meeting with booth leaders and party workers from both city and district levels in Rajkot. The meeting, aimed at formulating strategies for upcoming electoral challenges, witnessed the participation of several senior leaders. Those who attended the meeting included Gujarat unit BJP vice-president Bharat Boghra, former Governor Vaju Vala, Lok Sabha candidate from Rajkot and Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Rajkot city BJP leader Mukesh Doshi, district BJP leader Alpesh Dholariya, Morbi district leader Ranchhod Dalwadi, state Cabinet Ministers Bhanu Babariya and Kunvarji Bavaliya, among others. "The meeting served as a platform for these leaders to deliberate on party strategies and enhance coordination among the rank and file," a BJP leader said. Aden : , March 29 (IANS) Intense clashes broke out between pro-government forces and Houthi fighters in Yemen's southern province of Al-Dhalea, leaving at least 10 people dead and 15 others injured, a military official told the media. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday that the Houthis launched a large assault late Wednesday on the Bab Ghalaq fronts, northwest of Al-Dhalea province, sparking fierce fighting with soldiers of the joint pro-government Yemeni forces stationed there, Xinhua news agency reported. The official confirmed that the fighting resulted in the killing of four soldiers and six Houthi fighters, while 15 others from both sides were injured. The critically injured pro-government soldiers were transferred to hospitals in the southern port city of Aden for treatment. The recent escalation occurred despite appeals by the United Nations for restraint from both sides to protect tentative progress toward ending Yemen's nine-year civil war. During a UN Security Council session last week, UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg urged the warring parties to reduce rising hostilities and "refrain from provocations" that could jeopardise nascent peace efforts. Yemen's protracted conflict erupted in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, sparking one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. In 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in an attempt to restore the government. Despite multiple diplomatic endeavours over the years, neither side has demonstrated the requisite will to revive negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict that, according to United Nations estimates, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and pushed millions more to the brink of famine. Benton County will see two longtime local government volunteers compete for election to the seat vacated by outgoing Commissioner Xan Augerot on the May 21 primary election ballot. Meanwhile, a conservative one-time hopeful for the state house is seeking the Republican nomination, setting up a contest against the Democratic incumbent in the other seat up for grabs. Public servants Liz Irish has served in an advisory role to the Benton County Board of Commissioners, appointed to the Planning Commission that oversees land use and, in December, to the committee responsible for guiding the countys budget. She was a Planning Commission delegate to a task force that met, sometimes contentiously, to develop guidance for expanding the dump at Coffin Butte Landfill. And she helped manage the campaign of Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II. A Place to Sleep, episode 3: Corvallis Do unhoused people know where to go in Corvallis? Well, the city has outlined where they shouldn't be: near creeks, rivers, wetlands, sidewalks or within 20 feet of trees. Irish is a loan officer, running on a platform that seeks to add housing units in a city that is the most rent-burdened in Oregon. Shes advocating for government-led solutions to high rates of homelessness and untreated mental health, as well as for county infrastructure that helps lessen the regions impact on climate. Irish filed in September just after Gabe Shepherd, a Corvallis city councilor, both as candidates for the Democratic nomination to Position 2. Augerot did not file to run for her seat, stepping down at the end of her term in December. No Republicans filed to run for Augerots seat. Shepherd wants to expand access to county elected leadership. He said in his platform hell make sure the Benton County Board of Commissioners holds minimum yearly meetings in outlying cities, and a monthly evening meeting for those who are unable to attend the countys regular morning meetings. At his website, Shepherd said he wants to prepare Benton County for wildfire, flooding and heat waves, reviewing the local governments climate action plan. He served on the citys budget commission and legislative committee. Hes chaired the Benton County Democrats. Shepherd works as a deputy city clerk in Albany. In early January, Shepherd challenged Corvallis legislative process as elected leaders considered actions that could remove Councilor Charlyn Ellis. He footed a resolution that would have required a two-thirds majority to oust anyone from the citys board of elected leaders, bringing Corvallis in line with state and federal rules. The council voted no, retaining a simple majority rule. Voters first elected Augerot in 2016 after a May primary upset, when the relative newcomer ousted Jay Dixon, a four-term incumbent, for the Democratic nomination. Augerot helped manage the countys attempt to fund a new jail, presenting Bentons case for a tax bond in front of city councils and community groups across the region. The measure, however, failed at the ballot box last year. Conservative hopeful Commissioner Nancy Wyse could face a Republican in November. Wyse is an administrative analyst who replaced five-term Commissioner Annabelle Jaramillo in 2020. She came from the countys budget committee and planning commission, first running in 2018 for a seat on the Benton board but lost in the Democratic primary. R Keith Lembke the R stands for Roy is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and helicopter pilot. In his candidate filing, Lembke said he works at Greater Albany Public Schools in a role meant to care for students with impairments or medical disabilities. His filing papers indicate Lembke was vice chair of the Benton County Republican Party. And he ran in 2022 as the Republican nominee for the Oregon House of Representatives from the 16th District, Corvallis. He took 97.7% of Republican votes 2,319 with 54 write-ins in the May primary. His opponent, Democrat Dan Rayfield, saw 9,086 votes against 74 write-ins. In the 2022 November General Election, Rayfield prevailed with about 22,500 to Lembke's 7,400 votes. Lembke is running on a platform that pits him as a willing representative of conservatives in a majority Democrat jurisdiction. He wrote a letter playing on themes of racial justice, calling on readers to hold Democratic lawmakers responsible for instituting racism in the state. In the letter, Lembke calls for starting a movement meant to sway voters to Republican causes. He said hes seeking unaffiliated voters he believes could swing a local election. They cant vote in Oregons closed primary elections, but unaffiliated voters in the state typically vote in line with the geographically closest partisan bloc. City unaffiliated voters tend to vote blue and rural unaffiliated voters tend to vote red. There are about 2.8 million voters registered as Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated. There are about 3.02 million registered voters in Oregon including those affiliated with minor parties. At 1.10 million, unaffiliated make up the largest group of voters way more than the 720,700ish registered Republicans. They outpaced Democrats for the first time in 2022, and the number of Democrats dropped below 1 million in July 2023. About 993,100 Democrats were registered to vote in Oregon by March. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. There are 25,192 Democrats in Benton County, more than twice the 12,192 Republicans there. Unaffiliated voters numbered 19,220. Thats compared to 21,585 Democrats, 33,154 Republicans and 37,057 unaffiliated in Linn County. In her third YA novel, This Is Me Trying, Racquel Marie addresses the weight of teen suicide, immeasurable grief, and the messiness of coping. Teens Beatriz and Santiago havent spoken since their best friend Bryce died by suicide and Santiago moved away without a goodbye. When Santi returns to their Vermont hometown for their final year of high school, their reunion reopens old wounds as the pair work through the loss of their friendship, their complicated feelings around Bryce, and what comes next. In a conversation with PW, Marie discussed the responsibility in writing about teen suicide, misconceptions around healing, and her titular Taylor Swift reference. Your first two novels, Ophelia After All and You Dont Have a Shot, are tonally different from This Is Me Trying. What made you feel ready to tackle a novel with heavier themes? I definitely agree its a bit of a shift. Part of it was that in my personal life, I had experienced a lot of grief. Ive talked openly online and in my acknowledgments about the fact that I lost my mom unexpectedly in 2021. I was sitting with a lot of heavy emotions about grief and the state of the world as well. It felt like a moment in time in which I trusted myself to be able to handle writing about heavier subject matter, knowing that I could still infuse it with hope as well. Especially when youre writing for teenagers, I think thats important. I dont imagine myself ever writing a particularly "capital S Sad Book What was your preparation for this project like? Did previous works surrounding suicide help you understand what you did and didnt want to do with your own book? That was something I felt very seriously about because some media in the past portrays it in a way that can start to sensationalize or romanticize the concept of teen suicide. One book that I looked to that shifted my mindset was The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R Pan. That was the first time I had seen the wording dies by suicide and not committing suicide, as if its a crime or these aggressive wordings. It felt like a much more respectful approach to it. Theres an authors note that talks about writing it that way [and] identifies it more as this being an element of mental illness and something that has caused somebodys death, but not some type of moral failing. I also have worked with a therapist myself, who I spoke with about making sure I was responsible and respectful about this. And I spoke with a lot of friends of mine whove dealt with this in their teens and into adulthood. I felt a heavy responsibility in approaching the subject matter. How did you approach writing about a character who is physically absent but kept present via memories? I wanted to give the reader a sense of who Bryce was and what his relationships were to these characters. But I also wanted to be very delicate as to not make it feel like he was too present. I didnt want to fall into a trap that some media portrays of teenage suicide where it makes it seem like you can still be around in the narrative after someone has died. I wanted to make it very clear that this is a permanent thing. If someone dies by suicide, they dont get to be present in the narrative in an intentional, super active way. I wanted to keep his memory very rooted in how these characters perceived him and show that there was always going to be this absence of him. I wanted the reader to always feel like you never quite got a full understanding of who he was and what he felt because he is gone. That is the tragedy. Many of the characters in the novel have faced loss and grief before, but Santiago notes that losing someone to suicide is a completely different experience. Can you talk about that concept? When anyone dies, an immediate reaction is, what if things could have been different? I think [with] suicide it is even more so because everyone takes on this personal responsibility, if I could have said this or done that, I could have changed things. And it is complicated because it simultaneously is no ones fault, and it also is something that needs to be addressed more candidly. There need to be more open and honest conversations about suicide and suicidal ideation, so that people can pursue help. It was an interesting thing to play with. If someone has a car accident or dies of cancer, it can have this element of sometimes things just happen. But suicide is something that feels so particular and intentional. Its difficult to make peace with knowing that that choice could have been different. I wanted the characters to sit with that feeling, while also not accidentally projecting this idea that everyone messed up and it was everyones fault. On social media, youve described this project as a combination of Taylor Swifts This Is Me Trying and Chinese Satellite by Phoebe Bridgers. How do those two songs relate to the themes of this book? I think this is the first time Im directly responding to the Taylor Swift of it all! The phrase this is me trying gets to the root of so many of the characters experiences, which is that it may look like theyre not doing anything from the outside, but this is them trying. It may look like theyre just wallowing in their grief. It may look like theyre not giving any effort, but they are giving it their best attempt at existing. And Chinese Satellite is a great song regarding grief and that paradox of wanting to believe youre going to see this person again someday, but not knowing if thats true. If you dont have that to hold on to, what do you do from there? I think both of those songs really get to the core of philosophizing about grief and the future and what it means to sit in difficult circumstances and still be giving it your best shot and knowing that everybody around you thinks you should be doing better. Did writing this book help you come to any new understanding around navigating loss? A little bit. I started writing this iteration of the book in the aftermath of my moms death. It has been about two and a half years, which is the same space the characters have been [in]. So I got to experience in real time the way that people expect you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and start moving on. One of the things that Ive learned both from working on the book and in my personal experience is that people have this notion of grief being a temporary thing, or being something that you are just supposed to move on from, or it gets better, or it feels different. It can feel different, but it is always going to be something that you carry with you. Compared to my first two bookswhere even if there were sad moments, by the end we could maybe get a happier endingat the end of this book, someone was still going to be dead and [the characters] were still going to have this loss in their life. That is difficult to sit with when youre grieving and difficult for people who havent lost someone to realize. But I wanted to present the idea that yes, this is something youre going to carry with you forever, and it probably is going to suck for the rest of your life to some degree. It doesnt mean there isnt still good ahead as well. It can coexist alongside all the good too. This Is Me Trying by Racquel Marie. Feiwel and Friends, $19.99 Apr. 16 ISBN 978-1-250-89138-9 When an orchestra concludes a performance, a few beats often elapse as the final note fades and the applause begins. That brief silence is the climax of Todd Bosss picture book, The Boy Who Said Wow (S&S/Beach Lane, Apr. 2), illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. In May 2019, as the Handel and Haydn Society completed Mozarts Masonic Funeral Music at Bostons Symphony Hall, a spontaneous wow burst from a child in the audience. As heard in an audio file that went viral online, the surprised crowd laughs and begins cheering for the orchestra. The appreciative wow, people later learned, was voiced by then-nine-year-old Ronan Mattin, a boy who ordinarily does not speak. Boss, a poet whose motto is wake to the wonder of the world, was moved by Ronans expression of awe. Its such an angelic little noise that comes arising out of nowhere, and I knew within a day that it would make an amazing childrens book, Boss said. I thought the only way to go about it would be to get in touch with the family to learn more about the boy and that magical instant. Ronans viral moment was a very intense time, but I could tell that Todd was very sincere and serious about this project, said Al Mattin, Ronans father. Boss ultimately interviewed Mattin as well as Ronans mother and grandfather, and he kept everyone posted about the manuscripts status. A Title Thats Actually a Spoiler The Boy Who Said Wow follows Ronan, a quiet boy whos seen reading or accompanied by a cheerful gray dog, to the symphony with his grandfather. In real life, Boss said, Grandpa likes to take Ronan on visits to cultural places that he wouldnt otherwise be exposed to, so this dynamic was important to the manuscript. The Mattin familys approval was essential to Boss as well: I passed the manuscript through the family before I ever showed it to anyone else. I wanted them to feel confident about the way Ronan was portrayed. Boss got in touch with agent Jill Kneerim of Kneerim and Williams, who referred him to agent Rubin Pfeffer. Todds manuscript was accompanied by clippings and links of media fascination with Ronans story, some of which Id known about in real time, Pfeffer recalled. It was a feel-good story, for sure. And how brave to give it a title thats actually a spoiler! Young readers will be propelled to find Ronans wow, and when they do, theyll find their own unique wows. Pfeffer mentioned the project during a lunch with Allyn Johnston, v-p and publisher of Beach Lane Books, and he later sent her the manuscript. I thought it was fantastic from the second I saw it, Johnston remembered. A lot of times, ripped from the headlines projects can end up being heavy-handed, she said, because they lean so hard on an overt message or teaching a lesson. Instead, what drew me to it was the timeless, universal quality, the kind of thing you would pull off the shelf and read over and over again, Johnston said. Pfeffer believed artist Rashin Kheiriyeh, who had illustrated Aimee Reids Welcome Home for Beach Lane, could capture the everyday calm and sudden wonder the story evokes. To be honest, it was more than just a mere suggestion, he said. Id asked Rashin if shed consider rendering sketches of a few key moments in the manuscript. Since she was moved by the story, she was happy to provide a sample piece. Johnston and Boss liked what they saw. To develop Ronan as a character in her mixed-media and watercolor images, Kheiriyeh said she focused on subtle visual cues and body language. I depicted him with closed body postures, to convey introversion and reserve. Early in the story, she said, readers may notice Ronan avoiding eye contact, looking out a window or down at his hands, yet after the concert, hes shown leaning on his grandfather's shoulder, using body language to express his gratitude and their closeness. The illustrations are nostalgic, picturing a semi-rural house and old-fashioned garb. Grandpa drives a midcentury car, and the family members are white. Yet the musicians in the orchestra are diverse, and so are the audience members. Kheiriyeh said she aimed for a setting reminiscent of the old days in Boston, adding that the performance of Mozarts music in Symphony Hall brought a classic image to mind as she painted. To a palette of warm grays, greens, and transparent turquoise blue, she brought in a pop color like bright red, and musical notes floating in the air in the concert hall, to create a happy place for Ronan. Being Quiet and Listening Closely Nowhere in the story is Ronans silence questioned or diagnosed. Primarily, my thought was that this isnt really a book about disability, Boss said. Its a book about inspiration and the way inspiration comes. Even a silent child who doesn't show any outward signs of engagement can be reached. He wanted to leave open the reasons for Ronans demeanor: Disability or no disability, its a recognition of the value of being quiet. Johnston appreciates that readers can interpret the characters subtle communications as they wish. I loved the way that Ronan could get lost in the power of the music and the emphasis on how people of all ages respond when they experience art that moves them, she said. Boss still finds Ronans wow moment powerful. Ive been telling people this story for five years as the book has percolated, he said. Even in the past week, I told the story at a dinner, and people started crying. It raises the hairs on the back of your neck, and you realize that there something poetic in it. The author will visit the scene of the wow shortly after The Boy Who Said Wows publication. On April 7, hell be at Symphony Hall with the Mattin family to hear J.S. Bachs Mass in B Minor. Ill do a little pre-concert talk about what were doing, and therell be a book table afterwards, so well be able to interact with the audience, he said. Two days later, he and the Mattins will appear at Gibsons Bookstore in Concord, N.H., for a storytime event. Ronans father has said he wont rest until the book is on every shelf in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Boss joked. Will Ronan be overwhelmed by the attention, having inspired a picture book? I dont honestly know, Boss said. Itll be justifiably awkward for both of us. Ronans father, Al Mattin, feels good about the book and the positivity that his son has inspired. Our extended network of family and friends are all incredibly happy and excited, he said. Five years after that awe-inspiring concert, Ronan is 14, but he has the same sweet spirit and big smile. He still struggles to express himself, but has found a lot of joy in drawing, writing, and traveling over the last couple of years. Ronan enjoys listening and dancing to music, his father said, and he particularly loves almost any kind of music played live. For Mattin, The Boy Who Said Wow represents a genuine instant of childhood amazement. Its important to help broaden peoples understanding of the way kids can experience art and music, he said, even when the child cant outwardly express the way art makes them feel. The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss, illus. by Rashin Kheiriyeh. S&S/Beach Lane, $18.99 Apr. 2 ISBN 978-1-53-449971-3 A proposal floated during ongoing contract negotiations between management at the freedom of expression nonprofit PEN America and its staff union, PEN America United (PAU), has led to charges by the union that the organizations leadership is trying to stifle union members free speech rightsan assertion PEN management firmly disputes. According to a PAU release, the controversy stems from a proposal made during a March 14 bargaining session, at which, PAU contends, management proposed what the union categorizes as vague and broad language under which PAU members could be disciplined for engaging in any political activity that impacts the ability of PEN America to engage in its mission. The threat of discipline could extend to activity, conducted off-hours, that management determines could bring negative attention to PEN America, the union continued. Under the suggested language, union members could be subject to discipline for activity such as signing onto an open letter criticizing PEN or attending a protest," the union contends. Union members may also be subject "to discipline for activity conducted off-duty, off-premises, and on their own equipment. In a statement, the PAU executive board wrote: PEN America Managements language chills free expression while asking union members to surrender their rights as workers and renounce a safeguard from retaliation. Sweeping restrictions like these coming from a leading free-expression organization would set a very dangerous precedent for employees everywhere." It added: Given current events, the need for robust protections to employees rights to political activity and speech in their personal time is of increased importance. It is incredibly disappointing to see Management does not respect this internally, despite PENs guidance to other organizations. In its own statement, PEN America management said that the language in question is from a proposal relating to political activity that was intended to ensure compliance with our legal obligations as a 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization and the avoidance of conflicts of interest for the organization that could result from an employee playing a public role in a political campaign or running for office. The proposed language, PEN management continued, was informed by prior experience with a staff member who had launched a campaign for local political office as a partisan candidate while employed at PEN Americaan activity that would have involved working hours, raising compliance. and conflict of interest concerns, for the organization. Stressing that it does not interfere with the free expression of its employees, PEN management added that the proposed contractual language has been under discussion with the union in recent weeks, and we have reiterated our position that the organization does not seek to curtail the political activities of staff, except insofar as they may compromise PEN Americas legal compliance with non-profit law, and thus our mission as well. PEN management also provided its counterproposal, which reads, in full: PEN America believes in the free expression of employees personal religious, political, social, or economic beliefs. Employees shall not be disciplined for the expression of such beliefs while off-duty, except where such conduct impacts the ability of PEN America to engage in its mission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PEN Americas policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation shall continue to apply. According to PEN management, during the March 14 negotiations, they suggested removing the paragraph on political activity entirely so that the collective bargaining agreement would include no language at all on the subject. At that meeting, management said, the union indicated that it did not wish to delete the provision and that it would counter the proposal with language that management says it is now awaiting. In response to PEN management's assertion, PAU explained that it understands that the organization is prohibited by law from engaging in partisan political activity and has no desire to interfere with such legal obligations, insisting that the conversation that has taken place during 'recent weeks' has not revolved around nonprofit administration or partisan activity, but around whether it is appropriate to discipline union members for political activity, expression, and association. It added: PEN America has repeatedly rejected attempts from PAU to include language that would explicitly protect union members from retaliation, such as Employees will not be penalized or terminated for any political activity or speech engaged in while off-duty, solely in their personal capacity. On March 14, PAU continued, management suggested removing the clause altogether and relying solely on the grievance and arbitration process to protect unit members rights to express themselves in the event of discipline or termination following off-hour political activity. Removing explicit protections would allow management to proceed with discipline in these cases, and this is why we have rejected their suggestion to remove the clause. Internal and External Turmoil The controversy comes as negotiations between PAU and PEN management continue to drag on. Employees first formed a union, which PEN America recognized, in June 2022, and began bargaining with the organization that October. In March 2023, PAU voted to affiliate with United Auto Workers Local 2320, Region 9A. According to the union, PAU and PEN America have only reached six tentative agreements out of 25 total proposals to date. The internal spat over conflicting definitions of protected free expression also comes as PEN America faces increasing public criticism from some of its membership and others in the literary world over its handling of issues relating to Palestine. (While criticism of PEN has reached new heights since the latest war in Gaza began, such critiques have dogged the organization at least since 2013, when former New York Times editor Middle East and Balkan bureau chief Chris Hedges resigned from the organization's board.) On January 31, six protesters from the group Writers Against the War on Gaza disrupted a PEN America event in Los Angeles featuring a conversation between comedian Moshe Kasher and actor Mayim Bialik, the latter of whom is an outspoken supporter of Israel. One of the protesters, author Randa Jarrar, was physically removed from the scene by security. In the weeks leading up to the January 31 event, novelists Angela Flournoy and Kathleen Alcott withdrew their participation from PEN's New Year, New Books event, slated to take place in Los Angeles on January 25, over the organization's involvement with Bialik, which Flournoy called "unconscionable." On February 3, an open letter that has since been signed by more than 1,200 writers demanding that "PEN America release an official statement about the 225 poets, playwrights, journalists, scholars and novelists killed in Gaza and name their murderer." The letter continued: "As this letter circulates, the death toll among Palestinian writers and reporters will likely grow," adding: "If PEN continues to remain silent, it will become absolutely clear to the public whose lives and voices matter to it and whose dont." By March 15, more than a dozen authors had withdrawn from this years PEN World Voices Festival, also citing PENs response to the war in Gaza. Those authors include this year's winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, Lorrie Moore, as well as Michelle Alexander, Isabella Hammad, and Naomi Klein, among others. The Association of American Publishers has announced that Princeton University Press has won the 2024 R.R. Hawkins Award for excellence in scholarly publishing for The Voices of Nature: How and Why Animals Communicate by Nicolas Mathevonthe second year in a row the press has taken the honor. Princeton University Press is honored to accept the R.R. Hawkins Award, and humbled to do so for a second year in a row, said Princeton University Press director Christie Henry, in a a statement. Nicolas Mathevon entrusted to our team this extraordinary work, which opens all of our senses to the ways in which sounds and communication shape culture, community and environment. Its a thrill to amplify its impact with this award. Princeton took home the 2023 R.R. Hawkins award for Kimberly Kay Hoang's Spiderweb Capitalism. In addition, the AAP also announced the winners of the 2024 PROSE Awards, which recognizes "best-in-class scholarly publications in four categories: Biological & Life Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences & Mathematics, and Social Sciences." The winners are: The Voices of Nature: How and Why Animals Communicate by Nicolas Mathevon (Princeton University Press), which, in addition to winning the R.R. Hawkins Award also took home the PROSE award in the biological and life sciences category. Residual Governance: How South Africa Foretells Planetary Futures by Gabrielle Hecht (Duke University Press) in the social sciences category. Mnemonic Ecologies: Memory and Nature Conservation along the Former Iron Curtain (MIT Press) by Sonja K. Pieck, in physical sciences and mathematics. Giotto's Arena Chapel and the Triumph of Humility by Henrike Christiane Lange (Cambridge University Press) in Humanities. Taken as a whole, this years winners illustrate the power and importance of scholarly publishing, combining detailed research, concise prose, and inventive approaches that make these works truly compelling for both expert and lay readers, said AAP COO Syreeta Swann, in a release. Awarded since 1976, the AAPs PROSE Awards recognize publishers who produce books, journals, and digital products of extraordinary merit that make a significant contribution to a field of study. More on the 2024 PROSE Awards can be found here. Small Press Distribution, one of the last remaining independent book distributors in the United States, has closed. In an announcement made March 28, SPD executive director Kent Watson said that the closure is effective immediately, and that the staff is in the process of winding down the business. Watson cited a decline in sales and a loss of institutional support as the reasons forcing the distributor, founded in 1969, to close. Despite the heroic efforts of a tireless staff to raise new funds, find new sales channels for our presses, and move from our outdated Berkeley warehouse, we are simply no longer able to make ends meet, said Watson in a statement. In February, SPD completed moving more than 300,000 titles from its Berkeley facility to warehouses owned by the Ingram Content Group and Publishers Storage and Shipping. The transfer was part of Watsons plan to keep the nonprofit distributor a viable option for small publishers by cutting operating costs while simultaneously increasing services such as access to print-on-demand facilities, e-book and audiobook distribution, and more extensive distribution in the U.S and worldwide. The move from the Berkeley warehouse was facilitated by a GoFundMe campaign that raised $100,000. Watson launched a second effort last month in an attempt to raise another $75,000 to roll out the new services to publishers, but the campaign was having trouble gaining traction. In announcing the closing, Watson said that the warehouse shift took longer and cost more than SPD had planned for, while systems integration delays further strained SPDs financial resources. Part of that strain, Watson elaborated, was due to a loss of $125,000 in annual grants SPD had previously received, a loss Watson attributed to funders [moving] away from supporting the arts. At the moment, all SPD inventory remains at the Ingram and PSSC warehouses. In a post on its website, SPD said publishers will need to contact Ingram or PSSC to discuss distribution options and the return or disposition of their books. The demise of SPD is another blow to independent publishers looking for distribution options to reach retail accounts. I am saddened by the closure of SPD, which has been a longstanding and respected institution in the independent publishing community, and critical to making independent books accessible to readers, Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, CEO of Independent Book Publishers Association, told PW. "Unfortunately, the loss of yet another independent distributor further increases the inequity in market access between corporate and independent publishing and ultimately hurts small business owners and consumers. As an industry, we have to do better in supporting organizations whose business it is to promulgate independent thought and diverse perspectives. Jeannie Davis knew she couldnt stay in her house any longer. It was unsafe, and the man living with her and her 8-month-old baby had made it so. Quickly, she packed everything she thought she would need into black plastic trash bags while he was at work. When he came home earlier than she expected she left nearly everything in her Lebanon home behind. I left with nothing but my daughter and my shoes, Davis said, I knew nothing in that house was as important as getting out. A Place to Sleep, episode 9: Sleep The latest episode is here, and this time we put a lot less emphasis on the word "place" and a lot more on "sleep." She was a single mother, desperately shy, only 19 and learning to let go of an idealized dream, a fairytale. She didnt know it then, but she had the power to rebuild everything again. Things could be replaced and what truly mattered was safety, her daughter's and her own. Having her with me and realizing I still have this human to take care of made it a lot easier," Davis said. I feel like all of it was for her. Her foster parents picked her up, and from there they made a call to the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, or CARDV. She had never heard of the organization, she said. But she was glad her foster parents made the call; she wasnt sure if she would have been able to at the time, Davis said. For 30 days she stayed in a shelter with four other women who were there for the same reasons. They were all scared, but they were together, she said. After that, CARDV helped Davis move into an apartment. That was scary, too, because this time it was just the two of them. She was worried her abuser might come looking for them. A friend helped her put barriers in the windows and extra security at the front door. That felt better. Safer. Davis attended a CARDV support group. The word "trauma" wasnt really used then. But thats what they all had in common, she said. The group helped her as she pursued other relationships, and she was able to lean on the other people in her group. She's still friends with some; one is even her neighbor, Davis said. Other young women and single mothers seemed to find her after that. They passed around her number, and Davis was often called for advice or help. She became an unofficial mentor, and she was happy to take up that role in the community. Its been 35 years since Davis stayed in a CARDV shelter. She's worked her way through a bachelors, masters and doctorate. Now she is an associate professor of Population Health Science at the Western University of Health Sciences where she works with medical students. I feel like it would have turned out so much differently if CARDV was not part of my story, she said. Fight for rights When CARDV first formed, no one could predict the seismic change ahead: The courts, law enforcement even local government news and medical professionals would shift how they interact with sexual assault survivors. That's how Mary Zelinka describes it. She's been a member for nearly 40 years. The organization came online in 1981 about 20 years after the grassroots civil rights movements of the 1960s with the merger of Linn-Benton Association for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Corvallis Women Against Rape hotline due to an overlap in their scope. Despite the growing realization of inequalities, few people were willing to accept the root cause of much domestic and sexual violence was sexism, Zelinka said. She ended up writing a book chronicling the organization's history, called "The Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence: A Local History of a National Movement." In the 1980s, many people blamed survivors for the violence, and largely because of the social norms of the day CARDV wasn't trusted, Zelinka said. In forming the post-merger name, it was important to use the words rape and domestic violence because organizers didnt want to hide behind euphemisms, Zelinka said. It was acknowledgement of what survivors go through with no sugar coating. Those words were even more brash and shocking, back when rape was often reported as assault and domestic violence as a lovers quarrel, Zelinka wrote. Feminism was the core of their work, and the organization's name was and still is a political statement, she said. In the early days, she described CARDVs members as unapologetic and loud. They frequently contacted newspapers and spoke on the radio to raise awareness of CARDVs services, she said. She remembers hanging posters at laundromats and grocery stores. "We were pretty relentless," Zelinka said in a phone interview. They wedged themselves into city meetings and anywhere they could be heard, she said. So many times she heard these words: "We can change things if women were just able to speak up." So they tried to spread as much education about domestic violence and rape as they could, to get people to see that this was a societal issue. Zelinka looks upon those days as some of the best in her life, she said. And over time, advocates didn't have to fight to hold those spaces. The shift was partly due to the changing of societal norms over time. It also had to do with the connections CARDV developed as the organization made a name for itself and gained trust in the community with its widespread educational push, Zelinka said. The organization gained partnerships with law enforcement, courts and local government and city leaders. CARDV board members went on to testify in statewide hearings for domestic violence and offered give guidance at the state level. From our unheralded beginning as a radical upstart challenging the status quo from the fringes of society, CARDV is now a respected community leader, Zelinka wrote. Expanding CARDV started with a base in Corvallis, but Executive Director Stephanie Miller said the organization is looking to expand advocacy efforts throughout Linn County. Miller uses precise language. The people who seek CARDVs services arent victims, they are survivors. She wants people of any and all genders to feel comfortable reaching out for services. Miller joined CARDV in October 2023. Previously, she worked at Womens Resource Center in Oceanside, California and has 33 years of experience. In 2023, 440 people sought various services, nearly 100 stayed in CARDV shelters or sought safety through the motel voucher program. Over three-quarters of those who sought services were escaping domestic violence. The remainder of people seeking services were because of rape, stalking or other unsafe circumstances. Services encompass a variety of needs, such as safe shelter, emotional support and legal advocacy. In the past year, more than 2,700 calls came in on CARDVs hotline, according to data obtained from the agency. The majority were anonymous and involved domestic violence. About 40% of those calls came from Linn County, Miller said. Efforts are already under way to expand more in Linn County. The organization has purchased a house in Linn County that will serve as an additional shelter, adding to the two in Benton County, she said. The house still needs to undergo some construction, and Miller is working out the budget to keep an advocate staffed there 24/7. Miller also wants to build out connections in the more rural areas of Linn and Benton counties. We want to position advocates where they are easily accessible," she said. That may take the shape of placing advocates in libraries or offering more educational services in those areas, she said. Putting a shelter in Linn County has been something the organization has been wanting to do for 40 years, Zelinka said. Some survivors are safer in Benton County and some in Linn. Leaving from Linn to stay at a Benton shelter also can be difficult for some people because they want to be closer to their support systems, she said. So having shelters on both sides of the county line gives survivors options, a win for everyone, she said. The organization has come a long way, she said. Organizers started out as a somewhat "scrappy" group who only knew something needed to be done to create change. Zelinka acknowledges the societal shifts are far from perfect, and there is more work to be done. Still, "I do believe there is a shift, that more people are acknowledging the root causes of rape and domestic violence," Zelinka said. A CARDV advocate works out of the Linn County Courthouse Monday through Friday. Advocates and services can also be accessed at the advocacy center at 2208 SW Third St., Corvallis. The 24-hour crisis and support line number is 541-754-0110. Related stories: The University of Georgias Special Collections Library hosted Kellie Carter Jackson, a professor at Wellesley Colleges Department of Africana Studies and an author, on Tuesday to deliver a Womens History Month keynote speech. Inspired by her upcoming book, the speech titled We Refuse was a call to understand Black history and not only learn from it, but also take action toward substantial changes for the betterment of society. The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government is seeking residents input on the revised site selection for the relocation of Fire Station #5 as part of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) project. The site selection criteria provides a series of guidelines for evaluating potential sites for the new station including acreage, location in comparison to other fire stations, public ownership, etc. Indian pharma companies are focussing on flagship products or mother brands under which they launch various new combinations to ensure robust revenue growth as well as therapy leadership. An analysis by market research firm Pharmarack showed how such flagship brands have posted strong growth CAGR in the last five years, with some even doubling sales. Sheetal Sapale, vice-president, commercial at Pharmarack, said, Mother brands are analogous to an aggressive player who has put in a lot of effort during the prime years of life but now continues to silently nurture the brand family to collectively cross newer benchmarks of success. She added that pharma companies are using flagship brands to develop strong therapy connections, move from low priced acute therapy to more premium priced chronic or sub-chronic therapy versions, and also using this as a launch pad for combinations with molecules going off-patent. For example, Glenmarks Telma brand containing Telmisartan was launched two decades ago in the chronic segment and has since become a well-known brand for treating hypertension, heart failure, prevention of heart attack and stroke. Despite the introduction of multiple line extensions, Telma remains the strongest brand under the umbrella. MAT: Moving annual turnover Source: PharmaTrac MAT Feb 2024 "Strong brand identity for the treatment of hypertension has supported success in the launch of multiple brands with the enhancement of Telmisartan with newer molecules for better management of hypertension. "While Telma stays strong in its molecular market, the other brands in the family also enjoy a formidable market share, Sapale said. Telma Mother brand has 16 brands with a combined turnover of Rs 1036 crore. Similarly, Zerodol from Ipca started as a painkiller brand featuring Aceclofenac in the Acute segment. But combinations of this brand with Paracetamol, Tizanidine and Serratiopeptidase has enabled the brand to penetrate Dental, Muscle spasm segments as well as the market to tackle inflammation related conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Osteoarthritis. What began with plain Aceclofenac swiftly evolved into a diverse portfolio, leveraging relevant combinations to extend its presence beyond traditional pain relief. "With strategic expansions, Zerodol successfully ventured into Gastro and Neuro segments, with Zerodol Spas & Zerodol PG broadening its scope of indication, Pharmarack noted. Nearly 40 per cent of established or mother brands are from acute and chronic segments with sub-chronic segments comprising 20 per cent of the number of mother brands. The facility to exchange or deposit Rs 2,000 banknotes will not be available on Monday, April 1, 2024 due to operations associated with the annual closing of accounts, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo The facility will resume on Tuesday (April 2, 2024) at the 19 issue offices of the RBI, it added. "The facility of exchange/deposit of Rs 2,000 banknotes will not be available on Monday, April 1, 2024 at the 19 issue offices of the Reserve Bank of India due to operations associated with the annual closing of accounts," it said. On May 19, 2023, the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 denomination bank notes from circulation. Nearly 97.62 per cent of the Rs 2,000 bank notes have returned to the banking system at the close of business on February 29, and only about Rs 8,470 crore worth of the withdrawn notes are still with the public. People can deposit and/or exchange Rs 2,000 bank notes at the 19 RBI offices across the country. People can also send Rs 2,000 bank notes through India Post from any post office to any of the RBI issue offices for credit to their bank accounts in India. Public and entities holding such notes were initially asked to either exchange or deposit them in bank accounts by September 30, 2023. The deadline was later extended to October 7, 2023. Deposit and exchange services at bank branches were discontinued on October 7. Starting October 8, 2023, individuals have been provided with the choice of either exchanging the currency or having the equivalent sum credited to their bank accounts at the 19 offices of the RBI. The 19 RBI offices depositing/exchanging the bank notes are in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Belapur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, and Thiruvananthapuram. The Rs 2,000 bank notes were introduced in November 2016, following the demonetisation of the then Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 bank notes. Real estate investment trusts (Reits) are in talks with regulatory bodies the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to seek changes in regulations that will allow easier access to capital. The Indian Reits Association (IRA) said it has approached the market regulator seeking to get classified as an equity asset, which will open the path for their inclusion in equity indices and also make investment by mutual funds (MFs) easier. The association is also in active discussions with the RBI to allow banks to lend to a Reit. At present, they borrow mostly through bond issuances or from non-banking financial companies. They said the opening up of the bank borrowing channel will help bring down the cost of borrowing. The top three on our agenda is to work closely with the RBI to get banks to lend to Reits, get clarity on equity classification and subsequent inclusion in indices to enhance liquidity. "The third is investor education, said Aravind Maiya, chief executive officer (CEO) of Embassy Reit and the chairperson of IRA. At a panel organised by the IRA, executives said that the classification of Reits as equity will bring in more clarity for investors apart from opening new avenues for inflows through both active as well as passive MFs. Globally, Reits are generally classified as equity. "There are quarterly or six-monthly payouts, but they are subject to the performance of the underlying assets. "Also, there is capital appreciation. These are more of an equity-like feature and hence Reits should be classified as equity, said Alok Aggarwal, managing director and CEO of Brookfield India Reit. Currently, active MF schemes have some leeway to invest in Reits and infrastructure investment trusts. Several schemes have the provision to invest up to 10 per cent of the corpus in these asset classes. The newly formed association said it aims to play a role similar to the Association of Mutual Funds in India to drive penetration and investor awareness. IRA also sees the MF investor base of 40 million as an addressable market. At present, there are around 200,000 Reit investors. Given the over 40 million pool of MF investors, there is no reason why the number of Reit investors cannot grow exponentially in the coming years, said Dalip Sehgal, CEO of Nexus Select Trust. Reits are at a nascent stage in India with the first listing happening in 2019. There are four listed Reits currently Brookfield India, Embassy, Mindspace Business Parks, and Nexus Select Trust. The Indian Reit market has demonstrated noteworthy growth since the first Reit was listed in 2019 with Rs 1.3 trillion in gross assets under management, a market capitalisation of over Rs 85,000 crore, and a portfolio covering 115 million square feet of Grade A office and retail spaces nationwide, the IRA said in a presentation. They expect the Reit landscape, which is now limited to office space and retail, to expand to hotels, residential properties, data centres, and logistics. In a state that usually plumbs for a Dravidian major, three candidates have a chance of delivering for the BJP, observes A Ganesh Nadar. IMAGE: Narendra Modi goes on a roadshow in Coimbatore, March 19, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy K Annamalai/X The Bharatiya Janata Party has taken on a very bold decision to contest without an alliance with either of the two Dravidian majors in Tamil Nadu, but will this pay off remains the question. Anybody winning on Narendra Modi magic in Tamil Nadu is out of the question, and out of the real world. If they have to win, it has to be on their own steam and definitely not with the help of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, which has very limited votes outside the core Vanniyar belt in Northern Tamil Nadu, and there too not enough to win a single seat. There are three BJP candidates who have a chance of delivering: Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanyakumari; Nainar Nagendran, now a BJP MLA from Tirunelveli, and Radikaa Sarathkumar from Virudhunagar. Pon Radhakrishnan is a former Tamil Nadu BJP president and has been MP twice. He has also held various ministerial portfolios at the Centre. When he was a minister he tried to bring a port to Kanyakumari which was opposed by environmentalists and fishermen and he had to back off. Kanyakumari constituency is unique in Tamil Nadu. It is the only one where the majority and minority religions are equal in number. Muslims and Christians equal the number of Hindus here, so communal polarisation is a definite possibility. There are a large number of Nadar voters, an upwardly mobile business community. The Nadar vote bank will be equally divided as both Radhakrishnan and his Congress opponent Vijay Vasanth are from the community. Vijay Vasanth is among the richest candidates in Tamil Nadu, according to his election affidavit. Vijay Vasanth runs Vasanth and Co, a huge chain of shops selling household appliances in Tamil Nadu. Of the three Congress MLAs from Kanyakumari, one has since defected to the BJP. Pon Radhakrishnan has one BJP MLA to help him. What favours him is that he will definitely be a minister if he wins and the NDA forms a government, and the other factor favouring him is the consolidation of Hindu voters as the minority voters will definitely vote for the Congress. Nainar Nagendran is a former AIADMK minister and he has won the Tirunelveli assembly seat twice as a member of the AIADMK and once as a BJP candidate, when it was an ally of the AIADMK. He is a very rich hotelier with many units around the state. The one thing that goes against him is a hostile state government and therefore a hostile police force that will be watching him like a hawk for the slightest transgression. The AIADMK is also in the fray here. The DMK-led front has given this seat to the Congress, but it is Nainar Nagendran who the hot money is backing. Actor R Sarath Kumar recently merged his party, the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, which he launched in 2007, with the BJP. Sarath Kumar is a successful film star in the Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam industries, and in a state never short of honorifics he goes by the title of 'Supreme Star'. He has been an MLA and also a Rajya Sabha MP. Now his wife Radikaa Sarathkumar -- the couple spells their names differently as per their social media accounts -- has been allotted Virudhunagar by the BJP -- the stronghold of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder 'Captain' Vijayakanth, whose son Vijaya Prabhakaran is in the fray to reclaim his late father's political legacy. Radikaa is known as the Ekta Kapoor of Tamil television as she has several successful soaps to her credit running for years on the SUN TV network. Unlike Ekta, however, she also acts in her own serials. She is a very successful Tamil actress and started acting at a very young age, debuting in Director Bharati Raja's Kizhakkae Pogum Rayil. She is the the daughter of the thespian M R Radha (infamous for shooting M G Ramachandran in the neck, which the movie superstar and later Tamil Nadu chief minister survived). All Sarath Kumar, a Nadar, has to do to make sure his wife wins is to convince the community in Virudhunagar and Sivakasi to vote for his wife, instead of the Congress that they usually support. Now whether caste is more powerful than tradition, we will just have to wait and see. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Bollywood actor Govinda, a mass entertainer of the 1990s who is known for his excellent comic timing and epic dance steps, on Thursday joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus. IMAGE: Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda joins Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde. Photograph: Sahil Salvi The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the time of election season. Govinda, who gave multiple superhit films in his decades-long career, made a blockbuster entry in electoral politics in 2004. That year, the Hero No. 1 actor emerged as a 'giant killer' when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into his party, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society. Speaking on the occasion, an emotional Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s and whose films were massy family entertainers, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field. "I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long 'vanvas' (exile)," he remarked. The veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance. Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Shinde has become CM, he remarked after his re-entry into politics, albeit under the banner of a different political party, which comes at a time when the country is in the midst of Lok Sabha polls. The actor said development of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unbelievable. Shinde, who took over as CM in June 2022, said there is positivity and prosperity in Mumbai and pollution levels are also coming down in the metropolis. The CM maintained the versatile actor has joined his party without any pre-conditions and rejected suggestions that the entry was linked to elections. "Govinda stands for progress. He is impressed with Modiji's development policies. He wants to do something for the welfare and progress of the film industry. I am sure he will be the link between the government and the film industry. He has joined us without any conditions," Shinde asserted. "Govinda has ended his vanvas and come to Ram rajya," noted the Shiv Sena leader, whose party is an ally of the BJP. "My government is pro-development and pro-people, and he was impressed (with its policies)," the CM said. Asked whether the actor will be fielded from the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha seat, Shinde clarified he hadn't put any conditions. "He just wants to work for the film industry," he said, adding Govinda hasn't joined the party for an election ticket. Shinde said the Shiv Sena, which heads the governing 'Mahayuti' coalition in the state, will soon release its list of Lok Sabha candidates. "The Mahayuti is contesting all 48 seats (in Maharashtra). Ours is not a government which runs from home. We are field people and work for the welfare of people," the CM maintained. The ruling coalition consists of the Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar. To a question on NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar leader Jayant Patil calling Govinda a 'flop actor', Shinde emphasised that insulting a film artist amounts to showing disrespect to the entire entertainment industry. Asked about Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare contesting from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the home turf of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Pune district, Shinde said his colleague has clarified that the party's decision on the matter was final for him and added 'I am thankful to him'. The share of candidates who were successful among the BJP was 56.5% in 2019. It was 5% for the Congress. IMAGE: Bahujan Samaj Party MP Ritesh Pandey joins the Bharatiya Janata Party. Photograph: ANI Photo The success rate of turncoat candidates, the people who contested elections on the ticket of parties different from the ones they had embraced earlier, has been declining over time. Their strike rate was less than 15 per cent in recent elections compared to an average of nearly 30 per cent since the 1960s, shows an analysis of Lok Sabha numbers from Ashoka University's Trivedi Centre for Political Data. This covers only those who were turncoats in national elections and excludes politicians who may have contested state elections under a different party. The strike rate of turncoat politicians hit its peak of 68.9 per cent in the 1977 elections. It was at 14.9 per cent in 2019. The strike rate is the share of turncoat politicians who are successful in a given election. The dataset identified 195 turncoat candidates across political parties in 2019. They accounted for 2.4 per cent of the over 8,000 candidates contesting elections. Only 29 of the turncoats won. The share of successful turncoat candidates was significantly higher as late as 2004. The number at that time was 26.2 per cent. Turncoats accounted for 3.9 per cent of the overall candidates in 2004. The 1977 elections had seen a number of different political powers coming together, including members of the Congress (many of whom Indira Gandhi had jailed during the Emergency), socialists, Jana Sangh and farm leaders. The highest share of turncoats in the candidate list was in 1980 when Indira Gandhi came back to power. Turncoats accounted for 377 or 8.1 per cent of the 4,629 candidates at the time. This is higher than the 161 turncoats out of the 2,439 candidates (6.6 per cent) seen in 1977. The success rate was lower in 1980 at 20.69 per cent. It has been below 15 per cent for three elections in a row. The Bharatiya Janata Party fought its first elections in 1984. A comparison with the Congress shows divergent trends since then. The Congress fielded 32 turncoat candidates in 1984. Twenty-six of them won. This brought the strike rate of turncoat candidates to 81.3 per cent for the Congress in 1984. The success was on the back of a wave favouring the Congress following Indira Gandhi's assasination which helped the party win over 400 seats. Since the BJP was newly formed, a total of 62 candidates had previously fought under a different flag in earlier elections. The BJP had a zero per cent success rate among them in 1984. The numbers since then show a rising trend for the BJP and a decline for the Congress. The share of candidates who were successful among the BJP was 56.5 per cent in 2019. It was 5 per cent for the Congress. Both the parties saw a decline in 2019 compared to 2014. The BJP's turncoat candidates had a 66.7 per cent success rate in 2014. The figure was 5.3 per cent for the Congress. Turncoats accounted for 5.3 per cent of the total candidates in the BJP during 2019. For the Congress, it was 9.5 per cent. Recent news reports suggest that the BJP is increasingly screening candidates before accepting them from other parties to ensure that they are able to deliver for the party. Turncoats for the BJP and other parties are being seen in multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Sitting MPs Who Have Switched Sides Political parties are still in the process of announcing their candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but there are already quite a few turncoat sitting MPs, either in the fray or hopping parties. The list comprises MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha. Other than sitting MPs, there will be several former MPs in the fray who have switched parties recently. The BJP has fielded Konda Vishveshwar Reddy, a former BRS MP (2014-2019), from Chevella in Telangana, and B Narsaiah Goud from Bhongir. Goud was the BRS MP from Bhongir in 2014-2019. The BJP has fielded former BRS MP Goddam Nagesh from Adilabad, replacing its sitting MP Soyam Bapu Rao. IMAGE: Ravneet Singh Bittu, the Congress MP, right, calls on Bharatiya Janata Party President J P Nadda after joining the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Photograph: ANI Photo Brijendra Singh, the BJP MP from Haryana's Hisar, has joined the Congress. Geeta Kora, a Congress MP, will contest Jharkhand's Singhbhum (ST) seat on a BJP ticket. Rahul Kaswan, the BJP MP from Rajasthan's Churu, is now the Congress candidate from the seat. Danish Ali, a suspended BSP MP from Amroha (UP), could contest on a Congress ticket. Ritesh Pandey, who won as a BSP candidate in 2019, will contest the Ambedkar Nagar seat from the BJP. Afzal Ansari, tje BSP MP from UP's Ghazipur, is now the Samajwadi Party's candidate. The BJP has fielded BB Patil, who won the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a BRS ticket, from Telangana's Zahirabad. BRS Peddapalli (Telangana) Lok Sabha MP Borlakunta Venkatesh Netha joined the Congress last month. BRS Warangal (Telangana) MP Pasunuri Dayakar joined the Congress after the BRS denied him a ticket. BRS Chevella (Telangana) MP G Ranjith Reddy has also joined the Congress. Lalganj (Uttar Pradesh) BSP MP Sangeeta Azad has joined the BJP. The party has already announced its Lalganj candidate. The BJP has fielded sitting Nagarkurnool (Telangana) BRS MP P Ramulu's son P Bharat. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited was the biggest donor through electoral bonds to three parties -- the Trinamool Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, according to the poll rights body Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR). IMAGE: Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited donated Rs 542 crore to the Trinamool Congress. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The company donated Rs 542 crore to TMC, Rs 503 crore to DMK and Rs 154 crore to YSRCP, according to it. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited was the top donor to the Bharatiya Janata Party at Rs 584 crore and the Bharat Rashtra Samiti at Rs 195 crore. The company also emerged as the second highest donor to three parties the DMK (Rs 85 crore), the YSRCP (Rs 37 crore) and the Telugu Desam Party (Rs 28 crore). The ADR on Thursday shared on X the list of top five donors through electoral bonds to the BJP, the Congress, the TMC, the BRS, the Biju Janata Dal, the DMK, the YSRCP, the TDP, the Shiv Sena, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited was the top donor for BJP, followed by Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, which donated Rs 375 crore. Vedanta Limited donated BJP Rs 230 crore, Bharti Airtel Limited Rs 197.4 crore, and Madanlal Limited Rs 175 crore. For the TMC, Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited was the highest donor, followed by Haldia Energy Limited (Rs 281 crore), Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited (Rs 90 crore), MKJ Enterprises Limited (Rs 45.9 crore), and Avees Trading & Finance Private Limited. Vedanta Limited was the biggest donor for Congress at Rs 125 crore. The party received Rs 110 crore from Western UP Power Transmission Company Limited , Rs 91.6 crore from MKJ Enterprises Limited, Rs 64 crore from Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital, and Rs 53 crore from Avees Trading & Finance Private Limited. The highest donation from electoral bonds to the BJD was received from Essel Mining and Industries Limited. The TDP got a donation of Rs 40 crore through electoral bonds from Shirdi Sai Electricals Limited the party's highest donor. The Shiv Sena's highest donor was B G Shirke Construction Technology Private Limited at Rs 85 crore and IFB Agro Industries Limited was the highest donor to the RJD at Rs 35 crore. The Election Commission on March 21 made public fresh data of electoral bonds, including their alpha-numeric numbers that helped match the 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 State Bank of India following a Supreme Court order. Erode MP A Ganeshamurthi, who allegedly attempted suicide recently, died at a Coimbatore hospital on Thursday morning, sources from his party Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the police said. IMAGE: MDMK MP from Erode, Ganesamoorthy, being rushed to hospital after his suicide attempt on March 24, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Expressing shock and grief over his demise, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said Ganeshamurthi started his political journey in the DMK and effectively discharged his responsibilities in various capacities, including the post of district secretary. Later, he traversed the political path along with Vaiko (the MDMK chief). His loss has given an inexpressible grief. He was an energetic diplomat. I offer my deepest condolences and sympathies to the members of the DMK, MDMK, his family and friends, Stalin said in a statement. Vaiko expressed shock over the sudden demise and said he called on Ganeshamurthi's son Kapilan and daughter Tamilpiriya and conveyed his condolences. According to police, the 77-year-old Ganeshamurthi had allegedly tried to kill himself after consuming some poisonous tablets on March 24 at his home in Erode. He was rushed to a hospital in the city and later referred to another private institute in Coimbatore. The Erode Town police has already registered an attempt to suicide case. This will now be altered to a death by suicide case. Hospital authorities handed the body to the police who took it to the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) Medical College Hospital for autopsy. After the post-mortem, the body will be taken to Kumaravalasu village, 15 km from Erode, where it will be buried, party sources said. Ganeshamurthi was elected as an MP on the DMK's Rising Sun symbol in 2019. He had previously won the Lok Sabha polls from Palani in 1998 and Erode in 2009. A widower, Ganesamurthi is survived by a son and a daughter. He was a brave and determined leader. There's no iota of truth that Ganeshamurthi made a suicide attempt over not getting a seat to contest Lok Sabha election again, Vaiko said while speaking to reporters in Coimbatore. Recalling his association with the departed leader since his college days in Chennai, Vaiko said both worked hard to develop the party (then DMK). The struggles during the student union days are still vivid in my mind. .. he was in charge of Erode district of DMK and later joined hands with me to launch the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the MDMK chief said. He had served as party treasurer, and was an MLA and MP too, Vaiko said, and added that both of them were incarcerated when they were detained under the POTA. In a statement, Vaiko said that from his inquiries with the doctors who were treating Ganeshamurthi, he had hoped that the MP would survive. But fate willed otherwise, he AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswai said he was saddened to hear the news of the death of the Erode MP. BJP state chief K Annamalai too condoled Ganeshamurthis death. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Banda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, its principal said. IMAGE: Mukhtar Ansari. Photograph: ANI Photo Ansari was taken to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda from the district jail after his health deteriorated. Medical college principal Suneel Kaushal told PTI over phone that Ansari died following a cardiac arrest at the facility. There was a heavy deployment of police personnel outside the hospital shortly after Ansari was taken there. Ansari, 63, was a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar seat and was behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He had over 60 criminal cases pending against him. He was sentenced in eight cases since September 2022 by different courts of Uttar Pradesh and was lodged in the Banda jail. His name was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, were imposed across the state following Ansari's death, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said. Additional deployment of police personnel has also been made in Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts, he added. "Teams of Central Reserve Police Force have been deployed along with local police in these districts," the DGP said. Ansari, who hailed from Mau, was believed to have strong influence in adjoining Ghazipur and Varanasi districts as well. The social media cell of the Uttar Pradesh Police has also been activated to keep a close watch on unlawful elements online, he said. According to a medical bulletin, Ansari was brought to the medical college around 8.25 pm on Thursday in an unconscious state after he had complained of vomiting. A team of nine doctors attended to him but he died of a cardiac arrest, it stated. Earlier, Ansari was hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. On Tuesday, his brother and Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari alleged that he was given poison in jail. The Samajwadi Party condoled Ansari's death. 'Sad demise of former MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. May his soul rest in peace. May the bereaved family members get the strength to bear this immense loss. Humble tribute,' the party said in a post in Hindi on X. Amid a lingering border row in eastern Ladakh, top diplomats of India and China held a fresh round of talks and both sides agreed to "maintain regular contact" through diplomatic and military channels, with no indication of any breakthrough. IMAGE: Indian soldier shakes hand with Chinese soldier as the Joint Training Exercise between India and China commenced at Joint Training Node (JTN) in Umroi on December 7, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve "complete disengagement" and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control during the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), the ministry of external affairs said on Thursday. The key meeting was held in Beijing on March 27, it said in a statement. Gourangalal Das, joint secretary (East Asia) from MEA, led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was headed by Hong Liang, the director general of the boundary and oceanic department of the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs, the statement said. "In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols," it said. Meanwhile, the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs in a statement on Thursday said, "Both sides positively evaluated the progress made in the management and control of the situation in the China-India border area, and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the ideas of work for the next stage." The two sides "agreed to focus on the relevant issues on the ground along the border, reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible, and promote the transition of the border situation into a normalised phase of control and management," it said. The 28th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on November 30 last year. Representatives from the foreign affairs, defence, immigration and other departments of the two countries attended the meeting, it said. "Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, improve the mechanism for negotiation and consultation, and hold a new round of corps commander-level talks at an early date. "The two sides agreed to strictly abide by the agreements and guiding principles of the relevant common understandings reached between the two sides, avoid flare-ups in the situation on the ground, and continue to consolidate the previous disengagement outcomes, in a bid to safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border area," the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs said in the statement. The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. Ties between the two countries nose-dived significantly following the clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. At an event in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on March 11 had said that India remains committed to finding a "fair and reasonable outcome" on this issue but one that is respectful of agreements and recognises the Line of Actual Control. "I think it is in our common interest that we should not have that many forces on the Line of Actual Control. I think it is in our common interest that we should observe agreements that we have signed. And, I believe that it is not just in common interest, I believe it is in China's interest as well. This tension that we have seen for the last four years has not served either of us well," he had said. Biju Janata Dal founding member and six-time Cuttack Lok Sabha MP Bhartruhari Mahtab joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Thursday, dealing a big blow to the Odisha's ruling party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. IMAGE: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan felicitates Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahta as he joins the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party National General Secretary Vinod Tawde and others ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, at party headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo Mahtab, 67, joined the BJP in the presence of senior leaders at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Along with him, former BJD MP Sidhant Mohapatra and noted Santhali language litterateur Damayanti Beshra, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2020, also joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, party national vice president Baijayant Jay Panda, party's Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal and other senior leaders. Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi after joining the BJP, Mahtab, son of former chief minister Harekrushna Mahtab, said he will now get the opportunity to work for the development and progress of Odisha. "Prime Minister Modi's 'shakti (strength)', Home Minister's 'vishwas (trust)' and (BJP chief) J P Nadda ji's 'prerna (inspiration)' will help us move forward," he said. Odisha is going to witness a change due to Prime Minister Modi's leadership. This change is going to be steered by Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders of the BJP, Mahtab said. "I am going to start a new innings with a new team." Welcoming them into the party fold, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said they have joined as they are 'impressed' by Prime Minister Modi's leadership and his government work in various sectors. They have joined the BJP at a time when Odisha is witnessing a change in the political scenario, Tawde said. "And I am confident that the party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, will succeed in bringing the change that people of Odisha want to see in the state." Addressing the press conference, Mohapatra expressed gratitude towards Nadda and other senior BJP leaders for his induction into the party and said India has transformed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. "I want to see the same transformation happening in Odisha as well." Beshra said she will work for the welfare of the people of Odisha and also contribute in taking forward Prime Minister Modi's 'sabka saath, sabka vikas (together with all, development for all)' slogan. "A wind of change is certainly blowing in Odisha this time. People's faith in the BJP's ideals has further strengthened," she said. "I will work for the empowerment and progress of women. I want to assure that I will fulfil any responsibility that the party would give to me." Mahtab, a six-time MP from the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency, had resigned from the primary membership of the BJD last Friday. A founding member of the BJD, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Cuttack in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019. Contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on a BJD ticket, he had defeated the BJP's Prakash Mishra with a huge margin of votes. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal on Thursday claimed he is not keeping well and is being 'harassed a lot'. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal addresses a press conference over the arrest of the Delhi CM in an alleged Delhi Excise policy scam case, in New Delhi on March 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Earlier on Thursday, a court here extended the chief minister's ED custody till April 1. Sunita Kejriwal, who had come for her husband's court hearing, told reporters, "He has not been keeping well. His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won't last and people will give a reply." 'They know that if they do not tie up with the Congress, then the minorities will move to the Congress.' IMAGE: Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav,right, holds a mace with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Agra, February 25, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Thirty one years is a long time to be associated with any political party and prove one's loyalty. Former Samajwadi Party leader Manoj Kumar Pandey did just that, but only to part ways and rebel against the party's whip. Last month, Pandey surprised political pundits in Uttar Pradesh when he resigned as the SP's chief whip in the state assembly, which subsequently led to the party's third Rajya Sabha candidate Alok Ranjan losing the election. The BJP had the strength to ensure the win of seven candidates but it ensured that its 8th Rajya Sabha nominee too won thanks to cross-voting by SP MLAs. "The Samajwadi Party has to rethink why a man like Manoj Kumar Pandey had to quit the party," Pandey, still the SP MLA from the Unchahar assembly constituency in Rai Bareli, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. One month ago you resigned as chief whip of the Samajwadi Party, which led to its third candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls losing the election. How do you view your move one month later? I have been in the Samajwadi Party for 31 years. I joined the party in 1993. I was its youth president, held posts like vice president and general secretary of the party. In 1995, I contested the corporation election for the first time on the SP's ticket. I was elected four times on the SP ticket and I was two-time minister in the SP government. I joined the SP due to the influence of Ram Manohar Lohia's ideology. The crux of his ideology was 'samaj ko jodo' (bring unity in society). His other belief was that the last man standing in line or the poorest man of all should get justice. He didn't speak about the caste of that person but spoke of his helplessness and poverty. But the Samajwadi Party is now run on (Dravidian ideologue E V Ramaswamy Naicker) Periyar's ideology. They are abusing Lord Ram and Sita Maa and Lakshmi Mata. Is it not the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leaders who support Periyar's ideology and not SP leaders? The DMK is only an INDIA bloc partner. I am talking about Swami Prasad Maurya who was national general secretary of the Samajwadi Party. But he is no longer in the party. When he was in the party he was speaking against the Ramcharit Manas. He was abusing Brahmins. I opposed his statements when I was with the party. But the leaders who quit the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) to join the Samajwadi Party are spreading Periyar's ideology in the party. It was not Swami Prasad alone, but many such Swami Prasads who joined the SP and believe in Periyar's ideology. Our national leaders started accepting all these leaders in the party and my opposition to their stance started right from that moment. I gave 29 statements opposing such views within the party. India's Constitution says clearly that no one must abuse any other religion and we all Indians must respect each other's religion. I stood by Lohia's ideology for 31 years and I saw not more than 10 years of SP rule. We had a short stint as a ruling party but overall I have been in the Opposition most of the time in my political career with the SP. I went to jail 29 times and have broken my bones many times in protest against different government policies as SP leader. The Samajwadi Party has to rethink why a man like Manoj Kumar Pandey had to quit the party. I was number two in the party. Had I wanted to gain something I could have quit the SP in 2017, 2019 or even in 2022 when I could have got a good ministerial posting. I didn't accept any post then. Are you unhappy because the Samajwadi Party speaks of PDA (Pichhde meaning backward, Dalit and Alpsankhyak meaning minorities) and you are an upper caste? If the SP is talking of PDA, then they need to find out why Pallavi Patel from the Apna Dal, who was a part of the PDA, quit. Om Prakash Rajbhar too was part of the PDA and quit. Puja Pal was a PDA member and did not vote for the SP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Ashutosh Maurya, the SP MLA from Bisauli, too didn't vote for the SP candidate. Jayant Choudhary quit this PDA alliance. This introspection, the SP leadership needs to do. Akhilesh Yadav says he is for PDA. I was born in a Brahmin family and I feel fortunate that in my political career I got a chance to work with Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's father and the founder pf the Samajwadi Party). He used to respect and stand like a rock behind his party workers. I worked with leaders like Beni Prasad Verma, Jyoti Raman Singh, Brijbhushan Tiwari, Mata Prasad Pandey, Kameshwar Upadhya. All these leaders' hard work got scattered like dust today. If a man like me who never gave up on the party's ideology for 31 years gave up now, surely it means I had compulsion to take this step. And whatever I am telling you, I have said these things in the party forum 200 times and separately to the leadership too. I said our party was formed to fight for the rights of the poor and weak. The Samajwadi Party was not formed to speak against some religion. Were you upset because the SP leaders did not go for the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya on January 22? SP leaders should have gone for the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. I took permission from the national leader of the party and told the speaker of the UP assembly that any MLA who wants to go to Ayodhya, his travel arrangements must be done by the UP assembly. Two hours later, our national president got influenced by Periyar leaders in our party and changed the stance. He said on the floor of the House that no one will go for darshan of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I did not agree with his viewpoint. I said no one can stop anyone from visiting any religious place. Be it a mandir or masjid or a gurdwara. No one should be stopped to perform prayers by any political party. IMAGE: Manoj Kumar Pandey. Photograph: ANI Photo Do you feel Akhilesh Yadav feared losing Muslim votes if SP leaders went for the consecration of the Ram temple? To mix religion with votes is wrong. For an elected representative all those who vote for him, or even who do not vote for him, are his family members. It looks like Akhilesh Yadav feared a Muslim backlash in the elections. I have no idea what he was thinking. I would only say that I believe in Lohia and not Periyar. Did you not feel that Akhilesh Yadav would be deeply hurt by your going against the party's decision? Yes, he did feel hurt and so did I as I was with the SP for 31 years of my life. But, then, I came to politics for some principles and if my party has moved away from those principles, then it was suffocating for me to be in the party. It is not necessary for me that I will do politics in future, but it is important that I live according to my conscience. What about your voters or your SP supporters? What do they tell you? I never won elections with the support of one particular caste. I win from that assembly seat (Unchahar in Rai Bareli) from where the SP lost badly six times. They won only when I contested that seat. In my constituency there are 20,000 SP voters and I get one lakh votes. It is very clear that the additional 80,000 votes come to me because of my own stature and people's love. IMAGE: Akhilesh Yadav with newly joined party members at a press conference in Lucknow, March 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Do you feel that the selection of Rajya Sabha candidates was wrong? They should not have given a ticket to Jaya Bachchan again and moreover, there were no PDA community in the list which Saleem Shervani told me in an interview before quitting the SP. There are many such questions being raised in the party. The question is, there is 22 percent voting in Rampur (jailed SP leader Azam Khan's bastion) and in Mainpuri there is 52 percent voting. In Rampur there are 129 cases filed against Opposition parties and in Mainpuri there are no cases filed against the Opposition. The questions are obviously going to be raised as in Rampur it was Azam Khan (his close aide Asim Raja) who was contesting and in Mainpuri it was Dimple Yadav (Akhilesh Yadav's wife) who was contesting. When a case is filed against Rameshwar Yadav, then the SP's national general secretary, Ram Gopalji (Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's uncle and senior SO leader) goes to (UP Chief Minister) Yogi Adityanath's home that he needs to be saved. On the other hand when all kind of cases were filed against Azam Khan, why did our leaders not go and meet Yogi Adityanath or Home Minister Amit Shah to save him? I am not raising this question, but these are the questions raised within the SP forum. Azam Khan told me years ago that the problem with the SP is that all its leaders have the free will to speak and nobody is scared. They speak their mind. Any home or in a political party, if there is no discipline in it, then that party or home members will not stay together for long. There is nothing called discipline in the Samajwadi Party. What prospects does the SP have in UP after the Congress tie-up for the 2024 general elections? It is the SP's majboori (helplessness). They know that if they do not tie up with the Congress then the minorities will move to them (the Congress). To save its existence, the SP is compromising with the Congress. Bharatiya Janata Party's Krishnagar Lok Sabha candidate 'Rajmata' Amrita Roy dismissed her opponent, the formidable Trinamool Congress candidate Mahua Moitra, as a non-threat, asserting that the 'misrule and corruption' under the TMC government in Bengal has compelled her to enter politics. IMAGE: 'Rajmata' Amrita Roy had joined the BJP on March 20, 2024, in presence of West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Photograph: Courtesy @BJP4Bengal on X In an interview with PTI, Roy praised the Union government for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules, stating that it would benefit the refugee population, including the Matua community, who had fled neighbouring countries to escape religious persecution. Roy, who hails from the royal family of Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy and holds the title of 'Rajmata of the Rajbari', said the people of Bengal are 'fed up' with the misrule and corruption charges against the state government. "Joining politics was a conscious decision. I am an apolitical person, but I have joined the BJP on request as it is a good platform. All of us living in Bengal are fed up with the misrule of the TMC. People are not happy with the TMC," she said. Roy claimed that wherever she had campaigned, she observed how people were deprived of their rights due to corruption and misrule. "I want to work for the development of the people of the state. People had voted for the TMC with a lot of expectations, but they are disappointed now. You can say this disappointment has forced me into politics. As a woman and as a citizen, I thought I have a role to play given the situation of the state," she added. A fashion designer by profession, Roy asserted that the overwhelming response she received during campaigning gave her confidence that she would win the seat by a significant margin, defeating TMC's Mahua Moitra. "I don't consider my rival as a threat as the response and love that I have been getting speaks a lot about my acceptance among the people of Krishnanagar," said the Rajmata, whose family holds considerable respect in the Krishnanagar area. Regarding the implementation of CAA and its impact in her constituency, which has a considerable Matua population, she said, "CAA will help the Hindus who had to flee neighbouring countries due to religious persecution." According to the CAA, rules of which were notified on March 13, the government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians -- from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. On the issue of Sandeshkhali, where a section of women accused TMC leaders of sexual abuse, Roy said such 'shameful incidents' reflect the ground situation in the state. She emphasised that women's education and health would be her focus areas if she wins the election. "There are no good hospitals in Krishnanagar. You have to go to Kolkata or Kalyani (in the same district) to get good treatment," she mentioned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called up Roy, who is married to Soumish Chandra Roy, the 39th descendant of Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy. According to the details of the conversation shared by the party, she informed the prime minister that her family is being labelled traitors by the TMC and highlighted that Krishnachandra Roy worked for people and joined hands with other kings to save 'Sanatan Dharma'. Commonly referred to as 'Rajmata' due to her royal lineage to the Krishnanagar Royal family, Amrita Roy maintained her stance that the 18th-century Bengal king Krishnachandra Roy sided with the British during the Battle of Plassey in 1757 because Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah was a tyrant and Santan Dharma was under threat during his rule. The assertion of the first-time contestant has sparked controversy as the Trinamool Congress has been campaigning that the Maharaja had sided with Mir Jafar, a military general who helped the British defeat Siraj in the Battle of Plassey and later became the king. Roy suggested that the TMC should read the history before making baseless remarks. "The allegation is Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy had sided with the British. The question is why did he do that? It's because of the tyranny of Siraj-ud-Daullah. If Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy had not done that, Hinduism and the Bengali language would not have survived in Bengal," Roy argued. "The Santan dharma was under threat because of Siraj-ud-Daulah's tyranny. Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy saved Bengal and Hinduism," she concluded. Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy, born in 1710 and reigning until 1783, was a key figure in Nadia's history, known for resisting Siraj-ud-Daulah and fostering public festivals like Durga Puja and Jagadhatri Puja. His governance, spanning 55 years, also left an indelible mark on Bengal's administrative reforms. Roy accused the TMC of misconstruing historical facts. The Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat is scheduled for polls on May 13 in the fourth phase. India on Thursday said the United States State Department's recent remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are 'unwarranted' and asserted the country is 'proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions' and committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal leaves the Rouse Avenue Court after being produced by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Excise Policy case, in New Delhi on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo During his weekly press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read out a statement in response to a query on New Delhi's stand on the remarks made by Washington, DC on the arrest and on freezing of Congress party's bank accounts. Any 'external imputation' on India's electoral and legal processes is 'completely unacceptable', he said. "Yesterday India had lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department," he said. The recent remarks by the State Department are 'unwarranted', the MEA spokesperson said, reading the statement. India on Wednesday summoned Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena and lodged a strong protest against Washington, DC's remarks on the arrest of Kejriwal. In India, legal processes are driven 'only by the rule of law', Jaiswal said on Thursday. "Anyone, who has similar ethos, especially, fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions, we are committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences," he said, quoting the statement. "Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations, and states are expected to be respectful of sovereignty and internal affairs of others. So, this is our statement in response to your questions," the MEA spokesperson said. Washington, DC on Wednesday had stressed that it encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes and 'we don't think anyone should object to that'. "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said. On March 23, India had summoned the German deputy chief of mission in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest against that country's foreign ministry's remarks on the arrest of the Delhi chief minister. A German foreign ministry spokesperson had 'taken note' of Kejriwal's arrest. "We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary," the MEA had earlier said. The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy 'scam'. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 that was later scrapped. 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. The UMass Percussion Ensemble returns to the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center on April 14, at 7 p.m., to perform works by Bach, Cage, Stravinsky and more. MONTPELIER A cannabis bill cleared hurdles to get it over a deadline in order to stay under consideration and likelier to pass into law in Vermont. On Wednesday, the Vermont House of Representatives passed H.612. The bill addresses various issues related to the cannabis market and will now head to the Senate. "Importantly, H.612 will ban synthetic hemp derived intoxicating products with psychoactive THC that are currently unregulated and appear in gas stations and convenience stores, taking advantage of a federal loophole," Rep. Matthew Birong, D-Addison-3, said from the floor in a second reading Tuesday. "Another major theme will be adopting the medical cannabis statutes to preserve access to products for patients, as the current model for medical dispensaries is becoming economically unviable alongside adult use retail cannabis stores." Birong said the bill provides a path for municipalities to establish preferred cultivation districts to create setbacks and exercise some authority over where cannabis can be grown. A medical use endorsement option would allow adult-use retailers to serve patients with the same authorizations as medical dispensaries such as curbside delivery pickup and tax-exempt sales to patients. On top of the $10,000 fee retailers pay for their license would be a $250 charge for the endorsement. Birong said the medical program in Vermont is "experiencing a precipitous decline in enrollment of patients as the economics of scale of maintaining a medical dispensary are no longer sustainable." A group convened by the Cannabis Control Board to look into the issue recommended the medical endorsement option to help patients and widen eligibility for patients to enter the program. Medical cannabis 'reimagined' in Vermont In a forthcoming report on the medical program, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board plans to make recommendations to the Legislature to modify the process for adding new qualifying conditions, extend the renewal term for chronic pain, create a medical endorsement for retail licensees, and improve access to to medical products and services. Under the bill, retailers with a medical endorsement would be allowed to sell products that exceed potency caps to medical patients. Sales to medical patients would be exempt from taxes. Added to the list of conditions to qualify a person for the medical registry is ulcerative colitis. Renewal terms for patients would extend from one to three years. Fees for medical dispensaries would be cheaper, with applications costing $1,000 instead of $2,500, and the annual charge would go from $25,000 to $5,000. An initial $20,000 fee is eliminated by the bill. Birong said the goal is to be more equitable and consider "the economic reality of the marketplace." "The committee took extensive testimony from license holders, health professionals, regulators and policy developers," Birong said. "It's fair to say that there has been no shortage of feedback from Vermonters after the first year of the adult use retailers coming online." James Pepper, chairman of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board, is glad a moratorium on cultivation licenses wasn't included in the bill. "I think that's premature to be having that discussion," he said in an interview. Pepper described the bill giving the board "more dynamic control over the supply chain" by developing rules on cultivator tier expansions and tier regulation. Any grower who enters the market would have to be "extremely small" and clear performance benchmarks before graduating to a tiered licensure, he said, and cultivators not using their full canopy can be forced down a tier. "I think it's just an important provision," he said. "The current authorities that we have are to just shut down tiers of licensure or licenses in general." Pepper has expressed concern that medical cannabis patients would suffer if the bill doesn't pass into law, suggesting this could be the year where a medical dispensary might close if changes aren't made. Eli Harrington, head cultivator and CEO of Vermontijuana, said the bill seems to have "some very obvious things in there for the retailers" but lacks items hundreds of growers are united behind. "What I see is a bill that has the interest of a very specific people represented," he said last week. Based on examining filings with the state, he estimates more than $100,000 was paid to lobbyists in the last legislative cycle. Harrington said the most common complaints heard at CCB meetings involve ad restrictions, potency caps for the public, and a desire to have smoother processes and better communication. He noted the CCB recommended eliminating the caps for everyone, not just for medical licensees. Previously, Harrington himself was a registered lobbyist. He had started out blogging about cannabis and registered because his activities fit the description for lobbying. He worries business owners don't have the time to advocate for themselves at Montpelier and organized a day at the Statehouse in February for cannabis businesses to express what they want for reforms. "I don't feel like we were heard and it would be hard for me to find too many points in the policy where the things we advocated for really made it," he said. The Vermont Growers Association said it supports and advocates for "lifting the ban on cannabis that tests over 30 percent THC and solid concentrates that test over 60 percent THC." "We will work in the Senate to replace this section with its original language that strikes the THC caps from the law," the group said in a recent editorial. Pepper and the CCB have been in favor of lifting the caps. "Frankly, it's just a policy decision for the Legislature," Pepper said. "The board has taken a position on that but it's like, What more can we do ...?" The VGA opposes the cultivation siting section of the bill. Harrington said the language came from local residents who were frustrated with an Essex grower who also had ducks on his property. "The siting of cannabis cultivation in densely populated areas of Vermont is an important conversation to have," the VGA said, "but it is important to thoroughly assess the impacts of any proposed restrictions on the siting of outdoor cultivation in dense areas in towns and cities before enacting into law, and that assessment has not occurred with this proposed policy change." Pepper said the Legislature hasn't given the CCB any siting authority, "just basic stuff to municipalities," with the thinking that those who had been operating in the illicit market in their spare bedrooms and garages would now participate in the legal market. "The additional siting requirements is certainly a move away from that," he said. "It gives local authorities more control over where outdoor cultivation is going to happen." Pepper said the board has urged lawmakers to be "very clear" if they change anything about siting. "We said if you change anything, make the standard a bright line standard that we can follow easily," he said. He said growers don't like the provision because it means further restrictions on cannabis, where any other agricultural endeavor would be exempt. Opposing the current bill, the VGA said it hopes to collaborate with lawmakers on changing it to "better represent our interests to help obtain needed reforms and improve the market this year." "To that end, not only do we plan to strike the regressive sections that we note we oppose in the breakdown above from the bill, such as the outdoor siting section, but we also plan to hold committee conversations around and work to include new policies such as equity and community reinvestment funding, public consumption, product registration reform, direct-sales allowances, farmers market-style events, and more," the association said. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. The bodies of two construction workers were found in the cold waters of Baltimore harbor Wednesday, trapped in their red pick-up truck after a giant cargo ship slammed into the bridge they had been filling potholes on, causing a thunderous collapse. Maryland police announced the grim discovery at a press conference, adding that sonar shows what they believe are more vehicles trapped within the concrete and twisted steel debris of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Six of the eight-man construction crew are believed to have been killed, with four bodies yet to be found. Warning that it was not safe for divers to try to penetrate the wreckage, police told a press conference that they were shifting to a salvage operation, removing the superstructure and then sending divers back in to recover the rest of the bodies. "Based on sonar scans, we firmly believe that the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down," Colonel Roland Butler, the superintendent of Maryland's state police, told a press conference. Federal investigators also gave a detailed timeline of the tragedy based on preliminary findings from the ship's voice data recorder. Marcel Muise, lead investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, told a separate press conference that the container ship Dali, about 1,000 feet (300 meters) long and piled high with cargo, left dock at 12:39 am Tuesday en route to Asia. At 1:24, alarms began sounding on the ship with indications of power trouble and the pilot soon radioed the port authority that the vessel was headed for the bridge, requesting tug boats. The call for help was heard by two Maryland Transportation Authority units on the bridge because of the roadwork, and they shut down all lanes of traffic, likely saving lives. Muise told reporters that at 1:29 the voice data recorder captured "sounds consistent with the collision." Nearly the entire steel structure -- crossed by tens of thousands of motorists each day -- collapsed within seconds, cascading over the bow of the ship, blocking one of the busiest US trading ports. There was no chance to evacuate the eight workers filling potholes on the interstate directly above the oncoming ship. Butler named the two victims found Wednesday as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old who had lived in Baltimore but was originally from Mexico, and his 26-year-old colleague Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, who lived in the suburb of Dundalk but came from Guatemala. They were found in 25 feet of water, he said. Two others were pulled from the water alive in the moments after the collapse early Tuesday. One was uninjured, while the second was released from hospital Wednesday, Butler said. Four more workers are presumed dead, vanished into the swirling currents and crumpled tangle of wrecked girders and pylons. - 'Hard-working' men - The vessel, which remained entangled in the debris Wednesday, was "stable," Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier told reporters at the White House, adding that the mostly Indian crew remained on board and were "very much engaged" in the investigation. The NTSB said that at the time of the crash there were 23 crew on board including the two pilots. The agency said the ship held 56 containers of hazardous materials, some of which were breached after the bridge fell, leaving a sheen on the water. Gautier insisted the ship did not present an environmental danger. Two other containers -- of the total 4,700 -- were lost overboard, he said. Officials said the missing workers were from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. "They are all hard-working, humble men," said Jesus Campos, a colleague of the eight workers, all employed by contractor Brawner Builders. One of those now presumed dead was father-of-three Miguel Luna, according to the nonprofit Casa, which serves immigrant communities. Luna, from El Salvador, had left for work at 6:30 pm on Monday and never returned, Casa said. His wife, Maria del Carmen Castellon, told Telemundo 44 that she was "devastated" by the wait for any information. - Busy harbor blocked - The ship had passed two overseas inspections in 2023, the maritime authority for Singapore, where the ship is flagged, said Wednesday, adding that a fault monitor gauge was fixed in June. The Port of Baltimore is the ninth-busiest major US port in terms of both foreign cargo handled and foreign cargo value, and is directly responsible for more than 15,000 jobs, supporting almost 140,000 more. The effect on supply chains "clearly will not be trivial," US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, adding it was "too soon" to know when the port might reopen. "Rebuilding will not be quick, or easy, or cheap," he cautioned. bur-arp/st Resuming discussions could lead to more resources in energy-starved nations. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) and Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speak during a signing ceremony and press conference at the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 7, 2024. More than two decades since agreeing to a memorandum of understanding for sharing fossil fuels in the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia and Thailand are poised to resume the efforts. However, ongoing disputes regarding the ownership of Koh Kood Island might present a hurdle, especially amid public scrutiny. The two neighboring countries agreed to discuss further the joint exploration of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area next to the island, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told a joint press conference on Feb. 7 in the presence of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet, who was visiting Bangkok. Srettha was referring to the 2001 MOU signed during the tenure of the former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power in a 2006 military coup. The telecommunication billionaire, who enjoys enduring cozy ties with Cambodias former Prime Minister Hun Sen, was accused of betraying the nation for his own interests because he had invested in Cambodia. And Februarys announcement led to a Senate censure debate in Thailand this week. Bangkok has yet to form a new technical committee to consider pursuing the MOU, the Thai foreign minister told the Senate on Monday. I personally think the negotiation should simultaneously cover both aspects, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara told the senators. According to the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty Koh Kood belongs to Thailand. The 2001 Thai-Cambodian MOU ties together border delimitation and resources sharing into an indivisible package, mandating that both aspects are to be addressed concurrently. In regard with concerns over betrayal, loss of territory and sovereignty, I believe all of these will not happen, he said, adding that it will take another 10 years to utilize the underwater resources even if the two strike a deal. No mans land The roughly 27,000 square kilometers (10,425 square miles) area along the borders is filled with an estimated 5 trillion baht (US$138 billion) worth of natural gas and oil, according to PTT Exploration and Production PLC, Thailands petrochemical giant. For decades the area was left unexplored because it is deemed no mans land, said the Petroleum Institute of Thailand. Resource-sharing could feed the two energy-hungry Southeast Asian nations, it suggested. But Cambodias delineation of the continental shelf splitting Koh Kood in half in 1972 remains irking Thai military-appoint Senators and nationalist activists. The drawing of the areas claimed by Thailand and Cambodia. (The Petroleum Institute of Thailand) Koh Kood is a second major disputed zone out of the entire 798-kilometer border drawn during the French colonization of Indochina. The historical rivals fought bloody clashes around the ancient Hindu Temple of Preah Vihear in 2008-2011 after Cambodian built a road network to the west of the shrine. The International Court of Justice ruled that the shrine belonged to Cambodia but not the adjoining vicinity. The demarcation is a tricky business because Thailand claims that the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 gave Koh Kood to it while Cambodia in 1972 expanded the special economic zone overlaying beyond the resort island, according to Thai officials. Thailand introduced its own a year later. Past two Shinawatra-linked governments succumbed to blood-letting protests and were forced out of office because they were accused of doing too little to drive out Cambodian soldiers who occupied lands around the Preah Vihear temple in 2008. Public outcry Following the February press conference, Thai social media users questioned Sretthas will to protect the countrys interest or he would concede the sovereignty over the disputed area. Dozens of nationalists rallied at the Royal Thai Navy headquarters in Chon Buri, southeast of Bangkok, to defend Koh Kood. In response, the Royal Thai Navy kicked off military exercises that will last until June. This exercise has an objective to train personnel for war readiness, Navy Chief Adm. Adung Pan-iam told reporters at Had Yao beach in Chon Buri province. Should we have to conduct any operation; the Navy must win. An analyst, however, supported bilateral talks for a peaceful resolution. Although Thailand may possess a more formidable naval force, resorting to military might is not a sustainable method for permanently resolving territorial disputes, as it often results in undesirable consequences, Supalak Ganjanakhundee, a Bangkok-based Southeast Asia analyst, told Radio Free Asia. Negotiating within the framework established by the 2001 MOU offers the most promising avenue for achieving a peaceful resolution that respects the interests and concerns of both Thailand and Cambodia. Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn. The move sparks a public outcry after officials say paper offerings for the dead are 'feudal superstition.' Authorities in some parts of China have announced a ban on the burning of "ghost money" and other paper offerings for departed loved ones ahead of the annual grave-tending festival of Qingming next week, calling the practice "feudal superstition" and sparking an outcry on social media. Bans on the burning of "ghost money" and on the sale of "superstitious feudal" goods have been issued by authorities in the northern city of Tianjin, in Nenjiang city in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang and in Nantong city in the eastern province of Jiangsu, among other locations, the party-backed Legal Daily newspaper reported on March 27. Found in both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, the offerings involve burning "spirit money" that loved ones can use to have a decent afterlife, as well as paper effigies of desirable goods including cars, beasts of burden, designer clothing and consumer electronics. Some funeral goods stores also offer bureaucratic paperwork to help the deceased navigate the complex bureaucracy of the underworld. Banknotes and other paper replicas burned by people for Qingming are seen at a shop in Nanning, capital of southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 1, 2017. (Reuters) The bans come ahead of Qingming, during which the living make the trip to sweep and clean the graves of loved ones and leave offerings, sometimes eating a family meal at the graveside with portions for the departed. The festival is also often a focal point for dissidents, who have been detained for visiting the graves of politically sensitive figures to pay their respects. According to the Legal Daily, similar bans have also appeared in Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Qingdao, Henan, Chongqing and Lanzhou in recent years, in a bid to crack down on "feudal superstitions." The Nantong ban warned of fines, administrative sentences and even criminal prosecutions for those found breaking the new rules. Possible fears of public unrest Beijing resident Guo Li said the authorities may fear public unrest at Qingming, as people had lost so many loved ones since the lifting of the three years of the zero-COVID policy in December 2022. "There could be protests or petitions, so they are using these bans to stop people from pay their respects," Guo said. "The pandemic caused many deaths, and a lot of people in smaller cities are accustomed to honoring the dead with paper money." The atheist ruling Chinese Communist Party has also warned media producers not to depict ghost stories and dramas based on magic, demons, and the Taoist underworld in recent years, despite a huge public appetite for such shows. This year, there has been considerable pushback from social media, with many commentators complaining that the government is trying to control everything people do, even their expressions of mourning for loved ones. A customer checks prices with a saleswoman next to offerings at a wholesale market where supplies for ceremonial rites for the dead are sold, in Mibeizhuang, Xiong county, in northern China's Hebei province, March 24, 2019, ahead of the Qingming festival. (Jason Lee/Reuters) Even the Legal Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party's Central Legal and Political Affairs Commission, drew the line at banning the honoring of ancestors by tending to their graves and burning offerings to help them in the afterlife. "Burning paper money is a long-standing traditional custom that continues to this day," the paper said in an article on the bans. "On Tomb-Sweeping Day, the elderly and the young are brought to the graves of the ancestors, and wine, food, fruit, paper money, etc. are offered in front of the tomb to express longing for the ancestors." "Chinese people are influenced by traditional cultural psychology and have a strong sense of family," the paper said. "Visiting the graves of ancestors is their special way of remembering their ancestors." It noted concerns over hill fires and air pollution caused by the mass burning of offerings, but said there was no "one size fits all" solution to the problem. "This is too mechanical and needs to be carefully considered," the article concluded. It's all about control Social media comments appeared mostly to agree. "They want to control everything yet they can't manage anything well," grumbled @Home_is_a_Ming_Dynasty_horse-racing_farm from Jiangsu province. "Are you going to destroy the Four Olds all over again?" @User_7839112400 from Guangdong asked, in a reference to the destruction of objects and practices from traditional Chinese culture during the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution. "So they want to control that too," commented @User_7430652639 from Shandong province, although @User_6278186707 called for the practice to be "banned nationwide." Jiangsu-based current affairs commentator Zhang Jianping said the bans were an expression of "unchecked power." A man burns ghost money to pay his respects to his ancestors in front of a gravestone during the Qingming Festival in Shanghai, China, April 4, 2017. (Johannes Eisele/AFP) "This custom has existed for hundreds or thousands of years," Zhang said. "It's very random for them to intervene in that using administrative measures." "It's similar to the way the authorities bulldozed the graves of our ancestors [ostensibly] to grow more food when I was a kid, yet people still died of starvation," he said in an apparent reference to the Great Famine of 1959-1961. "These acts of unchecked power are still happening." A resident of Shanghai who gave only the surname Chen for fear of reprisals said he remembers when burning paper offerings was classed as "feudal superstition" during the Cultural Revolution. "This is a Chinese cultural tradition they are messing with now, with the legacy left by our ancestors," Chen said. "This is our way of paying tribute to 5,000 years of Chinese culture." Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin. Police arrested 71 people last year for stealing the equipment probably to raise cash. The new Laos-China railway is hiring more security guards at train stations after a rise in thefts of electrical cables, bolts and other equipment along the route, two employees of a private security company told Radio Free Asia. The cables and bolts are sold to scrap metal businesses by people looking for an easy way to raise cash, a villager who lives close to the railway told RFA. Its widely believed that many of the thieves are addicted to drugs, the villager said. But even with extra security guards and soldiers watching the rail line and station, the thieves still find a way, he said. I always hear from a village chief that it is prohibited for people especially teenagers to hangout near the Laos-China railway, he said. Last year, police arrested 71 people along the railway route on theft charges an increase from the 52 arrests made in 2022, authorities said. A cargo train makes its way down the Laos-China railway in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, September 2023. (RFA) The US$6 billion railway connecting Vientiane with Kunming in Chinas Yunnan province opened in December 2021. It passes through 10 stations in Laos including the major tourist draw of Luang Prabang and was aimed at boosting the economy through tourism, freight transport and agriculture trade. Some villagers have benefited from economic development along the route, but the project has been criticized for displacing several thousand farmers from their land. Diligent team players needed The thefts have created a demand for more security guards at each station, a security service company employee said. Our employees are deployed in each railway station and it seems like there is a high need to have more guards in each of the stations, the employee said. Another security service employee said they are actively seeking applicants and plan to send the new recruits to each of the 10 stations. An empty stretch of the Laos-China railway is seen in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, September 2023. (RFA) Guards will be expected to work either 4 p.m. to midnight or from midnight until 8 a.m., a railway worker at Boten station near the Chinese border said. It doesnt require a high education background, the railway worker said. Anyone applying for the security job just needs to be diligent and have no problems working in a team. Additionally, scrap metal operators are being more careful about what they purchase for fear they also could face criminal charges or heavy fines, the operator of a scrap metal business told RFA. Its illegal to buy scrap metal that has been stolen from state-owned entities or properties. Attempts to contact the Department of Railway Police and the Ministry of Public Security to ask for more details on the thefts were unsuccessful. Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Human rights activists say misinformation and fake news about the persecuted Myanmar minority are influencing Acehnese. A Rohingya refugee looks out of a National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) vessel after many refugees were rescued from their capsized boat in waters off the coast of Aceh, Indonesia, March 21, 2024. For the second time in three months, a belligerent and resentful crowd of locals in Indonesias Aceh province made authorities move dozens of newly arrived Rohingya refugees from their shelter by storming the facility, officials said Wednesday. After their boat had capsized near West Aceh regency last week, following a long journey from Bangladesh, the 75 traumatized Rohingya were placed in the temporary shelter in the village of Suak Nie. They seemed scared and sobbed, as seen in a widely circulated video, before officials led them to a vehicle to relocate them. Villagers from Suak Nie said they were protesting because the local government had not moved the Rohingya away after five days as promised, said Mawardi, the West Aceh Regional Police spokesperson. A human rights group official said fake news and misinformation starting around October had fueled locals resentment against the Rohingya, who are a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar. People held a demonstration because they received information from the local government that the Rohingya would only be sheltered for five days, but [their stay] had already exceeded that limit, Mawardi, who goes by a single name, told BenarNews. The temporary move was for the refugees safety, said Muhammad Hidayat Isa, communications head for West Aceh regency. The refugees have been moved to the backyard of the West Aceh regents office complex to avoid unnecessary unrest, Hidayat told BenarNews. An official from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, also confirmed the incident that took place in West Aceh and the events in the video, which were shared widely on social media. Yes, the expulsion [from the temporary shelter] really happened as circulated on social media, Faisal Rahman, a protection associate at UNHCR, told BenarNews. On the run The stateless Rohingya have been fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland in Myanmar for years. Following a 2017 military offensive in Myanmars Rakhine state that the U.N. described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, about 740,000 Rohingya fled across the border to Bangladesh. Usually, many Rohingya refugees who end up in Indonesia have left the Coxs Bazar camps in southwestern Bangladesh seeking a better life in Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia. Aceh, at the westernmost tip of Sumatra island, is a semi-autonomous and religiously conservative province. A newly arrived Rohingya refugee draws water from a well at the former Red Cross Indonesia office building in a temporary shelter in Suak Nie village, West Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, March 22, 2024. [Zahlul Akbar/AFP] The 75 refugees rescued from the sea last week had been housed in an Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) building in Suak Nie, which lies in Johan Pahlawan district, Faisal said. According to Ali, a resident of the village and a participant in Tuesdays actions, UNHCR and the local government had made no efforts to move the Rohingya despite promising the villagers they would be there for only five days. More than five days had passed, Ali, who wanted to be identified by only one name for security reasons, told state news agency Antara. Want [them] to be moved to the regents hall or regents office, please; the important thing is that there are no more Rohingya refugees in our village, Antara quoted Ali as saying on Tuesday. This latest batch of refugees had arrived from refugee camps in Bangladesh in a wooden boat that capsized at sea near Meulaboh city, in West Aceh regency, on March 20. On that day, rescue officials could only bring ashore six passengers, but the next day the search team rescued 69 additional Rohingya who had been clinging to their wooden boat. Survivors claimed the boat was carrying around 150 passengers, with UNHCR officials saying they feared more than 70 Rohingya may be missing or dead. Over the weekend and on Monday, the bodies of 11 Rohingya were found at sea not far from where the boat overturned. Growing number of refugee boats This incident occurred amid the increasing arrival of Rohingya refugee boats in Indonesia, starting last October. In 2023 alone, more than 2,300 Rohingya refugees had arrived in Indonesia, according to the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration. They have been accommodated in locations across Aceh, UNHCR said. A newly arrived Rohingya refugee receives medical treatment at a temporary refugee in Suak Nie village, West Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, on March 22, 2024. [Zahlul Akbar/AFP] Azharul Husna, a coordinator at of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS Aceh), condemned the actions of residents forcibly evicting Rohingya refugees. She said the latest incident and a similar one in January resulted from a steady and deliberate spread of false information about the Rohingya on social media such as they were living a tad too comfortably in refugee camps, were becoming colonizers, and were involved in sexually harassing locals. This has created a stigma against Rohingya refugees, Husna told BenarNews. As a society that has gone through the experience of the longest war, the biggest tsunami disaster and enjoyed the abundant love of the worlds citizens, arent we the ones who understand and can best feel the pain of the Rohingya people? Nurdin Hasan in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, contributed to this article. BenarNews is an online news outlet affiliated to Radio Free Asia. The Arakan Army has already captured a camp near regional junta military headquarters, residents said. An ethnic army captured an outpost in a strategic township in western Myanmar, residents told Radio Free Asia. On Wednesday evening, Arakan Army forces seized the camp near Ge Laung and Lone Kauk villages of Rakhine states Ann township, where the juntas Western Regional Military Headquarters is located. This will be the ninth township in which the Arakan Army has captured territory since ending a year-long ceasefire with the junta in November. The rebel army has also captured a neighboring township in Chin state to the north. The group said it intends to capture the entirety of Rakhine state. A resident following the fighting told RFA the Arakan Army captured the outpost during a two-day offensive. Junta Battalion 372 is near Ge Laung and Lone Kauk villages. There is a small outpost about a mile [1.6 km] before Battalion 372, he said on Wednesday, declining to be named for security reasons. The Arakan Army has been attacking that outpost for two days. It was seized by the Arakan Army this evening. The number of casualties is still unknown. Neither group has released any information regarding the conflict. RFA reached out to Rakhine states junta spokesperson Hla Thein for comment on the skirmish, but he did not answer the phone. A military helicopter shot at both villages around 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, residents said, adding that most civilians fled on Monday when fighting broke out. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. A fisherman prepares his squid hook before heading out to sea from Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea, March 20, 2023. Filipino fisherman Larry Hugo worked fast to launch his small boat from Pag-asa, a small island which the Philippines occupies in the disputed Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, before the sun set in the horizon. Pag-asa, internationally known as Thitu Island and also claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, sits far out at sea from the main Philippine islands and is inhabited by nearly 300 Filipinos. Hugo has lived here for the past 15 years. The catch used to be enough to sustain his family until lately, when the presence of Chinese coast guard and militia ships all but forced him and other fishermen to venture closer to shore, he said. The 45-year-old, who hails from the town of Roxas on Palawan island, is just one of many locals who refuse to give in to despair. Hugo recently spent half a day at sea and returned home with a small catch. Yesterday, I went out for fishing but I only got around four kilos (8.8 pounds) of small fish, just enough to cover my gasoline and food for two days, he told BenarNews. Yearly, our catch declines because of the illegal fishing by the Chinese and the Vietnamese. Some of them were using dynamite and cyanide, Hugo told BenarNews in Filipino outside a small grocery store where he hangs out with friends. Earlier this month, BenarNews journalists spent four days on Pag-asa. It is one of about nine islands and atolls occupied by Manila in the Spratlys. The island hosts a small community and is equipped with a runway and a school. Children walk home from their school on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, March 21, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] Pag-asa, the largest of the islands in the Spratly chain, is officially part of the Philippine province of Palawan. Pag-asa is about 300 miles (483 km) from Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan island in the western Philippines. In recent years, more Chinese ships have traveled into waters around Pag-asa and made their presence felt, according to locals. Along with Scarborough Shoal to the north, Pag-asa has been at the center of news headlines involving China, which claims large swathes of the South China Sea based on historical grounds. A woman washes clothes outside her home on Pag-Asa, March 20, 2023. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews] BenarNews reporters who joined a Philippine mission earlier in March to survey the island and its surrounding areas saw a Chinese fishing fleet, escorted by Chinese militia and coast guard ships as they deployed huge lights to attract fish to their nets. The Philippines has accused China of illegally harvesting corals and of using dynamite to fish, an allegation Chinese officials have denied. Vietnamese officials also have denied the claim. Pag-Asa Island as seen from a satellite, April 4, 2022. [Credit: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies] Jonathan Anticamara, professor at the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman, said it was the first time marine research had been conducted in Sandy Cay, a sandbar located a few nautical miles from Pag-asa. The researchers mission was to identify the corals, fish and invertebrates present in the feature. The main goal of this research I think, which is very interesting for the Filipinos, is that these are offshore reefs that belong to the Philippines and the Filipinos do not know so much about these reefs, Anticamara said. So we need to know whats going on with these reefs. So thats why we need to go underwater and we need to see whats in there, he said. The visit by the Filipino marine research expedition to Sandy Cay angered China, which complained that this had infringed on Chinese territorial sovereignty. Thirty-four individuals from the Philippines ignored Chinas warning and illegally landed on Tiexian Reef, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said in a statement, using the Chinese name for Sandy Cay. A pair of Filipino fishermen push their boat ashore on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, March 20, 2023. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] In September 2023, Philippine officials blamed Chinese maritime militia ships for massive destruction of coral reefs, particularly in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal, both features near Palawan island. Hugo said he and other fishermen have complained about dwindling catch. We only get a few fish here now compared to before. These illegal fishermen from China and Vietnam are destroying the fish sanctuaries, he said. A Philippine Coast Guard ship is seen from the shore of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea, March 20, 2024. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews] With no regular direct ships or commercial airline carrying people to and from the island, it has been impossible for Hugo and other residents to quickly cross to the main Philippine islands in cases of emergencies. Since he moved to Pag-asa in 2009, Hugo said he had managed to leave it on rare occasions to visit his relatives on Palawan island. We just have to live with it. No regular aircraft of the Philippine Air Force was coming because of the bad condition of the runway. It was not concrete and was slippery when it rains, he said. That could be changing. But now its different. We have a good runway and the air force flies four times a week. People will just have to list their names for manifest and there will be prioritization depending on the importance of travel, he said. Pag-Asa Island as seen from a satellite, April 4, 2022. [Credit: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies] In January, Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates traveled to Pag-asa, where he promised that the government would undertake efforts to boost the countrys sovereignty in the region, local media reported. To all our fellow countrymen across the Philippines, our claim to Kalayaan may just be words, but you being here, proving and shouting through your character, way of life and physical presence, truly affirms that Kalayaan is indeed part of the Philippines and Palawan, Socrates said, according to Inquirer.net. Pag-asa lies within the Kalayaan Islands, which are part of the Spratly chain. I believe the government is encouraging more people to come and settle here, not only in Pag-asa but in the outlying islands, the governor said. Ricel Galvan, a former fisherman, is seen inside the compound of his house on Pag-asa Island in the South China Sea, March 21, 2024. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] Despite the promises, constant harassment from the Chinese has made it difficult for fishermen, said Ricel Galvan, 37, who took a job with the schools maintenance staff. In 2018, residents were free to catch fish, but now the Chinese prevent them, he said. We were told by local officials to just lie low and choose a location far from the Chinese, he told BenarNews. To support his wife, Aileen, 34, who has been studying in Palawan to become a teacher and their children, aged 10 and 11, Galvan said he accepted a contract from the local government of Kalayaan to work as a support staff in the island. At the same time, he maintains a small store selling supplies to his neighbors. Life here is very hard. Worst is the transportation. We cant just get off the island if we want to, he said. We have no commercial transportation. We need to keep an eye and wait for the availability of government vessels. Its sad but life must go on. We just have to sacrifice a little, he said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. They were charged under Article 331, often used to suppress dissent and criticism. Vietnamese authorities on Thursday arrested and charged two Facebook bloggers for abusing democratic freedoms to infringe the interests of the state for posting comments about the handling of a case of a death row inmate, Vietnamese media reported. The Security Investigation Agency of the Binh Duong provincial police charged Nguyen Duc Du and Hoang Quoc Viet under Article 331 of Vietnams Penal Code, saying their social media posts about death row inmate Ho Duy Hai being unjustly sentenced had insulted judiciary agencies. Their cases bring to five the number of people who have been prosecuted under Article 331, a law that rights groups say authorities regularly use to suppress dissent or criticism of the government. Authorities arrested and temporarily detained Du, 48, while they banned Viet, 46, from leaving his residential area. Both live in Binh Duong province in southern Vietnam. The Public Security Ministrys Peoples Public Security Newspaper reported that police said Du and Viet published many social media posts with content that distorted, slandered and defamed agencies and individuals without specifying the content of their posts. The prosecution of the two bloggers also illustrates the lengths that authorities will go to to silence critics for comments they made or social media posts they wrote in the past. Nguyen Van Dai, who used to work as a lawyer in Hanoi for many years, said social media platforms have been full of information defending and demanding justice for Ho Duy Hai since 2008. Ho Duy Hai, seen in an undated photo, is on death row in Vietnam. (Courtesy of Ho Duy Hai's family) Hai was arrested in March 2008 and convicted nine months later of robbery and the murder of two postal employees in Long An province. He was sentenced to five years in prison for the theft and given the death penalty for the murders, despite a lack of crucial evidence and irregularities in how the case was handled. In 2020, the Supreme Peoples Court rejected a request by the Supreme Peoples Procuracy to reinvestigate the case, prompting Hais family members to petition lawmakers over his death sentence. That petition has not been addressed, and Hai, now 39, is still on death row. The prosecution of Du and Viet is a crackdown on freedom of speech and was carried out to serve the political purposes of several officials in the judiciary system, Dai said. The arrest and detention of the two individuals who posted information concerning the Ho Duy Hai case on social media is nothing more than suppression, as the information [they posted] has been available for a long time, Dai said. Numerous democratic countries and human rights groups have called on Hanoi to repeal or amend Article 331, along with Article 117, arguing they are abused to stifle dissent. Translated by Anna Vu for RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Police in Vietnams Dong Nai province have suspended an officer involved in the case of Vu Minh Duc who died just hours after being summoned for investigation. His family told Radio Free Asia his body bore signs of torture after it was released from hospital on March 22, the day he died. On March 27, Tien Phong (The Pioneers) newspaper reported that Capt. Thai Thanh Thuong, deputy head of the Police Team for Social Order Crimes Investigation of Long Thanh District Police had been suspended. The female officer signed the notice to summon Duc to the local police station on the morning of March 22. The decision to temporarily suspend the officer, signed by the director of Dong Nai Provincial Police, took effect on March 24. It did not specify why she was suspended. As reported by RFA, Duc, was accompanied by his relatives to the district polices headquarters in accordance with the summons notice, to work with investigator Thai Thanh Huong or investigator Luu Quang Trung regarding a case of disrupting public order in connection with a fight on Oct. 7, 2023 in An Phuoc commune. On the afternoon of March 22, his family was informed that Duc had fainted during the interrogation and was sent to Long Thanh Districts General Hospital for emergency care. He later was transferred to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, and when his family arrived, the doctors told them Duc had died. According to the death certificate of Cho Ray Hospital, Duc died because of a coma, acute kidney failure, acute liver failure, and injuries to the soft parts of his left and right thigh. The National Forensic Institute worked with the Dong Nai Provincial Police and the Long Thanh District Police to conduct an autopsy on the afternoon of March 23, 2024, to find out the cause of his death. His family was not allowed either to take photos of the autopsy or to receive the autopsy report. His chest area, his skin had swellings and dents, and his thighs and buttocks were swollen. In addition, the level of bruising was noteworthy. Taking a deep look inside when he was operated on, I saw a lot of blood clots inside, penetrating deep into the bone. They were not normal bruises, Vu Hoang Phu, who witnessed the autopsy told RFA on March 27. On his two wrists there were scratches forming circle shapes, our family believe they were handcuffs traces. Together with other traces on his body, the family thought there seemed to have been some kind of great force put on his body. Phu said his family had received many calls and messages, saying that in addition to Thai Thanh Huong and Luu Quang Trung three other district police officers had also taken part in Ducs interrogation. His family arrived at Cho Ray Hospital, around 9:50 p.m. on March 22 and a doctor informed that Mr. Duc had passed away. However, the hospitals death certificate said he died at 11:00 p.m. Our family is now very sad and cannot understand, plus terrified by the level of pain he had suffered. We still dont know who beat Duc to such an extent, and what objects were used to investigate/interrogate him, Phu said. He said his family had sent petitions to multiple agencies, asking them to clarify where and when his brother died, who participated in his interrogation, and why there were bruises on his body. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. A year after the arrest of Evan Gershkovich in Russia, the Wall Street Journal reporters family pledged to continue to fight for release from a Moscow prison where he is being held on espionage charges the White House and his employer say are fabricated. Gershkovich became the first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained on March 29, 2023, by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which said he had been trying to obtain military secrets. The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently rejected the espionage charges, saying he was merely doing his job as an accredited reporter when he was arrested. Gershkovich saw his detention extended to June 30 earlier this week by the Moscow City Court. The Kremlin said on March 29 it had no information on when the 32-year-olds trial will begin. If found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in jail. "We never anticipated this situation happening to our son and brother, let alone a full year with no certainty or clear path forward," his family said in a letter published by the Wall Street Journal on March 29 to mark the anniversary. "But despite this long battle, we are still standing strong." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on March 29 that "to date, Russia has provided no evidence of wrongdoing for a simple reason: Evan did nothing wrong. Journalism is not a crime." Born in the United States to Soviet emigres, Gershkovich reported from Russia for six years before being detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. Leon Panetta, former director of the CIA, said the United States must play a "tough game" with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to get Gershkovich released. "We have got to play a tough game with Putin to make sure hes not going to get away with this kind of game." Panetta said on Fox News. Gershkovich will ultimately be released through a prisoner swap, Panetta predicted, saying the United States could "develop some leverage" for such a deal by arresting Russian spies in the United States "so that [Putin] has a reason to come to the bargaining table." State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, also speaking on Fox News, said the United States engages daily with the "highest levels of the Russian government" in its effort to win Gershkovich's release, but he said it was "important not to talk about the deliberations in public." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has also stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations, but Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters optimistic that something can be done. Russian authorities accuse Gershkovich of collecting state secrets about the military industrial complex at the behest of the U.S. government. Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, told Current Time in an interview broadcast on March 29 that the reporter is holding up OK under very difficult circumstances. He's in his cell for 23 hours a day. He has an hour outside in the courtyard, which is about the same size as his cell. So we've just been very grateful that he's been able to maintain his equilibrium, Beckett said of Gershkovichs incarceration in Moscows Lefortovo prison. Beckett said that besides one hour of courtyard time per day, Gershkovich has been in constant correspondence with his family, including swapping lines from shows that they enjoyed together, and weekly meetings with his lawyers. Earlier on March 28 in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about reports of a possible prisoner exchange involving Gershkovich, and he stressed the importance of silence about any negotiations. But Beckett said talks involving Gershkovich on any level keep his supporters "optimistic that something can be done." Gershkovich is one of two American reporters currently being held by Russian authorities. The other is Alsu Kurmasheva, an RFE/RL journalist who holds dual Russian-American citizenship. Kurmasheva, 47, was arrested in Kazan last October and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent under a punitive Russian law that targets journalists, civil society activists, and others. Shes also been charged with spreading falsehoods about the Russian military and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. RFE/RL and the U.S. government say the charges are reprisals for her work as a journalist for RFE/RL in Prague. She had traveled to Russia to visit and care for her elderly mother and was initially detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2 at Kazan airport, where her U.S. and Russian passports were confiscated. Gershkovich has been designated as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. Kurmasheva, however, has not despite pleas from RFE/RL and Kurmashevas family. The Wall Street Journal on March 28 published a story about her detention and the difficulties her husband, Pavel Butorin, who also works for RFE/RL in Prague, and their two daughters, aged 12 and 15, have had without her and their efforts to have her designated as wrongfully detained. The designation would mean her case would be assigned to the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs in the State Department, raising the political profile of her situation and allowing the Biden administration to allocate more resources to securing her release. The designation currently applies only to Gershkovich and another American held in Russia, Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine and corporate security executive who is serving a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges. Other events being held to mark the one-year anniversary of Gershkovichs detention include a 24-hour read-a-thon of his work by his Wall Street Journal colleagues at the newspapers headquarters in New York and swimming events at Brighton Beaches in New Zealand, South African, Canada, the United States and Britain. The beaches were chosen in recognition of his familys connection to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York, which is home to a large Russian immigrant community. Gershkovich's parents emigrated from the Soviet Union, separately, in 1979. Dozens of people gathered on March 28 on a plaza in Washington on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia and demanded his release. The event sponsored by the National Press Club marked one full year in jail for Gershkovich, 32, whose detention was extended to June 30 earlier this week by the Moscow City Court. 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. The group that gathered on March 28 in Washington posed on Freedom Plaza with the U.S. Capitol in the background and with each participant holding a paper with #IStandWithEvan written on it. The gathering included fellow journalists, press advocacy leaders, and friends and relatives of Gershkovich. Wall Street Journal Associate Editor Paul Beckett, who is leading the newspapers efforts to free Gershkovich, also took part along with Gershkovich's sister, Danielle Gershkovich. Photos from the event circulated on social media to support the Wall Street Journals efforts to raise awareness of Gershkovich's "unjust detention in Moscow," said Bill McCarren, executive director of the National Press Club, who also participated in the event. 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. "We have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence," Peskov said. 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 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, ages 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. Beckett said other events to mark the 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. Kurmasheva is one of four RFE/RL journalists -- Andrey Kuznechyk, Ihar Losik, and Vladyslav Yesypenko are the other three -- currently imprisoned on charges related to their work. Rights groups and RFE/RL have called repeatedly for the release of all four, saying they have been wrongly detained. Losik is a blogger and contributor for RFE/RLs Belarus Service who was convicted in December 2021 on several charges including the organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Kuznechyk, a web editor for RFE/RLs Belarus Service, was sentenced in June 2022 to six years in prison following a trial that lasted no more than a few hours. He was convicted of creating or participating in an extremist organization. Yesypenko, a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen who contributed to Crimea.Realities, a regional news outlet of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, was sentenced in February 2022 to six years in prison by a Russian judge in occupied Crimea after a closed-door trial. He was convicted of possession and transport of explosives, a charge he steadfastly denies. With reporting by Reuters In the winter of 1924, inhabitants of a small village near Tehran looked up as a metal-bodied airplane swooped in to land, bumped along a field, then collapsed in a cloud of dust after its landing gear broke. The pilot of the plane was Swiss aviator Walter Mittelholzer, who had received an invitation from the Persian government to deliver a new Junkers aircraft to the country, which would be renamed Iran in 1935. Kaspar Surber, a Swiss journalist who wrote a book on Mittelholzer, told RFE/RL the aviator was chosen for the flight to Persia in part to "popularize flying" through aerial images he would take there. Mittelholzer was famous at the time for becoming the first person to extensively photograph Switzerland's mountains from an airplane. In the 1920s, Surber says there was something of a "race" between German and British aviation companies to begin air services in Persia, making Mittelholzer's photography skills a key promotional advantage. A Swiss newspaper wrote of the aviator, "The Swiss people know what to expect from their Mr. Mittelholzer, who can not only pilot a plane across unknown countries but also photograph and film in flight." After their ignominious landing 40 kilometers outside of Tehran, Mittelholzer and mechanic Ernst Bissegger had a tense confrontation with villagers before help eventually arrived from the Persian capital and their aircraft was repaired. Mittelholzer and Bissegger's flight of more than 3,000 kilometers from Switzerland to Persia included a standoff with Turkish authorities who confiscated their plane, troubles with poor-quality gasoline purchased in Baghdad, and erroneous maps that forced them into the ill-fated landing during which their plane's landing gear collapsed. Mittelholzers initial impressions of the territory of Persia from above were of "areas that lie desolate and empty and wander past the observing eye for hours. Huge alluvial fans, piles of rubble, and deltas of saline rivers [that] characterize the country." Isolated settlements occasionally came into view as the pair flew over Persian territory. "Here and there a green patch shines," Mittelholzer wrote, "a space in the center of which features residents' mud huts rising on narrow and winding streets. Silver bands mark the irrigation channels at the edges of the gardens." Mittelholzer seized the opportunity to photograph Persia extensively from above in photographs that are now held by the ETH Zurich library. The Swiss aviator and photographer also made use of his camera on the ground to capture a country on the cusp of dramatic change under Reza Shah Pahlavi, a ruler who would become known as Persia's "modernizing strongman." At the time of Mittelholzer's visit to Persia, the country was without major rail or road networks, and camel caravans were still in use as a means of foreign trade, making air transport an enticing possibility for the country's rulers. With the aviation industry still in its infancy in Persia, Mittelholzer and Bissegger had the sky virtually to themselves as they swept low over urban centers to snap images that would soon stun European audiences. Mittelholzer predicted that aerial photography would play a significant role in documentary imagery of the future. "Another hitherto unseen world opens up before us. It is as if the Earth has thereby gained a new face, and man a new, unflawed eye," he wrote in 1928. After spending several weeks inside Iran, the two Swiss aviators eventually made the long trek back to Central Europe by car. Mittelholzer would later co-found a company that became Swissair, Switzerland's national carrier until 2002. He died in a mountaineering accident in 1937 aged 43. In a newspaper obituary, a friend noted that Mittelholzer's death in the mountains that he loved, and that had sparked his extraordinary career, had a certain tragic poetry: "They have embraced him 0n his last wanderings and claimed him, and perhaps he would not have wished for a better end, but alas it came all too soon, there was so much more for him to do." Faced with increasing incidents of xenophobia following the Moscow terror attack, Tajiks are canceling travel plans to Russia. The four main suspects in the attack are Tajiks and many migrants from the Central Asian nation working in Russia say they have been increasingly targeted. At the main airport in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, a transportation worker told RFE/RL that people "are afraid to go to Russia." Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Thai operator True Corp said it expects no impact to its operations or merger with Dtac, as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) faces an order to review a lawsuit in regards to its approval to the merger. In a statement, True said five individuals filed a lawsuit against the merger, and mirrored prevous cases that the Administrative Court declined request for injunctions. If True and Dtac were to merge, it would create the largest operator in Thailand by subscriber numbers, leapfrogging current market leader AIS. The Thai Supreme Administrative Court was ordered the Central Administrative Court to accept a lawsuit requesting the withdrawal of NBTCs resolution that acknowledges the merger. True said the case will have no effect on its amalgamation with Dtac as its merger had been completed in accordance with all relevant laws and processes in similar to the past amalgamation of the other public limited companies in telecommunications business. The Arts Office at Roscommon County Council has announced details of this years Roscommon New Writing Award and the Roscommon Chapbook Bursary The Roscommon New Writing Award 2024 (for short fiction and poetry) is organised as part of the Arts Offices Literary Development Programme. This is the twelfth year of what is now an established event in literary calendars. It is funded by Roscommon County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland and supported by the Roscommon Herald. This year, with the introduction of a poetry category, two winners will each receive a monetary prize of 500 for short fiction or 500 for poetry and will have their winning entries printed in the Roscommon Herald. Two runners-up will receive 100 each for short fiction or for poetry. The adjudicator for this years competition is Mary Branley - a poet, writer and musician based in north Sligo. She is the author of three collections of poetry, most recent A Pinch of Snow in a Black Velvet Glove Lepus Print 2021. Her poetry has been included in many anthologies such as Windharp: Poems of Ireland Since 1916, The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing. She was awarded the Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship in 2008. Closely associated with Kids Own Publishing Partnership, a childrens publishing house, Mary has facilitated childrens writing for over twenty-three years and forty-five titles. She was commissioned to write a libretto on the life of Countess Markievicz, by Ukrainian composer Olesya Zdorovetska, and this work Freedom Letters was performed at The Model as part of Cairde Festival 23. She has collaborated with GreenBirdFlying since 2021 on poetry/music fusion and performed with them many times. A new CD is forthcoming in July 24 to be launched at Cairde Festival in Sligo. Winner of the 2023 Award for Short Fiction was Wayne Denniston. The 2024 Chapbook Bursary competition will be adjudicated by Brian Leyden. Roscommon Chapbook Bursary The Roscommon Chapbook Bursary is to the value of 600 and will go towards the cost of publishing what is known in the trade as a chapbook, i.e. a literary pamphlet. The award is aimed primarily at emerging writers in Roscommon who have not had a book published. The award is for a collection and will be about thirty pages in length, from cover to cover. It will typically contain between fifteen and twenty-five poems or three to six short stories, depending on the length of each story. The 2024 competition will be adjudicated by Brian Leyden - the author of the bestselling memoir, The Home Place; the story collection, Sweet Old World: New and Selected Stories; and the novels Death & Plenty and Summer of 63. A regular contributor to Sunday Miscellany, his work for radio includes the documentaries No Meadows in Manhattan; Even the Walls Were Sweatin; and An Irish Station Mass. He co-wrote the feature film, Black Ice, which was acquired by Netflix. He also scripted The Sheemore Ambush video for the Decade of Centenaries; and the Famine Attic Memorial audio installation for the Workhouse, Carrick-on-Shannon. His work for the stage includes Old Flames and Remember Me which premiered in the Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo in May 2023. Writer, Bernard MacLaverty, has described his work as life remembered with precision and love. His new novel is Love These Days. The deadline for receipt of applications for each of the award categories is 5 p.m. on May 20th. Application forms and further information are available at http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/services/community/arts-office/literature.html or from SColeman@roscommoncoco.ie. Zegtel, a new Nigerian mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has announced plans to invest about US$21.8 million over the next five years to expand mobile connectivity across the country. The companys widely reported statement suggests that this investment aims to bridge the digital gap and deliver affordable connectivity to millions of Nigerians who now lack access to telecom services. Professor Victor Izegbu, Zegtel executive chairman, is quoted as saying: In other developed markets, subscribers enjoy an extensive array of value-added services on their mobile networks. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, subscribers are mostly exposed to just the basic offering of voice and data. Zegtel is set to change that narrative with our product offerings. Timings are so far unclear. The Zegtel website still contains the announcement Coming in Q4 23' and invites interested parties to Contact us or sign up now. However, according to one local news outlet, Zegtel has an agreement with an (unnamed) British MVNO management company to roll out its service over the next six months. It probably won't be alone. Since announcing plans to license MVNOs in March 2023, regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued over 30 MVNO licences across five service tiers at varying licence prices. In turn various MVNO enablers are likely to be sizing up the market. In March we reported that software solutions provider Mobilise had launched Tier 5 MVNE services to cater to this burgeoning market segment. Japan is scheduled to release a raft of data on Friday, headlining a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. On tap are February figures for unemployment, industrial production, retail sales, construction orders and housing starts. The jobless rate (2.4 percent) and the jobs-to-applicant ratio (1.27) are both seen unchanged, while industrial production is tipped to rise 1.2 percent on month after slumping 6.7 percent in January. Retail sales are expected to add 2.8 percent on year after rising 2.3 percent in the previous month. Construction orders were up 9.1 percent on year and housing starts dropped 7.5 percent on year in January. South Korea will provide February figures for industrial production and retail sales. Industrial production is expected to add 0.5 percent on month and 4.5 percent on year after slipping 1.3 percent on month and jumping 12.9 percent on year in January. Thailand will release February numbers for industrial production, current account, imports, exports and trade balance. In January, industrial production was down 2.94 percent, while the current account showed a deficit of $0.200 billion, imports rose 1.50 percent on year, exports gained 7.2 percent on year and the trade deficit was $1.10 billion. Finally, the in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and New Zealand are all closed for Good Friday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities instrumental in the transfer of funds that boost Pyongyang's ability to develop its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned six individuals and two entities based in Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, that generate revenue and facilitate financial transactions for North Korea. Simultaneously, South Korea is jointly designating six of the same individuals and entities for their involvement in illicit financing and revenue generation through overseas North Korean information workers. The Treasury targets agents of designated North Korean banks along with IT companies that employ workers abroad. The Treasury Department said North Korean banking representatives, IT workers, and the companies that employ them generate revenue and gain access to foreign currencies vital to the Kim Jong Un regime. These actors, operating through networks in Russia and China, orchestrate schemes, set up front or shell companies, and manage surreptitious bank accounts to move and disguise illicit funds, evade sanctions, and finance Pyongyang's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, it added. Yu Pu Ung, a linchpin in Pyongyang's illicit financial activities; Ri Tong Hyok, a China-based representative of Tanchon Bank; Han Chol Man, a China-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Kumgang Bank; O In Chun, a Russia-based representative of U.S- and UN-designated Korea Daesong Bank; and Jong Song Ho, who is a Russia-based representative of U.S-designated Jinmyong Joint Bank, are the individuals targeted by the U.S. Government. The U.S. also sanctioned two companies subordinate to North Korea's Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Company and one individual that leads an IT delegation. They are Russia-based Alis LLC, UAE-based Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate, and Jon Yon Gun, who was involved in coordinating payments from Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate to Chinyong. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News American Oncology Network, Inc. (AONC), a network of community oncology practices to provide local access to cancer care, on Thursday reported a rise in revenue for the fourth-quarter, supported by increased patient encounters of 9.5 percent, driving a $28.4 million revenue improvement. For three-month period, the company registered net loss attributable to class A shareholders of $3.749 million or $0.76 per share. The network hadn't recorded any profit or loss for the same period last year. Total comprehensive loss attributable to class A shareholders stood at $3.688 million. Net loss before non-controlling interest was $22.353 million, compared with profit of $1.363 million last year. Loss before income taxes, equity loss in affiliate, and non-controlling interest stood at $22.275 million, versus a profit of $1.363 million. The network recorded loss from operations of $20.612 million as against a profit of $3.258 million in 2022. Excluding items, EBITDA was $5 million, lesser than last year's $8 million, primarily due to higher drug costs. Total costs and expenses jumped to $344.794 million from $297.140 million a year ago. Revenue was $324.182 million, up from last year's $300.398 million. Patient service revenue improved to $320.038 million, from $297.425 million in the previous year. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it is awarding $27.2 million to 11 U.S. universities to conduct resaearch on a variety of aviation environmental topics including sustainable aviation fuels, aircraft emissions, and noise impacts. The FAA grants are part of its Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) program. The awards will be matched in-kind by the Center's partners under the grants program one-to-one cost sharing agreement. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said, "The entire aviation industry can leverage this research to reduce noise and enable safe and efficient operations while working toward net-zero emissions by 2050." ASCENT grants will support the work of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Washington State University, Pennsylvania State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dayton University, Boston University, University of Illinois, Purdue University, The University of North Carolina, Stanford University and University of Hawaii. Teams from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Oregon State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Tennessee and the University of Washington are continuing their research on other ASCENT projects. FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment Laurence Wildgoose said, "As a result of ASCENT research, four new procedures have been implemented at Boston Logan International Airport to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News BuzzFeed, Inc. (BZFD) shares are gaining more than 11 percent on Thursday morning after the company announced a multi-year license and strategic partnership with the Independent, a digital news brand in UK & Ireland. The deal will bring together brands such as Independent TV, IndyBest and Indy100 with BuzzFeed UK, Tasty UK, Seasoned and HuffPost UK, to form one operation in the UK and Ireland, led by The Independent. As part of the deal, BuzzFeed, Inc.'s UK commercial and editorial staff will move over to The Independent. Currently, BuzzFeed is at $0.44, up 11.97 percent from the previous close of 0.39 on a volume of 1,695,948. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A new research study from the University of Warsaw, Poland, will be presented at a pre-congress event for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, which will focus on addressing the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older individuals. Researchers examined CDC data indicating that gonorrhea cases in the 55 to 64 age group rose from approximately 15 cases per 100,000 people in 2015 to 57 cases per 100,000 people in 2019. Similarly, high rates of STIs have been noted among older adults in various countries worldwide, including China, Korea, Kenya, and Botswana. Justyna Kowalska, a researcher at the Medical University of Warsaw, Hospital for Infectious Diseases, stressed the importance of normalizing discussions about sexual among older adults. Misconceptions surrounding sexuality and sexual behavior in this demographic are believed to be driving the surge in STIs. Many older adults are hesitant to talk about their sexual activity with healthcare providers, and medical professionals may be reluctant to broach the subject. Contributing factors to the rise in STIs among individuals over 50 include increasing divorce rates, decreased condom usage due to no risk of pregnancy, the availability of medications for sexual dysfunction, a significant number of older adults residing in retirement communities, and the growing use of dating applications. Kowalska suggests that the actual number of older adults contracting STIs may be higher than reported due to limited access to sexual health services and the stigma associated with seeking assistance for STIs. The researchers propose improved communication and education on sexual health for older adults to combat the issue, especially given that older individuals may encounter difficulties in clearing infections or have an increased susceptibility to contracting them, as noted by medical experts. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News Professor Makaiko Chithambo In a landmark achievement for physics, the United Kingdom and Ireland-based Institute of Physics this month published a first-of-its-kind monograph on phototransferred thermoluminescence authored by Rhodes Universitys head of Physics, Professor Makaiko Chithambo. Prof Chithambo, a recipient of the Vice Chancellors Distinguished Research and the Senior Research Awards at the University, has been at the forefront of research into point defects in materials. His extensive contribution to luminescence methods, including 135 papers and his first book published in 2018, underscore his pedigree in physics. In 2023, he was inducted into the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), joining the countrys top 38 foremost scientists in receiving the honour. The new book, Phototransferred Thermoluminescence, examines phototransferred thermoluminescence in synthetic materials and natural materials, including minerals and gemstones, and provides snapshots on applications. It delineates a detailed theoretical and experimental framework for understanding phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) and its implications for studying material imperfections. Until now, this field has been approached qualitatively and in a survey-like manner. The eureka happened almost intuitively during a research visit to the University of St Andrews in Scotland. I was working in a lab when I had a hunch about mathematically modelling the age-old problem of charge transfer under phototransfer. I worked on the idea for days and developed several theoretical models to address the experimental results we had obtained. I was pleasantly surprised by how perfectly everything worked, said Prof Chitambo. Prof Chithambos work bridges the gap between conventional studies and contemporary advancements, benefiting from improved measurement techniques while introducing innovative mathematical approaches. The book is comprehensive in its treatment of phototransferred thermolumniscence. It addresses the most up-to-date developments in theory, measurement and analysis and provides fresh explanations of the physics involved in transferring electrons between defects in solids. I am optimistic that the book provides an impetus for further research on instrumentation, measurement, mathematical analysis, and interpretation of the physics of defects using quantitative techniques," Prof Chithambo said. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, congratulated Prof Chithambo on the significant contribution to developing new and valuable knowledge through this pioneering work. Cutting-edge scholarship requires intellectual tenacity and resilience. This accomplishment is the epitome of that tenacity, she said. 6 crore sales milestone Building Blocks from Manesar to Vithalapur Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has indeed traversed remarkable milestones, exemplifying its commendable journey in the Indian two-wheeler market. Achieving the monumental 6 crore domestic sales milestone in March 2024 is a testament to Hondas unwavering commitment to reliability and efficiency. It marks a pivotal moment in its illustrious history. Since its incorporation (went solo) in 1999, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has strategically expanded its manufacturing plants across the country. From the first plant in Manesar to the recent expansion at the Vithalapur plant in 2024, Honda has established a robust manufacturing infrastructure. These manufacturing facilities serve as the backbone of Hondas operations. They have enables HMSI to meet the growing demand for its products and maintain its position in the top tier. Activa: Setting the Stage for Hondas Success In 2001, HMSI introduced its inaugural two-wheeler, Activa. Setting the stage for its remarkable trajectory in the country. The topselling Indian scooter continues to be a winning proposition this many years later. In 2002, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India commenced its exports, marking expansion of its operations beyond the domestic market. By venturing into exports, Honda demonstrated its confidence in the quality and competitiveness of its products. And this paved the way for further growth and success in the years to come. Milestones of Triumph: Hondas Customer Journey The subsequent years witnessed Hondas steady ascent. Marked by notable achievements such as reaching the 1 crore customers milestone in 2012. A testament to the brands growing popularity and widespread acceptance among Indian riders. By 2015, Honda had further established itself as a dominant player in the Indian two-wheeler landscape, celebrating the 2 crore customers milestone. The years that followed saw Hondas relentless pursuit of excellence. Milestones aplenty. HMSi announced 3 crore customers in 2017 and 4 crore customers in 2018. In 2021, Honda achieved yet another monumental feat, surpassing the 5 crore customers milestone. Honda 6 crore sales milestone, Driving into the Future Fast forward to March 2024, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has gone a step further. Achieving 6 crore domestic sales. Throughout its journey, Honda has diversified its product portfolio to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of Indian consumers. From the fuel-efficient 100cc Shine to the luxurious 1800cc GoldWing Tour, Honda offers a comprehensive range of scooters and motorcycles. Theres something for everyone. Honda continues to chart new territories and push the boundaries of innovation. Along the way, it remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional products and experiences to Indian consumers. With a legacy built on trust, and reliability, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is poised to shape the future of mobility in India and beyond. And that future looks electric. Even as Maruti Jimny failed to attract much attention in domestic markets, it has experienced highest improvement in exports with staggering growth India, being a key manufacturing hub for export markets, is led by automakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda claiming some of the top spots on the export list. Even as car exports in February 2024 has seen a 10.51 percent YoY decline, several recent launches such as the Honda Elevate and Maruti Suzuki Fronx have been well received globally. Total car exports in the past month stood at 60,767 units, down 10.51 percent over 67,907 units shipped in February 2023. This related to a 7,140 unit volume de-growth. Even as challenges in foreign exchange continue, smooth supply chain operations were noted across this segment. Car Exports February 2024 Leading passenger vehicle exports was the Maruti Baleno with 5,110 units shipped in the past month, up 43.86 percent YoY over 3,552 units exported in February 2023. The Baleno currently commands an 8.41 percent share on this list. Also from the Maruti stables was the DZire with 4,474 units exported last month, up 90.22 percent over 2,352 units exported in February 2023. It was followed by the Jimny that has seen a 440500 percent YoY growth with its global demand growing to 4,406 units last month from just 1 units exported in February 2023. Maruti Jimny 5-door sees high demand in countries such as Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Honda Elevate, launched in September 2023, has positioned itself at No. 4 on the export list with 3,610 units shipped in the past month, to command a 5.94 percent share. It was followed by Maruti Swift that has seen a near two fold growth in exports to 3,590 units in February 2024, up from 1,823 units sold in February 2023 relating to a 96.93 percent YoY growth. Showing off positive YoY growth was Hyundai Grand i10 with 3,480 units exported last month, up 45.51 percent YoY while the Verna has also seen a 54.93 percent YoY growth to 3,475 units in February 2024.The export list also had Grand Vitara with a 170.61 percent YoY improvement in exports to 3,204 units. The new Fronx entered the list with 2,443 units exported last month while Honda City exports grew by 197.40 percent to 2,290 units from just 770 units shipped in February 2023. Nissan Sunny exports dipped 41.46 percent to 2,204 units while exports of Toyota Hyryder escalated by 453.31 percent to 1,920 units last month from 347 units shipped in February 2023. Positive growth was also experienced by the Aura with 91.75 percent YoY higher exports to 1,394 units. This more or less ended the positive growth streak in terms of exports. Spresso sales dipped 21.87 percent to 1,179 units while Celerio exports fell by 47.94 percent to 1,050 units. Sub-1000 unit Car Exports Feb 2024 Nissan Magnite has seen a 741.23 percent growth in exports to 959 units. The list also included the Ciaz (945 units), Ertiga (864 units) and Eeco (864 units) out of which it was only the Eeco to show off positive YoY growth. Exports dipped significantly for the Venue (701 units), Kia Carens (608 units) and Seltos (560 units). The Taigun entered the list with 560 units exported last month while again it was a de-growth for the Alto (541 units), Alcazar (525 units), i20 (407 units), Creta (292 units), KUV700 (250 units), KUV100 (156 units) and Sonet (138 units). Citroen shipped 136 units and 116 units of its C3 Aircross and C3. Jeep Meridian exports improved to 105 units while the list also included XUV300 (98 units), Kwid (79 units), Compass (55 units), XL6 (50 units) and WagonR (41 units). Lower down the list was also the Amaze (36 units), Scorpio (31 units) Exter (26 units) and Maxximo (20 units) while there were under 10 units of the Ignis (9 units), Kiger (9 units), Bolero (5 units) shipped last month along with 1 unit each of the EC3 and Triber. The GSMA has announced that China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom have commercially launched an open API from the GSMA Open Gateway initiative to help reduce mobile fraud, while CITIC Telecom, Huawei and ZTE have joined the initiative. According to the GSMA, all three telcos have launched the One Time Password (OTP) API, which is designed to improve the security of mobile apps and online services. The service enables users to receive an OTP to provide proof of possession of a phone number and verify their identity. The GSMA says the OTP API is more secure than single-factor authentication and a better solution for in card-not-present payment scenarios. Applications for the OTP API include onboarding to digital services, verifying high-value transactions and account management features such as resetting passwords. The GSMA said the rollout represents Chinas first commercial open API launch since signing up for the GSMA Open Gateway initiative in June 2023. The China launch is the latest in a slew of announcements by operators launching Open APIs in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, among others, mainly to address mobile and online fraud. In China alone, the Ministry of Public Security reportedly tackled 391,000 cases of telecom and online fraud between January and November 2023. As instances of online fraud continue to grow in both scope and scale globally, the GSMA Open Gateway is equipping developers with the tools they need to protect users in the digital space, said GSMA director general Mats Granryd in a statement. Meanwhile, the GSMA also revealed that CITIC Telecom, Huawei and ZTE have become the latest Chinese companies to commit to the Open Gateway initiative. The GSMA said these new partnerships will help to drive demand and uptake of Open Gateway APIs in China and support the initiatives go-to-market strategy, which was announced at MWC 2024. Under that strategy, GSMA Open Gateway will focus on three go-to-market commercial channels for open API adoption: the network cloud marketplace (i.e. cloud providers including AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Vonage), strategic technology partners and resellers such as Infobip, Nokia, and Ericsson, and operators going direct to market through their enterprise and innovation divisions. Written By Managing Editor she/her | Bridget is the Messengers managing editor. She oversees the newsroom and covers the Maple Run Unified School District and education at large. She also pays attention to recreation, food and the arts and is an avid cyclist and skier. | Bike riders travel on the Coastal Rail Trail through Oceanside, south of the Oceanside Transit Center. Encinitas plan to build the Cardiff section of the Coastal Rail Trail to the west of the citys railroad tracks was rejected this week by the California Coastal Commission, another twist in a long-running debate over the project. In a meeting Thursday in San Diego, the commission said the 1.3-mile trail along Coast Highway 101 should go east of the tracks along San Elijo Avenue from Chesterfield Drive north to Santa Fe Drive That leaves the city without approval it needs for either route and the direction ahead unclear, officials said. Advertisement Im shocked, said Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, who had spoken in favor of placing the bicycle and pedestrian paths along Coast Highway 101 west of the railroad tracks. Weve been working on this for the last year, she added. I dont know what else we could have done. Coastal Commission staffers said the eastern route provided a much-needed new transportation corridor in the Cardiff neighborhood, and that it was more consistent with the regional plan for the entire trail. Commissioner Greg Cox, a San Diego County supervisor, made a motion to support the western plan, saying it was a more logical solution, but his motion failed, and then the commission voted to support the route along San Elijo Avenue. Dozens of people attended the commissions meeting in San Diego to speak about the issue. However, the rail trail came up late in the day and by then some people had left, and others were allowed limited time to speak. Its a travesty, said Sandy Coventry, a Cardiff resident. We were not represented. Only a few residents supported building the trail along San Elijo Avenue. We need new infrastructure, and we need it on the east side where it belongs, said former Encinitas Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer. For several years, the city and the San Diego Association of Governments had pushed for the eastern route on what is now a rough dirt pathway in the Cardiff neighborhood. But once SANDAG released its four-year, $410,000 design for the eastern route in 2015, city officials decided it was not what they wanted. Critics called the proposed 10-foot-wide concrete bike path a highway for bicycles, saying it was ugly, unsafe, and not what they wanted along that section of the tracks. Instead, the Encinitas City Council switched its support to an alternate route the western alignment along Coast Highway 101. That route now has the unanimous support of the City Council, Blakespear told the commission Thursday in her prepared remarks before the vote. A bike highway like this should be placed in an area that is already paved, not in a natural, wild environment with a functioning informal dirt trail system, Blakespear said. SANDAG has the money, plus a $1 million grant from Caltrans, she said. It could begin in less than a year and be in use by the public in 2019. None of that can be said for the east-side alignment. The eastern route would cost an additional $4 million for drainage improvements, retaining walls and bluff stabilization work, Blakespear said. It would develop an area of natural lands and wildlife that the city wants to preserve. Another objection to the eastern route was that it would include a fence that would stop people from illegally crossing the tracks toward Coast Highway and the beach. However, North County Transit District has said the fence will be built no matter where the Rail Trail goes. The western route along Coast Highway 101 would follow and expand on existing bicycle and pedestrian paths on both sides of the highway, and would reduce vehicle travel lanes to accommodate the paths. Its for riders of all ages and all sorts of trips, said Linda Culp, a principal planner for SANDAG, said of the Coast Highway bike paths. SANDAG officials also were disappointed by the commissions decision, Charles Muggs Stoll, director of land use and planning for the agency, said Friday. We feel like the western alignment was superior to any along the eastern side, Stoll said. It would have provided a great facility for both the community and the region. Much more work needs to be done to build the facility along San Elijo Avenue, he said, and that will cost more money and take more time. Also, the agency will have to forfeit its $1 million grant because it will miss the construction deadline. What happens next is up to SANDAGs board of directors, Stoll said. Planned since 1989, the Rail Trail will eventually stretch about 44 miles from San Diego through Oceanside. About one-third of the overall trail has been completed so far, and only Solana Beach, Encinitas neighbor to the south, has completed its entire 1.7-mile segment. The Cardiff segment in Encinitas is a little over half of the citys entire 2.2 miles of the trail. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Nation remains major engine of global growth 09:04, March 28, 2024 By Ouyang Shijia ( Chinadaily.com.cn China will continue to remain a top contributor to global economic growth in 2024 on the back of its robust economic recovery, participants attending the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 said on Wednesday. The forum, which is being held in Boao, Hainan province, started on Tuesday and runs through Friday. Dismissing speculation that China's economy is peaking, the participants said the country is on track to achieve steady and sustainable growth in the next few years, fueled by its accelerated pace of economic transformation as well as intensified efforts to develop new quality productive forces and expand high-standard opening-up. Justin Yifu Lin, dean of Peking University's Institute of New Structural Economics, said he believes that the Chinese economy will expand by over 5 percent this year if the government steps up policy support and deepens reforms to foster new growth drivers and upgrade traditional industries. "China will remain the primary driver of global economic growth," he added. Huang Yiping, dean of Peking University's National School of Development, said China's 2024 annual growth target of around 5 percent "is achievable". "China's key economic indicators in the first two months were probably slightly better than expected," he said. "The economy is relatively stable. We might see some support for economic growth going forward with some hope of further improvement." Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that the country's industrial output in January and February grew 7 percent year-on-year after a 6.8 percent rise in December, and fixed-asset investment increased 4.2 percent year-on-year during the January-February period. Despite downward pressures and challenges such as issues surrounding the real estate sector and local government debt, Huang said the Chinese economy may continue to improve this year as the country is set to expand its fiscal spending, and a soft landing of the United States economy will also be positive for the external environment and exports. Denis Depoux, global managing director of consultancy Roland Berger, expressed strong optimism about China's economic prospects, stating that the "fundamentals of the Chinese economy are very strong". Dismissing speculation that the Chinese economy is showing signs of peaking, he said the Chinese economy is expanding at a steady pace. "The old China stories of the past low labor costs, relatively few added-value products, massive exports and massive fixed asset investments in infrastructure building fueling the economy are gone," he said. "The new China story relies on advanced manufacturing, decarbonization, increasing consumption and the services economy." Looking into the longer term, he said he sees huge growth potential in the Chinese economy given its large middle-income segment and its steady economic transformation process. "I think China plays a very important role in the world economy. Last year, China contributed about 30 percent of economic growth globally," said Carl Fey, professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School. Fey highlighted the marked shift in China's exports of the high-tech "new three" products photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries and new energy vehicles saying that the country has made considerable progress in terms of boosting innovation and high-tech sectors. Official data reflects the marked shift with exports of the high-tech "new three" products witnessing substantial growth. Exports of the "new three" grew by nearly 30 percent last year, according to the General Administration of Customs. Fey praised the country's intensified efforts to foster the development of new quality productive forces, saying that those moves will help promote sustainability and high quality in the long run. When it comes to concerns about the stability of the Chinese economy, he said the government has adopted very good policies to deal with issues that may hinder development. "I think China will probably meet its (around) 5 percent growth target this year," he added. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A startup company that turns nutrients from human hair and chicken feathers into eco-friendly products opened on Thursday at the Ozark Technology Center. The OZARK-SetaTech invited business and civic leaders and elected officials to its Ozark Technology Center Business Incubator on Highway 231 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Holle Smith, the president of the Ozark Dale County Economic Development, said the incubator is truly designed to do. Take a startup company and growing it is our purpose. We are most grateful that we were able to bring SetaTech to the Wiregrass through HudsonAlpha Wiregrass, Smith said. Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship echoed the sentiment. He credited several for making the opening a reality including Director Dean Mitchell, Economic Development Associate Ann Carr and CEO Blair Blacker Blair Blackers team. We know they could have picked anywhere they wanted to come, and we look forward to their future growth here. SetaTech being here shows that HudsonAlpha Wiregrass is truly a Wiregrass project for the entire region, Blacker said. HudsonAlpha Wiregrass is truly the whole Wiregrass working together. In 2022, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Hunstville and the city of Dothan partnered to created HudsonAlpha Wiregrass. This is the first ag-tech start-up to locate in the Wiregrass since HudsonAlpha Wiregrass started in December 2022. Biotechnology plays a crucial role in improving health, addressing hunger, and advancing scientific knowledge across various domains, said Christopher Udall, managing director of gener8tors HudsonAlpha AgTech Investment Accelerator. Were a venture capital fund that looks for the best and brightest startups from around the world to bring to Alabama for three months and accelerate their growth 20 percent month over month, Udall said. Blair is a unique story because he showed up at my office in 2022 with (SetaTech Chief Operating Officer) Lisa Chen and said, Heres my idea, Udall said about the project that involves creating products from human hair and chicken feathers. I said Thats weird, no thank you, Udall recalled, smiling, and shaking his head. Blair kept coming back, kept persevering and he was accepted into our program. SetaTech was a part of the Fall 2023 AgTech Accelerator at HudsonAlpha Institute in Huntsville. Through this program, HudsonAlpha Wiregrass introduced them to economic developers in the Wiregrass. Smith followed up with SetaTech when space became available in the Ozark Technology Center for Developing Industry. A retired Army colonel, Blacker, a Vietnam veteran and Cobra pilot, is CEO of SetaTech. Blacker sold his last business to Raytheon for $500 million and is now setting out to change the face of agriculture in a sustainable way. With initial Army flight training in Texas and Cobra Helicopter training in Savannah, Ga., Blacker served 26 years as an Army helicopter pilot without ever having been to Fort Novosel. If you dont think God has a sense of humor, here I am, he quipped. SetaTech is introducing Smart4Growing and Deer Wall at the Ozark location. Blacker said they use the worlds waste to clean up the worlds mess. He described the companys eco-friendly products comprised of nutrients from human hair, chicken feathers and moringa leaves. We transform the all-natural materials into eco-friendly products leading to long term environmental and economic sustainability. Ed Clark, also a former Army Ranger who served in Germany with Blacker, is the vice president of sales for SetaTech. The new products launched at the Atlanta, Ga., Home Show last week, and are currently available online but are expected to be available in commercial outlets within six weeks, he said. The Ozark location is going to be an actual manufacturing site. So eventually were going to have machines that will mix, bottle, label, package the products and ship them out the door, he said. What you see here is a factory that is fairly empty today but in six months its going to be full, its going to be busy and in five to 10 years this company is going to generate hundreds of millions of dollars worth of value, Udall said. Udall had high praise for the welcome from the city of Ozark at every step of the process. I have three companies in my portfolio so far that do business with you, he said. Ive never met a town so hungry to support entrepreneurship, to support agriculture industry advancements. Last year, less than 100 companies joined the global unicorn club, the lowest number since 2017 and a steep drop compared to 2022 and 2023, which saw hundreds of private startups valued at $1 billion or more. Still, in a year that showed becoming a unicorn is much harder than before, AI companies turned out to be the absolute winners. According to data presented by AltIndex.com , one in five new billion-dollar startups in 2023 were artificial intelligence companies. 20 AI cos joined the club A decade after the term unicorn was made to mark private startups valued at $1 billion or more, the number of these companies hit more than 1,500 globally, with a collective value of more than a whopping $5 trillion. But joining the global unicorn club has become much harder than before despite huge investor interest in some markets. However, that didn`t seem to affect the artificial intelligence sector, which delivered more unicorns than any other market. According to Crunchbase data, only 95 companies joined the global unicorn list last year, one-third of the figure seen in 2022 and six times less than the number of new unicorns in 2021, still the record year by the number of new $1 billion worth startups. Of the 95 companies that hit a valuation of $1 billion or more, one-fifth, or 20, were from the AI sector, mainly from the generative AI market. These companies have collectively added more than $35 billion in value to the global unicorn club. Statistics show fintech was the sector with the second-highest number of new unicorns, with 14 in 2023. Cleantech, energy, and semiconductors followed with 12 and 9 new unicorns, respectively. Analyzed by geography, almost half of all new unicorns were from the United States. Another 24 were from China, while India and the United Kingdom had three. Open AI is the Highest Valued of Them With 20 new companies joining the global unicorn list in 2023 and three more in the first quarter of this year, the total number of startups in the AI sector valued at $1 billion or more hit 214. The generative AI company, OpenAI, is the most valuable among them, with a valuation of $80 billion as of this month, $15 billion more than the Chinese ecommerce giant Stripe or the US payments provider, Stripe. Statistics show Databricks is the second most valuable AI unicorn globally, with a valuation of $43 billion. The San Francisco-based AI safety and research company, follows with a $16 billion valuation, respectively. The full story and statistics can be found here: https://altindex.com/news/ai-companies-unicorns Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Kristin Graham. Dr. Subodh Jain. Kristin Graham (right) checks in with a member of her team. Amy Sheele. The members of Kalamazoo Housing Advocates works together to help those who are in survival mode as they seek housing. Sarah Cain, executive director, says Kalamazoo Housing Advocates is at maximum capacity at the moment. Marla LeMae, right, serves on the board of Kalamazoo Housing Advocates. Kalica Good is the board chairperson for Kalamazoo Housing Advocates. Roosevelt Lee-Fleming, who was formerly homeless, will be the first employee of Kalamazoo Housing Advocates. Sarah Cain, executive director, pulls out her active files, thick folders -- 12 cases who are housed, eight who are trying to find housing. She has four new people she'll be meeting soon. Maliha Raza Khan is a consultant and grant writer for Kalamazoo Housing Advocates. Sarah Cain, executive director, keeps in touch with clients who may have most problems worked out, willing to offer support if needed. A sign on the door that let's people know they've reached Kalamazoo Housing Advocates. Rosemary Linares We can't answer what Sojourner Truth would say because we do not speak on her behalf. However, what I HOPE she would say is that BCTRHT's goals and activities align with the vision she fought and stood for. Her vision directly informs our work to catalyze a local movement for racial equity, where individuals embed the work of racial healing and transformation into their daily lives in service of eradicating the false hierarchy of human value across all intersecting social identities. Victoria Fox I think anyone who follows any abolitionist as closely as Truth would say that the work will never be finished. It's okay to celebrate how far we have come in their honor, but we still have far to go as a community and as a society when it comes to abolishing the systems of oppression. Elizabeth Garcia, the new Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing Program Director Sojourner Truth stands as a beacon of intersectional equity and justice. While we cannot speak on her behalf, we aspire to uphold her legacy by advancing towards a more equitable society. As advocates for historically marginalized and underrecognized voices, BCTRHT has diligently worked to prioritize the inclusion of female/fem-presenting individuals, queer individuals, neurodivergent individuals, those with disabilities, and advocates for change in our internal decision-making processes. Politics spotlight Proposed measures to give SF mayor new powers, cut commissions get big cash Craig Lee/The Examiner Kanishka Cheng, founder and CEO of TogetherSF Action: We are concerned that any effort within City Hall wont go far enough to advance the bold reforms we need. Advocates collecting signatures to qualify two ballot measures for the November ballot one to increase the San Francisco mayors power to hire and fire, the other to cut the number and authority of city commissions have raised $1.5 million for their effort, according to campaign finance statements. About $1 million of the total raised as of March 15 came from billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz, the financial patron of TogetherSF Action, which is spearheading the charter reform campaign through an organization called Committee to Fix San Francisco Government, a Coalition of San Francisco Civic Organizations Dedicated to Improving the Citys Future. Another $400,000 came from Neighbors for a Better San Francisco Advocacy, which is listed on disclosure documents as a committee sponsor. Just over $100,000 came from G. Leonard Baker of the venture capital and private equity firm Sutter Hill Ventures. Kanishka Cheng, founder and CEO of TogetherSF Action the political offshoot of Together SF, a nonprofit formed with Moritzs backing that aims to educate voters and promote civic engagement said the campaign had collected a little more than half of the 50,000 signatures required to qualify a charter-reform measure for the ballot. Signatures must be submitted to the Department of Elections by July 8. So far, no organized opposition has filed fundraising disclosure statements with the city Ethics Commission. One of the two measures, the We Need SF To Work Initiative, aims to give the mayor sole authority to appoint and remove department heads under most charter commissions. In many cases, the mayor now can only hire department heads from a pool of candidates nominated by commissions and cannot independently remove them. Instead, she can only recommend that commissions do so, according to the measures language. Currently, the measure says, some commissions including those overseeing the Municipal Transportation Agency, the Arts Commission and The Citys employee and retiree Health Service System appoint department heads without needing the mayors approval. The measure would give that power to the mayor and enable the mayor to appoint deputy mayors. The other measure, the Cut the Dysfunctional Bureaucracy Initiative, would initiate a 16-month process for reducing the number of city commissions from about 130, which it says is much higher than in other large cities, to a maximum of 65, Cheng said. If city officials dont reduce the number of commissions to the new limit, commissions other than those required in the City Charter or by state and federal mandate would be dissolved. However, there would be opportunity to add, reauthorize or restructure commissions up to a total of 65, according to Cheng. Mayor London Breed supports the measures, though her spokesperson, Jeff Cretan, said the mayor would like even more reforms, such as making it easier for her to declare a state of emergency. When TogetherSF Action initially filed the measure focusing on commissions, Breeds office identified problems with the language that could have produced serious unintended consequences, such as putting the Board of Supervisors in charge of police discipline cases, Cretan said. Breed directed her staff to work with the proponents and the City Attorneys office to help craft the version now in circulation, he said. It doesnt include everything the mayor would have wanted, but it definitely makes things a lot better than they are today, Cretan said. Aaron Peskin, president of the Board of Supervisors, said he agrees with some of TogetherSF Actions goals, but he thinks the group should have developed the measures through a more public process and involved more city officials with relevant expertise, as the rewriting episode highlighted. The fact that this billionaire is concocting a change to San Franciscos constitution behind closed doors is troubling, Peskin said. Charter amendments that go through the normal democratic process are subject to more public input than anything else that goes on the ballot. San Francisco already has a strong-mayor form of government, he said. So the failures of the executive branch to execute arent going to be made better by the elimination of superfluous commissions, said Peskin, who has been mulling the possibility of challenging Breed for the mayors post in the November election. They are going to be made better by a more hands-on mayor. TogetherSF Action argues that The Citys government structure breeds dysfunction and inhibits effective responses to challenges such as homelessness, public safety, a lack of affordable housing and a struggling downtown economy. Moritz, of Sequoia Capital fame, has given hundreds of millions of dollars through his Crankstart Foundation, including to many local organizations, and has echoed similar criticisms of The Citys performance. Efforts to reach Moritz for comment were unsuccessful. There are a lot of really ambitious, bright people who get elected into office that say all the right things and ostensibly want to execute all those right things, but theyre not able to actually affect the changes, said Cheng, who worked in City Hall as a legislative aide at the Board of Supervisors and as the mayors board liaison and director of commission affairs. From my experience working in the city, I certainly experienced that, Cheng said. The ideas in the proposed ballot measures reflect the findings of a study by the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College that was commissioned by TogetherSF Actions community organizing affiliate, TogetherSF. Supervisor Rafael Mandelman also referenced the Rose Institute report in late October when he unveiled his own ballot-measure proposal to potentially increase the mayors power and reduce the number of commissions, though he did not endorse all of the reports findings. Mandelman said recently that he and others had put a lot of work into crafting a potential ballot measure in hopes of getting the support from other supervisors to get it on the ballot, but he was not sure he would pursue a measure this year. He cited various possible complicating factors, including the likelihood of TogetherSF Action measures being on the ballot and the politics around the mayors race. Mandelman said he was not ready to comment on TogetherSF Actions two measures, but he raised the possibility that someone could decide to put a competing measure on the ballot. If people look at the TogetherSF measures and feel like theyre not good, Mandelman said, some folks might feel like they need to put a countermeasure on. Weve seen that happen many times. TogetherSF Action reacted to Mandelmans proposal in November by saying it needed to go much further. Cheng praised Mandelmans commitment to reforming broken systems in our government, but expressed doubt about his potential offering. We have not yet seen his measure, but we are concerned that any effort within City Hall wont go far enough to advance the bold reforms we need, Cheng said. Last Easter, Australian ecommerce sales witnessed an impressive surge, reaching nearly AU$7 million in the week leading up to the holiday. This marked a significant 30% increase compared to any other week in April of the same year, according to data provided by Omnisend, a leading ecommerce marketing company. This substantial boost in sales reflects a growing trend in consumer behavior, particularly evident in the shift towards online purchases, a trend that has solidified since the onset of the pandemic. As Easter approaches this year, the National Retail Foundation (NRF) forecasts a substantial global spending spree, estimating that consumers worldwide will collectively shell out around AU$35 billion to celebrate the holiday. Notably, a significant portion of this expenditure, amounting to AU$4.6 billion (13%), is expected to be allocated to online purchases. Tips for boosting your Easter sales To augment Easter sales and enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, Zakowicz offers a comprehensive array of strategies: Launch an Easter Giveaway: Tempt customers with enticing freebies or themed gifts bundled with purchases exceeding a predetermined threshold. Host an Easter Social Media Contest: Foster engagement and encourage user-generated content by organizing contests or scavenger hunts across social media platforms. Create a Unique Easter Hashtag: Cultivate a sense of community and encourage user participation by devising a distinctive Easter hashtag for customers to share their holiday purchases and experiences. Send Easter-themed Email Campaigns: Cut through the inbox clutter with captivating subject lines and visually appealing content, promoting Easter deals and offerings to subscribers. Utilize Remarketing Tactics: Re-engage previous site visitors and potential customers with personalized ads and emails tailored to their interests and browsing history. Create Urgency with Limited-time Offers: Instill a sense of urgency and scarcity with exclusive deals and promotions, accompanied by countdown timers and promotional messages to prompt immediate action. Offer Clever Discounts: Segment your customer base and tailor discounts and offers to cater to specific demographics or product categories, incentivizing purchases and reducing inventory. Bundle Products for Added Value: Curate themed product bundles or exclusive assortments to cater to diverse customer needs and preferences, offering added value and convenience. Surprise with Gifts at Checkout: Enhance the customer experience by surprising shoppers with unexpected gifts or discounts during the checkout process, fostering goodwill and encouraging repeat purchases. Add Personal Touches with Thank You Notes: Express gratitude and reinforce brand values by including personalized thank-you notes or messages in packages, fostering a sense of connection and loyalty. Ensure Ample Inventory: Anticipate demand and maintain optimal stock levels by leveraging inventory management software, ensuring that popular Easter items are readily available to meet customer demand. Greg Zakowicz, a seasoned senior ecommerce marketing expert at Omnisend, underscores the enduring impact of this shift towards online shopping, particularly for Easter-related items like chocolate eggs, bunnies, decorations, and gifts. What initially arose as a necessity during the pandemic has since transformed into a steadfast consumer preference, reshaping the retail landscape.We see a growing trend of people buying chocolate eggs and bunnies, Easter decorations, and gifts online. This behaviour became a necessity during the pandemic and is now here to stay, says Greg Zakowicz, senior ecommerce marketing expert at Omnisend. Easter is the biggest sales event of spring, so no matter if a business is active online or in-store, merchants should be ready with their marketing campaigns. But its not just about chocolates. Easter presents opportunities for a wide range of industries its all about how imaginative you can be with your offerings. Crafting the right message is equally pivotal in driving engagement and conversions during the Easter season. Zakowicz recommends tailoring messaging to spotlight the unique benefits of Easter offerings, leveraging persuasive language to entice consumers. Moreover, selecting the appropriate channels to disseminate these messages is paramount, with a multifaceted approach encompassing email marketing, SMS, advertisements, and social media platforms ensuring widespread visibility and engagement. With events like Easter, its extremely important to be creative. You can expect to see colourful eggs and chocolate bunnies in your competitors Easter campaigns, so dont be afraid to try something different, says Zakowicz. However, its also important to remember marketing basics and keep your marketing efforts relatable to your customers. With nearly 59% of Australians gearing up to celebrate Easter this year, Zakowicz underscores the critical importance of creativity and strategic marketing in capitalizing on this lucrative holiday. Businesses are urged to delve into the intricacies of their target audiences preferences, considering factors such as age demographics, technological proficiency, environmental consciousness, and diverse interests. Moreover, Zakowicz emphasizes the significance of timing in launching Easter campaigns, advising businesses to initiate promotions approximately two weeks ahead of the holiday and intensify marketing efforts as Good Friday approaches, especially for non-Easter items. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Shares in clothing retailer Quiz were sliding on Thursday morning, after it reported continued subdued trading alongside significant changes to its board, as part of a strategic review. The AIM-traded firm said chief executive officer and founder Tarak Ramzan would step down from his CEO role immediately, but would remain a non-executive director, leveraging his expertise and support during the transition period. Sheraz Ramzan, the current chief commercial officer, would take over as the new CEO to lead a turnaround strategy aimed at recalibrating the Quiz brand and driving profitable growth. Non-executive chairman Peter Cowgill would meanwhile play a more active role in supporting the company through the ongoing strategic review and assisting Sheraz in his new role. Additionally, the board said it was actively seeking at least one additional independent non-executive director following a previous departure. Amid subdued UK sales impacted by reduced foot traffic both in-store and online, the company reported a 9% reduction in sales for the period from 1 January to 29 February, compared to the prior year. However, international sales were showing promise, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United States. Despite the sales challenges, the company's gross margin performance remained steady year-on-year. The board anticipated revenue and losses before tax for the year to be in line with expectations, with potential non-recurring charges from an impairment review of store-related assets. To counter declining revenues, the firm said it was implementing cost-saving measures, eliminating loss-making activities, reviewing operational efficiencies, and optimising its product offerings. Liquidity remained a focus, with total liquidity headroom of 2.9m as of 27 March. The company said it was exploring various strategic options, including organic growth opportunities, cost control measures, and potential new strategies, and will provide further updates as appropriate. The UK apparel market has undergone significant well reported changes since Quizs IPO in 2017 and it continues to evolve at pace, said non-executive chairman Peter Cowgill. The board changes announced today provide an opportunity for a fresh vision and new leadership approach to create value for all shareholders. I look forward to working closely with Sheraz, following his well-deserved promotion to CEO, to determine the optimum path forward for the business. At 0902 GMT, shares in Quiz were down 15.23% at 5.07p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Parent company Kemble also admits it can't repay 190m loan Investors blame Ofwat for refusing to allow massive price hikes Struggling UK utility Thames Water faced a funding crisis on Thursday as shareholders pulled a 500m bailout after regulators refused its demands to hit customers with massive price hikes, greater leniency for polluting waterways and pay out higher dividends, while its parent company also admitted it couldn't pay back a 190m loan. The largely foreign group of investors were due to hand over the first tranche of a 750m cash injection at the end of March, but said they now regarded the company as uninvestible and tried to shift blame onto regulator Ofwat for rejecting Thames Waters latest business plan to fix its leak-ridden network of pipes. Thames Waters parent company, Kemble Water Finance, also said it can't repay a debt that due at the end of April and had appointed advisers from turnaround consultant Alvarez & Marsal to handle negotiations with lenders and the holders of its debt in an attempt to buy more time. Unless funding is secured the company could face the prospect of being placed under special administration by the government, although chief executive Chris Weston on Thursday insisted this was not an immediate concern as Thames had enough cash to run day-to-day until May 2025. "If at the end of the day probably well into the end of next year we were in a situation where we had no equity, then there would be the prospect of special administration, but we are a long way from that point at the moment, he told the BBC. Investors had originally wanted the company to raise bills by 40% over the next five years. Customers this month were hit with eye-watering rises of around 13% for 2024 amid a cost-of-living crisis. Thames is labouring under a massive 14bn debt pile built up over years while investors received huge dividends. It has faced sever criticism for failing to tackle leaks and allowing sewage to be pumped into rivers and streams. It ultimately wants a 2.5bn shareholder bailout to the end of the decade to stay solvent, but also held out the begging bowl to Ofwat, demanding it be allowed to raise prices, pay higher dividends and be let off the hook for polluting rivers and streams by receiving lower fines. The GMB union, which represents workers at Thames Water accused the investor group of "essentially blackmailing customers and Ofwat". "Assets and infrastructure are falling apart instead of putting the money in to fix it, shareholders are refusing to pay a penny unless bills are allowed to rocket," said national officer Gary Carter. "Holding bill payers to ransom for costs after years of underinvestment is completely unacceptable." Parent company Kemble Water has also received a 500m loan from shareholders. Thames Water is the UKs biggest water supplier with 15 million customers across London and the South East. It is owned by the Canadian pension fund Omers, Britains Universities Superannuation Scheme, Infinity Investments - which is owned by Abu Dhabis sovereign wealth fund - British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, UK-based investor Hermes GPE, sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation, the Queensland Investment Corporation, Aquila GP and Dutch pension fund Stichting Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com The company reported revenue of $201m for 2023, driven by an average oil price of $81.2 per barrel and a gas price of $2.9 per million standard cubic feet, while production costs amounted to $60m. Exploration expenditure totaled $49m, with $15m allocated to Egypt and $34m across its legacy international portfolio. Additionally, $91m was invested in capex for Egypt's producing assets, resulting in a net cash inflow of $32m from Egypt operations. Despite a group net cash position of $76m, including $190m in cash and $114m in debt, the company reported an operating loss of $87m from continuing operations and a loss after tax of $144m. Strategic initiatives included shareholder return commitments, with around $568m paid out in 2023 and a further $50m dividend planned for the second quarter, contingent on shareholder approval. Operational highlights featured Egypt oil and gas production at 30,044 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), with 47% comprising liquids. The company drilled 23 additional wells, adding approximately 6,300 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 16 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd). However, exploration drilling in the first half of 2023 yielded no success. Looking to 2024, Capricorn said it was committed to aligning investments in Egypt with available funds in the country. Production was forecast in the range of 20,000 to 24,000 boepd, with 48% expected to be liquids. Operating costs were projected to remain stable at $7 to $9 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), influenced by liquids processing volume and absolute production levels. The company said it aimed to focus on cost reduction, targeting a year-end gross general and administrative expense of less than $20m per year, net of restructuring costs. Additionally, Capricorn said it intended to seek deferment of some expenditures into 2025 while working to secure concessions and extensions in Egypt to support increased investment and strengthened returns. Furthermore, Capricorn said it expected to complete the acquisition of a 25% working interest in the Columbus gas condensate field in the second quarter. The company added that it was actively seeking to defer payments related to its contingent obligations linked to the acquisition of its Egyptian assets. In the last year, the renewed board executed multiple strategic initiatives to transform Capricorn - cost reduction programmes, focusing the corporate opportunities portfolio on Egypt and changes to the culture of the business, which we continue to push through, said chief executive officer Randy Neely. Alongside this strategic refresh, the board made returning capital to shareholders a core business objective, returning around $568m in 2023. Additionally, I am delighted to announce that we are proposing a $50m special dividend to be paid in the second quarter of 2024, subject to shareholder approval. Looking ahead, Neely said the company was actively working with its partner to maximise the potential of its Egyptian portfolio and progress amendments to the PSCs that support increased investment and strengthened returns. We are confident that the receivables position will improve in the coming months, supported by the first quarter announcements of the UAE investment deal on the Egyptian north coast and the International Monetary Fund loan, as well as financial support package pledges from the EU and World Bank. We are also pleased to announce that Capricorn received payment of $30m from EGPC this week, further demonstrating the improving fiscal landscape. By focusing on production and development opportunities to provide sustainable, best in class returns, and deepening our relationships with our Partner and the Egyptian Government, our renewed team will ensure that Capricorn advances confidently and successfully in 2024 and beyond. At 0838 GMT, shares in Capricorn Energy were up 3.11% at 172.2p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Students at the American International School Vietnam in HCMC participate in an international math examination in 2020. Photo courtesy of AISVN Over 100 parents at the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) have proposed for their children to study online at an extra VND10-15 million ($400-600) a month amid a teachers' strike. The 115 parents on Thursday sent the proposal to the school and the HCMC Department of Education and Training, hoping that letting the students study online would help them finish the school year. Earlier this month, several teachers at the school began quitting. On March 18, students had to stay home as most teachers were not present at work over unpaid salaries and insurance. By March 20, 85 teachers at the school had quit. The school has 129 foreign teachers and 26 Vietnamese teachers. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, head of the school board, on March 21 said investment funds would be called on to restructure the school. Minh Anh, the parent of an 11th grader and representative of the parents' group, said that following the spring break (March 23-31), the students would return to school. However, AISVN has yet to provide any solution to ensure that it would operate properly. There are only a few months left until the end of the second semester, and switching schools would be difficult, especially for seniors. Parents have agreed to pay tuition so that the school can teach students online. The exact amount of tuition paid would be determined once the proposal is passed. "The amount of tuition that parents found to be most appropriate is at VND10-15 million a month," said Bui Thong, who has two children studying at AISVN. Parents said online classes should work, given the school's experience with online classes during the pandemic, as well as its existing infrastructure. Parents would cooperate with the school to help with the operation, ensuring the rights of both students and their parents. They also said that the International Baccalaureate Organization, which oversees the curriculum, accepts online teaching. Established in 2006 in Nha Be District, AISVN offers the International Baccalaureate program. Tuition fees range from VND280-350 million (US$11,300-14,100) per year for kindergarteners, VND450-500 million for primary school students, to VND600-725 million for middle and high school students. In October of last year, several parents gathered to demand repayment of debts from the school. They claimed that the school had borrowed tens of billions of Vietnamese dong without interest to enable children to study for free. However, even after the children graduated, the debts remain unpaid. HCMC boasts 35 schools with foreign capital, predominantly utilizing curricula from North America and the U.K., supplemented by Vietnamese subjects. Tuition fees at these schools can reach up to VND1 billion per year. In a significant advancement for India's aviation, space, and defense sector (ASD), French aerospace and defense company Starburst Accelerator SARL is collaborating with IIT-Madras to establish a pioneering hub for startups. With funding support totaling 100 million, this partnership aims to equip startups with essential business tools, facilitating their growth and scalability within the aerospace and defense industries. Through this collaboration, IIT-Madras will facilitate the establishment of accelerator programs tailored to India's ASD ecosystem. Starburst Accelerator SARL aims to establish venture capital funds dedicated to ASD technology, serving as a catalyst for India's economic transformation and its alignment with global partners. This collaboration will facilitate export promotion and offer assistance to Indian ASD startups in venturing into international markets leveraging Starburst's extensive network. At the IIT-Madras campus, an MoU formalizing this collaboration was signed by Francois Chopard, the CEO and founder of Starburst Aerospace; Cedric Vallet, the director of innovation and venture at Starburst Aerospace; along with Prof V Kamakoti, the director of IIT-Madras; and Prof Manu Santhanam, the Dean of IIT-Madras's Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR) department. An MoU was signed by Francois Chopard, Founder and CEO, Starburst Aerospace; Cedric Vallet, Innovation and Venture Director, Starburst Aerospace and V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Manu Santhanam, dean (ICSR), IIT Madras, the statement added. We together aim at creating a robust ASD ecosystem that supports innovation in deeptech and the production in India to meet the future challenges of aerospace, new space and defence worldwide players, said Chopard. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, Encouraging young entrepreneurs is extremely important as we embark on our journey to become a multi-trillion economy. To this effect, reputed higher educational institutions must aspire to nurture future employers than employees. In this context, such collaborations with accelerators to nurture startups in critical and emerging sectors are crucial and timely. This partnership will primarily target entrepreneurs, research parks, both public and private investors, government entities, and corporate firms. The objective is to foster the development of innovative startups and facilitate their rapid growth, aligning them with upcoming aerospace and new space programs globally. Starburst will establish a consulting team comprising IIT-Madras alumni, seasoned military officers, in addition to ASD managers and senior consultants from Starburst offices. This initiative aims to assist startups in scaling up during their growth trajectory. The program will offer entrepreneurs and innovators access to resources, driving the development of new technologies, business concepts, and models, thereby enhancing the innovation ecosystem in the Indian aerospace and defense sector. Furthermore, it will enable startups and entrepreneurs to explore potential collaborations with industry, government, and other stakeholders, while also guiding them towards swift implementation and global commercialization. Nayara Energy, India's largest private fuel retailer, has appointed Alessandro Des Dorides as its new CEO, succeeding Alois Virag, whose term concludes on March 31, 2024. The appointment comes amidst Des Dorides' notable background, having previously served as the head of oil trading at Eni, although his tenure ended amid controversy related to illegal Iran oil trade. In 2019, while at Eni, Des Dorides oversaw a transaction where the company purchased oil purportedly from Iraq, but later discovered it originated from Iran, potentially violating US sanctions. Subsequently, Des Dorides was dismissed from his position. global energy markets, strategic planning, and risk management. However, Nayara Energy's statement on the appointment omitted any reference to Des Dorides' past at Eni. Instead, it emphasized his extensive experience in the energy sector, spanning over 24 years, and highlighted his expertise in, strategic planning, and risk management. Des Dorides, a graduate in Economics from Sapienza University of Rome with an MBA from SDA Bocconi, brings a wealth of experience that Nayara believes will contribute to its growth trajectory. The company, backed by Russia's Rosneft, operates a substantial network of nearly 6,600 petrol pumps across India and runs a significant oil refinery in Gujarat with a capacity of 20 million tonnes annually. Prasad Panicker, Chairman of Nayara Energy, expressed confidence in Des Dorides' leadership, stating that his diverse background in the energy industry will steer the company into its next phase of growth. Despite the challenges posed by Des Dorides' past, Nayara Energy remains optimistic about his ability to guide the company towards exceeding expectations. With Des Dorides at the helm, Nayara Energy aims to continue expanding its presence in refining, retail, petrochemicals, and sustainable energy businesses. The appointment signals a strategic move for the company as it navigates through the complexities of the energy market while focusing on sustainable growth under new leadership. According to a PwC survey, 95% of companies entering the Indian market or already doing business in this market have experienced fraud. Coca-Cola, Nokia, Vodafone and Parimatch are among the major players that have faced this problem, writes News Daily India. In particular, Parimatch, a well-known player in the gambling market, has faced serious challenges, including counterfeit products and copyright issues created by local competitors ignored by the authorities. The bookmaker Parimatch had planned to invest millions of dollars in the Indian economy. However, it encountered local support from the monopoly of domestic companies in the gambling market, including Dream11, Nazara Technologies, Paytm, First Games Moonfrog Labs, 99Games, Octro, JetSynthesys, and HashCube. In addition, these companies counterfeited the products of competitors from the United States and Europe and the local authorities did not interfere with these cases. According to the News Daily India article, in the Indian market, there were facts of persecution and judicial pressure even on those companies that have never operated in the country. In many cases, the hurdles for investors in India are intentional. In particular, in recent years, Indian authorities have doubled down on the persecution of foreign businesses with trumped-up charges. Google, Amazon, Nokia, and Samsung have all been fined billions of dollars. Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, Intel, Wistron and Parimatch have also faced an obstacle course. These tests have forced some of the world's largest corporations to withdraw from the Indian market or seriously reconsider their strategies. For example, Ford and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank decided to leave India due to the country's confusing regulatory and administrative environment. Considering the negative cases of well-known companies such as Coca-Cola, Nokia, Vodafone and Walmart, Parimatch, as well as Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, Intel, Wistron, Ford and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, it becomes clear that the Indian government needs to seriously improve the country's business environment in order to continue attracting foreign capital. Sprinklr, a leading unified customer experience management platform, has appointed Amitabh Misra, a former executive at Adobe, as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective April 1, 2024. The announcement underscores Sprinklr's commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities to better serve its global clientele. In his role as CTO, Misra will oversee all research and development (R&D) teams worldwide, encompassing product and engineering divisions. He will report directly to Ragy Thomas, the founder and CEO of Sprinklr, headquartered in New York. AI technology. Thomas emphasized the significance of the CTO role in advancing Sprinklr's mission and meeting the evolving needs of its customers, partners, and employees. Thomas expressed confidence in Misra's ability to drive Sprinklr's technological innovations forward, citing his extensive industry expertise, track record in scaling businesses, and profound understanding of. Thomas emphasized the significance of the CTO role in advancing Sprinklr's mission and meeting the evolving needs of its customers, partners, and employees. Prior to joining Sprinklr, Misra held key positions at Adobe, serving as Vice President of Experience Cloud Engineering. In this capacity, he led a diverse R&D team spanning India, Europe, and the US, focusing on Adobe's experience cloud platform. Before his tenure at Adobe, Misra founded GOFro.com and held senior technology roles at Snapdeal, showcasing his prowess in building and managing large-scale technology platforms. Misra expressed his enthusiasm for leveraging his expertise to drive technological innovation at Sprinklr, emphasizing his commitment to creating innovative solutions for customers. With a global workforce and a clientele comprising over 1,400 enterprises, including prominent brands like Microsoft, P&G, and Samsung, Sprinklr remains at the forefront of revolutionizing customer experience management for modern enterprises. The Indian benchmark indices are expected to experience a volatile start on March 28, which is Thursday, due to uneven global trends. At 7:30 AM, the Gift Nifty futures were up by 5 points in comparison to the Nifty 50 futures at 22,172. As of Thursday morning, markets in Asia are showing mixed signals, with Japan's Nikkei 225 experiencing a 1% loss and trading below 40,400 levels, while the broad-based Topix has slipped by 1.16%. Bharat Heavy Electricals, Adani Power: A state-owned company has received a contract from Adani Power to establish the Raigarh Phase-II Thermal Power Plant in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. As per the exchange filing, BHEL will provide equipment such as a Boiler, Turbine, and Generator, and oversee the erection and commissioning of the 2x800 MW power project, which will be based on supercritical technology. The total cost of the project, excluding GST, is estimated to be Rs 4,000 crore. The first unit is expected to be delivered within 31 months of the contract execution, while the second unit is scheduled for delivery within 35 months. IDFC First Bank: Cloverdell Investment, which is an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, is contemplating the sale of its stake in IDFC First Bank, which is a private lender. According to a report by CNBC-TV18, the company is expected to sell its entire 2.25 percent stake through block deals on March 28. The estimated value of the offer is around Rs 1,191.40 crore, and the company is planning to sell roughly 15.9 crore shares. The base price has been set at Rs 75 per share, which is a 4 percent discount to the current market price. Dr. Reddys: A pharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad has recently announced a new partnership with Sanofi Healthcare India to enhance the marketing and distribution of Sanofi's vaccine brands across India. The two companies will collaborate to promote both pediatric and adult vaccine brands, including Hexaxim, Pentaxim, Tetraxim, Menactra, FluQuadri, Adacel, and Avaxim 80U. These brands have collectively generated sales of approximately Rs 426 crore ($51 million) as of IQVIA MAT February 2024. Sanofi has confirmed that they will remain the owner of these vaccines, and will continue to manufacture and import them to India. REC: On March 27, the Board of REC Ltd approved the comprehensive market borrowing programme of the PSU firm, valued at Rs 1.6 lakh crore for FY25. The Board also sanctioned a market borrowing programme of Rs 1.45 lakh crore for FY25, which will be implemented through the issuance of domestic bonds and debentures. In addition, the Board authorized securing a short-term loan of Rs 15,000 crore from various sources such as banks, financial institutions, NBFCs, and commercial papers. Chalet Hotels: The board of directors of Chalet Hotels has approved a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) to raise funds of up to Rs 1,200 crore. According to the filing submitted to the stock exchange, the floor price for the QIP is Rs 780.76 per equity share. However, the company is authorized to offer a discount of up to 5 percent on this price. The final issue price has been set at Rs 755 per share. Alkem Laboratories: On March 27, the pharmaceutical company announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) conducted an inspection of its manufacturing facility in Baddi from March 19 to March 27, 2024. The company also disclosed that it was issued a Form 483, which listed ten observations, as per a filing with the stock exchange. The company stated, "USFDA conducted an inspection at our Baddi manufacturing facility from March 19 to March 27, 2024. We received a Form 483 with ten observations at the end of the inspection". Zydus Lifesciences: On March 27, the company made an announcement that the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued four observations regarding the injectable facility of the company in Ahmedabad. As per the exchange filing by Zydus Life, the US FDA conducted an inspection of the SEZ Onco Injectable manufacturing plant from March 18th to March 27th. The company clarified that no observations were made related to data integrity as a result of the inspection. In the press statement, it was added that "The Company will work closely with the USFDA to address the observations". Bajaj Finance: Bajaj Housing Finance, which is a subsidiary of Bajaj Finance Ltd, has initiated initial discussions with several investment banks regarding a potential initial public offering (IPO). Three sources familiar with the matter have stated that the IPO is expected to value the company between $9 billion and $10 billion, in accordance with regulatory standards. According to the existing regulatory timeline set by the RBI, Bajaj Housing Finance is required to be listed by September 2025. Paytm: According to a report from Moneycontrol, One97 Communications Ltd, the parent company of Paytm, is close to adding HDFC Bank as its third partner for merchant migration. Paytm has already partnered with Axis Bank and Yes Bank as merchant acquisition partners, both of which went live on the Paytm UPI platform on March 15. The report suggests that HDFC Bank and SBI are expected to start operating as payment service provider (PSP) banks for Paytm's third-party application provider (TPAP) business this week. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two Staten Island educators were recently honored for their positive impact on local students with this years 2024 Patrick F. Daly Award. Lawrence Hansen, the principal of St. Joseph Hill Academy elementary school, was a recipient of the award. A posthumous award was made to David LaMorte, who was the director of the Tottenville High School marching band for more than two decades and most recently was an assistant principal. He died on Dec. 27, 2023, at 60 years old. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York state will experience a total solar eclipse for the first time in decades and state police are urging schools to give students the day off or a half-day in preparation for an influx of visitors. On Monday, April 8, the total solar eclipse will be visible to people across North America. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. During this time, the sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. New York state has several cities in the path of totality, which means hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit to see the phenomenon. Those cities include Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester. The New York State Police made a recommendation for schools in impacted cities in the path of totality to give their students the day off or offer a half-day. A flood of tourists is expected to create slow-moving, snarled traffic jams which may increase fuel, food, and water demand depending on duration. There are also potentials for delayed/disrupted emergency service responses and prolonged response times. Cellular networks may be overloaded by high volume, as well. According to several media reports, many school districts have already prepared ahead of time by closing their school buildings and campuses on April 8. The Buffalo City School District which is the second-largest district in the state is giving its approximately 32,000 students and staff the day off on April 8. Totality is expected to reach Buffalo at 3:18 p.m., which coincides with the end of the school day. All but one of Erie Countys 28 public school districts will also close its schools for the day, according to NYup.com. Other big school districts in the state, such as the City School District of the City of Niagara Falls and the Lockport City School District, have canceled classes for the eclipse. And in Central New York, which will see a partial solar eclipse, the Liverpool Central School District closed its campuses on April 8. Other big school districts in the state, such as the City School District of the City of Niagara Falls and the Lockport City School District, have canceled classes for the eclipse. And in Central New York, which will see a partial solar eclipse, the Liverpool Central School District closed its campuses on April 8. The Syracuse City School District will give its students a half-day, according to a report by CNY Central. Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the suns bright face, it is unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) are highly encouraging schools and districts to plan for the event and review school calendars to avoid potential conflicts. The eclipse will begin shortly after 2 p.m., which also may overlap with school dismissal. New York City public and Catholic schools will remain open on April 8 as New York City is not in the path of totality, with a partial solar eclipse visible. The sun will be covered approximately 89% in New York City. So if youre looking to view the total solar eclipse along its path of totality, here are the cities to travel to in New York: Western New York - Niagara Region: Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Lockport and Batavia. Northern Finger Lakes & Central New York : Syracuse, Rochester, Irondequoit, Geneseo, Geneva, Seneca Falls, Fairport, Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, Auburn, Canandaigua and Palmyra. The Thousand Islands Region: Oswego, Pulaski, Sackets Harbor, Henderson Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Watertown. According to NASA, viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses) or a handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses, polarized or otherwise, are not a safe replacement for solar eclipse glasses. Consumers should only use new eclipses glasses that are certified by the International Safety Organization (ISO). These glasses will have ISO stamped on them. The current standard for solar viewing material is called ISO 12312-2. Glasses from the 2017 eclipse should not be reused. The following ISO-certified glasses are now available via Amazon: Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses 12-pack, now on sale, priced at $9.99. EclipSee Solar Eclipse Glasses, 6-pack, now on sale, priced at $7.97. Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses, 2-pack, now on sale, priced at $9.99. After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next one can be seen from the contiguous United States on Aug. 23, 2044. At least 2,000 Vietnamese students will be sponsored by Taiwan with plane tickets, tuition fees, and living expenses to study in semiconductor and engineering fields this year. These incentives are part of the International Industrial Talents Education Special Program (INTENSE) for students from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as announced earlier this month by Taiwanese education authorities. Han Quoc Dieu, chairman of the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, said the program was a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Training, businesses, and universities aimed at focusing on training manpower in the fields of science, engineering, chips, and semiconductors. Accordingly, universities will train based on the requirements and orders of businesses. The Taiwanese government covers tuition fees and other administrative costs for up to two years. Participating companies provide each student with a living allowance of NTD10,000 (US$312) per month, and students will have an additional allowance during their internship. After this period, students can choose to stay in Taiwan or return home. The condition for students to maintain their scholarship is to be in the top 70% with the best performance in their class from the second year onwards. After graduation, they will receive bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees corresponding to their training programs. To facilitate recruiting students from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines for universities in Taiwan, the Taiwanese Ministry of Education subsidizes three universities to establish overseas consulting offices in the above countries. The offices will have dedicated personnel to provide administrative and interview venue support locally, offer consultation services for students, and serve as a venue for future Mandarin language training courses for prospective students, according to an official announcement from the INTENSE program. In the first year, the program plans to enroll 2,000-2,500 Vietnamese students, who can start their studies in February or September. Han Quoc Dieu, head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in HCMC, assesses that this training program benefits both Taiwan and Vietnam in training manpower in semiconductors and science and engineering. Vietnam needs manpower to promote this industry, while Taiwanese companies currently produce 65% of chips and 92% of advanced processing chips, leading the world. Taiwan is also struggling with an aging population and a declining birth rate. University enrollment has decreased by 20% compared to 10 years ago, and businesses are facing labor shortages. Last year, Taiwan announced a plan to spend $162.5 million over five years to increase the number of international students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields, focusing on Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. According to ICEF Monitor in June 2023, Vietnam is the top market for Taiwanese international students. More than 20,000 Vietnamese are studying there, accounting for nearly a quarter of all international students. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Since its inception in 2013, JAR of Hope through its myriad fundraisers has been dedicated to raising funds to research and find a cure for kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. But sadly, even nearly 200 years after its discovery, Duchenne muscular dystrophy still has no cure. Jim and Karen Raffone, former Oakwood residents now residing in New Jersey, started JAR of Hope (https://www.jarofhope.org/) after their 4-year-old son, James Anthony (Jamesy), was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2013. Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are often in wheelchairs by age 9 or 10 (Jamesy was 9 years of age), and there are only about 17,000 cases in the United States. But, of course, there are children with Duchenne in other countries, too. And JAR of Hope now has an ambassador in Europe to help the foundation address the situation there, too. This is not only an American problem, Jim Raffone says. Its a worldwide problem. When I went to New Zealand/Australia two years ago to raise funds by running in the 205-mile Alps-To-Ocean event, I met parents of kids with Duchenne. And were delighted we now have an ambassador in Europe. The new ambassador is Sascha Sandtner, a native of Germany whos also spent time in the U.S. He met Jim Raffone back in 2015, when they both participated in the seven-day G2G Ultra (endurance race) competition in Arizona/Utah. What I do comes from the heart, Sandtner says. I see in Jim a role model for society. I see a man whos dedicated his life to saving these children. So its a personal mission for me. And I believe its a mission well worth supporting. Research shows about 2,000 children in Germany with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and about 100 new cases each year. Sandtner says in several European countries including Germany parents dont have to worry about paying astronomical medical bills for their kids because the taxes they pay generally cover it. But the key word here, for many people, is generally. And Sandtner adds that parents in several European countries including Germany have the same concerns as American parents, because theres still no cure. Having an ambassador in Europe is a definite plus for JAR of Hope, because this is not just an American problem, Jim Raffone says. Kids all over the world are dying slow, horrible deaths from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sascha Sandtner is a passionate, dedicated person. And hell be a great asset in getting the word out about Duchenne in Europe. Opening Day for the New York Mets will be postponed by one day because of rain in the forecast, the team announced Wednesday. The Mets said that Thursdays scheduled Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers will be played Friday at 1:40 pm ET, meaning the three-game series will take place from Friday through Sunday instead of having Friday as an off day. TO BUY METS TICKETS, VISIT: VIVIDSEATS, TICKETNETWORK and STUBHUB Jose Quintana is slated to get the start for the Mets against Freddy Peralta. A cold front moving across the East Coast has brought along more wet weather for an area that has already been hit hard this year. According to FOX Weather, New York City has received more than 15 inches of rain this year. On Thursday, Citi Field (Queens, New York) is expected to receive 0.41 inches of rain and the temperature will reach 52 degrees, according to AccuWeather. On-and-off rain is expected to develop Wednesday evening with steadier rain developing after midnight. Fridays forecast looks much better: a mix of sun and clouds and 56 degrees. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A shipping disaster that brought down a vital Baltimore bridge earlier this week has one Staten Island elected official worried about the status of the four local bridges. In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore/Brooklyn/Lower Manhattan) called for safety reviews of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Goethals Bridge, the Bayonne Bridge, and the Outerbridge Crossing to prevent a disaster like what happened to the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. As tax season comes to a close, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urged taxpayers in need of an extension to take advantage of the Free Filing program last week. Taxpayers can get extension of six additional months to file with an extended deadline of Oct. 15, and according to the IRS, the Free File program is one of the easiest ways to do so. While an extension grants extra time to file, it does not extend the obligation to pay taxes due on April 15, and taxpayers who owe should pay either their full tax bill or at least what they can afford to pay by that deadline, according to the IRS. Filers of any income can use Free File to request an extension by the April 15 deadline on Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, but need to be able to estimate their tax liability. Free File, in its 22nd filing season, makes tax preparation and filing software available to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023. Taxpayers hoping for an extension can also do so through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), paying with a credit, debit card or digital wallet, and IRS Direct Pay. The IRS will automatically grant an extension when a taxpayer makes an electronic payment and indicates its for an extension, according to the agency. According to the IRS, some taxpayers will automatically get extra time to file their tax return, even if they do not request an extension: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Various local projects and initiatives have received new funding courtesy of two of New Yorks federal lawmakers. On Thursday, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced they have secured more than $5.4 million in federal funding for three Staten Island projects through congressionally directed spending requests in the recently passed Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills. These federal dollars are proof of the federal government at work for Staten Island. Im proud to have fought to secure this funding, and Ill continue to work tirelessly to make sure families, workers, and businesses on Staten Island have what they need to thrive, said Gillibrand. The funding includes $3.5 million for Catholic Charities of Staten Island, which will fund the renovation of a building to be used as a client-choice food pantry that will allow the thousands of borough residents struggling with food insecurity to select their food in a supermarket-style setting. The funds will also support the creation of a mobile food pantry, as well as space for employment training and support services for adults with special needs and an afterschool youth program. The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) will receive $200,000 for the Staten Island Skyway Underside Pilot, a long-proposed project that will repurpose the abandoned Right of Way of the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railroad into an urban park space in Port Richmond. Revitalized and accessible open spaces are critical to creating thriving commercial corridors and driving economic growth in our community, said Mike Cusick, SIEDC president and CEO. The SIEDC is grateful for this generous funding from Senator Schumer, which will not only kickstart efforts to reactivate portions of the proposed Staten Island Skyway but signifies our joint commitment to creating innovative opportunities that serve Staten Islanders, businesses, and visitors. The College of Staten Island will receive roughly $1.7 million to purchase new equipment for the CSI Wind Energy Workforce Education and Training program and develop a workforce development curriculum that will prepare students for careers in New Yorks burgeoning offshore wind industry. From renovations for a client-choice food pantry, to new urban park space that will create safe pedestrian and bike routes, and the expansion of a wind energy workforce education and training program to meet the growing demands of the offshore wind industry, these funds are supporting projects that will make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. I wont stop fighting to deliver the resources needed to better our communities and support the incredible organizations that help Staten Island flourish, said Schumer. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Diane Liedy, 75, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and humor. As a devoted wife to Detective James Liedy for 52 years and a loving mother to her son Jimmy, Dianes life was marked by determination and hard work. Rising from humble beginnings as a Jersey girl, she pursued a successful career, eventually becoming head of accounts receivables collections for Hapag-Lloyd, an international shipping company on the East Coast. Diane will be remembered as a tough and resilient individual, characterized by her small stature but immense strength of character. Her sense of humor brightened the lives of those around her, and she took joy in the simple pleasures of life. Above all, she took pride in raising her son, Jimmy, and cherished her close relationships with nieces, nephews, and their spouses. In her passing, Dianes legacy includes fond memories and a lasting impact on all who knew her. For the full obituary, click here. Donald Trump will attend the wake of a NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was gunned down in the line of duty earlier this week, according to the Associated Press. The former president is expected to appear Thursday in Long Island at Dillers visitation service, the outlet reports. According to AP, Trumps campaign released a statement saying that he was moved by the invitation to attend the fallen heros wake. Trumps representatives did not say if he planned to speak at the funeral, according to the outlet. The funeral for the 31-year-old officer will be held in Massapequa. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Neuhaus Realty will be hosting a Say Yes to the Prom Dress event over the next two weekends for high schoolers who are still looking for the perfect prom dress for their special night. The event will be held at Neuhaus Realty at 3171 Richmond Road this coming weekend, March 29-30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and next weekend April 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hoi An, a picturesque city famed for its ancient charm, is pioneering a novel waste management initiative. In a bid to foster a more environmentally conscious community, authorities have launched a pilot program that charges households and businesses for waste disposal based on the volume of trash they produce. Every month, Pham Ngoc Hai and her family residents on Nguyen Tri Phuong Street nestled within the historic old quarter receives 16 ten-liter trash plastic bags from city authorities. The bags cost VND30,000, equivalent to the monthly environmental sanitation fee for one household. Hai's is among over 1,600 families in Cam Nam Ward participating in the initiative, which aims to introduce a waste fee collection system based on weight or volume by 2025, in line with Vietnam's Environmental Protection Law. Under the program, the city assigns plastic bags of varying volumes to households and businesses. Hai's family, comprising three members, receives 16 bags monthly, divided equally for organic and non-degradable waste. "It normally takes one week to fill up a bag," Hai said, estimating he could save VND15,000 a month, with eight bags leftover. Pham Ngoc Hai presents a 10-liter waste bag provided by authorities to his family in Hoi An. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh However, not all families are experiencing seamless integration with the new system. Ho Thi Quy, whose family runs a business nearby, finds the allocated bags insufficient. Despite paying the VND60,000 in environmental sanitation fees, equivalent to receiving four bags of 40 liters a month, it's not enough. Their waste normally fills two bags within a week, so she has to use additional regular plastic bags or sacks for waste. "Waste in regular bags is still collected by sanitation workers," she said, noting that if fees are officially based on weight or volume, her family would have to spend an extra cost of about VND60,000 per month. On many streets and alleys, sanitation workers still have to collect many regular plastic bags of unsorted waste. Many locals are of the idea that charging fees through selling bags is just a swap and makes no difference from before. If the allocated bags run out, people still use regular bags or dump waste outside collection areas to avoid buying more. Quy's predicament underscores a broader sentiment among locals. While the initiative aims to encourage responsible waste management, some perceive it as merely a bureaucratic shuffle. Concerns arise that once the allocated bags are exhausted, residents may revert to old habits or resort to illegal dumping. "The government encourages people to use the distributed bags, but many who run out of those bags don't buy more," said Huynh Pham Thuy Lan, vice chairwoman of Cam Nam Ward. Domestic waste is put in normal bags and sacks on a street of Hoi An. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh Three months into the pilot program, approximately half of Cam Nam Ward households have embraced the city-distributed bags for waste disposal. However, challenges persist, prompting local authorities to intensify efforts in waste sorting awareness campaigns. Nguyen Van Son, chairman of Hoi An City, acknowledges the transitional hurdles. He asserts that while adjusting to a pay-per-volume model may pose initial challenges, it aligns with long-term sustainability goals. "This is the most reasonable method, but it takes time for residents to get used to and accept that more waste means higher fees," he said. "For a long time, households producing more waste paid the same monthly fee of VND30,000 as those producing less, which is unfair. We know charging based on weight or volume is challenging, but we are determined to do it for long-term benefits," he added, emphasizing that enforcement measures would follow a period of promotion. Indeed, Hoi An's waste management infrastructure remains a work in progress. With most domestic waste ending up in landfills, the city looks to expand the volume-based fee model following the completion of a modern waste treatment plant. Tran Huu Ngoc, General Director of Hoi An Public Works JSC, underscores the need for clear guidelines to enforce waste collection standards. Despite its challenges, Hoi An's initiative signifies a significant step towards sustainable waste management. As the city grapples with the complexities of modernization, its commitment to environmental stewardship shines as a beacon of progress. The journey towards a greener Hoi An may be arduous, but it's one that promises a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come, Ngoc said. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! The turmoil at the top of Boeing this week underscores the extent to which the aircraft manufacturers quality control issues have the potential to destabilise the entire commercial aviation industry. This week Boeings chairman said he wouldnt stand for re-election at Boeings upcoming annual meeting, its chief executive said he would depart at the end of the year and the head of the division that makes its commercial jetliners retired with immediate effect. Airline CEOs are adamant that Boeing prioritise improving its quality control over any attempt to accelerate production. Credit: AP While the CEO Dave Calhoun, a former chairman who took on the CEO role after the 2018 and 2019 crashes of Boeing Max 8 aircraft that claimed nearly 350 lives, said he would hang around until the end of the year, theres already pressure from the companys airline customers for more urgent change. With the US Federal Aviation Administration already capping its production, a massive and growing backlog of orders and continuing quality control issues and safety incidents that have further slowed its production, Boeings plight is not just threatening its own financial condition it expects net cash outflows of $US4 billion ($6.1 billion) to $US4.5 billion in the first quarter of this year but is disrupting the entire industry. Taking out the Runners of the Week silver medal is Allup Silica which recorded a share price hike of more than 333 per cent an increase that would often secure a clear gold medal in any other week. The companys stock leapt from a previous close of 3c to touch 13c during intraday trading today on the back of a pair of significant announcements over its silica sands operations in both the north and south of Western Australia. A sampling program at the explorers Cabbage Spot project near Wyndham in WAs Kimberley region has highlighted several areas of high-grade silica sands with 43 surface samples returning grades of more than 98 per cent silicon oxide at an average grade of 98.6 per cent. Peak assays from the samples returned an outstanding 99.4 per cent silicon oxide. The company also recorded exceptional results from bulk sample testwork on product from its Sparkler silica sands project in WAs Great Southern region, which hosts a JORC-compliant mineral resource of 70 million tonnes at 96.84 per cent silicon dioxide. Testing completed by CDE Global showed the projects silicon dioxide was beneficiated to 99.84 per cent without magnetic separation, allowing it to enter into the lucrative solar panel and high-end ceramic markets in addition to some other high-tech manufacturing industries. Making its way onto Australias Critical Minerals list in 2022, high-purity silica is an essential raw material in glass manufacturing, building construction, ceramics and oil and gas exploration, with increasing demand in the electronic renewable energy sectors driven by its use in semiconductors and solar panels. More than 30 million Allup shares changed hands following the two latest announcements which represents the highest trading day for the company in more than 12 months. Claiming the bronze medal on todays Runners of the Week is Many Peaks Minerals, which just missed out on second place with a stock price hike of just over 300 per cent. Shares in the company leapt from a previous close of 7.3c to touch 29.5c on Tuesday after it announced a deal to acquire a 100 per cent interest in a joint venture (JV) operating with four mineral permits in the West African nation of Cote dIvoire. The deal involves Many Peaks entering into a binding share sale agreement with Turaco Gold to acquire its 89 per cent interest in CDI Holdings. Predictive Discovery holds the remining 11 per cent of CDI. Under the terms of the agreement, Many Peaks will also pick up Predictives 11 per cent stake in CDI. The acquisition will include the Ferke gold project, that hosts the recent Ouarigue South discovery with open mineralisation ready for follow-up exploration, in addition to the Odienne project immediately along strike from new gold discoveries in Cote dIvoire. Recent diamond drilling at Ferke delivered some mouth-watering results with a 77.6m intercept grading 2.33 grams per tonne gold from 45.9m including 35.95m at 3.88g/t gold. Historical trenching at the operation also delivered impressive figures from surface such as 34m at 5.29g/t gold. First-pass air-core (AC) drilling at Odienne also returned solid assays including 12m grading 1.18g/t gold from just 4m and 12m going 1.06g/t gold from 16m. The permits cover a 1275 square kilometre land package that includes recent gold discoveries made courtesy of a US$4 million (AU$6.12 million) prior exploration spend. With gold maintaining a healthy market price that is hovering around the $3300 per ounce mark, the market will be keeping a close eye on what Many Peaks can unearth at its new holdings when it kicks off drilling in the coming months. But for now, all eyes this week have been on the Olympic efforts of Osteopore who delivered its shareholders that elusive ten-bagger result. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Billionaire Lindsay Fox appears to be playing a dangerous game of chicken with a formidable and powerful foe a collective of nine organisations including the big banks, the big supermarkets and Australia Post. But he is doing so from a seemingly weak negotiating position. Foxs ownership of Armaguard makes him the king of cash (of sorts). The trouble is cash is going the way of the dodo and Armaguard is a slow motion train wreck thats ironically run out of money. Lindsay Fox to the rescue. But Armaguard is not out of danger. Credit: Louie Douvis, Alex Ellinghausen Now its collision time. And while the corporate undertakers may have been turned away, they must surely be on standby. So dire is Armaguards financial position that supermarket giant Coles took a radical position this week of politely turning away Foxs cash trucks in order that the supermarket chain can conserve the hard stuff over the next week including Easter. Coles had also imposed a cash-out limit of $200 for customers just in case. Black flies exploded into the air as plastic waste fell from bamboo conveyor belts into skips on a solar-powered barge attempting to remove rubbish from the main river of Thailand's capital Bangkok. The Ocean Cleanup project launched on the Chao Phraya river, its so-called "interceptor" -- a boat-like structure trailing a floating barrier -- using the river current to funnel plastic into the barge's waiting jaws. The global non-profit, founded in 2013 by then-teenager Boyan Slat, aims to remove plastic pollution from the seas in part by preventing synthetic waste from ever reaching the oceans. "The Chao Prayo is actually the largest, the single largest source, of plastic pollution for the Gulf of Thailand," Slat told AFP. "The Gulf of Thailand is, of course, very important ecologically, but also economically for tourism and fisheries," he said. "It's very important to us to tackle this plastic pollution here." The Bangkok project, which has taken roughly two years to launch, is a research collaboration with businesses and local officials and Ocean Cleanup's fifth "interceptor" project researching pollution prevention in Southeast Asia. Working with Chulalongkorn University, Ocean Cleanup mapped the Chao Phraya's currents to determine the best location for the interceptor -- a difficult task given the river's 500-meter (1,640-foot) width and its busy traffic lanes. Positioned at the point where around 60 canals join the main river, ticking bamboo-slatted treadmills carry the collected waste into the barge, where it is deposited into bright blue skips and taken ashore to be disposed of by local authorities. Penchom Saetang, from the environmental group EARTH Thailand, told AFP that while removing plastic from the river was important, getting chemical pollutants out of the water was also vital to restore the river. "There are several causes (of chemical pollutants) and these include chemical use in the factories, as well as agricultural uses," she said. For booze lobbyists, it isnt easy under Albanese. Never has a government worn its teetotal credentials as firmly on its sleeve as the current mob, determined to clean up the boozy culture in Canberra, even if they couldnt stop Barnaby Joyce falling off a planter box. Loading Mix that in with the teal independents wowserish attacks on hard solo, and the constant industry grumbles about booze tax hikes falling on deaf ears, and youve got a fairly insipid mocktail at best. Perhaps that explains why Alcohol Beverages Australia, ostensibly an industry peak body, faded from view a little over the last 12 months. Still, we werent alone in thinking the group could do a little better in its search for a new executive director, Alistair Coe, one of the numerous former leaders of the largely irrelevant ACT Liberals to have lost an election during Labors forever reign in the nations capital. Hes set to land the role, pending all the fine print lining up. The lobby groups chair Greg Holland announced Coes appointment in an internal email on Thursday, noting that Coe had been a previous candidate for the executive director role. In other words, he didnt even land the job on his first go. 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 Six months before he died, Ryuichi Sakamoto decided to give what would likely be his final performance. The throat cancer that would soon kill him was taking its toll: he could no longer play a whole concert, let alone tour. Instead, the composer who had scored films by Nagisa Oshima, Bernardo Bertolucci and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu would make the performance expected to be his last also a film, Opus. Among music buffs, Sakamoto was lauded for his influential experiments with electronic and found and manipulated sounds, but for this valedictory event he would simply play piano: the instrument he started learning when he was three. As he began, so would he end. Opus screens alongside a retrospective of the films scored by Sakamoto at ACMI through April. In May, the film will release in theatres as a weekend event screening. It is directed by Sakamotos son, Neo Sora, who is at the beginning of his own career as a filmmaker. Elegiac in mood and elegant in form, it is filmed inside a Japanese recording studio in pristine black and white, which emphasises the texture of both the shining black Steinway and the players hands, and lit to suggest the passing of a day over the course of the performance. Ryuichi Sakamoto in a scene from Opus (2023). Credit: Bitters End Everything is intimately tied to physicality and the passing of time because that is how you can measure the change in someones physicality and the reason Sakamoto wanted to make the film in the first place, Sora says. Advertisement Sakamoto died a year ago on March 28, 2023 aged 71, after his cancer returned following a temporary remission. He wanted his son to direct the film, but he didnt explain to him why, for example, he chose to play piano rather than any of the huge range of instruments he had used on his dozens of albums. He had always sought to escape the dictates and limitations of the 12-tone keyboard and its imperial connotations. I dont know, Sora says. The piano was the first instrument that he became familiar with; its almost an extension of his arm. He had returned to it and his primary influence, Claude Debussy, also an enthusiast for exotic instruments in his later years. And recently, I think he was interested in the piano not just as something producing 12 tones, but as an object in and of itself. Ryuichi Sakamoto with David Bowie in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. Credit: National Films Trustee Company Loading Sakamoto had similarly conflicted feelings about working on movie scores. In Coda, a 2017 documentary largely about his involvement in anti-nuclear protests, he remarks on the limitations of writing to fit someone elses vision. Yet his first score, for Oshimas Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), was written in complete freedom. It also included Forbidden Colours, the song that would become a worldwide hit for him (in collaboration with David Sylvian, the frontman of band Japan) and make him enduringly famous. The emergence of the first few bars in Opus, when the film is entering its late afternoon phase, is a moment of real poignancy. Neo Sora made Opus with his father, Ryuichi Sakamoto, six months before the celebrated musicians death. Credit: Getty Images Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is a visceral portrayal of repressed homoeroticism, in which Sakamoto also starred as a sadistic Japanese commandant burning with desire for David Bowies carefree British paratrooper. Advertisement Oshima initially just wanted to cast him as an actor, Sora says. But Sakamoto retorted, You can cast me as an actor if you let me do the score. Oshima is the kind of director who lets his collaborators have free rein and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is quite a strange score. The going was much tougher with Bertolucci, with whom Sakamoto worked on The Last Emperor (1987), The Sheltering Sky (1990) and Little Buddha (1993). Debra Winger and John Malkovich in Bernardo Bertoluccis The Sheltering Sky. Credit: Recorded Picture Company In the beginning, Bertolucci was not easy, Sakamoto said in an interview 20 years ago. We are from different cultural backgrounds, our generations are different, he is 10 years older than me. Hes Italian, hes a hippie, he used to be a Communist. Ha! He was given two weeks to write the shimmering score for The Last Emperor, which eventually won a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a Grammy. The pairs relationship was better on The Sheltering Sky. And then the third film, Little Buddha, it got much better. We just needed time, Sakamoto said in the interview. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant. Credit: New Regency Productions Whatever the difficulties, Sakamoto continued to be drawn to film work, scoring more than 50 film and television projects with directors including Brian De Palma, Pedro Almodovar, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Oliver Stone. Advertisement He accepted Inarritus The Revenant (2015) when he was struck down with his first bout of cancer, and told his interviewer in Coda that, chemotherapy notwithstanding, he didnt want to miss the chance of working with the director. The result was remarkable: a soundscape of overlapping drones and transformed forest sounds. The director had earlier used one of Sakamotos songs in the closing scene of Babel, starring Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt. Rinko Kikuchi in Babel (2006). Credit: Paramount Pictures I think film was a great inspiration for him from the very beginning, Sora says. He told a story of how when he was a toddler, he watched Fellinis La Strada and he could still remember the melody from [the] soundtrack at any time after that. Growing up in high school, he would go and see the new (Jean-Luc) Godard films as they came out in the 60s. Sakamoto showed young Neo films throughout his childhood, which the son agrees probably led him to become a director. Film provided, at the very least, a working structure. And even though the limitations are very constricting, limitations also free you in a certain way to explore things that you would not have explored otherwise. So those things, I think, he kind of liked, Sora says. But then he always talked about working with filmmakers as a very frustrating experience. And every film he did, he said he would never do it again! The Last Emperor was greatly admired even by Chinese writers for its integration of traditional Chinese instruments into the Western-style score; Sakamoto was seen, probably to his great advantage, as a bridge between East and West even after he had lived for 30 years in New York, where he felt free to walk the streets anonymously in a way that he couldnt in Tokyo. He didnt see himself that way, however. He wasnt a fusion artist; he was international. Joan Chen and Tao Wu in The Last Emperor. Credit: Yanco Films I think he probably would have hated to be called a Japanese musician, Sora says. There are interviews where he says that you know, in the 70s and 80s people would always try to box him in and describe his work as Japanese music, but actually, he really resists that. Advertisement The Ian Potter Foundation has announced it is donating $15 million to the refurbishment of Melbournes State Theatre. The donation the largest single philanthropic donation to an Australian performing arts centre in history will contribute to the State Theatres first significant upgrade since it opened in 1984, including better accessibility, as well as improved lighting and acoustics. The venue will be renamed to the Ian Potter State Theatre in recognition of this gift. The team packs down the State Theatre after the Australian Ballets production of Alices Adventures in Wonderland the final show in the theatre before it closes for refurbishment. Credit: Eddie Jim The State Theatre has never had this kind of attention, says Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan. And it desperately needs it. Its got to be brought into the 21st century. It deserves a flawless experience, one that helps celebrate the joy of the work of everyone that performs on that stage. Director of Arts Centre Melbournes reimagining project Chris King says the donation, which has been in the works for several years, will help bring the building up to contemporary accessibility standards. Good Food Guide editor Callan Boys tracks down everything worth eating and drinking, and shares his picks for a full days snacking on a $50 budget. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Chicken parmigiana pies, two-foot dagwood dogs, Flamin Hot Cheeto-flavoured sausages, and chocolate brownie-filled crepes. If you want to consume your daily recommended intake of kilojoules in one sitting, the 2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show is a fine place to do it. Then theres all the turkey legs, doughnuts, fairy floss, nachos, hot dogs, schnitzels, dole whip, pretzels, cookies, churros, bubble tea and chips on sticks. So many sticks. Denying yourself any of this would be like visiting the US and not eating, well, nachos, hot dogs and doughnuts. Its the Show! Have a waffle pop. Have two. Easter Show eating needs a plan of attack, however. Too many loaded fries ruin the Rotor Room. Heres the Good Food guide to the best food and drink at this years Easter Show, across a broad range of price points and carbohydrate levels to help you draft your day. The pathway to salty-sweet bliss. James Brickwood Cheese on a stick from Cheese on a Stick, various locations First up, dont fight it. You know you want it. Cheese on a Stick has been an Easter Show fixture for more than half a century because its $7 signature item is aggressively tasty. The cheese of unspecified origin isnt winning any medals, but its appropriately gooey, and the golden-brown cornmeal batter is as good as anything youll find at an American county fair. Teaming it with fresh lemonade ($7) from the same stall is essential for peak salty-sweet enjoyment. Caroline Greig from CWA Taralga branch busy plating scones. James Brickwood Advertisement Devonshire tea (and tarts) from the Country Womens Association, Home & Lifestyle Pavilion The best times to visit the CWA Tearoom is first thing in the morning or after 2pm, otherwise expect to fight for a table like a seagull to chips. Because the volunteer staff sell more than 40,000 scones every year, theyre always oven-fresh and steaming hot, and in 2024 you can expect to pay $15 for two scones, jam and cream, plus a pot of tea. Dont sleep on the CWAs other baked goods though, including gold-standard Anzac biscuits, lamingtons, apple pie and date loaf. For $6.50, theres also a neenish and nutmeg-dusted mushroom tart two-pack for sharing. Firepops Alina Van and Raymond Hou at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Brook Mitchell OG skewers from Firepop, Riverina Avenue Call me old-fashioned, but the show, first and foremost, should be a celebration of the states produce. Its run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW after all. With so many deep-fried mystery snags and fat-dripping burgers, however, NSW-farmed meat can be hard to find. Thank goodness, then, for Firepop. Its the husband-and-wife teams fourth year grilling skewers over charcoal at the event, and $17 will get you two sticks of pasture-fed Port Macquarie lamb spangled with sesame and cumin dukkah. Firepops new Enmore Road home set to sizzle with huge open grill and a crazy new dish Mi Goreng fries from Mays Malaysian Hawker, Mr Alloos Noodle Market Advertisement Yes, these are fries flavoured with Indomie Mi Goreng instant noodle seasoning. Simple. Effective. $8 a box. Tomoko Onuki from Rice Culture with her range of miso. James Brickwood Miso soup from Rice Culture, Woolworths Fresh Food Dome Rice Culture is run by a group of Japanese mothers dedicated to producing miso and koji (fermented rice). Last year, the Gold Coast-based business received the Royal Agricultural Societys Presidents Medal, honouring a producer that prioritises sustainable environmental, economic and social practices. Also, the miso is bloody delicious, available in take-home jars or hot $5 cups of nourishing, umami-heavy soup. Im all about the vintage miso, aged for five years so it tastes like Bonox with a doctorate, but theres a lot to love about the lighter, sweeter shiro (white) version too. Messinas special edition HCB gelato. James Brickwood Hot cross bun gelato from Gelato Messina, The Stables If you only order one ice-cream or gelato, you might as well order the one made with Jersey milk from happy cows, and tasting spookily like a hot cross bun. Messinas pistachio praline number is also worth a dig. $6.60 a scoop, or two scoops for $8.40. Advertisement A rare display of onsite glassware at the shows new Archie Rose bar. James Brickwood Tropical Fields slushie from Archie Rose Bar, The Stables For an event run by the NSW Agricultural Society, it sure would be nice if there was some NSW beer on the pour. (The Show is very much an overseas-owned Great Northern lager zone.) At least there are cocktails from Sydney distillery Archie Rose. I should provide a full disclaimer that my wife works for the company, but I should also tell you that Archie Rose is mixing Show-exclusive drinks such as the Tropical Fields slushie ($20) with gin, dark rum, pineapple, coconut and lime. Tyrrells shiraz and chardonnay are available from the same bar, which is also the only place serving wine and cocktails from actual glassware besides the members lounges. Tyrrells full bar in the Dome has a larger section of the Hunter Valley wine (including the iconic Vat 1 Semillon) but youll be drinking it from a plastic cup. Cheddar from Hunter Belle Dairy Co, Woolworths Fresh Food Dome Theres a $46 Sydney Royal Easter Show medal-winning cheese and charcuterie board available from the Archie Rose Bar too, but its better to buy direct from exhibiting producers. Scones Hunter Belle Dairy Co, for instance, has a special of five cheddars for $35. Track down a disposable knife and some crackers, and you can create a little picnic in the woodchop stand. Victorias Tarago River Cheese has a stall too, with a cheese platter for the low, low price of $15. Use any money saved on locally made hot sauce from The Fermentalists, one aisle over. Sizzle volunteers from Berry at Big Bush BBQ. James Brickwood Advertisement Sausage sizzle from Big Bush BBQ, New England Avenue This might be the most under-the-radar bargain onsite, semi-hidden at the back of the show, near the horse pavilion. At the Big Bush BBQ, $5 buys you a Bunnings-style sausage sizzle plus a bottle of water. Considering most Show vendors charge $5 for a Mount Franklin, you might also think of the deal as one cold water with a free sanger. The stall is staffed by volunteers, and all profit goes back into rural NSW communities from Bombala to Broken Hill to Brewarrina. The best times to visit the CWA Tearoom is first thing in the morning or after 2pm, otherwise expect to fight for a table. James Brickwood How to eat at the Easter Show on a $50 budget The Show has never been a cheap day out, but this year seems particularly expensive. Burgers are upwards of $18; a dagwood dog can set you back $12; bratwurst in a roll is $15, and then theres that cheese and charcuterie board for $46. With a bit of smart shopping, however, you have as much fun eating as I do watching blokes competitively chop wood. Heres how my day would look with a food budget of $50. A pair of scones with jam and cream - although one is plenty for morning tea. James Brickwood Advertisement The body of missing bushwalker Darren Banks has been found in Nattai National Park south-west of Sydney. The 57-year-old was last seen on the afternoon of Friday, March 15, at his Macquarie Fields home when he left for an overnight trip to the national park. The body of missing Macquarie Fields man Darren Banks has been found in bushland south-west of Sydney. Credit: NSW Police Loved ones raised the alarm with police the following Tuesday after Banks did not return as planned. Police will prepare a report for the information of the coroner after a 57-year-old man reported missing from Macquarie Fields has been found deceased, police said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. A year 11 boy at Sydneys Shore school attended a function at a waterfront venue in Mosman on Wednesday night before suffering an apparent allergic reaction to food and dying on the way home. A spokesperson for Zest, a function venue on Spit Road, said staff were devastated when they learnt of the boys death and were co-operating with authorities. The Sydney Church of England Grammar Schools main campus in North Sydney. The boy, whom the Herald has chosen not to name, died after apparently suffering an anaphylactic reaction to food while travelling home from an end-of-season school rowing function with his family after 10pm. A report will be prepared for the coroner. There is no suggestion that food the boy may have eaten at Zest contributed to his death. A descendant of the first permanent European settlers in Victoria has called for the removal or ceremonious destruction of monuments to her family, the Hentys, because of their links to massacres of Aboriginal people. Suzannah Henty, a sixth-generation descendant of squatter James Henty, said her family had enslaved Indigenous people. She listed several recorded massacres on a Henty squatting property in far south-west Victoria, including one where dozens of Aboriginal people were killed by a Henty overseer. Suzannah Henty at Yoorrook Justice Commission. The massacres occurred in the 1830s and 1840s. Three Henty brothers had arrived in Portland from 1834, and began squatting illegally on vast areas of inland country in 1836. The process of establishing Victorias first settlement was war, Henty said during evidence to the Yoorook Justice Commission, which is inquiring into the ongoing harm to Victorias First Nations people caused by European colonisation. You could be mistaken for thinking you have stumbled inside some kind of wholesome nightclub. But this is an ordinary Sunday morning at Planetshakers, a Pentecostal megachurch in Melbourne. We are in Gods house today, shouts the bands lead singer, a lithe figure in skinny jeans, gliding across the stage. The congregation roars. In the darkness, technicians wearing headphones broadcast the service to thousands watching it live online. On a giant projector screen hovering behind the stage is an image of a glowing crucifix. Like the Northern Lights, its colour shifts. Soft pink, red, gold and green. The closer I move to the stage, the more entranced the people around me seem to be. Some have their eyes closed, arms stretched up towards the sky, euphoric smiles on their faces. A man in a chequered shirt has tear-stained cheeks. Next to him, a group of young women, their faces contorted with emotion, clap enthusiastically to the beat. T he smoke machines are in full flight as hundreds of bodies bathed in coloured lights sway in unison to the music inside the vast, dark auditorium. In this series, explore how Victorias religious communities are attracting worshippers in an increasingly secular Australia. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. This Christian religious movement is not only surviving the onslaught of secularisation, its thriving. As Catholic and Anglican churches across Australia grapple with shrinking weekly attendance that has led to hundreds of parishes shutting their doors, the number of Australians attending Pentecostal and evangelical churches has soared by almost 75 per cent in less than a decade. At this church, there are no fire-and-brimstone sermons, or disappearing into the background to pray quietly. Pop music blares in the foyer overflowing with young families, tattooed hipsters and international students. A bearded barista makes coffees for the faithful. She holds a cardboard sign bearing the words You look gorgeous today. Welcome, she says, breaking into a beaming smile. We are so happy to see you. Outside, a dark-haired young woman stands at the door of a grey, nondescript Southbank building as crowds of people pour through the doors on the spring day. An analysis of census data shows there were 237,986 Pentecostals in Australia in 2011; by 2021 that figure had soared to 414,882. More than 54,400 Pentecostal Christians now live in Victoria, an increase of 17 per cent since 2011. The number of Australians identifying as Catholic has fallen from 23 to 20 per cent in five years, while Anglicans dropped from 13 to 10 per cent. About 44 per cent of Australians now identify as Christian, down from 52 per cent five years earlier and 61 per cent in 2011. In Victoria, hundreds of Christian churches have closed their doors, while at least four of Melbournes small Catholic primary schools face potential closure due to tiny student numbers . Scandals of moral corruption and worldwide sexual abuse of children have ravaged the Catholic Churchs credibility, driven thousands away, and cost billions of dollars in compensation payouts. It is a decline being felt in churches across the English-speaking world, according to mounting research, including Australias annual Church Life Survey. The most faithful worshippers are ageing, and rising secularism has brought some churches to the point of closure. The Age has analysed a decades worth of census data for a series exploring how Victorias religious communities are keeping the faith in an increasingly secular Australia. Churches are set up to make Christianity relevant to young people. They are churches to attract the unchurched. They make a bridge between the secular world, the progressive world, and churches, says Rocha, director of the Religion and Society Research Cluster. The Planetshakers faithful at the Good Friday service in Melbourne. Credit: Luis Ascui Others call them seeker churches: places of worship for the curious, the spiritually hungry, or those yearning for connection and community. The movement is attracting migrants, and a growing cohort of young people. These Instagram and Spotify-friendly churches, such as Planetshakers, which fill stadiums around the world, and where pastors dress in ripped jeans and leather jackets, are what Professor Cristina Rocha, of Western Sydney University, describes as cool Christianity. As more than 10 million people report having no religious affiliation, Pentecostal or charismatic churches are attracting about 400,000 Australians each week. The speaking in tongues is done behind closed doors before the band gets on stage to perform, says Rocha, who has studied Pentecostalism and written a book on the Hillsong Church. Despite this, Pentecostalism remains poorly understood by outsiders beyond stereotypes such as the happy clappers, and obscure practices including worshippers speaking in tongues (believed to be a sign that the Holy Spirit has filled a persons body), divine healing and exorcisms. There are more than 600 million followers of Pentecostalism globally. Their number is rising by thousands every year, and they are predicted to soon outnumber Catholics. It is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the beliefs of a group of Christian churches that emphasise the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the power to make sick people healthy again. It is a religious movement, not a particular denomination, and adherents do not ascribe to one shared set of beliefs. Pentecostalism emphasises a physical and direct line to God. But there is a glimpse of it during the Planetshakers Sunday service. On two television screens hanging in the auditorium, a young womans face suddenly beams out. She tells a story about back pain that had left her bedridden. I started believing that I could be healed, the woman tells the packed auditorium as her voice cracks with emotion. I refused to believe He [God] couldnt heal me ... my lower back started shaking, and I couldnt control it Jesus is good. God has completely healed me. These testimonies, of what believers say are miracles, are a central part of church services. Emmanuel Jakwot has become a Planetshakers pastor after dabbling in juvenile crime. Credit: Eddie Jim South Sudan-born Emmanuel Jakwot had his come-to-Jesus moment at Planetshakers. Jakwot, who goes by the name EJ, arrived in Melbourne as a nine-year-old boy in 2004 after fleeing a refugee camp with his family. I was just trying so hard to fit in, but at the same time realising that I was so different to everyone around me, says the 28-year-old, who lives in Hampton Park in Melbournes south-east. My skin colour was different, how I spoke was different. By 16, Jakwot had fallen in with the wrong crowd and began dabbling in drugs, alcohol and crime, when sensationalist reporting in Australia was targeting South Sudanese youth. He was caught stealing at a shopping centre and arrested. He vividly remembers his mother arriving at the police station in tears. She just kept asking, What did I do wrong? he says. I felt so much shame. Jakwot says he found spiritual enlightenment after going to Planetshakers with relatives one Sunday morning more than a decade ago. One of the pastors said none of us were made by coincidence. Theres an intention and purpose behind our lives, he recalls. At that moment, it all clicked for me. He is now a pastor at Planetshakers and mentors young people, of about 155 different nationalities. The power and dark side of Hillsong The best known Pentecostal megachurch is Hillsong, a non-denominational Christian church that began in a school hall in western Sydney in the 1980s. It was catapulted into the global mainstream when celebrities such as pop megastar Justin Bieber and the Kardashian sisters began attending services in New York. Loading Former prime minister Scott Morrison is also a devout Pentecostal Christian, a member of the Horizon Church in Sydney, and he is writing a religious memoir. In its heyday, an estimated 50 million people around the world sang Hillsong songs each week, and it raked in more than $100 million in income each year. But in recent years, Hillsongs reputation has been rocked by scandals, including allegations of child abuse and sexual assault, racial discrimination and claims of extreme labour exploitation of young volunteers. In 2015, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found the megachurchs founder, Brian Houston, had failed to alert police about allegations his father, Frank, had sexually assaulted children. Houston later pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing the crime until his fathers death in 2004. He was acquitted in court last year. Critics and former members have called Hillsong a money-making machine and even described it as a cult. Pentecostal or charismatic churches have also been criticised for making members pay regular tithes (some pay 10 per cent of their income to the church). Its a bit like falling in love Asked if it was hard to be a Christian in todays society, Jimmy LAlmont, Pentecostal lead pastor of Glow Church in Melbourne, barely takes a breath before answering. Absolutely, he says. Australia, like much of the Western world, is in a post-Christian era, a world away from the lively Christian churches of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Everyone is still trying to work out what that looks like, LAlmont says. The overwhelming majority of Pentecostal Christians this masthead spoke to during visits to churches said their faith was not something they tried to conceal. But they said conversations about religion had become uncomfortable, or even polarising. Chantal Morrill has found a caring community at the Glow Church in Carlton. Credit: Eddie Jim Chantal Morrill is used to getting strange looks from people when she tells them she is a Pentecostal Christian. In the last 10 years, particularly in the workplace, people are like, hold on, but why do you go to church if you dont have to? says Morrill, who attends Glow Church. To many, the 33-year-old might seem like an anomaly in an increasingly secular Australia. But Morrill, who works for a global cosmetic company, says faith anchors her life. Its a bit like falling in love, she says. Sometimes its a feeling, but its also a decision. Loading Morrill says that at many workplaces, talking about religion is now discouraged, or taboo. Sometimes these conversations can be difficult, but I think they can also be really healthy, Morrill says. Because it really makes me dig deep and reflect on what I really believe. Each Sunday morning and evening, about 200 people, including Morrill, pack into a basement at Swanston Street in Carlton for services held by Glow Church Melbourne, where a hipster rock band plays songs with lyrics such as all I need is Hallelujah under coloured fluorescent lights. When The Age visited, the congregation was called to break free from a culture of immediacy and entitlement. Despite an explosion in growth, the Pentecostal movement in Australia and overseas is also battling an exodus of worshippers. Research suggests young people, particularly women, are leaving Pentecostalism in droves due to issues such as gender inequality, or the movements more conservative views on abortion, gender and sexuality. They look very groovy on the outside, but they are socially conservative as well, Rocha says. But she adds that a small number of more progressive Pentecostal churches, including ones in Melbourne and Sydney, have recently begun welcoming LGBTQ people. LAlmont fears many Pentecostal worshippers are getting lost or disillusioned in the big crowds and showmanship of glitzy megachurches. Jimmy and Emma LAlmont, pictured with daughter Yves, are the senior pastors of Glow Church. Credit: Simon Schluter There is some stuff the Pentecostal churches really need to work out, LAlmont says. Specifically around money and showing a celebrity-like kind of culture. He started Glow Church Melbourne with his wife, Emma, after moving to Melbourne from the Gold Coast with his young family in 2020. The church is an offshoot of the Glow megachurch in Queensland, which draws in thousands of worshippers each week. The congregation has quickly swelled to 400. LAlmont, 37, who runs a digital marketing agency with Emma and funds the church himself, attributes the growth to the churchs authenticity. Rather than a megachurch, the LAlmonts want to create a Pentecostal church like a suburban parish of yesteryear. People are lonelier than ever, says LAlmont, a father of two. Catholicism for a new age As Pentecostalism booms globally, Melbourne priest Father Kevin Dillon says the Catholic Church in the Western world is in the grips of an existential crisis. It is in what I call a deep freeze. It is in denial, the 78-year-old says. Father Kevin Dillon uses pop culture references in his homilies. Credit: Penny Stephens He says a more secular society was perhaps inevitable. However, the priest of more than 50 years says a moral failure of the Catholic Churchs leaders to deal decisively with abusers in their ranks or to support survivors is a scandal. But unlike the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church is managing to sustain itself through Asian and African migrants, Dillon says. In the early 1970s, Dillon was nicknamed Harry, after legendary Australian music promoter Harry M. Miller. Dillon secured emerging bands such as Mississippi (later the Little River Band) for social events attended by more than 1000 young people. But as Dillon stands before dozens of parishioners for weekly mass, inside a modest orange brick church in Donvale in Melbournes eastern suburbs, those days are a distant memory. A couple of weeks ago, a friend said to me: Do you have Netflix? Dillon tells the congregation. And, I said: Well, is the Pope a Catholic? As laughter erupts, Dillon delves into the topic of addiction. He draws on the Netflix hit series Painkiller, which explores the opioid crisis ravaging the United States, and ends his homily with the lyrics to One Day at a Time, a song by Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, a recovering alcoholic. It is no typical church homily, but Dillon is not your average Catholic priest. Jacob Napoli grew up Catholic in Melbourne, but almost all his friends no longer attend church. The 33-year-old, however, says having children has made him reflect on the deeper meaning of life. He and his wife, Bessie, who is Muslim, have decided to baptise their two children, Luciano, 2, and Vincenzo, born in July last year. Bessie Napoli holds son Luciano at his pre-baptism at the Pines Church in Donvale. Credit: Penny Stephens The church has fallen compared to what it used to be its a bit sad, Napoli says. Im not saying I attend church every week, but for me, my faith has been a constant source of comfort, and we wanted to bring the boys into something special that they can look to for guidance. Loading So, what is next for the Catholic Church? Dillon says the answer is in the hierarchy itself. If youre trying to go somewhere, youve got to read the signs. The signs are saying roadblock. Roadworks. Dead end, Dillon says. The church needs to be saying, Hold on, we are not going to get to where we want to, and we need to find another way. Elkington gave evidence that from March 2020 there had been agreement among emergency call-taking services across Australia that staff recruitment should be ramped up. For Telstras part, they brought in another 24 call-takers and arranged to put another 100 people from other Telstra call centres on standby, who could be dispatched with just one day of training. Telstras Jane Elkington after she gave evidence in the Coroners Court. Credit: Paul Jeffers The service also always operated with significant surge capacity, Elkington said, rostering with the expectation that call-takers would only be busy 50 per cent of the time or less. This meant that in the event of a freeway crash or other major emergency where dozens of calls came in within a matter of seconds, there would be call-takers free. On the day Nick fell ill, Elkington said that significant delays connecting to ESTA ambulance call takers were evident in the morning. By the afternoon they were dealing with 22 cases where callers had hung up before they could connect them to emergency services. In an ordinary scenario, the Telstra call taker would have stayed on the line, despite the disconnection, waiting to pass on the information they had garnered about the lost call to ESTA when they eventually answered. This day operators were spending so long trying to connect Victorian calls, that to avoid clogging the national service, they implemented a different strategy. Loading This four-minute rule meant that if the caller disconnected, and four minutes had already passed, the Telstra operator would also hang up, write up a ticket with the information about the call, and page a team leader who would walk over to their desk and collect the handwritten note. That team leader would then have to listen to the call before emailing ESTA with information about the call (this requirement for the team leader to listen to the call has since been removed). By the time the information about Nicks case was sent on to ESTA, it had been about 15 minutes since he had hung up. It was another three-and-half minutes until ESTA called his number back. From the call termination, to ESTA calling back, its an 18 and a half minute delay, noted counsel assisting the coroner Anna Martin. While the delays on this day were measured in seconds and minutes, the disaster was months likely years in the making. Nicks daughters. They are aged 14, 11 and 9 in this picture. Elkington said that Telstra had begun noticing minor answering delays from ESTA from 2020. While other services reportedly jumped into action to ready themselves for the onslaught of calls they expected, the court heard this week that ESTA didnt make its bid for money for new staff until December that year. Funding for 43 extra workers wasnt announced until May 2021. I know [the] Queensland ambulance service heavily recruited, Elkington said, adding that NSW did the same. Loading By September 2021, Elkington said she was discussing emergency solutions with then ESTA chief executive Marty Smyth, who suggested the defence force might assist with taking Victorian ambulance calls. Telstra also tried to provide staff to help triage calls to make sure the most urgent were connected first, but these discussions unfortunately didnt progress much further, Elkington said. Perhaps an underappreciated part of this saga are the Telstra call takers, who were left for minutes up to 50 minutes in one case on hold with distressed people needing urgent care or assistance, unable to send help or give first-aid advice. Actor-comedian Ronny Chieng, celebrated for his performances in Hollywood hits including Crazy Rich Asians, described Singapore as a country of small island Karens with main character syndrome through a story on his Instagram. Malaysian actor-comedian Ronny Chieng. Photo from Chieng's Instagram As reported by The Straits Times, Chieng made a post on his Instagram on March 21 stating: "Its a mistake to listen to any Singaporean about current affairs other than Mr. Lee Kuan Yew." "They are merely a country of small island Karens with main character syndrome who genuinely believe they hold all the answers, despite lacking any global perspective." The Independent Singapore explains that the term "Karen" refers to a slang for a predominantly middle-class white American female characterized by her entitlement and propensity to use her privilege to demand her way, often through complaints when her expectations are not met and insisting on speaking to a manager. Furthermore, the phrase "main character syndrome" is identified as a widely recognized concept indicating a proclivity for egocentrism, wherein people see themselves as the pivotal character in every scenario, as delineated by Malay Mail. The screenshot of his post quickly spread on Reddit, triggering a variety of reactions. Some shared Chiengs viewpoint, with one internet user remarking: "Well... even though I am a Singaporean, Id say hes not wrong." However, some interpreted his remarks as perpetuating the historical competition between Malaysia and Singapore, dismissing them as a conventional Malaysian critique of their adjacent nation. "Its a Malaysian thing to hate Singaporeans," read a comment. "To be Malaysian is to hate Singaporeans." Chieng, 38, who underwent his educational years in Singapore and whose mother resides in Singapore, has not consistently shown a negative attitude towards the metropolis. In a podcast from 2021, he advised choosing Singapore over Malaysia for those looking to begin their exploration of Asia, commending its safety and the convenience of English being spoken by everyone. Furthermore, he advocated for Singapores healthcare system on an edition of the American late-night program "The Daily Show," underscoring its innovative integration of free-market and socialist policies. Australian Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell has unreservedly apologised for failures that have contributed to the high rates of suicide among current and former service members. The royal commission into defence and veteran suicide, which was launched in 2021, completed its final day of hearings on Thursday with the nations most senior military official providing evidence. Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell apologised for high rates of veteran suicide. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Our people deserve and should rightly expect the wellbeing, support and care they need, both during and after their service, Campbell said in his opening remarks to the commission. I acknowledge that this has not always been the case and has tragically led to the death by suicide of some of our people. NSW taxpayers could be on the hook for as much as $150 million a year for every year the Eraring coal-fired power plant remains open, energy analysts predict, with the Minns government refusing to detail the terms of its negotiations with owner Origin Energy ahead of a likely extension beyond 2025. More than six months after the government confirmed it would begin negotiations with Origin on a proposal to extend Australias largest coal-fired power station beyond its scheduled closure date of 2025, there remains little detail about the terms of an extension. Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has declined to offer details of her negotiations with Origin over an extension of Eraring Power Station. Credit: Peter Rae But a new report from Climate Energy Finance, a pro-renewables think tank, estimates the states taxpayers could be forced to pay between $120 million and $150 million a year if the plant is kept running at its full operational capacity. The analysis is partly based on details of Origins negotiations with the former government over a potential purchase of Eraring in mid-2021, released through freedom of information laws. It projects the potential cost of underwriting the plants operation by examining coal spot prices, the potential impact on wholesale energy prices and the likely capital expenditure needed to keep the plant open. A plan to fit tens of thousands of extra people into 10 activity centres dotted across Melbourne is ramping up, with local communities facing a proliferation of multi-storey buildings. The Department of Transport and Planning has released a fine-grained, street-by-street analysis revealing where future development across Melbourne is most likely to occur in 10 suburban centres targeted for housing growth: Broadmeadows, Camberwell Junction, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie-Keilor Road, North Essendon, Preston-High Street and Ringwood. Percy Treyvaud Memorial Park in Chadstone, one of 10 Melbourne suburbs targeted for housing growth. Credit: Paul Jeffers The government is reviewing height limits and housing design rules in these 10 precincts, and the analysis marks the beginning of what could be a tricky consultation process with local communities worried about the impact the density push might have on urban amenity. Already, two councils in Melbournes leafy east have expressed disquiet about government plans to seize planning powers and densify their local streets. Imagine penguins and icebergs photo-bombing your wedding pictures. This is exactly what some adventurous couples are hoping for during their destination wedding on the frozen continent. Earlier this year, Aussie couple Tanya Conole and Bill Davidson cruised out of Ushuaia, Argentina aboard the Chimu Adventures-chartered small expedition ship, Ocean Endeavour. On the Antarctic Peninsula, rugby legend John Eales led their ceremony where the bride wore her best white puffer jacket. A Chimu Adventures spokesperson said that given plenty of notice, the company can help Antarctica-bound couples organise a marriage or commitment ceremony, which can be conducted by their own celebrant, the captain or an expedition member. See chimuadventures.com Sail to the deepest south aboard a tall ship Sail to the far south on the tall ship Bark Europa. If youre up to tackling extremely challenging nautical miles in the infamous Southern Ocean and you are physically fit, this might be your ultimate Antarctic adventure. Passengers are expected to muck in and help the permanent crew sail the Bark Europa, a three-masted barque, as she plies the Southern Ocean. Next season, there are three 22-day journeys, book-ended by a 42-day adventure incorporating South Georgia and an epic 52-day expedition that will travel from Antarctica to Cape Town, South Africa. See barkeuropa.com Want ice with that? It feels ridiculously decadent, we know, but theres nothing quite like clinking drinks with fellow passengers while soaking in a hot tub as Antarctica slides past. HXs near identical twin ships, the Roald Amundsen and the Fridtjof Nansen, both feature bubbling hot tubs on their aft decks the perfect place from which to absorb the frosted landscape and vivid twilight skies. You can also warm up in HXs Scandi-style saunas featuring full-length picture windows. Albatros Expeditions Ocean Victory also features Insta-worthy jacuzzis on its midnight sun pool deck. See HXexpeditions.com; albatros-expeditions.com Scramble for the toy box Seabourn guests can go exploring in a luxury submarine. Its no longer enough to simply schlep around in snowshoes or to snap the awesome polar wildlife. Antarctica is now an adrenaline junkies playground, thanks to the high-tech toys and extreme adventures offered by some expedition lines. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris each carry two six-passenger yellow submarines with revolving seats affording 270-degree views. Seabourn Pursuit and Seabourn Ventures subs feature a champagne chiller and Bluetooth stereo system. Scenic Eclipse I and II can take you both up and down, thanks to onboard submarines and helicopters. Divers with appropriate experience can also scuba-dive the icy Antarctic waters on some Aurora Expeditions departures. See vikingcruises.com.au; seabourn.com; scenic.com.au; auroraexpeditions.com.au Put your shut-eye on ice Amp up your Antarctica adventure and sleep under canvas on the frozen continent. HX is offering overnight camping slots to just 30 passengers, so cross your fingers that you might be selected as one of the lucky few (even if youre not, complete the mandatory safety briefing in case someone gets cold feet at the last minute). You might not enjoy much sleep, especially if youre paired with a stranger in your tent, but youll have a front-row view to glacier calving action, floating icebergs and the passing wildlife. With Aurora, youll be camping sans tent but staying warm (hopefully) thanks to a camping mat and thermal sleeping bag. See HXexpeditions.com; auroraexpeditions.com.au Nerd alert: become a citizen scientist Never heard of a Secchi disk? Youll be all over the ridiculously simple water-transparency measurement tool if you head out on a Zodiac for a touch of citizen science. HX offers Zodiac outings in which you can contribute data to researchers ongoing projects, collect water specimens and inspect them for phytoplankton at the on-board Science Centre. Passengers are also encouraged to submit their whale images to Happywhale, a project that identifies individual marine mammals and tracks their travels through the worlds oceans. See happywhale.com Dodge the Drake Mistake Keen to skip the Drake Shake? The famously temperamental ocean crossing to the Antarctic Peninsula, which takes two days each way from the tail end of South America, has been known to dispatch the toughest adventurers to their beds. Now you can skip the oceanic gamble (when it plays nice, the passage is known as the Drake Lake). Quark offers a fly-cruise option, in which you fly from Chiles Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, to start your adventure from there. See quarkexpeditions.com Pop the cork on a frozen picnic An icy champagne picnic with White Desert. If moneys absolutely no object, explore Antarcticas remote interior in complete luxury at ground (ice?) level. With White Desert, fly from Cape Town to see, for instance, emperor penguin chicks as theyre taking their first steps off their parents feet. This five to six-day private charter, which includes accommodation at one of the companys two luxury Antarctica camps, will set you back a cool $US68,500-plus ($104,000) per person twin-share. You can also set off from South Africa on an Antarctic day trip. After a five-hour flight, spend three hours on ice hiking to a nunatak (glacial island) for a champagne picnic at $US15,950 ($24,000) a person. See white-desert.com Q+A: Antarctica Anthony Laver, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours I love Antarctica because there is no pristine place on Earth like it. It has some of the most unique wildlife and grand ice-scapes, it makes you feel like youve travelled to another planet. For me, the hottest new bucket list experience in Antarctica is taking a Scenic Eclipse [luxury expedition cruise ship] flightseeing excursion on one of two on board helicopters. You can see Antarctica from a perspective that few people will ever get to experience. The one classic bucket list destination for Antarctica is Penguin Island, where up to 300,000 pairs of nesting penguins create a black and white landscape with one of the most amazing breeding colonies in the region. The one big issue for travellers when visiting Antarctica is to avoid disturbing the fragile seabeds and ice with ship anchors and activities. You can deal with that by ... carefully selecting the route to minimise the use of anchors and preserve this fragile environment. On Scenic Eclipse, the ships use azipods, for maximum manoeuvrability and the avoidance of using anchors, allowing the ship access places where other ships cant reach. Of the roughly 20 million books in Harvard Universitys libraries, one has long exerted a unique dark fascination, not for its contents, but for the material it was bound in: human skin. For years, the volume a 19th-century French treatise on the human soul was brought out for show and tell, and sometimes, according to library lore, used to haze new employees. In 2014, the university drew jokey news coverage around the world with the announcement that it had used new technology to confirm that the binding was in fact human skin. The Harry Welkins Widener Memorial Library on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Credit: Bloomberg. But on Thursday (AEDT), after years of criticism and debate, the university announced that it had removed the binding and would be exploring options for a final respectful disposition of these human remains. After careful study, stakeholder engagement, and consideration, Harvard Library and the Harvard Museum Collections Returns Committee concluded that the human remains used in the books binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, due to the ethically fraught nature of the books origins and subsequent history, the university said in a statement. But with an election that is likely to be the most expensive on record, Democrats also want to widen the fundraising gap against Trump, who has amassed his own campaign war chest by selling everything from T-shirts bearing his prison mugshot to dinners at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This week, the presumptive Republican nominee even began spruiking God Bless the USA bibles inspired by the Lee Greenwood song of the same name that is the opening soundtrack to every Trump rally. Loading Happy Holy Week! Lets Make America Pray Again, Trump wrote as he launched the $US60 bibles in time for Easter. However, the former president currently trails the incumbent in fundraising this year, with federal filings showing Bidens re-election campaign had $US71 million on hand at the end of February more than double the $US33.5 million in Trumps account. While Trump has solicited millions of dollars in donations off the back off his legal woes, he is also having to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to fight them. So far, hes been fined almost half-a-billion dollars for fraudulently inflating the value of his businesses and $US83 million for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. He is also spending money to delay four criminal trials: one in Washington DC for election subversion; another in Georgia for trying to overturn the results in that state; a trial in Florida over classified documents; and another in New York, starting on April 15, for hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Credit: AP Tonight all hell breaks loose! Trump wrote in a fundraising email seeking donations ahead of Bidens New York fundraiser. In a few short hours, the FIRST EVER Democrat fundraiser with Obama, Bill Clinton and Crooked Joe Biden will begin. Hundreds of deranged Hollywood liberals will be in attendance, and they will open their wallets to fund the DESTRUCTION OF OUR COUNTRY! $25 MILLION WILL BE RAISED TO DEFEAT US! Biden, however, has his own political problems. Polls show he is virtually neck-and-neck with Trump, or in some cases, behind him in key battleground states. Loading His traditional coalition young people, black voters, Latinos appears to be fraying. And most Americans say they have little enthusiasm for a Trump-Biden rematch, which could result in voters not showing up in November, or potentially choosing a third-party candidate such as Robert F Kennedy jnr. And the war in Gaza is testing his resolve domestically. The fundraiser was punctuated by protests inside the massive auditorium, as attendees rose at several different moments to shout over the discussion, referencing Bidens backing of Israel in the Hamas war that has killed over 30,000 in Gaza. Shame on you, Joe Biden one yelled, Reuters reported. Obama said Biden had moral clarity on the Israel issue and was willing to listen to all sides in this debate and find common ground. When a protester interrupted Obama, he snapped back: You cant just talk and not listen...Thats what the other side does. Democrats hope the star-studded event will give the president another chance to gin up enthusiasm and build momentum for the months ahead. Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the Presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election, said Biden-Harris 2024 campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg. Dear Editor Small Claims Court was established to decrease the number of court cases waiting in the dockets to be heard. The idea was that plaintiffs and defendants could come to an amicable agreement and settle their differences without going to war with each other or the expensive drawn-out process of hiring lawyers and the usual congestion and delays a court case would entail. Alas, this has not been the case and the results, only cleared the court dockets, but incurred more expenses to the plaintiffs as the verdicts rendered by the judges are completely ignored by some defendants. Some defendants even ignored the summons to appear in court for a hearing. Plaintiffs had to pay court costs, plus the fees for serving the summons, and upon receiving a verdict had to pay again to start the collection process. However, what was more appalling was the total disrespect afforded the proclamation, "In The Name Of The King". This proclamation was not a welcome event in the old days, as it usually brought bad tidings. Whoever ignored it would feel the full wrath of the King, which was usually torture, maiming, or a beheading. Today, even letters to those who must represent the King and uphold his name go unanswered, leaving the plaintiffs more frustrated than when they brought their cases to the courts. Today, such a proclamation isn't worth the paper it is written on. Bailiffs appear powerless to enforce them as their hands seem tied with what they can legally do. In the end, it seems that engaging the Small Claims Court is throwing good money behind bad money. Let us bring respect back to the King. Let us put some teeth in Small Claims rulings. Francis D. Hodge ~Women entrepreneurs have an opportunity to expand their business into different markets.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- In a significant stride towards fostering female entrepreneurship, the U.S. Mission to the Dutch Caribbean and Islandpreneur are delighted to announce a collaborative initiative designed to empower women business owners from the Dutch Caribbean and the United States. This landmark event, the Islandpreneur Power Fest, is slated to take place from June 27-29 at the Simpson Bay Beach Resort in Sint Maarten, setting the stage for an extraordinary gathering of visionaries and change makers. At the heart of this initiative is recognizing women entrepreneurs' pivotal role in driving economic innovation and sustainable growth. This summit is underpinned by the U.S. State Department's POWER program (Providing Opportunities for Womens Economic Rise), which, since its inception in 2019, has been instrumental in leveraging diplomatic and private sector resources to enhance women's access to vital skills and networks. Key Highlights of Islandpreneur Power Fest 24: Selective Engagement: This event is unique in its approach, offering a platform for women entrepreneurs from the Caribbean and the U.S. The exclusivity ensures focused and meaningful interactions, making it a rare opportunity for attendees. This event is unique in its approach, offering a platform for women entrepreneurs from the Caribbean and the U.S. The exclusivity ensures focused and meaningful interactions, making it a rare opportunity for attendees. Business Matching for Global Trade: A core component of the conference is facilitating business matching, bolstering foreign trade, and opening up new market opportunities. This initiative is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the participating regions, fostering economic ties and mutual growth. A core component of the conference is facilitating business matching, bolstering foreign trade, and opening up new market opportunities. This initiative is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the participating regions, fostering economic ties and mutual growth. Bilateral Exchange of Expertise: In a refreshing departure from traditional conference formats, this experience is structured as a two-way exchange where U.S. and Caribbean participants share and gain insights, underscoring a joint commitment to learning and growing together. In a refreshing departure from traditional conference formats, this experience is structured as a two-way exchange where U.S. and Caribbean participants share and gain insights, underscoring a joint commitment to learning and growing together. Foundation for Sustainable Partnerships: Beyond networking, the event cultivates long-term, profitable business relationships. This approach is aligned with the broader goal of sustainable economic development and the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Islandpreneur Power Fest will also feature direct engagements with business leaders, workshops tailored to real-world business challenges, and the establishment of strong professional networks. It represents a concerted effort by the organizers and its allies to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and playing a more pronounced role in the global economy. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the journey towards economic empowerment and inclusivity for women in business as Islandpreneur celebrates its 5th year of creating unique value. Those interested in being part of this transformative experience are encouraged to visit https://tiny.cc/islandpower for more information and to join the waiting list. With applications opening in the upcoming weeks, prospective participants are urged to act swiftly, as places are limited. This partnership between the U.S. Mission to the Dutch Caribbean and Islandpreneur highlights the commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs. It sets a precedent for future collaborations to foster inclusive economic growth in the Caribbean and beyond. Islandpreneur equips entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives to build more innovative and sustainable businesses while providing opportunities for key stakeholders to support economic growth tangibly. To join the waiting list, go to www.tiny.cc/islandpower. For more about Islandpreneur programs and services, visit www.islandpreneur.co or connect to www.facebook.com/iamislandpreneur for regular updates. Its been almost a year since fighting broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces, the SAF, and the militia group known as the Rapid Support Forces, the RSF, plunging Sudan into conditions observers describe as hell on earth. Eighteen million Sudanese face acute hunger, and famine is looming. Nearly eight million people have been forced from their homes. In December, Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that members of the SAF and the RSF have committed war crimes. He also determined that members of the RSF and their allied militia have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Darfur. U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello recently traveled to Africa and the Middle East, speaking to leaders and to members of the Sudanese community about the tragedy unfolding in Sudan and the urgent need to relaunch formal peace talks: We are seeing signs of famine already across the country of Sudan. We have known about horrific atrocities, particularly against women and children, forced recruitment, even slavery in this conflict that must end. And now were seeing a situation as we head into the rainy season that could quickly get much worse, and the humanitarian crisis is already at a breaking point. Special Envoy Perriello said, The only true solution here is to silence the guns. That he said, requires the two competing generals, the SAFs army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to reach a deal and for all across the region to be partners in peace. We need to restart formal talks. We hope that will happen as soon as Ramadan is over, that those are inclusive talks of key regional actors as well as key voices from the inside, and that we can reach that agreement not just to end the violence, but to really open up to full humanitarian access, he said. Special Envoy Perriello said his visit to the region revealed a new sense of urgency about Sudan: Everybody understands that this crisis is barreling toward a point of no return. And that means everybody needs to put whatever differences aside and be united in finding a solution to this conflict. A solution, Special Envoy Perriello declared, that leads to a Sudan where the Sudanese people get to determine their future. Fallen crypto tycoon Bankman-Fried gets 25-year sentence New York, March 28 (AFP) Mar 28, 2024 Disgraced cryptocurrency wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in jail on Thursday -- a stunning descent for a figure who seemed poised to lead an emerging sector less than two years ago. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan said the defendant, who became known by his initials "SBF," had shown no "real remorse," even in his final pre-sentencing remarks in which the former billionaire rued "a series of bad decisions" but did not acknowledge knowingly violating financial laws. Bankman-Fried said "mistakes were made, but never a word of remorse for the commission of a terrible crime," said Kaplan, who characterized the violations as "brazen" and called out the defendant for his "exceptional flexibility" towards the truth. Kaplan set a sentence of 25 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant also was ordered to pay $11 billion, an amount reflective of what Bankman-Fried effectively stole from other parties, according to Kaplan's calculations. Thursday's sentencing followed the November 2023 conviction by a federal jury in New York of Bankman-Fried, who once made the cover of financial magazines and financed splashy Super Bowl television ads in 2022. Although lower than the 40-50 years sought by the government, the Justice Department praised the sentence. "Today's sentence... is an important message to others who might be tempted to engage in financial crimes that justice will be swift, and the consequences will be severe," said US federal prosecutor Damian Williams. Bankman-Fried's parents, Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, said in a statement: "We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son." - Financial serial killer? - Bankman-Fried had soared to the top of the crypto world, becoming a billionaire before age 30 and turning FTX, a small start-up he cofounded in 2019, into the world's second largest exchange platform. But in November 2022, Bankman-Fried's breakneck rise came crashing down, with a deluge of customer withdrawals following revelations that billions of dollars had been illegally moved from FTX to Bankman-Fried's personal hedge fund, Alameda Research. In remarks to the court, defense attorney Marc Mukasey characterized Bankman-Fried as a well-intended, "awkward math nerd," rather than a cold-hearted figure like notorious Ponzi scheme operator Bernie Madoff. "It's obviously a serious offense, but Sam was not a financial serial killer who set out to hurt people," Mukasey said. During the hearing, Bankman-Fried expressed regret about the firm's demise, which also affected many colleagues. They "built something beautiful," Bankman-Fried said. "And I threw it all away. It haunts me every day. I made a series of bad decisions." Bankman-Fried said he was anguished that FTX victims had not been compensated -- something he said "begs a question of why they haven't been paid back." - 'Often evasive' - But federal prosecutor Nicolas Roos, speaking after Bankman-Fried, said the defendant continued to play down his crimes, noting the impact was "not a bloodless financial loss on paper." Roos described "immediate" financial harm to FTX victims, including one investor in Portugal whose daughter was born the day before FTX imploded and a married couple of retirees who were forced to go back to work. Kaplan agreed with key arguments from the government. The judge had begun the hearing by rejecting the defense's efforts to persuade the court to consider billions of dollars worth of recoveries through the FTX bankruptcy as lowering the size of the fraud. Kaplan called out Bankman-Fried for witness tampering and enumerated at least three specific instances where he had given false testimony. "When he wasn't outright lying, he was often evasive, hair-splitting, dodging questions," Kaplan said of Bankman-Fried's testimony. The Justice Department had developed its sentence recommendation in part to account for the risk that Bankman-Fried could engage in further fraud if released too quickly. While stopping short of the government's full sentence, Kaplan agreed that a free Bankman-Fried would pose a risk. Bankman-Fried could say "that mistakes were made. Other people were to blame. The bankruptcy people screwed up," Kaplan said. "It doesn't take too much imagination to see the outline" of another narrative. "But there is a risk that this man will be in a position to do something very bad, and it's not a trivial risk," said Kaplan, calling a lengthy sentence necessary to "disable" Bankman-Fried. Macron, Lula hail defense ties at submarine launch Itaguai, Brazil, March 27 (AFP) Mar 27, 2024 President Emmanuel Macron and counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday celebrated the launch of Brazil's third French-designed submarine, which will help secure the country's immense coastline, dubbed the "Blue Amazon." The two men highlighted the importance of their countries' defense partnership during a time of major global unrest, at a ceremony at Brazil's ultra-modern naval base in Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro. It is here that Brazil built the Tonelero, the third of four planned conventional diesel attack submarines, with training, equipment, and technical assistance from France. Under cloudy skies, the submarine was christened by First Lady Rosangela da Silva, nicknamed "Janja." France and Brazil's defense ties "will allow two important countries, each on a continent, to prepare so that we can face this adversity, without worrying about any type of war, because we are defenders of peace," said Lula. Despite differences, notably on the Ukraine war, Macron said "the great peaceful powers of Brazil and France" had "the same vision of the world." Macron is on a whirlwind tour of Brazil, a major economic ally, which kicked off Tuesday with the launch of a plan to raise over a billion dollars in green investments to protect the Brazilian and Guyanese Amazon. - Jungle bromance - The visit, the first by a French president to Latin America's economic giant in over a decade, is also a move to reset ties which had deteriorated significantly under former president Jair Bolsonaro. A warm meeting between Macron and Lula in the Amazon, in which the two men were pictured beaming and clasping hands in the jungle, spawned a raft of internet memes about their bromance. The cozy scenes -- a far cry from the days Bolsonaro lobbed insults at Macron's wife -- continued Wednesday at the submarine launch. With its 8,500 kilometers of coastline, Brazil is seeking to ensure the security of what it calls the "blue Amazon," its immense exclusive economic zone through which more than 95 percent of its foreign trade passes and where it extracts 95 percent of its oil. The construction of the submarines was outlined in a 2008 deal between Lula and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, which also included the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters. The fourth submarine, the Angostura, will be launched in 2025. - France skirts around nuclear sub - Brazil is also planning to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Alvaro Alberto, a project that has suffered significant delays, mainly due to budget constraints. The French naval defense manufacturer Naval Group is supporting the design and construction of the submarine, except for the nuclear boiler which is being designed by the Brazilians. Brasilia is however trying to convince Paris to increase technology transfers to help it integrate the reactor into the submarine and sell it equipment linked to nuclear propulsion. France has been reticent to transfer such technology due to the challenges of nuclear proliferation. "If Brazil wants to have access to knowledge of nuclear technology, it is not to wage war. We want this knowledge to assure all countries that want peace that Brazil will be at their side," said Lula. Macron told Brazil "France will be at your side" during the development of the nuclear-powered submarines, without announcing specific assistance. "I want us to open the chapter for new submarines... that we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all non-proliferation commitments," he said. Later on Wednesday, Macron arrived in the economic capital Sao Paulo, and blasted the long-stalled free trade agreement between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc. The deal, which has recently run into fierce resistance from European farmers, "as it is negotiated today is a really bad agreement, for you and for us," Macron told an economic forum in the southeastern city. "Let's build a new agreement ... one which is responsible from a development, climate and biodiversity point of view," he said of the pact, negotiations for which originally began 25 years ago. After an agreement was reached in 2019, final approval of the deal was then blocked amid opposition from several countries including France, even as nations such as Spain, Germany and Brazil have championed its adoption. Israel government shaken by ultra-Orthodox conscription row Jerusalem, March 28 (AFP) Mar 28, 2024 A legal row over controversial exemptions from compulsory military service for Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews had the country's right-wing coalition government scurrying to find a compromise Thursday. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara sent shock waves through the government -- which is reliant on ultra-Orthodox parties -- declaring Wednesday there was no legal framework to the continuing exemptions. This means that ultra-Orthodox will be liable to be called up from April 1, as Israel's war against Hamas militants rages in the Gaza Strip. The government has set itself a Thursday deadline to strike a deal. With the war in Gaza, pressure has increased on the country's large and growing ultra-orthodox community who have long been spared military service which is compulsory for everyone else. After several legal challenges to the exemptions, the Supreme Court gave the government until Wednesday to draw up a new conscription bill. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been unable to get agreement on the deeply divisive issue, with his ultra-Orthodox allies fiercely opposed to conscription for their community. The government has asked for a short extension to the Supreme Court deadline in the hope of formulating a deal. The coalition depends on two large ultra-Orthodox parties. Last year the government voted through unprecedented funding equivalent to just over $1 billion for orthodox religious schools, or yeshivas. Netanyahu is working, at any cost, on "avoiding an early election" that would benefit Benny Gantz, a centrist member of his war cabinet, Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank, has said. Recent polls suggest that if there were an election, Gantz's party would win the largest number of seats. Before the war in Gaza, the religious parties had also supported Netanyahu's controversial judicial reforms, in the hopes of further extending military exemptions. The judicial revamp sparked months of protests, often by tens of thousands of Israelis. - Exemptions date back decades - But Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in February announced a reform of military service that would include the ultra-Orthodox. Some Israeli media perceived Gallant's move as a challenge to Netanyahu. Both men belong to the same Likud party. Military service is obligatory for all young Israelis -- 32 months for men, and two years for women. But almost all the ultra-Orthodox have been able to escape it, with 66,000 members of the community excused from military service last year alone. Jewish men who study the Torah full-time in religious schools have long been granted an annual deferment from military service until the age of 26, at which point they become exempt. Young ultra-Orthodox women are automatically exempt. The exemptions date from Israel's founding in 1948, and were meant to allow a group of 400 young people to study sacred texts and preserve Jewish traditions, much of which had been lost during the Holocaust. But today's ultra-Orthodox number 1.3 million people, according to the Israel Democracy Institute -- bolstered by a fertility rate of more than six children per woman, compared with the national average of 2.5. Most ultra-Orthodox want the exemptions to be extended to all religious students, saying serving in the military is incompatible with their values. Israeli strike injures 2 in Damascus suburb: Syrian state media Damascus, March 28 (AFP) Mar 28, 2024 Two people were injured on Thursday in an air strike on a residential building in a Damascus suburb, Syrian state media said, blaming the strike on Israel. "The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack from the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a residential building on the outskirts of Damascus," the Syrian state news agency SANA said, citing a military source. "The attack left two civilians injured and caused material damage," the agency added. The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, meanwhile told AFP "explosions were heard" near Damascus "after Israeli strikes on sites belonging to groups affiliated with Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah". The Sayyida Zeinab area targeted in the strikes is a stronghold of pro-Iran armed groups. According to the Observatory, Hezbollah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have their Syrian headquarters in the area. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes targeting pro-Iran groups fighting alongside the forces of President Bashar al-Assad in the country's 13-year civil war. On Tuesday, strikes in Syria killed 16 pro-Iran fighters including an Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Observatory said. And earlier this month, an Israeli strike reportedly killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard and two other people in Banias on Syria's Mediterranean coast. The Israeli army previously said it had hit about 4,500 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Syria over the past five months. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in Syria. Jess Ralston, energy analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: The UKs spent over 100bn on gas since the start of the crisis, with most people really feeling the pinch in their energy bills so its no surprise that expensive energy has meant people use less of it. A more nuanced picture, then, than the Conservatives are painting. Of course, if you actually want to get to grips with a crime problem, scare stories do not help; it is only with accurate record-keeping that you can work out which measures work and which do not. The Mayor blames Government cuts to youth services and the Metropolitan Police; the Government blames the Mayor. But perhaps it is the adversarial relationship between the two that has caused some of the problem. Mayors need to co-operate with Westminster: unlike his predecessors, Khan has served his entire mayoral term so far with the opposition in government. She added: I have been talking to police for some time about my concerns and I am pleased to see that the polices actions have resulted in this significant decrease in the robberies of our school children here in Croydon and across south London. Its been a year since American journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia. Now a Russian court has once again extended his detention at least until the end of June. A reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Gershkovich was arrested by Russian authorities on March 29, 2023, in the city of Yekaterinburg where he was on a reporting trip. Although accredited by Russias Foreign Ministry to work as a journalist, Gershkovich was charged with espionage, a charge he, his employer, and the United States government vigorously deny. He has been behind bars ever since, housed in the notorious Lefortovo prison. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that at Gershkovichs hearing on March 26, Russian authorities did not provide evidence of a crime. They just extended his detention for another three months. And despite their claims, they have provided no justification for holding him at all, and we believe theres a simple reason for doing that, and its because he has done nothing wrong. Its because journalism is not a crime, he said. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy attended Gershkovichs court hearing in Moscow. In a statement, she reiterated that the accusations against Evan are categorically untrue. They are not a different interpretation of circumstances, they are fiction. Ambassador Tracy said, Evans case is not about evidence, due process, or rule of law. It is about using American citizens as pawns to achieve political ends, as the Kremlin is doing in the case of Paul Whelan. Paul Whelan is an American citizen, former U.S. marine, and businessman, who was arrested in 2018 in Russia and in 2020 was found guilty of espionage after a secret trial. He is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence. The United States has called his treatment a mockery of justice. Both Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich have been determined to be wrongfully detained by the U.S. government. Spokesperson Miller called on Russia to stop using individuals like Evan Gershkovich or Paul Whelan ... as bargaining chips. They should be released immediately. He added, We continue to remain engaged on trying to secure the release of both Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. That will remain a top priority for us. The court heard he was someone "prepared to put himself in harm's way in defence of others" both by being a former member of the armed forces and by volunteering to deliver PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic. London Elects will repay the 20,000 to the Reclaim party that it submitted to cover Mr Foxs nomination and the cost of including him in the election brochure that is delivered to all London households. It said a further 5,000 that had been overpaid in error would also be returned. TfL have said between Good Friday and Saturday, a reduced service will operate between Paddington and Maidenhead / Heathrow. All trains will start and terminate at Paddington National Rail station. Heathrow Terminal 4, West Drayton, Langley, Slough, Burnham and Maidenhead will be served by two trains an hour. West Ealing will be served by four trains an hour. Ealing Broadway, Southall and Hayes & Harlington will be served by six trains per hour. From Good Friday until Easter Monday, no service will operate between Abbey Wood / Stratford and Paddington. Trains will operate between Shenfield and Liverpool Street National Rail station (not serving Whitechapel) and between Paddington National Rail station and Heathrow / Reading. Essays written with the help of ChatGPT were also more likely to use paragraphs starting with discourse markers like however, moreover, and overall, and numbered lists with items. President Michael D Higgins said: It is now not morally acceptable that a single voice would be silent in the European Union or international community, all countries must do all that they can to ensure the immediate delivery of aid, a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in line with this weeks UN Security Council resolution. They were introduced following the 1999 inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence six years earlier as a way of providing police with intelligence about incidents that could escalate into more serious harm to indicate heightened community tensions. Olivier Serva, a legislator from Guadeloupe, proposed the bill aiming to position France as the first nation to nationally recognise hair-based discrimination. The bill seeks to update labour and criminal codes to specifically ban discrimination against individuals with curly, coiled, or "unprofessional" hairstyles, including those who are bald. The state will always stand with these officials, those who are on the frontline faced with these breaches of secularism, these attempts of Islamist entryism in our education establishments, Gabriel Attal said on the TF1 television channel. ELKO The 2024 Elko County Sage-Grouse Experience is taking place in April, celebrating the 10th year of this event. Sage-grouse always generate a lot of discussion. A local collaborative group is offering a chance to experience firsthand this iconic Western bird, the sage-grouse, and learn more about its ecology and conservation. On Saturday, April 20, participants will travel by school bus to north Ruby Valley to watch male sage-grouse strut on a lek, or strutting ground. The birds strut early in the morning so the group leaves Elko at 4:30 a.m. Nevada Department of Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service biologists will be on hand to answer questions. Spotting scopes will be available, and participants are encouraged to bring binoculars. A porta-potty will be available. Following the lek viewing, the group will return to Elko and have brunch. During the brunch, biologists will present information on sage-grouse biology, habitat and conservation. Participants will leave with an event souvenir. Everyone is welcome, including children 12 and older with an accompanying adult. This event is completely free and space is limited, so participants must register by April 17. To reserve a spot and receive more information, go to ndow.org/calendar and April 20. For questions, email nicole.stjohn@ndow.org or call 775-777-2391. This event is hosted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and sponsored by the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group, Bristlecone Audubon Chapter, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Nevada Department of Forestry. 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Rafila was asked about the criteria, which he spoke about the day before, to see which hospitals urgently need staff and where they would come from. "We are going to work on some criteria, maybe I didn't make myself clear, so that we can identify the hospitals that are currently bearing the brunt of the health system in Romania in terms of the number of cases and the complexity of the cases they handle. Obviously these hospitals also need a different staffing regulation compared to hospitals that solve only trivial cases or refer patients with more complex pathologies to these first-line hospitals and, of course, the way of financing these hospitals needs to be rethought," Rafila said at the Palace of Parliament. He added that he hoped to have "a solid interlocutor" from the National Health Insurance House, because this institution finances hospital medical activity in its entirety. The Ministry of Finance borrowed, on Thursday, 1.070 billion RON from commercial banks, through an issue of benchmark state bonds, with a residual maturity of 31 months and an average yield of 6.13% per year, according to data published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR), told Agerpres. The nominal value of the issue was 500 million RON, and the banks subscribed over 1.7 billion RON. An additional auction is scheduled for Friday, through which the state wants to attract another 75 million RON at the yield set on Thursday for the bonds. The Ministry of Finance planned, in March 2024, loans from commercial banks in the amount of 5.8 billion RON, to which the amount of 720 million RON can be added through additional sessions of non-competitive offers, related to bond auctions. The total amount, of 6.52 billion RO, is 315 million RON higher than the one that was scheduled in February 2024, of 6.205 billion RON, and will be intended for refinancing the public debt and financing the state budget deficit. ST. LOUIS U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis is urging Walgreens to keep one of the few pharmacies in North St. Louis open. Walgreens is on track to close its 1400 North Grand Boulevard store on April 9 because of unsustainable business performance, the company said in a statement. Upset by the news, members of the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood have been circulating an online petition asking the company to reconsider. Now, Bush has sent a letter to Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth, saying that the abrupt closure will have devastating ripple effects on her districts most vulnerable residents, especially people on Medicare and Medicaid. In the letter sent Thursday, Bush said the Walgreens closure will worsen already existing pharmacy deserts in St. Louis. She cited the 2023 closures of Walgreens stores at 3631 Gravois Avenue and 5550 South Grand Boulevard and said she saw firsthand how it negatively impacted her constituents. With this most recent closure, countless patients will lose access to their neighborhood pharmacy, which means potential gaps in procuring lifesaving prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, Bush wrote. Walgreens spokesperson Samantha Stansberry said that the company is in communication with Bush, but they will proceed with the store's closure as planned. "We look forward to working with elected officials, community leaders and others to address the barriers that make it difficult for us to operate pharmacies in various communities across the country," Stansberry said. ELKO The Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group is celebrating 25 years of service as a nonprofit, having formed in 1999. Group leaders said few such groups last this long. Its motto is: Working Together for Healthy Landscapes and Quality Lifestyles. People are invited on April 13 to celebrate this achievement at the Western Folklife Center in Elko. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6. The cost is $20 per person, $10 for children under 10. Participants will listen to Southwind as they enjoy a meal from McAdoos. Members of the group will then report on its accomplishments over the past 25 years. The public can RSVP to gailsusana@gmail.com. If you are interested in supporting local stewardship initiatives, this dinner will help to learn about the group's history and its future. The organization has hosted many informational meetings on rangeland issues, including sage-grouse, rangeland improvements and monitoring, wildfire recovery and weed containment. Members have participated in research on sagebrush thinning and sagebrush recovery after wildfires. They have worked closely with area agencies and often partner with other groups on their projects. The group has received numerous awards for its collaborative work. The group hosts an informational forum each year at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. It has partnered in the Sage-grouse Experience, Elko Trails Initiative and MicroBiome group. Members have also supported their partner, Friends of the Ruby Mountains. DELLWOOD A drug treatment clinic and community pharmacy are the newest tenants to open at R&R Marketplace, an economic and community hub that is living up to the name of the nonprofit behind its redevelopment, Refuge and Restoration. The $20 million redevelopment of the once-empty 90,000-square-foot Dellwood shopping plaza by Refuge and Restoration, which was founded by pastors Ken and Beverly Jenkins of Florissant, aims to improve the health and economic opportunities for the surrounding area. Community members will join government and business officials Thursday to celebrate the opening of the pharmacy, which provides medication-assisted treatment to patients at the clinic and will soon be able to fill prescriptions for the entire community They offer services that we are proud to finally have accessible in this community, she said. Behavioral and mental health services as well as addiction and pharmacy services are now possible here. That changes the landscape for any community moving forward. Other tenants in the marketplace at 10148 West Florissant Avenue include Employ St. Louis, North County Innovation Center, a day care called Brilliant Angels Academy, a second location for Cathys Kitchen and a Midwest BankCentre branch. While officials and advocates often speak of the need to provide more services to treat those with drug addiction, few people want those services near their homes or businesses. But the Jenkinses invited the Assisted Recovery Centers of America to open a clinic in R&R Marketplace. I was so taken aback, said Percy Menzies, ARCA president. They approached us. They were like, We want you in our neighborhood. Six days a week It wasnt easy, but with funding from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, ARCAs Dellwood treatment center opened in January. Its the first large walk-in clinic outside its downtown St. Louis location. ARCA also has staff stationed three days a week at the Jubilee Community Church in north St. Louis, operates a mobile clinic that partners with various community groups and provides more than a dozen transitional housing units for those in recovery. The new clinic in Dellwood is unique in that it is open six days a week, including Saturday mornings. Services are free, and no appointment is needed. Staff will assess patients mental and physical health, connect them to medication-assisted treatment for substance-use disorders and provide counseling. Come as you are, and we will treat you, Menzies said. We have urgent cares for physical problems, why not have urgent cares for drug and alcohol treatment? Data from the St. Louis County Department of Public Health shows that 449 people died in drug-involved incidents in the county in 2022 an 11% decrease from a record high set the previous year and the first decrease since 2015. However, the number of drug-involved deaths per 100,000 people the mortality rate increased 6% between 2018 and 2022. Black men had the highest mortality rate at 140.9 per 100,000 population, nearly three times higher than the overall rate of 47.2. The ZIP code areas surrounding Dellwood have the highest rates in the county. That tells us they do need help, Menzies said. The clinic also houses three outpatient beds where patients experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms can safely detox using comfort and anti-anxiety medications, a key first step in getting them connected to long-term recovery, Menzies said. Sometimes they come in such severe withdrawal, and if you dont offer them any effective treatment, youve lost the patient, he said. The next key, he said, is immediately connecting patients to medication-assisted treatment such as buprenorphine or naltrexone which normalize brain chemistry, relive cravings and block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids. When ARCA partnered with a pharmacy to open inside its busy downtown clinic, Menzies said, patients getting their prescriptions filled went from less than 70% to more than 98%. Patients dont have to make an extra trip somewhere else. And they dont have to worry about being questioned extensively by a pharmacist, long waits and uncomfortable stares from other customers. That is where the new RxO Community Pharmacy comes in. A friendly face Menzies was able to convince the online drug discount nonprofit Rx Outreach to open its first community pharmacy next door to provide medications to patients at the clinic. It fits perfectly within our mission, said Rx Outreach President and CEO Julie Erickson. We want to help people overcome barriers in accessing what they need. Rx Outreach, headquartered in Maryland Heights, is the nations largest nonprofit online pharmacy. It began as an internal program at Express Scripts and became a separate charity in 2010. Last year, the nonprofit delivered 180,000 prescriptions by mail to every state at discounted prices, or sometimes free, to those in need. Rx Outreach also partners with the United Way to help connect customers in need to resources such as housing, utility assistance and food pantries. But the pharmacy had never dealt with insurance companies or a brick-and-mortar location. Partnering with ARCA would require both. Despite the tremendous amount of work required for this new model, Erickson said the organization was committed to serving more people. It just was a really great fit. And it is exciting and scary, and I am so happy that my board (of directors) was courageous and said yes, we want to try this, she said. Because the area lacks pharmacies, Erickson said they also wanted to be open to the public. So while the clinic and pharmacy space were already connected by a door, they had a door to the outside cut into the brick. They hired Jordyn Norde as the lead pharmacist based on a recommendation from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, where Norde recently graduated. Norde founded the St. Louis Black Pharmacists Association to provide students scholarships and social support. She grew up in north St. Louis County, and her father now lives in Dellwood. Erickson said having a leader with ties to the area was important in connecting to customers. I wanted to make sure that we fit in the community, that we could become a part of it and that people could come to trust us, she said. Norde said shes glad her talents led her to the pharmacy. Its awesome to be here and provide a friendly face as people are going through recovery, she said. Currently, the pharmacy can fill prescriptions for patients on Medicaid; and within a few weeks, is expected to be approved for patients with Medicare and most private insurance. Menzies said he wants the new location to give neighbors hope that addiction is treatable, that they can live a healthy life. Its like walking into any doctors office, he said. You should not feel ashamed to walk in here. Editors note: Second references to Rx Outreach President and CEO Julie Erickson were incorrect in an earlier version of this story. JEFFERSON CITY A Republican-backed plan to take a school voucher program statewide caught criticism from the political right on Thursday during a Missouri House committee hearing. A key criticism of the voucher plan, from traditional public school advocates, is that the program reduces public funds to the benefit of private and parochial schools. But lawmakers are also hearing concerns about government involvement in religious and home schools, which proponents of the expanded vouchers will need to overcome by the end of the legislative session on May 17. The proposal, which was discussed Thursday during a hearing of the House Special Committee on Education Reform, cleared the Senate earlier this month after Democrats and Republicans included new funding for traditional public schools in the plan. The legislation would remove geographic limits on a 2021 education voucher program that provides funds to families, which can go toward private education or home-schooling expenses. This years bill would also raise income limits in place under the current program. But Charlene Moore, who said she home-schools in Camden County, said there was no faith-based curriculum available for home-school families using vouchers, and that parents had to get background checks to participate. To ask a parent to be background-checked to parent their child sets a dangerous (precedent), she said. Another opponent, James Holderman, said government-funded, government-regulated school choice creates a coercive force within the K-12 education sphere, which will likely ... erode and maybe ultimately eliminate the separation between government public school regulation and the regulation of private schools. Holderman then claimed the legislation is likely part of a United Nations agenda. A representative who said she was with ArmorVine, which claims on its website school choice is the carrot on the end of a stick that ends with woke government regulation & control, also voiced opposition to the plan. But the plan also had support. Shannon Miller, one of the directors of Summit Christian Academy in Lees Summit, said the legislation would allow more student access to an education that better serves their educational needs and aligns with their core values. For far too long, we have avoided utilizing state tax dollars for schools based on their association with religious institutions, he said. Secular educational systems have become a post-modernist temple of worship. They continue counter-cultural themes such as humanism, neo-Marxism and post-modernist dogma. He said the program doesnt provide funds for Christian schools but funds for citizens to make that decision for their own kids. Summit Christian Academy this school year accepted 36 vouchers this year at $229,500, according to the state treasurers office. Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters, who sponsored the original legislation asked Miller if he has had to abandon, modify or change any of its teaching practices or faith principles because they currently participate in the program. No, Miller said, adding not to my knowledge, when Christofanelli asked whether the state has made any faith-related inquiries as a result of the school accepting scholarships. The 2021 legislation created Educational Assistance Organizations that accept tax credit-eligible donations and then provide scholarships for students. The vast majority of program participants have attended private religious schools. Theres no intrusion into the private school, said Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, the sponsor of this years legislation. The legislation is Senate Bill 727. JEFFERSON CITY A $755 million plan to renovate Missouris century-old Capitol building hit another snag Thursday, raising questions about whether the project will move forward. Members of the Missouri State Capitol Commission, which oversees the seat of state government, pushed back against a recommendation by Gov. Mike Parsons administration to add a new layer of bureaucracy to a plan that has been in the works for more than a decade. Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, who sits on the commission, called a proposal to hire a consultant to assist with the project a red herring that will delay the work. Another commission member, Dana Rademan Miller, who is the chief clerk of the House, said the renovation work needs to get underway as soon as possible. I feel like weve been down this road. This is not a new conversation, Miller said. This feels like were going to do the same thing over again. At issue is a recommendation by the governors Office of Administration to hire a consultant to review the renovation plans before the commission hires a construction manager. Caroline Coulter, deputy counsel for OA, said the absence of a set budget and a final design for the renovations create a potential conflict if the project is handed directly to a construction manager. She said a consultant could be hired and brought up to speed on the project within the next six months. The proposal marked the second time Parsons agency has erected a roadblock to getting the project underway. Last year, the administration signaled it wanted to use some of the money earmarked for the Capitol project to buy the nearby Missouri Department of Transportation building, resulting in several months of delays. Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, expressed skepticism that the commission needs a consultant. He also said many of the commission members who have put the project on a path to completion for the past eight years will be leaving at years end because of term limits. Weve been talking about this that entire time, Smith said. Rep. Donna Baringer, D-St. Louis, said she joined the commission to upgrade the building so it is accessible by people with disabilities. I am ashamed that our building is not ADA compliant, Baringer said. This is the peoples house and this is the peoples money. I am passionate about getting this done. Plans for the century-old Capitol, which have been under discussion since 2016, include the removal of parking in the Capitol basement and the replacement of the current parking structure used by the Senate with additional spaces for both the executive branch and the general public. The building would gain an estimated 100,000 square feet of space for lawmakers by extending the basement south toward High Street, which is Jefferson Citys main downtown street. There also could be an underground visitor center on the north side of the Capitol that could be the entry point for the estimated 450,000 people who visit the building annually. The plan also would do away with a 1970s-era change that placed some members of the House into cramped mezzanines on the first and second floors. The governors office on the second floor also would be extended to the first floor with an interior elevator, eliminating the need for office workers to walk into the public corridor to get to another office in the suite. The commission is slated to meet next week, where a decision on moving forward could be made. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who sits on the panel, urged members to make a decision when the commission meets again next week. We should be able to figure out a way to move forward, said Kehoe, who is a candidate for governor. Ken Zellers, Parsons point man at the Office of Administration, said, I think we are all after the same thing. We want to get the best deal for the state. JEFFERSON CITY A plan to end local control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department won final approval in the Missouri House on Thursday and now heads to the Senate, where its fate is unclear. Its probably not a universally supported position, even amongst our (Republican) caucus, said Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, talking to reporters Thursday. I dont know that state control of St. Louis police is gonna happen this year or not, he said. We need to be talking about these issues to try to make sure St. Louis is doing well. The plan would resurrect a previous arrangement that effectively puts state government in charge of St. Louis citys police department. Under the measure, a five-member board consisting of four appointees of the governor plus the citys mayor would manage the department. SLMPD is currently run by a police chief selected by the mayor, the result of a change approved by voters and enacted over a decade ago, which ended a century-and-a-half of state oversight. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, on Thursday told reporters that Chief Robert Tracy, who has been on the job just over year, should have more time in the role and more resources before any changes are made. And the fact that recently appointed Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, who replaced embattled Kim Gardner, is not facing an opponent this election cycle is a sign that theres some good faith going on right now. I think the chief and the new prosecutor over there need plenty of time to try to turn it around, which is a tall task, Rizzo said. Though most House Democrats opposed the state control measure, a few refused to take a stance, and a handful voted in favor of a return to the old arrangement. One of those House Democrats was Rep. Steve Butz, of St. Louis, who supported a similar effort last year. He said that the citys two police organizations, the Ethical Society of Police and St. Louis Police Officers Association, back the proposed change. They are hand-in-hand in coming here and asking that we return state control, Butz said. I implore my fellow city reps. to at least consider that request from both the Black officers and the white officers. But Butz called out lawmakers, like Rep. Brad Christ, who sponsor legislation aimed at St. Louis city when they dont live there. We find that to be offensive and absurd, he said. Butz also said the while city faces grave challenges, there are many wonderful things about it. We need that badmouthing about the city of St. Louis to stop, he said. HEBBARIYE, Lebanon A series of Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 16 people and a barrage of rockets fired by the militant group Hezbollah killed one Israeli man, making Wednesday the deadliest day in more than five months of fighting along the border. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, concerns have grown about further escalation along the Israel-Lebanon frontier. Tens of thousands of people on both sides have been displaced by the violence. Wednesday's Israeli strikes targeted a Lebanese Sunni political and militant organization, the Islamic Group, which has joined the Shiite militant group Hezbollah in its fight against Israel. Two Hezbollah fighters were also killed, as was a local commander with the Amal Movement, another Shiite group. The first Israeli airstrike hit a paramedic center affiliated with the Islamic Group, killing seven of its members in the village of Hebbariye after midnight. Muheddine Qarhani, head of the Emergency and Relief Corps, told reporters at the scene that the paramedic center had been set up late last year. He said he was surprised a medical group had been targeted. Israel said it killed an Islamic Group member involved in attacks against Israel, as well as several other militants. Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, the head of the Israeli armys Northern Command, said Israel was operating against the Islamic Group and had struck a large number of operatives and was also conducting very significant strikes against Hezbollah. We are at war. We have been at war for almost half a year now, and it doesnt end with Hezbollah, he told a gathering of commanders. Hours after the airstrike, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing rockets into the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and a military base. Hezbollah said it was retaliating for the deadly attack on the paramedic center. Rescue services in Israel said a 25-year-old man was killed when a direct hit sparked a fire in an industrial park in Kiryat Shmona. Footage from the scene showed thick black smoke pouring out of a building. Another person was lightly injured. Around 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel, according to the Israeli military. Nada Khleif was in her small bakery in Hebbariyeh when the strike heavily damaged her business and a nearby apartment, where two of her relatives were unharmed. The bakery was my only means of living. It is gone now, she said. The Lebanese news agency said Israel bombed the village of Teir Harfa after sunset, killing five, and a second strike killed four people as paramedics gathered near a cafe in the coastal town of Naqoura. Hezbollahs Islamic Health Society said two of its paramedics were killed in Teir Harfa. The Islamic Risala Scout Association, also a paramedic group, said one of its members was killed in the strike on Naqoura. The Amal movement of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said the strike on Naquora killed one of its local commanders, identified as Ali Mahdi. Hezbollah said two of its fighters were killed without saying where they were struck. The near-daily violence has mostly been confined to the area along the border, and international mediators are scrambling to prevent an all-out war. The fighting has killed nine civilians and 11 soldiers in Israel. Nearly 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 40 civilians have died in Lebanon. Hezbollah began launching rockets toward Israel on Oct. 8, the day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in a surprise attack that sparked the crushing war in Gaza. Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report. Updated at 5:07 p.m. I chose to get a Master in Public Health and Physician Assistant degree because I wanted to understand and work with the circumstances that place communities in vulnerable health situations. But my vision of returning to my home state of Missouri to work with women, mothers, children and families has faced the brutal reality that providing care to this population requires a political stance. The extreme politicizing of reproductive care is impeding the provider-patient relationship in places that need care the most. The aftermath of the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling last month, which found that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are to be legally considered children, has shocked families, mothers and the medical community. States pursuing embryonic personhood, such as Alabama, are the very states that most need comprehensive reproductive care. As a current MPH and PA student building a career to go into hormonal and reproductive health, I turn a concerned eye to the state that raised me with fear of how far we are willing to go on reproductive restrictions. Missouri is one of multiple states moving toward granting full personhood to fertilized embryos since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Given Missouris track record against womens autonomy over their own bodies, theres a fear of further restrictions on reproductive care. Several Alabama IVF providers temporarily suspended services due to the recent ruling in fear of facing civil lawsuits or prosecution. As an aspiring provider and public health advocate, I recognize the need for representation of care in these states, now more than ever. However, the legal implications that threaten the provider-patient relationship challenge the goal of caring for a community. Missouri courts in the past have declared embryos as marital property, requiring consent from both parties for use after a divorce or other changes in circumstances. Pending legislation now would mandate courts to reconsider the best interests of the embryo when determining custody in such cases. The legislation would specifically tilt that decision toward the parent who intends to develop the embryo to birth. In this political climate, we must take a pulse check on the repercussions these cases and bills have on families, communities and providers. Other states, such as Florida, have paused their embryonic personhood pursuit in the name of protecting IVF care. If Missouri continues to pursue new restrictions, especially in light of emerging embryo custody issues, it raises profound concerns on undermining medical decision-making autonomy. It also threatens civil lawsuit action against health care providers. The broader context of these decisions underscores the urgent need for states that grapple with the complexities of reproductive health care, such as Missouri, to avoid passing more legislation that limits reproductive autonomy. The exodus of reproductive care professionals in Missouri has already worsened in the aftermath of the 2022 decision overturning Roe. To further this disparity of care with additional restrictions on how we define life through the embryonic development severely limits the lives that families are entitled to build and the care that providers are entitled to offer. My journey into public health and medicine is founded in values instilled in me from my upbringing in St. Louis, where the community reflected the need for social justice. Navigating my educational and professional aspirations remains rooted in defining community. St. Louis, and Missouri at large, urgently require reproductive care providers. However, the challenges that our community face extends beyond access to health care. Intricate legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding embryonic care, amidst advancing reproductive technologies and shifting political climates, jeopardize the essence of patient-provider relationships. How can I aspire to care for a community that may not fully support its caregivers? To be the provider I strive to be, it is no longer solely about identifying areas in need of care, but also navigating the complex landscape of patient advocacy and ethical practice within communities. We must think of each other, the weight of our decisions, the consequences of our beliefs, as we redefine what community means to us all. To borrow from Ronald Reagans classic line about intrusive government: The 10 most terrifying words in the English language for St. Louisans should be, Were from the Missouri Legislature, and were here to help. When the states Republican-controlled General Assembly isnt exacerbating St. Louis violent crime problem by ensuring its streets are flooded with unrestricted guns, its working to take control of the municipal police department on the argument that (wait for it!) theres too much violent crime in the city. The Missouri House this week gave initial approval to a measure that would effectively put St. Louis police force under the control of Missouris governor, as it was for a century and a half starting in the Civil War era. Republican legislators have attempted multiple times to regain that state control since the city took it over in 2013. Not only is this bid a violation of the conservative principle of local control of government, but its based on a false narrative. Violent crime, including homicide, is actually down in the city in recent years, with last year among the most dramatic reductions ever. Crime is still the citys biggest problem (by a long shot), but its moving in the right direction. The states takeover of St. Louis police in 1861 was a maneuver by Missouris secessionist governor at the time, Claiborne Jackson, who wanted control of the Unionist citys arsenal as he embarked on his unsuccessful bid to make Missouri a Confederate state. Missouri voters ended the arrangement by overwhelmingly voting in 2012 to approve a ballot referendum returning control of St. Louis police to the citys mayor. Republican attempts to resume state control have since been based in part on the argument that city control risks politicization of policing decisions. Thats undoubtedly true, but it would still be true under the latest legislation. The only difference would be that the power would ultimately rest with state politicians based more than 100 miles away and often in different ideological universes. The current legislation would put the police department under a board of commissioners made up of St. Louis mayor and four appointees from Missouris governor. Given the current political dynamics of this state, that would effectively guarantee Republican control over policing in this overwhelmingly Democratic city for the foreseeable future. Pardon us for suspecting thats the whole point. As the Post-Dispatchs Alyse Pfeil reported this week, the sponsor, state Rep. Brad Christ, R-south St. Louis County, argues that the police department has been decimated by Mayors Tishaura O. Jones administration, which in turn has decimated St. Louis city with crime. The reality is more complicated. We have long criticized Jones for de-emphasizing adequate police staffing and have pressed for the city to fill the chronic vacancies on the force. But market realities are the biggest part of the problem jobs of all kinds are harder and more expensive to fill than in past economies. And the administration has recently upped police pay in seeking to hire more cops. Crime does indeed remain the crisis that drives most other crises here. St. Louis homicide rate last year 158 killings, or about 56 per 100,000 city residents among the highest in the U.S. But thats not a situation that started with local control of the police. And in fact, last years homicide rate, unacceptable as it is, is still the lowest per capita (and the lowest in actual numbers) since 2014. Also, its far lower than it was during the peak in national crime in the early 1990s, when there were more than 200 murders annually for several straight years and rates approaching 70 per 100,000. The state was effectively in charge of the city police department during that entire stretch. Meanwhile, Kansas City which currently has the only major municipal police force under state control anywhere in America saw an unprecedented surge of homicides last year. In short, legislative Republicans who argue they can do a better job overseeing St. Louis police force from Jefferson City than Democrats can from City Hall simply have no consistent data to back that up. If Jones and her allies want to short-circuit this and future attempted takeovers by the state, the most effective way to do it is to continue bringing down crime numbers. That requires more police, better-paid police and support for policing from the top down in city government. And if suburban and rural Republican legislators really want to help St. Louis (not at all a given these days), they could start by allowing enforcement of firearms restrictions in the city like a concealed-carry permit requirement, which Jones and others have long lobbied for. Rather than trying to commandeer St. Louis police for political reasons, how about giving them the tools they need to stop the shooting before it starts? March 28, 2024: Ukrainian long range UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones have been making attacks on key targets as distant as Moscow, which is 850 kilometers from Ukraine, and St Petersburg at 1,100 kilometers distant. Targets are usually industrial facilities that support the war effort. These include numerous oil refineries and oil fuel storage facilities plus facilities involving specialty steels for tube artillery and tanks. Russia claimed to have destroyed dozens of Ukrainian UAVs and lost a few oil facilities. There were a lot of Ukrainian UAVs lost, but that was because they hit their targets and were gone. The UAVs came in low and slow to deceive Russian air defenses, which have a hard time detecting low and slow aerial targets, especially at night when most of these attacks take place. While the targets are up to a thousand kilometers from Ukraine, the UAVs can also move north across a corridor that is several hundred kilometers wide. Russian anti-aircraft defense systems cannot cover an area that wide and long, especially when the attackers are coming in low and slow in the dark. Russia tries to play down the effectiveness of the Ukrainian UAV attacks by describing rather obvious burning refineries and fuel storage depots as accidents. In early 2024 there have been a lot of such accidents and Russian troops in Ukraine have to closely monitor their fuel consumption because fuel deliveries are not as frequent and reliable as they used to be. The Russian fuel facilities also supply the commercial and civilian market. The commercial users are important because they supply the firms producing goods needed by the military as well as consumers. The Ukrainian UAV attacks also led to disruptions of flight operations at the three airports serving the Moscow region. Russia claimed it shot down 35 UAVs, which were believed to be all that were involved in that days attacks. Ukraine had no comment on details of their UAV attacks. Ukraine believes the results speak for themselves. Targets in western Russia are increasingly under attack by Ukrainian UAVs and the Russian government has a hard time explaining why combustible targets in the region keep exploding or catching fire. Such events are contrary to the official government reports about the Russian war efforts in Ukraine. Russia has not experienced attacks like this on the homeland since World War II and that is something the Russian government does not want to discuss. March 28, 2024: The U.S. Army is receiving 504 M10 light tanks to provide front line firepower for infantry units. The M10 Booker tank is a 38-ton armored vehicle that looks like a tank but is designated an assault gun. It has a low recoil 105mm gun with fifty 105mm shells on board. Next (coaxial) to the 105mm gun is a 7.62mm machine-gun that can be fired instead of the main gun. On top of the turret is a 12.7mm heavy machine-gun. The aimed range of the 105mm gun is four kilometers. The crew consists of a driver, gunner, loader, and tank commander. Top speed is 65 kilometers an hour and max range using onboard fuel is 305 kilometers. M10s will be assigned to infantry companies in groups of four or more M10s. There is also an ammunition supply vehicle available. As an infantry support vehicle, the M10 will use a lot of ammunition supporting infantry attacks. The fire control system enables the M10 to deliver very accurate fire on targets designated by the infantry being supported. Before the M10 was developed, M1 tanks would supply artillery support for the infantry using their limited number of high-explosive shells. The M1 normally carries some 120mm armor piercing anti-tank shells plus a variable number of 120mm high-explosive shells for infantry support. The main function of the M1 is destruction of enemy tanks and other vehicles. The M10 is designed to supply infantry support more effectively than the M1 and allow the M1s to concentrate on their anti-tank and anti-vehicle role. The M10 has been tested in realistic field exercises but has not been in combat yet, where the enemy will often do unexpected things to render a new weapon, like the M10, less effective. Its not known if any M10s are going to Ukraine as military aid. Once in Ukraine such new weapons also get some very practical, useful, and revealing combat experience. The first assault gun was the German Sturmgeschutz 3, also known as the StuG III. The vehicle entered service in 1940 and over 10,000 were built by the time the war ended in 1945. The Sturmgeschutz 3 was a 24 ton armored vehicle armed with a 75mm anti-tank gun and 54 anti-tank or high explosive shells were carried. Another 1,300 of these vehicles were armed with a 105mm gun and used self-propelled artillery. Then there was the Hetzer. The was a 16-ton turretless armored vehicle armed with a 75mm anti-tank gun and a 7.92mm machine-gun, with 1,200 rounds of belted ammunition, mounted next to the top hatch. There was a crew of four and 41 rounds of 75mm ammo were on board. Top speed was 42 kilometers an hour and max range using internal fuel was 180 kilometers on roads or 130 kilometers off road. The armor could stop rifle and machine-gun fire and most shell and bomb fragments. The Hetzer was used mainly in Russia and eastern Europe. Between March 1944 and May 1945 2,800 Herzers were built. The Russian answer to the StuG 3 was the Su-76. This was a 11 ton armored vehicle built on the chassis of the T-70 light tank. SU-76 was armed with a 76.2 mm gun. Over 14,000 of these vehicles were built between the end of 1942 and late 1945. Su-76s served in the Russian army until the 1950s and were used by export customers into the 1970s. The Su-76 was followed by the SU-85. This was a 30 ton turretless armored vehicle armed with an 85mm gun. The SU-85 was built on the chassis of a T-34 tank. There was a crew of four. Between 1943 and 1944, 2,650 SU-85s were built. SU-122s, armed with a 122mm gun entered service in 1942 and only 638 were built. HILLSBORO, OR / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon, when artist Naomi Sarna's 703-carat L'Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title as the world's largest cut tanzanite, on March 9. A standing room only crowd witnessed the "weigh in" as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event. "As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful gem' in Hillsboro, I couldn't have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees! We are lucky to have such talent grace our Museum's doorstep," said Gail Copus Spann, president, board of directors, Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Several years ago, artist Naomi Sarna was invited to travel to the Tanzanite mines located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She was asked to create a carving for an international competition. The mines are on the ancestral land of the Maasai and it is the only place in the world where this blue-violet gemstone is found. While there Sarna was asked to do humanitarian work, so she taught Maasai women how to make wire-wrap jewelry from tanzanite. Touched by the community, the poverty and the eye disease she witnessed, Sarna decided that she when she sells her award-winning tanzanite L'Heure Bleu carving, she will donate the profits to the world-renowned Portland-based Casey Eye Institute to provide eyecare to the Maasai. Dr. Andreas Lauer, Chair of the Casey Eye Institute came as its representative and just as the weighing ceremony took place, doctors from the Institute were touching down in Tanzania for a cataract conference! "The Casey Eye Institute is in Naomi's debt. In the future, patients, their families and the Maasai community will feel her passion and love as they express it through their smiles and joy from improved vision," commented Dr. Andreas K. Lauer, director, Casey Eye Institute. "The Guinness World Records brings international recognition and attention to my tanzanite carving L'Heure Bleu. This recognition gives great strength to my promise to help the Maasai with their vision difficulties. This is the cornerstone for our future hopes to provide eye care to the Maasai in Tanzania," stated artist Naomi Sarna. While she was in Tanzania, Sarna was presented with several tanzanite crystals eventually selecting the piece that she hand-carved into the 703-carat L'Heure Bleu. It won a First-Place Spectrum Award for carving from the American Gem Trade Association. It sits on a Sterling Silver base inspired by the winds of Tanzania's Great Rift Valley. Contact Information Naomi Sarna [email protected] Related Images SOURCE: Naomi Sarna Designs View the original press release on newswire.com. Alamos Gold Inc. and Argonaut Gold Inc. have reached an agreement that allows Alamos to acquire Argonaut in an all-share deal that also calls for a spin-off that would own and operate the Florida Canyon Mine in Nevada and mines and properties in Mexico. The estimated $276 million value of the arrangement, not including the spin-off, represents a 34% premium based on the closing share prices for the two companies on the March 26 Toronto Stock Exchange, the companies reported. Alamos shares closed at $14.55, up 95 cents, on March 27, and Argonaut shares were at 29 cents, up 7 cents. Toronto-based Alamos would take over Argonauts new open pit Magino Mine in Ontario that is adjacent to the underground Island Gold Mine that Alamos operates, and the companies expect the arrangement to result in roughly $515 million in synergies. This is a positive transaction for both companies. Both operations will be stronger with longer and brighter futures, the president and chief executive officer of Argonaut, Richard Young, said in a joint webcast with Alamos. Alamos and Argonaut also said that the addition of Magino to Alamos properties is expected to boost the combined gold production for Alamos to more than 600,000 ounces a year, with longer term potential of 900,000 gold ounces a year. The president and CEO of Alamos, John McCluskey, said in the announcement that the combination of the adjacent Island Gold and Magino mines will immediately unlock tremendous value, with significant longer-term upside through further optimizations of the combined operation and ongoing exploration success. He said that together, Island Gold and Magino will create one of the largest and most profitable mines in Canada, further enhancing our leading position as a Canadian-focused intermediate gold producer. In the webcast, McCluskey said that Alamos welcomes Argonauts employees and he said the combination will allow Alamos to use the new, larger mill to process ore. Alamos also will use the tailings infrastructure at Magino. Alamos shareholders will hold 95% of Alamos when the deal is done, and Argonaut will hold 5% of Alamos, McCluskey said in the webcast, and the company will issue 20 million common shares. Argonaut shareholders will own 80.01% of the spin-off. Alamos operates the Young-Davidson and Island gold mines in northern Ontario and the Mulatos Mine in Mexico, and its projects include an expansion at Island Gold and the Lynn Lake project in Manitoba. The company employs more than 1,900 people. Young said in the announcement that after considering a broad range of alternatives, we believe this transaction provides a unique opportunity to place Magino in the hands of a well-capitalized and well-run company, who will be able to realize significant synergies given the proximity of the adjacent Island Gold Mine. He said in the webcast that Maginos start-up was slower than anticipated but the issues are understood, and Argonaut is working through them. Argonaut currently owns Florida Canyon in Pershing County between Winnemucca and Lovelock and operates the San Agustin Mine in Mexico that Young said combined are expected to produce 100,000 gold ounces this year. San Agustin is part of the companys El Castillo Complex. Argonaut announced earlier this year that the La Colorada Mine in Mexico is now under care and maintenance due to the large capital required to pre-strip the mine. Argonaut also owns the Cerro del Gallo project in Mexico. Young said in the companys earnings webcast earlier in March that there had been a 35% sell-off of shares after the company announced in its guidance report on Feb. 26 that it was having problems reaching the higher gold grades at Magino. The Florida Canyon Mine, however, had its highest gold production in 19 years in 2023, and Argonaut expects the higher production to continue this year. Toronto-based Argonaut acquired Florida Canyon in a merger with Alio Gold in mid-2020, and now the mine will be operated by the spin-off junior gold producer called SpinCo in the announcement. SpinCo will own the Florida Canyon Mine, as well as the El Castillo Complex, the La Colorada operation, and the Cerro del Gallo project in Mexico. The announcement explained that each Argonaut common share will be exchanged for 0.0185 Alamos common shares and one share of SpinCo. In the announcement, Young said that we are grateful to our team at Magino for their significant contribution and hard work during mine and mill ramp-up. Similarly, we thank our exceptional teams in Mexico and Nevada for their continued hard work throughout the years. In addition to the larger deal, Alamos has agreed to provide Argonaut with financing now that will provide Alamos with 14% interest in Argonaut to allow Argonaut to fund immediate needs. This private placement is expected to close in early April, the announcement stated. When the acquisition arrangement closes, Alamos will hold a 19.9% interest in the spin-off for an additional $10 million, according to the agreement. The agreement still requires shareholder approval, expected in June. The companies expect the deal to close in July. The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the agreement. Also, Argonauts two largest but not named shareholders have entered into support agreements favoring the arrangement, the companies reported. McCluskey said in the webcast that Alamos is the third largest producer in Canada, with Agnico Eagle in the top spot, followed by Newmont Corp. He said the company has been very selective throughout our history when it comes to acquisitions. Alamos acquired Richmont Mines in 2017, Trillium Mining in 2020, and Manitou Gold in 2023. PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / The abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE:ASGI, HQH, HQL, IFN, JEQ, THQ, THW) (NYSE American:IAF), (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on March 28, 2024, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of March 21, 2024 (ex-dividend date March 20, 2024). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) which will pay on March 28, 2024, to all shareholders of record as of February 22, 2024 (ex-dividend date February 21, 2024). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $0.1500 HQH NYSE abrdn Healthcare Investors $0.4800 HQL NYSE abrdn Life Sciences Investors $0.3900 IAF NYSE American Abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. $0.1200 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $0.4300 JEQ NYSE Abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. $0.1100 THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $0.1800 THW NYSE abrdn World Healthcare Fund $0.1167 Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital. For the abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) the stock distributions were automatically paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder to be paid in cash. Shares of common stock were issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price on March 19, 2024. The reinvestment prices per share for these distributions were as follows: $16.49 for the abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH); $13.40 for the abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL); $4.16 for the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF); $18.4775 for the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and $6.20 for the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ). Fractional shares were generally settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who had whole and fractional shares added to their account. To have received the abrdn Healthcare Investors (HQH), abrdn Life Sciences Investors (HQL), Abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) quarterly distributions payable in March 2024 in cash instead of shares of common stock, for shareholders who hold shares in "street name," the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must have advised the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by March 18, 2024; and for shares that are held in registered form, written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must have been received by Computershare Investor Services prior to March 18, 2024 Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. The Funds' estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1500 $0.0120 8% $0.0015 1% $0.1080 72% $0.0285 19% HQH $0.4800 - - - - $0.0480 10% $0.4320 90% HQL $0.3900 - - - - - - $0.3900 100% IAF $0.1200 $0.0228 19% - - - - $0.0972 81% IFN $0.4300 - - - - $0.4300 100% - - JEQ $0.1100 $0.0143 13% - - - - $0.0957 87% THQ $0.1800 - - $0.0108 6% $0.0018 1% $0.1674 93% THW $0.1167 - - - - - - $0.1167 100% Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.8200 $0.0656 8% $0.0082 1% $0.5904 72% $0.1558 19% HQH $0.8600 - - - - $0.0860 10% $0.7740 90% HQL $0.6900 - - - - - - $0.6900 100% IAF $0.2300 $0.0437 19% - - - - $0.1863 81% IFN $0.4300 - - - - $0.4300 100% - - JEQ $0.2100 $0.0273 13% - - - - $0.1827 87% THQ $0.8100 - - $0.0486 6% $0.0081 1% $0.7533 93% THW $0.7002 - - - - - - $0.7002 100% * ASGI, HQH, HQL, THQ and THW have a 9/30 fiscal year end. IAF and JEQ have a 10/31 fiscal year end. IFN has a 12/31 fiscal year end. **includes currency gains Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following tables provide the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 02/29/2024 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 7.45%3 8.60% 8.80% 3.35% THQ 9.84% 8.61% 12.88% 2.87% THW 8.02% 11.48% 9.30% 4.78% 1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of February 29, 2024. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through February 29, 2024. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 01/31/2024 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV HQH 6.50% 7.57% 9.06% 1.89% HQL 6.29% 7.33% 11.53% 1.83% IAF 8.54% 9.07% 17.84% 2.27% IFN 8.96% N/A* 0.95% N/A* JEQ 4.70% 5.89% 18.11% 1.47% 1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of January 31, 2024. * The Fund's fiscal period to date is January 1, 2024 to January 31, 2024 and there was no distribution during this period. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, abrdn Private Equity (Europe) Limited, and abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter# ### For More Information Contact: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 [email protected] SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View the original press release on accesswire.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 27, 2024 / bettermoo(d) Food Corporation (CSE:MOOO)(OTCQB:MOOOF)(Frankfurt:0I5A),(WKN:A3D8PP) (the "Company" or "bettermoo(d)"), an emerging leader and innovator in the plant-based food industry, is pleased to announce that its dairy alternative Moodrink" (the "Product") has been awarded 2nd place for the Best in Show Award (the "Award") at Planted Expo Toronto 2024 (The "Expo"), North America's biggest plant-based event.1 The Award is indicative of Moodrink"'s popularity among the thousands of attendees who favored the Product from a lineup of more than 150 exhibitors. It is worth mentioning that Moodrink" secured this honor coming second to a product in a different category to dairy alternatives. The Expo took place on March 23-24 at the Enercare Centre, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, drawing a large crowd keen on exploring the latest in plant-based living. During this event, the bettermoo(d) team had the opportunity to interact with attendees, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for its innovative dairy alternative Product. This engagement not only showcased Moodrink"'s appeal but also highlighted the team's commitment to fostering direct relationships with their audience, contributing to a memorable presence at one of the year's most anticipated plant-based events. "We are incredibly heartened by the response Moodrink" received at the Planted Expo this year. To see firsthand the enthusiasm and positive feedback from thousands of attendees was truly affirming. We believe, winning the 2nd place for the Best in Show Award serves as an indication to Moodrink"'s acceptance and popularity. It's our hope that this event has not only elevated our brand awareness but will also ripple out through the friends and families of those who attended, further amplifying the reach and impact of our product," Nima Bahrami, CEO of bettermoo(d). Planted Life, the visionary force behind the Planted Expo events, has been at the forefront of the plant-based movement for nearly a decade. With its inception, Planted Expo has become a cornerstone event for local businesses, providing an unparalleled platform for them to engage directly with their customers. The Planted Expo serves as a key platform for local businesses and established brands, enabling them to connect directly with consumers and fostering community growth. Spread across three dynamic cities - Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, and Seattle in the US - each year, the event captures the growing global trend towards sustainable and plant-based lifestyles. ______________________ [1] https://www.plantedlife.com/ ABOUT BETTERMOO(D) FOOD CORPORATION bettermoo(d) Food Corporation is an innovative plant-based dairy alternative food and beverage company based in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, launching Moodrink", a nutritious dairy-alternative beverage with a revolutionary flavour. Moodrink" includes a blend of herbs and flowers similar to what cows ate, before the time of mass livestock production. Like rich dairy products, Moodrink" contains added healthy plant fats and vitamins, so consumers don't miss out. The "Moodrink" is just the beginning of the revolution for the Vancouver based dairy-alternative company, bettermoo(d). Driven by the motto "What A Cow Eats and A Human Needs" bettermoo(d) seeks to produce dairy alternative products that are good for both people and the planet - ensuring that all products are nutritious and sustainably sourced, and that also emulate the great taste of traditional milk from the Alps regions of Switzerland, France and Austria. Working with food scientists, the Company's goal is to conduct continuous food research and development programs with the aim of rolling out a full line of dairy alternative products, including Moogurt and Buetter, as well as many other products, that are better for YOU and better for the planet. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS Nima Bahrami Chief Executive Officer and Director bettermoo(d) Food Corporation For further information please contact: Email: [email protected] Website: www.bettermoo.com Phone: 1-855-715-1865 The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain forward looking statements and forward looking information (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the anticipated restocking and expansion of Moodrink, are forward-looking statements. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. SOURCE: bettermoo(d) Food Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com From hydrogen to energy hungry data centers, chemistry is essential to solving the biggest challenges NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Last week, Chemours was on the ground in Houston, Texas for CERAWeek. Held annually, CERAWeek is one of the world's largest energy conferences where industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers converge to discuss the future of energy, exchange ideas, and navigate the strategic and operational challenges ahead. Throughout the week, our team engaged in a variety of key discussions, forums, and meetings sharing a unique voice and perspective that explained the essential role that Chemours chemistry plays in the energy transition. As head of Chemours' hydrogen venture, Stefanie Kopchick met with customers, potential new partners, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to discuss ways to drive down the cost of hydrogen and accelerate the transition to clean energy. One highlight from the week was DOE's Hydrogen Deploy Dialogue where Stefanie and Mary Cordes, head of Chemours U.S. Federal Affairs, met with industry and government leaders from across the globe to devise policy strategies to enable the trade of hydrogen and strengthen the hydrogen ecosystem. "The opportunity to sit across from policy experts and industry representatives to hash out real solutions not only brought Chemours' ideas to the forefront, but it was also a chance to develop meaningful connections to help us achieve our policy and business objectives," Stefanie explained following the event. Further expanding Chemours' involvement in the hydrogen conversation during the conference, Bill Raiford lent his voice to a panel discussion titled "Supplying the U.S. Hydrogen Hubs: Equipping a Hydrogen Ecosystem." He detailed Chemours' unique place in the hydrogen supply chain as the leading global supplier of ionomers and membranes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, the only domestic manufacturer, and a project partner in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) under the U.S. DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub initiative. Hydrogen was just one topic on people's minds at CERAWeek. Another was AI and the power demand associated with the proliferation of data centers. Brandon Marshall represented our Thermal & Specialized Solutions business at the conference and spent the week engaging in conversations about the role of two-phase immersion cooling in reducing energy and water use at data centers. Brandon joined a panel titled "What Will Be the Power Demand for AI?" where he stated, "The biggest opportunity that I see for industry that needs to be accelerated is around cooling technologies." He went on to explain, "If you want to look at reducing space, if you want to look at reducing water consumption, all of those factors-in addition to energy- come directly back to what you're now using to cool your data center." Brandon also delivered a TED-talk-style presentation on two-phase immersion cooling and Opteon" 2P50, demonstrating its potential to address the growing demand for data. Meanwhile, Catherine Collison, Principal Energy Engineer, represented Chemours in CERAWeek's Future Energy Leaders program, which included opportunities to network, learn from peers, and share some of the great things happening at Chemours. "As I work with our sites to reduce our carbon footprint and energy use, it's helpful to build a network with other people in our field to hear their challenges, exchange ideas, and partner for innovative solutions to meet our sustainability goals," Catherine explained. At a conference attended by more than 8,000 international energy leaders and government officials, Chemours' participation exemplified our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and creating a better world through the power of our chemistry. Stefanie Kopchick, Bill Raiford, Chris Warren, and Catherine Collison in front of the Hydrogen Hub stage at CERAWeek View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Chemours Company on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The Chemours Company Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-company Email: [email protected] SOURCE: The Chemours Company View the original press release on accesswire.com East Foundation brings Texas students behind the gates' to learn ranching and respect for the environment NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Station by station, students visiting the El Sauz Ranch in South Texas explore what happens behind the scenes at a working ranch. At one station, they will learn how cattle are cared for and provide food. The next covers the ranch's watershed and the importance of protecting the health of nearby bays and estuaries. Another delves into the conservation of native plants and wildlife, such as the endangered ocelot, a spotted wild cat found near the Gulf of Mexico. East Foundation began offering education programs, dubbed Behind the Gates, in 2014, motivated by research that shows kids who learn outdoors are "healthier, smarter, happier," says Tina Buford, director of education at the Foundation. "We're able to help students learn while also increasing their connectedness to nature," she adds. Each of the Foundation's educators specialize in the Texas science curriculum, helping K-12 students understand the practical application of what they study in textbooks. In 2023, more than 14,000 young learners across the Rio Grande Valley participated in East Foundation programs. Buoyed by the demand for their offerings, the Foundation opened a new education center at the 27,000-acre El Sauz ranch in 2022. A large main pavilion serves as a receiving and congregation space, complementing the six smaller pavilions that serve as learning stations positioned along a walking trail winding around the education center. In support of the initiative, Enbridge recently awarded the Foundation a Fueling Futures grant of $15,000 to fund a learning station. Each year, the Foundation helps thousands of youth form stronger connections to the land-and the East Foundation's work to foster sustainability and educate future generations of students aligns with our company's commitment to protecting the environment. Today's young learners often don't have a clear understanding of what happens at a working ranch and how it's relevant in their lives, Buford says. "We're helping them understand that the land provides them with valuable natural resources for their lives," she explains. "Getting kids outdoors contributes to academic success and a healthy, happy student population. It contributes to life satisfaction." South Texas students at a learning station on the East Foundation's El Sauz Ranch are educated in topics such as wildlife conservation, land stewardship, and the importance of watersheds. Photo credit: Jonathan Vail. 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 THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 28, 2024 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV:PX)(OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement of up to $500,000 announced on February 28th, 2024 (the "Private Placement"). The first tranche raised gross proceeds of $113,500 from the issuance of 7,566,666 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.015 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.05 until March 27th, 2029. The Company paid finder's fees to Raymond James totalling $500 in cash and 33,333 warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.05 until March 27th, 2029. All finder's fees are subject to compliance with applicable securities legislation and TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued in this closing of the Private Placement are subject to statutory four month hold periods expiring on July 28th, 2024. The Private Placement remains subject to obtaining final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Certain insiders of the Company participated in the private placement for an aggregate total of $85,500. The participation by such insiders constituted a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the MI 61 101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the Offering under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the Related Parties, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. In Canada, the Company is currently focused in Ontario at its newly acquired gold, silver, zinc polymetallic Kenogaming project, located 63 km southwest of Timmins, and at its Mann polymetallic project, located between two discoveries recently made by Canada Nickel at the Mann Northwest property and the Newmarket property. See www.pelangio.com for further detail on all Pelangio's properties. For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact: Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: [email protected] Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Offering generally, the proceeds that may be raised in connection with the Offering, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about our ability to close additional tranches of the Offering in a timely manner, if at all, and the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's 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. Such risks include the ability of the Company to meet the conditions of closing, our ability to conduct our exploration programs as planned, changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Myomo, Inc. (NYSE American: MYO) today announced the appointment of Heather Getz as a Class II director and chair of its audit committee effective March 26, 2024, to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. With this appointment, Myomo has seven directors. Ms. Getz brings more than 25 years of corporate experience creating long-term value through financial, general management, and healthcare leadership. She has significant expertise in finance, reimbursement, investor relations, compliance, M&A and strategic planning. We welcome Heather to the Myomo board of directors, said Paul R. Gudonis, chairman and chief executive officer of Myomo. "She brings financial and operational experience in scaling medical device and technology companies, which will be valuable to the board of directors as Myomo accelerates its growth." Ms. Getz currently holds the position of executive vice president and chief financial and operations officer of Butterfly Network Inc. (NYSE: BFLY), a digital health company that is transforming care with handheld, whole-body ultrasound. For the 12 years prior to Butterfly Network, Ms. Getz was the chief financial and administrative officer of BioTelemetry where she was responsible for all aspects of company financial, investor relations, human relations, legal and compliance functions, and worked extensively in strategic planning. She has also held leadership positions at VIASYS Healthcare, Alita Pharmaceuticals and Healthy.io. I am excited to join the Myomo board at such a pivotal time in the companys history. I am very impressed by the technology and how it has been used to restore function in the paralyzed or weakened arms and hands of individuals that have suffered injury so that they can return to work, live independently and reduce their cost of care, said Ms. Getz. I look forward to working with the team to further accelerate the companys already impressive growth. Ms. Getz holds Master of Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in accountancy from Villanova University. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA), the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and the National Association for Corporate Directors (NACD). SilverBow Resources, Inc. (NYSE: SBOW) (SilverBow or the Company) announced today that Leland Lee T. Jourdan has been appointed to the SilverBow Board of Directors (the Board), effective March 27, 2024. Mr. Jourdans appointment is part of SilverBows long-term and ongoing director search program conducted over the last 18 months with the assistance of a globally recognized search firm. Mr. Jourdan has deep experience in the oil and gas industry, and his leadership and accomplishments in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been widely recognized. He brings a demonstrated track record in international commercial and business development, mergers and acquisitions, risk management and DEI experience at a global, Fortune 10 company. Mr. Jourdan retired from Chevron Corporation in 2021, having served in a variety of management roles during his 18-year career there, including as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer from 2018 to 2021 and Senior Management Sponsor from 2016 to 2018, as well as Vice President, Commercial and Business Development for each of the IndoAsia and Asia South regions. Before joining Chevron, Mr. Jourdan served in management, business development, trading and engineering roles at El Paso Corporation, PG&E Corporation and Consolidated Natural Gas Company. As a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Jourdan was commissioned as an officer in the US Army, obtaining the rank of Captain prior to entering the private sector. He currently serves on the board of PROS Holdings, Inc. and on the advisory board of Pulsely, Inc. Marcus C. Rowland, Independent Chairman of the Board, commented, We are excited to welcome Lee, who brings outstanding oil and gas industry experience in international and domestic LNG markets, natural gas trading, business development, as well as DEI leadership, to the Board. SilverBow will benefit from his expertise as the management team continues to deliver on our strategy, integrate our recently acquired assets, expand free cash flow and de-lever our balance sheet to drive value for shareholders. The Company also announced that Christoph O. Majeske has resigned from the Board. Mr. Majeske, originally nominated by Strategic Value Partners, LLC (SVP), is the final SVP director to step down as part of its sell down of its equity position in the Company. Mr. Rowland remarked, On behalf of the SilverBow Board, we thank Christoph for his significant contributions to the Company over the past seven years. We are grateful for his leadership and financial expertise throughout his tenure and wish him all the best. With these changes, the SilverBow Board will continue to comprise nine directors, eight of whom are classified as independent directors. Since early 2023, SilverBow has added four new independent directors and its ongoing refreshment efforts have broadened and strengthened the Boards collective experiences and driven shareholder value. Important Federal Funding to Keep Houston Ship Channel Dredged and Texas Environmental Excellence Award HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority met on Tuesday, March 26, for its regular monthly meeting. Chairman Ric Campo opened the meeting by expressing his condolences to those affected by the tragic bridge accident at the Port of Baltimore, adding that assistance would be forthcoming if needed. Later, Port Houston issued a statement reflecting the same sentiment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327855177/en/ Container ships docked at Port Houston's Bayport Terminal. (Photo: Business Wire) Chairman Campo also had good news to report: in the FY24 Energy and Water Appropriations bill signed into law by President Biden on March 9, the Houston Ship Channel received $24 million for Project 11 construction funding and $29 million for Operations and Maintenance funding, to keep the channel dredged. This funding follows last years historic operation and maintenance funding, which reduced draft restrictions to the greatest degree in decades, Chairman Campo said. He highlighted an incredible show of partnership among Congressmembers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Port Houston to get this work done, resulting in positive economic impacts for the region. He thanked Congressman Brian Babin for championing the $29 million funding to protect the channel from draft restrictions. He also expressed gratitude to Congressmembers Sheila Jackson Lee and Wesley Hunt, who partnered to bring $24 million to Houston to keep Project 11 construction moving forward, and to fund dredge site preparation at both Glendale and Filterbed locations. Port Houstons partners at the Army Corps were also commended for keeping Project 11 and the dredging of the Houston Ship Channel moving forward. Chairman Campo further reflected on the tragic accident at the Port of Baltimore, emphasizing the importance of the efforts underway to expand the Houston Ship Channel Project 11 and its objective to provide a safer navigable waterway. He also expressed his appreciation for the continued collaboration of partners and stakeholders, working together for a safer and more efficient channel. During the meeting, staff announced that Port Houston will receive the Texas Environmental Excellence Award in the category of Pollution Control from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This award recognizes the achievements of Port Houstons Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality initiatives. Finally, Chairman Campo highlighted meetings held recently with neighboring channel communities, with more coming in the future, saying, we remain committed to open dialogue as we continue this important expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. Newly appointed business and civic leader Thomas Jones, Jr., attended his first meeting as Port Commissioner and was graciously welcomed. The next regular monthly Port Commission meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 9:00 a.m.: https://porthouston.com/about/public-meetings/agendas-minutes/ Port Houstons Cargo Business News Report can be found here. About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the areas largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nations largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at PortHouston.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327855177/en/ Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Public Relations, Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: [email protected] Source: Port Houston DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aptiv PLC (NYSE: APTV), will release its first quarter 2024 financial results on May 2, 2024 and will hold an investor call the same day at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The call will be hosted by Aptiv's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Clark, and Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman, Business Operations, Joseph Massaro. A link to the live webcast and presentation materials will be available on the Aptiv Investor Relations website at ir.aptiv.com. A replay will be available two hours following the conference call. To participate by telephone, please dial 800-239-9838 (U.S.) or +1 323-794-2577 (international) 15 minutes prior to the start of the call and ask to be connected to the Aptiv PLC conference call. The conference ID number is 9764963. About Aptiv Aptiv is a global technology company that develops safer, greener and more connected solutions enabling a more sustainable future of mobility. Visit aptiv.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328599029/en/ Investor Relations Contact Jane Wu Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development [email protected] Media Relations Contact [email protected] Source: Aptiv PLC With nearly two decades of industry experience, David Garner brings to Barclays deep client relationships and product knowledge that will further complement our existing business NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Barclays today announces the appointment of David Garner as Managing Director and Global Head of Securitized Products Bond Trading. Mr. Garner will join the bank in June and will be based in New York, reporting to Scott Eichel, Global Head of Securitized Products (SP). Having been identified as a future revenue driver for Barclays Global Markets business, Davids appointment reflects the ambitions for the SP business and further advances its goal of becoming a top 5 Securitized Products trading desk within the US; adding further momentum to a client franchise that has consistently gained market share since 2019. This appointment underlines our commitment to attract and invest in the best talent, said Scott Eichel. David brings a wealth of technical and product experience, alongside a strong track record of leadership in trading franchises across Agency and Non-Agency desks. Looking ahead, we are confident that our clients will benefit from Davids expertise as we execute against our next set of priorities and deliver on our next phase of growth. David joins Barclays from Atlas SP Partners where he was a Managing Director. David moved to Atlas SP Partners following Apollo Global Managements acquisition of Credit Suisses market leading SP franchise in 2023. During his 14- year tenure at Credit Suisse, David held a number of key leadership positions across its SP business, including most recently serving as Co-Head of Securitized Products Trading. About Barclays Our vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. We are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients and communities. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328476398/en/ Press: Sofia Rehman +44 (0)20 7773 0230 [email protected] Source: Barclays Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (right) and WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk. (Photo: VNA) At the meeting, Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan highly appreciated the WBs support for Vietnams Doi Moi (Reform), saying it is one of Vietnams three largest development partners and foreign loan providers. Such loans have been allocated to different areas and projects, contributing to raising Vietnamese peoples living standards, she stressed. The Acting President hailed Turks efforts in boosting cooperation between Vietnam and the WB during her term, and expressed her hope that Turk, in any positions, will make more contributions to the implementation of joint commitments. She also suggested the WB maintain its close cooperation and support for Vietnams development, helping the country roll out national, key, large-scale projects in infrastructure, urban development, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and climate change response, among other fields. Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan called on the bank to continue with its non-refundable aid for Vietnam to implement the countrys international commitments to the United Nations in such spheres as peacekeeping, international security, climate change, sustainable development, water security, and food security. The Acting President noted her hope that the two sides will launch more programmes and projects for disadvantaged groups and remote areas. Turk, for her part, affirmed that the WB stands ready to support Vietnam to achieve its development targets. The WB is working on a document on the strategic partnership with the Vietnamese Government, she said, informing that the bank will work with the government in the near future to over its content, especially financial support for Vietnam for 2023 - 2027./. ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Colibri Group (Colibri), a professional education company with leading brands that provide learning solutions to licensed professionals, announces that it has partnered with The University of Tulsa to bring a unique learning program to students enrolled at the University. The experience allows students to register for a program that prepares them for professional licensure prior to graduation in real estate, mortgage and finance through the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Our portfolio of educational programs allows colleges and universities to augment their degree programs with incremental learning that leads to professional licensure and preparation prior to graduation, said Jim Fox, Chief Financial Officer of Colibri Group and graduate of The University of Tulsa. We are thrilled that The University of Tulsa, with its high quality education and job placement program, is welcoming the inaugural class of students this spring with our new program. Students enrolled in this experience are well positioned to get off to a fast start in their career, and even begin practice prior to graduation. At no additional cost, students were able to enroll in the Colibri program beginning Spring 2024. This program is aligned to Tulsas job placement guarantee commitment to their students, known as the CaneCareers Job Placement Guarantee. We are offering students a unique opportunity to combine their academic preparation with the ability to prepare them for their career, said Kathy Taylor, Dean of Collins College of Business, University of Tulsa. These are the types of unique opportunities that the Collins College of Business provides as we work to achieve our mission of empowering the next generation of business leaders. We are excited about the partnership with Colibri and the opportunity to work with one of our successful graduates, who is a leader with Colibri. Colibri Group is the gold standard in professional education and serves millions of individual and business customers through its flexible, online and in-person solutions. About Colibri Group Colibri Group is building the future of professional education. Today, millions of licensed professionals start and advance their careers through the companys online and in-person learning solutions for licensing, continuing education, test preparation and professional development. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Colibri Group provides a holistic learning experience for students and professionals to achieve more and thrive throughout their careers in real estate, financial services, teacher education, healthcare, valuation and property services, among other professions. Visit colibrigroup.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328154743/en/ Alexis Petersen Colibri Group [email protected] Source: Colibri Group TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- dynaCERT Inc. (TSX: DYA) (OTCMKTS: DYFSF) (FRA: DMJ) ("dynaCERT" or the "Company") provides an update regarding a purchase order of its HydraGEN Technology Units destined for Guyana (for details, see the Company's press release dated May 26, 2023 and the update dated July 31, 2023). The recipient of these HydraGEN Technology Units is a company located in Guyana (the Recipient). As announced on July 31, 2023, the Company previously delayed deliveries of HydraGEN Units under this order pending further notice by either the Recipient or its representatives, that certain outstanding issues were resolved to everyones satisfaction. Most notably, the Company was obliged to delay the delivery of all but two such HydraGEN Units and the Company was awaiting from the Recipient, through representatives, certain usual information regarding the specific electric voltage, engine information, On Board Diagnostic port types, and other data pertaining to the vehicles and equipment on which the HydraGEN Units of the Company are to be installed. Such information is necessary for the final assembly, packaging and shipping of the HydraGEN Units. The Company was also previously advised by representatives of the Recipient that the two HydraGEN Units that were delivered in 2023 are still awaiting clearing from Guyanese customs by an agent of the Recipient. Despite continued ongoing dialogue with representatives of the Recipient of these HydraGEN Units over past months, none of the aforementioned issues have been resolved to date. Further, the Company has been made aware of litigation that appears to involve the purchase order in question. This litigation consists of an initial claim requesting the return of the deposit that was received in May 2023, followed by a third-party claim among various extraneous parties claiming damages. These two matters have now been consolidated by the court. At a recent case conference the third party plaintiffs counsel advised the court that he has agreed to give the Company a waiver of defence in respect of the third-party claim (such that the Company shall only require a defence to the deposit claim). The Company believes that this litigation has no merit against dynaCERT. Given the emergence of litigation and lack of progress in resolving delivery issues over past months, the Company has determined to suspend indefinitely this purchase order pending resolution by courts or clarification of the litigation issues in question. About dynaCERT Inc. dynaCERT Inc. manufactures and distributes Carbon Emission Reduction Technology along with its proprietary HydraLytica Telematics, a means of monitoring fuel consumption and calculating GHG emissions savings designed for the tracking of possible future Carbon Credits for use with internal combustion engines. As part of the growing global hydrogen economy, our patented technology creates hydrogen and oxygen on-demand through a unique electrolysis system and supplies these gases through the air intake to enhance combustion, which has shown to lower carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Our technology is designed for use with many types and sizes of diesel engines used in on-road vehicles, reefer trailers, off-road construction, power generation, mining and forestry equipment. Website: www.dynaCERT.com. READER ADVISORY This press release of dynaCERT Inc. contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause dynaCERTs actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 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. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. This news release is not intended for distribution to U.S. news services or for dissemination in the United States. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance of achievements. Consequently, 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 information. Forward-looking information is 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 information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; the uncertainty of the emerging hydrogen economy; including the hydrogen economy moving at a pace not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements; and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the release. On Behalf of the Board Murray James Payne, CEO View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328153378/en/ For more information: Jim Payne, CEO & President dynaCERT Inc. #101 501 Alliance Avenue Toronto, Ontario M6N 2J1 +1 (416) 766-9691 x 2 jpayne@dynaCERT.com Investor Relations dynaCERT Inc. Nancy Massicotte +1 (416) 766-9691 x 1 nmassicotte@dynaCERT.com Source: dynaCERT Inc. SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Monday, April 29, 2024 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Franklin Resources, Inc. (the Company) [NYSE:BEN] will release its second quarter operating results. A written commentary on the results will also be available via investors.franklinresources.com at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. In addition, Jenny Johnson, President and CEO; Matthew Nicholls, Executive Vice President, CFO and COO; and Adam Spector, Executive Vice President - Global Advisory Services and Head of Global Distribution, will lead a live teleconference at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to answer questions. Access to the teleconference will be available via investors.franklinresources.com or by dialing (+1) 888-259-6580 in North America or (+1) 416-764-8624 in other locations using access code 23304402. A replay of the teleconference can also be accessed by calling (+1) 877-674-7070 in North America or (+1) 416-764-8692 in other locations using access code 304402# after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 29, 2024 through May 6, 2024, or via investors.franklinresources.com. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review the Companys recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and to contact Investor Relations at [email protected] before the live teleconference for any clarifications or questions related to the earnings release or written commentary. About Franklin Templeton Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templetons mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of February 29, 2024. For more information, please visit franklinresources.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328007416/en/ Franklin Resources, Inc. Investor Relations: Selene Oh (650) 312-4091, [email protected] Media Relations: Matt Walsh (650) 312-2245, [email protected] investors.franklinresources.com Source: Franklin Resources, Inc. NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: HCA), one of the nations leading healthcare providers, today announced the release of its annual Impact Report that reflects on the past year and highlights HCA Healthcares positive impact across the communities it serves. At HCA Healthcare, our purpose is clear: We exist to give people a healthier tomorrow, said Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare. We focus our strategy, resources, and systems on ensuring we deliver the quality care patients deserve. This work, and all our accomplishments this year, would not be possible without our dedicated colleagues. Im continually impressed by the depth of talent and knowledge we have as an organization. The HCA Healthcare Impact Report highlights significant efforts of the organization in enhancing care experiences, caring for its colleagues and giving back to the communities it serves. For additional details on these areas, please visit HCAhealthcareImpact.com to learn more. Enhancing care experiences Delivering safe, high-quality care during its more than 43 million annual patient encounters is HCA Healthcares top priority. Last year, 32 HCA Healthcare hospitals were recognized on the Fortune/PINC AI 100 Top Hospitals list, and in early 2024, 54 HCA Healthcare hospitals were included on Healthgrades 250 Best Hospitals list for clinical excellence. HCA Healthcare has continued to integrate healthcare technology through strategic collaborations to help deliver high-quality patient care. In August 2023, HCA Healthcare and Google Cloud announced a collaboration to use generative AI to assist care teams with time-consuming tasks like documentation. HCA Healthcare has also developed a scheduling and staffing solution for nurses, which is currently in operation at nine HCA Healthcare facilities, with an additional 21 hospitals scheduled for deployment in early 2024. Additionally, the company is implementing a new electronic health record (EHR) system to help create efficiencies for care teams, improve coordination of care for patients and power innovation. The companys department of Care Transformation and Innovation (CT&I) continues to work closely with highly engaged clinicians to refine tools like these and to expand the use of technology throughout the organization. At HCA Healthcare, research helps unlock insights to real-world data and treatments to advance patient care. The HCA Healthcare Research Institute, the organization's multispecialty clinical research arm, expanded support to 36 HCA Healthcare hospitals and participated in more than 300 industry-sponsored studies in 2023. In 2023, HCA Healthcare provided the delivery of charity care, uninsured discounts and other uncompensated care at an estimated cost of approximately $3.7 billion. Caring for colleagues In 2023, HCA Healthcare recruited more than 116,500 colleagues, including 37,500 bedside nurses. To support nurses, HCA Healthcare invested in roles to help support nursing workload, including licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), nurse externs, paramedics and patient care technicians (PCTs). Recognizing nurses are the heart of HCA Healthcare, the company announced more than $300 million in investments to support the education and training of nurses through the opening of new HCA Healthcare Centers for Clinical Advancement and the expansion of Galen College of Nursing. Since joining HCA Healthcare, Galen has opened 14 new campuses nationwide. HCA Healthcare was founded by physicians with the intent of creating an environment where healthcare can flourish. By prioritizing physician input, clinical capabilities, growth and innovation, HCA Healthcare strives to enable its more than 45,000 active and affiliated physicians to focus more on what they do best: caring for patients. On July 1, 2023, HCA Healthcare, one of the leading sponsors of Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in the U.S., welcomed over 2,000 new residents and fellows to its GME programs. To support the health and well-being of colleagues, HCA Healthcare provides a variety of programs, resources and opportunities including free counseling sessions and webinars through Optum, the Nurse Care helpline and student loan and tuition assistance programs. In 2023, HCA Healthcare provided approximately $37.5 million through its tuition assistance program. The HCA Healthcare Hope Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by colleagues, for colleagues, recently surpassed $100 million in grants, helping more than 52,000 families since its inception in 2005. Over $11.4 million in assistance was distributed in 2023 to more than 3,800 HCA Healthcare colleagues and families. Across HCA Healthcare, it is a priority to foster an equitable and inclusive environment for colleagues by leveraging educational programs, strengthening partnerships with community organizations and implementing new initiatives. For these efforts, HCA Healthcare was recognized for the second year in a row as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN, receiving a top score on the 2023 Disability Equality Index. In early 2024, Ethisphere recognized HCA Healthcare as one of the 2024 Worlds Most Ethical Companies for the 14th time for the organizations commitment to business integrity through robust ethics, compliance and governance programs. Giving back to communities HCA Healthcare embraces its responsibility to help support a significant portion of the local economies where its colleagues live and serve. In 2023, HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation gave more than $43 million to community organizations across the nation. Additionally, HCA Healthcare colleagues logged more than 180,000 volunteer hours and $16.9 million in giving with HCA Healthcare matching. In 2023, the HCA Healthcare Foundation invested over $12.2 million through grants to 234 agencies and nonprofit organizations through its Middle Tennessee and Healthier Tomorrow Funds. The Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund focused on addressing high-priority community needs and advancing health equity, also announced a new Health Equity Catalyst Grant Program, intended to provide operational support to organizations addressing health inequities in a defined focus area to fight food insecurity. The HCA Healthcare Foundation strengthened its support of Girl Scouts of the USA and helped to launch a new series of Mental Wellness Patch Programs to help address mental wellness among girls in 4th through 12th grade. To date, more than 7,000 girls have earned their Mental Wellness patch since the programs launch. As part of its commitment to invest $10 million over three years in partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to help create opportunities for future healthcare leaders, HCA Healthcare announced a gift of $620,000 to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) to support five scholarships for students enrolled in the UCR School of Medicine. HCA Healthcare has now announced approximately $7.42 million towards this commitment. For the fifth year, HCA Healthcare supported the American Red Cross through its Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) to help provide funding for strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology and critical resources necessary to respond to a disaster. During many disasters, HCA Healthcare works alongside the Red Cross in real-time to coordinate supplies and resources, support shelters and match patients with community shelters when discharged from the hospital. During Hurricane Idalia, HCA Healthcares Enterprise Emergency Operations Center (EEOC) provided more than 1,200 staff hours of support, 16 electrical generators and more than 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel to its impacted hospitals to help them continue to provide care. For more information about the annual HCA Healthcare Impact Report, visit HCAhealthcareImpact.com. About HCA Healthcare Nashville-based HCA Healthcare is one of the nations leading providers of healthcare services comprising 186 hospitals and approximately 2,400 ambulatory sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, in 20 states and the United Kingdom. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine. HCA Healthcare has conducted a number of clinical studies, including one that demonstrated that full-term delivery is healthier than early elective delivery of babies and another that identified a clinical protocol that can reduce bloodstream infections in ICU patients by 44%. HCA Healthcare is a learning health system that uses its more than 43 million annual patient encounters to advance science, improve patient care and save lives. All references to Company, HCA and HCA Healthcare as used throughout this document refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328491928/en/ INVESTOR CONTACT: Frank Morgan 615-344-2688 MEDIA CONTACT: Harlow Sumerford 615-344-1851 Source: HCA Healthcare ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of technology and data, will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders virtually on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on Thursday, March 21, 2024 are entitled to participate in, vote and submit questions at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders will also be able to submit questions in advance of the meeting at proxyvote.com beginning on Friday, May 3, 2024. Additional information regarding the Annual Meeting, including how to participate, vote and submit questions, will be provided in the Companys proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be available on the Companys website at www.ir.theice.com in early April. A live audio webcast and replay of the Annual Meeting will be available on the Companys investor relations website at www.ir.theice.com. About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds, and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICEs futures, equity, and options exchanges -- including the New York Stock Exchange -- and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the worlds largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines, and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading Key Information Documents (KIDS). Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 8, 2024. Category: Corporate SOURCE: Intercontinental Exchange ICE-CORP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328550694/en/ ICE Media Contact: Josh King +1 212 656 2490 [email protected] [email protected] ICE Investor Contact Katia Gonzalez (678) 981-3882 [email protected] [email protected] Source: Intercontinental Exchange Company Funded by Kaleida Capital, Atma Capital, Connecticut Innovations and angel investors NAIO ( N euroscience and A rtificial I ntelligence O ptimized) technology platform, building on 10 years and over $50 million NIH-funded research at Yale University School of Medicine euroscience and rtificial ntelligence ptimized) Leadership Team, with an extensive track record and deep expertise in brain computational imaging, commercialization, and partnerships Manifest recently signed a multi-year agreement with a top-five pharmaceutical firm, providing them early access to its biomarker validation technology for a high priority neurological indication NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Manifest Technologies, Inc., developer of an AI-powered computational neuro-imaging platform for CNS disease, today unveiled the company after completing its initial funding and partnership with a top five global pharmaceutical company. Today, over one billion people on the planet suffer from some form of a brain disorder, with an estimated economic burden of as much as $8.5 trillion per year. There is an urgent unmet need for more rapid and precise development of treatments that are ultimately delivered to the right person at the right time. Recent acquisitions in the neuroscience space highlight the need for tools that can optimize clinical trials and drive more efficient drug development based on precise neural targets. Manifest was founded in 2021 by a group of leaders in computational psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine to transform how CNS treatments are developed and ultimately delivered in the clinic. Supported by over $50 million of NIH-funded research at Yale, the scientific founders pioneered the NAIO technology with the goal of leveraging computational neuroscience and AI to enable a true precision medicine approach to mental illness and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers Disease and Parkinsons Disease. Specifically, the NAIO platform enables CNS pharmaceutical companies to use human neuroimaging to unlock quantitative indication and patient selection decisions for clinical trials, saving billions of dollars in clinical development. Manifest is actively working with Johnson & Johnson to deploy its solutions across several programs. With a group of key initial investors and strategic partners we believe Manifest is ideally positioned to advance a platform that unifies computational clinical neuroscience with AI technology to guide the discovery and delivery of personalized treatments that are most likely to benefit patients at the individual level, said Manifest Technologies Founding CEO and Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Neuroscience at Yale University, Alan Anticevic. We are thrilled to support Manifests efforts to quantitatively map the complexities of psychiatric disease. We recognize the tremendous potential of the NAIO platform to accelerate CNS clinical development and look forward to contributing to a future where tailored, individualized patient care is standard, said Ariane Tom, Managing Partner at Kaleida Capital. In addition to Dr. Anticevic, the Manifest Board of Directors includes former CMO of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Robert Berman, and Co-Founder and Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, John Murray. About Manifest Technologies Manifest Technologies is transforming CNS health through AI-powered precision neuroscience and computational neuroimaging. Manifest was founded in 2021 by a group of leading scientists who have created the NAIO (Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence Optimized) platform. NAIO incorporates proprietary software and several patents under an exclusive license from Yale University. Manifest is building a suite of specific applications out of the NAIO platform to meet the needs of both pharmaceutical CNS R&D and health care providers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328700688/en/ [email protected] Source: Manifest Technologies, Inc. New technology built by Palantir will support a drive by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to give 300,000 more pupils safe access to a school LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Ministry of Education and Science, along with Palantir (NYSE: PLTR), a leading provider of AI systems, have signed an agreement. The main goal is to facilitate qualitative transformations in the field of education and ensure the maximum number of children have access to safe in-person learning. The agreement, initially for 12 months, will support the Governments official School Offline initiative which aims to provide 300,000 more Ukrainian pupils with safe access to a school. New software tooling will enable: Funding allocated for school bomb shelters to be targeted where it will deliver the greatest benefit for children and young people of a school age. Every school to receive a risk rating according to a methodology recently adopted in law as a Cabinet of Ministers decree, in order to help identify targeted measures that will improve the safety of a school. The rating will take into account factors such as historic shelling in the area, presence of a bomb shelter, safety of access and missile defense systems. The 100 percent off-line initiative is a response to the sharp increase in the number of children and young people in Ukraine who are being educated online since Russias illegal full-scale invasion. Research estimates that more than 40 percent of children in Ukraine are relying on online or hybrid learning due to the war. It has caused educational losses, thus according to the PISA-2022 international education quality survey, Ukrainian students lag behind the required level by 1.5 to 2.5 years of study. These new tools are part of a wider suite of software support which will also enable: Analysis of educational and financial data, as well as the current model of the education system, to transform Soviet-era educational institutions into modern innovative spaces based on this data; Assessment of the security situation in communities to create all necessary conditions for in-person learning for children; Analysis of children's academic achievements, their correlation with the security situation, and other factors to make further management decisions regarding the transformation of the Ukrainian education system as a whole and individual educational institutions; Provision of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, as well as analytical tools and models for making effective management decisions by educational institutions, communities, local self-government bodies, and directly by the Government; Modeling a support network for Ukrainian children who are forcibly staying abroad through the integration of a Ukrainian studies component in selected educational institutions that provide quality educational services in a distance learning format. Dmytro Zavgorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for digital development, digital transformations and digitalization, said: Palantir technologies will provide us with innovative tools for creating policies based on a data-driven approach. Thus, it will help us make effective management decisions in the field of educational policies. The Ministry of Education and Science has diligently collaborated with Palantir, harnessing its cutting-edge technologies to devise an innovative approach and formulate a comprehensive methodology for assessing war-related risk levels within different regions of the education system for restoration of access to offline and secure education at schools. Louis Mosley, Executive Vice President for UK and Europe at Palantir, said: Todays agreement reinforces Palantirs steadfast support for Ukraine, building on the use of our software to support the military effort, the resettlement of those forced to flee abroad, the investigation into war crimes and critical demining efforts. It will help to reduce the number of young people denied the basic human right of in-person education because of Russian aggression, as well as helping to shape the countrys education policy in the long term. About Palantir Foundational software of tomorrow. Delivered today. Additional information is available at https://www.palantir.com/. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may relate to, but are not limited to, Palantirs expectations regarding the amount and the terms of the contract and the expected benefits of our software platforms. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and were based on current expectations as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management as of that time with respect to future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties include our ability to meet the unique needs of our customer; the failure of our platforms to satisfy our customer or perform as desired; the frequency or severity of any software and implementation errors; our platforms reliability; and our customers ability to modify or terminate the contract. Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328792625/en/ Ben Mascall [email protected] Source: Palantir MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto has published its 2023 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, which details $8.5 billion of taxes and royalties paid globally during the year. This compares to $10.8 billion in 2022, which included around $1.5 billion of Australian corporate tax payments related to prior years. In Australia, which is home to almost half of the companys global business, taxes and royalties totalling $6.6 billion (A$10.0 billion) were paid in 2023, including corporate tax paid of $4.1 billion (A$6.2 billion). Rio Tinto also made significant tax and royalty payments in Canada ($601 million), Chile ($477 million), Mongolia ($371 million) and the United States ($123 million). Rio Tinto Chief Financial Officer Peter Cunningham said We remain committed to being a leader on transparent tax reporting, as we continue to find better ways to contribute to our host countries and communities. The taxes and royalties we pay play an important role in economic and social development, and can be significant for national budgets and local development priorities such as job creation and skills training. It is important to us that we make this contribution openly and transparently, as part of our responsibility to extract value from the minerals and materials we produce in the safest and most sustainable way possible. In the past ten years, Rio Tinto has paid $76 billion in taxes and royalties globally, of which more than 78% was paid in Australia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327379859/en/ Please direct all enquiries to: [email protected] Media Relations, United Kingdom Matthew Klar M +44 7796 630 637 David Outhwaite M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Americas Simon Letendre M +1 514 796 4973 Malika Cherry M +1 418 592 7293 Vanessa Damha M +1 514 715 2152 Media Relations, Australia Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739 Jesse Riseborough M +61 436 653 412 Alyesha Anderson M +61 434 868 118 Michelle Lee M +61 458 609 322 Investor Relations, United Kingdom Menno Sanderse M +44 7825 195 178 David Ovington M +44 7920 010 978 Laura Brooks M +44 7826 942 797 Investor Relations, Australia Tom Gallop M +61 439 353 948 Amar Jambaa M +61 472 865 948 Rio Tinto plc 6 St Jamess Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 Rio Tinto Limited Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 riotinto.com Category - General Source: Rio Tinto FREMONT, Calif. & CLEARWATER, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX) (TD SYNNEX or the Company) today announced the pricing and upsize of the previously announced secondary public offering of 10,500,000 shares of its common stock. All of the shares in the offering are being sold by certain entities managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (the Selling Stockholders). The offering is expected to close on or about April 2, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The underwriters will have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,575,000 shares of common stock from the Selling Stockholders. TD SYNNEX will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders in the offering. In addition, the Company has agreed to purchase from the underwriters 500,000 shares of common stock that are the subject of the offering at a price per share equal to the price per share to be paid by the underwriters to the Selling Stockholders (the Concurrent Share Repurchase) under the Companys existing share repurchase program. The Company plans to fund the Concurrent Share Repurchase from existing cash on hand. The underwriters will not receive any compensation for the shares being repurchased by the Company. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., and Mizuho Securities USA LLC are acting as joint bookrunners and underwriters for the offering. Shelf registration statements (File No. 333-259270 and File No. 333-274915) relating to the resale of the shares were previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and became effective on September 2, 2021 and October 10, 2023, respectively. A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering was filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024. The final prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. A copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the final prospectus supplement (when available) relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or by emailing at [email protected]; Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (or by email at [email protected] or telephone at 1-888-603-5847); BofA Securities, Inc., NC1-022-02-25 201, North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department Email: [email protected], 1-800-294-1322; or Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 1271 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY, 10020, by phone at (212) 205-7600, or by email at [email protected]. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About TD SYNNEX TD SYNNEX 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 approximately 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. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by use of terms such as propose, will, expect, shall, and similar terms or the negative of such terms, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the expected completion, terms, size, and timing of the offering, and with respect to granting the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks and uncertainties related to completion of the public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, market conditions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the public offering. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by TD SYNNEX is contained in the section captioned Risk Factors in the prospectus supplement related to the public offering and from time to time in the Companys Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, as well as subsequent SEC filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, TD SYNNEX does not undertake any obligation to update any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327067340/en/ Liz Morali Investor Relations 510-668-8436 [email protected] Bobby Eagle Global Corporate Communications 727-538-5864 [email protected] Source: TD SYNNEX Investing.com -- Oil prices could rally to $100 a barrel as soon as September following Russia's shift to cut production, though the U.S. is likely to tap its emergency oil reserves to keep a lid on prices. "Russia's actions could push Brent oil price to $90 already in April, reach mid-$90 by May and close to $100 by September, keeping pressure on the US administration in the run-up to elections," JPMorgan said in a note, adding that oil prices have rose by 18% since bottoming in mod-December. The jump in oil prices was expected to persuade OPEC and its allies, or OPEC+, to ease their voluntary output cuts, but Russia instead pledged in early March to deepen its output cut by a cumulative 471,000 barrels per day, or bpd, bringing the country's crude oil output to 9M bpd in June to meet its agreed OPEC+ output limits, JPMorgan estimated. But the road to $100 a barrel Brent oil faces many challenges not least a policy response in the U.S. as high oil and gas prices during an election year isn't likely to be tolerated. But as oil prices begets higher prices at the pump that could send gas prices back above $4 a gallon, the U.S. may likely, once again, turn to its Strategic Petroleum Reserve spigot and release millions of barrels to cushion against price shocks. "The odds of another release will rise if US nationwide gasoline prices move closer to $4/gallon something we believe can happen as soon as May or if OPEC+ does not increase production at the June 1 meeting," JPMorgan said, estimating that the U.S. administration has the policy space to release up to 60 million barrels of crude oil. In 2022, the President Joe Biden's administration sold 180 million barrels of oil over a six period from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve to lower gasoline prices after Russia invaded Ukraine. Yet, surging oil prices above $90 a barrel could likely meet a familiar foe: waning demand. Others agree, and flag the $90 a barrel mark as a level at which most of the upside will likely be mostly priced, Macquarie said. "If Brent reaches $90, we believe most of the upside will be factored into oil and the remaining unpriced fundamental factors, mostly supply growth related, will largely be bearish," Macquarie said. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng. (Photo: VNA) At a reception in Hanoi for Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng, who is leading a Canadian trade mission to Vietnam, the PM said her visit has contributed to consolidating the comprehensive partnership between the two countries. Mary Ng said the delegation comprises 250 people, including representatives from more than 200 leading Canadian businesses, noting the number demonstrates their interest in the Vietnamese market. Host and guest noted with pleasure the intensive and extensive development of the comprehensive partnership across spheres. Canada is Vietnam's third largest trade partner in America, and Vietnam is Canada's biggest trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Canada is also Vietnam's 14th largest investor with more than 247 projects worth over 4.82 billion USD. Pointing to global challenges like epidemics, conflicts, climate change and population aging, the PM called on Canada to further cooperate with Vietnam to deal with them for the sake of both nations and their people, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. He also expressed his belief that bilateral ties will grow further on the foundation consolidated over the past 50 years, and suggested the two countries continue their close coordination to increase all-level visit exchanges, bring into full play existing cooperation mechanisms and establish new ones in all fields. For her part, Mary Ng informed PM Pham Minh Chinh about the outcomes of the second meeting of the Vietnam-Canada Joint Economic Committee which opened the same day, saying the two sides agreed to advance the economic, trade and investment ties to a new height, and mobilise resources to implement the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Canada highly values Vietnams role in ASEAN, as well as Vietnams and ASEANs role in its Indo-Pacific strategy, the minister said, expressing her hope that Vietnam will work together with Canada to accelerate negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement and support the country as the rotating chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024. Her suggestions received the support from PM Pham Minh Chinh, who affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to help Canadian goods make deeper inroads into ASEAN. Regarding international issues, the PM called on Canada to back Vietnams and ASEANs stance and viewpoints on the East Sea issue, including those on ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, handling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and supporting the effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). PM Pham Minh Chinh asked Mary Ng to convey his wishes and regards to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, and his invitations to the PM to soon visit Vietnam to elevate the relationship to a new height./. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), and the Fab Foundation today announced the official opening of Fab Labs at Fort Valley State University and Florida A&M University (FAMU). Chevron, in collaboration with the Fab Foundation, has unveiled the establishment of cutting-edge Fab Labs at Fort Valley State University and FAMU. These facilities mark a significant step towards advancing STEM education, research and innovation in the middle Georgia and Tallahassee communities. The Chevron Fab Labs aim to provide students, faculty and the broader communities with state-of-the-art technology and resources to foster creativity, hands-on learning experiences and entrepreneurial skills. Through this strategic partnership with the Fab Foundation, a renowned leader in digital fabrication and STEM education, Chevron is expanding access to advanced manufacturing tools and technologies that are shaping the future of work. "We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Fab Foundation to bring Chevron Fab Labs to Fort Valley State University and FAMU," said Jennifer Michael, Chevrons Social Investment Manager. "These labs will serve as innovation hubs to empower individuals to harness their creative potential, develop essential STEM skills, and contribute to building a more sustainable and inclusive future. At Chevron, we strive to empower people around the world to achieve their aspirations and meet their full potential. Our partnerships across the globe aim to advance progress and strengthen communities." The Chevron Fab Labs will feature state-of-the-art equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters and electronics workstations. Students and community members will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities, including prototyping, digital design, coding, robotics and more. By providing access to these resources, Chevron is empowering individuals to explore new ideas, collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, and drive impactful solutions to real-world challenges. Historically Black Colleagues and Universities are critically important anchors in our U.S. communities, bringing higher education and economic opportunity to individuals who have historically been excluded. They have produced many of this countrys greatest scientists, mathematicians, politicians, advocates for social change and thought leaders, said Sherry Lassiter, President and CEO of the Fab Foundation. We are excited to be working with FAMU and FVSU to add to their incredible educational portfolios access to advanced technical tools and education such that their students and communities can participate in creating their own technologies and designing our shared future. Chevron-supported Fab Labs include facilities in the following locations: Bakersfield, Richmond, Santa Clara and Central Coast, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Houston and Odessa-Midland, Texas. These labs have served thousands of community members. The Chevron Fab Labs at Fort Valley State University and FAMU underscore Chevron's dedication to education, workforce development and innovative technology solutions. By investing in these world-class facilities, Chevron is not only supporting the next generation of innovators but also fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity, and digital literacy. General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that it was awarded a $922 million contract to modernize the U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) enterprise IT infrastructure. The new contract, awarded in February by the General Services Administration, has a one-year base period and five option years. CENTCOM directs and enables military operations and activities with allies and partners to increase regional security and stability in support of enduring U.S. interests. With an area of responsibility covering 21 nations in Northeast Africa , the Middle East , Central and South Asia , CENTCOM requires a cutting-edge enterprise IT network environment that connects data and systems to highly mobile warfighters to successfully execute current and future missions. Under this contract, GDIT will operationalize enterprise data through artificial intelligence/machine learning technologies to improve decision-making, transition CENTCOM to a new cloud environment, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its networks. The company will also leverage its zero trust capabilities to bolster CENTCOM's cyber defenses and protect against future cyber threats. "Technological innovation is critical to promoting stability and protecting our national security interests in this strategically important region," said Brian Sheridan , GDIT's senior vice president for Defense Division. "We look forward to delivering advanced solutions to enable CENTCOM to be better connected and prepared in support of its missions." MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) (MAIA, the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, today announced that independent directors Cristian Luput and Ramiro Guerrero, J.D, LL.M. made individual purchases of 69,282 and 6,928 shares of common stock, respectively, as part of the Companys recent private placement of common stock and warrants. Vlad Vitoc, M.D., MAIAs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, Its rewarding to recognize Cristian and Ramiro, along with several additional board members, for their participation in our private funding round that closed on March 11th. We consider their support as strong votes of confidence in our advancing pipeline and regulatory pathways for MAIAs novel anti-cancer immunotherapies. I am a strong believer in the potential for MAIAs new science for cancer therapy to transform the entire field of cancer research and discovery, said Mr. Luput. I believe MAIA is well positioned to create a great deal of value for its shareholders over time, added Mr. Guerrero. Additional board members that participated in the Companys recent private placement include MAIAs top investor, Ms. Adelina Louie Ngar Yee, and Dr. Stan Smith, investor in every funding round since MAIAs inception. Mr. Luput is the founder and CEO of Optimus Realty Inc, a full-service real estate company specializing in brokering, managing and developing residential properties in Chicago. Over the course of his career, Mr. Luput has successfully completed multiple multi-million dollar real estate partnerships, consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions. Mr. Guerrero is the founder and CEO of IMPERIO, Inc., a Chicago-based real estate investment and brokerage organization. In addition to his 20+ years in real estate, Mr. Guerrero is a venture capitalist aiding entrepreneurs and small businesses in business startups. TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX) (TD SYNNEX or the Company) today announced the pricing and upsize of the previously announced secondary public offering of 10,500,000 shares of its common stock. All of the shares in the offering are being sold by certain entities managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (the Selling Stockholders). The offering is expected to close on or about April 2, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The underwriters will have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,575,000 shares of common stock from the Selling Stockholders. TD SYNNEX will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders in the offering. In addition, the Company has agreed to purchase from the underwriters 500,000 shares of common stock that are the subject of the offering at a price per share equal to the price per share to be paid by the underwriters to the Selling Stockholders (the Concurrent Share Repurchase) under the Companys existing share repurchase program. The Company plans to fund the Concurrent Share Repurchase from existing cash on hand. The underwriters will not receive any compensation for the shares being repurchased by the Company. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., and Mizuho Securities USA LLC are acting as joint bookrunners and underwriters for the offering. Shelf registration statements (File No. 333-259270 and File No. 333-274915) relating to the resale of the shares were previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and became effective on September 2, 2021 and October 10, 2023, respectively. A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering was filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024. The final prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. A copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the final prospectus supplement (when available) relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or by emailing at [email protected]; Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (or by email at [email protected] or telephone at 1-888-603-5847); BofA Securities, Inc., NC1-022-02-25 201, North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department Email: [email protected], 1-800-294-1322; or Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 1271 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY, 10020, by phone at (212) 205-7600, or by email at [email protected]. Vancouver, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apogee Minerals Ltd. (Apogee or the Company or the Optionee) (TSXV: APMI) has amended the option agreement (the Amendment Agreement) with Eagle Plains (the Optionor) whereby the Optionor granted the Company the right to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Pine Channel Property (the Property). Under the amended terms of the Amendment Agreement, Apogee has been granted an extension on the due date of the CAD $50,000 cash payment from June 30, 2024, to December 31st, 2024, and the $50,000 cash payment from December 31st, 2023, to December 31st, 2025, as well as an extension on the last three exploration expenditure due dates, with the aggregate amount over the course of the option remaining the same. The new exploration expenditure schedule is as follows: $500,000 on or before June 30, 2025; and $2,000,000 on or before December 31, 2025. In consideration of the amendment, Apogee shall issue the Optionor 50,000 common shares within three (3) business days of receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Amendment Agreement. All the other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain unchanged. The shares issued shall be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from issuance. About Apogee Minerals Ltd.: Apogee Minerals Ltd. is a mineral exploration company. Our goal is to build shareholder value through mineral project acquisitions and advancement, as well as new mineral discoveries. To find out more about Apogee Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V: APMI) visit the Companys website: www.apogeemineralsltd.com Apogee Minerals Ltd. Tim Fernback Tim FernbackInterim CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Apogee Minerals Ltd. Riley Trimble, DirectorEmail: [email protected] Tel: (604) 416-2978 Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the structure of the Proposed Transaction, the terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction, the Consolidation, the Name Change, the terms of the Financing. the composition of the board of directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, the intention of the parties to seek a sponsorship exemption or waiver, the issuance of subsequent news releases, and Alto Verdes future exploration plans. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the Companys ability to complete the Proposed Transaction; the expected timing and terms of the Proposed Transaction and the Financing; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; the state of the natural resources sector in the event the Proposed Transaction is completed; recent market volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; the Companys ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Source: Apogee Minerals Ltd. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE: BLO) (OTC PINK: BLOZF) (the Company or Cannabix) reports that Kulwant Malhi has resigned as President and Director of the Company. Mr. Malhi is the CEO of privately held BullRun Capital Inc. and founded Cannabix Technologies Inc. in 2014 and was integral in Cannabix Technologies Inc. becoming a public company on the Canadian Securities Exchange and subsequent financing rounds. Mr. Malhi states, I am pleased to be leaving my Executive role at Cannabix and focusing on our other BullRun Capital early-stage incubations. I believe Cannabix is at a turning point towards proving its technology on a commercial foundation and I wish the Company well in future developments. The Company thanks Mr. Malhi for his contributions and wishes him well in his future endeavours. We seek Safe Harbor. On behalf of the Board of Directors Rav Mlait CEOCannabix Technologies Inc. For further information, contact the Company at [email protected] The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Cannabix Technologies Inc. TORONTO, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giyani Metals Corp. (TSXV:EMM, GR:A2DUU8) ("Giyani" or the "Company"), developer of the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana ("K.Hill"), is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") has conditionally approved the US$16 million facility secured with the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited ("IDC"). Following agreement with IDC, the facility documents have been amended to align with the TSXV requirements and the Company now expects that first drawdown will occur in April 2024. Other than the amendments set out below, the material terms of the US$16 million amended IDC facility ("Amended IDC Facility") remain the same as set out in the Company's news release dated November 30, 2023. In the meantime, Giyani is progressing work related to the Demonstration Plant construction, and the other areas of the business following the receipt of the US$10 million of funding from ARCH Sustainable Resources Fund LP in February (see News Release dated February 21 2024). Amended IDC Facility Under the Amended IDC Facility, dated March 27, 2024, the IDC now only has the ability to elect to convert the outstanding amount of the facility into shares (and shareholder loans) in Thabatala Holdings Proprietary Limited ("HoldCo"), subject to the Company receiving TSXV approval in respect thereof pursuant to an application by the Company at the time such conversion is proposed. HoldCo is a Botswana registered, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Further, if IDC has elected to convert the outstanding amount of the Amended IDC Facility into shares (and shareholder loans) in HoldCo, the IDC may then seek to have such equity in HoldCo exchanged for common shares in Giyani ("Giyani Shares") in certain circumstances. Any such exchange of HoldCo equity into Giyani Shares will be subject to a future application to TSXV and approval thereof at the time such exchange is proposed. Accordingly, as the issuance of Giyani Shares under the Amended IDC Facility is subject to a further TSXV application and approval thereof, the Amended IDC Facility no longer includes a concept of a minimum share price for Giyani Shares issuable thereunder, as no such floor price can be set at this time. This foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended IDC Facility, copies of which have been or will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. About Giyani Giyani's mission is to become a sustainable, low-carbon producer of battery materials for the electric vehicle ("EV") industry. The Company has developed a hydrometallurgical process to produce HPMSM, a lithium-ion battery cathode precursor material critical for EVs, directly from ore from its manganese oxide deposits in Botswana. The Company's assets include K.Hill and the Otse and Lobatse manganese prospects. Additional information and corporate documents may be found on www.sedarplus.com and on Giyani Metals Corp. website at https://giyanimetals.com/. About the IDC The Industrial Development Corporation is the largest development finance institution in South Africa. The Corporation funds viable businesses to build industrial capacity, thus contributing to the economic growth in Southern Africa and the continent. For more information visit www.idc.co.za. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp. Danny Keating, President and CEO Contact:Tel: +1289-291-7632Danny Keating, President & CEO[email protected] Charles FitzRoy, Head of Corporate Development & Strategy[email protected] Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. persons," as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act ("U.S. Persons"), except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities to, or for the account of benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons. Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Giyani 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", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. Such statements include without limitation: details regarding the Amended IDC Facility, drawdown of funds under the Amended IDC Facility and the Company meeting the conditions precedent related thereto, and receipt of TSXV approval for the transactions or future applications contemplated in this news release. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the relevant management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to certain assumptions, important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Giyani's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In the case of Giyani, these facts include anticipated operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. This information relates to analyses and other information that is based on expectations of future performance and planned work programs. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation: inherent exploration hazards and risks; risks related to exploration and development of natural resource properties; uncertainty in Giyani's ability to obtain funding; commodity price fluctuations; recent market events and conditions; risks related to the uncertainty of Mineral Resource calculations and the inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources in economic estimation; risks related to governmental regulations; risks related to obtaining necessary licences and permits; risks related to Giyani's business being subject to environmental laws and regulations; risks related to the Company's mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers, or claims and other defects in title; risks relating to competition from larger companies with greater financial and technical resources; risks relating to the inability to meet financial obligations under agreements to which they are a party; ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; and risks related to the Company's directors and officers becoming associated with other natural resource companies which may give rise to conflicts of interests. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Giyani's forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information or statements. Giyani's forward-looking information is based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of the Company's respective management on the date the statements are made, and Giyani does not assume any obligation to update forward looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For a complete discussion with respect to Giyani and risks associated with forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, please refer to Giyani's continuous disclosure documents which are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Source: Giyani Metals Corp. Guelph, Ontario, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province's largest commodity organization, representing Ontario's 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers, today calls on the federal Liberal government to institute a grain drying exemption to the carbon tax ahead of the April 1, 2024 increase. The price of the carbon tax will be set at $80 a tonne as of April 1 of this year, up from $65 last year and $50 the year before that. Despite the fact that farmers have no viable alternatives to dry grain and must use current technology to ensure that wet grain is dried, the federal government continues to burden farmers with this increasing tax. "It is simple: don't tax food production. Farmers are rightfully concerned that they are being penalized for drying their grain when they have no alternatives, and Canadians are rightly confused about why the government is adding costs to food production when there are lineups at food banks across the country," said Jeff Harrison, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. Harvested grain is dried to make sure it is safe to eat. This simple fact was well understood by both Members of Parliament and the Senate. The provincial government has also come out in support of farmers, with Premier Doug Ford issuing a public statement on the carbon tax and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson sending a letter to the federal government signed by Ontario commodity organizations. "We want to thank Premier Ford and Minister Thompson for their continued support, and we call on the Liberal government to put in an exemption for drying grain as soon as the House of Commons returns from the Easter break," said Harrison. GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province's largest commodity organization, representing Ontario's 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farmland across the province, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, result in over $27 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 90,000 jobs in the province. Victoria Berry Grain Farmers of Ontario 226-820-6641 [email protected] Source: Grain Farmers of Ontario PRINCETON, N.J. and FRANKFURT, Germany, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indegene, a digital-first, life sciences commercialization company, announced the acquisition of Trilogy Writing & Consulting GmbH (Trilogy), a global provider of specialty medical writing capabilities across clinical, regulatory, safety and medical content to life sciences companies. The acquisition by Indegene Ireland, a subsidiary of Indegene Limited, augments Indegenes depth of clinical and regulatory writing expertise for market authorization applications globally. Trilogy Writing & Consulting is a Germany, UK, and US-based, medical writing consultancy with know-how in the development and delivery of clinical, regulatory, safety, and medical content. It applies its expertise and unique approaches to deliver quality medical writing output. Trilogy has a proven track record of more than 22 years of providing medical writing services to the biopharmaceutical and medical devices industry with strength in expertise across oncology, immunology, neurosciences, urology, anti-infectives, endocrinology, respiratory diseases, and many other therapeutic areas. Trilogys dedication to strategic medical writing ensures client success in regulatory submissions across a breadth of health authorities including the US FDA, EU EMA, Health Canada, UK MHRA, China NMPA, Japan PMDA, and many others. According to Grand View Research1, the medical writing market was $4.2 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to grow at 10.46% CAGR to $8.4 billion by 2030. However, biopharma companies are increasingly challenged by a lack of internal expertise (especially in complex therapeutic areas), continuous pressure on margins, and stringent expectations from regulatory authorities. By combining Trilogys expertise in medical writing with Indegenes scalability and technology, especially Generative AI, life sciences companies stand to benefit by way of higher productivity, lower cost, and greater flexibility even as they set up themselves to be future-ready, ultimately leading to faster regulatory approval for their products. Trilogy has years of demonstrated knowledge in medical writing, clearly evident from its team that has won the trust of life sciences leaders over the years, said Manish Gupta, CEO of Indegene. Combining Trilogys expertise with Indegenes capabilities, life sciences companies benefit from partnering with a single service provider to deliver effective medical writing expertise at scale across the value chain. Our investments in content automation, especially leveraging Generative AI, will further improve outcomes for our clients in clinical and regulatory writing and even beyond. We welcome the Trilogy team to the Indegene family and are excited for our journey together. Dr Julia Forjanic Klapproth, Senior Partner, Trilogy, added, Joining the Indegene family is a testament to the quality of our services and the expertise of our specialist team. I am proud of Trilogys reputation and standing in the industry and look forward to the next stage of our development. Dr Lisa Chamberlain James, Senior Partner, Trilogy, agreed, This is an exciting and important evolution for Trilogy. We are confident that this partnership with Indegene will enable us to accelerate our growth and allow us to expand our tech-enabled medical writing services for the benefit of our life sciences clients. Taylor Wessing represented Indegene in this transaction. Trilogy Writing & Consulting was represented by Vogel Heerma Waitz. About Indegene Indegene is a digital-first, life sciences commercialization company. It helps biopharmaceutical, emerging biotech and medical device companies develop products, get them to the market, and grow their impact through the life cycle in a more effective, efficient and modern way. Indegene brings together healthcare domain expertise, fit-for-purpose technology and an agile operating model to provide a diverse range of solutions. These aim to deliver, amongst other outcomes, a personalized, scalable and omnichannel experience for patients and physicians. Its what drives Indegenes team and their purpose to enable healthcare organizations be future ready. To learn more, please visit www.indegene.com About Trilogy Writing & Consulting Trilogy Writing & Consulting is a medical writing consultancy with expertise in the development and delivery of clinical, regulatory, safety and medical content globally. Trilogy applies effective practices to deliver content that achieves accelerate timelines with quality outputs. Through its unique methodology Trilogy applies lean principles and novel operating models to produce submission ready, HCP engaging, and patient friendly content for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer health, and medical device companies globally. Trilogy has complemented its expertise through development of AI enabling technology to streamline and automate the writing process. To learn more, please visit www.trilogywriting.com For media inquiries, please contact: Yadunandan K V | [email protected] RIMOUSKI, Quebec, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the Company or Puma) announces that it has closed a non-brokered placement (the CFT Private Placement) consisting of 5,000,000 Charity flow-through units (the CFT Units) at $0.125 per CFT Unit for gross proceeds of C$625,000. Each CFT Unit is comprised of one Charity flow-through share and one-half (1/2) common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.15 per share until March 28, 2026. The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause that entitles the Company to provide notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to holders that they will expire 30 days from the date the Company delivers the Acceleration Notice. The Company can only provide the Acceleration Notice if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV is equal to or greater than $0.30 for 30 consecutive trading days. The Acceleration Notice can be provided at any time after the statutory hold period and before the expiry date of the warrants. The net proceeds of the CFT Units will be used to incur eligible Canadian Exploration Expenses and flow-through mining expenditures, as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada), that will be renounced in favour of the purchasers with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024. The funds will be used to advance exploration at the Williams Brook Gold Project and the Companys assets in Northern New Brunswick. In connection with the closing of the private placement offering, the Company paid NO cash finder's fees NOR finder warrants. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a four-month-and-one-day hold period expiring on July 29, 2024. The private placement has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. About the Williams Brook Gold Project Puma's flagship Williams Brook Gold Project comprises four properties covering more than 50,000 ha in Northern New Brunswickan established and mining-friendly jurisdiction near paved roads and with excellent infrastructure nearby. The land package is located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault (RBMF), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. About Puma Exploration Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. As a first mover, the Company quickly and strategically accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings in the area. Pumas successful exploration methodology combines old prospecting methods with detailed trenching and up-to-date technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate an understanding of the geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data and consultants expertise, Puma has developed a perfect low-cost exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results. The Company is also committed to deploying its DEAR strategy (Development. Exploration. Acquisition. and Royalties) to generate maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution. Connect with us on Facebook / X/ LinkedIn.Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact: Marcel Robillard. President and CEO. (418) 750-8510;[email protected] Mia Boiridy. Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development. (250) 575-3305; [email protected] Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties. Source: Puma Exploration Inc. Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) She said Vietnam calls on relevant sides to immediately implement Resolution 2728, approved by the UNSC on March 25, towards a long-term and sustainable ceasefire in the region, promoting humanitarian aid and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. "Vietnam supports all of the international communitys efforts in urging the parties to exercise restraint, hold dialogues and handle disagreements via peaceful means and based on respect for international law and related resolutions of the UNSC so as to achieve a fair, satisfactory and lasting solution to the peace process in the Middle East," she stressed./. NEW YORK, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE: SAN) resulting from allegations that Santander may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Santander securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22671 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 5, 2024, the Financial Times published an article entitled Iran used Lloyds and Santander accounts to evade sanctions. This article stated, in part that Santander UK provided accounts to British front companies secretly owned by a sanctioned Iranian petrochemicals company based near Buckingham Palace, according to documents seen by the Financial Times. On this news, Santanders American Depositary Shares (ADSs) fell $0.24 per ADS, or 5.7%, to close at $3.94 per ADS on February 5, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com Hatch will manage lending for TABs working capital products and commercial real estate OGDEN, Utah, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAB Bank has appointed Justin Hatch as its Chief Lending Officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Hatch will oversee the lending activities of TAB Banks working capital lending products, including asset-based lending, factoring, lending partnerships, lender finance, small ticket A/R financing and the banks commercial real estate. Hatch has worked for TAB Bank for more than 15 years, serving most recently as the Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending. As Chief Lending Officer, Hatch will oversee lending activities and play a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies within TABs product lines. His expertise will be instrumental in sustaining TAB Banks commitment to providing exceptional financial solutions to its customers. Throughout his tenure, Justin has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise and dedication, contributing to the growth of the banks working capital loan portfolios and providing outstanding customer service, said Tyler Heap, President of TAB Bank. I know he will continue to make valuable contributions to our bank as he joins the executive team. Before TAB Bank, Hatch served as CFO of Flying J Insurance Services and Director, Relationship Management, at Select Portfolio Servicing. He received an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2003. About TAB Bank TAB Bank is an innovative and technology-forward bank offering custom banking solutions to consumers and commercial businesses across various industries nationwide. Our bank is and has always been a completely mobile online solution that makes banking easier and more intuitive. After 25 years, TAB Banks focus remains with providing banking solutions to ensure financial success of our clients. For more information, visit www.TABBank.com . Contact Information: Trevor Morris Director of Marketing 801-624-5172 [email protected] Twitter - @TABBank Facebook facebook.com/TABbank A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6b8afa0-4b06-41f6-b752-1148051b7543 SINGAPORE, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The launch of WOWEX, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange, has caused ripples in the industry, particularly due to its emphasis on derivatives trading. At WOWEX, users are provided with a platform to engage in trading activities centered around the values of various cryptocurrencies. What sets WOWEX apart is its unwavering commitment to security, ensuring a safe environment for its users. WOWEX Exchange prioritizes both platform and asset security, employing advanced encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to fortify its defenses. Renowned for offering one of the most secure and user-friendly contract trading platforms, WOWEX meticulously designs its security measures to safeguard users' funds and data. By implementing these robust security measures, WOWEX aims to provide users with peace of mind while they participate in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading. Moreover, WOWEX prioritizes asset security by implementing industry-leading risk-control practices such as cold storage solutions, comprehensive risk management protocols, and insurance coverage against potential security breaches. This unwavering commitment to security underscores WOWEX's dedication to fostering trust and confidence among users, solidifying its reputation as a reliable and secure platform for cryptocurrency trading. WOWEX, boasting a team of seasoned professionals with backgrounds from top exchanges such as OKX and Binance, is dedicated to delivering unmatched trading services. Leveraging their expertise, WOWEX ensures deep liquidity and minimal slippage through strategic partnerships with multiple top-tier market makers. This collaboration not only deepens trading depth but also guarantees users a seamless trading experience. At the forefront of innovation, WOWEX continuously enhances its products, promptly integrating sought-after features such as trending asset listings and other trading toolkits. With a keen understanding of crypto market dynamics, WOWEX swiftly adapts to popular trends, offering users access to cutting-edge functionalities. This dedication to excellence cements WOWEX's position as a trailblazer in the crypto landscape, setting new standards for user-centric services. The WOW Card stands as a testament to WOWEX's commitment to innovation and user-centric design. Unlike conventional cards, WOW Card holders not only enjoy the convenience of digital payments but also receive additional rebates directly into their cards while trading on the platform. This innovative approach ensures users benefit from both the security of traditional banking and the privacy of encrypted transactions. Offering unparalleled versatility, the WOW Card provides both virtual and physical card options to cater to various transaction needs. Users can easily recharge their cards through the WOWEX website and access a wide range of services, including online shopping, subscription payments, POS transactions, and ATM withdrawals. Moreover, the card provides real-time forex rates, ensuring transparent and cost-effective international transactions. "With the introduction of the WOW Card, we are delighted to pioneer a transformative solution that seamlessly integrates traditional banking with the dynamic realm of cryptocurrency," stated by the CEO of WOWEX. "Our unique contract rebate feature not only simplifies digital transactions but also rewards users for their engagement in trading activities, further enhancing their financial experiences." As WOWEX continues to spearhead advancements in the cryptocurrency space, the launch of WOW Card underscores its commitment to driving mainstream adoption and enhancing user experiences. With its upcoming global launch event in Thailand on April 6th, WOWEX invites users, partners, and media representatives to join in the celebration of innovation and progress. Esteemed media from both domestic and international spheres will be present to witness the unveiling of WOWEX's new products and participate in on-site signing ceremonies. Various platform welfare activities and agent recruitment events will be held on the day of the conference, offering exclusive opportunities for attendees. Stay tuned for exciting announcements and friendly reminders from our event community as WOWEX paves the way for the future of digital finance and actively expands its market presence. About WOWEX WOWEX is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives exchange dedicated to providing traders with a seamless trading experience through its ultra-fast matching engine and top-tier customer service. Established in 2023 and headquartered in Singapore, WOWEX boasts a team of industry veterans from renowned internet and investment institutions. Committed to technological innovation, WOWEX aims to empower users with cutting-edge solutions and redefine the standards of cryptocurrency trading. Social Links X: https://twitter.com/WOWEX_Trading TG: https://t.me/+9XJmKt81zHM0NjQ1 Media Contact Brand: WOWEX Contact: Media team Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.wowex.cc SOURCE: WOWEX Source: WOWEX Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Amid growing discussions on the future of education in the digital age, Blyth Academy, a distinguished network of private schools across Ontario and a leader in online learning in Canada, proudly announces a special visit from Clara Hawking, Globeducate's Head of Artificial Intelligence. From April 2 until April 5, Hawking will share her groundbreaking work in AI education, emphasizing its crucial role in schools and offering strategies for its safe and impactful integration. Clara Hawking Lecturing on Artificial Intelligence To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10426/203377_clara_hawking_closeup_talking_with_students_jpg.jpg This visit comes at a pivotal moment. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their implications for learning, Hawking, with her extensive background in AI and education, advocates for the proactive teaching of AI in schools. "AI is transforming the landscape of education, presenting unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning and access to knowledge," Hawking explains. "However, it's imperative that we address the digital divide by making AI education accessible to all students, ensuring that technological advancements benefit everyone equally." During her time at Blyth Academy, Hawking will lead workshops and discussions focused on practical AI applications in the classroom, strategies for promoting digital literacy, and the importance of ethical considerations in technology use. These engagements aim to inspire teachers and students to explore AI's potential responsibly. Clara Hawking Lectures Middle School Students on Artificial Intelligence To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10426/203377_clara_hawking_ips_cascais_talking_with_students_jpg.jpg Highlighting the significance of AI literacy, Hawking shared insights from her interview with First News, emphasizing the transformative role of AI in education and society. "The future is AI-driven, and understanding AI is not just about technology; it's about preparing our students for a world where AI is a fundamental part of life and work," she stated. A Tip for Parents: Introducing AI to Children In line with Blyth Academy's commitment to supporting families in digital education, Hawking offers a simple yet effective tip for parents looking to introduce AI to their children: Encourage curiosity and critical thinking by integrating voice-activated assistants, like Alexa, into learning activities at home. For instance, children can practice language skills or seek explanations for math problems, fostering a constructive relationship with technology that emphasizes learning over mere answer-seeking. Kathy Young, Chief Academic Officer at Blyth Academy, underscores the importance of this event: "Clara Hawking's visit marks a significant step forward in our mission to equip our students for the future. By integrating AI education into our curriculum, we are not only enhancing learning experiences but also preparing our students to navigate the challenges and opportunities of a digital world." About Blyth Academy Blyth Academy is a leading network of private schools offering personalized and experiential in-person learning to students across Ontario, including national online programs. Committed to innovation and excellence in education, Blyth Academy prepares students for the complexities of the modern world, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy. https://www.instagram.com/blyth.academy https://www.linkedin.com/school/blyth-education https://mobile.twitter.com/BlythEducation https://www.facebook.com/BlythEducation https://www.blytheducation.com/ Contact Information: Marc Gauvin Director of Marketing - Blyth Academy [email protected] 506-238-4638 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203377 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a British Columbia copper-gold explorer, announces Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("Expert") has commenced an airborne MobileMT" survey at its 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle copper-gold projects in the South Hogem Copper-Gold Belt. Highlights MagnetoTelluric (MT) survey method capable of detecting basement electromagnetic (EM) conductors and anomalous resistivity zones which are indicative of potential copper-gold porphyry systems. Planned surveying totals 164 line-kilometres to provide coverage of primary target area (historical assays at Trident which include DDH-1971-13: 70.07m @ 0.69% Cu, DDH 2007-2: 100.00m @ 0.59% Cu and 0.18 g/t Au including 2.00m @ 2.73% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au). The MT survey will also cover an additional target located on PEMC's 100% owned Pinnacle Property situated directly west and adjacent to the Trident. Utilization of this modern geophysical dataset will facilitate the identification and prioritization of target areas for drilling currently anticipated during the Summer/Fall 2024 exploration season. Brad Peters, President, CEO & Director, commented: "We are excited to begin the survey and are looking forward to being able to see to depths of over one kilometre beneath the surface at our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects, west of Centerra Gold's operating Mount Milligan copper-gold mine. The objective is to identify potential "plumbing systems" because if you are looking for large copper deposits you need a large plumbing system to deliver the necessary fluids and metals. Our goal is simple, discover the next gold-enriched copper porphyry deposit within this district. Once results are received and analyzed for this MT survey, we currently anticipate drilling these targets during the Summer/Fall 2024 field season. Trident for the very first time is 100% owned by a public company with an updated porphyry geological model established by our skilled technical team." Planned Survey The purpose of the survey is to identify conductivity/resistivity anomalies that may represent conduits for hydrothermal fluids critical in the formation of porphyry copper-gold deposits. These conduits have the potential to represent critical plumbing systems responsible for the formation of copper porphyry deposits. The gathering of both resistivity and conductivity imaging of the surface to a depth of 1 km through deploying an airborne MobileMT (Mobile MagnetoTellurics) system will provide key information pertaining to source fluid conduits and structures. This important step will provide valuable insights and aid to further both known and unknown exploration targets destined for follow up diamond drilling programs. In addition, complimentary VLF (Very Low Frequency) data will be collected and interpreted to provide valuable near surface EM (Electromagnetic) information. The survey design plan is to conduct approximately 164 line-km's using a 200 m line spacing grid. The survey will be performed with an Astar 350 B2 helicopter provided by Heli Source Ltd. Expert Geophysics Ltd. ("EGL") will provide all necessary instrumentation for installation on the helicopter, as well as base stations and field workstations (data processing system) to be used for quality control and processing management during the collection of the airborne data in the field. The final data processing, colour imaging and mapping will be performed at EGL's offices in Toronto, Canada. The final results and resulting products are expected to be available to the PEMC exploration team over the coming weeks following completion of the survey. About Mobile MagnetoTelluric Surveys The latest development in the airborne MobileMT system, provides a depth of investigation from the near-surface to over 1 km and detects resistivity variations across a wide range, encompassing conductive targets and structures as well as highly resistive ones. Porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems develop in conditions of active subduction and they are characterized by a wide variety of structural, lithological, and alteration patterns, which, at least partially, can be depicted in geoelectrical images. The following two examples demonstrate the effectiveness of resistivity mapping and sounding using the MobileMT system. Both examples from MobileMT surveys are presented over areas with known porphyry and epithermal mineralization systems and mineralization-controlling structures. The recovered resistivity-depth images are compared with actual geology or conceptual geological models of the mineralization systems, which illustrate the system's capabilities in imaging the mineralization systems and their diverse geometries and wide resistivity range. Poplar Cu-Mo porphyry Deposit (BC, Canada) Figure 1 - Example of calc-alkaline porphyry deposit from British Columbia characterized by elevated conductivity flanked by elevated resistivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_002full.jpg Jaisan & Ungurli Cu-Mo-Ag porphyry Deposit (Kazakhstan) Figure 2 - Example of porphyry-epithermal environment with Jaisan & Ungurli Deposits Kazakhstan characterized by elevated resistivity flanked by elevated conductivity. (Mineral Deposit Research Unit, UBC, 2023) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_003full.jpg About Trident The Trident property is an exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper Corp.'s Kwanika Deposit and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access for exploration programs. Copper mineralization on the property was first discovered in 1969, while exploration crews were following up on anomalous stream sediment samples. The following year, Falconbridge optioned the property and over the next two years completed IP and magnetic surveys, geological mapping, soil sampling and diamond drilling. This work led to the discovery of the A Zone. Additional exploration programs were completed by Kookaburra Gold Corp. from 1988 through 1991, Solomon Resources Ltd., from 2006 through 2008. In 2013, PEMC optioned the property and in 2014, in turn, PEMC optioned the property to Oz Minerals which completed that same year an IP survey and completed a two drillhole, diamond drill program at Trident. In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire. Prior to 2014, known mineralization on the property was believed to be associated with fracture and/or shear zones structures striking 120 degrees and dipping 75 degrees towards the northeast. A review of historical drill core by the Pacific Empire exploration team has led to a much different interpretation with respect to the nature of known mineralization on the property. The most important observation was the determination of the presence of hornblende-feldspar monzonite porphyry intrusions detected within drill core obtained from the A Zone. These types of porphyry intrusions are typically characterized by sheeted quartz sulphide veins and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite residing immediately adjacent to and within the porphyry dikes. Other observations include; The highest grades noted in historical drilling can be seen to be directly associated with intervals where such porphyry intrusions occur. Figure 3 - Regional Land Position and Significant Companies To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_004full.jpg Figure 4 - Location of planned MagnetoTelluric Survey To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_005full.jpg Figure 5 - Soth Hogem Copper-Gold Belt To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_006full.jpg "Between our 100% owned Trident and Pinnacle projects runs the Klawli river. The gold flakes and nuggets in the vial displayed on the map were collected from that location on the Klawli river. It is this and other geochemical evidence gathered by the PEMC exploration team which leads us to postulate the potential for a gold-enriched copper system nearby on either Trident, Pinnacle, or possibly both projects. To date, visible gold has been observed in outcrop at Trident, placer gold discovered in the nearby Klawli river gravels, and as well gold detected in drill core from Pinnacle. All three of these known occurrences of gold and their respective locations suggests there may be a shallow buried, large scale, gold-enriched, copper porphyry deposit within our district scale land package," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Table 1 - Highlights from Historical Drilling at Trident To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/203488_ae69d5f614cec8a7_007full.jpg About Pinnacle The Pinnacle project is located 60 km to the west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km to the southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a major development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and bedrock exposure. "Over the past 2 years significant logging operations have developed an extensive road network that now covers the entirety of the southern half of the property providing new outcrop exposure and efficient access. The 2023 forest fires dramatically affected the property resulting in significantly improved access to the property," commented Brad Peters, President, CEO and Director of Pacific Empire. Qualified Person Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein. About Pacific Empire Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares. British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, "Brad Peters" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Tel: +1-604-356-6246 [email protected] www.pemcorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203488 Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Comprehensive cost-cutting service Recession Resister announces expense management solutions for contractors designed to optimize energy use. This new service blends cost-efficiency strategies with an energy reduction program to bring monthly costs down by close to 30 percent. Contractors working in todays competitive markets can implement Recession Resisters expense management solutions to reduce their monthly spend without interrupting operations or cutting staff. More information is available at https://recessionresister.com Energy costs can account for 15 percent of a business's overheads. Researching a deregulated market to find the most cost-efficient providers, however, is time-consuming and inefficient. Recession Resister streamlines this process with their energy provider auto switching service which partners companies with the most cost-efficient supplier. Included in their services is an energy bill audit that uncovers errors and erroneous fees, which the company then corrects and has refunded. Their energy reduction strategies can reduce consumption for additional monthly savings. Recession Resister is a trusted and affordable way to instantly lower your monthly expenses, says a spokesperson for the service. On average, 80 percent of companies are overcharged for utilities. We're here to correct that. In filling this need in the market, Recession Resister implements a three-pronged cost-cutting approach. First, the company conducts an audit on gas, electric, telecommunications, water/sewer, and trash/refuse management services to find billing overages, outdated fees, and demand errors. They eliminate these mistakes for future billing and have clients compensated. Next, the company examines contracts with third-party energy suppliers to ensure rates and packages are not higher than the market default rate. If theres a discrepancy, Recession Resister can partner contractors with the utility provider offering the best service plan. Finally, Recession Resister introduces contractors to a range of energy reduction technologies. This includes IntelliHVAC, which reduces HVAC compressor cycles, reduces CO2 emissions, and can save companies between 10 - 30 percent on their energy costs. Companies using cooling and freezing equipment have a range of energy reduction strategies to choose from, each of which reduces harmful emissions and some of which can save from 10 to a staggering 80 percent on energy costs, depending on the need. Contractors who partner with Recession Resister are not charged an upfront fee but instead pay 50 percent of the resulting savings. Learn more at https://recessionresister.com Contact Info: Name: Brian Richards Email: Send Email Organization: Recession Resister Address: 11923 NE Sumner St STE 687470, Portland, Oregon 97220, United States Website: https://recessionresister.com Release ID: 89125325 If there are any errors, inconsistencies, or queries arising from the content contained within this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our reliable team will be available to promptly respond within 8 hours, taking proactive measures to rectify any identified issues or providing guidance on the removal process. Ensuring accurate and dependable information is our top priority. MONTREAL , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) will hold its first-quarter 2024 results conference call with the financial community on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:00 am eastern. Participants will include Mirko Bibic , President and Chief Executive Officer, and Curtis Millen , Chief Financial Officer. Media are welcome to participate on a listen-only basis. To participate, please dial toll-free 1-844-933-2401 or 647-724-5455. A replay will be available until midnight on June 1, 2024 by dialing 1-877-454-9859 or 647-483-1416 and entering passcode 3828464#. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on BCE's website at BCE Q1-2024 conference call. About BCE BCE is Canada 's largest communications company,1 providing advanced Bell broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communications services. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. _______________________ 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections Media inquiries: Ellen Murphy [email protected] Investor inquiries: Thane Fotopoulos 514-870-4619 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bce-q1-2024-results-to-be-announced-may-2-302102194.html SOURCE BCE Inc. HAIKOU, China , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Hainan International Media Center (HIMC): Reporters attending the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 were impressed by the Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone when visiting the computer room of the BFA Hotel on Mar. 25 . According to Lu Di of the China Academy of Building Research, around 30% of Dongyu Island's carbon emissions happen in this room. The 20+ year old high energy use air conditioning system has been replaced, and other energy saving modifications were also performed. Located on Dongyu Island in Bo'ao in China's southern province of Hainan , the 1.92 km2-large Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone is an island of green. The rooftop photovoltaics, 'green' curtain walls, and flower-shaped wind turbines create green solar and wind energy, providing a stable power source. Air-powered heat pumps and a heat storage system have also replaced the previous gas-powered hot water boilers in public buildings. Electric stoves that reduce carbon emissions and improve safety have replaced gas-powered ones, and now it takes only 8 seconds to boil a bowlful of water. Nikolay Selishchev of Russian Tass News Agency, who has attended the BFA for seven years running, said that this was his first time to get a glimpse behind the curtain of Dongyu Island's 'green life', which is fueled by a variety of advanced technologies. Huang Baoyi, Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group reporter, was interested in the photovoltaic panels widely distributed across the demonstration zone and curious about whether the roof could bear their weight. According to Hu Yaowen , president of the Hainan Branch of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design Institute, these photovoltaic panels can withstand Category 12 (Chinese scale) typhoons. Different types of tiles were used to meet the needs of different buildings. The photovoltaics on the BFA International Conference Center respect the original architectural style and conform to the shape of the roof, while those on the Press Center are anchored to the building's structure to reduce the weight load. As Hong Kong's hot, humid climate is similar to Boao, Huang Baoyi was eager to discover what lessons Hong Kong could learn here. Hu Yaowen added that the Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone highlights green carbon reduction renovation in an urban setting. With 70% of China's carbon emissions coming from urban areas, this achievement is of great significance in achieving China's 'dual carbon' goals. According to Li Baodong, Secretary-General of the BFA, the launch of the Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone is a huge achievement that impressed Forum attendees. China's recent green development achievements show the country's strong capabilities, setting an example for the international community. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boao-near-zero-carbon-zone-showcases-chinas-green-development-302102673.html SOURCE Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) SEONGNAM, South Korea and ATLANTA , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Biotherapeutics (KQ288330), a South Korean clinical-stage biotech company developing novel drugs for cancer, fibrosis, and inflammation, announced a research collaboration with Dr. Jessica M. Konen's Lab at Emory University School of Medicine. The collaboration will explore the potential therapeutic benefits of combination therapy of BBT-877, a novel autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients harboring KRAS and P53 (KP) mutations who are resistant to anti-PD-1 blockade. As a member of the cancer immunology research program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Dr. Konen's research has shown that autotaxin has a direct impact on the body's immune response to tumors. Specifically, higher levels of ATX expression are associated with a decrease in the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells and an increase in inflammatory gene signatures, including those related to the cytolytic activity of CD8 T cells. Furthermore, an activated tumor-immune microenvironment upregulates ATX and thus provides opportunities for acquired resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment.[i] From their in vitro studies, the company and the laboratory found that BBT-877 induces CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and activation markers, with a robust increase in CD8 T cells that express Granzyme B. The ongoing research collaboration is dedicated to investigating the potential benefits of combining BBT-877 with anti-PD-1 therapy as a treatment approach. "We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Konen's team at Emory University School of Medicine to explore the potential of BBT-877 in overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in NSCLC patients with KRAS and P53 mutations as a combination therapy with immuno-oncology agents," said James Lee , CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics. "We believe that Dr. Konen's research on the role of autotaxin in immunosuppression has the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes for those patients who are resistant to anti-PD-1 therapy." "This collaboration presents a promising opportunity to translate our scientific understanding of autotaxin's role in immunotherapy resistance into a novel therapeutic approach for KRAS/P53 mutant NSCLC patients," said Dr. Jessica Konen , Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Instructor at Emory University School of Medicine. "We are pleased to work with Bridge Biotherapeutics to explore indication expansion into NSCLC through a combination of BBT-877 with anti-PD-1 agent and potentially offer new hope to those patients." Under the terms of the collaboration, Bridge Biotherapeutics will provide financial support and access to BBT-877, while Dr. Jessica Konen's Lab will contribute its expertise in immunology and oncology. Together, the two entities will conduct preclinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of BBT-877 in enhancing anti-tumor immunity. About Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc., based in the Republic of Korea and the U.S. , is a publicly traded, clinical-stage biotech company founded in 2015. Bridge Biotherapeutics is engaged in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics, focusing on therapeutic areas with high unmet needs, including fibrotic diseases and cancers. The company is developing BBT-877, a novel autotaxin inhibitor for the treatment of fibrotic diseases including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and BBT-207, a potent targeted cancer therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR C797S mutations. Learn more at https://www.bridgebiorx.com/en/. About Autotaxin Autotaxin (ATX), a protein of approximately 900 amino acids discovered in the early 1990s, is an important enzyme for generating the lipid-signaling molecule, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Autotaxin's lysophospholipase D activity converts lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) into LPA, which engages in signaling via LPA receptors. LPA signaling results in cell proliferation, migration, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, and reduction of cell apoptosis. Ultimately, autotaxin has a pathogenic role in processes of inflammation and fibrosis, making it an attractive drug target. [i] Konen, Jessica M et al. "Autotaxin suppresses cytotoxic T cells via LPAR5 to promote anti-PD-1 resistance in non-small cell lung cancer." The Journal of clinical investigation vol. 133,17 e163128. 1 Sep. 2023 , doi:10.1172/JCI163128 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridge-biotherapeutics-launches-a-research-collaboration-with-emory-university-school-of-medicine-to-explore-combination-therapy-of-bbt-877-for-krasp53-mutant-nsclc-patients-resistant-to-anti-pd-1-blockade-302098969.html SOURCE Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc. Groundbreaking end-to-end offering enables addressable media experiences, AI-powered intelligent media allocations and optimizations that drive more cost-effective outcomes, all in a single integrated platform for dentsu's media clients across Carat, dentsu X and iProspect NEW YORK , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dentsu announced today the official launch of Merkury for Media, the network's latest offering within its unrivaled global data, identity, and insights platform, Merkury. The new product is the only one live in-market today where every dollar of media is placed using first-party people data optimized to business outcomes as the root of all linear and digital media planning and buying. Dentsu's global Merkury product suite will continue to expand in scope and scale in new markets across enterprise, media and creative capabilities in the coming months. "As the industry looks for scalable solutions to cookie deprecation and cost-efficient media addressability, we could not be more excited to bring this solution to market. With Merkury for Media we can make media dollars work harder in unrivaled fashion through data-driven, customer-centric experiences, intelligent media allocations and optimizations that drive higher business value and media performance for our clients," said Sean Reardon , CEO, Americas Media Practice, dentsu. Merkury for Media is powered within Dentsu Connect, dentsu's proprietary operating system consolidating network-wide products, where practitioners can seamlessly facilitate evolved audience creation and connect data to elevate insights, planning, targeting, and measurement to deliver personal and frictionless experiences across channels. Audience Builder: Enhance 1st party advertiser data with the best, most complete audience IDs. The Merkury Audience Builder interface provides the seamless integration of client first-party data, in a connected, brand-safe environment, anonymized Merkury IDs of 268MM adults inclusive of 144MM households. Merkury IDs can be enriched with 10k+ proprietary and marketplace consumer data attributes including customized survey-based behavior and motivation data. Merkury Audience Builder has hundreds of open identity integrations with ad-tech and publisher partners like Amazon, Google , LiveRamp, LG, Meta, and NBCU to create the most comprehensive, flexible media targeting opportunities. For clients increasingly using CDPs and cloud data platforms for audience management and total experience, Merkury also offers enterprise identity features like direct integration of identity and consumer data with Adobe, Salesforce, Braze, AWS and more for unparalleled interoperability. Media Planner: Addressable planning for both Reach and ROI. The Merkury Media Planner allows teams to simultaneously achieve brand and demand objectives through fluid full-funnel mix optimizations grounded in a client's first-party Audience Builder segments. Customize spend against KPIs, including reach and attention, to drive optimizations across channels. Teams can use both Media Mix Modeling (MMM) and scenario planning to gauge the right frequency and mix to drive both media and bottom-line business results. The Merkury Media Planner allows teams to simultaneously achieve brand and demand objectives through fluid full-funnel mix optimizations grounded in a client's first-party Audience Builder segments. Customize spend against KPIs, including reach and attention, to drive optimizations across channels. Teams can use both Media Mix Modeling (MMM) and scenario planning to gauge the right frequency and mix to drive both media and bottom-line business results. Merkury Activate: Cookieless digital media activation with the highest fidelity audiences at scale. With dentsu's new custom-built, tightly integrated programmatic activation platform, clients can now own their bidding strategies across direct premium inventory with full transparency and control. Based on premier plans built within Merkury Planner, Merkury Activate reaches a client's first-party-based audience segments at scale without cookies. CTV inventory can be negotiated directly with publishers and delivered via Programmatic Guaranteed or Private Marketplace deals with Merkury ID integrated supply side platforms, starting with Freewheel. Activate is designed to minimize media supply chain inefficiencies and maximize first-party audience enablement by building server-to-server direct supply audience integrations, surfacing hidden costs, enabling buyer controls, and exposing log-level delivery data. This unprecedented level of granular transparency empowers advertisers with the control to mitigate supply chain risk exposure, including ad fraud and Made for Advertising (MFA) websites. With dentsu's new custom-built, tightly integrated programmatic activation platform, clients can now own their bidding strategies across direct premium inventory with full transparency and control. Based on premier plans built within Merkury Planner, Merkury Activate reaches a client's first-party-based audience segments at scale without cookies. CTV inventory can be negotiated directly with publishers and delivered via Programmatic Guaranteed or deals with Merkury ID integrated supply side platforms, starting with Freewheel. Activate is designed to minimize media supply chain inefficiencies and maximize first-party audience enablement by building server-to-server direct supply audience integrations, surfacing hidden costs, enabling buyer controls, and exposing log-level delivery data. This unprecedented level of granular transparency empowers advertisers with the control to mitigate supply chain risk exposure, including ad and Made for Advertising (MFA) websites. Measurement + Optimization: Privacy-Safe end-to-end media management. Dentsu's Merkury Clean Room provides teams and partners a privacy-safe data and analytics environment that unifies first-party data with partner second-party and select third-party data sources at an anonymized person ID level. Clients can more easily and securely collaborate and analyze collective datasets without sharing or copying one another's underlying data. With this launch, dentsu also becomes the first agency holding company to utilize a combination of FreeWheel's Beeswax platform and custom bidding tools and identity matching technologies to access its direct connections to premium ad inventory. "Dentsu and FreeWheel are both leaders in the area of data-driven, addressable audience buying and planning, and we're extremely proud to partner with them on this latest innovation," said Mark McKee , General Manager, FreeWheel. "The use of first-party data is becoming increasingly important for advertisers as identity solutions of the past begin to unravel. The work that dentsu has done to create their own custom algorithm to build audiences pairs exceptionally well with FreeWheel's solutions to create the most direct connections with premium publishers. We look forward to seeing its impact in the marketplace." Merkury for Media solves for challenges that modern marketers face with data fragmentation, allowing brands to truly own their data, resulting algorithm and end-to-end activation, unlocking new growth audiences based on customer segments with the highest growth potential. Ultimately, by integrating first-party customer data securely with Merkury sources, clients can personalize programmatic bidding and content algorithms resulting in a 25% average boost in ROI. "Merkury for Media's AI-based predictive engine will dynamically learn and react to create performance predictions that account for more internal client and outside environmental factors to plan for what will happen, not just based on what has happened in the past. This is a game-changer as we look for new intelligent ways to make our clients' data work harder for them," added Shirli Zelcer , Global Chief Data and Technology Officer, dentsu. An integral part of what makes dentsu's Merkury for Media stand apart are the 130+ open identity and data integrations, with more expected in the coming months. Most recently, dentsu inked new partner integrations in the CTV space with both Roku and Disney. The end-to-end integration with Roku allows dentsu's US clients to seamlessly plan, activate and measure against advanced audiences built in Merkury for Media across Roku's inventory, giving clients the potential to reach up to 80MM active accounts available through both Roku's Ad Platform and its Owned and Operated ecosystem. The integration with Disney's award-winning Clean Room and Audience Graph, similarly provides unparalleled access to Disney's vast inventory, enabling clients to reach highly-targeted audiences with incredible precision and efficiency. To learn more about Merkury visit: Merkury.dentsu.com About dentsu Dentsu is the network designed for what's next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, dentsu combines Japanese innovation with a diverse, global perspective to drive client growth and to shape society. https://www.dentsu.com/ https://www.group.dentsu.com/en/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dentsu-launches-merkury-for-media-next-evolution-of-entirely-people-informed-and-activated-media-302102885.html SOURCE dentsu Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi with Professor and Academician A.V. Torkunov and delegations (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Russia) Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Khoi congratulated the leaders, lecturers and students of MGIMO Academy on their achievements over the past 80 years; and thanked the institute for training hundreds of officials, especially diplomatic officials for Vietnam over the past half century, contributing to strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Professor, Academician A.V. Torkunov expressed his emotion at the feelings that Vietnamese alumni, including Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi, always have for the institute and affirmed that Vietnamese students are an important part of the development history of the institute. He said that MGIMO attaches importance to cooperation with Vietnam and wishes to expand relations with Vietnamese universities, including the exchange of lecturers and students. The institute is ready to continue to support Vietnam in training high-quality human resources in traditional training fields, as well as new fields of digital transformation management and supply chain. In addition, the two sides also agreed to coordinate to organize exchanges and friendship activities in the coming time such as Vietnam Day at MGIMO and Vietnamese Language Festival, contributing to promoting and introducing the country, people and culture and customs of Vietnam to local friends. On this occasion, Ambassador Khoi also introduced and presented to the institute the book Building and developing a comprehensive, modern Vietnamese foreign policy and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of Vietnamese bamboo by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The Ambassador expressed his confidence that the book will be a useful document for lecturers and students of the institute in the process of researching Vietnam and Vietnam's foreign policy./. SALT LAKE CITY , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis . Joining him will be Scott Stubbs , Executive Vice President and CFO. During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability. To Participate in the Conference Call: A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2a9f1400a8d044119e6707854d2128d9. The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Conference Call Playback: A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning May 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET , and will remain available for one year after the call. Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 . About Extra Space Storage Inc. Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City , is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023 , the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.4 million square feet of rentable storage space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States . For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/extra-space-storage-inc-announces-date-of-earnings-release-and-conference-call-to-discuss-1st-quarter-2024-results-302103191.html SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc. HOUSTON , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver Star Properties REIT, Inc. ("Silver Star" or the "Company") is a self-managed real estate investment trust that is currently repositioning in an orderly manner into the self-storage asset class. Hartman SPE, LLC (the "SPE"), an indirect subsidiary, which owns legacy office, retail, and industrial properties, and lenders Benefit Street Partners ("BSP") and RMWC ("RWMC") are pleased to announce that they together successfully closed a $135 million exit facility (the "Exit Facility") on March 27, 2024 , allowing SPE to go effective on its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization today, March 28, 2024 . BSP provided $120 million with RMWC providing $15 million of the Exit Facility. Following intensive negotiations, the Company, BSP and RMWC have solidified their commitment to working together through this Exit Facility to achieve shared objectives. The closing continues and solidifies the pivot strategy currently in progress for Silver Star. Gerald Haddock , Executive Chairman of the Executive Committee of Silver Star, stated, "We are pleased to have finalized this agreement. The Exit Facility represents a giant step forward for the Company, and we are thankful to BSP and RMWC for their help in this regard." On February 26, 2024 , the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming SPE's Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. The Exit Facility will fund the Chapter 11 Plan, which provides for payment in full to all unsecured creditors and tenants and the full reinstatement of all interests without impairment. The closing of the Exit Facility paves the way for the Company to complete their shift into to the self-storage sector where Silver Star expects to have approximately $370 million in available funds, assuming a loan-to-value ratio of 50%, for the Company's investment strategy. This move comes as part of the Company's commitment to adapt to evolving market dynamics, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and delivering 1031 tax savings from the sale of its assets to its shareholders. Haddock stated, "Only by pivoting away from a pure liquidation strategy toward self-storage investment will our shareholders be able to realize on the 1031 tax savings. Without this shift in strategy, the benefits of the tax savings will be lost to our investors." The Company will continue in its ongoing efforts to implement additional cost cutting initiatives and strategies for the benefit of all constituents. Silver Star's management has estimated the Company's net asset value ("NAV") as of December 31, 2023 to be $2.70 per common share and OP unit. The estimated NAV is subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2023 , the Company owned 33 commercial properties comprising approximately 4.6 million square feet located in San Antonio , Richardson and Houston, Texas ; including a 97.53% interest in an affiliate special purpose entity which owns office, retail and light industrial properties in Texas , plus two self-storage facilities located in Houston, Texas and one retail pad site development. In determining the estimated NAV per common share and OP unit, management relied upon information contained in a valuation report (the "Valuation Report") prepared by LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors (the "Valuation Expert") engaged by management. To calculate the estimated NAV per share, management used a methodology pursuant to the provisions of Practice Guideline 2013-01, Valuations of Publicly Registered Non-Listed REITs, issued by the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives in April 2013 . The Valuation Expert did not determine the NAV of the Company's common shares. The estimated NAV per share/OP unit is based on (x) the estimated value of the Company's assets less the estimated value of the Company's liabilities divided by (y) the number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, and OP units all as of December 31, 2023 , after giving effect to common shares issued in connection with the redemption of rights under the Company's Rights Plan. The estimated NAV per share/OP unit is based upon 36,625,710 shares of the Company's common stock and OP units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and adjusting for the Flip-In Event effective January 13, 2024 resulting in issuance of approximately 31,315,910 shares of common stock. Although the estimated NAV has been developed as a measure of value as of a specific time, December 31, 2023 , the estimated NAV does not reflect a liquidity discount for the fact that the shares are not currently traded on a national securities exchange or the limited nature in which a shareholder may redeem shares under the Company's share redemption program (if at all), a discount for the non-assumability or prepayment obligations associated with certain of the Company's debt, or a discount for the Company's corporate level overhead. Contact: Investor and Media Relations [email protected] 1-877-734-8876 Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties, and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on any such statements. Several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this material. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which such statements were made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements that may become untrue because of subsequent events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor protection for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hartman-spe-and-benefit-street-partners-close-on-exit-facility-allowing-hartman-spe-to-go-effective-on-chapter-11-plan-302102207.html SOURCE Silver Star Properties REIT, Inc. STOCKHOLM , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik will publish its first quarter results on Monday, April 22, 2024 , at approximately 11:30 AM CEST. A combined webcast and conference call for investors, analysts and financial media will be held at 1:00 PM CEST . The report will be presented by Stefan Widing , President and CEO as well as by Cecilia Felton , CFO. The presentation will be broadcasted live on our website home.sandvik Dial-in details for the conference call: SE: +46 (0) 8 505 100 31 UK : +44 (0) 207 107 06 13 US: +1 (1) 631 570 56 13 From about 12:30 PM CEST presentation slides will be available on our website home.sandvik Stockholm , March 28, 2024 Sandvik AB For further information, contact Louise Tjeder , VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 707 826 374 or Johannes Hellstrom , Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 707 211 008. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/invitation--presentation-of-sandvik-s-report-of-the-first-quarter-2024,c3953575 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/3953575/2700853.pdf Invitation Presentation of Sandvikas report of the first quarter 2024 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invitation-presentation-of-sandviks-report-of-the-first-quarter-2024-302102389.html SOURCE Sandvik Workers Join Growing Ranks of Political Aides Among Union's Rank-and-File LANSING, Mich., March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aides for elected officials in the Michigan House of Representatives are launching an organizing drive to join Teamsters Local 243. It is the first phase of a coordinated campaign that will play out over the course of the next several weeks. "These staffers want what all workers deserve: a living wage, job security, fair treatment, and respect for the work they do on behalf of elected officials and Michiganders," said Scott Quenneville , Local 243 President. "Local 243 is 100 percent committed to doing everything in our power to win this campaign and negotiate a historic first contract that will help build a better and more secure future for these dedicated public servants." The aides first contacted the Teamsters in late January, after which they met with Local 243 leadership to begin the process of building a staff union at the state capitol. Response to the organizing drive has been overwhelmingly positive, with union authorization cards currently circulating among Democratic and Republican staffers in both chambers. "All eyes are watching this important and historic campaign," Quenneville said. "Just like Teamsters who won historic agreements at UPS, Anheuser Busch, and many other companies within the past year along with our newly-organized Michigan AFL-CIO staff, who are currently negotiating their first contract Michigan House staffers deserve a union contract that will provide them with a better quality of life and a voice on the job. We are fully committed to making that happen." Once the desired number of authorization cards is collected, House aides will petition the Michigan Employment Relations Commission for a union-recognition vote. Local 243 will provide updates as the campaign unfolds. Teamsters Local 243 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Michigan . For more information, visit http://www.teamsters243.org/. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (617) 894-0669 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michigan-house-staff-announces-organizing-drive-with-teamsters-local-243-302103152.html SOURCE Teamsters Local 243 Sherr Law Group Represented the Fire Company PHILADELPHIA , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherr Law Group, representing Lincoln Fire Company, is pleased to announce a significant legal victory following the reversal of a lower court decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. Stefanie Sherr and Anthony Sherr successfully navigated the legal proceedings, ensuring that Lincoln Fire Company retains control over its assets, in line with the wishes of its members. The case arose from Whitemarsh Township's decision to remove Lincoln Fire Company, one of the three volunteer fire companies serving the township. In response, Lincoln Fire Company's members voted to distribute 75% of its assets to the Montgomery County Fire Academy and the remaining assets to North Penn Goodwill Services during dissolution proceedings. However, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office contested these designations, leading to a legal dispute in the Montgomery County Orphans Court. Judge Lois E. Murphy ruled in favor of applying the doctrine of cy pres, designating Spring Mill and Barren Hill as beneficiaries of Lincoln Fire Company's assets. This decision has now been overturned by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. In its ruling, the Commonwealth Court emphasized the importance of honoring the autonomy of Lincoln Fire Company and respecting the intentions of its members. The court acknowledged Lincoln Fire Company's intent to identify suitable beneficiaries and manage its affairs independently, rendering the application of cy pres unnecessary. The case has been remanded back to the Montgomery County Orphans Court, allowing Lincoln Fire Company, with the continued representation of Sherr Law Group, the opportunity to designate other beneficiaries. Stefanie Sherr , Partner at Sherr Law Group, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased with the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court's recognition of Lincoln Fire Company's autonomy and the rights of its members. This outcome ensures that Lincoln Fire Company can continue its charitable endeavors and serve its community effectively." Sherr Law Group boasts decades of experience representing clients in Pennsylvania's courts in areas such as municipal and employment law, insurance defense, and products liability. Since 1957, they have earned the confidence of clients as a trusted partner in law and litigation. Case Reference: In re: Lincoln Fire Company, Non-Profit Corporation, Appeal of Lincoln Fire Company, No. 479 C.D. 2022 (Pa. Cmwlth. Ct. 1/16/2024) Contact: Anthony Sherr , Managing Partner Sherr Law Group Phone: 484-591-3001 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-commonwealth-court-reverses-decision-in-favor-of-lincoln-fire-company-302102911.html SOURCE Sherr Law Group VANCOUVER, BC , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ) (NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or "the Company") will hold the Company's 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders ("AGM") on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10:00 am Pacific Time at the office of the Company, Suite 1150, 609 Granville Street , Vancouver, British Columbia . All current directors will stand for re-election at the AGM. Other items of business include the approval of unallocated entitlements under the Company's 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. Pursuant to Toronto Stock Exchange rules, all unallocated options, rights and entitlements require shareholder approval every three years following institution of the plan. The Company is also asking shareholders to approve the adoption of a new 2024 Non-Employee Directors Fixed Deferred Share Unit Plan ("Fixed DSU Plan"). Prior to 2022, the directors were only allowed to elect to take up to 50% of their annual retainers in deferred share units ("DSUs") and the remainder of their fees was paid out in cash. Since 2022, due to cash preservation efforts, the Company's non-executive directors have been taking 100% of their directors' fees in DSUs, for which they will receive common shares of the Company upon their retirement from the Board of Directors. This effort has saved cash outflows for the Company but, as a result, more DSUs have been issued. The Company's existing DSU Plan has a limited number of units available for future grants to directors and, to continue with cash-saving efforts, the Company proposed to set aside 1,200,000 common shares for grants to non-executive directors in a new Fixed DSU Plan. To reduce further dilution for the shareholders of the Company, the Board of Directors has approved the termination of the Ambler Metals Equity Plan, which has 1,181,519 common shares available for future grants, upon shareholder approval of the new Fixed DSU Plan. The Company's largest shareholder Electrum Strategic Opportunities Fund L.P. is in favor of the proposal. Shareholders as of the record date of March 27, 2024 will be eligible to vote at the AGM. The Company's 2024 Management Information Circular (also called a proxy statement), which contains information about all director nominees and other items of business was filed today and is now available to the public. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the AGM. No presentations or updates on the Company's activities will be provided at the AGM. The Company's most recent investor presentation can be found on our website at www.trilogymetals.com. Any investor who would like further information on the items of business at the AGM or the Company's activities is welcome to contact us directly. Proxy Statement Filed with Regulators Additional information about the AGM can be found in the Company's 2024 Management Information Circular (or proxy statement), which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The 2024 Management Information Circular is available on the Company's website at https://trilogymetals.com/investors/proxy-circular and on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers are participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with the AGM. The Company has filed its 2024 Management Information Circular with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities in connection with any such solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ SUCH PROXY STATEMENT AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC AND CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Ambler Access Project On March 18, 2024 the United States Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") filed its 11th status report with the Courts stating that it posted the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("SEIS") on its ePlanning website on October 13, 2023 and published notice of availability of the Draft SEIS in the Federal Register on October 20, 2023 . The public comment period ended on December 22, 2023 . The BLM conducted several public meetings concerning the Draft SEIS, and conducted associated ANILCA Section 810 hearings on subsistence use in communities affected by the project. The BLM had previously reported that it anticipated publishing a Final SEIS in the first quarter of calendar year 2024, but now anticipates publishing a Final SEIS in the second quarter of calendar year 2024. The BLM continues to anticipate publishing a Record of Decision within the second quarter of calendar year 2024. The Ambler Access Project ("AAP") is a proposed 211-mile, industrial-use-only road from the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP") to the Dalton Highway that will enable the advancement of exploration and development at the Ambler Mining District , home to some of the world's richest known copper-dominant polymetallic deposits. About Trilogy Metals Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development company holding a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC, which has a 100 percent interest in the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in northwestern Alaska . On December 19, 2019 , South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler Mining District the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within a land package that spans approximately 190,929 hectares. Ambler Metals has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration and potential development of the Ambler Mining District in cooperation with local communities. Trilogy's vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, the date and time of the AGM, items of business at the AGM, the Company's plans to provide further updates and the timing thereof, the anticipated timing of publishing the final SEIS and publishing of a Record of Decision, the benefits of the AAP, shareholder approval of the proposals brought forward at the AGM, Toronto Stock Exchange final approval of the Fixed DSU Plan and the Company's expectations and plans with regards to the development of the Ambler Mining District are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the uncertainties involving our assumptions with respect to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), whether the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority will build the APP, the results of the SEIS and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2023 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trilogy-metals-announces-date-of-annual-shareholders-meeting-and-provides-update-on-ambler-access-road-302101802.html SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc. CALGARY, AB , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion Energy Inc. ("Vermilion", "We", "Our", "Us" or the "Company") (TSX: VET) (NYSE: VET) will release its 2024 first quarter operating and condensed financial results on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 after the close of North American markets. The unaudited interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2024 will be available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, and on Vermilion's website at www.vermilionenergy.com. The Company is also pleased to announce that it has mailed and filed the Notice of Meeting and Management Information Circular to shareholders. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE VOTE TODAY Annual General Meeting and Webcast Details Vermilion will hold its Annual General Meeting on May 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm MT in the McMurray Room of the Calgary Petroleum Club, 319 5th Ave SW , Calgary, Alberta . Following the formal portion of the Meeting, a presentation will be given by Dion Hatcher , President & Chief Executive Officer of Vermilion. Shareholders who are not able to attend in person may access the meeting webcast at https://app.webinar.net/p9GbqrpWjlz. The live webcast link, webcast slides, and archive link will be available on Vermilion's website at https://www.vermilionenergy.com/invest-with-us/events-presentations. Please visit the Annual General Meeting page on our website under Invest with Us for complete details and links to all relevant documents ahead of the Meeting at https://www.vermilionenergy.com/annual-general-meeting. The Board of Directors of Vermilion recommends that Shareholders vote FOR ALL proposed items Vermilion encourages shareholders to read the meeting material, which have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website at www.vermilionenergy.com Questions and Voting Assistance If you have questions about the Meeting matters, the voting instructions or require assistance completing your proxy form, please contact our strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill , toll-free in North America at 1-877-452-7184, outside North America at 1-416-304-0211, or by email at [email protected]. About Vermilion Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and optimization of producing assets in North America , Europe and Australia . Our business model emphasizes free cash flow generation and returning capital to investors when economically warranted, augmented by value-adding acquisitions. Vermilion's operations are focused on the exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional and unconventional resource plays in North America and the exploration and development of conventional natural gas and oil opportunities in Europe and Australia . Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment, and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the protection of our natural surroundings. We have been recognized by leading ESG rating agencies for our transparency on and management of key environmental, social and governance issues. In addition, we emphasize strategic community investment in each of our operating areas. Vermilion trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VET. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vermilion-energy-inc-confirms-first-quarter-2024-release-date-and-filing-of-the-management-information-circular-in-connection-with-the-annual-general-meeting-of-shareholders-302102998.html SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc. MIAMI , March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zuniga Health LLC, an innovative health plan for small and medium-sized businesses recently launched Elevate, a new set of health plans that directly addresses the needs of Hispanic small businesses. Elevate will be offered in seven states with strong Hispanic employee representation: California , Nevada , Arizona , New Mexico , Colorado , Illinois , and Texas . Latinos start 82% of all new companies in the US, and open businesses at three times the rate of the national average, per Latino Community Foundation. Simultaneously, Hispanic employees are the least likely to seek medical care due to lack of insurance, cultural and language barriers, and cost of care. Zuniga Health is the only Hispanic-owned health plan in the US to address this issue. Zuniga Health seeks to elevate the Hispanic business community through its mission of increasing the number of Hispanic employees obtaining affordable and accessible health benefits. Insurance premiums across the US are rising in double-digit percentages. These accelerating costs are not just a threat to the small businesses' economic stability, but also hinder any growth potential. Zuniga Health's Elevate, a new set of unique health plans, are the solution to any small business struggling to offer health insurance, as they are designed to meet every employee's budget. Elevate health plans unique advantages: Elevate Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) and Minimum Value Plan (MVP), which eliminate ACA penalties A and B. Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) and Minimum Value Plan (MVP), which eliminate ACA penalties A and B. $0 deductible, free preventative care, and free preventative drugs. deductible, free preventative care, and free preventative drugs. Employees choose the amount of doctor and lab visits they would like for the year and pay accordingly. Elevate MVP options include hospitalization. MVP options include hospitalization. Elevate plans include $5 copay for non-preventative drugs, low urgent care copays. plans include copay for non-preventative drugs, low urgent care copays. Elevate uses a premier provider network with thousands of Spanish speaking providers. uses a premier provider network with thousands of Spanish speaking providers. Dental plan with no waiting period and large network of bilingual dentists. Unlimited telemedicine: while others charge after two free visits, Elevate offers unlimited telehealth and telepsychiatry. offers unlimited telehealth and telepsychiatry. Enrollment in English and Spanish. A recent study by UCLA showed that Latinos used telemedicine at a higher rate than white patients during the pandemic, but also faced more cultural challenges due to limited availability of Spanish resources. Elevate finally enables this often overlooked and underserved demographic to use their health benefits, as Zuniga Health's mobile app, its MedWatch call center, as well as its telehealth and telepsychiatry services are offered in English and Spanish. CONTACT: Sonja Reians , [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zuniga-healths-elevate-health-plans-fit-the-needs-for-hispanic-small-businesses-302102482.html SOURCE Zuniga Health FILE PHOTO: Test tubes are seen in front of a displayed Bristol Myers Squibb logo in this illustration taken, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo (Reuters) -Bristol Myers Squibb said on Thursday its experimental drug to treat Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, did not help patients achieve disease remission in a late-stage study. Crohn's is a chronic bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, and can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. It affects about 12.6 million people worldwide, according to the company. The drug, ozanimod, was added to the U.S. drugmaker's portfolio through its $74 billion buyout of Celgene in 2019. Ozanimod did not help patients achieve a state where they were no longer experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms after 12 weeks, compared to a placebo, the company said. Branded as Zeposia, ozanimod is approved in the U.S. to treat another chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults. It generated global sales of $434 million in 2023. Bristol Myers said it will evaluate the trial data and work with investigators to share the results with the scientific community. Last year, the U.S. health regulator approved AbbVie's Rinvoq for certain adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. (Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) 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 (Reuters) - Colombia ordered the expulsion of Argentine diplomats from their embassy in the Andean nation, Colombia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, citing "denigrating" comments by Argentine President Javier Milei about Colombian President Gustavo Petro. In a recent interview with news channel CNN, which has not yet been aired in full, Milei called Petro a "terrorist," "murderer" and "communist." "The Argentine president's comments have deteriorated the trust of our nation, in addition to offending the dignity of President Petro, who was democratically elected," the ministry said in a statement. In January, Colombia recalled its ambassador to Argentina after similar comments from Milei. Petro, Colombia's first leftist president, is a former member of the long-demobilized M-19 guerrilla movement. Libertarian Milei also took swipes at other regional leaders in clips of the interview, including Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sandra Maler) At the event (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden) The meeting was held in both online and direct forms, attended by more than 30 delegates from Swedish agencies, businesses, universities and localities. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden Tran Van Tuan emphasized the important role of overseas Vietnamese experts, scientists and postgraduates in national development, and called on those in Sweden to help Vietnamese representative agencies attract Swedish investors to Vietnam, especially in green transition, digital transformation, energy transition, and innovation. He also suggested the establishment of an association gathering Vietnamese experts and scientists in the European country, which received support from the participants. The participants expressed their willingness to work as a bridge between Swedish groups and enterprises and Vietnam in the field of science-technology. Some suggested the embassy help with connecting them and agencies and organizations at home to roll out charity programs in Vietnam. Ambassador Tuan thanked and highly appreciated the enthusiastic opinions of the delegates at the event. He promised to convey the thoughts, aspirations and cooperation and work plans of the experts, scientists, and postgraduates in the area to domestic authorities, contributing to promote science technology cooperation between Sweden and Vietnam./. France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal attends a "national tribute" ceremony for late French politician and admiral, Philippe de Gaulle, son of Charles de Gaulle, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France on March 20, 2024. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTER PARIS (Reuters) - France's government is looking to shorten the period people can claim unemployment benefits to strengthen incentives to work as it struggles to keep its deficit reduction plans on track. WHAT DOES THE REFORM SEEK TO DO? The government considers that previous efforts to rein in unemployment benefits did not go far enough and a new push is necessary to get more people back into jobs. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has suggested unemployment benefits could be limited to 12 months from up to 18 months or more currently and that people would have had to work longer to be eligible. He has put the onus on employers' federations and unions, who are deeply opposed, to come up with proposals in the coming months so that the changes can be passed into law in the autumn. A 2023 reform already allowed for benefit duration to vary depending on labour market conditions, the idea being that it should be shorter if jobs are readily available. The latest reform aims in particular to get more older workers into jobs as long-term unemployment tends to increase with age. WHY IS A NEW REFORM NEEDED? After decades of stubbornly high unemployment, President Emmanuel Macron has promised to cut joblessness to 5% by the end of his five-year term in 2027. While current 7.5% unemployment rate is close to a 40-year low, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who has been leading the calls for the reform, says that the rate will not go much lower without another push on benefits. The aim is also to lift France's employment rate which at 68.5% is lower than many other EU countries and significantly lags Germany at 77.4%. Le Maire frequently argues that bringing employment up to German levels would boost overall tax income and payroll contributions, helping to significantly reduce the public sector budget deficit. Ratings agencies and France's EU partners are watching closely as the government struggles to meet its deficit reduction targets after overshooting in 2023. HOW DO FRENCH UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS COMPARE? The government says French benefits are more generous than those in other countries. An unemployed worker 53 years old or less gets up to 18 months of benefits plus six months if jobs are scarce. The duration extends to 22.5 months plus 7.5 months for workers aged 53-54, and 27 months plus nine months for those over 55. Other European countries such as Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland also modulate the duration according to workers age. Some countries also take into account how long people have previously worked as well as whether they have dependents. The duration in France is roughly in line with other European countries like Italy, the Netherlands and Spain where it can reach up to 24 months, according to UNEDIC, the French unemployment insurance fund. With French jobless benefits covering 57% of previous earnings, they are similar to what is found in other European countries except that others set lower ceilings while the monthly maximum in France is 8,359 euros. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; editing by Philippa Fletcher) A Ford logo is seen at the New York International Auto Show Press Preview, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., March 27, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo MADRID (Reuters) - Ford is considering making a new sports-utility vehicle (SUV) at its plant in Valencia in Spain, the company said on Thursday. We are closely monitoring the evolution of the European markets for opportunities to enhance our current product offering," the group said. "Given the changes we see in the industry, we believe there is an opportunity to add an all-new multi-energy SUV to the Europe cycle plan, to be manufactured in Valencia." The group said this was still subject to a formal decision. Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias first reported that Ford was weighing production of a new passenger car at the Almussafes plant in Valencia. "Great news for Valencia, Spain and the workers of @FordSpain. The company's decision to produce electric vehicles guarantees the viability of the Almussafes plant for the coming years," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a message on X. The plant, which employs 4,800 people, only makes the Ford Kuga after other models were cut back in recent years. The General Workers Union (UGT) told Cinco Dias on Thursday: "Almussafes will have a new vehicle and will maintain a sufficient workload. Francisco Segura, of the Valencian Automotive and Mobility Group, which represents automotive companies, said in a statement on Thursday that Ford's possible plans for building a new car in Valencia were "positive news". (Reporting by Graham Keeley Christoph Steitz; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) CAIRO (Reuters) - Kuwait has handed its annual $2 million contribution to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported on Thursday. UNWRA said on Tuesday it had sufficient funds to run its operations until the end of May after many donors paused their funding over Israeli accusations that some staff took part in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which triggered war in Gaza. UNRWA provides aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli-occupied West Bank and across the wider region. (Reporting by Enas Alashray; editing by Mark Heinrich) ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's military will free more than 300 people suspected of being part of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency after a court ruled there was no evidence they committed any crimes, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday. In 2009 jihadist group Boko Haram launched an insurgency seeking to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state. The insurgency has killed tens of thousands and forced more than 2 million people to flee their homes, spawning one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The 313 people, who had been suspected of being members of Boko Haram, will be released after a ruling by a court in northeastern Borno state, the heartland of the insurgency, according to defence spokesperson Major General Edward Buba. "The court ordered their release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigations and other ancillary matters," Buba said during a media briefing in the capital Abuja. The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, part of the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the people will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action, he added. Buba would not say where the suspects were being held or how long they had been in custody. Nigeria has been running an amnesty programme for jihadists who willingly surrender. The fighters go through a rehabilitation before being reintegrated into society, which is creating tensions in some communities. Boko Haram grabbed headlines worldwide with its 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok, sparking a global campaign for their return dubbed #BringBackOurGirls. Next month is the tenth anniversary of the kidnapping and dozens of the girls have not been found. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; editing by Costas Pitas) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal shake hands during a group photo, as they meet for bilateral talks in Warsaw, Poland, March 28, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland and Ukraine are close to an agreement on agricultural imports, the Polish prime minister said on Thursday, after intergovernmental talks in Warsaw failed to resolve an issue that has triggered protests by farmers. While both Donald Tusk and Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal spoke warmly of their countries' cooperation, the elusiveness of a deal illustrates the difficulties of bridging the gap between Warsaw and Kyiv's positions on Ukrainian agricultural imports that have strained relations. Farmers in Poland have blocked motorways and border crossings with Ukraine and infuriated Kyiv by spilling loads of imported grain across train tracks, as they demand the re-imposition of customs duties on agricultural imports from Ukraine that were waived after Russia's invasion in 2022. They say Ukraine's farmers are flooding Europe with cheap imports that leave them unable to compete and that much of the grain that is supposed to transit through Poland ends up on the domestic market. Kyiv says that the protests are harming its economy and war effort against Russia's invasion. It also says only a small portion of the grain it exports transits through Poland. "We are close to a solution," Tusk told a press conference. "This applies to the amount of products that can flow into Poland, once we determine it, we are close to ensuring that transit does not disturb the Polish market." 'CONSTRUCTIVE' TALKS Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal said the talks were "extremely constructive" and intensive. "Today I can say that we definitely have progress regarding lifting of the (border) blockade." Poland has been eyeing a licensing deal for agricultural trade with Ukraine similar to one agreed with Kyiv by Romania and Bulgaria. "I am glad that today we have agreed that solutions that work well from the point of view of protecting the Romanian and Bulgarian markets will also be used in our relations," Tusk said. On Wednesday Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski said talks were ongoing about a system of licensing exports, but that there were differences over the range of products that would be covered. Ukrainian Farm Minister Mykola Solsky said the discussions with Poland were "complicated but frank". "It is important that we have already discussed solutions that will soon be announced. At the same time, the issue is difficult for all parties and requires additional time," he said in a statement. Ambassadors from European Union countries reached a revised deal on Wednesday to extend tariff-free food imports from Ukraine - with restrictions - after some states, including Poland, complained the original agreement risked destabilising the bloc's agricultural markets. An EU diplomat said the new deal - which would run until June 2025 - was similar to a provisional agreement struck last week but changed the reference period used to determine when tariffs on some products would be applied. (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz, Karol Badohal, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw; Additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Kyiv; editing by Philippa Fletcher and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal look on as they sign documents during a joint press conference in Warsaw, Poland, March 28, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland and Ukraine are closer to reaching an agreement regarding agricultural imports, the Polish prime minister said on Thurdsay after intergovernmental talks, as Warsaw seeks to defuse farmers' protests. "we are close to a solution," Donald Tusk told a news conference. "This applies to the amount of products that can flow into Poland, once we determine it, we are close to ensuring that transit does not disturb the Polish market." (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel Florkiewicz) (Reuters) -Russian forces attacked infrastructure sites early on Friday in Kamianske district near the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro and at least one person was injured, the regional governor said. "The enemy has attacked critical infrastucture sites in the region," governor Serhiy Lysak wrote on Telegram. "The enemy's main aim is our people and vital sites of the population." Lysak did not make clear what form the attack was taking, but commentators on Telegram indicated missiles had been used and explosions were reported in the area. Reuters could not verify independently reports from the area. One blogger from outside the city of Kamianske, a port city of more than 200,000 people with a hydropower station just upstream on the Dnipro River from the city of Dnipro, reported a crater 4 m (13 feet) deep and 10 m wide in the district. Other reports said there were cuts to power and water supplies in some districts. Russian forces have in recent weeks staged widespread strikes on energy infrastructure sites, including a mass attack on March 22 described by Kyiv as the largest such assault since Moscow's forces invaded in February 2022. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksander Kozhukhar; Editing by Jamie Freed) Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks during a meeting with Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2024. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/ File Photo (Reuters) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he had arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to advance Kyiv's vision of the path to peace in Ukraine and to strengthen ties with India. "Building on the dialogue between (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy) and (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi), we will pay specific attention to the peace formula," Kuleba wrote on social media platform X. Ukraine hopes to hold a summit of world leaders without Russian participation in the coming months to advance its blueprint for peace, a "formula" that calls among other things for the withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory. Russia has dismissed the Ukrainian diplomatic initiative as a non-starter. Modi held separate phone calls last week with Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of Kuleba's visit. India has traditionally had close economic and defence ties with Moscow and refrained from criticising Russia over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, instead increasing purchases of Russian oil to record levels. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alison Williams) FILE PHOTO: A central processing unit (CPU) semiconductor chip is displayed among flags of China and U.S., in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo By Karen Freifeld and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is drawing up a list of advanced Chinese chipmaking factories barred from receiving key tools, three people familiar with matter said on Thursday, to make it easier for companies to stem technology flows into China. The list could be released in the next couple of months, one of the people said. The commerce department in 2022 barred U.S. companies from shipping equipment to Chinese factories producing advanced chips, as the U.S. seeks to severely limit Beijing's technological advances over national security concerns. But companies say it is difficult to pinpoint which factories in China produce advanced chips and have long urged the commerce department to publish a list. The effort shows the United States is taking pains to strengthen its existing chips restrictions on China by making it easier for U.S. firms to comply with restrictions. The commerce department declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said the U.S. should "stop overstretching the concept of national security and abusing the state power to suppress Chinese companies." U.S. officials addressed requests from companies for a list at an annual export controls conference in Washington this week. "People are like: 'Please, just tell us which are these advanced [factories] that you really care about,'" said one official, who spoke on a panel. "Its probably not going to be an exhaustive listing, if we can do that. But the more that we can help identify what are these facilities that we have a concern with, hopefully thats going to help," the official added. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Anna Driver and Costas Pitas) FILE PHOTO: A Sudanese family who fled the conflict in Murnei in Sudan's Darfur region, sit beside their belongings while waiting to be registered by UNHCR upon crossing the border between Sudan and Chad in Adre, Chad, July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemr By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States warned on Thursday that it would push the U.N. Security Council to take action to get aid to starving people in Sudan, possibly by authorizing cross-border deliveries from Chad, if the Sudanese armed forces do not restore full access. Ahead of the one year anniversary of the conflict in Sudan, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the warring parties had both undermined aid operations and ignored a Security Council call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. "The situation in Sudan remains catastrophic and it is only getting worse," she told reporters. "People are starving." War erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese army (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The U.N. says nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid, some 8 million have fled their homes and nearly 5 million could suffer catastrophic hunger in the coming months. Thomas-Greenfield accused the SAF of impeding aid from Chad into Sudan's Darfur region - controlled by the rival RSF - and describing it as "literally a matter of life and death." "At the Zamzam camp in North Darfur a child dies every two hours. Experts warn that in the coming weeks and months over 200,000 more children could starve to death," she said, calling on the SAF to immediately fully reopen the border. "Should they not, the Security Council must take swift action to ensure life saving aid is delivered and distributed, including - if necessary - through a cross-border mechanism," Thomas-Greenfield said. The Security Council has authorized such an operation before - for nine years it allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid from neighboring countries to millions of people largely in opposition-held areas of Syria. The United States says the warring parties in Sudan have committed war crimes. Washington is eyeing April 18 for a possible resumption of peace talks on Sudan in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello said on Tuesday. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed in one city alone in Sudan's West Darfur region last year in ethnic violence by the RSF and allied Arab militia, according to a U.N. sanctions monitors report seen by Reuters in January. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Daniel Wallis) National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and delegates pose for a group photo. (Source: VNA) At the meeting, the top legislator emphasised the tradition of solidarity, saying the Party and the State have viewed the great national solidarity bloc as the power, the main momentum and a factor decisive to the past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as the present cause of national construction and defence. According to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, ethnic minority people make up 17.84% of the total seats in the 15th-tenure legislature, the highest so far. Among the NA deputies, there are also five religious dignitaries and 119 teachers, former teachers and education managers. He lauded contributions by religious dignitaries, ethnic minority groups, scholars and intellectuals to the capital citys achievements in both Party building, and socio-economic development last year. Hue expressed his hope that the municipal Party organisation, authorities and people, especially scholars, intellectuals, religious dignitaries and ethnic minority people, will uphold the sense of responsibility for Hanois development. The NA Chairman shared the view raised by some delegates that Hanoi should pay due attention to building mechanisms and policies to encourage the groups to play a more active role in the citys construction and development. Hanoi should mobilise, allocate, use and manage resources effectively to create basic changes in ethnic minority-inhabited areas, better perform the social welfare work, and carry forward the role of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees, and political-social organisations in building the great national solidarity bloc, he said. Scholars, intellectual, religious dignitaries and ethnic minority people in Hanoi will prove their role as the nucleus in all patriotic emulation movements, he believed, pledging that the NA and its agencies will support their efforts to contribute to national construction and development./. FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi via phone line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 20, 2024. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday that it was vital for Congress to pass a new military aid package for Kyiv rapidly in order to maintain international unity on the conflict with Russia. Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has held up a bill for months that would supply $60 billion in military and financial aid for Ukraine. "Quick passage of U.S. aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognise that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor," Zelenskiy said on X. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said he told Johnson that Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities were "escalating and can only be stopped by the physical force of our defence". "And it is very important for Congress to maintain its leadership so that the defence of freedom remains an idea that unites - within our countries and in a majority in the world." Ukrainian troops are on the back foot on the battlefield, facing shortages of artillery supplies with the U.S. assistance held up in Congress and the European Union failing to deliver on time munitions that it had promised earlier. The Ukrainian military said that its top commander, Oleksander Syrskyi, had spoken to the U.S. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Brown, about battlefield issues. An account of the conversation, on Telegram, said Syrskyi discussed "the question of vital U.S. help for Ukraine", including strengthening defences against Russian air attacks and building fortifications. Last Friday, Russia conducted its largest air strike on Ukraine's energy system since invading in February 2022, damaging power units at a major dam and causing blackouts for more than a million people. Moscow has described its recent attacks as part of a series of "revenge" strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions. Russia has increased its use of harder-to-stop ballistic missiles. It denies targeting civilians, though many have been killed in its strikes. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Ron PopeskiEditing by Peter Graff, Chizu Nomiyama and Marguerita Choy) The Army is looking for soldiers who are cavalry scouts and military police to move into other positions as the service looks to meet its retention and restructuring goals for 2024. (Melissa N. Lessard/U.S. Army) WASHINGTON The Army is looking for soldiers who are cavalry scouts and military police to move into other positions as the service looks to meet its retention and restructuring goals for 2024. Referred to as precision retention, the program highlights overcrowded military occupational specialties, or MOSs, such as 19 Delta Cavalry Scout and 31 Bravo Military Police. The new guidance issued last week also includes incentive bonuses and promotion opportunities if soldiers consider reclassifying. These MOSs are not going away. Theres just going to be less of them, said Sgt. Maj. Tobey Whitney, a senior Army career counselor. So, we have to be very careful and very particular in making sure that we dont have too many people reclassify. Whitney said any 19 Delta who are airborne qualified and serve at Fort Liberty, N.C., can reclassify to infantry 11 Bravo without having to attend any kind of formal training. The same is true if a soldier is a 19 Delta and wants to reclassify to 19 Charlie a Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew member. A soldier could do so without having to attend any training at Fort Moore, Ga. The Army in fiscal 2023 reclassified about 3,000 soldiers, said Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Uribe-Huitron, the senior enlisted soldier overseeing personnel policy. Between the two specialty groups of cavalry scout and military police, Whitney said the service is looking at slightly more than 3,000 soldiers who will need to reclassify. This will not be executed in one year but over time. Over the past few weeks, just by getting the word out through the career counselors, over 100 soldiers from those MOSs have already requested reclassification and gone into something else, he said. The Army said last month that the service would slash the size of its force by about 24,000 troops as part of restructuring changes, as well as in response to recruiting shortfalls. About 3,000 of the cuts would come from special operations forces, but the plan adds about 7,500 troops in other critical missions, including air-defense and counter-drone units and five new task forces around the world with enhanced cyber, intelligence and long-range strike capabilities. Were moving away from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. We want to be postured for large-scale combat operations, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told reporters at the time. So, we looked at where were there pieces of force structure that were probably more associated with counterinsurgency, for example, that we dont need anymore. As part of the announcement, cavalry squadrons were expected to be included in the 10,000 posts cut as well as Stryker brigade combat teams, infantry brigade combat teams and security force assistance brigades. The Army in the new guidance is also offering reclassification bonuses based on several factors that include a soldiers years of service, rank and how many years for which the soldier plans to reenlist. A specialist, or E-4, cavalry scout could make anywhere from $5,900 to $72,000 if the soldier switches to Patriot fire control operator, or 14E, according to the guidance. In addition to offering reclassification bonuses, the guidance pointed out jobs as offering a greater chance of promotion to sergeant or staff sergeant. For corporals or specialists hoping to reenlist and be promoted to sergeant, options include High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crewman, electronic warfare specialist, counterintelligence agent and armor crewman. Soldiers looking for another way to reach staff sergeant sooner should consider becoming a HIMARS crew member or M1 armor crewman, the guidance said. Army Pfc. Raymond U. Schlamp, who was killed during the fighting in the Horseshoe Woods in 1944, will be laid to rest April 6, 2024, in his hometown of Dubuque, Iowa. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) Army Pfc. Raymond U. Schlamp, who was killed during the fighting at Horseshoe Woods in 1944, will be laid to rest April 6 in his hometown of Dubuque, Iowa. Schlamp will be interred at Linwood Cemetery, and he will receive full military honors, according to a news release from U.S. Army Human Resources Command. In September 1944, Schlamp, 28, was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division. The unit was attempting to secure terrain near Dornot, France, known as the Horseshoe Woods when it came under heavy German fire. Company G was given the order to withdraw across the Moselle River, but many men were killed during the retreat. Schlamp was among those killed, but he could not be recovered because of the intense fighting. One year later, in September 1945, the War Department issued a Finding of Death because his body was unaccounted for. Schlamp was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on March 21, 2022, after his remains were exhumed from the Lorraine American Cemetery, Limey, France, in June 2021 for laboratory analysis. His name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Dinoze, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. As of May 2023, more than 81,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the total, approximately 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific region, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (such as ship losses and known aircraft water losses). Tunisian lawyer Chokri Belaid attends a briefing in Tunis on Dec. 29, 2010. Belain was assassinated in 2013. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, four people were sentenced to death and two given life imprisonment for their roles in the assassination. (Hassene Dridi/AP) TUNIS, Tunisia Four people were sentenced Wednesday to death and two to life in prison for a murder that sparked widespread unrest in Tunisia and became emblematic of the countrys early challenges transitioning from dictatorship to democracy after the Arab Spring. Chokri Belaid, the 48-year-old leader of the Popular Front coalition, was a prominent critic of the Islamist Party Ennahda that ascended to power after 2011 uprisings toppled the countrys longtime dictator. His assassination was among a spate of violent episodes that provoked protests in 2013 and became emblematic of Tunisias early struggles to reconcile its celebrated secular traditions with the revival of long suppressed religious ultraconservatives. A criminal court tasked with handling terrorism cases handed down 23 sentences for Belaids murder. The sentences, in addition to the death penalties and life sentences, ranged in length from two to 120 years, a public prosecutor said outside of the court. Belaids brother Abdelmajid Belaid called the sentences a positive step and said that supporters were still awaiting the trial of those suspected of planning the assassination. Belaids case was reopened last month after a former investigating judge was arrested on suspicion of concealing certain files. Wednesdays sentencing came after hours of late night delays and lengthy deliberations due to the complexity of the very thorny case, said Mohamed Jmour, a member of Belaids defense committee. Before his death, Belaid had earned a following for his forceful denunciations of Ennahda, which rose to power after President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was toppled in 2011. Belaids supporters blamed Islamists for taking an overly accommodating approach toward extremists after his assassination and later decried the slow pace of the investigation. Ennahda leaders subsequently took a harder line against fundamentalists and classified Ansar al Sharia as a terrorist group when another left-wing politician, Mohammed Brahmi, was slain later that year. Law enforcement killed several alleged members of the al-Qaida-linked group suspected of involvement in Belaids death. Several members of Ansar al Sharia were among those sentenced for Belaids murder on Wednesday. The assassinations and subsequent unrest set off a political crisis for Tunisia as it struggled to transition from dictatorship to democracy. The country teetered on the brink until a Nobel Prize-winning quartet of civil society groups negotiated with various parties to prevent the nascent governments institutions from unraveling. Though bringing the killers to justice has been a rallying cry for President Kais Saied, authorities during his tenure have quashed protests by Belaids supporters, including on the 2021 anniversary of his assassination. Two dozen defendants were ultimately charged in a sprawling case that took years to investigate and bring to trial. One died in prison. Of the 23 defendants sentenced on Wednesday, five were acquitted. Aymen Chtiba, a deputy prosecutor in the terrorism courts judicial unit, said the dismissals had to do with the similarity of sentences already handed down against some defendants in other cases. Tunisia has not put anyone to death since 1991 though Saied has publicly said he supports reviving executions for certain crimes, including murder. Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. This undated photograph provided by the French military shows three Russian mercenaries, in northern Mali. Wagner is helping government forces in central and northern Mali carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed scores of civilians, including many children, rights groups said in reports published this week that span a period from December to March. (French Army via AP) DAKAR, Senegal The Russian mercenary group known as Wagner is helping government forces in central and northern Mali carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed scores of civilians, including many children, rights groups said in reports published this week that span the period from December to March. Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by jihadi groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russias mercenary units for security assistance instead. Violence has escalated in Mali since Russian mercenaries arrived there following a coup in 2021. Its ruling junta has ramped up operations, carrying out deadly drone strikes that have hit gatherings of civilians, and raids accompanied by Russian mercenaries that have killed civilians. Residents of the Sahel region that includes Mali say Russias presence doesnt appear to have changed since Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a suspicious plane crash last year. Malis Russia-backed transitional military government is not only committing horrific abuses, but it is working to eliminate scrutiny into its human rights situation, Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, in a statement Thursday. In an example of a raid carried out by Russian-backed government forces in January, Human Rights Watch said the army entered a village near a military base in central Mali and arrested 25 people, including four children. Their bodies were found later that day blindfolded and with bullet wounds to the head, the report said. Amnesty International said in separate report earlier this week that two drone strikes in northern Mali killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged 2 to 17. A pregnant woman who was injured in the bombing miscarried days after the attack, it said. Human Rights Watch has said the Turkish-supplied drones in Mali are capable of delivering precise laser-guided bombs. The group has also documented how drone strikes have killed civilians. In one example, a drone strike in central Malis Segou region killed at least seven people at a wedding, including two boys, it said. The following day, a second drone strike targeted a funeral held for those killed in the previous days strike. The juntas ruling Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso earlier this month announced a joint security force to fight the worsening extremist violence in their Sahel region. This follows steps taken by the juntas to step away from other regional and Western nations that dont agree with their approach and rely on Russia for security support instead. 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 share borders and their security forces fighting jihadi violence are overstretched. The U.S. military recently teamed up with the FBI and the Smithsonian Institution to return 22 artifacts missing since World War II to Okinawa. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) The recent return to Japan of artifacts believed to have been looted by U.S. troops during World War II has rekindled interest in other treasures lost during the Battle of Okinawa nearly 80 years ago. The U.S. military teamed up with the FBI and the Smithsonian Institution to return 22 artworks and other items missing since World War II to Okinawa in January, according to a March 15 FBI statement. The items, including paintings of Okinawan kings, scrolls, pottery and an ancient map, were found last year among a deceased World War II veterans belongings in Massachusetts, according to Geoffrey Kelly, an FBI special agent in Boston. The FBI got on the case after a representative of the veterans family reported the items, Kelly said by phone Tuesday. It turned out that some of the artifacts, likely taken by U.S. troops during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, were listed on the FBIs National Stolen Art File, Kelly said. A lot of soldiers were treasure hunters and wanted to take souvenirs home, he said. It may have seemed to them as something they were entitled to do, but any items that were taken need to go back. Ryukyu jewels The search is still on for other artifacts that went missing during the war, including the crown jewels of the old Ryukyu Kingdom, Kelly said. The kingdom ruled Okinawa for centuries before it was incorporated into Japan in 1879. Some items believed to be taken with the crown jewels were discovered in 1953, also in Massachusetts, Kelly said. Among those items was the Omoro Sochi 22 volumes of ancient Okinawan poems and songs dating to the 12th century or beyond, according to a June 24, 1996, report in Stars and Stripes. Those items, including books, a gold-encrusted headpiece, statues of gods, family altars and beads from a thousand-year-old necklace worn by a high priestess, were recovered by the U.S. Customs Service from a former Navy lieutenant who had acquired them on Okinawa. This piece of ornate pottery was one of 22 recovered artifacts recently returned to Okinawa with the help of the U.S. military, the FBI and the Smithsonian Institute. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) The relics, along with the crown jewels, were buried and hidden in a cave near Shuri Castle on Okinawa by stewards of the royal family as U.S. forces bombed and shelled the island in 1945, Bokei Maehiro, a surviving steward, said in 1996. On his return to the items hiding places, Maehiro discovered although the area had not been bombed, the crown and other articles such as the Omoro Sochi, some historical files, were completely removed, he wrote in 1953 requesting the U.S. civil government on Okinawa to search for the jewels. In late 1946, Maehiro learned that American officers, with the help of several Japanese Americans, had looted the cave and spirited the treasures back to the U.S. Modern monuments men The FBI is confident the veteran who kept the recently returned Okinawan treasures didnt take them from the island, since he didnt serve in the Pacific, Kelly said. The National Museum of Asian Art at the Smithsonian helped the FBI package the items for transport to Japan, he said. Video clips provided by the U.S. Consulate General on Okinawa show the artifacts being loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster II at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., in January. Soldiers from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) escorted the artifacts during the trip. The unit is the modern equivalent of troops depicted in the 2014 film, The Monuments Men, who recovered art looted by the Nazis in World War II, Kelly said. One of 22 recovered items, missing since World War II, that were recently returned to Okinawa with help of the U.S. military. (Federal Bureau of Investigation) We care about Okinawan cultural heritage, and we want to support it, Col. Andrew DeJesse, a unit member who traveled with the items to Okinawa, said in a Jan. 10 video provided by the consulate. Its the same exact action as what the monuments men of World War II did. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said the returned relics included portraits believed to depict Ryukyu kings, he said at a March 15 press conference. I think it is a great joy for the people of Okinawa that these treasures of Okinawa, which you can experience the Ryukyu Kingdom era, have returned, he said. The royal portraits may be the first ever discovered, an Okinawan cultural resources division official said by phone Tuesday. Japanese officials typically speak to the press on condition of anonymity. They will be culturally and artistically important resources, he said. The paintings wont be publicly displayed until they are restored, a process that could take years, the official said. Since this case will serve as a model case, we hope this will lead to the discovery and return of valuable lost cultural properties, such as the undiscovered crown of the Ryukyu Kingdom, he said. The U.S. Treasury Building in Washington D.C., July 15, 2012. (Wikimedia Commons) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The United States imposed sanctions this week on six people and two companies in China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates that allegedly helped fund North Koreas weapons program. The U.S. Treasury Department is freezing all U.S. property belonging to Yu Pu Ung, Ri Tong Hyok, O In Chun, Han Chol Man, Jong Song Ho and Jon Yon Gun, according to a news release from the Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday. The office did not specify how much the frozen assets are worth. Yu, based in China, is the linchpin of North Koreas illicit financing program, according to the Treasury Department. Yu and Ri represented Tanchon Bank, the financial arm of the Korea Mining Development Corp., which the U.N. Security Council describes on its website as North Koreas primary arms dealer and funded by North Korean IT workers employed abroad. South Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sanctioning the same individuals and accused them of financing the Norths nuclear and missile program, according to a separate news release Thursday. The combined effort reflects Washington and Seouls goal of curbing North Koreas efforts to generate revenue for its illicit and destabilizing activities, Brian Nelson, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the departments release. The United States, along with our South Korean partners, will continue to take action to safeguard the international financial system and prevent [North Korea] from funding its illegal weapons programs, Nelson said. Allis LLC, a Russian company, and Pioneer Bencont Star Real Estate of the UAE were accused by the Treasury Department of funneling over $2.5 million to their parent company, the Chinyong Information Technology Cooperation Co. Under the sanctions, U.S. citizens and companies are prohibited from dealing with the two companies and their U.S.-based assets are frozen. Chinyong, based in North Korea, funds its military through the salaries of IT employees working from Russia and Loas, according to the Treasury Department. The sanctions follow the creation of a U.S.-South Korean task force targeting illicit oil transfers to North Korea. The new Enhanced Disruption Task Force met for the first time Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to discuss blocking North Koreas illegal procurement of refined petroleum, which is essential for the communist regimes nuclear and missile programs, South Koreas Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a news release Wednesday. A 2017 U.N. Security Council resolution limits the communist regimes imports of crude oil to 4 million barrels and refined oil to 500,000 barrels a year. Despite this cap, however, North Korea is estimated to have imported over 1.5 million barrels of refined oil between January and September 2023, using methods like ship-to-ship transfers, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Russia and China are the primary sources of North Koreas oil, according to the Security Council. The task force members during their meeting expressed concern over the possibility that Russia may provide refined oil to North Korea as their relations become closer, the ministry said. The two sides strongly urged Russia to faithfully implement the [U.N. Security Council] resolutions as it has declared that it would, the release said. Lithuanian soldiers attend a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the countrys NATO membership at the Siauliai airbase on March 28, 2024. (Alfredas Pliadis/Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense via AP) VILNIUS, Lithuania Several central and Eastern European countries on Thursday began marking the 20th anniversary of the largest expansion of the NATO military alliance when formerly socialist countries became members of the bloc. Military aircraft roared over the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. At the main airbase hosting Spanish and Portuguese fighter jets tasked with NATO air policing missions in the Baltic region, officials gathered to commemorate the event. Russias new bloody terror in Europe is contributing to the growth of instability and threats around the world. However, we in Lithuania are calm because we know that we will never be alone again, said President Gitanas Nauseda, standing near the runway where the first NATO jets landed back in 2004. We will always have a strong, supportive Alliance family by our side, and we will face any challenges together. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined NATO on March 29, 2004, bringing the total membership of the alliance to 26. The seven nations started accession negotiations soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union and eventually were invited to join at the Prague Summit in November 2002. Another group of former Soviet satellites including Poland and the Czech Republic had been admitted several years earlier. Since joining the alliance, these countries often warned about the threat of Russia, using their national trauma of Soviet occupation as proof of credibility. While Western nations often dismissed their sometimes hawkish attitude, Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine is seen as a vindication of those fears. They have given some of the most robust responses, helping Ukraine with equipment and money, and pushing for even greater sanctions on Russia. Most of the former Soviet Republics that joined NATO at the turn of the millennium spend more than the required 2% of gross domestic product on defense. When Romanias President Klaus Iohannis announced his bid earlier this month to become the next leader of the alliance, he emphasized the threat from Russia and said the alliance needs a renewal of perspectives that Eastern Europe could provide. Russia is proving to be a serious and long-term threat to our continent, to our Euro-Atlantic security, the 65-year-old said when he announced his bid. NATOs borders become of paramount importance, and the strengthening of the eastern flank will remain a long-term priority. The seven countries are marking the anniversary with solemn events and shows of force, but also some levity, with open-air concerts and exhibitions. Twenty years ago the Bulgarian people made the right choice for our country to join NATO, the countrys defense chief Adm. Emil Eftimov said. Given todays security situation, this is the most appropriate decision we have made in our recent history. NATO was established in the aftermath of World War II. Associated Press writers Stephen McGrath in Sighisoara, Romania, and Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria, contributed to this report. Smoke and fire rise over the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant after Russian attacks in Dnipro, Ukraine, on March 22, 2024. (Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine Prime Minister/Telegram) KYIV, Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin scoffed at the possibility of his country launching an attack on a NATO member, calling it sheer nonsense, but warned that any Western air base hosting U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets that are slated for deployment in Ukraine would be a legitimate target for the Kremlins forces. Their statements about our alleged intention to attack Europe after Ukraine is sheer nonsense, Putin said late Wednesday, referring to warnings in the U.S. and Western Europe that Russia could turn its sights on other countries unless its stopped. He noted that the U.S. defense budget is more than 10 times higher than Russias. In view of that, are we going to wage a war against NATO? Its ravings, he told military pilots during a visit to an air base. Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of F-16s, which will increase military pressure on Russia, from its Western partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last year that 42 F-16s had been promised. Ukrainian pilots have been training in the West for months on how to fly the warplanes. The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from bombing attacks when they are on the ground. Its not clear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet those requirements, and Russia would be certain to quickly target a few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive. Putin warned Ukraines Western allies against providing air bases in their countries from where the F-16s could launch sorties against the Kremlins forces. Those bases would become a legitimate target, he said. F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organizing our combat operations, Putin added. Military analysts have said the arrival of F-16s wont be a game-changer in view of Russias massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems, though Ukrainian officials have welcomed them as an opportunity to hit back at Russias air dominance. Putin insisted the F-16s wont change the situation on the battlefield. We will destroy their warplanes just as we destroy their tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers, he said. F-16s can be used to bolster Ukraines capability to target Russian facilities with long-range missile strikes. Ukraines counteroffensive last year came up short in part because it took place without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery. Russia has maintained air dominance in the war with Ukraine, though the provision of sophisticated Western air defense systems has forced Russian warplanes to avoid Ukrainian skies and launch attacks while remaining over Russia-controlled territory. On Thursday, a Russian fighter jet crashed into the Black Sea off the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. The pilot ejected and was recovered by rescue teams about 200 meters from shore, he said. Razvozhayev provided no details about the possible cause of the crash. The Kremlin currently has a battlefield edge in weapons and troops, yielding recent incremental gains at points on the around 620-mile front line, as Kyiv awaits more promised Western military support and mulls a broader mobilization. Russia fired salvos of drones and missiles overnight at southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, authorities said Thursday, wounding more than a dozen people as the Kremlins forces persevered with attritional attacks designed to wear down Ukrainian defenses. Air defense systems intercepted 26 out of 28 Shahed drones, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces also launched five missiles overnight, it said. The regular bombardment of Ukraine by the Kremlins forces during the war has recently gained momentum, with missile barrages of the capital, Kyiv, and strikes on energy facilities across the country. The attacks also aim to weaken Ukrainian morale and act as retribution for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian soil. One of Russias goals is to deplete Ukraines inventory of ground-based air defense, according to a recent military assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. That would erode some of Ukraines combat ability as it waits on pledged but delayed military support from the West, including ammunition for its artillery and air defenses. Kyiv is confronted by the threat that an attritional war in the air domain will increasingly favor Russia without adequate support from the U.S. and its allies, the IISS said. Ukraines ability to continue to counter Russian air threats and impose costs on the Russian Aerospace Forces remains important to the outcome of the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defense Minister Rustan Umerov both pleaded with foreign allies on Thursday to send more air defense systems and missiles. The Ukrainian Mission to NATO said that it convened an extraordinary ambassador-level meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the alliances headquarters on Thursday in response to Russias missile attacks on critical infrastructure. Ukraine urgently requires more air defense and interceptors, especially Patriot systems that can intercept ballistic missiles, Kuleba said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter. Ukraine is the only country in the world targeted by ballistic missiles almost daily, he said. Authorities in the Mykolaiv region, near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, said that 12 people were wounded and six residential buildings were damaged in a Russian strike with a ballistic missile on the city on Wednesday afternoon. In an overnight attack on the southern Ukraine region of Zaporizhzhia, Shahed drones struck a residential area, injuring two women ages 72 and 74, according to regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov. Rescue services said that seven buildings were damaged. The Black Sea city of Odesa repelled three missile and drone attacks, officials said. Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal. This satellite photo captured by Planet Labs PBC shows the construction of an airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, Yemen, on March 26, 2024. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) SEOUL, South Korea As Yemens Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press show what appears to be a new airstrip being built at an entrance to that crucial maritime route. No country has publicly claimed the construction taking place on Abd al-Kuri Island, a stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images shot for the AP appear to show workers have spelled out I LOVE UAE with piles of dirt next to the runway, using an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. Both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to which it leads have become a battleground between the Houthis and U.S.-led forces in the region as Israels war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages potentially allowing a nation to project its power into the area. The construction comes as the presence of troops from the Emirates in the Socotra island chain to which Abd al-Kuri belongs and that of the separatist force it backs in southern Yemen have sparked clashes in the past. In response to questions from the AP, the United Arab Emirates said Thursday that any presence of the UAE on Socotra island is based on humanitarian grounds that is carried out in cooperation with the Yemeni government and local authorities. The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to all international endeavors aimed at facilitating the resumption of the Yemeni political process, thereby advancing the security, stability, and prosperity sought by the Yemeni populace, it added, without elaborating. The Yemeni Embassy in Washington and Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, did not respond to questions. Abd al-Kuri is about 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) in length and about 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) at its widest point. It sits closer to the Horn of Africa than it does to Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest nation, which has been at war for years. Along that widest point sits the airstrip construction. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP showed trucks and other vehicles grading the runway on March 11, turning part of its sandy features a dark brown. Planet Labs images of the site shot for the AP on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday showed vehicles in different positions and active work being done there, possibly including paving the site. The runway, running north to south, measures some 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft, even some of the heaviest bombers. Construction initially could be seen in the area in January 2022, with a diagonal, shorter runway being carved out of the sand, according to Planet Labs imagery. The first signs of construction of the longer north-south runway were in July 2022, but work later halted. This month, theres been increased activity on Abd al-Kuri, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water, and the movement of heavy vehicles. That works corresponds with a report last week by Abu Dhabis state-linked broadcaster Sky News Arabia, which claimed to quote an anonymous U.S. defense official as saying America had strengthened our missile defenses on Socotra Island in anticipation of the rebels attacking U.S. bases. Socotra is the main island of the Socotra chain, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Abd al-Kuri. The U.S. military told the AP it is not involved in the construction on Abd al-Kuri, nor is there any American military presence elsewhere in Yemen. U.S. special forces have launched raids in the past in Yemen, while a two-decade American drone strike campaign has targeted the countrys local al-Qaida affiliate. There also werent any air defense batteries immediately discernible around the Abd al-Kuri Island site in satellite imagery. However, what appear to be piles of dirt at the site had been arranged to spell I LOVE UAE just east of the runway. The island of Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the rare Dragon Blood tree, has long been a strategic port given its location on a key East-West trade route for cargo and energy shipments coming from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe. The Soviet Union once used Socotra as an anchorage for both its surface fleet and submarines when South Yemen, a Communist nation based in Aden, ruled the island from 1967 until 1990. The island since has felt far removed from the chaos that has gripped Yemen in the decades since, from unification, to civil war, to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels sweeping entrance into the capital in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE entered the Yemen war in 2015 on behalf of the countrys exiled government and has been caught in a grinding, nearly decadelong conflict since. In 2018, the UAE deployed troops to Socotra Island, sparking a dispute with Yemens exiled government. Two years later, clashes broke out between Yemeni separatists backed by the UAE and other forces there. Meanwhile, Iranian-linked media and the Houthis have alleged without providing evidence that the Emiratis allowed Israel to operate from Socotra as well. Israel has not acknowledged any presence there, and the Israeli prime ministers office declined to comment. Since November, the Houthis have attacked ships, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. The ships targeted by the rebels, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels also have fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. While President Joe Biden entered office in 2021, he pulled support from the Saudi-led coalition, declaring: This war has to end. But in January, the U.S. began launching airstrikes targeting the Houthis over their attacks on shipping, a near-daily campaign of attacks that continues today. The airfield on Abd el-Kuri isnt the first mysterious airstrip to begin construction amid Yemens war. In 2021, the AP reported that an airfield was being built on Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island, which sits in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. Then, military officials with Yemens internationally recognized government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, said the UAE was building the runway. The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis later acknowledged having equipment on the island, while a militia leader and nephew of Yemens late strongman president Ali Abdullah Saleh acknowledged that his Emirati-backed troops were stationed there. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by "independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support," to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. He noted that China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and in exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide due assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka's economic and social development. He said that both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, especially that of the two flagship projects, the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. China and Sri Lanka should also work together to enhance logistics, energy and industrial cooperation, and promote exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture-oriented tourism and marine economy. China will continue to import more high-quality specialty products from Sri Lanka, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and hopes that the business environment in Sri Lanka will be fair and transparent, Xi said. He added that China is willing to advance cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction, to help the country with economic transformation and upgrading, and with sustainable development. The two sides should continue to maintain the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of both sides, uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi stressed. Noting that Sri Lanka and China enjoy a traditional friendship, Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka adheres unswervingly to the one-China principle, unequivocally follows the policy of friendly cooperation with China, and gives China priority on its diplomatic agenda. He expressed appreciation for China's assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty, saying that projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have boosted Sri Lanka's economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region. Sri Lanka will take part in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, said Gunawardena, adding that the country will work with China to promote bilateral friendship, expand cooperation on trade and economy, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields, and improve international and multilateral communication and coordination. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Editor: ZAD Joe Lieberman speaks at the National Press Club in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) HARTFORD, Conn. Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCains running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82. The Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering from the party line. Liebermans independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats, the party he aligned with in the Senate. Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one, said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. Over the last decade, Lieberman helped lead No Labels, a centrist third-party movement that has said it will offer as-yet-unnamed candidates for president and vice president this year. Some groups aligned with Democrats oppose the effort, fearing it will help presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump win the White House. The group on Wednesday called Liebermans unexpected death a profound loss, describing him as a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. Lieberman came tantalizingly close to winning the vice presidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges and a Supreme Court decision. He was the first Jewish candidate on a major partys presidential ticket and would have been the first Jewish vice president. Gore said in a statement Wednesday night that he was profoundly saddened by the death of his one-time running mate. He called Lieberman a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with and said his dedication to equality and fairness started at a young age, noting Lieberman traveled to the South to join the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail, Gore said. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be McCains running mate. He and McCain were close pals who shared hawkish views on military and national security matters. McCain was leaning strongly toward choosing Lieberman for the ticket as the 2008 GOP convention neared, but he chose Sarah Palin at the last minute after ferocious blowback from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed McCains campaign. Lieberman generated controversy in 1998 when he scolded President Bill Clinton, his friend of many years, for disgraceful behavior in an explosive speech on the Senate floor during the height of the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Yet Lieberman later voted against the impeachment of Clinton. While he had a tortured relationship with Democrats, Lieberman defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, saying he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart. Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency. In announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman acknowledged that he did not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes and felt his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state and country, not his political party. During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock. It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party, said Lieberman. That is what is desperately needed in Washington now. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he didnt always agree with the independent-minded Lieberman, he respected him. Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Liebermans principles or his patriotism, Reid said. And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions. Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about Liebermans forays across party lines, which they saw as disloyal. He bolted his party and turned independent after a 2006 Senate primary loss in Connecticut. Liebermans strong support of the Iraq War had hurt his statewide popularity. Democrats rejected Lieberman and handed the 2006 primary to a political newcomer and an antiwar candidate, Ned Lamont, who is now serving a second term as Connecticut governor. Citing his Senate experience, congressional clout and support for the states defense industry, Lieberman went on to win reelection to a fourth term as an independent. Many of his Democratic allies and longtime friends, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, had supported Lamont in that election. Lieberman was candid about what he considered a betrayal by old pals such as Dodd, but the two men later reconciled. In a statement issued Wednesday expressing condolences, Lamont said he and Lieberman eventually became friends after their grueling and contentious race. While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious, Lamont said in a statement. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed, he added. After his rebound reelection in 2006, Lieberman decided to caucus with Democrats in the Senate, who let him head a committee in return because they needed his vote to help keep control of the closely divided chamber. But it wasnt long until Lieberman was showing his independent streak and ruffling his Democratic caucus colleagues. He was an enthusiastic backer of McCain in the 2008 presidential contest, and his speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, struck a deep nerve. Lieberman cast Obama as a political show horse, a lightweight with a thin record of accomplishment in the Senate despite his soaring eloquence as a speaker. In the Senate, during the 3 1/2 years that Sen. Obama has been a member, he has not reached across party lines to ... accomplish anything significant, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party to get something done, Lieberman said at the convention. Eloquence is no substitute for a record, he said. Lieberman campaigned heartily across the country for McCain. Many Democrats considered it a betrayal of Obama and his former party colleagues. Joe Lieberman has said things that are totally irresponsible when it comes to Barack Obama, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a radio interview during the 2008 race. In a message posted Wednesday on X, Pelosi called Lieberman a leader of integrity and patriotism while acknowledging they often disagreed on politics. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Liebermans death was devastatingly sad and speculated that McCain, who died in 2018, was giving him an earful about how screwed up things are. After the election, there was speculation Senate Democrats might strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy branded Liebermans attacks on Obama as beyond the pale. But at Obamas urging, Senate Democrats decided not to punish Lieberman for supporting McCain and the GOP ticket. Obama was eager to strike a bipartisan tone for his presidency and giving Lieberman a pass helped reinforce that message. On Wednesday, Obama acknowledged they didnt always see eye-to-eye, but noted Lieberman had an extraordinary career in public service. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and staunch liberal, called Liebermans convention comments a slap in the face for millions of Americans who backed Obama. Connecticut Democrats considered censuring Lieberman. Longtime friend Nick Balletto, former chairman of the state party, acknowledged many were unhappy with Lieberman and noted that the discontent overshadowed everything he had done for the state. Before the U.S. Senate, Lieberman served in the state Senate and as Connecticut Attorney General. He was the most genuine, honest, straightforward politician youd probably ever meet. What you saw is what you got, said Balletto. His issues were the issues of the people. ... He didnt move because it was where the wind wanted to be today. He stayed strong in what he believed in his heart and his mind. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his hawkish foreign policy views, his pro-defense bent and his strong support for environmental causes. Five weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for the ouster of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and later voted in favor of the military invasion of Iraq. His vocal support for the war would later help doom his candidacy in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic primary. Lieberman tended to vote with Democrats on most issues and was a longtime supporter of abortion rights, a stance that would have proved problematic with conservatives had McCain chosen him as his running mate in 2008. He played a key role in the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security. Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. Lieberman graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven. As Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, he was a strong consumer and environmental advocate. Lieberman vaulted into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, Lieberman joined a New York City law firm. His funeral will be held Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. An additional memorial service will be announced at a later date. Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children. Former Associated Press writer Andrew Miga contributed to this report. An Impressionist masterpiece looted from a Jewish woman by the Nazis in 1939 is to remain with the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid. (Dreamstime/TNS) LOS ANGELES (Tribune News Service) California legislators plan to introduce a bill Thursday that would bolster efforts by Holocaust survivors, their heirs and other victims to recover artwork and other property stolen from them as a result of political persecution. Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and lead sponsor of the bill, said the measure was inspired by a recent ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that found that current California law required an Impressionist masterpiece looted from a Jewish woman by the Nazis in 1939 to remain with a Madrid museum rather than be returned to the womans family in the U.S. It immediately made sense to me that this was a unique opportunity to correct a historical injustice and make sure that something like this doesnt happen again, Gabriel said. Respectfully, we think that the 9th Circuit got it wrong, and this law is going to make that crystal clear. Gabriel said the bill hopefully will ensure better legal outcomes for other Californian families who have suffered politically motivated thefts whether past, present or in the future. Our hope is that its going to help others, other Holocaust victims and other victims of genocide and political persecution, Gabriel said. Its specifically crafted to be applied more broadly. The legislative effort which Gabriel said already has bipartisan support is the latest twist in a more than two-decade legal battle over the Camille Pissarro masterpiece Rue Saint-Honore in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain. It is also not the first time the California Legislature has bucked the powerful 9th Circuit on issues related to Nazi-looted art. David Cassirer, whose great-grandmother Lilly Cassirer Neubauer had the painting stolen from her at the dawn of World War II, is appealing the 9th Circuit ruling against his family and welcomed the legislative effort as a potential leg up in that fight. Its very important that our laws support and enable Holocaust victims and their heirs to be able to recover this artwork that was stolen so long ago, he said. Im grateful. Thaddeus Stauber, an attorney for the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, which obtained the painting as part of a massive collection of masterpieces in 1993 and rejects the familys claim to it, did not respond to a request for comment. Neubauer relinquished the painting to a local Munich art dealer acting as a Nazi art appraiser in 1939, in exchange for a visa to flee Germany. It was a decision made under clear duress, as part of a vast Nazi program to steal Jewish wealth, and both parties to the ongoing case have agreed the incident constituted a theft. Despite that, however, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which is owned by the Spanish government, argues it has since obtained proper title to the painting under Spanish law. It says it purchased the painting in good faith, without knowing it was stolen, in 1993, from billionaire Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza. The baron, one of the worlds most prolific art collectors before his death in 2002, was the scion of a German industrialist family that made a fortune in steel and helped finance Adolf Hitlers rise to power along the way. Neubauers family believed the painting was missing perhaps lost for good in the war until Neubauers grandson Claude Cassirer, who escaped the Holocaust before moving to Cleveland and then retiring in San Diego, discovered around 2000 that it was in the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum. He asked for the museum to voluntarily return the painting, then sued in 2005 when it refused to do so. David Cassirer, his son, took over as lead plaintiff in the familys case after his fathers death in 2010. The case has bounced around U.S. courts ever since, and has repeatedly caught the attention of the 9th Circuit. Around the same time as Cassirers death, the appellate court tossed a California rule expanding the window under which looting victims or their heirs could file claims for Nazi-looted artwork, saying it infringed federal authority in such matters. The state Legislature responded by passing a measure making the window for all sorts of stolen property not just in international cases with a federal nexus six years from the time a victim gains actual knowledge of the lost propertys whereabouts, which was a window large enough to justify the Cassirer familys claim. Congress later established a similar window for looted art claims under federal law. Still, the battle over the Pissarro which is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars raged on. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the Cassirer family another win when it ruled that California law not Spanish law should be used to determine the legitimacy of the familys claim to the painting. However, in January, the 9th Circuit once again ruled against the family. A three-judge panel found that California law required it to consider the interests of Spain and of California in enforcing their respective and contradictory laws around stolen property, and to apply the law of the government whose interests would be more impaired were its law ignored. Under that analysis, it had to apply Spains law, it found, and therefore the painting had to remain with the museum. One of the judges wrote that she agreed with the analysis as a matter of law, but it went against her moral compass. It also went against California values, Gabriel said, which is why he decided to introduce the new measure. The purpose of the bill is to ensure an outcome based on morality and justice, and not legal technicalities, he said. If the new bill passes, it would make clear that, in scenarios involving property looted or stolen by the Nazis or as a result of political persecution, California law dictates that the property be returned, Gabriel said. The law would apply in any legal case considering such issues in which the ultimate decision is not yet final, up to and including those on appeal before the Supreme Court. If passed and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the bill probably would take effect Jan. 1, Gabriel said. It also could be expedited, but that hasnt been considered yet. The timeline for the Cassirer case is unclear. It currently remains before the 9th Circuit, where Cassirer has asked for the January decision to be reconsidered by a larger, 11-judge en banc panel. After a decision is made there, the parties could potentially appeal to the Supreme Court, as well. Sam Dubbin, a longtime attorney for the Cassirer family, praised Gabriels effort to update Californias law. The clarity of Assemblyman Gabriels legislation is necessary to change the current dynamic in which governments, museums, and collectors are incentivized to resist restitution and employ tactics and arguments that trivialize the Holocaust, Dubbin said. It is essential for truth, history, and justice in the Cassirer case, and for future cases as well. Gabriel said he already has co-sponsors from both ends of the political spectrum including assemblymembers Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) and Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and is optimistic that the bill will have widespread support. Also backing the measure are Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), who is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, also a Democrat, who cited her time as U.S. ambassador to Hungary where hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed as strongly informing her support. The decades-long effort to return confiscated property to Jewish families is morally courageous, Kounalakis said in a statement to The Times. Gabriel said it was appalling to him that Spains government wont voluntarily return the painting to Cassirer. This isnt about money, he said. Its about morality and justice. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Authorities are turning their focus to salvage operations to remove wreckage from the Patapsco River after the massive container ship Dali caused Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse. (Jonathan Newton for The Washington Post) Maryland will have access to federal money in a matter of days to pay for the start of the Francis Scott Key Bridge recovery and rebuilding mission, but longer-term funding from Congress could take months to arrive, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told The Washington Post on Thursday. Maryland transportation officials asked for federal emergency relief funds Wednesday, and Gov. Wes Moore (D) had earlier declared a state of emergency, making Maryland eligible for quick access to hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. On Thursday, the state requested an initial payment of $60 million for early recovery and cleanup. Federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers, will assume the full cost of clearing shipping lanes in the Patapsco River to reopen the vital Port of Baltimore, Van Hollen said. Thats obviously a very, very big commitment, and they will cover all of those costs, Van Hollen said. But Maryland taxpayers could be left to foot some of the costs, based on the structure of the U.S. Department of Transportations emergency relief fund. Marylands congressional delegation is planning to introduce legislation for more federal dollars to cover any gap, but it would have to pass both chambers of Congress. Its not year clear how much the total cost might be, or how much the relief fund might leave for the state to pay. President Biden said earlier in the week that federal government should pay for the full amount to restore the waterway and erect a new bridge. When it comes to using those funds for the design and ultimately the construction of new bridge, theres a cost share where the federal government picks up the lions share of the costs, but not all of it, Van Hollen said. And thats where Senator [Ben] Cardin and I plan to introduce legislation to ensure that the federal government is able to pick up the full costs going forward. Cardin (D) told The Post hed received messages of support from Republican colleagues in Congress, which made him hopeful that legislation to support Baltimore would not face political roadblocks. We expect that Congress will come to our help, he said. When you have a catastrophic event affecting infrastructure of this type, the federal government needs to be there, has been there in the past, and we expect it will be there for Baltimore for the replacement bridge. Money from the federal Transportation Departments emergency relief fund will cover Marylands costs to divert traffic away from the collapsed portion of I-695, the major thruway that used the Key Bridge, and for the design and rebuild of a new structure, Van Hollen said. Under the relief program, the federal government pays for 90 percent of repairs, while the state is responsible for the remaining 10 percent. But federal agencies will reimburse 100 percent of repair work conducted in the first 270 days after a disaster to restore essential travel ways, minimize damage or protect remaining facilities. Such a large outlay for the bridge crisis may hurt the long-term viability of the emergency relief fund, Van Hollen added. Bidens 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $100 million a year to the program. The emergency relief fund will need to be plussed up, not just for this Baltimore bridge replacement, but for other projects that it supports, Van Hollen said. That will be something that we will be working closely with the White House to accomplish. Policymakers have already begun discussing raising the height of a new bridge, he said, and incorporating new technology to make the structure safer. The 47-year-old Key Bridge was constructed without any redundancy that would keep it from toppling if a major support was struck, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said. Van Hollen said he has communicated with Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), whose Environment and Public Works Committee has jurisdiction over federal highways, and congressional appropriators about a funding bill. He and Cardin have sought a call with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), but have not yet spoken, Van Hollen said. Congressional spending for Maryland, though, could take months to pass, even if things flow smoothly on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers will need a request from the Biden administration and Maryland officials with a firm dollar figure to begin crafting an emergency spending, or appropriations, package. Congress just passed full-year funding for the federal government before the bridge disaster, so new money would need a separate spending bill. Its not yet clear how long federal and state officials will need to draw up plans for a new bridge. And lawmakers are in the midst of a two-week recess in the home districts, set to return to Washington to take up other pressing spending priorities - including U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel the second week of April. A Maryland aid bill could get a boost due to changes on the Houses powerful Appropriations Committee. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), head of the panels Transportation subcommittee, is the front-runner to take over as the full committees chair. Cole is well-liked among Democrats for his bipartisan streak and institutional knowledge. Maryland also has robust representation on the panel; half of the states House delegation sits on the committee. Rep. Andy Harris (R) chairs another subcommittee, and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D) is one of the longest-serving members on the panel, commanding significant influence on federal spending. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D), whose district surrounds the city of Baltimore, and Rep. David Trone (D), whose district covers Western Maryland and reaches Baltimores outermost suburbs, also sit on the Appropriations Committee. Gov. Roy Cooper is tapping Grier Martin, who currently serves as assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs at the Pentagon, to replace Walter Gaskin as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. (Defense Department) (Tribune News Service) Gov. Roy Cooper is tapping a former state lawmaker and high-ranking U.S. Department of Defense official to replace Walter Gaskin as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Coopers office announced Thursday that Gaskin will step down as head of the agency on Monday and be replaced by Grier Martin, a Democrat who represented Wake County in the North Carolina House for 17 years beginning in 2005. Martin currently serves as assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs at the Pentagon. In a statement, Cooper said he was grateful for Gaskins service to the state, and said his administration had relied upon Gaskins remarkable military experience to strengthen our support networks and services for veterans and their families. A retired lieutenant general in the Marine Corps, Gaskin previously served as deputy chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium, between 2010 and 2013. From 2006 to 2008, Gaskin served as the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. Martin represented Wake County in the N.C. House between 2005 and 2022, stepping down from his seat in July 2022 to take a job in the Defense Department. While in the General Assembly, Martin chaired the House Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs committees. Cooper called Martin a fierce advocate for veterans and military communities, and said he was confident Martin would continue our efforts to make North Carolina the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation. In his current position at the Pentagon, Martin is the principal advisor to the secretary of defense and the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness on all matters related to civilian and military personnel policies, reserve integration, military community and family policy, and total force manpower and resources, according to the announcement from Coopers office. Martins responsibilities at the Defense Department cover the entire life cycle of a service member from recruiting and accessions through casualty and mortuary affairs and include overseeing quality-of-life programs for military personnel and their families that include commissaries and exchanges; morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs; family advocacy and spouse employment; the chaplaincy; and child and youth services, the announcement said. I am honored to serve the people of North Carolina as the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary and look forward to building on the strong work done by Secretary Gaskin and his team, Martin said in a statement. I am grateful and excited for this opportunity to support North Carolinas veterans and military families. 2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden announced Tuesday five military medals will be awarded to 102-year-old Neil Korn of Chippewa Falls. Korn is a retired U.S. Army private first class who served from Jan. 8, 1943, to Dec. 15, 1944. We can never fully thank veterans for their service to our country, but we absolutely should ensure they receive the recognition they deserve for their sacrifices. I look forward to presenting this American hero with the medals he earned through his honorable service to our nation, Van Orden said. Korn completed battles and campaigns in Normandy, France, northern France and Rhineland, Germany. As a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, it is an absolute honor to secure these medals for Mr. Neil Korn and recognize his commitment to fighting for peace and freedom during World War II, Van Orden said. The medals to be awarded to Korn include: Good Conduct Medal, awarded to active duty enlisted military members who conducted honorable and faithful service. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, awarded to military service members who performed military duty in the European Theater, with the Army Three Bronze Stars. World War II Victory Medal, awarded to active duty service members who served during Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946. Army of Occupation Medal, awarded for 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty on assignment of the armies of occupation, with the Germany Clasp. Honorable Service Lapel Button, awarded for honorable federal military service between 1925 and 1946. (c)2024 The Chippewa Herald, Chippewa Falls, Wisc. Visit www.chippewa.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Top: A screen grab from a police body-camera video shows Carl Grant sitting on the porch of a strangers home in Birmingham, Ala., after police were called there on Feb. 2, 2020. Bottom left: Grant lies on the floor at a hospital in Birmingham, Ala., on Feb. 3, 2020, as a police officer prepares to handcuff him. Bottom right: Grant is seen in a bed with wounds on his head at the UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., on Feb. 2, 2020. Grant died nearly six months later. The death certificate worksheet lists his paralysis as the cause, attributing it to physical assault with body slam. (Birmingham Police Department) When Carl Grant awoke from emergency surgery and couldnt move, he apologized to family gathered around his hospital bed. In the fog of dementia, the U.S. Marine Corps veteran thought hed been paralyzed in the Vietnam War. The truth: It was February 2020, he was 68, and a police officer had wrecked the spinal cord in his neck by slamming him onto an emergency room floor. Grants family decided not to correct him. He was already confused enough. We left it like that, we didnt know how hed react, his sister, Kathy Jenkins, recalled. The story of how Grant ended up paralyzed began that Super Bowl Sunday, when Grant drove off from his Georgia home to shop for groceries. It was to be a quick trip, so he left his cellphone at home and the heater on. Along the way, Grant became disoriented and turned his Kia Optima onto Interstate 20, driving west into the fading light. More than two hours later, he was in Birmingham, Alabama, using his keys in the dark to try to unlock the door to a strangers house. It was a one story brick home, just like his. The owner called 911. Grant assured responding officers that this was home. They handcuffed Grant, but realized he wasnt a burglar he truly thought he lived there. One officer recognized signs of dementia. Back at the precinct, a sergeant would tell officers they should have called medics for an evaluation and notified a supervisor. Instead, police told Grant to move along. He did and, about an hour later and less than half a mile away, officers responding to a burglary call found Grant sitting in a porch chair. Again Grant insisted he was home, and could prove it with paperwork inside. Grant stood up and turned toward the front door. Body-camera video shows Officer Vincent Larry tell Grant he couldnt enter and then shove him man down the porch steps. Grant was facedown on the ground as Larry and other officers struggled to handcuff him. As they did, Grant cried out, Call the police! These officers also began to recognize signs of confusion Grant couldnt tell them the day of the week or year. A sergeant asked Larry if they should take Grant into protective custody. Larry continued with the arrest, saying Grant assaulted him. Larry would write in his report Grant struck him with a closed fist, though he later told internal police investigators the shove caused Grant to turn and punch as he fell. Larry went with Grant to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital to be treated for a forehead gash from the fall. That took a few hours. Now it was 3 a.m. Grant stepped out of an exam room, the officer wrote in his report, and told Larry he was going to charge his cellphone the one his mind didnt grasp was nearly 200 miles away. Larry wrote that he told Grant to stay because they would soon be discharged, but Grant refused. Hospital surveillance video shows Larry reach for Grants arm and flip him over in what the police investigation described as a hip toss not taught at the academy. Grant landed on his back. A nurse estimated his head bounced four inches off the floor. His body was limp. Larry rolled Grant over to his stomach and handcuffed him. It was the third time he had been restrained in six hours. Grant died almost six months later. The death certificate worksheet lists his paralysis as the cause, attributing it to physical assault with body slam. Ronda Hernandez, seen June, 7, 2023 in Birmingham, Ala., says she and her late partner, Carl Grant, used to sit outside their house in Georgia for hours, stargazing and talking. (Brynn Anderson/AP) Grant had been a proud Marine who enlisted at 18 in 1969, following the example of a favored uncle. He settled in California after nearly a decade of active duty, continued to serve as a reservist, opened a trucking business, and met Ronda Hernandez, who would become his partner of 30 years. By his early 60s, the more tired Grant got, the more confused he became. Doctors diagnosed him with early-onset dementia. He also had post-traumatic stress disorder and health issues from Agent Orange exposure during combat in Vietnam. After the dementia diagnosis, Grant moved from California to Conyers, Georgia, to be near his brother and sister. Hernandez watched Grants mind begin to falter. By 2019, he would sometimes get lost running errands or forget to turn off the television but he still remembered family. Grant and Hernandez used to sit outside their house for hours, stargazing and talking. Whether he remembered anything or remembered me, wed still be right here next to each other. Wed be sitting on the porch. Hed be smoking his pipe, she said. I could still tuck him into bed, give him a kiss, say I love you. I cant do that now. Grants death was among more than 1,000 across the United States that an investigation led by The Associated Press documented after police used tactics like the hip toss that, unlike guns, are meant to stop people without killing them. More than 20 of those who died in these encounters, which also included weapons such as Tasers, were 65 or older. Many others were, like Grant, vulnerable due to a crisis brought on by their physical or mental health, or due to drug use. The Birmingham Police Departments investigation concluded Officer Larry used excessive force at the hospital. The punishment: a 15-day suspension and retraining. A civil lawsuit filed by Grants brother in 2022 focuses on the need for better training for first responders on how to recognize and respond to vulnerable people. Birmingham attorneys Richard Rice and Johnathan Austin are representing Grants brother, William Jenkins. If you cant stand up and say that what happened to Carl Grant was wrong, it just shows how much ground we have to cover to be able to really have a conversation about police accountability, Rice said. A judge dismissed the case without addressing the allegations of excessive force. The city and the officer had argued they were not given notice that a lawsuit would be filed before a legal deadline. Jenkins lawyers are appealing and the appeals court has ordered the parties to mediate. Carl Grant, second right, stands with his family in California at his 1999 retirement ceremony from the Marine Corps. At center in white jacket is his partner, Ronda Hernandez; background left is his sister, Kathy Jenkins, and his brother, William Jenkins, right. Grant had been a proud Marine who enlisted at 18 in 1969, following the example of a favored uncle. (Family photo) Larry was no longer employed by the city as of September, the mayors office said. Hes now working as a part-time police officer in the suburbs outside Birmingham. Graysville Police Chief McKinsley Marbury said his department opted to give Larry a second chance and hes doing great. You always keep what someone does in the back of your head, Marbury said. He added: There are so many things that we ask the Lord to forgive us for, that we probably are not worthy of forgiveness for. But He does. And if He can do it for us, we, as people, should be able to do it for someone else. In court paperwork, Larry denied he committed an unprovoked assault on Grant at the hospital. His attorney declined to make him available for an interview. Grant was Black. Larry is too. They were in a city central to the Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Police Chief Scott Thurmond have spoken out about police brutality elsewhere. Neither agreed to talk about this case. Editors note: This story is based on a 103-page report from the Birmingham Police Department; court files from the civil lawsuit filed by Grants brother; Grants military and medical records; police body-camera footage; hospital surveillance video; and interviews with Grants partner, siblings, the lawyers for his estate and the Graysville, Alabama police chief. McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writers Jeff Martin in Atlanta and Holbrook Mohr in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report. This story is part of an ongoing investigation led by The Associated Press in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs and FRONTLINE (PBS). The investigation includes the Lethal Restraint interactive story, database and the documentary, Documenting Police Use Of Force, premiering April 30 on PBS. The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. This story also was supported by Columbia Universitys Ira A. Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights in conjunction with Arnold Ventures. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa following the controversy which has arisen after six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges accused the executive and spy agencies of interfering in judicial matters. The prime minister is accompanied by the attorney general and the law minister during his visit to the Supreme Court. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is also present during the meeting. The meeting comes after six judges of the IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to convene a judicial convention over the matter of the alleged interference of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, in judicial affairs. The letter further underscored that the code of conduct for judges prescribed by SJC provides no guidance on how they "must react to and or report incidents that are tantamount to intimidation and interfere with judicial independence". A day earlier, a full court meeting of the apex court was held in the federal capital to deliberate on the judges' letter that sought guidance from the SJC "with regard to the duty of a judge to report and respond to actions on the part of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with the discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation". The two-hour huddle, convened by CJP Isa, took place after bar associations of Sindh, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as senior lawyers demanded a probe into the letter which arguably might have serious consequences for the country's judiciary. Separately, a plea has also been filed in the apex court seeking an open court investigation of the IHC judges' letter. The constitutional petition, submitted by Mian Dawood Advocate, calls for the constitution of an empowered commission to investigate the "premediated" letter. In a move set to enhance bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector, Azerbaijan Airlines announced plans to expand its flight operations and network in Pakistan. Aviation sources have confirmed that Azerbaijan Airlines is gearing up to commence flights to Karachi starting from the upcoming month of April. The airline is scheduled to inaugurate its Karachi route with the first flight expected to take off on April 18, adding to its existing services in Islamabad and Lahore. Sources within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have revealed that Azerbaijan Airlines has received authorization to operate flights on the Karachi route. The decision to allow Azerbaijan Airlines to expand its operations in Pakistan comes on the heels of a bilateral agreement between the two countries. Last year, the Pakistani government granted permission for flights to be operated under the Azerbaijan Air Service Agreement, paving the way for closer cooperation and enhanced air travel options for passengers. The United States on Thursday once again reiterated its support for Pakistan's energy woes saying that Washington "prioritises" helping Islamabad in addressing its energy shortage. "Helping Pakistan address its energy shortage crisis is a priority for the US," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said while responding to a question pertaining to the country's assistance to Pakistan in meeting the energy needs in light of Washington's opposition to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline. The spokesperson's remarks came as Washington has time again voiced its opposition to the bilateral gas pipeline agreement between Islamabad and Tehran and has threatened to impose sanctions for the completion of project which has been facing a delay of nearly 10 years as it was originally set to be completed in 2015. However, due to the prevailing economic crises, driven by a weakening local currency and depleting foreign exchange reserves, which have resulted in soaring utility bills and worsening energy shortage, Islamabad is running out of options to meet its increasing energy needs. Furthermore, the country also risks being awarded a $18 billion penalty for its failure to uphold its end of the agreement i.e., completion of the 781-kilometre pipeline from the Iranian border to Nawabshah followed by consumption of 750 million cubic feet of gas per day. The project has been facing delays since 2014. In January, Iran issued a third notice to Pakistan, renewing its intention to move the arbitration court for its failure to lay down the pipeline in its territory. On Monday, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik said that Islamabad would vigorously contest its case to seek exemption from "US sanctions by presenting technical and political arguments". Elaborating on the US support for Pakistan in meeting its energy needs, Miller said: "We have supported the addition of approximately 4,000 megawatts of clean energy capacity in Pakistan." "Our projects have dramatically increased the nations electricity capacity, today powering the homes of millions of Pakistanis. "Through the United States-Pakistan Green Alliance, a transformative initiative between our two countries are working together to address todays most pressing environmental challenges, especially around water management, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy," the spokesperson added. HONG KONG, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday strongly disapproved of and condemned the slanders and smears, as well as unfounded criticisms, made by the International Bar Association's human rights institute against the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Such remarks were made with extremely malicious intentions to mislead the international community into believing that the ordinance runs contrary to the fundamental principles of international law, thereby creating a negative impression of the ordinance, a spokesperson for the HKSAR government said. The spokesperson emphasised to effectively prevent, suppress and punish illegal acts endangering national security is precisely to better safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and ensure the property and investments in the HKSAR are protected by law. Protecting human rights and respecting the principle of the rule of law are the legislative principles of the ordinance and have been included in the provisions. Article 2 of the ordinance clearly stipulates that human rights are to be respected and protected. The rights and freedoms enjoyed under the Basic Law and the provisions of two international covenants as applied to the HKSAR are to be protected in accordance with the law, i.e. the rights and freedoms including the freedoms of speech, of the press and of publication, the freedoms of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration, are enjoyed and to be protected in accordance with the law under both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR. The critics not only neglected the provisions as well as the scope of application of the relevant international covenants, but also lashed out and smeared wantonly, fully exposing their malicious intentions to harm Hong Kong. The spokesperson added 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. The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant has the actus reus and mens rea of an offence before the defendant may be convicted by the court. Extraterritorial effect for the offences endangering national security under the ordinance fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions. It is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world. It can be seen that the national security laws of various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, 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 international practice of state jurisdiction, as well as the nature of the offences, have been taken into account. The critics' remarks completely showed their hypocrisy with double standards, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson reiterated that during the public consultation of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation, 98.6 percent of the submissions of opinions showed support and gave positive comments. After the ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council unanimously on March 19, 2024, members of the public and various sectors of the community including the commercial sector and major chambers of commerce, the legal sector (including the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong), real estate association, the youth sector, other professional sectors and political parties, welcomed, voiced support and acknowledged that the legislation is the constitutional obligation the HKSAR government fulfilled to safeguard national security. The institute disregarded the support for the ordinance from members of the public and wantonly attacked it. The HKSAR government expressed strong disapproval of such unfounded slanders again. Editor: ZAD Judge Martin Nolan described Mavitty as the front man and a vital cog in the fraud A former agricultural contractor has been jailed for two and a half years for his role in a north-south scam involving the leasing of heavy plant machinery. Two Dublin financing companies were left at a loss of over 240,000 after they lent the money to buy two Hitachi excavators, weighing 13 tonnes and 22 tonnes, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard. A prosecuting sergeant told the court that the two machines have never been located and that he believes the vehicle identification plates may have been changed. Charles Mavitty (66) with an address at Rosscarn, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, pleaded guilty to two counts of inducing others by deception to approve lease agreements on April 3 and 5, 2017. The court heard that false documents including a fake utility bill, fake bank statements and a fake tax clearance cert were used to support the application and secure the lease. Judge Martin Nolan described Mavitty as the front man and a vital cog in the fraud as he had signed the paperwork and engaged the financial companies. I have to infer that he knew what he was doing. He never intended to use these machines, said Judge Nolan, setting a headline sentence of five years before cutting this in half due to mitigating factors. The judge said Mavitty was a very good family man has no previous convictions, a long work history and impressive testimonial letters. Mavitty is unlikely to reoffend, said the judge. Counsel for the defence said there were others in the background of this offence and that Mavitty was a pawn in a murky world. He was the fall guy for a bigger picture, said counsel. Sergeant Tom Doyle told Eoin Lawlor BL, prosecuting, that the two financing companies left at a loss in this case were Dublin-based Bluestone Asset Finance and Finance Ireland. Sgt Doyle said Mavitty used false documents to sign a lease with Finance Ireland on April 10, 2017 for 67,000 plus VAT for a 13-tonne Hitachi excavator that he was purchasing. Three days later, Mavitty signed another lease with Bluestone Finance for a 22-tonne excavator for 128,000 plus VAT, of which he paid a deposit of 31,520. Mavitty used false documents and gave a false address for himself at Bushy Park in Galway, the court heard. The machines were bought from MPL Plant, a company based on the outskirts of Galway, who were paid in full. The alarm was raised when documents sent to Mavittys purported address in Galway were returned, and the finance companies became concerned about where their machinery was. Mavitty made a series of excuses including that he had never taken delivery of the machines and that they had been sold on. Ultimately, Bluestone was left at a loss of 157,440 while Finance Ireland were down 82,410. Mavitty voluntarily attended a PSNI station in Enniskillen in January 2019 and later also met with gardai, where he made admissions. Sergeant Doyle said the investigation has expanded into similar offending throughout the country, north and south, to discover which plant machines existed and which were phantom. Mavitty told PSNI officers that other people were pressurising him to engage in this behaviour, but that he himself had not benefitted financially. Mavitty accepted that money had been put into his accounts which was then transferred on to others. He said it crossed his mind that he should have told gardai, but that he was afraid of the consequences. The court heard that Mavitty had been a farmer and an agricultural contractor who had fallen on hard times. Counsel for the defence said Mavitty ended up having to rent machines from people that he then owed money to. Sgt Doyle accepted that Mavitty had no signs of wealth and that there were people in the background of the offending. Counsel said Mavitty had been a decent, hardworking man all his life before he engaged in this disastrous move and fell into this web of offending. The court heard Mavitty is greatly ashamed and embarrassed but has cooperated fully with gardai and the PSNI. Mavitty has no previous convictions. Judge Nolan sentenced Mavitty to two and a half years in prison. Marcus Cullen (37) of East Rock, Ballyshannon appeared at Donegal Circuit Court, sitting at Letterkenny Courthouse A Donegal chef has been given community service after he was caught handling stolen notes when his boss set up a trap after money had gone missing from the restaurant. Marcus Cullen (37) of East Rock, Ballyshannon appeared at Donegal Circuit Court, sitting at Letterkenny Courthouse, on Wednesday charged with handling stolen cash. The handling charge relates to an incident on July 18, 2019 at the Blue Leak Restaurant on Main Street, Bundoran. The charge is in relation to two 50 notes under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, and evidence on the matter was given by Sergeant Stewart Doyle of Ballyshannon. The injured party owns a restaurant, employs six people and Cullen worked in the kitchen. The restaurant owner became suspicious that cash was going missing from the restaurant and he came up with a plan to investigate the matter. The owner marked a number of 50 notes with an X and photographed the serial number of the notes. On July 18, 2019, the owner noticed that notes were missing and asked staff members, including Cullen, to empty their pockets. Cullen had two 50 notes and was asked about it by his boss and he said it was his money. The owner asked if he could see the note and he agreed and the owner observed that the X was on the note. Cullen said he knew nothing about the money and it was his, however, when the owner asked him to give back the money and he would not get the Gardai involved, Cullen insisted that the Gardai be called. The court heard that Cullen had been working as a chef at the restaurant for 13 months and was paid per hour. Gardai attended the scene and Cullen said the notes were his and said he must have got paid them in his wages, but this was refuted by the owner. The court heard the defendant has nine previous convictions in relation to one incident of theft from the Department of Social Protection in September 2021. Defence Barrister Peter Nolan explained the previous case related to the defendant claiming he only worked two days a week but was working a full week. The court heard that everything had been repaid since the incident and at the time, Cullen was given a 12 month suspended sentence. The court heard that Gardai had been liaising with the injured party and he did not wish to make a victim impact statement. Mr Nolan said Cullen had been working as a chef locally while he also cares for his sister. Mr Nolan said Cullen acknowledged that the notes were the notes involved but said he did not take them and he did not know how they got there. He added that Cullen had been working for the polish gentleman for some time and was very good at his job but he had lost his job as a result of this. Mr Nolan said the money would be returned to the injured party and there was no loss to the restaurant owner, while a probation report stated that Cullen accepted the gravity of the charge against him and deemed him to be suitable for community service. In passing sentence, Judge John Aylmer said the evidence in this case prompts suspicion into the role of the accused and how he came to be in possession of the two fifty euro notes. Judge Aylmer acknowledged Cullen was before the court on a handling charge and it cannot be established that he was involved in any stealing. The judge also noted he had previous convictions but added that at the time of this offence, he did not have any previous convictions. Judge Aylmer deemed the offence to be at the lower end of the scale of offending and said the penalty that the court would have to propose before considering mitigating factors would be one of six months in prison. The judge noted this matter could have been dealt with summarily in the District Court. In mitigation, Judge Aylmer said the accused had a good work history, had no previous convictions at the time of the offence and plays a significant role in the life of his sister. Judge Aylmer also referred to his previous history of drugs and alcohol usage and added this seems to be under control and no treatment was recommended by probation. Judge Aylmer sentenced Cullen to 100 hours community service in lieu of five months in prison but warned the defendant, not to come back before him again. When I finished, I dont know nothing, just the work, 7.30am to 10.30pm A former ice cream parlour worker who says she had to put in 90 hours a week at times has told a tribunal that her hours were so long her baby son did not recognise her by the time her employment ended. When I finished, I dont know nothing, just the work, 7.30am to 10.30pm, the worker told the Workplace Relations Commission today. I go home, wash, make food; the kids [are] asleep. When I go to work, the kids [are] asleep. When I finished work, my baby had one year, and he dont know me; he dont know to say mama, because I dont have time for them, she added. A barrister acting for the worker, Romanian national and mother of two Anita Popa, said his clients boss once called her the perfect machine who takes care of anything and alleged that reams of reams of fabricated documents have been produced by her former employer in response to her employment rights complaints. Ms Popa has brought statutory complaints against Melt Gelato Ltd, the operator of an ice-cream parlour and cafe next door to each other on the Trim Road, Navan, Co Meath, claiming she was underpaid, obliged to work excessive hours, denied breaks, denied her maternity leave entitlements, discriminated against and unfairly dismissed following an alleged assault by a colleague. Lars Asmussen BL, appearing for the complainant, instructed by Navan-based solicitor Neil Cosgrave, said the companys response to the his clients complaints of unreasonable and unlawful hours had been to produce reams and reams of fabricated documents, including pursuant to the Organisation of Working Time Act, which is a criminal offence. Giving evidence, Ms Popa said she never saw or signed roster documents dated late 2022 and early 2023 which had been produced by the proprietors of Melt Gelato Ltd in response to her multiple working time complaints. When examples of the rosters were put before her she said repeatedly that they were fake and that the initials A.P. which appeared on them were not her signature. Denying the complaints on behalf of the company, Billy Wall of Peninsula Business Services said: My client offered gainful employment she was paid for the hours that she did work. In terms of 60 to 90 hours per week, thats a total fabrication of the truth. She raised not one complaint. There was nothing to complain on. We refute the allegations our evidence will show that its incorrect what is being said, Mr Wall added. Giving evidence today with the assistance of a Romanian-language interpreter, Ms Popa said she already had four years experience from an ice cream parlour in Germany when she moved to Ireland and approached the respondent seeking work in April 2021. She said she received 8 for an hours work cleaning the premises in the morning to begin with and that her hours expanded from there. With the summer very busy, she was working 12 hours a day from 9am to 9pm in the parlour. From April 2022, Ms Popa said, the firm opened a second shop, and her hours expanded to 15 hours a day, from 7.30am to 10.30am. Sometimes I take more, she said. The respondent position was that Ms Popa never worked there in 2021. Ms Popa said she did not agree with this, identifying WhatsApp messages and photos she said related to the employment dating from June, July and September 2021, which were opened to the hearing. A September 2021 photo showed her behind the counter in an apron marked Melt Gelato, she said. She said that when things slowed down after the summer months, she would be working alone throughout the businesss opening hours. The minimum I think was 50 [hours] I have a few weeks where I work less than 20, 19 hours two weeks in one year. The rest just like that, 70, 60, 80 hours, she said. Because one colleague was sick, broke the nail, I worked every day in the coffee shop, 15 hours per day. She said that the stress of the job was such that she started to wake up at night with the thought that she needed to go to the shop and check the fridge. Ms Popas evidence was that her employers practice between January 2022 and the end of her employment was to pay her for 19 hours a week via payroll while making variable payments of up to 100 some weeks. Mr Asmussen submitted that on this basis she was being underpaid by 445 to 545 a week in breach of the Payment of Wages Act. We refute that, Mr Wall said of the wages complaint. Ms Popa said she knew one of the owners, David Marsh, was monitoring her on CCTV because he would phone the shop if she went outside. The complainant said that after she told her employers she was pregnant in September 2022, Mr Marshs wife, Sarah Clarke, said she was not entitled to stay home and that they would find somebody else to do the work and Id lose the job. The companys position is that Ms Popa broke her service and added that there was a break in her service between April 2022 and October 2022, but that she made visits to the store with her children and the directors gave her money at the time. I was working all this period. They throw me like a few hundred, you know, for 70 hours what I work that summer, Ms Popa said. In addition to the seven distinct complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the wage claims, Ms Popa is also pursuing the firm for alleged breaches of the Terms of Employment Act 1994; the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Employment Equality Act 1998, as she alleges discrimination on the grounds of gender and family status. Adjudicator Roger McGrath adjourned the case this afternoon with the cross-examination of the complainant has been held over to the next hearing date, which is yet to be scheduled by the WRC. Two men, aged in their 40s and 50s and two women, also aged in their 40s and 50s have been arrested The arson attack at the Ross Lake House Hotel led to an internal Fianna Fail row Four people two men and two women have been arrested this morning in connection with the arson attack on a disused hotel in Co Galway which was due to house asylum seekers. The former hotel had not been in use for several years and had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers. As part of this ongoing investigation into the arson attack in Rosscahill, Galway, on December 16, four individuals were arrested this morning during an operation conducted by gardai attached to Galway Divisional Crime Functional Area and members from the National Bureau of Crime Investigation. Two men, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991and are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Two women, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. Gardai are investigating after a fire broke out at the Ross Lake House hotel in Co Galway. Photo: Arthur Carron All four individuals are being held at a garda station in the North Western Region. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow, gardai said. Fire services brought the blaze under control but the building was extensively damaged, although luckily no one was inside at the time. In a statement at the time, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: I am deeply concerned about recent reports of suspected criminal damage at a number of properties around the country which have been earmarked for accommodating those seeking international protection here, including in Co Galway last night. There is no justification for violence, arson or vandalism in our Republic. Ever. Garda investigations are under way. Mr Hanley was initially held in custody despite his partner's pleas that he was an innocent "family man." A FATHER of two charged after gardai intercepted a van carrying 2m of cannabis in Dublin has been released on bail. Gary Hanley, 35, and two other men were arrested following Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) operation on January 22. Mr Hanley, from North Great Clarence Street, Dublin 1, who is on disability benefit, was charged with unlawful possession of 100 kilos of cannabis and having the drugs for sale or supply. Mr Hanley was initially held in custody despite his partner's pleas that he was an innocent "family man." Subsequently, however, he successfully applied for bail in the High Court. His case continued at Cloverhill District Court today when Judge Michael Ramsey noted from defence solicitor Darren Grey that the accused has taken up bail and has been released. Mr Hanley did not have to attend the procedural hearing, and his bail terms were not stated. Judge Ramsey adjourned the case and remanded the accused to appear again in May while gardai seek directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Gary Hanley Two other men, Sean Mackey, 53, and Jie Liu, 39, are also before the courts and had earlier been granted bail with conditions. Detective Garda Dean Healy had said they could face more serious charges and the case related to "large scale drug distribution". Mr Liu, a food delivery driver formerly of Cedar Grove, Swords, Co. Dublin, alone had additional charges for possessing a further 1m worth of cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine at an apartment in West End Villas, Blanchardstown, Dublin 14, allegedly leased by him. Mr Mackey, a casino croupier of Blessington Street, Dublin 7, is originally from South Africa but has lived in Ireland for over twenty years. At their first hearing last month, it was alleged that Gary Hanley drove to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in a Hyundai Tucson and met two other vehicles. Mr Mackey was allegedly in a Toyota Corolla, and Mr Liu drove an Opel Vivaro van. After a short interaction, the detective claimed they drove to Athboy Co. Meath, where phones were exchanged. At the contested bail hearing, it was said that they drove back to Dublin in a "close proximity" convoy but were intercepted on the N3 northbound. About 100 kilos of cannabis worth 2m were recovered in the van allegedly driven by Mr Liu. The court had heard that Gary Hanley's car was stopped a short distance away, and he allegedly locked the doors as gardai approached and that it was claimed he began to "smash" a phone. It was alleged an additional 1m worth of various drugs following a search at the apartment rented by him in Blanchardstown. During their first court hearing in February, Mr Hanley and Mr Mackey's solicitor had described the evidence against them as circumstantial. Mr Liu's lawyer had submitted that his client was now an Irish national, no longer had Chinese citizenship, and had no means of fleeing. The defence lawyers submitted they had the presumption of innocence but risked facing a lengthy wait pending until their trial, which would likely be dealt with at a higher level in the Circuit Court, but not for another two or three years. Nathan ORourke (22) had denied having the flick knife, claiming he ran because he had a joint in his pocket. Nathan ORourke (22) had denied having the flick knife. A young man threw away a flick knife when he saw a garda patrol car, and then ran from officers when they tried to speak to him, a court heard. Nathan ORourke (22) had denied having the flick knife, claiming he ran because he had a joint in his pocket. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced ORourke to two months in prison. The defendant, with an address at Pinewood Green Lawns in Balbriggan, was found guilty of possession of a black-handled flick knife at Dublin Street in Balbriggan on August 5, 2023. Garda Sean Toner told Swords District Court that he was on mobile patrol around 2pm when he saw ORourke walking near St Peter and Pauls car park. Gda Toner said he saw ORourke throw something away. He said he spoke briefly to the defendant, saying to him, well, Nathan and he took off running. Gda Toner searched the area and found a black-handled flick knife with a two-inch blade. Defence lawyer Kelly Richardson said ORourke denied he had a knife, and claimed the reason he ran from gardai was because he had a joint in his pocket. The court heard ORourke had 50 previous convictions. Ms Richardson said ORourke was one of six siblings, and he lived with his father. She said the defendant had experienced explosive behaviour, but was now on medication, attending a day centre and trying to rehabilitate himself. She asked the judge to be as lenient as possible and not jail ORourke. Imposing a two-month sentence, Judge Dempsey said ORourke had gotten a chance when he received a suspended sentence from the circuit court in February last year. He said go back to Africa, made monkey noises and asked her if she wanted a banana, Sgt Spain said. A PASSENGER boarding a plane hurled racial abuse at an airline worker, telling her to "go back to Africa", making monkey noises and asking her if she wanted a banana. Maksymilian Lesniak (34) was waiting at a departure gate at Dublin Airport when he subjected the staff member to nasty racial slurs. Adjourning the case at Dublin District Court, Judge Treasa Kelly said although it was a public order offence, she wanted to hear what the victim had to say before deciding on a penalty. Lesniak, with an address at Ardeen, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at the airport. Garda Sergeant Derek Spain said the incident happened at Terminal 1 on April 27 last year, when airport police were contacted over a complaint by a member of Ryanair staff. The victim was a black female who said she had been racially abused. He said go back to Africa, made monkey noises and asked her if she wanted a banana, Sgt Spain said. Judge Kelly asked if the incident had happened on board a flight and defence solicitor Daniel Hanahoe clarified that it was at a gate to board a flight. The accused had no previous convictions. Judge Kelly asked if a victim impact statement was required and the sergeant said it was a public order offence, though it was a quite nasty one. The judge agreed that it was absolutely nasty at the least and said I would like to hear what the injured party says. The court heard the accused was still living in Co Clare and had been anxious to have the case finalised after pleading guilty. The judge adjourned the case and granted free legal aid. Mr Hanahoe said his client worked as a chef but was paying rent and his partner was expecting a child. The accused was not required to address the court during the hearing and was remanded on continuing bail to a date next month. State Solicitor Ms Elisa McHugh prosecuted while Mr Stokes represented himself Gerard Stokes pictured at an earlier sitting of Sligo District Court. A 55 year old Enniscrone man who was convicted at Sligo District Court of assaulting a female garda appealed his conviction to the recent sitting of the Circuit Court. Gerard Stokes, Cahermore Holiday Village, Enniscrone, Co Sligo was charged that on Main St, Enniscrone on March 9 2021 he did engage in intimidating, threatening or abusive behaviour. He was also charged with assaulting Garda Mary Tighe at Cahermore Village, Enniscrone on November 28 2021. The case was heard before Judge Keenan Johnson. State Solicitor Ms Elisa McHugh prosecuted while Mr Stokes represented himself. Ms McHugh told Judge Johnson there were two matters before him. One was a matter of an alleged section 6 Public Order on March 9 2021 and the second matter was a section 2 assault on November 28 2021. Gda Paul McDonnell from Enniscrone Garda Station gave evidence that he was on duty on the date in question and Gerard Stokes was outside the garda station on Main St at 9:33am. He said he quickly became aggressive and was shouting. He called him a dirty p**ck and a scumbag and called him a dirty halfwit. Stokes had a document which he said that was from Ballymote Garda Station. Ms McHugh asked the garda if the defendant showed him the document. He said there wasnt much dialogue. When asked what was the report, the garda said he thought it was something in relation to a GSOC complaint. When asked if it was a letter, he replied that it was. Ms McHugh asked him who the remarks were directed to and the garda replied himself. When asked who was around, Gda McDonnell said that a short distance away there were children being dropped to school and they had to endure the language from Mr Stokes. He had to speak over him that he was in a public place and to refrain from using foul language. During cross-examination, Mr Stokes asked the garda that he said he had a letter in his hand from Ballymote Garda Station about GSOC. He put it to him that when did Ballymote Garda Station start sending out letters on behalf of GSOC. Mr Stokes asked about the children being dropped to school. He said that he went to the school and a woman told him that the school started at 9am sharp. He said at five past nine there are no school children outside. He asked the garda if he had any evidence that what he said was correct. Judge Johnson interjected and said the gardas sworn evidence is the evidence. Mr Stokes interrupted the judge while he was speaking to which Judge Johnson replied Im talking here, dont talk me down. Mr Stokes asked the garda why did he say he was angry. Gda McDonnell said he didnt know, but presumed it was something to do with what was in the letter. Mr Stokes said he didnt receive a letter from Ballymote Garda Station on behalf of GSOC. Mr Stokes then went on to say that he wasnt there. He said he didnt say a word to him in front of school children. Mr Stokes: I love children. Judge Johnson told him that he didnt put it to the garda that he wasnt there. In essence what youre saying is a complete contraction, said Judge Johnson. Ms McHugh said she had no difficulty in Mr Stokes allegation being put to Gda McDonnell, who was called to the witness box again. Ms McHugh told Gda McDonnell that Mr Stokes says it was not him outside the garda station. Gda McDonnell told the court it was definitely Mr Stokes outside the garda station on a bike. As he left the scene Mr Stokes cycled away. Mr Stokes asked him if he had any proof. Gda McDonnell replied, Judge, he was one hundred percent there. Mr Stokes said: have you any evidence, Paul, have you any evidence?. The garda replied, he was one hundred percent there. Judge Johnson told Mr Stokes that the Garda said one hundred percent he was there and thats the answer. Mr Stokes again asked for proof. Judge Johnson said the only proof was the testimony from the garda who said he had seen him with his own eyes. Mr Stokes replied that he didnt. Ms McHugh told Judge Johnson that was the States case. Mr Stokes said that anytime he turns his back he gets a summons. The court ajounred for lunch and resumed with the second charge regarding an assault allegation on Garda Mary Tighe. Garda Tighe of Enniscrone Garda Station said she was on duty on November 28 2021. At approximately 3pm, she accompanied her colleague Gda Paul McDonnell to an address to serve a summons served on Gerard Stokes. Gda Tighe told the court that on arrival and even before she got out of the car, Mr Stokes started recording her on his mobile phone. She informed him that a summons was being served on him and he laughed at her. She said she slipped the envelope between his arm and his body. Mr Stokes then ran at the patrol car and threw the letter into it. Gda Tighe said she took it out and informed him he had been served. She said he was recording her as she was walking towards him and put the summons into the letter box. She said that Mr Stokes then hit her on her left hand. She told him he had assaulted her. She went back to the patrol car and later that day was made aware Mr Stokes had uploaded the video to social media. She told the court her hand was a bit tender but she didnt need or seek medical attention. When asked by Mr Stokes if she had hit him, Gda Tighe replied that absolutely at no stage did she hit him. She said at no time did she touch him. Mr Stokes said how could she put the envelope in between his arm and body. She told Judge Johnson he struck her hand with his hand and she was not sure which hand it was he used. Mr Stokes said that never ever has he put his hands on anyone. I have never hit a woman in my life, he said. He told the court he served a sentence for this. Mr Stokes asked the judge if he would like to see the video. The video was then played. After watching the video, Judge Johnson said to Mr Stokes to have respect for Gda Tighe, who he kept referring to as Mary in cross-examination. Ill hold you in contempt if you call her that again, Judge Johnson told him. Gda Tighe said she went to put the summons in the letter box and Mr Stokes came at her and hit her on her left hand. Mr Stokes said that in the video the summons was thrown on the ground. Gda Tighe replied that the summons was served and he was well aware it was a summons. Judge Johnson asked Mr Stokes if he had any other questions for Gda tighe. He said to her that she had no injuries. Gda Tighe replied that she had said her hand was sore and tender. Judge Johnson said to Mr Stokes that he had said he had problems hearing and he clearly does. He told him the garda had said her hand was a bit sore and tender. Mr Stokes then asked the garda when did she hit him. Gda Tighe replied that at no stage did she hit or strike him. Judge Johnson told him there was no evidence of him being bullied or assaulted and he contradicts this on his own video. Mr Stokes asked the garda if he had ever been angry. She replied that he puts every interaction with An Garda Siochana on Facebook and social media. Gda Paul McDonnell said that he seen his colleague Gda Tighe attempting to serve the summons and he observed Mr Stokes lash out at Gda Tighe with his hand and made contact with her hand. He said that at no time did he see Gda Tighe assault Mr Stokes. In a statement to gardai following the alleged incident, Mr Stokes said his demeanour was pleasant and calm. Mary pushed me twice and she said I assaulted her, Mr Stokes said. He denied Gda Tighe had any paperwork. Mr Stokes she he never put his hand on a woman ever. I would never do it, I was reared properly, he said. Ms McHugh said that in the District Court Mr Stokes had received one month in prison on the Public Order charge and three months consecutive on the assault. He served 49 days. Judge Johnson said he had listened to the evidence carefully. He said both had been proven. There were fines of 100 imposed on both offences in the District Court. Judge Johnson said he was affirming the orders of the District Court and taking into account the time served, he removed the fines. He said he found nothing objectionable about the behaviour of Gda Tighe who is courteous and was not given the respect as a member of the force. Stokes added: She did push me. Mark Fitzgerald (22) was battling a significant problem with alcohol, the court heard. A student who headbutted a garda on the nose was battling a significant alcohol problem at the time, a court heard. Mark Fitzgerald (22) also pushed out at officers during his arrest, but said he couldnt remember anything about his behaviour on the night. Judge David McHugh ordered Mr Fitzgerald to complete the restorative justice services programme and adjourned sentencing to a date in June. If Mr Fitzgerald produced a good report, Judge McHugh said he would consider leaving him without a conviction. The defendant, of Old Windmill Court, Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick city, admitted assaulting Garda Darragh Power, as well as failing to provide his details to gardai, resisting arrest and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. Sergeant David Sharkey told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai came across Mr Fitzgerald at the Ongar Distributor Road, Dublin 15, on March 4, 2023. The sergeant said Mr Fitzgerald was in an intoxicated state and unsteady and a danger to traffic. Sgt Sharkey said the defendant became threatening and abusive to gardai, cursing at them. He was asked for his name and address but he failed to provide them to officers. Sgt Sharkey said Mr Fitzgerald obstructed gardai in the arrest, by pushing out at them. Mr Fitzgerald was brought to Blanchardstown garda station, where he headbutted Gda Power on the bridge of his nose, leaving him with minor injuries. The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions. His defence lawyer said that Mr Fitzgerald was a student and currently completing a pre-nursing course, and he hoped to work towards a degree in nursing. The defence said that at the time of this incident Mr Fitzgerald was battling a significant problem with alcohol, had too much to drink and he could not remember the night. He had also suffered with mental health problems, the lawyer added. The defendant was very embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour, the court heard. Mr Fitzgerald had offered a fulsome apology to gardai, which had been accepted, the lawyer said. The defence said that Mr Fitzgerald was doing much better. He had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous, was doing very well, and was now over 100 days sober. The lawyer said he realised it was a big ask, but he pleaded with Judge McHugh to consider leaving Mr Fitzgerald without a conviction, saying that the defendant hoped to travel to Australia for work in the future, and a conviction would impact on his ability to travel. The man, who is originally from the Republic but now has an address in Northern Ireland, will be sentenced in a northern court The Irishman is due to be sentenced next month An Irish man has admitted more than 40 charges linked to the huge EncroChat investigation into crime gangs across Europe. The offences include conspiracy to murder and a litany of drug crimes. The man, who is originally from the Republic but now has an address in Northern Ireland, will be sentenced in a northern court next month. It will be the latest success for the major phone-linked crackdown on organised crime, which has also snared suspected members of the Kinahan cartel. The Sunday World is unable to name the man facing sentencing due to a reporting ban placed on the case in 2022. He was arrested in June 2020 as a result of phone messages found during the probe into the Encrochat encrypted phone network. Investigations into the alleged criminal conduct of the company operating EncroChat began in 2017 after French police discovered the phones were regularly found during operations against organised crime gangs. The phones were presented to customers as guaranteeing anonymity for users, making them attractive for criminals. There was also a function which would erase all messages through a specific PIN code. Again, this appealed to members of crime gangs if arrested by police. The so-called cryptophones were being sold by Encrochat for 1,000. Investigators uncovered the company behind the phones was operating via servers in France. However, police were able to break through the encryption technique and obtain access to users messages. In June 2020, EncroChat, realising that its system had been compromised, sent a message to its users advising they dispose of their devices immediately. However, crime-fighting agencies across Europe had access to the service for months, and the damage had already been done. The impact of the investigation on criminal enterprises throughout the world has been huge. Last year, Europol, the EUs law enforcement agency, said more than 6,500 people have been arrested and close to 900m seized following the successful takedown of the EncroChat system. The arrested included high value targets across the world. According to Europol, investigators managed to intercept, share and analyse over 115 million criminal conversations, by an estimated number of more than 60,000 users. A total of 739.7m in cash was seized, while another 154.1m was frozen in assets or bank accounts. Some 30.5 million pills of chemical drugs were seized, alongside 103.5 tonnes of cocaine; 163.4 tonnes of cannabis; 3.3 tonnes of heroin; 971 vehicles and 271 estates or homes. There were 923 weapons seized, as well as 21,750 rounds of ammunition and 68 explosives as well as 83 boats and 40 planes. The Irish man due to be sentenced next month was arrested in 2020 as part of Operation Venetic, the UK-based National Crime Agency (NCA)s response to the EncroChat investigation. He has admitted more than 40 offences, including conspiracy to murder a man in 2020. He has also pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess firearms under suspicious circumstances, conspiring to make or supply a passport for a fraudulent purpose, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to convert and transfer criminal property and a range of drug offences including that he was involved in conspiracies to import cannabis and cocaine, was concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs. All of the offences were committed in 2020. It is understood several other people are facing charges in Northern Ireland linked to the EncroChat investigation. Last December, the NCA said Operation Venetic has resulted in more than 3,100 arrests, 1,200 offenders convicted, 7,900 years of jail time, more than nine tones of class A drugs recovered, more than 3,400 rounds of ammunition seized and 81m of criminal cash seized. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in Beijing. Noting the Netherlands has become a veritable "gateway" for China-EU cooperation, Xi said China is ready to maintain exchanges at various levels with the Netherlands, adhere to communications and dialogue, and pursue mutual benefits and win-win results. China is willing to expand imports of high-quality goods from the Netherlands and welcomes Dutch enterprises to invest in China, said Xi, adding it is hoped that the Dutch side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises. Xi urged the two sides to promote traditional cooperation in such fields as agriculture, water conservancy and energy, and tap the potential of cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transformation and silver economy, among others. He also expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and encourage educational, cultural and sub-national exchanges. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Netherlands in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to jointly address global challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, said the Chinese president. Xi stressed that economic globalization may encounter headwinds, but the historical trend will not change. There is no way out for "decoupling and breaking the chain," and opening-up and cooperation are the only choice. He said China always believes that the mindset of zero-sum game characterized by binary opposition has long been a thing of the past, and a genuinely secure world should be one featuring deep integration and interdependence. Creating scientific and technological barriers and severing industrial and supply chains will only lead to division and confrontation. The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress, said Xi, adding China will continue to pursue a win-win approach, open wider to the outside world at a high level, and share development dividends with all parties. Xi said China maintains a continuous and stable policy towards Europe and regards Europe as an important pole and cooperative partner in a multipolar world. It is hoped that the Netherlands will continue to play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and the development of constructive relations between China and Europe, he added. Noting that bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and China shows huge potential and prospect, Rutte said that "decoupling and breaking the chain" is not a policy choice of the Dutch government, since any act undermining China's development interests will only boomerang. He said the Netherlands values friendly ties with China, adding that the country is willing to deepen its partnership with China, facilitate personnel exchanges, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and carbon emission reduction, and enhance coordination at the G20 and other multilateral occasions, as well as on international and regional hotspot issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Editor: ZAD Republican sources in Strabane have told the Sunday World that McAuley is the gunman on the right. This photo shows a time when garda killer and convicted wife beater Pearse McAuley was still republican royalty. Gunmen fire shots in the air in 1985 in tribute to three IRA men killed in an SAS ambush in Strabane. Republican sources in Strabane have told the Sunday World that McAuley, who died in the Co Tyrone town this week, is the gunman on the right. At the time, 20-year-old McAuley was a leading member of the IRA. However, prior to his death on Monday at the age of 59, he had been shunned by many former republican colleagues because of a brutal attack on his former wife, Sinn Fein TD Pauline Tully. McAuley was jailed in 2015 for stabbing his estranged wife at her home on Christmas Eve the previous year. The pair, who had two sons, began their relationship when Ms Tully visited McAuley in prison when he was serving a 14-year sentence for killing Garda Gerry McCabe in 1996. Garda McCabe was in an unmarked garda patrol car escorting a van delivering cash to a post office in Adare, Co Limerick, when the IRA gang struck. He was shot multiple 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 connection with Garda McCabes death in 1999. Sinn Fein had tried to have McAuley and the other men jailed for the killing released under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. However, the move was resisted by the Dublin government and was unsuccessful. McAuley was released after serving 10 years for Garda McCabes killing. In 1991, McAuley and fellow IRA man Nessan Quinlivan made headlines around the world after they shot their way out of Brixton prison in London with a gun hidden in a shoe posted from Ireland. Pearse McCauley arrives at Cavan courthouse At the time, McAuley was awaiting trial on charges related to an IRA plot to kill the brewery chairman Charles Tidbury. Despite a massive manhunt, the two IRA men managed to evade capture and make their way back to the Republic. During the 2014 attack on Ms Tully, McAuley stabbed her 13 times with a knife and broke four of her fingers at her home in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan. McAuley, who also threatened to kill her brother, was jailed for 12 years. After being released from prison in recent years, he moved back to his native Strabane and had been living in a flat in the towns Abercorn Square, where his body was found on Monday. McAuley, who was said to have been a heavy drinker, is believed to have died of a heart attack. Police have said his death is not being treated as suspicious. His funeral on Thursday at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Strabane was low-key by republican standards. His coffin was draped in the Irish tricolour with a black beret and gloves placed on top. Among the chief mourners was McCauleys partner Mary Shiels who was charged in 2018 with smuggling prescription drugs into prison on a visit to McAuley. She was subsequently convicted of placing a controlled substance, diazepam, in a prison with the intention for it to come into the possession of a prisoner. The tablets were found in a security area through which visitors pass. Also in attendance at McAuleys funeral was Paul Bosco McCready, a veteran Strabane republican who was alleged to have met Dublin gangster Gerry The Monk Hutch in the wake of the Regency Hotel shooting in Dublin in 2016. The attack, in which Kinahan crime gang member David Byrne was shot dead, led to fears of an all-out war between the Hutch and Kinahan gangs. Gerry Hutch was last year found not guilty of murder in connection with the Regency attack but the lengthy trial heard details of a trip he made to Donegal days after the shooting to speak with republicans. It was alleged the meeting, at which Hutch met McCready, had been set up by former Dublin Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall through his contacts with Pearse McAuley. Dowdall was said to have regularly visited McAuley when he was in prison for killing Garda McCabe. The meeting in Donegal was understood to have been organised to see if republicans would be willing to act as mediators between the two crime gangs. Speaking after McAuleys funeral this week, a republican source in Strabane admitted he was well respected in the town but had been shunned by many people. It was the attack by Pearse on his wife which disgusted people the most, said the source. He may have killed a garda officer but that was seen as part of struggle even though it led to a man losing his life. However, to attack his wife the way he did was something many people could not accept. This certainly changed peoples opinion of him. Speaking during an interview on RTE radio following McAuleys conviction for attacking her, Ms Tully described the horrific details of her ordeal. Things were rocky and in February [2014] I could almost feel the tension building up again, she said. We went to Dublin to a function and we were staying in a hotel. That night he put his hands around my throat and I couldnt breathe. I tried to fight back and when he let go I went into the bathroom. He came in and tried to choke me again. I screamed and screamed. Ms Tully said other hotel guests came to her rescue and the gardai were called. She got an interim barring order and within two months got a legal separation. However, on Christmas Eve that year McAuley arrived at her home and attacked her in front of their children. As soon as he came in he lifted his fist and hit me in the left eye. I got such a shock and the boys got such a shock and he started accusing me of seeing someone else. He got me by the arm and told the boys to go upstairs. That was 11am. He was there until 2.30pm. I had no concept of time, but it was a dreadful ordeal. Speaking during McAuleys funeral on Thursday, Father Declan Boland told mourners all of us have sinned greatly and Pearse was no exception. 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. And a 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 accordingly. You cannot Google away grief, and a computer or some other gadget cannot embrace or comfort you when you weep or when loneliness breaks your heart. Speaking during the service, Damian Gallagher, a friend of McCauleys, said to understand the true essence of who Pearse McAuley was, it was important to look at Pearse the person and not Pearse the past. He said those who loved McAuley knew a man of warmth and passion and hope and who cared about oppressed people in the world. A 56-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday morning A man who was arrested in connection with a loyalist gun attack in Co Down 30 years ago has been released following questioning. Former school teacher Peter McCormack, 42, was killed and three others were injured in the shooting at the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo on November 19 1992. A 56-year-old man had been arrested in the Belfast area on Thursday morning under the Terrorism Act. He was the third person arrested in as many days over the attack. He was taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave police station in the capital for questioning and released later on Thursday. On Tuesday, a 63-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman were arrested in the South Down area and questioned before being released. The arrests came after police issued a fresh appeal for information last November about the attack, which was attributed to the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. Police said investigations are continuing. High angle view of a female worker pulling boxes on hand truck in the warehouse. Loader moving cargo boxes using pallet jack. A Northern Ireland company is facing a six-figure fine for hiring illegal workers after a dawn raid on a north Wales mill. Concrete supplier FP McCann, based in Magherafelt, Co Derry, has been referred for consideration of a civil penalty notice of up to 225,000 after five contractors were found to be working illegally. Meanwhile Stockport-based Adana Construction Ltd has also been referred for a notice of up to 180,000 for employing another four immigration offenders. Twelve men and a woman were arrested and will be removed from the UK following a 5am raid on the Shotton Mill site in Deeside, north Wales on Tuesday March 19. They were all working as subcontracted labourers and steel-fixers. Immigration enforcement officers descended on the former paper mill now being turned into a containerboard factory in response to allegations from the public. Seven contractors, from India and Albania, were later taken into custody, while the others were bailed and are required to report to immigration officials. Officers entered with permission from the site managers, who have since launched an internal investigation. This operation follows tough action from the Home Office to triple the fines for companies employing illegal workers. From February, the civil penalty rose to 45,000 per worker for a first breach, up from 15,000, and to 60,000 for repeat breaches, up from 20,000. Ryan Moore, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: Illegal working causes untold harm to communities, puts vulnerable people at risk, defrauds the public purse and undercuts honest employers and jobseekers. Our teams will do everything in our power to clamp down on this damaging practice and hit those who cheat our laws in the pocket. This operation was a huge success and I thank our officers who executed it expertly. Both companies were issued civil penalty referral notices pending a review of evidence from the site visit and company records. This article was updated on March 28 2024 after the Home Office amended its original statement and said the two firms had been referred for civil penalty notices. The latest deaths bring the number of people who have lost their lives on Irish roads this year to 55. A man in his 20s has died after the car he was driving collided with a lorry in Co Roscommon last night while a woman in her 50s has died in Dublin in hospital several days after she was struck by a van in Ringsend, Dublin, last week. The latest deaths bring the number of people who have lost their lives on Irish roads this year to 55, according to official garda statistics. Sixteen people have died on Irish roads this month alone, which equates to an average of more than one death every two days. Gardai in Roscommon are appealing for witnesses to the fatal crash which occurred shortly before 10:00pm on Wednesday night. Gardai received a report of a serious collision involving a lorry and a car on the N61 Athlone Road at Newtown, County Roscommon. The driver of the car, aged in his 20s, was removed from the scene by ambulance to Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, where he was later pronounced dead. The road at the scene is currently closed with local traffic diversions in place. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are examining the scene, and the local Coroner has been notified. Gardai in Roscommon are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling on the N61 at Newtown at the time of the collision are asked to make footage available to gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Roscommon Garda Station on 090 6638300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. The death came just one day after the tragic deaths of a mother and her two daughters in Mayo in a collision between a car and lorry. They have been named as Una Carlin Bowden and her daughters Ciara and Saoirse. The latest deaths brings to 55 the number of people killed on Irish roads this year. There has been a 25pc increase in road deaths since January 1 compared with the same period last year. Gardai this morning are also renewing their appeal for witnesses to a crash in Ringsend which has claimed the life of the woman in her 50s, who died on Saturday. Shortly before 8am last Wednesday, a van struck a female pedestrian at the junction of Cambridge Road and Thorncastle Street. The woman was rushed to St. Vincents University Hospital where she was receiving treatment. She died from her injuries last weekend. An Garda Siochana are continuing to appeal 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 to investigating gardai. 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. I came in here for mental health so 37 hours on a chair didnt help things A Meath man referred to hospital for mental health assessment has told of how he was left exhausted and at his wits end after spending almost two days languishing on a chair in hospital before eventually receiving a bed. Trim man Kenny Travers spent 37 hours waiting to secure a bed at Our of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda after first being referred last Tuesday. The father of four, who returned home yesterday (Tuesday) said the entire episode was made worse by a mix-up that resulted in him spending a number of hours in a nearby psychiatric unit. The letter the doctor gave me I thought I was supposed to go to the mental health hospital in Drogheda, not Our Lady of Lourdes and they let me sit up there for five hours and then called me and said I should be in the other hospital, he said. When they read the letter why didnt they say anything? After that I was sent over and to the hospital. I was left sitting on a chair and it was 37 hours before I got onto a trolley. A builder by profession, Mr Travers also told of how members of his own family sat alongside him for over 24 hours as the wait to secure admission to the Louth based hospital dragged into a second day. The 54-year-old said the entire experience had made him think twice about re-entering a health system he contended was in dire need of overhaul. I came in here for mental health so 37 hours on a chair didnt help things and I do feel let down. It cant go on because there was another man there of 75 years of age and he was 28 or 29 hours waiting on a trolley and thats just not on, he said. Its disgraceful. My family are all from the North and they were here for 25 hours and couldnt leave me. I feel worse now than when I came in. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Those sentiments were ones which were shared by Meath West TD Johnny Guirke. The Sinn Fein Dail representative described the fallout from Mr Travers near two day wait to access potentially vital mental health services as a scandal and indicative of more serious undertones surrounding the status of Our Ladys Hospital in Navan. When you see a scandal where someone is waiting on a chair for almost two days it shows mental health services are on the floor, he said. It just shows what we need in Navan Hospital is no more downgrading of services. What we need is investment in services. We cant be bypassing people from Navan to Drogheda to sit on a chair for almost two days. The Irish Independent has reached out to the HSE for comment and is currently awaiting a response. The horrific incident has led to widespread shock and sorrow in the Mayo locality and in their hometown of Moycullen, Co Galway, where the family have lived in recent years The mother and two young girls who lost their lives in a tragic crash on the N17 in Mayo have been named locally. The horrific incident has led to widespread shock and sorrow in the Mayo locality and in their hometown of Moycullen, Co Galway, where the family have lived in recent years. Una Bowden, aged in her late 30s, was originally from Co Donegal but moved with her husband David Bowden to Moycullen several years ago. The couples daughters who died along with their mother have been named as Ciara (14) and Saoirse (10). The collision happened along a section of the N17 between Knock and Claremorris shortly after 2pm yesterday. The collision involving a lorry and a car occurred on a straight stretch of road. A van was also involved but it is understood the driver took evasive action and ended up in the ditch but managed to avoid colliding with the car or the fuel lorry. David Bowden has been informed of the tragedy and is returning home from abroad where it is understood he has been working. The scene of the crash on the N17. Photo: Paul Mealey The collision happened along a section of the N17 between Knock and Claremorris shortly after 2pm yesterday. The drivers of the lorry and the van were treated for shock but were otherwise uninjured. The victims bodies were taken to Mayo University Hospital for post-mortem examinations. The road remained closed overnight for a forensic investigation but has since reopened. Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Investigators have also appealed to the public to not share images of the crash scene. A local councillor said the whole county was in shock following the crash, as well as deaths in a house fire in the nearby town of Swinford. Richard Finn said: The whole county is in shock. Its a sad day for Claremorris and of course Swinford. Mayo had a bad run-in today. Your heart goes out to everybody involved and we want to offer our condolences to everybody involved and to the families, extended families and friends. Michael Loftus, Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council said that the country was shocked after the accident. Here at the moment in Co Mayo we are thinking of the families, Michael Loftus told Morning Ireland. It's a massive shock to us to hear of such an accident. When someone loses their life in a road accident so sad, but when you hear three lives lost this way, so suddenly, you know it creates great sadness in our county and in our country, Mr Loftus added. Mr Loftus also praised the first responders who attended the scene of the crash. The stretch of road where the tragedy occurred is a notorious accident black spot and has been the scene of multiple casualties over the years. There has been an alarming 24pc hike in road deaths in Ireland compared to the same period last year. A total of 54 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year - 10 more than for the same period last year. The crash occurred on the N17 near Claremorris at around 2pm ( Pic: Paul Mealey) Fourteen people died on Irish roads in March alone - which equates to, on average, one death almost every 48 hours. Co Mayo had 12 road deaths in 2023 according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). There have been eight deaths in the county this year, including five in the Claremorris area. The surging road death toll is all the more worrying given that 2023 ranked as the worst year for road fatalities in Ireland for more than a decade. On January 5, Terence Killeen (38) died following a two car collision on the R331 at Belladaff near Claremorris. Jimmy Rowe died in a single vehicle crash on the N17 in Claremorris after his car hit flood waters and skidded off the road during Storm Isha on January 21. On February 21, James Moyle (33) died after he and his niece Croia were struck by a car while out walking in Ballina town. Kacper Swierkowski (18) died in a single vehicle collision at Cloonkeen on the R309, near Castlebar on March 13. One county, Kildare has already exceeded its entire 2023 death total in the space of just three months this year. Kildare recorded three deaths throughout all of 2023 but has already suffered four road fatalities so far this year. The high March death toll came despite both gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) running a targeted safety campaign. On January 31, friends Katie Graham (19), Michael Kelly (25) and Daryl Culbert (21) died following a crash on the Wexford Road in Co Carlow. Schoolboy, Dylan Coady Coleman (10) from Shannon, Co Clare also lost his life last month following a tragic road collision. Remembered as a loving child, Dylan was an organ donor. His funeral heard how he gave the gift of life to five others through his selfless act. Current figures indicate that almost 70pc of fatal collisions in Ireland occur between 7pm and 4am. According to RSA research, the highest risk age among road users in 2023 was those aged 16-25 years. This group represented 26pc of total fatalities (48 deaths) and the figures represented an overall increase of 23 road user fatalities compared to 2022. Men are also dying on Irish roads at a rate of five-to-one compared to women. RSA chairperson Liz O'Donnell warned the recent scale of road fatalities was "a cause of serious concern. Roger Rabbits with Jim Bunny The cheese had totally slid off her cracker. Work Wife was having conniptions, going nuts. All over a hot cross bun. Not an ordinary hot cross bun admittedly. An adulterated one, a bastardised one, a vomit-inducing one. This is sacrilegious, deeply disrespectful, she blazed on all florid, spittle flying, arms flailing and seriously testing their hold on their sockets. Breathe deeply, I offered. Think of something positive, something nice, something funny like the Crusaders going five and none losing their first five Super games. That should bring joy. The picture Thats when she thrust a picture of the offending bun under my nose a hot cross bun ice cream sandwich a split hot cross bun, filled with ice cream and nonpareils, drizzled with melted chocolate. And dripping with calories. See! she yelled. See! I thought she was about to arrest over a hot cross bun. But yes, I was starting to see. There are some things that should not be fiddled or meddled with. Like hot cross buns. They should be inviolable. There should be no need. They are a simple, humble and symbolic pleasure. I was kind of hoping hot cross ice cream sandwiches werent real. Could it be that Kate Middleton was messing with photo shop again? A hot cross bun is sacrosanct, said Work Wife. Well, screamed. Just leave them be. Sacrosanct like endangered Hectors dolphins Sir Russell, like freedom of the press and music copyright dont you think Winston? Chumbawamba! Chambawamba! Like school lunches David Seymour. There are some things that should not be messed with. Work Wife wasnt finished. And how will we lever the kids off the ceiling once theyre all sugared up on these abominations. Do they come with a manufacturers warning? A verse for the times Lets all wind down, sing a traditional song and clap our hands in unison. Hot cross buns, hot cross buns, One hapenny, two hapenny, hot cross buns, If you have no daughter, Give them to your son, Hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. Stick them up your b*m! You can sense the deep upset here because we prefer our ice cream in a cone. History supports us. Hot cross buns sans ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce, are symbolic of that significant day in Christian faith when Jesus was crucified at Golgotha. Golgotha from the Latin calva, meaning bald head or skull. Golgotha is a skull-shaped hill just beyond the walls of Jerusalem. Amazing what you learn when researching hot cross buns. The bun is adorned with a cross made of tasteless flour paste, symbolic of the cross on which he died. The spices in hot cross buns are said to represent the spices that were used to embalm Christ after his death. No mention of ice cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce... But then when the toasted aromatics are drifting up the nose, the butter is dripping down the chin and speckled dried fruit and mixed peel are raking at the taste buds, I wonder how many people actually give thought to the symbolism of it all? Do they stop mid-mouthful and ponder the Easter message. Or whether they should be scoffing hot cross buns on any day other than the designated Good Friday. Maybe not. Slapem in jail Queen Elizabeth 1, the Virgin Queen who ruled husbandless and therefore childless, would not have been amused by hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. She issued a royal edict, declaring hot cross buns would not be eaten every day of the year just Good Friday, Christmas perhaps and burials. Those who transgressed ended up in the slammer. Quite right! She also declared there would be no cheese and onion in hot cross buns, nor hundreds and thousands, ice cream and chocolate sauce. I made that bit up. But she should have enshrined it in law. This all gave rise to a personal conflict of loyalty. Because when Cadburys closed its operation in Dunedin my hometown, where the heart lies and moved holus-bolus to Australia I took a stand, a petty one. I would not buy Cadbury and support Australian jobs, companies and economy to the cost of New Zealand. I shifted my loyalty to Whittakers. But now I am left torn after it issued a limited edition Choc Cross Bun cake of chocolate added natural mixed spices, raisins and orange oil to its creamy milk chocolate. How can I bang on willy-nilly about exploitation of the humble hot cross bun then go out and buy hot cross bun-flavoured chocolate? Quite easily I suspect. Waikato and Bay of Plenty cancer patients are about to recieve a major funding boost. "The Government announced a long-overdue boost to the National Travel Assistance scheme, which will make a material difference to people who dont live close to hospitals and treatment centres," says Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty, CEO Helen Carter. From April 1, 2024, nationwide, nightly accommodation support will be $140 (up from $100) and mileage rates 34c per km (up from 28c), she says. "Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty welcomes the increase which is the first since 2009. "Ive described this funding change to colleagues as historic, even. "We are certainly grateful and celebrating the news. "This boost will make a big difference to people undergoing cancer treatment in this region, during an incredibly difficult time in their lives. "Our large rural population means we see a lot more people struggling with the logistics and costs associated with cancer treatment, compared to larger cities. "Accommodation costs could be incredibly burdensome for those who need to stay close to the Waikato Hospital for lengthy periods of time. Ella Scown, Lions Lodge client undergoing treatment. Photo supplied. "We supported 2400 with accommodation at the Cancer Societys Lions Lodge in Hamilton over the last 12 months," says Helen. However, Helen says it's a constant battle to keep the lights on. "With this new funding we can keep the wolf from the door for now so our attention can go to urgently growing services. "The reality is demand for cancer support service is the highest its been in our 60-year history and set to skyrocket as cancer rates increase in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions over the next decade. "The need for accommodation in the Bay, like the Lodge in Hamilton, is also huge. This is a priority project for our team, to find funding partners to make this a reality. "We understand that the funding increase announced yesterday is only the first step in a series of improvements to the NTA scheme. "The second step involves improving eligibility and awareness of thescheme making the criteria fairer and the application process simpler. "The Government has also said they will look at providing the financial support upfront, rather than as reimbursements. "We welcome these further improvements, which we regard as just as critical, for the many people who are slipping through the cracks because of complicated criteria and the inability to fund their travel costs upfront. "This can be a dealbreaker when it comes to accessing treatment. "Sadly, we often hear of people who have really struggled through their cancer treatment without knowing support is available at all," she says. "If you or a loved one is going through any type of cancer treatment in our region, know that there is support out there and Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty has your back. "And thanks to the Governments new funding boost, we can provide even more support to those who need it most." A report published by the Education Review Office today shows behaviour in New Zealand classrooms is among the worst in the OECD and action is needed, Minister of Education Erica Stanford says. The coalition Government is taking action to turn around deteriorating behaviour in schools and lift achievement. Improving student behaviour is critical to lifting achievement and ensuring every student receives a world-class education," says Stanford. Having a world class education system is important for children and their futures and is essential for long-term economic growth. The Government is already actioning two of the recommendations suggested by ERO to improve student behaviour banning cell phones in classrooms and looking how it improve teacher training. The report noted that 51 per cent of teachers said device use reduced the ability to concentrate and may be one of the causes of worsening behaviour. We want students to focus on learning and achieving and getting rid of cell phones in classrooms is one of the best ways to do this," says Stanford. Todays report tells an important story of what is happening in schools and importantly it tells us some of the changes we have introduced will work. One of the recommendations I am particularly interested in is the need for a national approach to behaviour in schools to prevent, notice, and respond to challenging behaviours effectively. Making sure every child, no matter where they live in New Zealand, receives a world class education is a priority for this coalition Government and is a key component of our Better Public Services approach. In total the report makes 16 recommendations, including better training for teachers, a national approach to behaviour and having clear guidance for schools on having effective consequences for poor behaviour. I will be following up with the Ministry of Education on how we progress these at speed. Doctors are calling for urgent access to a new immunisation to protect babies from the dangerous RSV virus. Three states in Australia have just agreed to fund nirsevimab to protect babies against the respiratory virus that has hospitalised hundreds in New Zealand in recent winters. The disease could leave seriously affected infants struggling to breathe, eat and drink, with many needing oxygen and some ending up on ventilators. Infectious diseases paediatrician Emma Best is leading the call to give at-risk New Zealand under-one-year-olds access to the medicine. "That's those babies born premature and with other medical conditions where RSV becomes more than just a respiratory illness but something that leads them to needing intensive care," she says. The immunisation is not a vaccine, but a monoclonal antibody. It's given as an injection and protected for only a few months but could get vulnerable babies safely through their first winter, Dr Best says. Without it, the virus is likely to remain the highest reason for babies to be hospitalised each winter. The disease is very distressing, including for parents, she says. Babies are often so busy trying to breathe, they can't eat or drink, she says. "We don't have any medicines to make them better from the virus. We just support them with oxygen, sometimes even ventilation in intensive care." Trials overseas show the nirsevimab could cut hospitalisation rates by 80 per cent. There's a sticking point to getting it funded this year - it's not yet approved for use in New Zealand. It's been given the go ahead by the United States, Europe and Australia last year, with Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales funding it this winter to various degrees. Pharmaceutical company Sanofi manufactures the immunisation under the brand name Beyfortus. A spokesperson says it has started a conversation with Pharmac but is not able to speculate on its future availability. Pharmac has been approached for comment. -Rowan Quinn/RNZ. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Beijing on Wednesday. Noting that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka enjoys a long history and the two peoples share a natural affinity, Xi said consolidating and promoting China-Sri Lanka relations serves the fundamental interests and reflects the common expectations of the two peoples. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact, which is characterized by "independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support," to consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, expand practical cooperation, and advance the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said. He noted that China and Sri Lanka should join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship. China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and in exploring a modernization path suited to its national conditions, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide due assistance within its capacity for Sri Lanka's economic and social development. He said that both sides should make joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, especially that of the two flagship projects, the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. China and Sri Lanka should also work together to enhance logistics, energy and industrial cooperation, and promote exchanges and cooperation in digital economy, green economy, clean energy, culture-oriented tourism and marine economy. China will continue to import more high-quality specialty products from Sri Lanka, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and hopes that the business environment in Sri Lanka will be fair and transparent, Xi said. He added that China is willing to advance cooperation with Sri Lanka on rural poverty reduction, to help the country with economic transformation and upgrading, and with sustainable development. The two sides should continue to maintain the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, safeguard the common interests of both sides, uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi stressed. Noting that Sri Lanka and China enjoy a traditional friendship, Gunawardena said that Sri Lanka adheres unswervingly to the one-China principle, unequivocally follows the policy of friendly cooperation with China, and gives China priority on its diplomatic agenda. He expressed appreciation for China's assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty, saying that projects such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port have boosted Sri Lanka's economic and social development, as well as the overall development of the region. Sri Lanka will take part in the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, said Gunawardena, adding that the country will work with China to promote bilateral friendship, expand cooperation on trade and economy, education, tourism, poverty reduction and other fields, and improve international and multilateral communication and coordination. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Editor: WRX Three generations of Betty Hinds family turned out at Tauranga Airport for her remarkable dive into the start of her nonagenarian decade. Bettys uplifting story about falling, or rather leaping from an airplane, began as a sudden thought, not a lifelong dream as one may expect. It was my 90th birthday and I decided to do it. I thought: Ive got to do something special for it, and a couple of months before my birthday I had a sudden thought, says Betty. I wanted to jump as a gift for myself. She organised her adventure with Skydive Tauranga. When I rang up about it he asked: How high would you like to go? and I said: I didnt know I had a choice, Im turning 90. He said: Well, we will do the highest one then. I would have done the highest one anyway. You might as well. There are two options with Skydive Tauranga, to jump from 12,000 feet, or as Betty did, jump from 15,000 feet. With some of the most unique views in New Zealand, it meant Betty got to see a breath-taking mix of golden sand beaches, waterways, city, mountains and volcanoes. Betty and her grandson Sam. On a clear day its possible to see the Coromandel, White Island, Rotorua, Mount Ruapehu and even Mount Taranaki. And of course, below, her hometown of Mount Maunganui and the surrounding area. Having lived in Bayswater Village at Mount Maunganui for the last seven-and-a-half years, Betty says she is an old Mountie. Before Bayswater, I lived in Tay St for 48 years. My husband Robert was a tug master they called him Bob. She says Bob, who loved his job, died about 17 years ago. During those Tay St years, Betty did odd jobs, worked in local shops and at the Mount Maunganui camping ground. She loves the area, so why not see it from the air and dive down onto it? The plane can take two tandems at a time and Betty was delighted to find at the last minute she was being joined in the air by her grandson Sam Hind, who she says flew in from the Mediterranean. Sam had been away for five years. I didnt know he was coming home for my birthday. It was quite a surprise and he decided at the last minute hed jump with me. Four of us went up in the plane and my grandson and his tandem came down first. Betty encourages people do get out and have fun with life. Bettys February descent, which is the most notable drop in her bucket list to date, was viewed from below by her daughter Dee and granddaughter Nicky who live in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. They made a point of flying to New Zealand for the event and for her birthday. Bettys son Kevin and family from Auckland were also in town for the celebration. Asked whats next on the bucket list, Betty says she doesnt think shed do a bungy jump. But she does have a word of encouragement for anyone contemplating doing something new or challenging in their life. Just do it! Acorn Foundation in partnership with Tauranga Art Gallery has today announced the brand new Jann Medlicott Award for Contemporary Art. The $30,000 art prize has been established through the generous bequest of Jann Medlicott NZOM and will be awarded biennially to an artist who has made a significant contribution to contemporary art practice in New Zealand. It will be judged by a panel of industry experts who will base their decision on the contribution of the artist over the two years leading up to the award. In addition to the cash prize, the recipient will secure an exhibition at the Tauranga Art Gallery. Jann passed away in 2022 leaving a significant legacy to the arts. In 2012, the Acorn Foundation Jann Medlicott Creative Arts Award was established in partnership with Creative Bay of Plenty. In 2016, Jann began to anonymously support the national Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. The award was renamed as the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction in 2020 and her legacy will now also live on through the Jann Medlicott Award for Contemporary Art. Jann worked at Tauranga Hospital as Clinical Director of Radiology and then co-founded two private radiology practices in Tauranga, where she worked until 2011. Retirement allowed Jann to pursue her love for art and literature. She was recognised in the 2021 Queen's New Year's Honours, becoming a member of the NZ Order of Merit for her services to philanthropy, the creative arts and radiology. Lori Luke, Acorn Foundations CEO, expressed her gratitude towards Jann, saying, We are so grateful to Jann for giving yet another wonderful gift to the arts in New Zealand. This award will continue in perpetuity, inspiring contemporary artists who will have the opportunity to receive this award. Jann Medlicott will long be remembered as a true champion of the arts, in her always modest but deeply considered way. Gallery Director Sonya Korohina says, Art prizes can be transformational, as they not only celebrate the recipient but empower them to create new work. Jann was well known in Tauranga for her love of the arts and we are delighted to continue her legacy nurturing artistic excellence and creativity in New Zealand. We look forward to announcing the inaugural recipient in 2025. The Jann Medlicott Award for Contemporary Art joins a suite of awards hosted by the Tauranga Art Gallery including the Acorn Foundation Junior Art Award and the Rydal Art Prize (for painting). Organisations are relieved the council has backed down on proposed nightmare fees at Taurangas Historic Village. The village is home to dozens of community organisations including The Incubator Creative Hub and The Mens Shed. Tauranga City Council proposed raising the rent by 31 per cent for some retail buildings and 23.5 per cent for some of the buildings classed as warehouses. The community organisations would have been given a 20 per cent discount on their licence to occupy/rent. After huge backlash from creatives and village tenants, the council created a new community category, which provides a 35 per cent discount on standard rent. Larger venues will also have their rent capped at 100sqm. Incubator director Simone Anderson said they are very relieved and the community rent category meant they were no worse off. Some other tenants, they're definitely much better off and it's now proportionate with what the funding environment is for most of us. If the fee increases went ahead, The Incubator would have had to scale back their services and redundancies were likely, said Anderson. The Incubator director Simone Anderson said if the fees went ahead it wouldve been a nightmare situation". File photo: SunLive. It would've been extremely difficult, sort of a nightmare situation. Other organisations in the village would have had to leave, she said. The rent increases were part of the councils 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP). During the hearings in February Historic Village tenants and Incubator staff and supporters filled council chambers urging them not the kill the village with fee increases. The council also proposed a new operating expenses structure. The average fee would have been $29.48 per square metre of space rented each year. Operating costs at the village for 2024/25 were expected to be $204,104 and the council intended to get $167,023 from tenants. During LTP deliberations in March, the council changed this to $50 a year for tenants with a sink, $100 per year if they had a toilet, and electricity would be charged based on use. Anderson said the operating costs would have been more of a serious issue for tenants than the rent increase. We are quite relieved that they've actually changed their mind on that. Historic Village supporters filled council chambers in February to protest the proposed fees. Photo: Alisha Evans/ SunLive. Council manager venues and events Nelita Byrne said the proposed operating costs were not part of the LTP but were brought into the conversation through the submission process. With the new structure the council expected to recover $52,248 in operating expenses including electricity, she said. During LTP deliberations commission chair Anne Tolley said ratepayers would be subsidising the rest of the costs not covered by village tenants. Anderson said this was fair because the village is a community facility. Everybody enjoys the lawns being mowed and uses the public toilets, it's not just the tenants. You can see council's thinking initially in terms it's [The Historic Village] a commercial space, but it's really not. I see it as a community space. She applauded the council for listening and making changes to the proposed fees. Its been really refreshing to hear that they've [council] made that decision. You like to think that when people do exercise their democratic rights and speak up, that they are listened to and it does seem that they have been listened to. The fees will be formally adopted as part of the 2024-34 LTP late April. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. LINCOLN, Nebraska Nebraskas Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Nebraska Cooperative Council on the development of a groundbreaking web and mobile application suite, Producer Connect. Producer Connect is designed to empower agricultural producers with the tools they need to optimize inputs, enhance agricultural profitability, improve water quality, and increase irrigation efficiency. As farmer-owned entities, Nebraskas farmer-owned cooperatives believe information is vital for farmers to learn about and employ sustainable farming practices that protect their profitability while protecting Nebraskas natural resources, said Dean Thernes, Nebraska Cooperative Council Board Chairman. At a time of rapidly changing and new technologies affecting the use of nitrogen products, the Nebraska Cooperative Council is pleased to be able to support the efforts to bring Producer Connect to Nebraskas farmers. Additional participants on the project include the Nebraska Corn Board, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Central Valley Ag, Corteva Agriscience, 17 of Nebraska's 23 NRDs, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) and the NARD Foundation. In collaboration with the Cooperative Council, Producer Connect is poised to become a comprehensive platform for growers, offering valuable insights and resources to enhance nitrogen management and sustainable farming practices, said Martin Graff, NARD President. Through this program, we aim to equip growers with the necessary tools and information to make informed decisions and contribute to the overall health of Nebraskas agriculture and water resources. Producer Connect will be free to producers and offer a wide range of features designed to simplify nitrogen and water management, including: Producer-specific data Protected data Customizable nitrogen recommendations Irrigation efficiency Historical data analysis Economic analysis of nitrogen applications Information exchange Producer Connect is currently in its initial stages of development and is expected to launch in June 2024. The initial rollout will focus on Phase 2 and Phase 3 Groundwater Quality Management Areas and areas with irrigation allocations. The Yonts Water Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 10, at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center, in Scottsbluff. The morning begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. with Dr. Xin Qiao, Nebraska Extension water and irrigation management specialist. He will discuss ways to improve irrigation efficiencies and give a research update on new irrigation technologies. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation personnel will provide an update on the snowpack and expected runoff in the Upper North Platte River Basin. The information is critical for downstream water users planning their estimated irrigation water use and crop planting. Approximately 75 percent of the North Platte River flow comes from this area above Casper, Wyo. Representatives from HDR Engineering and the Goshen Irrigation District will present an update on the progress of replacing Tunnel No. 1 and Tunnel No. 2, which collapsed and caused a breach of the canal in 2019. Both tunnels are in Wyoming on the main line canal of the Goshen / Gering-Ft. Laramie Irrigation districts. To learn more on the breach and its impact on growers on the system, visit https://cropwatch.unl.edu/tags/canal-irrigation?page=0%2C2 The morning will wrap up with Don Day of the DayWeather Podcast. He will provide a forecast and weather outlook for the spring/summer of 2024. The Yonts Water Conference is free, but registration is requested at https://go.unl.edu/yonts by April 5. The conference is named after C. Dean Yonts, who was the irrigation specialist for many years at the Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center. Youth Energy Leadership Camp July 22-26, 2024, at Camp Comeca in Cozad, NE The Nebraska Rural Electric Association offers a Youth Energy Leadership Camp every year. This is an excellent camp that provides great leadership and team building activities. Wheat Belt Public Power District (WBPPD) encourages and sponsors area youth to attend. Camp will be held July 22-26, 2024. WBPPD invites Freshman, Sophomore or Junior students to attend this all-expense paid and fun-filled camp. All students are welcome to apply; however, preference is given to those who are dependents of WBPPD customers. You are going to make life-long friends, learn about the electric industry through interesting workshops, attend fascinating demonstrations and presentations by regional experts addressing the many issues affecting the rural electric program. There's also swimming, sports, a tour to the Gerald Gentleman Power Station and the Kingsley Hydro-Electric Power Plant, a banquet, and a dance! Once students have participated in the Youth Energy Camp, they are eligible to serve as one of the Nebraska Ambassadors to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Rural Electric Youth Tour or to be sponsored by WBPPD to attend the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. in 2024. Don't miss this great opportunity. To apply contact Shelley Peterson, (308) 254-5871 or [email protected], by May 15, 2024. Traveling around the Cheyenne County and panhandle region, you can see that State Senate District 47 candidate, Paul Strommen's campaign season is in full swing, with campaign signs of all sizes dotting front lawns and roadway intersections. Strommen is running to represent District 47 in the Nebraska State Senate, a seat currently held by Steve Erdman of Bayard, who is no longer eligible for office due to term limits. The 47th District has approximately 40,000 residents. Strommen's opponent in the election is Larry Bolinger of Alliance. Bolinger ran for Attorney General on the Legal Marijuana Now Party, and received 188,648 votes, the highest percentage for a statewide Nebraska candidate running outside of the major two parties in 86 years. Bolinger is well-known in Alliance and the northern areas of the 47th District, and over the past month Strommen has been concentrating on meet-and-greet events in places like Hemingford, Morrill, Chappell and Ogallala. Strommen has been focusing his message on economic development, affordable housing and reducing taxes, and has been able to hear the concerns of citizens in the district ranging from the larger cities like Sidney to the small towns like Hemingford. Strommen said, "Last night we were in Arthur, and Arthur County according to the 2020 census is the third smallest county in Nebraska and the seventh smallest county in the United States. For the people there, their issues are just as important as the issues of people in Sidney or Ogallala. Just because of their size, it doesn't make their concerns and problems any less important." Strommen said, "What I've identified is there are three big issues in our area, and then other problems that stem from the basic problems. The three issues that are most important are economic development, housing costs and property taxes. Then there are a bunch of other problems, like a lack of healthcare services, daycare services, drug treatment programs, crime and violence, and child advocacy issues that all come as consequences of the three basic problems. One town might have more of a problem with a particular issue than another town, but we all generally have the same concerns." Strommen continued, "I've been trying to focus on issues that we have some control of locally during my campaign. Although there is a lot of stress and anxiety over national issues, like the southern border, that's really not something that I can affect in my position as a State Senator. From a state legislator standpoint, it's more about creating relationships and using influence to help address the needs of the citizens I represent. No one person can do this on their own, and they need to have great working relationships and alliances with other legislators, from both parties, if they are going to be effective. You may need help from people on the other side, or you may need help from people you wouldn't think would be on board with a certain issue, but fundamentally people want to help out and we need to find ways of working together for everyone's benefit. I've been surprised with the number of people who are involved in their communities, and with the amount of people I would say are "hyper-involved". These people are so important to their communities as they have a great sense of what's important and serves the local community best, and they know how to go out and get it done. They have a great understanding of what they can and cannot control, and they keep their focus on what they can do, and do a great job of keeping their communities great." Strommen will be up in Hyaniss and Grant County next week, on Friday morning he plans on being in Paxton. "We're in the second largest district in the state, size-wise, which goes through nine counties. It's an extremely large geographical area with all kinds of small towns with common and unique concerns. Strommen has been working hard getting his message out, working with his campaign team and knocking on doors. "There are no "days off" in this, I was knocking on doors in Ogallala the other day, meeting people in Arthur yesterday and I still have my regular job to do, so it's a lot of work. But I get to meet great people and talk with people. I had some great pizza at Village Pizza in Hemingford the other day. so, it's a lot of work, but it's rewarding and I look forward to meeting more and more people as the weather turns and we start hitting Fair season." Last time in these pages I looked at Section 1 of the 14th Amendment. Today I continue. The last phrase in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment declares that no state can "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law." All races are equal under the law. Section 2 begins: "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers." By these words the committee eliminated the 3/5's rule. Section 2 continues: "But when the right to vote at any election . . . is in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State." What do these words mean? The authors of Section 2 created a mathematical equation and said that if a state refuses to allow most men of age to vote, then that state will suffer a reduction of its representatives to Congress and also within the Electoral College. Eric Foner, a Reconstruction historian at Columbia University, says that "Section 2 has never been enforced." No state has suffered a loss of representatives because of restrictive voting rules. The states knew that without a federal bureaucracy-officials to count the numbers who were denied the right to vote-the Federal government would find Section 2 difficult to enforce. Akhil Reed Amar, legal scholar at Yale University, points out that Section 2 does introduce into the Constitution the most important words, "the right to vote." Citizens have a right to vote. Section 3 says: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, who . . . shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same." The intent of Section 3, when drafted in 1866, was to push out of Congress ex-Confederates. Again, this Section proved difficult to enforce at first. In recent days certain people have dusted off Section 3 and applied it to January 6, 2021. Per the case "Donald J. Trump v. Norma Anderson" that appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court weeks ago, "A group of Colorado voters wanted Secretary of State Jena Griswold to exclude former President Trump from the Republican primary ballot in the State." "The Colorado Supreme Court agreed with that contention." On March 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed that decision, by pointing to Section 5, of the 14th Amendment, a single sentence that reads: "Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." The justices reasoned that it is Congress's duty to determine who has participated in a rebellion, not the individual states. They wrote: "Congress's Section 5 power is critical when it comes to Section 3." "States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3." The justices dug into the history behind Section 3 and pointed out: "Indeed, during a debate on enforcement legislation less than a year after the 14th Amendment's ratification, Senator Lyman Trumbull of Illinois noted that 'notwithstanding [Section 3] . . . hundreds of men [were] holding office' in violation of its terms." The justices said: "The enforcement mechanism that Trumbull championed was later enacted as part of the Enforcement Act of 1870." Federal prosecutors then had the power to remove ex-Confederates from their respective offices within the Federal government. Whereas Section 2 was never enforced, Section 3 was, but not until 1870. Next time in these pages I will look at certain details within Sections 4 and 5. "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, which none of the rulers of the age knew, for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory." I Corinthians 2:7, 8 "The Gospel According to Pontius Pilate", James Robert. Mills (Fleming H. Revell Co., Publishers, October 1978) recounts Jesus' Resurrection from the Roman archives. Pilate, the Governor, was expected to cooperate with Caiaphas, the High Priest, to keep the Jews from causing disturbance in a Roman occupied land. Caiaphas, a Sadducee, did not believe in miracles or the afterlife. Leviticus 16 details a proper sacrifice at Passover. Two kids, young goats, were selected for this important ritual. One "kid of the goats" would die on the alter. The priest carefully examined it for any flaw, then slit the throat, saying, "It is finished." The identical kid (Barabas means 'identical') had all the sins of Israel placed on its head by laying of hands by the High Priest, then it was driven out into the desert, followed by a trusted man who would see that it died by 3 p.m. Passover day, the exact hour Jesus shouted His work finished and gave up His life. Now Barabas had to die, though details are not revealed in Gospel accounts of Jesus sacrifice. (We note the spiritual matters are quite real, effecting natural ones, even today, Kids are young goats. When children are called 'kids', the devil grabs spiritual authority to neglect, abuse; even kill children. Words matter. Romans 4:17' Mark 11:23, 23. As parents, conservative and Christian, our words change the spiritual realm! Deny the world's view by speaking God's word (life abundantly) over all children. Refuse speech contrary to our precious offspring!) Caiaphas had said, "If Jesus was supposed to die for Man, then we did the right thing." Then came the morning! The stone was rolled away! Mary heard a Voice! Commotion at the tomb that third day declared to the entire universe: "He is risen! He is risen, indeed!" Fearing Jesus might meet him on the street, Caiaphas hid in his quarters. Food was pushed through an opening in his door. Suddenly, Jesus appeared before him saying, "Caiaphas, you have an evil heart.". This man, apparently, was not shocked as the Temple veil covering the Holy of Holies tore from top to bottom as he stood there, nor did Jesus' personal appearance keep him from persecuting His Disciples. Acts 4:6. Constantinople, Italy, library of Roman history, adds this: Caiaphas was stoned to death for not holding Jesus at the Temple, as innocent, until the Sanhedrin had opportunity to hear His case. Cross reference. Isaiah 28;16-19. Pilate was later exiled by the Roman government for declaring Jesus as innocent, then crucifying Him to keep peace. Subsequently, Pilate took his own life. "Jesus the Faithful Witness Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own Blood, and made us kings and priests to His God, HaShem, to Him, Jesus, be glory and honor and power and dominion forever and ever, Amen". Revelation 1:5, 6 Next Week: Batter Up! The uncommitted voters of Michigan say "Jump," and Chuck Schumer asks "How high"? The Senate majority leader gave an extraordinary speech flaying the democratically elected leader of an ally engaged in fighting a defensive war against a hideous terrorist enemy. The speech calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go, along with increasingly critical statements by the White House, shows that the Democrats have decided that appeasing their left-wing base in an election year is now their top consideration. This is bad all around. As a matter of basic decency, this is not something that allies do to one another, especially not in wartime. Present unvarnished views in private? Absolutely. Try to nudge a partner toward a favored policy? Sure. But blast a friendly government in hopes that it can be toppled via a new election, just months after suffering a monstrous attack and as it is still trying to destroy a terrorist group deeply embedded in an urban environment? No. The fact of the matter is that this is not Bibi Netanyahu's war. It is the nation of Israel's war. Netanyahu sustained political damage after the Oct. 7 attack, but his goal of prosecuting the war against Hamas to its completion is widely shared in Israel. Immediately after the attack, Israel formed a government of national unity that has pursued the war policy that Democrats now find so objectionable. If Netanyahu were to resign tomorrow, any number of things might change, but the war against Hamas would stay the same. It is easy, sitting in Washington, D.C., and worrying about how to placate the anti-Israel uncommitted voters in the Democratic primary, to forget the shock of the massive pogrom carried out by Hamas on that infamous day in October. Israelis, though, aren't going to forget, nor should they. It's a key tell about Schumer's intentions that his speech engendered a universally negative reaction in Israel, and Schumer -- who is no naif --must have anticipated as much. Benny Gantz, who would presumably run against Netanyahu in a future election, harshly rejected the Schumer call for a new government. So, the only place where Schumer could have any assurance of advancing his cause was here at home. What stronger signal could there be that the Democratic leadership has heard the activist calls to rein in Israel than the previously staunch supporter of the Jewish state, Chuck Schumer, unloading on its wartime government? Hamas has been getting devastated on the battlefield, but the turn against Israel among Democratic officials in the U.S. is a sign of the success of its longer, deeply cynical strategy. By doing everything in its power to create the predicate for more civilian casualties in Gaza, Hamas hopes to turn international opinion against Israel. So it has done in one of the two major American political parties. If you had told many of the same Democrats criticizing Israel today that within five months of the Oct. 7 attack they would be inveighing against Israel's war against Hamas, they would have been incredulous. If you had told them they would be getting pushed around by pro-Hamas sentiment in their own party, they would have rejected the idea as impossible. If you had told them they would have been seeking a two-state solution as one of their highest post-Oct. 7 priorities, they might have considered it a smear. Yet here we are. On top of everything else, this isn't good domestic politics. There is still majority support for Israel. The anti-Israel turn demonstrates, yet again, that the Biden campaign is pursuing a base strategy in November. Just the last couple of days, Kamala Harris visited an abortion clinic, Joe Biden suggested there will be no executive action at the border, and Schumer -- having run it by the White House first -- delivered his Philippic. What's fidelity to an ally compared to zeal in pursuit of an embattled president's election strategy? Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the U.S. business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Xi welcomed members of the U.S. business, strategic and academic communities to China in blooming spring. He noted that the China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. Whether China and the United States have a cooperative or confrontational relationship bears on the well-being of the Chinese and American peoples and the future of humanity. "The two countries' respective success is an opportunity for each other. As long as both sides see each other as partners and show mutual respect, coexist in peace and cooperate for win-win results, China-U.S. relations will get better," Xi said. This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The history of China-U.S. relations is one of friendly exchanges between the two peoples. Its existing chapters are written by the people, and the future will of course be created by the people, Xi said. "As a Chinese saying goes, doing good is as hard as an uphill climb, while a misstep may easily lead to a free fall," Xi said. He expressed the hope that people from all sectors of Chinese and American societies will have more mutual visits and exchanges, expand common ground and mutual trust, overcome various distractions, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, in an effort to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples and inject more stability into the world. Xi listened attentively to his U.S. guests and responded to their comments. Xi pointed out that the Chinese economy is sound and sustainable. Last year, China registered one of the highest growth rates among the major economies and accounted for over 30 percent of global growth as before. This was due both to the hard work of the Chinese people and to international cooperation. China has come to where it is today after overcoming all kinds of difficulties and challenges. China did not collapse as predicted by the "China collapse theory," nor will it peak as forecasted by the "China peak theory," he said. "We will continue to advance high-quality development and Chinese modernization, enable the Chinese people to live a better life, and contribute more to sustainable development in the world. We have the confidence and determination that China's development has a bright future," he said. Xi recalled his oft-repeated saying that reform and opening up holds the key to contemporary China's catching up with the times in great strides. China's reform will not pause, and its opening up will not stop. He said China is planning and implementing a series of major steps for comprehensively deepening reform, and steadily fostering a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment. This will create broader development space for U.S. and other foreign businesses. Faced with the recent years' new and evolving situation in China-U.S. business ties, the two sides should stay committed to mutual respect, mutual benefit and equal-footed consultation, follow economic and market rules, expand and deepen mutually beneficial business cooperation, respect each other's development rights, and work for win-win outcomes for the two countries and the world at large, Xi said. The Chinese president said U.S. businesses are welcome to participate more in Belt and Road cooperation, attend large-scale business events such as the China International Import Expo, and continue to invest in China, cultivate the market and grow their business. Xi emphasized that over the past couple of years, the China-U.S. relationship experienced some setbacks and serious challenges, from which lessons should be learned. "The relationship cannot go back to the old days, but it can embrace a brighter future," Xi said. Xi said the most important understanding he reached with President Joe Biden at last year's San Francisco meeting was on the need to stabilize and improve China-U.S. relations. In the past few months, Chinese and U.S. officials have worked to follow through on the common understandings of the two presidents, maintained communication and made progress in the political and diplomatic, economic and financial, law enforcement and counternarcotics, climate change and people-to-people fields, Xi said. Under the new circumstances, China and the United States have more, not fewer, common interests. China and the United States should help rather than hinder each other's development, both in traditional areas such as trade and agriculture, and in emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence, according to Xi. He said promoting world economic recovery and settling international and regional issues require China and the United States to coordinate and cooperate with each other, and to think and act as major countries. He called on the U.S. side to work with China in the same direction, develop a right strategic perception of each other, handle sensitive issues properly, maintain the momentum of recovery and stabilization of the relationship, actively explore the right way for the two countries to get along, and promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-U.S. relations. In their remarks, Evan Greenberg, chairman of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Stephen Schwarzman, chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group, Cristiano Amon, president and CEO of Qualcomm, Graham Allison, founding dean of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council thanked President Xi for taking time to meet them. They noted that China's exceptional economic growth and transformation over the past decades speak to its strong resilience and vitality. Under the extraordinary leadership of President Xi, China is committed to developing new quality productive forces and achieving high-quality development which is more sustainable. They said the development rights of the Chinese people should be respected. They expressed confidence that China will realize its development goals and contribute to a stronger, more integrated global economy. A strong and prosperous China is a positive force in the world. They said sharing close economic ties, the United States and China can only develop and thrive in peaceful coexistence. The "Thucydides trap" is not inevitable. U.S. businesses applaud the important measures that China has recently rolled out to further reform and open up, are optimistic about China's development prospects, will maintain their strong commitment to the Chinese market, and pursue close and long-term cooperation with China, according to the representatives. They said the San Francisco meeting between President Xi and President Biden last November has shored up the expectation and confidence of all sectors of American society and the world in U.S.-China relations. The U.S. business, strategic and academic communities support the United States and China in bolstering exchanges and communication at all levels, enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation, joining hands to address global challenges, and fostering a stable, sustainable and productive U.S.-China relationship, the representatives said. Wang Yi participated in the meeting. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) Editor: WRX During the days of the pandemic religious leaders were told to do many things to inhibit the spreading of the coronavirus, including closing the doors of their churches. Most obliged the orders of their state and local governments, while a few did not. One of those ministers who refused was John MacArthur, the senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. MacArthur believed that his constitutional rights had been violated, so he sued and his case went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court ruled in his favor and ordered the State of California and the County of Los Angeles to pay him $400,000. Constitutions still matter. As Bill Barr, the former U.S. Attorney General said, The Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis. He was right. So, when smallpox came to the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts back in 1902, the Board of Health mandated the vaccination of all of its citizens. When a citizen named Jacobson refused to get a free vaccination from the city, he sued and his case went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court ruled in that case that governments could only reasonably restrict the rights of its citizens. That case is known as Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905), and it set the precedent for the next 120 years. That court precedent remained loosely in place leading up to the days of the coronavirus pandemic. According to SCOTUS, governments could only reasonably restrict churches, and governments could not single out churches, treating them differently than secular businesses or other institutions. In other words, if the churches had to close their doors, then so did all of the other businesses in town, and an order to shut the doors could not be made for an indefinite period of time. The big problem with the SCOTUS ruling in Jacobson v. Massachusetts was that it was a court precedent, but not a law. That is why the Nebraska State Legislature needed to act this year. LB 277 clarifies and codifies what governments can and cannot do in regards to religious freedom during times of a crisis. If the wheels of justice move slowly, then the wheels of the Legislature sometimes move even slower. In this case, it took the Nebraska State Legislature 119 years to finally pass a law to protect religious freedom during a time of crisis. That law is now known as the First Freedom Act. LB 277 traveled a slow and winding road through the State Legislature. LB 277 was the original bill for the First Freedom Act, and it was introduced last year by Sen. Tom Brewer and was adopted by Sen. Brian Hardin as his personal priority bill. After the bill advanced out of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, several dilatory amendments were filed on the bill preventing it from going forward. The bill was laid over until this year, and then was finally amended into LB 43, where it found a new home, and passed in the Legislature late last week. The First Freedom Act now clarifies how the State of Nebraska cannot restrict the private exercise of religion. The state government and its political subdivisions will now be prohibited from restricting a persons right to the exercise of religion unless it can be demonstrated that the burden is essential to a compelling government interest and that the action required of the private citizen constitutes the least restrictive means of furthering that government interest. The First Freedom Act also clarifies how the State of Nebraska cannot restrict churches. The State government and its political subdivisions will be prohibited by law from restricting churches from holding worship services during a state of emergency to a greater extent than it restricts other secular businesses or institutions. Finally, the bill stipulates that a person or a church that believes that the state has imposed an unnecessary burden upon them in violation of the First Freedom Act, may bring civil action against the State of Nebraska or any of its political subdivisions. Protecting religious freedom is one of the most important functions of government. Religious freedom forms the very foundation of our republic. Our founding fathers believed this wholeheartedly. So, when Samuel Adams signed the Declaration of Independence on August 1, 1776, he delivered a speech at the State House in Philadelphia and said, Be this the seat of unbounded religious freedom. Tony Bryant Sanlucar de Barrameda Thursday, 28 March 2024, 15:30 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram There is no consensus among historians concerning the name Sanlucar de Barrameda (Cadiz province of Andalucia), a town located at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River and close to Donana National Park, and although several theories abound, none is backed with factual evidence. What can be proven is that Barrameda was once a settlement that was separate from the urban centre of Sanlucar, and that the two districts were connected by what was called the Barrameda road. The port of Sanlucar is also known as El Puerto de Lucero, based on the theories of some specialists who suggest it could be the place that Greek geographer Strabo referred to as 'luciferi fanum'. Other historians claim that Sanlucar derives from the Arabic 'shaluga', a name for the sirocco wind that arrives from the Sahara Desert, although many academics believe this is the least feasible. It is also claimed that Barrameda derives from 'bar-am-ma'ida', an Arabic phrase for 'well of the plateau' - again, without verification. Another possibility is that the name comes from the Latin 'sub lucare', which means 'behind a forest'; while other academics believe the most probable hypothesis would be that the name Sanlucar comes from 'sanctus locus', Latin for 'holy place'. This theory is based on the archaeological discovery in 1980s of El Tesorillo de la Algaida, the ruins of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Roman goddess Venus. Finally, some believe that the place name relates to a 15th-century Franciscan bishop called Alfonso de Sanlucar de Barrameda, who was the bishop of the diocese of Rubicon, the first to be founded on the Canary Islands. The lack of biographical data concerning the bishop has made this theory impossible to prove, as it cannot be confirmed if the town was actually named after him, or if his name signifies, as is common in Spain, that he was simply from Sanlucar de Barrameda. Fernando Egea from the Junta de Andalucia was joined by mayor of Soportujar Manuel Romero to see the development of its sustainability plan. Ideal Granada Thursday, 28 March 2024, 15:26 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The Andalusian regional government has awarded a grant of 59,938 euros to Soportujar town hall in Granada province for the implementation of the 'Enhancing tourism value, improving accessibility and provision of equipment in the witchcraft visitors centre' plan. Junta de Andalucia spokesperson Fernando Egea visited the village on Tuesday 26 March to announce the investment where he was met by the mayor Manuel Romero. Egea said that Soportujar has become "a focus of attraction for weekend family tourism, offering families an option to spend a few hours wandering the streets of this small village of less than three hundred inhabitants, converted into a witchcraft theme park". Egea walked the streets of the village with the mayor to see the development of its sustainability plan. The project entitled 'Soportujar, for a quality tourism' was selected in the 2022 call of the Tourism Sustainability Plans in Destinations which comes with 2.15 million euros of European funds. The plan aims to correct some of the shortcomings of the village, such as the need for more parking spaces or access improvements. Egea highlighted "the historic opportunity that this million-dollar investment represents for such a small village, which could help to halt depopulation". He also highlighted the tourist value of the Santa Maria la Mayo church, which was built on the site of the former mosque and which has a baroque altarpiece. D. C. Granada Thursday, 28 March 2024, 17:43 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Granada-based tech company Civica has been named one of the best companies to work for in Spain in the Best Workplaces Ranking for the third year running. The prestigious awards ceremony, which has been running for 22 years, was held at the Casa de Monico in Madrid by the Great Place to Work consultancy firm, a leader in the construction and certification of Excellent Places to Work. For this year's competition 423 companies of different sizes and sectors were analysed, which involved the opinion of more than 394,231 employees. To be included in the ranking, the employees' assessment of the company has to be at least 70 per cent Trust (Trust Index 1). In addition, the companies must provide information on the policies and practices on the care and management of its staff. In this sense, Civica employees affirm that the company is a Great Place to Work, obtaining a Trust Index of 90 per cent. Civica has obtained this recognition following an analysis of the organisational environment and a specific evaluation of its people management culture. It proved that it is an organisation with a culture of high trust where staff are motivated to give their best. In 2023 Civica Software was awarded the Better Business Best Workplace Award, whose selection criteria is based on pride and credibility. Great Place to Work also values the company for inspiring employees to live the company's vision, mission and values. Job profiles The staff profile of 'civic@s', as they call their professionals are computer engineers, telecommunications engineers, web developers, statisticians, physicists and mathematicians, with an average age of 32. Seventy-five per cent are men and 25 per cent women, above the average for the sector, which is very male dominated. Half of the staff are based in Granada and the rest are distributed throughout Spain, mainly in Madrid, Malaga and A Coruna. In a sector where companies compete globally, they have professionals of various nationalities other than Spanish. Alberto Flores Granada Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:44 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The last few days, almost since the start of Holy Week in Spain, have been marked by a winter storm that has brought with it rain, a sharp drop in temperatures and blustery conditions to many parts - including Andalucia in the south of the country. And the inclement weather is showing no signs of letting up, with similar conditions forecast this Thursday; where cold temperatures and rain will affect the whole region. Storm Nelson is the culprit, causing more downpours and lower temperatures this Thursday, 28 March. Today is likely to be a transition day, with less rain than the rest of the week. But from Friday 29 March more rain is expected across the whole of mainland Spain. La #BorrascaNelson dejara durante los proximos dias lluvias, nevadas y vientos fuertes. Actualizaremos diariamente nuestra prediccion especial por #SemanaSanta hasta el dia 30. https://t.co/PsumLl4isb pic.twitter.com/CiKkSz0Sid AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) March 27, 2024 "The wet weather has complicated the situation for many Semana Santa processions this week , along with rather low maximum temperatures for this time of year," Jose Miguel Vinas, meteorologist at Meteored, told this newspaper yesterday. "It is possible that the rains will remit and the skies will clear on Thursday, although it seems that it will not last long because on Friday a new storm will come in from the northwest," the expert pointed out. And this new storm "could bring a front that crosses the Spanish mainland" leaving more heavy downpours of rain. However, it is most likely this rainfall will not be as widespread or persistent as at the beginning of this week. Looking ahead to the weekend, Friday's front will start to move away, although this will give way to "a new Atlantic situation". In other words, storms and rainfall will mark the whole of Saturday and Sunday, affecting the whole region and leaving one of the rainiest Holy Weeks in living memory. Meanwhile, Spain's state weather agency (Aemet) has issued a special bulletin for the second half of this Easter holiday week, here it is in full: Thursday 28 March: The extensive and deep storm Nelson will continue to be centred around the British Isles, inducing a southwesterly flow over the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands that will transport a mass of warmer air and the passage of successive Atlantic fronts that will leave cloudy skies and widespread precipitation . The Atlantic slope and the Pyrenees will be the most affected areas, with the most persistent and intense rainfall. On the contrary, in the Mediterranean area the probability and intensity of precipitation is much lower. Temperatures and snow levels are expected to continue rising, with snowfall being restricted to mountain areas in the north of the mainland. Wind wills blow from the southwest with very strong gusts in much of the country including the Balearic Islands and Ceuta. In the Canary Islands, the frequent cloudy intervals will continue at the end of the day when an Atlantic front will produce weak rainfall in the western islands. Temperatures will rise slightly and the wind will continue to blow from the west. Friday 29 March to Sunday 31 March: Although with some uncertainty, and despite the fact that storm Nelson will weaken, generalised instability is expected to continue on the Spanish mainland and in the Balearic Islands, with the passage of successive Atlantic fronts that will give rise to practically widespread rainfall, with lower probability and intensity in the Mediterranean area. Snowfall is likely around the main mountain systems. The greatest deposits of rain will be on Friday in the strip from Navarra and Huesca to western Andalucia and on Saturday and Sunday in the south and southwest of the mainland. On Sunday, rain will also be likely in the Mediterranean area. Temperatures will drop again, from west to east, between Friday and Saturday, while on Sunday they should not register significant changes. The winds will predominate from the south and southwest, losing some intensity compared to the previous days, but still with probable very strong gusts in the surrounding areas of the mountain systems and the southeast half of the mainland on Friday, although they are not ruled out on the rest of the days. In the Canary Islands, the passage of Atlantic fronts is also expected to continue, leaving generally weak rainfall, more likely in the north of the islands, insignificant thermal changes and westerly winds with locally strong intervals. Monday 1 April: Storm Nelson is likely to be considerably weaker, so it should produce less adverse weather. Rainfall is still probable in much of the Spanish mainland but at a lower intensity, except in western Galicia where more heavy rainfall is expected. In the Mediterranean area and the Canary Islands they will be unlikely. The wind is also expected to be more moderate, with strong gusts in the northern and eastern thirds of the mainland and in the Balearic Islands. As far as possible, for the resolution of online disputes in consumer matters in accordance with Regulation (EU) 524/2013, the possibility that the European Commission provides as an online dispute resolution platform and that is available at the link https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. David Lerma Marbella Thursday, 28 March 2024, 15:52 | Updated 19:33h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Photographer and naturalist Thomas Dressler (67) was born in a small town south of Frankfurt but four decades ago he came to live in Marbella. It was a move closer to the African continent he has constantly explored with a camera on his shoulder and his images have been published by such reputable media outlets as National Geographic, Geo or BBC Wildlife. Although he is considered an agency photographer, Thomas has published several books on photography, among them one dedicated to the white villages of Andalucia. As a young man he worked as a tourist guide in different countries, including Spain, but soon wanted to quit. During a holiday to Kenya that lasted almost three months, he discovered what he wanted to do: be in Africa. "I was going round the continent and looking for a way to earn a living. Photography then seemed to me the most accessible option. I'm totally self-taught. I was lucky to have friends in Germany, amateur photographers, who had contacts in some agencies, and that was how I took this path," he explains. "It turned out well for me, and here I am," he adds. Landscapes "I rented a car, a Suzuki. I didn't have much money and I dedicated myself to travelling solo with my camera through Kenya and Tanzania for the first few years. I would only photograph animals. I needed to create a big archive to be able to earn money. Years later I would go to the south of Africa, to Namibia, with its incredible landscapes, its desert and its people, as well as its urban areas. There I realised that I couldn't only live off giraffes and elephants," he points out, sitting on a terrace in the centre of Marbella, where he lives between his travels. Zambia, Botswana or South Africa, but also Morocco, the south of the US or Cuba, are already part of his meticulous and admiring work towards nature. "I love animals. It's what I like most. You have to have patience, knowledge of species' habits, and a bit of luck as well." Dressler doesn't always work with telephoto lenses, but likes to capture the scene, getting as close as possible and take a wide-angled, cliched shot to highlight the surrounding landscape, which is always in colour. "That was what the agencies needed, and in order to not get sidetracked, I developed my own slides. That took me a lot of time," he acknowledges. "I like deserts, but not the jungle. I like the solitude I find in Africa when I look at its open spaces. It's like the beauty of Extremadura," a region that fascinates him, or the mines of Riotinto, which he will visit again in April, given the artistic possibilities they offer him. Exposed to danger He acknowledges that he has been exposed to "potential danger in Africa" due to his curiosity and close proximity to wildlife. "Many times I've woken up in the morning and seen lion tracks next to my tent. On one occasion I woke up with a sense of imminent threat. There was a pride on the other side of the fabric. They don't recognise the material, and so they don't usually enter. A wild lion won't hesitate to attack you if you get out of the car," he explains. "I've also had problems with elephants, but fortunately everything turned out all right," he laughs. He admits that photography has changed a lot. "In 2005, I went digital. I was one of the last to do so. When there are big changes, I usually wait. But it was inevitable." He accepts the advantages of working without photo development and the low cost of making a photograph nowadays. For the past three years, moreover, he has photographed Andalucia with his drone. "I've always searched for air, heights, and the drone simplifies things a lot. I've taken photos in a small plane, helicopter, hot-air balloon... Now it's a lot more attainable," he points out while showing images of the greenhouses in El Ejido or the coastal wetlands, a project that is yet to be finished. Marbella was his last destination before leaving his job as a tourist guide. "There I met my wife, who is Italian, who also worked as a tourist guide. I didn't want to go back to Germany, nor she to Italy, so here we are. I liked Marbella more before. It's true that it's become very big, but it doesn't have the elements of a big city. I like the type of people who come less and less. The style has changed. I prefer to go to Tarifa, to the coast of Cadiz, to relax." He acknowledges that he has few photos of himself. The one which accompanies this text, he took in the Kalahari desert. "I was near a bored lion and then I saw myself in the mirror and said: 'Wow, I'm handsome'," he says sarcastically. "What do I think of Andalusians? You're the best," he says, without hesitation and with great admiration. "I feel more Andalusian than German," he acknowledges, fully integrated, unlike many of his compatriots. "This is my home," the photographer concludes. A stroll through the most appetising city in Spain this year Oviedo holds the title of Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2024, making this the perfect time for a visit to the capital of Asturias. This route takes in some of the city's best cuisine Kino Verdu Thursday, 28 March 2024, 09:58 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram We have to start somewhere, so we will head towards El Fontan market, the centre of Oviedo's fresh produce: fruit, fish, vegetables, meat, pickles, bread, cold meats, cheeses, and pulses, among others. The market, with up to 30 stalls, is set up on Plaza 19 de Octubre. Its structure was designed by architect Javier Aguirre in 1882 and construction was completed three years later. It acts as the heart of Oviedo's gastronomy scene, especially on a Saturday morning, when, after filling your shopping bags to the brim, you crave an appetiser in one of the busy bars or terraces nearby; try a few velvet crabs marinated in cider (necoras regadas en sidra), for example. Of course, if you wish to try more of this fermented apple drink made that is so typical of Asturias, your destination is Calle Gascona, commonly known as El Bulevar de la Sidra (Cider Boulevard). Pouring cider the traditional way in Asturias. SUR Around 12 cider bars (La Pumarada, Tierra Astur, El Ferroviario, La Cabana, Villaviciosa and El Piguena, among others) fill this bustling street, one of the region's busiest, a benchmark and pilgrimage site for lovers of the most international drink of Asturias. Cider's big day comes with the traditional 'Preba de la Sidra' ('Cider Tasting') in June, when a public vote elects the best-presented ciders by the 'llagareros' (cider makers).' Small bites But there is no need to wait for a special occasion; Oviedo is a place you must go and explore regardless. The city has a huge tapas scene; it is a bustling area where the region's best products come together, which explains the infinite taverns, bars and 'chigres' - Asturian bars that primarily serve cider. However, there does exist an 'official' route along which you can delight in these appetising activities: La Ruta de los Vinos (Wine Route). Characterised by a series of narrow streets which surround Calle Campoamor and Calle Manuel Pedregal (parallel to each other), the route finishes on Calle Uria, bubbling with wine bars, cider bars, restaurants, cocktail bars and pubs, where the partying continues into the night. A tour through the 2024 Spanish Capital of Gastronomy cannot leave out its historical centre, a must-see that combines the cultural with the culinary. You can take a stroll and grab a bite to eat to the sound of the San Salvador cathedral bells at Plaza de Alfonso II el Casto, and then wander along Calle San Francisco, Plaza de Porlier, the University of Oviedo, Calle del Peso, Plaza de la Constitucion (where the city hall is located) and the impressive Calle Cimadevilla, which used to be the commercial heart of the city and has now been converted into a stream of bars and restaurants. Top: fabada Asturiana (bean stew), Middle: Desarme (chickpeas with cod and spinach, tripe and rice pudding); Bottom: Moscovitas (Asturian cookies, made with chocolate and almond). In recent years, Oviedo's gourmet district has grown in popularity, near Plaza America, Avenida de Galicia and Calle Valentin Masip; it is known as the cradle of the city's high class delicatessens and restaurants, where innovative and creative designs are combined with classic eateries that never go out of fashion and which offer the most traditional Asturian recipes. The penultimate stop on this gastro-tour is Bulevar El Vasco, a complex measuring around 120,000 square metres which opened up in 2022, with the aim of becoming the driving force behind Oviedo's leisure scene. Gastronomy is one of its focal points. There are around seven hotels in this mini city, towering above the 2,000-square-metre cider bar Tierra Astur (you will come across several bars of this group throughout Oviedo, an example of the region's most traditional cuisine), or N'Astura, of a similar size, a project that was led by chef Nacho Manzano, who received a Michelin star for his restaurant NM; this indeed gives us an opportunity to sample some fine dining. Big bites Nacho Manzano is one of the most renowned chefs of Asturian cuisine and has revolutionised the region's gastronomy, first with his restaurant Casa Marcial in Arriondas, which has received two Michelin stars, as well as NM and Gloria, which are situated in Oviedo. The latter is his most casual offer: a wine bar which he runs with his sister Esther, who he is very close to. As Manzano himself says, "Oviedo, as well as being the city I live in, was one of the first places where we decided that we wanted to have a catering business outside of Casa Marcial. And we were sure at the time that it would be a restaurant, because Oviedo is known for its stews and soups. And today we continue supporting the city's new gastronomic spaces... Oviedo has evolved a lot and has attracted many tourists in recent years. And the arrival of the AVE [high speed train] will reinforce this even more. For this reason and many others, it deserves to be the 2024 gastronomic capital." Since last November, passengers have been able to travel from Madrid to Oviedo in just three hours, thanks to this new train service, which makes it easier (and faster) to enjoy the culinary treats of this Asturian city. As well as NM, Gloria, and Casa Fermin, other restaurants include Ca'Suso, Cocina Cabal, Mestura, La Vieira and Casa Conrado & Suarez. The essence of Oviedo's gastronomy runs through these restaurants, from the most daring formulas to the most traditional dishes. So, what do I eat? To truly make the most of the 2024 Capital of Gastronomy involves an intensive tasting of the region's most iconic foods. Fabada (Asturian bean stew) is extremely popular; the main ingredient is the white bean, the region's most prized pulse, which is also essential in 'pote asturiano' (regional stew with beans, potatoes, greens and meat). You also have chorizo, blood sausage and bacon mixed in. As for the cheeses (which no foodie should miss out on), four of them have a Protected Designation of Origin: Cabrales, Gamoneu, Afuega'l Pitu and Casin. We recommend that you do not only try these, but also have a look at (and a bite of) the other 40 types of cheese that are made in the region's valleys and mountains. Bite into some Chosco de Tineo (cured and smoked sausage) and some Ternera Asturiana (regional beef steak), which forms the base of 'cachopo', a dish very characteristic of the region, and which has the seal of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). As for cider, the product of the total or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh apples or apple juice, it has been designated an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) since 2014, and is currently fighting to be included on Unesco's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Between glasses of cider, switch to wine with some DO Vino de Cangas. More things to taste include: Pitu Caleya (regional free-range chicken cooked with potatoes or rice); 'tortos' (a combination of corn flour, ground pork seasoned with paprika, and eggs); 'pastel de cabracho' (scorpion fish cake); 'pixin a la sidra' (anglerfish marinated in cider); stuffed onions; or, 'bollu prenau' (bread roll stuffed with chorizo). And we cannot possibly finish this succulent tour without a delicious sweet treat. Oviedo is a confectionery capital. As well as the supremely popular Spanish rice pudding, you must try 'carbayones', a dessert made from puff pastry, almond cream and a yolk topping, created in 1924 by Jose de Blas in his patisserie Camilo de Blas, among the oldest in the region (Calle Jovellanos); 'moscovitas' from Confiteria Rialto (Calle San Francisco); and, chocolates from Penalba (Calle Milicias ). Irene Quirante Malaga Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:47 | Updated 15:13h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A dozen 'narco-boats' - usually used by organised crime gangs - were anchored at sea and perfectly visible for the entire day off Sabinillas beach in Manilva on the Costa del Sol on Wednesday (27 March). Manilva mayor Jose Manuel Fernandez criticised yesterday's scenes and told SUR the vessels often used by serious criminals could be seen in the water off the coast for the whole day on 27 March. "They were anchored on the coast and perfectly visible," he said. Last week there were also several boats of this type, approximately six, off the coastline near Casares, he added. In both cases the same problem arose, he said: there were no authorities around to pursue them. Fernandez said the presence of the boats not only seriously damages the image of the town, but also poses a danger if there is a possibility people may disembark from them. The mayor urgently requested the government sub-delegation in Malaga province to provide the means to better deal with the drug and human trafficking problem. Fernandez pointed out that neither the Local Police nor the Guardia Civil have maritime or land resources, which is why it is necessary to provide extra reinforcements to "put an end to this scourge". Even more so on dates as important as Easter week, he added, when there is a large presence of tourists and people out and about. This is not the only spot on the coast of Malaga where these vessels were sighted on Wednesday. The 112-Andalucia emergency line confirmed operators received several phone calls about 4.20pm alerting them to the presence of a narco-boat in the area of Los Llanos in the municipality of Estepona. The scene, according to witnesses, was quite dramatic as it was only some 150 metres from the shore. Andalusian coastline Spain's tax agency and customs surveillance service, in coordination with the Guardia Civil, has carried out various operations in recent days as part of the fight against criminal organisations dedicated to drug trafficking. The operations were centred on the Andalusian coast, especially along the coast of Cadiz and the Guadalquivir riverbed, which resulted in the arrest of five people. A total of six boats were seized which were allegedly used for logistical support in the drug trafficking organisation. Some 400 litres of fuel intended to supply the bigger of the vessels were seized. Matias Stuber Thursday, 28 March 2024, 11:02 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Farmers' protests are set to return to Malaga in April including a camp at the city's port on 12, 13 and 14 April. After agricultural associations organised several demonstrations in March, the protest group known as 6F (as the action began on 6 February) is aiming to continue protests that saw streets closed and clashes break out throughout Malaga province in February with new demonstrations next month. Initially organised through Whatsapp groups, the 6F platform is now trying to establish itself as an alternative to the traditional agricultural associations and unions, such as Asaja, UPA, Coag and Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias. Alfredo Moreno, a member of the 6F platform, told SUR they are currently seeking the necessary permits. The move is a turnaround compared to the initial strategy, when demonstrations were spontaneous. Moreno said the consequences of past protests in the form of fines have taken their toll on many protesters. "We can't go on accumulating more fines," he said. Farmers are complaining of unfair competition due to the entry of products from third countries that do not have to meet the same standards required of European Union producers. This entry of products from these countries occurs at the Port of Malaga, hence it was selected as the next destination for next month's demonstrations. Moreno said the protests are open to all farmers and stockbreeders, regardless of which association they belong to. The aim is to demonstrate unity around interests that are common to all and which seek a change in the European Union's current agricultural policies. In the last demonstration, in front of the government offices in Malaga, tensions were evident between those farming professionals aligned with the agricultural associations and those who associate with the 6F platform. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte in Beijing. Noting the Netherlands has become a veritable "gateway" for China-EU cooperation, Xi said China is ready to maintain exchanges at various levels with the Netherlands, adhere to communications and dialogue, and pursue mutual benefits and win-win results. China is willing to expand imports of high-quality goods from the Netherlands and welcomes Dutch enterprises to invest in China, said Xi, adding it is hoped that the Dutch side will provide a fair and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises. Xi urged the two sides to promote traditional cooperation in such fields as agriculture, water conservancy and energy, and tap the potential of cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transformation and silver economy, among others. He also expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and encourage educational, cultural and sub-national exchanges. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Netherlands in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to jointly address global challenges related to climate change and biodiversity, said the Chinese president. Xi stressed that economic globalization may encounter headwinds, but the historical trend will not change. There is no way out for "decoupling and breaking the chain," and opening-up and cooperation are the only choice. He said China always believes that the mindset of zero-sum game characterized by binary opposition has long been a thing of the past, and a genuinely secure world should be one featuring deep integration and interdependence. Creating scientific and technological barriers and severing industrial and supply chains will only lead to division and confrontation. The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress, said Xi, adding China will continue to pursue a win-win approach, open wider to the outside world at a high level, and share development dividends with all parties. Xi said China maintains a continuous and stable policy towards Europe and regards Europe as an important pole and cooperative partner in a multipolar world. It is hoped that the Netherlands will continue to play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding and the development of constructive relations between China and Europe, he added. Noting that bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and China shows huge potential and prospect, Rutte said that "decoupling and breaking the chain" is not a policy choice of the Dutch government, since any act undermining China's development interests will only boomerang. He said the Netherlands values friendly ties with China, adding that the country is willing to deepen its partnership with China, facilitate personnel exchanges, strengthen cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and carbon emission reduction, and enhance coordination at the G20 and other multilateral occasions, as well as on international and regional hotspot issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is paying a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Editor: WRX Maria Albarral Marbella Thursday, 28 March 2024, 06:51 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Marbella has a lot to offer which is why it is ranked among the world's top tourist destinations as well as being a sought-after place to settle and live, but one particular point tarnishes its crown and that is safety. Although the latest crime figures for Spain for the third quarter of 2023 reflect a drop of 7.4 per cent, the reality is that in 2022 Marbella was one of the most dangerous municipalities of more than 100,000 inhabitants in the country. In February of this year alone there were four shootings that shook the towns residents. Crime and waves of violence are becoming Marbella's 'Achilles heel'. The population has grown by 6.7 per cent in the last five years according to data from Spains INE national statistics institute as of 2023 and is expected to continue to increase. However, security reinforcements are not keeping pace and the number of inhabitants doubles in summer. This problem is worrying local residents and those who work in the tourism and luxury sectors, as one of Marbella's main attractions is undoubtedly its position in the luxury market and without security this niche is in decline. The Leading Property Agents of Spain (LPA) recently met with the councillor responsible for this area, Jose Eduardo Diaz, and the head of the Local Police force, Javier Martin, to tell them first-hand of the concerns of the property sector in the area, with particular attention to the residential areas that have been the most affected by the recent spate of burglaries. Mafias "The property sector has a lot of weight on the Costa del Sol and, specifically, the Marbella brand concerns us, not only for the residents, which is important in itself, but also for future clients," said Jose Carlos Leon, president of the LPA. "Those of us who live here in Marbella need to have security and peace of mind with sufficient resources, not only in the high season, but also in the low season, and that all those investors who come from abroad, who are looking for a guarantee in every sense, have it," he said, adding that "there are destinations where the client detects that there is a security problem, emigrates to another place and ends up not coming back. Paradoxically, it is the high-end property sector that attracts mafias to the town often through the 'Golden Visa' scheme. An investment of more than 500,000 euros in a property in Spain offers the buyer the possibility of applying for this visa which gives them residency. Drug trafficking is another risk factor in Marbella as there are several gangs operating in the town. Maria Albarral Marbella Thursday, 28 March 2024, 06:41 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Mayor of Marbella, Angeles Munoz, has travelled to China to present the new Marbella brand image and at the same time seek out tourists and investors interested in the area ahead of the fifteenth Congress of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) which the Costa del Sol town is to host in May 2025. The Beijing-based WTCF organisation operates internationally and has 245 members from 86 countries (164 cities and 81 institutional and corporate members)."The event will bring together leading premium tour operators and will strengthen our international positioning," said the mayor at a meeting with the organisation. The Chinese are among the tourists with the highest purchasing power and those who spend the most on their holiday destinations, which makes them an important target for tourist destinations. Furthermore, the exponential growth of the Asian giant means that promotional activities are increasingly focused on the country. A unique place "Thanks to its excellent offer, Marbella is the ideal town to become the European destination of reference for the Chinese market", said the mayor, adding, "We want to continue working with the aim of continuing to publicise our attractions that position us as a unique place. During her visit the mayor met with premium travel agencies and the media at an event organised by CTRIP, the largest tour operator in China, with which the town hall has initiated a partnership to develop promotional campaigns in the region. Munoz stressed that reaching this objective "has been the result of hard work between the town hall and the private sector to keep moving forward, to be at the forefront and continue to meet the expectations of all those who visit us and who, in most cases, return". Best European Destination award She also emphasised the fact that "Marbella's attractions and the current situation have led us to be recognised as the Best European Destination to visit in 2024". She went on to say, "European Best Destination is not just another award, it is the most important one and is awarded in the European Union because it is the result of the shared opinion of travellers, tourism professionals and the media. Munoz added that Marbella offers a unique experience, a sea of sensations, which have led thousands of internet users, 84 percent of them from outside our country, to place us at the top of the podium, ahead of Monaco and Malta". "We are a benchmark in Europe, a recognised and booming destination in the American market and with deep-rooted links with the Middle East, and we also want to be the tourist and investment destination for the Asian market, where China is undoubtedly the leader in the sector, commented Munoz. Further meetings She explained that the town has been a member of the WTC since 2021 with the aim of positioning Marbella as the number one destination for Chinese tourists and investors. In addition to the meeting with the deputy secretary of the WTCF, Yan Han, the mayor held meetings in the Chinese city of Guangzhou with the chief councillor of the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce, Jaime Lorenzo; with the Consul General of Spain in Guangzhou, a province with more than 120 million inhabitants, Eduardo Alonso Luengo, and with the councillor for tourism of Turespana in Guangzhou, Ana La Fuente. Irene Quirante Thursday, 28 March 2024, 09:14 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A night of partying ended in the worst possible way for a 20-year-old man who died in a drink-driving incident in Riogordo in Malaga province. Four other young people were also injured in the incident that occurred on the A-356 about 8am on Sunday 23 March last year. The Malaga Public Prosecutor's Office is accusing the driver of reckless homicide after allegedly getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. The driver faces a prison sentence of five years and nine months. According to the court report, seen by SUR, the five friends - aged between 20 and 25 - spent the Saturday night in Riogordo. At about 7am on the Sunday morning, they got into the car to drive back to Casabermeja, where they all lived. But the driver was almost twice over the legal alcohol limit, and had also consumed cannabis, according to the prosecution. The driver allegedly lost control on a bend and crashed into a metal barrier. The vehicle rolled over the barrier and stopped eight metres away, according to the prosecution. The 20-year-old died after being thrown from the car upon impact, despite wearing a seatbelt. The prosecutor claimed the cause of the crash was due to inappropriate speed for the layout of the road, which was limited to 60km/h, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The Public Prosecutor's Office also accuses the young woman of fleeing the scene, with Guardia Civil tracking her down later that morning away from where the car had crashed. She allegedly went to a health centre on her own accord. According to the report, officers found her smelling strongly of alcohol. She was then breathalysed and allegedly blew 0.43, and 0.44 in a second test, almost double the legal limit. She also tested positive for cannabis, according to document. The prosecution is requesting she be sentenced to three years and six months for manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, in addition to two years and three months for fleeing the scene. She also faces losing her licence for up to eight and a half years. Antonio Contreras Thursday, 28 March 2024 | Updated 31/03/2024 08:18h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram He is only 39 years old, but his track record in the business world makes him the perfect candidate to take over the management of Carmei, the dealership company belonging to the Mei Group. With a degree in business administration and a master's in management from IE Business School, Sedano has worked in recent years as CEO of the Latin American Grupo Fidalga from 2013 to 2021. He has worked the past two years as CEO of the Carsbarter app. In addition to this, Sedano has travelled much of the world while undertaking various entrepreneurial projects. Now, he returns to Malaga, to his homeland and is most excited about "working on a Malaga project, with Andalusian talent and to showcase Malaga to the rest of the country". Francisco Guillen, one of the three founding partners of the Mei Group back in 2015, said: "We started out as a small dealership of just 200 square metres here in Malaga with just one brand. Now we are present in five provinces and have five brands. To continue to grow and maintain this size, we need top management. This is where Alvaro comes into play, a strong, well-trained person who can dedicate himself fully to Carmei's continued grow." You join a company that has been growing exponentially since its emergence; does that come with a sense of vertigo? From the outside it may seem like a lot in a short period of time, but if you know the basis of the group and see where it comes from, you can understand why it is growing so fast. Practically all the profits are reinvested back into the company. Not vertigo, what it gives me is excitement, and the desire for this growth to be a little more next year, and the year after. What are your objectives at the helm of Carmei? What makes me most excited, after spending my whole professional life abroad, is to be able to work on a Malaga project, with Andalusian talent and to showcase Malaga to the rest of the country. We Malaga people know how to do things very well and this company is a clear example of that. We have, of course, a plan of objectives to carry out this year, ranging from development in other cities in Andalucia to the expansion of our main facilities here in Malaga, as well as the creation of a B2B mobility service for companies. We currently have five makes: DFSK, Seres, SWM, Invicta and a very interesting project we are developing in collaboration with Silence. This is a motorbike manufacturer that has partnered with Acciona Mobility. Together with them, we are going to carry out a motorbike sharing project in Malaga, a model that works very well in many cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. The firm has chosen us to take charge of the development of its line of business in Malaga province. I am very excited to take on this new responsibility that has been entrusted to me. I also have a magnificent team, with people from business schools here in Malaga. We are also finalising agreements to include new brands in our dealerships, although we cannot yet reveal which ones. Not even its provenance? Asia. According to our estimates, in five years' time, 20% of the makes sold in Spain will be Asian. We want to be at the forefront, representing these brands within our group, because logically we want to play a leading role in the automotive market. You could say that we are looking at a medium-term commitment to these manufacturers. This is now a reality. But it is true that right now these makes are not very popular. Many of them are unknown even to ordinary people, so aren't you afraid that they won't be able to gain traction? No, they are simply makes that have just entered our market. The important thing is that it is a good product, of the highest quality. It is about making customers aware of the brand and, above all, getting them to try it out and test it for themselves. Price-quality makes are very competitive. In fact, we are negotiating with many institutions and companies, because once they see the benefits it offers, it catches on. Incipient makes in our market, for example MG, have had deep problems with after-sales service for issues such as the supply of spare parts. Do you have this kind of details under control? MG is a clear success story in the market. It has shown that Asian brands have a place in our market. And then it is a case that, indeed, has had certain problems in after-sales. But it is also true that it is a success story, it has had a brutal volume of sales in a very short time. And sometimes that makes things like this happen, something that could have happened to any company. We don't have that problem, you can look at our reviews and you'll see that we don't suffer from delays in workshops, for example. We are prepared to increase sales to a strong volume without the need to compromise on the other aspects of buying a vehicle, such as after-sales service. Does Malaga aim to become an economic powerhouse and one of the economic epicentres on the national scene? Do you think that this growth will be driven by your companies? In Malaga we are fortunate to be an oasis right now as far as Spain is concerned. It is true that some cities are beginning to notice a slowdown in growth, but not a recession. But there are still many years to go before that happens in Malaga. We are part of this growth and we want to keep it that way, although today, we are established in many other places nationwide. Do you think current vehicle prices are a problem? In terms of pricing, we have some of the most competitive models on the market. I think it's about matching the needs of each customer to their purchasing power. In the old days, we had the car that could do everything. Nowadays, with the proliferation of hybrid, plug-in and 100% electric vehicles with different ranges, we have to find the vehicle that meets the needs of each individual. It's about having a portfolio that can cover every segment of purchasing power for the end customer. I always like to differentiate between an expensive car because the price in relation to what you take home is not commensurate. And a generous expensive car, those that you are paying a high price, but because it is really worth it. Do you have confidence in the electric vehicle as a future mobility model? Of course. Look, a combustion vehicle has an average of 15,000 parts, while an electric vehicle has an average of two and a half thousand. In terms of efficiency the numbers are also much better in the electric car. While the combustion vehicle offers an energy efficiency of around 32%, an electric vehicle has an energy efficiency of 99%. It is a question of numbers. And not only that, we are in Spain, the country with the most hours of sunshine in Europe. However, Spain's capacity for electric vehicles is far below the European average. Yes, but this is more a regulatory policy issue. Governments are now starting to give it the prominence it deserves because it is, let's say, the mobility of the 21st century. It is a question of people trying them out and generating a word-of-mouth effect. First there are, so to speak, the innovators who try out the technology. Then come the followers, who are the people who see that this technology already meets their needs. There is no doubt that the electric car will be the mobility of this century. Speaking of electric cars, what kind of car do you drive? You have to defend the colours of the house. Right now I'm driving a Seres 5, a 100% electric car with a range of 585 kilometres, which is really amazing. The truth is that I'm a firm believer in electric cars. I imagine that, being in this line of work, you must have a certain fondness for the motor world. Without a doubt, my passion has always been the world of motors. As a sport I have had the opportunity to compete for many years and in different formats and I have also collaborated with different media. I am very excited about this project, as it not only allows me to put into practice my knowledge as a graduate, but also allows me to create a synergy between my profession and my passion, which is the automotive industry. In Carmei, both aspects converge in a project that, besides being exciting and motivating, allows me to enjoy my work, because I like what I do. What about your dream car? I am a classic, a romantic. For me, my dream car is still combustion, a Prancing Horse. But that's a work of art to have at home and admire, not as a good mobility solution. A.R Garcia / M.Martinez Santander Thursday, 28 March 2024, 10:57 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The celebrations of the bride and groom who tied the knot on Saturday 23 March surrounded by family and friends have been spoiled after many of the 170 guests felt sick the next day. On Monday, some 30 of them went to the emergency department of the Valdecilla Hospital in Santander with similar symptoms: mainly vomiting or diarrhoea. Some even required hospitalisation due to dehydration, although, according to El Diario Montanes, most of those affected returned home after seeing a doctor. It triggered emergency services to report the situation to the Directorate General of Public Health to activate the protocol for food poisoning. On 25 March the health department already had the list of guests, although it had not yet proceeded to take samples of the food consumed at the banquet at the wedding as the venue - the Palacio de Mijares in Santillana del Mar - was shut, the regional ministry told SUR. Technicians from the department of food safety of the Cantabrian government on Tuesday 26 March started their inspections to determine the possible origin of the food poisoning by taking a sample of the food served at the wedding, and will also determine how many people were affected. It cannot be ruled out that others also felt unwell, in addition to those who went to hospital. Other guests may have only presented with mild symptoms who did not even require medical assistance. Technicians are expected to contact the entire list of attendees from Saturday's wedding. If food poisoning is confirmed, which is currently the most likely hypothesis given the symptoms of the guests, it will be one of the biggest outbreaks recorded in recent years in Cantabria. The number of people taken to hospital alone is already more than all those possibly affected in five outbreaks investigated by public health in 2022. According to that year's report, 25 people were affected - between two and ten per outbreak - although food poisoning could not be confirmed in all cases - in one of them it was even ruled out. J.M.L. Toledo Thursday, 28 March 2024, 09:46 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A farmer in Menasalbas in the central Spanish municipality of Toledo was surprised to find three Iberian lynx cubs in his shed. But the cubs, hidden in straw, have not been abandoned by their mother. Agents from Guardia Civil's nature protection unit Seprona witnessed the mother regularly visiting the barn to check up on her cubs. The farmer alerted the 112 emergency service when he found the cubs after going to feed his animals. The mother was not there at the time. "This is good news for a species in danger of extinction. It is the fruit of many years of work and a lot of effort to conserve this species and reintroduce them into the natural environment," deputy coordinator of the environment officers of Castilla-La Mancha, Alfonso Sanchez said. At first, the farmer took the cubs to look after them, but then the authorities thought it better to leave them in the hayloft so the mother could continue caring for them. "In these cases we always ask the animals not be handled and that 112 be notified," Sanchez said. To better monitor the young lynxes, video cameras have been installed in the shed, which have confirmed regular visits by the mother. Their future should also follow a natural course: whenever the mother decides her cubs are strong enough to leave for the wild. Lynx population The discovery of these three small lynxes coincided with the first release of an Iberian lynx in the Cabaneros National Park, located between the provinces of Toledo and Ciudad Real, to create a corridor towards Sierra Morena and the Montes de Toledo that will hopefully continue to recover the endangered species. The pioneering initiative is part of the European project, Life Lynx Connect, carried out in Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucia, Extremadura, Murcia and Portugal. The animal is called U2Nava and is a one-year-old male from the Iberian Lynx Breeding Centre of La Olivilla in Jaen. At present, Castilla-La Mancha has established three lynx reintroduction areas: Montes de Toledo, Sierra Morena Oriental and Sierra Morena Occidental, with a fourth to be added: Campos de Hellin, in Albacete province. The total lynx population in Castilla-La Mancha, according to the latest updated census of 2023, is 700, of which 300 are cubs and 400 are adults. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. All power units of DTEK's Burshtynska and Ladyzhynska TPPs completely or partially damaged by Russia's strike top manager Two thermal power plants of the DTEK energy holding Burshtynska and Ladyzhynska (Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions) were severely damaged in an attack by Russian aggressors on the Ukrainian power system on March 22, said DTEK CEO Dmytro Sakharuk. "We lost 50% of the installed capacity. All units at Burshtynska TPP and all at Ladyzhynska TPP were damaged. The power units are destroyed to varying degrees: from complete to more than 50%... In some cases, it is necessary to build units almost from scratch," Sakharuk said in an interview with Economic Pravda publication. He also added that "the Kurakhivska Thermal Power Plant, heavily damaged by the smart bombs, is not operating." In total, almost 2 GW of available power was lost in the system, Sakharuk said. According to his forecasts, one or two units of DTEK's thermal power plants will begin to operate earlier, in total, it will take 6-24 months or even more for recovery. Sakharuk pointed out that according to preliminary estimates, major equipment was destroyed for about $200, but this amount will increase after the completion of defect identification. He also noted that DTEK requires about a dozen units of equipment, primarily transformers. DTEK intends to partially restore the operation of its thermal power plants at its own expense, but, as its CEO emphasized, "the scale of destruction is colossal, so the companies will not be able to recover without the support of international donors." Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh led a six-person delegation to Taiwan last week to try to woo Micron Technology suppliers to come to Central New York. While no deals were made, officials said they made a strong pitch about why Taiwanese companies should set up shop next to Microns planned semiconductor plant in Clay. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A Syracuse man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Gerald Hale, 36, was accused of forcing the child to perform oral sex on three separate occasions in 2021 at a home in Syracuse, Syracuse police said in a criminal complaint. Hale pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual act on Jan. 24, Judge Matthew Doran said in court. Before Doran announced the sentence, prosecutor Ariana Pastorello read a statement from the girls family. Hale was close with her family for many years, the letter said. He celebrated holidays and went on trips with them, it said. Hale was able to hide the abuse by having the girl pinky promise not to tell anyone what he was doing to her. Eventually, he began threatening to hurt her family if she said anything, according to the letter. The letter said that the girl is a survivor and she will move forward now that he never has the opportunity to hurt her ever again. Hale also addressed the court before he was sentenced. He said he prays for forgiveness and hopes the girl can recover quickly. Doran said that Hales guilty plea marked a compromise that left both sides unsatisfied. He said that he approved the plea agreement because it would spare the child and her family from having to go through a trial. After the judge issued his sentence, Hale --who had been out of custody -- was placed in handcuffs and led out of the courtroom. He will also be required to register as a sex offender. Gerald Hale, 34, of Syracuse. (Courtesy of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office) Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. -- A Central New York woman has filed a lawsuit against a former Onondaga County Sheriffs deputy and the county accusing the man of stalking and sexual assault. The woman -- who is not named in the lawsuit -- was a victim in a domestic violence case investigated by the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office in March 2023. The deputy, Brian Lynch, has pleaded guilty to harassment and resigned his job, officials said. The woman includes Onondaga County and the sheriffs office in the lawsuit, alleging negligence allowing the deputy to continue his harassment. The sheriffs office declined to comment on the lawsuit. The lawsuit filed in Onondaga County Supreme Court said in the weeks following their first meeting Lynch harassed, sexually assaulted and coerced the victim. The harassment culminated with Lynch allegedly attempting to break into the womans house, the lawsuit said. The woman was fearful of reporting Lynchs behavior due to his position as a law enforcement officer, according to the lawsuit. After Lynch attempted to break into her home, she called police and later notified the sheriffs office. Three days after the attempted break-in, Lynch was arrested and placed on leave while the sheriffs office performed an internal investigation. Lynch was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and official misconduct, both misdemeanors. On Jan. 10, Lynch pleaded guilty to harassment, prosecutor Joseph Coolican said this week. He was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, Coolican said. As a result of the plea he was required to resign from the sheriffs office and can no longer be a police officer in New York state, Coolican said. Lynch first met the woman on March 21 after he responded to a 911 call stating her ex-boyfriend stole her car after an argument at the Home Base bar in Mattydale, Sheriff Toby Shelley told Syracuse.com | The Post Standard shortly after Lynchs arrest. The lawsuit said that the ex-boyfriend left her stranded at a gas station and an employee called 911 to report the dispute. The woman spoke to Lynch and said she did not want to press charges before ordering an Uber back to the bar, according to the lawsuit. When she arrived at the bar, Lynch was waiting outside in his patrol car, according to the lawsuit. Lynch stopped her from entering the bar and told her to get in his car for a private conversation, the lawsuit said. For the next 30 days, Lynch used his position of power to sexually assault and exploit the woman, according to the lawsuit. Within hours of the woman returning home the night she met Lynch, he found her social media and began sending her inappropriate messages, according to the lawsuit. The messages were sexual and said that Lynch could do something if she cooperated, it said. Lynch said in an affidavit that he was trying to have an intimate relationship with her. On April 1, 2023, Lynch asked the woman to meet him in a parking lot, according to the lawsuit. When she arrived he was in his patrol car and told the woman to contact the sheriffs office to request Lynch follow up with her regarding the domestic incident, according to the lawsuit. The woman never requested a follow-up. After the meeting in the parking lot, the two did not speak for around 10 days, according to the lawsuit. When the messages resumed, Lynch repeatedly asked for the woman to meet with him again and she refused, the lawsuit said. Around 2 a.m. April 12, Lynch was on duty when he was called to aid the woman who reported she was a victim of a domestic incident, according to court documents filed by the sheriffs office. She was at the Home Base bar again and reported the same ex-boyfriend hit her, according to Lynchs affidavit. The lawsuit alleges that Lynch used the loudspeaker on his patrol car to insult the woman and demand she get into the car. As the woman approached the car, Lynch told two other deputies to leave, according to the lawsuit. Lynch did not take a statement and offered to drive the woman home because she was intoxicated, he said in an affidavit. Lynch drove the woman home and told her he would give her a final chance to officially request he follow up with her and be dispatched to her house, according to the lawsuit. Lynch entered her house and repeatedly lifted up the dress she was wearing and kissed her, a detective wrote in the court documents. In an affidavit, the woman said when he found out she did not call police to have her ex-boyfriend charged he got upset with her. She eventually told Lynch to bring the paperwork to her house. Lynch prepared a statement for the woman and swore at her to sign the statement, according to the lawsuit. While at her house, Lynch again kissed the woman and tried to lift her dress, the detective said in court papers. In the days after this interaction, Lynch continued to message the woman and encourage he to request a follow-up so he could be dispatched to her house while on duty, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit said he finally told the woman he would go to her house whether she invited him or not. On April 17, Lynch returned to the womans house while off duty, the detective said. Lynch said when he arrived, she was not home. He tried to force his way into the home by prying open a locked storm door and then used a knife to pry open a side door and pick the lock, he said. The woman was with her daughter at her mothers house and got a notification from her Ring camera, which showed Lynch trying to break into her home, according to the lawsuit. After the attempted break in the woman reached out to police and reported Lynchs behavior to the sheriffs office. Shortly after the report was made, he was arrested. In the lawsuit, the woman says that she has suffered emotionally and psychologically due to Lynchs actions. She also said that the county and the sheriffs office owed a duty to her as a citizen and crime victim that was breached. She alleges the county and sheriffs office were negligent in their supervision of Lynch which allowed him to harass her for a month. The sheriffs office would not comment on the lawsuit. Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Life magazine is coming back to life. The Hollywood Reporter reports supermodel Karlie Kloss and her husband, investor Josh Kushner, have acquired the publishing rights to the iconic publication from Dotdash Meredith. Kloss and Kushners holding company, Bedford Media, said they will relaunch Life as a print magazine with a vibrant digital and video presence. April is National Poetry Month. Named Cruel April after T.S. Eliots poem The Waste Land, the month celebrates new beginnings and the art of poetry. This year, the 21st United States Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, will visit Syracuse for the first time to read his work at Point of Contact annual poetry reading series. Herrera is a Mexican-American artist known for his bilingual work. An active artist for over five decades, he has published over 30 books in various genres like poetry, short stories and young adult novels. In 2015, Herrera was appointed U.S. Poet Laureate, a position chosen by the Library of Congress. Serving a two-year tenure, he was the first Latino to hold this position and served as a consultant to the Library of Congress and their poetry collections. Coming to Syracuse is exciting, Herrera said, and hes interested in exploring the city. Poetry is emotional, Herrera said. Workshops many times have to be formal and its hard, but I want to play, flow and experiment. I want to have fun and I want to explore, thats the beauty of poetry. During his visit, Herrera will lead a poetry reading and two writing workshops at La Casita Cultural Center on 109 Otisco St. The poetry reading will take place on April 4 at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. The workshops will take place on April 3 and April 5. Bringing Herrera to the city has been years in the making, said Teresita Paniagua, executive director of the Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community at Syracuse University. Back in 2015, we had reached out to Juan and we were in the process of inviting him to Cruel April, Paniagua said. I remember that I wrote to him and I sent him pictures of two murals that our students had created based on some of his books. Those murals are still up in La Casita today. When they named him Poet Laureate, everything changed. Were really happy that we were now able to coordinate this and that Juan is collaborating with us. Another four artists will also participate in the month-long event. Dashel Hernandez Guirado is a contemporary Cuban artist who came to the United States in 2016 to complete a masters degree in public administration at Syracuse University. Hernandez describes himself as a painter who writes and has worked in the arts since he was a young boy in Cuba, focusing on visual arts, painting and writing. Hernandez, now based in Miami, Florida, will come to Syracuse on April 11 for a poetry reading at the Warehouse Building on 350 W. Fayette St. Connecting with people and presenting to an audience enhances the art, Hernandez said. You can read someones work, but nothing compares to sharing the space, breathing the same air and listening to the artists voice in person. Both Herrera and Hernandez will be featured in a poetry collection book alongside other artists. Titled Corresponding Voices, Vol. 15 the book is published by Point of Contact every year and features original works in both Spanish and English. Priced at $10, the book will be available at every poetry reading and later will be available in Point of Contacts online store. To see more information on the Cruel April poetry series, including the other artists who will be featured and when each session will be, visit Point of Contacts website. A Democrat from Waterloo in Seneca County has launched a campaign to unseat Rep. Claudia Tenney in the 24th Congressional District. David Wagenhauser, 65, a retired lawyer, won the Democratic designation in the 14 counties that make up the sprawling district. Wagenhauser, a graduate of Syracuse Universitys law school, said he worked for the Telecommunications Research and Action Center, a consumer protection organization in Washington, D.C., before returning home to the Finger Lakes region. Wagenhauser said he helped run his familys home-care business for about 15 years, then entered politics and won an election for Brockport village trustee in Monroe County. The new 24th Congressional District, established earlier this year by state lawmakers, spans all or part of 14 counties, stretching from Jefferson County in the North Country through the Finger Lakes to Western New York. In Central New York, the district includes all of Oswego County and the northern portion of Cayuga County. Wagenhauser said he has visited 13 of the 14 counties in the district, including stops Friday and Monday in Fulton and Phoenix in Oswego County. Donald Trump won the district by about 20 percentage points (60-40%) over President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Tenney, R-Cleveland, began the year with $428,791 in her campaign account, according to Federal Election Commission records. Wagenhauser had $5,286 in his account after only a few weeks of fundraising. Tenney is seeking her fourth term in Congress. She also faces a Republican primary challenge this year from Mario Fratto, a lawyer from Geneva. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 More than 1,806 children suffered in Ukraine as a result of full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation: as of the morning of March 28, 2024, according to official information from juvenile prosecutors, 537 children were killed and more than 1,269 were injured of varying degrees of severity. These numbers are not final. Work continues to identify them in places of hostilities, in temporarily occupied and liberated territories, the Prosecutor General's Office reports on Telegram. Children suffered the most in the following regions: Donetsk - 524, Kharkiv - 343, Kherson - 149, Kyiv - 130, Dnipropetrovsk - 125, Mykolaiv - 103, and Zaporizhia - 100. On March 27, as a result of an enemy attack on the village of Borova, Izium district, Kharkiv region, a 13-year-old boy was killed; as a result of enemy shelling of the city of Kharkiv, four children aged three months to thirteen years were injured. 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. During the night, Ukrainian air defense destroyed 26 enemy Shahed drones with which the Russian Federation attacked the regions of Ukraine, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports. "Some 26 attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type were destroyed within Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions," the statement said. It is noted that on the night of March 28, the enemy also launched a missile and air strike on Ukraine using three X-22 cruise missiles and an X-31P anti-radar missile (from the Black Sea), an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile (Donetsk region) and 28 drones of the Shahed-136/131 type (launch area Kursk region - Russian Federation, and Cape Chauda - Crimea). Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, mobile fire groups and electronic warfare equipment of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved in repelling the attack, the air command added. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Why it matters: Microsoft and multiple chipmakers have spent months heralding the arrival of the "AI PC," which utilizes generative AI and large language models to facilitate various tasks in new ways. However, the definition of an AI PC remains somewhat unclear. At a recent event in Taipei, Intel began defining the specifics that it agreed upon with Microsoft. At Intel's recent AI summit in Taipei, the company informed the public that Windows PCs will soon leverage NPUs (Neural Processing Units) to run Microsoft Copilot assistant locally. This is the first confirmation of rumors that emerged regarding Copilot and increasingly prevalent hardware-based accelerators late last year. Microsoft began pushing Copilot to Windows 11 users last year, but that currently operates in the cloud. The company is expected to enhance the AI assistant by integrating NPUs starting with the 24H2 update, possibly arriving this summer. While Intel didn't provide a specific date for the upgrade, a spokesperson mentioned that Copilot will begin handling many, but not all, tasks locally using NPUs, reducing its reliance on the cloud. Microsoft is seeking to inaugurate the new "AI PC" era by introducing a dedicated Copilot key to the specifications for Windows keyboards, and Intel is collaborating by incorporating the key into its official requirements for an AI PC. Previously, the minimum AI PC specs were defined by the presence of a CPU, GPU, and NPU. Additionally, the company has listed 40 TOPs of NPU performance as a requirement for next-generation AI PCs. NPUs have begun to appear in Intel's Meteor Lake (a.k.a. Core Ultra), AMD's Strix Point, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite platform. Recent graphics cards from Nvidia, Intel, and AMD can also locally run AI processes like Nvidia's RTX-powered chatbot. However, Intel stated that NPUs are designed to alleviate the extra workload on CPUs and GPUs, and testing has shown to improve battery life. Nevertheless, AI applications can also consume significant amounts of memory, and it remains unclear how this might impact AI PC system requirements. In Taipei, Intel also announced a new initiative to provide developers with resources to create new software to leverage AI. Currently, AI applications mostly involve text and image generation, image processing, and enhanced search engines. Recent Windows Insider builds indicate that Microsoft is testing features that might enable Copilot to automatically navigate settings, find items based on text descriptions, or perform other tasks to expedite workflows. What just happened? The US-led campaign to restrict China's access to advanced technologies will not deter its scientific and technological progress, according to President Xi Jinping, who made the statement during his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The Netherlands restricted exports of ASML's advanced chipmaking equipment to China last year, a move prompted by the US. Xi met Rutte on Wednesday for discussions relating to areas that included the semiconductor industry. "The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress," said Xi, according to Xinhua News Agency. The president added that China will "continue to pursue a win-win approach." ASML, the world's largest semiconductor equipment supplier by market cap, has been impacted by the Dutch government's export licensing requirements that were introduced in 2023. At the start of the year, ASML announced that a license for the shipment of NXT:2050i and NXT:2100i lithography systems had been partially revoked by the Dutch government, impacting a small number of customers in China. The systems represent the company's most advanced DUV tools, capable of supporting 7nm and 5nm-class process technology with multi-patterning. It remains uncertain whether ASML will be allowed to continue servicing the billions of dollars worth of advanced chipmaking equipment it has already sold to Chinese customers that now fall under the export restrictions when current licenses expire, writes Reuters. Rutte refused to comment on the matter. China was ASML's second-largest customer in 2023, accounting for 29% of its revenue as Chinese companies rushed to buy its chipmaking equipment before the new licensing rules came into effect, writes Associated Press. Rutte downplayed the tension between China and the Netherlands, claiming the restrictions are never aimed at one country specifically and the Dutch government always tries to ensure the impact is limited. In addition to chipmaking equipment, the US has restricted the export of advanced AI products from the likes of Nvidia and AMD to China due to their potential use in military applications. This week saw China announce it was phasing out Intel and AMD processors, along with the Windows OS, from its government computers in favor of "safe and reliable" CPUs and operating systems. The country has long aimed to lessen its reliance on overseas technologies in favor of domestic products. Why it matters: Microsoft is doing everything it can to force people into using its Copilot AI tools, whether they want to or not. According to a new report, several customers have reported a problem: it doesn't perform as well as ChatGPT. But Microsoft believes the issue lies with people who aren't using Copilot correctly or don't understand the differences between the two products. Microsoft's tactics when it comes to pushing Copilot onto users are comparable to its Windows 10 and 11 upgrade campaigns. The Redmond giant has launched a Pro subscription, is quietly installing the Copilot app on Windows PCs, and recently released the new Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with dedicated Copilot buttons. Despite these efforts, Copilot is far from universally loved. According to Business Insider, which cites employees with direct knowledge of customer feedback, one of the top complaints about the tool is that it simply isn't as good as ChatGPT. "Every time a customer starts using it, they start comparing it to ChatGPT and saying, 'Aren't you guys using the same technology?'" one of the people said. Microsoft employees told BI that Copilot for Microsoft 365, the version that has reached most customers so far, has received mixed to slightly positive feedback. One complaint that has repeatedly been raised by customers is that Copilot doesn't compare to ChatGPT. Microsoft says this is because customers don't understand the differences between the two products: Copilot for Microsoft 365 is built on the Azure OpenAI model, combining OpenAI's large language models with user data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps. Microsoft says this means its tools have more restrictions than ChatGPT, including only temporarily accessing internal data before deleting it after each query. Some customers are also said to be confused as to why the "work" version of Copilot doesn't offer the same speed and detail as the "web" version. Microsoft is introducing a toggle so users can quickly switch between the two versions to understand when web data or internal data is being queried. In addition to blaming customers' apparent ignorance, Microsoft employees say many users are just bad at writing prompts. "If you don't ask the right question, it will still do its best to give you the right answer and it can assume things," one worker said. "It's a copilot, not an autopilot. You have to work with it," they added, which sounds like a slogan Microsoft should adopt in its marketing for Copilot. The employee added that Microsoft has hired partner BrainStorm, which offers training for Microsoft 365, to help create instructional videos to help customers create better Copilot prompts. Microsoft itself has also provided lots of support on how to create prompts for its AI tools, but it seems some users are still struggling. Forward-looking: The billions of transistors hidden within a single CPU are manufactured to execute just one specific function. A team of Viennese scientists, however, aims to introduce programmability features at the most fundamental hardware level of computing technology. Researchers at the Austrian university TU Wien have developed a novel transistor technology known as Reconfigurable Field Effect Transistors (RFET). Traditional transistors are designed to perform predetermined logical functions, while RFETs are used to build circuits with functions that can be programmed on the go. RFETs could represent a significant breakthrough in electronic circuit and chip design technology, the researchers explained. Programmable transistors use the same materials employed by the semiconductor industry, silicon and germanium, and they could provide significant improvements in power consumption and energy efficiency. Traditional transistor development involves chemical doping, a technique used to "contaminate" the semiconductor material with foreign atoms. The doping process determines the direction in which electric current can flow and cannot be changed once the transistor is created. RFETs replace chemical doping with electrostatic doping, a new method that doesn't permanently alter the chemical configuration of the semiconductor material. Once the "complex and costly" process of chemical doping is replaced by electric fields, the transistors can be dynamically reconfigured to perform different logic operations. TU Wien professor Walter M. Weber stated that the reconfiguration works at the "fundamental switching units," rather than routing information to fixed functional units. This approach is "highly promising" for building future reconfigurable computing and AI applications, Weber added. The researchers developed the basic RFET technology in 2021, and they have now demonstrated that reprogrammable transistors can be used to construct all the basic logic circuits in a chip. The recently published study showcases an inverter, NAND/NOR, and XOR/XNOR gates, which are capable of dynamically switching their operation mode at runtime. The additional gate electrodes needed for electrostatic doping occupy space, which means RFETs aren't as small as standard CMOS transistors. The new programmable transistors are unlikely to replace fixed transistors anytime soon, but they could coexist and power certain computing applications where flexibility is paramount. The reconfigurable nature of RFETs can reduce the total number of transistors needed for logic circuitry, the researchers explained. Fewer transistors mean less space is required to build chips, and power consumption is reduced as well. A single circuit could provide multiple functionalities by switching the polarity of individual transistors or the entire circuit. What just happened? Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX and self-proclaimed "crypto king" who was found guilty on seven counts of criminal fraud and money laundering over the collapse of the once-popular cryptocurrency exchange, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Bankman-Fried faced a maximum of 110 years behind bars for his crimes. On November 2, following a month-long trial, it took a jury around three to four hours to find Bankman-Fried guilty on the seven fraud and conspiracy counts related to the collapse of FTX and related hedge fund Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried was convicted on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud. He had pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, but the 12-person jury found him guilty of stealing $8 billion from cryptocurrency customers while company investors lost $1.7 billion. The sentencing guidelines range for Bankman-Fried were increased by Judge Lewis Kaplan after it was found that he had perjured himself at his trial and knowingly obstructed justice. Kaplan found that Bankman-Fried lied on the witness stand at his trial last year when claiming he did not know that his hedge fund had spent FTX customer deposits It was always unlikely that Bankman-Fried would receive the full 110-year sentence, but prosecutors still wanted him to serve between 40 and 50 years. His defense team asked the judge for between five and six-and-a-half years. At the New York sentencing, Bankman-Fried's lawyer said his client meant no harm to FTX customers. Lawyer Marc Mukasey said Bankman-Fried was not a "ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people." Mukasey asked for a lenient sentence, arguing that FTX customers will get most of their funds back. Kaplan rejected his claim that investors would be paid back in full through the bankruptcy process. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading, it is logically flawed, it is speculative," Kaplan said. "A thief who takes his loot to Las Vegas and successfully bets the stolen money is not entitled to a discount on the sentence by using his Las Vegas winnings to pay back what he stole." FTX's caretaker CEO John Ray III said that Bankman-Fried's claim that "the harm to customers, lenders and investors is zero" is "categorically, callously, and demonstrably false." He added that Bankman-Fried was living a "life of delusion." Bankman-Fried said he will appeal his conviction and sentence, stating that he never intended to steal customers' funds. He apologized to his former colleagues at FTX during his sentencing hearing. "They put a lot of themselves into it, and I threw that all away," Bankman-Fried told Judge Kaplan. "It haunts me every day." "I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about what happened at every stage. Things I should have done and said, things I shouldn't have," Bankman-Fried added. When handing down the 25-year sentence, Kaplan said Bankman-Fried had shown no remorse for his crimes. "He knew it was wrong," Kaplan said. "He knew it was criminal. He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught. But he is not going to admit a thing, as is his right." The judge added that Bankman-Fried's persistence and marketing abilities meant that it was "not a trivial risk" he would commit crimes again in the future. Recent observations by cybersecurity analysts reveal a concerning trend in the field of cybersecurity: the emergence of a new phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform dubbed "Tycoon 2FA." This tool is strategically designed to target high-value Microsoft 365 and Gmail accounts while circumventing two-factor authentication (2FA) safeguards. Origin and Modus Operandi of Tycoon 2FA Initially detected by Sekoia analysts in October 2023 during routine threat monitoring activities, Tycoon 2FA has been operational since at least August 2023. Primarily disseminated through private Telegram channels by the Saad Tycoon group, this malicious kit has quickly gained traction among cybercriminal circles. The phishing platform operates through a complex, multi-stage process aimed at stealing session cookies and exploiting them to bypass MFA mechanisms. Leveraging a reverse proxy server hosting phishing web pages, the attacker intercepts victim inputs, facilitating the capture of session cookies upon successful authentication. This allows the threat actor to replay user sessions and execute phishing attacks with alarming efficiency. Related Article: New AI System Protects Against Phishing Scams and Cyber Threats Seven Stages of Attack Sekoia's comprehensive report outlines the involvement of Tycoon 2FA attacks, delineating seven distinct stages: Distribution: Malicious links are disseminated via emails or QR codes, enticing victims to access phishing pages. Security Challenge: A Cloudflare Turnstile challenge filters out bots, ensuring human interaction. Email Extraction: Background scripts extract victim emails to customize the attack. Redirection: Victims are quietly redirected to the fake login page. Credential Theft: A fake Microsoft login page steals credentials using WebSockets for data exfiltration. 2FA Mimicry: The kit simulates a 2FA challenge to intercept tokens or responses, bypassing security measures. Concealment: Victims are directed to a legitimate-looking page, concealing the success of the phishing attack. Enhancements and Scale Recent iterations of Tycoon 2FA boast significant enhancements to evasion and phishing capabilities. JavaScript and HTML code updates, resource retrieval order alterations, and advanced traffic filtering mechanisms contribute to its sophistication. Furthermore, evidence suggests widespread adoption among cybercriminals, with over 1,800 transactions recorded in the associated Bitcoin wallet since October 2019, per Bleeping Computer. The emergence of Tycoon 2FA could mean that cybercriminals will not stop from propagating new forms of attacks to the PhaaS landscape. This could be a sign that organizations need to step up their cybersecurity prowess in maintaining security and safety on online platforms. In other news, Tech Times reported that the UK went on full alert after accusing the hackers behind the two cyberattacks against Parliament. According to Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister of Britain, the previous attacks were carried out by China-sponsored threat actors. The two campaigns took place in 2021 and 2022. With regards to these allegations, a representative of the Chinese Embassy refuted the claims. The person said that they were all untrue, stating that the UK has no strong evidence for the attacks. Read Also: Free Telegram Premium? Peer-to-Peer Login Program Offers It, But There's a Catch 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. YouTubers, experts, officials, and more explain why the Baltimore Bridge, a.k.a. the Francis Scott Key Bridge, collapsed quickly as a container ship crashed into it last March 26. As search and rescue operations and investigations were on the way, a YouTuber claimed that there was a "massive problem" on the ship, with a lawyer explaining its lack of automated systems. Baltimore Bridge Crash: YouTuber Shares 'Massive Problem' YouTuber and maritime historian at Campbell University in North Carolina, Salvatore Mercogliano, shared in his latest analysis of the Baltimore bridge crash that there was a massive problem on the MV Dali, the ship that brought it down. The Singapore-flagged ship traveling to Sri Lanka had its lights flickering on and off, with the second time it turned off, leading to the crash last Wednesday, 1:28 AM EDT. Before the incident, the ship's automatic identification system (AIS) logged that it traveled at around 8.5 knots, then slowed to 6 knots moments before the crash. The Dali crew sent out a mayday call claiming that the crash was about to occur. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reported that the container ship "lost propulsion" and the crew "lost control." Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that it helped alert officials and redirect traffic over the bridge. Mercogliano noted that the anchor chain is visible, but it is unknown if it was dropped before or after the incident. The ship's crew reported no casualties or injuries, but there were six construction workers above the bridge that were working on repairs, with two bodies already found earlier today. Read Also: Cody Dock Rolling Bridge Does not Need Electricity to Roll this Square to Let Boats Pass Automated Prevention Systems Unavailable on Ship Quadrant Chambers's lawyer, James Turner, said that there may not be automated systems that could have prevented the crash present on the container ship. Footage of the bridge collapsing shows how the ship crashed onto one of its pillars. Engineers were not surprised by what happened because of the bridge's design. The Francis Scott Key bridge was designed with a continuous, 366-meter-long central truss section supported by the pillar, a key part of the bridge that held it together. Truss bridges are made of triangular-shaped steel beams that support the load. The Francis Scott Key has two sets of supports holding it above water, and this collision immediately bringing it down is not surprising to analysts. Structural Integrity and Its Role on Structures Structural integrity plays a massive role in structures worldwide, and since 2019, Hardesty & Hanover, an engineering firm, has inspected the bridge's conditions from that moment. In June 2023, the US Federal Highway Administration gave it a 'satisfactory' rating. Earlier this year, experts and engineers raised concerns about the structural integrity of the famed London Bridge, not the Tower Bridge. Modern engineering feats are making the impossible real, with structures that seemingly have no support developed to bring a mind-blowing experience, like Seoul, South Korea's spokeless Ferris wheel. The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, is the third-largest structure globally. Its recent collapse was caused by massive problems on the Dali ship that brought it down. Related Article: The Tokyo Airport Incident: Decoding How a Potentially Disaster Was Averted 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new complaint raised against Meta is surfacing from the GLAAD LGBTQ advocacy group, claiming that the company's social media, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, features 'extreme' anti-trans hate content. The group claimed that Meta allegedly failed to enforce its rules against this content on its platform, going against its policies. It is known that Meta brought LGBTQ-friendly rules before, which it promised to enforce on the platform to be a safe experience for those in the community, who are now under fire for their lack of enforcement. Meta Fails to Enforce Anti-Trans Hate on Social Media GLAAD's new report claims that Meta's Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are still featuring anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans hate, despite an earlier claim by the company to help promote equality online. This follows the June 2023 open letter that they sent to Meta that called out their actions on letting hateful content against the LGBTQ community spread on their platform. Meta responded with significant rule changes and fostering the community, but nine months after that open letter, GLAAD says the company does not enforce its rules that would prevent anti-LGBTQ hate, especially for the transgender communities. According to GLAAD, even Meta's Oversight Board previously called out the company for "failing" to protect the LGBTQ community present on the platforms. Read Also: Facebook, now Meta, to Block Advertisers from Targeting Users via Sensitive Categories-Here's How GLAAD vs. Meta: LGBTQ Safety Online As per GLAAD, they have reported the hurtful content found on Meta's social media platforms but to no avail. They were given a response that said the reported posts did not violate its rules or "simply did not take action on them." Meta's platform allegedly allowed posts that included anti-trans slurs, hurtful content, violent and dehumanizing language, as well as promotion for 'conversion therapy,' known for being against its rules. LGBTQ Community on Social Media Meta's Facebook has been under massive scrutiny against the LGBTQ community for many years now, and around a decade ago, the company apologized to them about their 'Real Name' policy on the platform. This effectively hurt drag queens and kings, transgenders, and other members of the community to become the people they want to be online. However, it was not the only issue Meta had before regarding the LGBTQ community, particularly as the controversial "conversion therapy" is harassing them online. US Federal agencies have sought to ban this practice online and in the real world, with many states following the ban for this therapy, which violates and disrespects their identities. Meta has worked on creating policies and 'safe spaces' on its social media platforms to protect the LGBTQ community's interests with its rules and policies, but it is not upheld correctly, says a group. GLAAD is now calling out Meta for 'extreme' cases of LGBTQ, particularly anti-trans hate online, to which Meta allegedly claimed not to violate their policies on the social media platforms. Related Article: Taliban's Control Over .af Domain Forces Closure of 'queer.af' Mastodon Instance 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Euclid Space Telescope of the European Space Agency is now back to its regular operations after last week's ice buildup due to water droplets that entered the spacecraft. This massive effort now brings the highly sensitive VISible instrument (VIS) back to life, with the team's new tactic helping the telescope device return to full operational capabilities. ESA's Euclid mission is to learn more about dark matter seen in space, with the agency looking more into the existence of dark energy as part of the universe. Euclid Space Telescope's Sight Restored After Deicing ESA announced that it successfully restored the full operational capabilities of the Euclid Space Telescope after deicing the lens affected by the buildup after water entered it. The operations were announced last week in an attempt to clear the VISible Instrument's blocked views of space, affecting its quality and seeing distant stars clearly because of the hiccup. The team claimed that its attempt focused on heating up a mirror by around 34 degrees warmer, a procedure it spent months figuring out was the best action to take. In this venture, the team was able to heat the mirror without interfering with its finely tuned mission's calibration or causing further contamination of the lens. Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Captures Amazing Star Birth Cluster in Neighboring Galaxy Little Bit of Ice Greatly Affects Euclid Europe's space agency said that the little bit of water that turned to ice greatly affected Euclid's ability to see the cosmos clearly, with the light coming into VIS gradually decreasing as the ice remained. "It was an enormous team effort over the last months to plan, execute, and analyse the heating of selected mirrors onboard Euclid, resulting in the fantastic result we see now," said Ralf Kohley, Euclid Instrument Scientist and in charge of the anomaly review board. Euclid and its Mission The European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid space telescope was launched into space in July 2023. It is meant to study more of the dark matter present in space, especially as it remains an unknown entity in the great beyond. By 2027, it will be joined by NASA's Roman Space Telescope to center on a collaborative mission to learn more about this mysterious energy. By August, Euclid had reached the point in space where it would look into various spots in the vast cosmos. The space telescope shared its first images using the VISibe Instrument. This allows researchers and astronomers to capture super-sharp images of the multitudes of galaxies present, with the capability to measure their shapes. Euclid helps uncover more information behind unknown ones. Euclid's mission is important for the astronomical world, particularly as it aims to uncover the secrets behind dark matter and why it was theorized to make up a massive part of the universe we know. However, it could not do so with water-damaged lenses, especially as ice had already built up here. This latest method successfully removed it for the telescope's continued survey of the great beyond. Related Article: ESA's Euclid Space Telescope Unveils Stunning, First Full-Color Images of the Cosmos 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russia knew in advance about the preparation of a terrorist operation in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, but allowed it due to either a "fight of towers" or an underestimation of the scale of what could happen, head of the Main Intelligence Agency at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov said. "At a minimum, on February 15, 2024, Russia knew about the preparations. I'll tell you more, this information went through the group's intelligence department in Syria. From there it went to Moscow. And let them not tell tales that in a strange way it all materialized out of nowhere," Kyrylo Budanov said during the third International Forum on Strategic Communications. According to him, Russia knew where the combat groups would come from, through which two countries they moved to the territory of the aggressor state. "Why they allowed this to happen - there are several options. The first is, as is their custom, a fight between the 'towers' in order to remove several officials now. The other option is that they actually underestimated the scale of what would happen. They thought that it would be more local, and they wanted to blame it all over Ukraine," the head of the Main Intelligence Agency said. According to him, the Kremlin has already changed the version of what happened in the shopping center near Moscow three times, trying to somehow link the so-called "Ukrainian trace" to the terrorist attack. "There were explanations from Patrushev and Bortnikov, who accused me personally and that Ukraine did all this. This is nonsense. By the way, if we touched on this painful issue, even though this is the enemy, I do not approve in principle of terrorist acts against civilians," the head of intelligence said. Budanov added that Russia itself sowed chaos and confidently believed that it could control it. "There is such a stable expression, even a truth. It always works among special services: everyone is trying to create controlled chaos. Absolutely all more or less serious organizations tried to do this at different times. And the axiom is that none of them was able to make it controlled. The same thing happened here," the head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry summed up. Israel has recently introduced a large-scale facial recognition initiative in the Gaza Strip, aiming to identify members of Hamas. Developed by Corsight, a company based in Tel Aviv, the system has faced criticism for its frequent inaccuracies. Deployment of Facial Recognition Initiative in Gaza Israel has implemented a large-scale facial recognition initiative, compiling a database of Palestinians without their awareness or consent. Launched in response to the October 7th attacks, the program utilizes technology from Google Photos and a specialized tool from Corsight to pinpoint individuals associated with Hamas. The development of the facial recognition system coincided with Israel's military operations in Gaza. Members of Unit 8200, the primary intelligence unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, utilized security camera footage and social media videos uploaded by Hamas to identify potential targets. Soldiers also solicited information from Palestinian detainees to identify Hamas affiliates within their communities. Utilizing its touted technology capable of identifying with less than 50 percent of their face visible, Corsight developed facial recognition for individuals for Israeli officers stationed in Gaza, leveraging the photos obtained. To expand the database and pinpoint potential targets, The New York Times reported that the Israeli military established checkpoints fitted with facial recognition cameras along key routes used by Palestinians moving southward. The objective was to compile a "hit list" of individuals involved in the October 7th attack. Concerns Over Accuracy, Ethical Implications Corsight's technology exhibited inconsistencies, particularly when analyzing low-quality footage or images where individuals' faces were obscured. There were instances where Corsight's tool incorrectly identified individuals as having ties to Hamas. For instance, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha was apprehended at an Israeli military checkpoint on Gaza's central highway in mid-November while attempting to depart Gaza for Egypt with his family. Abu Toha was flagged by the system as being listed among wanted individuals by Israeli authorities. Subsequently, he was detained, subjected to physical assault, and interrogated for two days before being released back to Gaza without explanation. Israeli military personnel have augmented Corsight's technology with Google Photos, a free-to-use platform. Intelligence operatives have uploaded databases containing information on "known persons" to Google Photos and leveraged its photo search feature for additional identification purposes. Notably, an officer highlighted Google Photos' capability to recognize individuals even with minimal facial visibility, positioning it superior to other tools like Corsight. Also read: Pro-Palestinian Tech Workers Rally Behind 'Tech for Palestine' Coalition Aaron Ashkenazi, the founder and managing partner of Awz Ventures, a Canadian fund that spearheaded Corsight's $5 million funding round in 2020, articulated this stance in an op-ed for The Jerusalem Post in October. In his article, Ashkenazi stated that Awz Ventures aimed to equip Israel "with the technological tools to thwart these malicious terrorists." It's noteworthy that the majority of companies within Awz's investment portfolio operate in the fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. In October, Israeli hospitals initiated the utilization of Corsight's technology for patient identification, as reported by Forbes during that period. Corsight's technology demonstrated the capability to capture images of individuals whose facial features had been altered due to physical injuries and then match them with photos provided by concerned relatives." Corsight primarily focuses on applications in government, law enforcement, and military sectors. In 2020, the nascent company claimed its technology could identify individuals even when wearing masks. Fast forward two years, Corsight purportedly began developing a tool capable of generating a facial model based on a person's DNA. Related Article: Meta Removes Instagram, Facebook Accounts Linked to Iran's Supreme Leader After Criticism for Supporting Hamas 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New York City has a new authorization procedure for autonomous vehicle (AV) testing businesses. The technology requires a human safety driver behind the wheel at all times. The action comes as San Francisco struggles with autonomous for-hire vehicles or robotaxis. New York City has "a rigorous permitting program," assuring applicants may safely and effectively test their technology in the urban setting, according to The Verge. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "This technology is coming whether we like it or not, so we're going to make sure that we get it right." Permit rules exclude firms without autonomous vehicle testing experience in other cities. Applicants must give crash data and safety driver control incidents from prior examinations. Safety-driven vehicles can test on city roads, but robotaxis cannot. Waymo and Cruise have Level 4 AVs. Traffic congestion and safety considerations have slowed their business expansion. Two San Francisco incidents-a Cruise robotaxi dragging a person and a Waymo vehicle hitting a bicyclist-have grabbed attention. New York City's Strict Regulations on Robotaxis New York City enforces safe driving at all times to reduce such issues. Companies must get a state Department of Motor Vehicles authorization and meet safety driver recruiting and training criteria under the plan. Autonomous cars must also follow traffic and curb laws. Companies must provide methods for system failures and crash prevention. Moreover, Autonomous car testing data will be on the city's Open Data portal. The Department of Transportation will consider application requests to withhold private data. New York has been a laggard in autonomous car testing due to its strict laws. With one of the world's largest taxi marketplaces, New York City remains interesting to autonomous vehicle startups. In early March, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved Waymo's robotaxi services in Los Angeles and San Mateo counties. The approval followed nearly a year of autonomous car testing in LA. Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilana said autonomous cars will avoid Los Angeles County freeways in its cautious rollout approach, as previously reported by TechTimes. Read Also: Hyundai Unveils New 2025 Tucscon SUV at New York International Auto Show However, some local leaders oppose Waymo's autonomous effort. Mayor Karen Bass wrote to the CPUC in November to voice her objection to Local authorities like Los Angeles not participating in autonomous car deployment. She mentioned an August 2023 incident in which a Waymo car reportedly failed to stop for a traffic officer at a crossroads, though no injuries were recorded. (Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images) A Waymo autonomous self-driving Jaguar taxi drives along a street on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Robotaxis Struggling to Win Public Trust On X, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn also dissented. He called the CPUC's Waymo ruling "dangerous," worried about robotaxis' experimental nature, and said Angelenos shouldn't serve as "Big Tech's guinea pigs." Hahn stressed the necessity of letting cities steer such major choices rather than overruling them. Meanwhile, a report from Axios states that a dwindling number of self-driving vehicle businesses are struggling to gain public trust due to accidents involving robotaxis. Austin citizens and emergency workers complained about driverless vehicles last year. Last week at the South by Southwest event, driverless vehicles were discussed. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson told Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi onstage that AV firms must work with cities to prevent costly failures. "I'm all for profit margins and stuff, but ultimately the public good has to play a role in this, and it shouldn't be sacrificed, and it shouldn't be secondary to the profit of the private entity," he said. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana responded to the mayor's comments by emphasizing the company's collaboration with local community groups and first responders. Related Article: Swiss Hydrogen Train Sets New Record for Continuous Travel, Pioneering Sustainable Transit 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. YouTube has proudly highlighted the rising popularity of YouTube Shorts amid concerns over a US TikTok ban. On Thursday, YouTube Shorts reported over 70 billion daily views and revenue sharing for more than a quarter of Partner Program channels. This comes after TikTok reported a 250% increase in creator fund revenue in the preceding six months. TikTok's year-old fund, which replaced the $1 billion Creator Fund, has exited testing. In September 2022, YouTube began monetizing shorts producers as part of its Partner Program expansion. Long-form content creators formerly needed to fulfill subscriber and viewing hour criteria for revenue sharing. Since early 2023, shorts creators with 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views over 90 days might receive 45% of ad income. YouTube Shorts Emerges as a Viable Revenue Stream for Creators The video-streaming giant stresses that this initiative has been running for a year. YouTube also notes that YouTube Shorts producers typically monetize in other ways. More than 80% of YPP Shorts creators also make money via long-form advertising, fan fundraising, YouTube Premium, BrandConnects, shopping, and other sources. This shows that short-term material typically supplements producers' other revenue streams. YouTube boasts that its 16-year-old YPP has over 3 million creators and has paid out $70 billion to creators, artists, and media organizations in the previous three years. The platform claims this statistic exceeds all other creative monetization platforms, likely targeting TikTok. Meanwhile, businesses are worried about US Congress's probable move to ban TikTok in the country or force its Chinese parent firm, ByteDance, to sell to a non-Chinese organization. Read Also: New York City OKs Robotaxis; Requires Human Safety Drivers for Autonomous Vehicle Tests There are 170 million US TikTok users which is why companies spent $6.2 billion on TikTok advertising in 2023. Bipartisan legislative concerns arise from the suspicion that the Chinese Communist Party controls TikTok owner ByteDance. Lawmakers worry about the Chinese Communist Party using TikTok's vast data gathering, which includes location data, facial and voice recognition, keyboard patterns, and contact information. US lawmakers also worry about TikTok's impact on public opinion and mental health. (Photo : AFP via Getty Images) This picture taken in Moscow on March 19, 2022 shows logos of Youtube social media on a smartphone screen. TikTok Legal Woes in The US Mount As of now, the federal government and 40 states have banned TikTok on government-owned devices and networks. Similar prohibitions have been enforced elsewhere. President Joe Biden earlier expressed support for a US TikTok ban and compel its sale to a non-Chinese firm. First Amendment considerations make legal experts question the bill's viability in court. The TikTok ban legislation's fate depends on a court review, with comments on its constitutionality. If the TikTok ban measure passes, US corporations may sue over its constitutionality. Businesses may also consider VPN access to TikTok from places where it is still available or switching to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. In another update, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has wrapped up its long-term investigation into TikTok's privacy and security procedures. The commission has been investigating the popular short video-sharing platform for data privacy and safety violations, particularly involving children's data, for years. TikTok may face legal repercussions from the FTC's investigation. The investigation also scrutinizes TikTok's 2019 FTC settlement compliance, encompassing COPPA compliance and Chinese data access. TikTok now confronts legal hurdles and U.S. operations uncertainty and calls for ByteDance to sell the app as the FTC's probe nears its close. Related Article: Federal Judge Rules SEC Lawsuit Against Coinbase Will Proceed 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Elon Musk's rebranded social networking X is testing a new feature aimed at managing adult content within its user-generated communities. The move comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of explicit material on the platform (via Bloomberg). According to screenshots uncovered by Daniel Buchuk, an analyst at Watchful, the new feature enables users to create or join groups specifically centered around adult content or material deemed "not safe for work" (NSFW). Members creating these communities have the option to designate their group as containing adult-sensitive content. Failure to label such groups may result in content filtering or removal by the platform. Adult Content Groups on X While the possibility of requiring age verification for access to adult-themed groups remains uncertain, X's existing policies already dictate restrictions on graphic media, adult nudity, and sexual behavior for users under 18 or those without a verified birth date on their profile. The decision to introduce NSFW groups reflects X's attempt to differentiate itself from mainstream social networking services. Since acquiring Twitter, Musk has been pushing for an 'everything app' capable of hosting practically any non-illegal content. It is important to note that X allows posts regarding sexual behavior if users label them as sensitive, but it prohibits adult content in live videos and profile images. Bloomberg notes that adult content existed on Twitter before owner Elon Musk took control and executives at the time even explored developing an OnlyFans-style subscription service for adult content creators back in 2022. According to The Verge, Twitter dropped the plan because the company was not prepared to monitor "harmful sexual content," including child porn. Read Also: Elon Musk Announces One Month Free Trial of Tesla's Full Self-Driving Technology for US Customers (Photo : ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) TOPSHOT - The new Twitter logo rebranded as X, is pictured in Paris on July 24, 2023, on the account of it's owner Elon Musk, after he changed his profile picture late on July 23, 2023, to the company's new logo, which he described as "minimalist art deco," and updated his Twitter bio to "X.com," which now redirects to twitter.com. Officials Alarmed by Adult Content on X In light of increased scrutiny over online safety, particularly for young users, US lawmakers have intensified efforts to safeguard online content. Linda Yaccarino of X, as well as the CEOs of other social media companies, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, as lawmakers and parents grew more concerned with the effects of social media on young users. However, amid these developments, concerns have mounted regarding the proliferation of adult content on X. A grassroots social media campaign with the hashtag #BanPornonX has emerged from Nigeria, urging Elon Musk to take decisive action to curb explicit material on X. This campaign reflects the growing unease among users regarding the platform's content moderation policies. Reports from Belgian regulators further underscore the severity of the issue. The French-speaking Belgian Audiovisual Regulator (CSA) has raised alarms over X's transformation into a platform increasingly characterized by pornographic content. Utilizing artificial intelligence tools to monitor content, the CSA identified a significant number of accounts dedicated to disseminating explicit material, with many operating from Belgium's French-speaking region of Wallonia. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Musk's Grok AI to Become Available for All X Premium Subscribers 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. UK Government launches trade negotiations with Turkey - What it means for the tech sector The UK Government has launched new trade talks with Turkey, in a move which is likely to benefit British tech companies when a Free Trade Agreement is reached. This modernized deal - a renegotiation of the existing trade deal which only covered industrial goods - will particularly focus on bolstering the services sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the UK's GDP. Turkey is one of the OECD's fastest-growing economies, there's immense potential for collaboration, especially in areas such as tech, as well as transportation, engineering, finance, and manufacturing. The Governments Call for Input on Trade with Turkey was released over the New Year. techUK responded to this Call for Input. In our response, we highlighted several priorities for the UK tech sector in this negotiation. We have focused on the need for a strong digital trade chapter, emphasizing mutual recognition of electronic trade documents to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, especially for small businesses. It stresses the importance of aligning data protection standards to facilitate cross-border data flows and avoiding forced data localization. Regarding Services Trade, we have advocated for provisions forbidding local presence requirements and emphasising the significance of mobility for professionals to stimulate services trade. Telecommunications is addressed as a key area fr negotiation, where the UK Government should prioritise access to global markets for UK firms, particularly in emerging technologies like 5G and IoT. The success of UK telecoms exports (to non-EU countries) has been due to the inclusion of specific references to business-to-business supplies within public telecommunications network definitions, enforcing non-discrimination clauses for wholesale access, granting equal rights for UK providers, removing geo-blocking restrictions, and ensuring fair cost-oriented rates. The Investment section underscores the need for fair treatment, dispute resolution mechanisms, and transparency to promote investment between the UK and Turkey. Innovation chapters, similar to those in UK-Australia and New Zealand FTAs, are recommended to support collaboration in emerging technologies like AI, Quantum, and more. Elsewhere our response, we highlighted the importance of: Protecting Intellectual Property , particularly safeguarding proprietary knowledge and ensuring the UK's high standard of IP protection. Negotiating the mutual opening of procurement markets for UK and Turkish tech startups, guided by principles of non-discrimination and broad definitions. The importance of Rules of Origin requirements in determining tariffs, especially for tech products with complex supply chains. Flexible RoO arrangements are proposed to support tech industries and foster supply chain growth. We are following this process carefully, if members of techUK have any concerns or issues when it comes to trade and investment with Turkey, please contact [email protected] Cybersecurity experts at HUMANs Satori threat intelligence team have identified a cluster of VPN (Virtual Private Network) apps on the Google Play Store that can transform Android phones into residential proxies without their knowledge (via BleepingComputer). According to a report published this week by HUMAN, the team has found a total of 28 dangerous Android apps on the Google Play Store that can hack into the users Wi-Fi network. Of these, 17 of them posing as free VPN software contained a malicious SDK (an application development kit) that turned the users devices into proxies. All 28 applications used a LumiApps SDK that contained PROXYLIB, a Golang library responsible for proxy node enrollment in each app. HUMANs security researchers first discovered this operation in May 2023 when a free Android VPN called Oko VPN was found using PROXYLIB. Subsequently, the researchers found the same library was used by the LumiApps Android app monetization service. Based on the findings of its investigation, HUMAN believes these malicious apps are linked to Asocks, a Russian residential proxy seller that was advertised on hacking forums online. The researchers also say that the threat actor is using Asocks as a way to monetize the PROXYLIB network. In late May 2023, Satori researchers observed activity on hacker forums and new VPN applications referencing a monetization SDK, lumiapps[.]io, explained the HUMAN report. Upon further investigation, the team determined that this SDK has exactly the same functionality and uses the same server infrastructure as the malicious applications analyzed as part of the investigation into the earlier version of PROXYLIB. Given below is the list of 28 apps that used the PROXYLIB library to convert Android devices into proxies: Lite VPN Anims Keyboard Blaze Stride Byte Blade VPN Android 12 Launcher (by CaptainDroid) Android 13 Launcher (by CaptainDroid) Android 14 Launcher (by CaptainDroid) CaptainDroid Feeds Free Old Classic Movies (by CaptainDroid) Phone Comparison (by CaptainDroid) Fast Fly VPN Fast Fox VPN Fast Line VPN Funny Char Ging Animation Limo Edges Oko VPN Phone App Launcher Quick Flow VPN Sample VPN Secure Thunder Shine Secure Speed Surf Swift Shield VPN Turbo Track VPN Turbo Tunnel VPN Yellow Flash VPN VPN Ultra Run VPN LumiApps runs an Android app monetization platform that uses a devices IP address to load webpages in the background and send any retrieved data to companies. Lumiapps helps companies gather information that is publicly available on the internet. It uses the users IP address to load several web pages in the background from well-known websites, reads the LumiApps website. This is done in a way that never interrupts the user and fully complies with GDPR/CCPA. The web pages are then sent to companies, who use them to improve their databases, offering better products, services, and pricing. Following the Satori teams research, Google has removed all 28 apps and any new ones using the LumiApps SDK from the Play Store. It has also updated Google Play Protect to detect the LumiApp library used in apps. Similarly, some developers have removed the SDK that violates Google Plays guidelines to fix their apps and republished them from different developer accounts. When BleepingComputer contacted Google to check if the currently available apps are now safe to use, they are yet to receive a response from the company. URCS volunteers work at scene of destruction in Kharkiv after Russian attack Volunteers of the rapid response unit of the Kharkiv regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) inspected the damaged houses as a result of the Russian air attack on Wednesday. "They helped evacuate the wounded from the upper floors of residential buildings. First aid was also provided to the victims," the Ukrainian Red Cross Society said on Facebook on Thursday. Volunteers also set up a tent to support emergency services and help the affected population. In addition, the Shevchenkivska regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in Kharkiv went to the scene of the incident, providing the necessary humanitarian assistance to the victims, making it possible to recharge mobile phones and drink hot tea. As reported, on Wednesday, as a result of the Russian army dropping large-caliber ammunition in Kharkiv, one person died and 19 were injured. 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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 Will Haniyeh and Nakhla's visit to Iran affect the course of the negotiations? The most prominent developments on the 177th day of the Israeli war on Gaza 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? 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 8 new massacres in Gaza and fierce battles between the resistance and the occupation forces Will Haniyeh and Nakhla's visit to Iran affect the course of the negotiations? Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. A team from several Ukrainian ministries and representatives of professional associations discussed the issues of unblocking the border and finding common positions to resolve the crisis during trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Poland, and the European Union, the press service of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development reported on Facebook. According to the report, the negotiations lasted more than six hours. "It was a difficult but frank conversation between ministries and associations. It is important that preliminary solutions have already been discussed, which will be announced so. At the same time, the issue is complex for all parties and requires additional time. I thank each of the partners for their personal involvement in the search for solutions," the press service quoted the words of Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solsky. The Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development recalled that the latest wave of protests by Polish farmers began on February 9. Since then, the Ukrainian government has been working to find solutions at both national and international levels. Mexico delays ban on controversial herbicide Mexico City, March 27 (AFP) Mar 27, 2024 The Mexican government has postponed a ban on the use of glyphosate, saying it has not found an alternative for the controversial weed killer. The Latin American nation had planned to phase out the use of the herbicide -- which critics say may cause cancer and threaten biodiversity -- by April 1 of this year. But "the conditions to replace the use of glyphosate in Mexican agriculture have not been fulfilled," the economy ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. It said glyphosate will remain in use while the government continues to seek a "low-toxicity" alternative herbicide that would allow agricultural productivity to be maintained. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weed killers in the world, but the World Health Organization in 2015 classed it as "probably carcinogenic." It is the main ingredient in weed killers including Roundup, made by German chemicals giant Bayer, which acquired the brand when it bought US company Monsanto in 2018. Monsanto and Bayer have faced a wave of lawsuits in the US over allegations Roundup causes cancer. The firm denies such claims but has paid out billions of dollars to settle legal disputes. yug-dr/nro Bayer Humanitarian orgs raise alarm on heat as summer nears Washington, March 28 (AFP) Mar 28, 2024 Extreme heat is one of the most deadly problems from climate change even though it receives less attention than other knock-on effects like hurricanes and flooding, two of the world's leading humanitarian organizations warned Thursday. The year 2023 was the hottest on record, with rising temperatures affecting the most vulnerable populations in particular -- the elderly, outdoor workers and those without access to cooling systems such as air conditioners. The Red Cross and the US Agency for International Development delivered their warnings against the "invisible killer" of extreme heat at a virtual summit, on the heels of the United States exiting its warmest-ever winter on record. "We are calling on governments, civil societies, young people and all the stakeholders to take concrete steps around the globe to help prepare countries and communities for extreme heat," said Jagan Chapagain, secretary general for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. USAID chief Samantha Power warned that in the United States, "heat is already deadlier than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined." "We are calling on development agencies, philanthropies and other donors to recognize the threat that extreme heat poses to humanity, and to put resources towards helping communities withstand that threat," she said. Highlighting ongoing efforts addressing extreme temperatures, Power said USAID was supporting a program to build "heat resilient schools" in Jordan, using "passive heating and cooling systems, thermal insulation, double glazed windows and air conditioning." Climate change's effects aren't limited to already hot places like the Middle East: in Europe, the fastest-warming continent in the world, more than 60,000 people were estimated to have died in heat waves in 2022, noted US climate envoy John Podesta. "Climate information and services including early warnings can save lives and assets," he added. "But one-third of the world's population doesn't have access to this life-saving information." Other efforts include those in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, where nearly a million trees have been planted since 2020. "But we mustn't allow this conversation to let anyone off the hook when it comes to reducing emissions," Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said. The IRS has come calling. Here's what you should do next. Shmyhal: I can say we definitely have progress regarding lifting of blockade on border with Poland Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says that Ukraine and Poland have made progress on lifting the blockade on the border. "Today I can say that we definitely have progress on lifting the blockade, but the main thing is to resolve all critical issues that lead to such blockades," Shmyhal said at a briefing on the results of UkrainianPolish government consultations on Thursday. The Prime Minister noted that the plan to resolve these issues is being implemented, although not as quickly as the Ukrainian side would like, but "we definitely have positive trends and positive dynamics, it is important to maintain this trend and move on." Stonnington Mayor Joe Gianfriddo had a memorable online outburst back in 2022 before he was elected to council about the municipalitys main commercial thoroughfare. Chapel has become and always will be a s---hole, Gianfriddo wrote on the Stonnington Council Watch Facebook group run by his partner Dean Hurlston, with Joe adding that no amount of money spent by the council would help fix the once-thriving shopping and entertainment strip. Chapel Street in South Yarra. Credit: Simon Schluter Well, looks like Gianfriddo will soon find out if he was right about that. He used his mayors casting vote at Mondays council meeting to pass a policy forcing more than 1500 Chapel Street businesses to stump up $5 million between them over the next four years to fund the Chapel Street Precinct Association, a marketing and promotional body the council hopes might help the struggling strip recapture its glory days. Sydneysiders and the Easter camping convoys heading to regional parts of the state are in for a warm, sunny and largely dry long weekend, although health authorities have warned those travelling out of the city to cover up amid high mosquito populations. Good Friday is set to hit 25 degrees in Sydney with a small chance of light showers before a sunny weekend, with misty mornings giving way to highs of 27 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. Easter long weekenders are in for warm and dry weather across the state. Credit: Louise Kennerley Were looking at a mostly fine Easter long weekend for much of New South Wales and the ACT, just a few coastal showers around the east coast on Friday, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Dean Narramore, said. For Sydney itself we can expect a mild warm and mostly sunny Easter long weekend with temperatures in the mid to high 20s and lots of sunshine. Huge disparities in population growth have emerged across Sydney as numbers spiral higher in some suburbs but remain well below pre-COVID levels in many others. Around half of the citys suburbs had not recovered their pre-pandemic head count by June 2023, new Bureau of Statistics population figures show. Among the largest declines compared with 2019 were Potts Point-Woolloomooloo (-2979), Kensington (-1115), Newtown (-906) and Bondi Beach-North Bondi (-896). In contrast, the population has boomed in greenfield suburbs to the citys west; Marsden Park-Shanes Park in Sydneys north-west added nearly 18,000 people between 2019 and 2023. Other suburbs to register strong post-pandemic growth include Wentworth Point-Sydney Olympic Park in the citys central west, which added 6370 people in the period, and Mascot, which added 3700. A teenager who stabbed a fellow student at a school in Perths north has been sentenced to two years and seven months behind bars. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, carried out the attack at Carine Senior High School in December. Scenes from the day of the attack. Inset: the student charged over the incident Credit: Nine News Perth Although the student was initially charged with aggravated unlawful wounding, police later uncovered diary entries suggesting a plan to commit multiple murders before turning the knife on themselves. The charge was upgraded to aggravated unlawful wounding with intent to harm. Dnipro, Ukraine: They have lost their homes, their careers, and some friends, but they have not lost their spirit. So many Ukrainians have stayed at home, despite daily rocket attacks, determined to help their homeland rebuild and pick up the pieces. Andriy Pavlovs home city of Kharkiv has been pummelled by Russia since the start of the war. He, his wife Yuliana and son, Egor, are among the estimated 400,000 people who have left the city in north-eastern Ukraine, close to the Russian border, and not returned. Andriy Pavlovs home city of Kharkiv has been pummelled by Russia since the start of the war. Credit: Cecil Laguardia / World Vision They left behind their home, their real estate business, their friends and family. So too did his World Vision colleague Liudmyla Serdiukova, whose home city of Bakmut in the far east of Ukraine has been the theatre of some of the worst fighting since the war began more than two years ago. The pair are now integral members of the global charitys response team in Dnipro, a large city in central Ukraine, which has become a huge hub for people who have fled from Russian-occupied areas. Germany announces new package of military assistance to Ukraine Germany will transfer another package of military assistance to Ukraine, the press service of the German government reports. The new package includes five tracked Warthog repair and evacuation vehicles and nine tracked Warthog command vehicles, six WISENT 1 and two BEAVER bridge laying vehicles, Bergepanzer 2 and 2A1 Dachs engineering ARVs, nine minesweepers and three border protection vehicles, as well as six Mercedes-Benz Zetros tankers. In addition, the Ukrainian army will receive 14 Vector reconnaissance UAVs, 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance UAVs and five drone obstacles, a SATCOM surveillance system and 30 infrared cameras. The package also includes ammunition for Leopard 2A6 tanks and 18,000 155 mm ammunition, 2,056 RGW90 Matador grenade launchers and 70 GMG grenade launchers. Missiles for Patriot air defense systems, as well as 20 Marder armored fighting vehicles and other equipment are being prepared for transfer. Russia is expected to launch another major offensive at the end of May or in June, Ukraine needs help now to stabilize the situation, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS published on Thursday. "And before that, we not only need to prepare, we not only need to stabilize the situation, because the partners are sometimes really happy that we have stabilized the situation," he said. The interview with Zelenskyy was recorded in Sumy region which is being under constant artillery fire of the enemy. "Usually, when they attack by artillery and destroy the villages, after that, they always tried to occupy," he said. The president said Russia's attempts to accuse Ukraine of preparing the terrorist act in Moscow were "ridiculous." "He doesn't care whether it's a terrorist act, an economic act, the oil industry or any of these spheres," Zelenskyy said, accusing the Russian leader of "using that to unite his society as much as possible even what has taken place in Moscow, with so many casualties and wounded people, he's using all of that just for the one objective to justify that Ukraine does not exist." "For him, we are a satellite of Russian Federation. At the moment, it's us, then Kazakhstan, then Baltic states, then Poland, then Germany. At least half of Germany," the Ukrainian president said. Zelenskyy said Putin was determined to restore the former Soviet Union to its imperial glory and its geographical borders. "Even tomorrow, the missiles can fly to any state," he said. "This aggression, and Putin's army, can come to Europe, and then the citizens of the United States, the soldiers of the United States, will have to protect Europe because they're the NATO members," Zelenskyy said. Calling Russia's invasion of his country a war "against the democracy, against the values, against the whole world," he said there may be some in the West who were tired of hearing the message, "but only those are tired who are not at war, who don't know what war is, and who have never lost his or her children." "But it can come to Europe, and to the United States of America. It can come very quickly to Europe. The 80s and then the end of the 90s he will never forgive that," Zelenskyy said, suggesting Putin bears a lingering grudge over the collapse of the pre-Cold War world. "He believes in that. We don't need to change his opinion. We need to change him. We need to replace him," the Ukrainian president said. Ukrnafta begins drilling new well in western Ukraine PJSC Ukrnafta has begun drilling a new exploration oil well in a field located in western Ukraine. This will be an exploration well with a design depth of 1,211 m. The projected initial flow rate is 22.6 tonnes of oil per day, the company said in a press release on Thursday. The construction of the well is being carried out by the contractor, Navigator Komplekt LLC, which was identified on the ProZorro online procurement platform. It is worth noting that the contractor will drill three wells sequentially from one site, the company noted. As reported, Ukrnafta in 2023 increased oil and condensate production by 3% (by 39,900 tonnes) compared to 2022 - to 1.410 million tonnes, gas - by 5.8% (by 60.4 million cubic meters), to 1.097 billion cubic meters. The company sets a strategic goal of doubling oil and natural gas production to 3 million tonnes and 2 billion cubic meters by 2027, respectively. The largest shareholder of Ukrnafta is NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy with a stake of 50% plus one share. Cheyenne, WY (82003) Today Showers early, then cloudy overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Only 3% of missiles, drones and guided bombs fired by the Russian Federation at Ukraine hit military targets, 97% hit civilian infrastructure, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said at an extraordinary meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council. On his Facebook page, the minister said that he primary focus was on russia's recent massive air strikes and the necessity of strengthening Ukraine's air defense. The total explosive power of combined air attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the year exceeds 9 kilotonnes. Only 3% of those russian missiles, drones, and guided bombs hit military targets, while 97% struck civilian infrastructure. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that missile and loitering munition attacks caused 712 of the 1,804 civilian casualties verified by the UN during the past three months, Umerov said. He also provided an in-depth overview of the urgent air defense needs of Ukraine. The support of partners in this matter is crucial. It will save thousands of innocent lives. The more russian missiles are shot down in Ukrainian skies, the less threat they pose to NATO member states that border Ukraine, the minister stressed. The Rocks Teremana Tequila to launch in five new markets Teremana Tequila, the brand founded by actor and wrestler Dwayne The Rock Johnson, has announced plans to launch in five new markets this year. The Tequila will come to the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia, via Mast-Jagermeister. The expansion follows Teremanas entry into global travel retail , also by the distributor. Founded in 2020, Teremana produces small-batch Tequila at its Jalisco distillery, Destileria Teremana De Agave. The brand has released Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo expressions. Johnson commented: When I created Teremana, I was determined to create a Tequila that is absolutely delicious, high quality and accessible to all, and I'm proud to say we achieved that. I'm incredibly humbled by the demand for Teremana at the global level and thrilled to deliver Teremana to consumers around the world. Mana is at the heart of everything we do at Teremana, and this has fuelled our purpose of sharing good energy, bringing people together, and doing things the right way. To now be able to Share the Mana with more parts of the world is a privilege cheers, my friends." The brands name, Teremana, means spirit of the earth, and the brand says the spirit of Mana [is] a powerful force that inspires us to foster good energy, bring people together, and do the right thing. Teremana CEO Richard Black added: We are incredibly proud of what Teremana has achieved in North America in four years. Our growth speaks to the exceptional quality of the liquid, and our Mana-led approach to doing what's right for our customers. As the appetite for Tequila continues to grow around the world, we are devoted to being the brand that makes the spirit more accessible, excites both new and seasoned agave drinkers, and continues to bring people together. 28 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield Hinsdale residens can purchase vehicle sticker and animal tags online or at village hall. Applications were mailed to previously registered Hinsdale residents in early March. Stickers and tags must be displayed by May 1, or a $25 late fee will be imposed. All vehicles registered in the state of Illinois with a Hinsdale address must also be registered with the village through the purchase of a vehicle sticker. Residents have the option to purchase vehicle stickers online using the pre-filled mailed application. There is no additional fee and residents will avoid waiting in line. Visit http://www.villageofhinsdale.org to access the portal and for additional instructions. Residents should receive their 2024-25 vehicle sticker and/or animal tag in the mail in about one week after completing your online renewal. Residents can also use the drop-box outside of Village Hall (in the circular drive next to the library drop box), apply by mail or walk in to Village Hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Village Hall is located at 19 E. Chicago Ave. A completed application must accompany all payments. Please update the application form with any new or changed information and return it along with the proper fees. Please be sure to return both the top and bottom forms when submitting the application. Questions? Call (630) 789-7001 or send an email to [email protected]. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, who arrived in Kyiv, discussed cooperation in the defense sector and proposals by French President Emmanuel Macron to expand support for Ukraine. "Ukraine appreciates the French Parliament's recent approval of the Ukrainian-French Security Cooperation Agreement. Today, I had a substantive meeting with the French National Assembly delegation, led by President Yael Braun-Pivet," Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel on Thursday. "Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the French Parliament for its recent endorsement of the Agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and France, the voting for which took place on March 12-13, 2024," the press service said on the website of the head of state. "I would particularly like to point out the latest decision, which was fundamental for us and became a new page in the security future of Ukraine the security commitments signed between Ukraine and France on February 16, 2024. The fact that you supported them by a majority is remarkable, and we are very grateful for that. This is an important signal for other countries to make decisions on signing corresponding documents," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying. The President noted that during the meeting "we discussed defense cooperation and our warriors' priority needs and paid special attention to President Emmanuel Macrons latest proposals to expand support for our country." "I am grateful to our French partners for their solidarity with our country and people," the President of Ukraine added. 6 presumed dead in Baltimore bridge collapse WASHINGTON : SIX people, who went missing due to a bridge collapse in the US city of Baltimore, are presumed dead. Addressing a press conference, Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said due to the cold water temperatures and harsh sea conditions, it was likely the missing individuals were dead, Xinhua news agency reported. The US Coast Guard has suspended search and rescue efforts. The 2.6-km-long Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major bridge that held Interstate 695, collapsed at about 1:30 am local time early on Tuesday morning after being hit by a Singapore-flagged large container ship, which experienced a power failure before the collision. The six individuals who went missing, all road maintenance workers, were reportedly on the bridge repairing potholes when the collapse occurred. Two other people were rescued from the Patapsco River earlier, with one in critical condition, according to local authorities. In brief remarks from the White House Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said he wants the Federal Government to pay for the reconstruction of the bridge. The bridge opened to traffic in 1977 and saw approximately 11.5 million vehicles crossing it each year. Were gonna work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs, President Biden said. Biden praises prompt action of Indian crew In remarks at the White House, Biden praised the ships crew, saying the alert they sent before the collision saved lives. Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives, Biden said. Staff Reporter Maharashtra Government has terminated services of Additional Collector Chandrabhan Parate as his Scheduled Tribe certificate was termed invalid by the Caste Scrutiny Committee. Parate belongs to Halba community and was selected as Tehsildar from Scheduled Tribe quota in year 1990. He is first officer in State Revenue Cadre to be dismissed from service post-Supreme Court judgement of 2017 upholding the contention that Halba does not come in the list of Scheduled Tribes. From that time the Damocles Sword was hanging on the officers in various Government departments who were selected on reserved posts listed for Scheduled Tribes and especially those having Halba caste certificate. The Revenue and Forest Department of Maharashtra Government on March 26 issued the notification about dismissal of Parate from the service. Many others from the Halba community had faced trouble but at time of retirement as their dues were withheld on ground of infirmity of their caste certificate. Parate was recruited to post of Trainee Tehsildar through Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) in year 1990 and subsequently he was promoted in Scheduled Tribe and became Deputy Collector. He had submitted the Caste certificate issued by Maharashtra Scheduled Tribe Certificate Scrutiny Committee, Pune, while being appointed to post of Tehsildar. However, subsequent to cross verification, Caste Scrutiny Committee, Nagpur Division, had termed the said certificate of Parate as invalid through its order dated July 17, 2003. Thereafter, Parate challenged the caste committee order at Bombay High Courts Nagpur Bench in year 2012. The High Court upheld the contention of the committee and rejected Parates plea observing that the order as to rejection of caste certificate of ST is just and proper. Parate then moved the Apex Court and challenged the rejection of his claim by High Court. In its order, the Apex Court said that it is not proper to provide protection to those in Government service in aftermath of rejection of their caste certificates. The order was of year 2017 and, thereafter, it was sent to Law and Justice Department with a query whether Parates service can be continued in supernumerary post as per prevalent rules. The opinion was received by Revenue Department in year 2020 wherein it referred to 2017 judgement of Supreme Court that referred to observations made in Jagdish Balram Bahra & others that once the claim of Halba is negated by the Caste Scrutiny Committee, no advantage thereafter be extended to the appellant as any such extension would run contrary to the legislation. Hence relying on the said opinion, Revenue and Forest Department after getting sanction from Governor, directed Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division, to terminate services of Chandrabhan Parate. Armys battalion takes part in exercise Tiger Triumph with US NEW DELHI, A BATTALION group of the Indian Army, comprising more than 700 personnel, is taking part in the ongoing bilateral tri-service exercise - Tiger Triumph-24 - between India and the US, being held on the Eastern Seaboard. The exercise from March 18-31 aims at developing interoperability for conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and refining SOPs to enable rapid and smooth co-ordination between the forces of the two countries. The Indian Armys contingent, comprising one battalion group is taking part in the second edition of the tri-service exercise, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, sources in the defence establishment said. The 14-day exercise is being conducted in two phases with a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam followed by a sea phase at Kakinada. The primary focus of the exercise is to enhance interoperability, strengthen bilateral relations, and refine capabilities in HADR and sub-conventional operations. The exercise has witnessed the amphibious capabilities of the Indian Army in conventional and sub-conventional scenarios. The Indian Army is represented by an integrated battalion group in the exercise, with strength of over 700 Army personnel, showcasing newly procured or inducted weapons and state-of-the-art technological infusions, a defence source said. The Indian Army contingent is represented by components from infantry, mechanised infantry, Para (Special Forces), artillery, engineers and other supporting arms apart from assorted systems of multiple drones, anti-drone equipment, and ICVs (infantry combat vehicles), the sources said. The harbour phase included communication checks to ensure seamless co-ordination between the participating forces. Personnel from both countries exchanged visits to each others ships, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. These interactions not only strengthened interpersonal bonds but also facilitated the exchange of best practices and operational techniques, the source added. The sea phase which commenced on Tuesday, involves a strategic move to a simulated island country, setting the stage for a series of complex operations. The first major operation will be a ship-to-shore move, demonstrating the precision and co-ordination required for amphibious operations, they said. This includes troops to swiftly disembark and establish a secure perimeter, showcasing their professionalism and readiness for challenging environments, the sources in the defence establishment said. Bhopal Cyber Police bust multi-state fraud syndicate Staff Reporter In a major crackdown on cyber crime, the Cyber Crime Branch of Bhopal Police has apprehended four individuals from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and Kasaragod in Kerala, for their involvement in a complex FedEx fraud and money laundering operation. The arrested individuals stand accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme involving the dispatch of MDMA drug parcels under false identities, along with fabricating allegations of money laundering amounting to Rs 68.49 lakh. According to the police investigation, the culprits exploited loopholes in banking procedures, using counterfeit documents to open current accounts. They also enlisted the help of bank employees to validate fake addresses and documents, thereby facilitating their fraudulent activities. The modus operandi of the perpetrators included deceiving innocent victims by posing as FedEx employees and alleging the dispatch of drug parcels in their names from Mumbai to Taiwan. Subsequently, the victims were coerced into transferring large sums of money online under the pretext of preventing their arrest for drug trafficking and money laundering. The scheme involved unidentified individuals posing as representatives of the Crime Branch in Mumbai, who, via Skype calls, convinced victims that they were under surveillance. Fearing arrest, victims were coerced into confessing to receiving a 200 mg MDMA drug parcel in their name. Furthermore, the victims were manipulated into believing they were under observation via video calls and were compelled to engage in fraudulent activities, including falsely admitting to money laundering charges. As election days draw near, call for eco-friendly poll campaigning grows louder By Supratik Sengupta Kolkata, Mar 28 (PTI) As election campaigns started across the country, environmentalists demand that political parties take the digital and other non-conventional ways of electioneering to minimise the impact of non-biodegradable poll materials on nature. Political parties should rely mostly on social media to reach voters and shun flexes and plastic flags that litter streets once the polling is over and many a time reach waterbodies polluting them or block drains causing them to overflow. Parties blame the need for visibility factor in elections behind the use of those materials and promise to address the issue. Environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh asked, Why can't we come out of campaigns by putting up flexes, plastic flags even in remote rural parts which create a non-biodegradable mess and put a strain on the environment? Shifting to the digital mode for election campaigning should not be a distant dream in the present age as mobile phones with internet are available even in remote areas of the country, he said. Reaching the voters can be more effective through SMS, WhatsApp and reels. Messages of leaders can be disseminated through mobiles. If banners and posters are found necessary, they should be made of cotton and paper. Eco-friendly materials should be used to decorate political parties, said Ghosh. Car rallies cause air pollution, use of microphones creates sound pollution while posters and banners do not increase the beauty of an area, the green brigade says calling for their abolition. It is imperative to think of implementing environmentally conscious election campaign strategies using green technology. Using social media safeguards both public health and the environment, Vinay Jaju, Managing Director of environment watchdog SwitchON Foundation, said. He said that a huge change can be brought about by the reduction of plastic usage in campaigning events and rallies, as it poses a grave threat to ecosystems and human health as plastic pollutes soil and water. "Political parties must demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship by pledging to plant trees and support sustainable initiatives aimed at offsetting their carbon footprint," he said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said without political consensus, shunning the use of flex and plastic flags is not possible. As a principle, I am in favour of zero use of plastics. But if other political parties opt for such campaign materials, we have to do the same. We cannot be left out as visibility factor before the electorate counts, Bhattacharya said. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar said his party stands for saving greens and protecting the ecology. We have to strike a balance. We have to fight the elections to carry on with our development work for the public and work for saving ecology, he said. The Election Commission last year said it is also concerned with the issue of environmental hazards caused by use of non-biodegradable materials during polls. The Commission has been urging all political parties and candidates to avoid the use of plastic/polythene for preparation of posters, banners etc. During election campaign, it had said. The Centre has banned from July 1, 2022, single-use items such as plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns. FEMAcase ED issues summons to Mahua, Hiranandani NEW DELHI : THE Enforcement Directorate has issued fresh summons to TMC leader Mahua Moitra and Dubai-based businessman Darshan Hiranandani for questioning in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) contravention case on March 28, official sources said on Wednesday. The 49-year-old Trinamool Congress leader was called for questioning twice earlier by the Central agency but she did not depose citing official work and sought deferment of the notice. Moitra and Hiranandani have been asked to appear for questioning at the ED office here on Thursday, the sources said. Hiranandani was also summoned by the agency in a separate FEMA case against his Mumbai-based realty group. Earlier, his father Niranjan Hiranandani had deposed before the ED in Mumbai. In the current case, the sources said, an advocate allegedly linked to Moitra was examined by the ED on Wednesday at its office here. Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha in December for unethical conduct, has been renominated by her party from West Bengals Krishnanagar seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had raided her premises in connection with the cash-for-query case on Saturday, days after anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal directed the federal agency to investigate the allegations levelled against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Dubey, a Lok Sabha member, has alleged that Moitra asked questions in the House in exchange for cash and gifts from Hiranandani to mount an attack on industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others. High Court confirms noose to Palatkar who massacred five Staff Reporter The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has confirmed the death sentence awarded to Vivek Gulabrao Palatkar, convicted in the sensational Pawankar murder case, by the District Court. Palatkar had massacred BJP activist and his brother-in-law Kamlakar Motiram Pawankar (52), Kamlakars mother Meerabai (72), his own sister Archana (45), her daughter Vedanti (15), and his son Krishna Vivek Palatkar (4), at Kamlakars house at Plot No. 26, Aaradhana Nagar, on June 11, 2018. Prior to this incident, Palatkar, a resident of Navargaon village in Mauda tehsil, had also taken the life of his wife several years ago which demonstrated a pattern of violence and disregard for human life. Even during his time in Nagpur Central Jail, he attempted to kill another inmate which underlined his dangerous nature and lack of potential for rehabilitation. The High Court, after careful consideration, concluded that due to the threat Palatkar poses to society and the severity of his crimes, the death penalty is warranted. Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Mahendra Chandwani presided over the hearing and reaffirmed the decision of Sessions Judge R S Pawaskar on April 15, 2023, who sentenced Palatkar to death under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. On June 10, 2018, Palatkar had come to Pawankars house for an overnight halt. Kamlakar, Archana, Vedanti, and Krishna were sleeping in the bedroom while Vivek was sleeping in the living room. Kamlakars daughter Mitali (5) and Viveks daughter Vaishnavi also were asleep in the living room with Meerabai. He committed the crime between 1 am and 3 am on June 11, 2018. He entered the bedroom when the victims were in deep slumber. He attacked them with sharp and heavy objects. Their heads were smashed by the object three to four times. The victims did not even resist the killer as their bodies were lying on the bed in a sleeping position. India takes tough stand Summons US diplomat over remarks on Kejriwals arrest NEW DELHI : INDIA on Wednesday summoned a senior US diplomat and lodged a strong protest against Washingtons remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials summoned the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena at its office in South Block here. The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes. Reports had it that a US State Department official had said that Washington encouraged a fair, transparent and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal. The Ministry of External Affairs later in a statement said, We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, States are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents, the statement said. Indias legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes, the MEA said in the statement while underlining that casting aspersions on that is unwarranted. The development comes days after India on March 23 had summoned the German Deputy Chief of Mission here and lodged a strong protest against that countrys Foreign Ministrys remarks on the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister. A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson had taken note of Kejriwals arrest. We see such remarks as interfering in our judicial process and undermining the independence of our judiciary, the MEA had said. The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi Governments Excise Policy for 2021-22 that was later scrapped. NO REDEMPTION! THERE appears to be no redemption from the culture of terrorism that Pakistan has nursed over decades of its romance with terror philosophy. It heaped a lot of terror on India, but all that appears to have been a thing of the past as India learned the ways and means to get over the scourge with tenacity and strength -- of the military and morality. In Pakistan, both these dimensions appear to be missing altogether. That explains how suicide attacks are taking place in Pakistan -- mostly targetting Pakistani establishment where at least some Chinese persons are involved. And as if this is not enough, freedom fighters from Balochistan, too, are putting relentless pressure on Pakistans internal security ecosystem and making life hell for the Pakistani establishment. Going by the manner and method of how terror is being used to harass Pakistani authorities, it is clear that the Islamic country is less likely to emerge from its terror woes at least for the next quarter of a century. The latest spell of organised violence in Pakistan has involved the deaths of 5 Chinese people among the 6 killed in terror strike. A few months ago, too, Pakistan had faced a similar attack and suffered many a death. And to make matters worse, the Baloch freedom fighters are not giving Pakistani authorities even a moment of breather from their concerted attacks on its military establishment. Possibly for the first time, the Pakistani military establishment is finding it very difficult to handle the pressure from several terror groups that it sponsored previously -- as is proved by the attack by Baloch freedom fighters in a Pakistani naval air-base. Each such attack only acts as a further reminder to the Pakistani authorities that they are getting the taste of their own medicine. Pakistan, thus, has every reason to believe that an organised activity is being unleashed on the country by some hidden masterminds whose job it appears to be to keep up confusion in Islamabad beyond the point of common comprehension. It may be mentioned here that Balochistan is only one of the few regions that are up in arms against the Pakistani army establishment. The pressure on the law-and-order is so great that the Pakistani authorities are unwilling even to try to bell the cat. As a result, several underground freedom-fighter-outfits are milling around the Pakistani establishment all over the place for quite some time now. It was rightly believed by the world that it was Pakistan that had earned the notoriety as the worlds biggest sponsor of terror. Today, however, the world realises how the Pakistanis are falling prey to various vagaries of terrorism in different garbs. In the past few years, it has seen many terror masterminds living in Pakistan were killed one by one by unknown gunmen. The chain of events involving terror masterminds is growing longer and more complex with every passing day bringing in worse news. How will Pakistan redeem itself from the current terror-related mess? The answer to this question is hardly easy to offer. For, the open secret is that the Pakistanis are getting paid in their own coin by using terrorism as a tool. At least in the near future, such a redemption does not appear possible. In the nutshell, Pakistan appears headed for a living by the bomb and the bullet at least for the next 25 years. The sufferers will be the members of the larger Pakistani society -- innocent civilians, in other words. As it talked of the so-called freedom of the Kashmiri people from the clutches of India, Pakistan never actually realised that it was digging its own grave in the long run -- say of a quarter of a century. Those who know what is happening in Pakistan also know that the country is on the verge of disaster. Sizzling summer to boost air conditioners demand Business Reporter THE rising summer temperatures are expected to boost the demand for air conditioners thisseason.The Meteorological Department has forcast higher temperatures due to which traders are expecting better demand for air conditioners as compared to last year. The demand for air conditioners is expected to remain strong this season. Already demand has picked up from the month of March. We are anticipating a rise in demand of more than 35 per cent compared to last year, said NiharTaori, Director of Taori Marketing situated at Dharampeth while speaking to The Hitavada. Taori further said that most of the manufacturers have introduced new features like Wi-Fi, Smart features like auto cleaning,mosquitoaway,airfilters, gas changing features and extended warranty schemeson compressors to attract the customers. The most sought after air conditioner brands are Mitsubishi, Voltas, LG, Panasonic,Carrier,Hairer,Blue Star, Daikin, Hitachi, Godrej, O General etc. The most preferred air conditioners are the 1 tonne and 1.5 tonne. There are also 3 Star and 5 Star energy saving category air conditioners.The price range starts from Rs 28,000 to Rs 40,000 for the medium segment range. The premium range begins from Rs 40,000 to Rs Rs 60,000. In Vidarbha, 80,000 to 85,000 units are sold out of which 50 per cent are sold in Nagpur during the year, he added. Another leading AC dealer, Gaurav Pahwa, Director of Lotus Electronics said that his stores are expecting a minimum growth in demand of 25 per cent compared to the previous year. The demand for air conditioners started to increase from March. We are expecting the hot weather conditions to continue resulting in huge growth in demand, he said. Another important factor which is pushing demand for air conditioners (ACs) are the flexible finance schemes introduced by consumer finance companies. These companies have made it easier for consumers to buy ACs by offering zerodown payment, zero interest and extended EMI schemes. Similarly, banks are giving cash back offers of 10 per cent on credit cards with EMI. He saidthatconsumerpreferences have shifted more towards air conditioners with 5 Star rating to conserve energy and lower energy bills. According to Jaipraksh Jaiswal, Director of Vedoms, Dharamepth the demand for air conditioners has swelled by 25 per cent as compared to the previous year. The overall response for air conditioners is tremendous this year.There has been a shift in consumer spending. Many consumers are upgrading their old air conditioners and buying ones equipped with latest technology, he added. During the discussion of unblocking the Ukrainian-Polish border for agricultural products, Ukraine proposed Poland a plan consisting of five steps, there is progress in the implementation of some of these steps, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said following a meeting with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk on Thursday. The first step was Ukraine's consent to restrictions, including safety restrictions, proposed by the European Commission on Ukrainian agricultural exports, he said. "This is a compromise that is necessary for our countries so that agricultural exports from Ukraine do not pose even a theoretical threat to Polish agricultural producers," he said on the Telegram channel. The second step was Ukraine's appeal to the European Commission with a proposal to conduct an urgent screening, that is, an analysis of Ukrainian legislation in agricultural policy and transport for compliance with European rules. The European Commission recognized screening of Ukrainian agricultural policy as a priority. Ukraine expects it to begin at the end of April. Thirdly, Ukraine proposed the European Union to stop Russian and Belarusian agricultural exports. "We are grateful to the Polish government and the Sejm, which made a corresponding appeal to the European Commission. Our voice was heard in Brussels. The European Commission proposed introducing a 50% increase in duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, including grain imports. The new rates should actually stop trade," Shmyhal said. The fourth proposal of Ukraine was the creation of an anti-crisis headquarters. Within its framework, interaction has already been established between the ministers of agriculture and economy of Ukraine and Poland. The specialized associations of the two countries agreed on similar cooperation on Wednesday. Shmyhal said that the latest meeting of the joint coordination platform for the export and transit of Ukrainian agricultural products demonstrated the readiness of the parties to develop joint decisions. The fifth step was Ukraine's appeal to Poland so that free passage across the border would apply not only to ammunition and humanitarian aid, but also to fuel. "This is important because it directly concerns issues of national security. Poland has added border checkpoints and nearby routes to the list of critical infrastructure facilities. We did the same," the prime minister said, adding that it is important to maintain the positive trends and dynamics for unblocking the Ukrainian-Polish border. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a telephone conversation with Speaker of the House of Representatives Michael Johnson, spoke about the intensification of "Russian air terror," noting the "critical importance" of the rapid adoption by the U.S. Congress of a decision on assistance to Ukraine. I spoke with speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson and thanked him personally, both parties, the American people, and President Biden for their critical support of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel Thursday. I briefed Speaker Johnson on the battlefield situation, specifically the dramatic increase in Russia's air terror. Last week alone, 190 missiles, 140 Shahed drones, and 700 guided aerial bombs were launched at Ukrainian cities and communities. Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant has gone offline, Zelenskyy said. In this situation, quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor, the head of the Ukrainian state stressed. According to the President, they also "discussed the importance of cutting off Russia's sources of funding for its war as soon as possible and using frozen Russian assets for Ukraines benefit. We also rely on the leadership of Congress in this regard." Centerra Gold Inc. (TSE:CG Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Buy from the seven analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$10.21. CG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Cormark lowered their price target on Centerra Gold from C$11.50 to C$11.00 in a report on Monday, February 26th. Desjardins lowered their price target on Centerra Gold from C$12.00 to C$11.75 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. BMO Capital Markets set a C$10.00 price target on Centerra Gold and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on Centerra Gold from C$11.75 to C$10.75 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 21st. Finally, National Bankshares set a C$9.50 target price on Centerra Gold and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Get Centerra Gold alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CG Insider Activity Centerra Gold Stock Performance In related news, Senior Officer Darren Millman sold 110,274 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$6.96, for a total transaction of C$766,955.67. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock. Shares of TSE CG opened at C$7.89 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.24, a current ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -15.47, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.16. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$7.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$7.36. Centerra Gold has a 52-week low of C$6.07 and a 52-week high of C$10.28. Centerra Gold (TSE:CG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported C$0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.39 by C($0.01). The company had revenue of C$462.92 million during the quarter. Centerra Gold had a negative return on equity of 4.66% and a negative net margin of 7.42%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Centerra Gold will post 0.4803493 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Centerra Gold Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 27th were paid a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 12th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.55%. Centerra Golds dividend payout ratio is currently -54.90%. Centerra Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report Centerra Gold Inc, a gold mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of gold and copper properties in North America, Turkey, and internationally. The company explores for gold, copper, and molybdenum deposits. Its flagship projects include the 100% owned Mount Milligan gold-copper mine located in British Columbia, Canada; and the Oksut Gold Mine located in Turkey. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Centerra Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centerra Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Magna International Inc. (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the fifteen brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given 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 $63.93. Several brokerages have issued reports on MGA. Barclays dropped their price target on Magna International from $65.00 to $63.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com raised Magna International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 26th. CIBC dropped their price target on Magna International from $63.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 12th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Magna International from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Magna International from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Get Magna International alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Magna International Institutional Inflows and Outflows Magna International Price Performance A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Syon Capital LLC purchased a new position in Magna International during the 4th quarter valued at about $250,000. Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Magna International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $106,000. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Magna International by 39.4% during the 4th quarter. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC now owns 189,810 shares of the companys stock worth $11,214,000 after acquiring an additional 53,695 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Magna International by 11.8% during the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 18,437 shares of the companys stock worth $1,089,000 after acquiring an additional 1,949 shares during the period. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in shares of Magna International by 576.7% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 3,079 shares of the companys stock worth $182,000 after acquiring an additional 2,624 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.49% of the companys stock. NYSE:MGA opened at $54.54 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.69. Magna International has a 52-week low of $46.71 and a 52-week high of $65.27. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $54.95 and a 200 day moving average of $54.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.06. Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $10.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.44 billion. Magna International had a net margin of 2.83% and a return on equity of 13.15%. Magna Internationals quarterly revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.91 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Magna International will post 6.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Magna International Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.475 per share. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.48%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. This is an increase from Magna Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Magna Internationals payout ratio is currently 45.02%. Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ballard Power Systems Inc. (TSE:BLDP Get Free Report) Senior Officer Kevin Michael Colbow sold 17,873 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$3.78, for a total transaction of C$67,559.94. Ballard Power Systems Price Performance BLDP opened at C$3.78 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of C$1.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -2,030.00 and a beta of 1.69. Ballard Power Systems Inc. has a fifty-two week low of C$3.60 and a fifty-two week high of C$7.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$4.17 and its 200 day moving average price is C$4.63. The company has a quick ratio of 13.57, a current ratio of 12.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Get Ballard Power Systems alerts: About Ballard Power Systems (Get Free Report) See Also Ballard Power Systems Inc engages in the design, development, manufacture, sale, and service of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell products. The company offers its products for power product markets, consisting of heavy-duty motives, such as bus, truck, rail, and marine applications; material handling; and power generation. Receive News & Ratings for Ballard Power Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ballard Power Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is C$35.80. MFC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Cormark raised Manulife Financial from a market perform rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$33.00 to C$36.00 in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$34.00 to C$38.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Veritas Investment Research reissued a reduce rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Friday, February 16th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$35.00 to C$40.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, TD Securities lowered Manulife Financial from an action list buy rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$35.00 to C$37.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on MFC Insider Buying and Selling Manulife Financial Trading Up 1.8 % In related news, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,317 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$108,664.92. In related news, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 10,294 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$337,231.44. Also, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,317 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total value of C$108,664.92. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. MFC opened at C$33.43 on Thursday. Manulife Financial has a 52 week low of C$23.69 and a 52 week high of C$33.59. The company has a quick ratio of 2.58, a current ratio of 3.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 45.69. The stock has a market cap of C$60.51 billion, a PE ratio of 12.81, a PEG ratio of 12.56 and a beta of 1.10. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$31.36 and a 200-day moving average of C$28.17. Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported C$0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.84 by C$0.08. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 11.57% and a net margin of 20.05%. The company had revenue of C$14.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$10.24 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Manulife Financial will post 3.6849162 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 28th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 27th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.79%. This is a positive change from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Manulife Financials payout ratio is presently 61.30%. Manulife Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the sixteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $157.13. A number of brokerages have weighed in on PPG. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of PPG Industries in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $166.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $156.00 price target (down previously from $173.00) on shares of PPG Industries in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of PPG Industries from $158.00 to $156.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Get PPG Industries alerts: View Our Latest Report on PPG Industries PPG Industries Price Performance PPG stock opened at $144.54 on Thursday. PPG Industries has a 1 year low of $120.32 and a 1 year high of $152.89. The company has a market cap of $34.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.07, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $141.22 and a 200 day moving average of $138.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.05. PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 19th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.04. PPG Industries had a net margin of 6.96% and a return on equity of 23.51%. The company had revenue of $4.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.22 earnings per share. PPG Industriess revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that PPG Industries will post 8.45 EPS for the current year. PPG Industries Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th were paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.80%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. PPG Industriess dividend payout ratio is presently 48.69%. Insider Transactions at PPG Industries In other news, CFO Vincent J. Morales sold 3,400 shares of PPG Industries stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.94, for a total transaction of $479,196.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 28,439 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,008,192.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of PPG Industries Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of PPG Industries by 11.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 358,333 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $46,512,000 after buying an additional 35,571 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC raised its holdings in shares of PPG Industries by 90.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 18,257 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,708,000 after purchasing an additional 8,662 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of PPG Industries by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. now owns 8,479 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,101,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. raised its stake in shares of PPG Industries by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 1,883 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vest Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of PPG Industries by 42.6% during the 4th quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 217,865 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $32,582,000 after acquiring an additional 65,073 shares in the last quarter. 81.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. PPG Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report PPG Industries, Inc manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through two segments, Performance Coatings and Industrial Coatings. The Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; wood stains; paints, thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other advanced technologies for pavement marking for government, commercial infrastructure, painting, and maintenance contractors; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PPG Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPG Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caledonia Mining (NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating reaffirmed by Cantor Fitzgerald in a research report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Caledonia Mining Price Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:CMCL traded up $0.18 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $11.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 35,335 shares, compared to its average volume of 40,496. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Caledonia Mining has a 1 year low of $8.91 and a 1 year high of $17.58. The company has a market cap of $141.26 million, a P/E ratio of -13.94 and a beta of 0.68. Get Caledonia Mining alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caledonia Mining Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CMCL. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new stake in Caledonia Mining during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $237,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Caledonia Mining in the 3rd quarter worth $342,000. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Caledonia Mining by 266.2% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 21,621 shares of the companys stock worth $214,000 after buying an additional 15,717 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in Caledonia Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at $50,000. Finally, Headinvest LLC acquired a new stake in Caledonia Mining in the 3rd quarter worth about $55,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.78% of the companys stock. About Caledonia Mining Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interest in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; Bilboes, gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price target lifted by stock analysts at BMO Capital Markets from C$110.00 to C$115.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets target price points to a potential upside of 11.15% from the stocks current price. CNQ has been the subject of several other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$95.00 to C$86.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. CIBC lifted their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$95.00 to C$105.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$94.00 to C$100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. ATB Capital boosted their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$100.00 to C$107.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$98.00 to C$96.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight 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 C$100.75. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Price Performance Shares of CNQ stock traded up C$1.02 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$103.46. The company had a trading volume of 886,241 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,347,851. Canadian Natural Resources has a 52 week low of C$69.83 and a 52 week high of C$103.52. The stock has a market capitalization of C$110.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.01. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$90.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$88.58. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported C$2.34 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$2.14 by C$0.20. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 22.89% and a return on equity of 21.11%. The firm had revenue of C$9.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$9.04 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Canadian Natural Resources will post 7.3588277 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Canadian Natural Resources In other news, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$88.86, for a total value of C$23,993,361.00. In related news, Director Stephen W. Laut sold 2,935 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$97.20, for a total transaction of C$285,282.00. Also, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$88.86, for a total value of C$23,993,361.00. Insiders have sold 647,999 shares of company stock valued at $60,737,470 over the last 90 days. 2.21% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. 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). Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting with a delegation of the Renew Europe political group of the European Parliament, headed by President of the group Valerie Hayer, during which the parties discussed in detail the issue of accelerating the provision of military assistance to Ukraine from European capitals. The interlocutors paid special attention to Ukraine's European integration. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to start the negotiation process during the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU in June this year, reported on the website of the head of state on Thursday. "Ukraine has fulfilled all four recommendations of the European Commission set out in the annual Enlargement Package. All important laws have been passed, which is not an easy task during a full-scale war. However, Ukraine is determined to maintain a high pace of integration into the European Union, as it is a foreign policy priority of our country and an integral part of the security of Ukraine and the entire European space," the President of Ukraine noted. The parties also exchanged views on the impact and possible ways to counter Russian propaganda in Europe, as well as all types of modern hybrid attacks actively used by the Russian Federation against the democratic world. The Head of State expressed gratitude to the European Parliament for the significant support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. CCL Industries Inc. (TSE:CCL.B Get Free Report) Senior Officer Kamal Chandrakant Kotecha sold 5,206 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$70.28, for a total transaction of C$365,867.79. CCL Industries Stock Performance Shares of TSE CCL.B traded up C$0.01 during trading on Thursday, reaching C$69.50. 17,496 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 276,571. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.37. The stock has a market capitalization of C$11.54 billion, a PE ratio of 23.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.55. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$64.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$59.62. CCL Industries Inc. has a 52-week low of C$52.82 and a 52-week high of C$74.49. Get CCL Industries alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have commented on CCL.B shares. Raymond James upgraded shares of CCL Industries from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the stock from C$74.00 to C$78.00 in a report on Thursday, March 7th. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$82.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of CCL Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$65.00 to C$79.00 in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$72.00 to C$79.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Pi Financial raised their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$74.00 to C$75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$78.80. CCL Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) CCL Industries Inc manufactures and sells labels, containers, consumer printable media products, technology driven label solutions, polymer bank note substrates, and specialty films. The company operates through four segments: CCL, Avery, Checkpoint, and Innovia. The CCL segment offers pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for decorative, instructional, functional, and security applications in the consumer packaging, healthcare, chemicals, consumer electronic device, and automotive markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CCL Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CCL Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Youzan Limited (OTCMKTS:CHNVF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,000 shares, a decline of 92.0% from the February 29th total of 100,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently days. China Youzan Stock Performance Shares of CHNVF stock remained flat at C$0.01 on Thursday. China Youzan has a twelve month low of C$0.01 and a twelve month high of C$0.03. The firms 50-day moving average is C$0.01 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.01. Get China Youzan alerts: China Youzan Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More China Youzan Limited, an investment holding company, provides online and offline e-commerce solutions in the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Canada. The company operates through five segments: General Trading, Third Party Payment Services, Onecomm, Merchant Services, and Others. It trades in watches and other good; sells integrated smart point of sales devices; and offers third party payment and related consultancy services, as well as third party payment management services. Receive News & Ratings for China Youzan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Youzan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amphenol (NYSE:APH Free Report) had its target price upped by Evercore ISI from $110.00 to $125.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. Evercore ISI currently has an outperform rating on the electronics makers stock. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on APH. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Amphenol from $97.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 15th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Amphenol in a report on Friday, January 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $117.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Amphenol from $107.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Amphenol from $88.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Amphenol from $100.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $104.40. Get Amphenol alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Amphenol Amphenol Stock Performance NYSE:APH opened at $115.30 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $106.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $94.99. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a market cap of $69.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.07, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.30. Amphenol has a twelve month low of $72.00 and a twelve month high of $119.59. Amphenol (NYSE:APH Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The electronics maker reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.16 billion. Amphenol had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 23.94%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.78 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Amphenol will post 3.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Amphenol Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. Amphenols dividend payout ratio is presently 28.30%. Insider Transactions at Amphenol In other news, VP Lance E. Damico sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.75, for a total transaction of $1,571,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 25,700 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,692,075. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Peter Straub sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.64, for a total value of $2,212,800.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Lance E. Damico sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.75, for a total transaction of $1,571,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 25,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,692,075. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 305,000 shares of company stock worth $31,846,050. 2.22% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Amphenol Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of APH. Peoples Bank KS purchased a new stake in Amphenol in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Amphenol during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Mendota Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Amphenol during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Amphenol by 75.5% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 330 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Amphenol by 70.8% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 333 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.01% of the companys stock. Amphenol Company Profile (Get Free Report) Amphenol Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, primarily designs, manufactures, and markets electrical, electronic, and fiber optic connectors in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Harsh Environment Solutions, Communications Solutions, and Interconnect and Sensor Systems. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Amphenol Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amphenol and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of General American Investors Company, Inc. (NYSE:GAM Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $46.52 and last traded at $46.42, with a volume of 338 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $46.38. General American Investors Price Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average of $44.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $42.72. Get General American Investors alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Priest bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $42.19 per share, with a total value of $42,190.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 95,616 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,034,039.04. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders have acquired a total of 1,830 shares of company stock worth $79,148 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 8.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On General American Investors General American Investors Company Profile A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Pathstone Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of General American Investors during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $10,590,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in General American Investors by 22.1% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 692,546 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $29,745,000 after buying an additional 125,281 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General American Investors during the third quarter worth $2,951,000. AQR Arbitrage LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 38,752 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of General American Investors by 185.1% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 42,811 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 27,794 shares during the period. 36.85% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for General American Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General American Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Lakes Retirement Inc. increased its stake in Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report) by 5.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,870 shares of the oilfield services companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,010 shares during the period. Great Lakes Retirement Inc.s holdings in Halliburton were worth $682,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of HAL. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Halliburton in the second quarter worth $26,000. Ancora Advisors LLC increased its stake in Halliburton by 443.8% during the 3rd quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 881 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 719 shares during the period. Ogorek Anthony Joseph NY ADV raised its position in shares of Halliburton by 1,134.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ogorek Anthony Joseph NY ADV now owns 1,000 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 919 shares in the last quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Halliburton in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Halliburton in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 85.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Halliburton alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Halliburton In related news, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 377,000 shares of Halliburton stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total value of $13,308,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 759,015 shares in the company, valued at $26,793,229.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 377,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total transaction of $13,308,100.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 759,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,793,229.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Margaret Katherine Banks sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.30, for a total value of $176,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 9,625 shares of the companys stock, valued at $339,762.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have issued reports on HAL. Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating and set a $49.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Halliburton from $44.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Halliburton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Halliburton in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Halliburton currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $48.63. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Halliburton Halliburton Stock Up 1.7 % NYSE HAL traded up $0.67 during trading on Thursday, hitting $39.50. 4,297,086 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,451,458. Halliburton has a 12 month low of $27.84 and a 12 month high of $43.85. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $35.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.55. The company has a market capitalization of $35.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.46, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.99. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The oilfield services company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.06. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.46% and a return on equity of 31.59%. The firm had revenue of $5.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.78 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.72 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Halliburton will post 3.43 EPS for the current year. Halliburton Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This is a positive change from Halliburtons previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.72%. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.21%. Halliburton Profile (Free Report) Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $8.22 and last traded at $8.18, with a volume of 588904 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.02. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently issued reports on HMY. StockNews.com raised Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, March 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Harmony Gold Mining from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $3.40. Get Harmony Gold Mining alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on HMY Harmony Gold Mining Stock Performance Harmony Gold Mining Increases Dividend The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $5.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.62 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.062 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.2%. This is a positive change from Harmony Gold Minings previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.03. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 11th. Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Profund Advisors LLC increased its stake in Harmony Gold Mining by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 43,218 shares of the mining companys stock worth $266,000 after acquiring an additional 2,383 shares during the last quarter. Arlington Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Harmony Gold Mining by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Arlington Capital Management Inc. now owns 177,338 shares of the mining companys stock worth $667,000 after acquiring an additional 2,910 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Harmony Gold Mining by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 32,077 shares of the mining companys stock worth $132,000 after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 26.0% in the 1st quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 15,016 shares of the mining companys stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 3,103 shares in the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 37.8% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,486 shares of the mining companys stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 3,153 shares in the last quarter. 31.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Harmony Gold Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of gold. The company explores for uranium, silver, copper, and molybdenum deposits. It has eight underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin; an open-pit mine on the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt; and various surface source operations in South Africa. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Harmony Gold Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harmony Gold Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Professional Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 513.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 641,087 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 536,628 shares during the quarter. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for 21.1% of Professional Financial Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Professional Financial Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.06% of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF worth $63,628,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management grew its position 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. boosted its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% in the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock worth $5,570,000 after buying an additional 13,829 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the first quarter worth about $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the first quarter worth about $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% in the first quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock worth $1,568,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.0 % AGG traded up $0.01 on Thursday, reaching $98.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,949,111 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,799,957. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $91.58 and a 1 year high of $100.98. The businesss 50 day moving average is $97.70 and its 200 day moving average is $96.37. About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (NYSEARCA:CRBN Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 44,323 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 381% from the previous sessions volume of 9,212 shares.The stock last traded at $179.28 and had previously closed at $179.35. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Price Performance The company has a market cap of $996.17 million, a PE ratio of 15.43 and a beta of 0.94. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $172.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $162.28. Get iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CRBN. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $60,983,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 1,924.6% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 240,278 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,873,000 after acquiring an additional 228,410 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 131.2% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 52,161 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,606,000 after acquiring an additional 29,599 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 121.5% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 41,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,739,000 after acquiring an additional 22,644 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 20.7% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 61,595 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,057,000 after acquiring an additional 10,575 shares during the period. About iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF The iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target index. The fund tracks an index of stocks from global firms selected for a bias toward lower carbon emissions. CRBN was launched on Dec 9, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE:CBU Free Report) by 7.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,410 shares of the banks stock after selling 940 shares during the period. Laurus Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Community Bank System were worth $595,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in Community Bank System by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 17,408 shares of the banks stock worth $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY raised its holdings in Community Bank System by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 3,377 shares of the banks stock worth $213,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV raised its holdings in Community Bank System by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 8,250 shares of the banks stock worth $387,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Community Bank System by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 28,161 shares of the banks stock worth $1,320,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Community Bank System by 82.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 585 shares of the banks stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. 73.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Community Bank System alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Sally A. Steele sold 3,501 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.76, for a total value of $170,708.76. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 33,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,639,993.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Sally A. Steele sold 3,501 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.76, for a total value of $170,708.76. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 33,634 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,639,993.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark J. Bolus sold 3,631 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total value of $163,395.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 96,364 shares in the company, valued at $4,336,380. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.89% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have recently weighed in on CBU shares. DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Community Bank System in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Community Bank System to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Community Bank System from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, January 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $50.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Community Bank System Community Bank System Stock Performance NYSE CBU opened at $47.41 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.55. Community Bank System, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.38 and a 12-month high of $55.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.74, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company has a market cap of $2.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.74 and a beta of 0.65. Community Bank System (NYSE:CBU Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The bank reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $177.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $175.25 million. Community Bank System had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 13.78%. Community Bank Systems revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.96 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Community Bank System, Inc. will post 3.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Community Bank System Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Community Bank Systems dividend payout ratio is 71.15%. About Community Bank System (Free Report) Community Bank System, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A. that provides various banking and other financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. It operates through three segments: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and All Other. The company offers various deposits products, such as interest and noninterest -bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as time deposits. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CBU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE:CBU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Community Bank System Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Bank System and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC purchased a new position in Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 10,092 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,282,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Global Payments by 1.3% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,819,457 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,138,638,000 after buying an additional 134,403 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its stake in Global Payments by 40.7% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,346,779 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,078,525,000 after purchasing an additional 2,703,434 shares during the period. Boston Partners raised its stake in Global Payments by 40.5% during the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,142,771 shares of the business services providers stock worth $591,613,000 after purchasing an additional 1,481,714 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Global Payments by 24.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,518,268 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $370,263,000 after acquiring an additional 698,913 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Global Payments by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,499,860 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $403,849,000 after acquiring an additional 116,664 shares during the period. 89.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Global Payments alerts: Global Payments Stock Up 0.3 % GPN stock opened at $132.12 on Thursday. Global Payments Inc. has a one year low of $95.12 and a one year high of $141.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.70 billion, a PE ratio of 34.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company has a fifty day moving average of $132.78 and a 200-day moving average of $123.54. Global Payments Announces Dividend Global Payments ( NYSE:GPN Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The business services provider reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $0.01. Global Payments had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 11.44%. The company had revenue of $2.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.18 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.30 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Global Payments Inc. will post 10.94 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.46%. Analysts Set New Price Targets GPN has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Global Payments from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Global Payments from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. TheStreet upgraded shares of Global Payments from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Global Payments from $185.00 to $180.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, B. Riley increased their target price on shares of Global Payments from $180.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $151.92. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on GPN About Global Payments (Free Report) Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Global Payments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Payments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. G7 ambassadors following selection of new leadership of High Qualifications Commission of Judges The new leadership of the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) should be virtuous and independent, the Italian chairmanship of the G7 Ambassadors Support Group in Kyiv said on X Thursday. G7 Ambassadors are following High Qualifications Commission of Judges news closely & urge a transparent selection process for new leadership with integrity & independence. Advancing reforms & filling courts with vetted judges is crucial for public trust in the judiciary & for private sector investment, the message reads. As reported, on March 27, the HQCJ satisfied the statement of chairman of the commission Roman Ihnatov on his dismissal from the position of a member of the commission at his own request. He has headed the commission since June 6, 2023. NovaGold Resources Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NG Get Free Report) (TSE:NG)s share price traded up 5.8% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $2.94 and last traded at $2.92. 527,192 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 2,411,097 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.76. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, National Bank Financial restated an outperform overweight rating on shares of NovaGold Resources in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Get NovaGold Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on NG NovaGold Resources Trading Up 8.7 % The firm has a market cap of $1.00 billion, a P/E ratio of -22.69 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 32.57, a current ratio of 32.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3,250.59. NovaGold Resources (NYSEAMERICAN:NG Get Free Report) (TSE:NG) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The mining company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Hedge Funds Weigh In On NovaGold Resources A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NG. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in NovaGold Resources by 87.7% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,382 shares of the mining companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,450 shares during the period. GTS Securities LLC bought a new position in NovaGold Resources in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in NovaGold Resources in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $55,000. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new position in NovaGold Resources in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $57,000. Finally, HTLF Bank acquired a new stake in shares of NovaGold Resources during the 4th quarter worth approximately $67,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.56% of the companys stock. About NovaGold Resources (Get Free Report) NovaGold Resources Inc explores for and develops gold mineral properties in the United States. Its principal asset is the Donlin Gold project consisting of 493 mining claims covering an area of approximately 29,008 hectares located in the Kuskokwim region of southwestern Alaska. The company was formerly known as NovaCan Mining Resources (1985) Limited and changed its name to NovaGold Resources Inc in March 1987. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for NovaGold Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NovaGold Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Planned Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDX Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 340,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,114,000. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF accounts for about 9.9% of Planned Solutions Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in FNDX. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 2,886.7% during the 3rd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 448 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp bought a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp bought a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 109.0% during the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 788 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Get Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF alerts: Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF Stock Performance Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF stock opened at $67.13 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.88 and a beta of 1.00. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF has a 52-week low of $52.99 and a 52-week high of $67.16. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $64.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.30. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF Profile The Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell RAFI Large Company US index. The fund tracks a fundamentally selected and weighted Russell index based on sales, cash flow and dividends\u002Fbuybacks. FNDX was launched on Aug 15, 2013 and is managed by Charles Schwab. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FNDX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sprinklr (NYSE:CXM Get Free Report) issued an update on its first quarter earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $0.07 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.08. The company issued revenue guidance of $194-195 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $193.18 million. Sprinklr also updated its FY 2025 guidance to 0.380-0.390 EPS. Sprinklr Trading Up 1.4 % CXM opened at $13.00 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a PE ratio of 118.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.89. Sprinklr has a 1 year low of $10.45 and a 1 year high of $17.14. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $12.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.37. Get Sprinklr alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CXM has been the topic of several research reports. Rosenblatt Securities upped their price target on Sprinklr from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Sprinklr from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Sprinklr in a research note on Thursday, March 21st. They issued an overweight rating and a $19.00 target price for the company. William Blair reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Sprinklr in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their target price on Sprinklr from $21.00 to $16.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Sprinklr presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $16.59. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, major shareholder Battery Partners Ix, Llc sold 10,424 shares of Sprinklr stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.99, for a total value of $124,983.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 80,952 shares in the company, valued at approximately $970,614.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Ragy Thomas sold 11,742 shares of Sprinklr stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.03, for a total transaction of $152,998.26. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 438,214 shares in the company, valued at $5,709,928.42. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Battery Partners Ix, Llc sold 10,424 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.99, for a total value of $124,983.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 80,952 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $970,614.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 195,682 shares of company stock worth $2,476,123 in the last 90 days. 40.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in Sprinklr by 308.9% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 2,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,671 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new position in shares of Sprinklr in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. FMR LLC boosted its stake in Sprinklr by 126.1% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,661 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,484 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Sprinklr during the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Sprinklr in the second quarter worth about $48,000. 40.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Sprinklr Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sprinklr, Inc provides enterprise cloud software products worldwide. The company offers Unified Customer Experience Management platform, a purpose-built to analyze unstructured customer experience data, built to scale across future and modern channels, and integrates all stages of the customer journey. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sprinklr Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sprinklr and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Steel Grove Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $226,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Thompson Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Retirement Group LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 159.1% during the 2nd quarter. Retirement Group LLC now owns 57 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the period. Legacy Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter valued at $35,000. Optiver Holding B.V. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Activity In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of Eli Lilly and Company 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 transaction, the insider now owns 99,719,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at $63,004,019,910.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 0.5 % LLY stock traded up $3.54 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $781.72. The company had a trading volume of 1,872,888 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,213,223. The company has a market capitalization of $742.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 135.99, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $334.58 and a 1 year high of $800.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The company has a 50 day moving average of $727.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $636.01. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The companys revenue was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on LLY. Barclays boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets upped 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. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $850.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. TheStreet upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $689.52. View Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com cut shares of ORIX (NYSE:IX Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday. ORIX Price Performance Shares of NYSE IX opened at $110.26 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.90, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.84. ORIX has a one year low of $81.05 and a one year high of $113.43. The companys fifty day moving average is $102.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.79. Get ORIX alerts: ORIX (NYSE:IX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.66 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $4.59 billion for the quarter. ORIX had a net margin of 10.31% and a return on equity of 7.60%. Analysts forecast that ORIX will post 8.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows ORIX Company Profile Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in IX. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in shares of ORIX by 64.3% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 7,572 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $756,000 after buying an additional 2,964 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of ORIX by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 11,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,193,000 after buying an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in ORIX by 20.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 21,994 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,196,000 after purchasing an additional 3,724 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in ORIX in the 1st quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in ORIX by 45.3% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 6,198 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $619,000 after purchasing an additional 1,933 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.73% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for ORIX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ORIX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. (OTCMKTS:TKGBY Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,100 shares, a decline of 84.3% from the February 29th total of 45,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 24,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Stock Performance Shares of Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. stock opened at $2.02 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.01 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1.91. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. has a 1-year low of $1.14 and a 1-year high of $2.29. Get Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. alerts: Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be paid a $0.0768 dividend. This is a boost from Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.s previous dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S.s payout ratio is presently 9.49%. Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Company Profile Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. provides various banking products and services in Turkey. The company offers current, savings, time and term deposit, e-savings, YUVAM, NET, ELMA, overdraft, and gold accounts; general purpose, auto, mortgage, commercial, and project loans, as well as IBOR reforms and foreign trade financing; investment funds, stocks, derivatives, Garanti BBVA e-trader platform, time barred deposit and investment lists, and derivative instruments; credit and debit cards, bonusflas, and POS and e-commerce products; and insurance and pension products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co boosted its position in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 320.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,418 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 6,418 shares during the quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $487,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 112,306.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,661,660 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $863,475,000 after buying an additional 18,645,058 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $632,520,000. FMR LLC increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 125,920,357 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $6,648,595,000 after buying an additional 8,045,263 shares in the last quarter. Steadfast Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $138,969,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 391.6% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,271,810 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $172,752,000 after buying an additional 2,606,253 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Stock Down 0.0 % Shares of Boston Scientific stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $68.59. The company had a trading volume of 1,626,069 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,481,334. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $100.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a 50 day moving average of $65.24 and a 200 day moving average of $58.05. Boston Scientific Co. has a 52-week low of $48.35 and a 52-week high of $68.80. Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Scientific Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The medical equipment provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 15.99% and a net margin of 11.19%. The company had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.59 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.45 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.40, for a total value of $876,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,304,739.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,172 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.25, for a total transaction of $898,941.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 56,588 shares in the company, valued at $3,352,839. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Jeffrey B. Mirviss sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.40, for a total value of $876,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 56,588 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,304,739.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 76,460 shares of company stock worth $4,759,945. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Oppenheimer increased their target price on Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and set a $64.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Friday, December 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.62. Read Our Latest Research Report on BSX About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 1,585 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $207,000. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. RB Capital Management LLC grew 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 worth $580,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Yum! Brands by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 761,575 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $90,284,000 after buying an additional 3,024 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter valued at $664,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted 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 valued at $893,000 after buying an additional 517 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted 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 valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. 82.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Yum! Brands alerts: Insider Activity at Yum! Brands In related news, VP David Eric Russell sold 9,919 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.63, for a total transaction of $1,285,799.97. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 18,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,419,025.43. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Yum! Brands news, VP David Eric Russell sold 9,919 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.63, for a total transaction of $1,285,799.97. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,419,025.43. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,756 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.21, for a total value of $485,312.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 57,325 shares in the company, valued at $7,406,963.25. 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 in the last 90 days. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Yum! Brands Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of YUM stock traded up $1.20 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $138.52. The companys stock had a trading volume of 460,461 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,920,832. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $134.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.74. The company has a market capitalization of $38.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.79, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.10. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $115.53 and a fifty-two week high of $143.24. Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The restaurant operator reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.11 billion. Yum! Brands had a net margin of 22.57% and a negative return on equity of 17.76%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.31 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.72 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 issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from Yum! Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 20th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.93%. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.94%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered Yum! Brands from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Yum! Brands from $164.00 to $166.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Guggenheim increased their price target on Yum! Brands from $145.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of Yum! Brands in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Yum! Brands from $145.00 to $141.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $145.00. View Our Latest Analysis on YUM About Yum! Brands (Free Report) Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Yum! Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum! Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kuleba: Russia's veto on extension of mandate of UN panel of experts, monitoring compliance with sanctions against DPRK, is actually admission of guilt The Russian Federation's veto on the draft resolution of the UN Security Council on the extension of the mandate of the expert group of the Committee on Sanctions against the DPRK is actually an admission of guilt, Moscow no longer hides military cooperation with Pyongyang. Today, Russia was the only country to veto a draft UN Security Council resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 1718s Sanctions Committee, which monitors sanctions, including arms embargo, against North Korea. This is actually a guilty plea. Moscow no longer hides its military cooperation with North Korea in obtaining arms and ammunition in violation of sanctions, as well as the use of North Korean weapons in the war against Ukraine, Kuleba said on X. According to the minister, today's vote is another example of how Russia's illegal presence in the UN Security Council threatens global security. We urge all peace-loving nations to strongly condemn Russia's veto and rally behind Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression and the spread of terror and lawlessness around the world, Kuleba urged. He also attached to the post a photo showing a North Korean missile that was fired at Kharkiv earlier this year. We must defeat Putin's regime through resolute and collective action to ensure that such horrifying photos do not appear in other countries and parts of the world, the foreign minister said. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in New York. Prosecutors asked a New York judge on Friday, March 15, 2024 to sentence FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to between 40 and 50 years in prison for cryptocurrency crimes they described as a historic fraud.(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Over the past day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces has attacked 14 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the Russian occupiers. As reported in the operational information on the Russian invasion as of 6 p.m. on Thursday on the Facebook page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one guided missile was also destroyed by the forces and means of the air defense of Ukraine. In turn, units of the Ukrainian missile forces have defeated four enemy control points, four air defense systems, two artillery systems and one enemy ammunition depot over the past day. Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'War between Ukraine and Russia - time works against both sides. However, differently.' On Monday, April 1, at 12.00, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "War between Ukraine and Russia - time works against both sides. However, differently." Participants: political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; political scientist, co-founder of the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion Oleh Sahakian, political commentator Leonid Shvets (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards. Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Chinese-American relations in context of new world order' On Thursday, April 4, at 10.30, the press centre of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "Chinese-American relations in context of the new world order." Participants include Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the People's Republic of China (1999-2001), Chairman of the Board of the Association of Ukrainian-Chinese Strategic Partnership Ihor Lytvyn; Chief Consultant of the National Institute for Strategic Studies Alina Hrytsenko; analyst, author at LB.ua Petro Shevchenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards. Additional information by phone: (093) 432 0603, [email protected] (Oleksiy Feschenko). 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The BJP, today, issued a show-cause notice to the party candidate from Burdwan Durgapur constituency, Dilip Ghosh for his derogatory comments on chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The notice comes a day after Trinamul Congress filed a complaint against Ghosh, also the partys former state president and ex-national vice-president, on this count to the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal. Arun Singh, national secretary of the party executive of the central party headquarters, asked for an explanation from him. Mr Singh has asked Ghosh to tender an apology besides explaining what prompted him to make such a derogatory comment against the chief minister. Admitting the receipt of the notice, Ghosh said that he does not have any personal enmity with the chief minister. I have just protested against her political comments through which she had been trying to mislead people, Ghosh said. At the same time, he pointed out that a section of Trinamul Congress leadership using more derogatory language against the father of one of the leading BJP legislators in West Bengal. Doesnt that party MLA have a similar self-respect? Why didnt the party issue any statement on that matter then? Ghosh questioned. Advertisement Although he did not name anyone, Ghoshs clear indication was towards the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and his father Sisir Adhikari, who have been subjected to derogatory attacks by some ruling Trinamul Congress leaders. The show-cause letter comes at a time when he did not get his own seat. He was removed from Midnapore Lok Sabha constituency and sent to Burdwan Durgapur constituency, which will be a tough ask for him. Dilip Ghosh has been nominated for the difficult seat in the last Lok Sabha elections. Trinamul Congress candidate from Cooch Behar, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia filed his nomination papers today. After filling papers, speaking to reporters Mr Basunia, MLA from Sitai in Cooch Behar, said, People of Cooch Behar want to curb the menace of gangster-led by the BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik. I am confident my party will take on him and the election results will go in favour of the Trinamul Congress. I will celebrate it on 4th June. Trinamul Congress leader Udayan Guha, minister for north Bengal development department (NBDD), said today, When Nisith Pramanik is contesting Lok Sabha polls, political tension will continue in Dinhata. But the political heat wave will come down after the sun sets. Advertisement Notably, BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik, who was elected as an MP from Cooch Behar in 2019, is trying hard to retain the seat. Mr Pramanik, being a minister of state for home affairs, has set a strong base in Cooch Behar over the past two years. On the other hand, chairman of Rajbanshi Bhasha Academy, Banshi Badan Barman today claimed that the Cooch Behar people, belonging to the Rajbanshi community, will go in favour of the Trinamul Congress. Rajbanshi people believe in practicing political decisions. They will never run after dreams, which were showcased by the BJP. Since the Rajbanshi people have been benefited by the state governments various schemes, they would extend support to the ruling party candidates in Cooch Behar and in North Bengal. Rajbanshi people do not betray a beneficent party, Mr Barman said. According to political observers in north Bengal, people in rural belt, despite communal polarization, many people have discussed about the Trinamul Congress as they received payment of 100 days job in the bank account from the state governments exchequer. On the other hand, women, especially beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar are also happy with chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she has increased monthly financial assistance recently. Body of a man was found lying in the vacant area adjacent to the Madipur Metro Station in West Delhi, the Police said on Thursday. Around 9.45 am, the police received information regarding the dead body of man lying in the vacant area near the said metro station. Immediately, a police team rushed to the spot from the Punjabi Bagh Police Station. On reaching the spot, the police team found the dead body in a decomposed state. A Forensics Science Laboratory (FSL) crime team was called on the spot for the examination of the crime scene. Advertisement The police have registered a murder case based on the initial findings in the matter while multiple teams have been constituted to find evidence and clues in the case. However, the police are yet to establish the identity of the deceased and concentrated efforts are being made for the same. On Monday night, the police had found a mans dead body lying on a road in Rajpur Khurd of South Delhi, and a day later it was found that he was a bartender, while his identity was established. According to the police, based on the initial inquiry conducted in the matter, it appeared to be a case of suicide. The deceased was identified as 23-year-old Pankaj Singh Negi, who worked as a bartender in a pub at Greater Kailash part- II, and was a resident of Chirag Delhi. The police have launched a probe and are finding more information in a bid to ascertain more details in the matter. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 28. The total amount of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan from January through February this year reached $73.96 million, Trend reports. According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, this is 29.6 percent less than the same period last year ($105.14 million). Turkmenistan's exports to Azerbaijan totaled $61.76 million during the selected time period, a 31 percent decrease from the same period in 2023, when the volume of supply was $89.59 million. Turkmenistan's proportion in total Azerbaijani imports for the reporting year was 2.52 percent, compared to 3.38 percent in 2023. At the same time, Turkmenistan's imports from Azerbaijan fell by 21.5 percent in the first two months of 2024, totaling $12.2 million, compared to $15.55 million in the same period of 2023. Turkmenistan's share in Azerbaijan's total exports from January through February this year amounted to 0.26 percent, compared with 0.34 percent a year earlier. Meanwhile, the amount of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for the whole of 2023 reached $773.9 million, which is 44.5 percent more than in the same period of 2022 ($535.39 million). A total of 84 candidates are left in the fray for the 8 Lok seats in Uttar Pradesh in the first-phase polls scheduled for April 19. Altogether 155 candidates had filed their nominations till the last date on Wednesday. During scrutiny on Thursday, 71 papers were rejected mostly on technical grounds. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said that 84 nominations were found valid in the scrutiny. Advertisement Candidates, who have filed nominations for the first-phase polls, can withdraw their papers till 30 March. The CEO said the Saharanpur seat has been left with 12 candidates after one nomination was rejected. In the Kairana seat, 15 candidates are in the fray after two papers were rejected, while in the Muzaffarnagar seat, 11 candidates remain in the fray after a record 27 nominations were rejected. In the Bijnor seat, 12 nominations were rejected and the remaining 11 nomination papers were found valid, while in the Nagina (SC) seat, there are 6 candidates in the fray after papers of 6 were rejected. In the Moradabad seat, 13 papers were found in order after 5 were rejected, while in the Rampur seat, 12 papers were rejected and only 6 candidates remain in the fray. In the Pilibhit seat, 10 candidates remain in the fray after 6 papers were rejected. Meanwhile, the ECI started the process of nominations for the second phase of polls in the 8 Lok Sabha seats in UP on Thursday. The seats going to polls in the second phase include Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr (SC), Aligarh and Mathura. The CEO said that the last date for filing nominations for the 8 Lok Sabha seats in the second phase in the state is April 4, while the scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on April 5. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is April 8. The second phase of voting will held on April 26. The opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh are yet to hit the streets with their election campaigns even as the Lok Sabha polls are just round the corner. In contrast, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday came out with its list of star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president J P Nadda, for the upcoming polls. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath started his election campaign from Mathura from March 27, while Modis first election rally will be held in Meerut on March 31. Advertisement None of the opposition parties of the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) or the Samajwadi Party (SP) have announced the election programs of their key leaders. Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc have planned a mega rally in Delhi on March 31 as a show of solidarity against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case. Sources said the opposition parties are planning to start campaigning in the northern state after the Delhi rally, adding that the selection of candidates can also be a reason for the delay. SPs chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary says party chief Akhilesh Yadav will take part in the mega rally in Delhi on March 31. After that he will hold public meetings in Uttar Pradesh, he said. Party sources also claimed that Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have not given their consent for even a single programme in the state yet. In such a situation, party candidates and local leaders are much confused. UP Congress spokesperson C P Rai also said that the party will hit the streets after the Delhi rally. BSP chief Mayawati is also expected to start campaigning in western Uttar Pradesh in the first week of April. The party leaders will also go to Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh to campaign. The party has not yet decided its star campaigners for the UP elections. The BSP, however, has released the list of its 40 star campaigners in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The partys national coordinator Akash Anand is going to start the election campaign from April 6, sources added. The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected public interest litigation (PIL) seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi chief minister in the wake of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Hearing the PIL, the high court said there was no scope of judicial interference on this aspect. The division bench said the petitioner was not able to show any bar in the law which prohibits a chief minister in this situation from holding office. If there is a constitutional failure, the president or governor will act on it. We will not act on it. We read in todays newspaper that LG is examining this issue. It will go to the President for examination. Advertisement That is up to them, it belongs to a different wing, the bench said orally as per reports. Reportedly, the plea was moved by a man who claims to be a farmer and a social worker, and also said that a CM who is accused of such a scandal should not be permitted to continue in public office. Meanwhile, the BJP staged a protest demanding the resignation of the Delhi CM following his arrest by the ED in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam case. On Wednesday, the Delhi BJP staged a protest outside the Delhi Assembly demanding Kejriwals resignation. Earlier, led by the Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva, MPs Manoj Tiwari and Harsh Vardhan, along with several other leaders on Saturday staged a dharna at Rajghat, with the same demand. A day after the Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation into the alleged dubious transactions between his daughters firm and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday launched a scathing attack against the agency, saying it has put a chief minister behind bars by thwarting the constitutional system. Speaking at the LDF rally organised against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)here, he alleged that the Centre is sabotaging the constitutional systems one by one. He said the central government is using probe agencies for political purposes. It is interfering in judiciary too, he alleged. Advertisement Meanwhile, Union minister and BJPs Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed the CPI-M allegation that the ED probe against Vijayans daughter is politically motivated. Speaking to media persons here, Chandrasekhar said criminals typically deny their involvement in the crime and shift blame onto probe agencies. The ED Kochi unit on Wednesday registered a case against the firm owned by Veena Vijayan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Trinamool Congress candidate from Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal, Mahua Moitra has said that she will not be going to Delhi to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation case. She told mediapersons in Krishnanagar on Thursday that as a part of her campaign schedule she will be going to Kaliganj, one of the seven Assembly constituencies in the Lok Sabha seat. Moitra, who was expelled from Lok Sabha last year in December, was asked to appear at EDs New Delhi office on Thursday. Advertisement The summons came after she failed to comply with two earlier ones, missing scheduled appearances on March 11 and February 19. Moitra was supposed to furnish certain documents pertinent to foreign investments linked to the on-going investigation. On March 23, ED sleuths conducted consecutive raid and search operations at three places in West Bengal that are linked to Moitra. These included the residence of Moitas father in South Kolkata, her party office at Krishnanagar and her personal residence at Karimpur, both in Nadia district. The Telangana Police on Thursday placed BJP MLA T Raja Singh under house arrest ahead of his visit to Chengicherla, which saw clashes between two communities during pre-Holi festivities, even as a case was filed against sitting BJP MP of Karimnagar Bandi Sanjay Kumar for obstructing police on duty during his visit to the area on Wednesday. Both BJP leaders, known for their staunch Hindutva ideals, blamed the Congress government in Telangana alleging that the police took action only against the victims and not the perpetrators from the minority community. Chengicherla village in Medipally witnessed clashes between two communities after provocative songs were allegedly blared near the local mosque during prayers. Police have arrested people from both the communities, who were involved in the clash. Raja Singh, who was on his way to Chengicherla to distribute rations among the affected families on Thursday, was informed by police officers that he had been placed under house arrest. Today, I was placed under house arrest by the Telangana Police while en route to Chengicherla with my team, carrying ration and grocery items for the people who were attacked by extremist groups during the Holi festival celebrations, said Singh, who is known for his hate speeches across the country. He also threatened the Congress government with repercussions if it continued to dance to the tune of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi in a video that Singh uploaded on social media platform X. Advertisement A case was also filed against Bandi Sanjay Kumar and nine others following a complaint by the circle inspector of Nacharam, Nandeeswar Reddy, after they tried to breach a bamboo barrier erected to prevent them from reaching the spot, leaving the police official injured and bleeding. However, the MP blamed the Congress government for taking action against him when he tried to support the Hindu victims. Both Raja Singh and Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the Congress government was following in the footsteps of the previous BRS government. 3.5 months into power, the Congress government has filed a case against me and BJP Telangana karyakartas just for visiting Hindu victims at Chengicherla, complained Bandi Sanjay Kumar after being named in an FIR along with other BJP workers. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit to brief the Indian leadership on the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Peace Summit proposed to be hosted by Switzerland. Mr Kuleba was received by senior Indian officials at the airport on his first-ever visit to India. This is the first high-level visit from Ukraine to India since the hostilities erupted in Europe in February 2022. I began my visit to New Delhi upon @DrSJaishankars invitation. Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties, the visiting minister said in a social media post on X. Advertisement Building on the dialogue between @ZelenskyyUa and @NarendraModi, we will pay specific attention to the Peace Formula, he added. During the visit, he is slated to meet External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri to discuss matters pertaining to the bilateral partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The visit comes days after Prime Minister Modi spoke to Ukraine President Voldimyr Zelenskyy on the phone and reiterated that diplomacy and dialogue be given a chance to resolve the conflict. Modi assured the Ukrainian leader that India would continue to send humanitarian assistance to the embattled nation. At his weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, The visit of the Ukrainian foreign minister is happening on the invitation of EAM. He will be here on a two-day visit. He will have a bilateral engagement with EAM where they will review the intergovernmental commission that was held earlier. They will also discuss global and regional issues of common concern and several other engagements are lined up for the Ukrainian foreign minister. He said India continues to encourage peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The outer calm of many remote villages and hamlets can be deceptive. So much may be happening, good and bad, hopeful and tragic, beneath the surface calm, if only one cares to observe a bit more beyond the all is well routine talk. The dalit hamlet of Bhanwarpur (located in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh) has seen much in recent times. Several of its households have become increasingly dependent on labour migrating to distant places. Covid times were particularly difficult for them as they had to walk back very long distances to reach the village. In the village, there were hardly any employment prospects and above all there was shortage of food. So when activists of a voluntary organization, Vidya Dham Samiti (VDS), brought food and grain packets for them it was a big relief. These activists additionally motivated them to take up some activity so as to improve the prospects of sustainable livelihoods within the village. After a lot of discussion it was decided to try to revive a rivulet named Gharar which had vanished in recent times. This would provide the water most urgently needed for improving livelihood prospects within the village. A committee of volunteers to carry out the digging and cleaning work to help revive the rivulet was formed. VDS encouraged this effort by setting up a community kitchen near the work-site so that at least the hardworking volunteers, including many women, could have adequate nutritional support. Instead of demoralisation that had existed earlier among tired, worn-out migrant workers, a festive mood was now created at the work-site with people working hard but also eating and singing together. This effort bore fruit when water finally appeared in the dry stream bed. As though guided by some intuition, thirsty cattle rushed to drink water here. The local media which had been following the initiative published glowing accounts of the success. There was much talk of the villagers effort receiving some big award. It was at this stage that someone in officialdom appears to played spoilsport and rushed to show this as NREGA work to claim the credit. When villagers protested that this was their voluntary effort, some officials threated the VDS Secretary Raja Bhaiya, a senior social activist widely respected for his decades-long commitment to helping the poorest sections. Hence, a scene of achievement and celebration became a scene of threats and fear. Advertisement Soon however better sense prevailed and the victimization stopped. Now officials rightly concentrated their attention on using NREGA and other schemes to take the benefits to a wider area. After all, the rivulet could not be revived by efforts in just a single village. The official effort succeeded in taking the benefits to several neighboring villages as well, bringing much relief to people. However, before these new gains could be consolidated, someone in officialdom again made a serious mistake by over-enthusiastically extending the work in such a way that the people of Bhanwarpur were now exposed to the threat of floods! Since then they have been living in fear of what may happen at the time of heavy rains. They have been appealing to the officials to undo the damage before the coming of the rainy season but so far to no avail. One hopes that such urgently needed work is taken up by the concerned officials as early as possible. After all the villagers who took up such a great work of reviving a rivulet should not have to face punishment in the form of their hamlet being made susceptible to harm from floods. Dafai hamlet in Chitrakut district (Uttar Pradesh) was settled by feudal interests bringing in several very poor Kol tribal families to toil for them in conditions of semi-bondage, doing hazardous work in stone crushers. While male and female workers generally toiled in very difficult conditions, things became more difficult in Covid times when workers in such a remote place became even more vulnerable. Taking advantage of their increased vulnerability, some employers even tried to make women workers the victims of their lust. When this was reported on a national TV channel, instead of taking immediate action to protect women, some officials again took strong action against Raja Bhaiya as they suspected him of having tipped off the TV channel. He was called to the police station, threatened, insulted and abused. At this stage the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) changed things dramatically. The police officer mainly responsible for this victimization was fined and the Rs. 50,000 he had to deposit in the treasury was awarded to Raja Bhaiya as compensation for the harassment caused to him! This was not the only good news. With the NHRC focus on Dafai village, officials moved in to help the village in some significant ways. Almost all the village households were selected under the PM Awas scheme for housing assistance, and in the case of most, the new pucca houses have actually been completed. So while the officials can point to this as a big success story, critics can say that Dafai is still deprived of electricity and toilets. Taps and pipes have appeared, but at least till the time of my visit there was no water. Even the housing success is clouded by the fact that as the official assistance was not adequate, villagers had to borrow significant amounts of money from private sources at high rates of interest to complete construction. Hence they are saddled with installments at a time when livelihood is precarious and the old work of crushers has been largely mechanized. Such worries are certainly there but still there is some pride in the new pucca houses too. A woman who showed me her home pointed out how she had saved the previous mud house too and in fact had integrated this nicely with the new brick and cement structure. She said: Now in winter and rainy season we can stay in the new home and during the summer season which extends for the greater part of the year we still prefer to stay in the mud house as it is cooler. (The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children and A Day in 2071.) The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have sparked a frenzy of excitement among businesses worldwide, leading to a significant increase in market value for companies operating within the AI ecosystem. From hardware manufacturers to cloud computing providers and independent model-makers, the AI gold rush has reshaped the corporate landscape, with some players emerging as clear winners in this technological race. One cannot ignore the impressive growth trajectories of companies like Nvidia and Microsoft, whose market values have skyrocketed on the back of AI-related developments. However, it is essential to look beyond the headlines and delve deeper into the dynamics of the AI boom to understand which businesses are truly positioned for long-term success. At the heart of the AI revolution lies the hardware infrastructure, including semiconductor firms, server manufacturers, and networking equipment providers. These companies have seen staggering gains in market value, reflecting the fundamental role they play in supporting AI applications. Yet, while the hardware sector dominates in absolute terms, it is the independent model-makers that have experienced the most significant proportional gains. These companies, fuelled by intellectual property and innovation, are driving the next wave of AI breakthroughs. In the cloud computing domain, tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft are asserting their dominance, leveraging their vast resources to control multiple layers of the AI stack. Advertisement Their ability to develop world-class AI systems, coupled with established commercial partnerships, positions them as formidable players. Moreover, their strategic investments in model-makers and applications solidify their grip on the market. However, amidst the success stories, it is crucial to recognise the inherent challenges and uncertainties facing the AI industry. The fierce competition among model providers, the evolving preferences of AI service buyers and the constant quest for innovation all contribute to the dynamic nature of this sector. Moreover, concerns regarding data privacy, ethical considerations, and regulatory frameworks continue to loom large, posing potential roadblocks to the unchecked expansion of AI technology. As we navigate the complexities of the AI gold rush, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective and consider the broader implications of technological advancements. While the potential benefits of AI are undeniable, including improved efficiency, productivity, and innovation, it is equally important to address the societal and ethical implications of AI deployment. Only by fostering collaboration, transparency, and responsible stewardship can we harness the full potential of AI technology for the greater good. The AI gold rush presents both unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges for businesses and society at large. As India positions itself as a key player in the global AI landscape, it is imperative to approach this transformative technology with caution, foresight, and a commitment to ethical and responsible innovation. By doing so, we can ensure that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed and that our collective future is shaped by the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and humancentric design. Ceasefires are a uniquely complicated tool in armed conflict. This is because they exist at the intersection of war, law and politics. Political scientist Cindy Wittke has suggested that attempts to define what a ceasefire is and what it entails will ultimately reveal a lack of fit with international law. This is because they are notoriously difficult to negotiate and enforce. This lack of fit has perhaps been most obvious in the UN Security Councils deliberations over a ceasefire in Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. Countless resolutions have been proposed with different wording, such as: an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire (October 16) humanitarian pauses (October 18) Advertisement pauses in fighting (October 25) urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors (November 15) an immediate humanitarian ceasefire (December 8) a sustainable cessation of hostilities (December 22). Finally, on Monday, after nearly six months of linguistic wrangling, the Security Council has managed to pass a resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire. It emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance entering the Gaza Strip. So, what will this resolution do in practical termsand will it have any effect? According to international law, a resolution of the Security Council is binding on all UN member states. This includes Israel and Palestine, which has UN observer status. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have welcomed the ceasefire resolution. However, Israel was furious over the US decision to abstain from the vote, in effect allowing it to pass. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office argued the wording benefits Hamas, saying it gives the group hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. It also remains to be seen whether the Israeli government will comply with the resolution and if so, in what ways. In reality, the resolution may make little practical difference to the lives of millions of Palestinians trapped in Gaza because the council has little way of enforcing it. Israel has already ignored the International Court of Justices provisional measures to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid. While military action to force Israel to adhere to the resolution seems highly unlikely, states could take other economic and diplomatic action to try to compel Israel to comply. These could include imposing sanctions, halting weapons sales or withdrawing diplomatic missions and support. In addition, the resolution only emphasises the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip be increased. This wording gives Israel some wiggle room to continue to deny access to aid convoys stuck at the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border crossings based on security grounds. Even before the war began but particularly since the Hamas attack on October 7 Israel has been imposing obstacles on humanitarian aid entering Gaza during the inspection and distribution process. It continues to frequently, and seemingly arbitrarily, reject the entry of supplies such as anaesthetics, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, sleeping bags, dates and maternity kits. However, the fact the US abstained undoubtedly marks a dramatic shift in its diplomatic support for its chief ally in the Middle East. The resolution sends a clear message to the Israeli government that a red line has been reached in terms of what the US is prepared to accept and support. The Security Council resolution will also likely put greater pressure on both sides to come to an agreement through the negotiations being led by Qatar and Egypt. Hamas latest proposal includes four points: a comprehensive ceasefire withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip the return of forcibly displaced Palestinians the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages. According to media reports, Israel has accepted an American compromise for the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Israeli hostages. But media reports indicate it is currently refusing to commit to a permanent ceasefire. If this agreement does eventually come to fruition, it will no doubt include many details about how the terms will be implemented. This was the case for the temporary truce that was negotiated between the parties in November, which included a choreographed exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid. The number of prisoners Hamas is currently seeking in exchange for hostages has been a source of contention. In 2011, Israel agreed to exchange more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Arguably, foreseeing a similar scenario, Israel has arrested thousands of Palestinians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank on minor offences in recent months. Hamas continues to hold around 100 hostages, the majority men and many reservists in the Israeli military. International law is based on the premise that it imposes obligations on states, non-state parties and individuals that cannot be bargained away. However, as permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, the US, Russia, China, France and the UK have disproportionate power over how such laws come about or come into effect. Nevertheless, the international community is ordered around certain social, political and legal norms. These norms come not only in the form of international law, but also diplomatic and economic relations. This is what the UN terms friendly relations among nations. These norms ensure, to an extent, that states comply with their obligations under international law without the need for military force. The Security Council resolution passed Monday, with vague terms and relatively little incentive for compliance, is currently the least worst option to push the sides toward a halt to the violence and allow aid into Gaza. Other efforts towards a potentially more meaningful and practical ceasefire should and will continue. If they werent before, all eyes should now be firmly on Gaza. (The writer is a postdoctoral research fellow, University of Melbourne. This article was published on www.theconversation.com) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. In every contemporary conflict, war, and confrontation, there's a crucial aspect that sets them apart from conflicts of the past: hybridity. These days, battles aren't just fought on the ground; they extend into the information sphere. Conflicts are sparked, stoked, and subdued across a multitude of fronts. Here in Azerbaijan, we're well familiar with this reality: three decades of Armenian occupation have taught our country to combat hybrid threats in all their forms. However, the hybrid war waged against Azerbaijan had its own distinctiveness. After the 44-day conflict in 2020, Azerbaijan wasn't facing attacks solely from Yerevan anymore. It was the West that initiated a full-blown hybrid warfare against Baku. Just think about what was unfolding just a year ago. Summer of 2023. In the Western media, there's a daily onslaught - and this is not an exaggeration - of anti-Azerbaijani articles, interviews, and so-called "expert opinions". Our supposed old "friends" are especially zealous; The Washington Post and the French Le Figaro seem more focused on attacking Azerbaijan than on events in their own countries. The barrage of information warfare against our country reached unprecedented levels: the most ludicrous falsehoods about Azerbaijan were peddled, President Ilham Aliyev faced relentless criticism, and absurd "investigations" and "reports" were churned out. Western NGOs and "human rights activists" jumped into the fray. And then there's the piece de resistance: Luis Ocampo, former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, churning out report after report - one day it's about the "blockade" of the Lachin corridor, the next he's warning of yet another "genocide". He seemed to be pulling out all the stops, likely not without some ulterior motive. The peak of this hybrid assault on Azerbaijan hit in the summer of 2023 - and it wasn't a coincidence. The West understood the situation perfectly well. They knew Azerbaijan wouldn't sit idly by while separatist remnants continued their charade of "statehood" on our soil, backed by foreign lobbyists, all the while exploiting our natural resources and gearing up for armed provocations. The Western attacks aimed to pressure Baku into preventing the central government from reclaiming sovereignty over all of Azerbaijan's territory. It was a full-fledged hybrid war - and by summer 2023, they weren't even bothering to hide it. The Western anti-Azerbaijani forces sought to mold Azerbaijan into a nation they could manipulate. They saw the Karabakh conflict as a lever to press on Baku from all sides. That's why, by 2023, Western circles increasingly floated ideas about deploying missions in Karabakh. That's why the West, by any means necessary, sought to ensure that the EU mission, currently patrolling the hypothetical Armenian-Azerbaijani border, wouldn't just be stationed in Armenia but also within our country's borders. They needed to maintain their grip of pressure and influence over Baku. Most likely, the original plan was to hinder Azerbaijan from reclaiming its territorial integrity - Armenians were meant to persist in their "independence" charade on our soil, handing the West the cards they needed. However, it didn't pan out that way - by 2020, those plans hit a dead end. Azerbaijan, both in word and deed, made it clear it wouldn't tolerate the occupation of its land any longer. Plans had to be adjusted; talks started about various missions, observers, and trust-building measures between Armenians and Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. Despite the noble facade, the intentions remained unchanged - to thwart Azerbaijan's sovereignty restoration efforts, keep pressure points intact, and continue leveraging this situation to their advantage. This was particularly crucial amid the escalating standoff between the West and Russia. All of that strategy, all those plans, information campaigns, manipulations, and the efforts of lobbying groups worldwide - it all crumbled. President Ilham Aliyev's unwavering principles, consistency, and political determination tore down everything plotted against our country. Against provocations, falsehoods, and assaults, stood the unity of millions of Azerbaijani citizens rallying around their leader. President Ilham Aliyev crafted a robust and resilient state, immune to any attacks: a thriving economy, a skilled military, and successful foreign relations, alongside internal stability and solidarity within Azerbaijani society, formed the bedrock upon which the strategy for fully restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity was built. It was a monumental, painstaking effort spanning years, executed flawlessly from start to finish. As a result, thanks to President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved a historic milestone: sovereignty has been fully restored across the territory, and Baku now pursues a truly independent policy, refusing to bow to external dictates or conditions. Azerbaijan has become a force to be reckoned with, whether certain parties like it or not. Interestingly, Armenia, in contrast, has gained nothing but a harsh reality check: they'll be dealing with the severe repercussions of decades of aggression, occupation, and strained regional relations for years to come. The restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty in September 2023 wasn't just the last blow to Armenian separatism; it also marked the final, decisive battle in the hybrid war waged against our nation. That's why today, those same NGOs, experts, and human rights activists with their reports seem to have vanished without a trace - gone silent, disappeared. The onslaught of attacks that plagued us in the summer of 2023 has come to an end. The West has utterly failed in the hybrid war it instigated. NED BRISTOL, a retired editor of The Sun Chronicle, contributes columns to the newspaper. You can reach out to him at news@thesunchronicle.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Azerbaijan is still facing a risk of threat to stability and security, the Head of Azerbaijani State Security Service, Colonel General Ali Naghiyev said in an article published in the local "Respublika" newspaper, Trend reports. "Global developments don't bypass Azerbaijan, and it's no secret that today there is still a risk of a threat to stability and security in Azerbaijan," the official explained. He noted that the current geopolitical situation is accompanied by the Russo-Ukrainian war and other bloody conflicts, not only seriously impacting the global order but also leading to a complication of operational conditions. "The growing global authority of our country and consistent political, economic, and military victories, including favorable conditions for the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, seriously worry a number of Western countries and circles aiming not to ensure peace and stability in the region and operating as 'monitoring missions' on the border of two states. This particularly worries France, which has taken on a mediatory mission in the process of resolving the Karabakh conflict but, in fact, by taking a unilateral position, has been patronizing Armenia for many years, providing it with comprehensive support," Naghiyev added. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Job Title: News Reporter (Volunteer) No Experience Remote Jobs Organisation: Who Owns Africa Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: Who Owns Africa is a platform dedicated to providing accurate and unbiased news and information about Africa. With a team of writers from diverse regions in Africa, the website offers comprehensive coverage of breaking news, current affairs, African politics, governance, business, and the people shaping Africas future. The website aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions by showcasing the rich tapestry of stories and perspectives across Africa. The team, composed of talented writers deeply connected to their African roots, brings a wealth of insights to ensure well-rounded coverage of topics. Job Summary: This is a volunteer remote role for a News Reporter Uganda. As a News Reporter, you will be responsible for reporting news, writing articles, creating press releases, and practicing journalism. You will contribute to timely and accurate coverage of events and developments in Uganda. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Reporting and News Writing skills Experience in writing press releases Strong writing and journalism skills Knowledge of Ugandan politics, culture, and current affairs Ability to work under tight deadlines and deliver high- quality content Proficiency in conducting research and fact-checking Excellent written and verbal communication skills Attention to detail and accuracy Passion for promoting African voices and challenging stereotypes How to Apply: All candidates should send their Email applications to: jobs@whoownsafrica.com For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-03-28 Valid Through 2024-04-18 Employment Type VOLUNTEER Hiring Organization Who Owns Africa Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs The Adani family, the promoter of Ambuja Cements, on Thursday announced an infusion of Rs 6,661 crore, increasing its stake by 3.6 pc to attain 66.7 per cent holding in the country's second largest cement company. The fund's infusion will be instrumental for the cement business of the Adani Group, which has plans to enhance its capacity to 140 million tonnes per annum by 2028, said a statement from billionaire Gautam Adani-owned Ambuja Cements. This investment follows an infusion of Rs 5,000 crore by the promoter into the company for exercising the warrants issuance approved by the board in October 2022. "With this, Adani family have increased their stake in the company by 3.6 per cent to attain 66.7 per cent holding," said Ambuja Cements which also owns controlling stake in another cement firm ACC Ltd. With this, promoters have infused Rs 11,661 crore in Ambuja post acquisition, giving Ambuja capital flexibility for accelerated growth, capital management initiatives and best-in-class balance sheet strength to accomplish its various strategic initiatives, the statement said. "The additional investment will fortify the company's financial position, providing it with enhanced capabilities to pursue its ambitious growth plans and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the market," it said. This investment shall also be instrumental in fuelling various strategic initiatives including undertaking debottlenecking capex to enhance operational capabilities to ensure scalability as well as bringing efficiencies across resources, supply chain. "This shall also drive innovation and product enhancement through advanced technology integration for better service offerings to tap the growing requirements of the sector," it said. Ambuja Cements CEO Ajay Kapur said this infusion of funds provides "flexibility for fast-tracked growth, capital management initiatives and best-in-class balance sheet strength". "It is not only the testament to steadfast belief in our vision and business model but also reinforces our commitment to delivering long-term sustainable value creation to our stakeholders and this shall propel us towards setting new benchmarks accelerating our growth and continue to deliver on operational excellence, business synergies and cost leadership," he said. Ambuja, with its subsidiaries ACC Ltd, has the capacity to produce 77.4 million tonnes of cements annually from 18 integrated cement manufacturing plants and 18 cement grinding units across the country. It had recently acquired Sanghi Industries Ltd. In September 2022, Adani group has acquired controlling stakes of Ambuja Cement from Swiss firm Holcim for cash proceeds of USD 6.4 billion (about Rs 51,000 crore). Later it had also launched a Rs 31,000 crore open offer for the acquisition of 26 per cent additional stakes from public shareholders. Disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, on Thursday, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. A jury had found that he illegally used money from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, alleged bribes to Chinese officials and a private plane, and prosecutors have recommended a prison sentence of 40 to 50 years. "A lot of people feel really let down, and they were very let down, and I am sorry about that. I am sorry about what happened at every stage. And there are things I should've done and things I shouldn't have," Bankman-Fried said during the hearing of what is being billed as one of the biggest financial frauds in US history. He told the court that he is pained to see FTX's customers suffer. "It's been excruciating to watch. Customers don't deserve any of that pain. Bankman-Fried admitted that as CEO of FTX, he was responsible for causing that pain. He also acknowledged that he made a series of bad decisions. As he is staring at a lengthy prison sentence, he said, "My useful life is probably over. It's been over for a while now." "The defendant victimised tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence," prosecutors told Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in a court filing. The FTX fraud Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and CEO of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time. FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors' cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami. But the collapse of cryptocurrency prices in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTX's hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alameda's balance sheet with FTX customer funds. Three other people from Bankman-Fried's inner circle, including his former girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial. With agency inputs Hollywood star Vin Diesel has shared a throwback photo with his "XXX: Return of Xander Cage" co-star Deepika Padukone from his maiden trip to India back in 2017. Diesel had visited India to promote the American action thriller, which marked Padukone's Hollywood debut. In his Instagram post on Tuesday, the Hollywood star shared the unseen photo with Padukone, which sees him helping the Indian actor with her coat, while the film's director DJ Caruso is sitting in an autorickshaw. "When I think about the amount of directors that have wanted to work with me more than once I am always just humbled. This is a pic of when I went to India as I promised Deepika I would, with the director at the time, DJ Caruso," Diesel wrote. The 56-year-old actor revealed that Caruso, whose film credits also include "Taking Lives", "Disturbia", "Eagle Eye" and "I Am Number Four", has sent him a script for a new film. "While we are currently juggling the order of the productions, my oldest daughter read the script that DJ sent to me, thinking that it would fall into the 'Pacifier' bracket. She cried I asked her why she cried, and she said because the story of a brother and sister rang true for her and it was emotional. "If I could make the film work that my daughter cried reading, my question for you would be, who would play my sister... she suggested Jennifer Lawrence. What do you think?" he posted. This is not the first time Diesel has shared a photo with Padukone since the release of "XXX: Return of Xander Cage". Padukone had played the role of Serena Unger in the action movie. In June 2023, Diesel had said he was looking forward to visiting India again. He had posted a still of him and Padukone from the movie and called the "Pathaan" star one of his "favourite people to work with". "Spirit lead me... @deepikapadukone was one of my favourite people to work with. She brought me to India and I loved it... looking forward to my return. All love, always," Diesel had said. A day after India summoned US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in New Delhi over Washington's remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the US once again raised the issue, this time along with the allegations of freezing the bank accounts of the Congress party. When asked about the summoning of the senior diplomat, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said it encourages fair, transparent, timely legal processes and "we don't think anyone should object to that". "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Miller added: "We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. And we encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues." However, on the summoning of the diplomate, Miller said he was not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations. "But of course, what we have said publicly is what I just said from here, that we encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes. We don't think anyone should object to that. We'll make the same thing clear privately," Miller said. It was on Wednesday that the Ministry of External Affairs officials summoned the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena at its office in South Block in Delhi and lodged a strong protest against a US State Department official's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest. The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes. The External Affairs Ministry also released a statement objecting to the remarks of the US State Department spokesperson. "In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents. Indias legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," the statement read. The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam'. The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 which was later scrapped. India is "proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions" and committed to protecting them from any form of undue external influences, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the US State Department's recent remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are "unwarranted" and added that any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is "completely unacceptable." "The recent remarks by the US State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, the legal process is driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially in fair democracies, should have no objection to appreciating this fact. India is proud of its robust and independent democratic institutions," Jaiswal said. This comes after the US government doubled down on its remark on Kejriwals arrest, even as India summoned the US envoy in Delhi and lodged a strong protest. Asked about Indias actions, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said on Wednesday that they are closely monitoring the developments. "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections," Miller said. His response came shortly after India summoned the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Gloria Berbena at the MEA office in South Block in Delhi and lodged a strong protest against a US State Department official's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest. The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes. The official had said that the US government encourages a fair and transparent legal process for Kejriwal who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the liquor policy scam. The US reaction came days after Germany made a similar statement, saying the chief minister was entitled to a fair and impartial trial. "We assume and expect that the standards relating to the independence of the judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case," German foreign ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer said last week. India termed his remarks an interference in its judicial process and lodged a strong protest by summoning the German deputy chief of mission in New Delhi on Saturday. Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died at a hospital in Uttar Pradeshs Banda on Thursday night. He was 60. According to an official medical bulletin, Ansari was admitted to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda around 8.25 pm after he suffered a heart attack in the jail. Ansari had been hospitalised for around 14 hours on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. Naseem Haider, Ansari's lawyer, told reporters that he was informed by the jail authorities that the gangster-turned-politician was taken to the Banda Medical College but no further information was provided. Ansari, a five-time former MLA from Mau Sadar, has been behind bars in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. He has over 60 criminal cases pending against him. His name was on the list of 66 gangsters issued by Uttar Pradesh Police last year. Meanwhile, the police have tightened security in Mau, Gazipur, and Banda. Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 imposed across Uttar Pradesh. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Court as his 10-day custody with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) ended on Thursday. The ED arrested Kejriwal last week in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, while remanding him in the ED custody, had directed that Kejriwal be produced before it on March 28. The ED can either seek an extension of the CMs custody or seek court directions for sending him to judicial custody. There are also speculations that the CBI probing the same case may seek his custody. This comes as the Delhi High Court will hear a PIL seeking removal of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi Chief Minister following his arrest in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's appearance before the court is highly anticipated as his wife Sunita Kejriwal had said on Wednesday that the Chief Minister will do a 'big expose' on the "so-called Delhi liquor scam" in the court on Thursday. The ED has conducted more than 250 raids. They are searching for the money of this so-called scam. They have found nothing yet Arvind Kejriwal has said he will reveal everything in the court on March 28. He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is He will also provide proof, Sunita said in a video address on Wednesday. Kejriwal did not get immediate relief from the Delhi High Court on Wednesday after the court had refused to interfere with his arrest. The agency has accused Kejriwal of "being involved in the entire conspiracy of the Delhi liquor scam, in drafting and implementation of the policy, for favouring and benefiting the quid pro receiving kickbacks and eventually using part of the proceeds of crime generated out of the scheduled offence in the election campaign for the Goa Assembly elections". The ED has also summoned the AAPs Goa chief Amit Palekar and party leader Ramrao Wagh, asking them to appear before it on Thursday. The AAP leaders have been asked to depose at the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) office in Goa's Panjim on Thursday, the sources said. Palekar, who was the AAP's chief ministerial face during the February 2022 Goa Assembly polls, had recently said there was no evidence to prove that any illicit money was sent to the state, asserting that he and his party colleagues were ready to face any inquiry. Prominent senior lawyers have written to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud alleging a vested group is trying to influence the judicial process and defame courts on the basis of stale political agendas. The lawyers demanded the apex court should take steps to protect courts from these attacks. The group including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra alleged in the letter, Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric. Responding on the letter, Bar Council of India Chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra told ANI, We have told the Chief Justice of India that the manner in which the election season has been chosen by a few lawyers and attempts are being made to defame a pious institution such as our judiciary - the only goal behind this is to put pressure on judiciary and judges. They want a decision to their liking. When an accused involved in corruption case doesn't get relief from the courts, pressure tactics are done through the misuse of social media so that they get a verdict to their liking. Mishra said the majority of citizens and lawyers will not tolerate any of this. I feel that the people of the country and more than 99 pc of the responsible lawyers will not tolerate any of this. So, all of us--the sensible lawyers--have written to the CJI that whatever is ongoing on social media should not be taken note of and judiciary should do its work. This is an attempt to save corrupt politicians, he said. This interest group creates false narratives of a supposed better past and golden period of courts, contrasting it with the happenings in the present, the letter said, claiming that their comments are aimed at influencing courts and embarrassing them for political gains. The group of lawyers behind the letter number around 600 and also include Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla and Swarupama Chaturvedi, the official sources said. Targeting critics, these lawyers have accused them of suggesting that courts in the past were easier to influence. This shakes the public's trust in courts, they said. "Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the judiciary. They have also concocted an entire theory of bench fixing which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but an attack on the honour and dignity of courts, the letter said. "They have also stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices. These critics have adopted the my way or the highway approach at work as they hail the decisions they agree with, but any decision they disagree with, is trashed, smeared and disregarded, they said. "This two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for our legal system," the letter said and claimed that this cherry-picking has been visible in very recent judgments too. "Some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on them to decide in a particular way," they alleged in the letter. Questioning the timing, the lawyers said it is all happening when the country is headed for the elections. We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narratives. These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances," they said. Demanding the Supreme Court to take strong action, the lawyers demanded, Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. This is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since a few years and too frequently. -with agency inputs. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Important work was carried out and significant results were achieved during and after local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Karabakh on September 19, 2023, the Head of Azerbaijani State Security Service, Colonel General Ali Naghiyev said in an article published in the local "Respublika" newspaper, Trend reports. He noted that the employees of the State Security Service played an undeniable role in preventing possible provocative and subversive activities that the adversary seeks to carry out on all fronts, as well as threats in the field of information security and cybersecurity, providing the Azerbaijani Army with operational and counterintelligence information during the second Karabakh war, when under the decisive command of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, a historic victory was achieved. "Thus, illegal Armenian armed formations in Karabakh were disarmed, and through operational-search measures carried out by us, the whereabouts of the 'leaders' of the so-called regime were identified, after which they were arrested and brought to criminal responsibility. As another manifestation of high appreciation for the activities of security agencies by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the personal courage and heroism displayed during and after the military operations conducted in 2020 and 2023, a group of State Security Service employees was awarded high honors. With great pride, we note that today, among the ranks of the State Security Service, there are seven heroes of the second Karabakh war. For the selflessness demonstrated in the mentioned combat actions, seven employees of the State Security Service were awarded the Order of Zafar, 14 - the Order of Karabakh, as well as a significant number of employees - with other orders and medals," Naghiyev added. To note, in order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the second Karabakh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction work, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been conducted in the region on September 19-20, 2023. As a result of anti-terrorist measures, Azerbaijan restored sovereignty and constitutional order in these territories, and the formations of the Armenian armed forces located in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan were dissolved and withdrawn from the territory of Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In a devastating turn of events, a colossal anaconda has been discovered dead in the Brazilian Amazon, with evidence pointing to a fatal gunshot wound. This tragic loss has rocked the scientific community, leaving experts and conservationists mourning the loss of the world's largest snake named 'Ana Julia' after hearing it was 'shot dead by hunters' on Sunday. The deceased snake, although initially speculated to be the largest anaconda ever documented, has been confirmed by Professor Bryan Fry, a renowned snake researcher, as a southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus). This clarification dispels misconceptions arising from media reports linking the deceased snake to the largest anaconda discovered in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The world was introduced to the awe-inspiring scale of these creatures through the recent discovery of the Northern Green Anaconda, a new species found by a team of 15 international biologists. This groundbreaking discovery, made in the Amazon's Orinoco basin, unveiled a snake measuring over 7.9 meters in length and weighing more than 200 kilograms. The identification of this new species was a pivotal achievement in the scientific community, marking a high point in the career of esteemed biologist Professor Freek Vonk, who expressed deep sorrow and outrage at the news of the anaconda's demise. She was as thick as a car tyre with a human-sized head and first gained fame after TV wildlife presenter and Dutch biologist Professor Freek Vonk, 40, was filmed swimming next to her. Professor Vonk shared his profound grief and anger upon learning of her tragic fate. He took to Instagram to express his pain, stating, "With a lot of pain in my heart, I would like to let you know that the mighty big anaconda I swam with was found dead in the river. I have heard from various sources that she was shot dead, although there is still no official confirmation on the cause of death." He further expressed his disbelief and sorrow, emphasising the unique beauty and significance of this animal. The circumstances surrounding her death, reportedly at the hands of hunters, have sparked widespread condemnation and raised urgent concerns about the preservation of these vital creatures. The loss of 'Ana Julia', a creature of unparalleled magnificence, has cast a shadow over the Amazon Rainforest and beyond. The implications of her untimely death extend beyond the individual tragedy, impacting the delicate balance of biodiversity in this vital ecosystem. As the world mourns this irreplaceable loss, the urgent call to protect and preserve these remarkable creatures grows louder. Harvard University's Houghton Library is home to a book called 'Des Destinees de l'Ame' (Destinies of the Soul) since the 1930s. The book, written by Arsene Houssaye in the mid-1880s, is unique as it was confirmed in 2014 that it was bound using human skin. According to UK media reports, Harvard University has now decided to remove the binding."...the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history," was reportedly announced as the reason behind the decision. 'Des Destinees de l'Ame'is a meditation on the soul and life after death and was gifted to a physician identified as Dr Ludovic Bouland by the author, BBC said in a report. It was Dr Bouland who decided to bind the book with the skin of a former patient of his. The female patient, whose identity remains unknown, passed away due to natural reasons, the news report added. The medical practitioner was of the opinion that a text on the human soul deserved to have a human covering. Following the decision to remove the book's binding, Harvard will also ensure a "respectful disposition" in order to "restore dignity to the woman whose skin was used". "After careful study, stakeholder engagement, and consideration, Harvard Library and the Harvard Museum Collections Returns Committee concluded that the human remains used in the book's binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, due to the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history," Harvard University reportedly said in an official statement. The official release also had an apology from the esteemed varsity, alongside a promise to use its resources to identify the person whose skin was used by Dr Bouland. The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs has been held and the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve "complete disengagement" and resolve the remaining issues along the LAC, the MEA said on Thursday. The key meeting was held in Beijing on March 27, it said in a statement. "The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the MEA led the Indian delegation. The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said. "In the interim, both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels and on the need to uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and protocols," it said. The 28th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on November 30 last year. Russia and Myanmar's armed forces are planning more than 50 joint military activities, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported on Thursday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry. The activities will include operational and combat training of armed forces. The Kremlin recently blamed the US, UK and Ukraine for a jihadist attack in Moscow at the Crocus City Hall concert complex, which killed 139 people. Four armed men burst into the venue and started shooting before setting the building on fire. Russia, in September 2023, sent two Russian Su-30 fighter jets to Myanmar. A contract for the delivery of six Su-30SME fighter jets was signed between the two countries in 2022. At the time, the US had warned that Russia supporting Myanmar's military rulers to strengthen its armoury was unacceptable and destabilising. In the meanwhile, as tension increases in the South Asian country, one of its neighbours, India is set to spend $3.7 billion to fence the Myanmar border, pending approval by the cabinet. As per a Reuters report, New Delhi seeks to shut the 1,610-km border to prevent smuggling and other illegal activities. The Indian government said they would also end a decades-old visa-free movement policy with Myanmar for border citizens. And that the fencing is to ensure national security and maintain the demographic structure of its northeastern region. The path to Venezuela's pivotal July 28th presidential elections has descended into chaos and crisis. Observers charge that the authoritarian Nicolas Maduro regime doubled down on undemocratic tactics to kneecap the beleaguered opposition. In a race that will shape the future of this once prosperous nation, they say President Maduro appears determined to deny Venezuelan voters a true choice at the ballot box. At the midnight deadline on Monday for registering candidates, the regime blocked the main opposition coalition's nominee, lawyer Corina Yoris, from formalising her candidacy. Maria Corina Machado had emerged as the opposition's leading candidate and choice to challenge incumbent Nicolas Maduro in July's presidential vote. However, in a move typical of efforts to sideline dissenting voices, Machado was banned from being able to run for president. With Machado functionally eliminated from the race as the opposition candidate, she hand-picked octogenarian lawyer Corina Yoris as a replacement nominee to represent their interests. But in the chaotic final hours before the registration deadline, authorities doubled down and prevented Yoris from submitting her paperwork as well, leaving the fumbling opposition without a unified presidential candidate at this late stage. In dramatic scenes caught by international media, Yoris and her team were physically barred from entering the national electoral council's offices to submit her paperwork. The last hours before the deadline for registering presidential candidates were tense and chaotic, said Caracas attorney A. Alvarez, speaking exclusively to THE WEEK. The National Electoral Council (CNE), which oversees elections in the country, appeared to be clumsily manipulating its automated candidate registration system for political purposes. Parties were blocked from registering and then suddenly readmitted, with the CNE citing vague "technical failures" as the reason. However, international and opposition observers viewed these issues as an intentional "political game" by the electoral authorities to prevent any candidates from joining the race who could pose a legitimate threat to incumbent President Maduro. ALSO READ: How Ukraine war reinvigorated Venezuela President Maduro Despite Maduro's very low approval rating of just 20 per cent among Venezuelans, the CNE's actions seemed calculated to forestall the possibility that he could lose the July 28th presidential election, said a Caracas oil executive speaking on the condition of anonymity. While the unpopular Maduro strolled in on a literal red carpet to register his candidacy, the main opposition bloc found itself high and dry by the arbitrary ruling. "Polls show the unpopular Maduro would be trounced by a landslide if Venezuelan voters were given half a chance," noted the AP. However, in a potential eleventh-hour twist, electoral authorities claimed early on Tuesday that a "placeholder" spot had been reserved for the opposition. Whether this represents a genuine opening for negotiations or merely more obfuscation remains unclear. The chaos has reinvigorated skepticism about the electoral process among regional powers. A group of seven Latin American nations issued a joint rebuke in which they say the regime's candidate blocking "raises more questions about the integrity and transparency of the whole electoral process." Brazil, led by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who has taken a more accommodating stance toward the Maduro government, weighed in on the situation. In an official statement, his government declared that the decision by Venezuela's electoral authorities to block opposition candidates from registering is incompatible with the framework established by the Barbados accords. ALSO READ: Lula's vision to reshape South American integration snags on Maduro welcome These accords refer to a series of negotiations held in Barbados that aimed to chart a path forward for freer and fairer elections in Venezuela, with the potential for sanctions relief as an incentive for the Maduro regime to permit genuine electoral competition. With less than four months until Venezuelans go to the polls, the Venezuelan opposition now finds itself at a crossroads. It could coalesce around one of the handful of candidates who did register, such as former mayors Enrique Marquez or Manuel Rosales. Or it may fight to have the regime's supposed "placeholder" filled with a consensus opposition nominee. But time is short, and the window for meaningful electoral competition is rapidly closing. "It is always worth making an authoritarian government play the election game because it can make mistakes," cautioned Tulane Universitys Venezuela expert and senior fellow at the Washington Office on Latin America David Smilde. "A 'stunning election' result can generate a cascade of events that leads to a transition in spite of the incumbent government's efforts." While authoritarian governments often seek to preserve power by election manipulation, there are strategic reasons why they may still go through the motions of holding a vote. Even severely flawed elections can lend a veneer of legitimacy on the international stage. And the theatrics of campaigning provide opportunities for the regime to make mistakes that galvanise the opposition. A seemingly minor logistical failure or heavy-handed crackdown can sometimes spark outrage that catalyses wider protests and defections from the ruling party's ranks. The spectacle of citizens being denied a genuine choice at the ballot box has the potential to be a radicalising force. Dramatic electoral injustices have precipitated democratic transitions in other nations when they cross a line and widespread civil resistance is triggered. So, while the Maduro government is widely expected to employ its full arsenal of techniques to sway the results, there are still strategic calculations at play. Overt vote-rigging or the outright cancellation of elections risks inflaming an already volatile situation. As such, the run-up to July's contest will be a delicate high-wire act as the regime works to deliver its predetermined outcome while maintaining a facade of legitimacy. For the millions of Venezuelans devastated by years of economic collapse, political repression and humanitarian crisis under Chavismo, the July election represents a potential make-or-break moment. But as these farcical registration scenes demonstrated, Venezuelan democracy itself may be on the ballot as well. When do we classify a film as a 'classic'? Is it a label reserved for works that transcend the constraints of time and space, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of cinema enthusiasts? Is it a film that reflects social, political, and cultural zeitgeist with remarkable authenticity while simultaneously exploring universal truths that resonate across cultures? Does it reshape the very trajectory of filmmaking, leaving an enduring imprint on the art form itself? Is it a film that captivates audiences with its artistic brilliance, cultural significance, and enduring resonance? Is it a film that captivates audiences with its artistic brilliance, cultural significance, and lasting resonance, while also delivering an impeccable technical experience? Blessys Aadujeevitham (The Goatlife) undoubtedly earns its place as a classic in Indian cinema, embodying near-perfect filmmaking that meets all the criteria for this esteemed label. The mass migration of skilled and unskilled labourers from Kerala to Gulf states began in the early 1970s. Many of these migrants relied on bank loans, assistance from friends and family, and the liquidation of assets to finance their journey to various Gulf countries. Aadujeevitham follows the journey of two such unskilled migrant laborersNajeeb Mohammed (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and Hakeem (K.R. Gokul)who wish to secure promising jobs and a better life for their families in the early 1990s. Little did they anticipate the harsh reality awaiting them: working under a cruel Arab man, tending goats and camels across the desert. The Kafala system, a legal framework established in the 1950s, governs the employment of foreign migrant labourers in Saudi Arabia and numerous other Gulf states. However, evidence suggests that this system has perpetuated exploitation, slavery, dismal living conditions, and meager wages for migrant workers. The crux of the issue lies in the migrant labourers legal dependence on a single sponsor or employer for their right to live and work in the Gulf countries. Historically, the Kafala system has bound labourers to abusive sponsors, denying them the ability to transfer employment when faced with exploitation. Aadujeevitham emerges as arguably the most poignant indictment of this oppressive system ever depicted in world cinema. Incidentally, this sensitive film faces censorship hurdles in most GCC countries, with the exception of the UAE. Despite its bold stance against labour abuses, exploitation, and racial discrimination, the film subtly weaves these themes into its narrative backdrop. Blessy masterfully immerses the audience in the physical and psychological traumas endured by Najeeb, as well as his long journey to survival. Prior to the film's release, Blessy remarked that without Prithviraj, the project would not have been feasible. Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is among the most stylish actors in Malayalam cinema, wholeheartedly surrendered his body to Blessy's vision to bring Najeeb to life. The result is remarkable, as except for a few instances in flashback scenes, Prithviraj virtually disappears, allowing Najeeb and his arduous trail to command the screen entirely. National award-winning editor A. Sreekar Prasad, along with cinematographer Sunil K.S., deserves commendation on par with Prithviraj for their contributions in realising Blessys vision to a world-class standard. The filmmaker skilfully draws parallels between the two worlds in which Najeeb has lived throughout his life. Prasads editing seamlessly blends these contrasting realms, prompting the audience to question things often taken for granted in our own land, within the confines of our homes. In the hands of Blessy, the desert becomes not just a backdrop but a character in its own right. The vast and unforgiving beauty as well as the terrors of the desert landscape is skilfully captured in Aadujeevitham. Sunil K.S. 's lens transforms the seemingly barren expanse into a breathtaking canvas of shifting sands and endless horizons, where every grain tells a story of resilience and survival. Through meticulous framing and evocative lighting, the desert scenes pulsate with a palpable sense of isolation and longing, echoing Najeeb's internal struggles and external challenges. Jointly produced by Visual Romance Image Makers, Jet Media Production and Alta Global Media, Amala Paul, Haitian actor and producer Jimmy Jean-Louis and Omani actor Talib Al Balushi form the important supporting cast in the film. Talib Al Balushi delivers an incredible performance as the cruel Khafeel of Najeeb. A.R. Rahman did the music for the film. The tracks 'Periyone Rahmane' and the Palestinian folk song 'Badaweih' are intelligently placed in the film. While the background score generally meets expectations, this reviewer notes that certain segments, particularly those portraying moments of hope by the end of the film, lack the emotional resonance one would expect. Nevertheless, these minor shortcomings are easily forgiven in light of the overall scale and craftsmanship with which Blessy delivers this film. Hardcore fans of Benyamins novel may notice that certain episodes with significant shock value have been omitted from the film. Some may argue that this detracts from the depth of the narrative compared to the source material. However, this reviewer believes that the novel and the film should be regarded as distinct works, diverging at times in its narrative but ultimately converging at crucial points in the story. Undoubtedly, much like the novel, which sheds light on the lives crushed under the exploitative Kafala system, this film also serves justice to its portrayal. Blessy devoted 16 years to sculpting this visual masterpiece, meticulously tailored for the theatrical experience. Aadujeevitham demands to be watched in all its grandeur on the big screen. Movie: Aadujeevitham Directed by: Blessy Starring: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amala Paul, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Talib Al Balushi Rating: 4.5/5 Exclusive Interview/ Rajnath Singh, defence minister Rajnath Singhs legacy as one of the tallest leaders of the BJP has been cemented after helming two of the most important portfolioshome and defencein Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet, across two terms. And his place in a future Modi government seems assured as well. I feel that we should not make the electoral bonds public. but we will respect the verdict of the Supreme Court. I can assure everyone that there will be no discrimination on the basis of religion in India under any circumstances till the BJP is in power. The bjp does not view Ram Temple through the prism of electoral dividends and there is no link between the two. Indias defence exports have reached an all-time high, supplying to more than 100 countries India Aims to reach annual defence production worth Rs1.75 lakh crore by 2024-25. Why five years [for withdrawing afspa from J&K]? It can happen in one or two years or even a few months. Seated comfortably in an ordinarily set room with a portrait of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji, who perfected the art of fighting in the shadows, Rajnath knows that the time has come to embellish his legacy as a political talent spotter for the BJP. Serving as the president of the BJP in 2013, he was quick to recognise the lure of Modis charisma and smoothened the way for him to become the partys undisputed mascot. He was astute enough to read the mood of his party and the nation that Modi was the man of the moment. The qualities that I saw [in Prime Minister Modi] have stood the test of time and India has marched ahead and progressed like never before. This means that my assessment was correct, Rajnath told The WEEK in a warm and candid conversation that lasted for more than an hour at his 17, Akbar Road residence in New Delhi, which is guarded by armoured gates and an efficient security posse. Rajnath is confident that the National Democratic Alliance will get more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls and that the BJP will not fall short of the 370-seat mark. People believe that only Modis leadership can make India a superpower. They are casting their votes in Modis name, he said. Only a thin line separates political acumen and narcissism and Rajnath, who spent most of his political life in the rough and tumble of Uttar Pradesh politics, is confident but humble. He not only survived, but also thrived in his career spanning more than three decades because he knows, unlike many other politicians, when to shun the limelight and work in the shadows. Rajnath has a typical way of greeting visitors. He makes himself available in the meeting room first, and waits for his guests to enter. During the interview, it did not take much time to realise why the defence minister is popular among friends and foes alike. We do not distrust anyone, said Rajnath. Vajpayee ji used to say, Hum dhokha kha sakte hai, dhoka de nahi sakte (We can be fooled, but we can never fool anyone). It was with this sentiment, said Rajnath, that the BJP was welcoming political rivals into the party. What can we do if they want to join us? It is the culture and tradition of Bharat to welcome everyone to their house, said Rajnath. If I come to your house, wont you welcome me? Excerpts from the interview: Q/Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the NDA will win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. How many seats will the BJP get? A/ We are confident of getting more than 400 seats. The BJP alone will get not less than 370 seats. We are expecting to increase our tally in some states. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won 62 seats in 2019, but this time the BJP is expecting to win 74-76 seats and all 80 seats are likely to go to the NDA. In Bihar, we will bag all 40 seats. There can be a margin of error of one or two seats here and there, but largely this is our expectation. Q/ Talking of Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumars move to ditch the INDIA bloc and join the NDA raises questions of credibility. A/ I dont think at this juncture anyone is looking at any leader other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People believe that if they want to make India a superpower, it is only Modis leadership that can make it possible. People are casting their votes in the name of Modi and nobody else. Q/ But there seems to be a feeling in Maharashtra that leaders like Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have betrayed the trust of the people by joining hands with the BJP? A/ I dont agree. These leaders, whether it is Shinde or Pawar, have taken the decision [to join hands with the BJP] keeping in mind the larger interests of the country. India can rise further in stature in the international community only under the guidance of Modi. Turf to tackle: Modi at the BJPs En Mann En Makkal padayatra in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu | PTI Q/ There are some projections that the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance may win more seats in Maharashtra. A/ I dont think so. I think our alliance will get more seats. Our strength has increased with these leaders (Shinde and Ajit Pawar) joining us. Q/ Talking about southern states, it is said Siddu (Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) for Bengaluru and Modi for Delhi. How crucial is Karnataka for the BJP? A/ There can be a Congress government in Karnataka, but when it comes to Centre, there is a general perception in the state that it should be a Modi-led government. Q/ How many seats are you expecting in Karnataka? A/ Of the 28 Lok Sabha seats, we are expecting to win at least 26. We have won earlier, too. This time, the Janata Dal (Secular) is with us. Earlier, we won on our own strength, but this time we have an alliance with the JD(S), so our tally will go up as they have their own vote bank. Q/ We have seen a Congress wave in Telangana. A/ I am not saying that the Congress does not have any traction in the state elections in Telangana, but when it comes to parliamentary polls, there is a common perception in the entire country that if anyone can elevate the stature of the country, it is Modi. Q/ How difficult is Tamil Nadu for the BJP? A/ The alliance we have formed in Tamil Nadu and the increase we have seen in vote share will bring some pleasant surprises. I cannot say exactly how many seats will we win, but the results will be very surprising for some people. We have already had two public meetings in Tamil Nadu and in my entire political life, I have not seen the kind of response I saw this time. Some leaders like the former Congress whip in the assembly, S. Vijayadharani, a three-time MLA, have joined the BJP. We are witnessing several communities getting attracted to the BJP, which was not seen in the state earlier. Moreover, a certain faction of the AIADMK is also forging an alliance with us. Q/ What reasons do you attribute to the BJP gaining ground in the southern states? A/ I think good governance is the key. There is not a single section of society which has not reaped the benefits of government schemes or any other good governance steps taken by the Modi government. There is a sense of pride in each and every Indian today as the countrys stature has risen globally. Indias economy, which was once considered in the Fragile Five (a reference to nations perceived to be most at risk because of their heavy reliance on foreign investment to drive growth), has entered the Fabulous Five and some of its benefits have reached every segment of the population. Giving peace a chance: School children in Srinagar. Rajnath says since the BJP came to power at the Centre, peace has been restored in J&K | Salil Bera Q/ What about Kerala? It is being seen as the final frontier for the BJP. A/ Our effort is to win some seats in Kerala. I cannot talk about a number yet, but we should definitely win some seats there. The signals we are getting from the ground is that the BJP will win a few seats. Whether it is two, three or six, I cannot say. Some of the seats we are expecting are Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and probably Thrissur. Q/ The RSS is growing the fastest in Kerala, but the BJP is not getting enough political dividends. A/ There is polarisation (of votes) between the Congress and the communists in Kerala for many years. The BJP did not grow as expected, but our percentage of votes has risen. Our party activities have increased, our booth presidents are present in huge numbers for the first time and our organisations have strengthened and become more effective. The response has been tremendous in public meetings and huge crowds gather to listen to the prime minister which was unthinkable for BJP leaders in Kerala in the past. Q/ The state leadership of the BJP does not seem to have made a mark. A/ The same was said about the state leadership in West Bengal, but the BJP won 18 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. So, there is a craze for the prime minister and his charisma. Let everyone accept this truth. Q/ Are the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal ready for an alliance in Odisha? A/ Things are under consideration, but our target is to win all the Lok Sabha seats in Odisha along with the BJD. Q/ The Citizenship (Amendment) Act seems to have caused anxiety among the minority community. How does it impact the BJP, especially in states like West Bengal, where Muslim votes may consolidate in favour of the Trinamool Congress? A/ We have been trying to remove the confusion around the CAA and we have largely been successful. The CAA does not take away anyones citizenship, but provides citizenship to certain persecuted minorities. In West Bengal, we are expecting to win 25-30 seats this time. Even last time, when we claimed that we can win 18-20 seats, there were naysayers who thought the target was too high, but we achieved that. Similarly, we will achieve our target this time. Q/ Do you see polarisation in the country because of the CAA? A/ No, I dont think so. Definitely, there are attempts by the opposition to polarise society, but the BJP does not believe in politics of polarisation and will never let it happen. Wherever confusion [around the CAA] still persists, we will remove all doubts and misconceptions within a months time. Q/ With the United States expressing concern over the CAA, do you agree there is apprehension globally? A/ There can be confusion in some countries about the CAA, but their concerns are absolutely misplaced. Their ambassadors are here and once their doubts are clarified, they will be reassured and everything will be crystal clear to them. What is the confusion? The only confusion is whether anyone will lose their citizenship after the implementation of the CAA. We have categorically said that the CAA is about giving citizenship, not taking it away. So this confusion will not last for long. Q/ If religion becomes one of the criteria for citizenship, there is worry that it can also be misused to deny citizenship. A/ We are giving citizenship to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have faced religious persecution and discrimination in those countries and have come to India to seek refuge. Pakistan is an Islamic state and no Muslim can face religious persecution in that country. If there is religious persecution there, it will be only against other religions. I can assure everyone that there will be no discrimination on the basis of religion in India under any circumstances till the BJP is in power. Spiritual high: Rajnath at the release of a book on Ayodhya in Delhi | PTI Q/ How is the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir? How is the BJP faring there? A/ Recently, the prime minister met Kashmiri leaders in Srinagar and members of the Muslim community turned up in large numbers. It shows that people realise that since the BJP came to power at the Centre and Article 370 was abrogated, peace has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, hundreds of incidents of terrorism used to take place in J&K every year, but now they are drastically reduced. Q/ There is a feeling that Muslims are scared of voicing their opinions. A/ This is not true at all. It maybe there in some newspapers, but it is definitely not the ground reality. Q/ Omar Abdullah told us in an interview that he did not want to enter into an alliance with the BJP. A/ When did we say that we are interested in an alliance with him? (laughs) Q/ The consecration of the Ram Temple was a key event in the countrys cultural history. Will the BJP benefit electorally from it? A/ The BJP does not view Ram Temple through the prism of electoral dividends and there is no link between the two. People have devotion towards Lord Ram and it is a sacred issue for them. We do not see gain or loss here. People from across the countryfrom Tamil Nadu to Kerala to Lakshadweephave celebrated the construction of the temple, with saffron flags flying high. Lakshadweep has 70 per cent to 80 percent Muslim population. There was no corner in this country where the Ram Temple was not celebrated. Q/ People have always had faith in Lord Ram. Then why this euphoric celebration? A/ The birth place of Lord Ram had no temple earlier and it is because of the construction of the temple at such a pious place that people are euphoric. People feel that Lord Ram has left his hut and entered his palace finally and there will be Ram Rajya in the country. Q/ Can it not lead to insecurity among the minority population? A/ The minority population will vote for the BJP this time in a much larger way. It will be unprecedented in the history of the party. It will be beyond expected lines because the Christians and Muslims are voting for us. Christians supported us last time as well, but now their support has increased manifold. Q/ The focus has shifted to reclaiming Kashi and Mathura temples. A/ It (Gyanvapi) is a longstanding dispute and it is up to the courts to decide. It is against our ethics to put any pressure on the courts. We will accept whatever judgement is given by the courts and I think everyone will abide by it, be it Muslims or any other religious groups. Q/ How do you see the Supreme Courts verdict on the electoral bonds? A/ The State Bank of India is releasing all the figures. I think we should let the Supreme Court decide. But leaving the Supreme Court decision aside, if demands arise tomorrow that in a healthy democracy we must disclose our voting choices, should we do that? Should this information be made public? Personally, I feel that we should not make the electoral bonds public because if a certain donor contributed to x party because of its ideology and tomorrow y party comes to power, then the donor faces the risk of being harassed. This is my opinion, but we will respect the verdict of the Supreme Court. Q/ But some donors faced the heat of Central agencies before they decided to contribute to the BJP. A/ There is no link between the two. The ED and the CBI are autonomous organisations which have been working even during the Congress-led regime. It is not as if they came into existence during the BJP governments time. Q/ The BJP has completed all items on its agenda: the abrogation of Article 370, the implementation of the uniform civil code (in Uttarakhand) and notifying the CAA rules. What next? A/ One thing has become clear that the BJP is not a political party that creates a crisis of credibility. There is no gap between our words and deeds. We fulfil all our promises. Our next agenda is to make India a developed nation and a superpowerViksit Bharat. The BJPs election manifesto will show the way forward. Q/ A good democracy needs a strong opposition, too. But most of the opposition is now with you. A/ It is very unfortunate [that there is no strong opposition]. The opposition should try hard to become a strong one, but it is collapsing. It is the oppositions failure that it has become so weak. Q/ Why is the BJP taking opposition leaders into its fold? A/ What can we do if they want to join us? The culture and tradition of Bharat has taught us to welcome everyone to our house. If I come to your house, wont you welcome me? Q/ When you welcome leaders who were ideologically opposed to the BJP, does it not lead to resentment among the committed cadres? A/ Our family is only becoming bigger. Should we be happy or sad about it? Our ideological commitment will never be diluted. Q/ Are you saying that those who join the BJP also change their ideology? A/ The ideology and programmes of the BJP are being appreciated by political leaders coming into our fold. They like it and want to participate in it. If they win, they can join the government to participate in the growth of the country. They want to be a part of the success story of India. This is because if there is any political party in the country which is capable of meeting diverse challenges, it is the BJP. Q/ How do you trust politicians like Nitish Kumar, who made yet another U-turn to join the NDA right before the polls? A/ We are trusting people. We do not distrust anyone. If anyone ditches us, it is another story, but we are not the ones to ditch anyone. It is not in our character. Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to say, Hum dhokha kha sakte hai, dhoka de nahi sakte (We can be fooled, but we will never fool anyone). Ready to rumble: A BrahMos missile system on display during the Republic Day parade | Getty Images Q/ Talking about Vajpayee, it is said that he got a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru restored at the South Block after it went missing. Vajpayee got along well with political opponents. Why is it missing today? A/ Bonhomie between the ruling party and opposition leaders is still very much there. Whenever the prime minister and [Congress president] Mallikarjun Kharge meet, there is a lot of affection and love. Modi ji is good friends with everyone and talks to everyone. There is not a single person in the opposition with whom Modi ji has not spoken to, be it leaders from the Congress, the TMC or the DMK. Whenever they meet, there is a lot of laughter and mirth. Q/ We do not see much debate and discussion in Parliament these days. Bills are passed without discussion. A/ It is for the opposition to introspect why it is not ready to participate in debate and discussions. If the opposition refuses to participate, how can we be blamed for it? If any member of any opposition party wants to participate in a debate, can we stop him? There have been times when Parliament functioned till 4am. But if the opposition only wants to create ruckus and stage walkouts, how can we be held responsible for their behaviour? Q/ But the government is also responsible for the conduct of the house. A/ The speaker runs the house and he is very popular among all political parties. Q/ For five years, we did not have a deputy speaker. A/ I assume opposition parties might not have reached a consensus on a candidate. Q/ Who do you think will be the INDIA bloc candidate against Modi? A/ They have not been able to complete seat distribution properly, so the choice of a PM candidate is a far cry. We have already seen so many contradictory opinions coming up. When Kharge was propped up, some others opposed. When some of them proposed Mamata Banerjee, others propped up Nitish Kumar. The BJP cannot be held responsible for it. Q/ The BJP has still not succeeded in making a Congress-mukt Bharat. Will there be a Congres-mukt Uttar Pradesh this time? A/ I dont think the Congress will win any seat in Uttar Pradesh, including Raebareli. Rahul Gandhi himself has not been able to venture into Amethi. Q/ When you were BJP President, you had announced Modi as BJPs prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. What qualities did you see in him that time? A/ The qualities which I saw then have stood the test of time and India has marched ahead and progressed like never before. This means that my assessment was correct. Q/ How do you see the unrest in Manipur? A/ What happened in Manipur was very unfortunate. It became an ethnic issue, but the government has made all efforts to restore peace and normalcy. Things are under control today. Q/ The prime minister visited the northeast several times, but he did not go to Manipur. A/ When there are crises like this, it is the Union home minister who visits the troubled areas. The home minister stayed in Manipur for three days and interacted with everyone. It is the prime minister who tasks the home minister and it is part of the latters responsibility. To say that the prime minister himself has to go everywhere is not correct. If the home minister had not visited Manipur, then these allegations would make sense, but there is no merit in this argument. Q/ Is the situation in J&K conducive to hold assembly polls? A/ There are no serious internal security challenges in J&K today. We will decide on the next step (assembly polls) when we receive a report from the Union territory on whether the situation is peaceful and conducive to hold elections. But we want assembly elections to be held soon. Q/ Since the security situation has improved after the abrogation of Article 370, when will the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act be revoked? A/ After reviewing the security situation, whenever the government thinks it appropriate, AFSPA can be removed. Q/ Can it be lifted in the next five years if the BJP comes to power? A/ Why five years? It can happen in one or two years or even a few months. AFSPA has been removed from 80 per cent of the northeast. Leading from the front: Rajnath at a forward post along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh | PIB Q/ Is cross-border terrorism from Pakistan on the wane? A/ Pakistan continues to make attempts to disrupt peace, but it is not getting any success. The infiltration attempts have decreased compared with the past. Q/ Are you satisfied with the pace of border infrastructure work on the Sino-Indian border? A/ There has been a lot of improvement. Earlier, the Congress government was apprehensive that if we build border roads and infrastructure, Chinese forces will enter Indian territory. We have no such apprehensions. India is not a weak country now. We do not attack anyone, but if someone attacks us, we will give a fitting reply. If you see history, there is not a single instance when India targeted its neighbours. But whenever someone attacked us, we have protected ourselves. As Vajpayee ji used to say, Dost badal sakte hai, par padosi nahi (We can choose our friends, but not our neighbours). Q/ Is the time ripe to resume peace talks with Pakistan? A/ If Pakistan commits that it will not indulge in terrorist acts, we can resume dialogue. Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. Cross-border terrorism has come down in J&K because of the efforts of our security forces and not because of Pakistan. Q/ After the abrogation of Article 370, there are expectations that the Modi government will resolve the border dispute with China. A/ Talks are going on between India and China. The [military] dialogue is going on for sometime now. It is the longest dialogue between the two countries so far but we have to be patient and wait for it to conclude. Q/ There is apprehension that China is trying to acquire land inch by inch. Is it true that there has been no loss of territory from our side? A/ It would not be appropriate to comment further on the India-China border issue. But people will be happily surprised with Indias capabilities if I could disclose any details. The loss of land [to China] happened only during the Congress regime. They must be viewing that loss when they talk about it. Q/ China poses a challenge in the seas, be it the Indian Ocean or the Red Sea. The Maldives, too, posed a military challenge recently. A/ The Indian Navy has become very strong as we have seen in recent times [in the Red Sea], safeguarding Indias maritime interests. India has opened a new naval base at Minicoy. We are addressing all issues successfully. Q/ Indias defence exports have been among your biggest successes. It has crossed Rs16,000 crore in the last fiscal. A/ Indias defence exports have reached an all-time high, surging from Rs1,143 crore in FY 2013-14 to nearly Rs16,000 crore (nearly $2 billion) in FY 2022-23. We are exporting to more than 100 countries now. Today, we are exporting state-of-the-art platforms and systems. This remarkable increase reflects Indias progress in the defence manufacturing sector. End-to-end online solution has been provided for issuing export authorisations, facilitating ease of doing business. By earmarking a fixed percentage of capital procurement budget for domestic procurement, we are promising our defence manufacturers an assured market. The domestic procurement is increasing continuously for the past many years. In 2021-22, 64 per cent of capital procurement budget was earmarked for the domestic procurement. In 2022-23, it was 68 per cent. In the current financial year, it has been earmarked at 75 per cent of capital budget for domestic procurement. Q/ How do you see the success of Make-in-India programme? A/ The government launched the Make-In-India initiative in 2014 and the defence sector was identified as one of the most important sectors for this initiative. India was heavily reliant on the defence imports in the past. Because of heavy import dependence, we faced challenges in the supply of defence equipment during war situations and critical geopolitical scenarios. Indias defence industry faced significant challenges such as non-availability of defence technologies, including niche and critical technologies, and modern testing and certification facilities, slow defence procurement processes, low investment opportunities and lack of private participation in defence manufacturing. Historically, India was always ranked among the top global importers of arms, which justified the need for this transformation that was brought in Make-in-India initiative in 2014. Q/ Indias defence production has crossed Rs1 lakh crore. What targets have you set for coming years? A/ The Make-in-India initiative has been supported with policy initiatives and reforms in the last nine years. It has shown positive impact in the defence industrial sector. This has created a conducive environment for promoting investments, defence manufacturing, innovations for niche technologies and provided a level-playing field to private industry. In terms of annual defence production, we have achieved a growth of 46 per cent in the last seven years, starting from Rs74,000 crore in 2016-17. It has already reached Rs1.08 lakh crore in 2022-23. Our target is to achieve annual defence production of Rs1,75,000 crore by 2024-25. Q/ Under your stewardship, private sector has made significant inroads in the defence sector. What changed in the last few years? A/ The focus on Make in India has resulted in an increase in procuring defence licenses by private industry by more than 200 per cent in last nine years, reflecting the confidence in government policies. Private defence companies were awarded 214 defence industrial licenses till February 2014, whereas the number went up to 423 after February 2014. So far, 1,650 ToTs (transfer of technology) on DRDO-developed systems have been handed over to Indian industries, of which 1,165 transfers happened in the last nine years. Further, the DRDO has established 15 DRDO Industry Academia-Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) at IISc and various IITs and universities. A level-playing field has been provided to the industry. Private industry has been given access to government proof ranges and testing facilities to promote ease of doing business and facilitate defence manufacturing ecosystem. Also Read Why Rajnath Singh is the go-to person for BJP and RSS Q/ The defence sector needs a dynamic startup sector and innovation. How is the ministry planning to deal with this challenge? A/ Our startups have done tremendously well under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). It aims at the creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging industries, R&D institutes and academia and provide them grants and other support to carry out R&D and innovation which has good potential for future adoption in Indian defence and aerospace sector. iDEX provides grants up to Rs1.50 crore (up to Rs10 crore in case of iDEX Prime) to startups/MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) to fund projects in niche technological areas. Till November 2023, as many as 300 contracts have been signed for prototype development. Q/ Government needs to provide robust policy support to indigenous manufacturing to strengthen the defence sector. What has been done so far in this regard? A/ The government has taken several policy initiatives and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, thereby promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing and technology. These initiatives include giving priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020; notification of five Positive Indigenisation Lists of 509 items of services and four Positive Indigenisation Lists of 4,666 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them. There is focus on simplification of industrial licensing process with longer validity period and liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) policy allowing 74 per cent FDI under the automatic route. Besides simplification of procedures, launch of iDEX scheme involving startups and MSMEs; implementation of public procurement (preference to Make in India) order 2017; launch of an indigenisation portal SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian industry including MSMEs; and the establishment of two defence industrial corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and in Tamil Nadu are some other steps. The Defence Research & Development (R&D) has been opened up for industry, startups and academia. To ensure supply of spares through indigenisation by domestic industries, guidelines on conduct of form, fitment and functional trials have been issued. United front: Indian soldiers at the Galwan valley in Ladakh | PTI Q/ The government will also need FDI in defence. What has been the trend so far? A/ To attract foreign investors and to bring new technologies to India, FDI in the defence sector has been further liberalised in September 2020 to up to 74 per cent under the automatic route and above 74 per cent through the government route. At present, about 45 joint ventures with foreign OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are already operational. We are also working on JVs to bring technologies for manufacturing of aero-engines, ship engines etc. Today, India offers a unique opportunity in defence and aerospace manufacturing. This opportunity comes as a Sangam (confluence) of rising demand, greater innovation, conducive policies and maturing ecosystem in defence and aerospace manufacturing sector. All these efforts aim to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem to make India self-reliant. It will boost industrial growth, foreign [exchange reserves], creation of jobs and GDP growth and also ensure sustained supply of critical defence equipment. Q/ What is the road ahead for defence production? A/ India aims to reach annual defence production worth Rs1.75 lakh crore by 2024-25. We have achieved substantially in the last seven years starting from Rs74,000 crore in 2016-17 and have already reached Rs1.08 lakh crore in 2022-23. The defence ministry is focused on the development of niche and deep technologies to get prepared for future warfare. Our scientists and young startups are working on various deep technologies including quantum, artificial intelligence, cyber, underwater awareness, space, drones/anti-drones and robotics. We are also working on the development of dual-use technologies. Moreover, initiatives have been taken to ensure quality in defence manufacturing to bring indigenous defence industry at par with global standards to achieve self-reliance and subsequently become a potent exporting nation to friendly countries. The focus on indigenisation is a transformative step and will result in a number of spinoffs, the major one being the transformation of Indian military from buyers to builders with respect to indigenous production of defence platforms and weapons and as a nation, from importer to exporter of defence products. The impetus on indigenisation in defence has contributed to industrial growth, import substitution, employment generation and greater economic activity, which, in turn, is contributing to enhanced production activity and GDP growth. In the present geopolitical scenario, the world is looking at India with greater interest as we follow the principles of One World, One Family and universal peace. In its Amrit Kaal, India is likely to become global manufacturing hub with focus on Make in IndiaMake for the World. Q/ You have made your mark as a defence minister who blends military diplomacy well. A/ India is using its soft power wherever it can. The fact that the prime minister is talking to both Russia and Ukraine is an example of our soft power. But the [long] wars are not good for the world and India is playing its role to restore peace. The prime minister has made an appeal to both Russian and Ukrainian presidents, saying dialogue is the way forward. Q/ What is your proudest moment as defence minister? A/ The confidence and bravery of the Indian armed forces is a matter of pride for me as well as all the Indian citizens. I think their confidence levels have also risen manifold. IT IS HARD not to like Rajnath Singh. He is affable while dealing with colleagues, bureaucrats, aides and political opponents. At a time when relations between the Union government and the opposition are frayed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a colleague in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who can still extend his hand across the aisle and win concessions. So, it is hardly surprising that Modi has entrusted Rajnath with the responsibility of heading the cabinet committee on parliamentary affairs which decides the governments legislative agenda and formulates strategy to counter the opposition in Parliament. Rajnath Is leading a major transformative effort focused on atmanirbharta or self-reliance in military production. Always quick to acknowledge his team leader and team work, Rajnath heaped praise on Modi, when asked about making friends across the political spectrum. Modi ji has good friendship with everyone and talks to everyone. There is not a single person in the opposition with whom Modi ji has not spoken to, he told THE WEEK. But if you ask Rajnath about his most treasured moments as defence minister, he would say those were in the company of soldiers. The confidence and bravery of the armed forces is a matter of pride. I think their confidence levels have risen manifold, he said. Life came full circle for Rajnath on March 24, when he celebrated Holi with soldiers in Ladakh. On June 3, 2019, he was just four days old as the new defence minister when he enjoyed hot jalebis with jawans on the icy heights of Siachen. It was his first visit to the worlds highest battlefield at around 20,000 feet. In his earlier stint as Union home minister, Rajnath used to proudly narrate how paramilitary men would welcome him whenever he went to their camps in Naxal hotbeds or on the borders with Pakistan or Bangladesh. Rajnath represents the solemn face of the BJP, something even his colleagues would not disagree with. A farmers son, he cut his teeth in student politics as an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. As the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP, joined hands with anti-corruption crusader Jayaprakash Narayan against the Indira Gandhi regime, Rajnath was arrested along with lakhs of other JP movement activists. At the time of his arrest on July 12, 1975, he was teaching physics at a college in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. Insiders say Rajnaths mother, Gujarati Devi, played an important role in shaping his values. She came to see him when he was being transferred from Mirzapur jail to Naini central jail near Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Never beg for forgiveness, my son, even if you have to spend your entire life in prison, she told him. That was the last time Rajnath saw his mother. She passed away in June 1976, while he was still in custody. By the time he was freed, Rajnath had turned into a battle-hardened politician. Rajnath served as a member of the Uttar Pradesh assembly, a minister in the state cabinet and a Union minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He went back to Uttar Pradesh as chief minister, only to return to Delhi as BJP president and then join the Modi cabinet handling the key portfolios of home and defence. Always dressed impeccably in a white kurtaoften overlaid with a cut half jacketRajnath is easily a man for all seasons. What makes him the go-to person for the BJP and the RSS is his ability to connect with the masses, cadres, colleagues, competitors and opponents with his measured approach. Mission possible: Rajnath with Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda | PTI Hailing from the core of the Hindi heartlandhis parliamentary constituency is LucknowRajnath is a Rajput, a politically significant community that has good presence across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and, to some extent, Gujarat. Within the sangh parivar, Rajnaths rise has been quite organic. He started holding local shakha positions in the RSS, before joining the ABVP and the BJP. Most observers credit his stolid confidence and perpetual calm to his staunch RSS ties, having joined the organisation at the age of 13. From his younger days, Rajnath has had ties to the Gorakhnath math and Mahant Digvijaynathaided no doubt by his student days at Gorakhpur University. It is to his credit that his sway among his community and state remains undiminished, despite the rise of fellow Rajput, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Their interactions have always been cordial. As defence minister, Rajnath leads the process of making India a major military power. It is during his term that India has seen a major transformative effort that is focused on atmanirbharta or self-reliance in military production. Indias defence exports have reached an all-time high, surging from Rs1,143 crore in 2013-14 (financial year) to nearly Rs16,000 crore in 2022-23. We are exporting state-of-the-art platforms and systems to more than 100 countries now, said Rajnath. While the Tejas light combat aircraft and light combat helicopters are garnering global attention, Indias range of exports also include BrahMos missiles, Dornier aircraft, 155mm advanced towed artillery guns, Akash missile system, Pinaka rockets and launchers, thermal imagers, body armour and components of avionics and small arms. Rajnath has ensured that there is a fine balance between maintaining battle readiness with state-of-the-art equipment imported from across the world and maintaining the tempo for indigenisation. The defence ministry has accorded approval for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs2.23 lakh crore, of which acquisition worth Rs2.20 lakh crore is to be sourced from domestic industries. Another policy is to diversify the sourcing for weapons systems, technology and platforms. Meanwhile, Rajnath has not allowed the much-debated Agnipath system of recruitment to take political centre-stage in an election year. The new mode of recruitment is among the most radical military reforms along with the move towards setting up theatre commands and integration efforts. Rajnath may well turn out to be the most travelled defence minister, especially to the remote parts of the country, including Siachen, Tawang and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He is also the only defence minister with sorties on the Rafale fighter, the Tejas LCA and Indias first indigenous helicopter Prachand. Rajnath has dived deep underwater in a submarine, besides having sailed in both the aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Rajnath is leading the defence ministry at a time when the twin wars (Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas) are keeping militaries around the world busy with preparations for a hybrid war. New Delhi has taken a leap forward by using military diplomacy to counter the short-term and long-term challenges. The Indian Navy has become very strong as we have seen in recent times [in the Red Sea], safeguarding Indias maritime interests. India has opened a new naval base at Minicoy. We are addressing all issues successfully, said Rajnath. If the BJP gets a third term, military czars hope that India will be able to resolve long-term border disputes with belligerent neighbours. Talks are on between India and China. It is the longest dialogue between the two countries so far, but we have to be patient. People, however, will be happily surprised with Indias capabilities if I could disclose any details, said Rajnath. On Pakistan, he said the peace process could restart if Islamabad stopped promoting terrorism. Security officials are expecting that if Jammu & Kashmir remains peaceful, Central forces may slowly be withdrawn from the Union territory and the J&K Police will be given more responsibility in maintaining internal security. This is a plan which is in the works under Rajnath, who has been talking of winning hearts and minds. As Modi continues to ride a wave of popularity, he has found a veritable pillar in Rajnath who does not shy away from supporting him and his vision of making India a developed nation. Donald Trump is all set to become the first former president of the United States to be criminally prosecuted. On March 25, acting New York supreme court judge Juan Manuel Merchan denied Trump's legal team's efforts to further delay the proceedings in the hush money case. Trump's lawyers asked for more time, arguing that they needed to go through nearly two hundred thousand pages of fresh evidence, which they said were released late by Manhattan district attorney Alvin L. Bragg. The fresh evidence in question is from the 2018 federal prosecution of Trump's former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen. The prosecution pointed out that only a small portion of the new evidencearound 300 pageswere relevant to Trump's case. The trial was initially scheduled to start on March 25, but after the new documents were released, Merchan permitted to postpone it till mid April. But he said no further delay would be permitted. You are accusing the Manhattan D.A.'s office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct and trying to make me complicit in it and you don't have a single cite to support that position. The defendant has been given a reasonable amount of time, the judge told Trumps legal team. He has given them time till April 15 to review the fresh documents. And formal trial proceedings, beginning with jury selection, is expected to start on that date, barring some unexpected hiccups, which are not so uncommon in cases involving Trump. The hush money case involves charges of Trump falsifying business documents to cover up the payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels to stop her from going public about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump during the last days of the 2016 presidential campaign. The prosecution has charged him with 34 counts of falsifying records to hide payments made on Trump's behalf by Cohen, who is likely to be the star prosecution witness. He has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts and has questioned Cohens credibility. This is not the first time that Trump and Merchan are crossing paths. In 2022, it was Merchan who presided over the tax fraud trial against Allen Weisselberg, the chief financial officer of the Trump Organisation. It resulted in Weisselberg's conviction and Merchan sentenced him to five months in jail and five years of probation. Merchan is overseeing a case involving Steve Bannon, former adviser to Trump, on charges that he misappropriated funds after a fundraiser to build a wall along the southern border of the United States, one of Trump's dream projects. Trump, true to form, alleged that the trial was a witch hunt and said he that would appeal the order to start the trial in April. This case should have been brought three and a half years ago. They decided to [bring it] now during the election, so that I won't be able to campaign, said Trump. He also said that he would testify during the trial. The Trump legal team is trying to delay the trial further. Todd Blanche, Trump's lead attorney in the case, has already filed a motion to postpone the trial, blaming pretrial publicity. They were referring to a recent documentary about Daniels and the hush money payment, arguing that it would have already prejudiced the jury pool. The Manhattan D.A.'s office, meanwhile, said the pretrial publicity was caused and exacerbated by Trump himself. Judge Merchan does not seem to be impressed by the motion to delay, and imposed a gag order on Trump. The former president has been ordered not to attack jury members, prosecutors and witnesses, following a request from D.A.'s office. Merchan referred to Trump's previous outbursts on the case. His statements were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating, observed the judge. He may, however, find it difficult to enforce the gag order, because, in normal circumstances, offenders are not sent to jail, but may be let off with a fine. Most legal experts suggested that the trial would get over quickly as it was a straightforward case. But they warned that the jury selection might take some time because most potential jurors would already have very strong opinion about Trumpeither favourable or negative. Trump may also mount a lengthy defence, argue his case of witch hunt and could use the case for more publicity. Still, the trial is unlikely to last beyond six to eight weeks. If convicted, Trump might face a jail sentence of up to four years. But he is unlikely to spend any time behind bars, as New York law permits lenient sentencing for first-time offenders, depending on the circumstances of the crime and the defendants history and character. So, Trump might get away with a fine. Yet, it could turn him into a convicted felon, affecting his ability to travel freely and to interact with the people he wants, especially during the peak of the campaign season. Moreover, once convicted, he would not be able to pardon himself, even if he wins the elections, because it is not a federal case. Trump will have to reschedule his campaign events on the days of the trial, which is likely to take place four days a week, with Wednesdays likely being off days. He is expected to stay at the Trump Tower in New York during the trial days and his campaign team plans to arrange radio and television interviews from there. On weekends, he is likely to hold campaign events in crucial nearby states, like Pennsylvania. Wednesdays are likely to be spent raising funds. Trump, meanwhile, appears confident about the trial not affecting his electoral prospects, although there is a clear possibility that a conviction could alienate moderate Republicans and independents. After the trial date was set, Trump told reporters outside the Manhattan courtroom that the trial could make him more popular. The trial and even a conviction will certainly further energise his base, which will be totally convinced that it is all part of a plan engineered by President Joe Biden to retain the White House by any means possible. In fact, Trump's ailing presidential campaign was put back on track last year after the Manhattan grand jury indictment in the hush money case. It sucked all the oxygen out of his Republican rivals primary campaigns and put Trump on track to secure his partys nomination. As the case moves forward, the Trump team is working overtime to paint Biden as someone attempting to imprison his political opponents and blames the Democrats for weaponising the legal system against Trump. It has once again united the Republican Party and even its establishment wing led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who once wanted to impeach and be done with Trump. All the senior leaders of the party have since then coalesced behind Trump. Republican strategists believe it to be a good opportunity to beef up fundraising as Trump is woefully short of campaign money compared with Biden. Finally, the number of voters who think that Trump committed serious crimes has been going down since December, according to a poll conducted by The New York Times. Voters from across the political divide, including even Democrats and independents, are now less likely to say that the former president acted criminally. No wonder, Trump thinks that he can use the trial to his advantage and enlarge his lead over Biden. Westerly, RI (02891) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 57F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The French newspaper "Le Figaro" published on March 27 an interview with the vestiges of the illegal regime created by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and subsequently thrown into the dustbin of history, the statement of the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports. "Thanks to Azerbaijan's humanist policy based on mutual understanding and reconciliation, as well as serving to leave behind the strife between peoples, this person (Samvel Shahramanyan, ed.) remains at large and yet now has once again set his mind on encroaching on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan," the statement of the community notes. The statement also draws attention to the fact that the mentioned person has announced the continuation of activities of separatist structures already on the territory of Armenia, called on external forces led by France to interfere in regional issues, and opposed the achievement of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "Such separatist elements position themselves as "government", "president", and "minister in exile" and the Armenian authorities turn a blind eye to this. Meanwhile, the interview published in a French press outlet was not accidental. Some forces led by France, trying to penetrate the region with their insidious geopolitical intentions, do not want to allow peace to be achieved in the region and are trying to raise tensions by all means. The promotion of Armenia's militarization, this interview, and the upcoming Armenia-U.S.-European Union summit on April 5 are all part of a single campaign serving one course. The Western Azerbaijan community urges the Armenian government and public to learn from history and not succumb to France's games. Armenia must realize that it is unacceptable to create conditions for elements that infringe on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan to operate on its territory. The Community of Western Azerbaijan demands that Armenia stop its revanchist and militaristic policy, take the path of achieving peace with Azerbaijan, and create conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homes," the statement also reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 37F. N winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 37F. N winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Law enforcement have uncovered a sophisticated scheme by the Romanian mafia to steal personal information and drain accounts through debit card skimming at self-checkout machines in grocery stores. This organized network of criminals has already busted dozens of suspects with ties to organized crime in Romania, and the thefts are increasing despite large busts in December and January. The skimmers, which can also target EBT card users, have allegedly drained accounts the moment that the state releases monthly payments, resulting in over $100 million worth of thefts from taxpayer-funded welfare programs and their recipients. The stolen funds are used to fund organized crime, buy luxury cars, and lead a life of luxury. The porous southern border provides a steady supply of new muscle for the mobsters, while lax bail policies and incomplete criminal records allow members to cut off their ankle monitors and flee justice if they get arrested. A group of Southern California counties has seen about 15% of the Romanian mobs activity within the US. The crooks are also trading in food stamps for baby formula and energy drinks, which are then resold in Mexico in an alliance with local cartels. Some even flaunt their ill-gotten gains on TikTok. One of the men implicated in the plot, Florin Duduianu, was convicted in January and is expected to receive 30 years in federal prison. In December, the FBI partnered with Romanian police to raid dozens of locations in Romania, resulting in 48 arrests and the recovery of over $1 million and 11 luxury vehicles. The investigation continues, with authorities working to dismantle this organized network of criminals and protect taxpayer-funded programs and individuals from these sophisticated scams. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Joe Lieberman, the shomer shabbos former four-term US Senator from Connecticut and the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2000, passed away today in New York City at the age of 82 due to complications from a fall. Lieberman was a self-described centrist Democrat who championed causes like environmental protection, and gun control. However, his willingness to deviate from party lines, particularly in his hawkish foreign policy stances, often sparked controversy. In 2009, YWN reported that Lieberman walked nearly five miles from his home and shul in Georgetown to make it to the Senate in time for votes on healthcare amendments that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had scheduled for Shabbos afternoon. He also authored a book titled The Gift of Rest Rediscovering the Beauty of Shabbos. On a visit to the tziyon of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai in Miron on Pesach, former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman who spent the yom tov in Israel was stopped by a a Chabad family from Miami who asked him regarding his experiences with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Senator Lieberman replied with the message he delivered at the commemoration of the recent 120th anniversary of the Rebbes birth. His support for the 2003 Iraq invasion and subsequent war led to his rejection by Connecticut Democrats in 2006, but he won re-election as an independent with Republican and unaffiliated voter support. Liebermans political journey took him from Al Gores running mate to a prominent supporter of John McCain, whom he hailed as a courageous leader in a 2008 Republican convention speech. He also became a close friend and ally of McCains on international trips. Despite consideration as McCains running mate, Liebermans Democratic history and voting record made him an unlikely choice. McCain instead chose Sarah Palin, a decision he later regretted. Lieberman reflected on his unique political path, acknowledging that his independence came with a price. He remarked that he was spared the distinction of losing twice as Vice Presidential candidate thanks to God or the Republican delegates. Throughout his career, Lieberman embodied a commitment to centrist policies and a willingness to challenge party orthodoxy, leaving a complex legacy in American politics. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order ahead of his April 15 hush-money criminal trial, suggesting that the veteran jurist was kowtowing to his daughters interests as a Democratic political consultant. The former president objected in particular to what he claimed was her posting of a social media photo showing him behind bars. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, complained on social media that the gag order issued Tuesday was illegal, un-American, unConstitutional. He said Judge Juan M. Merchan was wrongfully attempting to deprive me of my First Amendment Right to speak out against the Weaponization of Law Enforcement by Democratic rivals and urged him to step aside from the case. The gag order, which prosecutors had requested, bars Trump from either making or directing other people to make public statements on his behalf about jurors and potential witnesses in the hush-money trial, such as his lawyer turned nemesis Michael Cohen. It also prohibits any statements meant to interfere with or harass the courts staff, prosecution team or their families. It does not bar comments about Merchan or his family, nor does it prohibit criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the elected Democrat whose office is prosecuting Trump. Merchans daughter, whose firm has worked on campaigns for President Joe Biden and other Democrats, makes money by working to Get Trump, and recently posted a fake photo on social media depicting her obvious goal of seeing him behind bars, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He argued those circumstances make it completely impossible for me to get a fair trial. Trump did not link to the purported photo, but an account under the name LM on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a photo illustration of an imprisoned Trump as its profile picture Wednesday morning. It was later changed to an image of Vice President Kamala Harris as a child. Loren Merchans consulting firm had linked to that account in its social media posts in past years. The account is now private with no posts displayed. It says it joined the platform in April 2023, raising questions about whether it belongs to her or was taken over by someone else. So, let me get this straight, Trump wrote on Truth Social, the Judges daughter is allowed to post pictures of her dream of putting me in jail but I am not allowed to talk about the attacks against me, and the Lunatics trying to destroy my life and prevent me from winning the 2024 Presidential Election, which I am dominating? Maybe the Judge is such a hater because his daughter makes money by working to Get Trump and when he rules against me over and over again, he is making her company, and her, richer and richer, Trump continued. How can this be allowed? Trumps three-part Truth Social post was his first reaction to the gag order. His focus on Merchans daughter and her ties to Democratic politics echoed his lawyers arguments last year when they urged the judge to exit the case. The judge had also made several small donations totaling $35 to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Biden. Merchan said then that a state court ethics panel found that Loren Merchans work had no bearing on his impartiality. The judge said in a ruling last September that he was certain of his ability to be fair and impartial and that Trumps lawyers had failed to demonstrate that there exists concrete, or even realistic reasons for recusal to be appropriate, much less required on these grounds. The Judge has to recuse himself immediately, and right the wrong committed by not doing so last year, Trump wrote Wednesday. If the Biased and Conflicted Judge is allowed to stay on this Sham Case, it will be another sad example of our Country becoming a Banana Republic, not the America we used to know and love. In a recent interview, Merchan told The Associated Press that he and his staff were working diligently to prepare for the historic first trial of a former president. Theres no agenda here, Merchan said. We want to follow the law. We want justice to be done. Trumps hush-money case, set to be the first of his four criminal cases to go to trial, centers on allegations that he falsely logged payments to Cohen as legal fees in his companys books when they were for Cohens work during the 2016 campaign covering up negative stories about Trump. That included $130,000 Cohen paid to a woman on Trumps behalf so she wouldnt publicize her claim of an encounter with him years earlier. Trump pleaded not guilty last April to 34 counts of falsifying business records, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, though there is no guarantee that a conviction would result in jail time. He denies having any relationship with the woman in question, and his lawyers have said that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses, not part of any coverup. In issuing the gag order, Merchan cited Trumps history of threatening, inflammatory, denigrating remarks about people involved in his legal cases. A violation could result in Trump being held in contempt of court, fined or even jailed. Though not covered by the restrictions, Merchan referenced Trumps various comments about him as an example of his rhetoric. The gag order mirrors one imposed and largely upheld by a federal appeals court panel in Trumps Washington, D.C., election interference criminal case. Trumps lawyers fought a gag order, warning it would amount to unconstitutional and unlawful prior restraint on his free speech rights. Merchan had long resisted imposing one, recognizing Trumps special status as a former president and current candidate and not wanting to trample his ability to defend himself publicly. But, he said, as the trial nears, he found that his obligation to ensuring the integrity of the case outweighs First Amendment concerns. He said Trumps statements have induced fear and necessitated added security measures to protect his targets and investigate threats. (AP) The U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on online media site Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayash for allegedly supporting Hamas. U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control says that after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel the online entity began a fundraising effort in support of the militant organization. Gaza Nows Arabic channel has more than 300,000 followers on social media channel X, formerly known as Twitter, and a large following on the encrypted chat platform Telegram. Included in the sanctions are firms Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Ltd., and their director Aozma Sultana, who are alleged to have partnered on multiple fundraising efforts alongside Gaza Now. The sanctions were imposed in collaboration with the U.K.s Office of Foreign Sanctions Implementation. Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said in a statement that the U.S. and its partners will continue to leverage our tools to disrupt Hamas ability to facilitate further attacks. A representative for Gaza Now and Ayash were not immediately available. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent those designated from doing business with Americans. (AP) Three members of the infamous Lev Tahor cult Yoel Weingarten, Yakov Weingarten, and Shmiel Weingarten have been found guilty of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, and then spiriting the girl outside the United States to continue an illegal and forced marriage with her adult husband. The kidnapping occurred on a Shabbos in December 2018, when Lev Tahor cultists kidnapped two children from the Teller family, who had escaped the clutches of the cult and traveled to the United States just a month earlier, and were spending Shabbos in Woodridge, NY. Their mother, Mrs. Sara Feiga Teller, is a sister of current (now jailed) Lev Tahor leader, Nachman Helbrans. She is married to Aron Aryeh Teller, rosh yeshivah of Lev Tahor. Yaakov and Shmiel Weingarten were extradited to the United States in 2022 to face charges over the kidnapping. The defendants conduct which included forced child marriages, physical beatings, and family separations is unthinkable and has caused irreparable harm to children in their formative years, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who prosecuted the case. Whether in the name of religion or any other belief system, subjecting children to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse will never be tolerated by this Office. With Wednesdays verdict, all nine Lev Tahor leaders and operatives charged for these heinous crimes have been held to account, and will spend decades in prison for their evil acts. The three Weingartens join the monsters who ran the lev Tahor cult, Nachman Helbrans and Mayer Rosner, who were sentenced in 2022 to twelve years in prison. Editors Note: YWN has been at the forefront of fighting the Lev Tahor cult for more than 15 years, with dozens of articles published over the years. YWN has spoken to many victims of the Lev Tahor cult who managed to escape. To say they were terribly abused sexually, suffering constant violent beatings, forced starvation and other horrific abuse, understates the atrocities they endured. The world is a safer place now that these monsters are behind bars. Our hope is that the rest of the leadership in charge of this cult are arrested and thrown behind bars. YWN has received many, many emails and phone calls from desperate parents and siblings of cult members who were unfortunately sucked into this nightmare and have lost contact with their loved ones. Most importantly, all possible efforts should be made to save children who are being dragged around the world now as this cult is on the run. Rescuing these children is literally Pikuach Nefashos. Lev Tahor was founded and led by Shlomo Helbrans, from the 1980s until his drowning death in Mexico in 2017. Since then, the leadership has moved into the hands of his son Nachman Helbrans, along with Mayer Rosner, and Yankel and Yoel Weingarten who are even more radical and aggressive than the late founder. Thankfully, they are all on prison. In 2014, YWN ran an article titled Cults and the War of the Jewish Magazines in response to Mishpacha and Ami magazines running articles on Lev Tahor. Mishpacha Magazine had run a fifteen page expose on the group, essentially describing Lev Tahor as a cult that has some serious issues involving medicating children, and behaviors that resemble child abuse. Rabbi Yitzchok Frankfurter of Ami Magazine claimed the exact opposite and ran the following sentence below their headline, The unjust persecution of a group of pious Jews, and the unsettling silence of the Jewish community. We hope and pray that these convictions settle the debate once and for all, demonstrating beyond a shadow of doubt that Lev Tahor and its leaders is a demonic and evil cult. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Midtown Manhattan braces for gridlock on Thursday as President Biden, along with former Presidents Obama and Clinton, descends upon the city for a fundraiser. President Biden is scheduled to touch down at JFK Airport around 12:30 p.m., making his way to New York City for the fundraising event. Joining him will be former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, marking a convergence of over three decades of Democratic leadership. As the presidential entourage arrives in Manhattan by 1 p.m., authorities will tighten security measures, leading to street closures and anticipated heavy traffic in the vicinity. The fundraiser, slated to commence at 8 p.m. at Radio City Music Hall, is already preparing for potential disruptions, with guardrails installed in anticipation of pro-Palestinian protests expected to kick off at 5 p.m. In a separate event, former President Trump is also scheduled to visit Manhattan on Thursday. Additionally, he will pay his respects at the wake for fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa Park. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Former President Donald Trump attended the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller Thursday afternoon at a Massapequa Park funeral home, while calling for law and order. Such a sad, sad event. Such a horrible thing. And its happening all too often and were just not going to let it happen, Trump said. We need law and order. I just visited with a very beautiful wife that now doesnt have her husband Diller was fatally shot on Monday during a traffic stop in Queens after a man with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach as Diller was trying to get the suspect, Guy Rivera, 34, to exit the vehicle. Rivera opened fire on Diller and his partner at about 5:45 p.m. Monday. The officers approached the vehicle because it was illegally parked at a bus stop. Diller was 31 years old and lived in Massapequa Park with his wife and nearly 1-year-old son, YWN previously reported. He had served three years with the NYPD before his death. Meanwhile, as NYC mourns the slain officer, President Biden, along with former presidents Obama and Clinton were partying it away in Manhattan, attending a fundraiser for Biden, which has raised $25 million. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a post on X, noted Trumps visit and said, Meanwhile, the Three Stooges Biden, Obama, and Clinton will be at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the president has spoken with New York Citys mayor, but she said she didnt have any private communications to share when asked if Biden had spoken to the family of the officer who was killed. Jean-Pierre said the administrations hearts go out to the officers family. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Khaled Mashal, the former political leader of Hamas, said on Wednesday that Hamas wont release the Israeli hostages until it achieves all the wars goals. In a speech in Jordan, Mashal said that the leadership of the terror organization is conducting a battle of negotiations that is no less fierce than the battle on the ground. We will win on the ground and in the negotiations battle. In the talks, we are insisting on stopping the [IDFs] assaults, withdrawing from Gaza, returning displaced [Gazans] to their homes, mainly in northern Gaza, and providing all the necessary aid. Mashal encouraged his fellow Muslims to join in the battle and let their blood mix with the blood of Palestinians. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Armenia refuses to recognize any "Karabakh government in exile", Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, Trend reports. He noted that some circles displaced from Azerbaijan's Karabakh are taking actions posing a threat to the national security of Armenia, stating about governments in exile, and so on. "Such statements are a threat to national security," the prime minister pointed out. Pashinyan further stated that his administration is the only one that can exist on Armenian land. I want to make it very clear that there is a government in Armenia, and that government is sitting in this place, he added. Earlier, the ex-leader of the Karabakh separatists, Samvel Shahramanyan, said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro that there is a Karabakh government in exile in Yerevan. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with US Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) at the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem on Wednesday. The two discussed, among other things, the Biden administrations failure to veto the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza without conditioning it on the release of Israeli hostages. The worst part of the UN security resolution was that it encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and believe that international pressure will prevent Israel from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas, Netanyahu said. My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that resolution was a message to Hamas: Dont bet on this pressure, its not going to work. I hope they got the message. After the resolution passed at the UN, Scott responded by stating: I will fight every dime to the UN. Biden and the UN might be too weak to stand up to Iran/Hamas, but I will never be afraid to stand with our greatest ally, Israel. The UN has a long record of siding with dictators and terrorists and our dollars should not fund its nonsense. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who is also visiting Israel, spoke to reporters on Wednesday and slammed claims that Israel is starving Gazans as a weapon of war as a blood libel 2024 explaining that Israel is going to great lengths to provide aid to Gaza. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei praised Hamas politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh for rallying international support for the Palestinian cause, saying that Hamass propaganda has outshone Israels efforts to garner global backing. Despite the enemys wishes, it has turned Palestine into the worlds first issue, Khamenei said, urging further efforts to build support for the terror group. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi echoed the sentiment, saying that the people of the world hate the criminal Zionist regime and love the oppressed people of Gaza. Today, with the fierce resistance and standing of the oppressed and powerful people of Gaza, the issue of Palestine has gone beyond the Islamic world and has become the issue of the world of humanity, Raisi said. Raisi also accused Arab countries that normalized relations with Israel of being left with egg on their face and called Israels war against Hamas the largest genocide in world history. Hamas has been accused by Israel and others of hiding behind Gazan civilians and pursuing a strategy that seeks to increase their suffering amid Israels military campaign, triggered by the terror groups brutal onslaught on southern Israel, massacre of some 1,200 people, and kidnapping of 253 others, in order to turn Israel into a pariah on the world stage. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni broke his silence on Thursday about the current crisis surrounding the Chareidi draft law. Were in a difficult era, Gafni said at a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinuch Atzmai school in Tiveria. We daven to Hakadosh Baruch Hu that it end well. I daven with all of Am Yisrael that the hostages return home safe and sound. As someone who speaks with the families, the situation is unfathomable this is one of the hardest eras for Am Yisrael. We always knew how to emerge from darkness to light and this was in the zechus of lomdi Torah through all the eras. Even during the Holocaust they sat in Poland, Hungary and other places they sat in the bunker and learned Torah. Were after 2,000 of galus. We returned Am Yisrael returned to be the Jewish nation, returned to its land.its in the zechus of lomdei Torah who continue the mesorah of Am Yisrael. I bless the soldiers who risk their lives in Gaza and here at the northern border facing Hezbollah. I daven together with all of Am Yisrael that they return safe and sound. But without lomdei Torah, we have no future and therefore we have to preserve them with all our strength. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) During a flight from Israel to Poland on Thursday morning, a young man in his 20s started feeling unwell. Luckily, the United Hatzalah delegation heading to Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensks yahrtzeit to provide medical standby happened to be on the flight. A paramedic and several EMTs treated the patient and stabilized him, preventing the need for an emergency landing. During the flight, one of the passengers felt unwell and lost consciousness for a short amount of time, said United Hatzalah paramedic Gal Mazor. We provided initial treatment and stabilized his condition. Over the next few days, United Hatzalah volunteers from Israel and Ukraine will be providing medical standby services to the tens of thousands of visitors taking part in the celebrations of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensks yahrtzeit. A medical clinic was set up at the site in partnership with the Hachnassas Orchim Lizhensk organization and will be fully operational until the end of the celebrations. Lavi was an active, healthy eight-year-old boy until when he began suffering severe stomach pains and vomiting. He urgently needs a life-saving abdominal surgery due to a rare intestinal condition, scheduled for this May at the Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia. He is traveling from Israel to the US for this treatment. His insurance does not cover the surgery and associated treatments. The total cost, including surgery, treatments, flights, and a stay in the US, exceeds $400,000! CLICK HERE TO DONATE! The thought of Lavi suffering, unable to play, laugh, or grow as a child, is unbearable for his parents and family. In a heartfelt plea, Rebbitzin Kolodetsky, daughter of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Z l, urges Klal Yisrael to donate to this cause. Her blessings include long life, prosperity, peace of mind, and successful matches, as she blesses all donors that Hashem will answer their hearts desires. She is deeply distressed and appeals to everyone to donate to save Lavis life as a matter of utmost urgency. Every donation brings us closer to saving Lavis life and giving him a chance to live a healthy and happy childhood. Please act now! CLICK HERE TO DONATE The clock is ticking for investors to use their annual Isa allowance before the tax year ends at midnight on 5 April. Each year, savers and investors get a 20,000 allowance that can be used to pay new money into an Isa, with the most popular types being a cash Isa or stocks and shares Isa. The opportunity for tax-friendly investing with capital gains tax and dividend tax-free returns on offer means that Britains investors love an Isa. Yet, while the Isa is a British investing success story, many choose not to put their money into UK stocks. Investment platform Trading 212 has revealed its ten most popular overseas stocks and shares Isa holdings. Find out below where investors are choosing to put their Isa cash on the platform and why they might be buying those stocks. Tesla pioneered electric cars, led by its famous boss Elon Musk, but the business also encompasses energy generation and storage 1. Tesla Elon Musks Tesla designs, develops, manufactures, sells and leases high-performance fully electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems, and offers services related to its products. Trading 212 says: Ever since its massive rally during the Covid-19 pandemic, Tesla has become a favourite of the retail trading community. Whether it is the premise of becoming the clean energy giant of the next century or its higher levels of volatility, the company is a favourite choice of both long-term investors and short-term traders. 2. Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF Vanguards S&P 500 tracking ETF employs a passive management or indexing investment approach, through physical acquisition of securities, and seeks to track the performance of the major US stock market index comprised of large-sized company stocks. Trading 212 says: The S&P 500 Index is widely regarded as the go-to benchmark for passive investing. With its diverse representation of the largest publicly-traded companies in the United States, the S&P 500 provides investors with a comprehensive snapshot of the broader market's performance. Its long-standing history and transparent methodology make it a trusted gauge of the US economy. With that, it is no surprise that retail investors opt for Vanguard's low-cost accumulating ETF. 3. NVIDIA US chipmaker NVIDIA Corporation is described as a full-stack computing infrastructure company. It built its business around advanced gaming graphics but is now best known for being at the forefront of engineering the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Trading 212 says: The AI revolution has been the newest craze ever since ChatGPT became available to the average person. The excitement regarding AI has fuelled a massive rally in many AI and chip companies, including NVIDIA whose stock price more than tripled in the last year. Its powerful GPUs have positioned it as a leader in AI development and the front runner of the AI craze. 4. Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Vanguards FTSE All-World index tracking ETF employs a passive management investment approach, through physical acquisition of securities, and seeks to track the performance of the global index of large and mid-sized company stocks in developed and emerging markets. Trading 212 says: As investors seek diversification and exposure to a broad spectrum of economies and industries, the FTSE All-World Index offers a comprehensive solution. With its expansive coverage and balanced composition, it serves as a trusted benchmark for passive investing, providing insights into the performance of the worldwide equity markets. It is likely for those reasons among others that retail investors opt for Vanguard's low cost accumulating ETF of the FTSE All-World Index. Apple's iconic brand has graced iPhones, iPads and Macs but the company also earns money from software, advertising and cloud services 5. Apple Apple is one of the worlds leading brands. It designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories. Its revenues also come from software, advertising cloud services, digital content, and payments. Trading 212 says: With its iconic products and global footprint, Apple continues to command attention in the investment landscape, attracting those seeking enduring value on top of a proven track record. It is by far the largest holding in Warren Buffett's portfolio and a symbol of US innovation and design. Trading 212: 5.2% on cash, 1% cash back and a free fractional share A message from the article sponsor: Trading 212s mission is to democratise the markets and provide free and innovative tools that help people build wealth every day. Trading 212 offers investors a stocks and shares Isa with no account holding fee and no charge to buy or sell stocks. The investment platform also offers customers a market-leading 5.2 per cent interest on uninvested cash. Trading 212s special 2024/25 Isa offer will give investors 1 per cent cash back on all their deposits for the tax year. This is Money readers who open a Trading 212 Isa can also benefit from a special deal where they will receive a free fractional share worth up to 100. > Trading 212: Open an Isa and get a free fractional share 6. Alphabet Alphabet is the holding company that Google became. It includes Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets. Google Services includes products and services such as ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Google Maps, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Google Cloud includes infrastructure and platform services, collaboration tools, and other services for enterprise customers. Other Bets is engaged in the sale of healthcare-related services and internet services. Trading 212 says: Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube has not merely shaped the digital realm but has redefined it. From pioneering search engines to revolutionising online advertising, it has had a considerable imprint on the fabric of the internet. Alphabet's diversified portfolio extends far beyond search engines and AI ventures and as the world hurtles towards innovation, some may view Alphabet as the bridge between the present and future. 7. iShares S&P 500 IT Sector UCITS ETF The iShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector ETF tracks the performance of an index composed of US Information Technology Sector companies. Trading 212 says: While the S&P 500 may well be the posterchild of passive investing, the tech sector has been its most exciting constituent. With its focus on one of the most pivotal sectors driving economic growth and societal transformation, the index serves as a barometer for investors with a higher risk appetite seeking targeted exposure to the technology sector. Microsoft has been one of the world's most famous technology companies for decades and is now riding the wave of AI innovation 8. Microsoft Microsoft is one of the worlds most famous technology companies, developing and supporting software, services, devices, and solutions. It has scored huge success in recent years with its cloud services, while personal and business computing continue to thrive. Trading 212 says: Microsoft is currently the biggest company in the world by market capitalisation. It's familiarity and diverse portfolio of productivity, communication, and information services has been the backbone of its success. On top of that, its strategic partnership with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has managed to position it as one of the biggest players in the emerging world of artificial intelligence tools. 9. Microstrategy MicroStrategy Incorporated is a bitcoin development company, through its activities in the financial markets, advocacy and technology. It designs, develops, markets and sells its software platform through licensing arrangements and cloud subscriptions and related services and provides artificial intelligence-powered business intelligence, and enterprise analytics solutions. Trading 212 says: As bitcoin reached a new all-time high in 2024, it ushered in a renewed era of optimism in the crypto realm. MicroStrategy's AI-powered business intelligence and analytics solutions, alongside its strategic investments, position it at the forefront of this wave. 10. Advanced Micro Devices Advanced Micro Devices, known as AMD, is a global semiconductor company. The Company is focused on high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies. Trading 212 says: As artificial intelligence swept the investment realm, some may say Advanced Micro Devices came late to the party. Nevertheless, over the past year, the company has paved its own path with AI chip alternatives to Nvidia's. Its shares have seen a remarkable run-up as retail investors share excitement over the chip makers opportunities in the AI and semiconductor space. Nanoco CEO Brian Tenner targets major growth after surviving shareholder showdown 'We're in the strongest position we've been in not just financially, but commercially in the 20 years since we formed,' says the chief executive of British tech pioneer Nanoco. Since joining the London-listed firm in August 2018, initially as chief operating officer, Brian Tenner has endured Nanoco's potentially fatal experience of the pandemic, a lengthy legal spat with Samsung and an attempted boardroom coup. But the pandemic is over, Nanoco has received $150million from a settlement with Samsung, the coup has been crushed and the group is now securing major commercial contracts for the first time. 'It'll just be nice to spend more time looking forward and focused on positive developments,' Tenner tells This is Money. Runcorn-headquartered Nanoco makes cadmium-free quantum dot (QD) technology. QDs are tiny particles, roughly 10 to 50 atoms in diameter about 1/1000th the width of a human hair that are capable of absorbing or emitting light of a specific predetermined wavelength. Nanotechnology is complex but it is an essential component of the modern world, used in the manufacture of high-tech consumer appliances like TVs and smart phones, as well as in medicine and industry. It is forecast that the QD and QD display market will be worth $13.1billion by 2030. Complex tech: Stored in bottles, the size of QDs determines the colour they emit The Samsung spat and attempted board coup Manchester University spin-out Nanoco alleged that Samsung had stolen its unique patented techniques to create the tiny specialist semiconductors. Nanoco claims Samsung, with whom it had previously collaborated, then used these QDs in its new range of high-tech QLED TVs. Samsung denies these claims. But the Samsung settlement with Nanoco, which fell well short of analyst estimates, opened the floodgates for a spat with shareholders led by Tariq Hamoodi. Hamoodi called for the ousting of Tenner, chief financial officer Liam Gray and, eventually, the whole board, on the basis they had 'misrepresented' the nature and scale of the payout. Shareholders eventually backed the board, allowing Nanoco to return up to 33million to investors from the Samsung settlement via a 30million tender offer and 3million buyback programme. The rest the firm is keeping with plans to invest. But Hamoodi, who specialises in special situations and litigation-related market opportunities, is still Nanoco's fourth biggest shareholder with a stake of just over 4 per cent. Tenner says: 'Ultimately, what [Mr Hamoodi] decides to do is what he decides to do - he's currently got legal action ongoing with one of our other shareholders [Lombard Odier] that doesn't involve us. 'Primarily, what [the distribution plan] allows us to do is enter a post-litigation world where the focus is on the retained settlement funds and what we're doing over the next two to three years. 'What we want to do now is focus on investment to give us more capabilities, to accelerate some of our developments, to improve our margins and basically make us a more robust part of the supply chain. 'In my time with the company, we have dealt with three or the four of the biggest companies in the world as customers. 'They'd actually joke with us that when we enter their building their finance guys need to go and have a lie down because they're so worried about our balance sheet. 'The retained [Samsung settlement] funds end any debate about our robustness as a supplier or even from a shareholder point of view.' Nanotechnology is complex but it is an essential component of the modern world, used in the manufacture of high-tech consumer appliances like TVs and smart phones Appeasing shareholders And, while the size of the settlement disappointed some investors, others were concerned Nanoco was not keeping enough of the payout for itself, according to Tenner. 'Some shareholders actually didn't want us to return anything,' he adds. 'Given we'd already made the commitment, we felt we couldn't go as far as that. 'There's a cautionary tale with small caps at the minute in the UK - it's very challenging to raise money, and if one of our programmes was delayed or something happened and we had to go back to the market for more money, having just returned a bunch of money, I don't think would be a good message. 'So we decided to err on the side of caution and that's why we went for the 33million.' Tenner, in addition to three other board colleagues, has opted not to participate in the tender off at all, instead seeing 'more value in the medium to long term, rather than cashing in'. Nanoco has an unusually high volume of retail shareholders, with Hargreaves Lansdown and Interactive Investors users accounting for its first and third biggest investors, respectively. Many of them bought shares speculatively as the prospect of a Samsung payout became imminent, but Tenner says longer-term institutional investors now feel more comfortable with the firm's offering. Nanoco has an unusually high volume of retail shareholders, while Tariq Hamoodi remains its fourth largest investor Cash neutral by next year? Nanoco more than doubled reported revenue year-on-year to 4million in the six months to the end of January, driven by recurring intellectual property licence revenue, as it swung to a reported operating profit of 2.4million from a loss of 2.1million the prior year. Tenner told shareholders that 'having spent five years fighting for financial survival' Nanoco was now able to 'cautious but important strategic investments' in new capabilities and its 'resilience as a supply chain partner'. Initiating its coverage of the firm earlier in March, brokerage Cavendish said it believes Nanoco 'is capable of delivering 30million to 40million of revenue in the medium-term and an EBITDA margin of 35 to 45 per cent'. It gave the group a target price of 60.2p almost 190 per cent ahead of its closing price of 20.9p on Wednesday. This forecast largely reflects recently revealed development partnerships with STMicro a leading supplier of sensors to the smart phone market and an 'important Asian chemical customer'. Nanoco also last hit the critical milestone of its first ever commercial production order with the shipment of two first-generation materials for use in infra-red sensing applications in electronic devices. Tenner says this could be transformational. 'We shipped enough material that we estimate there's enough for three, four or five million devices in the next 12 months or so. 'We believe that once a device is launched in the market with this technology - whoever launches - it will be bragging about it and trumpeting it.' The company has targeted 2025 as the year it finally turns cash neutral a goal Tenner accepts sounds unambitious. He says: 'But if you look around the landscape of quantum dot companies, everyone went bust or got bought out. 'We're not last man standing but getting to cash breakeven sometime in 2025, for a QD company, would probably be a world first.' Nanoco says its integrated R&D and manufacturing site is one of very few facilities in the world capable of producing cadmium-free QDs at volume and to specification. The mobile phone holy grail But the holy grail for Nanoco will be getting its technology in a mobile phone, which would potentially see it ramp-up production from a few million units to hundreds of millions of units. 'We'd be extremely profitable,' says Tenner. 'By 2026 or so we'll see this technology go into a mobile phone.' It is here, according to the boss, Nanoco stands apart from competition. Its UK-based integrated R&D and manufacturing site is one of very few facilities in the world capable of producing cadmium-free QDs at volume and to specification. Tenner says: 'We've already got the factory for sending material that can make 500million-plus sensors. 'We don't know any QD company on the sensor side that's got both development IP and production capability. 'On the display side, we know a couple who've got reasonable production facilities one is actually bigger than us, but they don't have the protection of IP and they don't do much research and development either. 'We're in a good place and a strong position to move forward.' EnQuest has recorded another hefty annual loss thanks to the UK Government's windfall tax on North Sea operators. The London-based petroleum group reported a $30.8million loss in 2023, a drop on the $41.2million loss recorded the prior year, as it paid a $77.2million charge from the Energy Profits Levy. Before tax, the company achieved a $231.8million profit last year, a $28.6million rise on 2022, even though its revenues tumbled by about a fifth to $1.49billion because of lower oil and gas prices. Result: North Sea oil and gas producer EnQuest reported a $30.8million loss in 2023 Like other British oil and gas firms, EnQuest's bottom line and investment plans have been heavily impacted by the EPL, a 35 per cent tax on North Sea profits paid on top of a 40 per cent headline rate. Then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak introduced the EPL in May 2022 after oil and gas prices soared in the wake of loosening Covid-related restrictions and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the levy has generated significant sums, the UK's offshore energy industry blames it for discouraging investment in the North Sea. Oil and gas output in the North Sea totalled approximately 1.26 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2023, its lowest level since the mid-1970s, according to the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). Average energy prices have also declined considerably over the past year amid a subdued economic outlook, mild winter conditions and increasing production in the United States. EnQuest has partly reacted to the windfall tax by accelerating its debt repayments, fully paying off the outstanding $140million on a reserve-based lending facility in February. Consequently, its total net debts have plunged by around $1.5billion from their peak to $409.6million as of last month. 'Since we set our strategic priorities of 'deliver, de-lever and grow' at the end of 2018, we have made significant progress,' noted its chief executive Amjad Bseisu. He added that EnQuest was 'consistently delivering against production, operational and cost targets, which in turn has enabled us to generate material free cash flows, even during periods of reduced commodity prices'. Following the strong performance, the business is planning its first-ever investor capital return in the form of a $15million share buyback programme. For the upcoming year, the group forecasts production will average between 41,000 and 45,000 boepd and operating expenditures of about $415million. EnQuest shares were 5 per cent higher at 14.7p on late Thursday morning, although they have still more than halved since May 2022. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research report sent to investors on Monday. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of THM stock opened at $0.63 on Monday. International Tower Hill Mines has a 12-month low of $0.31 and a 12-month high of $0.76. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $0.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $124.81 million, a PE ratio of -31.25 and a beta of 1.10. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: Insider Transactions at International Tower Hill Mines In other news, major shareholder Paulson & Co. Inc. acquired 2,268,256 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 18th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $0.66 per share, for a total transaction of $1,497,048.96. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 64,198,980 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,371,326.80. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.68% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of THM. Virtu Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 314.9% in the 4th quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 46,910 shares during the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 54.5% in the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 51,018 shares of the mining companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 18,000 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 161,859 shares of the mining companys stock worth $69,000 after buying an additional 32,559 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 202,713 shares of the mining companys stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 27,713 shares during the last quarter. 54.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Read More Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TELUS (TSE:T Free Report) (NYSE:TU) had its price objective reduced by National Bankshares from C$27.00 to C$26.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on TELUS from C$25.00 to C$24.00 in a report on Monday, February 12th. Scotiabank upped their target price on TELUS from C$27.00 to C$28.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on TELUS from C$29.00 to C$30.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. CIBC upped their target price on TELUS from C$26.00 to C$28.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, Desjardins boosted their price objective on TELUS from C$27.00 to C$28.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, TELUS currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$27.36. Get TELUS alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on TELUS TELUS Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of TSE T opened at C$21.59 on Monday. TELUS has a 1 year low of C$21.16 and a 1 year high of C$28.95. The firm has a market cap of C$31.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.88, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 159.88, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.67. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$23.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$23.52. TELUS (TSE:T Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 9th. The company reported C$0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.23 by C$0.01. The firm had revenue of C$5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$5.24 billion. TELUS had a return on equity of 4.96% and a net margin of 4.20%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that TELUS will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TELUS Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be given a $0.376 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.97%. TELUSs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 263.16%. TELUS Company Profile (Get Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Italy's Eurasiaticanews news portal has published an article aboutthe XI Global Baku Forum held in the capital of Azerbaijan with the participation of former and current leaders, ministers and Nobel laureates, Trend reports. The article reads: This years forum, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, discussed the solution to the current problems facing our modern world. Since its establishment with the support of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Global Baku Forum has been based on the legacy of effective discussions and constructive dialogue. With a track record of attracting high-level guests from around the world, including Heads of State and Government, ministers, former and current Presidents, and senior officials of International Organizations, the forum serves as a bridge for collaboration and innovation to address current global challenges. 2 current Presidents, 2 Prime Ministers, heads of 7 UN specialized Organizations, 25 former presidents, 7 Presidents of the UN General Assembly, 15 Prime Ministers and 26 deputy Foreign Ministers from 67 countries actively participated at the XI Global Baku Forum. This years forum focused on a wide range of issues, including geopolitics, sustainable development, COP29, technology and cultural diplomacy, under the theme of Rebuilding a Fractured World. As in previous years, the 11th Global Baku Forum host eminent persons from various fields and perspectives to further enrich the international dialogue and strengthen intercultural understanding. The purpose of the Forum is to contribute to the collective effort to Restore a Fractured World by stimulating purposeful action with the collective experience and insights of guests. Taseko Mines (LON:TKO Free Report) had its target price increased by Canaccord Genuity Group from GBX 220 ($2.78) to GBX 235 ($2.97) in a research report released on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Taseko Mines Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of LON:TKO opened at GBX 161.50 ($2.04) on Monday. Taseko Mines has a 12 month low of GBX 81 ($1.02) and a 12 month high of GBX 170 ($2.15). The company has a market cap of 468.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8,075.00 and a beta of 2.09. The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 122.13 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 109.18. Get Taseko Mines alerts: Taseko Mines Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The company's principal asset comprises 87.5% interest owned the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds interest in the Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona. Receive News & Ratings for Taseko Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taseko Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Telsey Advisory Group from $320.00 to $340.00 in a research report released on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the specialty retailers stock. Telsey Advisory Group also issued estimates for Williams-Sonomas Q1 2026 earnings at $2.93 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $3.39 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $3.93 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $5.75 EPS. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $250.00 to $298.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, March 21st. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $220.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 15th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $261.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $240.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, March 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $200.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $249.31. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma Price Performance Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $314.18 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $20.14 billion, a PE ratio of 21.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $237.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $195.61. Williams-Sonoma has a 12 month low of $109.44 and a 12 month high of $317.65. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 13th. The specialty retailer reported $5.44 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.06 by $0.38. Williams-Sonoma had a net margin of 12.25% and a return on equity of 55.15%. The firm had revenue of $2.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.50 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Williams-Sonoma will post 15.3 earnings per share for the current year. Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 19th will be given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 18th. This is a boost from Williams-Sonomas previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.44%. Williams-Sonomas payout ratio is 24.71%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Williams-Sonoma news, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 1,145 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.06, for a total value of $330,973.70. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,966 shares in the company, valued at $2,013,591.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Williams-Sonoma news, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 1,145 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.06, for a total transaction of $330,973.70. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 6,966 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,013,591.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.92, for a total value of $4,038,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 525,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $106,110,777.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 41,145 shares of company stock worth $10,044,174. 1.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Williams-Sonoma Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,269,096 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $283,955,000 after acquiring an additional 15,078 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,456,161 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $226,287,000 after acquiring an additional 18,004 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,408,911 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $204,292,000 after acquiring an additional 273,424 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,142,272 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $142,944,000 after acquiring an additional 35,315 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 970,737 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $195,882,000 after acquiring an additional 23,918 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.29% of the companys stock. About Williams-Sonoma (Get Free Report) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Reduce from the five brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $48.00. UL has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Unilever from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price target for the company from $52.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of Unilever from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Unilever from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Unilever from a buy rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Get Unilever alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Unilever Institutional Inflows and Outflows Unilever Stock Up 1.0 % Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in Unilever by 51.1% in the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 672,859 shares of the companys stock worth $33,239,000 after purchasing an additional 227,681 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in Unilever by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 47,772 shares of the companys stock worth $2,360,000 after purchasing an additional 1,589 shares during the period. St. James Investment Company LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter. St. James Investment Company LLC now owns 733,123 shares of the companys stock worth $36,216,000 after purchasing an additional 74,539 shares during the period. ProVise Management Group LLC boosted its stake in Unilever by 12.3% in the 3rd quarter. ProVise Management Group LLC now owns 131,494 shares of the companys stock worth $6,496,000 after purchasing an additional 14,404 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in Unilever by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 394,801 shares of the companys stock worth $19,505,000 after purchasing an additional 6,341 shares during the period. 9.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. NYSE UL opened at $50.13 on Friday. Unilever has a 52 week low of $46.16 and a 52 week high of $55.99. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $49.32 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.74. Unilever Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a $0.4582 dividend. This represents a $1.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. Unilever Company Profile (Get Free Report Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company. It operates through Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream segments. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment engages in the sale of hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and styling; skin care products including face, hand, and body moisturizer; and prestige beauty and health & wellbeing products, which includes the vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Unilever Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unilever and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating restated by analysts at Morgan Stanley in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $78.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanleys target price would indicate a potential upside of 11.99% from the stocks current price. A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Vistra from $42.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Vistra from $52.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $61.75. Get Vistra alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on VST Vistra Stock Up 2.0 % Shares of NYSE VST traded up $1.35 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $69.65. 3,826,357 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,136,572. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.26, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $41.00. The stock has a market cap of $24.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.45, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.03. Vistra has a 1-year low of $22.67 and a 1-year high of $73.05. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.48) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($1.02). The company had revenue of $3.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.48 billion. Vistra had a net margin of 10.10% and a return on equity of 20.05%. On average, analysts expect that Vistra will post 4.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra In other news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 98,020 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 161,888 shares in the company, valued at $9,470,448. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 72,748 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 $11,536,508.63. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 98,020 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.50, for a total transaction of $5,734,170.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 161,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,470,448. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 257,285 shares of company stock worth $15,404,397. 1.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 64.4% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 840 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 329 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 17,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $662,000 after buying an additional 384 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Vistra by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 19,446 shares of the companys stock worth $510,000 after buying an additional 396 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc increased its stake in Vistra by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 25,535 shares of the companys stock worth $670,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Vistra by 3.8% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,090 shares of the companys stock valued at $368,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Vistra Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coursera, Inc. (NYSE:COUR Get Free Report) CRO Leah F. Belsky sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.46, for a total value of $144,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now directly owns 903,282 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,061,457.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Coursera Stock Up 1.2 % COUR stock opened at $14.07 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.53 and a two-hundred day moving average of $18.15. The stock has a market cap of $2.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.27 and a beta of 1.52. Coursera, Inc. has a 52-week low of $9.91 and a 52-week high of $21.26. Get Coursera alerts: Coursera (NYSE:COUR Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.17) by $0.05. Coursera had a negative return on equity of 18.15% and a negative net margin of 18.33%. The company had revenue of $168.88 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $163.64 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Coursera, Inc. will post -0.47 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on COUR shares. Telsey Advisory Group raised their target price on Coursera from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Coursera from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their target price for the company from $18.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on Coursera from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. KeyCorp raised their target price on Coursera from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $25.00 target price on shares of Coursera in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $22.10. View Our Latest Research Report on Coursera Institutional Investors Weigh In On Coursera Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in Coursera in the second quarter valued at $31,000. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in Coursera by 187.5% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,366 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 1,543 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new stake in Coursera during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. KBC Group NV purchased a new stake in Coursera during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new stake in Coursera during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. 89.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Coursera (Get Free Report) Coursera, Inc operates an online educational content platform in the United States, Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Consumer, Enterprise, and Degrees. The company offers guided projects, courses, and specializations, as well as online degrees; and certificates for entry-level professional, non-entry level professional, university, and MasterTrack. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Coursera Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coursera and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) insider Jonathan M. Craig sold 4,977 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.01, for a total value of $348,439.77. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 81,446 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,702,034.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Charles Schwab Stock Up 2.0 % NYSE SCHW opened at $72.41 on Thursday. The Charles Schwab Co. has a one year low of $45.65 and a one year high of $72.94. The company has a market cap of $128.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $65.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $61.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $4.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.49 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.07 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.37%. Several equities research analysts have commented on SCHW shares. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a sell rating and a $52.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group increased their target price on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Raymond James decreased their target price on Charles Schwab from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 18th. TD Cowen upgraded Charles Schwab from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $87.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $71.00 target price (up previously from $70.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.12. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Charles Schwab Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles Schwab A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Signet Financial Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 49,378 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,111,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Courier Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Courier Capital LLC now owns 45,539 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,133,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares during the period. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV now owns 32,642 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,718,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the period. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 440 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Finally, Sculati Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Sculati Wealth Management LLC now owns 42,971 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,956,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Charles Schwab (Get Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 0.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,264 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the quarter. Parisi Gray Wealth Managements holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $1,641,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,507 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $395,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. City Holding Co. boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 8,057 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,066 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 4,796 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,104,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 992 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. 79.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently commented on ITW shares. Bank of America downgraded Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $260.00 to $235.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Truist Financial began coverage on Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, March 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $301.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Barclays increased their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their price target for the company from $277.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $245.50. Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance ITW stock traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $268.02. 46,245 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,279,693. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.54, a P/E/G ratio of 4.56 and a beta of 1.13. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12 month low of $217.06 and a 12 month high of $271.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $259.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $247.89. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 96.60% and a net margin of 18.36%. Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.34 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be given a $1.40 dividend. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is presently 57.49%. Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works In other Illinois Tool Works news, CFO Michael M. Larsen sold 37,167 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.06, for a total value of $9,851,485.02. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,404 shares in the company, valued at $12,299,844.24. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total transaction of $1,493,401.83. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at $2,273,292.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Michael M. Larsen sold 37,167 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $265.06, for a total value of $9,851,485.02. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 46,404 shares in the company, valued at $12,299,844.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 189,471 shares of company stock worth $48,712,316 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. About Illinois Tool Works (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 2,126 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $200,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, VitalStone Financial LLC increased its stake in Philip Morris International by 950.0% in the second quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 420 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 380 shares during the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $87.50 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. UBS Group downgraded Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a sell rating and reduced their target price for the company from $105.00 to $86.50 in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Argus reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six 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 $105.40. Philip Morris International Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PM traded down $0.16 on Thursday, hitting $92.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 376,703 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,349,210. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.23 and a 12 month high of $101.92. The company has a market capitalization of $142.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.61. The stocks 50-day moving average is $91.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.48. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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). Philip Morris International had a net margin of 8.53% and a negative return on equity of 116.29%. The firm had revenue of $9.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.39 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 21st will be paid a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 20th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 103.59%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Philip Morris International news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total value of $181,380.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 9,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $882,050.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, VP Reginaldo Dobrowolski sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.69, for a total transaction of $181,380.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 9,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $882,050.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Werner Barth sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.46, for a total value of $457,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,918 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,412,880.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 15,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,411,128. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. About Philip Morris International (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $6.71 and last traded at $6.65, with a volume of 55904 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $6.59. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Bank of America raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $3.95 to $6.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. TheStreet raised shares of Brookdale Senior Living from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Friday, December 29th. Get Brookdale Senior Living alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on BKD Brookdale Senior Living Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.40, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. The stocks 50 day moving average is $5.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $5.14. Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE:BKD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported ($0.40) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by ($0.21). The company had revenue of $754.48 million for the quarter. Brookdale Senior Living had a negative return on equity of 44.01% and a negative net margin of 6.27%. Analysts anticipate that Brookdale Senior Living Inc. will post -0.66 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookdale Senior Living Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Brookdale Senior Living by 25.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 30,796,560 shares of the companys stock worth $217,115,000 after purchasing an additional 6,299,168 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,961,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living by 339,360,800.0% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 3,393,609 shares of the companys stock worth $14,321,000 after acquiring an additional 3,393,608 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Brookdale Senior Living in the 4th quarter worth approximately $8,858,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Brookdale Senior Living by 157.1% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 4,200,275 shares of the companys stock worth $11,467,000 after acquiring an additional 2,566,441 shares during the period. Brookdale Senior Living Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brookdale Senior Living Inc owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Brookdale Senior Living Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookdale Senior Living and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $16.00 to $18.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the financial services providers stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target would indicate a potential upside of 14.58% from the companys current price. A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on KEY. Raymond James started coverage on shares of KeyCorp in a research note on Monday, January 8th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of KeyCorp from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of KeyCorp from $12.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of KeyCorp from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of KeyCorp from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $10.00 to $17.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, KeyCorp currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $15.00. Get KeyCorp alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on KeyCorp KeyCorp Price Performance Shares of KEY traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $15.71. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,423,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,866,855. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.64 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86. KeyCorp has a fifty-two week low of $8.53 and a fifty-two week high of $15.83. KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.53 billion. KeyCorp had a net margin of 8.61% and a return on equity of 10.63%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.38 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that KeyCorp will post 1.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at KeyCorp In related news, CAO Douglas M. Schosser sold 3,326 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $46,564.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 19,795 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $277,130. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Trina M. Evans sold 12,335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.23, for a total transaction of $175,527.05. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 81,622 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,161,481.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Douglas M. Schosser sold 3,326 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.00, for a total value of $46,564.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 19,795 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $277,130. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,442 shares of company stock valued at $303,914 over the last ninety days. 0.61% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in shares of KeyCorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $272,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new stake in shares of KeyCorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $6,277,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of KeyCorp by 104.4% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 407,448 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,867,000 after acquiring an additional 208,077 shares during the last quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA bought a new stake in shares of KeyCorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $157,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new position in KeyCorp in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 79.69% of the companys stock. About KeyCorp (Get Free Report) KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; commercial leasing, investment management, consumer finance; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for KeyCorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KeyCorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. President of the Republic of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports. "Your Excellency, On behalf of myself, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa, I hereby wish to express my profound congratulations on your re-appointment as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. South Africa remains strongly committed to the historical and political bond that exist between our two nations which has created a platform for engagement at various levels, including on bilateral matters, as well as on matters pertaining to regional, continental and global challenges. It is the desire of the Government of South Africa to build on the existing strong relations we have with Azerbaijan and our commitment and solidarity with the people and the government of Azerbaijan. Accordingly, the people of the Azerbaijan have affirmed their trust in your leadership. I look forward to working in partnership with you to further advance the promotion of South-South cooperation and the common ideals of growth, global equity, and social justice. Please, allow me, Your Excellency, to convey my best wishes for your personal good health, prosperity and success as you continue your tenure in the service of your country and look forward to our future cooperation. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," the letter reads. Professional Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB Free Report) by 1.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,825 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 113 shares during the quarter. Professional Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $1,174,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. First Manhattan Co. purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. CNB Bank purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, EPG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Get iShares National Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares National Muni Bond ETF Price Performance MUB traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $107.65. 918,979 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,554,898. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $107.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.99. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $100.78 and a 1-year high of $108.82. iShares National Muni Bond ETF Company Profile iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares National Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IDT Co. (NYSE:IDT Get Free Report) CAO Mitch Silberman sold 2,115 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.01, for a total value of $80,391.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. IDT Trading Up 1.4 % Shares of IDT stock traded up $0.53 on Thursday, hitting $38.40. 9,179 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 74,495. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $36.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.49. IDT Co. has a 12-month low of $21.64 and a 12-month high of $38.68. The company has a market cap of $974.98 million, a P/E ratio of 26.12 and a beta of 0.98. Get IDT alerts: IDT Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 19th were paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 18th. IDTs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 13.79%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Read Our Latest Report on IDT Institutional Trading of IDT Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of IDT in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in IDT by 81.1% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,204 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in IDT by 58.3% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,385 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the period. Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new stake in IDT during the second quarter worth $51,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in shares of IDT during the 3rd quarter worth about $75,000. 59.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for IDT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IDT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by equities researchers at Truist Financial from $276.00 to $259.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Truist Financials price target indicates a potential upside of 6.41% from the companys previous close. Several other research firms have also recently commented on ESS. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $225.00 to $223.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. StockNews.com cut shares of Essex Property Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Essex Property Trust from $237.00 to $239.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust from $224.00 to $225.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a sell rating and issued a $227.00 price objective on shares of Essex Property Trust in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $243.74. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ESS Essex Property Trust Stock Performance Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essex Property Trust NYSE:ESS traded up $1.99 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $243.40. 81,170 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 414,600. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.79. Essex Property Trust has a twelve month low of $201.66 and a twelve month high of $252.85. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $235.98 and a 200 day moving average of $228.25. The company has a current ratio of 3.26, a quick ratio of 3.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 632.8% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 15,001 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,719,000 after acquiring an additional 12,954 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC grew its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 5,063 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,074,000 after acquiring an additional 704 shares during the last quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Essex Property Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $3,304,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 27,246 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,779,000 after acquiring an additional 2,524 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Credit Suisse AG grew its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 19.1% during the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 144,900 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,950,000 after acquiring an additional 23,245 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.51% of the companys stock. About Essex Property Trust (Get Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northstar Advisory Group LLC trimmed its position in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 18,555 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 204 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil makes up about 1.1% of Northstar Advisory Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position. Northstar Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $1,855,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 1.2% in the second quarter. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,928 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $850,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Exxon Mobil by 4.2% in the third quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,346 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $276,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Money Concepts Capital Corp lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 3,119 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $367,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,051 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $476,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fluent Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Fluent Financial LLC now owns 3,610 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $424,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. 61.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Exxon Mobil alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently issued reports on XOM shares. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $119.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $133.00 to $132.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $115.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.18. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,400 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 30,189 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,169,845. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock. Exxon Mobil Stock Performance NYSE XOM opened at $115.59 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $458.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.94, a PEG ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of $104.98 and a 200-day moving average of $105.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1-year low of $95.77 and a 1-year high of $120.70. Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $2.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $84.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $90.03 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 10.45% and a return on equity of 18.51%. The companys revenue was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.40 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Exxon Mobil Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were issued a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is currently 42.74%. About Exxon Mobil (Free Report) Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Exxon Mobil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Exxon Mobil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OTCMKTS:OROVY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, a growth of 800.0% from the February 29th total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Orient Overseas (International) Price Performance OROVY stock remained flat at $59.94 on Thursday. The company had a trading volume of 222 shares, compared to its average volume of 857. Orient Overseas has a 52-week low of $58.65 and a 52-week high of $108.00. The company has a fifty day moving average of $73.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.21. Get Orient Overseas (International) alerts: Orient Overseas (International) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Orient Overseas (International) Limited, an investment holding company, provides container transport and logistics services in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. The company offers supply chain management services; and containerised shipping services in various trade lanes comprising Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asia/Europe, Asia/Australia, and Intra-Asia trades. Receive News & Ratings for Orient Overseas (International) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Orient Overseas (International) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:CRR.UN Get Free Report) received a C$16.00 target price from equities research analysts at Raymond James in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Raymond James price objective suggests a potential upside of 17.39% from the companys previous close. A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on CRR.UN. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust from C$16.75 to C$16.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. TD Securities lifted their price objective on Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust from C$15.00 to C$15.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. National Bankshares upped their price objective on shares of Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust from C$14.00 to C$15.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Desjardins lifted their target price on shares of Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust from C$15.00 to C$16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust from C$14.50 to C$15.00 in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$15.56. Get Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CRR.UN Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Performance Insiders Place Their Bets Shares of Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust stock traded down C$0.36 on Thursday, reaching C$13.63. 195,558 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 156,522. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 119.86, a current ratio of 0.15 and a quick ratio of 0.11. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.46 billion, a PE ratio of -41.24 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$13.84 and a 200 day moving average of C$13.40. Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust has a 52 week low of C$11.68 and a 52 week high of C$15.78. In other Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust news, Director Michael Harold Vels purchased 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$13.85 per share, with a total value of C$90,025.00. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. About Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust (Get Free Report) Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust ("Crombie") is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established under, and governed by, the laws of the Province of Ontario. Crombie is one of the country's leading national retail property landlords with a strategy to own, operate and develop a portfolio of high quality grocery and drug store anchored shopping centres, freestanding stores and mixed use developments primarily in Canada's top urban and suburban markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co lessened its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 3.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 9,120 shares of the companys stock after selling 346 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in Altria Group were worth $368,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 108,222.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock valued at $849,763,000 after acquiring an additional 18,573,146 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 84.1% in the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 5,426,522 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,823,000 after acquiring an additional 2,478,576 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 36,302,349 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,896,798,000 after acquiring an additional 2,178,596 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 54.1% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,710,670 shares of the companys stock valued at $198,084,000 after acquiring an additional 1,653,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 17,105,285 shares of the companys stock valued at $781,883,000 after acquiring an additional 1,531,337 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group reaffirmed a sell rating and issued a $36.10 price target on shares of Altria Group in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reissued a buy rating and issued a $50.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.82. Altria Group Stock Up 0.2 % Altria Group stock traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $43.74. The stock had a trading volume of 4,355,119 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,716,633. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.06 and a 52-week high of $48.04. The firm has a market cap of $77.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a fifty day moving average of $41.34 and a 200 day moving average of $41.53. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 33.21% and a negative return on equity of 244.55%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.08 EPS for the current year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.96%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.78%. Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co grew its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM Free Report) by 376.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,991 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 5,525 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $281,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. White Pine Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. White Pine Capital LLC now owns 6,045 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $229,000 after buying an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Omega Financial Group LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Omega Financial Group LLC now owns 5,962 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 19,832 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $797,000 after purchasing an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC now owns 18,988 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $721,000 after purchasing an additional 316 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Del Sette Capital Management LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Del Sette Capital Management LLC now owns 102,813 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,902,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.39% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 0.4 % NYSEARCA EEM traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $41.09. The stock had a trading volume of 11,345,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 28,894,176. The firms 50 day moving average is $39.87 and its 200 day moving average is $39.12. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a twelve month low of $36.38 and a twelve month high of $42.00. About iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (NYSEARCA:CGW Free Report) by 8.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,433 shares of the companys stock after selling 503 shares during the quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc.s holdings in Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF were worth $288,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CGW. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF by 10.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 25,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,361,000 after purchasing an additional 2,389 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF by 10.3% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 6,403 shares of the companys stock worth $336,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF in the first quarter worth $285,000. Blair William & Co. IL increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF by 12.6% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 2,316 shares of the companys stock worth $121,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF by 21.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 13,765 shares of the companys stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 2,387 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF alerts: Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF Stock Down 0.1 % CGW stock traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $55.54. 24,367 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,510. Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF has a 52 week low of $44.37 and a 52 week high of $55.97. The business has a 50-day moving average of $53.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.68 and a beta of 0.94. Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF Company Profile Guggenheim S&P Global Water Index ETF (the Fund), formerly Claymore S&P Global Water Index ETF seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance of an equity index called the S&P Global Water NR Index. The S&P Global Water NR Index consists of approximately 50 equity securities selected based on investment and other criteria, from a universe of companies listed on global developed market exchanges. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CGW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (NYSEARCA:CGW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Good Life Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE:BBN Free Report) by 12.5% during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 60,472 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 8,664 shares during the quarter. Good Life Advisors LLCs holdings in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust were worth $983,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BBN. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 59.2% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 54,729 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,205,000 after acquiring an additional 20,360 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 13,697 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,930 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $285,000 after acquiring an additional 1,154 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,394,199 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $30,701,000 after acquiring an additional 74,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust in the first quarter valued at $397,000. Get BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust alerts: BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Trading Down 0.7 % NYSE BBN traded down $0.11 during trading on Thursday, reaching $16.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 379,661 shares, compared to its average volume of 223,412. BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has a twelve month low of $14.33 and a twelve month high of $18.36. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $16.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.96. BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Dividend Announcement About BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.093 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.83%. (Free Report) BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in taxable municipal securities, which include Build America Bonds. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE:BBN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. We are proud that Shusha is chosen as the youth capital of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) President Taha Ayhan during a Shusha OIC Youth Capital 2024 conference, Trend reports. He stressed the significance of Shusha's designation as the OIC's youth capital. "We will launch campaigns to highlight Azerbaijan's efforts to liberate Shusha from occupation, its efforts during the Second Karabakh War, and the subsequent rebuilding of the ravaged city. We are counting on each of you to help us in this attempt," Ayhan said. Chosen as the 10th "Youth Capital" of the OIC, Shusha is slated to host over 12 significant offline and online events. These events will encompass various aspects of youth development in Islamic world countries, spanning science, culture, sports, entrepreneurship, social engineering, education, and creative industries. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The names of another 73 persons who went missing during the first Karabakh war will be announced in the coming days, the Head of Azerbaijani State Security Service Colonel General Ali Naghiyev said in an article published in the local "Respublika" newspaper, Trend reports. Naghiyev noted that the State Security Service also coordinates the activities of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons. He emphasized that intensive work is underway to determine the fate of 3,890 Azerbaijani citizens registered with the state commission as missing persons following the first Karabakh war, identify the locations of mass graves in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, exhume them, and identify their remains. "As a result of the measures taken, the identification of 107 missing persons has been ensured, including the names of 34 persons disclosed to the public, including the late employee of Azerbaijani security agencies, National Hero Riad Ahmadov, who went missing in January 1992 during the Dashalty operation. The important tasks set before us by the head of state regarding such a delicate issue as searching for missing citizens will continue to be carried out promptly and in full," Naghiyev added. To note, the search for the remains of people who went missing during the first Karabakh war began after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the Armenian occupation [in the 2020 second Karabakh war]. Totally, Armenia transferred the remains of 120 people out of 3,890 missing persons [since the first Karabakh war] to Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Within the framework of her mandate, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan pays attention to the issues of ensuring the rights and freedoms of every citizen, regardless of nationality, religion, language, race, and other affiliation, living in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva met with residents of Armenian origin in the town of Khankendi and visited a shelter established by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection for vulnerable groups. "Aliyeva inquired about the state of ensuring the rights and freedoms of the residents of Armenian origin staying in the shelter, as well as those using services outside the shelter, and gave detailed information about the powers of the Ombudsman. In addition, the food supply and social services provided to the residents by psychologists and social workers were monitored. The appeals of the admitted persons were heeded, and they expressed their satisfaction with the attitude demonstrated and the conditions created. During the visit, the institution was presented with posters containing information about "916," a 24-hour call center of the Ombudsman," the Office of the Ombudsman informed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Annual General Meeting of the Tipperary Branch of Parkinsons will take place on Thursday, April 4, in The Order of Malta building, Thurles, at 1pm, followed by music at 2pm. Guest Speakers will be Mr Shane O'Brien, our new CEO, and Ms Una Anderson Ryan from the Mid West Branch and National Treasurer of PAI HQ. Please come along and support our Branch, and I send out a welcome to all newly diagnosed patients to attend and get to know the members in your area. It is very important to attend this meeting, and there are a few vacancies on the committee if you or a family member would like to get involved with our organisation. It is by coming to those meetings and expressing your feelings on the Organisation that the organisation can continue to expand and offer new services to our Branches and patients. It has become very evident recently that doctors need to be more educated about Parkinson's Disease and the services available to patients, ie. Nurse Specialists, Physiotherapists and Speech Therapy so come along and voice your concerns and be more proactive in our Association. Thurles Support Group meet on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm in the Order of Malta building, Clonmel Support Group meet on the first Tuesday of the month in Hotel Minella at 11am, and Nenagh Support Group meet every Monday at 2pm in the Pastoral Centre, Church Rd. Nenagh. Following the AGM at 2pm, we will have music, singing and a cup of tea for everyone. Shannon Airports bustling summer schedule for 2024 has officially launched, with the airport offering the dream gateway to sunshine breaks and city escapes across Europe, the UK and the USA. The nearest airport for many Tipperary people offers many trips to new destinations this summer time. A new daily service to New York-JFK with Delta will commence on the 24th May, providing a boost to the airports transatlantic service offering through the busy holiday period. This is in addition to the airports existing daily Boston and New York services with Aer Lingus and its Chicago and Newark services with United. To meet additional holiday travel demand, the airport will also have increased frequency on nine services this summer, providing an additional 130,000 seats to popular European and UK destinations such as Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Lanzarote and London. In recent weeks, services to holiday favourites, including Marseille, Malta, Mallorca and Reus have returned to the skies from Shannon for the summer holiday season, while a number of other popular routes, including Beziers, Girona, Naples and Porto, will resume from the Midwest airport in the coming weeks. Ryanairs popular Corfu service will also return to Shannon on the 4th June, just in time for the school holidays. For the first time since 2016, the airport will operate a Paris service through the peak summer holiday season, with Aer Lingus service to the international hub of Charles De Gaulle. Ryanairs Gran Canaria service will also operate through the summer season for the first time, providing passengers with even more sunshine destination options. Commenting on the launch of the summer schedule, Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, said: We are expecting a busy summer ahead with 150 weekly flights and 33 services including our new daily New York-JFK service with Delta. This year, we will also have increased frequency on nine of our services, providing an additional 130,000 extra seats to firm holiday favourites like Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Lanzarote. This reflects the growing popularity of Shannon Airport as a vital gateway for European, UK and transatlantic travel. We are experiencing an influx of customers from every corner of the country, which is testament to our commitment to providing a seamless experience from the moment passengers arrive in our car parks, to when they depart on one of our services. It truly has never been easier to fly Shannon, with our hi-tech security screening measures, US Preclearance facility, age-friendly measures and airport sensory room, customers can look forward to an easy and enjoyable experience as they prepare to jet off on those well-deserved breaks. The new summer schedule is being supported by a major advertising campaign which targets audiences throughout Ireland across billboards, press, YouTube, social media channels and cinema advertising. A refreshed shannonairport.ie website has also recently launched, with new features aimed at providing an even more efficient customer experience. The website now boasts more streamlined flight booking, car rental and hotel search engines, as well as live flight radar for customers to track the status of flight arrivals and departures in real time. A click and collect currency booking facility is also available, where passengers can book their currency for collection on arrival at the airport. An advanced purchase option for Heathrow Express train tickets for London-bound passengers is another convenient new feature, while a new Shannon Airport mobile application (app) will also launch on the Apple App Store and Google Play in the coming weeks. For more information about Shannon Airports Summer Schedule 2024 visit: www.shannonairport.ie Two young sisters from Dublin have helped to bring the community together through their idea to collect and distribute Easter eggs to children in hospital. Lauren Metcalfe, 16, and her younger sister Ellamay Metcalfe, 7, are to give roughly 820 Easter eggs to the charity Childrens Health Foundation at Temple Street, Dublin on Thursday afternoon, which will distribute them out to patients across its various hospital wards. People have either donated eggs to the youngsters from Ballymun, a suburb in Dublin, through Revolut or dropped them off at Nans Centra & Off Licence, the shop where their father Thomas Metcalfe works as a delivery driver. Mr Metcalfe, 36, said the initiative, which was sparked by Lauren following an injury a decade ago, has helped to bring the community together. 10 years ago, Lauren broke her leg just before Easter and she had loads of Easter eggs (but) she wasnt a big chocolate person, Mr Metcalfe told the PA news agency. She said to me, dad, can I bring some of these to the sick kids in the hospital? I think at that stage, it was 18 or 19 eggs we brought, but for her to do that herself was an amazing thing; it made me feel proud. The next year, the family decided they wanted to do something bigger and it has become somewhat of a family tradition now. There can be a lot of bad publicity about Ballymun, but things like this help the community come together and theyre always there to help, Mr Metcalfe said. He added there has even been international interest in the project, with a friend who owns a company in Turkey called Get Slim in Turkey having donated 100 euros towards it each year. Lauren told PA the family received close to 1,000 eggs last year and it was hard to fit them all in the van that was transporting them to the charity. Last year was the biggest one because we had 993 eggs and it was crazy to see how many people actually donated eggs, she said. It was even hard to take a picture of the eggs as we couldnt fit them all in. Despite her young age, Ellamay is not a novice, having been involved with the project since she was two. When asked about why she wanted to help her sister, she told PA: We get to donate to the sick people. Each year the girls have participated, the charity has given them a certificate. Lauren said: Last year, I got a medal, which had the charity name on it. Mr Metcalfe added: (There) is a really nice woman from the charity (called Alfreda) who has been looking after us for the last 10 years. One of Mr Metcalfes friends is to lend the family a van, which they will use to transport the eggs to the venue this year. If people would like to donate an egg, they can either reach out to the charity or message Mr Metcalfe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.metcalfe.14. He added: Theres no donation too big and theres definitely no donation too small. Four people have been arrested over an alleged arson attack on a Galway hotel that had been earmarked for asylum seekers last year. Gardai in Galway continue to investigate the fire at the Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill, Co Galway, December 16, 2023. In a statement on Thursday, gardai said: "As part of this ongoing investigation, four individuals were arrested this morning, Thursday 28th March 2024, during an operation conducted by Gardai attached to Galway Divisional Crime Functional Area and members from the National Bureau of Crime Investigation. "Two males, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991and are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. "Two females, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested for alleged offences contrary to the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and are currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939." All four individuals are being held at a Garda Station in the North Western Region. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow, gardai confirmed. The jury in the Stardust inquest has been given details of the five verdicts it may return over the deaths of 48 people in a fire in Dublin in 1981. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane outlined the law that applies to the jurys deliberations involved in each of the verdicts and what the jury should consider in coming to its decision. Dr Cullinane also told the jurors she is so grateful for their dedication to the inquest and for their attention in the almost year-long inquiry, which is being held at Dublin District Coroners Court on the grounds of the Rotunda Hospital. The inquest into the deaths began in April last year and has heard evidence from 373 people. The fire in Artane in north Dublin broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day in 1981. The new inquest, which is the longest ever held in Ireland, is coming to an end following months of evidence. Dr Cullinane said the jury may consider returning one of the following verdicts following the conclusion of all evidence: accidental death, death by misadventure, unlawful killing, open verdict or a narrative verdict. She said that an accidental death verdict may be returned where a sudden or unanticipated occurrence leads to a death. Dr Cullinane said that something could happen suddenly and without warning which leads to a death. The coroner gave an example that this could be where a person falls off their bicycle during the course of a routine journey and sustains fatal injuries. Therefore, if you decide in your findings in relation to the fire that occurred at the Stardust in 1981 and the consequent 48 deaths can be characterised or described as an accident in that way, then you may return this verdict, she added. The legal test for accidental death is on the balance of probabilities. Death by misadventure, Dr Cullinane explained, is where something has happened which appears to be an accident and leads to a death, however there is an additional feature of a risk that has contributed in a significant way to the death. If you were to decide that the fire that broke out at the Stardust broke out accidentally, but there were risk factors present which caused or contributed to the deaths in a significant way, whether because such factors contributed to the fire starting or to fire spreading, or by creating other risks, then you may record the verdict of death by misadventure, she added. The coroner reminded the jurors that they must not attribute any blame to anyone for the risks that may have been present. You should apply the standards of 1981 in deciding on the extent of any failures that arose and not the standards of today, she added. You should bear in mind the circumstances that persons were facing at the time when they made the decisions that they made. You should be careful not to make judgments based on hindsight. Turning to the verdict of unlawful killing, Dr Cullinane said this finding is for situations of the most serious kind. She told the jurors that they must carefully consider the legal rules and whether they are entitled to make a finding of unlawful killing. Dr Cullinane reminded jurors that they must not identify anyone, either directly or indirectly, in their findings. This prohibition is most clearly relevant to the verdict of unlawful killing, she added. This is because unlawful killing is a verdict that clearly and unambiguously expresses a view of the circumstances of the death, which means that you formed a view, if its returned, that the law has been broken in a serious fashion. In other words, the verdict itself makes it clear that the law has been broken. In this regard, the verdict of unlawful killing is markedly different from the other verdicts. Dr Cullinane added: So the verdict of unlawful killing in a coroners inquest is reserved for situations of the most serious kind, such as murder, infanticide, or manslaughter. The kinds of death that will lead to a verdict of unlawful killing is one that fulfils the criterion of something altogether more serious than the other types of deaths that Ive referred to. Explaining the test the jurors must apply, the coroner said: For this particular verdict, there is a very specific test which you must apply before you can return that verdict. You must find firstly that there has been a failure by a person or persons to a very high degree to observe such a course of action as experience shows to be necessary, if substantial injury to others is to be avoided. And that such failure was a substantial cause of the death. You must understand that the failure can be no ordinary failure. You must also bear in mind that in cases where the verdict of unlawful killing is returned, the facts are exceptionally grave. This includes scenarios where the facts of the inquest overlap with those that might be associated with murder, infanticide, and manslaughter cases in a criminal court, including what is known as gross negligence manslaughter. This verdict is only available in a subset of such deaths that have occurred in the most serious of circumstances. The test to be applied is beyond all reasonable doubt. The jury may also consider an open verdict or narrative verdict as part of its findings. UL STAFF and students found out the president was "incapacitated" from media reports ahead of a meeting, to which they were invited to ask questions amid overpayments controversy. The meeting was held ULs chancellor, Professor Brigid Laffan, after the university lost millions of euros on a property transaction. With full attendance in the auditorium, the meeting started at 1.30pm this Thursday at the University Concert Hall without Prof Mey, who is on sick leave. Multiple staff and students took turn in voicing their concerns over the overpayments row, which saw the institution lose 5.2m after paying an inflated price for 20 homes in Rhebogue last year. The meeting took place as ULs President, Kerstin Mey, has declared herself incapacitated to appear before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is set to take place on April 11. Staff and students received an email from ULs corporate secretary on March 26, stating that The Chancellor, Professor Brigid Laffan will be on campus this Thursday, March 28 and would like to take this opportunity to meet with you in the University Concert Hall. According to a spokesperson for the Postgraduate Students Union, staff were not surprised by Prof Meys sick leave announcement. Although, they heard the news from the media. We received no formal correspondence regarding the presidents sick leave, which many staff are unsurprised by, a spokesperson for the Postgraduate Students Union said. ULPSU wants to see an outcome from all of this that means students are not the ones bearing the brunt of this overspend for years to come. Earlier this week, members of UL Unite said the sole trade union had no longer any confidence in Prof Mey, who has been called to resign in a letter regarding the institutions crisis in leadership. One of the attendees of today's meeting, artist and researcher, Dr Eoin Callery spoke of the terrible decisions made my multiple people. In addition to the problems within governance within the university, we are now embroiled with planning permission, property, in the middle of a housing crisis. It's a terrible look and terrible decisions have been made by multiple people, Mr Callery said. Not by one individual, possibly not by one single committee. I think any correspondence that relates to this deal should be made public. I would hope that if any freedom of information requests come from media or other concerned parties, that they would be treated with the utmost seriousness. That may make life very difficult for many of us, but I would hate to see that the University of Limerick, given how public this has become and how it is now leeching into other areas of public life, refused reasonable freedom of information requests about this, he said. In response to Mr Callery, the chancellor, Ms Laffan said: I take that as a statement rather than a question. Mr Callerys intervention was followed by Stephen Kinsella, the Head of the Department of Economics. I'm a staff member here for the last 17 and a half years. I'm in the economics department and I'm also part of the immersive software engineering group, Mr Kinsella started. I've been here 17 and a half years and for 10 of those 17 years we have had governance problems in this university. I think it's really important to say that. The Government has been criticised for missing its newbuild social and affordable housing targets last year. Tanaiste Micheal Martin defended the Governments progress and said it was way ahead compared to the last 10 years. There were 32,695 new homes built in 2023, exceeding the target of 29,000 set out in the Governments Housing for All plan. But the Government has been criticised for missing its targets for building social and affordable homes, with an opposition TD accusing them of deliberately misrepresenting and massaging the figures. Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin said that the rise in the number of people who are homeless, as shown in new figures published on Thursday, was a direct consequence of the Governments failed housing policies. While the partys housing spokesman was speaking outside Government Buildings, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar walked by. Homelessness is rising in part because of the man who just walked past us, which is the outgoing Taoiseach, he said. Its rising because this Governments social and affordable housing targets are too low and year upon year upon year, theyre missing those targets. And I have to say the way in which the minister for housing released the information was deeply dishonest. He has deliberately misrepresented and massaged the figures. Mr Martin said that the figures represented an incredible turnaround from where we were three years ago. We were nowhere near 11,000 social houses delivered, Mr Martin said. And yes, the targets are there, the targets are meant to stretch us, we want to go and achieve them. But you know, I will answer that robustly in the sense that we exceeded the overall targets of housebuilding last year when we went close (to) 33,000, 29,000 was the target. I think this year, again, I think were in a position to exceed targets again this year. But I would say this though: that we need to go above again, and we have to get certainly to 40,000-plus within the next two years and maintain that then per annum if not even more. I think with measures of construction, greater pipelines coming along, we can do that. The key thing for us in housing is to keep the momentum going. Affordable housing as a concept is relatively new in Ireland where essentially it involves the state subsidising a whole range of private housing that is being built, to enable people to be able to afford it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The US supports the implementation of a Vertical Gas Corridor project, said US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt at a briefing, Trend reports. "The US expresses support for Vertical Corridor, which is designed to bring non-Russian gas up into Central Europe, including to markets like Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia that remain dependent on Russian gas. This will be especially important in the context of what we expect will be the end of transit through Ukraine at the end of this year when the transit contract expires," he said. According to Pyatt, theres an important potential role for Turkiye there as well as an entry point for non-Russian gas into that Vertical Corridor, which would go up through Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, leveraging the gas storage that Ukraine has available in western Ukraine. The assistant secretary also noted that Turkiye's role in the Southern Gas Corridor project is highly noteworthy. "Turkiye has played a very important role as the host of the Southern Gas Corridor, in helping to diversify European energy supplies and European gas supplies away from dependence on Russia; as the host of multiple LNG liquefaction facilities, which have received a lot of American LNG over the past two years since the beginning of the war in Ukraine," Pyatt added. The idea of constructing the Vertical Gas Corridor originated in the EU in 2014. Ukraine, Moldova, and Slovakia joined the memorandum on its construction in January 2024. The corridor originates in Greece, then goes to Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, branching off to Slovenia, and Slovakia. Vladimir Malinov, executive director of Bulgargartransgaz, said in February 2024 that the company was considering options for supplying liquefied natural gas from Greece and Turkiye via the Bulgargartransgaz network to Ukraine via the Vertical Corridor, and from there via the Romanian and Moldovan networks. This project is an alternative to the non-EU-backed "Ring of Solidarity" project initiated in 2022. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Georgia's Investors Council met on Friday to discuss various aspects of the national economy and financial sector, as well as the significance of the Middle Corridor logistics route, strengthening commercial arbitration, and third-party liability insurance, according to the Government Administration, Trend reports. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze kicked off the 22nd meeting, highlighting the country's economic growth and related positive trends. He stressed the importance of investors and businesses in boosting the economy, affirming their support as a top priority for the Government. Representatives from business associations and international financial organizations, and members of the Council, deliberated on business-related issues. Mark Clayton, UK Ambassador to Georgia, and Alkis Vryenios Drakinos, Regional Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the Caucasus, also shared their insights with Council members. The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The methodology for compiling the energy balance and reports was the main discussion topic at the hybrid-format board meeting of Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry held under the chairmanship of Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, Trend reports via the ministry. "The meeting heard reports on preliminary drafts of the methodology for compiling the energy balance, forms of reporting on the information received from energy entities for compiling the energy balance, and also discussed proposals for improving this work," the ministry said. Moreover, the meeting heard a report on the state of executive discipline for 2023 and the consideration of citizens' appeals. Other issues discussed included the fulfillment of tasks arising from the decrees and orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, measures implemented, the level of implementation of the ministry's work plan, and tasks related to the state control information system. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 28. Turkmenistan expressed readiness to diversify energy supplies to the countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Trend reports. According to an official source, this was stated by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov during a meeting in Ashgabat city with ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri. "Having huge reserves of natural gas, our country is ready to significantly diversify its supplies, including to consumers and transit countries in the ECO space," the president said. He noted that one of the priority areas of partnership between Turkmenistan and the ECO is the energy sector, where there are prospects for increasing cooperation. At the same time, during the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for multifaceted cooperation between Turkmenistan and the ECO. They noted that the positive experience of joint work accumulated over the past years serves as a reliable basis here, in connection with which President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that, advocating further intensification of productive cooperation within the organization, Turkmenistan seeks to enhance the effectiveness of this multilateral structure. Meanwhile, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is a regional intergovernmental organization that brings together Asian and Middle Eastern countries to promote economic cooperation, trade and investment development, and to strengthen political and cultural ties among members. The ECO Secretary General arrived in Ashgabat city to participate in an international conference on 'Main Directions and Potential for Tourism Development in Turkmenistan', which was actively attended by representatives of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of leading tourism organizations. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Right now we share a few of the news links we're reading for our most loyal denizens of the discourse who come along with us to check pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Cowtown Cannabis Crackdown KC dispensary 1 of 9 to have license revoked due to eligibility concerns A Kansas City dispensary was one of nine dispensaries that had their licenses revoked due to eligibility concerns. Golden Ghetto Build Up Lenexa shows off updated comprehensive plan to residents The City of Lenexa showed off it's updated comprehensive plan to residents, setting a guide for the next 20 years of development Fight Against Union Thrown Out Court dismisses Yellow's $137M lawsuit against Teamsters Yellow's breach-of-contract suit against the Teamsters union has been dismissed by a federal court in Kansas. Northland Notice Clay Co. deputies stop "dangerous drunk drivers" over the weekend Two "dangerous drunk drivers" were taken off Missouri roads over the weekend after one was seen speeding on the shoulder of a Kansas City road and another's vehicle was found in a creek near Kearney. Secret Drinking Games Exposed Play it cool: Ten spots with speakeasy vibes in Kansas City Le Lounge // Photo by Sarah Sipple The whole point of a speakeasy is to keep it hush-hush, hiding illicit activities like liquor sales and nightclubs during the time of prohibition. But in 2024, we can redefine speakeasy, for the casual diner or partier, to represent more of an ambiance than a truly secret operation. Real Estate Hotness For 2024 Selling Sunset stars Chrishell Stause and Emma Hernan in bikinis Selling Sunset stars Chrishell Stause and Emma Hernan shared several eye-popping photos to Instagram earlier this week where they had on barely any clothing. White House Gang Against MAGA Analysis: Three presidents and one mission: Beat Trump | CNN Politics Sometimes when a president needs a hand, only another president - or another two - will do. Former Prez Lashes Out Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in New York hush-money criminal case Donald Trump has lashed out at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial. Serious Hip-Hop Allegations Diddy's ex-girlfriend Yung Miami 'transported pink cocaine for him' Diddy 's on-off girlfriend Yung Miami 'transported pink cocaine for him,' court documents reveal. Eastern European Escalation Ukraine war briefing: 'Russian terror' as guided bombs hit Kharkiv Ukrainian spy chief hints at assassination of traitors; Putin claims F-16 fighter jets won't make a difference. What we know on day 764 Holy Land Sets Course Israel has 'no choice' but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress | CNN The Israeli prime minister has told a group of US members of Congress that "victory" in Gaza and "getting" Hamas' leadership in the enclave is "a few weeks away." Americans Against Middle-East War Majority in U.S. Now Disapprove of Israeli Action in Gaza A majority of U.S. adults now disapprove of Israel's military action in Gaza, a shift from the prior survey in November. Border Chaos Cont'd Texas' migrant arrest law is on hold for now under latest court ruling A federal appeals court has refused to lift an order that blocks Texas from arresting and deporting migrants suspected of illegally crossing the border. Authorities Desperately Seeking TikTok Fugitive Leonel Moreno, 'migrant influencer' encouraging others to invade the US, squat at homes is now on the run from authorities Moreno - who claims he, his wife and daughter receive $350 a week from the federal government in his videos - appears to be hiding in plain sight, even posting a video in front a cop car from the G... Trusting The Science?!?! Online Conspiracies About the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Are Out of Control Conspiracy theorists are calling the Baltimore bridge collapse a "black swan event," and blaming everything from Israel to DEI to Covid vaccines. Chopper Shoppers Boost Caribbean Gun Sales Haiti: US guns pour into Port-au-Prince, fuelling surge in violence Every kind of gun is flooding into Port-au-Prince. Haitians are blaming the US. Former Constantinople Choice Turkish vote: Battle to run Istanbul becomes key to country's future Millions of Turks vote on Sunday, and President Erdogan hopes to regain control of Turkey's biggest city. Far East Freedom First?!? Thailand poised to legalise same-sex marriage after parliament passes bill Lawmakers overwhelmingly vote to make country the first in south-east Asia to recognise same-sex unions Scraps Could Save Lives The world wastes more than 1 billion meals every day as hundreds of millions go hungry, UN report finds | CNN More than 1 billion meals are wasted across the world each day while nearly 800 million people go hungry, a United Nations report has found. Community Paper Celebration 2024 Royals Lineup: Getting back to what we love about the Royals Pre-season prognosticators and odds makers project that the Royals will add 15-20 wins to their 2023 record. Forecast Moving Forward More wind and warmer conditions are on the way The high should be around 66 degrees on Thursday And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. We had stronger wording in mind but we encourage our blog community to take a minute and think before getting frustrated . . . Objectively . . . The "science" put forward in a post by the "The Kansas City Beacon" is "controversial" at best and, obviously, there is an ongoing debate about the efficacy of gender-affirming medical tech. And this is why it's important to take a second . . . We're talking about youngsters and the most important thing about this discussion is compassion, care and consideration for any family confronting a dilemma regarding gender. Our only caveat . . . As far as "the science" over puberty blockers . . . It's fair to question any emerging technology. But let's discuss the topic with information rather than homespun insults. Accordingly . . . Here's snippet that resonates from the BBC which is a Brit source and probably doesn't care what American voters do in 2024: The evidence for using puberty blocking drugs to treat young people struggling with their gender identity is "very low", an official review has found. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said existing studies of the drugs were small and "subject to bias and confounding". The assessment of the evidence into the drugs was commissioned by NHS England. That report was from 2021 . . . This week . . . A local prog blog seems to know better: "Physicians and research suggest proposals like those in Kansas that bar gender-affirming care for minors pose long-term dangers for mental and physical health while at least stalling that process with puberty blockers keeps options open." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Ontario residents won't really have to worry about a swarm of cicadas arising this summer like a biblical plague, says a bug expert. In the U.S., entomologists are getting excited about a rare phenomena where two large broods of cicadas are emerging at the same time in early summer, with more than a trillion bugs expected to be flying around. It's so rare, experts say it hasn't happened since 1803. However, in Ontario, it's a different story. The one they're talking about this giant emergence those are periodical cicadas, Guelph University's school of environmental sciences assistant professor Andrew Young said. Those ones we don't have. Ontario has 10 common breeds of cicadas, and most are visible every year, although individual bugs have a two to three-year life cycle and don't always come out of the ground until they mature. We have something called scissor cicadas, which are black and yellow, and look similar to the 17-year cicadas that are emerging in the U.S. this summer, Young said. It's basically never that, it's one of the scissor cicadas. The most common cicada people are familiar with is the dog-day cicada, a green and brown bug usually seen in August through September. You hear that loud, buzzing drone noise coming from the trees on hot days. They come out much later than the 17-year cicada, Young said. It's always the nice days toward the end of summer. They're called the dog-day cicada because it's during the dog days of summer that's when they're out. While they aren't really attractive to look at, they aren't a pest either, he added. They feed on tree roots as they mature, so can cause a small amount of tree damage. But they also provide food to small animals; there's all sorts of birds and mammals that will eat them. Speaking of providing nourishment, Young said a fun fact is after the periodical cicada hordes die off in the U.S., the decomposing bugs will provide nutrients for the soil, so tree growth should flourish over the next few years. For more information about the dog-day cicada, visit Ontarioparks.ca. Waving signs and chanting poverty wages, over a hundred K-12 school employees from across the province gathered to support striking York University academic workers in a rally March 27, held at the university's nearly-completed Markham campus. Since Feb. 26, approximately 3,000 academic workers at York University have been on strike, demanding their employer address the escalating costs of living, increasing economic obstacles to fair access to higher education, and concerns impacting the quality of education within the university. The striking staff at the North York-based university include contract faculty, teaching and graduate assistants, research assistants and part-time librarians, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 3903. These skilled, talented, passionate workers do more than half of the instruction at York University, and yet their wages condemn them to poverty, said CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn. Pull Quote "...yet their wages condemn them to poverty." And much of the time they spend doing their jobs is considered unpaid time, said Hahn. This is not a sustainable model. It's not sustainable for workers. It's not sustainable for students. It's not sustainable for our future. Joe Tigani, president-elect of CUPE Ontario School Board Council of Unions, said those overworked and undervalued York University workers have the support of 55,000 front-line elementary and high school education workers in every part of Ontario. Workers walking out was the only thing that stopped bad education and labour policy in its tracks, said Tigani, an education assistant at a high school in Stratford. York has stated contingency plans for all aspects of university operations are in place and assured courses and ongoing academic activities that can continue will continue. However, some students have reported the strike has already impacted their education. Erin McIntosh, spokesperson for CUPE 3903 and a PhD student at York, urged the university to prioritize the quality of education by investing in those who dedicate their lives to learning at York. It's clear our lack of wages is not due to a lack of spending and funds. Our lack of wages and our poverty is a choice, said McIntosh. Today we are at the Markham campus, a project that the university did not do a thorough cost analysis for, and a project that goes further and further over budget by the millions while workers and students pay the price, she said. The previous strike involving York University academic workers occurred in 2018, during which Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government intervened by legislating them back to work. During the 143-day-long strike, the province passed Bill 124 restricting wage increases to one per cent per year. That law was subsequently struck down by the courts because it was unconstitutional, but York has yet to address the imbalance it created, the union said in a statement earlier. If they did not hear us at the beginning, let them hear us now, said McIntosh. We are organizing, we are mobilizing, and we will not stop until we get what we deserve. Calling all high school students. Do you have something to say about basic income? We have an exciting opportunity! The 2024 Basic Income Forum is hosting two contests just for you. Young people are often left out of discussions and decisions about economics, poverty and fairness. But we face a lot of economic challenges. For example, the collective Canadian student debt of $23.5 billion in student loans as of July 2022, or the fact that young people are more likely working unstable and underpaid jobs. Knowing this, and experiencing it ourselves, we think its time for young voices to be heard in conversations that affect our future. This is why we joined the Basic Income Canada Youth Network, a group of young people from across the country advocating for a basic income. A basic income is an unconditional cash transfer from government to individuals to enable everyone to meet their basic needs, participate in society, and live with dignity regardless of work status. Basically, its money from the government that helps everyone afford what they need to live. A social safety net that ensures that nobody gets left behind or falls through the cracks. We think a basic income could be transformational for young people. Implementing a basic income would help provide an additional level of security for youth entering an increasingly inaccessible rental and housing market. It would make it easier for youth to pursue and remain in post-secondary education. It would also help youth leave unsafe work situations, support youth aging out of care who are cut off from other supports, relieve financial pressure for youth with increased caregiving responsibilities, and help support LGBTQ2S+ youth to leave non-affirming or unsafe environments. But we need to hear from more youth about their thoughts on basic income. Thats why we are inviting all high school students across the country to participate in two contests organized through the May 2024 Basic Income Forum: an artistic expression contest and an opinion-editorial writing contest. In the artistic expression contest, students are invited to submit creative works in categories such as poetry, video, visual art and music, reflecting the theme, "Imagining Basic Income: Artistic Visions for a More Equitable Canada." In the opinion-editorial contest, students are invited to write a maximum 500-word essay on "Why a Basic Income will be important to Canada in the next decade." Expert panels will evaluate submissions based on creativity, clarity, originality and depth of analysis, and winners in each contest will gain national exposure through the Basic Income Forum website and receive tailored prizes. The winning submission in the opinion-editorial will be published online on Metroland's news sites. The winning students in each category will also have the opportunity to participate in the Basic Income Forum in May, when the winners will be formally announced. Check out forum2024.ca/contests/ for more details. The submission deadline is May 1. Send yours to tom@forum2024.ca. Monday, April 1 happens to be a holiday for most schools in the province, so parents might be looking for ways to entertain their kids. Here are five suggestions to keep them occupied for the day: The Toronto Zoo is open for guests April 1. Join in an egg-citing Enrichment Eggstravaganza as the zoo kicks off its 50th anniversary year. Hop on over and enjoy a day filled with fun, learning, and the wonder of incredible animals. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more details about directions, parking and tickets, click here. Check out a movie with the family. From "Ghostbusters" to "Kung Fu Panda 2" there are several options to watch together at Cineplex theatres near you. Showtimes may affect movie selection in your local theatre. For details, click here. Chappell Farms in Barrie is hosting its Spring Festival with tons of fun attractions, including a kids' maze, magic show, candy hunt, maple syrup display and more. Event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $15, kids under two get in for free. For tickets or details, click here. Take a peek at the miniature version of the country, with Little Canada in downtown Toronto. Little Canada takes you on an immersive journey through the sights and sounds of our country in miniature scale, including Toronto, Quebec, the east coast and more. It's open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and tickets start at $36 for an adult, $22 for a child. For tickets and more details, click here. If staying close to home is a better option for your family, why not pick out a new recipe online to try creating together? Whether it's a snack, dinner or dessert, there are many new flavours you can combine using staples you already have in your fridge and pantry. One example is the Guelph Family Health Study recipe book, which includes broccoli and chicken bites, toad-in-a-hole and spiced banana turnovers. When Edgar Award-winning, bestselling novelist Lisa Scottoline (rhymes with Lamborghini) makes her daily word count, she rewards herself with a plate of pasta, a glass of Lambrusco, and a bracing walk in the Pennsylvania countryside with her recalcitrant, aging Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Boone and Kit trailing behind. Ahead of her book tour for her new domestic thriller, "The Truth About the Devlins" (her 36th novel), Scottoline spoke with the Toronto Star from her farmhouse outside Philadelphia, a property she also shares with a rescue pony named Raphael and seven hens she calls the womens chorus because of her affection for Gilbert and Sullivans comic operas. With over 30 million books in print in 35 countries, Scottoline has come a long way from when she published her debut "Everywhere That Mary Went" in 1994, a time when she had yet to build her readership, and, more often than not, few, if any, came to her book signings. In fact, she remembers participating about a dozen years later, in a conversation with then newly published Canadian crime writer Louise Penny at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto. The two of them, Scottoline said, had the best time talking. Shes just such a wonderful person. Shes done so well with her Gamache series and Im so happy for her. But way back then we had a signing, and no one was there but our publicists. Writing is somewhat isolating, you know, so you start to read peoples work and admire them. If youre lucky enough and youre on a panel with them, you can say youre just as cool as I thought youd be. And youve made a friend. Its wonderful. The first time Scottoline met a writer was when she took an undergraduate course with Philip Roth in 1975. There were thirteen students in the class and they deconstructed literature of the Holocaust. She said, I was there on scholarship. Its a miracle really. Its thanks to public libraries and public schools that I got there. It was thrilling to be in the room with someone who had written a book and had his name on the front. Its where she read Primo Levi for the first time and when she really started to think about Italian Jews, a community at the heart of her novel "Eternal," historical fiction set in Rome under fascism during World War Two. She said, Mr. Roth would tell us everything we needed to know. He never looked at his notes. Nobody ever had any questions. We just sat there in stunned silence. When she begins a new novel, Scottoline always starts with one idea. In "The Truth About the Devlins" it was the golden boy in the family becomes the neer do well, she said. In the first chapter, lawyer John Devlin turns to his younger brother TJ a flawed character who is out on parole and in recovery for alcoholism and tells him he thinks hes killed a man and needs his help. She added, justice is always interesting to me because its a question of not just whats legal. Its whats moral, whats ethical. Whats the right thing to do. To understand TJ, Scottoline attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on Zoom. She said, every single person I know, including me and Ive had ten years of therapy would benefit from a twelve-step programme. From trying to understand themselves and how they go about the world and how they go forward with what they have. Some books go broad and some books go deep. "The Truth About the Devlins" goes deep, even though the whiplash pacing will have you flipping pages through to its satisfying end. It contemplates the nature of resilience and empathy, particularly the narrative thread in which Gabby Devlin, TJs lawyer sister, lodges a complaint through pro bono work on behalf of former inmates who were used as medical guinea pigs in the 1960s and 1970s. It's based on the true story of Dr. Albert Kligman of Ivy Labs who tested chemical products on them. Scottoline said, like the Tuskegee airmen in the syphilis experiment, they were people of colour who were paid a few dollars for their participation in the days before Informed Consent. Patches of skin were cut on their backs and they developed horrible blistering, scarring, melanoma. Its shameful. A perfect example of law and justice wrenching apart. Its horrifying history, but in the novel I can throw light on it and expose it to air. Scottoline feels lucky and grateful to have what she says are such thoughtful, insightful readers who connect with her at events or on social media. She said, book people have such empathy. When you pick up a book, you can feel what its like to live through another time. Youre always imagining someone else, so I think empathy becomes second nature. Not everybody has a role model, so books can play such an important role in peoples lives. They affirm connection. You discover you are not alone. You belong. The writing life is her idea of perfect happiness: it was a long road and every bit of it I worked hard at something I loved. I wouldnt change a thing. Part of it is because I have the freedom to write what I want. I started writing crime fiction 30 years ago because the women characters were still second banana. And, I thought, thats ridiculous. More recently, Scottoline tried her hand at historical fiction, a genre shes always admired, when she realized the only person getting in the way of doing it was herself. Now shes working on a psychological thriller set in Florence because, she said, Im 68. Im like, Lisa, how much time do you have left? BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The Azneft Production Union, belonging to the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), has made a personnel reshuffle in its management, the company's press center told Trend. Shahmar Huseynov was dismissed from the post of general director and appointed as an advisor to the president of SOCAR. Huseynov has been the head of Azneft since December 2019. Azneft is now headed by 56-year-old Ali Gurbanov, who previously headed the Umid Babek field block operating company's representative office. Gurbanov worked at SOCAR from 1991 through 1998, holding various positions. In 1998, he joined bp, and in 2011, he returned to SOCAR. To note, Azneft oversees the extraction of oil and gas through corresponding production directorates. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The country is tonight mourning the loss of one of its legal luminaries... who also served i Now the common task is to provide every opportunity for the Sumy region to have jobs and social protection. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a video address, Ukrinform reported citing the website of the head of state. Dear Ukrainians! Today we are in Sumy region. I've been here with the team all day. First, our military. I visited our guys who are recovering from injuries and honored them with state awards. I am immensely grateful to the doctors, nurses, and everyone who helps them recover from their injuries. The second issue for today is, of course, everything related to the defense of Sumy region, each community, each city. It is especially difficult in the border area, which is subject to constant Russian terror. There is constant shelling, air strikes, and countering enemy subversive groups. I am grateful to all the soldiers, all the commanders of the Armed Forces, the border guards, our police, the National Guard, the Security Service of Ukraine everyone who is involved. To everyone who protects us. Thank you for not allowing our land to be turned into a zone of Russian presence. Every occupier who dares to come here will be destroyed. I held a long coordination meeting. We addressed the issues of internal security in the region from shelters to combating crime and all the issues of defense. We also discussed the economy and social situation in a very substantive way. Now the common task of the government, regional authorities and community leaders is to provide every opportunity to create jobs here in our Sumy region, to ensure social protection and reliable budget revenues. For the first time, we held a regional meeting on our new economic policy program "Made in Ukraine." There is a significant amount of funds for this year for all regions of our country. Sumy region is guaranteed to receive it as well. There are very specific tasks for government officials, the State Property Fund, the President's Office and the regional authorities based on the results of the meetings and discussions held here today. There are contracts signed for our defense industry. I am proud that every month more and more companies and developers come up with specific samples of weapons, shells, equipment, demining machines, and many other things that are needed at the front and that will save the lives of our people thanks to the power of technology. In particular, today there are new contracts for automated firing systems, new FPV drones with appropriate dropping systems, and simulators for mobile firing groups that will help shoot down "Shahed" drones more effectively. All this is really needed. And one more thing. Something that is particularly inspiring. I met with the students studying at the university here in Sumy region. They obviously want Ukraine to succeed, to win, so that they can live and thrive here, at home, in Ukraine. We will do everything for this. Ukraine knows how to be strong. Every day we have to add to the confidence of our country and people. And please, always be grateful to those who preserve normal life in our country, in all our communities. Thank you, Sumy region! Glory to Ukraine! Russia was aware well in advance, at least since February 15, about the preparation of a terrorist operation on its soil. This was stated by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraines Defense Ministry, Kyrylo Budanov, who spoke at the Third International Strategic Communications Forum, reports the press service of the Ministry of Defense, according to Ukrinform. "At least, since February 15, 2024, the Russian Federation had been aware about the plot. I will tell you more, this information passed through their intelligence station in Syria. From there it was forwarded to Moscow. So they shouldnt be telling tales that this all materialized in a strange way out of nowhere," Budanov emphasized. According to Budanov, Russia knew where the combat groups would come from and via which two countries they would move to the territory of Russia. "Why did they allow this to happen? There are several options. The first is, as is customary among them, a infighting between Kremlin towers to remove several high-ranking officials now. Another option is that they actually underestimated the scale of what would happen. They thought that the incident would be more local, and wanted to blame Ukraine for everything," said the top intelligence official. He noted that the Kremlin had already changed three versions of what happened at Crocus City Hall near Moscow, trying to at least somehow create the so-called "Ukrainian trace" in the terrorist attack. "Patrushev and Bortnikov's explanations emerged as both accused me personally, and Ukraine in general, of doing this all. This is nonsense. By the way, if we touched on this painful issue, even though it is an enemy, I do not approve of terrorist attacks against civilians in principle," Budanov said. The head of Ukrainian intelligence added that Russia itself sowed chaos and self-confidently believed that it could control it. "There is such a stable expression, Id say, truth. It always circulates in intelligence circles: everyone tries to create controlled chaos. Absolutely all more or less serious organizations have tried to do this at different times. And the axiom is that none of them could make it controlled. The same thing happened here," concluded the head of the intelligence agency. As reported, on the evening of March 22, terrorists staged a mass shooting at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the suburbs of Moscow. The perpetrators left 143 people dead and over 180 wounded and burned down the venue. Four male suspects of Tajik origin were detained on. Three more natives of Tajikistan were remanded in custody on conspiracy charges. An extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was held in Brussels in response to Russia's missile attacks on Ukraines critical infrastructure. The meeting was initiated by Kyiv. According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Mission of Ukraine to NATO. On 28 March 2024, an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was convened at the initiative of Ukraine in response to Russia's missile attacks on critical infrastructure, the report says. As noted, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov participated in the meeting. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov briefed the Allies about the consequences of the Russian attacks and the response measures taken by Ukraine. Minister Umerov also called on NATO member states to provide additional air defense systems and missiles to protect Ukrainian cities and citizens, the report says. As reported, over the past few days, Russian invaders have launched massive missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. They targeted the Dnipro hydroelectric power station, continuing their terror against the civilian population of Ukraine. The largest oil producer in Moldova, Floarea Soarelui, has suspended work due to a pressing shortage of Ukrainian sunflower seeds. This was reported by ESP, Ukrinform saw. "The Balti-based plant, Floarea Soarelui, which produces sunflower oil, has stopped operations. The reason was the shortage of sunflower seed on the local market, as well as difficulties with their imports," the report says. The administration of the Floarea Soarelui plant reported that the reason for the suspension of production was the situation on the local sunflower seed market, as well as on the global oil market. According to the Floarea Soarelui, the company is unable to buy enough sunflower seeds. "We suspended work for 20 days in January 2024, now the plant in Balti is stopped again, as well as the Danube Oil plant in Giurgiulesti. We cannot buy enough sunflower seeds on the Moldovan market. We tried in January 2024 to get the right to import seeds from Ukraine, but the specialized commission at the Ministry of Agriculture did not issue us a license," the CEO said. The daily processing capacity is more than 1,000 tons. Accordingly, in order to continue functioning, large volumes are needed, which the company is unable to purchase in Moldova. "According to our estimates, there are only about 100,000 tons of sunflower seeds left on the market. Some farmers are unwilling to sell now at the market price, hoping that prices will rise this summer. We cannot force them to sell," added the CEO. The Forta Fermierilor Association, in turn, claims that there are enough sunflower seeds on the Moldovan market. Farmers accuse processors, especially Trans-Oil, which includes Floarea Soarelui, of being unwilling to offer realistic prices and trying to dictate their own terms. As reported, on March 20, representatives of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement on the extension of trade liberalization measures for Ukraine in the conditions of the Russian war for another year, until June 5, 2025, with the simultaneous introduction of safeguards for the import of certain types of food from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Kyiv with the head of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. Thats according to the Presidents press service. Today, I had a substantive meeting with the French National Assembly delegation, led by President Yael Braun-Pivet. Ukraine appreciates the French Parliament's recent approval of the Ukrainian-French Security Cooperation Agreement, the president wrote on Facebook. The parties discussed defense cooperation and Ukrainian Armys priority needs, as well as paid special attention to President Emmanuel Macrons latest proposals to expand support for Ukraine. I am grateful to our French partners for their solidarity with our country and people, Zelensky concluded, posting photos from the meeting. As Ukrinform reported earlier, head of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet is heading the Assembly delegation on a visit to Kyiv where she has already addressed the Verkhovna Rada. On February 16, Ukraine and France signed off a bilateral security agreement. On March 12, the Parliament of France supported the deal. Photo: Presidents Office President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson. Thats according to the Presidents Office, Ukrinform reports. The Head of State thanked the interlocutor and both parties of the Congress, as well as the entire American people and President of the United States Joseph Biden for the vital support of Ukraine since the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion. Volodymyr Zelensky briefed Mike Johnson on the current situation at the front and the significant intensification of Russian aerial terror. Russia has been launching massive strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, resulting in Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant being rendered inoperative. Last week alone, Ukrainian cities and communities were hit by 190 missiles, 140 "Shahed" drones and 700 guided aerial bombs, the President said. "In this situation, a swift passage of aid for Ukraine by Congress is critical. We are aware that the House of Representatives has different opinions on how to do it, but the key is to keep the issue of assistance to Ukraine as a factor of unity," the Head of State noted. The two sides also discussed the need to cut off the sources from which Russia is financing its war as soon as possible. The interlocutors paid special attention to the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. We also count on the leadership of the Congress in this regard, Zelensky noted. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on February 13, the U.S. Senate in the final vote approved the bill, which would provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in the amount of $95 billion, including $60 billion to Kyiv, The bill is yet to be approved by the House of Representatives before being signed by U.S President Joe Biden. Photo: Presidents Office BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Bulgaria and Azerbaijan can explore huge potential of hydrogen production, a source at the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy told Trend. "Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are strongly committed to promoting strategic partnership, especially in energy, which plays a central role in economic transformation. The opportunities for cooperation are diverse and promising. Bulgaria and Azerbaijan can explore the huge potential of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier. We are convinced that the joint efforts in the field of research, development and application of hydrogen technologies could not only contribute to energy security, but also contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions," noted the source. The source went on to add that investment in RES is another key area for possible bilateral cooperation. "By investing in the development of solar, wind and other renewable energy projects, the two countries can diversify the energy mix, improve energy security and contribute to a more sustainable future. Infrastructure development is a key element underlying the success of energy cooperation. Investing in modern and efficient infrastructure, such as cross-border transmission lines and energy storage facilities, can assist the smooth exchange of energy resources between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. Strengthening energy connectivity also means strengthening regional stability and is the basis for additional economic growth," noted the source. The source noted that Bulgaria wants to express gratitude for the existing reliable relations between the two countries, which are already stepping on an established partnership that can only encourage future joint projects and endeavors. "The satisfaction derived from this reliable relationship serves as a solid foundation for entering new and mutually beneficial areas of cooperation," added the source. The study, conducted by consulting firm Advisian with the support of the EBRD, highlights Azerbaijan's significant potential to fulfill the demand for low-carbon hydrogen, particularly in established downstream ammonia and methanol markets. Leveraging its extensive natural gas distribution systems, which can be adapted for hydrogen use, Azerbaijan stands poised to play a pivotal role in decarbonizing these industries. Benefiting from abundant renewable resources and direct access to natural gas reservoirs such as those in the Shah Deniz field, Azerbaijan is strategically positioned to develop both green and blue hydrogen technologies. Moreover, the existing infrastructure for natural gas supply, exemplified by the Southern Gas Corridor, offers avenues for hydrogen to be seamlessly integrated, including the possibility of blending with natural gas for export purposes. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The US strongly supports Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency, said US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt at a briefing, Trend reports. "I had very good discussions in Houston with the deputy energy minister. I also had excellent discussions a few weeks ago when the energy minister himself was here in Washington. I underlined the United States very strong support for the Azerbaijani presidency of COP29 <...> Im confident that theres a strong degree of alignment between the goals that President Ilham Aliyev set and the goals that the US is going to bring to that the next COP and then also as we head towards Brazil in 2025," he said. Pyatt also emphasized the US' support of the Troika mechanism that UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil have developed to manage the agenda for COP28. "My focus is on the issues around the greening of our energy system, working to ensure that the fossil energy that the world is going to continue to use is delivered in the least climate-damaging way possible, which means sustaining our efforts on methane abatement we are very, very supportive of the announcement that President Ilham Aliyev made in terms of Azerbaijans adherence to the Global Methane Pledge, and were working now with companies like bp and Chevron and ExxonMobile that are active in the Caspian region to look at opportunities to capture more of the methane and associated gases that have come from the countries that have recently signed the Global Methane Pledge in the region, so Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan," he said. This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70-80,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COP- the Conference of the Parties - is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. In the realm of higher education, affordability is a critical consideration for many prospective students, especially when it comes to pursuing online degrees from private institutions. Despite the perception of high costs associated with private colleges, there are options available that offer more budget-friendly alternatives, making quality education accessible to a broader demographic. Here is a list of 20 lower-cost online private colleges along with their respective tuition costs: 1. Sterling College (KS) - Rank: #240 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 124 - Cost Per Credit: $145 - Total Program Cost: $17,980 2. University of the Cumberlands (KY) - Rank: #197 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $220 - Total Program Cost: $26,400 3. Oklahoma Christian University - Rank: #262-339 - Credits Needed to Graduate: 122 - Cost Per Credit: $275 - Total Program Cost: $33,550 4. Dillard University (LA) - Rank: #233 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $289 - Total Program Cost: $34,680 5. Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico - Rank: #262-339 - Credits Needed to Graduate: 151 - Cost Per Credit: $245 - Total Program Cost: $36,995 6. Jacksonville University (FL) - Rank: #128 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $325 - Total Program Cost: $39,000 7. Champlain College (VT) - Rank: #180 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $335 - Total Program Cost: $40,200 8. Drury University (MO) - Rank: #144 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 124 - Cost Per Credit: $325 - Total Program Cost: $40,300 9. Southwestern College (KS) - Rank: #180 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 124 - Cost Per Credit: $325 - Total Program Cost: $40,300 10. Mount Carmel College of Nursing (OH) - Rank: #98 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $345 - Total Program Cost: $41,400 11. Lees-McRae College (NC) - Rank: #45 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $350 - Total Program Cost: $42,000 12. Northwestern College (IA) - Rank: #90 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $350 - Total Program Cost: $42,000 13. University of Pikeville (KY) - Rank: #153 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $350 - Total Program Cost: $42,000 14. Columbia College (MO) - Rank: #180 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $375 - Total Program Cost: $45,000 15. Lynn University (FL) - Rank: #144 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $375 - Total Program Cost: $45,000 16. New England College (NH) - Rank: #192 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $375 - Total Program Cost: $45,000 17. Norwich University (VT) - Rank: #153 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $375 - Total Program Cost: $45,000 18. Carson-Newman University (TN) - Rank: #262-339 - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $380 - Total Program Cost: $45,600 19. Nichols College (MA) - Rank: #153 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 120 - Cost Per Credit: $385 - Total Program Cost: $46,200 20. Toccoa Falls College (GA) - Rank: #153 (tied) - Credits Needed to Graduate: 126 - Cost Per Credit: $370 - Total Program Cost: $46,620 These colleges offer more affordable options for students pursuing online degrees at private institutions. Analysis of Tuition Costs A comprehensive analysis conducted by U.S. News for the 2023-2024 academic year sheds light on the average total cost of enrollment at private colleges offering online bachelor's degrees. According to the data, the average total cost amounted to $64,325, encompassing tuition, fees, and other associated expenses. Additionally, the average cost per credit hour at these institutions stood at approximately $531. While these figures may initially seem daunting, there are institutions that provide online degree programs at significantly lower costs. Among the 20 most affordable options identified by U.S. News, the average total tuition cost was $39,761, with an average per-credit price of $326. These institutions offer a more economical pathway for students seeking online education from private colleges. READ ALSO: 15 US Colleges That Offer Low Costs for International Students Highlighting Affordable Options Within the realm of lower-cost private online programs, certain institutions stand out for their exceptionally affordable rates. For instance, Sterling College in Kansas boasts the lowest per-credit rate at $145, resulting in a total tuition cost of $17,980. Conversely, Toccoa Falls College in Georgia offers a program priced at $370 per credit hour, resulting in a total cost of $46,620. When evaluating different programs, prospective students should also consider the number of credits required for graduation. Most of the 20 affordable options mandate 120 credits for degree completion. However, certain institutions, such as Drury University, Oklahoma Christian University, Southwestern College, Sterling College, Toccoa Falls College, and Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico, have varying credit requirements. Moreover, beyond affordability, students should assess the overall value and reputation of the institution. Factors such as accreditation, faculty expertise, student support services, and alumni success can significantly impact the long-term benefits of the chosen program. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, the availability of affordable online degree programs from private colleges represents a positive step towards greater accessibility and inclusivity. By exploring and considering these options, prospective students can find a pathway to achieving their educational and career goals without compromising on quality or breaking the bank. Embracing the opportunities presented by these lower-cost online programs can empower individuals to embark on their academic journey with confidence and financial prudence. RELATED ARTICLE: Study Without Breaking the Bank: 7 Inclusive and Diverse Colleges My mission is to pass on knowledge. I have been working at the Kostanay Training Academy since 2001. I studied here myself, and upon graduation I was invited to work as a teacher. Four years ago, I was promoted to the Head of the Probation Staff Training Center. In the four years since Raigul took on her new role, Kazakhstan has experienced one of the most significant challenges to its prison service, with the arrival of large numbers of high-risk prisoners, including returning foreign terrorist fighters (RFTFs) into their prisons. Left unmanaged, this can lead to serious safety and security threats and a heightened risk of radicalization towards violence in prisons. To tackle this issue, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been implementing the Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters Detention Program in Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2023. This initiative, generously supported by the US Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism, has been instrumental in enhancing safety and security measures in prisons, strengthening risk assessment and management tools, improving infrastructure and capacity, and promoting the adoption of best practices. The program, now in its second phase, has not only been active in Kazakhstan but has also made a positive impact in Iraq, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Crucially, the focus of this program on sharing and integrating best practices is where the Kostanay Training Academy and Raigul herself have played, and continue to play, a key role. Listen to the story of Raigul Mukhtabayevas impressive career and how she is making a difference to the staff and prisoners at Kostanay Academy In my opinion, the Academy has changed since its partnership with UNODC. Thanks to this cooperation, we have been able to engage with many international experts who trained academic staff to develop and deliver in-service training programmes on a wide range of subjects. We have enjoyed the opportunity to have close and direct communication with the international experts from Slovenia, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Uganda and Tunisia and other countries on a variety of issues. The training delivered at Kostanay Academy is informed by good practice from countries around the world but is also tailored to the local context. UNODC has worked closely with Academy leaders and trainers to adapt international strategies and practices for use in Kazakhstan, and to ensure that all training offers respond to the challenges, responsibilities and capabilities of different stakeholders to ensure that it achieves maximum impact. You can also see clearly that UNODC has assisted the Academy in upgrading its training facilities, and now we have new training classrooms equipped with the latest technology to enable trainees arriving from the regions to learn better. And generally, the infrastructure of the Academy is significantly improved with financial support from UNODC and partners. We have worked together on prison and probation staff training, developing training modules, prisoners risks and needs assessment tool, and much more. Most of all I like that I have built up deep knowledge throughout my 25-year career. And I am now pleased to be able to share it with new and younger officers. This what inspires me the most. With thanks to the Bureau of Counterterrorism of the U.S. State Department for their generous funding of the Returning Foreign Terrorists Detention Program Find out more ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2024) Ramadan festivities titled Maah-e-Isar O Aman featuring Tilawat and Naat competition started here on Thursday at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage -Lok Virsa. Lok Virsa has planned an array of activities to make this Ramadan truly special and will continue till Eid. According to Lok Virsa, Ramadan festivities will daily start from 5 PM onwards featuring Tilawat and Naat competitions spiritual reflections to devotional performances. The festivities will also feature cultural food stalls daily from 5 PM onwards, Tilawat and Naat Competition before iftar, and development performance after iftar from 6:45 PM. We do have an amazing Islamic calligraphy exhibition lined up for all art lovers as well, Executive Director Lok Virsa Uzair Khan told APP. He said that Lok Virsa is delighted to announce an enriching event that celebrates the beauty of Ramadan -the Naat and Tilawat Competition. The senior officials of China and India hold the 29th Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs in Beijing BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2024) The senior officials of China and India hold the 29th Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs in Beijing. Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hong Liang and Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Gourangalal Das co-chaired the meeting. The representatives from the foreign affairs, defense, immigration and other departments of the two countries attended the meeting, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Thursday. Both sides positively evaluated the progress made in the management and control of the situation in the China-India border area and had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the ideas of work for the next stage. The two sides agreed to focus on the relevant issues on the ground along the border, reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible, and promote the transition of the border situation into a normalized phase of control and management. Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, improve the mechanism for negotiation and consultation, and hold a new round of corps commander-level talks at an early date. The two sides agreed to strictly abide by the agreements and guiding principles of the relevant common understandings reached between the two sides, avoid flare-ups in the situation on the ground, and continue to consolidate the previous disengagement outcomes, in a bid to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border area. APP/asg Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2024) Four people were killed and around 35 injured when a bus overturned on a German motorway near Leipzig on Wednesday, police said. The bus came off the A9 motorway in the morning between Wiedemar and the Schkeuditzer Kreuz junction. Police had earlier announced the death of five people in the accident, but revised the toll in the evening. One person initially reported dead is in a critical condition, police said in a press statement Wednesday evening. They said 29 passengers were slightly injured and six were in serious condition. German operator Flixbus said the bus was en route from Berlin to Zurich with 52 passengers and two drivers. "The exact circumstances of the accident are not yet known," Flixbus said in a statement. "We are of course working closely with the local authorities and the emergency services on site and will do everything in our power to clarify the cause of the accident quickly and completely," it said. The two drivers both survived, Flixbus added. Photos showed the bus on its side, having ploughed into trees on the side of the road. Emergency services attended to the injured at the scene and the motorway was closed in both directions, German authorities said. There were no indications that other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to the police. German Transport Minister Volker Wissing said he was "shocked" by the accident. "Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and, of course, with all those affected, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery," he told Welt tv. Another Flixbus vehicle crashed on the same stretch of motorway in May 2019. In that accident involving a bus travelling from Berlin to Munich, one person was killed and more than 60 injured, seven of them seriously. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Itaguai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2024) President Emmanuel Macron and counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday celebrated the launch of Brazil's third French-designed submarine, which will help secure the country's immense coastline, dubbed the "Blue Amazon." The two men highlighted the importance of their countries' defense partnership during a time of major global unrest, at a ceremony at Brazil's ultra-modern naval base in Itaguai near Rio de Janeiro. It is here that Brazil built the Tonelero, the third of four planned conventional diesel attack submarines, with training, equipment, and technical assistance from France. Under cloudy skies, the submarine was christened by First Lady Rosangela da Silva, nicknamed "Janja." France and Brazil's defense ties "will allow two important countries, each on a continent, to prepare so that we can face this adversity, without worrying about any type of war, because we are defenders of peace," said Lula. Despite differences, notably on the Ukraine war, Macron said "the great peaceful powers of Brazil and France" had "the same vision of the world." Macron is on a whirlwind tour of Brazil, a major economic ally, which kicked off Tuesday with the launch of a plan to raise over a billion Dollars in green investments to protect the Brazilian and Guyanese Amazon. The visit, the first by a French president to Latin America's economic giant in over a decade, is also a move to reset ties which had deteriorated significantly under former president Jair Bolsonaro. A warm meeting between Macron and Lula in the Amazon, in which the two men were pictured beaming and clasping hands in the jungle, spawned a raft of internet memes about their bromance. The cozy scenes -- a far cry from the days Bolsonaro lobbed insults at Macron's wife -- continued Wednesday at the submarine launch. With its 8,500 kilometers of coastline, Brazil is seeking to ensure the security of what it calls the "blue Amazon," its immense exclusive economic zone through which more than 95 percent of its foreign trade passes and where it extracts 95 percent of its oil. The construction of the submarines was outlined in a 2008 deal between Lula and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, which also included the purchase of 50 Caracal helicopters. The fourth submarine, the Angostura, will be launched in 2025. Brazil is also planning to build its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Alvaro Alberto, a project that has suffered significant delays, mainly due to budget constraints. The French naval defense manufacturer Naval Group is supporting the design and construction of the submarine, except for the nuclear boiler which is being designed by the Brazilians. Brasilia is however trying to convince Paris to increase technology transfers to help it integrate the reactor into the submarine and sell it equipment linked to nuclear propulsion. France has been reticent to transfer such technology due to the challenges of nuclear proliferation. "If Brazil wants to have access to knowledge of nuclear technology, it is not to wage war. We want this knowledge to assure all countries that want peace that Brazil will be at their side," said Lula. Macron told Brazil "France will be at your side" during the development of the nuclear-powered submarines, without announcing specific assistance. "I want us to open the chapter for new submarines... that we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all non-proliferation commitments," he said. Later on Wednesday, Macron arrived in the economic capital Sao Paulo to promote his country to Brazilian investors. France is the third largest investor in Brazil, with more than 40 billion Euros in direct investments in the country. "Brazil is not up to par in terms of investment in France when you see the size and expertise of Brazilian conglomerates," said the Elysee presidential palace. On Thursday Lula will welcome Macron to the Planalto presidential palace in the capital Brasilia. Russia said Thursday it had evidence that the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists" Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Mar, 2024) Russia said Thursday it had evidence that the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists". President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to allege Ukraine and the West were involved somehow in Friday's attack, despite an Islamic State affiliate having claimed responsibility. Putin said Saturday that 11 people had been detained after gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall, setting the building alight and killing at least 143 people. "As a result of work with the detained terrorists, examination of the technical devices seized from them and analysis of information on financial transactions, evidence of their links with Ukrainian nationalists has been obtained," Russia's Investigative Committee said on Thursday. It alleged the suspects had received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine" and said another man "involved in financing the terrorists has been identified and detained. "Investigators will ask the court to remand him in custody," it said. Ukraine and its Western allies have branded as absurd accusations they were involved. USM to Host Annual Public Health Symposium April 3 Thu, 03/28/2024 - 08:43am | By: Van Arnold The School of Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will host its annual Public Health Symposium on Wednesday, April 3 with presentations targeted to students, faculty, staff, public health practitioners and the Hattiesburg community at large. The symposium, featuring three concurrent sessions, will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Thad Cochran Center on USMs Hattiesburg campus. The event is free and open to the general public. Dr. Vickie Reed, Assistant Director, Public Health, MPH Graduate Coordinator & Instructor at USM, explains that the symposium is held in conjunction with National Public Health Week (April 1-7). The theme for the week and symposium is Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We are Public Health. This is a great event whereby present and future practitioners can convene together to strengthen our public health discipline and profession, said Reed. Dr. Justin Turner, Chief Medical Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, will deliver the keynote address from noon until 1 p.m. In addition to his duties as Chief Medical Officer, Turner also serves as Health Officer for the Central Public Health Region. He oversees clinical operations for the agency and serves as a liaison to the medical community and stakeholders. In 2023, Dr. Turner was awarded Most Influential African American of Mississippi by Our Mississippi, and in 2021, he was awarded National Top 40 Under 40 by the National Minority Quality Forum. As the Chief Medical Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, Dr. Turner is one of the leading public health voices in our state, said Reed. The significance of his professional insight will inform our university and Pine Belt community on the importance of a strong public health workforce. To learn more about the Public Health Symposium, email Reed at Vickie.reedFREEMississippi BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. Austria views the future development of economic cooperation with Kazakhstan as highly promising, a source at Advantage Austria, the trade promotion organization of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, told Trend. "We believe that the future development of economic cooperation between Austria and Kazakhstan is quite promising, with an optimistic and positive view," the source said. Based on the source, imports from Kazakhstan to Austria increased by 10 percent, to around 1.8 billion euros, while exports from Austria to Kazakhstan increased by 28 percent, to almost 300 million euros. "These results represent a highly positive dynamic in terms of the Austrian economy. Austrian enterprises are particularly involved in Kazakhstan in major industries such as equipment and plant engineering, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, tourism and leisure (particularly winter sports), agriculture, and green energy. This broad variety strengthens economic links and facilitates the interchange of knowledge and technologies between the two countries. We see the future of economic cooperation between Austria and Kazakhstan as highly promising, with an optimistic and hopeful perspective," the source noted. As previously reported, Kazakhstan and Austria's railway administrations agreed to strengthen cooperation in order to improve cargo transit over the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor). A comparable agreement was achieved during a meeting between Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Austria, Mukhtar Tleuberdi, the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Railways of Austria, Andreas Matte, and Christoph Grasl, a Board Member of the Rail Cargo Company. During the discussion, the parties also discussed a variety of collaboration opportunities in the transportation and logistics industries. Particular focus was dedicated to the development of Kazakhstan's transit potential and the TITR. It was mentioned that the Austrian side is actively engaging with Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), a national enterprise, and seeks to expand its presence in Central Asia. Alea Denney University of Wyoming students Alea Denney, of Keene, N.H., and Katie Johnson, of Casper, have been accepted into the Peace Corps. Their service begins following spring commencement. Denney is a senior majoring in governance and conflict resolution, with minors in anthropology and honors. On campus, she works as a program assistant with Education Abroad and as assistant outreach coordinator with the Arabic and Middle East North Africa Studies Program. Johnson is majoring in international studies and philosophy, with minors in Spanish and honors. Denney will promote Spanish literacy in the Dominican Republic, helping local teachers develop a curriculum and working on student and parent outreach programs to increase community involvement in education. I was attracted to the Peace Corps initially in high school as a way to explore the world and create meaningful change at local levels, Denney says. I am a big believer in citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and have always felt that it is one of the most effective ways to create positive change. During her time at UW, Denney has studied abroad in Iceland, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United Kingdom and several Nordic countries. My other international fun travel beyond these, such as exploring Roman ruins in Albania or making new friends in Japan, has only affirmed my love of learning about other cultures, Denney says. She also completed the Peace Corps Prep program at UW, a diversity-focused program that enhances students undergraduate experiences by preparing them for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service. The program at UW, which launched in fall 2020, is administered by the Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies (ACES) Center. Students from all majors can apply to the program, which integrates coursework with hands-on experience and professional development. I feel very well prepared to live in a new country with the research and work I have done, and Im sincerely looking forward to starting my work and immersing myself in my Dominican host community, Denney says. UW Peace Corps Prep Program Coordinator Becky Despain also was one of my biggest supporters during the application process and helped me stay on top of managing my application in a timely manner. After serving with the Peace Corps, Denney plans to pursue a career in foreign policy analysis or in the international charity sector with organizations such as Amnesty International, Oxfam or the U.S. Agency for International Development. She also hopes to continue championing citizen diplomacy and childrens right to education. Katie Johnson For her part, Johnson has studied abroad many times as a UW student. I studied economics in Iceland; visited New York with the dean of the Honors College; lived and learned in Ecuador; interviewed people in Jordan, Israel and Palestine about the conflict; interned for one of Wyomings U.S. senators in Washington, D.C.; earned a U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship to study Portuguese in Brazil; and, most recently, explored the post-Soviet states of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia for my Honors College capstone project, Johnson says. She discovered the Peace Corps when she was 17 years old during a panel titled A Lifetime of Service. Since then, she has considered different options after graduation but always finds herself being called back to the Peace Corps. It combines my love of service and interest in different cultures, and it promises a challenge to make me a more resilient, altruistic, well-rounded person, she says. Johnson will serve as an English teacher in Sri Lanka and, in the future, she hopes to work for the State Department or U.S. Agency for International Development. My career goal is to contribute to world peace and sustainable development so everyone can access the goods I have enjoyed my entire life, she says. To learn more about the Peace Corps Prep program at UW, email Despain at bdespain@uwyo.edu. Small-business owners will have the opportunity to learn how to get a first small-business loan request approved Thursday, April 4. Rob Condie will lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled The Inside Scoop: How to Get Your First Small Business Loan Request Approved from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce, located at 1897 Dewar Drive. To register, go here. Registration is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The workshop, co-sponsored by the U.S. SBA, will take small-business owners behind the scenes and share what it will take to get ready to approach a lender and how small-business owners can increase their chances of getting an approval for their loan requests. The workshop will cover preparing a personal financial statement; checking your credit score; what your safety net looks like if it takes longer than you expect to achieve the revenues youre projecting; and a hands-on case study to review cash flow projections for a loan application to better understand how to evaluate a potential deal from a lenders perspective. Condie is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties and a former banking industry professional. Workshop attendees also will have an opportunity to schedule a free one-on-one appointment with Condie to assist with developing cash flow projections for their businesses to help explain to their lenders where the money to repay their loans will come from -- in a format they will understand. For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. Kazakhstan is ready to cooperate with neighboring countries in the development of the international transport corridor North-South, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a speech at the plenary session of the Boao Forum for Asia, held annually in the Chinese province of Hainan, Trend reports. "It is essential to step up our efforts to develop both existing and new transportation routes. They include the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, or the so-called Middle Corridor, which most effectively secures supply chains between Asia and Europe. Last year, the volume of cargo traffic along this route doubled to 3 million tons. In the coming years, we expect this figure to reach 10 million tons. At the same time, Kazakhstan is ready to cooperate with its neighbors in the development of the North-South corridor," he stressed. According to Tokayev, the expansion of transit and transportation cooperation between Asian countries is strategically important. Meanwhile, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is paying a working visit to China on March 2829. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cambodias enormous Tonle Sap lake and its surrounding communities are struggling against a mighty combination of threats these days: climate change, upstream dams and the ravages of illegal fishing. The three-year stretch from 2019-2021 was the driest on record. The Tonle Saps vital flood pulse in which the lake expands to as much as five times its dry-season width, thanks in part to the reversed flow of the Tonle Sap river appeared to be dying, along with much of the lakes bountiful fish stocks. The past two years have seen more rainfall, a nearly normal wet-season lake band and even reversed Tonle Sap flow all welcome news to environmentalists and fishing communities. But any temporary relief is consumed by the long-term effects of a lake in crisis, experts and officials told VOA Khmer over the past two months. The new normal is uncertainty, said Brian Eyler, who directs the Stimson Centers programs on Southeast Asia and energy, water and sustainability. I think that's the new normal. That the predictability of a traditional expansion happening nearly every wet season, or every monsoon season, cannot be relied upon. And given the impacts of dams and the variability of weather, its very likely each year is going to be unique in terms of the ability of the Tonle Sap to expand, how much it expands, where the expansion comes from and the quality of the contents coming into the lake. Over the past two years, the Tonle Sap lake has reached nearly normal total flow, according to Stimsons Mekong Dam Monitor project. However, in 2022 much of that flow came later in the wet season due to heavy rainfall, meaning the lake missed out on early-season inflows that carry sediment, larva and nutrients crucial to annual fish stocks. Last year saw monthly flows that nearly tracked historical averages, and with it a decent fishing season, according to the Stimson Center, which is based in Washington DC. So the fishery has been OK. I wouldn't say it's been ample or impressive, but you know, there's a relationship between the quality of the expansion and the fish catch, and so far you're still seeing that relationship play out, Eyler said in a zoom interview in January. For now, the ecosystem of the Mekong seems to be that if the expansion can be closer to somewhat normal than the fishery will be, it's not like it was before, but it's still there. It hasn't completely died out. Fears of the ecosystem dying out have drawn international attention, given the Tonle Saps distinction as one of the world's most productive inland fisheries and as the source of a majority of Cambodians annual protein consumption. In 2020, National Geographic published a warning that Cambodias biggest lake is running dry and facing an existential threat that also endangered the flooded forests, which are crucial to aquatic life and absorb more carbon than normal forests. Journalist Abby Seiff, in her 2022 book Troubling the Water, wrote about how the ongoing droughts and damming of the Mekong River was transforming the social fabric of Cambodia, woven over centuries with the Tonle Sap at its center. Without the pulse, there is no water for the rice paddies surrounding the Tonle Sap. The stagnation changes how fish migrate and nutrients move. What is left of the lake?, Seiff asked in her book. There are multiple culprits for the abnormally dry years and decimated fisheries, including unpredictable weather driven by global warming, and corruption and collusion that allow illegal fishing to thrive, as Seiffs book details. And there are upstream dams, built in recent years to provide hydropower to China, Laos and Thailand. The Mekong Dam Monitor is seeking to track where flow is coming from, where it is being stopped upstream, and how the decisions made by each of the countries are impacting the other nearby nations. According to its data, the total flow into the Tonle Sap would have been 12.4% higher in September, when it reached its 2023 peak, if it werent for water being withheld upstream, mostly in Chinese reservoirs. This data is meant to inform regional conversations about how to better manage the Mekong basin, a crucial resource for all of these countries. One phenomenon the Stimson researchers are watching closely is the wet season arriving later and lasting longer than historical norms. If indeed that's true, and we can substantiate it, then there's reason for the dams upstream not to hold water back at the beginning of the wet season, and to hold water back at the end of the wet season, said Alan Basist, president of Eyes on Earth and a co-lead researcher of the Mekong Dam Monitor, during the January interview. Countries like China are mainly concerned about having water available during the dry season. If they avoided withholding water earlier in the wet season knowing they could fill reservoirs later that could help restore a more natural rhythm to the Tonle Sap lakes flood pulse, and Tonle Sap rivers reversal, said Basist. The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is the main regional body tasked with bringing countries together to coordinate water management and consult on new dam projects on the massive river and its tributaries. The MRC Secretariat told VOA Khmer that a joint study it carried out found the Tonle Saps reverse flow starting later on average in the decade from 2010-2020, compared to 2000-2009. It said its member countries Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam were discussing the findings along with non-members China and Myanmar in various consultations, including a stakeholder forum in October. However, the Secretariat said in an email in February that it was too soon to know what the new normal actually looked like, given recent drought events and human activities in the basin. These changes have potential, both positive and negative, impacts on local communities who rely on the Mekong and its tributaries, including the Tonle Sap Lake. The adverse impacts can be potentially addressed to some extent by adaptation approaches at the local community level, it said, while discussions at the regional level are ongoing. Mak Bunthoeurn, a program manager at The NGO Forum on Cambodia, regularly speaks to communities living along the Mekong and its tributaries in Cambodia, as part of his mission to amplify the voices of these communities in national and regional conversations. He said they have found little cause for optimism, even with the relative increase in total flow over the past couple years. The feeling for them in the last few years, for the local community, they raise a lot of concerns and issues resulting from the low flow. They are not sure [about] the future of the Mekong river as well as the Tonle Sap lake because the flow condition is still low, Mak Bunthoeun said during a zoom interview in late January. And because much of the water in the Tonle Sap lake came through late-season rain storms over the past two years, rather than early-season flow from the Mekong, the fisheries have still struggled, he said. Our researchers went down to the community in mid-September and they could travel in the village by car on land. Usually they would have been flooded in by August, Mak Bunthoeurn said. He added that villagers were also noting that water would sometimes inexplicably rise far faster than usual, making them wonder if upstreams dams were to blame. That points to an issue that Stimson Center, NGO Forum and other regional groups are clamoring about the need for more data and communication, and particularly from China, whose decisions can have a major impact downstream. China in the past two years appears to have withheld less water, compared to previous years but its unclear if thats because it is responding to the concerns from downstream, or whether it just depends on Chinas needs in a given year, and it might cause major disruptions again in a drier year when reservoirs are going empty. It would be useful if China would communicate more about its intent and its rationale for filling dams, said Eyler from the Stimson Center. He noted that river watchers observed an accordion effect this past year, in which the Tonle Sap would sometimes shift directions one day, and then shift back the next. He speculated the phenomenon might have been caused by large releases from Chinas dams. There's a lot less consistency in the way that China does it compared to how Southeast Asian countries operate their dams, he said. And that would contribute to the sudden rise and fallsand the accordion effect of the Tonle Sap. So I think China could learn from the downstream countries a little bit more consistent pattern-of-release. The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. said the rational development of the Mekong, which China calls the Lancang River, is in the overall interest of all countries that depend on it. China always attaches great importance to the concerns and needs of the countries downstream, maintains close communication with them, commits itself to carrying out cooperation on water resources with relevant countries such as sharing hydrological data and flood control and drought relief, said embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu in an email on Feb. 26. Cooperation on information-sharing on the Lancang River has seen thorough development. Since November 2020, China has been providing year-round hydrological information of the Lancang River to Mekong countries and the MRC, making important contributions to sharing the water resources and jointly responding to flood disasters to riparian peoples benefit, he added. China in September also made commitments to share real-time data from major dams with other Mekong countries by the end of 2023. However, according to Eyler at the Stimson Center, China did not make good on its promise. The Mekong River Commission said it is currently working closely with China, as one of its dialogue partners, to enhance collaboration, potentially providing clear evidence of these impacts through transparent data and information sharing via joint studies. Mak Bunthoeurn said there are some regional efforts to create an early warning system for when upstream dams plan large releases, but that it often breaks down at the local level, with authorities in Cambodia either unable or unwilling to spread the word on the ground. And he said that whatever data is being gathered by the MRC is not reaching civil society groups in a timely way that might be useful for local communities. But ultimately, he said, there is little regional actors can do beyond plead with China. It's hard to say stop to them, because it's even over the capacity of the [Lower Mekong] governments also, because China is in the upstream so they may decide whatever they like to do, he said. I suggest that the governments of the Mekong River have to work together, to cooperate, to ensure that downstream communities will not suffer. First lady Jill Biden will publish a children's book in June called Willow the White House Cat about her cat, Willow. The publisher, Simon & Schuster, announced Wednesday that the book tells the story of Willows journey to the White House. The short-haired tabby cat entered the Bidens life after she jumped on stage as the first lady was speaking at a Pennsylvania farm during President Joe Bidens 2020 presidential campaign. Soon after, Jill Biden adopted the cat and named it after her hometown, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. "As Willow bounds from room to room, exploring history in her new home, she learns quickly about all of the incredible people who make the 'People's House' run," the first lady said in the publisher's announcement. "They welcomed Willow with love and care, just as they did Joe and me, the First Families who came before us, and all of the people who step foot into this home. The Bidens began their White House tenancy with Willow and several German shepherd dogs. However, one dog, Champ, died in 2021, and two others, Major and Commander, were sent away for aggressive behavior after biting security personnel and White House staff. This makes 4-year-old Willow the only presidential pet currently residing at the White House. Presidential pets have long been a source of public fascination. Willow now meows among the ranks of fellow famous felines such as President Bill Clintons black and white cat named Socks, who became iconic for her photo ops on the White House lawn. Socks had her own book, written by then-first lady Hillary Clinton, called Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, which included fan mail address to Socks and her canine companion Buddy the chocolate labrador retriever. First lady Barbara Bush also wrote a book about the family pet. Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush is a dog's-eye view of the White House during the George H.W. Bush administration. First lady Biden has previously written several children's books, including Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops and Joey: The Story of Joe Biden. She published her memoir, "Where the Light Enters," in 2019. Proceeds from book sales will be given to charities that support military dogs. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press. This week on The Inside Story: American journalists remain jailed in Russia with no end in sight. Explore the challenges facing the hope for a free media in Venezuela. Front line journalists give updates on the third year of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Inside Story - A Free Press Matters, Countering Censorship | 137 Taiwans former President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to make an 11-day trip to China in early April. The trip will include stops in the southern province of Guangdong, the northwestern province of Shaanxi, and the capital Beijing, where Ma, according to reports, may meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Some experts say that if the meeting happens, not only can Xi use it to send signals to Taiwan and the United States, but it could help Washington learn more about Xi's intentions toward the island. Earlier this week, Ma's office announced that the visit will begin on April 1. The trip will include a speech at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong, a worshiping ceremony for the Yellow Emperor at the Shaanxi Huangdi Mausoleum, and a speech at Peking University. Taiwanese online news site The Storm Media reported that the meeting between Ma and Xi will be held on April 8. However, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, director of Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, said in a radio interview on March 26 that the itinerary has not been finalized. Lu-chung Weng, an associate professor of political science at Sam Houston State University, told VOA Mandarin in an emailed response that if Ma and Xi really meet, Xi will probably use this occasion to emphasize Beijing's one-China principle and that the 1992 Consensus remains the basis for cross-strait exchanges and dialogues. "The signal Xi wants to send to both sides of the Taiwan Strait would be to emphasize that peaceful reunification is still Beijing's priority and that anyone who accepts the one-China principle can negotiate, he said. Relatively speaking, it also highlights that if President-elect Lai Ching-te insists on not accepting the 1992 Consensus as the premise of one China in his inaugural speech on May 20, it will be difficult for the two sides to have a dialogue. In other words, Xi would use Ma to emphasize that the 1992 Consensus is the basis for exchanges, he added. Although Ma accepted the 1992 Consensus while he was in office, the current President Tsai Ing-wen did not, and China rolled back tourism and other exchanges in response. Lai, who is from the same party as Tsai, is expected to follow in her footsteps. For some, the 1992 Consensus is the same as accepting Beijings position that democratically ruled Taiwan is a part of China. Others believe it can be interpreted as meaning that there's one China, with both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name, free to define what that means. Weng said that during the meeting, Xi may also respond to recent U.S. concerns about China's possible invasion of Taiwan in 2027. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Beijing has ordered its military to be prepared by that year to invade Taiwan. Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said during a congressional hearing last week that despite China's economic slowdown, the People's Liberation Army is still actively modernizing its military. He said all signs show the People's Liberation Army is following Xi's instructions to "prepare to invade Taiwan by 2027." Weng said a Ma-Xi meeting will be an opportunity to gain more insight into Beijing's plans for Taiwan. "If Xi really meets former President Ma, the U.S. can be sure that Xi's challenges are indeed not small, Weng said. It will also send a signal that he will be focused more on 'peaceful reunification,' and that he will not take action in the short term. This does not mean China will not change its path in the future, he added, but at least for now "the U.S. can use the Ma-Xi meeting to determine that there is still time to prepare in the short term." Mas trip to China comes just weeks before the inauguration of Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te. Lais inauguration will be held on May 20 and many will be watching his speech for signs of how he will approach relations with China. Chiaoning Su, a professor at the School of Communication at Oakland University in Michigan, told VOA Mandarin that while Lai's inaugural speech will give priority to domestic affairs, relations with China will inevitably come up. "Lai Ching-te has repeatedly said that he will continue Tsai Ing-wen's framework, so both sides of the Taiwan Strait welcome closer dialogue and exchanges on the premise of equality and dignity, and that he does not want any conflicts to occur, she said. Lai will maintain this tone and make some pledges regarding his cross-strait policies. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. A South African who was bullied at high school is celebrating his dance students participating in the colorful Cape Town Carnival. UNICEF says a recent study found 10 million adolescent students in the Southern African Development Community region experience bullying, and the effects can continue into adulthood. Vicky Stark reports from Cape Town. (Camera and Produced by: Vicky Stark) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping will visit Kazakhstan in early July, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, Trend reports via Akorda. "Participating in the Boao Forum for Asia is an honor for me. I consider this forum is really important and should be supported wholeheartedly. I have decided to go to the forum and give a speech as a result. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my respect and greetings to President Xi Jinping. We look forward to his forthcoming state visit to Kazakhstan in the first part of July," Tokayev stated. The President of Kazakhstan commended the personal efforts of Chinese President Xi Jinping in enhancing the bonds of good neighborliness, longstanding friendship, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. "Through joint efforts, we have built effective interstate cooperation in all areas. With great warmth, I recall our meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing. I believe our efforts aimed at deepening and diversifying cooperation between Kazakhstan and China will be successful," he said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and some big names from the entertainment world teamed up Thursday night to deliver a rousing New York embrace of President Joe Biden that hauled in a record-setting $26 million-plus for his reelection campaign. The mood at Radio City Music Hall was electric as Obama praised Biden's willingness to look for common ground and said, "That's the kind of president I want." Clinton said simply of the choices facing voters in 2024: "Stay with what works." Biden himself went straight at Donald Trump, saying his expected GOP rival's ideas were "a little old and out of shape." Moderator Stephen Colbert, in an armchair conversation with the trio, called them "champion talkers" and joked that the three presidents had come to town "and not one of them is here to appear in court," a dig at Trump's many legal troubles. The eye-popping fundraising haul was a major show of Democratic support for Biden at a time of persistently low poll numbers. The president will test the power of his campaign cash as he faces off with Trump, who proved with his 2016 win over Democrat Hillary Clinton that he didn't need to raise the most money to seize the presidency. During the nearly hourlong conversation, Obama and Clinton explained just how hard Biden's job is. They spoke of loneliness and frustration over policies that work but aren't immediately felt by the public. They gave an insider's view of the office as they sought to explain why Biden was best for the job. "It is a lonely seat," said Obama, who had hitched a ride to New York on Air Force One with Biden. The talk was by turns humorous and serious, ending with all three donning sunglasses in the mostly dark music hall, a nod to the trademark Ray-Ban sunglasses that Biden often wears. The sold-out Radio City Music Hall event was a gilded exclamation mark on a recent burst of campaign travel by Biden, who has visited several political battlegrounds in the three weeks since his State of the Union address served as a rallying cry for his reelection bid. Thursday's event also brought together more than three decades of Democratic leadership. The music hall's marquee advertised the big-dollar night as "An Evening with Joe Biden Barack Obama Bill Clinton." NYPD officers lined surrounding streets as part of a heavy security presence. Protesters angry at Biden's handling of the war in Gaza and strong support of Israel briefly disrupted the show, drawing a pledge from Biden to keep working to stop civilian deaths, particularly of children. But he added, "Israel's existence is at stake." Hundreds more protested outside in the drizzling rain, many demanding a cease-fire and waving Palestinian flags. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was up first to warm up the crowd of about 5,000 supporters. Entertainers, too, lined up to make the case for Biden. Lizzo belted out her hit About Damn Time and emcee Mindy Kaling joked that it was nice to be in a room with "so many rich people," adding that she loved that they were supporting a president who openly promises to "raise your taxes." Obama laid out the choice for the audience, saying that "at the end of the day, you do have to make a choice about who sees you and cares about you. I'm pretty confident the other guy doesn't." At one point, Colbert said he suspected some Americans had forgotten some of the more concerning aspects of Trump's presidency, including January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Biden said concerns over the riot reverberated outside the U.S., with foreign leaders questioning the stability of the U.S. democracy. That democracy is still fragile, he said. The fundraiser had different tiers of access depending on a donor's generosity. Other participating celebrities included Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. Tickets sold for as low as $225. More money got donors more intimate time with the presidents. A photo with all three was $100,000. A donation of $250,000 earned donors access to one reception, and $500,000 got them into an even more exclusive gathering. First lady Jill Biden and DJ D-Nice were hosting an afterparty at the music hall with 500 guests, the campaign said. Obama and Clinton were helping Biden expand his already significant cash advantage over Trump. Biden had $155 million in cash on hand through the end of February, compared with $37 million for Trump and his Save America political action committee. The more than $26 million tally for the New York City event includes money from supporters who handed over cash in the weeks before the fundraiser for a chance to attend. It's raising $6 million more than Trump raised during February. "This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine we've built," said campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg. "Unlike our opponent, every dollar we're raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the president's historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election." Trump's campaign is expecting to bring in $33 million at a big fundraiser next week in Palm Beach, Florida, according to a person familiar with the details who spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm a number first reported by the Financial Times. Trump has kept a low profile in recent weeks, partially because of courtroom appearances for various legal cases, the bills for which he's paying with funds from donors. His next political rallies are scheduled for Tuesday in Michigan and Wisconsin. Some Republican leaders have become concerned that his campaign doesn't have the infrastructure ready for a general election battle with Biden. Trump was in the New York area on Thursday, attending the Long Island wake of a New York City police officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens. Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley tried to frame the two candidates' whereabouts on Thursday as a demonstration of a "contrast in leadership." "On the same day President Trump attended the wake of slain New York Police Department officer Jonathan Diller, Joe Biden wines and dines with celebrities at a fundraiser with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton," he said in a statement. The facts, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, show that violent crime rose during Trump's tenure while Biden's administration has "done the polar opposite, taking decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime." The setting was an unusual opportunity for the two past presidents to talk frankly about how they did the job, helping explain Biden and his presidency. As the three men closed out the night by donning Biden's trademark sunglasses, the president quipped, "Dark Brandon is real," a nod to a meme featuring Biden with lasers for eyes. China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries. China's Ministry of Commerce said the decision will take effect Friday. China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australia's support for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The duties on Australian wine skyrocketed above 200%. Australian wine producers took a heavy hit from the tariffs, as China was Australia's top wine export destination. The Australian government welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that the tariffs were lifted at a "critical time for the Australian wine industry." He Yadong, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, said China and Australia are "each other's important trade partners." "We are willing to work with Australia to resolve each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation and jointly promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations," He said. The trade in 2019, before the tariffs were in place, was worth 1.1 billion Australian dollars ($710 million) a year to the local economy. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the level of trade would likely increase when restrictions were scrapped. "We reckon that the resumption of trade, which we think is imminent, will see an even higher amount because that's what we've seen with other products that have been resumed," he said during a visit to a winery located in Australia's Hunter Valley wine region on Thursday before the lifting of tariffs was announced. "China wants good high-quality wine and Australia produces it." China imposed a raft of sanctions on Australian goods in 2020 during the most recent nadir in the bilateral relationship. It is estimated that the tariffs cost the Australian economy 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion). The trade barriers were widely regarded as punishment for the previous Australian government passing laws that ban covert foreign interference in domestic politics, for barring Chinese-owned telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out Australia's 5G network due to security concerns and for calling for an independent investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. China was also angered by Australia's deepening security ties with the United States, notably the AUKUS agreement that also includes Britain and will provide Australia with submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology. Most of the tariffs have since been lifted as the relationship thawed. Relations have steadily improved after the change in the Australian government, with Albanese visiting Beijing last November. In April, Australia suspended a complaint to the WTO in a bid to reopen the Chinese market to Australian barley, which was one of the products targeted by the tariffs, in what was widely seen as an attempt by the new Australian government to repair relations with Beijing. The Australian government also halted another WTO dispute with China over sanctions on Australian wine in exchange for China's review of the tariffs. Brushing off domestic economic headwinds, a top Communist Party official said Thursday that China aims to drive the worlds recovery this year by pushing forward reforms and making tech innovation a new point of growth. The remarks from Zhao Leji, who chairs the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, come as foreign investment in the country is falling and it grapples with issues that include high youth unemployment, ballooning debt and a crisis in the property market. Speaking to businesspeople and other leaders at the Boao Forum for Asia, Zhao said China welcomes "all countries to board the express train of China's development." Zhao said tech innovation, particularly through green technologies, would be a key point of economic growth. He also said that China is set to further open its market for foreign investors, adding that boosting green technology production would generate about $1.4 trillion annually. China is the world's second-biggest economy after the United States and, according to Zhao, is set to have its import and exports of goods surpass $32 trillion over the next five years. The country has been struggling to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and security policies that have made investors wary of doing business there. Foreign businesses, looking to mitigate risk, have been reducing investment in Chinese companies. During the forum in the southern city of Boao, Zhao said that China would open further to investors by reducing the list of industries in which Beijing prohibits or restricts foreign investment without state approval. He announced a growth target of about 5% for Chinas economy in 2024. Zhao also reaffirmed China's commitment to achieving climate neutrality with the help of green technologies. "We are speeding up efforts to promote green and low-carbon economic and social development and will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060," he said. Beijing is also aiming to reduce its ratio of energy consumption to GDP. During the forum, Zhao urged other countries to "transcend the old mentality of bloc confrontation and zero-sum games and practice genuine multilateralism to jointly build an open-world economy." Zhaos remarks come amid fresh economic tensions between Beijing and Washington. On Monday, China filed dispute proceedings with the World Trade Organization accusing the U.S. of "discriminatory" electric vehicle subsidies. A day later, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Chinese subsidies for clean energy industries create unfair competition that hurts American firms and workers, as well as firms and workers around the world. Yellen said that during a planned visit to China next month she intends to warn Beijing about its national underwriting for energy and other companies and how that is creating oversupply and market distortion. Some information from this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press. Liu Jianchao, the senior diplomat widely expected to become Chinas next foreign minister, said the world needs connectivity, not decoupling, during a four-day visit to Singapore. Liu, who heads the international department of the Communist Party, was in the city-state to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the countrys incoming leader, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During a speech at the FutureChina Dialogue on Wednesday, local media reported that Liu warned of the need for civilizations to engage, not to clash, in the context of multiple ongoing global conflicts. When discussing Washingtons relationship with Beijing, Liu said the U.S. has not abandoned its policy to oppress and contain China. Many China watchers have been predicting that Liu will replace Foreign Minister Wang Yi as Beijings next top diplomat. Most expected that would happen during Chinas top level political meetings, the Two Sessions, earlier this month, but no announcement or change was made. Wang was reappointed to the role of foreign minister last June after Qin Gang was suddenly dismissed less than a year into the job. Liu leads the Communist Party department responsible for relations with foreign political parties. He took up the role in 2022 and has embarked on some high-profile engagements, including a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in January. His four-day visit to Singapore marks a return to familiar territory for the veteran diplomat. Liu has had a number of ambassadorial postings in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia. He is quite comfortable with the region, said political scientist Joseph Liow of Singapores Nanyang Technological University. Ties between China and Singapore continue to strengthen, with the pair upgrading bilateral relations in a joint statement last April calling for improved cooperation in trade, investment and commerce. Foreign Minister Wang also visited the city-state last August before Singapores Deputy Prime Minister Wong embarked on a four-day trip to Beijing and Tianjin in December. During that visit a mutual 30-day visa waiver for citizens of both countries was announced. Singapore and China relations are in a really good spot, said Dylan Loh, a Chinese foreign policy expert at Nanyang Technological University. With the mutual visa waiver now in place, there is greater movement of people, ideas and capital and it could be catalytic for businesses and increased people-to-people exchange, Loh told VOA. Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs said both Liu and Lee reiterated their shared commitment to continue expanding cooperation in traditional areas like trade and investments. The pair also discussed the importance of working together to promote regional economic integration, added the Ministry. Singapore has a robust diplomatic partnership with Beijing and is viewed as a trusted regional interlocutor, said Hunter Marston, a researcher of Southeast Asia Studies at the Australian National University. While relations seem to be flourishing, there have been a number of recent incidents involving the presence of China, and Chinese money, in Singapore. In late February, a Hong Kong-born businessman with strong connections to China became the first person to be designated as a politically significant person under Singapores new foreign interference laws. Singapore has also seen a flood of Chinese capital and companies in recent years, with political stability and business-friendly policies luring investment. But last August, authorities uncovered the largest money laundering case in the countrys history, with local media reporting that more than $2.2 billion of assets have been seized or frozen. Singapores Straits Times reported that the 10 men arrested in relation to the case all originate from Fujian Province in eastern China. Despite the high-profile nature of these incidents, Liow believes they will have little bearing on talks between Liu and Singapores leaders. Countries will have differences, but it's important that they try to find common ground in order to foster deeper cooperation. Singapore is a very open economy, he added. So this question of Chinese money, or money from any other country coming to Singapore, it's not particularly surprising. Lius visit to Singapore comes amid increased tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. On Monday, the Philippines summoned Beijings envoy in Manila over alleged "aggressive actions" in the disputed waters. That followed an incident in early March involving a Philippines-flagged vessel colliding with a Chinese Coast Guard ship. During a meeting between Liu and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the pair exchanged views on ASEAN-China relations, as well as other regional and international developments, according to Singapores Foreign Ministry. It is very important for Singapore that the various claimant states [in the South China Sea] exercise restraint, and not allow their differences to cause tensions to escalate, said Liow. French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazils President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the launch of Brazil's third French-designed submarine at Brazils naval base in the Itaguai shipyard near Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. The submarine is part of the countries defense partnership and serves to help secure Brazils 8,500-kilometer-long coastline, dubbed the "Blue Amazon," where 85% of the country's oil, and 75% of its gas is transported. This sub is the third of four planned diesel attack submarines built in a $10 billion partnership with training, equipment and technical assistance from France. This is a realization of a submarine program called ProSub, outlined in 2008 between Lula during his first presidential term and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The fourth submarine is set to launch in 2025. According to Lula, France and Brazil's defense ties "will allow two important countries, each on a continent, to prepare so that we can face this adversity, without worrying about any type of war, because we are defenders of peace." Macron noted that, despite their differences, "the great peaceful powers of Brazil and France" had "the same vision of the world" in addition to their economic alliance. Macron is currently on a three-day tour of Brazil in order to raise over a billion dollars for green investments to protect the Brazilian and Guyanese Amazon rainforest and help amend diplomatic ties that were strained under former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. His visit marks the first by a French president in over a decade. Lula said during a speech that Macron's visit is part of a global effort to beef up rainforest protections. "We want to convince those who have already deforested that they need to contribute in an important way to countries that still have their forests to keep them standing," Lula said. The two presidents were photographed laughing and holding hands in the jungle, prompting internet memes about their burgeoning "bromance." This was a far divergence from previous incidents when Bolsonaro lobbed insults at Macrons wife. In addition to the diesel submarines, Brazil is also planning to build its first nuclear-powered submarine. However, it has experienced significant delays, mostly due to budget constraints and hesitations from its French collaborators about nuclear proliferation. "If Brazil wants to have access to knowledge of nuclear technology, it is not to wage war. We want this knowledge to assure all countries that want peace that Brazil will be at their side," Lula said. Macron told Brazil "France will be at your side" during the development of the nuclear-powered submarines, without announcing specific assistance. "I want us to open the chapter for new submarines ... that we look nuclear propulsion in the face while being perfectly respectful of all nonproliferation commitments," he said. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. Israels military Thursday reported fighting in the area of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, as well as in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said Thursday that 62 Palestinians had been killed during the previous day. The ministry said at least 32,552 people have been killed during Israels counteroffensive, which began in October after a Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people. In a reversal, Israel agreed Wednesday to send its war strategists to Washington to discuss its intention to launch a ground assault on Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. On Monday, Israel had called off the trip in protest of the U.S. refusal to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israeli-Hamas war. The United States, Israels staunchest ally in the nearly six-month war, abstained from this week's U.N. vote after vetoing similar resolutions earlier. That drew a rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, evidence of a growing split with Washington over Israels conduct of the war. But even as Netanyahu called off a trip by one set of his war strategists, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington for talks this week with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu has said a Rafah attack is necessary to erase any Hamas control of Gaza, the narrow enclave along the Mediterranean Sea. But the U.S. has told Israel it is opposed to a Rafah invasion, especially since more than a million Palestinian civilians are sheltered there in makeshift tents and structures. Israel has said it will move the Palestinians to safety before any attack on four Hamas battalions based in Rafah, but it has not indicated where it would send them. While maintaining that the U.S. abstention was very, very bad, Netanyahu told visiting U.S. Republican Senator Rick Scott that his initial cancellation of the Israeli delegations trip was a message first and foremost to Hamas: Dont bet on this [United Nations] pressure [for a cease-fire]. Its not going to work. Netanyahu said the Security Council vote encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel from achieving its war aims. Israel has vowed to keep fighting until the Hamas military is destroyed and the remaining 100 or so hostages it is holding are freed. The White House said that it was a good thing to hold more talks with Israeli officials and that a date is being discussed. Senator Roger Wicker, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday he and 10 other Republican senators have expressed their concern to U.S. President Joe Biden that planning for the temporary pier to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza has not taken into account U.S. force protection. We are gravely concerned that the Department of Defense has given too little consideration to the likelihood that Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations operating in Gaza would attempt to attack the U.S. personnel that will be deployed to this mission, the senators said in a letter dated March 21. They went on to note the pier will only add to ports of entry already backlogged with humanitarian aid deliveries. The war started with the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. More than 100 were released in November during a weeklong cease-fire. The death toll from the health ministry in Gaza includes Hamas fighters and civilians, with the ministry saying two-thirds of the dead are women and children. The ministry says in addition to those killed, nearly 75,000 other people have been injured. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Surrounded by ordinary gray shop houses on Jakartas bustling Lautze Street, the building with the yellow facade stands out. Red overhangs echo the rooflines of traditional Chinese temples, and red arched wooden doors suggest a welcome within. At a glance, the building could be mistaken for a Chinese temple. Built in 1991 by Haji Junus Jahya, an Indonesian businessman of Chinese descent, the Lautze Mosque embodies his interest in encouraging assimilation between the ethnic Chinese people and Indigenous Malay community known as Pribumi. Haji indicates that he made the pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam. Ustaz Naga Qiu which means the Dragon Islamic Teacher in Bahasa Indonesia said the mosque occupies what was once an ordinary shop occupied by the foundation founded by Haji Karim Oei, a prominent ethnic Chinese Indonesian nationalist. Because Junus initially wanted the Chinese to blend in with other Indonesians, the mosque blended in with its surroundings. But in 2000, after President Abdurrahman Wahid brought equality for Chinese Indonesians, the mosques look started to change, Naga said. This also reflected how Junus attitude about blending in changed before his death in 2011. An uneasy relationship The centuries-long relationship between Indonesians and their Chinese neighbors is one marked by violence. Under Dutch colonial rule in the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Trading Company hired thousands of Chinese and Malay low-wage laborers to work on plantations and mines. The company often stoked division between the groups to keep them from acting together against the corporation and forced the Chinese to live in separate areas. Attacks on property owned by Chinese traders and mass killings of ethnic Chinese started in 1740, when some 10,000 died on Java. When Indonesia achieved independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945, many ethnic Chinese were unable to obtain citizenship and were perceived as being more loyal to China. Hundreds were killed during an anti-Communist purge in 1965 that led to the authoritarian rule of President Suharto. Suharto forced Chinese residents to assume more Indonesian-style names and carry ID papers, and he banned Chinese characters and holiday celebrations. During the financial crisis of 1997-1998 that eventually forced Suhartos resignation, Chinese Indonesians were targeted again during Jakarta riots for their perceived wealth. And while the Lunar New Year is now a national holiday, and Confucianism is one of the six official faiths of the Muslim-majority nation, anti-Chinese sentiment lingers. The anti-Chinese narrative is still very much alive and well under the surface and can be used for the purpose of political mobilization whenever the political circumstances are prime for it, Charlotte Setijadi, an assistant professor of humanities at Singapore Management University who has researched Chinese-Indonesian identity politics, told Al Jazeera in 2023. Which makes the standout building on Lautze Street even more remarkable, especially during holidays such as Ramadan, when more people visit. This year in Indonesia, Ramadan began the evening of March 11 and will end at sunset on April 9. Since its establishment, the Lautze Mosque has served as a center for non-Muslim Chinese Indonesians who want to learn more about Islam from fellow ethnic Chinese. The mosque holds weekly meetings where new Muslims can learn how to carry out the ablution and prayers and study the Quran. Haji Muhammad Ali Karim Oei, the son of Karim Oei and now chairman of the foundation that manages the Lautze Mosque, said the organization has built mosques in Bandung and elsewhere, as well as the one in Jakarta, and helped convert more than 1,800 ethnic Chinese to Islam. All our mosques are located near Chinese communities or Chinatown, he said. As the saying goes, One can only catch the tiger cub by entering the tigers den. The mosque in Bandung, a city in West Java, was built in 1997. It also features Chinese-style architecture. Earlier this week, the acting governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, performed Tarawih prayers at Lautze Mosque 2. Naga said most of the non-Muslims who come to the Lautze Mosque in Jakarta are corporate workers who plan to marry Muslim women. The Islamic preacher said that many non-Muslim Chinese are curious about how they can maintain Chinese cultural practices if they convert. We share practical tips on how to prevent friction from occurring among family members due to different religious beliefs, said Naga. Eko Tan, 67, a Muslim convert who lives in Jakarta and frequently prays at the Lautze Mosque, said he grew up as an atheist. Islam attracted him to what he said is its logical approach to faith. During an interview with VOA Indonesian, Eko, who has a bachelors degree in psychology, told VOA Indonesian the Lautze Mosque is affiliated with the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization, whose teachings appeal to my logic. For me, the Quran is like a book on applied psychology. Muhammadiyah, founded in 1912, is the second-largest Islamic organization in Indonesia. Eko, a parking attendant, said most mosques in Jakarta do not offer mentoring or training for Muslim converts. He added he found comfort being part of a community of Chinese Muslims at Lautze Mosque. During the month of Ramadan, new converts can attend a brief sermon before breaking their fast at the mosque and are encouraged to take turns leading the congregation in Tarawih prayers each evening. This is meant to train the men to have more confidence in leading congregational prayers with their families, Naga said. Myanmar's ruling general said Wednesday the junta was holding power only temporarily with the aim of strengthening democracy, and he called for unity among the people and military to fight armed groups seeking to derail plans to hold an election. Addressing an annual Armed Forces Day parade, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who led a coup in 2021, said his opponents were receiving foreign backing and trying to destroy the country and thwart plans to return Myanmar to democratic rule. "The military, police force and people's militia are working to restore peace and stability," he told hundreds of soldiers in the capital Naypyitaw. "We need to have unity between the military and the people." The military is facing its biggest challenge since first taking power in the former British colony in 1962, fighting on multiple fronts to contain uprisings in several parts of the country and stabilize an economy that has wilted since the coup. Myanmar is locked in a civil war between the military on one side and, on the other, a loose alliance of ethnic minority rebels and an armed resistance movement spawned out of the junta's bloody crackdown on anti-coup protests. The military has been accused by activists and some Western countries of committing systematic atrocities in its efforts to suppress the rebellion, with widespread use of air strikes and heavy artillery in civilian areas and allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture and executions. The junta has dismissed those accusations as falsehoods. Min Aung Hlaing said Wednesday opponents were committing violence, looting and spreading hate, and that the military was being targeted by fake news from international journalists and social media users. "Some powerful nations," he added, were trying to interfere with Myanmar's internal affairs by helping armed groups fighting the military. He did not cite evidence. He also urged veterans to re-enlist as part of a new conscription drive. "They are providing aid to those organizations in various methods. They are trying to destroy and weaken the organizations protecting the interests of the people .... So, members of security forces need to be united," he said. He reiterated that the military had seized power because a 2020 election was marred by fraud, with nearly 30% of ballots invalid. The party of Aung San Suu Kyi, which won that vote in a landslide, has denied that accusation. Suu Kyi is currently in prison, sentenced to 27 years for various alleged offenses. Min Aung Hlaing said the next election, for which he provided no time frame, would be held under a mixed-member proportional representation system that would be more inclusive. In a statement to mark Armed Forces Day, Britain's Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said people were suffering "horrendous acts of violence at the military regime's hands." Canada's embassy said it "condemns in the strongest possible terms the ongoing atrocities" perpetrated by the military. The Philippines said it will take retaliatory measures against what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Thursday called "dangerous attacks" by China on its vessels in the South China Sea, the latest instance of escalating tensions between the two nations. While the Philippines views its disputes with China as an encroachment on its sovereignty, Beijing has accused Philippine vessels of intruding into Chinese waters and has warned Manila that it will defend its own sovereignty. In a statement on X, Marcos added that recent "attacks" in the South China Sea were "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous," referring to the Chinese coast guard's use of a water cannon Saturday. The cannon damaged a Philippine supply vessel and injured navy crew members. He said that the Philippines would not be "cowed into silence," and over the next few weeks, the country will implement a "proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable" countermeasure package. He added that "We seek no conflict with any nation." The conflict occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal in the contested waters of the South China Sea, most of which China claims as its own. Marcos said he decided to respond after consulting with top national security and defense officials. He also added that he has been consulting with international allies, saying that they have offered to help the country protect its sovereignty. After the Saturday incident, a diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in Manila was summoned to hear the Philippines "strongest protest" against Beijing. The United States condemned the actions of the Chinese coast guard, reaffirming the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which would require the U.S. military to aid the Philippines should the country be attacked by China. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said Thursday that the Philippines "should realize that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere." Some information from this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Israeli plans for a ground invasion of Rafah are on hold as Israeli and American officials work to reschedule a meeting to discuss the plan, the White House announced Thursday. The Biden administration expects that there will be no assault on Rafah at least until after the meeting, national security communications adviser John Kirby said in a briefing to reporters. No date for the talks has been set, he said. The meeting is back on after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed his decision to cancel sending a delegation of war strategists to Washington to discuss his governments intentions to root out Hamas militants in the Gaza Strips southernmost city. Netanyahu canceled the delegation on Monday to protest a U.S. abstention at the United Nations Security Council that allowed passage of a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israeli-Hamas war. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that Netanyahu agreed to reschedule the meeting. Top Biden officials have urged Israel to abandon plans to attack Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinian civilians seek safety, as bilateral tensions brew over Israels conduct in its nearly six-month war against Hamas. In two days of meetings in Washington earlier this week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and CIA Director William Burns implored Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to find alternatives that would avoid more casualties in Gaza, where the death toll has topped 32,000, according to Palestinian figures. The discussions with Gallant were not meant to replace what we hope to be able to do in a more comprehensive way with the Israeli delegation coming to D.C., Kirby said. Netanyahu insists that the goal of total victory against Hamas cannot be achieved without going into Rafah, where Israel says there are four Hamas battalions composed of thousands of fighters. To win this war, we must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah, the prime minister said Tuesday via video conference to the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee. If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm and reconquer Gaza, and then we're back to square one. And that's an intolerable threat that we cannot accept. Meanwhile, despite an extensive diplomatic push by U.S. officials, together with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, talks in Qatar on a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas remain deadlocked. During a briefing, opposition MP Tamar Kordzaia stated that the prohibition of MPs from visiting Mikheil Saakashvili and the delay in scheduling a hearing on their complaint for months indicate that both Saakashvili and the opposition are being targeted as victims of political revenge.She alleged that all bodies involved, including the security service, the Ministry of Justice, the parliament, and the court, are complicit in preventing members of parliament from entering and visiting ex-president Saakashvili.Kordzaia stated that for over a year, the Chairman of Parliament has prohibited members of Parliament from visiting Mikheil Saakashvili. She mentioned filing a complaint on April 14, 2023, believing it her duty to protect parliamentary authority through legal means. However, as of now, a court hearing on this matter has not been scheduled."The court, which is currently holding a conference of judges regarding their fairness and impartiality, has not held this session for over a year. I believe this chain of events clearly shows that Mikheil Saakashvili and the opposition are victims of political revenge, as all bodies-the security service, the Ministry of Justice, the Parliament, and the court-are involved in preventing me, as a member of parliament, from entering and visiting Mikheil Saakashvili. We have the constitutional right to do so, according to legislation, and these rights are being unjustifiably restricted by systematic disorder, deliberate, and planned illegality." Kordzaia stated.The Election Administration of Georgia is hosting a delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This delegation, as confirmed by the Central Election Commission (CEC), consists of representatives from the election administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Parliamentary Assembly, and other agencies."Heads and representatives of the structural units of the Central Election Commission will share information with the members of the delegation about legislative innovations, the use of electronic technologies in elections, and a large-scale campaign to inform voters. On the second day of the visit, they will discuss the activities of the election systems, reform and training center, the State Services Development Agency, and the Personal Data Protection Service. This interaction will facilitate acquaintance among them.The study visit of the delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Georgia is being carried out under the auspices of the OSCE," the information reads. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. Kazakhstan plays a vital role as a bridge between East and West, the 8th UN Secretary-General, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, and President of the Assembly of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Ban Ki-moon said this during a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in China, Trend reports via Akorda. "As Kazakhstan's leader, you are committed to promoting peace and unity in the area while empowering both the people and the UN. I believe Kazakhstan serves an important function as a link between the East and the West. Your wide knowledge allows you to understand the complexities of the global dynamics between the East and the West," he said. In turn, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to Ban Ki-moon for the invitation to attend the Boao Forum, acknowledging his substantial contributions to the global community during his tenure as UN Secretary-General. "In my perspective, you stand out as one of the finest Secretaries-General in the history of the United Nations. It has been a pleasure and an honor for me to serve under your leadership at the UN for two and a half years," Tokayev said. The sides also discussed the international agenda, including the role of the UN in effectively overcoming global challenges. Furthermore, Tokayev discussed Kazakhstan's international initiatives. As part of the 79th session of the General Assembly, Kazakhstan, in collaboration with France, aims to host the One Water Summit. Additionally, Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, will host a regional climate summit in 2026. Concluding the discussion, the president of Kazakhstan extended an invitation to Ban Ki-moon to participate as one of the main speakers in the upcoming "Astana" International Forum. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel March 24 marked the 25th anniversary of the start of Operation Allied Force the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations air campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, or FRY, during the Kosovo War. The bombing ended on June 10, 1999, after FRY President Slobodan Milosevic agreed to withdraw troops from Kosovo and allow in peacekeepers. On March 25, Russias state-owned Sputnik news agency disputed the pretext of the military intervention, namely that Albanian Muslims in Kosovo were being ethnically cleansed. The world learned that the U.S. and NATO see the globe as their own playground where they do as they please a quarter of a century ago, Sputnik wrote. On March 24, 1999, Western nations started bombing the city of Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia, under the far-fetched pretext of protecting Kosovars. Sputniks claim that there was no legitimate pretext for protecting Kosovo Albanians is misleading. Scholars have debated what ultimately motivated NATO to launch the 2-month air campaign against the FRY and whether the humanitarian intervention was legal under international law. Still, the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, several acts of mass killing and other grave rights abuses inflicted on Kosovo Albanians preceded the NATO bombing campaign. An estimated 250,000 Kosovo Albanians had been driven from their homes by the autumn of 1998. Amid fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, events such as the February-March 1998 Drenica massacre and the January 1999 Racak massacre contributed to NATOs decision to use military force. First-hand accounts of senior Washington policymakers suggest that the Racak massacre transformed the West's Balkan policy, convincing the administration of U.S. then-President Bill Clinton and later NATO allies that a six-year effort to bottle up the ethnic conflict in Kosovo was doomed, Barton Gellman of The Washington Post reported at the time. International relations scholars James Goldgeier and Gorana Grgic argue that the 1999 NATO intervention should be viewed in the context of the largest act of mass killing in Europe the Bosnian genocide that Serbia and ethnic Bosnian Serbs had carried out during the Yugoslav Wars. For almost a year, the international community tried to deter Milosevics regime from attacking the Albanian civilian population in Kosovo by imposing a range of trade and investment sanctions, asset freezes and arms and oil embargos. All of these were in vain and some even outright counterproductive, as in the case of an arms embargo on the significantly weaker Kosovo Albanians forces. As the human rights violations, large-scale displacement and death counts began to soar, and the international attempts at mediation failed, it became clear direct military intervention remained as the last resort, Goldgeier and Grgic wrote. Gregory Stanton, a scholar of genocide, argues the very term ethnic cleansing was invented by Milosevic and Serbian propagandists as a euphemism for forced deportation and genocide. The United Nations said ethnic cleansing is a literal translation of the Serbo-Croatian expression etnicko ciscenje, but noted the precise roots of the term or who started using it and why are still uncertain. Still, the roots of the conflict are complex, and no side is without blame. In 1989, Milosevic, then Serbias president, rose to prominence by eliminating Kosovos autonomy. Yugoslavia had granted Kosovo, a province within Serbia, autonomy in 1974. In April 1992, the republics of Serbia and Montenegro formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, after Yugoslavia collapsed amid the Yugoslav Wars, which started in 1991. Milosevic served as Serbias president from 1989-1997, and then took the helm of the FRY from 1997-2000. Kosovo Albanians' resistance to Serbian rule eventually grew into a low-level insurgency with the emergence in 1996 of the Kosovo Liberation Army, or KLA, which sought secession from the FRY and the eventual creation of a Greater Albania. The armed insurrection had significantly heated up by 1998, prompting a severe crackdown by the Serbian government on the Albanian population. As attacks intensified from both sides, the KLA, FRY and Serbian security forces were implicated in atrocities that led to failed international efforts to contain the violence. Albanian civilians were disproportionately affected. In February 1999, at NATO-supported peace talks in Rambouillet, France, the Interim Agreement for Peace and Self-Government in Kosovo was presented to both sides to end the violence in Kosovo and facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons. That agreement eyed a withdrawal of Serbian and FRY security forces from Kosovo. The agreement also envisioned a return to Kosovo autonomy and would have granted NATO forces unimpeded access throughout the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Some scholars and former U.S. diplomats argued those conditions were untenable for Milosevic. Milosevic's refusal to sign the accords precipitated the NATO air campaign. Then-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan characterized military action as a regrettable but necessary last resort. Serbian and FRY security forces drastically ramped up the ethnic cleansing campaign following the withdrawal of the Organization for Security and Cooperation Kosovo Verification Mission and the start of the NATO bombing campaign. New York-based Human Rights Watch said that 525,787 refugees fled to neighboring countries from Kosovo in the first three weeks of the air campaign, with government forces ultimately expelling 862,979 ethnic Albanians from Kosovo. Stephen Hosmer, a senior staff member at the RAND Corporation, a U.S. think tank and research institute, argued in 2001 that Milosevic mistakenly assumed the refugee crisis resulting from the Serb ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo would give him leverage over NATO to cease its attacks. While Sputnik contends the NATO bombing of the FRY caused a humanitarian catastrophe, Albanian civilians killed by FRY and Serbian security forces account for a large percentage of the war victims. The Kosovo Memory Book database, which documents deaths in that conflict from 1998-2000, puts the overall number of war victims at 13,535. It said that 10,317 civilians lost their lives or went missing in connection with the war, of whom 8,676 were Albanians. In terms of civilian deaths, an additional 1,196 Serbs and 445 Roma and other civilians, lost their lives. According to the Human Rights Data Analysis Group, an nongovernmental organization, the Kosovo Memory Book database documents all or nearly all the human losses during the conflict. The KLA was implicated in some of those killings. According to a 2012 Amnesty International report, the KLA allegedly abducted and murdered 800 members of minority communities in Kosovo, including some Kosovo Albanians it believed to be collaborators. During the 78-day air campaign, NATO aircraft flew 38,400 sorties, including 10,484 strike sorties, in which 23,614 air munitions were dropped. An extensive fact-finding mission by Human Rights Watch concluded that as few as 489 and as many as 528 Yugoslav civilians were killed in the NATO air campaign. It noted that 62% to 66% of the total civilian deaths occurred in twelve incidents. Based on that bombing-to-civilian-casualty ratio, the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia determined the figures did not indicate that NATO may have conducted a campaign aimed at causing substantial civilian casualties either directly or incidentally. The U.N. tribunal also noted an FRY Ministry of Foreign Affairs publication, NATO Crimes in Yugoslavia, which included an estimate of 495 civilians killed and 820 civilians wounded in specific documented instances. The Somali government said Thursday its soldiers backed by international partners and local clan militias killed about 80 al-Shabab militants and wounded dozens more in three operations in the countrys southern and central regions. A government official indicated the attacks stopped a terrorist operation. The militants were planning spectacular attacks to coincide with an important date in the Ramadan calendar, the 17th day of the fast, said the governments deputy information minister, Abdirahman Yusuf Adala. There was no independent confirmation of the death toll, reported by Adala and Somalias defense ministry, and no immediate comment from al-Shabab through its spokesperson or websites. The Ministry of Information said the Somali National Army carried out a coordinated series of operations across the regional states of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Southwest. A press release says the operations were carried out with the support of international security partners. Countries helping the Somali government include the United States, Turkey and members of the African Union. Government officials said the first military operation was conducted in an area near the city of Harardhere, in Mudug region. In an interview with VOA Somali, Harardhere District Commissioner Mohamed Yusuf Kulmiye said that al-Shabab members were gathering at the site of the operation called Farah Adan Sands, when the Somali National Army launched a surprise attack. We received an intelligence tip that they were remobilizing and plotting an attack on the town, and we immediately responded to neutralize the threat. We killed more than 40 militants and lost 10 of our soldiers in the battle, said Kulmiye. The Somali defense ministry says the second operation took place in Fiqaay forest, 15 kilometers from the Daru Nicma area in the Middle Shabelle region. A statement from the defense ministry says that more than 35 members of al-Shabab were killed in this area, and that battlewagons and other militant vehicles were destroyed. In the third operation, the Somali government said its military targeted areas under the Wajid district in the Bakool region, in southwest Somalia, killing six members of al-Shabab. The 24-hour military campaign against al-Shabab came on the heels of a deadly attack by the militants on a Somali military base in the Lower Shabelle region, in the country's southwest. Security officials, who asked for anonymity, told VOA at least 17 government soldiers were killed during the attack on the Busley base, which was briefly occupied by the attackers. Armed fighters from al-Shabab battled their way to the facility using suicide car bombs, one Somali military official told the Reuters news agency. He declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media. It's an important year for South Africa: Not only is the country marking the 30th anniversary of its democracy, 2024 is also an election year. Observers say the polls will be fiercely contested. Kate Bartlett has the story from Johannesburg. Camera: Zaheer Cassim. Two men accused of smuggling people across the U.S.-Canada border into Minnesota have pleaded not guilty. The people they allegedly smuggled included four members of an Indian family from Gujarat who froze to death during a blizzard in 2022. Harshkumar Patel, 28, alias Dirty Harry, entered his plea Monday to seven counts of human smuggling during a brief teleconference with U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois of Duluth. Authorities allege that Patel hired Steven Shand, 49, of Deltona, Florida, to illegally transport the unauthorized immigrants over the Canadian border to the Chicago area. Shand pleaded not guilty during the same hearing. Shand was arrested and charged with human smuggling two years ago but remains free on bail. His case was put on hold several times before Patels arrest last month. Patel is in federal custody. Defense attorney Thomas Leinenweber did not immediately respond Wednesday to an Associated Press request for comment. According to a recent court document and the U.S. Homeland Security Department, Patel had previously been refused a U.S. visa at least five times and is currently illegally in the U.S. His name did not come up in connection with the smuggling until he was arrested in Chicago last month on a previously sealed warrant from last September. The unsealed documents revealed that Patel is linked with a human trafficking group in the northwest Indian state of Gujarat. Authorities alleged the group would get Indian nationals into Canada with student visas before smuggling them to the Chicago area. Prosecutors allege Shand was driving a rented 15-passenger van that was stopped by the U.S. Border Patrol in Minnesota near the Canadian border on January 19, 2022. Inside were two Gujaratis who had entered the U.S. illegally. Five others were found nearby, having walked for upward of 11 hours in subzero temperatures, they said. One person suffered severe cold-related injuries. The group claimed to have been separated from the family of four, whose bodies were later found just meters from the border in Manitoba. The deceased were identified as Jagdish Patel, 39, Vaishaliben, 34, their daughter Vihangi, 11, and son Dharmik, 3, from Gujarat. The parents, both teachers, had sought a better life in the U.S., relatives said. Shand admitted transporting the people for Patel and receiving about $25,000 for five trips to the border, dropping passengers at various locations in the Chicago area. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press. Gang violence has killed more than 1,500 people in Haiti so far this year, the United Nations said Thursday, as it deplored the continuing stream of weapons pouring into the Caribbean Island nation. The U.N. described the situation in the chaos-wracked country as "cataclysmic." "It is shocking that despite the horrific situation on the ground, arms keep still pouring in, Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said in a statement. I appeal for a more effective implementation of the arms embargo." The U.N. said dozens of people have been lynched by so-called self-defense brigades this year. Many of the gang members are convicted criminals, 4,000 of whom have escaped from Haitis two biggest prisons. "All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once," Turk said. The U.N. said the gang wars have intensified in recent weeks as heavily armed rivals have engaged in new waves of attacks, including raids on police stations and the international airport. Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation on March 11. He left Haiti and now is in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, with the gangs preventing his return to Haiti. A transitional presidential council that will be responsible for selecting a new prime minister issued its first official statement on Wednesday, pledging to restore public and democratic order in Haiti. We are determined to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people, trapped for too long between bad governance, multifaceted violence and disregard for their perspectives and needs, the council said. The council members said that as soon as they are officially installed, they would help put Haiti back on the path of democratic legitimacy, stability and dignity. The U.N. report documented 4,451 killings last year and 1,554 through March 22 of this year. The U.N. said some of the killings have occurred in residents' homes due to civilians' alleged support for the police or rival gangs, or in densely populated streets due to crossfire or snipers. One victim was a three-month-old baby. In addition, the U.N. rights office said that with lax security in Haiti, 528 people suspected of links to gangs were lynched by armed brigades last year and 59 more this year. Some material in this report came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press. Security in Congo's mineral-rich east has deteriorated since recent elections, with a rebel group allegedly linked to neighboring Rwanda making "significant advances and expanding its territory," the U.N. special envoy for the conflict-wracked African nation said Wednesday. Bintou Keita told the U.N. Security Council this has created "an even more disastrous humanitarian situation, with internal displacement reaching unparalleled numbers." Last month, the United States told Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that they "must walk back from the brink of war," the sharpest warning yet of a looming conflict. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood again condemned "the aggressive military incursion" into eastern Congo by the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan Defense Force and attacks including on U.N. peacekeepers. He called on the leaders of Rwanda and Congo "to make the decision to pursue peace for the sake of their people, the region and the world." Wood described M23 as "a group which has perpetrated appalling human rights abuses against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence." He called the international community's failure to condemn the actions of Rwanda, which is a major troop contributor to U.N. peacekeeping forces, "dismaying" and said "the U.N. should reevaluate Rwanda's credibility as a constructive partner in peacekeeping." The U.S. State Department last month called for the withdrawal of Rwanda's troops and surface-to-air missile systems from eastern Congo and criticized M23, calling it a "Rwanda-backed" armed group. The Rwandan Foreign Ministry said last month that the country's troops are defending Rwandan territory as Congo carries out a "dramatic military build-up" near the border. The ministry's statement said Rwanda's national security is threatened by the presence in Congo of an armed group whose members include alleged perpetrators of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during which more than 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus who tried to protect them were killed. The rebel group, known by its initials FDLR, "is fully integrated into" the Congolese army, the statement said. Although Rwanda has long cited a threat posed by FLDR, authorities there had never admitted to a military presence in eastern Congo. Wood said the U.S. recognizes the FDLR "is a continuing threat to the Congolese people and a security threat to Rwanda that must be addressed." At Wednesday's council meeting the Congolese and Rwandan ambassadors again went after each other. Congolese Ambassador Zenon Ngay Mukongo called the M23 and Rwandan forces a "coalition of the axis of evil." He said a meeting of heads of state is planned for April and Congo is seeking lasting peace throughout the country and that it "will not accept window-dressing arrangements aimed at perpetuating insecurity and confusion" which encourages the M23 and Rwanda's "shameless exploitation of strategic minerals" in eastern Congo. Rwandan Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo reiterated his government's serious concerns about the FDLR and called for Congo to resolve the security issues involving many rebel groups themselves. "We should also raise awareness about the dangers of genocide, the ideology, which has spilled over into the DRC," the initials of Congo's official name, the Democratic Republic of Congo, he said. Keita, the U.N. envoy, told the council that mediation by Angola between the countries has resumed. In response to a question afterward by reporters about Wednesday's confrontation between the ambassadors, she said, she strongly believes this mediation and other efforts to reduce tensions should be supported "in spite of the displeasure that we saw" in the council. Japan's Cabinet OK'd a plan to sell future next-generation fighter jets to other countries on Tuesday, its latest step away from the pacifist principles the country adopted at the end of World War II. The controversial decision to allow international arms sales is expected to help secure Japan's role in a year-old project to develop a new fighter jet together with Italy and the U.K., but it's also part of a move to build up Japan's arms industry and bolster its role in global affairs. For now, Tokyo says that it doesn't plan to export co-developed lethal weapons other than the new fighters, which aren't expected to enter service until 2035. Here is a look at what the latest change is about and why Japan is rapidly easing weapons export rules. What's changing? On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved a revision to its guidelines for selling defense equipment overseas, and authorized sales of the future jet. The government says that it has no plans to export other co-developed lethal weapons under the guidelines, and it would require Cabinet approval to do so. Japan has long prohibited most arms exports under the country's pacifist constitution, although it's begun to take steps toward a change amid rising regional and global tensions. In 2014, it began to export some non-lethal military supplies, and last December, it approved a change that would allow sales of 80 lethal weapons and components that it manufactures under licenses from other countries back to the licensors. The change, which was made in December, cleared the way for Japan to sell U.S.-designed Patriot missiles to the United States, helping replace munitions that Washington is sending to Ukraine. The decision on jets will allow Japan to export lethal weapons it co-produces to other countries for the first time. What is the new fighter jet? Japan is working with Italy and the U.K. to develop an advanced fighter jet to replace its aging fleet of American-designed F-2 fighters, and the Eurofighter Typhoons used by the U.K. and Italian militaries. Japan, which was previously working on a homegrown design to be called the F-X, agreed in December 2022 to merge its effort with a British-Italian program called the Tempest. The joint project, known as the Global Combat Air Program, is based in the U.K., and hasn't yet announced a new name for its design. Japan hopes the new plane will offer better sensing and stealth capabilities amid growing tensions in the region, giving it a technological edge against regional rivals China and Russia. Why is Japan changing its stance on arms exports? In its decision, the Cabinet said that the ban on exporting finished products would hinder efforts to develop the new jet, and limit Japan to a supporting role in the project. Italy and the U.K. are eager to make sells of the jet in order to defray development and manufacturing costs. U.K. Defense Minister Grant Shapps has repeatedly said Japan needs "updating" to not cause the project to stall. Kishida sought Cabinet approval before signing the GCAP agreement in February, but it was delayed by resistance from his junior coalition partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito party. Exports would also help boost Japan's defense industry, which historically has catered only to the country's Self Defense Force, as Kishida seeks to build up the military. Japan began opening the door to some exports in 2014, but the industry has still struggled to win customers. The change also comes as Kishida is planning an April state visit to Washington, where he is expected to stress Japan's readiness to take a greater role in military and defense industry partnerships. Japan sees China's rapid military buildup and its increasing assertiveness as threats, especially growing tensions in the disputed East and South China Seas. Japan also sees increasing joint military exercises between China and Russia around Japan as a threat. Why are arms exports divisive? Because of its wartime past as an aggressor and the devastation that followed its defeat in World War II, Japan adopted a constitution that limits its military to self-defense and long maintained a strict policy to limit transfers of military equipment and technology and ban all exports of lethal weapons. Opposition lawmakers and pacifist activists have criticized Kishida's government for committing to the fighter jet project without explaining to the public or seeking approval for the major policy change. Recent polls show public opinion is divided on the plan. To address such concerns, the government is limiting exports of co-developed lethal weapons to the jet for now, and has promised that no sales will be made for use in active wars. If a purchaser begins using the jets for war, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said, Japan will stop providing spare parts and other components. What's next? Potential markets for the jet include the 15 countries with which Japan has defense partnership agreements, such as the United States, Germany, India and Vietnam. A defense official said Taiwan a self-governed island that China claims as its own territory is not being considered. He spoke on condition of anonymity due to briefing rules. More weapons and components could be added to the approved list under the new export guidelines. When Kishida goes to Washington in April, he's likely to talk to U.S. leaders about potential new defense and weapons industry cooperation. The new policy could also help Japan push for a bigger role in alliances and regional defense partnerships like Australia, the U.S. and the U.K.'s AUKUS. Starting next month, the U.S. Coast Guard and Argentine Navy will begin conducting joint exercises aimed at combating illegal Chinese fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. Argentina, Chile and Peru have criticized Chinese-operated craft for large-scale invasive fishing in their territorial waters without regulation, which the South American countries say is depleting fish stock and damaging the natural biodiversity of the southwest Atlantic. It is a key nesting area for seabirds and feeding area for marine mammals. The Coast Guard will send its destroyer, the USS James, to work with Argentine vessels to curb these fishing practices. According to data from the NGO Global Fishing Watch, nearly 3,000 deepwater fishing boats operate under the Chinese flag globally, including about 400 in the southwest Atlantic, often targeting Argentine squid and Patagonian toothfish. The NGO says Chinese vessel activity in the southwest Atlantic increased from 61,727 hours per 500 square kilometers in 2013 to 384,046 hours in 2023. Since 1986, Argentine authorities have seized 80 foreign-flagged boats fishing in their waters, including sinking Chinese and Taiwanese ships. The upcoming joint U.S.-Argentina cruise to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated or IUU fishing, mainly by Chinese fishing vessels, is part of a global and ongoing effort to strengthen maritime security partnerships. In 2020, the United States launched a new strategy to combat IUU fishing, and the Coast Guard is spearheading that effort. In South America, it has already stepped-up cooperation with Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. Analysts say the Coast Guards cooperation with Argentina together with recent visits from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns reflect a shift by Argentine President Javier Mileis new government, elected in November, away from China and toward the United States. The producing provinces of Patagonia have warned about the serious situation of illegal fishing and President Milei has a very clear position in relation to China, Gabriela Ippolito ODonnell, a political science professor at the National University of San Martin in Argentina, told VOA Mandarin. President Milei is undoubtedly in tune with the USA, even more so if Donald Trump wins the elections. He has already shown signs of a 180-degree turn in foreign policy in all its aspects, including the military. ODonnell said the decision to push back on Chinese illegal fishing practices was more than a symbolic move. There is an epochal change in Argentina's foreign relations, ODonnell said. Of course, the Argentine military and the political opposition will have a voice in this process of military rapprochement with the U.S. But the initiative today belongs to President Milei. In January, Milei authorized the U.S. military to enter Argentine territory a stark contrast from three years ago, when U.S. patrols in the South Atlantic led to conflict with Argentinas then-President Alberto Fernandez. According to Michael Paarlberg, an assistant professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, the decision is a deliberate way for Milei to break from his rivals, his direct predecessor Fernandez and former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who reached several military cooperation agreements with China. We are seeing a growing closer relationship between the U.S. and Argentina under the new Milei government, closer than it was under the more U.S.-skeptical Fernandez government, Paarlberg told VOA Mandarin. Military cooperation with the U.S. is a way for Milei to fulfill his promise to undo all of the policies of his predecessors. Analysts, however, say Mileis actions do not represent a complete break between China and Argentina, but rather an interest in diversifying Argentinas international relationships, with fishing in Argentinas territorial waters providing the country with a bargaining chip. China remains Argentinas largest trading partner. It is too soon to talk about a major overhaul of Argentina's foreign policy under Javier Milei, particularly regarding its ties with the United States and China, Fabricio Fonseca, an assistant professor of diplomacy at Taiwans National Chengchi University, told VOA Mandarin. There are other geoeconomic trends and events that we need to take into consideration before forecasting a permanent change in Buenos Airess relations with Beijing. Evie Steele contributed to this story. The Biden administration has been making a diplomatic push for talks with North Korea with more explicit public proposals for engagement than at any other time since taking office. We want dialogue, and there are lots of valuable discussions that could be had with the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or DPRK, said Jung Pak, the U.S. senior official for North Korea. Those items for discussion could include sanctions, humanitarian cooperation and confidence-building measures, Pak said at a March 18 event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. She added that the U.S. wants North Korea to take risk-reduction steps to avoid miscalculation and inadvertent escalation. The U.S. also wants to see Pyongyang take interim steps toward denuclearization, Pak said at another event held by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on March 5. Joseph DeTrani, who served as the special envoy for six-party denuclearization talks with North Korea from 2003 to 2006 during the George W. Bush administration, told VOA via email on Friday that the Biden administration is making this approach now as opposed to earlier in its term because tension on the Korean Peninsula has increased exponentially, and all efforts must be made to stop this escalation and defuse this tension. Since the beginning of the year, Pyongyang has repeatedly called Seoul its primary foe and denounced unification while rallying North Korea to prepare to occupy South Korea if a war breaks out. North Korea has launched multiple rockets and cruise missiles and conducted several artillery firing drills this year. In its latest test on March 18, North Korea conducted a drill involving newly equipped super-large multiple rocket launchers that could cause disastrous consequences if a war breaks out, its state-run KCNA news agency said. Since its term began in 2021, the Biden administration has said it is open to denuclearization talks with North Korea without preconditions. But it has been silent on what it would offer Pyongyang or how it thinks denuclearization should proceed, although it has hinted at incremental steps toward that goal. After completing a monthslong policy review on North Korea in April 2021, then-White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the Biden administration sought a middle ground between a grand bargain and strategic patience. Former President Donald Trump sought to strike a grand bargain with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trumps predecessor, former President Barack Obama, pursued a policy approach dubbed strategic patience, which involved waiting to engage Pyongyang until it reduced tensions. In an interview with VOA on March 18, Pak said, Our policy is the same since we rolled out our policy review back in the spring of 2021, which is that we are absolutely looking for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. She continued, When we talk about interim steps, were making explicit what has always been implicit, which is a complete denuclearization will not occur overnight. Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation, told VOA in a telephone interview on Monday that perhaps it was almost frustration that prompted the Biden administration to make its approach to North Korea more explicit and public now. U.S. officials have tried many channels, including through third countries, trying to get messages to the North Koreans and indicating theyre willing to talk not only about denuclearization but about other nonnuclear issues, including risk reduction or confidence-building measures [and] humanitarian assistance, Klingner said. Mira Rapp-Hooper, special assistant to the president and senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council, said at a CSIS-hosted virtual event on March 3 that North Korea has not answered multiple U.S. calls for dialogue made through many channels. She continued, This is increasingly problematic, of course, because we now see the DPRK taking increasingly escalatory behavior. Robert Rapson, who served as charge daffaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, said, I was struck by the continued priority given risk reduction as an initial discussion topic, which reflects, in my view, growing U.S. concerns about the escalatory situation on the Korean Peninsula. While North Korea increased missile launches and verbal hostilities toward South Korea, it has been making weapons shipments to Russia in defiance of international sanctions. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said at a press briefing on March 18 that Pyongyang has shipped about 7,000 containers of weapons to Russia since last year. DeTrani said that is all the more reason why we should be open and creative in getting North Korea back to negotiations. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Just two weeks after senior Indian diplomat J.P. Singh visited Kabul to meet with Taliban officials, a senior U.S. official landed in New Delhi to discuss Afghanistan. Thomas West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, urged Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra to develop a unified diplomatic approach in support of collective interests in Afghanistan. Unlike India, the United States has severed diplomatic ties with Kabul since the United States withdrawal from war-torn Afghanistan in 2021. Washington maintains a policy of sanctions and isolation toward Taliban leaders. Some analysts criticize that approach as ineffective, but U.S. officials maintain there will be no change until the Taliban reverse their bans on women's education and work and form a more inclusive government. The United States is going to continue to pursue policies in Afghanistan that protect our national interests and support the Afghan people, a State Department spokesperson wrote to VOA. India takes a different approach. It views the Taliban as having brought a measure of stability to Afghanistan after 20 years of civil war, according to Rustam Shah Mohmand, a former Pakistani ambassador to Kabul. India eyes Afghanistans mineral wealth, and it wants transit access for trade and energy to Central Asia, Mohmand told VOA. In the meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Singh and other Indian delegates also talked about enhancing trade via Chabahar port, according to a statement by the Taliban foreign ministry. Chabahar is a seaport in southeastern Iran. India has hoped to use the port to establish a trade route. The U.S. has no such interest. However, the State Department spokesperson expressed respect for India's need to pursue its national interests by engaging with the Taliban. Counterterrorism Terrorism threats emanating from Afghanistan have long been a primary concern for the U.S. and India. U.S. officials frequently warn the Taliban against harboring al-Qaida and other militant groups that could endanger U.S. interests. Similarly, New Delhi fears groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and their alleged acts of terrorism against India. The Taliban maintain that they do not, and will not, allow any group to use Afghan territory to threaten other countries. While both Washington and New Delhi claim to share an interest in countering radicalization, neither of them has crafted policies toward countering this phenomenon, said Raghav Sharma, a professor of international affairs at Indias O.P Jindal Global University. Despite its geographical distance, the U.S. relies on "over the horizon" capabilities such as drones and satellite imagery to counter terrorism threats in Afghanistan, according to U.S. officials. Lacking comparable resources, India chooses to directly engage with the Taliban to mitigate potential security risks emanating from Afghanistan. Regional interests Over the past two years, the U.S. has largely focused its public diplomacy on Afghan womens rights, criticizing the Taliban for their misogynistic policies. Countries surrounding Afghanistan, however, have taken a more pragmatic approach, maintaining diplomatic and trade relations despite concerns about human rights. While no country has officially recognized the Taliban government, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban's official name) has diplomatic missions in 38 countries. That includes close U.S. allies such as Italy, Japan, Norway and Turkey, which have kept diplomats in Kabul. U.S. officials say there is a broad international consensus against recognizing the Taliban government. The Taliban accuse the U.S. of using its leverage to deny them Afghan representation at the United Nations and other international platforms. India is likely to grant de facto recognition to them [the Taliban] by accrediting their diplomats after India holds general elections in April, Sharma told VOA. This would put the country broadly in line with actions of most major actors in the region. Amid growing tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, India sees an opportunity to be on good terms with Kabul. India and Pakistan have a long history of strained relations, dating back to the partition of Indian subcontinent in 1947. Duty to warn. It is the obligation that the United States says it takes upon itself if the intelligence community is able to identify an impending threat to a particular country. The U.S. acted on this duty just two weeks before the deadly attack near Moscow claimed by Islamic State. U.S. officials had warned Russia that extremists had imminent plans for such an attack, but the Kremlin brushed off the warning as mere blackmail and efforts to destabilize Russian society. John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, spoke to VOA about the terrorist attack. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. VOA: First of all, let's jump into fresh accusations coming from Russia today. Russia's FSB [intelligence] chief accused the U.K., the U.S. and Ukraine of being behind the Moscow attack on the concert hall. What's your response to that? Kirby: Nonsense. VOA: The United States has exercised its duty to warn the Russian counterparts of an incoming threat. Why was it important for the American side to warn Russians given that they are waging the war against Ukraine and they turned into the world pariah? Kirby: Because it was going to be innocent Russian people that were going to fall victim and in fact, did fall victim and we take our duty to warn very, very seriously. We have all kinds of problems with the way Mr. [Vladimir] Putin is leading and governing, if you want to call it that, and we certainly have significant concerns about the continued reckless and violent attacks on Ukrainian people and Ukrainian infrastructure. But we don't have a beef with the Russian people. And we had information that they were going to put Russian people, innocent Russians at risk from a terrorist threat. So you bet we informed Russian authorities as appropriate as we would do for any country. VOA: Im wondering what their response looked like. Was it a thank you note? Or did they say, Its nonsense, leave it to yourself? Kirby: I won't characterize what the other side did with the information that we provided. We provided useful, we believe, valuable information about what we thought was an imminent terrorist attack. We also warned Americans about staying away from public places like concert halls. So we were very direct with our Russian counterparts appropriately to make sure that they had as much useful information as possible. What they did with it, or didn't do with it, they'd have to speak to. VOA: But can you confirm they received it? Kirby: We know that they received the information and that they understood the information. Now what they did with it, again, is for them to speak to. VOA: Who is responsible for this attack according to American intelligence? Is it ISIS? What was the motive behind the attack? Kirby: ISIS is responsible for this attack. VOA: ISIS-K? Kirby: ISIS is responsible for this attack. VOA: Do you know the motive here? Kirby: ISIS claimed responsibility themselves. They all have the goals. Again, I'm not going to get into too much into intelligence matters. ISIS is responsible for this attack. VOA: Moving on to Ukraine. What are the chances of Congress voting for the supplemental [budget to assist Ukraine] once legislators return from their break? Kirby: Well, we hope that they will. I can't predict what the House will do. It is going to be up to Speaker [Mike] Johnson and this is a moment for him to show some leadership. We know that if you were to put that on the floor it would get voted on resoundingly. Ukraine and Ukrainian battlefield commanders would have the weapons and the capabilities that they need to better defend themselves, particularly in the East there in the Donbas where Russian forces continue to try to make progress pushing west out of Avdiivka. So its past time for us to be able to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine, it's past time for that supplemental to get passed. And so we strongly urge Speaker Johnson to put it before a vote and let's get moving. VOA: Speaker Johnson, as reported by The Hill, may contemplate the possibility of providing Ukraine with a loan or another form of lend-lease arrangement to supply them with weapons, with the expectation of repayment. Would this administration be open to this option as an alternative to the supplemental? Kirby: Our focus is on getting that supplemental passed. And as I've said before, and the speaker knows this, if he puts it on the floor, it'll get approved. It has the votes. That's the best way to support Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with the U.S. speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, and encouraged him to hold a vote approving more U.S. military aid for Ukraine. Quick passage of US aid to Ukraine by Congress is vital. We recognize that there are differing views in the House of Representatives on how to proceed, but the key is to keep the issue of aid to Ukraine as a unifying factor, Zelenskyy wrote in a Thursday post on the social media platform X. For weeks, Republicans have been blocking substantial aid to Kyiv to help in Ukraines fight against Russia. Johnson has not allowed a vote on a national security bill, which would provide funding for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, due to the lack of language about security at the U.S.-Mexico border. We also discussed the importance of cutting off Russia's sources of funding for its war as soon as possible and using frozen Russian assets for Ukraines benefit, Zelenskyy also said in the post. Earlier Thursday, Ukraines military said that Russian forces attacked overnight with 28 drones and five missiles. The Ukrainian air force said the countrys air defenses shot down 26 of the drones, with intercepts taking place over the Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor in Zaporizhzhia, said on Telegram that falling debris from the drones caused fire at several residential buildings and injured two people. President Zelenskyy said Wednesday it is vital to bolster his countrys air defenses and speed delivery of F-16 fighter jets for use against Russias invasion. There are no rational explanations for why Patriots, which are plentiful around the world, are still not covering the skies of Kharkiv and other cities and communities under attack by Russian terrorists, Zelenskyy said on social media. Every day, we work to provide better protection for our people and Ukraine. Zelenskyys comments came after Russian strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed one person and injured 19 others. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the Russian attack damaged 18 residential buildings. Russia said Wednesday it thwarted rocket attacks by Ukraine targeting the Belgorod region, while Ukraine said Russia attacked overnight with 13 aerial drones. Russias Defense Ministry said the countrys air defenses shot down 18 Ukrainian rockets. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod, said on Telegram there was some damage to homes in several villages, and that at least one person was hurt. Belgorod, located along the border between Russia and Ukraine, is a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks as Ukraine seeks to defeat the invasion Russia launched more than two years ago. Some information for this report came from Reuters. WASHINGTON Israeli plans for a ground invasion of Rafah are on hold as Israeli and American officials work to reschedule a meeting to discuss the plan, the White House announced Thursday. The Biden administration expects that there will be no assault on Rafah at least until after the meeting, national security communications adviser John Kirby said in a briefing to reporters. No date for the talks has been set, he said. The meeting is back on after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed his decision to cancel sending a delegation of war strategists to Washington to discuss his governments intentions to root out Hamas militants in the Gaza Strips southernmost city. Netanyahu canceled the delegation on Monday to protest a U.S. abstention at the United Nations Security Council that allowed passage of a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israeli-Hamas war. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that Netanyahu agreed to reschedule the meeting. SEE ALSO: Top Biden officials have urged Israel to abandon plans to attack Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinian civilians seek safety, as bilateral tensions brew over Israels conduct in its nearly six-month war against Hamas. In two days of meetings in Washington earlier this week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and CIA Director William Burns implored Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to find alternatives that would avoid more casualties in Gaza, where the death toll has topped 32,000, according to Palestinian figures. The discussions with Gallant were not meant to replace what we hope to be able to do in a more comprehensive way with the Israeli delegation coming to D.C., Kirby said. Netanyahu insists that the goal of total victory against Hamas cannot be achieved without going into Rafah, where Israel says there are four Hamas battalions composed of thousands of fighters. To win this war, we must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah, the prime minister said Tuesday via video conference to the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee. If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm and reconquer Gaza, and then we're back to square one. And that's an intolerable threat that we cannot accept. Meanwhile, despite an extensive diplomatic push by U.S. officials, together with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, talks in Qatar on a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas remain deadlocked. Photo: Netflix If youve finished bingeing 3 Body Problem and are a little bummed, we feel you. After all, the fate of Earth hangs in precarious balance, our characters are no closer to defeating the San-Ti, and it seems impossible for us puny human bugs to defend ourselves against an alien civilization that has everyone under all-seeing surveillance 24/7. Thankfully, showrunners David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo say theyve already got better than a rough idea for what could happen next in this adaptation of Chinese writer Liu Cixins sci-fi book trilogy, Remembrance of Earths Past. Amid the somewhat mixed reviews that greeted this debut season of 3 Body Problem, its important to remember that Game of Thrones, Benioff and Weisss other big, expensive genre-TV project, became appointment television only in season two and beyond, with electrifying sequences like the Battle of the Blackwater and the Red Wedding. The showrunners have acknowledged in interviews that the first book which most of the first season is based on is the weakest in the trilogy. Lius writing really starts flying in the second and third books, The Dark Forest and Deaths End, with vivid passages of interstellar mutiny, geopolitical intrigue, and spaceships getting blown up like a string of childrens firecrackers. This all sets the stage for an even more ambitious second season, the showrunners stated hope being that it will be part of a four-season arc. Netflix hasnt yet officially commissioned a second season, but Benioff recently told Games Radar that they are pushing forward full steam regardless, adding, If we do get a second season, well need to hit the ground running in terms of pre-production and production to get it out to people in some kind of reasonable time. So: Initial signs are promising enough to begin speculating about what may await us in that potential second season. Thankfully, theres plenty of material to draw from in the books, and the Easter eggs and hints sprinkled throughout the first season help illuminate what might lie ahead. Spoilers follow for all of 3 Body Problem and the Remembrance of Earths Past book series. . Photo: Netflix At the end of season one, Saul has no idea why the San-Ti want him dead or why hes been selected as a Wallfacer. If Benioff, Weiss, and Woo stay true to the story of Luo Ji, Sauls parallel in the books, expect him to fumble his responsibilities and opt to spend the unlimited Wallfacer budget living the nihilistic high life. For Luo Ji, that meant a remote lakeside villa with his dream woman, a private chef, and a fully stocked wine cellar. For Saul, that might mean top-shelf weed and acid and in terms of his dream woman, who would be a better match than his are-they-or-arent-they friend Auggie Salazar, whom he once described as beautiful in a boring way? Of course, it isnt all smooth sailing for Luo Ji in the books. After getting impatient with his lack of progress, the authorities end up putting Luo Jis now-wife and their child into hibernation to motivate the lazy Wallfacer. That encourages him to revisit a mysterious conversation with Ye Wenjie wherein she advised him to think about cosmic sociology. A subsequent near-death experience on the frozen lake inspires the epiphany that will lead to a truce with the aliens: dark forest deterrence. Its the idea that every civilization in the universe is an armed hunter stalking through the night, trying its best not to be heard. If you broadcast the location of your own planet, as Ye Wenjie did all those decades ago, youre essentially screaming for attention and writing an open invite for your own annihilation. By extension, threatening to expose your enemies presence is a pretty effective way to head off any violence from them. In 3 Body Problem, Ye Wenjie doesnt talk about cosmic sociology in her pivotal final convo with Saul instead, she relays a joke about Einstein getting kicked in the balls by God for having the temerity to play the violin in Heaven (God, you see, is a saxophonist). If you squint, you can spot the basic tenets of the dark forest. Dont want to incur the wrath of a superior being? Try to be as quiet as you possibly can. Broadcasting the position of the San-Ti planet would make it easy for any other alien civilization to spot Earth, so Saul might broadcast what Luo Ji called a spell the location of a distant star. As the sophons are still listening in, Saul wont be able to explain himself to the Wallfacer committee, but his theory about dark-forest deterrence will be proved right when his target is destroyed by an even more advanced alien civilization, spooking the San-Ti. . Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix In the books, the shadowy ETO (Earth-Trisolaris Organization) is devoted to undermining humanity and preparing the ground for invasion, and theyre understandably a little freaked out by the idea of the Wallfacers. After regrouping in the VR game, they decide to appoint an elite ETO member to every Wallfacer. Just like the Wallfacers, these Wallbreakers are given unlimited resources and are tasked with figuring out the Wallfacers true plans to protect Earth from their alien overlords. Cue psychologically fraught confrontations between each Wallfacer and their Wallbreaker, leading to Wallfacer breakdowns, suicide, and, in one particularly vivid scene, one of them getting stoned to death. The only one who escapes the fate of getting a Wallbreaker? Luo Ji, because the members of the ETO are told by their Lord that he is his own Wallbreaker. The Wallfacers have changed in the Netflix adaptation theres three, not four of them: a Kurdish war hero, a Chinese military historian and general, and Saul. Expect the first two to encounter their own Wallbreakers in the next season (Tatiana, perhaps?) and our favorite stoner lab assistant to spend most of it being his own worst enemy. . Photo: Netflix At the end of season one, the San-Ti fleet is 400 years away from reaching our solar system, which means that humanity has a relatively long lead time to prepare for invasion. Viewers already know that Wade is keen to hibernate, which will allow him to keep tabs on the progress of Earths planetary defense through the decades. But Wade probably wont be alone. Other characters in Remembrance of Earths Past also opt for deep freeze: Zhang Behai, Luo Ji, Da Shi, and Cheng Xin or as theyre known in the Netflix adaptation, Raj, Saul, Clarence, and Jin. Staying faithful to this would mean the showrunners dont need to slog through centuries of exposition to establish the huge jumps in technology that allow humanity to travel through space so expect a highly convenient House of the Dragon-style fast-forward at some point in the next season. . Photo: Netflix Its no secret that Benioff and Weiss love a big, dramatic set piece. In fact, Benioff already hinted at another Judgment Day-like scene in a potential second season. Theres one scene, if we get to it, were golden like when we got to the Red Wedding on Thrones, he told The Hollywood Reporter. If youre waiting for another Red Wedding-level body count, look no further than Lius jaw-dropping twist in The Dark Forest involving the destruction of almost every single ship in humanitys space fleet. The second book jumps ahead 200 years into the future, when Earth detects the presence of a probe racing ahead of the alien fleet: a seemingly harmless 11-foot droplet of what appears to be liquid mercury. Humanitys interstellar warships are now bigger, more powerful, and faster than ever before, and theyre all keen to be the ones to make first contact. How bad could a teeny teardrop be, right? Big mistake: It turns out that the droplet isnt a peace offering but a super-lethal weapon that ping-pongs among the assembled ships, destroying almost 2,000 of them. Some captains even panic and immediately hit the accelerators without preparing their crew, and the resulting G-force liquefies everyone to death in an explosion of guts. And you thought Robb Stark and his pregnant wife getting stabbed to death was bad. . Photo: Chris Baker/Netflix British Navy officer Raj Varma is roughly analogous to The Dark Forests Zhang Behai, an ultracompetent member of the Chinese navy who later becomes an integral part of Space Force, Earths interplanetary army. Like Zhang Behai, Raj is the son of a former soldier and is appointed to the space-fleet team. If season two follows the books, Raj will become one the first humans to travel into space only for him to mutiny, seize control of a spaceship, and jet off into the darkness of space. When the droplet destroys almost every other warship in existence, Raj is hailed as a hero by the surviving ships and establishes the beginning of a new space-based human civilization. In the books, Zhang Behai also proves to be a mercenary commander, one willing to destroy other ships in order to strip-mine them for fuel and resources. Which makes the story of Rajs Indian-army father killing and stealing resources from enemy troops all the more foreboding . Photo: Netflix In season ones tearjerker conclusion to Will and Jins unrequited love story, Will embraces euthanasia and donates his brain to her nuclear-powered probe only for the spacecraft to go off course and disappear into the vastness of the cosmos. Dont worry: This isnt the last well see of him. Benioff, Weiss, and Woo have sprinkled plenty of hints that hell be back. In Lius third book, Deaths End, Yun Tianming, Wills counterpart in the series, is reunited with his long-lost love after being resurrected by the Trisolarians (a.k.a. the San-Ti). Under the watchful eye of his alien benefactors, he tells her three fairy tales coded messages about how mankind can survive in a hostile universe that wants to destroy them. As we found out from Mike Evans reading Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood to his lord, the San-Ti are unable to understand metaphor, meaning theyre ill-equipped to recognize how fairy tales (or jokes) could mask something much more important. And recall that one of Wills prized possessions is an old book of fairy tales gifted to him by Jin foreshadowing much? Then there are the paper boats that Jin folds for Will at his beachside retreat, one of which he sweetly imagines himself drifting in as he breathes his last. In Deaths End, Cheng Xin decodes the meaning of one of the fairy tales with the use of an origami boat and is able to unlock the secret of light-speed technology. As for that fishbowl that Jin gives Will as a present in episode six? Well, lets just say that Remembrance of Earths Past quite literally ends on an image of a fish leaping out of what Liu describes as a watery sphere one that calls to mind a fishbowl in more ways than one. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire doesnt deliver the giant-monster goods, but it does make its kaiju creatures disconcertingly adorable. Photo: Warner Bros. Godzilla has pink highlights in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. We see the process by which he gets them, a laborious level-up quest that involves the destruction of some French countryside and the murder of a fellow Titan. Hes supercharging himself for a coming battle, though instead of emerging from his efforts looking more formidable, the result fuchsia dorsal spines, eyes, and an overall glow is disconcertingly adorable, like someone tried to dye a very angry cat. Godzilla may be a massive reptilian creature, but in the world of the MonsterVerse, hes definitely feline (semi-domesticated at best, comes for food but otherwise does his own thing). Kong, giant ape though he may be, is a dog (follows basic commands, has unexpected dentistry needs, must be crated in the secret prehistoric kingdom in the middle of the planet). The only memorable image in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the fifth installment in this lackadaisical franchise, is an early one of Godzilla curling up inside the Colosseum in Rome to sleep like a tabby claiming an empty box as his bed. Godzilla and Kong are our friends, or so the MonsterVerse would have it, though they do still lay waste to landmarks, buildings, and hundreds of lives in the course of their lumberings, which is the price you pay for kaiju-on-kaiju action. Godzilla x Kong the x is silent brings the former rivals together to fight a new and deeply underwhelming baddie who, as though aware of how disappointing he is, doesnt show up until halfway through the movie. The Scar King, as hes called, is just another big-monkey guy, though he does wield a nifty chain whip made out of a spine, command a simian army, and ride an enslaved ice kaiju like a steed or like his own personal My Little Pony, because, honestly, that kaiju has prismatic skin and sparkly spikes and is downright pretty, even with its deadly ice breath. The cuteification of the monsters reaches its apex with a (colossal) baby chimp whos initially hostile to Kong and then becomes his sidekick after being won over by Kongs kindness. The baby has the type of expressive face that made Gollum such a vivid digital creation and does a lot of mugging with it. I hate him. Hes a winsome abomination, and I hate him so much. Theres room in the kaiju genre for the silly and the serious, but its telling that the American Godzilla franchise is leaning so hard into the former just as the recent Japanese reboots, including last years startlingly great Godzilla Minus One, have returned to the monsters horror origins. In the Japanese movie, which won an Oscar earlier this month for its visual effects, Godzilla is a disaster arriving on the shores of an already broken Japan at the end of World War II a compounded nightmare mutated by nuclear tests carried out by an indifferent U.S. but also a symbol of despair. The kaiju of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire dont stand for anything but themselves. Theyre just giant monsters that occasionally fight one another, which would be forgivable if the fighting in the movie werent so torpid. Godzilla x Kong comes from Adam Wingard, who also directed the previous installment, Godzilla vs. Kong. While the 2021 movie at least had its Day-Glo disco showdown in a neon-lit Hong Kong, the new ones big idea is a zero-gravity fight in the Hollow Earth that renders the earth-shaking scale of its participants incidental. Without humans around to flee in terror or get crushed under humongous feet, the kaiju are just standard-issue blockbuster digital figments crashing together on a computer screen. The human half of these movies has been their glaring weakness since the 2014 Godzilla, which was awe-inspiring and terrifying when its monster was onscreen and utterly stultifying for the long stretches he was off. Godzilla x Kong features a new character, a swashbuckling kaiju vet named Trapper whos played by Dan Stevens, as well as returning ones: Rebecca Hall as Kong specialist Dr. Ilene Andrews, Kaylee Hottle as the Indigenous daughter Ilene adopted from the wreckage of Skull Island, and Brian Tyree Henry as whistleblower turned conspiratorial podcaster Bernie Hayes. Its a great cast, mostly wasted. Hall is tasked with delivering gouts of exposition and staring in feigned wonderment at screensaver-resembling new regions of the center of the Earth. Stevens gets a fun entrance, but he and Henry have both been cast as the wacky guy in the expedition, and all their scenes together have the awkwardness of two people who have shown up to a party in the same outfit. The contradiction of these movies is that the people are just a means to enable the monster-matchup goods, and yet the more we see of the monsters, the less special they become. In Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, they dont feel special at all despite Godzillas pink tips and the mechanical glove that Kong starts wearing. As the title implies, theyre just two brands doing a collabo at this point, making room for more tedious world-building and lore. After all, theyve got a whole cinematic universe to support now maybe the cuteness is just in service of selling more merch. Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images A new bombshell will enter the villa. Sarah Hyland went on IG to confirm rumors that she is leaving Love Island USA. Well, just got a text , she wrote. Im disappointed the news had to break this way but it is in fact true that I will not be returning to the island this summer. Hyland continued that she will has committed to an exciting project that will be announced soon, whose shoot dates directly overlap with all the horny shenanigans on Love Island USA. TMZ is reporting that Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix will be replacing Hyland. Peacock confirmed Madixs new role on Friday, which makes sense since VPR and LIU are both under the greater NBC Universal banner. Roxie Hart is officially making the move from Chicago to the Island. Photo: Sarah Hyland/Instagram Photo: Todd Owyoung/Todd Owyoung Against all odds, Jenna Lyons is returning to Real Housewives of New York. After a season full of controversy among the girls over Lyonss refusal to share the details of her life that the other girls gave up willy nilly, it seemed unlikely that the reluctant reality star would come back. But no, reboot sisters are sisters for life (or at least another season). Every girl who was part of Bravos rebooted cast of RHONY is returning for a second season on the show. Yes, Lyons will be joined by Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Whitfield for another year of food-based drama. If you love asking questions like What restaurant did half the girls desperately not want to attend? or Do Pringles go well with caviar? or What do Ubahs hot sauces taste like or even When will Sai stop complaining about the lack of food and simply unhinge her jaw to eat Erin whole? then this is still the show for you. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. All heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) intend to take part in the organization's summit in Astana, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), Trend reports via Akorda. "We must work closely together because the Astana Summit is extremely important, given the current geopolitical situation. The whole world will be watching the course of the summit, its decisions, and its negotiations. As the host country, Kazakhstan will do everything possible to ensure the summit is successful," he noted. Zhang Min pointed out Kazakhstan's significant contribution to developing the organization's potential. "I highly appreciate Kazakhstan's tremendous efforts as the chairing country, as well as the special attention you pay to improving the SCO's activities. We expect the summit in Astana to be very successful," the secretary general added. Meanwhile, the upcoming summit of the heads of SCO member states will be held in Astana on July 34. The summit will be dedicated to the theme Strengthening multilateral dialogue - striving for sustainable peace and development. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. The business community of the Chinese Hubei province is interested in organizing transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Trend reports. This was stated at a meeting of KTZ Express JSC (a subsidiary of the national corporation Kazakhstan Railways that specializes in container shipping) with Hubei provincial administration and business leaders. Subsequently, Chinese delegates showed an interest in organizing transportation to Kazakhstan as well as transit to Central Asian and European countries, as well as the Moscow hub and the TITR route. In turn, KTZ Express demonstrated the company's capabilities in the field of transportation organization, including rail and other modes. Following the meeting, the parties expressed their desire to create and strengthen collaboration. Notably, Hubei is a major economic center in China. Many major Chinese corporations are headquartered here, including Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group. The province is also a significant manufacturing hub for electronics, food, and textiles. The Middle Corridor is a transportation and commerce route that connects Asia and Europe via various nations in the region. It is an alternate route to the traditional Northern and Southern Corridors. The route begins in China and passes via Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then travels via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey before reaching Europe. On November 7, 2013, at the II International Transport and Logistics Business Forum "New Silk Road" in Astana, the leaders of JSC "National Company" Kazakhstan Temir Zholy", CJSC" Azerbaijan Railways ", and JSC" Georgian Railway "signed an agreement to establish a Coordination Committee for the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route." Carlo Fuortes set to appeal sentence. A court in Rome on Wednesday sentenced the former superintendent of Rome's opera house, Carlo Fuortes, to 16 months in jail over the accidental death of a cleaner in 2017. Oberdan Varani, 50, fell off a ladder while working in the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma on 31 July 2017, suffering serious head injuries. He died in hospital after nine days in a coma. The court ordered Fuortes to pay 220,000 to the victim's family, Corriere della Sera newspaper reports, and also sentenced the owner of the company that employed Varani to 16 months in prison. Luca Montanari, the lawyer representing Varani, said the family of the deceased was satisfied with the ruling and claimed that the opera house had been in violation of safety standards at the time of the accident. Fuortes' lawyer Alessandro Gamberini pledged to appeal the "disconcerting" sentence, arguing that the reason behind Varani's death was not related to safety in the workplace but was instead linked to the deceased man's blood alcohol level. Fuortes, 64, is an experienced manager who is credited with reviving the fortunes of Rome's opera house during his time at the helm there from 2013 to 2021. He later served as head of the Italian state broadcaster RAI before taking up a new appointment in recent days as superintendent of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Photo La Repubblica Throughout the Second World War, several individuals risked their lives to save those being persecuted by the German regime. The most notable names are Oskar Schindler and Sir Nicholas Winston, but theres one person who deserves more recognition: Diana Budisavljevic. Horrified at how young children were being treated at German-run labor camps, she dedicated her time to rescuing them from their less-than-humane living conditions. Axis invasion of Yugoslavia Diana Budisavljevic (January 15, 1891-August 20, 1978) was an Austrian woman who lived in Zagreb, Kingdom of Yugoslavia with her husband, Julije, a well-respected doctor. The pair married in 1917 and moved to the city two years later, where Julije founded the surgical clinic at the University of Zagreb. In April 1941, the Axis Powers invaded Yugoslavia, with German troops entering Zagreb on April 10. This happened on the same day the Ustase movement declared the creation of the Independent State of Croatia, with Zagreb as the capital. It was a puppet state of the Axis forces and persecuted Serbs, Jews and Roma. They also destroyed entire villages and sent any healthy men and women to Germany to work in labor camps. Action Diana Budisavljevic In October 1941, after learning about parents being separated from their children to be sent to Germany and their offspring being held at Lobor-Grad concentration camp, Diana Budisavljevic decided to act. With the help of others, she started a relief campaign named Action Diana Budisavljevic. With the help of the Jewish community in Zagreb, she sent supply packages to children being held in camps throughout Croatia, including clothes she collected or made, food, dried fruit and money. Sources claim many of these packages never arrived at the camps, as those in charge intercepted and sold them before they could reach their intended recipients. Furthermore, Budisavljevic visited the camps and worked at the hospitals, and she was horrified at the conditions. The rooms had no furniture and the children were malnourished, with some dying at the hospital. Seeing this made her determined to save these defenseless youngsters. Getting permission to relocate the children After a year, Diana Budisavljevic, with the help of German officer Gustav von Koczian, obtained permission to rescue the children from four different camps in Croatia between July and August 1942. A doctor was assigned to determine if they were healthy enough to travel and those given approval were relocated to different institutions in the cities of Zagreb, Jastrebarsko and Sisak. Later, in August 1942, Budisavljevic received permission to move the children out of the institutions in Zagreb, relocating thousands to foster families. For many of the children, this was their first time experiencing love from a parental figure. Knowing many of the children were too young to speak, Budisavljevic kept a detailed record of the characteristics of each child, as she hoped to reunite them with their parents after the war. Word of these files made it to the labor camps, and many parents were able to write to her and ask about their children. Diana Budisavljevics files were confiscated by the government In May 1945, Diana Budisavljevics files that contained information on over 12,000 children were confiscated by the government. Their location remains a mystery to this day. Not much is known about the rest of her life following World War II, and her heroic actions were largely forgotten. In 1978, she died at the age of 87, in Innsbruck, Austria. Following Budisavljevics death, her granddaughter found a diary that shed kept from 1941 until February 47, which details her humanitarian work during the conflict. It was published in 2003, and historians have been able to determine it is legitimate and that Budisavljevic saved at least 7,700 children during the Second World War. Budisavljevics story has received a lot of attention since her diary was published. Zagreb-based film production studio Hulahop produced a documentary about her in 2012, titled Dianina lista, and the feature film The Diary of Diana B. was released in 2019. On February 15th, 2012, President of Serbia Boris Tadic, awarded Diana with the Golden Medal of Milos Oblic, 34 years after her death. More from us: Battle of Moscow: A Critical Turning Point In the Fight Along the Eastern Front In May 2012, a park in Zagreb was renamed after Budisavljecic, as were streets in Belgrade, Vienna, Kozarska Dubica and Gradiska. RALEIGH, N.C. A federal appeals court declined Thursday to order North Carolina legislators to redraw some state Senate districts, rejecting arguments that clear evidence has been presented showing Republican manipulation of boundaries means Black voters there are prevented from electing their favored candidates. In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, upheld a trial court judge's decision in January that refused to issue a preliminary injunction preventing the use of two Senate districts and to order the General Assembly to redraw them. Two Black voters who sued in November contend that the GOP-controlled legislature violated the Voting Rights Act last fall by fracturing a politically cohesive unit known as the Black Belt region when it redrew the two northeastern districts. Advertisement U.S. District Judge James Dever had decided in part that lawyers for the voters had not shown that voting in close to 20 counites was racially polarized at legally significant levels to justify new districts. And Dever said it was too late in the 2024 election cycle legislative primaries were held March 5 to order new lines, citing a legal principle discouraging voting-rule changes close to elections. When the three circuit judges heard oral arguments last month, two sounded hesitant to reverse Dever, including Circuit Judge Allison Rushing, who wrote Thursdays majority opinion. Its possible the voters can accumulate evidence for a trial that shows the Voting Rights Act was violated and a majority-minority district should be created in the area, she said. But the standard for winning relief before trial ... while elections are underway is high indeed, and Plaintiffs have not satisfied it with the record they have developed thus far, Rushing wrote. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson joined in her opinion. Advertisement Circuit Judge Roger Gregory, writing a dissenting opinion, said Dever misconstrued the legal standard to determine a Voting Rights Act violation, leading to an insurmountable roadblock for the voters who sued to be successful. And the legislature wouldnt be required to draw a minority-majority district to address the racial bias, Gregory said. The North Carolina General Assembly enacted a map that cracked the states Black Belt right down the middle, Gregory wrote. Yet the district court concluded that this new map was unlikely to dilute Black voters power. Alterations to even two Senate districts could affect efforts this fall by Republicans to retain the partys current narrow veto-proof majority in the chamber. The two senators representing the region are Republicans. A ruling ultimately favoring the plaintiffs could help a Democrat win one of the seats. Further court appeals are possible. Advertisement Eddie Speas, one of the plaintiffs attorneys, said he was still reviewing the ruling late Thursday. The Associated Press sent an email Thursday seeking comment from the Republican legislative leaders who were sued. There were no March 5 primaries for the 1st and 2nd Senate Districts being challenged. The voters lawyers have said there would be enough time for the legislature to redraw the lines and hold primary elections, if needed, in replacement districts. But attorneys for the GOP lawmakers said state redistricting rules could precipitate the redrawing of more Senate districts and more new elections. Much of Thursdays opinions, which totaled more than 90 pages, focused on the findings from an expert that the plaintiffs used to build their case. Dever found the experts report unreliable, incomplete, and contradicted by other evidence, Rushing wrote. Gregory said that Dever was wrong to discount the experts analysis. Advertisement Rushing was nominated to the court by Donald Trump and Wilkinson by Ronald Reagan. Gregory was first appointed to the court by Bill Clinton. One of the Black voters who sued, Rodney Pierce, is running for a state House seat in the region. Pierce narrowly won his Democratic primary this month, defeating a 10-term incumbent. Pierce faces no Republican opposition this fall. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Gangs have intensified their rampage in the downtown area of Haitis capital, setting fire to a school and looting pharmacies across the road from the countrys largest public hospital. The attacks that began Monday and continued into early Tuesday mark nearly a month since gunmen began targeting key infrastructure across Port-au-Prince including police stations, the main international airport that remains closed and Haitis two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates. The violence and instability in Haiti have consequences far beyond the risk of the violence itself, Catherine Russell, UNICEFs executive director, said in a statement Tuesday. The situation is creating a child health and nutrition crisis that could cost the lives of countless of children. Advertisement The number of children in Haiti estimated to suffer from severe acute malnutrition has increased by 19% this year, according to UNICEF. In addition, some 1.64 million people are on the precipice of famine. This malnutrition crisis is entirely human made, Russell said. Violence has forced the closure of roads and certain hospitals and prevented aid groups from delivering critical supplies at a time they are needed the most. Only two of five hospitals in Haiti are operational across the country, according to UNICEF. In addition, the violence in Port-au-Prince has prevented the distribution of health and nutrition supplies for at least 58,000 children who are severely wasted, the agency said. Scores of people have been killed in the ongoing attacks, and some 17,000 have been left homeless as Haitis National Police continues to be overwhelmed by heavily armed gangs that control 80% of the capital. Advertisement On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden approved up to $10 million in emergency assistance for Haitian security forces to protect civilians and critical infrastructure against organized and targeted gang attacks, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Jean-Pierre said the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security budget and can be used for materials including weapons, ammunition, bullet-proof vests and helmets. Meanwhile, members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom have pushed to accelerate the formation of a transitional presidential council in hopes it could soon help quell the ongoing violence. Share this article Share Haitis criminal gangs have long opposed the current Prime Minister Ariel Henry, blaming him for deepening poverty, but critics of gangs accuse them of trying to seize power for themselves or for unidentified Haitian politicians. Advertisement The transition council would be responsible for choosing a new prime minister and a council of ministers. Henry, who was locked out of Haiti when the attacks began, has said he would resign once the council is created. However, multiple setbacks continue to delay formation of the council, which will be composed of nine members, seven of them with voting powers. On Monday, Rene Jean Jumeau, who was nominated to represent Haitis religious sector in a non-voting position, resigned. The need for concrete action is too strong to remain helpless in the posture of spectator, he said in a letter addressed to the council. Meanwhile, Col. Himmler Rebu, a former colonel of Haitis army and president of the Grand Rally for the Revolution of Haiti, a party that obtained a seat on the council, told Radio RFM 104.9 on Tuesday that he believes the council will fail. Advertisement Rebu said officials should just move quickly to Plan B, which he said should involve granting powers to a judge from Haitis Supreme Court to select the countrys new leaders. Supporters of that plan include the Protestant Federation of Haiti. It issued a statement on Monday backing the selection of a Supreme Court judge who would serve as interim president and help choose a prime minister. Caribbean officials said no additional meetings with nominated council members are planned for the week since they have asked for more time to work through various unidentified internal issues. ___ Associated Press reporter Bert Wilkinson in Georgetown, Guyana, contributed to this report. ___ PARIS French lawmakers on Thursday condemned an infamous 1961 police crackdown on Algerian protesters in Paris as a bloody and murderous repression, marking another step in the countrys recognition of the massacre that authorities sought to cover up for decades. The National Assembly, parliaments lower house, voted 67-11 in favor of a nonbinding resolution that condemned the police brutality that occurred on Oct. 17, 1961. The resolution also asked that France establish a national day of remembrance. About 12,000 Algerians were arrested in the crackdown and dozens were killed, their bodies thrown into the Seine River, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged in 2021 on the 60th anniversary of the massacre. Historians say at least 120 protesters died, some shot and some drowned, Macrons office said then. The protesters in 1961 had answered a call for a peaceful demonstration by the French branch of the National Liberation Front, or FLN, which was fighting for Algerian independence, against a discriminatory nighttime curfew targeting Algerians in the Paris region. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 28. Kazakhstan considers cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of great importance, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia, Trend reports. "This region is an important economic entity, with Kazakhstan playing a leading role, notably at the regional level. As I indicated in my forum address, we emphasize engagement with the OECD, demonstrating our dedication to this alliance. Kazakhstan actively participates in the organization's committee meetings and strives to follow its suggestions. One of my primary objectives is to align Kazakhstan's economic policies with the OECD's high standards," he said. Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan has signed a number of important documents during its cooperation with the OECD. In addition, work is underway to join other mandatory legal instruments of the organization. In turn, Mathias Cormann reaffirmed the organization's commitment to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Asian countries, including Kazakhstan. "I believe that the relationship between Kazakhstan and the OECD is progressing positively. There is substantial potential for further expansion and consolidation in the future. It's encouraging to hear about Kazakhstan's commitment to harmonizing its policies with OECD standards and best practices. We are fully prepared to extend our support and assistance to your reform program. Enhancing global cooperation to tackle the numerous challenges we confront today is of mutual interest to us," said the SecGen. In addition, Tokayev underlined the importance of continuing work on opening a regional office of the organization in Kazakhstan. He also invited OECD representatives to participate in the upcoming Astana International Forum. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Fund management giant Vanguard misled investors about its $1 billion ethical fund, the Federal Court has ruled in a major win for the corporate regulator in its crackdown on greenwashing. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission launched legal action against Vanguard, alleging it had not screened all securities in its Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index Fund against environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria as it had claimed. ASIC secured a major court victory after the Federal Court found Vanguard engaged in misleading conduct because its sustainable fund exposed investors to companies with links to fossil fuels, oil and gas exploration. Credit: AP Vanguard, which has $11 trillion in assets under management globally, had claimed the index did not invest in bond issuers with significant business activities in a range of industries including fossil fuels. However, the corporate regulator found the index fund was exposed to activities linked to gas and exploration with 42 companies who issued at least 180 bonds having breached ESG criteria between August 2018 and February 2021. They included companies such as Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline and Chevron Philips Chemical, according to ASIC. Here Comes Mr Forehead by Emma Holland is on at ACMI Gandel Lab until April 21. Millennials with leftist politics are her audience and she unabashedly caters to them cops and real estate agents are the subject of her scornful ire, as are royalists and a certain creepy 2000s singer. Hollands comedy is funniest at its darkest and most ridiculous, and cleverest in the unassuming throwaway lines that pepper her set. The audiences laughter often plays catch-up before they scramble to follow her next artfully constructed punchline. Reviewed by Sonia Nair Elf Lyons | Raven The Greek Centre, until April 21 How do you create a monster? Elf Lyons has the answers in Raven, one of the more surprising explorations of trauma Ive seen on a stage. Raven by Elf Lyons is on at The Greek Centre until April 21. Billed as comedy-horror, the Brit takes inspiration from Steven King to frame her story in five books. Lyons is a graduate of Philippe Gauliers famous French clown school and uses her training to full effect to embody physically, and vocally, a range of creepy antagonists along the way. She starts gently and strangely but as we are drawn further into the shadows of her childhood, the pace and festering anger escalate things to a jaw-dropping and outrageous crescendo, which is sure to be one of the most memorable moments of the festival. I wont spoil it for you but suffice to say, if youre one of those weirdos like me who actually likes sitting in the front row, best not to in this instance. Reviewed by Hannah Francis Headliners with Joel Kim Booster and Zainab Johnson Melbourne Town Hall Supper Room, until April 7 Happy Easter were all Christian I presume? says Joel Kim Booster as he opens his set. Joel Kim Booster. The Fire Island actor features in a double-bill American line-up alongside Zainab Johnson (Amazon Primes Upload), both tackling everything from Australian wildlife to nuclear weapons. Booster and Johnson complement each others snarky humour well as successive acts. Booster performs first, declaring he hates animals, with koalas being his third-most-hated creature (horses take the top spot). Zainab Johnson. Johnson plays into American politics, stating I have a gun not on me! Carefully wielded racial humour created awkward moments for some audience members, in particular during Boosters loaded question, Do you think theres going to be a race war? Who do you think will win? and when Johnson, as a black woman, did a section on helping police solve her murder through clues in her iPhone notes. The jokes are deliberately pointed and the audience responses, though unanticipated, help drive the underlying sentiment home and both comedians confidently pivot their content when needed. Two stellar must-see international acts. Reviewed by Vyshnavee Wijekumar Ed Byrne | Tragedy Plus Time The Malthouse, Beckett Theatre, until April 21 In his best show in years, Ed Byrne asks himself the question faced by every comic after a tragedy: how much time needs to pass before its okay to play disco at your brothers funeral? Tragedy Plus Time by Ed Byrne is on at The Malthouse, Beckett Theatre until April 21. When the Irish comic lost his younger brother (comedian Paul Byrne) in 2022, he quickly turned to the humour theyd shared in life to cope. Tragedy Plus Time is the result: a poignant and deeply funny hour of carefully crafted standup and heartfelt reflections. Byrne has been working the comedy circuit here and overseas for more than 30 years but nowhere has his quick-fire wit been tighter, or his mischievous charm and audience repartee better executed. Its gallows humour packed with enough jokes per minute to completely blur the line between tragic and funny. Laughing through tears, or crying through laughter, youd be hard-pressed not to be affected by this uproarious, hopeful show. Reviewed by Guy Webster Geraldine Quinn | The Passion of St Nicholas Malthouse Theatre, until April 7 Some things just arent funny. Geraldine Quinn isnt covered by this statement. Not only is she exceptionally uproarious, she also exudes big broad energy. But her latest show, an ode to her (mostly) beloved big brother, tackles the day she received the call no one wants halfway through a solo day-drinking session. The Passion of St Nicholas by Geraldin Quinn is on at Malthouse Theatre until April 7. Generously ripping off the band-aid of the worst 14 months of her life, Quinns gallows-dark show will rattle anyone just about coping with old wounds yet offer them cathartic chuckles, too. A glowing tribute to family in love and bitter rivalry its also an origin story for Nicks sister, taking us from competitive theatre sports and jazz standards that stuck out like a sore thumb during high school in the 90s and onto a hospital bed. An endlessly energetic set stacked with stupendous original songs, youll laugh, youll cry and wonder why Quinn hasnt conquered Broadway yet. Reviewed by Stephen A Russell Tom Gleeson | Gear Comedy Theatre, until April 21 If revenge is a dish best served cold, the tasty morsels Tom Gleeson has been chilling in the deep freeze for years should safely earn him a Michelin star. Tom Gleeson is an expert comic with years of craft under his belt. Credit: Morgan Sette If you ever meet the guy, please do not cross him. You may be roasted at one of the biggest venues at one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world. The Hard Quiz hosts star power is a clear drawcard, but as with many others who have forged TV careers, an expert comic with years of craft under his belt lies behind. Gleesons command of this large venue is effortless, easily bridging any whiff of a gap between performer and audience. While not a large part of the show, he revels in delivering some dodgy opinions that dance around the line of political correctness. Theres a bonus Q&A on which parts of the show were true and which were lies; here, hes in his element with fast and mean comebacks. We also get a glimpse into Gleesons craft and how much the mean-guy schtick is embellished for comedic effect. Reviewed by Hannah Francis Cam Venn | Shark Heist Motley Bauhaus, until April 10 In a number of ways, this show does what it says on the tin but this is no ordinary tin. There is a shark (hi Terry) involved in a heist (of the worlds biggest diamond, naturally). Theres escalating nudity, and more audience participation than most performers are prepared to give. Shark Heist is on at The Motley Bauhaus Theatrette until April 10. I say give because while the thought of being roped into a show may send some punters running, Venns capacity to create an inclusive environment conducive to participatory play is something quite special. There is no fourth wall here, and to build one would destroy the essence of this unique romp. Breaking character, breaking the set or losing ones wig are all part of the fun. If it sounds chaotic, it is, but artfully controlled. Theres also an elaborate plot, peppered with tropes pointedly skewered, and a cast of vivid characters delivered with enough nous to ensure that, after all, Venn is the centre of this silly universe. Reviewed by Hannah Francis John Glover | Microsoft Orifice The Catfish Bar, until April 6 Thats my whole life: computers and holes, says John Glover not long after he begins his set. And hes selling it right because this is exactly what Microsoft Orifice is all about. Predictably, it is millennial malaise for a more innocent internet, complete with screenshots recollections of MSN Messenger, being obsessed with Pokemon to the point of listing all the different creatures in a Word document, down to early Facebook and Instagram use. But the show is also about Glovers life as a gay man, as well as his job working in marketing in Sydney alongside gormless colleagues. More screenshots abound. Razor-sharp one-liners are aplenty and timing is spot-on. Glovers transitions are a delight to follow, as he bounces from gay life to office life to internet life and back again. Microsoft Orifice is on at The Catfish Bar until April 6. But the lines between these different parts of his existence also often blur because such is life now. Id kinda like that within myself and my personality, right, that carefreeness, Glover says towards the end after roasting a hapless colleague. This is arguably the essence of Microsoft Orifice: the absurd wish for a more decompartmentalised life. This is a budding comic to watch. Reviewed by Cher Tan Opening Night Comedy All-Stars Supershow Palais Theatre, March 27 Most of my job tonight is reading out names, dead-panned New Zealand comic Guy Montgomery in his debut hosting slot of MICFs All-Stars Supershow. In three words? He smashed it. Guy Montgomery nailed his first time hosting the opening night All-Stars Supershow. Credit: Ian Laidlaw The low-energy, high-impact MC set the table beautifully for 25 comedians to get up, build rapport and extract huge laughs from a packed house ... all in less than five minutes each. Tough gig. Pleasingly, nobody bombed. Josh Thomas made a strong return after 10 years, getting vulnerable with us as he spoke about having ADHD before it was cool and a newer medical diagnosis that still has cultural cachet. Malaysian doctor-turned-comedian Jason Leong gained the first applause break of the night with deft timing and a killer head tilt then Jenny Tian read the room brilliantly by highlighting the incongruity between her face and her voice, doubling down on the bit like a pro despite it being her first Gala appearance. Geraldine Hickey, Dave Hughes and Claire Hooper let the audience know they were in good hands with perfectly judged anecdotes about arthritis, a dislocated shoulder and long-term relationships. The internationals warmed to the task quickly, Chloe Petts (UK) got away with some very risque lines about her sexuality and anybody unlucky enough to get caught in her seductively ambiguous spider web. Lara Ricote (Mexico) gave us an amazing therapist takedown and Welshman-turned-Aussie Lloyd Langford was perhaps best of all with his too-close-to-the-bone gear about waffle cones and sperm donation. Lara Ricote gave the crowd an amazing therapist takedown at the All-Stars Supershow. Credit: Ian Laidlaw The surprise hit of the night was a local journeyman making his first Gala appearance: Josh Glanc. The hirsute hometown hero went big with props and a seemingly endless build-up and had us heaving at the (deliberately) anticlimactic pay-off. Montgomery brought it all to a close with some lacerating anti-Melbourne lines that goaded the audience, only to add a smiling caveat I kid, I kid to keep us on side. Now its over to the 800 or so comedians to kid around on stage for the next three and a half weeks... Reviewed by Mikey Cahill Circus Oz | Smash It! Arts Centre Melbourne, until April 21 A near-death experience during the pandemic seems to have galvanised Circus Oz. The company has since avoided closure, recharged its communitarian battery, and recommitted to the style of accessible, family-friendly fare that has made it such a cherished stalwart of homegrown circus. Smash It! has an easygoing irreverence and a familiar rocknroll vibe. Indeed, the live music is a highlight, and its rebellious energy charges the performances and lights a spark of activism under the athleticism. The show takes sly aim at colonial symbols. A statue of Captain Cook lurks in the background. In one routine, the explorer is toppled upside down and hauled away on the shoulders of acrobats; in another, hes unceremoniously replaced by the statue of a duck. Pointed critique doesnt dampen the light-hearted, funfair atmosphere, nor dim a sense of wonder at the acrobatic display. There are plenty of thrills on offer, among them flying trapeze, aerial straps, tightrope-walking (and also loose rope-walking), and group acrobatics from a diverse ensemble. The floorwork is often illuminated by clowning, and the selection of feats and performers tends to challenge mainstream preconceptions about the body shape, gender, and age of circus artists. Circusgoers will find themselves disarmed by the relaxed inclusiveness of the ensemble and the serene kind of joy they take in performing. Smash It! by Circus Oz is on at Arts Centre Melbourne until April 21. Such intimacy doesnt come at the cost of jaw-dropping moments of spectacle, but ultimately, it is the sense of community Circus Oz instils in audiences that sets it apart and makes it an institution worth preserving. This style of family circus is an excellent pick for those with children to entertain. Each routine has been moulded into a free-flowing, low-intensity hour of fun, with enough acrobatics and good-humoured antics to keep kids (vocal in their appreciation at the performance I attended) wide-eyed with a smile on their faces. Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead Alexandra Hudson | Making Lemonade The Westin, until April 21 Disability pride is speaking honestly about your life without being ashamed. Its taking the lemons everyone else is giving you and making lemonade out of them. As Alexandra Hudson deftly illustrates in Making Lemonade, its not being disabled that is the equivalent of being a lemon, its other peoples assumptions about you as a disabled person. Mopping up a spill in aisle three when working at the supermarket? Inspiring. Making Lemonade by Alexandra Hudson is on at The Westin until April 21. It takes a sense of humour to be disabled in an able-bodied world and Hudson has a great one. Her cheek and forthright material are disarming. Dont underestimate her laid-back vibe, shell sneak in an outrageous punch line when you least expect it. Having wowed RAW comedy audiences and been selected for Comedy Zone, Hudson proves worthy of stepping up to the challenge of a full-length solo show. Shes comfortable in this well-rehearsed, confidently delivered performance with a unique viewpoint. Reviewed by Lefa Singleton Norton Hot Department Malthouse Theatre, until April 21 Hot Department is on at Malthouse Theatre until April 21 Baffling, horny, and occasionally covered in butter comedy duo and horny theatre kids, Hot Departments new self-titled show is quite possibly the most Hot Department show that has ever Hot Department-ed. In a few short years, the iconic pair have carved out the silliest, sexiest space for themselves in the world of absurdist sketch comedy. Theres no overarching theme this year, just one hour of pure unbridled (and uncensored) chaos. Its a bit helter-skelter, but then thats always been part of the pairs scattershot charm. No duo is quicker with an ad lib, or more likely to crack each other up on stage. Honor Wolff and Patrick Durnan Silva take audiences on a chaotic journey from kinky mouse fantasies to body-horror birthday celebrations with enough high energy and double entendre to silence and arouse even the boldest front-row heckler. Even with some ill-executed transitions or lacklustre sketches, theres nothing quite like a strip tease from the number eight to remind you what has made these two such a festival staple. Fans and horny hecklers alike wont be disappointed. Reviewed by Guy Webster Noah Szto | Success in Everything Lychee Karaoke, until April 13 Success in Everything is the first hour of stand-up Noah Szto has performed, not that youd guess. Confident and unflappable despite the technological issues that render his mic practically useless and compound the comedy Szto segues seamlessly from one childhood story to the next with the self-assurance and poise of a comedian who has been kicking around for longer than four years. Success is Everything runs at Lychee Karaoke until April 13. Traversing topics as wide-ranging as the suspiciously short time it takes to obtain a Working with Children Check to the perils of growing up Mormon, Szto wades into taboo topics with disarming ease and a knowing smile before he diffuses the tension with a well-thought-out punchline. Lychee Karaoke is one of the more unique venues of the festival, but it works particularly well. Backdropped by Maoist propaganda art and the machinations of a karaoke machine threatening to come to life, Stzos set on finding peace as a bilingual, biracial person is interrupted twice by a curious interloper the effect doesnt quite land, but its one of the few blips of an otherwise strong set. Szto is one to watch. Reviewed by Sonia Nair A Succulent Comedy Showcase Storyville Melbourne, until April 7 According to comedian Chris Nguyen, Asian people make the worst audience members because they are the most repressed people. Its not surprising that this showcase of up-and-coming Asian-Australian comedians would garner the diasporas interest. A Succulent Comedy Showcase runs at Storyville Melbourne until April 7. The evening featured a range of comedic approaches, from the dry delivery of He Huang to boisterous routines from Harry Jun and Takashi Wakasugi. There were the expected moments of culturally specific comedy, such as Juns bit about the Korean finger heart gesture, as well as jokes universal enough to capture a broader audience, including Wakasugis anecdotes on what constitutes the happiest Melbourne tram trip. A jam-packed line-up in a 50-minute show meant each performer had a limited window to engage the audience while still delivering a cohesive routine. For seasoned performers, they met the challenge with ease whereas others clearly felt the weight of the pressure, occasionally nervously stumbling over words or openly acknowledging when jokes didnt land. A fun evening featuring new and known talent that even a tiger mum would be proud of. Reviewed by Vyshnavee Wijekumar Dahn Rozario | Body Language The Westin, until April 21 How do you review a show you didnt see? I showed up for TikTok star Dahn Rozarios gig, purportedly exploring body language, but he didnt. Sure, he was there, but most of his set was missing in action. Comedians generally kick off with audience banter, but when the three-minute warning came to wrap things up, Rozario was still frantically asking us one by one if we vaped. None did, and like this car crash set of wildly undisciplined distraction, the bit went nowhere. Dahn Rozarios Body Language is on at The Westin until April 21. Flashes of growing up Indian-Australian show promise, including his mums hardcore treatment of him and his sister. She bemoaned him being gay because he went to a Lady Gaga concert (hes not). Lovelier stuff comes in how she felt he was led by a higher force to find a fancy funeral suit in Savers, but none of it gets a proper airing. Hopefully hell iron it out as the run progresses. Reviewed by Stephen A Russell Fern Brady | I Gave You Milk To Drink Rydges Ballroom, until April 21 In alliterative terms, Fern Bradys comedy is fierce, feminist and unfortunately in this hour, ultimately flawed. I Gave You Milk To Drink by Fern Brady is on at Rydges Ballroom until April 21. Credit: Raphael Neal, The Scottish comedian suits up the American idealisation of their own privilege for the guillotine with acerbic glee. Spinning stories of her experiences with ecstasy, mushrooms and edibles, her nations affiliation with Shrek and her life goal of voicing an animated fish, her lack of nuance is both jarring yet captivating. However, several off-handed remarks that punch below the belt destruct the hour. When opening with a simplistic punchline turned punch-down towards the homeless, any semblance of the ethos of mocking the egotistical upper class is lost throughout the show. Mining mirth from her lower socio-economical background is joyful; taking a potshot at those living on the street is not. Cape Town: A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival has plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa, killing at least 45 people, authorities said. The only survivor of the crash on Thursday (Friday AEDT) was an eight-year-old child, who was airlifted to hospital, according to authorities in the northern province of Limpopo. They said the child was seriously injured. The scene of the deadly bus crash in South Africa. Credit: Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety The Limpopo provincial government said the bus veered off the Mamatlakala bridge and plunged 50 metres into a ravine before busting into flames. Search operations were ongoing, the provincial government said, but many bodies were burnt beyond recognition and were still trapped inside the vehicle. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 28. Kyrgyzstan is considering to leverage the benefits of China's technological advancements and innovative solutions in agriculture, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, this was stated by Beketai Mukhtar, a representative of the Trade Representation at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan in China, during a business meeting on trade and economic cooperation between Shaanxi Province and Central Asia. During the event, Mukhtar highlighted the development of aquaculture and the cultivation of Kyrgyz trout as one of the promising directions in Kyrgyzstan. With numerous lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in the country, there is potential to increase the volume of commercial fish to 100,000 tons per year. He informed about the high level of trustful dialogue between the leaders of the two countries, creating favorable conditions for combining efforts and implementing joint cooperation projects. Mukhtar also elaborated on the advantages of Kyrgyz mountain honey and the opportunity to import beans, potatoes, apples, apricots, dried fruits, prunes, watermelons, and dairy products from Kyrgyzstan. The event concluded with B2B meetings with representatives of Chinese companies, who were thoroughly briefed on the opportunities for cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the agricultural sector. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the combined gross output of agriculture, forestry, and fishing in Kyrgyzstan reached 11.780 billion soms ($131.7 million) in January 2024, which is a 1.4-percent increase compared to January 2023. From March 18 to 22, 2024, the Smart Customs Project, funded by CCF China, successfully organized a Regional Workshop on Disruptive Technologies in Lima, Peru, for the World Customs Organization (WCO) Americas and Caribbean Region. Spearheaded by the WCO Vice Chair for the Americas and the Caribbean Region, Fernando Nunez Jauregui, Deputy National Superintendent of Peru Customs (SUNAT), this pivotal event brought together over 40 participants from 20 WCO Member administrations, alongside esteemed speakers from the private sector, academia, and the other international organizations. At the heart of the workshop was a recognition of the remarkable strides made by regional administrations in embracing disruptive technologies. Fernando Nunez Jauregui emphasized the pivotal role of innovation in navigating the evolving complexities of our global landscape. He underscored the transformative potential of disruptive technologies in ushering in a smarter approach to facilitating and safeguarding global supply chains. Throughout the workshop, attendees delved into a diverse array of topics related to disruptive technologies, including blockchain, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), drones, geospatial localization, Internet of Things. They explored how these technologies are reshaping the landscape of international trade and brainstormed strategies to leverage them for enhancing the efficiency, security, and transparency of Customs processes. The workshop provided a platform for participants to exchange invaluable experiences, share insights on digital transformation strategies, and draw lessons from innovation projects. This collaborative endeavor not only reinforced the regional capacity to lead digital transformation, but to also fostered closer bonds of cooperation among Customs administrations. Interactive sessions and group exercise facilitated lively discussions on the status and challenges of technology adoption in the region, emphasizing the importance of responsible principles and change management perspectives. The engagement of internal stakeholders and the integration of user needs emerged as central themes, alongside a commitment to leveraging existing research and academia partnerships. Gerardo Arturo Lopez Gonzales, National Superintendent of Peru Customs (SUNAT), expressed appreciation for the fruitful outcomes of the Workshop, highlighting the diverse spectrum of innovative opportunities explored. He emphasized the significance of advancing digital Customs initiatives while concurrently nurturing human talent to enhance Customs performance through technological advancements, underscoring the pivotal role of both in achieving smarter controls. As the inaugural event of a series of regional workshops under the Smart Customs Project, this workshop marked the beginning of a vibrant community of experts. The discussions during the workshop confirmed the need for the development of a dedicated portal where participants will continue to engage in peer-to-peer dialogues, co-create inclusive solutions, and cultivate a culture of innovation in Customs administrations. Future interactions will guide the selection of technologies that the Project will focus on, ensuring alignment with Member needs and technological readiness. In a concerted effort to bolster customs efficiency and streamline trade processes, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and other key stakeholders participated in a workshop focused on the implementation and piloting of the East African Community (EAC) Duty Remission System from 11 to 16 March 2024 in Kigali. The workshop was organised under the framework of the EU-WCO HS-Africa Programme, funded by the European Union. This initiative is part of the digitalisation efforts aiming at modernising customs operations and enhancing the participation of the regions private sector in international trade, through increased access to trade information. The workshop, held in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, the WCO, and Global Trade Solution (GTS), brought together key stakeholders including officials from RRA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industries, manufacturers, representatives from the Private Sector Foundation, and Clearing & Forwarding Agents. The workshop was officiated by Mrs. Yvonne Gatera, Assistant Commissioner for Customs Operations Support at RRA who underscored the importance of the training towards smooth implementation of the EAC Duty Remission software. On the other hand, the EAC Secretariat was represented by Mr. Donald Tindamanyire (Principal Customs Officer - Tariffs and Valuation) who highlighted the importance in enhancing management of duty remission, addressing challenges as well as facilitating the trading community. The training focused on a number of key objectives, including understanding the operation of the system; gaining practical experience in working with the system; and understanding the approval process by the Duty Remission Committee (DRC). A significant aspect of the workshop was its practical component, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience in utilizing the Duty Remission System. This approach not only deepened participants' understanding of the systems functionality but also empowered them with the necessary skills to navigate customs processes effectively. Beyond capacity building within RRA, the workshop aimed to sensitise stakeholders involved in the National Duty Remission Committee, including manufacturers, traders, and private sector representatives. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among these stakeholders, the workshop sought to enhance transparency and efficiency in duty remission processes. The HS-Africa Programme will roll out the implementation through capacity building workshops in the other EAC countries (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi) in the course of 2024. For further information, please contact wcoHSAfrica@wcoomd.org BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 28. Kyrgyzstan has engaged in discussions with the American company SpaceX to explore the provision of high-speed internet to its citizens via space technology, Trend reports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan revealed that talks were held during a meeting between the Kyrgyz Ambassador to the US and Canada, Bakyt Amanbaev, and Rebecca Hunter, Director of Global Licensing and Activation at SpaceX. It was noted that bilateral negotiations with the American company began two years ago. During the meeting, Hunter provided updates on the progress made thus far. Subsequently, the ambassador addressed the challenges encountered during the project implementation and presented proposals for their resolution. Amanbaev expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation between the Embassy and SpaceX, pledging to continue working together towards achieving the set objectives. The parties also agreed to further discuss the issues faced by SpaceX during the project's implementation. Starlink, an array of satellites providing internet services, is operated by the American aerospace firm SpaceX. With coverage spanning across more than 70 countries, Starlink also endeavors to deliver worldwide mobile broadband connectivity. The deployment of Starlink satellites commenced in 2019 by SpaceX. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 28. The Airbus A320 aircraft, designated for the travel of the country's senior officials, has landed at Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports. According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, it was welcomed by the Chairman of the Cabinet Akylbek Japarov. He noted that Kyrgyzstan is moving towards development, with special and military equipment, advanced medical devices, and public transport being purchased from the republican budget. "We would like to see the dreams of our people to live securely in Kyrgyzstan become a reality. Just yesterday, we couldn't even imagine purchasing certain equipment from the country's budget, and today we are acquiring helicopters and planes," said Japarov. The Airbus A320 aircraft, manufactured in 2002, was purchased using budget funds and handed over to the Office of the President of Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, the head of the information policy department of the President's Administration of Kyrgyzstan, Daiyrbek Orunbekov, noted that airports are currently being constructed across the country. He said that last year, two planes, an 80-seater and a 90-seater, were acquired. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan plans to purchase another aircraft this year. After a two-day trial in Kimball County district court, a California man was found guilty on four felony charges. His bond continues, and he will be sentenced on May 7 at 2:30 p.m. In just under two hours, the jury of five women and seven men found Andrew Mendoza guilty of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, no drug tax stamp, and carrying a concealed weapon. The charges stemmed from a speeding incident on I-80 on Nov. 2, 2021, a case that didnt reach trial until now due to a series of legal motions. The Nebraska State Patrol clocked a 2021 Dodge Durango traveling 82 mph at mile marker 18. When the state patrol attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver drove along the shoulder of the road for to mile. When the vehicle finally stopped, driver Myra Williamsons hand appeared to shake when she handed her license to Sgt. Balthazor from the Nebraska State Patrol. The officer detected a faint odor of marijuana. Andrew Mendoza was in the passenger seat of the rental vehicle. Williamson was issued a written warning for speeding and consented to have her suitcase searched although the vehicle was rented to Mendoza, who denied a consent search according to court documents. When advised that Sgt. Balthazor had a K-9 unit coming, Mendoza became very defensive and somewhat aggressive in making accusations. The search produced luggage with multiple bags of marijuana (a total of about 36 pounds) and about one pound of psilocybin mushrooms. A scale and vacuum sealer were found along with a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun in the center console with a loaded magazine inside and additional ammunition in the vehicle. Kimball County Attorney Dave Wilson prosecuted the case, and Robert Harvoy was the court appointed attorney for Mendoza. The driver of the vehicle, Myra Williamson, testified against Mendoza. In closing arguments, Wilson said the duo were en route to Kansas City with the purpose of the trip to sell the mushrooms and marijuana. Wilson said the amount of seized merchandise was not consist for personal use. Farmers were urged to "get militant" after they addressed a meeting of Mayo County Council. Mayo IFA members attended a meeting of the local authority last week to highlight several serious issues for the farming community. Over the past number of weeks, farmers across mainland Europe have been voicing their anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on them," John Lynskey, chairman of Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) in Mayo, told the meeting. These frustrations have broadened into anger with European and National lawmakers over the massive increase in regulations relating to agriculture. The EU, the Irish Government and local government are devising policies far from the farm gate with little or no consideration of the direct impact on farmers." Mr Lynskey highlighted CAP and trade deal issues and overly complicated schemes that are causing widespread delays in payments to farmers. The Nature Restoration Law was blasted for the restrictions it places on farmers and local farmers feel agricultural emissions are not being measured fairly. Mayo IFA also criticised the "shambolic management of Irelands forestry policy". At a more local level, planning and water charge issues were among the problems being encountered. Mayo farmers are also concerned about the use of compulsory purchase orders to facilitate the construction of greenways. Councillors agreed to back the IFA's "enough is enough" campaign and passed a resolution that recognises the significant contribution farming and the agri-sector make to the Irish and local economy. The council acknowledged the income challenge on Irish farmers arising from the significant increases in the cost of doing business, regulatory costs and cuts in basic income supports. Councillors also called on the Government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without full negotiation and agreement with the IFA. The council called on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures. Westport-based Fianna Fail Cllr Brendan Mulroy urged IFA members to escalate their action. The peaceful protests are over. Its time for the farmers to become militant, said Cllr Mulroy. He warned that the situation with the proposed Belclare to Murrisk Greenway could become a "test case" for the use of CPO to facilitate projects of this type. Council officials in Ballinas sister city of Scranton are confident that a flight between Ireland West Airport Knock and the Pennsylvanian city will happen, according to a county councillor. Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Seamus Weir recently travelled to the US with Tom Gilligan, the Director of Services of Mayo County Council, for the St Patricks Day celebrations. Cllr Weir said they received a fantastic welcome, adding that the relationship with Scranton has gone from strength to strength since the election of US President Joe Biden. Ballina has been Scrantons sister city since 1990 and there have been strong ties to the US city over the years. Mr Biden's great-great-great grandfather, Edward Blewitt, left Ballina with his wife and family in 1851, at the tail-end of the Famine to settle in Scranton and a significant number of people living in the US city have North Mayo family connections. In all of my travels it is the strongest link we have had and there is a great bond if you walk around Scranton," said Cllr Weir. "We were treated so well. We discussed a few things. One thing that is strong in their minds is a link between Scranton and Knock. They are saying that it is going to happen. The connection with Scranton was deepened further following President Biden's memorable and historic visit to Ballina last year. Meanwhile, Mr Gilligan described it as a very productive trip. We were only there a couple of nights but the people were very genuine and very hospitable, he said. I think the future is bright and I see nothing but positivity coming out of it. Donal Healy, head of aviation business development, marketing, and communications at Ireland West Airport Knock, said the airport recently met Scranton officials during a visit here. They are continuing to discuss all options in relation to a flight connection but talks are still at an exploratory stage. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 29. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan, the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan says, Trend reports. According to information, the visit will take place on April 17. It is reported that as part of Japarovs official visit to Kazakhstan, a Kyrgyz-Kazakh business forum will be held at the level of deputy heads of government, as well as an exhibition of manufacturers of domestic products. 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. 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. WEST READING, Pa. - We've highlighted notable women in various roles making strides and impacts in their communities during Women's History Month. West Reading's mayor not only is the first female in that role. She had a challenging complication in the midst of her term. It's been an eventful first term for West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag, who is in her third year as the first woman to lead the borough. "It was something I was super proud of and I'm still super proud of, having that progressive forward movement in West Reading is wonderful," Kaag said. The small-town New York transplant moved to this area close to 15 years ago. She says she ultimately settled in West Reading because it felt like home, and as her home she got involved as a volunteer firefighter and a a borough council member. In 2021 she was elected mayor. She also recently accepted a position as the executive director of the Wyomissing Area Education Foundation. "A lot of what I wanted to do with mayorship here with like being involved in the community aspect, doing grants, helping the community and being basically just involved and as transparent as I can be to kind of make sure everybody's in the know and has opportunities and linking people with opportunities if they need help. I'm kind of able to do in my position with WAEF also," Kaag said. Kaag credits her relentless optimism as a driving force that keeps her going. "Keeping a positive outlook on things and making sure that I'm acting and bringing things to fruition is really important to me," Kaag said. She says that, and a very cohesive borough team, are what help West Reading thrive and what helped the borough get through a major tragedy -- last March's deadly explosion at R.M. Palmer. "I'm grateful to have been a piece of the puzzle but I'm in no way the puzzle. We had so many people coming together and working together, we have so many people that make it what it is that to take any sort of credit at all is almost weird for me," Kaag said. Kaag and her team continue to work to provide opportunity and build sustainability for their community. She says she believes something along the lines of if you love what you're doing, you never work a day in your life. "I almost kind of wish I had more time to do more and that's almost been kind of the issue is trying to pull things back like, okay you have this amount of time, and you also need to sleep," Kaag said. She says finding balance has been a work in progress but it's getting easier every day and she has no plans to slow down. BETHLEHEM, Pa. At the Bethlehem Parking Authoritys monthly meeting Wednesday afternoon, executive director Steven Fernstrom provided an update on the ongoing demolition of the citys Walnut Street Garage. According to Fernstrom, the demolition process is 65% complete, as slab and foundation removal work remains outstanding. The city is on track to complete demolition by late May or early June, Fernstrom said. Demolition had been paused after the partial collapse of the garage in February. Bids for a new garage part of the BPAs controversial plan to redevelop the 33 W. Walnut St. site with an apartment building and smaller successor to the current garage went out last week and are due April 9. The BPA hopes to announce the recipient of that bid at its April meeting, according to Fernstrom. In other news, financial consultant Chris Betley reviewed the BPAs revenues and expenses through January and February 2024. According to Betleys report, the BPA earned about $1.28 million and spent about $722,000 during the two-month period. The total revenue was about $38,000 less than expected, but the total expenses were also about $55,000 less than expected for January and February, Betley said. Finally, the BPA voted unanimously to approve an agreement authorizing physical advertisements to be displayed inside parking garages around Bethlehem. According to Fernstrom, the three-year agreement with Lancaster-based AdPark Media allows that company to pay the BPA for non-digital advertising space. The agreement comes at no cost to the city, Fernstrom said. AdPark Media has a similar agreement with the cities of Lancaster and Allentown, according to Fernstrom. The Bethlehem Parking Authority will next meet in late April. HANOVER TWP., Pa. - Commuters from the Lehigh Valley are all aboard the idea of a passenger rail returning, but according to a feasibility study unveiled Wednesday, they could be waiting quite a while before they see it anywhere between 10 and 12 years, at least. People waited more than a year for the 60-page report. In it, five former corridors are pinpointed as candidates for passenger rail once more. Those include Allentown to New York, Allentown to Philadelphia and Allentown to Reading long-awaited connections that commuters we spoke with are hopeful for. We spoke with some at a hub for traveling in the Lehigh Valley: the Lehigh Valley International Airport. Joey Cruz of Bethlehem says he drives his wife to and from LVIA five days a week; she works on Wall Street, and taking the bus is much more affordable than driving. "A little over two hours; weather is a variable in that," said Cruz. Claudio Martinez of Bethlehem, meantime, told us there needs to be another option available in the Lehigh Valley. "Oh, man, in the worse way," said Martinez. "They, Trans-Bridge, have a captive audience, and they need the competition." The PennDOT-commissioned study by WSP identifies five potential corridors where people could take the train: Allentown to New York via Hackettstown... roughly a 2.5 hour trip. Allentown to New York via High Bridge... 2 hours, 20 minutes. Allentown to Philadelphia via Lansdale... 1 hour, 46 minutes. Allentown to Philadelphia via Norristown... 1 hour, 52 minutes. and Allentown to Reading...46 minutes. "Well, those proposals are roughly a half hour more than the bus," said Martinez. "I think there's less traffic, and, you know, there'll be less variables, if she can get on a train, and it might be more consistent of a drive," added Cruz. "The unknown of driving on 22 and what kind of traffic patterns you're going to have, I think this would eliminate that." Commuters say it could be longer than taking the bus, but it's an option they might consider for the right schedules, routes, and dollar amount. "I mean, there's an expense to buying 40 tickets for a month worth of work," said Cruz. "40 trips for a monthly commuter ticket, five days a week, $750 and change," said Jim Velasquez of Hanover Township. "For me, going on Wall Street that would, depending on where this stops in New York, and I'm assuming it's around Midtown, then, I still have to catch a train going downtown." Many specifics, including ticket fares, appear way off; however, the study does lay out how much each line could cost to construct: hundreds of millions of dollars and millions more each year to operate. The report also points to significant challenges ahead, such as missing infrastructure, outdated locations that would need renovation and interstate partnerships. However, its authors say it lays the foundation for the future studies that could make a much sought-after dream a reality. If passenger rail is pursued, they say a critical next step is identifying a project sponsor to develop a framework for planning, designing, funding, constructing and operating the service. "I was hoping that our local representative would, kind of, fight for us on this issue. Trans-Bridge is a great service, though. Don't get me wrong, but it's just pricing. There's no competition," added Velasquez. Data from PennDOT estimates more than 30,000 people commute from the Lehigh Valley into New York for work. Meantime, 70,000 commute to the Philadelphia and Reading areas. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Lehigh County Board of Commissioners Wednesday enacted a proclamation designating 4-H week in Lehigh County. "I feel like everybody needs 4-H in their life," said 4-H educator Jennifer Deichert. The proclamation designates the special week to take place March 31 to April 6, and encourages "citizens to acknowledge and celebrate 4-H for its valuable service and continued efforts to empower youth with a foundation of success for a lifetime." 4-H offers clubs and various projects in animal science, civic engagement/leadership, communication/expressive arts, environmental science and shooting sports, healthy living/wellness and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Deichert said joining the program was "the best decision" she ever made. As a misunderstood child who "talked about horses morning, noon and night," Deichert said 4-H gave her confidence she sorely needed. Commissioner Dan Hartzell emphasized the role of organizations like 4-H in today's times. "Seems like we need 4-H more than ever," Hartzell said. The Penn State Cooperative Extension provides 4-H in Pennsylvania to 77,000 youth, ages 5-18, in rural areas, small towns and cities in all 67 counties. In Lehigh County, 4-H has helped 4,164 youth "to become confident, independent, resilient, and compassionate leaders through learning by doing," the proclamation said. Support for 4-H was offered by board President Geoff Brace and Commissioner April Riddick, as well as Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, who was also in attendance Wednesday. The county executive spoke about the county's preserved farmland, while Brace discussed the woodworking skills he's gained through various programs. Riddick said she also used the program when her children were young, and touted its importance. Other business In other news, the commissioners approved a right-of-way agreement with Blue Ridge Cable Technologies Inc. for the construction, operation, maintenance, repair, extension, replacement and removal of utility lines near the D&L Trail in Slatington. The commissioners also voted to appoint Richard "Ricky" E. Santee as a juvenile dependency attorney. Commissioner Jon Irons said Santee makes the 12th attorney and completes the team. "[We] have a full team to support juveniles and their hearings," he said. Lastly, the commissioners voted to approve a peer agreement between the county controller's office and the Association of Local Government Auditors. Every three years, the office is audited by the organization, and when this happens, a peer agreement must be signed. Brace suggested changing the administrative code so the commissioners would be spared this vote. "Feels like the kind of thing that shouldn't be coming to the board for consideration," Brace said, suggesting the board instead receive notice and a report upon the audit's completion. HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania House just passed a bill some legislators say would close the "ghost gun loophole," but gun enthusiasts say the requirements are not practical. It's the first time Pennsylvania legislators have ever taken a crack at trying to prevent the sale and use of ghost guns. "Nothing like this has ever passed the House," said Rep. Mike Schlossberg. Rep. Schlossberg voted in favor of House Bill 777. It would prohibit quote "the purchase, sale, and production of untraceable gun parts." "This just says that all parts of the gun has to be serialized. This way it allows ghost guns, or untraceable guns, to be treated the exact same way as any other firearm. It should go through a background check and have a serial number so that, if it's used in a crime, law enforcement can track it down," said Rep. Schlossberg. Right now, only the frame of the gun is required to have a serial number on it to be traced. Rep. Peter Schweyer told us the bill has the support of several DA's across the state. "The President of the District Attorney's Association for Montgomery County has come out strongly in favor of this," said Rep. Schweyer. We stopped by the gun store Relic Hunter Firing Line. The employees there did not want to be shown on camera, but they also didn't agree with the bill's logic. "It's not a loophole. It's a Constitutional right," said the employee we spoke with. They took apart an entire Glock pistol for us to look at to show us how difficult getting serial numbers for every piece might be. "How do I keep track of 27 moving parts in a simple gun versus 67 parts in another moving gun? We have multiple firearms, now I have to do what? Go to whom? And how do I get that done? It's just unrealistic," said the employee. "Where are we going to get that done? Who does the laser work? Where do we send it off to?" The employees also believe the bill punishes law-abiders instead of criminals. "If you do this to law-abiding citizens, the citizens themselves, you're preventing them from actually just using their Constitutional right," said the employee. House Bill 777 will now be sent to the Pennsylvania State Senate. SALISBURY TWP., Pa. The Salisbury Township Planning Commission recommended approval of a land development plan for a youth organization camp Wednesday night at the township building. The proposal, offered by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, calls for the construction of a new 3,177-square-foot, single-story multipurpose building on a 15.2-acre property at 2638 W. Rock Road near the Interstate 78 interchange in Summit Lawn. Wednesday night's proposal has been years in the making, with a sketch plan initially submitted Dec. 10, 2019. That plan, which called initially for a 7,000-square-foot building, was later modified, and a land development plan extension was granted by the township through March 31, 2024. Attorney Stephanie Kobal, representing the applicant, noted various changes from the original incarnation until the plan before the planning commission Wednesday night. The facility's footprint was now "less than the size of many homes in the area," Kobal said. In addition, the plan was now disturbing less acreage .9 of an acre versus 1.3 acres previously reducing the number of trees being cut down. Residents in attendance Wednesday night who spoke expressed various concerns about the water quality in their own wells and a general disturbance to the environment as result of the project. Township officials noted that the Girl Scouts cannot take down any trees due to the installation of the septic system and that the proposed septic tank is no closer than 100 feet to the closest well. Previously, the township approved revisions to the sewage facilities plan. The sewage plan module was eventually approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. "The Girls Scouts are meeting all the requirements," Chairman Richard Schreiter said. The plan will now go before the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners for final approval. In a news conference Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the search and rescue operation transitioned to a recovery mission. Crews found the bodies of two of the six construction workers who plunged into the water after the bridge collapse in Baltimore. A Maryland State police official said all search efforts have been exhausted. The NTSB boarded the boat Wednesday and retrieved the Voyage Data Recorder, which will give key information. At this point it's unclear how long the cleanup and the rebuild of the bridge will take. "Not a building, but really as big as a block. 100,000 tons all going into the pier all at once," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg of the cargo ship. Buttigieg said he doesn't think any bridge, especially one built in the 1970's, could survive the impact Singapore-owned cargo ship Dali made when it hit Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. "What made the ship lose power? What made them lose the ability to be able to steer the ship, do we have the right infrastructure in place to protect the people of our state?" Moore said of the questions needing answered. NTSB did board the 1,000-foot long boat, interviewing the crew, while Coast Guard Hazmat teams inspected 56 containers carrying hazardous materials, that the Coast Guard says are not a threat to the public. This, as underwater surveys are being done, starting the process of getting it moved and repairing the channel to one of the country's busiest ports. "I think the main challenge here, as you can see by the imagery on scene, is removing the large trusses and steel members off the bow of the ship," said Vice Admiral Peter Gautier of the U.S. Coast Guard. We are learning more about the six victims. Father of three Miguel Luna of El Salvador, and father of two Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, had both been in the U.S. for nearly 20 years. Sandoval worked multiple jobs. A 26 and 35 year old from Guatemala and 2 Mexican nationals are also part of the missing. The port of Baltimore is still closed. 11 ships are stuck inside, aside from the Dali. Secretary Buttigieg again pledged full federal support. The NTSB is set to give an update at 8 p.m. Wednesday. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Next month, two Republican candidates will face off in what looks to be a strongly contested primary in the Pennsylvania Attorney General election. The two Republicans, York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and state Rep. Craig Williams, are jockeying for position as they seek their partys nomination for Pennsylvanias top legal office. The state Republican Party has thrown its support behind Sunday, but this became one of several key issues dividing the two men during a televised debate that aired on WHTM earlier this month. Williams who has served Pennsylvanias 160th House district in Chester and Delaware counties since 2021 and was previously a military prosecutor has accused DA Sunday of operating like a progressive Democrat in York County, arguing it has become one of the states most dangerous counties. Sunday conceded the county is geographically challenged because of its proximity to Baltimore, but claimed his leadership led to an 80% decrease in gang violence and a 75% decrease in homicides within the city of York. Sunday and Williams have positioned themselves as strong believers in law and order and going after bad guys, especially when it comes to crime issues in Philadelphia. Both candidates are critical of Philadelphia County DA Larry Krasners handling of prosecuting gun crimes, with Williams going as far as to lead an effort to impeach Krasner in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Philadelphia is under siege because Kranser is not prosecuting crime, Williams said. While still critical of Krasner, Sunday stopped short of calling for the DAs removal, arguing that we dont know who could replace him. On a personal level, Sunday and Williams have sparred over their respective political careers. Sunday has criticized Williams for simultaneously running for both Attorney General and his state House seat. On the other hand, Williams has questioned Sundays proven conservative credentials, quipping that he never voted for Barack Obama or Joe Biden which Williams says is the biggest difference between them. Despite their differences, Sunday and Williams have taken mostly standard Republican positions on capital punishment, abortion and drug-related issues. Both candidates agree that the death penalty should be an option in prosecuting the most heinous crimes, and that marijuana should not yet be legalized for recreational use. Both Sunday and Williams say abortion is not a constitutional right in Pennsylvania only a statutory law but neither would prosecute women who seek abortions by traveling to Pennsylvania from other states where the practice has been restricted since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Williams would prosecute doctors who perform illegal abortions after Pennsylvanias 26-week limit, and Sunday says the Attorney Generals office should simply follow abortion laws as set by the Pennsylvania legislature. Both candidates believe the ongoing fentanyl crisis and prevalence of fraud against senior citizens are of high importance to Pennsylvanias next Attorney General. The number one issue facing Pennsylvanians is the fentanyl epidemic, said Sunday, adding that he plans to collaborate with other GOP attorneys-general to address the issue. I will do everything within the constraints of the law to protect Pennsylvanians from fentanyl thats coming up from the [U.S.-Mexico] border. Were going to work on getting federal detainers into our counties so that the federal government can come in and when people are arrested and convicted and being released from jail after their conviction, we can take them for federal prosecution, Williams said of his fentanyl strategy. Sunday and Williams will face off in Pennsylvanias GOP primary election on Tuesday, April 23. The winner will earn the Republican Partys nomination for Attorney General and face one of five Democratic candidates running for the office in Novembers general election. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 28. A total of 427 tourists from Tajikistan visited Azerbaijan in February 2024, Trend reports. Data from the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan indicates that this figure increased by 2.4 times compared to the same month in 2023 (177 tourists). In total, Azerbaijan was visited by 810 tourists from Tajikistan from January through February 2024, which is 2.3 times more than in the same period in 2023 (342 tourists). Around 10,744 tourists from Central Asian countries visited Azerbaijan in February 2024, which is 95.31 percent higher than the figure for the same period in 2023 (5,501). Among the countries in the region, Tajikistan had the lowest number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, 5,010 tourists from Tajikistan visited Azerbaijan in 2023, which is an 83.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022 (2,736 tourists). QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - A bridge in part of Bucks County has a new name. The bridge is now the Major Donald R. Kemmerer Bridge. Major Kemmerer was killed when the fighter jet he was in went down in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam in August of 1967. The span named in his honor is in his native Quakertown It connects Elm Street and Stoneback Road. NEW YORK Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain's running mate eight years later, has died, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82. The Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering from the party line. Lieberman's independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats, the party he aligned with in the Senate. Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years. Lieberman came tantalizingly close to winning the vice presidency in the contentious 2000 presidential contest that was decided by a 537-vote margin victory for George W. Bush in Florida after a drawn-out recount, legal challenges and a Supreme Court decision. He was the first Jewish candidate on a major partys presidential ticket and would have been the first Jewish vice president. He was also the first national Democrat to publicly criticize President Bill Clinton for his extramarital affair with a White House intern. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be McCains running mate. He and McCain were close pals who shared hawkish views on military and national security matters. McCain was leaning strongly toward choosing Lieberman for the ticket as the 2008 GOP convention neared, but he chose Sarah Palin at the last minute after ferocious blowback from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed McCains campaign. Lieberman generated controversy in 1998 when he scolded Clinton, his friend of many years, for disgraceful behavior in an explosive speech on the Senate floor during the height of the scandal over his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Yet Lieberman later voted against the impeachment of Clinton. He defended his partisan switches as a matter of conscience, saying he always had the best interests of Connecticut voters at heart. Critics accused him of pursuing narrow self-interest and political expediency. In announcing his retirement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman acknowledged that he did not always fit comfortably into conventional political boxes and felt his first responsibility was to serve his constituents, state and country, not his political party. He had a tortured relationship with Democrats. During his final Senate speech, Lieberman urged Congress to look beyond party lines and partisan rancor to break Washington gridlock. It requires reaching across the aisle and finding partners from the opposite party, said Lieberman. That is what is desperately needed in Washington now. Harry Reid, who served as Senate Democratic leader, once said that while he didnt always agree with the independent-minded Lieberman, he respected him. Regardless of our differences, I have never doubted Joe Liebermans principles or his patriotism, Reid said. And I respect his independent streak, as it stems from strong convictions. Privately, some Democrats were often less charitable about Liebermans forays across party lines, which they saw as disloyal. He bolted his party and turned independent after a 2006 Senate primary loss in Connecticut. Liebermans strong support of the Iraq War hurt his statewide popularity. Democrats rejected Lieberman and handed the 2006 primary to a political newcomer and an anti-war candidate, Ned Lamont. Defying Democratic leaders and friends, Lieberman ran successfully for reelection as an independent and drew support from some Republican allies. Lieberman won praise from the White House and fundraising help from prominent Republicans, such as then-New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who himself later ran as an independent. Liebermans speech at the 2008 GOP presidential nominating convention criticizing Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, struck a deep nerve with many Democrats. After the election, there was speculation Senate Democrats might strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as payback. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Judiciary Committee, was among those who said Lieberman should lose his chairmanship. Leahy branded Liebermans attacks on Obama as beyond the pale. But at Obamas urging, Senate Democrats decided not to punish Lieberman for supporting McCain and the GOP ticket. Obama was eager to strike a bipartisan tone for his presidency and giving Lieberman a pass helped reinforce that message. Yet Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent and staunch liberal, called it a slap in the face for millions of Americans who backed Obama. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his hawkish foreign policy views, his pro-defense bent and his strong support for environmental causes. He played a key role in the legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security. Lieberman grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. Lieberman graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School in New Haven As Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, he was a strong consumer and environmental advocate. Lieberman vaulted into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, Lieberman joined a New York City law firm. Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, have four children. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin scoffed at the possibility of his country launching an attack on a NATO member, calling it sheer nonsense, but warned that any Western air base hosting U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets that are slated for deployment in Ukraine would be a legitimate target for the Kremlins forces. Their statements about our alleged intention to attack Europe after Ukraine is sheer nonsense, Putin said late Wednesday, referring to warnings in the U.S. and Western Europe that Russia could turn its sights on other countries unless it's stopped. He noted that the U.S. defense budget is more than 10 times higher than Russias. In view of that, are we going to wage a war against NATO? Its ravings, he told military pilots during a visit to an air base. Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of F-16s, which will increase military pressure on Russia, from its Western partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last year that 42 F-16s had been promised. Ukrainian pilots have been training in the West for months on how to fly the warplanes. The F-16s require a high standard of runways and reinforced hangars to protect them from bombing attacks when they are on the ground. It's not clear how many Ukrainian air bases can meet those requirements, and Russia would be certain to quickly target a few that could accommodate them once the jets arrive. Putin warned Ukraines Western allies against providing air bases in their countries from where the F-16s could launch sorties against the Kremlins forces. Those bases would become a legitimate target," he said. F-16s are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, and we will also need to take that into account while organizing our combat operations, Putin added. Military analysts have said the arrival of F-16s wont be a game-changer in view of Russia's massive air force and sophisticated air defense systems, though Ukrainian officials have welcomed them as an opportunity to hit back at Russias air dominance. Putin insisted the F-16s wont change the situation on the battlefield. We will destroy their warplanes just as we destroy their tanks, armored vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers, he said. F-16s can be used to bolster Ukraine's capability to target Russian facilities with long-range missile strikes. Ukraines counteroffensive last year came up short in part because it took place without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery. Russia has maintained air dominance in the war with Ukraine, though the provision of sophisticated Western air defense systems has forced Russian warplanes to avoid Ukrainian skies and launch attacks while remaining over Russia-controlled territory. On Thursday, a Russian fighter jet crashed into the Black Sea off the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula, Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev said. The pilot ejected and was recovered by rescue teams about 200 meters from shore, he said. Razvozhayev provided no details about the possible cause of the crash. The Kremlin currently has a battlefield edge in weapons and troops, yielding recent incremental gains at points on the around 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, as Kyiv awaits more promised Western military support and mulls a broader mobilization. Russia fired salvos of drones and missiles overnight at southern and eastern regions of Ukraine, authorities said Thursday, wounding more than a dozen people as the Kremlins forces persevered with attritional attacks designed to wear down Ukrainian defenses. Air defense systems intercepted 26 out of 28 Shahed drones, Ukraines air force said. Russian forces also launched five missiles overnight, it said. The regular bombardment of Ukraine by the Kremlins forces during the war has recently gained momentum, with missile barrages of the capital, Kyiv, and strikes on energy facilities across the country. The attacks also aim to weaken Ukrainian morale and act as retribution for Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian soil. One of Russias goals is to deplete Ukraines inventory of ground-based air defense, according to a recent military assessment published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. That would erode some of Ukraines combat ability as it waits on pledged but delayed military support from the West, including ammunition for its artillery and air defenses. Kyiv is confronted by the threat that an attritional war in the air domain will increasingly favor Russia without adequate support from the U.S. and its allies, the IISS said. Ukraines ability to continue to counter Russian air threats and impose costs on the Russian Aerospace Forces remains important to the outcome of the war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defense Minister Rustan Umerov both pleaded with foreign allies on Thursday to send more air defense systems and missiles. The Ukrainian Mission to NATO said that it convened an extraordinary ambassador-level meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the alliances headquarters on Thursday in response to Russias missile attacks on critical infrastructure. Ukraine urgently requires more air defense and interceptors, especially Patriot systems that can intercept ballistic missiles, Kuleba said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter. Ukraine is the only country in the world targeted by ballistic missiles almost daily, he said. Authorities in the Mykolaiv region, near the Black Sea in southern Ukraine, said that 12 people were wounded and six residential buildings were damaged in a Russian strike with a ballistic missile on the city on Wednesday afternoon. In an overnight attack on the southern Ukraine region of Zaporizhzhia, Shahed drones struck a residential area, injuring two women ages 72 and 74, according to regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov. Rescue services said that seven buildings were damaged. The Black Sea city of Odesa repelled three missile and drone attacks, officials said. Barry Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal. Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijani film director Fehruz Shamiyev has joined the jury of the 11th Umut International Forum of Young Cinema. The forum will take place on March 28-31 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Azernews reports. The event will gather acclaimed filmmakers from Kyrgyzstan, representatives of cinema from post-Soviet countries, and experienced film experts. The forum program includes screenings of short films, films won by winners and participants in world film festivals, short public presentations of film projects, master classes, and lectures by film experts. Within the event, Fehruz Shamiyev will brief the festival visitors about the Baku International Short Film Festival founded by him. Baku International Film Festival has become a platform for award-winning and successful films at Cannes, Venice, Berlin Film Festivals, and the Oscar. Each year, the most interesting films among more than 1500 films sent from different countries around the world are selected and included in the program of the festival. At the forum, Fehruz Shamiyev will also present the program of film laureates and participants. The program includes Azerbaijani films "The Last Photo", directed by Turkan Huseyn, "Fence" filmed by Gulu Asgarov as well as "Shudder" shot by Amil Mamibayli. Lessons in Chemistry Science education professor envisages a theoretical construct to help high school teachers teach Chemistry wins global recognition. Professor Elizabeth Mavhunga has come a long way since she first encountered a white lecturer in a fully equipped chemistry lab, to becoming only the third South African to receive a NARST Fellowship Award some 40 years later. NARST is the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, based in the United States. The Soweto-born Wits alumna grew up in Mhluzi, Middelburg. Her qualifications include a BSc Chemistry after being rejected for Pharmacy then a BSc Honours, completed with a bursary from AECI Ltd. She received her doctorate in Science Education in 2012. Chemistry in technicolour Mavhunga recalls both the shock and exhilaration of her undergraduate student experience: The first cultural shock was to be taught by a white lecturer, in the Humphrey Raikes Chemistry building, full of mostly white students. You have to keep in mind that I grew up in a very small community, largely semi-rural at that time. People did not intermingle at the time, and my engagement with white people was only when we went to town for shopping or to see a doctor. Furthermore, Mavhunga had to overcome the reality that she couldnt fully comprehend what was being taught I could not figure out whether it was the English or the abstract nature of the content, she says. The next shock was to walk into a fully furnished Chemistry laboratory stocked with different shaped flasks, measuring instruments, chemicals and all these rules, the Dos and Donts. But then ultimately, the exciting realisation that I could actually conduct sound chemical experiments with all the glamour of colours! and a perfect logic behind their reactions. Teaching experiments After graduating with an honours degree in Chemistry, Mavhunga worked at AECI as a research officer for PVC polymers and monomers for three years. My passion for education drew me back to studying a MSc in Science Education, which I completed Cum Laude in 1997. After starting a family and raising children, I returned for my PhD in 2010 and completed it two-and-a-half years later. Mavhunga joined the Wits School of Education as a Senior Lecturer in 2013, progressing to Associate Professor in 2017, and full Professor in 2021. Her passion for education and academia is evident: I have always loved the education environment, the energy that students and teachers bring, the fact that it is a system where one can predict outcomes, and there is a respectable way of acknowledging achievements. I love the drama and the excitement that goes with graduations! I love the feeling of control over ones time and the wins that come with self-discipline. Digitizing science and AI-empowered teaching Mavhungas research interest reflects her predilection for systems, sound experiments, and predictable outcomes. Her research focus is in defining and subsequently fast-tracking the development of professional teacher knowledge for teaching science. It is important that we clearly define what makes teachers expert science teachers. When we do, then we can target the development of such competence, one science topic at a time, with precision and with predictable results. Given South Africas current economy and low uptake of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, we dont have the luxury of producing graduate-teachers who need extensive practical experience to hit the right note in the classroom, says Mavhunga. They have to teach science as close to the best version as possible on arrival! Its this work that has drawn the attention of the global science education community to Mavhungas publications. To date, she's been exploring the translation of this work into the world of digitalization and AI. The foundation of her research career (which culminated in an Inaugural Lecture in 2022) was laid back in 2012 when she conceptualised a theoretical construct called Topic Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK) in her PhD in Science Education. This construct emerged within the context of poor learner achievement in science in South Africa. TSPCK is uniquely the domain of teachers and enables them to transform abstract content into a form that can be easily understood by their learners, she says. The move of education on to digital platforms triggered the development of TSPCK, and now Mavhungas taking it a step further; the refined version of TSPCK enables teaching science in the digital realm. I am very excited about this newly developed theoretical construct, Digital-TSPCK, that describes the special knowledge that a science teacher needs to build and deliver an effective lesson via digital media. Its basically building a digital lesson and packaging it as a teaching video. But she doesnt mean simply recording a teacher in front of a video camera; Digital-TSPCK builds digital science content that is focussed, sequenced, and structured. Digital-TSPCK is special in that it combines discipline-specific teaching considerations, teacher digital competencies, and learner considerations for learning through digital media. Global recognition of South African science education excellence Its innovations like Digital-TSPCK, built on decades of research, that earned Mavhunga the Fellowship Award from the US-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). She received the award on 18 March at the NARST International Conference in Denver, Colorado. She says, The NARST Fellowship award was a very pleasant surprise indeed! This award means that my research contributions in science education are being recognised by the global science education professional community. Mavhungas fellowship is one of only three awards that NARST has made to a South African another one of which was in 2018, to Mavhungas mentor, Emeritus Professor Marissa Rollnick. Mavhunga says Rollnick introduced her to cutting-edge research in science education about building specialised professional knowledge that science teachers need and use to teach abstract science content. Igniting the flame Mavhunga encourages emerging scholars and scientists to pay attention to the people who cross your path as they just might be your academic life game-changers as well as to work as if the piece of work in front of you is all you have! She says scholars should participate in the Wits Research Offices professional development workshops, delivered by Dr Robin Drennan, Director of Research and Development, whom Mavhunga says has been influential in helping me make my research visible. Mavhunga says, This NARST Fellowship award is warmly dedicated to the science education community in Mzansi teacher educators, PhD graduate students, early researcher scholars, my colleagues in the science and technology division. It is their uptake of my research through citations and research-building projects that has made me visibile and put South African science education on the world research map." What happened to the Just Energy Transition grant funding? Researchers take a closer look to determine who the money has gone to, when it was disbursed, and what it was spent on. At COP28, the annual climate change conference which was held in Dubai at the end of 2023, the government released two key documents for the Just Energy Transition in South Africa. The first was the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan, the roadmap for achieving decarbonisation of the economy in a just manner. The Implementation Plan covers six portfolios: Electricity; Mpumalanga Just Transition; New Energy Vehicles (NEVs); Green Hydrogen; Skills; and Municipalities and it has incorporated some of the comments received during the consultation process on the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. The second was the Just Energy Transition grants register. This document tracks how the grant allocation as part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) has been spent. The JETP was announced with great fanfare at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. It is an $8.5-billion funding package from the European Union, Germany, France, the US and the UK (subsequently the Netherlands and Denmark have also joined) to help South Africa achieve a just transition in the energy sector. This partnership has received substantial criticism for the small proportion of grant financing that was allocated only 4% of the total amount with the vast majority coming from concessional loans instead. The grant register tracks this grant allocation in a bid for greater transparency within the just transition processes, which is to be commended. It tells us who the implementing entities are, the priority areas for the funding, the partners and other beneficiaries, the amount in rands and US dollars, and start and end date of the projects. This is an important step in a set of just transition financing processes that have been shrouded in secrecy (until the point where final documents are released). However, others have already raised concerns about how this money has been spent, and what this means for the just transition as a whole in South Africa. As stated by director of Just Share Tracey Davies: Whats staggering is that there has been no transparency around recipient and project selection. This raises the question whether only entities with the right connections have been able to access funding. In this piece, we take a closer look at the data in the register and some of the key trends, to determine who the money has gone to, when it was disbursed and what it was spent on. The total amount accounted for in the grants register is R10,072,283,749, just more than R10-billion. This covers more than the original 4% stipulated in the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan $329.7-million, which is R6.3-billion at the current exchange rate. This is presumably due to the addition of funds from the new partners. However, this too is unclear. There is a concern that the register may therefore include projects that were already happening anyway, representing funding that is neither new nor additional, a problem within climate finance more broadly. Where has the money gone? The register distinguishes between implementing agencies and parties and other key beneficiaries. Only 24% of the money goes to South African implementing entities (a mix of private companies, non-governmental organisations, universities and government bodies). The rest goes to foreign companies and organisations, in most cases to entities from the donor countries. For example, about R1.7-billion goes to GIZ, the German development agency, and R2-billion to KfW, the German development bank. Therefore, more than R3.7-billion, which is more than a third of the total grant financing and covers all the grant financing given by Germany, goes straight back into its own development agencies and bank (and a handful of German research institutions). When asked about this at COP28, a German official stated that obviously this money is only going through these agencies as they are just the implementers and not the final beneficiaries. However, this then acts as a mask for where this money really goes, defeating the transparency goal of the register. In most cases, these agencies take a significant cut of the funds to cover their own (substantial) costs and often hire their own consultants to support the work. A key question is what proportion of these funds trickles down to the final beneficiaries. Although not quite as bad as the German case, this pattern is seen across the board. From the USs funding, R145-million goes to Deloitte (out of a total of R222-million going to consulting and financial advisory firms) and R58-million to the US Department of Energys National Labs. Other countries are also sending money to their own government departments such as the Danish Energy Agency and the Dutch Water Authorities. While the final beneficiaries of the activities in the European and American entities may well be South Africans, there is no evidence currently that this is the case. When was the money spent? More than R8.5-billion has been used for projects which are already complete. And only two projects, out of a list of 145, had not started yet at the time of writing. More than half the money (R5.2-billion) was disbursed before November 2022 when the JET Investment Plan was launched for public comment. This means that most of this money was out the door before the public even had a chance to give their inputs and comment on the Investment Plan which dictated the priorities and funding. What exactly was the public consulting on if that money was already spent? Were none of the inputs related to the concerns about the priorities ever going to be considered? Despite the hints at transparency and consultations occurring during the development of the JET Investment Plan and now Implementation Plan, there seems to be a completely parallel and independent process where the money is actually allocated and disbursed. What was the money used for? The register stipulates the different priority areas to which the money has been allocated. The majority has gone to green hydrogen, the just transition in Mpumalanga, and electricity infrastructure; with other significant proportions going towards municipalities and skills (see figure 2). However, a closer inspection reveals that much of this finance does not go directly to these priorities. For example, of the money allocated for electricity infrastructure, almost none is allocated to actually building electricity infrastructure, whether that be new renewable generation capacity or expanded grid infrastructure, both of which are urgently needed in South Africa. Rather, it is spent on a mix of technical assistance, project feasibility studies, scenario projections and capacity building. In total, about R1.2-billion of the grant financing is spent on technical assistance which has long been criticised as a form of aid for being ineffective, extremely expensive since much of these funds go to foreign experts, and an outdated form of development. Additionally, about R1.5-billion is spent on various forms of green finance green bonds, refinancing of community trust projects, and blended finance/catalytic finance to de-risk and attract private-sector investment. This is arguably not where the grants portion of the finance should be focused. Read more in Daily Maverick: Our Burning Planet There are also significant amounts spent on municipalities, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, much of which is sorely needed and should be acknowledged. However, civil society organisations (CSOs) and workers unions have been almost completely left out. Only about R41-million has been dedicated to CSOs (0.4%), with an additional R6.4-million going towards research assistance to unions. Most startlingly, there is no money provided for care for workers in affected value chains (as stipulated in the JET Investment Plan), nor social protection more broadly. Skills and training are a key concern for unions and workers in the transition. While R1.1-billion has been categorised as skills funding, only R453-million has gone to actual skills training, with some strange inclusions under the banner of skills, such as financing the secondment of an employee of the British High Commission to the Presidential Climate Commission. There has been a vocal push for more grant financing to both mitigate and adapt to climate change from all sectors in South Africa. However, the benefit of this grant financing lies far out of the reach of those who need it most. It is clear that communities and affected workers have already been left behind. The next stage will be to see where the loan financing is going. From what we have seen so far, there is little reason to be hopeful. The writers are with the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. This article was first published in Daily Maverick. Langaville community forced to continue using chemical toilets indefinitely CALS represents residents of Langaville who approached the High Court to prevent the temporary provision of chemical toilets becoming permanent Residents of the Langaville informal settlement approached the High Court with the assistance of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) last year. They sought to compel the City of Ekurhuleni to rezone the region as a residential area and provide proper sanitation. The High Court has handed down judgment which dismisses their application without costs. Langaville Extension 8 is a settlement which falls under the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng. The settlement is made up of a mixture of formal RDP houses interspersed between informal shack dwellings. While the RDP structures have been provided with water and permanent flushing toilets, people living in the shack dwellings only have access to shared taps and chemical toilets. The Municipality has supplied these chemical toilets via private companies as a temporary measure for over twelve years. In fact, the three-year tender for these chemical toilets was renewed for a fourth time in July 2022. It is unconstitutional to expect residents of Langaville to use these underserviced, over-utilised, unsafe and unhealthy forms of sanitation indefinitely. They have long called for a more permanent solution to the problem, which has even been supported by the South African Human Rights Commission. In response, the Municipality has advised that it is unable to provide permanent sanitation in the area as the land is zoned for community facility rather than residential use. Yet, some of the residents have lived in the area for up to thirty years and have been provided with other formal infrastructure such as electricity. Only the Municipality has the authority to rezone the land itself and has refused to do so without adequate reason. Langaville residents therefore approached the Johannesburg High Court to assert their rights to adequate housing, with the assistance of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS). They asked for the Municipalitys decision to continue issuing the tender for chemical toilets (based on its decision not to rezone the land) to be reviewed and set aside. We argued that this decision was irrational, inconsistent, arbitrary and unreasonable, and that it served no purpose other than to allow the Municipality to use an interim form of sanitation as a means of long-term service delivery. The High Court this month handed down judgment dismissing the application without costs. Though the Court agreed that chemical toilets are only an interim measure in terms of the Municipalitys own policies and have nevertheless become permanent for the residents of Langaville, the judgment raises concerns about the budget available for providing the area with flushing toilets, which the Municipality claimed has already been allocated elsewhere. The Court also agreed with the Municipality that the applicants would be queue jumping the lists for provision of formal housing if they were to be given permanent flushing toilets. Though the order finds that the government departments and agencies responsible for these decisions can and should be held to account, it does not go as far as to hold them accountable. We are obviously disappointed with this outcome, says Ariella Scher from CALS. The Constitution provides for socio-economic rights to be realised progressively. The provision of temporary chemical toilets for over a decade is certainly not progressive, and violates the Municipality's own sanitation policies. In any event, our clients have lived in Langaville for decades without any indication that the Municipality seeks to move them to more formal dwellings, and so the effect of this judgment is that the provision of chemical toilets will now continue indefinitely. Our clients have no intention of queue jumping, but are simply seeking state provision of the dignified, permanent forms of sanitation to which they are entitled. We are currently reviewing the judgment with our clients and will decide on a way forward with them. CALS is represented in the matter by advocate Shaista Kazee and we send our thanks to Matseleng Lekoane and Amelia Rawhani-Mosalakae, for their assistance on the matter. Read the full judgment in the matter here. For inquiries, please contact: From the Centre for Applied Legal Studies: Ariella Scher (Head: Business and Human Rights programme) at ariella.scher@wits.ac.za Anda Dungulu (Candidate legal practitioner) at anda.dungulu@wits.ac.za From the Langaville community: ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 28. Turkmenistan discussed the development of cooperation in various areas with Uzbekistan, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, this was discussed during a meeting between Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Tashkent, Shadurdy Meredov, and Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov. During the meeting, the parties held detailed and fruitful negotiations on the entire range of bilateral relations in political, trade, economic, transport, communication, cultural, humanitarian, and other fields, as well as exchanged views on topical international and regional issues of mutual interest. The diplomats highlighted the successful development of interstate cooperation in recent years due to the fraternal relations between the leaders of the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the interlocutors expressed confidence that bilateral relations based on strong ties of friendship and good neighborliness will continue to develop successfully on a mutually beneficial basis. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan continue to deepen their relations, focusing on developing economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment, as well as joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, and culture. Within the framework of this partnership, both countries actively cooperate to create favorable business conditions, exchange experience and technology, and strengthen trust and understanding between people. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Wits Faculty of Health Sciences Hosts Award Ceremony Recognizing Staff Excellence In a celebration of professional prowess and dedication, the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences recently hosted an award ceremony to honour its outstanding staff members. The annual event held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Rosebank honoured the remarkable contributions of professional staff and academic staff members in 2023. This focused on achievements and milestones attained. It takes a lot of individual diligence and deliberate partnerships for an institution such as our faculty to remain a beacon of excellenceit takes you, said Professor Lindelani Mnguni, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, addressing award recipients. The ceremony was attended by the facultys esteemed fully-appointed and joint-staff members, students, as well as distinguished university guests. The speakers highlighted the tireless efforts and achievements of individuals who have significantly enriched the Facultys esteem locally and internationally. Professor Mnguni further stressed how none of each individuals talents and contributions are insignificant in continuing to build the facultys great legacy to the country. He said that it is not only important that institutional knowledge is passed on to each generation of professionals but to couple it with the innovation that will respond to challenges. Among the 152 staff members who were recognised for the year, 64 were those who received long-service awards for ranging from 35 to 20 years of employment in the faculty. Among the highlights of the evening were the presentations of awards recognising research excellence, and teaching and learning. These accolades were meticulously curated to reflect the diverse talents and expertise within the faculty, underscoring the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in healthcare education and practice. To this, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Lynne Morris noted that the faculty is a leading source of research outputs within the university and added that this quality of research and teaching positioned the faculty as a sought-after partner for collaborations particularly internationally. The event concluded with a sense of pride and optimism for the future, as attendees reflected on the remarkable accomplishments of the past year and looked ahead to new opportunities for growth and excellence in 2024. The Faculty of Honours Celebration not only celebrated the achievements of today but also laid the foundations for continued success and innovation in the years to come, ensuring that the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits remains at the forefront of healthcare education and research in South Africa and beyond. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE:ECAT Get Free Report) major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 35,187 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 22nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.02 per share, with a total value of $598,882.74. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 28,043,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $477,300,642.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Saba Capital Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s): Get BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust alerts: On Monday, March 25th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 40,881 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.09 per share, with a total value of $698,656.29. On Wednesday, March 20th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 107,194 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $16.86 per share, with a total value of $1,807,290.84. On Monday, March 18th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 77,855 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $16.68 per share, with a total value of $1,298,621.40. On Monday, March 11th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 73,028 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.05 per share, with a total value of $1,245,127.40. On Thursday, March 7th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 36,450 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.08 per share, with a total value of $622,566.00. On Thursday, February 29th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 49,946 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of $17.13 per share, with a total value of $855,574.98. On Monday, February 26th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 246,840 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of $17.08 per share, with a total value of $4,216,027.20. On Thursday, February 22nd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 43,233 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of $16.96 per share, with a total value of $733,231.68. On Tuesday, February 20th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 91,079 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of $16.66 per share, with a total value of $1,517,376.14. On Friday, February 16th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 25,699 shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of $16.70 per share, with a total value of $429,173.30. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Trading Up 1.1 % ECAT opened at $17.30 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $16.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.86. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust has a twelve month low of $14.02 and a twelve month high of $17.31. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Announces Dividend Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.40%. A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of ECAT. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $179,000. LPL Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $707,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its position in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 24.2% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 411,641 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,890,000 after acquiring an additional 80,127 shares during the period. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 13.1% in the second quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 108,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,553,000 after acquiring an additional 12,565 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 31.4% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 417,564 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,349,000 after acquiring an additional 99,793 shares during the period. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trusts (ECAT) (the Trust) investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust invests in a portfolio of equity and debt securities. Generally, the Trusts portfolio will include both equity and debt securities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Hold from the seven analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $110.00. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on ANF. UBS Group upped their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $98.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $81.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, March 7th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $152.00 price target (up from $140.00) on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Citigroup increased their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $100.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $149.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Get Abercrombie & Fitch alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Abercrombie & Fitch Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, EVP Jay Rust sold 786 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.41, for a total value of $98,572.26. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,014 shares in the company, valued at $127,165.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, CFO Scott D. Lipesky sold 35,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.95, for a total transaction of $4,478,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 88,558 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,330,996.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, EVP Jay Rust sold 786 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.41, for a total value of $98,572.26. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at $127,165.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 288,786 shares of company stock worth $32,608,812 over the last quarter. 3.77% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,299,726 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $230,317,000 after acquiring an additional 177,790 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,191,102 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $348,992,000 after acquiring an additional 146,384 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 12,439.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,313,894 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $299,544,000 after acquiring an additional 5,271,516 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,386,731 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $127,613,000 after acquiring an additional 114,744 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,121,400 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $58,869,000 after acquiring an additional 44,221 shares during the last quarter. Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Down 0.5 % Abercrombie & Fitch stock opened at $121.37 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $118.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $87.88. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 12 month low of $21.74 and a 12 month high of $140.28. The company has a market capitalization of $6.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.51 and a beta of 1.59. Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, March 6th. The apparel retailer reported $2.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.14. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 38.80% and a net margin of 7.67%. The business had revenue of $1.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Abercrombie & Fitch will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Abercrombie & Fitch Company Profile (Get Free Report Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Hollister and Abercrombie. It offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Social Tourist, Abercrombie & Fitch, and abercrombie kids brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited (OTCMKTS:BDWBF Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,478,000 shares, a decline of 92.0% from the February 29th total of 18,509,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 45,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 32.5 days. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Trading Down 5.3 % Shares of OTCMKTS:BDWBF traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $1.41. The company had a trading volume of 500 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,047. The companys 50-day moving average price is $1.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.77. Budweiser Brewing Company APAC has a one year low of $1.41 and a one year high of $3.11. Get Budweiser Brewing Company APAC alerts: About Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited, an investment holding company, produces, imports, markets, distributes, and sells beer and other non-beer beverages primarily in China, South Korea, India, Vietnam, and the other Asia Pacific regions. It offers a portfolio of beer brands, including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Hoegaarden, Cass, and Harbin. Receive News & Ratings for Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Budweiser Brewing Company APAC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG Free Report) had its price target upped by Citigroup from $139.00 to $150.00 in a report released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the insurance providers stock. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on AFG. Janney Montgomery Scott initiated coverage on American Financial Group in a report on Thursday, December 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $135.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler lowered American Financial Group from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $129.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $133.50. Get American Financial Group alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on AFG American Financial Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:AFG opened at $136.80 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $125.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $117.75. American Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $105.22 and a fifty-two week high of $137.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61 and a beta of 0.78. American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The insurance provider reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.81 by $0.03. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.89% and a return on equity of 22.14%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.99 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that American Financial Group will post 11.02 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Financial Group Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a None dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were issued a $2.50 dividend. This is a boost from American Financial Groups previous None dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. American Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.26%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total value of $135,455.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,511.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director James E. Evans sold 2,274 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.64, for a total transaction of $292,527.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 105,302 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,546,049.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total value of $135,455.65. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 10,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,343,511.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 14,843 shares of company stock worth $1,854,746 over the last three months. 14.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AFG. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 1,096.3% in the 3rd quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al now owns 20,481 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,287,000 after purchasing an additional 18,769 shares during the period. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $692,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 635,387 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $70,954,000 after purchasing an additional 24,630 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 30.8% in the 3rd quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 43,952 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,909,000 after purchasing an additional 10,345 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 93.7% in the 3rd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 23,824 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,660,000 after purchasing an additional 11,522 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About American Financial Group (Get Free Report) American Financial Group, Inc, an insurance holding company, provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company offers property and transportation insurance products, such as physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products, and other commercial property and specialty transportation coverages; specialty casualty insurance, including primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and specialty coverage in targeted markets, as well as customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers' compensation insurance; and specialty financial insurance products comprising risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, fidelity and surety products, and trade credit insurance. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:ELPQF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 371,400 shares, an increase of 163.4% from the February 29th total of 141,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3,714.0 days. El Puerto de Liverpool Stock Performance Shares of ELPQF stock remained flat at $8.56 during mid-day trading on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $7.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.14. El Puerto de Liverpool has a fifty-two week low of $4.74 and a fifty-two week high of $8.56. Get El Puerto de Liverpool alerts: About El Puerto de Liverpool (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories El Puerto de Liverpool, S. A. B. de C. V., together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of department stores in Mexico. The company operates through Liverpool Commercial, Suburbia Commercial, Real Estate, and Credit segments. Its stores offer various products, such as clothes and accessories for men, women, and children; household goods; furniture; cosmetics; and other consumer products. Receive News & Ratings for El Puerto de Liverpool Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for El Puerto de Liverpool and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Great Lakes Retirement Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report) by 6.9% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 9,164 shares of the casino operators stock after buying an additional 594 shares during the quarter. Great Lakes Retirement Inc.s holdings in Las Vegas Sands were worth $451,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of LVS. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Las Vegas Sands in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Western Pacific Wealth Management LP bought a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Retirement Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, CNB Bank bought a new stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 39.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on LVS shares. Susquehanna assumed coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a research note on Friday, December 15th. They issued a positive rating and a $59.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Las Vegas Sands from $59.00 to $61.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. StockNews.com upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 12th. Finally, Mizuho started coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a report on Tuesday. They set a buy rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $68.90. Insider Activity at Las Vegas Sands In other Las Vegas Sands news, CEO Robert G. Goldstein sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.06, for a total value of $5,206,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 172,801 shares in the company, valued at $8,996,020.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.91% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Las Vegas Sands Price Performance Shares of LVS traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $51.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,808,423 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,521,074. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a one year low of $43.77 and a one year high of $65.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.17. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $51.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $49.12. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The casino operator reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.89 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 34.40% and a net margin of 11.77%. The firms revenue was up 161.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.19) EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 5th. Las Vegas Sandss payout ratio is 50.00%. Las Vegas Sands Profile (Free Report) Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the People's Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kirby (NYSE:KEX Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday. Separately, Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Get Kirby alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Kirby Kirby Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE:KEX opened at $95.03 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $5.56 billion, a PE ratio of 25.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $85.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $81.40. Kirby has a 12-month low of $66.42 and a 12-month high of $95.79. Kirby (NYSE:KEX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The shipping company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.01. Kirby had a return on equity of 7.12% and a net margin of 7.21%. The business had revenue of $799.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $778.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Kirby will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Kirby In related news, VP Scott P. Miller sold 1,828 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.60, for a total value of $145,508.80. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,600. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Scott P. Miller sold 1,828 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.60, for a total value of $145,508.80. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,600. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Christian G. Oneil sold 8,994 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.15, for a total value of $765,839.10. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 16,079 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,369,126.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 45,803 shares of company stock worth $3,921,057 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.40% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kirby Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of KEX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Kirby by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 99,767 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $7,202,000 after buying an additional 1,756 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in Kirby in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new stake in Kirby in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $392,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Kirby by 33.4% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 38,864 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,806,000 after buying an additional 9,734 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Kirby by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 164,306 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $11,861,000 after buying an additional 3,103 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.15% of the companys stock. Kirby Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kirby Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kirby and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Get Free Report)s share price was down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $4.62 and last traded at $4.71. Approximately 11,029,190 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 54% from the average daily volume of 24,169,688 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.72. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on MPW shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a sell rating and a $2.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $8.00 to $5.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $8.00 to $5.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $9.00 to $7.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.59. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on MPW Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 2.26 and a current ratio of 2.26. The stock has a market cap of $2.82 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.19. The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.80 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.52. Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MPW. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 8.2% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 83,236 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,755,000 after purchasing an additional 6,318 shares during the period. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 147.1% during the first quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 21,434 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $453,000 after purchasing an additional 12,761 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 15.4% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 37,749 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $798,000 after purchasing an additional 5,046 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 11.3% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 38,588 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $816,000 after purchasing an additional 3,922 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in Medical Properties Trust by 43.9% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 807,982 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $17,067,000 after purchasing an additional 246,411 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.79% of the companys stock. Medical Properties Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo 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 Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 193 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of QUAL. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $209,000. Western Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 34,205 shares of the companys stock worth $4,508,000 after acquiring an additional 2,163 shares during the period. Horizon Investments LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 28.4% during the 2nd quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 2,307,722 shares of the companys stock worth $311,242,000 after acquiring an additional 511,077 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 22.9% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 480,752 shares of the companys stock worth $63,358,000 after acquiring an additional 89,648 shares during the period. Finally, TruWealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,157,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF stock traded up $0.85 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $164.16. 1,132,831 shares of the stock were exchanged. The companys fifty day moving average is $158.18 and its 200-day moving average is $145.77. The firm has a market cap of $37.12 billion, a PE ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $71.96 and a 52 week high of $88.63. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Company Profile 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 28. Turkmenistan and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) discussed the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Trend reports. According to an official source, these issues were discussed during a meeting in Ashgabat between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Secretary General of OTS Kubanychbek Omuraliev. During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of cooperation within the framework of the OTS in the fields of trade, economy, transport, tourism, ecology, youth policy, and the preservation of the Turkic cultural heritage. Turkmenistan's significant contribution to building up interstate cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, an integral part of world politics and diplomacy, was noted. Additionally, it was emphasized at the meeting that the organization attaches particular importance to strengthening productive cooperation with Turkmenistan, which holds observer status in the OTS. "The further development of effective and constructive relations with the Turkic states occupies an important place in Turkmenistan's foreign policy strategy," Berdimuhamedov stressed. In this regard, he emphasized that since Turkmenistan joined the Organization of Turkic States as an observer country, the dialogue in the format of this structure has been filled with new content. As part of the interested exchange of views on the prospects for cooperation in the OTS space, taking into account its solid potential, it was noted that expanding the range of programs and projects in various fields, primarily in education, science, and culture, will serve to successfully promote mutually beneficial interstate partnerships, filling them with specific content. Meanwhile, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is an interstate bloc created with the aim of expanding cooperation between Turkic-speaking countries in the fields of politics, economics, science, education, transport, and tourism. The OTS Secretary General arrived in Ashgabat city to participate in an international conference on 'Main Directions and Potential for Tourism Development in Turkmenistan', which was actively attended by representatives of ministries and departments of Turkmenistan as well as representatives of leading tourism organizations. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $337.25. A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $333.00 to $352.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Monday. They set an outperform rating and a $400.00 target price for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, January 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $350.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, William Blair restated an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Motorola Solutions Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other Motorola Solutions news, SVP Cynthia Yazdi sold 4,744 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $334.30, for a total value of $1,585,919.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,858 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,961,229.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MSI. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,918 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $949,000 after purchasing an additional 406 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 11,087 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $2,685,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 8.8% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 2,870 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $695,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $225,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 55,177 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $13,362,000 after buying an additional 3,741 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock. Motorola Solutions Price Performance MSI opened at $353.31 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $58.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.90. Motorola Solutions has a fifty-two week low of $269.64 and a fifty-two week high of $353.53. The companys 50-day moving average price is $331.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $311.39. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.37. 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 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.38 earnings per share. Motorola Solutionss quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Motorola Solutions will post 11.74 earnings per share for the current year. Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.11%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 39.48%. Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Next Level Private LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 574 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $221,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Cambridge Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 82.0% during the 3rd quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 88.0% during the 3rd quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 94 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of GS opened at $417.82 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $289.36 and a 52 week high of $419.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $135.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.20, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.76. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $387.82 and a 200-day moving average of $357.13. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The investment management company reported $5.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $1.86. The company had revenue of $11.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 8.03% and a net margin of 7.85%. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.32 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 33.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $2.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.63%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 48.20%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades GS has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $382.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $390.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $421.00 to $424.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, March 21st. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $506.00 to $446.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $437.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $411.10. Get Our Latest Analysis on GS Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group In related news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total value of $5,001,372.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at $11,602,947.31. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 11,650 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $390.64, for a total transaction of $4,550,956.00. Following the sale, the treasurer now owns 18,408 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,190,901.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 12,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $394.43, for a total transaction of $5,001,372.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 29,417 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,602,947.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 38,907 shares of company stock worth $15,080,021 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Parisi Gray Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Veralto Co. (NYSE:VLTO Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,127 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $257,000. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLTO. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Veralto in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Veralto during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. North Star Investment Management Corp. bought a new position in shares of Veralto during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Veralto during the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC bought a new position in shares of Veralto during the 4th quarter worth approximately $58,000. 91.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Veralto alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Mattias Bystrom sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.10, for a total transaction of $43,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,310 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,609,691. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Veralto Stock Down 0.3 % Veralto stock traded down $0.28 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $89.46. 34,607 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,469,592. The companys 50 day moving average price is $84.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.64. Veralto Co. has a 52-week low of $65.51 and a 52-week high of $90.69. Veralto (NYSE:VLTO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.25 billion. Veraltos revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.80 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Veralto Co. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year. Veralto Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.40%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on VLTO. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Veralto in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $104.00 price objective for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Veralto in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a hold rating and a $79.00 price objective on the stock. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Veralto in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. They set an outperform rating and a $97.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Veralto from $78.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Veralto in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given 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 $91.36. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Veralto About Veralto (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLTO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Veralto Co. (NYSE:VLTO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Veralto Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Veralto and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 16,700 shares, a growth of 215.1% from the February 29th total of 5,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 61,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Bank of Ireland Group Price Performance Shares of Bank of Ireland Group stock traded down $0.00 on Thursday, reaching $9.79. The company had a trading volume of 21,903 shares, compared to its average volume of 57,022. The firms 50-day moving average price is $9.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $9.30. Bank of Ireland Group has a 1 year low of $8.38 and a 1 year high of $11.12. Get Bank of Ireland Group alerts: About Bank of Ireland Group (Get Free Report) Further Reading Bank of Ireland Group plc provides various banking and financial products and services. It provides current and savings accounts, and business deposits and accounts; personal, car, home improvement, graduate, motor finance, and student loans, as well as overdrafts; and business and farming loans, green business, insurance premium finance, invoice finance, hire purchase, and leasing services. Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Ireland Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Ireland Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boeing (NYSE:BA Free Report) had its target price cut by TD Cowen from $275.00 to $230.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the aircraft producers stock. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $215.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Boeing in a research note on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $265.00 price objective for the company. Susquehanna dropped their target price on shares of Boeing from $265.00 to $230.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 21st. Edward Jones lowered shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Boeing from $285.00 to $260.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $242.65. Get Boeing alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BA Boeing Stock Performance Shares of BA opened at $191.96 on Monday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $200.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $209.96. Boeing has a 52 week low of $176.25 and a 52 week high of $267.54. The company has a market capitalization of $117.12 billion, a PE ratio of -51.89, a PEG ratio of 30.94 and a beta of 1.52. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($0.47) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.72) by $0.25. The business had revenue of $22.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($1.75) earnings per share. Boeings revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Boeing will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BA. Bollard Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bollard Group LLC now owns 469 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $99,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 4,389 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Benchmark Financial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,785 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $465,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 8,015 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,527,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WealthPlan Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Boeing by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC now owns 4,716 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,229,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock. 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Senator Joe Lieberman poses for a portrait in Beijing on October 15th 2023. Lieberman has died at 82, according to a statement from his family. Ambulance Service expecting the Bank Holiday period to be a busy one for us The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to use its services wisely over the four-day Easter weekend. The Bank Holiday weekend follows a four-day period of industrial action by junior doctors in Wales, starting from 7.00am on Monday 25 March until 7.00am on Friday 29 March. This industrial action, coupled with the traditional pressures faced by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the wider NHS system over the Easter period, means that waiting times at emergency departments and in the community may be longer than usual. The Trust is reminding the public about the alternatives to 999 to protect its precious resources for those who need them most. Collect any repeat prescriptions before the four-day weekend Ensure you have a fully-stocked first aid kit to treat minor ailments at home Test your symptoms on the NHS 111 Wales website, or call 111 if you are unsure Visit your local pharmacy, where qualified healthcare professionals can offer free clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of common ailments Visit a Minor Injury Unit for injuries which are not serious Members of the public are also being encouraged to keep an eye on any elderly or vulnerable family, friends or neighbours and to check their medicine cabinets are stocked with useful and in-date medication. Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: As ever, were expecting the Bank Holiday period to be a busy one for us and thats why were asking for everyones help to make sure were there for those who are the most seriously ill or injured over the Easter period. If you call us for something which is not an emergency, you could be taking away valuable time and resources from someone who is in a genuine, life-threatening emergency. People should also understand that just because you call an ambulance or are taken to hospital by ambulance, does not mean that you will be treated any quicker once you arrive at the emergency department. So, please help us to help you and consider the range of other services available to you. [email protected] Rare newts thriving after north east Wales pond restoration A collaborative effort is underway in north east Wales to improve the living conditions for the rare great crested newt. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Wild Ground, and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) have recently completed habitat restoration at the Maes y Grug Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). This site is integral to the Buckley and Deeside Newt Sites Special Area of Conservation (SAC), focusing on creating suitable foraging and breeding environments for these amphibians. The project involved the restoration of a key pond on-site by Arwyn Parry Construction Services Ltd. It included modifications to existing ponds to increase their size and depth by removing overgrown vegetation. Additionally, the creation of new foraging areas through substantial scrub clearance has provided crucial support not only to the great crested newts but also to other amphibian species. Facing threats from habitat loss, the degradation of breeding ponds, and the rise of non-native invasive species, the great crested newts survival is crucial. The Maes y Grug site, located about 3 miles outside Mold, was once a colliery. Today, it is a biodiversity haven, surrounded by deciduous woodland, smaller ponds, marshlands, and grasslands, safeguarded mainly due to the presence of these newts. Supported by the Welsh Governments Nature Networks Fund, this initiative is part of a wider ambition to enhance the resilience of Wales protected sites. The project aims not only to counteract biodiversity loss but also to encourage community involvement in conservation efforts. Maria Majka, NRW Natura 2000 Sustainable Management Advisor, said: We are proud to have completed this work to boost great crested newt and other amphibian populations at Maes y Grug SSSI and other sites within Deeside and Buckley Newt Sites SAC and Johnstown Newt Sites SAC. The scale and rate of biodiversity loss across the nation is accelerating, which is why partnership projects such as this is so important in helping to arrest natures decline and restore it. The restored pond, enhancements of the existing ponds and scrub clearance will offer crucial foraging and breeding habitats. By working in coalition with colleagues from other organisations on projects such as this one at Maes y Grug, we help put Wales on a solid footing on the path to natures recovery. Mandy Cartwright, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said: Working in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Flintshire County Council and Wild Ground to restore and maintain vital habitats, that support the great crested newt life cycle has been a huge success at Maes y Grug. Without these partnerships and focused dedication we could very easily lose these declining and fragmented habitats, that so much biodiversity depends on in this challenging and changing world. Leah Williams, Wild Ground, added: We are delighted to have worked alongside partners at NRW, ARC and Flintshire County Council to deliver these habitat improvements at Maes y Grug SSSI which have been funded through Nature Networks. So many ponds have been lost on a landscape scale, and the work that has taken place here will support great crested newts and a wealth of other wildlife into the future. We are looking forward to seeing the site and its biodiversity continue to thrive. [email protected] ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 28. A Turkmen-Japanese Business Forum was held in Tokyo with the participation of representatives of small and medium-sized businesses from both countries, Trend reports. According to the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, the forum was attended by more than 30 executives and representatives of companies from the Turkmen side and 100 representatives from the Japanese side. In his speeches at the forum, the Japanese side positively assessed the trade and economic relations between Turkmenistan and Japan, emphasizing the great interest of companies in the ever-growing Turkmenistan's market. The Turkmen side, in turn, stressed its readiness for comprehensive cooperation with Japan, adding that there are great opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. In this regard, it was proposed to explore the possibility of opening a trade representative office of Turkmenistan in Japan and to consider the possibility of opening a representative office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Turkmenistan. In order to organize direct ties between the Turkmen-Japanese business circles, it was proposed to hold business conferences, exhibitions, and business visits, and the Japanese side was invited to Turkmenistan's capital to hold the next Turkmen-Japanese Business Forum in Turkmenistan. To note, the delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov visited Japan in late January 2024. During the visit, the delegation held meetings in the government, parliament, relevant ministries and departments, as well as with the leadership of financial and export credit agencies and leading Japanese companies, where they discussed further prospects for the development of cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This years Leipzig Book Fair was evidence of a clear politicisation. While the establishment politicians and the media suppress any critical voices against the genocide in Gaza and the proxy war against Russia, these issues were widely discussed by authors and readers at the book fair, as they had been at the Berlinale, Berlins International Film Festival. This found its clearest expression at the presentation of the book Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the 21st Century by David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site and of the Socialist Equality Party in the USA. With more than 150 participants, the non-fiction forum in Exhibition Hall 5 was bursting at the seams and Norths condemnation of imperialist war policy and the return of German militarism was followed by enthusiastic applause. Many members of the audience bought the book directly after the event and had their copies signed by the author. David North signs copies of Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the 21st Century The stand of Mehring Verlag, which published the book, was also very well received, with many lively discussions developing there. The publishing house sold three times as many books as in previous years. The Leipzig Book Fair is traditionally a great meeting place for reading and debate. It was cancelled for three years from 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year, 2,800 events took place at more than 300 locations at the fair and as part of the Leipzig reads reading festival. Many of them centred on the threat of world war, the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the climate catastrophe. The reason for the change in mood at the book fair is the unprecedented political crisis. Even participants who have been regular visitors to the book fair for decades spoke of a completely changed political climate. The constant escalation of the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, which is accompanied by debates about Germanys war capability, German nuclear bombs and school lessons on the military, is just as much a cause for concern as the governments support for the genocide in Gaza. The latter led to a variety of protest actions during the trade fair. The crisis of the capitalist system is well advanced. This is demonstrated by increasingly evident social, economic, and ecological problems. The plans drawn up at a secret fascist meeting in Potsdam to deport immigrants triggered ongoing mass demonstrations in recent weeks. The election of an AfD district councillor in Thuringia, the swearing-in of an AfD mayor in Pirna and the threat of AfD election successes in the autumn are also fuelling outrage and fear that the ghosts of Germanys past are returning. However, the rise of the class struggle was also visible at the trade fair. Although a one-day strike by transport workers only took place in the muted and controlled form organised by service union Verdi, it still had a clear impact. Everyone realised that strikes and social protests are currently taking place everywhere, even if the unions are doing their best to isolate them and limit them to a few hours. Fierce criticism of Chancellor Scholz and President Steinmeier The political and intellectual self-congratulations of the government and some cultural functionaries, who like to use such major events to present themselves as champions of human culture, knowledge, and progress, met with fierce resistance. Opponents of the genocide in Gaza reacted to appearances by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, both Social Democrats (SPD), with angry protests. Scholz had reaffirmed his support for Ukraine in the war against Russia and for Israel in the genocide against the Palestinians in a government statement in the Bundestag in the morning, before giving a speech at the opening of the book fair in Leipzigs Gewandhaus in the evening. He began with the words: We are alland I include myself in thisunited by a love of reading. A woman in the top tier then stood up and shouted: Mr. Scholz, you have no right to talk about democracy here while your money and your weapons are murdering thousands and thousands of people in Gaza and the West Bank. Scholz responded provocatively: Stop shouting! But the woman replied: No, absolutely not. The blood of the Palestinians is on your hands. You are complicit in the genocide. I am an Israeli and I am telling you, your money is funding fascism and apartheid. As she was led away by security forces, she shouted: Stop the genocide! When Scholz then tried to carry on his speech, and shouted, We are all brought together here in Leipzig by the power of the word, not the power of shouting!, another woman stood up on the opposite side of the gallery and continued the attack on the pro-war policy of the coalition government Scholz heads. When she was also removed from the hall, a man stood up behind her and attacked Scholz again. On the second day of the book fair, President Steinmeier spoke on the topic, Where do we stand as a country in the double anniversary year of 75 years of the Basic Law [West Germanys post-war constitution] and 35 years of the Peaceful Revolution? [i.e., the restoration of capitalism in the former East Germany] His speech was also interrupted several times by opponents of the genocide. Seven Palestinians and Israelis appeared one after the other and attacked the German governments arms deliveries and political support for the far-right Israeli government and its genocidal war in Gaza. The Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding 2024, awarded during the opening ceremony, was bestowed on the Israeli-German philosopher Omri Boehm for his book Radical Universalism. Beyond Identity. Boehm teaches philosophy in the United States. In his work, he advocates the idea of a Jewish-Palestinian binational federal state as an alternative to the Jewish state of Israel founded in 1948. He is an opponent of the two-state solution and demands a just solution for all inhabitants of Palestine. Boehms philosophy of universalism is based on Immanuel Kant, whose 300th birthday will be celebrated next month. In his acceptance speech, he called for the troublemakers to be listened to. German-Jewish friendship must prove itself by accepting unpleasant truths in the current situation, he said. The audience responded to his speech with a standing ovation, which the conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commented on with the words: You could feel that the sympathies in the hall were also more on the side of the Palestinians. Great interest in Mehring Verlag This became particularly clear during David Norths book presentation. His rejection of the genocide in Gaza, the war against Russia and the return of militarism was enthusiastically received by the audience. Right at the beginning, North explained that Trotsky was particularly important in Germany because he warned of the dangers of war and fascism like no other. Trotsky had declared that capitalism would lead to the catastrophe of world war if it were not overthrown, and it was precisely this question that was coming to a head again today. This could be seen in Ukraine as well as in Gaza, North said. North sharply attacked the militarism of the German government. If Education Minister Stark-Watzinger was calling for war lessons to be introduced in schools, she should watch the film Oppenheimer, in which the effects of nuclear war are demonstrated. Children should not be prepared for war, he declared, to applause from the audience. They should be prepared to prevent war. Germany does not need a new generation of young Siegfrieds, it needs a new generation of socialists. What the government was capable of could currently be seen in Gaza. No one should be intimidated by the fact that the ruling class in Germany, of all places, is defaming opposition to the genocide as antisemitism, North said. As someone whose family were victims of the Holocaust, he could only recommend that the government keep its mouth shut on the subject of antisemitism. The terrible genocide that took place here in Germany is being used as justification for the same terrible crimes against the Palestinians, said North. Listening to German politicians talking about nuclear war, you would think they had gone completely mad, North said. But there are objective reasons for this madness. The contradiction between global production and the nation state cannot be resolved peacefully. It leads either to imperialist war or to socialist revolution. Therefore, the only way to prevent a world war, North concluded, was the international mobilisation of the working class against capitalism. The working class was stronger than ever today, but it needed the necessary consciousness. We must overcome the result of the betrayal of social democracy and Stalinism, North emphasised. And that is only possible if the working class is familiar with the lessons of history. This required a Marxist understanding of society and revolutionary optimism. To be an optimist, you need a scientific understanding of the problems of our time, then you can see the possibilities, said North. If you are ill and go to a bad doctor, he will say: Nothing can be done. A good doctor will say: There are possibilities. In politics, the right doctors are the Trotskyists. In a subsequent interview with Johannes Stern, editor-in-chief of the German-language WSWS and representative of Mehring Verlag, North emphasised: If Trotskys warnings against fascism and war had been accepted and heeded in the 1930s, we would be living in a completely different world today. Many of the tragedies that took place would not have happened... This time we must ensure that the warnings of the Trotskyist movement are acted upon. We must build this movement. It is the only party that really has a perspective and is based on these lessons of history. The Mehring Verlag stand at the Leipzig Book Fair Intense discussions about the threat of a third world war, the AfD, fascism and the relevance of Trotskyism took place at the Mehring Verlag stand every day of the fair. Many visitors were delighted to be able to discuss political issues at length, which was not possible at other publishing stands. Above all, Trotskys significance as an alternative to Stalinism, which countered the nationalist theory of socialism in one country with the perspective of world socialist revolution, met with great interest. In East Germany in particular, this question is still central 35 years after the collapse of the Stalinist regime. For the 24th consecutive week, mass rallies were held in Australias major cities over the weekend, with thousands demonstrating against Israels ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. As well as voicing their opposition to the actions of the Zionist Netanyahu regime, protesters have specifically called out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the federal Labor government for its full-throated backing of Israel. Part of the Melbourne rally on March 24, 2024 The weekends demonstrations followed reports that the Albanese government had suddenly cancelled the visas of Palestinians fleeing the genocide in Gaza, resulting, in some cases, in families being trapped in foreign airports with nowhere to go. Protest organisers have promoted illusions that petitions and protests alone would force the pro-war, pro-Zionist, Labor government to demand a permanent ceasefire. This has resulted in gradually declining participation in the weekly rallies, not because workers and young people are any less committed to the struggle against war and genocide, but because they see no way forward under this bankrupt perspective. State Labor governments have seized upon the smaller size of the weekly protests to ramp up police state measures designed to shut down opposition to Israels war crimes and the Australian governments support for them. Three protesters were arrested at the Sydney mass rally on Saturday, solely for putting red dye on themselves symbolising the deaths of Palestinians. The violent police suppression of a community protest against Israeli shipping line Zim at Port Botany on Sunday led to 19 arrests. On Friday night, Melbournes Webb Dock resembled a war zone, as police reportedly fired rubber bullets and deployed flash-bang grenades against protesters attempting to block the port. A Labor-controlled council in south-western Sydney attempted to enforce a ban on discussion of the genocide at the popular Ramadan Nights street food market in Lakemba. This included preventing Socialist Equality Party campaigners from handing out leaflets raising the need to build a socialist and revolutionary movement of the working class to end genocide and war. After the World Socialist Web Site exposed this attack on free speech, the council was compelled to back down, at least temporarily and unofficially. Published below are comments from workers and young people at some of the recent protests against the Gaza genocide. **** Mohammad, a Melbourne IT worker, said: The protests signify that the people are not in line with the politicians in the parliament and the government. They have a very different position than the public, they are not listening to them; they still align with the Zionists agenda. He raised the economic and political interests of the US behind its support for the genocide: For US imperialism, after the British and the French left, Israel is their agent in the region. Of the US resolution at the UN, Mohammad said: I dont think its a real ceasefire; they just want to help Israel get the hostages, invade Gaza and invade Rafah. The ultimate goal is to kick the Palestinians out of Gaza, as many thousands as they can, and they can expand the Zionist project more. Originally from Egypt, he described the countrys president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the biggest Zionist agent in the region. The majority of Egyptians of course stand with Palestine and Palestinians and would like to support them with anything we can. The problem is the government has closed the gate and doesnt allow much aid to go through. There are hundreds and hundreds of trucks at the Egyptian border and they have not allowed them to go in and give the necessary aid to the people in Gaza. Ken, an arts student at Flinders University, said Albanese was completely spineless and denounced the Labor government for cancelling the visas of Palestinian refugees: To then only reinstate one in three of those visas, and then act like hes the patron saint of Palestineit shows how completely performative he is as a politician. On the role of the Labor Party, Ken said: A month ago, I would have said theyre pathetic. But now I would say theyre just predatorily evil. Penny Wong keeps on calling us friends of Israel, it just makes me want to scream. We are not their friends. They are one of the most evil regimes in history, do not associate us with them. They always fall back on, Oh, were not the Liberal Party, so therefore, anything we do is fine. They think that being the lesser of two evils means they are not evil. Thats just demonstrably false. When asked about Labors election promise of a better future for all, Ken said right now things are not good. They need to start listening to the people and stop pretending everything is fine and burying their heads in the sand because people are going to start saying no. I know people on campus who are struggling. They have to decide between car registration and bills, rent, the basic necessities. And they have no time or money for anything they want, for leisure, for fun, its incredibly depressing. The WSWS reporter raised that, while the cost-of-living soars, the government is spending billions on the military. It supports their interests, Ken responded. They have a vested interest in the colonial project of Israel; and they want to make sure they stay in their good favours. Its completely transparent how integrated they are into the military industrial complex. Ken also raised his opposition to the US-NATO war in Ukraine against Russia and the preparations for war with China. I dont support war with China. I have my issues with the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] but war with them will not fix that. Its very disingenuous to say, If you dont support the war against these people you support everything that they do. Ranil Wickremesinghe [Photo: United National Party Facebook] Sri Lankan ruling and opposition parties are in conflict over which of the scheduled presidential or parliamentary elections should be held first. Their differences have nothing to do with defending bourgeois parliamentary norms or democratic rights but are sordid manoeuvres by these discredited capitalist parties to retain or gain power and implement the International Monetary Funds (IMF) savage austerity measures. From President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) through to the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National Peoples Power (NPP), all are committed to the IMFs attacks on basic social conditions. These parties are all haunted by the AprilJuly 2022 mass protests and strikes that ousted President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his SLPP regime. The trade unions and the fake-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) betrayed this mass uprising by subordinating it to calls by the SJB and the JVP for an interim regime to stabilise capitalist rule. This paved the way for parliament to install the pro-US Wickremesinghe as executive president. The Sri Lankan ruling class and its parties are acutely nervous about the rise of strikes and protests by key sections of the working class, including electricity, port, railway, postal and health workers. Demonstrations, by students opposing education cuts, and by the rural poor over the crisis in the farming and fishing industries, are also becoming more frequent. Constitutionally, the presidential election is supposed to be held a month before October 18, with the national elections due in August next year. Wickremesinghe has insisted since last December that the presidential election should be held on the due date. He calculates that with the support of a considerable section of the ruling elite and the upper-middle class, and using his executive power, he will be able to win the presidency. Wickremesinghe, who began his political career as a minister in former President J.R. Jayawardenes United National Party (UNP) government in 1977, is notorious for his anti-democratic attacks. He was directly involved in the imposition of Jayawardenes open market economic policies that destroyed the social rights of workers and the poor, its communalist war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the bloody repression of rural unrest in 19871990 during which 60,000 youth were massacred. Protesters gather in a street leading to the presidents official residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, July 9, 2022. [AP Photo/Amitha Thennakoon] Wickremesinghe, who was appointed president by the parliament in 2022, following the ousting of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his government, brutally suppressed mass protests in Colombo and then quickly began implementing the IMFs social attacks. Fearing defeat in the scheduled March 2023 local government elections, he arbitrarily postponed them, claiming that the government had no funds. However, SLPP leadersformer Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and party organiser Basil Rajapaksehave publicly declared that they want the national elections to be held this year, before the presidential ballot, and met with Wickremesinghe on March 8 to press for this demand. Wickremesinghe is heavily dependent on the SLPP for parliamentary support. Basil Rajapakse told the media that he wants parliamentary elections held first, because whoever wins the presidential election would provide one party with unlimited power and exert enormous influence over the result of the national election. He met again with Wickremesinghe on March 20 to insist on this demand. The SLPP leaderships posturing about a fair national election is a fraud, exposed by their previous use of unlimited power to manipulate parliamentary elections. Like Wickremesinghe, former President Mahinda Rajapakse led vicious anti-democratic regimes that brutally attacked the working class and continued Colombos war against the LTTE, which ended in May 2009 with the slaughter of around 40,000 Tamil civilians. The SLPP is widely hated because it ruthlessly imposed the burden of Sri Lankas economic crisis on the working class and the poor in 2022, which produced the mass uprising that brought down the Rajapakse regime. In the August 2020 national elections, it won a two-thirds majority in the 225-member parliament. Today it only has 110 parliamentarians because many have deserted and fears it will lose even more if national elections are held under a president from one of the opposition parties. The SJB, the main parliamentary opposition party and an offshoot of Wickremesinghes UNP, shares all its previous crimes. While its secretary, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, has boasted that the party is ready for any major elections, the media has reported that its preference is for the national elections to be held first. The JVP will be contesting the elections through the NPP, an electoral front used to try and cover up its anti-democratic past. Whether inside or outside respective Sri Lankan governments, the Sinhala-chauvinist JVP unwaveringly supported Colombos communalist war and austerity measures. Having already announced its candidate, the JVP has been campaigning for the presidency since last August. Addressing a presidential election propaganda meeting on March 23, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said: We think there is no use forming a government with 113 seats [in the parliament] to make the expected social change. We must have stronger power to do whatever we want. Silvas social changes are nothing less than the direct imposition of the IMFs social attacks. While the JVP/NPP has met with the IMF team in Sri Lanka during the past six months, it has released no details about these discussions. Silvas statement is a clear message to international capital and the Sri Lankan capitalist class that if elected they will implement the IMFs demands. The sordid manoeuvres of all these political parties point to the deep-going economic and political crisis confronting the Sri Lankan ruling elite. The anti-government protests that erupted in 2022 not only revealed the hostility of the broad masses for President Rajapakse and his government but for the entire parliament, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of all 225 MPs. According to a survey released last week by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Colombo think tank, public trust in parliament and political parties had dropped to 22 percent and 19 percent respectively, an all-time low. Wickremesinghe and the ruling SLPP have sought to suppress rising working-class opposition to its IMF policies by proclaiming the draconian Essential Public Services Act (EPSA) and mobilising the police and the military. The opposition SJB and JVP have responded by telling workers that they must back their respective parties in the forthcoming elections. The JVP-led trade unions are working desperately to stop unified national industrial action against the Wickremesinghe government and seeking to divert workers anger into backing their bid for power at the ballot. Addressing a February 20 demonstration against the privatisation of the Ceylon Electricity Board and the victimisation of 62 of its workers, Ranjan Jayalal, general secretary of the Ceylon Electricity Workers Union and a JVP leader, said: This government has only seven months to govern [the country] The people of this country will bring a peoples victory to this country. JVP union leaders in other key sectors, such as the ports, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the railways, are cynically repeating the same falsehoodsthat everything must be directed toward a JVP/NPP victory at the presidential election. Behind all their talk and so-called differences about elections, these parties are in a conspiracy against workers and the poor, and are ready to use dictatorial measures to defend capitalist rule. Addressing a March 21 press conference, the IMF mission chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer made clear that no Sri Lankan government will be allowed to deviate from the IMFs austerity demands: With respect to the election, yes, we heard many different proposals. For us, what is absolutely key is that the program objectives are achieved. Because with those, Sri Lanka has a chance of emerging from the crisis. That path is a knife-edged path. Health workers from Colombo National Hospital protest outside health ministry on 14 February 2024 [Photo: Facebook/Unions Lanka] The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) urges the working class to reject the desperate attempt by Sri Lankas capitalist parties to channel their opposition into parliamentary illusions. There is no solution for the workers and poor within the framework of the private profit system and parliament. Sri Lankas economic turmoil is a sharp expression of the crisis of global capitalism. The working class must break from every section of the capitalist class and their trade unions and intervene with its own independent program, rallying the rural poor to defend their democratic and social rights and prepare for a general strike. The Wickremesinghe government must be brought down and a workers and peasants government established to implement socialist policiesthat is, to nationalise the big companies, plantations and banks under workers democratic control and repudiate foreign debt. This struggle can only be carried forward through the establishment of action committees in every workplace and in the plantations, as well as amongst the rural poor. We propose the convening of a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses based on delegates of these action committees as the means to fight for these policies. Sri Lankan workers must reach out to their class brothers and sisters internationally in coordination with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. We urge workers and youth to join the Socialist Equality Party and fight for this program. The TAHRIR Coalition, a group of student organizations at the University of Michigan, is sponsoring a referendum this week on a resolution demanding that the university divest from companies doing business with Israel and drop charges against 40 students arrested last November for peacefully occupying university offices to protest the US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at U-M agrees with these demands and calls for a yes vote on the resolution. The University of Michigan, which has an endowment of $17.9 billion, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in firms involved in the manufacture and sale of drones, surveillance technologies and other weapons to the Israel Defense Forces. The university is thus directly implicated in the genocide. University of Michigan students rallied on December 1, 2023 to denounce the administrations cancellation of a student government referendum on a resolution opposing Israel's genocide in Gaza. We warn, however, against any illusions that protest resolutions addressed to university officialsor, for that matter, politicians, parties and governments complicit in the Nazi-style slaughter of Palestinianswill halt the war crimes being carried out jointly by the fascist Netanyahu and his military supplier, Genocide Joe Biden. While many involved in the TAHRIR Coalition are motivated by outrage over the genocide, a warning must be made. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and its youth arm, the YDSA, which are the dominant political forces within the Coalition as well as the graduate student instructors union (GEO) at U-M, are using left rhetoric to block the development of an independent movement against US imperialism and channel the opposition of workers and youth back behind the Democratic Party. We will return to the role of the DSA. However, it is first necessary to understand clearly the significance of the genocide and what is producing it. Only on this basis can one develop a political strategy for stopping it. The ethnic cleansing of Gaza is one front in an escalating global war of imperialist conquest led by Washington and directed against Russia in Europe and ultimately China in Asia. Never has the risk of nuclear war been greater. The fight against world war raises the most serious and fundamental political issues. This is already demonstrated by the more than five months of bombings, executions, and deliberate starving of the people of Gaza. These horrors immediately provoked a wave of mass protests in every part of the world. Week after week, millions of students, youth and workers of all nationalities and ethnicities, including many thousands of Jews, have marched to demand a ceasefire. The perspective of those guiding the movement has been to pressure the governments and political parties backing Israel to shift their policy and impose a halt to the genocide. What has been the result? Tel Aviv and Washington have doubled down on their campaign of murder in Gaza, even as the Zionist regime openly prepares an even greater bloodbath in Rafah, the last refuge of 1.5 million Gazan civilians. Governments allied with Israel have launched a savage attack on democratic rights under the grotesquely cynical banner of opposing left-wing antisemitismequating opposition to genocide against Palestinians by the apartheid Zionist state with hatred of Jews. In the US, the Biden administration and both big business parties have joined hands with fascists and real antisemites in a McCarthyite witch-hunt against students who protest in support of the Palestinians. The aim is to intimidate, silence and criminalize opposition to war and genocide. At U-M, the administration has stepped up its repression with the threat of expulsion and criminal prosecution against students, faculty and staff who continue to demonstrate against the mass killing in Gaza. In an election where the so-called choice is between the fascist Trump and the war criminal Biden, the latter appeals to the former to join hands in attacking immigrants, while the Democratic Party declares all-out war to exclude third party and independent candidates from the ballot. As always in times of imperialist war, bourgeois democracy is revealed to be a veneer for the political dictatorship of a corporate oligarchy that controls the countrys wealth and its official parties. Political conclusions must be drawn! There is no lack of popular anger and determination to fight. The mass opposition to genocide and war coincides with a growing international movement of workers against exploitation and inequality and a rebellion against the pro-corporate trade union bureaucracies. What is lacking is a viable political perspective and strategy. This movement must be armed with a socialist, internationalist and revolutionary strategy because war, genocide, dictatorship and worsening inequality are the product of the global crisis and breakdown of the capitalist system. What is required is the unified mobilization of the social force that stands opposed to capital and, given a correct program and leadership, can overthrow itthe working class. The precondition for this is ending the subordination of the working class to the capitalist parties and capitalist politics. To end capitalist barbarism, the working class must establish its political independence from the parties of the enemy class. The role of the DSA is to attempt to block precisely such a development, thereby strangling opposition. It does this by promoting the pro-corporate and pro-war trade union bureaucracy, of which it is a part, and assisting in its betrayals of workers struggles. At the same time, it promotes the illusion that campus protests can turn universities such as U-M, which are fully integrated into the corporate-financial system and the military-intelligence apparatus, into islands of democracy, peace and liberation. The DSA is seeking to use this weeks referendum to promote this kind of campus reformism and divert attention from the reactionary role of Biden, the Democratic Party and the capitalist two-party system. The DSA is a faction of the Democratic Party. It promotes as progressive and even socialist Democratic politicians such as Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman who campaign for Biden, support his war against Russia and defend the Zionist state of Israel. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, June 3, 2021. [Photo: Staff of Rep. Jamaal Bowman] On March 12, the co-coordinator of the YDSA at U-M posted a provocative statement on Twitter/X denouncing the IYSSE hours before a lecture on the campus by David North, national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party, titled The Gaza genocide and the death of Aaron Bushnell: What are the political lessons? The post was an effort to preemptively disrupt the lecture and discourage students from attending. Four days later, addressing a rally called by the U-M Lecturers Employee Organization (LEO), this same individual hailed the historic UAW contract and UAW President Shawn Fain, who worked hand-in-glove with Biden to stage a stand-up strike that allowed the auto companies to keep production going and profits flowing, and then imposed a sellout contract that opened the floodgates to mass layoffs. Just days before, Biden delivered a war-mongering State of the Union address at which he called for an escalation of the war against Russia in Ukraine, comparing it to World War II. He made a point of calling for a standing ovation for his guest of honor, Shawn Fain, who had previously declared his readiness to go to war with the US president. In opposition to the pseudo-left, anti-socialist politics of the DSA, students at U-M who are determined to stop the genocide in Gaza and prevent capitalism from dragging mankind into nuclear war and fascist dictatorship must turn to the revolutionary force propelled into mass struggle by the capitalist crisis and capable of overthrowing the system that is the root cause of such horrorsthe American and international working class. The IYSSE urges all students at U-M who want to fight against the genocide: Turn out to the working class! Help us organize delegations to workplaces and factories to connect the developing struggles of workers against inequality and exploitation to the fight against genocide, war, imperialism and their root causethe capitalist system. Last week, United Nations (UN) relief agencies warned the Security Council that Sudan is suffering one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises in recent history, after nearly a year of gruesome fighting between rival factions of the Sudanese armed forces for control of the country. Sudan faces a famine of biblical proportions because of the war, displacement, the breakdown of the economy and the almost total absence of international aid. Many buildings in the capital Khartoum have been destroyed. The government, virtually bankrupt, barely functions. Sudanese refugees displaced by the conflict in Sudan gather to receive food staples from aid agencies at the Metche Camp in eastern Chad, March 5, 2024 [AP Photo/Jsarh Ngarndey Ulrish] Fighting broke out in April 2023 between the army, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sovereign Council and de facto ruler of the country, and his deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF, based in the western Darfur region, has taken control of the west of the country and most of the capital Khartoum, although it is struggling to hold onto these gains. Al-Burhan, despite backing from Egypts military regime, South Sudan and Saudi Arabia, has yet to win a major battle. He has retreated to the east and Port Sudan, on the Red Sea. Both factions, composed of rival sub-ethnic groups with competing interests, have the support of various local militias, leading to fighting often along ethnic lines, as well as support from outside forces. They are mobilising for a long war in the east of the country. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there have been 13,900 reported fatalities across Sudan, while the Health Ministry has reported 27,700 people injured between 15 April 2023 and 26 January 2024. The UN highlighted mass graves, gang rapes, shockingly indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas and the displacement of 8.1 million of Sudans 45 million population, including at least 1.76 million who have fled to neighbouring countries also wracked by poverty and instability. According to the UN, at least 25 million people are struggling with soaring rates of hunger and malnutrition and 3.8 million children under the age of five are malnourished. Aid agencies say that a child in refugee camps in Darfur dies of hunger about every two hours. Martin Griffiths, head of the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), warned that almost five million people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity in some parts of the country in the coming months. Cholera has broken out. At least 292 people have been killed by the disease and there were over 10,700 suspected cases as of 17 February 2024. Compounding the crisis is the disruption to farming by the fighting. The Middle East Eye cited the Sudanese organisation Fikra for Studies and Development as reporting, Only 37 percent Sudans agricultural land has been cultivated in comparison to previous years. Also, Sudans national wheat production has reduced by 70 percent. With international attention focused on the US/NATO-led war against Russia in Ukraine and Israels genocidal war on Gaza, Sudans war and its wider implications have been all but ignored. The UN relief agencies have called for $2.7 billion of assistance for this year, but they have received pledges for just $135 million. Last year, just 43 percent of the target was raised. The miserable funds testify to the prevailing view among the imperialist powers that Sudans impoverished people are surplus to requirements. The two army leaders fighting to control Sudan rose to prominence during the war in Darfur, in which 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million displaced in fighting from 2003 to 2008. Al-Burhan headed the army, while Dagalo led the notorious Janjaweed militias responsible for some of the worst atrocities of the conflict. Dagalo has since become enormously rich based off Darfurs gold. Both men were implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Fighting between these two corrupt figures erupted in no small part due to longstanding efforts by US imperialism and other regional powers to exert control over Sudan and its resourcesgold, minerals, oil and agricultural landand cut off Khartoums relationships with China, Russia and Iran, which all have growing economic interests in the region. The country saw its first military coup within three years of independence from Britain in 1956, aimed at suppressing the working class and tenant farmers whose struggles had rapidly politicised as key export prices fell, threatening the economy with collapse. Since then, the country has been riven by secessionary wars, violence and intrigues, spread across its unstable neighbours. These conflicts testify to the multiple, competing interests in the conflict-ridden Sahel region and the Horn of Africa, strategically located on the Red Sea through which 20 percent of global container shipping passes. The expansion of commercial, export-oriented agriculture, spurred on by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Gulf investors, has been characterised by violent expropriation, rampant exploitation, deep inefficiencies, and ecological destruction, which in turn spurs more land grabs. This has torn apart traditional ways of life, created severe food insecurity in one of Africas most fertile regions and fuelled tensions between communities. Apart from a few brief periods, Sudan has been subject to military rule or military-backed dictatorships that ruthlessly quashed all dissent on behalf of the countrys tiny elite. Al-Burhan first came to prominence in April 2019, when, following months of mass protests across the country and with the support of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, he led the pre-emptive military coup that overthrew President Omar al-Bashir and his Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated military dictatorship. The protests were fuelled by Sudans economic collapse, precipitated by the US-brokered secession of oil-rich South Sudan in 2011, poor harvests and floods that led to soaring food and fuel prices, widespread poverty, political instability, conflicts and the displacement of some 3 million people. The aim of the military was to prevent the overthrow of the entire state apparatus and the expropriation of their own substantial financial and corporate institutions that control much of the Sudanese economy. Al-Burhan opened negotiations with leaders of the protests, the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC), an umbrella group of 22 bourgeois and petty bourgeois groups, including the professional trade unions and the Sudanese Communist Party, over the formation of a joint military-civilian government to provide a cover for the military, while carrying out the economic measures needed to remove US sanctions and access international loans. Just weeks afterwards, soldiers and paramilitaries massacred more than 1,000 unarmed protesters, chasing them through Khartoum, tying concrete blocks to their feet and throwing them into the Nile. In October 2021, Abdalla Hamdoks transitional technocratic government, made up of leftists and serving as a front for the Sovereign Council headed by al-Burhan, threatened the militarys privileged commercial and political interests. Al-Burhan sacked it, resuming military rule alongside Islamists and other reliable allies of the al-Bashir regime. Eighteen months later, war broke out between al-Burhan and Dagalo following mounting tensions over the planned integration of the RSF, and other former rebel militias involved in insurgencies in various parts of the country, into the Sudanese army. Al-Burhans faction has supported the US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and was backed by Egypt until Cairo was forced to back off by its paymaster, the UAE, which has become increasingly entrenched in the region. According to the New York Times, the UAE is covertly shipping weapons to the RSF, as well as to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who controls the Tobruk government in eastern Libya. Abu Dhabi has also supported neighbouring and landlocked Ethiopias controversial agreement with the internationally unrecognised breakaway Somaliland for access to the port of Berbera, developed by UAEs DP World. Somalia, along with its allies Qatar and Turkey, views this as an attack on its territorial integrity and has recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa. Dagalo has courted support from Somaliland and Ethiopia, as well as Chad, all increasingly dependent on UAE investment, threatening more regional instability. Further afield, his control over the export of Sudanese gold has fostered close connections with Russia, which buys via the UAE, enabling the Putin government to bypass NATO sanctions. Moscow, whose Wagner mercenaries operate in Sudan, eastern Libya and neighbouring Central African Republic, is trying to establish a base at Port Sudan. There have been rumours and unverified reports of Ukrainian forces active in the country, targeting Russian operatives. With the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, North Africa and the Red Sea basin becoming key battlegrounds for competing interests, an infuriated Biden administration has been unable to broker any agreement either among its own regional allies or between Sudans rival gangsters, with its special envoys to the country each quitting after a few months in post. In the wake of Fridays terror attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, which has claimed at least 143 lives, the Ukrainian military has escalated its shelling of the Russian city of Belgorod. According to Belgorod local Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, five civilians were injured after the region came under attack from over dozen rockets early Tuesday morning. Cars damaged by shelling from Ukraine in Belgorod, Russia, March 16, 2024. [AP Photo/Foto: AP Photo / Belgorod-regionens guvernr Vyatsjeslav Gladkovs Telegramkanal] Later in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed they had repelled an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using Czech-supplied RM-70 Vampire multiple rocket launchers and claimed that 13 projectiles had been destroyed in mid-air. The most recent attack was preceded by a series of rocket strikes in Belgorod during the Russian presidential elections that killed at least five civilians and forced the closure of schools and shopping malls. During the election itself, Russian neo-Nazi militias, backed by Ukraine and NATO, launched an incursion into Russian territory. It was the first attack on Russian territory involving tanks since the defeat of the Nazis by the Red Army in World War II. As the war situation has continued to rapidly deteriorate for Ukraine at the front due to a severe manpower and ammunition shortage, it has conversely intensified its missile and artillery attacks on Belgorod. The city lies only 25 miles east of the Ukrainian border. Just prior to New Years Eve, shelling from Ukrainian forces killed 25 people celebrating the holiday and injured more than 100. Another strike in mid-February killed seven people and injured 20. Last week, Russia announced the evacuation of 9,000 children from the region, and Russian media reports suggest that people are increasingly fleeing the area on their own. In retaliation, Moscow recently carried out a series of large-scale bombardments against Ukraine, damaging critical infrastructure, such as the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station, cutting electricity to tens of thousands of Ukrainians. Later on Wednesday Russia struck the Ukrainian city of Kharkov (Kharkiv) with aerial bombs for the first time since 2022, reportedly killing one and injuring 16 others. Kharkov, a Russian-speaking city of over a million, is located just 46 miles from Belgorod and is expected to be targeted this summer in a new Russian offensive. According to the pro-Western Russian news outlet Verstka, the Russian military is planning to amass a force of 300,000 to encircle the city which previously served as the capital of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic until 1934. The US has remarkably quickly moved on from the Moscow terror attack, limiting its coverage almost entirely to denunciations of Putins so-called paranoia about the involvement of the US and Ukraine in the attack. However, political developments and the findings of the investigation by Russian authorities point to precisely such involvement. The four men arrested were all immigrants from a region in Tajikistan which borders Afghanistan. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) is known to have been particularly active in that region, and it is also known to have been effectively a creation of the United States. Meanwhile, the head of the Russian secret service FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, has claimed that Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU) had trained militants in the Middle East and pointed to the substantial number of Islamist militants fighting on the side on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The latter fact has been known for some time and was reported last year by the New York Times and in recent days by the German media. Activities of the Ukrainian secret service in the region are also highly likely. The Ukrainian ambassador to Tajikistan, Yevdokymov Valerii, is the former head of foreign intelligence of Ukraine (2019-2020) and worked in the Special Operations offices in 2022 until his appointment to the embassy in Tajikistan later that year. Meanwhile, terrorist attacks on Russian soil and Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine are an all but official component of Ukraines war strategy. In September, in the wake of the massive failure of its summer counteroffensive that claimed the lives of over 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers in just a few months. Zelenskys presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak announced in an interview that this is the stage of the war when hostilities are gradually being transferred to the territory of the Russian Federation. He threatened that Ukraine would ramp up strikes on Russian-occupied areas, as well as inside Russia itself, carried out by agents or partisans. On March 26, four days after the Crocus City Hall attack, the head of Ukraines Secret Service SBU, Vasily Maliuk, responded to a question by a journalist about a series of assassinations and terror attacks on Russian authorities in the occupied territories. The question is exactly on point. We will not officially recognize this in any way, but at the same time, I am ready to disclose the details to you. His statement was reported by the Russian state outlet Izvestiia as a de facto acknowledgement of Kievs responsibility for Fridays terror attack. In yet another development that went virtually entirely unreported in the US media, the Turkish government has arrested at least 147 suspected militants of the IS in 30 cities across the country on Monday and Tuesday. Combined with another police raid on Sunday, Turkish authorities have arrested at least 211 people since the attack on the Crocus City Hall. Both Russian and Turkish media have reported that two of the alleged perpetrators of the attack had stayed in Turkey for several weeks between mid-February and early March. While Turkey has maintained ties with Moscow, its increasingly close military ties with Ukraine and its sale of Bayraktar aerial drones to Kiev rapidly escalated tensions prior the start of the war in February 2022. The Moscow terror attack has also been followed by another major shake-up at the top of Ukraines military and intelligence leadership. On Tuesday, Zelensky announced the surprise dismissal of Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraines National Security Council. Danilov will be replaced by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who formerly led Ukraines foreign spy agency. Danilov was one of the few remaining high-ranking figures in intelligence who had occupied his position since 2019, when Zelensky came to power. The reasons for Danilovs unexpected dismissal have not been revealed. Zelensky simply called the dismissal another part of the reboot of our states governance system, which has included of the ouster of substantial portions of the countrys military leadership, including of his former commander-in-chief and political rival Valery Zaluzhny. Danilov was notorious for racist statements, and his firing came after he insulted Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui on Ukrainian television and ridiculed the Chinese demand to include Russia in any peace negotiations. As for Li Hui, I want to remind everyone: No one will decide our fate but us, Danilov said. I dont understand who can trade our territories, our lands like that. Because some Hui, Im sorry, or whatever his last name is, or someone else thinks they should decide it. While speaking, Danilov purposefully pronounced Huis last name in a manner so as to resemble an obscenity in both Ukrainian and Russian. Despite its close alignment with Western imperialism, the Zelensky government has attempted to maintain some ties with China due to its strategic and economic importance. Prior to the outbreak of full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, China was Ukraines largest trading partner. Regardless of what is behind his dismissal, Danilovs comments speak to the far-right views dominating at the higest levels of the Ukrainian state and were, as such, hardly unique. Zelenskys adviser Podolyak made similar comments last September when he claimed that countries like India and China are not analyzing the consequences of their steps and have weak intellectual potential. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is an event which has shocked the worlds public. In the course of a few seconds, the container ship MV Dali lost power and drifted into a support column, or pier, causing one of the biggest bridges in a major American city to come crashing down into the Patapsco River. A container ship rests against the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. [AP Photo/Matt Rourke] As of this writing, six maintenance workers who were on the bridge at the time are presumed dead after search-and-rescue teams were called off Tuesday night. All were immigrant workers from Mexico and Central America. The enormous outpouring of grief and sympathy for the workers and their families contrasts sharply with the vicious anti-immigrant atmosphere being continually whipped up in official political circles. The disaster is the type of event which exposes deeper social realities. The collision between the container ship and the bridge has also exposed the collision between private profit and the needs of a modern society, which has at its disposal the technical and economic resources to prevent such disasters. The enormous growth in world trade over the past half-century has led to the emergence of a unified world economy, which has made possible immense increases in productivity through the international coordination of production. One of the main backbones of this economy is shipping, made cheaper than ever before through technical advances such as automation, containerization and the construction of the largest ships in history. The Dali itself, of relatively modest size by modern standards at only 95,000 gross tons, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the other side of the planet. In comments to the press, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg declared that a bridge like this one, completed in the late 1970s, was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel [of this size], orders of magnitude bigger than cargo ships that were in service in that region at the time that the bridge was first built. This is true, but that only raises the question why the bridge, which sees ships the size of the Dali pass by every day, was not upgraded to deal with this danger. Bridges around the world routinely sink the piers into submerged islands, or use dolphins and other barriers to limit or deflect such impacts. Following a similar collision that destroyed the Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida in 1980, killing 35 people, engineers rebuilt the bridge with such countermeasures in place. The issue is not a lack of technical ability, but the fact that the resources needed to ensure the safety of this global infrastructure are used instead to defend and enrich the financial oligarchy which controls it. According to one 2021 estimate by the American Society of Civil Engineers, America faces a backlog of $125 billion in needed bridge repairs. Nearly half of Americas bridges are more than 50 years old and over 7 percent are in disrepair. But only this Saturday, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending bill, two-thirds of which, or $825 billion, is devoted to the military. No expense is spared when it comes to the criminal enterprises of US imperialism, which have killed millions around the world, including tens of thousands in Gaza and hundreds of thousands in Ukraine. And any time Wall Street runs out of money, the government is there with trillions of dollars virtually overnight. As always, ruthless cost-cutting and even outright corporate criminality likely played a direct role in the collision. The Dalis sudden loss of power raises serious questions about the condition of the ship, which was already involved in a collision in 2016 and recently cited for propulsion issues. Maersk, the global shipping company which contracted the ship, was also recently cited by the Labor Department for an illegal policy aimed at silencing whistleblowers, according to pro-Democratic news site The Lever. That comes amid the massive and ongoing scandal at Boeing over manufacturing and design flaws that have led to several disasters involving its 737-MAX aircraft. The unexplained suicide earlier this month of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett is an indication of the total ruthlessness with which the ruling class is prepared to defend its interests. Because so much of its wealth is squandered by the corporate oligarchy, disasters such as what took place in Baltimore are a recurring reality in the richest country on earth. One after another, from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to the BP oil spill in 2010, the Flint water crisis which began in 2014, the East Palestine derailment in 2023 and the ongoing scandal at Boeing, corporate profiteering and neglect of infrastructure have led to disaster. Every time, it is the working class that has been made to shoulder the cost, while the government moves to shield the corporate criminals from any liability. The most horrible expression of this is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The political establishment began winding down the inadequate public health measures in response to COVID-19 almost as soon as they began in early 2020, under the mantra, The cure cant be worse than the disease. Both the government and the corporate media falsely claim the pandemic is long over, even though COVID-19 has killed at least 1,000 Americans every week since last August. While spending on safety has been starved of funds, the ruling class is investing tens of billions in new technologies and supply chains aimed at cutting jobs through automation. In the shipping industry, massive investments in port facilities are aimed at eliminating supply chain bottlenecks that are not only threatened by accidents made inevitable by cost-cutting, but that could be used by the working class to its advantage during work stoppages. Massive investments are currently underway in the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, which will lead to this small city supplanting Baltimore as the countrys largest auto port. Similar investments are being made at ports across the country, in particular, the South Atlantic region. As with the pandemic, the ruling class will view the Baltimore bridge collapse as an exclusively economic event. The closure of the Port of Baltimore jeopardizes the global operations of US auto companies, which are locked in bitter struggle with their Chinese rivals over control of the emerging electric vehicle market. The bridge itself was also an important artery in the regions economy and connected to the Sparrows Point industrial area. There are also military implications to the closure of a major US port, which is critical to moving weapons and equipment overseas. The Biden administration is repeatedly invoking the economic mobilization during World War II to emphasize that it is aiming to place the whole American economy on a war footing for a new world war directed against Russia and China. The trade union bureaucracy is a key extension of the military-industrial complex. The contract for more than 40,000 dockworkers on the East Coast, including at Baltimore, expires at the end of September. The International Longshoremens Association (ILA), in order to get in front of deep rank-and-file anger, has pledged to strike if a new deal is not in place by then. But there can be no doubt that it is working with the Biden administration to impose yet another sellout, as occurred last year on the West Coast docks. The union bureaucracys radical posturing mirrors the claims by the Teamsters and the United Auto Workers before they rammed through deals last year which paved the way for sweeping job cuts. To the extent that anything is done, it will be pitched to returning economic operations to normal as quickly as possible. In the immediate instance, cargo will likely be rerouted from Baltimore to other ports through massive speedup and forced overtime imposed on workers. The response of the working class to this disaster, by contrast, must be to fight against the domination of the banks and major corporations. Disasters like this are made inevitable by the anarchy of the capitalist market, driven not by social needs but by private profit interests. The trillions wasted on war and Wall Street must instead be put to use meeting the needs of all. That requires a struggle by the working class for the socialist reorganization of society. The private ownership of the major corporations must be ended. They must instead be run democratically by the working class itself as public utilities. The fight for socialism is also a fundamentally international struggle. The Dalicrewed by workers from around the world, run by a Singaporean firm, contracted by the Danish company Maersk, and traveling from the United States to Sri Lankaexpresses the fact that all social problems today are international problems, requiring global, not national solutions. Only through the international unity of the working class, on the basis of a socialist program, can such disasters be ended. Amid a systematic US-Israeli campaign to deliberately starve the 2.2 million residents of Gaza, the entire population is on the brink of famine. Famine is ever closer to becoming a reality in northern Gaza, warned the World Health Organization on Wednesday. People are starving and getting sick. The limited food available is insufficient to keep adults and children healthy, the organization said in a social media post on Tuesday. To date, 27 Palestinians have died of acute malnutrition in Gaza, 23 of them children. On Monday, 12 Palestinians drowned while desperately trying to reach food that had been airdropped into the sea, according to Gazas government media office. Last week, the official UN-backed global body designating starvation found that famine is imminent in Gaza, leading to major acceleration of deaths and malnutrition. The report found that 1.1 million people in Gaza are expected to face catastrophic levels of hunger and risk famine, the highest number of people in that category ever recorded since the beginning of the current classification system. This is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the Integrated Food Security Classification systemanywhere, anytime, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a news briefing. Before Israels assault on Gaza, less than 1 percent of children in Gaza under five were acutely malnourished. But that figure has surged to between 12.4 and 16.5 percent. The UN-backed report concluded, Famine is imminent in the northern governorates and projected to occur anytime between mid-March and May 2024. Last week, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, said, Siege, hunger and diseases will soon become the main killers in Gaza. Israel has deliberately restricted food, fuel and electricity going into Gaza in a deliberate effort to starve the population, as part of its genocidal onslaught against the besieged enclave. The United States is serving as the key enabler of the starvation of the population of Gaza. Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden signed a spending package that cuts off funding for UNRWA, the main provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians which serves as the backbone of all humanitarian responses in Gaza, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Despite recent public criticism of the Netanyahu government by the Biden administration, behind the scenes the US is doubling down on its support for the genocide. Over the weekend, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, notorious for describing Palestinians as human animals, visited Washington D.C. to meet with leading US officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, to plan Israels assault on Rafah. Austin began the meeting by declaring, President Biden has been clear: Israel has a right to defend itself like any other state. So, were working with Israel to ensure that an outrage like October 7 can never happen again. In the official readout of the meeting between Gallant and Austin, a Defense Department official was quoted as saying, We believe that the concepts that we are sharing and the additional ideas were developing based on those concepts have the potential to achieve the dual objectives of protecting the civilians who are currently in Rafah and defeating the Hamas battalions that are in Rafah. By declaring that defeating the Hamas battalions that are in Rafah is an objective of the US government, the Biden administration is all but signing off on the planned assault. On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal published an article headlined, Behind closed doors, the US pushes to shape, not stop, the Rafah operation. It explained that the purpose of the weekend talks between Gallant and US officials was to sort out a means by which the US could give its stamp of approval to the planned onslaught on Rafah. The Journal wrote, In two days of meetings between the Israeli defense chief and senior officials in the White House and Pentagon, discussions on Israels planned military operation in southern Gaza focused not on how to stop it, but on how to protect civilians during its rollout. It reported that Israel was planning to launch its assault on Rafah within the next two weeks. On Wednesday, the White House confirmed that the Netanyahu government had asked to hold further talks on the planned assault on Rafah with the US. The Prime Ministers Office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah so were now working with them to set a convenient date, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said. In anticipation of its planned assault on Rafah, Israel is carrying out daily and nightly bombardments of the city where over a million displaced people are sheltering. On Tuesday, the United Nations reported that 18 Palestinians, including at least nine children and five women, were reportedly killed, and tens of others were injured when a house sheltering IDPs in Musabeh area, in northern Rafah, was hit. On Wednesday, the Euro-Med Monitor reported that Israeli forces have been targeting and shooting children during its weeklong siege of Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza. In a week, Israeli army executes 13 children in and near Al-Shifa Hospital, the human rights monitor titled its report. The report included testimony by Palestinian Islam Ali Salouha, who reported that Israeli troops forced her family to flee from the house where they were sheltering, killing two of her sons, Ali, nine years old, and Saeed Muhammad Sheikha, six years old, by targeting them with gunfire. The Euro-Med Monitor reported, Salouha emphasized that his son Ali was killed in a field execution crime after he had been deprived of food for days because of the Israeli siege. He also pointed out that the area around Al-Shifa Medical Complex had become a hotspot for field executions and murders, with the bodies of the victims discovered in the streets serving as evidence. These reports only underscore the findings of Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Palestine, who earlier this week issued a report saying there is evidence to support the claim that Israels actions in Gaza fit the criteria for genocide. Albaneses report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating Israels commission of genocide is met. A group of 25 students who occupied a Vanderbilt University building in Nashville, Tennessee, to protest the university administrations suppression of pro-Palestinian voices was forcibly removed by campus police on Wednesday. Kirkland Hall at Vanderbilt University [Photo: Jbaker08] According to a report in The Vanderbilt Hustler, Vanderbilts student newspaper, the students have been placed on interim suspension by the university administration and four were arrested by campus law enforcement and later released. On Tuesday morning, the students entered Kirkland Hall, an administrative building, to carry out a sit-in. The sit-in was organized to oppose the blocking of a student vote on a resolution supporting a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) measure by the Vanderbilt Student Government. If passed, the BDS resolution would have amended the student government constitution to prevent student government funds from going to businesses that support Israel. The Vanderbilt University administration denied the right of students to vote on the resolution by unilaterally removing it from the ballot taking place this month. The suppression of the resolution as well as the forcible removal of the sit-in protesters from Kirkland Hall shows that the Vanderbilt University administration fears the widespread support that exists among students for an end to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Vanderbilt is a private research university that has an endowment of more than $10 billion. The university has deep ties to the US military, with more than $23 million in direct Defense Department funding for electronics, software and cyber technology research. On Tuesday, more than two dozen students entered Kirkland Hall and occupied the hallway outside of Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeiers office at 9:00am. Another 30 students occupied the steps outside of the building. The student occupation continued for 24 hours before the police intervened and removed the group from the building. Sam Schulman, a sophomore at Vanderbilt and member of the protesting group, told The Tennessean the sit-in students were denied access to the buildings restrooms, forcing them to urinate in water bottles. Schulman also said that all those who went inside to occupy the building have been sent an interim suspension letter by the university. This means they are barred from reentering the campus pending an investigation. At the time of this writing, the university had not issued a statement on the forced removal of the protesters. On Tuesday, the university said Student Affairs attempted to de-escalate the situation after the students had breached the building and pushed a staff person out of the way. When asked by Nashville Scene what happened, a Vanderbilt representative said, some students physically assaulted a Community Service Officer to gain entrance and proceeded to push staff members who offered to meet with them. However, a video posted by the university shows the security guard opening the door and then attempting to stop the students from entering. The group simply overpowered the officer as they entered in a peaceful and organized manner. The administration said the students were asked to leave but refused. Then, staff made them aware their actions violated university policy and that they would be subject to disciplinary action. After several hours, the university began issuing interim suspensions. Vanderbilt Student Government president Sam Sliman told the Scene the universitys action against the protest were pretty absurd given the administrations claim to embrace an open dialogue and free speech. Sliman said, This is very much in line with how they like to handle things. ... This is just what weve come to expect from them at this point. In further blatant attack on First Amendment rights, Scene reporter Eli Motycka was arrested by Vanderbilt University police while reporting on the protest event on Tuesday. The arrest was captured on video by Scene staff member Scott Masters. The video shows officers claiming that the reporter was warned that he was illegally trespassing on campus property. As he was being led away in handcuffs, Motycka explained he has been covering the protest and was never warned by anyone. Less than one hour after his arrest, Motycka was released and returned to the campus by the arresting officer. According the Scene, He was not charged with a crime. Public Defender Martesha Johnson Moore tells Motycka that Judicial Magistrate Timothy Lee did not find probable cause to hear Vanderbilts charges against Motycka. A statement signed by 25 Vanderbilt faculty members and circulated on Monday denounced the universitys suppression of the student referendum. The letter says that the signers are deeply troubled by the effort to prevent students from voting on the constitutional amendment. The letter explains, The proposed amendment, initiated by the Vanderbilt Divest Coalition and supported by over 1,000 Vanderbilt students, would bar the use of student government funds on a list of corporations connected to Israeli human rights violations. The faculty members also reported that the student government had revealed that the universitys Office of the General Counsel urged that the BDS referendum be blocked. We are gravely concerned that Vanderbilts removal of the referendum from the ballot uses legality as a facade to quash student activism for Palestinian liberation, the letter states. The faculty members compare the suppression of the BDS resolution to the 1960 expulsion of civil rights activist James Lawson for his role in organizing Nashvilles famous lunch-counter sit-ins. And they note that, in February 1978, Vanderbilt defied demands for a cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa, despite significant outcry. The faculty members conclude their letter, We condemn this suppression of student democracy and demand that the ballot referendum be reinstated. Public meetings held this month in Britain by the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) provoked important discussion among workers and young people on the campaign needed to free WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. The meetings in London, Sheffield, Manchester and Inverness were addressed by SEP national secretary Chris Marsden and assistant national secretary Tom Scripps. Assange, who exposed war crimes by the US and its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been imprisoned in London without charge for well over a decade. He faces imminent extradition to the United States under trumped-up Espionage Act charges that carry a 175-year prison term. Young people and workers who attended the meetings spoke to World Socialist Web Site reporters afterwards. London Toby, aged 34, said, The urgency couldnt be higher in terms of peoples need to stand up against imperialism and the violence being committed both on a personal level against Julian Assange and in a wider sense the people of Gaza, who are being bombarded by an American-backed ally. One of the most striking things coming out of the original WikiLeaks publications was the Collateral Murder video showing 18 civilians being gunned down by US Marines from an Apache helicopter. Exposures like that sent shockwaves around the world and politicised a lot of people and galvanised the anti-war movement at that time. These were truths that exposed the nature of American imperialism and UK complicity. It exposed the motivations and the reasoning behind the war crimes we were seeing, the human cost of these imperialist ventures in the Middle East. Toby said the WikiLeaks exposures, all combined to build a picture in peoples minds of the American imperialist project as one of violence and injustice, wreaking chaos in peoples lives. Suddenly there was this evidence, this paper trail, and it galvanised people against the war. The US government has been trying to punish Julian Assange to send a message that if you expose us in this way, if you expose the truth about what we do around the world, then we will come after you and we will destroy your life. Its a very dangerous message for anyone who believes in any kind of democracy or freedom of speech. Tom Scripps speaking at the London meeting Toby said Scripps report to the meeting had revealed those responsible for blocking a mass movement in Assanges defence, The damage was done initially and fuelled by the mainstream media, the Guardian, the New York Times, and other publications which had previously published the WikiLeaks material and then turned-on Julian Assange. You mentioned Jeremy Corbyn. He was leader of the Labour Party during the time Julian Assange was at the Ecuadorian embassy in London under house arrest. When he was taken to Belmarsh prison, Corbyn didnt raise his voice. He obviously considered it too politically inconvenient or wanted to appease the right wing and the Blairites within the Labour Party. He lost his voice on this issue at a time when it could have galvanised a mass movement in support of Julian Assange. It comes back to your point, that what the World Socialist Web Site and the party are trying to do is inspire a mass movement of working-class people to stand up for Julian Assange, as a movement from below that is organised and ready to bring a real fight to these powerful institutions and powerful structures, rather than appealing to the state, writing letters to members of parliament, and sort of hoping that the courts can resolve this when time and time again its proven that they dont respond in that way. These are politically motivated charges and its naive to expect the reprieve to come from within the state, which is very much responsible for the conditions Julian Assange faces. Carmella, a student at Kings College London, attended the meeting with a friend. She said: Its such an important and urgent topic. I wonder how to engage more university students, high school students even. My friend is 22 years old, and he cant remember who Julian Assange is. Carmella has followed WikiLeaks revelations, but said, What I didnt know about was so many in the media first claiming he was a good-doer, and then turning on him. I hadnt thought of that, its overwhelming and very moving. It was very well synthesised. And I think its very important for us to know that the mainstream left might not be left anymore. Like with AMLO [Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexicos president]. Mexicans voted for something and then at the end of the day hes taking decisions not in line with the initial apparent ideology. So, I think it is a worldwide phenomenon, and its important to speak of it. Campaigning for Londons meeting was focused at SOAS and Birkbeck universities. Thousands of leaflets were distributed, alongside copies of a new pamphlet, The Fight to Free Julian Assange, and a new book by David North, The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide. The day before the meeting, members of the pseudo-left Socialist Worker Student Society at SOAS were challenged by an SEP member about why their organisation has been virtually silent on Assanges case for the best part of a decade. A campaigner claimed the party had written lots on the case, before declaring, we think it is more important to focus on defending the organisation, not the person. Assange has been subjected to a murderous gang-up by the imperialist powers in the heart of London, while SWP members provide sophistries about defending WikiLeaks but not Assange! The SWP has played a central role in the demonisation of the WikiLeaks founder, promoting discredited sexual assault allegations concocted by the Swedish state and the CIA. On the day of the SEPs public meeting in London, Socialist Workers Student Society members covered up a poster advertising the meeting. The event name and venue details were concealed by an SWP poster for their festival of Marxist ideas in July. Socialist Workers Party poster covering up the poster adverting the meeting demanding the freedom of Julian Assange Sheffield Zara, from Sheffield, is active in the protests against the genocide in Gaza. She said: I found the meeting interesting and informative. I have followed his case as many people have. Theres much more awareness now were in the eleventh hour. I agree with everything you say about turning to workers and younger people, who need to be made more aware. Hearing the facts brings the reality and urgency of the message more directly. Ill take the message back to my family and friends and encourage them to keep Assange in their minds and do what they can. I believe we have to speak out. The audience at the Sheffield meeting I dont read many papers, but I may have been drawn to The Guardian and what happened to Julian made me worry about their reliability. Youve got to remember that theres no unbiased newspaper. Ill sign up to the newsletter of the World Socialist Web Site instead. George, a journalism student at University of Sheffield, came to the meeting to interview Thomas Scripps as part of his journalism course and stayed for the report and discussion. He explained, I have always been interested in Assanges story. I didnt see the socialist perspective before this meeting. George I got a lot out of the meeting. I wasnt aware of just how many exposures WikiLeaks was involved with, such as the Guantanamo Bay torture exposures. I knew of the collateral murder video but there were so many other areas. I think Assange should be free. It is disgraceful what has happened him. As a student journalist, Im scared of what western countries are doing. They are censoring and bending the rules to suit themselves. They say you have freedom of speech, but then they have exceptions on reporting war crimes. These are topics that cant be approached and that is worrying. Manchester Gary said the meeting certainly opened my eyes. During the Q&A session, he asked how the left could come together like they did in 2015 to 2019 (when Corbyn was Labour leader) and win Assanges freedom. Speaker Chris Marsden explained how Corbyn had capitulated to the right-wing in the Labour Partyincluding his refusal to fight for Assanges freedom, alongside his backing for NATO, Trident and accepting a free vote on the bombing of Syria, and his rejection of any challenge to the bogus anti-Semitism witch-hunt against the left. He rolled over without a fight, and he paved the way for Sir Keir Starmer. Chris Marsden speaking at the Manchester meeting Pam, who attended the recent march in Doncaster to mark the 40th anniversary of the miners strike, said a united left was needed. The solidarity of the working class during the miners strike meant the strike ended in victory, she said. Marsden said the strike ended in a terrible defeat, with mass redundancies and impoverishment, a product of the bankrupt perspective championed by the National Union of Mineworkers under Arthur Scargills leadership which did not challenge the betrayal of the Labour Party and the Trades Union Congress. A group of young workers attended from Greece. Kostas said, We are here for Julian Assange, and we need to work for his freedom just as the people in Gaza want their freedom. His friend said, There isnt a unity of leadership, for Gaza or Assange but the main goal is to overthrow capitalism. The issue is, how does the working class come together and explain that their individual problems are a common issue, so that they understand they have a common root cause. Concluding the meeting, Marsden explained the role of Syriza, an alliance of pseudo-left forces which betrayed the mass opposition of the Greek working class to austerity in 2015-19. Marsden said: The working class always strives for class unity, its not a concept we have to introduce. What do you do when you achieve unity? We must have a socialist perspective to mobilise independently of and against the parties of capitalism. Inverness Adele, 23, a cleaner, said: I support the SEP's call to action for workers and young people. The fight for Assange is a fight for freedom of knowledge and information. His silencing proves there are things the state wishes to hide from the population. Freedom for Assange and the struggle against war are tied together, and the defence of democratic rights is a socialist struggle. Andrew, 23, who is a chef, said: 'Workers and young people coming forward to defend Assange is an integral part of forming a serious anti-war movement. We desperately need people like Julian Assange to shed light on the atrocities happening across the globe. If revealing war crimes is a crime, then what else is kept from the public eye and not shown? Andrew Lucy, 22, a cleaner, said: It should be a focus for this generation to organise and defend Assange. Allowing Assange to rot in jail is allowing the ruling class to prepare more crimes. We cannot rely on this political establishment to rescue Assange. The working class must do this itself. Lucy Capitalism is currently accelerating towards World War III and it is vital that all anti-war figures who are exposing this are defended. I found Chris report very helpful to bring light to all of this! It was very encouraging to see a meeting that deals with this situation so carefully, in a format that allows for such a serious and important conversation and that was attended by so many different people. People from the Palestine protest in Inverness attended, young people attended, older people too. I think it demonstrated the ability to unite the anti-war movement with all layers of the working class. The meeting demonstrated the need to struggle for socialism in the fight for democratic rights and against war. This system cannot be reformed and its in the best interests of workers to go independently against the political establishment and fight for workers power! Every area of life is being attacked by capitalism, our wages, our living conditions. Workers face an era of nuclear war because of capitalism. Its not something just for the future, capitalism is attacking us now, so we have to fight for socialism now! Theo, 25, is a chef and said: The work done by WikiLeaks to expose human rights violations, war crimes, and corruption within governments is monumentally important as it exposes capitalism for what it is, an oppressive system, where the rich and powerful will do anything to retain their power over workers. The Socialist Equality Party made the case well that workers and young people are the only force that can free Julian Assange. Last Friday, US President Joe Biden telephoned Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto to congratulate him on his victory in the countrys February election. Bidens open embrace of a former general implicated in numerous atrocities once again demonstrates the fraudulent claim that Washington defends democracy in the Indo-Pacific or anywhere else in the world. Indonesia's Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto salutes as he delivers a speech after being elected as the country's president in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 [AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim] The call took place after Indonesias General Election Commission confirmed Prabowos victory on March 20 with 58.6 percent of the vote. He is now slated to take office on October 20. According to a White House press release, Biden and Prabowo commended their countries for celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations grounded in shared values of democracy and pluralism. Biden pledged to expand cooperation with Indonesia under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a partnership that also includes Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and other Southeast Asian countries. He also stated his administration would deepen relations with Jakarta as part of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The press release stated that Biden and Prabowo plan to work together towards an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, prosperous, and secure. In an Instagram post, Prabowo wrote on Saturday that he was deeply honoured to receive Bidens congratulations. I stand proud of the strong bond between Indonesia and the US forged over many years of friendship and cooperation, he said. We are committed to continue and enhance this partnership between our two great nations, and I look forward to working with you in the future. In real terms, Biden is whitewashing Prabowos bloody past and the history of Indonesias Suharto dictatorship as Washington continuously ramps up its plans for war with Beijing. The reference to a free, open Indo-Pacific is nothing more than a euphemism for its opposite, the expansion of US hegemony at the expense of its rivals, particularly China, even if it means war. Washington is making every effort to incorporate Indonesia into these plans, which includes building a system of military alliances to surround China. Prabowos involvement in multiple atrocities in East Timor, West Papua, and Aceh Province as well as murderous repression against Indonesian activists at the end of the Suharto dictatorship are no barriers for US imperialism. However, given its full support for the genocide Israel is conducting in Gaza, Washington is sensitive that its alliances with dictators and criminals are cutting across its claims to be the worlds defender of democracy. In a press briefing on February 15 following the Indonesian election, White House national security spokesman John Kirby absurdly claimed of Biden, Theres not a conversation he has anywhere in the world with foreign leaders where hes not raising issues and concerns about human rights and civil rights. Thats not going to change. Biden of course did not raise the issue of human rights during his recent phone call with Prabowo, instead telling him that he was happy to see Prabowos achievements in the election and congratulated him on this victory, according to CNBC Indonesia. Furthermore, the claim that the US and Indonesian relationship is built on democracy and pluralism is an absurd lie. Prabowo is a representative of the blood-soaked Suharto regime that came to power in the 1965 CIA-backed military coup. In its wake, up to one million members of the Indonesian Communist Party, workers, and peasants were slaughtered by military forces, right-wing militias, and armed thugs aided and abetted by US imperialism. Prabowo played a prominent role in propping up the US-backed Suharto while serving as an officer in Indonesias special forces, known as Kopassus, from 1976 until 1998, including as its general commander from 1995 to 1998. Prabowo also often used the fact that he was married to the dictators daughter, Titiek Suharto, and had the ear of Suharto to act with impunity. Prabowo has been linked to bloody killings including the 1983 Kraras Massacre in East Timor that left more than 200 civilians and noncombatants dead during a supposed counterinsurgency operation. He is also linked to murderous reprisals in 1996 against West Papuan villagers who supposedly supported guerillas in the Free Papua Movement. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Prabowo also likely had a role in instigating riots in 1998 as the Suharto regime was coming to an end under the pressure of anti-government protests and the Asian Financial Crisis. Hundreds were killed as Prabowo sought to prop up the crumbling regime with an eye to installing himself as dictator. The secretive nature of special forces like Kopassus, specifically tasked with carrying out Suhartos dirty operations in the country, has allowed Prabowo to deny his involvement in these bloody affairs. However, Prabowo has been directly linked to the kidnappings of 23 democracy activists between 1997 and 1998. Of those kidnapped, one person was murdered while nine others were tortured, but released. An additional 13 people are officially listed as missing, but are assumed to be dead. US imperialism, for its own interests, acknowledged these crimes. During the administrations of Clinton, Bush, and Obama, Prabowo was effectively banned from entering the United States, which refused to grant him a visa. However, after becoming defence minister under outgoing President Joko Widodo in 2019, the Trump administration allowed Prabowo to enter the US in 2020, with then-Defence Secretary Mark Esper calling Prabowo our counterpart, in a very important relationship. Today, the Biden administrations goal is to coax Jakarta closer to the Washington while Indonesia has attempted to balance between the US and China, its largest trading partner. Recent developments in Indonesia have indicated a shift towards strengthening ties with Washington. This is why Washington is covering up Prabowos crimes. Current President Widodo held talks with Biden last November in San Francico California, where the two leaders agreed to elevate their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level of diplomatic cooperation. Major joint military exercises with the US, known as Super Garuda Shield, have also been expanded in the past two years and involve US allies vital to Washingtons war planning, including Britain, Japan, and Australia. Moreover, Jakarta and Washington are in discussion over a potential minerals partnership to facilitate the nickel trade. The US market is eager to gain access to Indonesias nickel mining and refining industry, which has been largely dependent on Chinese investment. Indonesia holds the worlds largest reserves of nickel, a key component of electric vehicle batteries. Prabowo is expected to continue the current governments economic policies, including the expansion of military spending. Prabowo had the outgoing presidents unofficial endorsement during the campaign with Widodos son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, running with Prabowo for vice president. Other allies in Washingtons anti-China alliance are also moving to strengthen their relationships with Jakarta. Last month, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles visited Prabowo for high-level talks aimed at elevating the countries military ties. The two reportedly agreed to sign a very significant defence cooperation agreement in the coming months, though no details have been provided. Marles described the pact as the single deepest and most significant defence cooperation agreement in the history of the two countries. Australia and Indonesia have a shared destiny and a shared collective security and that is the basis on which we are moving forward with our own defence planning, he said in a press conference. As they carry out war preparations against China in the Indo-Pacific, US imperialism and its allies see the whitewashing of Prabowos crimes as a critical necessity. For the working class in Indonesia and throughout the region, this should be taken as a serious warning. The bloody tactics Prabowo used throughout his career will be used against workers who come into opposition with the capitalist system and the war drive rapidly unfolding. Join the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee to fight against the closures! Email upsrankandfilecommittee@gmail.com, or fill out the form below. In an investors presentation held Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, top executives of United Parcel Service (UPS) announced plans to shutter 200 facilities in the United States and lay off thousands of workers, as part of their plans for the Network of the Future. While previous layoffs have already been reported extensively by the WSWS, this is the first time that UPS has issued its comprehensive nationwide plan to slash jobs. UPS executives estimated that the company would save $3 billion by the end of 2028 by consolidating facilities and implementing automation at the remaining hubs. Earlier this year, UPS announced it would be laying off 12,000 salaried employees. This was quickly followed by mass layoffs of pre-loaders at facilities across the United States, including in New York and California. The ongoing jobs bloodbath at UPS is part of a wave of layoffs at the company and in virtually every industry across the globe. The cuts are being enabled through the collaboration of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which rammed through a sellout contract last summer by deliberately concealing that these cuts were coming. Tuesdays presentation underscores the urgent need for workers to take matters into their own hands, organize a rebellion against both management and the sellout artists in the union bureaucracy. It also fully confirms the warnings made at the start of the year by the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee that New technologies are being rolled out that can eliminate almost all of the work inside the warehouses. The jobs of nearly 200,000 part-timers at UPS are at risk. That statement called for a counter-campaign by workers to defeat the attack on jobs. In their slides presented to investors Tuesday, UPS executives outlined 63 sites in the US that would be targeted for automation by the end of 2028. These include hubs in Albany and Syracuse, New York; Mesquite, Texas; as well as Hartford, Connecticut; Chelmsford, Mass.; and Providence, Rhode Island. A map showing where UPS plans to initiate "major automation projects" by the end of 2028. [Photo: UPS] Some of the facilities that will be consolidatedthat is, closedinclude the Windsor, Ashland, Leominster and Nashua Hub in Massachusetts. In Albany, New York, the NY Capital Village Center will be closed, as will the Chalk Hill Center in Texas. A map of the state of Massachusetts showing where UPS plans to shutter certain facilities, and transform others into automated hubs. [Photo: UPS] In his slide presentation, Nando Cesarone, president of US domestic operations at UPS, emphasized that the Network of the Future would bring new automation and technology tools to materially improve productivity. This highly productive network will operate with less dependency on labor, a slide in Cesarones presentation explained. Another of his slides, titled Actions We Are Taking Right Now to increase operating margin, listed Building and Sort Closures as the top item. Cesarone confirmed that UPS would be closing 40 sorts this year, up from 30 in 2023, but he stressed that every single work area is being scrutinized for automation opportunities, not just our sortation hubs, per Freightwaves. Automation and Consolidation projects in Texas. [Photo: UPS] In his presentation, Bala Subramanian, chief digital and technology officer for UPS, highlighted the strategic bets the company was taking to boost profits. Artificial Intelligence and Gen AI and Robotics and Automation were the top items listed. The last major presentation made clear how these cost savings would be squandered on the companys wealthy investors. Chief Financial Officer Brian Newman outlined the Capital Allocation Policy/Priorities for the company; two of the four listed were a stable and growing dividend for shareholders and to use excess cash to repurchase shares. Executives did not place an exact figure on the number of layoffs. But in an interview with Bloomberg Television following the presentation, UPS CEO Carol Tome confirmed the company planned to boost profits by raising prices, including a 5.9 percent general rate increase this year, and automation. UPS CEO Carol Tome on Bloomberg, March 26, 2024. [Photo: Bloomberg] Asked by her Bloomberg host to elaborate on the layoffs coming, and what more should investors expect? Tome replied, We have got to right-size our business, so we did make some decisions to do just that under our operating model of fit to serve. Moving past, though, is the very exciting opportunity that we have to drive out costs through automation. Did you know we have over 1,000 buildings in the United States? And many of these buildings were built 50, 60 years ago. ... As we looked at the buildings we said, My gosh, we have an opportunity, actually, to consolidate buildings ... that arent automated into brand new, automated buildings and drive productivity. By end of the initial phase, Tome said UPS would have 400 buildings that are fully automated. And with this automation, she added, we are going to drive out costs. We will drive out $3 billion in costs between now and 2028, with half of that being realized by 2026. And with end-to-end automation ... we dont need as many people to move the packages inside the buildings that we have today, she said. In an interview with CNBC the same day, Tome explained that the companys plans for mass layoffs was fully realizable due to the cost nature of our new Teamster contract. We are very pleased with that contract, Tome said. The compounded annual average growth rate of wages and benefits is 3.3 percent over a five-year period, but it is front-end loaded. A slide highlighting the role of the Teamsters bureaucracy in providing Labor Certainty so that UPS can implement its cost-cutting automation plans. [Photo: UPS] So ... in year one we want to grow our volume and our revenue and our operating profit dollars, she continued. And then in years two and three we want to grow volume, revenue and operating profit margin. Why will margins expand past year one? Because we are going to anniversary the first year of the Teamster contract in August, and the cost growth rate drops dramatically after that. Describing the Network of the Future as one of the most exciting initiatives in the last 100 years of the company, Tome lamented that while the UPS delivery network was highly integrated, it was old. The company is going to collapse some buildings that we dont need any longer into larger, more automated buildings, she said. We will invest to make this happen, we will invest about $9 billion over five years, but in that five-year time frame, we will enjoy $3 billion of savings, of which 50 percent will be recognized within the first three years. The Teamsters bureaucracy, which has said next to nothing about the layoffs this year, continued its guilty silence after Tuesdays conference. Neither Teamsters President Sean OBrien, nor the Teamsters social media accounts, have released a statement yet on the pending destruction of thousands of jobs, or what plans the Teamsters have to fight against the layoffs. The silence of the union bureaucrats is not a mistake. They knew automation and the cuts it would entail were coming, yet they did nothing to fight to defend workers jobs. Instead, they blocked UPS workers from striking together with actors and writers, who were already on strike and eager for reinforcements, and instead sold the rotten contract as historic. However, news of Tuesdays presentations spread like wildfire among UPS workers. Its getting crazy here. They cut our hours again, a UPS worker from Philadelphia told the WSWS. They laid off a pregnant woman today. She is having twins and has two kids at home. Its horrible. Jose, an over 20-year UPS worker in Southern California, told the WSWS, Hours are being cut. I know management wants to automate small sort in my hub. Joseph, a feeder driver out of Chicago, said he was worried about his co-workers inside the buildings. Two hundred facilities in the next four years, wow! How many jobs will be cut? Remember, Carol Tome clearly said this new contract bites in the beginning but ridiculously smooths out in UPSs favor in the later years. Joseph denounced the Teamsters for forcing a rotten contract down workers throats that includes no protections from automation. The best contract ever, huh? Of course, UPS had a plan. And our national union representatives delightfully surrendered any chance of delaying any of this automation agenda. Bait and switch. He said everything about the contract struggle last year was hush hush, adding, No union reps would inform us of any talks in Washington. I guess they had a gag order or something. Joseph said that while the Teamster bureaucrats were quick to denounce previous contracts as horrible, the new contract was sold to workers as the best in history. I could see through the smoke, he added. Our flimsy union stewards are not representing us, much like politicians in office. Get elected and become blind and deaf to our needs. Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for vice president, issued the following statement: UPS is joining the long list of manufacturing, technology, retail and other corporations that are slashing jobs. This is the true face of Bidens supposed booming economy. After squeezing billions in profits out of the backs of workers, companies like UPS are using AI, automation and other technologies to toss millions of workers into the street. These job cuts also expose the treachery of the Teamsters bureaucracy, which pushed through its record national contract last year based on lies. IBT President Sean OBrien and other Teamsters officials knew these mass job cuts were coming and concealed it from the workers ... The Socialist Equality Party is encouraging UPS workers to take the conduct of the struggle to defend jobs and living standards into their own hands by joining and building of the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee. UPS workers must unite with autoworkers, postal, Amazon and all workers fighting job cuts. This struggle must be coordinated across national borders by expanding the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). Joe Kishore, the SEP candidate for US president, and I call for the transformation of UPS and the rest of the giant logistics corporations into public utilities, collectively owned and democratically controlled by workers themselves. Only in this way can good-paying, safe and secure jobs be guaranteed for all. Workers interested in joining the UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee to fight back against the mass layoffs organized by the Teamsters and UPS, should get in contact with the committee by emailing upsrankandfilecommittee@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below. The hiring and now firing by NBC News of Ronna McDaniel, former chair of the Republican National Committee and longtime apologist for Donald Trump, is an episode that gives a glimpse of the incestuous and politically filthy world in which two major instruments of the financial aristocracythe corporate media and the twin parties of the capitalist stateoverlap. President Donald Trump listens as Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, right, speaks during a campaign rally Nov. 5, 2018 [AP Photo/Jeff Roberson] McDaniel was forced out as RNC chair last week by Trump, after he had won enough delegates in the primaries to clinch the Republican presidential nomination. She was replaced by two Trump loyalists, one of them his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. McDaniels removal was only the beginning of a purge that has seen dozens of RNC staffers removed, with their replacements required, as a condition of employment, to embrace Trumps claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by the Democrats. The opposite condition was apparently imposed on McDaniel, as she was interviewed by Kristen Welker on Meet the Press Sunday and badgered until she conceded that President Joe Biden had won the 2020 election fair and square. This meant effectively retracting her previous claims that there were sufficient problems with the voting and tabulation in key states like Pennsylvania to raise questions about the legitimacy of Bidens victory. What followed, with a panel of media commentators reacting to McDaniels appearance, was an extraordinary barrage, spearheaded by NBCs chief political correspondent, Chuck Todd, the former host of Meet the Press. He attacked the network for hiring McDaniel because during her seven years at the RNC she had repeatedly lied in the service of Trump, as well as attacking reporters, including those at NBC, in line with Trumps declarations that the media was the enemy of the people. The others on the panel chimed in, with what appeared to be a coordinated, prearranged attack. Similar statements were made Monday morning by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of the Morning Joe program on MSNBC, and Monday night by Rachel Maddow, who devoted 30 minuteshalf her entire programto a diatribe against McDaniel. By Tuesday, executives at NBC and its parent company, NBC-Universal, announced they were canceling McDaniels contract, reportedly worth $300,000 a year for two years. McDaniel is expected to sue for breach of contract and could collect the full amount for a single interviewher 20 minutes on Meet the Press with Welker. Todd and Welker are hardly engaged in a rebellion against the corporate bosses who pay their lavish salaries (reportedly $8 million for Todd and $3 million for Welker). According to several press reports, the Meet the Press producers knew what Todd was going to say and made no effort to stop him. It is not clear whether top NBC executives were informed ahead of time, or whether they actually used Todd to create the conditions for rescinding a contract they had decided was a mistake. There is no question that McDaniel has no qualifications as a journalist or independent commentator. She is a longtime liar-for-hire, as chair of the Michigan Republican Party, then for seven years as chair of the RNC. More than that, she is deeply implicated in Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 elections and maintain himself in office as a president-dictator, in defiance of the votes of the American people. McDaniel participated actively in Trumps effort to block certification of Bidens victory in Michigan, joining him on a phone call to Republican election officials in Wayne County (Detroit), and even advising these officials that if their actions to block the certification of the vote led to the filing of criminal charges, the RNC and the Trump campaign would supply them with lawyers. In 2022, McDaniel supported and voted for a resolution of the RNC which described the violent January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, carried out by Trump supporters to block certification of the Electoral College vote, as legitimate public discourse. Originally installed in 2017 as Trumps choice to head the RNC, McDaniel only fell afoul of him last year, when she went ahead with the holding of debates among the other candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, despite Trumps opposition. The ex-president refused to participate in the debates and was said to be furious with the RNC. It is in the course of the debates, one of them hosted by NBC, that McDaniel reportedly became friendly with the top executives who eventually offered her a lucrative landing spot after Trump forced her out of the RNC. Ronna McDaniel is hardly alone in her shift from political operative to network commentator. Her predecessor as RNC chair Reince Priebus, who became Trumps first White House chief of staff, was hired by CBS News as a political analyst. Several aides in the Biden White House now work for MSNBC, including Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, and Symone Sanders-Townsend, previously chief of staff to Vice President Kamala Harris. One commentator on the media compiled a list of more than three dozen politicians, aides, speechwriters and advisers who were now working for the broadcast and cable TV networks. Some, like former Clinton White House aide George Stephanopoulos, have become the principal representatives of their networks (in his case ABC). There is no firewall that prevents the political liars paid by the White House or the Democratic and Republican parties from becoming political liars paid by NBC, ABC and Fox. The main difference is that the paychecks of the second group have more zeros. And this description applies not just to the pundits and commentators, but to the so-called journalists who allegedly report the facts rather than voicing their political opinions. The entire corporate media is a machine for concealing the truth from the American people and pumping out the propaganda required by the financial oligarchy and the military-intelligence apparatus. This propaganda reinforces an array of supposed truths which cannot be challenged: US foreign policy is motivated by the desire for peace and human welfare; the US government does not murder its opponents; America is a democracy in which the people make the final decision through voting; America is the strongest, richest and freest country in the world; the COVID-19 pandemic is over; most Americans are religious, patriotic and support capitalism as an economic system; poverty, hunger and homelessness are minor problems, affecting only a small number of people. This list goes on. Perhaps the most pernicious role of the corporate media is its effort to legitimize the crimes of American imperialism overseas. That is why, amid the uproar over Ronna McDaniel, not a peep was heard about the persecution and impending extradition of Julian Assange, a genuine journalist, who has shown the world what a real effort to uncover the truth entails. Nor did those NBC media stars who balked at McDaniel as an insult to their journalistic integrity make any protest when the network hired former CIA Director John Brennan as an analyst of foreign and national security policy. Brennan, who headed the drone missile assassination program in the Obama White House before running the murder machine that is the CIA, is only the most odious of a slew of former generals, spies and assassins hired by the television networks in what amounts to a lucrative retirement program for the military-intelligence apparatus. Others include former CIA Director Michael Morell and Generals Barry McCaffrey, Jack Keane, Mark Hertling and Montgomery Meigs, former FBI Associate Director Frank Figliuzzi, former FBI Chief of Staff Chuck Rosenberg and countless others. As it happens, Brennan made his first appearance as a senior national security and intelligence analyst for NBC on Meet the Press on Sunday, February 4, 2018, where the host was Chuck Todd. On March 13, the New York Times Magazine published a lengthy article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Colorblindness Trap: How a Civil Rights Ideal Got Hijacked, which culminates in a demand that elite institutions like Ivy League universities and corporations, government programs, and other organizations, set aside college seats and professional positions for individuals who can prove their lineage as descendants of someone who had been enslaved in the United States. Not only Americans of European and Asian ancestry, as well as Native Americans, but all descendants of immigrantsincluding Africans and Afro-Caribbeanswould be excluded from her proposed affirmative action program, Hannah-Jones makes clear. The article is framed as a reply to Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, a Supreme Court ruling that cut affirmative actions final thin thread. Yet in response to the decision by the most conservative Supreme Court in nearly a century Hannah-Jones has herself shifted to the right, opposing affirmative action policies that benefit all marginalized peopleincluding those racial minorities who do not descend from American slavery. Nikole Hannah-Jones arrives at the premier of the The 1619 Project on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California. [AP Photo/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP] This is a new and more virulent form of racialism from Hannah-Jones. But the vehicle, once again, is the falsification of historyin this case the claim that the central historical purpose of both Radical Reconstruction after the Civil War and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was to create affirmative action programs as redress for the descendants of slavery. Hannah-Jones is best known as the public face and creator of the New York Times 1619 Project. Now a sprawling multimedia enterprise involving film, television and childrens books, the 1619 Project was first launched in August 2019, timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slaves in colonial Virginia. The World Socialist Web Site subjected the 1619 Project to withering criticism from a left-wing, working class standpoint, and carried out interviews with leading scholars that exposed its falsifications about the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. Hannah-Jones then largely vanished from the pages of the Times, though she continued to be listed as a columnist. This is just her fourth article since 2020. An event of such vanishing rarity warrants consideration, especially because Hannah-Jones has come to embody a particularly toxic form of racialist politics dear to a privileged section of the Democratic Party base. If she is once again being promoted by the flagship publication of American liberalism, it is because a faction at the Times senses that there is a need to inject new doses of racialism into popular consciousness in advance of a presidential election pitting two wildly unpopular candidates against each other, in a repeat of the 2020 electionthe warmonger Joe Biden and the fascist Donald Trump. The warning that the World Socialist Web Site issued after the publication of the 1619 Project and in advance of the last presidential election can be reissued, nearly word for word. We explained that the 1619 Project is one component of a deliberate effort to inject racial politics into the heart of the 2020 elections and foment divisions among the working class. The Democrats think it will be beneficial to shift their focus for the time being from the reactionary, militarist anti-Russia campaign to equally reactionary racial politics. The WSWS also warned that the Times attacks on the most progressive events of American historythe Revolutionary War and the Civil Warwould provide ammunition for Trump and the Republicans, summarized in their own travesty of history, the 1776 Project, and would give political cover as they sought to overthrow the Constitution. This too, came to pass, most ominously in the form of Trumps attempted coup of January 6, 2021. And we further explained that the 1619 Project was itself a milepost in the rightward shift of American politics and the debasement of its intellectual life. It manifested dangerous and reactionary ideas wafting about in bourgeois academic and political circles. We warned, finally, that ideas have a logic; and authors bear responsibility for the political conclusions and consequences of their false and misguided arguments. Embracing genealogical racialism In the not quite five years since the publication of the 1619 Project, the reactionary logic of racialism has moved Hannah-Jones further to the right. The specific problem she is confronting is how to promote race-based programs designed to build up the black elite after the Fair Admissions ruling. Her answer, which emerges in the articles final two sections, entitled Diversity vs. Redress and Taking Back the Intent of Affirmative Action, is the distribution of positions and wealth based on genealogy, specifically on descent from American slavery. She writes: [W]e, too, must shift our language and, in light of the latest affirmative-action ruling, focus on the specific redress for descendants of slavery. If Yale, for instance, can apologize for its participation in slavery, as it did last month, then why cant it create special admissions programs for slaverys descendantsa program based on lineage and not racejust as it does for its legacy students? Corporations, government programs and other organizations could try the same. These lines constitute a devastating admission. Hannah-Jones is ready to make a deal: legacy admissions for both the traditional wealthy who have sent their progeny to places like Yale for generations, and legacy admissions for the children of the grasping black elite, which aspires greater representation for its sons and daughters in the ruling class. As was the case in her previous demand for race-based reparations, What is Owed,part of the 1619 Project book versionHannah-Jones leaves aside completely the depredations American capitalism has visited on other parts of the population, including the American Indians, whom she mentions not at all. And, as before, Hannah-Jones is silent on how such lineage from slavery would be proved and counted. For example, to secure a reserved seat at Yale, what percentage of an applicants ancestors should have been enslaved? If one parent is white, as is the case for Hannah-Jones herself, should the student get half the admittance odds? And how could the difference be established between someone of African American descent, and, say, Afro-Jamaican descentwhose ancestors were also overwhelmingly slaves, only in another country? A photograph of a Jamaican worker cutting sugar cane in Florida in 1947. Hannah-Jones' proposal for affirmative action based on descent from American slavery would leave out all immigrants, including those whose ancestors were enslaved in the Caribbean and Latin America. Hannah-Jones particularly objects to the descendants of immigrants, groups whose ancestors have chosen to immigrate to this countryi.e., most everyone elsethough she makes no accounting of the forced immigration of convict indenture in the colonial period, the brutal coolie contract labor of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century, or the masses of immigrants who came as refugees, very often compelled to emigrate to the US because of destruction in their homelands caused by American imperialism, such as Filipinos of the last century or the Central American migrants being hounded at the Texas border at present. In the racialist worldview, other marginalized groups are mere competition for spoils. So, pointing her finger at Asian immigrants and their children, Hannah-Jones condemns this idea that unique efforts to address the extraordinary conditions of people who were enslaved or descended from slavery [are] unfair to another group. And she laments that affirmative action programs have flattened all African-descended people into a single category, regardless of their particular lineage, [emphasis added]. This, Hannah-Jones says, has unduly benefited unworthy African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants: At elite universities, research shows, the Black population consists disproportionately of immigrants and children of immigrants rather than students whose ancestors were enslaved here. Immigrants who crossed into the US from Mexico are met with concertina wire along the Rio Grande, September 21, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay] Hannah-Jones does not acknowledge it, but her positions are taken, point for point, from a right-wing black nationalist organization called American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS). Wikipedia summarizes ADOS members positions thusly: They want colleges, employers and the federal government to prioritize ADOS and argue that affirmative action policies originally designed to help ADOS have been used largely to benefit other groups. Supporters of the ADOS movement say they should have their own ethnic designation on census forms and college applications, and should not be lumped in with other Black peoplenamely modern Black African immigrants to the United States and Black immigrants from the Caribbean. ADOS opposes immigration and has won accolades from fascists including Ann Coulter and Ali Alexander, a progenitor of the Stop the Steal myth that the 2020 election was stolen. The founder of ADOS, Yvette Carnell, has even openly defended the use of the Nazi slogan blood and soil, in a Twitter post about black Americans service in US foreign warsin remarks very similar to rhetoric in Hannah-Jones lead essay to the 1619 Project. And what does Blood and Soil mean?, Carnell wrote. It certainly means to me that #ADOS have fought in every American war since this countrys inception, and yes, we want the fruit of that citizenship. In her framing article of the 1619 Project, Hannah-Jones wrote, In every war this nation has waged since that first one, black Americans have fought. Radical Reconstruction and Jim Crow segregation Hannah-Jones call for a genealogical approach to race is built on a deeply false presentation of history, in which the affirmative action programs of the late 1960s and early 1970s are portrayed as the apotheosis of both the Radical Reconstruction period after the Civil War and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. To Hannah-Jones, these advances, moments of national clarity she calls them, inevitably gave way to white backlash. But Hannah-Jones is not able to say why it is in history that at some moments white people in power embraced the idea that racial subordination is antidemocratic and at other times new alignment[s] of white power against racial justice and redress emerged. With race as her exclusive focus and her sole framework of analysis, any attempt at an explanation would be mere tautology. Thus, while in the 1619 Project Hannah-Jones insisted that black Americans fought back alone to redeem American democracy, now she allows some room for the white Radical Republicans of the 1860s. But she cannot explain why these radicals came to power, why they were returned to office election after election by overwhelmingly white districts in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, or why their radical faction of the Republican Party ultimately lost power. To do so would be to recognize that Radical Reconstruction fell apart not on the shoals of white backlash, but on those of capitalist property. Thaddeus Stevens The most radical of the Republicans, led by Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, sought to forge a coalition in the South consisting of the freed slaves and poor whites, many of whom had remained loyal to the Union in the Civil War. Stevens, condemned as a leveler by his opponents, was convinced that the means to achieve this was through the confiscation of the land from the treacherous southern plantation owners and its re-division among the poor, black and white alike. In Stevens view, Eric Foner concludes, the confiscation plan would allow southern Republicans to transcend the troublesome race issue by uniting freedmen and poor whites on an economic basis. There had even been a precedent for such a measure during the war, in Gen. William Tecumseh Shermans Special Field Order 15, issued early in 1865 and the origin of the slogan of giving out 40 acres and a mule to freed slavesan entirely justified demand after two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil, in Lincolns words. Lincolns Republicans had overseen the largest seizure of private property in history prior to Lenins Bolsheviks, in the form of the uncompensated freeing of the slaves. In this, its destruction of slavery, the Republican Party was a revolutionary party. Yet the Republican Party was also a bourgeois party. This part of its nature had been nurtured by the stunning development of capitalist industry and finance during the war. Moreover, as Marx had anticipated, the Civil War had likewise given a mighty impulse to the development of the working class. He wrote in Capital, In the United States of North America, every independent movement of the workers was paralyzed so long as slavery disfigured a part of the Republic. Labor cannot emancipate itself in the white skin where in the black it is branded. But out of the death of slavery a new life at once arose. The first fruit of the Civil War was the eight hours agitation that ran with the seven-leagued boots of the locomotive from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from New England to California. Karl Marx (1818-1883) In this context of rising labor struggles in the North, the dominant factions of the Republican Party began to fear Stevens and his redistribution plansincluding the New York Times, whose present defense of private property is hardly new. In 1867, in response to Stevens call for the confiscation and re-division of the southern oligarchys lands, the Times wrote: If Congress is to take cognizance of the claims of labor against capital there can be no decent pretense for confining the task to the slave-holder of the South. It is a question not of humanity, not of loyalty, but of the fundamental relation of industry to capital; and sooner or later, if begun in the South, it will find its way into the cites of the North. ... An attempt to justify the confiscation of Southern land under the pretense of bringing justice to the freedmen, strikes at the root of all property rights in both sections. It concerns Massachusetts quite as much as Mississippi. [emphasis added] Whatever remained that had been radical in the Republican Party did not survive the 1870s. Stevens died in 1868an emancipation of the Republican party, said the conservative James G. Blaine. Then came the Paris Commune of 1871, which terrified an American capitalist class that was rapidly enriching itself at the expense of a growing working class. The Times admitted that the Commune revealed the explosive force that lay beneath every large citynot so easily exploded in America as in Europebut existing with all its terrible elements even here the toiling, ignorant and impoverished multitude, demanding an equal share in the wealth of the rich. These fears were warranted. The class struggle hit the US itself with tremendous force in the Great Uprising of 1877, a massive strike of railroad workers, sympathy walkouts, and general strikes that stretched across the countryand which came, not incidentally, the very year Reconstruction in the South came to a final end. Hannah-Jones subtitle for her discussion of Radical ReconstructionThe End of Slavery, and the Instant Backlash betrays confusion over the periods politics and even its basic chronology. Reconstruction passed through several phases between 1865 and 1877presidential, congressional and military, as traditionally categorized by historians. Hannah-Jones collapses all of these together, and then asserts that the formal conclusion of Reconstruction in 1877 brought to an end the nations first experiment with race-based redress and multiracial democracy. Original dust jacket for historian C. Vann Woodwards The Strange Career of Jim Crow, a book which Martin Luther King Jr. called the bible of the Civil Rights movement. Yet forms of interracial political cooperation, limited as they were, actually continued through the 1880s and into the 1890s, centered largely on widespread agrarian protest among sharecroppers, and to a lesser extent strikes and union organizing among southern wage laborers. It was the threatening interracial potential of this movement that brought the Bourbon restoration of the southern oligarchy and its imposition of Jim Crow segregation, as C. Vann Woodward showed long ago in his The Strange Career of Jim Crow, a book Martin Luther King Jr. called the bible of the civil rights movement. The civil rights movement Hannah-Jones presentation of the civil rights movement, Using Race to End Racial Inequality, imagines, first, that the entire purpose of the mass movement of oppressed black workers in the South was oriented toward affirmative action programs. In the racialist way of seeing things, creating rich black peoplebut only those descended from American slavery!must really have been what the civil rights movement and indeed all of history is about. Equality will not have been achieved until there is no disparity between the number of white and black billionaires and millionaires, relative to their shares of the population! In fact, the civil rights movement, under the leadership of King, had focused, first and foremost, on the achievement of legal equality for blacks in the South. This entailed a fight against Jim Crow segregation, which since the 1890s had enforced a second-class citizenship on blacks. This is why the civil rights movement invoked the language of color-blindness. It is a basic historical reality, endlessly attested to by the archive, which Hannah-Jones essay cannot wiggle its way around. The Jim Crow regime stripped African Americans of the right to vote, constantly menaced the exercise of other citizenship rights, and imposed all manner of day-to-day humiliations. It was propped up by the one-party rule of the Democrats and ultimately by murderous violencesome 4,000 blacks were lynched between the 1870s and 1950s. But it must be stressed, first, that Jim Crows central purpose dating back to the 1890s was to segregate white workers from black, and, second, that its degradation of black workers in no way benefited white workers. The South, as a whole, remained the poorest part of the country, with the lowest wages, the worst public education, and, most crucially, the weakest labor movement. Martin Luther King Jr., delivering his I Have a Dream speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, March 28, 1963. The failure of the American labor movement to take the lead in combating Jim Crow left the initiative to the black middle class, led by the clergy. Yet by the late 1960s, King became aware of the fundamental limitation of a perspective whose aim was the achievement of a nominal equality before the law under conditions of enormous social inequality. Furthermore, the legalistic perspective of the civil rights movement had little appeal to young black workers in the urban North, where segregation and other forms of discrimination did not depend on laws, but on capitalist politicians and capitalist markets. It was at this point that King launched his interracial Poor Peoples Campaign and came out in the open against the Vietnam War, then overseen by Democratic President Lyndon Johnsona figure Hannah-Jones lauds in her essay. The head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, had long been convinced that King was a communist. The FBIs campaign of wiretapping and harassment intensified until his assassination on April 4, 1968an event for which Kings widow, Coretta Scott King, never accepted the official narrative. Whatever the FBIs role may have been, Kings murder was a political killing that helped to clear the way for right-wing tendencies in the leadership of the civil rights movement to take hold. As is her habit, Hannah-Jones quotes selectively to enlist King to her essentially pecuniary aims. She cites a passage of a 1968 speech in which King said, A society that has done something special against the Negro for hundreds of years must now do something special for him. Hannah-Jones must hope that her audience will not actually read Kings speech, delivered four days before his assassination. It was one of his more radical. The majority of it was given over to a discussion of his plans for the Poor Peoples Campaign to march on Washingtonhe was not announcing plans for an American Descendants of Slavery March on Washington for Seats at Yale. The second-largest portion of speech was dedicated to his most searing indictment of the Vietnam Warone of the most unjust wars that has ever been fought in the history of the worldand his fears that American militarism might ultimately bring nuclear annihilation leading to a civilization plunged into the abyss of annihilation, and our earthly habitat transformed into an inferno that even the mind of Dante could not imagine. Todays money-obsessed racialists do not speak in this language. In any case, affirmative action was no victory of the civil rights movement. It was a ruling class policy response to the collapse of the imperialist war in Vietnam, the erosion of the global supremacy of the US dollar, and the mass wave of urban uprisings in the late 1960s. Vietnamese peasants arrested and detained by US soldiers in 1966. Martin Luther King Jr. became a vocal critic of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, though he never broke with the Democratic Party, which, under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, had been primarily responsible for conducting the war. The ruling class embrace of affirmative action in the late 1960s and early 1970s signaled that the era of social reformism, which had lasted from the election of Franklin Roosevelt in 1932 to the collapse of the Johnson administration in the late 1960s, was over. Instead of broad-based policies designed to ameliorate conditions affecting masses of working class people regardless of race, affirmative action imposed a policy of cultivating a black elite loyal to the existing order, what Republican President Richard Nixon hailed as black capitalism. It has succeeded in this aim. Meanwhile, the absolute failure of affirmative action to benefit the broad masses of black workers is manifest in the devastation of Americas cities and rural South, the two areas where most of the African American population remains concentrated. Indeed, since the adoption of affirmative action politics in the late 1960s and early 1970s, social inequality among blacks has increased as rapidly as it has in the population as a whole. It is this wealthy, grasping layer of the black bourgeoisie that Hannah-Jones represents. Together with other identity-based constituencies, as well as the privileged trade union bureaucracy and the highest strata of tenured professors, it forms the base of the Democratic Party. Conclusion Hannah-Jones essay is more than 11,000 words long. Yet the following words and phrases make no appearance: capitalism, working class, poverty, union, imperialism, colonialism, and militarism. These last omissions are most egregious. Hannah-Jones followers wish her to be taken as standing in the tradition of what has been called the black freedom struggle. But unlike King, W.E.B. Du Bois, C.L.R. James, Hubert Harrison, Claude McKay and so many more, and unlike even radical black nationalist figures such as Malcolm X, Hannah-Jones offers not a peep of criticism of American imperialism, which is currently responsible for the genocide being carried out against the Palestinian people. There is no mention in her essay of the fact that the American war machine devours more than half of the discretionary federal budget, while programs that benefit working class people of all races and nationalitiesincluding public education, Medicare, and the pittance set aside for the artsare left to starve. Hannah-Jones, instead, is concerned about seats at Yale University. She represents a different traditionthat of black capitalism. Her forebears are Marcus Garvey and her intellectual idol, Lerone Bennett Jr., not Du Bois and King. Hannah-Jones does not question the existence of capitalist private property, which in the end is the progenitor of all forms of inequality and scarcity. She merely demands a greater share of the spoils for the African American elite. This represents no threat to the status quo. Indeed, her sort of politics is encouraged and rewarded by the powers-that-be, precisely because racial division among the working class and the youth is fundamental to the perpetuation of that very status quo. Which is why, of course, Hannah-Jones finds platforms for her work with the Times, Shell Oil, and Walt Disney; why she has been given her own center at Howard University; and why she has been showered with money from corporate foundations such as the Ford and MacArthur foundations. If her thought were at all oppositional, none of this would happen. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at the University of Michigan (UM) condemns the latest moves by the administration to intimidate and silence opposition to the US/Israeli genocide in Gaza. University of Michigan students protest outside Board of Regents meeting, March 28, 2024. [Photo: Students Allied for Freedom and Equality at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor] We unconditionally defend all students, faculty and staff who are targeted by the universitys thought police and victimized for the crime of protesting against an ongoing genocide that recalls the Nazi Holocaust. One million people face death either by bombings or starvation at the hands of the fascist regime in Tel Aviv and its arms suppliers and paymasters in Washington. They are planning out the impending bloodbath on Rafah, the last refuge of a million Gazan civilians. None of this evokes the slightest complaint from UM President Santa Ono and the administration. Instead, they have issued a series of increasingly flagrant attacks on those protesting these crimes, with sweeping implications for basic democratic rights. On Sunday night, Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon sent out a campus-wide email threatening expulsion and criminal prosecution of university members who allegedly engage in threatening behavior. Harmon also wrote that the university had increased security patrols on and around campus, and encouraged pro-Zionist university members to report threatening behavior. Harmons email was sent only hours after students and others protesting the Gaza genocide held up signs and chanted slogans during a speech by Ono at an official university event. Videos of this protest have circulated widely on social media, with one viewed over 400,000 times. On Wednesday morning, Ono sent a provocative campus-wide email denouncing anti-genocide protesters who dared to disrupt his speech at Sundays Honors Convocation. Protests should only be allowed if they do not disrupt, he proclaimed. In other words, they should be silent and, preferably, invisible. We should keep our mouths shut while the million-dollar-a-year man, Ono, oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in university investments in companies involved in producing and selling military equipment to carry out the genocide of the Palestinians. To back up these threats, UM released a draft disruptive activity policy on Wednesday evening, which it aims to rubber-stamp into effect starting April 3. The policy is shot through with contradictions, claiming to defend free speech as long as such speech does not disrupt normal celebrations, activities, and operations of the University. Point 2 of the policy is so broad that it could be construed to ban virtually any activity on campus. The new policy is clearly aimed at intimidating and suppressing all opposition on campus, with explicit threats of expulsion for students, termination for faculty, and the application of state trespass law for visitors who are deemed to have violated the policy. Accused students would be granted a hearing for their charges, at which a university-appointed hearing officer will unilaterally determine their fate. If the student disagrees with the decision, another university-appointed appeal officer can arrive at the same preordained sentence, with their decision being final. The document concludes ominously by declaring this the new law of the land, noting, In the event of a conflict with another University policy, this Policy shall apply. With these actions, UM administrators, acting on behalf of powerful corporate interests and the Democratic Party, are declaring war on the democratic rights of students. This coincides with student government elections being held this week and a referendum organized by the pro-Palestinian TAHRIR Coalition calling on the university to divest from corporations doing business with Israel and drop charges against dozens of students who were arrested last fall when the university mobilized campus and local police to break up a peaceful occupation of administration offices. Last November, the university disallowed a referendum vote authorized by the student government on a resolution calling on the administration to acknowledge the genocidal character of the US/Israeli war on Gaza. After some 10,000 votes had been cast and with the anti-Gaza genocide resolution clearly headed for approval, the university announced it would not recognize the vote or release the referendum results. It used as a pretext a provocative and false claim made by campus Zionists that leading supporters of the resolution, who were named and maligned, had misused the campus email system. Ono later admitted these charges were false, but took no action against the Zionists doxxing of pro-Palestinian students. Instead, Ono declared that the university would not sanction any further votes on Gaza-related resolutions. The UM administrations hostility to the anti-genocide protests is bound up with its deep-rooted connections to American imperialism, which directly implicate it in the genocide in Gaza. A number of its multi-millionaire Board of Regents members are prominent operatives in the Democratic Party. As well, the university has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in firms involved in the manufacture and sale of drones, surveillance technologies and other weapons to the Israel Defense Forces. The Biden administration and the Democratic Party are just as responsible for the genocide in Gaza as Netanyahu. Indeed, nothing Israel is doing could be accomplished without the financial, military and political support of the White House. Under conditions in which over 1 million Palestinians face imminent starvation, Democrats and Republicans joined hands last week to block funding for UNRWA, the main UN agency providing aid. Particular contempt must be reserved for figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and Bernie Sanders. They mouth criticism of Netanyahu and Israel, but serve as the front-line defenders for the Biden administration and the Democratic Party. Young people outraged by mass slaughter must be adults, Ocasio-Cortez said, and support the administration that has made it all possible. The Gaza genocide is one front in an expanding world war spearheaded by US imperialism. The US and NATO are escalating their war against Russia over Ukraine, preparing to deploy Western troops against Russia and making clear that they are willing to incite nuclear war. Global war is inevitably connected to an escalating assault on democratic rights. The UM administrations threats against protests are part of a global phenomenon. As with similar attacks on anti-genocide protests at Harvard, Columbia, Brandeis and other US colleges, the university is under pressure from both big-business parties and the Biden administration to crush opposition. All of the imperialist and NATO governments are backing Israel and carrying out reprisals against the mass opposition to the genocide on college campuses. The IYSSE, the student organization of the Socialist Equality Party, is building a mass, international, anti-war movement based on the working class. It is not a question of appealing to the governments of genocide enablers and corporate-financial oligarchs, but of fighting for workers power, an end to capitalism and the socialist reorganization of world economy. The attacks on democratic rights at UM must be opposed! The IYSSE unconditionally defends all opponents of Zionism and the Gaza genocide against reprisals or threats by the university administration. We call on all students, faculty and university workers to oppose this witch-hunt and uphold democratic rights. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 28. Uzbekistan and France expressed interest to further deepen and expand cooperation in various areas, Trend reports. The discussion occurred during a meeting between Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov and French Ambassador to Uzbekistan Aurelia Bouchez. The sides reviewed current investment, trade-economic, and financial cooperation issues, such as the status of previously agreed-upon projects in energy, agriculture, water supply, transportation, tourism, mining, and other sectors, as well as organizational plans for significant joint events in 2024. The economic turnover between Uzbekistan and France was $191 million during January and February 2024. Exports totaled $140.6 million during this time period, with imports totaling $50.5 million. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 28. Uzbekistan and the US exchanged views on topical international and regional matters, including the situation in Afghanistan, Trend reports. The discussion took place at a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with US delegations headed by Senator Steve Daines and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee, Congressman Mike Rogers on March 27. The parties talked about developing a strategic cooperation and expanding their multifarious interactions in order to further boost Uzbekistan-US relations. Both countries acknowledged the recent accomplishment of a high degree of bilateral cooperation, the continued active contacts, and the visitation exchange. The Uzbek President has praised the inter-parliamentary interaction, particularly the work of the US Congressional Caucus on Cooperation with Uzbekistan. The volume of mutual trade turnover is increasing and grew by 30 percent by the end of 2023. The number of successfully operating US companies in the Uzbek market is also growing. For example, the activity of the Air Products Company, which implements investment projects worth over $10 billion in Uzbekistan, was mentioned. The ongoing active practical involvement with US politicians representing the states of Montana, Alabama, Washington, California, and Texas has received particular notice. Education, agriculture, digital technology, mining, green energy, medicines, the food industry, and other sectors are promising avenues for collaboration. An arrangement was reached to set up business missions to Uzbekistan from US regions. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 28. Uzbekistan and China discussed the promotion of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-China railroad construction project, Trend reports. The discussion took place at a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a delegation from China headed by chairman of the people's government of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Erkin Tuniyaz. The sides discussed priority areas for further expansion of Uzbek-Chinese multifaceted cooperation, including the development of practical interaction between Uzbekistan's regions and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The current highest level of Uzbek-Chinese relations of friendship and all-weather strategic partnership has been noted with deep satisfaction. Uzbekistan's trade turnover with the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is growing; this region currently accounts for about 10 percent of mutual trade between the countries. The portfolio of investment projects with leading companies from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amounts to $3.5 billion and covers such areas as green energy and electrical industry, construction sector and production of new types of building materials, metallurgy, modernization of infrastructure, and others. A program of cultural exchange is being actively implemented. The Uzbek President emphasized the importance of enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and accelerating joint projects. A number of priority areasinnovative technologies, agriculture and water management, transportation and logistics, banking and financial sector, education, traditional medicinehave been outlined. Uzbekistan will actively participate in the China-Eurasia Expo annually held in Urumqi. During the meeting, the parties also discussed in detail the development of humanitarian and tourism ties. Inside the Memory Card Murders that took the lives of Alaska Natives Kathleen Jo Henry and Veronica Abouchuk Mark Thiessen/AP Photo; Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP Brian Smith With nothing else to do for the evening, Valerie Casler was hanging out near a grocery store in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sept. 19, 2019, when a man with a foreign accent pulled up in a black Ford Ranger and asked her if she wanted to go for a drive. Casler, who was homeless and addicted to drugs at the time, climbed into the truck for what became an hours-long cruise through the city streets. When the driver pulled over at a gas station and went inside to withdraw cash, she reached across the center console and pocketed his phone. Later that night, back at the tent where she was staying, she opened the phone and was horrified by what she discovered: dozens of graphic photos and videos of a naked woman being beaten and strangled in a hotel room that looked familiar to Casler. I had been up drinking and getting high for like two weeks straight, Casler, 52, testified about seeing the images in an Anchorage courtroom on Feb. 7. And then I turned it on, and I was sober in less than five minutes. Casler downloaded the disturbing images on a memory card, which she later admitted she had stolen, and labeled it Homicide at midtown Marriott. Ten days later, she turned the data over to police, unleashing an investigation that led to the arrest of a South African immigrant on suspicion of murdering two Alaska Native women. Investigators had analyzed the footage of a man boasting and taunting his victim. In my movies, he says in one chilling sequence, everyone dies. What are my followers going to think of you? People need to know when they are being serial-killed. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Authorities say the face of the assailant who made the video is never seen on camera. But in a lucky break, one of the detectives who viewed the footage instantly recognized the mans distinctive accentas well as the black pickup truck that Casler told police he had drivenas belonging to a person involved, but never charged, in a previous case: South Africa-born Brian Smith, who had recently become a U.S. citizen. Kathleen Henry/Facebook; Anchorage Police Department/Facebook Kathleen Jo Henry; Veronica Abouchuk During an eight-hour police interrogation on Oct. 8, 2019, Smith, who was arrested at Anchorage airport as he returned from a vacation in Washington, D.C., initially claimed that he didnt remember the violent incident seen on the video but eventually admitted that, after a night of drinking, he found the body of a woman later identified as Kathleen Jo Henry, 30, in the bed of his truck. After a bathroom breakduring which Smith told a trooper who escorted him that he was going to make you guys famousSmith confessed to murdering another woman he had met on the streets of Anchorage, 52-year-old Veronica Abouchuk, who, like Henry, had experienced homelessness and addiction. And in a further shocking admission, Smith told police that he took a photo of himself fondling the womans corpse and shared it with a female friend. For more on the Alaska Murder case, subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday. AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Veronica Abouchuk's sister Rena Sapp After a two-and-a-half week trial that was delayed by the COVID lockdown, a jury earlier this year found Smith, 53, guilty of 14 crimes, including first-degree murder, sexual assault, tampering with evidence and misconduct involving a corpse in the deaths of Henry and Abouchuk. The criminal justice system does not always provide all of the answers, but we believe that a just verdict has been reached, Anchorage District Attorney Brittany Dunlop and Deputy District Attorney Heather Nobrega told PEOPLE after the Feb. 22 conviction. Smith will be held accountable for heinous crimes against some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They were kind and unique women, loved and valued by their families. Smith, who faces a mandatory 99 years in prison, is scheduled for sentencing in July. The women lostAbouchuk and Henryare both greatly missed by their communities. A mother of four, Abouchuk was raised in the tiny village of St. Michael, Alaska, before moving to Anchorage. She was a wonderful woman. She had a really big heart, and not a mean bone in her body, says her older sister Margaret Lestenkof, 62, who often left her two daughters in Abouchuks care when they were younger. Despite sometimes sleeping on the street, Abouchuk kept in contact with friends and family and regularly showed up unannounced at her sisters house on holidays. AP Photo/Mark Thiessen activist Natasha Gamache But on Thanksgiving of 2018 she was a no-show. That was weird, recalls Lestenkof. Authorities say Smitha maintenance worker at an Anchorage hotel who had moved to Alaska in 2014 to marry a woman he had met online, Stephanie Bissland, 73met Abouchuk and offered her warm food and a warm place to sleep while his wife out of town in August of 2018. Related: A Woman Stole a Phone from a Man's Truck. It Contained Graphic Images of a Murder, Leading to 2 Convictions Back at his house, Smith told police, he asked Abouchuk to take a shower. When she refused, Smith retrieved a .22 pistol from his garage and shot her in the head, he said. Police searched his house and found the gun as well as a thumb drive with deleted, but recoverable, video clips of Abouchuk before and after her death. Her decomposed head was found beside a highway by a pair of mushroom pickers on April 10, 2019, and identified with dental records. Months later, Henrywho grew up in Eek, Alaska, earned a G.E.D. and was known to write poetrywas anticipating a brief respite from homelessness when she joined Smith for a stay at a midtown Anchorage hotel on Sept. 4, 2019. At Smiths trial, jurors were shown hard-to-watch footage of Smith torturing her there. Just take it. You live. You die...you live. You die, he said in the video as he alternated between applying pressure to Smiths throat and then releasing it. A coroner later determined her cause of death to be asphyxiation by strangulation. Im glad Smith was convicted and cant ever hurt another woman, says Natasha Gamache, an advocate for Native Alaska women, who attended a hearing in Smiths case to show support for the victims families. Im glad the criminal justice system here got it right, because they frequently get it wrong. Native Alaska women are considered invisiblebut were not. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Tonight on The Amazing Race, teams climb the stairs to the top of El Penon de Guatape in Colombia to find their clue and begin the third leg of the race. This episode titled Its Not Over Til Phil Sings airs Wednesday, March 27 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS. Phil Keoghan hosts. Here are the teams still in contention: Amber & Vinny (dating), Angie & Danny (mother/son), Anthony & Bailey (twin brothers), Derek & Shelisa (married), Juan & Shane (best friends), Kishori & Karishma (cousins), Michelle & Sean (married), Ricky & Cesar (dating), Rod & Leticia (married), Sunny & Elizabeth (best friends) and Yvonne & Melissa (dating). More from GoldDerby SEE The Amazing Races Chris and Mary: We wanted to make it to the second Pit Stop Follow are full live blog recap below. 9:30 p.m. Previously, on The Amazing Race! In the Episode 2, teams continued the megaleg in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they chose between detours that prepared them for a fiesta. Married couple Rod & Leticia maintained their lead, finishing in first for the second week in a row. Father/daughter duo Chris & Mary hit the pit stop last and became the second team eliminated from the race. Lets continue the race! 9:35 p.m. The remaining teams are heading to Colombia, where they will depart in three groups leaving every 15 minutes. This is the first time The Amazing Race has visited Guatape, Colombia, a place thats been called the most colorful town in the world. Today the teams will go on an Expedia-designed adventure, visiting some of Colombias most amazing destinations. Group 1 consists of Rod & Leticia, Ricky & Cesar and Derek and Shelisa. Theyll climb the stairs of El Penon de Guatape to find their next clue. 9:40 p.m. These stairs are no joke and Ricky & Cesar reach the top first. The clue is a Detour. Bandeja Paisa requires teams to cook a savory dish before being judged on its presentation by a trio of local abuelas, grandmothers whove made this dish hundreds of times. Yipao requires teams to local jeep. When the proud owner feels theyve been properly packed, theyll hand over the next clue. Physically exhausted from their hikes up the stairs, the top teams all decide theyd rather cook than complete another physical challenge. As they take off Group 2 heads up the stairs. They all choose the cooking challenge as well before Group 3 (consisting of Anthony & Bailey, Sunny & Elizabeth, Kishori & Karishma and Michelle & Sean) finally start this leg. 9:55 p.m. Teams from the last group begin reaching the top of the stairs led by Sunny & Elizabeth. The women are the first team to choose loading the Yipao and the twin brothers join them. The other two teams choose to cook. Ricky & Cesar are the first team to find their cooking station and begin following their recipe. Cesar is a chef so this should be no problem for him. Meanwhile, Juan & Shane and Amber & Vinny are making up a lot of time, closing the gap between themselves and Group 1. Theyre actually the second and third teams to reach their cooking stations. Juan is a native of Colombia who came to the United States when he was seven years old, so hes well-versed in this dish, claiming he makes it all the time with his wife at home. At the back of the pack, Michelle & Sean decide to switch detours and pack the truck. Meanwhile, disaster strikes for Angie & Danny when their boat refuses to start. 10:10 p.m. Angie & Dannys boat finally starts, but not before a couple of teams pass them. Ricky & Cesar serve the abuelas a delicious meal and are the first team to get their next clue. Theyll race to El Cordero de Guatape, where theyll take a taxi to their next clue. Back at the cooking station, Kishori & Karishma are a little concerned because neither have cooked meat. One is a vegetarian and one is a vegan. Once they pass the cooking station, Sunny & Elizabeth decide to switch Detours and cook alongside the other teams. Next, Shelisas attention to detail causes a problem. She thought she was supposed to cook one cup of rice and split it amongst the plates, but she needs one cup of rice per plate. Shell have to waste a lot of time cooking more rice. Its interesting that the two teams in last place (Anthony & Bailey and Michelle & Sean) have both chosen the opposite Detour as everyone else. This could make or break them. 10:15 p.m. The two teams in back reach the truck-loading station and soon realize this is a monumental task. We should have cooked, one says and the other replies, What did we get ourselves into? At this point these two teams might simply be racing each other for last place. Im not sure how this episode has been edited, but it seems like an eternity since Ricky & Cesar left in first place. Finally, Rod & Leticia take their plates up for judgement, but the abuelas turn them back, saying everything looks disorganized. Derek & Shelisa take their plates up and pass with flying colors, launching themselves into second place. 10:30 p.m. Realizing their Detour required brains, not just brawn, Anthony & Bailey and Michelle & Sean both switch Detours and join everyone else in the cooking challenge. The twins look deflated when they arrive saying, This one looks even worse. They go BACK to the vans to start loading again. These two are ridiculous. Meanwhile, Rod & Leticia take off in third place with Juan & Shane in fourth. Meanwhile, we finally see Ricky & Cesar reach tonights Road Block: Whos Feeling Picky? One member of each team must collect ripe cherries, process one kilogram of them through a husking machine, removing their skin. Once complete, the scale will tip, revealing their next clue. At the back of the pack, in an UNBELIEVABLE twist, Anthony & Bailey have decided to switch Detours AGAIN and go back to the cooking station. Ive never seen anything like this. 10:45 p.m. Casa Loma Finca Cafetera is the Pit Stop for this leg of the race and Ricky & Cesar are on their way! The next few teams have reached the Road Block but appear to be racing for second. Ricky & Cesar reach Phil in first place, winning a five-night trip for two to Cape Town, South Africa. See the full results of this leg of the race below. Back at the Detour, Michelle & Sean have completed the cooking task, leaving Anthony & Bailey in last place. Up at the Road Block, Vinny kills the task and passes everyone in front of him, putting him and Amber in second place, up five spots from last week. 11:00 p.m. Anthony & Bailey have finally finished the Detour and head out to the Road Block. Will they actually be able to pull off a miracle and survive this week? Just two teams are at the cherry-picking Road Block. Angie has been slowly working away when Michelle & Sean arrive. Theyve got a good lead on Anthony & Bailey, but Seans fear of height kicks in and he refuses to climb down the hillside. Im a little shocked anyone with a fear of height this bad would even apply for The Amazing Race. Eventually Michelle convinces him to come down. That would have been a terrible way to leave this race. Angie finishes and she and her son find their way to the Pit Stop. Two teams remain. They both complete the task, but Michelle & Sean arrive first. That means twin brothers Anthony & Bailey have been eliminated. Leg 3 results: 1. Ricky & Cesar 2. Amber & Vinny 3. Derek & Shelisa 4. Juan & Shane 5. Rod & Leticia 6. Yvonne & Melissa 7. Sunny & Elizabeth 8. Kishori & Karishma 9. Angie & Danny 10. Michelle & Sean 11. Anthony & Bailey (eliminated) Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why? Best of GoldDerby Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are the newest British celebrities up for knighthood and damehood in the United Kingdom for their services to the film industry, according to The Associated Press. The newly Oscar-winning director and producer of Oppenheimer took home best picture at this years Academy Awards for their J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic, starring Cillian Murphy. The film won six other awards that night, including best actor for Murphy, supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and directing for Nolan, among others. The acclaimed filmmaker had previously been nominated for Memento, Inception and Dunkirk. More from The Hollywood Reporter Typically, the news of who will be receiving the honor of knighthood and damehood is announced at the beginning of the year and on King Charles IIIs birthday, since he is the one who does the knighting. However, the honor is sometimes awarded after special achievements, which would explain why Nolan and Thomas are getting it a few weeks after winning their Oscar. The knighting often takes place at a formal awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace by a U.K. monarch in person. However, with King Charles currently taking a break from royal duties as he receives cancer treatment, its difficult to know when the married couple and producing partners will receive their honors. Nolan and Thomas first met at the University College London, where they were both studying. Together, they run their production company, Syncopy, and have four children. Through the company, they have produced many of the filmmakers biggest hits, including the Batman trilogy, The Prestige, Interstellar and Tenet. During Nolans Oscars best director speech, he thanked Thomas, the producer of all our films and all of our children. Similarly, during her acceptance speech for best picture, she shouted out her husband. I have been dreaming about this moment for so long, but it seemed so unlikely that it would actually ever happen, she said at the time. The reason this movie was the movie it was, was Chris Nolan. He is singular, he is brilliant, and I am so grateful to you. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Five months after their wedding was postponed due to a powerful hurricane, Wagmeister and Michael Sigall tied the knot in Mexico in front of 95 guests ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. Stormy weather couldnt keep CNNs Elizabeth Wagmeister from marrying the love of her life. Wagmeister and her groom-to-be Michael Sigall had originally planned to wed in October 2023 in Cabo, Mexico a location that they felt had been meant to be not only because it was a magical setting and the food was incredible, but because they had each separately told their friends that they envisioned themselves getting married there. But fate and the weather had other plans. The pair had already been on location ready to say I do alongside their families when a powerful hurricane swept through the area, cutting off electricity at their hotel and evacuating nearby ones. They decided to cancel the wedding 48 hours before guests arrived and postponed the celebration until March. ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. In the world of breaking news, I always have to be ready to switch plans on a whim, so this wasnt totally unusual for me, Wagmeister tells PEOPLE In fact, it gave us 5 extra months to look forward to the wedding and it was well worth the wait. It was truly the weekend of our dreams. Related: All the Celebrity Weddings of 2023 They were both very calm and matter of fact and came to the conclusion that trying to force the wedding to happen amidst a hurricane wasnt going to allow for the entire outdoor experience they had been envisioning during the months of planning, says their planner, Lynette Dow, owner of Lynette Dow Events. Once the difficult decision was made, the stress dissipated, and everyone jumped into action to reschedule venues, vendors, hotel and guests all was handled in three hours! Instead, the couple wed in a small, private ceremony at home in LA in front of their families with a rabbi, before they jet off to Cabo in March once again for their wedding celebration. On March 17th, the pair tied the knot at the Acre Resort in Los Cabos. Wagmeister noted that she wanted the celebration to have a more laid-back vacation vibe so their families and friends could have fun. ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. It was very important to us to have a fun weekend away with all of our friends and family. We both have such demanding careers, and all of our friends have such busy lives that we wanted to make the weekend count for everyone, Wagmeister shares. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. For her walk down the aisle, the bride wore a simple and sleek Elizabeth Fillmore gown with jewels provided by her dear friend Zameer Kassam who also designed the couples wedding bands, which are inscribed with personal messages to each other and symbols that represent their love story. I always knew that I wanted a simple and sleek dress, and my bridal inspo was Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy," she says. "My day-to-day style tends to be more classic and understated, but I still wanted to make an entrance on my wedding day." ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. The wedding was officiated by Sigalls best friend Daniel, who infused Jewish traditions into their wedding including. Before we went to Cabo, we were already technically married at least, on paper in a private ceremony at home by my familys rabbi who signed our Jewish marriage license, which is called a ketubah, she says. But we still wanted to bring Jewish traditions to Cabo, like breaking the glass and dancing to the hora, which is a Jewish dance where the newly married couple is hoisted in the air on chairs. Related: Wedding Cake Experts Reveal the Biggest New Trends from Maximalist Designs to Sheet Cakes (Exclusive) The pair hand wrote their own vows and both cried while reading them, Wagmeister shares. Though, she noted that there were also quite a few hurricane anecdotes in our vows referring to their postponed wedding. ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. As for the reception, they had a family-style dinner so that everyone could try everything including fish, braised beef and roasted chicken. "The cheddar biscuits with honey butter were so delicious, my aunt told me she had five of them before dinner even started. Many guests said this was the most food they had ever eaten at a wedding, which made us very happy! They also had a cocktail hour, which Wagmeister recalled was one of the most memorable moments of the entire wedding weekend, as they had a classical Spanish guitar player playing live music and guests got to try signature cocktails in their name the Michael Mezcalita and the Liz Spritz. The pair also opted for a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting Sigalls favorite dessert. The couple, who met on Hinge during the pandemic and got engaged on Dec. 17, 2022, swayed to an acoustic version of Feel So Close by Calvin Harris for their first dance. ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. We started with a slow dance, which then transitioned into us jumping up and down as the DJ remixed the song into the techno version of the song, Wagmeister recalls. We yelled for all of our guests to join the dance floor and it took them about two seconds to do so. Watching back the videos, we know we will never forget this moment with all of our friends and family dancing around us. It was pure joy and pure fun. The pair said they got to do things a bit out of order, having already honeymooned on the beaches in the Maldives and Bali in November. However, it didnt matter how they did things, as long as they did them together. We both have very similar values, and nothing is more important to us than family. Even though I have a job that requires hair and makeup every day, Ill always choose a night at home in sweatpants on the couch over a Hollywood work event, Wagmeister says. ALEXA COLLINS, DUDETTE PHOTOGRAPHY CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister marries Michael Sigall on March 17 in Los Cabos. She adds, We love to cook dinner together and dance around to music in the kitchen and be silly. Now we get to do that for the rest of our lives, and its comforting to know that when we come home from work, we get to be with each other. Wagmeister adds that she feels lucky to spend her life with Sigall. We both have very busy careers myself as a journalist, and my husband as an attorney so dating was not easy because neither of us has very much free time. As a woman, it was always very important to me to have my own identity, and Im glad that I did not meet Michael until I had enough life experience both ups and downs to really appreciate what he brought to my life, which is a supportive partner and best friend who complements everything that I already had. Ive worked very hard for my career, my friendships and my financial independence, and the truth is, I had a very full life before getting married. Knowing that makes this moment that much sweeter. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised. In May 2019, authorities arrested former NYPD cop Valerie Cincinelli for the alleged murder-for-hire plot. The accused talked to her boyfriend and asked him to hire a hitman. As per reports, she asked her boyfriend to murder her estranged husband. Moreover, she also told her boyfriend to kill his daughter. Dateline NBC will feature the case in this weeks episode. The episode, titled Hit List, will air on the network on Friday, March 29, at 9 p.m. ET. As per NBC 4 New York, the former police officer gave her boyfriend $7000 in cash to hire a hitman for the slayings. She wanted him to give the money to the hitman to accomplish the mission. However, her boyfriend contacted the police and became a confidential source, per The New York Times. The publication mentioned that the source recorded his conversations with Valerie Cincinelli in which she admitted that she wanted the duo mentioned above dead. The New York Times also indicated that she anxiously talked about getting caught by the authorities in one of the conversations. Subsequently, police made a detailed plan to catch Cincinelli and told her that her estranged husband was dead. They also showed a picture of the crime scene to Cincinelli. After meeting the authorities, Valerie Cincinelli asked her boyfriend to delete all their conversations. Later that day, police arrested her. Valerie Cincinellis alleged murder-for-hire plot explored Valerie Cincinelli was apprehended for the murder-for-hire plot and use of interstate commerce for murder-for-hire. However, the court dismissed the murder-for-hire plot after she took a plea deal, reported The New York Times. The outlet noted that the relationship between Cincinelli and her estranged husband was tumultuous, which led to them filing for divorce. Moreover, the duo had restraining orders against each other. The publication mentioned that Valerie Cincinelli got irritated with her boyfriends daughter because he always gave her expensive presents. She even described his daughter as sexually promiscuous. While appearing in the initial hearing, Valerie Cincinelli apologized to the court and admitted what she did was wrong. However, the accused pleaded guilty and subsequently received a sentence of 48 months in prison, per CBS News. The post Dateline NBC: How Was NYPD Cop Valerie Cincinelli Caught? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Dateline NBCs episode titled Hit List will look into ex-NYPD officer Valerie Cincinellis alleged murder-for-hire plot. According to The New York Times, Cincinelli allegedly enlisted her then-boyfriend John DiRubba to hire a hitman to kill her estranged husband Isaiah Carvalho Jr. in 2019. She allegedly also intended to get DiRubbas teenage daughter murdered. The upcoming episode will air on the network this Friday, March 29, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. Per the outlet, prosecutors alleged Cincinelli was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle with Carvalho when she gave DiRubba $7,000 in February 2019. The money was to hire a hitman to kill her estranged husband as well as DiRubbas daughter, whom she grew resentful of. Instead, DiRubba informed the FBI about the scheme and became their source. Eventually, the FBI made Carvalho fake his own death as part of a sign operation, which led to her arrest. In April 2021, Valerie Cincinelli pleaded to one count of obstruction of justice stemming from the alleged unsuccessful murder-for-hire. CBS News reported that she received a 48-month sentence in federal prison in October of that year. Federal prison records show that Cincinelli was released on October 12, 2022. Did Valerie Cincinellis estranged husband, Isaiah Carvalho, fake his own death? CBS News reported that Valerie Cincinellis now ex-husband, Isaiah Carvalho, claimed the FBI made him fake his death as part of a sting operation. Carvalho said they staged a crime scene to make it seem like someone had attacked him. Per The New York Post, Carvalho told Inside Edition, [FBI agents] took glass and they put it all over on the floor. They told him to sit in the car and to hunch over into the passenger seat. Carvalho described the operation as absolutely insane. He said, It was the craziest thing I ever had to experience. According to The New York Times report, authorities contacted Cincinelli to inform her about Carvalhos murder investigation. An undercover FBI agent, posing as the hitman who killed her estranged husband, then sent a photograph of the staged crime scene to her boyfriend, John DiRubba. The latter shared the photograph with her. Cincinelli then contacted DiRubba to arrange alibis and allegedly told him to delete messages from his phone. In May 2019, authorities arrested her into custody and charged her with the use of interstate commerce for murder for hire. This resulted in Cincinellis suspension from the NYPD without pay. Then, in March 2021, she later resigned from the police department. John DiRubba had previously contacted the feds and informed them about Valerie Cincinellis alleged murder-for-hire plot. In February 2019, Cincinelli had allegedly asked DiRubba to hire a hitman to kill her estranged husband, Isaiah Carvalho. The two were in the middle of a contentious divorce and custody battle at the time. Moreover, she wanted the hitman to kill DiRubbas teenage daughter after growing resentful of the girl. Cincinelli allegedly gave DiRubba $7000, which he then converted into gold coins to pay the hitman. However, DiRubba got in touch with the FBI and became a source for them. He recorded incriminating conversations between them in the following months. In those conversations, Cincinelli allegedly discussed in detail her supposed murder-for-hire scheme. The outlet reported that prosecutors dismissed the two counts of murder-for-hire against Valerie Cincinelli as part of her plea deal. The New York Post stated that Isaiah Carvalho slammed the deal, calling it a free pass for Cincinelli. Carvalho told the court, I truly believe she will find someone to finish the job [when she gets out]. In April 2021, Cincinelli pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice and received a four-year prison sentence. Per CBS, at the time of her sentencing, she had already served 30 months in prison and has since been released. Dateline NBCs episode on the case against Valerie Cincinelli for alleged murder-for-hire plot airs on March 29, 2024. The post Dateline NBC: Is Valerie Cincinelli Still in Prison for Allegedly Plotting Husbands Murder-for-Hire? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark cashed in nearly a whopping $2 million for simply fulfilling their royal duties last year. An official finance report published by the Danish Palace Tuesday shows that the majority of the couples income paid for by the state covered their housing and staff costs. It also covered other dependent members of the Danish royal family. King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark cashed in nearly a whopping $2 million for simply fulfilling their royal duties last year. PPE/SIPA/Shutterstock Of the nearly $2 million they raked in, $323,000 was set aside as a grant for Mary, who was the Crown Princess at the time ahead of Queen Margrethe IIs abrupt abdication in January. This left them with just under $415,000 to spend on leisure travel, shopping, and personal expenses. Margrethe, who stripped her youngest sons family of their royal titles before her abdication, received an eye-watering sum of $8.4 million, with a private allowance of $5.7 million, in 2023. Frederik and Mary will be looking to cash in even more this year. The pair are also owners of a luxury ski lodge in Switzerland, which they list on AirBnB for up to $20,000 per week. The Danish royal familys appanage system is set to be challenged by the government, which hopes to overhaul the current arrangement, according to local outlet DR News. The majority of the couples income paid for by the state covered their housing and staff costs. MEGA This means that the royal familys finances will be more transparent to the public, and will indicate the exact amount the royal household is given, as well as how they choose to divvy up the sum. Unlike the British royals, the Danish royal family does not need to pay taxes. Frederik and Mary ascended to the throne after Queen Margrethe third cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II revealed in her New Years speech on Dec. 31 that she would be stepping down on Jan. 14. Of the nearly $2 million they raked in, $323,000 was set aside as a grant for Mary. Getty Images While royal experts believe that Margrethes decision to abdicate early was to make way for a younger ruler, others have wondered if the announcement was a way to preserve the princes relationship with his wife, Crown Princess Mary, amid affair rumors. Frederik, 55, was speculated to have been unfaithful to the Australian-born marketing consultant, 51, with socialite Genoveva Casanova after photos emerged of them together during a trip to Madrid in November. However, he has vehemently denied the claims. Queen Margrethe announced her abdication in a New Years address. AP Just days after taking over the reins from his mother, Frederik released a surprise royal book in which he details his marriage to Mary. In the new book, titled The Kings Word, Frederik seemingly referenced recent affair allegations about his marriage, saying hes happy that he and Mary managed to stay together. Wondering if Emergency NYC Season 2 would get a release date? Let us take you through all the procured details regarding the premiere schedule of season two of this series. Emergency NYC is a documentary series that showcases the tough life of New York Citys first medical responders. The healthcare professionals try their best to treat every ailing patient while also tending to their problems. Heres all the Emergency NYC Season 2 release date information we know so far, and all the details on when it is coming out. Is there an Emergency NYC Season 2 release date? Emergency NYC Season 2 does not have an official release date, but it will likely be announced in the future. Season one of Emergency NYC opened to positive reviews, with fans appreciating the way the showrunners chose to chronicle the personal and work struggles that medical professionals encounter. Despite the warm reception, there has been no update on a follow-up season to the series. There is a designated fanbase of Emergency NYC, which could prompt Netflix to soon announce their intentions with the show. However, at the time of writing, the producers are yet to provide an official release date for season two. The medical docuseries does not contain a traditional cast roster like other shows. Instead, it features real-life nurses, doctors, medical professionals, patients, and hospital administration who get involved in the covered cases. Only the personnel who have given their content to be filmed make an appearance on the show. Where is Emergency NYC Season 2 coming out? Emergency NYC Season 2 could come out on Netflix. This is because the series debuted on Netflix and is expected to premiere its second season there as well. The official synopsis for Emergency NYC reads: This gripping docuseries follows New York Citys frontline medical professionals as they balance the intensity of their work with their personal lives. With last weeks release of Immaculate starring Sydney Sweeney and The First Omen coming to theaters on April 5, it Movies Jon Mendelsohn 7 hours ago According to Deadline, Reservation Dogs star DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai has officially been cast for the leading role in Alex Garlands next Movies Maggie Dela Paz 8 hours ago Kathryn Newton takes viewers into the horrifying world of Radio Silences Abigail with a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming movies Movies Ryan Louis Mantilla 8 hours ago Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Good Times, an animated series serving as a sequel to the late Norman Lears TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 9 hours ago The post Will There Be an Emergency NYC Season 2 Release Date & Is It Coming Out? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of crypto exchange FTX, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding investors. Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York set the sentence today in a hearing in New York Federal Court. He said the long sentence would serve as a deterrent, that Bankman-Fried had lied on the stand during his trial, and that he felt there was a risk of him repeating similar crimes. More from Deadline Speaking before the sentence, Bankman-Fried said what happened to FTX customers has been excruciating to watch. But, he said, I dont think the reasons for that have been properly told. The 31-year-old said he had made a series of bad decisions and thrown his life away. In November, the former crypto king was found guilty by a Manhattan jury of seven counts of fraud in a scheme that cost FTX customers over $10 billion. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said then it one of the biggest financial frauds in American history. Much of the money has been recovered. Prosecutors had asked for 40-50 years in prison for the 32-year old. Bankman-Frieds legal team is seeking a maximum of six and half years. Bernard Madoff was sentenced in 2009 to 150 years for a decades long Ponzi scheme that cost his investors about $20 billion. He died in prison. Bankman-Fried, who took the witness stand for four days during his trial, said that he never intended to commit fraud or cheat customers. He said FTXs implosion was due to a sharp decline in the crypto market (which has since recovered). Key testimony that cooked him came from three in his inner circle, including former girlfriend Caroline Ellison and FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who described how he used customer money from FTX to prop up his hedge fund, Alameda Research. It was a story that gripped the country. From Bankman-Frieds privileged upbringing in Stanford by two law school professors, his autism, the companys dozen young employees who lived in a luxury apartment building in the Bahamas. FTX was based there, having moved from Hong Kong during Covid. Bankman-Fried gave millions to philanthropic causes and was a top donor to mostly Democratic political campaigns and liberal groups. Celebrities and athletes from Tom Brady to Larry David, to Gisele Bundchen, Stephen Curry, Naomi Osaka, David Big Papi Ortiz, and Kevin OLeary endorsed FTX. MORE Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Azernews Elnur Enveroglu At a time when Europe's anti-Azerbaijani propaganda machine is experiencing a period of fiasco, their secret and open accomplices, who are always at their service, are looking for opportunities to act in different countries. Those forces are nourished by the financial support of both the Armenian diaspora and some shadow organizations of the West and carry out their aggressive policies in different ways. Last week's terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow gave such forces an incentive to launch their propaganda machine. The Armenian lobby in Russia and the network financed by Armenian oligarchs seemed to have an opportunity to turn the terrorist act into an anti-Azerbaijani and generally anti-Islamic campaign. Let's talk more about it Usually, terrorist and anti-Islamic ideas are first promulgated through specially funded media networks, and then it is transferred to the political agenda. The fact of boycotting Azerbaijanism and Islamic traditions is not only related to the events happening today. Such facts have long been one of the main goals of Western countries. For example, France, in addition to being the country that carries out the most intense propaganda against Islam, also captures more attention in daily headlines with its radical policy against Azerbaijan. Since 2023, the wrath of the West, Europe, and especially France, whose plans in the South Caucasus have been disrupted, has doubled and intensified anti-Azerbaijani activities through various networks. One of the main reasons for this is their inability to influence the political will of Azerbaijan, and as a result, they use the name of Armenia to accuse and put pressure on Azerbaijan in the international arena for inappropriate reasons. But how does Azerbaijan react to this? This point is very interesting, because in the truest sense of the word, Azerbaijan's unwavering stand against the biased positions of the European Union and some Western forces, especially President Ilham Aliyev's ability to overcome the pressures against Azerbaijan with his pragmatic political approach, irritates them even further. For example, one of the successful policies of Azerbaijan today is that it conducts a comprehensive policy in the world, and is able to implement a policy of mutual relations with both some Western countries and Russia, which has become an enemy phenomenon today. The deepening rifts between Armenia and Russia, which has completely devoted itself to the West, revealed that the Yerevan administration's political course is weak and that the West intends to use the South Caucasus states as a tool. Now Pashinyan's administration, which is dependent on only one side the West, is experiencing its most critical period in terms of its relations with the official Kremlin. As regards the mutual relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, this does not please the West at all. Unable to find any way out, the West and the Armenian diaspora again tried to attract the attention of the public through the media by programming the terrorist incident in Russia as a slander campaign aimed at Azerbaijan. It is no coincidence that Vladimir Solovyov, an active member of the network, exaggerates that the place where the terrorist act took place "belongs to ethnic Azerbaijanis". Such tragedies can happen anywhere, but Solovyov is illogically looking for a connection between Azerbaijanis and terrorism. Solovyov's television shows during the period of Armenian occupation of Azerbaijans Garabagh and the Second Garabagh War are well-recognized. Conducting political discussions with the so-called leaders of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh, Solovyov tried to express his anti-Azerbaijani position as much as possible. The duos of Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan were almost the stars of television programs with their pro-Armenian activities in the press. Nevertheless, it did not take long and Azerbaijans Patriotic War suddenly extinguished their star on the half way through. At the moment, V. Solovyov's execution of the orders of the Armenian lobby, media oligarchs such as Margarita Simonyan, Aram Gabrelyanov, Araksya Karapetyan, sabotage Russia's information policy in a networked manner and try to spoil relations with states are noteworthy in this regard. Aram Gabrelyanov, a media tycoon in Russia, is known for a long time as a person who carried out the propaganda of the separatist regime and had a scandal with Pashinyan's government. For this reason, the Armenian media magnate was declared a persona non grata by Yerevan. However, it seems that such propagandists, who continue to operate in Russia, are unable to speak based on facts. Although the Russian leadership issued a statement after the terrorist act and stated that "a terrorist does not have a religion or a nationality", such media dealers who are looking for only meaningless trivia are trying to target both the Islamic religion and Azerbaijan. However, lies have short legs. Solovyov's accusations against Azerbaijan and anti-Islamic propaganda were unsuccessful. Because the world is well aware that, unlike countries like France and the United States, Russia has never had Islamophobia. And people like Solovyov engage in open information diversion in the country where tens of millions of Muslims live. He and those who support him expose themselves with their primitive prisms just for the sake of creating agitation and try to defame the name of the entire Muslim world. However, it is no secret that, unlike Muslim citizens, Armenians have always betrayed the state and the people during Russia's difficult times. Today, the network's attempt to stir up ethnic and religious issues that are not unique to Russia is a continuation of treason. They are trying to spoil Russia's relations with Islamic countries by using this method of propaganda. This means risking the diplomatic reputation of Russia that is facing the West on many fronts. Armenia is already trying to part ways with Russia by leaning towards the West. As part of its treason, Armenia, which once took refuge in Russia as its patron, is selling Russia to the interests of the West, and in this regard, it wants to confront the official Moscow with the states by launching its propaganda machine. However, even if they initiate it, all attempts remain fruitless. Fox News contributor Leo Terrell lost his mind on Thursday when network pundit Jessica Tarlov invoked her Jewish-American heritage during a discussion about Israel and President Joe Biden, prompting an angry Terrell to seemingly accuse her of playing the race card. Dont do that! Terrell yelled, adding: Youre a big-time Democrat! Tarlov, who is used to being shouted down as the resident liberal on Fox News The Five, attempted to calmly respond to Terrell, only for the conservative firebrand to grow increasingly more animated. Why are you yelling? Tarlov asked at one point. During Thursdays broadcast of The Story, Terell and Tarlov were ostensibly brought on to discuss a high-dollar fundraiser planned for Biden that is expected to net the presidents re-election campaign upwards of $25 million. The conversation grew more heated, however, when guest anchor Trace Gallagher noted that pro-Palestinian protesters would likely interrupt the event. We just talked with Sen. Rick Scott, who is in Israel right now and he says listen, [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu told him he is not backing off, they are going into Rafah, Gallagher stated. And he will have these protests outside Radio City Hall by these pro-Palestinian supporters, and if Benjamin Netanyahu is accurate to his word I mean the president will have a very tough time trying to win those protesters over. Saying that Gaza is a big issue for Gen Z voters, Tarlov added that Biden is trying to find a solution where we have a humanitarian fix but also make sure Israel is allowed to finish the job and to get those hostages home. She added that Biden and Netanyahu ultimately have to do whats best for their own countries. A one-time progressive commentator who rechristened himself Leo 2.0 when he went full MAGA before the 2020 election, Terell took a decidedly less nuanced approach than his liberal cohost. Joe Biden has a Michigan policykowtow to the pro-Palestinian groups in America. He has abandoned Israel, Terrell exclaimed. Its not just Israel he abandoned! Jewish Americans attending universities! Lets be clear, Joe Biden will do anything to win Michigan [by] throwing our biggest ally under the bus, throwing Jewish Americans under the bus! Shame on Joe Biden! This is ridiculous! Its outrageous! Reacting to Terrells rant, Tarlov attempted to give her perspective as the only Jewish-American on the panel, only for her colleague to quickly interrupt her and lash out. Dont play thatdont do that! Dont do that! Thats not the point, he screamed, leading Tarlov to remind him that he broached Jewish Americans opinion on Biden first. Oh, okay! Youre a big-time Democrat, and youre going to defend Joe Biden notwithstanding the numbers, he raged at a bemused Tarlov. And you know he is throwing Israel under the bus! And hes thrown Jewish American students under the bus at all these universities! It's sickening! Gallagher, meanwhile, told Tarlov he would give her ten seconds to respond, leading her to patiently explain that while many Jewish Americans have issues with Bidens Israel policies, they also largely feel hes been a strong support of that country. I know he wants a solid fix and I know he also understands within Israel there are problems with Benjamin Netanyahus leadership, she continued. I think what youre saying is very dangerous, just like what President Trump was saying. Terrell, predictably, blew up once again. Dangerous! Dangerous, he shouted while pointing at himself. Why are you yelling? Tarlov wondered as Leo 2.0 flew into a full tantrum before Gallagher mercifully ended the segment. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief spoke with In The Land of Saints and Sinners star Liam Neeson. The Irish acting legend spoke about his talented co-stars, the films dark themes, and reflected on Nells 30th anniversary. In The Land of Saints and Sinners is out in theaters on March 29 from Samuel Goldwyn Films. Ireland, 1970s. Eager to leave his dark past behind, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) leads a quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, far from the political violence that grips the rest of the country, says the synopsis. But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, led by a ruthless woman named Doirean (Kerry Condon), Finbar is drawn into an increasingly vicious game of cat and mouse, forcing him to choose between exposing his secret identity or defending his friends and neighbors. Tyler Treese: I just love this scene early on in the film where you give a man a minute to say his last words. There are really heavy themes youre playing with here. You can see just the impact that it has on your character as well. Could you speak to just filming that sequence? I thought it really set the tone. Liam Neeson: Yeah, I think I did. And it was, I agree with you. I thought it was a lovely scene. It was certainly well written, and my co-actor Mark ORegan the fact that he burst into song was it wasnt in the original script. And it just really, it was just beautiful. His interpretation of that, rather than pleading for his life or whatever, or saying, Okay, I knew my time was gonna come, and then bursting into song. I remember that day very well. It was lovely. Getting to film this on Irish soil, how much did that kind of add into this experience? Because obviously such a great Irish cast and this is such an Irish story as well. Its got a Western sort of theme to it, too. It was great to get back with Rob Lorenz and Tom Stern, the director of photography and to do another film with my dear, dear friend Ciaran Hinds [who] Ive known for over 50 years. Kerry Condon, whos an actress I didnt know. Shes terrific. Young Jack Gleason. Just a really good cast. So every day, going to work was an absolute joy up in County Donegal which is sometimes known as the Forgotten County in Ireland, way up in the northwest of Ireland. Very rugged, very, very beautiful. That added something to the story of the turbulence maybe. Certainly, in the seventies and in the north of Ireland, it was a very, very turbulent period. Very violent period too. So the topography of Donegal seemed to add to that, you know? I did want to ask about working with Kerry Condon. She just gives you a stellar performance in this film, and you work so well off each other. What stood out about her as a scene partner? Just her commitment. Id seen that wonderful Martin McDonough film. She had done The Banshees of Inisherin and thought she was tremendous in it. And she was just one of those actresses just gets on with it. Really terrific to work with, you know what I mean? Just gets stuck in, you know. You mentioned Ciaran Hinds. I read that he said you were cooking for him every night on set. Are you a big cook? He was actually cooking for me, you know. Oh, I wash the occasional dish, you know. No, Ciarans a wonderful cook. He was being a smartass when he said I did. [Laughs] Thats very fun. You mentioned youve known him for around 50 years, and obviously worked together in Excalibur. How great is that to creatively reunite again and get to film these great scenes together? Its lovely. It really is. Its like you know, as I say, he is my dearest friend. Sometimes, not Ciaran, because hes too professional, but sometimes I crack up laughing a bit. Just because Im so enjoying myself acting with him, you know what I mean? This blew my mind, but the 30th anniversary of Nell is coming up this year. Jodie Foster who you starred opposite is just having such a great moment right now. Were seeing her really get her flowers. So I was curious what stood out about working with her in that filming experience? When you said 30 years, I thought you were gonna talk about Schindlers List. Oh my gosh. Is Nell 30 years old? Yeah. God where did we shoot that? North Carolina. And yeah, it was lovely. It was lovely. And Jodie, shes such a professional. My gosh, shes been doing this since she was six years of age. Shes having a moment you say? I dont know what that means. Shes in a TV series at this moment? Yeah, True Detective. Shes in Nyad recently too. Shes just really getting a lot of appreciation, which is great to see. Great, and a very good director too, Jodie. Especially for an industry you know, Hollywood that kind of, or at least used to, kick out actresses once they passed the age of 30 or 33. So then, my last question for you. Weve really gotten to see your sense of humor in some TV cameos, like Atlanta, Lifes Too Short, and Derry Girls. Youve got Naked Gun coming up. Whats most exciting about showing off your comedic chops throughout an entire film here? It has to be proven. Yeah. So Im slightly nervous of it. A little Stephen Colbert sketch or Ricky Gervais, Im okay because its short. But a whole film, well see. Well see. But its a good script. Akiva Schafer from the world of SNL is co-writing and hes the director. So well see. Were still in the casting process for the other parts, but the script, theres some very funny laugh out loud moments. The post Interview: Liam Neeson Talks Irish Thriller In The Land of Saints and Sinners appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. In the span of just five days, Ronna McDaniel has seen her career as a television pundit be both born then brutally executed for all the world to see. And while Jordan Klepper says he doesnt really give a shit, there is one issue it brings to light for The Daily Show correspondent and guest host. On Friday, NBC News announced that they had hired McDaniel as an on-air contributor, which resulted in an immediate backlash among many of the networks VIPs, including Morning Joes Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski and MSNBCs Rachel Maddow. McDaniel, the former Republican Party leader, has attempted to distance herself from efforts she made to overturn the 2020 election, however reports indicate her close ties to Donald Trump ahead of the violent insurrection as he attempted to maneuver his way back into the White House. By Tuesday, McDaniels deal was dead in the watera tenure that The Daily Show correspondent/guest host Jordan Klepper says equals less screen time than dead bodies on Law & Order get. This is sad for Ronna, Klepper shared on Wednesday, But also, I dont really give a shit. There are a lot more important things to worry about. I mean, P. Diddy is on the loose. He can be anywhere! Klepper said that while his care factor on the issue remained at zero, he noted the situation points to a larger question in America, which is: What should happen with the people who did January 6? Specifically, Klepper is concerned about how the narrative surrounding the insurrectionists has changed over the past three years. In the immediate aftermath of the events of Jan. 6, he explained, everyoneincluding Trump, at least publiclyclaimed that what happened at the Capitol was a bad thing and those who took part needed to be punished. And the good news is that justice did play out, Klepper notes. The fake electors were charged; Trump lawyers are being disbarred; hundreds of rioters were arrested and put in jail, and its still continuing today. While most of the world has moved on from the events of that day, Klepper says that Trump and his MAGA faithfulincluding Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)are rewriting the script, showing clips of the aforementioned calling the rioters of that day heroes and patriots and those who have been jailed hostages and prisoners of war. Reacting to this reversal, Klepper insisted, We cant normalize this. Do you remember when [Trump] wasted three months of our lives being mad at Colin Kaepernick for kneeling for the national anthem? Now hes saluting rioters [and] insurrectionists. But thats where we are now, Klepper continued. And Ronna McDaniel trying to get a job at NBC is just the latest example of Jan. 6ers trying to get back into the mainstream. Another example? Jacob Chansleythe so-called QAnon Shaman who became the painted face of January 6is running for Congress. The people who did January 6 are trying to get back in power, Klepper explains. If they lose, theyll do January 6 again. Hell, if they win, theyll probably still do January 6 again. Just for old times sake. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The late model and rock 'n' roll muse is remembered by the Rolling Stone, their son Marlon, Kate Moss and more in the official trailer for the documentary 'Catching Fire' Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures Anita Pallenberg, right, with Keith Richards and their son Marlon Keith Richards may have a reputation for his rockstar lifestyle in the 60s and 70s, but there was one person he admits that even he was trying to keep up with his ex, Anita Pallenberg. The 80-year-old Rolling Stone is among the late models inner circle who are offering an intimate look at the style icon and muse in the upcoming documentary, Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg. And PEOPLE has the exclusive first look at the official trailer. Were talking about a one off here, Keith says in the clip. Basically, I was trying to keep up with her most of the time and most of the time it was fun. The legendary guitarist is among those who can be heard against the backdrop of private home videos, offering a window into the private life he shared with the actress, who was his common-law wife and mother of three of his five children. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures Anita Pallenberg, right, with Keith Richards and their son Marlon But the trailer also features news footage of their headline-making lifestyle, which included a 1977 arrest in Toronto, Canada for drug possession. There was this sort of Bonnie and Clyde thing, Keith says, zooming off with cops in the trees. At one point their son Marlon Richards says, The police hauled her off to jail. It was very, very dark, adds Keith who, like his ex, struggled with substance abuse and addiction. Related: Keith Richards' Bandmates and Family Celebrate His 80th Birthday: 'Amazing Gentle Rock n Roll Blues Soul' Oscar winner Scarlett Johansson gives Anita a voice, narrating from the Italians unpublished memoir. In one excerpt, the actress who died in 2017 at the age of 73 writes, Ive been called a witch, a slut and a murderer. Maybe people confuse me with the characters Ive played. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures 'Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg' will be released in May She also recalls meeting the Rolling Stones in 1965, adding, My friends dared me to kidnap one of them. Instead, Anita dated one of the bands founding members, Brian Jones. It was a relationship marred by domestic abuse and, after a 1967 trip to Morocco, they broke up and she started dating Keith. They were a couple for the next 13 years and went on to have two sons and a daughter together Marlon in 1969, Angela in 1972, and Tara, a baby boy, who died in 1976. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures Anita Pallenberg, right, with ex-boyfriend Brian Jones who was a founding member of the Rolling Stones Their surviving children have contributed to Catching Fire, with Marlon acting as one of the executive producers. In the trailer, he remembers growing up with his parents, whose peers were fellow rock stars and celebs. He says, Keith would invite them over and they would stay all hours and it was her job to kick them out. Related: Keith Richards' 5 Children: Everything to Know Anitas influence transcended generations and later in life she became friends with Kate Moss who idolized her. She was everything you want a rock star to be. For me, everything you want a woman to be, the British model says. Anita was also a muse. I was bursting in love, says Keith who cowrote Honky Tonk Women, Wild Horses and Angie among other Rolling Stones hits with Mick Jagger, during their romance. Anita is in a lot of those songs. Shes a muse, Im sure. And not just for me. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures Anita Pallenberg died in 2017 at the age of 73 Catching Fire is a labor of love for Anitas family, who want to show a different side of the woman whom newspaper headlines have dubbed a rock n roll goddess, a voodoo priestess and an evil seductress at various times in her life. As for the directors Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill, they hope that her humor and theirs shines through a story thats unsparing at times. 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. Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg opens in the U.S. on May 3 and in the U.K. on May 17. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Queen Camilla attended Thursday's Royal Maundy Service on King Charles' behalf after he stepped back from public-facing duties following his cancer diagnosis Victoria Jones / POOL / AFP via Getty King Charles greets the Ambassador of Moldova at Buckingham Palace on March 28, 2024 King Charles held private audiences at Buckingham Palace after missing the Royal Maundy Service amid his cancer treatment. The King, 75, was pictured greeting ambassadors Epimeni Bapfinda of Burundi and Ruslan Bolbocean of Moldova separately on Thursday. Both men presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence. The monarch, whose cancer diagnosis was publicly revealed on Feb. 5, has been continuing with state business and official paperwork amid his treatment but has taken a step back from public-facing duties, causing him to miss the Royal Maundy Service, which takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter. Victoria Jones / POOL / AFP via Getty King Charles greets the Ambassador of Burundi, Epimeni Bapfinda, at Buckingham Palace on March 28, 2024 Related: King Charles 'Frustrated' amid Cancer Treatment and 'Pushing' to Work More, Says Nephew Peter Phillips Queen Camilla, 76, stepped in at Worcester Cathedral, distributing gifts of "Maundy Money" on behalf of herself and King Charles, giving 75 men and 75 women coin purses. The number of recipients signified the age of the King, and each person received one white pouch and one red pouch. The white purse featured custom silver Maundy coins while the red purse contained a 5 coin emblazoned with a Tudor Dragon and a 50 pence coin commemorating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution during its 200th anniversary this year. The Queen made history with the appearance, becoming the first consort to lead the ancient tradition, which the royal family traces back to 600 A.D. JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Camilla hands out Maundy Money at the Royal Maundy Service on March 28, 2024 Related: Kate Middleton and King Charles Bond amid Cancer Diagnoses: 'The Daughter He Never Had' (Exclusive) King Charles may not have attended the service, but he made sure to record an audio message that was played. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today," the monarch said in part. "The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart. It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other." 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! Samir Hussein/WireImage Queen Camilla before the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral on March 28, 2024. Despite the monarch missing Thursday's service in Worcester, the palace confirmed that he is set to attend the traditional Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle this Sunday. The event is understood to be smaller-scale than usual, following doctors' advice to limit the number of people the King should come in contact with during his cancer treatment. Both the King and his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, are currently undergoing cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales, 42, confirmed her diagnosis in a personal video message released last Friday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Real Housewives franchise is always a revolving door of faces each year some people are there for one season while others are the OGs. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills might be recruiting a new face because Kyle Richards shared a rather controversial choice. But we arent going to lie it would make for great TV! I have a new one, I think, the 55-year-old Bravo personality revealed on SiriusXMs Lets Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa. She lives in New York, but maybe she would move. Thats when Richards dropped a bombshell name: Hilaria Baldwin. Ripa and her co-host Jan Schillay thought it was a brilliant idea with Schillay chiming in, Theyre looking for a reality show. He told us. He told us. More from SheKnows Hilaria Baldwin and Alec Baldwin at the American Museum of Natural Historys 2023 Museum Gala held on November 30, 2023 in New York, New York. Ripa added, Wait, thats right. Wait a minute. Hang on. Alec Baldwin on this here podcast said they are looking for a reality show. Richards revealed that she first shared the idea with Alec a couple of years back. She added, I said something about it then, and then I was like, hes like, Oh, were living in New York, but I dont know. He said something about her in LA and I was like, Well, the doors open. While Ripa believes it would be amazing television there are quite a few people who arent exactly excited to see Hilaria on the popular series. One account on X referenced Alecs upcoming Rust trial and how it might feel out of tune with what Halyna Hutchins family feels after her death. Alec will be in court in july to answer justice about the death of Halyna I dont think the Halynas family wants to see him or his wife being in RHOBH like everything is ok, they wrote. And of course, theres the Hilary from Boston/Hilaria from Spain issue. The woman lied for years about being born in Spain and faking a Spanish accent. No thanks. We dont need a proven liar. We have enough of those in HW, a second Housewives fan noted. And one account hilariously pointed out that Beverly Hills cast member Dorit Kemsley already has an accent issue. Hilaria and Dorit accent battle, they wrote. It doesnt sound like viewers are confident that the Baldwin family is the right choice for the 90210, especially when Richards last recommendation, Annemarie Wiley, only lasted one season. Perhaps casting should be left to the Bravo TV producers. Before you go, click here to see the best reality TV shows on right now. '90 Day Fiance' Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Dan Jacobs, left, and Valentine Howell Jr. show their fourth-course dishes to the judges on Episode 2 of "Top Chef: Wisconsin." On Wednesday the first episode of "Last Chance Kitchen" dropped online, with two cheftestants going head-to-head to earn a spot on "Top Chef: Wisconsin." Notice it doesn't say get "back" in the main competition. That is because for the first time, "Top Chef" brought in a 16th cheftestant who could be introduced to the "Top Chef" competition for the first time if he wins all five "Last Chance Kitchen" battles. That new chef is Soo Ahn, executive chef at Adalina in Chicago. David Murphy, who was the first cheftestant eliminated, was not in the episode, and "Last Chance Kitchen" did not explain why Murphy was not back in the kitchen. Instead, Soo went against Valentine Howell Jr., who was eliminated in Episode 2, "Living the High Life." The challenge in "Last Chance Kitchen" was pretty much the opposite of what Howell and the cheftestants were asked to do in Episode 2, where the challenge was to take simple bar snacks and incorporate them in an elevated dish. "Last Chance Kitchen" host and judge Tom Colicchio gave Soo and Valentine high-end ingredients like lobster and caviar and asked them to make a comfort meal that would pair well with his beer. "Last Chance Kitchen" incorporated few scenes and flavors of where it was filmed, but the newcomer cooked up a very Wisconsin plate: a fish fry. "When I think of an ice old beer I think of fish and chips," Soo said. Instead of cod he used lobster, and he used Champagne in the breading. With the time restriction (30 minutes), Soo made crispy rice noodles for the "chips." Howell made a play on a New England lobster bake, with lobster, sausage, potatoes and a corn puree an attempt to redeem himself from the corn dish that handed him a loss and a spot in "Last Chance Kitchen." Despite having "really good flavors," Colicchio said, Valentine's corn puree was too thick, the same issue he had with his corn soup during the "Top Chef" challenge that he lost. This miss unfortunately made his dish Colicchio's least favorite, so he was sent home for good. Soo is staying, and four more wins on "Last Chance Kitchen" will earn him a spot on "Top Chef." To watch "Last Chance Kitchen," visit bravotv.com/last-chance-kitchen or stream on Peacock. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Last Chance Kitchen' brings in 16th cheftestant for the first time Justice is being served for at least one of the NYC women punched randomly while walking down the street earlier this week. Skiboky Stora of Brooklyn was arrested in connection to the attack of at least one NYC woman, Halley Kate, who shared her experience in a now viral TikTok video. The Man Who Punched Halley Kate In The Face Was Arrested! TikTok | Halley Kate Earlier this week, Halley shared her terrifying experience in a TikTok video to warn other women in the city to be alert. She shared multiple update videos after to share more of the story, with the most recent TikTok update explaining that the man who punched her was arrested. "I wasn't going to talk about this situation again but I do feel I have a responsibility to let the girlies of New York City know that the man who assaulted me has been arrested," she said. "The NYPD got surveillance footage from the stores where the scene of the crime happened." She explained that the police called her into the station to take a statement from her, and he was arrested on Wednesday, two days after the attack. Halley encourages the other women who were punched on the streets of New York to report it to police and give as much detail as possible. "I remembered barely anything and the police were still able to narrow it down," she continued. "That's the last and final update of this situation. Hopefully, girls out there stay safe." See video here. The Man Arrested Once Ran For NYC Mayor And Governor View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skiboky Shavar Stora (@skiboky_stora) Stora, 40, is a political candidate who ran for mayor, governor and City Council in the past few years. He's being charged with assault in connection with attacking TikTok content creator and influencer Halley. Stora was set to appear in Manhattan court on Wednesday morning for a previous arrest, according to court dockets. According to the New York Post, police have not revealed if Stora is a suspect in any of the other multiple random punching incidents on the streets of New York City earlier this week. The New York Post also reported that Stora made an unsuccessful City Council bid in District 9 last year, losing to Democrat Yusef Salaam, who was falsely convicted of raping a white woman, along with four other black teens, in Central Park. In 2022, he was a "withdrawn or disqualified" Republican gubernatorial candidate, according to Ballotpedia. Skiboky Stora's Instagram Followers Are Sharing Their Thoughts On His Previous Posts TikTok | Halley Kate After news of Stora's arrest broke, many of his Instagram followers took to the comment sections of his previously shared videos to leave their thoughts. "This the dude that punches women," one person wrote. Another said, "So here is the guy who acts tough but then has been going around NYC punching women in the face!" On another video, one person wrote, "Skiboky Stora punched a woman TikToker in the face two days ago and is now under arrested." Another person added, "'Freedom party' but hits women, what a joke." Halley Kate Wasn't The Only One Punched This Week TikTok | Mikaylatoninato Halley wasn't the only woman to get punched while walking in NYC this week. She's also not the only one to share her story on TikTok to warn others of the disturbing experience. Mikayla Toninato also shared her story after being randomly punched after leaving school. "So I just got punched in the face walking home. I was literally like leaving class, I turned the corner and I was looking down, and I was looking at my phone and texting. And then out of nowhere, this man just came up and hit me in the face," she said. "Im actually in shock right now. Im just like walking home because what else do you do?" Other women also shared their experiences on TikTok, including Olivia Brand, who explained in her video, "I literally just got punched by some man on the sidewalk. He goes, sorry, and then punches me in the head. It's unclear if Stora was involved in any of the other attacks at this time. NYPD News Gave An Update On X NYPD News shared an update about all the recent punching incidents on X, formerly know as Twitter. "The NYPD is aware of a viral video circulating on social media depicting a woman who was randomly assaulted in an unprovoked attack. The individual has been arrested and charged and is a criminal recidivist with an extensive criminal record," the announcement reads. "Your NYPD detectives were able to identify the man after he was previously arrested for similar attacks, only to be released back onto our streets. This incident will be his third arrest in the past six months. Your officers will continue to remain resilient in their efforts to stop violent criminals, ensuring the safety of our communities." Many shared their thoughts about the announcement. "Thank you for all you are doing to keep New Yorkers safe from these recidivist criminals and soft on crime politicians!" one person wrote. Another person shared a different view, "So what is the point to know that he has been arrested when he will be released again?" Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed the state's Right to Repair bill into law, and it even comes with a provision that potentially makes it stronger than California's and Minnesota's versions. It's the first to prohibit (PDF) a practice called "parts pairing," which requires the use of certain proprietary components for repair. Parts pairing prevents third-party repair services from replacing a broken component with one that didn't come from the brand itself, because it wouldn't work with the company's software. People would usually get error messages if they try to install an unauthorized part, forcing them to buy from the company itself. Under the new rules, preventing an independent provider from installing off-brand parts is prohibited. As is reducing the performance of a device that had been fixed with an unauthorized component. Even those error messages and warnings are not allowed. The ban on parts pairing doesn't cover devices that are already out, though, and will only be applicate for anything manufactured after January 1, 2025. While manufacturers like Apple seem to have changed their tune in recent years and now generally support the Right to Repair movement, Oregon's parts pairing provision was still a point of contention. Apple senior manager John Perry told lawmakers in a testimony that his company "agrees with the vast majority of Senate Bill 1596." However, it's also worried about the security implications of allowing the use of unauthorized parts, such as biometric sensors, for replacement. Regardless, the ban on parts pairing is now a rule under Oregon's law, along with making compatible parts available to device owners through the company or authorized service providers for favorable prices and without any "substantial" conditions. Companies are also required to make documentation on how to fix their devices, as well as any special tools needed to repair them, available to repair shops. These rules will apply to all phones sold after July 1, 2021 and to other consumer electronic devices sold after July 1, 2015. Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 is back with more adorable pit bulls who are rescued and rehabilitated by the Villalobos Rescue Center founded by Tia Maria Torres. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the centre is dedicated to diligently caring for pit bulls in need as well as finding them a new home most suitable for them, via their adoption facilities. The VRC is known for employing parolees to give them a fresh start. Heres how you can watch and stream Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 via streaming services such as HBO Max. Is Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 available to watch via streaming? Yes, Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max. Each episode of the show continues to highlight the daily operations of the Villalobos Rescue Center, and focus on the hardworking staff who put their best foot forward in making sure that the right care is being provided to the adorable pitbulls. They are then adopted by parolees who give the dogs their forever home. As always, Pit Bulls & Parolees features Tia Torres as the main host, her family members Mariah Torres, Tania Torres, along with other staffs of the VRC. Watch Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 streaming via HBO Max Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 is available to watch on HBO Max. Read on to find out how you can subscribe to HBO Max and get access to its vast and exciting catalogue of content from HBO as well as Warner Media. You can enjoy global favourites like the iconic epic fantasy Game of Thrones and its prequel series House of the Dragon, post-apocalyptic action thriller The Last of Us, the intense teen drama Euphoria and many more, only on HBO Max! You can watch via Max, formerly known as HBO Max, by following these steps: Go to HBOMax.com/subscribe Click Sign Up Now Choose your plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (with ads) $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year (ad-free) $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (ultimate ad-free) Enter your personal information and password Select Create Account Max With Ads provides the services streaming library at a Full HD resolution, allowing users to stream on up to two supported devices at once. Max Ad-Free removes the services commercials and allows streaming on two devices at once in Full HD. It also allows for 30 downloads at a time to allow users to watch content offline. On the other hand, Max Ultimate Ad-Free allows users to stream on four devices at once in a 4K Ultra HD resolution and provides Dolby Atmos audio and 100 downloads. Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 synopsis is as follows: Follow Tia Torres, founder of Villalobos Rescue Center, and her family as they rehabilitate both felons and ill-reputed pit bulls who come together to rescue one another from their dim pasts, and bring new meaning to life. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. With last weeks release of Immaculate starring Sydney Sweeney and The First Omen coming to theaters on April 5, it Movies Jon Mendelsohn 6 hours ago According to Deadline, Reservation Dogs star DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai has officially been cast for the leading role in Alex Garlands next Movies Maggie Dela Paz 7 hours ago Kathryn Newton takes viewers into the horrifying world of Radio Silences Abigail with a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming movies Movies Ryan Louis Mantilla 7 hours ago Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Good Times, an animated series serving as a sequel to the late Norman Lears TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 8 hours ago Read more The post Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 15 Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via HBO Max appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Tia Maria Torres returns for Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 as she and her team at the Villalobos Rescue Center continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome stray pitbulls in need. The VRC is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is one of the largest rescue centres for dogs in the country, dedicated to finding new homes for the dogs, and giving them the care they need. The VRC is known for employing parolees for giving the dogs a fresh start. Heres how you can watch and stream Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 via streaming services such as HBO Max. Is Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 available to watch via streaming? Yes, Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max. In Season 17, we get to meet several new adorable pitbulls who are rescued by the VRC. The episodes explore the emotional stories of each of the dogs and how they are desperately in need of the care that the VRC workers diligently provide. It highlights the day to day operations of the centre and focus on the dedicated staffs and their hard work in making sure that the dogs find their forever home. Pit Bulls & Parolees continues to features Tia Torres, Mariah Torres, Tania Torres, along with other staffs of the VRC. Watch Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 streaming via HBO Max Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 is available to watch on HBO Max. Get access to Maxs extensive catalogue of globally acclaimed movies, television shows and Max Originals, simply by subscribing to the streaming platform. You can enjoy popular shows like the iconic epic fantasy Game of Thrones and its prequel series House of the Dragon, post-apocalyptic action thriller The Last of Us, and intense teen drama Euphoria to name just a few, only on HBO Max! You can watch via Max, formerly known as HBO Max, by following these steps: Go to HBOMax.com/subscribe Click Sign Up Now Choose your plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (with ads) $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year (ad-free) $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (ultimate ad-free) Enter your personal information and password Select Create Account Max With Ads provides the services streaming library at a Full HD resolution, allowing users to stream on up to two supported devices at once. Max Ad-Free removes the services commercials and allows streaming on two devices at once in Full HD. It also allows for 30 downloads at a time to allow users to watch content offline. On the other hand, Max Ultimate Ad-Free allows users to stream on four devices at once in a 4K Ultra HD resolution and provides Dolby Atmos audio and 100 downloads. Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 synopsis is as follows: Follow Tia Torres, founder of Villalobos Rescue Center, and her family as they rehabilitate both felons and ill-reputed pit bulls who come together to rescue one another from their dim pasts, and bring new meaning to life. NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing. With last weeks release of Immaculate starring Sydney Sweeney and The First Omen coming to theaters on April 5, it Movies Jon Mendelsohn 6 hours ago According to Deadline, Reservation Dogs star DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai has officially been cast for the leading role in Alex Garlands next Movies Maggie Dela Paz 7 hours ago Kathryn Newton takes viewers into the horrifying world of Radio Silences Abigail with a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming movies Movies Ryan Louis Mantilla 7 hours ago Netflix has unveiled the trailer for Good Times, an animated series serving as a sequel to the late Norman Lears TV Ryan Louis Mantilla 8 hours ago Read more The post Pit Bulls & Parolees Season 17 Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via HBO Max appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Welcome to the world of spycraft! HBO released the newest trailer for its upcoming series The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyens Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Robert Downey Jr. stars in and executive produces the seven-episode show alongside his wife and producing partner Susan Downey. More from The Hollywood Reporter Biracial. Bilingual. I was a synthesis of incompatibilities, so what did I do? Hoa Xuandes The Captain says at the beginning of the trailer, over scenes of his spy work. Saigon 1975. I was a man of two faces. The war was ending, and I awaited my new assignment. When his handler, played by Downey, appears in Vietnam, he tells The Captain his next job for the CIA is in America. By the time Im through with you, youll be able to blend in with the Harvard rowing crew, Downey tells him. As the two-and-half-minute trailer goes on, it shows that the spy may actually be a double agent, who actually works for the Viet Cong and is sent to the United States to be a mole for his home country. Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen and Alan Trong round out the cast of The Sympathizer, co-created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, who also serve as executive producers. Per the logline, the HBO limited series is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days arent over. Downeys role marks his first since winning the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. The Sympathizer premieres April 14. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Former U.S. senator and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman has reportedly passed away at 82, according to a statement released by the politician's family. Lieberman, a longtime senator for Connecticut, was known as the first Jewish American to receive a nomination on the ticket of a major party. Per Lieberman's family, his loved ones were with him at the time of his passing. Joe Lieberman's Cause of Death Revealed MEGA The politician died at age 82, and according to his family, he passed away following complications suffered from a fall. According to Politico, Lieberman's family revealed that he died "due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed." Another statement via CBS News read, "Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest." During his twenty-four-year Senate tenure, Lieberman was selected to be Al Gore's running mate in the 2000 presidential election. The ticket was lost in what is regarded as one of the closest races in American history. Joe Lieberman Broke With The Democratic Party MEGA Lieberman's VP ticket was considered historical for Jews in politics, with the authors of "Jews in American Politics" noting that no Jewish person "had ever sought such a lofty office." They added that the "net effect of the nomination has been to change the perception of what is possible for Jewish candidates for office for all time." Four years after losing his vice presidential ticket, the politician tried to secure a Democratic presidential nomination but was unsuccessful. His loss was likely tied to his controversial support for the Iraq War. Subsequently, in 2006, he was elected to his last term in the Senate as an independent. In the 2008 presidential contest, the late Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain thought about selecting Lieberman to be his running mate. The Late Senator Was A Founding Member Of The Political Group 'No Labels' Lieberman was one of the co-founders of the centrist political group No Labels. The group is reportedly trying to promote a third-party presidential "unity ticket" in the 2024 election. During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Lieberman stated that No Labels is still "in pursuit of a couple of really good candidates" and would come to a decision within the next two to three weeks. "I have a lot of admiration and certainly affection for Joe Biden, but I think, unfortunately, he has been dragged to the left along with the Democratic Party, which is now disproportionately influenced by the left wing of the party," Leiberman noted. He added, "Thomas Jefferson once said America will need a little political rebellion every now and then, which should be as important in politics as the storms are in the natural world. And I think he meant to clear away the dead wood. And boy, does our political system need a good storm and a political rebellion right now. Hopefully, we can give our voters that choice this fall." No Labels Speaks Out On Joe Lieberman's Death MEGA Following Lieberman's passing, the political group released a statement expressing shock at his death. They branded him the "moral center" of their movement and paid tribute to the former senator's legacy. "Senator Lieberman's legislative record as impressive as it is can't begin to tell the story of his impact on America's public life," the group began. "He was a man of uncommon integrity who did the right things for the right reasons. As American politics became progressively coarser and angrier, Senator Lieberman was unfailingly civil and decent to political allies and opponents alike," they added, per CBS News. MEGA Since news of his death made headlines, several notable figures, including former President Barack Obama, have paid tribute to Lieberman. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Obama wrote, "Joe Lieberman and I didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut." Obama continued, "He also worked hard to repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family." Joe Lieberman and I didnt always see eye-to-eye, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. He also worked hard to repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 27, 2024 Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on X, "Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman's sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Lieberman as "an extraordinarily kind and loyal personal friend." David Beador was pulled over on Feb. 4 in Orange County, California, for allegedly driving at speeds greater than 100 miles per hour on the highway, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE Paul Archuleta/Getty Images; Jerod Harris/WireImage Shannon Beador (left) and David Beador Shannon Storms Beador's ex-husband David Beador has been charged with two misdemeanors for alleged reckless driving and speeding. According to the misdemeanor citation obtained by PEOPLE, the Real Housewives of Orange County alum's ex was pulled over on Feb. 4 in Orange County, California, for allegedly driving at speeds greater than 100 miles per hour on the highway "in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property." At his arraignment on Wednesday, the construction entrepreneur was formally charged with two misdemeanor counts, to which he both plead not guilty, per court records viewed by PEOPLE. David's pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for April 9. David's attorney, Michael L. Fell, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Michael Kovac/Getty David Beador Related: Housewives Respond to Shannon Beador's Alleged DUI Hit and Run: 'Feel Like I'm Going to Throw Up' Shannon, 60, and David, 59, split in September 2017 after more than 17 years of marriage. Their relationship had many ups and downs, as documented throughout Shannon's time on the Bravo reality show. In season 10, she revealed that David was unfaithful to her. The couple then spent time repairing their marriage through therapy, and even renewed their vows on camera before they ultimately decided to go their separate ways. The two settled their divorce in April 2019 where they agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their daughters, Sophie and twins Stella and Adeline. Jerod Harris/WireImage (L) Shannon Beador and David Beador Related: Shannon Beador Took 'Inventory of My Life' amid DUI Arrest and No Contest Plea: 'It's Been a Tough 6 Weeks' David's reckless driving charges come just six months after Shannon was charged with driving under the influence. In September 2023, the Newport Beach Police Department told PEOPLE that the Bravolebrity was "arrested at 1:17 a.m. on Sept. 17 after fleeing the scene from a collision that caused property damage." She was found walking her dog by police after she allegedly left her car in the middle of the road, according to the initial report by TMZ. The NBPD also confirmed to PEOPLE that Shannon had been "booked for two misdemeanors hit-and-run and DUI alcohol. She was released on a citation." Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock Shannon Beador Related: Shannon Beador Sentenced to 3 Years Probation, Community Service After DUI Incident Shortly after, Fell David's current attorney also represented Shannon in this case issued a statement to PEOPLE about her actions. "I spent quite a bit of time with Shannon yesterday," he said. "She is extremely apologetic and remorseful. We will be awaiting the official information on this case as it becomes available, and Shannon is prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions." 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. In November, Shannon was sentenced to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service. She was also required to complete a nine-month alcohol program and pay restitution for the house damage from the incident. At the time, Fell shared a statement with PEOPLE on her behalf, confirming Shannon pleaded no contest to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving "when she had a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above." "The Orange County District Attorney's Office argued that Shannon should be sentenced to jail and be convicted of DUI and a hit-and-run. But after receiving legal arguments from both sides, the judge denied the prosecutor's request and dismissed the hit-and-run," Fell said. "In so ruling, the judge acknowledged that Shannon had made full restitution to the homeowner in this matter, who did not desire prosecution, and admitted her wrongdoing at an early stage of the proceedings." Fell noted that "Shannon took full responsibility for her actions and accepted the judges sentence," before sharing a message from Shannon that stated, "I am grateful that no one else was injured besides me in this incident. I have learned so much from my terrible mistake that night and realize that driving any distance while impaired is too far.'" For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. LAUV Concert In Monterrey (Photo Credit: Photo by Medios y Media | Getty Images) | Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree at London Fashion Week (Photo by Dave Benett | Getty Images for Burberry) The Summer Sonic Festival is all set to make its debut in Thailand this year. Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024 has finally unveiled its first artists lineup for the upcoming festival. Summer Sonic will first head to Tokyo and Osaka for their annual event. Following the Japan gig, the festival will arrive in Thailand. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, there was a press conference held to welcome the festival in Thailand and announce the first round of artists. The announcement notes, The press conference was attended by the Prime Minister of Thailand, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Thailand, and other VIPs, and it was announced that the entire country will promote cultural exchange through SUMMER SONIC. Heres a look at the Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024 first lineup: Lauv Yoasobi Laufey Aurora Bodyslam (special guests Babymetal & F. Hero) Nothing But Thieves Bright Henry Moodie Violette Wautier Furthermore, the festival will also announce more artists for the two-day event. Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024: Date, venue & more Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024 will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, and Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the IMPACT Challenger Hall 1-3. The festival has yet to announce ticket details for the Bangkok gig. Nonetheless, the tickets will likely be available through the famous Thai ticketing platform Thaiticketmajor. ?1st Line Up Announcement? ? Summer Sonic 2 LAUV YOASOBI LAUFEY AURORA BODYSLAM (special guests BABYMETAL & F. HERO) NOTHING BUT THIEVES BRIGHT HENRY pic.twitter.com/EUtgR3LziE Summersonic_bangkok (@Summersonic_bkk) March 27, 2024 Aside from that, fans have started to make guesses about the remaining artists who will be announced after the festivals first lineup reveal. One of the artists rumored to join Summer Sonic Bangkok is K-pop group Riize. Fans were quick to draw similarities between one of the silhouettes shown during the announcement and the group: #RIIZE is rumored to be part of the lineup for Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024 that will be held on August 24-25 pic.twitter.com/MB99Ldm7p1 riize archive (@riize_archives) March 27, 2024 Furthermore, another K-pop group that is rumored to join the Summer Sonic Bangkok lineup is NCT Dream: NCT DREAM will be attending SUMMER SONIC BANGKOK 2024 in Thailand ? 240824 / 240825#NCTDREAM_Smoothie #NCTDREAM pic.twitter.com/zoMK3ivjZA NCT DREAM CENTER (@NCTDREAMCENTER) March 27, 2024 Fans are eagerly awaiting more artists to be announced soon. Stay tuned! The post Summer Sonic Bangkok 2024 Unveils First Artists Lineup appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. TXT is making their much-awaited 2024 comeback with a new mini-album. Before the release date, BigHit Music revealed the Minisode 3: Tomorrow tracklist, which will contain a special unit song. Tomorrow X Together (TXT) also shared an overview of their new albums concept. It narrates a story of hope and promise. The theme of their latest album is a gradual optimistic progression from their last release, The Name Chapter: Freefall. In their previous album, TXT explored the struggles of adulthood and how willingly youth delay accepting reality. Freefalling into a reality seems tormenting and overwhelming, and TXT dives deep into the concept using diverse genres. TXTs Minisode 3: Tomorow tracklist includes Yeonjun and Soobins new unit song TXTs Minisode 3: Tomorrow will contain five tracks in total, including Ill See You There Tomorrow, - - - , title track Deja Vu, Miracle, The Killa (I Belong to You), Quarter Life, and Deja Vu (Anemoia Remix). One of the albums tracks, The Killa (I Belong To You), is a unit song sung by Yeonjun and Soobin. Previously, for Minisode 2: Thursdays Child, TXT participated in units for B-side tracks like Lonely Boy and Thursdays Child Has Far To Go. Matching with the theme of the mini album, TXT has shared four types of teaser images for four different versions of Minisode 3: Tomorrows physical edition. The teaser images for the Ethereal, Romantic, Promise, and Light versions depict a fantasy-like atmosphere. The tagline of the concept trailer says: The moment light gets in the little cracks, we will be able to meet again. Minisode 3: Tomorrow will drop April 1 at 6 p.m. KST/ 5 a.m. ET/ 4 a.m. CT/ 2 a.m. PT. After the release, TXT will embark on their World Tour 2024, starting in Seoul, South Korea, with three concerts from May 3-5. TXT is also going on a U.S. tour, which will start on May 14 at the Tacoma Dome of Washington. After seven shows, the group will conclude their U.S. tour on June 8 at June Capital One Arena. The post TXTs Minisode 3: Tomorrow Reveals Tracklist & Preview of K-Pop Mini Album appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Hermes highly coveted Birkin handbag becomes even more coveted after it leaves the store doubling in value in as little as five years, according to a luxury expert. James Firestein, founder of luxury resale and authentication platform OpenLuxury, told Fortune that the steepest price increase he has ever witnessed when a Black Togo 30 Birkin doubled in value in five years. For reference, the price of the Black Togo 30 widely varies on resale platforms due to the bags condition, type of hardware metals and the year it was purchased from Hermes, going for anywhere from $30,500 for a like new bag on Sothebys to $10,925 on The RealReal or roughly $8,000 on eBay. A Birkin bag by luxury French fashion house Hermes has become such a lucrative investment that 25% of Birkin buyers keep the bag in storage as investments while the remaining 75% actually use the bags, according to James Firestein of OpenLuxury. Getty Images More commonly, however, it takes a decade for the price of a Birkin to surge two-fold. I know several instances where people have doubled their money based on buying it 10 years ago, and reselling it today in pristine condition, Firestein said, per Fortune. The resale value of particularly the Birkin and Kelly bags over the past 10 years has outpaced gold, he added. In 2020 alone, while when the luxury market ground to a halt during COVID, Birkin bags saw impressive returns of 38%, according to a report from Credit Suisse and Deloitte. As a result, Firestein estimates that 25% of Birkin buyers keep the bag in storage as investments while the remaining 75% actually use the bags, Fortune reported. Birkin bags are a celeb favorite, with Victoria Beckham known to favor the style. Jennifer Lopez has been spotted toting her beloved Birkin. Rapper Cardi B likes to match her Birkin with her outfits. Most shoppers look to the second-hand marketplace to buy Birkin bags, mostly because buying a luxurious piece of eye candy directly from Hermes can be a time-consuming process that doesnt guarantee customers get the exact style they want. Hermes allows stores and boutiques around the world to purchase a select number of Birkins per season, though the color and size of the bags are rarely known ahead of time, according to Sothebys. The price of a Black Togo 30 Birkin varies widely on resale platforms based on the bags condition, type of hardware metals and the year it was purchased from Hermes, going for anywhere from $30,500 for a like new bag on Sothebys. Sotheby's And for aspiring Birkin owners who dont already have an existing relationships with retailers, it can be even harder to ensure that a staffer will try and reserve the bag you want, Sothebys said. As a result, Birkins, more often than not, sell for well beyond their $12,000 sticker price. The pricing mostly comes down to scarcity principle, per Sothebys, which sold a Himalaya Birkin 30 encrusted with diamonds for $450,000, though the more common leather styles in fresh condition generally go for between $25,000 and $30,000, according to the auction house. Kris Jenner pictured carrying two Birkin bags collectively worth a reported approximately $190,000. GC Images Hermes has been accused of making it too difficult for the everyday shopper to acquire a Birkin of their own. Two California plaintiffs alleged in a class-action lawsuit earlier this month that the French fashion house uses unfair business practices, including requiring customers to buy other ancillary products such as shoes, scarves, belts, jewelry and home goods before getting the opportunity to buy the coveted, chronically unavailable handbag. To be allowed to purchase a Birkin, the suit claims, customers must have accrued a sufficient purchase history with the luxury brand. Once achieved, customers who are deemed worthy are then offered a Birkin which is allegedly not on public display but rather in a private room, the suit claims. The unique desirability, incredible demand and low supply of Birkin handbags gives defendants incredible market power, attorneys wrote in their filing. MILAN Brunello Cucinelli continues to bolster the production facilities of his namesake luxury company while protecting Italian know-how, increasingly becoming a point of reference in the countrys Umbria region. Cucinelli on Thursday revealed he has acquired tailoring specialist Sartoria Eugubina, based in Gubbio, near Perugia and around 40 miles from his Solomeo headquarters, and will take on its 70 artisans. More from WWD The small but important history of Sartoria Eugubina is a noble one of true craftsmanship that has earned well-deserved respect, Cucinelli said. He characterized the acquisition as an enrichment in terms of really special human resources. All of the world looks to Italy with deep regard and we believe that our products sincerely reflect in a special way how we work, the extreme attention we put into enhancing the skilled hands of our esteemed artisans. Details of the investment in the factory were not disclosed. Cucinelli revealed he will erect a small factory in Gubbio with a gorgeous view on the landscape of the medieval town. I am very confident in the value of beautiful garments made in Italy that can be left as an heirloom. Perhaps in the next years the issue will be not who we sell these special pieces to but rather whose skilled hands will create these small masterpieces. This is in line with Cucinellis long-term strategy, his belief in the strength of menswear tailoring and his views that the beauty of a factory contributes to give moral dignity to work and improve the quality of the products. In 2013 Cucinelli acquired the production division of the prestigious Sartoria DAvenza in Carrara, another example of Made in Italy excellence in the production of mens suits. In November, Cucinelli presented his project for his new menswear manufacturing site, his bella fabbrica [beautiful factory], in Penne, Italy. The plant will be located in the Ponte di SantAntonio area of Penne and will be unveiled in spring 2025, covering 48,600 square feet and employing between 300 and 350 people. Located in the central region of Abruzzo, the town is historically a production hub that specializes in sartorial menswear. It is home to the storied Brioni brand. Cucinelli has been renting a restructured plant in Penne since mid-November while waiting for the new plant to be completed. There, in the 21,600-square-foot space, he employs 75 artisans, and aims to reach 100 by the end of the year. Last year Cucinelli and Chanel signed a long-term agreement with Piergiorgio Cariaggi, president and chief executive officer of Cariaggi Lanificio SpA. Under the terms of the deal, the Cariaggi family retained control of the namesake company with 51 percent of the shares, while Brunello Cucinelli and Chanel each have a 24.5 percent stake. Best of WWD Funeral potatoes arent just a Latter-Day Saint dish, but they are most often identified with the LDS community and their gatherings funerals, especially. My friend Whitney Hartshorn, a member of the church, introduced me to funeral potatoes at a potluck years ago. When I reached out to her asking for tips, she shared this explanation, When someone in our congregation dies, the members of the congregation provide a meal for the family to have after the funeral. Funeral potatoes are easy to scale up and feed a crowd. Working on the ultimate funeral potato recipe, I tried out more than a dozen secret ingredients, including horseradish, mustard, dill, hot sauce, and Parmesan, only to realize that I was getting further from my goal with every added dash, drizzle, spoonful, and pinch. Plenty of things pair well with cheesy potatoes, but that doesnt mean they should all go into this casserole pan. Making the best possible funeral potatoes doesnt require any gimmicks. You just have to get the basics right. This from-scratch take on a classic hash brown casserole is simple, adaptable, and worth just a little bit of extra effort. Why Youll Love It It tastes like a potato mac and cheese! The cheesy cheddar sauce is even flavored with some ground mustard (like many classic macaroni and cheese recipes include). The corn flakes on top are superior. We debated what should blanket the cheesy potatoes and ultimately decided that the light and crispy cereal makes the best crispy topping. Its classic for a reason. You can make it easier with frozen shredded hash browns. I like to grate my own potatoes because it yields a slightly firmer texture, but if youre short on time and want to use a bag of frozen shredded hash browns, the casserole will turn out equally delicious. Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter Key Ingredients in Funeral Potatoes Potatoes. Many cooks use frozen hash browns, which make for an easy dump-and-bake casserole. Hartshorn encouraged me to try boiling and grating my own potatoes. My dad grew up on a potato farm in Idaho, so we rarely do frozen potatoes in my family, she says. After making a few batches with hash browns, I tried it her way and Im not going back. The difference isnt huge, she says, but I think real potatoes are better. I do too. Grating parboiled potatoes results in a firmer texture and more earthy potato flavor, and it isnt a lot more work. That said, if you dont have time to start from scratch, hash browns are just fine. Binder. Cream-of soups are a popular addition to this dish. But were cooking from scratch, so Im asking you to make your own easy white sauce, combining broth and milk and infusing it with the flavors of sauteed onion and garlic. It gives the dish a brighter, cleaner flavor, and gives you more control over the ingredients and the outcome. Cheese : After trying a handful of different cheese options, I ended up back at cheddar, the most popular choice for funeral potatoes. But note that Im not using just any cheddar. Extra-sharp cheddar adds some twang to this rich casserole, complementing the sour cream and encouraging your guests (this is a dish you make for guests, or family) to go back for second helpings. If you cant find extra-sharp cheddar, at least go for sharp. Butter: On the subject of twang, I opted to use cultured butter in this casserole. Cultured butter, which you should be able to find at a local grocery store, is the solid counterpart to traditional buttermilk; its soured the same way and provides a lactic bite that also helps brighten up the dish. If you cant find cultured butter, standard unsalted butter will work. Cornflakes. The most classic funeral potato topping is also the best. Ive only ever used cornflakes as a topping, Hartshorn says, and after testing cracker crumbs and potato chips, I understand why. Tossing the cornflakes with melted butter helps them toast to a crunchy golden-brown in the oven. How to Make Funeral Potatoes Boil and shred the potatoes (or thaw the hash browns). Tender, shredded potato will absorb the cheesy sauce, resulting in a creamy, scoopable casserole. Make the sauce. Saute your onion and garlic, stir in and toast the flour, slowly add broth and milk, and simmer to make a rich gravy for your potatoes. Mix in cheese, mustard, cayenne, and black pepper, then add 1 cup of sour cream to brighten it up. Toss the potatoes in the sauce. Make sure that they are thoroughly coated. Then, pour them into a greased baking dish. Make the topping. Crush your cornflakes, then toss them in butter (cultured, if you have it) for more flavor. Spread them over the top. Bake. Bake the casserole until the topping is golden-brown. Storage and Make-Ahead Tips If youre using russet potatoes, they can be boiled and grated up to 3 days in advance, if kept in a bag or sealed container in the refrigerator. The casserole can be made up to 1 day in advance but dont add the cornflake topping until just before baking. You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days; the cornflakes will soften, but the dish will still be delicious. What to Serve with Funeral Potatoes This is a classic potluck dish that fills the rich, warm, and creamy role more often occupied by mac and cheese. Pair it with other classics, such as stewed green beans, a lighter pasta salad, or a similarly retro broccoli salad, and a buffet-friendly protein, such as glazed ham, beef tenderloin, or even a tray of pulled pork. Funeral Potatoes Recipe This retro casserole tastes kinda like potato mac and cheese. (We guarantee they'll haunt you for life!) Prep time 40 minutes Cook time 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes Serves 12 to 15 Ingredients 3 medium russet potatoes (2 1/2 to 3 pounds total), or 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed 1 medium yellow onion 2 cloves garlic 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, preferably orange 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, preferably cultured, divided, plus more for the baking pan 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon powdered ground mustard 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 cup sour cream 4 cups cornflake cereal Instructions Prepare the potatoes: If using frozen hash browns: Thaw 1 (32-ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes in the refrigerator overnight. If using whole potatoes: Halve 3 unpeeled medium russet potatoes lengthwise. Place in a Dutch oven or medium pot and add enough cold water to cover them about 1 inch. Add 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the potatoes are knife tender, about 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a zip top bag or airtight container and refrigerate overnight. (Alternatively, freeze the cooled potatoes on the baking sheet uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. They wont grate quite as easily as the refrigerated potatoes.) Grate the cut side of the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater until you get to the skin (its okay if some of the skin gets grated). Discard the skins. Assemble the casserole: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven to 350F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with unsalted butter. Dice 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 1/2 cups) and mince 2 garlic cloves. Grate 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 2 cups). Melt 4 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until softened and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic and stir until all of the flour is hydrated. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the flour looks and smells lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth and 1 cup whole milk. Bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer, stirring frequently and reducing the heat as needed, until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cheese, remaining 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon powdered ground mustard, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted. Add 1 cup sour cream and stir to combine. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper as needed. The sauce should be just a little bit saltier than you want the funeral potatoes to be. Add the potatoes and stir until each piece is evenly coated with sauce. Taste and season with kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Transfer to the baking dish and spread into an even layer. Place 4 cups cornflakes in a large zip top bag. Crush with your hands into small pieces. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Pour into the bag and shake until the cornflakes are evenly coated. Sprinkle over the potatoes in an even layer. Bake until the cornflakes are just beginning to brown, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Recipe Notes Make ahead: The potatoes can be boiled and grated up to 3 days ahead; refrigerate in an airtight container. The casserole can be assembled up to 1 day ahead without the cornflakes; cover and refrigerate. Uncover and top with the cornflakes right before baking, you may need additional baking time. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The cornflakes will soften, but the casserole will still be delicious. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Warmer weather means its time to break out those stylish walking sandalsbut not just any old pair will do. If you have wide feet, the wrong pair can pinch and squeeze at all the wrong places, leading to discomfort and foot painwhich is why youll specifically want to look for the best sandals for wide feet. According to experts, wearing improper footwear with wide feet can lead to a plethora of foot issues. Many times, people with wide feet will have associated issues such as flattening of the arch, bunions, and metatarsalgia (pain across the ball of the foot), says Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle. To help alleviate and prevent these conditions, its essential to find supportive, comfy shoes for wide feet that offer plenty of room and dont feel too cramped, tight, or narrow. Meet the Experts: Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle; Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas; Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in North Carolina. So what should you look for in sandals in particular? For a comfy pair of sandals that will properly fit wide feet, experts recommend looking for specific features like firm arch support, a deep heel cup, and a wide toe boxin addition to wide sizing options. Luckily, to help you find the right pair for your needs, weve narrowed down the best sandals for wide feet that are approved by podiatrists and top-rated by reviewers. Ahead, find top picks for sandals that will keep wide feet comfy, supported, and pain-free. Looking for more shoe recommendations? Be sure to check out our best heels for wide feet and best shoes for bunions afterwards, too. Kayla Sandal Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in North Carolina, calls the Kayla a perfect sandal for wide feet, noting that its offered in wide sizes. The stylish yet functional sandal accommodates well for foot deformities, such as bunion and hammertoe deformities, and offers wonderful arch support with the traditional Naot footbed consisting of a latex and cork material that molds to the foot, she says. [It] offers three supportive straps, a hook-and-loop strap at the instep, and a backstrap for additional stability and support. These shoes have the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting good foot healthand theyre loved by reviewers, too. I am a size 8.5 wide with bunions on both feet. This find was a blessing, said one Amazon shopper. It is comfortable right out of the box no break-in required. Good arch support and great for ever day wear. Shop Now Kayla Sandal amazon.com $139.95 Naot On the Go 600 - Brilliancy These sporty, strappy sandals from Skechers come in wide sizes and feature lightweight cushioning with a contoured footbed for comfort in every stepas well as adjustable, hook-and-loop straps at the instep and a soft, breathable mesh upper. The best part? Theyre super affordable at under $40 in total. The best-selling pick boasts nearly 13,000 five-star ratings on Amazon to boot. My feet are wide and high instep, so I have difficulty finding sandals that are adjustable and comfortable. These are the best designed, comfortable sandals I have EVER found anywhere. Thanks, Sketchers! wrote one satisfied reviewer. Shop Now On the Go 600 - Brilliancy amazon.com $39.33 Skechers Hurricane XLT2 Need a comfy, durable pair of walking sandals for long walks or hikes? Oldani recommends these popular Teva sandals, which feature a supportive midsole, a durable outsole for grippy traction, and adjustable Velcro straps for the perfect fit. These have a firm EVA footbed that provides support through the arch, but also shock absorption for long periods of walking, he says. They also include a nylon shank for uneven terrain and hiking. Favorite sandals Ive ever owned...I hiked 4 miles the very first day and my feet were happy! wrote one reviewer. My feet are pretty wide, and the top strap being adjustable is super important. The footbed is also a bit wider than typical womens sandals, and Im grateful for that! Excellent sandals, worth every penny at full price, and I will live in them for the summer! Shop Now Hurricane XLT2 amazon.com $74.95 Teva Kholo Slide Sandal Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas, says she loves these slip-on style sandals from Revitalign for wide feet. They are available in regular and wide width and they also have Velcro straps for even more adjustable fit! she says. The sandals also feature a EVA orthotic-grade footbed that molds to your feet, offers arch support, and is APMA-approved to help alleviate plantar fasciitis as well as knee and back pain. The pick comes in five chic colors, all with soft, metallic, leather-like uppers. Good for bunions, wrote one Amazon reviewer who rated it a perfect five stars. Wide toe box. Fits well even without straps for adjusting. Shop Now Kholo Slide Sandal amazon.com $66.99 Revitalign Amber Boasting the APMA Seal of Acceptance, Vionics Amber sandals are designed with a whopping four adjustable straps for the ultimate customizable fit, making them a great option for wide feet that need more breathing room. They also offer great arch support with the brands built-in orthotics, which are shown to be effective in helping treat heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Shoppers rave about the adjustable fit in the reviews. Fabulous, fabulous sandals! I have wide feet with a high instep so have always found it tricky to get decent looking sandals, said one reviewer. These look great, the Velcro straps mean I can adjust the shoe to fit perfectly....The support is great too, best pair of shoes ever! Shop Now Amber amazon.com $65.00 Vionic Chardonnay Heeled Sandals If youre looking for some dressy sandals with some heel, consider this elegant pick from Vionic, which features a comfortable 2.5 inch block heel. [This is] a great sandal option with a heel for wide feet with an adjustable ankle strap, says Daughtry. This year-round sandal offers a deep stable heel cup with meta dome and arch support for a dress shoe. Available in wide sizing options, these sandals also have a flattering, roomy toe shape and adjustable ankle straps. Finally, a dressy and comfortable shoe! I have a wide foot and it fit perfect. Love the color, style, and heel height (not too high but enough to feel dressed up)...Highly recommend! wrote one reviewer. Shop Now Chardonnay Heeled Sandals amazon.com $139.95 Vionic Santa Barbara Another great pick from Naot thats earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, these stylish leather sandals also earn a stamp of approval from Oldani. These include the classic Naot cork and latex footbed, which provides firm support through the arch, he notes. The footbed is covered with suede, which conforms to the foot with each wear. The toe area is also wider than most comparable sandals. Not to mention, the chic buckle closures are adjustable for a customizable fit. This is my third pair in the last 12 years. After wearing them for a bit the soles conform to your foot and they are the most comfortable sandals, shared one shopper. The straps are wide and stay in place, if my feet get swollen its easy to change to the next hole down and they still are very comfortable. Shop Now Santa Barbara amazon.com $139.95 Naot Whisper Closed Toe Sport Sandals Need a comfy pair of sandals to hike in? Look no further than these sturdy, durable sport sandals from Keen that are ideal for outdoor adventures. Not only are they water-friendly and quick-drying, they also have a lightweight, shock-absorbing foam midsole and contoured arch support to withstand long periods of walking. Plus, the quick draw elastic lacing system allows for a secure, comfy fit. Though these sandals dont specifically come in wide sizes, reviewers say they have a spacious toe box and are great for wider feet. I have a lot of problems finding shoes that fit because I have such a wide foot. This sandal worked for my very wide feet and did not require any break-in period. They were comfortable from the first moment I put them on, said one shopper. Shop Now Whisper Closed Toe Sport Sandals amazon.com $85.71 Keen Jillian Gem Wedge Sandal Want a little extra height without an actual heel? Wedge sandals are a great option, like this stylish, top-rated pick from Clarks. Available in wide sizes, the Jillian Gem sandal has a supportive two-inch wedge heel, along with a sleek leather upper with stylish criss-cross straps. A soft, cushioned Ortholite foam footbed offers shock absorption and arch support, while the flex-grooved EVA sole provide grip. Reviewers rave that theyre comfortable for wide feet and bunions. These feel GREAT! wrote one shopper who rated it five stars. I have problem with my arches and my wide feet. This sandal is supporting and the slight stretch in the front crossed leather is perfect. Shop Now Jillian Gem Wedge Sandal amazon.com $64.59 Clarks Hunter Sandal As comfy and functional as they are stylish and chic, these strappy sandals from Australian brand Frankie4 feature a dual-layer cushioned footbed thats designed by podiatrists for the ultimate comfort and support. In addition to providing great support throughout the heel, arch, and forefoot, they also offer a bit of added height with a platform heel, as well as a secure, customizable fit with an adjustable buckle strap. Reviewers rave that these sandals feel like walking on clouds and note that they provide a comfy fit for wide feet. Great sandal for summer! one shopper wrote. Super happy with the Hunter. The base is great for a wide foot and comfortable all day. Shop Now Hunter Sandal frankie4.com $185.00 Frankie4 Water Vista Sandal For beach outings, pool days, and other water activities, sandals that are water-resistant are a must. Thankfully, Reefs Water Vista sandals are made with water-friendly TPU material that makes them comfy when wet, but also quick to dry. Designed with adjustable Velcro straps at the heel, they also feature a lightweight, molded EVA footbed and a durable outsole to withstand all types of terrain and elements. Reviewers love that these sandals are stylish and comfy for wide feet while also being water-friendly. So comfortable! I have bunions and wide feet and these shoes are great for both! Super cute as well, one Amazon shopper wrote. Shop Now Water Vista Sandal amazon.com $67.17 Reef Sally Round-Toe Wedge Sandals For a fashionable pair of wedge sandals that are still comfy and supportive, Daughtry recommends Vivaias Sally. These elegant sandals have a 2.75-inch sturdy, braided jute wedge heel and an anti-slip rubber outsole, allowing those with wide feet to walk comfortably with great stability, she says. Whats more, the pick also offers an adjustable ankle strap for a more customized fit to ensure a comfortable fit for all foot structures, including those with a wide foot, Daughtry adds. Vivaia insoles are made of Artemisia Argy, an antibacterial and odor-resistant material that will help wick away and disperse moisture to keep feet dry and comfortable. Shop Now Sally Round-Toe Wedge Sandals amazon.com $105.99 Vivaia Yucatan Sport Sandal If you experience heel pain from plantar fasciitis, youll find relief with ECCOs Yucatan sport sandals. The molded EVA footbed offers super-plush cushioning and great arch support, while the adjustable hook-and-loop straps allow for a customized fit. I suffer from plantar fasciitis and was looking for a supportive sandal and found it here, shared one reviewer. My feet are quite wide....The shoes are adjustable enough to get a precise fit, and the insole is like a dense cushion, and now can walk for the first time in 4 months without pain. Shop Now Yucatan Sport Sandal amazon.com $139.95 Ecco Arizona Soft Footbed Sandals The ever-popular Birkenstocks are known for their unique, contoured footbed, and the Arizona is no exception. Along with the soft, supportive cork footbed that molds to the shape of your feet, these top-selling slip-on sandals also feature adjustable buckle straps, a lightweight, shock-absorbing EVA outsole, and a deep heel cup to keep your feet secure with every step. I have crazy wide feet and sandals can be hard. Since the straps are adjustable they are perfect, wrote a customer on the Zappos website. These are by far the most comfortable sandal for me. The black can be dressed up or down. Shop Now Arizona Soft Footbed Sandals zappos.com $145.00 Birckenstock Paloma Sandals Available in wide sizing, Orthofeets Paloma sandals are designed with removable, premium orthotic insoles that offer anatomical arch support, helping to relieve foot and heel pain. Along with the comfy, cushioned sole, these orthotic sandals also feature a soft, padded interior thats gentle and non-irritating on skin and convenient two-way straps that allows for easy on-and-off. Shoppers note that these sandals provide great arch support for wide feet. I was looking for a comfortable summer sandal. I have wide feet with a high arch and this sandal works perfectly for me, wrote an Amazon reviewer. Good quality, soft leather and cushioned plantar...Great sandal. Shop Now Paloma Sandals amazon.com $104.95 Orthofeet Brooklyn Low Wedge Sandals Dont be fooled by the 1.7-inch platform wedge heel: These Crocs sandals are super lightweight, thanks to their construction with soft, light Croslite foam. Not only that, they also feature flexible uppers and deep heel cups for great support and stability. And did we mention theyre water-friendly and have over 10,000 five-star ratings? Seriously, buy these shoes. I ordered a pair on a whim, and now Im about to get another color or two, wrote an Amazon reviewer. Very comfortable, supportive, cute, lightweight, and sturdy. Couldnt ask for more. I have wide feet, and they fit great. Seems like they would work for a variety of feet shapes, but definitely a plus for wide feet. Shop Now Brooklyn Low Wedge Sandals amazon.com $48.23 Crocs Ora Recovery Slide 3 F0r a comfy, supportive pair of recovery sandals to wear after your runs (or other exercise), you cant go wrong with this popular pick from one of our favorite walking shoe brands, Hoka. Having earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, the Ora recovery slides offer plush, foot-cradling cushioning and are also super breathable, thanks to four air flow channels. Shoppers say they have a spacious round toe design and provide a great fit for wide feet. These recovery slides were wide enough not to bother the bunion on my right foot. The toe box is also wide enough so that your toes have plenty of room, said a Zappos shopper. I have extreme heel pain and these slides are an instant relief...The heel in this slide is cushy enough to relieve the pain but also very supportive. Shop Now Ora Recovery Slide 3 zappos.com $59.95 Hoka How to choose the best sandals for wide feet When choosing comfy sandals, the most important [thing is] that you find a sandal that matches your foot shape, says Sharkey. In addition to opting for wide sizing options, here are specific features to look for in a sandal for wide feet: A wide toe box. I would recommend a sandal with width in the toe box to limit pressure on bunions and bunionettes, says Oldani. A roomy, spacious toe designlike a rounded or square toe boxwill ensure that your wide feet and toes dont get compressed or crowded. Good arch support. For wide feet, Sharkey recommends looking for sandals with integrated arch support for all day comfort. Those with wide feet often have flat arches, explains Oldani, so youll want to look for firm support through the arch. It is also helpful to find a sandal that includes a raised metatarsal pad just behind the ball of the foot for added pressure relief, he adds. Adjustable straps. Sandals that come with adjustable straps are great for wide feet, as they can allow you to customize the fit as needed. Youll also want to consider what style you prefer: Some sandals come with buckle or hook-and-loop closures for a secure fit, while others may come with Velcro straps for quick, easy on and off. A deep heel cup. Oldani also advises those with wide feet to look for sandals with a deeper heel cup, which can help stabilize and align your feet properly while walking. Hearst Owned What shoes should you avoid with wide feet? If you have wide feet, Oldani recommends avoiding closed-toe sandals, such as clogs, as well as sandals with a rigid material that covers the toes. As those with wide feet will many times have a flat arch, I would avoid sandals without any support through the arch (think old-fashioned flip flops) and those with a flimsy, soft material for the footbed that provides no shock absorption across the ball of the foot, he says. Also be aware of where the straps are located, as the strap may come directly across a bunion deformity and lead to pressure and pain. Hearst Owned Are Tevas good for people with wide feet? Tevas are a popular option for sandals, but you may be wondering: Are they well-suited for wide feet? Tevas sandals dont specifically come in wide width, so it will be variable depending on the width of the individuals foot, says Sharkey. I do love that they have Velcro closures which is always nice to be able to adjust for a thick/wide foot. The Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals are a pick in our list thats recommended by Oldani, who notes that they offer a firm EVA footbed, good arch support and shock absorption for long periods for walking, and a nylon shank for stability on uneven terrain. Hearst Owned How we chose the best sandals for wide feet We consulted experts Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle; Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas; and Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in North Carolina. Additionally, we sifted through tons of online reviews, ratings, and product specs to narrow down the best sandals for wide feet. Hearst Owned Why trust us For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviewsand often conducts personal testing done by our staffto help you make informed decisions. Hearst Owned You Might Also Like Conjoined twin Abby Hensel, who starred in the reality show Abby & Brittany, privately married an army veteran, Josh Bowling, it has emerged. According to public records obtained by Today, Abby, now 34, and Bowling first tied the knot back in 2021. The publication also noted that the couple lives in Minnesota, where Abby and Brittany teach fifth grade. Meanwhile, Bowling is a nurse and United States Army veteran. The Hensels Facebook profile pic appears to be them at the wedding, as the conjoined twins were wearing a white, lace dress. For his nuptials, Bowling wore a white button-down shirt and grey suit. On his Facebook, Bowling has shared various photos of him with the conjoined twins on different occasions, including one from when they went snow tubing and another from a hiking trip. He also indicated in his bio that hes a father. Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalus conjoined twins, a rare form of conjoined twins who are fused side-by-side with the same pelvis, as noted by the National Institute of Health. Their two heads are on one torso, as they have separate brains, hearts, and other organs. They share all organs below the waist and bloodstream, as Abby controls the right arm and leg and Brittany controls the left arm and leg. The twins who were born in 1990 first publicly shared their story in 1996, when they appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996. In 2012, they were in their own TLC reality show, Abby & Brittany, which followed their lives after they graduated from Minnesotas Bethel College and were preparing to go to Europe for a teaching job. Conjoined twin Abby Hensel married (Heidi Bowling/Facebook) Abby and Brittany Hensel are dicephalus conjoined twins. Pictured with Abbys husband (Joshua Bowling/Facebook) People have been curious about us since we were born, for obvious reasons, the twins said during the first episode of the series, as reported by ABC News. But our parents never let us use that as an excuse. We were raised to believe we could do anything we wanted to do. In the reality show, they also opened up about how they coordinate everyday activities with each other, from getting ready for a party to grabbing groceries from the shelves in their home. When it comes to decisions, there are compromises we have to make, Abby said. We take turns. We want to work it so each of us is happy and we find a happy medium. During an interview with Time magazine in 2001, the twins parents Mike and Patty discussed the idea of their children getting married one day. At the time, Mike specified that his daughters were asking about ultimately finding husbands, before he thought why not? to the idea, since other conjoined twins have gotten married. Theyre good-looking girls. Theyre witty. Theyve got everything going for them, except... he said, before pausing and adding: ...theyre together. Abby and Brittany Hensel as children (TLC) Conjoined twin Abby Hensel from Abby & Brittany privately married army veteran (Origin / YouTube) Mike also noted that he and his wife dismissed the idea of separating the twins when they were born since doctors said that there was only a slight chance that both Abby and Brittany would survive the procedure. How could you pick between the two? he said. In more than a decade since Abby & Brittany aired, the conjoined twins have largely kept their personal lives out of the spotlight. The Independent has contacted Abby and Brittany for comment. On this day in history, March 28, 1866, first US ambulance service rolls through Cincinnati The first ambulance service in the United States reportedly rolled to the aid of patients in Cincinnati, Ohio, on this day in history, March 28, 1866. "For many years, Bellevue Hospital in New York claimed to have introduced the first citywide ambulance service in 1869, but records show Cincinnati beat them to it," the Cincinnati Enquirer reported in 2018. It was citing the 1978 book, "The Ambulance: The Story of Emergency Transportation of Sick and Wounded Through the Centuries," by Katherine Traver Barkley. The book claims Commercial Hospital of Cincinnati at 12th Street and Central Avenue holds this claim to medical fame. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 27, 1912, WASHINGTON, D.C., CHERRY TREES PLANTED, GIFT FROM PEOPLE OF TOKYO "Hospital employment records listed employee No. 27, James R. Jackson, as an ambulance driver for $360 a year, according to Barkley," the Enquirer reports. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The 1866 Williams Cincinnati Directory verifies that James A. Jackson worked as a teamster, or driver, for Commercial Hospital." The actual date that the very first ambulance rolled into service is the source of some debate. Jackson was employed by Commercial Hospital as early as 1865. But several sources, including Shiloh National Military Park of the National Park Service, cite March 28, 1866, as the date the first ambulance went into service. What's not in dispute is that the human carnage left on Civil War battlefields such as Shiloh, and the advances in medicine and trauma response that came with it, had a direct impact on the evolution of the ambulance services that many people take for granted today. WITH WORLD WAR II AIRMAN'S REMAINS FOUND, RELATIVE FINALLY HAS CLOSURE FOR WHOLE FAMILY "In August of 1862, Jonathan Letterman, the medical director of the Army of the Potomac, created a highly organized system of ambulances and trained stretcher bearers designed to evacuate the wounded as quickly as possible," reports the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Portrait of a driver as he sits in a City Hospital Ambulance, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1910. The city was a pioneer in civilian ambulance care, reportedly introducing the first ambulances in 1866. "A similar plan was adopted by the Confederate Army. This system was a great improvement on previous methods." Letterman's system, and other evolutions during the Civil War, led to a layered system of care. MEET THE AMERICAN WHO WROTE BEN-HUR: A TALE OF CHRIST: UNION GENERAL LEW WALLACE It began with immediate triage separating soldiers with survivable wounds from those likely to die then field dressing stations and field hospitals, and eventually the transport of wounded to major big-city hospitals. The system borne on the battlefield led to profound changes in nationwide medical care after the war. A horse-drawn ambulance for New York City's Bellevue Hospital, circa 1886. Bellevue introduced New York City's first ambulance service in 1869. Its two ambulances responded to 1,400 calls, encouraging the hospital to add five more vehicles the following year. "Hospitals became places of healing rather than places to go to die, as they were widely considered before the war," according to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. "The large-scale hospitals set up by the medical departments had an astounding average death rate of only 9%. Large hospitals became much more accepted by the public after the war." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Ambulance services soon expanded from Cincinnati to other cities around the nation and around the world. Civil War veteran Dr. Edward B. Dalton brought dramatic advances in ambulance services to Bellevue Hospital in New York City after returning to civilian life. Ambulances outside University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland, on Jan. 7, 2022. Tens of thousands of ambulances today respond to tens of millions of emergency calls in America each year. "In June 1869, two lightweight, 800-pound vehicles hit the streets of New York City, staffed by a driver and an ambulance surgeon, an intern fresh out of two years of medical school," Shiloh National Military Park wrote in a lengthy social media post about the history of ambulance care. "Although Cincinnati had the first civilian ambulance in the United States, New York City had the first modern ambulance equipped with a rolling bed, surgical lamp, pillows, and blankets. Medical supplies included bandages, tourniquets, a stomach pump plus a straitjacket, handcuffs, a flask of brandy, and drugs like amyl nitrate and morphine." View of an ambulance train at Harewood Hospital, at City Point, Virginia, 1863, during the Civil War. The conflict led to the introduction of civilian ambulance care after the war. The park added, "War, as often happens, had brought improvements in civilian life." Bellevue Hospital fielded two ambulances in 1869, which responded to more than 1,400 calls for help, according to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Boosted by that public need, the hospital added five more ambulances in 1870. Today, more than 70,000 emergency vehicles respond to about 37 million calls across the nation each year, according to industry sources. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle. Original article source: On this day in history, March 28, 1866, first US ambulance service rolls through Cincinnati Dining out is always a great idea when marking a special moment. What could be more special than a total solar eclipse? That celestial phenomenon is rarer than a blue moon the last total solar eclipse to move across Vermont happened in 1932 so that certainly makes the one that arrives April 8 a unique cause for celebration. Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and even sugar houses in this food-and-drink mad state want to ensure that you have just the right experience to make your total eclipse day a total success. Here is just a sampling of 11 Vermont eateries and drinkeries (listed alphabetically) that are ready to sate you on this super solar occasion. A crowd listens Aug. 27, 2023 at The Alchemist brewery during the Stowe Jazz Festival. The Alchemist It makes sense that the Stowe brewery renowned for its massively popular beer Heady Topper would party on the heady occasion of a total solar eclipse. From noon-6 p.m. Monday, April 8, the Mountain Road brewer promises it will have tunes from DJ Pablo, live music from Mal Maiz, fire dancers from Cirque de Fuego and Alchemist-branded collectible eclipse glasses for the first 500 visitors. The Alchemist, 100 Cottage Club Road, Stowe. (802) 253-6708, www.alchemistbeer.com/eclipse/ Barr Hill in Montpelier has a retail shop in addition to a distillery, cocktail bar and tasting bar. Barr Hill The James Beard Award-nominated distillery in the Vermont state capital begins its four-hour eclipse party at noon Monday, April 8. Ghazis Goodies provides North African and Mediterranean fare, Kingdom Creamery doles out ice cream, the Nobby Reed Project starts playing the blues at 1 p.m., Secret Tarot gives tarot card readings and the first 500 visitors receive free viewing glasses. Barr Hill, 116 Gin Lane, Montpelier. (802) 472-8000, www.barrhill.com The Blue Paddle Bistro in South Hero, shown May 19, 2023. Blue Paddle Bistro The Champlain islands seem an ideal spot to hunker down and welcome the light, the darkness and the return of the light. Blue Paddle hosts what its calling The Dimming Brunch from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, the day before the eclipse. For the eclipse itself on Monday, April 8, the bistro will hold a Lunar Watch & Wine from 2-4 p.m., serving cocktails, wine and beer with appetizers. The Moonlight Delight Dinner from 4-8 p.m. April 8 will feature dinner specials and unique cocktails to mark the occasion. Blue Paddle Bistro, 316 U.S. 2, South Hero. (802) 372-4814, www.bluepaddlebistro.com E.B. Strongs Prime Steakhouse The arrival of an eclipse on a Monday isnt super-convenient for restaurants, many of which shut down for the day after their busy weekends. This Church Street Marketplace steak and wine specialist is normally closed on Sundays and Mondays but will be open April 7-8 to cater to Burlingtons hungry sky-gazers. E.B. Strongs Prime Steakhouse, 10 Church St., Burlington. (802) 497-1214, www.ebstrongs.com The 14th Star Brewing Co. and Grazers restaurant, shown Jan. 12, 2022, operate out of the same space at a shopping plaza in St. Albans. 14th Star Brewing St. Albans is smack in the center of the path of the eclipse, so this brewery with a celestial reference in its name sounds like the perfect place to host a viewing party. The Eclipse Brews & Views celebration that starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 8 includes food from Grazers and the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck as well as commemorative cans of 14th Stars limited release Eclipsed New England India pale ale. Music from local band Rushmore will fill the taproom after the eclipse, from 4-7 p.m. 14th Star Brewing, 133 N. Main St., St. Albans. (802) 528-5988, www.14thstarbrewing.com Four Quarters Brewing A brewery named for the four phases of the moon has to do something to celebrate a total solar eclipse, right? The event at Four Quarters from noon-5 p.m. will include the release of a beer just for the occasion, No Quarter, an India pale ale brewed with a variety of hops known, most appropriately, as Eclipse hops. Four Quarters Brewing, 70 Main St., Winooski. (802) 391-9120, www.4qbc.com The Four Quarters Brewing taproom in Winooski, shown April 19, 2021. Hill Farmstead Brewery The international award-winning Northeast Kingdom beer maker has long been a destination for serious brew fans; now it can be a destination for solar eclipse fans as well. Hill Farmsteads taproom is usually closed on Mondays but will remain open from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, April 8 to welcome the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of visitors, who might descend upon Vermont and its prime totality location. Hill Farmstead Brewery, 403 Hill Road, Greensboro Bend. (802) 533-7450, www.hillfarmstead.com Palmers Sugarhouse Maple season in Vermont is already a big deal add a total eclipse to the mix and youve really got something. This Shelburne sugar maker is holding an eclipse party from 1-4:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 with music from The Tenderbellies, food trucks, beverages and the expected seasonal sweet treats from the sugarhouse. Palmers Sugarhouse, 332 Shelburne Hinesburg Road, Shelburne. (802) 985-5054, www.palmersugarhouse.com The bar at Santiago's in Burlington, shown Aug. 25, 2023. Santiagos Burlingtons vibrant new entry on the citys dining scene conveniently located near prime eclipse viewing territory along Lake Champlain figures a rare extraterrestrial occurrence deserves more than one day of celebration. The Cuban restaurant has announced few details of what its calling Totalidad Carnival from April 5-8 but did say on social media that it will be expanding its outside patio for a front view of this incredible celestial event. Santiagos, 3 Main St., Burlington. (802) 540-2444, www.santiagosvt.com Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant The eclipse celebration at this Champlain islands institution begins from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7 with Total Eclipse of the Art, a sip-and-shop event featuring cocktails and a chance to buy local arts and crafts, much of it with an eclipse theme. From noon-2 p.m. Monday, April 8, Shore Acres offers a pre-eclipse brunch ($40 per person) with eclipse-oriented trivia and invites attendees to stick around for drinks while watching the eclipse itself, then enjoy an eclipse-themed dinner. Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant, 237 Shore Acres Drive, North Hero. (802) 372-8722, www.shoreacres.com Waterworks Food + Drink Admission to Waterworks solar-eclipse viewing party from 1-4 p.m. Monday, April 8 along the Winooski River is $5-$35, but the price includes protective glasses and, naturally, moon pies. DJ Craig Mitchell will provide an eclipse-themed playlist, and food and drink will be available for purchase. Waterworks Food + Drink, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski. (802) 497-3525, www.waterworksvt.com Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Solar eclipse in Vermont: Restaurants open include Alchemist, Barr Hill A remaining section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it collapsed when a cargo ship hit a support structure. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) Its a nightmare scenario for drivers: Your car leaves the road and plunges into water, transforming your vehicle into a sinking trap. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge into the Patapsco River early Tuesday may have stoked fears that you could encounter a similar catastrophe in your own car. Officials with the Baltimore fire department said sonar has detected vehicles submerged in the water, but it was unclear whether anyone was inside. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. A distress call from the freighter that crashed into the bridge and caused the collapse gave officials time to halt more vehicle traffic over the bridge, said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D). As of midday Tuesday, two workers had been rescued from a crew that was repairing potholes on the Key Bridge; six workers were still missing. In the right conditions, drivers who stay calm have a chance to escape an underwater car. In 2013, a 22-year-old woman from Calvert County, Md., survived after her car went off the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and fell 27 feet into the water. Thermal physiologist Gordon Giesbrecht, a retired University of Manitoba professor with an expertise in vehicle submersion and hypothermia, said passengers have one minute to rescue themselves from a sinking car. Once the vehicle becomes even partially submerged, the odds of survival are slim. A minute is kind of an average number, Giesbrecht said. So the windows will certainly work for 60 seconds, but if you know what youre doing, you can open that window in 10 or 15 seconds. He said travelers should memorize the acronym SWOC: -Seat belts off. -Windows open. -Out immediately. -Children first. A lot of people think you should open the doors, which you shouldnt, Giesbrecht said. The car is just going deeper and deeper, and once the water gets up against the window, then you wont even be able to open the window. So youve got to get that window open as soon as you can. Giesbrecht said electric windows should still operate within a minute because your ignition was on. When helping children, push the oldest out first so you can help the youngest passengers. Giesbrecht said it is easier to push than pull passengers out, so remain in the car until your dependents have safely evacuated. Cars in deep water typically sink nose first, so you can buy a few more seconds by exiting out a back window. If theres a release button in the front seat for a rear hatch, then you can escape through the back, but dont waste time trying to locate it. Once the car begins to sink nose down, the passengers will start to run out of air. Any air bubbles will escape out the back. In shallower water, a car might descend horizontally, so passengers could sustain themselves on a trapped air pocket, but Giesbrecht said this scenario is very rare. According to Giesbrecht, smashing a car window is not feasible. Cars that have laminated windows instead of tempered glass are resistant to hard force; not one of the six tools tested in a AAA study were able to break through. A label on the bottom corner of a side window will identify tempered or laminated glass, but that helps only if you have it memorized. Giesbrecht said that, when you have only a minute to save yourself, its not worth the time to search for an instrument. Very few people could ever break a window in the first place, he said. Once the physics of the water changes, you cant break the window anyway, even if you had a hammer. Once youre in the water, Giesbrecht said, you need to control your breath, assess your surroundings and climb onto or cling to the vehicle while it is afloat. You can hang on to the vehicle as long as you can, he said, or until you determine the closest or easiest place you can get to. Hypothermia is not an immediate problem, Giesbrecht said, because it takes an hour for someone to become cold enough for the heart to stop. However, drowning is a real concern, especially if you panic or go into shock after plunging into the water. The first thing that will happen when youre in cold water is a cold shock response, which is gasping and hyperventilating or heavy breathing, he said. The cold could incapacitate your muscles and nerves, and you could lose your ability to swim. We have the 1-10-1 principle, Giesbrecht added. You have one minute to get your breathing under control. Ten minutes of meaningful movement. And about an hour before you become unconscious due to hypothermia. Related Content Abortions outside medical system increased sharply after Roe fell, study finds Putting chaplains in public school is the latest battle in culture wars After voting to legalize weed, Marylanders are mixed on impact, poll finds In 2026, Four Seasons Yachts will sail to more than 130 destinations. Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts As we're just two short years from the debut of Four Seasons Yachts, it's time to take a look at where the first ship in the fleet will be sailing and it's a dazzling collection of more than 130 destinations throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean. From January to March 2026, the first Four Seasons Yacht will sail the Caribbean, visiting such islands as St. Barts, Nevis, the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Curacao and Aruba. Afterward, it'll make the transatlantic journey to the Mediterranean, traveling through the Greek Isles, the Italian Riviera, and the Adriatic, among other destinations. Each itinerary in both regions can be combined with overland extensions at Four Seasons hotels. Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts But Four Seasons Yachts hasn't only announced its inaugural itineraries; it's provided a sneak peek inside the first ship's 95 suites, too. Interiors are a collaboration between Tillberg Design of Sweden and Four Seasons Yachts creative director Prosper Assouline. "Our goal was to craft an environment that feels both familiar and extraordinary, with warm hues and open designs. We are creating an inviting, welcoming environment that reflects the same feeling one experiences at a Four Seasons hotel or resort," Fredrik Johannson, partner and executive director of Tillberg Design of Sweden, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. At the same time, we are designing a look and feel that is unique to this project, creating an elegant yet simple interior that stands out on its own, while blending beautifully with the majestic seas that will surround it. Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts The suites are enormous, offering 50 percent more living space than any other ship at sea. They'll each feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces to give guests sweeping sea and landscape views, wherever they are in the world. Perhaps most uniquely, the adjoining suites on the ship have modular walls that allow for more than 100 connection options, creating versatile living arrangements for guests' needs. For example, you could combine the entire side of a deck to create a 13,000-square-foot palatial accommodation at sea. Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, Joint Owner/Operator Four Seasons Yachts We are excited to showcase the breathtaking destinations and world-class design awaiting guests aboard Four Seasons Yachts as we approach our inaugural season in 2026, Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons president and CEO, said in a statement provided to T+L. At Four Seasons, guest-centricity has always been the foundation of our luxury service offering and our exceptional Yacht will extend this approach to the seas." Rates start at $19,900 per suite for a seven-night sailing; bookings are not yet open, but you can register your interest at fourseasonsyachts.com. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Idris Elba recently shared his ambitious vision to transform an island off the coast of Sierra Leone into an environmentally friendly smart city. The island, Sherbro Island, is situated apart from the African mainland by the Sherbro River and is 230 square miles. Initially Elba dreamed of developing the island to withstand tourism development for its stunning 19 miles of beachfront, he explained to BBC. But Siaka Stevens, Elbas childhood friend who grew up with him in east London, recognized the need for a more impactful initiative. Thus, their company, Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), began a groundbreaking project to build an eco city through a public-private partnership with the Sierra Leonean government and several influential firms. Photo Credit: John Phillips Inspiration Behind The Vision Idris Elba was born to parents, a mother from Ghana and father from Sierra Leone, who immigrated to London in the 70s. His father had a tremendous impact on his life, but unfortunately passed away from cancer in 2013. Elba revealed he draws inspiration for activism from his fathers experiences working in London. Elba fondly recalls his fathers tales about his workers union, where he tirelessly advocated for the rights of workers to CNBC. Reflecting on his fathers commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, Elba emphasized the importance of using ones privilege to speak up and use your platform to give to those who may not have the same opportunity. He credits his fathers encouragement for instilling in him the value of advocacy and the drive to give back. Environmental Benefits Photo Credit: Edwin Remsberg An eco city is a concept that prioritizes sustainability and environmental consciousness in urban development. Many countries, like Sierra Leone, face various environmental and economic challenges. Eco cities can serve as crucial resources, offering sustainable and affordable solutions to issues such as energy consumption, waste management, and climate resilience. By blending modern infrastructure, cultural values, and a respect for nature, these cities provide not only environmental benefits but also economic growth and community empowerment. The character of the island hopefully will remain intact. Its a beautiful, green part of the world and we dont want to disturb that, he said to BBC. Its about being self-reliant, its about bringing an economy that feeds itself and has growth potential. Im very keen to reframe the way Africa is viewed as an aid model. This opportunity is completely different, he added. Elba and Stevens outlined three core principles for their project. They are honoring African cultural values, designing adaptable infrastructure, and adhering to eco city principles. Stevens explained that the islands fuel will come from clean energy sources. The plan includes partnerships with major firms. For example, the energy company Octopus will help establish Sierra Leones first wind farm on the island. Whats more is their commitment to community engagement. The pair met with residents of the island and consult with local leaders to ensure communal satisfaction. Elba and Stevens hope to begin more of the project after the necessary research concludes. But they know this process is likely to last decades. Elbas passion for the project is evident. And despite acknowledging the lengthy timeline and complexities involved, Elba stands firm in his dream. Its a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business, he said to BBC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The upcoming high-level meeting between Armenia, the EU, and the US in Brussels is causing concern in Russia, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said on Telegram, Trend reports. "Washington, Brussels, and Yerevan pretend to be perplexed why the upcoming high-level meeting between Armenia, the EU, and the US on April 5 causes 'concern' for many. They claim it is not directed against any third party. Such events cause concern in Russia because US and EU representatives openly tell our partners that their main focus is exclusively against Russia. They say it outright," she noted. According to Zakharova, such meetings cause concern for most countries in the region because they are aimed not at achieving peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia but at further Western penetration with its extremely destructive approaches in the South Caucasus, creating new dividing lines there, coercing countries in the region to follow an anti-Russian agenda, destroying their centuries-old ties with Moscow, and undermining existing mechanisms of regional security and economic cooperation. "It is unclear why the official Yerevan acts as though they don't comprehend, as Armenia is being turned before the eyes of the whole world into an instrument for the implementation of extremely dangerous plans of the collective West, which completely diverge from the fundamental interests of the Armenian people," she concluded. To note, on March 27, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a briefing that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join the US-EU trilateral meeting with Armenia in Brussels, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, to discuss US and EU support for Armenia's economic resilience as it works to diversify its trade partnerships and address humanitarian needs. He added that the meeting in Brussels is intended to focus on the economic sustainability of Armenia. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled its newly redesigned flagship boutique at 701 Madison Avenue, the same location where the company opened about 10 years ago. The 1,200-square-foot store has now been expanded to a total of 2,325 square feet. A lot of what weve been working on for the past years has been to bring our manufacture to the public, not only in our exhibitions but also in our flagships; we bring history, we bring education with our discovery workshops, we bring an artistic dimension, and of course a lot of storytelling from the manufacture directly to the public, chief executive officer Catherine Renier told WWD. More from WWD Jaeger-LeCoultres newly redesigned flagship in New York City. Jaeger-LeCoultres newly redesigned flagship in New York City. The new flagship gives customers a more detailed view of the world of watchmaking, expertise, and innovation the brand is known for. We want our visitors to feel at home, to feel welcome. Education and sharing are fundamental for Jaeger-LeCoultre, even more as the Watchmaker of Watchmakers. In this spirit, explaining and demonstrating watchmaking is part of our boutique role and our door should be easy to open, added Renier. The boutiques entrance is set between two large windows and leads to an open-plan main floor, with double-height ceilings that blur the boundaries between the rooms, and is composed of natural colors and organic materials such as limestone and oak, with accents of black brushed metal, which mimic the brands home in the Vallee de Joux. Visitors first encounter the Craftsmanship Table, where they can gain a deeper understanding of the brands history, as well as discover the brands Metiers Rares, a small atelier within the factory that was introduced in 2016. It is dedicated to the rare techniques of finishing, such as enameling, engraving, the gem-setting and guilloching. The wall located behind houses a display case with a selection of the rarest timepieces from the current collection. The Craftsmanship Table. The Strap Wall. To the right side of the boutique, visitors discover the high-end movements Jaeger-LeCoultre manufactures, which range up to 1,400, with highlights from the current collection housed in an oval display counter. Beyond the display counters, an interactive Strap Wall allows clients to personalize their timepieces. Toward the left of the entrance, visitors encounter the 1931 Cafe, which pays homage to the Reverso watch introduced in 1931 that is representative of the emblematic Art Deco design. The 1931 Cafe. Adding to the various immersive experiences, located next to the 1931 Cafe, a Cabinet de Curiosites houses a display of objects that tell the story of the factory and its three principal fields of watchmaking excellence through the themes of The Sound Maker, The Stellar Odyssey and The Precision Maker. In the cabinets center, visitors can interact via a screen and a library of nine educational videos that have been produced by the maison, giving customers a behind the scenes look at the brands pillars of creation design, production, assembly, finishing and ornamentation. To round off the redesign, Jaeger-LeCoultre has created a VIP lounge in the heart of the boutique. The Cabinet de Curiosites. Jaeger-LeCoultres newly redesigned flagship in New York City. Adjacent to the lounge, a sculptural staircase spirals up to a glass box mezzanine that overlooks the main floor, aptly named the Atelier dAntoine where a maximum of six guests can take part in discovery workshops led by watchmaking experts, all which can be booked online at the brands website. The Atelier dAntoine. The VIP Lounge. The boutique also has an in-house watchmaker who is tasked with changing or resizing bracelets, as well taking care of after-sale services. The Swiss brand currently operates flagship boutiques in the U.S. in Beverly Hills; Boca Raton, Fla.; Las Vegas; Costa Mesa, Calif.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Houston, and Miamis Design District. Best of WWD The Teamsters wont be held responsible for the demise of Yellow Corp., at least in the eyes of the courts. A Kansas federal judge dismissed a $137.3 million breach of contract lawsuit against the Teamsters, first filed in June after the defunct trucking company said the union interfered in its attempt at a restructuring. Yellow shuttered its operations in late July, a week before filing for bankruptcy. More from Sourcing Journal U.S. District Court Judge Julie Robinson said in her ruling that the less-than-truckload (LTL) company failed to exhaust grievance procedures under the terms of the union contract before bringing their claims in the case. Yellow sued the union for what it called a breach of their collective bargaining agreement by rejecting proposed changes to its business modelwhich included the intended consolidation of four separate LTL operations and shutteringand not agreeing to schedule a required hearing on the matter. In the suit, Yellow claimed it wasnt required to go through with the normal grievance process because its claims didnt involve a strike, and because it was seeking monetary damages. But the court ruled that any grievances, disputes and interpretations of the unions master agreement must be directed to a regional joint area committee, which then can be immediately referred to the national grievance committee. The trucking firm had been rapidly running out of cash amid the attempted second phase of its One Yellow restructuring plan. At the time, the Teamsters had said they had fully honored the agreements terms. After years of corporate mismanagement, Yellow still never misses an opportunity to embarrass itself or bring further shame to what used to be one of Americas strongest freight carriers, said Teamsters general president Sean OBrien in a statement. As the Teamsters expected, the court saw right through Yellows PR stunt of a lawsuit. While 22,000 of roughly 30,000 Yellow employees were represented by the Teamsters, the relationship between the trucking company and the union seemed to get more contentious over the past few years. Although Yellow placed the blame on the Teamsters for sabotaging plans of a turnaround, the union touted claims that it conceded as much as $5 billion in wages and benefits since 2019 to keep the company afloat. Yellows greedy executives drove this company into the ground despite enormous, selfless sacrifice from its workforce for decades, OBrien said. This lawsuit represented managements desperate, last-ditch attempt to save faceand they failed yet again. The union had also criticized Yellow for financial mismanagement despite taking a $700 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2020, in exchange for the federal government taking a nearly 30 percent stake in the company. The dust hasnt quite settled on Yellow and the Teamsters, even months after the company ceased operations. The LTL wants to block the unions effort to claim $257 million in debt it says the fallen trucker owes in benefit liability. The Chapter 11 claim asserted by the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund is 14 years late and charges improper interest, Yellow said in a filing with a Delaware bankruptcy court. Aside from the Teamsters battle, Yellow is still engaged in a legal battle with another pension fund, Central States Pension Fund (CSPF). The bankruptcy court is soon expected to rule on a venue for hearing $6 billion in withdrawal liability claims from the funds. While the pension funds have asked that the dispute be settled through arbitration, Yellow wants the matter to stay before the bankruptcy court. Already having auctioned off most of its terminals for roughly $2 billion, Yellows bankruptcy estate is currently in the process of selling its rolling stock. The Teamsters-Yellow drama also comes as a group of union delivery drivers continue to picket Amazon warehouses, with the latest occurring in City of Industry, Calif. on Monday. Delivery drivers that work for the last-mile delivery company Battle-Tested Strategiesa company formerly contracted as an Amazon delivery partnerhave picketed more than 30 warehouses since last June. The firm is accusing Amazon of unfair labor practices against its workers, with the Palmdale, Calif.-based workers attempting to address low wages and dangerous working conditions, including exposure to extreme heat. Amazon cut ties with the delivery company last year for what the e-commerce giant called a track record of failing to perform, but the delivery firm continues to present itself as a group of Amazon delivery drivers in the press materials coordinated by the Teamsters. As the United States slinks away from mink, Denmark is also scaling back on exotic skins. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), released every five years as part of the U.S. Census, shows that fur production is plummeting in the United States. Data showed that 236 mink fur farms were found throughout the states in 2017, and just five years later, that number dropped just over 53 percent to 110 mink farms. With the speed of this decline, the Humane Society of the United States believes even more mink farms have closed in the last year, though theres no data to prove ityet. More from Sourcing Journal USDA insights also showed that the number of minks killed for their fur dropped from 3.3 million to 1.3 milliona 60 percent decline. Combined with the low prices that mink fur farmers are getting for the animal pelts, the value of the U.S. mink trade plummeted 68 percent from $123 million in 2017 to $39 million in 2022, per census data. The new numbers show an enormous drop in demand, meaning millions of minks are spared from suffering and death, all to produce poms on hats or fur-trim on gloves and shoes, Kitty Block, president of the Humane Society of the United States and Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, wrote in a joint blog post. This is thanks in no small part due to the growing awareness about the inherent cruelties and public health dangers of the fur industry. At the same time, Congress is making moves to phase out mink farming due to well-documented zoonotic-disease threats, as well as the demonstrably inhumane treatment of animals. Mink farms no longer produce raw garments for American consumers, exporting all pelts to shrinking foreign markets, mainly in China, said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. This negligible foreign commerce is no longer worth the domestic risks, given that factory-farmed mink are potential super-spreaders of avian influenza, Covid-19, and other dangerous zoonotic diseases. Representatives Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) are upping the ante on the previously passed ban on U.S. Mink Farmingthe Minks in Narrowly Kept Spaces Are Superspreaders (MINKS) Act. Introduced in March, the Mace-DeLauro MINKS Are Superspreaders Act would bar the possession, transportation and sale of minks raised in captivity for fur production. The MINKS are Superspreaders Act represents a crucial, bipartisan step toward preventing another disease outbreak, like Covid, said Mace. In addition, we have the chance to end the abusive and inhumane mink farming practice. The Mace-DeLauro bill trails behind the introduction of the Mink Facility Disease Prevention Act in the Illinois State Senate, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes and endorsed by Born Free USA. And last June, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) introduced a bill seeking to phase out U.S. mink farms within one year of passage, as well as establish a grant program to reimburse mink farmers for the total value of their operations, Espaillat said in a statement. There is no safe way to operate a mink farm without creating a petri dish that could produce the next pandemic virus, said Susan Millward, executive director of the Animal Welfare Institute. Mink farms risk worsening the current pandemic and ushering in the next one, and we must listen to the scientists sounding the alarm on this, she added. Its time to phase out this declining industry and provide farmers with the resources needed to transition to something safer and more sustainable. According to Animal Wellness Action, the collapse in demand for mink pelts is directly connected to the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in farmed mink that has paralleled the Covid-19 pandemic, with outbreaks in at least 450 mink farms in over a dozen countries. We know beyond any doubt that mink farming poses a high risk for zoonotic diseases while contributing almost nothing to our economy, said Tom Pool, senior veterinarian with Animal Wellness Action. The risk-reward ratio for mink farming makes absolutely no sense. With mink fur and farming on the chopping block in the U.S., Denmark is also making moves away from exotic skins and animal products. Copenhagen has become the biggest fashion week to ban such products beginning in 2025. The high-profile runway show will bar collections using exotic skins or feathers, as announced earlier this week in the first revision of its Sustainability Requirements (a prerequisite of admission criteria for brands to meet in order to make the cut). Since we first enforced the Sustainability Requirements on the show brands of Copenhagen Fashion Week back in 2023, it has been our ambition to annually amp up the requirements in order to keep pushing the brands and to continue setting the standard for fashion weeks globally, Cecilie Thorsmark, Copenhagen Fashion Weeks CEO said in a statement. Therefore, we are excited to launch the first edition of updated Sustainability Requirements. With the updates we are not only raising the bar for brands on our schedule, but we are also reflecting industry developments and learnings as well as the upcoming EU policy landscape. The amendment to the requirements includes three new minimum standards, raising the bar as many move from the commitment stage to the implementation stage. Thirty-one additional actions have been added with a strong focus on social sustainability, including the stipulation stating, Our collection is free from virgin fur, wild animal skins and feathers, also referred to as exotics. The update comes one year after the Sustainability Requirements originally came into effect, and Copenhagen Fashion Week said its updated the framework to continuously push the industrys sustainability efforts based not only on industry developments but also close observations and mapping of EU policy landscape against the sustainability requirements framework. From the very beginning, the aim of the framework has been to push the industry forward and create a common language that is relevant for fashion companies, Frederik Larsen, co-founder of Copenhagen consultancy In Futurum, said. With the revisions, Copenhagen Fashion Week continues this effort. As new regulations are introduced and focus on the industry is sharpened politically, the framework will help strengthen the focus not only on compliance but on continuously extending the scope of fashion and sustainability. Mississippi Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, right, listens as Senate Medicaid Committee Chairman Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven, provides details on the body's passing a Medicaid expansion bill at the state Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi lawmakers will try to negotiate on expanding Medicaid in one of the poorest states in the U.S. after the Senate voted Thursday for a vastly different plan than one proposed by the House. The upper chamber's proposal would insure fewer people and bring less federal money to the state than the version approved by the House last month. But the Senate's approach includes a tougher work requirement and measures to prevent a wider expansion of Medicaid benefits in the future. Senators debated the bill for nearly two hours before approving it in a 36-16 vote. The move to increase eligibility for the government-funded health insurance program that covers low-income people has set off a struggle between Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and members of his own party. In a social media post Wednesday, Reeves called the bill Obamacare Medicaid and said it would amount to welfare expansion to those able-bodied adults that could work but choose not to." Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell, who chairs the Senate Medicaid Committee, has dubbed the Senate proposal Medicaid expansion lite, and said it is much narrower that what is allowed under the Affordable Care Act, a 2010 federal health overhaul signed by then-President Barack Obama. Many of the comments I've seen recently on social media are misleading, inaccurate and designed to be inflammatory," Blackwell said. This bill is not Obamacare expansion. This bill is a very responsible, conservative bill geared toward helping the working poor. The Senate's amended bill would extend eligibility only to those making up to 100% of the federal poverty level, just over $15,000 for one person. That is down from the 138% figure, just under $21,000 for one person, approved by the House. House Medicaid Committee Chairwoman Missy McGee said her proposal could extend benefits to as many as 200,000 people. Blackwell said the new version of the bill approved by his committee could make 80,000 people eligible for expanded coverage, but he projects only about 40,000 would enroll. Mississippi ranks at the bottom of virtually every health care indicator and at the top of every disparity. Hospitals are struggling to remain open. The state also has one of the nations lowest labor force participation rates. Expansion proponents have said the policy could help improve these conditions. Senate Democrats introduced amendments that would have expanded Medicaid to more people, but Republicans voted them down on the floor. Even still, Senate Democrats all voted for the bill, with Minority Leader Derrick Simmons arguing that Mississippi is experiencing a health care crisis and that the bill is better than the status quo. Opponents of Medicaid expansion say the program would foster government dependency, increase wait times for health services and push people off private insurance. Republican lawmakers have said expansion without a work requirement is a nonstarter. The Senate version would require people to work at least 30 hours per week to become eligible for expanded benefits, up from the 20-hour work requirement approved by the House. The Senate makes expansion depend on President Joe Bidens administration approving its work requirement. But the administration has consistently revoked work requirement waivers, arguing people should not face roadblocks to getting health care. Only Georgia has managed to tie a work requirement to a partial expansion of Medicaid benefits. But the state only requires people to document 80 monthly hours of work, 40 hours less than what Mississippi senators have proposed. Georgias program has seen abysmal enrollment. The House proposal would have allowed expansion to continue without a work requirement, but the Senate version would disallow Medicaid expansion without one. Blackwell said he is counting on Biden losing in November to a Republican whose administration would welcome a work requirement. Under the reduced eligibility level approved by the Senate, Mississippi would also lose an additional financial bonus for expanding Medicaid that would be available under the Houses version. The bill now heads back the House, and Reeves is likely to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. Lawmakers could override his veto with a two-thirds vote from the House and Senate. ____ Michael Goldberg 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. What would happen if a nuclear power station in California were hit by a nuclear weapon launched by North Korea? Many people within a nine-mile radius would be vaporised or burnt to death, and the reactor would melt down, causing a lethal rain of radioactive uranium shards. And, in this imagined chain of events, thats just the beginning. Another missile heads towards Washington DC. Images of a mushroom cloud cause panic on social media. Then again, as the Pulitzer-finalist journalist Annie Jacobsen observes in this book, the destruction of the Californian plant would also have the effect of permanently taking the social network formerly known as Twitter offline. So its not all bad news. Nuclear War: A Scenario is a breathless, minute-by-minute description of one way in which, thanks to apparent North Korean paranoia, a global thermonuclear war could suddenly erupt. Its based on hundreds of interviews with many retired security officials and more-or-less declassified information in the public domain. What it captures brilliantly is the emotional chaos into which leaders would be plunged in such a situation: Jacobsen paints a disturbingly persuasive picture of a panicking, dithering American president, given only a few minutes to decide whether to retaliate by nuking Pyongyang before the first incoming missile even hits in other words, to obey the Launch on Warning doctrine current in the US while being shouted at by an entourage that ranges from the cautious to the insanely hawkish. These are scenes straight out of Dr Strangelove. Jacobsens book also details the mad logic of escalating retaliation that takes hold, and the large contribution to disaster made by unreliable technology. American missile-defence simply doesnt work half the time. The president orders a massive strike on North Korea (before another Korean nuke hits Washington DC and downs his fleeing helicopter), but the trajectory of those nukes will take them over Russia to hit the target. The Russian missile-alert system is erratic and they think there are twice as many coming towards them over the Arctic Circle. They demand to speak to the president on the phone, but the president is nowhere to be found. (Hes bleeding in a forest.) North Korea then detonates a nuke in space above the US, causing a massive electromagnetic pulse that destroys the electricity grid, and all infrastructure goes down. Finally, out of injured pride having received no call back the Russians launch their own nukes before the American ones pass them on their way to Pyongyang. Less than an hour after the first explosion at the Californian power plant, Russian bombs destroy the capitals of Europe; 14 minutes later, 1,000 Russian missiles strike targets in America. Half a billion people die. Nuclear winter looms. Soon, no food will grow in the northern hemisphere. War begins, in Jacobsen's tale, after North Korea lash out in paranoia - Reuters/KCNA Throughout the book, Jacobsen is rather facetiously sceptical about the idea of deterrence, which is how all nuclear powers justify their stockpiles of such weapons. It ought to be acknowledged, however, that because of deterrence no nuclear war has broken out in nearly 80 years, and that the rogue states who seek to acquire nuclear weapons, from North Korea to Iran, do so precisely because they know that being so armed will deter forceful interference in their affairs by hostile superpowers. To allow this is consistent with knowing, as Jacobsen writes, that nuclear war is insane. Every person I interviewed for this book knows this. Every person. To contemplate insanity, perhaps, is challenging for ones prose. In terms of style, Nuclear War appears to have been written for those who find the novels of Dan Brown too sophisticated. Pulp-thrillerish one-sentence paragraphs abound. Of historical contingency plans for nuclear war, the author writes, unnecessarily: The so-called unthinkable, and yet, most definitely, not unrehearsed. Nuclear-armed submarines, which can empty their tubes of intercontinental ballistic missiles in a minute, are called the handmaidens of the apocalypse every time theyre mentioned. Words are sometimes jumbled or redundant, or both. Almost everything is dreaded or called Doomsday. The Trident-armed HMS Vanguard off the Scottish coast in 2012 - Getty/MoD As a literary work, then, Nuclear War is inferior to the brilliant docu-novel by the arms-control expert Jeffrey Lewis, The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States (2018), which takes the forensically persuasive form of an official inquiry into a nuclear exchange between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump. But Jacobsens book provides a more accessible and deeper compendium of the unsettling facts about nuclear history, planning, and devastation, and her addition of Putin and his henchmen into the mix although what China is doing during this apocalyptic hour is, oddly, never mentioned makes for a snowballing scenario that leads to a much worse ending, one in which no one is even left to write an official report. Come the US presidential election in November, both books might come to seem uncomfortably of the moment again. Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen is published by Torva at 20. To order your copy for 16.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Anyone looking for Nyack's Wasabi restaurant may have been a bit confused March 28. That's because the Japanese eatery was given a new awning for a Netflix show being filmed there. Wasabi was transformed into Purdy's, a restaurant that was, as it read on the signage, "established in 1983 in Burlington, Vermont" for "The Life List," a show based on a novel with the same name by Lori Nelson Spielman about a woman on a quest to complete her childhood bucket list. It stars Sofia Carson ("Purple Hearts"), Kyle Allen ("West Side Story") and Connie Britton ("The White Lotus"). Wasabi in Nyack was transformed March 28th into Purdy's for the Netflix filming of "The Life List." Photographed March 28, 2024 A post on the Village of Nyack Facebook page told followers to "expect a little excitement" as a section of Main Street was transformed to look like Burlington. The crew also filmed at the First Reformed Church of Nyack on South Broadway. Nyack is no stranger to TV and movie productions, something Mayor Joe Rand attributes to "a scenic downtown that can be a stand-in for everything from Staten Island to Burlington Vermont." The village was the backdrop for "Bernard and the Genie," which starred Melissa McCarthy in addition to "Dear Edward," "Severance," "Blacklist," "FBI Most Wanted," and "Ray Donovan." More: Jeanne Muchnick's 'Best Thing I Ate This Week': Fried chicken at The Peach Pit in Rockland Added Rand: "We have some of the best turn-of-the-century architecture anywhere. And we get a lot of filming because Nyack is a welcoming environment full of artists who love artists. "We want them here and love to see Nyack featured in the big (or small) screen." The First Reformed Church of Nyack on South Broadway was used as a location for the new Netflix show, "The Life List," which filmed March 28 in Nyack. Have a celebrity or film tip? Send to JRMuchnick@gannett.com. Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 'The Life List' filmed at Wasabi restaurant in Nyack NY by Netflix A 16-pound puppy rescued from a burning house in Oregon three weeks ago has found a forever home, and the adopter is none other than a firefighter who fell in love with him. The dog, now named Smoky, sustained severe burns from the fire, and its a miracle that he survived. Firefighter adopts puppy rescued from burning home After the fire crew removed Smoky from the burning home, as per PEOPLE, he was taken to the South Coast Humane Society for specialized treatment and veterinary care. Unfortunately for Smoky, the massive inferno left him with drastic burns on various parts of his body, most notably on his face, feet, and back. Thankfully, his arrival at the Humane Society kick-started his road to recovery. In a lengthy post shared on Facebook, the Humane Society revealed that Smokys healing journey encompassed lots of intensive care, multiple cold baths, applying medicated salve, wound management and skin removal, and lots of love! As Smoky continued to recover at the shelter, a fire marshal who facilitated the rescue took it upon herself to look for potential adopters for the lovely pup. Eventually, the fire marshals search for an ideal adopter ended after a firefighter friend expressed interest in adopting him, adding that he fell in love with Smoky. Interestingly, the firefighter and his wife visited Smoky several times while he was recovering at the shelter, and the trio bonded pretty well. Given that Smoky had made significant progress in his recovery, the shelter knew it was time for him to go home with his new family. This past weekend, the couple officially adopted the fully house-trained, crate-trained pup, and its nothing short of a happy ending. Firefighter plans to teach children fire safety with canines help Smokys new firefighter owner has big plans for the pup. He intends to train Smoky on the Stop, Drop, and Roll fire safety technique so that together, theyll be at the forefront of school district presentations educating children about this life-changing technique. The post Rescued Puppy Smoky Adopted by Firefighter in Oregon appeared first on DogTime. For those who have the choice between brewing coffee at home or heading to Starbucks, most coffee lovers will likely choose Starbucks. However, not everyone has time to wait in the store or even at the drive-thru. Enter ready-to-drink (RTD) Starbucks beverages. In 1996, Starbucks found a way to bottle its iconic Frappuccino and release its first line of RTD beverages. The company also released canned Doubleshot espresso drinks, both of which remain best-sellers in their respective RTD categories in the U.S. The success of pre-made items has ushered in some extremely popular caffeinated beverage options over the years, but Starbucks' most recent announcement may be the company's most exciting release of RTD refreshments in years. Per Starbucks Stories, the coffee company is releasing a total of 15 new RTD products that will be available for purchase at grocery stores and beverage retailers as of March 28, 2023. Starbucks has been taking notes on what customers are enjoying most and has incorporated fan favorites into the newest line of RTD offerings. New releases include two new bottled Frappuccino flavors featuring oat milk, three new canned Cold Brew flavors that incorporate sweet cream, and two new Multi-serve Cold Brews. Five flavors of Doubleshot Energy beverages and three flavors of Tripleshot Energy beverages have also been released, featuring a new design along with additional vitamins and nutrients. Read more: The Ultimate Ranking Of American Fast Food Restaurants Dairy-Free Starbucks Fans Have A Lot To Look Forward To Oat Milk Starbucks RTD beverages - Starbucks The demand for expensive, yet delicious oat milk continues to rise amongst lactose-intolerant coffee drinkers and those who simply enjoy the flavor of dairy-free beverages. Starbucks began offering oat milk at its reserve locations as a dairy alternative back in 2019 and has since made it available nationwide following its continued spike in popularity. Now, the dairy-free milk has found its way into two ready-to-drink (RTD) Frappuccino coffee drinks, featuring two exciting new flavors: Caramel Waffle Cookie with Oat Milk and Dark Chocolate Brownie with Oat Milk. The dairy-free alternative can also be found in Multi-serve Cold Brew flavored with brown sugar (via Starbucks Stories). For dairy lovers who prefer sweet cream to cold foam at Starbucks, the company has also released three new 11 oz. cans of Starbucks Cold Brew feature Salted Caramel Cream, Chocolate Cream, and Vanilla Sweet Cream flavors. All of these releases, along with five newly designed Doubleshot Energy drinks and three Tripleshot Energy drinks, can now be found in the U.S. wherever groceries are sold. While it is too soon to report on exactly how fans are reacting to Starbucks' most recent RTD releases, the appealing new flavors might be enough to inspire coffee lovers to visit their local grocer rather than a Starbucks location. Read the original article on Daily Meal There are as many as 15 different kinds of Filipino rice cakes or kakanin available and that's not counting the various interpretations that different provinces in the Philippines would have for each type. Getting to try all of them can be daunting, not the least because kakanin is very filling. It's generally made with glutinous rice and coconut milk, although some varieties are made with cassava. Trying them all is a delicious challenge, however one that'll open your eyes to the incredible versatility of these basic ingredients and how creative people can be with food. A good starting point would be two of the most popular types of kakanin suman and kutsinta. Both have the same main ingredients, yet they could not look any more different. Often rolled like a thick cigar, at times lightly flattened at the edges, and then wrapped tightly in either palm or banana leaves, suman's consistency shows the rice grains more clearly than kutsinta. Kutsinta, on the other hand, has a jelly-like texture, although instead of disintegrating like regular jelly, it presents a pleasant chewiness when you bite into it. Both are widely available in the Philippines and sold by ambulant vendors, entrepreneurial home cooks, and restaurants. They're also frequently served during gatherings and special occasions. Beyond their mild sweetness, which comes courtesy of the coconut milk, the chewy, sticky texture of these rice cakes also symbolizes to the locals the unity that comes from having strong social bonds. Read more: 30 Types Of Cake, Explained What Is Suman? Suman with toasted coconut milk curd - MilletStudio/Shutterstock You will find a local version of suman wherever you go in the Philippines. This popular rice cake is made by cooking glutinous rice in coconut milk with sugar and salt. Once the grains are par-cooked, the rice is left to set for a bit before it is scooped and placed on top of rectangular wrappers cut from either palm or banana leaves. It gets rolled tightly into a log, closed with twine, and put in a steamer for around an hour. Sellers will also flavor suman with brown sugar, peanuts, and chocolate to give it a more pronounced taste and color. It is often topped with toasted coconut milk curds and served with coconut caramel as a dip. Suman were made in the Philippines long before the island nation was colonized by Spain. The Italian historian Antonio Pigafetta, who served as the chronicler of Ferdinand Magellan's 16th-century exploration to reach the Spice Islands, had noted in his journals how Spanish visitors in the Palawan province were served delicacies "resembling sugar loaves" wrapped in banana leaves. Suman is easy to make with accessible ingredients. Amy and Romy Dorotan, the Filipino chefs and restaurateurs behind Purple Yam, championed its simplicity in their book "Memories of Philippine Kitchens," describing it as "the most primitive and is prepared the most simply, without the soaking, grinding, and leavening used for [other kakanin types like] bibingka and puto." What Is Kutsinta? Kutsinta with grated coconut meat - Tony Magdaraog/Shutterstock Kutsinta is a variety of the kakanin named puto, which is also a steamed rice cake. Its name is believed to come from the Hokkien term "kueh tsin tao," meaning "bite-sized snack" or "dessert." However, there's another theory that kutsinta was named after a now-obsolete kitchen tool that originally gave it the shape of a flattened cupcake. Today, molds are used to give this rice cake its form. Powder made from grinding annatto seeds is mixed with the glutinous rice to give kutsinta its signature red-orange hue. Annatto seeds are commonly used to add a natural vibrant color to food, especially sauces. Recently, home cooks discovered how adding blackstrap molasses turns the rice cake black, creating another interesting-looking treat. However, since blackstrap molasses has a much lower sugar content and has a bitter and salty taste, it also changes kutsinta's regular flavor. From delicately sweet, it becomes richer with the additional layers of mild saltiness and bitterness and a smoky undertone. Kutsinta is typically served with a topping of grated coconut. With its black variant, some prefer to serve it with toasted grated coconut and yema a candy-like version of dulce de leche to balance the saltiness and bitterness. Part Of Suman's Flavor And Aroma Comes From Its Wrapper Cooking suman - junpinzon/Shutterstock Native leaves are used as suman wrappers for more than decorative purposes or practicality. With the kakanin encased in either banana or palm leaves as it gets steamed, the heat causes the leaf to impart its lightly floral scent to the rice grains. This aroma becomes stronger when suman is grilled instead of steamed. This is how the suman variant named tupig is cooked. The leaves get toasted enough that crisped bits get stuck to the rice, adding a little crispy texture to the edges, along with a slightly bitter, smoky taste. The inside, however, remains moist, chewy, and lightly sweet. For a more decadent treat, some folks fry an unwrapped steamed suman in medium heat, giving it a crunchy crust. This can be served with slices of ripe mango, similar to the Thai dessert mango sticky rice. The fruit's light acidity balances the richness of the rice cake. Coconut jam or coconut caramel is also drizzled on top for another layer of flavor. Kutsinta's Jelly-Like Texture Comes From Lye Water Black kutsinta with coconut caramel and toasted coconut flakes - Loybuckz/Shutterstock Although kutsinta is a variant of puto since it's cooked in a similar manner and with the same main ingredients, it comes out sticky and jelly-like, unlike the latter's fluffy and chewy texture. This is due to the addition of lye water, an alkaline solution made from dissolving potassium carbonate in water. This food-grade liquid is available commercially and used in numerous Chinese dishes. Adding the right amount of lye water neutralizes the acidity in the food and adds a pleasant elasticity and tenderness to the starch in noodle dishes and baked goods. The same effect happens to kutsinta, hence its springiness. In addition to the annatto powder, lye water adds a yellow tint to the rice cake, resulting in kutsinta's eye-catching color. However, cooking with this solution must be done with care since it is corrosive to bare skin and dangerous to taste raw. Following the recipe exactly is also important since too much lye water can make food taste bitter. There's also a suman variant called suman sa lihiya that is cooked with lye water, although it's more for adding a light yellow coloring rather than changing its texture. Suman Is Also Treated As Breakfast Fare Unwrapped suman moron atop wrapped suman - Loybuckz/Shutterstock Since kakanin is so filling, Filipinos treat it as a snack more than as a dessert. In some of the Philippines' southern provinces, suman is enjoyed as a breakfast food. A specific variant is called budbod kabog, made with ground millet seeds that give the suman a more buttery texture. Budbod is sold in the painitan small coffee shops in the public markets of the Visayan region with locals and tourists stopping by in the morning to eat them with a cup of coffee or sikwate (hot chocolate). Another popular type of suman is moron (emphasis on the second syllable), which combines two flavors in one. Glutinous rice flour is divided into two batches so one gets a chocolate flavor added while the other is flavored with coconut milk; some home cooks also use vanilla to add more contrast between the two tastes. Each batch of par-cooked and flavored glutinous rice is sectioned into strips. Each strip is intertwined with a different flavored one, and the resulting braid is wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed. This suman is sweeter than the usual type, with a marbled effect in its coloring. It's perfect when enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate. Kutsinta Is Often Paired With Puto Kutsinta with puto - richardernestyap/Shutterstock The differences in texture and color between kutsinta and puto make the two a popular combo. Eating their bite-sized portions one after another is easy since they're both mildly sweet. Plus, despite being starchy treats, the variations in their consistency keep the palate from getting sated quickly. Their pairing is even better when the kutsinta's grated coconut topping is mixed with sugar and toasted sesame seeds, while strips of cheese garnish the puto. These rice cakes are also great when served beside savory dishes. Puto is more known for this since its fluffy texture makes it a perfect alternative to steamed rice; it is famously paired with dinuguan (pork blood stew), one of the most popular Filipino dishes. With kutsinta, it is a great accompaniment to pancit canton, a noodle dish cooked with meat and vegetables. Aside from providing a sweet counterpoint to the savory noodles, both food items create an appetizing medley of colors on the plate. Read the original article on Tasting Table Happiness really isn't hard to find. It's right there on the map: White Rock, New Mexico. Courtesy of Los Alamos County Happiness isn't as hard to find as you think. In fact, it has an address: White Rock, New Mexico. The Travel released its list of the 10 Happiest Small Towns in America for 2024. To figure out which towns are indeed the happiest, the website used a variety of metrics, including a community's population, household income, median property value, education, and crime statistics. And when all was said and done, it named the town of White Rock its No. 1 pick. "With a rural feel and a close-knit community, White Rock is one of the happiest small towns in America, where the abundance of picturesque landscapes is great," The Travel shared in its findings. "Surrounded by rolling hills and amazing rock formations, its nearby Jemez Mountains and Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway offer sweeping views of the fall foliage in New Mexico." The website noted that the town boasts an astonishingly low unemployment rate at just 3.1 percent, almost a full point lower than the national average. The town also has a 3 percent lower cost of living than the national average, making it a statistically great place to call home. But it truly goes well beyond just great numbers. Courtesy of New Mexico True Were honored to have White Rock receive such high acclaim from The Travel, and we know the town is certainly deserving of the title, Ellyn Felton, a marketing specialist for Los Alamos County, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. With a friendly atmosphere, tons of trails through and around town, beautiful dark skies, and unique local businesses, White Rock is a gem among small towns across America. Felton called out the town's Bandelier National Monument as a must-see destination, where guests can explore ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and hit its expansive network of hiking trails, along with White Rock Overlook Park, which gives stunning views of the Rio Grande and the Jemez Mountains. Felton also says the town has a rather fantastic culinary scene, including Pig + Fig Cafe. (This establishment won its own accolade: it was named in TravelAwaits list of 15 Best Small-Town Restaurants in 2021.) The town was joined by a few other quaint communities, including Sugarcreek, Ohio in second, followed by Tybee Island, Georgia; New Harmony, Indiana; and Eureka Springs, Arkansas, rounding out the top five. See the full list of happiest towns at thetravel.com. Related: 20 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the U.S. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 28. The final decision on the restoration of Crocus City Hall has not yet been made, said Executive Vice President of Crocus Group Emin Agalarov in an interview with Russia-24 TV channel, Trend reports. According to him, the owners of the concert hall will consider the viewpoints of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov, and public opinion. To note, the incident unfolded on March 22, 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 death toll from the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall has reached 143. Director of the Federal Security Service of Russia, Alexander Bortnikov, briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the detention of 11 individuals, including four terrorists involved in the attack at Crocus City Hall. According to the court's decision, the individuals accused of carrying out a terrorist act - Dalerdzhon Mirzoev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov - were placed in pre-trial detention. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." When Bryan Stevenson first saw artist Simone Leighs sculpture Brick House at the 2022 Venice Biennale in Italy, he saw his grandmother. The first thing I wanted to do was run and embrace it, he says, recalling later to Leigh that he hadnt known he was looking for his grandmother until he saw her piece. Simone allowed me to find her in something big and Black and beautiful and boldso I knew I wanted that at the beginning. Stevenson is executive director of the Equal Justice Intiative, a nonprofit committed to ending mass incarceration, which he founded in 1989 as an extension of his law practice representing people on death row. The beginning he is referencing is the entrance to the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama, a 17-acre site that physically walks visitors through the United States history, from enslavement to emancipation, with sculpture, testimonials, and historical artifacts including 170-year-old plantation dwellings of enslaved people and life-size last seen ads in which Black people requested information about family members from whom they had been forcibly separated. The park, which opened March 27, is the third in a series of EJI spaces in Montgomery, following in the footsteps of the Legacy Museumwhich traces slaverys evolution across racial segregation, lynchings, and mass incarcerationand the National Memorial for Peace and Justicewhich pays homage to the thousands of Black Americans who were victims of domestic terrorism by way of sanctioned, racial terror lynchings. In keeping with Stevensons belief in authenticity of place, or the value of sharing history in the very environment where it happened, EJI intentionally situated the park between the Alabama River and the states rail lines, both prominent channels that catalyzed and sustained the kidnapping and brutalization of enslaved people. (By 1860, nearly 400,000 Black people had been enslaved on or near the Alabama River.) To have the same spacewhere, for generations, the history of the Civil War was dictated by the losers in a way that continued to oppress a large portion of the populationbe used as a new landscape for storytelling, one that becomes a major driver of tourism and economic growth in the region, is deeper than anything I could imagine, says Hank Willis Thomas, one of more than 30 artists featured at the new site. Equal Justice Initiative Human Pictures Freedom Monument Sculpture Park visually articulates the gravity of loss that stemmed from Europeans mass abduction of African communities, while paying homage to the millions of Black people who somehow maintained their capacity to love and hope for freedom along the way. Each piece is designed to animate and dramatize the narrative, says Stevenson, and the narrative is designed to provide context for the pieces. What this looks like in practice is a two- to three-hour, art-filled, walkable loop, starting with pieces by Indigenous artists like Allan Houser, whose parents were jailed in Montgomery like many other Indigenous people who tried to resist their forced removal. (Between 1813 and 1836, 16,000 Muscogee people were forcibly removed from their Alabama homelands.) It looks like busts by Rayvenn Shaleigha DClark, whichpaired with text that details African advancements within metallurgy or specialization in growing rice and sugarcounter the harmful myths that African countries were underdeveloped or that slavery was beneficial to Black people. It looks like Brad Spencers figure-shaped brick sculptures, sitting next to text reading: the tiny fingerprints of enslaved children who turned bricks as they dried can be seen today on the bricks of historic Charleston buildings. In conversation, these artworks reflect the interconnected methods of Black oppression that persist to this day, methods we can quite literally see at work by way of, say, childrens fingerprints. Equal Justice Initiative Human Pictures Stevenson believes that pairing such pieces allows them to have a power they might not otherwise have. Hanks visual depiction of violence [in his sculpture Strike], next to Rashid [Johnsons] boat, next to a whipping post across from a holding penit allows you to see the full beauty of the work, he says. Ghanaian multidisciplinary artist Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, whose work is also featured prominently at EJIs two other sites, speaks to this relationship within his own sculptures in the park. If you look closely at his two bronze, multi-figured installations, you can see that characters from We Am Very Cold (which appears first) are once again present in Mama, I hurt my hand, identifiable only by a mark of the Yoruba tribe here or a forehead scar there. We should become conscious that this is a continuum, Akoto-Bamfo says of his works connectedness. Bryan uses [the term] selective amnesiawe like to forget or cut things off, but it is a continuum; and you and I, we all play a part of this narrative. Equal Justice Initiative Human Pictures Together, the parks artworks push back against the archaic right-wing talking point that slavery has always been around and was not unique to the European slave trade. Visitors can see the translatlantic and domestic slave trade represented something very different than slavery that was a consequence of losing a war or being in debt, Stevenson says. It became racialized, it became permanent, and it became hereditary. Stevenson has long underscored the integral role visuals play in exposing who is the villain and who is the hero. When law enforcement officers are beating and battering and bloodying women on their knees praying, the optics shift, he says. In this way, Stevenson is a conceptual artist, says Thomas, who uses the term to describe his own work as well. Every law practice is inherently a creative practice, Thomas says. And for Bryan to do in this landscape what he cannot do in the courtroom is really a testament to how brilliant of an artist he is. In the same breath that the park documents the generational violence against Black people since enslavement, it also celebrates this community of people who did something so remarkable in their survival, Stevenson says. This approach is a relief to artists like Akoto-Bamfo, who calls working with EJI a canvas of peace. I can vent in the works, show the harshness, be explosive, but I dont want it to end in violence, he says. I know Bryan will make sure there is closure or a way forward for people who visit. Equal Justice Initiative Human Pictures Visitors might feel this sense of healing or closure at the final stop in the park, the 43-by-155-foot National Monument to Freedom. According to Stevenson, who conceived of the piece, its impetus was to talk about the extraordinary things that ordinary people did, even people whose names we dont know. Covered in over 120,000 names adopted by nearly five million formerly enslaved Black people (derived from the 1870 Census), the monument speaks directly to tho whose histories visitors have just witnessed. It reads: Kidnapped, Trafficked, Enslaved, and Abused Enduring the horrors and pain of slavery, You still found the capacity to love, to dream, to nurture new life, and to triumph. We honor your strength. We honor your perseverance in the midst of sorrow. We honor your struggle for freedom. Your children love you. The country you built must honor you. We acknowledge the tragedy of your enslavement. We commit to advancing freedom in your name. Unfortunately, the last three lines sound like battles we are still very much fightingwhich is, of course, an integral point of the EJI sites. Were not going to get where were trying to go if theres no repair or remedy to these harms, Stevenson says. If we can create a consciousnessif we can turn a city with this long history of denial and silence into a place of truth telling and progresstheres not another community in America that can say, Oh, well, they could do that in Montgomery, but we cant do that here. Part of EJIs work beyond the physical sites in Alabama is activating other communities to participate in constructing their own public markers, most specifically at lynching sites in their areas. (The most recent effort was in Newton, Mississippi.) Through this work, communities are practicing accountability for enslavementboth in the past and in its current form. With a 13th Amendment that abolishes slavery except as a punishment for crime, the United States continues to rely on the nearly-free labor, confinement, and surveillance of peopleprimarily Black peoplein service of capital through mass incarceration. Stevenson believes that theres another way of achieving accountability than just throwing people away and acting like we can be as abusive toward this person who committed a crime as the crime that they committed. EJI has long fought to expel systemically violent practices from our criminal legal system, like legislation that allowed for death sentences or life without parole for children. If the vision is to have healthy communities where people are not struggling with trauma or addiction or any of the things that feed violence, Stevenson says, EJI is making the case that putting children in adult prisons isnt the way to do that, that executing people is not the way to do that, and that giving up on people is not the way to go. Equal Justice Initiative Human Pictures But political figureheads are more interested in regression: States like Alabama and Louisiana recently sanctioned the murder of people on death row by nitrogen gas. (One in eight people on death row has been exonerated, and Black people are overrepresented there, making up 42 percent of the population awaiting execution.) Unfortunately, these representatives are not limited to state leadership. For the first time in my life, we dont have a court thats committed to advancing racial justice along this continuumtheyre actually trying to retreat, Stevenson says of the U.S. Supreme Court, whose conservative majority ruled against affirmative action last year. With this court at the helm of the justice system, and with two million people currently incarcerated, it appears that this country defines its greatness by the degree to which it punishes and limits Black people. But, bolstered by their historical sites, Stevenson and the team at EJI are intent on fighting these structures in the movement toward liberation. I have to be willing to believe things I havent seenotherwise, I will be doomed by the landscape thats in front of me, he says. Evoking Martin Luther King Jr., he adds that we have to resort to a sort of moral power, [one that] cant be given to you by a politician, by a gun or a weapon, or by wealth. Hopefully, he says, this power will encourage peoplewhite people especiallyto subscribe to the words centered on the parks National Monument to Freedom. By emblematizing accountability at its sites, EJI is speaking to Americans that deny our historysaying, in Stevensons words: Youre more than an enslaver or a lyncher. And if I can extend that grace to you, then we need you to extend that to people who are often the victims of a lot of these institutions that you created. You Might Also Like FX'S EPIC HISTORICAL drama series Shogun, based on James Clavell's novel, chronicles the ascent of Lord Yoshii Toranaga in feudal Japan, as he battles and outmanoeuvers his enemies to assume the title ofyou guessed itshogun. Episode 6 of the show, "Ladies of the Willow World," brought that vision one step closer, with the brutal death of Sugiyama and his family at the hands of Ishido's forces pushing Toranaga to take drastic action. The episode ends with Toranaga declaring to his most trusted lieutenants that the time has come for him to invoke "crimson sky." This marks a major moment in Shogun both in terms of Toranaga's character arc, and the overall plot. What is "crimson sky"? Prior to Episode 6, Toranaga has tried to avoid an outright military conflict, as he has been lacking in numbers and almost certainly doomed to fail. And he has also stated multiple times that he has no personal desire or ambition to be shogun. However, Ochiba and Ishido's ruthless actions force his handafter killing the neutral Sugiyama, they control the Council of Regents, and clearly aren't afraid of a fight. So it's time for Toranaga to do the same. "Crimson sky" is the term Toranaga uses to describe his plan to carry out a swift and violent all-out assault on the castle at Osaka, eliminating his enemies in one fell swoop and installing himself as the sole Regent. It is a strategy with no space for politicking or negotiation: left with no other options, Toranaga must put everything he has into this war, and hope that his half-brother will come to his aide. FX The aim of crimson sky is to avoid a lengthy, drawn-out war with a high death count, keeping the fighting and killing to a minimum. Whether or not Toranaga's plan will be successful, and how it will reshape the political landscape and balance of power, is sure to unfold in surprising ways over the remaining four episodes. You Might Also Like X-MEN '97 IS one of the most exciting projects that Marvel has put out in recent years. The animated series picks up right where '90s staple X-Men: The Animated Series left off. But whether you're a newcomer or a longtime comic book fan, it's easy enough to get into for anyone who enjoys the X-Men. The first two episodes premiered on March 22, and immediately viewers had a shock. Professor Xavier is gone, and the recipient of his estate... was Magneto. The longtime X-Men adversary then put aside his ire for humans and decided to help the team pursue Xavier's dream of harmony between humans and mutants. To add yet another shock, Storm lost her powers in an anti-mutant attack, and at the end of Episode 2, decided to leave the X-Men to live among humans. One last surprise, though, comes in the form of a mysterious woman who collapses on the X-Men doorstep and looks eerily like Jean Grey. Episode 3 reveals the truth behind the strange doppelganger phenomenon. In case you're confused, or just want a comic book refresher, here's what you should know about who's who, and what the title of "Goblin Queen" really means. Who Is the Goblin Queen? Marvel Studios In the show, Beast runs some tests, and discovers that the woman who just arrived is the original Jean, and the one the X-Men have been with for an indeterminate amount of time is the clone version of Jean. The "not Jean" doesn't agree at first, but when she runs off to her bedroom with Nathan, Mister Sinister appears. He reveals she's actually a clone he created to have a child with Scott so that he could kidnap the baby. Sinister proves all of this by taking control of Jean's clone, and calling her the Goblin Queen. She immediately goes and fights the X-Men, distraught over her false memories. In the comics, Madelyne Pryor meets Scott in Alaska after Jean's death in the famed "Dark Phoenix Saga". She looks eerily similar to Jean Grey, enough for Scott to fall head over heels in love with her. The two have a child, Nathan, and Scott ends up leaving the X-Men to live a peaceful life with Madelyne, while mourning the loss of Jean. Marvel Comics Jean is resurrected, however, and Scott (in a shocking turn of events) abandons his wife and child to be with her. In Uncanny X-Men #206, Nathan is kidnapped by the Marauders, and Madelyne is left for dead until the X-Men save her. Madelyne then begins to meet various demons, who plague her with hints that she's not who she thinks she is. This leads her to Mr. Sinister's lab in Uncanny X-Men #240, where Sinister reveals her true origins: she's a clone he created to seduce Scott. Overwhelmed by the revelation of her false past and the loss of her husband (a demon returns Nathan to her), Madelyne actively works against the X-Men in the "Inferno" storyline when demons take over New York City. There, she completes her transformation as the Goblin Queen, where she works with the demons from Limbo. She later comes to her senses and to defeat Sinister, sacrifices herself. Scott and Madelyne's son, Nathan Summers, is later infected with a techno organic virus that can't be cured in the present day, so they send him into the distant future to hopefully be cured. We meet him again as the hero Cable. In X-Men '97, all of this is revealed in a more condensed way. We only learn Madelyne's name at the end. And there's no clarity on when or how Sinister switched her and Jean. Still, the "Inferno" storyline is included in a more contained version (the invasion is relegated to the X-Men mansion and Sinister's lab), and there's even a brief glimpse of Magik (Morph becomes her for a short while), another superhero who is raised in Limbo. Marvel Studios Still, the crux of the original storyline is there, along with Nathan's subsequent origin story. Rather than dying at the end of the Sinister fight, Madelyne decides to leave the X-Men, striking out on her own and appearing to leave on good terms with Jean and the rest of the team. It's unclear if we'll see her again, but X-Men '97 is leaving the door open on what could be next for Madelyne Pryor. The Goblin Queen could return! You Might Also Like Investigators have arrested 1,357 suspected dealers and criminals within a few days during extensive drug raids in numerous French cities. As Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in the eastern city of Dijon on Thursday, 751 of the suspects were already wanted by the judiciary. According to the information provided, many of them are now in custody. "We are taking dealers out of circulation in the long term," the minister said, countering the accusation that the police actions had no long-term impact in neighbourhoods plagued by drug dealing. The police raids, dubbed "Tidy Place" in French, are part of a strategy launched last summer aimed at eliminating the approximately 4,000 drug sales hotspots in the country. Police officers are deployed around the clock at the relevant locations in the cities for an extended period of time. They are to arrest drug dealers and prevent them from starting up their business again a few metres away after a brief police operation. Drug gangs are particularly active in the high-rise housing estates of many large cities in France and make life difficult for other residents. Violent exchanges between gangs occur time and again, resulting in the deaths of innocent bystanders. The situation is particularly problematic in the southern port city of Marseille, where 49 people lost their lives in drug-related violence last year. KNOX CITY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) At least one child was killed in a Knox City shooting incident early Thursday morning. KTAB/KRBC spoke with the family to confirm that one child had died in a shooting incident at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The 1-year-old baby girl was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. At least one other child is in the custody of child protective services. The family told KTAB/KRBC this was an accidental death and are requesting space as they grieve the life of their child. At this time, it is unclear how the infant was shot. Knox City Police Chief Richard Candelahara confirmed the timeline of the shooting death with KTAB/KRBC, and said Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation. The following Texas Ranger media statement was released from DPS Staff Sergeant Marc Couch: At the request of the Knox City Police Department and the Knox County Sheriffs Office, the Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation into the death of a child in Knox City, Texas. The preliminary investigation shows, on March 28, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., a 911 call was made from a residence on Southeast 2nd Street in Knox City for an alleged accidental shooting involving a 1-year-old child. First responders arrived on the scene and found an unresponsive child with a gunshot wound. The child and the mother were taken to the Knox City Hospital, where the child was pronounced dead. At this time, this is an active and ongoing investigation, and no additional information is available. BigCountryHomepage.com will provide additional details as they are made available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing President Joe Biden and his administration over the $156 billion in federal student debt forgiveness from the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan. Kobach filed the 38-page lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Wichita. He told reporters at a news conference in Topeka that he plans to ask a federal judge to issue an injunction so borrowers remain obligated to make payments on their student loans. "President Biden is defying the ruling of the United States Supreme Court while also seizing power from Congress," Kobach said. "Fortunately, in America, we live in a constitutional republic and the courts can strike down an illegal or unconstitutional executive act. That is what we are asking the court to do in this case, and we look forward to seeing the president's attorneys in court." Kansas is leading a coalition of states that include Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. They name Biden, education secretary Miguel Cardona and the U.S. Department of Education as defendants. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach walks toward a news conference Thursday at the Kansas Statehouse where he announced a federal lawsuit against President Joe Biden over a student loan forgiveness program. The lawsuit's four counts allege the Biden administration violated the U.S. Constitution's separation of powers, that the agency exceeded its statutory authority, that the agency action is "arbitrary and capricious" and the agency violated law on administrative procedures. It asks the court to declare the SAVE Plan unlawful and block it from being implemented. Kobach was part of previous lawsuit on student debt forgiveness Kobach was part of a similar coalition in 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration didn't have the authority to erase up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for most borrowers and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. "In spite of that loss, and in completely brazen fashion, the president pressed ahead anyway and implemented another version of the student loan forgiveness program," Kobach said. "The president even boasted, quote, 'the Supreme Court blocked it. ... But that didn't stop me.'" "President Biden's new student loan forgiveness program is slightly smaller than the old one, at least for now, but it's just as illegal," he added. What is the SAVE Plan? Almost 8 million people are enrolled in the SAVE Plan, which calculates payments based on income and family size rather than the balance on their loan. Monthly payments are calculated by discretionary income, which is defined as the difference between gross income and 225% of the federally defined poverty level for an individual that would equal $33,885. About 4.5 million borrowers have qualified for a total elimination of monthly payments under the plan, which is limited to people making less than $16 an hour. Those earning above those thresholds will still benefit from the halving of payments from 10% to 5% of their discretionary income and a reduced timeframe before loans are forgiven. Last summer, the White House said that 35,000 Kansas borrowers had enrolled in SAVE. The administration estimated that more than 20 million Americans could benefit. "This plan is the most generous repayment program ever," Biden said in February. More: Biden cancels $1.2B in student loan debt for borrowers on income-driven repayment plan Kobach called the program "profoundly unfair." "I think it would be difficult for anyone to answer why it is fair to transfer money from those who have less to those who have more," Kobach said. "It forces taxpayers, including people who did not go to college because they couldn't afford it, and people who work their way through to college and people who saved money and then went to college, it forces them to pay for the student loans of those who ran up exorbitant student debt. That's simply unfair." Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach discusses why he is filing a lawsuit over the Biden administration's handling of student loan debt forgiveness during a news conference Thursday. Kobach wants the courts to move quickly to block student debt relief "I am aware that letters are going out right now under the second version of the Biden plan, telling people that their loans are forgiven," Kobach said. "And indeed in Kansas, they've already sent out letters indicating that millions of dollars in loans have been forgiven. "In fact, they made an announcement I think it was this morning or last night in anticipation of this case, celebrating how many millions of dollars in loan forgiveness had already been issued in Kansas. Well, that is illegal, and we will be asking the courts to enjoin that action." Kobach said the lawsuit could make it to the Supreme Court's emergency docket, where a case goes directly to the Supreme Court after an appellate court rules on a preliminary injunction. Still, Kobach said it's unlikely to make it to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals until late summer. The Supreme Court typically is in recess between late June and early July until the first Monday in October. Why is Kansas leading the lawsuit? Kobach said Kansas works with other states to divide the labor on cases challenging the federal government. Kansas is leading this case because "we agreed to take the mantle and lead the charge." Kansas leading the case means any appeal would go through the 10th Circuit, which Kobach described as "somewhere in the middle" on a conservative to progressive scale. "But I would say in a case like this, which is really unusual, where you have a Supreme Court ruling, then you have the administration turning around in less than a year and implementing something that appears to go directly against that ruling it's so brazen that in any circuit this case should prevail," he said. More: Do you want to sue Joe Biden? Kansas AG Kris Kobach will pay an attorney up to $120,000. Kobach campaigned to 'sue Joe Biden' Kobach ran for office in 2022 with a campaign promise on his election signs to "sue Joe Biden." He said he hasn't kept track of how many times he has done so. "We don't have a tally sheet. We don't have a scoreboard on the wall," Kobach said. He guessed there have been more than 10 cases, and if you count legal threats in comment letters, it is closer to 20. As for whether he thinks Biden is acting politically, Kobach said, "It could be purely coincidence" that the president's student loan plans have been advanced during election cycles, but "then again, it might not be pure coincidence." This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas' Kris Kobach sues Joe Biden over SAVE student loan forgiveness WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Washington County Tennessee Sheriffs Office (WCSO) held an event focused on the importance of women in law enforcement Thursday. The event was attended by more than 100 women in law enforcement representing agencies from across the area, some coming from as far away as Chattanooga. All women working in the field were welcome to attend, including police officers, deputies, corrections officers, probation officers, judges and others. Men in command staff roles were also encouraged to attend to gain more understanding of their female coworkers. Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton was in attendance. Butler marina fined $32,000 for discharging wastewater into Watauga Lake The all-day event was held at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. Featured speaker Karen Ashley, a veteran law enforcement officer from Arizona, addressed the crowd and shared her thoughts on how women have progressed in the field. A panel of women who had spent years in law enforcement shared their insights and encouraged their fellow women to continue to grow in their roles. Part of this is educational, said Sergeant Joy Shoun of the WCSO, who organized the event. We learn how we do things and where our strengths are, and its OK to understand what your weakness is. Those are just things that you can improve on. Lunch was provided at the free event. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Why do we find the fennec fox so adorable? Floridapfe from S.Korea Kim in c / Getty Images What makes an animal cute? In a 2016 article published in "Trends in Cognitive Sciences," researchers found that cuteness plays an important role in the infant-caregiver relationship. The world's cutest animals have features that tug on their parents' heartstrings (and increase their brain activity). Animals with traits similar to human babies such as big heads, big eyes, soft skin (or fur) and a pleasant smell can trigger some of the same emotions we feel in the presence of a human infant. Red panda. Jackyenjoyphotography / Getty Images 1. Red Panda The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small mammal with all the traits humans find adorable: a big forehead, round eyes, small mouth, a boop-able nose and thick red fur. (Its reddish coloring is distinctive but doesn't necessarily make it cuter humans are drawn to anything soft-looking, including fluffy fur.) With an average length of 22 to 25 inches (56 to 63 centimeters), these adorable animals are about the size of a domestic cat. Unlike cats, red pandas will stand on their hind legs when threatened, giving them a bear-like appearance. Giant panda. guenterguni / Getty Images The red panda lives in the same high-altitude bamboo forests as the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), but the two species are not closely related. Giant pandas cute animals in their own right are members of the bear family (Ursidae); red pandas are not. Sadly, red pandas are endangered. "Grazing pressure and the unsustainable harvest of forest resources have placed tremendous pressure on red pandas," Saroj Shrestha, former program coordinator for the Red Panda Network in Nepal, told HowStuffWorks. Pygmy hedgehog. David Northcott / Getty Images 2. African Pygmy Hedgehog Its exterior may be prickly, but its round eyes and the way it curls up into a little ball makes the hedgehog a certifiably cute animal so cute that some people keep hedgehogs as pets. The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), also known as the four-toed hedgehog, is the species most commonly kept as a pet. Native to central and eastern Africa, ole "four toes" is the smallest species of hedgehog, measuring just 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 centimeters) long. Four-toed hedgehogs can be domesticated, but this small animal is illegal in some states and might not be the best option if you're looking for a cuddly creature to bring home. "Many are not the biggest fans of being cuddled and prefer to explore their surroundings on their own," Atlanta-based veterinarian Sydney Brehm told HowStuffWorks. Siberian flying squirrel. DistinctivePhoto / Shutterstock 3. Siberian Flying Squirrel Don't think squirrels are cute? Wait until you see the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). This little ball of gray-and-white fur has huge eyes, a tiny nose and mouth and chipmunk-like cheeks. (FYI: A chipmunk is a type of squirrel.) Siberian squirrels don't just live in Russia you can find them in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Mongolia, Japan and Korea. They are adapted to cold climates and prefer spruce forests. A subspecies known as the Ezo flying squirrel has become somewhat of a tourist attraction in Hokkaido, Japan, where they are a protected species. 4. Wild Cats Cats are so cute that humans have kept them as pets for thousands of years. When it comes to wild cats, many start out as adorable kittens, then grow into intimidatingly large adults. Some wild cats, however, stay small for life, keeping their cuteness factor. Some of the smallest wild cats are: Rusty-spotted Cat Rusty-spotted cat. Felineus / Shutterstock Prionailurus rubiginosus is even smaller than a domestic cat, with a body just 13 to 19 inches (35 to 48 centimeters) long, a height of 8 inches (20 centimeters) and a weight of 2.2 to 3.5 pounds (1 to 1.6 kilograms). It may be cute, but the rusty-spotted cat is a formidable hunter. The species feeds primarily on small rodents, but this tiny creature has been known to attack gazelles. Sand Cat Sand cat. Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images Felis margarita is adorable not just because of its tiny stature (18 to 22.5 inches or 45 to 57 centimeters long and 3 to 7.5 pounds or 1 to 3.5 kilograms in weight), but its wide face and huge eyes, which give the sand cat that "baby face" look. And let's not forget its velvety fur! Sand cats live in some of the world's driest climates: the Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula and parts of Central Asia. Kodkod Kodkod. tya.studio / Shutterstock Leopardus guigna, also known as the guina, is the smallest cat in all of Central and South America. It lives in Argentina and Chile and looks like a tiny leopard. These little animals are just 14.5 to 22 inches (37 to 56 centimeters) long and weigh 3.3 to 6.6 pounds (1.5 to 3 kilograms). Black-footed Cat Black-footed cat. Mark Newman / Getty Images Felis nigripes of Southern Africa is the continent's smallest feline, standing 8 inches (20 centimeters) tall, 14 to 20 inches (36 to 52 centimeters) long and weighing 2.2 to 5.5 pounds (1 to 2.5 kilograms). According to local legend, black-footed cats can take down a giraffe. Pygmy marmoset. Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images 5. Pygmy Marmoset Baby primates look more like baby humans than any other animal, so it makes sense that we'd find them adorable. The pygmy marmoset (genus Cebuella), also known as the pocket monkey, dwarf monkey or finger monkey, is an especially cute specimen. There are two species of pygmy marmosets (C. pygmaea and C. niveiventris) in South America, both roughly 6 inches (14 centimeters) in length about the size of a human hand and just 1.3 pounds (600 grams), making the pygmy marmoset the world's smallest monkey. Sea otters. Temujin Nana / Getty Images 6. Sea Otter Sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) might just be the world's cutest marine mammals. They're in the same family as weasels but live their entire lives in the Pacific Ocean. Their thick fur, fluffy paws and round, mischievous faces make sea otters some of the most adorable animals in the ocean. These cuddly animals hold each other's paws when they sleep, and babies often hitch a ride on their mothers. They're also incredibly playful. Fennec fox. Floridapfe from S.Korea Kim in c / Getty Images 7. Fennec Fox Foxes are some of the cutest wild animals around. They're in the dog family, so they resemble man's best friend, but foxes are smaller and less intimidating than wolves or coyotes. The fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is one particularly adorable species. This small fox uses its huge ears (about 6 inches or 15 centimeters long) to shed heat in the hot climates of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where fennec foxes live. Despite its enormous ears, the fennec fox is actually the smallest species of fox, clocking in at a body length of just 14 to 16 inches (36 to 41 centimeters) and weight of 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms), about the size of a small Chihuahua. If you think big ears are cute, check out the bat-eared fox of Eastern and Southern Africa, whose ears are almost as large as a fennec's. Bush baby. akegooseberry / Getty Images 8. Bush Baby These adorable creatures are so cute, we humans decided that their common name should have the word "baby" in it. The bush baby (family Galagidae) is a small, fluffy primate found in the rainforests, savannas and shrublands of Sub-Saharan Africa. The smallest bush baby species there are over 20 weighs just 2.5 ounces (70 grams), and the largest is 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms). These little creatures have humongous eyes, which help them see at night and make them incredibly cute to humans. Original article: 11 of the Cutest Animals And Why Humans Love Them Copyright 2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company CHICAGO A 14-year-old boy is in the hospital after he was shot in the citys North Lawndale neighborhood early Wednesday evening, according to the Chicago Police Department. CPD said officers were called to the 1800 block of South Fairfield Avenue around 4:05 p.m., where their preliminary investigation found a 14-year-old male was exiting a vehicle when he was shot in the back by an unknown offender. The 14-year-old boy was taken to Stroger Hospital, where police say he is in good condition. Police have no one in custody. 4 dead, multiple victims attacked by suspect in Rockford neighborhood: police No additional information is available at this time, as area detectives continue to investigate. If you or someone you know has information that can help the Chicago Police Department make a breakthrough in the investigation of this incident, anonymous tips can be filed online at cpdtip.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 29. Another suspect in the terrorist attack committed at Crocus City Hall has been detained, the Investigative Committee of Russia says, Trend reports. According to information, the suspect was involved in a terrorist financing scheme. The investigation will send a petition to the court to select a preventive measure for him, the report says. The incident occurred on March 22, when unidentified assailants opened fire at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, leading to evacuations. Eyewitnesses described individuals in camouflage attire firing machine guns inside Crocus City Hall just before the scheduled concert by the Picnic group. Director of the Federal Security Service of Russia, Alexander Bortnikov, briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the detention of 11 individuals, including four terrorists involved in the attack at Crocus City Hall. The death toll has reached 143. 2 arrested for deadly shooting from September 2023 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two homicide suspects were arrested Wednesday in connection with a deadly shooting from September 2023. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said 19-year-old Nathaniel Harris and 21-year-old Thomas Wade were taken into custody following a grand jury indictment for the Sept. 15, 2023 murder of 22-year-old Kyle Martin Jr. on Moonlight Drive. PREVIOUS: Man dead after being shot multiple times, crashing car in Bellshire neighborhood Harris was apprehended at the Birch Building where he appeared in court for an unrelated attempted homicide case for which he was currently out on bond. Wade, meanwhile, was arrested at his home in Rutherford County with help from the La Vergne Police Department, according to investigators. The MNPD said both Harris and Wade were indicted this month on first-degree murder charges stemming from their involvement in a shooting that killed Martin, who was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside his vehicle. Martin died from his injuries at Skyline Medical Center. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Police said Harris and Wade will be held without bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The bodies of two people have been recovered from the waters where the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday in Baltimore, state officials announced Wednesday. Divers continued the search in the Patapsco River in Baltimore for the missing people on Wednesday, when they found a red pickup truck around 10 a.m. submerged in about 25 feet of water, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent of Maryland State Police, said Wednesday. Two bodies were trapped in the truck and pulled out by divers, Butler said. They were later identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk. Fuentes was from Mexico, and Cabrera was from Guatemala, he added. They were among a group of construction workers filing potholes overnight Tuesday when a cargo ship smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse around 1:30 a.m. Two individuals were rescued Tuesday, and four remain missing and are presumed dead. The ship, named Dali, was on its way to Sri Lanka. At this point, based upon the conditions, were now moving from a recovery mode to a salvage operation, Butler said during Wednesdays press conference. Because of the superstructure surrounding what we believe are the vehicles and the amount of concrete and debris, divers are no longer able to safely navigate or operate around that. Based on sonar scans of the area around the wreckage, officials firmly believe the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that collapsed during the incident, he added. The search stopped around 4 p.m. Wednesday. Once that salvage effort takes place and that superstructure is removed, those same divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure, Butler said. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) noted this phase is not a conclusion, but a continuation, and said it will be taken just as seriously. The Port of Baltimore is closed in the wake of the incident, and officials have not released a timeline for when it can reopen. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott reassured residents the channel will reopen as quickly as possible while noting it is important it is done the right way. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated there is no timeline, as the majority of the port is inside of the bridge. He expressed concerns about the local economic impact of the port closure, noting that 8,000 jobs are directly associated with its activities, while more than $100 million in cargo moves through the port daily. President Biden pledged to rebuild the bridge and said he expects the federal government to foot the bill with the support of Congress. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The bodies of two workers who fell into the Patapsco River after a massive container ship slammed into and destroyed Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this week were recovered on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed. The search for four others was suspended, with authorities citing conditions in the water that made it too dangerous for dive teams to continue. The two men were found around 10 a.m. in a red pickup truck submerged in 25 feet of water, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., secretary of Maryland State Police, said at an evening news conference. They were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, originally from Mexico; and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk, Maryland, who was from Guatemala. Both were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge, as were the four men who remain missing, Butler said. He explained that the missing are believed to be encased within the mangled debris of the 1.6-mile-long bridge. We have exhausted all search efforts in the area around this wreckage, he said. Two other workers were rescued, one of them seriously injured, after the early morning collision on Tuesday, officials previously said. Baltimore Bridge Collapse Investigators Recover Cargo Ships Black Box According to a preliminary timeline of the disaster pieced together by National Transportation Safety Board investigators, the 985-foot, Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, suffered a complete blackout and issued its first mayday alarm around 1:24 a.m. on Tuesday. The warning allowed police to halt traffic before the ship slammed into the 47-year-old bridge, sending it crumpling into the water within seconds. Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the crash site was in ruins. Its pretty devastating, certainly, seeing not just whats going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge spanthree bridge spans that [are] pretty much gone, she said at the news conference. Its just utter devastation. Homendy also said that one of the agencys senior hazmat investigators identified 56 containers of hazardous material aboard the Dali, which had been bound for Sri Lanka. Thats 764 tons of hazardous materialsmostly corrosives, flammables and some miscellaneous hazardous materials, class nine hazardous materials which would include lithium-ion batteries, she said. Some of the hazmat containers were breached. Only two containers went into the water, however, neither of which contained hazardous materials, according to Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations for the U.S. Coast Guard, who spoke at a White House press briefing on Wednesday. NTSB releases photos of NTSB investigators on the cargo vessel Dali: https://t.co/lD5DyE9xE4 NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 28, 2024 U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at the briefing that authorities did not yet have an estimate of when or how the bridge would be rebuilt, but that it would not be quick, easy, or cheap, according to ABC News. The NTSB investigation is expected to take between 12 and 24 months to complete, Homendy said. There were 23 people aboard the Dali at the time of the collision, 21 crew members and two pilots, none of whom was seriously injured. Investigators spoke to its captain, mate, chief engineer, and another engineer on Wednesday, and will speak to the two pilots on Thursday, she added. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The economic impact of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore which left six dead and one seriously injured will be hefty. The immediate price tag: $2 million dollars in wages a day and 8,000 jobs, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Rebuilding will not be quick or easy or cheap, Buttigieg told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. The area is a critical one for America's economy. Ranked the United States' largest vehicle handling port, the Port of Baltimore offers the deepest harbor in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. Closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port, the Port of Baltimore also is within an overnight drive of one-third of the nation's population. Between $100 million and $200 million of cargo passes through the port every day. With that coming to standstill, many longshore workers could be unemployed, Buttigieg warned this week. About $2 million in wages are at stake every day. And that's one of the areas we're mostly concerned about, the transportation secretary explained. These longshore workers, if goods aren't moving, they're not working, he added. Companies are coping with the tragic disaster by rerouting shipments to other East Coast ports. About 4,000 commercial trucks a day used the bridge, and detours are expected to increase delivery times and fuel costs, according to Oxford Economics. Segments of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge rest on the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Six people are missing after the Dali lost power and crashed into one of the bridge's support columns. Currently, there is work taking place on the bridge to offload some of the vehicles stuck in transit, getting them back on the surface transportation to go out to other sites. A major response The bridge collapsed at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday after being struck by a massive container ship, about 985-feet long. Buttigieg said the Coast Guard, in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, will coordinate on the channel cleanup and the reopening. However, he didnt immediately offer a timeline for the reopening of the port or the rebuilding of the bridge, which took five years to finish in the 1970s. President Joe Biden has called for the federal government to foot the bill to rebuild the bridge, which Congress would have to approve. But that shouldnt be a barrier for work to begin soon, Buttigieg said Wednesday. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a sweeping piece of legislation targeting America's infrastructure signed into law in 2021, has authorized funding for the Transportation Departments emergency relief program. The Port of Baltimore is the 10th largest in the U.S. based on container imports, according to Moodys Analytics. It's the No. 1 port in the nation for vehicles. Last year, it handled a record 847,158 cars and light trucks, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moores office. The facility also handled 1.3 million tons of farm and construction machinery, the most of any port in the nation, and it employs about 15,000 workers. Will the Baltimore bridge collapse cause supply chain disruptions or price hikes? Oxford Economics doesnt expect the reshuffling to have any material impact on the nations $28 trillion economy or economic growth this year. Experts from both Oxford and JPMorgan Chase said they expect the shifts likely will push up prices, especially for vehicles, but the effects should be minimal. Other supply chain experts, however, said the devastating episode could mean significant challenges. On the East Coast, only ports in New York; Newark, New Jersey and Jacksonville, Florida, have the capacity to handle the diverted vehicles as well as the farm and construction machinery that flowed through Baltimore, said Chris Tang, faculty director at the Center for Global Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. Yet the docks at those ports are already brimming with imported cars and light trucks because of slow sales of electric vehicles and SUVs in the U.S. They need to get them off the docks because theres no room, he said. To relieve the logjam, manufacturers or dealers could offer car buyers incentives to goose sales and move vehicles off dealer lots, creating space for those rerouted from Baltimore, Tang noted. As a result, while prices could edge higher for some vehicles, others could be discounted. And the Biden administration, Tang suggested, could offer manufacturers and dealers subsidies to provide the incentives. At the same time, many ports are still stocked with vehicles from Detroit automakers bound mostly for Europe, Tang said. Those too must be shipped out to make space for diverted cars. The planning and negotiations required to ease the backlogs could mean delivery delays of several weeks for consumers ordering certain new cars, he said. "Whether theres a delay is dependent on the make and model of the vehicle," said Nathan Strang, Director of Ocean Freight, for Flexport, a supply chain management company. Auto production also could be held up because parts shipped to U.S. assembly plants through Baltimore will be rerouted, Strang said. Since the pandemic has eased, most manufacturers have returned to just-in-time inventories that mean limited supplies of parts and materials. But it's not just vehicles. Sugar shipments may pose another challenge as recovery efforts begin in Maryland. The Domino Sugar Refinery is located in Baltimores Inner Harbor. Rerouting massive amounts of imported sugar through other East Coast ports could increase delivery costs and nudge up prices for consumers, Tang says. For now, Domino has said it has enough inventory to deal with at least a month-long disruption, economists Adam Kamins and Colin Seitz of Moody's Analytics wrote in a note to clients. Still, industries impacted are far-reaching. The Baltimore port is also the busiest for imports of gypsum, a material used in drywall, and it handles significant shipments of U.S.-bound lumber. An extended disruption could make building more expensive in the near term, according to the authors. And the port is the second largest in the U.S. for coal exports, especially to India. An extended disruption to this port could mean a supply shock that extends to Asia and potentially reverberates back into global supply chains, the economists wrote. Buttigieg on Wednesday said he had a reminder for any member of Congress on the fence about funding requests as experts grapple with the economic impact of the Baltimore collapse: "Today this is happening in Baltimore, tomorrow could be your district, and we really need to stand together red, blue, and purple to get these things done." Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore bridge: Deadly collapse will have sweeping costs for workers Two people were shot, one fatally, early Thursday morning near Edgemoor, police said. New Castle County police were called to the first block of Rodney Drive just before 12:30 a.m. after receiving reports of gunshots in the community. There, they found a 24-year-old man inside a car. Police said he had been shot "multiple" times. New Castle County Police investigate a wooded area adjacent to where a shooting took place on N. Rodney Drive in Edgemoor Gardens, reported about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024. Despite officers performing first aid, he later died. About 20 minutes later, an 18-year-old man showed up at Wilmington Hospital, also with "multiple" gunshot wounds. Police said he's listed as stable. About 9:15 a.m. Thursday, detectives could be seen knocking on doors in the community. Several police vehicles and officers were also investigating around Clayton Court, which is a block away from Rodney Drive. New Castle County Police investigate after a shooting on N. Rodney Drive in Edgemoor Gardens, reported about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024. So far this year, New Castle County police have reported 10 people shot, with Thursday's marking the first homicide, according to Delaware Online/The News Journal's shooting database. At this same time last year, six people had been shot in county jurisdiction, two of them fatally. Four of those shot were injured in police-involved shootings. One of those shot included Andrew Edelmann, whom police were investigating for apparent drug sales. The officer who shot Edelmann was recently cleared following a Delaware Department of Justice investigation. New Castle County Police investigate after a shooting on N. Rodney Drive in Edgemoor Gardens, reported about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024. The DOJ found that when Edelmann "nearly ran over" the corporal, "any subjective perceptions of harm became objective facts." EDELMANN SHOOTING: NCCo police officer justified in use of force that left 22-year-old dead, DOJ says Police said the investigation into Thursday's double shooting continues and detectives will release more information as it becomes available. The victim will be publicly identified once family is notified. A New Castle County Police SUV blocked the entryway onto North Rodney Drive from Rysing Drive as officers investigated a double shooting that claimed the life of a 24-year-old man Thursday (March 28, 2024) in the community of Edgemoor Gardens. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Thomas Bruhn at (302) 395-8120 or via email at Thomas.Bruhn@newcastlede.gov. Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_ Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 2 shot, 1 fatally, near Edgemoor early Thursday morning LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two teenagers will be charged and a driver is being sought in connection to a string of armed robberies at Dollar General stores across three North Carolina counties, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said two juveniles will be charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping following an armed robbery that happened at a Dollar General store located along N NC Highway 10 in Vale on Monday, March 25. During this incident, authorities said the two teen boys entered the store with firearms and forced the employees to open the cash registers. While one of the teen suspects held the employees and at least one customer at gunpoint, another emptied the cash registers. The two teen suspects then reportedly fled the scene to a vehicle waiting at another location. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS Crime & Public Safety According to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, detectives learned similar robberies had happened at a Dollar General in Gaston County and a Dollar General in Cleveland County. Detectives in Lincoln County, Gastonia, Cleveland County, and Shelby were able to identify the two teens and the vehicle used in all three robberies. On Tuesday, March 26, detectives located the two juveniles who live in Shelby. One teen was transferred to the custody of the Dept. of Juvenile Justice, and the other teen was interviewed and then released to a parent, the sheriffs office said. At this time, authorities are still working to identify the owner of the getaway vehicle involved in all three robberies. The vehicle is described as a black 2020-2021 Ford Edge. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Det. D. Hendrix at 828-455-6762 or the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office at 704-732-9050. This is a developing story; check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) After 20 years in operation, United Launch Alliance attempted to send up its Delta IV Heavy rocket for the final time on Thursday. The rockets swan song was originally scheduled for 1:40 p.m., before it was pushed back to 2:45 p.m. ULA staff decided to scrub the launch shortly after they aborted the countdown at T-3:50. Delta IV was set to launch from Space Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as part of the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. When it eventually launches, will be carrying an undisclosed payload. The launch was likely to be delayed, with only a 30% chance of favorable weather, according to a forecast from Patrick Space Force Bases Weather Squadron. Gusty winds behind a cold front threatened the launch. ULA did not immediately identify a time another launch attempt. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Blancpain joins forces with The Woodward and its patisserie chef Titouan Claudet for an Easter extravaganza Calling all watch and chocolate lovers, and preferably those who love both, as Blancpain has a new creation in the form of a limited edition chocolate Easter egg. Created in collaboration with one of Genevas newest and most exclusive hotels The Woodward this beautiful chocolate creation was inspired by Blancpains famous carrousel complication and features a decorative motif that replicates a circular graining finish. Patisserie Chef Titouan Claudet Its creator, The Woodwards patisserie chef Titouan Claudet explains: This egg really embodies the elegance and expertise of the Maison Blancpain. My aim was really to simplify the design, to have something very soft and elegant that would be consistent with the Blancpain brand not forgetting a touch of sweetness, of course, with coffee-flavoured praline inside, caramel, and caramelized almonds. Woodwards patisserie chef Titouan Claudet Guillaume Cottancin Order Your Own Blancpain Egg If you arent licking your lips already, then you can stop here and go over to Blancpains latest watch releases. But, if we still have your attention, then this exquisite creation is available for sale on The Woodwards online shop for CHF 95, and can be picked up between March 26th and April 2nd (reservation 24 hours in advance). An additional bonus is that a portion of the profits will go to Action Innocence, a charity close to Blancpains heart that aims to protect the integrity and dignity of children, teenagers, and individuals with special needs in their use of screens and digital technologies an important cause and a great way to support the foundation during the Easter celebrations. Blancpain Carrousel Blancpain Blancpains Love for Gastronomy For those unfamiliar with Blancpains love for fine dining, an Easter egg collaboration may seem a little unusual, but the brands connection to the world of gastronomy is nothing new as it has had privileged relations with the worlds top Michelin-starred chefs since the 1980s. One of the brands first friends was the famous chef, Joel Robuchon and, funnily enough, 40 years later, this fabulous egg is being presented in The Woodward, home to the restaurant LAtelier Robuchon, which holds two Michelin stars. Blancpain's limited edition chocolate Easter egg Guillaume Cottancin A Special Easter Offer For Geneva locals looking for ideas for what to do over Easter, The Woodwards Le Jardinier restaurant is holding a festive brunch prepared by chef Olivier Jean. With majestic views over the lake and the Mont Blanc, and a menu that includes imperial caviar, crab mimosa-style egg, lamb rack from Adret, red bell peppers in a crust, confit eggplant, vegetable curry, and a dessert trolley to die for. And for those from out of town, you can still benefit from this offer with The Woodwards special Easter package that includes an exclusive Haute Horlogerie experience by Blancpain. The offer is valid from March 28th to April 7th for a minimum of two nights, from CHF 3200 per night for two suites, subject to availability. Reservations on +41 22 901 37 77 or oetkercollection.com. And, we have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny will also be in attendance! GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Three companies in Kent County are set to expand, creating dozens of jobs in the area. Packaging Compliance Labs, which provides medical device manufacturing services, plans to expand its locations in Kentwood and Cascade Township, according to a Thursday release from The Right Place in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The expansion is expected to create 50 new jobs and invest $4.5 million. In Wyoming, dairy processor Schreiber Foods is set to grow, focusing especially on its beverage products. The expansion will invest $59 million and add 32 jobs, according to the release. Finally, The Right Place says Celia Corporation, which operates as General Formulations and manufactures adhesive vinyl film, will expand in Sparta. Leaders expect the project to create 52 new jobs and invest $6.9 million. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A spring break sleepover turned into sheer horror for three teenage girls who were among the random victims of an alleged spree killer in Rockford, Illinois, a county prosecutor said. Christian Soto stands accused of multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. One of the victims, Jenna Newcomb, 15, died trying to save her sister and her friend, according to Rockford's mayor. Officials disclosed the details at a news conference Thursday outlining the case against Soto. "It's spring break, girls watching a movie. I can't even comprehend that," said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, choking on these words. Jenna's friend, who was only identified by her initials, had spent the night, and the girls were watching a movie in the basement on Wednesday afternoon, Winnebago County Prosecutor J. Hanley said. Jenna's sister was in the kitchen fixing something to eat around 1:30 p.m. when Soto entered the home through an unlocked back door off the garage. Soto, who was covered in blood, grabbed one of Jenna's softball bats, Hanley said. Jenna's sister, who also was not identified, ran to the basement to warn the girls. Soto followed, cornered them in the room, and began hitting the girls with the bat, Hanley said. Jenna collapsed and lost consciousness. She never recovered. As Hanley described the horrifying details, he struggled to keep his composure. At one point, Jenna's friend was lying in a fetal position as Soto struck her on her left side. Suddenly, Hanley said Soto stopped and said he was going upstairs to get a gun. That's when Jenna's friend called the police and then ran outside to find officers already nearby responding to Soto's ongoing rampage. Soto told detectives that he entered the home through the open garage and back door, found a bat in the kitchen, and went to the basement to attack the girls, Hanley said. Jenna's sister and friend suffered lacerations and bruises, and the sister also was being treated for an arm fracture. The bat was discovered in an upstairs bedroom, covered with blood. Pope Francis washes feet of 12 women at Rome prison in ceremony State Department spokesperson comments on staffer who resigned over U.S. response to Gaza war From the archives: Louis Gossett Jr. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip DUBAI (Reuters) - At least 32,552 Palestinians have been killed and 74,980 injured in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Thursday. There have been 62 Palestinians killed and 91 injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry statement added. (Reporting by Clauda Tanios; editing by Mark Heinrich) It's possible we're at the cusp of a new era, one where the fresh crop of restaurant burgers are just as diverse and interesting as the people who love them. After what feels like an eon of humble smash burgers dominating the dining landscape, it's time for burgers with depth, swagger and a bunch of different sizes. We rarely pass up a burger on a menu, and these are four that have risen to the top of our craving list with flavors borrowed from Jamaica, Thailand, Brazil and Japan. Grab a thick napkin and step right this way. Pao Burger at Hola Arepa Share this one with your gluten-free friends, because this bun, so toasty and cheesy in flavor, just happens to be gluten-free. Pao de queijo is a popular Brazilian puffy cheesy bread made from tapioca flour that's usually served as a tasty little snack. Here it houses a thin burger cooked to order and topped with herbaceous chimichurri, pickles, American cheese, lettuce and a little green onion aioli. The burger is part of a new happy hour menu that chef/owner Christina Nguyen put together with Janene Holig, the new executive chef for both Hola Arepa and Hai Hai. The two are masterminds when it comes to building big flavor, and this burger is no exception. All the supporting ingredients set the stage for the juicy beef, enhancing its flavor and texture. Cost: $10. What about fries? This is a bargain burger that's sans fries, but crispy yuca fries are on the menu for another $6. It's even better paired with the $6 chips and salsa flight. When: Its limited availability makes the fleeting joy of this burger all the better. Get it during happy hour from 4-5:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 4:30-close Sun. Where: 3501 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-345-5583, holaarepa.com Karai burger at TokiDoki Burger When Matthew Kazama opened his first ramen restaurant in 2015, he was flooded with fans eager to warm their hands on bowls of his noodle soup. With his second restaurant, just a few steps away, he was hoping to take the opening a bit easier. But, the time has come for everyone to know about these burgers. The first one to order is the Karai burger, a spicy number built around a thicker beef patty a welcome reprieve from years of skinny burgers dominating menus. Cooked medium, the beef is surrounded by a Thai chile and Japanese Karai sauce with bacon, cheddar cheese, a handful of shredded lettuce and tangy-sweet pickled carrots. The whole business is served on a buttered, toasted brioche bun, although gluten-free buns are available by special request. The heat from the burger builds with each bite into a pleasant warmth that will bring a flush to your cheeks. Cost: $15. What about fries? This burger comes with skinny, crispy fries. When: 5-9 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 2:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun., when the restaurant switches over from its brunch menu. Where: 3406 Nicollet Av. S. , Mpls., 612-315-4228, tokidokiburger.com Oxtail sliders at Klassics Kitchen + Cocktails Brittney and Gerard Klass' new downtown Minneapolis restaurant is filled with compelling reasons to stop by for lunch, a post-work beverage, a pre-event quick snack or special date-night dinner. However, what we're making a beeline for at burger time are these three unassuming morsels that pack a wallop of rich flavor. Chef Gerard said when their Soul Bowl restaurant was open in Richfield, he would dip into a nearby Caribbean grocery store, Galaxy Foods, and load up on groceries. Oxtail stew is a popular Jamaican comfort food, and thinking on all that got him wondering: Could he get all that concentrated meaty flavor into a burger? In short, yes. He did it times three with these mini burgers topped with an oxtail gravy, bringing all that slow-simmered goodness into every craggy beef crevice. Each one is topped with a slice of manchego cheese, peppers, mushrooms and onions. Cost: $18. When: The oxtail sliders are on the menu all day from lunch through dinner. What about fries? These come with a little container of fries that are more like crispy potato scoops. Where: 428 S. 2nd St., Mpls., 612-353-5938, klassicsmn.com Chapli burger at Mandalay Kitchen This is the ultimate taste of Minneapolis meets St. Paul's Little Mekong district, and the result is a Southeast Asian-flavored juicy Lucy. Mandalay Kitchen opened with a menu packed with Knyaw, Burmese and Thai flavors. And the Chapli patty recalls owner Chris Tunbaw's childhood memories of his mother's cooking. The ground beef is formed around a flavor bomb built from Japanese mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, yogurt and avocado. Tearing into it brings a mouthful of oozy American cheese that mingles with the mouth-warming spices. Like all great Lucys, this one is impossible to share because once diving in, there's no putting this burger down. Each bite brings a different flavor combination of aromatics, fresh acidity and a savory rush. Cost: $14.95. What about fries? It comes with lightly battered skinny fries. When: Available for lunch through dinner Fri.-Sun. only. Where: 383 W. University Av., St. Paul, 651-219-5887, mandalaykitchenstp.com ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Police in Illinois said 4 people, including a mail carrier, are dead and 7 injured after a series of attacks by a suspect in a southeast Rockford neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Police announced that they took a 22-year-old male suspect into custody at 1:35 p.m. after the bloody rampage. The suspects identity wasnt immediately released. Rockfords population is about 150,000 and its 90 miles (144.84 kilometers) miles northwest of Chicago. The first 911 call came in around 1:15 p.m., authorities said. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said the suspect was involved in a home invasion. A female victim is receiving treatment for stab wounds. Caruana said a good Samaritan who intervened in the attack is also receiving medical care. The suspect then allegedly continued to attack people throughout the neighborhood. Resident Eric Patterson said he was struggling to make sense of the violence on his street. You cant rationalize this, Patterson told the Rockford Register Star. Its almost like playing a video game, but its reality. It makes no sense. Its like Grand Theft Auto. Im going to run over the mailman here. Im going to stab a couple people there. I am going to go in this house over here. (Credit: WTVO) At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd confirmed that four people had died. The four deceased victims were a 15-year-old female, a 63-year-old female, a 49-year-old male and a 22-year-old female, police said. My heart goes out to the families right now that are suffering a loss, Redd told reporters. Redd said not all of the victims were stabbed, and added that there was no known motive for the crimes. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara released a statement following the attack, saying, Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. We are working with community partners to provide support and services quickly and conveniently to those residents. We will announce those details soon. We have multiple jurisdictions working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. We will continue to provide updates, McNamara said. The City of Rockford said emotional support and counseling services will be offered free of charge at Flinn Middle School, at 2525 Ohio Pkwy, beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford) issued the following statement: I am heartbroken by the actions of the perpetrator of these horrible stabbings in Rockford today. These victims deserve to be safe and secure in their homes from violence that they didnt ask for and dont deserve. They need our support now and my office is ready and willing to do what we can to help. I am committed to working closely with Mayor McNamara and other authorities to help these neighbors of ours to address this senseless violence and ensure that justice is served. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. BALTIMORE Hold all traffic on the Key Bridge. The terse command from an officer in Baltimores busy commercial shipping port was one of the first warnings of a disaster that experts now predict will transform shipping on the Eastern Seaboard and change how ships and bridges function around the world. But after the cargo ship Dali lost power early Tuesday, there were precious few minutes to act. In those minutes, many people from the ships crew, who sent out a mayday signal, to the transportation authority police officers, who stopped traffic heading onto the Francis Scott Key Bridge did what they could to avert catastrophe, most likely saving many lives. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times And yet no matter what anyone did several factors made catastrophe all but inevitable. When a ship of this size loses engine power, there is little to be done to correct its course, even dropping an anchor down. And the Key Bridge was particularly vulnerable. As long ago as 1980, engineers had warned that the bridge, because of its design, would never be able to survive a direct hit from a container ship. The collision and subsequent collapse of the bridge swallowed up seven road workers and an inspector who could not be alerted and pulled off the bridge in time; two were pulled alive out of the water, but four others are still missing and presumed dead. Two bodies were retrieved on Wednesday, authorities said. Also caught up in the disaster were the ships 21 crew members, all from India, who had prepared for a long journey to Sri Lanka on the Dali. While none of them were hurt, they would be held on board for more than a day as the ship sat in the harbor, the ruins of the bridge tangled around it, as authorities began their investigation. The accident, the deadliest bridge collapse in the United States in more than a decade, will have a lasting impact on the Port of Baltimore, with its 8,000 workers, and industries that rely on the port, which is the leading American hub for auto and other wheeled equipment, said Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary, on Wednesday. Its difficult to overstate the impact of this collision, Buttigieg said. He compared the Dali, roughly as long as a city block, to the size of a U.S. aircraft carrier. A hundred thousand tons, all going into this pier all at once, he said of the impact on the bridge support structure. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation into the accident, boarded the Dali on Tuesday night to gather documentation. They obtained data from the voyage data recorder, the equivalent of an aircrafts black box, hoping that it could help investigators determine what led to the accident. Buttigieg said that any private party found liable in the accident will be held responsible. It was about half an hour past midnight Tuesday when the Dali, loaded with cargo containers, departed its dock, guided by two tugboats, as is customary. On board was a local harbor pilot with more than 10 years of experience and deep familiarity with Baltimores port, as well as an apprentice pilot in training. The sky above the Patapsco River was clear and still, lit by a full moon. At 1:25 a.m., after the two tugboats detached and turned back, the Dali had accelerated to about 10 mph as it approached the Key Bridge. But just then, according to a timeline released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday, numerous audible alarms started sounding on the ship. For reasons still being investigated, the ships powerful propulsion system stopped. The lights flickered out. The ship had a complete blackout, according to Clay Diamond, head of the American Pilots Association, who was briefed on the account of the pilot of the Dali. (The chair of the NTSB, Jennifer Homendy, said officials were still trying to determine whether the power failure was complete.) The harbor pilot noticed the ship starting to swing right, in the direction of one of the piers holding up the Key Bridge. At 1:26, he called for the tugs to return; he urged the captain to try to get the engine back up and directed the crew to steer hard left. As a last ditch measure, at 1:27, he ordered the crew to throw down the port anchor. One of the tugboats, the Eric McAllister, turned around and raced back toward the ship. But the failures onboard were cascading. The emergency generator had kicked on, sending a puff of thick smoke belching from the ships exhaust stack and briefly restoring the lights, radar and steering. It did not help. With no effective propulsion, the 95,000-ton ship had become an unstoppable object, drifting toward one of the most heavily traveled bridges in Baltimore. On land, officers with the Maryland Transportation Authority moved swiftly into action. I need one of you guys on the South side, one of you guys on the North side, hold all traffic on the Key Bridge, someone is heard saying on the audio recording of emergency radio traffic that night. Theres a ship approaching that just lost their steering. So until they get that under control, weve got to stop all traffic. Vehicles were held on either side of the bridge as the ship continued its inexorable drift toward the 1.6-mile-long span. A minute later, the officers turned their attention to several workers, some of them immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico, who were still laboring on the bridge in the chilly darkness, taking advantage of the light traffic at night to fix potholes. Theres a crew up there, one officer is heard saying on the audio recording of the radio exchange between officers. You might want to notify whoever the foreman is, see if we could get them off the bridge temporarily. But even then, the ship was striking the bridge. Almost at once, the pier buckled and collapsed, twisting over the ship, with its cargo containers stacked high on the deck. Then the rest of the bridge went, breaking into sections as it plummeted and splashed into the dark river waters below. The size and weight of these ships make them really difficult, even with propulsion, to stop them, said Stash Pelkowski, a professor at State University of New York Maritime College and a retired Coast Guard rear admiral. With no power, he said, There was very little the pilot or the crew on the Dali could do. The collapse had happened in seconds. Except for the stumps of the piers, the central span of the bridge had plunged into the frigid river where divers would spend the whole day searching amid twisted metal for survivors by 1:29 a.m. Dispatch, the whole bridge just fell down! an officer called out. Whoever, everybody, the whole bridge just collapsed. Stray ships had long been seen as a risk to the Key Bridge. Just a few years after the Baltimore structure was constructed in 1977, a vessel crash knocked down the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, Florida, killing 35 people. Officials acknowledged that the Key Bridge would not be able to withstand that kind of direct hit from a heavy cargo vessel. I would have to say if that ship hit the Bay Bridge or the Key Bridge Im talking about the main supports, a direct hit it would knock it down, John Snyder, the director of engineering for the state Toll Facilities Administration told the Baltimore Sun at the time. But building a bridge that could withstand such an impact was simply not economically feasible, he said. When the bridge was built, cargo ships were not the size they are today. A much smaller freighter did hit the bridge in 1980, but the bridge stood strong. Minutes after the bridge collapsed Tuesday, both tugboats that had accompanied the Dali arrived on scene, followed soon by the Coast Guard and the Baltimore City Fire Department. Two of the workers who had been on the bridge were rescued from the water. The others could not be found. Jack Murphy, who owns Brawner Builders, the company whose workers had been on the bridge, got a phone call about the collapse and raced to the area, about a 30-minute drive away. He stayed by the bridge all night, and eventually began making calls to the mens families. Two workers bodies were discovered in a red pickup truck found near the bridge debris, police said Wednesday. They were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, an immigrant from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala. About 2 miles from the bridge, Andrew Middleton had been lying awake when he heard the crash. He first thought it was thunder, maybe a low-flying jet. It was only when he awoke a few hours later that he saw the news of the collapsed bridge. I thought to myself, I was just with those guys yesterday, he said. Middleton, who runs Apostleship of the Sea, a program that ministers to sailors coming through the port, had driven the ships captain and a few crew members to Walmart on Monday to stock up on goods for the 28-day voyage ahead toothpaste, snacks, clothes, Bluetooth speakers. He recalled the captain telling him their next port was Sri Lanka, but that they were taking a longer route, down around South Africa, in order to avoid recent Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Middleton immediately messaged the crew on WhatsApp after hearing the news Tuesday, he said, and they responded within a few minutes saying that everyone was OK, he said. Around the site of the bridge collapse, firefighters and rescuers in diving gear were swarming around the shore, followed by news crews. John McAvoy, who owns a nearby restaurant, had driven over with hot meals chicken, crab balls and pretzel bites to hand out to the crews. But by nightfall Tuesday, officials had called off the rescue efforts and said they would switch to searching for bodies. The waters deep, visibilitys low, its cold as I-dont-know-what, said Kevin Cartwright, a spokesperson for the Fire Department. The signs of all that had changed were only starting to become clear Wednesday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it was mobilizing more than 1,100 specialists to clear the wreckage of the bridge and unblock the Port of Baltimores shipping lane. In the meantime, Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, said the East Coast would have to rely more heavily on ports outside Baltimore. McAvoy said the tragedy would ripple over the port for years. Fishing crews always have found their way home following the Key Bridge, he said. Its going to change a lot of things for a lot of people. c.2024 The New York Times Company Curtis 50 Cent Jackson has denied a slew of shocking allegations leveled against him by his ex girlfriend, Daphne Joy, including claims he raped her and kept her from seeing their son. The bombshell allegations came just after Jackson made a derogatory post about Joy on Wednesday night, mocking her after she was accused of being a sex worker in a lawsuit filed against Sean Diddy Combs by the music producer Rodney Jones. In that lawsuit, Diddy bragged about having several women on a monthly stipend for sex work, which included Joy, who now runs an OnlyFans account. Jackson posted his reaction to that news on Instagram, writing the caption, I didnt know you was a sex worker. you little sex worker.LOL Joy did not take kindly to that post, responding with one of her own to accuse Jackson of raping and physically abusing herallegedly after he filed paperwork to gain sole custody of their son, Sire, who is 12. Lets put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me, she posted to Instagram on Thursday. You are no longer my oppressor and my God will handle you from this point on. Joy and Jackson dated in 2011 and parted ways after one year, but have beefed publicly as theyve fought over custody of Sire. She claimed Thursday that Jackson would keep her from seeing her son, at one point limiting her to just 10 visits in a two-year span, despite them living a mile apart from each other in New York. I am tired of upholding and protecting an image to our son that you have never even earned, she wrote, suggesting his post on Wednesday was the final straw. Jackson vehemently denied the allegations in a statement to Page 6, claiming that Joy is using them to leverage herself into taking custody of their son. The disturbing allegations in the sworn pleadings recently filed in a court case related to Daphne Joy the mother of my 12-year-old child, has required me to take all necessary legal actions to protect my son Sire, he said, according to Page 6. The most recent false and baseless accusations by Daphne Joy are clearly in response to my decision to seek sole custody of my son. My son Sire is my main priority and keeping him in a safe environment is my only focus at this time. Allegations aside, Jacksons reps have confirmed hes making a documentary about the many allegations against Diddy. He has pledged to donate the earnings from his projects to the victims of Diddys alleged sexual assault. Shortly after posting about his ex, Jackson posted another picture on Instagram of his television playing a Fox News segment about Jones lawsuit. The screen showed an excerpt of Jones civil complaint, alleging that Diddy had secret cameras placed all over his home. Smh, this is gonna be so good, what do you want to bet I get these tapes. Ill pay top dollar for them, he wrote in the caption. On Monday, as Diddys homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security as part of an investigation into sex trafficking, Jackson tweeted, Now its not Diddy do it, its Diddy done, he wrote. [T]hey dont come like that unless they got a case. Diddys attorney, Shawn Holley, denied the claims in Jones suit. Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit, Holley told Page Six. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Virginia State Police (VSP) says a man is dead after he was ejected from a truck during a crash on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County on March 26. According to VSP, the crash occurred at 10:43 p.m. near mile marker 117. Troopers said 56-year-old Michael D. Williams, of Atkins, was driving a 2013 Ford truck when he allegedly ran off the right side of the road, hit a sign, and crossed the northbound lanes. Williams then ran off the left side of the road and slammed into a guardrail. State police said the Ford overturned, and Williams ejected from the truck. He died at the scene. Bennington Street SE closed after car crashes into power pole, avoid the area VSP confirmed that Williams was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. CHANDLER, Texas (KETK) A bridge on Lake Palestine has been reopened after a major crash left five injured. Local law enforcement on working with pawn shops to identify stolen items According to the Chandler Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), at approximately 8 a.m. they were dispatched to the scene of a major crash on FM 315. Officials said there were 6 vehicles involved and some major damage. The VFD said a total of five individuals were transported to local hospitals, one of which had to be flown. photographs of the crash on FM 315, courtesy of Chandler Volunteer Fire Department photographs of the crash on FM 315, courtesy of Chandler Volunteer Fire Department photographs of the crash on FM 315, courtesy of Chandler Volunteer Fire Department photographs of the crash on FM 315, courtesy of Chandler Volunteer Fire Department Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said that DPS is responding to the major crash on FM 315. The Chandler VFD said that the bridge is now open following a temporary closure. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Euro fans have noticed that this year's Eurovision is very similar to what happened exactly 50 years ago, in 1974. Back then, the show was held in Sweden after the Swedish representative won in the UK. ADVERTISIMENT The British, like last year, did not hold the contest on their behalf. The strange coincidence was reminded on Twitter. Users pointed out that in 1974, the UK hosted the show in Brighton, although Luxembourg won in 1973. An analogy can be drawn with the last Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Liverpool, although the winners of 2022 were the Ukrainian Kalush Orchestra. Just like 50 years ago, Sweden won in the UK. Back then, it was the cult band ABBA with the song Waterloo, and now it's Lauryn with the contest track Tattoo. By the way, users even noticed that both songs end in "oo". Back in 1974, the Netherlands took first place, so Euro fans asked the question: who will win this year? ADVERTISIMENT By the way, even today the representative of this country has good chances to win. As of March 28, it ranks 4th in the bookmakers' ranking with 9% of the chances to win, and the single Europapa, with which Joost Klein will represent the country, has collected an impressive 15 million views in 3 weeks. This is 5 million more than the video applications of Croatia, Italy, and Ukraine combined, although they still have a better chance of winning. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) An 80-year-old woman has died after she struck another car in Pasco County Wednesday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 8:02 a.m. when a Kia Forte, traveling northbound on Little Road, turned into the path of the 80-year-old New Port Richey woman at the intersection of San Miguel. FHP said the driver of the Kia, a 20-year-old Hudson man, turned left into the path of the woman, who was driving south on Little Road in a Ford Crown Victoria. The woman struck the 20-year-old as a result. Diddys alleged drug mule arrested at Florida airport amid raids at rappers homes Following the collision, the Kia and the Ford rotated to a final stop in the southbound lanes and west shoulder. However, after stopping on the shoulder, the 80-year-olds car struck a utility pole. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The 20-year-old sustained minor injuries from the crash. Authorities have not released the identities of the two drivers, and no other information was released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A swath of protestors descended upon President Bidens star-studded fundraising event Thursday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Abandon Biden, which formed to protest Bidens reluctance to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, told its supporters earlier in the day that the protest was expected to feature a rally and a march and is a critical call to action that is set against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Photos and videos on social media from the protest showed dozens of demonstrators holding Palestinian flags and posters calling for the stop of U.S. aid to Israel as the nation fights against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The Hill reached out to the New York Police Department about any potential arrests of protestors. The New York Democratic primary takes place on Apr. 2, and the group also called on voters to leave it blank while voting. Leaving the ballot blank is meant to protest Biden, auguring his defeat in the November 5th general presidential election, the group said in its release. Biden is holding a fundraising event at Radio City with former Presidents Obama and Clinton. The New York Police Department has closed several streets and will limit pedestrian traffic near the event, NBC New York reported. The current and former presidents will participate in a panel moderated by Stephen Colbert, and Mindy Kaling will host a lineup of musical performances by artists including Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele, The Associated Press reported. While Presidents Biden, Obama, and Clinton try to whine and dine donors in New York City, New Yorkers of all kinds have come out to voice their complete rejection of Genocide Joe, Abandon Biden New York co-Chair Mosaab Sadia said in a statement. We cannot idly sit by as our president aides and abets genocide in Gaza. The movement to Abandon Biden is only just beginning. Some progressives are pushing primary voters to cast their ballots for uncommitted or other rather than for Biden to send a message to the president about their frustration with his actions regarding Israel and its war with Hamas. More than 45,000 Democratic primary voters in Minnesota selected uncommitted on their primary ballots this year. More than 100,000 in Michigan did the same. Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke last week for the first time since Biden said the prime minister was hurting Israel more than helping. Biden has insisted the U.S. is a close ally of Israel and supported the country in its war against Hamas, but he has also urged Netanyahu to scale back Israels attacks and has increased efforts to send humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in Gaza. Updated at 9:11 pm EST. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Chamber of Commerce hosted its 40th annual Business Expo to support local businesses. Abilene Chamber of Commerce plans Out of This World Business Expo The Business Expo was held at the Abilene Convention Center, where several local businesses had the opportunity to connect with each other and gain potential new customers. This event has attracted many businesses over the years, several of which are repeat vendors. One of those vendors is Jacob Lopez with West Texas Solar, who outlines how the connections made arent just with customers. This is our third year here. We love it, said Lopez. We got a little more traffic this year, too. I think the past couple of years have been bad with the weather, but its been good here. Its a good turnout. We meet a lot of businesses locally around here, and we enjoy it. Visitors got the opportunity to do more than just check out local businesses. Several vendors offered prizes and free goodies, all under the theme of Out of this World, and many were seen wearing some space-themed attire. Its an extra bit that President of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Doug Peters said adds fun to the whole occasion. It means that this chamber is able to convene the business community to come in and find a way to add excitement to this event that weve been doing for 40 years, so every year is different, Peters shared. From Business to Tradition: 25th Annual Farm, Ranch & Wildlife Expo GALLERY: Abilene Business Expo showcases 220 exhibitors Dr. Kelsi Mangrem, owner of The Holland Hearing Center, explained how the Abilene Chamber helps Abilene businesses beyond the scope of the expo, including year-round support for success. The chamber really is kind of a really good guiding force with small businesses, said Mangrem. As business owners, we dont have a whole lot of time to search what everybody else is doing, and I feel like the chamber really does a good job at just good insight on what we should be doing going forward. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The Republican operative who accused American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp of sexual assault was paid $480,000 to drop the lawsuit, according to CNN and The Daily Beast. Schlapp prior to the reports touted that his accuser had dropped the lawsuit and claimed he had been exonerated. From the beginning, I asserted my innocence, Schlapp said in a statement on Tuesday. Our family was attacked, especially by a left-wing media that is focused on the destruction of conservatives regardless of the truth and the facts. Schlapps lawyers also released a statement from Carlton Huffman, who accused Schlapp of groping him and making unwanted advances while he was working for Georgia Republican Herschel Walkers failed Senate campaign. The claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family, Huffman said, according to that statement. Neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them. But multiple sources told CNN and The Daily Beast that Huffman received $480,000 through ACUs insurance company. The Daily Beast reported that Huffman had also taken issue with the content of the statement released in his name by Schlapp because verbiage in that statement was not what Huffman had agreed to as part of the settlement. Huffmans lawyer notified Schlapps legal team that the ACU chiefs social media posts celebrating his exoneration appeared to be in breach of their agreements nondisparagement clause, according to the report. I am only legally allowed to say five words, and that is We have resolved our differences. Those are the only five words that Im legally allowed to say, Huffman told CNN when reached for comment. A source familiar with discussions at ACU around the lawsuit told CNN that Schlapp and his wife settled because they did not want this to go to trial, they simply did not want the testimony that would come out. Its not exoneration, the source said, if you paid the guy off. But the new allegations suggest the legal battle might be heating back up almost as soon as it ended, wrote The Daily Beasts Roger Sollenberger. MIAMI, Okla. There will soon be a new addition to the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County. The Miami City Council recently approved the organizations proposal to build a new gymnasium onto the back of the teen center in downtown. The new gym has been a two-year project for the Boys & Girls Club. ARPA funding originally helped with the purchase and renovation of the facility located behind the Coleman Theater. Club administrators say they currently serve more than 1,200 kids each year, and they feel the new gym is necessary due to lack of room in the current one near Riverview Park. The need in Miami is great for safe out of school care. That is a big deal here, and providing safe spaces for our kids, for our teenagers, is important to their development. Its important to their friendship making and its important to their education. So, we are committed to providing that for kids, said Mackenzie Garst with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa County. The project is scheduled to be done in March 2025. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Newport Beach City Hall. The city is among several Orange County municipalities to pull out of the League of California Cities. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot) Three Orange County cities voted this month to withdraw from the California League of Cities, with some leaders saying the advocacy organization isn't representing their interests and has handed too much power over to the state. The California League of Cities is a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Sacramento that communicates with cities about laws being discussed in the state legislature, conducts training for city officials and gives local governments an opportunity to influence statewide policies. Out of 482 cities in California, the league counts more than 470 as members. But elected officials in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Orange have opted to withdraw their cities' membership over various issues, including the organization's support of Proposition 1. California voters this month narrowly passed the $6.4-billion bond measure that aims to reform California's mental health system. The bond will support 10,000 treatment and housing beds and overhaul a 20-year-old tax for mental health services to also fund treatment for drug addiction. A majority of Orange County voters roughly 58% cast a ballot against it with many voicing concerns that it could mean more sober living homes in neighborhoods, an issue that cities have attempted to regulate for decades. Read more: Voters approve Proposition 1, Newsoms overhaul of the California mental health system "I want to send a message that they shouldn't have been on board with Prop. 1 in the first place," Huntington Beach Councilman Tony Strickland said during a council meeting this month. "Their job is to represent us at the local government, not to represent Gavin Newsom." Orange County for years has been somewhat of a thorn in the side of Gov. Gavin Newsom and other progressive politicians in Sacramento. In the last few years, O.C. cities, including Huntington Beach, pushed back on housing mandates handed down by the state. At the height of COVID-19, some cities fought Newsom's decision to temporarily close beaches, and opposed other regulations adopted elsewhere in the state. Cities outside of Orange County have also stepped away from Cal Cities in recent years, including Torrance and Redondo Beach. League of California Cities Executive Director and chief executive Carolyn Coleman said in a statement that she respects the city's decisions to leave and the organization will continue to advocate for the interests of all cities regardless of membership. While not everyone will agree on every position Cal Cities takes, Cal Cities advocacy positions are the result of a member-driven process that reflect a fundamental belief that cities in California are stronger when we stand united and advocate for the common interests of all cities," she said. Coleman added that the organization has taken seriously concerns they've heard about the impacts of an over-concentration of sober living homes and licensed recovery facilities in Orange County and elsewhere in California. Cal Cities has sponsored legislation that would create more oversight and regulation of the facilities. On Tuesday, the city of Orange became the third municipality in the county this month to leave Cal Cities. Councilmember Kathy Tavoularis blamed the city's financial outlook as one reason for recouping membership costs and a lack of power over policy decisions. Membership fees are based on population, with a city the size of Orange paying slightly more than $34,000 a year. "I don't think we've had any influence," she said. "We certainly didn't with Prop. 1." Read more: How bashing California became a requirement for conservative politicians Newport Beach was the first O.C. city to back away from the group on March 12. The city had been a member since the organization began keeping records. Mayor Will O'Neil took issue with the league's support of Prop. 1 and the group's opposition to the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, a measure that would expand the definition of a tax and raise the voter threshold to approve local taxes, among other things. The measure is scheduled to appear on the November ballot, but is facing a legal challenge. Cal Cities has called the measure "deceptive" and argues it would impair crucial public services. "It's just unfathomable to me that when Cal Cities knew this was going to be harmful to a city like ours, they still stood up and said we're gonna support it," O'Neil said of Proposition 1. "It's so hard to want to be a part of an organization that's supposed to be advocating for us and did the exact opposite in such a high-profile way." Newport Beach Councilman Erik Weigand, who also does not support Prop. 1, voted in favor of staying in the organization arguing that there's a benefit to having a voice in the organization even when things don't go their way. "We're in the state of California so we can take our ball and go home, but that means we don't get a seat at the table and we don't get an ability to shape any of those policy discussions," he said. Read more: 'We're throwing the book at criminals': O.C. aims anti-crime campaign at surrounding areas A week after Newport Beach decided not to renew its membership, the Huntington Beach City Council voted to leave. The vote fell along party lines with Democratic councilmembers Natalie Moser, Dan Kalmick and Rhonda Bolton voting against the move. The council asked city staff to try to get their membership dues reimbursed so they could exit this year. Councilman Casey McKeon, who brought forth the idea, said the organization has "repeatedly failed in its mission to advocate for cities, and instead advocates for more and higher taxes and Sacramentos agenda over our own." 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. Former president Zuma was forced out of office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA) South Africa's electoral officials said Thursday that they had excluded former president Jacob Zuma from May elections, further stoking tensions in the run-up to the polls. The country is to hold general elections on May 29 in what is expected to be the most competitive vote since the advent of democracy in 1994. The governing African National Congress (ANC) is on the brink of dropping below 50 percent of the vote for the first time since it came to power at the end of apartheid. The party is bleeding support amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Zuma, 81, was forced out of office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations but still wields political clout. He has been campaigning for the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in an attempt to relaunch his career, calling members of his former party, the ANC, "traitors". "In the case of former president Zuma, yes, we did receive an objection, which has been upheld," electoral commission president Mosotho Moepya told reporters, without giving details. "The party that has nominated him has been informed" as have those objecting to the move, he added. The decision can be appealed before April 2. MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndlhela told AFP the party was "looking at the merit of that objection but we will of course appeal it". - 'Intellectual property theft' - The electoral commission decision is not the MK's only problem. The ANC on Wednesday filed a new court application to stop the MK from using its name, alleging intellectual property theft. According to the governing party, the uMkhonto we Sizwe name and logo are similar to those of the now disbanded apartheid-era military wing of the ANC, which could deceive or confuse voters. A court decision is expected to be announced in the coming days. On Tuesday a court rejected an initial complaint by the ANC, which said the MK was registered unlawfully, allowing the small radical party to stand in the election. The general election, after which the victor will appoint a president, is set to be tense. If the ANC falls below 50 percent of the vote it would force the party once led by Nelson Mandela to form a coalition to stay in office. Latest opinion polls put the ANC on just over 40 percent of the vote, with the main opposition Democratic Alliance on around 27 percent and the MK at 13 percent. The electoral commission said that under the constitution "any person who was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine" cannot stand in an election. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail in June 2021 after refusing to testify to a panel probing financial corruption and cronyism under his presidency. He was freed on medical parole just two months into his term. But his jailing sparked protests, riots and looting that left more than 350 dead in South Africa's worst violence since the advent of democracy. An appeals court later ruled Zuma's release was illegally granted and ordered him back to jail. But on returning to a correctional centre he immediately benefited from a remission of non-violent offenders approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa, his arch-rival and successor. Besides his 2021 contempt conviction he is facing separate charges of corruption in an arms procurement scandal in the 1990s, when he was vice president. Zuma cannot in theory seek re-election as he has already served two terms as president. Final electoral lists are due to be published within around a fortnight. The electoral commission has received 82 appeals relating to candidates designated by 21 political parties. Zuma's declaration in December that he would campaign for the MK was a blow for the ANC, as he remains popular with Zulus. The announcement of his exclusion came as the head of South Africa's biggest opposition party, John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance, refused to rule out a coalition deal with the ANC after the elections. cld/ger/kjm/bp/js Germany has announced a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which includes artillery and tank ammunition, drones and mine-clearance vehicles. Source: German government, reported by European Pravda Details: In the new package of aid, Ukraine received 18,000 rounds of 155-mm ammunition and an unspecified amount of ammunition for Leopard 2A6 tanks from the Bundeswehr's stockpile and produced at German factories, as well as 14 Vector and 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance UAVs. In addition, Germany has handed over five Warthog tracked repair and recovery vehicles, nine Warthog tracked command all-terrain vehicles, six WISENT 1 mine-clearance vehicles, two BEAVER bridge pavers, one Bergepanzer 2 armoured recovery vehicles, one 2A1 Dachs armoured combat repair vehicle, nine mine trawlers, three border guard vehicles and six Mercedes-Benz Zetros fuel tankers. The package also includes a SATCOM surveillance system, 330 infrared cameras, 2,056 RGW90 Matador grenade launchers and 70 GMG grenade launchers, 3,000 camouflage nets, 2,000 ponchos and 2 emergency power generators. The German government has also updated the list of aid it plans to provide to Ukraine in the future. The list includes missiles for Patriot air defence systems, 20 Marder armoured fighting vehicles and other equipment. Background: Earlier, it was reported that Germany plans to transfer 10,000 artillery rounds from the Bundeswehr arsenals to Ukraine in the coming days. Before that, Germany announced that it had prepared a new military aid package for Ukraine estimated at 500 million. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine shot down 26 of 28 Shahed-type drones Russia launched overnight on March 28 from Kursk region and Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea, the Air Force said in its morning update. Russian forces also targeted Ukraine with three X-22 cruise missiles, an X-31P anti-radar missile launched from the Black Sea, and an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile. It is unclear whether the missiles were intercepted. Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire units were engaged in repelling the aerial assault. The attack drones were downed over Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Debris from intercepted drones caused fires in a residental area of the city of Zaporizhzhia, injuring two women aged 74 and 72, Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor, said on Telegram. The women suffered light injuries and were treated on the scene, he added. The overnight drone attack also damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the city of Kharkiv, according to the regional governor. No casualties were reported. Two people were wounded in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's Nikopol district when Russia hit it with artillery and a drone in the evening of March 27 and overnight, Governor Serhii Lysak said, without specifying which strike led to the casualties. Read also: Air Force: Ukraine can down Zircon hypersonic missile with Patriot, SAMP/T Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. This satellite photo captured by Planet Labs PBC shows the construction of an airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, Yemen, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. As Yemen's Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a vital Mideast waterway, satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press show what appears to be a new airstrip being built at an entrance to that crucial maritime route. No country has claimed publicly the active construction taking place this month on Abd al-Kuri Island, a barren stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images shot for the AP appear to show workers have laid out "I LOVE UAE" next to the runway, an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) As Yemens Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press show what appears to be a new airstrip being built at an entrance to that crucial maritime route. No country has publicly claimed the construction taking place on Abd al-Kuri Island, a stretch of land rising out of the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. However, satellite images shot for the AP appear to show workers have spelled out I LOVE UAE with piles of dirt next to the runway, using an abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates. Both the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea to which it leads have become a battleground between the Houthis and U.S.-led forces in the region as Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages potentially allowing a nation to project its power into the area. The construction comes as the presence of troops from the Emirates in the Socotra island chain to which Abd al-Kuri belongs and that of the separatist force it backs in southern Yemen have sparked clashes in the past. In response to questions from the AP, the United Arab Emirates said Thursday that any presence of the UAE on Socotra island is based on humanitarian grounds that is carried out in cooperation with the Yemeni government and local authorities. "The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to all international endeavors aimed at facilitating the resumption of the Yemeni political process, thereby advancing the security, stability, and prosperity sought by the Yemeni populace, it added, without elaborating. The Yemeni Embassy in Washington and Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition fighting the Houthis, did not respond to questions. Abd al-Kuri is about 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) in length and about 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) at its widest point. It sits closer to the Horn of Africa than it does to Yemen, the Arab world's poorest nation, which has been at war for years. Along that widest point sits the airstrip construction. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP showed trucks and other vehicles grading the runway on March 11, turning part of its sandy features a dark brown. Planet Labs images of the site shot for the AP on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday showed vehicles in different positions and active work being done there, possibly including paving the site. The runway, running north to south, measures some 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). A runway of that length can accommodate attack, surveillance and transport aircraft, even some of the heaviest bombers. Construction initially could be seen in the area in January 2022, with a diagonal, shorter runway being carved out of the sand, according to Planet Labs imagery. The first signs of construction of the longer north-south runway were in July 2022, but work later halted. This month, there's been increased activity on Abd al-Kuri, including construction at the northern edge of the runway, close to the water, and the movement of heavy vehicles. That works corresponds with a report last week by Abu Dhabi's state-linked broadcaster Sky News Arabia, which claimed to quote an anonymous U.S. defense official as saying America had strengthened our missile defenses on Socotra Island in anticipation of the rebels attacking U.S. bases. Socotra is the main island of the Socotra chain, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Abd al-Kuri. The U.S. military told the AP it is not involved in the construction on Abd al-Kuri, nor is there any American military presence elsewhere in Yemen. U.S. special forces have launched raids in the past in Yemen, while a two-decade American drone strike campaign has targeted the countrys local al-Qaida affiliate. There also werent any air defense batteries immediately discernible around the Abd al-Kuri Island site in satellite imagery. However, what appear to be piles of dirt at the site had been arranged to spell I LOVE UAE just east of the runway. The island of Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to the rare Dragon Blood tree, has long been a strategic port given its location on a key East-West trade route for cargo and energy shipments coming from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe. The Soviet Union once used Socotra as an anchorage for both its surface fleet and submarines when South Yemen, a Communist nation based in Aden, ruled the island from 1967 until 1990. The island since has felt far removed from the chaos that has gripped Yemen in the decades since, from unification, to civil war, to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels' sweeping entrance into the capital in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE entered the Yemen war in 2015 on behalf of the country's exiled government and has been caught in a grinding, nearly decadelong conflict since. In 2018, the UAE deployed troops to Socotra Island, sparking a dispute with Yemen's exiled government. Two years later, clashes broke out between Yemeni separatists backed by the UAE and other forces there. Meanwhile, Iranian-linked media and the Houthis have alleged without providing evidence that the Emiratis allowed Israel to operate from Socotra as well. Israel has not acknowledged any presence there, and the Israeli prime ministers office declined to comment. Since November, the Houthis have attacked ships, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. The ships targeted by the rebels, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels also have fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted. While President Joe Biden entered office in 2021, he pulled support from the Saudi-led coalition, declaring: This war has to end. But in January, the U.S. began launching airstrikes targeting the Houthis over their attacks on shipping, a near-daily campaign of attacks that continues today. The airfield on Abd el-Kuri isn't the first mysterious airstrip to begin construction amid Yemen's war. In 2021, the AP reported that an airfield was being built on Mayun Island, also known as Perim Island, which sits in the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. Then, military officials with Yemens internationally recognized government, which the Saudi-led coalition has backed since 2015, said the UAE was building the runway. The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis later acknowledged having equipment on the island, while a militia leader and nephew of Yemens late strongman president Ali Abdullah Saleh acknowledged that his Emirati-backed troops were stationed there. ___ Find more of AP's coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war American actress Emma Stone has spoken about the real reason for her dress embarrassment at the Oscars 2024. While receiving the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in Poor Creatures, the celebrity went up on stage holding her clothes with her hand. A lightning bolt broke on the star's back. ADVERTISIMENT Stone blamed it on Ryan Gosling, saying that when the actor sang the song "I'm Just Ken," her dress burst into laughter. Petra Flannery, the artist's stylist, told the Hollywood Reporter why this happened. "Oh my God, my dress is ruined. I think it happened during I'm Just Ken. I'm pretty sure of it," Emma said from the Oscars stage, her back turned to the audience. She was wearing an elegant mint-colored Louis Vuitton dress. The image was inspired by Stone's character Bella Baxter. ADVERTISIMENT In a conversation with journalists, the Oscar-winning actress admitted that she actually broke the zipper herself. "It was my fault," the star commented. "Emma demonstrated grace and elegance when it came to the now-famous 'wardrobe malfunction,'" Flannery said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! MEMPHIS, Tenn. A woman who is three months pregnant says she was carjacked at gunpoint after a crash, but an AirTag hidden inside a Bible helped her track down her vehicle. Zaliyah Hughes said she was headed to Tops Bar-B-Que on Summer Avenue when a light-colored Nissan crashed into the passenger side of her Hyundai Sonata at the intersection of Summer and Holmes. I was going through the light, and they were supposed to stop. They were speeding and hit me, said Hughes.Once they hit me, the man who had a black mask on already had his gun pointed out the car. Hughes said she tried to pull into a nearby firehouse, but the carjackers blocked her car and forced her out of the vehicle in front of three firefighters. They both upped their guns on me and said get out of the car, Hughes said. All I did was get out of the car. I didnt want to risk my life, and I already knew I had tracking in my car. Hughes said the firemen called the police, and in the middle of the night, she received a notification on her phone that her AirTag was nearby. When I looked at it, it brought me to a location in Frayser at New Allen at some apartments, and immediately, I called the police and gave them my case number, said Hughes. The woman said Ill try to have police go out there, but we are too busy right now to do anything about it. She said she was too afraid to look for the car and was relieved when she woke up and discovered her AirTag was now at the city impound lot. 76-year-old charged in shooting at East Memphis restaurant The police went there, and I guess they saw my car and towed it, she said. She said the carjackers ripped out her rearview mirror to disable her Bluelink car finder system, which she said was not updated or working. She said they had no idea the whole time there was an AirTag tucked inside the pages of a Bible in her car. I keep my AirTag inside of my Bible because I think, hey if someone rummages through my car, they are not going to steal my Bible, Hughes said. Hughes said the thieves still have her only key, so she cant drive her Sonata. The cosmetology student said it will cost hundreds of dollars to replace the key and repair all the damage to her vehicle. Citizens sick of crime start watching courts, need your help So far, police have not made any arrests. If you have any information that can help investigators, Call CrimeStoppers at (901)528-CASH. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) A Tennessee woman who is three months pregnant says she was carjacked at gunpoint after a crash, but an AirTag hidden inside a Bible helped her track down her vehicle. Zaliyah Hughes said she was headed to a Memphis restaurant when a light-colored Nissan crashed into the passenger side of her Hyundai Sonata at an intersection. I was going through the light, and they were supposed to stop. They were speeding and hit me, said Hughes. Once they hit me, the man who had a black mask on already had his gun pointed out the car. Hughes said she tried to pull into a nearby firehouse, but the carjackers blocked her car and forced her out of the vehicle in front of three firefighters. They both upped their guns on me and said to get out of the car, Hughes said. All I did was get out of the car. I didnt want to risk my life and I already knew I had tracking in my car. Hughes said the firemen called the police. Later, in the middle of the night, she received a notification on her phone that her AirTag was nearby. When I looked at it, it brought me to a location [near a local apartment complex], and immediately, I called the police and gave them my case number, said Hughes. The woman said, Ill try to have police go out there, but we are too busy right now to do anything about it.' Hughes said she was too afraid to look for the car herself, but she was relieved when she woke up and discovered her AirTag was now at the city impound lot. The police went there, and I guess they saw my car and towed it, she said. Boy, 9, found dead in burning car near New Jersey high school: officials Hughes said the carjackers ripped out her rearview mirror to disable her Bluelink car finder system, which she said was not updated or working. They were unaware, however, that Hughes had an AirTag tucked inside the pages of a Bible in her car. I keep my AirTag inside of my Bible because I think, Hey if someone rummages through my car, they are not going to steal my Bible,' Hughes said. Hughes, a cosmetology student, said the thieves still have her only key, so she cant drive her Sonata. She estimates that it will cost hundreds of dollars to replace the key and repair all the damage to her vehicle. Police had not made any arrests as of Thursday. Anyone with information that may help with the investigation is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The US Supreme Court stripped women in America of the constitutional right to an abortion (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS) When a Democrat ousted Republicans from a district in deeply conservative Alabama this week, she won hearts and minds with a pitch about repealing the state's no-exceptions abortion ban and protecting reproductive rights. Marilyn Lands's triumph was the first major test of public reaction to a court ruling that halted in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the state -- and the latest demonstration of the threat the issue poses to the Grand Old Party (GOP). Democrats framed the vote as a sign of what to expect in November as President Joe Biden vies for reelection against Donald Trump, the Republican former president who takes credit for ending federal protections for abortion access. Lands lost an election for the same state House seat two years ago, but her 25-point victory margin on Tuesday came after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created by IVF should have the rights of children. The decision meant clinics could be open to lawsuits for destroying abnormal or non-viable embryos and several announced that they were suspending their IVF programs as the issue became a national political flashpoint. "This win points out how the Republicans are on seriously shaky ground when it comes to these topics -- especially IVF, which might be the hill the GOP actually perishes on in November," said Aron Solomon, a political analyst for legal marketing agency Amplify. "If the GOP actually needed more of a wake-up call on IVF, last night was it. It looks like the Democrats are finally getting pretty good at making reproductive rights a big deal in elections, figuring out the recipe to sway how people decide to vote." - 'Outrageous and unacceptable' - According to polls, a comfortable majority of Americans think abortion should be legal in most cases, and around half of US states have measures in place to protect access. Other reproductive health care, such as contraception and IVF, is even more popular and experts, NGOs and voters galvanized by the threat to their freedoms denounced the Alabama ruling, while Biden called it "outrageous and unacceptable." When Trump and other national Republicans joined the chorus of disapproval, state lawmakers rushed out a legislative fix to allow clinics to reopen. But the damage had been done. The Alabama defeat was another blow to conservatives' hopes to enact severe restrictions on reproductive health care nationwide after the US Supreme Court -- bolstered by three Trump appointees -- gutted abortion rights in 2022. Republicans claimed victory in the ruling -- which overturned the 40-year-old "Roe v. Wade" precedent -- and quickly enacted strict bans or restrictions in most states they control. But the party has struggled to stake out a definitive position on the issue and was punished in the 2022 midterm elections as candidates lost key battlegrounds to pro-choice candidates. Democrats are expected to give women's bodily autonomy top billing again in 2024, characterizing Trump as the architect of attacks on reproductive rights. - 'Major warning' - "Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, paving the way for attacks on women's freedoms like we saw in Alabama -- now he's running to ban abortion and gut access to IVF nationwide," said Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. The first signs of voter discontent over Roe v Wade came in deeply conservative Kansas and Kentucky, as well as the swing state of Michigan, where voters rejected referendum proposals in 2022 that would have effectively banned abortion. South Carolina's Senate and Nebraska's legislature -- both about two-thirds Republican -- rejected a near-total prohibition and a six-week ban respectively as conservatives defied their own parties to block the legislation. Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment that enshrines reproductive freedom and Florida's Supreme Court is considering whether similar proposals should go before voters in November. There are pushes for ballot measures in November protecting abortion in Missouri, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota. "The issue has the potential to mobilize Democratic voters, and some Republicans, in a way Biden himself might not," said Princeton University political scientist Julian Zelizer. "This is a very personal issue and for many Americans the policies related to (IVF) reveal how far this might all go." ft/bfm VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The Virginia Beach Police Department has canceled the missing endangered child alert for 9-year-old Collin Nice. Police reported Thursday morning that Nice was safely located. This is the second time Nice went missing in the span of a month. Collin Michael Nice In this latest case, Nice was reported to have been last seen Tuesday, March 26 around 9:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of Indian River Road in Virginia Beach, according to police. Nice had previously gone missing earlier this month in the same area of Virginia Beach. At that time, he had been last seen around 11:30 p.m. March 11 and was found just after 8 a.m. the following morning. Previously: VBPD: Missing juvenile found safe Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to almost 1,800 Ukrainian children becoming orphans, the National Social Service of Ukraine said in a comment to the Kyiv Independent. Russia's all-out war has taken a devastating toll on Ukraines children, with almost 600 children killed and over 1,200 injured across the country, according to the UNs latest data. Over 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have been reportedly killed since Feb. 24, 2022. The actual number of civilian casualties in Ukraine is likely to be significantly higher as it doesnt fully account for the numbers in the Russian-occupied territories and front-line settlements. Read also: How thousands of Ukrainian children cope with losing parents to war Russia has also been conducting a campaign of mass deportations of Ukrainian children in violation of international law. 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. Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has also reportedly destroyed or damaged one in seven schools in Ukraine and forced 1.6 million schoolchildren out of education. According to a study published in February, over 20% of Ukrainian children study remotely, as only schools equipped with bomb shelters are allowed to operate offline. The United Nations Children's Agency UNICEF estimated in February 2023 that around 1.5 million Ukrainian children were at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues, with potential long-term effects and implications. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. American Indian College Fund 2023-24 Student Ambassadors (Photo/The American Indian College Fund) The American Indian College Fund invites Native Americans working in academia to participate in Indigenous higher education policy listening sessions. The information gathered during the listening sessions will help future Native higher education policy. Who should join: Indigenous faculty, student services personnel, and academic administrators whose research influences policy development or could be used for policy. Why: The College Fund is joining with Indigenous faculty, student services personnel, academic administrators, and higher education policy organizations to examine the state of Native Higher Education Policy and to offer recommendations to improve policy development and implementation. Purpose: Facilitators will engage participants in a recorded discussion that gathers information about scholars work, their interests in strengthening policy engagement, and insights into research and policy links experienced. How we will use the information: A team of scholars engaged by the College Fund will summarize the conversation and share participants remarks at an invitation-only equity convening in June and include them in a report on Native Higher Education Policy that will be published by the American Indian College Fund in October 2024. Interested Native scholars can register for one of the listening sessions below. Tuesday, April 16, 9-11 a.m. MDT https://collegefund.org/scholar-session-1 Monday, April 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. MDT https://collegefund.org/scholar-session-2 About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net A media powerhouse is digging deep and exploring interconnected cultures in her new book. Natasha S. Alford, an award-winning journalist and vice president of digital content at The Grio, has transitioned into authorship with the release of her memoir, American Negra. Renowned for her incisive analysis and captivating storytelling, she has established herself as a notable figure in media, advocating for racial equity, educational reform and the empowerment of Black and Latino communities. In her book, she shares her personal journey and perspective, offering insights into her experiences and defining success on her own terms. Through this compelling narrative, Alford offers readers a window into her personal life, sharing her experiences as the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother and an African American father born and raised in Syracuse, New York. She also navigates the complexities of identity, class, race and success in her pursuit of the American dream. Alfords memoir delves deep into the intersectionality of Black America and the Afro-Latin Diaspora by influencing a greater understanding of cultural diversity and heritage from her perspective. I always knew I wanted to write a book but becoming a journalist just kind of made it more urgent, Alford, 37, told Blavity. I think the time right now is perfect because there are just so many moments where we need to explain to people how Afro-Latinos exist, why our experience is often a unique one, but also how much we have in common with the rest of the Black diaspora. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha S. Alford (@natashasalford) In the early chapters of American Negra, Alford candidly explores the challenges she encountered while growing up in a multiethnic home. She often traveled with her mother to Puerto Rico to visit her loved ones, only to feel like an outsider for being the darkest person in her family. Similar to many Latinos in the U.S. who cannot speak Spanish, Alford recounted her journey of grappling with feelings of guilt over her inability to speak Spanish fluently. Yet, she discovered comfort and belonging within the African American community in her beloved hometown. Alford encountered varying viewpoints regarding her hair within both the African American and Latino communities. While African American hair salons praised her tresses as good hair, she often faced ridicule as an Afro-Latina whose hair was labeled as bad hair or pelo malo. Despite these challenges, she eventually learned to embrace and celebrate her natural crown and physical features, finding empowerment in her distinctive heritage. Alford graduated from Nottingham High School, an underfunded public school in the Syracuse City School District. However, it wasnt until she attended Harvard University that she grappled with not only the prevailing privilege and status on campus but also embarked on a journey of self-discovery, exploring her roots and identity. After nearly two years at the Ivy League institution, Alford went on a five-week study-abroad program in the Dominican Republic. During this time, she dedicated herself to academic pursuits and underwent a profound shift in perspective on Afro-Latinidad, leading to a newfound understanding and appreciation of her Latin roots. Over the years, Alfords experiences inspired her to explore further into issues of racism, colorism and what it means to be Black, particularly in Puerto Rico. This led to the creation of her 2020 Pulitzer Center-based documentary, Afro-Latinx Revolution: Puerto Rico, where she aimed to shed light on these pressing societal issues. Throughout the book, Alford discussed the intricacies of self-discovery while exploring the nuances of race, ethnicity and nationality. As someone of Puerto Rican and African American descent, she talked about the intersectionality of both cultures and how they have historically depended on each other despite decades of negativity directed at the groups. I wanted people to see the ways in which African Americans and Puerto Ricans actually work together historically, as much as we think of these as two separate groups, Alford explained. When you look at the history of New York City, these two groups were in the trenches together, they were fighting for labor rights. They were participating in groups like the Black Panthers and the Young Lords. While acknowledging that both African American and Puerto Rican communities face similar challenges, Alford emphasized that there exists a wealth of untold history surrounding these cultures that many people are still unaware of. This is what American Negra seeks to do is to make that history visible and to say that there are lessons today in looking at the past to see the ways in which weve really found our strength together, Alford shared with Blavity. And so how could you ignore this intersection of identity? You know what it means to really learn lessons from Latinos and African Americans to groups which have often been marginalized in American history. So theres so much beauty in this intersection and its been really, really rewarding to see people seeing the value in it, she added. Recognizing the importance of intersecting identities, Alford also shared with her readers the message that its never too late to pursue career changes, chase after ones dreams and discover selfhood. In her late twenties to early thirties, Alford held several roles, including a position at an investment firm, as a middle school teacher and as an employee at a publication education nonprofit. However, it was her first media job at The Grio that sparked Alfords determination to make a meaningful impact and revolutionize the media landscape as a journalist. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha S. Alford (@natashasalford) I had to go against quite a few people who advised me to not work in Black media or who said that I needed to be somewhere else, Alford said, adding she was told to work somewhere more quote-unquote mainstream. But according to Alford, Black-owned media companies are conventional and set the tone for others to follow. In addition to her multifaceted roles, Alford currently serves as a CNN political analyst and is concurrently pursuing a masters degree in public policy at Princeton University. She is also engaged and has a 3-year-old son. After devoting several years to memoir writing classes at Gotham Writers in New York City, Alford expressed that the process of writing her book was challenging, yet she remained steadfast in her desire to one day share her story. She aspires for readers to feel inspired to transform their own lives and embrace fearlessness in the pursuit of happiness. I hope that as people go through the chapters, they see the power that they already have to change their circumstances, Alford said. You will see me taking risks throughout this book, you will see me changing, youll see me growing up. In many ways, having to go against the advice that Im getting but it ultimately pays off. I hope the book is a testimony that when you do listen to your own voice and you do take your own path, theres a reward that really is priceless. American Negra is available for purchase on Amazon and through other online retailers. The launch of an online test aims to reveal whether your Amsterdam plans fit in with recent rule changes (Bloomberg via Getty Images) Was it stroopwafels, the delicious Dutch treat of syrup sandwiched by thin waffles, that I wanted to consume great quantities of in Amsterdam, or cocaine? One of those hadnt even had a sniff of interest from me the latter, if you must know but this is an actual question that potential British visitors are being asked by the municipality of the Dutch city. The surprising query is part of the tourism hot spots latest Stay Away campaign, consisting of an online survey titled Amsterdam Rules, which also asks why youd like to visit (spoiler: the wrong answer is stag party), whether youd like to kick up your clogs until 5am, and if you fancy pairing a bubble pilsner with a spliff. You get passive-aggressively chastised each time your plans are going to be a hassle (presumably for long-suffering Amsterdammers). Signs in the Red Light District make the rules crystal clear (Getty) I didnt think Id be the target for such a campaign, but it turns out I am: a British man aged 1835. Blighty has the accolade of being the first official target audience, ahead of Germany, France, Spain and Italy, which are next on the list. The Municipality of Amsterdam is cracking down on party tourists, those who it says visit to push their limits, which fuels the illegal drug trade and causes inconvenience for residents and entrepreneurs. In fact, the very quality of life in the city centre is under pressure. Read more on Netherlands travel: The premise is solid. Those searching online using terms such as Amsterdam coffee shop, Amsterdam red light district or Amsterdam stag do will be directed to the interactive quiz. Its a humiliating and condescending approach to finding better tourists but the Dutch capital is entirely right to treat us as irresponsible troublemakers. We only have ourselves to blame after carefully curating a less-than-favourable image. The De Wallen red light district is the largest and best-known in Amsterdam (Getty) The Brits Abroad stereotype persists, in memory but also in reality. Before I get accused of unfairly doing down my fellow citizens, Im well aware that were not the only nationality to behave badly when savouring that potent mix of new surrounds and booze. But Ive reported on enough planes making emergency stops due to disruptive passengers, spoken to plenty of locals of Greek islands and read police reports from overseas to know that the cliche still has loyal advocates. I asked a 28-year-old Scottish man, who asked not to be named but is planning to visit Amsterdam with three other chaps in May, what was the main reason for the trip. There was almost some beauty to his conciseness: To get on it. And will being pointed to the rules for tourists have an effect on their behaviour? It was an expletive, followed by no. Not the answer that tourism bods would have wanted for their estimated 90,000 (77,236) spend. Amsterdam may now be regretting having opened the floodgates to cheap tourism, which can mean over-enthusiastic, overdosed visitors which will ultimately cost the city dear in terms of police time and other associated management issues, says Ted Wake, managing director of Kirker Holidays, which has been taking holidaymakers to the city for more than 30 years. Importantly, this also affects local people and many visitors adversely. Theyre fighting the good fight but does it go far enough? This campaign follows last years online approach, with those searching similar phrases shown warning videos on the consequences of drug use and drinking to excess. The initiative cost the city 85,000 (73,945) and officials admit that it did not have an overall discouraging effect on the nuisance visitors. And even with additional measures early closing times in the Red Light District, a ban on group tours, a ban on spending the night in cars theres no evidence that this softly-softly course will work. Amsterdam was expected to host almost 20 million tourists in 2023 (Getty) Chelsea Dickenson, founder of CheapHolidayExpert.com, told me that she understood the sentiment behind it but that the gentle reminders of good behaviour are unlikely to stick. Im not sure sticking to the rules has ever been a primary concern for the individuals this campaign is actually trying to target, she joked. As my esteemed colleague, Simon Calder, pointed out (and the municipality has since confirmed), it is not in fact forbidden to organise a stag do there, despite what the quiz says. Tom Bourlet from The Stag Company told The Independent, that it is the ultimate irony that rebellious Brits have led to the firm seeing a giant leap in web traffic and enquiries about Amsterdam as they did during the 2023 campaign push. Amsterdam had a very quiet January to February, slipping out of the top 10, but Im hoping the Amsterdam council might do the same again for us, he says, adding: We need to hire their team to work for us. A search on Google reveals companies willing to show me a Dam good time, with another describing anointing Amsterdam the capital of debauchery. If the tourist board wants people to simply associate the city with tulips, Rembrandt and the like, they need to get real with their crackdown. Continued misery for city dwellers will not be quelled by officials pussyfooting around with these light touches but theyre entirely justified being supercilious if tourists, at a whiff of being asked to respect their host city, lean instead into acting out. Lets hope that the Amsterdam local authorities address the challenge before it becomes a real, long-term problem for both the local residents and for tourism, Ted Wake warned, praising the warm hospitality that the city offers visitors. Ahead of a trip to Amsterdam next month, Im pleased to say that I passed the test, after which Im told my responsible choices show that you value a positive of experience. Which means a no to coke and yes to a caramel waffle snack. Read more on the best hotels in Amsterdam Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Ancient DNA recovered from the remains of a sixth century Chinese emperor who ruled during the countrys dark ages has shed some light on what the leader may have looked like. Emperor Wu ruled China as part of the Northern Zhou dynasty from 560 to 580 and is credited with unifying the northern part of ancient China during a particularly chaotic period. Archaeologists found his tomb in northwestern China in 1996. In a study published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, researchers analyzed genetic material from his remains, which included a nearly complete skull. They gleaned information about his appearance, health and ancestry. The emperor belonged to a little studied nomadic group called the Xianbei that lived in an area that today is Mongolia and northern and northeastern China. The analysis of the genome sequenced from the DNA suggested Wu had brown eyes, black hair and dark to intermediate skin color. Some scholars said the Xianbei had exotic looks, such as thick beard, high nose bridge, and yellow hair, said Shaoqing Wen, study coauthor and an associate professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, in a news release. Our analysis shows Emperor Wu had typical East or Northeast Asian facial characteristics. The authors said they hoped ancient DNA might shed light on Wus cause of death. The emperor died suddenly at age 36, according to the study. Explanations for his demise put forward in historical texts include illness and deliberate poisoning. The team couldnt find any definitive evidence of why he died. However, the researchers said they uncovered a genetic susceptibility to stroke, which could explain some of the symptoms that historians have attributed to Wu: eyelid drooping, blindness and an affected gait. Archaeologists are increasingly applying ancient DNA techniques to tease out information from bones, teeth, artifacts and cave dirt. Wu facial reconstruction The team used genetic information from the remains, including Wus skull, to imagine what he would have looked like, creating a 3D facial reconstruction that humanizes a little-known figure. The study offers intriguing insights into the historical figure of Emperor Wu, with the facial approximation presented appearing convincingly realistic, said Tobias Houlton, a lecturer in craniofacial identification and forensic imaging at the University of Dundee who has worked on facial reconstructions of historical figures, via email. He was not involved in the study. (Skin, hair and eye) colour details are notably not possible to predict from skeletal remains alone, making genetic analysis an insightful tool. However, the study did not give enough detail about other morphological variables such as the thickness of the skin, muscle and fat that envelop the facial bones, eyeball placement and projection, eyebrow shape, nose width, and lip height, factors which can be included in a facial reconstruction, Houlton said. The Xianbei: A rarely studied group More interesting than the emperors appearance was his Xianbei ancestry, said Jeong Hoongwon, an associate professor at Seoul National Universitys School of Biological Sciences. Jeong, who wasnt part of the new research, has studied the Xiongnu, a separate nomadic empire that pushed China to build its Great Wall. The genetic analysis showed that Emperor Wu intermarried with ethnically Han Chinese, Chinas dominant ethnic group today. I think it is important to understand the elite group he belonged to, which arose as a merger of Xianbei and local Han elite groups, rather than himself, Jeong said via email. This group has been rarely studied in genetics and this study provides one of the first such cases. Jeong compared the Xianbei and Xiongnu to Germanic tribes such as the Franks and Goths that occupied parts of the Roman Empire as it collapsed. He said it was notable that Emperor Wu had a relatively high percentage of ancestry from a group known as ancient North Asians, given that the Xianbei had interacted with the dominant Han Chinese for several centuries by that point. Wu ruled during a period of Chinese history often deemed a dark age of chaos, with dynasties rising and falling in quick succession, said Bryan Miller, assistant professor of Central Asian art and archaeology at the University of Michigan. Miller, who wasnt involved in the study, said it was a period of history that warranted more study. Its interesting to see the genetic study, but none of the findings of this genetic study are surprising at all, Miller said. We know the big rulers were intermarrying, but what about the political substrata to what degree were lower elites allowed to intermarry? I think thats where genetics could really start to tell an interesting story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Meet Bobita. Bobita is a foul-mouthed, Andrew Tate-loving misogynist with a bald head and goatee who brags about his Maserati and pretends to roar as the MGM lion saying Blow me. He is also the alter ego of Romanian actress Ilinca Manolache, and the alter ego of her character in Radu Judes new film Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World, out now in limited release. In the film Manolache plays Angela, an overworked and exhausted production assistant, who drives around Bucharest trying to recruit victims of on-the-job accidents to appear in a PSA for an exploitative company. Every so often she stops and makes a video as Bobita, standing on the side of the road or in bathrooms to turn the camera on herself as she describes sex acts in wildly profane ways. While most of the film is in black and white, Bobita appears in glorious color. Its utterly hilarious, and one of the most unique uses of social media aesthetics in a film to date. Manolache, who mostly works in Romanian theater, came up with Bobita in 2021 near the end of COVID-19 lockdown. Frustrated by the largely conservative theater scene, she was itching to make something personal and was inspired by a series of videos that Margaret Qualley made with the writer and director Miranda July. Manolache found the filter for Bobita on Snapchat. Ilinca Manolache Courtesy of MUBI My idea was to recycle this type of toxic, hideous language that men use in order to dominate us and in order to humiliate us, she says. I wanted to recycle that to empower myself somehow. At first the feedback was not positive from her colleagues in theater, who found it cringe and recoiled at the language she was using. Even her mother, also an actress, was not on board. Not everyone was dismissive however. There were some feminist voices around me, friends, artists, who embraced my small project, she says. They participated in her dialogues on Instagram. One person who took notice was Jude. Manolache had appeared in the directors films before, including a small role in his most recent Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn. Jude wanted to center her in his next project and he was a fan of Bobita. Manolache left Jude alone to write what would become Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World, a wild comedy about the drain of capitalism that incorporates Bobita and clips from a 1981 Romanian film about a woman driving a cab. When Jude gave the script to Manolache upon completion, she was completely smitten. I was reading page after page and I was so represented by what he wrote, she says. It was so complex and so punk. Bobita was initially purely a creation of Manolache, but for the purposes of the new film he became a collaboration. Jude wrote all of Bobitas rants for the screen. Manolache focused mainly on toxic masculinity in her take on Bobita, Jude gave him opinions on religion and politics. He also calls the Queen of England the c-word and the writer Muriel Spark a skank. At one point, Angela encounters the combative German director Uwe Boll and makes a video as Bobita with him as they tell viewers to fuck off. Ilinca Manolache Courtesy of MUBI Although Manolache isnt exactly like Angelafor one, she has more privilegethey both use Bobita as an outlet. I created Bobita from a rage, she says. I felt it was like a duty to put this content out there, because I was very hurt by this social dynamic. And for Angela even though its her free time its also a way of empowering herself. I think we are almost the same with small differences. Its also fun, Manolache explains, to speak in Bobitas voice, because it is clearly an over-the-top caricature of a certain type of disgusting masculinity. The New Film That Will Shock You Into Laughter Manolache picked the specific filter she uses to play Bobita specifically because of how ridiculous it made her look, and in Do Not Expect Too Much you can see her slipping in and out of it as she moves her head and her long blond hair sticking out the back of Bobitas bald head. I wanted to make it clear that I dont endorse this type of approach, she says. Because this filter was making me in a way funny and ridiculous it also made the text and what I was saying also ridiculous. Manolache is still making videos as Bobita, in part to promote Do Not Expect Too Much, but they havent changed in tone. When the film played at the AFI Film Festival, Bobita even took to the streets of Los Angeles talking about how he wanted to have sex with Heather Locklear. But its not just about the jokes: Manolache feels like she has a duty to continue doing Bobita as an act of satirical resistance. Now we are related, she says. I never expected international impact. Im really proud of it. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Austrian concern Wienerberger, which is considered the largest brick producer in the world, sold 2 factories in Russia and left the country. The new owner of the concern's plants in the Vladimir region and Tatarstan is Budmix. ADVERTISIMENT It is 100% owned by businessman Alexey Filin, RBC reports, citing the Unified State Register of Legal Entities. Filin's main assets are concentrated in the construction industry. These include Bryansk Silicate Plant and Klintsovo Silicate Plant, which produce silicate bricks, lime and construction sand. Wienerberger confirmed the sale of the assets, explaining that due to the geopolitical situation, the company decided to exit the Russian market. Structuring the deal proved to be difficult in the face of constantly changing legislation, but "the sale of the local business to a Russian family group was successfully completed," said a representative of the Austrian concern. He added that the parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Wienerberger's total investment in plants in Russia since the company entered the domestic market has exceeded 60 million euros, says Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline-Analytics. According to his estimates, the actual value of the plants, taking into account the level of equipment wear and tear and their current condition, is about 4.5 billion rubles. However, the transaction amount did not exceed RUB 2 billion, Burmistrov believes. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, Latvia will auction off a land plot in the center of Riga and the so-called House of Moscow located on it, which previously belonged to the government of the terrorist country Russia. It was previously nationalized by a decision of the Saeima. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Palm Beach Synagogue Rabbi Moshe Scheiner stressed the importance of combatting antisemitism in every generation during his opening remarks. The Jewish community must remain united to combat the increasing rise of antisemitism. That was the guiding theme highlighted during the Palm Beach Synagogues third annual Countering Antisemitism Summit. I think before Oct. 7, some may have thought, Well, we beat antisemitism,' said Palm Beach Synagogue Rabbi Moshe Scheiner, who chaired the summit alongside members of the synagogue Nolan and Michael Greenwald. But here it is once again as the Torah predicted in every generation. The March 20 summit at the Colony Hotel brought together former federal officials, political organizers and civil rights advocates to discuss and explore strategies for combating antisemitic discrimination and hate speech. Notable speakers included former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, actress/dancer Montana Tucker and a surprise speech from the consul general of Israel in Miami, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, who highlighted the importance of the summit, while also criticizing what he said was antisemitic criticism of Israel. Its okay to criticize Israel, but I assume that when you criticize Israel, you hold it to the same standards that you hold any other things (conflicts) that you cover, right? said Elbaz-Starinsky. Im sure youve asked the same question about other battles. ... Of course the answer is no. Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, Consul General of Israel in Miami, praised the summit, while noting what he said were hypercritical standards placed on Israel by the nation's critics. The war, sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 240 kidnapped roughly half of whom remain hostage has left more than 32,000 Palestinians dead, most of those women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. While panelists did not discuss the current state of the conflict, much of the conference revolved around its effect in the United States, most notably, the 360% rise in antisemitic incidents recorded by the Anti-Defamation League between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7. The summit also focused its attention on education as a vital means to illuminating the plight of the Jewish community. This included a presentation by MorseLife representatives about the organizations Holocaust Learning Experience Signature Education Model. A curriculum and professional training resource, the model was created for teachers of grades five to 12 to educate students on the impact of the Holocaust and encourage students to embrace diversity and acceptance of others, said Jenni Frumer, vice president of Strategic Initiative for Morselife. The Palm Beach Synagogues third annual Countering Antisemitism Summit was a sold-out event, according to the summit's director Rabbi Shneor Minsky. Andrew Yang warns of the danger of dehumanization Ending the daylong event was a keynote speech by Andrew Yang, a businessman and former Democratic candidate for president, about the dangers of dehumanization. The enemy is dehumanization of Jews, dehumanization of anyone, Yang said, who created the Forward Party in 2021. If you dehumanize people, then you can do terrible things to them and it feels somehow moral. Yang blamed politicians for inciting hate. The current political system incentivizes toxic, noxious, terrible rhetoric and behavior, he said. Summit Director Shneor Minsky, from left, President Emerita of Babson College Kerry Healey, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and summit co-chairs Nolan and Michael Greenwald He also blamed the culture of U.S. universities. The culture of universities ... puts everything in this binary formular, where you are either the oppressed or the oppressor, Yang said. Jews have somehow found themselves in the powerful oppressor role. Yang noted that just like American Jews, hate and discrimination toward Asian Americans has often been downplayed because of their stereotypical status as a model minority." He said the Asian American community can learn from the Jewish communitys own efforts to combat discrimination and become more politically active. According to a 2021 report from the Reflective Democracy Campaign, while 6.1% of the U.S. population identifies as Asian American and Pacific Islanders, they were were just 0.9% of all U.S. elected officials as of mid-2020. "But it's a passion of mine to try and change it," Yang said. "And I think one way we can change it is frankly by learning from you all." Crisis on Campus Panel sparks debate One of the liveliest discussions of the day came during a panel that discussed antisemitism on college campuses. Titled Crisis on Campus: What Can Be Done? the panel began with moderator Ben Trachtenberg asking whether panelists agreed with the framing of the title. Allen Sessoms, managing partner at Higher Education Innovation Group, said the problem has been blown out of proportion. Ive been through crisis on campus; its really different than this, said Sessoms, who served as president for multiple colleges including Queens College and City University of New York. The trouble is that (there are) a lot of people who are being paid to hype it. The "Crisis on Campus: What Can Be Done?" panel included moderator Ben Trachtenberg, center, and panelists Ted Deutch, from left, Kerry Healey, Allen Sessoms and Steven Poskanzer. Steven Poskanzer, president emeritus of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, said while he viewed antisemitism of college campuses as a serious concern, he does not like framing the issue as a crisis. Weve seen colleges and universities be in the middle of moments, where theyre sort of the target of lots of anger, and historically we have worked our way through that, he said. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee and a former member of Congress, noted a recent Jewish committee survey that found that 44% of Jewish college students have been affected by antisemitism while on campus. When you (colleges) refuse to enforce your own code of conduct ... the result of that is that youre silencing Jewish students, said Deutch. Much of the conversation centered on the role of public university presidents in making public statements. Sessoms emphasized the delicate and nuanced stance he believes a public university president must take during a politically tense period. Trachtenberg, associate dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri School of Law, concurred, and noted that the president of his university refuses to make statements about global events. So, when the time came for people who wanted statements about Israel, he said, Im happy to do anything I can do to help the Jewish community, but Im not in the statement business, said Trachtenberg. Kerry Healey, former Massachusetts lieutenant governor and president emerita of Massachusetts-based Babson College, said that while it was fine for university professors to remain neutral regarding any statements as head of a public institution, the university must still address critical events through educational programming. So, then you need to bring the different voices to the campus, make sure that people feel safe ... to participate, to learn, to express their opinion in a civil way ... and to make sure that the campus climate is safe for that kind of learning, said Healey. Thats what colleges were made for. Deutch said that university presidents need to have moral clarity, citing the pro-Palestine marches which he said were in support of the Hamas attack that occurred following the Oct. 7 attack before Israel announced its siege of Gaza on Oct. 9. When people are out in the streets marching in support of the most horrific day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust ... it is important to show moral clarity, to set the tone for what that university campus is going to mean for Jewish students as well, Deutch said. American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutsch said that university presidents must have the moral clarity to denounce antisemitism in all its forms, including what he called the pro-Hamas rallies that occurred immediately following the Oct. 7 attack. While Sessoms agreed that university presidents need to have moral clarity, he also emphasized the fact that as a public employee, university presidents are limited in what they are allowed to say, either as the head of a university or as a private person. Regarding changes that can be made on campus, panelists highlighted the impact donors, board of trustees members and alumni can have in shaping university policy. Deutch also called for an audit of the Jewish Studies, Middle Eastern studies and Israeli Studies departments within U.S universities, saying they are filled with professors holding anti-Israel bias. Diego Diaz Lasa is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at dlasa@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Andrew Yang warns of dehumanization during Palm Beach antisemitism summit 'She is the only politician of any party that working-class voters name as someone they like' One is an urbane, Oxford-educated North London lawyer, the other is a gobby working-class Northerner prone to getting into scrapes for speaking their mind. We could be talking here about Tony Blair and John Prescott, but the description just as neatly fits the current Labour leadership of Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner. And in a week when Ms Rayner is under more scrutiny than ever before thanks to controversy over a house sale, the same questions are being asked about her as were once asked about Prescott: is she a priceless asset to the Party or a hopeless liability? Ms Rayner brings to Labours front bench the sort of authenticity that none of her colleagues can match. While the partys image-makers love to remind people of her rise from teenage single mum to shadow deputy prime minister, her appeal to the wider public lies in her perceived honesty, surveys show. Pollsters say she brings flavour to politics at a time when the main party leaders are as spicy as mashed potato, and her flat Stockport vowels are a useful counterbalance to Sir Keirs lawyerly delivery. Until now, her unique brand has proved immune to such controversies as her description of Tories as scum. It was the verbal equivalent of John (now Lord) Prescott punching a member of the public in 2001, which was met with a shrug by Blair (now Sir Tony) as he said: John is John. Angela Rayner with John Prescott in a photograph she posted on social media to wish him a happy birthday in May 2023 Merely saying that Angela is Angela will not be enough to diffuse the crisis facing Labours current deputy leader, as her house sale is being scrutinised by the police and, in the year of the general election, her popularity with the public could be in genuine danger. James Frayne, founding partner of the policy research agency Public First, says that until now Rayner has been a crazily huge asset to Labour but that her popularity could be damaged beyond repair if voters decide she is not as honest and straightforward as they thought she was. He said: Four or five years, ago she got a mixed reaction in focus groups, some people really liked her and some people really didnt, but two or three years ago she started being brought up a lot in focus groups, unprompted, especially by what you might categorise as working-class swing voters. They described her as honest, authentic and bracingly different, and even now she is the only politician of any party that working-class voters name as someone they like. That could all change, however, depending on the outcome of a police investigation into her financial affairs. To recap: Ms Rayner, who purchased her council house in 2007 under the Right to Buy scheme, sold it in 2015 and made a profit of 48,000. She says it was her main residence, meaning she was not liable for capital gains tax on the profit. Angela Rayner made a profit of 48,000 on her Right to Buy council house And that would be the end of that, were it not for the fact that five years earlier, after her marriage to Mark Rayner, she had re-registered the births of her two youngest children at his address, raising questions about whether that was, in reality, her main residence. If that were the case, her former council property would be a second home and liable for CGT, as married couples can only count one property as their main home under HMRC rules. Ms Rayner, who became MP for Ashton-under-Lyne the same year that she sold the property, has said that like anyone else she simply put her house on the market, used a solicitor and an estate agent, and was not aware of the HMRC rules at the time. Since the tax questions have arisen, she says, she has taken advice from a tax expert that was categoric that I do not owe any capital gains tax. Sir Keir has given his backing to his deputys decision not to publish that tax advice, saying he has full confidence in her. Labour insiders say Sir Keir has now come to accept Ms Rayner is a net asset - Eddie Mulholland Greater Manchester Police, which initially said Ms Rayner would not face an investigation, is now looking at the case again, and has assigned a detective chief inspector to reassess the matter after the Tory deputy chairman James Daly complained that officers had not contacted witnesses or looked at relevant documents. Regardless of the outcome, Sir Keir cannot sack Ms Rayner, as deputy leaders are directly elected by Labour members. Whether he might want to is a more interesting question. Sir Keir did sack Ms Rayner from a role as Labours campaign coordinator after the Hartlepool byelection in 2021, when the Conservatives won the seat from Labour with a huge swing. There were even rumours that Ms Rayner might challenge him for the leadership. The following year she told the BBC Sir Keir needed to put more welly into his speeches, suggesting tensions were not far below the surface. Labour insiders say Sir Keir has now come to accept Ms Rayner, whom he trusts to stand in for him at Prime Ministers Questions when Rishi Sunak is away, and can see that, like Prescott before her, she is a net asset to him. Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner is trusted to attend Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in Sir Keir Starmer's place - Jessica Taylor/AFP via Getty Images Ms Rayner is far more popular than Prescott ever was, Frayne says, and more useful. For starters, Sir Tony was far more popular than Sir Keir, and didnt really need to be buttressed by a rufty-tufty Left-winger. Prescotts primary role was as a bridge between New Labour and old Labour, especially the unions, who always remained suspicious of the privately educated Sir Tony and preferred dealing with a plain-talking former shop steward in the form of the then MP for Kingston upon Hull East. Rayner, in contrast, is a bridge between the north London dinner party set that dominates Labour ideology and the Red Wall seats that defected to Boris Johnsons Tories in 2019 and which Sir Keir needs to win back. Added to the mix is the fact that Sir Keir is no Sir Tony. It is no coincidence that Rayners sudden surge in popularity has coincided with the era of Starmer and Sunak, two leaders who are, to many voters, so bland as to be indistinguishable from each other. Frayne says: Prescott was useful for speaking to the party machine, Rayner is useful for speaking to the public. Whether she retains her popularity depends on whether the issue about her house affects the way people see her. Her appeal is not based on policy or anything ideological, its because she is seen as tough, honest and truth-telling, and if people decide that is no longer the case there is no coming back. One person who knows how this works is Mr Sunak. During the pandemic, he was seen by the public as honest, different and fresh as he masterminded the furlough scheme, but his involvement in Partygate and controversy over his family finances turned voters against him and his poll ratings have never recovered. Whether Ms Rayners personal popularity goes the same way would now seem to be in the hands of Greater Manchester Police. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Angela Rayner with Sir Keir Starmer during the Labour Party local elections campaign launch in Dudley - JORDAN PETTITT/PA Sir Keir Starmer has publicly backed Angela Rayners decision not to publish the tax advice on her council house sale, despite not seeing the advice himself. Launching Labours local election campaign in the West Midlands, the Opposition leader told reporters he had full confidence in his deputy when asked about police reassessing their decision not to investigate allegations that Ms Rayner gave false information in official documents. The issue revolves around the amount of tax Ms Rayner should have paid when she sold her home in Stockport in 2015, and whether she should have been liable for capital gains tax. The Telegraph understands that Ms Rayner has handed over the tax advice to the party and that senior officials have gone through it line by line. Sir Keir has been briefed in detail on its contents but has not read the document himself, with allies saying he does not feel the need to because he trusts his deputy. In an interview on Monday morning, Ms Rayner insisted she had done absolutely nothing wrong but declined to put the legal advice in the public domain because it was personal. Should she publish legal advice? No In a firm show of support on Thursday, Sir Keir said: Angela has been very clear. I think she has been doing media this morning. She has made it very clear that if anybody wants more information from her, any of the authorities, she is more than happy to provide it. But should she publish legal tax advice? No, she shouldnt. Where does this end? Are you going to be calling for Tory ministers to publish all their legal and tax advice going back over the last 15 years? That is where this ends. Asked if his deputy should resign if found to have done wrong, Sir Keir said: Angela has answered I dont know how many questions about this. She has not broken any rules, she has in fact taken legal and tax advice which has satisfied her, and us, and me about the position. Angela Rayner bought a house in Stockport in 2007 and sold it in 2015 - Ryan Jenkinson/Story Picture Agency Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is examining the case again after the Conservatives complained allegations had not properly been investigated. James Daly, the Tory deputy chairman, wrote to the force to accuse them of failing to carry out a full inquiry into whether the MP broke the law a decade ago. Police said this week that a detective chief inspector had been assigned to reconsider the case. In an interview with BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Thursday morning, Ms Rayner said: I am confident that Ive done absolutely nothing wrong. Ive been very clear on my advice that Ive received. Asked why she would not disclose that legal advice, she said: Because thats my personal tax advice. But Im happy to comply with the necessary authorities that want to see that. But I dont think we are going down the road of MPs, whenever somebody says, Well what is happening with your capital gains tax, we want to see all the information and detail. If we are, I am happy. If we are all going to have a level playing field you show me yours and Ill show you mine. Ms Rayner canvassing on the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday - James Manning Earlier this month, GMP said Ms Rayner would not face an investigation, before Mr Daly complained that officers had not contacted witnesses or looked at relevant documents. Respect the process Lisa Nandy, the Labour frontbencher, said the party would respect the process. The police originally closed the investigation. I understand theyve reopened it because a Conservative MP has asked them to do so, she told Times Radio. That is of course their right. We respect the process. And you know, as we always have when these sorts of allegations are made, we comply with the processes. 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 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. Only count one property HMRC rules state that married couples or civil partners can only count one property as their primary residence. Last week, Ms Rayner said the row was manufactured in an attempt to smear her. She told BBC Newsnight there had been no wrongdoing and no unlawfulness, adding: Ive been very clear theres no rules broken. A spokesman for GMP said: We have received a complaint regarding our decision not to investigate an allegation and are in the process of reassessing this decision. The complainant will be updated with the outcome of the reassessment in due course. 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. Labour launched its local election campaign under the tagline Britains Future. Voters might be forgiven for taking a keener interest in its deputy leaders past. Sir Keir Starmer has backed Angela Rayner amid allegations that she may have been liable for capital gains tax on the sale of a property in 2015, which she maintains was her primary residence and thus exempt. Sir Keir says he supports Ms Rayners decision not to publish the tax advice she says she sought on the sale. Are you going to be calling, he asked, for Tory ministers to publish all their legal and tax advice going back over the last 15 years? Such deflection is unlikely to wash with an electorate frustrated by the perception that different rules always seem to apply to politicians. At the very least, Ms Rayner needs to be more transparent about what happened. She should recognise that the public is entitled to ask questions of a politician who, within just a few months, could hold one of the highest offices in the land. But at the heart of this story lies a separate apparent hypocrisy. Ms Rayner benefited from the landmark Right to Buy programme, brought in by Margaret Thatcher to enable council tenants to become homeowners and pave the way to Britain becoming a property-owning democracy. Millions of people took advantage of the scheme, breaking their previous dependence on the state. Perhaps for this reason, the Left has long opposed the policy. Labour has suggested that it could tighten Right to Buy by slashing the discount offered to tenants who purchase their council-owned properties, raised to up to 70 per cent by the coalition government. More generally, Labour shows little enthusiasm for the kinds of aspirational policies that Mrs Thatchers governments promoted to such great effect. Its attack on private schools is likely to result in fewer opportunities for bright children from poorer backgrounds, if it leads to a reduction in scholarships and bursaries. Labours tax and benefit plans remain cloaked in mystery, but they are unlikely to reward people with multiple homes by lowering their capital gains tax bills. Last week, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, seemed to praise Mrs Thatcher, while rejecting her economic philosophy in its near-entirety. This is hard to square with the improvements in living standards enjoyed by millions Ms Rayner among them thanks to Thatcherite policies. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The area that is a proposed site for the Oklahoma County jail is pictured in this March 20 aerial photo in Oklahoma City. The view is looking east-northeast toward Del City. DEL CITY Class conflict. That is what some of the 120-plus residents and a few elected leaders talked about during a gathering Tuesday evening where they were updated on Oklahoma County's plans to build a new jail on 71 acres at 1901 E Grand Blvd. Beyond Oklahoma County's Board of County Commissioners, speakers said others involved include a "Bricktown Mafia," other, unnamed wealthy downtown developers and more affluent communities in Oklahoma County. Residents that spoke out Tuesday believe commissioners are trying to put the new jail on Grand because the nearby suburban community, a 7.5-square-mile area surrounded by Oklahoma City and populated by about 21,000 people, comparatively lacks the financial influence others hold. The tone for the evening's discussions was set by state Rep. Andy Fugate, a Democrat who represents Del City and the Oklahoma City area where commissioners propose building the jail. "They voted for economic eminent domain," Fugate told the crowd, describing the owners of more than 1,000 homes located just east of the jail's proposed location inside of Del City as "salt-of-the-earth" people who spent lifetimes working to buy their homes. "These people ... don't have fancy cars. They don't have big stock portfolios. They don't have million-dollar mansions. They certainly don't have the cellphone number of the governor to call, like people on the north side of Oklahoma City who pick up the phone to say, 'We don't want the jail over here,'" Fugate said. Fugate said a jail at 1901 E Grand Blvd. would be too close to a 600-student elementary school on the east side of Bryant Avenue that kids walk to regularly. A jail there would release people onto a street that has no regular bus service and is miles away from bail bonds and attorneys offices, from social-related and employment services and from the Oklahoma County Courthouse, he told them. "It's wrong for Del City. It is wrong for Oklahoma City. It is wrong for Oklahoma County. It is wrong for those people we put into that jail and it is wrong for their families," Fugate said. "The only people who think this is right are the people who bought up all the cheap land around the current jail and are going to make a fortune" after the old jail is removed and the area is redeveloped, he said to thundering applause. "The Bricktown Mafia," shouted someone from the audience. "We don't want it here," Fugate told them. "Building this jail across the street from all these good folks is going to steal their nest egg, leave them with nothing to pass on to the next generation but faded dreams. What is happening here is a travesty." Oklahoma state Sen. Kay Floyd, who represents much of the same area as Fugate, echoed his remarks and also said she felt county commissioners' worries about access to federal dollars for the project are on them. Arguments a site is needed now make no sense, Floyd said. "They have had plenty of time to go someplace else," she said. "I will stand here with you and keep asking, 'what took you so long? Why should we suffer because you didn't do your job?'" Commissioners are trying to replace the county jail at 201 N Shartel. The building has been plagued with problems since it opened in 1991. After operations there were taken over by an appointed trust replacing Oklahoma County's sheriff, it has been one of the deadliest correctional centers in the nation. A police vehicle parked in front of the Del City Police Department, as seen on April 11, 2023. Residents fear exodus from Del City, again Long-time Del City residents liken the current plan to build a jail at 1901 E Grand Blvd. to decisions made more than 50 years ago to build Hamilton Courts, a housing project for low-income residents, at that same location. In less than a dozen years, the complex built on 80 acres in an industrial area of the city became a magnet for problems and largely was abandoned before it was closed in 1980. The Oklahoman described the complex as blighted and a scene of crime and race riots in 1982. Issues there prompted many Del City residents to leave their community, they recalled. "I do not want to see Del City destroyed for my property value to hit zero like it did when Hamilton Courts was around," said Jane Dannenberg-Pena, who has been a Del City resident since her parents bought a home there in 1952. "Hamilton Courts tore Del City up, and we lost a lot of people. We can't take that again." If the decision became final, "they just might as well bury us under the ground, too," Dannenberg-Pena said. "It is going to affect so many people in this city," said Floyd Brown, 76, who was born and grew up in Del City and continues living there today. Brown said he worries a lack of police, fire and public transportation services in that part of Oklahoma City would burden his much-smaller community. "Del City has worked hard to have great police, fire and ambulance services, but if we have to support that jail, it is going to take away what we've paid to make our city a great place to live." Derral Howard, 72, another Del City native who leads a watch patrol in the Midway Village neighborhood, agreed. "It just amazes me that with Oklahoma County being so big, they cannot find 40 acres in a location that's not close to housing, schools, day cares. I just don't buy that's the only place they can find," Howard said. Kevin Hill, a Del City resident who grew up there and later served as a principal at one of its schools, today ministers to its residents as a pastor of the Praise Assembly, not far from the proposed jail's location. Hill said the church works with children from across that area. "Where they want to build the jail will impact one of our most impoverished neighborhoods in Del City," said Hill. "We love our kids who attend schools in that area. But why would you put a daily reminder of some of the wrongs that have happened in our community right in their backyards? We just deserve better than that." Schools are a big concern for Gina Standridge, a member of Midwest City-Del City's board of education who represents that area and told audience members eight schools are located within a mile of the jail's proposed location. "Why are we building this on the backs of our children?" she asked. The Oklahoma County jail is pictured Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Oklahoma City. Attorneys secured by Del City in its jail fight assure residents they will be heard Residents also heard Tuesday from attorneys Del City hired to represent its concerns about the proposed jail location. Those attorneys will represent the community before Oklahoma City's Planning Commission when it meets at 1:30 p.m. on April 11. At that meeting, an attorney representing current landowners Willowbrook Investments and Garrett and Co. Resources will ask it to recommend approving a special use permit to Oklahoma City's council that would allow for a jail to be operated there. Council approval of the permit is needed by the owners before it can sell the land to Oklahoma County. Attorney Joe White, who spoke on behalf of White & Weddle, told audience members he believed the concept of locating a county jail miles away from the courthouse is crazy. "Every county I go to, the jail is connected to the county courthouse," White said. "It's not next to some elementary school. It is not next to homes. It is in the middle of the community where the courthouse is. "We are going to ask the questions that we hear tonight and more, about what has gone on and why we are still talking about this being on Grand. It ain't right. It makes no sense." White also spoke highly about colleague Blaine Nice, an attorney with Fellers Snider who also is on the case and who has served Del City as a municipal judge for decades, describing him as a land-use expert. "There's no one better," White told the audience. Nice promised residents he'd look out for Del City residents' interests, even if their unified opposition to kill the deal before Oklahoma City's council fails. "We've got some arrows in our quiver, and we are not going to give up," Nice said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Del City residents argue jail selection is economic eminent domain Im not running for president, says the current treasurer of Spokane County, Washington. But if I were running for president, my inaugural speech would be: Hey, Congresstake your balls out of the jar on the shelf and do your job. If things go his way, Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner will have a chance to give the House of Representatives a nudge from the inside: In the long tradition of county treasurers everywhere, he is not running for presidentbut he is running for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, currently chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee and former chair of the House Republican Conference. McMorris Rodgers pending departure presents an unexpected opening in a friendly district for Washington Republicans. Baumgartner is one of eight Republicans and four Democrats in the mix for the seat. Baumgartner and I are slightly connected through some mutual friends. But I havent called him to talk at length about Republican congressional politics, a subject that is almost too depressing and too ghastly to think about for more than an hour at a time. Ive called to get his views on the comparatively chipper subject of the fentanyl trade, the organized crime behind it, and the geopolitics behind the organized crime. Before he was struggling his way through Washington state politics (he is a former state senator and lost a U.S. Senate election to Maria Cantwell in 2012), he was an important figure in the State Department, working closely with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker (another son of Washington state) during the U.S. military surge in Iraq, having previously cut his teeth on Middle East issues working for the crown prince of Dubai in an effort to turn Dubai into Singapore, as Baumgartner puts it. In Afghanistan, he was a contractor, working on a wide range of issues that included counterinsurgency and counternarcotics work. Going from the apparent success of the surge to the apparently hopeless mess of Afghanistan was eye-opening. And now, back home in Washington, he walks to work past vagrants camping under highway underpasses and zombied out on fentanyl or some other mind-numbing substance. And he sees the need for another kind of counterinsurgency program. I do think we have to look at the total drug trail, he says. Its not just law enforcement. But a counterinsurgency paradigm is appropriate, whether youre talking about cocaine in Colombia and Bolivia or the precursors to fentanyl that come from China and feed into the drug gangs that bring them forward. What he means isnt exactly the classical Reaganite militarized war on drugs model, but rather a combination of enforcement and interdiction with capacity-building for governments abroad and dealing with the demand side of the problem at home, an in-depth, multifaceted strategy, similar to how we looked at Islamic terrorist networks, to get at the drug problem. He cites the legalization arguments put forward by conservatives such as William F. Buckley Jr. and says that he still takes a basically libertarian view of marijuana legalizationwhile appreciating some complications. For one thing, formal legalization efforts (not only of marijuana but of other drugs) next door in Oregon have produced less-than-encouraging results, as did the longstanding de facto legalization policy of non-enforcement in much of Washington state, in part because these efforts coincided with a general turn away from street-level law enforcement in the wake of the George Floyd riots. Having drugs consumed privately at home is a very different outcome from having drugs consumed openly by vagrants and semi-vagrants illegally camped in urban tent cities. His stated support for marijuana legalization has been an issue in earlier campaigns. He supported Washingtons marijuana-legalization proposal, Initiative 502, when running for the U.S. Senate in 2012, a departure from many other Republicans as well as from his Democratic opponent, who ultimately won the race. At the time, I was very much of the Buckley view that persistent demand was going to be fed by legal or illegal markets, he said. I am a little disappointed at how marijuana has impacted Washington state. Im interested in the spread between the black-market rate and the licit rate, what teenage use rates are going to be. Because of federal prohibition, we didnt have much good science or data. There have been more significant health impacts than we knew of ahead of time, and the potency is higher and higher. Baumgartner still favors legalization, but with restrictions. We should redirect a lot of funding toward education about the health costs of regular, potent marijuana use and programs to keep it away from children. It shouldnt be in public spaces, he said. Its off-putting to me when you smell it in parks and other places where it is technically prohibited, but, in the post-George Floyd era, we dont enforce basic laws. While the district he seeks to serve runs up to Canada, Baumgartner makes a persuasive case that getting control over the southern border should be the No. 1 national political priority. The most critical issue of all national policy right now is border security, which means more than building a physical wall. We have to have control of the borders, and the drug piece is very much a part of that. But there are bigger policy issues, too. My wife and I have helped several of our Afghan team members, who were part of our war fighting effort and who truly fit into our definition of refugee and asylum seekers, and got a few of them here, he continued. I feel very strongly about helping people in those situations get to America, but our asylum and refugee process is being abused right now. Baumgartner argues for investing in a more productive relationship with Mexico. We cant look at Mexico as a one-off issue. Its our most important border, frankly a more important neighbor than Canada in that it is more consequential when it comes to challenges for immigration, for drug policy, for energy policy, agriculture, truckingall these are important issues with Mexico. He can be scathing on the subject of radical left district attorneys in Democratic strongholds, the Biden administrations border policies, that sort of thing. And while he says he supported Tim Scott in the Republican primary, he has admiring things to say about Donald Trump, too, and says he will support him in the general election. But Baumgartner is a funny kind of populist.Im Eastern Washington through and through, his campaign literature declares. The proof? I was born in the Palouse and went to WSU. True enough. He also went to graduate school at Harvard (and taught there as a teaching fellow), speaks French, and knows his way around Dubai. The first political thinker he references is William F. Buckley Jr., not Tucker Carlson. I press him about Trump, January 6, the attempt to nullify the 2020 presidential election, etc., and he miserably makes the noises a Republican hoping to win an election in 2024 is expected to make. It is a no-win situation: He doesnt make a particularly convincing Trumpist, but hes willing to be enough of a Trump water-carrier that he is out of bounds for people who simply will not support a politician or a party that cannot say plainly that Donald Trump tried to stage a coup detat by attempting to nullify the 2020 presidential election so that he could illicitly hold on to power. About January 6 and the 2020 presidential election, Baumgartner says: It would be extremely helpful if we would look forward and not have to talk about them a lot. Politically, suremany Republicans dont want to talk about that, and the ones who do arent winning a lot of elections. But Republicans do have to talk about it. There isnt any way for them to move forward until they do. And some of them do talk about itoften: Donald Trump, for one, routinely pleads the case of the January 6 hostages and patriots. Washington state has a goofy top-two primary system, in which all the candidates of all the parties appear on the same primary ballot in August, with the top two finishers then facing off in the general election. The Cook Political Report puts the district, which is fairly conservative, at R+8. So Baumgartners real competition at the moment is going to be the rest of the Republicans in the field. If hes successful, hell face the much harder tasks of trying to wade through an endless bog of Republican dysfunction and take that jar he mentioned down off the congressional shelfif he can reach it. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Buffalo State will not have a new president in July after the appointment of Dr. Chance Glenn was rescinded, the school announced Wednesday. Glenn was named the new president of the school last December and was set to take office in July, but that will not happen. Dr. Bonita Durand, who has served as the schools interim president since June 2023 after the retirement of Katherine Conway-Turner, will remain the schools president through the 2025-26 school year. Glenn had most recently served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas. The Buffalo State opening had previously been subject to months of speculation that Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown could become president at the university, which is his alma mater. Brown was elected to a fifth term as Buffalos mayor in 2021. Latest Local News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/ KUSI) A man was stabbed in the back Wednesday evening after an argument between taco shop employees violently escalated in the Gaslamp District, authorities said. According to the San Diego Police Department, the 35-year-old victim and the suspect, whos described to be in his 30s, got into a verbal altercation behind a taco shop on the 800 block of Fifth Avenue around 5:40 p.m. San Diego-area campground among top 10 in US, according to Campspot Authorities did not specify the name of the taco shop but said both men were employees. It was reported by police that the suspect took out a knife and slashed the back of the victim before running away from the scene. The victim had a cut to his finger and a roughly 4-inch laceration to his back. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested a short time later in the area of 500 F Street and the weapon was recovered, SDPD said. Central Division detectives will be investigating the incident. Anyone with information related to the stabbing is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Army hopes to begin work on its first privatized barracks building for junior enlisted troops in the next year at Fort Irwin, California, according to the services top civilian housing official. Carla Coulson, a deputy assistant Army secretary overseeing housing and residential partnerships, spoke with Army Times on March 19. She expressed optimism for the Irwin pilot program, but emphasized that privatized barracks are not an economical housing solution at most Army installations. At some locations ... we could use a privatized barracks solution, Coulson said. But its not going to work everywhere. The housing official said most installations are not a good fit due to a combination of inadequate housing allowance rates, population instability due to deployments, low projected demand, or a lack of suitable land for the project. By comparison, Fort Irwin, home to the National Training Center, is an ideal place to explore privatized barracks because of its relative isolation, population stability and high housing allowance rates, Coulson argued. The remote southeastern California bases housing allowance rates rival those of some major metropolitan areas: a captain with dependents receives $2,688 per month at Fort Irwin, while the same officer would receive $2,568 per month in Atlanta. The pilot privatized barracks project is undergoing staff assessments at the Defense Department level and requires final approval from budget officials before it can begin, but Coulson is optimistic the approvals will come quickly. After that, the service will negotiate a lease with the Michaels Organization (which administers existing privatized family housing at Fort Irwin) and complete an environmental assessment before breaking ground. Tentative plans for the Irwin development call for approximately 500 soldiers worth of two-bedroom suites, organized into roughly company-sized buildings. Under the current plan, Coulson said, each suite will have its own kitchen and living area, and the complex will have amenities including a business center, a swimming pool and a fitness facility. Coulson said the pilot projects success will be gauged via tenant satisfaction surveys, command feedback, occupancy rates/waitlist length and whether financial projections hold up. Privatized housing projects self-fund their eventual renovations through a mandatory reinvestment account that collects a large portion of the partner companys revenue on the project. Should the model prove successful at Fort Irwin, Coulson said the Army can reallocate military construction funding that would have gone to building Army-owned barracks there (and at the few other potential sites for privatized barracks projects.) In this case, were going to be able to use about $250 million in military construction [funds] ... to [build] somewhere else where weve got a greater need, Coulson explained. Critics of the privatized barracks proposals point at endemic problems with privatized on-post family housing projects. The Army has struggled to implement effective oversight and inspection mechanisms for those homes, auditors found last year. Army failing to ensure family housing safe from lead paint, asbestos Coulson argued, however, that the services existing privatized unaccompanied quarters primarily intended for single officers and noncommissioned officers consistently score very well in the services housing satisfaction surveys. A September 2023 watchdog report that largely blasted the condition of barracks buildings across the DOD found that all privatized barracks it inspected exceeded quality standards. The housing official added that soldiers in the privatized barracks will enjoy protection under the DODs Tenant Bill of Rights when it comes to their relationship with the company administering the project. Ultimately, Coulson said, the privatized barracks pilot represents just a small part of the efforts underway to solve the Armys barracks quality problems. Were doing an awful lot of work ... to understand how we can provide a better [barracks] inventory for our soldiers as quickly and as effectively as we can, she said. Privatized barracks is but a tool in the toolbox of the things that we can use. (KRON) An Army cadet from Pleasanton died on Monday while he was on leave in Florida, the United States Military Academy said. Havin Morris, 21, died from an accidental drowning, and police do not expect foul play. Cadet Morris was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets, committed to serving his country as an Army Officer. The entire West Point community offers our heartfelt condolences to the Morris family, said West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland. Image of Havin Morris from the U.S. Army Morris tactical officer, Rebecca Gogue, described him as a bright, resilient young man with a determination to succeed in all he did. Mother killed by Pacifica police after shooting son at apartment complex: authorities The drowning happened in Fort Lauderdale. Police said he was in the area for spring break. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, his body was found in the New River. He went missing on Saturday after he went out to a nightclub with friends, the newspaper learned. The military academy said Fort Lauderdale police and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command are investigating. The army appointed a casualty assistance officer to help Morris family. Morris graduated from Amador Valley High School in 2020. The Pleasanton Unified School District sent the following statement: We are saddened by the loss of one of our former Amador Valley High School alumnus. Our hearts go out to the Morris family and those who Havin touched the lives of during this difficult time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The facts and truth about Ren'ai Jiao 09:24, March 28, 2024 By Zong Haiping ( Global Times A Philippine vessel approaches a China Coast Guard vessel in a dangerous manner and leads to a bump in waters off China's Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on October 22, 2023. Photo: Screenshot from a video released by China Coast Guard Since last year, the Philippines has repeatedly provoked and disrupted the peace in the South China Sea by exploiting a dilapidated military vessel illegally grounded at Ren'ai Jiao in the Nansha Qundao for over 20 years. On March 23, the Philippines once again dispatched vessels to send construction materials to the illegally grounded military vessel, attempting to reinforce the vessel so as to achieve permanent occupation of Ren'ai Jiao. In the face of the intrusion by the Philippine vessels, China Coast Guard had to take necessary measures to safeguard rights and enforce the law. Subsequently, some Philippine officials and media as well as Western media distorted facts and accused China of "bullying the weak," supporting the Philippines' provocative acts of encroachment. Who is actually creating disturbances and altering the status quo? Who is violating international law and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea? Let us expose the false information spread by the Philippines and present the truth to the international community. Who owns Ren'ai Jiao? Ren'ai Jiao is an integral part of China's Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao and their adjacent waters, this is solidly grounded in history and law. Ren'ai Jiao is neither "terra nullius," nor Philippine territory, nor is it within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The territorial boundaries of the Philippines were established by a series of international treaties, and the Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, fall outside of this scope. The so-called "contiguity or proximity" is not a valid reason for asserting sovereignty. Territorial sovereignty is a prerequisite for claiming maritime rights, and to deny territorial sovereignty based on maritime rights is to reverse cause and effect. The Philippines' denial of China's territorial sovereignty over Ren'ai Jiao, based on the invalid and illegal ruling of the so-called South China Sea arbitration, violates the ancient yet enduring principle of "the land dominates the sea" in international law and is fundamentally untenable. Who is changing the status quo of Ren'ai Jiao? Ren'ai Jiao is an uninhabited island reef in the Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea, and this is the original condition of Ren'ai Jiao. The fifth article of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, clearly stipulates that the Parties should refrain from "action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features." On May 9, 1999, the Philippines illegally ran aground a warship on Ren'ai Jiao, and China immediately lodged a solemn representation. The Philippines has repeatedly promised to tow away the illegally grounded warship and stated that it will not be the first country to violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. However, 25 years have passed and the Philippines has still not towed away the warship. Despite the Philippines' commitment not to reinforce the grounded warship and to notify China in advance of any plans to resupply it, China, out of humanitarian considerations, has made temporary special arrangements for Philippine vessels transporting necessary supplies to the warship multiple times. However, the Philippines has repeatedly violated its commitments to China and continues to send government vessels and warships to forcibly enter Ren'ai Jiao, attempting to transport construction materials for large-scale repairs and reinforcement of the warship in order to achieve permanent occupation of Ren'ai Jiao. This is the root cause of the tension. It's the Philippines that breaks the consensus between the two countries and escalates tensions in the South China Sea. It's also the Philippines that attempts to change the status quo and create trouble. It's still the Philippines that repeatedly breaks promises and goes back on its words. What does the Philippines really want to do? On March 23, without the permission of the Chinese government, the Philippines once again sent ships to intrude into Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippine Coast Guard claimed it was for "routine rotation and resupply," but is this really the truth? Let's look at a few facts. First, on March 5, two Philippine ships illegally intruded into the waters near Ren'ai Jiao, and the China Coast Guard took necessary measures to safeguard rights, while also refraining from intercepting one of the Philippine ships that was carrying essential supplies out of humanitarian considerations. The so-called "resupply" by the Philippines on March 23 was only 18 days after the previous one, and based on past situations, the supplies provided earlier should have been sufficient for the personnel on the "grounded" warship, indicating the Philippines had ulterior motives. Second, the Philippines claims to be transporting life supplies, but the ship is actually loaded with construction materials. The Philippine supply ship cannot carry large construction materials inside, and all goods are placed in open or semi-open spaces on the ship. Without boarding the Philippine ship, anyone can clearly see that the ship is loaded with construction materials. This is obviously intended to reinforce the old grounded ship, to build a permanent outpost on uninhabited islands and reefs, attempting to occupy Chinese territory. Third, the Philippine Coast Guard deliberately carries a large number of accompanying "journalists" on board, attempting to manipulate public opinion, discredit China as a "bully" and create a victim image for the Philippines, exaggerating the so-called "China threat" theory to deceive sympathy from the international community. The Philippines claims that China is "preventing normal personnel rotations" and depriving service members at the Ren'ai Jiao of "necessary provisions," which just exposes the Philippines' long-standing illegal attempts to stay on Chinese territory, revealing their sinister intentions. The China Coast Guard had to take necessary measures to intercept Philippine vessels in order to maintain China's territorial sovereignty. The related operations were legitimate, professional, and restrained, and there is no room for criticism. Who is manipulating and directing behind the scenes? The US cannot escape blame for the current situation. The US is deeply involved in the Philippines' infringement and provocation activities at Ren'ai Jiao, instigating and supporting the Philippines in repairing and reinforcing the illegal "grounded" warship, and sending military aircraft and warships to the scene to coordinate with the Philippines. The US government has also openly voiced support for the Philippines' infringement and provocation actions without any bottom line, even using the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to threaten and coerce China, boosting the confidence and arrogance of the Philippines in its maritime infringement and provocations. American media and think tanks are hyping up the issue of Ren'ai Jiao, baselessly attacking and accusing China. One typical example is the Project Myoushu. The project appears to be affiliated with Stanford University, but is actually mainly operated by members with backgrounds in the US military. The project leader, Ray Powell, served in the US Air Force for 35 years. The Project Myoushu uses social media platforms to disseminate false information, constantly attacking and smearing the normal activities of Chinese ships in the South China Sea, mainly through speculation, baseless fabrication, manipulation of public opinion, exaggeration of the "Chinese threat" theory, and incitement of regional division. Relevant countries should have a clear understanding of this and remain highly vigilant. Facts cannot be distorted, and the truth cannot be erased. Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao. It is Chinese territory. Philippine encroachment and provocations cannot change facts, and American manipulation and hype cannot cover up the truth. The author is an expert on border and maritime affairs. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Fatime Letifova Azerbaijan`s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva met with residents of Armenian descent in Khankendi and visited a shelter created for vulnerable population groups, Azernews reports. The Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner paid attention to the state of ensuring the rights and freedoms of residents of Armenian descent who live in the institution as well as outside the institution and benefit from the services, and gave detailed information about the powers of the Ombudsman. Also, social services and food supplies provided to residents by psychologists and social workers were monitored. During the visit, posters containing information about the Ombudsman's 24-hour 916 Call Centre were presented to the institution. Ukraine and Poland held talks at the level of prime ministers. The topics included Polish farmers blocking the border and trade in the agricultural sector. Among the results is an agreement that Poland will issue licenses to Ukraine to import four types of crops into its territory. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. He noted that it is, in particular, about: corn; rapeseed; sunflower; wheat. "Export of these categories is not possible without a license. We do not issue such documents or permits now. We will issue them only upon joint agreement with the Polish government," the statement said. The Prime Minister emphasized that Ukraine agreed to the restrictions to reach a compromise. "To ensure that agricultural exports from Ukraine do not pose even a theoretical threat to Polish agricultural producers," the Prime Minister explained. How the negotiations went In general, he noted, as a result of the talks, Ukraine expects, in particular, "concrete responses to the proposed steps" from Poland. Most of which, however, "have already been implemented." ADVERTISIMENT "We held another round of Ukrainian-Polish governmental consultations. We discussed many issues of mutual interest in our cooperation. We paid a lot of attention to complex topics: the situation at the border and trade in the agricultural sector. We understand how we will move forward. We expect concrete responses from Poland to the steps we have proposed. Most of them have already been implemented," the statement said. The border issue needs to be resolved At the same time, the Prime Minister assured that both Ukraine and Poland understand that the border issue needs to be resolved. And it should be done comprehensively. ADVERTISIMENT "Ukraine needs 'ways of solidarity'. Our governments share a common understanding of the importance of this project. As well as a common understanding that border issues need to be addressed comprehensively. Ukraine has proposed specific steps for this," he said. Trade liberalization is a priority However, Shmyhal emphasized that "the issue of continuing trade liberalization" is of primary importance. In particular, the ability of Ukrainian producers to continue supplying their products to the EU without duties and tariffs. ADVERTISIMENT Ban on Russian products At the same time, the Prime Minister noted, Ukraine also expects the European Commission to ban the transit and export of goods from Russia and Belarus. In addition, an "agreement on joint control at checkpoints" is expected to be agreed upon. "Russian and Belarusian agricultural exports to the EU must stop. We are grateful to the Polish Government and the Sejm, which adopted a corresponding appeal to the European Commission. Our voice was heard in Brussels. The European Commission has proposed a 50% increase in duties on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, including grain imports. The new rates should stop this trade," he emphasized. Construction of a new highway In addition, Shmyhal said, Ukraine has submitted its proposals for the construction of a new highway. It should run along the route Krakivets-Lviv-Brody-Rivne. ADVERTISIMENT Ukraine also hopes to continue Poland's participation in Ukraine's recovery. In particular, Poland has already taken the "initiative to join the restoration of the Kharkiv region." Electricity imports to Ukraine In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized, that Poland is already helping Ukraine stabilize its energy system. It is doing so by importing resources to the country. "There is an exemplary case of the construction of the Khmelnytskyi NPP-Rzeszow power line. This deepens the integration of the Ukrainian energy system into the European one," Shmyhal said. Fuel must cross the border without delay Shmyhal also noted that Ukraine has asked Poland to ensure free passage of not only ammunition and humanitarian aid but also fuel across the border, despite the blockade by farmers. ADVERTISIMENT This is important because it is directly related to national security issues. Poland has included the border crossing points and adjacent roads in the list of critical infrastructure facilities. We did the same," the Prime Minister said. The Poles have extended the border blockade Earlier, Polish farmers extended the blockade of the border with Ukraine for almost 2 months until April 30. Previously, they intended to end it on March 10. In this way, the Poles want to achieve restrictions on the import of agricultural products from outside the European Union, including from Ukraine. This is stated in the relevant document published by the Municipal Office of the Lubicz-Korolowska Commune. According to it, 100 people will block the border. "The public meeting is scheduled to begin on March 10, 2024, at 14:30 and end on April 30, 2024, at 14:30. The goal is to eliminate the Green Deal (an EU strategy aimed at reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere Ed.) and limit products from outside the EU, in particular from Ukraine," it says. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Army has had two Apache helicopter crashes within 48 hours, with the latest sending two soldiers to the hospital when their aircraft went down Wednesday evening near Fort Carson, Colo., the service confirmed Thursday. The AH-64 Apache from the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division crashed around 6:30 p.m. during a routine training exercise. The two pilots suffered minor injuries and were taken to the on-base hospital before being released the same night, according to the Army. A team from the Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Novosel, Ala., will investigate the crash, with all aviation assets grounded at the base until further notice. The incident is the second Apache crash in just 48 hours, with the same helicopter model going down Monday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. In that accident, the two pilots were injured when their aircraft assigned to 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade crashed during a routine training exercise around 9:30 p.m., base officials said. That crash is also under investigation. The accidents follow two other Apache mishaps in February: A Mississippi National Guard Apache helicopter crashed Feb. 23, killing the two pilots aboard, and a Utah National Guard Apache went down Feb. 12, with both pilots surviving. Those incidents prompted the Army to ground all of its National Guard helicopter units for a safety review. The military has also struggled with rotary-wing aircraft accidents in the past several years, with the deadliest such crashes in November, when five soldiers were killed when their MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was downed over the Mediterranean Sea. The same month, eight Marines died in when their V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed near Japan. And in March 2023, nine troops were killed when two Black Hawks collided near Fort Campbell, Ky. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HAWLEY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Jones County Sheriffs Office has made an arrest in relation to the November robbery of a Hawley convenience store. Courtesy of the Jones County Sheriffs Office Jones County Telecommunications Division received a phone call about an aggravated robbery at approximately 5:00 p.m. on November 25, 2023. According to the initial press release, a man armed with a handgun entered the 7-Eleven store at 435 East Access Road in Hawley. No injuries were reported. 7-Eleven store in Hawley robbed at gunpoint, suspect at large On March 27, 2024, Clay Riley Moore was arrested for Aggravated Robbery after an investigation by the Jones County Sheriffs Office. The Jones County Sheriffs Office would like to thank those who aided in the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. JERSEY SHORE, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Police arrested a man after they say he broke into a car and stole a gun. Lycoming Regional Police were called to Allegheny Street in Jersey Shore Borough on March 26 around 7:30 a.m. for a gun stolen. The victim said someone illegally entered his car parked at his house overnight and stole items from inside the car, according to officers. The items stolen included a Glock 9mm handgun, a backpack, and coins. Volunteer firefighter accused of setting house on fire Through further investigation, police found surveillance video of the suspect and learned he was arrested on a different incident. The suspect was identified as Valentino Anderson, 23, and he admitted to stealing the gun and other items from the victims car, police said. Anderson was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft of a motor vehicle, and loitering. He remains in the Lycoming County Prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks speaks about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU, hosted by the Wheatley Institute, the University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business, in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. When Arthur Brooks three kids turned 18, they each handed over a business plan to him. But not the kind of plan you might think. It was a business plan for their lives. They are startup founders of themselves, incorporated, Brooks said. Thats their firm. Theyre the founding CEO. Now, the currency of their life is not money. Its love and happiness. Brooks, a Harvard Kennedy School professor and columnist for The Atlantic, intended for this plan to help his children answer two questions questions he believed that if they could answer, they would be on their way toward happiness. And before an overflowing audience at Brigham Young University on Thursday, he asked those very questions and unveiled the four most important strategies to find happiness. BYUs Wheatley Institute and the Marriott School of Business hosted the lecture in conjunction with the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Along with Wheatley Institute Director Paul Edwards, University of Utah President Taylor Randall spoke at the start of the event. In a luncheon following the lecture, Randall and Brigitte Madrian, dean of the BYU Marriott School of Business, had a conversation about how to foster happiness among college students. It is always an honor to be here at Brigham Young University, said Randall. I see our institutions as collaborators in the great cause of educating both our state and our country and our world. Brooks has ties to both the University of Utah and BYU. Hes one of the University of Utah Impact Scholars and since 2005, BYU has periodically hosted Brooks as a speaker. Of his time in Utah, Brooks said, Part of the thing that Im learning is that this is a distinctive place in our country and in our world. And a big part of what I want to do is I want to bring the magic thats right here, and I want to bring it to the rest of the country. The science behind Happy Valley Kicking off his lecture, Brooks said he would explain the science of Happy Valley and how happiness works. Though happiness is accompanied by feelings, it is not itself a feeling. Happiness is a combination of enjoyment and satisfaction and meaning, Brooks said, adding that its not a destination, its a direction. Build the Life You Want, by Arthur C. Brooks, is available for attendees after Brooks spoke about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU, hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business, in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Enjoyment. Pleasure is an animal phenomenon, Brooks said. Enjoyment is a human phenomenon, almost a divine phenomenon. Brooks said that its not a good idea to do something just because it feels good and thats what pleasure is. Pleasure is incomplete and doesnt lead to happiness. Enjoyment, on the other hand, involves more than just pleasure. This is an important thing with your eating and with all of your habits, Brooks said. Its the pleasure. Plus the people. Plus the memory. At least you enjoy it. And that enjoyment leads to your happiness and thats a gift. Satisfaction. Humans want to struggle for rewards, according to Brooks. You want to even suffer for things. And the reward is sweeter, the more you struggle. Brooks gave college as example. Most people dont want to stroll into college, not study one thing and then walk out with a diploma 10 minutes later, because the process of earning the degree gives the satisfaction, not the degree itself. Single events dont bring lasting satisfaction. But were always fooled. Were always fooled into thinking that it will, because Mother Nature, shes playing a trick on us. In life, Brooks said, there are things we already have and things that we want. In order to have lasting satisfaction and work toward happiness, he said we need to trim down the amount of wants we have. In other words, its more effective to manage what we want than what we have. Brooks referred to this as a reverse bucket list. On his birthday, he writes down a bucket list and instead of chasing down those dreams, he crosses them out. Something hes putting on his next reverse bucket list are his political opinions. I need fewer political opinions because I need more friends, Brooks quipped to audience laughter. Its not that Brooks will abandon his views, its that he said hell open himself up more to others and detach himself more from his opinions and the idea of being right. Meaning. Its not enjoyment and satisfaction alone that help lead a person to happiness. People need to find meaning and purpose in life, Brooks said. Brooks asked the audience two questions: Why are you alive? And for what would you give your life for on this day if you were called to do so? Along with having his kids write business plans for their lives, Brooks asked them these two questions. That was the whole idea behind the plans. When one of his sons gave him back a plan saying he would go to college and play sports, Brooks sent the plan back for revisions. When his son gave him the plan back, Brooks said he found something he could believe in. He came back with this idea of working hard by himself with his hands outside. He went to work on a dry wheat farm in Grangeville, Idaho, Brooks said. Now a few years later, Brooks son has served in the Marine Corps and is married with a baby along the way. He found his answers. Brooks related those answers to the audience, Why are you alive? Because God made me to serve other people. What are you willing to give your life for? My faith and for my family and for my fellow Marines and for the United States of America. While these answers might not be the right ones for everyone in the audience, Brooks said, he admonished them to find their answers. To find enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning, Brooks said there are four key areas of your life to examine: your faith, family, friends and work. And what you can control about your happiness isnt necessarily your circumstances or genetics, its your habits. If you go on a mission for your faith, you are spreading happiness. I have the data. I have science that shows you that youre a Christian apostle and witness, but youre also a happiness apostle and witness, Brooks, a Catholic, said. Keeping your family close, cultivating tight-knit friendships and finding a career where you believe you are earning success and serving other people will lead you to more happiness in your life. We are destined to be beings in service to others, Brooks said. And the best way that we can do it for most of us is the way we earn our daily bread. University of Utah President Taylor R. Randall listens to Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks speak about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The talk was hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business. Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks speaks about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU, hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business, in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. An attendee takes notes as Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks speaks about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU, hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business, in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The audience applauds for Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks, who spoke about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU, hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business, in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Paul S. Edwards, Wheatley Institute director, relays listener-submitted questions to Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks after Brooks spoke about happiness at the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center at BYU in Provo on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The talk was hosted by the Wheatley Institute, University of Utah and the Marriott School of Business. One antidote to our poisonous, nasty political atmosphere is to consider especially significant positive leaders of our past. Author, educator and soldier Josiah Bunting III has done just that for us in producing a new biography of General George C. Marshall. Marshall, one of the greatest soldiers produced by our or any other nation, is what we used to refer to as a dedicated public servant. As chief of staff of the U.S. Army, he did essential work to get a dangerously unprepared America at least partially ready for World War II, and then led the mammoth organizational effort required for victory. He later served as secretary of state and secretary of defense during the trying post-war years, when the Cold War and Korean War both began. Arthur I. Cyr Marshall wanted very much to lead the Normandy invasion but that mission went to his protege Dwight Eisenhower. FDR considered Marshall indispensable in his wartime role and stated he would not be able to sleep at night if the general were out of the country. Ever the good soldier, Marshall apparently never directly discussed his very intense personal desire with the president. He did his duty with dedication, consistently putting the national interest above his own. Along with remarkable administrative ability, Marshall demonstrated exceptional diplomatic and political skill. Following Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Imperial Army surrounded American forces in the Philippines under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, a man widely disliked and mistrusted among fellow officers and more generally in Washington. President Roosevelt nevertheless did not want the American commander to become a Japanese prisoner and ordered an evacuation to Australia. Marshall followed up thoroughly to ensure that media and public, at home and abroad, knew that this was not MacArthurs decision, and that the government of Australia provided a positive and supportive welcome. The ultimate professional, he never let personal opinion of MacArthur interfere. The ultimate staffer, he devoted the time necessary for operational success. Buntings book focuses primarily on Marshalls earlier years, before his central and instrumental roles in planning and command during World War II. As a boy, he was extremely shy and reticent, apparently very much in the shadow of an accomplished businessman father and an older brother already headed to military education and training at Virginia Military Institute. Marshall followed in his brothers footsteps by going to VMI, a respected educational institution but not the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Then, as before and since, West Point was the professional training ground for future top leaders of the Army. World War I confirmed Marshalls growing reputation. Bunting emphasizes this was the result not of genius, but extraordinary focus, discipline and sheer hard work. Marshall is rarely discussed today. He put little personal information in the public record, and never wrote memoirs, likely in part because he feared inadvertently revealing details about the war and aftermath that were best kept private. Also, at least in part incredibly from a contemporary perspective he felt strongly that patriotic citizens should not benefit financially from government office. For him, public service was literally just that, a privilege. Fortunately, Forrest Pogue authored a masterful comprehensive biography of this great leader. Josiah Bunting has done a fine job of supplementing and enriching that mammoth work. Learn more: Josiah Bunting III, The Making of a Leader The Formative Years of George C. Marshall, Knopf. Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan). He can be reached at acyr@carthage.edu. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Arthur Cyr: George Marshall a public servant and the public good Two large portraits of the late Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, have been spray-painted onto a property owned by a former Czech foreign minister behind a monument honouring Soviet soldiers in Vienna. Completed on Wednesday (27 March) by Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou, the portraits cover the wall situated behind the monument, which had previously been painted in the blue and yellow national colours of Ukraine following Russia's invasion in 2022. "Its nice to give a political statement behind a memorial, to choose the flag of Ukraine, and in addition to that Navalny, who always used to heavily criticise the government in Russia," says Jonathan Gamperl, one half of the street art duo. Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption in Russia and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as President Vladimir Putins fiercest foe, died on 16 February in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. Officials have said only that he died of natural causes. The Heroes' Monument of the Red Army in Vienna was built to commemorate 17,000 Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle for Vienna against the German forces in World War II. - Credit: Flickr Images The wall in question belongs to the Palais Schwarzenberg, owned by the noble family of former Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who died in November. The monument itself, known as the "Heroes' Monument of the Red Army", was unveiled in 1945 and was built to commemorate 17,000 Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle for Vienna during World War II. Austria, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, was divided into occupation zones until the country was granted full sovereignty in 1955. Public reaction to the portraits A picture of Alexei Navalny on a mural in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, 27 March 2024. - Credit: Philipp-Moritz Jenne/AP The duo behind the project shared that they had received overwhelmingly positive feedback thus far. "A lot of Russians are telling us that it is important to them that we are doing the painting because they are living in the area. And its nice for them to see" says Gamperl. Diana, a Vienna resident, echoed this sentiment, expressing her admiration for the artwork: I think its outstandingly good artwork. I think in such an important place its very good to have it up, and I respect people who feel deeply about these things. Local politician Thomas Weber, representing the NEOS party, voiced his support, stating in German, I think this is a great idea, that we in Vienna show publicly that we prefer freedom and democracy and that we stand for a different Russia, a Russia without a war criminal, Putin, at the head." However, KSORS, a group described by Austrian media as being close to the Russian Embassy, complained in a post on X that the wall behind the monument to Soviet soldiers is being misused for political purposes. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Arvin police Sgt. Delia Reyes scoffed at the notion her boyfriend was a drug trafficker. He sang in a band, she told authorities, adding she trusted him enough she let him borrow her gun, and kept her badge in his Mercedes-Benz, which she sometimes drove. But Reyes confidence eroded when authorities informed her Arvin Police Department armored vests were located when they raided her boyfriends home earlier that day, according to recently released court documents that detail her arrest and questioning last year. Could Beltran have stolen them? Im not going to say, Reyes told investigators according to the documents. She stuttered, then said, I dont know who the f he is now. Exactly what Reyes knew about Francisco Javier Beltran, and when she knew it, is up for debate. Theyd been dating three years, she said, but he didnt live with her. In addition to denying knowledge of Beltrans alleged drug-trafficking, Reyes also said no illegal items would be found inside her home. When confronted with a plate found in her bedroom that contained cocaine residue, she said she used the drug a week or two ago, the documents say. Reyes, 37, was charged in Superior Court last month with drug possession while armed with a loaded gun, a felony, and two misdemeanor drug offenses. Authorities said a usable amount of cocaine was found in the home. Beltran is facing federal charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. During the course of the investigation, according to the complaint filed against Beltran, investigators seized 5 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of heroin and 1,400 counterfeit hydrocodone pills containing fentanyl. 1 driver dead after three vehicle traffic collision in southwest Bakersfield: BPD A third person, DeAngelo Sanchez, has also been charged in connection to the searches local and federal authorities conducted on Nov. 8. Sanchez, who rented a room from Reyes, immediately resigned from his job as a Bakersfield police officer after suspected steroids were found in his bedroom, police officials said. Hes charged with two misdemeanor drug offenses and has a pretrial conference scheduled in June. According to the documents, authorities first went to Beltrans home where they located two handguns and the vests. One gun belonged to Reyes, the filings say. The other was reported stolen. They later went to Reyes home on Alta Peak Court and told her what theyd found. She denied giving Beltran the vests, and at first said he wouldnt have taken them from her patrol vehicle, which she often brought home. As the questioning continued, her defense of him wavered. She admitted he hadnt returned her gun after taking it to purportedly get measurements for the handgrip, according to the filings. She said shed trusted him. She didnt report the weapon stolen. I did not know he would screw me like this, Reyes said according to the documents. Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested during Wednesdays City Hall meeting In Sanchezs bedroom, the filings say, authorities located a bag containing hypodermic needles, a plastic bottle containing pills labeled as anabolic steroids, a glass bottle of apparent injectable testosterone and a box labeled human growth hormone with 10 unused vials. Contacted by phone, Sanchez told investigators he got the testosterone with a prescription from his primary doctor. Asked about the bottle of suspected steroid pills, he said they might be vitamins, according to the documents. I dont know, Ive had it for so long, he told investigators. Soon after, he said he wanted an attorney and the call ended. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on claims of corruption that he rejects [Getty Images] A court has extended Indian opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal's custody until Monday in a corruption case. The Delhi chief minister denies alleged irregularities in a now-scrapped alcohol sales policy in the capital. The ruling comes a day after the US reiterated that it encouraged a "fair" legal process in the case. Mr Kejriwal was arrested last week amid criticism from opposition parties that the government was stifling them ahead of general elections in April and May. He was produced in court on Thursday, which had earlier been set as his last day in custody. Mr Kejriwal told the court that the case against him was a "political conspiracy" and that there was no concrete evidence to back the claims against him. But SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), India's financial crimes unit, said that Mr Kejriwal had been "evasive in his replies". After the hearing, Mr Kejriwal's lawyer Ramesh Gupta told reporters that the chief minister had "no objection to being in custody" but that he "opposed the grounds on which his remand is being sought". Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of political vendetta. The BJP denies the allegation, saying it is acting against corruption. Mr Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested over the alleged corruption case. An alliance of more than 20 opposition parties have planned a protest rally in Delhi on Sunday against his arrest. The BJP has alleged that the now-scrapped alcohol policy - which ended the government's monopoly on liquor sales - gave undue advantages to private retailers. The ED has accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks to be used in state elections. The party denies the allegation. On Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson, Mathew Miller, reiterated that the US was closely following Mr Kejriwal's arrest and actions taken against opposition parties in India. "We encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes [in both cases]. We don't think anyone should object to that," Mr Miller said. He had made similar remarks on Tuesday, which prompted India to summon a senior US diplomat in Delhi to register its protest. India had criticised his remarks on Tuesday and issued a fresh statement on Thursday as well. "The recent remarks are unwarranted. In India, legal processes are driven by the rule of law. Anyone who has similar ethos, specially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact," a spokesperson from India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. The US is the second country to comment on Mr Kejriwal's arrest. Last week, the German foreign ministry said it hoped that Mr Kejriwal would get a "fair and impartial trial as India is a democratic nation". India reacted strongly to these remarks as well and summoned a German diplomat to raise its objections. Indian opposition leaders have accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to cripple their parties and stifle dissent before the elections. Hours before Mr Kejriwal's arrest on 21 March, India's main opposition Congress party also held a press conference saying that its bank accounts had been frozen by the tax department ahead of the general elections. In January, the ED arrested top opposition leader Hemant Soren in a corruption case, hours after he resigned from the position of the chief minister of Jharkhand state. Mr Soren and his party denied any wrongdoing and accused the BJP of stifling opposition. The BJP has rejected his claim. Amnesty International has also said that the crackdown on peaceful dissent and opposition in India has "now reached a crisis point". Read more India stories from the BBC: ASHEVILLE - Long known as the deadliest area in the state for pedestrians, a new study shows that Asheville may not, in fact, be the deadliest. North Carolina Department of Transportation data from 2010-18 is often cited as showing the Asheville area ranked first in the state per capita for pedestrians killed in car crashes. But a new study using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data casts doubt on that dubious distinction. The study looked at NHTS fatal car crashes from 2017 to 2021, analyzing counties that recorded at least 10 fatalities from vehicle crashes over the five-year period and identifed counties with the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents, according to a news release from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, who conducted the study. The list was topped by Alexandria, Virginia with 60% of those killed in crashes being pedestrians, followed by the New York borough of Manhattan with 51.7% and Brooklyn with 51.1%. The one North Carolina area to make the top 20 list was coastal Dare County, with 38.9% of its 18 fatal crashes being pedestrians. Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers and a firm they used to distribute the study's findings did not respond to a message asking for Asheville's or Buncombe County's percentage or for other information about the study. In a statement that accompanied the study, the law firm said it uncovered the the harsh reality of pedestrian safety in various U.S. counties. Although Alexandria, Virginia has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in the study, the top ten is dominated by counties in New York and New Jersey, with eight entries between the two states. Across the country there were more than 32,000 pedestrian deaths from car crashes over the five year period, which is more than 17 people each day, and highlights the importance of safety for all road users," the statement said. While the study uses different measurements than the DOT analysis, it does show that less than 36.4% of those killed in Asheville or Buncombe County vehicle accidents were pedestrians. DOT spokesperson David Uchiyama said the data through 2018 was the latest comparative numbers the department had. "The City of Asheville is in the process of providing crash reports, which had not been provided previously to the Department of Motor Vehicles so they can be entered into the statewide crash database," Uchiyama said. The Citizen Times reached out March 27 to Anna Sexton, Asheville city planner in charge of bicycle and pedestrian planning, as well as Susan Bean, environmental engagement coordinator for the environmental nonprofit MountainTrue. In 2022, Bean highlighted the DOT pedestrian death statistics in a Citizen Times opinion piece supporting safety changes for Merrimon Avenue. That came in response to pushback over the reduction of the four-lane artery's lanes to three, including a turning lane. Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Study: Asheville pedestrian deaths in car accidents not worst in NC A judge on Wednesday postponed sentencing once again for the woman who pleaded guilty to stealing the diary and other items belonging to President Bidens daughter, Ashley. Aimee Harris appeared in court via video link from her home in Florida, instead of in a New York courtroom, as her attorney asked Judge Laura Taylor Swain for another adjournment, citing "child care and other related issues." Anthony Cecutti pleaded with Swain to move the sentencing to the week of April 8, saying his client "needs to be here" and "wants to be here." He said hes been working on a plan for her to be present at the sentencing and would "shoulder the responsibility" for her attendance. Cecutti acknowledged that the prosecution was seeking a bench warrant and had concerns about Harris' credibility but implored the judge that "another, final opportunity is needed." Ashley Biden is seen here. Diary thief Aimee Harris will have her sentencing postponed once again to the week of April 8. MAN, WOMAN PLEAD GUILTY TO STEALING ASHLEY BIDEN DIARY, SELLING IT TO PROJECT VERITAS Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman argued against the delay and for Harris' arrest, saying, "the court's patience and trust has really been abused over the last several months ... enough is enough." He said theres been no reason to believe Harris will ever appear for her sentencing, claiming she had a history of lying to the court and not showing up for hearings. Both the probation and pre-trial service officers acknowledged that there have been some issues with contacting Harris as well. Her attorney responded, saying Harris "struggles to keep life afloat." Cecutti said he was not making excuses for his client but asked that certain personal issues with her ex-husband be taken into account. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Ashley Biden's diary and other items, including tax records, were stolen and sold to Project Veritas ahead of the 2020 election. BIDEN SAYS $1.2T SPENDING PACKAGE IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, BUT CONGRESS WORK ISNT OVER After listening to both sides, Swain ordered the defense to provide probation with the necessary documents by Friday at noon. She warned them that failure to do so would result in her signing a bench warrant. She agreed to postpone sentencing until April 9, saying it was being "adjourned for one final time." Speaking directly to Harris about the possibility of signing a bench warrant, Swain said, "I hope I don't have to." She continued, "It's in your interest and the interest of your family to keep the commitments made on your behalf today ... neither you nor your children need the United States Marshals finding you." Aimee Harris sold Ashley Biden's belongings in hopes of affecting Joe Biden's run for president. ASHLEY BIDEN PAYS OFF THOUSANDS OWED IN TAXES, LATEST FILING SHOWS The judge reminded Harris of how important it was that she attend her sentencing, saying, "I'm giving you this last opportunity. I expect to see you in person, voluntarily, on April 9th." Seeming to understand the seriousness of the situation, Harris responded, "Yes, Your Honor." In 2022, Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property involving the theft of personal belongings of an immediate family member of a then-former government official who was a candidate for national political office. She admitted to stealing the diary and other possessions of President Biden's daughter, Ashley, and selling them to Project Veritas shortly before the 2020 election. Harris stole the possessions, which included the diary, tax records and a digital storage card containing family photos, among other things, from a private residence in Delray Beach, Florida, where Harris had been living temporarily. Her co-defendant, Robert Kurlander, helped facilitate the sale of the items to Project Veritas. Both have pleaded guilty. Harris faces a maximum of up to five years in prison when she is sentenced. Original article source: Ashley Biden diary theft: Suspect attends hearing remotely from Florida as judge delays sentencing Ukraine is ending the heating season ahead of schedule. It was the first in the country's history to be run solely on domestic gas, without purchasing natural gas from abroad. Batteries in a number of cities have already been turned off, with Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Lutsk and Dnipro starting to do so today, 28 March, and a number of other towns and cities to follow over the weekend, when a serious warming is expected. ADVERTISIMENT As Oleksiy Chernyshov, the head of Naftogaz of Ukraine, explained, the war has affected gas consumption due to the occupation of territories and the shutdown of enterprises in the areas of active hostilities. However, Chernyshov is confident that Ukraine will have enough of its own gas even after the war. "Ukraine's gas consumption will gradually increase, but our production rates are ahead of future consumption growth," said the head of Naftogaz. For example, in 2023, the company started drilling 150 new wells, which is a record for the last 6 years. The company managed to produce 18.7 billion cubic meters of gas over the year, which is 200 million cubic meters more than in 2022, according to Artem Petrenko, Executive Director of the Association of Gas Producers of Ukraine. Where there is no heating anymore and where it will be cut off in the near future: a list ADVERTISIMENT Usually, the heating season ends on April 15, but the final decisions are made by local authorities. On the other hand, the air temperature is important. However, this year, the batteries are being turned off in advance not only because of the warming, but also because of the desire to save energy amid Russian shelling. Kherson was the first city to end the heating season on March 25. On March 26, Kharkiv, which has suffered the most from Russian strikes on the energy sector, joined in. "The only possible measure to reduce the load on the power system is to end the heating season early. This is the only way to provide electricity to the maximum number of consumers and bring hot water to the homes of Kharkiv residents," said Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov. On March 27, batteries were disconnected in Vinnytsia. Healthcare, education and social welfare institutions have remained connected to the heating system. The heating season in these institutions will end after statements from their heads. ADVERTISIMENT Kyiv: When will the heating season end? Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko has announced that the heating season in the capital is scheduled to end on March 28 due to the significant warming predicted by weather forecasters. "Therefore, starting from this Thursday, the city will begin the process of disconnecting buildings from heating," Klitschko said. He reminded that Kyiv's centralized heating system is the largest in Ukraine and one of the largest in Europe. Therefore, both its deployment and transition to summer mode require several days. "With this in mind, we will start the shutdown process on March 28. The early completion of the heating season will allow the capital to save energy and not waste natural gas unnecessarily. And city residents will save money on heating bills," Klitschko said. Dnipro: when the heating will be turned off ADVERTISIMENT The 2023-2024 heating season in Dnipro will also end on March 28. This decision was made due to an increase in the average daily air temperature. At the same time, Andriy Klymenko, director of Teploenergo, said that the company is entering the off-heating period with a debt of UAH 1.5 billion owed by the city residents. "We are currently working to maximize the collection of payments for heat energy from debtors. We urge Dnipro residents to pay for heat. If you cannot pay the debt in full, you can sign a restructuring agreement," Klymenko reminded. Lviv to pause the heating season In Lviv, the city decided to turn off the radiators starting March 28. However, schools, kindergartens and hospitals will continue to be supplied with heat. But in the event of a cold snap, the batteries will become warm again throughout the city. ADVERTISIMENT Mykolaiv: when the heating season ends The next heating shutdown in Mykolaiv is scheduled for March 28. According to Ihor Nabatov, the first deputy director of housing and communal services, the batteries will remain warm for kindergartens, maternity hospitals, hospitals, and outpatient clinics without additional requests. Lutsk: decisions on the end of the heating season Lutsk will end the heating season on March 28, but will remain ready to turn on radiators in hospitals in case of a cold snap. "The decision was made taking into account the predicted steady increase in temperature to prevent overheating of buildings and to save money for citizens and the need to use energy efficiently," said Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk. Kremenchuk disconnects batteries The heating season for all consumers ends in Kremenchuk (Poltava region) on March 28. According to Vitaliy Maletskiy, the head of the city council, heating will also be turned off in medical institutions. In the event of a cold snap, they are advised to use other types of heating, such as electric radiators. In educational institutions, the radiators have been cold since March 23. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the heating season is scheduled to end in Poltava and the district on April 1. The same date was chosen in Myrhorod. Ternopil: date of heating shutdown announced Ternopil plans to end the heating season on Friday, March 29. The decision was made by the executive committee of the city council. "Given the rising air temperature and in order to ensure the efficient use of energy, the heating season of 2023-2024 in Ternopil will end on March 29, 2024 at 00:00," the city council said. Those who use individual heating were also advised to turn off radiators at home and at enterprises from that date. Chernivtsi: what will happen to heating? The process of shutting down the heating system in the city will begin on March 29. This decision was made at a meeting of the Chernivtsi executive committee. Officials explained the early shutdown by the noticeable warming. ADVERTISIMENT Zaporizhzhia: the end date of the heating season has been announced The end of the heating season in Zaporizhzhia is scheduled for March 29. Zaporizhzhia City Council Secretary Anatoliy Kurtev said that this decision was made due to the increase in the average daily temperature, which has been above 8 degrees Celsius for more than three days. Rivne region will have heat by the weekend The heating season in some communities in Rivne region is ending ahead of schedule. In particular, on March 30 and 31, heating will be cut off in Dubrovytsia and Klesiv communities. In addition, the Korets and Krupets communities decided not to supply heat to schools due to school holidays. Uzhhorod: when will the heating be cut off? The heating in Uzhhorod is scheduled to be turned off after the warm weekend, on April 1. If necessary, heat supply will continue in healthcare and educational institutions. ADVERTISIMENT Heating season in Chernihiv: when will it end? In Chernihiv, the heating season will end on March 29, according to acting Mayor Oleksandr Lomak. According to him, the city will still have hot water supply after the heat. "We will not wait for three days of +8 average temperature, because we will have a sharp warming on Friday, March 29. On Friday, we will turn off the water supply. Because it's already +20 on Saturday and Sunday, Suspilne quoted Lomaka as saying. Ivano-Frankivsk to end heating season ahead of schedule The heating season in Ivano-Frankivsk community will end on the night of March 29-30. "The situation with gas is not so simple. It was decided that the heating season will end from 29 to 30 March," said the mayor of the city, Ruslan Martsinkiv. Zhytomyr: when will the heating be cut off? ADVERTISIMENT In Zhytomyr, the heating season ends on March 30. The decision was made at a meeting of the executive committee of the city council. The reason for turning off the heating was the air temperature. "There is reason to believe that by the weekend, on March 30, the average daily temperature will be above 8 degrees Celsius, which means the end of the heating season. We have also received appeals from residents who do not want to pay extra money, even though boiler houses were turned off during the daytime when the temperature exceeded 8-10 degrees Celsius," said Oleksandr Martsun, head of the Zhytomyr City Council's communal services department. Other cities: when to expect a power outage In some communities and regional centers, the decision to turn off the heating has not yet been made. For example, there is no such decision regarding Odesa. However, it is expected that the situation will change after March 29-31. ADVERTISIMENT It is on these dates that a significant warming is predicted in Ukraine. According to the rules, heating is to be turned off when the average daily temperature outside exceeds +8 degrees Celsius for three days. As reported by OBOZ.UA, tariffs for a number of utilities are expected to rise in Ukraine. The National Bank, in particular, predicts that heating and hot water will become more expensive. However, there is no exact timeframe for this yet - according to the forecast, the relevant moratorium can be expected to be lifted only after the end of martial law. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! DENVER (KDVR) Earlier in March, Aurora police arrested a man after he allegedly assaulted a woman at his drug screening business, Aurora Employment Testing. Arben Ben Duka, 60 was arrested on one charge of felony unlawful sexual contact, and police believe there might be more victims. The arrest came after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted by Duka after providing a urinalysis sample at his business in October 2023. Police investigating shooting at converted homeless shelter in northeast Denver His business is called Aurora Employment Testing, 1701 Chambers Road, Suite E, in Aurora. However, police note that from March 2015 until February 2023 it was named Wiz Quiz Employment Testing. During the investigation, detectives found similar reports involving Duka. According to police, two others reported unwanted sexual contact by Duka while or immediately after providing urinalysis samples last year. Duka was previously charged by the Adams County District Attorneys Office with one count of unlawful sexual contact without consent and invasion of privacy for sexual gratification, which are both misdemeanors. The case was filed in October 2023 and is still active. While Duka has been arrested, investigators believe there might be more unreported incidents and more victims of unwanted sexual contact. Aurora police detectives are looking to speak with anyone who might have additional information about Duka or was victimized while visiting Aurora Employment Testing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Reference case number AP23-202838. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A Cumberland County World War II veteran is headed to France later this year for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy. Retired Army Col. Sam Kitchen, who turns 98 on April 5, said that since he was a teen he's wanted to visit the place where legendary World War II paratroopers jumped into Normandy to liberate the area on June 4, 1944. Kitchen was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and moved around the U.S. to Florida and New England states, before his family settled in Petersburg, Virginia, when he was a teenager. He was still in high school when World War II broke out. I ran around with older boys, and they were all getting drafted, so I decided I wanted to go, too, but my mother wouldnt let me go, Kitchen said during an interview at his Grays Creek home this month. She said I wasnt old enough. I was only 16. A French national has raised money to bring World War II veterans to Normandy for D-Day, including Fayetteville veteran Sam Kitchen, who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Kitchen said after persistent begging, he got his mother to agree to tell recruiters he was 17 and went into the Marines on Feb. 25, 1943. After completing boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and training at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Kitchen was assigned to an aviation squadron based out of Atlantic, North Carolina. World War II When his unit deployed overseas, Kitchen was attached to a landing force air support control unit based in Hawaii, he said. From there I went to Okinawa, and after Okinawa was secured, our team was sent to Manilla in the Philippines and was attached to an Army unit, he said. After a few months, the unit was assigned to then-Peking, China, now Bejing. At the end of WWII, Kitchen returned to Virginia to finish high school and remained in the Marine Corps Reserves. Korean War After graduating from high school, he went to Washington, D.C., and became a motorcycle cop, until the Korean War broke out. One of my favorite hangouts was the Army recruiting office, because I am a very avid coffee drinker, and most of them were, Kitchen said. The major in charge of the recruiting office asked Kitchen about his military service in the Marine Corps and recommended he transfer to the Army and get commissioned. Kitchen joined the Army as a staff sergeant, then went to leadership school, officer candidate school and jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. I wanted to be in the 82nd, and Col. Bulldog Bizzard they called him bulldog, because every time he got mad, he spit he said, All airborne (soldiers) want to be at jump school, Kitchen said. I said, No I dont. I want to go to the 82nd., and his word was, Ill send you to a (expletive) straight-leg outfit. A leg refers to soldiers who are not airborne qualified. Kitchen said Bizzard sent him to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, a couple of days later, where he applied to go to flight school in San Marcos, Texas. He then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was assigned to the 25th Division, 90th Field Artillery Battalion as a pilot flying L-19 and L-20 aircraft in the Korean War for two tours. Vietnam War During the Vietnam War, Kitchen was assigned to the 121st Assault Helicopter Company and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. I helped (rescue) the captain, that was an advisor to the Vietnamese, and they were completely surrounded by VC (Viet Cong) and they were trying to get him out and couldnt get him out, Kitchen said. I volunteered to go in, flew in, got him and we got the hell out of there. After his service in Vietnam, Kitchen said, he finally was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. I always loved the 82nd. I heard about what they did in Europe (during World War II) and wanted to serve with them," he said. Kitchen was assigned as an aviation maintenance officer for the division for a couple of years, before being assigned to the Judge Advocate General Corps on post as a prosecutor and later a liaison officer between the military and civil authorities. He retired from then-Fort Bragg in 1977 and settled near Fayetteville, working for Kelly Springfield Tire Co. before becoming a motel manager with his wife for several years. Veterans back to Normandy Kitchen said though all his military fighting was in the Pacific during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, hes always wanted to go to Normandy to see where legendary paratroopers like retired Command Sgt. Maj. Rock Merritt fought. He said he served under Merritt at then-Fort Bragg when Merritt was command sergeant major for the 18th Airborne Corps. While in Washington D.C. last year, Kitchen had a chance encounter with French national Valerie Gautier, said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Vickers, who is part of the 82nd Airborne Division Historical Society, and a friend of Kitchen. Gautier first became involved with helping World War II paratroopers when she was a teenager and her family helped a U.S. veteran. The veteran wanted to find a family who hid him from Nazis during World War II, Vickers said. Via video chat from France last week, Gautier said she was 14 years old when she met Sgt. Bob Murphy during a D-Day commemoration event. Murphy, a veteran of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, is credited with being the first paratrooper on the ground during the Normandy invasion A few years later, Murphy introduced Gautier to Rock Merritt, who she said became like a surrogate father whenever she visited the U.S. As an adult, she has organized expense-free trips for World War II veterans to attend memorial ceremonies in Normandy and coordinates with French locals to host the veterans through an organization called Veterans Back to Normandy. People recognize and have gratitude for the World War II veterans for their freedoms, Gautier said. So we cant forget them and dont want to forget. The organization raises funds for the trips and has been sponsored by the 82nd Historical Society. Vickers said that from from May 30 to June 12 Kitchen will stay in the St. Mere Eglise area with other World War II veterans. Kitchen said that when he was told he would be able to go to Normandy, he became emotional and thought it was a joke. Ever since World War II, Id always heard about Normandy, but I never got there and Ive always wanted to go, he said. So it looks like I'm finally going. Vickers said Kitchen is currently one of eight veterans signed up for the trip, and Veterans Back to Normandy is looking for two more World War II veterans to send. Anyone who knows of a World War II veteran interested in going can email Vickers at n888yw@gmail.com. Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at 910-486-3528 or rriley@fayobserver.com. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County World War II vet to go to D-Day site Most of the workers killed or presumed dead following the Baltimore bridge collapse are originally from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico illustrating the dangers Hispanic workers face as they continue to be overrepresented in the construction industry. Eight construction workers were fixing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge's roadway early Tuesday when an immense cargo ship experiencing technical issues after it lost power accidentally crashed into the bridge, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River. Two workers who survived were rescued from the water, and search efforts for the remaining six were underway all day Wednesday. The hope we have is to be able to see the body," Fredy Suazo, the brother of Maynor Suazo, one of the missing construction workers presumed dead, told NBC News. "We want to see him, find him, know whether he is dead because we dont know anything." "My brother is the engine of the family. He was everything to us; he was the best," Suazo's sister Norma tearfully told Noticias Telemundo about her missing brother. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor considers construction as "a high hazard industry" in which workers are exposed to serious risks such as falling from rooftops, being struck by heavy construction equipment and being hurt or killed by unguarded machinery. Latinos are more exposed to these dangers since they make up about a third of the nation's construction workers. Guatemala's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday two of its nationals were among those presumed dead. One of the missing Guatemalan workers was identified by his family as Jose Lopez. His brother-in-law, Walter Guerra, said Lopezs young child hasnt stopped asking about her father since Tuesday. To the girl, we only say hes working, weve told her hes working and that hell be back soon, Guerra told Noticias Telemundo. The body of the second Guatemalan worker was recovered from the water Wednesday evening. Authorities identified him as Dorlian Castillo Cabrera. That evening rescuers also recovered the body of Mexican worker identified as Alejandro Fernandez Fuentes. According to Mexicos Ministry of Foreign Affairs, another one of their nationals remains missing and one Mexican national who survived is recovering satisfactorily from his injuries. Maynor Suazo, of Honduras, and Miguel Luna, of El Salvador, have been identified as missing by friends and family. Jesus Campos, a construction worker at Brawner Builders, said he had worked alongside Suazo and Luna and described them to Telemundo 44 as "fathers and people who come to work to earn a living." Suazo lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades and started working for the company several months ago, according to his brother Fredy. He described Suazo, a father of two, as a smiley and pleasant man who "always fought for the well-being of the family. You come to this country to accomplish your dreams and sometimes that dream doesnt get fulfilled," Fredy said. "And for a tragedy like this to happen to us, can you imagine? With 1,056 fatalities, workers in the construction and extraction industries had the second most fatalities in 2022, followed by transportation and material moving workers, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released in December. At least 423 of these workers died due to falls, slips or trips, according to BLS. The majority of these deaths, at least 286, happened among Hispanic workers. The fatality rate of construction and extraction workers increased from 12.3 deaths per 100,000 full-time employee workers in 2021 to 13.0 a year later. A total of 316 of foreign-born Hispanic construction workers died of workplace injuries in 2022, according to BLS. A black and white side by side of Miguel Luna and Maynor Suazo. (Family photos) Other tragedies involving Hispanic construction workers have already taken place this year. In another Maryland town about 10 miles west of Baltimore, at least three Latinos were among the six construction workers fatally struck by two drivers while in a construction zone doing roadwork in Woodlawn over the weekend. Two months ago in Idaho, three construction workers, two of which were from Guatemala, were killed in a building collapse in the town of Boise. 'Part of the very fabric' of Baltimore The Baltimore bridge collapse tragedy has hit Latino and immigrant communities nationwide hard, said Bruna Sollod, senior political director of United We Dream, the nations largest immigrant youth-led organization. Sollod said in a statement Wednesday that immigrant workers like the six men who remain missing in Baltimore have been building and repairing the bridges that ensure we can move freely throughout the cities we call home and stay connected as neighbors and families. Each and every single one of these men were a part of the very fabric that helps make Baltimore a thriving, vibrant, and safer community, Sollod said, adding that they are a reminder of the often unseen care immigrants pour into our cities and communities every day. In addition to being a construction worker, Luna was a member of CASA, one of the most prominent immigrant advocacy groups in the state of Maryland. "He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years," Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA, said in a statement. "Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home." The organization is working with the affected families to provide them support, Torres added. Moises Diaz, another Brawner Builders construction worker who was friends with Suazo and Luna, said he used to work on the same shift in which his friends presumably died but switched shifts to make space in his schedule to attend church. "They were great husbands, fathers, sons," Diaz told NBC News. "We are very worried." Traffic into the Francis Scott Key Bridge was closed off after authorities received a distress call from the cargo ship after it had lost power effectively preventing a larger or more deadly disaster. The crash happened less than five minutes later. Campos said he believes little could have been done to safely evacuate his co-workers. "Everything happened in the blink of an eye and that wasn't possible," Campos told Telemundo 44 in Spanish. For more from NBC Latino, sign up for our weekly newsletter. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The bodies of two people have been recovered from a red pickup truck, which was under water where the Baltimore bridge collapsed. Eight workers were on the bridge when it was struck by a ship, plunging them into the waters below. Two were rescued on the day, but the search continues for the other four. All are presumed dead. Salvage crews are working to address hazardous materials and accident investigators are on the scene. Four of the six victims of the bridge collapse have been named so far. Maryland police said the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were recovered from inside the truck. Mr Fuentes is originally from Mexico and Mr Cabrera is from Guatemala. Divers are no longer able to navigate the waters safely because of concrete and debris found in the river, police said. They are now using sonar scans and believe that vehicles that may contain other bodies are "encased in superstructure and concrete" that came down from the bridge, an official said. Two other missing men were named as Miguel Luna, originally from El Salvador, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a Honduran citizen. Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier that two of its citizens were presumed dead - one of whom is now identified as Mr Fuentes - while another was rescued from the water. One person who was in hospital after being pulled out of the water was released, officials said late Wednesday. First responders spent hours on Tuesday searching the waters of the Patapsco River for the six ,em, who were working on potholes on the bridge at about 01:30 (05:30 GMT) when it was hit by the ship. The US Coast Guard called off the search around sunset, saying cold water temperatures and hours gone by meant the workers were presumed dead. Officials have pledged to find their bodies for their relatives. "We've got to give these families closure," Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, told reporters on Wednesday, adding that air, land and water resources had been devoted to the search of the victims. "My promise to them is this: I will devote every single resource to make sure that you receive closure," he said. But the operation has been challenging, Coast Guard Vice-Adm Peter Gautier said on Wednesday, due to cold temperatures and debris in the water. The cargo vessel itself is stable but has more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil and lubrication oil on board, Mr Gautier said. Roughly 4,700 cargo containers were also on board, including 56 that contained hazardous materials. "The Coast Guard has moved aggressively to board the vessel and we have teams on board," Mr Gautier said. He said there was "no threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board". Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said some containers with hazardous materials had been "breached". A total of 764 tonnes of mostly corrosive and flammable materials were identified, she said. There was some sheen on the waterway around the collapse, Ms Homendy added. The US Navy plans to use barges with heavy lift cranes - some can carry as much as 1,000 tonnes - to remove parts of the bridge that fell in the water. The Dali was headed toward Sri Lanka when it lost power all of a sudden and issued a distress call before crashing into the Baltimore bridge. A data recorder recovered from the ship shows that power failed for just over a minute. In an audio recording, the pilot can be heard giving steering commands and rudder orders as the ship approaches the bridge. Officials say the bridge collapse at a key port could pose a risk to global supply chains and the US economy. Mr Moore said that 8,000 jobs could be affected by the bridge collapse and called the incident a "global crisis". "The national economy and global economy depends on the port," he said, noting that $80bn (63.4bn) of cargo moved through there last year. Paul Wiedefeld, secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, stressed that replacing the bridge would not be a fast process, but he promised at Wednesday's news conference that officials were working to "come up with a design for the replacement of that bridge as quickly as possible to get the port back up and the community back up and running". Experts say Key Bridge's collapse could lead to losses of up to $15m (11.8m) a day until the shipping lane is reopened. US Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said he was confident "thanks to the Biden administration" that the state would get the necessary resources to recover and begin work on a replacement bridge. "Our top priority is to get the shipping lane open because of the impact it has on our country and the global supply chain," he said. Investigators are also hoping to determine whether dirty fuel played a role in the deadly crash. Maritime experts say contaminated fuel can cause a ship to black out as it creates problems with a vessel's main power generators. NTSB investigators inspect damage from the cargo vessel Dali, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday in Baltimore, Maryland. NTSB investigators inspect damage from the cargo vessel Dali, which struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday in Baltimore, Maryland. Photograph: NTSB/Getty Images The Maryland governor Wes Moore has warned of a very long road ahead to recover from the loss of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved $60m in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse. The funding does not cover the reconstruction of the crippled bridge itself, but to instead remove shattered parts of the structure and deal with traffic in order to reopen Baltimores shipping channels. Massive barges carrying cranes streamed toward Baltimore on Thursday to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete from the Patapsco River after a powerless container ship measuring 948ft (290m) crashed into one of the bridges supports, causing it to topple early on Tuesday. Related: Baltimore bridge collapse could lead to record insurance loss, says Lloyds boss In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, the Maryland department of transportation said that its current estimate for the mobilization, operations and debris removal of the bridge was $60m. The letter says the states funding for emergencies is limited and unable to fund an emergency of this magnitude. The cost estimate for the disaster is likely to climb as the cleanup from the collapse of the 1.6 mile-long bridge continues. Joe Biden pledged federal dollars for the entire cost of the disaster. President Biden and all our federal partners have given Maryland tremendous support as we face an overwhelming tragedy impacting our state, our region and the people of Baltimore, said Wes Moore, Marylands governor, in a statement. This initial emergency relief request is needed for our immediate response efforts, and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery. Moore promised that the best minds in the world were working on plans to clear the debris. Government is working hand in hand with industry to investigate the area, including the wreck, and remove the ship, said Moore. This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks, Moore said. We have a very long road ahead of us. US Coast Guard officials said on Wednesday night that barges were on their way to the spot where the bridge crossed the Patapsco River, but it was not clear when they would arrive. The devastation at the site of the collapse, which happened when the cargo ship struck a pillar supporting the bridge after losing power early on Tuesday, is extensive. Divers reached the bodies of two men in a pickup truck near the bridges middle span on Wednesday, but officials said they would need to start clearing away the twisted wreckage before anyone could reach the bodies of four other missing workers. The victims were part of a pothole-repair crew that was working on the bridge at the time of the disaster. National Transportation Safety Board officials boarded the cargo ship, the Dali, to recover information from its electronics and paperwork and to interview the captain and other crew members. Booms have been placed in the area to control the spread of any oil that seeped into the water, and state environmental officials were also sampling the water on Thursday. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also US consumers, who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. Associated Press contributed to this story Six construction workers were killed when a cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, sending the workers into the water below, officials said. The bodies of two victims were recovered on Wednesday. Divers found them trapped in a red pickup truck that was submerged in approximately 25 feet of water near the middle span of the bridge, Maryland State Police said. PHOTO: A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as night falls on March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. (Matt Rourke/AP) The other four victims have not been recovered. PHOTO: People embrace during a vigil for victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse at the Mount Olive Baptist Church on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Md. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Baltimore Key Bridge collapse live updates The workers found on Wednesday were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk, Maryland. PHOTO: Dorlian Castillo, 26, from Guatemala. (Dorlian Castillo/Facebook) Among the four still missing is construction worker Miguel Luna. PHOTO: Miguel Luna (Family Photo) Baltimore bridge collapse timeline: Inside the cargo ship collision Luna, 49, was a father of five from Usulutan, California, in El Salvador, his family told ABC News. Luna called Maryland home for over 19 years, according to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that works with immigrants. What the cargo ship bridge crash in Baltimore means for the economy Another missing victim was identified as Maynor Suazo Sandoval, 38, a father of two who migrated from Honduras over 17 years ago, according to Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA. He dreamed of starting a small business and brought joy and humor to his family, Torres told reporters on Wednesday. He would celebrate everything and bring balloons to the airport to greet his family when they visited, his brother, Carlos Suazo, told ABC News. PHOTO: Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval is seen here in an undated file photo. (Courtesy of Family) PHOTO: Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval is seen here with his father, left, in an undated file photo. (Courtesy of Family) The final two victims have not been identified. One missing worker is a 35-year-old from Camotan, Chiquimula, in Guatemala, the country's foreign ministry said. The last missing worker is from Mexico, the country's foreign ministry said. Two construction workers survived the collapse. ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin, Kristina Abovyan and Dhanika Pineda contributed to this report. Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Victims include dad of 5 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel that spans the size of almost three football fields, remains stuck under debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 27, 2024 after the ship crashed into the bridge in Baltimore, Maryland (ROBERTO SCHMIDT) Cranes began arriving Thursday at the scene of the catastrophic bridge collapse over Baltimore harbor, as authorities shifted to a clean-up phase of the recovery and warned of extensive work before the major US port can reopen. The machinery will be deployed in a tricky operation to clear the twisted steel remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge from where it fell into the Patapsco River -- blocking the entrance to the Port of Baltimore -- after a massive cargo ship Tuesday hurtled into the span. The Army Corps of Engineers "is moving the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to Baltimore to help us," Maryland Governor Wes Moore told reporters Thursday evening. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath outlined the intense work ahead: "Before we can actually engage in lifting, we've got to... figure out how to cut the bridge into the right size pieces so that we can actually lift them with the crane" out of the water. Given the complexity and potential risks, efforts to recover the bodies of the four men still missing were called off. "That water is so dark and the debris is so dense that, in most instances, our divers cannot see any more than a foot or two in front of them," Moore explained. Even as crews look ahead toward recovery, "we're... incredibly sensitive to the notion that this is also the resting place for four fathers, for four brothers, for four sons," senior White House official Tom Perez told MSNBC earlier in the day. The missing men, all Latin American immigrants, are believed to have been killed when the Singapore-flagged 1,000-foot container ship Dali lost power and careened into a bridge support column. Nearly the entire steel structure -- crossed by tens of thousands of motorists each day -- collapsed within seconds. The workers were part of an eight-person road repair crew on an overnight shift. Two were rescued shortly after the collapse, and two bodies were recovered Wednesday. "Our hearts are with the families," said Moore, whose office established a relief fund to raise money for the victims' families. "We are so sorry for this tragedy." He urged patience, adding, "This work (to rebuild) is not going to take hours, this work is not going to take days, this work is not going to take weeks." "We have a very long road ahead of us." - 'Substantial loss' - Video footage from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed investigators on Thursday boarding the disabled Dali, whose decks were covered in crumbled concrete and tangled scaffolding from the fallen bridge. NTSB and Cost Guard officers in white hard hats are seen taking photographs and jotting down notes as they examine the rubble, before touring the intact portion of the ship. The Federal Highway Administration said it would honor the Maryland Department of Transportation's request for an initial $60 million for what Moore called "immediate response efforts, and to lay the foundation for a rapid recovery." "The federal government is committed to providing all necessary resources to rebuild the bridge," the agency's administrator Shailen Bhatt said in a statement. The disaster could result in the largest marine insurance payout ever, according to the head of insurance giant Lloyd's of London, Bruce Carnegie-Brown. "It feels like a very substantial loss, potentially the largest-ever marine insured loss, but not outside parameters that we plan for," he told CNBC. The harbor's closure also raised concerns for the local economy -- with 140,000 jobs supported by the port -- and the wider national supply chain. Baltimore is the biggest vehicle-handling port in the country, including cars and heavy farm equipment, according to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. About $100 to $200 million in value comes through the port daily. Its reopening is "our number one priority" the Coast Guard's Gilreath said. Up the coast from Baltimore, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will plan to take on additional cargo to help blunt the supply chain impacts, the governors of those states pledged in a joint statement Thursday. caw/tjj The cargo ship Dali sits in the water Wednesday amid the wreckage of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) The bodies of two people who were killed when Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed earlier this week have been recovered, police said on Wednesday. Authorities said eight workers were on the bridge fixing potholes when a Singapore-flagged cargo ship called the Dali struck one of the bridge's pillars, causing it to collapse. In addition to the two bodies recovered, two of the workers were rescued, and four people remain missing and are presumed dead. The Patapsco River is now filled with debris from the collapse. Huge barges carrying cranes were heading to the area to start clearing the wreckage of the 1.6-mile-long bridge. There is no immediate timeline on when the bridge which spans a major thoroughfare of East Coast shipping could be rebuilt. According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Biden has instructed his staff to "move heaven and earth" to rebuild the bridge. Jennifer Homendy, the National Transportation Safety Board chair, said investigators on Thursday were planning to interview the two pilots who were aboard the Dali at the time of the crash. A construction worker from Baltimore has revealed how he narrowly escaped the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse thanks to a last-minute change in his work shift. Moises Diaz, a 45-year-old worker at Brawny Builders, told the New York Post that he should have been working on the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday morning but asked to switch his shift. If I didnt ask to switch, I would have been in the water right now, Mr Diaz said through a translator. Its tragic, Mr Diaz continued. Im really appreciative that I wasnt on the bridge. I give thanks to God. Mr Diazs colleagues werent so lucky. Six construction workers from Brawny Builders were filling in potholes on the bridge when the huge Dali container vessel crashed into the structure. So far, two victims bodies have been recovered from the water while the other four are also presumed dead. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk were found inside a submerged truck on Wednesday morning, more than 24 hours into the search. Miguel Luna and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval were also named by family members as being among the victims. Two people had been rescued from the river shortly after the gigantic structure collapsed, one of whom is in a serious condition while the other appeared uninjured. Four victims have so far been identified with two bodies recovered from the river (via Facebook) Mr Diaz recalled the moment he learned of the tragedy. When I found out about it, I got a notification. I remembered, Oh my coworkers are on that bridge working. What happened to them? he said. Mr Diaz said that he saw his colleagues as family having built strong relationships with each other while spending long shifts working in tunnels and bridges all across the Baltimore area. We are all basically a family. We work 8-10 hour shifts and are all close to one another, he said. The six victims were carrying out repair work on the broad when a huge cargo ship crashed into it on Tuesday morning (AP) Two bodies have so far been recovered from the river, submerged in the water (AFP via Getty Images) They were good citizens, he added. They were good workers, hard-working. They were good family members, husbands and dads. Mr Diaz said he has been in touch with the brother-in-law of Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval since the accident. Theyre worried, he said of the family. They at least want to know that the bodies are in the water. All the families are hoping that they at least find the bodies of them. The US Coast Guard has said that the rescue mission has now moved to a recovery operation, with no hope of finding the victims alive. Peace in Ukraine is possible at any time. For this to happen, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin only needs to stop his terrorist actions and withdraw his troops from our country. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to the Markische Allgemeine Zeitung. Currently, several countries, including Ukraine, are negotiating at the advisory level on ways to reach a peace agreement. "But let me make one thing clear: peace is possible at any time. Putin just has to stop his barbaric campaign and withdraw his troops," Scholz emphasized. He added that there have always been mediating diplomatic initiatives to end the war in Ukraine both immediately after the outbreak of full-scale war and until now. "Back then, the talks failed because Russia used them only as a pretext to simultaneously move its troops to the east for a major offensive. Then it became known about the massacres in Bucha and Irpin incredible human rights crimes of the Russian armed forces against the civilian population," Scholz recalled. ADVERTISIMENT Subsequently, Scholz noted, a grain deal was successfully concluded, which Putin also canceled after a while. In addition, there were talks on security at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and the exchange of prisoners. Now diplomats are also searching for the optimal form of a peace agreement, but Putin is capable of ending the war at any time, Scholz said. As reported by OBOZ.UA: China is going to hold an international peace conference and wants both Russia and Ukraine to take part in the event. The country also presented its proposals to ensure the success of the peace conference, which Switzerland plans to hold this summer. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva said that Ukraine has a clear position that Russia should not be a participant in the first Global Peace Summit, which may take place in the spring of 2024 in Switzerland. States that want to achieve results at this meeting share the position of the Ukrainian side. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is speaking out against the racists who called him the DEI mayor after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed earlier this week. The tragedy happened early Tuesday morning when a cargo ship lost power and crashed into the bridge. There were six people presumed deceased, but the focus for certain conservative social media usersincluding Utah Rep. Phil Lyman and Florida congressional candidate Anthony Sabatiniwas finding a way to blame diversity, equity and inclusion for the catastrophe. On Wednesday, Scott sat down with MSNBCs Joy Reid to discuss the online attacks. I know, and we know, and you know very well that Black menand young Black men in particularhave been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy white men should have a say in anything, he stated. Scott also explained that he didnt receive a special appointment to his position because of his racehe was literally elected to office. In fact, the 39-year-old politician served on the city council before becoming mayor in 2020. Scott won more than 70 percent of the vote. Weve been the bogeyman for [racists] since the first day they brought us to this country, and what they mean by DEI in my opinion is duly elected incumbent, he said. We know what they want to say, but they dont have the courage to say the N-word, and the fact that I dont believe in their untruthful and wrong ideology, Scott continued. And I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from scares them, because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life of being comfortable while everyone else suffers is going to be at risk, and they should be afraid because thats my purpose in life. Scott should be focusing on those impacted by the bridge collapsenot defending himself from racist trolls. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Baltimore mayor says critics dont have the courage to say the N-word Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) has accused his critics of racism after many labeled him the DEI mayor following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this week. The collapse occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a cargo ship lost power and collided into the bridge. Six people were presumed dead after the bridge fell. Soon after the collapse, social media users including Utah state Rep. Phil Lyman (R) and Florida congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini (R) attributed the tragedy to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Scott on Wednesday told MSNBCs Joy Reid that these attacks on his identity are rooted in racism. I know, and we know, and you know very well that Black men, and young Black men in particular, have been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy White men should have a say in anything, the Baltimore mayor said. Republicans around the nation have taken a stance against DEI, arguing it is a divisive concept that unfairly gives advantages to minorities. But Scott argued those blaming DEI for Tuesdays bridge collapse are ignoring that he was elected to office. Weve been the bogeyman for them since the first day they brought us to this country, and what they mean by DEI in my opinion is duly elected incumbent, Scott said. We know what they want to say, but they dont have the courage to say the N-word, and the fact that I dont believe in their untruthful and wrong ideology, he continued. And I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from scares them, because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life of being comfortable while everyone else suffers is going to be at risk, and they should be afraid because thats my purpose in life. Scott, 39, began his political career in Baltimore as an intern before becoming a community liaison. He served on the city council before eventually being elected mayor in 2020 winning the mayorship with more than 70 percent of the vote. He has already announced his reelection campaign, where he will face off against 16 other candidates. Scott told Reid that as the city recovers from the incident everybody is working together. Were ignoring all the conspiracy theorists, everyone whos playing bridge engineer at home whos never even taken a class on engineering and understanding that what this is about is showing the world once and again that Baltimore cant be broken, our spirit is strong, and we will rebuild together and honor those who we lost, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott provided a new meaning for the acronym DEI after conservative critics linked him to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in response to the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. I know, and we know, and you know very well, that Black men, and young Black men in particular, have been the bogeyman for those who are racist and think that only straight, wealthy white men should have a say in anything, said Scott on Wednesdays edition of MSNBCs The ReidOut. He continued, Weve been the bogeyman for them since the first day they brought us to this country, and what they mean by DEI, in my opinion, is duly elected incumbent. Scott weighed in on the attacks after an X account called him Baltimores DEI mayor in response to a clip of him asking people to pray for families of those impacted by the collapse. The post has gained 25 million views, 13,000 likes and 5,900 shares. Host Joy Reid informed viewers that Scott was elected with 70% of the vote back in 2020 by a city with a predominantly Black population. So by right-wing logic, a diversity hire would have been a white man, Reid said. Scott later told Reid he knows what those critics want to say. But they dont have the courage to say the N-word, and the fact that I dont believe in their untruthful and wrong ideology, and I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from, scares them, Scott said. He continued, Because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life of being comfortable while everyone else suffers, is going to be at risk, and they should be afraid because thats my purpose in life. DEI has become a frequent target for right-wing attacks in recent years including in Florida, which has banned the use of state and federal funds for DEI programs at public colleges, and Texas. Others such as Florida congressional candidate Anthony Sabatini declared DEI did this in response to the collapse while Utah Rep. Phil Lyman, a GOP gubernatorial candidate in the state, took aim at Maryland port commissioner Karenthia A. Barber, the first Black woman to hold the title. This is what happens when you have Governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens, wrote Lyman, who later posted that DEI=DIE. Lyman told The Salt Lake Tribune that the post was not our best moment and described it as a knee-jerk reaction to some of the things others were putting out there, adding that someone on his team made the comments without his approval. Lymans posts are still online as of early Thursday morning. Related... (KRON) The Benicia Police Department identified three individuals connected to a bank robbery in East Second Street in Benicia on Wednesday. Two of the three individuals were arrested, police said. SF is hosting the 67th annual San Francisco International Film Festival On March 18, Benicia police responded to reports of a bank robbery at the Bank of the West Branch on First Street. Police say cash was taken, but the amount was undisclosed. After robbing the bank, the suspects fled the scene in a Cadillac sedan which, as a result, was flagged in the citys Automated License Plate Reader system on Wednesday. Photo Courtesy: Benicia Police Department Police located the Cadillac on East Second Street with three occupants inside. One passenger, a 53-year-old man from Vacaville, was identified as the suspect from the Benicia bank robbery last week. The driver, a 68-year-old man from Fairfield, was determined to be the getaway driver. The third occupant, a 74-year-old woman from Vallejo, had a warrant from Solano for an unrelated case. Both men were also persons of interest for other bank robberies in multiple cities that Benicia police dub worth nothing. Both men were arrested for the Benicia bank robbery and booked into Solano County Jail. The woman was also taken into custody for the outstanding warrant and has been identified as Cheryl Jefferson, 74, of Vallejo. This is an active investigation. Anyone with helpful information is encouraged to contact the Benicia Police Department at (707) 745-3411. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. For the past seven years, foodies have flocked to a corner lot at state Route 43 and Tallmadge Road in Brimfield to get their fill of pulled pork, beef brisket, bourbon banana pudding and other southern comforts. But licensing issues and new zoning laws are threatening to put the brakes on the popular food truck that routinely draws customers from throughout the region. Joe Menendez, owner of Joes Barbecue, closed his business for five days in early March after Summit County Public Health declined to renew his mobile food service operation license, which expired March 1. At the same time, Menendez is fighting efforts by some in the township to enact stricter rules for food trucks and other pop-up businesses. Despite these obstacles, Menendez is determined to reverse Brimfields zoning laws and stay in business even if it means giving his food away for a voluntary donation. His plight has inspired barbecue lovers to rally behind the business both on and offline. Some are attending zoning meetings; others have taken to yelling We love Joe! as they drive past his trailers and even more have offered to host his mobile business on their property. Theyre putting all these roadblocks in place for us and other businesses and then the health departments are basically not doing their job and approving our license," Menendez said. How Joe's Barbecue got its start Menendez moved to Austin, Texas, in 2012 to pursue a film degree but quickly fell in love with the citys restaurant scene and became enamored with cooking and recipe development. He developed plans for a Neapolitan pizzeria, pasta food truck, sandwich food truck and a dog biscuit company, but it was barbecue that won him over in the end. After moving back to Ohio, he began selling ribs on the same corner he does now, only from a small red pop-up tent. The menu eventually expanded to pulled pork, brisket and chicken. He also built a cedar barbecue trailer to cook it all in. His family owned the property, which included Sullys Tavern. Some of the features at Joe's Barbecue include sides of mac n cheese, buttermilk potato salad, charro beans, and a pulled pork sandwich on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021 in Brimfield, Ohio. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal] But soon at least one resident began complaining about the trailer blocking drivers from seeing down Route 43 when turning right off Tallmadge Road towards Suffield. Competing business owners said he had an unfair advantage in the restaurant scene and that the trailer was an eyesore. Menendez moved the trailer as instructed and continued building his business, eventually buying the land from his family. Over the next seven years, his operation grew into its current look: A cedar trailer containing his 20-foot long smoker and a red trailer to sell his meats and other items to customers. Menendez now sells barbecue staples as well as brisket burgers, meatloaf, pork chops and more. Mobile or permanent food truck? As a food truck operator, Menendez is required to have a valid food service license. He received one from Portage County Combined Health District from 2018 to 2023. After he moved to Akron in 2023, he obtained a license from Summit County Public Health for 2023 to 2024 under the assumption that the registration should be linked to his residence. Menendez contacted Summit County Public Health Feb.13 to renew his license, which expired March 1, but was denied and told Feb. 20 that he needed to get it from the Portage County health department. He applied in Portage County on Feb. 26 and is in the process of obtaining a mobile food license from that health department. Joe Menendez pulls a pan of barbecue from the smoker is this file photo from 2021. Tonia Burford, environmental health director for Summit County Public Health, said the issue surrounding Menendezs renewal is two-fold. Joes Barbecue is located outside of Summit County and does not move every 40 days as required by the Ohio Revised Code. Most mobiles, what they do is they have a trailer, Buford said. Even if it's their home or whatever it may be, we'll go to their house and inspect it if that's where they park it normally, and then they'll take it to the fairthey'll go everywhere, but really, he has set up shop in a parking lot in Portage County and hasn't moved. When confronted by Summit County Public Health about not moving his trailers, Menendez sent videos of them parked at 2:35 a.m. in Rootstown. The code does not specify how far or for how long food trucks must have to change locations. We believe the intent of the code is that they are mobile, that they do not set up shop in one location and operate there continuously because there's another type of license for that, Buford said. If he was setting up his barbecue in that parking lot and he hauled his unit away [each] night, then we wouldn't have an issue with this 40-day thing. [It would be] moving, but he's just leaving it there. Buford said Portage County Combined Health District informed the Summit County agency of the trailers whereabouts. Pulling up the ladder Although Menendez is hopeful that his licensing will be squared away soon, he remains concerned about whether Brimfields increasing zoning regulations will impact his business going forward. He said he believes the stiffer zoning rules and health department issues are being fueled by two competing restaurant owners and a resident who frequently complains about his business. It's ridiculous. We've been here forever. We're widely loved. We have no issues. We cause no issues for anybody, Menendez said. These couple people that are very incessantly complaining are causing the issues for everybody. Michael Hlad, Brimfields zoning inspector and economic development director, said it has been a work in progress to regulate temporary vendors as the township has had issues with people popping up and selling artisanal rugs, political memorabilia and other goods in the past. This process started in August 2019 when the township introduced a temporary use permit that could be renewed every six months, according to Jendy Miller, Brimfields Economic Development and Zoning secretary. Menendez said the permit had a year-long term before it was shortened to six months. Last May, the timeframe was shortened to 90 days. The latest amendment, approved March 6, specifies that temporary vendor permits could not be issued to applicants intending to operate on a vacant lot. However, this will not impact Joe's Barbecue because the blue building on the property is considered to have a primary use, and therefore it is not vacant. In October 2023, Menendez was granted a variance that exempts him from the 90-day limit for a full year. While his business isnt impacted by the zoning commissions decisions right now, he feels as though it discourages small businesses from following in his footsteps. This affects everyone that wants to do what we did, Menendez said at the Brimfield board of trustees meeting March 6. Itd be like me pulling up the ladder behind me after we did something that worked well. The food truck owner, who plans to build his brick-and-mortar location on the lot by October, also expressed concern about whether he would be shut down if his building isnt complete when the variance expires. There are no limits to the number of variances a business can receive, according to Hlad. He suggested Menendez and those trying to emulate his business model use a mixture of 90-day permits and variances, which are granted by the board of zoning appeals, to stay longer. Joe Menendez, owner of Joe's Barbecue, is trying to obtain a new health department license for his food truck business in Brimfield Township. But at the March 4 zoning commission meeting, Mogadore resident Clyde Pierson, who is an alternate on the zoning board, raised concerns about letting more food trucks adopt the Joe's Barbecue business model in the future. At a meeting later in the month, Pierson identified himself as the complaining resident Menendez said is partially responsible for his zoning and health department troubles. Portage County Combined Health District has received three calls from Pierson about Joes Barbecue within the last year. He also called Summit County Public Health in October to ask whether Joe's had been inspected, according to the agency. When a Summit County supervisor called him back, Pierson declined to make a formal complaint and instead asked questions about how food code pertains to mobile establishments. What this brought up wasis, you know, Joe down there at Joes Barbecue, hes been there five years and it turned into a problem but now hes going to build that building, Pierson said during the March 16 meeting. Thats what we dont want to happen again. We dont want [people] to go down there and put a hotdog stand somewhere and stay there for the next five years. This same statement was read aloud at the board of trustees meeting March 6, where trustees voted on whether to allow temporary use permits on vacant lots, by trustee Nic Coia. Coia said that he is concerned partly because there is already a procedure in place to deal with the troublemakers the zoning commission said the amendment will address. He was the only trustee to vote no to the amendment, stating that he felt the legislation targeted Joes Barbecue. Multiple zoning commission members have stated in public and private meetings that they believe the commission has bent over backwards to accommodate Joes Barbecue in its legislation. Brimfield recently put out a statement addressing community members concerns about its zoning commission and its involvement in Menendez's health department licensing and permit process. "Assuming Joe's Barbecue obtains the necessary approval from the Portage County Health Department, we stand ready to continue to work with the business, as we have for the last six years, and look forward to the building of a Joe's Barbecue restaurant," the statement said. Whats next for Joes Barbecue, Brimfield? Since Menendez does not yet have a license from the Portage County Combined Health District and cannot legally charge for goods or services, he has been accepting at-will donations for his food. His loyal customers have responded, making the past two weeks the busiest he's been since his opening. Menendez made $1,200 to $1,300 over what he would have earned had he operated normally. The extra money has gone into his employees tip jar, according to Menendez. He plans to continue taking donations until the food truck receives its license and maybe a little afterward, just for fun. Menendez said he will also continue putting pressure on the township to reverse the changes its made to the temporary vendor permit. Hlad said that the zoning commission is looking into creating a specific street for food trucks where they would have water and sewer hookup. At the March 20 board of trustees meeting, Coia made a motion asking the zoning commission to review the permit and consider expanding it to six months with consecutive renewals. Issues related to food trucks will be discussed at the next zoning meeting, which is April 11. We're trying to build the healthiest business that participates in the community that we can. There has been roadblock after roadblock and people causing issue after issue, Menendez said. There's a lot of drama surrounding it but that's not the point. "I just want to be able to do our thing. Got a restaurant recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her food adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Joes Barbecue food truck faces licensing, zoning issues in Brimfield The battle over Congresss role in repairing a landmark bridge in Baltimore is already heating up on Capitol Hill, just days after it collapsed. President Biden vowed Tuesday that the federal government would cover the massive cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major artery feeding the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the country. The bridge was struck by a cargo ship, almost 1,000 feet long, that lost power as it was leaving Baltimore Harbor and drifted into a support pile in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Bidens proposal is already winning praise from a number of Democrats, especially those in Maryland, who say the ports value transcends the state, making the repairs an issue of national importance. Only the federal government, they argue, has the resources to accomplish the task. Yet the idea has sparked an immediate backlash from conservative spending hawks, who are already up in arms over Congresss recent approval of a massive 2024 spending package and maintain that Washington simply cant afford to pile more money onto the national debt. Key Bridge, they argue, is a regional matter to be tackled by regional governments. The very thought of having the Federal Government pay for the Baltimore bridge is TOTALLY ABSURD!! Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told The Hill by text message. This exemplifies the old slogan ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL!! Republicans are not the only critics. Some liberals are also questioning Bidens proposal, arguing that the blame for the tragedy lies, at least in part, with the owner of the cargo vessel, which should bear some portion of the repair costs. Lets be clear about the tragedy in Baltimore. That bridge didnt just collapse. There was no earthquake. The bridge was knocked down (apparently) by a private ship that lost control. Shouldnt they be at least partly responsible for fixing it? said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist and Vice President Harriss former communications director. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday on MSNBC that she expected insurance payments to cover part of the cost to rebuild the bridge. The debate is sure to get only more spirited after Congress returns to Washington in mid-April following the long holiday break; party leaders will already be grappling with a number of radioactive issues, including an extension of the governments domestic spying authority and military aid for Ukraine and Israel. It remains unclear how much it will cost to repair the bridge some estimates put the figure at a whopping $2 billion. But Biden on Tuesday, just hours after the incident, expressed confidence that he can win Congresss backing. Its my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort, he told reporters at the White House. That promise is being hailed by Maryland lawmakers, who are vowing to make the funding a top priority in the upcoming session. I cant predict when exactly the Congress will act, but well get moving on it upon our return, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) told reporters in the Capitol on Thursday. Van Hollen, who has represented Maryland in Congress since 2003 first in the House, now in the Senate said parties involved are still performing an assessment to glean how much money will be needed to rebuild the massive bridge, but he assumes a rough estimate will be available in the coming days. In the meantime, however, Van Hollen said the state will seek resources from a federal emergency fund, which will cover roughly 90 percent of the costs surrounding the bridge replacement effort. The remaining 10 percent, Van Hollen said, will be covered by state funds, and he and his Old Line State colleague, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), are working on legislation to cover that portion. Number one, we have to get the estimate for the full cost of the bridge. Were gonna move very quickly in terms of submitting legislation, Van Hollen said Thursday. Such funding has historically been less controversial. When an I-35 bridge collapsed in Minneapolis in 2007, both chambers passed emergency funding and former President George W. Bush signed it into law within a week. But the debate about how to handle the latest disaster is quickly heating up on cable news, where conservatives are already railing against the idea of throwing more federal dollars at the problem. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) called Bidens plan outrageous. He doesnt refer to it as the American taxpayer dollars on anything. You know, the first reaction in fact, the only reaction just tends to be to spend, Meuser said Thursday in an interview with Fox Businesss Maria Bartiromo. We just cant take the easy route all the time and just try to spend the taxpayers money. Given the certain resistance from the right, some Democrats are already voicing concerns that approving a federal fix will be a heavy lift in Congress, not least because Maryland is a relatively blue state, dominated by Democrats, which could sap the GOP appetite for the emergency funds. With that in mind, some lawmakers are already floating the idea of attaching the bridge funding to a foreign aid package, including new military help for Ukraine, which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is vowing to take up when Congress returns to Washington in mid-April after the long holiday recess. It could certainly be piled on, and if were going to move the national security supplemental, why not do that? Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said Wednesday by phone. I dont think that that has a lot of political sway. Theres not a lot of Republican senators from Maryland, so I would certainly not object. Sadly, its hard to get anything done. So if we need to get the bridge rebuilt, which we do, why not put it as part of the larger supplemental? As the debate evolves, some surprise voices have emerged in support of a federal fix. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), a spending hawk who hammered GOP leaders over 2024 funding, noted that the federal government should step in because an interstate highway which is maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation was destroyed. Burchett also argued that Washington has a vested interest in rebuilding the bridge given the importance of the port to national commerce and international trade. Any legal fights with the shipping company, he added, can take place afterward. My first inclination would be to yes, that the federal government would pay for it and then theyd collect on the insurance, he said. Commerce would suffer till we get our act together. Al Weaver contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Richard Sharp said there could be a "limited differential" in the amounts people pay - GEOFF PUGH The BBC licence fee should be means-tested, a former chairman of the corporation has suggested. In his first interview with the BBC since leaving the broadcaster, Richard Sharp said lower-income households could pay less than those people who are well off. Mr Sharp, 68, claimed everybody should be able to consume BBC content and should be subsidised accordingly. He said the corporation offered far more with the World Service, news, sport and radio than rival platforms such as Netflix. The former chairman suggested there were opportunities for creativity to ensure people dont get left behind in their opportunities for free media consumption. Mr Sharp resigned as chairman of the BBC in April last year after a report into his appointment found he had failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest, including his involvement in the facilitation of an 800,000 loan for Boris Johnson, who was prime minister at the time. Reforms on the agenda His comments come after Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, this week announced the corporations plans to explore licence fee reform. Mr Davie floated the idea that wealthier Britons could be made to pay a higher fee, but the Conservatives made clear this would not happen under a Tory government. The BBCs deficit is expected to jump to 492 million in the upcoming financial year, more than twice the 220 million shortfall in 2022/23, as it faces a squeeze on its funding. Bosses said the deficit would be covered by cash reserves built up in previous years. It comes after the Government blocked a planned increase in the licence fee of almost 15, as it warned the BBC had to be realistic about what the public could afford. The annual fee will instead rise by 10.50, to 169.50, from next month. Very good value for money Speaking on The Today podcast, Mr Sharp said: Im old enough to remember The Life of Brian and that scene of, What have the Romans ever done for you? You know, Netflix doesnt provide sport, Netflix doesnt provide radio, Netflix doesnt provide local radio, Netflix doesnt provide a news website, doesnt provide World Service or news at all. If you look at what the consumer gets for the subscription, on a monthly basis, it is very good value for money. Asked if the licence should be means-tested, he said: I personally am of the view that one of the great things we need to be concerned about is the future changing nature of the media industry. What youre increasingly going to have is consolidation we saw that with Warner Brothers, Paramount, failing to get together and then youre going to have a very strong price control from the oligopolistic players. In which case, there is an element where people will be left behind in their opportunities for free media consumption. So, I do think the BBC has to be well-enough funded, but in a way that also provides the opportunity for people to get a rich media consumption, who are on lower incomes. Naturally, that leads you to a view its a personal view, its up to the politicians and government of the day to decide I do believe there is an opportunity to have some limited differential in terms of how consumers pay for it. Where the lower incomes still have the opportunity to benefit from the BBC at a lower threshold. Dont over-complicate it He suggested entitlement could be evaluated by broadband or council taxes and added: Obviously it shouldnt be over-complicated. I think most people would understand the importance, particularly now if you look at the pressures the cost of living has had on lower-income households who are really struggling, they should have the opportunity in their homes to consume BBC content. At potentially a rate that may be less than those people who are well off, but that is an issue not for the BBC management or board. The BBC has to be efficient, it has to be well run, and thats the boards job to challenge itself constructively, but it shouldnt be under-funded. Within the funding and constraints that are available, I think there are opportunities for creativity. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Russian propaganda network recently uncovered by Czech intelligence paid European and Belgian lawmakers to spread pro-Kremlin disinformation, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said in Brussels on March 28. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on March 27 that pro-Kremlin Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and pro-Kremlin propagandist Artem Marchevskyi had been sanctioned for attempting to spread pro-Russian disinformation through a website called Voice of Europe. The Polish Internal Security Agency (ABW) then announced that it had carried out searches and was interrogating suspects in connection to the network. The ABW said the operation was connected to a previous investigation that found a Polish citizen, who was a member of the Polish and European parliaments, was suspected of working for the Russian secret services to spread disinformation in Europe. De Croo did not name the MEPs but said that Czech and Belgian intelligence indicates that "Russia has approached MEPs" and paid them "to promote Russian propaganda here." De Croo said this also happened "in our country, in the highest levels of our democratic institutions." "Russia wants to destroy our democracy," de Croo said, condemning those who have become "an ally of Russia" and "an ally of a country that wants to destroy everything that has been built up here." Belgian media reported that two Belgian MPs, Filip Dewinter and Filip Brusselmans, gave an interview with Voice of Europe in September 2023. Both represent Vlaams Belang, a right-wing populist party. European Parliament deputy spokesperson Delphine Colard told Politico that the Parliament is "looking into the findings." Earlier in March, Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) began investigating Tatjana Zdanoka, a Latvian member of the European Parliament accused of spying for Russia. A collaborative media investigation published by The Insider in January alleged that Zdanoka, who represented Latvia in the European Parliament from 2004-2018 and again from 2019 until the present, has been a Russian asset since at least 2015. While a sitting member of the European Parliament, Zdanoka participated as an international observer in a sham referendum on Crimea's annexation by Russia in 2014. She also was one of a small group of lawmakers who voted against the European Parliament's condemnation of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. Read also: Zelensky meets European parliamentary leaders to discuss assistance for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON D.C. (KNWA/KFTA) The lawyer of a Bentonville man arrested for participating in the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, claimed his client was the victim of selective prosecution and that he is a journalist, according to a motion filed in Washington D.C. federal court on March 22. Nathan Hughes, 34, was arrested on Aug. 30, 2023, in Fayetteville and was held in the Washington County jail before being released on a $5,000 bond. Hughes is charged with civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings. He pleaded not guilty to those charges on Oct. 3, 2023. Hughes lawyer, William L. Shipley, said in the motion Hughes is a freelance independent journalist with a history of reporting on political rallies, demonstrations and protests going back to 2017. Bentonville man arrested in Jan. 6 case has new hearing date In the motion, Shipley wrote hes considering filing a motion to dismiss the indictment against Hughes due to government misconduct/selective prosecution. Before doing so, Shipley wants a list of every journalist who was on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, whether they were approved to be there or not. The list has yet to be provided, according to the motion. Shipley has also requested an extension to file a motion to dismiss based on selective prosecution and requested the motion not be due until 21 days after the lists are produced. Hughes trial date is set for July 15 where he is scheduled to be tried with Jay James Johnston, one of four other men to be indicted at the same time as Hughes. Johnston is an actor known for his roles on comedy television shows Bobs Burgers and Mr. Show with Bob and David. He was arrested on charges that he joined a mob of Donald Trump supporters in confronting police officers during the insurrection. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Bernie Moreno, the Republican candidate for US Senate in Ohio who expected to mount a stern challenge to Sherrod Brown, the incumbent leftwing Democrat, says his family fled socialism when they came to the US from Colombia in 1971, when he was four years old. Though such statements formed a central part of Morenos campaign message on his way to securing the Republican nomination with support from Donald Trump, they do not withstand historical scrutiny. Related: Bernie Moreno: the Trump-convert firebrand targeting Ohio Senate seat In an interview in 2020, about his success as a car dealer in Ohio, Moreno described himself as somebody who moved to this country a long time ago to escape what happens in most South American countries, which is socialism and the absolute prison of those ideas. In 2021, as Moreno moved into national politics with a first run for a Senate nomination, the Cleveland Plain Dealer said he says he came to the United States as a child with his mother and siblings to flee socialism in their native Colombia. He believes that same ideology is rising in the United States, and he wants to fight back. But when Moreno was born, on 14 February 1967, Colombia was nine years into the 16-year period of National Front government, in which conservative and liberal parties alternated being in power as a way to avoid violence between the two factions. Furthermore, the first leftwing Colombian government in modern times is the current one, headed by Gustavo Petro and in power since 2022. Colombia has long been home to leftwing guerrilla groups. As described by the US Congressional Research Service, when Moreno lived there, the country was home to leftist, Marxist-inspired insurgencies including the Farc, launched in 1964, and the smaller National Liberation Army (ELN), which formed the following year. Such groups, the CRS says, conducted kidnappings, committed serious human rights violations, and carried out a campaign of terror that aimed to unseat the central government in Bogota. Moreno, however, has described an early childhood far removed from such worries. By his own description, his father was secretary of health under Misael Pastrana, a conservative and the last National Front president between 1970 and 1974. We had a very, very, very, very incredible lifestyle in Colombia, Moreno said in 2019, at a business event in Cleveland, adding that his mother moved the family to the US initially against his fathers wishes because she didnt want us to be raised as pampered indoor cats. The move was a jump, Moreno said, but it was this idea of no fear. Contacted for comment on Wednesday, Morenos communications director, Reagan McCarthy, said: No where in the [first] quote cited does Bernie say his family came to America because Colombia was a socialist country or that his family was escaping a socialist country at the time. He very clearly was stating that many South American countries fell to socialism and his parents came to America to ensure their kids would grow up in a free society, out of fear that Colombia would eventually move towards socialism. As indicated by McCarthys reference to many South American countries [falling] to socialism, Moreno has also spoken of a fear of being surrounded by socialist governments. In 2021, writing in the Toledo Blade, he said: I was born in South America, surrounded by socialist ideology. The same year, Moreno told the Landscape, a Cleveland podcast: I think the [US is] going off [in] a very dangerous direction. Its a direction I recognise. I grew up surrounded by socialist ideology, whether its Venezuela or Cuba [or] now Peru, and I know where this movie ends. And in a campaign ad, also from 2021, Moreno said: I came from a country surrounded by the ideology of radicals like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, who promised to give everyone all they needed and solve all their problems, just like [Vermont senator] Bernie Sanders and AOC [New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] are doing today. Such claims also shake under scrutiny. Cuba has indeed been governed from the left since 1959, when Castro and the Communist party took power after a long fight. Castro was assisted by Guevara, a revolutionary from Argentina who was killed in October 1967, when Moreno was eight months old. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, when Moreno was a young child in Colombia, Venezuela was governed by Rafael Caldera, a Christian Democrat who moved to end conflict with leftwing guerrillas. Ecuador, which also borders Colombia, was also governed by a centrist at that time. Between 1968 and 1975, Peru was led by Juan Velasco Alvarado, a general who seized power in a coup detat but governed from the political centre. The current president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, is a former member of a Marxist party now governing with the support of rightwingers. Between 1970 and 1973, Chile more than a thousand miles south of Colombia was governed by Salvador Allende, its first socialist president. He died on 11 September 1973 as the rightwing Chilean military led by Gen Augusto Pinochet attacked the presidential palace, in a coup backed by the CIA. After coming to the US in 1971, Moreno became a US citizen at 18. In her statement on Wednesday, McCarthy, the Moreno aide, accused the Guardian of failing to celebrate what could potentially be the first South American-born senator. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Brown declined to comment. On March 28, 2024, an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the ambassadorial level was held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The meeting was convened at the initiative of the Ukrainian side in response to Russia's missile attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported on the Facebook page of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO. The meeting was attended by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He told the Allies about the consequences of Russia's attacks and the measures Ukraine is taking to respond to the attacks. Umerov also called on NATO member states to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian cities and citizens by providing additional air and missile defense systems, as well as missiles for these systems. It should be noted that over the past few days, the Russian occupiers have carried out a series of massive missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. Russia also targeted the Dnipro HPP, the largest hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine, with missiles. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says Israel is becoming a religious fundamentalist country under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Too many people do not understand that the Israel of today is not the Israel of20 to 30 years ago, Mr Sanders told news outlet Crooked Media. It is a right-wing country, increasingly becoming a religious fundamentalist country where you have some of these guys in office believe that God told them they have a right to control the entire area. Mr Sanders has long been critical of the Israel-Hamas war, which began 7 October when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 200 hostage. Since then, more than 32,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed by Israeli attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Now, half of Gazas population is facing imminent famine, the United Nations warns. So bottom line, Hamas committed an atrocity in my view, Israel certainly had the right to defend itself, but it did not and does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people, Mr Sanders continued. Two-thirds of the casualties and deaths are women and children. Unacceptable. Bernie Sanders has previously criticised Israels attacks on Gaza (Getty Images) Mr Sanders previously told The Independent he wants to kill funding for Netanyahus war machine period, referring to ongoing US aid to Israel. He was one of only four members of the Senate Democratic caucus along with Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and fellow Vermonter Peter Welch who voted against a national security package last month that would provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. However, Mr Sanders has yet to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, US support for Mr Sanderss position is growing. Some 55 per cent disapprove of Israels ongoing offensive in the besieged territory, while 36 per cent approve, according to a Gallup poll released on Wednesday, marking the first time a poll has found that a majority of Americans do not support the war. This is a significant shift from November when the same survey found most Americans were in favour. The Biden administration has also begun to shift its position on aid to Palestinians. On Monday, the US withheld its veto at the United Nations Security Council and allowed the body to pass a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war. This is the first time the US has done so since the war began; previously, the Biden administration used the US veto three times to block a ceasefire resolution in support of Israels continued offensive in Gaza. Mr Netanyahu criticised the resolution, saying it is not contingent on the release of hostages. On Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said the civilian death toll in Gaza is far too high ahead of a meeting with his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday. Mr Austin also made an urgent call for Israel to increase the amount of aid it is allowing into Gaza to prevent a famine. (FOX40.COM) Sacramentos restaurant scene has garnered plenty of attention recently, and an upcoming holiday will provide residents throughout the region with a great opportunity to test out the citys restaurant quality. Easter will be celebrated on March 31 this year, and its always been one of the holidays typically accompanied by a day at church followed by an Easter brunch. New Sacramento bakery serving up bagels, Chilean empanadas officially opens Yelp, a popular website, and app headquartered in San Francisco that publishes crowd-sourced reviews, has a list of best Easter brunch spots in Sacramento organized by the highest ratings left by recent customers. According to Yelp, here are some of the best brunch spots in Sacramento. Park Winters (4.9 stars out of 5) Park Winters, located at 27850 Co Road 26 about 15 miles west of Woodland, will host an Easter brunch buffet on March 31 where guests can enjoy either al fresco (outdoor) or indoor dining from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park Winters Easter brunch menu includes items such as eggs benedict, challah french toast, crab cakes, and carrot cake cupcakes, according to their website. Tickets are $95 per person before taxes and added gratuity. Poppy by Mama Kim (4.7 stars out of 5) Poppy by Mama Kim, 533 53rd St (East Sacramento), will host its Easter brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come in with your loved ones and enjoy a delicious four-course meal for only $55 a person. We look forward to serving you, the restaurant said on its Instagram page. Poppy by Mama Kims menu has daily specials that change weekly. For example, from March 20 to March 22, the restaurants specials included flat iron steak salad, crispy coconut fish, and ancho barbecue baby back ribs. But from March 13 to March 15, its daily specials included crab cakes, chicken cacciatore, and corned beef with mustard sauce. Easter egg hunts in the Sacramento Area Sheldon Inn Restaurant & Bar (4.2 stars out of 5) The Sheldon Inn Restaurant and Bar, 9000 Grant Line Road in Elk Grove, will be offering a three-course meal for Easter brunch. Each person is required to pay $55 to gain access; however, those looking to split a plate will be charged an additional $7. For parties of 12 people or more, an automatic 20% gratuity charge will be added to their bill. Some items in Sheldon Inn Restaurant and Bars Easter brunch menu include deviled eggs, fried chicken and French toast, a 10 oz smoked prime rib, and a blood orange tart. The Firehouse Restaurant (4.2 stars out of 5) The Firehouse Restaurant, 1112 Second St, will also offer a three-course menu for its Easter brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The price per person is 79.95, but the restaurant is also offering a Young Patrons Menu for the little ones, which will cost 29.95 per person. The menu includes a freshly baked pastry as a starter, followed by braised prosciutto and mushrooms. The second and third courses include items like lobster benedict, filet mignon, egg cream puffs, and tuxedo cake. The Young Patrons Menu includes a granola and strawberry yogurt for its first course, followed by a bacon and ranch egg scramble, a young patron filet of beef, fresh berry French toast, and a bunny cinnamon roll. New Dutch Bros. coming To Rancho Cordova Fabians Italian Bistro & Bar (4.1 stars out of 5) Fabians Italian Bistro and Bar, 11755 Fair Oaks Blvd, will host its Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are required to partake in the restaurants brunch selection, and it will be closed for dinner on Easter Sunday. There is no special pricing for Fabians Easter brunch menu, but the restaurant states that parties of six or more will be on a single check and kindly asks that no substitutions or modifications be made to dishes. The restaurant is offering mimosa bottle service alongside a selection of cocktails. Its food items include carrot cake french toast, a short rib omelette, and a veggie frittata. For children, a choice of French toast or scrambled eggs is available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. TOPEKA (KSNT) Finalists for this years Small Business Awards contest selected by area residents are being revealed Thursday. People living in Shawnee County and Topeka were asked to share what small businesses they thought were the best of the best. The contest, hosted by GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership (GTP), is the 43rd edition for the area. The 2024 Small Business Awards, covering seven different categories, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 in the Townsite Avenue Ballroom in downtown Topeka. Guests will listen to presentations on the impact and successes of the areas small businesses and find out which finalists head their respective categories. To be eligible for this contest, the businesses had to be nominated, be located in Shawnee County and have 100 or fewer employees. Award categories and their respective finalists include: Emerging Innovation Award Bloomfield Physical Therapy LifeTech Sciences Love Life Sciences Micro Enterprise Award AO NOLA Praline Candy Flying Fish Divers Whaynes Herbs and Natural Products Young Entrepreneur Award Circle Coffee Co. EcoFresh Power Wash H&H Designs Woman-Owned Small Business Award Cohort.Digital Onyx Salon and Wellness Spa The Brownstone Minority-Owned Small Business Award King Auto Glass Milk & Honey Coffee Co. Patterson Family Child Care Center Veteran-Owned Small Business Award 8 Iron Therapy Curb Appeal Once Upon a Party KS Small Business Manufacturer Award Automation Controls Stevenson Company Topeka company makes 2024 Top Workplaces USA list Were thrilled to be able to recognize some of the innovative small businesses and entrepreneurs who call Topeka/Shawnee County home, said Stephanie Norwood, director of entrepreneurship and small business for GO Topeka. Our 20 finalists are local examples of small businesses excelling in their industries and putting Topeka on the map along the way. We cant wait to announce the winners and know this is going to a Small Business Awards to remember. Congratulations to all! To attend the 43rd annual Small Business Awards ceremony, buy tickets using this link. Tickets start at $60. 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. The City of Bettendorf has announced that two employees within its Public Works Department and Parks & Recreation Department have earned awards from the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA,) according to a news release. On Wednesday, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs were honored at the Annual IPRA Best of the Best Banquet in Des Moines. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jason Manfull, left, and Recreation Coordinator Isaac Jacobs (City of Bettendorf) The T. Ray Frame Park Maintenance Award went to to Manfull. This award is given to an outstanding maintenance person with a Parks and Recreation Department who has demonstrated a high level of skill in his/her work, goes beyond what would be considered adequate or expected in the position, and shows a devotion on and off the job. Congratulations to Jason on this well-deserved honor, said Brian Schmidt, public works director. This recognition validates his passion, commitment, and hard work to his profession. Im proud to have such an outstanding person leading a team of dedicated staff in maintaining our parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas into excellent shape around our community. The Dr. Carol Hanson Young Professional Award went to Jacobs. The award is given to a professional who has exemplified commitment and outstanding service to the leisure services profession and to the IPRA. Isaac is a huge asset to the Parks & Recreation Department, said Kim Kidwell, culture and recreation director. He is constantly looking for ways to improve programs and experiences. Isaac is here for the kids and is a compassionate, quiet leader never expecting recognition because he feels he is just doing his job. I am so proud of him and this IPRA honor is well deserved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. An insurance shop advertises Obamacare outside its storefront in a shopping center in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 30, 2022. (Scott McIntyre /The New York Times) WASHINGTON The Biden administration announced Thursday that it had finalized a new regulation that curbs the use of short-term health insurance plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act, reversing a move by the Trump administration to give consumers more access to cheaper but skimpier plans. Under the new rule, the short-term plans will be able to last for only 90 days, with an option for a one-month extension. In 2018, the Trump administration issued a rule allowing the plans to last for just under a year, with the option of renewing them for a total duration of up to three years. Previously, under an Obama-era policy, the plans were required to last less than three months. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The plans, often with lower premiums than those found on the Affordable Care Acts marketplaces, do not have to cover people with preexisting conditions. They are also free from the health laws requirement that plans offer a minimum set of benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and maternity care. Democrats deride the so-called short-term, limited-duration plans as junk insurance, and the Obama-era policy was meant to ensure that healthy consumers could not use that option to sidestep the Affordable Care Acts marketplaces, leaving a sicker pool of customers enrolling in the comprehensive plans offered under the health law. The White House cast the new rule as a way to fortify the marketplaces. In a briefing with reporters Wednesday, Neera Tanden, President Joe Bidens domestic policy adviser, said that 45 million Americans were now covered through the marketplaces or the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. More than 20 million people signed up for plans on the marketplaces during the most recent open enrollment period. President Biden is not taking his foot off the gas, Tanden said. Supporters of the short-term plans have said that the less expensive options are well suited for people who are unable to afford a marketplace plan. Brian Blase, who worked on the 2018 rule as a White House official under President Donald Trump, said the plans were also ideal for contract and self-employed workers, including those with incomes too high to qualify for more generous subsidies on the Affordable Care Acts marketplaces. Blase said the new rule could cause insurers offering marketplace plans to face less competition. Sick consumers buying a three-month plan could also lose coverage without a better immediate option, he added. Nobody benefits, he said. But critics of the short-term plans have warned that insurers can mislead consumers who enroll in them, including people who might be eligible for free coverage through the Affordable Care Acts marketplaces. The new regulation requires insurers to provide a disclaimer explaining what the short-term plans cover. In its announcement Thursday, the White House cited a man in Montana who had accumulated more than $40,000 in health costs because his cancer was considered a preexisting condition, and a woman in Pennsylvania who had undergone an amputation and received roughly $20,000 in bills that her plan would not cover. Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms, said the plans often showed up prominently when consumers searched online for health insurance, with deceptive advertising. Often the marketing materials say they cover hospitalizations and prescription drugs, she said. To the average consumer it looks like a real health insurance plan. Georgetown researchers last year conducted a so-called secret shopper study, calling 20 sales representatives to ask about health plans for people who had lost Medicaid coverage and were eligible for free marketplace plans. They found that none of the representatives mentioned the availability of the free plans. The brokers often used aggressive and misleading tactics to sell short-term plans without providing written plan information, the researchers found. Corlette said that brokers typically received higher commissions for selling short-term plans than they did for more comprehensive options. As a consumer, she said, you have to be so savvy and careful. After the Trump administration issued its rule in 2018, some states moved on their own to limit the sale of short-term plans. Democratic lawmakers urged the Biden administration to reverse the regulation, and the administration issued a proposed rule to do so last summer. c.2024 The New York Times Company Joe Biden, center, and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday. Joe Biden, center, and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton participate in a fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Thursday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, headlined a star-studded fundraiser with Bill Clinton on Thursday that organizers said raised more than $25m for the US presidents re-election campaign. Related: Biden bump is real: president gains on Trump in six battleground states Such a haul, which Politico called an NYC money bomb, will widen Bidens lead over Donald Trump in fundraising for the November election. Amid improving polling for Biden, the two presidential campaigns recently posted February fundraising figures. Federal filings showed Biden nearly $40m up in cash raised, leading the presidents campaign to taunt their rival as Broke Don. On Thursday, a Trump campaign adviser said the candidate wont be able to match Bidens totals, blaming the disparity on the Democrats billionaire supporters and painting a picture of a Trump campaign as being fueled by grassroots, working-class supporters. Obama hitched a ride from Washington to New York aboard Air Force One with Biden. They waved as they descended the planes steps at John F Kennedy International airport and got into the motorcade for the ride into midtown Manhattan. The marquee at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan was lit up and read: An Evening with Joe Biden Barack Obama Bill Clinton. NYPD officers lined surrounding streets as part of a heavy security presence for the event. The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, was up first to warm up the sold-out crowd of about 5,000 supporters. Entertainers, too, had their time on stage. Lizzo belted out her hit About Damn Time and emcee Mindy Kaling joked that it was nice to be in a room with so many rich people, adding that she loved that they were supporting a president who openly promises to raise your taxes. The hours-long fundraiser had different tiers of access depending on a donors generosity. The centerpiece was an onstage conversation with the three presidents, moderated by the late-night talkshow host Stephen Colbert. Other celebrities included Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. Tickets sold for as low as $225. The fundraiser was punctuated by protests inside the auditorium, as attendees rose at several different moments to shout over the discussion, referencing Bidens backing of Israels war in Gaza. Shame on you, Joe Biden one yelled, according to Reuters. Obama said Biden had moral clarity on the Israel issue and was willing to listen to all sides in this debate and find common ground. When a protester inside the theater interrupted Obama, the former president snapped back: You cant just talk and not listen Thats what the other side does On the money raised during the event, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Hollywood mogul turned Biden campaign co-chair, said: This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and vice-president [Kamala] Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built. Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election. The numbers dont lie: todays event is a massive show of force and a true reflection of the momentum to re-elect the Biden-Harris ticket. Katzenbergs reference to fundraising meant to reach the voters was a barb aimed at Trump. The Republicans unprecedented legal jeopardy he faces 88 criminal charges and multimillion-dollar civil penalties has contributed to controversy over whether campaign donations should be used to pay his legal bills. Trump has appealed to supporters for help. His political operation has been shown to be paying lawyers bills. Amid Trumps takeover of the Republican National Committee, achieved by installing his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as co-chair, attempts have been made to stop it contributing to his legal costs. Trump has been widely criticised for failing to mount many campaign events. On Thursday, seeking to boost his hardline law-and-order message, he will attend a wake for a New York police officer killed in the line of duty. Announcing its event with Obama and Clinton, the Biden campaign sought to emphasise the contrast between the presidents strong fundraising and Trumps struggles. In contrast to Trumps cash-strapped campaign, a statement said, tonight alone Team Biden-Harris will raise $5m more than the Trump campaign raised in all of February; nearly double what the Trump campaign raised in all of January; more than what the Trump campaign raised in December and January combined; more than double what the RNC has cash on hand and more than the RNC has raised all year; nearly 60% of what the Trump campaign has cash on hand. President Bidens campaign is expected to raise more than $25 million from its star-studded New York City fundraiser on Thursday night, which will feature former President Obama, former President Clinton and a slew of celebrity guests. Thursdays fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall is expected to draw more than 5,000 supporters, with thousands more watching online, the Biden campaign said. In addition to the three presidents, other guests include Mindy Kaling, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. Late-night host Stephen Colbert will moderate a conversation with Biden, Obama and Clinton. Certain guests will have a chance for a photo with the three presidents taken by Annie Leibovitz, and Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez will moderate a virtual conversation with the three leaders. This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built, Biden campaign co-Chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement. Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the Presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election. The numbers dont lie: todays event is a massive show of force and a true reflection of the momentum to reelect the Biden-Harris ticket. Former President Trumps campaign has lagged behind the Biden campaign in terms of fundraising, and Thursday nights event will likely put further distance between the two at the end of the first quarter of the year. Election filings showed Trumps campaign entered March with about $42 million in cash on hand, compared to the Biden campaigns $155 million in cash on hand entering the month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized new rules on drilling for oil and gas on public lands saying that it will cut down on both wasted fuel and planet-warming emissions from the production of these fossil fuels. The rules would require oil and gas drillers to either certify that they will capture all of the oil and gas produced by their wells or come up with a plan to reduce wasted gas. The Interior Department said this rule would be expected to result in $51 million per year in more government revenues and $17.9 million in climate-related benefits to society. A proposed version of the rule was expected to have climate benefits equivalent to taking nearly 1.6 million gas-powered cars off the road. Its not immediately clear whether that figure had changed in the final rule, and spokespeople for the department did not immediately share regulatory impact documents with The Hill. By leveraging modern technology and best practices to reduce natural gas waste, we are taking long-overdue steps that will increase accountability for oil and gas operators and benefit energy communities now and for generations to come, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a written statement. The rule is expected to save the industry $1.8 million worth of gas from being lost each year, but cost the industry $19.3 million per year in compliance costs. Oil and gas can be co-occurring, and sometimes oil companies will release or burn off some of the gas which tends to be less valuable than oil that they produce. The main component of gas is methane, which is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide when it comes to heating up the planet. Wednesdays rule is technically the first update to waste regulations for public lands drilling in decades though the Obama administration had attempted its own reforms. Both the Obama-era rule, which was never fully implemented, and the Trump administrations attempt to rescind it, ran into legal hurdles. One issue raised with the Obama rule was that it relied too heavily on pollution benefits, as opposed to waste reduction. Additional provisions in the rule, which also applies to drilling on tribal lands, require oil and gas operators to have programs in place to detect and repair methane leaks. Environmental advocates cheered the rule. Taking action to limit methane waste on public lands offers a win-win-win for taxpayers, producers and communities harmed by this waste and associated pollution, Jon Goldstein, senior director of regulatory and legislative affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund, said in a written statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden went after Donald Trump at his New York City fundraiser on Thursday, where he was joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at a star-studded event that was at times interrupted by protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. We had no president on January the 6th, Biden said, according to reports from journalists in the room, as he argued Trump wasnt fit to return to the Oval Office. All three presidents issued stark warnings about the threat Trump whom they avoided referring to by name would pose if reelected, with Biden telling supporters, I think democracy is a literally at stake. The event at Radio City Music Hall raised more than $25 million, the Biden campaign announced ahead of time, making it the most successful single political fundraiser ever in terms of dollars raised. Joined by two former two-term Democratic presidents whose ranks he seeks to join, it was a display of Democratic unity for the president as he faces questions about the strength of his 2020-winning coalition. Israels war in Gaza loomed large over the evening with protesters both inside and outside the venue. Addressing the conflict, Biden said Thursday that Saudi Arabia and Arab countries are prepared to fully recognize Israel during remarks at the off-camera fundraiser, according to reporters in the room, repeating calls for a post-Gaza plan for Israel, including a train to a two-state solution. The remarks reflect Bidens increased willingness to publicly call for Israel to increase efforts to protect civilians in Gaza. Ive been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. Theyre prepared to fully recognize Israel, fully recognize Israel for the first time, Biden said, according to reports from journalists in the room. But there has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a train to a two-state solution, it doesnt have to occur today, but there has to be a progression, and I think we can do that. The event was interrupted at least four times by protesters, with at least three calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Thats alright. Let them go. Theres a lot of people who are very, very there are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian. Weve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians, Biden said, according to journalists in the room, following one interruption. But we cant forget, Israel is in a position where its very existence is at stake. You have to have all those people. They werent killed. They were massacred. They were massacred. Ahead of the fundraiser, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Midtown Manhattan to protest Bidens support for Israel amid its war in Gaza and call for a ceasefire. Biden has called for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Three presidents in one room mark the 2024 stakes The fact that three of the four still-living Democratic presidents were in the same room - Jimmy Carter, 99, is receiving hospice care and did not attend exemplifies the stakes Biden and Democrats believe hang in the balance in his contest against Trump. Biden in particular zeroed in on January 6 to argue Trumps unfit for returning to the White House. I was supposed to make a speech on the economy, and I decided I couldnt remain silent, so what I did was I made a speech about January the sixth, what was happening, and I said it was an insurrection underway, and it must be dealt with, Biden said, according to journalists in the room. And I pled with the president to stop and do his job, call these people off. Instead, Biden said, Trump sat there in the dining room off the Oval Office for several hours and watched, didnt do a damn thing. The presidents remarks come as his opponent has sought to downplay the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol and his own role in it while pledging to pardon participants in the insurrection. Trump was also in New York on Thursday, attending the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller who was slain in Queens earlier this week. Diller was killed during a traffic stop on Monday. What happened is such a sad, sad event, such a horrible thing. And its happening all too often and were just not going to let it happen. We just cant, Trump told reporters outside the wake. He added, We got to toughen it up. We have to get back to law and order, we have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. The former presidents campaign hopes to top Bidens record next month. Sources familiar with the matter said they were expecting to raise at least $33 million at an April 6 event, which is slated to have some of the GOPs highest donors in attendance. Star-studded fundraising efforts The three Democratic presidents sat for a conversation with late-night host Stephen Colbert. Tickets for the fundraiser ranged from $225 to $500,000 with such perks available for the highest-dollar guests as having their photographs taken with the three presidents by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. More than 5,000 donors were expected to attend the event, which also included celebrities like Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. While the main events Thursday night were limited to the highest-paying donors, the campaign also hosted what they described as a separate pre-program for grassroots donors, hosted by campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez and also featuring Biden, Obama and Clinton. That star power seems to have paid off. The Biden campaign said ahead of the fundraiser it had raised more than $25 million making it the most successful single political fundraiser ever in terms of dollars raised. But around a third of that $25 million raised came from small-dollar, grassroots donations of $200 or less made online, sources familiar with the fundraising efforts told CNN. Supporters who chipped in $25 were invited to participate in a virtual pre-program for grassroots supporters featuring the three presidents. Clinton and Obama ended Thursday nights fundraiser by doing their best impressions of Biden, according to reporters in the room. This included the two former presidents and Colbert wearing aviators. As this happened, Biden joked that hes a man who loves two things: Ray-Ban sunglasses and ice cream, according to reporters. While the event was winding down, Biden said, By the way, Dark Brandon is real. The fundraiser is expected to be just the beginning of Obamas involvement in Bidens campaign. The former president went to the White House last week to record content with Biden that they plan to steadily roll out over the next few weeks. He is expected to take a larger role in Bidens campaign including traveling to college campuses and crucial battleground stakes closer to November. This story has been updated with additional reporting. CNNs Jeff Zeleny, Samantha Waldenberg, Brian Rokus, Kristen Holmes and Fredreka Schouten contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Anyone else ready for a time out for an important commercial message or a snack because Im worn out. Tuesday showed the tale of two presidents in its most condensed form.At the same time President Joe Biden walked into the White Houses Roosevelt room to address the stunning collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, former president Donald Trump sent an email to his followers cheering a court decision to lower a bond in a civil court case against his business. I will never surrender, he said. Now is the time to show the whole world we grow stronger than ever before. And then he asked for money. Biden, meanwhile, was pledging federal funds to expedite the clearing of Baltimore Harbor and rebuilding the Key Bridge. Fifteen thousand jobs depend on that port. And were going to do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers, Biden said. Trump, as usual, was wrapped up in his own world, cheering his own luck and begging for more money for himself. He had no care for those whose jobs are in question because the port is now blocked. Trump never mentioned the billions of dollars the port brings into the economy. He never mentioned the 15,000 people directly and indirectly dependent on that port for employment. Trump never mentioned the vital role in travel the bridge serves because it supports 30,000 vehicles every day traveling up and down the Mid-Atlantic traffic corridor. But Trump wants you to know hes doing good he just needs a little more money. He also sent out an email to his supporters asking them to send him love letters. I will always love you, Trump said in his letter before writing If you feel the same way about me as I feel about you, Id LOVE to read your letter. Thats right, Donald Trump wants you to write him love letters and he says hell read them! Im sure he would. Wednesday he was Ryan ONeal playing Moses Pray in Paper Moon trying to sell Trump Bibles to his minions. I half expected him to offer a gold embossed version or tell us for an extra five dollars you could buy an edition autographed by the author. I sell the good book, maam. Just moving through the country with the lords good news, said ONeal as Pray. Meanwhile, mired in reality, Biden addressed protesters at an official White House event in Raleigh North Carolina Tuesday that looked suspiciously like a campaign stop. When a couple of pro-Palestinian protesters shouted, What about Healthcare in Gaza? Biden responded that everyone should have healthcare. When they shouted Ceasefire now as they were escorted from the event, Biden said, They have a point. That is perhaps the most direct evidence weve seen yet that Biden is frustrated with Israels prime minister. It would be nice if he were more blunt. But thats reality. Reality never intrudes into Donald Trumps world, however. As of Wednesday, he still hadnt addressed the Baltimore bridge collapse, even as Biden was all over it. Were with you, Biden said to Baltimore. It will take time to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge. . . we are not leaving until this job gets done, he said.He pledged federal funds to clean up the terrible accident as expeditiously as possible, though its still unclear how long that will be. Trump? We were on the cusp of having Trump Tower taken away, he said before he pilloried Biden, the media and everyone who didnt and doesnt support him. Biden responded quickly to the accident, and in so doing he short-circuited misinformation about the Baltimore disaster that went viral. Everything so far indicates that this was a terrible accident. At this time, we have no other indication - no other reason to believe there was any intentional act here, the president said. That is the reassurance the country needs at a time when misinformation is rampant and everyone is an instant expert on everything. One tweet, for example, insinuated the cargo ship deliberately struck the Key Bridge. As speculations began to run wild and the nation started to panic, both the administration and professional journalists set the record straight. The ship had lost power. Those onboard had radioed a Mayday. The bridge was closed and lives were saved. The incident shows how fragile our infrastructure is, and speaks to the need for absolute transparency on the problems we face. So, while the Biden administration gets points for talking about this problem while Trump sells Bibles, gold sneakers, and cologne and begs for money to pay his bills, it loses points for obfuscation, arrogance and elitism in dealing with them. Trumps daughter-in-law is using election denial as a litmus test for working at the RNC. Thats horrifying. Trump remains the greatest single threat to American democracy. He is a despot and demagogue. The Biden administration remains our best chance to keep our democracy, but it is in no way a stellar example of public service either. Wednesday in the briefing room I asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg a very simple question: When will the port in Baltimore re-open after the collapse of the Key bridge? We had already been told that the bridge, built 50 years ago, took five years to be constructed. He said it wouldnt take that long to rebuild it. But he couldnt say when the port would reopen. The collapse of the bridge and the closing of the port represent billions of dollars in economic impact. He wouldnt even ballpark the re-opening of the port. Days? Weeks? Months? Years? I asked. He wouldnt say. The bridge is also inspected every year, and while the state conducts those inspections, as the Transportation secretary he should be well aware of the condition of the bridge after its last inspection, but would not address that in the briefing. He did say it wasnt on a priority list for reconstruction before the accident, but he simply referred me to the state for a report Ive already seen and he should be aware of. Thats not reassuring. Thats why communication problems continue to plague the Biden White House. On background, many members of the administration have expressed their exasperation with the administrations inability to be upfront with the American voter. Its not that they lie, its that they simply sidestep addressing major issues and do a poor job dealing with the press on them. Trump? He has no clue whats going on, but his declarations are simple and direct. Theyre also full of deception, but they sound good to his minions. The Biden administration just cant stop stepping on its own good intentions. On another issue, the war in Gaza has been extremely frustrating for the president. We in the press constantly ask about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus desire to invade Rafah and the presidents opposition to it. Are we losing influence? We ask. The administration, through its various mouthpieces, always says our policy toward Israel hasnt changed and sometimes friends disagree, and were talking about it. Why dont they just say, Hey, Israel hasnt invaded yet have they? I guess we do still have some influence. Nuance is everything, and we dont ask the right questions in the press about the nuance, and the administration doesnt supply answers either. Everyone knows that Biden is angry with Netanyahu. How could he not be? Even members of Bidens administration call the prime minister a lying con artist and Israels Donald Trump. We also know our policy has not changed with Israel. But we also know our tone has changed. Simply saying that from the podium, bluntly, would benefit the president greatly especially among those who call Biden Genocide Joe. The Biden administrations inability to be confrontational is costing it among those in the swing states who might otherwise vote for him this fall. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. There is no comparison between Bidens re-election staff and Trumps. Trump, especially in the swing states, relies on elected officials who support him for infrastructure. Biden has actually built a far larger team, is better funded and has a better message but they cant communicate and remain nearly dysfunctional particularly the advance team. Trump can rely on his big mouth. Biden is relying on his actions with less enthusiasm and bombast, while facing an electorate that has trouble understanding nuance. I feel like Sam Kinison. I just want to shout to the president, Say it! Say IT! But the last few days, as busy as theyve been, should show anyone who isnt in a coma the differences we face in this country between Biden and Trump. If you want to accuse Biden of mediocrity, then fine. Ill listen. However, if you want to argue Trump is a better choice, Ill remind you that on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after getting hit with a partial gag order in the New York criminal case involving his alleged business fraud, Trump lashed out against the one person not covered in the gag order the judge. Hes running for president. Did he talk about Gaza? Yemen? Ukraine? Putin? Nope. Did he discuss the billion dollar implication of the collapse of the bridge in Baltimore or more importantly the six people known to have died? Not a word. No, the man who would be despot was busy attacking Judge Juan Merchan accusing the judge of violating Trumps First Amendment rights while simultaneously attacking the judges daughter. Thats the guy who wants to get another chance at the White House. Meanwhile Biden is dealing with the issues that matter, but cant, for the life of him, communicate his actions effectively enough to prevent people from believing hes suffering from dementia (a question Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took in an interview Tuesday) and that his administration is both criminal and inept. Yeah. I need a break for this important commercial message and a chance to hydrate. A Ukrainian soldier with a service dog was forced to travel for about three hours in the vestibule of a car on an Intercity train. Representatives of Ukrzaliznytsia explained the situation by the company's rules. ADVERTISIMENT The incident was reported on Instagram by volunteer Daria Bronska. The Ukrainian woman said: "I am ashamed that a military man is forced to stand in the vestibule." The volunteer wrote about her outrage to the company's press service. They explained that according to the rules of UZ, animals above 45 cm at the withers cannot travel in Intercity. If it is a compartment car, a carrier is required for smaller animals, and for larger animals, a fully paid compartment and mandatory equipment (leash and muzzle) are required. ADVERTISIMENT UZ agreed that the rules are outdated and work on updating them is ongoing, but it is not easy to do so changes are made to the Cabinet of Ministers, which significantly slows down the process. At the same time, the company is studying the experience of foreigners in this matter. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! (The Hill) President Biden is narrowly ahead of former President Trump in a new national poll, but the survey found Trump benefits from the inclusion of independent and third-party candidates. A Quinnipiac University poll, released Wednesday, found Biden polling at 48 percent and Trump at 45 percent in a head-to-head matchup between the major party presumptive nominees. Those figures reflect a small change from February, when the same poll had Biden ahead of Trump 49-45 percent. But the poll underscores the threat to Biden from third-party spoiler candidates. When the question is expanded to include independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and third-party candidates Jill Stein and Cornel West, Trump barely pulls ahead of Biden, 39-38. Kennedy Jr. polls at 13 percent, with Stein at 4 percent and West at 3 percent, per the survey. Way too close to call on the head-to-head and even closer when third party candidates are counted, Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said. The backstretch is months away and this is about as close as it can get. The poll surveyed 1,407 registered voters nationwide from March 21-25 and has a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points. The results reflect the latest indicator that Trump and Biden are likely headed for a close general election race. A new poll of battleground states released Tuesday showed Biden closing the gap on Trump, and even pulling ahead in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that his running mate would be attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan, who could both provide a funding lift and aid with the candidates efforts to get on the ballot in states that require a running mate. The move prompted some backlash from Democrats, who accused Kennedy of ceding to the GOP by continuing to run against Biden. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Bidens campaign is looking to raise big money in the Big Apple on Thursday, pulling out all the stops for a major fundraiser that will reunite him with former Presidents Obama and Clinton, as well as a bevy of celebrities. The star-studded night comes as the Biden campaign looks to bring in a massive haul before the close of the quarter to further cement his fundraising lead over former President Trump. It also serves as a preview of the kinds of names Biden will rely on to help generate enthusiasm among Democratic voters in Novembers election. The event is expected to draw more than 5,000 supporters and raise more than $25 million, the campaign said. Democrats are unified and energized behind President Bidens reelection campaign and that will be on full display this Thursday in New York City, Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement. Donald Trump has no juice heading into the general: huge chunks of Republican primary voters have made clear they have no interest in voting for him this November, Republican leaders like his own vice president are openly opposing him, and even if Trump wanted to reach them (he does not!), he has no cash or energy to do so, Munoz continued. Elections are won by putting in the work to assemble a broad, diverse coalition and Joe Biden is doing just that. Thursdays fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall will mark the rare instance where Biden, Obama and Clinton are together in the same room. It will also underscore the difference between the support among prominent Democrats for Biden and the reluctance among former GOP presidential and vice presidential nominees, including former President George W. Bush, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and former Vice President Dick Cheney, to support Trump. The event was spearheaded by Biden campaign co-Chair Jeffrey Katzenberg, finance Chair Rufus Gifford, Biden Victory Fund finance Chair Chris Korge and Anna Wintour, a campaign official said. Among the prominent guests expected to attend are Mindy Kaling, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele. Late-night host Stephen Colbert will moderate a conversation with Biden, Obama and Clinton. Certain guests will have a chance for a photo with the three presidents taken by Annie Leibovitz, and Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez will moderate a virtual conversation with the three leaders. We understand the importance of the three of them being together. This is going to be an important event, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. These are presidents that believe in what were trying to do. Thursday nights event, paired with strong fundraising numbers after Bidens State of the Union address, could lead to an eye-popping sum raised by the campaign during the first quarter of the year. It would allow the Biden campaign to invest heavily in advertising and on-the-ground resources in battleground states at a time when the Trump campaign has lagged behind. Election filings showed Trumps campaign entered March with about $42 million in cash on hand, compared to the Biden campaigns $155 million in cash on hand entering March. Trumps campaign sought to fundraise itself off of the Biden fundraiser, emailing supporters Wednesday about the event featuring Biden, Obama, Clinton and Trump-Hating talk show host Stephen Colbert. I want Obama to be CRYING but that wont happen unless EVERYONE chips in!!! the fundraising plea read. Polling published in recent days has also shown Biden chipping away at Trumps lead, particularly in the key battleground states that are likely to decide the election. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll published Tuesday showed Biden pulling ahead of Trump by 1 point in Wisconsin, with the two candidates tied in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The same poll found Trump ahead in Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina, though Biden had winnowed the margin. A Quinnipiac University survey published Wednesday found Biden polling at 48 percent and Trump at 45 percent in a head-to-head match-up between the major party presumptive nominees. Those figures reflect a small change from February, when the same poll had Biden ahead of Trump, 49 percent to 45 percent. Strategists on both sides of the aisle have been adamant that Novembers race will be closely contested regardless of what polls show with more than seven months until Election Day. But Democrats believe Biden has put himself in a strong position through his impressive fundraising and his frequent public appearances in recent weeks. There is no doubt that Biden had a strong State of the Union, and more than anything, it underscored to voters that he has the energy and acuity to run an aggressive campaign, said Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at left-center think tank Third Way. But beyond that speech, what has happened is the contest is actually being waged, he added. Biden is appearing in swing states and touting accomplishments and contrasting himself with Trump both on substance and values. Voters are only now being reminded of the chaos of the four Trump years. And Biden has a better positive to tell and a better negative story to tell about Trump. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Joe Biden is in the Big Apple Thursday for a campaign fundraiser with two former presidents and a lineup of celebrities. Meanwhile former president Donald Trump isnt far off, attending a police officers funeral in Long Island. President Biden is hosting a star-studded fundraiser in New York City that includes two former presidents, Clinton and Obama. I think there are a lot of Democrats who was to see President Obama involved, said Johanna Maska, former Obama staffer. Former Obama staffer and NewsNation contributor, Johanna Maska, says her old boss is ready to do some serious campaigning for Biden to help draw in more voters. I think they see each other as having different audiences, very important audiences, said Maska. Thousands bought tickets for the Radio City event. They cost between $225 and $500,000. The guests will see musical performances and a conversation between Biden, Obama and Clinton, moderated by Stephen Colbert. It all adds to the presidents already hefty campaign war chest. The Biden campaign is surging. Theyre outraising Trump, said Peter Loge, Director of School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University. Peter Loge, with George Washington University, says Donald Trumps campaign is short on cash and cant afford big rallies anymore, so Trumps frequent court appearances have become campaign events, but Trump is finding other ways to connect with his base. Trumps event with the slain officer is a terrific message event, said Loge. Trump was in New York for the wake of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed during a traffic stop. Reminding people, theyre afraid of crime and hes the one standing with cops, said Loge. Trump stopped to talk to the cameras after the wake. What happened is such a sad, sad event. Its such a horrible thing. And its happening all too often, said Trump. The White House says President Biden spoke to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and gave his condolences on the death of the officer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The White House is escalating a labor dispute at a major mine in central Mexico, an action backed by powerful labor unions, but it could have a devastating effect on workers and the economy. The United States Trade Representative (USTR), which is housed in the White House, is pursuing the case by leveraging a little-used tool in the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM), is a provision that allows the government to take enforcement action against factories if they fail to comply with domestic freedom of association and collective bargaining laws. As part of its effort, the USTR successfully convened the first-ever RRM tribunal to review concerns brought by labor officials in the U.S. and Mexico. "This announcement upholds the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to creating a more level playing field for workers to feel empowered and using every enforcement tool at our disposal to safeguard workers rights," U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said after her office filed its initial motion to convene the RRM tribunal. BIDEN ADMIN SCRUBS WEBPAGE SHOWING HOW TAXPAYERS FUND UNION ACTIVITIES U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testifies during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing March 24, 2023. However, the process has faced considerable pushback from the Mexican government, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the owner of the mine, Grupo Mexico, which has argued the U.S. government doesn't have jurisdiction in the dispute. Critics have also warned the process, which is expected to conclude with a ruling as early as Friday, has lacked transparency. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The case dates back more than a decade and a half when, in 2007, the powerful Mexican miners' union Los Mineros went on strike at Grupo Mexico's San Martin mine in Sombrerete, Zacatecas, which produces a high quantity of Mexico's lead, zinc and copper supplies. The strike was related, in part, to safety conditions at the site. According to legal filings reviewed by Fox News Digital, the San Martin mine reopened 11 years later, in 2018, when the mine's operator struck a deal with Los Trabajadores Coaligados, a coalition of workers that voted to return to work and end the strike. In June 2023, the Mexican Conciliation and Arbitration Board, a government panel, confirmed in a ruling that the strike was over and San Martin could operate as normal. REPUBLICANS WARN BIDEN ADMIN'S FOREIGN FARM WORKER RULE IS 'GIVEAWAY TO BIG LABOR' Still, that same month, USTR invoked the USMCA's RRM and requested the Mexican government review whether workers at the mine were being denied their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The request was in response to a petition filed by Los Mineros alongside the AFL-CIO and the United Steel Workers (USW). On Aug. 22, 2023, despite Mexico's assertion that the case was outside the scope of the USMCA, USTR formally requested the first-ever RRM tribunal. President Biden speaks at the AFL-CIO Quadrennial Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia June 14, 2022. "USTR should have never brought this RRLM case because it is jurisdictionally defective, and there has been no denial of rights at the mine," said Jonathan Stoel, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, which represents the San Martin mine. "The RRLM process since the June 2023 petition has been conducted unfairly by the U.S. government and has been rife with procedural violations. "The U.S. governments own documents that were made public as a result of our FOIA request revealed that USTR rejected a similar petition containing the same facts in 2020 and confirmed that this petition is more about politics than alleged labor violations." BIDEN ADMIN SLOW-WALKING GAS PIPELINE SUPPORTED BY LABOR UNIONS THAT WOULD EXPAND ENERGY ACCESS Those documents, reviewed by Fox News Digital, show USTR officials in the Trump administration expressed skepticism about invoking the RRM in the case. The revelation came in an October 2020 memo sent to then-U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. In filings submitted to the RRM tribunal convened by the U.S. last year, the San Martin mine has echoed some of those same concerns, arguing its facility falls outside the USMCA's jurisdiction since its products are not exported to the U.S. and that the labor dispute predates the signing of the trade agreement. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., takes her seat during a House Oversight Committee hearing in 2019. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W. Va., a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, penned a letter to Tai in late January, saying the RRM process has a limited scope and warning against abusing the provision. "Once again, Joe Biden is failing to promote fair trade or prioritize U.S. trade interests," Miller told Fox News Digital in a written statement. "The Biden administration's choice to use RRM to reopen already settled labor disputes that have no impact on American industry demonstrates a lack of seriousness in their trade agenda." SOME GEORGIA WORKERS WOULD FIND IT HARDER TO BECOME UNION MEMBERS UNDER A NEW BILL And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the worlds largest business federation, filed a brief in the case, saying it was concerned about the broader implications of a North American nation invoking the RRM in the future. Biden has repeatedly declared himself the most pro-union president since taking office. "The U.S. governments pursuit of this case violates a central principal upon which the U.S. legal system was built. The principle is that laws do not have retroactive effect unless the lawmakers expressly specify otherwise," the chamber's November brief stated. "The facts upon which the U.S. government relies to support its case involving the San Martin mine occurred before the USMCA was negotiated, prior to the USMCAs passage by the U.S. Congress, and prior to its entry into force." Overall, the case, which may ultimately lead to the forcible closure of the San Martin mine, could have a major impact on the local economy in Sombrerete and Mexico's economy at large. The mine employs about 1,000 workers and, last year, the mine produced more than 1.4 million tons of lead, zinc, copper and silver, key minerals for a wide variety of technologies and products, according to financial filings. And it could further benefit Los Mineros General-Secretary Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, who is facing criminal charges and was ordered by a Mexican court to pay $54 million in an alleged embezzlement scheme, Mexico Business News previously reported. One of Los Mineros' demands to end the San Martin strike was for the Mexican federal government to drop its charges against Urrutia. The USTR, AFL-CIO, USW and Los Mineros didn't respond to requests for comment for this story. Original article source: Biden White House quietly intervening in international labor dispute over legal objections The National Endowment for the Arts is taking action to get more people to read. Books compete with technology for our attention, so the public is invited to join The Big Read in Charlotte where everyone is encouraged to read the same book. Big Read: Nationwide reading initiative kicks off The Gantt Center in Uptown Charlotte is hosting five months of free events sponsored by the NEA to help the community better understand ourselves and each other through the power of a shared reading experience, organizers said. We hope these programs will reach out to people to get them engaged, said Barbara Evans, with The Big Read Charlotte. It may be a panel discussion, arts, or music. So we try to come at them through a variety of perspectives to highlight the literature. The chosen book is Homegoing by Yaa Gyassi. The author is coming to Charlotte at the end of June. Click here for more information. DENVER (KDVR) Should Colorado ban seclusion rooms used to isolate schoolchildren? The debate is underway after a whistleblower triggered a Denver police investigation into administrators using a so-called incarceration room at McAuliffe International School last year. A Black student had reportedly been locked inside alone, against district policy. Home values are appreciating fastest in these Colorado cities Now, one lawmaker is trying to ban seclusion rooms altogether. A bill heard in committee Wednesday evening has support from community members, but support among state lawmakers remains to be seen. If this bill about secluding and banning seclusion is a question, who are we? MiDian Holmes, CEO of Epitome of Black Excellence Partnership, said ahead of the bills hearing in the House Education committee. An anonymous staff member sent this photo to Denver Public School Board of Education VP Auon'Tai Anderson claiming it shows a barrel lock on a door allegedly used as an 'incarceration room' at McAuliffe Middle School. Community organizations advocating for students, especially students of color and those with disabilities, stood in support of the bill, calling for a ban on student seclusion in public and charter schools in Colorado. My thanks extends to the Honorable Auontai M. Anderson. It was at his request that I spearheaded this bill following the unsettling discovery of what was described by staff as an incarceration room within Denver Public Schools, said state Rep. Regina English, bill sponsor. If the bill passes as written, the rooms would become a thing of the past in Colorado. Just to be clear, my bill is to ban the use of seclusion rooms. Seclusion is clearly defined in the bill as students being left alone, locked in a room and they have no way out, English said. Under the proposal, if a student needs to be secluded, an adult would have to be with them. School seclusion room ban lacks more sponsors Though community members are supportive, English is the lone sponsor of the measure. She said she is willing to make changes to get more backing. Im definitely open to amendments, English said ahead of the committee hearing. We are definitely having more conversation around this particular piece of legislation because we all know as bills move forward to second reading, amendments happen on the floor all the time. So yes, I am open to that, and Ive been having a lot of conversations with my colleagues and we all want whats best for students. Where 3 winning Colorado lottery tickets were sold Other bills looking to improve the way these rooms are used in Colorado have passed in recent years. Supporters said they want this bill to make it onto the floor for debate. After three hours of committee debate on Wednesday, no vote was taken on the measure. Instead, the bill was laid over for action only. It will be taken up when the committee reconvenes at a later date. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. BALTIMORE With less than two weeks left before they adjourn for the year, the Maryland General Assembly has continued its work in the face of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But, for some lawmakers, it tinges the remainder of the legislating to be done and their role as elected officials. Sen. Charles Sydnor, a Black Democrat from Baltimore County, stood on the Senate floor at the end of Thursdays session, addressing his dismay at the racism and politicization of the bridges destruction that has flooded social media since Tuesday. From behind their keyboards, some people have blamed the accident that left one individual unscathed, one severely injured, two confirmed dead and four presumed dead on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Among the innumerable posts, Sydnor pointed to Utah Republican state representative and gubernatorial hopeful Phil Lyman, who wrote on X that the bridges collapse is the result of governors who prioritize diversity over the well-being and security of citizens, and at an unnamed Republican congressional candidate in Florida who stated that DEI did this. People have attacked Black Port of Baltimore commissioners for an alleged lack of knowledge, and declared Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott a DEI mayor, Sydnor said. In a Tuesday appearance on MSNBCs The ReidOut, Scott, a Democrat, said that people who use the term DEI in a negative light dont have the courage to say the N-word, and re-appropriated the term to mean duly elected incumbent. Scott, who is rounding out his first term as mayor, is campaigning to be reelected in 2024. To falsely equate diversity with a lack of knowledge and our Blackness with incompetence is simply a lie, Sydnor said. It does not matter to some of these people that the aforementioned were duly appointed or duly elected. Why? Because many of these folks dont believe that me and my colleagues should hold the offices we hold, or even should be voting in the first place. Before he sat, the senator took an exasperated breath and quoted the text included in an 1837 wood carving of a slave in chains. Am I not a man and a brother? he asked. ------- A fourth chocolate -- "blond" -- has been slowly making inroads into French confectionary, but has failed to win official recognition and faces competition from a pink Swiss variety. Blond choccy was born from an accident. French pastry chef Frederic Bau was demonstrating his skills at an exhibition in Japan, and left his white chocolate warming a little too long in a bain-marie... four days, to be precise. "By chance, by magic... it became blond! This chocolate appeared with an incredible colour and smell", recalls Bau, who is creative director for chocolatier Valrhona. Bau immediately smelled the commercial potential of this happy blunder, but it took seven years of testing to perfect its unique aromatic qualities and consistency. The recipe remains a secret but has been officially registered by Valrhona, and is sold under the name Dulcey since 2012. However, the basic chemistry is well-understood. It is the "Maillard reaction", a sequence of chemical reactions between amino acids and reducing sugars, causing browning and aromas that are close to toasting. To taste, blond chocolate has the milky fattiness of white chocolate but is much less sweet, with a soft caramel flavour and an aftertaste of roasted coffee. French pastry chefs tend to snub white chocolate, associating it with the big slabs they gobbled as children. But blond opens up new possibilities. "It's very different from other chocolates. It gives a very biscuity, very delicious taste," Nice-based pastry chef Philippe Tayac told AFP, who combines it with hazelnuts for a tartlet. Bau combines it as a pure fondant dessert with freshly roasted apples and a Tahitian vanilla cream, and he also recommends "breaking it up" with more distinct fruity combinations, such as citrus or red fruit. - Swiss competition - Despite efforts, Valrhona has not managed to convince French lawmakers to reopen its legal definitions. So blond remains formally just another type of white chocolate, which was the last to be legally recognised -- after dark and milk chocolate -- after its invention in the 1930s by Switzerland's Nestle. And France's Alpine neighbours are not waiting to be beaten to the punch on a fourth variety. Valrhona's key competitor in the world of professional-grade chocolate, Swiss giant Barry Callebaut, launched a marketing campaign in 2017 for its own fourth type: this one bright pink and derived from Ruby cocoa beans grown in Ecuador, Brazil and Ivory Coast. Barry Callebaut calls its Ruby chocolate "the biggest innovation in chocolate in 80 years". The company was diplomatic when asked about the rivalry by AFP, saying in a statement: "The best chocolate in the world is the one that gives you a moment of indulgence -- no matter where it was produced and no matter the colour." dar/may/er/yad Throughout the 20th century to the present, the American right has embraced authoritarian and other anti-democratic values both here and abroad. Domestically, this has taken the form of suppressing the labor movement, the civil rights movement(s), and other attempts to create a real social democracy in the United States. The American right has also long-admired and supported foreign authoritarians and autocrats, including fascists such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. In the Age of Trump, todays Republican Party and the larger right-wing and conservative movement are in thrall to a corrupt ex-president who attempted a coup on Jan. 6, 2021, and is now promising to be a dictator on day one if he defeats President Biden and takes over the White House in 2025. Donald Trump is a political entrepreneur and megalomaniac who is responding to his followers wants and wishes: Public opinion polls have repeatedly shown that a plurality if not an outright majority of Republicans and Trump MAGA people are hostile to multiracial pluralistic democracy and want a strongman (or outright fascist) leader to ensure and protect White (Christian) domination and power over American society. Jacob Heilbrunn is the editor of the National Interest and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. He is the author of the new book "America Last: The Rights Century-Long Romance with Foreign Dictators." His previous books include "They Knew They Were Right: The Rise of the Neocons." In this wide-ranging conversation, Heilbrunn reflects on how the mainstream news media is failing to properly explain how the rise of Trumpism and American neofascism is part of a global antidemocracy movement. He also highlights how Donald Trump and the Republican Partys open admiration of such authoritarians and political thugs as Vladimir Putin is a continuation of much older patterns of behavior by the American right and conservatives. Heilbrunn explains how Donald Trump and other Republican leaders are modeling their assault on American democracy from lessons learned abroad. At the end of this conversation, Heilbrunn warns that Vladimir Putin and other enemies of American democracy see Donald Trump and the Republican Party as vessels to undermine the United States. This is the first of a two-part conversation. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length: Looking at America today, and the many crises at home and abroad, how are you feeling? How are you navigating and making sense of these years? I have a fairly phlegmatic temperament, but my Spider-Sense has been tingling ever since Donald Trump declared in December 2015 that he was calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering America. That declaration signaled to me that he was no ordinary candidate but something out of Philip Roths dystopian novel "The Plot Against America." As it turned out, he was plotting against Americawith the not-inconsiderable help of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Now its deja vu all over again, as he solicits the return of Paul Manafort to his 2024 campaign. My unease has been fortified by my family historymy father traveled from Germany via Italy to America in May 1940 as a six-year-old by himself. Restrictive American immigration policies meant that his parents remained trapped behind in the Third Reich. Ive read up on German history for much of my life as well as spent a good deal of time in the former West and East Germany before reunification took place. The many parallels between the Weimar era and contemporary Americacorruption of the judiciary, threats of political violence, glorification of the strongmanare difficult to oversee. As an expert, what do you see in terms of the country and the world, through your critical lenses? How is that helping you to better understand what is happening? What I see is nothing good. I dont think it requires any special expertise to see that American conservatism, if it even deserves that title, has allowed the barrier between the mainstream and the radical right to erode. The American right has embraced its worst, and most durable, traditions: nativism and isolationism. Most of the commentariat and mainstream media types are generalists with little content expertise or rigorous academic training in the topics and subjects they are opining about. In terms of the global democracy crisis and related problems, can you highlight several examples of the conventional wisdom and mainstream narrative that trouble you the most? The press doesnt want to state the obvious. The New York Times recently wrote that Mark Robinson, the GOP candidate for Governor in North Carolina, is widely seen as holding anti-Semitic views. Actually, he does. Hes denied the Holocaust. Why cant the Times say so? Another example: In a piece on Florida judge Aileen Cannon, the Times referred to some of her strange decisions without ever mentioning the obvious: Shes deliberately stalling the advent of a trial to protect Trump before the election takes place. Another fairly obvious problem is the herd mentality of the press. Until President Biden came out firing at the State of the Union, the media largely regurgitated the right-wing line that he was senescent. Yet it was plain as day that Biden has been making the big decisions all along, whether it was pulling out of Afghanistanagainst the advice of his foreign policy teamor insisting that America continue to assist Ukraine. Americas democracy crisis is part of a larger antidemocratic tide around the world. The mainstream news media rarely connects those dots. Trumpism and American neofascism is part of a much larger global movement. It isnt just that Trump is part of a larger movement, but that it is actively working to support him. Even as Orban bellyaches about Washington trying to promote regime change in Budapest, he himself is meddling in American politics, endorsing Trump for a new term and proclaiming that only he can bring peace to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Putin is clearly banking on a Trump victory that would seal his victory over Kyiv and usher in a new world order based on tyranny. To some degree, the media has been cowed by the so-called Russia hoax, which was none at all. The New York Times fell hook, line and sinker for former Attorney General William Barrs contorted reading of the Mueller Report, which he claimed exonerated Trump. The reverse was the truth. There is all this shock and amazement from the mainstream news media when Donald Trump and others in the Republican Party praise and fawn over dictators and autocrats, as though it is new. In terms of the American rights admiration of dictators and other enemies of democracy, how much of this is old? How much is new? Donald Trump has invented nothing. Instead, this carnival barker has repackaged old hatreds from the past. In 1920 Lothrop Stoddard, a popularizer of eugenics, wrote a best-seller called The Rising Tide of Color, which claimed that the West (Great Britain, Europe and America) had committed a kind of race suicide during World War I. Now a rising tide of color threatened to submerge it. Slot in the Great Replacement and you have a perfect analogue. The 1920s also saw denunciations of Jewish bankers for enmeshing America in World War I and the suppression of schoolbooks that were seen as excessively pro-British. What of the American Nazi Party and the Bund during World War II? The admiration of Mussolini by the American right? Mussolini was admired for a variety of reasons, including his emphasis on family values during the 1920s, when American conservatives complained that the roaring 20s represented moral decadence and flabbiness. In 1927 Mussolini gave a major speech to the Italian Chamber of Deputies in which he declared that it was high time that the birthrate shoot up and that he was prepared to institute a special tax on bachelors who refused to man up, as it were. President Warren Hardings former ambassador to Rome, Richard Washburn Child, was elated, penning numerous pieces about the return of moral virtues to Italy in contrast to America. In America, conservatives such as William Randolph Hearst and George Sylvester Viereck agitated on behalf of Hitler. Nazi Germany was seen as a redoubt of stern masculinity. Charles Lindbergh, who feared a rising tide of color, became the foremost proponent of America First, alleging that Great Britain was doomed to defeat against Nazi Germany. For Lindbergh and others, it was Bolshevism, not Nazism, that constituted the real threat. Even after World War II, leading conservatives continued to maintain that Roosevelt got it wrong: in allying with Winston Churchill, Roosevelt simply allowed Joseph Stalin to conquer Eastern Europe and transform the Soviet Union into an empire. Where do mainstream conservatives such as William F. Buckley and institutions such as The National Review fit into this story? The extent to which they were mainstream is hotly contested among historians, and with good reason. William F. Buckley, Jr. was a passionate follower of Lindbergh and America First as a lad. The sprawling Buckley clan reviled Roosevelt and opposed entry into World War II. Stalin was the real foe. In the postwar era, Buckleys self-appointed mission was to sanitize, or at least mainstream, conservatism, one that he more or less succeeded at fulfilling. But there was always a remnant, to use the beloved conservative term, that wanted to cling to older doctrines. Revilo P. Oliver, a virulent anti-Semite who ended up being evicted from the John Birch Society because he went too far even for it; Joseph Sobran, who complained about efforts to diabolize Hitler; and Patrick J. Buchanan, who revived the America First credo after the end of the Cold War were all stalwart contributors to NR, as it was known by its fans. Then there was the New York businessman Merwin K. Hart, whose career has been extensively chronicled by the historian David Austin Walsh. Hart was a rabid anti-Semite and a champion of the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. He saw liberals as an internal, subversive enemy that needed to be stamped out. He and Buckley maintained close ties throughout the 1950s. Their aspiration was to create a conservative counter-establishment that could target the communists and the liberalswho, incidentally, were often seen as one and the same. In their book McCarthy and His Enemies, Buckley and his brother-in-law, L. Brent Bozell, Jr., declared that the great challenge facing the right was How to get by our disintegrated ruling elite, which had no stomach for battle, and get down to the business of fighting the enemy in our midst. To the degree this can be separated or disentangled, how much of the American rights idolization of political strongmen and other autocrats is ideological? How much is a function of the authoritarian personality and the aesthetic and performance of power, where compromise and being progressive and liberal is viewed by many on the right as being inherently feminine and weak and by comparison the right believes that it is strong? It's the Colonel Blimp phenomenon. One of William F. Buckley, Jrs favorite words of opprobrium was etiolated liberals. His description of General Augusto Pinochet speaks volumes: His portrait is now seen in every government office: standing erect, big-chested, penetrating eyes, the faintest glimmer of suspicion thereregal, is another way to put it. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Trump puts it even more baldly. In speaking with Playboy in 1990, he denounced Mikhail Gorbachev for failing to exercise a firm enough hand to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union and praised the Chinese leadership for crushing dissent at Tiananmen Square. As Trump saw it, they knew what they were about"they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength. Our country is right now perceived as weak. There you have itthe doxology that Trump has been preaching decade after decade. The American right admired (and continues to) Pinochet and other murderous Latin and South American dictators. Authoritarians who disappeared people and murdered leftists are praised across the right-wing news propaganda media. Trump and other Republican fascists are publicly and openly threatening murder and violence against their enemies." Chile and Argentina were also considered models of the free market economics and destruction of social democracy that the American right wants to fully impose on this country. It helps radicalize the already converted who form the shock troops of the Trump brigade. The right perceives itself as the victim of an omnipresent liberal establishment, which is intent on suppressing it. Hence the dramaturgy during Trumps recent rally in Dayton, Ohio surrounding January 6Trumps version of Horst Wessel, the member of the brownshirts who was converted into a martyr by the Nazis after his murder in 1930 by German communists in Berlin. But I cant help wondering if the mounting radicalism of Trump and his adherents is a sign of weakness rather than strength, at least electorally. When you saw Donald Trump praising and embracing Hungarys autocratic leader Viktor Orban, what does that signal to and portend? What do Orban, Putin and other such malign actors see when they look at Trump and today's Republican Party and "conservative" movement? They see a political party (and by extension, country) that is ripe for the plucking. Trump cannot be accused of credulity when it comes to Hungary because he has always had a soft spot for dictators. Hungary provides a blueprint for a Trump autocracysmash the civil service, upend the judiciary, gerrymander elections, award media outlets to your business cronies. This isnt the outright dictatorship of Putin with people being tossed out of windows but something more insidious. Until recently, I thought what the 18th-century historian Edward Gibbon referred to as the subtle tyrant would be the model for Trump. But his recent, vitriolic language about vermin and a bloodbath suggests that hes veering more toward the Putin model. Boeing needs a 'strong engineering lead' to clean up the fallout from its latest crisis, airline CEO says Emirates president Tim Clark said the only "fix" to Boeing's problems is to let an engineer lead the firm. Experts say Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, who announced plans to resign on Monday, had a background in finance and business. Calhoun's predecessor, Dennis Muilenburg, was an engineer but was also fired after a Max crisis. Emirates president Tim Clark spoke up about the future of Boeing's leadership on Wednesday, saying the only way to clean up this mess is to put engineers at the helm. "To fix Boeing's issues the company needs a strong engineering lead as its head coupled to a governance model which prioritizes safety and quality," he told CNBC. He noted that the International Association of Machinists, a labor union representing some 32,000 Boeing employees, "wants a seat on the board." Clark said this would allow those on the factory floor to be "part and parcel of the decision process" and "fully integrated into the governance model's risk management strategies." Clark's comments come after Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced his resignation from the planemaker on Monday, effective year-end. Boeing chair, Larry Kellner, will not run for reelection, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal will also be stepping down, the company said. Thirty-year company veteran Stephanie Pope has replaced Deal as the company's first female head. Some experts say 'an outsider is critical' As Boeing looks for a new CEO, some experts have commented similarly, suggesting the planemaker should hire an engineer as its next CEO. "I think the next Boeing CEO needs to have a very strong background in aeronautical engineering, aircraft design, and manufacturing," travel analyst Henry Harteveldt told Business Insider. "It's not just enough to bring in someone who understands corporate finance or business strategy." Founder and managing member of the investment firm Capital Cruisers, Keith Rosenbloom, told Forbes that Boeing may want to search for its next CEO beyond its walls. "This is an important first step," he said. "But make no mistake, this is going to be a process that must take solid execution to find a rockstar CEO. I would think that an outsider is critical." Stephanie Pope was the COO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes before being appointed CEO on Monday. Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images Boeing declined to comment for this story. Muilenburg could not be reached. The departures are the fallout of yet another Max-related crisis at Boeing after an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 lost its door plug midair in January, prompting an intense investigation into the company's safety culture and quality control. Experts told CNBC that part of the downfall of Boeing was keeping engineers out of top positions and pointed to Deal as the only person among Boeing's senior management with an engineering background. Aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia told Business Insider that much of Calhoun's background is in business and private equity, with little experience as an aerospace executive. He said a management shake-up could make a "huge difference" if the incoming CEO has a technical background in engineering and can make independent decisions. Boeing did have a CEO with an engineering background before Calhoun was appointed. However, he was fired after a separate Max-related crisis in which two crashes of a different variant, the Max 8, killed a combined 346 people. The accidents were the first in the string of Max-related debacles at Boeing that eventually saw Calhoun out the door, too. Boeing's former CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, stepped down after two 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people in total. Jim Young-Pool/Getty Images "Whether, yet again, this changing of the guard will resolve Boeing's issues, only time will tell, but time, unfortunately, is not on their side," Clark told CNBC. "I would suggest that some serious lateral thinking kicks in as soon as possible." Read the original article on Business Insider President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson had a phone conversation on March 28. The Head of State spoke about the situation on the battlefield and emphasized that the prompt adoption of aid for Ukraine by the Congress was critically important. ADVERTISIMENT Zelenskyy announced this on his official Telegram channel. "I had a phone conversation with Speaker of the House of Representatives Johnson. I thanked him personally, both parties, the American people, and President Biden for their vital support for Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion," the post reads. The President added that he had informed his interlocutor about the situation on the battlefield, in particular about the rapid intensification of Russian air terror. Last week alone, Ukrainian cities and communities were hit by 190 missiles, 140 Shaheds, and 700 aircraft bombs. Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant is out of commission, Zelenskyy said. ADVERTISIMENT "In this situation, the rapid adoption of aid for Ukraine by the Congress is critically important. We realize that there are different positions in the House of Representatives on how to do this, but the main thing is that the issue of assistance to Ukraine remains a factor of unification," the head of state said. According to Zelenskyy, the parties also discussed the need to cut off the sources from which Russia finances its war as soon as possible and to use the frozen assets of the Russian Federation for the benefit of Ukraine. "In this, we also count on the leadership of the Congress," the President of Ukraine said. FILE PHOTO: Boeing employees and executives attend the delivery of the final 747 jet in Everett FILE PHOTO: Boeing employees and executives attend the delivery of the final 747 jet in Everett By Tim Hepher, Allison Lampert and David Shepardson (Reuters) - It took 80 days. But for the airline industry, enough was enough. A revolt by U.S. airline bosses helped topple Boeing's top leadership including CEO Dave Calhoun this week, capping weeks of pressure after the freakish Jan. 5 blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 passenger jet, people familiar with the discussions said. With the company's major U.S. customers agitating for a boardroom meeting without Calhoun, Boeing's board pre-empted their demands with a major upheaval. Now, after the shakeup that took out the CEO, chairman and head of Boeing's commercial airplanes business, airlines face prolonged uncertainty over jet supplies and are calling for deeper changes - starting with picking a manufacturing heavyweight as CEO. "It wouldn't surprise me that people said, 'What exactly is the Boeing strategy to change this, not put a Band-Aid on it,' former Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu told Reuters. "Theres a point at which you cannot pretend that everything is fine. And I think this has been the call to action that you probably heard from the airline community. Boeing said it had nothing to add to comments from Calhoun, who told employees on Monday that he had been considering stepping down as CEO for some time. He added that the company would "fix what isn't working, and we are going to get our company back on the track towards recovery and stability." The Jan. 5 incident plunged Boeing into a new crisis five years after the second of two fatal crashes grounded the MAX. Regulators began curbing Boeing's already lagging production. Airlines strained to adapt their schedules to the ongoing delays that meant fewer planes available for delivery. Boeing struggled to convince customers it would be able to overcome the heavy scrutiny, particularly following safety board reports that focused on weaknesses in the production chain. The catalyzing moment was last week, when CEOs of major U.S. MAX customers Southwest, United, Alaska and American demanded to meet the board to express frustration at a lack of progress, sources said. Boeing Chairman Larry Kellner offered to set up bilateral meetings instead. But over the weekend, Boeing's board pre-empted that action - agreeing to staggered departures of Calhoun, Kellner and planemaking CEO Stan Deal, whose post went to chief operating officer Stephanie Pope. A senior industry source described the shakeup as Boeing management being "fired by its customers." Insiders noted it was the broadest top-level clear-out since CEO Phil Condit resigned days after the company's finance director was fired in a defense-contract scandal in 2003. "The U.S. carriers were determined to force regime change," said a source familiar with the discussions. 'OFF THE STAGE' Some said Calhoun, who claimed the move was his decision, jumped before he was pushed, agreeing to leave by year-end. But pressure from the industry and regulators had been growing for weeks, and boiled over when more loose bolts were found in late January. United CEO Scott Kirby announced it would no longer wait for the delayed MAX 10, Boeing's best hope of countering Airbus' hot-selling A321neo in the busiest part of the market. "The Max 9 grounding is probably the straw that broke the camel's back for us," Kirby told CNBC. Kirby promptly flew to France to start talks with Airbus, with Boeing's rival hoping to win a 200-plane deal. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, who is said to have played a particularly active role in pressuring Boeing, told NBC: "It makes me angry. Boeing is better than this." Such conversations more typically take place in private. Industry unity had cracked after the MAX groundings that followed crashes in 2018 and 2019 led to lawsuits over delays. But the intensity of this month's intervention astonished boardroom observers and demonstrated the fragile confidence in Boeing's once-sure grip on safety and reliability issues. "The dynamic between supplier and customer in the case of Boeing has gone beyond extremes anyone has seen," said independent aviation adviser Dick Forsberg, who helped found one of the largest aircraft leasing firms, Dublin-based Avolon. Another person familiar with the talks said major U.S. airlines - apart from Delta, which publicly stayed out of the fray - had resolved to get Boeing leaders "off the stage." The plan gathered speed at an Airlines for America meeting this month, sources told Reuters, confirming a report on the coordinated airline action by The Air Current. During the meeting, the CEOs met privately with U.S. National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy. After she departed, the CEOs including Kirby said it was time to seek a meeting with the Boeing board, the sources said. CARRIER COUP While airline bosses went public, the powerful leasing firms who own half the world fleet waded in more discreetly. At an annual Dublin summit in January, lessors publicly backed Calhoun but delegates were critical in private and predicted it would be weeks before Calhoun was ousted. A notable exception was budget airline Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who defended Calhoun while taking aim at the Boeing division in Seattle where the 737 is built. Crisis experts acknowledge that under Calhoun, Boeing abandoned the unpopular, legalistic tone it adopted after earlier MAX crashes, publicly admitting to mistakes. That said, he repeatedly insisted that the current management would usher through the "profound changes" demanded by U.S. regulators. As the dust settles, experts say the carrier coup will be studied for years. "The commercial aviation base rebelled. I cant think of when thats ever happened," said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Lester Crown Professor in management practice at Yale School of Management. "Its career-ending if all of your customers said they dont have confidence in you, and wanted to go to your superiors," he said, adding such collective action was rare in any industry. Boeing is not alone in facing post-pandemic disruption. Airbus is delaying deliveries due to missing parts and insiders say the volume of quality reports is above target. Engine firm Pratt & Whitney has had a slew of publicized problems. But airlines say the slump in morale and high turnover in Boeing factories since the pandemic have cast a pall over the production and planning process that will take years to fix. Airlines insist planes are safe after the earlier MAX crashes led to cockpit changes and a worldwide increase in oversight. But with some passengers now researching plane models before buying tickets, airlines say more needs to be done to reassure the public. "What is needed here is indeed someone who has a strong engineering background, who has the patience, the interest, and the disposition to get into the details of what goes on on the manufacturing floor," Rovinescu said of the next Boeing CEO. (Reporting By Tim Hepher in Paris, Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepardson in Washington; additional reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago and David Gaffen in New York; writing by David Gaffen and Tim Hepher; Editing by Nick Zieminski) (Bloomberg) -- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros defense told the Supreme Court that is illogical to suspect him of having sought political asylum with Hungary when there is no adequate reason for him to be arrested in his home country. Most Read from Bloomberg His lawyers told the court on Wednesday that Bolsonaro has been highly collaborative with the investigations against him, making a preventive detention order improbable, according to a copy of the letter seen by Bloomberg. The document was a reply to Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who asked Bolsonaro to explain his actions after the New York Times reported that he spent two nights at the Hungarian embassy in February after federal police seized his passport. That led to speculation that he might be seeking to avoid arrest amid an investigation into whether he and his allies attempted a coup after his 2022 election defeat. The lawyers also said that Bolsonaro has an agenda of political commitments, national and international, which remains extremely active, including in relation to foreign leaders with a conservative stance. Bolsonaro is an ally of conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who voiced support for him in February, when police executed 33 warrants against suspects who allegedly tried to overturn the narrow victory of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the 2022 presidential election. The former president maintains close dialogue with his Hungarian allies to deal with international policy and strategic issues of interest to conservatives, read the document filed by his lawyers. Read more: Bolsonaro Targeted as Police Ensnares Alleged Coup Plotters Jurists are split on whether Bolsonaros stay at the embassy would be grounds for the court to decree pretrial prison. In 2021, Moraes jailed a former congressman who had sought political asylum in embassies, saying that this indicated a possible attempt to evade justice. Later Wednesday, Moraes gave the attorney generals office five days to take a stand on the information provided by Bolsonaro, the supreme court said in a statement. Only after the ruling, Justice will analyze the case. Vienna Convention The 1963 Vienna Convention says that foreign embassies are inviolable. So police could not enter the embassy to arrest him if he were there. On Monday, Bolsonaros lawyers confirmed that he had visited the embassy but denied it was related to the investigation. A spokesperson for Hungarys Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the ministry didnt have anything to add beyond what President Bolsonaro has already said. Read More: Bolsonaro Targeted as Police Ensnares Alleged Coup Plotters Bolsonaro is facing several probes, and police last week recommended criminal charges over allegations that he ordered forged Covid-19 vaccine records. He is also under investigation for allegedly trying to bring $3 million worth of jewelry gifted to him by the government of Saudi Arabia into the country without declaring the items to customs agents. (Adds Moraes request of attorney generals office in eighth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro testifies on the January 8 riots, in Brasilia By Lisandra Paraguassu and Pedro Fonseca BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro told Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday he had no reason to have sought asylum at the Hungarian embassy, after the court summoned him to explain why he stayed at the diplomatic compound for two nights in February. Leaked video and satellite video first published in the New York Times on Monday showed Bolsonaro entering the embassy on Feb. 12 and leaving on Feb. 14, just four days after his passport had been seized in an investigation into an alleged military coup plot. The ex right-wing leader told the court he was not afraid of being arrested and stood by the explanation that he spent two nights at the embassy to maintain good political relations with Hungary. Staying at an embassy would mean authorities could not arrest a politician like Bolsonaro. Justice Moraes on Monday gave Bolsonaro 48 hours to explain his actions to the Supreme Court. Bolsonaro's electronically filed response mentioned that he had been subject to precautionary measures a few days earlier, including the seizing of his passport and a ban on leaving the country. The defense also claims that Bolsonaro has responded to all requests from the courts, has a fixed address, a public agenda and has not left Brazil without communicating or requesting authorization. The Attorney General's Office has five days to respond to Bolsonaro's explanation for visiting the embassy and then Moraes will rule on the matter. Brazilian police are investigating the incident, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. On Feb. 8, police had seized Bolsonaro's passport and accused him of editing a draft decree to overturn the results of the 2022 election, pressing military chiefs to join a coup, and planning to jail Moraes. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a nationalist who has been in power for 14 years, is a political ally of the far-right Bolsonaro. The Hungarian embassy in Brasilia did not reply to a Reuters request for comment. Since leaving power, Bolsonaro has maintained close relations with Orban, whom he called his "brother" during a 2022 visit to Budapest. The two met this year during the inauguration of Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei. Last year a Brazilian court ruled that Bolsonaro is ineligible for political office until 2030 for spreading electoral misinformation during the 2022 election. He is also facing potential criminal charges for fraud related to his COVID-19 vaccination card. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Pedro Fonseca; Writing by Steven Grattan; Editing by Michael Perry) Alfrida Bryant says she was driving her 2023 Kia K5. MORE: Hyundais and Kias still targeted by car thieves in Charlotte I hear a bang, she told Action 9s Jason Stoogenke. It basically sounded like an explosion, like a bomb went off, and then it kind of shook the car. She says when she finally had a chance to look, she realized the rear seat coming up. She believes the gas tank -- which is under the backseat -- expanded for some reason. So much so, it made the seat pop up. John Laukaitis also owns a 2023 K5. Heard a huge bang in the car, boom, like an explosion, he said. The sound was so loud it shook my car. I could feel it in my chest. He says the dealership couldnt find anything wrong with it at first. He says he drove off the lot, started hearing more strange sounds, saw his entire backseat coming off too, and took the car back to the shop. Told me that apparently the fuel tank had swelled along with the fuel pump and blew and thats ultimately what that explosion was, he said. Then theres Brittany Kelley and her 2022 K5. She says her children were in the backseat and that her dealer told her, Your gas tank expanded and youre lucky you made it here safely. Your car is no longer safe to drive. She says the dealer later sent her an email, saying its shop foreman believes that the PCV valve failed due to a defect of the gas tank. The tank expanded and caused the PCV valve to lock shut. ALSO READ: Millions of Hyundai, Kia drivers not taking necessary steps to prevent theft, Carfax report says The dealer also wrote a message to Kia, saying it found damage under the seat and the fuel pump cover bent. All three vehicles were fairly new. But to be fair, the owners say they did have their share of miles. Bryant told Stoogenke hers had roughly 85,000, which she admits is a lot for a car only about a year old. Ive been to the beach, Ive been to New Jersey, Ive been to Florida, Ive been to the Canadian border, Ive been everywhere, she said. Kelley says hers had about 72,000. Laukaitis says his had around 48,000. I just hope ultimately Kia does the right thing by me and by their customers, Laukaitis said. I still love Kia and I still may even get into Kia, but I want that car. I paid for that car for a reason, Bryant said. Stoogenke exchanged emails with Kia about this issue. He was still waiting for an official statement for this report. In the meantime, the company offered to buy back or replace two of the vehicles so far. Hes seeing what it decides about the third. If this happens to you: - File a complaint with NHTSA - If you spend any money on repairs, keep the receipts in case youre able to get money back later - Tell the dealer, Kia -Contact Action 9 (WATCH BELOW: $1K in items stolen from University City business after stolen Kia drives into it) ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN) An Enterprise man accused of raping a mentally incapacitated teen has been denied the chance to bond out of the Coffee County Jail. Pablo Mendoza was arrested on Monday and charged with rape in the first degree after police alleged in a court complaint he raped a 14-year-old girl on Monday, February 20. Mendoza was held in the Coffee County Jail until an Aniahs Law Hearing on Wednesday, during which Judge Joshua Wilson denied Mendozas bond. Sheriff Scott Byrd told WDHN that Mendoza is in the United States illegally, and once his case is eventually over in Alabama, he would be deported back to his home country. In an arrest document filed Tuesday, investigators said the girl could not consent due to her being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated. Mendozas arrest caught the attention of Alabamas lawmakers, such as Senator Tommy Tuberville, who released a statement on X, and Enterprise native Congressman Barry Moore. both of whom called out President Biden and Americas border security. My prayers are with this young girl and her family. Thanks to Bidens reprehensible open border policies, every town is a border town, including mine, said Moore. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Boom Supersonic just flew its test jet for the first time as it races to build the world's new speediest airliner meet 'baby boom' Colorado aerospace company Boom Supersonic flew its XB-1 demonstrator for the first time on Friday. Nicknamed the "baby boom," the jet tests technologies for Boom's future Mach 1.7 Overture airliner. The speedy Overture is set to enter service in 2030 and has already earned orders from airlines. Colorado aerospace company Boom Supersonic wants to bring back the era of the Concorde a beloved faster-than-sound passenger jet that flew for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2003. Boom's vision of the next supersonic airliner is a Mach 1.7 plane called the Overture, and the company just flew its first prototype on Friday. Nicknamed the "baby boom," the XB-1 demonstrator is the "foundation" for the futuristic Overture. Boom says it uses the experimental plane to prove innovative technologies key to safe and efficient supersonic flight. Here's a closer look at the small but mighty baby boom. Baby boom took a 12-minute flight across the Mojave Desert, paving the way toward the "revival of mainstream supersonic travel." Behind the XB-1 are retired jetliners in the Mojave Desert's aircraft graveyard, like the blue KLM Boeing 747. Boom Supersonic In November, Boom Supersonic announced the XB-1 was gearing up for its first flight and that the company had received its necessary experimental airworthiness certificate from federal regulators to operate the test jet. Ahead of the flight tests, XB-1 went through a series of ground assessments, including evaluating subsystems, medium-speed taxing testing, and upgrading its engines and landing gear, the company said. Boom said the XB-1's first flight "fully" met all of its objectives. The XB-1 on the day of its inaugural flight. Boom Supersonic "Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947," Boom founder and CEO Blake Scholl wrote in a press release. "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," he continued. According to the company, the XB-1 took off from the Mojave Air & Space Port and achieved a 7,120-foot altitude and speeds of up to 273 mph. According to Boom, the landing gear was left deployed for safety. Boom Supersonic Boom said the envelope for range, speed, and altitude expands over time and several phases of testing, and its XB-1 inaugural represents just a fraction of what the Overture will be built to fly. According to Boom, its future faster-than-sound plane is expected to bolt at speeds of up to Mach 1.7, or about 1,300 mph, and cruise at up to 60,000 feet meaning the plane could connect New York City and London in as little as three and a half hours. The California airfield has hosted several historic airplanes, including the supersonic Bell X-1 and the up-to-Mach 6 North American X-15. The Bell X-1 on on first powered take-off of the supersonic plane with its four rocket engines on. Bettmann/Getty Images In 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane in the world to fly faster than the speed of sound, soaring over the Mojave Desert, which is designated for special flight use and has a 50-mile supersonic corridor used for Mach speed flight tests over land. Other famous planes that took off from the Mojave include a rocket-powered experimental jet called the North American X-15. According to the Smithsonian, it was the first winged aircraft to fly four, five, and six times the speed of sound. The XB-1 was flown by Boom chief test pilot Bill Doc Shoemaker, who flew F-18 military jets for 21 years and has experience in test flying. Boom chief test pilot Bill "Doc" Shoemaker in the cockpit of the XB-1. Boom Supersonic Before Boom, Shoemaker helmed the first flight of the Block II Super Hornet military jet and piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing prototypes. "Everyone on the XB-1 team should be incredibly proud of this achievement," Shoemaker said on Friday. "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." Alongside the XB-1 was a chaser plane called the T-38, piloted by Tristan Geppetto Brandenburg and responsible for monitoring the flight. Brandenburg got a pretty incredible flight show from the T-38, according to footage of the XB-1 inaugural posted on Boom's YouTube channel. Boom Supersonic According to Boom, Brandenburg is a United States Naval Test Pilot School graduate and a TOPGUN Adversary. Brandenburg and Shoemaker completed hundreds of training hours in flight simulators for both the XB-1 and the T-38 chaser before taking the controls in test flights. To ensure safety, the XB-1 underwent rigorous ground and taxi tests before its maiden flight. The metal shell of the baby boom's airframe. Boom Supersonic According to Boom, ground monitoring of the mission comes from a control room full of engineers and other staff. "The control room engineers are the same ones who designed the aircraft systems and have been operating as a team for every single ground test event conducted over the last two years," Boom said. Boom listed several key technologies being tested on XB-1, like a new type of pilot display and a fuselage that can withstand Mach speeds. The augmented reality vision system relies on two nose-mounted cameras to feed a display with attitude and flight indications to the cockpit. Boom Supersonic The "augmented reality vision system" involves two cameras mounted on the nose that enable "excellent runway visibility" for the pilots. According to Boom, this can improve aerodynamic efficiency and negate the need for Overture to have Concorde's famous movable nose which lowered to reduce drag and give the pilots better visibility. Meanwhile, Boom said XB-1 also tests strong but lightweight carbon composite materials, supersonic intakes that slow Mach speed air to subsonic speeds, and "digitally-optimized aerodynamics" that improve supersonic efficiency. The handling of XB-1, including airspeed checks with the T-38 and its landing stability at a high angle of attack, was also evaluated. The XB-1's high angle of attack landing. Boom Supersonic The landing was complicated, but Boom said pilot Shoemaker used the augmented reality system and the help of a "landing signal officer" positioned on the side of the runway to safely land the XB-1 demonstrator. Powering the jet were three General Electric J85 engines that produce up to a combined 12,300 pounds of thrust, but these won't be on Overture. The XB-1's three GE J85 engines. Boom Supersonic Although Boom secured GE as the powerplant supplier for its XB-1 demonstrator, the company struggled to find a major engine maker like Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and CFM International to help build its supersonic Overture engine. Instead, Boom is building its own engine for Overture called the Symphony. It is expected to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. Boom's Symphony engine. Pete Syme/Business Insider GE's 3D printing division, GE Additive, will provide Boom with "additive manufacturing design consulting and technology" to help create a lightweight and fuel-efficient design for Symphony. Aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt told Business Insider in 2022, when Boom couldn't find an engine supplier, that building an in-house engine would be challenging but could prove lucrative should Boom sell the design. The XB-1 airframe is also different. Parallel to building XB-1, Boom redesigned the Overture's fuselage and wings and added another engine. The redesigned Overture with full wings and four engines. Boom Supersonic The baby boom has three engines, while Overture will have four engines mounted on the wings. Both the XB-1 and Overture are designed with gull wings, which increase safety and decrease engine strain, costs, and noise, according to Boom. The long-awaited inaugural of XB-1 comes 21 years after the Concorde retired, inching closer to the re-creation of civil supersonic air travel. The supersonic intakes on XB-1 that will decrease Mach speed air to subsonic. Boom Supersonic People today still rave about the time when one could fly to London in less time than it takes to cross Manhattan during rush-hour traffic. The fastest-recorded flight of the Concorde was in February 1996 when a British Airways flight from New York to London crossed the Atlantic in 2 hours 52 minutes 59 seconds. Boom has already garnered attention for its new Overture from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Rendering of a United Airlines Overture jet. Boom Supersonic The trio of global carriers have ordered and pre-ordered a collective 130 Overture aircraft. American has ordered 20 in a deal worth $4 billion at list price, with options for 40 more. Meanwhile, United has ordered 15 Overture worth $3 billion at list price, with options for 35 more. JAL has invested $10 million in Overture and has the option to buy 20 in a preorder agreement. The $200 million jet is expected to carry up to 80 people in an all-business-class configuration, but tickets won't be cheap. Example of a business class cabin on an Overture. Boom Supersonic Similar to the Concorde, the Overture will sport only business class seats. However, this high-luxury product is likely to be expensive, given the high operating costs of a supersonic plane. Boom, to its credit, is trying to reduce the operating cost of the Overture effectively decreasing airfare. One potential cost-cutting strategy is the use of carbon composite materials. Boom Supersonic Cost-cutting tactics include implementing systems that improve aerodynamic efficiency, using lightweight materials, and building its Symphony engine with additive parts that will decrease assembly expenses, among other strategies. "You'll be able to fly Overture for a quarter the price of a Concorde ticket, or about the same price you'd pay in business class today, Scholl said back in 2019, according to Simple Flying. "That's the most important thing." He repeated this to Simple Flying again in 2022, reiterating Overture tickets would be 75% cheaper than the Concorde and be "within reach for tens of millions of passengers on day one." In addition to its use as a passenger jet, Boom is working to create versions of the Overture for military and government use. The XB-1 on the runway during earlier testing days. Boom Supersonic Boom said it's working with American aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman for Overture's military and government applications. Overture wouldn't be the first faster-than-sound plane to land such a lucrative contract. Hermeus has signed deals with the US government for its Mach 5 plane. Hermeus The US government signed multi-million deals with hypersonic planemaker Hermeus, which is developing a jet that can go Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound far beyond what Boom is building. Read the original article on Business Insider Polish protesters have temporarily suspended the blockade of the Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv crossing on the Polish-Ukrainian border in both directions, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said on March 28, citing information from the Polish side. Polish farmers began blocking trucks at several border crossings in February in protest of Ukrainian agricultural imports and the EU's Green Deal. "Passage of this transport category (trucks) is carried out in the usual mode. Some 120 trucks are waiting to cross the border at this checkpoint," the Border Guard Service said around 1 p.m. local time. The fluent movement of trucks is expected to last until April 2. As of the morning of March 28, 370 trucks were waiting in line at the border crossings of Yahodin-Dorohusk, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv, Ukrinform reported. The ongoing blockade has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protestors spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal arrived in Poland on March 28 to discuss the issue of the agricultural trade and the border with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk. The two officials agreed to search for "mutually satisfactory solutions," such as a verification and control system for trade in agricultural goods. Read also: Ukraine, Poland ready to conclude agreement on joint border control Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: President of Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Milorad Dodik speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in Banja Luka By Daria Sito-Sucic SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik said on Thursday that Serbs would block the work of Bosnia's national government unless election laws imposed by an international envoy are annulled and Western ambassadors expelled from the country. Bosnia's peace overseer, Christian Schmidt, on Tuesday imposed changes to the election law to ensure its integrity through technical improvements after the country's rival ethnic leaders failed to agree on election reform. Bosnian Serb officials do not recognise Schmidt as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying the former German government minister was not endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. They have warned that they will not accept his decision and will instead pass their own election law. Under the Dayton peace accords which ended the Balkan country's war in the 1990s that killed about 100,000 people, Bosnia was split into two autonomous regions - the Serb-dominated Serb Republic and the Federation shared by Bosniaks and Croats. The High Representative is seen as the ultimate interpreter of the peace accords and has powers to impose laws or sack officials seen as obstructing the peace. Dodik, a pro-Russian nationalist who was sanctioned by the United States and Britain for obstructing the terms of the peace deal, said that unless Schmidt's decision is annulled within a seven-day period, and declared void by the national parliament, Serb deputies will boycott its work. It would not be the first time Serb deputies have blocked decision-making in the national government but Bosnia is now hoping to pass reforms needed to open accession negotiations with the European Union following an invitation by EU leaders. Addressing an emergency session of the Serb Republic's assembly, Dodik said the national parliament should pass election laws and declare itself the only law-making institution, banning the implementation of Schmidt's law. Ambassadors of the U.S., Britain and Germany, as well as Schmidt, should be declared enemies of Bosnia and expelled from the country, Dodik said, warning that unless his demands are met, his ruling SNSD party will break its partnership with its current partners in the government and block its work. He also urged the regional parliament to immediately pass a draft election law under which institutions of the Serb Republic would conduct polls in the region by themselves. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Timothy Heritage) A Dorchester charter school was dismissed early on Thursday due to threats of violence after school, according to authorities. A spokesperson for the Neighborhood House Charter School (NHCS) said the high school was let out at 12:40 p.m. due to social media chatter regarding fighting incidents that have taken place at Shawmut MBTA Station. Dismissal proceeded calmly and without incident. School officials say this was a proactive measure made out of an abundance of caution and that there have been no incidents of violence on the NHCS campus. A school spokesperson also said most of the violent incidents involved students and youths from the broader community. Boston Police, Transit Police, as well as school administrators, are working collaboratively to address the issues at Shawmut. No further information was immediately available. 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 A loss of federal funds, a drop in enrollment, and an increase in costs for things like busing, made this a tough vote for many members on the Boston School Committee. The school committee passed a budget for the fiscal year 2025 of more than $1.5 billion. According to the Boston Globe, 70% of Boston Public Schools will lose staffing, including cuts to music and the arts. A school department spokesperson tells Boston 25 that much of the budget difficulty comes from the end of ESSER funds Elementary and secondary school emergency relief money funded by the feds for Covid relief. Boston received some $400 million in funds spread over four years and that has now run out. But the City did step up with an $81 million infusion to bolster the budget. That money will go toward general maintenance and inclusive education. The other glaring issue is a drop in student enrollment. There has been a 15% drop over the last decade. COVID exacerbated the problem now totaling some 8,000 students. And since funding is based on the total number of students if, that number drops so does the funding. Boston School Superintendent Mary Skipper said the focus will be on funding student services, with 94% of the budget allocated directly to helping students. Many of the cuts will be figured out now that the budget has passed among them cuts to library services are expected. 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 Ukrainian prisoners of war handed over to Hungary by Russia in June 2023 were released by the occupiers under certain conditions. The prisoners were allegedly found to have Hungarian roots, which the men definitely do not have. ADVERTISIMENT The released men are not only citizens of Ukraine but also consider themselves Ukrainians and speak Ukrainian, DW writes. They have only now told the details of the exchange and named the condition of their release. It is a ban on returning to Ukraine. Two men (conditionally Ivan and Andriy they asked not to disclose details that could identify them) from Zakarpattia joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the spring of 2022. They fought in the Luhansk region and were captured in June 2022. The occupiers called Andriy's mother and told her that her son was in captivity, but Ivan's family had not received any news. The men tell little and sparingly about their captivity. They were "periodically beaten" (interestingly, according to the men, only Ukrainian collaborators worked there), fed barley and "prison balanda," but "just to keep a person alive." Ivan lost ten kilograms in almost a year in captivity, and Andriy lost almost 30 kilograms. ADVERTISIMENT Having gathered a group of 11 prisoners of war who were originally from Zakarpattia, the Russians transported them to Moscow. There, they were interrogated by FSB representatives, who informed them that the prisoners would be released but taken to Hungary instead of Ukraine. According to Ivan and Andriy, only one of the 11 Transcarpathians is of Hungarian descent: "But I was told: either you say you are Hungarian in the right way, or you don't know if you will be taken back." In June, the prisoners of war were transferred to Istanbul, and from there to Budapest. There they were met by a Hungarian representative who did not identify himself. The Ukrainians were not guarded or restricted in their movements but were asked not to walk around the city until they received refugee status. In addition, the men were allowed to call their families and invite them to visit. However, the Hungarian representatives put forward a condition for the former prisoners not to return to Ukraine until the end of the war. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA, the first news about the transfer of Ukrainian prisoners of war was published by the Russian Orthodox Church: the transfer of prisoners allegedly took place "with the mediation of the Russian Orthodox Church within the framework of inter-church cooperation at the request of the Hungarian side." After that, Russian priests reported that they were preparing to release another group of prisoners, but this never happened. The Ukrainian government was not informed about the negotiations between the Hungarian and Russian sides on the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, this was done in the political interests of pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Despite the Hungarian condition, five of the 11 Ukrainian soldiers decided to return home. Among them was the only soldier of Hungarian origin. The Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest provided them with documents and a diplomatic car to escort them across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. ADVERTISIMENT Upon returning to Ukraine, the men were sent to rehabilitation centers. But only two of them were reinstated in service after treatment and rest. The third is still being treated in a psychiatric hospital. The fourth died of pneumonia. However, the fifth prisoner returned to the front. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Boston University administrators recommended that faculty members use generative AI tools in classrooms due to the BU Graduate Workers Union strike. In an email sent to faculty members on Wednesday that was seen by The Daily Beast, the BU Dean of Arts & Sciences Stan Sclaroff provided recommendations for staff to manage course discussion sections and labs that are impacted by the BUGWU strike. Given the disciplinary and pedagogical breadth across the College, there are a wide-range of approaches that can be taken, Sclaroff wrote. We know that one size does not fit all. However, in the hope that they can be useful and serve as inspiration for brainstorming, we have provided below some general guidance and examples of approaches that could be utilized during this time. While most suggestions were tame, such as assigning readings and combining discussion sections, Sclaroff also listed some creative ways in which, we have heard, some faculty are adapting their course formats and using technology to serve their students. This included a recommendation that they, Engage generative AI tools to give feedback or facilitate discussion on readings or assignments. The email has been met with widespread criticism among faculty and BUGWU members alike. The BUGWU responded to a post on X about the AI recommendation saying, Yikes! Pretty telling of how little BU values our labor! Yikes! Pretty telling of how little BU values our labor! https://t.co/N3VuMZu7ge BUGWU IS ON STRIKE (@gradworkersofBU) March 28, 2024 For some bewildering reason, they decided to throw in an extremely non-conventional and ultimately self-damaging suggestion that we just use ChatGPT to do the work, said a faculty member who spoke with The Daily Beast on the condition of anonymity. Its honestly pretty shocking. The faculty member added that BUs administration's recommendation came as a surprise largely because most discussions surrounding generative AI in classrooms are about how the school can prevent our students from irresponsibly using generative AI in class and assigned work. Its demoralizing, for sure, the faculty member said. They later added, You have critical, interesting, and accomplished professors who are, like me, baffled by this belief that you can just deliver a quality, higher education experience through the punch of a button. Is the University of Michigan Is Selling Student Data to Train AI? The total cost of attendance at Boston University is currently $90,207 for the 2024/2025 academic year, according to the BU website. A press release from the union noted that grad student workers are paid stipends that range between $27,000 to $40,000 per year. Meanwhile, the living wage for Boston is roughly $62,000 per year. The BUGWU, which is a part of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 509 and represents roughly 3,000 graduate student workers, began its strike on Monday following failed contract negotiations with the school two weeks ago. The union is calling for better health care coverage, childcare subsidies, and higher pay. BUs conduct continues to signal that they do not value the contributions of the workers that keep this university running, SEIU Local 509 president David Foley said in a statement. BU and the BUGWU did not respond when reached for comment. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. It was 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. With hopes of earning a degree in public health, Karly Hudson applied for more than 100 scholarships. Some required 1,000 to 2,000-word essay responses to even be considered. She never heard back from any of them. "You pour your heart out for this essay to hope to get a thousand-dollar scholarship, and you're just ghosted," she said. Karly Hudson, a Melbourne resident, graduated from University of South Florida in 2021. She credits the scholarships she received as an undergraduate as playing a key role in helping her get to where she is today: attending Cooley Law School in Tampa. It's not unusual. While a university may offer scholarships, students often need to be accepted before they can be considered. Scholarships from outside sources often require essay responses and may get hundreds to thousands of applicants, generally with no real response ever sent to those not chosen to receive funds. These opportunities outside of a college or university can be hugely helpful, said James Almasi, Florida Techs director of financial aid. But they can also be extremely time-consuming. "They take a lot of work," Almasi said. "It's sort of like a part-time job, applying for these things." So what are some of the ways students can try for scholarships? That depends on many factors. Many chosen based on merit, though other factors considered Hudson, a Melbourne resident, considers herself lucky: Though she didn't get scholarships from the numerous places she applied, University of South Florida, now her alma mater, awarded her a scholarship. It was a scholarship based on merit, meaning the school took Hudson's high school grade-point average, SAT scores and other factors into consideration before awarding her a certain amount of money. Eastern Florida State Colleges offers multiple types of scholarships to students through Eastern Florida State College Foundation. Dispute at school board meeting: 'You are all opening a Pandora's box': Confusion reigns over new Brevard schools vaccine policy AI in schools: Artificial intelligence: How are technology advances being used in Brevard classrooms? It's not an unusual kind of scholarship to get. Students looking into the Space Coast's various local postsecondary education opportunities whether that be at a private institution like Florida Tech, or a two-year college like Eastern Florida State College, or University of Central Florida have opportunities to earn scholarships based on their grades and testing scores. Most students accepted at Florida Tech qualify for a partial scholarship, Almasi said. That amount may vary based on their SAT or ACT scores, as well as their high school GPAs. "If you're admitted, you'll tend to get something," he said. "The better performer you are, the more you will get." The true is same for both UCF and Eastern Florida State College students. And those aren't the only types of scholarships available. The Eastern Florida State College Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that helps provide financial support for EFSC students, also offers other types of scholarships, working with sponsors and donors to lay out the parameters of each kind of scholarship. While some may be awarded based on test scores, others are given out based on need, degree programs or to first-generation students. Karly Hudson, a Melbourne resident, graduated from University of South Florida in 2021. She credits the scholarships she received as an undergraduate as playing a key role in helping her get to where she is today: attending Cooley Law School in Tampa. "Donors get to select the criteria and the name of their scholarship," said Tonya Cherry, executive director of the foundation. She added that donors do not select the recipients of scholarships. "We have a few scholarships that want the average student the 2.0, the 3.0 to get the scholarships because they feel like they are the ones that really need it," she said. The likelihood of receiving a scholarship at any of these schools and the amount awarded is highly dependent on how many students apply. "The competitiveness of scholarships is dependent on a variety of factors including the funding source; the funding amount; the scholarship requirements; and the applicant pool," said Karemah Campbell Manselle, interim director of UCF's office of student financial assistance. In-state vs. out-of-state tuition struggles In addition to the scholarship from USF, Hudson also received a partial scholarship from Bright Futures, a program through the state department of education and Florida Lottery that provides funds for eligible students seeking a postsecondary education. The website boasts that the program has helped more than 950,000 students receive a postsecondary education and provides multiple opportunities for students looking to apply for scholarships: the Florida Academic Scholarship, Florida Medallion Scholarship, Gold Seal Cape Scholarship and Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship. All by the GSC scholarship require a certain GPA and a minimum ACT or SAT score, as well as additional criteria like a certain number of service hours or paid work hours. Eastern Florida State College offers multiple types of scholarships to students through the Eastern Florida State College Foundation. While many top-achieving Floridians qualify for Bright Futures, the funds can only go toward in-state schools. Figuring out funding for out-of-state schools can be a challenge. That's what the Cenker family of Rockledge discovered when Gabe Cenker, now a junior at the University of Oklahoma, graduated from high school in May 2021. Cenker hopes to work in radar/meteorology. His career goals played a big role in his college choice and in the price tag that came with it. While he was offered free ride scholarships at Florida State and Embry Riddle, their meteorology programs didn't appeal as much as OUs, which has a top-flight weather center research facility and is located in the center of "Tornado Alley," said mom Jennifer Cenker. Were not well off, but we do have it slightly better than some others, Cenker said. But we are struggling with paying Gabes out of state tuition, and have not found many scholarships for families in the upper lower-class or lower middle-class range. Outside scholarships, grants supplement university scholarships Grants are also a way students can access funding. While Florida Tech's current scholarships are merit-based, they'll offer students a chance to receive the Brevard Boundless Opportunity Grant in the fall of 2024. It's a way to make the university more accessible to local students, Almasi said, with eligible students owing the university no money for tuition and fees. To be eligible, a student must live in Brevard, complete the FAFSA and be federal Pell Grant-eligible, qualify for the Florida Academic Scholarship or the Florida Medallion Scholarship through Bright Futures and apply and be admitted to Florida Tech by May 1. There are also scholarships awarded to individuals of certain races, gender identities or other marginalized experiences. Hudson is currently attending Cooley Law School in Tampa, where she won a scholarship through an ambassador program for diversity, equity and inclusion. It's a dream come true, and something she wouldn't be able to do if she hadn't gotten scholarships during her undergraduate schooling. "I have no debt from undergrad," she said. "So I was like, 'Well, taking out the debt for law school isn't going to be so bad,' because I had all of my undergrad paid for." In a photo from 2020, Gabe Cenker, then 17, is seen moments after opening a letter of acceptance from Penn State. He ultimately chose to study at the University of Oklahoma, impressed by its weather center research facility. As for Gabe Cenker, he won an Award of Excellence Scholarship from the University of Oklahoma, which pays $64,000 spread over the course of four years. Additionally, he was awarded a $1,000 scholarship just this past month in honor of Paul Samaras at the National Storm Chaser Summit. He probably spent half of his Christmas break filling out scholarship applications. I lost track of how many he applied to, Cenker said. He got word that he won that Paul Samaras one, and then got one from the OU Honors College for $2,000 to be used for his summer abroad at Oxford. Scholarships can help prevent life-long debt Scholarships are one way to keep students from incurring massive debt through loans. While President Joe Biden had canceled about $138 billion in federal student loan debt as of this month, according to the U.S. Department of Education, the total federal student loan debt still equals about $1.6 trillion. The Cenkers never in a million years thought it would be so hard to find scholarship money for a young man who is in an honors program and an honors scholars fraternity and currently has a cumulative 3.81GPA. Even with his scholarships, the cost for an undergrad living on campus still comes out to about $53,000 a year. This meant his parents needed to co-sign loans for him. Its worth all the struggle, Jennifer Cenker said, and the search for scholarships continues. I cant imagine the number of kids who are missing out because of the high costs and then not being able to earn a scholarship, Cenker said. So he is lucky in that we will figure out how to cover everything, even if we have to sell our home and downsize or whatever. For many Eastern Florida students, scholarships are the reason they can attend school, Cherry said. Gabe Cenker of Rockledge, now a junior at the University of Oklahoma, is pictured in 2021 surrounded by information from colleges which had accepted him. Cenker, like countless students nationwide, finds applying for scholarships a daunting task. "They all apply for federal financial aid, but not everybody qualifies for that, and even if they do ... tuition and books are not the only cost associated with going to college," she said, adding that many EFSC students have families and may struggle to go to school full-time. "I think that our scholarship program benefits the community at large because it empowers them to pursue their dreams ... to ensure that we are building a community that is successful." Hudson is attending law school with no debt from her undergraduate schooling thanks to the scholarships she received. She felt comfortable taking out loans for law school because of that lack of debt, and because she believed she would receive scholarships once she enrolled. What fees aren't covered by the ambassador program scholarship and the merit-based scholarship she was awarded based on her class rank that covers 40% of her schooling she'll pay back through the federal public service loan forgiveness program. The program forgives the remaining balance on a student's direct loans after they make 120 monthly payments while working in a qualifying job. "I graduate in 2025; I'll be 24," Hudson said. "So what? (I'll be) 34, and I was a public defender for 10 years. All of my loans will be forgiven; I'm debt-free by 34." Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. X: @_finchwalker. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Snaring scholarships is hard: How do Brevard students pay for college? To minimize potential harm to the economy, local state and federal authorities are scrambling to reroute shipments heading to the port of Baltimore. Cary Davis is CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities. He says consumers should not be concerned the price of goods will spike thanks to a resilient post pandemic U.S. supply chain. He says neighboring ports have the capacity to handle the rerouted shipments heading their way. Even though the channel may be closed the landside operations at the port are actually working, says Davis. The Baltimore port is a multibillion-dollar hub for foreign car imports, construction machinery, sugar and is the 2nd largest exporter for American coal. Davis predicts the channel will reopen between 3 to 6 weeks. Scott Cowan, the President of Local 333, International Longshoremens Association in the Port of Baltimore, says that timeline is not fast enough for the thousands post workers reliant on shipments. I need help now, my people need help now, says Cowan. Since the bridge collapse, he says already 2,000 port workers are losing their paychecks and he says the states economy is in even bigger trouble. Maryland loses $109 million a day when the channels close, says Cowan. Shailen Batt, the Federal Highway Administrator, says the Department of Transportation and the state of Maryland are considering providing resources to help workers who lose wages. The financial wellbeing of workers is top of mind for the Biden Administration for the Moore administration, says Batt. Batt says because there is an ongoing investigation and recovery operation it remains unclear when the port will reopen. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The MV Dali, a 984-foot, 100,000-ton cargo ship, rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge when leaving Baltimore harbor on March 26, 2024, causing a portion of the bridge to collapse. In an interview, University of Michigan civil engineer Sherif El-Tawil explained how often ships collide with bridges, what can be done to protect bridges from collisions, and how a similar disaster in Florida in 1980 just three years after the Key bridge opened changed the way bridges are built. This is not the first time a ship has taken out a bridge. Whats the history of ship-bridge collisions? This is an extremely rare event. To my knowledge, there are about 40 or so recorded events in the past 65 years that involved similar type of damage to a bridge caused by a ship. So they seem to occur on average about once every one and a half to two years around the world. When you consider that there are millions of bridges around the world and most of them cross waterways you can imagine how rare this is. The most influential case was the 1980 Sunshine Skyway Bridge collision in Florida, which prompted the federal government to take action in terms of developing guidelines for designing bridges for ship collision. By the early 1990s the provisions were developed and incorporated into the bridge design code, the AASHTO specifications. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials produces the design code every bridge in the United States must conform to. What was different about the Sunshine Skyway Bridge disaster from previous bridge collisions? There were casualties. The fact that a crash could bring down a bridge, just like in the Baltimore situation, prompted the concern: Can we do something about it? And that something was those specifications that came out and eventually became incorporated in the national design document. What those specifications say is that you either design the bridge for the impact force that a ship can deliver or you must protect the bridge against that impact force. So you must have a protective system. Thats why I was surprised that this bridge did not have a protective system, some type of barrier, around it. I have not examined the structural plans of this bridge. All I could see is the pictures that were published online, but protective systems would be very visible and recognizable if they were there. What is currently mandated for new bridge construction, and is it sufficient to handle todays massive cargo ships? I estimate, based on the published speed and weight of the MV Dali, that the impact force was in the range of 30 million pounds. This is a massive force, and you need a massive structure to withstand that kind of force. But it is doable if you have a huge pier. That might dictate the design of the bridge and what it could look like. Most likely it could not be a truss bridge. It may be a cable stay bridge that has a very large tower that is capable of taking that load. If you cannot design for that load, then you have to consider other alternatives. And thats what the specifications say. Theyre very clear about this. And those alternatives could be to build an island around the pier or a rock wall, or put dolphins standalone structures set in the riverbed adjacent to it, or put on fenders that absorb the energy so the ship doesnt come in so fast. All of these are ways you can mitigate the impact. Engineers design structures and bridges are no exception for a certain probability of failure, because if we didnt, the cost would be prohibitive. Theoretically, you could build a structure that would never fail, but youd have to put infinite money into it. For a critical bridge of this type, we would consider an acceptable chance for failure to be 1 in 10,000 years. Based on published information, I tried to compute what the probability of this event would be, and it turns out to be 1 in 100,000 years or so. The ship made a beeline directly to the pier that was vulnerable. It was just shocking to see such a rare event unfold. The authority of the bridge must have considered protecting it, and the low probability of this occurring must have played a role in whether they would invest or not in protective measures. Because any type of construction in water or on water is very expensive. Is it feasible to protect older bridges? I think so. For some of them it might be lower tech like the island idea. And it could use maybe rocks or concrete components that would prevent the ship from reaching the pier at all. It was a massive ship with a flared bow. The lower part of the ship, which extends beyond the bow, I believe struck the foundation system, but the bow reached the pier. The pier was like an A shape, so the bow snapped one side of the A. The other side could not support the weight of the bridge and so the whole thing collapsed. If somebody kicks your feet from underneath you, youre just going to fall. Thats exactly what happened. How many bridges are vulnerable to ship collisions? I dont know the number, but I know that bridges that are in this category, that are long span, major bridges like this, are probably less than 0.1% of the bridges in the U.S. And some of them do not necessarily cross waterways, so thats a subset that is an even lower percentage. So its a rare event occurring to a rare kind of bridge. Are cargo ships getting larger, and is that a consideration for protecting bridges? I expect so because there is an economy of scale. Bigger ships would be cheaper for transporting goods. But I cannot envision that the designer of this bridge 50 years ago or so would have thought that a ship this size could impact the bridge. Im sure they would have taken steps to address that. It just didnt cross their mind. If this bridge had been designed to the current specifications, I believe it would have survived. There are two reasons a ship would deliver this kind of force: Its moving too fast or its too heavy. And those two factors are taken into consideration in the impact force for which we design. So if we are taking those explicitly into consideration, then a bigger ship, yes, its a bigger force, and we would design for that. But lets go forward another 50 years and imagine you have a much larger ship that comes into being. At that time, bridges will have been designed for smaller ships, and you have the same problem all over again. Its hard to predict how big these things will go. You can design for current ships, but as they evolve, its hard to predict many years into the future. Are there other takeaways from this disaster? The loss of this bridge, beyond the tragic loss of life, is going to be felt for many months if not years. Its not a straightforward process to replace a bridge of this magnitude, of this span distance. Its something that will require a lot of planning and a lot of resources to come back again to where we were before. 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: Sherif El-Tawil, University of Michigan Read more: Sherif El-Tawil receives funding from the National Science Foundation. A British father has died after trying to save his son from a huge storm in Mauritius. The unnamed 49-year-old was swept away to sea after disappearing beneath the waves at Pomponette Lagoon on the southern coast of the island. It is believed he had been trying to save his 15-year-old son, who managed to clamber to shore despite the large waves. The father was last seen on Saturday, according to his son, while searches surrounding the tropical island continued through the weekend. A huge search and rescue operation began at around 10.15am on Saturday, shortly after the pair got into difficulty, with the national coast guard and a police helicopter dispatched to the scene. He had not been found as of Monday afternoon. aaAn FCDO spokesperson confirmed to The Independent on Tuesday that the man had died. We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities, the spokesperson said. The tragedy struck just one day after the man, his partner and his son arrived in Mauritius last Friday. They had been due to leave on March 30. Weather forecasts showed a large storm approaching Mauritius over the weekend, resulting in larger-than-usual waves in the area. One local weather agency predicted up to three-metre waves on Friday, and a strong swell warning was in force from Sunday into Monday. It comes as a British national has drowned in front of his wife after being swept away by strong currents while swimming off an Indian beach. The 72-year-old man died on Friday evening at the Talpona beach in Canacona, in the western state of Goa, the Times of India reports. Local police said he got carried away by a strong current after going for a swim with his wife. The British Museum has appointed a new director who has previously warned against cultural institutions taking activist positions. Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery, has been chosen to lead the museum, which was thrown into crisis last year when it emerged more than 1,000 gems had been stolen. The scandal led to the departure of former director Dr Hartwig Fischer, who resigned following allegations the museums then leadership had ignored warnings that an insider was selling off artefacts from its collection. Dr Cullinan, 46, recently oversaw a major revamp of the gallery, and his experience in managing the 40 million project made him the ideal candidate to spearhead the museums 10-year masterplan to transform its own spaces. In November last year, he became embroiled in a row about cultural institutions being supported by fossil-fuel funding, a subject that has dogged the British Museum, which has enjoyed controversial sponsorship deals with oil giant BP. It came after he announced a law firm with links to big energy would replace BP as a sponsor at the National Portrait Gallery. Speaking to The Times newspaper, he said: What you dont want to do is start occupying that position of being an activist, because it also puts off other people wanting to support museums. Recommended Nicholas Cullinan is the energetic populist British Museum needs Read more Dr Cullinans appointment comes amid increased pressure on the British Museum both to sever ties with fossil fuel companies and to repatriate contested artefacts, and he will have to manage the ongoing diplomatic row over the Elgin Marbles. George Osborne, chairman of the museum, said: He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesnt take sides, but brings people together and won universal acclaim. We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment. The appointment of the curator and art history expert was approved by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister. Dr Cullinan will take up the post in the summer, relieving interim director Sir Mark Jones, who stepped in to manage the museum following the stolen artefacts scandal. In 2023, it emerged that a senior curator, Dr Peter Higgs, had been sacked over items in the collection allegedly being stolen or damaged. Two of the artefacts that were stolen, a bust of Cupid, left, and a Roman bust of goddess Minerva Around 1,800 artefacts were believed to have been damaged or sold off. It emerged that Dr Ittai Gradel, an antiquities expert, had raised concerns about thefts but these had not been acted on by Dr Fischer or his second-in-command, Dr Jonathan Williams, who stepped back from his duties. The British Museum is suing Dr Higgs, who is accused of selling items on eBay, in an attempt to force him to hand over treasures that may still be in his possession. Dr Cullinan will be tasked with managing a total overhaul and renovation of the museum, which is among the most-visited attractions in the UK. He said: One of the greatest museums in the world, it is an honour to become the next director of the British Museum. I look forward to joining its wonderful and dedicated staff and to work with its hugely impressive board in leading it into a new chapter. This will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be. Dr Cullinan will now have to manage the diplomatic row over the Elgin Marbles Senior government officials are in talks with Mr Osborne regarding the future of the Elgin Marbles, in an effort to agree a deal that will return them to Greece. Greece has long insisted that the 2,500-year-old artworks were stolen by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, and belong in Athens. However, UK law will not allow the objects simply to be given away, and this legal impasse has frustrated campaigns to repatriate other objects including Nigerias effort to reclaim the Benin Bronzes. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The British Museum has appointed the head of the National Portrait Gallery as its new director following a scandal over stolen artefacts. Dr Nicholas Cullinan, who has been praised for overseeing the renovation of the popular national gallery in London, replaces Dr Hartwig Fischer, who resigned after it emerged the British Museum leadership ignored warnings an insider was selling off artefacts from its collection. Dr Fischer was embroiled in a controversy after nearly 2,000 items went missing from the museum, and some were found to have been listed on eBay. A senior curator, Dr Peter Higgs, was dismissed for gross misconduct in relation to the missing items and is currently being sued by the museum. Trustees now hope Dr Cullinan, whose hiring has been approved by prime minister Rishi Sunak, will apply his recent experience managing major renovations to their 10-year plan to update the museum. Dr Cullinan also inherits increasing diplomatic discussions over the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens, where Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the sculptures would be appreciated in their original setting. Dr Nicholas Cullinan said it was an honour to be appointed British Museum director (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Greece has been campaigning for decades for the return of the artefacts, which once adorned the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, with the country claiming they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation. Speaking about his appointment, Dr Cullinan hailed the museum as one of the greatest in the world, and said it was an honour to become its director. He vowed to lead the museum into a new chapter, which will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be. Dr Cullinan said he looks forward to working alongside the museums wonderful and dedicated staff as well as its hugely impressive board. It was revealed in July 2023 that Dr Higgs was dismissed for gross misconduct after more than 1,800 items were found to be missing, stolen or damaged. Lawyers acting on behalf of the London museums trustees say there is compelling evidence that Dr Higgs abused his position of trust between at least July 2009 and January 2018. It is believed that hundreds of the missing items were listed for sale on eBay, using PayPal to facilitate payment. The court heard earlier this month that, to date, 356 stolen items have been returned. Dr Higgs denies the claims and the case is ongoing. George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, said: He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesnt take sides, but brings people together and won universal acclaim. We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment. St. Paul Fire Capt. Brittney Baker is most comfortable when shes teaching students who are becoming EMTs, and when out in the community to talk about fire prevention and health. Shes never wanted to be in the limelight and it hasnt been easy, but she sees the greater good in telling her story. Baker recently made history as the first African-American woman in the St. Paul Fire Department to reach the rank of captain, and the St. Paul City Council honored her Wednesday. People have been approaching Baker, telling her shes made them realize they could also be firefighters. A girl she didnt know came up to Baker at a coffee shop asking, Are you the captain? Baker replied, Im a captain. The girl told Baker she had seen her story online and said, Oh my gosh, congratulations! Baker also has seen comments people have left on news stories along the lines of, Who cares? Shes just a diversity, equity and inclusion hire. Friends tell her not to let it bother her, but she wonders how she can when people arent considering she earned the promotion because of her experience, leadership skills and civil service testing. Its a lot of weight, she said this week. Theres a lot of positivity that comes with it and theres a lot of negativity that we still have to deal with. I just want to do the job, and work hard because Ive always worked hard. From student to teacher Baker grew up in St. Pauls Rondo neighborhood and graduated from Central High School in 2006. She worked at a temp agency, finding other people jobs, and was attending Century College. She wanted to become a pediatric oncology nurse. Bakers sister, Naajidah, died at age 3 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Baker was 8 and the kindness of the medical staff who cared for Naajidah stuck with her. Taking care of people, especially kids theyre the most innocent thing that we have, she said of what drives her. Not just trying to fix their illness, but care for them as a whole. Understanding that youre not just treating the illness, you have to treat the person, too. When a friend told Baker about the St. Paul Fire Departments EMS Academy, she applied in 2012 and was accepted. In its current form, the academy is a tuition-free emergency medical technician certification program for St. Paul or Ramsey County residents. Its designed to have the department better reflect our community, said firefighter/paramedic Kayla Sanchez, one of the lead instructors with Baker. About three weeks into the academy, Bakers father was shot. He survived, and seeing the work of EMTs and paramedics also confirmed to her that this is where I belonged. She hadnt considered becoming a firefighter before the EMS Academy. I saw men that looked like me, I didnt see any women that looked like me, Baker said. To be truthful, I didnt see a whole lot of women to begin with. But during her first ride-along with a fire crew when she was in the EMS Academy, she was paired with three women firefighters and that started opening her eyes. After graduating from the EMS Academy, Baker was hired in 2012 as an EMT for the fire departments Basic Life Support (BLS) division, which responds to less serious medical emergencies than the fire departments paramedics, among other duties. The St. Paul Fire Department handles all emergency medical calls in the city. The BLS division was part-time work at that point (its EMTs are now full-time employees), and along the way Baker worked for Regions Hospital EMS, Mercy Hospitals emergency room, radiology at Regions Hospital and hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. She still teaches EMT, medic and fire medic courses at Century College. Baker became a paramedic in 2015 and was accepted to the St. Paul Fire Department academy in 2018, becoming a firefighter/paramedic that year. She continued taking apprenticeship courses and written exams that are required before a St. Paul firefighter can seek a promotion, and she earned the rank of fire equipment operator. After six months of studying and preparation, she took the test to become a captain. Theres a written portion and practical simulations, during which potential captains are evaluated on being in charge of fire scenes. At the St. Paul Fire Department, a captain is assigned to each fire rig to supervise its staff on each shift. Chief Butch Inks called Baker in February to tell her he was promoting her to captain. She and three other people took on the new rank just over a month ago. Sixteen graduates of St. Pauls EMS Academy, which started in 2009, have gone on to become St. Paul firefighters. Baker is the first graduate of the academy to reach the rank of captain in the St. Paul department. Serves selflessly Baker will be assigned again to a fire station in May, but the departments kept her busy with teaching lately. She doesnt spend much time at her desk at the fire departments headquarters, which is decorated with thank-you cards from children, photos and more. Theres also a large chess piece the queen she keeps on her desk. It was a gift from Sanchez, who graduated the EMS Academy a year after Baker, worked with her in the BLS division and became a firefighter alongside Baker. Sanchez said she saw a quote from Karim Ellis: A king may be the most important piece on the chess board, however, the queen is the most powerful as she performs more moves than any other token. I wanted to give her a chess piece to remind her that she is the most valuable piece on the board, Sanchez said. We support each other. Also on her desk is a photograph of Baker with three other St. Paul Fire Department employees who are women and EMS Academy graduates, and who were among a group of six women who went to Kenya in November to teach EMS and fire-suppression courses to Kenyan firefighters for two weeks. Baker began teaching at the fire departments EMS Academy in 2013, the year after she graduated. Shes now the EMS Academys coordinator and one of three lead instructors. Baker has three children of her own, though we have always said, our students arent students, they become our kids when they are in the class, Sanchez wrote previously about Baker. We do whatever it takes to make sure our students overcome any barrier in front of them to be successful. Brittney takes this motto into every part of her life. She serves selflessly and does whatever it takes to ensure the success of others. This is the inaugural year for St. Paul Public Schools to have an EMS class; students who pass a national exam will be certified as EMTs and they earn nine college credits in the process. Bakers getting ready for the next EMS Academy, which will be for 18- to 24-year-olds. Applications will open in April. Baker is also a student herself. Shes working on a degree in emergency management/homeland security. She hopes to use what shes learning to help sex-trafficking victims because studies have found a high percentage received medical care while being trafficked. Baker said she wants to work on training for EMTs, so we can try to spot some of that. Brittney Baker Day During Wednesdays city council meeting, Bakers oldest child, 15-year-old Naaziah, read a portion of the council resolution recognizing Baker, including a part that said: She is passionate about Not just opening the door, but making sure the door never closes again, through teaching and instruction. City council member Cheniqua Johnson continued reading from the resolution: During Womens History Month, we acknowledge trailblazers and pioneers such as Brittney Baker. The historic all-woman, majority women of color St. Paul City Council congratulates Capt. Brittney Baker as she makes local history as the first Black woman captain in the St. Paul Fire Department, Johnson concluded, and announced it was Brittney Baker Day in the city. Firefighters, Bakers family and friends, and community members erupted in applause. Chief Inks suggested to council members that if they plan a meeting with Baker and its in public, I encourage you to make it longer than the allotted time. He said when hes out and about, most people want to say hi or ask him questions, except when Im with Brittney. They all want to talk to Brittney because shes so well-connected in the community and so devoted to giving back. First women joined SPFD 30-plus years ago The first women became St. Paul firefighters in 1992 and Sue Jacobson made history in 2005 when she became deputy chief. Shes now retired and Deputy Chief Stacy Hohertz is currently the highest-ranked woman in the department. Five women hold the title of captain or higher, according to Hohertz. Brittneys a natural leader, Hohertz said. She is committed to making the community a safe place for everyone. The first African-American woman to be a firefighter in the St. Paul departments history was Toni Terry, who retired as a fire equipment operator. Baker was the second African-American woman firefighter in St. Paul. Shes now president of Firefighters United, the St. Paul chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. There are currently 30 women firefighters, of which five are people of color, and eight women in the BLS division, of which four are people of color, according to Hohertz. Related Articles MIAMI, Okla. Brothers Michael and Tommy Tran entered no-contest pleas in connection with a Fairland marijuana bust and received deferred sentences. Both men appeared before Special Judge Becky Baird on Wednesday for their preliminary hearings on illegal drug charges. Prosecutors Stephanie Tadajewski and Brian Bracher dismissed charges and amended charges which allowed the men to plead no contest to furnishing false or omitting material information on marijuana grow applications. Michael and Tommy Tran believed they were operating their businesses legally on the legal advice of their attorney, said Eddie Wyant, attorney for Tommy Tran. Wyant said the men relied on their former attorney Matt Stacy to set up the rural Fairland grow operation and to properly instruct them on the proper legal documentation to operate a legal marijuana grow under the umbrella of the Oklahoma Marijuana Authority. During the raid of the four grow operations located north of Fairland, the men failed to produce proper Medical Marijuana Grow documentation to Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents. Baird sentenced the men to 5-year deferred sentences, fined each $25,000 in addition to almost $6,000 in fines and court costs. Part of the deferred sentences prohibit the men from associating with marijuana grow operations. Straw owners accused of running Fairland marijuana farm They believed they complied with all the state policies and their grow operations were functioning properly, Wyant said. Investigators said Sang Nguyen was a straw owner of the marijuana grows and Tommy Tran, who did not meet the legal requirements to own a grow operation, owned 25% of the four grow operations. A straw owner is a third party used in some transactions to allow the principal parties to accomplish something that is otherwise impermissible. In a related case, Nguyen, 32, was charged with Tommy Tran in April 2023 in Ottawa County District Court in Miami with furnishing false or fraudulent material information in an application for a license and aggravated manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of material with intent to manufacture marijuana, both felonies. An online search shows the case does not exist and no record of charges dismissed. At the time of the raid, authorities seized between 26,000 to 29,000 marijuana plants and 900 pounds of processed marijuana. Ottawa County Sheriff David Dean said after the arrest the approximate street value of the marijuana seized was around $24 million. Attorney General Gentner Drummond is prosecuting Stacy on 33 felony drug-related counts ranging from conspiracy to defrauding the state, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance, trafficking, offering false information and a pattern of criminal offenses. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. BUCYRUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Crawford County man was arrested Thursday morning under the suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines. According to the Crawford County Sheriffs Office, 53-year-old Gary Gallant was the target of an investigation by a Special Response Team and METRICH, who executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Fisher Street in Bucyrus. Five Delaware residents dead after crash in Western Pennsylvania At 6 a.m. authorities arrested Gallant and Sandra Gallant, 60, and taken to the Crawford County Justice Center. Sandra Gallant was eventually released pending possible charges at a later date. Deputies seized an unknown amount of methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia, cash and two firearms from the house. Gary Gallant is currently charged with drug trafficking. The Sheriffs Office confirmed that one of the weapons was stolen from California. It asks that anyone with additional information call 419-562-7906. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Activists of the Atesh movement recorded the arrival of military equipment at the Ostryakovo railway station in Hvardiyske on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea. It was located on the territory of a military unit surrounded by civilian buildings. ADVERTISIMENT It is specified that all the equipment is in working order. This is stated in the Atesh's Telegram . The activists suggested that the Russian command could have created a fake "object" of equipment concentration in order to further accuse the Union of Officers of Ukraine of strikes on civilian infrastructure. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, according to Atesh, the occupiers in the occupied Crimea are trying to protect the Sevastopol bay from new attacks after the recent effective attacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The command of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is blocking the passage of boats and putting up new barriers at the sea entrance to the bay in Sevastopol. In addition, the occupiers are trying to restrict access to the 91st berth, reports the Atesh agent. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - "Atesh" guerrillas reported the arrival of new servicemen of the aggressor country to the temporarily occupied Dzhankoy in Crimea. Presumably, the occupiers came from the Far East, the Republic of Komi and Yakutia (Russia). - Russia also deployed new FSB operational groups to the temporarily occupied Crimea . An increase in the number of enemy special services was also recorded in Dzhankoy. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgaria's populist There Is Such a People (ITN) party declined on Thursday to try to form a new national government, paving the way for President Rumen Radev to call snap elections. ITN's move came after the centre-right GERB party and its former coalition partner We Continue the Change (PP) both said they could not form a new government. "Elections are the highest form of democracy, we're going to hold this folder for a few more seconds and return it to you empty, with an unfulfilled mandate," Ivaylo Valchev, the deputy-head of the ITN parliamentary faction, told Radev in a meeting. Radev said he will now start seeking a caretaker prime minister to form a cabinet that would be tasked with organising a snap election. Bulgaria, the poorest member of the EU and one of its most corrupt states, has been rocked by political instability since anti-graft protests in 2020. Until elections in April 2023 it has been governed by caretaker governments, appointed by Radev in the absence of a stable elected coalition. Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel failed to form a government following the resignation of Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov of the PP on March 5. Denkov stepped down to allow the GERB to lead the government for nine months, as agreed after last year's elections. On Wednesday he also rejected Radev's invitation to try to form a government. In elections last April, GERB came first, winning 69 seats in the 240-seat parliament. The bloc led by PP won 64 seats. Under the constitution, the Bulgarian parliament does not have to dissolve prior to snap elections. (Reporting by Stoyan Nenov and Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Angus MacSwan) First Alert Neighborhood Weather Station Network: I just completed a few days at the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando. The emphasis - as is just about always the case - was on mitigation & resiliency. And the National Hurricane Center will now include inland watches & warnings overlayed on the forecast cone. This is an important change in an attempt to illustrate that the impacts from a tropical storm or hurricane extend well beyond the center of the storm &, therefore, often times well outside the cone. More info. on the cone changes * here *. The NHC will also now issue wind forecasts (radii) - at 39 & 58 mph [tropical storm force] - out to day 4 & day 5. Hurricane forecast wind radii will continue to be issued out to 2 days. More on all the NHC changes for the upcoming season * here *. Talking with NHC forecaster Daniel Brown: NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome: Colorado State University hurricane researcher & forecaster Phil Klotzbach (first official preseason forecast to be issued April 4): Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH): Time flies! The April averages for JIA: And so the Great North American Eclipse is almost here - April 8th! A lot of great info. at Action News Jax * here *. Make sure your playlist is ready! Eclipse deals * here *. Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. The two young men are bloodied, their feet clamped in wooden stocks. What is the PDF (Peoples Defence Force)? their tormentors yell. Dogs, they reply. Humiliated and dehumanized, the men are hogtied and dragged across the rough ground by their thick chains. In front of dozens of onlookers, they are strung up to a tree and a fire stoked beneath them. As smoke rises and the flames consume them, the two men writhe and scream in agony their final moments of unimaginable pain and horror captured on video. Phoe Tay was 21-years-old, Thar Htaung just 20. The two young men had left their family farms in northwest Myanmar to join a local armed resistance group following the 2021 military coup, hoping to bring peace and democracy to the Southeast Asian country, their fathers told CNN. But they were captured during a battle against the military on November 7 last year, and taken to a nearby village, where they were tortured and killed by a pro-junta militia under the watch of Myanmar army soldiers, according to witnesses. CNN has built a timeline of events, using accounts from more than a dozen witnesses, villagers, resistance fighters, family members and analysts, with analysis of the video and pictures from the day using open source techniques. Those accounts and analysis point to the ruling military as being responsible for the killings, in contradiction of their public denials. Phoe Tay and Thar Htaungs deaths are horrific, but they are not anomalies in Myanmar, where the military is waging a war of terror against civilians as it finds itself increasingly on the back foot against a nationwide armed resistance determined to oust it from power. This split shows pictures of Phoe Tay, 21 and Thar Haung, 20. - Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung's family Those attacks have only increased since a rebel offensive launched five months ago resulted in major losses and defections for the military, multiple sources confirmed. By waging terror tactics including burnings, beheadings, mutilations, torching villages, and through a massive aerial bombing campaign that has displaced nearly three million people, the Myanmar military is attempting to control and divide the population through a long-established doctrine of fear and brutality, witnesses and analysts say. United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk recently called the situation a never-ending nightmare, where brutal acts are carried out by trained soldiers against their own people in a chilling disregard for human life. CNN has requested comment from Myanmars military junta spokesperson about the killings and its attacks on civilians but has not received a response. The military has repeatedly said it does not target civilians and often claims it is resistance forces that commit the violence. Captured and burned alive Army chief Min Aung Hlaings coup on February 1, 2021 deposed the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyis party, the National League for Democracy, replacing it with a ruling military junta and plunging the country into a state of instability and violence. Suu Kyi, who was state counselor, is now serving a 27-year sentence following secretive trials. Widespread public opposition to the militarys forcible takeover and bloody crackdown on protesters has only grown in the past three years and a nationwide armed resistance movement, which includes many of the countrys powerful ethnic rebel armies, now poses a legitimate threat to the junta. Nestled between the Chin Hills to the west and central Myanmars Dry Zone to the east is the Yaw Valley. The area has been at the center of some of the fiercest fighting between the military and resistance groups, known as Peoples Defence Force (PDFs). Before dawn on November 7, Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung were part of three columns with the Yaw Defense Force (YDF) one such civil resistance group formed in the wake of the coup that set out to attack a hospital they believed was being used as a military weapons cache. The hospital was in Myauk Khin Yan village, a pro-junta stronghold in Gangaw township in Magway region, Yaw Lay, a member of the YDF who used his nom de guerre, told CNN. Soldiers had been deployed there since 2022, he said. But the rebels became trapped by heavy fire. As the group tried to retreat, several fighters were injured while others, including Thar Htaung and Phoe Tay, became separated, platoon commander Ninja told CNN, also using a nom de guerre. Military weapons confiscated by an armed group in Loikaw, Kayah state on November 14, 2023. - Myo Satt Hla Thaw/picture alliance/Getty Images The last time I saw, they were hunkering down 50 meters away from me, Ninja said. The YDF later received a message from an informant in the village saying the two men had been captured alive and warned them not to try and find them. We knew they had no way of escaping. Although we knew they would be killed, we didnt expect this kind of inhuman killing, Yaw Lay said. That morning, local villager Zaw Zaw says he woke at his parents home in Myauk Khin Yan to the sound of gunfire. Shortly after, he says, members of the pro-junta militia who controlled the village banged on his door. They happily announced that one person from each house must come to see they have caught the two rebels, said Zaw Zaw, who asked to use a pseudonym for his safety. When I got there, they dragged the two with their hands and legs tied back with chains from the hospital, where the junta troops are stationed. And then, they hanged them on a tree and poured gasoline and diesel on their bodies. Zaw Zaw said the two men were covered with blood with wounds on their thighs and feet. About 100 people from the village were made to watch the burning, Zaw Zaw said. They were burning them alive They were moving and screaming, he said. A Myanmar military jet flies overhead after bombing the quarters of Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), in Kayah state, Myanmar on July 6, 2022. - Kaung Zaw Hein/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Zaw Zaw said Thar Htaung and Phoe Tay begged for their lives as they were set alight. He says their executioner replied by saying apologize in the next life. In the video, their charred, blackened bodies can be seen hanging in chains from the tree branch. It took me about 10 days without being able to eat and sleep after seeing what happened, he said. Following the executions, Zaw Zaw said the militia locked down the village and threatened to kill those who left. The militarys culpability Myanmars military junta has denied it was involved in the November 7 executions in Myauk Khin Yan, blaming malicious media that mislead the international countries and people (sic.), according to state mouthpiece Global New Light of Myanmar on February 8. The junta acknowledged the two men in the video belonged to the resistance, but dismissed the video as fabricated, and accused resistance forces of posing as regional guard unit members to carry out the killings allegations vehemently denied by the Yaw Defense Force. The junta does confirm that an attack took place that day and that its troops, known as the Tatmadaw, were stationed in the village. (Peoples Defence Force) terrorists attacked the security forces and regional guard unit members in Myauk Khin Yan village of Gangaw Township of Magway Region in November first week of 2023, the statement in state media read. They retreated with huge losses, and none of the terrorists were arrested alive. On March 5, the junta again denied burning the two men to death, saying in a statement, careful examination of the video reveals that the weapons being carried by the perpetrators were never used by Tatmadaw. However, CNN has geolocated the video of the execution to a tree near the hospital in Myauk Khin Yan on November 7, 2023, showing the incident occurred at a time in which the regime was in full control of the village. To do this, CNN obtained a video of their deaths which was originally leaked to a local media outlet Khit Thit Media and compared it to satellite imagery and other video of militia members training in the village, obtained by the Burma Affairs and Conflict Study, a local non-profit analyzing the juntas movements in Myanmar, and shared with CNN. Multiple villagers who spoke to CNN consistently said Myauk Khin Yan has been a militia stronghold since the 2021 coup. No resistance force has ever claimed to control the village. CNN also spoke with four members of the Yaw Defense Force who all described the events leading up to the killing. On November 7, initial photos of Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung in captivity were shared on pro-military Facebook pages and Telegram channels. Theres absolutely no reason that the military themselves wouldnt do this. And this is entirely consistent with so much testimony over years and years, said independent Myanmar researcher Kim Jolliffe. Its consistent, not just that there are people capable of doing these things, but its consistent with the doctrine of the military, which is heavily focused on fear and intimidation. A village of horror Myauk Khin Yan has also been the location of other gruesome killings, reportedly committed by the militia and Myanmar military based in the village. In March 2022, a villager was chained to a vehicle by his neck and dragged around until he died, local media reported at the time. CNN cannot independently verify these incidents, but they fit with witness descriptions of how the militia and military operate in Myauk Khin Yan. In that village, their mentality is as though they become heroes if they kill someone as inhumanly and cruelly as possible. Beheading and cutting off fingers and toes, including pulling out the organs from the bodies are happening in that village, said Yaw Lay, the YDF fighter. Armed soldiers patrol on a street in Yangon, Myanmar on November 7, 2022. - Stringer/NurPhoto/Getty Images Armed militias like the group running Myauk Khin Yan have become a useful network for the military as it fights a nationwide resistance. Known as the Pyu Saw Htee, these groups have been involved in some of the worst alleged crimes against civilians since the coup began, analysts say. The military is deeply involved in preparing these militia. They get military training, they get weapons, they sometimes get food, they get circles of protection and then they directly take part in joint operations alongside the military, said Jolliffe. Others are formed by ultra-nationalist Buddhists, members of the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and army veterans, analysts say. The United States, United Kingdom and Canada imposed sanctions on several figures it has accused of providing training and securing arms for these militias, including Hla Swe, formerly a senior member of the USDP whose constituency was Gangaw Township and an ex-military official. A man sits in front of a house that was destroyed by an air strike in Shan state, Myanmar on December 14, 2022. - Mai Thomas/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images/File Several former villagers told CNN that hundreds of people have fled Myauk Khin Yan since it became a militia stronghold after the coup began. Since the burning, that exodus has continued, they said. Phoe Ei Thu, 17, lost her leg to a landmine while fleeing Myauk Khin Yan in early January. Life there had gotten worse since the killing of the two men, she said, citing the militias tight controls on access to the village and surging cost of daily necessities. We had to live under their strict restrictions. We couldnt do anything other than live according to their command. It was very stressful, she said. Several people CNN spoke to from Myauk Khin Yan, who had since left, said villagers were forced to work for the army, including portering and digging trenches. Others were pressured to join the militia, they said. In the beginning, I felt depressed about losing a leg. But I am not depressed anymore as I could leave that place. I feel liberated and happy despite losing a leg, Phoe Ei Thu said. Punishment mode The militarys attacks against civilians since its coup over three years ago have been labeled as war crimes and crimes against humanity by UN investigators and multiple human rights organizations. The scale and the intentionality of the way that the Sit Tat, Myanmar military, does these things is just completely extreme, said Jolliffe, the researcher. We normally see this in terrorist organizations like ISIS. The junta has never enjoyed full control over Myanmar and is now facing the biggest threat to its fragile hold on power. It is losing territory, and there are reports of mass defections of soldiers, even whole battalions. They are angry, they are frustrated, said Crisis Groups Myanmar Senior Adviser Richard Horsey, adding that the military is going into punishment mode against civilians. When you cant win, what youre left with is punishment, he said. Since the coup, advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has verified 186 cases of the military or its allied militia burning people to death, with 82 last year, including 12 people under 18. The youngest was 5 years old, according to AAPP. This aerial photo taken on October 29, 2021 show smokes and fires from Thantlang, in Chin State, where buildings were destroyed by shelling from junta troops, according to local media. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images The group has also documented 22 beheadings, and says it is still verifying more incidents of violence. Myanmar Witness, a project from the non-profit Centre for Information Resilience that collects evidence of military abuses, says it has documented more than 400 reports of bodies being burned either before or after execution. The group has also verified more than a dozen beheadings, but this is very likely just the tip of the iceberg, said project director Matt Lawrence. In one incident in October 2022, a teachers severed head was impaled on a spike outside the school gates, according to Myanmar Witness. Attacks like these in areas accessible to the juntas ground troops fit a clear pattern, analysts say. Troops will lay siege to a village, torching homes and destroying food sources as they move through it. Anyone left is killed or tortured, often the disabled, elderly, and other vulnerable people who cannot escape, they say. There are particular columns, which are being sent in, particularly to the Dry Zone, to cause mayhem, Horsey said, referring to the central plains of Myanmar that the junta considers to be the countrys heartland. These well-armed military units of up to 120 men are inserted into an area and run rampage, he said. Terror is also raining from the skies as the military has unleashed a massive aerial bombing campaign in ethnic minority areas or places where there is anti-coup resistance. The remnants of a Catholic church that was destroyed by a military airstrike in Kayah state, Myanmar on January 26, 2023. - Thierry Falise/LightRocket/Getty Images Analysts and human rights groups say the militarys indiscriminate use of airstrikes and artillery are deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and are not necessarily motivated by retaking territory. Instead, the aim, analysts say, is to displace populations, drive out communities, and keep areas under resistance control in a state of chaos. I know of only one hospital that hasnt been bombed yet, according to our data. Others have been bombed many times and some we have had to move out and rebuild in a new place, said Banya Khung Aung, founder and director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, in southeastern Kayah state, (also known as Karenni) where about 80% of the population has been displaced at least once. These attacks are an attempt to pacify the population through fear rather than through convincing them that they are a legitimate governing body, said Lawrence, adding that such assaults appear to rise in line with increases in resistance. Tactics not working Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has not publicly condemned or even acknowledged the widespread reports of abuse of civilians by his military. When no action is taken against the perpetrators, those type of tactics become a part of the culture of the organization, said Dr. Miemie Winn Byrd, a retired US Army Lt. Col. and professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The Myanmar military is no longer a professional military, she said. It is a criminal gang, a militant criminal gang. Soldiers from the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) under mortar shelling from the Myanmar army in Kayah state, Myanmar on January 28, 2023. - Thierry Falise/LightRocket/Getty Images There are signs the militarys tactic of relying on heavy weapons combined with sheer brutality is failing. Its resources are stretched and maintaining airpower is expensive, analysts say. Youre starting to see a lot of the airplanes become inoperable, and they have to ground them theyre falling out of the sky, Byrd said. Because every time you run these things, you have to maintain them. And maintenance is expensive. The junta also needs manpower to replace losses and defections. Last month, it announced a mandatory conscription law for all young men and women, prompting a rush by young people to get visas out of the country or join resistance forces. As the junta becomes more desperate, there is greater risk to civilians, analysts say, highlighting the urgency for action from the international community. International sanctions are important, Byrd said, but far more is needed from the global community to cut off the juntas access to jet fuel and international currency, and to stop its resupply of armaments. Instead of dividing the people against the resistance, the juntas extreme violence has only made much of Myanmars populace more determined to oust the military from power, according to analysts and people who spoke to CNN in the country. I come across so many people who just feel like this is the moment in the countrys history where there has to be this reckoning to try and finally remove the military. Theres also a huge amount of resilience and a huge amount of determination to see this through, said Jolliffe, the researcher. Phoe Tay and Thar Htaungs families are left with anguish and memories. The fathers say theyve been unable even to retrieve the bodies for burial. Anti-coup fighters escort protesters as they take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Sagaing, Myanmar on September 7, 2022. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images Thar Htaungs father, Soe Lin Aung, 45, urged the UN to act over his sons horrific death, and for resistance forces not to be silent but continue this revolution. I want people to remember my son as a martyr as he fought for the country, he said. Yaw Lay, who fought alongside Phoe Tay and Thar Htaung, said their deaths have only given him strength. (The military) showed how brutal and cruel they are by killing civilians. They rule the country by instilling fear in people, he said. It turned to be my strength in this revolution. Reporting and writing: Helen Regan, Angus Watson, Su Chay, Pallabi Munsi and Anna Coren Open-source verification: Gianluca Mezzofiore, Katie Polglase and Benjamin Brown Data graphics: Lou Robinson and Rosa de Acosta Photo editing: Noemi Cassanelli For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Im not getting a fat check! joked Kelly R as she helped her daughters with homework in the kitchen of their Los Angeles home. But Im hoping that the kids will benefit. Thats the biggest thing that I was worried about. All kids benefitting. Kelly is among the parents, students and community groups who successfully sued California, demanding more money, time and focus be spent to help underserved students disproportionately low-income Black and Latino kids recover from educational losses during the Covid pandemic. These students were already at a disadvantage before the pandemic, according to experts, then suffered more than students in affluent school districts during Covid and are not rebounding as quickly. The plaintiffs were only identified by first name and last initial in the lawsuit, and Kelly asked CNN to do the same. Kelly, like so many other parents, does not have fond memories of virtual schooling. She was stuck at home with her daughters who were ages 9, 11 and 14 when the pandemic began. The computers were glitchyWe live in the airport flight paths; sometimes we werent getting internet connection. Sometimes the school Internet connection wasnt working as well, she told CNN. We were kind of just thrown into a situation to be teachers for three different kids, you know, at three different schools with no training at all. To settle the lawsuit, California agreed to spend $2 billion to help children impacted the most to recover from lost learning and the mental health impact caused by school closures during the pandemic. The federal government granted public school districts more than $190 billion between March 2020 and March 2021 for that purpose, but the plaintiffs argued that in California the state failed to ensure local districts targeted the money for students who needed the most help. The settlements provisions still must be enacted into law by the state legislature, directs school districts to use extended school days, tutors and mental health professionals to help these kids. The process will be closely monitored by the state. And parents can file complaints at any time. This proposal includes changes that the Administration believes are appropriate at this stage coming out of the pandemic to focus use of these one-time dollars on the students who were most impacted and continue to need support, Alex Traverso, a spokesperson for the California Board of Education, told CNN. It is the most urgent crisis in America today, said Mark Rosenbaum, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. And hopefully this settlement will be a model for 49 other states to say that there is nothing more important than we can do. Mark Rosenbaum announces lawsuit challenging the imposition of curriculum censorship by the Board of Trustees of the Temecula Valley Unified School District in Los Angeles, California, on August 2, 2023. - Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images In California, around 10,000 public schools were closed during the pandemic, impacting around 6 million students. We know in California that there were between 800,000 and a million kids who had no digital access whatsoever for 18 and 19 months, said Rosenbaum. What does that mean? It doesnt mean they got bad education. It means they got no education. And there were other problems. Plaintiffs Cayla and Kai were second graders in Oakland when Covid hit. Between March 17, 2020 and the end of the 2019-2020 school year, their teacher held class only twice, the complaint alleges. They and other plaintiffs reported a lack of computer equipment, broken equipment and teachers not trained to cope with the technology or the challenges of remote learning. Plaintiff Ellori was in first grade during the 2020-2021 school year and, with 33 kids and just one teacher on Zoom, felt isolation, abandonment and anxiety. Not enough has been done since the pandemic ended to assess students needs and help them recover lost learning, according to the lawsuit. Jordan, another plaintiff, was in elementary school in the spring of 2020 when the school closed, according to the plaintiffs. Since returning to in-person instruction in the 2021-2022 school year, Jordan E. has not had an assessment of his learning or mental health needs, according to the suit, referring to the 2021-22 school year. School-age children were among those with the lowest risk of serious illness from Covid-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But they suffered greatly from the restrictions to stem the spread of the virus because so many schools were closed for so long. And essentially were asking poor kids to pay for the public health measures that were meant to, you know, benefit us all, said Thomas Kane, a professor at Harvard University and author of a new study tracking post-pandemic progress in education. The average American public school student in grades 3 through 8 lost half a grade level in math achievement during the pandemic, according to Kane and his fellow researchers at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth Universities. Their Education Recovery Scorecard also found a third-of-a-year drop in reading. Some students are rebounding surprisingly well, they say. But not all. In Alabama, for example, kids in some more affluent areas have already made up for all their lost learning in math, Kane says. But the higher poverty districts like Montgomery are still a half a year or more behind, Kane told CNN. Here in Massachusetts, the high poverty districts did the opposite of catching up last year, they actually lost additional ground between 2022 and 2023. The fear, say these researchers, is that some students might never catch up. Kelly says her kids are still behind in math. Kelly R says she doesn't know how to teach math as it's taught today. - Stephanie Becker/CNN In-person tutoring would be beneficial for the kids, she said after patiently helping her 5th grader with some arithmetic at the kitchen table. Right now, she said, They do online tutoring. Sometimes. Kelly says shes trying to fill the gap and is pretty good at 1980s math but doesnt know how to teach the subject as its taught today. Black, Latino and low-income students have traditionally lagged behind White students in academic achievement. Kelly hopes this suit and settlement will spur the country into addressing, once and for all, the historic inequities. Thats one of the major reasons why I felt like this was important, she said. Because we cannot continue to let things like this happen and let our kids fall short. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A woman looks at the Impressionist painting "Rue Saint-Honore in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain" by Camille Pissarro at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid in 2022. (Manu Fernandez / Associated Press) California legislators plan to introduce a bill Thursday that would bolster efforts by Holocaust survivors, their heirs and other victims to recover artwork and other property stolen from them as a result of political persecution. Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and lead sponsor of the bill, said the measure was inspired by a recent ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that found that current California law required an Impressionist masterpiece looted from a Jewish woman by the Nazis in 1939 to remain with a Madrid museum rather than be returned to the woman's family in the U.S. "It immediately made sense to me that this was a unique opportunity to correct a historical injustice and make sure that something like this doesn't happen again," Gabriel said. "Respectfully, we think that the 9th Circuit got it wrong, and this law is going to make that crystal clear." Gabriel said the bill hopefully will ensure better legal outcomes for other Californian families who have suffered politically motivated thefts whether past, present or in the future. "Our hope is that it's going to help others, other Holocaust victims and other victims of genocide and political persecution," Gabriel said. "It's specifically crafted to be applied more broadly." The legislative effort which Gabriel said already has bipartisan support is the latest twist in a more than two-decade legal battle over the Camille Pissarro masterpiece "Rue Saint-Honore in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain." It is also not the first time the California Legislature has bucked the powerful 9th Circuit on issues related to Nazi-looted art. David Cassirer, whose great-grandmother Lilly Cassirer Neubauer had the painting stolen from her at the dawn of World War II, is appealing the 9th Circuit ruling against his family and welcomed the legislative effort as a potential leg up in that fight. "It's very important that our laws support and enable Holocaust victims and their heirs to be able to recover this artwork that was stolen so long ago," he said. "I'm grateful." Thaddeus Stauber, an attorney for the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, which obtained the painting as part of a massive collection of masterpieces in 1993 and rejects the family's claim to it, did not respond to a request for comment. Neubauer relinquished the painting to a local Munich art dealer acting as a Nazi art appraiser in 1939, in exchange for a visa to flee Germany. It was a decision made under clear duress, as part of a vast Nazi program to steal Jewish wealth, and both parties to the ongoing case have agreed the incident constituted a theft. Read more: A battle over a Nazi-looted masterpiece has plunder holders around the world on notice Despite that, however, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which is owned by the Spanish government, argues it has since obtained proper title to the painting under Spanish law. It says it purchased the painting in good faith, without knowing it was stolen, in 1993, from billionaire Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza. The baron, one of the world's most prolific art collectors before his death in 2002, was the scion of a German industrialist family that made a fortune in steel and helped finance Adolf Hitler's rise to power along the way. Neubauer's family believed the painting was missing perhaps lost for good in the war until Neubauer's grandson Claude Cassirer, who escaped the Holocaust before moving to Cleveland and then retiring in San Diego, discovered around 2000 that it was in the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum. He asked for the museum to voluntarily return the painting, then sued in 2005 when it refused to do so. David Cassirer, his son, took over as lead plaintiff in the family's case after his father's death in 2010. The case has bounced around U.S. courts ever since, and has repeatedly caught the attention of the 9th Circuit. Around the same time as Cassirer's death, the appellate court tossed a California rule expanding the window under which looting victims or their heirs could file claims for Nazi-looted artwork, saying it infringed federal authority in such matters. The state Legislature responded by passing a measure making the window for all sorts of stolen property not just in international cases with a federal nexus six years from the time a victim gains "actual knowledge" of the lost property's whereabouts, which was a window large enough to justify the Cassirer family's claim. Congress later established a similar window for looted art claims under federal law. Still, the battle over the Pissarro which is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars raged on. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the Cassirer family another win when it ruled that California law not Spanish law should be used to determine the legitimacy of the family's claim to the painting. However, in January, the 9th Circuit once again ruled against the family. A three-judge panel found that California law required it to consider the interests of Spain and of California in enforcing their respective and contradictory laws around stolen property, and to apply the law of the government whose interests would be "more impaired" were its law ignored. Under that analysis, it had to apply Spain's law, it found, and therefore the painting had to remain with the museum. One of the judge's wrote that she agreed with the analysis as a matter of law, but it went against her "moral compass." It also went against "California values," Gabriel said, which is why he decided to introduce the new measure. "The purpose of the bill is to ensure an outcome based on morality and justice, and not legal technicalities," he said. If the new bill passes, it would make clear that, in scenarios involving property looted or stolen by the Nazis or as a result of political persecution, California law dictates that the property be returned, Gabriel said. The law would apply in any legal case considering such issues in which the ultimate decision is not yet final, up to and including those on appeal before the Supreme Court. If passed and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the bill probably would take effect Jan. 1, Gabriel said. It also could be expedited, but that hasn't been considered yet. The timeline for the Cassirer case is unclear. It currently remains before the 9th Circuit, where Cassirer has asked for the January decision to be reconsidered by a larger, 11-judge en banc panel. After a decision is made there, the parties could potentially appeal to the Supreme Court, as well. Sam Dubbin, a longtime attorney for the Cassirer family, praised Gabriel's effort to update California's law. "The clarity of Assemblyman Gabriels legislation is necessary to change the current dynamic in which governments, museums, and collectors are incentivized to resist restitution and employ tactics and arguments that trivialize the Holocaust," Dubbin said. "It is essential for truth, history, and justice in the Cassirer case, and for future cases as well." Gabriel said he already has co-sponsors from both ends of the political spectrum including assemblymembers Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) and Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and is optimistic that the bill will have widespread support. Also backing the measure are Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), who is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, also a Democrat, who cited her time as U.S. ambassador to Hungary where hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed as strongly informing her support. "The decades-long effort to return confiscated property to Jewish families is morally courageous," Kounalakis said in a statement to The Times. Gabriel said it was "appalling" to him that Spain's government won't voluntarily return the painting to Cassirer. "This isn't about money," he said. "It's about morality and justice." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A 32-year-old Southern California man is accused of housing and engaging in sexual relations with an Arizona teenager who ran away from home after the two spoke online, according to federal prosecutors. Trevon Nathaniel Langstaff was arrested in his Long Beach apartment on Wednesday after a missing 14-year-old girl was found at the home. The girls family realized she was missing on Tuesday morning, according to the office of United States Attorney Martin Estrada. When searching their neighborhood and speaking to her friends, her family learned that shed talked about running away from home the week prior and that shed talked to a man online who harbored teenagers. Prosecutors said she told the friend that the man was hosting two other teens at the time and that hed provide her with a room to stay in and a cell phone. Langstaff and the young girl met on an online Reddit forum for runaways, prosecutors said. Phone records showed that the pair had been in communication. Law enforcement raided Langstaffs apartment on Wednesday morning. They found the girl in a closet in the home, according to officials. She told investigators that she and Langstaff engaged in sexual relations after she arrived at the apartment. Langstaff was charged with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Hes scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon. The FBI and Long Beach Police Department are currently heading the investigation into Langstaff. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man was sentenced to prison on Wednesday over leaving a threatening voicemail to Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in January 2021 when she still served as speaker of the House of Representatives. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI March 28 (UPI) -- A California man has been sentenced to nearly a year in prison for making threatening calls to Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, federal prosecutors said. U.S. District Judge William Alsup sentenced David Allen Carrier, 44, of Concord, Calif., to 11 months' imprisonment on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty in December to two counts of making threats against a federal official. Federal prosecutors had accused Carrier of having called Pelosi, D-Calif., on Jan. 21, 2021, a day after Joe Biden was inaugurated as president and just weeks after the supporters of former President Donald Trump had attacked the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to keep the New York real estate mogul in power. At the time Carrier had left Pelosi the threatening message, the senior politician was speaker of the House of Representatives, third in the presidential line of succession. "We've got a bullet and a rope with your [expletive] name on it," Carrier said in the voicemail, according to the sentencing memorandum seen by ABC News. More than a year later, Carrier called the U.S. Department of Homeland Security hotline on June 30, 2022, and left a threatening voicemail for Mayorkas, instructing the federal official to "close the border before we citizens start killing those [expletive] illegal immigrants." If Mayorkas didn't do what he said, Carrier threatened to "feed him to the dogs," the court document states. Alsup on Wednesday ordered Carrier to serve three years' supervised release and to not contact, directly or indirectly, either of Pelosi of Mayorkas. He is also to attend mental health and substance abuse treatment while on supervised release, the Justice Department said. "Violent threats targeting elected officials also threaten our democratic system," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. "Today's sentence demonstrates that anyone who sends politically motivated threats of violence to government officials will be investigated by the FBI and held accountable." FILE - Electrical grid towers are seen during a heat wave where temperature reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit, in Pasadena, Calif., on Aug. 31, 2022. On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, California regulators released a proposal that would change how utility bills are calculated. Regulators say this could help control price spikes during the hot summer months. (AP Photo/John Antczak, File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) It's become a rite of summer in sunny California: When the temperature spikes, so do electricity bills, leaving some customers with monthly payments over $500. A big reason for that is the way California's largest power companies calculate rates. The more power you use, the more money you pay not just for electricity, but also for things like maintaining the grid and reducing wildfire risk. A proposal unveiled Wednesday by state regulators aims to change that. Instead of calculating bills based mostly on how much power people use, a portion would be a fixed charge. For most people, that charge would be $24.15 per month. People who are enrolled in low-income assistance programs or who live in deed-restricted affordable housing would pay less either $6 or $12, depending on their situation. To offset this new charge, the rate people pay for using power would go down. During peak hours when electricity is in the most demand and the most expensive rates for customers of the state's big three utilities would fall between 8% and 9.8%. That means the average customer in Fresno, where temperatures were at or above 100 F (37.8 C) for 17 days last July, would save about $33 during the summer months, according to the California Public Utilities Commission. People who own electric cars and charge them at home would save about $25 per month on average, while people who have fully electrified their homes including replacing gas-powered stoves would save about $19 per month. Other customers whose bills are not impacted as much by the weather would likely see an increase. I think its a wise idea to put us in a position where were incentivizing electrification and clean vehicles and then also providing some relief to those customers who really cant help using a lot of electricity in the summertime, said Alice Reynolds, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. This is part of a reaction to a changing climate where we have these extreme weather events. California is one of the only states that doesnt already have a fixed charge for its largest utilities, and the state Legislature ordered regulators in 2022 to implement one by July 1 of this year. Since then, power bills have only gotten more expensive. Regulators approved an average increase of $32 per month for Pacific Gas & Electric Company customers just last year. The average price per kilowatt hour of electricity for California's big three utilities Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric is about 36 cents, compared to the national average of 17 cents. The prospect of a new charge that could raise some people's rates has prompted backlash from some state and federal lawmakers. In the state Legislature, a group of Democrats led by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin has introduced legislation that would cap the fixed charge at $10 for most people and $5 for people with low incomes. Irwin said the California Public Utilities Commission is out of touch with consumers. We need to prioritize driving down consumers overall bills, not redistributing the ever-increasing (investor-owned utilities) electric rates, Irwin said. On Wednesday, a group of 18 members of Congress from California sent a letter to Reynolds urging state regulators to keep the new fixed rate low. Their letter said the average monthly fixed charge in the United States is $11. There is little to stop utilities from continuing to increase electric rates once they secure the highest fixed charges in the country, the letter said. The Predictable Power Coalition, which includes the big three utilities, called the fixed rate vital and said the proposal is a step in the right direction. Some of the states most well-known consumer advocates, including The Utility Reform Network and the California Public Advocates Office, support the proposal because they say it would make utility bills more affordable. Others, including the solar industry, worry that if electricity rates are cheaper during peak hours people wont conserve as much energy. California has struggled at times to have enough electricity during these periods, especially during extreme heat waves, which caused some rolling blackouts in 2020. In this time when its all hands on deck about climate change, why would we have people say, You know what? Im not going to hang out my laundry today because Im just paying a fixed charge anyway, said Bill Allayaud, California director of governmental affairs for the Environmental Working Group. Reynolds noted that California's big three utilities will still charge more for power during peak hours but that the fixed charge would make sure the increase is more evenly distributed among customers. She also noted the big three had proposed fixed rate charges of $51 and $73. The commission rejected those amounts. Most of Californias publicly owned utilities already have a fixed charge as part of their billing structure. Regulators' proposal mirrors the fixed rate charged by the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District. Millions of people already have a flat rate component of their bills. They may not know it, Reynolds said. If its approved by regulators, the rule would take effect in 2025, and customers would not see the charge until later that year or in early 2026. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on his way to infuriating more than half of his fellow House Republicans by finally funding the U.S. government last week. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) More than halfway through the current two-year Congress, the lawmakers there bring to mind the old schoolyard quip about slacker students: Theyre really good at recess. This pre-Easter week is the first of two that the House and Senate are taking off, though it seems like only yesterday they recessed for two weeks to mark Presidents Day. Lucky for them, members of Congress get recesses regardless of how well they perform just like kids in elementary school. And they havent been performing well at all, which explains the quotation marks above: The lawmakers arent doing much law-making. This Congress is shaping up as the least productive since the Great Depression. Even the low number of laws enacted is a bit inflated given that the House and the Senate, unable for months to agree on funding the government, repeatedly passed stopgap spending bills to avert shutdowns. The members finally finished the budget measures before dashing out the doors last weekend to start their spring break nearly six months into the fiscal year, when they should already be at work on spending for fiscal 2025, which starts Oct. 1. Expect more brinkmanship then. Read more: Congress unveils $1.2-trillion plan to avert federal shutdown Dont wish a pox on both houses and both parties, however. The blame lies with the House and the MAGA Republican Party that took charge there just over a year ago. House Republicans cant govern because so many of them are anti-government. They dont want Washington to work when they can make partisan hay out of any disorder. They cant pass needed laws because they wont compromise, an essential act at any time but especially when the other party controls the Senate and White House. Recall the House Republicans rejection last month of a bipartisan, conservative immigration bill of the sort theyd demanded. Some said the quiet part out loud. Im not willing to do too damn much right now to help a Democrat and to help Joe Bidens approval rating, Texas Rep. Troy Nehls said . And the House was only able to pass the government budget its most important job thanks to the votes of the Democrats. A majority of the Republican majority voted against it. Read more: Calmes: A Republican senator got the border deal the GOP said it wanted. Watch while his party betrays him Legislation simply isnt the House Republicans priority. Thats been impeaching President Biden, along with his Homeland Security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, but they're bollixing those efforts as well. Republicans did impeach Mayorkas on their second attempt, not for actual high crimes or misdemeanors but for politics: He oversees border security, and blaming a Democrat for the migrant crush at the southern border is a good issue for Republicans. But that's a terrible precedent, and more than a month later, they still havent sent the paperwork to the Senate. As for Bidens impeachment, the Republican Javerts have all but called it quits. Their hearings have failed spectacularly to turn up wrongdoing by the president, leaving them without enough Republican votes to follow through. This week, the chief sleuth, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, told donors in a fundraising letter that instead of impeaching Biden, he'll send a criminal referral to the Justice Department for action once Donald Trump is elected. Read more: Calmes: Mayorkas isn't to blame for border mess. House Republicans should impeach themselves Forty years ago last month I started covering Congress, and in all that time Ive never witnessed a more self-defeating, unconstructive and pathetic performance by a majority party. I nodded knowingly when the now-former Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado explained to CNN why he resigned last Friday: Its the worst year in 40, 50 years to be in Congress. Incredibly, Buck wasnt the first House Republican to simply walk away from the two-year job that the voters back home elected him to do, and he wont be the last. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California left at the end of 2023, three months after extremist House Republicans made him the first speaker in U.S. history to be deposed. Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson exited in January. And Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, once considered a Republican up-and-comer, is up and leaving next month. Read more: With Biden impeachment inquiry at a crossroads, GOP eyes next move When he departs, House Republicans will be left with only a one-vote margin. That demands party unity to successfully legislate, as House Democrats showed with their slim majority in the productive Congress of 2021-2022. Yet Republicans are as fractious as any party in memory, and their humiliations of the last 15 months have only made them like each other less. Republicans disunity is so great that McCarthy's hapless replacement as speaker, Mike Johnson, has taken to using what's called the suspension calendar to pass needed bills. That practice, long reserved mostly for noncontroversial legislation, expedites House action but requires support from two-thirds of the members rather than a majority vote. With ayes from Democrats together with some from Republicans, Johnson can reach that threshold, as he finally did on the budget. Read more: Calmes: Here's what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene This reliance on Democrats for must-pass bills is what spawned the rebellion against McCarthy and froze both chambers of Congress for most of October while House Republicans battled among themselves to replace him. And, indeed, the incomparably divisive Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Mar-a-Lago, er, Georgia, filed a motion after the budget vote to unseat Johnson, just as McCarthy was unseated, if he continues to work with Democrats. Which Johnson will, because Republicans like her leave him no choice. The big test ahead is aid to Ukraine , which Greene and many of the far-right House Republicans oppose. In February, Johnson declared that the Senate's bipartisan aid package for Ukraine (and Israel, Gaza and Taiwan) was DOA in the House. Yet, under pressure, he vowed on Friday that the House would take action to help the U.S. ally against its Russian invaders. With votes from Democrats. When members are back from recess. Speaking of recesses: Voters could give the do-nothing Republican majority a permanent one if they put Democrats back in charge of the House this November. The bell can't ring soon enough. @jackiekcalmes 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. Germany's decision not to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles is related to the desire to prevent a direct clash between Russia and NATO. They say that when it comes to security in Europe, Berlin should be responsible in matters of war and peace. ADVERTISIMENT This is how Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained his position. His words were quoted by the Markische Allgemeine. "This also applies to the Taurus issue. Along with strong support for Ukraine, one thing remains important to me: we will do everything possible to prevent an escalation of the war in other words, to prevent a war between Russia and NATO," the head of the German government said. He also emphasized that Germany "will not send its soldiers to Ukraine." In general, with each new supply of weapons, Berlin will "carefully weigh what it means in this context." "That is why I made this decision about the Taurus," the chancellor said. At the same time, Germany, according to Scholz, supports Ukraine with weapons and ammunition "more than any other European country." "We spend more than 28 billion on this alone. More than many other countries combined. And we will continue to do so for as long as it takes," he said. ADVERTISIMENT In mid-March, the majority of members of Germany's ruling coalition expressed support for the transfer of Taurus missiles to Ukraine during a vote in the European Parliament. In particular, 451 deputies voted in favor of the resolution. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Germany is annoyed by questions about the possibility of supplying Taurus to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Although, according to him, the German authorities have put themselves in this situation. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! An elementary school teacher in Cambridge was indicted on several counts of child rape charges, according to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office. Jorge Alexis Bonilla was indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on two counts of aggravated rape of a child and three counts of rape of a child by force in connection with the sexual assault of two female victims, under 14 years old, who were known to him, said the DAs office. The alleged incidents happened in 2014 and 2015. Cambridge Public Schools said that Bonilla was not a teacher at the Amigos School during the time the alleged assaults occurred. Cambridge Public Schools learned that a teacher at the Amigos School has been charged with sexual assault. It is important to note that the districts employment process includes criminal record checks and the National Criminal Background Fingerprint check in addition to personal and professional references, educational and employment background checks, said a spokesperson for CPS. Bonilla is on administrative leave. Bonilla is scheduled to be arraigned on April 1 in Middlesex Superior Court. 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 Get your phone cameras ready. A new photo-worthy sculpture just made its debut at Covington's riverfront. The "Love the Cov" sculpture was installed Wednesday at Riverfront Commons as part of a larger initiative to integrate art along the multi-use path, Southbank Partners announced in a news release. The sculpture is described as a "large but playful take on Covington's popular 'Cov' nickname." The installation features 10-foot-tall block letters for the "C" and "V" and a 12-foot-tall red heart that stands in for an "O." Banz Studios, an art studio and gallery based in Cincinnati, oversaw the installation process and worked with Indianapolis-based artists Owens + Crawley, who created the sculpture. Southbank Partners, a Northern Kentucky regional economic development nonprofit, commissioned the sculpture with support from the tourist information center meetNKY and the Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky as a gift to the city. According to a post from the city of Covington's official Facebook page, Banz Studios Senior Art Consultant Chelsea Tucker said she received inspiration for the sculpture while visiting her hometown. I visit Chicago a lot, Im from around there, and they have an art walk along a neighborhood, Tucker said. I talked to Will Weber [Southbank Partners President & CEO] and came up with a couple of concepts, and this is one of the first concepts he really liked, so this is going to be the first of what is hopefully many along the riverfront. "Tucker said the goal was to have something interactive, and they hope that people will be inspired to stand beneath the letters beneath the heart, which is why they made it so large and maybe sit on the 'C,'" the post reads. "Were pretty sure were not the only ones envisioning lots of engagement photos in that heart-shaped 'V,'" the city of Covington added in the post. The sculpture is located on Covington Plaza, with the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline serving as its backdrop. Riverfront Commons is the signature project of Southbank Partners. The plan for the multi-use path, which is already partially completed, is a 20-mile continuous corridor along the Ohio River that connects multiple Northern Kentucky river cities from Devou Park to Pendery Park. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Love the Cov' sculpture installed on Riverfront Commons in Covington At the end of April, car buyers will lose a valuable safety net that could cost them thousands of pounds. Thats when the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will stop companies selling GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance. This add-on cover is bought by drivers worried that if their motor is written off by an insurer, their insurance settlement wont buy a like-for-like replacement or fully pay off a finance company. In 2022, 1.85 million GAP policies worth 350 million were sold in the UK. Currently about 30 per cent of vehicle buyers purchase GAP cover and that proportion is forecast to more than double within the next four years. By indefinitely suspending GAP insurance, the FCA will put the kibosh on many drivers dreams of replacing a written-off car. People like Hamzah Nadeem. The pharmacist from Telford in Shropshire has just bought a BMW 530d after his previous 435d was involved in a crash. Nadeem told us: Without having GAP insurance, I would have lost 10,000 because of the shortfall between what the insurer paid and the cost of replacing the car. I would never buy a car without GAP insurance. My policy only cost 296 for four years. Why is the FCA suspending GAP? GAP insurance is often sold alongside finance by car dealers or through independent brokers. But finance regulator the FCA found that in some cases 70 per cent of the customers GAP premium was going in commission, usually when it was sold by car dealers. It is now suspending dealers from selling GAP from 31 March 2024. Independent brokers have a months grace to work out how they can improve value for consumers. The FCAs executive director of consumers and competition, Sheldon Mills, said: GAP insurance can provide a useful service to customers, but in its current form it does not offer fair value and we want to see improvements. The FCA says it has looked at the value of total claims costs as a proportion of premiums paid. It claims the ratio is six per cent for GAP insurance versus 65 per cent for motor insurance. But David Burns-Keane, who founded online retailer Gapinsurance.co.uk 20 years ago, countered: No one knows how theyve come up with that figure. In 2022, our claims ratio for GAP was 16 per cent. But in some years its been more than 100 per cent. Another GAP provider which was fearful of FCA retribution for speaking out stated its claims ratio for 2022 was 38 per cent. And while the FCA says average payouts are 529, this providers was 3,300. Chief executive of the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA), Graeme Trudgill, said: We believe that when sold in the heavily regulated environment by brokers this insurance has utility, offers fair value and has always seen high customer satisfaction. GAP insurance is intended to ensure you can claim the full value of your vehicle in the event of it being written off - FirePhoto/Alamy Car buyers will lose out The GAP providers we spoke to believe about 50 per cent of the car-buying public dont know about GAP insurance. People think their regular motor insurance will enable them to replace their written-off car with a like-for-like model. One provider claimed: For a lot of people, the first time they hear about GAP insurance is when they go into a car dealer. They then have a choice as to whether they take out the dealers insurance or look around for a cheaper policy from an online broker like ours. What the FCA will do by limiting commission is create conditions that car dealers cant live with. That will see dealers leave the market and mean thousands of buyers wont find out about GAP insurance. [Dealer group] Motorpoint has already deregulated and stopped selling GAP, which is 75,000 buyers that wont find out about GAP. What is the impact on the GAP insurance industry? As you might expect, the GAP industry is upset at having its business suspended. Burns-Keane said: Part of me supports what the FCA is doing. A car dealer was selling a three-year GAP insurance policy for 1,350. We were selling the exact same policy, from the same insurer, for 300. Ive been calling out car dealers over this for years. But without being able to sell GAP insurance, I dont have a business. Ive been holding off making people redundant but the more I burn through cash, the more of a problem it becomes. Richard Lee, managing director of InsureThat, said: We are perplexed as to how the current messaging provides reassurance to the industry and consumers. Instead we see a state of near paralysis, which is helpful to neither. BIBAs Trudgill added: This is severely affecting vehicle owners or buyers who may now face challenges getting the cover they need, as well as some insurance brokers businesses that focus on GAP insurance. Shouldnt comprehensive car insurance be comprehensive? This is the obvious question. But for insurers, there are two separate but linked risks: the cars value when the policy is taken out and the depreciation it suffers during the cover period. When an insurer declares a car a total loss (write-off), the final settlement figure is called its market value. But Mr Nadeem said: With standard insurance, the market value they give for a car is never the true market value. If Id had finance on my car and no GAP, Id have been 4,000 to 6,000 out of pocket after my insurance payout. His example isnt unusual. Unless youre near the end of a finance deal, comprehensive insurance is unlikely to be sufficient to pay off the remainder owed on a car. One GAP provider said: They call it fully comprehensive, but every year insurers charge higher premiums for lower risk. The market value offered when an insurer declares a car a write-off is not necessarily its true market value, experts say - Johnny Jones / Alamy So what can you do? If youre looking at buying a new or used car and were considering GAP insurance, there are a couple of options. There are lease contracts that guarantee to protect your shortfall after a write-off. Or you can get insured value insurance which covers the cars purchase price for 12 months or 10,000 miles. But both are expensive add-ons. Alternatively, just hope the FCA works out a way forwards that enables GAP insurers to continue trading. Recommended War on drivers heralds death of the two-car household Read more Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A carer has avoided prison for smothering his 89-year-old mother in what he claims was an an act of mercy. Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after his mother Eileen Pearce, who suffers from dementia and osteoporosis, for 10 years. In June 2021, he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath, South-east London and slashed his wrists with a craft knife before calling the police to confess, saying: She was in a lot of pain. The defendant denied murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility due to his severely depressed state. On Thursday, Judge Alexia Durran sentenced Pearce at the Old Bailey to two years in jail, suspended for two years. She told the court it was a tragic case, but added: Mercy killing is not recognised as an exemption to the law of homicide. She said Ms Pearce was a fiercely independent woman who had received excellent care at home from her son before the defendant became overwhelmed by the situation. Put his mother out of her suffering Judge Durran said: I considered you decided death for both of you was the only solution in the incredibly sad position you found yourself. I accept your good character. Your actions can be characterised as an act of mercy. The judge also sentenced Pearce to 240 days of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement. Earlier, prosecutor Jack Talbot told how Ms Pearce was found dead in her bed at home on June 5 2021. The defendant told officers that he had put his mother out of her suffering with a wet flannel. He said: Then I decided to kill myself but it did not work. I thought it was only fair if I did that to my mum. I have got nothing to live for and no one. Pearce, who took early retirement from a rail company to look after his mother, said that nobody wanted to know. In the end, I had given her release In a signed note found on his chest of drawers, Pearce wrote: I am sorry but its all got too much. Mums health, dementia, and delirium after her recent hospital stay, really has been so difficult to cope with. I did try my best. Last night was just the final straw. That is not living. That is not my brave, beautiful, bright mum who gave up everything for her boys. In the end, I have given her release. Please forgive me. I do love her and I did my best. It is not right for me to go on, I accept that and have no regrets. In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Pearces older son Terry Pearce said she had brought them up alone after she split up with their father in 1974. He appealed for compassion for his brother saying he understood the stress and horror of watching a loved one deteriorate, having cared for his wife before she died from cancer. In mitigation, defence barrister Katy Thorne said: This is a tragic but highly unusual case. We say, Mr Pearce did kill his 89-year-old mother in the throes of a depressive episode in the context of a wholly loving, caring relationship with her. 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. BALTIMORE (AP) The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent routine engine maintenance in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday, as divers recovered the bodies of two of six workers who plunged into the water when it collapsed. The others were presumed dead, and officials said search efforts had been exhausted. Actor from NCIS, Shameless arrested for allegedly breaching US Capitol on Jan. 6 Investigators began collecting evidence from the vessel a day after it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bodies of the two men were located in the morning inside a red pickup submerged in about 25 feet (7.6 meters) of water near the bridges middle span, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent of Maryland State Police, announced at an evening news conference. He identified the men as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, who was from Mexico and living in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, who was from Guatemala and living in Dundalk, Maryland. The victims, who were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge, were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Butler said. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore addressed their families in Spanish during the news conference, saying, Estamos contigo, ahora y siempre, which means, we are with you, now and always. The Francis Scott Key Bridge could rejoin Baltimores skyline in as little as two years or as many as 15, with some experts eyeing a number in between. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) A Coast Gaurd cutter patrols in front of a cargo ship that is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Wednesday March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. Recovery efforts resumed Wednesday for the construction workers who are presumed dead after the cargo ship hit a pillar of the bridge, causing the structure to collapse. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) A plane gains altitude as a container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as night falls on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as night falls on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) A Coast Guard cutter passes a cargo ship that is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship his the bridge Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) All search efforts have been exhausted, and based on sonar scans, authorities firmly believe the other vehicles with victims are encased in material from the collapsed bridge, Butler said. Divers are to resume searching once the debris is cleared. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said at the news conference that authorities were informed that the ship was going to undergo the maintenance. As far as the engine goes, we were not informed of any problems with the vessel, he said. Four winning Powerball tickets sold in Ohio The Baltimore region has reeled from the sudden loss of a major transportation link thats part of the highway loop around the city. The disaster also closed the port, which is vital to the citys shipping industry. National Transportation Safety Board officials boarded the ship to recover information from its electronics and paperwork and to interview the captain and other crew members, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said during a separate news conference. Twenty-three people, including two pilots, were on the ship when it crashed, she said. The vessel was also carrying 56 containers of hazardous materials including corrosives, flammables and lithium ion batteries, Homendy said. She added that some containers were breached, and that a sheen on the water from those materials would be handled by authorities. Marcel Muise, NTSB investigator in charge, laid out a preliminary timeline assembled from the voyage data recorder comprising audio from the bridge and VHF radio ahead of the crash, which federal and state officials have said appeared to be an accident. The vessel, the Dali, left port at 12:39 a.m. Tuesday and, after it entered the channel, signs of trouble came at about 1:25 a.m. when numerous alarms sounded, according to the NTSB. About a minute later, steering commands and rudder orders were issued, and at 1:26 a.m. and 39 seconds, a pilot made a general radio call for nearby tug boats. School closings due to internet, phone issues Maryland Transportation Authority data from about the same time shows the pilot association dispatcher called the transportation authoritys officer on duty about the blackout, the NTSB said. Just after 1:27 a.m., the pilot commanded the ship to drop an anchor on the left side of the ship and issued added steering commands. About 20 seconds later, the pilot issued a radio call reporting that the Dali had lost all power approaching the bridge. At about that time, the state transportation officer on duty radioed two of its units already stationed at each end of the bridge saying to close the bridge to vehicle traffic. They were already there because of the construction. Around 1:29 a.m., when the ship was traveling at about 8 mph (13 kph), recordings for about 30 seconds picked up sounds consistent with it colliding with the bridge, the NTSB said. A Transportation Authority dash camera also shows lights on the bridge going out. At 1:29 a.m. and 39 seconds, the pilot reported to the Coast Guard that the bridge was down. Muise said experts will review the entire voyage data recording and develop a detailed transcript. At least eight people initially went into the water when the ship struck the bridge column, and two of them were rescued Tuesday, officials said. Traffic was still crossing the span as the ship approached, and some vehicles appeared to escape with only seconds to spare. The crash caused the bridge to break and fall into the water within seconds. Authorities had just enough time to stop vehicle traffic. One officer parked sideways across the lanes and planned to drive onto the bridge to alert the construction crew once another officer arrived, but he did not get a chance. The debris complicated the search for the workers, according to a Homeland Security memo described to The Associated Press by a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss details of the document or the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. Gov. Moore said the divers faced dangerous conditions, among the mangled metal and low visibility. They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them, Moore said. The Dali, which is managed by Synergy Marine Group, was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. It is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and Danish shipping giant Maersk said it had chartered it. The vessel passed foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023. In the June inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before departure, Singapores port authority said. The ship was traveling under a Singapore flag, and officials there said they will conduct their own investigation in addition to supporting U.S. authorities. The sudden loss of a highway that carries 30,000 vehicles a day and the port disruption will affect not only thousands of dockworkers and commuters but also U.S. consumers who are likely to feel the impact of shipping delays. A lot of people dont realize how important the port is just to everything, said Cat Watson, who used the bridge to get to work every day and lives close enough that she was awakened by the collision. Were going to be feeling it for a very long time. Baltimore is a busy entry point for vehicles made in Germany, Mexico, Japan and the United Kingdom, along with coal and farm equipment. Ship traffic has been suspended indefinitely. Windward Maritime, a maritime risk-management company, said its data shows a large increase in ships that are waiting for a port to go to, with some anchored outside Baltimore or nearby Annapolis. At the White House, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the Biden administration was focused on reopening the port and rebuilding the bridge, which was completed in 1977. He did not put a timeline on those efforts, while noting that the original bridge took five years to construct. Buttigieg also planned to meet Thursday with supply chain officials. Barges, including some with cranes, were on their way to help remove the wreckage, Gilreath said. Homendy said the NTSB investigation could take 12 to 24 months but the agency may issue urgent safety recommendations sooner. A preliminary report should come in two to four weeks. Its a massive undertaking for an investigation, Homendy said. From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions, according to the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. There are casualties in Zaporizhzhya after the Russian military launched another nighttime drone attack on the city on March 28, Zaporizhzhya Regional Military Administration head, Ivan Fedorov, reported. The first reports of explosions in the city appeared on Fedorov's Telegram channel at 1:58 a.m. EET. Half an hour later, he wrote that people were injured after drones had hit private homes. Read also: Fedorov did not provide further details, saying only that information about the injured and damage is being clarified. The air raid alert in Zaporizhzhya ended at 2:39 a.m. Read also: Russian forces also attacked Kharkiv with missiles, resulting in damage to a restaurant during the same night. There were also reports of explosions in Dnipro and Odesa. 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 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Its officially Opening Day for Major League Baseball, with a full slate of games. Fans have plenty to be excited about, although the joy surrounding the start of a new season has been tempered somewhat by the gambling allegations involving the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. This afternoon in Baltimore, the Orioles and Angels observed a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Key Bridge collapse. Weve got a preview of what should be an interesting season. Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things Sam Bankman-Fried addresses the judge today in this courtroom sketch. - Jane Rosenberg/Reuters 1 Sam Bankman-Fried: The disgraced cryptocurrency king was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for defrauding customers and investors in his failed crypto exchange FTX. The sentence is about half of what prosecutors had requested. Video: How SBFs world fell apart 2 Bridge recovery: The pilots of a cargo ship that destroyed Baltimores Key Bridge will be interviewed by authorities as crews prepare for a risky salvage mission. Visualizing the bridge collapse. Conspiracy theories emerged from the tragedy. Watch: Simulator recreates moments leading up to crash 3 Endangered species: The Biden administration strengthened protections of the Endangered Species Act, repealing Trump-era rules that had stripped safeguards for plants and animals. 4 Breaking tradition: In an annual Maundy Thursday ritual, Pope Francis washed peoples feet during a visit to a prison in Rome. But this year it was women only. 5 Sweet 16: Thats how many teams are still alive for the mens and womens versions of March Madness. Heres what you need to know as the action tips off tonight. Watch this Unbelievable: Two front-end loaders battle it out during a wild police pursuit in Georgia. Editors picks Here are a few recommended reads for you: Quotable Short videos: This influencer makes $20,000 a month to create 1-minute YouTube videos. Its all part of Googles strategy to beat TikTok. Quiz time The towers in Bologna date to the 12th century. - Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Moment RF/Getty Images Experts devised a plan to save a tilting tower in Bologna. Where is Italys other famed leaning tower? A. Naples B. Rome C. Pisa D. Florence Scroll down for the answer. Good vibes We like to wrap things up on a positive note: Beyonces eagerly awaited new album coming out Friday pays tribute to Linda Martell, who overcame long odds to find success in country music as a Black woman. Thanks for reading Well see you back here on Monday. Enjoy the weekend. What would you like to see in 5 Things PM? Email us: 5things@cnn.com Quiz answer: C. Scientists plan to use the same equipment to save Bolognas tower that shored up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Check out all of CNNs newsletters. 5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Longtime WCBS-TV evening news anchor Dana Tyler bade farewell in an emotional, tear-filled sign-off during her final newscast after more than 30 years. This is my last newscast, my last 6 oclock news with you here at Channel 2, its my last day at Channel 2, 34 years Ive been here, Tyler said Wednesday alongside her co-anchor Dick Brennan. Tyler, 65, began her career with the network in 1990, serving as a weekend co-anchor and general assignment reporter. She and Reggie Harris became the first black anchor team in New York, according to the outlet. WCBS-TV evening news anchor Dana Tyler gives her final sign-off at the station on March 27, 2024. CBS News Tyler, in a pre-recorded message, thanked her co-workers and the viewers after a video tribute celebrated the longtime journalists illustrious career. Im so honored to be here, so honored to say thank you to my several thousand co-workers in every department here, who over the past 34 years, and to this very second have collaborated with me, challenged and taught me, given me valuable, constructive criticism and encouragement. Weve laughed, weve cried together, weve tried to do our best for you, and my heart is full of gratitude and respect for my co-workers. Tyler said she was proud to have shared the truth with the New York metro area while enacting change for the people for whom we work. Tyler, 65, began her career with the network in 1990, serving as a weekend co-anchor and reporter. She and Reggie Harris became the first black anchor team in New York. CBS News Tyler reports from outside the CBS Broadcasting Center in early 2020 after the station closed its offices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CBS News I say thank you, Channel 2 viewers, youre loyal, youre kind, you keep us on our toes, Tyler said. Ive always felt privileged for these 34 years that youve invited me, us, into your homes, your firehouses, your bodegas, so many places. The longtime anchor admitted having reported plenty of bad news but said its because every story is important to different individuals. There is bad news, violence, disease, abuse, drugs, she admitted. Oh, weve endured tragedies, havent we, in the New York area? Tyler said she was proud to have shared the truth with the New York metro area, while enacting change for the people for whom we work. CBS News Ive always tried to be respectful and compassionate and bear witness to whats happening because I know every story is an individual, a family, a community. A self-described grammar nerd, Tyler said she was always proud to cover the good news of heroics, parades, good grades and good people. You raise our spirits. Tyler has won six Emmy Awards for her coverage of breaking news events in and around New York City, including her 2009 coverage of Flight 1549 Lands in the Hudson River. She also received several Emmy nominations, which include her reporting on the 1994 World Trade Center bombing. Tyler was presented with the New York Association of Black Journalists 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and has been honored by the Friars Club and McDonalds. Tyler was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2022. She shared one of the most important aspects that has affected her personally, and how the CBS affiliate has worked to improve it. One of the biggest changes, and yeah it took a while, is diversity, here where I work on our air, a reflection of who our audience is and in our coverage. Still a lot of work to be done, but weve done a lot of work on it and Im so, so proud to be a part of that history. The longtime anchor admitted to having reported plenty of bad news but said its because every story is important to different individuals. CBS News Tyler wipes tears from her eyes as co-anchor Dick Brennan shares a story about her during Wednesday nights newscast. CBS News When the cameras returned to Tyler at the anchor desk, she appeared emotional and gave an acknowledgment to her family before remembering her late uncle, David Harris, who had recently died. Harris was the first black pilot for a major US airline, Tyler shared. He died on March 8. Tyler isnt the only one giving up their chair on the 6 p.m. newscasts, as Dick Brennan is also set to be leaving the time slot. The two anchors will be replaced by Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson, who co-anchor the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, and will expand their air time through 6:30 p.m. Tyler, the longest-tenured anchor in the history of the CBS affiliate, will contribute stories and interviews on the channels over-the-air broadcast as well as its streaming platform, according to an internal memo circulated by the station earlier this month. In this photo provided by Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense, Lithuania's army soldiers attend the celebration for Lithuania's NATO membership 20th anniversary at the Siauliai airbase, some 230 km (144 miles) east of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Alfredas Pliadis/Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense via AP) VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) Several central and Eastern European countries began marking on Thursday the 20th anniversary of the largest expansion of the NATO military alliance when formerly socialist countries became members of the bloc. Military aircraft roared over the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. At the main airbase hosting Spanish and Portuguese fighter jets tasked with NATO air policing missions in the Baltic region, officials gathered to commemorate the event. Russias new bloody terror in Europe is contributing to the growth of instability and threats around the world. However, we in Lithuania are calm because we know that we will never be alone again, said President Gitanas Nauseda, standing near the runway where the first NATO jets landed back in 2004. We will always have a strong, supportive Alliance family by our side, and we will face any challenges together. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined NATO on March 29 in 2004, bringing the total membership of the Alliance to 26. The seven nations started accession negotiations soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union and eventually were invited to join at the Prague Summit in November 2002. Another group of former Soviet satellites including Poland and the Czech Republic had been admitted several years earlier. Since joining the alliance, these countries often warned about the threat of Russia, using their national trauma of Soviet occupation as proof of credibility. While Western nations often dismissed their sometimes hawkish attitude, Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine is seen as a vindication of those fears. They have given some of the most robust responses, helping Ukraine with equipment and money, and pushing for even greater sanctions on Russia. Most of the former Soviet Republics that joined NATO at the turn of the millennium spend more than the required 2% of gross domestic product on defense. When Romanias President Klaus Iohannis announced his bid earlier this month to become the next leader of the alliance, he emphasized the threat from Russia and said the alliance needs a renewal of perspectives that Eastern Europe could provide. Russia is proving to be a serious and long-term threat to our continent, to our Euro-Atlantic security, the 65-year-old said when he announced his bid. NATOs borders become of paramount importance, and the strengthening of the eastern flank ... will remain a long-term priority. The seven countries are marking the anniversary with solemn events and shows of force, but also some levity, with open-air concerts and exhibitions. Twenty years ago the Bulgarian people made the right choice for our country to join NATO, the countrys defense chief Adm. Emil Eftimov said. Given todays security situation, this is the most appropriate decision we have made in our recent history. NATO was established in the aftermath of World War II. ___ Associated Press writers Stephen McGrath in Sighisoara, Romania, and Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria contributed to this report. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) The Central High School Student Senate is excited to announce they will host the first annual Kermes Car Show. The Kermes Car Show will happen on Friday, March 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Central High School parking lot. The event is a celebration of Hispanic and Latin culture and is free for community members to attend. The event will reportedly also include food trucks, vendors, contests, dance groups, games, and more. Click here to learn more about the event. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. The farmworker organizer and civil rights leader whose life and work are honored with a federal commemorative holiday is known as Cesar Chavez. March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day. But his real name was Cesario Chavez, a fact not commonly known, said Rafael Martinez, a professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University. Chavez, born nearly 100 years ago in San Luis, Arizona, was named after his grandfather. But he dropped the last two letters of his first name when he started grade school because Cesar sounded more "American" than Cesario, Martinez said. Chavez grew up during a time of segregation in the Southwest, and people of color, including Black people and Mexican American people, attended schools separate from white people, Martinez said. "That was very common for Mexicano community members in Arizona, not just along the borderlands but as far up here as Phoenix, where during segregation time most folks, by the time they reached grade school, they Americanized their names or used the name that was easier to pronounce for the grade school teachers, who were primarily white at that time," Martinez said. Who was Cesar Chavez? Chavez was a former farm laborer who gained national and international recognition in the 1960s and 1970s as a labor organizer and civil rights leader who followed the militant nonviolence traditions of Mahatma Gandhi and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. After losing land during the Great Depression, Chavez's family became migrant farmworkers. They followed harvests in Arizona before moving to California. Chavez attended more than 30 schools by the time he left school in eighth grade to work in the fields, Martinez said. Chavez served two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Martinez said. Cesar Chavez on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol on Labor Day 1966. (Credit: Contributed by Phil Oakley/File) Chavez began organizing in California in the early 1950s, first with the Community Service Organization and then with the National Farmworkers Association, which later joined forces with the United Farm Workers of America. In 1965, the National Farmworkers Association voted to join a grape strike spearheaded by Filipino farmworkers in Delano, California. The strike and national grape boycott evolved into a civil rights movement. Chavez was raised Roman Catholic and fasted numerous times to call attention to the plight of farmworkers. During one of the longest, a 25-day water-only fast in 1968, Chavez lost 35 pounds and endangered his life, according to the UFW. Cesar Chavez's ties to Arizona Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, in San Luis, a small town near Yuma in the southwest corner of Arizona on the U.S. border with Mexico. He also died in the same area on April 23, 1993, at the age of 66. On May 11, 1972, Chavez started a water-only fast at the Santa Rita Hall in Phoenix to protest House Bill 2134. The bill outlawed many of the common tactics used by Chavez and farmworkers to demand better working conditions. One of the bill's provisions allowed growers to get restraining orders to prohibit farm workers from striking during harvest periods. Chavez began the fast immediately after then-Gov. Jack Williams signed the legislation. Williams signed the law just 45 minutes after the Legislature passed it, indicating the pressure put on lawmakers from powerful business groups to limit organizing by farmworkers, Martinez said. During his fast, Chavez was visited by several prominent civil rights leaders and politicians, including Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., and U.S. Sen. George McGovern, a Democrat from South Dakota who was running for president, Martinez said. Chavez's fast lasted 24 days. On the day he ended it, hundreds of people, including 19-year-old Joseph P. Kennedy II, son of Robert F. Kennedy, joined him at a Mass. The Santa Rita Hall still stands. It's located in a neighborhood of modest houses near Buckeye Road and 7th Street near Chase Field, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play, in downtown Phoenix. The popular Latino and immigrant rights slogan "Si Se Puede" was coined during the fast at Santa Rita Hall. Workers doubted their ability to take on conservative Arizona's powerful businesses and political forces, saying, "No se puede." Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the farmworker movement, responded, "Si se puede" yes, it can be done. Obama proclaims federal commemorative holiday In 2014, President Barack Obama declared March 31 Cesar Chavez Day, a federal commemorative holiday. He urged Americans to observe the day with educational programs and public service that honor his legacy. "On Cesar Chavez Day, we celebrate one of America's greatest champions for social justice. Raised into the life of a migrant farm worker, he toiled alongside men, women and children who performed daily, backbreaking labor for meager pay and in deplorable conditions," Obama said. "Cesar Chavez devoted his life to correcting these injustices, to reminding us that every job has dignity, every life has value, and everyone no matter who you are, what you look like, or where you come from should have the chance to get ahead." In Arizona, many schools are closed on April 1 in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. In Phoenix, city offices also will be closed on April 1. Reach the reporter at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cesar Chavez Day is March 31. How was he connected to Arizona? ROCKFORD, Ill. Authorities have announced charges against a 22-year-old Winnebago County man in connection with a stabbing rampage that killed four and wounded seven others Wednesday afternoon in Rockford. Christian Soto was charged, Rockford officials said at a Thursday press briefing. Soto faces 11 charges of murder and attempted murder and two charges of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, according to Winnebago County Sheriff records. Court records show Soto lives about a block from where he allegedly attacked 11 people, killing four, including a mail carrier, in a southeast Rockford neighborhood. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara identified the dead as Romona Schupbach, 63, Jacob Schupbach, 23, Jay Larson, 49, and Jenna Newcomb, 15. Early Thursday, Craig Garr stood in his driveway in that neighborhood and watched a tow service load his Jeep Grand Cherokee onto the bed of a truck. Blood still splattered his driveway. It was on his door frame, on his yard decorations and especially on two rocks that were usually by his front door but on Thursday were lying near a set of deep tire tracks on his front lawn. He is 74 and has lived on Winnetka Drive for 45 years. Garrs mail came early Wednesday afternoon. It was two pieces. Just after the letters came through the slot, Garr said he was in his computer room and heard a commotion, like a garbage truck. I looked out my window and I saw a guy hovering by my window. And then I saw the mail guy down there and he was just beating the (expletive) out of him, he said. And I said, What are you doing? And the guy said, He stole money from me.' Then the letter carrier, Larson, rolled over. He recognized Garr. He said, Call 911.' Garr said the man beating up the mailman saw he had the phone in his hand and made for the front door. Garr shut and bolted the door so he couldnt get in the house. From his window, Garr said he saw the man continue to attack the mailman before getting in a black truck. He floored it, like down to the ground, and ran over the mailman, Garr said. Smashed my car. Then he put it in reverse and backed over the mailman in my yard. He did not sleep Wednesday night. Officials from Rockford and Winnebago County said they have a 22-year-old man in custody, believed to be the sole suspect in the slayings, which unfolded in the area around Holmes Street, Cleveland Avenue and Eggleston Road around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. Authorities had not determined a motive. The man could be in court later today, according to records, though charges have yet to be formally announced. Of the wounded, one was listed in critical condition while the others were stable, Rockford police Chief Carla Redd told reporters Wednesday. At least one of the victims injuries was neither stabbing nor gunshot-related, she said. Two Rockford police cars were parked near the intersection of Upland Drive and Holmes on Thursday morning, while another sat in the driveway beside the blue home that appeared to be the center of the crime scene. A strip of yellow tape was the only other immediate indication that there had been police activity on the block. Residents in the area on Wednesday night feared for the lives of their neighbors and mourned the neighborhoods popular mailman, whom they believed was killed in the attack. Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd confirmed that a mail carrier had been involved in the massacre and the U.S. Postal Service had a representative at the scene Wednesday evening. Tracy Smith spent much of the night poring over video footage from her home doorbell system, her dog pacing at her feet. She played back a snippet of tape from 12:55 p.m. over and over, watching a figure cross the screen. Yep, thats him, she said. Smith, 56, has lived near the intersection of Cleveland and Holmes since the late 1990s and said the mailman had worked the block for years. He would smile and wave at the front door even if he couldnt see someone in the home, she said. Rockford Alderman Mark Bonne observed that residents of the area would be likely to know their mail carrier well: This neighborhood still has door-side mailboxes so the mail carrier walks the route and is on your doorstep every day. The City of Rockford announced via its social media that a vigil honoring the victims would take place at the intersection of Charles Street and Eggleston Road at 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Mayor McNamara announced that Flinn Middle School, 2525 Ohio Parkway, would be open for those seeking counseling and support between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. _____ Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said it was critical that former President Trumps federal election interference case goes to trial before voters select their next president in November as she called on the Supreme Court to recognize Trumps appeal as a delay tactic. It cannot be the case that a president of the United States can attempt to overturn an election and seize power and that our justice system is incapable of holding a trial, of holding him to account, before the next election, Cheney said at a Wednesday event at Drake University in Iowa. That cannot be the case. Trumps legal team has sought delays in each of his four criminal cases, citing various factors, ahead of the 2024 presidential election. His federal election interference case which some critics see as the most important to resolve before November is on hold until the Supreme Court rules on Trumps claim that he should be immune from criminal prosecution for all actions taken while in office. The Supreme Court will hear the case April 25. Cheney who served as vice chair of the House committee that investigated Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 loss said Trump, despite his claims otherwise, has all the evidence from the special counsel investigation that resulted in the federal indictment against him, and he has all the evidence from the Jan. 6 select committee. Cheney said she suspects Trump knows how damaging the evidence is and, therefore, is trying to delay the trial. If you look at what Donald Trump is doing now, and if you look at the extensive effort that he has undertaken to prevent the Jan. 6 trial from going forward before his election, the reason hes doing that is because he knows, first of all, he has all of that evidence, Cheney said, referring to evidence from the House committee, the special counsel and grand jury, including transcripts of testimony from members of his administration. And so, Donald Trump knows what the most senior members of his administration his vice president, his attorney general, his acting attorney general, his acting secretary of defense he knows what all of those people said to the grand jury, and he knows how damaging that will be to him, Cheney added, in remarks first highlighted by Mediaite. On Trumps presidential immunity claim, Cheney cautioned the Supreme Court to recognize that what hes doing is a delaying tactic and said that allowing for further delays is itself, suppression of evidence. The Supreme Court, you know, I trust that they will deal in a responsible and expeditious fashion with this appeal, Cheney said, but recognize that taking action that will result in further delay in preventing the American people from seeing that evidence in open court, is itself suppression of the evidence, that the American people have a right to see that evidence. And the court ought to recognize that. A spokesperson for Trumps campaign, Steven Cheung, fired back at Cheney in an emailed statement, writing, Of course Shotgun Liz would advocate for weaponizing the justice system to meddle in an election. She clearly suffers from Trump Derangement Syndrome. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission is investigating, after serving search warrants at two Cherokee County convenience stores. Yesterday, officers with the commission raided the Quick Stops in Riverton and Baxter Springs. Representatives say they seized 12 electronic gaming machines, cash, and other documents related to illegal gambling. They say theyve been investigating the two businesses for about a month on allegations they had electronic games typically found in casinos, that werent properly licensed or regulated. FOUR STATES CRIME Officers with the Baxter Springs Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriffs Office assisted. The investigation is ongoing. Commission officials say once its complete, theyll contact the sheriffs office to see if any criminal charges or civil penalties will be filed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Each year the Cherokee Nation honors veterans by sending them to Washington, D.C. where they tour memorials that honor veterans. (Photo/Cherokee Nation) Eight Cherokee veterans who served during the Vietnam War visited the World War I Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War Memorial on Tuesday. The Cherokee veterans are in the nations capital city as part of the 10th Cherokee Warrior Flight. The Cherokee Nation funds the flight for Cherokee veterans to see the national war memorials erected in their honor in Washington, D.C. This trip is one small way for us to say thank you to our Cherokee veterans. Im proud to say that Cherokees serve in the U.S. military at greater rates per-capita than any other ethnicities, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. The courage, commitment, accountability and integrity that these veterans showed through their service is something we could never fully pay back, but we will continue to honor them in ways that we can, and this trip is just one of those few ways. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. William Adams Jr., of Lowry City, Missouri, served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Its an honor, I feel unworthy because so many paid the price and I just feel very fortunate to be chosen, Adams said. Im proud to be Cherokee and I look forward to this as a lifetime moment. The veterans will return to Tulsa International Airport on Thursday, March 28. The Cherokee Warrior Flight is similar to the national honor flight organizations goal of helping veterans, willing and able, to see the memorials dedicated to honor their service. Veterans participating in the 2024 Cherokee Warrior Flight include: Vietnam Dru Ella Pratt, 88, Navy, of Claremore William Adams Jr., 68, Army, of Lowry City, Missouri Larry Junior Parker, 72, Army, of Chelsea Johnnie P. Walker, 78, Air Force, of Bartonville, Illinois James LeRoy Locut, 83, Air Force, of Sand Springs Charles Eugene Tritthart, 77, Army, of Edmond Jimmy Cochran, 74, Army, of Houston, Texas Jeffrey Simpson, 81, Army, of Stilwell About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday delivered an impassioned defense of ally Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopezs appearance last week in front of a scorched American flag and dismissed calls by other City Council members to have Sigcho-Lopez removed as head of a powerful council committee. While saying he thinks other aldermen will stop short of censuring Sigcho-Lopez because it is a fascist form of expression, the mayor also took care to avoid weighing in on the progressive aldermans criticism of President Joe Biden and agreement with protesters that the Democratic National Convention in Chicago should be canceled. Johnson said that one of the core elements of democracy is actually having the First Amendment when asked about Sigcho-Lopez speaking in front of a charred American flag at a pro-Palestinian rally outside City Hall this past Friday. The mayor then compared the situation to one faced by Barack Obama when he was first running for president in 2008. At the time, excerpts of sermons by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obamas then-pastor, were publicized, including remarks in which Wright blasted the U.S. government for dishonesty, shouted God damn America and accused the government of creating AIDS. As far as people taking offense to someones presentation, I remember when President Obama was being ridiculed because of comments that his pastor made in the pulpit, Johnson said. Do we really want to have a society where someones comments, or someone elses comments that happened to be in the presence of someone else, that that becomes a repudiation of that particular person? I would find that to be morally reprehensible and irresponsible. Though it was noted that Obama ultimately denounced the comments and later left Trinity United Church of Christ, Johnson reiterated the American right to protected speech. He also did not comment on questions surrounding Sigcho-Lopezs views or association with the group that held the protest calling for the DNC in Chicago, where Biden is expected to be renominated this summer, to be canceled. Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, has parroted those calls about the DNC, saying the event should be canceled in protest of the federal governments response to the migrant humanitarian crisis that has affected Chicago and other cities. Photos from the rally show the charred flag in front of Sigcho-Lopezs feet. It was set on fire by a Marine veteran who once flew it while on tour in Afghanistan and was protesting the Biden administrations handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, according to organizers. Sigcho-Lopezs appearance at the protest and his comments at it have angered nearly a dozen council colleagues, who demanded Johnson remove Sigcho-Lopez as head of the Housing and Real Estate Committee and announced plans to hold a special City Council meeting Monday where Sigcho-Lopez could be censured. Though committee chair assignments require City Council approval, Chicago mayors, including Johnson, have traditionally exerted a de-facto power to handpick their choices. Johnson on Thursday rejected the demand by the 11 aldermen, saying Sigcho-Lopez was qualified to chair the Housing Committee and was fighting for affordable housing. If people are as petulant as someone who would be unwilling to engage with someone that they disagree with, we wouldnt be standing here today, Johnson said. Do you know how many conversations Black leaders have had to have with racists? Its multiple, right? People have a right, though I may disagree with this particular presentation, if people want to march through the streets and they have with nooses and other forms of objects that would be offensive to people, I can be offended, but also understand the fundamental value of this country. The Pilsen alderman who has strongly noted his support for Gaza in past council meetings while sporting a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf has said he was unaware the American flag would be burned at the protest, did not see it when he arrived and was not at the protest when the act occurred. I fully expect that the City Council recognizes its responsibility, and that it will not move forward in the type of fascist forms of expression that have left too many of our countries in desperate peril, Johnson said. Harsh debate over Israels attacks in Gaza following Hamas October surprise attack have brought disorder to the City Council for months. Loud protests during council meetings have twice led to security clearing spectators before aldermen narrowly passed a symbolic resolution calling for a cease-fire in late January. During a news conference Wednesday condemning Sigcho-Lopez, Marine and Army National Guard veteran Ald. Chris Taliaferro, 29th, said Sigcho-Lopez overstepped when he spoke in front of not only the charred flag but also a sign accusing Biden of enabling genocide. He was among three veterans in City Council speaking out during the news conference. His conduct and his speech were reprehensible to the point where we are demanding he account for his actions, Taliaferro said of Sigcho-Lopez. Sigcho-Lopez told reporters Thursday he has received violent threats in the wake of the aldermens criticism and demanded an apology from them instead. He also said he has no ties to the group that organized the protest and I never elevated or brought any attention to the flag. Were not in Russia. I dont think the president of the United States has the same tendencies as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at least thats what we thought, Sigcho-Lopez said. We want to make sure that we have a healthy democracy. We have a constitutional right to protest. I am not going to apologize for standing up for my community, for my First Amendment right to take a position on the DNC. _____ (Chicago Tribunes Jake Sheridan contributed to this story.) _____ FILE - Visitors wearing face masks walk past a display of Australian wines and other agricultural products at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China, Nov. 5, 2020. China on Thursday, March 28, 2024, said it would lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between Australia and China.(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) HONG KONG (AP) China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries. Chinas Ministry of Commerce said the decision will take effect Friday. China imposed tariffs on Australian wine in 2020 during a diplomatic feud over Australia's support for a global inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The duties on Australian wine skyrocketed above 200%. Australian wine producers took a heavy hit from the tariffs, as China was Australia's top wine export destination. The Australian government welcomed the decision, saying in a statement that the tariffs were lifted at a critical time for the Australian wine industry. He Yadong, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, said China and Australia are each others important trade partners. "We are willing to work with Australia to resolve each others concerns through dialogue and consultation and jointly promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations, He said. The trade in 2019, before the tariffs were in place, was worth 1.1 billion Australian dollars ($710 million) a year to the local economy. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the level of trade would likely increase when restrictions were scrapped. We reckon that the resumption of trade, which we think is imminent, will see an even higher amount because thats what weve seen with other products that have been resumed, he said during a visit to a winery located in Australias Hunter Valley wine region on Thursday before the lifting of tariffs was announced. China wants good high-quality wine and Australia produces it. China imposed a raft of sanctions on Australian goods in 2020 during the most recent nadir in the bilateral relationship. It is estimated that the tariffs cost the Australian economy 20 billion Australian dollars ($13 billion). The trade barriers were widely regarded as punishment for the previous Australian government passing laws that ban covert foreign interference in domestic politics, for barring Chinese-owned telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out Australias 5G network due to security concerns and for calling for an independent investigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. China was also angered by Australias deepening security ties with the United States, notably the AUKUS agreement that also includes Britain and will provide Australia with submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology. Most of the tariffs have since been lifted as the relationship thawed. Relations have steadily improved after the change in the Australian government, with Albanese visiting Beijing last November. In April, Australia suspended a complaint to the WTO in a bid to reopen the Chinese market to Australian barley, which was one of the products targeted by the tariffs, in what was widely seen as an attempt by the new Australian government to repair relations with Beijing. The Australian government also halted another WTO dispute with China over sanctions on Australian wine in exchange for China's review of the tariffs. ___ Smith reported from Sydney. Beijing has cancelled the long-standing tariffs on Australian wine in the long-drawn-out relationship between China and Australia. As of Friday, no countervailing duties will be levied on wine from Australia, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday. The reason given was "changes in the market situation for the wines in question in China." The announcement came, however, after a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Australia last week, during which the tariffs were reportedly discussed. The People's Republic had introduced the tariffs on the important Australian agricultural product in 2021 after the government in Canberra called for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus in China and banned the Chinese technology company Huawei from building a 5G network in Australia. China also imposed measures against other Australian products such as lobster. For Australia's wine producers, this opens up one of their most important markets. They earned about nearly $700 million in 2019. Previously, wines from Australia were subject to a surcharge of more than 200% in some cases. The industry lost a lot of money as a result, and Beijing exerted pressure with the customs regulation. Relations between Canberra and Beijing have been very tense for a long time. Many contentious issues reinforced China's leadership's view that Australia was helping the United States to slow down the rise of the People's Republic. There were signs of a slight easing of tensions when China released the journalist Cheng Lei. The Australian of Chinese descent worked for China's state foreign broadcaster CGTN and spent several years in prison for allegedly revealing state secrets. Most recently, the death sentence against the writer Yang Hengjun, who also holds an Australian passport, caused renewed unrest in the relationship. The Chinese authorities found him guilty of espionage. The sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment. Australia also eased economic measures directed against China. Prior to Wang's visit, it was announced that Canberra had dropped an anti-dumping measure against Chinese wind turbines. The Philippines on Thursday clapped back at China following an aggressive confrontation in the South China Sea over the weekend in an incident that involved the employment of water cannons by Chinas coast guard, telling Beijing that "Filipinos do not yield." President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that after meeting with top Philippine defense and security officials, Manilas response would be "proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China coast guard and Chinese maritime militia." Marcos did not go into any detail on steps his government would take going forward. Chinese Coast Guard vessels fire water cannons toward a Philippine resupply vessel Unaizah May 4 on its way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal TAIWAN STANDS AS MAJOR LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST GLOBAL WAR WITH CHINA, CRITICAL FOR US SECURITY The Philippine presidents comments came just days after two Chinese coast guard vessels aimed water cannons at Philippine Navy crewmen at close range over a dispute in the contested waters near the Second Thomas Shoal. Several Filipino crew members were reportedly injured, including one who was lifted off the deck and thrown into a wall after being blasted by the water cannon, though the impact apparently prevented him from being plunged into the sea, noted Philippine military officials. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The wooden vessel, said to be bringing supplies to Marines stationed on an outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal, was also damaged. Confrontations between China and the Philippines have escalated since Manila began repairing the BRP Sierra Madre naval vessel in October 2023, after it sat rusting for more than a quarter of a century. PHILIPPINES REFUSES TO ALLOW CHINA TO REMOVE FILIPINO MILITARY OUTPOST ON DISPUTED SHOAL The Sierra Madre was grounded by the Philipine Navy in 1997 on the partially submerged reef known as the Second Thomas Shoal and has served as an outpost for Manila in the South China Sea. A Chinese Coastguard vessel patrols near the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines live on as a military outpost, in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea March 30, 2014. The reef, classified as a low-tide elevation, which means it is a naturally formed body of land that sits above the water during low-tide, is in the Spratly Islands an area highly contested by nations like China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Given the reefs location more than 100 nautical miles from the Philippines Economic Exclusion Zone and outside any nations territorial seas, it "is not subject to any claim to sovereignty or appropriation by any State under international law," according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. But despite the decrepit nature of the vessel that has long since been seaworthy, the Philippine government has reportedly kept marines stationed on the vessel to stake claim to the contested area, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. FILE PHOTO - Philippine Marines wave to the Philippine Navy personnel and the media during a resupply at their military outpost, the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, March 29, 2014. The U.S. condemned Chinas aggressive actions and reminded Beijing that it will defend Manila under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine forces, aircraft and ships come under armed attack. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to Washingtons comments Thursday and said, "The U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is not in the position of interfering in issues between China and the Philippines." "China is determined to uphold our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added. "The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty will not move us a bit from our will and resolve." The U.S. and its regional allies, including Japan and Australia, have repeatedly called on Beijing to respect international laws and not to alter the status quo in the South China Sea. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: China warned as Philippine president proposes countermeasures against Beijing's aggression Xiaomi is the latest Chinese firm to enter a highly competitive EV market (STR) China is the biggest electric vehicle market in the world, a battle royale featuring both established carmakers as well as upstarts such as Xiaomi, which launched its first EV on Thursday. EV makers from China have made inroads into markets from Europe to Southeast Asia and Tesla's Elon Musk described them in January as "the most competitive car companies in the world". How big is the Chinese EV market? China's market for EVs dwarfs the rest of the world. Of all new EVs sold globally in December last year, 69 percent were in China, according to the research firm Rystad Energy. And of its forecast of 17.5 million EV sales this year, Rystad expects China to account for 11.5 million, or 65 percent. The explosive rise of these EV firms has also fuelled China's challenge to traditional auto powerhouses -- it overtook Japan as the world's biggest car exporter last year. Which Chinese EV company is the biggest? Founded as a battery company, BYD -- known as "Biyadi" in Chinese or by the English slogan "Build Your Dreams" -- has become China's undisputed EV champion and Tesla's biggest challenger. It said last year it had become the first company to produce five million all-electric and hybrid vehicles, crowning itself the world's top maker of "new energy" vehicles. And, in the last quarter of 2023, it surpassed Tesla as the world's leading EV seller. BYD also enjoys cost advantages because of its strong capabilities across the EV supply chain, especially power storage. Many foreign auto giants, including Tesla and BMW, rely on BYD for batteries. Who are the other players? There are a staggering 129 EV brands in China, but just 20 have managed to achieve a domestic market share of one percent or more, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The data showed BYD at almost 33 percent, with Tesla in second place with more than eight percent. In third place with 5.8 percent of the market is Wuling, which makes China's best-selling EV to date -- a tiny two-door car named Hongguang Mini. The rest of the pack includes Volvo Cars-parent Geely and electric SUV maker Li Auto, as well as the relatively newer XPeng and NIO. And the offerings for Chinese customers are just as varied -- from buses and entry-level and mid-range city cars to luxury sedans and roadsters. China's tech giants also want a slice of the multi-billion-dollar EV pie. Huawei, under heavy US sanctions over alleged links to Chinese security agencies, has in recent years developed EVs with production partners, with heavy use of its technology. Search giant Baidu is also working on an EV project, with a focus on autonomous driving. And Xiaomi, the world's third-biggest smartphone maker, entered the fray on Thursday. Is this sustainable? The glut of models from companies that have spent heavily for years has led to what has been widely described as an EV price war, with firms including BYD and Tesla offering significant discounts. Analysts have said the process of consolidation in China's EV market will continue as some companies go out of business, look to merge with others or seek buyers for their technology and assets. Further, while heavy state support promoted the industry's growth for years, purchase subsidies have been phased out. However, industry experts point to China's industrial and manufacturing prowess, as well as the country's dominance of key EV supply chains including minerals as factors that will aid its auto sector. How have traditional auto powers reacted? The stunning rise of China's EV industry has sparked worries in Brussels and Washington, especially over the subsidies Chinese auto firms receive from the government. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen announced in September an investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric cars, vowing to defend European industry from unfair competition. And while Chinese EV makers have not made inroads into the United States, President Joe Biden's administration has taken aim at auto parts from China. Beijing filed a complaint this week at the World Trade Organization, arguing that new US auto policies discriminated against Chinese companies, state media reported. Aside from car makers, China's CATL dominates the global EV battery markets and supplies heavyweights including Tesla, Volkswagen and Toyota. Musk warned of the challenge posed by Chinese automakers. "Frankly, I think if there are not trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world," he said during a Tesla earnings call in January. "They are extremely good." bur-qan/oho/cwl Ulviyya Shahin 23 new narcotic substances have been added to the list of banned substances in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Prosecutor General's Office. It was reported that the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs was held in Vienna from March 18 to 22. Vusal Aliyev, the Deputy Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, represented the country at the meeting. During the session, issues related to the implementation of international agreements on drug control, obligations on drug policy, cooperation, and coordination of efforts in addressing the global drug problem and combating it, including discussions on recommendations from the commission's subsidiary bodies, were discussed. It was emphasised that 23 new narcotic substances, psychotropic substances, and their precursors have been added to the list of banned substances, and 4 new resolutions have been adopted during the session. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will not be seeking a third-party bid for the White House, he announced Wednesday night, shutting down speculation. Christie had been toying with a possible third-party run for the White House as some suggested he run on a unity ticket put forward by No Labels. He previously said he would only look into a third-party bid if he saw a path to clinch 270 electoral votes. The former GOP presidential candidate said Wednesday that he didnt see a path foward. I appreciate the encouragement Ive gotten to pursue a third party candidacy, Christie said in a statement, posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what were doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us. While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward, he added. The Washington Post was the first to report Christies decision. The former New Jersey governor ended his White House campaign ahead of the Iowa caucuses in January. Throughout his campaign, he continued to levy criticism from former President Trump and has since vowed to never support him. His decision comes about a week after he said on The Axe Files podcast that he was not ruling out running on a potential No Labels ticket in November. He still expressed hesitancy toward the idea at the time, however, saying that there are a number of hurdles to get over before I would actually consider running as a third-party. Christie, in a separate statement, said he was sad to hear of former Sen. Joe Liebermans (I-Conn.) death, which was announced on Wednesday. Lieberman, the co-founder of No Labels, had previously floated Christie to run on the top of the organizations ticket. I last spoke to him on Monday and he was fully engaged in a conversation of how to overcome the toxic political environment in our country. His whole life was dedicated to putting country before party in all he did, Christie said on X, formerly Twitter. The Hill has reached out to No Labels for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a fierce critic of presumed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, said Wednesday he would not make a bid for the White House with third-party group No Labels. Christie, whos been exploring the possibility of a No Labels campaign in recent weeks after suspending his campaign with the GOP in January, said in a statement that he determined a run would be unsuccessful and potentially help Trump win by drawing votes away from Biden. I appreciate the encouragement Ive gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy, Christie said. While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward. Chris Christie announces he is dropping out of the Republican presidential race at Searles School and Chapel. Danielle Parhizkaran/Boston Globe via Getty Images Speaking on the condition of anonymity, people involved with Christies exploration into joining No Labels told The Washington Post that his team commissioned polling in 13 states and concluded that a win wasnt feasible at this time. Christie wouldnt rule out the idea in a Good Morning America interview last month. Oh, I dont know. Thered be a long conversation between me and [my wife] Mary Pat, I can guarantee you that, he said. NBC News reported in January that No Labels, a group of 800 delegates with a 50-50 split of Democrats and Republicans from every state, was intrigued by Christies strong opposition to Trump and was courting him as a potential candidate. Earlier this month, its delegates voted to go ahead and field a third-party candidate. Christie was once a strong ally of Trump during his presidency but came out against him when he refused to accept that President Joe Biden had beat him in the 2020 election. Hes since been very clear that he will not support Trump again. The one thing I can tell you for sure is I dont know what Im gonna do in November. But Im not voting for Donald Trump, under any circumstances, he said in an ABC News interview last month. But Christie also said on NBCs Meet The Press last month that he doesnt anticipate voting for Biden, either. I cant see myself voting for him because I dont agree with his policies, and I have serious questions about his competence to serve another four years, he said. Related... As the pastor first stepped inside the cavernous Milwaukee church modeled after the Roman Pantheon, he took a moment to take in the space. Lord, the Rev. Francisco Garcia Colon recalled thinking to himself, I never asked you for something so big. Garcia Colon leads a small but growing Spanish-speaking Pentecostal congregation, which bought the church at 2722 W. Highland Blvd., earlier this month. The congregation hopes to breathe new life into the 22,000-square foot building, most recently known as St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church. It's one the last neoclassical churches still standing in Milwaukee, and its imposing design landed it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a big step up for the congregation, which got its start in 2017 with a couple of dozen people worshiping in a home basement. They will be the third congregation to call the church home. For most of its 110 years, the building itself was largely untouched. That changed in the last year, when it sat vacant and trespassers ran roughshod over it. In 1914, the church cost its original congregation $135,000 to build equivalent to more than $4 million today. Garcia Colon's congregation bought it for $10,000 less this year $125,000 in cash. The property's recent history offers a glimpse at trends that could shape the city's future from the hard questions declining churches face over their properties, to the impact of out-of-state investors on Milwaukee neighborhoods, to the immigrant communities who hold a key to the city's population growth and revitalization. St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. Under stained-glass dome, peeling plaster and debris The church's most impressive features remain. Past Corinthian columns at the entrance, the main auditorium features rows of pews arranged in concentric arcs around a grand pulpit on a whitewashed north wall. Overhead is a dome with leaded glass. But shortly before the sale closed, the arched walls had a shredded look from peeling plaster which was falling into aluminum pans on the floor. A pew was covered in shattered glass. One stairwell was so damaged from falling ceiling pieces that it was impassable. Bathroom toilets and sinks were smashed. An Instagram handle was spelled out in the dust of a pew. On that Instagram account, pictures from inside the vacant church were posted, captioned with the hashtag gotrespassing. Nathan White, an investor who lives in the suburbs of Fort Worth, didn't anticipate what would happen when he bought the building last year for $200,000, according to his Realtor, Jennifer Hupke. White didn't respond to Journal Sentinel calls and emails. Hupke said White is a devout Christian, and had plans to restore the Highland Boulevard church but never ended up visiting in person. The same month he bought the church in Milwaukee, he bought two other churches in different parts of the country, Hupke said. "I think his faith is such that he feels he can improve anything that he touches. And sometimes thats not always realistic," she said. While it sat empty, thieves stripped the property for radiators and copper pipes, Hupke said. The basement had flooded and then frozen so much from radiator lines that it looked like an ice rink, she said. At one point last year, a homeless encampment had set up on the church playground, she said. White began racking up expensive fees from the city of Milwaukee, Hupke said. She feels White was unfairly targeted by city inspectors as an out-of-state owner who bought the property through an LLC. Hupke said the city shares some blame for allowing crime and poverty to fester in the area. Many neighboring properties are vacant, too, which attracts trespassers and crime to the area something White didnt realize when he bought the building, she said. "He didn't have an understanding of location. He saw a big beautiful building online," she said. The massive interior of St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday March 6, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis. Christian Scientists moved in during neighborhood's boom years In 1914, when Christian Scientists held the first service in the building, the neighborhood was booming. Expanded streetcar access made the west end of Milwaukee ripe for development. The area was home to many well-to-do German immigrants, earning Highland Boulevard the nickname Sauerkraut Boulevard. At the time, the Church of Christ, Scientist was booming too. Milwaukee was an early outpost for the religious group, which was founded outside of Boston by a woman who believed she could heal herself and others through prayer. A Milwaukee dentist and his wife returned to Milwaukee, after studying Christian Science healing methods in Massachusetts, and in 1884, the State of Wisconsin granted them a charter to open the Wisconsin Metaphysical Institute. Christian Science amassed a large following in Milwaukee, and its congregations built churches across the city. In 1913 a Christian Science congregation bought the lot on Highland Boulevard and North 27th Street, and enlisted renowned Milwaukee architect Carl Barkhausen to design a church. In June 1914, the Second Church of Christ, Scientist opened. The Pantheonic church was large enough to seat about 1,400 people, but by 1917, it was already too small for the fast-growing Christian Science community. Three additional congregations splintered off from Highland Boulevard. The ornate detail of a pillar on the outside of St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday March 6, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis. Church, neighborhood both undergo rapid change Once the fastest-growing religion in the United States, Christian Science waned in popularity after World War II. Improvements in medical science dampened enthusiasm for spiritual healing, scholars say. The neighborhood surrounding Second Church of Christ, Scientist, changed, too. Many large mansions along Highland had been subdivided into rooming houses during World War II. In the 1960s, many more were razed to make way for apartment buildings. Many of the affluent German residents of Sauerkraut Boulevard had scattered, moving to the surrounding suburbs. Across the city, Milwaukees Christian Scientists struggled to maintain the massive buildings they built at the turn of the century. In November 1985, the Highland Boulevard church sold to a Baptist congregation. The structure was renamed St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church. Mostly its the economic crunch, a Christian Science spokesman told The Milwaukee Journal at the time, adding, They want to devote more of their time and resources to things other than the upkeep of buildings. Damage is seen near the rotunda of St. Luke Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday March 6, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis. New life inside the church after Baptist congregation moves in By summer 1991, as Rev. Jesse Jackson took to the pulpit, the church once again overflowed. I remember it was just packed wall to wall, said Evelyn McCrory, whose husband, the Rev. Ron McCrory, later became pastor of St. Luke, succeeding his father, the Rev. Robert McCrory. Jackson came to Milwaukee to speak out on behalf of Jeffrey Dahmers victims, whose remains had been discovered a few weeks earlier just blocks away. Those victims were made vulnerable by disinvestment in Milwaukees central city, Jackson said during his visit. The crowd at St. Lukes that day was predominantly Black, as was the neighborhood. Outside, Jackson helped register people to vote, according to the Milwaukee Sentinel. Most days, Evelyn McCrory said, the church was much quieter even in the early years, when about 300 members belonged to the St. Lukes Emanuel congregation. It was a huge building, and we never used all that space, she said. Still, the spacious church served the congregation well and helped bring the community together at critical moments with memorial services not just for Dahmer's victims, but also for Milwaukee Police Officer Wendolyn Odell Tanner, who was shot in the line of duty. The McCrorys took pride in the building, and the congregation hosted events for the public, spotlighting the churchs history. Building maintenance was 'one thing after another after another' Over the years, however, the aging building became too much to maintain it was just one thing after another after another, Evelyn McCrory said. Quotes for replacing the roof alone were as high as $220,000, she said. The copper, domed roof a distinctive, Pantheonic feature was leaking, after being patched over a couple of times. Despite applying for historic preservation grants, the congregation couldnt afford all the repairs the building needed. Over the years, the St. Lukes congregation shrank significantly. During the pandemic, Rev. Ron McCrory began broadcasting services from home, over Facebook Live. Since then, its been hard to bring people back together in person, Evelyn said. In 2023, the congregation made the difficult decision to sell. It was heart-wrenching, Evelyn said. Today, the congregation is looking to lease new worship space. Though the McCrorys would like to buy another church eventually, for now theyre focused just on bringing the congregation back together. The McCrorys still drive down Highland Boulevard every now and then, so they had seen the churchs boarded-up doors. At one point last year, the pastor from another church on Highland Boulevard called them. He had seen some suspicious activity and wanted to know if everything was OK, Evelyn said. And we had to inform him, well we had sold the building. Learning about the trespassing and damage of the past year left the McCrorys frustrated, considering their efforts to secure funding and keep the building in shape. Many things have changed since his father bought the church, Rev. Ron McCrory said. The surrounding community is struggling with homelessness and crime, he said, and many young people are searching for meaning outside of the church. Its a different world now, he said. Damage to the vacant church is a 'cautionary tale' What happened in the last year at the Highland Boulevard church should be a cautionary tale, said Mark Elsdon, a Madison-based expert on the future of church properties. Elsdon is the editor of the book, "Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition?" He cites research that as many as one-third of church properties nationally could close or change purpose in the next decade. Church leaders and cities are often unprepared to handle those closures and ensure the buildings continue to serve their communities after the congregation leaves. It is very possible for investors, or whomever, to just buy them and sit on them and do nothing, Elsdon said. Rarely is that a good outcome for a neighborhood for a church to sit empty. Churches are often more than just a worship space, Elsdon notes. They may host neighborhood association meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous groups, Girl Scout troops, polling sites and food pantries. When a church gets boarded up, he said, thats all gone. More: Wisconsin's oldest Methodist congregation closes due to high bills, low turnout. It's a familiar story nationwide. Elsdon said the problem is bigger than many realize, and that congregations and cities can do more to plan for repurposing churches before its too late. A church liaison in the city planning division, for instance, could help pastors looking to sell their buildings with zoning questions, redevelopment funding and more, he said. If its one or two churches (that close), thats fine. But if its a third of them, then youve got a lot going on, he said. Thats going to have a huge impact on neighborhoods all over the place. Then its worth investing some energy there. Latino congregation growing from near south side roots In many ways, Garcia Colon's congregation is a natural heir to the Highland Boulevard church, whose owners have reflected the changing makeup of the city. Over more than a century, the church traded hands from Christian Scientists who descended from European immigrants; to Baptists who confronted racial inequality head-on; to Pentecostals who hail from Milwaukee's fast-growing Latino immigrant community on the south side. Garcia Colon feels confident that his congregation, Iglesia Pentecostes Manada Pequena, can rise to the occasion. The congregation of about 70 to 80 people is growing fast. It outgrew a basement, then a south side Milwaukee storefront, then a second storefront, all in seven years. Still, the church presents an enormous undertaking, likely one of the largest houses of worship for Latino evangelicals in Milwaukee. As churches shutter because of declining, aging membership in other denominations, Latino evangelical congregations are booming. Younger on average than the U.S. population, they are the fastest-growing group of evangelicals and are reshaping the faith. Garcia Colon and his wife, Yarizel Lopez, are from Puerto Rico. Church members hail from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The pastor is not daunted by the extensive work needed on the Highland Boulevard church or the costs and expects he and the members will do most of the renovations, working day, evening and night. That will include drywall and plaster work, painting, plumbing and eventually building a parking lot. "The Bible says that he (God) will supply everything that we need," said Garcia Colon in Spanish, as interpreted by church member Nolvia Mejia. "Theres been times where I myself say, 'Hmm, where are we going to get these funds from?' And then suddenly people show up and start donating." When he saw the listing for the Highland Boulevard church, Garcia Colon jumped at the chance to buy it. It was only an 11-minute drive from the current storefront church and fits his vision for a bigger, better future for the congregation. Garcia Colon has an unshakeable faith that the move, indeed the fate of the congregation, is in God's hands and will not fail. If in almost seven years, he has not left us, I dont think hes going to leave us now, he said. More: How do you sell a church? Just ask this Realtor. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pentecostal congregation buys historic Milwaukee Baptist church CLEAR CREEK, WV (WVNS) Clear Fork Elementary School hosted a career fair on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 and some familiar faces were there to have some fun with the kids, including StormTracker 59 Chief Meteorologist Joe Fitzwater. Several local businesses were also in attendance. Children from every grade got to explore the fair and learn a little bit about each company present. The Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, American Water, and Whitesville State Bank turned out to talk about their careers. Some children of Clear Fork Elementary have tentatively decided on their future jobs partly in thanks to the event. I think Im gonna be a cop, Demetri Fink stated after being asked about his hopes for a future career. Another student, Addison Dickens, had a different answer. A teacher! said Dickens. Mabscott Elementary putting their green thumbs to the test Both children did agree that their favorite part of the career fair was being interviewed on camera. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A crack in an ice sheet an Antarctica ice sheet caused by climate change. Humanity is rapidly waking up to the fact that time is running out to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Ironically, climate change itself, primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases via the burning of fossil fuels, could help delay a time-related crisis. Currently, we keep official time using around 450 ultra-precise atomic clocks to keep Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which was first defined in 1969. A more traditional historical method of time-keeping uses the rotation of Earth. But because Earth's rotation fluctuates, since 1972, the alignment between these two measurements has been maintained by adding 27 "leap seconds" to the official time standard. However, new research led by University of California geologist Duncan Agnew suggests that ice melting in Greenland and Antarctica caused by global warming could be impacting Earth's angular velocity, the rate at which the planet turns, and thus lengthening the day, albeit by an amount so small it is imperceptible to humansbut not to computers that rely on precise timekeeping. "Global warming is already affecting global timekeeping," Agnew and colleagues write in a paper published in Nature on Wednesday (March 27). Related: Mars attracts: How the Red Planet influences Earth's climate and seas The melting of ice is decreasing Earth's angular velocity more rapidly than before, which may require a "negative leap second" or taking a leap second away, being adopted three years later than scientists had expected. The problem with this is that activities like network computing and financial markets require the consistent, standardized, and precise timescale that UTC provides, and the addition of a negative leap second has never been tested before. "A negative leap second has never been added or tested, so the problems it could create are without precedent," Patrizia Tavella, meteorologist in the Time Department of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), wrote regarding the recent research in an accompanying News & Views paper. "Agnews suggestion that the change could be delayed is welcome news indeed." Tavella thinks that pushing back the need for a negative leap second from 2026 to 2029 could help meteorologists better calculate Earth's rotation. This improved information would help better assess if a negative leap second is really needed while the related risks are assessed. Earth is a poor time-keeper The planet's rate of rotation has always fluctuated, but before the implementation of precise timekeeping and technology, the only detrimental effect it had was changing the timing of eclipses and other astronomical events compared to records created and recorded by ancient astronomers. "On a millennial timescale, changes in Earth's rotation reflect the combined effect of three geophysical processes," Jerry Mitrovica at Harvard's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences wrote in the News & Views Nature piece. Mitrovica said one of these elements is the coupling between Earth's iron core and its outer rocky mantle and crust. That means that any change in the core's angular momentum must be balanced by an equally sized but opposite-sign change in the mantle and crust. So if the core slows down, to keep Earth's rotation consistent, the outer parts of the planet have to speed up by the same amount. However, both the core and upper layers have been losing angular momentum. In the past, this core-mantle coupling has led to an increase in Earth's rotational period of 6 millionths of a second per year. While this rate slowing might seem trivially small it is really felt by atomic clocks. a cross-section of Earth showing the various layers that make up the planet Agnew and colleagues turned to satellite gravity data to determine the decrease in Earth's angular momentum and its effect on timekeeping. This revealed that the increased melting of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica has changed the mass distribution of our planet's surface and has decreased the angular velocity of Earth's solid outer layers more rapidly while the angular velocity of the mostly liquid core continues to decrease consistently. RELATED STORIES: Strange underground polygons on Mars hint at Red Planet's wet past Climate change has pushed Earth into 'uncharted territory': report Earth is getting hotter at a faster rate despite pledges of government action "His analysis demonstrates persuasively that coremantle coupling has led to accelerated rotation, but that there has also been a pronounced deceleration owing to the onset of major melting of polar ice sheets that began near the end of the twentieth century," Mitrovica wrote. "This human-induced process is slowing rotation by moving melted ice mass from the poles to lower latitudes." Agnew and colleagues suggest that while a negative leap second won't be required by UTC until 2029 now, the problem this change poses for computer network timing requires changes in how UTC is aligned to the Earths rotation to be made earlier than currently planned. "Unless international timekeeping guidelines change soon, the myriad technological foundations of human society must be updated in preparation for this unprecedented event and for the disappearance of 23:59:59 on a single day in the not-too-distant future," Mitrovica concluded. A fireball ascends from the first atomic artillery shell in history, tested at the Nevada Test Site in 1953. Radiation from the test site fell across the West, including in Montana and Idaho. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) An effort to extend and expand compensation to people exposed to radiation from federal nuclear testing and uranium mining was not included in the $1.2 trillion funding package signed by President Joe Biden this week. This happened despite continued bipartisan support and a late push by the White House to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) before it expires June 7, as the clock runs down on an extension by Congress from 2022. RECA is a unique fund, paying out lump-sums to qualified people diagnosed with certain cancers and other diseases if they lived and worked in designated places at specific times. The fund started in 1990 and remains limited. It has paid out $2.6 billion to more than 40,000 claims from uranium miners, millers, transporters, people on-site during nuclear weapons tests and people that lived in a handful of counties in Utah, Nevada and Arizona where fallout fell. Earlier this March, the Senate passed a measure expanding RECA for more workers, extending it for six more years and granting eligibility to people who have never received recognition including people and the descendants exposed to the first atomic blast at the Trinity Site. But that measure was not in the latest federal government spending, which would have accelerated the bills passage. Many of the people in the radius of U.S. nuclear testing, waste disposal and uranium and mining including counties in Idaho have been excluded from compensation. They fear their chances to seek justice will die if the fund lapses. Downwinder groups are encouraging public to express support for RECA expansion Its a familiar feeling, said Tina Cordova, the founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, a longtime representative for the people and descendants exposed from the Trinity Test Site. Were absolutely horrified they would leave us waiting like this, again, wondering about the June deadline, Cordova said. The clock is ticking. She said downwinder groups are encouraging the public to express their support to the U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, and ask to bring RECA for a vote. Were just gonna keep the pressure on, and hope springs eternal, we have to remain hopeful, Cordova said. Were so close. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-New Mexico, who has carried previous RECA bills in the House, called this recent exclusion from the spending package a moral failure. This obstruction of compensation for communities devastated by radiation poisoning is unconscionable, Leger Fernandez said in a statement. I will continue to explore every single opportunity available to pass this bill through Congress. A bipartisan group of 15 lawmakers, including all three New Mexico House members pushed for its inclusion in the spending bill. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, told Cronkite News it was a matter of fundamental fairness in an interview last week. Weve got to get it done for the people that suffered unknowingly because of actions of the federal government, Stanton said. We need to make sure that the RECA system, which is a good program actually reaches all the people that have been touched by the nuclear testing. Johnson has potentially softened on bringing the measure forward in a separate vote, according to a statement announcing RECA would not be in the spending package. He praised Missouri Republican lawmaker Rep. Ann Wagner, further saying I understand her position and I look forward to working closely with Ann as we chart a path together for the House to move forward with evaluating and acting on a reauthorization measure, he told reporters. An emailed request for comment to Johnsons office regarding his position on RECA was not returned Tuesday. Source New Mexico, 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. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Shaun Griswold for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and Twitter. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post The clock is ticking on RECA; downwinders call on public to pressure House speaker appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. The Republican operative who accused American Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp of sexual assault last year received a significant financial settlement in exchange for dropping his lawsuit against Schlapp, multiple sources familiar with the case told CNN. The $480,000 settlement was paid to Carlton Huffman through an insurance policy, according to a source familiar with the details. Schlapps legal team did not respond for comment when asked about the financial settlement, but on Tuesday said that Huffman dropped the lawsuit and Schlapp claimed he had been exonerated. From the beginning, I asserted my innocence, Schlapp said in a statement. Our family was attacked, especially by a left-wing media that is focused on the destruction of conservatives regardless of the truth and the facts. Schlapps lawyers also released a statement by Huffman, the language of which was part of their private agreement. The claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family, Huffman said, according to that statement. Neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them. But multiple sources familiar with the allegations and legal proceedings told CNN that Huffman did, in fact, receive a financial settlement via an insurance company. When reached for comment, Huffman told CNN, I am only legally allowed to say five words, and that is We have resolved our differences. Those are the only five words that Im legally allowed to say. His lawyer, Tim Hyland, also declined to comment on any financial settlement terms or other details of the case, saying only, The parties have resolved their differences. Asked whether there had been a settlement, the spokesman for Schlapps legal team, Mark Corallo, told CNN, We refer you to Mr. Huffmans statement. Schlapp initially touted the end of the lawsuit on social media with a link to a Washington Examiner story headlined, CPACs Matt Schlapp cleared in assault case, accuser apologizes. The post included a pointer-finger emoji directed at the headline. The original story is still online, but Schlapps tweet has since been deleted. The original lawsuit filed by Huffman against Schlapp asked for more than $9 million in damages. Schlapp runs the ACU, the organization most widely known for staging the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC. Schlapp and the group occasionally butted heads with Donald Trump before he was elected president in 2016, but have since become fierce loyalists. After serving in the George W. Bush White House as director of political affairs, Schlapp took over the ACU in 2014. His wife, Mercedes Schlapp, who was also named in the lawsuit, worked as Trumps communications director for nearly two years, from 2017 to 2019. At the time of the alleged assault, Huffman was working for the Georgia GOP and Republican Herschel Walkers Senate campaign. Huffman told CNN that Schlapp made unwanted sexual advances, including groping and fondling his groin without consent, on the ride back from two Atlanta-area bars on October 19, 2022. Schlapp then allegedly invited Huffman, who was assigned to drive the ACU chairman, to join him in his hotel room. Huffman said he had declined the offer, and hours later reported the incident to senior campaign staff. The case was scheduled to go to trial in early June. By agreeing to the deal now, Schlapp and his lawyers prevented potentially damaging testimony from becoming public, including a deposition by Charlie Gerow, a former vice chair of CPAC and ACU board member who expressed serious concerns about Schlapps behavior in his resignation letter, as well as two witnesses who had previously accused Schlapp of sexual misconduct. Schlapp will also be spared from having to testify in open court. In addition, the settlement headed off new testimony from multiple witnesses who were scheduled to be deposed, including former officials from Walkers 2022 Senate campaign and other witnesses with similar, contemporaneous knowledge about the alleged assault. A former official on the Walker campaign told CNN he does not believe the settlement exonerates Schlapp. As far as I know the facts were never disputed, the Walker campaign official said. I had no indication that Carlton fabricated his story, then or now. Matt (Schlapp) knew me well enough to call me, he never called me to contest Huffmans claims. Another source, who has been in contact with Huffman, said that the case would not have been dropped without a financial settlement. He wouldnt have dropped it, his name and reputation were already public, he was ready to go to court, the source said. I know (Huffman) definitely got paid. During the course of the lawsuit, Huffmans own personal conduct came under scrutiny. In March of 2023, it was revealed that Huffman himself had been accused of sexual assault. According to court documents filed in Raleigh, North Carolina, the two alleged victims, women aged 19 and 22, said that Huffman performed unwanted sexual acts on them. Huffman denied the allegations and no criminal charges were filed. A source familiar with the conversations going on inside the ACU when the lawsuit against Schlapp was first filed said several colleagues encouraged Schlapp to use his homeowners insurance policy to pay for a settlement, but Schlapp resisted, telling them he was concerned it would lead to a hike in his premiums. Asked why Schlapp ultimately settled, the source told CNN that they believed that Schlapp and his wife did not want this to go to trial, they simply did not want the testimony that would come out. Its not exoneration, the source said, if you paid the guy off. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday it is searching for a U.S. Marine who went swimming in high surf off Puerto Ricos northeast coast while on vacation. Officials identified him as 26-year-old Samuel Wanjiru from Massachusetts and said he was visiting the island with his family. He went missing Wednesday afternoon after going into the water at La Pared beach in Luquillo. Also on Wednesday, another American tourist died in northwest Puerto Rico after authorities said he rescued his teenage children who had been swept away by heavy surf. This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico, said Capt. Jose E. Diaz, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to search and rescue cases with surface vessels without further endangering our crews and assets. A high surf advisory was issued late Tuesday for Puerto Ricos northwest, north and northeast coasts and will remain in effect until late Thursday, with waves of up to 12 feet (4 meters). Diaz noted that most open ocean beaches in Puerto Rico do not have lifeguards. A rare black swan that was popular with visitors to a country park has died. The bird, which is a native species to Australia, lived at Coate Water Country Park in Swindon since 2008.. It lived among native white British mute swans and produced white offspring, but was a popular subject for photographers due to its unusual colour. Swindon Borough Council and RSPCA Oak and Furrows, who were monitoring the bird, said it died of natural causes. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. The Main Street Bridge in Daytona Beach, a Bascule bridge that elevates the road from two sides, is considered structurally deficient, although safe for traffic. It was built in 1959 and is the oldest of the five spans linking the mainland part of the city to the Beachside. Florida's bridges are, by and large, in good to excellent condition. But that doesn't mean something like the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore couldn't happen in the Sunshine State. In fact, it already has. The calamitous crash of the Dali, a 985-foot container ship, into supports for the Interstate 695 beltway bridge in Maryland, sent the span tumbling into the Patapsco River early Tuesday. Upon hearing the news, many longtime Floridians recalled the Sunshine Skyway bridge disaster. On May 9, 1980, a freighter, the MV Summit Venture, crashed into the Skyway over Tampa Bay, causing a 1,400-foot section of the southbound span to collapse and killing 35 people. That led to the 1987 reconstruction of that bridge, now Interstate 275, linking Pinellas and Manatee counties. The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay was rebuilt after a tragic 1980 crash caused part of the span to collapse. It now has "dolphins," or pilings in the water protecting the main piers. Just more than 10 years ago, a less dramatic crash involved a Navy cargo ship that struck the Mathews Bridge in downtown Jacksonville on Sept. 26, 2013. The bridge was closed to traffic for a little more than a month, while the Florida Department of Transportation made repairs and secured it. Could it happen again? Yes, says Maryam Ghyabi-White, a civil engineer and consultant who has been involved in the construction of roads and bridges across Florida for nearly 30 years. But, she notes, Florida's bridges are inspected at least once every two years and consistently pass those tests. "Do we have old bridges? Yes, absolutely. Can these bridges be vulnerable? Absolutely," Ghyabi-White said. Florida's bridges compare favorably to other states Florida had 12,881 bridges as of 2023, according to American Road & Transportation Builders Association data, and 449 of them were considered structurally deficient. With a 3.5% of bridges in that category, Florida was the ninth best state for bridge condition, bested only by Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Delaware, Georgia, Utah, Vermont and Alabama. West Virginia was highest, with 20% of its bridges structurally deficient. FDOT has done a "great job" of maintaining bridges, which is why older spans have been able to pass inspections, Ghyabi-White said. But there are needs. "In Volusia County, the one bridge that I think everybody is looking at is Main Street. That's a pretty old bridge, but it still is meeting the criteria," she said. The Main Street Bridge is one of five spans across the Halifax River linking mainland Daytona Beach with the beachside. Built in 1959, it is a Bascule, or drawbridge, with two portions of the road that can lift to allow taller boats through. The four other bridges in the vicinity are all taller spans allowing boats with a higher clearance to pass beneath. And they have all been built within the last 30 years and have sufficiency ratings above 90 on a scale of 100. By comparison, Main Street Bridge scored a 32.5 on its most recent inspection and was labeled structurally deficient, meaning one of four key elements of a bridge the deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert is considered poor or worse. The Main Street Bridge remains open and is considered safe for travel, as inspectors will recommend immediate closure or emergency repair if a bridge has a critical condition that is found to endanger the public, according to an FDOT document. Volusia County is responsible for the bridge's upkeep, maintenance and ultimate replacement. Main Street is not on the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization's 2023 list of priority projects. Cost a consideration Ghyabi-White said bridge replacements are expensive. The county, with federal funds, replaced the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge linking Orange and Silver Beach avenues, completing the project in 2020 at a cost of $47 million. "We have a dire need for infrastructure funding throughout the state of Florida," Ghyabi-White said. At least five bridge replacement or repair jobs are in progress locally, including the Whitehair Bridge on State Road 44 over the St. Johns River, linking Volusia and Lake counties. It's projected to be complete later this spring at a cost or $44 million. One factor that could help protect Volusia and Flagler counties' bridges is the fact that there's no port for commercial shipping. The kinds of giant container ships such as the one in Baltimore don't navigate local waters, so while there's potential for boats to damage bridges, at least they won't carry that kind of punch. Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville are among Florida's bigger ports, while large vessels can also encounter many other bridges. Michael Williams, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation, said in an email bridge safety is a "fundamental commitment," carried out by FDOT's inspectors who routinely evaluate spans and follow up after traffic-related incidents and adverse weather, such as hurricanes. "In Florida, contemporary bridge designs and construction incorporate robust measures to mitigate the impact of maritime vessels," Williams said. "For example, numerous safety enhancements have been implemented at the Skyway Bridge in the Greater Tampa Bay region to safeguard against collisions. These measures include elevating the bridge, widening the channel, and incorporating two layers of protection for bridge piers." That bridge also features "dolphins," a collection of 36 pilings that serve as physical barriers to the span, as well as rock islands that surround the main channel supports. Mark Lane: As drawbridges get replaced, Main Street's still stands Intra or Inter? New signs at Daytona bridge get a quick spelling correction This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida's 12,000 bridges are in good condition, but all are vulnerable Javier Milei has called Colombia's president a 'murdering terrorist' because he was a member of an urban guerrilla group when he was a student - Luciano Gonzalez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/shutterstock Colombia has retaliated after the outspoken Argentine leader called president Gustavo Petro a terrorist, murderer and communist. The foreign ministry has expelled Argentinas ambassador following president Javier Mileis denigrating comments, it announced yesterday. Mr Milei made the inflammatory remarks about Mr Petro, a former member of the long-disbanded M-19 Marxist guerilla group, in an interview with CNNs Spanish-language network due to fully air on Sunday. In a statement announcing the expulsion, Colombias foreign ministry said Mr Mileis comments had eroded the trust of our nation as well as offending the dignity of president Petro. Bogota had already withdrawn its ambassador to Buenos Aires, Camilo Romero, in January following a similar verbal assault from Mr Milei. Colombia's president Gustavo Petro has retaliated following comments by his Argentine counterpart - Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters Mr Petro, 63, joined M-19 when he was a student. Regarded as social democratic in ideology, the group was founded in response to the apparent rigging of Colombias 1970 election. Its most famous operation was the theft of the sword of Simon Bolivar a figure who led a massive revolt against Spanish colonial rule in South America, Critics have condemned Mr Mileis unstatesmanlike and counterproductive verbal outbursts against his political opponents. He has already launched broadsides against the Left wing leaders of Chile and Brazil. In his CNN interview, he also describes Mexicos president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as ignorant. In the past Mr Milei has described a critical economist as a mongol, Pope Francis was branded a representative of evil and a female journalist was labelled a donkey. Oscar Vidarte, an expert in international relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, warned that Mr Mileis comments might win him likes on social media but risked leaving Argentina isolated. Hes not thinking about Argentinas national interests, said Mr Vidarte, recalling how Mr Milei had once vowed to break off diplomatic relations with communist China, Argentinas second largest trading partner. For China, Milei is not an important actor. For Argentina, China is fundamental, added Mr Vidarte. 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) -- Colombias government expelled Argentine Embassy officials after President Javier Milei labeled Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro a terrorist, assassin and communist in a TV interview. Most Read from Bloomberg The expressions of the Argentine president have deteriorated the trust of our nation, in addition to offending the dignity of President Petro, who was elected in a democratic manner, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a press release. Earlier this week, CNN en Espanol released snippets of a filmed interview in which Milei called Venezuela a butcher shop and Cuba an island jail, going on to say Colombia was on a similar path with Petro. Well, not a lot can be expected of someone who was an assassin, terrorist, communist, Milei said. The ministry wrote this wasnt the first time Milei had offended the Colombian president, affecting historic ties between the two countries. Milei called Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ignorant during the same interview and said Israel was not committing a single excess, according to videos published on the CNN website. Colombias Foreign Ministry says the decision will be communicated to the Argentine Embassy via diplomatic channels. A spokesperson from the Argentine Embassy declined to comment. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, supported the unsuccessful effort to block former President Donald Trump from her states ballot on the grounds that he had engaged in insurrection by inciting the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In return, she received an escalating torrent of abuse and violent threats. In the seven months since Colorado residents first sued the state to keep Trump off the ballot, bringing Griswold in as a co-defendant, the number of serious threats leveled against Griswold increased more than 600 percent, according to data her office provided to Rolling Stone. The threats directed at Griswold spiked amid the high-profile Colorado court case designed to block Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from holding office an effort that was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month. That day, she received an email declaring: We are coming for you bitch. Another person emailed, If you have kids, I hope they get murdered by illegal aliens, adding, Seriously, just die. In a voicemail, someone said, I cant wait to find you and follow you to your house and expose your address. Another person left a voicemail saying, Id love for you to die. Some time this month, a person told Griswold on social media, Take my advice and wear Kevlar a lot of Kevlar!!! Its scary, Griswold says in an interview. When Im told repeatedly that I will be killed, I take it seriously. I worry about my family. I worry about people around me. The threats documented by Griswolds office are not happening in a vacuum: Trump-inspired political death threats have skyrocketed across the country, with top election officials in several key swing states warning of potential waves of chaos and intimidation tactics aimed at election workers, state officials, and elected politicians. Many of the threats are related to a central, baseless lie perpetuated by Trump and his allies: that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen from him by President Joe Biden. This Big Lie from 2020 has morphed into a Big Threat, says Griswold. At the secretary-of state-level and local levels across the nation, we are seeing extreme threats to election administrators which are really fueled by elected officials or prominent people like Donald Trump, who spread disinformation, repeat the Big Lie, [and] undermine confidence. This is the new MAGA strategy: spread lies and disinformation, undermine faith in our elections, disenfranchise voters, and intimidate election workers. The threats against Griswold come in a climate of increasingly violent discourse in American political life ahead of the 2024 presidential race. Trump supporters have threatened judges and prosecutors in his various criminal and civil trials, and members of Congress opposed to him. In January, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland warned of a deeply disturbing spike in threats against those who serve the public. The Department of Justice created an Elections Threats Task Force in the summer of 2021 to help prosecute threats against election officials and poll workers. The task force has prosecuted at least 20 people for threatening election officials, part of a broader increase in threat-related workloads for federal prosecutors over the past few years. As Rolling Stone previously reported, threat-related cases prosecuted by the Justice Department have increased 47 percent in the past five years, compared with the comparable prior period. Some have criticized the Justice Department for not doing enough. As cautious a person as Attorney General Merrick Garland is, I think he is being far too cautious here, when it comes to these investigations and prosecutions of threats against election administrators and election workers, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, told Rolling Stone in January. Griswold notes that two men who threatened her have been prosecuted, with one pleading guilty in 2022 and another being convicted. However, she says: Just looking through the threats we have seen that my office has seen since September to the beginning of March against me multiply that against every prominent secretary of state who has stood up and said Donald Trump is trying to steal this election. How is it possible that only 20 cases have been prosecuted by the DOJ? How is that possible? Now, Griswolds office is opening the book on the 788 serious threats tallied by her team and the constant violent, and often gendered, abuse she has received since September. In terms of the threat environment, speaking the truth about Donald Trumps actions and MAGA extremists is met with countless sexist and violent threats, she says. The messages contain frequent threats of rape and sexual violence. There is a steady stream of content with nooses and guillotines, and incessant messaging about tribunals and executions be it by firing squad, alligator pits, or helicopter rides. I would love to see this arrogant fucking cunt dead, one person posted on social media in September. In November, someone posted, Youre being monitored Jena, phones, texts emails, everything. The next month, one person wrote online, You better keep your doors locked and sleep with one eye open. In January, someone left a voicemail for Griswold saying, I hope you fucking die. I hope your fucking family dies. I hope every fucking idiot that works even thinks youre a decent person I hope they fucking die too because youre all fucking scumbags. Many of those threatening Griswold did so in the unique dialect of QAnon, the pro-Trump conspiracy cult whose members believe that celebrities and politicians are involved in a satanic cannibal cult that Trump will ultimately bring to justice. Political revenge fantasies are a key feature of QAnon mythology. In particular, some adherents believe that one day Trumps political enemies in government and society will be arrested and sent to the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay to stand trial in a tribunal. People making threats frequently referenced the fantasy, peppering messages with acronyms like NCSWIC (nothing can stop what is coming, a QAnon reference to the arrests of Trumps enemies) and pledges that Griswold would soon face execution. She [sic] haunted by the view of GITMO as she swings back and forth kicking out wildly trying to find ground, one Trump supporter drooled in a social media post. Another QAnon-inspired message says, Colorado secretary of state. Tried. Convicted. Executed, and includes a picture of Griswold next to the word Execute. The bar required for violent, often deranged messages sent to public officials to be considered a criminal offense can still be high, given the broad leeway for even appalling speech afforded by the First Amendment. Many who are threatening [officials] are walking the line to avoid accountability, Griswold notes, but she says the files released by her office contain prosecutable threats. She argues law enforcement and prosecutors are not taking the threats against secretaries of state and election workers seriously. There has been a failure to adequately protect the secretaries of state and election officials who are at the front lines of protecting our democracy, and adequately prosecute the people who are trying to intimidate us out of our jobs, Griswold says. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone DENVER (KDVR) Two bipartisan measures that would make first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail passed through the Colorado Senate on Thursday and will be put to voters in the fall. The idea behind the bills is to not allow murder suspects out on bail, but instead make the judicial system tougher on murder suspects. The measures passed unanimously through the Senate on Thursday. Bill to ban seclusion rooms heard in Colorado committee Legislators, district attorneys applaud measures We have seen harrowing examples in Colorado of first-degree murder defendants posting bail and committing further violent crime before their court date, said Rep. Rhonda Fields, a Democrat representing Adams and Arapahoe counties and one of the bills primary sponsors. Making first-degree murder defendants ineligible for bail would give victims and their families peace of mind and help keep our communities safe. Sen. Bob Gardner, a Republican representing El Paso and Teller counties, said protecting victims and bringing criminals to justice is one of his priorities. He is also a primary sponsor of the bill. This change merely ensures defendants accused of committing the most heinous crimes are not released to commit further crimes. I have no doubt Colorado voters will vote in favor of this measure in November, Gardner said in a release. Tom Raynes, the Colorado District Attorneys Council executive director, said the organization also applauds the measures movement through Colorados legislature. Returning to the status quo will protect the families of these crimes, ensure the safety of witnesses and provide the overall safety of the community while maintaining the procedural safeguards and rights of the defendant throughout the judicial process, Raynes said. Colorado Supreme Court ruling permits bail As things currently stand, the Colorado Supreme Courts 2023 ruling on the constitutional interpretation of capital offense exceptions maintains that a district court abused its discretion when it treated the charge of first-degree murder as a capital offense and then denied the defendants request for bail. That means that since Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020, defendants charged with first-degree murder have had a right to bail. Voters to consider right to bail One of the two bills would refer a constitutional amendment to voters asking to exempt the right to bail for first-degree murder cases when the proof is evident or the presumption is great. The measure would have to be approved by at least 55% of Colorado voters during the November General Election. The bill was sent to the Colorado Secretary of States office to be included on the Nov. 5 general election ballots. The second bill would make the conforming changes to Colorados statutes if voters adopt the constitutional amendment and align jury procedures for first-degree murder cases with other capital cases. This would allow for 10 peremptory challenges during jury selection for the first defendant and an additional three for every defendant after. Members of Colorados national delegation urge reform for migrant work authorization The second bill now heads to the governors desk for his signature, but will not be implemented unless voters approve the other bill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Ramona Watts, right, and Jackie Moody, both of South Bend, dine on Polish food as Dyngus Day festivities begin Monday, April 10, 2023, at the West Side Democratic & Civic Club in South Bend. Dyngus Day is difficult to explain to folks who ask what this strange-sounding event is in South Bend. Lets try by explaining what its not. Dyngus Day, while sometimes described as a Polish version of St. Patricks Day, is not named after a St. Dyngus. Nor does it have anything to do with legends about driving snakes out of the old country, mysterious leprechauns or shamrocks. Dyngus Day is not something recently concocted by local bars, clubs and restaurants to sell kielbasa and liquid refreshment. It goes back to when Christianity was embraced in Poland in 966 with mass baptisms. Use of a lot of water then was featured in an annual event that became Dyngus. No, not for more mass baptisms. It became a custom in the old country for boys to douse young maidens with water and switch their legs with branches of pussy willows. Kind of a way of flirting in centuries past. Fear not, young maidens, Dyngus Day in South Bend involves no dousing or hitting with branches. That practice was carried over to this country at one time in some cities with many residents of Polish descent. No longer is it acceptable. In fact, back in Poland in 1420, the dousing got so dangerous, with young girls tossed into icy ponds, that a bishop issued a Dingus Prohibetur, forbidding such conduct. And, no, for anyone wondering, Dyngus Day does not always fall on April Fools Day, as it does this year. It comes on the day after Easter Sunday. And festivities developed as a way of marking the end of the Lent. Despite its origin, Dyngus Day is not a religious observance with special church services. Nor is it a political event, even though politicians come to campaign. The campaigning, even with presidential candidates at times, developed in South Bend because Dyngus Day comes shortly before the Indiana May primary elections. Candidates seek support amid the Dyngusing crowds. No, South Bend isnt the only place observing Dyngus Day. Other cities with significant numbers of folks of Polish descent, such as Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago, have some events, although without citywide attention and political activity. Former South Bend residents have been known to have small Dyngus gatherings in places as far away as Alaska. South Bend Dyngusing is not just a Polish thing. Its observed with kielbasa on the menu at Italian restaurants, Irish bars and establishments of every description all around St. Joseph County and in neighboring counties. Nor do Dyngusing crowds lack diversity. There is also a well-attended Black observance called Solidarity Day. Anyone wanting to get into Dyngus Day history can stop in for noon activities at the ancient-looking West Side Democratic and Civic Club. Thats the place visited by presidential candidates from Pete Buttigieg, most recent, and on back to Bobby Kennedy in 1968. Kennedy took the place, the city and the state by storm a month before he was assassinated. No, South Bend doesnt have the largest Dyngus Day celebration. Buffalo, claiming to be the Dyngus Day capital of the world, brings in name entertainers for the mainstage at Pussy Willow Park and has a parade, streaming live, with floats, fire trucks and polka bands. More: A Dyngus Day primer But, no, Buffalo didnt always have such a big production. It also once was a smaller event in Polish neighborhoods. A South Bend connection helped to spur its growth. Paul Neville, a South Bend Tribune editor who became a top editor of the Buffalo News in 1957, is said to have helped promote Dyngus Day there along lines he experienced in South Bend. Neville also was credited with helping to bring the Bills to Buffalo on 1960. No, Dyngus Day is not bigger than the Bills in Buffalo. Nor is it bigger than Notre Dame in South Bend. But for one day in each city, its the biggest event. Jack Colwell is a columnist for The Tribune. Write to him in care of The Tribune or by email at jcolwell@comcast.net. Jack Colwell This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: A look at South Bend's strange sounding holiday called Dyngus Day House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, in an unprecedented move, invited President Biden to testify as part of the impeachment inquiry against him, stressing that it is "in the best interest of the American people" for him to answer questions from members of Congress. Comer urged Biden to accept his invitation in a letter sent Thursday, obtained by Fox News Digital. "During the 118th Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has been investigating influence peddling conducted by you and your family," Comer wrote, noting that the committee has "accounted for over $24 million that has flowed from foreign sources to you, your family, and their business associates." Comer said the committee has identified "no legitimate services to merit such lucrative payments." HUNTER BIDEN ADMITS HE PUT HIS FATHER ON SPEAKERPHONE, INVITED HIM TO MEETINGS, BUT DENIES 'INVOLVEMENT' Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer's campaign sent a fundraising email to supporters stating that impeaching President Biden will likely not be the "culmination" of his probe "You have repeatedly denied playing any role in your familys business activities, but the Committee has amassed evidenceincluding bank records and witness testimonythat wholly contradicts your position on these matters," Comer wrote. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Comer went on to say that the White House "has taken a position hostile to the Committees investigation and refuses to release certain information or make available witnesses to testify regarding issues relevant to the ongoing impeachment inquiry currently authorized by the full House of Representatives." President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. "In light of the yawning gap between your public statements and evidence assembled by the Committee, as well as the White Houses obstruction, it is in the best interest of the American people for you to answer questions from Members of Congress directly, and I hereby invite you to do so," Comer wrote. Comer said that the committee is "open to accommodating your schedule but proposes April 16, 2024, for the hearing to occur." Comer said that the impeachment investigation has moved "in phases, beginning with a review of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) held by the Treasury Department. Comer said those SARs gave the committee "sufficient information to determine which bank accounts to narrowly target in issuing subpoenas." Next, Comer said the committee issued subpoenas for bank accounts belonging to Biden family members and their entities that received foreign funds. "This phase highlighted the over $15 million received by members of your family, and the Committee has traced tens of thousands of dollars from China to your bank account as well," he wrote. Comer said the next phase was the "interview phase," explaining that the committee brought in multiple witnesses, including Hunter Biden and the presidents brother, James Biden, for depositions. Comer said those witnesses provided "inconsistent testimony regarding your role in your familys businesses." Hunter Biden appeared for his highly anticipated closed-door deposition last month before both the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, where he maintained that his father was never involved in, nor ever benefited from his businesses. James Biden (left) and President Joe Biden (right). The committee also heard testimony from James Biden, the presidents younger brother, who testified the same. JOE BIDEN ALLEGEDLY CONSIDERED JOINING BOARD OF CCP-LINKED COMPANY, WITNESS TESTIFIES FROM PRISON Hunter Biden did admit, however, that he put his father on speakerphone with his business associates and invited him to drop by his business lunches. But Comer said two of those witnesses, Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis, testified publicly that Biden "participated in schemes to provide access to your or others offices in exchange for payments to your family." Bobulinski worked on a joint-venture with Hunter Biden and a Chinese energy company. Galanis worked with Hunter Biden as well. Galanis is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence related to securities fraud. He has testified as part of the inquiry twice from prison. "The public is left with two irreconcilable narratives. The firstasserted by youis that you did not engage in influence peddling in exchange for payments to your family," Comer wrote, adding that the second is that Biden was "indeed involved in these pay-for-influence schemes and that you have been repeatedly untruthful regarding a matter relevant to national security and your own fitness to serve as President of the United States." Comer went on to detail the "body of evidence" collected through testimony and records, including meetings Biden had with Hunter Bidens Chinese business partners. "You have asserted your family has not made money from China. However, the Committee has identified approximately $10 million originating from China connected to Biden influence peddling. Former business associates of your family have testified that you personally met with multiple individuals from China who have collectively sent millions of dollars to your family," Comer wrote. "Many of these meetings and business development occurred while you were Vice President or campaigning to be President." HUNTER BIDEN REFUSES TO ATTEND HOUSE HEARING WITH FORMER BUSINESS ASSOCIATES Comer, in the letter, asked Biden to confirm whether those meetings took place. Comer also questioned Biden on whether he has spoken to or interacted with executives of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings, including with the chairman, Mykola Zlochevsky. "You have asserted that your pressuring Ukraine in 2015 to fire a government official investigating a company in which your son had a financial interest was wholly in line with U.S. policy. The Committee has received bank records showing that your son was paid $1 million per year for his position on the board of the Ukrainian company Burisma until you left public office and then his salary was inexplicably cut in half," Comer wrote. Comer also pressed further for information surrounding the decision to push for the firing of the Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Burisma while Hunter Biden sat on the board. From left, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., attend the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing. As for Russia, Comer wrote that witnesses testified that Biden "regularly joined meetings by speakerphone, including with certain Russian individuals with whom your son did business." "The Committee has identified several instances in which your involvement aligned with your family receiving money originating from Russia," Comer wrote. Meanwhile, Comer said the committee "identified and successfully traced money from foreign transactionsincluding from Chinato your own bank accounts." Comer said those checks were described as "loan repayments" from his brother, James Biden. Comer asked Biden to respond to whether he ever asked his brother about the source of the funds he used to repay him; and asked whether Hunter Bidens business associate Eric Schwerin, who handled his finances, had insight into all of his bank accounts until December 2017. JOE BIDEN 'ENABLED' FAMILY TO SELL ACCESS TO 'DANGEROUS ADVERSARIES,' TONY BOBULINSKI TESTIFIES "As the foregoing demonstrates, the Committee has compiled evidencebank records, contemporaneous electronic communications, and witness testimonyshowing your awareness, acquiescence, and participation in self-enrichment schemes of your family members," Comer wrote. "As Chairman of the Committee, in addition to requesting that you answer the questions posed in this letter, I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will be afforded the opportunity to explain, under oath, your involvement with your familys sources of income and the means it has used to generate it." Comer added: "As you are aware, presidents before you have provided testimony to congressional committees, including President Fords testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee in 1974." White House spokesman Ian Sams blasted the impeachment inquiry earlier this month. "Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong. He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records hes received have refuted his false allegations. This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment," he said. Sams added: "Call it a day, pal." Fox News Tyler Olson contributed to this report. Original article source: Comer invites Biden to testify publicly as part of House impeachment inquiry House Republicans are pressing President Biden to testify before the Oversight Committee as part of their impeachment inquiry, raising disputed claims and requesting the president sit for questions about his familys business dealings. I invite you to participate in a public hearing at which you will be afforded the opportunity to explain, under oath, your involvement with your familys sources of income and the means it has used to generate it, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) wrote. The letter asks President Biden to appear on April 16. Its an extraordinary ask of a president, who typically only appears before Congress once a year to provide the State of the Union address. The request also comes as House Republicans continue to struggle with closing their impeachment probe into Biden in the face of doubts from within their own party about whether investigators have found any wrongdoing. Comer has suggested in recent weeks he may seek to draft a criminal referral to the Justice Department rather than pursue an impeachment vote in the House, which would require identifying high crimes and misdemeanors. The White House scoffed at the idea last week when Comer, during a hearing at which the presidents son declined to appear, suggested he would extend an invitation to the president. Officials pointed to numerous depositions that have cut against the testimony highlighted by the GOP. Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong. He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records hes received have refuted his false allegations. This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment, Ian Sams, White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations, wrote on social media. Call it a day, pal. The letter seeks to directly connect President Biden with his familys business endeavors and relies on numerous dubious claims in doing so. Then-Vice President Biden, with the backing of the international community, pushed to topple a Ukrainian prosecutor who had failed to tackle corruption, refusing to turn over U.S. aid without his ouster. Republicans say the White House has refused to provide documentation showing this was the U.S. foreign policy stance at the time. But those documents and State Department correspondence were handed over during an earlier Senate investigation and have been reviewed by The Hill. Comers letter also falsely asserts the prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, was investigating Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company where Hunter Biden sat on the board. Shokins deputy said that an investigation into the company had gone dormant before then-Vice President Bidens intervention, undercutting the idea that Shokins firing would help Burisma and Hunter Biden. Still, the letter shows the topic remains a line of inquiry for Republicans, even after the Justice Departments bombshell indictment of a former FBI informant on charges related to lying to the agency in asserting President Biden took a bribe in connection with his work. The letter also says Republicans wish to better understand an alleged $24 million that has flowed from foreign sources to you, your family, and their business associates. The Committee has identified no legitimate services to merit such lucrative payments. A Washington Post fact check found only a fraction of those funds went to Hunter Biden, about $7 million, and a few relatives. None went to his father. The bulk of the money, they determined, went to the business associates, and not the Biden family. The letter also again asks President Biden about loans he made to his brother and asks him to provide evidence of the underlying loans. But bank records on file with the committee and reviewed by The Hill show checks from President Bidens account written to his brother, which were then repaid with the same amount. The letter otherwise focuses on President Bidens contacts with associates of Hunter Biden, noting meetings with one Chinese associate as well as pointing to the practice of his son Hunter Biden to answer his fathers calls on speakerphone. The GOP couldnt find an impeachable offense, the evidence has been comically distorted and twisted, and now even right-wing media is calling out all the acrobatic contortions and comic evasions, House Oversight Democrats said in a statement. The GOP impeachment inquiry has been a circus. Time to fold up the tent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Funding for the Portland Street Response could be cut soon. And now Portlanders are speaking out, saying they want the program expanded, not cut. On Wednesday night, dozens of local residents packed into a meeting to discuss the future of Portland Street Response, hosted by the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing. The public weighed in on what changes they think need to be made. I cannot fathom why its on the table to do anything but fully fund and grow this program, said Jeremy Smith, a resident of Downtown Portland. Portland Water Bureau follows up with family who received $17k water bill The Portland Street Response was funded by one-time COVID relief fund but thats coming to an end. Now city leaders are brainstorming how to find the money to keep funding the program Portland Street Response falls under City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who oversees Portland Fire and Rescue. Gonzalez has been trying to get the Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services to fund part of the program. The city said more than $3 million is expected to be cut from the program. 6 earthquakes hit Oregon Coast, one moderate in magnitude You put your money where it matters, and clearly, Portland Street Response does not matter to the current Portland City Council, said former Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who oversaw the initial implementation of Portland Street Response. PSR is considered the citys unarmed team of emergency responders who are trained to assist in mental health crises. The goal: reducing the number of calls to police officers. We need to look at the data whos calling what types of emergencies we need to be responding to and who are the right people to respond to those. And make sure they are available, said Jennifer Park, a Northeast Portland resident. Revaluate what those calls are then redistribute the money. We really wanted to help: Portlands The Grotto battles food insecurity with charity event Right now the PSR team is available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. We know that mental and behavioral health challenges does not only happen during the daytime. Theres no reason we shouldnt be supporting those issues 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Park added. A separate branch all the way makes sense, 24-hours make sense and ongoing funding makes sense, said Will Mespelt of North Portland. The committee on community-engaged policing expects to vote on recommendations for street response on April 17. Those recommendations will get sent to the mayor and chief of police, who are required to formally respond within 60 days. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The community has raised nearly $25,000 for the father of 4-year-old twin boys who were allegedly drowned by their mother in North Carolina last month. Their mother was later arrested in north Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Genevieve Springer is accused of killing Kessler Clay Springer and Conner Thomas Springer at her home in Murphy on Feb. 29. The boys bodies were discovered when their father, Clay Springer, came to pick them up during a planned custody exchange. He found the boys dead in their beds holding stuffed animals. Genevieve Springer was later arrested at a hospital in Union County, Georgia. TRENDING STORIES: Kessler was older by two minutes and lived up to being the older brother, family members wrote in an obituary. He watched out for Conner, would bring him tissues when he cried and would bring him ice water when thirsty. He was a sweet, gentle, loving boy. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] According to the obituary, the boys loved jumping on the trampoline together and going on hikes with their father. Conner was a brilliant, kind and thoughtful little boy. He was very analytical, reading whole books, writing letters, counting to 100 and reciting all the colors in Spanish, family members wrote in Conners obituary. You can contribute to the GoFundMe HERE. CHICAGO Oak Point University announced internally Wednesday its closing at end of the semester in three weeks leaving employees without a job and students confused and upset. Students and faculty were sent an email from President Dr. Theresa Scanlan Wednesday afternoon which began by saying, It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news that will significantly impact our learning community. The school is a private university with two locations in Oak Brook and Wicker Park. They focus on nursing and health sciences and will close on April 19. WGN News spoke with several students who were upset and confused. Im completely devastated, I got on the phone with Chamberlain (University) right away this is not how Im going to go down,' student Crystal Martinez said. To not know and have so many questions that arent answered what is it moving forward? A school employee, who WGN News is keeping anonymous, said staff members are not being retained and their last day is April 19 as well. They said no severance pay will be paid out, according to a company meeting they attended after the decision. Im going to be honest, I feel violated, the employee said. I feel like no one is thinking of us, we of course think about the students, but you are not thinking about your employees. Students said panic ensued after the email was released. Some people have alerts since to their phone and people started freaking out in the clinical, and Im like what did the email say? Read it out loud, student Janell Ezell said. Then the professor looked at hers, she saw it then it was like, shes out of a job and she didnt know about it. Lewis University is stepping in to help the students complete their degrees and their tuition rates will not be raised, according to a spokesperson. They have agreed to be a teach-out institution for Oak Point. This Teach-Out Agreement allows affected students to seamlessly continue their studies at Lewis University through graduation, President of Lewis University Dr. David Livingston, said. It is a painful decision for all involved to have to close an institution. Our goal is to help mitigate this by supporting the students and their career aspirations to the best of our ability. Oak Points Oak Brook location is down the street from Lewis Universitys Oak Brook campus. Lewis University has also agreed to ensure the safekeeping and accessibility of Oak Point student academic records and historical documentation. All transcript records will be housed at Lewis University. With Oak Points summer semester beginning in May, Lewis University is making arrangements so that no student will have to travel an excessive distance that they are currently doing. The spokesperson told WGN News the university is looking at renting out a space in Wicker Park or providing access to their Uptown campus. Oak Point was founded in 1914 as the West Suburban Hospital School for Nurses. It was named Oak Point University in 2021 after 11 years as Resurrection University. According to the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits the school, Oak Point was required to complete some monitoring last year for low NCLEX scores, which is the test to become a RN, and not publishing pass rates. That commission told WGN News Oak Point contacted them this week in regards of a closure plan. As of publication, Oak Point University has not responded to a request for comment. A copy of the letter is below. Dear Students, It is with a heavy heart that I must share news that will significantly impact our learning community. After much deliberation, and with a deep sense of responsibility towards the educational and personal growth of each member of our learning community, the Oak Point Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to close after the Spring semester. This means the University will close Friday, April 19th. This decision was not made lightly. It comes in response to a series of factors that have affected our University. Despite the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff and the unwavering support of our alumni and friends, the challenges we face are beyond what we can surmount in our current form. Its important to emphasize that this is not the end of our journey, but a transition. Our commitment to education and to each of you remains unwavering. We haver engaged with an amazing partner in Lewis University to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for you. Lewis has agreed to accept ALL Oak Point students to allow for degree completion. In the weeks to come, we will be organizing meetings, both virtual and in person, to answer your questions, provide advice and offer support. We have been working closely with Lewis University who has agreed to help aid in these transition plans. Lewis University staff members (including members of the Transfer Admissions team) will be speaking with students at our Oak Brook location on Tuesday, April 2nd from 10am to 4pm to answer specific questions you may have regarding this transition. Please look out for further communications and meeting invitations in the coming days. We are committed to your success and to providing you with all the information you need as we move forward together. In the interim, if there are pressing questions regarding this closure, please email: info@Oakpoint.edu and we will do our best to respond to your inquires. In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your resilience, passion and commitment to learning have always been the heart of Oak Point University. As we face this transition together, let us do so with the courage and hope that have always defined us. With warmest regards and hope for the future, Sincerely, Dr. Scanlan For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. (KRON) A Concord man was convicted on eight counts after detonating multiple explosives while on a police chase from San Francisco to the East Bay, said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on Thursday. Daniel Garcia, 42, left his Concord home on October 29 to attend 5 p.m. mass at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Upon arriving, Garcia approached a parishioner while they were praying and accused them of ripping his shorts and demanded $50 from the parishioner, prosecutors said. The parishioner, who was kneeling in prayer, tried to ignore Mr. Garica, who then punched him twice on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. Garcia then fled from the church in his car. While fleeing the church, two San Francisco Police Department vehicles followed Garcias suit. Instead of stopping, prosecutors said Garcia slowed down and threw a pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline toward one of the police vehicles paths, engulfing their car into a fireball. According to prosecutors, Garcia then threw a second pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline at the intersection of 8th Street and Mission Street, which again exploded. SFPD officials continued following Garcia through city streets, running stop signs, red lights, and driving on road shoulders, all the way to the Bay Bridge and into the East Bay. At this point, prosecutors said Garcia was followed by three SFPD vehicles, three California Highway Patrol vehicles, and a helicopter. $50K donated to East Bay crisis program for struggling pet owners Garcia eventually blew out his tire while attempting to navigate a turn in Martinez, forcing the wheel to fall off and Garcia to pull over and surrender. Prosecutors said police found a third 40oz bottle in Garcias car. While being detained, Gracia asked the police, How many GTA stars do you think I had? as a reference to the video game Grand Theft Auto, in which you earn stars based on your threat level and the number of police officers chasing you. Garcia admitted on the stand he had built the three bombs in his home the three days prior to using them in San Francisco. Mr. Garcia time and again placed civilians and law enforcement in danger by choosing to construct dangerous explosive devices, transport them to San Francisco, and then explode them on city streets, not to mention assaulting an innocent man while he prayed in church, said Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario. Mr. Garcia has shown no remorse for his actions, but the jurys verdict ensures that he will face accountability for his unprompted violent and reckless behavior, Mario said. Garcia is currently in custody pending sentencing. Prior to sentencing, the court will hear and rule on an outstanding allegation that Mr. Garcia committed these offenses while on bail for another felony matter in another county. He faces up to fourteen years in state prison for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Democrats and Republicans offered lavish praise for longtime Connecticut senator and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman following his death at age 82 on Wednesday. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said on social media, offering his condolences to Liebermans family. Lieberman served in the Senate from 1989 to 2013 and became the first Jewish candidate to run on a presidential ticket in 2000. Former Republican President George W. Bush, who defeated Al Gore in the razor-thin 2000 presidential contest, praised his one-time rivals legacy. Joe wasnt afraid to engage with senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party, Bush said in a statement. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues. Connecticuts senior senator, Richard Blumenthal, highlighted Liebermans political legacy. He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together, Blumenthal said in a statement. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time. Lieberman, who was known for his centrist approach, became an independent during his final term in the Senate, although he continued to caucus with Democrats. More recently, he played a leading role in efforts to find a candidate for the No Labels presidential ticket, angering many of his former Democratic colleagues. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont successfully wrested the Democratic Senate nomination from Lieberman in 2006, but ultimately lost to him in the general election. Lamont acknowledged that he had political differences with Lieberman, but said they agreed to disagree from a position of principal (sic)." Lieberman was a stalwart supporter of Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among those who saluted his legacy. Joe was an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, Netanyahu said on social media. Lieberman recently attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for saying that Israel needed to replace Netanyahu. But that didn't prevent Schumer from saluting his former colleague. "I am devastated to hear about the passing of our former colleague Senator Joe Lieberman," Schumer wrote on X. "My heart is with his beloved wife Hadassah and his family, and I am praying for all who knew and loved him." After months of contentious debate, the House of Representatives is nearing a vote on aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The military assistance to Ukraine is the most urgent matter, and it is the point of greatest disagreement. Two questions will be decisive: Why should the United States continue to support Ukraine? Is there a plan to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion? This month, experts from Washingtons Hudson Institute traveled to Kyiv and Odesa. We found that American support for Ukraine is more important than ever. Ukraines resolve, innovation and battlefield successes make clear that supporting their plan for the months ahead is in the best interests of the United States. How Ukrainians have fought Russian forces Ukraines leaders have a plan for victory. It begins with isolating and weakening Russia. Ukrainian forces have done much more than merely fend off conquest they have taken back half the territory seized during the initial invasion, have destroyed approximately one-third of Russias Black Sea fleet despite possessing no navy, and have waged a systematic campaign of attrition against the Russian Aerospace Forces. If past is prologue, Russian forces are in for a bloody year. 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. Without a single U.S. or NATO soldier firing a shot, Russia has suffered losses of manpower and equipment it has not seen since World War II. By one estimate we heard in Kyiv, Russian casualties may have eclipsed 500,000 men. Many Russian units have been shattered, including special elite troops, and in two years, Ukraine has killed more high-ranking Russian general officers than were killed over the decadelong wars in Afghanistan and Syria. Ukraine also plans to counter Russias reliance on attritional warfare. Ukraine is pioneering disruptive battlefield technologies and fielding them at scale. This year, Kyiv will produce a million killer drones. Ukraine burns. Republicans and Biden dither. And Russia's Vladimir Putin smiles. Ukraine also now possesses the ability to attack vital Russian positions on NATOs doorstep, like occupied Crimea, and threaten Russian troops elsewhere, as in Transnistria (the Russian-backed enclave in Moldova). Ukraines offensive capability opens a path to end the war on terms favorable to Ukraine. What Ukraine needs: US and NATO weapons systems Yet, this success depends on protecting Ukraines population and infrastructure from long-range Russian strikes protection that available U.S. and NATO weapons systems can easily provide at minimal cost to the West. Restocking Kyivs arsenal of Patriot missiles and other air defense systems, augmenting its long-range strike options, and topping up its supply of traditional artillery rounds and mortars will help repel Russian attacks. The United Kingdoms Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile and its French SCALP counterpart are especially effective against high-value targets, and the German Taurus system would enhance the power of the F-16 fighter aircraft that Ukraine will operate later this year. Crucially, the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) possesses the range to threaten Russian forces. Ukrainian civilian women learn how to assemble and disassemble weapons as they attend a training for women focused on the use of weapons and combat medical kit in Kyiv on March 16, 2024. Critics of providing Ukraine with these advanced weapons argue that doing so leaves Taiwan vulnerable to Beijings predations. They are clearly correct that China is intent on subjugating Taiwan. In his latest annual report to the National Peoples Congress, Chinese Premier Li Qiang intentionally omitted the word peaceful when advocating for reunification of the two polities. Yet, critics of aiding Ukraine fail to note that the enemies of America and its allies have united. China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have created an alliance. They share munitions, supplies, technology and financial tools, while coordinating military and diplomatic strategies worldwide. With support from Beijing, Tehran and Pyongyang, Moscow is not just attacking Ukraine it's threatening the entire free world. Blame Hamas for attacking Israel, but wars do not happen in isolation. Look at Ukraine. This is why, despite volumes of misinformation suggesting otherwise, our European allies have given more per capita to Ukraine than the United States has contributed. These allies provide Washington with the economic and military power necessary to match China and Russia. The Beijing-Moscow-Iran-North Korea axis wants to weaken Europe to divide democracies and take them on as disunited and weak. Despite the many frustrations inherent in a partnership of free peoples, the transatlantic alliance makes the United States stronger, and our adversaries know it. Ukraine is the strategic hinge of Europe, where the battle for the future of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is unfolding. Declining to fight that battle out of fear of provoking a Russian response runs counter to U.S. security and the alliances that give America the power to protect itself with its allies. Supplying Ukraine with weapons like the ATACMS doesnt just help Ukraine. It also puts the United States in a position to deter our adversaries. China, Russia, Iran and North Korea want nothing more than to build a world order that they will control. Providing Ukraine with the means to pursue victory is a crucial step in ensuring that they fail. John P. Walters is president and CEO of Hudson Institute. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Ukraine defeat Russia? House Republicans may decide outcome of war Congress funded cash assistance for Taipeis military while directing the State Department and Pentagon to prioritize the delivery of defense articles and services for Taiwan. The fiscal 2024 State Department spending bill Congress passed on Saturday includes $300 million in Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, for Taiwan. The funding to buy more military equipment comes more than a year after Congress first authorized the cash assistance for Taipei. But the $300 million falls far short of the cumulative $4 billion in Taiwan military assistance in the foreign aid bill that remains stalled in the House. It provides new tools to use to try and contribute to the deterrence effort and get weapons to Taiwan more quickly and in larger quantities, Bonnie Glaser, the managing director of the German Marshall Funds Indo-Pacific program, told Defense News. Another benefit of it is that it signals to the people of Taiwan that the United States prioritizes their defense and is willing to put our money where our mouth is. The $300 million figure represents a halfway point between House appropriators who sought $500 million in Taiwan FMF and their Senate counterparts who only wanted $113 million. Taiwan must spend most of that $300 million in FMF grants or loans to procure weapons from U.S. defense contractors but could use $45 million of that money to purchase equipment and services on-island a privilege called offshore procurement that only Israel has enjoyed so far. Of the 25-plus countries that receive FMF yearly, the largest recipients are Israel with an annual $3.3 billion, Egypt with an annual $1.3 billion and Jordan with an annual $425 million. The State Department has asked for $100 million in Taiwan FMF as part of its FY25 budget request. It provided Taiwan with $55 million in FMF last year from a portion of Egypt aid frozen over human rights concerns. Appropriators initially were wary of allocating large FMF sums for Taiwan given pressures on the State Department budget and the relative wealth of the island, whose GDP came in at an estimated $800 billion in FY23. Glaser noted that Taiwan has increased its defense spending consecutively over the past several years and now spends 2.6% of its GDP on defense, which is still not enough given the nature of the threat they face. The U.S. hopes that rushing an influx of weapons into Taiwan will help deter a potential Chinese invasion. China considers Taiwan to be a rogue province and has threatened to take it by force if necessary. President Xi Jinping has set 2027 the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Liberation Army as the date he hopes the Chinese military will have the capabilities to take Taiwan. Yes, its our taxpayer money and they should be paying for more themselves, but theres also some value in signaling that this is a priority for the United States, said Glaser. It does help to boost the determination of the Taiwanese to defend themselves because they know that the United States cares about their defense. Another $4 billion The Taiwan FMF in the FY24 State Department spending bill pales in comparison to the $3.9 billion in additional military assistance for Taipei that the Senates foreign aid bill. The Senate in February passed the bipartisan bill, which primarily provides $60 billion in economic and security aid to Ukraine and another $14 billion in military aid to Israel, in a 70-29 vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has so far refused to put it on the floor amid opposition to the Ukraine aid from former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, and the right-flank of his caucus. Meanwhile, some progressive Democrats oppose the additional Israel aid in the bill amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Johnson has told Republican defense hawks the House will hold foreign aid votes in April after it returns from its two-week recess, though it will not necessarily take up the bipartisan Senate bill, which hews closely to President Joe Bidens request. The Senate bill includes an additional $2 billion in Taiwan FMF and another $1.9 billion that would allow the Defense Department to rush weapons to Taipei from U.S. stockpiles and replenish it. Using Presidential Drawdown Authority from U.S. stockpiles would allow the U.S. to move materiel into Taiwan faster than through FMF-funded arms sales. The Biden administration has primarily armed Ukraine through drawdowns of U.S. stockpiles since Russias 2022 invasion. That makes it easier to deliver something if we already have it in our own stockpiles, and we can just give it to Taiwan, said Glaser. That seems to cut through quite a bit of the red tape that might be involved in using other methods. Lawmakers estimate that there is a roughly $19 billion backlog in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan due to a confluence of issues, including industrial base constraints, a sometimes slow pace of contracting and acquisition and a medley of lengthy technology and security reviews in the Foreign Military Sales process. CHICAGO Thieves were caught on camera overnight, making off with thousands of dollars in equipment from a contractor in Portage Park. Its the latest development in a series of contracting and plumbing companies targeted in the early morning of Wednesday, March 27. In addition to being stuck with the clean-up, many business owners in the area worry that the unidentified culprits will strike again. Its a little jarring to see your space invaded, said Wayne Weinke, vice president of his familys business, Way-Ken Contractor Supply, in Portage Park. Surveillance video obtained by WGN News shows the moment at least three masked suspects made entry into the Way-Ken Contractor Supply warehouse by ramming a jeep with a busted back window several times against their fence and garage door. The suspects, who appear to be in no rush, walk around the sales floor before grabbing a couple of things and moseying on over to the getaway car. All told, the unidentified group was on the property for about 20 minutes. Crime spree has targeted plumbing, electrical businesses for almost 2 months, CPD says They took two generators and two saws and it was probably about $5,000 worth of equipment, Weinke said. And they got into our cash box and took cash out of that. But Weinkes concern isnt so much the material things. Its the efforts that weve gone to keep people out of the building when theyre not supposed to be in here, and they just walked all over it, Weinke said. About 15 minutes before the hit at Way-Ken Contractor Supply, surveillance cameras captured what appeared to be the same crew about a mile and a half away ramming a jeep with a busted back window into the garage of J Sewer & Plumbing Inc. At one point, someone from the group even moved the camera before leaving empty-handed. Its a commercial door. Its a very heavy-duty door, so they tried from different angles and corners, said Jesus Sinchi, owner of J Sewer & Plumbing Inc. Thank God we got a truck in the inside of the garage so thats probably why they stuck in there. North Side business targeted by thieves 3 times in less than a month Sinchi says hes now unable to take out the truck, which means he has to reschedule appointments and has sent two employees home. It was really shocking when they didthe timing of itbecause most contractors are out early in the morning, he said. They are going to encounter someone showing up to work or a customer coming in, waiting on us to open up and they were armed. One day somebody is going to get killed, Sinchi added. And we not waiting for that to impact all this. So we got to do something about that. Wayne tells me about 5-10 of their customers, who are also plumbers, told them they were hit. Read more: Latest Chicago news headline At this time, police say none is in custody. Area Five detectives are investigating. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Landlord Steve Hall said the armband was given to the pub as a war trophy by a British soldier - APEX A Cornish pub has been stripped of a coveted pub of the year award after a single person complained about it having a Nazi armband on display. The Hole in the Wall, in Bodmin, Cornwall, was given the prize by the countys branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) last week. But it has now had the award revoked following the complaint about the swastika armband, which was given to the pub as a war trophy by a British soldier returning from the Second World War. Steve Hall, the pubs landlord, said the artefact had been taken out of context completely and accused Camra of attempting to whitewash history. Its been taken out of context completely at national level, he said. It has nothing to do with Camra Kernow. Bodmin was a garrison town. These soldiers came back from the war with spoils of war memorabilia. It was not to hero-worship Hitler or the Nazis but to celebrate the victory over fascism and to remember their comrades who died fighting against evil. You cant whitewash history. The pub is now out of the running for Camras national pub of the year award, for which it had qualified by beating the 600 other pubs in Cornwall to the county prize for the third time. The Hole in the Wall was a debtors prison in the 18th century - APEX A spokesman for Camra Kernow said the offensive and discriminatory memorabilia meant the pub should not have been considered for an award. Yet it had been on display since the pub opened 80 years ago in an 18th-century debtors prison, including when judges visited to decide this years winner and in 2015 and 2016 when the pub previously won the award. Colin Curless, the sole complainant, lives 20 miles away from the pub in Truro and Mr Hall said he was not sure he had ever set foot in the pub and thought that he must have seen [the armband] online. Mr Curlesss complaint came to light when he emailed CornwallLive, the local newspaper, saying he had reported the pub to Camra, that its victory was hypocrisy and that the armband was not a good advert for Cornwall. Mr Hall then took down the armband which was stored in a glass cabinet on top of a pillar in a dimly lit part of the pub as soon as he was informed of the complaint and removed it from public view. Its not my memorabilia, Mr Hall said. It belongs to the pub. Its been here for longer than I have. If I had put it there myself, Camras decision would be justified. But this has not been seen in context. Its sad for Bodmin. Beyond a joke He added: To win pub of the year would have been a bit of good news, not just for us, but for the whole town. Camra has refused to reinstate the award amid a growing backlash from the pubs patrons. The memorabilia is a celebration of a victory over evil and a part of the pubs history, said Alex Sargisson. I hope it gets put back up and I hope that anyone without the ability to see beyond what is directly in front of them, finds something better to do than complain about something they dont understand. Janice Margaret Beer added: Cant do this, cant do that. Its getting beyond a joke. The pubs unique decor includes an array of other curios, including a stuffed lion, ancient guns and a picture of Winston Churchill. A spokesman for Camra Kernow said: Camras National Campaigns and Communications Committee has taken the decision to withdraw the Cornwall Branch Pub of the Year award for 2024 to the Hole in the Wall. In the light of this, there will now be no Cornwall Pub of the Year Award made for 2024. 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. Sen. Ted Cruz single-handedly altered campaign finance rules last year via a Supreme Court case. Federal lawmakers can now pay themselves back for large personal campaign loans after an election. Two freshman GOP senators have been doing just that while also taking corporate PAC money. Republican Sens. JD Vance of Ohio and Markwayne Mullin of Indiana have spent the last year-and-change using campaign cash to pay themselves back for hefty loans they sunk into their 2022 Senate bids. At the same time, they've been taking tens of thousands of dollars in corporate PAC money some of which may be ending up directly in the senators' bank accounts. Between the 2022 election and the end of 2023, Vance has used $78,000 in corporate PAC contributions to repay campaign debts, while Mullin has done the same with $45,000 in corporate cash. Yet it's difficult, if not impossible, to draw a straight line from a single corporate PAC contribution to the checks each senator receives from their campaigns, given the interchangeability of campaign funds. Both men have also been repaying substantial debts to other campaign vendors, and have been accepting donations from other PACs and individuals for the purpose of debt retirement, the sum of which outweighs the corporate PAC money. The murky reality of both Vance's and Mullin's finances can be attributed in part to the work of Sen. Ted Cruz. In 2018, the Texas Republican moved to challenge the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act, which prevented federal candidates from raising more than $250,000 after their election to repay any personal loans they had made to their campaign. Anything that remained beyond that limit was deemed a contribution and ineligible to be recouped. In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Texas senator in Ted Cruz vs. FEC a move decried at the time by left-leaning ethics experts and liberal Supreme Court justices as opening the door to corruption. "Repaying a candidate's loan after he has won election cannot serve the usual purposes of a contribution: the money comes too late to aid in any of his campaign activities," Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan wrote in her dissenting opinion in the case. "All the money does is enrich the candidate personally at a time when he can return the favorby a vote, a contract, an appointment." "Thanks to the Cruz decision, lawmakers can now easily lend their campaigns large amounts of money and use corporate PAC contributions to pay themselves back once they're in office," said Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizen for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW). "While disappointing to see it happen yet again, this is the new reality we live in." Vance defended the arrangement in a brief interview at the Capitol this month, saying he doesn't "think there's anything particularly unusual about the way that we're doing it." "Look, we put a lot of my personal money into the campaign, and the goal is always to pay it back and put us in a good place for 2028," said Vance. "And that's what we're gonna do." A spokesperson for Mullin did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment on Thursday. 'Totally normal' or a bad incentive structure? Since that 2022 decision, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has paid himself back $400,000 for years-old loans he made to his 2010 and 2016 campaigns, which he did days before telling Business Insider that he had no intention of doing that. Cruz, for his part, has no problem with these sorts of loan repayments. "If he wants to pay himself back, I think that's fantastic," Cruz told Business Insider in May 2023. "It is perfectly reasonable that Ron Johnson, after 10 years of making an interest-free loan to the American people, can pay back his own money." Ted Cruz helped create the current system by challenging the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act. Shawn Thew/AFP via Getty Images Vance and Mullin represent two more notable cases of what some left-leaning ethics watchdogs warned about. Altogether, Vance loaned $1.4 million to his Senate campaign, paying off $700,000 of that before he was elected. He had paid off nearly the entirety of that loan by the end of 2023, along with more than $306,000 in debts to other campaign vendors. Mullin loaned his campaign $1 million and he has paid himself back $153,000, along with repaying nearly $27,000 in debt to GL Pro, an Oklahoma-based political strategy firm. The Ohio senator's campaign has earmarked contributions from over 30 corporate PACs including Comcast, Intel, General Motors, and Walmart for the explicit purpose of debt retirement. Mullin did the same with 19 corporate PACs, including ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobile, and GlaxoSmithKline. The optics of accepting the corporate cash may be a sore spot in particular for Vance, who's made criticism of "woke" corporations central to his political brand. He also promised not to take corporate PAC money during the GOP primary, only to reserve that pledge during the general election against Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who did accept corporate PAC money. "We decided that hamstringing ourselves in the general election didn't make the same amount of sense," said Vance. Proponents of the arrangement argue that because campaign cash is fungible, with money from various sources going into one big pot, there's little to no risk of bribery. They also argue that debt repayments aren't all that different from other campaign expenses that politicians may benefit from, such as catering or airfare, and that one could make the same "bribery" argument about any politician who accepts large sums of corporate cash. "It is a totally normal practice for senators to raise money to repay campaign debt and Business Insider knows that," said a representative for Vance's campaign. "This partisan smear job is even more egregious when you consider that only 6% of Sen. Vance's lifetime political fundraising has come from PACs, a third of the 18% average for successful 2022 Senate campaigns." But Saurav Ghosh, director of federal campaign finance reform at the Campaign Legal Center, argues that what's important is the incentive structure presented to campaign donors, corporate or otherwise. "The benefit for the PACs, and even individuals who do this, is that they know at the point when they're putting their money in that it's enriching the candidate," said Ghosh. "The fact that the campaign is sort of the intermediary through which this money is flowing does very little to change that incentive structure." Read the original article on Business Insider Have you been enjoying cheap hotdogs and pizza at Costco without paying the annual membership? If so, that may soon be coming to an end. The warehouse retailer's food courts home of the $1.99 pizza slices and $1.50 hot dog and drink combo have been a favorite of members and non-members alike. While Costco memberships, which start at $60 annually, are required to shop, historically non-members have been able to slip into the food court to dine. Costco locations may start requiring membership for food court The menu price for Costco's hot dog-and-soda combo at the food court of the new Costco at One Daytona in Daytona, Florida, on the store's opening day, Feb. 22, 2024. But earlier this month, signs started popping up at Costcos across the country that starting April 8, 2024, a membership would be required to eat at the Costco food court. It's not the first time Costco has tried to crack down on food court purchases by non-members, having posted similar signs in February of 2020. Some Reddit users replied to the new signs that their Costco location has always enforced membership, or that when they did in recent years, the food court experience was improved. Will you need a membership to eat at Oklahoma Costco locations? There are four Costco locations in Oklahoma: Moore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and North Tulsa. The Moore Costco did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, the other three locations told The Oklahoman they each already require a membership to purchase food from the food court. Both the Tulsa and North Tulsa locations said they check membership cards at the door. Contributing: James Powel and Scott Gleeson This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Costco may require membership to eat hot dogs, pizza in food court South Carolina Republican state lawmakers must be allowed to implement their congressional map for this years elections, a federal three-judge panel ruled Thursday, as the Supreme Court mulls whether the design is a racial gerrymander. The reinstated map bolsters the GOP tilt of Rep. Nancy Maces (R-S.C.) district, aiding Republicans in holding onto the seat in their quest to regain control of the House in November. The state lawmakers are actively appealing the three-judge panels previous decision invalidating their map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. But the Supreme Court has not yet issued its decision, despite a request to rule by Jan. 1 because of the fast-approaching election. Because of the delay, the three-judge District Court panel agreed Thursday to the lawmakers request to reinstate their map for this years elections only. The lawmakers noted the candidate filing period is scheduled to close April 1, with ballots scheduled to be sent out within weeks. Having found that Congressional District No. 1 constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, the Court fully recognizes that it would be the unusual case in which a court would be justified in not taking appropriate action to insure that no further elections are conducted under an invalid plan, the panel wrote in its five-page ruling. But with the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending, and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical, the ruling continued. The three judges were all appointed by Democratic presidents. The decision reinstates a map that the three-judge panel found impermissibly shifted some 30,000 Black Charleston-area voters to a different district in violation of the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause. The panel ruled that race was the predominant factor in the new design, rejecting the lawmakers contention they changed the boundaries for political reasons, to boost Maces chances. But the panel had not ordered the lawmakers to immediately submit a remedial map as the case headed to the Supreme Court, meaning that the states congressional map had remained in a state of limbo in recent months. It is simply too late now to seek such a change in the panels orders or to rush through a remedial proceeding for 2024, the lawmakers attorneys argued in written filings. The plaintiffs who challenged the map a Black voter and the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP had opposed the move. Contrary to Defendants pleas, thirteen full months of legislative inaction does not warrant a stay, the plaintiffs attorneys wrote in court papers. There is still time to draft and enact a remedial plan for the 2024 congressional elections, and Defendants misleading and unproven assertions about election imminence and voter confusion fall well short of meeting their heavy burden to justify a stay. The state lawmakers had also filed an emergency appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to reinstate their map, but the high court had not yet ruled. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police asked people in a Montgomery County neighborhood to be aware of their surroundings Thursday after they received a report of a coyote in the area. The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCDP) said it, members of Animal Services and people with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were in the 1400 block of Patuxent Dr. where someone spotted the coyote. The location, in the Ashton area, is near Watershed Park. Maryland State Police: Off-duty DC police officer shoots, kills man with knife In addition to asking people to be aware of what was going on around them, the police department reminded people not to approach the coyote if they spot the animal. Instead, police said to call Animal Services immediately. The telephone number is (240) 773-5925. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. On the third and final day of Craig Wood's post-conviction relief hearing, it was his former attorneys fielding questions from the witness stand. Wood was found guilty of the 2014 abduction, rape and murder of 10-year-old Hailey Owens and was sentenced to death by lethal injection, a punishment the ex-Pleasant View Middle School staff member and football coach continued to fight Wednesday. Among the 55-year-old Springfield man's claims relating to the trial and penalty phases of his case is the argument that he received ineffective legal counsel. Wood's new public defenders, Valerie Leftwich and Edward Thompson, had called on several character witnesses and mental health professionals who, according to Wood, weren't utilized in previous court proceedings. It was more nuanced than that, according to Patrick Berrigan, the case's former lead defense attorney. "It was hard getting many (character) witnesses to speak for him at that (previous hearing)," Berrigan said. "There was a lot of public pressure." Wood's fate now rests in the hands of the same judge who put him on death row. Greene County Judge Thomas Mountjoy, who is now retired but was called to observe the hearing, said he will review the court's findings and make a determination in the coming months. Wood was transported back to the Potosi Correctional Center in Mineral Point after the hearing. Missouri Supreme Court upheld Craig Wood's sentence Craig Wood Because of much of the Springfield area's vitriol toward Wood and the case's wide-scale media coverage, a jury from Platte County was used to help ensure a fair trial. Mountjoy, a longtime Greene County resident, continued to be in charge of the courtroom. Mountjoy would go on to sentence Wood to death in lieu of a jury because it failed to come to a consensus decision on the penalty. Missouri is one of two U.S. states that allow a single judge to decide whether a person convicted of first-degree murder lives or dies, a process one of Wood's former attorneys, Rosemary Percival, dubbed unconstitutional in a 136-page brief written on Wood's behalf in 2017 to the Missouri Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court in 2019 affirmed the execution. Woods and his attorney believe there was a conflict of interest in allowing Mountjoy, Greene County's former elected prosecutor, to make the ruling. "So why not object to (having Mountjoy as the judge) if a jury from Platte County was used?" asked Thompson, flanked by a prison-suit clad Wood, whose silver hair now touches his shoulders. Berrigan didn't think such an objection would be considered. "We were already getting rejected on every ruling," Berrigan said. Wood's attorneys said Hailey Owens' parents did not push for the death penalty. More: Craig Wood's longtime Marshfield friends called to stand at convicted killer's hearing What was said during Craig Wood's 3-day hearing Erin Petersen remembers her niece, Hailey Owens, as a sweet and loving 10-year-old. Petersen said she felt numb thinking about how Hailey was killed. Greene County's lead prosecutors, Dan Patterson and Emily Shook, were present for the three-day hearing and appeared to successfully contest most of the defense's wide-ranging claims. Here are a few of the topics brought up by Wood's attorneys in his attempt to evade a death sentence: Wood's ex-girlfriend 'looked like Hailey': Defense attorneys presented a 1980s yearbook photo of a Marshfield girl, 13, who would go on to become Wood's girlfriend in high school, the first and last romantic relationship of his life. The inference was that the child in that photo resembled Wood's victim, Hailey Owens. A psychologist said Wood admitting to tracking Owens down because of the resemblance. Wood was addicted to methamphetamine: Wood was said to have had prolonged methamphetamine use and was allegedly in a state of psychosis the day of the murder due to "a three-day binge." His attorneys argued the killing of Owens didn't warrant a first-degree murder charge because of his mental state. Expert witnesses suggested that Wood may have qualified for diminished mental capacity, but Patterson reminded the court how calculated Wood (a man with a college degree, a friend group and a job at a school) was in the immediate aftermath of the murder when he tried to cover up the crime. Mentally unwell: Forensic psychologist John Fabian diagnosed Wood with a constellation of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder and ADHD, which he said were exacerbated by substance abuse and impulsive sexual urges. At the time of Owens' death, Wood is said to have had addictions to pornography, alcohol and illegal substances. The blue tote: After Wood shot and killed Owens in his basement, he placed her body in a blue tote, which was presented to a jury in the trial and penalty phase of the highly publicized murder case. The defense argued this week that the tote was left in full view through the duration of a proceeding in an attempt to influence the jury. More: Craig Wood's defense points to mental incapacitation at time of Hailey Owens' murder Hailey's stepfather: A few years after her murder, Owens' stepfather was charged and later sentenced to federal prison for posting images of child sexual abuse. Thompson, who said there wasn't sufficient DNA from Wood on Owens' body, wondered why her stepfather wasn't questioned after the signs of recent sexual trauma investigators discovered. Tom Jacquinot, another of Wood's former attorneys, said the defense conceded due to the prosecution's overwhelming physical evidence and said that accusing anyone else of the sexual assault would have likely angered the jury. Dungeon or basement? In the prosecution's closing arguments for deciding if Wood deserved the death penalty in 2018, Wood's unfinished basement was described to the jury as a more nefarious "dungeon" and should not have been allowed, his attorneys said. Strange connection: Kansas City-area public defender Juliane L. Colby was referenced at least twice by Wood's lawyers this week. She had worked as a short-time mitigation specialist in the case but was later disbarred after being charged with allegedly smuggling drugs to a male inmate in 2019 and exchanging inappropriate text messages with the man. The story made national headlines, and Wood's lawyers argue that her alleged actions in that time period may have had a role in her duties for Wood's case. Greene County prosecutors argued that timeline wouldn't have made a difference in the case. Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Craig Wood's lawyers question his former defense team at hearing ORANGE COVE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An individual has been sent to the hospital Wednesday following a pin-in crash in Orange Cove, the Orange Cove Fire Protection District announced. Fire District crews say they responded to a pin-in traffic collision around the area of Hills Valley Road and Adams Avenue. Upon arrival, crews reported they located an individual pinned in. The person was extricated from the vehicle and turned over to Sequoia Safety for ground transport to a local hospital. The Fire District crews say this is the third pin-in traffic collision they responded to in a weeks time frame. They encourage drivers to drive safely and stay alert. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Crews were called to an apartment fire in Miami Township on Wednesday. Around 11:05 p.m. firefighters with Miami Valley Fire District were called to a fire in the 7300 block of Coldwater Drive, according to Miami Valley Fire District on social media. >> Crews called to fire in Dayton Initial scanner traffic indicates that crews on scene reported smoke showing from a two-story apartment complex. It is not known if anyone was inside at the time of the fire or was hurt. We are working to learn more and will update this story as new information becomes available. 23:05Crews are on scene of a Structure Fire on Coldwater Dr. Avoid the area. Posted by Miami Valley Fire District on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Anti-immigrant rhetoric has intensified in Russia following the shooting at Crocus City Hall, which could escalate into ethnic hatred within the country, according to a New York Times article published on March 27. In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Crocus City Hall, Russia is witnessing a surge in anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly against Tajik nationals, following the detention of four suspects linked to the attack. This incident has exacerbated the xenophobia that millions of migrant workers, especially from Tajikistan, have historically faced in Russia. Renowned Russian human rights advocate Svetlana Gannushkina expressed concerns over the exploitation of migrants both as military personnel and laborers. "Migrants are needed as cannon fodder for the Russian army and as labor," said Gannushkina, noting a likely scapegoating of Tajiks in the guise of counterterrorism efforts. The atmosphere in Moscow is tense, reminiscent of the early 2000s when Muslims from the Caucasus region were subjected to discrimination post-Chechnya conflict and terror incidents. A local food business manager noted the palpable fear among the Tajik community, many of whom are reluctant to venture outdoors. Tajik human rights activist Saidanvar highlighted fears among the Tajik population of potential conscription into the conflict in Ukraine or mass deportations as punitive measures. The Russian authorities' narrative, which includes concocting a Ukrainian connection to the attack, has been met with skepticism internationally. Ukraine has outright denied any involvement, a stance echoed by the U.S. State Department, dismissing any evidence linking Ukraine to the incident. Read also: Why Russia is trying to blame Ukraine for Crocus City Hall attack: expert opinion While the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, doubts persist within Putin's inner circle regarding the alleged Ukrainian involvement, with Kremlin insiders reportedly skeptical of the official line that continues to implicate Ukraine in the tragedy. Read also: ISIS behind Crocus City Hall shooting in Moscow - ISW 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 Ministers were told that Jersey (pictured), Guernsey and the Isle of Man should have officials present at negotiations Three self-governing British Crown dependencies should be represented when the UK brokers international trade deals, a group of British MPs says. Ministers were told that Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man should have officials present at negotiations. UK ministers are responsible for negotiating trade policy on their behalf. The UK's Justice Committee highlighted dependency concerns about the agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The group of MPs recommended both goods and services from the islands should be covered in future free trade agreements the UK signs. While the committee said relations between the UK government and Crown dependencies were good, it recommended greater communication and consultation. Sir Bob Neill, the Conservative chairman of the committee, said: "Representation of the interests of the Crown dependencies in international relations is not optional, according to whether or not their interests are in line with those of the UK: it is the UK government's duty. "We recommend that the Department for Business and Trade formally assesses their contribution to the UK's offer in trade negotiations, and how their economic role can be better and more strategically promoted to potential trading partners, including the possibility of including them in the strategic approaches to free trade agreements that it publishes." Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Follow BBC Jersey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has impacted cruise travel in Baltimore. Carnival Cruise Line had to temporarily move its Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia, as the Baltimore Harbor has been closed to marine traffic which could cause up to a $10 million monetary loss for the company. The company's ship, Carnival Legend, was scheduled to return to Baltimore on Sunday, March 31, but guests will instead go to Norfolk. There will be a complimentary bus service to get back to Baltimore from that port, Carnival announced on Tuesday. The drive between these cities could be up to five hours long. The upcoming Carnival Legend cruise on March 31 will depart and return to Norfolk. "Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. "We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk." "We will continue to actively monitor the situation and look forward to getting back to Baltimore as soon as possible," a Carnival spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News. As for the impact on business, the spokesperson told CBS News the company expects a less than $10 million impact on both adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as well as its adjusted net income for the full year 2024. A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse, in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26, 2024. / Credit: Julia Nikhinson / REUTERS Cruise Lines International Association, the largest cruise industry trade association, says 12 cruise ships made 115 trips through Baltimore in 2024. And in 2023, about 444,000 cruise passengers moved through the port, the 29th largest in the U.S. Other cruise companies like Royal Caribbean and American Cruise Lines also have ships that go to Baltimore, however, it is unclear if those lines have been impacted yet. CBS News reached out to several cruise companies for comment. The bridge collapsed around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday when a cargo ship, called the Dali, lost power and crashed into one of the bridge's columns. The ship made a mayday call ahead of the crash and first responders were able to prevent cars from driving onto the bridge, but eight construction workers were on the structure pouring concrete. Two of the construction workers were recovered alive, but the other six were presumed dead on Tuesday. Two bodies were found in a construction vehicle submerged in the water on Wednesday. Following the incident, Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and President Biden said the federal government would pay for the entire cost of reconstructing the bridge, which is still sitting in the river, on top of the cargo ship, which had 22 people on board none of them harmed. Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, after a support column was struck by a vessel. / Credit: Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation and handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the Associated Press reports. More than 50 shipping and cruise ship companies do business with the port, mainly moving cars, coal, wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas. "For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, we're the largest port in the country that does that," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. "So this is not just impacting Maryland." Shipping companies and automakers will likely divert ships heading to Baltimore to other East Coast cities, experts say, according to the AP. Ships waiting to get into Baltimore were stalled after the incident, with many drifting in the North Atlantic, waiting to be assigned to a new port, according to Windward Maritime, which analyzes maritime data. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said rebuilding the bridge won't be easy or cheap. "That does not necessarily mean it will take five years to replace, but that tells you what went into that original structure going up," he said. "We need to get a sense of the conditions, of the parts that look ok, to the naked eye, but we just don't know yet, especially in terms of their foundational infrastructure." Twin artists, and the healing power of art On the hunt for thundereggs Author Jonathan Haidt discusses "The Anxious Generation" FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court in New York in February 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Sam Bankman-Fried was once hailed as the boy wonder of the crypto industry an altruistic self-made billionaire who hung out with presidents and pop stars and had the ear of lawmakers from both parties in Washington DC. Nearly one year after his cryptocurrency empire FTX imploded, the 32-year-old was found guilty of committing one of the largest corporate frauds in US history, following a trial in New York. Then, District Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison and ordered him to forfeit $11.2bn on 28 March 2024. Prosecutors argued that Bankman-Fried siphoned billions of dollars from FTX customers to prop up his ailing hedge fund Alameda Research, while funding a luxurious life in the Bahamas. They outlined to the jury how he sought to gain political influence by making $100m in political donations prior to the 2020 presidential election to ensure light-touch regulations of the crypto industry. In December, Bankman-Fried was arrested at his $40m apartment complex in Nassau and indicted on fraud, money laundering, and campaign finance charges. He was extradited back to the US, and placed under house arrest at his parents Palo Alto home on a $250m bail. His bail was revoked in August when a judge ruled that he had harassed his former girlfriend and fellow FTX executive Caroline Ellison, who testified against him during his trial. Bankman-Fried was held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while awaiting trial. Now, Mr Kaplan says he will issue recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons that Bankman-Fried to serve his sentence in San Francisco, where he can be close to his family, receive medical care and avoid becoming a potential target for violence as he begins his 25-year sentence. Who is Sam Bankman-Fried? Bankman-Fried was born and raised in the Bay Area in California, where both of his parents are law professors at Stanford Law School. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a physics degree before taking a job at Jane Street Capital and, as an adherent to effective altruism, began donating half of his income to charity. At his sentencing hearing, the judge noted Bankman-Frieds privileged upbringing. Ive considered the guidelines and the 3553 factors, Mr Kaplan said moments before he unveiled his sentence. Much of what was said about the defendants background is undisputed. He was privileged, had loving and devoted parents, he had every advantage they could confer on him, he went to MIT. When not lying, he was evasive, hair-splitting, trying to get the prosecutors to rephrase questions for him, Mr Kaplan continued. Ive been doing this job for close to 30 years. Ive never seen a performance like that. Bankman-Fried first rose to prominence after founding cryptocurrency trading firm Alameda Research in 2017 at the age of 25. Sam Bankman-Fried (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Perennially dressed in shorts and sneakers, with unkempt locks and an awkward demeanour, Bankman-Fried befriended prime ministers, presidents and pop stars. In April, Bankman-Fried hosted the Crypto Bahamas conference, where he led an onstage panel featuring Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, a New York Times profile noted. Despite having a net worth of $21.2bn, he continued to lead a relatively frugal lifestyle, donating heavily to philanthropic causes, and pledging to donate his entire fortune to charity. Bankman-Fried emerged as one of the most high-profile crypto champions in Washington DC and used his profile to lobby Congress to relax the rules around crypto trading. FTXs rise and collapse Bankman-Fried, known by his initials SBF, founded Alameda Research in 2017 after figuring out how to exploit a quirk in crypto values that saw Bitcoin trade for slightly less in Asia than in the US. In 2019, he launched the FTX trading platform that was promoted to investors as a trusted, straightforward exchange. It made money by claiming a percentage of transactions. When the value of Bitcoin soared in 2021, FTX became one of the largest crypto traders in the world, worth an estimated $32bn. Bankman-Frieds profile soared as he amassed a net wealth of around $16bn while receiving fawning media coverage for his so-called altruistic beliefs and austere lifestyle. FTX enlisted a band of celebrity backers including Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, hired Larry David to front an expensive Super Bowl advert, and acquired the naming rights to the Miami Heats home arena. Bankman-Fried made around $100m in political donations to both parties, while attempting to influence cryptocurrency regulatory reform, prosecutors said in court filings. When crypto prices collapsed in 2022, cracks began to emerge in SBFs empire. In November, the crypto trade publication Coindesk published a leaked balance sheet showing that Alameda and FTX were unusually close and Alamedas value was built on a foundation largely made up of a (digital) coin that a sister company invented. The story sent shockwaves through the crypto world, and FTX customers raced to withdraw their funds, exposing an $8bn deficit in FTXs accounts. Bankman-Frieds personal wealth fell by an estimated $16bn in a single day on 8 November. FTX filed for bankruptcy days later and Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO. He was arrested in the Bahamas on 12 December. The collapse sent a contagion through the crypto industry that caused several exchanges to implode and prices to collapse. What were the allegations against SBF? During the trial, prosecutors said that Bankman-Fried orchestrated a wide-scale conspiracy to defraud FTX investors and the Alameda Research hedge fund exchange. The founder and CEO of FTX used billions of dollars of customer funds for his personal use, and to make millions of dollars of political contributions to federal political candidates and committees. Bankman-Fried built a house of cards on a foundation of deception while telling investors that it was one of the safest buildings in crypto, the Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler said in a statement last December. Bankman-Fried was charged in the Southern District of New York with seven counts of fraud and money laundering (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Bankman-Fried concealed the close ties between Alameda and FTX from investors, while effectively using customers funds as an unlimited line of credit to make undisclosed venture investments, lavish real estate purchases, and large political donations, Mr Gensler said. Around 90 US-based investors collectively lost $1.1bn, the SEC said. Bankman-Fried was charged in the Southern District of New York with seven counts of fraud and money laundering, some of which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years in prison. In June, prosecutors severed five charges from the current trial which were brought after his extradition from the Bahamas. In August, prosecutors dropped several campaign finance violation charges against Bankman-Fried. What was SBFs defence? Bankman-Fried attempted to convince jurors that he did not have any intent to rip off FTX customers. Rather, his defence attorneys argued, he was out of his depth. Given his high-profile ties and accomplishments, jurors found it hard to believe that Bankman-Fried was a dunce as his attorneys made out. Prior to his conviction, four former FTX executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the companys collapse and appeared at trial after agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors. The governments star witnesses was Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The governments key witnesses included Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend and the former head of Alameda, and FTX co-founder Gary Wang, who was Bankman-Frieds childhood friend from math camp. The outcome On Thursday 2 November, a federal jury concluded that Bankman-Fried was guilty of defrauding customers on his cryptocurrency exchange out of billions of dollars. After just four hours of deliberation, the 12-member Manhattan panel convicted him of two counts of fraud and five counts of conspiracy. He potentially faces over a century in prison. Bankman-Fried reportedly stood and faced the jury as the verdict was read aloud. According to reporters who were present at the hearing, he looked shell-shocked as jurors were polled. He then sat motionless, looking down at his hands in his lap. In a statement following the verdict, his lawyer Mark Cohen said, We respect the jurys decision. But we are very disappointed with the result. Mr Bankman-Fried maintains his innocence and will continue to vigorously fight the charges against him. US attorney Damian Williams told reporters outside court: Sam Bankman-Fried perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history. The cryptocurrency industry might be new. The players, like Sam Bankman-Fried, might be new. But this kind of corruption is as old as time. Bankman-Fried was sentenced several months later, on 28 March. He faces 300 months in prison and must forfeit $11.2bn, per Mr Kaplans order. Prior to the sentencing, the former FTX head acknowledged his crimes. At the end of the day, I failed everyone that I care about and everything that I care about, too, the 32-year-old said, just minutes before he was sentenced. My useful life is probably over, he continued. Its been over for a while now. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has said that his government has discussed and approved the contribution of funds to Czechia's initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. Source: European Pravda Quote: "It is extremely important for Ukraine that it knows that more ammunition will arrive in a few weeks or months and can adapt its tactics to this today. Once again, I want to thank everyone who has joined this initiative. And today the Czech government has taken another step in this direction." Details: Fiala said that about 20 countries have already expressed interest in joining the initiative. However, he did not specify the amount of money that Czechia would contribute. Background: Slovenia and Iceland were among the latest countries to announce joining Prague's initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. In addition, Poland plans to double its contribution to the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Czechia has earmarked funds to support its initiative for buying ammunition for Ukraine, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on March 27. While the specific amount remains undisclosed, Fiala highlighted that 20 countries have joined this endeavor, Ceske Noviny reported on March 27. This initiative promises a swift impact, with the ammunition expected to reach the battlefield in the coming weeks or months. "This wide-ranging initiative is vital for supplying Ukraine with the necessary ammunition for its defense," Fiala said. . Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine: what we know so fa r? The initiative gained public attention when Czech President Petr Pavel floated the idea of purchasing 800,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine on Feb. 17. Ukrainian security sources, noted plans to procure these shells from South Korea and South Africa in a deal valued around $2 billion. By March 7, the coalition of allies had pooled the required funds for the ammunition purchase. Reports from German tabloid Bild on March 11 suggested that the Czech Republic secured 800,000 artillery shells from various countries, anticipating delivery to Ukraine in mere weeks. The ammunition might reach Ukraine by June, said Tomas Pojar, the Czech Prime Minister's National Security Advisor, on March 12. Echoing this sentiment, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced on March 13 that the artillery shells under the Czech initiative would soon bolster the front lines. Read also: The Wall Street Journal reported on March 18 that the Czech Republic is looking for ammunition for Ukraine around the world, including among Russia's allies. The Finnish government also decided on March 19 to allocate 30 million euros ($32.4 million) to Czechia's initiative to purchase ammunition. A large amount of ammunition would be sent to Ukraine in the near future thanks to the Czech initiative, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said 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 Activists battling to protect abortion rights have found their arena of choice: the voting booth. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, reversing the landmark case that guaranteed the right to an abortion on the national level, abortion rights have been largely debated and decided on a state level. And while several states across the country have restricted or banned the procedure, advocates trying to expand abortion access have still been successful, passing state constitutional amendments to enshrine abortion access even in places like ruby red Ohio and conservative Kansas. This year, citizen initiatives to put abortion rights on the ballot are ongoing in at least a dozen states, including Florida and Arizona, and could put the issue in front of millions of voters come November. A victory for reproductive rights: Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands wins Alabama special election These initiatives may also carry implications for races up and down the ballot. Democrats are looking for an electoral boost from the debate, similar to the victories the party racked up in the 2022 midterms after campaigning on abortion rights. Heres the latest on the efforts and what both sides are saying about the possible amendments. Protestors gather outside The Supreme Court on March 26, 2024, as the court hears oral arguments over access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. The court's decision, expected by the end of June, will land smack in the middle of an election year. Florida efforts near finish line Florida voters could know by the end of this week whether they will see a question on abortion rights on their ballot this fall. The states Supreme Court heard arguments early February against the proposed amendment, which would guarantee abortion access in Florida through viability typically 24 weeks of pregnancy and previously the federal standard set by Roe v. Wade. Abortion back at SCOTUS: How the Supreme Court case on the abortion drug mifepristone could affect 2024 election The court has until Monday, April 1, to issue a ruling. Anna Hochkammer, executive director of Florida Womens Freedom Coalition, one of many groups behind the states abortion initiative, said she expects a decision to either come down Thursday morning when the court typically publishes their decisions or for the clock to run out and effectively put the amendment on the ballot after all. This is D-Day, Hochkammer said. I mean this is what we started working for on June 1 last year. And it's the last step to get to the top of Mount Everest. Currently, abortion is legal in Florida up to 15 weeks and could drop to 6 weeks, once a new state law goes into effect. The initiatives success so far reflects Floridians more "middle of the road views on the issue, Hochkammer said. I think a lot of people out there thought that Florida wasn't going to make it ... And we ended up lapping the field, she said. Needing just under 900,000 petition signatures, the group ultimately collected almost a million. Arizona advocates on track to get a vote Arizona proponents are also looking to enshrine abortion access to the point of viability in their state constitution. People rally for abortion rights on May 14, 2022 in Phoenix. Arizona for Abortion Access, the group behind the initiative, is still in the process of collecting signatures but say they are on track to make their early July deadline. The petition needs just under 400,000 signatures, and as of their latest update in mid-January, supporters had already gathered 250,000. The group is aiming to collect double that requirement, though, as padding for anticipated challenges, said Dawn Penich, communications director for the ballot initiative. There will absolutely be lawsuits, there always are, Penich said. So we've been prepared for that all along. And it's not a worry. The lawsuits are expected to begin, Penich said, once signatures are done being collected and the petition then goes through a statewide validation process. Opponents will likely target allegations from the legitimacy of the signatures to the methods by which they were collected, she said. US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on March 14, 2024. Harris toured an abortion clinic, highlighting a key election issue in what US media reported was the first such visit by a president or vice president. Can abortion advocates continue a "long line" of victories? Proponents in both Florida and Arizona told USA TODAY theyre confident going into November. And they have precedent to back that constitutional amendments for abortion access have won handily in every state they have appeared in so far. People simply don't have a lot of tolerance for government meddling around inside their doctor's offices and inside their emergency rooms, Hochkammer of Florida said. Flipping seats in 2024: This Democratic group is taking the fight over abortion rights to state legislatures In Arizona, Penich said she expects her state to join the long line of abortion access wins. Here in Arizona, we have an ethos that crosses party lines, about doing what's right for yourself, politicians not having too much say over what you get to do, she said. Protestors gather outside The Supreme Court on March 26, 2024, as the court hears oral arguments over access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. Mifepristone accounts for over half of all abortions performed in the United States. That mentality extends to independents and Republicans in the state, as well, Penich said, something she witnessed firsthand while collecting signatures at a public event. "One gentleman came over to the volunteer with the clipboard and said, 'You know, I don't agree with abortion, but I don't like the government telling me what to do with my guns, I don't like the government telling me what shots to put in my body, and the government shouldn't be telling you ladies what to do, either.' And that's just like such an Arizona conversation, she said. But opposition groups in Arizona are hoping to break that national win streak and told USA TODAY theirs is the state to do that. Arizona is not Ohio. Arizonans can think for themselves, said Olivia Escobedo, political director and spokeswoman for It Goes Too Far, an organization dedicated to defeating this proposed amendment. Nov 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Mason Hickman, left, and Shakti Rambarran, front, of the Ohio Womens Alliance react during a gathering for supporters of Issue 1 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. The issue establishes a constitutional right to abortion. Escobedo was referencing an amendment to the Ohio constitution enshrining abortion through viability, which voters there passed last November by double digits. She argues that a similar proposal goes beyond what most Arizonans want. The majority of voters do not support what this amendment is. They support significant limits on abortion, Escobedo said. Along with removing what she said are critical safeguards for women, Escobedos group argues that the amendment would allow for abortions past that viability point, via provided exceptions, including mental health of the mother. She said It Goes Too Far will continue to fight the amendment through the petition and verification process. Other states eye abortion measures in 2024 Florida and Arizona are among a handful of states with ongoing efforts to put an abortion amendment on Novembers ballot. As of February, initiatives were underway in 11 other states, according to KFF, an independent health research organization. These are: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Abortion-rights protesters rally at the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery on June 26, 2022. Abortion rights advocates have also faced competing initiatives in Colorado and Missouri, as opponents try to get their own anti-abortion measures up for a vote through the same citizen's initiative process. Anti-abortion activists in Colorado have proposed the Colorado Life Initiative, which would ban all abortion procedures with no exceptions. Republicans in Missouri also proposed a counter abortion measure, looking to enshrine the limit at 12 weeks rather than the viability point of roughly 24. Proponents for the more moderate proposal ended their campaign last month, though, leaving just one amendment on the table. While advocates will likely not get abortion rights on the ballot in all 13 states this year, they're heading into November confident about growing their list of victories. There's a tipping point at which it gets too extreme," Hochkammer said of some states' current legislation. "Even people who wouldn't necessarily consider themselves abortion access supporters find extreme abortion bans to be troublesome and unacceptable. Abortion wins every time," she said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abortion advocates hope to continue winning streak in these states The Amazon rainforest is experiencing a punishing drought that has created tinder-dry conditions, causing hundreds of square miles to go up in flames. While the region typically sees rain this time of year, the downpours have not arrived, setting the stage for enormous blazes that have filled the skies with smoke over cities across South America. What's happening? A record number of fires have already burned this year in the Amazon countries of Venezuela, northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and Colombia. February saw the highest number of fires in 25 years of satellite monitoring. The extreme drought conditions, intensified by our changing climate and the El Nino weather pattern, have left the forest flammable and vulnerable to fast-spreading blazes, often started by farmers clearing land. Some have grown into megafires, engulfing over 100,000 acres. "The climate is leaving forests in South America more flammable," explained Ane Alencar, science director at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute in Brazil. "It's creating opportunities for wildfires." Why are fires in the Amazon concerning? The Amazon stores vast amounts of carbon and is home to 10% of Earth's plant and animal species. More frequent droughts and fires, combined with ongoing deforestation, threaten to transform large areas into grasslands or degraded ecosystems in the coming decades. Scientists warn this tipping point could release up to 20 years' worth of global carbon pollution, delivering a huge setback to curbing atmospheric pollution. "Tropical forests are not adapted to fires," noted Haron Xaud, a professor at the Federal University of Roraima, "and degrade much faster, especially if the fire becomes recurrent." A longer dry season with 30% less rainfall is making the Amazon more flammable overall. February's fires in Brazil and Venezuela alone released nearly 10 million tons of carbon as much as the entire country of Switzerland does in a year. What can I do to help with the fires in the Amazon? You can make a difference by taking tangible steps to reduce the planet's carbon output and save some cash while you're at it. Swapping out red meat for poultry or plants even once a week helps cut carbon pollution (and it's great for your health). Line-drying laundry, switching to LED bulbs, and keeping your tires properly inflated all conserve energy and resources. Supporting organizations that protect the Amazon is another way to contribute. Meanwhile, let's hope the rainy season brings enough downpours to help the forest recover before entering the next dry stretch. The future of the Amazon hinges on the rain it receives in the coming months to recharge its resilience to wildfires. Every effort adds up. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. After a weeklong manhunt, a dangerous convicted felon who walked away from a halfway house in Orange County was captured in Mexico. The man was identified as Ike Souzer, 20, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office. At the time of his escape, authorities said Souzer was considered extremely dangerous and violent and should not be approached. On March 20, Souzer was released from custody 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 a 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. On March 27, Souzer was located in Rosarito, Mexico where he was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Mexican officials. When he was initially released to the halfway house on vandalism charges, prosecutors had strongly objected to the 90-day credit time served sentence due to Souzers criminal history. 3 SoCal residents stole over $2.5 million in Target gift cards Ike Souzer is seen in a booking photo taken on March 28, 2024. (Orange County Districts Attorneys Office) Ike Souzer, 20, in a booking photo from the Orange County District Attorneys Office. Escaped fugitive Ike Souzer was recaptured on April 17, 2022. (Orange County District Attorneys Office) Ike Souzer in an undated photo from the Orange County Sheriffs Department. Ike Souzer, 20, of Garden Grove. (OCDA) Souzer had stabbed his mother to death when he was 13 years old, attacked three correctional officers, and manufactured a shank while being housed at the Orange County Jail, according to the DAs office. In 2021, over prosecutors objections, O.C. Superior Court Judge Gary Pohlson reduced felony charges to misdemeanors and gave Souzer 160 days of credit time served for attacking three correctional officers while he was incarcerated. In October 2023, prosecutors objected to a three-year split sentence after Souzer was convicted of making and possessing a shank in jail. Instead of the three years in custody sentence prosecutors argued for, Souzer was sentenced to one year of custody time and two years of supervised release. With 50 percent good time/work time credit, he was released from custody three months later in January 2024. Teens stole thousands of dollars worth of beauty products in Orange County Just days after his release, Souzer was arrested by the Orange Police Department for spray painting graffiti on an underpass underneath the 55 freeway while giving officers a false name. Souzer 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. My prosecutors have spent years and years trying to do everything they can to keep this violent criminal behind bars, and at every turn, the very judges who are elected to protect public safety have done little to do so and instead have given him break after break after break, said O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer. This is not someone who deserves a break; he has turned every opportunity to turn over a new leaf into a new opportunity to break the law and defy law enforcement. He did not simply walk away and forget to check in with his probation officer. The second he was out of custody he set a plan in motion to flee to a foreign country in yet another attempt to escape the consequences of his actions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Daniel Kahneman, who has died aged 90, was a psychologist who shared the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics, with Vernon Smith, for work carried out with Amos Tversky which revealed the inadequacy of the most basic assumptions made by economists that man is a rational being and led to the creation of a new strand of economic thinking, behavioural economics; he also had interesting things to say about Brexit. To the non-specialist Kahneman was best known for his 2011 bestseller Thinking, Fast and Slow, a distillation of a lifetimes research in which he explained that the human brain has two interrelated systems that create systematic errors in thinking. System 1 (fast thinking) is the mental state in which people drive a car or do the shopping. Largely intuitive, prone to make snap judgments, it is also highly susceptible to being misled. System 2 (slow thinking) understands that system 1 might be unreliable and often intervenes to avert a mistake. But because it requires more effort, system 2 is also inherently lazy and is inclined to act as an apologist for system 1, providing rationalisations for emotional responses. The less intelligent people are, the less they tend to deploy the critical arts of system 2 and the more militantly confident in their own judgment they tend to be. Kahneman recounted how he and Tversky (who died in 1996) demonstrated that human beings have an inbuilt and predictable set of cognitive biases that lead to logically flawed decisions. In one experiment they rigged a wheel of fortune so that it would land on only two numbers: 10 or 65. One of us would stand in front of a small group, spin the wheel, and ask them to write down the number on which the wheel stopped... We then asked them two questions: Is the percentage of African nations among UN members larger or smaller than the number you just wrote? What is your best guess of the percentage of African nations in the UN? The average estimates of those who saw 10 and 65 were 25 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively. Astonishingly, people were clearly and unwittingly influenced by having seen a random number, as it affected their attempt to answer a completely unrelated question a phenomenon known as anchoring. Kahneman and Tversky were not the first to observe the phenomenon, but were the first to demonstrate its effect on human judgment. In another case a group of German judges were asked, before mock-sentencing a shoplifter, to roll a pair of dice rigged to come up either three or nine. Those who rolled nine gave the offender eight months on average, while those who rolled three gave five months. Kahneman with his collaborator Amos Tversky at Stanford in the late 1970s Another example of cognitive bias cited by Kahneman was the way people routinely gamble to avoid guaranteed losses, while playing safe with guaranteed gains, leading them to react differently to a choice that is fundamentally the same. In one experiment, doctors were asked to choose between two treatments for lung cancer: surgery or radiation. When told that the one-month survival rate after surgery was 90 per cent, as many as 84 per cent of the doctors chose the surgical option. When the doctors were told there was 10 per cent mortality in the first month post-surgery, only half chose surgery. Such experiments had far-reaching implications for economics, showing that, contrary to the assumptions of efficient-markets theory, people do not strive to maximise utility and minimise risk. One of the most damaging inbuilt biases, in Kahnemans view, is the natural human urge to create false narratives to account for past events, making it difficult to learn from our mistakes. When you read The Big Short [by Michael Lewis] you think that those who didnt see the [2008] crash coming must have been either blind or knaves, he told The Daily Telegraph in 2016. But... a great number of highly intelligent people didnt see it coming. The crash was not as predictable as it now appears. We have learnt the wrong lesson... We deny the uncertainty we face and learn that crises are predictable, when we should learn the opposite. That interview was published two weeks before the referendum on Britains membership of the EU and Kahneman warned that the debate was being driven by psychological processes that could lead to a terrible misjudgment. Kahneman at a press conference in 2002 to discuss his Nobel Prize - Don Murray/Getty Images The major impression one gets observing the debate is that the reasons for exit are clearly emotional, he observed. The arguments look odd: they look short-term and based on irritation and anger. The risk, he went on, was that the British people would be swept along by emotion and lash out later at scapegoats if the withdrawal proved to be a disastrous strategic error. They wont regret it because regret is rare. Theyll find a way to explain what happened and blame somebody. That is the general pattern when things go wrong and people are afraid. Daniel Kahneman was the son of Lithuanian Jews who had emigrated to France in the 1920s, although he was born in Tel Aviv, in British Mandate Palestine, while his mother was visiting family there on March 5 1934. His father was head of research for the LOreal factory in Paris when Germany invaded France in 1940 and young Daniels experience of the war fomented an interest in human behaviour. His father was picked up in the first large-scale sweep for Jews and interned for six weeks in Drancy, a stepping stone to the death camps. Then, mysteriously, he was released, thanks in part to the owner of LOreal, a leading donor to the fascists. The family escaped to Vichy France until the Germans arrived then fled again, to Limoges in central France, where they lived under false identities in a chicken coop. Kahneman receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama at the White House in 2013 - Leigh Vogel/WireImage One evening Daniel violated the curfew for Jews and found himself face-to-face with a German soldier in SS uniform, who, he saw to his horror, was staring at him intently: Then he beckoned to me, picked me up, and hugged me, Kahneman recalled in a memoir. He was speaking to me with great emotion, in German. When he put me down, he opened his wallet, showed me a picture of a boy, and gave me some money. He also recalled a young Frenchman, a Nazi collaborator and passionate anti-Semite, being so fooled by his sisters disguise as to fall in love with her: After the liberation, she took enormous pleasure in finding him and letting him know he had fallen in love with a Jew. Kahnemans father died as a result of untreated diabetes in 1944, and after the war his mother moved the family to Palestine, soon to become Israel, where Kahneman obtained a degree in psychology and mathematics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before being drafted into the Israel defence forces as a platoon leader. Transferred to the psychology branch, he found himself frustrated by the system for assessing candidates for officer training, which relied heavily on intuition. He went on to design a structured-interview system, which required interviewers to measure young men on six dimensions in a specific order, and only then use their intuition to imagine what kind of soldiers they would make. The system is still in place today. Kahneman shakes hands with the Dalai Lama, as Richard Davidson, Director of the Lab for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, looks on during a discussion on 'Unlocking the Mind and Human Happiness' at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington in 2014 - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty After two years of military service Kahneman studied for a PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1961 he returned to the Hebrew University to take up a lectureship, and in 1970 a professorship, in psychology. In 1978 he took up a job at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. The research that first caught the public eye was his study of pupil dilation. Using primitive equipment, he and a colleague discovered that when people were exposed to a series of digits they had to remember, their pupils dilated steadily as they listened to the digits, and contracted when they recited the series. But it was his collaboration with Tversky, whom he first met in 1969 in a Jerusalem cafe, that would prove the most productive. In their first paper, The Law of Small Numbers, they showed how people were inclined to trust information garnered from ridiculously small samples and see patterns in events and numbers that are, in fact, random. But it was for their seminal articles in the general field of judgment and decision-making, culminating in the publication of their Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk in 1979, that earned Kahneman his Nobel Prize. Prospect theory argues that peoples degree of pleasure depends more on their own subjective experience than on objective reality. A shopper, for example, might drive across town to buy a 10 calculator instead of a 15 one but forgo the same trip to purchase a 125 jacket for 5 less, illogically believing the greater percentage saved on the calculator makes the trip more worthwhile. Behavioural models derived from such studies forced economists to recognise that they could no longer base their analyses on the fundamental assumption of rational behaviour. In 1993 Kahneman was appointed to a chair in psychology at Princeton, and the focus of his research gradually shifted towards hedonic psychology the study of the discrepancy between how people experience events while they are actually happening, and how they remember those same experiences. His work led him to conclude that people mainly derive satisfaction from the perspective of the stories they tell about their lives. Kahneman won numerous awards in addition to the Nobel Prize and in 2015 The Economist listed him as the seventh most influential economist in the world. Kahneman married, first, Ira Kahn, an Israeli social researcher. They divorced, and in 1978 he married Anne Triesman, a Yorkshire-born cognitive psychologist and fellow of the Royal Society, who died in 2018. He is survived by his partner Barbara Tversky, the widow of Amos Tversky, by a daughter and son from his first marriage and by four stepchildren from his second. Daniel Kahneman, born March 5 1934, died March 27 2024 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. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) One home was destroyed and another was damaged in a pair of Danville fires early Thursday morning. The fires started about an hour apart, Danville Fire officials said. The first started at 4:50 a.m. on Kentucky Avenue and while firefighters were still on the scene, the second fire started at 5:53 a.m. on Griggs Street. Wood-burning stove sets Decatur home ablaze The fire on Kentucky Avenue is believed to have started as a result of a wood-burning stove, officials said. Although there were no working smoke detectors in the home, the person living there was able to escape after smelling smoke and calling 911. Firefighters arrived to find a large amount of smoke coming from the home, with flames in the wall and attic. While firefighters were on Kentucky Avenue battling that fire, they received a report of another fire on Griggs Street. Officials said a unit that was on Kentucky Avenue was sent to the other fire and they found a large fire in the rear of the home. The Danville Police Department assisted on Griggs Street by knocking on the doors of nearby homes and evacuating them as a precaution. Officials said neighbors told officers that squatters would come and go from the house on fire, so firefighters performed a quick search of the first floor before being driven out by high heat and smoke conditions. Home in Lincoln destroyed by fire, handicapped occupant saved Further searches as conditions would allow revealed no one inside the burning home. The home was deemed a total loss once the fire was extinguished. The cause is under investigation. The person living on Kentucky Avenue was already receiving assistance from the American Red Cross by the time firefighters left the scene at 7 a.m. Firefighters left Griggs Street at 9:43 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Data Talks Leaks from a sketchy data broker have seemingly revealed the locations of hundreds of people who visited Little St. James, the notorious US Virgin Islands haunt owned by convicted and now deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. In an ongoing investigation, Wired has found that the firm in question, Near Intelligence, not only collected data that points to Little St. James' visitors returning home to their wealthy neighborhoods all over the US and the world, but also to lower-income areas some of which were known to be hunting grounds for the pedophile's trafficking scheme. Near Intelligence filed for bankruptcy last December after the Wall Street Journal reported that it not only collected and compiled so-called "geofenced" data, or data from location-based targeted ads, but also that it sold some of that information to military contractors. Shell Game When you see any targeted ad on a website or app, you're experiencing the end result of a complex and automatic bidding process in which data about your demographics and shopping preferences are sent lightning-fast to a marketing platform. The highest-bidding ad wins, and in exchange, advertisers and, in many cases, firms like Near Intelligence get your data to do with as they please. Throwing geofencing into the mix means that firms like Near Intelligence are privy not just to who you are, but also to where you go. In this case, location data from multiple cell tower "pings" allowed Near Intelligence to track each individual users' movements and create maps of where they went. Using a product called Vista, which has since been purchased and folded into another product named Pinnacle, Near Intelligence produced data reports, which included cross-referenced maps, for all kinds of locations including, as Wired discovered, multiple maps related to Little St. James' visitors. The magazine learned of this data when looking through Pinnacle's public source code, which linked to reports like those gleaned from Epstein's so-called "Pedophile Island." In a statement to Wired, a spokesperson for Near Intelligence declined to comment on why those specific maps were created or if the data they contained were sold to anyone. As the report indicates, the firm has quietly resumed its operations since filing for bankruptcy. The magazine has declined to provide specifics about the location data it accessed via Near Intelligence's insecure vendors to protect the privacy of those who might have been Epstein's victims. The report does, however, detail some of the tonier locations the data firm had information on, including Martha's Vinyard, a Miami nightclub, and fascinatingly Trump Tower in Manhattan. More on Epstein associates: Stephen Hawking Implicated in Jeffrey Epstein Documents He owns a concrete company, works as a prosecutor and is soon likely to represent nearly 800,000 residents of southern Ohio in the U.S. House. Republicans on March 19 chose David Taylor as their candidate to succeed retiring Rep. Brad Wenstrup in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District He will face Democrat Samantha Meadows in November and will be the heavy favorite in a district Trump won in 2020 by a 3-to-1 margin. Here's a look at the man who's likely to become Greater Cincinnati's newest congressman. What does David Taylor do for a living? Taylor, 54, owns his own concrete company, Sardinia Ready Mix, and works as an assistant prosecutor in Clermont County. He's owned Sardinia Ready Mix since 1999, according to an Enquirer survey he filled out. He's worked as a prosecutor during two separate stints, from 1996-1999 and 2021 to now. He worked part-time as a prosecutor and made $15,600 in 2022 based on the most recent payroll records obtained by The Enquirer. How much is he worth? Taylor has assets valued between $7.3 million and $31.1 million, according to his financial disclosure form filed Thursday. Those totals include retirement plans, stock dividends and property. Taylor's disclosure form was filed two months after the original due date of Jan. 17. The campaign staff needed additional time to ensure the report's accuracy, according to a statement from his campaign manager Nathanael Hirt. The report was filed after The Enquirer asked his campaign about it. Dave is a businessman, not a politician, and since this was his first campaign for office it took some additional time to assemble all the required information and double and triple check it was all correct," Hirt said in the statement. "Dave and his team have been working hard to get everything put together accurately and got everything required filed Thursday. Where is he from? He lives in the community of Amelia with his wife, Charity. He has three daughters. He graduated from Amelia High School. What are his views? His mailers tout standard Republican views: pro-gun, anti-abortion, for stricter southern border security. He, like many of the candidates in this Trump-friendly district, described himself in ads as a "Trump conservative." In one ad, Taylor gets behind a bulldozer saying "I know a thing or two about building walls." When asked by The Enquirer in a survey to describe the events of Jan. 6, 2021 at the Capitol, he wrote about how he felt Trump was being wronged by a "corrupt Biden judicial system" and that Trump wasn't to blame for the violence of that day. He said in the survey the immigration system needs reform, but change "cannot happen until we finish President Trump's wall, secure the border and deport those who have entered this country illegally." When asked what, if any groups suffer from discrimination, he responded "the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District." "We lack proper access to necessary services, such as access to broadband internet, which affects every aspect of daily life," Taylor wrote in the survey. David Taylor's responses to The Enquirer's candidate survey Q: How would you describe the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021? A: "President Trump is being wrongly charged and tried by the corrupt Biden judicial system. The charges brought against him are political games being played by the political elite who only care about themselves. There is no excuse for the violence incited that day, but Trump should not be the target of this investigation. The liberal media loves to blame President Trump. They need to report the real news and stop shoving liberal garbage down the throats of the American people." What are the facts: Did Biden direct Trump's prosecution? Q: If Trump is convicted of a crime, should he hold office? Would you vote for him? A: "The persecution and prosecution of President Trump is nothing more than a political witch hunt. I supported President Trump in 2016, 2020, and was proud to endorse his candidacy for President in 2024. I will be voting for President Trump on March 19th and again on November 5th." Q: Do you think any groups suffer from discrimination? If so what groups and what should be done to address it? A: "The citizens of the 2nd Congressional District have been discriminated against and overlooked for far too long. We lack proper access to necessary services such as access to broadband internet, which effects every aspect of daily life. Without proper access to internet, companies are less likely to develop in the 2nd district, our children cant access the online resources they need to learn, and our workforce is put at a disadvantage." Q: What, if any, changes would you make to the immigration system and providing paths to citizenship? A: "Our immigration current system is broken and needs reform, but that cannot happen until we finish President Trumps wall, secure the border, and deport those who have entered this country illegally." Q: What role should government play in peoples health decisions? A: "I oppose any government takeover of our healthcare system. The community ratings put in place by Obamacare are utter absurdity Obamacare needs to be repealed. Your healthcare costs shouldnt be determined by the health habits of your neighbors or your zip code. Furthermore, there is no reason that companies should be banned from selling insurance across state lines more competition means lower costs for Ohioans." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: David Taylor: Who is 2nd Congressional District Republican nominee? WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested for sexual child abuse Wednesday. MPD said on March 20, the 22-year-old man went into a home on Smith Place in Southeast D.C. and engaged in unwanted sexual acts with someone before fleeing. DC police: Woman arrested in connection to Chyna Crawfords disappearance, murder Police arrested the man and charged him with first-degree child sexual abuse, burglary and possession of a controlled substance. MPD said that during its investigation, police found that the suspect and the victims mother used to be involved in a relationship. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a toddler is in the hospital after being attacked by a dog on Thursday morning. An officer responded to the attack in the 4500 block of Clermont Dr. NE at about 10:23 a.m. MPD said the officer shot the dog attacking the child. DC police: Officer shoots, kills dog after it attacked woman, children The toddler was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A spokeswoman for the Humane Rescue Alliance said the dog was in grave condition and was humanely euthanized. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Arvind Kejriwal, head of Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party (AAP), looks out from inside his car as he arrives at a court in New Delhi By Sakshi Dayal NEW DELHI (Reuters) -An Indian court extended the custody of opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until April 1 on Thursday in a graft case related to the national capital territory's liquor policy, local media said. India's financial crime-fighting agency arrested Kejriwal last week in connection with corruption allegations related to the city's liquor policy and he was remanded to its custody until Thursday, weeks before India begins voting in general elections on April 19. Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) says the case is fabricated and politically motivated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and his Bharatiya Janata Party deny political interference and say law enforcement agencies are doing their job. All the main leaders of AAP were already imprisoned in the case before Kejriwal was arrested. Terming his arrest a "political conspiracy", Kejriwal, 55, told reporters outside court on Thursday that "the public will respond to this". Speaking in court later, he said the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has arrested him, aims to crush AAP. ED lawyers told the court that they needed Kejriwal in custody for another seven days as he was "deliberately not cooperating" and needed to be interrogated further. Kejriwal's arrest has sparked protests in the national capital and the nearby northern state of Punjab, which is also governed by AAP, over the last few days. Dozens of AAP supporters were detained on Tuesday as they attempted to march to Modi's residence to demand his release. Some AAP workers protesting and distributing leaflets to commuters outside a busy metro station in central Delhi were also detained on Thursday. "This is the time when we campaign (for elections), our leaders are being put in prison, arrested ... they (federal government) are stopping us from campaigning, (but) nobody can stop us from winning," a protester told news agency ANI. A joint rally of the 'INDIA' alliance, consisting of more than two dozen political parties including AAP, is planned in the capital on Sunday to protest against the arrest. The issue has also drawn international attention with the U.S. and Germany calling for a "fair" and "impartial" trial in the case, causing New Delhi to tell Washington and Berlin that India's legal processes are based on an independent judiciary and that they should stay away from its internal affairs. (Reporting by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh) Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill. In todays edition, national political reporter Ben Kamisar explains why Democrats' success in special and off-year elections won't necessarily give Biden a boost. Plus, Garrett Haake, who covers the ins and outs of Trump world, interviews new RNC co-chair Lara Trump. Democrats notch another special election win, riding momentum that has eluded Biden By Ben Kamisar Democrats are celebrating the results of another special election that drew national attention this time an almost 25-point victory in a swingy state House district in Alabama, where Republicans have faced backlash over a recent court case that put access to IVF at risk in the state. The partys success there, along with other recent special and off-year elections in competitive and even red-leaning areas, suggests there is a sizable well of enthusiasm for President Joe Biden to tap into this fall. But so far, its not clear if he will be able to ride the same wave of momentum as these down-ballot Democrats. Do you have a news tip? Let us know The 81-year-old Biden remains unpopular as concerns over his age persist. At best, national and swing-state polls look like a coin-flip for the president, even as he seeks to emphasize issues like abortion rights that have led to Democratic gains elsewhere. Bidens support with key segments of his coalition, particularly voters of color and young voters, remains soft. Democrats point to the scoreboard as evidence Biden is in better shape than the polls suggest. After a better-than-expected 2022 midterm election showing, the party held onto the governorship in red Kentucky last year, all while the abortion-rights-supporters side swept key ballot measures. More recently, Democrats won pivotal special elections for the U.S. House in New York and the state House in Pennsylvania. But its difficult to draw a straight line from special and off-year elections to a presidential contest. Special elections are typically low-turnout affairs: Less than 6,000 votes were cast in Tuesdays Alabama state House contest. So while abortion and IVF may have been an animating issue there, its unclear exactly how it will play out after billions of dollars are spent on further defining Biden and Donald Trump. Plus, as 538s Nathaniel Rakich wrote last month, while Democrats had a string of strong special election showings in most of 2023, Republicans have broadly done better in recent months. Aside from these election results, Democrats are waiting for other positive indicators to catch up to Biden. He just embarked on a multimillion-dollar post-State of the Union advertising and travel blitz aimed at shoring up his 2020 coalition, there are signs that Americans views of the economy are improving, and a similarly unpopular Trump will be the first former president to go on trial in a matter of weeks, further shining a light on his wide-ranging legal woes. With more than 200 days until Election Day, no matter what anyone says, the outlook for Biden and for Trump remains muddy. The RNCs answer to uniting the fractured party: Biden By Garrett Haake NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake interviews RNC co-chair Lara Trump. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News) With less than a month on the job as a Republican National Committee co-chair and de-facto face of the national party, Lara Trump has a lot on her plate. But in our wide-ranging interview, what she seemed least troubled by was how she plans to unite a coalition of voters behind a deeply polarizing candidate in Donald Trump. Her response? Joe Biden will do it for them. Lara Trumps answers to questions about outreach to voters of color and the millions of Republicans who backed Nikki Haley and other candidates in the primary revolved around Biden pushing, rather than Trump pulling, them back into the MAGA tent. Asked about appealing to Haleys supporters, she presented a binary choice. The option is Joe Biden or Donald Trump. And so whether you like his personality or not, should not have any bearing on anything. They are welcome to come back, Lara Trump said. We would love to have them come back. She also argued that gas prices, the situation at the southern border and Americas place on the world stage will motivate these voters to return. When asked about expanding her father-in-laws appeal to Black voters, where cutting into Bidens major advantage in 2020 could swing key states, Lara Trump appeared more open to pursuing voters where they are, but around the same general theme. When youre talking about reaching out to minority communities, these are the people oftentimes who have been hardest hit by some of the bad policies of Joe Biden, she said. So we certainly are going to be doing a lot of outreach. She went on to say that Trump would campaign in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and New York City only two of which are in battleground states, but all of which have large Black populations. The push-not-pull strategy makes a certain amount of sense in this historic battle between two unpopular candidates who are essentially incumbents. If you cant make yourself more popular, its a race to destroy the other guy first. Trumps campaign and allies believe that his loyal supporters provide him with a higher floor than Biden, who faces doubts across the various flanks of his party. Watch the full interview here Thats all from The Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A growing chorus of Democrats say promising to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a budding conservative coup could be their best chance to secure military aid for Kyiv that has been stalled on Capitol Hill for months. Johnson left Washington last week vowing to take up the explosive issue of foreign aid when lawmakers return in mid-April from a long holiday recess. But hard-line conservatives in the GOP conference are firmly opposed to sending billions of dollars more to Ukraine, particularly if its not combined with efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has already filed a motion to oust the Speaker if he bucks the conservatives demands a thinly veiled warning for Johnson to keep any form of Ukraine aid off the floor. Democrats are increasingly stepping into this internal Republican clash, and many of them are vowing to shield Johnson from Greenes motion to vacate if the Speaker acts on a Senate-passed foreign aid package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine and billions more for Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian aid to Gaza. If the choice is between Ukraine aid and providing a vote to stop a motion to vacate, or no Ukraine aid, I think theres a lot of Democrats who would be willing to assist in getting it done, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said Wednesday by phone. Himes, the senior Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, was quick to stress hell support whatever approach is ultimately adopted by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who has so far declined to say if hed help rescue Johnson from a potential right-wing revolt. Were very conscious that were not going to freelance in such a way as to put Leader Jeffries in a bind, Himes said. But Himes also promoted the Johnson rescue strategy an extraordinary two-step dance aligning the conservative Speaker with some of his Democratic critics as the most viable option if Congress hopes to adopt Ukraine aid before November. The alternatives, including a pair of discharge petitions designed to force foreign aid to the floor, simply dont have the bipartisan support to be successful, he said. I think its the only strategy, Himes said. For whatever reason, the 20 Republicans that I heard take blood oaths in Munich about how we must do absolutely everything to get Ukraine aid passed it turned out that absolutely everything didnt include signing a discharge petition, he continued. So given the fact that absolutely everything for lots of Republicans doesnt include taking the massive political risk of signing a discharge petition which nobodys ever heard of half a mile away from the Capitol dome I think that the Speaker putting the bill on the floor, and our insulating him from the tender mercies of Marjorie Taylor Greene, is probably the only option. Some rank-and-file Democrats are already jumping on board. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), a first-term representative and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Hill he will not support Greenes motion to vacate under any circumstances I will never side with Marjorie Taylor Greene ever. I will never turn the Peoples House over to her but if another member tries to remove Johnson, he would be inclined to protect the Speaker if the ouster was prompted by moving aid for Ukraine. If youre telling me Speaker Johnson comes out with a bill thats going to stand by Ukraine and Israel, do humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, and then theres a motion to vacate him over that, no, Im not gonna support that, he added. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, said last month that Democrats would support Johnson if he moves the Senates national security supplemental. And Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) told The Hill last week he will do whatever helps the Caucuss priorities for our country, but noted the ouster effort may provide the best shot at getting needed aid to Ukraine. The Democrats approach to Johnsons fate marks a sharp departure from the partys sentiments toward his predecessor, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was removed from power in October with unanimous Democratic backing. A number of Democrats said afterward they had offered to help McCarthy survive the expulsion vote, but the cocksure California Republican declined. Relegated to backbencher status, he resigned from Congress in December. McCarthy, for his part, denied the notion he turned away Democratic support. During an extensive exit interview in his Capitol hideaway shortly before he resigned from the House, the California Republican facetiously told reporters Im sure I didnt ask when pressed on Democratic claims that he did not request their help. Speculation has swirled for weeks that Democrats if faced with another GOP motion to vacate would consider saving Johnson if he agrees to move aid for Ukraine. Although the Senate passed its foreign aid package with support from 70 senators, including 22 Republicans, Johnson has refused to consider the bill. The impasse has infuriated Kyivs supporters on both sides of the aisle, who say the aid is urgently needed given Ukraines waning weapons arsenal. Last month, centrist Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) circulated a resolution that would make it more difficult for conservative hard-liners to oust Johnson from the top job, but made it contingent on the chamber staging a vote on legislation to send aid to Ukraine, Israel and other allies abroad. As the House inches closer to another potential ouster of a sitting Speaker, that speculation has kicked into overdrive. Im certain that there is a huge number of folks, including me, that will have just about any conversation to ensure that we get this national security supplemental done, Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told The Hill when asked about saving Johnson in exchange for moving Ukraine aid. Greene, to be sure, has not yet forced a vote on her motion to vacate she only filed the resolution Friday and she has not indicated when she plans to pull the trigger, saying it will be a rolling issue. But the firebrand Republican strongly suggested the battle over Ukraine aid could get the ball rolling on her effort to oust Johnson, telling reporters the Speaker should not bring funding for Ukraine to the floor when asked last week if moving assistance for Kyiv would prompt a vote on her resolution. Other hard-line conservatives are sounding a similar note, though none have publicly joined Greene in calling for Johnsons ouster. The Speaker of the House should not put a Ukraine bill on the floor unless, or until, we have meaningful reforms to deal with our wide-open border. And weve been very clear about that. And I think that it will be very clear to the Speaker that that would be a mistake, to go down that road, and our job is to make that clear, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said Wednesday in an interview on John Frederickss radio show. Heading into next months debate, Johnson has floated a vague outline of his plan, telling Senate Republicans the House will move its own Ukraine package and send it back to the upper chamber. But the details of his strategy remain unclear, as does the question of how many Republicans would support his removal if his efforts triggered a vote on a motion to vacate. Himes, for his part, predicted the number of Democrats willing to jump across the aisle to keep Johnson in power would be plenty to save the Speaker if he ensures passage of the disputed foreign aid. So long as [Leader Jeffries] is OK with this strategy, I think well provide however many [votes] are needed, he said. My own guess would be how many members are there of Marjorie Taylor Greenes merry band? Fifteen? Twenty? We could easily provide that number in a motion to vacate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House Democrats are pouring money and resources into four congressional seats in a bid to win back the majority as the 2024 election cycle heats up. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the House Democrats campaign arm, announced a new slate of races for its "Red to Blue" program. Theyre targeting vulnerable Republican lawmakers in California, New York and New Jersey, as well as an open California seat being vacated by Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif. "I am excited to work with this diverse group of public servants, veterans, and leaders to take the House back in November," DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a Thursday statement. "Their records of service stand in stark contrast to their extreme and dangerous far-right opponents." KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE DEM ANNOUNCEMENT STUNS POLITICAL WORLD: 'BIG SURPRISE' House Democrats are funneling resources into districts in California, New York and New Jersey to unseat vulnerable Republicans, from left, Reps. Anthony D'Esposito, Michelle Steel and Tom Kean Jr. The "Red To Blue" program is dedicated to ensuring its selected candidates "receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training, and fundraising support to ensure they are in the best possible position to win in November." Democrats laser focus on vulnerable GOP seats, including lawmakers who represent districts won by President Biden in 2020, comes as the House Republican majority prepares to grapple with just a one-seat margin of power after multiple early departures. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In Californias 45th Congressional District, Democrats are targeting Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Calif., by bolstering Army veteran and business owner Derek Tran. "Tran is equipped to deliver that message to the voters in this diverse Biden +6.8 district with a broad coalition of support, impressive fundraising apparatus, and compelling contrast with the far-right incumbent," the DCCC said. Steel campaign spokesman Lance Trover responded, "There's only one candidate in CA_45 who's committed to not voting for higher taxes on working families and that's Michelle Steel Derek Tran won't make that commitment to Southern Californians because he supports raising taxes." FETTERMAN CHARTS A DIFFERENT PATH, BREAKS WITH FELLOW DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE Democrats are also hoping to keep the California House seat being vacated by Rep. Katie Porter. Democrats are also hoping to keep control of Porters seat after she announced her departure from the House for an ill-fated Senate bid. The DCCC is eyeing California state Sen. Dave Min as her replacement, calling him a "proven vote-getter and common-sense champion for the middle class." Hes running against former California state Assemblyman Scott Baugh, who has been endorsed by GOP leaders. "It seems that House Democrats are admitting what we already know," Baugh told Fox News Digital. "That CA-47 is no longer a blue seat. We will win this seat in November because Dave Min is a radical left-wing legislator who is very out of touch with this district." On the East Coast, the DCCC is hoping to flip New Jerseys 7th Congressional District back to blue after it was won by first-term Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in November 2022, who unseated a Democratic incumbent. To do so, its bolstering Sue Altman, a former teacher and former state director of the leftist Working Families Party. Kean's campaign told Fox News Digital that Altman "is going to cost Democrat stakeholders like the DCCC a lot of campaign dollars trying to run away from her record as head of the Working Families Party in New Jersey where she advocated for insane policies like defunding the police." DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY 'SCRAMBLING' OVER THREAT OF RFK JR. IN 2024 RACE The four districts the DCCC is targeting were all won by President Biden in 2020. And the Long Island, New York, seat in the 4th Congressional District currently held by first-term Republican Rep. Anthony DEsposito is also on the DCCCs list, with Democrats promoting former local official Laura Gillen to flip the district blue. D'Esposito's campaign told Fox News Digital, "While Congressman D'Esposito continues to put the interests of Nassau County neighbors ahead of partisan politics, perennial candidate Laura Gillen wants to be a rubber stamp vote in favor of Joe Biden's reckless spending and pro-criminal open borders agenda." Referencing past reports about each of the candidates, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said of the Democrats' list, "A drunk-driving politician, an ambulance-chasing lawyer, a perennial candidate and a radical progressive activist would make for a great cast on a Bravo reality show." "However, watching them on CSPAN greenlight every liberal pipedream from defunding the police to even more open-border policies would be a nightmare for American families," the NRCC said. Original article source: Dems target four competitive House seats to wrestle back majority from GOP DENVER (KDVR) Starting in July, families could see changes on kids menus in Denver. The city council voted Tuesday night to ban sugary drinks from being listed in the bundled kids meal menus. The new ordinance would require the drinks listed on a bundled kids meal menu to be healthier options like water or unflavored milk. The measure now heads to the mayors desk. By promoting those healthy options like water or unflavored milk we are really instilling those healthy habits at an early age, said Samantha Volk Jennings with the Public Health Insitute at Denver Health. Denvers decedents give organs, hope after death She said the law would not take away a customers choice. Families could still order any beverage they want, However, research done at Walt Disney World after a similar change found that most people chose from the default options. What theyve found is that when a healthy option is listed as the default, 66% of the time parents choose that option, Volk Jennings said. Funding is available to help restaurants cover the cost of reprinting their menus. Experts say drinking sugary beverages can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease. Denver Health experts hope this ordinance will lead to continued healthy choices and a reduction of health risks for all communities. We really do see this is a health equity issue, kind of removing this advertisement and promoting those healthy choices for all of Denvers youth, Volk Jennings said. Home values are appreciating fastest in these Colorado cities In Colorado, similar policies are already in place in Lafayette, Longmont and Golden. Boulder County has also promoted businesses that have removed sugary drinks from their kids meal menus. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) A Denver deputy was arrested and accused of domestic violence, according to the Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Lauren Vialpando faces a count of assault in the third degree (domestic violence), the department said in a release on Wednesday afternoon. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office arrested the deputy, who has worked in Denver since 2017 and is assigned to the county jail, according to the release. Vialpando was placed on investigatory leave. Denvers Public Integrity Division opened an investigation and the Office of the Independent Monitor was notified, the release said. Jail records show Vialpando was arrested on Wednesday and is due in court on Thursday. Its unclear whether the deputy had obtained an attorney. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) The Denver Police Department is investigating a shooting near the area of Colfax Street and Spruce Avenue that left one person dead. Denver Police tweeted about the incident just after 8 p.m. Wednesday. At the time, the person was taken to the hospital with an unknown extent of injuries. Police investigating shooting at converted homeless shelter in northeast Denver About an hour later, the police tweeted that the victim was an adult male and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The shooting took place around this area: This embedded content is not available in your region. The investigation is ongoing with no arrests at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact @CrimeStoppersCO at 720-913-STOP(7867). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Denvers weather will stay mild heading into Easter weekend with a few chances for showers. Winter weather advisories start Thursday night and continue through Saturday morning for elevations above 9,000 feet. During this time 6-10 inches of snow is expected. This, plus wind gusts reaching 40 mph, could lead to difficult travel and low visibility from blowing snow. View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 Weather tonight: Partly cloudy, seasonal Thursday night, snow will continue over the mountains, with just a few clouds moving into the Front Range. Temperatures will be seasonal and fall near freezing in Denver. Weather tomorrow: Mostly sunny, mild Friday will start with sunshine. As highs climb to the upper 50s, clouds will begin to increase ahead of a few afternoon rain showers. Looking ahead: Sunny start to the weekend ahead of Easter showers Sunshine and mild temperatures dominate the weekend. Saturday will be mainly sunny and pleasant with highs back in the mid-60s. Easter Sunday will start dry and breezy with a low at sunrise in the 30s. High temperatures will then climb to the mid-60s. Rain showers move into the forecast Sunday evening and will mix with snow by Monday morning. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Showers will be replaced by sunshine and a warming trend by Tuesday. Tuesdays highs will be just a few degrees cooler than normal, climbing to the mid to upper 50s. The warming trend continues Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the mid- then upper-60s. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PENNFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A man was taken into custody after he assaulted a woman inside a bank near Battle Creek Wednesday. Around 2:35 p.m., employees at a bank on Capital Avenue near Vanarmon Avenue in Pennfield Township called 911 when a man began assaulting a woman there. Calhoun County sheriffs deputies arrived to find an off-duty deputy physically restraining the suspect. The 33-year-old Battle Creek man was taken into custody. Both the suspect and the victim were treated for injuries. The Calhoun County Sheriffs Office said it will seek charges against the man for domestic assault. This embedded content is not available in your region. The off-duty deputys quick response to the violence kept the victims injuries from being any more severe and was key to ensuring the suspect was identified and taken into custody, the sheriffs office wrote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (WOOD) Authorities say a man died after crashing into multiple power poles in Benton Harbor. The Berrien County Sheriffs Office said it happened around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday on E. Britian Avenue near Pipestone Avenue. Investigators said the driver passed several cars on westbound Britian Avenue, then lost control and struck a pole as he got back into his lane. The car spun into another pole, causing the pole to snap in half and sending the car airborne. The sheriffs office said the car landed on its passenger side before coming to a rest on its wheels. When police arrived, the sheriffs office said the driver was unresponsive. He died at the scene, according to a news release. The sheriffs office identified the driver as Darrell Pargo Jr., 33, of Benton Harbor. Speed was a factor in the crash, according to the news release. Its unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved. The crash remains under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The Tulare County Coroners Office is asking for the publics assistance in locating a deceased Visalia mans family. Deputies report on March 4, 45-year-old Joshua Wayne Pickerel was found dead in his Visalia home by his primary caretaker. He was determined to have died from natural causes. Authorities are actively looking for any living relatives of Pickerel. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Lopez with the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at (559) 767-7000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Kyiv will continue promoting a decision to implement a complete ban on imports of Russian grain into the European Union and has reasons to believe Hungary will not block such a move, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said in an interview with European Pravda. 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. The proposal will now be considered by the EU Council. Once adopted, it will enter into force immediately. Several EU members have been pushing the EU to slap sanctions on Russian agricultural imports into the bloc, which have surged in recent years. When asked why she thinks the European Commission did not take more robust measures, like a complete import ban, Stefanishyna said that such a decision "needs a longer discussion in the EU." "Instead, the emphasis was now on responding promptly to the situation. However, introducing additional tariffs does not exclude the fact that a decision on a ban may also be made later. And Ukraine will continue to promote it," she told European Pravda. Read also: Russias war effort may not be as formidable as it looks Stefanishyna suggested this decision may be adopted in the fall if Hungary, which has repeatedly opposed sanctions against Russia, will approve it. Kyiv has reasons to believe that "the Hungarian side will play a positive role and help solve this problem," according to the deputy prime minister. "I think that Hungary can positively surprise us in this direction. Because we have agreements with Budapest within the framework of the Ukrainian agricultural import licensing mechanism," she added. "And as part of the dialogue on the preparation of the meeting of the leaders President Zelensky and PM Orban some agreements are already being implemented, including the opening of new (border) checkpoints. There is also a successful dialogue regarding other infrastructure projects." 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, according to the Financial Times. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Florida House debates redistricting on Feb. 2, 2022. Credit: Michael Moline Quality Journalism for Critical Times Gov. Ron DeSantis has claimed victory now that a federal trial court has upheld his demolition of a Black-controlled Congressional District in North Florida, but the price includes a withering denunciation: That he was willing to cut Black voting strength to put more Republicans in office. A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida ruled Wednesday that the organizations and individual voters challenging the governors congressional redistricting plan two years ago had failed to demonstrate that the Legislature acted out of racial discrimination. Ron DeSantis. Credit: Governors office But Judge Adalberto Jordan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, who participated in the lower court proceedings, concluded in a concurring opinion that DeSantis acted with race as a motivating factor (among others) in drawing and pushing through his congressional redistricting plan. Another panel member, Allen Winsor of the Northern District, disagreed in a separate concurrence. And the unsigned joint opinion argues that any suspect motivations on the governors part didnt matter because what counts were the Legislatures motives, and the court found an absence of any evidence that any member of the Florida Legislature, much less a majority of its members, was actually motivated by racial discrimination. Filling out the panel was District Judge Casey Rogers. Federal procedure calls for these panels in reapportionment cases; any appeal would go to the U.S. Supreme Court. Two years ago, I vetoed the congressional redistricting map that the Legislature passed; we ended up getting a different map, the governor said during a news conference Thursday. There was a lot of carping back then, a lot of media that map was not going to pass legal muster, there was a lot of gnashing of teeth about that, and so last night there was a three-judge panel federal court 3-0 upheld the map as being constitutional and thats what we said would happen, he added. CD 5 DeSantis map eliminated a version of the old Congressional District 5, extending from Jacksonville through Tallahassee to majority-Black Gadsden County to gather descendants of the plantation-era slave belt, which for years sent Black Democrat Al Lawson to Congress. The map instead created a series of white-majority districts that have elected Republicans. The governor forced the Legislature to accept his map after vetoing its legislative plan preserving the district. We wont let this go unchallenged, Common Cause Florida, one of the plaintiffs, said of the outcome on its X feed. Adora Obi Nweze. Credit: NAACP Yesterday, the court failed Black Floridians. Failed to protect us from intentional discrimination seeking to limit our collective voice on the basis of race, said Adora Obi Nweze, president of the NAACP Florida State Conference, another plaintiff. But setbacks and injustices like this are not new. We will keep fighting for Black communities in Florida to be heard. And we will triumph in the end because when the people fight together, the people win, she added. This is not only disappointing, but it sets a perilous precedent, said Ellen Freidin, CEO of FairDistricts NOW. In 2010, the group sponsored Floridas Fair Districts Amendment, designed to prevent redistricting that serves partisan ends or diminishes racial or language minority strength. The court is saying that a state legislature can erase a performing Black district for political gain as long as it can blame the governor for coming up with the racist scheme in the first place. The ultimate result permits legislators to conspire with the governor to keep themselves and their party in power while remaining insulated from the law, Freidin said. State proceedings A similar lawsuit is pending before the Florida Supreme Court implicating the Fair Districts Amendment and the U.S. Voting Rights Act. Those also were at issue in the federal case, in addition to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendment. As DeSantis noted during his news conference, a state trial judge ruled against his map but was overruled by a full panel of the Florida First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. Therell be another review from the Florida Supreme Court, but I dont think youre going to see anything different than whats already been happening, DeSantis said. So, you get a lot of gnashing of teeth, you get a lot of people try to offer analysis, but then when this actually comes into rubber meets the road, it turns out that they were full of hot air. But you dont see them go back and say, Oh yeah, we were wrong about that, they just go back and act like it never happened, he continued. The reality is we were right in 2022 to veto the map, we were right to sign the revised map, and we were right when we said that they would be upheld in courts as being constitutional. And so, thats just where we are two years later. DeSantis argued the sprawling CD 5, referred to in the case as the baseline district, represented a racial gerrymander that offended the U.S. Constitutions equal-protection language. By the way, the governors map gave Republicans 20 of the states 28 congressional districts, but no one has challenged that as a partisan gerrymander. Motives The court majority wasnt going to call out the governors motives. Judge Jordan was less constrained. I do not think that Gov. DeSantis harbors personal racial animus toward Black voters. But I do believe that he used race impermissibly as a means to achieve ends (including partisan advantage) that he cannot admit to, Jordan writes. As others have explained, a finding of discriminatory purpose in these circumstances is not tantamount to a finding that the governor had a racist motivation but is instead the product of [him] engag[ing] in the single-minded pursuit of incumbency by disregarding and targeting the ability of Black voters in North Florida to elect their candidate of choice, he continues. However: I join the courts opinion because I agree that the plaintiffs have failed to prove that the Legislature ratified or adopted the governors use of race as a motivating factor. Jordan cast doubt on the veracity of J. Alex Kelly, who drew the governors map and now serves as Florida Secretary of Commerce, and DeSantis general counsel Ryan Newman, suggesting they were not telling the truth and disingenuous. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, consciousness of race is allowed in redistricting as long as its not the predominant factor, Jordan writes. Winsor was more sympathetic to DeSantis. To be sure, the governors opposition was strong. But a strong opposition to race-based districting is no better evidence of racial animus than a moderate opposition to it. Florida governors, like United States presidents, routinely use their legislative authority to advance their policy goals, just as legislators do, Winsor writes. Plaintiffs call the governors insistence here bull[ying] the Legislature. Others might call it exercising political will. But one shouldnt call it racist. In my view, the fact that the governor went to great lengths to oppose race-based redistricting provides zero evidence of racial animus. Florida Phoenix Senior Reporter Mitch Perry contributed to this report. The post DeSantis prevails in quashing Black congressional district, but U.S. judge sees a racial motive appeared first on Florida Phoenix. As soldiers look for the next conflict to define their service in a post-Global War on Terrorism era, much of the conversation indicates a belief that direct or proxy war with China is right around the corner. However, assessing the likelihood of armed conflict requires a deep investigation using proven methods that stimulate critical thinking devoid of biases and pitfalls. In the intelligence community, structured analytical techniques provide order when navigating elusive questions such as assessing future conflict. One such technique, red team analysis, uses an enemy-based approach as a logical starting point for analysts disseminating intelligence to military customers. Using this approach allows analysts to view topics from an adversarys perspective and act on foreign stimuli through assessing personal, cultural, and organizational attributes. Stepping into the first-person perspective of Chinese President Xi indicates that he respects the ancient civilization from which China evolved and harbors a lifelong disdain for Western imperialism and influence. Born in 1953, President Xi grew up in the immediate aftermath of the century of humiliation, now defined by century-long objectives of achieving previously held international dominance by the year 2049. Commonly known as the Chinese Dream, this pursuit of rejuvenation is marked by five-year plans that outline short-term goals. The recent five-year plan (2016-20), for example, broadcasted innovation in technology and energy startup companies, according to a 2017 article published in the Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Modern economic, military, and political competition of the United States exasperate the five-year plans and long-term objectives of global supremacy that are overarching cultural and organizational themes of President Xis generation. Red team analysis indicates that China will not interrupt century-long goals to engage in kinetic conflict, explaining why China relies on routine hybrid warfare strategies and tactics. In 2023, despite red team analysis outputs, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency communicated that the intelligence community had valuable information related to Chinese intent to invade Taiwan by 2027. President Xi did not deny this assertion, however, citing he had no set timeline for invading Taiwan. Red team analysis presents a doubtful outlook of armed conflict in the near future despite conflicting CIA intelligence. It is difficult to overstate the utility of red team analysis when assessing the actions of adversaries. Oftentimes, analysts can succumb to the pitfall of assigning the same values, motives, and attributes of friendly actors to foreign entities. If analysts were to implement this analytical failure to the outlined scenario, outputs would have overlooked the historical context, long-term objectives, and overarching strategies that form President Xis mindset surrounding U.S. relations and emerging war. For instance, views from within the U.S. fail to recognize vast advancements in personal freedoms afforded to Chinese citizens over the past few decades. (Like much of the rest of the world, COVID-19 restrictions prompted a decrease in personal freedoms that were trending upward in the 2010s.) By applying personal, cultural, and organizational norms to the scenario, analysts reason that while red team analysis leads one to think armed conflict is likely before or at the end of the century of Chinas redemption plan, a few years is too short of a time frame for China to soundly invade Taiwan because the country would have to put aside economic progress. This factor is especially important considering that China does not need to engage in kinetic operations to successfully degrade the U.S. economy. This assessment, however, merely represents the most likely course of action. Red team analysis does not deduce every course of action an adversary can take. However, a crucial aspect of red team analysis commonly used in the Department of Defense is deciphering an enemys most likely action versus one considered most dangerous. These distinct courses of action allow customers to plan for both the most expected and most disastrous outcomes of assessed scenarios. Within the context of armed conflict in the South China Sea, commanders of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command must understand each course of action to best posture troop positioning and inform engagements with lawmakers and regional partners. Certainly, red team analysis points out that conflict is unlikely as an immediate response, but the U.S. must prepare for full-scale war as a worst case, most deadly possibility. While this preparation should be taken seriously by all soldiers, it is by no means an indication of inevitable conflict. Jacob T. Scheidemann is a transitioning Army officer and intelligence management graduate student who will be working as an all-source intelligence analyst upon release from active-duty. Scheidemann previously served in intelligence leadership roles supporting INDOPACOM and CENTCOM. Sean Diddy Combs casts a long shadow over the history of hip hop. One of the industrys first moguls, his work as an A&R executive, label boss, rapper and producer made him both extravagantly wealthy and internationally famous. Follow live updates on the investigation into Combs here While Combs, 54, may have spent over thirty years at the top of the industry, the news this week of Homeland Security raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami puts his legacy in a different light. He is now facing multiple civil lawsuits accusing him of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and rape. He strongly denies all of the allegations against him, while his attorneys have branded the lawsuits and their accusations as money grabs, baseless or sickening. Still, with Combs back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, old rivalries are resurfacing. Earlier this week, his longtime West Coast sparring partner Suge Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year sentence for manslaughter, tweeted from jail: Justice for 2Pac is coming Keefe D and now Diddy!!! The feud between Combs and Knight was at the heart of the East CoastWest Coast hip hop rivalry of the mid-Nineties. They were at that point each the respective heads of the most influential rap labels on either coast of America. In 1991, Knight co-founded Death Row Records in Los Angeles alongside producers Dr Dre, Dick Griffey and The D.O.C, and with acts like NWA and Snoop Dogg on their roster it seemed to some fans that rap had upped sticks from its historic home in New York and relocated to sun-kissed California. Two years later, in 1993, Combs was fired from his role as an A&R executive at Uptown Records and decided to start his own label, Bad Boy Records. They quickly had a massive hit with the very first album they released, The Notorious B.I.G.s Ready to Die, and the focal point of the rap universe seemed to swing back towards the Empire State. Before long Biggie had established himself as the face of East Coast rap, but he had a rival for the national crown: Tupac Shakur. By the time Biggie released Ready to Die, New York-born Shakur had already relocated to the West Coast and released two acclaimed albums and starred in three films. Sean Puffy Combs at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1999 (Getty Images) However, he was also involved in a sexual abuse trial in New York. On 30 November 1994, Shakur arrived at Quad Studios in Manhattan where he was scheduled to record with rapper Little Shawn to help pay his legal fees. When he stepped inside the building two gunmen robbed him, shooting him five times. In the aftermath, Shakur implied in an interview that he believed Biggie and Combs may have been involved in the attack as they saw him as a competitor. Shakur was convicted of the abuse charges and spent time in jail at Rikers Island, where Combs visited him to assure him that Bad Boy Records had not been involved in the shooting. Things came to a head at the Source Awards in New York the following year, on 3 August 1995. There, Knight famously and publicly took a shot at Combs, needling him for his fondness for appearing in his artists music videos and rapping on their songs. Any artist out there that want to be an artist and want to stay a star, and dont want to have to worry about the executive producer trying to be all in the videos... All on the records... dancing, come to Death Row! proclaimed Knight from the stage. When Combs took the stage later to present another award, he spoke up for unity. All this East and West that needs to stop, he told the audience. So give it up for everybody from the East and the West that won tonight. One love." The Notorious B.I.G. with Combs (Erik Pendzich/REX) The rivalry rumbled on throughout the following year, reaching a bloody climax when Shakur was shot in Las Vegas in September 1996, succumbing to his injuries in the following days. Six months later, in March 1997, Biggie was shot and killed in Los Angeles in what was widely seen as retalitation for Shakurs death. Both murders went unsolved for many decades, and without a culprit rumours circulated once again that Combs and Bad Boy Records could have been behind Shakurs shooting. This rumour has refused to go away despite evidence to the contrary, with the likes of Eminem keeping the theory alive when he rapped on his 2018 song Killshot, a diss track largely aimed at Machine Gun Kelly: But, Kells, the day you put out a hits the day Diddy admits/That he put the hit out that got Pac killed, ah! Granted, Eminem does add at the end of the track: And Im just playin, Diddy / You know I love you. Shakurs murder may have moved a step closer to being solved last year, when Duane Keffe D Davis, 60, was finally arrested and charged with the crime. If Knight and Combs still didnt see eye-to-eye, their paths diverged in the aftermath of the death of their two biggest stars. Knight filed for bankruptcy in 2006, bringing Death Row Records as it was to a close (the brand name has since been bought by Snoop Dogg). In 2017, he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing music executive Terry Carter by driving his car into him. He will not be eligible for parole until 2034. Combs, for a time, seemed to flourish. He had a string of hits in the late Nineties, including his Biggie tribute Ill Be Missing You. He parlayed his rap success into a Hollywood acting career and made serious money from developing the Ciroc vodka brand with beverage company Diageo (splitting profits 50-50) and television network Revolt TV. In 2022, Forbes estimated that with his musical accomplishments and his business ventures, Combs net worth totted up to a cool billion dollars. As of 2024 however, he is no longer involved with either Ciroc or Revolt and his future looks entirely uncertain. PROVIDENCE A 47-year-old Warwick man was arrested Wednesday after employees at Hasbro Children's Hospital found a hidden camera in their restroom, according to Providence police. As of Wednesday, detectives had determined that the camera had captured imagery of one person, said Providence police Detective Maj. David Lapatin. Hasbro Children's Hospital, one of three Lifespan hospitals in Providence. Former Patriot Malcolm Butler arrested in North Providence. What we know. The Warwick man, a hospital employee, was charged with one count of video voyeurism, Lapatin said. An investigation continues. The bathroom where the camera was found is in a locker-room type area that is not accessible to patients of or visitors to the children's hospital, police said. The man was arrested after detectives went to the hospital at 3:30 p.m. to investigate. He was held at police headquarters in advance of his appearance Thursday in District Court, Providence. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Voyeur hid camera in employee bathroom at kids hospital, police say Disease X: Critics say Biden admin selling out US sovereignty with WHO treaty The Biden administration is negotiating a controversial global pandemic treaty with the World Health Organization (WHO) that the health agency says will help the world prepare for the next pandemic and the potential outbreak of "Disease X," but critics say the agreement will end up stifling free speech and cede American sovereignty to the global body. The WHO has been sounding the alarm for months that a May deadline for having the text of the treaty agreed upon is fast approaching, an accord it says is necessary to "bolster the worlds collective preparedness and response to future pandemics." The health agency wants to ratify the treaty at the World Health Assembly at its May 2024 Annual General Assembly. Last week, dozens of former heads of state, including former U.K. Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as well as former UN General Secretary Ban-ki Moon, penned a joint letter urging "accelerated progress" in current negotiations while WHO Director Tedros Ghebreyesus has been warning that an agreement is needed for "when, not if," Disease X strikes. Disease X is a hypothetical "placeholder" virus that has not yet been formed, but scientists say it could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19. WHO DIRECTOR CALLS FOR WORLD PANDEMIC TREATY TO PREPARE FOR DISEASE X A girl having swab laboratory test at doctor's office during the Covid-19 pandemic. But critics are casting doubt on the unelected agency's need for such an agreement that would demand the U.S. share its public health data with the agency and more than 190 countries and follow WHO rules on how to prepare and react to the next pandemic. The treaty, critics say, would allow the WHO to dictate global public health policy. For instance, the word "shall" appears throughout the draft document which would be legally binding under the agreement. Opponents also say that a public health emergency is not clearly defined and could be extended to include climate, reproductive health or immigration emergencies. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Oh., who chairs the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, says that sovereignty and intellectual property rights of Americans are threatened by the global accord. "The Biden Administration must ensure that the final draft does not violate American sovereignty or infringe upon the rights of the American people," Wenstrup told Fox News Digital." Without being presented to Congress for approval, any pandemic treaty is wholly insufficient." Under the constitution, the U.S. can only enter a treaty if the president submits the accord to the Senate, and it is approved by a two-thirds majority. President Joe Biden at the White House on Dec. 13, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a non-profit advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, says that the treaty undermines U.S. sovereignty and insists it would leave the U.S. worse off for a future pandemic. "The United States should withdraw from the World Health Organization," John Shelton, the policy director at AAF tells Fox News Digital. "Instead, the Biden Administration continues to negotiate a fundamentally flawed draft that sells out American interests. No treaty should be considered without a change in WHO leadership and accountability for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including its role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO remains a geopolitically compromised institution paid for by American tax dollars," Shelton said. The WHO faced strong criticism from around the world over its slow response to investigating China for the COVID outbreak. A WHO team investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic also downplayed the possibility that the virus leaked from a lab near Wuhan, China. 'DISEASE X': WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM CREATING CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR INFECTIOUS VIRUS OUTBREAK A State Department spokesperson tells Fox News Digital that the U.S. government will oppose any agreement that would undermine U.S. sovereignty, security and economic competitiveness and the right of Americans to make their own health care decisions. Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto is representing the U.S. in discussions with more than 190 nations. "The Biden-Harris Administrations most fundamental responsibility is to protect the American people. To do that, we must protect the U.S. against the next pandemic by working with other countries to help detect threats as soon as they emerge, contain those threats at their source, and respond quickly to save lives," a State Department spokesperson said. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, has dismissed critics who claim the treaty will cede national sovereignty. "Detecting infectious disease threats quickly, and sharing that information widely, is critical to limit global transmission and to rapidly develop necessary diagnostics, vaccines and other countermeasures to mitigate adverse health effects." In their letter last week, the former leaders blasted those raising sovereignty concerns and warned that "no one is safe anywhere until everyone is safe everywhere." "Among the falsehoods circulating are allegations that the WHO intends to monitor peoples movements through digital passports; that it will take away the national sovereignty of countries; and that it will have the ability to deploy armed troops to enforce mandatory vaccinations and lockdowns," the letter reads. "All of these claims are wholly false and governments must work to disavow them with clear facts." Tedros has also panned these concerns in the past as "fake news, lies, and conspiracy theories." Nevertheless, last year the WHO and the European Commission announced the rollout of a "digital COVID-19 certification" system, which is effectively a digital vaccine passport system. In this photo illustration, the World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen displayed on an android mobile phone with a coronavirus illustration in the background. Meanwhile, freedom of speech concerns have also been raised by ADF International, a faith-based legal advocacy organization. The group says that the current draft would obligate the U.S. and other signees to prevent "misinformation and disinformation" under Article 18 of the draft. "The revised negotiating text for the WHO Pandemic Agreement continues to misrepresent the human right to freedom of expression as a threat to public health," said Giorgio Mazzoli, the director of UN Advocacy with ADF International. "Everyone agrees that life is precious and that states have an interest in protecting public health. But some of the most grave and systematic human rights abuses of the last century unfolded during public emergencies, and we must be vigilant to protect hard-won rights especially in times of crisis," Mazzoli said. "When it comes to vague and undefined concepts such as misinformation or disinformation, the currently proposed cure is far worse than the disease." The State Department, however, says that any agreement would have to guarantee Americans' right to freedom of speech. Negotiations on the latest draft are expected to wrap up later this week. Original article source: Disease X: Critics say Biden admin selling out US sovereignty with WHO treaty A 46-year-old man in custody for burglary is facing additional charges after alleged DNA evidence was used to connect him to a nearly year-old cold case, authorities announced Wednesday. In April 2023, deputies with the Ventura County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of a residential burglary on Charterwood Court in Thousand Oaks. Southern California man arrested for alleged sexual assault of two victims Detectives with VCSOs East County Investigations Career Criminal Unit assumed the investigation, but ultimately closed the case in July 2023 after failing to identify a suspect in the burglary. In late February of this year, detectives caught a break when a suspect identified as Thousand Oaks resident Luis Alonso Parada was arrested for a hot prowl burglary attempting to burglarize a home while at least one person is inside the residence in the same area of Charterwood Court. Detectives recognized similarities between the two cases and reopened the closed burglary case, a VCSO news release stated. Through the use of DNA evidence obtained during both burglary investigations, detectives established Parada as the suspect for the burglary case from 2023. Heres how much rain Southern California could get this weekend The 46-year-old, who was already in custody at Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula for the February incident, was charged with an additional count of residential burglary for the April 2023 case. Paradas bail was set at $50,000. He is due to appear in Ventura Superior Court on March 29. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Biden administration officials are in preliminary conversations about options for stabilizing post-war Gaza, including a proposal for the Pentagon to help fund either a multinational force or a Palestinian peacekeeping team. The options being considered would not involve U.S. troops on the ground, according to two Defense Department officials and two other U.S. officials, all granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door diplomatic and military negotiations. Instead, DOD funding would go toward the needs of the security force and complement assistance from other countries. Asked for comment, a senior administration official said we are working with partners on various scenarios for interim governance and security structures in Gaza once the crisis recedes, declining to detail specifics. Weve had a number of conversations with both the Israelis and our partners about key elements for the day after in Gaza when the time is right. It could be weeks or months before Washington and its partners approve any plan, especially since regional players want to see a commitment to a two-state solution before seriously engaging with the options. There are also questions about the viability of training a potential Palestinian-led force in time to maintain order in Gaza, which has been decimated after five months of brutal fighting. And Israel is reluctant to have these conversations until it defeats Hamas militarily and secures the release of hostages being held by the group. Some officials within the Israeli government have called for Israel to occupy Gaza after the war, a proposal the U.S. opposes. Israel is the long pole in the tent, said one of the DOD officials, noting that Israel has their hands full with other things. It would be one thing if the administration and the Israeli government were aligned on the way ahead, but that is just not the case, said the official. The talks include the White House, Pentagon, State Department and their foreign counterparts about what a potential day-after security force would look like, the four officials confirmed. The discussions indicate such forces remain serious and viable options for what follows Israels retaliation against Hamas. Under initial plans being drawn up, DOD would provide funding for some type of security force that would not include U.S. troops on the ground in Gaza, according to the two DOD officials. One of the officials added that aid could be used for reconstruction, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and other needs. The enclave is in rubble, and the vast majority of its 2.2 million people are displaced with strained access to food, water and medicine. The Pentagon would likely need to shift funds from elsewhere in the department to pay for the plan. American assistance would supplement contributions from other countries, per the two U.S. officials. As for a potential Palestinian-led peacekeeping team, its still unclear who would train and equip its members, which could include some of the nearly 20,000 security personnel backed by the Palestinian Authority since Hamas took control of the enclave in the mid-2000s. Spokespeople for DOD and the Israeli government didnt immediately return requests for comment. DOD began looking at options for supporting some kind of multinational force to stabilize Gaza around the new year , when there were expectations that Israel could soon start wrapping up its operations, according to the DOD official. Then in January, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to work with regional countries and moderate Palestinians to rebuild, stabilize and govern Gaza once the war ended. This can only come through a regional approach that includes a pathway to a Palestinian state, he said during a visit to Israel . Although U.S. officials have had conversations with regional partners about what the makeup of such a force would look like, none has confirmed participation because the plan is not finalized, the DOD official said. Many countries in the Middle East told the Biden administration they would consider participation only when there was a serious two-state solution plan in place. Even though we have had conversations on the margins with regional partners about what theyd be willing to do, contribute, accept, that has not received serious consideration from our Israeli partner, the official said. Israel is not looking to signal an end because they have not achieved the aims they are pursuing yet in Gaza, the official added. In the meantime, DOD is focused on increasing the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including ensuring the security of the U.S. militarys plan to build a pier to deliver resources by sea to the enclave, and urging Israel to consider alternatives to a full-scale Rafah invasion , the DOD official said. The what comes after talks also include the possibility of a two-state solution, the official added. Researcher Marianna Boros attaches electrodes to the head of Cuki, with during an experiment at the department of Ethology of the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. A new study in Hungary has found that beyond being able to learn how to perform commands, dogs can learn to associate words with specific objects a relationship with language called referential understanding that had been unproven until now. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Many dog owners believe their pets understand and respond not only to commands such as sit and stay, but also to words referring to their favorite objects. Bring me your ball will often result in exactly that. But science has had trouble determining whether dogs and other animals genuinely activate a mental image in their minds when they hear the name of an object, something that would suggest a deeper grasp of language, similar to the kind that humans have. A new study in Hungary has found that beyond being able to respond to commands like roll over, dogs can learn to associate words with specific objects a relationship with language called referential understanding that had been unproven in dogs until now. "When we are talking about objects, objects are external to the dogs, and dogs have to learn that words refer, they stand for something that is external to them, said Marianna Boros, a cognitive neuroscientist and co-lead author of the study conducted by the Department of Ethology of the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest. The study, which has been peer reviewed, was published last Friday in the science journal Current Biology. It involved 18 dogs and a non-invasive EEG procedure using electrodes attached to dogs' heads to measure brain activity and register brain waves. Dog owners participating in the study would play an audio clip in which they said the name of their dog's toy like ball or frisbee and then they would show the dog an object. The researchers measured the dogs' brain activity when the object in the recording matched the object that was displayed, and also when it differed. "We expected that if a dog really understands the meaning of the object's word, it will expect to see that object. And if the owner shows a different one, there will be a so-called surprise reaction in the brain," Boros said. And this is exactly what we found. The study found a different brain pattern when the dogs were shown an object that matched the word, compared to when it didn't suggesting the animals conjured a mental image of an object based on hearing the word for it. Lilla Magyari, also a cognitive neuroscientist and co-lead author of the study, said that while other animals have been shown to have some degree of referential understanding of language, those animals have typically been highly trained to do so. In dogs, she said, the findings show that such capacities appear to be inborn and require no special training or talent. The study supports "theories of language evolution which actually say that referential understanding is not necessarily unique to humans, added Magyari, who is also an associate professor at the University of Stavanger in Norway. While the study has received praise, some experts have expressed doubts about its findings. Behavioral scientist and professor of psychology at Arizona State University, Clive Wynne, said in a post on Facebook that he believes that all the study shows is that dogs respond to stimuli but that they dont actually understand the meaning of specific words. Scientists believe the first dogs began to be domesticated by humans up to 30,000 years ago, and have lived closely alongside us ever since. But whether dogs acquired their apparent capacity to understand referential language during that evolution remains unclear. Budapest resident Emese Doroszlai said during a walk with her dog in a city park on Wednesday that she usually teaches him commands for specific actions. When told about the study, she said she hasnt given much thought to building her dogs vocabulary or teaching him names for objects. But, she said, maybe the results of the study would change that. The King has temporarily stepped back from his public duties while he is treated for cancer. Buckingham Palace has not said what type of cancer the 75-year-old has, but confirmed that it was not prostate cancer. The King was recently treated for prostate enlargement. How are the King's duties changing? After his diagnosis was made public, Buckingham Palace said a number of the King's public engagements would be rearranged or postponed. "His majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence," it added. Throughout his treatment, the King has continued to hold private meetings as head of state and complete official paperwork. His regular weekly meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have also continued - although, not all have been in person. Buckingham Palace confirmed Queen Camilla would hand out the traditional "Maundy money" on the King's behalf on Thursday, 28 March, in a ceremony at Worcester Cathedral. The King and Queen will both attend an Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend, as Catherine continues with her own cancer treatment. Which Royals will step in for the King? While the King is recovering, the Queen is continuing to attend public engagements. If it became the case that the King was not able to carry out his official duties for a temporary period, two or more members of the Royal Family would be appointed as Counsellors of State, to act in his place. They could include the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh. Graphic listing the possible Counsellors of State who could act on behalf of King Charles What does the King do? The King is the UK head of state, but his powers are largely symbolic and ceremonial. He remains politically neutral. He receives daily dispatches from the government in a red leather box, including briefings ahead of important meetings, or documents needing his signature. The prime minister normally meets the King on a Wednesday at Buckingham Palace. These meetings are completely private, and no official records are kept of what is said. The King also has a number of official parliamentary roles: Appointing a government - the leader of the party that wins a general election is usually called to Buckingham Palace, where they are invited to form a government. The King also formally dissolves Parliament before a general election State Opening and the King's Speech - the King sets out the government's plans in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally approved by the King in order to become law. The last time Royal Assent was refused was in 1708 The monarch also leads the annual Remembrance event in November at the Cenotaph in London. The King hosts visiting heads of state, and regularly meets foreign ambassadors and high commissioners. In the first year of his reign, Charles visited a number of countries, including Germany, France and Kenya. The portrait of the King that will hang in public buildings such as courts and government offices has been unveiled Charles is also head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent countries spanning 2.5 billion people. He is head of state for 14 of these, known as the Commonwealth realms, as well as the Crown dependencies - the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The Queen undertakes her own public engagements on behalf of the 90 charities she supports. Who else is in the Royal Family? After the Coronation, members of the Royal Family watched a flypast from the Palace balcony Prince William is the elder son of King Charles and his first wife, the late Princess Diana. After the death of the Queen, he became the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall while retaining his previous Duke of Cambridge title. He is married to Catherine, Princess of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge . They have three children: Prince George , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) was the Queen's second child and only daughter. She is married to Vice Adm Timothy Laurence and has two children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Edward) was the Queen's youngest child. He is married to the Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie Rhys-Jones). They have two children: Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) was the Queen's second son. He has two daughters with his former wife, the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson): Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew stepped down as a "working royal" in 2019 after a controversial BBC Newsnight interview about allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. In February 2022, he paid an undisclosed sum to settle the civil sexual assault case which Ms Guiffre brought against him in the US The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's younger brother. He is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle). They have two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In 2020, they announced they were stepping back as senior royals and moved to California How does succession work and who is King Charles's heir? The order of succession sets out which member of the Royal Family takes over as monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates. First in line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's eldest child. Sons no longer take precedence over their older sisters. King Charles's heir is his elder son, the Prince of Wales. William's eldest child Prince George is second-in-line to the throne, and his daughter Princess Charlotte is third. Her younger brother Prince Louis is fourth and Prince Harry is fifth. A family tree graphic showing Queen Elizabeth II's children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward and their families. It also shows the line of succession from King Charles III to his son William and grandson George Where does the Royal Family get its money? The Royal Family receives an annual payment from the taxpayer, known as the Sovereign Grant, which is used to pay for official expenses, such as the upkeep of properties and staff costs. The amount is based on a proportion of the profits of the Crown Estate, a 16.5bn property business owned by the monarch but run independently. The Sovereign Grant is worth 86.3m for 2023-2024, as it was in 2021-2022 and 2022-23, although the Royal Family's total spending was more, with the difference covered by reserves. To keep the annual payment at the same level of 86.3m in 2024-2025, the grant will be a smaller percentage of Crown Estate profits, which have been boosted by six new offshore wind farms. However, if Crown Estate profits continue to grow as predicted, even under the reduced formula, the amount given to the Royal Family is expected to increase substantially in 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. A 10-year refurbishment programme for Buckingham Palace began in 2017 The King also receives money from a private estate called the Duchy of Lancaster, which is passed down from monarch to monarch. It covers more than 18,000 hectares of land, including property in central London. Worth 654m, it generates about 20m a year in profits. The Duke of Cornwall (currently William, Prince of Wales) benefits from the Duchy of Cornwall, which mainly owns land in the south-west of England. Worth 1bn, it generated a net surplus of 24m in 2022-23. The King and William receive the profits from the duchies personally, and can spend the money as they wish. Both voluntarily pay income tax on the proceeds. Some Royal Family members have private art, jewellery and stamp collections which they can sell or use to generate income as they wish. What happened at the Coronation? Charles became King on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022. On 6 May 2023, Charles and his wife Camilla were crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in front of more than 2,000 guests, including global politicians, fellow kings and queens, religious leaders, celebrities and community champions. During the Westminster Abbey ceremony, the King was anointed with "holy oil", and received the orb and sceptre, symbols of royalty. Crowds lined the streets of central London to watch the King and Queen return to Buckingham Palace in a mile-long procession. Two months later, the King was presented with the Scottish crown jewels, in a special service of thanksgiving at St Giles' Cathedral, in Edinburgh. Where do the Royal Family live? The King and Queen's official residence, Buckingham Palace, is undergoing a 10-year 369m refurbishment,. They split their time between Clarence House in London and Highgrove in Gloucestershire. Other Royal residences include Windsor Castle, Sandringham, in Norfolk, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, and Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire. In August 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved from Kensington Palace in west London to live in Adelaide Cottage, on the Windsor Estate. In early 2023, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, which they had used as their UK base after moving to the US. The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children on their first day at Lambrook School in Berkshire How popular is the Royal Family? A YouGov opinion poll of more than 2,000 adults in Britain ahead of the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death suggested a sharp generational divide. Overall, 62% wanted to keep the monarchy, with 26% backing an elected head of state - up from 17% a decade earlier. But while 80% of the over-65s supported the monarchy, only 37% of 18 to 24-year-olds agreed. There was also less support for the royals in Scotland or Wales than in England, where London had higher levels of people against the monarchy than anywhere else in the country. royal family with text "Royal Watch newsletter: Get insider stories and analysis every week, straight to your inbox Read the latest from our royal correspondent Sean Coughlan - sign up here. SolStock via Getty Images Dacher Keltner is on a mission to fill our lives with more awe. He has spent the last two decades studying awe, which he says is distinct from joy or fear, and how experiencing it can positively affect our bodies, our relationships with others and how we see and interact with the world around us. Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center recently chatted with us Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, hosts of HuffPosts Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast about his work, specifically why we should try to inject more awe into our lives, and what will happen if we do. Listen to the episode by clicking the play button: Its amazing! It tells us so much about the evolution of the human nervous system, Keltner, the author of Awe: The New Science Of Everyday Wonder And How It Can Transform Your Life, told us. One region of the brain is deactivated [when we experience awe] the default mode network. That is where all the self-representational processes take place: Im thinking about myself, my time, my goals, my strivings, my checklist. That quiets down during awe. Awe activates our vagus nerve. Thats the big bundle of nerves starting in the top of your spinal cord that helps you look at people and vocalize, Keltner explained, and it also slows our heart rate, helps with digestion and opens up our bodies to things bigger than us. Awe also cools down the inflammation process, Keltner said his studies have shown. Its part of your immune system that attacks diseases, and we want it to be cooler and not always hot. So how do we experience more awe? Keltner, who served as the scientific adviser behind Pixars Inside Out, said it can be as simple as taking what he calls an awe walk. He and several of his colleagues studied that experience to learn more about awe and what happens when we feel it. [The study involved] people who were 75 years old or older, so youre starting to get anxious and depressed about the end of life [and youre experiencing] more body pain, Keltner said. The control condition once a week they went out on a walk. Our awe walk condition, we said, You know, while youre out on your walk, go some place where you might feel a little child-like wonder and look around look at the small things and look at the big things and just follow that sense of mystery and wonder. Thats all we asked them to do. Keltner explained that finding awe and wonder on a walk (or anywhere else) can be as simple as pausing and noticing the world around us from something as seemingly small as a newly blossomed flower to something as big as a sunset stretched across the entire sky. Other sources of awe include what he refers to as moral beauty witnessing the kindness or goodness or generosity of other people or listening to music, seeing art and contemplating big ideas, all of which can happen during an awe walk. Keltner said that they found three really cool things when they compared the results of control group to the awe walk group. Over the eight weeks [of the study], [the awe walk group] started to feel more and more awe. So, as we search for awe, we find more of it, which I think is really important. ... These people 75 years old or older over time felt less pain and distress. Chronic pain and pain when youre old is serious. It just rattles your consciousness, and here was a little technique that gave them some peace. The scientists also documented what Keltner calls the disappearance of the self. Each week we had [the study participants] take a picture of themselves and what we found was, [those in the study who were going on the awe walk] start to move off to the side [of the] photo. They kind of disappear! What that tells us is their consciousness is theyre not thinking about OK, theres my face and I get it perfectly situated in the photo. Theyre more interested in the vaster scene that theyre part of and losing track of themselves and thats important thats important to expand our attention to things outside of the self. Ultimately, Keltner argues the more awe and wonder people of any age experience, the better off theyll be. It [creates] an amazing cascade of physiology that we can find almost any day and is very good for you, he told us. We also discussed what Keltner calls the eight wonders of life, how awe can act as an antidote to narcissism and much more. After youve had a listen to the full episode above or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to Am I Doing It Wrong? so you dont miss a single episode, including our investigations of the ins and outs of tipping, how to score the best deals on airline tickets, how to apologize or vanquish your credit card debt, how to find love online or overcome anxiety, tips for online shopping, taking care of your teeth and pooping like a pro, secrets to booking and staying in a hotel, how to deal with an angry person, cooking tips from celebrity chef Jet Tila, shocking laundry secrets and more. Need some help with something youve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode. Related... Donald Trumps lawyer argued Thursday the former president cant be prosecuted in Georgia for trying to steal the 2020 election because his alleged conduct was political speech that must be protected under the First Amendment even speech that was lies. Falsity alone is not enough, Trump's lawyer, Steven Sadow, said. Clearly, being president at the time, dealing with elections and campaigning, calling into question what had occurred thats the height of political speech. Sadow urged Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee to dismiss the charges against Trump because they are based on his statements questioning the election results and pressuring state officials to overturn them. Its the speech thats being punished, Sadow said. Take out the political speech, no charges. McAfee didnt rule immediately on the request. But he sounded skeptical that he could make any decision about whether the First Amendment protected Trump before holding the trial. Judge Scott McAfee in Superior Court of Fulton County in Courtroom 5A in the case of State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump. Prosecutors argued Trumps statements contributed to a wide-ranging conspiracy of making false statements to government officials, submitting false and forged documents and impersonating public officials. Trump asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to "find" the votes he would need to carry the Peach State. Its not just that he lied over and over and over again, said prosecutor Donald Wakeford. Its that each of those was employed as part of criminal activity with criminal intentions. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has already rejected Trumps argument that his statements are protected by the First Amendment, in a federal case with similar charges of election interference. Wakeford directed McAfee to her reasoning for a detailed explanation for why Trump is wrong. Its not a basis for dismissing the indictment, Wakeford added. Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to election racketeering. Four defendants have pleaded guilty. McAfee hasnt scheduled the trial yet but prosecutors have proposed starting in August. Donald Wakeford, chief senior district attorney appears before Judge Scott McAfee for a hearing at the Fulton County Courthouse on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump's legal team sought to dismiss the Georgia election lawsuit on the basis of First Amendment rights. Co-defendant Shafer argues Georgia had no legitimate presidential electors in 2020 Another defendant, David Shafer, who is chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, also sought to dismiss his charges Thursday. His lawyer, Craig Gillen, also asked to erase phrasing in the indictment describing Shafer as a fake presidential elector. Shafer and two others are charged with impersonating public officials and forgery for meeting Dec. 14, 2020, and submitting paperwork as if they were Republican presidential electors for Trump. President Joe Biden narrowly won the state and Congress recognized his Democratic electors as legitimate. Gillen argued that no electors neither Republicans nor Democrats should have been recognized because a Trump and Shafer lawsuit challenging the results was still pending Dec. 14, 2020. There were no duly elected and qualified presidential electors from the state of Georgia, Gillen said. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp certified the election results and the electors, which Congress accepted. Steve Sadow representing Donald Trump in Superior Court of Fulton County before Judge Scott McAfee in Courtroom 5A in the case of State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump. Shafer, state GOP chair, objects to being called 'fake elector' Gillen also complained about prosecutors calling Shafer and others fake electors and argued the phrase should be removed from the indictment. Its a pejorative statement, Gillen said. Will Wooten, another prosecutor, said the term fake elector doesnt appear in the indictment, which does refer to as unlawful or false Electoral College documents. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump: First Amendment protects efforts to overturn election Smoke rises over Gaza following an explosion, as seen from Israel By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - Difficulties getting Israeli permission for foreign staff to work in Israel and the Palestinian territories are hampering efforts to get aid into war-shattered Gaza where civilians are facing imminent famine, according to U.N. data and aid workers. Six aid workers from the U.N. and other groups interviewed by Reuters cited delays to visas as an example of red tape they say is thwarting aid to Gaza, nearly six months into Israel's offensive against Hamas militants. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An Israeli official who asked for anonymity as the official was not authorised to speak publicly cited high demand as a challenge, and also raised question marks about some groups' objectives, saying some aid workers "have designs that are not humanitarian". U.N. data shared with Reuters showed that 45 visa requests are pending, more than half of which have been on hold for over two months, and several stalled since at least November. A further 20 U.N. requests pending since late 2023 have been completely dropped due to the delays. The affected missions were either abandoned or postponed, said the U.N. source who shared the data and asked not to be identified, fearing repercussions. "This is slowing down the Gaza response at a time when we need to scale up and have more manpower to handle operations," said the U.N. source. The list showed the hold-ups were affecting 11 U.N. agencies with 18 visas pending for U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA; six for the World Food Programme; six with the U.N. children's agency; and two with the World Health Organization. Aid workers said Israel has previously said the delays were linked to staff shortages caused by the high number of army reservists called up for the war, which was triggered by the Islamist group's attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7. But U.N. officials say the red tape burden has been exacerbated by Israel switching to a policy of granting visas for a maximum of six months, rather than one year, as before the war. Israel says UNRWA, which provides aid and services to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the region, perpetuates conflict. It has accused 12 of the agency's 13,000 staff of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks. UNRWA has dismissed accused workers and a probe is underway. International non-governmental groups also complain of growing visa difficulties and said some staff had been blocked at the border or received deportation orders. Faris Arouri, director of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) representing dozens of aid groups in the West Bank and Gaza including charity Oxfam, says there has been a halt in recommendation letters by Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs needed to submit visa applications. This means that some 60 new visa requests cannot be filed while the "vast majority" of 57 aid workers whose visas already expired have had to leave, including many senior staff, he said. "There are lots of problems to scale up operations to design or better manage the emergency response," he said. "We've had problems in the past but never this bad." The Ministry of Welfare referred Reuters to the National Security Council (NSC) in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, which did not respond to a request for comment. The Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity said the NSC had become involved because of security concerns. Some of the vacant aid jobs are in the Palestinian territories, while others are in Jerusalem, which serves as a hub for coordinating Gaza convoys of food and medicine through Israeli inspections. U.N. agencies are pressing Israel for more access in Gaza while Israel blames the U.N. for failing to distribute aid effectively. The visa difficulties come after Israel blocked the UNRWA chief entering the Gaza Strip this month. Another top U.N. aid official's visa was not renewed in December, with Israel alleging bias. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Peter Graff) New Mexico State University hopes to have its next president in place by January 2025. The NMSU Board of Regents on March 28 selected a search committee to launch a second search for a new permanent leader after former Chancellor Dan Arvizu stepped down in April 2023. The Board also named Dr. Monica Torres interim president, replacing Jay Gogue who stepped into that role in April 2023. Gogue's last day in the role is May 10. Board Chair Ammu Devasthali said the search for a new president would start in April with campus visits to begin in August. "I am appreciative of you willing to step into this role at this time," Devasthali told Torres. More: 'Finding the right leader is paramount.' NMSU Regents to start another president search Torres to replace Gogue in May The Board went into closed session for nearly an hour before returning to open session to unanimously approve the selection of Torres. Torres is currently the Chancellor of NMSU System of Community Colleges. She has been the president of Dona Ana Community College since 2019. Her role was expanded in July 2023 to include oversight of all of NMSUs community colleges. Torres has a bachelors degree and a masters degree in English from NMSU. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in American studies with an emphasis in cultural studies. Monica Torres A contract for Torres was not immediately available, but her initial agreement will be for six months or until a permanent president is in place. "I appreciate the opportunity," Torres said during the meeting. "I have a long history with the New Mexico State University system. I have a deep commitment to the land grant mission. "I love that we cover the state of New Mexico and offer services and instruction across the state to New Mexicans. I can't tell you how happy I am to enter into this position. We have work to do." Gogue took over as interim president in April 2023 after Arvizu stepped down amid Regents not renewing his five-year contract. According to the original agreement, Gogue was expected to serve a six-month commitment at a monthly base salary of $25,000 paid out semi-monthly. Gogue's contract was amended September 2023 to be approved monthly until a permanent president was chosen this spring. Selection committee to begin new search in April Regents voted on March 11 to to start another search for president after determining not to select one of the five finalists the previous eight month search identified. "Our goal, as before, is to find the right leader for New Mexico State University at this critical time," Devasthali said. "We plan to move quickly considering a lot of the groundwork has already been completed." Devasthali named the members of the 12-person search committee, including herself as the committee chair. The members of the search committee are: Citlalli Benitez - ASNMSU President Jon Boren - Associate Dean/Director Cooperative Extension Service Vimal Chaitanya - Faculty Senate Chair elect Marlene Chavez-Toivanen - Vice President for Academic Affairs at NMSU Grants Margaret Hardin - NMSU Foundation board of directors (Community Member) Scott Hutchinson - Senior Manager, Electrical Sciences, Sandia Campus Executive for New Mexico State University (Community Member) Donna Johnson - Employee Council ChairEnrico Pontelli - Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Suzanne Quillen - Vice President of HealthCare Innovation at Ernest Health (Community Member) Rex Wilson - Southern Region Director Presbyterian Medical Services (Community Member) Terra Winter - President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (Community Member) NMSU appoints interim provost Gogue announced this week that the university's College of Engineering Dean Lakshmi Reddi, will serve as interim provost and chief academic officer until a new president is selected. The university provost oversees deans and academic operations. Reddi will replace Alan Shoho, who announced his retirement in a University communication earlier this week. Shoho came to NMSU after a national search in 2023 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he was the dean and professor emeritus of the School of Education. His last day at NMSU was March 22. "I was looking forward to welcoming a new President on board," Shoho wrote in an email to campus announcing his retirement. "Alas, this was not meant to be, at least not just yet. When the new President is selected, they will be able to hire their own Provost. And while it has been a tremendous honor to serve as your Provost and Chief Academic Officer, I felt this was the right time for me to begin the next chapter in my life." Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on X @jpgroves. This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Torres named interim NMSU president. Regents launch new search. MSP Liam McArthur hopes his draft assisted-dying bill that he tabled in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday will change the law in Scotland so that doctors can help terminally ill people to end their lives without fear of prosecution. Photo courtesy Orkney Liberal Democrats March 28 (UPI) -- A draft of a bill that would change the law so that doctors and other medical professionals could help terminally ill people end their lives without fear of prosecution was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. The Assisted Dying Bill which is being tabled at Holyrood by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur with the backing of 36 other lawmakers, will face scrutiny and possible revision in the Health Committee and is not expected to be debated on the floor until the fall, with a vote sometime in 2025. MSPs rejected two previous attempts 85-16 in 2010 and 82-36 in 2015, but the latest move follows polling of Scots showing 78% of respondents support the legalization of assisted dying in Scotland, against 15% who oppose it. Support held above 72%, regardless of district or party affiliation. McArthur said he believed that with strong public and cross-party political backing for the measure, the time was now right. "Currently in Scotland assisted dying is illegal, a situation that I believe is failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life," he said, "It is leaving them facing traumatic deaths that impact not just them, but those that they leave behind. We can and must do better. That is why I am publishing my bill on assisted dying, which is being introduced formally in the Scottish Parliament today. "The provisions I am proposing would be robustly safeguarded to ensure the process works as intended," said McArthur whose bill requires two doctors to certify a patient's mental competence and who would also be responsible for ensuring there was no coercion. Patients would then administer the fatal medication dose themselves. McArthur pointed to other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and some U.S. states, where similar laws were working "safely and successfully" with ongoing strong public support. "I hope that as they consider the provisions of the bill, my colleagues will look at the evidence supporting a change in the law and the wishes of dying Scots and vote to give terminally ill adults the choice they need," he said. If passed, Scotland would become the first of the United Kingdom's four nations to enact the change which proponents argue would ease the pain and suffering of people with no prospect of recovery -- but opponents argue is a slippery slope. They fear the terminally ill could feel pressure to die to relieve the cost and burden their care poses to their families and society -- and that the initial high bar determining who can opt for assisted dying may be lowered over time. Opponents also said that support collapses well below 50% when all the facts and arguments are properly laid out to people. Scottish leader, First Minister Humza Yousaf, has signaled he will not vote for the measure opposed by the country's main religious institutions -- the Catholic Church in Scotland, the Scottish Association of Mosques and the Church of Scotland. However, in a shift last year, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland voted to overhaul its long-held opposition, opting instead to "explore more deeply the diverse views held by Kirk members on the controversial subject." In England, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labor opposition, have both promised assisted dying debates in the next Parliament with a general election due by the end of the year. PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. (WFRV) A driver in Wisconsin, who had a warrant from Georgia, was arrested after officers stopped their car for not having illuminated tail lights. The Pleasant Prairie Police Department posted on its Facebook page about a recent incident where a driver was arrested after allegedly being in possession of drugs and a gun. On March 26, an officer reportedly stopped a car for not having illuminated tail lights. Authorities identify victim and officer from deadly shooting in early March Officials say that the driver had a fully extraditable warrant from the State of Georgia for dangerous drugs. The driver was arrested for: Felon in possession of a firearm Possession of methamphetamine Possession of THC with intent to deliver Possession of drug paraphernalia The identity of the driver was not released. No additional information was provided. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Jolie underwent a mastectomy in 2013 when, aged 37, she found out she had the faulty BRCA1 gene - ETTORE FERRARI/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK Prescribing existing drugs to healthy women who carry a gene that makes them more likely to develop breast cancer could prevent them from developing the disease, a breakthrough University of Cambridge study suggests. Women who have faulty versions of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the same type that Angelina Jolie has, have about a 70 per cent risk of developing breast cancer, Cancer Research UK estimates. Some women opt for a mastectomy to lower the risk by removing the breasts. Jolie underwent the procedure in 2013 when, aged 37, she found out she had the faulty BRCA1 gene. Cambridge scientists analysed the genetics of more than 800,000 cells taken from the donated breast tissue of 55 women who were undergoing various breast operations. They identified that in healthy women with the faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes they have immune cells which are exhausted and not working properly, and are therefore incapable of clearing out cancerous cells. The results, published in Nature Genetics, are the first time exhausted immune cells have been seen in individuals other than late-stage cancer patients. Researchers hope that this discovery could allow for immunotherapy drugs already in use for cancer treatment to be given preventatively to combat the depleted immune system. This could stave off cancer in high-risk women and also reduce the need for mastectomies, which are highly invasive and emotionally stressful. Potential for a preventative treatment Our results suggest that in carriers of BRCA mutations, the immune system is failing to kill off damaged breast cells which in turn seem to be working to keep these immune cells at bay, said Prof Walid Khaled, senior author of the report from the University of Cambridge. Were very excited about this discovery, because it opens up potential for a preventative treatment other than surgery for carriers of BRCA breast cancer gene mutations. He added that nobody has previously considered using cancer drugs preventatively because they did not know the faulty immune cells were present before cancers developed. The project led to the creation of a Human Breast Cell Atlas which identified 41 cell sub-clusters and, within that, saw the exhausted immune cells. Scientists write in their paper that the ineffectiveness of these cells could nullify the bodys ability to combat early-stage tumours when they first develop. The Atlas presented here provides the research community with a rich resource that can be used as a reference for studies on the origins of breast cancer, thereby informing novel approaches for early detection and prevention, the scientists write in their paper. Significant step forward There are various forms of immunotherapies available for breast cancer, where treatments alter the way the immune system works in order to fight off cancer. These are effective but come with side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. The team now hope to run animal studies to see if the preventative drug approach could work, and what dose is needed, and then could progress to human trials. Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influence at Breast Cancer Now, said: The best weapon we could have against breast cancer is the ability to stop it occurring in the first place. This research, which used tissue samples from Breast Cancer Nows Tissue Bank, suggests that we could prevent some women with altered genes from developing the disease by using drugs currently approved for treatment in the late stages of breast cancer. While further research is needed and clinical trials in humans are yet to take place, these findings could be a significant step forward in our care and treatment of people whose genes mean they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. 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. East New York buildings only elevator has been out of service for months EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (PIX11) A Brooklyn man is tired of inconsistent elevator service in his mothers building. He said the final straw was having to walk up six flights of stairs every day for six months. Matthew Arrington lives at the Unity Plaza Apartments in East New York, and he says he and his neighbors shouldnt have to wait months for their elevator to be fixed. One elevator has been out of service since last October. More Monica Makes It Happen It was an impromptu meeting of angry tenants on the fourth floor of 340 Georgia Ave. Darryl Wiggins lives here and says he has to climb six flights of stairs every day. Hes heading to a dialysis appointment, and hes out of breath. A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News, Elevators that are currently down at Unity Plaza Consolidated (Unity Plaza 17, 24, and 25A) due to modernization are expected to be fully replaced and back online in May after completing inspections and other requirements. Additional staff are available at the location in the meantime to assist residents with stair-climbers. NYCHA encourages residents in need of assistance to call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application. NYCHA spokesperson If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. 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. One of New Zealands largest retailers has removed a batch of Easter eggs from its shelves after a customer claimed they discovered rocks inside the chocolates earlier this week. In images shared to Facebook, the customer said several rocks were found inside the Easter Bunny Ears with Mini Eggs in a store of The Warehouse Group in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Very hard and it concerns me that a kid could find the same and break a tooth, said customer Tasha Taylor. She said the store in question asked her to bring the eggs back. A statement from The Warehouse Group confirmed an investigation into the incident is underway. We really appreciated this customer letting us know about this issue straight away. We have removed the product from our shelves as a precaution while we investigate this further, The Warehouses Ryan Murphy said. We take the safety and quality of all our products very seriously and follow rigorous processes and audits. Customers who have purchased this product and are concerned are welcome to return it to their local store for a refund. Ms Taylor told 1News that her local store had taken the product back to be sent away and tested. They were super apologetic and very lovely when I went in. No complaints about them at all. Over the weekend, an Auckland resident found an airgun pellet inside an Easter egg he bought from a Pukekohes South Countdown (Woolworths) supermarket. My partner and I got a packet of Cadbury's Pinky Marshmallow Eggs just as a little Easter treat, Karl Evans told Newshub. I was just chewing away on one side, and I felt something hard...What about those kids who eat these eggs? They could choke, and it would be so dangerous if that got lodged in their throat, he added. Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), on Monday said, Early indications from Woolworths are this may have happened due to pest management activities for birds, although this is yet to be confirmed ... There are strict protocols for using air rifles for bird control, and we will be looking into this as part of our investigation. AFP reporters heard gunshots and saw fires spreading inside the prison, one of four that make up a vast penitentiary complex in Guayaquil (Marcos PIN) At least three prisoners were killed and six injured in an overnight revolt in an Ecuador prison, from which one of the country's most feared gang leaders escaped in January, authorities said Thursday. It marked the latest prison violence in Guayaquil -- the port city that has become a dangerous hub for cocaine exports to neighboring countries. The country's prison agency, SNAI, said in a statement that the three inmates died when a "clash" broke out with security forces Wednesday but that the facility "is 100 percent under control." Ecuador President Daniel Noboa tweeted Wednesday that security forces had prevented a "possible escalation." The riot was the first since Noboa took office in November. AFP reporters heard gunshots and saw fires spreading inside the prison, one of four that make up a vast penitentiary complex in Guayaquil. On Thursday, some 200 relatives of inmates burned tires to block traffic near the jail, protesting the alleged mistreatment of prisoners by the military -- which has been cited as a cause for the riot. In January, the regional prison came into the spotlight after Adolfo "Fito" Macias, leader of one of the country's most powerful gangs, escaped from the jail. He remains on the loose. After the escape, Noboa imposed a state of emergency -- which has been extended until April -- and declared war on the gangs that have sunk their claws into the country. The narcos retaliated in a wave of violence that saw dozens of kidnappings and left around 20 people dead. The government has deployed soldiers to retake control of the country's prisons, which had become the nerve center -- and battleground -- for gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Since 2021, more than 460 inmates have been killed in gang wars behind bars. Once considered a bastion of peace in Latin America, Ecuador has been plunged into crisis by the rapid spread of transnational cartels that use its ports to ship drugs to the United States and Europe. Deputy security minister Lyonel Calderon said a recent uptick in violence was part of an effort to "destabilize" the country ahead of a referendum on April 21 on whether to take tougher measures against crime. The measures include the ability to deploy the military to back up police outside of a state of emergency, allowing the extradition of Ecuadorans involved in organized crime, and increasing sentences for terrorism and drug trafficking. sp/llu/fb/bjt/tjj/acb LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Nevada Board of Education on Wednesday revoked the teaching license of a former Clark County School District teacher who was sentenced last year for inappropriate behavior. Bryan Brady was a teacher at John C. Fremont Middle School at the time of his arrest in October 2022 on five counts of unlawful contact with students. Ex-teacher keeps license, avoids jail time for inappropriately touching students He was first hired at CCSD in 2012, according to the district. Brady was sentenced to 12 months of probation in August of 2023, avoiding prison and sparking a lawsuit from his victims criticizing him and the district. Brady took an Alford plea in May of 2023, which means that he believes theres a likelihood of being convicted but doesnt admit to committing the crime. The former middle school teacher does not have to register as a sex offender, according to court records. A Clark County School District Police Department report shows three students in November of 2021 reported Brady to administrators for touching them. The Board of Education also revoked the license of two other educators convicted of crimes. One was Christopher Olmstead who was sentenced last year to two years of probation after he stole pandemic education funding. He taught at Legacy Traditional Schools southwest campus and was named Teacher of the Year in 2020. Teacher of the year now a convicted felon after stealing for students The second educator was former Palo Verde High School teacher Michael Loyd. He was arrested in June of 2022 after he was caught in a classroom with a partially nude student on the last day of school. Report: Palo Verde teacher caught with partially nude student According to court records, Loyd was sentenced to 18 months of probation and had to undergo sex offender treatment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Egyptian officials have put forward a slew of requests from the U.S. in negotiations with Israel over Gaza, including security funding and equipment, according to five officials from Egypt, the U.S. and Israel. Cairo in recent months has asked for the U.S. to consider helping supply additional tranches of funding and new military gear such as security and radar systems to secure the border with Gaza in preparation for an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, the five officials said, all of whom were granted anonymity to speak about sensitive discussions. The Egyptian requests come as American officials deliberate with their counterparts in Qatar, Egypt and Israel to iron out a roadmap that will eventually lead to a pause in fighting to allow for the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. As part of those talks, Israel has said it will attempt to clear Hamas militants out of the southern portion of the enclave by conducting a ground operation in Rafah. Egyptian and American officials increasingly believe that the Rafah invasion will eventually happen. Egyptian officials have pushed back hard against that idea, saying the invasion will inevitably force hundreds of thousands of Gazans to flee south to the border where they will likely attempt to pass through. Officials are particularly worried about Hamas militants passing into Sinai a region that has for years harbored extremists who have carried out multiple deadly terrorist attacks. The additional funding and equipment Egypt requested will help its military deal with a potential influx of Gazans on its border, officials said. But the Egyptian petitions while typical, especially in the midst of an intense international negotiation have added an additional layer of complexity to the talks and have slowed them down, the two American officials said. In order for Israel to move ahead with the Rafah invasion, we really need the approval of Egypt, the Israeli official said. Its their border theyre worried about. They dont want to house all of the Gazans in Rafah. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry declined to comment. The U.S. State Department also declined to comment. A third U.S. official said the administration has accelerated conversations with the Egyptians in recent weeks amid growing concerns about its border, adding that Washington also wants to shut off all potential routes of smuggling for Hamas. Some 1.5 million people have fled to Rafah from other parts of Gaza to escape the war. They have no place else to go besides the border region, the Egyptians argue, as Israel has largely prevented them from moving north. It is possible that Cairo will end up getting the help from elsewhere potentially from Arab states. Earlier this month, American officials were preparing to pitch Israel a plan to help secure the border in lieu of a Rafah invasion. In recent years, the U.S. has withheld hundreds of millions of dollars over Egypts human rights record. In September it approved $235 million in aid for Egypt but withheld an additional $85 million for the same reason. Egypt has asked the U.S. to rethink its stance and consider providing additional funds it says it needs to manage the fallout from the Rafah invasion. Nahal Toosi contributed to this report. The majority of nearly 5,000 Telegraph readers would support a boycott of Chinese goods - CHP The UK and United States announced sanctions against China on Tuesday after a global hacking plot was exposed. While Rishi Sunak toughened his stance on Beijing former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith shifted focus on how businesses like Amazon could help facilitate a consumer boycott of Chinese goods. The majority of Telegraph readers strongly back this approach. In an exclusive poll, 75 per cent of nearly 5,000 readers voted in favour of a boycott of Chinese goods. Telegraph reader Teresa Day, for example, saw the impact of foreign goods on her familys greengrocers shop in Newbury, Berkshire, when she was a child. Her parents were put out of business by high street supermarkets offering imported products at cheaper prices. Since then, shes been part of the Buy British campaign and has been an avid boycotter of Chinese goods especially. We should not allow our shops to be selling substandard foreign products, Ms Day said. Reader Karen Bizon is originally from Australia, but she has lived in London for decades and has made it her mission to support British industry. She has contempt for China but also contempt that Western consumers enable it. For the last ten years shes bought almost exclusively British. Even my underpants and my socks are made in Britain, Ms Bizon said. Do you know how hard that is to find? On rare occasions, shell buy foreign goods from elsewhere like Sri Lanka or India, but never China, and thinks that despite their high production capability, we should avoid the country. Certainly consumers can, without fanfare, stop doing what everyone else is doing, she added. We either have to stand up to China or be ruled by them Reader Kay Cox from Berkshire agreed that while its not easy, she will never knowingly buy anything from China. She thinks that the country has not been held to account for its role in the Covid pandemic on a global stage. Engaging in the boycott isnt simple. Ms Cox said she does a lot of research, especially before buying products on Amazon and eBay. Its more expensive as well, she added. I definitely pay twice as much. Nonetheless, because she is careful about her consumption and not being wasteful, she doesnt mind because we shouldnt buy cheap stuff anyways. Ms Cox added: We either have to stand up to China or be ruled by them. Similarly, reader Patience Lacy-Smiths whole family has been involved with boycotting China after living in Hong Kong and seeing its very unhealthy regime up close. Now in Somerset, she sometimes finds it very difficult when trying to buy a birthday present for her daughter, Anna, because there arent many places to shop around. Nonetheless, because their family is very mindful about the environment, Ms Lacy-Smith makes the effort to avoid Amazon especially because of the number of Chinese products it sells. I wish there were more opportunities for manufacturing our own [British] goods, she said. We need to do more to buy British Reader Peter Mason from Hertfordshire has not only educated his son about the boycott but was also the proud owner of British Made Shop, an online store selling nothing but products manufactured in the UK. He expressed that while British goods are out there theyre sometimes hard to find because of misleading labels. Mr Mason said that the initial cost is higher but the products always last longer. My parents had a hardware shop until the 1970s. Some of my pot handles are still from there, he said. We need to do more to buy British. 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. WASHINGTON Voters are less than 250 days away from heading to the ballot box to cast their votes in the 2024 presidential election. With President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump obtaining enough delegates to secure their respective party's nominations, the rematch is set. Here are some key dates as Election Day gets closer: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 2, 2024. Primary elections continue: April 2 Primaries will be held in Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. There are 179 delegates for grabs on the Republican side and 436 at stake in the Democratic election. Wyoming decides on presidential candidates: April 13, 20 Wyoming holds an unusual caucus contest to decide on their candidates in both parties. What began with local meetings in January will end with state conventions in April, where delegate decisions are announced. Democrats in the Cowboy State will hold their convention April 13 and Republicans follow a week later with results on April 20. Pennsylvania primary: April 23 Both the Republican and Democratic primaries will take place in Pennsylvania on April 23. Trump and Biden are expected to add to their respective delegate counts there. Primary in Indiana: May 7 The Indiana Republican and Democratic parties each hold their primary elections the first Tuesday in May. President Joe Biden speaks during the First in the Nation Dinner and Celebration in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, Jan 27, 2024. Primaries in Nebraska, Maryland and West Virginia: May 14 Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia all hold their primaries May 14. Kentucky, Oregon primaries: May 21 Both Kentucky and Oregon hold their primaries May 21, as the primary season begins to draw to a close. The last state primaries held in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota: June 4 Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota will wrap up the 2024 primary season June 4, as the last states to hold primary elections. The Democratic primaries in Guam and the Virgin Islands will take place shortly after on June 8. Expect Trump to be named nominee at RNC convention: July 15 - 18 The Republican National Committee holds its convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where the national nominating convention will take place. This is where the party formally selects its nominee all but guaranteed to be Trump and adopts the party platform. Biden to become official nominee at DNC convention: August 19 - 22 The Democratic National Committee holds its convention in Chicago, where they will also nominate a presidential candidate and adopt the party platform. Biden is expected to be officially named the nominee at this time. Trump, Biden likely spar at first debate: September 16 The first presidential debate is set to take place at Texas State University in San Marco, Texas. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden appear in the first Presidential debate in the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion at the Cleveland Clinic, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland. Vice presidential candidates take the stage: September 25 The first and only vice presidential debate is scheduled to take place at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Harris is expected to be on stage then as Biden's running mate. Trump has not announced his pick for vice president yet. Second presidential debate set: October 1 The second presidential debate is scheduled to be held at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, a few hours from Washington and the White House. Presidential candidates debate one more time: October 9 The third and final presidential debate is scheduled to be held at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. (FILES) Fulton County election workers examine ballots while vote counting, at State Farm Arena on November 5, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. Donald Trump was indicted August 14, 2023 on charges of racketeering and a string of election crimes after a sprawling two-year probe into his efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden in the US state of Georgia, according to a court filing. The case -- relying on laws typically used to bring down mobsters -- is the fourth targeting the 77-year-old Republican this year and could lead to a watershed moment, the first televised trial of a former president in US history. (Photo by Tami Chappell / AFP) (Photo by TAMI CHAPPELL/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33R678U.jpg Election day: November 5 Voters head to the polls on Election Day. Electoral votes are certified in the states: December 17 Electors in each state vote for president and vice president where they sign, seal and certify six sets of electoral votes. Electoral votes in by: December 25 The deadline for when the President of the Senate the vice president and the Archivist must receive electoral votes. Votes counted, a president declared: January 6 A joint session of Congress meets to count the electoral votes. The vice president, in their role as President of the Senate, announces the results of the vote and declares which candidate has been elected president. A presidential and vice presidential candidate both need at least 270 electoral votes. Jan 20, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Donald Trump takes the oath of office,while standing with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, during the 2017 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY ORG XMIT: USATSI-357229 ORIG FILE ID: 20170120_mje_usa_141.jpg The next president sworn in: January 20 The 2024 presidential winner takes the oath of office and is sworn in on Inauguration Day. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election 2024 calendar: Important dates to watch ahead of Election Day Anglia Maynard hugs Christy Johnson, Switchpoint development director, in Maynards new apartment at Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. It was brisk in the courtyard of Harris Community Village in Tooele Wednesday, but the mood was light as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed nine pieces of legislation related to homelessness, mental health and Utahs system of homeless services. While lawmakers and elected officials gathered near the desk where Cox conducted a ceremonial bill signing, Kenna Morrison hung in the back taking it in. Those people are doing great things. It means a lot. It really does, said Morrison, who has been staying in the villages emergency homeless shelter for about 1 months after living in her car and homeless camps. Morrison, who grew up in Tooele, shares a dormitory with other women in the shelter, which is a repurposed elementary school built in the 1950s. Some of Morrisons childhood friends attended the school, she said. The 44-bed shelter has mens and womens dormitories and seven separate rooms for families. Its wonderful here. This is like the Ritz of the Ritz of homeless shelters. We have three meals a day. Weve got warm showers, warm beds. Everything is just nice, she said. Sixty-six units of permanent supportive housing have been constructed behind the school. The campus is owned by the Tooele County Housing Authority with Switchpoint contracted to provide services to men, women and families living in the shelter and apartments. Jenny Cerroni moved into one of the apartments this winter. She said she became homeless when she relapsed after 13 years of sobriety. Her life quickly unraveled and she ended up living in her car, or at times, couch surfing. Jenny Cerroni, who was previously homeless for around two years, grabs a drink for her friend in her new apartment at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. I lost everything, everything. When I walked in here I had two pairs of pants and probably three shirts and no underwear and about three pairs of socks, she said. Her apartment has a full kitchen, bedroom, dining room table and an in-unit washer and dryer. Look, my fridge is full of food, she said, pulling open the door, clearly delighted at the sight. The first time she walked into the apartment, she wept. I came in here and there was actually a bed and I cried, she said. After a long period of being unsheltered, Cerroni said she is grateful for the sense of security she now experiences. Shes working in Salt Lake City, and now that she has an apartment, her two grandchildren can come to visit. Its just nice, she said. The ceremonial bill signing lifted up a host of measures passed by state lawmakers during the Utah Legislatures 2024 General Session that addressed issues such as prohibiting camping and retooling the Utah Homelessness Council, which oversees the system of services. The previous board had 29 members. Cox said the state made real progress in filling gaps in the system with some historic funding investments for emergency shelters. Funding appropriated by the Utah Legislature leveraged some $15 million in private giving from the Utah Impact Partnership for a low-barrier shelter, which will extend the reach of Utahs services, he said. This is an incredible achievement, historic achievement, and will make a real difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable Utahns, as well as keeping our communities safe, he said. While there was cause for celebration on Wednesday, Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said there remains work to do to better serve people experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental illness. Eliason said he had just attended a meeting of The Road Homes board of directors, where he learned that 80 families are in shelter while 100 other families are on a waiting list. This has never happened before, he said. He thanked Cox for his leadership in requesting funds for the HOME Court Pilot Program, which will provide for comprehensive, court-supervised treatment and services for people in Salt Lake County with mental illness. When we have people who have been arrested over 300 times, somethings not working and this is an attempt to break that cycle, he said. Kenna Morrison, who has been homeless for around 14 years, plays with her friends puppy Phoenix in her friends new apartment at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Morrison is staying in a female dorm on the same campus while on a waitlist for an apartment. Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, tours a residents apartment at Harris Community Village with Christy Johnson, Switchpoint development director, and therapy dog Havoc in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Tooele City Mayor Debbie Winn speaks with Gov. Spencer Cox after Cox ceremonially signed bills focused on homelessness services at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Gov. Spencer Cox speaks before ceremonially signing bills focused on homelessness services at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Close friends Jenny Cerroni, right, and Kenna Morrison, who have both experienced homelessness for years, chat in Cerronis new apartment at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Morrison is staying in a female dorm on the same campus while on a waitlist for an apartment. Gov. Spencer Cox, legislators and community members pose for a photo after Cox ceremonially signed bills focused on homelessness services at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Gov. Spencer Cox ceremonially signs bills focused on homelessness services at the Harris Community Village in Tooele on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Ellis Island, first an immigration hub and now a historic archive, will now be transformed once again and its museum expanded to include millions more familial records, organizers announced Thursday. The Ellis Island National Immigration Museums database will more than double in size to include 154 million searchable documents from ports of entry from across the United States so millions more visitors can discover history like when members of their family arrived in the country and where they were headed. Its part of a complete renovation and expansion, kicking off in 2024, that will preserve the 125-year-old historic landmark and add multimedia exhibits, new public spaces and guided tours to the museum. The emotional journey of unearthing and connecting to family history has long been at the core of the Ellis Island experience, said a representative of the project, a collaboration between the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, National Park Service and Ellis Island. The expanded Records Discovery Center will allow millions more to participate in this genealogical exploration. In the new museum space, visitors will take a three-story journey through immigration before, during and after Ellis Islands operation from 1892 to 1954. The experience will include artifacts, maps, models, murals, films and mixed-media and temporary exhibitions. Self-guided tours for people of all ages will come included with visitors ferry tickets. The $100 million project is expected to be complete in 2026, organizers said. Ellis Island was the gateway to the American Dream for millions of immigrants in search of a better life in the United States for themselves and their descendants, said John Piltzecker, superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. And in the museums discovery center, soon to be larger with new exhibits and technology, visitors can leaf through millions of documents to find their family history. Ellis Island in 1892. (Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration) What can you find there? The Ellis Island Museum currently has over 65 million Port of New York arrival records from 1820 to 1957, which can include a persons name, age, date of arrival, ship name, birthplace, last residence and final destination. The archives also include lists of what was on ships arriving, detention records, images, and plane arrival information from the 1930s to 1950s which includes similar identifying information. The database is accessible online and at the Ellis Island Museum. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. FLOYD, Va. (WFXR) A beloved staple in Floyd is preparing to shut its doors for good. County Sales is an iconic spot for Bluegrass lovers not just in the region, but around the world. You know, its impact on the music community has been transformational. Its built a whole community of musicians and music lovers, said Dylan Locke, the director of the Handmade Music Store. Its preparing to say goodbye after nearly 60 years of connecting enthusiasts, musicians, and collectors alike. They opened this store, I immediately started coming over here. Finding all the hard-to-find bluegrass music they had, said Don Cox, an employee and long-time customer of the shop. Its a special place for those who like that type of music. What started in a basement, moved to a corner shop where bluegrass and old-time music fans could come together. Dave Freeman who founded the county sales way back in 1965 actually he is a hero to so many of us who love this music, said Locke. Ive always liked more oddball kind of things as opposed to like commercial music, Cox mentioned. Bluegrass and old-time music is a big part of it. ORIGNAL REPORTING: Historical Floyd record store permanently closing doors in April Not just a local music spot, County Sales has fans all over the world. We have customers in Japan, all of Europe really just all over the U.S., Locke explained. Word got around, they advertised in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine and all kinds of things over the years, said Cox. While it may be a goodbye to an icon, the music plays on. Weve moved into a new era of the way we consume music its free, said Locke. The music community is stronger than ever but they engage with the music and recordings in different ways now and we need to embrace that. The board of directors at Handmade Music School, which has run the store and not-for-profit for the past few years has voted to shut its doors on April 30. Theyre looking to find new homes for the music and made all inventory 30% off both in-store and online. Im grateful to all the customers and musicians for years and years of supporting County Sales, Lock said. Appreciate everyones generosity and understanding. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Twin ring-tailed lemurs, which are critically endangered, have been born at a Bridlington park. Owners of Bridlington Animal Park said Tuesday's births were the first of its kind at the Carnaby Covert Lane site. Curator and director Paul Woodward said it was a "very special" moment. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the animals as "critically endangered". Mr Woodward said the twins' arrival had come as a surprise as they were not expecting more than one baby. "We were made up and gobsmacked all in one really. "We were expecting one baby, not two and not a month early. So it's a big deal for us. "It's fantastic and we've got double the joy." He said the infant pair would be named as soon as their genders had been identified. The creatures were born to 12-year-old Karan, who is the oldest of eight lemurs at the park. She has been at the site since 2020 having arrived from another zoo, Mr Woodward said. "The mother is loving showing the babies off to the public. She's been brilliant," he added. According to the IUCN, 98% of lemur species are threatened with extinction, and 31% of species are critically endangered because their habitat has been converted for farming in their native Madagascar. A small animal, they will only be between 30cm and 40cm (11.8in to 15.7in) tall when fully grown. Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastyorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk Protestors rally against white supremacy and racism in 2017 in New York City. The rally was organized following clashes between white supremacists and counter-protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Heather Heyer was killed in Charlottesville when a car driven by a white supremacist barreled into a crowd of counter-protesters. I am the son of two Holocaust survivors. My parents immigrated here in 1950 with the help of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society. For 130 years, the society has been helping immigrants, both Jews and non-Jews, to start a new life in the United States. In 2023, the residents of Ward 1, in Enid, elected Judson "Judd" Blevins to be city commissioner. Whether they knew his background at that time is irrelevant. Everybody knows now. He was recalled, and there will be an election on April 2 for that seat. It has been reported he associates with white nationalist/white supremacist causes. He has never renounced or apologized for the beliefs of white nationalism/supremacy, including the belief that Aryans (a geographically and historically misplaced and misappropriated term for white people of European origin) are genetically superior to all other races. It is important to know how Blevins actions and beliefs have bearing on his role as a leader in Enid, and as a representative of that city to the rest of Oklahoma and the world. More: Enid city commissioner to face recall election after white nationalist allegations surface On the evening of Aug. 11, 2017, Blevins reportedly participated in a march with members of the alt-right who had gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia. They included members of the Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazis, other white supremacists and white nationalists, Christian identity members, and other racists and bigots from various organizations. As they marched through the campus of the University of Virginia carrying tiki torches, reminiscent of Nazis marching in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1935, they chanted Blood and Soil. This phrase, borrowed directly from Nazis before the Holocaust in a twisted form of devotion to their country, implies that their blood would be pure, not mixed with any other race, and they would work to purity the land and the people living there at the same time. In Europe in the 1940s, this led directly to the death of millions, including more than 6 million Jews. In addition, a torch-bearing Blevins allegedly was part of the white supremacists crowd that chanted, Jews will not replace us. This refers to the great replacement conspiracy theory that the Jews and others who support immigration bring as many non-white people as possible to replace the white people of America. Recent polls show that white nationalists believe this conspiracy theory, falsely, that rich Jewish philanthropists are funding this endeavor, and recent polls show that one in three Americans still believe this ridiculousness to be true. The next day in Charlottesville saw a clash with opponents of the alt-right, resulting in physical harm to many people. Counterprotester Heather Heyer, a young woman, was murdered by a white supremacist when his car ploughed into a crowd. Charlottesville, Virginia, on that day, did not have good people on both sides. What happened in Charlottesville leads directly to Pittsburgh. On Oct. 27, 2018, an antisemitic white supremacist walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue while Jews were praying, on Shabbat, and opened fire, murdering 11 people, including two Holocaust survivors, and wounding six others. The reason for his action is that he found out that this Synagogue worked closely with the Hebrew society to resettle immigrants in Pittsburgh. At his trial, the murderer said, I just had enough. Our world has too much hatred in it already, and white supremacists feel validated when leaders, privately or publicly, are known to share their racist views. More: An Oklahoma town has been struggling with voter apathy, white nationalism on a national stage Enid, your beautiful city will benefit from leaders who spread kindness, hope and support for those from different backgrounds, not from those who spread fear and lies based on white supremacy. Is a person who believes in those ideas the kind of person you want to represent you and your city to the world around you? Michael Korenblit Michael Korenblit is president of the Respect Diversity Foundation and author of "Until We Meet Again," the true story of his parents during the Holocaust. A version of this column was published in the Enid News & Eagle. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Enid commissioner facing recall vote tied to white nationalism A western lowland gorilla has been welcomed at London Zoo in the United Kingdom Richard Gardner/Shutterstock A baby gorilla is welcomed at London Zoo London Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a baby gorilla considered part of a critically endangered subspecies in a positive development. The western lowland gorilla was born at London Zoo in the United Kingdom to parents Mjukuu and Kiburi, joining two other siblings, the zoo announced in a press release. The sex of the baby has not been confirmed at this time. The new arrival marks a special moment as the subspecies has been left on the brink of extinction due to disease and poaching, according to the release. Primates Section manager Kathryn Sanders said of the happy arrival, We started our day as normal we gave the gorillas their breakfast and began our cleaning routines. When we returned to their back dens, we could see Mjukuu was starting to stretch and squat a sign that she was in labor." Richard Gardner/Shutterstock A critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo Related: Critically Endangered Orangutan Gives Birth at California Zoo See Her Adorable Baby! After a very quick labor just 17 minutes Mjukuu was spotted on camera tenderly holding her newborn and demonstrating her wonderful mothering instincts cleaning her infant and checking it over. In just 25 years, the number of western lowland gorillas has declined by over 60% however, this latest news provides hope for the species to grow again. The baby gorillas arrival was made possible under the international conservation breeding program for western lowland gorillas at London Zoo, which provides the preservation of a healthy population of the gorilla subspecies, per the release. Richard Gardner/Shutterstock ( A critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo Related: Playful Rhino Delights in Plowing Through Snow Piles at Iowa Zoo Watch! In November 2022, father Kiburi was transported to London Zoo from Tenerife as part of the breeding program that led to the conception of the new arrival. The infant will remain at the facility in close contact with the mother for six months following the birth. 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. To say were happy about this new arrival would be a huge understatement weve all been walking around grinning from ear to ear, Sanders said of the new addition. Well be giving mom and baby lots of time and space to get to know each other, and for the rest of the troop to get used to their new addition theyre as excited as we are and cant stop staring at the baby, she added. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A special district board selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis that oversees The Walt Disney Co.s Florida theme park properties settled its litigation with the company today. This deal in the long and bitter battle between the Mouse House and the failed GOP presidential contender comes just days before an hotly contested shareholder vote for Disney and CEO Bob Iger. The legal actions between Disney and DeSantis over the past year and a half had become quite personal, with Iger at one point chastising the Sunshine State governor for being anti-business. More from Deadline That seems to all be in the rear-view mirror now. We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement. This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the State. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Distruct approved the agreement in a meeting today. Read the Disney-DeSantis settlement agreement. The settlement does not apply to federal litigation that the company has against DeSantis over his move to strip the company of control of the theme park district. Disney has filed a notice of appeal after a federal judge tossed out the case, in which the company claims that DeSantis violated its First Amendment rights. DeSantis championed the effort to install his own members to the special district board after Disney came out against a parental rights bill, known by its detractors as the dont say gay law. As part of the settlement, Disney has agreed to set aside a set of development agreements it entered into with the special district in the final weeks before DeSantis allies took control. Those agreements, which ensured that the company would maintain considerable autonomy over its properties, will now be null and void. The DeSantis-selected district board had sued the company in state court to challenge their validity. Meanwhile, Disney has agreed to defer court briefing of its appeal as negotiations continue on a new development agreement between the company and the district board. Bryan Griffin, DeSantis communications director, said in a statement, We are glad that Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable. No corporation should be its own government. Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida. DeSantis and Disney CEO Bob Iger for a time engaged in a bitter public feud, one that even became a feature of the Florida governors presidential campaign. DeSantis had attacked the company as a woke corporation and at a campaign event last year said that the Mouse House had really embraced the idea of getting the sexualized content in the programming for the young kids, according to The New York Times. Iger called DeSantis attacks preposterous and inaccurate, and the company canceled plans to transfer about 2,000 employees and their families from California to a new Florida campus. DeSantis said later today that he was vindicated in the moves he made. I think that theres going to be ways where we can do things that are in the best interest of the state of Florida, and I think Disney can be a part of that. DeSantis scaled back his public attacks on Disney as his campaign dragged on and eventually faltered, while the company had a series of courtroom setbacks and a new battle on its hands. Thats why renewed peace in Southern Florida is a coup for Disney at a contentious time. It has been throwing the kitchen sink at Nelson Peltz to keep him off the board and this can bolster the companys case that its in good hands with Iger and the current set of directors. RELATED: Nelson Peltz Insists, Again, His Fight With Disney Is About The Board, Not Bob Iger But Its A Fine Line Peltzs Trian Partners has nominated the billionaire activist investor, along with former Disney executive Jay Rasulo, as directors in opposition to Disneys slate. Communications have been raining down upon shareholders as each side instructs, exhorts, warns and cajoles with the voting underway. The final tallies and the shape of Disneys board will be revealed April 3. RELATED: In Disney Proxy Battle, A Second Advisory Firm Backs Activist Investor Nelson Peltz Disney insists Peltz and Rasulo have nothing to offer strategically and would bring distraction and disruption to a board that is already firing ahead and tackling key issues from succession to streaming. The stock has risen. Trian has a litany of complaints about the company and the board, which it says badly needs accountability. Both sides have their backers. Peltzs candidacy has support from the biggest proxy advisory firm, ISS. Another big advisor, Glass Lewis, backed Disneys slate. These firms are influential since they recommend how shareholders should vote. Big names from George Lucas to Michael Eisner to Laurene Powell Jobs to Jamie Dimon have come out in support of Disney and Iger, along with family members of Walt Disney himself. Meanwhile, the source of the dispute, Floridas dont say gay law, no longer is the concern among its critics that it once was. Thats because DeSantis settled a lawsuit earlier this month that clarifies a narrower scope of the measure. Jill Goldsmith contributed to this report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four lung cancer, says the terminally ill should have the right to choose death - DAVE KING/VIACOM CBS Dame Esther Rantzen has praised historic legislation at Holyrood to legalise assisted dying, as a poll showed the change is backed by more than three-quarters of Scots. The broadcaster, who has stage four lung cancer and is considering travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death, said those who are terminally ill should have the right to choose. Dame Esther congratulated the Scottish Parliament, which will consider a private members bill from Liam McArthur, the Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, on Thursday, for prioritising the matter. A survey of 4,000 people, commissioned by campaign group Dignity in Dying, found 78 per cent support for allowing people to seek help ending their lives in Scotland. Only 15 per cent of Scots were opposed, according to the Opinium Research poll, with majority support found for the measure in every Holyrood constituency and region. Liam McArthur, the Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, signs a board at the Scottish Parliament during a previous attempt to pass assisted dying legislation in 2022 - KEN JACK/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE Mr McArthurs Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life. People would not be able to opt for the procedure for any other reason, and safeguards would include independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling off period. Doctors and others opposed to the procedure would be able to exempt themselves from being involved, and there would be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year. Two previous attempts at Holyrood to change the law on the issue were decisively defeated. But Mr McArthur claimed the overwhelming public backing in the country for the change was now being matched by the necessary political support, across all parties, to deliver this long overdue reform. Although Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, and Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, have expressed concerns about the change, MSPs are expected to be given a free vote on the Bill. Humza Yousaf, right, and Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, are both understood to have concerns about the legislation - PA IMAGES/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Dame Esther said: I want to congratulate the Scottish Parliament for prioritising this debate so that they can carefully consider this crucial issue and scrutinise this historic assisted dying Bill. I have received dozens of letters from people describing the agonising deaths of those they loved. This is literally a life and death issue, and I believe terminally ill patients like me need and deserve the right to choose this option if our lives become intolerable. We are failing terminally ill Scots Mr McArthur said: Currently in Scotland, assisted dying is illegal, a situation that I believe is failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life. It is leaving them facing traumatic deaths that impact not just them, but those that they leave behind. We can and must do better. That is why I am publishing my bill on assisted dying. He argued that similar laws had been safely introduced in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, and appealed to other MSPs to vote to give terminally ill adults the choice they need. The poll found backing for the change across the political spectrum, with support from 84 per cent of SNP voters, 79 per cent of Labour backers and 72 per cent of Tories. It found 75 per cent support among those who align themselves with the Church of Scotland or England, and 66 per cent of Catholics. More than half (55 per cent) said they would consider travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death if they were terminally ill, but a similar proportion said they could not afford it. Risk of a culture of death Care Not Killing, which opposes the Bill, said support falls below 50 per cent once the harms are presented. Dr Gordon Macdonald, the groups chief executive, said: The lack of effective safeguards has always been one of the key issues with assisted suicide and euthanasia. In countries which have legalised assisted suicide and euthanasia a culture of death becomes established. There are real risks to vulnerable people that they will be pressured to end their lives prematurely. The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, a charitable organisation composed of professionals from various disciplines associated with medical ethics, also expressed concerns. Dr Calum MacKellar, its director of research, said: The Scottish Parliament should reject the dangerous concept of a life unworthy of life associated to assisted suicide, which is a notion that should never be accepted in a civilised society. It is inevitable that assisted suicide would put the most vulnerable people in Scotland under pressure to end their lives because theyre afraid of being a burden. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The EU will not give Ukraine 5 billion euros The European Union has decided not to transfer EUR 5 billion ($5.4 billion) in investment profits from frozen Russian assets, Politico reported on March 27. Read also: Belgian PM supports EU proposal to allocate Ukraine billions from frozen Russian assets Reuters According to a statement by Euroclearthe EU securities depository that oversees Russias sovereign financial assets frozen after the invasion of Ukrainethe funds will be set aside as a precautionary measure against potential lawsuits from Moscow. We do not distribute these profits to shareholders and retain them until further guidance is provided, Euroclear said. The money will be used to cover the expenses, risks and losses incurred by central securities depositories due to the war in Ukraine, according to the report. As of February 2024, Russian organizations have filed 94 lawsuits against Euroclear, demanding the return of the funds. Read also: British PM urges seizure of frozen Russian assets Meanwhile, Ukraine's Justice Minister, Denys Maliuska, disagrees with Euroclears position. I never heard that 5 billion is a buffer for Euroclear, he told the journalists. Read also: Russia summons Swiss ambassador over countrys decision to support confiscation of Russian assets for reparations to Ukraine Its too big an amount of money to be a buffer. Ukrainian officials have also noted that Euroclear's direct damages from the war in Ukraine amount to only 34 million. At the same time, legal experts suggested that the retroactive confiscation of Russian profits could become a "legal minefield" for the EU. 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 By Emma Rumney LONDON (Reuters) - European governments are weighing the introduction of tougher rules on cigarette makers' new zero-tobacco heat sticks, moving to close the loopholes they were designed to exploit just months after their launch. Big tobacco companies including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco announced the launch of the sticks, made from nicotine-infused substances like rooibos tea, late last year as a way to counter an incoming European Union ban on flavoured heated tobacco products. The European Commission said it was currently evaluating EU tobacco laws and any changes would be subject to the findings of that effort, public consultation and an impact assessment. But, already, authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia are looking to introduce stronger regulations to govern the products, officials from the three countries told Reuters. In Latvia, a draft bill would classify the zero-tobacco sticks as tobacco substitutes and subject to related controls, as well as a ban on all flavours except for tobacco from 2025, a health ministry spokesperson said. "We plan to regulate them in future," a spokesperson for Croatia's health ministry agreed, adding they were addictive and had potential health risks. The person did not respond to requests for further information. Regulation of such products is also being discussed internally in Lithuania, but it was too early to say what was on the table, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said. German authorities, meanwhile, are in a dispute with some manufacturers over whether existing tobacco tax laws cover the new products, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Customs Authority. BAT said it supports the introduction of evidence-based regulation and appropriate excise taxes for its zero-tobacco sticks, adding 15 EU member states have already introduced excise duties. PMI also believes any nicotine-containing cigarette alternative should be regulated and taxed appropriately, a spokesperson said, adding however flavours play an important role in encouraging adult smokers to switch away from smoking. REGULATION RISKS Zero-tobacco sticks make only a tiny contribution to tobacco companies' revenues, which still overwhelmingly come from cigarettes. But they marked a significant strategic development that companies trumpeted to investors as examples of innovation that can help them operate within ever-stricter regulations targeting their other products. In some markets, the sticks have been growing fast. In Czechia and Romania, they already accounted for half of all sticks sold for BAT's heated tobacco device in December, with the figure at 30% in Germany and 19% in Greece. BAT, which had launched its product in 11 European markets as of February, plans to roll the sticks out globally. PMI's product is available in Czechia. It plans further market launches this year and is also set to launch more flavours, according to market intelligence firm NGP Trends, citing trademark applications by the company. A spokesperson for Czechia's health ministry said it wasn't currently preparing any regulation for zero-tobacco sticks. Romania's health ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Countries including Belgium, Slovenia, Switzerland and Poland are however also working on regulations or taxes for such products, according to analysts at market and regulatory research firm ECigIntelligence. The European Commission meanwhile will likely shut down loopholes bloc-wide when it next updates EU tobacco laws, said Malcolm Saxton, senior consultant for chemistry at regulatory consultancy Broughton, adding it is likely considering controls on flavours, marketing and more. To fend off regulations that could limit their products' appeal, tobacco companies would need to provide evidence the products play a role in reducing the harms of smoking and change the perception they exist only to circumvent regulation, he continued. BAT says data to date suggests that its product potentially has lower risk compared to cigarettes, but researchers have warned that the health effects of such products are unknown. (Reporting by Emma Rumney; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Sharon Singleton) Sam Bankman-Fried has been sentenced to 25 years for stealing billions of dollars from customers of his cryptocurrency exchange FTX. It's a spectacular downfall for Silicon Valley's dishevelled wunderkind, who rubbed elbows with celebrities like Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady. On 7 November 2022, as his empire began its dizzying, irrevocable collapse, Bankman-Fried did what he always did: he weighed the odds. Earlier that day, a rival executive had expressed concerns on social media about the finances of Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange, spooking customers into a multi-billion dollar bank run. In an online chat, Bankman-Fried consulted two of his top deputies. "To be clear you think the tweet is net bad?" he asked them. They considered their options. Was it possible that his rival would walk back the criticism? Was it probable that that would stem the bleeding? "Fairly unlikely," Bankman-Fried wrote. Bankman-Fried faces decades in prison after guilty verdict It was the kind of calculus Bankman-Fried had been making for years, the quick equations friends said he used in nearly every situation - mulling a break-up, assessing a risky trade. For a while, that approach seemed to work. As the boy-wonder of crypto, Bankman-Fried got rich faster than almost anyone in history, amassing an estimated $26bn in personal wealth, countless magazine covers and sweeping political influence. The flameout was even faster. The tweet was, as discussed, net bad. Billions gushed out of the platform in less than five days. When it was all over, more than $8bn in customer funds were missing and the company was bankrupt. Five weeks after that, prosecutors in Manhattan charged Bankman-Fried, who had already resigned, with several financial offences including wire fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud and money laundering. Over four weeks of trial, two contradictory stories emerged. In one, the former mogul was a brilliant but hapless savant, whose mistakes as CEO allowed for massive fraud to be carried out under his nose. In the other, supported by former members of his inner circle, Bankman-Fried syphoned billions of dollars of customer money, banking on the odds he'd never be caught. Both tellings reveal how tightly the fortunes of FTX were tied to the image of its founder, whose oddball magnetism drew former presidents, celebrities, and corporate titans into his orbit and his multi-billion dollar gamble. "Mostly I sleep on a beanbag," Mr Bankman-Fried once told his Twitter followers [Twitter] Bankman-Fried wasn't shy about it: he wanted to get rich. But, to hear him tell it, he wanted to make all those billions just to give them away. An overachieving child born to two overachieving parents, Bankman-Fried and his younger brother were taught at an early age about utilitarianism, a doctrine holding that the most ethical choice is the one that does the most good for the most people. As a student at MIT, Bankman-Fried went to a talk by Will MacAskill, a 25-year-old doctoral student at Oxford and founder of effective altruism, a utilitarian-tinged philosophy that uses maths to figure out how individuals can maximise their philanthropic impact. To do the most good, Mr MacAskill told him, Bankman-Fried could take his considerable intellect to lucrative Wall Street, and donate most of his salary to important causes. Bankman-Fried was sold. In 2014, he took his degree straight to Jane Street, a high-frequency trading firm, and reportedly gave away about half of his income to worthy causes. Three years later, Bankman-Fried found an industry that could make him even richer than typical trading: crypto. At the age of 25, he founded Alameda Research, a crypto investment firm, after noticing that prices of Bitcoin varied considerably in different countries. The arbitrage trading earned Alameda a reported $20m in just three weeks. In 2019, he founded FTX, then a Hong Kong-based crypto exchange for international investors. Like Elizabeth Holmes - another Silicon Valley billionaire whose star came crashing down - he was able to convince big name investors to lend the company not only cash, but credibility. Within months, daily trading volume on FTX had reached $300m. By 2021, he had debuted on the Forbes 400, the magazine's annual list of the richest Americans, with a fortune of $22.5bn. Some have attributed his remarkable success to an unusually high tolerance for risk, a willingness to chance devastating consequences for a big reward. "He would be happy to flip a coin, if it came up tails and the world was destroyed," his ex-girlfriend and former CEO of Alameda Research Caroline Ellison said at trial. "As long as if it came up heads the world would be more than twice as good." Bankman Fried once appeared on stage at a conference with former UK leader Tony Blair and former US President Bill Clinton [Trustnodes] According to internal accounts, life at FTX could sometimes resemble a grown-up maths camp, filled with a selection of brilliant misfits and led by the perpetually rumpled Bankman-Fried. "He was super disorganised, he was always in cargo shorts, he was always sloppy," a former FTX employee told the BBC. "He would walk around the office in bare feet." Those at the top were a tight-knit group who sometimes blindly listened to Sam, the employee said. "It could be cult-like." Natalie Tien, who handled public relations and Bankman-Fried's schedule at FTX for more than two years, said he was charismatic to the point that the company sometimes felt "toxic". "We just trusted him 100%," she told the BBC. "To a degree that we kind of worried [about] speaking up for ourselves." It wasn't only people inside the company that were enthralled. Appearing side-by-side with Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Gisele Bundchen and Katy Perry in shorts and ill-fitting T-shirts, he became an ambassador of sorts for the crypto industry as whole, just as it began to reach new heights. Part of the mystique was that Bankman-Fried seemed to eschew the level of luxury his earnings could have afforded. He didn't own a yacht, his defence attorneys said at trial. He drove a beat-up Toyota Corolla. Meanwhile, he testified before Congress arguing for more regulation of the crypto market, setting him apart from many of his peers. "In a weird way, he seemed kind of like the grown-up in the crypto world," said Zeke Faux, an investigative journalist and author of Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall. And, of course, there was his stated ultimate objective: Bankman-Fried was going to give it all away. "It was a great story, everybody loved it," said Mr Faux. "People loved it in Congress, the VCs loved it, the bankers loved it." "The problem with his story is that it was not true," he said. In September of 2022, the venture capital firm Sequoia Capital ran a breathless profile of Bankman-Fried in its magazine. At the time, FTX was valued at $32bn. In the since-deleted piece entitled FTX's SBF Has a Savior Complex, and Maybe You Should Too, author Adam Fisher described Bankman-Fried's efforts to maximise his wealth in order to maximise his impact on the world. It involved a risk, Fisher wrote. "But the math couldn't be clearer." "To do the most good for the world," he said, "SBF needed to find a path on which he'd be a coin toss away from going totally bust." A month-and-a-half later, industry news site CoinDesk published a bombshell report alleging that Alameda had over half its $15bn portfolio in FTT - the crypto token printed by FTX. The disclosure raised questions about the actual value of Alameda's holdings, and the apparent conflict of interest between Alameda and FTX - ostensibly independent companies. Then came that announcement on 6 November from industry rival, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, known as CZ, who said he would dump his own sizable stores of FTT. On 11 November, the implosion of FTX was complete, the story of crypto's prodigy gone with it. For some observers of the crypto boom, and Bankman-Fried's meteoric rise to power, the fall was not unexpected. In a now deleted post Sequoia Capital said Sam Bankman-Fried's 'intellect is as awesome as it is intimidating'. [Sequoia] As FTX rose to prominence, the actor Ben McKenzie, best known for his role on the television show the OC, emerged as one of the country's most vocal crypto sceptics. In July 2022, Bankman-Fried agreed to sit down for an interview with Mr McKenzie for a book the actor was writing, titled Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. In a cramped Manhattan hotel room, in an encounter that Mr McKenzie described as "probably the strangest hour of my life", Bankman-Fried tried to pitch the actor on crypto - and Sam Bankman-Fried - as a force for good in the world. "I think he marketed himself to me as a version of his public persona, which at the time was the California wunderkind, billionaire philanthropist," Mr McKenzie said. It was an image that even Mr McKenzie had bought into, to an extent, he said. Until they began talking, that is. "He had trouble just giving me straight answers to basic questions, one of which was, what does crypto currency do?" the actor said. Over four weeks of trial in Manhattan, Bankman-Fried's attorneys painted their client as a math nerd who was overwhelmed by his expanding empire. On the stand, now in a suit, with his hair cut short, Bankman-Fried directed some of the blame at Ms Ellison, who had pleaded guilty to fraud, for failing to "hedge" bets to better protect Alameda from a downturn in the market, as he had instructed her to do. The prosecution, in turn, painted Bankman-Fried as someone whose boundless aspiration went hand-in-hand with a hubris that led Bankman-Fried to play the odds with his company. "The defendant was gambling with customer money," prosecutor Nicolas Roos argued. Bankman-Fried's courtroom downfall was aided by former members of his inner circle, including Ms Ellison, who acted as chief executive of Alameda, as well as college roommates Adam Yedida and Gary Wang, and Nishad Singh, a childhood friend of Bankman-Fried's younger brother. His ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, was a key witness for the prosecution [Getty Images] They testified that while promising to safeguard customer funds and clean up the industry, Bankman-Fried was directing them to commit fraud, opening up a back door between Alameda and FTX so he could use FTX as a personal piggybank. The money fuelled his rise, as he splashed out on property, billions in investments and some $100m in political donations - not to mention helping to cover billions in debts owed by Alameda. His physical appearance, too, was contrived, Ms Ellison testified - his messy hair and cheap car deemed "better for his image", because it made him look more authentic than a typical trader. But that down-to-earth image belied his intense ambition, she said. "He thought there was a 5% chance he would become president someday," Ms Ellison said at trial. "Of the United States." While many have watched the trial as a sort of comeuppance, former FTX employee Natalie Tien has looked to it for closure, and is one of the few former employees to attend the trial regularly. On the one hand, it was a relief to realise that her own doubts and questions about some things - like extravagant spending on celebrity sponsorships - had been justified. The last time she communicated with her former boss, in December 2022, he had just been released on bail and sent her a music video of Eminem, rapping "Without Me" to celebrate. But the 33-year-old also felt some parts of the story - especially around his schedule and his use of private jets - were being taken "out of context". "He did lie and he took the money, yes, but I don't think it's because he was greedy," she said. "Because I actually saw him every day wearing crappy old T-shirts with no shoes and driving a shitty car." "It was not an act," she said. Bankman-Fried now faces up to 110 years in prison, and an indelible reputation as one of the greatest fraudsters in US history. Lawyers working on the bankruptcy case have said they have recovered more than $7bn in missing money. "I think it says more about us than it does about him," Mr McKenzie said. "He got so far, I think, in many ways because of his lineage, because he is the son of Stanford professors, because he did go to MIT, because he worked on Wall Street. The myth of Sam Bankman-Fried grew in relation to the myth of crypto itself, right?" Downfall of a Crypto King You can watch Panorama's The Downfall of the Crypto King on BBC iPlayer (UK only) With additional reporting from James Clayton Welcome back to Everythings Political, Capital Bs news, culture, and politics newsletter! Every Thursday, Ill take a look at recent stories that seem particularly noteworthy. Heres what Ive got for you this week. When the Anti-DEI Movement and Memory Politics Collide DEI advocates suffered a one-two punch over the past week. Punch one: Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a bill banning DEI programs at public schools and universities in the Yellowhammer State. Punch two: The U.S. House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, created in 2020 to build a more representative workforce, has closed after the passage of a government spending bill. Particularly concerning about the events is that theyre hardly surprising. Rather, theyre two more casualties of a nationwide assault on efforts that confront our racist history. Coincidentally, they arrive as the Equal Justice Initiative, also in Alabama, is heading in the opposite direction. This week, the nonprofit opened the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, which consists of first-person narratives and dozens of sculptures that offer visitors an unflinching look at the ongoing history of anti-Black violence. Hush-Money Woes Former President Donald Trumps legal drama feels like a never-ending movie filled with too many twists and turns. He was at a New York criminal court this week for a pretrial hearing in his criminal case involving a hush-money scheme. The judge denied Trumps request for a delay, setting the start of the trial for April 15 this will be the first such trial of a former president in U.S. history. (And separately, an appeals court lowered his bond in a civil fraud case from $464 million to $175 million.) As Marcia Chatelain, a professor of Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania, told me last year, the case against Trump is key in no small part because its a referendum on the criminal justice system Every day he reminds people that, in the U.S., if youre white and have money, you can insulate yourself from a lot of accountability, she said, also stressing his hypocrisy. Trump embraces a tough-on-crime approach to leadership and has a penchant for trying to strong-arm state authorities while expecting our institutions to grant him special privileges. Notably, this latest episode of Trumps legal drama comes as his supporters attempt to appeal to Black voters with a new radio ad in certain competitive states. But as my colleague Chauncey Alcorn and I reported, it hasnt had a significant impact. Tragedy and Uncertainty for Black Baltimore Im currently reading The White Bonus, a forthcoming book exploring how public policy decisions everything from redlining to the GI Bill to neighborhood funds have long awarded white Americans a, well, bonus that bolsters their economic and social status, while leaving Black Americans in the dust. I thought about this book while watching the recent news about Baltimore. After the collapse on Tuesday of the Francis Scott Key Bridge six workers are presumed dead my colleague Adam Mahoney spoke with Eric Johnson. The pastor drove across the bridge a mere three hours before the tragedy. Black residents say that the collapse fits into a far broader pattern of infrastructural challenges that disproportionately disadvantage their communities. And last week, Baltimore officials approved a program they believe will address the citys vacant housing crisis: You can buy certain city-owned properties for as little as $1 if you have a minimum of $90,000 for renovations. Almost immediately, however, the program received backlash from affordable housing advocates. Theyre worried that the program may further harm the majority-Black citys most vulnerable residents through gentrification and displacement. The Uncertain Future of Abortion Rights For many people, the U.S.s Handmaids Tale-like reality shows no signs of letting up. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case that could curb access to medication abortion across the U.S. even in states where abortion is legally protected and limit federal authority. While the justices appear likely to reject the challenge to medication abortion, observers caution against thinking that the issue is done and dusted. They underline that Republican-nominated justices and anti-abortion activists plan seems to be to revive the antiquated Comstock Act, a 151-year-old law that can be used to block abortion-related medications and materials across the country. This is the strategy. They dont need to win Congress, the New York University law professor Melissa Murray pointed out on X. They just need to win the presidency, and then the new DOJ can prioritize the enforcement of the Comstock Act. Thats all for this week. If you enjoyed the newsletter, be sure to tell a friend about it (they can sign up here). You can also use this form to let me know what topics or questions youd want to see covered here. Some of you have already shared ideas that will surface in future editions. Planning a trip to see the new sculpture park, Brandon Tensley, Capital B Politics Reporter The post Everythings Political, Including History appeared first on Capital B News. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has insisted that his decision not to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles has been aimed at preventing a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Source: Scholz in a comment for Markische Allgemeine Details: Scholz stated that as the head of government, he bears responsibility for matters of war and peace, particularly when it comes to security in Europe. Quote: "This also applies to the issue of Taurus. Alongside strong support for Ukraine, one thing remains important to me: we will do everything possible to prevent the escalation of war. In other words, [we will do everything] to prevent war between Russia and NATO." Scholz emphasised, "We will not send our soldiers to Ukraine, too". "And with every weapon delivery, we will carefully consider what it means in this context. That is why I made such a decision [regarding Taurus missiles]," the chancellor noted. Meanwhile, he pointed out that Germany supports Ukraine with weapons and ammunition "more than any other country in Europe". "We spend over 28 billion on this alone. More than many other countries together. And we will continue to do so as much as necessary," he said. Background: Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he received "irritated feedback" from Germany when Ukraine called on Berlin to provide long-range Taurus missiles. Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz publicly gave different reasons for why Germany has refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles from avoiding a possible escalation and involvement in the war with Russia to being concerned that the missiles would be used to strike Moscow. Media reports indicate that the key reason why Scholz is actively opposing the supply of Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine may be connected with the special features of the missiles targeting system. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) New York City is known for the subway, the Staten Island Ferry, horsedrawn carriages in Central Park. But for these ten days, it is all about the automobile. The New York International Auto Show has so much for visitors to see and do, with hundreds of cars from dozens of manufacturers. Some, like the Rolls Royces and Bentleys, are simply for admiring. But there are plenty of others you can experience for yourself. You cant test drive any cars yourself, but Hyundai will take you for a ride on its indoor EV track. Electric vehicles are the stars of this years show as the federal government looks to limit emissions. Polestar just unveiled its first coupe that has no back window, just a video screen that projects what a rear camera sees. While people are fawning over the EVs, there is still debate over what will power the cars of the future. Nik Miles, an auto industry expert, says, Americans are not all equal in their powertrain needs. So, there are electric cars, there are plug-in hybrids, and there are hybrids. Which one is right is purely a personal thing. The Auto Show is like an amusement park for car enthusiasts. The Jeep Experience includes a climb up ramp that goes 30 feet in the air. Volkswagen will let you get behind the wheel of a remote-controlled car on an isolated track. There are also plenty of cars that were once owned by celebrities like Princess Grace, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and Elvis Presley. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is even giving away some of his cars. The classic cars have all been modified to be environmentally friendly. The sweepstakes raises money for Downeys environmental charity. The New York International Auto Show is open to the public from March 29 April 7. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. By Alimat Aliyeva The armed forces of Taiwan recorded the appearance of 20 aircraft and 8 ships of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) near the island, Azernews reports, citing the defense ministry of Taiwan. The Taiwanese military noted that 14 PLA vehicles crossed the so-called middle line of the Taiwan Strait, which is considered a conditional demarcation line with mainland China on the island. Among them were J-16 fighter jets, Y-8 multirole aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of March, the Taiwanese army has recorded the appearance of 343 military aircraft and 186 Chinese ships near the island. Taiwan has been governed by its own administration since 1949, when the remnants of the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled there, having been defeated in the Chinese civil war. Beijing considers Taiwan to be one of the provinces of the People's Republic of China. The gunman accused of shooting an NYPD cop during a Queens car stop was charged with murder Thursday just hours before the start of Officer Jonathan Dillers wake, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. Guy Rivera, 34, was held without bail on first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting Diller and with attempted murder for trying to shoot Sgt. Sasha Rosen. Riveras gun jammed after he fired a single fatal shot and Rosen escaped unharmed. Dozens of cops packed the Queens courtroom where Rivera was arraigned via video from his Jamaica Hospital bed in Queens. Diller was shot Monday evening on Mott St. in Far Rockaway. Police said Rivera, spotted moments earlier by Rosen with a gun in his hoodie pocket, tried to prevent Diller from pulling him out of the Kia Soul he had just entered. Sgt. Rosen and officer Diller asked Rivera several times to roll down the window, prosecutors said. Once they got the door open, Rivera slowly removed his seatbelt before quickly reaching for his gun and blasting Diller. The bullet lodged in his hip, striking an artery and causing massive internal bleeding, prosecutors said. Another officer returned fire, hitting Rivera twice. During the struggle, he shot Diller, the bullet striking the cop beneath his bullet-resistant vest, according to cops. Diller died a short time later at Jamaica Hospital. RIvera was shot and wounded by another officer and is recovering. Lindy Jones, 41, who was in the drivers seat of the Soul, has been charged with gun possession. If convicted, Rivera faces a possible sentence of life without the possibility for parole. Valentino's new designer Alessandro Michele oversaw a major period of growth at Gucci, revitalising the brand known for its green and red stripe (Andreas SOLARO) Italian luxury fashion brand Valentino on Thursday named Alessandro Michele, the former high-flier at Gucci, as its new creative director. Speculation had been rife over where the 51-year-old designer would land after departing in November 2022 from Gucci, where he oversaw a period of strong growth. Last week, Valentino said its 25-year collaboration with creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli had ended, and on Monday it said it would cancel its upcoming Men's and Haute Couture fashion shows planned for June. Valentino, which is controlled by Qatar investment fund Mayhoola For Investments, was founded in Rome in 1960 by designer Valentino Garavani and his business and life partner Giancarlo Giammetti. Last year, French luxury group Kering paid 1.7 billion euros for a 30-percent stake, with an option to acquire all share capital. "Michele is an exceptional talent and his appointment underlines our great ambitions for Maison Valentino," Valentino Chairman Rachid Mohamed Rachid said in a statement. Francois-Henri Pinault, the chair and chief executive of Kering, said he looked forward to Michele's "passion, imagination and dedication at play in this new chapter for Valentino". At Gucci, Kering's flagship brand, Michele ushered in a wildly successful colourful and bohemian 1970s aesthetic to the brand with its world famous stripe logo in green and red. A darling of Hollywood, he dressed pop and film stars such as Harry Styles and Jared Leto while attracting new fans to the fashion house with collaborations with major brands like Adidas, Disney and X Box. Revenue nearly tripled under his watch, but sales flagged in his final few seasons. Gucci is still struggling, its sales having dropped six percent to 9.9 billion euros in 2023. ams/ar/ach A popular Mexican restaurant in Bell is facing financial hardship after a longtime manager embezzled more than $300,000, according to a report. Jorge A. Bejarano stole from La Casita Mexicana over the course of 12 years, nearly half of the restaurants existence, reports L.A. Taco. La Casita Mexicana has been featured on KTLA, including in 2022. It was a lesson learned the hard way on how just one employee can almost break an entire business, Martin del Campo told the outlet. Bejarano, who was like family to us, Del Campo said, was found out when La Casitas owners congratulated an employee on opening a bank account and starting direct deposit. That employee, however, had no bank account, according to Del Campo. That discovery set off a chain of findings that led to Bejarano, who had left the restaurant by 2021 to open his own business, Xochipilli Taco Bar in Van Nuys. However, Del Campo strongly believes he kept embezzling money until the following year, even after he was no longer employed at La Casita Mexicana, L.A. Taco reports. Bejarano was arrested on March 12, according to a press release from the Bell Police Department. Booking records indicate he is free on bond, and no court date information is available. While Del Campos pursuit of justice is ongoing, he has a warning for other restauranteurs. When you own a restaurant, its easy to lose yourself in perfecting a new dish or making sure a recipe is done correctly every single day, but this taught us that you have to be just as meticulous, if not more, about the administrative side as well, Del Campo told L.A. Taco. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. FILE - Attorney John Eastman, the architect of a legal strategy aimed at keeping former President Donald Trump in power, talks to reporters after a hearing in Los Angeles, June 20, 2023. A judge has recommended that conservative attorney Eastman lose his California law license over his efforts to keep Trump in power after the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) LOS ANGELES (AP) A judge has recommended that conservative attorney John Eastman lose his California law license over his efforts to keep former President Donald Trump in power after the 2020 election. Eastman, a former law school dean, faced 11 disciplinary charges in the state bar court stemming from his development of a legal strategy to have then-Vice President Mike Pence interfere with the certification of President Joe Bidens victory. State Bar Court of California Judge Yvette Roland's recommendation, issued Wednesday, now goes to the California Supreme Court for a final ruling on whether he should be disbarred. Eastman can appeal the top courts decision. Dr. Eastman maintains that his handling of the legal issues he was asked to assess after the November 2020 election was based on reliable legal precedent, prior presidential elections, research of constitutional text, and extensive scholarly material, Eastman's attorney, Randall Miller, said in a statement after the ruling. The process undertaken by Dr. Eastman in 2020 is the same process taken by lawyers every day and everywhere indeed, that is the essence of what lawyers do. The judge found Eastman liable for 10 of the 11 charges, including misleading courts, moral turpitude, making false statements and plotting with Trump to hinder the transfer of power. Eastman conspired with President Trump to obstruct a lawful function of the government of the United States; specifically, by conspiring to disrupt the electoral count on January 6, 2021, Roland wrote in her 128-page decision. The California State Bar is a regulatory agency and the only court system in the U.S. that is dedicated to attorney discipline. Eastman separately faces criminal charges in Georgia in the case accusing Trump and 18 allies of conspiring to overturn the Republican's loss in the state. Eastman, who has pleaded not guilty, has argued he was merely doing his job as Trump's attorney when he challenged the results of the 2020 election. He has denounced the case as targeting attorneys for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients. He's also one of the unnamed co-conspirators in the separate 2020 election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, but Eastman is not charged in the federal case. The State Bar of California alleged that Eastman violated the state's business and professions code by making false and misleading statements that constitute acts of moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption." In doing so, the agency says he violated this duty in furtherance of an attempt to usurp the will of the American people and overturn election results for the highest office in the land an egregious and unprecedented attack on our democracy. In her decision, Roland wrote: "In view of the circumstances surrounding Eastman's misconduct and balancing the aggravation and mitigation, the court recommends that Eastman be disbarred." Eastman was a close adviser to Trump in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He wrote a memo laying out a plan for Pence to reject legitimate electoral votes for Biden while presiding over the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 in order to keep Trump in the White House. Prosecutors seeking to strip Eastman of his law license depicted him as a Trump enabler who fabricated a baseless theory and made false claims of fraud in hopes of overturning the results of the election. Eastmans attorney countered that his client never intended to steal the election but was considering ways to delay electoral vote counting so states could investigate allegations of voting improprieties. Trumps claims of fraud were roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed. The judge wasn't persuaded by Eastman's claim that his actions amounted to no more than a dedicated representation of Trump. It is true that an attorney has a duty to engage in zealous advocacy on behalf of a client, Roland wrote. However, Eastmans inaccurate assertions were lies that cannot be justified as zealous advocacy. Eastman failed to uphold his primary duty of honesty and breached his ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to bolster his legal arguments. Finally, the court notes that acts of moral turpitude are a departure from professional norms and are unequivocally outside the realm of protection afforded by the First Amendment and the obligation of vigorous advocacy. Roland did agree with Eastman's attorney on one of the 11 counts. The judge found Eastmans remarks to a rally in Washington on Jan. 6 did not contribute to the subsequent assault on the Capitol. Eastman will be placed on involuntary inactive status within three days of the judge's order, which means he cannot practice law in California while the Supreme Court considers the case, the state bar said. The States United Democracy Center, which filed an early ethics complaint against Eastman, cheered the judge's decision. This is a crucial victory in the effort to hold accountable those who tried to overturn the 2020 election. After hearing from almost two dozen witnesses over a 35-day trial, the court found that John Eastman violated his ethical duties to uphold the constitution," said Christine P. Sun, a senior vice president for the nonprofit. This decision sends an unmistakable message: No one is above the law not presidents, and not their lawyers. Eastman has been a member of the California Bar since 1997, according to its website. He was a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and a founding director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, a law firm affiliated with the Claremont Institute. He ran for California attorney general in 2010, finishing second in the Republican primary. Eastman was dean of Chapman University law school in Southern California from 2007 to 2010 and was a professor at the school when he retired in 2021 after more than 160 faculty members signed a letter calling for the university to take action against him. A judge on Wednesday recommended John Eastmana now-infamous former lawyer for Donald Trump during the chaotic final days of his presidential termbe disbarred in California, the result of a case centered around his desperate attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Trumps favor. Eastmans wrongdoing constitutes exceptionally serious ethical violations warranting severe professional discipline, the court states in its decision. Eastman, 63, can no longer practice law in California, unless he wins an appeal. The decision from Judge Yvette Roland means his law license will now be deemed inactive until a decision on whether he will appeal or not. The move to an inactive status comes into effect three calendar days after the order is served. Absent a challenge, the recommendation goes to the California Supreme Court for review, the State Bar of California said. On Wednesday night, a lawyer for Eastman confirmed his plans to appeal, which means the case will go before a panel of judges before making its way to the state Supreme Court. His law license will remain inactive during the appeals process. In a statement, Eastmans attorney, Randall Miller, told The Daily Beast that his client maintains that his handling of the legal issues he was asked to assess after November 2020 election was based on reliable legal precedent, prior presidential elections, research of constitutional text, and extensive scholarly material. John Eastmans Lawyer Tells CNN Hes Too Religious to Flip on Trump The process undertaken by Dr. Eastman in 2020 is the same process taken by lawyers every day and everywhereindeed, that is the essence of what lawyers do, the statement continued, noting Eastman also faces criminal charges in Georgia alongside Trump and will continue to plead his innocence. Any reasonable person can see the inherent unfairness of prohibiting a presumed-innocent defendant from being able to earn the funds needed to pay for the enormous expenses required to defend himself, in the profession in which he has long been licensed, Miller said. That is not justice and serves no legitimate purpose to protect the public. Defending the win in court, Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona said in a statement after the ruling that, Every California attorney has the duty to uphold the constitution and the rule of law. Mr. Eastman repeatedly violated that duty. Worse, he did so in a way that threatened the fundamental principles of our democracy. The substantial evidence presented over 35 days of trial showed, and the court has now held, that Mr. Eastman abandoned his ethical and legal duties as an attorney to conspire with then-President Donald Trump to develop and implement a strategy to obstruct the counting of electoral votes on January 6, 2021, and illegally disrupt the peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Joseph Biden, knowing that there was no good faith theory or argument to lawfully reject the electoral votes of any state or delay the January 6 electoral count. Mr. Eastmans efforts failed only because our democratic institutions and those committed to upholding them held strong. The harm caused by Mr. Eastmans abandonment of his duties as a lawyer, and the threat his actions posed to our democracy, more than warrant his disbarment. The #StateBarCA Court recommends disbarment of licensee John Charles Eastman. He will be placed on involuntary inactive status in the coming days while the California Supreme Court reviews the matter. Read News Release: https://t.co/JvcMPNpy9T pic.twitter.com/VN9akWNNt9 State Bar of California (@StateBarCA) March 28, 2024 The ruling came four months after a judge in the California State Bar Court found Eastman culpable for moral and legal violations that stemmed from his work for Trump. Eastman was the author of a so-called coup memo, which laid out a long-shot plot explaining how, despite soundly losing to Biden in 2020, Trump could remain in office. That memo leaned hard on the fringe legal theory that Mike Pence, then the vice president, had the unilateral authority to reject certified state electors and send the matter back to Republican-led state legislatures, who would then throw the election to Trump. The questionable legal theory sparked a firestorm among Trumps die-hard supporters, who then put pressure on Pence to ignore the will of the people and nullify the election. Pence refused to do soan act thats been cited as a key reason Trump supporters raided the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Judge Shuts Down Trump Coup Memo Scribe John Eastmans Expert Witness Eastman has since been indicted alongside Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, on charges related to his attempts to alter election results. In the aftermath of that indictment, Eastman decried that Trumps lawyers were being unfairly targeted for their role in trying to overturn the election. In a statement, he said last August that he surrendered to Georgia authorities for an indictment that should never have been brought. The statement claimed that prosecutors were targeting attorneys for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients, adding that he felt it was his duty as a lawyer to find a solution for Trump when he inquired. More recently, Eastman claimed this week that the effort to debar him was an act of pure evil being carried out by people who want the U.S. to fail. He then portrayed himself as a biblical warrior who must constantly summon the strength to fight against that evil. Our country is on a precipice of losing our freedoms, he said this week, according to Flux. And for whatever reason, Ive been cast in the forefront of this battle. Im on the battle lines, Im on the ramparts. And I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to be in the front of this fight for freedom, and fighting against tyranny. And I will do, I will engage in that fight with every fiber of my being as long as Im able. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. By Michael Martina, Michael Erman and Karen Freifeld (Reuters) -U.S. intelligence officials in late February told senators working on a biotech security bill that Chinese pharmaceutical firm WuXi AppTec had transferred U.S. intellectual property to Beijing without consent, according to two sources. The U.S. government is concerned that certain Chinese biotech companies are contributing technology or research and development for use by China's military, and the proposed legislation would restrict U.S. government funds going to those Chinese companies. The classified briefing to about a dozen senators was led by the FBI, the State Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Those officials said that WuXi AppTec and other Chinese entities had engaged in activity in the U.S. contrary to U.S. national security interests, the sources said on condition of anonymity. Among the agencies' concerns was information reflected in recent intelligence reporting that WuXi AppTec transferred a U.S. client's intellectual property to Chinese authorities without consent, the two sources said. The sources did not reveal the name of the client or the nature of the information due to the sensitivity of the classified material. They declined to comment further on the briefing's contents. A WuXi AppTec spokesperson said: "We are not aware of any unauthorized transfers by WuXi AppTec of any U.S. client's data or intellectual property to China. Safeguarding our customers' information is of the utmost importance to us, and we store it in keeping with their direction." WuXi AppTec "respects and fully complies" with the requirements of U.S. federal and state authorities, the spokesperson said. The FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the State Department declined to comment. China's embassy in Washington said Congress' claims that WuXi AppTec posed a national security threat were unwarranted. "If anyone believes that WuXi AppTec or its related companies have violated laws regarding intellectual property rights, they should provide convincing evidence to support their claims," the embassy said. After the Reuters story was published, Hong Kong listed Wuxi shares pared earlier gains of nearly 5% to trade 1% higher, while Shanghai-listed shares were up 0.4%. The briefing came as the Senate's homeland security committee was considering the proposed Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act of 2024 that could restrict business with Chinese biotech companies on national security grounds. A committee aide for Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who heads the bipartisan homeland security committee, confirmed to Reuters that lawmakers received a recent briefing "to discuss the underlying biosecurity threats that the bill is trying to address so that members were well informed." On March 6, the committee approved the legislation, which could be considered by the broader Senate. The offices of the other seven Democratic and seven Republican senators on the committee declined to comment or did not respond to Reuters about the briefing. A similar bill introduced in the House alleged that WuXi AppTec and certain other Chinese companies have links to China's military, allegations the company has also rejected. The Chinese companies have said the legislation contains false, misleading and unfounded allegations. WuXi AppTec's services range from conducting research and development to making pharmaceutical raw materials and manufacturing drugs. Its customers include large pharmaceutical companies and small biotech firms. About two-thirds of its sales last year came from the U.S. The company's revenue has more than quadrupled from 2018 to 40.3 billion yuan ($5.6 billion) in 2023. News about the bills has driven WuXi AppTec's shares down about 36% in Shanghai and about 54% in Hong Kong this year. 'BIOSECURITY THREATS' The February briefing occurred days before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs voted to advance the proposed bill. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, which lobbies for companies in the sector, initially opposed the inclusion in the legislation of WuXi AppTec and others. But by mid-March, under pressure from U.S. lawmakers, BIO reversed its opposition to the bill, citing U.S. national security, and said its member WuXi AppTec had ended its ties to the lobby group. Around the same time as the briefing, the Biden administration unveiled an executive order barring genomic and other data transfers to China over national security concerns. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned in its annual threat assessment in February that Beijing was trying to fast track its science and technology development through IP theft and other means for economic and military advantage. BIO'S TURNABOUT After the briefing, legislators or staff from both political parties told BIO that they had received concerning information about WuXi AppTec's relationship with the Chinese government, according to two additional sources. The substance of that information was not conveyed, the sources said. But one of the people said U.S. lawmakers' concerns, as well as new direction from BIO's recently appointed chief executive, John Crowley, helped spur the group to part ways with WuXi AppTec. BIO had backed the company as recently as February, when then BIO CEO Rachel King wrote a letter to the Senate homeland security committee urging it to reconsider the proposed legislation. A week after Crowley took over as CEO, BIO withdrew its support for WuXi AppTec and endorsed biosecurity legislation. Crowley described BIO's turnabout to Reuters as "an evolution" and said the group wanted to work with lawmakers on legislation and to bring biomanufacturing back to the United States. The Senate committee's vote on the bill and public pressure from the sponsor of the House version, Representative Mike Gallagher, were among the factors behind the decision, Crowley said. "We can't let China be the biotech center of excellence," he said. (Reporting by Michael Martina in Washington, and Michael Erman and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Caroline Humer, Matthew Lewis, Daniel Wallis and Lisa Shumaker) The expansion of a huge Porsche test track in southern Italy has been halted for the time being by the authorities in the region of Apulia, following protests by environmentalists. Activists recently collected around 40,000 signatures to oppose the plans of the German car manufacturer. The president of the region has now decided to suspend the agreement on the project at the test site, according to a statement issued on Wednesday evening. "The region is once again showing that it wants to reconcile the public interest underlying the realization of the project with environmental protection," said Michele Emiliano, according to the statement. In agreement with the Ministry of the Environment in Rome, the region had taken a decision to reconsider some aspects of the procedure. Porsche has taken note of the Puglia region's decision, a spokesman said on Thursday. "We are open to further dialogue with all parties involved in the development plan and the public." The company insisted that its aims had not changed. "We want to ensure the future viability of the Nardo Technical Centre and strengthen its role as an important employer and economic factor in the region," the spokesman continued. Porsche operates one of the most modern test centres in the world not far from the town of Nardo, just a few kilometres from the Gulf of Taranto. The Nardo Technical Centre includes a circular test track with a length of 12.6 kilometres and a diameter of around 4 kilometres. The site also has other vehicle test tracks. Porsche says it intends to spend around 450 million ($486 milion) on the expansion of the facility. However, environmentalists complain that a huge area of countryside, including parts of a forest, will have to be sacrificed for the project. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups may organize a terrorist attack in Kyiv Kramarov Kyiv authoritues issued warnings about a possible spike in Russian missile assaults and potential infiltration by enemy reconnaissance and sabotage teams. Andriy Kramarov, a Ukrainian military expert and reserve officer, discussed the rising threat level with Radio NV. Security concerns have led to enhanced safety protocols impacting public gatherings and transportation in Ukraine's capital. Kramarov pointed to recent developments in Russia, including terrorist attacks and accusations from Russian officials blaming Ukraine, suggesting that Moscow might be planning retaliatory actions. But in reality, it will be an unjustified act of terrorism," Kramarov said. Kramarov highlighted a surge in missile strikes on Ukrainian cities like Odesa, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, noting a shift toward more audacious targets aimed at civilians and critical infrastructure. The rhetoric from Russian propagandists, calling for the "complete destruction" of key Ukrainian cities, adds to the alarm. Despite a temporary decrease in the intensity of hostilities on the front line, Kramarov believes that the combination of these factors points to an increased threat. "There is a possibility of a sabotage and reconnaissance group actions," Kramarov said. "Now it may come with a direct task - to organize not even a sabotage, but a terrorist attack... We must expect and understand the tightening of security measures that may now be introduced in the capital." Read also: Why Russia is trying to blame Ukraine for Crocus City Hall attack: expert opinion Several terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons on attendees at a concert hall at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow suburb of Krasnogorsk, where the band Piknik was set to perform. Russia claimed it detained those involved in the shooting and that the FSB had found a "Ukrainian trace" in the incident, alleging that the suspects were heading to cross the border into Ukraine, where they supposedly had contacts. This narrative has been pushed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian propaganda. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and Presidential Office have categorically denied Russian officials' accusations of Ukraine's involvement in the Crocus City Hall shooting. ISIS claimed responsibility on March 23, releasing photos of the suspects detained by the Russian FSB earlier. ISIS later released a video shot by the terrorists in Crocus City Hall. There is zero evidence tying Ukraine to the attack in Crocus City Hall near Moscow, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on March 25. Kremlin officials have no confirmation of Ukraine's involvement, but Putin continues to blame Ukraine. Read also: Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine An explosion was heard in Odesa as the city was under air raid alert on March 28 due to another Russian rocket threat, local Telegram channels reported. The Ukrainian Air Force reported a rocket moving toward Odesa Oblast, with Regional Military Administration head, Oleh Kiper, calling on residents to head to their shelters. Russians fired rockets at the city, Kiper said later. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties. Russians hit southern Odesa Oblast with Kh-22 missiles from Tu-22M3 aircraft at night, and then fired an anti-radar missile from a Su-30 aircraft, but the missiles lost their combat capability over the sea, he also noted. Read also: The aggressors attacked Odesa with Shahed drones later at night, with Ukraines Air Force destroying at least two. 10 people were injured, and two buildings were destroyed after explosions rang out in Odesa on March 25. A recreation area in the city was hit by two ballistic missiles, with several other buildings seeing windows shattered in the blast waves. 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 F1 owners Liberty Media are reportedly closing in on a 3.5bn (4bn) deal to buy Dorna Sports the company which owns the motorcycle world championship series MotoGP. American sports conglomerate Liberty have, according to the Financial Times, seen off rival bids from William Morris Endeavor the agency which owns the UFC and sport and entertainment group TKO. Qatar Sports Investments, the state group that owns Paris Saint-Germain, also held talks with Dornas owner Bridgepoint, the private equity firm, but look to have missed out. As well as MotoGP, Madrid-based Dorna Sports promotes the superbike world championship and electric biking series MotoE. Liberty took over F1 from private equity firm CVC Capital in an $8bn deal seven years ago, in a deal which saw the end of Bernie Ecclestones 40-year reign over the sport. The FT added that an agreement between Liberty and Dorna is close, with an announcement potentially as early as next week, in what would represent a historic deal with the worlds premier car and motorcycle series under one umbrella. Liberty Media chief executive Greg Maffei is eyeing a deal to buy Dorna Sports (Getty Images) MotoGP is motorcyclings premier competition worldwide (Getty Images) However, any deal would be subject to scrutinous regulatory checks. Liberty, led by chief executive Greg Maffei and chairman John C. Malone, have grown Formula 1 to mesmeric levels worldwide, as illustrated by a record 24-race season this year. This expansion includes three races in the United States, with Las Vegas and Miami joining Austin in hosting a race, with the sports huge surge in popularity stateside largely a result of the popular docu-series Drive to Survive on Netflix. F1s operating profit increased by 64% to $392million in 2023 from 12 months earlier, as revenues surged to $3.2bn an increase of $700m. Claim: Google "changed its definition" of "bloodbath" to push an anti-Donald Trump agenda after he uttered the word at a campaign rally on March 16, 2024. Rating: Rating: False On March 16, 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump said: "Now, if I don't get elected, it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole that's gonna be the least of it. It's going to be a bloodbath for the country." His remark at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, sparked controversy on social media. As Snopes reported on March 17, 2024, its context suggested Trump was predicting an "economic bloodbath" for the country, not a literal one, if he loses the 2024 presidential election. Five days later, on March 21, 2024, a rumor went viral on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Google intentionally changed "its definition" of "bloodbath" to push an anti-Trump narrative. This claim is not only false, as we'll demonstrate below, but based on a complete ignorance of how the search engine's "dictionary boxes" work. But that didn't keep the rumor from going viral. "HOLY S***. Google just quietly changed its search results for 'bloodbath definition'," the most viral post on the topic read, reaching over 35 million views as of this writing. The post featured a collage of two screenshots supposedly proving Google tampered with the search results for "bloodbath" between March 17, 2024, and March 21, 2024. (X user @EndWokeness) "Definition changed from how it was 4 days ago. Changed to remove the financial example, to ensure Trump's speech can always be taken out of context. Re-writing the meaning of words in real time," one Reddit user commented. Even Elon Musk, the owner of X, went all-in on the conspiracy theory. "Google is deeply infected with the woke mind virus" Musk wrote in an X repost of the above-mentioned collage to his 178 million followers. How 'Dictionary Boxes' on Google Really Work According to a Google Search Help article titled "Dictionary boxes on Google," these so-called "dictionary boxes" display definitions from third-party sources. It emphasized that "Google doesn't create, write, or modify definitions" and "dictionary results don't reflect the opinions of Google" (emphasis ours): When you search on Google, you might find dictionary boxes if our systems decide it would be useful and relevant. Dictionary boxes show definitions from third-party expert sources and might include related images, pronunciations, translations, and other information. Tip: You're likely to get a Dictionary result when you start your search with "Define" or "What's the meaning of." Where info in Dictionary boxes comes from Important: Dictionary boxes always include definitions but might not include all other features. Definitions Google doesn't create, write, or modify definitions. Dictionary results don't reflect the opinions of Google. We license definitions, which include examples, similar and opposite words, and origins, from third-party experts who compile dictionaries. Tip: At the top of a Dictionary box, you can usually find the provider of the definition. We reached out to Google directly to ask for its response to the claim that the definitions were purposely changed. "This allegation is categorically false," a spokesperson told us. "These definitions come from dictionaries, not from Google. We don't create, write, or modify definitions, and we don't manually decide which results appear. Both of these definitions have shown up for this search and related searches in recent days. " This confirms what various social media users had pointed out: The viral image didn't show an individual dictionary entry that had changed; it showed definitions from two different sources, Dictionary.com website and Oxford Languages (see image below). (X user @EndWokeness) When we took a closer look at the viral image, we noticed the two screenshots were significantly different. The first one showed an "About featured snippets" caption, while the second one showed a "Dictionary, Definitions from Oxford Languages" legend. When we clicked on the "Oxford Languages" button, it redirected us to an Oxford Languages article, informing that "Google's English dictionary is provided by Oxford Languages." (X user @EndWokeness) The first screenshot, allegedly captured on March 17, 2024, informed the displayed search result was a "featured snippet." A Google Search Help article with the title "How Google's featured snippets work" said that "Google's search results sometimes show listings where the snippet describing a page comes before a link to a page, not after as with our standard format. Results displayed this way are called 'featured snippets.'" It continued (emphasis ours): You might find featured snippets on their own within overall search results, within the "People also ask" section, or along with Knowledge Graph information. We display featured snippets when our systems determine this format will help people more easily discover what they're seeking, both from the description about the page and when they click on the link to read the page itself. They're especially helpful for those on mobile or searching by voice. Featured snippets commonly contain one listing, but more than one may appear. How featured snippets are chosen Featured snippets come from web search listings. Google's automated systems determine whether a page would make a good featured snippet to highlight for a specific search request. Your feedback helps us improve our search algorithms and the quality of your search results. Ultimately, Google search results are based on many factors, such as one's location or the phrasing of the query, which might cause differences in the search results over time: To give you the most useful information, Search algorithms look at many factors and signals, including the words of your query, relevance and usability of pages, expertise of sources, and your location and settings. The weight applied to each factor varies depending on the nature of your query. For example, the freshness of the content plays a bigger role in answering queries about current news topics than it does about dictionary definitions. We have fact-checked other Google-related rumors before. For instance, in June 2023, we investigated whether Google Maps was adding a feature that would allow drivers to challenge each other to a race. In January 2023, we debunked a false claim that a Google product designed to compete with Apple's AirTag and Samsung's SmartTag was named the "G-Spot." Sources: Emery, David. "Did Trump Say It Will Be a 'Bloodbath for the Country' If He Doesn't Get Elected?" Snopes, 17 Mar. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-bloodbath-for-country/. How Google's Featured Snippets Work - Google Search Help. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9351707?hl=en. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024. Learn about Dictionary Boxes on Google - Google Search Help. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/10106608. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024. "Ranking Results How Google Search Works." Google Search - Discover How Google Search Works, https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/how-search-works/ranking-results/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024. "---." Google Search - Discover How Google Search Works, https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/how-search-works/ranking-results/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024. Kasprak, Alex. "Is Google Maps Adding Feature That Lets Drivers Challenge Each Other To a Race?" Snopes, 21 June 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/google-maps-request-to-race-drivers/. ---. "Is Google's 'G-Spot' a Real Product?" Snopes, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/google-g-spot/. Claim: Social media users correctly stated KitKat was selling chocolate Ramadan characters during Easter 2024. Rating: Rating: True Context: KitKat was selling boxes of chocolate Ramadan characters in Australia. However, the products were not on sale in the U.K., as some social media users claimed. In March 2024, some social media users complained after learning KitKat was supposedly selling chocolate Ramadan characters during the Easter period. A photo of the alleged candy circulated online alongside calls to boycott KitKat and its parent company, Nestle. Some people were furious KitKat and Nestle included Ramadan, an Islamic holy month, on the packaging instead of Easter, a holy Christian celebration (Ramadan ran from early March to early April in 2024, while Easter fell on March 31.) On March 25, 2024, numerous X (formerly Twitter) accounts asked whether the product was legitimate. One wrote: "Is this real? They've removed the word Easter from eggs but push this." (X account @RayMairead) A similar post about the Ramadan chocolates appeared on TikTok, while some Facebook and X users linked the product to the U.K. Together, the posts had amassed hundreds of thousands of views and interactions at the time of this writing. Although we could not confirm who took the photo in the social media posts or when it was taken, the candy treats were a legitimate product sold in Australia, Snopes found, which is why we rated this claim "True." The chocolates were on sale on KitKat's Australian website for AU$10 at the time of this writing (archived here), and the image in the social media posts showed a KitKat box with Australia's Health Star Rating labeling system at the bottom. Snopes also found evidence the Ramadan characters were once sold in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, as stated in a Nestle news release published on April 13, 2021. However, KitKat's Arabian website did not make it clear whether the candies were still on sale in the region at the time of this writing. KitKat's U.K. website did not contain the chocolates, and a Google search produced no evidence of them being sold among the country's major supermarkets. Snopes also debunked claims Cadbury renamed its chocolate Easter eggs "gesture eggs" in March 2024. Sources: Health Star Rating. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. www.healthstarrating.gov.au, http://www.healthstarrating.gov.au. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024. KitKat Ramadan Gift Box 18 Pieces. https://www.kitkat.com.au/ramadan-gift. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024. Kitkat Ramadan Icons | KitKat. https://www.kitkatarabia.com/products/kitkat-ramadan-icons. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024. Launching KitKat "ICON" to Celebrate Ramadan | Nestle MENA. 13 Apr. 2021, https://www.nestle-mena.com/en/media/pr/kitkat-icon-celebrate-spirit-ramadan. https://www.kitkat.co.uk/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024 Claim: The $1.2 trillion spending bill signed into law by Biden on March 23, 2024, included a provision that effectively banned the flying of pride flags over U.S. embassies. Rating: Rating: True When the $1.2 trillion spending bill preventing a government shutdown arrived on U.S. President Joe Biden's desk, it was already after the midnight deadline on March 23, 2024, so he signed it without delay. On the 1,000th page of the 1,012-page bill, however, a clause listed the different flags permitted to be flown "over a facility of the United States Department of State." LGBTQ+ pride flags were not on the list: (b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 20 made available by this Act may be obligated or expended to fly or display a flag over a facility of the United States 22 Department of State other than the (1) United States flag; (2) Foreign Service flag pursuant to 2 FAM 154.21; (3) POW/MIA flag; (4) Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag, pursuant to section 904 of title 36, United States Code; (5) flag of a State, insular area, or the District of Columbia at domestic locations; (6) flag of an Indian Tribal government; (7) official branded flag of a United States agency; or (8) sovereign flag of other countries. This clause's immediate effect is to effectively ban pride flags at U.S. embassies. The news was shared across the spectrum of political bias, from the (right-leaning) New York Post to the (left-leaning) Daily Beast. Pride flags banned at all US embassies under $1.2T spending bill https://t.co/g8MPbaK8dK pic.twitter.com/fD6QRXgms8 New York Post (@nypost) March 24, 2024 According to a White House spokesperson who talked to Bloomberg, the Biden administration thought the exclusion of pride flags "abuse[d] the process that was essential to keep the government open" and unfairly targeted LGBTQ+ Americans. The spokesperson added that the administration will fight to repeal the policy. The spokesperson claimed that the administration had shot down more than 50 other potential policies attached to the bill "attacking the LBGTQI+ community," according to CNN. That same report claimed that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, called the policy's inclusion a victory in a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers on March 20. The House of Representatives passed the bill about 13 hours before the final deadline by a margin of 286-134. One hundred twelve Republicans and 22 Democrats voted against the bill before it headed to the Senate. There, the bill passed 74-24 just after the midnight deadline. One Democrat, 22 Republicans and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders voted against the spending bill. Two Republicans did not vote. But the conversation about the flag provision present in the bill is not yet over. If the words "fly or display a flag over a facility" is taken to apply to the main flagpole of the embassy and nothing else, then pride flags could likely still be flown on, in front of or inside of the embassy, since they are not "over" the building. "The flag provision would continue to allow pride flags to be present in almost all cases at embassies, except flown *over* the exterior of the building. It doesn't limit a flag on, in front of, inside, at workspaces, etc," Human Rights Campaign spokesperson Brandon Wolf said in a statement posted on X. Sources: "Biden Agrees to Ban LGBTQ Pride Flags at US Embassies." Bloomberg.Com, 21 Mar. 2024. www.bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-21/lgbtq-pride-flags-banned-at-us-embassies-in-1-2t-spending-plan-backed-by-biden. "Biden Signs the $1.2 Trillion Government Funding Bill." NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/us-government-partial-government-shutdown-deadline-funding-midnight-rcna144746. "Biden Views LGBTQ Flag Restriction as Abusive, White House Says." Bloomberg.Com, 23 Mar. 2024. www.bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-23/biden-views-lgbtq-flag-restriction-as-abusive-white-house-says. "Bipartisan Spending Bill Includes Effective Ban on Pride Flags over U.S. Embassies." NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/pride-flag-ban-us-embassies-government-shutdown-deal-rcna144647. Ciscomani, Juan. Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 2882, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2882/text?s=2&r=1. CNN, By Shania Shelton, Elise Hammond, Kaanita Iyer and Piper Hudspeth Blackburn. "JUST IN: House Approves Funding Bill Ahead of Critical Shutdown Deadline." CNN, 22 Mar. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/federal-government-shutdown-03-22-24/h_e5a388d0fe137935ce88add9200f8d89. DocumentCloud. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24490733-bill-text-of-12-trillion-government-funding-package. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024. Fossum, Sam. "White House Criticizes GOP over Funding Provision That Effectively Bans Pride Flags over US Embassies | CNN Politics." CNN, 24 Mar. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/24/politics/pride-flag-us-embassies/index.html. "Https://Twitter.Com/Nypost/Status/1771949842471719026." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1771949842471719026. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024. McDougall, A. J. "Johnson Brags Secretive Spending Deal Includes Embassy Pride Flag Ban: Report." The Daily Beast, 21 Mar. 2024, https://www.thedailybeast.com/mike-johnson-brags-secretive-dollar1t-spending-deal-includes-embassy-pride-flag-ban. Nassau, U. S. Embassy. "U.S. Embassy Flies Pride Flag for Month of June." U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas, 1 June 2021, https://bs.usembassy.gov/u-s-embassy-flies-pride-flag-for-month-of-june/. U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 118th Congress - 2nd Session. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1182/vote_118_2_00114.htm#position. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154, and DC 20515-6601 p:225-7000. "Roll Call 102 Roll Call 102, Bill Number: H. Res. 1102, 118th Congress, 2nd Session." Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, 22 Mar. 2024, https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024102. Claim: In March 2024, the British candy manufacturer Cadbury renamed its chocolate Easter eggs "gesture eggs." Rating: Rating: False Context: A store independent from Cadbury but licensed to sell its products marketed Cadbury Easter eggs as "gesture eggs," as seen in a viral poster. But the candy manufacturer said it did not endorse the sales initiative and was not making the alleged name change. In March 2024, some social media users and political commentators were seemingly enraged after learning candy manufacturer Cadbury had supposedly changed the name of its chocolate Easter eggs to "gesture eggs." According to the rumor, the company removed the product's reference to the Christian holiday to make the candies secular. Many social media users shared a photo supposedly showing a poster advertising the rebranded product as alleged evidence of the change. On March 27, 2024, one X (formerly Twitter) user described the alleged move as "another attack on Christianity," while another account urged people to boycott the company and posted a screenshot of an article titled "Cadbury changes Easter eggs to 'gesture eggs' in latest woke move." (X account @liz_churchill10) Together, the posts had amassed more than 1 million views at the time of this writing. The rumor also spread via multiple TikTok accounts and on Facebook. However, although the photo of the promotional poster with "gesture eggs" was real that is, it was not the product of digital-editing software Cadbury did not sponsor it, and the company did not change the name of its Easter eggs to "gesture eggs," a spokesperson for the chocolate manufacturer told Snopes. According to the spokesperson, the poster was allegedly displayed inside a Cadbury outlet store in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England. The individual store supposedly created the "gesture eggs" promotion without Cadbury's involvement; it did not reflect a widespread marketing initiative by the company, the spokesperson said. Telegraph reporter Connor James Ibbetson reportedly took the photo of the poster. Snopes reached out to Ibbetson and the company that oversees the outlet store, Freshstores Limited, and we will update this article if we hear back from either party. British media, including newspapers, TV channels and the BBC, covered the purported name change. As the rumor spread, Cadbury issued a statement to journalists. In addition to saying the "gesture eggs" promotion was "not Cadbury led," the statement stressed all Cadbury Easter eggs sold in the U.K. referenced the Christian holiday on their packaging, usually multiple times. "Cadbury has used the word Easter in our marketing and communications for over 100 years and continued to do so with our new Easter product range," the company said. The statement read: This promotion is not Cadbury led and we had no involvement in any way. All Cadbury Easter shell eggs sold in the UK reference Easter very clearly on the packaging sometimes multiple times. Cadbury has used the word Easter in our marketing and communications for over 100 years and continue to do so with our new Easter product range. To claim anything otherwise is factually incorrect. We are proud of the role we play within families' Easter celebrations and have a wide range of products that can be enjoyed throughout the Easter season. When asked whether Cadbury sells any products named "gesture eggs" anywhere in the U.K., the Cadbury spokesperson said certain phrases may be used within the company, or between Cadbury and its partners, to differentiate between products. However, such phrases are not intended for front-facing promotions. Cadbury provided Snopes with an image of packaging used for one of its eggs to prove it contained the word "Easter." Cadbury Easter egg packaging referencing the Christian holiday. (Cadbury UK) Cadbury's website displayed no results when searching for "gesture eggs." This was not the first Cadbury controversy regarding so-called "gesture eggs." In 2018, the fact-checking outlet That's Nonsense addressed similar false claims about the company supposedly renaming its chocolate Easter eggs to "gesture eggs." Sources: Cadbury Store Accused of Erasing Easter as It Advertises Chocolate 'Gesture Eggs'. https://www.gbnews.com/news/cadbury-easter-eggs-christian-anger. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024. 'Chocolate Gifts | Chocolate Delivery'. Cadbury Gifts Direct, https://www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024. Corless, Blathnaid. 'Cadbury Store Accused of Erasing Easter by Selling "Gesture Eggs"'. The Telegraph, 26 Mar. 2024. www.telegraph.co.uk, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/26/cadbury-accused-erasing-easter-chocolate-eggs-gesture/. 'Gesture Eggs: Cadbury Outlet Store Criticised over Easter Rebrand'. BBC News, 27 Mar. 2024. www.bbc.co.uk, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68673505. Haley, Craig. 'Is Cadbury's Renaming Easter Eggs to Gesture Eggs? Fact Check'. ThatsNonsense.Com, 29 Jan. 2018, https://www.thatsnonsense.com/cadburys-renaming-easter-eggs-gesture-eggs-fact-check/. Parashar, Arthur. 'Cadbury Shop Faces a Backlash over Selling "Gesture Eggs"'. Mail Online, 26 Mar. 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13241939/Cadbury-shop-faces-backlash-Christians-accused-erasing-Easter-sell-gesture-eggs-instead.html. The Franklin County Government Center includes the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and the Tenth District Court of Appeals. In a February decision, the appeals court upheld the common pleas court's decision a squatter trying to fix up an empty building on the Near East Side could not claim adverse possession as a defense against a breaking and entering charge. It's another case of don't believe everything you see on social media. Ohio law does not allow anyone citizens and noncitizens alike to "seize" an abandoned home and immediately invoke "squatter's rights," as a man recently claimed in a provocative video on TikTok. A video in which Leonel Moreno, a Spanish-speaking social media creator living in the Columbus area, tells other migrants that U.S. law allows them to do this has been shared widely by conservative news outlets. U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance shared a version of the video with English subtitles on X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this week. Moreno also said in the video he knows people who have already done this. Legal experts told The Dispatch Moreno is likely referring to adverse possession laws, which don't work like he claims at least not in Ohio. Felix Chang, a visiting professor at Ohio State Moritz College of Law, said adverse possession is extremely rare, and there are a lot of legal hurdles in most states, including Ohio. In Ohio, an individual trying to take over a property would have to show exclusive possession of the property for 21 years to even have a chance in court, Chang said. Heres an illegal alien advising his buddies on how to use the law to steal your home. Just third world country stiff, brought to you by the Biden administration. https://t.co/F8d71KX3GD J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) March 24, 2024 "So it is not a quick process," a spokesperson for Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein's office told The Dispatch. The spokesperson also said adverse possession is not a defense in Ohio courts against criminal trespassing, and police are authorized to arrest trespassers. The office pointed to a February court decision out of the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County that affirmed a squatter trying to fix up an empty building on the Near East Side for about a month could not claim adverse possession while on trial for a breaking and entering charge. Additionally, the city attorney spokesperson said the Columbus city code authorizes police to arrest those who enter vacant and abandoned properties where city code enforcement officials have placed notices the structure is uninhabitable or hazardous. Squatters claiming tenant rights have also been in the news lately after police in New York arrested a woman for changing the locks on her property to keep out alleged squatters living there. And Florida passed a law this week making it easier for property owners to remove squatters. In Ohio, Chang said he doesn't know of a law that allows trespassers to claim tenant rights. But issues can arise with holdover tenants who the owner previously allowed to live there that decide not to leave a property when asked, Chang said. In those situations, the landlord may have to go through a formal eviction process (that's true under the new Florida law, too). Klein's spokesperson said the city attorney's office has real concerns about "false claims circulating online about 'squatter's rights.'" "False statements and misinterpretation of the law can place real people (in this instance, vulnerable individuals) at risk for criminal prosecution should they act on the information being pushed in these posts," the spokesperson said. "In fact, the Columbus Division of Police is charging individuals in these types of situations." jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fact checking TikTok claim: squatters rights not a thing in Ohio By Filipp Lebedev (Reuters) - Russia's Investigative Committee says it has evidence that the Tajik gunmen accused of killing at least 143 people at a concert hall near Moscow last week were linked to Ukrainian nationalists. Ukraine denies involvement, and the U.S. says Islamic State - which claimed the attack - bears sole responsibility. Here is what we know about the suspects held by Russia and what has happened to them since they were detained. SAIDAKRAMI RACHABALIZODA - suspected gunman Rachabalizoda, 30, is a national of Tajikistan, like the other three suspected gunmen. He appears to have lived in Russia for years - in 2018 he was fined 2,500 roubles ($27) for a violation of immigration rules, according to a court database. After his arrest, he was shown being abused in a series of videos published by Grey Zone, a Telegram channel close to the Wagner mercenary group. In one video, he was kicked and beaten with rifle butts. In another, a man in camouflage uniform cut off part of his right ear and stuffed it into the suspect's mouth. On March 24 Rachabalizoda appeared in court with a bandage around his right ear and with bruises and caked blood on his face. Asked about video and photo evidence that he and the other suspects were tortured, the Kremlin declined to comment. MUHAMMADSOBIR FAYZOV - suspected gunman Fayzov, 19, is the youngest of the detainees. Prior to the attack, he had worked as a barber in a town northeast of Moscow. After his arrest, several Telegram channels published a video showing him being questioned while lying on a hospital bed. In photographs circulating online, he appeared to have one eye missing. He was taken to court on March 24 in a wheelchair, sitting with his head slumped backwards and his eyes closed, apparently oblivious to what was going on around him. DALERDZHON MIRZOYEV - suspected gunman Mirzoyev is 32 and has four children. He was prosecuted as long ago as 2011 for violating Russian immigration rules, according to court records. Leaked air travel data show he occasionally flew from Moscow to Tajikistan and back. A video published on social media showed Mirzoyev answering questions through an interpreter. He said he lived in a hostel with another man, with another man, Mukhamad, and that 10-12 days earlier they had bought a car "for work" from someone called Abdullo. Photographs from the courtroom showed him with cuts and heavy bruising to his face. SHAMSIDIN FARIDUNI - suspected gunman Fariduni, 25, said in a leaked interrogation video that he had arrived from Turkey on March 4. His social media accounts, which he ran under the pseudonym "Abdulloh," show that he was posting photos from Istanbul in late February. In the video taken following his arrest, he was shown trembling while being questioned by the side of a road with his hands tied behind his back. He said that he had "shot people" in Crocus City Hall "for money", having been offered 500,000 roubles ($5,400) by a person he did not identify. The Grey Zone Telegram channel later published a photograph purporting to show Fariduni being tortured with electric shocks to his genitals while lying on the floor with his trousers rolled down to his knees and someone standing on his legs. When he appeared in court on March 24, he had heavy swelling to the left side of his face. SUSPECTED ACCOMPLICES - Brothers Aminchon and Dilovar Islomov and their father Isroil were remanded in custody by a Moscow court on March 25. The state Investigative Committee, which handles major crimes, said the brothers had been recruited by Fariduni with the aim of committing a terrorist act. Russian media reported that Dilovar had owned a car used by the attackers. On March 28, Russian news agencies reported that Aminchon and Isroil Islomov had appealed against their pre-trial detention. - Alisher Kasimov, born in Kyrgyzstan, was placed under formal arrest by the same court on March 26. He is accused of providing accommodation to the four suspected Tajik gunmen. (Additional reporting and writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Angus MacSwan) As high school seniors wrap up their final months before walking across the stage, many are left in the dark about where they will attend college in the fall semester due to financial aid application delays. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education delayed the annual opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid commonly known as FAFSA from October to December as it rolled out a more streamlined and stress-free application. However, the application is causing headaches as millions of applications are facing delays being given to students' universities, which helps it determine how much financial aid that student requires. "We have many anxious students and families who are unable to make informed decisions about their college choice without knowing about their financial aid eligibility," said Christy Miller, executive director of the Office of Financial Aid at Wayland Baptist University. The education department announced earlier this month that an 'unforced error' caused nearly 200,000 students' FAFSA to be miscalculated, which creates even more delays for students. "Without any solid dates from the U.S. Department of Education throughout this entire process first with FAFSA open date and now (Institutional Student Information Record) release date we have struggled to keep students engaged," Miller said. As the uncertainty grows, here is what local universities and colleges have to say about how they are helping students navigate these unprecedented times. 20,000 incoming Texas Tech University students impacted by FAFSA delays As the largest higher education institution in the region, with over 40,000 students enrolled every fall semester, Texas Tech has a challenge ahead of it. Mary Booker, assistant vice president of Financial Aid & Scholarships at Texas Tech, said the university has extended its enrollment decision deadline until June 1. Texas Tech University, as seen on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. "We don't know when the FAFSAs are going to come through. The (federal government) start really releasing small batches this week," Booker said. "We're getting seven here, 10 there, which is nothing compared to the 20,000 students who are looking at Tech." Booker said the university hopes to have the majority of the FAFSAs in by the end of the month, but that doesn't consider rejected ISERs or miscalculated ones, which leads to even more delays for students. "We're going to be here to support them through that process as an institution," Booker said. "We will make sure they, as best we can, are being taken care of. So we're encouraging them not to delay but to go ahead and move forward with their plans to enroll." Students can reach TTU's Financial Aid Office at 806-742-3681 or by email at finaid.advisor@ttu.edu. FAFSA delays causing adverse effects at Lubbock Christian University FAFSA delays have adversely impacted families with college-bound students who are applying for and selecting a college, and Lubbock Christian University has made adjustments to help those families navigate the process, said Jody Reding, vice president for Enrollment Management at LCU. With the university's rolling admission process, Reding said students will be able to accept their offer of admission after May 1. Scholarships like LCU's West Texas Promise and the LCU Guarantee will not have deadlines for qualifying students. "To maximize scholarship opportunities for incoming students, every entering freshman who submits a completed FAFSA and enrolls full-time will be eligible for additional institutional scholarships," Reding said. "We are here to walk with families as they navigate the new FAFSA process." Students can reach LCU's Financial Assistance Office at 806-720-7176 or at Financial.Assist@LCU.edu. Wayland Baptist University under pressure from FAFSA delays Wayland said there is no deadline for students to decide whether to attend the university. However, that does not mean FAFSA delays are not impacting them. "We are, however, feeling pressure from the students who are considering schools who do have a May 1 confirmation deadline that has not been extended," Miller said. "They are feeling a sense of urgency to make a decision but without all the information about their financial aid eligibility available to them." Miller also said the university has kept returning studentswho are also impacted by FAFSA delaysabreast of what has been going on, but most are behaving along the "status quo" when they decide to return in the fall semester. Students with any more questions or concerns can contact the university's financial aid office in Plainview at 806-291-3520 or finaidhelp@wbu.edu. South Plains College sees normalcy amid FAFSA delays While over 50% of South Plains College students rely on some level of federal funding like the Pell Grant Stan DeMerritt, vice president for Student Affairs at SPC, said the college does not see any significant impact from FAFSA delays. "We believe that FAFSA delays have delayed our ability to notify students about how much aid that they could receive if they attend," DeMerritt said. "However, the amount of time to decide has not really been impacted." As a community college, DeMerritt said SPC has a different student population compared to that of a university. "Typically, community colleges don't receive a lot of applications or commitments until you get toward the end of the spring term, primarily due to the fact that we're dealing with students who are rather unsure of what they want to do, or what fields they want to go into," DeMerritt said. Students are being directed to call the Financial Aid Office at (806) 716-2100 or email finaid@southplainscollege.edu. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech, other universities seeing impact from FAFSA delays Emmanuel Macron (right), with Volodymyr Zelensky, has refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine - Thibault Camus/AP France has blocked a fake website inviting French nationals to join the war effort in Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Thursday. The site, which is now inaccessible, claimed that 200,000 French people were invited to enlist in Ukraine, with immigrants given priority. A link to the site, which resembled the French armys genuine recruitment portal, was posted on X, formerly Twitter, said the French defence ministry. The site is a fake government site and has been reposted by malevolent accounts as part of a disinformation campaign, it warned. Government sources reportedly said the site bore the hallmarks of a Russian or pro-Russian effort as part of a disinformation campaign claiming that the French army is preparing to send troops to Ukraine. The fake website invited potential recruits to contact unit commander Paul for information about joining. The defence ministry and government cyber units say they are looking into it. France has not sent troops to Ukraine, where war with Russia continues - Adri Salido/Anadolu Emmanuel Macron, the French president, triggered a furious response from the Russian leadership last month when he said he could not rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine, whose defeat would pose an existential threat to Europe. Similar recent disinformation posts included pictures of French army convoys wrongly presented as moving towards the Ukrainian border, the official said. The French government has recently stepped up efforts to identify and tackle what it says are Russian disinformation and destabilisation campaigns aimed at undermining French public support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Russian network uncovered Last month, the government agency Viginum, dedicated to defence against foreign online threats, said it had discovered a network of Russian websites designed to spread Kremlin propaganda in the West. It warned the structured and coordinated network was targeting Europe and the United States. Code-named Portal Kombat, the network comprises 193 websites, Viginum reported after investigating between September and December last year. The French government has warned that disinformation attacks from countries like Russia are likely to intensify before European elections in June where hard-Right parties are polling to make gains. In January, France accused Russia of seeking to amplify panic over the alleged spread of bedbugs that gripped the country in the autumn of 2023. Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances Europe minister, said: The issue of bedbugs was artificially amplified on social networks by accounts that have been established to be of Russian inspiration or origin. It was very largely amplified by accounts linked to the Kremlin, he told TF1 television. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An extensively viewed Facebook post purports to offer assistance to foreigners seeking to live or work in Canada. This is false; the page associated with the ad has used different names -- some not associated with migration -- and it is not registered with the country's college of immigration consultants. "Unlock your future with scholarships, permanent residency, and career opportunities in Canada!" says the text of a March 12, 2024 Facebook ad, which was liked more than 24,000 times. The video in the post claims Canada needs 1.5 million immigrants by 2025 to fill a supposed labor shortage. Over 6,000 comments on the post were filled with users claiming they were interested and asking for help. Screenshot of a Facebook post, taken March 28, 2024 In 2022, Statistics Canada reported that immigrants made up the "largest share of the population in over 150 years" (archived here). But in light of a tighter labor market, the country announced in March 2024 that it would be reducing its number of temporary foreign workers. The ad follows previous posts falsely publicizing Canadian visa services to Africans. The page claiming to offer immigration assistance -- called "Work in Canada" -- lists its location as Bronx, New York, and a search in Meta's Ad Library reveals it had circulated similar versions of the same ad before deactivating them. The page has also changed its name three times since 2016, according to its transparency section, with the initial names having nothing to do with immigration. Screenshot of the Facebook page transparency informaion for "Work in Canada," taken March 28, 2024 Screenshot of Facebook Ad Library, taken March 28, 2024 The ad does not link to a website. Rather, it prompts the user to begin a conversation in Facebook Messenger. After responding to questions with pre-programmed answers, the message links to a site that promises immigration advice. But AFP journalists received error messages while trying to navigate the site. Screenshot of the message received by AFP journalists who attempted to access the purported immigration website, taken March 28, 2024 The Government of Canada recommends that those interested in coming to the country check whether an entity is licensed to give advice by verifying if it is a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) or a provincial legal or paralegal society (archived here). Searching the CICC's public register of consultants does not yield results for "Work in Canada," or any of the other names previously used by the page (archived here). While AFP was not able to see if the website prompted people to pay for immigration consultation, Stef Lach, the CICC's manager of stakeholder and government relations, said that anyone providing advice "for a fee or other consideration" would be considered an "Unauthorized Practitioner" (UAP). "UAPs pose significant risks to the public as they are not regulated or licensed," Lach said. Local media in Canada have reported on illegitimate immigration advice schemes including a foreign student who discovered a service had faked material for his study permit, leaving him facing deportation. In March 2024, two people were charged for accepting over $40,000 CAD (about $29,500 USD) for visa advice they never provided. People living in Canada are frequently the target of fake ads and scams on Facebook. Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation in Canada here. Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of the failed crypto exchange FTX, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding customers and investors of his now-bankrupt firm. The ruling cements the downfall of the former billionaire, who emerged as a high profile champion of crypto before his firm's dramatic collapse in 2022. He was found to have stolen billions from customers ahead of the failure. Bankman-Fried's legal team will appeal against his conviction. A message from his parents shared with the BBC by a representative for Bankman-Fried said: "We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son." Earlier, the 32-year-old said in court he knew "a lot of people" felt "really let down". "I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about what happened at every stage," he said, speaking quietly and clearly ahead of his sentencing. FTX was one of the world's largest crypto exchanges before its demise, turning Bankman-Fried into a business celebrity and attracting millions of customers who used the platform to buy and trade cryptocurrency. Rumours of financial trouble sparked a run on deposits in 2022, precipitating the firm's implosion and exposing Bankman-Fried's crimes. He was convicted by a New York jury last year on charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, after a trial that detailed how he had taken more than $8bn (6.3bn) from customers, and used the money to buy property, make political donations and put toward other investments. Before reading the sentence on Thursday, Judge Lewis Kaplan provided a harsh assessment of Bankman-Fried's behaviour, saying he had lied during his testimony at trial when he claimed he was unaware until the last minute that his companies were taking money entrusted to them for safe-keeping by customers and using it for other purposes. "He knew it was wrong. He knew it was criminal. He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught but he's not going to admit a thing," the judge said. Though Bankman-Fried had made "protestations of sorrow" about customer losses, he had uttered "never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes", he added. While 25 years constitutes a serious prison sentence, it is far less than the more than 100 years Bankman-Fried could have received under official government guidelines. Barbara Fried and Allan Joseph Bankman, parents of FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, said they were "heartbroken" after the sentencing [Getty Images] Federal prosecutors in New York this month told the judge such a long term was not necessary. But they requested at least 40 years, arguing that Bankman-Fried had committed a massive fraud, while showing "brazen disrespect" for the law. Bankman-Fried's team had argued for a lighter sentence of roughly five to 6.5 years. They said that he was a non-violent, first-time offender, and pointed to mental health struggles and argued that customers were poised to recover significant sums under a plan currently working through bankruptcy court. "The victims want their money back and they should get it," his lawyer, Marc Mukasey, argued in court on Thursday morning. "Sentence him to work hard and give it all away." Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner, now a lawyer at Rottenberg Lipman Rich, said he was "very surprised" by the ruling, noting that Bankman-Fried could potentially be released from prison in about 13 years. But Jennifer Taub, a law professor at Western New England University and expert on white-collar crime, said she thought the length of the sentence was appropriate. "It is the right balance between how old he is and what is the purpose of deterrence," she said. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Kaplan said what could amount to a life sentence was unnecessary but that Bankman-Fried must receive a punishment sufficient to prevent him from committing future crimes. "There is a risk that this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future and it's not a trivial risk, not a trivial risk at all," he said. WATCH: Downfall of the 'Crypto King' He also ordered Bankman-Fried to forfeit $11bn that can be used to compensate victims. The government has already seized some of those assets, such as shares Bankman-Fried owned in Robinhood, the trading app which raised more than $600m when they were sold last year. Bankman-Fried showed little visible reaction to the ruling. Bankman-Fried has admitted to mistakes of mismanagement, but maintained that he was acting in good faith. In his comments ahead of the sentencing, he stuck to his story that FTX had the holdings to repay customers at the time of its collapse and said he did not think that reasons behind customer suffering had been "properly told". "They've been failed by more people than I can count" including himself, he said, speaking of the exchange's customers. "It's been excruciating to watch." Bankman-Fried said he was sorry for disappointing not only customers but also former employees, including top lieutenants Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, formerly close friends who testified against him at trial and whom he praised in his remarks. "They all built something really beautiful, they threw themselves into it and then I threw it all away," he added. "It haunts me every day." Dozens of people, including former FTX customers, family, friends of his parents and complete strangers, had submitted letters to the court, trying to sway the outcome. [Reuters] Louis Dorigny of California, who had been an FTX customer said it was a "bittersweet moment for creditors". "I don't wish jail time on anybody, and 25 years is a very, very long time to be in prison, but it does nothing to compensate the victims for the loss of their cryptocurrency," he said. Samuel Hapak, chief executive of crypto trading fund Wincent, whose firm represented 200 investors with millions of dollars at FTX when it entered bankruptcy, told the BBC that he thought the ruling was "fair". "Twenty-five years is a lot and I believe that this sounds like a reasonable signal to the industry that it needs to step up the game," he said. Judge Kaplan said he would not recommend Bankman-Fried serve his sentence in a maximum security prison because the court had no reason to believe he posed a threat of violence. He said he was also taking into account concerns raised by his lawyers and parents that Bankman-Fried's social awkwardness stemming from autism spectrum disorder would make him vulnerable in prison. Bankman-Fried's case has been closely watched by other crypto executives and firms facing charges. But he is not the first player in the industry to be sentenced. Karl Sebastian Greenwood, who worked with "Cryptoqueen" Ruja Ignatova, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year for his role convincing millions of people to invest more than $4bn in a fraudulent currency, OneCoin. His case also drew comparisons to Bernie Madoff, who was setenced to 150 years in prison after being found guilty of a $64bn Ponzi scheme. Former federal prosecutor Marc Litt, who worked on the the case against Madoff and is now a lawyer at Wachtel Missry, said he saw big differences between the two fraudsters, noting Madoff was older when sentenced, had committed his crimes over several decades, stolen from people he knew well and had no one step forward to testify to his character. "The court implicitly took those sorts of differences into consideration and I believe that the resulting lower sentence was both warranted and is unlikely to be disturbed on appeal," he said. CLEVELAND (WJW) Browns fans are sounding off about the possibility of moving the Dawg Pound, and Cleveland Browns Stadium from downtown to a site near the airport that would be in Brook Park. The teams owners floated the idea earlier this week. Although it is not a scientific poll, Browns fans we ran into Wednesday overwhelmingly said they would prefer to keep the stadium right where it is. The teams owners, Jimmy and Dee Haslam say they are considering both options, keeping the stadium here or moving it to the suburbs, and neither option is above the other. Guardians center fielder Myles Straw sent to minors I think they should build a dome, I think it brings a lot of other business to the city, the area, one Browns fan told us. I think they should keep it downtown, I mean, it brings a lot of business in on Sunday, and the Muni Lot especially, you know, everybody goes down there, said another fan. Just like anything related to the Browns, fans have mixed feelings about where the team should play in the years to come. Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam floated two options when they spoke to reporters, including Tony Grossi from ESPN Cleveland, at the NFL owners meeting in Orlando on Monday. In all likelihood, were either gonna remodel on the lakefront with an extensive remodel, or build a new stadium, which will be domed, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters. Option 1: Remodeling the stadium where it is would cost $1 billion dollars, half paid by the Haslams, the other half paid by city, county and state taxpayers. The Haslams say they continue to be in talks with Mayor Justin Bibb and the city of Cleveland. I think the city would work with us if we need another year or two, but I think its in everybodys interest to try to get it clarified that I hate to be redundant, this is complicated, weve gotta work through a lot of different issues, Haslam added. Option2: Building a domed stadium, potentially on a 176-acre plot of land in Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. NE Ohio man, alleged drug mule for Sean Diddy Combs, arrested You could paint a vision of what our community could be, I mean, and the jobs it could provide, you know, the surrounding development or just the growth that could happen from it, said owner Dee Haslam. The price tag for that is $2 billion, and the source of funding right now is unknown. I feel like we would like the dome, but realistically, we dont know where the moneys coming from, so were probably gonna still have to pay for it, either way, so it might still be tax money either way, said a Browns fan. I live in Strongsville, so its easier for me and we had season tickets for awhile and it was just such a pain to come down and find parking, another fan told Fox 8. I know people outside of Cleveland support em, but theres nothing like having that place that you play in your own backyard, said another fan. I dont want to lose the team. Either way, either way, even if I gotta go 20 minutes away, 30 minutes away, said a Browns fan walking downtown. The Haslams say it is not feasible to add a dome to the existing stadium. They also say they have no plans of moving the team outside of Northeast Ohio. Mayor Bibb has said keeping the Browns downtown is a priority, as he continues to negotiate with the team. The mayor of Brook Park, Edward Orcutt, says nothing is imminent and he doesnt want to speculate on possible outcomes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that massively screwed up COVID-19 testing now wants to apply its vast bureaucratic acumen to all other laboratory developed tests (LDTs). By insisting on its recondite approval procedures, the FDA at the beginning of the pandemic stymied the rollout of COVID-19 tests developed by numerous academic and private laboratories. In contrast, public health authorities in South Korea greenlighted an effective COVID-19 test just one week (and many more in the weeks following) after asking representatives from 20 private medical companies to produce such tests. LDTs are diagnostic in vitro tests for clinical use that are designed, manufactured, and performed by individual laboratories. They can diagnose illnesses and guide treatments by detecting relevant biomarkers in saliva, blood, or tissues; the tests can identify small molecules, proteins, RNA, DNA, cells, and pathogens. For example, some assess the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease or guide the treatment of breast cancer. The FDA now wants to regulate these tests as medical devices that must undergo premarket agency vetting before clinicians and patients are allowed to use them. The FDA estimates that between 600 and 2,400 laboratories currently offer as many as 40,000 to 160,000 tests. Overall, some 3.3 billion in vitro tests are administered to patients annually. Out of billions of tests given, how often do laboratory developed tests appear to cause harm? In its submissions, the FDA justifies this burdensome oversight by citing problematic medical device reports and unconfirmed "allegations" for a grand total of nine and four different tests respectively between 2009 and 2023. The remaining examples cited by the FDA are tests that had actually been submitted to the agency for analysis and were subsequently rejected or revised as recommended. A 2023 study in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology analyzed how frequently these tests were deployed in the University of Utah health system. The researchers reported that out of the more than 3 million lab tests ordered in 2021, 94 percent of them had already been approved by the FDA. Only 4 percent of the lab tests were LDTs. They believe their figures are similar across the U.S. health care landscape. The FDA has received strong and widespread pushback from laboratories and clinicians. In a letter to the agency, American Hospital Association Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes wrote of the proposed regulations that "the unfortunate outcome likely would be the decline in the rate of clinical innovation, which would negatively impact the U.S.' ability to keep our health care system at the forefront of discovery, provide quality care to patients, and respond quickly to emerging public health risks." The Biden administration is aiming to have the regulations finalized in April. However, MedTech Dive reports, analysts at the investment bank TD Cowen suggested that it remains "unclear if and when FDA will finalize the rule as it has faced considerable opposition and would likely be challenged in court." The post FDA Aims To Stifle Medical Innovation Again appeared first on Reason.com. A ruling on mail-in ballots that originated in federal court in Erie is on a potential path to the U.S. Supreme Court following a precedent-setting ruling from a Philadelphia-based federal appeals court. A final decision will affect how mail-in ballots are counted in Pennsylvania, which is viewed as a critical swing state in the 2024 presidential race. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision on Wednesday that election officials in Pennsylvania are barred from counting mail-in ballots that arrive on time but that have inaccurate dates or no dates handwritten on their exterior envelopes. A federal appeals court has ruled that election officials cannot count mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania that do not have have handwritten dates, or that are incorrectly dated, even if the ballots arrive in time. Mail-in ballots from the 2022 midterm election that were not dated, shown at left, or incorrectly dated, at right, were collected at the Erie County Courthouse on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. The decision reversed a first-of-its-kind ruling on Nov. 21 from U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter, who is based in U.S. District Court in Erie. The 2-1 decision sided with the Republican National Committee, which appealed Baxter's ruling to the 3rd Circuit. The decision went against six public interest groups that are the plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP. They sued before Baxter to set aside the Pennsylvania law over dates on mail-in ballots. The majority opinion remanded the case to Baxter for further review based on the majority's findings. The plaintiffs could ask the full 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the case. They could also appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ruling focuses on 'Materiality Provision' of federal civil rights law In the decision that was overturned, Baxter said Pennsylvania mail-in ballots without accurate dates handwritten on their exterior envelopes must still be counted if they are received in time. Excluding those ballots would violate the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Baxter ruled in her 77-page decision. She said the provision protects "a citizen's right to vote by forbidding a state actor from disqualifying a voter because of their failure to provide or error in providing some unnecessary information on a voting application or ballot." Baxter found that elections officials do not use the date on the outer envelope to determine whether to count a vote. Baxter noted that county election officials know when a mail-in ballot is returned by scanning a barcode on the return envelope. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter, based in Erie, issued the precedent-setting ruling on mail-in ballots that a federal appeals court has overturned. The majority of the 3rd Circuit panel acknowledged the date requirement "serves little apparent purpose." But the majority said the Materiality Provision does not override the Pennsylvania law that "undated or misdated ballots are invalid." "We hold that the Materiality Provision only applies when the state is determining who may vote," Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Judge Thomas Ambro said in the 43-page majority opinion. "In other words, its role stops at the door of the voting place. The Provision does not apply to rules, like the date requirement, that govern how a qualified voter must cast his ballot for it to be counted." Dissenting judge says majority opinion unfairly penalizes voters U.S. Circuit Judge Cindy Chung joined the majority. U.S. Circuit Judge Patty Shwartz dissented. In a 40-page opinion, Shwartz said the "Materiality Provision, in my view, is not limited to that narrow view of documents" used to register to vote. Shwartz said her interpretation of the law matched Baxter's, and that "the Materiality Provision covers mistakes on paperwork submitted both with a voter's initial registration to vote and those required to ensure that the voter's vote is counted." Shwartz advised Pennsylvania voters to be thorough in filling out mail-in ballots. She said in her dissent that more than 1 million Pennsylvania voters used mail-in ballots in the November 2022 election, and that of those ballots, "10,000 timely-received ballots were not counted because they did not comply with the State law requirement" for dates. "Todays ruling is a clear reminder that all voters must carefully review and comply with every instruction and requirement imposed upon them," Shwartz said. "If they do not, they risk having their otherwise valid votes discounted based on even the most inconsequential mistake." ACLU, RNC offer views on decision as further appeals possible The ACLU criticized the majority ruling. "If this ruling stands, thousands of Pennsylvania voters could lose their vote over a meaningless paperwork error," Mike Lee, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said in a statement. "The ballots in question in this case come from voters who are eligible and who met the submission deadline. "In passing the Civil Rights Act, Congress put a guardrail in place to be sure that states dont erect unnecessary barriers that disenfranchise voters. Its unfortunate that the court failed to recognize that principle. Voters lose as a result of this ruling." The Republican National Committee welcomed the decision. "This is a crucial victory for election integrity and voter confidence in the Keystone State and nationwide," the chairman of the RNC, Michael Whatley, said in a statement. "Pennsylvanians deserve to feel confident in the security of their mail ballots, and this 3rd Circuit ruling roundly rejects unlawful left-wing attempts to count undated or incorrectly dated mail ballots. Republicans will continue to fight and win for election integrity in courts across the country ahead of the 2024 election. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Federal appeals reverses Erie ruling, nixes undated PA mail-in ballots A federal crackdown on street gangs in the Twin Cities has tallied another guilty plea, this one from a repeat felon who was caught last year in Brooklyn Center with a high-capacity gun, many rounds of ammunition and fentanyl. James Edward Hollman, Jr., 32, admitted on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a gun related to drug trafficking. A law enforcement search of his Brooklyn Center apartment on N. 47th Avenue and his car on March 15, 2023, turned up the evidence. The plea agreement recounted that after officers ordered Hollman out of the Dodge Charger he was renting, they seized from the vehicle a loaded pistol with an obliterated serial number, an inserted high-capacity magazine with an attached red laser pointer and a "switch" device that converts the weapon to a fully automatic machine gun. Also collected from the car was a baggie containing 252 fentanyl pills and a loaded 50-round drum magazine. A search of the apartment turned up roughly $900. Hollman, a member of the Highs gang in Minneapolis, remains jailed without bail ahead of sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled. The plea deal notes that federal guidelines call for Hollman to receive a prison term ranging from 9 to nearly 11 years. However, federal judges have full discretion when sentencing defendants and are not bound by the guidelines calculation. Back in May 2022, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger pledged to devote the "entire weight" of his office to punishing violent criminals, part of an aggressive strategy he said was necessary to curb a surge in carjackings, shootings and gang activity in the Twin Cities. The charges against Hollman spelled out many years of gang activity and his connections to various shootings in Minneapolis including when he was present at a drive-by shooting at West Broadway and N. Lyndale Avenue in September 2022, when nearly 100 rounds were fired. On Jan. 1, 2023, he was at the scene of the fatal shooting of Deleon Davis, 28, of St. Paul, in the 4400 block of N. Lyndale Avenue, the charges said. Casings recovered in that incident matched the pistol seized from his vehicle in March 2023. A man was charged in that killing and was acquitted in a jury trial. That same pistol was also tied to a shooting on Jan. 27, 2023, near N. 2nd and Washington avenues, the charges noted. Court records in Minnesota show that Hollman at age 15 was convicted of first-degree assault in 2007 and illegal firearm possession 2019. Workers continue to investigate and search for victims after the cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland. Two survivors were pulled from the Patapsco River, and six missing people are presumed dead after the Coast Guard called off rescue efforts. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg outlined Wednesday the immediate and longer-term priorities the Biden administration is pursuing in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore that left six presumed dead. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Pete Buttigieg serves as the 19th secretary of Transportation. (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation) While many questions remained roughly 36 hours after a massive cargo ship struck the bridge and caused the deadly collapse, Buttigieg at a White House press briefing reiterated President Joe Bidens pledge a day earlier for the federal government to fund the full cost of rebuilding the bridge. The U.S. Coast Guard is also leading efforts to clear debris from the site to reopen operations at the busy Port of Baltimore, Vice Admiral Peter Gautier, the deputy commandant for operations for the Coast Guard, said at the briefing. Its just too soon to say exactly how much money or time will be needed to rebuild the bridge or open the port, Buttigieg told reporters. Rebuilding will not be quick or easy or cheap, Buttigieg said. But we will get it done. The U.S. Department of Transportation received a preliminary estimate from the Maryland Department of Transportation around the time Buttigieg addressed reporters at the Wednesday afternoon briefing, he said. He did not share the sum requested, but said the states official request would allow federal money to flow even before a full cost is known. Congressional action likely needed to fund bridge replacement The bipartisan infrastructure law enacted in 2021 authorized funding for the transportation departments emergency relief program, which would likely be a mechanism for federal funding, Buttigieg said, though he added its likely Congress will have to approve more emergency appropriations. It is certainly possible I would go so far as to say likely that we may be turning to Congress in order to help top-up those funds, Buttigieg said. But that shouldnt be a barrier to the immediate next few days starting to get the ball rolling. The emergency relief account has about $950 million, Buttigieg said, but also a long line of needs and projects behind that. The Federal Highway Administrations emergency fund allocated about $560 million in fiscal 2024. Asked if the companies that own and operate the ship involved, the Dali, would be made to pay for reconstruction, Buttigieg said the government would pursue accountability for any private party found to be responsible, but that Biden didnt want to wait for that process to play out before sending funds to Maryland. For the second day in a row, Biden spoke with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, members of the states congressional delegation and local leaders and reiterated his administrations support every step of the way, according to a White House pool report. The administration could ease regulatory requirements to speed bridge construction, Buttigieg said, though he noted it was too early to know what regulations would be at play. We have a clear direction from the president to tear down any barriers, bureaucratic as well as financial, that could affect the timeline of this project, he said. Timeline for Port of Baltimore reopening still uncertain Buttigieg did not have an estimate for how long it would take to rebuild the bridge or to reopen the port. The initial construction of the Key Bridge took five years in the 1970s, he said. That does not necessarily mean it will take five years to replace, but that tells you what went into that original structure, he said. So it is going to be some time. The port could be reopened before a new bridge is built, he said. Debris from the collapsed bridge is blocking the shipping channel connecting the port to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The remains of the bridge must be cleared before the port can restart operations. Reopening the port is among the administrations top priorities in the aftermath of the collapse. The port is a major economic hub, directly supporting 8,000 jobs and about $2 million in wages daily, Buttigieg said. The port also usually handles between $100 million and $200 million in cargo daily. But the disruption to shipping traffic is slightly less urgent, Buttigieg said. Ships often visit the port as part of a run along the Eastern Seaboard, including the Port of New York and New Jersey and Virginia ports, he said. Cargo is already being diverted to other East Coast ports, he said. That said, the Port of Baltimore is an important port, he said. So for our supply chains, and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, were going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible. National Transportation Safety Board investigation into crash ongoing Buttigieg declined to comment in detail on the investigation into the crash, which is being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent agency. The bridge, which opened in 1977, was not built to withstand the force of a 200-million-pound vessel crashing into a key structural feature, he said, casting doubt on whether any engineering feature could have helped. Part of whats being debated is whether any design feature now known would have made a difference in this case, Buttigieg said. But, he said, if the NTSB determines anything that should be considered in regulations, inspections, designs or funding for bridges, the administration would be ready to apply those findings. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Federal rebuild of Baltimore bridge will not be quick or easy or cheap, Buttigieg says appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) A man accused of shooting two Robeson County deputies in November now faces federal drug and gun charges, the Department of Justice said Thursday. Shawn Tobin Locklear Jr. faces a federal drug trafficking charge and three gun-related charges including possession of a machine gun, as well as carjacking with intent to cause serious bodily injury. The carjacking charge was filed against him in November. The incident happened on Nov. 7 while Locklear was out of jail on bond for murder and armed robbery charges that stemmed from the death of Joshua R. Hunt, 28, of Red Springs, in late November 2022. Authorities said he also was arrested on an armed robbery charge in March 2022 and was given a bond in that case as well. If convicted of his charges, Locklear, 20, faces a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of life in prison. Locklear also still faces state charges for the incident that sent deputies Jonathan Walters and Kaelin Locklear to the hospital. Kaelin Locklear was released from the hospital on Nov. 9 and Walters returned home shortly after. The state charges against Shawn Locklear, according to deputies, are expected to include two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony hit-and-run, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of cocaine and marijuana, and two counts of resisting and obstructing an officer. According to the complaint, deputies were trying to serve an arrest warrant on Shawn Locklear when he opened fire. The deputies took cover behind their patrol car, but Locklear is then alleged to have entered the drivers side of the patrol car and put it into reverse while one of the deputies was on the ground behind the vehicle. The deputy, later identified as Walters, was able to push himself partially out of the way before Locklear ran over his leg and drove away in the patrol vehicle. The incident was captured on the deputies body cameras. Violence toward law enforcement will never be tolerated in North Carolina, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said in a news release. We will use every resource necessary to hold accountable anyone who endangers police or first responders. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The feds on Wednesday released the indictment of former New Mexico State Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton, who is accused of funneling millions of dollars from Albuquerque Public Schools to her personal bank account. The former state lawmaker and APS administrator has been charged with 35 counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Federal prosecutors have filed an extremely detailed account of where they say millions of dollars were illegally used, calling the tactics used by Williams Stapleton deceitful and dishonest. Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton Coverage / Story continues below The investigation began after emerging in July 2021. Agents with the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office searched the former House Majority Leaders southeast Albuquerque home and other offices over allegations she misused funds tied to an Albuquerque Public School program. In a 23-page indictment, federal investigators lay out exactly how much money Williams Stapleton funneled from APS into her personal bank account. The program called Robotics Management Learning Systems (Robotics) was owned and operated by Joseph Johnson, a personal friend of Williams Stapletons. Robotics held the software license and copyright for CyberQuest, a computer program that teachers can use in the classroom. The indictment states that from July 2013 through June 30, 2020, Williams Stapleton directed 40% of APSs non-personal grant CTE funding to the Robotics program. The indictment states that Stapleton paid a little over $3 million to the program, a majority of it federal grant money. The documents also show that Johson would provide blank checks for the Robotics business checking account to Williams Stapleton, who wrote 233 checks for her own benefit, totaling $1,152,506. Some of the checks went to companies and a nonprofit she owned. The indictment also points out that Williams Stapleton helped co-sponsor a bill in 2019 that created a new CTE fund allowing for more money to be sent to Johnsons Robotics company. Further into the indictment, the feds state that Willaims Stapelton and her co-conspirator Joseph Johnson devised and intended to devise a scheme to defraud and deprive the citizens of New Mexico, APS and the United States Department of Education. They also stated that Willaims Stapleton used her position to enrich herself. Williams Stapleton has to appear in federal court on April 9. She is still awaiting trial for at least 28 state charges that include money laundering and racketeering. She has a status hearing for that case next month. Williams Stapleton resigned from the Legislature in July 2021 and was later fired by the school district. She represented District 19 in Bernalillo County from 1995 to 2021. In the House of Representatives, she served on various committees including the Education Committee and was the majority floor leader from 2017 to 2021. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. WORCESTER In a highly emotional courtroom, Mfouad A. Faris, the driver in a 2021 drag race that claimed the life of a passenger, Jessica L. Simone, soon after her 35th birthday celebration, was sentenced to prison Thursday. Mfouad A. Faris Faris, 29, was sentenced by Judge William J. Ritter to concurrent sentences of 4 to 5 years for involuntary manslaughter and four to five years for vehicular homicide by reckless operation. The sentencing came two weeks after he was found guilty by a Superior Court jury. Faris, a quality engineer for a medical device company, was driving in the wrong lane before he slammed into an oncoming car on Goldsberry Street about 2 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2021. The crash caused Simone to be ejected from the car and into the parking lot of the nearby Worcester police station. Simone, a hairdresser who at the time of the crash was studying to become a radiology technician, was pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center, despite on-duty police officers rushing out of the station to give first aid. A passenger in the front seat of the car was also transported to a hospital. Daniel Bennett, a special prosecutor for the Worcester District Attorney's Office, said during the four-day trial earlier this month that Faris was drag racing with Fares N. Shaikh-Omar, then 20, while on their way home from the Compass Tavern after celebrating Simones 35th birthday with a group of friends. Shaikh-Omar, now 23, is set to serve two years of probation after pleading guilty Tuesday to one count of negligent operation of motor vehicle in Worcester Superior Court. Shaikh-Omar also testified in Faris trial, admitting to the fact that the two Worcester men had agreed to a drag race, something that Faris always denied. Bennett, who prosecuted both cases, suggested a sentence of six to eight years in state prison, emphasizing how Simones death had a significant effect on her family, citing her fathers murder from 1994 and her leaving behind a teenage son. Simone was the daughter of Kevin Harkins, a man who disappeared from a Worcester pub in 1994. Three men were later convicted of murdering him. The same disaster that happened to Jessicanow happened again, said Bennett. Another child left behind without a parent. In tears, Faris read Thursday from a piece of paper he held in handcuffed hands, apologizing to Simones family, which filled one side of the courtroom gallery. Faris, who was found guilty March 14, often referred to Simone as his friend during his statement. Life is irreplaceable. Life is precious, said Faris. I feel an unbearable amount of guilt. I cant undo what happenedbut my intentions were never to cause harm. Faris, a Syrian refugee who escaped war, received American citizenship in 2019. He was halfway through earning a master's degree at the time of the crash and holds a bachelor's degree in biology, according to his witness statement. Members of his family, who alongside friends filled the other half of the courtroom Thursday, also gave statements to the court, calling for a lighter sentence. Ahmad Faris, the father, and Lydia Faris, one of Faris' sisters, expressed their condolences to Simones family, while also asking the court to salvage Mfouads life, not destroying it. The mental toll of losing a friend because of his own action is a heavy burden he will carry for the rest of his life, said Ahmad, who also spoke on behalf of his wife. Our son will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Please set him on a path that will help him and help the community. Defense lawyer Steven C. Goldwyn asked the court for 2 years in the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction and 10 months in house arrest at the Thursday sentencing hearing. Before the sentencing, Ritter said to have considered Faris lack of prior record and personal and professional accomplishments in his decision. He also acknowledged the statement given by Simone's mother, Mary Jane Simone, after Faris' guilty verdict on March 14, who called the decision "not a triumph," and saying how the family would have "no more milestones with Jessica, all because you chose to be reckless with two innocent souls in your car. The death of Jessica Simone is tragic, said Ritter. The court cannot possibly ease the pain of her family, nor can this court measure the profound loss to her son. Punishment must be directed to Mr. Faris because of the degree of his reckless conduct, as well as the devastating consequences of his actions which killed Jessica Simone. Faris will serve the concurrent sentences 4 to 5 years and four to five years at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center on the Lancaster/Shirley town line. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Driver sentenced in Worcester drag-racing death of Jessica Simone Lab staff prepare small petri dishes, each holding several 1- to 7-day-old embryos, so cells can be tested for viability at the Aspire Houston Fertility Institute in vitro fertilization lab in Houston. Only a handful of states require insurers to cover fertility treatments for same-sex couples, but more are considering it. (Michael Wyke/The Associated Press) This story originally appeared on Stateline. Elizabeth Bauer was working out at the gym one morning last August when she got a phone call from her fertility nurse. It was a call that Bauer and her wife, Rebecca, had long been waiting for. Elizabeth dialed in Rebecca so they could listen together: They were pregnant. The Washington, D.C., couple decided before they got married three years ago that they wanted to have a child. Both wanted to play a biological part in the pregnancy. So, they used a process called reciprocal in vitro fertilization, through which eggs were retrieved from Rebecca and fertilized with donor sperm to create embryos. Then one of the embryos was implanted in Elizabeths uterus. Elizabeth, a 35-year-old elementary school teacher, and Rebecca, a 31-year-old nonprofit consultant, had health insurance, but it wouldnt cover the roughly $20,000 procedure, so they had to pay out of pocket. But beginning next year, insurers providing coverage in D.C. will have to pay for IVF for beneficiaries, including same-sex couples, who cant conceive on their own. Only seven states (Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey and New York) have similar mandates. However, a new definition of infertility could prompt other states to follow suit. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine in October expanded the definition of infertility to include all patients who require medical intervention, such as use of donor gametes or embryos, to conceive as a single parent or with a partner. Previously, the organization defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldnt conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. The group emphasized the new definition should not be used to deny or delay treatment to any individual, regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation. A couple smiling and posing, with the person on the right holding her midsection Rebecca Bauer, left, and her wife, Elizabeth Bauer, who is due to give birth in April, pose for a photo together. The Washington, D.C., couple paid out of pocket for in vitro fertilization, or IVF, last year. (Courtesy of Rebecca Bauer) Dr. Mark Leondires, a reproductive endocrinologist and founder and medical director at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be, said the new definition could make a huge difference. It gives us extra ammunition to say, Listen, everybody who meets the definition of infertility, whether its an opposite-sex couple or same-sex couple or single person, who wants to have a child should have access to fertility services, he said. At least four states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island) are currently weighing broader IVF coverage mandates that would explicitly include same-sex couples, according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Bills were introduced but failed to advance in Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. A recent policy shift at the federal level also might add to the momentum. Earlier this month, the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced expanded IVF service benefits to patients regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or whether they are using donor eggs or sperm. The new policy follows a lawsuit filed in federal court last year. The federal government is the largest employer in the country, so if theyre providing these type of benefits, it definitely adds pressure on other employers and states to do the same, said Betsy Campbell, RESOLVEs chief engagement officer. A total of 21 states have laws mandating that private insurers cover fertility treatments, but only 15 include at least one cycle of IVF in that mandate. Only New York and Illinois provide some fertility coverage for people who are insured through Medicaid, the state-federal program for people with low incomes and disabilities. Neither state covers IVF for Medicaid recipients. 100,000 babies IVF involves collecting mature eggs from ovaries, using donated sperm to fertilize them in a lab, and then placing one or more of the fertilized eggs, or embryos, in a uterus. One full cycle of IVF can take up to six weeks and can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Many patients need multiple cycles before getting pregnant. Nearly 100,000 babies in the U.S. were born in 2021 through IVF and other forms of assisted reproductive technology, such as intrauterine insemination, according to federal data. IVF continues to garner nationwide attention in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling last month that under state law, frozen IVF embryos are children, meaning patients or IVF facilities can be criminally charged for destroying them. The decision caused an uproar, and three weeks later Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that provides criminal and civil immunity for IVF clinicians and patients. Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, or GLAD, described the Alabama decision as a shock to the system. But Crozier said the reaction to it sparked a bipartisan realization that family-building health care is important to so many people. Crozier praised the insurance mandates in Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Washington, D.C., for more explicitly including LGBTQ+ people. Maines law, for example, states that a fertility patient includes an individual unable to conceive as an individual or with a partner because the individual or couple does not have the necessary gametes for conception, and says that health insurers cant impose any limitations on coverage for any fertility services based on an enrollees use of donor gametes, donor embryos or surrogacy. Christine Guarda, financial services representative at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, said more same-sex couples are seeking help starting families. One reason, she said, is that more large employers that provide insurance directly to their employees, such as Amazon, are including broad IVF coverage. Elective procedure? But some lawmakers are skeptical of expanding the definition of infertility to include same-sex couples. That was evident at a hearing on the Connecticut bill earlier this month, where Republican state Rep. Cara Pavalock-DAmato noted that infertility isnt necessarily elective, but having a baby is. Now, we are changing definitions to cover elective procedures, Pavalock-DAmato said. If were changing the definition for this elective procedure, then why not others as well? She added: Infertility, whether you are straight or gay, up to this point has been a requirement. Now, is it through this bill that we are no longer requiring people to be sick? They no longer have to be infertile? But proponents of the change argue that extending IVF mandates to cover same-sex couples is a question of fairness. I dont think anybody in the LGBTQ community is asking for more. Theyre just asking for the same benefit, and it is discriminatory to say, You dont get the same benefit as your colleague simply because you have a same-sex partner, Leondires said in an interview. If youre paying to the same health care system as the person sitting next to you, then you should have the same benefit, he said. If you're paying to the same health care system as the person sitting next to you, then you should have the same benefit. Dr. Mark Leondires, reproductive endocrinologist Elizabeth and Rebecca Bauer, who are busy decorating a nursery and buying baby clothes, recognize that they were fortunate to have the money to pursue IVF even without insurance coverage, and that there are plenty of people who dont have the time or the ability. There are so many ways that people who want to build a family might struggle, Elizabeth said, adding that the previous infertility definition felt like a pretty impossible barrier for non-straight couples. Insurance should make building a family possible for any person or persons who want to. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter. The post Few states cover fertility treatment for same-sex couples, but that could be changing appeared first on Alabama Reflector. FHP trooper who stopped driver from crashing into Skyway 10K runners to fly with Thunderbirds TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Toni Schuck will be honored with an opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds famous F-16 Fighting Falcons during the airshow in Tampa this weekend. Schuck was hailed a hero after she put herself in harms way by using her patrol car to stop a driver on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from crashing into runners participating in a 10K race on the bridge on March 6, 2022. Authorities said the driver, 52-year-old Kristen Kay Watts, of Sarasota, had drunkenly maneuvered the speeding sedan through several barriers and traffic cones. Schuck positioned her vehicle directly in front of the incoming car. Officials said Watts collided head-on with Schucks patrol car. Florida Highway Patrol Master Trooper Toni Schuck (WFLA/FHP) Schucks courageous effort saved 8,000 runners from potential harm. I was the last officer, I knew that, I knew it was me, Schuck later recalled. If it wasnt me to get her to stop, then who? I dont know. In a split-second decision during a crisis event, Trooper Schuck summoned selfless courage and bravery for the sake of others and her community, a source said. As the United States Armed Forces, Trooper Toni Schuck is a warrior and deserved the unique opportunity to fly with the heroes of the sky. Schuck suffered serious injuries in the crash but has since fully recovered. Schuck told the 6th Air Refueling Wing that the experience was difficult but she is glad that it brought a positive light to Florida law enforcement and women in law enforcement. It was very overwhelming with the attention that the accident created. I am a very private person so to see myself constantly for months caused a lot of anxiety, said Schuck. I am always grateful for the recognition that I received and the opportunities given to me, but it was a hard time for me mentally. Schuck was honored as the 2023 National Trooper of the Year for her heroic actions. My husband and son both served in the Air Force, Schuck said. I am still in shock today that I get the opportunity to fly with the Thunderbirds, I am a little nervous but I am more excited. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A detail of Michelangelo's 16th century statue of David is seen on display at the Accademia gallery, in Florence, central Italy, Monday, March 18, 2024. Michelangelos David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But curators worry the marble statues religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs focusing on Davids genitalia. The Galleria dellAccademias director has positioned herself as Davids defender and takes swift aim at those profiteering from his image. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) FLORENCE, Italy (AP) Michelangelos David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statues religious and political significance is being diminished by the thousands of refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs sold around Florence focusing on Davids genitalia. The Galleria dellAccademias director, Cecilie Hollberg, has positioned herself as Davids defender since her arrival at the museum in 2015, taking swift aim at those profiteering from his image, often in ways she finds debasing. In that way, she is a bit of a David herself against the Goliath of unfettered capitalism with its army of street vendors and souvenir shop operators hawking aprons of the statue's nude figure, T-shirts of it engaged in obscene gestures, and ubiquitous figurines, often in Pop Art neon. At Hollbergs behest, the states attorney office in Florence has launched a series of court cases invoking Italys landmark cultural heritage code, which protects artistic treasures from disparaging and unauthorized commercial use. The Accademia has won hundreds of thousands of euros (dollars) in damages since 2017, Hollberg said. There was great joy throughout all the world for this truly unique victory that we managed to achieve, and questions and queries from all over about how we did it, to ask advice on how to move," she told The Associated Press. Legal action has followed to protect masterpieces at other museums, not without debate, including Leonardo's Vitruvian Man, Donatellos David and Botticellis Birth of Venus. The decisions challenge a widely held practice that intellectual property rights are protected for a specified period before entering the public domain the artist's lifetime plus 70 years, according to the Berne Convention signed by more than 180 countries including Italy. More broadly, the decisions raise the question of whether institutions should be the arbiters of taste, and to what extent freedom of expression is being limited. It raises not just legal issues, but also philosophical issues. What does cultural patrimony mean? How much of a stranglehold do you want to give institutions over ideas and images that are in the public domain? said Thomas C. Danziger, an art market lawyer based in New York. He pointed to Andy Warhols famous series inspired by Leonardos Last Supper." Are you going to prevent artists like Warhol from creating what is a derivative work? Danziger asked. Many people would view this as a land grab by the Italian courts to control and monetize artworks in the public domain that were never intended to be charged for. Italys cultural code is unusual in its scope, essentially extending in perpetuity the authors copyright to the museum or institution that owns it. The Vatican has similar legislative protections on its masterpieces, and seeks remedies through its court system for any unauthorized reproduction, including for commercial use and for damaging the dignity of the work, a spokesman said. Elsewhere in Europe, Greece has a similar law, adopted in 2020, which requires a permit to use images of historic sites or artifacts for commercial use, and forbids the use of images that alter or offend the monuments in any way. France's Louvre museum, home to some oft-replicated masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, notes that its collection mostly dates from before 1848, which puts them in the public domain under French law. Court cases have debated whether Italy's law violates a 2019 European Union directive stating that any artwork no longer protected by copyright falls into the public domain, meaning that everybody should be free to make, use and share copies of that work. The EU Commission has not addressed the issue, but a spokesman told the AP that it is currently checking conformity of the national laws implementing the copyright directive and would look at whether Italys cultural heritage code interferes with its application. Hollberg won her first case against ticket scalpers using Davids image to sell marked-up entrance packages outside the Accademias doors. She also has targeted GQ Italia for imposing a models face on Davids body, and luxury fashion brand Longchamps cheeky Florence edition of its trademark Le Pliage bag featuring Davids more intimate details. Longchamp noted the depiction was not without irony and said the bag was an opportunity to express with amused lightness the creative force that has always animated this wonderful city.'' No matter how many lawsuits Hollberg has initiated she wont say how many the proliferation of David likenesses continues. I am sorry that there is so much ignorance and so little respect in the use of a work that for centuries has been praised for its beauty, for its purity, for its meanings, its symbols, to make products in bad taste, out of plastic, Hollberg said. Based on Hollbergs success and fortified by improved search engine technology, the private entity that is custodian of Florences landmark Cathedral has started going after commercial enterprises using the famed dome for unauthorized, and sometimes denigrating, purposes including mens and womens underwear. So far, cease-and-desist letters have been enough to win compliance without turning to the courts, adding an extra half a million euros ($541,600) a year to revenues topping 30 million euros ($32 million), Luca Bagnoli, president of the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, told the AP. We are generally in favor of the freedom of artistic expression, Bagnoli said. When it comes to reinterpreted copies, it becomes a little more difficult to understand where artistic freedom ends and our image rights begin. Italys cultural heritage code in its current form has been on the books since 2004, and while Hollbergs cases were not the first, they have represented an acceleration, experts said. The jurisprudence is still being tested. A court in Venice ordered Germanys Ravensburger jigsaw puzzle maker to stop using the image of Vitruvian Man in the first case to involve a company outside Italy. The ruling implicitly rejected Ravensburgers argument that the law was incompatible with the EU directive on copyright, lawyers said. Experts say the aggressive stance could backfire, discouraging the licensing of Italy's artworks, a source of revenue, while also limiting the reproduction of masterpieces that serve as cultural ambassadors. There is a risk for Italy, because you can select a work of art that is not covered by this legislation, said Vittorio Cerulli Irelli, an intellectual property lawyer at Trevisan & Cuonzo in Rome. In many instances, it is the same for you to use Leonardos painting which is in the U.K. or Leonardos painting which is in Italy. You just go for the easiest choice. ___ Associated Press writers Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Greece, and Thomas Adamson in Paris contributed to this report. UPDATE: 11: 50 A.M. SALEM, Va. (WFXR) Several first responders are at the Oak Park Apartments after a fire broke out on Thursday morning. The Salem Fire and EMS Department Captain at the scene told WFXR that all residents were accounted for and the fire was contained to an apartment on the third floor. (Dustin Hennessey/ WFXR News) Were told that another apartment on the second floor may have minor damage. No injuries have been reported, and a cause has not been determined, at this time. (Dustin Hennessey/ WFXR News) (Dustin Hennessey/ WFXR News) (Dustin Hennessey/ WFXR News) (Dustin Hennessey/ WFXR News) SALEM, Va. (WFXR) Salem firefighters are currently on the scene of an apartment fire. Details are limited; however, Salem Fire and EMS Department told WFXR News that crews were called to Otter Avenue for a fire. This is a developing story. WFXR News has a crew heading to the scene. We will update you as more information is released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. New fire safety rules took effect in October, forcing many holiday let owners to scramble to install smoke detectors and fire doors. Anyone who lets a property for even a single night now needs to create a written fire safety risk assessment or pay someone else to before they can take in paying guests. This includes owners using Airbnb and other booking platforms. Previously, smaller holiday let businesses, defined as those employing fewer than five staff members, did not have to physically write down their fire assessment, although they were still required to have one. Landlords can be forced to close their properties until theyve been made fire safe or can face hefty fines and up to two years in prison for non-compliance. It can be intimidating to take on a fire assessment but the Government has issued step-by-step guidance with illustrated examples to help flat and cottage owners do their own assessments. Here, Telegraph Money explains what the new rules mean, how to comply and what could happen if you get it wrong. The Government guidance The Home Office published a fire risk assessment guide for small paying-guest accommodation owners in March ahead of the new requirements taking effect in October. The guide covers the rules introduced under the Governments fire safety programme and includes a template for a fire risk assessment for flats and two-storey buildings. The key tenet of the guidance is the means of escape in case of a fire. This means you need to think about how a guest would get out if there was a fire in a bedroom, or a kitchen, and consider how fires might be started. The route should be kept clear and this should be checked daily. The guidelines say that there should be no candles given to paying guests, and that owners should install interlinked smoke detectors in all bedrooms, corridors, staircases, dining rooms and lounges. Heat detectors should be installed in kitchens. Alarms should be connected to the mains electricity supply but have tamper-proof batteries in case of blackouts. They need to be loud enough to wake someone in a deep sleep and should be tested weekly. Doors should not require a key to open from inside, and homeowners should make sure that any escape routes are lined with fire doors which take more than 30 minutes to burn. For bathroom, toilet and cupboards, non-fire proof doors are acceptable. Guests should be instructed to close doors while sleeping, and front doors should be self-closing. You should check each week that doors are closing properly and that they can be easily opened. Night lights should be provided on staircases or rechargeable torches left in guest rooms, although the exact measures expected vary from home to home. Alarm and fire detection systems should be serviced every six months, and escape lighting once a year. Although guests should not be expected to fight fires themselves, fire blankets and extinguishers should be provided near the kitchen. Furniture should be compliant with the amended Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This will usually be indicated by a label on the item itself. Fire hazards include smoking, arson, heaters and electrical goods and kitchens, so any assessment should consider how to reduce these risks. Dangerous substances, such as petrol, and large piles of rubbish can also increase the chance of a fire breaking out, and should not be kept inside. For a one-bedroom studio apartment that is rented out, the front door is expected to be a fire door, and a smoke alarm should be installed, according to the Home Offices examples. For a two-bedroom flat with an entrance hall, two smoke detectors and a heat detector should be installed, depending on the flats layout. The front door should also be a fire door, in order to protect the planned 30-minute escape route. Extra guidance is expected to be published when the rules come into force next month. The 38-page document also points to other sources of information for hosts that are worried about becoming compliant, such as Fireengland.uk and VisitEngland. Are you a competent person? Assessments need to be carried out by a competent person, and it is the duty of the Responsible Person the landlord or owner to make sure this is the case. While a competent person does not need to have any specific qualifications, they do need to understand all the relevant legislation. They will also need to have appropriate training in the general principles of fire safety and an understanding of how people react to fires. A competent person will be able to identify fire hazards and risks and put in place mitigating measures in order to improve safety. Simon Tudor, a fire safety expert and founder of London Fire Consultants, said only the simplest properties should be assessed by the owner. Seek professional advice if at any point you feel unsure about what you are doing, he explains. What you are aiming to do is not just tick the boxes on the report but to protect the building from fire. When looking for consultants, you should check that they are covered by a professional body registration scheme and that they have third party accreditation by a UKAS accredited body. The Fire Sector Federation publishes guidance on choosing a good assessor. Be wary, fire safety consulting is not a regulated industry so anyone can set up as if they are an expert, without any training or qualifications. You can ask for references from previous clients to ensure the assessor has experience with the type of property theyre inspecting. As with building works, dont forget to obtain a range of alternative quotes to ensure that you are choosing the best possible assessor. For small holiday lets, it should cost between 100 and 200 for a consultation. It is a good idea to make sure that the scope of the work is agreed in advance and in writing. You should keep a record of all inspections carried out on the property and the recommendations that were made by the assessor. For the most complicated properties you may need to employ a qualified engineer with experience in fire safety. Doing the assessment If you have decided to do the assessment yourself, following the template provided in the Government advice on paying guest accommodation is a good first step when considering how to start. Questions include whether electrical installations have been inspected within the last five years and whether they are regularly tested. The assessment requires that gas appliances are checked every year and portable heaters should also be inspected regularly. Escape routes should be kept clear and the walls and structures protecting the stairway in a multi-story home should be fire-resistant, as should doors leading to an escape route. This is called compartmentation, and allows owners to temporarily close off fires if they break out. Artificial lighting should be installed along escape routes for guests unfamiliar with the layout of the home, especially on steep staircases and in tight spaces. Hosts will need to fill out an action plan at the end of the assessment of measures they will introduce to improve fire prevention and protection. Alternatively, owners can use a five-step framework, first considering fire hazards, then people at risk, before evaluating and implementing actions. Hosts should then record their findings and train staff accordingly, and regularly review the policies. London Fire Consultants Mr Tudor says that risk assessments break down fire safety into several different factors, all of which need to be considered. The fire risk assessments are comprehensive, looking at various aspects, and its broken down into the physical fire measures that are in the building, broken down into passive and active, he explains. Passive would be compartmentation, thats there all the time, and active would be protection, your fire extinguishers and fire blankets. The report would look at how the building is managed as well, for fire safety. If you are the responsible person for a building which is not a domestic home, you also have a number of duties under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 to consider. Not only must the fire risk assessment be a complete written account, you must also record the names of any consultants you employ to carry out the assessment. You will need to contact any other responsible people in the property and share your contact details, including a UK-based address with them. If you sell or employ someone to manage the building, you will need to pass on all the relevant information about fire precautions to them at the time. What happens if you are in breach of the rules? Non-compliant holiday lets could be shut down and the owners fined (an unlimited amount) or imprisoned for up to two years if inspections by fire services find that theyve broken the rules, which are part of the third phase of the Home Offices fire safety reform programme. Take it seriously It might seem like a boring chore, but having a written fire safety assessment will become a requirement for anyone letting out a room to paying guests even if its only for a night. Mr Tudor says owners should be well aware of the potential dangers of not doing a fire risk assessment and that doing one could save their business. Understand the severity of and the impacts of a fire if you get it wrong. It isnt just ticking boxes, if it does go wrong, the consequences can be loss of life, and the implications are up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine, the fire expert says. Recommended Each of my holiday lets generates 50,000 a year heres how Read more Have you spent thousands upgrading your rental property? We want to hear from you, email madeleine.ross@telegraph.co.uk 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Firefighters from the Fresno and Clovis Fire Department responded to a house fire on Wednesday afternoon, rescuing a dog that was still inside and reuniting him with his family. Fresno Fire Department says around 1:30 p.m. firefighters from Fresno and Clovis responded to a house fire on East Donner Avenue. Early reports indicated that two people were still inside. When they arrived firefighters reported smoke coming from the house and went into rescue mode. They searched the home using thermal imaging cameras that were built into their new breathing apparatus. According to officials, during the search, the Captain from Engine 5 located the familys dog. The dog was barely breathing due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters reunited him with his family. Officials say that the original report was incorrect and there was no one home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Supreme Court of Florida. Credit: Danielle J. Brown Quality Journalism for Critical Times Suspense over the future of the proposed abortion-rights state constitutional amendment deepened Thursday when the Florida Supreme Court let the day pass without ruling on whether the measure can appear on the November ballot. The same applies to a separate proposed amendment to allow adult use of cannabis. The rulings were highly anticipated on the day of the week when the court typically releases written opinions, but the courts press office issued a notice at 11 a.m.: There are no Florida Supreme Court opinions ready for release today, March 28, 2024. The Florida Constitution gives the court a deadline of April 1 to rule on whether any citizens initiative meet the requirements for that Novembers ballot placement Monday. The court will be closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday. We can expect an out of calendar opinion release, Democratic House member Anna Eskamani of Orange County wrote on X meaning all bets are off in terms of timing. The text of the abortion amendment says: Limiting government interference with abortion. Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. Floridians Protecting Freedom, organized following the Dodd v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, collected close to 1 million petition signatures to place the initiative on the ballot. The issue before the court is whether the measures ballot summary fairly describes what it would do without ambiguity or logrolling, meaning sweeping more than one constitutional change under one banner. The court heard oral arguments on Feb. 7. The summary reads: No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislatures constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion. Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody and anti-abortion groups argued against allowing either amendment to go to the voters. A group called Smart & Safe has spent more than $40 million on the cannabis initiative so far, with nearly all that funding coming from Trulieve, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Trulieve is one of the nations largest multi-state cannabis operators. The post FL Supreme Court frustrates hopes for rulings on abortion-rights, recreational cannabis amendments appeared first on Florida Phoenix. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The former San Diego Metropolitan Transit System employee who accused Nathan Fletcher of sexual assault now plans to represent herself in her ongoing lawsuit against the ex-Supervisor, according to new court filings. Grecia Figueroa signed off on the substitution to her counsel on March 22 and is expected to bring it before the judge hearing her case on Friday days before discovery hearings were slated to begin in the lead up to a trial next year. No rationale for dropping her current counsel, Jessica Pride, was provided in the court filings. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to the Pride Firm, Figueroa and Fletcher for comment. Figueroa accused Fletcher, who was then chair of the MTS board, of at least two instances of sexual assault in a bombshell lawsuit filed almost a year ago. In her complaint, she also alleges she was abruptly fired by MTS on Feb. 6 the same day Fletcher launched a bid for State Senate. Timeline: Unfolding of the Nathan Fletcher scandal Fletcher has admitted to having physical interactions with Figueroa, but denied her claims of assault. MTS has also refuted claims that her firing was due to their relationship. This is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle that has unfolded since last March. The fallout of the complaint has spurred other legal challenges against MTS, as well as revelation of similar accusations against Fletcher of inappropriate behavior. Last week, a top MTS officer filed a retaliation lawsuit against the transit agency for its handling of the scandal, alleging she was mistreated for raising questions about when leadership knew about Figueroas accusations. Since filing the suit, Figueroa has remained relatively quiet about her claims, speaking out only once in a public blog post. She has similarly not been present in any hearings held in the course of litigating her lawsuit. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida deputys 10-year-old son was arrested after authorities said he sold a gun to another elementary school student. According to NBC affiliate WBHH, Country Oaks Elementary School in Labelle, Florida, was placed on a brief lockdown Wednesday morning as deputies investigated the incident. Florida police escort little crocodile found wandering streets early in the morning In February, the Hendry County Sheriffs Office said the deputys son agreed to sell the gun to another 10-year-old for $300. WBBH said the gun belonged to the boys dead father. The sheriffs office said ammunition was found in one boys backpack, and deputies later found the gun in his backyard under a shed, along with a baggie of marijuana. The boy is facing several charges, including the sale/purchase of a firearm by a minor, unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm on school property, and possession of marijuana over 20 grams. You will soon be able to buy giant wine bottles in Florida The other boy was charged with selling a firearm to a minor, unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor, possession of a firearm on school property, and grand theft of a firearm. According to WBBH, the mother of the boy who sold the gun is a Hendry County deputy. She was placed on administrative leave pending and administrative inquiry. Both 10-year-olds were taken into custody at the Department of Juvenile Justice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. An Ozona, Florida man faces multiple counts of animal cruelty after surrendering seven cats to an animal shelter, six of which ultimately died, because he was "sick of caring for them," according to authorities. The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office said 36-year-old Ian Bender was arrested on Wednesday and charged with seven counts of animal cruelty. Pinellas County Animal Services reported to the sheriffs office that on March 8, seven cats were surrendered to the SPCA in Largo five of the cats were surrendered in a small plastic bin, while the other two were in a small suitcase. When staff at the shelter opened the suitcase and bin, detectives with the sheriffs office said, five cats were dead and two were in critical condition. POLITICALLY INCORRECT SHERIFF TELLS CITIZENS TO SHOOT TO KILL HOME INVADERS TO SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY' One of the cats in critical condition was euthanized because of its poor condition, while the only surviving cat had a reported 106-degree internal temperature. All seven cats were under 18 months old. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP An investigation learned the cats were wet when they were removed from the bin and suitcase, and there was urine and feces inside, suggesting the felines were alive when they were placed inside. A further investigation revealed that Bender was watching the cats for a friend who was away on a business trip. PA COUPLE CHARGED WITH 99 FELONY ANIMAL CRUELTY COUNTS, ALMOST 300 MISDEMEANORS A Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy is parked outside the County Supervisor of Elections Office on October 25, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. Investigators said the cats were in healthy and good condition when Bender began to watch after them. But after a week and a half, Bender said he was "sick of caring for them," detectives claim. He also allegedly told investigators he planned to surrender the cats. Bender allegedly placed the cats in the bin and suitcase because he did not have any carriers to put them in, and he dropped them off at the SPCA, according to investigators. FLORIDA MAN STEALS EMS TRUCK BEFORE CRASH, ARRESTED DAYS LATER WHILE TRYING TO FLEE: SHERIFF Friendswood Police Department is asking for victims of what they call the "viral TikTok Door Knock challenge" to come forward. Detectives added that it is not known how long the cats were in the suitcase and bin before they were dropped off. Bender turned himself into the Pinellas County Jail on March 27 and has been charged with seven counts of cruelty to animals. The investigation into the matter is ongoing. Original article source: Florida man sick of caring for friends cats accused of killing felines: authorities Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted Thursday by grand jury on charges of elder abuse and fraud, according to court records filed in Orange County, Florida. The commissioner was hit with three counts of first-degree elder abuse resulting in damages of more than $50,000, two counts of personal identity fraud, one count of mortgage fraud over $100,000, and one count of scheming to commit fraud. The alleged abuses took place from April 2021 to March 2024. Mrs. Hill effectively betrayed the trust of her community by taking advantage of a 96-year-old elderly citizen, which is one of the most vulnerable in that community, assistant commissioner Lee Massie said in a Thursday press conference announcing her arrest. Hill is accused of financially exploiting 96-year-old Annie Mae Curtis, a woman who lived in her district, Florida Department of Law Enforcement records show. After fraudulently gaining power of attorney over the woman, Hill allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the elderly womans savings account to use for personal benefit. Authorities say she used the money to buy a house that cost more than $400,000, co-signing with Curtis even though the elderly woman had no knowledge of the sale. Hill then settled herself into a second home owned by Curtis and spent $15,400 of stolen money to renovate itall while Curtis was living in squalor, a FDLE release stated. Hill also purchased other personal luxuries like hotel stays, facelifts, and dental surgery using Curtis money. Hill took advantage of one of the communitys most vulnerable citizens, and one of her constituents, by obtaining and later using the victims personal information and financial funds for her own benefit, special agent in charge John Vecchio said at the press conference. Hills crimes cost the victim more than $100,000. Vecchio told reporters that Hill became aware of Curtis through her position as commissioner, but declined to make any statements alleging outright abuse of office. The charges today have to do with her acting as a citizen, not in her official capacity, assistant commissioner Massie added. Gaining access to a constituent is part of the job as a city commissioner, he said, clarifying that the investigation was focused on suspected crimes she committed as a private citizen, not as an elected official. The charges follow a yearlong investigation by the FDLE, which was alerted by a former aide who said they had been fired for speaking up about Hills alleged fraud, documents show. Curtis had no idea of how much shed signed over to Hill, Vecchio said at the press conference. At first glance, Hills actions appeared well-intentioned as she coordinated the clean-up of the victims residence and other community resources, FDLE said in a release. However, the investigation revealed that in just over a months time, Hill was able obtain power of attorney over the victim and financially exploit her for a period of approximately three years. Hill is also embroiled in a civil lawsuit with Adriane Alexander, a Tampa resident who won power of attorney over Curtis and displaced Hill in February. Alexander is accusing Hill of taking advantage of the womans mental incapacities, allegations that Hill has denied through her own filings, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Hill has said through court filings that Alexander does not know the woman; Alexander maintains that she is the daughter of the Curtis lifelong friend, a claim that Curtis own filings support. When asked if anyone else had fallen prey to Curtis fraud, special agent John Vecchio told reporters FDLE knew of no other victims. We are not aware today of any other victims, he said, adding that although the investigation was ongoing, there was no evidence of others Hill had abused. Vecchio added that the FDLE did not expect federal charges to be filed. Hill has been the District 5 and Orlando city commissioner for 11 years. Her work focused largely on building more affordable housing in underserved communities, according to her city biography. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. HB 601 would restrict the power of civilian police oversight boards, a crucial tool for Black people in assessing fair treatment by police A Florida bill that seeks to strip away a level of police accountability has passed in both legislative chambers and is headed to the governors desk for consideration. HB 601 would restrict the power of civilian police oversight boards, a crucial tool for Black people in assessing fair treatment by police. The boards are third-party agencies made up of everyday residents and community leaders. They investigate claims of police misconduct, review department policies and recommend changes. For Black neighborhoods that struggle with police misconduct, theyre an important accountability mechanism. The Florida legislature recently approved the bill, and it awaits a signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Specifically, the bill would prohibit a political subdivision from adopting or attempting to enforce certain ordinances relating to the receipt, processing, or investigation of complaints against law enforcement officers or correctional officers, or relating to civilian oversight of law enforcement agency investigations of complaints of misconduct by such officers. A bill to end civilian oversight of police is closer to becoming law In Florida. Above, officers in Miami perform a security sweep in June 2023 outside Miamis Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) The Florida bill would ban the outside investigations of police officers and it states that only the internal affairs department of the law enforcement agency must review allegations of misconduct. It also states that the external groups are not allowed to participate in the receipt, processing, or investigation of complaints of misconduct by law enforcement or correctional officers. It is a very real thing that our communities have historically had mistrust, Democratic state Rep. Kevin Chambliss told WFSU. And these boards create a transparency that is needed now, I think, more than ever. According to a University of Chicago report, there are more than 200 civilian oversight boards in America. Many started in major cities in 2014, in the wake of Michael Browns death. After George Floyds murder in 2020, more cities created such groups in an attempt to hold their departments accountable. Florida alone has 21, in cities such as Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee and West Palm Beach. While they can make recommendations, they have no legal power and cannot force agencies to fire someone or force an officer to go to court. Whoever offered this bill wants people to forget what happened to George Floyd, Caila Coleman, who served on the Orlando board from 2016 to 2021 told the Orlando Sentinel. Now you are trying to get rid of the transparency of the police department. That does nothing but cause mistrust with citizens. What are you trying to hide? A 2022 study from Florida State University found that many of the cities with oversight boards saw a decrease in Black arrests and that the groups helped build trust between the police and the community. In 2021, the Department of Justice released a report analyzing the evolution and growth of civilian oversight and confirmed their importance in the policing landscape. The report stated that by acting as an independent and neutral body reviewing the work of the law enforcement agency and its sworn staff, civilian oversight of law enforcement offers a unique element of legitimacy that internal accountability and review mechanisms simply cannot. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. Recommended Stories The post Florida is one step away from ending civilian oversight of the police appeared first on TheGrio. Clermont police are searching for a man accused of stealing nearly $3,000 worth of trading cards from Walmart (Photo: Clermont Police Department) CLERMONT, Fla. - Clermont police are searching for a man accused of stealing nearly $3,000 worth of trading cards from Walmart. The Clermont Police Department said the alleged theft occurred just after 6:40 p.m. at the Walmart at 1450 John's Lake Road on March 18. LAKE COUNTY: Florida police searching for man accused of secretly taking pictures of women at Target They showed photos of the person of interest in a theft of trading cards that totaled $2,923.17. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Clermont Police Department at 352-536-8405. Forensic accountants needed for trust that lost $100M for people with special needs RELATED VIDEO: Womans special needs trust drained ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) $100 million is missing from a St. Petersburg nonprofit, and 8 On Your Side has continued to follow the story. The founder of the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration is accused of taking money from vulnerable peoples trusts and not repaying it. St. Pete non-profit responds to what happened to missing $100 million A federal judge has appointed a Chapter 11 trustee to manage the centers operations after the centers board resigned two weeks ago. The trustees name is attorney Michael Goldberg of Ackerman Law. According to the firms website, Goldberg chairs his firms Fraud and Recovery Practice, which is focused on unraveling high-profile investor fraud, including Ponzi schemes. No more trusts: Fort Myers womans special needs trust drained, new trustee named for non-profit thats missing $100M In one of his Goldbergs first moves as trustee, hes filed a motion asking a federal judge to hire a independent forensic accounting firm named KapilaMukamal or KM. The motion said KM was chosen by Goldberg because of its considerable expertise in the fields of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganizations, liquidations, debt restructuring and corporate reorganizations, particularly in the context of potentially fraudulent schemes as alleged by certain parties in this bankruptcy case. There is an initial status conference hearing at the federal courthouse in downtown Tampa on Thursday afternoon. Investigator Brittany Muller will be in the courtroom to share updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Fiji's former long-serving prime minister Frank Bainimarama has avoided jail and was discharged by the Magistrates Court on Thursday, after earlier this month being found guilty by a higher court of perverting the court of justice. Bainimarama led the Pacific island nation for 16 years until narrowly losing an election in December 2022 to a coalition of parties led by current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. A former military chief, Bainimarama came to power in a 2006 coup and later won democratic elections in 2014 and 2018. He was found guilty this month by the High Court of attempting to pervert the course of justice while he was prime minister by telling then police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho to stay away from an investigation into the University of South Pacific, court documents show. The High Court had overturned an earlier not guilty verdict delivered last year by magistrate Seini Paumau in the Magistrates Court, and returned the case to the lower court for sentencing. On Thursday Paumau delivered a sentence that cited Bainimarama's poor health and heart condition and granted him an absolute discharge. Fiji's Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku, filed an appeal against the sentence on Thursday afternoon. The sentence was "manifestly lenient" and "erred in law", the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said in a statement emailed to Reuters. In sentencing Bainimarama, Puamau announced his conviction would not be registered, the statement added. Bainimarama, who wished supporters "Happy Easter" outside the court, could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Kirsty NeedhamEditing by Shri Navaratnam) Former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo, left, and former FirstEnergy CEO Charles "Chuck" Jones in Summit County Court attend an arraignment hearing. Facing criminal charges for a sweeping bribery scandal, two former FirstEnergy executives were given permission to travel. On Monday, Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Baker Ross granted former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones's to visit his property in Naples, Florida. And ex-Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling was approved to take an Easter trip to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, Cleveland.com first reported. Both are accused of participating in a scheme to bribe former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo to work on behalf of FirstEnergy. Randazzo is also accused of skimming money from his large industrial energy user clients. All three men have pleaded not guilty. Jones asked Ross for the ability to travel around Ohio and Florida while awaiting trial, according to court records. In the request, Jones listed his 6,000-square-foot luxury condominium with views of the Gulf of Mexico, a second three-bedroom home in Naples and his five-bedroom Akron house. In exchange, Jones and his wife would automatically forfeit their interest in their Ohio and Florida properties if he failed to appear at trial or any hearing "absent extraordinary circumstances." Jones would also use the location-sharing function on his cellphone to keep his pre-trial services officer apprised of his location, according to the court filing. "Mr. Jones and his counsel assure the Court that his presence in Florida will not in any way delay or impede preparation for the trial of this matter," Jones' attorney Carole S. Rendon wrote. Because of these stipulations, the Ohio Attorney General's Office did not oppose Jones' request, according to the court filing. But the Ohio Attorney General's Office did oppose Dowling's request to visit his second home in South Carolina over Easter. "Dowling faces serious charges that, if convicted, could send him to an Ohio penitentiary for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he demands the privilege to take a vacation outside of the State of Ohio and far beyond the Courts jurisdiction," Principal Assistant Attorney General Matthew Meyer wrote. They also pointed out that FirstEnergy was paying Dowling's legal bills a privilege many criminal defendants don't enjoy. Judge Ross initially denied Dowling's vacation. But Dowling, through his attorney, made a second plea for a nine-day trip instead of the rejected 13-day one. Dowling pledged to share a detailed itinerary with pre-trial services, and Ross approved the trip. Meanwhile, court filings indicate Randazzo wants to be excused from wearing a GPS monitor. Randazzo's attorney did not disclose the medical reason behind the request. But the Ohio Attorney General's Office wrote that "a mental health professional has opined that the GPS monitor that Randazzo is required to wear as a condition of his bond has negative health consequences for Randazzo." The flurry of filings is typical in all criminal cases, but the prominence of the defendants has led to less typical requests. This is one of two criminal cases filed against Randazzo, who was also charged in federal court. The former FirstEnergy executives have not been charged federally. Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ex-FirstEnergy execs allowed to travel while awaiting criminal trial Germany's former chancellor Gerhard Schroder says he can still imagine that his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could contribute to ending the war in Ukraine. "We have worked together sensibly for many years. Perhaps that can still help to find a negotiated solution, I don't see any other way," Schroder said in an interview with dpa. Schroder has been friends with Putin since his time as chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and continues to work for the majority Russian companies of the Nord Stream pipelines through the Baltic Sea. Although he has described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a "fatal mistake," he has not renounced Putin. The leadership of his Social Democratic Party has marginalized him for this reason, but an expulsion procedure against him failed. When asked why he is maintaining his friendship with the Russian president despite tens of thousands of deaths and Russian war crimes in the Ukraine war, Schroder replied, "It's true that this is a dimension that is different." It had once looked as if this personal relationship could be helpful in solving an extremely difficult political problem. "And that's why I think it would be completely wrong to forget all the positive things that have happened between us in politics in the past. That's not my style and I don't do that either," he said. Schroder was alluding to his mediation mission in March 2022 shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine, when Schroder said he first met the then Ukrainian parliamentarian and current defence minister Rustem Umerov in Istanbul and travelled on to Moscow for talks with Putin. However, the initiative failed. Germany's former chancellor Gerhard Schroder says he can still imagine that his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could contribute to ending the war in Ukraine. "We have worked together sensibly for many years. Perhaps that can still help to find a negotiated solution, I don't see any other way," Schroder said in an interview with dpa. Schroder has been friends with Putin since his time as chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and continues to work for the majority Russian companies of the Nord Stream pipelines through the Baltic Sea. Although he has described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a "fatal mistake," he has not renounced Putin. The leadership of his Social Democratic Party has marginalized him for this reason, but an expulsion procedure against him failed. When asked why he is maintaining his friendship with the Russian president despite tens of thousands of deaths and Russian war crimes in the Ukraine war, Schroder replied, "It's true that this is a dimension that is different." It had once looked as if this personal relationship could be helpful in solving an extremely difficult political problem. "And that's why I think it would be completely wrong to forget all the positive things that have happened between us in politics in the past. That's not my style and I don't do that either," he said. Schroder was alluding to his mediation mission in March 2022 shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine, when Schroder said he first met the then Ukrainian parliamentarian and current defence minister Rustem Umerov in Istanbul and travelled on to Moscow for talks with Putin. However, the initiative failed. Today, Schroder is in favour of a new attempt at mediation at the government level. "France and Germany would have to take the initiative. It is obvious that the war cannot end with the total defeat of one side or the other." Schroder described speculation that Putin could start a nuclear war or attack a NATO country on the eastern flank as "nonsense." In order to nip an escalation towards such scenarios in the bud and prevent the population from becoming more worried, serious thought must be given to a solution to the conflict in addition to support for Ukraine, he emphasized. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder waits for the hearing on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project to begin in the Bundestag's Economic Affairs Committee. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Germany's former chancellor Gerhard Schroder says he can still imagine that his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could contribute to ending the war in Ukraine. "We have worked together sensibly for many years. Perhaps that can still help to find a negotiated solution, I don't see any other way," Schroder said in an interview with dpa. Schroder has been friends with Putin since his time as chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and continues to work for the majority Russian companies operating the Nord Stream pipelines through the Baltic Sea. Although he has described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a "fatal mistake," he has not renounced Putin. The leadership of his Social Democratic Party has marginalized him for this reason, but an expulsion procedure against him failed. When asked why he is maintaining his friendship with the Russian president despite tens of thousands of deaths and Russian war crimes in the Ukraine war, Schroder replied, "It's true that this is a dimension that is different." It had once looked as if his personal relationship with Putin could be helpful in solving an extremely difficult political problem. "And that's why I think it would be completely wrong to forget all the positive things that have happened between us in politics in the past. That's not my style and I don't do that either," he said. Schroder was alluding to his mediation mission in March 2022 shortly after the Russian attack on Ukraine, when Schroder said he first met then Ukrainian parliamentarian and current Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in Istanbul and travelled on to Moscow for talks with Putin. However, the initiative failed. The Kremlin welcomed Schroder's statements. Good, constructive relations on a personal level like those between Schroder and Putin could help to solve problems, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Thursday. The Kremlin spokesman added that when it came to those in power in Germany today, he did not see any willingness to end the war in Ukraine. Schroder also indicated that he is in favour of a new attempt at mediation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict at the government level. "France and Germany would have to take the initiative. It is obvious that the war cannot end with the total defeat of one side or the other," the former chancellor said. Schroder described speculation that Putin could start a nuclear war or attack a NATO country on the eastern flank as "nonsense." In order to nip an escalation towards such scenarios in the bud and prevent the population from becoming more worried, serious thought must be given to a solution to the conflict in addition to support for Ukraine, he emphasized. Germany's current chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has not spoken to Putin on the phone since December 2022. In an interview with the German daily Markische Allgemeine published on Thursday, Scholz pointed out that there had been repeated discussions with Moscow about, for example, the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain, security at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and the exchange of prisoners. "A number of countries, including Ukraine, are currently discussing at the security advisor level what something could look like that would lead to a peace process," he said. "But let me make one thing very clear: peace is possible at any time." "Putin just has to stop his barbaric campaign and withdraw troops," Scholz asserted. LOS ANGELES - Former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan was found guilty Wednesday of federal racketeering conspiracy and bribery charges for his role in a scheme run by convicted ex-City Councilman Jose Huizar to monetize the real estate approval process at City Hall. The guilty verdicts on all counts came a little over an hour after the federal criminal jury in downtown Los Angeles began deliberations for the day. Chan, 67, of Monterey Park, was convicted of a dozen charges, including racketeering conspiracy, two types of bribery and lying to federal agents for his role in the bribery scheme. LOS ANGELES, CA MARCH 26: Former Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan walks to the United States Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 for his trial on corruption charges. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Sentencing is set for June 10. Chan was a key member of the so-called Council District 14 enterprise, a conspiracy in which Huizar -- assisted by others -- unlawfully used his office to give favorable treatment to wealthy developers who financed and facilitated bribes and other illicit benefits. RELATED: Jose Huizar: Disgraced former LA City Councilman sentenced to 13 years in federal prison During opening statements two weeks ago in Chan's retrial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Faerstein said the longtime Los Angeles official had three goals: "Get money, keep power, and avoid the feds." But to defense attorneys, Chan was a dedicated, detail-oriented civil servant who spent his hours working for the city. "He was helpful -- almost to a fault," Michael Freedman told the jury. "Huizar used him just like Huizar used everyone. Ray Chan didn't create problems -- he solved problems." An ex-deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for then-Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 and 2017, Chan "sold access" to Huizar, and arranged bribe payments for himself, for the then-councilman and for other city officials, prosecutors said. Chan worked for the city for almost three dozen years, serving at one point as the top executive overseeing the Department of Building and Safety, which reviews building plans and inspects construction projects. Before Huizar pleaded guilty to federal charges, he and Chan were scheduled to go on trial together. Huizar, 55, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his associates, and for cheating on his taxes. He was sentenced in January to 13 years in federal prison and ordered to surrender to begin his sentence no later than April 30. He was also ordered to pay nearly $444,000 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles and nearly $39,000 to the IRS. A mistrial was declared in Chan's first trial last year due to a defense attorney's medical emergency. "He sold out his office," Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Palmer told the jury Tuesday in her closing argument. "He helped Huizar take bribes from developers who were willing to pay to play." During the two-week trial, prosecutors called several cooperating witnesses to the stand to testify against Chan in Los Angeles federal court, including George Esparza, Huizar's former special assistant, and real estate development consultant George Chiang, each of whom pleaded guilty to participating in the City Hall-based racketeering conspiracy. Chan was "careful but corrupt," and for years stayed "under the radar" while coordinating bribes in a scheme to soak developers in exchange for getting building projects approved at City Hall, prosecutors said. The defense countered that the former deputy mayor was motivated only by "love of his adopted city" and did nothing illegal. John Hanusz, one of Chan's attorneys, told jurors that the city of Los Angeles benefited as a result of Chan's work, making downtown development "attractive" to foreign investors. "It was his mission to bring economic development to Los Angeles," the defense attorney said. "Unfortunately, Ray Chan thought everyone shared his vision." The defense attorney told jurors that his client "was motivated for love of his adopted city of Los Angeles," not by greed or lust for power. As a result of the sprawling public corruption case, a developer, a former lobbyist, a land-use consultant, a Chinese-based real estate company and even Huizar's older brother, Salvador Huizar, have either pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury. Chan was the final defendant charged in the City Hall corruption investigation. Former Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman has died, his family announced in a statement Wednesday, March 27. He was 82. Lieberman died Wednesday afternoon in New York with his wife, Hadassah, and other loved ones at his side after he suffered complications from a fall, his family said in the statement. Senator Liebermans love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest, his family said. Lieberman was the Democratic vice presidential nominee who ran with former Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. In a statement on X Wednesday night, Gore called Lieberman a man of integrity whose strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail, Gore said. The pair were defeated by former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney. In his own statement, Bush said he was saddened by the loss of Lieberman, referring to him as one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington. As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joes example of decency guides our Nations leaders now and into the future, Bush said. In his later years, Lieberman was co-chairman of No Labels and was heading up the committee to vet its potential unity ticket candidates. A hefty share of the groups leadership and key staff members had left over the last year. Lieberman was effectively the groups top spokesperson through its effort this past year to field a third-party ticket. In a statement, No Labels, which encourages cooperation across the aisle, referred to Lieberman as the moral center of its movement and called his death a profound loss for all of us. Image: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman leaves the West Wing of the White House (Olivier Douliery / AFP - Getty Images file) And Republicans praised him Wednesday. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on X commended Liebermans commitment to working with anyone regardless of political stripe. Liebermans passing was also mourned by lawmakers in his state, including Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, who in a statement Wednesday cited political differences with Lieberman but referred to him as a man of integrity and conviction. In 2006, Lamont launched a challenge against Lieberman in the states Democratic primary, narrowly defeating him for the partys Senate nomination. After he conceded the primary, Lieberman vowed to run as an independent and ultimately won his fourth and final term. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the state was shocked by Liebermans sudden death. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one, Murphy wrote on X. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., also expressed his condolences in a statement on X, referring to Lieberman as a longtime friend of more than 50 years, a man of deep conscience [and] conviction, [and] a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. International leaders have also weighed in, with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling Lieberman, who was Jewish, an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. The Republican Jewish Coalitions national chairman, former Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, called him a true mensch and a great American. Liebermans funeral will be Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown, Stamford, Connecticut, his family said. A second memorial service is expected to be announced later. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief who served in federal law enforcement under presidents of both parties is backing Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, in his fight with the Biden administration over efforts to secure the border. Thomas Homan, whose service includes being head of ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) under President Obama and acting ICE director under President Trump, spoke to Fox News Digital about the ongoing feud between Abbott and the administration over border security. "Ive seen six different administrations, Ive seen policies come and go. I see policies that failed and policies work, but as far as what Gov. Abbott is doing I'm 100% behind him," he said. HOW EAGLE PASS BECAME THE CENTERPIECE OF ABBOTT'S EFFORTS TO SECURE THE BORDER Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in 2021, surging resources and personnel to the border in response to what he believes is a lack of leadership on the matter by the Biden administration. Its efforts to secure the border, including setting up razor wire, deploying buoys and a new anti-illegal immigration law allowing police to arrest illegal immigrants, have seen pushback from the Biden administration and immigration activists. In January, Texas officials also seized Shelby Park, part of Eagle Pass. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Former President Trump speaks to Gov. Greg Abbott during a visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, on Feb. 29, 2024. The White House has accused Abbott of trying to politicize the border crisis, and the administration has argued in court that its border security measures including the anti-illegal immigration law interfere with federal immigration enforcement. "[Texas] efforts, through SB 4, intrude on the federal governments exclusive authority to regulate the entry and removal of noncitizens, frustrate the United States immigration operations and proceedings, and interfere with U.S. foreign relations," the Department of Justice said in its January lawsuit against the law. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Homan pointed to things Abbott had done, including putting up barriers and imposing punishments for illegal entry, moves that are similar to what the Trump administration did. "He has proven what the Trump administration did, that border barriers work and consequences work, ending catch release," he said. Homan said that if the Biden administration worked with Texas on the matter, it would benefit both sides. He said Texas taking Shelby Park allowed Border Patrol to go to areas where gotaways are getting through. "So why would they push back on the governor, who has proven success in Eagle Pass? Why not use the state of Texas as a force multiplier? The men and women of the Border Patrol love what the state of Texas is doing because they act as a force multiplier for them." He dismissed the claim that Texas is interfering with federal enforcement. A National Guard soldier on the banks of the Rio Grande at Shelby Park on Jan. 12, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. "I would say, Interfering with what enforcement? What are they interfering with?" he said. BIDEN, TEXAS FEUD OVER ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LAW AS MIGRANTS RUSH BORDER: WHAT TO KNOW The Biden administration has said it is imposing "consequences" for illegal entry while expanding "lawful" migration pathways, but says it is dealing with a hemisphere-wide crisis that needs funding and immigration reform from Congress. Biden has accused Republicans of making the crisis worse by refusing to pass a bipartisan Senate border package. Conservatives have said that package would not fix the crisis, and have urged instead the passage of a House GOP bill that passed the chamber last year. As that feud goes on, the border crisis is still hitting records. And while places like Eagle Pass have seen a reduction in migration encounters, the crisis has had flashpoints elsewhere in places like El Paso where migrants burst through barriers last week and have also been spotted trying to cut through fences with boltcutters. Homan argues that Texas was right to take action as he believes the federal government is not stepping up. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE "I truly believe if the federal government's going to abdicate their responsibility to secure the border and protect Texas, then Texas has to do it," he said. "And what we've got to remember is Texas isn't only protecting the citizens of Texas; 98% of the people aren't staying in Texas, they're going all over the country, so Gov. Abbott is actually protecting the entire country." Asked whether states or the federal government are better at enforcing immigration law, Homan stressed that it isnt an either/or situation. "I think it's a combination of the two. Border Patrol is good at what they do if they're allowed to do it. We proved that under the Trump administration. But again, we had high numbers in the first two years of the Trump administration and the partnership of Texas was invaluable. So it's best if everybody works together to secure the border." He also accused the administration of running an anti-Trump agenda, arguing that they focused on ending anything that was a Trump-era policy, including wall construction and safe third country agreements. "From day one its been political they tried to tear down anything associated with Trump," he said. Homan is supportive of a second Trump term, and asked whether a Trump administration would restore that cooperation, Homan said "100%." "Because, again, they're a force multiplier, we have the same goal. Additional resources are always good on the border. So, of course, we'd have a partnership. Why would you not have a partnership with a force that has the same goals as you?" Fox News Digital's Aubrie Spady contributed to this report. Original article source: Former top ICE official sides with Texas Gov. Abbott over Biden in ongoing border battle After rising to become one of the highest-ranking Latinos in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department once a possible candidate to be the city's next chief Alfred "Al" Labrada was demoted and recommended for firing in the span of a few weeks. Labrada's precipitous fall came amid allegations last year that he had inappropriately monitored a female colleague with whom he was romantically involved. But in a new claim filed against the LAPD, Labrada argued former LAPD chief Michel Moore showed a double standard by not taking similar action against another top police official who had an inappropriate relationship with the same woman as Labrada. In a March 5 court filing, the one-time assistant chief again denied the allegations of LAPD officer Dawn Silva, who said he placed an Apple AirTag under the bumper of her car in order to track her movements while the couple was in the process of dissolving their domestic partnership. But Labrada's sharpest barbs were saved for his old boss, Moore, whom he accused of violating his due process rights by publicly discussing his case before it was resolved. Silva has sued the city, alleging department officials failed to protect her from backlash after she accused Labrada. She has a temporary restraining order against him, which a judge on Wednesday agreed to extend for another year. As a condition of the order, Labrada is barred from possessing any firearms unless he meets certain conditions. After a police investigation into the AirTag allegations which stemmed from a report filed in September with San Bernardino County authorities prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Labrada, 53, citing insufficient evidence. Read more: LAPD cant get rid of their bad cops. Heres what they want to do about it Labrada was downgraded to his civil service rank of commander and remains relieved of duty, pending the findings of an administrative panel that will determine whether he will be fired. That hearing has been rescheduled to later this year. In his claim, Labrada accused Moore who retired at the end of February, but said he would continue working for the LAPD as a consultant of leading a campaign to block his career advancement, saying his former boss felt threatened at a time when he faced criticism over a drop in morale and staffing shortages. Labrada also cited an alleged culture of cronyism at the LAPD under Moore that involved looking the other way when the chief's allies were accused of misconduct. As an example, Labrada accused Moore of covering up for another one of his assistant chiefs, Jorge Villegas, who was caught by an LAPD surveillance squad engaged in a sex act in a car with Silva the same officer Labrada later became romantically involved with. Villegas retired soon after the incident. Moore did not respond to a phone call and a text message seeking comment. LAPD spokeswoman Capt. Kelly Muniz said in a brief statement that the department had investigated "all allegations raised by this former assistant chief over the handling of the investigation" with oversight from the inspector general's office. She said she couldn't comment on any specific claims made in Labrada's filing. "The Department maintains procedural safeguards to ensure a thorough and fair investigation for specific complaint types, including those involving members of command staff or those involving potential workplace concerns," Muniz said. Labrada is among the highest-ranking officers to publicly accuse the LAPD leadership of favoritism and bias, and his case has deeply divided the department, with factions forming between those who agree with some of his allegations and those who find his condemnations self-serving. Others have argued that the internal backlash against Silva was symptomatic of the way some women in the department are treated. Read more: Top LAPD oversight official may leave one troubled police department for another Labrada has found support among some current and former high-ranking Latino LAPD officials who have privately lobbied on his behalf, circulating copies of the city's response to Silva's lawsuit and posting messages of support on social media, according to several department sources. The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal matters. Labrada's attorney, Luis Carrillo, said Wednesday that Moore "played dirty" and deprived his client of his right to due process enshrined in a state law aimed at protecting the privacy of officers. "In my opinion, he didn't want Al Labrada to become chief of police," Carrillo said. In February Silva sued the city for sexual discrimination, harassment and retaliation, claiming her romance with Labrada from October 2017 to July 2023 ended "because of the toxic nature of their relationship." She alleged that Labrada kept messaging her, even after a highly publicized Oct. 7 press conference during which he vehemently denied the allegations she made against him. Labrada said at the time that news coverage of his case had caused him significant emotional and physical distress." "Whatever disgraced Chief Labrada claims, none of it justifies what he did to one of his subordinates, my client, Dawn Silva," said Matt McNicholas, an attorney for Silva in her civil case against the city. "The irony is that he claims that he was abused by Command, when it was in fact he was Command that was abusing Officer Silva." In its response, the city attorney's office said it was unclear what "adverse employment action" Silva allegedly suffered. Read more: Allegations that 'intimate' photos of LAPD employee being shared on internet under investigation "The LAPD undertook a prompt investigation into the allegations," the city wrote in a court filing, adding that "corrective measures" had been taken against Labrada. Silva said she found the tracking device called an AirTag on Sept. 3 during a getaway with friends at a hotel in Palm Springs. She said she made the discovery after receiving an email from Labrada that made her suspect that he was monitoring her movements. When Moore announced last year that he wouldn't serve out his full second term, Labrada's name began circulating around the department as a possible successor. On occasion, he served as acting chief while Moore was out of town. Moore suggested that Labrada was being groomed for the top job in an interview with The Times last year when he expressed his disappointment in "recent events" involving "people... you thought were qualified for taking the reins." That changed after Silva filed a report with Ontario police. But when they took the case to the San Bernardino County district attorney's office, prosecutors declined to file charges. A confidential declination memo obtained by The Times shows that a prosecutor involved in the case said she had doubts about Silva's account of events, including the officer's claim that someone found the tracking device on her car "within a couple moments" of looking for it. Deputy Dist. Atty. Gina Florick wrote of Labrada and Silva in the memo: "there is no evidence suspect is actively tracking her." Florick said Labrada "never shows up at her location, unannounced, or confronts her with information potentially received from the AirTag." The prosecutor also said that she found it "incredibly problematic" that Ontario police had allowed Silva to review a draft of the initial police report. After The Times reported on the Silva allegations last September, Labrada said, Moore used that as pretext to remove him from his position of assistant chief. He said Moore also took the unusual step of publicly announcing Labrada's demotion at a Police Commission meeting and issuing a news release about the department's internal probe before the criminal investigation against him had been completed. Moore then ordered him to a board of rights hearing, indicating that the chief wanted to fire him. Read more: Officer claims LAPD failed to protect her after alleged AirTag monitoring by assistant chief Those who operated within Moore's orbit had not been subjected to the same treatment in the past, Labrada said. As an example, Labrada cited Moore's handling of a romantic encounter involving Silva and Villegas, bringing to light an episode that years later remains a topic of fascination and controversy around police headquarters. Villegas had come under suspicion in 2018 and was placed under surveillance by Internal Affairs, who were tipped off by former police commissioner Steve Soboroff that Villegas may have been seen driving under the influence. A team of detectives tailed Villegas to the parking lot of a bar in Pomona, where officers caught him engaged in a sex act inside Silvas white Honda Accord, Labrada alleged. When Moore was informed of this, Labrada said, he reportedly "called off" any further surveillance. And instead of disclosing the potential violation of the departments policy against sexual relationships between senior staff and lower-ranking officers, Labrada alleged, the chief allowed Villegas to retire quietly without suffering the embarrassment of his alleged improprieties playing out in the press. While department sources detailed the episode to The Times, Moore and other officials declined to comment. Labrada also alleged anti-Latino bias, particularly in the department's higher ranks. While the LAPD is more than half Latino, Labrada pointed to a lack of representation within Moore's inner circle, alleging a "pattern and practice" of Moore promoting white men into positions at the expense of "highly qualified" Latinos. 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. Former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman speaks at an event in Ashraf-3 camp, which is a base for the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Manza (Reuters) -Former U.S. senator and Democratic Party vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman died on Wednesday at age 82 in New York City after suffering complications from a fall, his family said. "His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him when he passed," the statement said. "Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest." Lieberman was the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee in the 2000 election, which was won by Republican George W. Bush over Democrat Al Gore. Lieberman was the first Jewish candidate on a major party presidential ticket in the U.S. He failed in a bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, hurt by his support for the Iraq War. "Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with," Gore said in a statement. "Thats why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when hed start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatras 'My Way.' And doing things Joes way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first," Gore said. A centrist, Lieberman was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988. He lost the state's Democratic primary in 2006, but retained his seat by winning the general election as an independent candidate. In a further break from the Democratic Party, Lieberman endorsed Republican Senator John McCain for president in a speech at the Republican National Convention in 2008. But Lieberman would later back Democrats Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 in their bids for the presidency. Lieberman retired from the Senate in 2013 after four six-year terms. "Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington," Republican former President George W. Bush said in a statement. Most recently, Lieberman was leading No Labels, a centrist group that hopes to launch an outsider bid for the White House. In a recent Reuters interview, Lieberman discussed the effort and how it at times felt like building a plane in midair. "We're doing something that I think hasnt been done before. We are on the ground getting on the ballot and going to let a candidate emerge and take on the rest," Lieberman said. "Thats quite different. So, frankly, there was no choice but to build a plane and fly it while it was being built. And I'm very grateful to how far we've come under those circumstances, he said. Lieberman, who held a law degree from Yale Law School, was a member of the Connecticut State Senate and then attorney general of Connecticut before becoming a U.S. senator. Lieberman had three children from two marriages; his first marriage ended in divorce. Lieberman's funeral was set for Friday in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb, Jarrett Renshaw, Steve Holland and Eric Beech; editing by David Ljunggren and Leslie Adler) Nick Akerman, a former Watergate prosecutor, said that in his 50-some years in law, he has never seen a gag order like the one imposed on former President Trump in his hush money payments case this week. New York Judge Juan Merchan issued the gag order on Tuesday following a request from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. "This is so unusual," Akerman told CNNs Fredericka Whitfield on Wednesday. "This never happens, in over 50 years in law practice, both as a prosecutor and a defense lawyer." He added, "Its not done, and the reason its not done is because once you start disparaging the judge, disparaging people in the courtroom, youre putting yourself in harms way because thats the judge thats going to sentence you." TRUMP'S $454m JUDGMENT BOND SLASHED BY MORE THAN HALF IN APPEALS COURT RULING A judge issued a gag order against former President Trump in his hush money payments case. Akerman added that Trump is "the only one I have ever seen do this and do it in such an outrageous way that its really forced the courts to where does the First Amendment stop and where do we need a gag order in order to protect the judicial system?" READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has been highly critical of the judge, calling the gag order "illegal, un-American, unconstitutional," saying that Merchan was "wrongfully attempting to deprive me of my First Amendment Right to speak out against the Weaponization of Law Enforcement." Trump even suggested that the gag order was related to Merchans adult daughters work as the president of a political consulting firm. Trump called the gag order "illegal." "Judge Juan Merchan, who is suffering from an acute case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (whose daughter represents Crooked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Adam Shifty Schiff, and other Radical Liberals, has just posted a picture of me behind bars, her obvious goal, and makes it completely impossible for me to get a fair trial) has now issued another illegal, un-American, unConstitutional order, as he continues to try and take away my Rights," Trump wrote on Truth Social. MANHATTAN DA BRAGG REQUESTS JUDGE IMPOSE GAG ORDER ON TRUMP DURING HUSH MONEY CASE Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg requested the gag order. In issuing the gag order, the judge cited Trump's "prior extrajudicial statements," saying they establish "a sufficient risk to the administration of justice." Merchan ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about witnesses concerning their potential participation, or about counsel in the case other than Bragg or about court staff, DA staff or family members of staff. Merchan also ordered that Trump cannot make or direct others to make public statements about any prospective juror or chosen juror. Merchan said in his decision that Trump has made statements in the past during other trials likely referring to the months-long non-jury civil fraud trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James' case. "lndeed, his statements were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating, and the targets of his statements ranged from local and federal officials, court and court staff, prosecutors and staff assigned to the cases, and private individuals including grand jurors performing their civic duty," Merchan writes. "The consequences of those statements included not only fear on the part of the individual targeted, but also the assignment of increased security resources to investigate threats and protect the individuals and family members thereof." Akerman added later on X, "Trump's unprecedented pattern of disparaging and threatening judges, prosecutors and witnesses is self-destructive and makes it more likely he will end up in the slammer." Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Matt Whitaker, who served under Trump, told Fox News, "I think these gag orders are very dangerous The First Amendment is fairly broad in its protection of our right to speak and speak our minds, and I think ultimately this judge is going to have to tread very carefully." Trump has had two other gag orders issued against him in recent months. Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman and Maria Paronich contributed to this report. Original article source: Former Watergate prosecutor calls Trump gag order so unusual: This never happens SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Fort Concho National Historic Landmarks Speaker Series is returning to San Angelo, providing attendees with insights from professionals in fields of science, history and more throughout the month of April. An expert will give a presentation in the Fort Concho Commissary, located at 702 Burgess St., each Wednesday in April from noon to 1 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, and attendees are allowed to bring lunch. These Concho Valley towns will get a partial eclipse on April 8 This years lineup of presentations features a variety of topics, ranging from a discussion of total solar eclipses (just in time for the eclipse happening on April 8) to the history of San Angelos railroads and beyond. The full schedule of presentations is as follows, according to the City of San Angelo: Wednesday, April 3 The Total Solar Eclipse by Joyce Gray, Texas master naturalist and Chief Joseph and the Long Trail by Carl Brockmann, local historian Wednesday, April 10 The Coming of the Railroad to the Concho Valley by Charles Anderson, local historian Wednesday, April 17 Special music: The Battle Song of San Jacinto, performed by Monte Jones and Old Homes of San Angelo by Lisa Mahler, local historian Wednesday, April 24 Archaeology Stewards Volunteers Saving Texas History by Callan Clark, steward with the Texas Archaeological Stewardship Network Last years Speaker Series had a similar lineup, with speakers from all walks of life coming to educate the public on topics such as the annular solar eclipse that occurred in October 2023 and the history of spur making. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The fourth suspect in connection to a Peele Court shooting incident in which an 8-year-old boy was shot in the head has been arrested, Virginia Beach Police said Thursday. Jawuan Jefferies Jawuan Jefferies, 21, of Chesapeake, has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony and 24 counts of maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling. Jefferies is currently in custody on unrelated charges in Chesapeake. Police said he is the final suspect to be arrested in connection to the incident. Eight-year-old Landyn Davis had been playing video games on his dads computer when a bullet went through his head. After being put into a medically-induced coma at Childrens Hospital of The Kings Daughters, Landyn has been recovering as fundraisers to help with medical bills and other costs have continued. In a release, Virginia Beach Police said this arrest stands as a testament to VBPDs commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable. The dedication and determination of the investigators ensured that those involved in this shooting will have to face the consequences of their actions. Today we extend our hearts to the family and wish their son well on his road to recovery. It is this spirit of determination that carries us forward, knowing that with every case we solve, we bring hope and healing to the victims. Three other suspects in connection to this incident were arrested earlier this month. Two men and one woman were arrested and charged in connection to the incident, including Toriyon Cook, 24; Jerry Davis, 24; and Jakyra Epperson, 21. 3 arrested after 8-year-old boy shot in head in Virginia Beach Cook and Davis have been charged with malicious shooting and additional gun charges, while Epperson was charged on several concealing/destroying evidence charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. French authorities have shut down a fake recruitment website that claimed to have sought volunteers to fight in Ukraine, the countrys Defense Ministry announced on March 28. The site had been created by malicious actors to spread a disinformation campaign, the ministry said. "A URL for a page called 'Join Ukraine,' which used [French] government website templates, is currently being circulated online; this website is fake," the message reads. According to news agency AFP, the website invited 200,000 French citizens to enlist to fight against Russia in Ukraine, with a special emphasis on recruiting immigrants. French intelligence services have since blocked the page. Read also: Macron tries to battle back against far-right National Rally party ahead of EU elections "The fake website invited potential recruits to contact 'unit commander Pavel' to learn how to enlist," the statement adds. On Feb. 26, French President Emmanuel Macron said that sending Western troops to Ukraine in the future should not be ruled out. Several NATO countries publicly rejected the idea of sending troops to Ukraine in response to Macron's statements, including Poland, the United States, Germany, Czechia, Canada, and the UK. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the France-Brazil Economic Forum at the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo. Leco Viana/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday emphatically rejected the planned free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American economic alliance Mercosur in its current form during a visit to Brazil. "As it stands, it is a very bad agreement. This agreement was negotiated 20 years ago. This is not what we want," Macron said, speaking in Sao Paulo. "Let's negotiate a new, more responsible agreement that is oriented towards our goals and reality and that takes development, the climate and biodiversity into account," Macron added. The French leader is one of the harshest critics of the agreement in the EU. At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) summit in December, Macron criticized the fact that European farmers and companies would have to adhere to strict requirements to reduce carbon emissions, while products from South America that are not produced according to the same rules would enter the EU tariff-free. "I can't ask our farmers, our industrialists in France but also everywhere in Europe to make efforts to apply new rules to decarbonize ... and then say all of a sudden, 'I'm removing all the tariffs to allow products to enter which do not apply these rules,'" Macron said in a speech at COP28 in Dubai. France's stance is at odds with the German government's. During a meeting in Berlin in December, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva both pushed for a swift conclusion to negotiations on the agreement. The deal between the EU and the Mercosur alliance - with its member states Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - would create one of the world's largest free trade zones with more than 700 million inhabitants. Its main aim is to reduce customs duties and thus boost trade. The EU has been in talks with Mercosur about the deal for 23 years. An agreement in principle reached in 2019 has not been implemented due to ongoing concerns, including rainforest protection. (KRON) A man was arrested and charged with robbery and assault after attacking a restaurant employee with a hatchet last week, the Fremont Police Department announced on Facebook. The attack happened on Friday, March 22 at a restaurant near Mission and Warm Springs Boulevard. Fremont police were informed that a man was yelling inside the establishment with a small hatchet. The man struck the employee with the weapon, and the victim suffered a minor injury to the arm, police said. A suspect was arrested for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon after using this hatchet at a restaurant on March 22 (Fremont Police Department). Mother killed by Pacifica police after shooting son at apartment complex: authorities The man stole food and fled the restaurant. However, officers arrived at the scene and caught the suspect, 35-year-old Fremont resident Evin Sagastume. He was arrested a short distance away from the restaurant. Sagastume was booked into Santa Rita Jail and charged with robbery, criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon. According to FPD, he was previously arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and branding a weapon. His bail is set at $50,000, according to county jail records. FPD did not disclose the name of the restaurant. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. France's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill forbidding workplace discrimination based on hair texture, which the draft law's backers say has hit mostly black women wearing their hair naturally. Olivier Serva, an independent National Assembly deputy for the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe and the bill's sponsor, said it would penalise any workplace discrimination based on "hair style, colour, length or texture". Similar laws exist in around 20 US states which have identified hair discrimination as an expression of racism. In Britain, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued guidelines against hair discrimination in schools. Serva, who is black, said women "of African descent" were often encouraged before job interviews to change their style of hair. Backers also say that men who wear their hair in styles like dreadlocks are also affected. The bill was approved in the lower house National Assembly with 44 votes in favour and two against. It will now head to the upper Senate where the right has the majority and the vote's outcome is much less certain. - 'Target of discrimination' - Serva, who also included discrimination suffered by blondes, redheads and bald men in his proposal, points to an American study stating that a quarter of black women polled said they had been ruled out for jobs because of how they wore their hair at the job interview. Such statistics are hard to come by in France, which bans the compilation of personal data that mention a person's race or ethnic background on the basis of the French Republic's "universalist" principles. The draft law does not, in fact, contain the term "racism", noted Daphne Bedinade, a social anthropologist, saying the omission was problematic. "To make this only about hair discrimination is to mask the problems of people whose hair makes them a target of discrimination, mostly black women," she told Le Monde daily. A black Air France air crew member in 2022 won a 10-year legal battle for the right to work with braided hair on flights after a decision by France's highest appeals court. While statistics are difficult to come by, high-profile people have faced online harassment because of their hairstyle. In the political sphere they include former government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye, and Audrey Pulvar, a deputy mayor of Paris, whose Afro look has attracted much negative comment online. The bill's critics say it is unnecessary, as discrimination based on looks is already banned by law. "There is no legal void here," said Eric Rocheblave, a lawyer specialising in labour law. Calling any future law "symbolic", Rocheblave said it would not be of much practical help when it came to proving discrimination in court. Kenza Bel Kenadil, an influencer and self-proclaimed "activist against hair discrimination", said a law would still send an important message. "It would tell everybody that the law protects you in every way and lets you style your hair any way you want," she said. The influencer, who has 256,000 followers on Instagram, said she herself had been "forced" to tie her hair in a bun when she was working as a receptionist. Her employers were "very clear", she said. "It was, either you go home and fix your hair or you don't come here to work". During the parliamentary debate deputy Fanta Berete, originally from Guinea, said she, too, had been told in the past to straighten her hair in job interviews. Aurore Berge, minister in charge of gender equality, said the government was "looking kindly" on the initiative which she said was useful in drawing attention to this form of discrimination. Some right-wing deputies rejected the bill, with Republicans deputy Xavier Breton saying it was the outcome of an "activist ideology" that he said was aimed at "dividing our society" by establishing "a hierarchy" of discriminatory acts. adc-jh/sjw/ach France's National Assembly on Thursday approved legislation against a form of discrimination that's often overlooked: prejudicial treatment on the basis of hair. The bill, which still faces a vote in the Senate, is inspired by laws in the United States, where anti-racism campaigners have long argued that black people face unfair pressure to modify their natural hair. "They called me into the office and said, 'we know you care about your hair ...' And I said, 'oh and you don't?'" Fanta, a former police officer, is black. She says she's experienced what's been dubbed in France discrimination capillaire hair discrimination. "They asked me to straighten it because it wasn't professional. My hair, even if I straighten it, the minute I take a shower it'll go curly again. So they were telling me: 'we don't accept you as you are'." The message doesn't have to be said out loud to get through, says Louis, a student in his early 20s. "There have been certain times when I've had interviews for internships and I've realised that my hair was a problem for them, and that people prefer a, how shall I put it, straighter style no braids, short back and sides." Listen to this story on the Spotlight on France podcast: World first Such pressure is arguably already illegal in France, where the law bans discrimination on the basis of physical appearance as well as ethnicity. "Yes, we have a law in France against discrimination, but it's a global law and it doesn't talk about hair discrimination," says Guylaine Conquet. RFI's Sylvie Koffi provided additional reporting for this story. Read more on RFI English Read also: French anti-racism group says many temporary work agencies are problematic Survey shows nearly all black people in France have experienced racism In a Paris suburb, young people learn how to handle discriminatory police stops PARIS (Reuters) -France's lower house of parliament approved legislation on Thursday to outlaw discrimination against dreadlocks, braids, afros and any other hair style, colour or texture, defeating opponents who called the bill an unnecessary import of U.S. ideas. Olivier Serva, a Black lawmaker from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, who drafted the bill, said it would help victims of such discrimination, in the workplace and beyond, make their voices heard and win court cases. "There is a lot of suffering (based on hair discrimination) and we need to take this into account," he told Reuters. The bill must still be approved by the Senate to become a law. Serva cited a 2023 study by Unilever's shampoo brand Dove and LinkedIn that showed that two out of three Black women in the United States changed their hair for a job interview, and that Black women's hair was 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. The bill, which aims to ban all discrimination against hair texture or hair cuts, will also protect blond women from sexist discrimination, Serva said. It adds discrimination over hair to existing anti-discrimination law. On the streets of Paris, several Black women told Reuters they were happy with the draft legislation. "I think this is a good bill, because I've worn my natural hair since I was six. I'll turn 20 soon, and I think that Afro hair really characterises a person," said student Didi Makeda. "Every individual is born with a particular type of hair, so I really agree with what they have done to penalise companies that refuse to hire candidates because of the type of hair they have," said student Tracy Kofi. In the United States, at least 23 states have passed legislation aimed at protecting people from hair discrimination in the workplace and public schools. Not everyone backs the proposal in France, which prides itself on a culture of universalism that states that all people are equal, and which does not allow ethnic quotas, or even collecting data based on ethnicity. Speaking in the parliamentary committee that discussed the draft ahead of the full-house debate, Fabien Di Filipo of the conservative Les Republicains mocked the bill, saying: "Should we tomorrow expect a bill on discrimination against bald people, which I think are underrepresented in shampoo ads?" He said France already bans discrimination based on looks, so the draft bill was redundant, adding it aimed to import a U.S. mindset in French legislation. Philippe Schreck, from the far-right National Rally, told parliament lawmakers should work on what he said were more important issues, such as the country's public debt, rather than on hair discrimination. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander and Louise Dalmasso, additional reporting by Inti LandauroEditing by Frances Kerry) A customer has his hair shampooed in a hairdressing salon, in Paris, Wednesday, March 27, 2024. French lawmakers are debating a bill Thursday that would ban discrimination over the texture, length, color or style of someone's hair. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) PARIS (AP) Lawmakers in France's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill that would ban discrimination over the texture, length, color or style of someone's hair. The bill's authors hope the groundbreaking bill sends a message of support to Black people and others who have faced hostility in the workplace and beyond because of their hair. But the measure still faces a long road ahead. It goes to the Senate next, where it could face opposition. While only 50 of the National Assemblys 577 lawmakers were on hand for the vote, they overwhelmingly backed the bill in a 44-2 vote. There were four abstentions. Supporters of the measure outside parliament were overjoyed that the bill made it to the legislative body. It's about time," exclaimed Estelle Vallois, a 43-year-old consultant getting her short, coiled hair cut in a Paris salon, where the hairdressers are trained to handle all types of hair a rarity in France. "Today, were going even further toward taking down these barriers of discrimination." The draft law echoes similar legislation in more than 20 U.S. states. The bill was proposed by Olivier Serva, a French lawmaker from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. He says that if it eventually becomes law, it would make France the first country in the world to recognize discrimination based on hair at a national level. This is a great step forward for our country, Serva said after the vote. France has done itself proud. The bill would amend existing anti-discrimination measures in the labor code and criminal code to explicitly outlaw discrimination against people with curly and coiled hair or other hairstyles perceived as unprofessional, as well as bald people. It doesn't specifically target race-based discrimination, though that was the primary motivation for the bill. People who dont fit in Eurocentric standards are facing discrimination, stereotypes and bias, Serva, who is Black, told The Associated Press. Leftist parties and members of President Emmanuel Macrons centrist party Renaissance have supported the bill, which was enough to get it through the National Assembly. The bill is now headed for the conservative-dominated Senate, where it will likely face opposition from right-wing and far-right lawmakers who see it as an effort to import U.S. concepts about race and racial discrimination to France. In the United States, 24 states have adopted a version of the CROWN Act which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair banning race-based hair discrimination in employment, housing, schools and in the military. U.S. federal legislation passed in the House in 2022, but Senate Republicans blocked it a month later. Opponents of the French bill say Frances legal framework already offers enough protection to people facing discrimination over their natural Afro hair, braids, cornrows or locs. Authors of the bill disagree. One example they cite is a Black French flight attendant who sued Air France after he was denied access to a flight because of his braids and was coerced into wearing a wig with straight hair. Aboubakar Traore won his case in 2022 after a decade-long judiciary battle. But the court ruled that he wasn't discriminated against over his hair, but because he is a man, since his female counterparts were allowed to wear braids. France doesn't collect official data about race, because it follows a universalist vision that doesnt differentiate citizens by ethnic groups, which makes it difficult to measure race-based hair discrimination. Advocates of the bill hope it addresses Black French people's long struggle to embrace their natural hair. Aude Livoreil-Djampou, a hairdresser and mother of three mixed-race children, said that while some people view the draft law as frivolous, it's about something deeper. Its not only a hair issue. It will give strength to people to be able to answer, when asked to straighten their hair, they can say: No, this is not legal, you cannot expect that from me, it has nothing to do with my professional competence.' Djampou-Livoreils salon takes care of all kinds of clients, from those with straight hair to those with tight curls. Its very moving to have a 40-year-old woman, sometimes in a very high position, finally embracing her natural beauty. And it happens every day, she said. Salon customer Vallois hopes that her 5-year-old daughter will live in the future in a society that doesnt stigmatize their hair. When I was younger, I remember lamenting the lack of salons and even hair products (for frizzy hair) there was a time when, unfortunately, we had to use products designed for European hair and not adapted to our hair. Im glad, today, that things are more accessible and theres change, she said. Theres no reason to be ashamed of who you are, whether its your hair or even the fact that you dont have any! FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Fresno County announced Wednesday that it has allocated $500,000 to fund a pilot program that will offer low-cost spay, neuter, and rabies vaccination services to county residents. The pilot program is being organized by the Kirkland Foundation, Fresno TNR, Mells Mutts, and Paw Squad 559. The pilot program starts on April 2. County officials say Central Valley Spay/Neuter is collaborating with Central Valley animal rescues and Fresno County to help residents of incorporated areas in the county to have their pets spayed or neutered with financial support from the county. According to the county, the program will allow low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for both cats and dogs on a first-come, first-served basis. Fresno TNR founder Brandi Sherman said this program will help bring down animal overpopulation. In 2023, Fresno TNR spayed or neutered over 6,700 owned and community cats, but there are thousands more that need attention in neighborhoods throughout the county. This program will help increase the number of spay/neuters we can arrange, Sherman said. Appointments can be made online at Central Valley Spay/Neuters website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. SANGER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man who allegedly sexually assaulted a teen after enticing her with drugs has been arrested in his home in Fresno, according to the Sanger Police Department. Police say last week they responded to a report regarding a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl after enticing her with promises of drugs. Detectives say after an exhaustive investigation, they executed a search warrant on a home in Fresno and arrested 23-year-old Josue Patino. Investigators claim Patino had allegedly been illicitly distributing substances identified as marijuana and MDMA, also known as Molly, to minors at Wahington Academic Middle School. Officers say Patino was booked on suspicion of multiple felony charges related to assault, drug distribution, and endangerment of minors. Anyone with any additional information related to this case is asked to contact the Sanger Police Department at 559-875-8522. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE)- California has the highest population in the nation of Portuguese-Americas, with over 350,000 living in the Golden State. Families with Portuguese roots impact the agricultural economy through the dairy industry. In the summer, the festivals celebrate the culture and honor religion. CBS47s Mederios Babb sat down with Saul Jimenez-Sandoval to talk about the ongoing partnerships with Portugal and the Azores Islands, and how the university plans to foster the relationship in the future. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. FILE - Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman waves to members of the media as he leaves the West Wing of the White House in Washington, May 17, 2017. Lieberman, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and who almost became Republican John McCain's running mate eight years later, has died Wednesday, March 27, 2024, according to a statement issued by his family. He was 82. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Friends, allies and former rivals of Joe Lieberman, who died Wednesday, offered condolences and praise for the four-term senator from Connecticut who was once a standard-bearer of the Democratic Party. Lieberman, who was Al Gores running mate in the 2000 presidential election, had made his presence felt in politics long after his defeat in that race. He was the deciding Senate vote that led to the passage of the Affordable Care Act. He had also more recently aided the centrist organization No Labels in its search for a 2024 presidential candidate. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Senator Lieberman leaves behind a void that cannot be filled, the group said in a statement. But we are honored to have known him, and we hope his family can find comfort in the difficult days ahead knowing the tremendous impact that he had. Gore, the former vice president who chose Lieberman as his running mate, said it had been an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. He added, Ill remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America. Gore continued: He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. Thats why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when hed start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatras My Way. And doing things Joes way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first. Former President George W. Bush, the victor with Dick Cheney over the Gore-Lieberman ticket in 2000, said: In both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. Im grateful for Joes principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life. Bush added, Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had struck a close friendship with Lieberman and Sen. John McCain of Arizona the men referred to themselves as the three amigos said the news of Liebermans death was devastatingly sad. The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God, Graham said. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are. Graham signed his statement as the Last Amigo. Lieberman cast the 60th and deciding vote under Senate rules to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010, a signature achievement of President Barack Obamas administration. Joe Lieberman and I didnt always see eye-to-eye, Obama said in a statement, but he had an extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who had spoken to Lieberman as he considered running for president on the No Labels ticket, offered his condolences hours after publicly turning down the groups offer. Lieberman was the centrist organizations founding chair and had recently served as its co-chair. I am sad to lose him as a friend and as an example for how to conduct yourself in public life, Christie said, adding that the country is greater for his example and lesser today without his fearless leadership. c.2024 The New York Times Company Russian customs claim that Gabon unexpectedly rose to the top of the list of suppliers of spare parts for Russian aircraft in 2023. Source: The Moscow Times Details: Ter Assala Parts, a Gabonese company, allegedly exported spare parts worth nearly US$1.5 billion to the Russian Federation, which is more than half of Gabon's annual budget. This company is not listed in Gabon's Commercial Register, and the registration address in Libreville is a residential building. Experts believe fraud may be involved. Economist Igor Lipsits believes that high-ranking officials from both countries could be involved in this scheme. He suggests that the Gabon government may be covering this up, and the Russian government has given them a carte blanche for it. Ter Assala Parts supplied Russia with Boeing and Airbus parts such as oxygen masks, washers, pipes, bolts, nuts, brackets, fuel regulators, used computers, and warning systems. Gabon also imported 15 used engines for the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320/A321 for more than US$58 million. Buyers of aviation spare parts in Ter Assala Parts' Russian customs declarations include LLC Association of Suppliers (US$1.2 billion), LLC Quantum (more than US$176 million), and LLC Protector (more than US$48 million). Support UP or become our patron! The News BANJUL, The Gambia The Gambia is on the brink of becoming the first nation in the world to reverse a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). The practice, which has roots in social and religious beliefs, is widely viewed as a human rights violation and in many cases leads to severe health problems. The West African country passed a law banning the custom in 2015, but its parliament is now moving to overturn the ban. Lawmakers have argued that the move is necessary to uphold religious loyalty and safeguard cultural norms and values. A bill to repeal the FGM ban passed its second reading last week. Of the 53 predominantly male members of the National Assembly, only four voted against the bill, with one abstaining. Only one out of the five women in the assembly voted against the repeal of the ban. The bill will now be reviewed by a parliamentary committee before a final vote. A date has not yet been set for the committees review. Know More FGM has been a deeply entrenched cultural practice in The Gambia for generations. It involves the partial or total removal of the clitoris. The 2015 ban was put in place during the tenure of former President Yahya Jammeh, whose government opposed the practice. The revival of FGM as a political issue comes amid shifting political dynamics after Jammehs 22-year autocratic regime ended in 2017 when he fled to Equatorial Guinea in exile after initially refusing to accept an election defeat. Recent debates among legislators and campaigners have reignited interest in the issue. President Adama Barrow has steered clear of entering the FGM debate. The gender and social welfare ministry issued a statement last week, and said efforts would continue to raise awareness about the practice. Isatous view The Gambias FGM ban in 2015 represented a significant milestone in the countrys efforts to protect the rights and well-being of its citizens particularly girls and women. It signified a shift towards prioritizing human rights and gender equality over harmful cultural practices. And, crucially, it provided a legal framework to safeguard individuals from undergoing the physical and psychological trauma associated with the practice. From my perspective as a Gambian woman, the ban on FGM is a highly commendable measure. Its necessary to protect the fundamental rights and dignity of women and girls. As a staunch advocate for human rights and gender equality, I firmly believe that every individual has the right to live free from violence, coercion, and discrimination, including harmful cultural practices like FGM. For Gambian women, the ban signifies a step towards empowerment and autonomy, granting us agency over our bodies. This could all change if the ban is repealed. Several factors will influence the way this issue plays out in The Gambia. Continued advocacy and awareness-raising efforts are essential to reinforce the importance of upholding the ban and ending the practice of FGM for good. Sustained political will and commitment from government officials will be crucial in any effort to protect the existing legislation. The governments silence on the matter has raised widespread concern among Gambians. But activists and civil society groups have been vocal in recent weeks, staging large protests at the national assembly building during both readings of the bill. The possibility that the current ban may be revoked is likely to cause a wave of even bigger demonstrations led by women. The outcome of this legislative maneuver will ultimately depend on the balance of political forces, public opinion, and the governments responsiveness to domestic and international pressure regarding womens rights. Room for Disagreement Pro-FGM campaigners argue that the practice holds deep cultural and religious significance within their communities, and view FGM as a traditional rite of passage that symbolizes femininity and cultural identity. Some proponents argue that the custom is sanctioned by religious teachings, particularly in Islam. They say efforts to ban the practice as an infringement of their right to adhere to their religious and cultural beliefs. It is a practice that signifies purity and adherence to our faith. Efforts to ban FGM overlook its religious significance and undermine our cultural traditions, Imam Abdoulie Fatty, religious scholar and former state house Imam, told Semafor Africa. Many Islamic scholars view FGM as a religious practice, rather than a cultural one. But the custom crosses religious lines: both Muslims and Christians carry out FGM in The Gambia. Human trafficking-fueled fraud is exploding in Southeast Asia with organized crime rings raking in close to $3 trillion in illicit revenue annually, the head of Interpol has said in comments that reveal the huge profits being earned by cartels. One international organized crime group makes $50 billion a year, according to Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock, adding that $2 trillion to $3 trillion of illicit money flows through the global financial system annually. To compare, Frances economy is worth $3.1 trillion according to the International Monetary Fund. While drug trafficking contributes around 40% to 70% of organized crime income, criminal groups are also using those smuggling networks to illegally move humans, arms and stolen products among other things, Stock said. Driven by online anonymity, inspired by new business models and accelerated by Covid, these organized crime groups are now working at a scale that was unimaginable a decade ago, Stock told a briefing at the global police coordination bodys Singapore office on Wednesday. Today, a bank or indeed anyone is less likely to be robbed at gunpoint than via a keyboard by someone on the other side of the world. What began as a regional crime threat in Southeast Asia has become a global human trafficking crisis, with millions of victims, both in the cyber scam centers and as targets. Interpol says its operations in Asia have led to nearly 3,500 arrests and the seizure of $300 million in illegally earned assets across 34 countries since 2021. Survivor testimonies, NGO campaigning and media reporting over the past three years have increasingly exposed an explosion in online fraud gangs operating in Southeast Asia, many using de facto slave labor to target people across the globe, including the United States. Victims from across Asia are often duped into seemingly legitimate jobs around the region and are then trafficked into scam compounds where they face serious abuse, including forced labor, arbitrary detention, degrading treatment or torture often with minimal or no help from local authorities. Hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked into online criminality across the region, according to a United Nations report last year. The UN estimated that up to 120,000 people could be held in compounds across Myanmar, which has been plunged into civil war since a 2021 military coup, with another 100,000 people held in Cambodia and elsewhere in conditions that amount to modern slavery. Criminal enterprises also exist in Laos, Thailand and the Philippines, with many of the lucrative online scam operations ranging from illegal gambling, to love scams and crypto fraud. People who are coerced into working in these scamming operations endure inhumane treatment while being forced to carry out crimes. They are victims. They are not criminals, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in the report. One key hub for scam syndicates is Myanmar, which shares a mountainous border with southwestern China and Beijing is now trying to crack down on cross-border crime targeting Chinese nationals. In heavily guarded compounds controlled by local warlords, tens of thousands of people, mainly Chinese, have been trapped and forced by criminal gangs to defraud strangers with sophisticated schemes over the internet. Beijing has pressed Myanmars military government to rein in the scam operations, but with limited success. Elsewhere, casinos in the Philippines catering to illicit gamblers from China have spawned across the country with authorities in Manila struggling to curtail the rising number of gambling establishments used as fronts for scam centers and other fraudulent crimes. Earlier this month, more than 800 Filipinos, Chinese and other nationals were rescued during a police raid of an online romance scam center posing as a casino some 100 kilometers from the capital, the official Philippine News Agency reported, citing local authorities. Hundreds of the victims were made to pose as lovers to lure people to send money, in whats commonly known as a pig-butchering scam. The victims, some from Malaysia and Vietnam, told local investigators that each forced worker was pressured by alleged crime lords to siphon $42,000 daily online, and said they were beaten when they did not meet that target. And scammers are getting more sophisticated, using artificial intelligence to swindle corporations. In Hong Kong, a finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into paying $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake AI technology to pose as the companys chief financial officer in a video conference call, according to local police. It is unknown where the scammers were based or where the huge sum of money went. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com DALLAS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Gaston County authorities arrested a 44-year-old woman who they said recently trafficked over a half million dollars of cocaine. On Wednesday, Gaston County Police Special Investigations Unit and Dallas Police officers learned of two large packages containing illegal narcotics in transit to an address in Dallas. Man arrested after using garden hose at deadly NC fire never worked for FDNY During the investigation, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant leading to the seizure of eight kilograms of cocaine valued at $570,000. Police arrested Brandi Brooks, of Dallas, and charged Brooks with trafficking by possession of cocaine. Officers from the GCPD Community Policing Division assisted with this operation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Joe Biden's glide to victory in New York's primary next Tuesday could be scuffed by a wave of blank ballots cast by Democrats who want to signal disapproval of Biden's support for Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza. A coalition of groups incensed by the toll on Palestinian civilians launched its "Leave it Blank" before early voting began last weekend, enlisting supporters through its website, phone banks, emails and by passing out flyers at events. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 1,200 people had pledged online to cast blank ballots, approaching the group's goal of 1,600 pledges. The election itself is little more than a formality: Both Biden and Donald Trump have clinched their party's nominations and shed their last rivals weeks ago, even though several dropout candidates from both parties remain on the ballot for Tuesday's election. The results on both sides will be notable mostly for signs of opposition that could dampen turnout for the nominee in November. What's the vision behind 'Leave it Blank' effort? The "Leave it Blank" organizers hope to show Biden he's ignoring an important part of his base and to spur a "course correction" by the White House in its stance toward Israel on the war, said Alicia Singham Goodwin, political director for New York-based Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, one of at least two dozen groups pushing for blank ballots. Several thousand pro-Palestinian supporters rally in Union Square in New York City Jan. 27, 2024. After the rally, the protestors marched down Broadway towards lower Manhattan. Singham Goodwin said the goal is not to hobble Biden's re-election but to bolster it, by demonstrating a wave of unrest over Israel's military action that could cost Biden votes and the election in November. "For us, a Trump presidency is really scary, and we're taking that seriously," Singham Goodwin said. President Joe Biden takes the stage at Westchester Community College in Valhalla on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, to discuss the partisan standoff over the nation's debt limit and the economic crisis that will occur if it isn't resolved within the coming weeks. As of Tuesday, about a quarter of the blank-ballot pledges had been made through her group's website. Other groups involved in the campaign include the New York Muslim Action Network, various chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America and the New York Progressive Action Network. There's no comparable Republican effort to snub Trump with blank ballots. But plenty of disaffected GOP voters may cast protest votes for Nikki Haley or Chris Christie or Vivek Ramaswamy, both also on the ballot as they have in other states since Haley ended her campaign on March 6. Haley won 155,000 votes 14% of those cast in Florida on March 19 in a primary limited to only Republican voters. Is this happening in other states' primaries? New York's blank-ballot push mirrors earlier efforts by ceasefire supporters that prompted large "uncommitted" vote tallies in Democratic primaries in Michigan, Washington and Minnesota, all aimed at sending Biden the same message. More than 100,000 Michigan voters cast "uncommitted" votes in the Democratic primary, which was open to Republican voters as well. The dissent strategy differs in New York because its ballot has no "uncommitted" or write-in lines. The stakes are also different, since closely divided Michigan could tip either way in November while New York is a safe Biden state. Jeremy V., a Yonkers resident who belongs to the Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, told the USA Today Network by email that New York, while not an election swing state, is a "stronghold for the pro-Israel lobby" and an important place to signal support for Palestinians' human rights. "Biden is at risk of losing in the General Election to Trump," he said, declining to give his full last name. "If he refuses to listen to the growing number of everyday working class people who support a permanent ceasefire, he will bear responsibility for another Trump presidency." Israel supporters: Pro-Israel and local donors power Latimer to big lead over Bowman in funds for primary When will NY's primary results be known? The state Board of Elections plans to disclose candidate tallies only on election night, not the number of blank ballots. That blank count will be included in the official results after counties review them and the board certifies them, which has no fixed date but will take place at least two weeks after the election. The Leave it Blank campaign threatened this week to sue the Board of Elections to force it to post all tallies on Tuesday night, including the blank ballots or at least the total votes cast. Attorney Emad Ansari argued the public is entitled to a full accounting of the election results when the polls close. "The practical and very real eect of the policy is that it discourages voters, who in this instance are disproportionately young people and people of color, from fully participating in the electoral process," Ansari wrote in a letter to the election commissioners on Monday. Supporters of Congressman Jamaal Bowman march to the Westchester Board of Legislators headquarters in White Plains where County Executive George Latimer was preparing to give his State of the County address March 14, 2024. Kathleen McGrath, a Board of Elections spokeswoman, told the USA Today Network the board includes only candidate votes in its unofficial tallies for presidential primaries because their percentages are what determines how delegates are allocated, the real thrust of the primary. Blurred lines: Latimer's call for military pause in Gaza shifts battle lines in primary against Bowman Blank votes are not relevant for that calculation, and state law doesn't require they be included in unofficial results on election night, she said. "Let the Boards position be clear: all votes are relevant, and we encourage all eligible voters to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary and cast a ballot however they choose," McGrath said. Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Israel-Hamas ceasefire activists urge NY voters to cast blank ballots Noora Mohammed can't get the treatment she needs in a Gaza hospital After months of warnings, a recent UN-backed report offered hard statistical evidence that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is turning into a manmade famine. It has increased the pressure on Israel to fulfil its legal responsibilities to protect Palestinian civilians, and to allow adequate supplies of humanitarian aid to reach the people who need it. The UN's most senior human rights official, Volker Turk, said in a BBC interview that Israel bore significant blame, and that there was a "plausible" case that Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Mr Turk, who is the UN high commissioner for human rights, said that if intent was proven, that would amount to a war crime. Israel's economy minister, Nir Barkat, a senior politician in Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, dismissed Mr Turk's warnings as "total nonsense - a totally irresponsible thing to say". Like his cabinet colleagues, Mr Barkat insisted that Israel was letting in all the aid offered by the US and the rest of the world. Israel says the UN fails to distribute whatever is left once Hamas has helped itself. But a long line of lorries fully loaded with aid supplies desperately needed in the Gaza Strip is backing up on the Egyptian side of the border with Rafah. They can only enter Gaza through Israel, after a complex and bureaucratic series of checks. The absence of adequate supplies has forced Jordan, and now other countries including the US and UK, to drop aid from the air - the least effective way to deliver humanitarian supplies. Palestinians on the ground fighting to secure a share have drowned as they try to swim to pallets that have landed in the sea, or have been crushed when parachutes fail. The US Navy is also sending an engineering flotilla across the Atlantic to build a temporary pier to land aid by sea. None of that would be necessary if Israel granted full road access to Gaza and expedited the delivery of relief supplies through the modern container port at Ashdod, only about half an hour's drive north of the Gaza Strip. In an interview from Geneva, Mr Turk said evidence had emerged that Israel was slowing down or withholding the delivery of aid. Mr Turk condemned the Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers on 7 October, including killing, rape and hostage-taking. But he also said that no side in the war should evade accountability for its actions, including for any attempt to withhold aid supplies from the people who need it in Gaza. "All of my humanitarian colleagues keep telling us that there is a lot of red tape. There are obstacles. There are hindrances Israel is to blame in a significant way," he said. "I can only say the facts speak for themselves I understand that this needs to be controlled, but it cannot take days for it to be done. "When you put all kinds of requirements on the table that are unreasonable in an emergency that brings up the question, with all the restrictions that we currently see, whether there is a plausible claim to be made that starvation is, or may be used as, a weapon of war." Concern about humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip deepened last week with the release of a soberly written commentary alongside a series of maps, charts and statistics. It prompted more warnings from Israel's allies that it should change the way it is fighting the war against Hamas to spare civilians from death from either high explosive or hunger. The study is the latest report from a respected international network, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, known as IPC. It provides governments, the UN and aid agencies with apolitical data to measure the scale of hunger. The headline on the report was stark - "Gaza Strip: Famine is imminent as 1.1 million people, half of Gaza, experience catastrophic food insecurity." Its data explained how famine could come at any time in the next eight weeks or so if there was no ceasefire and relief aid did not pour into the Gaza Strip. Palestinian parents who had managed to bring sick and hungry children to one of the few hospitals still operating in Gaza after Israel's onslaught did not have to wait for the statistics. For weeks and months, as they struggled to feed them, they have watched their children decline. Gaza is no place to be ill. One young girl at the hospital, reached by a Palestinian freelance journalist working for the BBC, lay semi-conscious on a bed. The girl, Noora Mohammed, has lung and liver fibrosis, conditions that can be fatal even in peacetime. In the months of starvation since the war began, and without the right medical care, she is deteriorating fast. "My daughter can't move," her mother said. "She's anaemic, always sleeping, and there's nothing nutritious to eat." At least Noora reached hospital. Most of just over one million Gazans considered to be in acute need will not have that option. The evidence of Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe is overwhelming. Our pictures from the hospital showed children with swollen joints, wasted limbs and dermatitis, all classic symptoms of acute malnutrition. There are signs among children of acute malnutrition Israel has ignored the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. Nir Barkat, the Israeli economy minister, said that nothing would be allowed to get in the way of Israel's war aim of smashing Hamas for good and freeing the hostages taken on 7 October. Allies around the world, he said, supported Israel's strategic goal. When I pointed out many of Israel's friends, starting with US President Joe Biden, did not like the way Israel was fighting the war, Mr Barkat was blunt. "That's tough. We are going to finish the war. We'll do everything we can to kill the Hamas terrorists and to minimise collateral damage as much as we can," he said. "With all due respect, we're fighting evil, and we expect the world to help us fight evil until we finish Hamas off the map." The UN high commissioner for human rights had a succinct response to stinging criticism from Israel. "The only thing I can say to them is that there is an emerging international consensus, and it may not have been there before, but it is clearly there now, including with this week's Security Council resolution, on the humanitarian situation," Mr Turk said. "The human rights situation is so tragic that an immediate ceasefire is required. That's my response to that." Rat snake is most common in or near forested areas, forest edges with old fields, and abandoned buildings. It is most active in the day and can be active year round if the temperature is not too cold. All Rat Snakes are powerful constrictors. Spring season means warmer weather and increase in wildlife species including snake sightings, experts say. Georgia is home to about 47 species of snakes, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Snakes can be found from the mountains of north Georgia to the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast. What should you do if you see a snake in your yard? First, do not attempt to handle the snake. Give it the space it needs. Anyone interested in identifying a snake on their property can do so from a safe distance, experts say. Resources such as https://georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes, which includes DNRs Venomous Snakes of Georgia brochure, can help. Snakes are predators that feed on small mammals, amphibians, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear nonvenomous snakes. Georgias native nonvenomous species are protected by state law; one, the eastern indigo, is even federally protected. If a clearly identified venomous snake is in an area where it represents a danger to people or pets, visit https://georgiawildlife.com/preventing-wildlife-conflicts for a list of private wildlife removal specialists. Most bites occur when a snake is cornered or captured and defending itself. Spring means more creepy crawlies: From fire ants to squirrels: Critters are on the move with the rising temperatures in Augusta Venomous vs. poisonous Venom is a toxic substance. But a key difference when the terms are used to describe organisms is how the toxin is delivered. Venomous animals inject theirs by biting, stinging or sticking think venomous snakes, wasps and stingrays. Poisonous species, such as poison frogs, deliver toxins passively, such as when theyre eaten or through skin secretions when they are touched. To reduce the potential for snakes near your home, remove brush, log piles and other habitat features that attract mice, lizards and other animals on which snakes prey. Brown watersnakes are common in our region and are not protected throughout most of it. This species is protected throughout the state of Georgia. Did you know? Nonvenomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins. Although pit vipers, which include all venomous species native to Georgia except for coral snakes, are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads. Many nonvenomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened, which can make their heads appear triangular-shaped. Also, some nonvenomous species have color patterns similar to venomous snakes. The bottom line, while its likely not venomous, use caution around any unidentified snake. To keep yourself safe and allow our native wildlife to thrive, said Daniel Sollenberger, herpetologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, give all snakes the space they require and the ability to escape on their own." Benefits of having snakes around: Are there benefits to having snakes around? Here's what we know. Help protect wildlife The Georgia Wildlife Department of Natural Resources division works to protect rare wildlife, rare plants and natural habitats. The agency depends primarily on fundraisers, grants and contributions. Donate directly to the agency. Learn more by visiting the Georgia Wildlife Department of Natural Resources website at https://georgiawildlife.com/donations. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners. Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Tips on what to do if you see a snake and to keep them away from you Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and the attorneys general of 26 other states gave notice to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that they planned to contest a new rule focused on the environmental impacts of poultry and meat farms and processing plants across the United States. The 27 AGs wrote and signed onto a letter contesting the new rule, saying it would sweep nearly 4,000 facilities into its regulatory orbit, saying the EPA has never claimed such sweeping authority to regulate indirect discharges of wastewater from plants before. The letter also accuses the EPA, and the administration of President Joe Biden, of attempting regulations outside of what Congress Commerce Clause authorizes them to do without clear authority to do so. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In a statement on the new effort to fight the regulations, Carrs office said for the first time, the EPA was trying to impose new pollution limits and pretreatment standards on meat and poultry processors. Currently, Carrs office said the EPA regulates about 150 meat processing facilities across the country. The massive costs associated with these unnecessary and unlawful regulations would undoubtedly result in decreased production or, even worse, facility closures throughout our state, Carr said in a statement. Strains on the supply chain lead to higher prices for consumers and additional burdens for our business community. While the Biden administration plays politics with our states leading industry, we will continue fighting to protect Georgias farmers and families from these reckless federal requirements. TRENDING STORIES: Carrs office also said the new proposal raises serious concerns about due process and transparency in how the EPA regulates plants and facilities and that the proposed rule by the EPA goes beyond its statutory authority under the Clean Water Act while understimat[ing] the burdens of compliance and conflicts with federal efforts to strengthen food supply chains. Carr joined the attorneys general of the following states in signing onto the letter: Alabama Alaska Arkansas Florida Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi, Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia Wyoming [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: FILE - A factory building is under construction at Hyundai's first U.S. plant for manufacturing electric vehicles on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Ellabell, Ga. A private utility is asking Georgia lawmakers to change a state law so it can provide water service to new homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle plant without getting permission from local governments. A state Senate committee in Atlanta voted Tuesday, March 12, 2024, to advance the proposal a week after it passed the House. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum, File) SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) Georgia lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to a change in state law that would allow a private utility to provide water service for new homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle plant without first getting permission from local governments. The state Senate approved House Bill 1146 by a vote of 32-22 on the final day of the legislative session. The measure now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to be signed into law. Hyundai broke ground in October 2022 on its first U.S. factory dedicated to producing EVs and the batteries that power them. Its the largest economic development project in Georgias history, and construction has progressed quickly as the South Korean automaker seeks to begin manufacturing cars by the end of this year. Supporters of the bill said the legislation is needed to accelerate home construction in Bryan County, where Hyundai plans to employ 8,500 workers at its $7.6 billion EV plant west of Savannah. They say the county's water system can't meet the area's growing need for housing, but local officials have been reluctant to give a private utility their consent to help provide service as the law currently requires. "We have to find a way to meet an immediate need for workforce housing, and in order to get that done we need a private water option and a public water option, said Sen. Max Burns, a Republican from Sylvania who supported the proposal. Opponents argue that letting private utilities bypass city and county governments undermines their ability to manage limited water resources in Georgias rapidly growing coastal region. The Georgia Association of Water Professionals said it would also circumvent safe drinking water rules intended to protect Georgia consumers. Sen. Frank Ginn, a Republican from Danielsville, said he opposed the change because it would allow private utilities to disrupt local planning for growth and development. Before serving in the legislature, Ginn worked as a city and county manager. As a local government guy and a guy who has built water systems, I know how difficult it makes it when a private water system comes in and cuts out a part of the county, Ginn said. Savannah-based Water Utility Management, a private company that supplies drinking water to 32,000 homes in 17 Georgia counties, pushed lawmakers to pass the bill. It would allow the company to bypass local governments that are unable to provide water for the same development project within 18 months. Water Utility Management CEO Mark Smith told a Senate committee earlier this month that the measure would "prevent the county from having a veto power over a private system. Private utilities would still be required to obtain permits from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Their ability to bypass local governments is intended to be temporary and would lapse at the start of 2029. It's not just Bryan County that would be impacted. The bypass provision would apply to any projects seeking water from coastal aquifers, which the Georgia Association of Water Professionals says would include most of southern Georgia. The association joined conservation groups in opposing the local government bypass, as did the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. The bill's chief sponsor, Republican Rep. Ron Stephens of Savannah, has said state-imposed limits on how much water Bryan County can withdraw from the Floridan aquifer, the region's main source of drinking water, are slowing construction of new homes needed to accommodate Hyundai's workforce. Smith says Water Utility Management has the capacity to withdraw enough water to supply about 3,000 homes near the Hyundai plant, but has struggled to get approval from Bryan County. In Bryan County, home to about 45,000 people, the county government is pursuing a $360 million expansion of its own water and sewer system to serve the plant and nearby homes. The expansion is expected to come online next year. County officials appearing before a Senate committee earlier this month didn't outright oppose the bypass bill. But the engineer overseeing the countys water expansion, Trent Thompson, suggested a private utility would be an unwelcome competitor as the county seeks customers to help repay $120 million in loans used to fund the project. The battle over expanding water service in Bryan County stems from restrictions the Georgia Environmental Protection Division placed in 2013 on counties in the Savannah area that limit how much water they can withdraw from the Floridan aquifer. The caps were imposed after scientists concluded that excessive pumping was drawing saltwater into the aquifer. Because of the restrictions on Bryan County, four wells are being drilled in neighboring Bulloch County to supply the Hyundai plant with up to 6.6 million gallons (25 million liters) of water daily. A Georgia man was indicted on March 20 for traveling from Atlanta to Odessa, Fla. in order to try and kill his ex-girlfriend and her dog. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida, Timothy Crawford, 52, was arrested on Dec. 7, 2023, after leaving Atlanta and driving to his ex-girlfriends home in Odessa, Fla. The USAO said details from the criminal complaint against Crawford said on the evening of Dec. 7, 2023, he broke into his exs home with a pistol and stun gun, then waited for her to get home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] When she got inside, court records show Crawford punched, kicked, electrically stunned [the victim] numerous times, while telling her that he was going to kill her and her children. USAO said the victim defended herself with a dumbbell and was able to escape. Before he left the house, Crawford shot and killed the victims dog, an eight-pound Maltese. The U.S. Department of Justice said in their announcement of the indictment that a neighbor heard the victim screaming and called 911. Then, Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office deputies immediately took Crawford into custody. In the house, deputies found an H&K USP .40-caliber pistol on the dining room table and found blood all over the house, including in the garage, laundry room, bedroom and front entry area. TRENDING STORIES: Officials said the victim sustained severe injuries from the attack, including extensive bruising to her body, neck and face, stun-gun burns, a fractured left orbital bone, nose, ring finger and hand and a laceration to the head that needed stitches. Crawford admitted to members of law enforcement that he broke into the victims home, used a taser on her, punched her in the face and killed her dog, according to the USAO. Search warrants executed on Crawfords phone showed that before the attack, he searched do you get the death penalty if you kill a woman, the Justice Department said. Crawford was indicted for interstate domestic violence, discharge of a firearm during and in the commission of a crime of violence and interstate stalking. Sheriffs office records in Hillsborough County also show that he was charged on Dec. 7, 2023, with attempted murder in the first degree, premeditated, aggravated cruelty to animals with a weapon, armed burglary of a dwelling with assault or battery, aggravated battery with great bodily harm with a deadly weapon and shooting at, within or into a building. He was ordered to be held without bond, according to sheriffs office records. If convicted, Crawford faces at least 10 years in federal prison and potentially a life sentence, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Georgia Ports Authority, which owns ports in Savannah and Brunswick, said it has capacity to take on more cargo following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key in Baltimore early Tuesday morning. Ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware; Newark, New Jersey; Norfolk; Charleston, South Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida are also expected to pick up additional cargo as emergency efforts are being put in place to secure the supply line along the East Coast in the wake of the disaster. Supply chain experts say other ports up and down the East Coast are likely to absorb much of Baltimores traffic, avoiding a crisis. But not without some longer shipping times and upheaval. Baltimore can still handle some autos. Part of its operations are east of where the bridge collapsed and are still operational, the port said. BMW and Volkswagen said they would still be able to use Baltimore. "Ultimately, most trade through Baltimore will find a new home port," Moodys Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise wrote on a blog post. 2 BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE VICTIMS FOUND AND IDENTIFIED Georgias ports remember its own closure Responders monitor the vicinity around the Golden Ray wreck for any signs of pollution during cutting operations. (Photo: St. Simons Sound Incident response) In September 2019, the South Korean freighter Golden Ray overturned shortly after leaving the Port of Brunswick in Georgia. The crew was rescued, including four men trapped below its decks. But hauling away the shipwreck, including the cargo of 4,200 automobiles, turned out to be a slow and messy demolition effort that took over two years. The port was closed for four days, reopening only after the U.S. Coast Guard determined it was safe for vessels to slowly sail on the shipping channel leading to the port. The circumstances were much different from the bridge collapse in Baltimore, where sections of the structure lie across the river. Clearing a channel for ships likely will take far longer than four days. Perhaps, although Moodys said finding substitute ports should minimize price adjustments for coal and vehicles. "That said, the reshuffle will squeeze other ports, potentially adding a smidge to shipping costs as delays spill to other goods," analyst Murphy Cruise wrote. Right now, Im at the site to set the plan of action with my Congressional colleagues, Governor Moore, and Secretary Buttigieg. We will come back stronger together. pic.twitter.com/ntl9mCqMej Rep. David Trone (@RepDavidTrone) March 26, 2024 During a briefing at the bridge collapse scene , U.S. Rep. David Trone said state and federal officials estimated the ports closure would cost the economy at least $15 million per day. The Port of Baltimore directly employs over 15,000 workers and indirectly supports nearly 140,000 jobs via other port activities, many of whom will either be temporarily out of work or work limited hours, according to Trone. Georgia ports expanding The Georgia Port Authorities has recently approved more $65 million in improvements. The money will help with container yard work at the ports of Savannahs Ocean Terminal. The work includes earth compacting to prepare the site to hold container stacks and the removal of a former bridge pier. Crews are also creating a utility installation behind the wharf structure. Port officials are also studying whether they should deepen the Savannah shipping channel. Is the Talmadge Memorial Bridge safe? Meanwhile, Georgians are wondering if something like what happened in Baltimore could happen in Savannah. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge leads to the Port of Savannah, which is the single largest ocean container terminal on the U.S. eastern seaboard and the nations fourth-busiest seaport. Built in 1991, the bridge is a cable-stayed suspension bridge, unlike the 1977-built steel arch-shaped continuous through truss bridge in Baltimore. The Talmadge spans are not in the water, but along the shore, less exposed. The banking on the side of the Savannah River protects it from boat collisions. How big is the Baltimore port? Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation for international cargo, but it leads U.S. ports in "roll on, roll off" cargo. That means goods with wheels, composed largely of automobiles but including construction and agricultural equipment. The state of Maryland says the port moved 847,158 automobiles last year. About 70% of the wheeled cargo was imported. The port also handles a large amount of wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas . About 20% of U.S. coal exports pass through Baltimore, second only to the port in Norfolk, Virginia. Shippers also use the port for containers, although other ports handle more of them. About 1 million containers went through Baltimore in the past year, about 2.8% of the container volume shipped through East Coast ports, according to S&P Global. In all, the port handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the state said. "For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, were the largest port in the country that does that," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. "So this is not just impacting Maryland." More than 50 ocean shipping and cruise ship companies do business with the port, the state says, and their vessels visit the port about 1,800 times per year. Last year, more than 444,000 passengers boarded cruise ships at the port from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and other cruise lines. Perhaps, although Moodys said finding substitute ports should minimize price adjustments for coal and vehicles. "That said, the reshuffle will squeeze other ports, potentially adding a smidge to shipping costs as delays spill to other goods," analyst Murphy Cruise wrote. How long will the Baltimore port be closed? U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reiterated Wednesday that it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the bridge structure from the 50-foot-deep (15 meters) Patapsco River channel, which leads to the ports main terminal. The ports location makes it a key destination for freight. The Maryland Port Administration says the facility is an overnight drive from two-thirds of the U.S. population, and its closer to the Midwest than any other East Coast port. Baltimore is the ninth-busiest port in the nation for international cargo, but it leads U.S. ports in "roll on, roll off" cargo. That means goods with wheels, composed largely of automobiles but including construction and agricultural equipment. The state of Maryland says the port moved 847,158 automobiles last year. About 70% of the wheeled cargo was imported. The port also handles a large amount of wood, steel, aluminum, home appliances, furniture, sugar and liquefied natural gas . About 20% of U.S. coal exports pass through Baltimore, second only to the port in Norfolk, Virginia. Shippers also use the port for containers, although other ports handle more of them. About 1 million containers went through Baltimore in the past year, about 2.8% of the container volume shipped through East Coast ports, according to S&P Global. In all, the port handled a record 11.7 million tons of cargo last year, the state said. "For everybody who is buying cars, for everybody who is (buying) farm equipment, were the largest port in the country that does that," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. "So, this is not just impacting Maryland." Where are the Baltimore ships going now? Many are waiting to get booked at other ports, pushing back their arrival dates for several weeks. Windward Maritime said that from Monday to Tuesday, the estimated time of arrival for Baltimore-bound vessels doubled. The maritime risk management company predicted that ships scheduled to go to Baltimore would be delayed by at least 24 days. The company also said its data shows a large increase in ships that are basically drifting in the North Atlantic, likely meaning they are waiting to see which port they will go to. Some are anchored near Baltimore or nearby Annapolis, where a dozen vessels were waiting. Ships are also gathered near Norfolk. The Associated Press contributed to this report An official in the Georgia Republican party who has said the 2020 election was stolen was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and will receive a public reprimand for voting illegally nine times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Thursday. Brian Pritchard, the first vice-president of the state Republican party, illegally voted in nine elections from 2008 to 2010 while he was still on probation for a 1996 forgery felony conviction in Pennsylvania. Georgia and 14 other states require people to have completed their sentence, including probation, before they can vote. About 163,475 people could not vote in Georgia in 2022 because they were on felony probation, according to an estimate by the Sentencing Project, a criminal justice non-profit. Pritchard, told Lisa Boggs, the administrative law judge overseeing the case, he believed his criminal sentence had expired and was not aware the criminal court in Pennsylvania had extended his probation until 2011 for allegedly failing to repay $38,000 in restitution. Boggs wrote in her ruling she did not find that credible, noting that he had appeared in court several times while his probation was extended. The state board of elections began investigating the matter in 2015 and referred it to a local district attorneys office and the state attorney general in 2021. The state attorney general referred it to the administrative law judge the following year. The Georgia Republican party did not respond to a request for comment. Related: The states where its impossible to vote if you have a felony conviction The case underscores how confusing it can be for people with felony convictions to figure out if they can vote and comes as voters elsewhere in the country have faced harsher punishments for similar errors about their voting eligibility. While prosecutions and criminal sentences are difficult to compare across different jurisdictions, many say the disparate treatment is shaped by race. In Memphis, a Black woman was sentenced to six years in prison after probation officials told her she was eligible to vote and she tried to register (a judge eventually threw out the sentence). In Florida, a voter fraud unit created by Governor Ron DeSantis has aggressively pursued charges against people with felony convictions who received voter registration cards in the mail. And in Texas, a Black woman was sentenced to five years in prison for trying to cast a provisional ballot while ineligible, even though the ballot was rejected (an appeal is pending). The prosecutor's office in the German city of Hamburg announced charges on March 27 against four Germans and one Swiss national related to the illegal sale of gas turbines to a Russian state-owned company in occupied Crimea. The charges, which were reported by the German business magazine Wirtschaftswoche, pertained to the sale of Siemens-manufactured gas turbines in 2015. The individuals involved reportedly knew that the turbines would ultimately end up in occupied Crimea, despite the original sales documents saying they would be installed in Russia proper. Many Western countries implemented sanctions targeting businesses that operated in Crimea after its illegal seizure by Russia in 2014. Siemens said in a statement that it was unaware of the sale at the time, which was worth 111 million euros ($120.11 million). One of the accused still works at a subsidiary of Siemens, the company said. All five suspects in the case have maintained their innocence. It is unclear what the potential consequences could be if they are found guilty. The Siemens subsidiary involved was sold at the end of 2022, likely related to the larger exodus of Western businesses from Russia following the full-scale invasion. Read also: European Parliament votes to criminalize circumvention of EU sanctions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Berlin handed over a new defense aid delivery to Ukraine, containing armored vehicles, ammunition, and drones, among supplies, the German government said on March 28. In its latest supply, Berlin provided Ukraine with five Warthog repair and recovery armored vehicles, nine Warthog command armored vehicles, one Dachs armored engineer vehicle, ammunition for Leopard tanks, 18,000 155 mm artillery shells from industry and military stocks, 24,000 rounds of 40 mm ammunition, and 2,056 anti-tank weapons RGW 90 Matador. Germany additionally sent Ukraine 14 Vector and 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, anti-drone sensors and jammers, six Wisent mine-clearing tanks, one Bergepanzer armored recovery vehicle, six Zetros tankers, a Satcom surveillance system, 70 GMG grenade launchers, nine mine plows, ponchos, camouflage nets, and two emergency power generators. Berlin also updated the list of future military supplies, adding Patriot missiles and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 500 million euros (roughly $540 million) earlier in March, including 10,000 artillery shells from the military stocks, 100 armored vehicles for infantry, and 100 logistical vehicles. Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading military donors, second only to the U.S. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has supplied Ukraine with 17.7 billion euros (around $19 billion) in military assistance as of January. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia attacks civilians in Kharkiv; Zelensky inspects fortifications Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated his opposition to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of preventing a conflict between NATO and Russia, Markische Allgemeine Zeitung reported on March 28. "As the head of the government, my responsibility in matters of war and peace, particularly concerning Europe's security, includes decisions about the Taurus missiles," Scholz said. "While we stand with Ukraine, it's crucial to ensure we do everything in our power to avert an escalation into a war between Russia and NATO." NV Scholz clarified that Germany would not deploy its troops to Ukraine and would consider the implications of each weapon delivery carefully. Despite his stance on the Taurus missiles, Scholz affirmed Germany's significant support for Kyiv, noting that Germany is one of Ukraine's largest European benefactors in terms of military aid, contributing over 28 billion euros ($30.2 billion). The chancellor stressed nonetheless that Germany supports Kyiv with weapons and ammunition more than any other European country and spends more than 28 billion euros ($30.2 billion) on it. "We're committed to supporting Ukraine as long as necessary," Scholz stated. "Our actions send a clear message to Putin: he cannot simply wait for international support for Ukraine to diminish." Read also: Berlin irritated with Kyivs requests to transfer long-range Taurus missiles - Kuleba 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 Condensation forms around a US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter in flight. The fighter, probably the most sophisticated and powerful in the world, is to receive a final upgrade to ensure it remains dominant against 'near peer' enemies such as China - Richard Vogel/AP The US Air Forces Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter has gotten a major upgrade as the iconic warplane nears its third decade of front-line service and retirement. The F-22 is the most powerful and sophisticated fighter in the world, but it has its weaknesses. Keenly aware of the F-22s limitations especially with regard to range the Air Force is hastening the twin-engine, single-seat jet to an early demise. At the same time, the flying branch is spending billions of dollars to ensure that once the Raptor bows out, something even better a radar-evading jet without the F-22s main problems is ready to take its place. An F-22 launches a Sidewinder missile from an internal weapons bay. Carrying weapons internally is necessary to maintain low visibility on radar - USAF Handout/Reuters Many observers of American air power bemoan the Raptors planned early end, fewer than 30 years after the type deployed on its first front-line operation. Its not unusual for a modern American fighter for instance the Lockheed Martin F-16 or Boeing F-15 to fly for 40 years or longer. With upgrades, of course. That the Air Force is so eager to replace its best fighter says a lot about how, and where, USAF leaders anticipate future wars will play out. Specifically, at great distances over the vast western Pacific Ocean during, say, a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The American air arm is betting that the warplane its designing to supplant the F-22 will be much better-suited for that kind of conflict. And its probably right. The $300-million-a-copy F-22 had a long gestation. It grew out of the Advanced Tactical Fighter initiative in the 1980s, first flew in demonstrator form in 1990, completed development in 2005, first deployed, to Japan, in 2006 and finished production of just 195 planes in 2012. The type fired its first shots in anger during the air campaign versus Islamic State in 2014. Today, it routinely deploys to the Pacific region to deter China, and Europe to deter Russia. Despite its futuristic, hard-to-detect shape and blistering performance unusually, it can supercruise at twice the speed of sound without igniting its fuel-thirsty afterburners in its bones, the F-22 is a Cold War jet. Lockheed designed it to battle the Soviet Union from bases in Europe, meaning poor endurance wasnt really an issue. An F-22 can range just 600 miles or so on internal fuel: plenty far enough to fight over Germany and Poland. The problem is, that range doesnt get you very far over the vast Pacific. The Pentagons closest air base for a war over Taiwan, Kadena in Japan, is 450 miles away. If Kadena gets knocked out by Chinese missiles, the next closest major base Misawa, also in Japan is 1,400 miles away. Its not for no reason that, in planning for an air war over Taiwan, USAF officers increasingly disregard the F-22s and other fighters and instead calculate optimal ways for the services long-range heavy bombers to engage a Chinese invasion force. And its for that same reason that, last year, USAF leaders announced they wanted to retire the combat-capable fleet of around 150 of the newest F-22s over a few years starting in 2030, while grounding the 30 or so older training models as early as next year and shifting pilot-instruction to the newer jets. Cutting short the F-22s career could save billions of dollars that would help the Air Force speed up development and production of the secretive new Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter. Early test models of the NGAD jet flew as long ago as 2020, but we still dont know what it looks like or what it can do. What we do know is that the Air Force expects the new plane to exceed the F-22s stealth and sensor capabilities and more importantly to double its range. The NGAD fighter is a fighter for war with China, much more than the F-22 ever was. But it wont come cheap. The Air Force expects to spend $5 billion a year for the next four years just to complete development and billions more to produce jets starting around 2030. In light of the high cost, no one should be surprised if the NGAD program gets delayed. The Air Force is already bracing for it. Which is why, years ago, it paid to develop a pair of critical new add-ons that should help keep the Raptor relevant for a few more years: special underwing fuel tanks shaped to minimize their radar signature that could add hundreds of miles to the F-22s range, as well as new pods for highly-sensitive infrared sensors that allow an F-22 to detect targets without turning on its radar and potentially giving away its own position. The new tanks and sensor pods first appeared in public on an F-22 in a grainy photo, apparently from an Air Force test range, that circulated last week. The extra gas is the most critical for an air war with China. They make long flights over the open water a little more feasible for the otherwise short-ranged Raptors. With new fuel tanks under the F-22s wing, the NGAD jet becomes a little less urgent for the Air Force. Emphasis on little. The F-22s poor endurance was always its greatest weakness. Replacing the jet, as fast as possible, is and should be a top priority for the worlds leading air force. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Consequences of the attack of the Russian Federation The goal of Russias mass missile and drone attack on Ukraine on March 22 was a complete blackout, and the damage to Ukraines energy industry is still being calculated, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said at a briefing in Kharkiv, Ukrinform reported. Thermal and hydro generation were attacked throughout Ukraine, he said. "Mainline substations across the country were attacked, Halushchenko said. 12 regions were directly affected. This is the largest energy attack in general since the beginning of the war. More than 150 weapons at the same time. " Read also: Russia attacks Kyiv: Five injured, more possibly trapped under destroyed gym downtown It should be noted that targeting civilian energy infrastructure is a recognized war crime. About a hundred means of destruction were calculated to be used at the same time in 2022-2023, Halushchenko said. Read also: From Lviv to Odesa: Ukrainian cities across the country face power outages following Russian attack The attack affected the entire system, the minister added. "The good news is that the system is stable and intact. The goal of this attack was not just to hit some thermal plant or substation. The goal was a total blackout in the country. The fact that we spent winter without any restrictions to either electricity or heating isnt because attacks didnt occur. They did but they were more localized." Massive Russian attack on Ukraine on March 22 What is known? Russia conducted a mass missile and drone attack against Ukraine, primarily targeting energy infrastructure, on March 22. Read also: Stock up on water & charge your gadgets Russian attack causes emergency shutdowns in Kryvyi Rih At least three fatalities reported in Zaporizhzhya, while two people died in Khmelnytskyi as the entire country came under attack. A total of 151 aerial targets were recorded by the Ukrainian military, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported. Ukraines air defense forces destroyed 92 of these targets, including 55 Shahed-136/131 drones and 37 missiles. Police reported a "complete restriction" on traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station dam. A missile had struck a trolleybus crossing the dam, setting it ablaze, Mariupol mayoral advisor Petro Andryushenko reported. Kharkiv was almost completely left without power, as Russians launched over 15 strikes on the citys power facilities. Implementation of emergency shutdowns and rolling blackouts was reported in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (notably, in Kryvyi Rih), Donetsk, Odesa 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 A fundraiser for the families of the victims of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has garnered nearly $100,000, just days after the tragedy. The GoFundMe page had raised over $98,000 by Thursday morning. The fundraiser, organised by the volunteer group Latino Racial Justice Circle, explained that the cash would be distributed directly to the families of the victims of the bridge collapse. Eight construction workers, employed by Brawners Builders, were filling potholes in the early hours of 26 March, when the Dali container ship lost power and rammed into the bridge, causing them to fall into the Patapsco River. While early search efforts led to the safe rescue of two men, six others were killed in the accident. All of the missing men from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Col Roland Butler Jr of Maryland State Police said at a press conference. The organisers of the fundraiser wrote, We know that the 6 victims were all Latino immigrants, some of whom were supporting partners and children in the Southeast Baltimore and Dundalk communities. As they move forward with their shock and grief, the families will need support with basic needs, such as rent, groceries, and utilities, they wrote. The organizers wrote that they received the $98,000 in less than nine hours. Given the rapid influx of funds, the group decided to close the fundraiser so that the volunteers could focus on getting the fundsout to the families. If others would like to contribute, the organizers said they should donate to the fundraiser set up by the Baltimore City Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs. A representative for Baltimore Civic Fund, which is collecting the funds, told The Independent that the fund began on Wednesday at 4pm and as of Thursday afternoon, it had received 1,529 donations totaling more than $114,000. The search for the missing men has turned up grave results. On Wednesday Mr Butler announced a tragic finding: two bodies trapped inside of a red pickup truck that had been submerged in the river. Officials identified the bodies as belonging to Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35. Two other missing men have been identified so far. Miguel Luna, 49, and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, were also identified by family members. Their bodies have not been found as of Thursday afternoon. Brawner Builders employee Jesus Campos Campos told The Baltimore Banner, They are all hard-working, humble men. The cause of the crash is still being investigated. Christians around the world observe Good Friday two days before Easter, but what is it, and why do they commemorate the holy day? The holiday is part of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday kicks off the series of Christian holy days that commemorate the Crucifixion and celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. "Good Friday has been, for centuries now, the heart of the Christian message because it is through the death of Jesus Christ that Christians believe that we have been forgiven of our sins," Daniel Alvarez, an associate teaching professor of religious studies at Florida International University, told USA TODAY. Catholic devotees kisses the jesus christ statue during after mass on Good Friday at St. Peter's Church in Mabima, in the suburb of Colombo on April 7, 2023. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images) What is Holy Saturday? What the day before Easter means for Christians around the world When is Good Friday? Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter. It's the second-to-last day of Holy Week. In 2024, Good Friday will fall on March 29. What is Good Friday? Good Friday is the day Christ was sacrificed on the cross. According to Britannica, it is a day for "sorrow, penance, and fasting." "Good Friday is part of something else," Gabriel Radle, an assistant professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, previously told USA TODAY. "It's its own thing, but it's also part of something bigger." Biblical vector illustration series, back view of Jesus on the cross wearing a crown of thorns Are Good Friday and Passover related? Alvarez says that Good Friday is directly related to the Jewish holiday, Passover. Passover, or Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites exodus from Egypt. "The whole Christian idea of atoning for sin, that Jesus is our atonement, is strictly derived from the Jewish Passover tradition," said Alvarez. How is that possible? According to the professor, Passover celebrates the day the "Angel of Death" passed over the homes of Israelites who were enslaved by the Egyptians. He said that the Bible states when the exodus happened, families were told to paint their doors with lamb's blood so that God would spare the lives of their firstborn sons. Alvarez says this is why Christians call Jesus the "lamb of God." He adds that the symbolism of the "blood of the lamb" ties the two stories together and is why Christians believe God sacrificed his firstborn son. Because, through his blood, humanity is protected from the "wrath of a righteous God that cannot tolerate sin." He adds that the stories of the exodus and the Crucifixion not only further tie the stories together but also emphasize just how powerful the sacrifice of the firstborn and the shedding of blood are in religion. "Jesus is the firstborn, so the whole idea of the death of the firstborn is crucial," said Alvarez. He adds that the sacrifice of the firstborn, specifically a firstborn son, comes from an ancient and "primitive" idea that the sacrifice unleashes "tremendous power that is able to fend off any kind of force, including the wrath of God." Why Is Good Friday so somber? Alavarez says people might think this holiday is more depressing or sad than others because of how Catholics commemorate the Crucifixion. "I think [it's] to a level that some people might think is morbid," said Alvarez. He said Catholics not only meditate on Jesus' death, but primarily focus on the suffering he faced in the events that led up to his Crucifixion. That's what makes it such a mournful day for people. But, the professor says that Jesus' suffering in crucial to Christianity as a whole. "The suffering of Christ is central to the four Gospels," said Alvarez. "Everything else is incidental." According to the professor, statues that use blood to emphasize the way Jesus and Catholic saints suffered is very common in Spanish and Hispanic Countries, but not as prevalent in American churches. Do you fast on Good Friday? Father Dustin Dought, the executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, previously told USA TODAY that Good Friday and Ash Wednesday are the two days in the year that Roman Catholics are obliged to fast. "This practice is a way of emptying ourselves so that we can be filled with God," said Dought. What do you eat on Good Friday? Many Catholics do not eat meat on any Friday during Lent. Anything with flesh is off-limits. Dought says this practice is to honor the way Jesus sacrificed his flesh on Good Friday. Meat that is off limits includes: Poultry Pork Beef Instead, many Catholics will eat fish. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, this is allowed because fish is considered to be a different type of flesh. Contributing: Jordan Mendoza; USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Good Friday? What the holy day means for Christians wordwide Recognizing that the conspiracy theories Donald Trump pushed in 2020 to anticipate and then fight his election loss mostly suppressed Republican turnout at the polls, the Republican Party has been trying since the midterms to do some shameless about-facing and embrace early voting and vote-by-mail practices. The main thing standing in the way of their 180 has been Donald Trump. After then-presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley began suggesting that Republicans should focus their energy beyond in-person Election Day turnout in late 2022 and early 2023, the Trump campaigns official messaging platform quickly followed suite. In February 2023, the Trump campaign first signaled the Republican Partys revised thinking on the issue of early voting with a fundraising email letting supporters know that Trump was going to start looking into harvesting ballots in every state we can. Shortly after, the RNC launched a Bank Your Vote initiative, designed to encourage Republican voters to take advantage of early-voting opportunities in any state where such actions were legal. To give the new initiative some credibility, the RNC released a video in July of Trump announcing his support for such an endeavor. The hostage-style video featured a docile Trump who both demonized early voting practices as some sort of menacing threat to elections, while also encouraging Republicans to use them. Democrats and dangerous groups funded by the far left have simply focused on collecting ballots, he said. Thats all they wanted to do, collecting ballots. But you know what? It turned out to be not such a bad idea, he continued. The initiative was the pet project of now-ousted RNC chair Ronna McDaniel and it has not been entirely clear whether the drive to encourage mail-in voting would continue after the Trump-backed purge of the RNC earlier this month. According to new reporting in the Washington Post Thursday, party officials are still trying to push the idea on Republican voters while hoping that Trump just doesnt talk about it. Per the Post: A person close to Trump said the hope is that Trump will largely leave the topic alone publicly and not sabotage the efforts. Campaign and RNC officials are citing comments he has made at times encouraging Republicans to vote by mail as long as it is legal, saying the other side does it. Hes never going to embrace voting by mail for the whole country, according to this person, who like some others spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal private discussions. Another adviser said that in conversations about mail-in voting, Trump says it is fraudulent and that hes suspicious of the postal workers, of anyone who could touch the ballot. The Best Of TPM Today Trump Supporters Election Delegitimization Cycle Is Playing Out In Real Time RNC Gets Win In Effort To Toss (Disproportionately Democratic) Mailed Ballots In Pennsylvania Supreme Court Drags Feet So Long That South Carolina Will Hold 2024 Elections Under Gerrymandered Map Yesterdays Most Read Story Trump Re-ups Stop The Steal Disinfo Slogan To Delegitimize 2024 David Kurtz What We Are Reading MyPillow, owned by election denier Mike Lindell, formally evicted from Minnesota warehouse AP Republican committee to select Bucks likely replacement, adding a challenge to Boeberts campaign AP The slow death of Twitter is measured in disasters like the Baltimore bridge collapse Vox Russian forces struck the village of Monachynivka near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, killing a 57-year-old woman and wounding her husband, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on March 28. Settlements in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv Oblast are subjected to near-daily attacks by Russian forces due to their proximity to the border with Russia and the front line. Following the Monachynivka attack, the woman died of her injuries on the way to the hospital, Syniehubov said on Telegram. Her husband is now reportedly receiving medical assistance. Russian attacks against Kharkiv Oblast on March 27 killed two people, including a 12-year-old boy, and injured another 20, according to Syniehubov. Over the recent months, Russia has intensified assault attempts in the area of Kupiansk, a crucial strategic city in Kharkiv Oblast that was temporarily occupied by Russian troops. Ukraine liberated Kupiansk and other parts of the region during its surprise counteroffensive in September 2022. Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) One man was indicted in Tom Green County by a grand jury in March for a murder that took place in downtown San Angelo in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2024. Mugshot: Ryan Renfroe taken Jan. 1, 2024, by the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office Ryan Renfroe, 33, was indicted on March 7, for the murder of Jakob Jones and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Indictment records report that Renfroe injured Jones with a firearm. RELATED: Details emerge in San Angelo New Years killing Officers began their investigation in downtown San Angelo on Jan. 1, after a shooting took place just before 3 a.m. within the 100 Blk of South Chadbourne St. First responders attempted to administer life-saving treatment, however, Jones succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Investigators learned, according to previous Concho Valley Homepage reports, that Renfroe and Jones knew each other and that the shooting occurred due to an earlier confrontation. Both men meet on South Chadbourne Street to continue the confrontation, however, police said Renfroe shot Jones. WATCH: Police investigate death in downtown San Angelo New Years Day Renfroe remains incarcerated at the Tom Green County Detention Center for the two charges. His bond is set at $750,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Grandmother Of Juneteenth On New Home Built On Land Where Her House Stood 85 Years Ago Before Being Destroyed By Racist Mob: I Could Do A Holy Dance | Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Civil rights activist Opal Lee, affectionately known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, was 12 years old when a mob of white supremacists set fire to her familys Texas home and destroyed it 85 years ago. She plans to move into a new home built on the historic land where her residence once stood. I could do a holy dance, but the kids say when I try, Im twerking, whatever that is, Lee said in a video shared by NBC News affiliate KXAS. On Thursday, Lee participated in a wall-raising ceremony alongside Trinity Habitat for Humanity CEO Gary Yager and several other attendees. Together, they witnessed the realization of her lifelong dream to reclaim her childhood home. So think about this, this is the second mob on this lot, Yager said during the event, per KXAS. Lee will now have a chance to make new memories in her new home, which was a gift from Trinity Habitat for Humanity, local home builder HistoryMaker Homes and Texas Capital. God is smiling right now, Yager said as everyone cheered. Hate tore the house down, and love is going to rebuild the house. A poster featuring Lee hangs from one of the soon-to-be-built walls, showcasing one of her renowned quotes: If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. She also took a moment to reflect on the significant changes in her neighborhood since the era when Black Americans were not permitted to reside there. Just think, when we were here, there were whites who didnt want us here, Lee told KXAS. And now, there are all nationalities in this neighborhood; times have changed. As Blavity reported, Lee fought for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday for over 40 years to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. On June 17, 2021, her hard work paid off as President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, declaring June 19 an official federal holiday. Lee will return to her old neighborhood as a homeowner with a move-in ceremony on June 19. I was thinking 2025, and Juneteenth! Oh listen, all Im bringing from my old house is my toothbrush, Lee said. FIRST ON FOX: A group of 20 House Republicans is urging the Biden administration to roll back protections for the gray wolf, pointing to the species' growing population size and conflicts with ranchers and farmers. The GOP coalition, led by Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., argued in a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Martha Williams that the gray wolf no longer needed to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. He wrote that "protection merely for the sake of protection" is not the purpose of the law. Instead, he encouraged the agency to focus its efforts on protecting species in danger of extinction. "The substantial growth in the population of gray wolves throughout Oregon and the western United States poses significant challenges for ranchers, farmers, and outdoorsmen alike," Bentz, who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee's Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "It's imperative that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service promptly act to delist the gray wolf so that those in the western United States who are burdened by the reintroduction of an admittedly recovered apex predator species can protect themselves." BIDEN ADMIN ACCELERATES PLAN TO UNLEASH GRIZZLY BEARS NEAR RURAL COMMUNITY OVER WIDESPREAD LOCAL OPPOSITION Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., is seen outside a meeting of the House Republican Conference in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2023. Bentz and his 19 fellow Republicans said the resurgence of the gray wolf population should be touted as a success story of the Endangered Species Act. They argued that removing the federal protections would allow western states to pursue their own protections. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP And they emphasized that without a FWS rule delisting the species, the growing population of wolves would create significant, and sometimes life-threatening, conflicts for Americans. Under the Endangered Species Act, killing listed animals can be punishable by heavy fines and even jail time. BIDEN ADMIN BACKS OFF PROTECTIONS FOR APEX PREDATOR, ANGERING ENVIRONMENTALISTS "Unsurprisingly, the substantial growth in gray wolf populations has led to increased conflict between wolves and people," the letter reads. "The impact of gray wolves on livestock herds is not, and cannot, be limited to just depredation. Wolves inflict much greater damage to herds than can be measured by simply counting carcasses. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams was sworn in to lead the agency in March 2022. "Wolves have an immense psychological impact on livestock herds that does result in losses for producers. These losses can manifest as stress, sickness, and reduced weight gain and pregnancy rates when wolves scare, chase or attack livestock. Too often ranchers are put in the impossible situation of choosing between obeying the law and protecting their livelihoods." SENATE STRIKES DOWN BIDEN MOVE ALLOWING POTENTIALLY DISEASED BEEF INTO US The letter concluded by stating that ranchers "must be able to protect their livestock" and should not "be hamstrung by unnecessary regulations that over-protect a species that is thriving." Republicans and cattle rancher groups have argued the gray wolf has fully recovered and is no longer threatened, and are urging the Biden administration to roll back protections. In 2020, the Trump administration agreed that gray wolves had fully recovered and, as such, delisted them as "endangered." Then-Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said at the time that the species was neither threatened nor endangered, based on the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. In early 2022, though, a federal district court reinstated the Endangered Species Act protections in the lower 48 states. And, in a separate but related decision last month, the FWS declined to list the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains' ecosystem over objections from environmentalists. Bentz and the other GOP lawmakers said that decision means the species should be delisted across the country. Calls placed to the FWS were not returned at press time. Original article source: As gray wolves terrorize farms and ranches, GOP lawmakers demand endangered species delisting Larry Fink has this week put his finger on a global problem politicians too eagerly ignore: longer lives means workers may have to retire later in life in order to build up pension pots that will tide them over in retirement. Here in Britain, the state pension costs the Government (in 2023-24) about 124bn, 10.4pc of its budget and 4.6pc of GDP. It is the second-largest budget item after the NHS. In addition, the Government spends 49bn (4.1pc of budget; 1.8pc of GDP) on public sector pensions the very generous pensions paid to retired government employees. Together (at 173bn) these pensions outstrip spending on the NHS (163bn). We now have a triple lock applied to the state pension that guarantees pensioners no fall in their real value of their pensions. Providing a guarantee not given to investors or workers is increasingly unaffordable, though there is no political appetite for change. Our retirement age of 66 still bears far too much resemblance to those established in the 1940s. Then, a 65-year-old man had a life expectancy of 76, compared with 85 in 2020. A 60-year-old woman had a life expectancy of 79, which has now risen to 87. Importantly, in 1948 many men died before 65 and women before 60 so the rising financial burden of pensions is in fact understated by these figures. An increase to 68 by 2044 is necessary, and we must maintain a constant ratio between the number of years of pension receipt and life expectancy (currently 33pc) while ensuring the SPA is reviewed every decade. But the Waspi campaign has exposed the difficulties associated with taking a more radical (or realistic) approach. Whats more, the retirement age is only one piece of the pension puzzle. Even with the triple lock, the current single UK state pension is 10,600 a year roughly 30pc of average full-time earnings and is insufficient to live on for many retirees (particularly renters). There are plenty of studies which suggest that only 50-60pc of average earnings is capable of allowing a retirement in reasonable comfort. As a consequence, most Western countries view the state pension as the first pillar of their retirement systems, with second and third pillars to make up the balance needed. The UK has never formally adopted this tiered approach; instead it has tied non-state retirement income to occupational pension schemes. Until the 1970s, this was working reasonably well, with a large proportion of the workforce (although still dominated by men) covered by generous final salary pension schemes. These often offered two-thirds of final salary at retirement (index-linked latterly), which together with the state pension meant a really comfortable, indeed in some cases luxurious, retirement. But the 1970s-90s saw a collapse in the scale and generosity of final salary schemes, as employers discovered how expensive they were turning out to be, and how the funds they had put aside were totally inadequate to cover the pensions promised. Many funds went under. The result was a complete collapse in private final salary (or defined benefit) pensions. But about 20pc of the UK workforce, nearly six million workers, do still get these gold-plated defined benefit pensions, and these are all government employees doctors, nurses, armed forces, civil servants and teachers. Depending on financial conditions at the time, these pensions can be worth as much as 70pc of salary every year worth being the cost of buying the investments to ensure the future pension is funded in full. These government pensions, however, are not funded: the Government has not put any money aside for them, so all the promises have to be paid for out of current income. Which brings us on to the funding of the state pension. When it began in the 1940s, it was envisaged that National Insurance (the clue is in the name) would be paid into by way of contributions deducted from salary, and a fund would thereby be established to pay unemployment benefit, healthcare and pensions for the contributors. This noble (and sensible) principle has long since been jettisoned. National Insurance contributions are now a straight tax, and bear no relation to the cost of providing the above services. There is no National Insurance Fund, no money set aside though rarely do politicians volunteer this information to their voters. But with the collapse of defined benefit pensions, where does that leave ordinary workers? Within the last decade, a new pension saving mechanism has been legislated for: the workplace pension. This is a new scheme, not compulsory but heavily pushed, which demands a 5pc of salary contribution from employees, and 3pc from employers. Funds are invested in a wide variety of shares and other investments, each for the individual account of the worker. The fund is portable not a bad idea (although 8pc of salary is way too low for a decent pension). But werent NICs supposed to do this? It is difficult to argue that the UK is in a better position as a result. Successive governments have downgraded the importance of a vibrant and healthy investment market, which is a vital ingredient of pension saving. They have imposed what are, in effect, complex retrospective taxes on pension saving (tax credit abolition; lifetime allowance) to the point where many people rightly no longer trust pension saving as the best route for income in retirement. There is no cross-party agreement on the lifetime allowance; investment returns both in high and low-risk investments have been poor (and highly variable), meaning ordinary people do not know where to turn. Allied to this is an alarming lack of interest from a significant proportion of the workforce in pensions. It appears that they imagine the state will somehow look after them one way or another if they dont bother to save. And this, presumably, is the point Mr Fink was getting at. Given the nature of welfare, particularly at the bottom of the income scale, weve maintained this complacency for years. But it is pulling Britain into a pension hole, from which an escape will be extremely difficult, expensive and politically divisive. Neil Record is a former Bank of England economist and author of Sir Humphreys Legacy Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Anger is still high on the streets and in parliament over the government's handling of the disaster (Aris MESSINIS) Greece's conservative government faces a censure motion in parliament on Thursday over claims it had sought to manipulate an ongoing investigation into the nation's worst train tragedy. After a three-day debate, the no-confidence motion will be put to an evening vote that the government majority is expected to win. The motion lodged by the socialist PASOK party on Tuesday came after a newspaper report claimed that a key sound recording from the night of the accident, extensively played by media at the time, had been misleadingly edited. Opposition parties have accused the government of being behind the alleged subterfuge, as part of efforts to reinforce its chosen narrative that human error was to blame for the collision that claimed 57 lives in February 2023. "Public opinion has reached an irrevocable conclusion -- that you are geared towards a cover-up" of the train tragedy, Nikos Pappas, parliament speaker for the main opposition Syriza party, told the chamber Wednesday. "You are summoned to give answers," he said. Opposition parties say the government handed out the spliced recording to friendly media. - 'Hide the truth' - "In every scandal, in every deed that goes unpunished, your political choice is to hide the truth," PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis told the government while submitting the censure motion. The disaster struck when a freight train and a passenger train with 350 staff and passengers, mostly students, collided near a tunnel outside the central city of Larissa shortly before midnight. A year after the accident, relatives of the victims say that despite government promises of a full investigation, state authorities wasted time and overlooked vital evidence. Experts appointed by relatives' families say the accident site was cleaned of wreckage and topsoil before investigators could fully examine it. The body of a young woman travelling on the passenger train still remains unaccounted for. Experts for the families have also claimed that the freight train was carrying undeclared chemicals that caused a huge explosion after the crash, killing people who might otherwise have survived. A Metron Analysis opinion poll last week found that almost nine in 10 Greeks thought little progress has been made in the investigation. On Sunday, the To Vima weekly reported that leaked recordings of train staff on the night of the accident, had been edited to suggest human error was exclusively to blame. In particular, one clip that saw extensive use at the time had the station master giving the go-ahead to an unnamed train driver. To Vima on Sunday reported that the discussion was with a driver on an earlier train not involved in the accident, but his name was purposely removed to create the impression that it was with the driver on one of the trains that collided. Who carried out the alleged manipulation is unclear, but To Vima suggested that unauthorised persons had improperly acquired access to material that should have been limited to investigators. - Pressure on PM - Critics point to an address to the nation by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis just hours after the accident, in which he said that "everything" showed human error was to blame. The government has reacted with fury, calling opposition parties "grave robbers" aiming to "destabilise" the country. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis called the To Vima report "baseless" and a "stain" on the newspaper's history. Main opposition party Syriza has called on Mitsotakis, who was comfortably re-elected in June, to resign. The government, which has 158 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament, welcomed the no-confidence vote. Opposition parties were already furious this past week after a four-month parliamentary investigation into the accident concluded without assigning blame to senior politicians. Over 30 railway employees and officials face charges over the February 28, 2023 disaster, with a trial expected to start in June. Greece's 2,552-kilometre (1,586-mile) rail network has for decades been plagued by mismanagement, poor maintenance and obsolete equipment. The government last year shrugged off another censure motion over a wiretap scandal implicating state intelligence and the prime minister's office. jph/jj/lb Police in Greece clashed late Wednesday with Communist-backed demonstrators who tried to prevent a concert by U.S. military cadets. The violent protest occurred in the central Greek city of Larissa ahead of a concert by members of the West Point Glee Club, a musical group of the U.S. Military Academy which is currently on tour in Greece. Videos and photos shared on social media show police firing tear gas to hold back the demonstrators outside a municipal theater, while officers also clashed with a smaller number of protesters as they entered the building. It was not immediately clear if the concert took place. Authorities and the venue couldnt be reached for comment. Protest organizers from the Greek Communist Party oppose the presence of U.S. troops in Greece as well as Greek military support for Ukraine and involvement in international maritime security missions in the Red Sea. There were no reports of arrests or injuries. GREEN BAY - Pre-Election Day campaign filings show Green Bay City Council and Brown County Board candidates have raised more than $57,000 in 2024, an amount dwarfed by special interest group expenditures. A Press-Gazette review of pre-election campaign finance reports filed with Green Bay, Brown County and the Wisconsin Ethics Commission found candidate campaign committees raised from $300 up to $8,000 in 2024. One outside interest group alone spent almost $50,000 in March on mailers and online advertising for seven Green Bay City Council candidates. Such spending often includes endorsements for individuals or slates of candidates, too. Not all candidates and committees have filed campaign finance reports, and some political action committees, or PACs, are federally registered and have not filed reports, yet. Here's a look at what the candidates have raised and spent, what some interest groups have spent to endorse or oppose candidates, and what state and local political parties have spent as the April 2 election approaches. Candidates for Brown County Board Districts 5 and 24 participated in a forum March 16 at Franklin Middle School in Green Bay. From left are Gloria Eastman, Dan Theno, Ross Toellner and Vanya Koepke. What have Brown County Board candidates raised ahead of Election Day? Here's what each Brown County Board candidates raised during the reporting period from Feb. 6 to March 18 and the total they have raised in 2024. Some candidates may have collected additional campaign contributions in 2023. Candidates who pledge to not raise and spend more than $2,500 on their campaigns are exempt from filing requirements. In Brown County, only four candidates in the contested districts went over $2,500 and were required to file finance reports. The eight other contested candidates will be marked "Exempt" below. (i) denotes incumbent. District 5 Dan Theno (i): $4,550 from Feb. 6 to March 18, $4,550 total in 2024. Gloria Jane Eastman: Exempt District 6 Kathy LeFebvre (i): Exempt Steven Campbell: $1,631, $3,383 District 14 Nick Dagneau (i): Exempt Latosha Greenleaf: Exempt District 18 Patrick Hopkins (i): Exempt Katie McDonald: Exempt District 23 Ray Suennen (i): Exempt Dixon Wolfe: $3,413, $3,712 District 24 Vanya Koepke: Exempt Ross Toellner: $2,160, $2,327 The Green Bay City Council at its Feb. 6 meeting at City Hall in Green Bay. What have Green Bay City Council candidates raised ahead of Election Day? Here's what each Green Bay City Council candidate raised during the reporting period from Feb. 6 to March 18, and what they have raised in 2024. Some candidates may have collected additional campaign contributions in 2023. Candidates who pledge to not raise or spend more than $2,500 on their campaigns are exempt from filing requirements and will be marked "Exempt" below. (i) denotes incumbent. Some candidates' pre-election reports had not posted to the city's website by Wednesday. The Press-Gazette will update this report when the information becomes available. District 1 Barb Dorff: $8,028 from Feb. 6 to March 18, $8,028 total in 2024 Jennifer Grant (i): $4,907, $4,907 District 2 Jim Hutchison (i): $1,347, $1,347 Andy Nicholson: Exempt District 4 William Galvin (i): $500, $2,159 Jon Shelton: $2,325, $5,311 District 5 Craig Stevens (i): Exempt Robert Maccaux: Exempt District 6 Steven Campbell (i): $1,250, $3,000 Joey Prestley: $2,799, $4,527 District 7 Adrian Liddicoat: $969, $1,269 Alyssa Proffitt: $300, $300 District 8 Jim Ridderbush: Not yet published. Chris Wery (i): Not yet published. District 9 Brian Johnson (i): Not yet published. Tarl Knight: Exempt District 10 Ben Delie: Not yet published. Jeff Osborne: $2,000, $3,871 District 11 Melinda Eck (i): $2,393, $5,565 Michael Poradek: Not yet published. District 12 Bobby Lindsey: $3,272, $3,272 Kathy Hinkfuss: Not yet published. Brown County Democrats, Republicans spend on robocalls The Democratic and Republican parties of Brown County spent a combined $577 on robocalls between Feb. 6 and March 18, including in-kind contributions to two local candidates' campaigns. Expenditure reports show the Democratic Party of Brown County spent $168 on robocalls. The Republican Party of Brown County spent $409. The Republican Partys robocall expenditures included $202 in in-kind contributions to specific Green Bay City Council candidates campaign groups: Two in-kind contributions to Friends of Steven Campbell totaling $129 and one contribution to Friends of Melinda Eck worth $73.20 were reported. Notices explain referendum questions that are up for a public vote in the spring election are posted on Wednesday at City Hall in Green Bay. Early in-person absentee voting in Green Bay runs through noon Saturday. Brown County Republican and Democratic parties endorse slates of Green Bay, Brown County candidates The fact most local races on the April 2 ballot are nonpartisan did not stop the county's Republican and Democratic parties from endorsing candidates in Brown County, Green Bay, De Pere, Ashwaubenon, Allouez, Wrightstown, Bellevue and Denmark elections. For Brown County Board, local Republicans endorsed Dan Theno, Steve Campbell, Nick Dagneau, Katie McDonald, Dixon Wolfe and Vanya Koepke. For Green Bay City Council, the local Democrats endorsed Barbara Dorff, Jim Hutchison, Jon Shelton, Bill Galvin, Craig Stevens, Joey Prestley, Alyssa Proffitt, Jim Ridderbush, Ben Delie, Michael Poradek and Kathy Hinkfuss. Of note: Galvin and Shelton face each other in District 4 but both got endorsements while the Democrats made no endorsement in the District 9 race between Brian Johnson and Tarl Knight. Local Republicans endorsed City Council candidates Jennifer Grant, Andy Nicholson, Bill Galvin, Robert Maccaux, Adrian Liddicoat, Chris Wery, Brian Johnson, Jeff Osborne, Melinda Eck and Bobby Lindsey. Wisconsin Conservation Voters committee spends almost $50,000 supporting Green Bay City Council candidates The Wisconsin Conservation Voters Independent Expenditure Committee spent $49,800 during the filing period on mailers and online advertising that backed or endorsed Prestley, Proffitt, Johnson, Ridderbush, Delie, Hinkfuss and Hutchison. The group endorses candidates that share the groups values of clean water, clean air, accessible public lands, an equitable, safe democracy, and the pursuit of clean energy, according to its website. Here's a look at the total spent for each candidate: Prestley: $5,869.08 Proffitt: $6,190.84 Johnson: $4,416.90 Delie: $8,170.68 Ridderbush: $8,208.05 Hinkfuss: $8,241.24 Hutchison: $8,818.19 National conservative political group contributes to Brown County Republicans The Republican Party of Brown County filed a "special report of late contribution" from the conservative political action committee Turning Point USA. The Arizona-based group made the $1,200 contribution on March 20. Turning Point USA educates and trains high school and college students to promote "freedom" and "restore traditional American values," according to its website. The contribution to Brown County is part of Turning Point's get-out-the vote campaign to support local candidates in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Georgia in 2024. Through the "Chase the Vote" initiative in its political wing, Turning Point Action, the group hired over a thousand field organizers to "track and chase key target ballots" in swing states. Brown County Board candidate Dixon Wolfe in District 23 is one of the field representatives for Turning Point Action, according to his LinkedIn, and an at-large member of the Republican Party of Brown County's executive committee. On a March 11 episode of the "Red, Right & Wisconsin" podcast hosted by Joe Giganti, Wolfe said he joined Turning Point Action in August 2023 and "travels the state for conservative activism" for canvassing. What other groups have contributed to or endorsed local candidates and campaigns? A Washington, D.C.-based group focused on ballot access and voting issues, Open Democracy PAC, has mailed ads to voters in at least two Green Bay City Council districts, one in support of Ridderbush and one opposing Melinda Eck. Union-affiliated groups and PACs have also contributed to local campaigns and endorsed local candidates. The Wisconsin People Conference PAC, a committee affiliated with the state teachers union WEAC, donated $2,400 total to six Green Bay City Council candidates: Delie, Proffitt, Dorff, Ridderbush, Shelton and Prestley. The Milwaukee-based Service and Hospitality PAC contributed $400 to both Shelton and Prestley. The Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed Brown County Board candidates LeFebvre, Eastman and Toellner. It also endorsed Dorff, Hutchison, Shelton, Prestley, Proffitt, Ridderbush and Hinkfuss for Green Bay City Council. The AFL-CIO is a national federation of 60 unions. (Editor's note: The story was revised to adjust the description of the political action committee Turning Point USA.) Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @benita_mathew. Contact Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Tracking Green Bay, Brown County campaign spending, endorsements There was standing room only in the courtroom during the graduation proceeding this month of the Recovery Court program. Five graduates participated after completing the demanding 18-month program which assists individuals with intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation surrounding substance use disorders. Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sarah K. Campbell delivered congratulations to the participants during her remarks. Im glad this court can be a place of hope that offers opportunities to flourish. You have so many people rooting for you, including me," Campbell said. The participants shared personal reflections from the program and thanked the Recovery Court staff for their hard work and dedication. Circuit Court Judge Jimmy Turner ended the ceremony relating the story of Enterprise, Alabama, and the boll weevil. This story personifies the Recovery Court program, Turner said, There are two types of people in the world: people who live in their circumstances and people of vision. Over 400 participants have graduated from the Recovery Court since its founding in 2000 by now retired Circuit Court Judge Don R. Ash, who attended this graduation. More information about Recovery Court can be found at https://tinyurl.com/3z22xbmm and on YouTube at https://tinyurl.com/hn5ben7a. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Group graduates from 16th Judicial District Recovery Court Gurkha veterans and their supporters gathered at Whitehall ahead of talks at the MoD [BBC] Former Gurkha soldiers have threatened to resume hunger strikes in a long-running dispute with the British government over their pension rights. Soldiers who retired before 1997 receive a fraction of the pension of their British Army counterparts. Following a meeting at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), they accused officials of hiding behind the law to deny paying them more. The Ministry of Defence said there had been "highly constructive engagement". A group of Gurkhas had refused food for 13 days in 2021 as they called for parity with other British Army veterans. The Gurkha Equal Rights group halted that hunger strike after both the British and Nepali governments agreed to talks. Gurkhas who retired before 1997 currently receive a fraction of the pension the rest of the British Army receive because the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) was based on Indian Army rates. Gyanraj Rai from Reading was part of the veterans' delegation [BBC] Gurkha veteran Gyanraj Rai from Reading said he was "so angry" following the latest round of talks at the MoD. Having taken part in previous hunger strikes he said there would "definitely" be another without meaningful talks. "They kept diverting the issue. They listened but did not understand. They were answering without logic and proof. "It's not only the Gurkhas' problem, it's a national issue of Nepal," he added. The MoD said: "The UK Government takes its responsibilities to our veterans very seriously. "We warmly welcome the highly constructive engagement we have had through the UK/Nepali Bilateral Committee and remain committed to supporting them and their families during and post service." Gurkhas have served as part of the British Army for more than 200 years. The Nepalese soldiers fought in two world wars and in the past 50 years in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. 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. By Azernews Qabil Ashirov Staying true to its tradition, Armenia disappointed another of its friend and ally countries, more precisely Iran. If we say that in the Garabagh War, Iran was the only Muslim country that sided with Armenia, we would not be wrong. Love for Armenia blinded Iran to such an extent that Tehran did not even hesitate to threaten Azerbaijan because of Armenia. In response to all that Iran has done for Armenia, Yerevan is preparing to hold a joint security conference with the EU and the United States in April and sign an agreement. This, in turn, means trampling Iran's red lines. It is strange that in the background of all these events, Iran still maintains its silence. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, political analyst Samir Humbatov noted that it seems that Iran's turning a blind eye to Armenia may also come from Iran's attempt not to lose Armenia. However, it should be taken into account that deepening cooperation with NATO and bringing the USA and the EU to the region may lead to a situation that will discourage Iran. Samir Humbatov does not think that Iran will stand still in such a situation. Because it already means that the presence of forces hostile to Tehran in the territory of Armenia includes actions that will target Iran. From this point of view, the reason for Iran's silence today could be interpreted as Iran thinking that such an event will not happen. I don't believe that it will last forever. If NATO comes to the region and the relations between NATO and Armenia are deepened, this will be a threat to Iran. The collective West and USA may directly try to strike Iran through Armenia, the expert noted. He said that if NATO comes to this region, it may lead to the escalation of new conflicts in the South Caucasus. He does not believe that Iran will take it calmly. However, it is true that today Iran is deepening its economic and political relations with Armenia. He pointed out that indeed, Iran says that the territorial integrity of the neighbouring states is our red line, but there are reasons behind it. However, it may have a great impact on the region with NATO's entry into the region, and Iran may want to prevent this from now on. I don't think that this issue will be solved so easily. Bringing the West to the region, Armenia may further increase the tension in the Iran-NATO-Russia triangle. By doing this, Armenia actually created tension in the region. It is not only about Azerbaijan. By coming to the region, NATO aims to hit both Iran and Russia. Therefore, I do not think that Iran and Russia will accept NATO's arrival in the region. If NATO enters the region and if Yerevan and Washington sign a strategic agreement, this will cause great tension within Armenia. Besides, Iran and Russia can put pressure on Armenia. In a word, great dangers will await Armenia, Humbatov added. The five ships in the first round-the-world expedition (San Antonio, Trinidad, Concepcion, Victoria and Santiago), commanded by Ferdinand Magellan, departed from Seville in August 1519. In their holds they stored 475 arrobas (5,966 liters) of olive oil worth a total price of 58,425 maravedis, plus another 4,925 maravedis for the value of the jars, according to the records kept in the General Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain. According to the naval historian Vicente Ruiz Garcia, olive oil became the ingredient that best represented the culinary fusion between the so-called New and Old Worlds, and a reference for what we call early globalization. Ruiz, who is an advisor to the Chair of History and Naval Heritage at the University of Murcia, is the author of the book El mar, el aceite de oliva y la primera globalizacion (in English: The sea, olive oil and the first globalization), a tribute to all the men who suffered many hardships in a feat that is key to understanding world trade. Both the first voyage of Christopher Columbus and the one led by Magellan had as their main goal finding a route to the Moluccas (an archipelago in modern-day Indonesia) in search of much sought-after spices, which were used to preserve food. But after traveling thousands of miles and even completing a trip around the world, it is paradoxical to say the least that all that time theyd been carrying one of the best food preservatives on board: olive oil, explains Ruiz, a doctor in History and secretary of the distance university UNED who is based in Jaen, a province in southern Spain that is the largest producer of olive oil in the world. The power of olive oil as a food preservative had been known since ancient times. The first European civilizations that used oil preferably olive oil for this function were the Etruscans, the Greeks and the Romans. The reason is the high content in polyphenols and vitamin E, which isolates food and prevents its contact with microorganisms. Magellans ships crossed the autumnal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, sailing off the coast of Argentina. Only 10 days later they would drop anchor in the Port of San Julian to spend the winter there. Meanwhile, on March 21, 1520, very far from there, officials of the Casa de Contratacion of Seville paid Juan de Baena, mayor of the town of Olivares, 20 maravedis for each of the 50 olive tree cuttings pulled out from the roots and another 1,800 maravedis for 1,200 thinner cuttings. These were the first olive tree seedlings that were going to go to the New World, specifically to the island of Hispaniola, says Ruiz. Francisco de Aguirre de Meneses, a native of Spain, was the first mayor of the council of Santiago de Chile. He had traveled to the Indies in 1536 and participated for three years in the conquest of present-day Bolivia, accompanying Pedro de Valdivia on the expedition to conquer Chile (1540). And there, as Ruiz recalls, he ordered the planting of olive trees in large areas of Peru, Chile and northern Argentina, especially in the region of Santiago del Estero, a city founded by himself. One of the pioneer examples in the New World is still preserved: the historic olive tree of Arauco (declared a natural monument), which is more than 400 years old and survived the felling ordered in the 18th century by the king of Spain for the purpose to protect olive oil production by Spain. Olive tree from the Farga de L'Arion complex, in Ulldecona (Tarragona), considered the oldest in Spain, planted around the year 214, in an image provided by Vicente Ruiz. The Manila galleon was the name given to the ships that crossed the Pacific following the route to Manila (Philippines) and Acapulco (New Spain). One of these ships was the San Diego, which sank in 1600 in the waters of the Philippines archipelago after an attack suffered by a Dutch ship. Four centuries later the wreck was discovered and among the material that was rescued was a set of jars, of between four and 15 liters each, from the potteries of Jaen. It was a privileged transportation system for olives and olive oil, both for the consumption of the crew and for the export of these goods that were so in demand in the Indies, says the author of the study. According to the historian, the Manila galleon unified the world for economic purposes for the first time because, although there had been precedents such as the Silk Road or the contemporary Spice Route, none of them reached that geographical dimension that linked three continents with repercussions that went beyond the commercial and affected culture or the expansion of food. The galleons that left Mexico sailed to the Philippines, where the use of olive oil in some of their dishes has remained as a hallmark of Hispanic gastronomy in a country where not even the Spanish language has remained. The globalization of flavors allowed ingredients such as olive oil to leave the holds of ships to take root on Philippine soil in dishes of clear Hispanic heritage that today are part of the cuisine of the archipelago, such as caldereta, longganisa or Filipino sausage or chicken and pork adobo, explains Ruiz. Vicente Ruiz Garcia. Monte Testaccio But before that first globalization, there is documentary evidence of the olive oil trade since the time of the Phoenicians. In Rome there is an artificial mountain called Testaccio, where 26 million broken vessels rest that for centuries were deposited there and once contained olive oil originating from Baetica and Tarraconense, provinces of Hispania. The site was not discovered until 1878, but researchers date its establishment between the years 138 and 260. These amphorae were taken to small river ports from where oil barges departed and sailed through the waters of the Betis River until they reached the bridge of Hispalis, where the amphorae were stowed on larger ships to reach Britain or the Mediterranean. Mount Testaccio reflects the importance of olive oil as a unifying element of the Roman Empire which, together with the language, Latin, constituted the most determining element in a primitive process of globalization in Antiquity, asserts Ruiz. In his opinion, this process of globalization would extend across a large part of the European shore of the Mediterranean and through the ancient possessions of Carthage, achieving economic union, legal unification, and awareness of Roman citizenship, and the linguistic unity of such a vast space. Although it was the Phoenicians who brought olive oil to old Iberia three thousand years ago, centuries later it spread to other continents across the oceans, leaving an indelible mark on the gastronomy of those remote countries with which we share the same heritage. A transitional presidential council in Haiti on Wednesday moved one step closer to instating a new prime minister to help stabilize the gang-ridden nation as they wait for Kenyan police forces to arrive. A months-long plan to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti was stalled in mid-March after Nairobi hit pause on the move following Haitian Prime Minster Ariel Henry's abrupt resignation in an apparent attempt to end the immense gang violence that had swept the nation. Kenyan President William Ruto, who faced stiff backlash after he agreed to send forces to Port-au-Prince in a show of "strong commitment to Pan-Africanism," said the plan would only resume after a new government was reinstated in Haiti. Police officers take part in a confrontation with gangs near the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Thursday March 21. SECURITY CONCERNS, DEATH THREATS COMPLICATE COUNCIL'S APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM HAITIAN LEADER Many in Haiti are now concerned that additional forces may not be coming to help rein in the gangs. "The Haitian police have the capacity to do it," one Haitian man told Fox News Digital from Port-au-Prince. "The only thing is they have to be more organized, they need more equipment. They need the human resources." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The man also argued that a strong military force is what is needed to suppress the extreme gang violence directed at not only government agencies but civilian Haitians living in the capital. "If they would send 1,000 military guys, I think that would be better because we dont need police. We need guys that are military," he said. "Here were in a war zone." A man holds a machete while walking near a pile of burning mattresses near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 20. The transitional presidential council on Wednesday released its first statement pledging to restore "public and democratic order," though it was signed by only eight members of what was originally supposed to be a nine-member council. "We are determined to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people, trapped for too long between bad governance, multifaceted violence and disregard for their perspectives and needs," the council said. The statement also said that once the council is officially installed, it will "put Haiti back on the path of democratic legitimacy, stability and dignity." Henry has said he will officially resign his post after the transitional presidential council is formally established. But despite the statement from the council signaling a positive step forward in wrapping up an arduous nomination process, some in Kenya remain skeptical about sending their forces into such a precarious state. AMERICAN FAMILY IN HAITI DESCRIBES WAR ZONE, BELIEVES IT WILL FALL TO GANGS IN A WEEK A legal challenge was filed against the deployment of Kenyan police forces by opposition party Thirdway Alliance Kenya last year and the plan has faced several hurdles levied by Kenyans frustrated by Rutos agreement. "If they come back in body bags, what will [Kenyan President William Ruto] tell the nation?" opposition leader Ekuru Aukot questioned, according to a report by The Guardian. The severe uptick in violence this year, a unity agreement established by the gangs and the near complete takeover of the capital city of Port-au-Prince has prompted some in Nairobi to seriously question whether the agreement with Haiti should still stand. Kenyan authorities have pointed out that since the agreement was first reached in July of last year, there has been a "fundamental change in circumstances in Haiti" and a "complete breakdown of law and order." Some police officers set for deployment have also begun dropping out following the spike in Port-au-Prince violence earlier this year, according to a BBC interview earlier this month. Kenya has not yet landed on an official timeline as to when it would deploy its police force to Haiti, even after the establishment of an interim government. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Haiti waits for Kenyan police mission to fight gangs amid fears they won't come The Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israeland the subsequent Gaza warare rarely understood in their primary political context, which is the power struggle among Palestinian factions. The near-universal assumption is that Hamas viewed its surprise offensive as another phase in a long-term war against Israel. Theres some truth to it, but that misreads why Hamas decided now to deliberately provoke a massive Israeli responsewhich is the long-standing power struggle between the Islamists in Hamas and their smaller ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), against the secular nationalists of Fatah who control the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and, more importantly, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) which represents Palestinians diplomatically. Fatah, of course, knows this full well, but a surge of nationalist sentiment and shared outrage at the mass killing and suffering of the 2.2 million Palestinian civilians in Gaza muffled nationalist leaders like President Mahmoud Abbas (also the chairman of the PLO) in publicly acknowledging Hamas breathtaking cynicism. Do Americans Want a Ceasefire in Gaza? It Depends. But now that were into the fifth month of the carnage with no end in sight, Fatah leaders appear to be sensing enough of a mood shift among Palestinians to permit such criticisms without unsustainable political blowback. Their denunciations of Hamas have been harsh and, if this perspective eventually takes root among most Palestinians, potentially devastating. WHO LEADS THE PALESTINIANS? U.S., European, and Arab pressure for PA reform led Abbas on March 14 to replace then-prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh with economist Mohammad Mustafa. Hamas snidely called Abbas out of touch with reality, and implied that, following Oct. 7, it should have a direct say in any change of government within the PA. It was one of the first overt assertions of a newfound degree of self-appointed national authority by the Islamist groupwhich is portraying itself, on the basis of the major conflict it has engineered with Israel, as the real leader of the Palestinians. The intensity and bluntness of the official Fatah reply strongly signaled that Palestinian nationalists are in no mood to give any ground to the fundamentalists. Those who caused Gaza to return to living under Israeli occupation and caused a nakba [catastrophe] to befall the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, have no right to make dictates related to national priorities, Fatah said, batting aside Hamas assertion of authority. The real side that is out of touch with reality and the Palestinian people is the Hamas leadership that has until this moment failed to realize the extent of the catastrophe endured by our oppressed people in Gaza and the rest of the Palestinian territories, it continued, shifting quickly into a narrative framework that, for the first time in major Palestinian politics, acknowledged the full extent of Hamas responsibility for deliberately provoking Israels entirely predictable onslaught. Fatahs statement flung the accusation of unilateralism back at Hamas, saying the Islamists consulted with no other Palestinians before launching an adventure on Oct. 7 that has led to a nakba that is more severe than the 1948 Nakba,one of the most punishing accusations in the Palestinian political lexicon. The statement then asks if Hamas is consulting with any other Palestinians while it negotiates indirectly with Israel to ensure the safety of its leaders, many of whom live a life of luxury in seven star hotelsimplicitly in Qatar where most of the Hamas Politburo has resided since fleeing Syria in 2012. This exile and luxury has blinded it [the Hamas leadership] to reason, Fatah asserts, urging them to abandon their alleged policy of promoting foreign agendasimplicitly Qatari, Turkish, and Iranianand return to the national fold. Clearly stung, Hamas enlisted other perennial critics of Fatahthe PIJ, plus two small left-wing groupsin reiterating that the PA is acting unilaterally in a manner that has harmed and continues to harm our people and national cause. Instead, they insist, the top national priority lies in confronting the barbaric systematic Zionist aggression and its genocide and war of starvation, not forming a new government. The Hamas-Israel War Obliterated the Campus Microaggression This bitter exchange will complicate the formation of a national unity government, which many Palestinians want. More importantly, an unspoken and even taboo truth has been uttered by Palestinians at the highest levelacknowledging Hamas evident culpability for actions that made Israels savage war of vengeance in Gaza entirely foreseeable, if not inevitable. The accusation about Hamas negotiating with Israel only about the fate of its leaders invites readers to extrapolate that, in deciding to launch the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas similarly only cared about its political agendaand not the lives or basic needs of Palestinians in Gaza. If these accusations are repeatedas they certainly should be on a daily, if not hourly, basisthey could create the permission structure for ordinary Palestinians everywhere, and especially in Gaza, to begin honestly asking themselves why Hamas acted on Oct. 7 without regard to the impact on the people of Gaza or making any preparations whatsoever for them. Abandoned and torched vehicles at the site of the October 7 attack on the Supernova desert music Festival by Palestinian militantsin the Negev desert in southern Israel. Jack Guez/Getty Images HAMAS MAIN TARGET Hamas was not acting on behalf of the Palestinian people or their national cause on Oct. 7. It was pursuing its founding prime directive. Established in 1987 during the crucible of the first intifada (uprising) against Israeli occupation by ordinary Palestinians living under that brutal repression, Hamas goal was (and remains) the accumulation of political power and the eventual takeover of the Palestinian national cause from the secularists (led by Fatah) and turning it into an Islamist movement. Hamas has made many important strides towards that goal, but the PA remains in Fatahs hands. Moreover, the prize jewel in the Palestinian national crown, also still firmly in Fatahs control, is the diplomatic standing and presence of the PLO in 130 embassies and missions around the world. The PLO, alone, speaks for the Palestinians internationally, in countless multinational and multilateral agencies and organizations, at the Arab League, andabove allas a non-member observer state at the U.N. General Assembly. Even Hamas, despite its bitter criticisms of its policies, does not dispute the diplomatic authority of the PLO. Whoever controls the PLO speaks for the Palestinians on the Arab, Middle Eastern, and global stagesand Hamas has never had any role in it whatsoever. Hamas claims it was trying to return the issue of Palestine to the Middle Eastern and international forefront. The group also asserts that it struck an invaluable blow to reassert Palestinian defiance and determination. Insofar as thats true, its at an intolerably high price to both Palestinians and their prospects for self-determination. In fact, the Oct. 7 attack was a calculated political gambit. Those who link Oct. 7 to the rapid progress being made between Saudi Arabia and the United States on a potential triangular deal with Israel (although meaningful Israeli cooperation remained unsecured) are not wrong. Hamas was indeed acting in large part to scupper that potential breakthrough. But this is usually, and incorrectly, viewed in terms of Hamas rather complex alliance with Iran. No doubt Tehran rejoiced when Israels medieval rampage on Gaza froze further progress on the deal that would have formed the bedrock of a much stronger and more integrated U.S.-led alliance confronting Irans regional ambitions. But the Middle Eastern strategic landscape was not at the top of Hamas motivations. Rather than the regional big picture, Hamas was again concentrating on the domestic Palestinian partisan power struggle. Do Hamas Brutal Tactics Do Anything to Help Palestinians? On the eve of Oct. 7, Hamas was in big trouble. It was bogged down in Gaza, which was starting to look more like a trap than a launching pad. It could sense a waning of Turkish support and Qatari unease about footing the bill in Gaza into the foreseeable future. Both were grumbling about Hamas needing to do more for itself. Worse, Hamas was even losing the initiative on its core brand among Palestiniansarmed struggle. Militancy was its only real political competitive advantage against Fatah, the PA, and the PLO, all of which had staked their futures on securing a negotiated peace agreement with Israel. But in recent years, newer and unaffiliated armed youth gangs in the inner cities of the West Banksuch as the Lions Den in the old city of Nablus and the Jenin Brigades in the refugee camps outside of that citybegan challenging Israeli occupation forces and armed settlers. Even on the matter of armed struggle, Hamas was losing the momentum to forces in the West Bank it could not control or even challenge. The last straw was looming in the potential American-Israeli-Saudi understandings that were gaining considerable momentum last summer. There were two tracks, both involving Washington. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia were negotiating over a new defense agreement and Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy program, while the U.S. and Israel held parallel discussions about a significant Palestinian component that would facilitate Saudi normalization with Israel. The gains designed to make the agreement politically acceptable to Saudi Arabiaand to at least somewhat mollify Abbaswould have been a great deal of Saudi money for Ramallah and some political concessions from Israel to strengthen the PA on the ground, and probably even the PLO at the diplomatic register. All of the financial and political goodies would have accrued exclusively to Fatah, which seemed poised to secure the first tangible steps forward, however minimal, for Palestinians in decades. This might have presented Fatah with a vindication of its strategy of diplomacy versus Hamas rhetoric about endless armed struggle. Fatah supporters lift flags and banners during a rally marking the 59th anniversary of the movement in Ramallah. Zain Jaafar/Getty Images A U.S.-Saudi finger was poised to press firmly down on the other side of the scale in a delicately balanced equilibrium of national division. It had to be stopped. And it was. After Oct. 7 and Israels vicious response, Saudi Arabia froze further talks. In January, though, the Saudis reiterated they were still interested in a triangular deal, but the price tag for Israel had gone up. Israel, they insist, must recognize the Palestinian right to a state and commit to the eventual creation of one. Hamas has the whole world once again talking about Palestinian statehood, albeit largely as a means of politically pushing back against the organizations agenda and prospects. Yet Israel hasnt been this opposed to Palestinian statehood since before 1993, with rejections not merely from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but his whole Cabinet and a large Knesset majority. Fatahs statement should inaugurate a serious and sustained Palestinian debate about the bloodthirsty Oct. 7 killing spree. Was it a net, or even major, gain for Palestinians? Or has it been a net, and indeed unimaginably disastrous, loss for them? Thats certainly the meaning of Fatah's phrase worse than the nakba of 1948. Did Hamas have any right to subject 2.2 million Palestinians to the unmitigated brutality of Israels response which, while profoundly shocking, cannot truly surprise anyone familiar with Israeli-Palestinian history. Hamas intended and expected to provoke Israel into a large war and a long-term reoccupation of the urban centers of Gaza. Israeli leaders are obliging them perfectly. A late February message to other Hamas leaders in Doha and Beirut from the organizations overall leader and chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was accurately paraphrased by The Wall Street Journal as, Dont worry, we have the Israelis right where we want them. This is because, as I wrote in The Atlantic on Nov. 1, Hamas hopes to lure Israel into Gaza, where it can mount a long insurgency against the Israeli occupiers. Hamas will then claim to be taking the fight to Israel, while the secular nationalists in the West Bank sit around waiting for negotiations that will never take place. On cue, Hamas has been increasingly insisting that it, alone, constitutes the vanguard of the national movement, because only it is fighting occupation soldiers on a daily basis over control of Palestinian land in Gaza. The bloody shirt is a potent banner. Thats why Hamas leaders in Gaza believe they are winning. But Fatah has begun punching back and asking the right questions with very dangerous answers, and even worse implicit corollary questions, for Hamas. ISRAEL AND THE U.S. MUST CHOOSE The evident failure of Israels quixotic war to completely destroy Hamas in Gaza and beyond has been defined by its lack of any coherent political goal. Destruction and vengeance (a word Netanyahu has often invoked) dont constitute a coherent goal. And because Israel doesnt know what its fighting for, it lacks a broad strategy and any metric for determining whether, and to what extent, it has succeeded strategicallyno matter how much of Hamas infrastructure and fighting force has been tactically destroyed. Israel has thus rendered itself unable to heed Clausewitzs dictum about war being a continuation of policy and politics by other means, and the obvious need, therefore, for a political goal. The giant is flailing around with a mighty club wreaking enormous, near-total destruction in Gaza but it is blind. Without visiona coherent and achievable strategic aimall that smashing and killing is rendered effectively pointless. Is World War 3 Really Right Around the Corner? Hamas, by contrast, has a clear political goal: the final eclipse of Fatah and the secular nationalists, and the Islamist takeover of the Palestinian cause. If Israel, the United States, and others are interested in denying Hamas a victory, they will have to recognize that strengthening Fatah, the PA, and the PLO is the essential internal Palestinian political corollary to whatever blows are struck against Hamas from the outside. Since Hamas is mainly fighting to outshine, marginalize, and overwhelm Fatah, any outcome that does not strengthen the PA and PLO will not, in fact, be a political defeat for the Islamists. Fatah is fighting back politically, with very bold rhetoric. But if it continues to be impoverished, ignored, marginalized, and, in effect, ridiculed by the U.S and Israel, it will be very hard to deprive the radical Islamists of the internal Palestinian political victory that wasand remainsthe main goal of the terrible war they initiated on Oct. 7. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Yael Braun-Pivet, the head of the French National Assembly and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament). Photo: lcp.fr Yael Braun-Pivet, the head of the French National Assembly, announced her arrival in Ukraine with the French delegation on Thursday. Source: European Pravda Braun-Pivet said on Twitter that the purpose of the visit is to confirm the support of the Ukrainian people. "Arrived safely in Ukraine together with Valerie Rabault, Thomas Gassilloud and Benjamin Haddad to confirm the support of the National Assembly for the Ukrainian people," Yael Braun-Pivet tweeted. Background: On 12 March, The National Assembly (the Lower House of the French parliament) voted to approve the report of the Prime Minister regarding the support strategy for Ukraine and the concluded bilateral security agreement. During a meeting in Paris on 16 January, the presidents of Ukraine and France signed a bilateral agreement on security cooperation within the framework of the Group of Seven framework declaration. Support UP or become our patron! If you consume the news, youre probably aware that you also consume plasticand an uncomfortably significant amount of it. One 2021 study that was amplified in a World Wildlife Fund for Nature report claimed that each of us may consume as much as one credit cards worth of plastic a week. (It has since been discredited.) Whatever the amount, you wouldnt know youre eating (and inhaling) plastic because its very, very small. These microplastics are tiny to microscopic bits and shards sloughed off vehicle tires as they roll down the highway, shed from slowly degrading plastic refuse, and shorn from synthetic fibers in clothes and bedding, among many other sources. Although your body expels them the same way it expels other solids, microplastics can linger. According to Harvard Medicine, microplastics have been found in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, and placenta in human breast milk and in babies first stool. Thats almost certainly a problem, but were only beginning to discover how big a problem it is. Even to researchers whove been studying them, microplastics are as inscrutable as they are invisible. The tao of plastics. Like many great human inventions that have come back to kick us in the tush, plastics offer great advantages. A 2009 paean to plastics in the U.K.-based journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B cites their contribution to health and safety, energy savings, and materials conservation. They help keep drinking water clean, provide sterile medical applications, help keep food safe, make buildings cheaper and more durable, and save energy through lighter vehicles. In fact, plastics have been used so much since their modern invention in the 19th century that theres about 6 billion metric tons of it around the globe according to Philip Demokritou, director of the Environmental Health Nanoscience Laboratory at Harvard University. This inventory is constantly degrading, he told Chemical & Engineering News in 2022, and 400 million metric tons are currently added each year (or more). Plastics lose molecules from the moment theyre producedeven during their production. And plastics degrade over time, albeit slowly. The resulting microplastics have been found all over the globe, from the south to Antarctica, north to the Arctic, up to the peak of Mount Everest, and down to the Mariana Trench, according to a 2023 review in the American Chemical Societys Environment & Health. And since the first microplastics were detected in the Atlantic in the 1960s and 1970s, theyve been found in lakes, rivers, and oceans; in the soil; in plants; and in wild and domesticated animals. Microplastics generally are small bits of plastic in the environment. Definitions vary, but true microplastics are the larger bits, anywhere from 5 millimeters in diameter to 1 micrometer (0.001 millimeter). The smaller bits, nanoplastics, are less than 1 micrometer in diameter and can invade animal cells, including cell nuclei. MNPswhich can refer to the entire range of micro- and nanoplasticsvary in shape, size, electrical charge, chemical makeup and additives, and propensity to carry other potentially toxic chemicals. All are factors that can cause specific damage to human bodies and produce different immune responses. Plastic threats. As late as 2022, in an extensive report on MNPs, the World Health Organization (WHO) could only say that the evidence against MNPs as a threat to human health was low because of substantial limitations of the available information. The available data, it turned out, wasnt very good. Most studies focused on larger MNPs that are less likely to be ingested or inhaled by humans, or on particles that arent found in the environment. Early studies focusing on the plastic beads found in cosmetics and lotions looked at spherical microplastics, for example, rather than the more common and potentially much more harmful jagged and non-uniform plastic particles. Reporting has been inconsistent, the same report noted, and most of the research was simply unreliable. Since that report, indications of a health threat posed by MNPs have been accruing. The 2023 review in Environment & Health found evidence for oxidative stress [a biologically destructive chemical imbalance], DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, [and] reproductive and developmental toxicity. Especially worrisome, the same review found that pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns may be especially at risk, with much higher potential exposure in infants compared to adults. But, as with the earlier WHO report, the review by its own admission could only be suggestive. It ended with a laundry list of recommended improvements to the science: better, more uniform analytical methods; improved understanding of how MNPs are absorbed and metabolized; and more studies on humans versus models, to name a few. Even a widely reported paper as recent as this month was alarming but inconclusive. The New England Journal of Medicine cited microplastics as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in preclinical studies. And yet, as the paper states up front, direct evidence that this risk extends to humans is lacking. What can be done? Researchers are making some progress, though. According to the same article in Chemical & Engineering News, a center established at Harvard University by Demokritou for nanosafety research has begun a program to study MNPs. Its setting up a library of MNPs that will help it and other researchers discover the fundamental rules of bioactivityhow the structure or properties of materials affect health outcomes. It will also seek to address that vast complexity of cause and effect posed by the wide variety of MNPs and speed up the research by focusing on experimental approaches that can most likely point to the most salient health risks to humans. Focused and smarter regulation may also help. One expert interviewed in Chemical & Engineering News suggested that regulating a large target source like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used in plastic drink bottles, could be effective in getting plastics manufacturers to work on safer alternatives. Another expert in the same article points to improving the blunt instrument of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates how much plastic can migrate from food packaging based on total mass. This ignores the possibility that smaller MNPs, which may have a higher health risk, could add up to a combined mass that doesnt reach the FDAs limits. So regulations that are more sensitive to the realities and complexities of MNPs may be warranted. Meanwhile, there are things we can do to limit our intake of MNPs: A start may be microwaving your morning oatmeal in something other than a Tupperware container. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) Heartland Community College is helping college seniors and their families apply for the FAFSA. The community college is hosting a workshop for local high school seniors and prospective college students. The free workshop takes place on its Lincoln campus on Tuesday, April 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Workers with both ISAC and Heartlands financial aids office will lead the session in helping students and parents fill out the form and answer their financial aid questions. WATCH: Pritzker attends opening of electric vehicle academy at Heartland All participants are asked to bring their Drivers license or state ID, 2022 Federal Income Tax Forms and W-2s, the amount of any untaxed income received in 2022, and their parents 2022 Federal Income Tax Forms and W-2s. Some of those documents are unnecessary if the applicant is married, supporting a dependent, a ward of the court, an orphan, previously served active duty in the U.S. armed forces or born before January 1, 2001. While the workshop is open to the public, reservations are required as space is limited. RSVPs can be made by going to the website or by calling the college at (217) 735-1731. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Helena-West Helena Police responded to a murder-suicide on Wednesday. Officers say they received a call in the morning about a man on Market Street whod been shot. When they arrived, they spoke with a woman, Sally Mills, who said that her son Jermod Johnson had shot his sister Starla and then himself. The witness led detectives to 16-year-old Starlas body, which was lying unresponsive on the kitchen floor. While examining the body, they found signs of an apparent gunshot wound to her head. Near her body, they found the body of Johnson. It appeared he also had a gunshot wound to the head. He was 27-years-old. Both were pronounced dead on the scene by the police. Arkansas town concerned about bridge after Baltimore collapse The witness claimed the incident started when her children had got into an argument. Supposedly, Johnson was upset that Starla had given him a dirty look. The witness then said that Johnson began to spit on his sister, which made the argument turn more volatile. The witness said she tried to separate the two, but he continued to try to spit on Starla. He then walked off and came back with her pistol. The witness said that he fired a single shot, but it did not hit Starla. As the argument worsened, Johnson allegedly shot Starla in the head. The witness was not sure how many times he shot, but she knew the gun went off approximately three or four times. After shooting his sister, the witness said that Johnson then turned the gun on himself and shot himself in the head. The mother says she bought the gun for protection due to the crime in the neighborhood. She also says her son suffered from flashbacks to incidents while growing up. Both bodies were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab. The mother says she has no financial insurance and no financial means to bury her children. To help donate the money you can cash app $Millssally41 or message her on Facebook here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Just weeks ahead of his Manhattan criminal trial, former President Donald Trump attacked the presiding judge's daughter a second time this week on Wednesday, falsely claiming she used an image of him behind bars as a profile picture on social media. That image "makes it completely impossible for me to get a fair trial, Trump wrote on Truth Social before bemoaning the gag order Judge Juan Merchan imposed on him Tuesday and claiming it violated his First Amendment right to free speech. But one problem, among others, is that Trump's claim about Merchan's daughter isn't correct, according to the New York State Court system. While the handle did previously belong to the judge's daughter, Loren Merchan, she deleted it around a year ago, a court spokesman told The New York Times. An unknown user now owns the account, and its profile picture changed to a childhood portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris in the wake of Trump's Tuesday assail of the judge. The X, formerly Twitter, account being attributed to Judge Merchans daughter no longer belongs to her, Al Baker, the New York Office of Court Administration spokesman, told the Times. It is not linked to her email address, nor has she posted under that screen name since she deleted the account. Rather, it represents the reconstitution, last April, and manipulation of an account she long ago abandoned. Even then, Loren Merchan posting such an image on social media would not make it "impossible" for Trump to have a fair trial as he claimed, Catherine Ross, a Constitutional law professor at George Washington University, told Salon. "The family members of judges are not deprived of their own First Amendment rights simply because of their status as family members. Much more would need to be shown to tie her views to his," she explained, citing the "much more extreme example" of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas sitting on cases "involving his wife." The former president's latest social media griping came a day after Judge Merchan granted the district attorney's request for a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from going after witnesses, prosecutors, jurors and court staff. The order, however, does not cover the judge and his family, and the former president took full advantage of that by assailing Judge Merchan in another post demanding he remove himself from the case. While Trump's promotion of online hoaxes is far from new, his choice to levy the apparently false claims about the judge's daughter weeks before trial marks an escalation on his part, the Times notes. That choice is neither "wise" nor a "good move," Loyola Law School professor Laurie Levenson told Salon, because antagonizing the judge is "just a recipe for sort of getting in the worst position possible during the trial." "To me it shows that he's worried," she said. "What he's trying to do is cushion himself if he does get convicted by saying, 'I never had a fair shot because [of] the judge and the judge's daughter,' so it does make him look like he's running a bit scared." "You don't have to attack a judge if you're confident in your case," she added. Trump and his legal team's standing with the judge has already been riddled with contention. His attempt at delaying the trial's start date over the Justice Department's evidence dump this month earned the former president a sharp rebuke from Merchan during Monday's hearing in the case, which centers on what prosecutors say was Trump's attempt to cover up a 2006 affair with an adult film actress during after his 2016 presidential campaign. Even with his allegations about Loren Merchan debunked, Trump's other claims about the gag order and attacks of the judge are just "noise" and "not legally relevant," David Schultz, a professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University, told Salon, adding he suspects Trump is pushing the claims as a "fundraising strategy" to appeal to donors. The law requires judges to balance "First Amendment interests" with the "security and the integrity" of the court proceedings when considering a gag order, Levenson explained, emphasizing that ones intended to protect "the integrity of jurors and witnesses" don't violate First Amendment rights "because you want those people to be free to testify openly and truthfully." Gag orders, then, are only to be implemented in the face of a "compelling reason" and are "narrowly constructed." "Donald Trump is a walking, talking compelling reason," Levenson said, noting that his social media posts only support the argument for a gag order and any continued attempts to attack the judge or his family contribute to a record that judges across Trump's other criminal cases could cite in imposing orders of their own. Despite his feelings over its imposition, the gag order in his Manhattan trial is "actually protecting Donald Trump" from himself, Schultz added. "If Trump were to go out and attack the witnesses comment upon them he would run the risk of witness tampering, or perhaps other charges," he said. How Judge Merchan may react to Trump's social media attacks of him and his daughter is unclear. Ross expects and "hopes" Judge Merchan will impose another gag order that would include him and his family members as well as a warning that "the next violation" will precipitate additional conditions "on release for a set period" pending the end of the trial, "up to and including confinement." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Levenson and Schultz, however, don't expect such action from the court at this point. If the court "thinks Trump is 'misbehaving'" in a way that doesn't have an impact on how to manage the proceedings, Judge Merchan will "move forward," Levenson said, noting that the judge won't cut Trump any breaks, especially as he decides on other matters in the case. The court may "expand its gag order" if it sees a real safety concern come from the posts given how the former president's social media posts have previously driven "people from the fringes to say and do things" on his behalf, she added. But Judge Merchan, Schultz speculated, could also allow Trump to continue attacking him or his daughter, who served as an executive at digital marketing agency Authentic Campaigns, which works with Democratic candidates, because it "takes away another one of Trump's grounds for appeal" on a claim that the judge was showing bias against him and preventing from fully exercising his First Amendment rights. "I think he's going to let him, at this point, say whatever he wants about him and his daughter," Schultz said, noting Judge Merchan may caution Trump's attorneys if his comments escalate. "I think he's going to potentially let Trump hang himself," he added. In the end Sam Bankman-Fried got neither the more than 100 years that he could have been sentenced to for all his crimes nor the six and a half that his lawyers were asking for at most. The founder and former CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX was sentenced on Thursday in New York to 25 years in prison for his role in the companys collapse and the $8 billion in stolen customer funds charges which he was convicted of in November. The prosecution and the current CEO of FTX John Ray who has been scathing of his predecessor argued that Bankman-Frieds life of luxury and delusions led him to run the company like he was playing Monopoly, an expression used to describe the entrepreneurs chaotic management style. Bankman-Fried better known by his initials, SBF cheated everyone: he lied to investors who got into FTX, to lenders who pumped money into it, and to customers who traded on its exchange platform. He also financed political campaigns of both the Democratic and Republican parties, tried to bribe Chinese government officials to access $1 billion from his hedge fund frozen by Beijing, and invested in other companies and luxury real estate purchases, such as the Bahamas villa where he and his small group of friends traded cryptocurrencies. He is extremely smart. And he suffers from autism, said federal judge Lewis Kaplan, noting his understanding of the condition. Kaplan said that Bankman-Fried is capable of huge accomplishments while noting he has a way of interacting with people thats unusual and sometimes off-putting. Kaplan agreed with prosecutors claim that Bankman-Fried wanted to be a hugely, hugely politically influential person in this country, and that this propelled his financial crimes. A lot of people feel really let down, and they were very let down, and I am sorry about that, Bankman-Fried said in court Thursday. I am sorry about what happened at every stage. And there are things I shouldve done and things I shouldnt have. It was his first admission of responsibility and guilt since his arrest in 2022. He said that he and his business partners had created something beautiful together. And I threw it all away. It haunts me every day. Seeming to sense his impending prison sentence, he said, My useful life is probably over. Its been over for a while now. His attorney, Marc Mukasey, had tried to win Judge Kaplans sympathies by asserting that Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people. His real motivations were misapprehended and misunderstood. Really hes an awkward math nerd... He loves video games and veganism, and hes compassionate to animals. Two weeks ago, prosecutors asked that Bankman-Fried be sentenced to between 40 and 50 years in prison, arguing that the former executive far from showing any sign of remorse continued to insist that his activity at the helm of FTX was in no way criminal, admitting at most to some management failures. His life in recent years has been one of unmatched greed and hubris; of ambition and rationalization; and courting risk and gambling repeatedly with other peoples money, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum filed by federal prosecutors on March 15. A presentence investigation report, compiled by a probation officer, recommended a 100-year sentence, just 10 years short of the maximum. Bankman-Fried was convicted last November on seven criminal counts of fraud and money laundering, nearly a year after his extradition from the Bahamas to New York to stand trial. Previously celebrated as a cryptocurrency guru, Bankman-Frieds company FTX and the hedge fund Alameda Research, in reality two communicating vessels of plunder collapsed in November 2022, less than a year after the young executive reached the top of his game. Evidence of his success included a Super Bowl ad, celebrity endorsements and an congressional appearance. But his fall from grace was just as fast as his meteoric rise. Last August, a federal judge revoked his home detention over alleged witness tampering, including his contact with his ex-girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, who was the former head of Alameda Research. Bankman-Fried was sent to a crowded Manhattan prison, far from the comforts of his parents mansion, where he had spent the first few months of his conditional release after posting $250 million in bail. His three closest associates, including his ex-partner, who chose to cooperate with the U.S. justice system, testified at the trial. The collapse of FTX and the subsequent arrest and conviction of Bankman-Fried were seen as a warning sign in the insufficiently regulated crypto sector. Although as Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, pointed out after the verdict: The crypto industry might be new but this kind of fraud, this kind of corruption, is as old as time. The sentence against Bankman-Fried has enshrined FTX as a paradigm of corruption. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies continue to rise on the tails of the Bitcoin rebound. The Bankman-Fried trial put the spotlight on the emerging and under-regulated cryptocurrency industry and the group of young entrepreneurs in their twenties who lived together in a luxurious mansion in the Bahamas, while dreaming of becoming the leading players in a new niche of finance. At that time, SBF had a growing public and even political presence he tried to gain influence in Washington by financing candidates from both parties and flirted with the idea of a possible run for the presidency. But his fortune changed and hit a definite low point when he was put on trial. Caroline Ellison, his ex-girlfriend and the prosecutions star witness, testified that Alameda took several billion dollars of FTX clients money and used it for its own investments and to pay off its debt. The money was also used to pay for the excesses of a life of luxury. According to Michael Lewis biography of Bankman-Fried, Going Infinite, published on the occasion of the trial, the entrepreneur was unable to name three of his lieutenants at the firm, since he hired them only to be available to sign documents any time of the day (or night). Bankman-Fried continues to fall into even deeper disrepute, judging by the harsh criticisms of John Ray, who was appointed CEO of FTX after its collapse. In papers filed last week for bankruptcy, the CEO claimed that Bankman-Fried had misrepresented the companys recent statements about its ability to repay customers in the event of bankruptcy, going so far as to assert that the harm to FTXs customers, lenders and investors was zero. All of these statements are both reckless and false, Ray wrote. He added: The best conceivable outcome in the Chapter 11 proceedings will not yield a true, full economic recovery by all creditors and non-insider equity investors as if the fraud never happened. According to Ray, Bankman-Fried made those reckless and false statements to defend his call for a lighter prison sentence. Ray also wrote a letter to Judge Kaplan, claiming that Bankman-Frieds claim that customers, lenders and investors were not harmed by his unhinged management was radically false and that the convicted man was living a life of delusion. The business he left on November 11, 2022 [when FTX collapsed] was neither solvent nor safe. Vast sums of money were stolen by Mr. Bankman-Fried, and he was rightly convicted by a jury of his peers, Ray wrote. According to Ray, the fact that the bankruptcy code dictates that each of the victims claims must be valued retrospectively, backdated to November 11, 2022, when the value of cryptocurrencies was 400% lower than it is today, further compounds Bankman-Frieds false statements or delusion. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition This is a locator map for Lebanon with its capital, Beirut. (AP Photo) BEIRUT (AP) The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired rockets with heavy warheads at towns in northern Israel, saying it used the weapons against civilian targets for the first time Thursday in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes the night before that killed nine, including what the group said were several paramedics. There were no reports of Israelis hurt in the rocket attack, local media said. The Israeli military did not immediately offer comment on the rocket attack. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on Oct. 7, concerns have grown that near-daily clashes along the border between Israel and Lebanon could escalate into a full-scale war. Airstrikes and rocket fire Wednesday killed 16 Lebanese and one Israeli, making it the deadliest day of the current conflict. Israels chief military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israel had killed 30 Hezbollah militants in the past week and had destroyed dozens of Hezbollah military sites in an effort to push the Iran-backed group away from the border. The recent increase in violence has raised alarm in Washington and at the United Nations. Restoring calm along that border remains a top priority for President Biden and for the administration," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters, saying the U.S. is closely monitoring developments. Weve also been very, very clear: We do not support a war in Lebanon. Kirby said the U.S. is working to halt the fighting through diplomatic efforts. This needs to be a top priority for Israel and Lebanon, he said, and would allow displaced civilians to return home. Tens of thousands of people on both sides have fled the fighting. At around sunset Thursday, a barrage of Katyusha and Burkan rockets was fired toward the Israeli village of Goren and Shlomi, a statement from Hezbollah said. Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV said the group had not previously fired Burkan rockets at civilian targets, but was now responding to the recent spate of Israeli airstrikes. Lebanons state media reported that 10 paramedics were among those killed Wednesday. The Israeli military said it struck targets for Hezbollah and an allied Sunni Muslim group. Hezbollah has frequently used Russian-made portable anti-tank Kornet missiles in recent months. More rarely, it has launched Burkan rockets which, according to the groups leader Hassan Nasrallah, can carry a warhead that weighs between 300 kilograms (660 pounds) and 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds). Hezbollah says its attacks aim to keep some Israeli divisions busy and away from Gaza, and Nasrallah says attacks on the border will only stop when Israel halts its offensive in Gaza. Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Thursday he has discussed with Israeli counterparts that Israel doesnt need to have a northern front that they have to deal with as theyre dealing with Gaza. And he said he spoke with Lebanons chief of defense also, in an effort to do what the U.S. can to help bring down the temperature. The U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon known as UNIFIL said Thursday it was imperative that this escalation cease immediately. We urge all sides to put down their weapons and begin the process toward a sustainable political and diplomatic solution, UNIFIL said. It added that the peacekeeping force remains ready to support that process in any way it can. The fighting has killed nine civilians and 11 soldiers in Israel. More than 240 Hezbollah fighters and about 50 civilians have died in Lebanon. ___ Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington and Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) When its too late for breakfast but too early for lunch Columbus has you covered. A list of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in the Columbus area according to Yelp offers a variety of options to locals looking for a bite to eat. Taking the number one spot is Scottys Cafe, located at 2980 E. Broad St. in the North Eastmoor neighborhood. The restaurant serves traditional breakfast foods, along with lunch options such as burgers and deli sandwiches. Get out and do something this Easter weekend Lovely little diner with the best staff, one Yelp user wrote. Definitely a Columbus staple. It truly feels like youre a part of the family when you come in. Coming in second place is Kitchen Social, located at 8954 Lyra Drive in Polaris. The restaurant also has a location in Dublin. Kitchen Socials brunch menu offers dishes such as breakfast nachos, chicken and waffles, and creme brulee French toast. Reviews highlight the restaurants delicious food and top notch atmosphere. The third highest-rated brunch spot in the Columbus area is Joyas, located at 657 High St. in Worthington. Joyas offers breakfast tacos, kati rolls, fried rice, teas and coffees. The eatery serves a variety of gluten-free and vegan options. Reviews praise the restaurants fresh ingredients and delightful staff. In fourth place is 4th & State, located at 152 E. State St. in the Uptown District. The diners extensive menu is completely vegan, serving meat and dairy-free breakfast bowls, pancakes, omelets, burgers and pizzas. Latest super load on the move: When and where to expect traffic delays Went for the first time this morning and it was so good! one review reads. As a picky eater who isnt vegan, I wouldnt have tried this place if not for my vegan friends but Im so glad I went. The restaurant was clean and cute, the staff was nice and the Vrunchwrap and loaded fries were delicious. Definitely recommend. The fifth highest-rated brunch spot is Goood Friends, located at 171 N. 4th St. in the Uptown District. The restaurant serves a variety of breakfast sandwiches, French toast, biscuits and gravy, and a yogurt parfait. Reviews praise the restaurants unique sandwiches and large portions. Taking sixth place is Emmetts Cafe, located at 2571 Neil Ave. in Old North Columbus. The restaurant serves banana bread, overnight oats, avocado toast, sandwiches and wraps. Reviews applaud the eaterys coffees and cozy ambiance. Coming in seventh place is The Lox, located at 772 N. High St. in the Short North. The bagel shop offers multiple bagel flavors to be paired with a spread or jam, as well as breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches and cocktails. Bagel sandwiches that are tasty and satisfying, one Yelp user wrote. Bagels are a staple breakfast food, and it's not out of the ordinary to have bagel breakfast and lunch sandwiches. But this place takes what would be considered ordinary and makes it exceptional. French bistro Chouette coming to Downtown this summer The eighth highest-rated brunch restaurant is HangOverEasy, located at 51 Parsons Ave. in the Olde Town East neighborhood. The restaurant also has locations in Cincinnati, Athens, Perrysburg and near Ohio States campus. The eatery serves chicken and waffles, avocado toast, omelets, cinnamon roll French toast and more. Reviews compliment the restaurant for its creative menu and excellent service. In ninth place is Northstar Cafe, located at 951 N. High St. in the Victorian Village neighborhood. Northstars other central Ohio locations include restaurants in Westerville, Easton and the Whetstone neighborhood. The restaurants brunch menu includes burritos, pancakes, sandwiches and an extensive alcohol menu. Everything on their brunch menu is delicious and the place is always clean and the staff is always professional and friendly! One Yelp user said. Coming in tenth place is High Bank Distillery, located at 1051 Goodale Blvd. in Grandview Heights. The eatery also has a location in Gahanna. The restaurants brunch menu includes a breakfast burrito, pancakes, avocado toast and steak and eggs. Reviews highlight the restaurants $5 mimosas and phenomenal service. This list is accurate as of Wednesday Yelp reviews frequently fluctuate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Bilateral ties between Australia and China have been strained by a suspended death sentence handed to a Chinese-Australian dissident writer (FREDERIC J. BROWN) China on Thursday announced the lifting of punitive tariffs on Australian wine, in a sign that the precarious bilateral relationship could be improving despite setbacks. Here is a look at China-Australia ties over recent years: - Australia bans Huawei - Beijing has said Canberra fired "the first shot" in the deterioration of relations when, in 2018, it effectively banned Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE from rolling out Australia's 5G network over security concerns. The move followed growing Australian disquiet over Chinese influence in its domestic politics, as well as in its traditional sphere of interest in the South Pacific. - Coronavirus origins - In April 2020, Australia joined the United States in calling for a thorough investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. The announcement triggered an outraged response from the Chinese ambassador, who warned it could lead to consumer boycotts of Australian products. - Trade hit - Beijing suspended imports from four major Australian beef suppliers weeks after the ambassador's warning. Neither side openly linked the suspension to the call for an inquiry, citing technical issues instead. However, China soon after announced anti-dumping tariffs on barley, as well as timber and later wine. - Hong Kong - Australia further enraged Beijing when it was among Western countries that accused China of violating its legally binding international commitments on Hong Kong, after the imposition of a tough security law on the city in June 2020. Canberra also offered pathways to citizenship or residency to Hong Kongers looking to leave because of the new law. - Detention, spying - Tensions spiralled further over the detention by China of two high-profile Australian citizens: Chinese-Australian dissident writer Yang Jun in 2019 and journalist Cheng Lei in 2020. Two other Australian journalists were rushed out of China in September 2020 after police sought to question them. That year, Beijing also accused Canberra of raiding Chinese journalists' homes as it investigated an alleged covert influence campaign. - Goodbye BRI - Australia revoked in April 2021 the Victoria state government's deal to join the sprawling Belt and Road infrastructure programme, a central pillar of leader Xi Jinping's bid to expand China's influence overseas. Canberra said the deal did not meet national foreign policy priorities but the Chinese embassy said its scrapping was "unreasonable and provocative". - New government, fresh start? - Australia elected a new government in May 2022 and with it a less confrontational tone on China. A meeting in November that year between Xi and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the first meeting between top Australian and Chinese leaders in more than five years. China halted an import ban on timber, resumed shipments of coal and dropped tariffs on Australian barley as other stalled dialogue resumed over the course of 2023. Suspensions were also lifted on three major red meat abattoirs. Cheng, the jailed journalist, was released from prison in October after more than three years in detention. - 'Handsome boy' - The high point of recent relations came in November 2023 when Albanese visited Beijing and was treated to a gala welcome. A smiling Xi promised Australia and China could become "trusted partners" and collaborate on everything from climate change to regional security. Premier Li Qiang went one step further, calling Albanese a "handsome boy" in reference to a viral clip of the Australian leader jogging. Albanese met Xi for the second time that month on the sidelines of a summit in San Francisco. He said he had invited Li to visit Australia and that he had asked Xi to remove remaining trade restrictions on Australian products. - Sonar pulses - However, just days later, the two sides exchanged charges of reckless behaviour following an incident off Japan in which Canberra said a Chinese warship emitted sonar pulses that injured one of its naval divers. Beijing told Canberra its accusations that a Chinese destroyer had acted aggressively towards the Australian frigate were unfounded. - Yang Jun death sentence - Beijing confirmed in February that writer Yang had been sentenced to death with a two-year suspended execution and had all his property confiscated. Australia conveyed dismay but also "outrage at this verdict", Albanese said. Yang, whose pen name is Yang Hengjun, was detained on spying allegations. The writer has denied the accusations and claims he has been tortured by Chinese authorities. - Wine tariffs lifted - China's commerce ministry said on Thursday it was lifting punitive tariffs on imports of Australian wine, a move that Canberra's top politicians said would "benefit both Australian producers and Chinese consumers". The decision came days after a meeting between Chinese and Australian foreign ministers. Australia in return said it would discontinue legal proceedings against China at the World Trade Organization. bur-tjx/dhw Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton argued Thursday that major tech companies should no longer receive widespread legal immunity for content posted on their websites under Section 230. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act broadly protects social media platforms from being sued over the material people post to their sites. However, Clinton said these expansive protections no longer make sense. They were granted this impunity for a very good reason back in the late 90s, which is [when] we didnt know what was going to happen, Clinton said, adding, Nobody knew anything because nobody had a real sense of what was happening. Well, now we do, and shame on us that we are still sitting around talking about it, she continued. Section 230 has to go. We need a different system under which tech companies and were mostly talking obviously about the social media platforms operate. Instead, Clinton suggested the U.S. should come up with the right form of liability for tech companies. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have previously expressed interest in rolling back protections granted under Section 230. Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) teamed up last May to advance legislation through the Senate Judiciary Committee that would expose tech companies to legal liability for child pornography posted on their sites. However, the Strengthening Transparency and Obligation to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act has sat in limbo for months. Hawley attempted to move the legislation to the Senate floor in early February by asking for unanimous consent to consider and approve the measure, but the push was blocked by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who argued it would weaken the encryption safeguards of popular websites and apps. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm is launching its voter mobilization efforts ahead of Novembers election through alliances with grassroots groups in Arizona, Florida and Texas. Bold PAC is announcing the effort Thursday, focusing on the three states with key congressional races. Latino voters will be integral to the 2024 elections, deciding whether Democrats are able to defend the White House, Senate, and take back the House, Bold PAC Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) said. There is so much at stake for our community, and the future of America, highlighting the importance of ensuring that Latinos are mobilized and energized to vote for Democrats in November. The political action committees core mission is to expand the CHCs membership, but its unique focus on Hispanic voters gives the group unique access to that electorate, where other official party committees sometimes struggle. The groups turnout efforts could have an effect up-ballot, in a presidential race that could come down to extremely thin margins in Latino-heavy battlegrounds like Arizona. The three states covered in the launch have Senate races of interest to Bold PAC in two cases with the potential to grow the CHCs footprint in the upper chamber. The way the Senate works is that good opportunities dont present themselves very often. And so Bold PAC has, over the course of many cycles, continued to prioritize bringing new Latinos to the Senate, or defending the ones we have, said Victoria McGroary, executive director of Bold PAC. A great example is Senator [Catherine] Cortez Masto [D-Nev.], she added. Last cycle we made very big investments in Nevada on her behalf, because it was so critically important to defend the first and only Latina in the Senate. In Arizona, Bold PAC is joining forces with Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), where Chair Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is looking to fill retiring independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas seat in a head-to-head against former GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake. That race is the CHCs best shot at keeping or growing its four Senate seats. Sens. Cortez Masto, Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) are not up for reelection, and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) is not running for the Democratic nomination for his seat, following a cascade of corruption allegations and related indictments. Menendez has said he will consider running as a Democratic independent if he can shake off the federal indictments by the summer. Bold PAC is also looking at raising Latino turnout in Florida, where former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) is looking to unseat Republican Sen. Rick Scott, who even as a heavy favorite is, along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the closest thing the GOP has to a vulnerable Senate incumbent. We are so excited to have, again, not one but two incredibly, incredibly unique and strong opportunities to get Senate seats, and that that has been over the course of several cycles an increased focus of Bold PAC because we just dont we dont get those opportunities very often, McGroary said. Florida, where Bold PAC is working with Florida Freedom PAC, is also host to key House races for the CHC, including the reelection bid of Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.). Turnout is likely to be a key factor in Sotos effort, whose constituency includes a large part of central Floridas Puerto Rican population, a key demographic that Democrats need to win over if they want to make a comeback in the Sunshine State. Though national Democrats have become wary of investing in Florida because Republicans have turned the perennial swing state reliably red, Latino organizations like Bold PAC have kept investments in the state. Bold PAC invested heavily in Florida last cycle. That was not true for a lot of organizations. But it was true of Bold PAC, you know, and we brought another member to the CHC because of it, the first Gen-Z member of Congress, said McGroary, referring to Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.). Bold PACs kickoff, an initial six-figure effort thats scheduled to precede other investments throughout the country, will also feature an alliance with Somos PAC Texas, the local branch of a Super PAC that featured heavily in Cortez Mastos reelection effort in 2022. In Texas, Bold PAC will focus on a series of House races that could determine that chambers composition, and whose competitive nature could alter statewide calculations, for instance by driving Latino voter turnout in November in the Rio Grande Valley. Turnout in that region is often heavier in May, with voters more involved in local elections like school boards but voting patterns could be shifting with newly-competitive House races and strategic mobilization investments. What we know at Bold PAC is investments really matter, and the timing of investments really matters, McGroary said. And all the money in the world invested improperly without good authentic strategy and at the wrong time, really doesnt matter. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Roger Dillon: 'By the time our lifeboat begun the journey to meet them the ship was engulfed in flames' - Clara Molden Squashed under a bench in a lifeboat, clutching the teddy bear Id snatched from my cabin and surrounded by some 60 other children and women, I watched the Empire Windrush, aflame from stern to stern, in awe. Parts of its burnt funnel were dropping into the Mediterranean. A lifeboat crashed into the sea because the electric supply required to lower it into the water had been cut. Men were jumping overboard, feet burning from the heat, or scrambling down ropes. Aged seven, I was too young to appreciate the fact that, had I not been evacuated from my cabin at dawn, I could have been burnt or asphyxiated by black smoke. The Empire Windrush is rightly synonymous with the dreadful treatment of West Indians who travelled on it from the Caribbean to Britain for work, but for me it holds an altogether more personal memory. It is exactly 70 years since the ship caught fire around 30 miles off the coast of Algeria, with myself and 1,497 British servicemen, their families and crew members on board. Im 77 now, a retired grandfather with a raft of adventures from 33 years serving in the Royal Marines, but I remember that day as if it were yesterday. The ship which brought some of the first West Indian migrants to the UK in 1948 started its final voyage in Japan, in February 1954, from where it was bringing back servicemen from the Korean war. My family and I joined it shortly afterwards in Hong Kong, where my father, an Army major, had been posted for two years. As weeks passed my five-year-old sister Tipi and I made friends with the officers children. Roger, bottom right, with his his father (left), his mother (centre), his sister (bottom left) and a family friend (top right) shortly after they were rescued - Clara Molden By 6.15am on Mar 28 1954, half a dozen of us were already awake, excited for the day ahead, when the rhythmic thud of the boats diesel engine stopped. An explosion in the engine room had killed an engineer, electrician and two crew. Power was lost, the lights went out and the speaker which the captain would ordinarily have used to alert passengers was broken. Tipi and I rushed to wake our parents, who had only got back from a fancy dress ball at 2am. Mummy, the ships stopped, my sister said, seconds before a steward banged on our cabin door as the order had been given to abandon ship. My father put on his uniform, my mother grabbed her regimental brooch and other jewellery, and Tipi and I took our teddy bears. Everything else we owned was left behind. I smelled smoke, and heat from the fire hit me as we made our to the childrens lifeboat station. My father was sent to another station. I dont recall an emotional farewell couples barely hugged in public in those days but our poor mum must have been scared witless. 'We were met in Gibraltar by the Countess of Mountbatten and Royal Marine band the fire had made front page news in Britain and flown back to the UK' - Clara Molden Unbeknown to us, the battered old ship had been beset by engine breakdowns for weeks, which, looking back, is why the captain had taken our weekly Sunday morning drills so seriously. Without the discipline hed instilled in us, I doubt wed all have survived. By the time we got to the lifeboat station the fire had spread to the ships two funnels. With no power, the boat my mother, sister and I were on was lowered manually to the sea. It took so long only 12 lifeboats were used and other passengers were forced to jump or climb overboard. A senior officer was seen shinning down a rope, his bald head covered with lipstick kisses from the officers ball he had yet to wash off. Other men burnt their hands from friction. Dutch, British, Norwegian and Italian ships responded to the distress call, and by the time our lifeboat begun the journey to meet them the ship was engulfed in flames. The Windrush finally sank two days later Mercifully, the sea was calm, although we all felt sick because of the swell. When we arrived at the rescue ships around 90 minutes later, we were handed barley sweets and taken to Algiers, where the French Red Cross and Army cleared a holiday camp, put us in a chalet, served us stew, and handed us clean clothes. Miraculously, there were no casualties other than the four crew. We boarded HMS Triumph, a British aircraft carrier, the following day, its hangar big enough to fit all survivors. We were met in Gibraltar by the Countess of Mountbatten and Royal Marine band the fire had made front page news in Britain and flown back to the UK. Although we were lucky to have a house in Hampshire, wed lost our worldly possessions. There was no lasting trauma, although as a major in the Royal Marines serving on a ship in the Falklands, I was meticulous about emergency drills and making sure everyone kept a torch by their bed. Two days after we evacuated the Empire Windrush, it sank. The wreckage remains 2,800 metres below the surface of the sea. Last year there were plans to recover the anchor, but I dont think anybody should dive on the wreck. Its disrespectful to the four men who died that day. As told to Antonia Hoyle 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. (FOX40.COM) The Holo Holo Music Festival will return to Sacramento this fall, promoter Good Vibez Presents announced Wednesday. The island and reggae music festival will take place over two days, Sept. 21 and 22, at Heart Health Park at Cal Expo. Two years into the concept, it has grown to be so much more, Good Vibez co-owner Dan Sheehan said. We have artists from all corners of the Polynesian Triangle and beyond performing. What started as a straight-ahead music festival paying homage to music of the islands has grown into a full blown celebration of island culture with spiritual welcome ceremonies and traditional dances from local halaus, in addition to island eats and drinks by local vendors. The festival promoters also annoucned the line up for the festival. Saturday, September 21: Kolohe Kai J Boog Iam Tongi Hoonua Josh Tatofi FIA Kuulei Music Sunday, September 22: Maoli The Green Kapena Ekolu John Cruz Irie Love Siaosi Festival tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) A handicapped person was safely rescued from their home in Lincoln just before the house was destroyed by a fire on Monday. The fire happened on Illinois Route 121 at 1300th Street. Officials with the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District posted to Facebook that their firefighters, along with those from Beason, Chestnut, and Mt. Pulaski, were dispatched for a report of a garage fully engulfed in flames. Chatham HSHS clerk honored for actions during army vets time of crisis The person living at the home was able to get out thanks to a family member and two Logan County Sheriffs deputies who arrived before firefighters did. As firefighters got to the scene, the flames spread from the garage to the rear of the home. Strong winds quickly spread the flames further into the home. An additional call was sent out for firefighters and tankers from Latham, Elkhart, & Atlanta, officials said. Due to the intense fire inside the house, all firefighting was done from outside. The house ultimately could not be saved, and it was demolished the following day. No firefighters were hurt battling the fire. Two Danville firefighters hurt while battling house fire Lincoln Fire officials extended its gratitude to all assisting agencies. Those include the firefighting agencies listed above, Logan County Dispatch, Logan County Paramedics, Logan County EMA, and Middletown Fire. The latter agency covered Lincoln Fires district while they were battling the house fire. They also shouted out the two Logan County Sheriffs deputies who assisted in removing the homes occupant, doing so without protective equipment and before any firefighters had arrived. Lincoln Fire officials said the deputies truly made a save. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Homewood officials say the budget for the fiscal year that begins May 1 should end with a surplus, but that depends on what happens in Springfield with a proposal by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to eliminate the state tax on grocery sales. In mapping the spending plan, Homewood officials are also budgeting for a modest bump in revenue due to the planned opening later this year of the Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino. For now, the village anticipates ending the fiscal year April 30, 2025 with a surplus of about $409,000, thanks to anticipated increases in sales and income tax revenue and gambling revenue from the casino, according to village documents. Sales taxes account for nearly a third of revenue for the villages general fund, the fund that supports many village services including fire and police. Property tax revenue accounts for about 17% of general fund revenue, according to the village. Homewood last year saw the sudden loss of a major retailer when Walmart closed at 17550 S. Halsted St. in March. In planning for the current budget year, which began May 1, 2024, Homewood anticipated taking a hit on sales tax revenue, estimating $5.3 million for the fiscal year. The hit wasnt as bad as expected, and for the new budget the village anticipates sales taxes of $5.7 million. The village also expects revenue from its local tax on restaurants to increase by $100,000, to $1.9 million, as new restaurants open. With the Wind Creek casino expected to open later this fall, Homewood is anticipating gambling revenues of $250,000 during the first three months of calendar year 2025. The village anticipates quarterly revenue from the casino gaming taxes are being shared with East Hazel Crest, where the casino is located to increase to $500,000 per quarter over the next four or five years. General fund revenue for the coming year is budgeted at $27.2 million and expenses at $26.8 million, according to the draft budget. That would translate to a surplus of a bit more than $400,000 when the budget year ends next April. The unknown, however, is whether elimination of the state grocery tax will gain traction. The village says grocery sales account for about $650,000 in annual sales tax revenue, or 14% of total sales tax revenue. The tax for a $150 grocery bill is $1.50, but suburban mayors have urged Pritzker to rethink doing away with the tax, the revenues from which flow directly to municipalities. Municipalities have also urged the state to restore funding through the Local Government Distributive Fund, which earmarks a portion of state income tax revenue to counties and municipalities based on population. The portion had been 10% until 2011, and is now at 6.5%, so restoring the full funding would make up for any revenue loss from cutting the grocery tax, mayors have said. The proposed village budget calls for spending for police to increase by 4%, and Homewood said some of the increase is to help in recruiting and hiring more officers. The budget also would allocates money to hire three firefighter/paramedics, but that may have to be delayed if the state eliminates the grocery sales tax. Absent any spending changes and factoring in the loss of revenue from the grocery tax, the village would end the budget year with a deficit of $240,000 rather than a surplus, according to the budget draft. One course of action would be to move ahead with the proposed budget, as the village has about $1 million in unassigned money not earmarked for a particular expense that could be used to absorb a deficit. Village staff will lay out a five-year capital spending plan May 9 that will assist in preparing the new budget. According to the village, it has several capital spending projects planned for the water and sewer fund, including replacing the villages central water tower at an estimated cost of $4.5 million, and replacing lead water service lines. That cost, anticipated at about $30 million, will be spread out over 17 years. Village officials also are expected to consider a study of water and sewer rates to determine if they are sufficient to sustain revenue for the water and sewer fund and expected capital costs, according to the preliminary budget. At the NATO summit held in Lithuania last year, the allies decided to initiate a debate on the threats on the so-called Southern Flank. Of all the regions that fall under this rather vague concept, the Sahel is one of the most worrisome. Jihadism has been rampant inside Europe over the past decade and has gained a foothold in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, where it coexists and profits from all kinds of illicit trafficking, from arms to drugs. At the same time, the region is traversed by the main migratory routes to the north. These factors, compounded by poverty and climate change, have led to the destabilization of the region. All three countries are ruled by military juntas that are increasingly relying on Russia as a new strategic ally, while the West, the U.N. and the European Union are being pushed off the map. Of these issues, Islamist terrorism poses the most serious threat. The Al Qaeda-affiliated Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the two branches of the Islamic State in the Sahel and West Africa have managed to establish roots in central and northern Mali, in the whole of Burkina Faso except for the capital and its southern zone, and in eastern and western Niger. The national armies shortcomings in dealing with these groups have allowed them to settle and subject the local population to their rules, enabling them to draw on the local population through recruitment, in the absence of a state to protect civilians. While security forces and soldiers in the big cities withstand their onslaught as best they can, the rural areas become the grazing ground for this occupying force that imposes taxes, organizes the economy and massacres those who resist. The modus operandi of these terrorist groups is to settle on the outskirts of towns or medium-sized cities and lay siege. No one enters or leaves without their knowledge and they exploit this. They do not come into conflict with the army if they can avoid it and they survive, says Ibrahim Yahaya, coordinator for the International Crisis Group for the Sahel. The extreme poverty of these regions located far from the capitals has provided fuel for a fire that has not stopped spreading since 2013, when the landing of French troops forced the groups to retreat and reorganize. Climate impacts, such as droughts and extreme rains that have intensified in recent years, have only aggravated the problem in a region that is highly dependent on agriculture and livestock grazing. Coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, such as Togo, Benin or Ivory Coast, have already endured the first assaults and attacks in the process of occupation of territory by terrorist groups, but for now these states, which are more solid from the defense and security perspective, have limited the threat to their northern regions. Strategic natural resources Despite its extreme poverty, the Sahel is endowed with strategic natural resources, particularly uranium in Niger and gold in Mali and Burkina Faso. The latter mineral, exploited by both large foreign companies and artisanal miners, in recent years, has become an indirect source of financing for terrorists in those areas under their control where there are mines, whose owners are extorted to ensure that they are not attacked. Historically, uranium from northern Niger has poured into France, but the coup detat in the Sahel country last summer is driving a change of destination: the United States claims that there is already an agreement between the military junta and Iran for the export of this critical mineral for the nuclear industry. The other extreme source of concern for the allies is Russias rapid expansion. The inability of the Sahel states, in alliance with France, to combat jihadism is at the heart of the successive military uprisings that have shaken the region. The new authorities, first Mali, then Burkina Faso and finally Niger, turned to Moscow as a new major military partner, both for the purchase of armaments and for the provision of technical instructors on their territory. Indeed, Wagners mercenaries have been operating alongside the Malian Armed Forces for two years, which has enabled them to regain ground against jihadists and Tuareg rebels, and to ensure the security of the Burkinabe president, military officer Ibrahim Traore. The big problem is the human rights abuse and violations suffered by the civilians, adds Yahaya, Wagner has gone further than the Malian army. They already did this in Syria with the intention that terror would change sides. It is violence, but also pillaging and looting, they take peoples money and valuables, explains the expert. For Russia, it is as much a matter of access to raw materials and markets as it is of geopolitics. Its ever-increasing international isolation since the occupation of Crimea in 2014 has driven it to place value on its relations with the African continent, of which it is the first arms supplier. This is evidenced by the Russia-Africa summits held in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg last year, where dozens of heads of state came to further strengthen their relations. A canoe with 53 sub-Saharan migrants, 200 kilometers south of Gran Canaria, Spain, on Wednesday. Salvamento Maritimo (EFE/Salvamento Maritimo) The Sahel, where Moscow offers itself as a much more robust solution to its security problems in comparison to Europe and the West, is fertile ground. The abstention of dozens of African countries on the U.N. resolution to condemn the invasion of Ukraine two years ago illustrates the continents traditional neutrality as well as its appreciation of the ties that bind it to Russia. The organized crime that arises around irregular migration is the other shadow of concern for Europe. As previously seen after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, instability has facilitated the movement of people across borders while also favoring the business operations of criminals who profit from it. In recent months, thousands of Malians have risked their lives in their attempts to reach the Canary Islands via Mauritania, which became the principal departure point for dugout canoes between November and February, while northern Nigeria remains the obligatory passage to Algeria, Tunisia and Libya for tens of thousands of migrants from the east of the continent. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition HOUSTON - A woman accused of shooting her stepfather is facing murder charges following an early morning shooting on Tuesday. Darneisha Hall, 34, is charged with murder and unlawful carry of a weapon by a felon. SUGGESTED: Houston crime: Two men wanted for stealing cash register from business According to authorities, the shooting occurred at 5950 Antoine Drive just before 1:30 a.m. Darneisha Hall When authorities arrived, they found 66-year-old Jorish Sherman suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio! The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation, police said. Hall has been booked into the Harris County Jail. Members of the LGBTQ community were imprisoned, tortured and sexually abused by the Russian military during the Russian occupation of Kherson's right bank. A report released by the NGO Projector found that people were tortured on the grounds of their sexual orientation and gender identity. From March to September 2023, the project's lawyers interviewed 107 LGBTQ people who were victims of or witnesses to Russian crimes. The report itself describes eight cases. "According to numerous testimonies and firsthand experiences of people who left the occupied territories at that time, Russian soldiers deliberately searched for people belonging to the LGBTQ community. For example, there is evidence that Russian soldiers forced men to undress and checked smartphones for same-sex dating apps," the report says. Russians held a man named Oleksii captive for 64 days. He was detained after gay-themed photos were discovered during a phone check at a checkpoint. Oleksii was bundled into a van and beaten. When he arrived at the detention centre, a red dress was brought to his cell and he was forced to wear it during interrogations. Russian soldiers discovered an LGBTQ flag at the home of Diana, who is a lesbian. When they discovered her sexual orientation, they hit her in the face with a rifle butt, put a bag over her head and led her away. Due to physical abuse and threats, Diana allegedly agreed to supply information on her LGBTQ friends. On another occasion, she witnessed the execution of people held in the detention centre: only four out of 15 survived. Nikita, 32, a gay man, was detained by the Russian authorities for photographing the movement of Russian vehicles and equipment. He was subjected to mock drowning, electrocuted, and beaten. Nikita lost 20 kg during his week in captivity. According to human rights activists, the victims of these crimes did not go to the police due to their distrust of the system. As a result, when the study began, the Office of the Prosecutor General had no records of war crimes against LGBTQ people in the occupied territories. According to other sources, the Russians also raped gay men. One of the victims, whose case is well known to human rights activists, killed himself. "The testimonies indicate that LGBTQ human rights were violated during the Russian occupation, some of which could be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity." After interviewing two individuals, lawyers from the Projector NGO assisted in drafting statements of a criminal offence for the Ukrainian prosecutor's office, and in one of those cases, the indictment was transferred to the national court, the report said. Support UP or become our patron! Mr Yousaf insisted that freedom of speech was protected in the legislation - Jane Barlow/PA Wire Humza Yousaf has been accused of dismissing stark warnings from senior police officers that his controversial hate crime laws will be weaponised to tarnish the name of innocent people. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which comes into force on Monday, is ripe for abuse. He cited warnings from the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) that an activist fringe would seek to weaponise the legislation. Police Scotland have promised to investigate every complaint. In a letter to Holyroods justice committee, Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, the ASPS president, said: There is certainly enough anger and hateful bile online to occupy every police officer in Scotland. He warned a deluge of complaints would make it harder for the over-stretched force to focus on those crimes and offences that cause the most harm and represent the highest risk to public safety. Speaking at First Ministers Questions, Mr Ross told Mr Yousaf this was as stark a warning as possible to this SNP government that the act is flawed. But the First Minister insisted that freedom of speech was protected in the legislation and said he had absolute faith in the polices ability to weed out vexatious complaints. Mr Ross also raised concerns about Tory MSP Murdo Fraser having a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) logged against him by the force following a spurious complaint by a trans activist about a social media post criticising the Scottish Governments gender policy. Douglas Ross raised concerns about Tory MSP Murdo Fraser having a non-crime hate incident logged against him - Ken Jack/Getty Images The First Minister admitted Police Scotland was reviewing how these are recorded after new guidance was issued to forces south of the Border last year. Mr Yousaf oversaw the passage of the hate crime legislation at Holyrood in 2021 when he was justice secretary in Nicola Sturgeons government. However, it will not come into force until Monday as Police Scotland said it needed time for training. It creates a criminal offence of stirring up of hatred, expanding on a similar offence based on racist abuse that has been on the statute book for decades. Offences are considered aggravated, meaning they could lead to stiffer sentences, if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. However, concerns have been expressed that the legislations definition of a hate crime is too ambiguous, potentially leading to a chilling effect on freedom of speech and a torrent of vexatious complaints being made to police. In particular, JK Rowlings allies have suggested that trans activists have her in their sights. The author has regularly argued that trans women are not women and last week vowed to continue calling a man a man after this ludicrous law comes into force. Mr Ross said: The Hate Crime Act is so flawed that, whatever its intentions, its likely to create more division and have a chilling effect on free speech. Overworked, under-resourced police officers will be forced to deal with hundreds of malicious complaints. Humza Yousafs law could be weaponised to tarnish the name of innocent people with opposing views and seek to silence them, as senior police officers have warned. The Scottish Tory leader quoted Katharina Kasper, the chair of the Scottish Police Authoritys complaints and conduct committee, as warning that a police investigation can become a punishment which may have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression. Mr Fraser was reported by a member of the public in November after he shared a post on social media that said 'choosing to identify as non-binary is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat' - SST / Alamy Live News Mr Yousaf said: Of course we take seriously what was said by the Scottish Police Federation, ASPS or any other representative organisation representing police officers. But I think it is incumbent on me to say that the new offences in relation to stirring up are hugely important. Those stirring up offences for racial hatred have existed since 1986, we are simply extending those protections to other groups. The First Minister argued that the police already deal with vexatious complaints across a whole range of legal matters and said he had absolute faith in their ability to cope with the legislation. Mr Fraser was reported by a member of the public in November after he shared a post on social media that said that choosing to identify as non-binary is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat. Police Scotland judged that the post was not a crime but still logged as an NCHI. He is considering legal action, arguing the practice was unlawful as it breached his right to freedom of speech. In a test case, a judge in England ruled that police recording NCIHs based solely on the perception of the complainant was not unlawful per se, but additional safeguards were needed to protect freedom of speech. This prompted new guidance to be issued last year by the College of Policing in England and Wales that freedom of speech and proportionality must be taken into account when deciding whether to record NCIHs. Police Scotland have so far failed to follow suit but a paper published last December said a review was being conducted to examine the ramifications of the ruling for the force. Mr Ross asked Mr Yousaf: How can it be right that innocent people are put on the police record when they have done nothing wrong? The First Minister said the recording of NCHIs was a direct result of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry but Police Scotland would review its handling of them, following the changes in England and Wales. 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. Hundreds honor fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at candlelight vigil on Long Island MASSAPEQUA PARK, Long Island (PIX11) Hundreds of people from across Long Island gathered at Brady Park Wednesday night to remember a son of Oyster Bay, a resident of Massapequa Park, and to light candles to honor Officer Jonathan Dillers ultimate sacrifice. The evening rain ended just as the vigil began. Out of the clouds, a ray of sun appeared, and a rainbow appeared across the sky. As darkness fell, flickers of light began to fill the ballfield in tribute to NYPD Officer Diller. The 31-year-old husband and father was murdered on the job Monday. Among his law enforcement family, Dillers own family felt the love and support. His mom, sister, and brother held each other close as his brother-in-law spoke about their pain. Salute to fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller: He epitomized what the NYPD is all about He was born to be a hero. He died being a hero. He died doing what he loved, said Joseph Linehop. Diller leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old baby. The community is coming to their side in this time of tragedy with donations and support. He was crazy about his family; it was number one in his life, Linehop said, holding back tears. Those in law enforcement vowed to help them carry on. Tonight, we start to keep our promise to never forget when the family asks, said Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. Raymond Moores son Brian was an NYPD cop, murdered in Queens, too, in 2015. I understand the tragedy because I went through it myself, said Moore, I have to show my support for this family. They lost a piece of their life. Congressional leaders from Long Island are in Rome and met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. In the coming days, they secured a memorial mass for Officer Diller at St. Peters Basilica. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. People walk past remains of vehicles after they were set on fire by gangs, in Port-au-Prince People walk past remains of vehicles after they were set on fire by gangs, in Port-au-Prince By Sarah Morland (Reuters) - Nearly 500 immigration and human rights organizations signed a letter urging the U.S. government to halt deportations of Haitians and expand migration protections as a devastating gang conflict escalates on the Caribbean island nation. The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a San Diego-based non-profit, published a letter on Wednesday together with 481 migration, human rights, religious and civil rights groups, calling for the U.S. administration to extend temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitians, halt deportations and forced returns, release detained migrants and expand parole programs for refugees. Countries including the United States, Canada and France have been evacuating their citizens as well as staff from the Haiti operations of international organizations such as the United Nations, European Union, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Neighboring countries have meanwhile bolstered border security and deported Haitians fleeing the violence back into the country, despite U.N. criticisms. The U.S. and Canada have also deployed soldiers to secure their embassies. "If the United States cannot keep its personnel safe in Haiti, then the Haitian government is unlikely to keep Haitian nationals safe," the letter said, arguing migration and forced displacement should not be separated from a lack of "reparatory justice for slavery, colonialism and neo-colonial imperialism." Haiti's political situation has been at a deadlock for over two weeks with politicians unable to come together to install a transition council president and interim prime minister, while alliances of heavily armed gangs continue fighting over parts of the capital Port-au-Prince that they do not yet control. The council - progress hampered by factional disagreements and threats - was initially expected to make its decision within 48 hours of Prime Minister Ariel Henry announcing his resignation on March 11. On Wednesday, it issued a statement saying it was finalizing a document on its modus operandi. The United Nations estimates over 360,000 Haitians are internally displaced and thousands have been killed in the conflict, while the ever-shifting battle lines cut off access to healthcare, food and regular income. While the capital's airport remains closed, Haiti's Sunrise Airways on Monday re-launched flights to Miami from the relatively calmer northern city of Cap-Haitien, after domestic and international flights were canceled due to the violence. Gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier in a video address Wednesday called for the fighting to continue. "Planes must not fly in the country. We need to keep marching," he said. (Reporting by Sarah Morland and Harold Isaac; Editing by Stephen Coates) BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian prosecutors are investigating statements made by a former government insider alleging attempts to influence a graft case, and have heard former justice minister Judit Varga as a witness, a chief prosecutor said on Thursday. Peter Magyar, 43, a lawyer formerly close to the government who plans to launch a new party to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday published a recording of a conversation with Varga, then his wife and Hungary's justice minister, in which she detailed an alleged attempt by aides to Orban's cabinet chief to alter documents in the case. Chief prosecutor Pal Furcht told a briefing that prosecutors had retained and assessed Magyar's audio tape, presented as part of his witness statement, and that an investigation was under way into possible "failure to report bribery." He said Varga had been heard on Wednesday. Thousands of people protested near the parliament in Budapest on Tuesday, demanding Orban resign, after Magyar published the audio tape on his Facebook page. Furcht said another witness was being heard on Thursday, but declined to name them or give any details about the statements made by Varga. Asked if Orban's cabinet chief, Antal Rogan, would also be questioned, Furcht said he could not reveal any names as the investigation was under way. The graft case centres on former justice ministry state secretary Pal Volner, who was charged in 2022 with accepting bribes from the former head of the Court Bailiffs, Gyorgy Schadl. Both have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms for the pair. The probe comes at a politically sensitive time for Orban ahead of European parliamentary elections in June, and follow a sex abuse scandal that brought down two of his key political allies - the former president and Varga - last month. Varga could not be reached for comment earlier this week. She did not dispute the authenticity of the tape in a post on her Facebook page. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. State prosecutors said in an earlier statement that it was "legally and physically impossible" to interfere with prosecution documents. (Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Kevin Liffey) LOS ANGELES Hunter Bidens effort to dismiss the federal tax charges against him got a chilly reception in court on Wednesday, as a federal judge sounded skeptical that the presidents son was a victim of a politically motivated prosecution. The presidents son was not present in the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, as his defense attorneys, led by Abbe Lowell, put forth a variety of arguments to gut or shut down the case entirely. There is nothing regular about how this case was initiated [and] investigated, Lowell said, making an overarching argument that Biden has been unfairly targeted by special counsel David Weiss. But Judge Mark Scarsi, a district judge in Californias Central district, continually pressed Lowell for firmer proof that Biden was subject to selective, vindictive prosecution. Last year, as the GOP-led House ramped up its scrutiny of the Biden family, two IRS agents publicly alleged that the Justice Department initially gave special treatment to Hunter Biden an account that both DOJ and Weiss have denied. Bidens legal team has argued that Republican pressure caused Weiss to bring charges that otherwise would never have been brought. But Scarsi, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said during the hearing that there is no evidence [from the defense] that influenced the prosecutors decision here. The judge asked Lowell whether the defense argument boiled down to where theres smoke, theres fire. Scarsi said he would rule on Bidens various motions to dismiss the case by April 17. The presidents son has been charged with nine tax offenses, including allegedly failing to file tax returns for three years, inflating his business expenses and understating his income. Weiss alleges that Biden claimed personal spending, such as his daughters tuition, luxury hotel stays and payments to an escort, as business expenses in order to lower his tax burden. Weiss has also charged Biden in a separate criminal case in Delaware with illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user. The two cases follow the collapse of a deal between Biden and the Justice Department last summer. Biden was prepared to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses and likely avoid punishment on a felony gun charge. The agreement quickly unraveled after a federal judge in Delaware raised concern about its scope. Attorney General Merrick Garland ultimately appointed Weiss as special counsel, giving him increased authority to oversee the probes. Weiss was present in the courtroom on Wednesday but did not join in the arguments. Bidens legal team has mounted a wide-ranging effort to halt the cases, filing motions in both states to dismiss the charges. Wednesday marked the first time those arguments were argued before a judge. In California, the nine motions from the defense included questioning the propriety of the appointment of the special counsel, as well as seeking to transfer the case out of California. The most protracted argument centered around whether the pretrial diversion agreement, which was part of the overall deal with the Justice Department, was still in effect, therefore making Biden immune from prosecution. Leo Wise, one of the government prosecutors, dismissed the defenses arguments as revisionist history, while another, Derek Hines, said it was absolutely outrageous to allege the department was following the lead of Trump or other partisan figures. Scarsi, who kept a poker face for much of the roughly three-hour hearing, was most vocal with his misgivings with the defenses assertion that prosecutors were bending to outside pressure. The judge questioned whether Lowell could prove that the political circus building around Biden had forced the Justice Departments hand. I dont have transparency, Lowell replied, arguing he could not divine the prosecutors motives. What I have is the type of evidence that [a prosecutor] goes to a jury with every week and says you can connect the dots. Scarsi pushed back, asking plainly is there evidence that pressure from outside entity influenced the prosecution? The defenses argument, he noted, rested on a timeline detailing the political clamor surrounding Biden in the months leading to the Justice Departments decision to file new charges. Its a timeline, but its a juicy timeline, Lowell responded, pointing to Weiss being hauled in front of Congress to testify, among other milestones. Bryan Kohberger's defense team is crying foul after a judge ordered both sides in the Idaho student murders case to stay away from potential jurors ahead of a change-of-venue hearing that could move the upcoming trial out of Latah County, where the slayings happened. "The late Friday afternoon filing was a strategic action by the State," defense attorney Anne Taylor wrote in a motion to rescind Judge John Judge's ban. She argued that a survey the defense was conducting on potential jurors met the legal standards warranted in a potential death penalty case. BRYAN KOHBERGER CASE: IDAHO JUDGE BANS BOTH SIDES FROM CONTACTING PROSPECTIVE JURORS Bryan Kohberger arrives at the Monroe County Courthouse in Pennsylvania in advance of a highly anticipated extradition hearing. He's charged with the murders of four University of Idaho students. Taylor is arguing that because the order came before a hearing on the issue, the suspected quadruple murderer's 14th Amendment rights to due process were violated. "Both parties are prohibited from contacting potential jurors about this case, including via third parties, until further order of this Court," Judge John Judge wrote in a short order March 22 made public Monday evening. "A hearing on this issue will be held as soon as practicable." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Read Kohberger defense team's Motion to Rescind: David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney and former prosecutor who has been following the case, said the survey in dispute is part of the defense's effort to prepare for a change-of-venue hearing. BRYAN KOHBERGER'S APPEAL OF GRAND JURY INDICTMENT DENIED BY IDAHO SUPREME COURT Madison Mogen, top left, smiles on the shoulders of her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves, as they pose with Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and two other housemates in Goncalves' final Instagram post, shared the day before the four students were stabbed to death. "In order to gather sufficient evidence to support their application, the defense retained an expert who sampled the potential juror pool to assess potential bias in Latah County," he told Fox News Digital. "This was done by way of a telephone survey of 400 residents." Taylor's office hired a social psychologist named Bryan Edelman to conduct the polling. In her filing, Taylor conceded "many" of Edelman's questions about "media influence" are "NOT factually correct." But Edelman wrote in a signed declaration that none of the questions "included any information that was not widely reported and available in the public domain." Memorandum in support of defense motion to rescind: FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson took issue with the questions, which have not been made public, and asked the judge to halt the survey last week in a motion filed under seal. According to the filings, Thompson accused the defense of violating a sealed court order regarding the survey by discussing case specifics and by disclosing information that would be inadmissible at trial. The judge agreed, but Taylor is asking him to rescind the order so that the surveys can resume ahead of a hearing on the issue. BRYAN KOHBERGER ASKS COURT FOR CHANGE OF VENUE AFTER DELAYS IN IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS TRIAL Bryan Kohberger's defense attorneys, Anne Taylor, left; Elissa Massoth, center; and Jay Logsdon arrive at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho, June 27, 2023. "The defense is not disclosing information," Taylor wrote to the court. "The defense is asking prospective jurors in the county of Latah as to what information they are aware of that was previously disclosed vis-a-vis the press." "Two things seem to favor the defense," Gelman said. "First, the surveys do indeed appear to be about gathering information as opposed to disseminating information. Second, even if the motion to change venue were denied, any potential adverse impact upon the juror pool because of the survey will be not only negligible due to the small number of jurors contacted, but also addressable via voir dire." GO HERE FOR MORE TRUE CRIME FROM FOX NEWS DIGITAL During jury selection, the defense would have a chance to ask potential jurors if anyone asked them to discuss the case and whether that would impact their ability to be fair and impartial, he said. Judge John Judge speaks during Bryan Kohbergers hearing Aug. 18, 2023, at the Latah County Courthouse in Moscow. Changes of venue can be rare but can happen in high-profile cases, such as the double murder trials of Idaho's "cult mom" Lori Vallow and California's Scott Peterson. "I highly doubt the defense did anything to run afoul of the court's order, and I think the defense is absolutely doing its due diligence," said Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based defense attorney who previously represented Vallow. "The defense made a sound legal argument with respect to what they must establish for a change of venue." However, she said, the answer to concerns about the validity of the survey's questions is contained in the questions themselves. They have not been made public, but Edelman's declaration has. "I think the defenses expert backs up the reasoning behind the defense strategy," Elcox said. Kohberger, 29, was a Ph.D. student studying criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, at the time of the murders of four undergrads at the nearby University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, Nov. 13, 2022. Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a hearing at the Latah County Courthouse June 27, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. The home invasion attack killed Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. Two other housemates survived, including the only publicly known eyewitness. Moscow is the seat of Latah County and home to about half of its population, not including students at the university. The defense survey aimed to contact about 400 county residents over the age of 18. Bryan Kohberger, right, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, sits with Anne Taylor, left, one of his attorneys, during a hearing in Latah County District Court Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Thompson has countered that the case is already receiving global attention and media coverage and that a change of venue would not be necessary. Original article source: Idaho murders: Kohberger defense reaching out to potential jurors with 'survey' before judge banned contact People take part in a protest organised by the Slovakian opposition parties in Bratislava, Wednesday, March. 27, 2024. Protesters in Slovakia formed a human chain around the countrys public television and radio building Wednesday in anger over a takeover plan by the government whose populist, pro-Russia prime minister recently labeled several private media outlets his enemies. The takeover plan was drafted by Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova, who represents an ultra-nationalist member party of the coalition government and has worked for an internet television outlet known for spreading disinformation. The plan has been condemned by President Zuzana Caputova, opposition parties, local journalists, international media organizations, the European Commission and others who warn that the government would be taking full control of public broadcasting. Slovak journalists have called the plan an attack on all free media. Wednesdays was the latest protest against the policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his tirades against journalists. His critics worry Slovakia under him will abandon its pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Simkovicova has said taking over public media is needed because she believes the current broadcaster is biased, giving space only to mainstream views and censoring the rest. The broadcaster has denied that. According to her plan, the current public radio and television known as RTVS would be replaced by a new organization. A new seven-member council with members nominated by the government and parliament would select the broadcasters director and have the right to fire the director without giving cause. The current broadcasters director was elected by parliament, and his term in office will end in 2027. The hundreds of protesters unveiled a banner reading HANDS OFF RTVS! and chanted to local journalists, Were by your side. Thousands of people rallied in a similar protest earlier this month. Fico returned to power for the fourth time last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won the parliamentary election on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition immigrant family wades through the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States An immigrant family wades through the Rio Grande while crossing from Mexico into the United States on Sept. 30, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Border security and immigration became major issues in recent negotiations to fund the U.S. government. (John Moore/Getty Images) In what could be the last week of the 2024 legislative session, Idaho Republicans held a public hearing to send a bill that would criminalize undocumented immigrants to the House floor. Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, in the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday presented House Bill 753, which would create a new crime known as illegal entry. The bill would allow law enforcement to ask people to prove their documentation status, and it includes penalties for people living in the country without legal permission. There would be two penalties. The first instance of being discovered as undocumented by law enforcement would result in a misdemeanor charge, and a second occurrence would lead to a felony charge. This will allow local law enforcement agents to go ahead and act as the border security of our state, Crane said. This allows them to ask some questions that they need to ask to find out if someone is here as an illegal alien. The bill is a replica of a controversial Texas law Senate Bill 4 that passed in November 2023. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in December, and soon after civil rights groups and a Texas border county filed a lawsuit against the state alleging it is an unconstitutional overreach over the federal governments authority on immigration, the Associated Press reported. But the Texas law is not in effect under a federal appeals court order related to the lawsuit, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. Two people testified in favor of the bill, including Robert GIllis, representing Idaho Tough on Crime, and the Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris. Individuals representing the ACLU of Idaho, PODER of Idaho, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Idaho Dairymens Association spoke in opposition to the bill. Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, moved to send the bill to the House floor with a recommendation that it pass. Only one member, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, opposed the motion. The bill needs approval from the Idaho House of Representatives, the Idaho Senate and the governor to become law, and lawmakers have said they intend to conclude the legislative session by the end of this week. The post Idaho Republicans advance replica of controversial Texas immigration bill appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A woman found dead inside an RV in the Kenton neighborhood has sparked an investigation from the Multnomah County Medical Examiners Office. Detectives are seeking information about the womans identity, which remains unknown a more than a month after her death on Feb. 14. The RV was parked near 2500 N Delaware Avenue when officials found her. These two Columbia River bridges have the highest risk of shipping damage: Experts The medical examiner describes her as a 20 to 30-year-old white woman with mid-length dark blonde or light brown hair. She was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 176 pounds. Officials also described several tattoos found on her body: She had one small linear scar on her right arm and six tattoos: a black date 12-27-14 on her right collar bone, a faded, black cross on her right wrist, a green heart with the date 10-23-14 or 10-23-19 on her left forearm, a black XO on her left index finger, two black waves or possibly the Aquarius symbol on her left middle finger, and a black diamond on her left ankle. Detectives are seeking information about the womans identity, which remains unknown a month after her death on Feb. 14, 2014. (Courtesy: MultCo Medical Examiners Office) Detectives are seeking information about the womans identity, which remains unknown a month after her death on Feb. 14, 2014. (Courtesy: MultCo Medical Examiners Office) Detectives are seeking information about the womans identity, which remains unknown a month after her death on Feb. 14, 2014. (Courtesy: MultCo Medical Examiners Office) Anyone with information is encouraged to call the medical examiners office directly at 503.988.0055. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A migrant was arrested and charged in Alabama for raping a "mentally incapacitated" teen. According to WDHN-TV, citing the Encore Police Department, authorities arrested 23-year-old Pablo Mendoza on Monday, March 25, for an incident on Feb. 20. Authorities said that he allegedly raped a 13-year-old "mentally incapacitated" girl on Feb. 20. The local outlet said that the teen could not consent to the intercourse, because she was "physically helpless." ALABAMA CONVICT WHO ROBBED, KILLED ELDERLY COUPLE GETS EXECUTION DATE Pablo Mendoza allegedly raped a handicapped 13-year-old in Feb. Authorities said that Mendoza was charged with first degree rape. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL WHERE TEEN WAS BRUTALLY ATTACKED REFUSES TO GIVE RECORDS TO STATE'S AG Authorities confirmed that Mendoza entered the U.S. illegally. He will be deported back to his home country following his court date. Friendswood Police Department is asking for victims of what they call the "viral TikTok Door Knock challenge" to come forward. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-AL, blamed President Biden's border policies for allowing individuals like Mendoza into the country. @JoeBiden is aiding and abetting these monsters," Tuberville wrote in a X post. Similarly, Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas., wrote, "Joe Biden did this." Original article source: Illegal migrant in Alabama charged with rape of 'mentally incapacitated' teen: report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Secretary of State is looking for employees in his office for the summer. There are more than 120 jobs available for college, trade school and graduate school students, as well as recent high school graduates who are starting college or trade school in the fall. Jobs include working at DMV facilities as well as other departments in the Secretary of States office. Illinois DMVs back to normal after minor system issue The jobs will help students build job skills and learn about the processes of state government. The goal of our summer jobs program is to provide a pathway for young people to explore career opportunities, build their skillsets, earn money and make connections through a real-world job experience, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. This type of hands-on work also helps with future academic and professional success and can translate into long-term benefits for our communities. Giannoulias also said the summer workers will help his office provide customer service during a busier season. Illinois Secretary of State hires inaugural DEI Officer The job will pay $16 an hour for college and trade school students and $25 per hour for specific contractual intern positions for graduate school students, like law school interns. Anyone interested can apply on the Secretary of States website. Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest in working at the Secretary of States office with the application. The application lists for up to three preferred locations to potential employees to work at. If hired, seasonal employees can start as soon as May 13. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. India's home minister Amit Shah says his government decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime along the Myanmar border to 'ensure the internal security of the country' - HARISH TYAGI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock India plans to build a 2.9 billion fence along its border with Myanmar to crack down on smuggling and prevent refugees fleeing the civil war there from crossing into its northern territories. The move to fence the porous, 1,000-mile-long border involves the four north-eastern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. A government committee earlier this month approved the cost for the fencing, which needs to be approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet, Reuters reported. Amit Shah, Indias home minister, last month said his government had decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime along the Myanmar border to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of Indias North Eastern States. Mr Shah, a close aide of Mr Modi, recommended the immediate suspension of the regime, which since 2018 has allowed residents of both countries living along the border to travel up to 10 miles into each others territory without a visa. The border fence plan comes against the backdrop of a worsening civil conflict in Myanmar, as well as ethnic violence in Indias Manipur, where 219 people have been killed since May last year. Myanmar is currently ruled by the military junta which in February 2021 ousted the democratically elected government, plunging the country into a state of instability and violence. The coup led to an armed uprising against the military rulers. Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar's ruling military council, arrives at a ceremony to mark the country's Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on Wednesday - AFP via Getty Images Junta military soldiers parade on Armed Forces Day - AFP via Getty Images Last year, three ethnic armed groups formed a successful alliance against the military junta, leading to the latter losing control over vast areas, including some along the border with China and India. Since the coup, an estimated two million people have been displaced in the fighting, according to the UN. Thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops from Myanmar have fled to Indian states where communities between the two countries share ethnic and familial ties. On Wednesday, the head of Myanmars ruling military council marked Armed Forces Day with a speech claiming that the nations youth were being tricked into supporting the resistance against the army rule and that ethnic armed groups allied with the resistance engage in drug trafficking, smuggling of natural resources and illegal gambling. On March 1, the northeastern state of Nagaland adopted a resolution urging the Modi government to reconsider its decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and end the Free Movement Regime, appealing to the government to work out regulations for the movement of people across the boundary. Days later, however, the neighbouring state of Manipur began deporting the Myanmar refugees who had sought shelter there after the 2021 military coup. 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) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. Most Read from Bloomberg India said Washingtons call for fairness in legal cases related to opposition parties was unwarranted and unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the Rule of Law, according to a statement from Indias Ministry of External Affairs. Anyone who has similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. The US has now twice called for India to carry our a fair and timely legal process following political developments in India just before the country heads for national elections. The exchange of comments between the two countries comes after the arrest of the Delhi chief minister and the freezing of accounts for the Indias main opposition Congress party. The US encourages fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington Wednesday. We dont think anyone should object to that, and well make the same thing clear privately. Indias government this week summoned a top US diplomat in India, Gloria Berbena, over the comments made by the State Department regarding the arrest of opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the chief minister of Delhi, Bloomberg News reported. India has lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US Embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department, read Indias statement on Thursday. The diplomatic tensions over Indias opposition could pose a problem for US President Joe Biden. He has been trying to court Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to win a third straight term, as Washington seeks to bring nations together to form a united front against Chinas assertiveness in the Asia Pacific. Miller declined to comment on India summoning Berbena, saying he was not going to talk about any private diplomatic conversations. India raised similar objections after German officials commented on Kejriwals arrest. Germanys deputy chief of mission was summoned to a meeting to register New Delhis disapproval, according to a March 23 statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. Indias federal anti-money laundering agency arrested Kejriwal last week in relation to a bribery case, triggering a storm of criticism from opposition parties who are accusing Modis government of using such agencies to target them. Kejriwals party governs Delhi, the capital, and the northern Indian state of Punjab. Hours before Kejriwals arrest, the Congress party held a press conference and accused Modis government of trying to cripple them financially after the Income Tax Department froze their bank accounts. Both Congress and Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party have said Modis Bharatiya Janata Party is destroying what should be a level-playing field for the elections. The BJP has refuted any suggestion of deliberate targeting of the opposition and has defended the governments actions as necessary to root out widespread corruption. (Updates with Indias comments in first two paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Indias Ministry of External Affairs summoned a US State Department official after the department called for a fair legal process for opposition leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal following his arrest last week. We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India, the Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies, the statement added. The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday summoned Gloria Berbena, the State Department Minister-Counselor for Public Diplomacy, according to a diplomatic officer with knowledge of the matter. At a briefing later on Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to discuss private diplomatic conversations when asked about Berbenas summoning, but stood by the departments previous comments. We encourage fair, transparent, timely legal processes. We dont think anyone should object to that, and well make the same thing clear privately, Miller said. Kejriwal was taken into custody on March 21 following a raid on his home by the federal financial crimes agency, members of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said, in the latest blow to an alliance of parties aiming to unseat Modi as he seeks a third consecutive term. He is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis fiercest critics and Kejriwals allies have claimed the arrest was politically motivated. His arrest comes as tensions run high ahead of a crucial nationwide election which begins on April 19, in which Modi is widely expected to leave the opposition languishing despite sharp criticism over his perceived erosion of the countrys democratic founding principles. Indias main opposition, the Indian National Congress, has also accused the BJP of using the tax department to cripple their finances. The party claimed their bank accounts had been frozen by the tax department, leaving them unable to use some $20 million in funds. Human Rights group Amnesty International warned following the arrest of Kejriwal that a crackdown on Indian opposition figures and parties by the government had reached a crisis point ahead of the national elections. The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of Indian National Congress bank accounts a few weeks before India holds its general elections show the authorities blatant failure to uphold the countrys international human rights obligations. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Semafor Signals Insights from The Wire, The Diplomat, and Foreign Policy The News Several prominent opposition politicians in India are behind bars weeks before voting begins in national elections, leading opponents to accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to suppress criticism to secure reelection. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of the territory of Delhi, will remain detained until at least next week, a court ruled Thursday, following his arrest in a corruption case stemming from an alcohol sales policy. The U.S. State Department called on India to ensure a fair, transparent and timely legal process, prompting New Delhi to criticize the remarks as unwarranted and summon a senior U.S. diplomat. Two other opposition politicians, including the former chief minister of the territory of Jharkhand and a state legislator were also arrested recently. Observers are debating whether the arrests mean that Modi is nervous enough about the elections to clamp down on the opposition, or whether it symbolizes his confidence in willing to jail critics without fear of the consequences. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Modis actions suggest he is panicking, some observers say Source: The Diplomat For the first time in about a decade, Modis seemingly unassailable image has been dented, Chennai-based journalist Kavita Chowdhury wrote in The Diplomat, and arresting opposition leaders suggests he is nervous about the elections and is resorting to every tactic to guarantee victory. Polls have shown Modi is on track to be reelected, but Chowdhury recalled the 2004 Indian elections, when Modis party thought it could coast to victory, only to suffer an embarrassing defeat. Panic, even desperation is discernible this year, Chowdhury wrote. No opposition leader or critic is being spared by the government. India PMs moves reflect confidence, not concern, others argue Source: Foreign Policy South Asia Brief Foreign Policys Michael Kugelman argued the governments moves in fact reflect confidence about the election rather than concern. Modi is wildly popular, and many voters perceive him as an anti-corruption force, so the grift allegations against his opponents fit that narrative. Despite public pushback, he knows that his actions wont hurt him politically, Kugelman wrote. The targeted politicians also dont have as much national or regional clout as jailed opposition leaders in other countries, like former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who managed to campaign successfully from behind bars. Modi has amassed money and power Source: The Wire Apart from the leaders arrests, the main opposition partys bank accounts were also recently frozen over a tax dispute. This follows the massive funds Modis party amassed through the electoral bonds scheme, in which individuals and companies could make unlimited anonymous political donations. Modi has enlarged the role of money power in the election process, an advisor to a former Indian president wrote in The Wire, a nonprofit Indian outlet. He compared the current situation to the jailing of opposition leaders under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. But, he noted, Gandhi released them from jail two years later, so they could run unimpeded in the countrys elections at the time. DAVIDSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) An Indiana man has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The TBI said in April 2020, agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) via social media saying an account was uploading child sexual abuse material. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Over the course of the investigation, agents obtained and executed a search warrant at a home in Goodlettsville where they found a cellphone that had pictures of child pornography on it, according to investigators. The TBI later identified 28-year-old Scott McConnell of Anderson, Indiana, as the suspect. In November 2023, investigators said the Davidson County Grand Jury returned indictments charging McConnell, 27 years old at the time, with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. On March 26, 2024, McConnell was booked into the Madison County (Indiana) Jail on a $10,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. StolenPeopleStolenBenefits Advocate Raquel Shaye shares her story about fraudulent sober living homes in the Phoenix area as part of a town hall meeting held at the Phoenix Indian School Vistors Center on March 26, 2024. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror Rosalie Nez traveled more than four hours from Coal Mine Canyon, on the Navajo Nation, to the Phoenix area in hopes of getting answers to what happened to her brother Emerson Nez, who she says died in a fraudulent sober living home in 2022. Emerson was on his way to recovery, she said. Nez shared her story during a town hall meeting hosted Tuesday night by the advocacy group StolenPeopleStolenBenefits about the fraudulent sober living home crisis. Nez said she attended in hopes of connecting with anyone who may have known Emerson or heard anything about his death. She said the family didnt know he had died until about six weeks later, when a police officer delivered the news at her sisters home in Tuba City. To this day, were still trying to figure out what had happened in the facility that he was at, Nez said. When the family got her brothers personal belongings back, his clothes were covered in blood, and they have no idea how that happened. We havent gotten any answers, Nez said. Im just trying to find some information. Nez was one of many at the town hall meeting at the Phoenix Indian School Visitors Center who were looking for more information or help regarding the sober living home crisis that has impacted the state for years. The March 26 town hall was a chance for victims, families, and the community to voice their concerns about the ongoing fraudulent sober living home crisis in Arizona. Over and over, people talked about how the victims either actively sought help with their addictions only to be caught up in one of the fraudulent sober living homes or were taken to these homes and never heard from again. StolenPeopleStolenBenefits Advocate Reva Stewart and her volunteers hosted the town hall to give victims and families impacted by fraudulent behavioral health facilities a chance to share their experiences. Stewart and StolenPeoplesStolenBenefits, a volunteer group of Indigenous people based in the Phoenix area, are the boots on the ground. She has advocated for this issue for more than two years and has tried working with government agencies for help, but has never received any. The group conducts outreach within the Phoenix area almost daily to help those displaced as a direct result of the fraudulent behavioral health facilities that have proliferated unchecked for years across the Phoenix area. The facilities continue to target Indigenous people who are enrolled in Arizonas Medicaid program so that the facilities can bill the program, often for services they never provided. Stewart said she and her team receive calls daily from people targeted by these homes or who share the location of vans that pick up people to bring into these fraudulent homes. It hasnt stopped, Stewart said of the schemes conducted by these homes, even though state leaders have commented on how theyve addressed the issue. The government is trying to make us believe that theyre doing something, but we dont see it, she said. No one is listening (and) everyone talks about the fraud part of it, but theyre not talking about the humanitarian crisis. Stewart said her team invited the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the Arizona Department of Health Services and Attorney General Kris Mayes, but none attended. When Gov. Katie Hobbs and Mayes publicly addressed the issue for the first time in May 2023, they called it a humanitarian crisis and a stunning failure of the government. Since then, the state has shut down hundreds of providers for behavioral health, residential, and outpatient treatment services after investigators found evidence that they defrauded the states Medicaid program out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Hours before the town hall began, ADHS and AHCCCS released a joint statement expressing their appreciation for the work StolenPeopleStolenBenefits does to help the community understand ongoing fraudulent behavioral health schemes targeting Arizonans. We wish to express our sympathy for those impacted and gratitude to those who are courageously sharing their stories, they said. It is an important step forward as we continue to assess changes that can be made to prevent Tribal members from being exploited by bad actors undermining legitimate behavioral health care services. In the statement, ADHS said it continues to investigate complaints about licensed sober living homes and intensive outpatient facilities. Simultaneously, AHCCCS said it is addressing credible allegations of fraud against numerous providers who are currently suspended or may soon be suspended from receiving Medicaid payments. AHCCCS and ADHS said they declined to attend the town hall meeting due to the chance that facilities and providers who may be under investigation could be in attendance, which would create a potential conflict of interest between both agencies or interfere with their investigations. We look forward to working with Stolen People, Stolen Benefits to create dialog (sic) and hear from victims and their families in order to hear and understand their stories and best inform us as we continue to address this issue, the state agencies said. Both agencies referred to their Tribal Member Exploitation and Provider Fraud Response Plan for more information about the work being done on the fraudulent behavioral health facilities. AHCCCS still provides a list of the providers that have been suspended on its website. Stewart said she got the agencies statement only after they discussed potentially attending on the phone. She said it would have been nice if AHCCCS and ADHS had sent over their tribal liaisons to listen to the concerns expressed at the town hall. She said all her group wants is for the agencies to listen, but that did not happen. A lot of the stories shared during the town hall have been voiced by victims, families, and Indigenous people for years, and Stewart said its heart-wrenching to continuously hear the families and victims deal with the same issues. Stewart praised people who spoke at the town hall as brave, and said she hopes it will inspire more Indigenous people and communities to stand up, because it will take them unifying as one voice to be heard or prompt change in any way. Thats exactly what Louise Midwell from the Gila River Indian Community wanted to accomplish by attending the town hall. Midwell said she remembers being picked up from her community and brought to a house in the Phoenix area with hopes of getting better for herself and helping her addiction. But instead of getting help, Midwell said she ended up worse than when she went in. She found herself locked away in one of the fraudulent sober living houses for six months, never being allowed to go anywhere. By the time she left, her existing addiction was untreated and she had new addictions. Midwell said she never talked about her experience with the fraudulent sober living home in the Phoenix area because she was too scared to come forward to speak up about how traumatizing her ordeal was and was fearful of speaking against the homes. But after hearing stories from people within her community with similar experiences and having these homes impact her own family, Midwell said she wanted to help. There are a lot of us who have been impacted by these human traffickers and dont know its human trafficking, Midwell said, adding that she wants to voice for those who may still be afraid to speak up. Were not asking for anything but accountability, Stewart said. The next major outreach event that the StolenPeopleStolenBenefits team has planned involves a day-long ride on the light rail and connecting with displaced Indigenous people to connect them with the needed services. Stewart said that is their best approach to dealing with this crisis because sitting in meetings is not helping, but getting out and talking to people is. It is frustrating, but that doesnt mean we quit, she added. We wont quit until we get answers. Until someone apologizes to our people and means it. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Indigenous advocates host townhall for victims, families of sober living crisis appeared first on Arizona Mirror. By chance, Shlomo Ben Ami, 80, spoke to EL PAIS in London just after leaving a theater where he saw a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsens classic An Enemy of the People. The Israeli left is doubly orphaned. In Israel, it has become the enemy of the people. It is one of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahus great victories. And, on the other hand, our colleagues on the international left have not been able to empathize even with the October tragedy [the Hamas attack, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis], laments Ben Ami, the last foreign minister of a Labor Party government in Israel. It has been such a sudden outburst against Israel that it almost makes it seem that it was latent. Nothing like this has ever happened. That is Hamas great victory. And what prevents us from stopping this current against us is Netanyahus extremist government, he adds. With a deep understanding of previous peace processes and, therefore, of the intense and high-conflict relationship that for decades has linked the United States to his country his analysis of what happened at the U.N. Security Council on Monday is illuminating. The Biden administrations decision to abstain from the vote on a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza a move which allowed it to be passed by the Council has been a severe blow to Netanyahus government. And, without a doubt, Ben Ami points out, it has been much more significant than other U.S. abstentions in previous years. It is part of a bottom-up strategy, to send signals to Israel that things can change, which began with Bidens comment leaked to the press that he no longer considered Netanyahu an asset to the United States, but a burden, recalls the politician and historian, who constantly returns to the place of his training, the university town of Oxford. But its not so much a change of strategy regarding the Middle East as a way of twisting Israels arm, he qualifies. To tell it that it cant go on the way its going. They are fed up with Netanyahu. And Netanyahus response also reveals his conviction that Washington wants him out. President Biden had a strategic vision for the Middle East, Ben Ami points out, which involved achieving a stable U.S. alliance with Israel and the Arab countries to confront the threat from Iran. Hamas success has been to lead Netanyahu into a war without clear political objectives that has placed his country outside the Western axis of recent years, the same one that supported Ukraine against Russia and China. Netanyahu has become a danger to Western objectives in this new Cold War between the United States and China and Russia. Israel is not where it should be, says Ben Ami. Biden, he recalls, is a gentile Zionist who has professed a great love for Israel for years. The decision to corner his ally in the U.N. Security Council, despite being a measured move that was limited to abstention, was something of a personal drama for the U.S. president. But the close relationship between Israel and the U.S. has always had a clear limit: never put yourself before U.S. geopolitical interests or the objectives of the president in office. And Netanyahu, hand in hand with his extremist coalition, has even managed to split the U.S. Jewish community, which has never before wavered in its support for Israel. Today, there has also been a before and after in the Jewish community in the United States. There is even a new current among its intellectuals, called diasporism, which seeks to create a new ideology that will put an end to its dependence on Israel [...] What is happening now was unthinkable. Because until now they lived in a kind of medieval Spain, before the expulsion: an integrated community that made intellectual, academic and economic contributions. That was American Judaism, which this war has managed to alter, laments Ben Ami, a former ambassador to Spain who knows the history of Spain and the Jewish community in depth including King Ferdinand and Queen Isabellas order to expel all Jews from their kingdoms. The veteran politician does not believe that in the current situation, a unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state, as Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged to do, would be of any use. But he admits that, even in times as dark as the current one, it is essential to begin building a future vision of peace that Netanyahu, focused on his own political survival, is not considering. Israel today finds itself in a situation of isolation. The extremism of those who govern the country has tarnished its international image, the former minister laments. According to Ben Ami, the actions of the Netanyahu government have put Biden in a very difficult situation: the U.S. president cannot head into an election with the baggage of his failed strategy for the Middle East. The Democratic leader, therefore, needs to save face in the new international scenario. It would also be enormous blindness on the part of Israel to ignore the enormous currents of alienation that are emerging in the United States. In the Democratic Party, for example, or among young people. Netanyahu is guilty of the fact that the country has embraced the most extreme factions of American society, such as evangelicals or Trumpism, he points out. The U.S. government was careful not to vote in favor of the U.N. resolution on Monday. It abstained, and even said immediately afterward that the text was not binding, Ben Ami recalls. But it was a clear sign that Washington was willing to go further, especially as long as Netanyahu remains at the head of Israel. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament on Thursday designated special status for Jakarta, keeping the metropolis as the country's economic epicentre, amid plans to move the capital city to Borneo island. Indonesia plans to move its capital city away from congested and sinking Jakarta, to Nusantara, a $32-billion city under construction in the jungles of East Kalimantan on Borneo. The city is a flagship project of outgoing President Joko Widodo, who pledged to redistribute wealth and development currently concentrated in Java, across the archipelago. An "agglomeration" council will be created to harmonise development plans between Jakarta and its satellite cities, according to a copy of the new law dated March 18 seen by Reuters. Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said after deliberation in parliament that Jakarta should still be improved to compete with other "world-class cities" once the seat of government has been moved to Nusantara. "After it's no longer a capital, it still has to be sealed with a special status so that it can accelerate economic growth and to increase contribution to the country's GDP," he said. Under current rules, Jakarta will remain Indonesia's capital until the president issues a decree officially naming Nusantara as the new capital, which is expected sometime this year. The government is expected to hold 2024's independence day ceremony on August 17 in Nusantara and thousands of civil servants are expected to move there by end of this year. (Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman and Stanley Widianto; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) No one would argue that the climate in North Texas is ideal for growing lettuce, a crop that thrives when theres a chill in the air. But the regions broiling summers are of no concern to Eddy Badrina, chief executive of Eden Green Technology, a vertical, hydroponic greenhouse company just outside Dallas. The company, which sells its leafy greens to Walmart, controls every aspect of a plants life. At its 82,500-square-foot facility, cool air is pumped in to create the ideal microclimate around each head of baby butterhead and romaine lettuce. Seven miles of pipes deliver nutrient-rich water. Although natural light floods the space - setting it apart from vertical greenhouses that block out the sun in favor of controlled lighting - additional LED lights obey a programmed algorithm directing them to shine just the right amount of light on each plant. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Were pretty agnostic to the outside environment, Badrina said. As the effects of climate change intensify, bringing more severe droughts, flooding and pest infestations, some growers are wresting control of their crops away from nature. Huge high-tech greenhouses and smaller vertical farms - windowless warehouses that typically grow plants stacked in trays - hold the promise of letting farmers grow almost anywhere. But all that control comes with an environmental cost. Inside these facilities, farmers are creating the perfect growing conditions with power generated mostly by burning fossil fuels, and lots of it. Its a lot of the same technologies youd see in a building for human comfort, but being put to use for plants, said Jennifer Amann, senior fellow in the buildings program at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit focused on reducing energy waste. Theres extraordinary water efficiency in these facilities, but energy is really the Achilles heel. In colder climes, indoor farm operators heat their greenhouses with natural gas or propane, since these fossil fuels are often the cheapest option. Vertical farms are a smaller slice of the market, but they typically consume much more electricity than greenhouses to replace natural sunlight and to power cooling and dehumidifier systems. Nationwide, the industry is on the rise. Between 2017 and 2022, land used to grow vegetables and herbs in greenhouses increased by more than 20 million square feet, an 18 percent jump, according to the federal governments latest agriculture census, released last month. Though crops grown in indoor farms are still a small percentage of whats on grocery shelves, they are making inroads in certain parts of the country. In New England today, about 20 percent of the leafy greens for sale come from controlled-environment agriculture outfits. Energy use in the industry varies widely depending on greenhouse size and what crops are being grown. A study of 12 indoor farms by the nonprofit Resource Innovation Institute found that five of them used as much energy per square foot as a hospital. One vertical farm, an outlier, was guzzling as much energy per square foot as a data center. These companies advertise their produce as safer, more nutritious and fresher than field-grown produce, since their operations typically skip pesticides and are within a few hours drive of major cities. They boast of using one-tenth of the water, a claim backed up by independent research. But they dont often talk about their energy use; most states dont require them to report it, and researchers said many are reluctant to share this data. With detailed energy-use information hard to come by, quantifying the carbon footprint of indoor farming is tricky. Researchers studying the industrys greenhouse gas emissions have reached contradictory conclusions. A comparison of studies tallying the emissions of greenhouse-grown and field tomatoes suggests that those grown indoors had a carbon footprint six times as large. But a paper summarizing research on lettuce growers emissions reached a different finding: Carbon pollution from indoor farms was lower than that of traditional farms because they were closer to their buyers and didnt have to ship their salad greens hundreds or thousands of miles in diesel-burning trucks. But setting aside that debate, experts said indoor farms in the United States could be more efficient. Gretchen Schimelpfenig, a civil engineer who has worked to track indoor farms energy use, said many American greenhouses could cut their energy use in half. Dutch greenhouse technology has proved that this is possible, she said, but in the United States, theres little pressure on indoor food growers to do things differently. We have had the pleasure of very low natural gas prices for some time, and thats why were seeing controlled agriculture facilities get built in Montana and Wyoming and Texas, Schimelpfenig said. Other states want in. At a time when consumers are seeking more year-round vegetables and berries, and many still have grim memories of the pandemics supply-chain crises, states are courting indoor farms that can be built wherever theres a market for fresh produce. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said the state has created a concierge service to ease the permitting process and help indoor-farm operators with site selection. His agency is focusing on locations in the Lehigh Valley and the south-central region, where theres proximity to major energy infrastructure and desirable markets in New York, New Jersey and D.C. Some of the states top universities are working on technology to speed automation inside vertical farms and greenhouses, he said, while its colleges are training workers for jobs in these facilities. One of Pennsylvanias selling points is its abundance of energy, most of which is generated by burning natural gas. These facilities are energy-intensive, Redding said, but Pennsylvania is the second-largest net energy supplier to the nation, and we think thats a differentiator for us. Virginia is also eagerly anticipating a boom in indoor farming. According to state officials, the industry has grown about 25 percent over the past five years, and more companies are expected to move in. Plenty Unlimited, a California-based vertical farming company, is building what it says will be the worlds largest indoor-farming campus on 120 acres of land outside Richmond, where it plans to grow strawberries for Driscolls. Some companies have pledged to use clean electricity for their operations. In Westbrook, Maine, Vertical Harvest is building a four-story, 52,000-square-foot vertical farm and is negotiating a deal to supply it with renewable energy. However, company leaders said they cant apply the same strategy to their next project, in Detroit, where the states energy mix is heavy on fossil fuels and the company cant choose its electricity provider. Little Leaf Farms, the dominant controlled-environment producer of packaged greens in New England, uses natural gas to heat its greenhouses. To get around this problem, CEO Paul Sellew said the company buys renewable-energy certificates, each of which corresponds to a set amount of energy generated by cleaner sources such as wind or solar. Little Leaf is also planning to build a large solar array on its 180-acre site in McAdoo, Pa., and Sellew said hes keen on eventually switching to geothermal energy, which is already being used in the Netherlands to heat greenhouses but hasnt caught on in the United States. Sellew said operators overstate the environmental benefits of vertical farms, and described them as a minor but unsustainable part of the indoor farming world. We dont understand these alternative growing methods that do not use the sun, he said. A few vertical-farm companies, like Texass Eden Green, have responded to the problem of dirty energy by focusing on efficiency. Eden Greens hybrid model uses natural light, and the company lessens the burden on its cooling system by using programmed vents to control heat and humidity. Badrina estimated his two farms use about a quarter of the electricity consumed by a typical vertical farm growing leafy greens, which has allowed the company to plant other crops, such as herbs, that are more energy-intensive. Badrina said hes noticed other growers beginning to pay more attention to their energy use after a series of high-profile failures in the vertical-farming industry last year. Still, the upfront costs of energy-efficient technology sometimes outweigh the incentive of lower utility bills. And as some companies look to build vertical farms in the swampy Southeast, Badrina said they are likely to face even higher power bills from all the energy needed to counter the regions heat and humidity. People are coming up with more-creative solutions for energy sources, but I think theyll always struggle with the energy usage, he said. Related Content AI hustlers stole womens faces to put in ads. The law cant help them. The beauty and the terrible demise of the Key Bridge Abortions outside medical system increased sharply after Roe fell, study finds The Black Mayors' Coalition on Crime began its inaugural meeting in Memphis Wednesday night with almost 20 mayors and top city officials from across the United States traveling to the city for the closed-door meetings. Memphis Mayor Paul Young said that there is a need for in-person discussion to combat and come up with solutions to address crime. "This is not a conversation that we can rush through. This is something that we need to dig deep. Because violent crime didn't start in the past two or three years. This has been going on for many, many years and it's due to deeply entrenched root cause issues," he said. Young also said that something he would like to see come out of the summit is a replication of Operation G.O.O.D. started in Jackson, Mississippi to address vehicle theft. Chokwe Antar Lumumba, mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, listens to a speaker during the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The City of Memphis footed the bill for the room rental at the Hyatt Centric and also the food guests ate. The Black Business Association sponsored the welcome event Wednesday night, where guests attended the Grizzlies game against the Lakers. During the opening remarks Thursday morning, Young said that the goal of the summit was to strengthen the "bond" of leaders across the country and work together to define strategies to increase public safety. "I know in your communities and all across the country we are having dialogues around how to reduce crime. We know that nationally, there was an overall reduction in crime. In Memphis last year, we didn't get to experience that," Young said. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and interim Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis were also in attendance during the opening remarks. More: Mayors from across the US came to Memphis to talk crime. How their crime rates compare Young and the African American Mayors Association teamed up to launch a summit dedicated to fighting crime across the nation. This event is the first of its kind, and also Young's first event where he has put the city on center stage since taking office in January. The idea for the summit and beginning stages of planning began before Young was sworn in. The summit was limited to black mayors, and Young said it is important to have those who are directly impacted by crime at higher rates be the center stage of the conversation about crime. Memphis Mayor Paul Young gives opening remarks during the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024. "I think it's really, really important that the individuals that are from the communities that are the subject of the dialogues are the ones leading the conversation," Young said. "We know that nationally there are a significant number of African American mayors leading large, medium and small cities all across this country." Dr. Russell Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum, was the facilitator of the two-day event which features talks on effective policing, crime data and special operations police departments have executed. Wigginton also gave remarks before the summit began, saying that 60 years ago they would not be sitting in the room as leaders of their city. "Imagine 60 years ago in this country...you would not be sitting around this table. You would still have influence in your community. But now you have influence over the entire cities that you lead," Wigginton said. "And you set the tone for what happens in those cities. You set the cultural, the political, the economic tone for your cities and this issue of crime is something that crosses over into all of those dimensions." Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and other attendees listen to a speaker during the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Wigginton said that backroom conversations were extremely instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, and while they were not secret, they were needed to "hammer out solutions." "There were a lot of backroom conversations, not secret per se but, close the door, let's, with civility and respect, hammer out solutions," Wigginton said. "Our cities...our country and our world is counting on it because people are paying attention if the cities represented in this room, make progress in real or perceived crime." 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: Black Mayors' Colalition on Crime has innaugural conference in Memphis BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) An inmate pleaded guilty to being in possession of a weapon at FCI Beckley. Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Beckley inmate 27-year-old Jonathan Webb, pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon by an inmate at a federal prison. According to court documents, a staff member at FCI Beckley found a handcrafted weapon referred to as a shank in Webbs right front pants pocket during a pat-down search. The shank was made of a piece of metal around six inches long with a sharpened point and cloth handle. Fayette County man convicted of first-degree murder Webb revealed that he did have the shank, and that it was made with the purpose of being used as a weapon. Webbs sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2024, and he faces up to five years in prison, three years of parole, and a $250,000 fine. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who praised the Federal Bureau of Prisons for their work on the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden is providing more details on whats been described as a gastrointestinal illness that hit the countys detention center. He said around 50 inmates became sick late Saturday night, with nearly all of them exhibiting the same symptoms, which included vomiting and diarrhea. The affected inmates have since recovered. READ MORE: Meck detention center illness report was gastrointestinal outbreak: Sheriff In an interview Wednesday with Queen City News, McFadden said there is testing currently taking place to determine the source of the outbreak. We think that someone brought something in or somebody ate something from the food trays, so were not sure yet, he said. A former public health official in Jackson County told Queen City News that, in general, investigations like this can take two tracks. They said if the sickness came from food, there will be an investigation into where the food came from, how it was transported, and what temperature it was stored at. If it is a stomach virus, the former official noted thatdepending on the virusthere could be more extensive cleanup required. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Federal agents stand at the entrance of Sean "Diddy" Combs' estate in Miami on Monday. Combs' home in L.A. was also searched. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) It was a major show of force: Dozens of agents, some heavily armed, descending on Sean "Diddy" Combs' estates in Los Angeles and Miami. Television news helicopters captured the action as Department of Homeland Security agents served a search warrant in what officials described as an investigation into alleged sex trafficking claims the music legend denies. Homeland Security investigators yelled for those inside the star's Holmby Hills mansion to come out with their hands in the air. Combs' adult sons later told their father they had lasers pointed at them as they emerged from the home, sources told The Times. Combs himself was in Florida at the time. But much remains unknown about the case and how close authorities are to determining whether to file criminal charges. Read more: A timeline of allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs Here is a rundown of what we know and what we don't: What do we know about the searches? Sources with knowledge of the operation who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss it publicly said it appears investigators searching Combs Holmby Hills home emptied safes, dismantled electronics and left papers strewn in some rooms. Federal agents disabled his security system and seized the hard drive, a sources told The Times. That tracks with what some legal experts expected investigators would seek if trying to build a sex-trafficking case against the hip-hop mogul. Dmitry Gorin, a former L.A. County sex crimes prosecutor who is now in private law practice, said investigators would likely seek authorization to search for videos or photographs on any devices connected to the target ... anywhere where digital images can be found in connection to sexual conduct that would have been recorded." It is unclear what was recovered in the bicoastal searches. Federal authorities spent several hours at both homes. Sources said Combs was in Miami at the time but was not at his Florida home when the raid occurred. No one has been arrested in connection with the investigation, although two of Combs sons were briefly detained on the Holmby Hills property, and Brendan Paul, a man described in a recent lawsuit against Combs as a confidant and drug mule, was arrested at a Miami airport at the same time the raids were being conducted. Miami-Dade police took Paul, 25, into custody on suspicion of possession of cocaine and marijuana-laced candy, records show. Read more: Behind the calamitous fall of hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs Where does the case stand? Sources told The Times that Combs is the subject of a sweeping inquiry into sex-trafficking allegations and sexual assault. The investigation comes after four women filed civil lawsuits accusing Combs of rape, assault and other abuses, dating back three decades. One of the allegations involved a minor. A source familiar with Homeland Security's criminal inquiry said investigators have interviewed some of the people tied to the sex-trafficking allegations in the lawsuits against Combs. They have [in the Combs case] convinced one or more federal magistrates they had enough probable cause for one or more search warrants, said Meghan Blanco, a defense attorney who has handled sex-trafficking cases. Given the scope of the investigation, it seems they are further along than most investigations. Gorin said the allegations involving a minor could be a key focus in the inquiry. If a minor is moved across state lines for the purpose of sex, that is enough for at least an argument ... of sex trafficking because somebody underage cannot consent, Gorin said. Sex trafficking for adults usually involves some sort of coercion or other restraints, he said, and can be tougher to prove. Prosecutors would need to show you encouraged somebody to engage in sexual activity for money or some other inducement. Read more: Where is Diddy? Sean Combs remains in U.S. amid widening sex trafficking probe, sources say What is Diddy's camp saying? Aaron Dyer, one of Combs lawyers, on Tuesday called the raids a witch hunt and criticized how they were conducted. Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs residences, Dyer said in a statement. This unprecedented ambush paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Sources in Combs' camp who requested anonymity say the star remains in the U.S. and authorities have not taken his passport. They said Combs had been scheduled to depart by plane Monday for a spring break vacation with his school-age daughters, but opted to delay the trip after learning of the searches. 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. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct information about the former executive director of the Tennessee chapter of American Federation for Children. With final votes upcoming, Tennessee lawmakers are facing mounting pressure from billionaire-backed special interest groups that have poured tens of thousands of dollars into paving the way for Gov. Bill Lee's controversial statewide state-funded private school choice program to move forward. Backed by a coalition of lobbying groups, Lees school choice legislation has sailed through four committees in recent weeks with opposition from only a handful of Republicans who from the start were declared "a target" by a national super PAC aimed at unseating them and all state-level voucher opponents this year. Rep. Todd Warner R- Chapel Hill, questions the Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds during a House committee meeting where the school voucher bill was debated at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville , Tenn., Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The governor's bill, dubbed the Education Freedom Act, is now awaiting consideration in both chamber's finance committees. While House and Senate versions of the bill have vast differences the bill is expected to go to conference committee they largely agree on the legislations cornerstone: 20,000 state-paid scholarships to be available to students regardless of where they live, and payable to almost any private school, whether accredited or not. Heres a look at the often intertwined interests and outside money driving the debate on the voucher legislation: American Federation for Children One key group lobbying lawmakers to support school choice is the Tennessee chapter of American Federation for Children, a national organization dedicated to expanding school choice policies and founded and substantially funded by former Trump U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Gov. Bill Lee tours LEAD Cameron Middle School with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in Nashville on Monday, April 1, 2019. Affiliates of the group have bought a spate of attack ads, emails and sent mass text messages targeting Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, one of the handful of Republicans who voted against the governors bill. The messages accuse him of siding with the radical Tennessee 3 against Tennessee parents." "It definitely was a political threat, there's no doubt," Warner told The Tennessean, saying his negative vote reflected the will of his district. "At the end of the day, I'm going to do what my constituents want." AFC's efforts against Warner have been welcomed by Americans for Prosperity, which supports the voucher bill. "Glad to see our coalition partners are just as serious as we are about seeing school choice become a reality for the many parents, students & teachers across TN who desperately need it!" AFP-Tennessee lobbyist Michael Lotfi wrote in a social media post earlier this month praising AFC messages targeting Warner. American Federation for Children's Tennessee affiliate has spent nearly $5 million on lobbyists and campaign spending to influence state politics since 2009, according to a state database of campaign disclosures. Among their top Tennessee donors are Nashville auto magnate Lee Beaman, attorney Lee Barfield, and DeVos. Political strategy for the national group is managed by Gillum Ferguson, who served as Lee's press secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic. AFC-Tennessee's former executive director, John Patton, now works in institutional advancement at Christ Presbyterian Academy, where First Lady Maria Lee once taught. Patton is an alum of the school, having attended at the same time Maria Lee was a member of the school's faculty. Patton's bio remained on the AFC website until this week, and as of publication his LinkedIn page listed him still at AFC. While Christ Presbyterian Academy does not have any students enrolled through the states current Education Savings Accounts program, if the proposed statewide voucher program is implemented, eventually any child attending the school would be eligible for a state-paid scholarship. AFC Victory Fund Attack ads against Warner are just a sliver of a nationwide effort by the billionaire-funded group to defeat state lawmakers who oppose school choice policies. Last September, the American Federation for Children launched AFC Victory Fund, a national Super PAC to "take the work of championing school choice and empowering parents to the next level." The PAC plans to spend at least $10 million to influence state-level elections this year, attacking voucher opponents and supporting "school choice champions." According to federal disclosures, AFC Victory is funded almost exclusively with contributions from DeVos, her husband Dick DeVos, and billionaire Susquehanna International Group founder Jeff Yass, who donated a combined $4.5 million to the group in the last quarter of 2023. If youre a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice and freedom in education youre a target. If youre a champion for parents well be your shield," AFC CEO Tommy Schultz said in a statement as the PAC launched last year. During the 2022 election cycle, AFC boasted, it defeated at least 40 "anti-school choice incumbents" working with coalition allies. Americans for Prosperity Americans for Prosperity of Tennessee has been a significant backer of the governors statewide school choice proposal from its earliest days, working to activate constituents and build support with ad buys and pavement pounding. Tori Venable, state director for Americans for prosperity, wears her sticker at the end of her dress before walking in during a House committee meeting where the school voucher bill was debated at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The national libertarian political advocacy group is founded and funded by the billionaire brothers Charles and the late David Koch, owners of Koch Industries. Working in tandem with AFC, AFP-Tennessee has dispatched an army of door-to-door canvassers to encourage constituents to call their representatives to support school choice legislation. The group has also held several days on the hill this year, bringing hundreds of school choice advocates to the Capitol to lobby lawmakers and to hear from national school choice expert Corey DeAngelis, who is a senior fellow at AFC. AFP has also bought digital ads and billboards around Nashville urging residents to ask lawmakers to support the bill. A billboard in Nashville funded by Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity encourages residents to contact lawmakers and ask them to support Gov. Bill Lee's voucher legislation in March 2024. Pro-voucher groups have communicated with each other about their engagements with lawmakers and committee vote counts as is common practice among coalitions following state legislation but so far have not had conversations about possible primary challenges based on voucher voting records, AFP Tennessee Director Tori Venable told The Tennessean. "We haven't got to that point yet because we're still focused on the policy. That is a possibility that as AFP Action we endorse or engage in the primaries, because politics sometimes drives policy and if we don't have a policy majority, then we can't get school choice for every kid in the state of Tennessee," Venable said. Americans for Prosperity has spent more than $2 million on lobbying efforts and campaign spending on Tennessee politics since 2009. One of AFP-Tennessee's registered lobbyists is Lotfi who was once fired from the legislature after engaging in political work that conflicted with his service in the legislature, and later served as a political adviser for now-indicted former House Speaker Glen Casada. Prior to lobbying efforts with AFP, Lotfi did political consulting work for current legislators through his a business he still owns, Red Ivory Strategies. According to state campaign disclosures, no Tennessee candidates have engaged Red Ivory Strategies since January 2023, when Lotfi joined Americans for Prosperity as a lobbyist. Lotfi confirmed to The Tennessean that he has ceased political consulting work since becoming a lobbyist. Tacit threats fly Americans for Prosperity lobbyists have publicly indicated that lawmakers may face primary challenges if they oppose the governor's school choice bill. Ahead of two key education committee votes earlier this month, Lotfi sent a memo to Tennessee lawmakers boasting the Texas AFP affiliate's success defeating 10 Texas Republicans who did not support school choice policies in the Lone Star State. "In 10 out of 13 races where pro-school choice candidates and forces took on anti school choice incumbents, the incumbents failed to win re-election last night. Only three survivedbarely," Lotfi wrote, later adding, "we look forward to seeing Governor Lee's school choice bill move out of the House & Senate Education committees today." Lawmakers have different opinions on whether they considered the pressure a tacit threat. Rep. Todd Warner R- Chapel Hill, Rep. Aftyn Behn D-Nashville and and Former Republican state representative, Scotty Campbell, speak to member of the press at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Warner said AFP staff delivered a printed copy of the memo prior to the House Education Administration Committee vote earlier this month. "I was given that by AFP to try to influence me, saying, look, we took out members in Texas, we're subject to take you out," Warner said. "I took that when they handed me that as an underlying threat... What we did in Texas, we're subject to do that in Tennessee." Warner says he supports school choice policies, but not at the expense of funding for public schools. He voted against the proposed House version of the bill because after talking with constituents in his district, he feels there is not support. Rep. Bryan Richey, R-Maryville, also voted against the bill, but told The Tennessean that he has not been approached by any pro-voucher groups, and does not feel threatened by outside pressure. But Warner said House leadership should offer members more vocal protection. "We've had members attacked on this and another issue recently," Warner said. "I'm a little disappointed that leadership hasn't stood up more for members who are being attacked." House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has in the past called out lobbyists for threatening members during committee testimony that they could receive a bad grade from their organization on annual policy issue report cards. "As the speaker said last year, if groups want to inform members that they are scoring their vote, they can do it in person, they can send them an email, but to do it in committee as part of testimony is uncalled for," Sexton spokesman Connor Grady told The Tennessean in an email. "Speaker Sexton still has the same opinion." Pro-voucher witnesses are paid advocates Across four committees so far, only two witnesses have testified in favor of the governors proposal and both have been paid advocates for special interest groups that are also actively lobbying for the legislation. The room is full with both those in support and against the school voucher bill during a House committee meeting at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville , Tenn., Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Typically, committee chairs require witnesses to disclose professional affiliations when testifying before lawmakers. But proponents of the voucher bill have not always identified their roles. Onetime Congressional candidate-turned conservative pundit Robby Starbuck, who also last year testified in support of banning medical transition surgeries for transgender youth, did not disclose his affiliation as an ambassador for Americans For Prosperity when offering his testimony to the House Education Administration Committee. During his testimony, Starbuck did not share any personal or family experiences with state-funded school choice policies, but espoused philosophical support for the governors plan. American Federation for Children spokesperson Walter Blanks did not declare his professional affiliation with the group during testimony to the House Government Operations Committee, as he shared his personal success with a state-funded school choice program and encouraged lawmakers to offer Tennessee children the same opportunity. Blanks did mention his affiliation when testifying in another House committee. Expansion advocates on board of voucher school In addition to his work job at Christ Presbyterian, Patton, the former AFC Tennessee director, also serves as a founding board member of Kings Academy Nashville, an independent Christian school that launched in 2021 after initial Education Savings Accounts voucher legislation became law. The school is currently an approved ESA institution. Also on the Kings Academy Nashville board is Palmer Williams, wife of Joseph Williams, the governors chief of staff. Former Lee aides lobby for voucher vendors Among the lobbyists registered for AFC Tennessee is Lees former longtime legislative director, Brent Easley. Easley left the governors office last year to join a government relations firm, BHA Strategy, founded former Lee Chief of Staff Blake Harris and ex-Communications Director Laine Arnold. Harris played a pivotal role in passage of the 2019 Education Savings Accounts law. Doug Sellers, husband of Lee's current Communications Director Casey Black Sellers, also recently joined the firm. Another BHA client in Tennessee is Primary Class Inc., which runs Odyssey, a New York-based firm that calls itself a "turnkey solution" for managing applications, marketing and outreach, payments and customer support specifically for ESA and school voucher microgrant management. "We're Odyssey, a passionate team building technology to enable parents to choose the best education for their child," the firm's website reads. Since landing a $1.5 million contract to fulfil Idaho's Empowering Parents school choice program, the company has won contracts in Missouri and Iowa, according to the company website. The firm may hit a speed bump: Primary Class Inc.'s state business registration was revoked by the Tennessee Secretary of State last year, after the business failed to file an annual report. ExcelinEd ExcelinEd, a national advocacy group that supports private school choice programs, including scholarships, vouchers, and ESAs, is also lobbying lawmakers to support school choice. "We work with state leaders across the country to make the education system more centered around the needs of students," ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque told The Tennessean in a statement. "Were excited to support Gov. Lee and Tennessee state leaders as they look to advance more opportunities for parents to find education that works best for their child. Many other states have taken steps forward to ensure all families have access to school choice." Perhaps the organizations most notable alum in state government is Tennessee's new Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds. Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds during a House committee meeting where the school voucher bill was debated at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Since joining state government, Reynolds appears to have stayed close with the group founded by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Reynolds has traveled out of state at taxpayer expense to attend meetings with ExcelinEd multiple times since taking on her new role, according to a state database of out-of-state administration travel. "Lizzette Reynolds is a strong state education commissioner with some of the longest-running experience in leadership within a state education agency," Levesque said. "We are proud to work with her on issues of importance to Tennessee families." The Tennessee Department of Education has yet to release records requested by The Tennessean documenting the purpose of the commissioner's attendance at meetings with her former employer, or comprehensive expense records of her travel on the taxpayer's dime. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers: Libertarian, GOP PACS throw support for The Iowa House on Thursday approved legislation that would allow landowners and companies involved in eminent domain proceedings to go to court and seek a constitutional review of the process. Under House File 2664, which passed on a 86-7 vote, a landowner or company who is facing the Iowa Utilities Board would be able to request review from a judge in Polk County. And if more than a year and a half passes after court action begins in Polk County, a person can seek review from a judge in another county. The bill's passage comes as Summit Carbon Solutions continues through the regulatory process in a bid to build a carbon-capture pipeline across Iowa. Rep. Charley Thomson, R-Charles City, the bill's sponsor, said it would provide landowners affected by the project with more immediate answers about the future of their property. "It was never the intention, as far as I can tell, of the creators of the (Iowa Utilities Board) to have a process that in effect takes land from people without due process," Thomson said. "I don't think Iowans would have sanctioned such an idea." Summit did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the bill's passage Thursday. The legislation is Iowa lawmakers' latest attempt to address eminent domain, particularly as it pertains to construction of the pipelines. Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, have split on the issue. Proponents of the pipelines argue that they are critical for Iowa's key ethanol industry to remain viable long-term; opponents criticize the use of eminent domain to build the projects and raise concerns about their safety. More: Iowa bill would let lawmakers halt eminent domain use by carbon capture pipelines Multiple companies, led by the Ames-based Summit, are seeking to build the $8 billion pipeline across Iowa and neighboring states. Another proposed $3.5 billion pipeline project from Navigator CO2 Ventures died last year after the company encountered regulatory hurdles. Thomson suggested that Summit and other companies shouldn't take issue with the legislation, arguing that it would be better to have the issue of constitutionality answered "at the beginning, rather than having to wait until the very end." And Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, delivered a frank message on the floor for those "who would attempt to use their money to influence" or prevent the Thursday vote. "My message is, take your money and shove it," Kaufmann said. IA- Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, takes the stage at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump, on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Mid-America Center, in Council Bluffs. Senator: Bill is 'unique' way to address eminent domain concerns The legislation now heads to the Senate. Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said on PBS' Iowa Press last week that he wanted to see "the final product" but remarked that it was a "unique way" to address concerns with eminent domain that was a priority for "some people in the Senate." "How we deal with some of these out-of-state regulations that are getting heaved upon us makes things complicated," Dawson said. "But I think it's definitely something to take a look at." A bill passed the House last year that would have required companies seeking to build pipelines to reach voluntary agreements to buy 90% of the land on their proposed route before petitioning the state for eminent domain. It died in the Senate. A previous version of the bill passed Thursday would have allowed lawmakers to intervene and halt eminent domain proceedings. That language was later removed. Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed reporting. 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 bill allowing court review of eminent domain Ireland has joined South Africa in its genocide case against Israel, nailing its hatred of the Jewish state firmly to the doors of The Hague. The Irish government says it felt obliged to intervene to put a stop to Israels indiscriminate use of explosives in populated areas, collective punishment of Gazans, and an impending famine. Ministers say they carefully pored over the evidence and didnt take the decision lightly. But it seems likely that Ireland has rowed in behind South Africa less from the evidence of genocide in Gaza, which is sorely lacking, but for reasons closer to home. The Irish public have long been among the most hostile in Europe to Israel. This is because Ireland has for decades viewed the Israel-Palestine conflict as a rerun of its own bloody struggle with Britain. We see our history in their eyes, Leo Varadkar said of the Palestinians in the White House earlier this month. A story of displacement, of dispossession and national identity questioned and denied, forced emigration, discrimination, and now hunger. Ireland, in other words, views the plight of the Palestinians solipsistically as a recapitulation of its own victimhood, not a unique tragedy in its own right. This has too often spared the Irish public from feeling the need to wrap their heads around the particulars of this messy conflict, more than 3,000 miles from its shores, which are wholly different from Irelands fight with Britain. While the IRA wanted land, and was eventually willing to compromise, Israels antagonists have far grander ambitions Hamas has made clear in its charter and public utterances it wants to kill not only all the Jews in the Levant, but worldwide. October 7 was effectively a dress rehearsal for how Hamas and its Iranian patrons would like this genocidal crusade to take shape. Short of horse trading in the death of Jews, it is unclear how Israel could meet Hamas halfway, or tolerate having such people as sovereign neighbours. But Ireland will forever be unable to comprehend this if, deep down, they see in the likes of Yahya Sinwar a kind of Michael Collins, or even Gerry Adams. The analogy further implodes given that, despite Arab hostility, Israel has agreed to the formation of a Palestinian state no fewer than five times since 1937. All of these offers several of which would have left Palestine with the vast majority of the land have been rejected. Ireland, on the other hand, took Britain up on the offer of home rule in 1922, deciding wisely that an imperfect state was better than none. The Palestinian leadership have for a century arrived at the opposite conclusion, to the great detriment of their people. A vague impression has also coagulated among the Irish that theres a moral parity between the English plantation of Ireland and the arrival of Jewish settlers in Israel in the 20th century. But this doesnt hold water. The English were sent to Ireland over the centuries as an instrument of English power. Whereas the Jews fled to their ancestral homeland from persecution in Europe in the aftermath of the pogroms in Russia, the Dreyfus Affair, and, finally, the Holocaust. Ireland, with its genuine compassion for refugees, has a glaring blind spot when it comes to the series of cataclysms which drove Jews to found the state of Israel. The final vindication of this instinct for self-preservation came, paradoxically, with the founding of the Jewish state in 1947 when yet another wave of pogroms swept across the Middle East and North Africa. This caused an exodus of a million Jews, who have never returned (or been offered a right to return) to their homes. In near total ignorance of this history, the aperture of Irelands much-cherished empathy has narrowed to exclude Israel. It is ironic that as Ireland projects its cookie cutter Anglophobia onto a conflict where it has no place, its skies and seaways are guarded by the RAF a luxury Israel does not have, widening the gulf between what Ireland can understand of a country under constant threat and which is also responsible for its own security. By grandstanding on the international stage, and levelling spurious accusations of genocide against the Jewish state, the Irish government has shown little more than how utterly provincial it is. 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. ISHPEMING, Mich. (WJMN) Community members in Ishpeming could be seeing some changes soon. The City of Ishpeming partnered with Partridge Creek Farm to secure funding for a new Community Gathering Center. Funding was secured through the MI Community Center Grant thats provided by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. The center will include a brand new skate park and a space for community gatherings such as farmers markets, equipment demonstrations, and more. Well, first of all, were putting in skate park that people have been wanting, right? said Craig Cugini, the City Manager of the City of Ishpeming. Second of all, we think that will be able to offer some demonstrations. So were just looking at ways in which we can support a community, even when they dont have a lot of money. Can we build something that they can use and recreate and be healthy and gathering? But its also going to bring people together. So if we hold, you know, craft fairs or little concerts, its going to bring people to a space where they can talk and communicate and just get to know each other and know your neighbors. and its right on our main highway coming through the business loop. And so people will see it and itll be visible. And its just going to bring new people. Its going to bring more people all into our downtown center, which should invigorate the economy in some way, too. So we hope that it will support local business and grow Ishpeming as a whole. With the grant funding, Partridge Creek Farm will be able to grow. So our mission is to help reduce food insecurity in Ishpeming, said Sara Johnson, Executive Director of Partridge Creek Farm. And so with this grant, this is going to allow us to be able to continue offering our programming and grow it slowly year after year. So this funding is going to be able to allow us to extend that programing specifically at our farm site. So what that looks like is, you know, we have our CSA program that we offer every summer thats going to be at the farm now, as opposed to at our downtown location. Were also going to have community volunteer days where the community, all ages, are welcome to come and work down at the farm and help grow the food that is literally helping to feed our community. The City of Ishpeming is hoping to get the community center finished within the year of 2025. For more information on this project and its progress, find the City of Ishpemings Facebook page here, and their website here. To learn more about Partridge Creek Farm, you can find their Facebook page here, and their website here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. Talking to Justin Arestein requires close attention. He speaks quickly and more importantly, he shares a lot of very valuable information. He has a deep understanding of the sewers through which political and military disinformation circulates in Africa fake news that comes to the surface in campaigns to discredit opponents, on the battlefield in the Sahel or even to bring forth coups detats. Arestein follows the trail of disinformation that begins in Africa, but also comes from Moscow and Beijing, heavily impacting the continent as it seeks to achieve its political objectives. The Russians use a narrative in Africa that claims the West is decadent and perverts our children to turn them gay, he says. Arestein is the founder and director of Code for Africa, a platform specialized in disinformation that has 140 workers across 26 African countries and develops sophisticated journalistic investigations with drones and artificial intelligence (AI). This interview takes place on a terrace in Nairobi, where Arestein points out the brand new buildings and toll roads. China has been very smart in investing in visible infrastructure that improves the lives of Africans, he argues. Question. How much has misinformation in Africa changed with artificial intelligence? Answer. We have seen clumsy attempts to spread misinformation using videos made with generative artificial intelligence that create apparently real people, who express polarizing arguments. They use companies where for $40 you can buy an avatar and give it a script to make it look like its human. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, it was directed against U.N. peacekeepers to mobilize the people against them, and in support of the M23 rebel movement. Q. What is the biggest threat? A. The big threat today is not the things that people really focus on, like deepfake videos. The real threat is the way AI is being used to make it incredibly cheap and fast to produce seemingly authentic propaganda messages. In text especially on WhatsApp and Telegram it is practically undetectable. Q. How? A. We are seeing a greater influence in the industrial-scale use of large language models capable of creating different versions of existing information. For example, the Russians use a very powerful narrative throughout Africa that claims that the West is decadent has lost its way in the eyes of God and perverts our children to turn them gay. They say that they, the Russians, are the model of morality, rather than decadent Europeans. With AI you can retell that little story in a hundred different ways in seconds. And ask it to translate it into different languages. Then you can ask it to say it in the voice of an old woman, in that of a young rapper... you can have a thousand different versions of that message in minutes. Doing that with humans would cost weeks and a lot of money. Q. What other disinformation campaigns are circulating in Africa? A. Generative AI is capable of using a type of machine learning to analyze what problems cause polarization. In South Africa, for example, it is xenophobia, because the working class has a deep-rooted belief that other Africans steal their jobs and disrupt their cultural norms. They find hot topics and develop opportunistic propaganda that exacerbates the problem. There are consultancies that are hired to discredit a political opponent or to amplify a narrative and influence elections. You can see how they have discredited individual politicians and even the Red Cross to make it appear that they support the jihadists. Q. You mentioned Russia. Is it the main geopolitical source of disinformation in Africa? A. Russia is an opportunistic client of people who spread disinformation, and has geopolitical objectives, but it does not have the machinery to do the job on its own. We are seeing how combat troop are subcontracted from organizations like Wagner or the security forces of parastatal oil companies, which in turn subcontract propaganda from so-called keyboard warriors or digital mercenaries. They are often Africans or Israelis and other nationalities, who receive a commission from a Russian actor affiliated with an African state. They will say that a politician in Mali or Burkina Faso must be questioned and that the public must support the military junta, because the junta will then hire Wagner as an advisor. We are also seeing many propaganda campaigns from Turkey and religious messages from countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Q. To what extent do Russian destabilization efforts explain last years coups in African countries? A. Russia has been very successful in the Sahel region in identifying citizens fear of jihadists. These are usually Wagner-led campaigns about how governments and peacekeepers, like the French ones, are ineffective. From there, they build public support for more overt military action against incompetent democratically elected governments. This creates a climate in which a coup detat with broad support can occur. There are campaigns in which Russia and Wagner project themselves as the saviors of the citizens. Every small victory for Wagner is amplified, and anyone who criticizes Wagner and its mining or wealth-extracting activities is smeared with coordinated messages. Wagner uses very well-produced animated short films in which they are portrayed as avenging angels who come down from heaven to kill French zombies. Q. Is this still true after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagners mercenaries? A. Wagner in Africa has never stopped operating. We have seen the withdrawal of some commanders loyal to Prigozhin and the restructuring of troops into new units. What has changed is that jihadists have also built very large communities on social media. What we see on those dark social platforms is that Wagners mercenaries are suffering many casualties on the battlefield. It is the result of the disorganization after Prigozhins death. The jihadists have invaded several military bases of Wagner and have also ambushed convoys. There are videos we have verified of Russian corpses strewn across African battlefields and armored vehicles blown up. Q. You say religious extremists also use disinformation. A. Wagner uses very well-produced animated short films in which they are portrayed as avenging angels who come down from heaven to kill French zombies. Now we are starting to see jihadists on Telegram and other encrypted channels using the same-styled videos and animations, but they show Africans, villagers with machine guns chasing Wagners troops so that they no longer steal their gold, crops and women. We are starting to see jihadists adapt and use the same type of narrative against Wagner. Q. To what degree is AI used to fuel anti-Western sentiment? A. Another narrative is the one that presents the French as colonialists. They argue that resisting them is a pan-Africanist necessity, that it is not a problem of a single country. Misinformation is not an education problem; it is an organized crime problem. Q. Is the West doing enough to counteract all this information? A. The West has been a little confused and has invested a lot in public literacy programs, but in reality, what it does is shame the victim. You are telling those who have been the target of propaganda that it is their fault, that they have to be smarter and read and know how to detect propaganda. Misinformation is not an education problem; it is an organized crime problem and the reason it succeeds is because it has become cheap and easy. Europeans and Americans are beginning to understand that the only way to combat it is to disrupt the economy of disinformation and that digital mercenaries, sitting in a hut or a garage, cannot be allowed to subvert a governments national policy. Q. How much misinformation surrounds the votes on resolutions condemning Russia at the U.N.? A. Europeans and Americans find it difficult to understand that Africans do not see the geopolitical world in the same way as they do. There are wars in Africa of greater magnitude than the one in Ukraine, with more civilian victims, which do not receive nearly the same attention. Its the perception that Europeans and Americans dont value Black lives as much as white lives. It must be remembered that Russia and China liberated Africans from colonial occupation. The boogeymen that Europe sees from an African perspective were our liberators. We are talking about the 1970s, 1980s. Those who were children then are now adults who are told that we must vote against Russia at the U.N. to support the end of a war that does not affect us. Many Africans believe that what is happening in Ukraine is not our problem and that food and the cost of living have been weaponized against us to try to get us to support Europe. It is not my personal opinion, but it is a zeitgeist that opportunists exploit. Q. And China? A. We see that the Chinese have a slightly different approach. They recruit African experts to write opinion pieces in Chinese state media. They are commissioned by a Chinese news editor on a topic aligned with Beijings policy. They are published in China, but then they are distributed through syndication in African media without warning them that it comes from a state media agency and then the Chinese media write about it as if it were news of Africas support for Chinese policies, without supposedly any interference. This message is then amplified until it is perceived as the dominant public opinion in Africa. It is a very effective tactic in shaping African countries policies. Its a longer-term view. Q. And beyond the media? A. Look here, in Nairobi. Until very recently, traffic in Nairobi was impossible and it took between two and three hours to get anywhere. Not anymore, because now there are highways. And who built them? China. There is a construction boom in Nairobi. Many of these buildings you see here are built or financed by China. We can argue about the debt implications, but China is a very active player in our economies that the people can see. And that makes the public perception of China very different from the one in Europe or the United States. Opinion is not based on their human rights record, but on how they are helping us out of poverty and growing our middle class. And we dont see the same thing with the U.S. or the EU, because often, development aid from those countries goes to education systems and improving governance. Its a bigger investment, but less visible to citizens. China has been very smart in investing in visible infrastructure that improves the lives of Africans. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The world's top court on Thursday ordered Israel to "ensure urgent humanitarian assistance" in Gaza without delay, saying "famine has set in". The International Court of Justice's latest order comes as heavy street battles continued to rage in besieged Gaza -- and a major medical charity said it "hasn't seen any change" since a United Nations Security Council resolution this week demanding an immediate ceasefire. "Israel shall... take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay... the unhindered provision... of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance" in Gaza, the ICJ said. This included food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza, its judges said. "Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in," the Hague-based court said. The war erupted after Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, resulting in about 1,160 deaths -- mostly civilians -- according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized about 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 32,552 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. - 'Dying of starvation' - At the ICJ, South Africa has charged that Israel is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza, an accusation strongly denied by Israel. Pretoria dragged Israel before the court, saying it was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, and urging the court to order a ceasefire. In a ruling in mid-January that made headlines worldwide, the ICJ ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent genocide during its Gaza offensive. The court also ruled that Israel must allow aid into Gaza to ease the desperate humanitarian situation there. South Africa followed up with a request for fresh measures a few weeks later, citing an announced incursion into the city of Rafah, but the court declined to impose additional measures. Undeterred, Pretoria tried again, this time urging the court to impose emergency measures to "save the Palestinian people in Gaza already dying of starvation". Israel said South Africa was "engaged in an abusive exploitation of the court's procedures". But the ICJ's judges said Thursday that the mid-January rulings "do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes in the situation... thus justifying the modification of these measures". Pretoria hailed the latest ICJ decision, calling it "significant". - 'Unhindered humanitarian aid' - Meanwhile street battles raged Thursday near a hospital in Gaza, with the humanitarian crisis and surging death toll causing tensions between Israel and its top ally the United States. Tensions flared after Washington on Monday allowed the UN Security Council to pass its first-ever resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire" and hostage release in Gaza by abstaining from the vote. Washington on Thursday said it was still reviewing the ICJ's decision and had no immediate comment on its substance. "But as a general proposition, of course, increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza is something that we support and something that we have urged Israel to help facilitate," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. The MSF medical charity said Thursday that there was no change on the ground since the Security Council resolution. What is needed is an immediate and lasting ceasefire, a halt to all attacks on medical installations and personnel, and "unhindered humanitarian aid in Gaza", MSF's international president Christos Christou told AFP. While the war has turned much of the territory into a devastated wasteland of collapsed buildings and tank tracks, Israel has also imposed a siege on its 2.4 million people, eased only by occasional aid deliveries. The ICJ was set up to rule on disputes between states and while its judgements are legally binding, it has little means to enforce them. For example, the court has ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, to no avail. burs-jhe/js Several House Democrats have withdrawn their support for legislation condemning sexual violence, claiming they were unaware the measure was amended to include controversial language regarding Israel. But an email obtained by The Hill shows the lawmakers were notified of changes and offered an opportunity to remove their names two weeks before the bill was introduced by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). The intraparty drama lays bare the complicated conversations around sexual violence in the war between Israel and Hamas, which has influenced policy discussions on U.S. support for Israel. After circulating the resolution, a few changes were made to the text to incorporate new feedback. An email was sent to all co-sponsoring offices highlighting the changes and they were given two weeks to remove their name prior to introduction, Michaela Johnson, a spokesperson for Dingell, told The Hill. Dingell introduced the resolution March 8 with 21 co-sponsors, all Democrats. Since March 19, seven of the bills original co-sponsors have removed themselves from the bill. In the email, dated Feb. 23, Dingell chief of staff Meg Makarewicz noted changes to lines referencing Palestinian women to better contextualize the historical risks they faced, and how this has been compounded by the conict in the Middle East. The final text of the resolution argues that high levels of poverty, instability, and deteriorating living conditions in Gaza as a result of decades of conflict with Israel have increased the risk of violence for Palestinian women and girls. Those risks, the resolution argues, have been compounded since conflict erupted after Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped another 240 people on Oct. 7. Lawmakers who withdrew from resolution opposed the inclusion of reported harassment Palestinian women have faced at checkpoints and in custody, as well as back-to-back but unrelated references to Israels war on Hamas and a United Nations Population Fund report that found 59 percent of Palestinian women have faced some form of gender-based violence. A spokesperson for Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), who withdrew his support last Tuesday, told The Hill that the congressman did not affirmatively consent to remaining on the updated resolution after the language was changed. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) said he removed his name because the amended language added unsubstantiated claims that created a false equivalency between Israel and Hamas. As confirmed by the United Nations, sexual violence has most recently been used in horrific ways by Hamas on October 7 and subsequently on hostages held in their captivity. On the other hand, there have been no confirmed reports of Israel using sexual violence as a weapon of war, Goldman said in a statement. Reps. Goldman, Levin, Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) all original co-sponsors of the resolution have withdrawn their support since March 19. The Hill has requested comment from each of the resolutions former co-sponsors. A spokesperson for Schiff declined to comment on the record. Dingells resolution broadly condemns violence against women as a global crisis and states horrific acts of rape, sexual violence and gender-based violence are especially heinous when weaponized during conflicts. It also references a report from Physicians for Human Rights Israel that found systemic and intentional use of rape by Hamas attackers on Oct. 7, along with other allegations of sexual violence against women used in conflicts in countries including Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar. I stand by my condemnation of sexual violence as a weapon of war around the world and look forward to supporting an accurate resolution addressing this deplorable practice, Goldman said. Johnson, Dingells spokesperson, told The Hill that the congresswoman understands the seriousness and strong feelings members have regarding the subject of the resolution. Dingells own constituents have strong feelings about how the U.S. government is handling Israels war on Hamas and the ongoing civilian casualties in Gaza, which have climbed to nearly 32,000 Palestinians killed and 74,000 injured since Oct. 7, according to U.N. estimates. Voters in Michigan handed President Biden a message in the Democratic primary last month that they were uncommitted to his reelection due to his administrations handling of the war in Gaza. More than 101,000 uncommitted votes were cast in the Michigan Democratic primary, or around 13 percent of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ. More than 8,000 of uncommitted votes came from Washtenaw County, which is within Dingells district, accounting for 17 percent of that countys votes in the primary. Reports of the use of sexual violence in the Israel-Hamas war have deepened tensions in conversations among policymakers. Following U.N. special representative of the Secretary-General Pramila Pattens official visit to Israel in January, a U.N. report released earlier this month found reasonable grounds to believe that Hamas committed rape and sexual violence on Oct. 7 and clear and convincing information of sexual violence against hostages, and called for an investigation into allegations of conflict-related sexual violence committed by Hamas during the attack. Patten also met with Palestinian officials and civil society representatives, according to a readout of the trip, who raised concerns about cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinians in detention, including various forms of sexual violence in the form of invasive body searches, threats of rape, and prolonged forced nudity, as well as sexual harassment and threats of rape, during house raids and at checkpoints. This information will complement information already verified by other UN entities on allegations of CRSV in Gaza and the occupied West Bank for potential inclusion in the annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, the readout says. The $1.2 trillion government funding signed by President Biden this week provides $3.3 billion in security assistance for Israel and blocks U.S. contributions to the UNRWA, the U.N. agency supporting Palestinians displaced by the war. Israel accused a dozen individuals among the thousands of UNRWA staff members of participating in the Oct. 7 attack. Each of the lawmakers who removed their support voted for the spending package, as did Dingell and several other co-sponsors. Several members who co-sponsored the sexual violence bill Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) voted against the spending bill. I am also very concerned that this package continues funding for the Netanyahu government with no conditions, while at the same time prohibiting funding for [UNRWA], Jayapal said in a statement explaining her no vote on the spending bill. As the largest contributor of funding to Israel, we should use our funding leverage to demand that humanitarian aid enter Gaza and that we have a lasting ceasefire and a return of all hostages. U.N. experts have called on the international community to stop arms exports to Israel, citing the risk that they could be used to violate international humanitarian law. One of those experts, Reem Alsalem, the U.N.s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, told The Hill that there are very good reasons to believe that Israel has committed sexual violence [against Palestinians], pointing to the remarks on Pattens trip. Last month, Alsalem and other U.N. experts, who have unequivocally condemned the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, also said they had received reports of Palestinian women and girls being sexually assaulted, including the rape of two Palestinian women in detention. Allegations of sexual assault and violence against female Palestinian detainees predate the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas. An August 2023 report by the U.N.s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories documented instances of torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment include sexual assaults. The international community needs to send the message that it is very concerned about increased use of sexual violence against women in conflict and needs to end the impunity around it, Alsalem said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JERUSALEM On a visit to Egypt last weekend, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a stop at the border crossing between the most populous Arab state and the war-stricken Gaza Strip. At the Rafah crossing, Guterres described seeing a "long line of blocked relief trucks waiting to be let into Gaza." Immediately after that, the Israelis accused the U.N.s top official of "deceiving" and noted, instead, that it was the U.N. that was holding up the deliveries of life-saving aid to people who are said to be on the verge of famine inside the Palestinian enclave. "Since October 7th, U.N. actors and agencies have told lie after lie about Hamas atrocities and Israel's efforts to exercise its lawful right of self-defense," Anne Bayefsky director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, told Fox News Digital. WHY MIDEAST NEIGHBORS WON'T OFFER REFUGE TO PALESTINIANS STUCK IN GAZA WAR ZONE Over the past few weeks, as images of malnourished Gaza children appear on news and social media channels, U.N. aid agencies and Israeli authorities have been locked in a bitter battle of narratives over who is to blame for preventing the deliveries of food, water and medicine from reaching more than 2 million civilians in various parts of the Strip. Israeli officials say there are no limits on the amount of aid that can enter Gaza; the U.N. and its aid agencies maintain the opposite. They claim there are blockages caused by lengthy screening procedures and limited operating hours, particularly at the Rafah crossing, which is manned by Egypt, and have been pushing for Israel to open more entry points, especially in the north. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The slow pace of allowing the trucks through at Rafah creates one of the blockages, as does the blocking of UNRWA work in the north," Farhan Aziz Haq, a spokesman for Guterres told Fox News Digital on Monday. He was referring to the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which services Palestinian refugees and their families in the region but which has been accused of collaborating with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. "Some trucks go through but not nearly enough, at a time when we will need to bring in about 300 trucks a day to avert famine," he said. ISRAEL LAUDS CONGRESS' BLOW TO UN AGENCY WITH ALLEGED HAMAS TIES AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE But Shimon Freedman, the international media spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli military unit that coordinates between Israel and the Palestinian territories, reiterated to Fox News Digital that "Israel does not place any limit on the amount of aid that can enter the Gaza Strip." He said that in recent months, Israel has opened additional crossings into Gaza including a special route to reach those trapped in the north. It has also bolstered its staff and expanded its inspection hours. "We have gone to great lengths to improve our inspection capabilities so that more aid can reach the people who need it," he said, emphasizing that "right now, we can inspect 44 trucks an hour." "The problem lies with the international organization's distribution capabilities," Freedman added. Following a post on X by the secretary-general about trucks waiting at Rafah, COGAT posted a photo of aid waiting to be collected on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Israel. Ahed Al-Hindi, a senior fellow at the Center for Peace Communications, who has been monitoring the humanitarian situation in Gaza, said many of the Gazan activists he had spoken to recently "expressed concerns about how humanitarian aid from abroad is being manipulated by Hamas." "They told me that Hamas distributes aid selectively to its loyalists, using it as political leverage, particularly in areas experiencing food shortages," he said. "This tactic enables Hamas to recruit supporters among families affected by the conflict a pattern that has taken place in other war-torn regions like Syria and Libya, where radical Islamist groups exploited international aid for political gain and recruitment purposes." UN FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAELI WOMEN WERE RAPED, SEXUALLY ATTACKED BY HAMAS TERRORISTS An UNRWA tent camp in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Nov. 27, 2023. "Israelis, unlike many Western countries, are intimately familiar with these tactics, having dealt with militant organized groups for decades," said Al-Hindi. "They understand how U.N. aid can be exploited for recruitment purposes, both during times of war and peace. "Both narratives are correct," Shaul Bartal, a senior researcher at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv, told Fox News Digital. "There is enough aid, but there is a difficultly in distributing it correctly because Hamas controls a significant part of this area," he said, adding, "UNRWA is not working properly because of what is happening on the ground and also because some of its workers are members of Hamas, so they are helping them." Bartal, who has also been following events in Gaza closely, also noted that across the Strip, local gangs were looting the aid to sell on the black market and aid workers, including the truck drivers, were too afraid to enter certain lawless areas. Some of the drivers, he said, had even been killed while distributing the aid. Last month, more than 100 Gazans were killed when desperate civilians stormed an aid convoy. A State Department spokesman said there was more Israel could do with respect to UNRWA and other U.N. agencies working to provide aid in Gaza. Bartal said that in order for the aid to be distributed correctly, a local power needed to be directly involved. "There are only two local powers that are capable of effectively distributing the aid Hamas or Israel," he said. "If Israel wanted to give the population humanitarian aid, then it could do so through the army." In a press briefing earlier this week, the IDF spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the armys involvement in distributing humanitarian aid had been increasing in recent weeks, even as its troops continue to battle Hamas terrorists inside the territory. "We acknowledge the suffering of the people of Gaza," Hagari told reporters, describing how Israel had stepped up its humanitarian efforts in recent weeks, working together with the U.S., Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other international organizations, most notably the World Food Program, another U.N. relief agency. "There is a problem inside Gaza with the distribution because Hamas operatives are either stealing the food for their own needs and in areas it does not control there is looting," he said. "The problem of the distribution is the responsibility of international organizations the IDF is part of the solution," said Hagari. "We understand there is no easy solution and that is why we're focusing on flooding the area with humanitarian aid I encourage every international organization that has a solution for the distribution problem to work together with COGAT and with the IDF." Hamas terrorists in the Bani Suheila district of Gaza City on July 20, 2017. Hagari said that over the last 10 days, more than 1,522 trucks had entered Gaza carrying food, water and medical equipment, as well as construction materials for housing and shelter according to COGATs website a further 500 trucks entered on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, he said the IDF had opened several new roads, including in the northern part of the territory, and was currently engaged in thinking of new and creative ways to reach those in need. Bayefsky, whose organization, the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, is an accredited non-governmental organization with the UN, concluded, "Wild, totally unverifiable claims of numbers of dead civilians. Tall tales about aid deliveries, minus the truth about Hamas thefts and Jewish hostages starving. The list goes on and on. U.N. sources are quite simply utterly untrustworthy because U.N. actors from the secretary-general on down take their numbers, their facts and their talking points from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah." During a press briefing on Monday, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said no assessment had been made on whether Israel was violating international humanitarian law when it comes to the provision of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. "That said, we do believe there is very much more that they [Israel] can do to let humanitarian assistance go in, both through Kerem Shalom and Rafah and also through the new 96 gate that opened up week before last, to allow convoys to move directly into the north without having to transit the somewhat perilous route inside Gaza," he said, adding there was also more Israel could do with respect to UNRWA and other U.N. agencies working to provide aid in Gaza. Original article source: Israel says UN 'deceiving' world over aid delays to Gaza SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The community of Melvin and Jacoby Feed and Seed teamed up to raise a total of $38,000 and enough supplies to fill four trailers to help farmers and ranchers who recently faced the largest wildfire in Texas history. The drive to help those in the Texas Panhandle started when Jacobys was working to send out a truckload of supplies. Nate Muramoto, the general manager of the feed store, shared that the community jumped in, helping in whatever way they could. SAFD gives update on panhandle fire crews Five individuals with Jacoby Feed and Seed and the community of Melvin standing by a truck filled with supplies for farmers and ranchers in the panhandle. Image courtesy of Jacoby Feed. The community of Melvin raised a total of $38,000 and bought items from or brought items to Jacobys including hay bales, rolled or hot wire, feed products and barbed wire. Donations also helped with the cost of moving the products to the panhandle. Weve had people drop off hay bales, rolls of hot wire, and make donations toward the purchase of feed products, barbed wire, and freight costs to move all the products to the panhandle, Muramoto shared. Concho Valley continues pouring out support to Texas Panhandle In total, four trucks were loaded and hauled to the panhandle, including one full of barbed wire to help ranchers start refencing their land to contain their livestock. Flatbed trailer loaded with supplies gathered by Jacoby Feed and Seed. Two trailers loaded with supplies like hay bales and feed that was hauled to the panhandle. Image courtesy of Jacoby Feed and Seed. A great thing about our community is that everyone wanted to participate and help in any way that they could, taking on the initiative to ask what was needed and how they could help before Jacobys reached out to them, Muramoto explained. And it wasnt just our local community, through our use of social media platforms, we had people from all over, reaching out and calling in donations or sending them through money transfer apps. Concho Valley loads trailers & heads to Texas Panhandle for support The front view of two trucks loaded with supplies like hay bales gathered by Jacoby Feed Jacoby Feed and Seed shared they will continue collecting donations to haul to the panhandle as this will be a long rebuilding process for those who were affected. The next trip will be made whenever there are enough supplies to fill a trailer. All farmers and ranchers deal with uncertainties frequently whether it be weather conditions, pest control, market prices; and the added hardship of this horrific event can be overwhelming, but we hope that those affected know that they arent alone in facing it and even a small community like Melvin stands with them, said Muramoto. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday. As the impeachment inquiry into the Biden familys business dealings came crashing down around his ears, House Oversight chair James Comerwho for months has made overblown claims about the Bidens limited liability companieswas launching an opaque new LLC of his own. Comer registered the new company, called Gamaliel Stargazer LLC, in Kentucky on March 14, as House Republicans were scrambling to find a way to end their disastrous impeachment probe with dignity. Previously, Comers repeated misleading claims about the Biden familys LLCs drew accusations of hypocrisy after The Daily Beast revealed that Comer had a shell company of his own. But even though Comer has bristled publicly at reports about his LLCs activitieswhich have raised ethical questionshe appears to have forged ahead with this second entity. James Comer Changes His Tune on Discredited Biden Probe Witness But given the bar that Comer himself set with months of hyperbolic broadsides against the Bidens, this new company raises similar questions, particularly in light of new previously unreported changes to Comers other LLC. In fact, Gamaliel Stargazer is registered at an address co-owned by that other LLCFarm Team Properties LLCon a piece of real estate that Comer acquired from his brother as part of a land swap in 2019. In response to questions about his own new LLC, Comer provided a statement asserting that there is nothing innately illegalor all that uncommon among elected officialsabout starting a business. I established a new LLC, as many of my colleagues have done, to engage in outside business activities as I am permitted to do under the law, the statement said. But, as The Washington Post reported, many of the claims that Comer has peddled about the Biden familys companies are wildly misleading, trading on broad innuendo that distorts common business practiceslike maintaining multiple LLCsas suggestive of innate criminality. Some of that innuendo can be applied to Comers own LLCs. Comer has frequently sought to frame the Biden familys corporate entities as nefarious by nature. Hes also cited the Biden LLCs as an excuse for why his investigation hasnt turned up evidence of wrongdoing. That pace was already frustrating conservatives a year ago, when Comer told Fox News that the slow progress was in part because of how many different bank accounts and how many different LLCs that the Bidens had, citing the existence of multiple LLCs as a bright red flag. Days later, he brought the issue up again, saying the LLCs are the one thing that stands out to me. You know, youre a business guy, Larry, Im a business guy, Comer told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow last April. The one thing that stands out to me is how many different LLCs were involved that this family had their fingerprints on. And, we really cant tell what those LLCs did other than launder deposits from our adversaries around the world back to the Bidens. Comer even invoked the LLCs three days after he registered Gamaliel Stargazer LLC. On March 17, he told Fox News that the fact that the Biden family operated multiple shell companies was among the evidence of wrongdoing that the impeachment panel had gathered. Comer Mansplains to Reporter on Biden Loans: You Dont Understand Multiple fact-checkers have debunked Comers claims that the Biden companies served no purpose. Those reviews found that these companies were created to field a range of customary business functions, like investment management, legal representation, and consulting work. But that same framework suggests that Comer would seem to want answers about his own LLCs. While theres no evidence of any foreign entanglements, Comers companies have raised concerns among ethics experts about whether his financial disclosure forms fully and accurately reflect his business dealingsor whether his own shell company is designed to obscure his own unsavory financial transactions, including a real estate investment with a campaign donor. The vehicle for that investment, Farm Team Properties (FTP), is described on Comers financial disclosures as dealing in land management and real estate speculation. And in response to reports about the LLC, a Comer spokesperson described FTP in December as a privately held company actively engaged in the business of land management, including hunting leasing, and real estate speculation, primarily in farmland, noting that Comer consulted the House Ethics Committee years ago to ensure he was reporting the entity properly. But The Daily Beast later found that FTPs actual business interests dont match Comers public statementsincluding the number of properties it owns, which appear to be far fewer than Comer has claimed publicly. But of the two properties that FTP does own in public records, one of them is also associated with his new entity. Comer registered Gamaliel Stargazer LLC at the address of a property that FTP currently owns, which was also the focus of a deal between Comer and his brother in 2019. That year, Comer and his brother, Chad Comer, inherited the property from their father, who died in early 2019. In July, Comer sold his half of the property to his brother for $100,000. Then, five months later, Comer and his wife bought the full property back, paying Chad Comer $218,000, netting Chad Comer brother an unexplained $18,000 above the propertys total value in July. That purchase, however, included a third partyComers own shell company, Farm Team Properties, which still co-owns the real estate. When The Daily Beast and Associated Press reported on FTP, the entity had lapsed in its filings with the state of Kentucky, which had revoked its business license. The Comers reinstated the company in December, but when FTP filed its annual report a month later, its stated business purpose had changed. Oversight Chairman James Comers Legitimate Shell Company Was Shut DownTwice Instead of the previous descriptionfinance, insurance, real estateFTP said it now dealt in agriculture production - crops. However, FTPs publicly listed holdings are only tied to residential and commercial real estate, not agricultural land or crop production. The new description on that January business filing also appears at odds with the land management and real estate speculation tag that Comer has given the company on his congressional financial disclosures. Comer declined to reveal the specific purpose behind Gamaliel Stargazer LLC, only saying the company was created to engage in outside business activitiesa description that could apply to an almost infinite range of possibilities, including real estate holdings, securities trading, or managing royalties from mining leases or publishing rights. But in February, Comer and his brother filed a plat in Monroe County, Kentucky, establishing a fresh public record for another piece of land they inherited from their father in 2019, when it was valued at $686,000, according to filings with the county. That move, according to real estate agents in the area, indicates the Comers are preparing to sell the property. Two weeks later, Comer created Gamaliel Stargazer. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. WASHINGTON Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who chairs the House oversight committee, has formally asked President Joe Biden to testify in the impeachment inquiry against him led by Republican lawmakers. In a letter to Biden on Thursday, Comer said it is in the best interest of the American people for the president to answer questions about whether he was involved in his son Hunters foreign business deals. The White House responded by pointing to a social media post from last week where Biden spokesperson Ian Sams wrote LOL, alongside a facepalm emoji, after Comer first said hed seek Bidens testimony. Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong, Sams wrote on March 20. He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records hes received have refuted his false allegations. The request for Bidens testimony is something of an admission that the investigation has hit a dead end. Its unlikely the House will vote on articles of impeachment against Biden, and Comer has recently talked up criminal referrals to the Justice Department as an impeachment alternative. Several of Hunter Bidens former business partners have testified that Joe Biden did not participate in his sons moneymaking schemes, but they described occasions when Joe Biden greeted his sons associates in person or made small talk on a speakerphone call. Comer said the witness testimony and other evidence showed Biden was indeed involved in these pay-for-influence schemes and that he had been repeatedly untruthful regarding a matter relevant to national security and his own fitness to serve as president. In particular, Comer cited testimony from Tony Bobulinski, who told lawmakers in a closed deposition and during a public hearing that he met Joe Biden in 2017 when he and Hunter and James Biden, the presidents brother, were cooking up a deal with a Chinese energy conglomerate. Bobulinski said he met with Joe Biden multiple times to discuss the broad contours of business dealings in 2017, but by his own account, he had two conversations with the president, and neither was about the deal at hand. The second occurred while Biden was walking to his car after making a speech. When I went backstage, it was, as you can imagine, you know, it was it was a tight space, there were a lot of people getting, you know, just water and having different discussions, Bobulinski said. But, you know, in the walk out to the car, you know, he thanked me. And I just remember a comment of, Hey, you know, look out for my brother and son and, you know, thank you for what youre doing kind of thing. Related... Donald Trump is facing criticism after attending the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller even as hes pushing for the pardoning of January 6 rioters who battled with US Capitol and Washington DC police officers just over three years ago. Mr Diller was shot and killed as he was doing traffic stops this week. On Monday, he approached a car that was illegally parked with a fellow officer. The suspects in the car Lindy Jones and Guy Rivera refused to roll down the windows or to move their car. They also didnt show their hands when asked to. Mr Rivera allegedly then shot Mr Diller, who died after being taken to hospital. At the age of 42, Aquilino Gonell had to retire from his career as a police officer because of the injuries he sustained on January 6, 2021 during the insurrection. In a statement to The Independent on Thursday, Mr Gonell said of Mr Trump: As the opportunistic grifter that he is, he claims to support the police, law and order, the rule of law yet, he has not met with any officers from Capitol Police who were injured and assaulted or the ones that lost their lives because of his actions and inaction in his attempt to cling to power and the mob that he incited and wanted to lead. On Thursday, speaking to the press after attending Mr Dillers wake, Mr Trump said, What happened is such a sad, sad, sad event such a horrible thing. And it's happening all too often and we're just not going to let it happen. We just can't. Mr Gonell went on to tell The Independent that this is the same person who calls the rioters patriots, political prisoners, and hostages instead of calling them for what they are... convicted criminals. Imagine Trump calling the criminal who killed this officer in NYC a hostage or anything but a criminal. Thats what he is doing to the Jan 6 criminals who beat officers and breached the Capitol, he added. The death of the officer in NYC is tragic and reminds all of us of the sacrifices and commitment the men and women in uniform make every day regardless [of the political affiliation or religion of the] people they protect and serve. I hope the full extent of the law is applied to bring this officers killer to justice. Rest In Peace and may his memory be a blessing, Mr Gonell concluded. On Thursday, Mr Trump said, police are the greatest people ... and this should never happen. Former President Trump at the wake for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller: "We have to get back to law and order." pic.twitter.com/7dH6Ktb4hn CSPAN (@cspan) March 28, 2024 We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often, he added. Lawyer Ron Filipkowski wrote on X on Thursday afternoon that Nobody exploits a murder like Trump, adding that Meanwhile, he wants to pardon people who beat up cops on J6. The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it intends to provide $170 million in assistance to Guatemala to tackle the root causes of migration. The announcement was made during Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalos four-day visit to Washington, which concluded on Wednesday. The funding subject to Congressional notification will go towards development, economic, health and security assistance. Arevalo met U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday to discuss migration, cooperation and foreign investment. Later that day, he sat down with U.S. President Joe Biden to go over issues such as the fight against corruption, defending democracy and migration. Today, I welcomed President Arevalo to the White House to congratulate him in person on his inauguration, and to reiterate our commitment to a strong partnership between the United States and Guatemala, Biden posted on his official X account. Around noon, Arevalo and Harris held a press conference in which the vice president reiterated her governments support for Guatemala. Your election has brought a sense of optimism to the people of America and around the world. [...] As you hold corrupt actors accountable and promote good governance, we support you, Harris told the Guatemalan president. Harris stressed the importance of the fight against corruption, both in mitigating irregular migration and in attracting economic investment to Guatemala. Corruption empowers criminal organizations and perpetuates violence. All factors that drive people to leave their home country, she added. For his part, Arevalo thanked the U.S. government for its support during the difficult electoral process and presidential transition, and reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption. We will maintain our commitment as governments to foster engagement across sectors to build a new, democratic, and more prosperous Guatemala, said the president. The $170 million in assistance was announced in a press release prior to the official meeting on Tuesday. According to Harris, this is part of the roadmap that the United States has implemented in the last three years to address the root causes of irregular migration from Central America. Arevalo asks the OAS for help As part of his tour in Washington, which began on Sunday, President Arevalo attended a protocolary meeting at the Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday. At the meeting, Arevalo expressed his gratitude for the OAS support during the presidential transition and called on the organization to oversee the election of judges to the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Guatemala requests the Organization of American States to follow the selection of justice system authorities through an observation mission of this process, he said. The Congress of Guatemala must choose the magistrates who will direct the two courts in the 2024-2029 period, a process that will be carried out in the next five months. Arevalo said a legal and political battle is on the brink of breaking out between different groups to control the courts, which is the OAS observation mission is needed. In the Central American nation, the election of judges for both courts has been a flawed process, with lawyers, magistrates, former public officials and businessmen sent to prison for influence peddling and illegal management. These crimes were discovered and investigated by the now-defunct International Commission against Corruption in Guatemala (CICIG). This years election of judges is one of the most anticipated and complex processes that Congress has faced for more than four years. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Japan is set to upgrade five airports and eleven seaports, repurposing them for use by its defense forces and coast guard during military emergencies, Kyodo News reported on March 27. Officials plan to greenlight the modernization efforts soon, with projects kicking off in April. The initial budget is pegged at about 35 billion yen ($230 million). These upgrades include lengthening runways and expanding aprons at airports to accommodate fighter jets and transport planes, while ports will be modified to dock destroyers and sizable military vessels. Read also: US, Japan weigh ramping up military aid to Ukraine amid ammunition crunch The five airports earmarked for modernization are located in the prefectures of Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, and Okinawa, the latter being a central hub for U.S. military bases in Japan. Of the designated ports, five are in Hokkaido, which houses numerous Self-Defense Forces units. The remaining are spread across Kagawa and Kochi in Shikoku and one each in Fukuoka and Okinawa. Read also: Japanese government responds to Pope's statement: Ukraine's will must be respected This initiative is part of Japan's broader strategy to bolster the defense of its southwestern islands, especially given the ongoing tensions surrounding the Senkaku Islands. These uninhabited islets, controlled by Tokyo but claimed by China (where they're known as Diaoyu), have been a focal point of regional discord. Tokyo is seriously concerned about closer military cooperation between China and Russia in terms of security, both for Japan and the entire region, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated earlier in March. 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 TOKYO (AP) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated Thursday his determination to work toward a summit with North Koreas Kim Jong Un to realize the return of Japanese people believed abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. I remain committed to realizing this for Japan, he told reporters, while declining to directly address the recent comments from North Korea that suggested such a meeting would be possible only if Japan stops pressing the abductions issue. Speaking at a news conference after the government budget cleared parliament, Kishida stressed he was directly involved in high-level negotiations to fix various bilateral problems, amid growing worries about neighboring North Koreas missiles and nuclear weapons programs. In 2002, Kim Jong Il, the late father of Kim Jong Un, told then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese in the 1970s and 80s, and allowed five of them to return to Japan. Japan thinks hundreds more may have been abducted during that period and that some are still alive. Koizumis second visit to North Korea in 2004 was the last summit between the two nations. Kishida, prime minister since 2021, also promised to wrest the nation out of decades-long deflation and set off a positive cycle of higher wages, company profits and strong productivity. We have this historic chance to get out of deflation, Kishida said, noting that the changes will come under his new capitalism program, based on economic changes such as a more mobile labor force, investments in artificial intelligence and income growth for the middle class. He promised that legal revisions and an internal investigation were underway to deal with a burgeoning scandal centered around political funding that ruling party lawmakers had allegedly secretly received through shady methods like expensive tickets for fundraising parties. Kishida said more time is needed to sort out details, but the erring politicians will get punished, to restore public trust. Kishida has seen his popularity plummet to record lows in recent months over the scandal. But his ouster, even if it happens, will likely result in another leader from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, because the opposition is weak and splintered. There is even speculation among pundits that Japan will get its first female prime minister, such as Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike. As a woman, Koike would be seen as a fresh change, although she is unlikely to stray too far from the status quo. A Japanese prime minister has almost always been a member of the lower house of Parliament, so Koike would need to run for a seat and give up being city governor. The Liberal Democrats have ruled Japan almost incessantly after World War II, except for brief periods of opposition control. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama Colombia is expelling a number of Argentine diplomats in response to insults levelled by the Argentine president against his Colombian counterpart. In a CNN interview, the Argentine leader, Javier Milei, called Colombian President Gustavo Petro a "murdering terrorist". He also said the Mexican president was "ignorant". Mr Milei is infamous for his colourful language and abrasive rhetoric. While personal attacks are not uncommon in Latin American politics, Mr Milei surprised many when he attacked Pope Francis last year, calling the pontiff "an imbecile who defends social justice". While the Pope dismissed the remarks and the two men embraced during a meeting at the Vatican, Latin American politicians have not been as forgiving. Pope Francis laughed off Mr Milei's comments [Reuters] The CNN interview which has caused the latest stir will be broadcast on Sunday, but the channel has released some clips ahead of transmission. In one of them, Mr Milei suggests that Colombia under left-wing President Petro could deteriorate and come to resemble Venezuela and Cuba. "In Venezuela, there's carnage, it's truly unprecedented, same as on that prison island, Cuba," he tells CNN's Andres Oppenheimer. "And there are others who're going down that road, such as Colombia with Mr Petro," he adds. "Well, you can't expect much from someone who was a murdering terrorist, right?" he asks in an apparent reference to Mr Petro's past as a former rebel fighter. Mr Petro was a member of the now disbanded M-19 guerrilla group in the 1980s. As part of its war against the Colombian state, the group stormed the Palace of Justice in the Colombian capital, Bogota, in 1985, and held more than 300 people hostage. The security forces lay siege to the building and more than 100 people died in the ensuing battle to retake it from the M-19. The incident is known as "28 hours of terror" in Colombia. But while Mr Petro was a member of the M-19 guerrilla group, he did not take part in the attack on the Palace of Justice. He was in jail at the time for his involvement with the group. President Petro and his Argentine counterpart are poles apart politically and have clashed in the past [Reuters] Mr Petro has never made a secret out of his past inside the M-19, which demobilised more than 30 years ago. As Colombia's first left-wing president, he has come in for plenty of criticism at home, but there has been widespread outrage in the Andean country over the comments made by Mr Milei. The foreign ministry said Mr Milei had offended President Petro's "dignity" and said it would expel a number of Argentine diplomats, without specifying how many. In Mexico, the two candidates vying to replace President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as president in the election in June also came to his defence. They demanded that the Argentine leader treat Mr Lopez Obrador with respect after Mr Milei said in the CNN interview that the fact that the "ignorant" Mexican president had spoken badly of him only flattered him. Mr Lopez Obrador has in the past labelled Mr Milei "a fascist ultra-conservative". White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sharply criticized a North Carolina radio show host Tuesday when he asked whether President Biden has dementia. When I told a number of people that I was talking to you today it was interesting, though, they all said, Would you please just ask her: Does the President have dementia? WBT Charlotte radio host Mark Garrison said. So before I move on from it: Does he? Mark, Mark, I cant even believe youre asking me this question. That is an incredibly offensive question to ask, Jean-Pierre replied. Garrison noted, You know people ask it, and Jean-Pierre pushed back, saying, Youre taking us down this rabbit hole. Let me very clear about this. For the past several years, the presidents physician has laid out very, in a comprehensive way, the presidents health. This is a president if you watch him every day, if you really pay attention to his record and what he has done you will see exactly how focused he has been on the American people, how historic his actions have been, Jean-Pierre continued. And so Im not even going to truly, truly really, you know, take the premise of your question. I think it is incredibly insulting. And so we can, you know, we can move on to the next question, she said. Garrison accepted her response and moved on to his next question, which centered on how Biden plans to garner North Carolinian support when gas prices and grocery prices remain high. Jean-Pierre noted these prices have dropped significantly and pointed to some of Bidens economic strengths. All the important groceries, those costs have gone down because of what this president has been able to do, Jean-Pierre said, wrapping up her answer. And with that, thank you so much, Mark. Have an amazing, amazing day. At the end of her response, a dial tone played. The radio hosts were audibly surprised by the suddenness of Jean-Pierres departure, which they characterized as the press secretary hanging up the phone. Similar interpretations of the moment have circulated in conservative media spaces. The White House, however, has pushed back against the characterization, suggesting Jean-Pierre only had a few minutes for the interview and warned the station ahead of time. A spokesperson also noted the dial tone at the end was likely artificially added, noting those sounds do not typically sound at the end of a call today. As she often does when the President travels, Karine had multiple back-to-back interviews with radio stations who were each offered 7 minutes. Once the agreed-upon time was over, she called into the next interview so everyone could get their full time. This particular station chose not to air the full interview and instead artificially attached a sound effect that our phones do not make when calls end, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Jeffrey Winton: Missing Chicago man last seen earlier this month CHICAGO - Chicago police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 27-year-old man. Jeffrey Winton was last seen on March 23 in the 1500 block of S. Prairie Avenue, which is located in the Near South Side neighborhood. Winton is described as a Black man standing 5-foot-8, weighing 160 pounds, and he has short hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black jeans and brown boots. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department's Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266. Jeffrey Winton | CPD One hundred miles from mainland Britain a good deal closer to Saint Malo than to Salcombe Jersey should really feel more French than British.Its street names are Gallic but the island looks and feels like a sleepy stretch of the south coast. Victor Hugo once described it as a piece of France fallen into the sea and picked up by England. In fact, its neither. It isnt part of the United Kingdom, its a Crown Dependency, autonomous and self-governing. And yet, to those of us living on mainland Britain, its as British as Anglesey, Lindisfarne or Orkney. So, as Jersey prepares to vote through a law that would allow people to legally end their lives on the island, those 100 miles have never seemed shorter. Jersey is set to become a canary in the coalmine for Britain on assisted dying. On Friday, the government published proposals for what the legislation could look like. They outline what some consider to be sensible parameters, while for others, the proposals represent a slippery slope which could one day lead to a model like that in the Netherlands, where people with a history of depression or anorexia have chosen to legally end their lives. The proposals state that to be eligible you will have to have lived on the island for 12 months (a stipulation that it said was intended to discourage death tourism). There are two possible routes to assisted dying laid out. In the first, you would have to be terminally ill, with a prognosis of six months for cancer or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition like Motor Neurone Disease. Route two would allow for someone with an incurable physical condition, which causes unbearable suffering which cannot be alleviated in a manner the person deems to be tolerable, to be eligible. Someone who had been paralysed below the neck, experienced chronic pain and needed 24 hour care, for example, would be eligible under route two. In both cases, you must possess the capacity to make the decision. A nine-week lodging period will now follow; a debate on the proposals is scheduled for May 21. If voted through, its expected it could take 18 months to draft a law. The earliest it could come into effect would be spring 2027, but however long the process takes, it is looking likely that assisted dying will become a reality on Jersey. Its a watershed moment for Britain, coming amid growing pressure in the UK with public figures like Esther Rantzen who revealed in December she was considering assisted dying calling for a change. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged parliament will debate and vote on assisted dying if Labour wins the next election. Meanwhile, Jersey isnt the only jurisdiction on the cusp of making such a move. The Isle of Man has a bill at committee stage having backed a proposal in October to allow terminally ill people to choose an assisted death. In the Scottish parliament, it was announced this week that a private members bill would be considered. Liam McArthur, Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, wants to pass the Assisted Dying Bill in 2025. If voted through, it would make Scotland the first UK nation to legalise assisted dying. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after publishing his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill - Jane Barlow/PA Last month, a report from the health and social care committee warned MPs to consider the repercussions of a law change anywhere in the British Isles. Ministers should be actively involved in discussions about how to approach the divergence in legislation. On Jersey, the debate has divided the island. A citizens jury convened in 2021 agreed overwhelmingly that, if subject to stringent safeguards, assisted dying should be permitted. 78 per cent of the jury were in favour, but campaigners against assisted dying including healthcare professionals who would be forced to become conscientious objectors if the law went through say it is both deeply wrong and could be catastrophic for the islands healthcare system. Behind the debate on Jersey are people with terminal diagnoses desperately hoping the law will be enacted in time for them to use it. Then there are people for whom the concept of state sanctioned suicide is ethically wrong people who feel even the strictest legislation would be the beginning of a road no society should ever venture down. Lorna Pirozzolo is in the first camp. She was diagnosed with stage four terminal breast cancer in 2019. Five years would have been a realistic prognosis then; she has exceeded that by two months and counting, though not without bumps in the road. Initially, Pirozzolo, in her 40s, who works in air traffic control at Jersey Airport, tried to stay out of the debate on assisted dying. Then, in late 2019, she began experiencing a pain so bad it made her confront the realities of what unbearable suffering (which the legislation would require people to prove) might genuinely feel like. For months she would be rushed to hospital with recurrent pancreatitis. The pain was so bad it made her black out. At its worst, it was happening twice a week. Once, doctors had to put her in a coma to stop the pain. They say you cant define unbearable pain. You can. Neither your body nor your mind can go on like that. So of course I begged a nurse to kill me. A low winter sun is setting over the island as we talk in the cosy living room of her in-laws home. Pirozzolo and her husband, Joe, a business consultant, are living here while they do up a house nearby. It is a week before the proposals are to be published and Pirozzolo has had a really bad fortnight. Her pancreatitis has calmed down thanks to surgery in 2022 to remove her gallbladder, but the drugs she takes are gruelling. Any time she feels a new sensation a headache, an itch, anything out of the ordinary, she knows it could be a sign the cancer has once again metastasised. There is no clear roadmap for what the end of her illness might look like, but she knows she doesnt want to experience anything like the pain she felt during those terrible months, when she went as far as to pick a date to die. [It] was going to be November 11, three weeks after surgery. Lorna Pirozzolo, who has terminal cancer, is an advocate for assisted dying - Heathcliff O'Malley Wed know by then if it had worked. I was going to have to take my own life. It wasnt a choice. Im not saying I wanted to kill myself I didnt have a choice in that. It was like, if surgery doesnt work, you just cant Thankfully, it worked. But afterwards, Pirozzolo began proactively contacting politicians about assisted dying. She realised that if her surgery had failed, she would have been forced to die on my own. If Pirozzolo didnt mention she was currently in the midst of a bad patch, you would never know she seems full of energy. She is sharp and fiercely bright. You dont have to spend much time with her to see she is made of steel. Her pet hate is when cancer patients are labelled vulnerable. Pirozzolo is very clear that she doesnt want to die, but shes realistic about what the end could be like. Im not scared of death itself, she says. Its the bit before it. What youre going to be made to go through. Its not that you want to die you dont want to leave your loved ones. [...] But I dont want to be in excruciating pain and forced to stay in it. Some argue end of life care is so advanced now that it should be possible to have a good death. If youre saying people can be rendered unconscious then I agree, says Pirozzolo, but to me, unconscious is not acceptable. A strong argument against assisted dying is the risk that people (especially the elderly) could be put under pressure to die. Pirozzolo points out that many cancer patients feel under pressure to take the next medicine no matter what it puts our body through. Do they ever stop to think when theyre putting us under pressure to keep living? She had a polite debate recently with a religious man on the island who was arguing on the opposite side of the debate. By the time he had heard Pirozzolos story, he seemed to have relented a little: [He said]: I have to admit I have never experienced that kind of pain. [...] If you were in that much pain, come the end of your life because of cancer, I can understand that. And Im thinking, well, thats what were fighting for. With others in the community, she simply avoids the topic, as with one man who she knows opposes the legislation. Ive bumped into him a couple of times and we just dont discuss this. For many on Jersey, the proposals are deeply worrying. Andreas Melchior, a practising GP on the island, fears where the proposals could lead. I understand that people want the choice, he says. But this is crossing a line that we have to be very careful of because you cant go back over that line. [Assisted dying] has had a lot of unintended consequences in all the jurisdictions where its been done. Legalising assisted dying has 'unintended consequences', says GP Andreas Melchior - Heathcliff O'Malley In countries like Canada and Holland, he says, where assisted dying is legal, the law has gradually expanded. Within a very short space of time, the legal challenges came, the safeguards were removed, and theyre now euthanising a lot of people that were never planned to be included in this proposal. We worry itll happen the same on Jersey. We meet at the house of a GP friend of Melchiors, John Stewart-Jones. Now retired, Stewart-Jones feels assisted dying goes against the Hippocratic Oath he made when he first qualified. When youve given your life to care for people and do the best for them, to actually go and kill them is completely contrary to most doctors conscience. Both worry about the impact the legislation could have on the islands health system. In Jersey we dont have enough GPs, we dont have enough palliative care people, we dont have enough mental health doctors, says Melchior. If we draw off some of those people in order to make assessments for people being processed for dying, that would deprive the healthcare system of professionals. They arent convinced enough doctors would want to participate. A lot of health professionals on this island, when you ask them privately, they say I dont want anything to do with it. One GP who would be prepared is Nigel Minihane. For him, the slippery slope argument doesnt hold up. You can make your legislation quite definitive, he says. And weve done that with abortion. Abortion legislation hasnt changed for 60 years. GP Nigel Minihane is concerned that resources would be devoted to lawyers at the expense of the health system - Heathcliff O'Malley Limiting the legislation is crucial, he says. For Minihane, a patient should be actively dying, or the safeguarding issues are far, far too great. He is more in favour of route one than route two, for which he fears there would have to be many more tribunals and legal processes. Jerseys healthcare system is no more robust than our own NHS. Our health system is failing like your health system, he says. It doesnt have the money to do what it needs to do anyway, and I would hate to see resources being devoted to lawyers at the expense of the health system. With route one, however, the risk is lower, the numbers more predictable. We know there are a certain number of people actively dying every year who will fall in the category and only very few of those will come into the category where theyd want to take their own lives. Doctors and campaigners are divided on a crucial point: the effectiveness of end of life care. Melchior and Stewart-Jones are among those who say it is possible to have a good death, that the right drugs can make someone comfortable. Minihane says otherwise. Palliative care is not a panacea. People assume it is that if palliative care were better everything would be perfect. [...] I have seen bad deaths and bad deaths continue to occur. Jersey GP John Stewart-Jones feels that assisted dying 'goes against the Hippocratic Oath' - Heathcliff O'Malley They might be rare, he says, but sometimes pain cant be managed because its so severe. Some people would argue you can knock people out. [...] But how long do you sedate them for? Ethically, whats the difference between sedating people to the point of unconsciousness until they die as opposed to them making a decision where they die? If it were to happen, opinions are split on whether there should be a Dignitas-style clinic, or a service folded into healthcare like palliative treatment, with people dying in hospices, hospitals and at home. Stewart-Jones is opposed to either, but feels the first option would be the lesser evil of the two. For Minihane, the where shouldnt be so prescriptive. Its back to choice. People die in hospice, in hospitals, at home. Why would this be different? Politicians on the island are split on the matter. Jennifer Bridge MBE, a former States Member, says Jersey is well set up to enact this legislation. The fact that weve got a functioning health service and an absolutely superb hospice means that theres a framework where this can sit, she says. Jennifer Bridge MBE, a former politician, is an advocate for assisted dying being made legal in Jersey - Heathcliff O'Malley Others have spoken out about the possible risk to vulnerable people. Safeguards can be built up and to the best of our ability, but none of them can be truly effective, said Minister for Health and Social Services, Richard Renouf, during a debate on the issue in 2021. None of them would truly protect patients who are going to become vulnerable if assisted dying were to be introduced. Some have actively put aside personal beliefs. I would never want anyone to restrict my choices on something that impacts me and my body, Deputy Carina Alves said in 2021, when the principle of assisted dying was first approved. Regardless of my faith, I have no right to do that. Faith is a factor for many in the anti-assisted dying campaign on Jersey. Stewart-Jones and Melchior met when they attended the same church on the island, though both say faith is only part of the story for them. Its my professional view and my ethical view, says Melchior. Sarah Whooton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said Fridays proposals should prompt MPs in Westminster to take note. Assisted dying is firmly on the electorates agenda as we approach what is set to be a watershed General Election. The charitys latest polling, carried out by Opinium, showed 75 per cent of Brits support assisted dying. For Pirozzolo, a change in the law on Jersey cant come soon enough. She wouldnt consider going to Dignitas the 15,000 price tag would be a stretch. She is getting her affairs in order shes nearly paid off her funeral, and is in the process of choosing the music. Sunshine on Leith, she thinks. If she could choose how her last day would go, what would it look like? She suspects itll be in the islands beautiful hospice. But given the choice, shed go down to the beach with her husband and her twin sister. You take something and then you just go down to the lighthouse listening to the waves. Whether that will be allowed legally, I dont know. But that would be my ideal. 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. Airline and tour operator Jet2 has launched flights from Liverpool to 20 different tourist destinations. Airline and tour operator Jet2 is launching flights from Liverpool to 20 different holiday destinations. The first flight was due to jet off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Tenerife at 08:00 GMT. A fleet of four aircraft will fly customers to destinations including Alicante, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Greece and Cyprus. Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy said the response to the new services had been "nothing short of phenomenal". Mr Heapy said: "Bookings have remained consistently strong since launch, and the feedback we have received has left us in no doubt that making this move was the right one." He added that the company had experienced "huge demand from customers and independent travel agents" since launching the new services. The company said the new programme would equate to about 565,000 seats over the summer. Summer expansion More than 200 jobs had been created by Jet2's arrival in Liverpool, the travel firm said. The new service will involve up to 54 weekly flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, including 12 weekly trips to the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. The company will also be flying to Turkey, Bulgaria, Portugal and Madeira. Jet2 said it was planning to further expand the services offered from Liverpool in summer 2025, with additional aircraft coming into operation. Why not follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk Daniel Burke had served with the British Army then volunteered to fight in Syria before going to Ukraine An Australian-Algerian jihadist has been named by police as the main suspect in the murder of a British former paratrooper found shot dead in Ukraine. Daniel Burke, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, travelled to Ukraine in 2022 to help fight against the Russian invaders. But the 36-year-old was found dead almost 30 miles away from the front line in the Zaporizhzhia area in August last year. He had been shot from behind in the head and neck and his body was left in a drain near a shooting range. The Ukrainian authorities have now named his suspected killer as Abdelfetah Adam Nourine, who holds dual Australian and Algerian nationality. Inquest told of mans confession Mr Nourine, who is also known as Jihadi Adam, is believed to have now left the area and his whereabouts is unknown. An inquest into Mr Burkes death was opened this week. Zak Golombek, area coroner for Manchester, was told a man had confessed to being involved in the shooting but had claimed it was an accident. While in Ukraine, Mr Burke headed a group of foreign military volunteers known as the Dark Angels. Greater Manchester Police, which is assisting his family, said efforts were continuing in Ukraine to find the suspect. Det Supt Lewis Hughes, from the forces serious crime division, said: Our deepest condolences continue to be with Daniel Burkes family, who have endured the most awful six months. We know his death is only made more traumatic by the absence of justice, and those closest to Daniel remain at the heart of our involvement in this case. Terrorism charges were dropped He went on: Alongside Daniels family we have been informed by authorities in Ukraine that they have a named suspect in their investigation into Daniels death, Abdelfetah Adam Nourine who has subsequently fled the area and remains outstanding in efforts to find him. Mr Burke had previously travelled to Syria where he had fought alongside the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units or YPG against Islamic State. After returning to Britain, he was charged with three terror offences despite the fact the YPG was an ally of the West and has never been proscribed by the Home Office as a terrorist organisation. Mr Burke spent seven months on remand, much of it in solitary confinement, before the charges were dropped. 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 Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), who became the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate of a major party when Al Gore selected him as his running mate in the 2000 election, has died at age 82. His family said he died Wednesday in New York City surrounded by family, including his wife Hadassah, after suffering complications from a fall. His funeral will be held at the Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Conn., his hometown. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who took over Liebermans seat after he retired from the Senate, expressed shock over his sudden death. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family, he said. Lieberman was one of the most conservative members of the Senate Democratic caucus and burst into the national spotlight in 1998 by scolding then-President Clinton on the Senate floor over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, calling his conduct disgraceful and disappointing. His independent streak factored into Gores decision to select him as a running mate, which enabled the then-vice president to put some distance between himself and the scandals of the Clinton administration. The Connecticut senator was known as a champion of the defense industry, which has a heavy presence in his home state, and extolled muscular national security policy. His strong support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq later derailed his own bid for the Democratic presidential nomination and eventually led to a major falling out with liberals in his party. He lost the 2006 Senate Democratic primary to Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont but won reelection to a fourth term by running as an Independent Democrat. He campaigned for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) against Barack Obama in the 2008 election. McCain even strongly considered picking Lieberman as his running mate before choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead. After the 2008 election, when Senate Democrats controlled 59 seats and then 60 seats during Obamas first two years in the White House, Lieberman proved to be a tough vote to corral for Obamas agenda. He worked with Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and late-Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in 2009 to slim down Obamas requested economic stimulus package to $789 billion. And he was a key player in the negotiations over Obamas Affordable Care Act, forcing Democrats to drop a proposal to set up a public option to allow the government to compete directly with insurance companies. Despite his differences with fellow Democrats, Lieberman was highly respected within the Senate for his high integrity and pragmatism. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the highest-ranking Jewish congressional leader in American history, said he was devastated to hear of Liebermans passing. My heart is with his beloved wife Hadassah and his family, and I am praying for all who knew and loved him, Schumer said. Collins, a fellow centrist, praised him as a dear friend, a wonderful senator and a true patriot. He not only was one of the best legislators I have ever known, but also one of the best human beings. We worked so closely together on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, passing numerous bipartisan bills. I am heartbroken to learn of his passing. Lieberman rejected the tribalism of modern American politics and sought to promote his brand of pragmatic centrism by co-founding No Labels, a group that is seeking to recruit a prominent candidate to wage a third-party bid for president this year. He came under heavy criticism from fellow Democrats for trying to form a unity ticket as an alternative to President Biden and former-President Trump but didnt back down from his quest. In December, he deflected the attacks by questioning whether Biden, who turned 81 in November, could beat Trump, given voters concerns about his age. Right now, looking at the polling, its not No Labels thats going to re-elect Donald Trump, he told The Wall Street Journal. Right now, it looks like its Joe Biden whos going to re-elect Donald Trump. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who was unsuccessfully recruited by No Labels to run for president this year, said in a statement that he always had the deepest admiration and respect for his former colleague. Sen. Lieberman always put our country first by working across the aisle to enact sensible, bipartisan solutions, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, he said, noting Liebermans role in negotiating the legislation that combined multiple federal agencies under a new department after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In an August 2002 letter to colleagues, Lieberman argued that the nation needed to consolidate dozens of disparate federal agencies and offices responsible for homeland defense into a single department with a unified chain of command. Amie Parnes contributed. Updated at 7:09 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former US senator Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish nominee for vice presidency for a major party, has died at the age of 82, according to a statement issued by his family. Lieberman was in New York City on Wednesday where he was undergoing treatment for complications related to a fall at his Bronx home. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday, the hospital and his family confirmed. His funeral will be held on Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. He is survived by his wife and four children. Senator Liebermans love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest, Liebermans family said in a statement, confirming his death. Lieberman served as many as 10 years in the Connecticut State Senate and was a majority leader for three terms. He almost won the closely contested 2000 election where he was chosen as the Democratic running mate by the then-presidential nominee, Al Gore. However, a recount and a Supreme Court decision later moved the needle in the favour of George Bush. Mr Gore said he was profoundly saddened to learn of Liebermans passing. It was an honour to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail, Mr Gore said in a statement. Ill remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America. Lieberman viewed himself as a centrist Democrat and supported abortion rights, environmental protections, gay rights, and gun control. However, the Democrat-turned-independent was never shy about veering away from the party line. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one, said Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. Lieberman sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but dropped out after a weak showing in the early primaries. Four years later, he was an independent who was nearly chosen to be Republican John McCains running mate, in a surprising twist. However, Mr McCain later chose Sarah Palin after outrage from conservatives over Liebermans liberal record, according to Steve Schmidt, who managed his campaign. Lieberman was known in the Senate for his sharp foreign policy views, his pro-defence bent and his strong support for environmental causes. Five weeks after the 11 September 2001 attacks, he became one of the first politicians to call for a military invasion of Iraq. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, where his father ran a liquor store. He graduated from Yale University and became Connecticuts attorney general from 1983 to 1988, later vaulting into the Senate by defeating moderate Republican incumbent Lowell Weicker in 1988. After leaving the Senate in 2013, he joined a New York City law firm. In broad sectors of the Venezuelan opposition, there is enormous discontent at the unilateral decision made by Manuel Rosales the governor of the state of Zulia and leader of the political party Un Nuevo Tiempo (A New Era) who surprised everyone on Monday night by breaking ranks and registering as a candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for July 28. The opposition consensus forged by Maria Corina Machado around the academic Corina Yoris, her replacement, had collapsed. As the registration deadline given by the National Electoral Council approached, a second opposition candidate, the social democratic leader Enrique Marquez, also managed to sign up for an election that has been fraught with obstacles in what many observers see as moves by President Nicolas Maduro to make sure he wins re-election despite rock bottom approval ratings. This episode, which has been repeated many times in the past within the different factions of the opposition, has dropped like a cluster bomb. Machado, in one of her public speeches in recent days, was clear about this: There are many people who feel that they have been made fun of. What just happened cannot be minimized. Betrayals and disappointments become learning experiences to keep forging ahead. Election authorities had denied access to the registration website to Corina Yoris, the candidate that the opposition coalition, known as the Unitary Platform, had chosen to replace Machado, herself disqualified from running in a highly controversial move by Venezuelan authorities. Machado had emerged as the clear winner of the opposition primaries in October of last year. Instead, authorities allowed Rosales, a moderate leader who has called for the end of international sanctions against Venezuela, to access the digital key allowing him to register online as a candidate to run against Maduro, who has now been in power for 11 years and is likely to remain there for another six. Rosales and his followers defend that this was the only way to allow the democratic forces to continue on the electoral path. Supporters of Un Nuevo Tiempo consider that in recent days all other possible options had been exhausted. Rosales himself has stated that he would be willing to give up his candidacy. Look for a candidate who will overcome the obstacles that the government puts in place and I will give you the candidacy, he said at a party rally in Maracaibo. The governor has the backing of a few minority sectors of the opposition with ties to academia and Chavismo dissidence, who strongly resist Machados leadership. These factions insist on the idea of participating in the regimes electoral events at any cost and avoiding protests and street violence. Rosales has also received support from Fuerza Vecinal, an organization that controls the municipalities of eastern Caracas, dominated by the opposition but criticized by some sectors for its alleged links with Chavismo. Both Rosales Un Nuevo Tiempo and Fuerza Vecinal are members of the Unitary Platform, and therefore, they are supposed to be committed to democratic change and the restoration of the spirit of the National Constitution. Omar Barboza, executive secretary of the Platform, also belongs to Un Nuevo Tiempo. But in a country accustomed to disappointments, what just happened is being viewed as a deal between Rosales and Maduro to whitewash the already highly questioned presidential election. Unlike Corina Yoris, a scholar with no political activity, it is very unlikely that Rosales a politician with his own objectives and very keen not to lose his relations with the government will agree to the terms of Maria Corina Machado, around whose leadership the desire for change now revolves. In the end, after the registration deadline had expired, the National Electoral Council offered an extension that allowed the Unitary Platform to quickly register a candidate, the diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who has been described as a temporary solution. Now that the Unitary Platform officially has a slot in the election, it could still switch candidates until 10 days before the vote, so in the coming weeks the opposition will debate how to proceed. Although unable to conceal her fury at what happened, Machado asked her followers for a lot of serenity and firmness. Her attitude will mark the next decisions and, thanks to her enormous popular influence, will define the role of the opposition in an election where President Maduro and his circle refuse to play fair. Joseph Lieberman, a former senator from Connecticut who became the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major partys ticket, died Wednesday at 82. According to a statement from his family, Lieberman died on Wednesday afternoon following complications from a fall. "Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall," his family said in a statement. "He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed." "Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the family said. JOE LIEBERMAN'S EXCLUSIVE TAKE ON RISING ANTI-JEWISH HATE Joseph Lieberman died from a fall on Wednesday. He was 82. Lieberman's funeral will be held on Friday, at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Lieberman was a longtime member of the U.S. Senate from 1989 to 2013. Elected originally as a Democrat, he won re-election in 2006 as an independent after losing the Democratic Party primary. In 2000, he was the Democratic vice presidential nominee the first Jewish candidate on a major party presidential ticket. Lieberman bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, but dropped out after a weak showing in early primaries. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., speaks at a panel hosted by the National Council of Resistance of Iran U.S. Representative Office at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 17, 2022. In his retirement announcement from the Senate in 2013, Lieberman reflected on his service to the American people. "I have decided it is time to turn the page to a new chapter," he said. "This was not an easy decision for me to make because I have loved serving in the Senate and I feel good about what I have accomplished. But I know it is the right decision and, I must say, I am excited about beginning a new chapter of life with new opportunities." "At the end of this term, I will have served 24 years in the U.S. Senate and 40 years in elective office," he said. "So for me, it's time for another season and another purpose under Heaven." SHOCKING ANTISEMITISM ISN'T JUST ANOTHER HEADLINE. IT'S A PERSON FOR THIS FIRST JEWISH-AMERICAN VP NOMINEE In recent years, Lieberman served as the founding chairperson of No Labels, a group that is against partisan politics and aims for centrist candidates. "Senator Lieberman was a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others," the group said in a statement. "But Senator Liebermans legislative record as impressive as it is cant begin to tell the story of his impact on Americas public life. He was a man of uncommon integrity who did the right things for the right reasons. As American politics became progressively coarser and angrier, Senator Lieberman was unfailingly civil and decent to political allies and opponents alike," the group said. Joe Lieberman gives his concession speech after losing the Connecticut Democratic Senate bid to Ned Lamont in New Haven, Connecticut, on Aug. 8, 2006. In a statement, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., shared his condolences to Liberman's family and called him a "one of one" for his political "singularity." "Connecticut is shocked by Senator Liebermans sudden passing," SMurphy said in a statement on X. "In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored," Murphy said. "My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family." Former President George W. Bush called Lieberman "one of the most decent people" he met in Washington. "Laura and I are saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington," the former president said in a statement. "As a Democrat, Joe wasn't afraid to engage with Senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party. He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues," he said. "And in both loss and victory, Joe Lieberman was always a gentleman. I'm grateful for Joe's principled service to our country and for the dignity and patriotism he brought to public life.' "As Laura and I pray for Hadassah and the Lieberman family, we also pray that Joe's example of decency guides our Nation's leaders now and into the future," he said. In a statement, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that news of Liberman's passing is "devastating." "This is devastatingly sad. I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of Americas interests as we saw it," Graham said. "To Hadassah, I know your heart is broken, but please understand your legion of friends love you dearly. To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey." Original article source: Joe Lieberman, former Connecticut senator, 2000 vice presidential nominee, dead at 82 A California judge on Wednesday recommended the disbarment of John Eastman, calling to revoke the law license of one of former President Donald Trumps top allies in his failed last-ditch gambit to subvert the 2020 election. Judge Yvette Roland, who presided over months of testimony and argument about the basis of Eastmans fringe legal theories, ruled that the veteran conservative attorney violated ethics rules and even potentially criminal law when he advanced Trumps efforts to overturn the election results based on weak or discredited claims of fraud. Eastman plans to appeal Rolands decision to a panel of judges, an interim step before the matter reaches the state Supreme Court. But while his appeal is pending, the ruling forces his law license into inactive status, meaning he can no longer practice law in California. Given the serious and extensive nature of Eastmans unethical actions, the most severe available professional sanction is warranted to protect the public and preserve the public confidence in the legal system, Roland ruled. Rolands 128-page opinion was a lacerating rebuke of Eastmans conduct and his subsequent lack of remorse. She concluded that he made knowingly flimsy claims of fraud and irregularities in legal filings on Trumps behalf, including his brief for Trump in a Supreme Court fight. The judge walked through Eastmans extensive involvement in Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, from his early lawsuits that failed to gain traction to his bid to solicit GOP state legislatures to send alternate electors to Congress, a last-gasp bid to keep Trump in power. At every turn, Roland said, Eastman ignored evidence that was unfavorable to his case and accepted at face value claims of fraud or misconduct aimed at sowing doubt about the election results. He turned a blind eye to any information that would not support his position of election fraud, Roland wrote. In all, Roland found Eastman culpable for 10 of 11 charges that state bar investigators brought against him, including misleading courts, lack of candor and, most notably, plotting with Trump to derail the transfer of power. Eastman conspired with President Trump to obstruct a lawful function of the government of the United States; specifically, by conspiring to disrupt the electoral count on January 6, 2021, Roland ruled. Eastmans attorney, Randall Miller, said Eastman still believes his work on Trumps behalf in 2020 was based on reliable legal precedent, prior presidential elections, research of constitutional text, and extensive scholarly material. He also noted that Eastman is facing criminal charges in Georgia and has now lost the ability to finance his defense with his work as an attorney. Any reasonable person can see the inherent unfairness of prohibiting a presumed-innocent defendant from being able to earn the funds needed to pay for the enormous expenses required to defend himself, in the profession in which he has long been licensed, Miller said. That is not justice and serves no legitimate purpose to protect the public. Roland found, in contrast, that the state bar investigators had failed to convincingly show that Eastmans remarks to a Jan. 6 rally which preceded the violent assault on the Capitol played a role in ginning up the subsequent attack. Roland said her disbarment recommendation was in part based on Eastmans refusal to express regret and his attacks on the proceedings against him as politically motivated. Eastman has exhibited an unwillingness to acknowledge any ethical lapses regarding his actions, demonstrating an apparent inability to accept responsibility, she wrote. This lack of remorse and accountability presents a significant risk that Eastman may engage in further unethical conduct, compounding the threat to the public. Eastman testified for hours during his disbarment trial, claiming that he relied on a cadre of statisticians and data analysts to conclude that the 2020 election was rife with misconduct and that state legislatures in a handful of swing states should step in to replace Joe Bidens electors with Trumps. But Roland said those analysts claims were easily refuted by expert testimony, and Eastman should have known better than to rely on them. In addition, Roland concluded that Eastman stretched and contorted even his own outlier theories to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to single-handedly block Joe Bidens victory, even when no state legislatures had signed onto the effort. Eastmans pending disbarment compounds the legal trouble hes facing in other states. Hes been charged alongside Trump and other allies in Fulton County, Georgia, as a member of an alleged racketeering conspiracy aimed at corrupting the results of the 2020 election in the state. He was also identified, but not named, in Trumps federal indictment in Washington, D.C., as one of six unindicted co-conspirators assisting Trumps bid to seize a second term. Eastmans trial, which spanned portions of six months last year, was the most exacting test of the legal theories he employed that nearly upended the transfer of presidential power for the first time in American history. Witnesses for the state bar discipline authorities included top election officials in several states challenged by Trump, constitutional law expert Matthew Seligman and even Eastman himself. Eastman first came into Trumps orbit in September 2020, when Trump tasked another lawyer, Cleta Mitchell, to put together a team of election lawyers to prepare for post-election challenges. In early November 2020, Mitchell encouraged Eastman to craft a legal argument in favor of state legislatures overturning election results. By early December, Eastman had been engaged by the Trump campaign to represent Trump in ongoing legal challenges to the election results in Georgia and at the Supreme Court. As Trumps legal challenges faltered, Eastman turned his focus to the Jan. 6, 2021, session of Congress, when the House and Senate were required to meet in a session overseen by Pence. Eastman drafted memos describing scenarios in which Pence asserted the unilateral authority to refuse to count some of Bidens presidential electors, forcing a delay in the election and giving more time for state legislatures to consider reversing Trumps defeat. Pence, however, refused to adopt Eastmans theory, saying it would be illegal and unconstitutional, and ultimately upheld the certified election results in all 50 states, ensuring Bidens victory. Eastman famously argued with Pences legal counsel, Greg Jacob, by email, encouraging Pence to reconsider his position, even as rioters attacked the Capitol and forced Pence and Congress into hiding. The NYPD's Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) sent a damning letter calling out far-left Democratic leaders in New York City for their anti-police and soft-on-crime policies and telling them to stay away from the funeral of slain Officer Jonathan Diller. The 31-year-old father died Monday after a violent ex-con with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach when police approached the car where the suspect was sitting in the passenger seat. "Im sure that many elected officials will attend PO Dillers funeral, shed a few crocodile tears, and prominently seat themselves for a good photo opportunity," SBA President Vincent Vallelong wrote in a letter to union members. "The sad reality is we dont want them there." SUSPECTS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER IDENTIFIED, HAVE LENGTHY RECORDS NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller is survived by his wife and their nearly 1-year-old son. Law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital that a number of NYPD officers who were planning to attend Diller's memorial services have been called into work for President Biden's security detail for a fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Former President Trump, on the other hand, did attend Diller's wake Thursday afternoon, calling for an end to soft-on-crime policies afterward. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The Diller family will never be the same you can never be the same," Trump said outside the funeral home. "And we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order." Vallelong said he found it infuriating to see city politicians who have supported movements to "defund" police and let criminals out of jail posting politically motivated condolences on social media. "Their presence is more than a distraction," Vallelong continued. "It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the scores of dedicated and committed public servants who will carry on his mission despite their constant criticism, cynicism, negativity, and frivolous accusations." In an interview with the New York Post, the union leader took it a step further and called out City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams by name. "They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do," he told the paper. "They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving." VIDEO: A guard of honor for NYPD officer Jonathan Diller NYPD OFFICER SHOT, KILLED DURING CAR STOP IN QUEENS BY SUSPECT WITH MULTIPLE PRIOR ARRESTS: POLICE When Williams wrote on X about Diller's death earlier this week, many of the replies contained harsh criticism. "I like how this post doesn't address the need to get criminals off our streets," one user replied. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams speaks during a rally before a City Council oversight hearing at City Hall in New York City on March 1. Williams, a former City Council member who was elected the city's public advocate in 2019, has previously described himself as a democratic socialist and in 2020 argued that $1 billion in NYPD budget cuts wouldn't go far enough to "defund" the police. Adams in January helped override a veto from Mayor Eric Adams, no relation, for a bill that requires police officers to perform increased paperwork after encounters with the public. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams speaks during a demonstration in front of City Hall on Jan. 30. "Despite their admonitions to the contrary, the 'leadership' in the Council has failed city residents, workers, and visitors at every turn," Vallelong wrote. "They are blinded by their own hatred and twisted ideology." DAVE PORTNOY RAISES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR FAMILY OF FALLEN NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER A police officer holds a lit candle as people attend a candlelight vigil for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed while making a routine traffic stop on Monday in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, at Brady Park in Massapequa, New York, on Wednesday. Without naming names, Vallelong's letter also accused "many prosecutors" of being also to blame for "this utter destruction of civilized society in New York." "They would rather see the city burn and countless lives lost rather than correct their legislative mistakes and at least give the city a chance at survival or a resurgence," he wrote. Guy Rivera, a 34-year-old man with 21 prior arrests, nine of them for felonies, allegedly shot and killed Diller during a stop in Far Rockaway on Monday evening. Other officers returned fire and Rivera was still in police custody at the hospital Thursday morning, according to Queens prosecutors. NEW YORKERS SHOUT AT SUSPECT IN FATAL SHOOTING OF NYPD OFFICER, WHO NOW FACES CHARGES A friend in the same vehicle, Lindy Jones, 41, was convicted of attempted murder in 2002, served time in prison and was somehow out on the streets despite a pending felony firearms case from last year, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office. Lindy Jones is pictured in police custody leaving the 101st Precinct in Manhattan, New York, on Wednesday. He racked up more weapons charges when police allegedly found a handgun with the serial number filed off in his glove box. "The Council members who are vehemently and inexplicably against public safety are responsible for the carnage in the streets and the heartbreak brought about by PO Dillers completely avoidable death," Vallelong wrote. "Those in the Council who have declared war on the police should be the ones put under a microscope and investigated by an outside agency for every legislative mistake and misstep they make." It comes weeks after the state's Democrat Attorney General Letitia James faced jeers and boos when she appeared at a promotion ceremony for members of the FDNY. FDNY REVERSES COURSE ON HUNT FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO BOOED LETITIA JAMES, CHEERED DONALD TRUMP The interruption came shortly after James successfully sued former President Trump in an effort to crack down on his New York businesses. Firefighters chanted, "Trump! Trump! Trump!" Diller will be laid to rest Saturday in Massapequa. His wake services begin Thursday afternoon. Original article source: Jonathan Diller shooting: NYPD sergeants' union tells anti-police Democrats to stay away from funeral Former President Donald Trump attended the wake of a New York City police officer who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday. Officer Jonathan Diller died after the occupant of an illegally parked car opened fire on him. "We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order," Mr Trump said outside the Long Island funeral home, after meeting the Diller family. He has sought to make crime a key issue in his presidential campaign. Mr Diller's killing, which occurs as a debate over public safety and crime has developed in some major US cities, is the first of a New York City police officer since 2022. Authorities have charged 34-year-old Guy Rivera with first-degree murder of a police officer. Mr Rivera is accused of shooting Mr Diller from a car that was illegally stopped at a bus stop. The policeman had tried to order the occupants to get out of the vehicle when he was shot under his bulletproof vest, the New York Police Department said. Mr Diller later died at hospital, and his death has further ignited the view - particularly among Republican voters - that crime is a growing problem in New York City. New York Police Department data shows crime has decreased by about 1% over the past two years. Mr Trump and other Republican figures have regularly accused Democrats of being weak on crime. The former president emphasised this view when he exited Mr Diller's wake flanked by about a dozen police officers. Donald Trump speaks after attending the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. [Getty Images] "We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often," Mr Trump told reporters. President Joe Biden, a Democrat who Mr Trump is challenging for the White House, was in New York at the same time as his predecessor. He is attending a large fundraiser on Thursday evening at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. The event was set to feature former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and numerous celebrity guests. The fundraiser is expected to bring in $25m (19.8m) for Mr Biden's re-election effort, his campaign said. Mr Trump, who faces 91 felony charges across four criminal cases, and his staff sought to draw a contrast between the two visits. Mr Trump will be "honouring the legacy of Officer Diller" while Mr Biden "will be at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung wrote on X, formerly Twitter. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday that Mr Biden had spoken with Mayor Adams and offered the administration's condolences to Mr Diller's family. "Violent crime surged under the previous administration," Ms Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One, the Associated Press reported. "The Biden-Harris administration have done the polar opposite, taking decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime." The White House spokesperson previously said at a briefing that Mr Diller's death is a "painful reminder of the toll of gun violence", which she said is an issue that the administration has worked to address. A Nashville judge on Wednesday denied former state Rep. Scotty Campbell's petition to view records relating to a sexual harassment complaint filed against him that led to his resignation in April 2023. Davidson County Circuit Judge Joe Binkley, Jr. ruled that the records are not subject to disclosure under the Tennessee Public Records Act and that separation of powers prohibits the court from reviewing the Tennessee House of Representatives' internal rules unless a constitutional violation has been alleged. "We're disappointed in the court's ruling," Campbell's attorney Tony Duncan said Thursday morning. "We respectfully don't agree with it, and we are weighing our options at this time." Former Republican state representative, Scotty Campbell speaks to member of the press at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Campbell, R-Mountain City, sued the General Assembly's Office of Legislative Administration Director Connie Ridley in February, alleging that the office, which serves as the legislature's human resources department, withheld the records to cover up a complaint against House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby. Faison denied the allegations and the existence of any complaint against him after Campbell filed the lawsuit. In a statement in February, Ridley wrote that confidentiality in the General Assembly's workplace policy "promote(s) reporting, deters retaliation and inhibits revictimization." Ridley declined to comment on Wednesday. A House ethics subcommittee in March 2023 found Campbell violated the chamber's harassment policy by sexually harassing an intern. The panel recommended no specific consequences, and its report was quietly placed in Campbell's personnel file. House leadership took no known actions against Campbell after he was found to have sexually harassed an intern. In his lawsuit, Campbell denied harassing the intern, alleging he has text messages to prove any conversations he had with the intern were "consensual, after work and not at work." Campbell alleged Ridley "refused to look" at the text messages when investigating the complaint. Campbell resigned from office during a recess of a House floor session after a NewsChannel5 report revealed the complaint and details of the legislature paying to move the intern. The lawsuit is the second over access to legislative records dismissed by judges in the last year. Brian Manookian, who represented himself in the case, sued in May 2023 seeking similar records relating to the complaint against Campbell and ensuing investigation. Chancellor Russell Perkins denied Manookian's petition in January. In his ruling, Perkins also revealed details of previously unknown complaint against Faison, the complaint Campbell alleged in his lawsuit a month later was covered up by Republican leadership in the House. House leadership has said there was never a formal complaint against Faison. Manookian appealed the decision, where it is pending in the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Manookian, a lawyer by training, was later permanently disbarred by the state Supreme Court as a result of an unrelated case. Binkley in his ruling also found an alternative reason to deny Campbell's petition that the state didn't argue as a defense. When ruling from the bench at a March 5 hearing, Binkley found that Manookian was "in privy with" Campbell a legal term Binkley characterized to mean "Manookian was acting in behalf of Scotty Campbell," a transcript from the hearing reads. From there, Binkley applied a legal doctrine that holds that a lawsuit should be a dismissed if another lawsuit by the same party over the same subject matter is still pending. Duncan, Campbell's lawyer, objected to its application, the transcript shows, saying to Binkley, "[Manookian] was not privy and was not acting for Mr. Campbell. That that's just factually inaccurate respectfully." Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee state House: Judge denies former rep's records lawsuit The judge overseeing former President Trumps Georgia election interference case is forging ahead with a series of pretrial motions after weeks of delay caused by scandal in the Fulton County prosecuting office. Judge Scott McAfee will hear arguments Thursday from Trumps counsel, who is expected to assert the charges in the Georgia election case must be dismissed under the First Amendment because the allegations target Trumps core political speech. The judge is also expected hear arguments on two pretrial motions from co-defendant David Shafer, which assert the former Georgia Republican Party chair acted legally when declaring himself a duly elected state elector and signing documents purporting Trump won the states 2020 presidential election. The arguments are expected to begin at 10 a.m. EDT. Watch the live video above. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A California judge has recommended that one of the architects behind former President Donald Trumps election takeover scheme, attorney John Eastman, be disbarred. In a scathing 128-page opinion, Judge Yvette Roland argued that Mr Eastmans law licence be revoked after months of testimony and arguments about his legal theories. She found that he violated ethics rules and possibly the law. Mr Eastman is set to appeal the decision to a panel of judges, the following step being taking the matter to the State Supreme Court. During his appeal, he cannot practise law in California. Eastman failed to uphold his primary duty of honesty and breached his ethical obligations by presenting falsehoods to bolster his legal arguments, she wrote of his efforts to claim that Mr Trump had the election stolen from him because of fraud. In sum, Eastman exhibited gross negligence by making false statements about the 2020 election without conducting any meaningful investigation or verification of the information he was relying upon, she added. Given the serious and extensive nature of Eastmans unethical actions, the most severe available professional sanction is warranted to protect the public and preserve the public confidence in the legal system, Judge Roland wrote in her opinion. John Eastman sits in Fulton Superior Court in Atlanta during a hearing in January 2023 (Getty Images) She noted that Mr Eastman attempted to argue that he believed the lie that the election had been stolen via fraud, but she rejected that argument. Eastman cannot avoid culpability through his willful blindnesswillful blindness that is tantamount to Eastmans actual knowledge that the allegations regarding hidden ballots were false, she said. The judge slammed Mr Eastmans conduct and his unwillingness to show remorse. She found that he was aware that his claims of fraud were weak, even as he filed legal arguments for Mr Trump, including a Supreme Court brief. Judge Roland outlined Mr Eastmans part in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, going all the way from his initial lawsuits to his attempt to get Republican state legislatures to send alternate electors to Congress. She wrote that throughout this process, Mr Eastman ignored evidence that didnt fit with his narrative and accepted fraud claims without doing any due diligence. State bar investigators brought 11 charges against Mr Eastman Judge Roland found him guilty of 10. The counts included misleading courts, a lack of candour, and working with Mr Trump to try to stop the transfer of power to the administration of President Joe Biden. Eastman conspired with President Trump to obstruct a lawful function of the government of the United States; specifically, by conspiring to disrupt the electoral count on January 6, 2021, Judge Roland wrote. An attorney for Mr Eastman, Randall Miller, said his client still thinks his 2020 actions were based on reliable legal precedent, prior presidential elections, research of constitutional text, and extensive scholarly material, according to Politico. He added that Mr Eastman has been criminally charged in Georgia and now is unable to pay for his defence by working as a lawyer. Any reasonable person can see the inherent unfairness of prohibiting a presumed-innocent defendant from being able to earn the funds needed to pay for the enormous expenses required to defend himself, in the profession in which he has long been licensed, Mr Miller said, according to the outlet. That is not justice and serves no legitimate purpose to protect the public, he added. Judge Roland wrote in her lengthy opinion that Eastman has exhibited an unwillingness to acknowledge any ethical lapses regarding his actions, demonstrating an apparent inability to accept responsibility. This lack of remorse and accountability presents a significant risk that Eastman may engage in further unethical conduct, compounding the threat to the public, she argued. In Georgia, Mr Eastman has been charged alongside Mr Trump and others in the racketeering case in which they face allegations that they worked to overturn the results in the state. While he was identified in the Washington DC indictment against Mr Trump on the federal level, he wasnt named he was one of six unnamed and unindicted co-conspirators working with Mr Trump to try to get him a second term despite losing the 2020 election. A Maricopa County judge said former gubernatorial and current U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake lost "all rights to litigate the merit" of an ongoing defamation case when she forfeited her ability to defend herself in court on Tuesday. But Lake will still get the chance to argue for no damages in the lawsuit. In a Thursday morning minute entry, Judge Jay Adleman gave attorneys in the case until late April to determine a schedule for "damages-related discovery" and a settlement meeting. The order comes after Lake conceded to a default judgment. She was faced with discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence that could be presented before a jury at trial. The initial lawsuit, filed in June by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, accuses Lake and her affiliates of spreading false information about Richer after the November 2022 election. He alleges Lake knew, or should have known, the statements were false. Lake and Richer are both Republicans. Attorneys for Richer previously told The Arizona Republic that discovery was expected to be a monthslong process. The case could have gone to trial during a contentious election year in which both Richer and Lake will be running for elected offices, or immediately after in 2025. The default judgment helps Lake avoid some discovery and could speed up a conclusion to the suit. Her attorneys are now requesting the matter be resolved before the upcoming state primary and general elections. But Adleman's order suggests she may still have to turn over information to Richer's attorneys that could be used against her in the damages process. Judge warns attorneys: 'Cooperate with one another' Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer speaks during a pre-election news conference in Phoenix on Nov. 7, 2022. Adleman's order comes days after Richer's attorneys requested sanctions against Lake, claiming her attorneys were "doing everything possible to waste time and stall discovery." Richer's team also entered an application for default against Lake and her attorneys, alleging her lawyers were refusing to move the case forward. In his minute entry, Adleman chalks Lake's attorneys' deadline misses up to appellate litigation. Weeks ago, the Arizona Supreme Court lifted a temporary stay in the defamation lawsuit and rejected Lake's appeal challenging his December decision to allow the case to proceed. He deemed Richer's request for sanctions "moot." But he still cautioned Lake's attorneys in his order. "The court fully expects the parties to cooperate with one another in an effort to resolve the remaining scheduling issues attendant to these default proceedings," Adleman said. Another election-related defamation default President Donald Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani listens to presenters at a public meeting where supporters of President Trump disputed his defeat in the 2020 election, citing election fraud and other concerns, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix on Nov. 30, 2020. Lake is the second ally of former President Donald Trump to forfeit their chance to defend themselves against a defamation suit. Last year, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was held liable for defaming two Georgia election workers. The ruling came after Giuliani failed to turn over information requested by Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss during discovery. The women were awarded nearly $150 million in damages. Unlike Giuliani, Lake and her attorneys filed a motion agreeing to a default judgment a highly unusual move. Lake maintains her statements were true, even though she is unwilling to defend them in court. In a statement and video posted to social media on Tuesday, she said she simply doesn't want to spend time or money on the lawsuit. The political elite will do anything to hold onto power, Lake wrote. Theyve resorted to filing a ludicrous defamation lawsuit to try to stop me and bleed me dry. Taking part in this lawfare just legitimizes it. But Richer cast the move as "complete and total surrender." "Kari: You lied," he wrote in a social media post. "It was all B.S." Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip to share on elections or voting? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge: Kari Lake lost rights to litigate Richer defamation suit Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers claimed that FTX customers had "zero" losses when the exchange collapsed. They argued in favor of a light sentence for the convicted crypto mogul on Thursday. The judge was not persuaded. The federal judge who oversaw Sam Bankman-Fried's criminal case sharply criticized his legal team during the disgraced cryptocurrency mogul's sentencing hearing Thursday, saying he "rejected entirely" their claims about "zero" losses for FTX customers. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers will be made whole is misleading, it is legally flawed, it is speculative," US District Judge Lewis Kaplan said near the start of the hearing in Manhattan federal court, where he sentenced Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison. Bankman-Fried who was found guilty of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering by a jury in November has long claimed that bankruptcy lawyers, not him, were to blame for customers being unable to get their money from FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange that collapsed in November 2022. Federal prosecutors demonstrated that he used customer deposits to fuel personal spending and investments and prop up losses at Alameda Research, the cryptocurrency trading firm he also controlled. In Bankman-Fried's trial, other FTX and Alameda executives who had pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the plot walked jurors through spreadsheets, computer code, text messages, and internal documents that demonstrated how they used deposits from ordinary FTX customers for their own purposes, rather than protecting customers' funds. At the sentencing hearing, Kaplan said it didn't matter if some of Bankman-Fried's "speculative investments" paid off and if cryptocurrency prices have risen since FTX's bankruptcy. He compared him to a thief who takes his loot to Las Vegas and gambles money that isn't is. The judge said he imposed such a large sentence in part because of "the brazenness of his actions, his exceptional flexibility with the truth," and "his apparent lack of real remorse." Bankman-Fried has long said that, at the time of FTX's collapse, he was pressured to sign control of FTX over to John J. Ray III, an experienced bankruptcy attorney who has made a career out of sorting through the ashes of high-profile corporate wrecks, including Enron and the subprime mortgage company Residential Capital. Had Bankman-Fried held onto the company and if Ray had listened to his advice rather than spurn him FTX customers could have gotten their money back quickly, he claimed. He continued to make that claim in Thursday's sentencing hearing. He spent much of his 20-minute speech to the judge criticizing how the bankruptcy process has been handled and insisting FTX "wasn't bankrupt" and that its customers "could have been paid back" with interest, even with the value of rebounded cryptocurrency assets. Only a "liquidity crisis" prevented that from happening as quickly as customers needed in November 2022, he said. "There are enough assets," he said. "There were always enough assets to do it." The judge was always skeptical about Bankman-Fried's narrative In their sentencing memorandum, Bankman-Fried's lawyers have claimed that "the most reasonable estimate of customer loss is zero" and that FTX was "solvent at the time of the bankruptcy petition" and just had a "liquidity shortfall" that delayed the release of customer funds. "The money was there not lost," his lawyers wrote. The lawyers also zeroed in on a quote from one of FTX's debtors' lawyers during a January bankruptcy hearing in Delaware, where he cautiously predicted that FTX's customers and creditors "will eventually be paid in full." Even before Thursday's sentencing, it was clear that Kaplan was skeptical. Ahead of the hearing, he asked for a copy of the full transcript from the bankruptcy court. Ray who is now steering FTX through the bankruptcy process wrote a blistering seven-page letter to the judge saying that Bankman-Fried was living "a life of delusion," and that he "ignores pages and pages of important commentary, qualifications, and caveats from that hearing." "Only by cutting off Mr. Bankman-Fried was the Chapter 11 team able to stop the bleeding," he wrote. "Of this, I have no doubt." The process to repay FTX's creditors is complicated by the way losses are being calculated in the bankruptcy case. In a recent proposal to be approved by the bankruptcy judge, credit would be determined by the value of each customer's assets at the time that FTX filed for bankruptcy. So, for example, an FTX user who had one bitcoin on the exchange in November 2022 would be repaid about $17,000, its trading value at the time, even though the price of bitcoin has since risen to about $70,000. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan and Sam Bankman-Fried. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Prosecutors have pegged FTX customer losses at $8 billion. They said the total amount of loss due to Bankman-Fried's fraud amounted to $11 billion when accounting for investors and lenders for FTX and Alameda Research. Nicolas Roos, one of the lead prosecutors in the case, urged Kaplan not to consider Bankman-Fried's actions "bloodless," pointing to over 200 letters from victims, many of whom described how they have been locked out of their life savings. He called FTX "a business that was pervaded with criminality throughout," not just one that ran into back luck at the end. The judge agreed with the $11 billion figure, noting that it far exceeded the $550 million figure in federal sentencing guidelines, which was the lower bound for the highest bracket of financial fraud. Kaplan said that, in any case, Bankman-Fried couldn't be credited for the bankruptcy debtors' work to get FTX customers their money back. He also said that Bankman-Fried perjured himself several times when he testified during his trial and claimed he wasn't aware of the enormous shortfalls. "I have been doing this job for 30 years. I have never seen a performance like that," Kaplan said of Bankman-Fried's testimony. Read the original article on Business Insider Joel Gingery (right) talks with his attorney Michael Lambert on Tuesday during his trial at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. Gingery was convicted on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, of two counts of sexual battery. A jujitsu instructor who had one of his then-teenage students meet him at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach where he worked as a nurse and then raped her was convicted by a jury of sexual battery. Joel Gingery, 58, was found guilty on Wednesday of two counts of sexual battery after a jury deliberated for about two and a half hours. Gingery was found not guilty of false imprisonment. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Blackburn revoked Gingery's bond and remanded him into custody. Gingery is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail while he awaits a sentencing date. Gingery faces up to 30 years in prison. Employed by University of Florida Gingery was employed by the University of Florida as a nurse anesthetist who was working at Halifax Health Medical Center when he was arrested after being accused of raping the young woman in 2022. Gingery was terminated as a UF employee on Sept. 24, 2022, and his access to Halifax was revoked, a UF spokesman wrote Tuesday. The woman testified on Tuesday that she was 18 on Aug. 21, 2022 when she got a call from Gingery asking her to meet him at Halifax Health Medical Center. She said she thought it was to discuss Gingery sponsoring her financially in jujitsu competitions. The woman had started attending Gingery's Trident Jiu Jitsu school in Ormond Beach when she was 16. The woman testified that once at the hospital Gingery led her to an on-call room, blocked the door with a table and raped her. She testified she tried to get away from Gingery and told him "no" but that didn't stop him. The woman testified she was fearful. She said that Gingery was bigger than her and she did not believe she could do anything to stop him. Joel Gingery testified on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, during his trial. Gingery was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery. Defendant: Encounter was consensual But Gingery took the stand on Wednesday and testified that he and the then 18-year-old were having consensual sex. He said that his fiancee at the time, Jessie Grace, had become close friends with the woman. Grace also taught at Trident Jiu Jitsu. She said the woman would sometimes stay at Graces residence. He said the woman had asked him at the jujitsu studio if she could talk to him privately and he had declined. Gingery said he and his fiancee had been fighting over the woman. But Gingery said that he met the woman at Halifax Health Medical Center while he was working a 24-hour shift. He called her that night about 9:30 or 9:45 p.m. on August 21, 2022 and she drove to the hospital. After a two-day trial this week, a Volusia County jury found defendant Joel Gingery guilty of two counts of Sexual Battery. More: https://t.co/12TsSnFEno pic.twitter.com/xi0FGvue7N State Attorney, Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit (@SAO7FL) March 28, 2024 Gingery described checking the hallways to make sure the other person working a 24-hour shift would not see them. He said he led her to the on-call room and latched the door and then used a hospital-style table to block the door so no one could come in. He said the woman started hugging him and then they started kissing and then engaged in consensual sexual acts including intercourse. Prosecutors played a recorded phone call on Tuesday in which Gingery apologized to the woman and told her it would never happen again. Gingery's defense attorney, Michael Lambert, asked him what he was sorry about. Gingery said that she had just had sex with her best friends fiance. Lambert asked Gingery why he asked the woman if she had told anyone. Gingery said he asked because if Grace found out he would lose his half interest in Trident Jiu Jitsu. I thought I was going to lose my fiancee and I thought I was going to lose my gym, he said. Lambert asked him about promising the woman it would never happen again. Gingery said he meant that he would never have her come to the hospital or have sex with her again. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz cross-examined Gingery, asking about a clause in the contract with Grace over Trident Jiu Jitsu. Gingery said the clause stated that if one of them was unfaithful, that person would have to give their half-interest in the school to the other person. Gingery said he no longer had an interest in the school. That was put in the contract because Jessie didnt trust you? Schwartz asked. Lambert objected and Blackburn sustained the objection. Gingery denied telling the woman anything about funding her jujitsu competition. He denied inviting the woman to Halifax so that he could have sex with her. There was consensual sex and we said goodbye, Gingery said. Schwartz then listed five calls Gingery made to the woman after she left the hospital at 10:47 p.m. The woman did not answer any of the calls. The woman testified earlier in the trial that she called a friend after leaving the hospital and the friend's mother told her to go to another hospital. The friend's mother testified during the trial and said the woman was upset and crying. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jujitsu instructor guilty of raping his student at Halifax Health Matt Wiseman doesnt know what was different in his ninth attempt at detox after eight failures. But it worked that time. Thats why, 12 years later, he emphasizes understanding and patience as key factors when working with homeless people, many of whom struggle with mental health and addiction problems. Never give up thats what I learned, he said. Thats why we visited the modest offices of Jimmys Cambridge, a NGO in the English town of the same name. This is the perspective on life that has transformed this small non-profit organization into a social innovation laboratory. Its pioneering project consists of four small residential developments of modular tiny houses. The 22 standalone homes measure 270 square feet each, complete with furniture, bathrooms, kitchens and front porches. These houses create a community for homeless individuals, serving as a step towards regaining control of their lives with help and supervision from Jimmys Cambridge. Matt Wiseman of Jimmy's Cambridge in front of one of the houses for the homeless Manuel Vazquez Factory-built houses, assembled from modules and ready for transport, are now a common solution to homelessness. In Europe, almost 900,000 people are homeless, a 70% increase since 2000, according to the European Federation of National Organizations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA). In the U.S., the number is approximately 653,000, the highest since 2007. The Barcelona City Council has provided temporary accommodation for the homeless in apartments made from repurposed shipping containers since 2019. Similarly, the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village was built in Los Angeles during the pandemic. It offers 132 rooms built from shipping containers, and provides support services along with a full commercial kitchen. Shipping containers still have negative connotations, but the Cambridge project is different. The houses, built with laminated wood, offer independent living in a downtown area close to services and jobs. This is crucial for various reasons, including the ability to have pets. Homeless people often avoid shelters to keep their dogs or cats with them, according to Madrids social workers. In cities where theres immense pressure and limited space for new homes, the key is to utilize small, available spaces to put up those houses. And in five or ten years, you can simply take the crane, lift the modular homes, and move them to another site, said Mark Allan, the CEO of Jimmys Cambridge. Mark Allan, CEO of Jimmys Cambridge. Manuel Vazquez Jimmys 451 has a commercial kitchen and caters to people with particularly complex needs. Manuel Vazquez Allan doesnt know how or where the idea of tiny houses originated. He simply says that it emerged from the fortuitous convergence of various organizations who were in the right place at the right time. One NGO was looking for a way to provide affordable housing quickly in the expensive city of Cambridge, while another Allia was focusing on innovative solutions for socially impactful companies and organizations. The New Meaning Foundation was a social enterprise specializing in ethical construction, and the Church of Christ the Redeemer had an empty lot available. Nothing ever happens in isolation. Its all about the community coming together, said Allan. Thats how the first tiny home community was born in 2020. Three more communities were later developed with houses donated by The Hill Group of London on land donated by the Cambridge City Council. The first development has six homes to the east of Cambridge, near the airport. Each home has a front porch, and unlike the later developments, they also share a spacious front yard. Independence is key the ability to open and close your own door is very powerful. But so is the ability to connect with others and avoid isolation. Weve learned that having a smaller number of units [three developments with six houses and one with four] is actually better because it helps create a mini-community spirit, said Allan. And having a common area is very important. Thats where the big yard comes in its a place where people can hang out and get to know each other. The first development is the one that really hit the mark. Its not just about throwing up a bunch of houses. In reality, its about finding a balance, which involves addressing the negative aspects of homelessness. You know, its really sad when you see someone doing really well, but you also know that itll be tough for them. Theyll struggle when their neighbors in other modules arent doing so great. Were still searching for answers to that, but havent found any yet, said Wiseman. He has been with the project from the start and now leads the team working with the residents. He firmly believes that once they figure it all out, the project will be a brilliant success. But Wiseman knows that success wont be easy. Hes seen tenants forced to move due to drug traffickers preying on vulnerable individuals. Others have been evicted for attacking neighbors. Despite their best efforts, some struggle to overcome addiction. Im always amazed by the power of addiction, sighs Wiseman. Crack is one of the worst drugs because theres no pharmacological substitute for it. Wiseman has seen three residents successfully transition to their own apartments, while others are on the verge of doing so. Others have found stability in these tiny houses and choose to stay. Experts from the Cambridge Center for Housing and Planning Research who evaluated the project recommended being flexible with the length of tenancy... extending it beyond the initial two-year period can help residents, especially those with higher needs, to have more time to improve their circumstances before moving on. The Cambridge Center report also recommends that mini-developments have a shared green space, and applauds the NGOs pre-leasing process to assess candidate suitability. At first, its not easy to follow all the rules, said Wiseman. For instance, tenants have to be home by 11pm, which means theyre losing money. You see, peak panhandling hours in Cambridge are from 11pm to 4am. They can bring in up to 200 [$255] a day! Residents also have to apply for welfare to pay the 200 ($218) weekly rent and may be asked to contribute to maintenance expenses of about 11 ($12) per week. The NGO handles the necessary arrangements, pays workers, and covers all bills (water, electricity, television and security cameras). Although Jimmys Cambridge staff assist with the process, the new responsibilities can overwhelm some long-term street dwellers. Therefore, an intermediate shelter stage that gradually introduces rules and responsibilities has proven highly beneficial. Trevor, a resident of the first tiny houses for over three years, followed this path. After losing his wife and son in a traffic accident in 1999, Trevors life took a downward spiral. He began using drugs and resorted to crime for survival. He spent several stints in jail and many nights on the streets. However, everything changed when he crossed paths with Carol Fendick of Jimmys Cambridge. After spending 18 months in one of their shelters, Trevor moved into a tiny house. He regained his independence, started his carpentry hobby again, and found a way to stay clean. Now, at 63 years old, Trevor is ready to hand over his tiny house to someone else in need. Trevor, one of the tiny home residents, in his kitchen. Manuel Vazquez View of Trevors living room and bathroom. The bedroom is at the back. Manuel Vazquez Another of Jimmys Cambridge tiny home neighborhoods. Manuel Vazquez Carol Fendick, the person who rescued Trevor from the streets, now manages Jimmys 451, a residence for individuals with complex mental health and addiction issues. Her compassionate yet firm approach is evident when she patiently reminds a former drug-abusing resident about a doctors appointment that he could not miss. Fendick, Weisman and Allan said accessing psychological and psychiatric help while battling addiction is a huge challenge for many, but is crucial for overcoming these struggles. Experts say childhood abuse, violence and trauma often lead to homelessness, and become worse with each day spent living on the streets. Our goal is to get people off the streets as soon as possible, and then provide them with all the support they need to resolve whatever it was that led them to end up there, said Allan. In the context of what some call a global housing crisis, Jimmys Cambridge approach is simple: try, try again. This includes offering shelters, shared homes, and even an abstinence house for people who have just come out of detox. The modular mini-houses are their latest effort, but they know that this alone may not fully address the complex problem of homelessness. Nevertheless, they present a viable alternative that has proven to be effective for some people, even on their ninth try. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) After only about 40 minutes of deliberation, a federal jury has convicted an Albuquerque local of a federal firearm offense. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says 65-year-old Maurice Lacey shot his wife in a local Walmart Neighborhood Market in 2022. Lacey has multiple previous felony convictions, the DOJ says. So, he is not legally allowed to possess a firearm. Now, a jury has found that he knowingly possessed a firearm in relation to the incident at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at 4700 Cutler Avenue Northeast. New Mexico Medicaid now covering Opill oral contraceptive Lacey is still waiting for his sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. Based on the crime, he faces up to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the DOJ says. According to the DOJ and court records, Lacey entered the Walmart Neighborhood Markets employee breakroom in October 2022 and shot his wife, who was an employee there. He then told the stores customers service desk that he shot his wife. He was arrested shortly after. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. PORT ORCHARD Closing arguments wrapped up this week in the four-month-long murder trial of three men accused in the killing of John Careaga and three members of his blended family in the greater Seabeck area in 2017. Investigators linked the murders to drugs and money connected to the family that resulted in the killing of Christale Careaga and two teenagers, Hunter Schaap and Johnathon Higgins. They were shot execution-style in the familys home, which was set on fire, while Careaga was found shot and burned in his truck on a tree farm in Mason County two days later. Danie Kelly, Robert Watson III, both members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, and brother Jonathan Watson sat before a Kitsap Superior Court room presided over by Judge Kevin Hull this week to hear attorneys for either side make a final case before jurors. The three were arrested in 2022 and held without bail in the Kitsap County Jail. On Monday attorney Phil Bacus reiterated the main points made by the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office throughout the trial proceedings. Over five hours, Bacus argued that the three defendants had planned out and executed the homicides with the intent to steal John Careagas money, stocks of cocaine and destroy all evidence of the crime, including killing any witnesses. Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Kevin Hull opens trial proceedings last November for Danie Jay Kelly Jr., and brothers Robert James Watson III and Johnny James Watson, who are accused of killing four members of the Careaga family in the greater Seabeck area in January 2017. The case, which has lasted approximately four months in court, is scheduled to go to jurors later this week for a verdict. How do we know they did it and did it together? Because in the business of murder, everyone has a job, Bacus told the courtroom. Bacus brought the alibis of Robert Watson III and Danie Kelly into question and took the jury through data that tracked the alleged whereabouts of their cell phones and a prepaid Tracfone purchased by Kelly prior to the Careaga familys murder. Bacus went on to highlight connections between the cases cast of characters and discussed the alleged motivations they had that resulted in the horrific quadruple homicide. This case is about connections and broken connections, the ties that bind people together, Bacus said. Connections of family, friends, brothers, business, community: they can be strong and enduring The evidence has shown in this case, beyond a reasonable doubt, that these broken connections set the stage for these murders by these defendants. Bacus addressed the jury, imploring them to find all three defendants guilty on all counts. We've given you a theory, how we think it all fits together. You don't have to agree with that theory. If you believe that the elements have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but you disagree with the theory, it's your responsibility to find the defendant guilty because we've proven the elements. Defense attorneys for the three men went on to cast doubt on physical evidence, the credibility of key witnesses and the timeline strung together by prosecutors. More: Background on the Careaga quadruple homicide trial in Kitsap County Superior Court The state largely ignored the physical evidence and presented a theory that ignored physical evidence, said Robert Watson IIIs attorney, John Cyr, who on Tuesday cited the fact that DNA testing excluded his client and the other two defendants from connection to items discovered at the various crime scenes, such as rocks used to smash windows and vent the fire, a broken alarm panel and car keys. This investigation from the beginning was conclusion first, Cyr said, arguing that the states case was following a narrative that preceded concrete evidence. None of the witnesses have first-hand knowledge of the murders. Attorney Tom Weaver, representing Danie Kelly, argued for the legitimacy of his clients alibi with cell phone tower data, Kellys Facebook messages on the night of the murders and a drug deal, refuting the possibility that Kelly could have made it to the Careaga residence and commit the crime in a short time gap in his alibi. Defense attorney Tom Weaver answers a question about a witness as trial proceedings for his client Danie Jay Kelly Jr., during the early stages of a four-month trial in Kitsap County Superior Court that began last November. The time doesnt work, the geography doesn't work and the math doesnt work, Weaver said on Wednesday. Attorney Craig Kibbe, representing Johnny Watson, argued that even within the speculative evidence presented by county prosecutors, less than 5% applied to his client. This case has almost nothing to do with Johnny Watson in dozens of witnesses, close to 2,000 exhibits, he was clearly an afterthought in relation to the other two defendants, Kibbe said. Kitsap County prosecutors are scheduled to offer a final rebuttal for jurors on Thursday, before the case is turned over to the jury by Judge Hull. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Closing arguments in five-month Careaga murder trial near completion An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israels war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull. His cousin, an infant, is still fighting for her life with part of her face blown off by the same strike. An unrelated 10-year-old boy screamed out in pain for his parents, not knowing that they were killed in the strike. Beside him was his sister, but he didnt recognise her because burns covered almost her entire body. These gut-wrenching casualties were described to The Associated Press by Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive-care doctor from Jordan, following a 10-hour overnight shift at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah. Haj-Hassan, who has extensive experience in Gaza and regularly speaks out about the wars devastating effects, was part of a team that recently finished a two-week stint there. After nearly six months of war, Gazas health sector has been decimated. Roughly a dozen of Gazas 36 hospitals are only partially functioning. The rest have either shut down or are barely functioning after they ran out of fuel and medicine, were surrounded and raided by Israeli troops, or were damaged in fighting. That leaves hospitals such as Al-Aqsa Martyrs caring for an overwhelming number of patients with limited supplies and staff. The majority of its intensive care unit beds are occupied by children, including infants wrapped in bandages and wearing oxygen masks. I spend most of my time here resuscitating children, Haj-Hassan said after a recent shift. What does that tell you about every other hospital in the Gaza Strip? Mustafa Abu Qassim, a nurse from Jordan who was part of the visiting team, said he was shocked by the overcrowding. When we look for patients, there are no rooms, he said. They are in the corridors on a bed, a mattress, or on a blanket on the floor. Its just miserable, he said. Before the war, the hospital had a capacity of around 160 beds, according to the World Health Organization. Now there are some 800 patients, yet many of the hospital's 120 staff members are no longer able to come to work. Israels bombardment and offensive in Gaza have killed more than 32,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 75,000 more in the territory of 2.3 million people, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Roughly half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are 17 or younger, the UN'ss agency for children estimates. Israel holds Hamas responsible for non-combatants' deaths and injuries because the militants in Gaza operate from within civilian areas. It says over one-third of the dead are Hamas militants, though it has not backed up the claim with evidence. Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited Puerto Rico in her first trip to the island since the Biden-Harris administration took office. While touting the administrations support for Puerto Rico as it continues to recover from natural disaster, Harris also faced protests over the governments foreign policy. The vice presidents trip was widely seen as an attempt by the Biden-Harris administration to court Latino voters. Although Puerto Rico does not have any Electoral College, the over 5 million Puerto Ricans who live in the mainland United States are eligible to vote in the November presidential election. This was the first trip by Harris to Puerto Rico since becoming vice president. She had previously visited the island as a senator in 2017 after the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which together left thousands dead and caused heavy damage to the islands infrastructure, and it has yet to be rebuilt. The vice president noted that her administration has invested heavily in rebuilding Puerto Ricos power grid, including putting around $3 billion into reliable and renewable energy. The administrations spending and outreach to Puerto Rico contrasts with the approach of former President Donald Trump, who was criticized for his flippant response to the crisis in Puerto Rico. These criticisms grew when Ben Carson, then the secretary of Housing and Urban Development, confirmed that the Trump administration purposely withheld funding for Puerto Rico after the hurricanes. In contrast, Harris tweeted that the Biden-Harris administration has already invested over $140 billion to help Puerto Rico recover and build a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future. President Biden and I have already invested over $140 billion to help Puerto Rico recover and build a more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous future. I am grateful to Maria and her family for welcoming me to their new home. pic.twitter.com/TJQSO7W3xD Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 22, 2024 The vice presidents visit was marked by protests over a number of issues, including Puerto Rican statehood and the U.S. governments policies toward the crisis in Gaza. Some protesters burned American flags. Harris visit also coincided with the 151st anniversary of the date in which Puerto Rico, then a Spanish colony, abolished slavery, and some people objected to the timing of her visit. VP Kamala Harris coming to Puerto Rico on the 151st anniversary of the abolition of slavery in PR For a fundraiser held by one of the wealthiest US settlers escaping taxes in PR (Nicholas Prouty) Was not on my 2024 bingo card https://t.co/JWA7QjZ12Z Andrew J. Padilla (@apadillafilm6) March 21, 2024 The vice presidents trip produced an awkward moment during a visit to a community center in San Juans Santurce neighborhood. Harris can be seen on video clapping along and enjoying a Spanish-language song being played by local musicians. Her demeanor abruptly changes, reportedly because those with her explained what was actually being sung protests about the United States policies toward Palestine and Haiti. Kamala Harris claps along to a protest song in Puerto Rico but stops after an aide tells her what it means: "We want to know, Kamala, what did you come here for? Long live Free Palestine and Haiti too!" pic.twitter.com/ruXTB2Y5tP RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 24, 2024 These missteps notwithstanding, the administration is likely to continue to reach out to Puerto Ricans and to other key demographics as President Joe Biden and Harris wrap up their first term in office and campaign to win a second. A Kansas filmmaker who often uses the prairies of the Sunflower State as the backdrop and main character of his films will be the speaker at the next First Thursday Presentation in Salina. Ken Spurgeon, who is also a professor of history at Friends University, will present "Behind the Scenes: A Journey Into Film Making" from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Smoky Hill Museum, 211 W. Iron Ave. Spurgeon, who has eight directing and nine writing credits to his name according to his IMDb page, including "Home on the Range," "Valhalla" and his most recent project, "Sod and Stubble," has a film company, Fall River Productions, which focuses on historically themed projects. Kansan Ken Spurgeon will discuss the challenges and rewards of filmmaking in Kansas at the First Thursday Presentation April 4 at the Smoky Hill Museum. "If you're telling historical stories, what better place to use than the place where those stories happen?" said Nona Miller, education coordinator at the museum about why Spurgeon was selected to speak. "I thought the stories he's telling were compelling." Spurgeon will discuss the challenges and rewards of filmmaking in Kansas, sharing behind-the-scenes accounts of working with local and national actors. "I thought it would interesting to have a producer, director and writer come in who could talk to us about trying to stay as close to the story as possible, while also being creative," Miller said. In addition to speaking about his own experiences making films, Miller said Spurgeon can offer inspiration to others who may want to follow a similar path. "There are people interested in telling these stories," Miller said. "What insights might he be able to offer them, coming from his vantage point, his experience and his knowledge base, with everything he works with?" More: Moran announces $33.5 million in federal grants for K-State Salina Miller said it is important to have people like locals like Spurgeon to tell the stories of this state. "He has been on Kansas soil, has been Kansas dirt, felt our storms, been there in our summers, so he has a connection to us that someone coming in (might not have)," Miller said. "Kansas history is made up of compelling people and stories, and Im thrilled Ken Spurgeon is using his talent, historical dedication and skill to tell those stories." While local storytellers are important, Miller said she doesn't want to keep others from telling our stories too. "I don't want it be exclusive (to native Kansans)," Miller said. "People who want to come in and experience all of those things, boy, I wish they would (come). It would be awesome." Attend the First Thursday Presentation in person or online "Behind the Scenes: A Journey Into Film Making" will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Smoky Hill Museum. This presentation is open to the public, who can attend in person, or from home via Zoom. For more information, or to register for this event, visit the museum's website, www.smokyhillmuseum.org. This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Kansas director discusses making films in the Sunflower State Republican strategist Karl Rove said the Democrats should worry about Robert F. Kennedys Jr. independent bid for the White House. Democrats ramped up their criticism of Kennedy after he announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate Tuesday. Fox Newss Bret Baier asked Rove on America Reports whether Democrats should be concerned about Kennedys campaign potentially hurting President Bidens reelection efforts. Well, they should worry. In 2016, third party candidates got 5.8 percent of the vote. Thats one out of every 17 voters cast a ballot for third-party candidates. And in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the Green Party candidate got more votes than Hillary Clinton lost some states by, he said Wednesday. In 2020, 1.9 percent one out of every 50 voters voted for a third-party candidate. And in Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin, the Libertarian candidate got more votes than Donald Trump lost those states by. So even if they get a very small fraction of the vote, if its in the right places, it can cause a cause enormous harm, Rove continued. He also noted its not clear in how many states Kennedy will be on the ballot. So we dont know how many hes going to end up getting. But in 2016, a dissident Republican got on the ballot in 20 some odd states and received votes in 37 states, even though he didnt even become a candidate until the summer, he said. So theres still a chance for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to get on a large number of ballots. And one of the reasons he could get on the ballot is if hes got enough money, which says to me, thats the reason why he chose the former wife of one of the founders of Google to be his running mate, he added. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that while Biden narrowly leads former President Trump in a head-to-head match-up, he slightly trails the former president when a third-party candidate is factored in. In a three-way race among Biden, Trump and Kennedy, Trump has a 2.4-point lead over Biden, according to the national polling average from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ. Kennedy trails both candidates with nearly 10 percent support. The Hill has reached out to Bidens campaign for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kentucky Senate sent a bill to Gov. Andy Beshear (D) Thursday that would strip him of his power to appoint people to the U.S. Senate. The bill seeks to hold special elections for Senate vacancies in Kentucky, according to The Associated Press. The legislations passage through the state Senate follows the late February announcement that Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), 82, would step down from his position as Senate Minority Leader at the end of the year. Republican state House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, the bills main sponsor, has said the legislation doesnt have to do with McConnell, but rather his position on how a vacant Senate seat should be filled, per the AP. The Kentucky state Senate sent the bill to Beshear in a 34-3 vote, according to the AP. Beshear, a Democratic governor in a deeply red state, has pushed back against the bill as having a background in partisanship. In his speech announcing his decision to leave his leadership position last month, McConnell said he is not going anywhere any time soon. However, I will complete my job my colleagues have given me until we select a new leader in November and they take the helm next January, McConnell said. McConnell said he started taking a second look at his career plans following the death of his sister-in-law, Angela Chow, in a car crash in early February. When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, theres a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is Gods way of reminding you of your own lifes journey to prioritize the impact of the world that we will all inevitably leave behind, he said, noting his recent birthday. I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions are closer than Id prefer. The Hill has reached out to Beshears office and Rudy. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WKRN) Nearly two weeks after getting a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Kentucky law enforcement arrested a man for 20 counts of a child porn-related charge. The Bowling Green Police Department said it received a tip on March 14 that not only contained many images of child sex abuse material, but also provided electronic information leading detectives to William Straut in the 5300 block of Scottsville Road. 2 Kentucky fugitives captured in Cheatham County On Tuesday, March 26, investigators spoke with Straut at his address. During the interview, authorities said they determined that Straut viewed the images on his electronic devices. Police said they seized all of the electronics in Strauts home. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com As of Wednesday, March 27, Straut is being held in the Warren County Regional Jail, charged with 20 counts of possessing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12 years of age, according to officials. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Cinta Arribas In todays world, we are surrounded by relentless noise, unlike any other time in history. The proliferation of social media has inundated our daily lives with a constant deluge of information. Our mobile phones bombard us with breaking news alerts, Twitter posts, Instagram notifications, and the relentless buzz of WhatsApp groups sharing words and memes non-stop. Some commuters play their favorite podcasts on tinny phone speakers, until two wannabe rappers hop on your subway car, blast their music and start freestyling about fellow passengers. At work, the constant hum of conversation serves as the days soundtrack. Noise, noise and more noise. It feels like silence has been relegated to mountaintop monasteries. Its now seen as dangerous void that must be filled so it doesnt swallow us whole. Journalist Dan Lyons published a book last year called STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut, which asks the question, Do we really need everyone on this planet sharing all their opinions about everything all at once? Lyons is quoting YouTuber Bo Burnham, whose question forms the main theme of the book. Amid the constant noise, staying silent is not only generous to others, its therapeutic for oneself. Its also a key skill for professional growth since restraint of the tongue helps you make fewer mistakes and offers health benefits. Trying to cut through all the noise to present your views can be stressful and frustrating. People who steer clear of controversy often earn more credibility. This aligns with two principles from a book written by Robert Greene and inspired by Machiavelli: The 48 Laws of Power (1998). Greenes fourth law advises speaking less the more you talk, the more vulnerable you become and the less control you have over the situation. Powerful individuals impress with concise speech. Talking too much increases the chance of saying something foolish. Greenes sixteenth law highlights the power of absence in gaining respect and admiration. This law anticipates the impact of social media, emphasizing that being overly visible can diminish your perceived value. Creating some distance can spark intrigue and admiration, as scarcity tends to increase worth. These two laws go against the grain of social media, where everyone is jockeying for visibility, even if its in a seconds-long reel. Instead, Greene emphasizes the importance of silence. In a noisy world, the quiet ones are often the most interesting people, as silence adds elements of mystery and allure. Since we dont know how to keep quiet anymore, lets go back to Dan Lyons book, where he lays out five principles. Whenever possible, say nothing. Unless, as a Japanese proverb says, your words are better than silence. Be more like Dirty Harry and less like Jim Carrey. Discover the power of pauses. Effective speakers master the art of empty space. Pause for two seconds before or after a sentence, take a breath, and let the listener digest your words. Well-timed silence speaks volumes. Quit social media. Many platforms are made to be addictive. If your job requires you to use social media, try to spend less time there. Seek out silence. Information overload can lead to constant agitation and overstimulation, which causes health problems and can even shorten your life. Give your brain a break. Learn to listen. This is an effective method for staying silent, but it takes effort. It means fully engaging in listening without judgment or distractions. Remember, making others feel heard will bring them great happiness. When we learn to keep our mouths shut, Lyons explains, we experience remarkable changes. We become calmer, less anxious, and gain better control over our lives. Focus! In Stolen Focus, British writer and journalist Johann Hari writes that our ability to concentrate is in very bad shape. Recent studies show that teenagers can focus on a task for about 65 seconds on average, while the attention span of adults typically lasts no more than three minutes. Its important to know that the human brain isnt built for multitasking. An MIT professor told Hari, Humans are very single-minded. To focus, we need to eliminate distractions and take tasks one at a time. Francesc Miralles is a writer and journalist specializing in psychology. Some shipments of troops household goods and personal vehicles have stalled after Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday, halting vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore, U.S. Transportation Command said Wednesday. No military operations have been affected by the ports inability to send out or receive ships, command spokesman Erik Anthony told Military Times. TRANSCOM officials are working with the military services, the household goods-shipping contractors and the vehicle-shipping contractor to identify which belongings are affected, Anthony said. Were able to mitigate a lot of those impacts, he said. Thankfully, we have a host of ports on the East Coast that we can use as alternate ports. The TRANSCOM team will be in contact with service members to notify them if their belongings are affected, he added. Key Bridge, a major thoroughfare in the Baltimore-Washington region that hosted more than 30,000 travelers each day, was destroyed early Tuesday when a cargo ship lost power and rammed into a support column. The bodies of two men were recovered at the site Wednesday; another four people remain missing and are presumed dead. Federal officials have estimated rebuilding the bridge could cost at least $2 billion. At a White House press conference Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg did not say how long new construction could take but noted that building the original bridge took five years. Reopening the Port of Baltimore may come sooner. The accident has snagged travel in the mid-Atlantic ahead of the militarys busy moving season, which typically begins May 15. Since vessel traffic at the port is indefinitely suspended, TRANSCOM officials are working to mitigate the potential long-term effects, Anthony said. Alternate ports that handle commercial shipments are expected to grow increasingly congested; officials are looking at moving cargo by rail and truck, and perhaps sending some shipments to a West Coast port instead of one on the East Coast. International Auto Logistics, the company that ships troops personal vehicles to and from overseas, said on its website Wednesday that it didnt have any cargo aboard the Dali, the ship involved in the incident. IAL is currently working with our shipping partners for alternate shipping ports to minimize delays as much as possible, company officials said. Company representatives will be contacting troops who may experience delays because of the incident as soon as more information becomes available, IAL said. All carriers that use Baltimore as their primary port of call are competing for the same resources at other ports on the U.S. East Coast, so making a decision on where to move operations requires ensuring that assets to support loading and unloading along with adequate port space to stage cargo have been secured and are available, the company added. All parents know that raising kids is expensive. Especially in those early years when they quickly outgrow clothes or toys, leaving parents on a never-ending cycle of buying new stuff when the old stuff is hardly worn or used. Enter Kidsy, a new Chicago-based e-commerce startup that aims to give consumers greater access to discounted baby and kids products by partnering with large brands, retailers and liquidation companies for their overstock and returns inventory. At the same time, it says, it can help prevent overstock and liquidation items such as kids' clothing from ending up in landfills, which is obviously not good for the environment. Kidsy is not just focused on clothes. It also sells new and open-box (aka new but returned) items such as strollers, car seats, toys, travel gear, nursery furniture and other baby essentials. The company's founders are Indian-born former business journalist Shraysi Tandon and Turkish-born software engineer Sinan Sari, who also co-founded Y Combinatorbacked SaaS startup Cuboh (a startup that was just sold to competitor ChowNow). The pair teamed up in April of 2022 to start the company, which recently closed what Tandon described as an oversubscribed $1 million in pre-seed funding. Almost all the big retailers such as Amazon, Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Walmart, Bloomingdales don't restock customer returns because it is too capital and labor intensive for them to do so, Tandon, who serves as Kidsys CEO, told TechCrunch. These items are then usually shipped to other countries who buy liquidated American merchandise or they are destroyed in landfills. Image Credits: Kidsy Investors were drawn to the companys early success. Since emerging from its beta phase in September 2023, Kidsy managed to hit $1 million in annualized revenue by January just four months later, according to Tandon. New Yorkbased Impellent Ventures led Kidsys financing, which also included participation from Hustle Fund, Everywhere VC, The Fund Midwest and Responsibly Ventures. Angel investors also put money in the round, including Initialized partner and Rent the Runway co-founder Jenny Fleiss, DraftKings founder/CEO Jason Robins, ButcherBox founder Mike Salguero, Trucks VC managing partner Reilly Brennan and Kalibrr co-founder Sanuk Tandon. Kids' clothing: A massive market Tandons road to founding Kidsy started when she founded her own media production company after working as a journalist for Bloomberg TV and ABC News. Through that company, she spent three years directing an award-winning feature documentary on child labor in global supply chains. During that time, she learned about the inventory glut that existed in the U.S. as well as all the supply chain issues faced by retailers. She also learned that liquidation and returns is a $761 billion industry in the U.S. annually. But it was when Tandon was pregnant with her first child that she decided to be a smart consumer and shop for liquidated baby products instead of paying full price. That's when she noticed the gap in the market, asking herself, Where is the TJ Maxx or Burlington for all the baby gear and kids items? While there are liquidation and overstock e-commerce companies galore, few specialize in just kids gear, or they are really more focused as a used-gear marketplace for parents. While still pregnant, Tandon launched her company. When she started fundraising as an expecting mother, Tandon said she was nervous constantly reading statistics related to how difficult it was for female founders, the dominant 'boys club' that existed within the VC world and also how much harder it is in general for companies raising in 2024 compared to just two years prior. I didn't want to be a statistic, so I hid my pregnancy, Tandon told TechCrunch. She later decided she would never do that again, and now she tells VCs upfront that she's a mom to a baby. VCs who think thats a problem arent the right investors for me, she said. Investors, Tandon said, grew excited to back a TJ Maxx for kids, noting that the retailer has outperformed the S&P 500 for the past 5 years and that the market for secondhand baby and kids products is expected to reach $12.8 billion by 2030. "We get these items shipped directly to our warehouse in Nebraska, inspect them, grade them and then sell them, rather than on consignment or through a third-party logistics provider, she said. The majority of the products are brand-new and unused. About 10% are gently used, which Kidsy also sells. Kidsy already has tens of thousands of customers, according to Tandon. The company gets a "take rate" on every item it sells. Its percentage varies across the brands and categories it sells, but on average it is 35%, according to Tandon. Tandon is aware that there are plenty of competitors selling kids wares. But investors like David Brown, managing partner of Impellent Ventures, believe Kidsy is solving several very real pain points for parents and breathing innovation into a staid marketplace. Yes, the offering is cheaper than others and has benefits for the environment, but its how they are leaning in to the parents evolving needs that has, and will continue to, set Kidsy apart. Kidsy plans to use its new capital for classic growth needs of hiring to expand its 12-person team, adding more partners. It also plans to embed artificial intelligence and machine learning into its offering to increase operational efficiencies. For now, the startup is focused on the U.S. market, though Tandon believes that Kidsy could expand into any country that has lenient retail returns policies and where brands are struggling to manage both their returns and their excess inventory. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Congresswoman Jen Kiggans released a statement after voting in favor of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. This legislation was passed out of the House by a vote of 286 to 134, and provides a total $1.23 trillion in government funding, including for the military, Border Patrol and other services, Kiggans said, in a release. For years Washington went on a reckless spending spree, making our national debt skyrocket and hurting working families, Kiggans said. Thats why I have made it my mission in Congress to rein in the wasteful spending from previous years while strategically increasing our defense budget and taking care of our servicemembers. Today I am proud to say that this bill delivers on that promise, and I was proud to support it. According to Kiggans, the legislation: Funds the largest increase (5.2%) in basic military pay in over 20 years. Funds 22,000 Border Patrol Agents, which is the highest level ever funded, and provides $125 million for increases to Border Patrol overtime pay authorized by the NDAA. Provides a $27 billion increase over the Department of Defenses FY23 enacted level, and directs that funding to countering China, developing next-generation weapons, and investing in the quality-of-life of our servicemembers. Includes $8.7 billion for the childcare and development block grant at the Department of Health and Human Services. Includes $305 million for the nursing workforce development programs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Fully funds the Presidents Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for advance procurement for future Virginia-class submarines. Prohibits any taxpayer funding going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a group that allegedly had known operatives involved in the Oct. 7 attacks. Targets resources to rural communities, including vital telehealth and opioid response resources. Claws back $2.6 billion in unused COVID-19 funds. Provides $125 million for increases in overtime pay for Border Patrol officers and a 25% increase for border security technology, including mobile surveillance technologies and tunnel detection systems. Prioritizes funding to counter China, including $300 million for Taiwan. Prohibits the IRS from targeting individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights. Ensures that no funds may be used to enforce a COVID vaccine mandate in the military. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Gov. Kim Reynolds will send more than 100 Iowa State Patrol officers and National Guard soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border over the coming months to assist Texas' efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Reynolds, a Republican, traveled to Texas last month to join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and a dozen other GOP governors at a news conference on illegal immigration. After she returned, she said she was looking at options for sending Iowa law enforcement to the border to assist Texas' efforts. In a statement Thursday, Reynolds said President Joe Biden has "failed" to protect the southern border and said Texas is facing "an invasion" of migrants entering the country illegally. More: Kim Reynolds dismisses need for new immigration law, says she'll send more soldiers to border These deployments will help Texas on the frontlines of this crisis," Reynolds said in the statement. "I am grateful to all the members of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa National Guard for volunteering for the deployment. Its a testament to their leadership and willingness to serve. Reynolds is also poised to sign a bill modeled on a Texas law that would allow state law enforcement officers to arrest and deport people who have previously been deported or denied entry to the United States. The U.S. Justice Department is suing Texas over the law, arguing it unconstitutionally usurps the federal government's authority to enforce immigration laws. The Texas law is blocked by the courts until that challenge is decided. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds listens at a press conference about border policies in Eagle Pass, Texas on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) How many Iowa State Patrol troopers, Iowa National Guard soldiers will Iowa send to the border? Eight Department of Public Safety troopers and two sergeants will deploy to Texas from March 31 through April 27 to support the Texas Department of Public Safety's "Operation Lone Star" mission, according to a news release. The Iowa National Guard will send 110 members to support the Texas military from April 1 through May 3. Another five Iowa National Guard members will provide "ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support" from April 1 through Sept. 30, the news release states. More: Iowa law enforcement could arrest undocumented immigrants under bill going to Reynolds' desk Reynolds will use federal money from the American Rescue Plan to pay for the deployments. The COVID-19 relief package, which Biden signed into law in 2021, was universally opposed by Republicans. The governor has deployed State Patrol personnel and National Guard soldiers to the border in the past. Last year, Reynolds sent 109 National Guard soldiers to Texas from Aug. 2 to Sept. 1. Thirty-one state patrol officers and agents followed, deploying from Aug. 31 to Oct. 2. The total cost for last year's mission was about $2.1 million, which was paid for with federal American Rescue Plan funding. In 2021, Reynolds deployed about 28 Iowa State Patrol troopers to the border for 14 days in the Del Rio area in southwest Texas. at a cost of about $300,000 in state taxpayer dollars. 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. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds sending Iowa National Guard soldiers to southern border LONDON (Reuters) - King Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, has praised people who "extend the hand of friendship, especially in a time of need", and echoed the pledge to serve the nation that the British monarch made at his coronation last year. Charles delivered the remarks in a recorded message which will be aired at the ancient Maundy Thursday church service at Worcester Cathedral in central England which the 75-year-old king will miss due to his illness. "In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare," he says in the message which was recorded along with a bible reading earlier this month. "But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need." The recording was made before his daughter-in-law, Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of his eldest son Prince William, issued a video message in which she revealed she was having preventative chemotherapy after cancer was discovered in the aftermath of abdominal surgery in January. While Charles will miss Thursday's event, he is due to join other members of his family on Sunday at a scaled-down Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle, his first public appearance at a royal event since it was disclosed in February he was suffering from an undisclosed form of cancer. As she has done at other recent engagements, Queen Camilla will step in for the king at the traditional Maundy service, presenting 75 men and 75 women, to mark the king's age, with two small purses containing symbolic gifts of specially minted coins. The custom, which dates back centuries, recognises recipients for their outstanding Christian service from across the country. "It is for me a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today," Charles says in his message. "This act of worship here in Worcester Cathedral reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the coronation service, to follow Christ's example, not to be served, but to serve. "That I have always tried to do and continue to do with my whole heart." (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alison Williams) King Charles III gave public remarks via an audio message at the Royal Maundy Service on Thursday. Buckingham Palace announced in February that Charles is undergoing treatment for cancer. King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter Sunday service this weekend. King Charles III spoke about friendship and kindness in a series of remarks before his first public appearance since announcing his cancer diagnosis. Charles, 75, shared his sentiments via a recorded audio message played at the Royal Maundy Service, an annual event that takes place on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, according to Royal Central. March 2023 was the first time Charles attended the service as a monarch, but he skipped this year's service while undergoing cancer treatment. King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending the Royal Maundy Service in 2023. CHARLOTTE GRAHAM/Getty Images Buckingham Palace announced in February that Charles was diagnosed with cancer and would step back from public engagements while recovering. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today. The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart," Charles said in comments obtained by Royal Central. He then touched on the importance of friendship. "In this country we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organizations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need," Charles said. Charles then addressed the people chosen to receive Maundy Money. The royal family's official website said that "local pensioners" receive money from the monarch to commemorate the Last Supper when Jesus washed the Apostles' feet. "The 150 men and women who have been chosen today to receive the Maundy Money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities," Charles said. "This act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service to follow Christ's example 'not to be served but to serve.' That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart." He added: "It is my special prayer today that Our Lord's example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities." King Charles and Queen Camilla. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Although Charles did not attend Thursday's service, Buckingham Palace told the Associated Press that he and Queen Camilla will attend an Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle's chapel. Representatives for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. Andy Cheung/Getty Images Charles' remarks come after Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, decided to share her own cancer diagnosis with the public last week. Middleton's video announcement came after weeks of speculation over her health and marital status. Middleton, 42, called the diagnosis a "huge shock," and she's undergoing "preventive chemotherapy." "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," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider To understand Driscolls, its helpful to think of the berry giant less as a farm business than as a genetics and marketing company. Driscolls owns the patents to a given berrys genetics, which it licenses to approved growers on an exclusive basis. The company then markets these berries under the Driscolls brand. This involvement with genetics is deeply embedded in the companys DNA. In the early 1900s, Joseph Ed Reiter teamed up with his brother-in-law, Richard Driscoll, to develop and market a variety called the Banner. The berry stood out from the crowd. But at that time, there was no way to patent a plants genetics, which meant that anyone could cultivate the variety, so Reiter and Driscoll had competition. This hurdle was removed when President Herbert Hoover signed the Plant Patent Act of 1930, which enabled Reiter and Driscoll to claim ownership of breeds they engineered. The Banner variety was ultimately hit hard by diseasea common issue with monoculturesbut the business model had been proven. Driscolls isnt alone in exploring advances in strawberry genetics. The University of California system has long run a strawberry-breeding program to boost the industry. As Dana Goodyear described in The New Yorker, the operation is Driscolls antithesispublic, open, nonexclusivesupplying, for a nominal royalty fee, any grower wishing to use its plants. The program ran into problems in the middle of the twentieth century. Most of the strawberry growers in California at the time were Japanese, and when over 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II, there was suddenly a severe shortage of growers. The disruption likely hurt the labs finances. In the Reiters telling, the problems were so serious that the strawberry lab at UC Berkeley was making plans to abandon its work, though ultimately it never did. It was in this void that the Reiters sowed the seeds of their fortune. Two key researchers quit the university program and went to work for the family. With these hires, the Reiters grabbed the knowledge and skills that had previously been directed toward building intellectual property available to the public and instead put them to work producing privately owned varieties of strawberries. Driscolls was established in 1950 when Eds son, Joe Reiter, joined forces with a few other berry growers. Not long after, some wily genetic maneuvering produced a patentable strawberry that could be shipped to the East Coast, which was the holy grail of strawberry breeding. The variety also fruited later than its competitors, giving it a seasonal advantage that creates a temporary and lucrative monopoly. Thats one reason why California currently grows 90 percent of domestically produced strawberries. Before the variety was patented, the state ranked only eighth nationally in terms of acreage used in strawberry production. In fact, Arkansas once had three times the acreage of California. Driscolls focus on genetics resembles the business model described by Naomi Klein in her book No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies. Klein deconstructed the rise of the brand and the logo, with a particular focus on the example of Nike, a multibillion-dollar company that doesnt actually manufacture anything. Instead, it pays to put its logothe infamous swooshon clothing that other companies make. Nikes competitive advantage is not in its products but in its brand. Nike spends most of its time and energy putting together ad campaigns featuring the swoosh. A generic gray shirt might sell for $10, but the same shirt made in the same factory with a swoosh printed on it sells for three times more. The price difference reflects customers willingness to pay a premium for a piece of clothing to associate themselves with the image created by Nikes ad campaign. The Driscolls business model is in many ways akin to those of Nike and some of its neighbors in Silicon Valley. Its niche isnt to grow the strawberries but to breed, brand, and transport them and rake in profits from everyone elses sweat. A senior vice president at Driscolls summed up this philosophy, pointing out that [berry] growers are sort of like our manufacturing plants. We make the inventions, they assemble it, and then we market it, so its not that dissimilar from Apple using someone else to do the manufacturing but theyve made the invention and marketed the end product. Although Driscolls does not farm the berries it sells, it maintains control over the fruit throughout the process. Driscolls likely dictates how the fruit is grown and, of course, sets the price it will pay to the farmers. This model of production has deep roots in American agriculture. Professor Douglas H. Constance refers to it as the Southern Model, emerging in chicken production in the South in the 1940s. Under this model, a corporation controls almost every aspect of the production chain. In the case of chicken, the corporation owns the breeding, hatching, feed mills, transportation, and processing plants, meaning that it does everything but raise the bird, which it usually contracts out because it is the riskiest part of the production process. The farmer, meanwhile, is required to use the corporations hatchling and feed and then sell the bird back to it. Contract [chicken] production is but a formalized form of sharecropping, Constance writesa remnant of slavery in the U.S. South. The Southern Model quickly spread across the food industry and around the world, with nuances specific to crop and locale. The relationship between Driscolls and its approved suppliers is not necessarily as exploitive as the one between chicken farmers and companies like Tysons. After all, Garland Reiter is the chief executive officer of an entirely separate company that grows berries for Driscolls as an approved supplier. Yet ultimately, by owning its brand and the genetics of the berries, Driscolls maintains control over the entire production chain even as it disclaims responsibility for growing the berries. These days, Driscolls employs about 30 people at nine locations across the globe to do this breeding. The company refers to these scientists as Joy Makers, referring to the ecstasy of biting into a delicious, perfectly engineered berry. J. Miles bragged in a company promotional video that it is unusual in our industry to commit as much as we do to R&D, but it was really the basis for founding Driscolls. Driscolls headquarters sits at the end of a cul-de-sac in a generic building in an office park in Watsonville, California, right next to Highway 1, the iconic coastal highway. There are no tours or company store or even a berry statue. You would never guess that a berry empire is run out of this nondescript slab of concrete but for the Driscolls sign out front. But once you start poking around, you begin to see the tendrils of the empire snaking out: The California Strawberry Commission is located just up the road, in the same office park as Driscolls. California strawberry growers founded the organization in 1955 to try to get more people to eat strawberries. Surrounded by berry fields about 15 miles east of Santa Cruz, Watsonville is nestled in the heart of the Pajaro Valley, a key center for agricultural production in the state. Even aside from Driscolls suppliers, many of the valleys large employers have some connection to farming. Watsonvilles population of about 50,000 is mostly working-class Latino. Watsonville is in one of the two big strawberry-producing regions in America. The other is farther south, near the cities of Oxnard and Santa Maria, just north of Los Angeles. Berries love this coastal climate, which simulates a perpetual spring, so they end up producing strawberries for much longer than the berries in my grandpas Iowa backyard, which fruit for only a short time. But while the temperature may be perfect for strawberry production, the rainfall isnt. In fact, Watsonville gets only about an inch of rain between May and September. Thats a problem for water-intensive crops such as strawberries. After all, 91 percent of a strawberry is water. Because Driscolls suppliers arent getting their water from the sky, theyre largely pumping it from underground. Roughly 90 percent of the water supply in the Pajaro Valley comes from groundwater. Driscolls acknowledges that most of the fields in which the companys fruit is grown are irrigated with groundwater. Those wells have contributed to the aquifers becoming severely overdraftedmore water flows out than inand to salt water being drawn in from the ocean. Thats a problem for the farmworkers and other residents who rely on wells for drinking water, particularly when drilling new, deeper wells in California can run to $55,000, according to The Washington Post. Its also bad for the farms themselves; some farmers in the Pajaro Valley have found that the groundwater is too salty to use for irrigation. In early September 2022, farmworkers and other residents of the Pajaro Valley held a press conference on a 30-foot-wide dirt road that separated berry fields from an elementary school. Parents and children held a printed banner pleading, Stop Poisoning Our Kids: Go Organic! The group called on berry growers to stop spraying traditional, nonorganic pesticides near schools and residential areas, which they believed were responsible for neurological and other diseases affecting local children. They didnt seem to buy the industry-funded studies that claimed the chemicals were perfectly safe. A few months later, J. Miles Reiter and other Driscolls employees met with the activists. Reiter acknowledged that over time, going organic was a worthwhile goal. But the company made no commitment to require its growers located near schools, parks, and hospitals to do so. Reiter had earlier argued that it was up to the growers, not Driscolls, to decide whether to go organic. Once again, being the seller of berries, rather than the grower, proved useful. Yet Driscolls has set up a system that makes these chemicals if not necessary, certainly expedient. It all comes back to producing as many identical berries as cheaply as possible. To understand why fumigants are particularly attractive to Driscolls suppliers, and strawberry growers in general, it helps to know a little about the plant itself. If youve ever grown strawberries in your backyard, you might have noticed that the plants sprout horizontal stems that run above the ground and generate new plants at varying intervals. The main plant is known as the mother, and the horizontal stems bolting above the ground are known as runners. The runners are effectively clones of the mother plant. I used to help my grandpa with his strawberry patch behind his house in Iowa. He would till every other row so that the runners could fill in that space. Its a common practice with strawberries because younger plants tend to produce more berries, which of course is the goal for a global supplier such as Driscolls. Strawberries are fickle and research-intensive to breed. Like hybrid corn seeds, strawberry seeds dont yield the same plant they came from but instead produce a slightly different variety. But runners allow breeders like Driscolls to plant exactly the same berry they patented. The downside of planting clones is that they create the potential for disease to spread rapidly because of their genetic similarities. To prevent crop loss, berry farmers fumigate their land before planting the runners. If youve ever driven near strawberry fields, you might notice rows of black plastic mounds. The mounds make it easier for pickers to collect the berries, and the dirt is enclosed in plastic to capture the fumigation gases injected into the soil. This process kills not just the diseases farmers worry about but everything else in the soil too, as a report on All Things Considered noted in 2012. Organic strawberry fields are typically not subjected to these chemicals. Instead, an organic farmer might grow berries in a different field each year, returning to the original plot only after several years to make sure remnants of diseases dont remain in the soil. Driscolls does control about 60 percent of the U.S. market for organic strawberries, but this is likely a small portion of its total business. After all, the fumigation approach requires less land, which is key when youre supplying a global market. For most of Driscolls suppliers, fumigants are just part and parcel of farming. Methyl bromide was widely used as a fumigant dating back to the 1960s. Sociologist Julie Guthman, who wrote a book on the subject, believes that this highly effective odorless, colorless gas fueled the strawberry industrys growth. But then scientists discovered that it damages the earths ozone layer. Despite years of industry resistance, this finding led to restrictions on the use of methyl bromide for strawberries grown outside nurseries. Methyl bromide has largely been banned, but other fumigants have taken its place. The use of these gases has stirred protest not just in the Pajaro Valley but across California, where berry fields often abut schools, parks, and hospitals. For context, one district in the state has 18 schools located directly adjacent to farmland. Thats significant because some studies have linked fumigants to lower IQs in kids, along with other health problems. Eventually, the chemicals can make their way into nearby waterways. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified most of the canals that surround Driscolls and the California Strawberry Commission as impaired, largely because of the presence of bacteria and toxic chemicals. For the most part, farmworkers and their families have dealt with the brunt of this pollution. J. Miles and Garland Reiter certainly dont live near the berry fields; they own coastal estates in Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. In fact, a lot of farmers in California dont live on farms. The largest farmer in California lives in Beverly Hills and controls almost enough farmland to cover the five boroughs of New York City. Increasingly, farm owners arent even individuals or families but are corporations and other institutions. Harvard University bought thousands of acres of California farmland as part of its investment of its massive endowment. The arrival of Wall Street money has only intensified inequality in an already unequal area. The food system is dynamic and always shifting. But when corporations such as Driscolls run the show, it shifts in whatever direction allows them to accrue maximum profits. Thats the current trajectory of American agriculture. Wall Street and large corporations such as Driscolls have taken control of the agricultural sector, while the communities they operate in and the workers who pick their berries are left holding the bag. This article is an adapted excerpt from Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of Americas Food Industry. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach leads an 11-state coalition that filed a federal lawsuit challenge President Joe Bidens latest effort to do away with hundreds of millions of dollars in college student loan debt. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and peers in 10 other states Thursday filed a federal lawsuit against President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of Education challenging an effort to reduce the burden of college student debt by reducing monthly loan payments to near zero. The U.S. Supreme Court decided last year in a legal dispute involving a separate Biden student-debt order that the president didnt have unilateral authority to delete financial obligations of college students. The nations highest court said such action required approval of Congress. Once again, the Biden administration has decided to steal from the poor and give to the rich, said Kobach, who campaigned two years ago on a pledge to file multiple lawsuits against Biden. He is forcing people who did not go to college, or who worked their way through college, to pay for the loans of those who ran up exorbitant student debt. This coalition of Republican attorneys general will stand in the gap and stop Biden. Biden said on social media that he would continue to fight to make certain higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. Im not backing down. The Supreme Courts decision last summer blocked Bidens strategy to outright cancel an estimated $430 billion in federal loan debt because the action required expenditure of taxpayer money to accomplish and the legislative branch hadnt endorsed the policy. In that initial case, Kansas was among six states that challenged Biden. Despite that loss, and in completely brazen fashion, the president pressed ahead anyway and implemented another version of the student loan forgiveness program, Kobach said during a news conference at the Capitol. Not since the Civil War era has there been a sitting president attempting to defy the Supreme Court in this manner. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, also a Republican, said he intended to join with Arkansas in a separate student loan debt lawsuit. Kobach said the new 11-state lawsuit filed in Wichita contended the executive branch didnt have power to amend student loan repayment plans, which would essentially do away with at least $156 billion in student debt. The Kansas attorney general said Biden was guilty of violating the Supreme Courts major questions doctrine, which presumed Congress held authority to assign consequential policy decisions to a federal agency. We look forward to seeing the presidents attorneys in court, Kobach said. The law simply does not allow Biden to do what he wants to do. Biden is trying to exercise the powers of a king rather than the powers of a president in a constitutional republic. The Kansas suit was joined by attorneys general from Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina and Utah. The attorneys general intend to seek a temporary injunction against Biden in the U.S. District Court. In the court filing, the attorneys general alleged Biden violated the separation of powers, the education department acted in excess of statutory authority and the agency engaged in arbitrary and capricious conduct. Kobach was asked whether he believed Biden was attempting to persist with the student loan agenda to curry favor from young voters in an election year. I think thats a possibility, the attorney general said. It could be purely coincidence, but the first student loan plan happened in 2022 in that election cycle and it could be purely coincidence that the president is celebrating and making public statements about this student loan plan in the election cycle of 2024. Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and Twitter. The post Kansas AG files lawsuit challenging Bidens latest effort to diminish college student loan debt appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach held a press conference on a lawsuit of the Biden Administrations student loan forgiveness program Thursday. Kobach says his office, along with 10 other state attorneys general, will sue President Joe Biden over the student loan forgiveness scheme. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in federal court. Once again, the Biden administration has decided to steal from the poor and give to the rich, Kobach said. He is forcing people who did not go to college, or who worked their way through college, to pay for the loans of those who ran up exorbitant student debt. This coalition of Republican attorneys general will stand in the gap and stop Biden. The attorneys general argue the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) doesnt have the authority to change student loan repayment plans. They also argue the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a previous version of Bidens student loan forgiveness program last year. Man arrested in Kansas-Russia conspiracy case: DOJ Bidens plan would automatically dismiss $1.2 billion in loans for more than 150,000 borrowers who meet eligibility requirements, according to a DOE announcement in 2024. With todays announcement, we are once again sending a clear message to borrowers who had low balances: if youve been paying for a decade, youve done your part, and you deserve relief, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in February 2024. Under President Bidens leadership, our Administration has now approved loan forgiveness for nearly 3.9 million borrowers, and our historic fight to cancel student debt isnt over yet. The other state attorneys general that have signed on to the lawsuit include Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. The lawsuit can be read in full by clicking here or by reading the document below: 1747fd3fa045c6d769d9bff0400a29f96 by Matthew Self on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Russia was working with partners amid unprecedented pressure from the U.S. and European Union after Reuters reported Moscow was experiencing some delays for oil payments. Reuters reported that Russian oil firms face delays of up to several months to be paid for crude and fuel as banks in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates become more wary of U.S. secondary sanctions. Payment delays reduce revenue to the Kremlin and make them erratic, allowing Washington to achieve its dual policy sanction goals - to disrupt money going to the Kremlin to punish it for the war in Ukraine while not interrupting global energy flows. "Since the countries you mentioned are under unprecedented pressure from the financial and other authorities of the US and EU, of course this work is being carried out, but it is being carried out in a discrete mode," Peskov told reporters at a conference call. "We are working very constructively with our partners and intensely, taking into account the dangers that arise from this unprecedented pressure, which is in violation of all clear rules and norms of international trade and economic relations." (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Mark Heinrich) The UAE has strengthened its position in the global economy and the total value of UAE assets abroad, both government and private, is estimated at $2.5 trillion as of early 2024, a senior official has said. Jamal Bin Saif Al Jarwan, Secretary-General of the UAE International Investors Council (UAEIIC), stated that UAE investments abroad are performing well despite global economic fluctuations, according to a Wam news agency report. The UAE is expanding its investment portfolio to secure future generations with valuable and viable projects, demonstrating sound economic management and commitment to development and cooperation, he said. The UAE ranked first in the Arab region and West Asia and 15th globally in investments, and second globally in investing in new opportunities, he said. In statements to Wam, Al Jarwan said the United States holds the top spot, attracting $65 billion in bonds and $50 billion in direct investments. Egypt followed closely with $65 billion, while the United Kingdom and India each pulled in $40 billion in direct investments. Morocco saw $30 billion, and Europe is emerging as a promising future destination due to its currency stability. He said: "We are currently operating in 90 countries, and I expect India, Indonesia, ASEAN countries, Egypt, Morocco, Central Asian countries, Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, and some Eastern European countries, especially Serbia, Greece, and Turkey, to be the focus of our attention." Regarding the breakdown of ownership and capital holders, he explained that Emirati investments worldwide are divided between sovereign wealth funds by 72 percent, with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) playing a primary role, along with Mubadala Investment Company, Investment Corporation of Dubai, Emirates Investment Authority, and ADQ. This is followed by followed by government-owned and quasi-governmental companies at 18 percent, UAE banks at 2.5 percent, and 7.5 percent for family-owned and private companies. He noted that the UAE owns seven sovereign wealth funds with assets exceeding $2 trillion. Al Jarwan said: "There are a series of deals that have been concluded, the most prominent of which was the deal between the American asset management company Apollo Global Management and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority to acquire UniVar Solutions, headquartered in the UAE, for $8.2 billion." He also mentioned the deal of the Canadian Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec acquiring 22 percent of the ownership of DP World in both the Jebel Ali Free Zone and the National Industries Park and Jebel Ali Port for $5 billion. He mentioned that among the most important deals in this field is the acquisition by the e& group and its subsidiary Atlas 2022 Holdings of a stake of 9.8 percent in the British Vodafone group for $4.4 billion, and the acquisition by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) of 24.9 percent of the Austrian oil and gas company OMV AG from a local sovereign wealth fund affiliated with Mubadala for $4.1 billion. He added: With the growing popularity of cross-border deals, Ras El-Hekma, a deal of great significance worth $35 billion emerges. (The deal between Egypt and the UAE will see Egypt develop the Ras El Hekma area into a city that will bring up to $150 billion in investment). Regarding annual flows, he clarified that the UAE's investment flows abroad increased in 2022 to reach $24.833 billion, representing a 10 percent increase from 2021, when it was $22.546 billion. The Chinese Space Agency has made its plans for a moon landing public. If everything works out as they hope, it will happen in the 2030s, although it is not clear when. At present, NASA expects to do so in September 2026, but the delays so far suggest that it will probably be postponed a bit longer. There is a possibility that, in the future, we will see a repeat of the 1960s space race between the United States and the USSR. In recent years, China placed three devices on the surface of the moon and last Wednesday they successfully launched the Queqiao-2 satellite as a spearhead to improve communication from Earth and support upcoming missions to the moons far side and south pole. Half a century ago, the Soviet Union kept its plans a strict secret. In fact, after the Apollo 11 moon landing, the superpower officially denied that it had any intention of risking lives to go to the moon when identical results could be achieved by robots. And it is true that the USSR had spectacular success in this area. However, it was not until the Gorbachev era that models of what should have been Soviet lunar spacecraft began to appear here and there. Although the Kremlin had ordered the destruction of all traces of the program, some of the material survived long enough for historians to get an idea of what might have been but was not. Today, China is pursuing a somewhat more transparent policy. It has not yet provided many details, but it has recently shown its names and models of lunar spacecraft: the main capsule, which will take three astronauts to the moon and bring them back, will be called Mengzhou (which means dream ship); the descent module that will go to the surface is called Lanyue (embrace the moon). These two names are very much a product of Chinese culture and follow the tradition of other vehicles, which were baptized as celestial palace and divine ship. Half a century ago, the Soviets and Americans decided to use a single launcher to lift the manned module and the lunar lander simultaneously. That required monster rockets like the U.S. Saturn V or the USSRs N-1. China does not currently have such powerful space shuttles, so it will send the two pieces separately. The rocket deployed will be a three-body model whose appearance is very reminiscent of SpaceXs Falcon Heavy, the one that sent Elon Musks Tesla convertible into space on its maiden flight. First, the lunar lander will be launched into orbit around the moon, where it will await the arrival of two astronauts (called taikonauts in Chinese). Once the initial maneuver is completed, with the Lanyue properly stationed (circling the moon), a second rocket will propel the Mengzhou with its three crew members from Earth into lunar orbit. There, it will tether with the descent vehicle similar to how the Apollo program did it. Two astronauts will go through an internal hatch, separate the two spacecraft and begin the lunar landing maneuver. The new race to the moon: Similarities and differences from the past The Chinese lunar lander is more inspired by the Russian system (which was never used) than by the American one. It will be mounted on a large rocket, which will do most of the stopping on the moon until it reaches a low altitude above the ground. It will detach there, leaving the Lanyue to descend the last few meters supported by its four twin engines. A re-creation of the two Chinese spacecraft that will put 'taikonauts' on the moon. CSM The Chinese lunar lander has a two-person capacity; its landing gear consists of four legs with a cushioning system; the square exit hatch leads directly to a ladder attached to the front leg. These details are quite reminiscent of the Apollo Lunar Module; and its weight will be similar, perhaps slightly heavier on the Chinese vehicle. But thats where the similarities end. The Lanyue has only one set of engines; the U.S. Lunar Module had two independent engines, one for landing and one for re-ascent, each with its own control systems and fuel reserves. China seems to have adopted a solution identical to the one the Russians employed 60 years ago: a large, expendable rocket in mid-descent and comparatively weak engines for the final landing phase. On the return to Earth, the same set of engines will be used for liftoff as for the descent, the same solution that the 1960s Russian lunar module had. To be on the safe side, that one had two reactors; the Lanyue will have four. The Apollo Lunar Module relied on a single reactor, different from the lander. However, its construction was so simple that, in theory, there was nothing that could fail. The four Lanyue engines develop a combined thrust of about 3 tons. In the moons reduced gravity, they could lift a payload of 15,000 kilograms (around 16.5 tons), about what the entire Apollo weighed (including the lower segment and legs). The descent vehicle could be reusable Unlike the Apollo program, it appears that the Chinese project could launch from the moon with the entire spacecraft, without needing to leave dead weight, such as the landing gear, on the ground. After returning to lunar orbit, it will dock with the main spacecraft where the third astronaut will be waiting to return home, leaving the lunar lander behind. In the 20th century U.S. and Soviet programs, once the astronauts were in orbit, the lunar module was discarded by crashing it to the surface. Since its landing segment had been left on the ground, it was no longer of any use. But if the entire Chinese lunar module is parked again circling the moon, that raises the interesting possibility of refueling it and using it for a second expedition. The Chinese space agency has not explained anything about this. An in-orbit refueling maneuver requires mastering two techniques: automatic encounter and the transfer of liquid from one spacecraft to another. In 2020, China demonstrated with its Change 5 robot that it has solved the first challenge. Refueling is another issue; that is also a concern for Elon Musk and his Starship mega rocket, since it will be an essential operation of the Artemis 3 mission crews descent to the moon. The Lanyue has two parts on the roof that resemble Mickey Mouses ears. They are folding photoelectric panels that resemble a Chinese fan. Powered by solar energy, it can stay on the moon for up to 15 days, much longer than the Apollo Lunar Module, which only had non-rechargeable batteries. On the other hand, its apparent lack of windows is surprising, although the design may change. The Chinese space agency has announced that the Lanyue will be able to operate under manual control or automatically; but if there are taikonauts on board, it seems reasonable to allow them to see the panorama they are heading toward. The Apollo program always landed under manual control, but China has developed excellent automatic landing systems that have allowed it to land several times, not only on the moon, but also on Mars. Unlike other competitors, no Chinese probe has ever crashed on the moon. The Chinese lunar spacecraft model also includes a four-wheeled vehicle, folded and attached to the outside of the cabin. For now, it is only a project, the development of which has been commissioned to a private company, much like NASA did when it contracted Boeing to build the electric aircraft used in the last three lunar expeditions. The Chinese programs objectives and weaknesses On the other hand, some experts have pointed out certain weaknesses in the Chinese design. The main one is the danger of damaging the engines during landing, which would pose a very serious risk to the two astronauts. During the Apollo 15 mission, the lunar modules nozzle was deformed when it hit the ground. The incident was not consequential because the engine was only used during descent, while the launch engine remained safely inside the cabin. But in the Chinese case, all the nozzles are unprotected and exposed to damage from impacts or ricochets of fragments carried by the exhaust gases. Except for the announcement of its intention to reach the moon in the next decade, the Chinese agency has not published any flight programs. If the experience of 60 years ago is anything to go by, at least four test missions are to be expected, some unmanned and some limited to orbit. In any case, the final launch rocket will not be ready for about three years. Moon landings can only be attempted when the vehicles have proven their reliability. They have already identified some 30 possible sites, including the Shackelton crater (near the South Pole) and even one on the far side of the moon (in the Mare Moscoviense), although given the difficulties involved, this will only be done much later. The first one will likely be in the equatorial zone, where there are wide plains that are relatively free of obstacles. The programs ultimate goal is not just to plant a national flag and return with a few pounds of rocks, but to establish a permanent base, probably near the south. The Chinese agency refers to it as the ILRS (International Lunar Research Station), although few countries have considered participating so far. In contrast, the Artemis agreements, a rival initiative sponsored by NASA to coordinate the future exploration of the moon, already has 35 signatory countries. The Kremlin has welcomed statements by former chancellor Gerhard Schroder, known to have held close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin while in office, to use the friendship to contribute to ending the war in Ukraine. Good, constructive relations on a personal level like those between Schroder and Putin could help to solve problems, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Thursday. It comes after the former German leader told dpa in an interview that he and Putin "have worked together sensibly for many years. Perhaps that can still help to find a negotiated solution, I don't see any other way." Schroder has been friends with Putin since his time as chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and continues to work for the majority Russian Nord Stream pipeline companies.. Although he has described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a "fatal mistake," he has not renounced Putin. The leadership of his Social Democratic Party has marginalized him for this reason, but an expulsion procedure against him failed. Peskov said Schroder and Putin's friendship had repeatedly helped "to solve the most difficult questions and ensure the gradual evolution of bilateral developments." The Kremlin spokesman added that when it came to those in power in Germany today, he did not see any willingness to end the war in Ukraine, ordered by Russian President Putin in February 2022. Germany led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, one of Ukraine's main backers, was massively involved in the war, he claimed, without giving details. The dominant approach in Europe was to "provoke Ukraine into fighting to the last Ukrainian." Although Moscow was observing varying positions in Europe, it did not see any change in the situation, Peskov said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting between President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace. Alexey Danichev/KREMLIN/dpa Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he was in New Delhi on March 28 on his first-ever trip to India. Kuleba said he was in the Indian capital at the invitation of Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and that the two would "pay specific attention to the peace formula" in their talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky first presented the peace formula, a 10-point peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine, at the G20 summit in November 2022. The plan includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, a complete withdrawal of Russian troops, and prosecution of those responsible for war crimes. New Delhi has positioned itself as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a diplomatic solution while fostering close economic ties with Moscow. India has become one of the chief buyers of Russian oil following Western sanctions, although pressure from U.S. sanctions increasingly threatens this trade. At the same time, Ukraine has sought to engage India and obtain its support for the peace formula, as well as other economic partnerships. "The Ukrainian-Indian cooperation is important and we will be reinvigorating ties," Kuleba wrote. Kuleba said earlier in March that the trip would be his first visit to India. Read also: India identifies major human trafficking network luring Indians to fight for Russia in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) -Ukraine's defence minister asked allies for more air defences at an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Thursday and said nearly all the impact from Russian strikes this year had been on civilian infrastructure. Last Friday, Russia carried out its largest air strike on Ukraine's energy system since its invasion in February 2022, damaging power units at a dam and causing blackouts for more than a million people. Moscow has described its recent attacks as part of a series of "revenge" strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions. Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said the support of allies on air defences was crucial and that it could save thousands of lives. "The total explosive power of combined air attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the year exceeds 9 kilotons," he wrote on X after addressing participants via video link. "Only 3% of those Russian missiles, drones and guided bombs hit military targets, while 97% struck civilian infrastructure," he wrote. Reuters was unable to verify that figure. Russia denies targeting civilians, although the war that began with its invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions and destroyed towns and cities. Russia has stepped up its airstrikes on Ukraine this month. Last week alone, it has used almost 190 missiles, 140 attack drones and 700 guided bombs, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said earlier. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Angus MacSwan) Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation dismissed reports on March 28 about Russias preparations to launch a new offensive against Kharkiv, saying that Moscow currently "does not have the resources" for such an operation. The statement comes two days after Russian independent media outlet Meduza cited anonymous sources close to the Kremlin saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin was considering trying to capture Kharkiv and "gradually finishing" the war after that. The sources said they didn't have information on whether such a decision had already been made. Another source told Meduza that Putin was "ready to go to the end even to Kyiv and doesnt care about the price." All interlocutors of the media outlet expressed confidence Putin planned to continue the war against Ukraine. "All their lies about readiness to surround the city (Kharkiv) are designed for internal and external audiences and are part of the fear propaganda campaign," said Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, subordinate to Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. "Talks about the 350,000 soldiers they want to recruit for this task, threats by (Russian propagandist) Vladimir Solovyov (they are) so far only talks. This is a psychological operation," he added. "Now the enemy is only capable of shelling and terrorizing the city, and under this terror, it adapts narratives about an offensive that is impossible. But the enemy always frightens with offensives, using shelling." Read also: Putin reiterates war goals, again threatens West in post-election comments Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, is located in the northeast of the country, just about 30 kilometers from the Russian border. Due to its proximity to the border with Russia, Kharkiv Oblast and the regional capital have faced near-daily attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier in March that Kharkiv was not yet safe enough for residents to return to the city. The latest mass air strike against Kharkiv killed a man and injured at least 19 other people, including four children. In one of Russias largest attacks against Ukraines power grid on March 22, a thermal power plant and all the electrical substations in Kharkiv were destroyed, leading to mass blackouts in the city. Over the recent months, Russia has intensified assault attempts in the area of Kupiansk, a crucial strategic city in Kharkiv Oblast that was temporarily occupied by Russian troops. Ukraine liberated Kupiansk and other occupied parts of the region during its surprise counteroffensive in September 2022. Read also: Portrait of the Invader: 2 years of Russian soldiering in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Semafor Signals Insights from Verstka, The Washington Post, and the Financial Times The News Ukraine is racing to build 1,200 miles of defensive fortifications as Kyiv braces for another Russian offensive in the coming months. On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Ukraines northern Sumy region to inspect efforts to build trenches, dugouts, and rows of so-called dragons teeth large cement obstacles aimed at blocking Russian tanks. Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on March 4 that more than $800 million had been budgeted for building defensive positions as Ukraine aims to stop the slow gains Russia has made in recent months. Work is carried out on a daily basis, 24/7, he said. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Fearing a new Russian offensive, Kyiv races to strengthen defenses Sources: Verstka, Le Monde , The Washington Post The race to beef up Kyivs defensive positions comes as Western and Ukrainian officials warn of a larger Russian offensive in the coming months. Russian independent media have reported that the Kremlin is gearing up for a new mobilization of manpower and an offensive that could be aimed at Kharkiv, the largest city in Eastern Ukraine. The need for better defensive positions has been further bolstered by Russias growing use of Soviet-era glide bombs, which carry up to a half-ton of explosives and allow Russian troops to destroy even concrete-reinforced shelters. The bombs simply demolish, destroying houses and foundations that can be used for defense fortifications, a Ukrainian military spokesperson told The Washington Post. Better late than never when it comes to defensive lines Sources: The Financial Times, The Economist Defensive lines cannot come soon enough, Ukrainian soldiers and military experts say. Frontline troops have complained about poorly built defensive positions for months, but construction only got going at a large scale in February, the Financial Times reported. The issue came to a head in the embattled eastern town of Avdiivka, where a lack of defensive lines meant scores of Ukrainian troops were killed or captured in a chaotic retreat last month. But Ukrainian officials have had reason to delay, long fearing that by building robust defensive lines, they would in effect be splitting the country in two and creating a line that could become akin to a border, The Economist reported. The Kyiv City Military Administration (KMDA) has warned of the possible intensification of Russian missile attacks and the threat of infiltration attempts by enemy reconnaissance and sabotage groups in its March 27 Telegram post. In response to signals from Russian officials about escalating ballistic missile assaults, the Kyiv Defense Council convened an urgent meeting. They implemented several precautionary steps affecting public events and transit to bolster the capital's security. "The risk of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance teams sneaking into the city, possibly with the backing of Russian intelligence and other adversarial groups aiming to destabilize Kyiv, is a serious concern," the KMDA stated. While the details of the preventive decisions are not specified, it is understood that the rules for holding mass events and operating public transportation may change. Authorities have been instructed to heighten their vigilance in crowded areas to enhance safety. "We are proactively implementing measures to guarantee the safety and security of Kyiv and its inhabitants," said KMDA chief Serhiy Popko. Read also: First results of Zircon missile analysis unveiled following strikes on Kyiv by Russian Federation Russia attacked Kyiv with several hypersonic ballistic missiles launched from occupied Crimea on March 25. Due to the extreme velocity of the missiles, the air raid alert was sounded almost simultaneously with them reaching the Ukrainian capital. Although the missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, falling debris injured ten people across the city. Two missiles, shot down by Ukraines air defense over Kyiv on March 25 were likely ZM22 Zircon missiles, Defense Express reported. This is the second known use of this missile type after an unsuccessful attempt to attack Kyiv on Feb. 7. Read also: Russia has stockpiled Zircon missiles in Crimea specifically to target Kyiv 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 BOWLING GREEN With a shirt that read "print guns, not money," Ben LeNeave saw opportunity where others saw division after plans to bring Kyle Rittenhouse to Western Kentucky University's campus went public. A self-described "radical supporter of the constitution, the First and Second Amendments," LeNeave joined the crowd Wednesday evening to collect contact information for Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian activism organization. He pulled a dozen signatures in his first 20 minutes, with a few notes next to names who could be interested in leadership positions. "I just figured it'd be a good crowd to recruit off of," he said ahead of the forum. "I've already had some good conversations with both sides." "Both sides," as LeNeave put it, had plenty to say. That tends to be the case when Rittenhouse is in the news. He was 17 when he brought a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle purchased for him by a friend to an August 2020 protest in Wisconsin following the police shooting of Jacob Blake where he then shot three protesters who confronted him, killing two. He's now 21, acquitted of all charges, and on a media tour of the region that's drawn strong reactions at each stop. He stormed out of a forum last week at the University of Memphis after being met by hundreds of protesters, a little more than a month after he spoke at East Tennessee State. And it was a similar scene in Bowling Green, on a day that began with a student sit-in at WKU's administrative office and ended with chants and cheers among two groups of activists following Rittenhouse's speech at the Downing Student Union. Rittenhouse, who was found not guilty of intentional homicide in 2021 and has since become a GOP firebrand, was invited to campus by WKU's chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit operating at colleges across the U.S. That group was founded by Charlie Kirk, who's made headlines recently for saying he questions whether Black pilots are qualified due to diversity, equity and inclusion policies and the "deification of (Martin Luther King Jr.) and his proto-DEI ideology marks the exact moment that the progress of black America goes sideways." Branch President Cade Holcombe, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment after the event, previously said Rittenhouse was invited to share his story to "start a good conversation" and "find a solid middle ground." Kyle Rittenhouse listens as attorneys speak during his trial in November 2021. Rittenhouse spoke at Western Kentucky University on Wednesday in an event that sparked protests on campus. WKU leadership didn't endorse the event. Amid backlash earlier this week, school President Tim Caboni said universities in Kentucky are required by law to give student political organizations equal rights to reserve venues on campus, adding colleges "have an obligation to establish an environment where a wide range of perspectives are exchanged, even if the ideas presented are different from our own, offensive or even contemptible." He was not made available for an interview Wednesday. But students on campus who disagree with Rittenhouse's actions and positions as protests blared outside during his speech, he said he acted as "any reasonable person would do" before the shooting and advocated for students to carry guns on their college campus weren't shy in voicing their opposition. School leaders may not have been able to stop the event, protest organizer Arianna Pierson said, but students noticed when they didn't openly condemn it. She and at least 20 other members of For The People, an advocacy group for students and the community that leaders say was formed a day after the Kyle Rittenhouse (event) flyer dropped, hosted a sit-in at the schools Wetherby Administration Building that began in the morning and lasted late into the afternoon. Hundreds of students stand together and protest Kyle Rittenhouses talk on their campus on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The administration claims neutrality but obviously they are not neutral, and we decided to come to a space where they can't hide in their offices, Pierson said. This is where they work, so you come here, you see our faces, and it's a reminder that everything that is going on regarding the political climate of the university, you cannot ignore it. If we're in your face, you can't ignore us. More coverage: Recap: Updates from Kyle Rittenhouse's Western Kentucky University event The demonstration was sparked by Rittenhouse's planned appearance, but that was only the last straw. Those at the administrative office lobby were there to call for more minority representation in WKU's Student Government Association, which did not openly speak out against the event, and to rip school leadership for their lack of vocal opposition to several pending bills in the state legislature that would curb diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities. Events the university planned on campus to counterprogram against Rittenhouse's forum weren't enough, organizer Malick Diallo added. For The People organizer Malick Diallo, left, and others held a sit-in at WKUs Wetherby Administration Building ahead of a speech by Kyle Rittenhouse on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Pierson and Diallo are Black, as were many of those involved in the sit-in. And while the men killed by Rittenhouse were white, the shootings occurred at a protest over police violence against Black Americans. WKU's lack of action against Rittenhouse's appearance reflected that, Diallo said. It's just been an absolute insult to our intelligence and our emotions and our feelings and not to mention our history as well, he said. This is not a one-time problem. WKU spokesperson Jace Lux provided a statement on behalf of the school that said WKU does not comment on pending legislation "as a matter of practice" and noted Caboni had "outlined a number of ways the campus community could appropriately address topics or speakers with which they disagree" in his letter to students and faculty earlier in the week. We are proud that our students chose to make their position known in a thoughtful, peaceful and respectful manner today," the statement about the sit-in added. For The People marched through campus after the sit-in, drawing in more protesters, and eventually stopped in front of the venue ahead of the ticketed event. They were joined by a separate protest from the Bowling Green Freedom Walkers the College Heights Herald, WKU's student newspaper, reported WKU Police estimated the crowd reached 700 people at its peak. The protesters were loud. But they weren't alone. Supporters were among them, including Charlie Clabbers, an Allen County man who made the trip to Bowling Green to hear Rittenhouse's side. He didn't make it inside. The venue seated about 120 people, and while tickets were available to anyone who signed up, only those at the front of the line were let in. As he stood outside with those who were cut off from entry, Clabbers said he was disappointed he couldn't hear Rittenhouse's story "from the horse's mouth." "I don't know what I was hoping to hear. I just wanted to see it," Clabbers said after the doors closed. "Maybe they'll have a debate, I don't know if they will it or not, and bring some points to light of what really happened." Hundreds of students stand together and protest Kyle Rittenhouses talk on their campus on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Rittenhouse was in the right when he fired his gun that night, Clabbers contended. He ran initially when he was approached at the protest, he said, and "gave everybody an opportunity to leave him alone" before he fired. People have spent years arguing about it, Clabbers said, and it won't end any time soon. "I would love to see people have dialogue. I would love to have seen people talk not just scream and yell one side," he said. "You don't ever get anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're on this side or that side. Anybody who's screaming and yelling doesn't solve any argument." The event ended a little more than 30 minutes after it began. Rittenhouse left, protesters in the audience emerged to cheers, and after a couple brief confrontations between supporters and opposition, the crowd outside the Downing Student Union had mostly dispersed by 8:30 p.m. And whether you agree or disagree with Clabbers, he was right on one point the screaming and yelling didn't change a thing. Rittenhouse's tour will roll on next month with a stop at Kent State University. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kyle Rittenhouse WKU event draws big reaction from student protesters A roadblock is seen along Center Sugarbush Lane on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in Lac du Flambeau. The Lac du Flambeau tribal president said he's frustrated and disappointed with Gov. Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin calling for mediation in the long dispute about roads on the tribe's reservation in northern Wisconsin. Evers and Baldwin made the call in a Feb. 29 open letter about the conflict between the tribe and the non-tribal town of Lac du Flambeau over non-tribal residents using certain roads on the reservation. We urge all parties to make a good faith effort to resolve outstanding issues through mediation, Evers and Baldwin said. But Tribal President John Johnson, on behalf of the tribal council, asks how there can be mediation when it seems to tribal officials that the town, property title insurance companies involved and certain private landowners have been disrespecting the tribe. Lac du Flambeau Tribe President John Johnson looks out onto Pokegama Lake from the tribe's hotel casino balcony on the tribe's reservation in northern Wisconsin. Had there been genuine respect, this issue would have been amicably resolved over a decade ago, instead of devolving into a politically charged and slanderous dispute over supposed exclusive rights to our treaty promised land, Johnson said in a March 4 open letter to Evers and Baldwin. The dispute reached a critical point on Jan. 31, 2023, when tribal officials barricaded four roads on the reservation, cutting off the only road access to the homes of non-tribal residents of some 65 properties. Tribal officials said the easement agreement for the roads had expired more than 10 years prior and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the title insurance companies that handle the properties hadn't negotiated in good faith to extend the agreements. Some homeowners had sued to reopen the roads in federal court, but the court sided with the tribe. Originally, the tribe had requested $20 million to reopen the roads, to address legal fees and 10 years of illegal trespassing, but later reduced that amount to nearly $10 million. In March 2023, Lac du Flambeau town officials accepted the tribes offer to remove the barricades for 90 days in exchange for $60,000 while negotiations for a more permanent solution continued. A roadblock is seen along Annie Sunn Lane on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in Lac du Flambeau. Negotiations stalled and the town is paying an increasing amount to the tribe every month to the keep the roads open. In January 2024, a federal judge released the appraisal amounts for the four roads, which totaled about $79,000. That led some homeowners and legislators to ask why the tribe was asking for so much money. Since the combined value of all four roads is only $79,000, I feel the $20 million that the tribe is asking is out of line, said Jennifer Johnson, an affected homeowner. Yes, money is owed to the tribe for the easements, since that was the agreement set up by the developer and the tribe in the early 1960s. Now, a reasonable amount needs to be decided, with this value in mind. Tribal officials said the issue isn't about the cost of the roads. It's about sovereignty, trespass issues, being ignored for more than 10 years and general disrespect. I realize the tribe feels a lack of respect, Jennifer Johnson said. Respect has to be earned, not gotten through barricading, unreasonable demands, refusing conversations and not acknowledging correspondence. She said neither the tribe nor the town has started a conversation and that all parties, including the title companies, need to come to the table. State Sen. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, has accused John Johnson and the tribe of bad leadership and not being a good actor. She and other Republican lawmakers used the roads issue as a reason to withhold $1 million of promised gaming revenue from the tribe this winter. Some affected homeowners are appealing to Congress to help resolve the issue since it was congressional action in 1887 that allowed non-tribal people to purchase land on the reservation. Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Congress later reversed that policy through the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act. Since then, tribes across the U.S., including Lac du Flambeau, have slowly reclaiming properties that were lost on their reservations and reasserting sovereignty over land they still own. John Johnson said his tribes treaties with the U.S. in the mid-1800s had guaranteed a permanent homeland for his people in northern Wisconsin. He and the tribal council are committed to preserving and protecting that homeland on the reservation. That includes asserting sovereignty over the four roads in question on tribal land. He told Evers and Baldwin that the town has to address the trespassing issues against the tribe and the related administrative and legal burdens. The town is historically to blame for this situation, not the tribe, Johnson said. The continued delay exacerbates tensions, fuels racist attacks against our tribal members and undermines any semblance of community harmony. Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lac du Flambeau leader disappointed by call for mediation in dispute FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years on Thursday after he was convicted of defrauding the companys customers. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered the crypto billionaire to more than two decades in prison after Bankman-Frieds lawyers recommended a sentence of five to seven years, according to Axios. Prosecutors sought a sentence of 40 to 50 years. The disgraced entrepreneur and political donor was convicted by a jury in November of seven fraud and conspiracy counts in what prosecutors described as one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history. Kaplan cited Bankman-Frieds apparent lack of any remorse before he handed down the sentence. "He knew it was wrong," Kaplan said, rejecting SBFs claims that FTX customers did not actually lose any money. "He knew it was criminal. He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught. But he is not going to admit a thing, as is his right." Kaplan said he found that FTX customers lost $8 billion, FTXs equity investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders to the Alameda Research hedge fund that Bankman-Fried also founded had lost $1.3 billion, according to USA Today. "The defendant's assertion that FTX customers and creditors will be paid in full is misleading, it is logically flawed, it is speculative," Kaplan said. "A thief who takes his loot to Las Vegas and successfully bets the stolen money is not entitled to a discount on the sentence by using his Las Vegas winnings to pay back what he stole." Landlords are fleeing Scotland in the face of a devastating assault on property investors. The share of properties bought by landlords in Scotland fell to 6.7pc in the first two months of 2024, the lowest share for this time of year since records began in 2010, according to data from estate agency Hamptons. Meanwhile, the number of homes bought by Scottish landlords in England and Wales in January and February doubled from 3pc in 2021 to 6pc this year, as Scotlands rent controls push investors to buy elsewhere. It comes after Humza Yousafs SNP-Green government published radical plans to implement further market controls which could give local authorities powers to create rent caps as low as 0pc for up to five years. Other proposals in the Housing (Scotland) Bill include allowing courts to delay evictions during the winter months, and preventing landlords from unreasonably refusing pets or requests to paint the walls. The legislation doubles down on the 3pc cap on rent increases introduced by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon in September 2022. The move has backfired on tenants, with Scotland suffering the largest rent rises of anywhere in the UK. The 3pc cap is due to expire on Sunday. Industry experts believe this will lead to a spike in rental prices as landlords scramble to cover their costs. Experts have also warned the new plans will further reduce investment in the countrys private rental sector and force more landlords to sell up cutting the number of rental homes on the market. David Fell, of Hamptons, said Scottish landlords have been squeezed by the introduction of rent caps. He added: Their relative inability to increase rents in the face of rising costs has pushed growing numbers into the red. While most rental increases have been capped at 3pc, many landlords have seen their mortgage costs double which is unsustainable beyond the very short term. This environment has deterred new landlords, both individual investors alongside those building large numbers of new homes specifically for the rental market. Long term, any sort of cap on rental growth will only serve to reduce the number of rental homes on the market. While a cap will probably control costs for existing tenants, it will make it very difficult for someone trying to find a place to rent for the first time. Anna Gardiner, a policy adviser on rural property for landowners trade body Scottish Land & Estates, said: The Scottish Government had an opportunity to work with both landlords and tenants to attempt to return confidence to the private rented sector and thereby improve how things work for both groups. Instead, the new legislation appears to compound the mistakes that have led to a crash in the number of properties available to rent in rural areas, and tenants being unable to find accommodation to suit their needs. The lack of available housing, particularly in the rented sector, is a key driver of rural depopulation. The share of properties bought by landlords in Scotland in January and February fell from 9.1pc in 2022 six months before the rent caps came into force to 6.7pc in 2024. The share in England and Wales stayed roughly steady over the same period. John Haagensen, who leases six properties in Glasgow, said the plans for long-term rent caps will force landlords to either sell or run properties at a loss. He added: Its devastating news. Weve already had rent controls for years. And weve already seen the results massively high rents. Weve been hounded for long enough by the Government all Im trying to do is house tenants. We have good tenants. But sooner or later were going to have to throw in the keys and sell. Jane Wood, chief executive of housing trade industry body Homes for Scotland, said the Bill could have serious unintended consequences given that the rent controls introduced in 2022 have resulted in investment in new homes being diverted to other parts of the UK, while rents here continue to spiral. The Scottish Government was approached for comment. Recommended Think you own your home in Scotland? Think again Read more 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. Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed Judge Santiago Pedraz from Spains National Court recently experienced the challenges of battling a digital platform. He recently suspended Telegram (an app similar to WhatsApp) from operating in the country due to allegations of copyright infringement from three TV production companies: Mediaset, Atresmedia and Movistar Plus. A few days later, Pedraz was forced to reverse course. Specialized lawyers and technology analysts say that blocking Telegram was far too heavy-handed. It could have negatively impacted eight million users in Spain with no connection to the allegedly illegal content. Moreover, there is no clear way of implementing the judges decision without causing chaos. Theres also worry about a bill from the U.S. House of Representatives threatening a ban on TikTok if it doesnt sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. President Joe Biden is poised to sign the bill if it clears the Senate. The concerns stem from the China trade war initiated by Donald Trump, a situation Biden has done little to counter. The use of TikTok by a huge number of Americans puts a lot of data in the hands of the Chinese government and businesses. Yet, the potential shutdown of TikTok in the U.S. has drawn criticism from users who arent involved in industrial espionage or trade wars. Similar to Telegram, TikTok offers unique advantages that users value and shouldnt be overlooked. Walling off the internet is the expression we hear every time the issue of internet regulation arises. But it has always had fences, like the ones that keep mad bulls from getting out and hurting kids. But the fences that currently exist are made of rickety wood that breaks easily. The current regulatory debate on artificial intelligence (AI) underscores the significant challenge lawmakers face, which may never be fully resolved. Theres an alternative to the, in all probability vain, objective of walling off the internet or blocking specific networks: build them from scratch. Creating platforms, applications and social networks that function as a public service, as a resource for citizens, rather than as a business for the worlds largest companies. To use a pre-internet analogy, the existence of a Citizen Kane should not deprive us of the BBC. Information, education and knowledge shouldnt depend, or at least not only, on the whims of Silicon Valley billionaires. Its up to us, the citizens, and our political representatives to establish and fund a new type of network an internet designed to serve the public. This was the original vision of its creators, a group of scientists who generously applied their immense talents for the betterment of society. After four decades, the time has come to realize their original vision. While video games have successfully funded the advancement of essential technologies, its time to roll up our sleeves and face the challenging reality behind the screens. Scientist and media expert Helen Jay shared several compelling initiatives in an article for Scientific American. Read it, dig into these ideas and, most importantly, come up with some of your own. The world eagerly awaits them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas credit union was the scene of an unusual crime Thursday morning. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police received a call at around 4:45 a.m. reporting the malicious destruction of property in the 9300 block of West Sunset Road, near Fort Apache Road. This embedded content is not available in your region. When officers arrived, they found it was an attempted robbery of an ATM in the drive-thru of a credit union. According to a jogger who snapped a photo and sent it to 8 News Now, the suspect or suspects used a construction vehicle to try and break open the drive-thru ATM. Construction equipment was seen in the drive-thru ATM of a Las Vegas credit union. (Witness jogger) Police said it is currently unknown if or how much money the suspect may have gotten away with. Metro said there was not currently any suspect information. No additional details were given at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A teen is facing 32 charges in an alleged robbery spree that targeted convenience stores in the Las Vegas valley. Jassiel Banuelos, 17, will face those charges in the adult court system. The first alleged crime occurred on Jan. 7, 2024, at a convenience store on E. Pecos Road near Carey Avenue. According to the arrest report, Banuelos pointed a gun at the female cashier and demanded money from the cash register but the cashier froze in fear and started to pray. Police said he did steal $600 from a customer who was gambling. The cashier told police she recognized Banuelos because he visited the store earlier that day with another teen. The victim told police she refused to sell him tobacco products and he made a comment about the red bandana on her head saying it could get her into trouble and possibly beaten or shot, documents said. The booking photo of Jassiel Banuelos who is facing numerous robbery and burglary charges. (LVMPD) Investigators reviewed the surveillance video and noticed the suspect used his left hand to hold the gun and had a tattoo on that same hand. Las Vegas Metropolitan police were later able to link Banuelos to a spree of convenience robberies that occurred in northwest Las Vegas on the night of Jan. 16 into the morning of Jan. 17, police documents said. In each of those cases, the report said witness statements and surveillance video showed Banuelos either stole cash register money at gunpoint or snack items from all three convenience stores. In two cases, money was taken from customers, as well, documents stated. In all three cases, the suspects were in a KIA Soul which police learned was stolen. According to the report, police were notified the KIA Soul was in the parking lot of a shopping plaza. Plainclothes officers saw a group of juveniles leaving the area and one of them matching the description of the robbery suspect tossed a firearm under a car and ran. Banuelos was taken into custody and during a police interview, documents said he went on to give a full confession and admitted to being involved in all the robberies. Banueloss charges include robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, burglary while in possession of a firearm, assault with the use of a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a child under 18, and possession of a stolen vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 10. He remains in custody. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A couple of weeks ago there was a curious flurry of praise for Margaret Thatcher from Labour frontbenchers such as David Lammy and Rachel Reeves. They werent being positive about the Iron Ladys political programme so much as her resolve to deliver decisive change. And their real motivation was to send a message to disenchanted former Tory voters that it is safe for them to sit on their hands on general election day because the Labour party is no longer run by Thatcher-loathing Corbynista head-bangers. It is some kind of compliment to the enduring political appeal of Boris Johnson that Labour is today rolling out a similar tactic in regard to him. The new line from Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner is that the formerly hated Johnson was onto something with his levelling-up agenda and his white paper on the subject was full of good sense. The agenda only went awry, say Labour, because the hated Treasury bean-counter Rishi Sunak refused to finance the plans. One does not need a PhD in deciphering political smoke signals to understand the message to voters in the Red Wall: we are the true heirs of that agenda and leader you voted for in 2019, while the Tories are being shepherded by a man who betrayed both. Starmer and Rayner now claim to believe that under Johnson the Tories were starting to understand the problems behind regional inequality and that his regime had a good analysis of the situation. I cannot be alone in failing to recall them saying this at the time. Their new subject for demonisation just happens to be the man they are facing at the next election, with Sunak standing accused of having Johnsons levelling-up policy killed at birth, leading to local authorities having to fight each other for scraps of funding and feeling patronised but not empowered. Starmers aides will know they are touching on a very sore point in the Tory ranks. Johnson himself, along with his long-time ally Nadine Dorries and West Midlands metro mayor Andy Street, have all spoken out about Sunaks failure to put more focus and money into levelling-up. Ingeniously, Labour are using this angle of attack to roll the pitch for devolving more powers to regional mayors, most of whom happen to come from their own party. This is where their approach may fall a bit flat as it is hard to envisage the average Red Wall voter believing that the key to better times lies in giving the likes of West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin more control over their lives. In fact the key to understanding the political sensibility of Red Wall towns is to appreciate that it is ultra local and based on a desire to improve each individual community rather than to empower new tiers of regional government. But that is all detail for another day. In the here and now everything Labour does is fixated on winning the general election. Given the partys proletarian origins and wholly unmerited lingering reputation for being on the side of ordinary working people, todays message has every chance of being effective. After all, nobody could accuse the outspoken Ms Rayner of coming across as an effete member of the metropolitan elite. Yet many are starting to think such an accusation true of the head of the fabulously wealthy Sunak household and his Cabinet full of Blue Wall smoothies. There is much ongoing speculation about whether Johnson will do any campaigning at all on behalf of Sunak in the election. It turns out that whatever he decides on that score, he will certainly be at the very least a ghost at the feast: his name is going to be prayed in aid by the Labour party. 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. HELSINKI (Reuters) - Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said he would leave his post from April 10, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported on Thursday. The resignation follows the decision of Latvia's prosecutor general to open a criminal investigation into Karins air travel expenses, including the use of private jets, during his previous tenure as prime minister, LSM added. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Christina Fincher) Latvia's Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins has announced his resignation following allegations in connection with a scandal over business flights. After a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina, he announced on Thursday that he would resign from office on April 10. Parliament could decide on his successor the following day, he said. He then left the government building without another word. Karins came under criticism for charter flights he had taken during his term of office as prime minister. The 59-year-old was Latvia's head of government from 2019 to 2023 and is said to have travelled abroad around three dozen times on private planes instead of cheaper, scheduled flights during this time. He has been in his current role as foreign minister of the Baltic EU and NATO country since mid-September 2023. Latvia's General Prosecutor's Office initiated criminal proceedings last week for the possible waste of public funds in connection with the flights, although these are not directed against him personally. Karins had rejected the accusations, which have been circulating for months, arguing that the flights had been necessary to save time or to be able to return to Latvia quickly for government business. The politician from the liberal-conservative Jauna Vienotiba party had initially refused to resign. Silina said that Karins had taken political responsibility in light of the criminal proceedings concerning the flights. She does not yet have a candidate to succeed him. LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) Laurinburg police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred between neighbors during a dispute Wednesday evening, according to Captain Chris Young with the Laurinburg Police Department. At about 7 p.m., police responded to the area of Covenant Way in Laurinburg in reference to shots fired. Upon police arrival, 84-year-old Cleophus Daniel Bass, of Laurinburg, was found in a neighboring yard dead from a gunshot wound. Young said a neighborhood dispute occurred which led to gunfire from both Bass and another person in the neighborhood. Bass was struck and died of his injuries. A person of interest has been detained pending the investigation, which is ongoing at this time, Young said. 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. A Lawrenceville man has been arrested after deputies said they found him in a restricted area behind the Washington State Prison in Washington County. The incident happened Sunday. Investigators said Willie Hall ran into the woods once he was spotted but was caught and arrested. He has been charged with trading with inmates, crossing guard lines, and criminal trespass. TRENDING STORIES: IN OTHER NEWS: LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) A dangerous fugitive from Indiana, who has spent the last 20 years in and out of prison, is being held in a Middle Tennessee jail while awaiting extradition back to the Hoosier State. According to the Lebanon Police Department, a tip from a neighboring law enforcement agency and a network of license plate recognition (LPR) cameras covering most thoroughfares around the city led an alert officer to the ex-cons location. Body camera footage obtained by News 2 shows the officer pulling up to a white pickup truck. That officer circled around the truck and found 44-year-old Louie Allen Lawson standing by the drivers door. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Officer: Put your hands up! Hands up! Whats your name? Lawson: Names Lou. Officer: Got any weapons on you? Lawson: No, sir. The officer cuffed the fugitive, and when Lawson asked what the problem was, the officer said he had warrants out of Indiana for his arrest. A search of the truck yielded a 9mm gun with the serial numbers scratched off. Police said they also found 10 grams of methamphetamine and multiple needles. Its like super fine crushed, the officer described on the body cam video. Man who ran away from Nolensville traffic stop apparently forgot we had his drivers license, police say During this interaction with officers, Lawson was calm, but a look at his criminal record out of Indiana revealed that has not always been the case. According to his lengthy arrest history out of Harrison County, Indiana, in 2017, officers responded to a home invasion call where the intruder shoved a long gun in the face of the homeowner. The homeowner told officers he was so scared that he ran into a closet and kicked a hole through the wall to escape. The woman who was allegedly with Lawson called authorities saying she didnt want to go into home, but she claimed the ex-con had a 30-30 rifle and threatened to kill her if she didnt accompany him. According to a supplemental report about the incident, she accused Lawson of saying he had already killed three people and didnt care. There was nothing in the reports to verify that Lawson has killed anyone. Per the report, the woman told officers that, while holding the homeowner at gunpoint, Lawson said, Whos the b**** now? Officers later found Lawsons rifle, which was fully loaded with a bullet in the chamber. Whats next for license plate readers in Nashville? Lawsons reason for being in Lebanon is currently unknown. However, authorities said he was with a woman who was cooperative and was not charged. Lawsons criminal history shows he has been in and out of prisons multiple times since the early 2000s. In 2002, he was released from prison for receiving stolen property; in 2013, he served time for forgery, counterfeiting, fraud, and theft; and in 2019, he was back in prison for auto theft and receiving stolen auto parts. Fortunately, the individual did not grab the pistol that was in the truck, and its a good day for everybody, said Master Patrol Officer Richard Clark with the Lebanon Police Department. According to Clark, Lebanon has close to three dozen LPR cameras and more are coming soon. He said the cameras are like an extra officer on every major street corner. Hes a felon, in possession of a firearm, with narcotics, quite a bit of narcotics at that, so this is an individual we do not want in our city, Clark told News 2. Fortunately, for our license plate readers and our officers, they did a good job. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Officials said Lawson is currently being held in the Wilson County Jail, charged with alteration of serial numbers, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of drug paraphernalia, and being a fugitive from justice. There is a hold on him for Indiana law enforcement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. After the Sunshine Skyway bridge was hit by a freighter and collapsed in 1980, new protection measures were installed around the supports that hold the bridge up. Engineers put in place islandlike mounds of rocks that shore up the tallest support columns and huge, disclike structures called dolphins that act as bumpers blocking wayward ships. Engineers around the country followed suit to help strengthen bridge protections. But when a ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday, video of the bridges catastrophic collapse seemed to show that the structures protecting the supports of the bridge were minimal compared to the Skyway. Engineering experts and maritime lawyers say not enough safeguards were in place. From what I have seen so far, there was basically no protection around the two main piers in the channel, said Joseph McHugh, a forensic consultant with more than 40 years of highway, bridge and building construction experience. With the kind of traffic that bridge gets and the large vessels that frequent that port, I just think someone dropped the ball here. McHugh said the Skyways safeguards seem strong. He isnt sure why the bridge in Baltimore wasnt better protected Baltimore, like Tampa, has one of the busiest ports in America but that engineers probably arent to blame. He said that more funds need to be given to bridge and infrastructure projects. We all pay a certain tax on every gallon of gasoline that we put into our vehicles, and all of that money is supposed to go to infrastructure, McHugh said. But of course, politicians often take money from that and use it elsewhere. Steve Yerrid, a lawyer who represented the harbor pilot who crashed the Summit Venture into the Skyway 44 years ago, told the Tampa Bay Times that the piers of the Francis Scott Key bridge were naked. There were no big concrete abutments surrounding it, no dry land like the Skyway has, Yerrid said. I feel for those people that lost loved ones, because theres nothing worse than losing someone prematurely and, worst of all, unnecessarily. That bridge should have been protected. Some Maryland officials knew it decades ago. The day of the Skyway disaster, the director of the states toll and bridge agency told the Baltimore Sun that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had some concrete dolphins protecting piers on both sides, but that they would not protect the bridge from a strike from a ship that large. Lessons from the Skyway bridge disaster were highlighted in guidelines published by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials in 1991. The group explained requirements for new bridges, gave guidance for retrofitting old structures and recommended stronger protections. Jose R. Cot, a maritime lawyer in New Orleans, said the kind of dolphin protection around the Sunshine Skyway isnt mandated by law, but that increased safeguards are a standard in the bridge building industry and have been for decades. They are guidelines in the industry that certainly point to what should be done to protect bridge piers from situations like this, Cot said. Cot said adding layers of security protections can increase the cost of bridge projects, which may be why the guidelines werent made mandatory. Since the fall of the Skyway, Yerrid has educated himself on bridge protections and advocates for safer practices. He wonders why updates werent put in place for the Baltimore bridge. I would love to hear the explanation as to why that wasnt done for 44 years after we knew how to do it, Yerrid said. Maryland officials didnt respond Wednesday to questions about protections in place at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A spokesperson referred the Times to statements made by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, but did not clarify which of the many statements they were referring to. During a White House news briefing Wednesday, Buttigieg said the Key was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds. Asked if the bridge should have had dolphins or other protective measures, Buttigieg demurred. I dont want to get ahead of any investigation, he said. Part of whats being debated is whether any design feature now known would have made a difference in this case. Well get more information on that as the investigation proceeds. At the time of the Skyway collapse, there was little federal oversight of measures designed to keep bridges safe from ships. The original Skyway had much smaller, fenderlike barriers made of aging timber. Adding dolphins around the base, while expensive, was among the first suggested improvements after the disaster. Plans for the new Skyway called for 36 dolphins at a cost of $36 million. They would contain up to 6,700 tons of crushed rock and be able to withstand nearly 30 million pounds of pressure more than enough to have stopped the Summit Venture. By the time the bridge opened in 1987, only four dolphins had been completed. But their impact was proven the day before the Skyways grand opening, when a 70-foot shrimp boat with a malfunctioning autopilot rammed into one about a third of a mile from the site of the 1980 crash. Dolphins have been credited with stopping other ship disasters. In 2011, a runaway barge on the Mississippi River bounced off a dolphin below a rail bridge in La Crescent, Minnesota, causing only superficial damage to the bridge itself. Other bridges near major shipping ports also have protective measures. There are dolphins around the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville and barrier islands surrounding the pylons of the Sydney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Georgia. The Delaware Memorial Bridge, a gateway to Philadelphias port, is in the midst of a nearly $100 million collision mitigation project that includes eight 80-foot dolphins. Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Michael Williams said the state maintains continuous coordination with agencies that have a stake in shipping channels, including local law enforcement, port authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard, to make sure safety measures are comprehensive. The safety and integrity of our bridge infrastructure is a fundamental commitment that we rigorously uphold, Williams said in an email. Students in the State Tested Nursing Aide (STNA) program at Licking Heights High School complete in-class and on-the-job career education. This month, the district received a $2.2 million grant from the state of Ohio to develop and expand career and education pathways for high school students. Licking Heights High School students are soaring to new heights of career preparation and accomplishment. This month, the district received a $2.2 million Career Technical Education Equipment Grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Licking Heights was one of 56 school districts to receive this grant across the state of Ohio, and ranked in the top 20 districts for most money awarded. This money will help renovate and transform vacant spaces in the high school into career laboratories and create pathways in fields such as logistics and supply chain management; cybersecurity and software development; and arts and visual design. "We have worked tirelessly over the last few school years to develop pathways for student success after high school," said Tiffane Warren, 7-12 Curriculum Director for Licking Heights. "This includes providing students with the classroom and hands-on learning and work experience they need to succeed in the rapidly changing workforce. The Career Technical Education Equipment Grant will make our students competitive industry-leaders before they even graduate." There will also be pre-apprenticeship programs in healthcare, information technologies and business, and opportunities for students to earn the states Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal for graduation. The Life Skills program for students in the special education program will also be expanded, including the creation of an in-school coffee shop that students will manage for staff. These new pathways will all be housed under the districts New Heights Program, which will enhance student access to careers and college, expand course offerings and allow students to earn industry recognized credentials while still in high school. "Our primary goal as educators is to provide our students with a pathway to a productive life and a strong future," said Kevin Miller, superintendent of Licking Heights. "The New Heights Program makes strong, stable, in-demand careers possible for students and virtually eliminates all barriers to accessing the necessary education and skills they need to succeed after high school. I am incredibly proud of our team for their hard work to earn this grant and develop CTE pathways for our students, and thankful to the state for their investment in our students." Currently, the district has an in-house State Tested Nursing Aide (STNA) career pathway with the Career And Technology Education Centers of Licking County. Students graduate with the credentials needed to start working as an STNA in a variety of healthcare settings. Each year, the district has about 30 students enrolled in the STNA program. Students who completed the STNA program last year pursued everything from immediate employment in a nursing home to advanced training at medical school. The district also offers courses in-house in C-TECs Teaching Careers program and a selection of marketing classes. "For five years now, our students have found good-paying jobs right out of high school or continued with their medical studies thanks to the STNA program," Miller said. "Completing their STNA certifications while at Licking Heights gives students a competitive advantage both in the job market and in their education." While C-TEC is an invaluable partner for Licking Heights and LH students have thrived at C-TECs main campus in Newark, the campus is more than 30 minutes away from Licking Heights. Sometimes, students who want to pursue career and technical education lack the necessary transportation to get there. Bringing C-TEC programs into Licking Heights High School and implementing the New Heights Program will make career and tech education free and accessible to students starting their freshman year. "We are proud of our continued partnership with C-TEC and thankful for their flexibility in making career and technical education possible for our students," said Tom Holdren, assistant superintendent at Licking Heights. "This grant will help us take our own CTE training one step further while also enriching our existing in-house programs with C-TEC." Information submitted by Licking Heights Local Schools. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Heights earns $2.2M grant for technical career prep program Access to the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects Manhattan and New Jersey, in Weehawken (N.J.) New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its central business district after transit officials approved a $15 fee for most motorists headed into part of Manhattan. Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday voted to greenlight the congestion pricing plan, expected to go into effect in June. The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters. The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles that drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone thats south of Central Park, during daytime hours. Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles. Supporters of the new tolls say it will push more people to use public transport, reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles, reduce pollution, and raise money needed to improve the subway system. The state Legislature approved the tolls in 2019, mandating that the program should raise $1 billion per year to fund public subway and bus systems for the citys 4 million daily riders. It also established the boundaries of the zone, which covers the busiest part of the city, and scaled back early proposals to include the area up to 86th Street. The pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project. Tolls will vary based on the time of day and the size of the vehicle, ranging from $1.75 for motorcycles crossing overnight to $36 for sightseeing buses and trucks with trailers during the day. The overnight period runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. Visitors without E-ZPasses a device that collects toll information remotely will pay more. And as on bridges, license plate readers are expected to identify other drivers, so that they can be billed by mail. Taxis will charge passengers $1.25 per trip that touches the zone, while app-based rides will charge $2.50. The vote Wednesday followed two months of public comment in which over 100 categories of drivers asked to be exempted from the tolls. They ranged from small groups like holders of diplomatic license plates to large groups like residents of the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut. Commuters from other states and boroughs already pay tolls for bridges and tunnels to the island of Manhattan, and the congestion fee will come on top of that. But the $1 billion in toll revenue mandated by the state law meant that eliminating charges for one group would increase the price for everyone else, so most requests for exceptions werent granted. Some exceptions survived, including a free pass for emergency vehicles, specialized city vehicles, and buses with regular public routes or city school contracts. Vehicles carrying disabled people and certain low-income commuters also get a pass. Low-income drivers are eligible for discounts and tax credits. New Yorks plan has drawn lawsuits from small business owners and the state of New Jersey. If the plan survives those legal challenges, New York will become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion pricing scheme. Such schemes have been implemented in London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore. In 2017, Virginia officials implemented a toll system to reduce congestion during rush hour on Interstate 66 near Washington, D.C. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A lifelong Republican voter told CNNs Laura Coates on Wednesday that former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was absolutely right when it came to her comments about her Republican 2016 presidential election rival Donald Trump. Texas Trey recalled voting for Trump in 2016 not so much in support of him but against Clinton because she didnt have anything to offer that really appealed to me. Trey said he felt the election was hers to lose and admitted to being very shocked when Trump won. Coates asked Trey if hed now had an evolution of thought on Clinton, who before the election repeatedly warned of the consequences of Trump entering the White House. Trey laughed and then replied, Yes, yes, absolutely. And I already know she was absolutely right, she was absolutely right about everything that she said, although I didnt necessarily pay too much attention to the things she said, Trey added. Coates let out a little murmur of surprise at the admission. Going back, in hindsight, its very clear. Very clear, said Trey. Watch the exchange here: Trey earlier lamented the politicization of daily life as being the reason for why hes done with both the GOP and Democrats. Politics was something that for the majority of my life just didnt permeate every aspect of it like it does now. I mean, Its just injected into everything we do, he told Coates. Democrats and Republicans used to mainly argue about the budget, he added. But now, its the beer you drink to the stores you shop in, it all has political implications. Related... CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) Here is a good example of coming full circle; a Midstate man is running 100 miles to Washington D.C. to raise money for a nonprofit that helped him during rough times. John Anderson is from Carlisle, and on Saturday he will run from the old courthouse, located at 2 Courthouse Square, to the Washington Monument. Pennsylvania bill would ban using cellphones while driving His goal is to raise $50 per mile, donating the money to Community Cares, an organization that helped him get back on his feet. Ive been homeless myself before so I know the struggle, so Im just trying to give back and help anyway I can, Anderson said. Anderson says deciding to run to the Washington Monument was random. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News He plans to leave the courthouse at 12 a.m. and finish by 8 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. BALTIMORE The Francis Scott Key Bridge could rejoin Baltimores skyline in as little as two years or as many as 15, with some experts eyeing a number in between. The Key Bridge crossed the Patapsco River in Baltimores outer harbor until early Tuesday morning, when a cargo vessel struck the bridge and sent it into the frigid waters below. As of Wednesday, authorities are still searching for four missing construction workers who are presumed dead; two bodies were recovered Wednesday. While authorities emphasized the need to focus on the recovery operation, questions have swirled about the rebuild of the Key Bridge especially after President Joe Biden, a Democrat, said Tuesday that the federal government would pay the entire cost of reconstructing the bridge. Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation Paul J. Wiedefeld said at a news conference Wednesday evening that the state has applied for available federal dollars. We intend to receive some additional federal dollars very quickly to start that process and then we will come up with a design for the replacement of that bridge as quickly as possible to get the port back up and the community back up and running, Wiedefeld said. But even with promised federal money, there are many factors that need to be considered before construction of any bridge can begin, said Benjamin W. Schafer, a structural engineer who specializes in steel structures and is an engineering professor at the Johns Hopkins University. He named securing funding, deciding on a visual design, selecting materials and working out engineering queries as steps in the process. In the case of the Key Bridge collapse, clearing the river of debris will also be an obstacle. All said and done, Schafer estimated a rebuild could take as long as a decade or more. The bridge originally, it seems like it was about five years from breaking ground to opening up. In 1980, when the Tampa (Bay) Sunshine Skyway bridge had a strike and was destroyed, and then rebuilt with a new cable-stayed bridge, that was seven years. I would consider those lower bounds, he said. I think were looking at seven-plus, I would guess 10 to 15 years before I know that sounds crazy but before we look back over and we see a bridge jumping over the harbor. At an online event hosted by Hopkins Wednesday morning, Schafer said hes lived through quite a few civil infrastructure projects, and theyre rarely less than 10 years, adding that the price tags never seem to be out of the hundreds of millions these days. Although I dont think the transportation network will come back quickly, we can get the port back up, Schafer said. Schafer added that the politics of getting to the moment of building the bridge can run on much longer than the actual building of it, a claim already hinted at by state and federal officials. A special thanks to President Biden who made it very very clear that he will do everything in his power to make sure that we get the help we need to deal with this challenge, said Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat, at a Tuesday news conference. But as Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg told us in our briefings, hes going to need the help of Congress to get things done. Buttigieg, the federal secretary of transportation, said on Tuesday his department stands ready to approve emergency funding as soon as we receive that request. This is no ordinary bridge. This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure, Buttigieg said. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive. So the path to normalcy will not be easy, it will not be quick, it will not be inexpensive, but we will rebuild together. In a White House briefing Wednesday, Buttigieg did not answer questions about rough cost estimates or timelines for rebuilding the bridge but reiterated the administrations vow to support it. He said he believed the Maryland Department of Transportation already submitted an emergency relief request, which would provide immediate access to an account that has roughly $950 million available. Still, that account has a long list of needs and projects already lined up for it, so congressional approval for more funds may be needed, he said. Congress may also need to approve the full federal financing that Biden referenced. Congress moving quickly on a rebuild isnt out of the question, though Biden often finds himself at odds with the thin Republican majority in the U.S. House. In 2007, the I-35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis, killing 13 and injuring nearly 150 people. Just a few days later, Congress approved a quarter of a billion dollars to go towards rebuilding the bridge. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said in an interview that access to the emergency relief would require Maryland to put 10% toward the rebuild and federal lawmakers could act to avoid that. Other funding could come from the shipping company if theyre eventually found liable, he said. I will do everything possible to secure the necessary federal resources to clear the channel and reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Van Hollen said. From Annapolis, Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat representing Baltimore City, said he was very pleased Biden committed federal dollars to the reconstruction efforts. Moving heaven and earth to rebuild, I think, is essential, Ferguson said. Even if we have federal support for a rebuild, all of these other costs and collateral impacts of this incident are probably not going to go for days, weeks, months, years. Ferguson said there will be an investigation into how the collision occurred, followed by salvaging efforts. Rebuilding cant start until after that. I think when we rebuild, we should rebuild for the 22nd century, Ferguson said. This was a 50-year-old bridge. We should assume that when we rebuild, its rebuilding for the next 50 to 75 years. Natalie M. Scala, an associate professor at Towson University who directs the graduate program in supply chain management, said any prudent bridge discussion should include thinking about how the world will change over the next century, especially concerning how sea level rise could affect the port. If we are smart about this, we are going to ask, How does this bridge withstand climate change?' Scala said. When [the Key Bridge] was built, ships were not this large. What kind of engineering can be done to support the kind of shipping we do now? If we take blueprints from previous bridges and open them up, were not really solving the question of how we got here in the first place. Abieyuwa Aghayere, an engineering professor at Drexel University who teaches a course dedicated to finding out why certain structures fail, said safety, cost and sustainability are major factors considered in the construction of bridges, adding that rebuilds must aim to remove the vulnerability that may have been there. You dont want to repeat the same mistakes, he said. But even with safety top of mind, Aghayere thinks the rebuild could be accomplished quickly, especially if promised federal funds come through. Because of the importance of 695 I can see it being done within one to two years, Aghayere said, adding that it can be difficult to estimate. If all hands are on deck, I think it can be done. Cable-stayed bridges are now popular and a style that might work in the area where the Key Bridge collapsed, Aghayere said, adding that having bridge supports spaced farther away from each other would allow for a wider opening for ships to navigate. A newly built Key Bridge might also likely include sensors to monitor its structural health, like those implemented on Delawares Indian River Inlet bridge completed in 2012, said Nii Attoh-Okine, the civil and environmental engineering chair at the University of Maryland. Attoh-Okine said more information, like the number of vehicles the bridge will have to accommodate and what materials and designs will be used, is necessary to estimate exactly how long a rebuild will take, but suggested it will be years. This is a very, very important bridge, not only for Baltimore, not only for Maryland, but for the eastern corridor, he said. Its part of the supply chain. Rachel Sangree, an associate teaching professor at Hopkins in the engineering department and a former bridge inspector, noted that a future bridge will likely need to provide a route for handling hazardous materials, which cant travel through tunnels, as the former bridge did. The Key Bridge was very, very tall, so whatever is selected, it will have to accommodate not only these existing sizes of the shipping vessels, but also larger sizes, because we dont want to design exactly for what were seeing right now, Sangree said. We always need to be thinking ahead. Schafer speculated there will be urgency to clear the site and start rebuilding, and said there will undoubtedly be discussions about bridge protection structures. The Key Bridge was one of the citys skyline landmarks, which also comes with its own set of design priorities, he said. It means something to Baltimoreans, and to the region, Schafer said. And so I dont think a simple, utilitarian bridge would necessarily be built back. I think theyll think about what theyre creating, and its aesthetics. ______ (Baltimore Sun reporters Hannah Gaskill, Sam Janesch, Jonathan M. Pitts and Dillon Mullan contributed to this story.) ------- Former senator Joseph Lieberman is interviewed in New York City on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Lieberman was given an award by the New York Latter-day Saint Professional Association. Longtime Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman, who became the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major partys ticket, died Wednesday at age 82. Longtime Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman, who became the first Jewish American to be nominated on a major partys ticket, died Wednesday at age 82. Politico reported that Liebermans family stated that he died due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Lieberman served in the Senate for 24 years, first elected as a Democrat in 1988. Al Gore chose him as his running mate in the 2000 presidential election, losing one of the closest races in American history to George W. Bush. No Jew had ever sought such a lofty office, wrote the authors of Jews in American Politics, per Politico. Four years later, Lieberman unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president. In 2006, Lieberman sought the Democratic Partys renomination for U.S. Senate in Connecticut but lost to a more liberal candidate. Shortly afterward, he declared himself an independent, defeating both the Democrat and Republican candidates in the general election. Known as a hawk on foreign affairs, he was a leader in creating the Department of Homeland Security, which was established in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He often aligned himself with Republican Sens. John McCain, of Arizona, and Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, particularly when it came to American military policy in Iraq. McCain considered choosing Lieberman as his running mate on the 2008 GOP presidential ticket but was persuaded otherwise by Republicans worried that it would cause a rift in the party, per Politico. I completely trusted, liked and worked well with Joe, McCain wrote in The Restless Wave. And I still believe, whatever the effect it would have had in some quarters of the party, that a McCain-Lieberman ticket would have been received by most Americans as a genuine effort to pull the country together for a change. Standing up for Latter-day Saints Lieberman often joined with Republicans to fight for causes dear to conservatives including condemning Hollywood sex and violence, condemning President Bill Clintons affair with an intern and joining with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to seek reducing capital gains taxes, the Deseret News reported in 2000. Lieberman once took to the Senate floor to defend members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against attacks in Russia. Alexander Lebed, an unofficial running mate to former President Boris Yeltsin, had called Mormons mold and scum endangering Russian society. What Alexander Lebed said was wrong, and because of who he is, dangerous. . . . When the faith of one is challenged, the faith of all is challenged, Lieberman said. Russia has nothing to fear from the Mormon faith. Elder L. Tom Perry, left, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman greet after Lieberman speaks at Brigham Young University in Provo, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. | Ravell Call Lieberman made that defense during a time when his own Jewish faith was also under attack by Lebed. Latter-day Saint and Jewish senators combined forces to condemn Lebeds comments. Lieberman also wrote a back-cover endorsement to urge people to read Standing for Something, a book by President Gordon B. Hinckley, the leader of the church at the time. He wrote that President Hinckley looks at all that ails our society today and offers the most powerful cure: facing God and the virtues that emanate from it. His voice in this book is prophetic and full of love. People of all religions will benefit. In a speech at Brigham Young University in 2011, Lieberman said that should Mitt Romney win the Republican nomination for president, it would be a test of the American people to see whether they are willing to be fair and abide by the Constitutional protections that prevent a test of religion to take public office. I would bet you, that whatever that percent of people who said (in public opinion polls) theyd be reluctant to vote for a Mormon candidate for president, I bet they have had little or no real contact with members of the LDS church, he told a crowd of more than 5,000 at the Marriott Center. When I hear expressions of bigotry, and you should do the same, dont hesitate to speak up in your own defense, youve got a lot to defend. Romney wrote Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, Joe Lieberman will be remembered as a man of devout faith, a dedicated public servant, and defender of American values. Ann and I send our prayers to his wife Hadassah, his children, and his loved ones. In 2016, Lieberman and other prominent Jewish leaders joined Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Mount of Olives to commemorate the 175th anniversary of an early church leaders prayer dedicating Jerusalem as a gathering place for the Jewish people. Americas best days ahead Lieberman joined KSL NewsRadios Boyd Matheson on his podcast Therefore, What? in 2019, saying, Americas best days are ahead of us. This is still the greatest place in the world to live, were blessed to be Americans. And now were squandering our current, and to some extent our future, because were squabbling politically for reasons that are not as important as the well-being of the country and every one of us as citizens. So we, the people have to demand that our elected officials get with it and work together for the betterment of our country. Lieberman and former Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., served as co-chairs of No Labels, a national organization formed years ago to end partisanship in the nations capital. Lieberman considered Huntsman a close friend after getting to know him when both backed McCain in 2008. Huntsmans wife, Mary Kaye Huntsman, wrote in an Instagram post that Lieberman was more than a friend, saying hes that unusual soul who infuses your life with goodness and inspiration. Who captured the essence of being an American, broke barriers and carried himself as a true patriotic independent citizen. He loved his dear wife Hadassah more than life itself and they were inseparable. We learned so much just being with them. Joe is now gone. But his legacy of decency we all proudly carry forward. It is the formula for a better more unified nation. Lieberman said on the Matheson podcast that the whole idea of No Labels is to bring people to the center to solve problems, noting Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill in the 1980s and Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich in the 1990s worked together to accomplish things, including a balanced budget. So it can be done and thats what No Labels has tried to do, first by just ideas that are supported by a majority of people that we try to interest the Republicans and Democrats in, and then the last couple of years, we decided that a lot of the problem in government is political and has a lot to do with campaign money and it was only going to be solved and made better if we got in there, raised some money, and supported what we would describe as center right Republicans and center left Democrats against, particularly in primaries, against further right Republicans and further left Democrats. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, left, talks with Senior Vice President of International Banking Mark Garfield of Zions Bank during the Zions Bank Trade & Business Conference in Salt Lake City, Wednesday, May 21, 2014. | Ravell Call In a statement, No Labels called Lieberman a singular figure in American political life who always put his country before party. He was a deeply principled and pragmatic leader who believed public service was a privilege and who dedicated his life to the betterment of others. As a four-term senator, he led passage of transformative bipartisan legislation that made Americas air and water cleaner, that made us safer after 9/11, and that expanded equality and opportunity for all, the statement said in part. But Senator Liebermans legislative record as impressive as it is cant begin to tell the story of his impact on Americas public life. He was a man of uncommon integrity who did the right things for the right reasons. Utah GOP Gov. Spencer Cox posted Wednesday on X, I was always impressed with Senator Lieberman. He was a statesman, a gentleman and a patriot. Im more grateful every day for public servants like him. Schools across the Hudson Valley are using the April 8 solar eclipse as a teachable moment, buying students glasses to safely view it, incorporating lessons about it, and in some cases, releasing students early. The last solar eclipse, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, was in 2017, and after April 8 the next one that will be visible in the U.S. won't be until 2044. "People need to understand their place in the universe and this really does help," said John Gollisz, a Yorktown High School assistant principal who oversees science. Gollisz drove to Tennessee to see the 2017 eclipse in totality. "It humbles you," he said of the experience. During the upcoming eclipse, some western and northern parts of the state will be in the path of totality, where the moon completely blocks out the sun. The Lower Hudson will come close 90-95% of the sun will be covered. Story continues after gallery. Solar Eclipse: Check what time the eclipse will peak near you Science teachers aren't the only ones excited about the eclipse. Yorktown High School is sending 100 high schoolers upstate to view the eclipse from Oneida Lake. The idea for the field trip came from freshman Nick Rizzuti. Yorktown High School Principal Joe DeGennaro, said Rizzuti's proposal was "a no-brainer." Special thanks to this crew. They are leading an April 8th school trip for 100 YHS students upstate to see the Solar Eclipse. The trip originated from 9th grader Nick Rizzuti (right) walking into our offices to propose the idea to @GOLLISZJOHN (left) & Mr. Agosta (middle). pic.twitter.com/YjYeUAbBif Mr. Joseph DeGennaro (@YHSDeGennaro) March 25, 2024 The only concern, Gollisz said, is whether it will be cloudy that day. The view from North Rockland High School At North Rockland High School, Jeanne Maguire and Kaitlynn Scott, co-directors of the Walter A. Hassett Memorial Planetarium, have been teaching astronomy students about the eclipse, showing what it will look like at different times and in different locations on the domed ceiling. "Having seen one in person, it is a life-changing experience," said Maguire, who also went to Tennessee to see the 2017 eclipse in totality. "It's surreal." Maguire described how the sky turned to twilight and everything went quiet. "It's a very eerie, out-of-place sensation. And then the whole thing goes back in reverse. And the sun is bright and shiny, and you walk around for the rest of the afternoon being like, 'Did it really just happen? Did the sun just get blocked out? Did I see Venus? Did I see the stars?'" Maguire said. Chris Rojas, a senior, said his class learned that when the moon completely covers the sun a ring of light shoots out from around the moon, "but we aren't at the right spot to see that." Of interest How to photograph the solar eclipse: tips from an astronomical photographer Lyric Hutzelmann, a junior, explained that because the Lower Hudson won't be in the path of totality, enough sunlight will still be exposed that the eclipse won't darken the sky the same way it will in other parts of the state. Without the proper glasses, you won't be able to tell the eclipse is happening. Both Hutzelmann and Keith Cronin, a senior who took the course last semester, plan to view the eclipse in the path of totality upstate. In astronomy, students learned how to tell where the eclipse will be located in the sky and identify what zodiacs will be present, as well as planets, altitude and azimuth, Scott said. In a project based off the solar eclipse, students learned about how ancient civilizations used the night sky for navigation and timekeeping and how they interpreted the sky in cultural or spiritual contexts. A program showing the total solar eclipse and the location of several constellations in the sky at the Walter A. Hassett Memorial Planetaruim at North Rockland High School in Thiells on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Scott said she and Maguire are trying to maximize the planetarium's use for students in younger grades and community members. The planetarium offers the same features that any commercial planetarium has, Maguire said. Learning about the night sky and the eclipse has North Rockland's astronomy students thinking about their place in the universe. Junior Addyson Bohlander said the class has learned about how there could be multiple universes and "how the sky actually works." Eva Lanzillotti, a junior, said learning about how many galaxies and planets there are makes her feel small. And Rojas noted how little humans know about all the galaxies and life beyond Earth. Related: How to get a pair of solar eclipse glasses from Warby Parker's Westchester eyewear store Ensuring safety Many districts are making sure students can safely look at the eclipse by buying their students specially designed glasses. Looking at the eclipse without them can cause permanent damage to your eyes. Clarkstown, Bedford, Brewster, Hastings-On-Hudson and Yorktown school districts were among the districts that planned on providing glasses to students. The state Department of Education didn't say whether school districts should provide protective eyewear, but guidance from the department said districts should plan ahead, especially since the eclipse will take place right around the time students are typically leaving school for the day. In the area, the eclipse will begin around 2:10 p.m., peaking around 3:25 p.m., though it varies by location. Depending on district schedules, some students will still be in school when the eclipse happens, while others' schooldays will already have ended. In North Rockland, high schoolers will already be dismissed while elementary students will still be in school. Brett Carruthers, senior vice president and director of risk management at the New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal, which insures over 300 public school districts and BOCES throughout the state, sent guidance to member districts, which included only buying glasses that meet specific standards and supervising students while they view the eclipse to make sure they wear their glasses properly. The guidance also warned against looking through a camera lens, telescope or binoculars even with eclipse glasses. Other filters are needed to safely use those devices. Many schools in the path of totality have been planning for the eclipse for over a year and many will be closed for it, Carruthers said. With an influx of people traveling to those areas, schools are treating the day as they would a blizzard, expecting terrible traffic. Outside the path of totality, the eclipse will be less noticeable. A few districts in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties will release students early that day, as is the case in Nyack and Suffern. Contact Diana Dombrowski at ddombrowski@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @domdomdiana. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Eclipse 2024: North Rockland planetarium, Hudson Valley schools NY prep RFK Jr.'s running mate: This week, environmental lawyer/alt-science peddler Robert F. Kennedy Jr.who is running for president as an independent, and polling quite highlyselected Nicole Shanahan, Google co-founder Sergey Brin's ex-wife and a tech entrepreneur in her own right, as his veep. Shanahan was the main funder and creative mind behind RFK Jr.'s surprisingly good Super Bowl ad: Of course, this one pays homage to JFK's 1960 campaign ada fact that pissed off much of the Kennedy family, who by and large do not share RFK Jr.'s beliefs and seem moderately to severely embarrassed by him. "My cousin's Super Bowl ad used our uncle's facesand my Mother's," Bobby Shriver, RFK Jr.'s cousin, wrote. "She would be appalled by his deadly health care views. Respect for science, vaccines, & health care equity were in her DNA." Now, Shanahan has been picked as running matewhich led to a strange reaction from the Libertarian Party chair. "I think that a lot of libertarians are a little bit confused over why he chose Nicole Shanahan," L.P. Chair Angela McArdle said to The Hill. "I'm sure she's a lovely person, but she doesn't necessarily fit into alignment with any of our views." But why would she need to align with Libertarian voters' views? Well, there's been plenty of speculation that the Libertarian Party seeks to throw RFK Jr. on top of the ticketan odd choice if you consider what his Environmental Protection Agency would look like, for one. Up until now, many pollsters and pundits had believed that RFK Jr. running as an independent would hurt former President Donald Trump more than President Joe Biden. "Right after Kennedy went indie, an NPR-PBS-Marist survey showed Biden leading Trump by three points (49 to 46 percent) in a head-to-head contest, but by 7 percent (44 to 37 percent, with RFK Jr. at 16 percent) in a three-way race. Similarly Quinnipiac had Biden leading Trump by one point head-to-head (47 to 46 percent) but by three points (39 to 36 percent, with 22 percent for RFK Jr.) with Kennedy in the mix," reported Intelligencer's Ed Kilgore. Now, Kennedy appears to be helping, not hurting, Trump's chances: "The RealClearPolitics polling averages nationally now show Trump leading Biden by 1.6 percent (46.6 to 45.0 percent) in a two-candidate race, and by 5.4 percent (40.7 to 35.3 percent, with Kennedy at 12.3 percent) in a three-candidate race." But Kennedy faces a significant ballot access roadblock aheadwhich is solved by accepting the L.P. nom, if that's what's offered to him. Currently, Kennedy is on the ballot in Utah only. But his campaign assures voters that "it has collected enough signatures to also qualify in Nevada, Hawaii and New Hampshire," per Politico. His super PAC also says it's garnered enough signatures to be included in Michigan, South Carolina, Arizona, and Georgia. (I assume the real reason why he won't take the L.P. plunge is because the moderator of an upcoming L.P. presidential debate is yours truly, and I'm no fangirl.) Branding the Bible: In other news from the very normal campaign trail and our very well-adjusted candidates, Trump has started selling $60 Bibles for Holy Week. "We must make America pray again," Trump said in a Truth Social sales pitch for the bibles, which is interesting messaging for a man who has repeatedly declined to name his favorite verse, called it "Two Corinthians" instead of "Second Corinthians" in a 2016 speech at Liberty University (where you really shouldn't get that wrong), anddidn't regularly attend church before it was politically advantageous to him (still only choosing to attend on holidays and for photo ops). "People are so shocked when they findout I am Protestant. I am Presbyterian. And I go to church and I love God and I love my church," said Trump, who has generally declined to name a church he attends regularly, back in 2015. "In one video shared on Truth Social and played at Trump's rallies, a narrator's voice booms: 'On June 14, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God gave us Trump,'" reported Axios. And in December, Trump said he wanted to "create a new federal task force on fighting anti-Christian bias." All of this comes together to look an awful lot like pandering to Christians, while also trying to hawk the word of God for a quick buck. Par for the course for Trump, but forgive me for not being particularly excited about this field of presidential contenders. Scenes from New York: It's good that the Bronx district attorney isn't asking for more money for her office. But pretty much everything else about her plea to City Council is concerning: Progressive criminal justice mindset, in one quote: "The lack of resources for youth and mental health are driving violence, subway crime and retail theft. I cannot prosecute my way out of this. We must invest in communities." OK, but your job is to *be the prosecutor*, not https://t.co/uLT3XFNleB Liz Wolfe (@LizWolfeReason) March 27, 2024 QUICK HITS "Trudeau pledges to boost renters' rights in bid for young voters" reads this disturbing headline from Bloomberg. Jo Boaler is a professor of math education at Stanford, responsible for having designed the new California Math Framework (CMF), which will not teach the majority of middle schoolers algebra in the name of equity (soft bigotry of low expectations, anyone?). But Pirate Wires' Sanjana Friedman reported that Boaler "sent her own children to a $48,000-a-year private school that teaches its middle schoolers algebra" and that there are "30 claims of alleged citation misrepresentation in her researchthe very research that underpins the CMF." "Efforts by Hunter Biden's lawyers to dismiss tax charges against the president's son were met with skepticism by the judge overseeing the case," reported Axios. The evolution of a pro-life Democrat. Down with Slack mob caving! Either hire someone or don't. Either print an op-Ed or don't. If you don't want any views or reps that have ever been Trump-aligned, either say that or stand by decision to represent a large part of the electorate. This immediate retreat in face of Slack channels is so lame. https://t.co/TJJN7tAYRx Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 27, 2024 The post Luck of the Irish appeared first on Reason.com. French President Emmanuel Macron (L) wrapped up his three-day tour of the Latin American giant with a trip to the modernist capital Brasilia (Ludovic MARIN) French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday displayed their unity on major global issues, while skirting differences on the war in Ukraine. Macron wrapped up his three-day tour of the Latin American giant with a solemn, but warm, trip to the presidential palace in the modernist capital Brasilia. The French leader paid tribute to "the spirit of resistance" of Lula's government for "restoring democracy" after a crowd of extreme-right supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the seats of power in the city in January 2023. Lula hailed a relationship between the two countries as one that created "a bridge between the global South and the developed world." While the two men firmly reset the frosty ties of the Bolsonaro years, they retain deep differences over the war in Ukraine, a subject which only briefly reared its head. While France and the West support Kyiv wholeheartedly, Lula has in the past said that Ukraine and Russia share responsibility over the conflict and has refused to isolate Moscow. - Putin at G20 meet? - Responding to a question from a journalist, Macron said that Brazil, as the current chair of the G20, could invite Russia's President Vladimir Putin to a summit in Rio de Janeiro in November if other members agreed. "The meaning of this club is that there must be consensus with the 19 others. That will be a job for Brazilian diplomacy," he said. If such a meeting can be "useful, it must be done," Macron said. Lula responded only that "diversity" must be accepted in organizations like the G20. Putin missed last year's G20 summit in the Indian capital New Delhi, avoiding possible political opprobrium and any risk of criminal detention under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. In September 2023, Lula said there was "no way" that Putin would be arrested if he attended the Rio de Janeiro summit. Shortly after, he backtracked and said that it would be up to the justice system to decide on Putin's eventual arrest and not his government. Lula's only remarks on the conflict were that "the two stubborn" leaders will "have to get along," referring to Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. - Unity on Venezuela - However, he highlighted that Ukraine was not Brazil's priority, and turned to a crisis in his own neighborhood, that he and Macron agreed upon: Venezuela. Both leaders condemned the exclusion of the main opposition coalition's chosen candidate, Corina Yoris, 80, from July 28 elections. "We very firmly condemn the exclusion of a serious and credible candidate from this process," Macron said. Lula described the situation as "serious" and said there was "no legal or political explanation for banning an opponent from being a candidate." "I told Maduro that the most important thing to restore normality in Venezuela was to avoid any problems in the electoral process, that the elections be held in the most democratic way possible." From the protection of the Amazon to cooperation in the building of submarines and economic ties, the two leaders showed off the broad Franco-Brazilian partnership over the three-day visit. Macron and Lula also brushed over tensions about the long-delayed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, which Brazil has pushed for and France has blocked. Macron blasted the deal as "a really bad agreement" and said it should be buried in favor of a new one that "is responsible from a development, climate and biodiversity point of view." Lula said he was "very calm" and noted only that Brazil "does not negotiate with France" but with the EU. The two leaders' close relationship was highlighted by a warm meeting in the Amazon, in which they were pictured beaming and clasping hands, to the delight of Brazilians who spawned a raft of memes comparing the images to a wedding album. bur-vl-tmo/fb/tjj The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion loan to restart a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, officials announced Wednesday. Holtec International acquired the 800-megawatt Palisades plant in 2022 with plans to dismantle it. But now the emphasis is on restarting it by late 2025, following support from the state of Michigan and the Biden administration. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said it would be the first nuclear power plant to be reopened in the U.S. It still faces hurdles, including inspections, testing and the blessing of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, known as the NRC. Nuclear power is our single largest source of carbon-free electricity, directly supporting 100,000 jobs across the country and hundreds of thousands more indirectly, said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, a former Michigan governor. The Palisades plant is along Lake Michigan, a two-hour drive from Chicago. A Michigan utility, CMS Energy, owned it from 1971 until the plant was sold to Louisiana-based utility Entergy in 2007. It was shut down in 2022. Holtec said it has long-term commitments so far from two electric cooperatives to buy power from the plant. The repowering of Palisades will restore safe, around-the-clock generation to hundreds of thousands of households, businesses and manufacturers, said Kris Singh, Holtec president and chief executive. Critics, however, have emerged. A coalition opposed to restarting what it derisively calls a zombie reactor has requested a hearing at the NRC. Holtec spokesman Patrick OBrien said it will take four to five months to finalize the financial deal with the government. It is a loan we have to pay back, he said. Nuclear energy is in the spotlight. Thirty-four countries, including the U.S., last week pledged to use it to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In California, regulators in December said the Diablo Canyon plant could operate through 2030 instead of 2025 to guard against blackouts as the state shifts toward renewable power sources. There is more enthusiasm toward nuclear power in Congress, in the industry and also internationally, said Najmedin Meshkati, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California who has inspected nuclear plants around the world. But restarting a plant, he said, is not easy. It puts the onus and burden on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Holtec to double down on efforts to make sure this plant is safe enough and all the safety measures are intact, Meshkati said of Palisades. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) wears the Order of the Southern Cross decoration while posing for a picture with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia (Ludovic MARIN) French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday hit out at Venezuela over the exclusion of a key opposition candidate from July elections. Venezuela's opposition Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) was this week forced to register an unknown candidate after being unable to sign up Corina Yoris to face off against President Nicolas Maduro, who is seeking a third term in office. "We very firmly condemn the exclusion of a serious and credible candidate from this process," Macron said at a press conference in Brasilia, at the end of a three-day official visit to Brazil. Lula there was "no legal or political explanation for banning an opponent from being a candidate." "I told Maduro that the most important thing to restore normality in Venezuela was to avoid any problems in the electoral process, that the elections be held in the most democratic way possible." Yoris was already the embattled opposition's Plan B. PUD leader Maria Corina Machado overwhelmingly won an opposition primary in October last year, but was banned from public office for 15 years by courts loyal to Maduro accused of corruption -- a charge she dismisses as fabricated -- and of supporting sanctions against his government. So, she tapped Yoris, an 80-year-old university professor, as her stand-in. However, by the time the deadline struck on Monday, the PUD was unable to access the website to register Yoris. - 'Betrayal'- Instead, the coalition managed to slip in the name of a little-known former ambassador, Edmundo Gonzalez Urruti, as a "provisional" candidate who Machado now hopes she will be able to replace. Another candidate, Manuel Rosales, the governor of the oil-rich province of Zulia and a member of the PUD coalition, also managed to sign up last-minute. Yoris has slammed his "betrayal" but Rosales said he wanted to avoid the opposition from being left out of the race. Maduro's government and the opposition signed a deal in Barbados last year mediated by Norway to hold a free and fair vote with international observers present which led to the United States easing sanctions against Venezuela. The United States has welcomed the more outspoken stance by Lula, who was close to Maduro's mentor Hugo Chavez. "It's not just the United States that is deeply concerned; our regional partners share this concern," about Venezuela's election, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in Washington on Thursday. "They need to allow a free and fair election," Miller said, warning of "consequences" if Venezuela did not do so. The United States has given Venezuela a deadline of April 18 to comply with the Barbados deal or face a snapback of sanctions. Venezuela's electoral authority condemned the US for its "insolent and false questioning" of the voting process. The goal is to "discredit one of the most solid institutions of the robust Venezuelan democracy," it said in a statement. vl-lg/fb/caw Brazil President Lula and French President Emmanuel Macron hold hands as they share a bilateral meeting while sailing at Guajara Bay off Belem, Brazil, on March 26, 2024 in this handout image from the Brazilian presidency (Ricardo STUCKERT) Wedding photos or a diplomatic visit? The apparent "bromance" between French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has set social media fans alight. During his three-day visit to Brazil, 46-year-old Macron was pictured smiling and warmly embracing Lula, 78, during a trip to the Amazonian rainforest. Many of the images have since circulated wildly among social media users in Brazil alongside montages and witty comments. One picture showing the leaders raising their arms underneath a large tree has been edited to show them holding red balloons in the shape of a heart. Another portrays the pair hand in hand, smiling as they look at the horizon while floating in a boat along the Amazon River. "They are going to marry in the Amazon and have their honeymoon in Paris," joked one user on X, while others said pictures from the trip could make up a wedding album. Macron's warm relations with Lula mark a departure from the frosty ties between the French leader and Brazil's former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, who led the country from 2019 to 2022. His trip, which will end Thursday in Brasilia when he meets Lula at the presidential palace, saw the two leaders announce a billion-dollar green investment plan for the Amazon. France, the seventh-largest economy in the world, and Brazil, the ninth-largest, are considered key players in a geopolitical scene marked by rivalry between China and the United States. Paris sees Brasilia as a bridge to large emerging economies whose voices Brazil is trying to amplify through its presidency of the G20, and membership of the BRICS+ group. ll/app/lg/tmo/mm/bjt/st (Bloomberg) -- President Emmanuel Macron is inviting Brazilian companies to step up investment in France as he seeks to diversify international partnerships. Most Read from Bloomberg Brazilian companies must believe more in France, he told business leaders gathered Wednesday in Sao Paulo, Brazils financial capital. We can do much more. Macron cited a gap in bilateral investment between both countries: While more than 1,000 French companies have invested about $44 billion in Brazil, Brazilian companies have put only $2 billion in France, according to figures compiled by the Elysee. Brazilian banks, he said, would be particularly welcome in France. We are the big winners of post-Brexit, the French leader said, after meeting with chief executives of two large Brazilian financial institutions, Itau Unibanco SA and Banco BTG Pactual SA. Read More: Macron Goes to Brazil Seeking Movement on Ukraine: What to Watch Sao Paulo was Macrons second stop in his three-day visit to Brazil, part of his push to expand political and business partnerships beyond Frances traditional allies. He started his tour in Belem, in the Amazon forest, where he met his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Both presidents have been trying to revive relations between France and Brazil, which soured under Lulas predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Yet for all of their personal chemistry, they have some large obstacles to overcome, including opposing views on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and disagreements over the current proposal for a trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday narrowly blocked a bill that would have penalized gun owners for leaving a firearm loaded and accessible to a child. Under Senate Bill 1785, also known as MaKaylas Law, gun owners would have potentially faced a Class C felony of reckless endangerment if a child under 13 found a gun, discharged it and killed either themselves or another person. PREVIOUS: Bill named for child shooting reintroduced 8 years later The legislation didnt mandate how guns are stored in the home. Rather, the bills sponsor Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) said it was only intended to hold gun owners responsible if a child got ahold of a weapon that was not safely secured. When a child unintentionally shoots themselves, or a friend, or a sibling with a gun, its not a tragic accident. It is 100% a preventable tragedy, Campbell said during committee Tuesday. Our state experiences far too many of these preventable tragedies. Data complied through Tennessee Under the Gun, a project created by the Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus, indicates there were at least 24 unintentional shootings involving kids with access to unsecured firearms in the state last year. We ranked fourth in the nation, Campbell said. Already this year there have been two such shootings, both of them resulting in death. Who is MaKayla Dyer? Efforts to pass MaKaylas Law have been ongoing for almost a decade now. Campbell said the bill has been reintroduced almost every year since 8-year-old MaKayla Dyer was shot and killed in East Tennessee in October 2015, but it has failed every time. The shooting happened after Dyer, a student at White Pine Elementary, reportedly refused to show her 11-year-old neighbor her puppies. Once Dyer told the boy, No, officials said he reached into a closet where he knew his dad kept a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, pointed the barrel out his window and pulled the trigger. MaKayla Dyer (WKRN file photo) The blast hit Dyer directly in the chest. The boy was found guilty of murder in February 2016 and sentenced to remain in state custody until his 19th birthday. However, Campbell said there were never any repercussions for the boys father. SEE ALSO: Democratic lawmakers push bill to protect children from gun-related deaths He was not held accountable in any way, even though it was his irresponsible actions that resulted in the death of an innocent little girl, she said. MaKayla should currently be a high school junior planning college visits and getting ready for prom. Instead, her life was cut short. Cathy Barnett, a mother and retired teacher from Franklin, also testified in support of the bill on Tuesday on behalf of Moms Demand Action, one of the largest gun violence prevention organizations in the country. During her testimony, Barnett said Dyer is just one of many children who have been lost in similar shootings, referencing the 2015 death of 15-year-old DaVontae Ziegler, who was shot by an 11-year-old boy while sitting outside his home in North Nashville. A memorial for DaVontae Ziegler (WKRN photo) READ MORE: Vigil held for 15-year-old shot to death in North Nashville You can imagine this with your own child. [His] family and friends were destroyed and still are, she said. There is no coming back, no moving on, no tomorrow when your precious child is taken from you in this manner. Its a wound that never heals. Barnett also pointed to research by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund showing 2023 was one of the worst years on record for unintentional shootings by children, with over 400 incidents reported nationwide. Every time a child is shot it is a tragedy, but shootings by children are especially devastating because they are completely preventable, Barnett said. Every time a child gets access to a gun without an adults knowledge or supervision, some grownup has failed. Where MaKaylas Law fell short Tennessee law already prohibits a parent from intentionally giving a handgun to a minor if they know there is a substantial risk that child could use the gun to commit a felony. However, there are no specific laws penalizing someone who leaves a gun accessible to a minor. During committee Tuesday, Mike Dunavant, Executive Director of Legal Services and Policy at Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, said it would be possible to prosecute someone in these instances under current reckless endangerment statutes, but there are challenges to establishing the state of mind thats necessary to prove culpability. Where does gun legislation stand in Tennessee one year after Covenant School shooting? According to Campbell, MaKaylas Law was intended to make it easier for prosecutors to take on cases involving children accessing an unsecured gun. Even then, Dunavant said prosecutors would have had to examine past behaviors and efforts of gun owners to secure their firearms to determine whether they were reckless or negligent with the weapon another difficult task. Thats what I have to prove, and thats very difficult because you have to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, he explained. Of course, many gun owners would say, I took all reasonable efforts that I knew to hide the gun, to store the gun, to remove it from the knowledge of the child, but nonetheless the child still got to it. Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol), who voted against the bill Tuesday, has also spoken out against MaKaylas Law in the past, describing the measure as well-intended but creating other consequences. We might fix it with this situation, he told News 2. But at the same time create 15 to 20 situations where someone who is the potential victim of a home invasion cant get to a gun, cant get a trigger lock opened, and things are going on and they are killed. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Another opponent of the bill included the Tennessee Firearms Association, which argued the law could have impacted gun owners Second Amendment rights. The organizations executive director John Harris pointed to the Supreme Courts landmark Bruen Decision, which cemented the ability to carry a pistol as a guarantee under the Constitution. What the Supreme Court said is under the Second Amendment now, they cannot in the absence of shoring a national and historical tradition that existed as of 1791 pass a law, particularly a criminal consequence law, that restricts a constitutionally protected right, Harris said. During discussion of the bill Tuesday, Sen. Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield) explained that he thinks safe storage is an important topic, but he struggles with creating a law penalizing gun owners, saying, What this topic really needs, is it needs publicity. However, the bill did see some support from other Republicans. Sen. Paul Rose (R-Covington) said his whole family has been around firearms all their lives and gun owners who dont know enough to keep a gun out of childrens hands ought to not have one. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Theres just common sense. If you own a gun, you know the gun is capable of causing harm, he said. You dont have to be educated to know you need to keep the gun in a safe spot from children. To me, its a commonsense bill. Ultimately, the bill failed in a vote of three in favor, four against and two present not voting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows a scene from the documentary "Food, Inc. 2." (River Road/Participant/Magnolia Pictures via AP) The Oscar -nominated documentary Food, Inc helped change the way many consumers think about the systems behind the things we eat. But in the 16 years since it came out, new problems have arisen and old problems got worse, magnified in part by shortages during the pandemic. Theyre given a spotlight in a sequel, Food, Inc 2, arriving in theaters and on digital in April. The filmmakers are going one step further, too: The activist media company Participant, and producers River Road and Magnolia Pictures, are launching a multi-faceted campaign to raise awareness about farm workers rights, corporate consolidation and ultra-processed foods. The campaign, announced Thursday, is in partnership with: The Open Markets Institute, a non-profit that uses research and journalism to expose the dangers of monopolization; The Coalition of Immokalee Workers, supporting the rights of farmworkers; And FoodFight USA, the nonpartisan movement started by entrepreneurs Todd Wagner and Lori McCreary with a goal of cleaning up the American food supply, which they estimate is 70% ultra-processed foods. In October, California became the first state to ban four chemicals from processed food and drinks sold in California by 2027. The chemicals red dye no. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil and propyl paraben are still used in popular products like Peeps, the popular marshmallow chicks most associated with Easter. The chemical has been linked to cancer and has been banned from makeup for more than 30 years. The passing of the California Food Safety Act and the subsequent introduction of similar bills in five additional states illustrate the timeliness of (the) documentary, Wagner said in a statement. People are beginning to recognize how tainted the U.S. food supply is and that many of the chemicals in our food are banned in other countries. All four chemicals are already banned in foods in the European Union. David Linde the CEO of Participant noted that the companys campaign for the first Food, Inc supported the first major piece of food safety legislation since the 1930s referring to the Food Safety Modernization Act, which Barack Obama signed into law in 2011. Linde said the company is proud to to continue the critical work of galvanizing change in the food industry. Food, Inc 2, directed by Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo and produced by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser, will play in select theaters on April 9 before its digital release on April 12. ___ This story has been updated to remove references to senators supporting the Open Markets Institute. Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order ahead of his April 15 hush-money criminal trial, suggesting without evidence that the veteran jurist was kowtowing to his daughters interests as a Democratic political consultant. The former president objected in particular to what he said was her specious social media photo showing him behind bars. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, posted on social media that the gag order issued Tuesday was illegal, un-American, unconstitutional. He said Judge Juan M. Merchan was wrongfully attempting to deprive me of my First Amendment Right to speak out against the Weaponization of Law Enforcement by Democratic rivals. The gag order, which was requested by the prosecution, bars Trump from either making or directing other people to make public statements on his behalf about jurors and potential witnesses in the hush-money trial, such as his lawyer turned nemesis Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels. It also prohibits any statements meant to interfere with or harass the courts staff, prosecution team or their families. It does not bar comments about Merchan or his family, nor does it prohibit criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the elected Democrat whose office is prosecuting Trump. Merchans daughter, whose firm has worked on campaigns for President Joe Biden and other Democrats, makes money by working to Get Trump and recently posted a fake photo on social media depicting her obvious goal of seeing him behind bars, Trump said. He argued those circumstances make it completely impossible for me to get a fair trial. Trump did not link to the purported photo, but an account appearing to belong to Loren Merchan on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a photo illustration of an imprisoned Trump as its profile picture Wednesday morning. It was later changed. Loren Merchans consulting firm had linked to that same account in a previous social media post. So, let me get this straight, Trump wrote on Truth Social, the Judges daughter is allowed to post pictures of her dream of putting me in jail ... but I am not allowed to talk about the attacks against me, and the Lunatics trying to destroy my life and prevent me from winning the 2024 Presidential Election, which I am dominating? Maybe the Judge is such a hater because his daughter makes money by working to Get Trump and when he rules against me over and over again, he is making her company, and her, richer and richer, Trump continued. How can this be allowed? Messages seeking comment were left with Merchan, his daughter, and a spokesperson for New Yorks state court system. Braggs office declined to comment. Trumps two-part Truth Social post was his first reaction to the gag order. His focus on Merchans daughter and her ties to Democratic politics echoed his lawyers arguments last year when they urged the judge to step aside from the case. The judge had also made several small donations totaling $35 to Democratic causes during the 2020 campaign, including $15 to Biden. Merchan said then that a state court ethics panel found that Loren Merchans work had no bearing on his impartiality. The judge said in a ruling last September that he was certain of his ability to be fair and impartial and that Trumps lawyers had failed to demonstrate that there exists concrete, or even realistic reasons for recusal to be appropriate, much less required on these grounds. Trumps hush-money case, set to be the first of his four criminal cases to go to trial, centers on allegations that he falsely logged payments to Cohen as legal fees in his companys books when they were for Cohens work during the 2016 campaign covering up negative stories about Trump. That included $130,000 Cohen paid Daniels on Trumps behalf so she wouldnt publicize her claim of a sexual encounter with him years earlier. Trump pleaded not guilty last April to 34 counts of falsifying business records, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, though there is no guarantee that a conviction would result in jail time. He denies having sex with Daniels and his lawyers have said that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses, not part of any coverup. In issuing the gag order, Merchan cited Trumps history of threatening, inflammatory, denigrating remarks about people involved in his legal cases. A violation could result in Trump being held in contempt of court, fined or even jailed. Though not covered by the restrictions, Merchan referenced Trumps various comments about him as an example of his rhetoric. The gag order mirrors one imposed and largely upheld by a federal appeals court panel in Trumps Washington, D.C., election interference criminal case. Trumps lawyers fought a gag order, warning it would amount to unconstitutional and unlawful prior restraint on his free speech rights. Merchan had long resisted imposing one, recognizing Trumps special status as a former president and current candidate and not wanting to trample his ability to defend himself publicly. But, he said, as the trial nears, he found that his obligation to ensuring the integrity of the case outweighs First Amendment concerns. He said Trumps statements have induced fear and necessitated added security measures to protect his targets and investigate threats. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been arrested for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material and for illegal storage of a firearm that could have been reached by a juvenile in his home, the Porterville Police Department said. Detectives say they received a CyberTip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) on Feb. 13 informing them of a Porterville resident who uploaded a media file containing child pornography. Through the course of the investigation, officers say they obtained evidence identifying 45-year-old John Warner as the person downloading pornographic images and videos of children under the age of 18 at his residence in the 300 block of North Newcomb Street in Porterville. An arrest warrant for Warner was authored and signed by a judge, as well as a search warrant for his residence. On Wednesday, detectives say they along with members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), responded to Warners home at around 7:15 a.m. He was contacted and taken into custody without incident. Investigators say they served the search warrant at Warners residence and collected evidence related to the investigation. Additionally, they located three firearms unlawfully stored and accessible to a juvenile who resides at the residence. According to the Porterville Police Department, Warner was later booked at the Tulare County South County Detention Facility under suspicion of possession and distribution of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child, unlawful storage of a firearm accessible to a child, and child endangerment. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Porterville Police Department at 559-782-7400. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. TOPEKA (KSNT) Dive crews are working to recover a car from the south boat ramp at Lake Shawnee Thursday morning. A 27 News reporter at the scene was told by Shawnee Heights Fire and Rescue the car ended up in the lake by accident. A man was distracted talking on his phone on Wednesday, March 27 when his car, in the wrong gear, rolled into the lake. What are the best Topeka, Shawnee County small businesses in 2024? No one was injured during this incident. Dive crews and a tow truck are on scene assisting with the recovery of the vehicle. More information will be provided as it becomes available. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. CHICAGO A man has been charged with murder in connection with a 2017 shooting at a gathering in Bronzeville that killed a 28-year-old. Chicago police announced Thursday that 24-year-old Antonio Dickerson has been charged with several felony counts including first degree murder. Police said Dickerson participated in the shooting on August 8, 2017 in the 0 block of East 37th Place. Police said Dickerson was among the group that approached a gathering of people who were barbecuing in front of a Bronzeville home. Previous Coverage: 1 killed, 6 injured in shooting near police headquarters in Bronzeville Alfred Mitchell Jr. was shot and taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said Dickerson was arrested Tuesday in Alsip. He is due in court Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A man was convicted for firing upon Clark County law enforcement officers and his neighbor back in August 2023. Danny Jeffers, 70, was convicted of three counts of felonious assault, according to Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Clark County man charged after firing weapon, hitting neighbors shed As News Center 7 previously reported, Clark County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to Ballentine Pike on reports of gunfire near a garage sale in August. A deputy and a German Township Police Officer were shot at by the callers neighbor, later identified as Jeffers, after they found multiple bullet strikes on a barn belonging to the caller. The neighbor was having a garage sale at the time of the incident. Jeffers will be sentenced on April 23. On Aug. 4, 2023, Clark County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to Ballentine Pike on reports of gunfire near a crowded garage sale. After discovering multiple bullet strikes on a barn belonging to the homeowner, a Clark County Sheriff's Deputy and a German Township Officer came under concentrated fire from a neighboring homeowner. Today, Danny Jeffers was convicted of 3 counts of Felonious Assault for his role in firing upon the law enforcement officers and his neighbor. I want to thank Clark County Assistant Prosecutors Aaron Heskett and Christian Sorg for all their work, as well as German Township Police Chief Mike Stitzel and all the Clark County Sheriff's deputies who responded to this scene, especially Deputy Peterson. Jeffers will be sentenced on April 23. Posted by Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (KRON) A man suspected of causing $20,000 in damage by cutting down telephone wires in broad daylight earlier this week was arrested, the Richmond Police Department announced Wednesday. Richmond officers responded to the 1200 block of Castro Ranch Road on the report of a wire theft in progress. A suspect was quickly located and detained, Richmond PD said. A search of the suspects vehicle uncovered stolen wire and tools used to steal wire. (Photo: Richmond Police Department) (Photo: Richmond Police Department) The suspect was arrested and booked into jail for felony theft, police said. AT&T estimated the damage to the phone lines to be over $20,000. Telephone and internet access was disrupted in the area due to the cut wires. Third suspect in $10K VTA copper wire theft nabbed by authorities There has been an increase in copper wire thefts in the area, Richmond PD said. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity near utility boxes, utility poles or buried utilities in Richmond is asked to contact police dispatch at (510)-233-1214. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. WASHINGTON (WDCW) A man was injured after a kiosk near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., caught fire Thursday morning. DC Fire and EMS said in a post on X at about 7:15 a.m. that they were at Lincoln Memorial Circle NW after a propane tank caused a small concession kiosk to catch fire. Maryland State Police: Off-duty DC police officer shoots, kills man The man was flown out by a U.S. Park Police helicopter for treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The bulk of the fire was extinguished by 7:22 a.m., and firefighters remained on the scene to continue to wet down the kiosk. The Lincoln Memorial has a 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of former President Abraham Lincoln looking out over the Reflecting Pool at the western end of the National Mall, according to Washington.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Pennsylvania man was arrested on Monday and accused of the violent murder of his next-door neighbor while dressed as the villain from Scream. Zak Russel Moyer, 30, was charged with criminal homicide after authorities accused him of attacking his neighbor, Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, with a chainsaw, and then stabbing him in the head with a knife, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by HuffPost. According to the affidavit, state authorities say the suspect was wearing a black costume consistent with the Scream movie character. Investigators noted that Whitehead suffered from bleeding injuries to his right arm and head which were consistent with self-defense wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Investigators determined the suspect was inside his house after conducting interviews with residents in the area and reviewing video footage that allegedly showed the costumed man leaving Whiteheads house from the rear and entering the house next door. State troopers established a perimeter around Moyers home while the suspect communicated with authorities through writings in a notebook. One note from the suspect to police allegedly said, Ed murdered women and kids Eddie JR murdered women and kids last summer. Moyer eventually surrendered to authorities without incident. Moyers sister told detectives that her brother wanted to kill Ed the neighbor, approximately one week ago, according to the affidavit. In his police interview, Moyer allegedly confessed to being the man in the costume and that he went to his neighbors home to scare him, the affidavit states. Authorities said Moyer admitted to intentionally killing Whitehead because he believed the family were murderers, according to the affidavit. Moyer allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim in the head with a knife before returning home to watch a movie until police arrived. He allegedly told detectives he was hiding the chainsaw in the attic and placed the knife in a desk drawer. Investigators who searched Moyers home say they found a black knife with dried blood, a costume and a battery-powered chainsaw. Court records reviewed by HuffPost show that Moyer is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 3. Related... NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A Nashville man is facing multiple charges after he reportedly left his drivers license behind while running away from a Nolensville traffic stop. The Nolensville Police Department said a sergeant stopped a car on Nolensville Road around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 for speeding. The officer noticed a Glock pistol in the seat by the front passenger, as well as other indicators of possible criminal activity, so the officer called for backup and had all three occupants step out of the car, according to officials. Passenger runs from Cheatham County authorities after car stopped for tint violation While searching the vehicle, authorities said they found a second pistol under the drivers seat, along with marijuana, pills that were believed to be Xanax, and materials used for packaging the items for resale. We guess this is where the driver identified as Ochon Alfred Olweny Abdu, decided he needed to make a quick exit, the department wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday, March 27. Abdu ran from the scene into the darkness. Rather than chase after Abdu on foot, police said the two officers stayed with the two passengers and the unsecured handguns, adding that, in his haste to depart our company he apparently forgot we had his drivers license. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Officials said they issued warrants for the 23-year-old Nashville man, charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony; possession of drug paraphernalia; manufacture, sale, and distribution of Schedule IV and Schedule VI controlled substances; evading on foot; and speeding. He will see us again, Nolensville authorities stated in Wednesdays post. Meanwhile, the remaining two occupants were released without being charged, according to police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A Black Virginia man is grieving the loss of his wife after she was fatally struck by a car in what police suspect was an intentional car crash. Derek Bizzell tells KCRG he and his wife, Shaunda, were on a walk in their neighborhood of Chesterfield, Virginia, Monday evening. He said it was the first time his wife joined her for one of his regular strolls. Yet, on their second lap around the neighborhood, Bizzell told reporters that he noticed a car veering from the middle of the road toward the sidewalk where they were walking. By the time he and his wife realized what was happening, it was already too late. We walked around the curb. We could see a car coming up the middle of the street like cars always do, and then he got closer to us. I could see him veer. I screamed her name, and all I heard was the thump, Bizzell said, via KCRG. Bizzell said the impact of the car accident knocked him underneath the car while his wife landed on top of the car. He was left speechless when he dialed 911 until a neighbor who witnessed the incident took his phone and helped communicate what happened to the dispatcher, the report says. The couple was rushed to the hospital, however, Shaunda was later pronounced dead. She is survived byher husband and two adult children. My wife was a beautiful soul, always had a pretty smile on her face, a genuine laugh, she had a love for God and family, Bizzell told local news. Police identified the driver as 22-year-old Daniel N. Anderson. They claim he intentionally rammed his vehicle into the couple after finding he had a troubling history of calling 911 to make threats of shooting a school, bombing a building or even assaulting police officers. Anderson faces charges of second-degree murder and malicious wounding in addition to other charges related to the threats he allegedly made. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A Lane County Circuit Court Judge sentenced a 59-year-old man on Monday to a minimum of 19 years in prison for the attempted murder of a man in Creswell in 2022. A Lane County Circuit Court Judge sentenced a 59-year-old man on Monday to a minimum of 19 years in prison for the attempted murder of a man in Creswell in 2022. In January, a 12-person jury convicted Steven Daniel Wages of two counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree attempted murder for the crime, which involved an apparent hammer attack during a dispute that took place at a home near North Mill Street and Pearce Way. Lane County Circuit Court Judge R. Curtis Conover sentenced Wages to approximately 230 months in prison for the attack without eligibility for parole or early release. According to court filings, Lane County Sheriff's Deputies arrived at the scene of the reported crime at around 7:30 p.m. on April 25, 2022. They found a 58-year-old man unconscious, concealed by a tarp, and with severe head wounds and a ligature cord tied tightly around his neck, according to Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow. The victim was rushed to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield where he was treated for depressed skull fractures on both sides of his head. During an investigation, a hammer was discovered at the scene, which appeared to have been involved in causing the head injuries. Wages, who was 57 at the time, was arrested the next day by law enforcement officers near Bandon, Oregon, after a short vehicle pursuit. He was initially charged with assault in the first degree and attempted murder in the second degree. Perlow said the 19-year sentence was ordered based on the severity and permanency of the damage Wages caused to the victim, the fact he was on post-prison supervision for crimes in Clackamas County at the time and his "extensive history" of over twenty-five convictions in multiple states. Regarding known convictions against Wages in Oregon, a "fugitive from justice" charge was dismissed in Multnomah County in 2018 after Wages was extradited to King County in Washington on one charge of third-degree assault constituting domestic violence, according to court documents. In 2019, Wages was found guilty of one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of unlawful use of a weapon in Clackamas County. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison. 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: Man gets 19-year prison sentence in Oregon hammer attack case U.S. authorities have recovered the bodies of two of the six Hispanic workers who went missing after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. They have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old citizen of Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala, rescue teams confirmed on Wednesday. Both men worked for the construction company Brawner Builders and were fixing potholes on the bridge when a cargo ship crashed into one of the structures pillars in the early hours of Tuesday. Locating the remaining four victims will be complicated because security forces said it is no longer safe for divers to continue searching the accident area. Because of the superstructure surrounding what we believe are the vehicles, and the amount of concrete and debris, divers are no longer able to safely navigate or operate around that. We firmly believe the vehicles are encased in the superstructure and concrete that we tragically saw come down, said Maryland Police Superintendent Roland Butler said Wednesday. The U.S. Coast Guard stated Tuesday that the chances of finding the six missing workers alive were minimal due to the temperature of the water and the time that had elapsed since the bridges collapse. At this point, we do not believe that were going to find any of these individuals still alive, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said. A co-worker who knew the victims said that Hernandez Fuentes and Castillo Cabrera were taking a break from work and sitting in their vehicle to shelter from the cold when the bridge collapsed, according to a testimony released by the Associated Press. The bodies of both workers were found inside a red pick-up type vehicle, reported the Guatemalan consulate in Maryland. The authorities of the Central American country regretted the death in a statement and have asked for respect for the families grief. Butler said the bodies were recovered around 10 a.m., and that the car was submerged in about 25 feet of water around the bridges middle span. The victims relatives were notified in person. The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said in his Wednesday morning press conference that there were two Mexicans missing in the accident, while another one had survived. Only two workers were rescued from the waters of the Patapsco River on Tuesday. Lopez Obrador said that there was an open line of communication with the families of the victims and assured that they would receive consular support from Mexican authorities in the area. The four workers who have not yet been located are from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The Honduran man has been identified as Maynor Suazo, 37, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central American country. He is a father of three and had been in the United States for almost two decades after his family moved there from the Honduran region of Santa Barbara. The Salvadoran man is Miguel Luna, a father of three, according to information confirmed by the Salvadoran Foreign Ministry. President Nayib Bukele has made all support and accompaniment available to the Luna family, said Alexandra Hill, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Guatemalan and Mexican governments have declined to release the names of their missing citizens. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) A man was sentenced to prison in connection to the death of teenager Danielle Owens, whose body was found in a Greene County field in 2023. Greene County Judge John Dugger Jr. on Wednesday sentenced David A. Dabbs, 33, of Greeneville, to four years in prison with 30% release eligibility, which means he must serve 30% of his sentence before being eligible for release. The four years will be in addition to the eight years he is currently serving in state prison for a methamphetamine-related charge for a total sentence of 12 years. Judge sets hearing to decide if Megan Boswells trial will be in Sullivan County Dabbs entered an Alford plea for charges of criminally negligent homicide, aggravated assault, two counts of false report, child abuse and neglect, and contributing to the unruly conduct of a child. An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty and accept a plea deal while also maintaining their innocence. Dabbs was also originally charged with aggravated statutory rape, but that charge was dropped as part of a plea deal, according to District Attorney General Dan Armstrong. Owens body was found in a field on Doughtys Chapel Road in February 2023. The 16-year-old had been reported missing by her family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A California man who left threatening voicemails for Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was sentenced to 11 months in prison, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. David Allen Carrier, 44, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2023, to two counts of making threats against a federal official. A grand jury indicted him Sept. 12, 2023. Just 15 days after the Jan. 6, 202,1 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Carrier called then-Speaker Pelosis office and threatened to assault her in a voicemail message. A year and a half later, on June 30, 2022, Carrier called the Homeland Security hotline and threatened to assault Mayorkas in a voicemail message. In pleading guilty, Carrier admitted that he intended to interfere with Pelosis and Mayorkass respective abilities to perform their official duties as a member of Congress and as the secretary of DHS. Participating in the public political conversation is an important right for all citizens, U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey said in a Justice Department press release. Nevertheless, threatening our public servants is not protected by the First Amendment and corrodes our ability to engage in peaceful and important public discourse. This Office will not tolerate behavior that crosses the line to criminal threats. Carrier was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the completion of his 11-month prison term. The judge ordered Carrier to attend mental health and substance abuse treatment, among other conditions, during that time. He was also ordered to stay away from and have no contact with Pelosi or Mayorkas. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp warned that violent threats targeting elected officials also threaten our democratic system. Todays sentence demonstrates that anyone who sends politically motivated threats of violence to government officials will be investigated by the FBI and held accountable, Tripp added. The sentencing comes amid heightened political violence in the country. Pelosi and Mayorkas, in particular, have frequently found themselves the focus of conservatives ire in recent years. In October 2022, Pelosis husband, Paul Pelosi, was hospitalized after a man, looking for the former Speaker, entered their home and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. Mayorkas last month became the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached since the 1870s, in a vote that the Department of Homeland Security described as advancing without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds. A spokesperson for Pelosi declined to comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man watched the murder of a friend on a live video feed and then deleted video footage of the murder occurring, according to Las Vegas Metro police. Stefan Jakubov, 29, faces charges including murder after police said he was complicit in the Aug. 12 killing of Aaron Chavez and goaded a friend, Gino Julian, to harm Chavez, an arrest report stated. Stefan Jakubov, 29, faces charges including murder after police said he was complicit in the Aug. 12 killing of Aaron Chavez and goaded a friend, Gino Julian, to harm Chavez, (LVMPD/KLAS) Jakubov was arrested on March 15, one day after the 8 News Now Investigators reported there was an arrest warrant for him. He is a trader for Mortgage Capital Trading, according to the arrest report. Break his face, Text messages lead to arrest of second suspect in Las Vegas homicide Jakubov told Julian where to find chemicals in the home where the alleged murder occurred to clean up the crime scene, instructed Julian to delete text conversations about the incident, and lied to Chavezs mother about Chavezs whereabouts while he knew about the alleged murder, police stated. When police confronted Jakubov about text messages with Julian, he said, Well, you read them, according to police. Jakubov agreed to speak about his role in the alleged murder and told detectives he watched Julian punch Chavez at least five times, police said. Julian, 30, was taken into custody by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on Aug. 13. Investigators discovered the alleged murder occurred at a home in Las Vegas. The 8 News Now Investigators obtained copies of text messages that prosecutors said Jakubov sent to Julian about the alleged killing. Break his face, and Delete our convos, Jakubov texted, according to police. Ill delete cameras. Police said Julian texted Jakubov Where should I put on the show? and Is there bleach or chlorine? Two tow truck drivers found Julian sleeping in his car in a desert area near Baker, California with Chavezs partially burned body approximately 10 feet away, according to police. Julian had called for a tow truck and sent a GPS pin of his location after his Mercedes Benz sedan became stuck in the soft desert sand, police said. A grand jury in Clark County later indicted Julian for charges including open murder. The San Bernardino County coroners office concluded Chavez, 30, died of blunt force trauma to the head. A San Bernardino Sheriff Department detective interviewed Jakubov, who was in Slovakia, by phone on Aug. 16, according to police. He said he moved to Las Vegas in 2020 and met Chavez approximately three years ago, according to a report. Jakubov described Chavez as extremely rich, and said he made a lot of money through e-commerce. Chavez owed a lot of people large amounts of money to people who gave him money for investments, Jakubov told the detective. Julian told police Chavez had a lot of money that he gained through Ponzi schemes and there was a bunch of people mad at him, according to grand jury transcripts. Detectives said they found a group chat which started on Aug. 2 where Jakubov and Chavez appeared to be in a feud. Several people told the 8 News Now Investigators that they had been scammed by Chavez. They claimed they had given Chavez money to invest. Chavez made several posts on social media such as Instagram in which he appeared to live a life of luxury. A warrant was issued on March 6 for Jakubov for two felony charges including destroying or concealing evidence and harboring, concealing, or aiding a felony offender, along with a gross misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to commit battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, according to Las Vegas Justice court records. The Clark County District Attorneys office added two felony charges of open murder and robbery on March 18. Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Amy Chelini set bail at $500,000 with high-level electronic monitoring on March 21 for the murder and robbery charges. Chelini set bail at $10,000 in connection with the previous three charges and ordered Jakubov to surrender his passport. Jakubov is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 25. Attorneys Robert Draskovich and William Brown are representing Jakubov. We anticipate him posting bail in the very near future, Draskovich told the 8 News Now Investigators. He is looking forward to his preliminary hearing in this case. He is confident he will be exonerated of the murder and robbery charges that he is currently facing. A jury trial for Julian is scheduled for May. He remains in custody in the Clark County Detention Center in downtown Las Vegas. He declined the 8 News Now Investigators requests for an interview. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The flight was grounded due to smoke in the cockpit [PA Media ] A British Airways plane has made an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after smoke was spotted in the cockpit. The aircraft touched down at about 16:55 GMT and was greeted by the airport's firefighters. Two other planes were asked to circle the area before being allowed to land. Manchester Airport said the manoeuvre was a "precaution" and the smoke was the result of a "minor technical issue". The flight, number BA1369 from Heathrow to Manchester, was taken to a remote area but passengers were able to leave normally. A spokesman for the airport said the runway remained open. He told the BBC: "There was never a significant concern. British Airways will be looking at what caused the smoke." Why not follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Twenty-three years after the terror attacks of 9/11, thousands of people are still suffering from the effects of inhaling the toxic air in the aftermath of the attacks. Hundreds have died from cancers and other illnesses. A Manhattan doctor uses state-of-the-art technology to help early detection of cancers in firefighters and others. Dr. Robert Bard is a diagnostic radiology specialist. He uses the most highly developed imaging procedures to detect cancers. During PIX11s visit, he used 3-D Doppler Ultrasound for a checkup of retired firefighter Sal Banchitta, who was exposed to poisonous toxins after the attacks of 9/11. More Manhattan News In Sals case, we used 3-D Doppler to look for abnormal cancer vessels. We found none, so in the next six months, hell be cancer-free and come in for another checkup, Bard said. Since 9/11, the number of firefighters who have died from toxin-related illnesses has surpassed the 343 who were killed on that day. Bard has examined several firefighters. He found something in 14 of them. We found most of them were low grade things that stay there, they dont move. We watch them with imaging. High-resolution ultrasounds are so accurate in finding cancer that were able to avoid biopsies, he maintained. While many first responders have developed respiratory ailments, others have been diagnosed and died from cancer. Most common in firefighters is skin cancer, second most common is lung cancer, according to Bard. More PIX11 Stories Local News Read More In another procedure, Bard used a high-resolution skin ultrasound to check for cancerous cells. An examination of Banchitta found a lesion that was pre-cancerous, not skin cancer. Sal Banchitta was at Ground Zero on 9/11 and, for two months afterward, joined their recovery team. Years later, his urologist detected an abnormality in his prostate, put him through a biopsy and wanted more tests until he met Bard. Dr. Bard did an ultrasound and found a low-grade cancer spot that coincided with an MRI that both showed I had no cancer, Banchitta remembered. Cancer treatment is easier and more effective if we find it early, Bard declared. There are many tools out there. Patients should know about Dr. Bards tools. His technology is amazing, Banchitta added. The state-of-the-art technology is an alternative to painful biopsies. Doctors say the accuracy of their diagnosis has been proven over the years. Twenty-three years after the devastating attacks of 9/11, first responders and civilians alike are still being advised, if they were anywhere near ground zero and inhaled the poisonous toxic air, to get checked now to make sure theyre okay. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) One store in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. Kim Collins, owner of The Market Place, said with an event of this magnitude, people should make sure theyre ready. The store has T-shirts, mugs, stickers and eclipse candles as part of the stores preparations for the cosmic event, which happens in less than two weeks. The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News The Market Place in Marble Falls is hoping to capitalize on the eclipse by making a whole series of eclipse-branded merchandise. | Todd Bynum/KXAN News Were going to have these large groups of people coming in, so we need to be prepared, Collins said. Theyre coming to buy stuff whether we like it or not, so well embrace it. Marble Falls is right in the heart of the eclipses totality, meaning the town will spend more than four minutes in its shadow. Other places around Central Texas, like Dripping Springs and Travis County, have issued disaster declarations for the day of the celestial event. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. President Ferdinand Marcos said Thursday the Philippines will not be "cowed into silence" by Beijing after confrontations in the South China Sea that injured Filipino troops and damaged vessels. Marcos's remarks came as China blamed the Philippines for raising tensions in the hotly contested waterway, which Beijing claims almost entirely. Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near disputed reefs in recent months. Manila summoned a Chinese envoy over the latest incident near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, which occurred last Saturday during a Philippine mission to resupply troops garrisoned on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded navy ship. The Philippines said the China Coast Guard blocked its supply vessel and damaged it with water cannon, injuring three soldiers. The China Coast Guard has defended its actions, describing them as "lawful regulation, interception and expulsion" of a foreign vessel that "tried to forcefully intrude" into Chinese waters. Beijing has urged Manila to "pull back from the brink" and stop "provoking trouble at sea", but Marcos hit back on Thursday. "We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience," Marcos said in a statement. He said the Philippines would respond with a "countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia". "Filipinos do not yield," Marcos said. - 'A dangerous road' - China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, as well as an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. Among the claimants, China has been the most assertive, deploying ships to patrol the waters and building artificial islands which it has militarised. In a statement Thursday entitled "China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully", Beijing's defence ministry blamed "the provocations by the Philippine side" for the increased tensions over the South China Sea. "Relying on the backing of external forces... the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international community's perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road," it added. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island. - US repeats 'ironclad' commitment - The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, has led a chorus of support for the Southeast Asian country in response to Chinese actions. Marcos said the international community had "offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific." "I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed," he said, without providing details. His statement came after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin repeated the United States' "ironclad" commitment to its longtime ally in a call with his Filipino counterpart Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday. Last Saturday's incident followed similar confrontations near Second Thomas Shoal earlier in the month. Manila said China Coast Guard ships caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four Filipino crew members injured. cgm/amj/tym (Bloomberg) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed deliberate countermeasures against dangerous attacks by Chinese ships in the South China Sea, and said hes in talks with allies to help secure his countrys sovereignty. Most Read from Bloomberg Over the coming weeks, national government agencies would carry out countermeasures and the Philippines was in constant communication with allies and partners, Marcos said in a Facebook post on Thursday. There shall be a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia, Marcos said. We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience, he added. Marcos didnt specify the measures but it signals an escalation as tensions between Manila and Beijing continued over the weekend after Chinese coast guard ships blasted water cannons at a Philippine supply boat in the disputed waters. Three Filipinos were injured in the latest confrontation, Manila said. While the use of water cannons is unlikely to draw the US and other allies into direct conflict, it skirts closer to the boundary of what may be considered an armed attack, which would compel Washington to come to the Philippines aid. Chinas Water Cannons Test US-Philippines Pact in Sea Feud (1) Marcos said he was speaking with allies and partners who have offered help on what the country requires to protect its sovereignty while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed, he said. Marcos Warns on China Risks, Says Hes Not Poking the Bear China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, and has accused Philippine vessels of illegally trespassing on its waters. Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said Beijing opposes foreign interference on the maritime dispute. We are fully prepared for any emergency, and will resolutely safeguard Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Wu said in comments shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is returning to her roots in her turn against Speaker Mike Johnson. Greene rebranded herself as more of an insider under Kevin McCarthy's speakership. Her ally is now gone. It's clear she's fine just going it alone. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was inside. It may seem like distant history, but it was only 14 months ago. Greene embraced Kevin McCarthy on the House floor just as the Californian was about to realize his lifelong ambition to become Speaker of the House. McCarthy's predecessor, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had helped push Greene into exile in a move that could have ended her career. Instead, the Georgia Republican returned to Washington on the verge of reclaiming her committee assignments. Greene turned her punishment into a conservative platform powerful enough to stoke vice presidential rumors. But first, she wanted to preserve the moment with a selfie. "I will never leave that woman," McCarthy told a friend after getting elected speaker, according to The New York Times. "I will always take care of her." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene laughs with Kevin McCarthy, then- the top House Republican, during the early days of what became a 15-ballot marathon to elect McCarthy as speaker of the House. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images McCarthy did leave Congress, electing to bolt from the Capitol early after his historic ouster. Greene's ally was gone. She embraced his successor, Speaker Mike Johnson, but their relationship is fundamentally different. Last week, Greene filed a motion "more of a warning than a pink slip," as she put it that could trigger a vote on Johnson's ouster. She was enraged about Johnson's government funding deal with Senate Democrats and the White House, deeming it a full surrender. "Mike Johnson did nothing to stop the deep state," Greene later told former Trump White House advisor Steve Bannon. Johnson hailed the bill for including conservative wins in a divided government. The speaker, per Politico, pointed out that the GOP secured more money for additional border patrol agents, cut funding to the IRS and State Department, and maintained the controversial Hyde amendment on federal funding for abortions. It is notable that when given the chance to express disapproval of Greene's actions, McCarthy instead insisted that she wanted to be heard. Unlike in the case of McCarthy's ouster, Greene has yet to use her procedural power to force the House to vote on Johnson's status. If she were to do so, the House would have to take action within 48 legislative hours. "I watched that with Marjorie, from the vote to speaker to the vote for the Fiscal Responsibility Act," McCarthy told CBS' "Face the Nation," on Sunday, referencing his debt deal with President Joe Biden. "There are times she was a difference of opinion. And you sit down and find common ground." (McCarthy's debt deal was one of the major steps that sparked his ouster.) Greene's action carries some risk for Republicans, given their slim majority. If a vote were to occur, it could force Johnson to cut a deal with Democrats. Greene is returning to her roots. 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 Greene began like most modern outsiders: online. Her love for then-candidate Donald Trump began her pivot away from CrossFit and into a stream of commentary on everything from the QAnon conspiracy to endorsing the execution of Democrats. GOP leaders, including Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisana, shunned Greene after some of her posts became public. She still won. In the weeks after her election, more of Greene's posts came to light, including musing that "Jewish space lasers" caused California wildfires. She also wrote in agreement with a commentator who suggested 9/11 was a false flag. In an extensive floor speech, Greene pleaded with her colleagues. She said the past posts "do not represent me." Undeterred, Democrats and 11 Republicans voted to strip Greene of her committee assignments. McCarthy condemned her past statements but slammed Democrats for punishing her largely by themselves. She refused to let others end her career. It could have been the end of Greene's career in Congress. Instead, she avoided the scorn back home that doomed Rep. Steve King of Iowa when Republicans booted him off of committees in 2019. Greene turned the scandal into millions of dollars in campaign donations. McCarthy continued to criticize her at times, but Trump's embrace of her as "a future Republican star" increased her protection. Greene joined the House Freedom Caucus, the somewhat secretive group of conservative rabble-rousers within the House GOP. In the meantime, Greene, as the Times pointed out, helped signal where much of the GOP was headed on issues such as the legacy of January 6 and vaccine mandates. Greene's relationship with McCarthy came at a cost. Recent generations of House conservatives have viewed themselves more as a check on their party's leadership and less as partners in governing. It's not unheard of for former critics to be brought into the fold just look at House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan who helped derail McCarthy's first bid to become speaker. But Greene did more than just push her colleagues to back McCarthy as the speakership election turned into a dayslong slog. According to The Daily Beast, Greene confronted Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican and notable holdout, in a House bathroom. She also, famously, tried to hand a phone to Rep. Matt Rosendale, a Montana Republican, to talk to Trump. Tensions, especially with Boebert, later culminated in Greene being voted out of the Freedom Caucus. In some ways, Greene never changed. But McCarthy's ouster led her to re-up her resurgent voice, such as when she criticized fellow Republicans for initially punting on impeaching Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. Along the way, she still courted controversy, like when she decided to showcase nude and slightly redacted photos of Hunter Biden during a House hearing. (Greene lashed out at Democrats who criticized the choice.) She's not completely cast off either. GOP leaders tapped her to be an impeachment manager for Mayorkas' likely trial after Greene helped lead the push for just the second-ever impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in history. It remains unclear when the trial will be as House Republicans have still not formally sent their charges to the Senate. There was a new unmistakable image last week: Greene standing alone on the steps of Capitol as a large group of reporters hounded her to explain why she moved against Johnson. Previously, Greene had urged her colleagues to understand that Republicans are limited by what they can accomplish with a historically narrow majority. There were no such caveats this time. Greene stressed that unnamed Republicans (the exact number of which she also declined to reveal) supported her choice to leave a sword hanging over Johnson's head that she could move to drop at any moment. Greene also emphasized that she truly cared about her colleagues, just look at the money she's paid to the House GOP's campaign arm. It was a very insidery defense of the ultimate betrayal of her own party's speaker. "I'm not introducing this to throw the House into chaos," she said. "Committees will continue to do their work. Investigations will continue. I support my conference. Again, I have paid all my dues to the NRCC and then some." Read the original article on Business Insider Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has aired yet another wild theory about the 2020 presidential election while speaking on a right-wing media outlet. Ms Greene, a Republican from Georgia, discussed her theory on Real Americas Voice on Thursday morning in conversation with Steven Bannon, the ex-chief strategist to former president Donald Trump who was convicted of contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena for the investigation into the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots. When Bannon and the Georgia lawmaker began discussing the 2020 presidential election, Ms Greene began to discuss baseless conspiracy theories that the results were fraudulent. Ms Greene brought up Mr Trumps infamous phone call to Mr Raffensperger, during which he asked the state official to change the Georgia election results. She defended the former president, saying he was only concerned that mail-in ballots had been lost. When President Trump got on the phone with our Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, and said, Can you find the votes? Where are they, he was basically looking for ballots, and these ballots have been lost in the mail, the Georgia representative said. And so, there was nothing wrong with what President Trump said. All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state, Mr Trump said during the 2 January 2021 call. Mr Trump also made several false claims about the 2020 election on that call, including that Georgia officials shredded thousands and thousands of ballots. Bannon parroted similar false claims that Mr Trump had won the state of Georgia in 2020 while speaking with Ms Greene. We got to win Georgia, or President Trump is not going to return to the White House, Bannon said. So we got to win it like we won in 2020. Just hours after speaking with Bannon, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson named Ms Greene as one of the managers for the possible impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Earlier this year, Mr Mayorkas became the second-ever cabinet member impeached thanks to a GOP-led, party-line vote in the House of Representatives. The articles of impeachment allege that Mr Mayorkas engaged in a willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law by allowing the release of migrants awaiting legal proceedings and breached public trust when he told lawmakers the US-Mexico border was secure. In a letter on Thursday, the impeachment managers and Mr Johnson told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, that theyll send two charges to the upper chamber on 10 April, urging the Senate leader to schedule a trial of the matter expeditiously. US President Barack Obama, followed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden, enter the White House in 2009. When President Joe Biden needs advice, there are two people he can turn to who know what its like to sit in his chair. Sometimes he will invite Barack Obama over to the White House for a meal or he will get on the phone with Bill Clinton. The three men share decades of history at the pinnacle of American and Democratic leadership, making them an unusual trio in presidential history. Although there has sometimes been friction as their ambitions and agendas have diverged, they have spent years building toward a similar vision for the country. On Thursday, their partnership will be on display in what has been described as a one-of-a-kind fundraising extravaganza in New York City to help Biden build on his already significant cash advantage in this years presidential election. Its a dramatic show of force intended to rally the Democratic Party faithful to secure a second term for Biden despite his stubbornly low poll numbers and doubts due to his age (81). There is everything to be gained by Joe Biden standing next to Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, said Leon Panetta, who worked in the administrations of both former presidents. That picture is worth a hell of a lot in politics today. The display of solidarity is a sharp contrast to Donald Trumps isolation from other Republican leaders. Although Trump has solidified his grip on his party on the way to becoming the presumptive nominee, not even his own former vice president, Mike Pence, is willing to endorse Trumps bid for another White House term. The only other living Republican president, George W. Bush, is not a supporter, either. Its a far different situation with Biden, Obama and Clinton. When they havent been campaigning against each other, theyve been working together. At one point, all three of them were on a collision course during the Democratic presidential primary in 2008. Biden and Obama sought the nomination, as did Clintons wife, Hillary. Obama came out on top, and chose Biden as his vice president and Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state. As Obamas two terms were ending and the 2016 election was approaching, he nudged Hillary Clinton to the forefront as his preferred successor and dissuaded Biden from running after Bidens elder son died of cancer. Clinton lost to Trump, who lost to Biden in 2020. Obama privately helped clear a path for Biden to the Democratic nomination that year. There have been notable splits between the presidents on key issues. Biden was unsuccessful in persuading Obama not to send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009. U.S. forces remained in the country until 2021, when Biden withdrew them during his first year in office. The three presidents have often focused on the same goals in a sort of legislative relay race. Clinton failed to significantly expand health care access during his presidency, which ran from 1993 to 2001. Obama picked up the baton when he took office in 2009 and signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010. Biden called the law a big ... deal inserting an infamous expletive in the middle of that thought and built on it when he began his own term in 2021. He signed legislation that included financial incentives for states to expand Medicaid, prompting North Carolina to take the belated step last year, more than a decade after the Affordable Care Act made it possible. Between Clinton, Obama and Biden, theyve seen the sweep of Democratic history together in ways that not everybody has, said Gene Sperling, a longtime economic adviser. Sperling is among the administration officials who have served all three presidents. Another member of those ranks is John Podesta, currently a global climate envoy for Biden who was Clintons chief of staff and an environmental adviser to Obama. Podesta said all three have tried to improve the lives of working Americans. Each one of them, when they close the door on the Oval Office, thats what mattered to them the most, he said. But their styles arent the same. While Obama was more reserved, Biden and Clinton draw energy from chatting up people on rope lines and forging deep personal relationships. Their relaxation is politics, Podesta said. Panetta suggested that Biden, broadly unpopular in public polling, should try to pick up a few tips from his Democratic predecessors, both of whom served two terms. The fundamental reason they got reelected is that they were able to connect with the American people, he said. Joe Biden clearly needs to do that. The only living Democratic president who will not be in New York for the fundraiser is 99-year-old Jimmy Carter. A spokeswoman for Carter confirmed that he remains in home hospice care and is not making any public statements. Carters relationship with Biden goes back several decades. When Carter was running for president in 1976 as a little-known former governor of Georgia, Biden took a political risk by becoming the first sitting senator to endorse him. Fundraisers, even with presidents, are usually small affairs. Dozens or sometimes hundreds of people gather in a wealthy persons living room or backyard to hear a speech from the candidate and maybe ask a few questions. This one is in a different league. Thousands of people are expected at Radio City Music Hall to watch Stephen Colbert, the late-night talk show host, moderate a conversation with the three presidents. Celebrity guests Cynthia Erivo, Mindy Kaling, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Lea Michele and Ben Platt will provide more star power. The cheapest tickets are $225, making it more accessible than most fundraisers. But thats only the starting point. A photo with all three presidents is $100,000. Access to more intimate receptions will cost $250,000 or $500,000. Campaign officials have not said how much they expect the event to raise. But they said a fundraiser featuring Biden and Obama in December raised nearly $3 million. Trump, meanwhile, is also expected to be in the area Thursday, attending the Long Island wake of a New York City police officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens. The Trump campaign, which has struggled to keep pace with Bidens fundraising, scoffed at Thursdays event, dismissing it as a sign the president needs to trot out some retreads like Clinton and Obama, in the words of spokesman Steven Cheung. Eric Schultz, a senior adviser to Obama, said the former president will do all he can to support Biden and he looks forward to helping Democrats up and down the ballot make the case to voters this fall. Our strategy will be based on driving impact, especially where and when his voice can help move the needle, Schultz said. The relationship between Obama and Biden has been personal as well as political. Obama offered to help Biden pay the familys medical bills when Bidens son Beau was struggling with cancer. After Beaus death in 2015, Obama gave a eulogy at the funeral, where he described his vice president as my brother. Theyre like family to each other, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said recently. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Amber Rudd is one of the women proposed for membership of the Garrick Club - Paul Grover Members of the men-only Garrick Club have sparked a rebellion by nominating seven prominent women including Dame Mary Beard and Amber Rudd as members. In a move designed to force through female membership, the womens names are being put forward to the Garricks candidates committee in the coming days. The committee will then have to decide whether to accept the women all of them notable in their respective fields. The alternative is a threat of legal action if they are declined, although that has been played down in some quarters. Dame Mary, a television presenter and professor of classics at Cambridge University, said she was delighted to have been proposed for membership. The Garrick is a great club and I have enjoyed being a guest there and I would very much like to be a member, said Dame Mary. I am being put forward although I shant be suing them if I dont get it. Asked if she was intrigued at the prospect of making history rather than researching it as per her day job, she said her biggest concern was paying the fees should her application be successful. What I am worried about is whether I can afford it but we will cross that bridge later. I might have to crowdfund my membership, said Dame Mary. Dame Mary Beard joked she might have to crowdfund her membership - Geoff Pugh Emily Maitlis, the broadcaster, posted a list of women she said were being proposed on X, formerly Twitter, adding she had seen their names in a formal letter. She said the other women on the list were Amber Rudd, the former home secretary; Baroness Hazarika, the journalist and political adviser; news presenter Cathy Newman; the actress Juliet Stevenson; Margaret Casely-Hayford, a former City lawyer and chair of Shakespeares Globe theatre; and the former Court of Appeal judge Dame Elizabeth Gloster. Maitlis said the women had been nominated by members of the club including the actor Stephen Fry, a number of senior KCs, and the journalists Sir Simon Jenkins and Simon Heffer. Dame Mary confirmed that she had been nominated by Professor Heffer and Sir Simon. Maitlis posted on X: The letter to the Garrick chairman, the general committee and the Garrick trustees states that the women candidates forms are being prepared and signed as soon as possible so that their candidacies may be processed in the usual manner. The letter goes on: Please confirm that they are eligible for membership (of the Garrick) and that they will be considered on the same basis as men. BREAKING : I've been given sight of a formal letter proposing the names of several women to become the first female members of the Garrick club - inc former Home Secretary Amber Rudd. This comes ahead of a crucial club meeting April 4th -which will bring this matter to a head 1/ emily m (@maitlis) March 28, 2024 The furore over the Garricks men-only rule was prompted by the publication of its membership list by the Guardian newspaper, leading to the resignation of some members including Sir Richard Moore, the MI6 chief, and Simon Case, the head of the Civil Service. Four senior judges are also said to have quit. Lord Pannick, regarded as one of the finest legal brains in the country, has issued a legal opinion concluding that the current Garrick rules do not explicitly prevent women from joining. This will make it more difficult for the Garrick to exclude the women now being proposed for membership. 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. HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) Abortion clinics in Maryland could be getting state funds to create an onsite security infrastructure. A bill in the General Assembly would apply the funds from a surplus in the state health insurance exchange and could be applied to surveillance cameras, staffing and lighting at reproductive care facilities in Maryland. Renters rights seen as contentious housing policy issue in Maryland General Assembly Supporters of the idea say it will prevent harassment, stalking, assaults and bomb threats. People have a right to go into our clinic and thats why were here, says Rie Wilson, an escort at the Reproductive Rights Center on West Washington Street. To give them a safe entrance, to make they choice they want to make. Critics of the plan have testified against the funding at the State House in Annapolis. Its totally unnecessary, says Steven Kurtz outside the Hagerstown facility. We are just here to pray for the young women that are coming in here to have abortions and maybe theyll have a change of mind. Hagerstown police find aerial drones to be effective in fighting crime The legislation comes at a time when the state is expected to have an influx of women seeking the procedure in western Maryland. People in West Virginia, now that abortion is banned there, Wilson said. [They] can visit a clinic in Cumberland. In November, Maryland voters will decide if a right to an abortion should be enshrined in the state Constitution. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. BALTIMORE - Maryland is receiving an initial funding of $60 million from the federal government as the state works to clear the debris remaining from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The state sent a letter of request on Wednesday for Emergency Relief funding for mobilization, operations and debris recovery. "We are deeply grateful to President Biden, to Secretary Buttigieg, to our federal delegation and all of our federal partners," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. "I'm grateful for the way the administration has continued to lean in and support us." #BREAKING: Governor Wes Moore confirms the $60 million requested to pay for initial mobilization, operations and debris recovery for the collapse of the Key Bridge was APPROVED by the Biden Administration today @wjz pic.twitter.com/MyOl8Ndws5 Cristina Mendez (@CrisMendezTV) March 28, 2024 Early Tuesday morning, a cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's bridge, sending eight construction workers into the Patapsco River. One refused treatment, another was discharged from shock trauma, and the bodies of two others were recovered Wednesday morning. Four more are missing and are presumed to be dead. "The State of Maryland's budget for emergencies is limited and unable to fund an emergency of this magnitude," Wiedefeld wrote. Maryland MDOT asks for $60 million from federal government by Adam Thompson on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Wiedefeld had hoped for a "quick release" of the $60 million. "We have applied for the federal dollars that are available for this type of purpose," Wiedefeld said. "We intend to receive some federal dollars quickly and then we will start with the design for the replacement of the bridge to the port and get the community back up and running." Officials at a press conference on Wednesday said the first priority is to remove the debris from the Patapsco River, which will be assisted by the Army Corps of Engineers so that the shipping lanes can reopen. The Baltimore district of the Army Corps of Engineers activated its Emergency Operations Center, which clears the way for more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists to provide support to local, state and federal agencies. They are patrolling the waters of the Harbor and Patapsco River for drift and debris that could be hazardous to navigation. "The most urgent priority is to open the Port of Baltimore because it is essential to the livelihood of people here in Baltimore, in Maryland, and the economies across our country and around the world," U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he intends to push the federal government to pay for the entire reconstruction of the bridge, and pledged to work with Maryland leaders to provide as much support as possible. "It is my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said, adding that he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as he can. The $60 million estimate made by the state of Maryland for initial expenses is, at most, just 10% of the estimated cost for response to the disaster, CBS News has learned following a Maryland Congressional delegation meeting. The Maryland delegation talked about likely costs exceeding $1 billion and a "need for an emergency supplemental" aid package from Congress. Scott MacFarlane contributed reporting. Inside the effort to clear the Baltimore bridge wreckage How disinformation is reshaping political campaigns Zelenskyy tells CBS News that Ukraine will lose without U.S. aid A Massachusetts man who worked as a magician across New England was sentenced to over 6 years in prison for exploiting children in Cambodia, the US District Attorneys Office, District of Massachusetts announced Thursday. Scott Jameson, 47, was sentenced by a judge in Boston federal court to 78 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release after traveling to Cambodia with the explicit desire to exploit young children, according to acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. Jameson brought his magic show to children across New England for over 20 years, Levy says. Sexual exploitation of children is unconscionable, regardless of where the victims live. Our office works with international authorities regularly to make sure that individuals like Mr. Jameson are held accountable for their criminal conduct. We will not cease in our efforts to bring individuals who harm children to justice, Levy stated. In early 2022, Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), a Cambodian Non-Governmental Organization founded to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation, contacted United States authorities to report that Jameson engaged in inappropriate behavior with minors in Cambodia. An investigation revealed that Jameson would provide gifts and money to children and their families. Children reported that he would visit the pagoda where they lived and sleep in a room with the children, Levys office writes. Jameson was stopped at Logan Airport in October 2022 where authorities executed a search of his belongings. During the search, a video was discovered depicting the genitals of a young Cambodian boy about seven years old. Jameson told officials he created the video before transferring it to a hard drive. Jamesons laptop also revealed that it had been used to view images of child sexual exploitation material. During an interview with federal officials, Jameson admitted that he had worked as a magician for over 20 years, performing at libraries and private events across New England, usually for children as young as kindergarten age and up to the eighth grade. This predator with a passport traveled halfway around the world and engaged in illicit sexual conduct with a child and then brought back home evidence of that sexual abuse so he could relive it for his own sick gratification, said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. 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 When conservative icon Matt Schlapp announced Tuesday that the sexual battery and defamation lawsuit against him had been dropped, he and his allies were quick to note that the ordeal ended without him or the American Conservative Unionthe right-wing organization he runspaying his accuser a single dollar. But what Schlapp didnt disclose was that the Republican operative who sued him was, in fact, paid to drop the lawsuit, according to two people with knowledge of the payout. It was just that the money came from ACUs insurance company, these two people told The Daily Beast. (Minutes before this article published, CNN ran a story also revealing that the lawsuit was dropped only after Schlapps accuser was paid $480,000 from ACUs insureran amount one of the sources confirmed to The Daily Beast.) While Schlapps financial victory lap on a technicality apparently drew the attention of his accuser, it wasnt the only thing that may have been misleading. Herschel Walker Staffer: Matt Schlapp Groped My Crotch Schlapps accuser, former Herschel Walker campaign staffer Carlton Huffman, has also taken issue with the content of a conciliatory statement that a Schlapp spokesperson provided to media outlets in Huffmans name, these sources said. The verbiage in that statement was not what Huffman had agreed to as part of the settlement, they said. Hours after the news broke on Tuesday, these sources said, Huffmans counsel notified Schlapps legal team that some of Schlapps personal statements and social media posts celebrating the lawsuits resolution appeared to be in breach of the agreements non-disparagement clause. Those posts have since been taken down, including one where Schlapp, citing a Washington Examiner report on his personal Twitter account, wrote that he had been cleared of wrongdoing and that Huffman had apologized. The new allegations suggest that the legal battlean increasingly contentious dispute that played out under intense media scrutiny for more than a yearmight be heating back up almost as soon as it ended. Huffman filed the lawsuit last January, about 10 days after he first came forward anonymously in The Daily Beast, alleging that Schlapp had pummeled his crotch while he chauffeured the conservative influencer to Schlapps hotel after a boozy night in Atlanta. Huffmans suit also targeted Schlapps wife, conservative commentator Mercedes Schlapp, whom Huffman accused of defaming him in a smear campaign after he went public. In December, Huffman added the ACU itself as a defendant, contending that the organizationwhich hosts the influential CPAC annual gatheringswas liable for negligence after the revelation of two prior accusations of sexual misconduct against Schlapp. A related defamation suit that Huffman had filed in federal court against Schlapp associate Caroline Wren was also withdrawn this week, court records show. The Schlapps, through various attorneys and surrogates, have denied the allegations, blaming the firestorm on media outlets and a shadowy cabal of Democratic operatives bent on destroying conservatives. (Huffman is a lifelong Republican.) When the resolution first became public on Tuesday, Schlapp and his allies spun it as an exoneration. Schlapp himself broke the news in a lengthy statement on social media, attacking left-wing media groups and Democrats for waging a relentless war through the press and legal channels, saying that the scandal had only made his family stronger. From the beginning, we asserted our innocence, the statement began. Our family was attacked by a left-wing media that is focused on the destruction of conservatives regardless of the truth and the facts. But we emerge from this ordeal stronger as husband and wife, stronger as parents to our five daughters, stronger as friends to those who stood by us. CPAC Tax Docs Reveal Big Losses After Matt Schlapp Sex Abuse Allegations Throughout the afternoon, Schlapp posted articles about the dismissal and statements of support from allies. Huffmans attorney later flagged the content of some of those posts for Schlapps counsel as potentially exceeding the terms of the settlement, according to the two sources. Schlapp has now deleted several of those tweets. The executive committee of the CPAC board also released a statement on Tuesday, applauding the favorable conclusion and endorsing Schlapps leadership while chiding news outlets that did not wait for the facts to come out. The left-wing media did not, of course, wait for the facts to come out and instead launched a character assassination campaign to destroy CPAC, Matt, and his family, the statement said in part, adding that CPACs financial position is also at a historic level of strength with an exceptionally engaged base of support. Huffman, however, never recanted his claimsthough the media statement that ACU had provided in his name chalked the lawsuit up to a complete misunderstanding. Its not clear which parts of Huffmans media statement are in dispute. The statement, which was first reported in Politico, was broken into two parts. The claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family, the first paragraph said. The second paragraph flipped the roles, with the Schlapps acknowledging that their allegedly defamatory claims about Huffman were also a misunderstanding. The Schlapps have advised that the statements made about me were the result of a misunderstanding, which was regrettable, the second part said. The statement added, Neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them. Politico also reported that Huffman had confirmed the accuracy of the statement in a text message conversation. Asked about the statement, Huffman said in a text message to POLITICO: We have resolved our differences and confirmed the accuracy of the statement, the article said. In response to questions, the Politico reporter who broke the story, Daniel Lippman, told The Daily Beast that he had full confidence in his reporting. I stand by my reporting and would direct you to the story itself, which outlines my interaction with Huffman, Lippman said. GOP Operative Drops Sexual Assault Suit Against Matt Schlapp But its unclear whether Huffman was confirming the accuracy of the content in the full media statement, or potentially referencing the independent statement that he texted to Lippman, acknowledging that the dispute had been resolved. Neither Huffman nor his attorney, Tim Hyland, would comment for this story, though Hyland reiterated that the parties have resolved our differences. The Daily Beast also emailed a comment request to counsel for Schlapp and ACU, but did not receive a reply. The claim that neither the Schlapps nor ACU paid Huffman is narrowly accurate, but its also misleading, according to two people with knowledge of the settlement. Its true that Huffmans payout did not come directly from bank accounts held by the Schlapps or the ACU, the sources said, but it was paid through the ACUs insurer, which ACU in turns pays to provide liability coverage. (Last spring, Schlapp offered Huffman a settlement in the low six figures, The Daily Beast previously reported, and Huffman turned it down.) ACU officials also last year repeatedly voiced concerns about how Schlapp was managing his legal defense, including about how a potential settlement would be handled. Those concerns, they said, were particularly troubling in light of Schlapps opacity about the Huffman case along with the organizations finances more broadly, which a tight inner circle of leadership appeared to be obscuring. Former executive vice president and longtime board member Charlie Gerow singled out those concerns in a blistering internal letter he tendered upon his resignation last summer. In the letter, Gerow challenged a decision between Schlapp and ACU general counsel David Safavian to add an indemnification clause to Schlapps compensation agreement. This startled me as I had never seen the agreement and had never been told that an indemnification provision was potentially involved, Gerow said in his letter, as The Daily Beast reported. The letter also warned, for those who are encouraging Matt to fight this to the end the costs are already staggering. Earlier this year we were advised that the legal strategy of Matts counsel would blow this case out of the water within 30 days, Gerow wrote. That obviously did not happen. In a separate resignation letter earlier that year, ACU treasurer Bob Beauprez cautioned that a settlement of more than $2 million, combined with the legal expenses, would break the organization, not to mention the reputational damage. New Matt Schlapp Subpoenas Target Document-Shredding at CPAC At the time of Gerows letterlate Augustthe tab for Schlapps defense had already cleared $1 million, Gerow claimed, noting that the costly discovery phase was only just getting underway. Gerow and Beauprez also both warned that the organization itself appeared to be on unsteady financial ground, citing weak revenue streams, rising expenses, and financial mismanagement, while a tight inner circle of leadership restricted visibility into how the group was handling its funds. Tax records show that the Huffman scandal also appears to have impacted ACUs bottom line, The Daily Beast reported earlier this month, driving down CPACs attendance and ticket prices, repelling major corporate sponsors, and posing a mounting legal burden. Those costs quickly multiplied. Four months after Gerows resignation, Huffman added ACU as a defendant, with new rounds of subpoenas and depositions continuing for months after that. The case appeared headed for a jury trial this June, until the docket suddenly went quiet last weekincluding canceled depositions from Fox News host Sean Hannity and a young ACU contractor, The Daily Beast reported. But at least one of Gerows predictions did come true. The Huffman lawsuit, he wrote, would not go to trial. Instead, Gerow believed the Schlapps would settle, possibly with a price tag in the millions of dollarsthough he worried how much of those costs would ultimately be covered by ACUs insurance provider, and how much of the groups own funds would be risked on Schlapps personal behalf. The ACUs most recent tax filing, which The Daily Beast previously obtained, covers a period between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, capturing the first two months after Huffman filed his suit. The filing states that the organization had paid $135,384 in insurance costs over the reporting periodmore than ACU spent on insurance in the previous three years combined. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on Aug. 11, 2023. A wildfire that left Lahaina in charred ruins has killed at least 55 people, authorities said on August 10, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the US state's history. Brushfires on Maui, fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora passing to the south of Hawaii, broke out on Aug. 8 and rapidly engulfed Lahaina. Hawaii state and federal officials are implementing a new housing policy to help more than 3,000 displaced residents of Mauinearly eight months after one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires ravaged Lahaina. This initiative follows a troubling revelation that hundreds of homes designated for fire survivors are currently unoccupied. Under this initiative, individuals qualifying for federal assistance or state aid will be offered longer-term housing opportunities based on their circumstances. If the household declines those options, survivors must find their own housing within eight days or start covering the expenses for their hotel stay. Hawaii currently pays over $1,000 a day per family for the hotels as part of a $500 million contract with the American Red Cross. We are committed to working with individuals and families to address their specific needs and provide assistance in finding alternative housing options so that families can regain a sense of normalcy and stability in their lives, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) Administrator James Barros said in a statement. PDF.js viewer More: How did the wildfires start in Maui? A combination of factors fueled disaster Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced its intentions to wrap up a hotel sheltering initiative by April 10. Despite securing 1,300 leased properties for survivors, the utilization of these accommodations falls short, with just over 550 currently occupied. Acknowledging the need for expediency, FEMA aims to move 300 families into the leased properties per week. Still, recent data indicates a slower pace, with 65 to 100 families relocating per week, according to Curtis Brown, FEMA Region 9 Deputy Coordinating Officer for Maui. On average, it takes us about 30 days to license in a household because not only does that survivor have to do a background check, FEMA has to go inspect it to ensure that it meets (safety) standards, Brown said. So sometimes everything goes perfect. It takes about 30 days, but sometimes, well match a family to a unit. We interviewed that family, and now its not a one bedroom that they need, but now they need a two bedroom, so that process sometimes has to start over. More: Hawaii lawmakers question impartiality of Maui County's wildfire investigation Less than a month before the deadline, FEMAs decision to extend the hotel sheltering program is anticipated within the next few weeks. If an extension is not approved, FEMA will no longer provide federal funding to assist Hawaii in housing displaced residents in hotels. Were working with the state. I mean, obviously, wed love to have all those survivors out of hotels so we can meet that April 10 deadline, but were working with the state to see where were at by then, Brown said. Brown hopes that once residents move into a longer-term home, they will have enough time to find a permanent solution. FEMA direct lease program runs for 18 months with the possibility of extensions, Brown said. The state of Hawaii and (Maui County) are working on affordable housing programs, and I think during the next 18 months to three years, I think therell be (permanent) opportunities for them. More: Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz slams Congress for "failing" Maui wildfire survivors To learn more, displaced residents are encouraged to visit the Maui Recovers website or Lahaina Civic Center, where FEMA staff and county, state, and non-governmental organizations can offer various services. Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X @JeremyYurow This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hawaii scrambles to move displaced Maui residents out of shelters Eric Adams and the New York Police Department announced a plan on Thursday to deploy scanners that use artificial intelligence to detect guns in the citys subway stations. This is our Sputnik moment, Mayor Adams said at a news conference in a Lower Manhattan subway station, according to Gothamist. Like when Kennedy said were going to put a man on the moon. ... Lets bring on the scanners. Adams is still finalizing a deal with the scanners manufacturer, Evolv, which is under investigation by the Securities Exchange Commission as well as the Federal Trade Commission. The company recently had to walk back claims that its technology had been tested by the British government, and is now being sued by its investors for misleading them about the efficacy of its weapon-detecting capabilities. NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Michael Gerber said that MTA passengers would not be required to pass through the scanners. On Monday, the NYPD dispatched hundreds of additional police officers into the subway in an effort to address fare evasion. Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard to institute bag checks in New York Citys subway system. The Thursday morning announcement has already sparked criticism from civil rights advocates. The Mayor likened todays subway scanner announcement to the moon landing, but more accurately hes jumping the shark, said Donna Lieberman, the Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, in a statement. Lieberman criticized the decision to rely on notoriously faulty technology, which would likely collect information from passengers to be stored by the police. We should be wary of any flashy new technology that over-promises while raising novel privacy concerns, she said. And New Yorkers must ask what preventative and supportive initiatives, like housing, mental health, and employment services could be funded with this expense. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 21:55 | All, Japan Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said Thursday it has submitted a plan to the nuclear regulator to begin loading fuel in a reactor at an idled plant, northwest of Tokyo, next month, as part of moves to potentially restart the facility. The proposed loading of the No.7 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture from April 15 was submitted to the Nuclear Regulation Authority. TEPCO has yet to restart any of its reactors halted after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster triggered by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. No timeline for a restart has been decided, TEPCO said. The central government supports the move as resource-poor Japan looks to again have nuclear as a significant contributor to the country's power generation mix, and improve the tight power supply conditions in the eastern region including the heavily-populated Tokyo metropolitan area served by TEPCO. The government has been urging Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi to approve the plant's restart. But Hanazumi has been calling for extensive discussions on measures to ensure the safety of local residents in the event of a nuclear accident. The seven-reactor facility in Niigata Prefecture has a maximum output capacity of 8.212 million kilowatts and is one of the world's largest producers of electricity. After loading the seventh reactor with nuclear fuel, TEPCO hopes to bring it to criticality and ascertain whether any irregularities are present before gradually increasing its output. The plant's manager Takeyuki Inagaki said at a press conference Thursday that work to bring the reactor to criticality could only begin with local approval. All 12 reactors at six nuclear facilities approved for restarts in the country's west and southwest received local assent before the loading of nuclear fuel. Local trust in TEPCO has been damaged by safety flaws identified at the plant that led the NRA to issue an operational ban in force from April 2021 until it was lifted in December following an inspection of strengthened counterterrorism measures at the site. The powerful Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake in nearby Ishikawa Prefecture has also heightened local safety concerns over a possible evacuation in the event of a nuclear accident. Related coverage: Japan completes 4th round of Fukushima treated water discharge The Reddit community r/tragedeigh is probably not a place you want to see screenshots of your social media posts or text messages ending upespecially if you have children. Heres what makes a good post tragique, as they like to call it: It must be about a given name thats either been deliberately misspelled to make it seem more unique than it is (e.g. Emmaleigh instead of Emily) or original in the sense that its a name that seems completely made up (e.g. Dugsly, Brylie, Kaydynce). The more tragique the name, the better. Poking fun at the more unique names isnt the only thing to do on the subreddit. You can ask other users whether they think a certain name youre considering for your own kid is a tragedeigh or even ask other users to roast your name. But most of these posts are memes, lists, and in the wild pics of odd names users find. Frequently, these are screen grabs of social media posts from other platforms, text messages from a group chat, or pictures of classroom displays from elementary schools. Its the in the wild posts that create the most spectacle. A lot of these users are parents involved in one way or another in other online communitiessome dedicated to name trends like r/namenerdscirclejerkthat dig into different aspects of parenting. Source Screenshot via /r/Tragedeigh Trag is more, mean? But in a fun bullying critical way the kind of place thats like a very low ball humor, a r/tragedeigh user who asked to remain anonymous told The Daily Beast. After chatting with other users to better understand their motives, it quickly becomes clear that r/tragedeigh is a place where some parents feel more comfortable letting out a collective, exasperated sigh. To say that parenting in 2024 is hard would be an understatement. Many parents still owe thousands of dollars on their student loans and have to contend with higher costs of living than previous generations. These factors have many adults foregoing parenthood altogether. Those who have taken the leap arent finding parenting to be any less polarizing than any other aspect of life these days. Everyone has an opinion about how children should be raisedeven non-parents. [The subreddit is] a narrative on current society and absurdism, the user added. [These] names are trying to achieve this balance of being unique and acceptable by society simultaneously. However, many people miss the mark. Inside the Horrid Subreddit Giving Tech Support for Cyberstalkers Missing the mark is the joke. Its kind of the point. Either the person who came up with the nametypically a parentis getting roasted for coming up with it, or theyre pitying the person who has to move through the world with such a name. Tawfiq Ammari, an assistant professor at the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University whose work examines the complexities of technology and social interaction, has studied online parenting communities and has also noticed high levels of politically-driven polarization. He says he definitely laughed out loud at some of the content posted to r/tragedeigh, but he also has some concerns about how users are thinking about privacy. Theres very little you can do to completely provide yourself with a cloak of privacy online, Ammari told The Daily Beast. Thats especially true on Reddit because its pseudonymous. Its not anonymous. Users often share enough personally identifiable information, making it possible to deduce their identity. This completely defeats the purpose of pseudonymity. Ammari described a picture he was looking at on the subreddit of what looked to be a birth announcement, where the mother was in the hospital with a newborn. In the post, he said the infants face was covered, but other identifiable information about the mother and newborn wasnt. This is where it becomes really messy, he added. If I share something in my family group, my estimation is that it stays in my family group. Once that boundary is broken, once theres a perturbation there and the parents find out its on Reddit, obviously theyll think of the people they know who use Reddit. A Privacy Violation Minefield In February 2024, r/tragedeigh got into some hot water after one user, a health-care worker, posted an image of a patients name from an emergency room to the subreddit. The user took measures to redact some of the personally identifiable information, but not enough to keep internet sleuths from tracking down the patient on Facebook. The giveaway is obvious: She had a pretty unique first name. We in the United States exist under a patchwork of laws at the state and federal levels that dont cover a lot of what commonly takes place online, Leah Plunkett, a faculty member at Harvard Law School who studies the digital lives of kids, families, and communities, told The Daily Beast. So when we talk about choices around posting or other forms of digital sharing, ultimately a lot of that is going to be left up to peoples individual discretion, good judgment, and whatever type of community standards or content moderation a given platform is doing. r/tragedeigh has a pretty sizable list of rules. Chief among them is Dont be a jerk. The second is Censor all identifying information. The rule goes on to say that all faces, last names, addresses, phone numbers, usernames, and any other personally identifiable information should be censored. We only want to see the first name, the rules say. But Plunkett argues theres an inherent flaw in that logic. Source Screenshot via /r/Tragedeigh Even if its just a first name, I do think theres still harm, Plunkett said. Kids are especially vulnerable to identity theft because they usually can't get credit cards on their own. They might have debit cards linked to a parents account or savings accounts, but criminals target them because their clean credit history is appealing for fraud. In other words, a thief can use a kids identity to open new accounts or get credit cards easily. In 2018, the BBC reported that Barclays bank had estimated that by 2030, sharentingor when an adult shares private details about a child onlinewould account for nearly two-thirds of identity fraud cases affecting young people. While the long-term repercussions of sharenting remain to be seen, privacy experts like Plunkett are monitoring this issue. The moderators of r/tragedeigh did not respond when reached for comment. Whats In a Name? So why do we, as a culture, care so much what other people are named? As it turns out, its not just extremely online parents who have taken an interest in what other people choose to name their children. Researchers have also taken an interest in how cultural trends influence the types of names parents choose. Russell Goldman, an associate professor in the department of social and decision sciences at Carnegie Mellon, uses mathematical models to make sense of how people make strategic choices. In 2022, he and his co-authors published research exploring how given names become popular using public data. Their findings suggest that uniqueness and conformity are equally important factors that parents consider when charged with naming a child. People do have motives theyre trying to achieve when theyre choosing a name for their baby, Goldman told The Daily Beast. Sometimes you have a grandparent who you want to name your baby after. Sometimes its a junior, and its like naming it after yourself. But in a lot of cases, youre just looking for a name that kind of sounds good. But r/tragedeigh is more about the shock value. Its purposefully subversive, platforming uniqueor seemingly uniquenaming conventions over familiar ones. Goldman and his co-authors picked up on the fact that behind the posts are expressions of shock or disbelief that cultural trends are moving in what seems like a very unexpected direction. Obviously, these names are challenging some preconceptions of whats in a name. Maybe weve grown too comfortable with our assumptions of what a name is supposed to look or sound like. Maybe it turns out the names that feed r/tragedeigh cynicism arent unique at all, that Emmaleigh is the new Emily, and every Dugsly and every Kaydynce will be able to find their name on a keychain in a novelty shop for tourists. Time will tell. In the meantime, count on the internet to make a comedeigh out of a tragedeigh. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. DENVER (KDVR) U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and 18 other senators are urging President Joe Biden to provide protection and pathways to residency or citizenship for undocumented migrants and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients throughout the states. The senators letter comes after immigration advocates, including Bennet, U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, Yadira Caraveo, Diana DeGette and Jason Crow, alongside U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, have repeatedly called for the president to use his executive authority to expand work permits and protect migrants from deportation. Migrants at Elitch Gardens encampment leaving before planned city sweep Some politicians have expressed a desire to deport all undocumented migrants in the U.S. Alternatively, streamlining pathways for undocumented immigrants with no criminal history and deep ties to the United States to obtain parole or a lawful immigration status would provide stability to their families, require them to pay taxes, and to check in with the U.S. government regularly, wrote the senators. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 20,300 people in Colorado in 2023 marginally attached to the workforce. The BLS explained that these people are not working, but indicate that they would like to work, are available to work, and have looked for work at some time during the past 12 months. In 2019 alone, undocumented immigrants contributed an estimated $9.7 billion in federal and state taxes and over $11 billion in social security contributions, the senators wrote. Over 1.1 million U.S. citizens are married to an undocumented immigrant, and roughly 4.9 million U.S. citizen children have at least one undocumented parent. In Denver, migrants have continued to arrive and be supported by the city for a period. As of March 28, there are 712 migrants in city shelters, according to the citys dashboard, which updates daily. In total, the city has supported 40,066 migrants at a cost of more than $62 million. The city has also reported assisting nearly 1,400 people in applying for work authorization since February. Migrant crisis exacerbates issues for DACA holders, mixed-status families Protect and Unify American Families, the senators urged in their letter, pointing to the over 1.1 million undocumented spouses in the US with an average time of 16 years living in the country. Douglas County leaders one step closer to migrant bus ordinance Yet, these families live in fear that they may be separated from their loved one due to deportation, and often forgo much-needed health care and decline to report crimes due to their immigration status. The fear of deportation has also been associated with psychological stress linked to an increased risk of chronic disease for children with an undocumented family member, the letter continued. The senators noted that green card applications take a median of 42.4 months to complete and that DACA holders are facing hurdles like needing to travel to a US consulate to change their immigration status, and struggle to obtain an appointment during the period of advanced parole granted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. In a letter sent last week by Colorado representatives to USCIS, the lawmakers requested an investigation into the delays for employment authorization renewals and swift implementation of system reforms. Each of our offices have received numerous requests from constituents that have been unable to renew their employment authorizations in a timely manner, leading to many losing their employment as a result of these delays, wrote Bennet, Neguse, and the lawmakers. The over 13,000 Dreamers located throughout Colorado are actively contributing to our economy and nation every day and should be able to renew their employment authorizations in a timely manner. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Three men accused of stabbing a man to death are to be retried after the jury foreman got stage fright and delivered the wrong verdict to the judge, the High Court has ruled. The female foreman wrongly told the court that the jury in the trial of the three men had reached a verdict and then incorrectly told the judge they found them not guilty on all charges. Brothers Paul and Matthew Yusuff, who had been charged with murder, and Moussa Traore, who had been charged with manslaughter over stabbing Adrian Keise, 32, outside a London bar, cheered as they prepared for freedom. Jurors left the courtroom looking puzzled and an urgent note was sent to Judge Charles Gratwicke. He reconvened court, saying: It is clear from the note they are not unanimous. I discharged the jury, but I am going to revoke that. The jury was told they could return a majority verdict but failed to do so on the substantive murder and manslaughter charges. The mens lawyers challenged their continued detention, arguing that once the defendants had been cleared by the jury the case was at an end. However, this week those arguments were dismissed in a 20-page judgment delivered by the president of the Kings Bench division Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Mr Justice Holgate and Mr Justice Hilliard. They confirmed a retrial should go ahead, which is provisionally scheduled for December this year. Continuing detention The judges said: We have concluded that the applicants continuing detention pending their retrial is lawful; this court has no jurisdiction to judicially review the decisions under challenge; the applications for judicial reviews are accordingly not arguable and all applications before us, including the applications for a writ of habeas corpus, must be refused. The judges also gave their view on what went wrong. Mr Gratwicke, a retired circuit judge, had told counsel it was clear from the jurys note that the foreman had not understood the question: Are you unanimous? Dame Sharp and her two fellow judges said: Looking at this case realistically, we think it is tolerably clear that the jury foreman was not expecting to be asked the first question the clerk put to her when she came back into court; and suffered what might reasonably be called a form of stage fright. We ask a lot of our juries; and particularly the person appointed as foreman... who will be faced with questions they are required to answer in public in the somewhat stressful environment of court proceedings. That stress will be exacerbated if the question that is asked is not one that has been foreshadowed or expected. Before leaving this case, we therefore give some practical guidance on jury management which should reduce the risk of any repetition of the problems of the kind that happened in this case. The need will not arise in every case, so we do not consider it necessary to be over-prescriptive, and precisely how this is to be done should be flagged up in open court and discussed with counsel; but if a decision has been taken to give a majority direction, we consider that there may, on occasion, be cases where it would be helpful for the jury to be given some forewarning of the procedure that will be followed when they are brought back into court and of the questions the foreman or forewoman will be asked. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Levelling Up Secretary's Renters Reform Bill has already been significantly delayed - Lucy North/PA Wire A Tory manifesto pledge to ban no-fault evictions has been thrown into doubt after a backlash from Tory MPs. In a letter to Conservative MPs seen by The Telegraph on Thursday, levelling up minister Jacob Young laid out a series of amendments to the incoming Renters Reform Bill. This included a commitment for the Lord Chancellor to review the readiness of the courts before no-fault evictions, otherwise known as Section 21, can be banned. Other concessions include banning tenants from leaving in the first six months of entering into a new rolling tenancy, and exempting all student landlords not just those with larger properties from key parts of the Bill. It comes after opposition from some 50 backbench MPs, many of whom are landlords, raising concerns that the Bill would breed uncertainty and drive property investors out of the market. The Bill will return to the House of Commons for Report Stage after Easter recess, which begins tomorrow and ends on April 12. But questions are being raised as to whether the Bill, which has already been significantly delayed, will make it through Parliament at all amid calls for a general election as soon as June. In his letter, Mr Young told MPs: I know some colleagues and constituents have been concerned about aspects of our reforms ... Having listened to MPs and the sector, we will bring forward amendments addressing outstanding concerns. These improvements have the support of main landlord groups, including the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) and Large Agents Representation Group (LARG) which are calling for [the] Government to crack on with the Bill and give much needed certainty to the sector. One backbench MP told The Telegraph that his colleagues would continue to push for a further concession on rolling tenancies. He said: The only thing they havent conceded on is fixed-term tenancies which Im sure colleagues will continue to press. It should be down to individuals whether or not they enter into a fixed-term tenancy. The Bill, as it stands, will scrap fixed-term tenancies, allowing renters to stay in their rental homes indefinitely. It sets in stone earlier promises from Mr Gove that the ban on no-fault evictions a 2019 manifesto pledge would be delayed until after the court system was reformed to deal with the changes. Mr Young has also promised to commission an annual parliamentary update on the state of the private rented sector to monitor the effect of the reforms including data on the supply, size and location of properties. Landlord instructions, which are when a new investor pays an estate agent to market their property, have continued to dwindle down 17pc in February. This marks the 19th successive negative reading, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors latest report in which members say buy-to-let landlords are cashing in and exiting the market. The Government has vowed to press ahead with the bill before a general election this year. But campaigners for renters fear any amendment to fix court backlogs could significantly push out the time by which no-fault evictions can be banned. Tom Darling, campaign manager at the Renters Reform Coalition, said: So now we see the price the Government has paid in their Faustian bargain with the landlord lobby. Selling renters down the river with concessions that will put off the vast majority of renters from feeling the benefits of these reforms indefinitely. The Governments flagship legislation to help renters is fast becoming a landlords charter. Renters will be hoping to see significant changes to the Bill in the House of Lords otherwise this legislation will hardly be an improvement on the status quo. Chris Norris, policy director at the NRLA, said the Government appeared to have recognised landlords concerns in full. He said this included concerns about the courts, uncertainty around tenants being able to immediately serve notice at the beginning of a tenancy, as well as student landlords being at risk of being left with empty properties for months on end. He added: It looks like a good balance could be struck. Hopefully this indicates that well soon get a date for the remaining stages. Recommended The one last big mistake that Michael Gove is determined to make Read more 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. FILE - Michelle Yeoh arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg are among the diverse group of political, business and philanthropic leaders Global Citizen will convene in New York on May 1 and 2, the nonprofit announced on Thursday, March 28, 2024.(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg are among the diverse group of political, business and philanthropic leaders Global Citizen will convene in New York on May 1 and 2, the nonprofit announced on Thursday. The Global Citizen NOW summit will seek support for workable solutions to address issues of food insecurity, climate change and public health associated with extreme poverty, said Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans. We are focused on advancing the ideas that will drive urgent action to end extreme poverty, Evans told The Associated Press, adding that the world is at a crossroads on numerous issues. Actors Hugh Jackman, Danai Gurira and Dakota Johnson and representatives from Cisco, Citi, Delta and PayPal will join Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah, Bezos Earth Fund CEO Andrew Steer, and Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for the event. I have made it my mission to work to amplify underrepresented voices, Gurira, star of The Walking Dead and Black Panther franchises, said in a statement, adding that she is eager to address the severe inequities facing the African continent. Evans said the third edition of Global Citizen NOW will focus on defeating preventable diseases, like malaria, polio, and HPV. Organizers also plan to announce new initiatives to preserve the Amazon Rainforest and increase investments in Africa through the World Bank. Global Citizen also hopes the New York summit will build on momentum generated among Gen Z and millennial leaders at its first international conference earlier this month in Australia. We hope to inspire the next generation of advocates through our Global Citizen Prize awards, where we will spotlight and financially support five young people making extraordinary efforts to change the world, Evans said. _____ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The pace of life, the stress of work, all while finding time for family can lead to anxiety, pain, sleep issues, and other health problems. Rather than seeking prescriptions or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, more and more people are seeking natural remedies. Hemp, CBD, and other cannabis derivatives became legal six years ago and theyre growing in popularity. Kron Cannabis Dispensary is set to open its third location in Middle Tennessee and has been in business since 2018. The reality for what cannabis has done for me in my own life is life-changing, explained Kron Cannabis owner Jake Seipel. Tennessee lawmakers grapple with changes over Delta-8 Jake and Sima Seipel opened Kron Cannabis Dispensary when Congress approved the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp, defined in the legislation as the cannabis plant. They have been very successful. Oh, I ask customers How did you hear about us? Most of them say my friend told me, my boss told me, my doctor told me. This business for us is built on the word of mouth and experience of folks who come in here and try it, said Sima Seipel. Along with their five children, Kron now operates dispensaries in Franklin, Nolensville, and Nashville. Customers come seeking relief, relaxation, and a better physical life. Sleep. Pain. They kind of go back and forth, then stress, anxiety, things of that nature, then the list kind of goes down from there. We even have customers come into our stores who have their doctor that are sending them to us because the doctors are actually understanding the health realities to what cannabis is, said Jake Seipel. Delta-8 in Tennessee: The history and uncertain future of the industry The Seipels know there are skeptics who dont believe as they do and dont believe there is a medical good coming from cannabis. I always say please do your homework and experience it for yourself before jumping to conclusions. Just experience it for yourself, that is the best way you know. Besides selling these hemp-based products, the Seipels both use them daily. At all to this point in my life, the only side effect Ive gotten out of it is better health, closer to my family, and less pain, said Kale Seipel. Tennessee hemp growers unable to grow the most popular cannabis flower in the state The Seipels abandoned their profitable real estate careers to open Kron to help their children, who were taking medications for anxiety and ADHD and then began using marijuana to seek relief, eventually getting arrested. Because of our kids, we got into this business. It was because of their health and wellness that we decided to invest ourselves and our energy and our time and our money into looking into what was going to give them the health benefits. Our kids went from being C and D students to graduating from high school now and college. That to me is amazing, explained Jake Seipel. The Seipels said their goal is to find the correct product and the correct dosage that offers the relief the individual seeks from pain or stress or whatever And each individual reacts differently. The Legal High: Tennessees Delta 8 Debate | READ MORE So what I try to do is find that personal thing that is personal to whoever is coming into my shop, whether they like gummies, whether they like to smoke, whether they like to have tinctures or they like the creams, whatever that is; and Im trying to test a couple things, then to come back and let me know how they feel. But as long as you understand that very simple science, the plant was meant for the body and the body for the plant and you find out which parts of that plant work with your body and what out of balance you are, then it is very simple. Just continue. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. By Wa Lone and Nivedita Balu NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (Reuters) - From vintage train rides costing almost $4,000 per person to hotel rooms listed at $1,600 a night, businesses in and around majestic Niagara Falls are preparing to cash in on the April 8 total solar eclipse - with around a million visitors expected. The dramatic waterfall, situated along the Canadian-U.S. border, is in the path of the eclipse, and many people are splurging on hotels and rentals in advance to experience the phenomenon at one of North America's natural wonders. Demand has pushed up prices of hotels as people making last-minute plans book the last of the available accommodations. The eclipse will be a busy time both on the Ontario side and the New York side of the waterfall, with numerous special activities planned. Many enthusiasts are planning to drive thousands of miles (km) across Canada to be there when the moon's shadow covers the sun for about three to four minutes starting at 3:20 p.m ET. For Canada, this marks the first total solar eclipse since 1979, with the next forecast for 2044. Jim Diodati, mayor of the Ontario city of Niagara Falls, predicted "by far the biggest crowd that we've ever had" on the Canadian side for the eclipse. Diodati estimated that up to a million people will be there, compared with the 14 million who typically visit during the course of an entire year. "Clear weather is the cherry on top," Diodati said. "I'm just keeping fingers crossed and hoping." Most hotel rooms are booked and prices are higher than usual, according to Janice Thomson, president and CEO of Niagara Falls Tourism. Many hotel rooms were priced at C$1,000 per night and above - and some boasting views of the falls even reached around C$2,200 ($1,620). The region, which includes the municipalities of Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines, is one of the most heavily booked Airbnb destinations in Canada for the eclipse, according to the lodging service. John Percy, president and CEO of regional tourism promotional agency Destination Niagara USA, said in a press release that he expects the eclipse to bring "the largest influx of visitors we've ever seen" to the U.S. side of the falls. PARTY ATMOSPHERE Hotel company Hilton's property that overlooks the falls is hosting a "parking lot party" offering eclipse views from its outdoor venue along with live music, a DJ and food trucks - priced at a C$10 entry fee, which includes a pair of protective solar eclipse glasses and a souvenir drink cup. Hilton's falls-facing rooms, which typically cost about C$200 a night, were priced at more than C$1,000 for the eclipse period. Prices at Marriott's Sheraton Hotel were upwards of C$1,000 a night, compared to about C$250 a night for a weekend later in the month. On the U.S. side, a vintage train will be taking people from New York City to Niagara Falls, with tickets at nearly $4,000 per person. Niagara Falls-based hoteliers and business owners have had the event on their radar for years, hoping to recoup losses they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses are staffing up. Gabriel Gabrie, owner of Bravo! Pizzeria & Grill in Ontario's Niagara Falls, said the solar eclipse will bring "more people and more luck." "I am calling back our staffs from the previous year and training them again. We are expecting to have a full house," Gabrie said. Some visitors like University of Toronto physics professor Jason Harlow will travel with their families. "Seeing something that's so rare and so beautiful - to see the stars come out in the day - yeah, something that my kids will remember their whole lives," Harlow said. ($1 = 1.3568 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Wa Lone and Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Will Dunham and Denny Thomas) KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 11:02 | World, All Official campaigning for South Korea's general election kicked off Thursday, with the country's low birthrate and North Korea's missile threat among the key issues as President Yoon Suk Yeol's government prepares to face the verdict of voters on its achievements since its launch in May 2022. The 300-member National Assembly is currently controlled by the main opposition Democratic Party, led by Lee Jae Myung, who lost to Yoon in the presidential election two years ago, but Yoon's People Power Party was marginally ahead in a Gallup Korea weekly poll of voter support released last Friday. It was backed by 34 percent of respondents, against 33 percent for the Democratic Party, ahead of the April 10 election, which will determine how much parliamentary support Yoon can count on over the remaining three years of his term. According to the poll, those who supported Yoon thought highly of his foreign policies. The president has adopted a hard-line stance toward North Korea, in contrast to the rapprochement policy of his predecessor Moon Jae In from the DP. North Korea has repeatedly launched ballistic missiles, including intermediate-range ones, in recent years, with its leader Kim Jong Un in January calling the South his nation's "primary foe and invariable principal enemy." In countering North Korea, Yoon has stressed trilateral cooperation with the United States and Japan and improved his country's ties with Tokyo, which hit their lowest point after South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 ordered two Japanese firms to compensate South Korean plaintiffs over wartime forced labor. While Yoon's government decided in March 2023 to compensate the plaintiffs in a series of wartime labor cases with money from a South Korean government-backed fund, instead of from sued Japanese firms, the DP has insisted the firms and the Japanese government should be involved in providing the compensation and make apologies to the plaintiffs. South Korea's low fertility rate has become a key issue with the country marking another record low of 0.72 birth per woman in 2023. It is the only member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with a rate below 1. To cope with the fast decline in the number of babies born, the PPP has pledged to introduce longer childcare leave while the DP has proposed offering cash incentives to encourage young couples to have children. The government's plan to drastically increase the number of students admitted into medical schools to improve health care is the most controversial issue. Thousands of doctors have protested the plan since it was announced in early February, saying the government should address pay and working conditions of medical professionals first. The government has warned doctors who boycott their workplaces could face losing their licenses. The DP has criticized the government's posture on the doctors as too harsh, claiming the government is responsible for disruptions to medical services caused by the protests. Meanwhile, given the neck-and-neck support rate between the two biggest parties, swing voters are likely be the key to the election. Several new political parties have also fielded candidates in a bid to break the two-party system. The Korea Innovation Party, formed by Cho Kuk, who served as Justice Minister at Moon's administration, received 8 percent support in the Gallup poll, behind the PPP and the DP. A total of 254 directly elected seats and 46 proportional representation slots are up for grabs. Related coverage: South Korean parliament passes bill banning sale of dog meat PEWAUKEE, Wis. - A Milwaukee man and woman are accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a Pewaukee man with dementia. The accused are Andrae Dotson, 35, and Sylvia Campos-Jacobs, 27. They face the following criminal counts: Conspiracy to commit money laundering (Campos-Jacobs, Dotson) Conspiracy to commit fraud against financial institution (Campos-Jacobs, Dotson) Identity theft-financial gain (Campos-Jacobs, Dotson) Carrying a concealed knife (Dotson) According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a walk-in fraud complaint at the Pewaukee Police Department. A witness for the victim, who was reported to have dementia, indicated she noticed $1,000 in cash missing from the victim's freezer which she had stashed at the victim's request. The witness also noticed $500 missing from the man's wallet. The witness told police she was concerned that "that someone had been coming into (the victim's) home when she is not there." The witness said neighbors had pointed out that a dark-colored SUV was parked in the driveway late at night -- and that it was gone in the morning. The complaint says when the witness checked the victim's credit union account, thousands of dollars were missing. She indicated transactions involving this missing money started on Feb. 28. A bank statement shown to police "showed over $60,000 had been withdrawn from (the victim's) account in the last month," the complaint says. But the victim does not drive -- and the witness drives him everywhere. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The complaint says investigators obtained still photos of the male suspect conducting "ATM withdrawals from (the victim's) account. The bank cameras obtained a photo of the suspect vehicle, which was the same vehicle used in all 58 withdrawals." Andrae Dotson, Sylvia Campos-Jacobs With the license plate in hand, investigators learned the vehicle was rented by defendant Dotson. Dotson had rented the vehicle from Feb. 14 through March 15. A driver's license photo of Dotson was compared to the ATM surveillance footage -- and investigators confirmed it was Dotson who was making the ATM withdrawals. On March 21, while officers were at the victim's home, the victim's phone rang and a woman was on the line. That woman was later identified as defendant Campos-Jacobs. An officer listened in on the call -- and "heard Campos-Jacobs stating she loved (the victim) and she thought they were living together, and she did not think there would be any problems. While on the phone with the bank, Campos-Jacobs asked (the victim) for his social security number," the complaint says. As the conversation carried on, investigators were concerned the victim would provide sensitive information to Campos-Jacobs. Officers described the call as "very manipulative and misleading," the complaint says. Officers then took the victim to the police department -- while some officers remained on the scene to wait for Dotson and Campos-Jacobs to arrive. A while later, Campos-Jacobs arrived at the victim's home. She left the residence a short time later and was arrested by officers. An officer on the case identified Campos-Jacobs as "the female he observed on surveillance video in the lobby with (the victim) on March 19, 2024 and in the car with Dotson during some of the ATM withdrawals," the complaint says. At the same time, a high-risk traffic stop of Dotson was performed. During a search of that vehicle, "officers located two cellphones, a (credit) union receipt and a Wisconsin ID card for Campos-Jacobs. Officers also recovered $81,355.42 in U.S. currency on Dotson's person at the time of his arrest. Officers also located a knife with a 4-inch blade clipped onto his belt that was not seen by officers until he lifted up his shirt during the stop," the complaint says. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android In a statement to police, Campos-Jacobs told police the victim was "her boyfriend, they had been dating for three weeks, and that he had been giving her money," the complaint says. Campos-Jacobs also "stated she was going to take a trip with (the victim) to Vegas soon so they could get married." When Dotson spoke with police, he "stated he is just a driver and that Campos-Jacobs gives him gas money, but he is just a "friend helping out a friend,'" the complaint says. Dotson stated "the cash located on his person was from doing Door Dash and that he did not trust banks," the complaint says. Dotson denied the money belonged to the victim. Dotson and Campos-Jacobs made their initial appearances in Waukesha County court on Monday, March 25. Cash bond for Dotson was set at $50,000 and $25,000 for Campos-Jacobs. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) A Missouri man was arrested in Amite after failing to register as a sex offender. According to the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Louisiana Fugitive Task Force, 55-year-old Alfred C. Pridemore, of Essex, Missouri, was wanted by the Stoddard County Sheriffs Office. Pridemore was accused of statutory sodomy of a three-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy in Missouri in 2001. He is listed as a Tier Three sex offender, which requires a lifetime registration. The Marshals Office of Missouri requested assistance from the Middle District of Louisiana in finding Pridemore about his active fugitive warrant. Louisiana man convicted of raping girl gets life in prison On March 25, the Marshals in Louisiana learned that Pridemore was living at a home in Amite with a female acquaintance. During the investigation, the marshals learned the apartment complex was in the 31000 block of Highway 16 in Amite. On March 27, members of the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force searched the apartment and found Pridemore hiding in a restroom, according to a release. Officers learned that Pridemore failed to notify the authorities of his residences in Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri. Pridemore is required by law to alert the sex offender registry when residency status changes. Pridemore was arrested and booked into the St. Helena Parish jail as a fugitive from Missouri. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. This photo from the Herald-Tribune archives was taken while local students from a Career and Technical Education program in 2019 toured a PGTI manufacturing facility. The $3.1 billion deal by a Pennsylvania-based company to acquire PGT Innovations has closed, with the Venice-based manufacturer now owned by MITER Brands, according to a news release. News of a potential acquisition of one of the area's largest private employers broke in December when Tampa-based Masonite offered a deal valued at $3 billion for the local company. That transaction would have seen PGTI shareholders retain about 16% of the combined company and shareholders receive $33.50 per share of PGTI they owned. However, MITER Brands made an all-cash counter offer that called for for the private company to acquire PGT Innovations for $42 per share with an "enterprise value" of about $3.1 billion, according to previous company statements. Previous coverage: Venice's PGTI cancels merger with Tampa company for all-cash deal with Pennsylvania firm MITER Brands also paid an $84 million termination fee to Masonite to break the previously announced agreement. Founded in 1947, MITER Brands is a residential window and door manufacturer that produces products largely under the brand names MI Windows and Doors and Milgard Windows and Doors. The company also "is a nationwide supplier of precision-built and energy-efficient products with more than 10 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States," the firm headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, says. PGT employees assemble windows on the production floor of the manufacturing facility in Venice on Nov. 16, 2023. Our journey has always been about more than just windows and doors; it's about reframing what is possible and creating unmatched value for our team members, customers, supply partners, and local communities, Matt DeSoto, CEO of MITER Brands, said in the news release. With PGT Innovations becoming part of our family of brands, we are excited to work together towards our vision of building the most valued window and door brand in America. PGT Innovations was co-founded by Rodney Hershberger in 1980 as Vinyl Tech, before it rebranded to Progressive Glass Technology and eventually PGT Innovations. PGTI has been one of the most notable business success stories in Sarasota County history as well as one of the region's biggest business boosters, often supporting local community events with sponsorships and leadership. Twenty years ago, the company's revenue was an impressive $250 million, but that's just a fraction of what the company will generate this year, with about $1.5 billion in revenue over the previous 12 months of financial records. PGTI's current Sarasota County headcount has been reported at about 2,500 people, with another about 3,000 people working outside the region. MITER believes that maintaining a significant presence in Venice is important to the ongoing operations of the business," the company has previously told the Herald-Tribune. Koch Equity Development LLC financed part of the equity investment used to buy PGTI, according to the news release. "The acquisition combines two of the industrys most innovative and customer-focused companies as they combine under a shared vision to build the most valued window and door brand in America," according to the news release announcing the acquisition. "MITER Brands, known for its operational excellence and exceptional service, and PGT Innovations, with its impact-resistant technology and advanced manufacturing capabilities, are now poised to accelerate innovation, enhance product offerings, and expand market reach." This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: PGT Innovations sold to private company in $3.1 billion transaction Bruce Springsteen's 1973 song Spirit in the Night was held up to be a good example of complex writing that told a story - John Medina/Getty Images North America Modern songs have been dumbed down and made more repetitive than they were in the Eighties, a study has found. The dominance of streaming platforms and the short attention span of the modern public mean musicians and producers are trying to make ever-catchier music that stops listeners from skipping to the next song. In previous decades, the need to purchase a physical vinyl, tape or CD meant this was less of an issue, and artists could spend more time crafting intellectually stimulating music. Previously, artists relied on radio plays for exposure, and therefore had to rely on gaining fans through creating memorable tunes that prompted people to go out and buy their records. Miley Cyrus's 2019 song Slide Away was singled out as one of modern music's more predictable offerings - Kevin Winter/Getty Images North America Analysis of 12,000 English-speaking songs released between 1980 and 2020 reveals a trend across genres towards simplification of lyrics and an overuse of choruses. The vocabulary range has also shrunk and the structure of songs made more predictable, data show. The authors of the study say Bruce Springsteens 1973 song Spirit in the Night is a good example of 20th-century enamoration of complex writing that told a story, whereas Miley Cyruss 2019 song Slide Away is a case study for the more predictable. Scientists from the University of Innsbruck looked at a host of song lyric traits and found the ratio of choruses to verses increased for all five of the main genres of music since 1980. Pop, rock, rhythm and blues (R&B), rap and country all saw an increase in this ratio, data show, with it being strongest in rap music and weakest in R&B. This implies that the structure of lyrics is shifting towards containing more choruses than in the past, in turn contributing to higher repetitiveness of lyrics, the scientists write in their study, published in the journal Scientific Reports. Other trends the study identified were an increase in anger across all genres, only rap music had more positive words, and all genres got more emotional and personal. The changing music landscape plays an important role here, Dr Eva Zangerle, an assistant professor in computer science at the University of Innsbruck and the lead author of the study, told The Telegraph. In the last 40 years, we have witnessed a change from buying records in the store to being able to choose from hundreds of millions of songs on streaming platforms on the phone. This has also changed the way music is consumed on the one hand, and produced on the other hand, e.g. making sure that the song is convincing enough to not be skipped within the first seconds. She added that there was a trend towards more passive consumption, such as for background music while working or doing chores, where complex and nuanced lyrics are perhaps less appreciated than in the past. Rap staves off decline in creativity Rap has staved off the decline in creativity more than most other genres, the study authors say, probably as a result of how integral the writing is to the art form. Rap is historically centred around lyrics, for instance, also more complex rhyming patterns, also shown by verbal games or other competitions, increasing the lyrical complexity, Dr Zangerle said. The songs came from the platform Genius and analysis also revealed how popular songs and genres were over time. Rock listeners prefer older lyrics People look up the lyrics of older rock songs more than the newer options in the genre, data show, whereas newer country songs are more popular than the old-timers. This could indicate that rock listeners prefer lyrics from older songs, the scientists say, while country listeners may prefer lyrics from newer songs. Dr Igor Grossmann, a professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, who was not involved with the research, said modern songs are following the mere exposure marketing principle, which posits that a person will enjoy something more if they listen to it more. This was established in the early Seventies and from that moment on, executives in the music industry pushed for more repetition because songs were more catchy and popular, he told The Telegraph. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An Australian state premier has backed a campaign to return an Instagram-famous magpie to its human carers after it was seized by wildlife authorities. The bird, dubbed Molly, was rescued as a chick by a Queensland couple and formed an unlikely bond with their bull terrier, Peggy. More than two million people follow a "Peggy and Molly" profile online. Queensland's leader Steven Miles says Molly should be reunited with the family, contradicting state officials. "I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail... and if you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible," Mr Miles said on Thursday. In an emotional video, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen announced they had "surrendered" Molly to Queensland's environment department earlier in the week, because of a "small group of people constantly complaining" about the animal being in their care. "We are asking why a wild magpie can't decide for himself where he wants to live and who he wants to spend his time with?" the couple said in a post online. More than 50,000 fans have signed a petition to reconcile the "bonded animals" who have appeared together in videos for four years. One cited Molly's imitations of a dog barking as proof it was "her family". The state's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (Desi) said it acknowledged the "community interest in Molly", but warned that magpies were not domestic animals and should only ever be housed temporarily for the purpose of "rehabilitation". "The magpie is currently under the care of Desi. Unfortunately, it has been highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild," a spokesperson said. Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen have signalled they will continue their campaign, arguing that Molly would have faced "certain death" had it not been housed. Australian magpies - which can live up to 30 years - are a protected native species and are considered vital to the nation's ecosystem. They are named after their resemblance to the Eurasian magpie, to which they are not actually closely related. The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled a series of voting reform laws passed by the state Legislature in 2021 violate the fundamental right to vote. The ruling, issued Wednesday, reaffirms a 2022 lower court ruling that found four voting-related bills from the 2021 Legislature session are unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. The case combined a challenge against Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen brought by the Montana Democratic Party and various youth organizations with a case from Western Native Voice and other Native American-focused organizations. The four bills in question included one that eliminated same-day voter registration and closed registration at 12 p.m. the day before an election. Pointing to the lower courts finding that same-day registration was wildly popular and tens of thousands have used it to vote, the states high court affirmed the law interferes with fundamental voting rights. One of the laws prevented a 17-year-old individual who would be 18 by election day from receiving and voting with an absentee ballot, which wouldve contradicted current state law accepting new voters ballots by mail if they were 18 by election day. The court said the law places an unreasonable burden on electors fundamental voting rights. The court gave the same reason for striking down another law that prevented the use of student ID cards as acceptable forms of identification for in-person voting. The fourth law required Montanas secretary of state to adopt administrative rules to prevent the paid collection and submission of absentee ballots by other individuals or groups, per court filings. The lower court found the ballot collection methods are often used in remote areas and Native reservations due to their distance to polling places or for those with disabilities. Montanas Supreme Court ruled it is still illegal to pay ballot collectors by the number of ballots they collect, but paying employees for duties that include general ballot collection will be allowed. Broadly excluding assistance to disadvantaged voters by collection and submission of previously voted, sealed ballots interferes with those voters fundamental voting rights and is therefore unconstitutional, the states high court wrote in a synopsis opinion. The Montana Secretary of States Office said the secretary is devested by the gross injustice and assures Montanans that her committee to reasonable election integrity will not waver. State and county election officials have been punched in the gut. Well-funded groups deceived the court and the media in a sad way, the office said in a statement to The Hill. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Montana celebrated the ruling on Wednesday, calling it a great victory for their clients and Native Americans in Montana. Once again, courts have struck down the Montana Legislatures attempts to unconstitutionally burden the constitutional rights of Native Americans across the state, said Jonathan Topaz, staff attorney at the ACLUs Voting Rights Project. Ronnie Jo Horse, the executive director of the nonprofit Western Native Voice, said he is pleased with the ruling. By striking down laws that impede Native American participation in our electoral process, the court reinforces the principle of equitable access to voting services and the protection of the rights for all voters, especially those residing on reservations where voting barriers are much higher, he wrote in a statement. Story was updated at 7:23 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo illustration by Getty Images. The next time I hear Montana Republican lawmakers talk about needing to support hard-working Montanans, forgive me if you notice my eyes rolling. The next time I hear Montana Republican lawmakers talk about how we have a workforce shortage and we need more people building a strong statewide economic engine, see how hard my jaws bite my tongue. And the next time I hear Montana Republican lawmakers fret about family values, I might have trouble stifling the laughter. To be clear: Finding more workers, taking the squeeze off middle-class Montana families and looking out for them are all important things. However, for Montanas Republican lawmakers, theyre just hardly more than sweet sounding talking points. When it comes time to take action on them, honestly, they couldnt care less. But dont take my word for it, take the Montana Senate Majority Leaders word. Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, told fellow lawmakers who have been studying the challenges of workforce, families and childcare, that the Republicans had more important bills to worry about than drafting a set of bills that would attempt making childcare more accessible and affordable to families. When asked what other bills the committee, led by a majority of Republicans, had in mind, he failed to name any. I think the four (committee bills) were always intended to be for the majority party, I guess in this case, its Republicans, Fitzpatrick said. But, you know, maybe in 30 years it might be Democrats. Cute how Fitzpatrick has the ability to insult families by suggesting literally nothing, and then mocking Democrats. If Ted Cruz had a counterpart in the Montana Legislature, Steve Fitzpatrick, the man who hasnt seen a corporation he doesnt love, would be my nominee. A bit of background here, dear friends: Committees during the interim have previously drafted legislation in a bipartisan manner that should address the concerns and needs of Montanans between the every-other-year legislative session. They had plans and examples of things that had worked in other conservative-led states. Instead of working on legislation that reflected their work or concerns, the Republicans en bloc opted for doing nothing. They suggested nothing, and ordered nothing to be drafted. Thats right: Childcare is so unimportant to Republicans that they couldnt even name a topic that they wanted to champion. They literally chose to do nothing, support no legislation, instead of work on childcare and affordability for working parents when it was suggested. Dont take my word for it, instead take their silence as evidence. The Republicans may want to take a look in the mirror: Their old, white, male-ness is showing. How quaint that a bunch of Republicans wouldnt see childcare as a topic worthy of support. Spoken exactly like the men who believe that its the womans role to stay at home and raise the younguns. Sadly, this shouldnt be about politics, especially since Montana Republicans have seemed open to funding some childcare programs, understanding that childcare workers, childcare centers and parents needing childcare are all legitimate concerns if we want to continue to build a strong workforce. If Montana Republicans really love business as much as they claim, itd be impossible to separate the workforce from childcare, as economic studies have shown. Speaking personally, we moved twice when our kids were at the age we needed childcare. In addition to costing more than a luxury monthly car payment, both moves were almost scotched not because of housing or even job opportunities, but because we were uncertain about childcare. Its usually the top concern of any working parent with small kids. Beyond that, though, many other rabidly Republican states have invested in childcare programs because they have enough business sense to realize that a strong, fully participating workforce is tied to robust childcare. It is beyond frustrating that in Montana, Republicans seem to care more about corporations than they do families or kids. Keep in mind that during that same meeting, Republicans had heard a days worth of presentations about what other states were doing to try to ease the burden of daycare providers. Those states Nebraska, Louisiana and Kentucky are all solidly Republican. Those states are embracing pilot programs, tax credits, earned tax credits and subsidies. Also, you may recall that childcare openings in Montana are meeting less than half of the demand, while parents who are lucky enough to get it, spend, on average, 30% of the household budget. It would be exceedingly difficult to find a statewide issue that is more compelling for families. The Republican lawmakers can also be judged by more than their words alone. Even the states own pilot program, Best Beginnings scholarship fund, has only spent $1.7 million of the $7 million set aside, leading some lawmakers to question how much the Gianforte Administration was even concerned about childcare. Montana Republicans talk plenty about family values and, I guess zero is a value. Technically speaking. The post Montanas Republican lawmakers literally couldnt care less about childcare, working families appeared first on Daily Montanan. The Big Knife Fire outside of Arlee, Montana, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 30, 2023. The Big Knife Fire outside of Arlee, Montana, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten, Daily Montanan) Research published this week by scientists in Montana is the latest to show that century-old policies to suppress wildfires as quickly as possible is contributing to more severe and larger wildfires over time. The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Communications, looks at what the researchers call suppression bias. The scientists identify suppression bias as the consequence of knocking down low- and moderate-intensity fires: Other fires largely burn hotter and scorch broader areas of forest and land, and people experience more of the most destructive fires. Over a human lifespan, the modeled impacts of the suppression bias outweigh those from fuel accumulation or climate change alone. This suggests that suppression may exert a significant and underappreciated influence on patterns of fire globally, lead author Mark Kreider, a doctoral candidate at the University of Montana, said in a statement. By attempting to suppress all fires, we are bringing a more severe future to the present. On the other hand, the researchers said less suppression of lower-intensity fires might make firefighting easier in the future. Kreider authored the paper along with four other UM researchers and professors and an ecologist with the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute in Missoula. They compare suppression bias when it comes to fire management to doctors overprescribing antibiotics: In our attempt to eliminate all fires, we have only eliminated the less intense fires (that may best align with management objectives such as fuel reductions) and instead selected for primarily the most extreme events (suppression bias) and created higher fuel loads and more suppression-resistant fires. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that 98% of wildfires are fully suppressed before they reach 100 acres in size most of them within 72 hours. In Montana, fire managers strive to put wildfires out as quickly as possible; Gov. Greg Gianforte said last year that crews kept 95% of wildfires in Montana to 10 acres or less in 2022. A water scooper drops water on the Colt Fire in late July. A water scooper drops water on the Colt Fire in late July. (Photo courtesy Colt Fire Incident Management/Inciweb) Since the late 1800s and early 1900s, fire management policies have largely focused on protecting timber and homes from burning. Montanas state fire policy, adopted in 2007, states that minimizing property and resource loss from wildfires is the priority in fighting wildfires and is generally accomplished through an aggressive and rapid initial attack effort. The policy also says that forest management including thinning and prescribed burns improves forests and that inadequate land management practices to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface could jeopardize Montanans right under the state constitution to a clean and healthful environment. But as more development, particularly in the West, encroaches on the wildland-urban interface, a century of fire suppression and climate change have ballooned federal wildfire suppression costs from hundreds of millions of dollars a year in the 1990s to an average of $2.8 billion a year from 2018-2022, according to National Interagency Fire Center data. The total acreage burned each year has also doubled, on average, from what burned in the mid-1980s, and traditional fire seasons have increased by a month in length, according to federal fire managers. But the new research suggests that reducing suppression for low-intensity fires and allowing them to burn when conditions are good could mean that fire managers wouldnt have to work as hard battling extreme fires in the future. Through regressive fire suppression, we are effectively bringing a more severe future to the presentexperiencing average fire severities that would not otherwise happen for a century, the researchers wrote. Our findings suggest that the abnormally high proportions of high-severity fire witnessed in many areas globally is due, in part, to the influence of the suppression itself. Models simulate fires based on suppression actions Conceptual diagram of how suppression influences fire. (Graphic via Kreider, M.R., Higuera, P.E., Parks, S.A. et al. Fire suppression makes wildfires more severe and accentuates impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation. Nat Commun 15, 2412 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46702-0) Conceptual diagram of how suppression influences fire. (Graphic via Kreider, M.R., Higuera, P.E., Parks, S.A. et al. Fire suppression makes wildfires more severe and accentuates impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation. Nat Commun 15, 2412 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46702-0) The researchers built computer models that simulated thousands of wildfires under the same environmental conditions, but with different suppression responses. Those included three regressive scenarios of moderate, high, and maximum suppression; one progressive suppression scenario in which more intense fires were suppressed instead of lower-intensity fires and without an initial attack; and a control scenario in which fires were not suppressed at all. They then used those models to figure out the proportion of fuels burned at both high and average severity, the size of the fires by day and for the entire event, and how severe or not each fire burned throughout its life. The researchers also ran simulations accounting for a variety of fuel moisture levels and fuel amounts to figure out how different types of suppression affects fires in comparison to climate change and the build-up of dry fuels in forests. Research shows maximum suppression leads to more severe fires long-term The maximum suppression scenarios modeled fires that had twice the proportion of each fire burn at high severity than fires modeled under the no-suppression scenario. The researchers said the increase in severity for maximum suppression scenarios compared to no-suppression scenarios was equal to the effects of 102 years of increasingly dry and built-up fuels caused by climate change. Under the progressive suppression scenario, less of the fires burned at high severity, and the overall severity of the modeled fires was also lower than other scenarios. How fire managers decide to attack fires could also have broad effects on the number of acres that fires burn when accounting for the effects of climate change, the researchers wrote. Under maximum suppression scenarios, the annual area burned doubled every 14 years versus every 39 years under no-suppression scenarios when accounting for increasingly dry fuels in the future. The progressive suppression scenarios did not show doubling of the area burned until every 44 years, in comparison, signaling that scenario was better in keeping fire sizes down than even the no-suppression scenario. Effects of fire suppression on urned area increase. (Graphic via Kreider, M.R., Higuera, P.E., Parks, S.A. et al. Fire suppression makes wildfires more severe and accentuates impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation. Nat Commun 15, 2412 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46702-0) Effects of fire suppression on urned area increase. (Graphic via Kreider, M.R., Higuera, P.E., Parks, S.A. et al. Fire suppression makes wildfires more severe and accentuates impacts of climate change and fuel accumulation. Nat Commun 15, 2412 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46702-0) Progressive suppression scenarios also showed the fires burned more evenly than fires under the other scenarios, as well as a vast reduction in large fires compared to the maximum suppression scenarios. Though regressive suppression keeps many fires at small sizes and reduces the absolute amount of burned area (relative to a world with no suppression), in the face of climate change and fuel accumulation, it counter-intuitively leads to a higher relative rate of increasing area burned over time, the researchers wrote. In our simulations, fires under the progressive suppression scenario had equivalent fire severity to unsuppressed fires burning under less fire-conducive conditionsin other words, effectively reversing the impacts of climate change or fuel accumulation by one to nearly two decades. They said the longstanding efforts to minimize all types of fire have likely shifted the selective pressures of natural selection, leading to decreased diversity of species after fires and increasing invasive species. I wonder how much we are altering natural selection with fire suppression by exposing plants and animals to relatively less low-severity fire and relatively more high-severity fire, said Andrew Larson, a professor of forest ecology at the university and Kreiders adviser. Researchers goal to inform firefighting policymaking The group said its purpose in the report was to look more into suppression bias and how it could improve the understanding of fires and how humans interact with them especially in a world affected by climate change. A society living under progressive suppression would be less stressed by climate change, as their perceived normal conditions would change half as fast, the authors wrote. By allowing more lower-intensity fire, progressive suppression could buy time, helping societies and ecosystems adapt to climate change. But changing the manner in which national, state and local agencies respond to different types of wildfires will carry challenges, the researchers said. Those agencies have long-ingrained policies focused toward regressive suppression, and the public might not trust a progressive approach after so many decades of seeing agencies try to put fires out as quickly as possible. Firefighter using drip torch during firing operation west of Rainy Lake, Friday, July 28. A firefighter uses a drip torch during firing operation west of Rainy Lake, Friday, July 28. (Photo courtesy Colt Fire Incident Management) Further, they wrote, only focusing on attacking high-intensity fires is not always practical or safe, and agencies prioritize firefighter and human safety above everything else. The encroachment further into the wildland-urban interface also presents challenges, as another top priority in Montana and other states is minimizing property loss from wildfires. And smoke from lower-intensity fires that burn for longer and an increase in prescribed burns could lead to increased smoke-related health effects, which the researchers say would need to be addressed by public health interventions. The researchers said that where feasible, however, fire managers should consider moving from maximum suppression efforts to lesser efforts on the lower-intensity fires to reduce the suppression bias. That also includes putting more prescribed fires and cultural burning typically done by Native American tribes on the landscape in conjunction with more progressive suppression tactics. Such fire management could implement regressive suppression approaches when necessary (e.g. near human infrastructure) and progressive or no suppression approaches when and where more feasible, the report says. Last year, federal agencies updated the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy to include more prescribed burns and more fuels treatments in their strategies to reduce the risk of wildfires and to better account for climate change when modeling future forecasts and predictions. Philip Higuera, a co-author of the paper and a professor of fire ecology at UM, said it may seem counterintuitive, but the research shows that accepting more wildfires should burn when it is safe should be the main takeaway. Thats as important as fuels reduction and addressing global warming, he said. s41467-024-46702-0 The post Montana researchers say quick wildfire suppression leads to larger, more intense fires appeared first on Daily Montanan. (Photo/Montana ACLU) Native Vote 2024. The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down four state laws that were passed by the Republican-controlled legislature to restrict voters. Two of the laws would have suppressed Native American votes. The states highest court ruled the laws unconstitutional. Four of seven of the Supreme Court justices signed the opinion. The laws violate the fundamental right to vote provided to all citizens by the Montana Constitution, according to the ruling's summary. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. One measure, HB 176, would have ended Election Day registration; the other, HB 530, aimed to prohibit paid third-party ballot assistance. Native American voters living on reservations disproportionately rely upon both Election Day registration and ballot assistance to cast votes in Montana. On Wednesday, the ruling said both HB 176 and HB 530 disproportionately and unconstitutionally burdened the voting rights of Native Americans, in part because it is much more difficult on average for people living on reservations to either get to a polling place on or before election day, or to mail an absentee ballot prior to election day. The decision affirms a September 2022 decision from the Thirteenth Judicial District Court, which permanently enjoined both HB 176 and HB 530 as unconstitutional. Plaintiffs Western Native Voice, Montana Native Vote, the Blackfeet Nation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe filed suit, Western Native Voice v. Jacobsen, against HB 176 and HB 530 in May 2021. Victory in a lawsuit is not just about winning in the courtroom, but its about upholding justice and defending the truth and restoring balance, Ronnie Jo Horse, executive director of Western Native Voice, said. The Supreme Court ruling, she added, is not just a win for us but for all of Montana. The plaintiffs were represented by the Native American Rights Fund, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Montana, and Harvard Law Schools Election Law Clinic. Todays decision is a resounding win for tribes in Montana who have only ever asked for a fair opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote, NARF Staff Attorney Jacqueline De Leon said. Despite repeated attacks on their voting rights, Tribes and Native voters in Montana stood strong, and today the Montana Supreme Court affirmed that the states legislative actions were unconstitutional. Native voices deserve to be heard and this decision helps ensure that happens. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 09:33 | All, Japan, World Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden will commit to promoting the peaceful use of outer space next month in Washington, officials with knowledge of their upcoming summit said. Their commitment will be aimed at preventing the deployment of nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in outer space. It comes after the White House disclosed last month that Russia is developing an anti-satellite capability. The officials said Wednesday that the leaders' pledge is expected to be included in a joint statement to be issued in conjunction with the April 10 summit. Japan and the United States have been working harder to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of their decades-old alliance amid increasing security challenges, such as Russia's deepening military ties with China and North Korea. In January last year, Japan and the United States agreed to expand to outer space the scope of U.S. defense obligations to Japan under Article 5 of their security pact. With the United States, Japan is also seeking to take the lead in creating rules to prevent an arms race in outer space. When Kishida holds talks with Biden, they are set to reaffirm the importance of the Outer Space Treaty, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The 1967 treaty, which has been ratified by major powers including China and Russia, prohibits the use of nuclear weapons in outer space. Biden is set to host Kishida for talks and a state dinner on April 10. The following day, Kishida is slated to address a joint session of Congress and take part in a trilateral summit also involving Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It will be the first visit to the United States by a Japanese prime minister as a state guest since 2015. At a U.N. ministerial meeting on nuclear disarmament held in New York on March 18, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa stressed that "outer space must remain a domain free of nuclear weapons." Japan and the United States are expected to jointly submit a resolution in the near future to the U.N. Security Council calling for no nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction to be deployed in Earth's orbit. Related coverage: Weapon export rules eased to allow Japan to sell fighter jets U.S. military to strengthen functions of Japan command headquarters More doctors use ChatGPT to help with busy workloads, but is AI a reliable assistant? Dr. AI will see you now. It might not be that far from the truth, as more and more physicians are turning to artificial intelligence to ease their busy workloads. Studies have shown that up to 10% of doctors are now using ChatGPT, a large language model (LLM) made by OpenAI but just how accurate are its responses? WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A team of researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center decided to find out. "Every year, about a million new medical articles are published in scientific journals, but busy doctors dont have that much time to read them," Dan Parente, the senior study author and an assistant professor at the university, told Fox News Digital. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A team of researchers at the University of Kansas decided to find out whether AI is truly helping doctors. "We wondered if large language models in this case, ChatGPT could help clinicians review the medical literature more quickly and find articles that might be most relevant for them." WHAT IS CHATGPT? For a new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the researchers used ChatGPT 3.5 to summarize 140 peer-reviewed studies from 14 medical journals. Seven physicians then independently reviewed the chatbots responses, rating them on quality, accuracy and bias. The AI responses were found to be 70% shorter than real physicians responses, but the responses rated high in accuracy (92.5%) and quality (90%) and were not found to have bias. AI responses, such as those from ChatGPT, were found to be 70% shorter than real physicians' responses in a new study. Serious inaccuracies and hallucinations were "uncommon" found in only four of 140 summaries. "One problem with large language models is also that they can sometimes hallucinate, which means they make up information that just isnt true," Parente noted. CHATGPT FOUND BY STUDY TO SPREAD INACCURACIES WHEN ANSWERING MEDICATION QUESTIONS "We were worried that this would be a serious problem, but instead we found that serious inaccuracies and hallucination were very rare." Out of the 140 summaries, only two were hallucinated, he said. Minor inaccuracies were a little more common, however appearing in 20 of 140 summaries. A new study found that ChatGPT also helped physicians figure out whether an entire journal was relevant to their medical specialty. "We also found that ChatGPT could generally help physicians figure out whether an entire journal was relevant to a medical specialty for example, to a cardiologist or to a primary care physician but had a lot harder of a time knowing when an individual article was relevant to a medical specialty," Parente added. CHATGPT FOUND TO GIVE BETTER MEDICAL ADVICE THAN REAL DOCTORS IN BLIND STUDY: THIS WILL BE A GAME CHANGER Based on these findings, Parente noted that ChatGPT could help busy doctors and scientists decide which new articles in medical journals are most worthwhile for them to read. "People should encourage their doctors to stay current with new advances in medicine so they can provide evidence-based care," he said. Dr. Harvey Castro, a Dallas-based board-certified emergency medicine physician and national speaker on artificial intelligence in health care, was not involved in the University of Kansas study but offered his insights on ChatGPT use by physicians. "AI's integration into health care , particularly for tasks such as interpreting and summarizing complex medical studies, significantly improves clinical decision-making," he told Fox News Digital. Dr. Harvey Castro of Dallas noted that ChatGPT and other AI models have some limitations. "This technological support is critical in environments like the ER, where time is of the essence and the workload can be overwhelming." Castro noted, however, that ChatGPT and other AI models have some limitations. "Despite AI's potential, the presence of inaccuracies in AI-generated summaries although minimal raises concerns about the reliability of using AI as the sole source for clinical decision-making," Castro said. "The article highlights a few serious inaccuracies within AI-generated summaries, underscoring the need for cautious integration of AI tools in clinical settings." It's still important for doctors to review and oversee all AI-generated content, one expert in AI noted. Given these potential inaccuracies, particularly in high-risk scenarios, Castro stressed the importance of having health care professionals oversee and validate AI-generated content. The researchers agreed, noting the importance of weighing the helpful benefits of LLMs like ChatGPT with the need for caution. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Like any power tool, we need to use them carefully," Parente told Fox News Digital. "When we ask a large language model to do a new task in this case, summarizing medical abstracts its important to check that the AI is giving us reasonable and accurate answers." As AI becomes more widely used in health care, Parente said, "we should insist that scientists, clinicians, engineers and other professionals have done careful work to make sure these tools are safe, accurate and beneficial." AI software like ChatGPT provides a "great opportunity" for busy physicians to offload some of their tasks, an emergency physician noted. Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency department physician in South Carolina, said that AI software like ChatGPT provides a "great opportunity" for busy physicians to offload some of their tasks. "Over the last few years, physicians' perception of their jobs has been severely limited by the amount of time spent on charting and not interacting with patients," Perry told Fox News Digital. There are limitations, however, to using AI to help with this, the ER doctor warned. "There is an opportunity for AI software to take certain liberties with the charting," he said. "The physician-patient relationship, and the charting of that relationship, is very specific." "AI software also has to have the IT protections brought up to HIPPA-level compliance to make it a seamless connection to the physician workflow," Perry added. For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health Original article source: More doctors use ChatGPT to help with busy workloads, but is AI a reliable assistant? LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The state is announcing more than $3 million to improve roads, including four areas here in Mid-Michigan. According to the governors office, 17 villages and cities with less than 10,000 people receive road funding grants totaling $3.1 million, awarded through the Community Service Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) Category B program. These grants will help communities across Michigan fix local roads faster to save drivers time and money, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI). Since I took office, Michigan has fixed 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges while supporting over 100,000 jobs, and todays funding will add to that total. Lets keep working together to fix the damn roads so people can go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands without blowing a tire or cracking an axle. Lets get this done to make a real difference in peoples lives. Among the awards are: COUNTY CITY LOCATION AMOUNT Ingham Leslie W. Race St. $250,000 Ingham Leslie W. Race St. $220,000 Eaton Charlotte Walnut St. $148,000 Ionia Portland Hill St. $250,000 I am pleased to see these grants being allocated to communities in Eaton and Ingham County to help fix local roads, a critical need in Mid-Michigan, said state Senator Sarah Anthony D-Lansing). Enhancing state infrastructure not only promotes public safety but also plays a vital role in creating strong neighborhoods and stimulating economic development across our state. This could not have been done without the collective efforts of Gov. Whitmer and my colleagues in the Legislature, and I look forward to paving the way for more crucial investments in infrastructure in the upcoming budget cycle. The grant awards are to be used for road resurfacing, culvert replacement, pavement crack sealing, and other preservative measures. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. A deadly attack in Moscow on March 22, 2024, exposed the vulnerability of the Russian capital to the threat of the Islamic State group and its affiliate ISIS-K. But it also displayed the reach of the network, leading some terror experts to ponder: Could a U.S. city be next? There has not been a mass casualty assault in the U.S. carried out in the name of the Islamic State group since 2017, when a truck mowed down cyclists and pedestrians on a New York City bikeway, leaving eight dead. Yet five years after the Islamic State groups territorial defeat in Baghuz, Syria, had prompted hopes that the terrorist network was in terminal decline, a recent spate of attacks has thrust the group back into the spotlight. On the same day as the Moscow atrocity, an ISIS-K suicide bombing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people. As a terrorism expert and a scholar specializing in radical Islamist militant groups and the geographical scope of their attacks, I believe these incidents underscore the growing threat of ISIS-K both within the region it draws support from and on an international scale. Amplifying influence A successful terror attack on a Western capital is certainly something ISIS-K, or Islamic State Khorasan Province, aspires to. The intent behind the groups activities is to bolster its position among jihadist factions by means of audacious and sophisticated attacks. An image released by pro-Islamic State media outlet Al Battar Foundation reads After Moscow, who is next? Al-Battar Foundation It is a strategy that showcases ISIS-Ks capabilities for spectacular operations, distinguishing it from potential rival groups. But it also enhances ISIS-Ks appeal, attracting both supporters and resources in the shape of funding and fighters. By establishing a unique identity in a crowded extremist landscape, ISIS-K aims to undercut its competitors influence and assert its dominance in the jihadist sphere of the Khorasan region it targets, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and other Central Asian countries. ISIS-Ks ambition extends beyond territorial control, engaging in a broader contest for ideological supremacy and resource acquisition globally. An expanding threat This global reach and ambition are evident in ISIS-Ks recent planned operations. These include a suicide bombing in Iran in January 2024 and thwarted attacks across Europe, notably the foiled plots in Germany and the Netherlands in July 2023. And without a doubt, a successful attack in the United States is seen within ISIS-Ks hierarchy as a major goal. Since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, officials in the Biden administration have repeatedly warned of ISIS-Ks escalating danger to American interests, both at home and abroad. ISIS-Ks propaganda has persistently framed the U.S. as its principal enemy a narrative that is fueled by Americas extensive military and economic efforts to dismantle Islamic State operations since 2014. The United States involvement, especially in collaboration with the Taliban ISIS-Ks primary regional adversary has placed America firmly in the groups crosshairs. Employing tactics refined during the period that the Islamic State group was most active, ISIS-K seeks to inspire lone-wolf attacks and radicalize individuals in the U.S. The 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, which left 14 dead, and the 2016 shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that resulted in at least 49 deaths, were both attacks inspired by the Islamic State group. Targeting major powers Taking its lead from the Islamic State group, ISIS-K in 2022 publicly condemned America, calling it an enemy of Islam. Of course, ISIS-K had by then already demonstrated its intention to harm U.S. interests, notably in a 2021 Kabul airport attack in which 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghans were killed. ISIS-K views the U.S. in much the same way as it does Russia: both as a military and an ideological foe. Russia became a prime target due in part to its partnering with the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria in operations against Islamic State group affiliates. Similarly, Washington has worked with the Taliban in Afghanistan in countering ISIS-K operations. While it is easier for ISIS-K to penetrate Russian territory, given the countrys geographical proximity to major Islamist recruitment centers, such as Tajikistan, the potential for strikes in the United States remains significant. In 2023, U.S. authorities investigated a group of Uzbek nationals suspected of entering the country from Mexico with the assistance of traffickers linked to the Islamic State group, underscoring the groups threat. Eight people died in a truck attack in New York City in 2017. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews Targeting American interests serve multiple purposes for ISIS-K. By striking against the U.S., ISIS-K not only retaliates against Washingtons counterterrorism efforts but also aims to deter U.S. involvement in regions of interest to ISIS-K. It also taps into historical grievances against the U.S. and Western interventions in Muslim countries from the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to the stationing of U.S. troops in significant Islamic centers in the Middle East, notably Saudi Arabia. Countering a persistent threat In response to the growing threat of Islamic State group affiliates, the United States has adopted a comprehensive strategy combining military, intelligence and law enforcement efforts. Military operations have targeted ISIS-K leaders and infrastructure in Afghanistan, while security cooperation with regional and international partners such as Uzbekistan continues to monitor and counter the groups activities. On the home front, law enforcement and homeland security agencies remain vigilant, working to identify and thwart potential ISIS-K plots. But as many experts had warned, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has posed new challenges, inadvertently transforming that country once again into a safe haven and operational base for terrorist groups. This retreat has also resulted in a significant loss of on-the-ground intelligence amid doubts over the efficacy of relying on the Taliban for counterterrorism operations. Meanwhile, the Taliban are struggling to prevent or counteract ISIS-K attacks within their own borders. The successful ISIS-K plots against Iran and Russia also reveal another vulnerability: When a country is distracted or preoccupied with other security concerns or conflicts, it can potentially compromise the effectiveness of its counterterrorism efforts. Recent years have witnessed a decrease in high-profile attacks by groups like the Islamic State, leading many to conclude that the threat was waning. As a result, global attention and with it, intelligence and security resources has shifted toward escalating power rivalries and conflicts across the Pacific, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Yet, this shift risks underestimating the enduring threat terrorist groups pose, laying bare the dangers of complacency. The Moscow attack emphasizes ISIS-Ks resolve to expand its influence, raising concerns about the potential threat to Western nations, including the United States. Considering ISIS-Ks track record and clear aspirations, it would be naive to dismiss the possibility of an attack on American soil. 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: Sara Harmouch, American University Read more: Sara Harmouch 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. Dawn Ellis said the delay in reaching the inquest had kept the pain "very raw" [BBC] A mother of a woman who took her own life on a Guernsey mental health ward has criticised the time it has taken for an inquest to take place. Judge Grahame McKerrell delivered an open conclusion on the death of Lauren Ellis. Ms Ellis was found dead at the Oberlands mental health unit on 17 October 2017. Dawn Ellis said the delays with the inquest "had impacted her massively". Judge McKerrell said it was difficult to comprehend why this process had taken so long. Guernseys Royal Court states on its website: Open verdicts will usually be recorded where there is insufficient evidence for any other verdict. In court, Mrs Ellis delivered a statement. She said: We will never have closure but the criminal case and the delay in reaching the inquest has kept the pain very raw. We know that a review of mental health services in Guernsey was carried out after Laurens passing and hope that findings from this review have been fully implemented to avoid other families suffering in this way." 'Heart of gold' In a tribute, Mrs Ellis described Lauren as an "amazing person with a heart of gold". "She helped so many others with mental health issues and we all miss her so much. In 2019, two nurses were both found not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in a criminal trial. Phillip Falla, from Victim and Witness Support, told the inquest: The circumstances relating to this death were the subject of a criminal investigation and an internal investigation by Health & Social Care. The investigations revealed that two members of staff working on the Crevichon ward on 11 and 12 October 2017 had failed to carry out the 15-minute Level 2 observations that had been specified for Miss Ellis. Official records of the checks that should have been carried out had been falsified." She added: As a result, the two members of the nursing staff concerned were charged with, and subsequently found not guilty, of manslaughter, following a trial in the Royal Court. Eitan Yahalomi (R) was reunited with his mother after 52 days in captivity (-) Four months after he was freed from captivity in Gaza, Eitan Yahalomi celebrated his bar mitzvah -- but his coming-of-age last week was far from a joyous occasion, his mother told AFP. In her first interview with international media since her son's release last November, Bat-Sheva Yahalomi said the boy still had nightmares and had not been able to resume normal life. "He's strong but he's not well," she said, adding that he was still reliving the experiences of October 7 last year. Eitan, 12 years old at the time, was one of more than 250 people abducted by Palestinian militants that day -- snatched from his home in Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel. His mother and two younger sisters were also taken but they escaped after they fell from their captor's motorbike. Eitan's father Ohad, also taken on October 7, is still believed to be in captivity in Gaza. Despite the precarious situation, the French-Israeli woman said she wanted to testify to the "horror" that her son experienced. "First he was beaten, then they put him alone in a cell with bars and he was left alone for 16 days in the custody of armed men from Hamas," she said. He was released 52 days later as part of a truce that saw more than 100 people, mostly women and children, set free. Hamas official Bassem Naim told AFP mistreating people was "against the precepts" of Islam. He charged that stories of abuse from former hostages were part of an "Israeli propaganda campaign" to deflect attention from their own abuses. Israel says about 130 captives remain in Gaza, including 34 presumed dead. The October 7 attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 32,552 people, most of them women and children, according to the latest toll issued Thursday by the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The United Nations has said northern Gaza is on the brink of famine and the territory's health system is collapsing. Hamas official Bassem Naim told AFP mistreating people was "against the precepts" of Islam and argued that stories of abuse from former hostages were part of an "Israeli propaganda campaign" to deflect attention from their rights abuses. - 'No answers' - Bat-Sheva Yahalomi said her son told her everything about his captivity when he was freed -- an account she said she still found disturbing. "They forced him to watch films they said they had filmed on October 7 and when he cried, they threatened him with a gun," she said. Under constant surveillance and in isolation, he knew nothing of the fate of his family and his captors gave him contradictory accounts, plunging him into "terrible uncertainty", she said. An Israeli doctor who treated some freed hostages said in December that some youngsters were drugged by their captors and subjected to psychological abuse. A woman who was detained with Eitan, Doron Asher-Katz, said after her release that they had been moved after 16 days to a hospital building, which the Israeli military later said was the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. There, he was locked in a small room with 10 other hostages including five children, Asher-Katz said. His mother said he showered only twice in 52 days, did not sleep on a mattress once and during the first 16 days all he had to eat was "a pita and a cucumber a day". Although Eitan once again has the material comforts of home, the absence of his father means the family are still in limbo. "The children ask me about their father, but I don't have any answers," said Bat-Sheva Yahalomi, who is still hoping for her husband's return. She last saw him on October 7, injured, in front of their home. mib/jxb/kir Mourners including former President Donald Trump and Mayor Adams filled a Long Island funeral home to salute slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller days after he was shot to death during a routine traffic stop in Queens. A sea of police officers filled the sidewalk and street outside the Massapequa Funeral Home for afternoon and evening wakes for the three-year cop and family man who was hailed as a hero for his dedication to public safety. A thin blue line was painted along Merrick Road in the heart of Massapequa Park, where blue ribbons dotted homes throughout the neighborhood. He loved what he did, Dillers brother-in-law Joseph said at a vigil in the town Wednesday night. He was born to be a cop. He was born to be a hero. He died being a hero. He died doing what he loved. I will forever be a better person because of him. More than 1,000 people showed up in the rain to attend the vigil, including Dillers fellow NYPD officers, local police officers, friends, and neighbors. Trump, who railed against Dillers accused killer on social media, also paid tribute to Diller outside the funeral home after meeting the slain cops family. Its an honor for me to be here, said Trump, who shook hands with Police Commissioner Edward Caban upon his arrival. This is a great family, the Diller family. I met the friends and I met everyone of them inside. These are just incredible people. That are just devastated. Theyre devastated. Theyve got a tough road. Its going to be a tough road. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement on behalf of President Biden, who was headed to New York City for a star-studded campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. Our hearts go out to the officers family and the broader NYPD family who have tragically lost one of their own, Jean-Pierre said. The president grieves for them and honors their sacrifice. White House officials did not respond to questions about whether Biden plans to speak directly to Dillers family or to meet them. Adams said that Biden called him and asked him to extend his condolences to Dillers family. Adams said he would do that at the wake. Hours earlier, ex-con shooting suspect Guy Rivera, 34, was officially charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Diller and with attempted murder for trying to shoot Sgt. Sasha Rosen. Riveras gun jammed after he fired a single fatal shot and Rosen escaped unharmed. Diller was shot Monday evening on Mott St. in Far Rockaway. A GoFundMe organized to support Dillers family had raised about $500,000 as of Thursday. Meanwhile, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it will pay off the mortgage on the Massapequa Park home Diller shared with his wife and Ryan, his 1-year-old son. The COP-SHOT organization pledged $10,000 toward his sons education. A funeral for Diller will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Massapequa. MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. Mourners including former President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Eric Adams filled a Long Island funeral home to salute slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller days after he was shot to death during a routine traffic stop in Queens. A sea of police officers filled the sidewalk and street outside the Massapequa Funeral Home for afternoon and evening wakes for the three-year cop and family man who was hailed as a hero for his dedication to public safety. A thin blue line was painted along Merrick Road in the heart of Massapequa Park, where blue ribbons dotted homes throughout the neighborhood. He loved what he did, Dillers brother-in-law Joseph said at a vigil in the town Wednesday night. He was born to be a cop. He was born to be a hero. He died being a hero. He died doing what he loved. I will forever be a better person because of him. More than 1,000 people showed up in the rain to attend the vigil, including Dillers fellow NYPD officers, local police officers, friends and neighbors. Trump, who railed against Dillers accused killer on social media, also paid tribute to Diller outside the funeral home after meeting the slain cops family. its an honor for me to be here, said Trump, who shook hands with Police Commissioner Edward Caban upon his arrival. This is a great family, the Diller family. I met the friends and I met every one of them inside. These are just incredible people. That are just devastated. Theyre devastated. Theyve got a tough road. Its going to be a tough road. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre issued a statement on behalf of President Joe Biden, who was headed to New York City for a star-studded campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. Our hearts go out to the officers family and the broader NYPD family who have tragically lost one of their own, Jean-Pierre said. The president grieves for them and honors their sacrifice. White House officials did not respond to questions about whether Biden planned to speak directly to Dillers family or to meet them. Adams said that Biden called him and asked him to extend his condolences to Dillers family. Adams said he would do that at the wake. Hours earlier, ex-con shooting suspect Guy Rivera, 34, was officially charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Diller and with attempted murder for trying to shoot Sgt. Sasha Rosen. Riveras gun jammed after he fired a single fatal shot and Rosen escaped unharmed. Diller was shot Monday evening on Mott Street in Far Rockaway. A GoFundMe organized to support Dillers family had raised about $500,000 as of Thursday. Meanwhile, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it would pay off the mortgage on the Massapequa Park home Diller shared with his wife and Ryan, his 1-year-old son. The COP-SHOT organization pledged $10,000 toward his sons education. A funeral for Diller will be held Saturday morning at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Massapequa. Matt Hancock has been sued for defamation by fellow independent MP Andrew Bridgen [PA Media] A High Court judge has told an MP suing the former health secretary Matt Hancock for defamation that he must remedy deficiencies in his claim if the case is to continue. Mrs Justice Steyn said Andrew Bridgens claim would be struck out if amendments were not outlined in the next few weeks. She also ordered Mr Bridgen to pay 90% of the money Mr Hancock had spent on lawyers - 44,300 - during an initial round of the legal fight. The judge set deadlines for Mr Bridgen in a written court order issued on Thursday, following a preliminary ruling delivered on 20 March. Mr Bridgen, an independent MP for North West Leicestershire, has sued Mr Hancock, an independent MP for West Suffolk, over a tweet. He claims that the post was "malicious" and labelled him as anti-Semitic. Mr Hancock disputes his claim. Both are former Conservative MPs. Mr Hancock had asked the judge, at a High Court hearing in London on 1 March, to strike out Mr Bridgen's claim. He argued that Mr Bridgen had not articulated a "viable case". Mrs Justice Steyn said, in her 20 March ruling, that an "essential element" of Mr Bridgen's "cause of action" had not been made out in claim papers. She struck out some parts Mr Bridgen's claim but decided against striking out the entire claim. She said Mr Bridgen should have a chance to make amendments and "remedy the deficiencies". On Thursday she issued a written order in which she outlined a timetable for amendments and made decisions on who should pick up which bills. A judge has given Andrew Bridgen a chance to cure "deficiencies" in his claim [PA Media] The judge said Mr Bridgen must provide "draft" amendments to Mr Hancock by 10 April and make a court application "seeking permission" to make amendments by 24 April. She said if that did not happen - or if a judge refused an application to make amendments - the "claim shall stand struck out, without further order". Mrs Justice Steyn said although she had not struck out the claim, it was clear that Mr Hancock had been the "successful party". She ordered Mr Bridgen to pay 90% of Mr Hancock's legal costs - 44,300. Expelled The judge has heard how on 11 January 2023, Mr Bridgen had shared a link to an article "concerned data about deaths and other adverse reactions linked to Covid vaccines". He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust." Shortly after, Mr Hancock had posted: "Disgusting and dangerous antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories spouted by a sitting MP this morning are unacceptable and have absolutely no place in our society." Mr Bridgen argued that people reading the tweet would know it was about him and that it was "seriously defamatory and untrue". He claims it was intended to cause "grievous harm" to his reputation. Lawyers for Mr Hancock said it is was "hopeless" to argue that a reader of his tweet - which echoed comments made earlier in the day in Parliament - would have assumed it referred to Mr Bridgen. They said the claim does not have "a realistic prospect of success". Mr Bridgen was expelled from the Conservative Party in April 2022 over his social media post. He joined actor Laurence Fox's Reclaim Party but later quit the group over a "difference in direction". Mr Hancock, who served as the Conservative government's health secretary during the height of the Covid pandemic, lost the Tory whip over his appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2022. Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was looking for two men who robbed a Northwest D.C. business and fatally shot someone Wednesday. At 2:57 p.m., MPD said the two men entered a business in the 5100 block of Georgia Ave. armed with guns. 1 dead, 3 hurt in 9-story apartment building fire in Northwest DC The men demanded property and money, and the victims complied, according to MPD. During the robbery, one of the men shot a person in the store. The men fled the business with the stolen money and property. MPD said the injured person was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. He died there. He was identified as 41-year-old Philip Prendergast, of Silver Spring, Md. In post on the platform X, MPD said it was being investigated as a homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those involved. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Operation Unified is go. State, local and federal law enforcement agencies held a Thursday press conference at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Headquarters announcing the accomplishments of phase one of the operation, as well as what will happen during phase two. In February, Gov. Tate Reeves announced the public safety operation, which is aimed at removing drug traffickers and violent criminals from the streets of Jackson. "Since the beginning of this operation, we've had over 600 arrests, seized over 250 firearms, over 500 pounds of illicit drugs and seized over $30,000," said Sean Tindell, commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Jackson's Chief of Police Joseph Wade speaks alongside Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens (left) and Commissioner of the Mississippi Public Department of Public Safety Sean Tindell (right) at a press conference discussing Operation Unified, which aims to reduce crime in Jackson. Crump takes on new MS case: Attorney Ben Crump: MS teen 'run over,' 'killed' by police, leaving 'tire marks' on back FBI in Jackson: New special agent in charge of the Jackson MS Field Office named. See who it is Phase two of the operation started Monday, Tindell said. "Officers started serving arrest warrants across Jackson. Thirty five arrest warrants were generated from DPS agencies for this phase (two)," Tindell said. "During this 18 firearms have been seized, over $20,000 seized, one stolen vehicle recovered, multiple illicit drugs taken off the street and at least 40 arrests have been made." More arrests are anticipated, Tindell said and encouraged people with warrants to turn themselves in. Tindell showed pictures of drugs that were taken off the streets, which the agencies believe to be either fentanyl or ecstacy. Also, pictures of handguns with switches, which "make these pistols perform at an automatic rate." Tindell said that while making arrests, officers were told that two gangs in Jackson "were positioning to go to war." "This is the type of behavior we want to take off our streets to protect our capital city," Tindell said, adding that the operation is ongoing and will continue into the next phase. Agencies participating in the operation include the Mississippi Department of Public Safetys Bureau of Narcotics, Capitol Police, Mississippi's Office of Homeland Security, the Jackson Police Department, the Hinds County District Attorney and Hinds County Sheriffs Office, the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the FBI, DEA and ATF, as well as the U.S. Attorneys Office. Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said the operation will not be complete until all of those arrested have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Owens said his office wants to "commend a special grand jury for a day just for crimes being prosecuted" in Operation Unified. "We know that to ensure that the work is finished, we have to make sure that those individuals who terrorize our communities will not be allowed to be repeat offenders," Owens said. Jackson's Chief of Police Joseph Wade spoke on the issue of gangs in Jackson, saying the Jackson Police Department has been in talks with the U.S. District Attorney Todd Gee, as well as "bringing in some efforts from the national level to address our gang issue here in the City of Jackson." Tax forfeited properties: State-owned abandoned properties are all over Jackson. See what the council wants done Wade has said previously he was willing to talk with gang leaders or others who are gang affiliated in Jackson, but "not talking about calling a truce or giving them a pass." "I'm talking about a cease-fire. I'm talking about saving lives because we're losing too many young men in our city to senseless gun violence," Wade said. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS law enforcement agencies speak on successes of Operation Unified The net flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Saudi Arabia amounted to over SAR13 billion ($3.47 billion) in Q4 of 2024, an increase of 16% from SAR11 billion in Q3 of the same year. Total FDI into the kingdom's economy during Q4 of 2023 totalled about SAR19 billion, an increase of 16.6% from about SAR16 billion in Q3, according to statistics issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), a Saudi Press Agency report said. It also shows that FDI outflows amounted to some SAR6 billion, an increase of 17.6% compared to SAR5 billion in Q3. KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 17:03 | All, Japan The government of an eastern Japan prefecture near Tokyo refused to meet with the South Korean embassy before going ahead with the removal of a memorial commemorating Korean wartime laborers, the embassy said Thursday. The embassy sought to meet Gunma Gov. Ichita Yamamoto to discuss possible solutions regarding the monument that was located in a park in the city of Takasaki. The prefectural government ordered the monument's removal on the grounds that a political event was held there in breach of local regulations. Its removal began on Jan. 29 and was completed by Feb. 2. Embassy staff visited the prefectural office around a week before the memorial's removal, seeking to set up a meeting with the governor. But the prefecture replied several days later that it could not agree to the request, according to the embassy. The governor had previously told reporters that he had not received an official request. "The prefecture's stance to not join in a discussion has been made clear," the organization involved in the management of the memorial said on Thursday. The monument to commemorate Korean laborers who died in the Pacific theater during World War II was erected by a civic group in 2004 after they received permission from the prefecture. But the prefecture refused to renew the monument's approval and ordered it to be removed, citing violations of the condition that the monument would not be utilized for "political purposes" with those attending the event claiming the Koreans were forced laborers. Related coverage: South Korea mulls "future-oriented" statement with Japan for anniversary South Korea, Japan can solve history issues, open up new future: Yoon South Korean plaintiff receives Japanese firm's money deposited at court Casualty toll rises to 12 in March 27 Iskander-M missile attack on Mykolaiv, officials report The number of victims of the March 27 Russian missile attack on Mykolaiv has risen to twelve, regional governor, Vitalii Kim, reported on Telegram on March 28. Four victims received medical treatment on the spot. Eight people were injured, including one in serious condition, according to the initial report of the city's mayor, Oleksandr Senkevich, on March 27. Six residential buildings were damaged. 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 court in Minnesota has ordered MyPillow to be evicted from the warehouse it formerly used. MyPillow founder, Mike Lindell, a prominent election denier, told The Associated Press that the eviction is a formality because the landlord wants to take the property back. The Minneapolis warehouse is approximately 125,000 square feet and has been leased to Lindell since December 2015. The lease agreement between Lindell and the landlord, First Industrial LP, has been amended twice. It lasts 10 years, seven months and 20 days, and the monthly rent was $57,794.12, according to the eviction complaint. According to the complaint, dated March 7, Lindell did not make rent payments for February and March 2024. Since it is not the first time MyPillow failed to pay its rent on more than two occasions in the previous 12-month period, per the lease agreement, the landlord is entitled to retake possession of the premises. As of Wednesday, Lindell did not answer the eviction complaint or appear at the scheduled hearing, forcing the judge to order the eviction. He confirmed to the AP that MyPillow owes around $217,000 to the Delaware-based company for the rent. Lindell said the company no longer needed the space and removed its property from the warehouse last June before subleasing it to another company through December. The company backed out in January and left us all stranded. MyPillow offered to find another tenant, but the landlord wanted to take the warehouse back, he told the newswire. Sara Filo, the attorney representing First Industrial LP, said MyPillow had more or less vacated but wed like to do this by the book, The Star Tribune reported. Lindell faces multiple defamation lawsuits from two voting machine companies, after he spread lies that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent and stolen from former President Trump. In February, a federal judge ruled he must pay $5 million in an election data dispute case. Several major retailers pulled MyPillow products from their shelves in July 2023, prompting the company to begin auctioning off its equipment, such as forklifts and conveyor belts. Lindell also engaged in a dispute in January with Fox News, which stopped airing MyPillows ads. He acknowledged that he owes Fox about $7.8 million but said the network canceled the ads because the company wants to silence him over his election claims. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) took issue Wednesday with some of the community notes on the social media platform X over her voting record. The @CommunityNote yall are so dumb. Go look up the NDAA, WRDA and PACT Act, all of which I voted for. I delivered for the lowcountry and will always continue to do so. Oh and do better. #LowcountryFirst, she wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Mace was responding to the community notes left on an earlier post on X that included a graphic with the caption: $517,618,000 authorized or appropriated for SC-01. The community notes which allow selected users to add context to a post highlighted that Mace voted against appropriations bills that she is seeking credit for. The community note linked to the House clerks website, which showed Mace voting against the $1.2 trillion funding package that includes funding for Homeland Security, Defense and election security measures, among others. This 1,012-page bill is a slap in the face to hardworking taxpayers in the Lowcountry and across the nation. It is a byproduct of former failed leadership within the House, which shamefully rubber-stamped the Biden Administrations agenda, Mace said in a statement about her vote. This was also rushed, done in a secretive manner and pushed through Congress. The American people deserve better than backroom deals and pork-laden appropriations that allocate millions of dollars to fund the extreme lefts political agenda, she said. There were also community notes left on her recent post attacking them. The community notes said the bills she mentioned The National Defense Authorization Act, the Water Resources Development Act and the PACT Act are all authorization bills that do not fund the activities they authorize. While Mace voted for these bills, she did not vote for the legislation that provided the funding to carry out these activities, the community notes state as of Thursday morning. The Hill has reached out to Maces office for further comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The countdown until the total solar eclipse is now under two weeks, and even NASA can't contain it's infectious excitement for this rare solar spectacular! On April 8, 2024 for the first time since 2017, millions of people will have an opportunity to watch the moon pass in front of the sun creating a surreal spectacle both in the sky and across the face of the Earth. And if you're lucky enough to be in the path of totality, for minutes it will become mesmerizing as day becomes night and the stars get the rare chance to twinkle during the day. With the big day swiftly approaching, NASA leadership held a briefing on Tuesday (March 26) to discuss the science experiments the agency will be conducting during the total solar eclipse on April 8. "Eclipses have a special power. They move people to feel a kind of reverence for the beauty of our universe. Their power is not only to unify us on Earth, but to further science and discovery," Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, said during the briefing. "In 1919, Albert Einstein's theory of gravitational bending was proven when scientists measured how stars shift when the sun is blocked out by the moon. And today, over a century later, a total solar eclipse still brings great opportunity and science." Related: Total solar eclipse 2024: Everything you need to know people wearing suits on a stage laugh as they hold paper eclipse glasses to their faces First and foremost, safety needs to remains a top priority. NASA officials remind those who will be outside taking it all in to have specialized eye protection for your eyes as well as on camera lens, binoculars, and telescopes for the entirety of the event to prevent serious eye damage as well as being aware of your surroundings and how you plan to watch it. "During the eclipse, we want to make sure that we're not relying on our standard lights on our cars. We want to make sure that we're looking out for the pedestrians. It's really important to make sure that we stay focused on everyone around us as people are probably going to be stopping," James Free, NASA Associate Administrator, also shared. "When you think about the power of the sun, what we're doing with other celestial bodies, we're blocking out the sun with coronagraphs in the future, to look at the habitable worlds around those. That's the inspiration that we can all take away from this." people wearing suits on a stage laugh as they hold paper eclipse glasses to their faces In addition to individual memories being made, the science discoveries that NASA will be able to pursue is also invigorating. NASA's Heliophysics System Observatory will deploy rockets, planes, and balloons in addition to taking observations from the surface to further our knowledge on eclipses and their impacts. These experiments will take place to study Earth's atmosphere (the ionosphere, specifically) and eclipse weather both on our planet and in space. And, for those curious minds, NASA encourages participants to become citizen scientists during the event. RELATED STORIES: Total solar eclipse 2024: Live updates Solar eclipse glasses: Where to buy the best, high-quality eyewear Total solar eclipse 2024: How and where to watch online for free "I'm highlighting just three of the over 40 projects that folks can participate in," Kelly Korreck, NASA Program Scientist said. "The first project is sun sketcher it utilizes a smartphone to help understand the size and the shape of the sun better. The second project is focused on the reaction of our atmosphere to the eclipse. It's called globe observer and this app has you record things like temperature to understand the effect of the eclipse on the atmosphere and clouds. The third project is eclipse soundscapes that you will explore the wildlife on the eclipse and the sounds that you will experience during it. These are just a few of the ways to engage with the eclipse and NASA Science. The eclipse is not just a stunning visual experience and I hope you will join us in these discoveries!" More than 10,000 households in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast have been left without electricity "for weeks," Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported on March 27. Intense fighting continues in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast as Russia seeks to capture the entire region. Front-line settlements in Donetsk Oblast are subjected to daily Russian attacks, leading to multiple civilian casualties and large-scale destructions. "Because of the war, many energy workers left the temporarily occupied territories, so the Russians cannot overcome the destruction of the (energy) infrastructure as a result of hostilities," the center, run by Ukraine's special forces, said in a report. The situation with power supply is the most difficult in the city of Horlivka and some neighborhoods of Donetsk, the regional capital, according to the center. Russian forces have recently made "marginal advances" amid ongoing fighting in several positions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, according to the U.S.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Read also: Ukraines angels who look after, evacuate civilians left in front-line Donbas Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The aftermath of the Russian attack on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant on 22 March. Photo: social media Kyiv has initiated an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels due to Russia's recent large-scale attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure. Source: European Pravda, citing the Mission of Ukraine to NATO Details: The meeting was held on 28 March at NATO Headquarters at the ambassadorial level. It was convened at the initiative of Ukraine after Russia's recent missile attacks on critical infrastructure, one of which has been branded the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy system since the beginning of the full-scale war. "Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov briefed the Allies about the consequences of the Russian attacks and the response measures taken by Ukraine. Minister Umierov also called on NATO member states to provide additional air defence systems and missiles to protect Ukrainian cities and citizens," the Mission of Ukraine to NATO said. A scheduled meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council has been announced for 4 April as part of the ministerial meeting to mark the 75th anniversary of the Alliance. Ukraine's Foreign Minister will travel to Brussels to attend the event in person. Support UP or become our patron! KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 20:16 | Arts, All, Japan Japan's all-female musical theater company Takarazuka Revue on Thursday admitted to all claims of harassment against a deceased actress by troupe members and apologized to her family. The two sides have reached a broad agreement on various issues, including compensation, as the theater company acknowledged all 14 incidents of harassment pointed out by the family, an official of the troupe's parent firm Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc. said at a press conference held in Osaka Prefecture. "We cannot give any excuse for what we have done considering the feelings of the bereaved family," Yasuo Shimada, the president of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, told the press conference. Many of her seniors who perpetrated the harassment submitted personal letters of apology to the family, according to a lawyer representing the family. The 25-year-old actress was found dead on the premises of her condominium in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on the morning of Sept. 30 in what police suspect was a suicide. Her family has since demanded an apology and compensation from Hankyu Hanshin Holdings. The family claimed that among the incidents, the actress suffered burns when a senior theater member pressed a hair iron against her forehead. "We cannot confirm there was malice, but such an excessive action falls under harassment," said the official, vowing to change the company culture overshadowed by excessive discipline and long work hours. The official also acknowledged the theater company's negligence in adequately educating its actresses to keep up with modern standards. The fifth meeting between the family and the parent company was held on March 15, with the company apparently conceding to the family. It is significant that the Takarazuka side clearly admitted to many harassment incidents and apologized, the family lawyer said at a separate press conference in Tokyo. In February, the lawyer said that Takarazuka Revue admitted to approximately half of the harassment claims while denying the rest, either partially or entirely, suggesting the two sides needed more time to reach an agreement. The theater company said in November that an investigation by an Osaka law firm could not confirm bullying or harassment but did acknowledge the psychological stress she suffered due to long working hours. Emergency service in Japan: 119 If you are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. For Japan, call Yorisoi Hotline at 0120279338 (toll-free). Press 2 after the recorded message for consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Nepali, or Indonesian. The service in these languages is also available on Facebook messenger. For those outside Japan, you can find a list of other resources here. Related coverage: Japan theater firm Takarazuka admits harassment of deceased actress Takarazuka Revue director to quit post after actress's death Scandal-hit Takarazuka Revue to set up experts' panel to improve culture The NATO-Ukraine Council held an extraordinary meeting on March 28 at Kyiv's request in response to Russia's missile attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine's Mission to NATO said. Russia launched its largest attack against Ukraine's power grid on March 22, causing a blackout in Kharkiv and dealing heavy damage to Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant. The meeting was held at NATO headquarters in Brussels at the ambassadorial level. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov addressed the session online and briefed the allies about the consequences of the Russian attacks and the response measures taken by Ukraine. Umerov also called on NATO partners to provide additional air defense systems and missiles to help better protect Ukrainian cities and citizens. "The support of partners in this matter is crucial. It will save thousands of innocent lives," Umerov said on X. "The more Russian missiles are shot down in Ukrainian skies, the less threat they pose to NATO member states that border Ukraine." Some experts connected the recent uptick in Russian missile attacks with Ukraine's dwindling stocks of air defense ammunition. The shortages are largely caused by delays in U.S. assistance, which has been stuck in Congress for months. The U.S. Senate passed a $95 foreign aid bill, allocating $60 billion for Ukraine, in February, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet put it to a vote in the lower chamber. Some U.S. lawmakers said that Johnson is likely to introduce the Ukraine aid bill after Easter. Read also: Russia aims to knock out Ukraines power grid in new wave of attacks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Navy warship took out four long-range air drones that were headed toward the vessel early Wednesday in the Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command. The command did not identify the ship involved, and multiple Navy destroyers have spent recent months there intercepting drones and missiles on a near-daily basis that were fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of) Wednesdays incident took place over 20 minutes starting at 2 a.m. local time, according to CENTCOM. The warship took the drones out in self-defense, and no injuries or damage were reported to U.S. and coalition ships there. It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region, CENTCOM said in a statement. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels. The attack came after a three-day lull in Houthi attacks reported by CENTCOM, a respite from the near-daily firing of weapons by Houthis, and Navy strikes against Houthis weapons on the ground in Yemen. Most years, the official announcement proclaiming the start of the North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington attracts some media coverage and little if any controversy. The latter can't be said this year, however, with dozens of commentors lambasting the festival's social media accounts this week after N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson read the official festival proclamation in Raleigh announcing the 77th annual Azalea Festival, which will be held April 3-7 in Wilmington. Robinson is the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor in November's election, opposing Democratic N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein. Since being elected lieutenant governor in 2020, Robinson has drawn the ire of critics who have used such terms as homophobic, antisemitic and misogynistic to describe his comments and social media posts. "Shame on you for giving this person a platform," one person commented on the Azalea Festival's Instagram post sharing the announcement, while another termed Robinson a "Hitler-quoting lunatic." Gov. Pat McCrory signs the official proclamation opening the 69th N.C. Azalea Festival. For decades now, it has been traditional for the sitting governor of North Carolina, or one of his representatives, to officially announce the start of the Azalea Festival in Raleigh. The announcement has been made by both Republican governors, like Pat McCrory in 2013, and Democratic governors, like N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper in 2017. In 2018, when Cooper was unable to attend a press conference to make the announcement, First Lady Kristin Cooper presented the signed proclamation in Raleigh in the governor's place. Sitting North Carolina governors and lieutenant governors have been part of the festival many times, like when Gov. Terry Sanford and Lt. Gov. Harvey Cloyd Philpott rode in the Azalea Festival parade together in 1961. N.C. Gov. Terry Sanford (left) and N.C. Lt. Gov. Harvey Cloyd Philpott riding in the Azalea Festival parade in 1961 It wasn't immediately clear whether the sitting North Carolina lieutenant governor has ever made the festival announcement. According to a member of Gov. Cooper's staff, the governor was simply unavailable at the time the announcement was made because President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris were in Raleigh for a campaign event and fundraiser. "As in years past, the governor's office provided the annual proclamation for the Azalea Festival," Jordan Monaghan, deputy communications director for Gov. Cooper, wrote in an email. "The governor was unable to join the ceremony held at the General Assembly as he joined the president and vice-president during their visit to Raleigh on Tuesday afternoon." In an email, Azalea Festival executive director Alison Baringer said that "we dont have anything to add to the governors statement." Emails to members of Robinson's staff were not returned. Robinson's comments and social media posts have generated headlines and controversy in the past. In 2021, a video of Robinson surfaced of him using word like "filth" to refer to "transgenderism" and "homosexuality." "Theres no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth," Robinson said. "And yes, I called it filth." After the Raleigh News & Observer did a story about the video, Robinson told the paper that "this narrative thats being driven, that I have something against the LGBTQ+ community is absolutely false" and said he was referring not to people but to material available to school-age students. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's Azalea Fest proclamation draws criticism Hundreds of Americans are still stuck in Haiti -- weeks after gangs took over most of the country. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS It was their faith that led nine missionaries from Mission of Grace to Haiti last month. We went to help serve a mission that just moved 200 orphans up into the mountains to keep them safe, said Natalie Cross. Read: 77-year-old attacks woman with service dog, breaking her hip That two-week mission turned into a month. For me, it was just knowing that I was there because God told me to go. So, Ive just had a peace the whole time, said Cross. Cross is one of about 500 Floridians who were stranded after gangs took over the island, including the airports. Now, shes one of about 185 people rescued from the violence. Read: Sent a crook to our house: Homeowner claims Home Depot referred contractor with criminal history Its been a long day. Its been a long week, but were super excited to be this far. And were just were grateful, said Cross. It hasnt been an easy task nor a cheap one. Costs have already reached about 8 million dollars. We would love to load up a 747 with about 400 people and just do one flight and be done. Thats what we would love to do, said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. Unfortunately, we dont have that kind of cooperation. Read: DeSantis vs. Disney: Settlement reached in lawsuit Instead, the state is having to use other tactics. Helicopters to fly groups out of Port-Au-Prince to Cap-Haitien Airport, then put them on smaller planes. Were trying to work as fast as we possibly can, said Guthrie. There are also talks about relocating Haitian migrants to other parts of the state. But currently, the state does not have enough volunteers to make that possible. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. More than 249,000 veterans will receive part of the $6 billion lawsuit settlement against 3M as part of the Combat Arms Earplug settlement announced in 2023, corporate officials announced. The figure represents more than 99% of all of the claimants who filed suit against the manufacturing company, accusing them of causing hearing damage in troops through faulty production of military-grade hearing protection. The earplugs, produced by Aearo Technologies before that company was bought by 3M in 2008, were sold from 1999 to 2015 and used extensively by troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other locations. The high-profile legal fight has been grinding through courts for years, with a handful of individual claimants winning their cases against the company. In summer 2023, attorneys involved in a class-action lawsuit against the company announced plans to end all outstanding action against 3M if at least 98% of claimants agreed to the $6 billion settlement. Of the nearly 300,000 cases filed against the company, more than 41,000 were thrown out by the court overseeing the agreement, 3M officials said. Those dismissals allowed lawyers to meet the threshold for triggering the agreement. 3M, based in Minnesota, has not acknowledged flaws with the earplugs. In past statements, officials from the company have said the equipment is safe and effective when used properly. Veterans involved in the lawsuit will see payouts between now and 2029. Exact amounts will depend on the severity of their injuries, but the total payouts 3M will be liable for will not exceed $6 billion. In summer 2023, 3M reached a separate $10 billion settlement with numerous municipalities to resolve pending claims over the companys alleged contamination of drinking water systems through their manufacturing processes. More information on the settlement is available through an information site set up by the company. Sagar Adani, the nephew of Asia's second-richest man, is hoping that India can chart a new course as it responds to increasing energy demands. As detailed by CNN, this involves the construction of a massive clean-energy plant that is visible from space and five times bigger than Paris, spanning more than 200 square miles. The plant, which is being built by Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) and will be the largest of its kind in the world, is expected to provide non-polluting power to 16 million homes when it's completed in five years. "I don't even do the math anymore," Adani, AGEL's executive director, said in an interview with the news outlet regarding the incredible scope of the solar and wind project. Adani's uncle Gautam Adani is worth an estimated $100 billion thanks to the Adani Group, which is India's "biggest importer of coal and a leading miner of the dirty fuel," per CNN. Some have criticized the Adanis for their continued investment in dirty energy and operation of coal mines, as coal is the most polluting type of energy there is. Exposure to fine particles from coal-fired plants has been linked to "double the risk of mortality than PM2.5 from other sources," according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Solar and wind, on the other hand, can reduce electric bills and don't release harmful pollution that not only causes health issues but also has been linked to rising global temperatures and extreme weather, including deadly heat waves that India has been grappling with. As reported by CNN, Sagar Adani envisions that the clean-energy plant, dubbed the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, will help the country meet its pollution-reduction goals and growing energy needs without blackouts. Last year, India became the most populous nation in the world. Adani also acknowledged that making the switch to renewables was vital to the future health of the planet. "If India does what China did, if India does what Europe did, if India does what the U.S. did, then we are all in for a very, very bleak climatic future," Adani told the outlet of their historic reliance on dirty energy as they developed their infrastructure. AGEL's plant, which is situated 12 miles from Pakistan in the state of Gujarat, is expected to have minimal impact on the ecosystem where it's being built. According to Adani: "There's no wildlife, there's no vegetation, there's no habitation. There is no better alternative use of that land." "AGEL continues to set higher global benchmarks and rewrite the world's planning and execution standards for giga-scale renewable energy projects. This milestone is a validation of the Adani Group's commitment and leading role in accelerating India's equitable clean energy transition journey," Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani said in an official media release by the company. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) Its a potentially big moment for the future of New Jerseys maternal health as a new authority dedicated to the issue comes together. New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy joined the states Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authoritys inaugural board meeting Wednesday in Trenton. Weve moved up in maternal health rankings from 47th in the nation to 27th in the nation, and we have made meaningful progress, Murphy said during the board meeting. The meeting comes days after the first lady suspended her campaign for U.S. Senate. Long before her decision to run for office, Murphy had been an outspoken advocate for maternal health issues. NJ gas tax hike signed into law to help fund infrastructure We passed over 60 pieces of legislation in this space alone, Murphy told reporters after the meeting. Weve moved up 20 points in terms of our ranking. But theres a tremendous amount of work to do. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, reducing Black infant mortality remains a challenge. Its just one reason behind the mission of the Board, which announced a new Maternal Health Innovation Center will be coming to Trenton. The Authority said it has already secured $75 million for the Center, which will have pre- and post-clinical services, social services, research and data, and related anchor tenants. What I hear from people is, I wish this was around when I had my kids. I could have really benefitted from this. Oh my goodness, Im going to tell my neighbors daughter about this,' said Authority President and CEO Lisa Asare. The world is watching New Jersey, the country is watching New Jersey to see how we address this issue. This is our moment. Theres no information yet on when or where in the city the center will be built. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) The New Mexico State University Board of Regents named a new interim president of the NMSU system at their meeting Thursday. Monica Torres, chancellor of NMSU system community colleges, will serve as interim president of the NMSU system while a new search is conducted for the next permanent leader. Torres will succeed current Interim President Jay Gogue, who has a planned departure in June. Gogue has served in that role since April 2023. Dr. Torres is an accomplished and visionary leader with a deep commitment to student success and a wealth of institutional knowledge of the NMSU system, said Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali in a message to the NMSU community following the meeting. Were already working to ensure a smooth leadership transition for our community colleges, and will provide more details about that soon. Torres previously served as Dona Ana Community Colleges 10th president, first serving as interim leader beginning in September 2018 and later being appointed to the position on a permanent basis in May 2019. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in English from NMSU, as well as a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in American studies with an emphasis in cultural studies. Story continues below I appreciate the opportunity, Torres stated in a news release. As you know, I have a long history with the New Mexico State University system. I am committed to the land-grant mission and to our status as an HSI and an MSI. I love that what we do as a system extends throughout the state of New Mexico, serving New Mexicans in rural and urban areas. Torres will assume her new role on May 1. The board also announced the members of a new search committee for the presidential search, which will be chaired by Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali. The search committee members are: Citlalli Benitez, Associated Students NMSU President Vimal Chaitanya, Faculty Senate Chair-elect Donna Johnson, Employee Council Chair Marlene Chavez-Toivanen, Vice President for Academic Affairs at NMSU Grants Enrico Pontelli, College of Arts & Sciences Dean Jon Boren, Cooperative Extension Service Director and College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Associate Dean Suzanne Quillen, Vice President of HealthCare Innovation at Ernest Health Margaret Hardin, who among other professional activities is a member of the NMSU Foundation Board of Directors Rex Wilson, Southern Region Director Presbyterian Medical Services Terra Winter, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Scott Hutchinson, Senior Manager, Electrical Sciences, Sandia Campus Executive for New Mexico State University NMSU will again partner with search firm WittKieffer to help find candidates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) North Las Vegas police arrested a suspect two weeks after a man was found shot and killed in the northeast valley. On Thursday, March 14 at around 2:30 p.m., police were called to the 1900 block of Solana Del Norte Way near Lone Mountain Road. Arriving officers found a man believed to be in his late 20s suffering from a gunshot wound. Medical personnel took the man to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Hospital personnel later pronounced him dead. Through the investigation, homicide detectives identified Steven Vidana-Garcia, 30, as a suspect in the case. On March 27, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department police took Vidana-Garcia into custody in the area of Lake Mead Boulevard and Rancho Drive while he was driving a stolen vehicle. Vidana-Garcia was booked into the Clark County Detention Center where he faces charges of open murder with a deadly weapon, robbery involving a deadly weapon, and burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon. Vidana-Garcia also faces additional charges of possessing a stolen vehicle, attempted grand larceny of a motor vehicle, false statement to or obstructing a public officer, and reckless driving with a disregard for persons or property. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, March 29. A booking photo for Vidana-Garcia was not immediately available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. KEWEENAW COUNTY, Mich. (WJMN) Despite the exposed ground and early spring, mountain bike trails in the Keweenaw are not yet ready to ride, according to a spokesperson for Visit Keweenaw. Butits not too early to plan for races happening later this year. From Soke to Copper Harbor the trails are not quite ready yet. A mid-March snowstorm did not help the clubs make progress on their mountain bike trail systems, said the spokesperson. Mountain biking in Copper Harbor Michigan. Aaron Peterson Photography, www.aaronpeterson.net, 906-439-5339. All Rights Reserved. While the trails arent yet ready to ride, Visit Keweenaw advises its not too early to start thinking about local events you may want to participate in. Registration is now open for Ride the Keweenaw, a mountain bike race happening over Memorial Day weekend at the end of May. Its part of the Lake Superior Gravity Series, which attracts riders from around the Midwest as they compete for season points in a series of downhill Enduro races. This year, part of the route will travel through Greenlands Adventure Mine. You can find details and updates about the race on the Copper Harbor Trails Clubs Facebook page. You can sign up for Miners Revenge starting April 1st. Also held on the Soke Trails, this race in mid-July rides through the Adventure Mineso you better bring a helmet and flashlight! You can find updates for that race here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. The cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was carrying dozens of hazardous material containers, some of which were breached during the collapse, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced Wednesday. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday that the agency was able to obtain the cargo manifest of the ship, named Dali, which was on its way to Sri Lanka when it smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore overnight Tuesday. She said one of the NTSB senior hazmat investigators identified 56 containers of hazardous materials on Dali, a 985-foot-long vessel. Thats 764 tons of hazardous materials mostly corrosives, flammables and some miscellaneous hazardous materials, Class 9 hazardous materials, which would include lithium-ion batters, Homendy said during a Wednesday press conference. Some of the hazmat containers were breached. Investigators observed some sheen on the waterway around the collapse, Homendy said, adding federal, state and local authorities are aware and in charge of addressing those issues. Sheen, which appears shiny or iridescent on the waters surface, is sometimes caused by oil, gasoline or other pastorium products being dropped into water. She noted the NTSBs role is to investigate and collect perishable evidence of the incident and will not provide findings or conclusions while on scene. A group of construction workers were on the span of the bridge filling in potholes when the crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Eight individuals were initially unaccounted for, two of which were rescued with injuries Tuesday. The bodies of two of the remaining six missing were recovered Wednesday. Four remain missing and are presumed dead. Homendy said 21 crew members, plus two pilots were aboard the ship during the incident. No deaths or serious injuries were reported among crew members. Moments before the crash, operations of the Dali issued a mayday call that the vessel had lost power but was still heading toward the span at a very, very rapid speed, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday. That warning allowed authorities to limit traffic on the bridge. The ship is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and was flying under a Singapore flag, according to The Associated Press, citing data from Marine Traffic. The collapse has shut down the Port of Baltimore, and officials have not released a timeline for when it could reopen. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared concerns Wednesday about the local economic impact of the ports closure, noting 8,000 jobs are directly associated with its activities, and that more than $100 million in cargo moves through the port daily. President Biden vowed to rebuild the bridge and said he expects the federal government to foot the bill with the support of Congress. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BALTIMORE - The National Transportation Safety Board provided a broader look Wednesday night into its investigation of the cargo ship hitting Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its deadly collapse. Officials said police had just 90 seconds early Tuesday from when they received distress calls to cut the bridge off to traffic and to try to get people off. A police officer who was already in the area patrolling because of the work on the bridge tried to get construction workers off before it was too late, according to officials. Twenty-one members and two pilots were onboard DALI, a 948-foot vessel managed by Synergy Marine Group, a Singapore-based company with over 660 ships under management around the world, according to its website. The vessel had 56 containers 764 tons of corrosive, flammable material and batteries, according to NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy, adding that some of the containers were breached. One of the hazardous materials was sheen, which is used in paint, that has leaked into the Patapsco River. NTSB officials are updating media on the investigation. They say 21 crew members plus 2 pilots on board. 56 containers on board with hazardous materials, some of those containers were breached. @wjz pic.twitter.com/oUevpuMlsj Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) March 28, 2024 "That's 764 tons of hazardous materials, mostly corrosive, flammables, Class 8 hazardous materials, which includes lithium-ion batteries," Homendy said. "Some of those containers were breached." Disaster in minutes NTSB says DALI left the terminal at the Port of Baltimore around 12:39 a.m. By 1:24 a.m., alarms started going off that something was wrong. At 1:27 a.m., the pilot ordered crews to drop the anchor and called for tugs, telling officials the boat lost power and was headed toward the bridge. And just two minutes later, the massive cargo ship crashed into the bridge at 8 mph, sending eight construction workers who were filling potholes plunging into the cold water along with Baltimore's iconic bridge. Officials said they were from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Four remain missing Two people were rescued soon after the collapse one was uninjured and the other was hospitalized and later released. Divers recovered two bodies from a pickup truck Wednesday morning. Officials said the search for the remaining four has moved from a recovery mission to a salvage effort because they believe vehicles are encased in the bridge debris and divers can't operate around the debris. The bridge itself "is fractural critical," Homendy said. "What that means is if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of or the entire bridge to collapse; there's no redundancy." Essential port blocked off The collapse has halted the flow of ships in and out of Baltimore's port and cut off nearly every dock in Baltimore from the global shipping industry. "The national economy and the global economy depends on the Port of Baltimore," Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference early Wednesday evening. Moore said the state has submitted a request asking for federal funds to assist in rebuilding the bridge, but the cost and timeline is still unknown. "The task in front of us, it will be real, it will be daunting, but our resolve is unshaken," Moore said. Eye Opener: Investigators reveal new details about the Baltimore bridge collapse Mega Millions $1.3 billion winning ticket sold in New Jersey Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs more air defense missiles as Russia keeps up attacks NEW YORK (PIX11) The MTA board approved congestion pricing on Wednesday, despite six active lawsuits pushing back against the plan to toll drivers below 60th Street in Manhattan beginning in June. New York City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez joins PIX11 to discuss the controversial plan. He also explains how congestion pricing will affect traffic in the future. Watch the video for more on this story. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Mayor Eric Adams is facing calls to restore next years police academy classes to beef up the NYPDs dwindling ranks following the line-of-duty shooting death of hero cop Jonathan Diller. In a letter sent to Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban Wednesday, City Councilman Robert Holden said it was urgent that City Hall which has remained mum on the scrapped police classes detail its plans. I am seeking a detailed account of the administrations plans for police recruitment, Holden (D-Queens) wrote in the letter, obtained by The Post. Mayor Eric Adams has yet to say if four 2025 NYPD Police Academy classes would be reinstated after being nixed in earlier budget cuts. Paul Martinka NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller (center) was killed in the line of duty on Monday. NYPD My constituents are eager to understand the steps being taken to accelerate the hiring process, the schedule for upcoming police classes and any initiatives being taken to attract a qualified pool of candidates, Holden said. At issue are four police academy classes initially scheduled for 2025 but canceled earlier this year as the city faced a projected budget crunch due to the burgeoning migrant crisis. Last month, Adams cited better-than-expected revenues and scrapped planned cutbacks. City Hall has since reinstated next months academy class but the four that had been scheduled for next year remain in limbo. Following Dillers cowardly shooting in Queens on Monday allegedly by a pair of dangerous ex-cons legislators want to know when more cops will be on the streets to curtail violent crime. The council maintains that none of the proposed blunt cuts were necessary, council finance Chairman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge) told The Post on Wednesday. We expect to see full restorations across the board and then some. Each academy class has about 600 recruits, which would beef up the NYPDs shrinking ranks in recent years due to attrition and moves to slower-paced suburban departments. The new influx of young cops would help restore the ranks and keep the department from dipping under 30,000 sworn members for the first time since the 1990s. But Adams has been so silent on the 2025 academy classes, that some council members and staffers werent even aware that they hadnt already been reinstated. The projected draconian cuts in the citys $109.4 billion spending plan were required to offset the $10 billion expected to be sapped by the migrant crisis, which has forced taxpayers to foot the bill for thousands of asylum seekers arriving from the US border with Mexico over the past two years. The ranks of the NYPD have been dwindling and could dip below 30,000 sworn members for the first time since the 1990s if next years police academy classes are not reinstated. ZUMAPRESS.com Last month, Adams announced that the NYPD, FDNY and the Department of Corrections would be spared further cuts but never reinstated the 2025 police academy classes. The line-of-duty shooting death of NYPD cop Jonathan Diller, allegedly by ex-con Guy Rivera, has prompted some city lawmakers to call for the reinstatement of four 2025 police academy classes. Gregory P. Mango Following Dillers shooting death on Monday, Adams, a former NYPD captain, denounced what he called the senseless act of violence that cost the 31-year-old cop his life. I cannot say it any clearer, he said. It is the good guys against the bad guys and these bad guys are violent. A City Hall spokesperson said the mayor plans to add thousands of officers to the NYPD this year, but did not say whether next years canceled academy classes would be restored in a statement to The Post. The projected draconian cuts in the citys $109.4 billion spending plan were required to offset the $10 billion expected to be sapped by the migrant crisis. NYPD Jobs are up, crime is down, and Mayor Adams is delivering for working New Yorkers every day and as he has repeatedly said, our administration will never do anything to jeopardize public safety, the spokesperson said. The mayor has been very clear that public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and thats why we have plans to continue adding thousands of additional cops to New York City streets through November and will continue to evaluate between now and the Executive Budget to determine if there are any other areas where we can restore more funding. NYC legal cannabis industry pleading for help from state NEW YORK (PIX11) The legal and licensed cannabis industry is pleading with state leaders to address the proliferation of brazenly illegal pot shops, which often operate openly across the city. In a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic leadership in the Assembly and State Senate, the more than 100 signatures demand that crackdown policies be included in the state budget, which is due April 1. Marijuana legalization in NY, NJ Many of the requests are in line with what Mayor Eric Adams has been requesting for a while. Here are the requests: Grant local authorities the power to inspect and shutdown illegal cannabis shops currently, only state authorities have this power Establish penalties for operating or facilitating unlicensed cannabis businesses Improve coordination between state and local agencies to ensure enforcement efforts are comprehensive, consistent, and effective. Implement measures that support licensed dispensaries, such as public education campaigns about the risks of purchasing from unlicensed sources and the benefits of supporting legal, regulated businesses. Continue to refine and expedite the licensing process for legal dispensaries to ensure that the market can meet consumer demand without incentivizing illegal sales. One of the main voices behind the letter is Osbert Orduna, owner of The Cannabis Place in Middle Village Queens. Right here on our block of Metropolitan Avenue, have six unlicensed operators, he said. PIX11 has highlighted the brazen and illegal consequences of unlicensed pot shops, particularly in recent weeks. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now PIX11 News Headlines There have been instances of shops reopening after being shut down by local authorities and one case of deadly fentanyl being found. We are calling on the legislature to act now, Orduna said. Hochul has been supportive of this approach, saying at a press conference two weeks ago: Lets start doing that. Lets have some teeth, she said. In a statement Thursday, a spokesman for the Democratic Majority in the Senate said: We included increased enforcement and the ability to crack down on these illegal stores in our one-house budget and hope to see it included in the final budget. New Yorkers should be able to walk down the street without being bombarded by dozens of illegal smokeshops that are operating outside the law and putting young New Yorkers at risk, said a spokeswoman for the Adams Administration. Read the letter here: NYC-Cannabis-LetterDownload For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The United States most populous city could soon have scores of autonomous vehicles (AVs) jockeying their way through bustling streets but they will have to do so with a human sitting behind the wheel. After years of relatively subdued AV testing , New York City this week announced new safety requirements and permitting guidelines for companies looking to test their self-driving cars on public roads. NYCs new guidelines signal a push toward more AV testing and, eventually, deployment while simultaneously putting in place various guardrails to try and avoid replicating recent missteps in other cities . How will AV testing work in the Big Apple? AV companies approved for testing in New York will need to have a safety driver behind the wheel ready to take over at all times. This approach notably differs from cities like Phoenix, which have already let Alphabet-owned Waymo to test rider only trips on city streets . The NYC permit documentation does not mention any specific autonomous vehicle makers by name, but says only companies with past testing in other cities would be considered. Safety drivers will be required to have a driver's license, complete background checks, prove they have adequate training in the vehicles they are testing, and take frequent breaks to avoid distraction or fatigue. Companies looking to test in the city will have to comply with all local traffic laws and pay any traffic or parking tickets the vehicle may incur. Permits will last for one year with the option for renewal at the end of the test period. Any company applying for a permit will also need to provide proof of at least $5 million in car insurance for any autonomous vehicles testing on NYC highways, as well as a $3 million in personal liability insurance. New Yorks Department of Transportation, in a statement, says it will work with AV applicants to ensure testing does not unduly impede traffic flow, pedestrian and cyclist movement, transit service, or emergency response. We are doing our due diligence to get ahead of the AV revolution, and ensure that if AVs are coming, they do so within a framework that benefits New Yorkers, and creates training and good, upwardly mobile jobs in the autonomous industry," NYC Deputy Mayor for Operation Meera Joshi said in a statement . "It's been the story for too long that government can't keep up with private enterprise. No longer. NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who made adoption of AI technology a priority during his administration, echoed that sense of inevitability. This technology is coming whether we like it or not, so were going to make sure that we get it right, Adams said in a statement. If we do, our streets can be safer, and our air could be cleaner. The new permitting process marks a pivot point for NYC. Up until now, AV testing hadnt gained traction to the same degree as other large US cities like San Francisco and Phoenix. General Motors backed Cruise planned to test its vehicles in the citys back in 2017 but eventually backtracked . Waymo, on the other hand, begun some testing in the city but has reportedly focused primarily on areas of upstate New York. Driverless vehicles will still have to overcome numerous roadblock for adoption in NYC Companies looking to commercialize AVs in NYC still face an uphill battle even with the citys renewed interest in testing. New Yorks mix of pedestrian-filled streets, unpredictable vehicle traffic, and sensor disrupting bright lights make it one of the most challenging environments for AVs to navigate successfully. Driverless vehicles have made notable improvements on highways but their effectiveness degrades as they enter more complex, densely populated urban areas. NYCs DOT itself called the city the countrys most challenging urban environment. Aside from technical challenges, AVs may also face pushback from labor groups and local drivers. The Teamsters previously spoke out against Waymos efforts to expand AV testing in the state , calling the technology a direct threat to public safety. Two organizations representing New York taxi-cab drivers previously called for legislation banning driverless cars outright in the city . Two third of drivers, recently surveyed by AAA Western and Central New York, meanwhile, said they were afraid of driverless vehicles. There has been an increase in consumer fear over the past few years," AAA Director of Automotive Engineering Research Greg Brannon said in a statement. "Given the numerous and well-publicized incidents involving current vehicle technologiesit's not surprising that people are apprehensive about their safety. Still, supporters of the push for more autonomous vehicles like mayor Adams believe the technology could one day improve safety by cutting back on human error-induced accidents. Supporters hope large scale autonomous vehicle rollout, when paired with improved mass transit, could also potentially cut down on traffic . Electric powered AV robotaxis could also theoretically lead to less emissions than internal combustion alternatives, especially if they are used to transport more than one person at a time . New Yorks new AV approach comes amidst a thawing interest in driverless vehicles nationally. Multiple crashes and missteps by Cruise in California last year resulted in the company losing its ability to operate in the state . Local officials in Austin, once an early adopter in AVs testing, are now questioning the safety of driverless cars. High profile accidents involving AVs are appearing to impact public perceptions of the vehicles. A study of US drivers conducted in 2023 by J.D. Power found driver trust in self-driving vehicles declined for the second year in a row . KYODO NEWS - Mar 28, 2024 - 22:30 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday indicated the possibility of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party questioning former premier Yoshiro Mori about a political funds scandal that came to light late last year. Mori "could be included" as a target of the LDP's investigation as "he is needed to clarify political responsibility," Kishida said at a parliamentary session, while declining to comment on whether the former leader was involved in the scandal. The ruling party has come under intense scrutiny as some of its groups, such as the biggest faction formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, neglected for years to report portions of income from fundraising parties, creating slush funds in the process. Mori, who headed the faction from December 1998 to April 2000 and from May 2001 to October 2006, is suspected of having crafted the scheme, although senior members of the group have claimed that they are unaware of when the slush fund practice began. With the LDP suggesting the custom might have lasted for over 20 years, opposition parties have demanded that Mori, who served as prime minister for around one year from April 2000, be summoned to parliament as a sworn witness. The senior lawmakers of the largest faction within the LDP, which has been in power for most of the period since 1955, have also said Abe decided to stop the practice of paying money back to its members at a meeting involving its executives in April 2022. But they added the scheme was later reinstated following a gathering in August 2022, one month after Abe was fatally shot during an election campaign speech. Abe's assassination and the death in November 2023 of former House of Representatives speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda, who led the faction for about seven years from 2014, has made it difficult for the LDP to probe how and when the group launched the slush funds practice. The funds scandal has eroded public trust in politics, leading to a sharp decline in approval ratings for Kishida's Cabinet. The ratings have plummeted to their lowest levels since the Cabinet's launch in October 2021, falling well below 30 percent, a threshold widely recognized as the "danger level" for a government. Three by-elections to fill vacancies in the lower house are scheduled for April 28. The LDP's support rate has also fallen to its lowest level since December 2012, when it scored a landslide victory in the general election and returned to power. Depending on the results of the by-elections, LDP lawmakers could seek to oust Kishida as leader before the next general election amid speculation he will dissolve the lower house ahead of the party's presidential race around September, some pundits said. At a press conference later Thursday, Kishida said that the upcoming by-elections will take place "against a backdrop of strong backlash" against the LDP, adding that the party will strive to restore public trust in politics through the campaigns. When asked about the possibility of dissolving the lower house before the by-elections, Kishida said, "I will devote myself to resolving challenges that cannot be postponed, and I do not think about anything else." Regarding the by-elections, up for grabs are seats in the Tokyo No. 15 district, the Shimane No. 1 district and the Nagasaki No. 3 district, all of which were held by LDP lawmakers before they became vacant. The LDP has yet to decide on a candidate for Tokyo and Nagasaki. In Shimane, the race is set to be a one-on-one battle with the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Related coverage: Scandal-hit LDP heavyweight Nikai not to run in next general election LDP considers serious punishments for 4 members over funds scandal LDP heavyweights urged to speak as sworn witnesses over funds scandal HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM) The New York State Police are asking for the publics help with an investigation into suspicious incidents at a housing development in the Town of Horseheads. According to the New York State Police Department, multiple surveillance devices have been found outside of several houses in the Barrington Estates housing development, which is located off Sing Sing Road in Horseheads. Police say that one of the homes was burglarized, and U.S. currency was stolen. The surveillance devices were primarily found outside of local Asian American business owners homes. Troopers described one of the devices as a cardboard box with leaves glued to the outside as camouflage and a cell phone and battery pack inside. A picture of the device can be seen below. Courtesy: New York State Police Anyone who has information about these devices or the burglary is asked to call the New York State Police at 585-398-4100. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case that could restrict nationwide access to mifepristone one of two drugs used in medication abortions. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mifepristone for the medical termination of pregnancy in 2000, a lawsuit filed by the anti-abortion organization Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine in November 2022 challenged the longstanding FDA approval and expansions to access that occurred in 2016 and 2021. The good news is that there appears to be a public consensus that the U.S. Supreme Court will dismiss the case on standing, meaning that the justices wont agree that the organization that brought the case forward had sufficient legal grounds to do so in the first place. If this happens, access to mifepristone will stay as it is. A Guttmacher Institute report from the Monthly Abortion Provision Study recently found tha medication abortions accounted for nearly 63 percent of all abortions in the United States. However, abortion rights advocates and legal experts are flagging the mention of a 19th century obscenity law called the Comstock Act in the arguments as a potential pathway to what would amount as a nationwide abortion ban. During oral arguments on Tuesday, conservative Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act. In questioning, Thomas said to a lawyer for Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of mifepristone, that the Comstock Act is "fairly broad, and it specifically covers drugs such as yours." Alito said the Comstock Act is a "prominent provision" and not "some obscure subsection of complicated obscure law." The Comstock Act is a 150-year-old anti-obscenity law that banned various items related to sex and reproductive health, that many people see as quite ordinary, from being delivered via mail. The term "obscenity" initially wasn't defined. But it eventually was updated to not be applied to birth control. Julia Kaye, ACLUs senior staff attorney with the Reproductive Freedom Project, said the anti-abortion extremists who brought this case forward initially argued that the Comstock Act was one reason why the court should strip away access to mifepristone through mail order pharmacies. However, the Fifth Circuit majority did not engage with that question. Subsequently, the briefing in the Supreme Court did not directly address Comstock. Nevertheless, Justices Alito and Thomas are clearly paying close attention to that argument, they asked numerous questions about it, and we could well see Comstock referenced in the Courts ultimate decision, Kaye said in a press briefing after the hearing. Either with respect to the outcome of this case, or a broader signaling of how some of the justices believe this Comstock Act could be used to strip away a right to abortion nationwide altogether. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued during the arguments that the Comstock Act's provisions wouldn't have been factored into the FDA's decision to approve mifepristone as safety and efficacy are the agencys only concerns when it comes to restrictions. After the hearing, the anti-abortion group Live Action released a statement invoking the Comstock Act, calling on the Supreme Court to use it to stop abortion pill trafficking. Its not the first time anti-abortion advocates have invoked the Comstock Act, and abortion rights advocates foresaw it could have been part of yesterdays oral arguments. As Susan Rinkunas reported for Jezebel, nearly 150 Republican members of Congress asked the Supreme Court to use the Comstock Act as a justification to restrict access to mifepristone. Seema Mohapatra, a health law and bioethics expert at Southern Methodist University, told Salon, she is concerned about the renewed focus on the Comstock Act. The Justices definitely did not need to bring it up in terms of why they took the case, it seemed to be a very targeted reason for bringing it up, kind of signaling to others that they're willing to use the Comstock Act as a reason to restrict access, Mohapatra told Salon. I would guess that Alito and Thomass opinions probably have something to do with the Comstock Act. Alexis McGill Johnson, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, emphasized in a media briefing after Tuesdays hearing that the courts and Congress have made clear that the Comstock Laws do not apply to lawful abortions. This is just another desperate attempt to advance their extreme agenda, McGill Johnson said. Mohapatra added the Comstock Act hasnt been used for over 100 years and should have been repealed by now. But shes concerned that a Republican administration and Department of Justice could weaponize it. I think a lot of the press after the oral arguments said theyre going to dismiss the case, and I agree with that, she added. But those questions were problematic because if a Republican administration or Republican DOJ decide to use the Comstock Act to restrict anything related to abortion, any instruments, abortion pills, then that is not even going to require any kind of Congressional action. Indeed, it would result in a nationwide a abortion ban. In a media statement, Elisa Wells, co-founder of Plan C Pills, raised concerns about the Comstock Act being part of the oral arguments, too. Comstock is an antiquated, puritanical law designed to suppress 'vice in all forms' and criminalize bodily autonomy, Wells said. This antiquated law has no place in modern society or applied to modern medicine and care. This week, Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush said in a social media post that the Comstock Act must be repealed. Enacted in 1873, it is a zombie statute, a dead law that the far-right is trying to reanimate, she said. The anti-abortion movement wants to weaponize the Comstock Act as a quick route to a nationwide medication abortion ban. When officials can remove squatters under new Florida law TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) Gov. DeSantis hopes to protect homeowners against squatters under House Bill 621. The Governor signed the bill on Wednesday saying the state intends to end the squatters scam. With the new law, a homeowner can contact law enforcement to remove a squatter from their property if the following conditions are met: The individual unlawfully entered and remains on the property The individual was directed to leave the property but hasnt The individual is not a current or former tenant in a legal dispute The Sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally, the Governor said. Attorney Karl Schmitz says its important for owners to verify the conditions are met or they could face penalties. However, Schmitz explains squatters have a history of gaming the system. If they claim that they have a valid lease agreement, the Sheriff wont get involved until the courts rule that its not valid, he said. HB 621 also creates penalties for squatters and for people who teach squatting. Those penalities include: First-degree misdemeanor for making a false statement in writing to obtain real property or for knowingly and willfully presenting a falsified document conveying property rights Second-degree felony for any person who unlawfully occupies or trespasses in a residential dwelling and who intentionally causes $1,000 or more in damages First-degree felony for knowingly advertising the sale or rent of a residential property without legal authority or ownership For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Local leaders are telling an independent think tank to stop calling Kent County a sanctuary county. In a Wednesday letter to the Center for Immigration, Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young and County Administrator/Controller Al Vanderberg said that Kent County is not and has never been a sanctuary county. The Center for Immigration, which is based out of Washington, D.C., brands itself as a non-partisan, non-profit, research organization with a pro-immigrant, low-immigration vision. Its website shows it added Kent County to its list of so-called sanctuary cities, counties and states after the sheriffs office said in 2019 that it would no longer hold people based only on a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that it would require a warrant signed by a federal judge. LaJoye-Young and Vanderberg said in their letter that requiring a signed warrant protects the civil liability of the county and ensures due process for all detainees. Despite the absence of a formal agreement with ICE, the (sheriffs office) has maintained consistent collaboration with ICE and all other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of our community and to facilitate the secure transfer of all individuals of interest, the letter reads in part. PDF: Letter from sheriff and administrator It goes on to say that Kent County allows ICE officers in the jail to question inmates, and that it tells ICE when its preparing to release someone against whom a detainer notice has been filed and provide for a secure transfer of custody when ICE arrives. It says that happened 26 times last year and 10 times so far this year. (T)he Kent County Board of Commissioners has not passed a resolution declaring Kent County a sanctuary county, the letter also pointed out. The data clearly demonstrates the KCSOs commitment to working collaboratively with ICE on all I-247 detainers or notice of intent requests to ensure public safety, due process, and the rule of law for all, the letter concludes. Consequently, we respectfully request the immediate removal of Kent Countys designation as a sanctuary county because it is factually inaccurate. LaJoye-Young told News 8 on Thursday that the letter was partially spurred by misinformation that was disseminated since the arrest of Brandon Ortiz-Vite for a March 22 murder in Grand Rapids. Ortiz-Vite reentered the United States illegally after being deported in 2020. We have never been and are not a sanctuary county, LaJoye-Young said. That designation is inaccurate. The Republicans on the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Thursday issued a statement supporting the letter, saying its the latest of several requests that the Center for Immigration Studies remove the county from its list. PDF: Statement from Kent County Commission Republican Caucus CIS continues to misrepresent Kent County as a sanctuary county on its website and other publications in an effort to advance its own agenda. The CIS uses criteria other than votes by elected officials, blurring county sovereignty and presenting unreliable media reports as the reason for their sanctuary county label, the statement reads in part. We will not remain passive while outside institutions seek to place misdirected blame on our community, especially as the federal governments inaction and incompetence stand in the way of meaningful policy solutions. In a social media post, Commissioner Ivan Diaz, a Democrat, said he was deeply disappointed but sadly, not surprised by the statement, which he said characterized immigrants as some kind of plague on our country. At the beginning of every meeting, the same Commissioners who read from the Bible to profess their faith choose to paint immigrants as some kind of threat, Diaz continued. Doesnt Luke 10:27 say that we must love our neighbors as we do ourselves? For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice. OKLAHOMA CITY When Zari Bigelow started looking into virtual charter schools for her son, only two options existed. Twelve years later, Bigelows son, Ashton, 18, is now about to graduate from one of those schools and go to college, having spent his entire K-12 experience in public virtual education. Her son was lucky that Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy was the right school for him, she said. The Broken Arrow family tried a year with Epic Charter School, but Bigelow said it wasnt as good of a fit. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter If we didnt have any other options, Bigelow said, I dont think Ashton would have been as successful as he is right now. Thats why Bigelow said shes been happy to see more virtual charter schools opening in Oklahoma, giving parents today more choices. Seven virtual charter schools are currently operating in the state, and an eighth has been approved to open later this year. But as the number of virtual schools continues to climb and as even more apply for authorization, state officials have started to question how many more of these niche schools Oklahoma needs. The state could surpass a saturation point if officials arent careful, said Robert Franklin, chairperson of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. The board is responsible for authorizing and overseeing all virtual charter schools in the state. The thought crossed Franklins mind as the board considered two recent applications for new schools. The board rejected both proposals in a March 11 meeting over concerns neither had a fully developed plan for operations and finances. Franklin said hes unsure where the saturation point is, but a sign that Oklahoma has exceeded it could be the day when virtual enrollment reaches its natural limit and students move between schools based on which has the better marketing campaign. I dont think thats healthy, Franklin said. Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, said these schools should produce better academic results before the state considers opening more. Each of the virtual charter school systems that participated in state reading, math and science tests in spring 2023 scored below the state average for districtwide results, state data shows. McBride, who leads a House subcommittee on education funding, said there are reasons to have virtual charter schools, but right now theyre not doing the job they should be doing. It raises doubts, he said. I would like to see these academic scores come up before we entertain this any further. School choice advocates, though, say the state shouldnt put limits on the virtual options available to families. There could be a ceiling to how many students will seek out this type of education, but that doesnt mean officials should curb the number of virtual charter schools, said Barry Schmelzenbach, executive director of the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association. Some schools might keep their enrollment low to maintain highly specialized services, meaning there could be room for more online programs, Schmelzenbach said. Oklahoma hasnt come anywhere near where that saturation point would be, he said. Most virtual charter schools set capacity limits, but they have flexibility to adjust and admit more students during the school year. Epic is the largest school by a wide margin with 27,000 students. All other virtual charter schools in the state have fewer than 3,500 children enrolled. About 5% of Oklahomas 700,000 public school students are enrolled in a virtual charter school, according to 2024 enrollment figures from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. That exceeds the national rate. Only 1% of American public school students were enrolled in a virtual school in the 2021-22 school year, the most recent year of data available from the National Center for Education Statistics. That data includes the hundreds of thousands of students who temporarily flocked to virtual schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those numbers have since declined in Oklahoma, as students returned to their brick-and-mortar schools. Only 36 states had virtual schools as of 2021-22. Among them, Oklahoma had the sixth highest virtual school enrollment, leading other states that had dozens more online options to choose from, according to data compiled by the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Bigelow said she thinks the demand for virtual learning will grow now that more families tried it during the pandemic. I think more and more and more parents are seeing the positive things that (come from) a situation where you have full control on how your child is being treated and how theyre being taught, she said. And I think more and more people are going to be looking into that. And so we need more schools so theyre able to actually do that. However, Franklin, of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, said he doubts online enrollment is going to get close to the pandemic peak any time soon. After rapidly becoming the largest school district in the state in 2020, Epic lost tens of thousands of students over the following years. State data shows its still seeing a decline, with a 5% decrease this year compared to its 2022-23 student count. Despite that, Epic remains the third largest school district in Oklahoma. Unlike Epic, most of the seven virtual charter schools saw growth this school year, and none more so than Insight School of Oklahoma. The alternative education school serving 1,100 students at risk of not graduating grew its enrollment by 19% this school year and by 35% the year before, state data shows. Executive Director Jennifer Wilkinson said Insight School would support further efforts to expand educational choice in the state. Many families have found success for their students in a virtual school, and many more would like to consider the option, Wilkinson said in a statement to Oklahoma Voice. Insight School of Oklahoma meets a unique need in the market, as evidenced by our continued growth. Another virtual charter school yet to open could demonstrate a growing interest in online education. As it prepares for its inaugural school year in August, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School expects most of its future students are attending brick-and-mortar schools right now, said Brett Farley, a member of the schools board of directors. St. Isidore would be the nations first religious charter school. Multiple lawsuits are challenging its existence, but without a court order blocking it, St. Isidore is preparing to open next school year with a maximum of 500 students in year one. Farley said the school could attract Catholic families who live in areas where a parish school isnt available and students whose learning styles could be better served in a virtual environment rather than traditional, in-person schooling. Students of all backgrounds and faiths can attend St. Isidore, but its unique characteristics mean it appeals to a niche audience that would stick with the school even if more virtual charter options open in the state, he said. The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa are supportive of the state adding more virtual schools. The multiplicity of options is whats going to help kids the most, Farley said. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. OLATHE, Kan. The Johnson County man who was wrongly accused of being a shooter and illegal alien at the Chiefs Super Bowl rally on February 14 is suing the U.S. congressman who made those comments. A photo of Olathe resident Denton Loudermill, seen sitting on a curb in handcuffs, spread like wildfire on social media. However, Kansas City police said Loudermill had nothing to do with the shooting, and that they actually detained many people that day who were not involved. Man charged in Chiefs parade shooting, also accused in teens 2021 killing Loudermill is now seeking $75,000 in damages for what Republican Congressman Tim Burchett wrote about him on social media following that deadly shooting. I just want him to be held accountable for what he did and said to me, Loudermill said on Wednesday afternoon. Loudermill explained that the posts have resulted in death threats and mental distress like anxiety, agitation, and sleep disruption. My kids are going through some things too; people asking them questions and stuff like that. I just dont want this to be this known, he said. Loudermill and his attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, spoke to the media at the Olathe Public Library to outline the case and the impact its had on Loudermill and his family. If the congressman and others had owned the misinformation it wouldnt have felt so intentional or a disregard for the damage that was done to Mr. Loudermill, added Lassiter Saunders. Kansas City police initially detained Loudermill, something the department said it did to many people following the mass shooting on February 14 that resulted in the death of 41-year-old Lisa Lopez Galvan. However, he was released that same day, yet he was the only person to have his picture go viral. Burchetts posts received more than seven million views and saw 21,000 retweets, according to the lawsuit. I just want him to apologize and spread the word that I am not the guy that he says I was, added Loudermill, who is demanding a jury trial in Kansas City, Kansas. Leavenworth man sentenced for deadly 2022 shooting At this point, I think weve done enough talking and its time for action, said Lassiter Saunders. We are going to let the legal process work. FOX4 called the Burchetts office Wednesday for comment but did not get an answer. In the meantime, Loudermill has set up a GoFundMe to help cover his legal expenses, which can be found here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Activists gathered in front of Indonesia's parliament in March 2024 to protest alleged violations in the presidential election, however, a clip of police firing water cannons shared in posts about the demonstrations has circulated online since 2019. The footage -- filmed by a local media outlet -- shows a violent protest in Indonesia's capital Jakarta against proposed amendments for a new criminal code. The clip -- viewed more than 4,700 times -- was shared alongside the false claim on TikTok on March 6, 2024, with superimposed text that reads "BREAKING NEWS". The clip shows a photo of a massive rally, with the logo for Indonesian media outlet Kompas TV partially visible in the picture. The Indonesian-language text added to the video indicated it was from a recent protest against Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. It translated in part as: "Senayan is burning. The second reform has started. Jokowi is forced to step down. The people demand that democracy is restored." Activists use the term "the second reform" to demand a cleaner and more democratic government (archived link). In the video, a female narrator can be heard saying in Indonesian: "We are now seeing the situation in front of the Indonesian parliament building in Jakarta. "You can see that security officers have started to shoot water cannons toward the protesters who gathered in front of the Indonesian parliament building." Screenshot of the false post, taken on March 28, 2024 The post surfaced a day after hundreds of people gathered in front of the Indonesian parliament building in Jakarta's Senayan district to protest alleged interference in the February 2024 presidential election won by Prabowo Subianto (archived link). Prabowo's running mate Gibran Rakabuming Raka is the eldest son of incumbent President Jokowi. Critics alleged the outgoing leader used state resources to favour Prabowo and Gibran -- however, Jokowi has denied this (archived link). The clip was also viewed more than 129,900 times after it was shared with a similar claim elsewhere on TikTok here and here, on SnackVideo here and here, as well as on Instagram and SnackVideo. 2019 protest footage Reverse image and keyword searches on Google found a video published on YouTube by Indonesian broadcaster Kompas TV on September 24, 2019 (archived link). The report was headlined: "Latest Update -- Heating Up, Police Release Water Cannon on Demonstrators in Front of the Indonesian Parliament Building". "The police started to push back the demonstrators in front of the Indonesian parliament building using water cannons to disperse the crowd gathering in front of the Indonesian Parliament Building," the report's caption said. "The police have also put forces on standby inside the area of the parliament building. Demonstrators are throwing various objects at the security forces." The caption also included the hashtags "DemoMahasiswa", "DPRRI" and "RevisiKUHP" -- which translate respectively as "StudentDemonstration", "IndonesianParliament" and "CriminalCodeRevision". The picture used in the false video was taken from Kompas TV video's 19-second mark, while the voice of the female narrator can be heard throughout the original clip. Below is a screenshot comparison of the clip in the false post (left) and the corresponding scene from the original Kompas TV footage (right): Screenshot comparison of the clip in the false post (left) and the corresponding scene from the original Kompas TV footage (right) Keyword searches of the hashtags on social media platform X found a report published by local news organisation Indopos.co.id about a rally in front of parliament in September 2019 to protest proposed changes in Indonesia's criminal code (archived link). AFP reported that police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters at the demonstration. Protests erupted nationwide against a wide-ranging legal overhaul that proposed new laws that would criminalise pre-marital sex, restrict sales of contraceptives, make it illegal to insult the president and toughen the Muslim-majority country's blasphemy laws. The Indonesian parliament passed the legislation in December 2022. Another image taken from the Kompas TV clip was published by the Indonesian news outlet Tribunnews, an affiliate company of Kompas Gramedia group, on September 24, 2019 (archived link). AFP previously debunked other misinformation related to the 2024 elections here. An old video of Turks and ethnic Kurds brawling outside the Turkish embassy in Tokyo has resurfaced in posts that falsely claim it shows Kurdish migrants "causing mayhem" in Saitama while they demanded Japan loosen its immigration policies. The video has in fact circulated since October 2015 in reports about scuffles outside Turkey's embassy, where hundreds of Turkish citizens had gathered for early voting in the country's elections. "Kurdish immigrants causing mayhem in Saitama, Japan," reads part of the Thai-language caption of a video shared on social media platform X on February 21, 2024. "They demand the government change migration policies so more of them can enter the country." According to a report by Kyodo News, around 2,000 ethnic Kurds -- a stateless people who have long faced persecution -- live in Saitama (archived link). The video, which has more than 1,000 shares, shows groups of people fighting as police attempt to break up the scuffles. Screenshot of the false X post, captured on March 26, 2024 The same video was shared with similar claims elsewhere on X in Thai here and in English here and here. It was also shared in both Thai and English on Facebook. Comments on the posts suggest some users believed the fighting shown in the video was linked to Japan's immigration policies. "Japan should tighten its visa rules for people from the Middle East to protect its national security and cultural identity," read one comment. Another said: "Why won't the Japanese grant refugee status to Thais? They allowed in the Muslims, who are trouble makers." Japan enacted an immigration law in June 2023 that allowed the government to deport failed asylum seekers, despite pushback from opposition parties and rights groups (archived link). There was also concern over the status of several hundred Kurds who came to Japan following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023 (archived link). But the video that has surfaced on social media is unrelated to Japanese immigration policy -- it has circulated since October 2015 in reports about Turks and Kurds fighting outside the Turkish embassy in Tokyo. 'Election fight' A reverse image search using keyframes from the video led to a report by Turkish news agency Medyascope published on October 25, 2015 (archived link). The report's headline translates to English as: "This is how the election fight in front of the Tokyo embassy was reflected on Periscope and Japanese media". An embedded YouTube video includes the footage shown in the falsely shared video at its 1:19 mark (archived link). An AFP correspondent in Tokyo confirmed the footage was taken from a Japanese media report, pointing out it includes the logo for Japan News Network (archived link). Below are screenshot comparisons between the video in the false X post (left) and the YouTube video uploaded by Medyascope (right): Screenshot comparisons between the video in the false X post (left) and the YouTube video uploaded by Medyascope (right) At the 1:23 mark of the falsely shared video, an emblem resembling the Turkish flag can be seen near a black gate. These features correspond to Google Street View imagery of the Turkish embassy in Tokyo (archived link). Below is a screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and the Turkish embassy in Tokyo as shown on Google Street View (right), with corresponding features highlighted by AFP: Screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and the Turkish embassy in Tokyo as shown on Google Street View (right) AFP reported that at least 12 people were injured in the fighting outside the embassy ahead of the November 2015 election, which came at a time of escalating violence in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast. The report said the cause of the fight was not immediately clear, but Jiji Press, quoting a Turkish voter, said the clash began after Kurds tried to display the flag of a pro-Kurdish party. Ten months ago, things looked bleak for Attorney General Ken Paxton. The beleaguered Republican had just been impeached and suspended from office by more than 70% of his own party in the Texas House. He faced an array of career-threatening legal battles: a federal investigation into corruption allegations lodged by his former top deputies, a whistleblower lawsuit from those deputies who said they were illegally fired for reporting Paxton to law enforcement, a separate lawsuit from the state bar seeking to penalize Paxton for attorney misconduct, and of course, an indictment on three felony counts of securities fraud that have loomed over nearly his entire tenure as attorney general. The outlook is now considerably brighter for Paxton, whose political stock continued its ascent this week when prosecutors agreed to drop the nine-year-old fraud charges if he fulfills the terms of a pretrial agreement. It was another major vindication for Paxton after the Senate acquitted him of the Houses impeachment charges last fall, bringing him one step closer to a political career devoid of legal drama and burnishing his reputation among the partys most conservative flank as a fighter who has defied political persecution. The pundits, lobbyists and consultants have written his political obituary many times and yet they greatly underestimated General Paxtons tenacity and grit, said Nick Maddux, a Paxton adviser and political consultant, in an email. Once seen as a political liability within his own party, Paxton now has the wind at his back. With two major political and legal wins behind him, hes poised to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in 2026, a prospect he has openly entertained. The end of Paxtons most persistent legal woe also provides another burst of momentum for the Texas GOPs hardline wing as it looks to build on a March primary where a record number of House Republicans were unseated by Paxton-aligned firebrand challengers. Politically, General Paxton has many options in the future, but his focus right now is continuing to fight the Biden Administration and electing more conservative fighters to the Texas House who are committed to fundamentally transforming the way the State House does business, Maddux said. Paxtons political fortunes had already seen a decided rebound before his fraud case fizzled. Statewide polling from the Texas Politics Project found last month that 61% of Republican voters approved of the job Paxton is doing as attorney general, while just 16% disapproved. That marked a swing of 22 points from last August, when Paxton was in the throes of his impeachment fight. Joe Jaworski, the former Galveston mayor who lost the Democratic primary runoff to take on Paxton in 2022, said the outcome is absolutely a victory for Paxton, who he said is undoubtedly the most powerful Republican politician statewide based on the influence he wields among the extremist voters who turn out in GOP primaries. Paxton is at his most powerful, no question about it. Voters like a winner and in his primary world, he's a winner, said Jaworski, who is considering another run for attorney general in 2026. But the language he's using, the language his supporters are using, his priorities, are extreme. They represent the world of politics, getting in power and retaining power, not improving people's lives. That assessment of Paxtons political clout is newfound territory for a man who was once considered his partys most vulnerable statewide elected official and whose political enemies have made Indicted Attorney General his unofficial title since he was hit with the felony charges less than seven months into his first term. Paxtons reputation among Democrats as the GOPs weak link as primary challenger George P. Bush once said stems from his closer-than-expected 2018 win over Democratic opponent Justin Nelson, who came within 4 percentage points of unseating Paxton. Already reviled by the left for having plunged the attorney generals office into high-profile culture war fights, Paxton made himself an even bigger target when he filed a longshot lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election in four key battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden. But while elections experts criticized the effort as dangerous garbage that could set a democracy-threatening precedent, Paxton also cemented his alliance with the partys standard-bearer, then-President Donald Trump. And it was Trumps support that, in part, helped carry Paxton through a crowded primary field in 2022 that was eager but unable to seize on his perceived weaknesses. He won reelection in November by nearly 10 percentage points, almost tripling his margin from four years earlier. Stronger post-Impeachment The historic impeachment case against Paxton, which prominently aired his affair with a former Senate staffer, turned out to be a political boon for the attorney general. The partys rightmost flank rallied behind him, casting the effort as a witch hunt to distract from House leaders insufficiently conservative record, rather than the pattern of misconduct and questionable ethics alleged by the impeachment articles. A powerful and deep pocketed political action committee largely funded by a pair of West Texas oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks promised political vengeance to House Republicans who crossed Paxton. Paxtons impeachment became a conservative litmus test in the primary election, which saw a number of powerful and long-tenured members fall to defeat or get forced into runoffs. At the same time, impeachment appears to have strengthened Paxtons relationship with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presided over the Senate impeachment trial and has since emerged as one of the most vocal critics of House Republicans who initiated the proceedings. The two have not always been so politically attuned. Patrick once tried to get Trump to rethink his endorsement of Paxton in the 2022 primary, the Tribune reported. Patrick denied the report. The lieutenant governor took to social media Tuesday to slam the securities fraud case as political harassment, comparing it to last years impeachment debacle where, he argued, Paxtons political enemies in the House fabricated a case that collapsed during trial in the Senate. It was the latest example of how Patrick and Paxton have found themselves aligned against a common foe, House Speaker Dade Phelan, as two of the leading figures in a hardline GOP push to drive the Texas House further right. Their overlapping efforts, with Paxton targeting Republicans who impeached him and Patrick looking to align the House with his more conservative Senate, contributed to the record primary turnover earlier this month, along with Gov. Greg Abbotts bid to unseat members who opposed school vouchers. Mitch Little, one of Paxtons attorneys in the impeachment and securities fraud cases, was among the insurgent GOP challengers who knocked off a House incumbent earlier this month. He called Paxtons fraud case the 21st Centurys magnum opus of lawfare and warned that the political reckoning was just beginning. Now, I want you to imagine what you would do once set free from this nightmare, Little wrote on social media Tuesday. Thats whats coming. We are in the preamble of reform in the great State of Texas, and there will be a proper accounting. Maddux, who is working on a number of House runoffs and was involved in several others in the first round, pointed to Littles primary in which he unseated state Rep. Kronda Thimesch of Lewisville as an example of how Paxtons impeachment and other legal battles are resonating at a key moment in Texas politics. The Speaker's overreach and abuse of power lit a wildfire in the grassroots and donor community to change the way business is done in Austin, Maddux said. Phelan and other targeted Republicans have decried efforts to tag them as insufficiently conservative, pointing to the long list of conservative priorities passed into law in recent years. Phelan has also stood behind his move to push for Paxtons impeachment, telling reporters earlier this month that he regret[s] nothing. I go to bed every night very proud of the courage of my convictions, Phelan said. I think Mr. Paxton at the end of the day is just going to have convictions. Paxtons critics argue that hes far from vindicated even after his recent victories. The whistleblower and state bar lawsuits have yet to be resolved, and he remains under federal investigation for the same allegations that formed the basis of his impeachment. He knows how to hire good lawyers, I'll give him that, Jaworski said. He has lawyered up every opportunity he's had, and has had no shortage of money to make sure his results are satisfactory to him. At some point, his luck may run out. 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. San Joaquin County saw a 55% spike in cases of one particular infectious disease last year and its probably not one youd expect. Tuberculosis once called by its old-fashioned names consumption and the white death was formerly the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to Californias public health department. Back in the 1800s, the disease killed one in seven people in the U.S. and Europe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The San Joaquin County Public Health Services is located at 1601 Hazelton Avenue in Stockton. And while tuberculosis is no longer a top cause of death in the U.S., California saw a 15% substantial increase in cases last year from about 1,840 to roughly 2,110, state officials said. San Joaquin Countys spike was even greater, local officials said. A major factor in the spike may be a silent, non-infectious form of the disease that has no obvious symptoms, local experts said. One may not realize they are ill until it develops into active tuberculosis. It's one reason local health officials are urging San Joaquin County residents with certain risk factors to get tested, even if they don't feel sick. A 'latent' illness Over 80% of California's cases last year started out as what's called latent tuberculosis, according to state health officials. In general, the life cycle of tuberculosis in the body starts when someone with active tuberculosis coughs, or sings, or speaks, (and) those near them breathe in the bacteria, Dr. Cristina Almeida, a tuberculosis expert with San Joaquin County Public Health Services, said Tuesday. As the bacteria multiplies, the person may begin coughing possibly with blood in their phlegm and losing weight, as well as experiencing fatigue, fever or night sweats, Almeida said. Some people's immune systems manage to contain the disease, and they feel nothing: hence the term latent tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis is not contagious, Almeida said. However, if "they have some shock to their immune system such as certain chronic illnesses, or immune-suppressing medications latent tuberculosis can escalate into active tuberculosis, she said. Why has tuberculosis increased? Until 2022, tuberculosis cases had been falling in San Joaquin County for three years, state data shows. But from 2022 to 2023, cases jumped from 33 to 51, a 55% increase, county officials stated. Although the causes of the increase aren't confirmed, one factor may be that people are returning to the doctor after the COVID-19 lockdowns and finally getting tested for tuberculosis, according to Almeida. Another factor may be that people have started traveling again, including to countries where the disease is poorly controlled and theyre more likely to catch active tuberculosis, she said. In fact, people who have lived abroad for a month or more at any point face a higher risk of developing tuberculosis, California health officials stated. Places with higher tuberculosis rates include eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Central and South America and Mexico. Not enough testing Yet another likely factor behind San Joaquin Countys recent tuberculosis spike is poor tracking of the disease when its still in its silent, symptom-less form, according to Almeida. Latent ... tuberculosis disease is not receiving enough testing and treatment, she said Tuesday. People dont have the obvious symptoms, so they dont think to get tested, she added. Last month, California officials told doctors they should screen patients who have risk factors for tuberculosis, including having lived abroad; having been homeless or incarcerated; having a suppressed immune system; or who have ever been in close contact with someone with active tuberculosis. No vaccine can fully prevent tuberculosis, according to the CDC. One in six Californians diagnosed with tuberculosis die within five years despite treatment, according to state health officials. Yet latent tuberculosis can be treated, Almeida said. "There was a time ... when TB wasnt as well funded as it should be," she said. "Once it received more funding, then obviously the cases went down." "It's intimately tied to the resources that are put into the system," she said. Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers government accountability. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow. This article originally appeared on The Record: Tuberculosis cases spiked in Stockton, SJ County, California in 2023 Soldiers march during a military parade to mark the 79th Armed Forces Day in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Soldiers attend a military parade to mark the 79th Armed Forces Day in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Soldiers march during a military parade to mark the 79th Armed Forces Day in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) Soldiers march during a military parade to mark the 79th Armed Forces Day in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 27, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua) HOLMES COUNTY, Fla (WDHN) A man from Kinard, Florida, has been arrested and charged in the deadly shooting of a man who tried to help the victims of a car crash in Holmes County, Walton County Sheriffs Investigators say. The Holmes County Sheriffs Office announced on Thursday that Anthony Hicks Jr. has been charged with one count of open murder in the death of 25-year-old Marcus Kale Fournier of Bonifay. The shooting occurred on Tuesday, March 25. According to the HCSO, Hicks and his unidentified father were driving down Highway 173 when the driver fell asleep and crashed at around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Investigators say Fournier saw the crash while coming from the south, and when he stopped to help, Hicks shot him for an unknown reason. During a press conference on Wednesday, Sheriff John Tate said not long after the crash and shooting occurred, either Hicks or his father called 911 and gave an erratic report about the crash. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found Fournier on the ground. After the crash, Hicks and his father were taken to the hospital for treatment, and after being released, Hicks was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Calhoun County. Hicks is currently in the Calhoun County Jail and will soon be extradited to Holmes County to face the murder charge. Sheriff Tate says the investigation is still ongoing. We appreciate everyones patience as our investigative team continues to work diligently on this case, stated Sheriff Tate. The pursuit of justice for Marcus Kale Fournier and his loved ones remains our top priority. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. The Shabbat dinner table is more important to Judaism, I was once told, than the church is to Christianity. The ceremonial handwashing, the welcoming of angels, the paean to the women, the singing: its no less of a ritual than commemorating the Last Supper and something Ive long wanted to see. When I was finally invited to one last month, I thought I was fully prepared but Id forgotten one thing. No mobile phones on the Sabbath. We were a few centuries ahead with this digital-detox thing, my host said. The outside world is steadily catching up with this rabbinical wisdom. Smartphones have been banned from British classrooms and Florida has this week outlawed all social media for under-14s. A body of evidence about the harm caused to children seems to be growing all the time. An explosive new book by Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation, argues that children are being damaged after being left to play with digital tools which are too sharp for young minds. The result? An epidemic of misery, anxiety and self-harm. An astonishing 20 per cent of children aged eight to 16 now have a probable mental health condition, according to NHS data, up from 13 per cent seven years ago. Another study found that self-harm in teenage boys has more than doubled over the past decade, up 78 per cent for girls. The number of teenagers being treated for mental health is up by a third in three years. Add to this the surge in antidepressants and a doubling of under-25s saying they are too sick to work and it suggests a rather urgent problem. Haidt traces it to the spread of smartphones. When parents found that tablets could keep children engaged and quiet for hours, they happily deployed the digital nanny. Potties with iPad holders started appearing on Amazon. The typical childs screen time rolled into several hours per day, bringing what Haidt regards as a transition from play-based childhood to phone-based childhood. So children are sucked away from parents and each other and plunged into an alternative universe that is exciting, addictive, unstable and unsuitable for children and adolescents. Today, nine in 10 British children own a smartphone by the age of 11. Almost half do by the age of nine. The devices supplant television, telephones and, often, company. UK figures suggest that most 10 to 15 year olds spend at least three hours on these devices on a school day. American figures suggest the time children spend hanging out with each other has fallen by two-thirds since the turn of the century. As the father of three children aged 16, 14 and 10, Ive had plenty of opportunities to study this phenomenon close-up. My eldest, Alex, once wrote a two-page letter making the case for him to be given a mobile phone after primary school. It would help him grow in independence, he said. Manage his time better. We caved in. I then tried my best to understand a world where, when kids get back from school, they go on chat groups and continue parallel conversations. There are several groups, and each different mix of people has a different tone. So the child has a conundrum: how much (or little) to contribute to each chat? What to say, and in what tone? To some, this is the future of communication and teenagers should learn it as they learn anything else. To Haidt, this is a rotten consensus that forces teenagers to devote a large part of their consciousness perpetually to managing what becomes their online brand to gain acceptance from their peers which is the oxygen of adolescence. And also to avoid online shaming: to stop people being mean about you because youre not in the conversation. It all adds up to what he calls the largest-ever uncontrolled experiment that humanity has ever conducted on children. Florida is just the latest state to act. The law has been changed in Texas, Louisiana and Utah to say that under-18s need parental consent before creating a social media account. Its not hard to see calls for similar laws over here. But are the studies really so clear that new laws are needed? Is it really time to give up on the original idea: that parents teach children how to navigate the digital world as well as the real one? Even Haidts figures show that not all phone use is bad. There is little evidence of harm done, even a sign of some benefit, with less than two hours screen time a day. Tools exist to let parents set limits: deeply unpopular, perhaps, but doable. The wonders of smartphone technology also permit parents from any class to convene and collude via WhatsApp. If all agree to equip their children with an old-school Nokia brick until a certain age, it could work. My hunch is that my generation, to whom this is still bewildering, have been thrown but the generation behind mine, themselves digital natives, will be more savvy. When I spoke to Haidt a few months ago, he mentioned a surprising finding: that religion does seem to offer some protection. A University of Michigan study found secular girls are worst affected, but religious boys the least. So when assessing the mystery of the mental health collapse, Haidt admits that there is another factor: The rapid decline in religious life that has happened to various degrees across Europe. Girls are not so protected by faith, he says, because the smartphone effect Instagram especially is so acute. Why should faith matter at all? The studies dont really say. Churchgoers (like me) would like to think that Christian teaching has always emphasised the danger of judging oneself by the verdicts of others. All religions emphasise that the right thing is seldom the popular thing: its a perennial theme. The Easter story is, after all, about someone who did not end up with very many likes. So often these ancient stories, and the morals therein, take on new relevance in a new age. The studies do not point to any tension between God and smartphones. But as evidence grows on the benefits of rationing screen time, it seems the Shabbat angels might have been watching after all. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The National Park Service recently announced that its sites hosted 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023. Visits were up by 13 million, or 4%, from 2022, continuing an upward trend since the pandemic. For the 109 national park sites that charge entry fees, more visitors mean more resources that can help meet their growing needs. And any funding boost would be a boon given that many parks are struggling to keep pace with their popularity. Today, scores of sites suffer from crumbling roads, deteriorating bridges, failing sewer systems and countless other ailing park assets that have lacked adequate upkeep. The agency estimates that it has a total of $22 billion worth of overdue repairs nationwide. One change, however, could boost parks revenue significantly: charge international tourists higher fees than locals. Adopting that simple approach, used at many national parks around the world and in other outdoor recreation contexts in the U.S., could help parks sustain the growing pressures of booming visitation. Before the pandemic, roughly one-third of all foreign visitors to the United States visited a national park site. If each of those international visitors to a U.S. park paid a $25 surcharge, it would likely raise over $300 million, nearly doubling parks total fee receipts. As travel and tourism continue to edge closer to pre-pandemic levels, that added revenue would ultimately help make sure all visitors can continue to enjoy our national parks for generations to come. Crucially, additional revenue would be dedicated to maintaining ailing parks and improving their stewardship. Rather than being remitted back to the treasury in Washington, D.C., the bulk of park fee receipts are retained and spent where collected. The model empowers superintendents and managers who have the best knowledge about their parks priorities and needs. It also reduces political influence over spending fee revenues. If you travel to a major U.S. national park from abroad, then the price you pay to enter is likely a tiny sliver of your overall trip cost. One study of Yellowstone National Park estimated that the average international visitor paid roughly $4,500 for their total trip. For that traveler, a surcharge of up to $45 would only represent 1% of their total outlay, barely registering in their budget calculations. Other evidence supports the idea that most foreign tourists wouldnt blink at higher entry fees. A 2014 study, for instance, concluded that gas prices affect national park visitation more than admission fees do. If someone is willing to travel thousands of miles to arrive at the park gates of places like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, then asking them to contribute a modest additional amount for the privilege should not faze them. Charging different prices for people from different places is common in many other contexts and countries. Its standard for state wildlife agencies to charge different prices for residents and nonresidents when purchasing hunting or fishing licenses. An out-of-state visitor who wants to hunt big game in Montana, for instance, pays more than $1,200 for licenses and permits, while it costs a resident less than $50 in fees to bag an elk. Moreover, dozens of the most high-profile national park systems around the globe charge more for overseas visitors. At the Galapagos Islands, for example, foreign tourists pay a flat fee of $100, while Ecuadorians pay just $6. In the Chilean Patagonia, foreigners pay about $55 for an extended visit to Torres del Paine National Park, more than triple the $14 paid by locals. A Rwandan can take part in a chimpanzee trek at Nyungwe National Park for $4, while it will cost international tourists roughly $90. At U.S. national parks, adopting a modest surcharge for international visitors could generate big revenue to help address maintenance concerns and improve the experience for everyone. And that will help ensure ailing national parks can continue to be enjoyed now and by future visitors regardless of where they live. Tate Watkins is a research fellow at the Property and Environment Research Center and author of the report How Overseas Visitors Can Help Steward Our National Parks. LONDON (Reuters) - British-American filmmaker Christopher Nolan, fresh from his Oscar victory for historical drama "Oppenheimer", will receive a knighthood from Britain for services to film. His wife and film producer Emma Thomas will receive a damehood, the female equivalent of a knighthood, the British government said on Thursday in a list of honours recommended by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that also included Conservative politicians and tech industry leaders. "Oppenheimer", a blockbuster biopic about the race to build the first atomic bomb, claimed seven Academy Awards earlier this month, including the best picture trophy and Nolan's first best director Academy Award. His career includes other highly regarded films such as "Interstellar," "Inception", "Dunkirk" and the Batman trilogy. Nolan wrote the screenplay for "Oppenheimer" and produced the film with Thomas. Among others to receive a knighthood were Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google's DeepMind. Other figures from the world of artificial intelligence who were honoured include Matthew Clifford, an AI adviser to the British government, and entrepreneur Ian Hogarth, chair of the AI Safety Institute, both of whom were bestowed with CBEs (Commander of the Order of the British Empire.) Billionaire businessman and Conservative Party donor Mohamed Mansour was given a knighthood for business, charity and political service. Sunak doled out awards to his Conservative lawmakers, too - with knighthoods for Philip Davies and Mark Spencer and damehoods for Tracey Crouch and Harriett Baldwin. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was awarded an honorary CBE for services to creative industries. (This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 7) (Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, was arrested Thursday morning on elderly exploitation and fraud charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. Hill, who represents District 5, surrendered herself at FDLEs Orlando Regional Operations Center near downtown Orlando on Thursday morning. Agents said they then took her to the Orange County Jail, where she was booked at 9:45 a.m. on charges including, exploitation of the elderly, fraud, mortgage fraud and scheme to defraud. Read: Who is Regina Hill, the Orlando city commissioner who was arrested? During her booking, Hill refused to provide personal information, including her current address, jail officials said. She faced a judge at about 1 p.m. Thursday. During that hearing, Hill pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the judge granted her a $40,000 bond. Watch the full hearing by clicking here. Hill said nothing as she left the jail at about 2:45 p.m. after paying bail. Click here or scroll below to see video of her departure. Photos: Regina Hill through the years Read: Regina Hill case: Orange County court delays hearing Hill is accused of exploiting a 96-year-old constituent. FDLE agents said Hill used falsified documents to gain power of attorney over the woman, to purchase a home, to obtain loans to renovate that home and to spend more than $100,000 of the womans money on luxuries, including a facelift, perfume and dental surgery. Agents also said that while Hill spent money to renovate the home that she was staying in rent-free -- outside of her district -- Hills own home remained in a dilapidated state. Earlier this month, a judge ordered Hill to stay away from the victim and the home at which Hill was residing. Hill had skipped public appearances since the accusations against her were made public by Channel 9. Read: Notary claims document at center of Hill investigation was altered During a news conference Thursday afternoon, FDLE agents described the allegations as extremely tragic. They revealed that Hills arrest was the culmination of a 13-month-long investigation. Agents said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moodys office contacted FDLE in February 2023 after being notified of allegations that Hill was taking advantage of the community. They said Hill initially used her position as a city commissioner to her own advantage by contacting the constituent. Read: Document: FLDEs accusations against Orlando commissioner Regina Hill The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday morning that Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested after an investigation into accusations of elderly exploitation and fraud. Agents said the victim was unaware of how much power she had signed over to Hill or how much of her money Hill had spent. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told Channel 9 on Thursday that the allegations are extremely unfortunate and concerning. He said that he does not have the authority to suspend Hill or remove her from office. Thats the governors purview, Dyer said. But it is our job to replace the commissioner. He said he will call a special election once the commissioner is suspended. Read: Facelift, perfume & IV: Orlando commissioner investigated for exploiting 96-year-old woman Regina Hill Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill left the Orange County Jail on Tuesday afternoon after paying bail. Orlando commissioner Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, was arrested Thursday morning on elderly exploitation and fraud charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday morning that Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested after an investigation into accusations of elderly exploitation and fraud. GF Default - Raw Regina Hill pushes for bill that protects witnesses GF Default - Raw: Regina Hill speaks to Channel 9 Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, was arrested Thursday morning on elderly exploitation and fraud charges, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said. Attorneys for the victim provided Channel 9 with the following statement: On behalf of (the victim), Ms. Alexander, the attorneys involved and Community Legal Services, we wanted to express our gratitude for the offers from the community to support (the victims) legal and personal needs during this challenging time. It is comforting to know that there are so many people (who) truly care about (the victims) well-being and the well-being of seniors. We would direct any future offers of support to (be emailed to) SupportAMC@clsmf.org. CLS will direct them to the appropriate channels. CLS is a 501(c)(3) and does not charge clients for legal services. On Thursday, Hill called Channel 9s Daralene Jones while Jones was anchoring Eyewitness News at 4 to deny the accusations made against her. Hill told Jones that she and her team of attorneys are determined to fight the charges, and she wants to publicly speak about the case because she feels that she has been silent for far too long. Hill told Jones that she appreciates the support from members of the community who have reached out to her. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates to this developing story. Read our recent coverage on Hills case below: Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill has been indicted by a grand jury on charges related to elder exploitation and fraud, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday morning. She is being held in Orange County jail on a $40,000 bond. The city commissioner, first elected in 2013, represents downtown Orlando and neighborhoods west of Interstate 4 on city council. Her relationship with a 96-year-old constituent is at the center of a months-long investigation of her, which was detailed in an injunction against her handed down by an Orange County judge last week. The indictment filed in Orange County on Wednesday indicates she faces three charges of elder exploitation after she was accused of abusing her power of attorney over the constituent, whose name the Orlando Sentinel is not publishing, and misusing her money. Hill is further charged with two counts of identity fraud and single counts of mortgage fraud and scheming to defraud of at least $50,000. The woman and a family friend who sought the injunction on her behalf allege that Hill met the woman in 2021, soon gained power of attorney over her, and over time drained the womans bank accounts of about $100,000 to pay for home renovations, expensive perfumes, clothing, a facelift and a hotel room in Miami. FDLE had been investigating Hill for more than a year. The agency is hosting a press conference at 2 p.m. The city was informed of Hills arrest Thursday, and said that if shes suspended, theyd move to fill her seat on the city council through a special election. City code outlines a swift process for that. We do not have any authority to discipline an elected official, including suspending them from office, as that power lies with the Governor, said Cassandra Bell, a spokesperson for Mayor Buddy Dyer. As additional background, if the Governor suspends Hill from office, pursuant to the citys charter, we will work with the Supervisor of Elections to hold a special election to temporarily fill the district 5 city commission seat. ------- People visit an exhibition on new technologies and video and audio programs at the 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 28, 2024. The 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention, demonstrating a series of cutting-edge technologies, opened on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Focusing on innovation and industrial upgrades, the three-day event has attracted participating enterprises to display their technologies in 5G+8K, 3D, cloud gaming and other sectors. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) CHENGDU, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention, demonstrating a series of cutting-edge technologies, opened on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Focusing on innovation and industrial upgrades, the three-day event has attracted participating enterprises to display their technologies in 5G+8K, 3D, cloud gaming and other sectors. As one of the new quality productive forces, intelligent internet audio and video has empowered economic growth, promoting the building of cultural power and serving Chinese modernization, Hu Zhengrong, head of the Institute of Journalism & Communication, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said at the opening ceremony. Shen Yang, a professor at Tsinghua University, said the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought people into a stage of "producing high knowledge with zero knowledge," and the AI-generated content (AIGC) short videos are bringing aesthetic values, social values, and emotional values to people. Shen said there will be more and more AIGC videos in the future, and AI assistants will become new partners for humans to transform the world. This event was co-hosted by China's National Radio and Television Administration and the Sichuan provincial government. A visitor learns about a VR device during an exhibition of the 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 28, 2024. The 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention, demonstrating a series of cutting-edge technologies, opened on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Focusing on innovation and industrial upgrades, the three-day event has attracted participating enterprises to display their technologies in 5G+8K, 3D, cloud gaming and other sectors. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Participants walk past a signboard of the 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 28, 2024. The 11th China Internet Audio and Video Convention, demonstrating a series of cutting-edge technologies, opened on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Focusing on innovation and industrial upgrades, the three-day event has attracted participating enterprises to display their technologies in 5G+8K, 3D, cloud gaming and other sectors. (Xinhua/Tang Wenhao) Jason Marley, 53, at his sentencing hearing in Boone County Circuit Court on Wednesday. The owner of a Northern Kentucky car dealership, who prosecutors say harnessed women's drug addictions to force them into sex and made his employees forge title documents, will spend time behind bars. Jason Marley, 53, was sentenced Wednesday afternoon in Boone County Circuit Court to 18 years in prison. Marley pleaded guilty in January to counts including human trafficking, unlawful transaction with a minor, forgery and possession of a controlled substance. Court records show he was indicted in October 2022. The sentence handed down by Judge James Schrand matches a recommendation by prosecutors reached as part of his plea agreement. Marley was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fee to the Human Trafficking Victims Fund and enter into a 10-year protective order with his two victims. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a human trafficking count and not pursue additional charges against Marley or his wife. A 16-year-old girl went to work for Marley doing vehicle paperwork at his Burlington car lot and was paid in cash and drugs, prosecutors said. After the girl turned 18 years old, however, Marley used her struggle with addiction to coerce her into having sex with him at the business and local hotels. The second victim met Marley after responding to a Facebook Marketplace post, prosecutors said in court filings. He asked the woman if she liked to party and gave her drugs, to which she later became addicted. More: Prosecutors take death off table for man accused of killing ex-girlfriend in front of kids Marley then forced the woman into sex by threatening to expose her drug use to her stepfather, who worked in law enforcement. Witnesses told detectives that cameras in the office were aimed at a couch where Marley would have sex, with one employee saying that Marley asked her to recruit small, thin girls and told her she was too big for his taste sexually, prosecutors wrote. Authorities found methamphetamine and forged title documents when they searched his business, prosecutors said. Employees also told investigators that Marley instructed them to forge the signature of a previous notary, whose stamp was no longer valid, onto title applications. Customers constantly complained about bad titles and several cars couldnt be titled due to bad VINs, one of the victims said, according to prosecutors. She even saw Marley spray carburetor cleaner on tags to wipe off the date so a new one could be written on the paper tag. Marley did not make a statement during his sentencing on Wednesday. His attorney, Kate Homan, declined to comment. He understands that his actions enabled others to further their addictions, Homan wrote in a court filing, and for that, he takes full accountability. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKY car lot owner gets prison for using drugs to coerce women into sex A bachelor's degree will soon be offered for Oxnard College dental hygiene students. The California Community College Chancellor's office announced Monday that Oxnard College has full approval to launch a four-year dental hygiene bachelor's degree program. The college plans to welcome its first bachelor's students in fall 2025. "It's tremendous," Luis Gonzalez, the college's vice president of academic affairs, said Wednesday. "We are excited about the opportunity to kick off the program, to provide access for students who are already recognized for their success rates." Oxnard College earned tentative approval for the program in the fall, then spent the intervening months under review for potential conflicts with degree programs in the University of California and California State University systems. With the full approval, the 7,000-student campus joins Moorpark and Ventura colleges as the third and final of the county's community colleges preparing to offer their first-ever bachelor's degrees. Moorpark College plans to launch a biomanufacturing bachelor's track in the fall and Ventura College will start offering a bachelor's degree in automotive career education in fall 2025. Across the state, 39 bachelor's degree programs at 32 community colleges now have a green light from the state chancellor. Another 11 potential programs, including a cybersecurity bachelor's track at Moorpark College, are still waiting for final approval, according to the chancellor's office. More degrees could be on their way. Gonzalez said the three Ventura County Community College District campuses are all exploring more bachelor's programs. Oxnard College's next goal, he said, is to restart a previous attempt to build an "applied advocacy and organizing" bachelor's degree to help develop the next generation of community organizers. "Wherever we think we can develop a baccalaureate program," he said. "We will." Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Oxnard College gets greenlight to offer first bachelor's degree The legend of famed Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and his unconventional behavior has long captivated the imagination of art enthusiasts and historians alike. In one tale about the artist relayed on social media, multiple accounts on Reddit and historian Arthur I. Miller's book "Einstein, Picasso: Space, Time, and the Beauty That Causes Havoc" Picasso was known to carry a Browning revolver loaded with blanks, which he used as a peculiar form of expression and defense against what he perceived as dull or irritating interactions with other people. (@pablocubist/X) The below Instagram post from the account welcome.jpeg has received more than 58,000 likes since it was posted in November 2022. It shows a photo of the artist holding a gun, alongside the caption: "Pablo Picasso carried a revolver loaded with blanks which he used to shoot at people who asked about the meaning behind his paintings or were boring in conversation (1958) He was once arrested because of the gun, and later claimed the police wanted to paint him in a bad light." (welcome.jpeg/Instagram) Inspired by the lifestyle of French writer Alfred Jarry, who also carried a loaded revolver, Picasso reportedly fired blanks at admirers who pestered him with questions about the meaning behind his paintings or insulted the memory of fellow artist Paul Cezanne, whom the Spaniard greatly admired. For a time, Picasso, who died in 1973 at age 91, seemed to be mimicking Jarry, carrying around a Browning revolver of his own, filled with blanks. Per HuffPost, Miller explained: He would fire at admirers inquiring about the meaning of his paintings, his theory of aesthetics, or anyone daring to insult Cezanne's memory. Like Jarry, Picasso used his Browning as a pataphysical weapon, in a sense playing Pere Ubu au natural, disposing of bourgeois boors, morons and philistines. An article published by The New Yorker in 1939 provided a vivid snapshot of Picasso's bohemian existence during his early years as an artist. Describing a scene of youthful exuberance and creative struggle, the article portrayed Picasso as a figure immersed in a world of artistic experimentation and financial uncertainty. Despite his growing fame and influence, his attitude toward his own celebrity remained ambivalent. While he sought recognition for his artistic endeavors, he reportedly despised "the sycophants and hypocrites" who sought to ingratiate themselves with him, according to Arthive. According to the New Yorker story, titled "The Rise of Pablo Picasso": Everybody was, or acted, young; everybody borrowed money from everybody else, and owed money for paint and rent; everybody quarrelled, made love, drank, ate risotto because it was cheap, and worked like a steam engine. Picasso carried a revolver, kept a tame white mouse in a table drawer, couldn't afford even the luxury of painting on his walls as he had when a student in Spain pictures of the furniture he lacked. Accounts suggested that Picasso would react vehemently to flattery, often shouting at and ejecting individuals who dared to venerate him as a "master." On one occasion, exasperated by the perceived insincere adulation of his admirers, he allegedly drew his revolver and fired a shot into the air to assert his disdain for blind reverence. Additional anecdotes from art historian Cyril Barrett's 1959 piece "The Mystery of Pablo Picasso: Harlequin and the Minotaur" further underscored Picasso's enigmatic persona. Barrett recounted how Picasso was purported to have been accosted by two German students eager to know more about his aesthetic theory. In response to their persistent chatter, Picasso reportedly remained silent before drawing his revolver and firing into the air, causing the startled students to flee. Barrett suggested that Picasso's actions were a deliberate assertion of his right to preserve the mystery surrounding his art and persona, to maintain a sense of autonomy and intrigue. While these accounts, which are difficult to confirm, offer tantalizing glimpses into Picasso's idiosyncratic behavior, they also reflect the complex interplay between fame, creativity and personal integrity in the life of an iconic artist. Picasso's apparent use of a gun as a tool of defiance and self-preservation serves as a metaphor for his uncompromising commitment to artistic expression and individuality in the face of societal expectations and awkward inquiry. Snopes has previously written about other famous artists of yesteryear. Sources: "5 Things You Didn't Know About Pablo Picasso." HuffPost, 8 Apr. 2015, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pablo-picasso-trivia_n_7018574. "10 Things You Didn't Know About Pablo Picasso." M.S. Rau, https://rauantiques.com/blogs/canvases-carats-and-curiosities/pablo-picasso. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. Alfred Jarry. https://www.krabarchive.com/ralphmag/jarry.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. Barrett, Cyril. "The Mystery of Pablo Picasso: Harlequin and the Minotaur." Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, vol. 48, no. 189, 1959, pp. 3748. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/30103527. Dubbelboer, Marieke. Ubusing' Culture: Alfred Jarry's Subversive Poetics in the Almanachs Du Pere Ubu. Jan. 2009. www.academia.edu, https://www.academia.edu/64816979/Ubusing_Culture_Alfred_Jarrys_Subversive_Poetics_in_the_Almanachs_du_P%C3%A8re_Ubu. Einstein, Picasso: Space, Time and the Beauty That Causes Havoc | Arthur I. Miller. 20 Feb. 2008, https://arthurimiller.com/books/einstein-picasso/. Facts, Commonplace Fun. "Take a Shot at Guessing Why Picasso Carried a Gun." Commonplace Fun Facts, 1 Nov. 2019, https://commonplacefacts.com/2019/11/01/take-a-shot-at-guessing-why-picasso-carried-a-gun/. Flanner, Janet. "The Rise of Pablo Picasso." The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 1939. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1939/12/09/pablo-picasso-one-man-group. "Https://Twitter.Com/_groww/Status/1637370388173692928." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/_groww/status/1637370388173692928. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. "Https://Twitter.Com/Pablocubist/Status/1766380193420099659." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/pablocubist/status/1766380193420099659. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mindset.therapy/p/C4ltVVNMb8P/?img_index=1. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. ---. https://www.instagram.com/welcome.jpeg/p/Clfcl3cLreo/?img_index=1. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. Jones, Jonathan. "Cezanne Unmasked: The Shattering Portraits That Blew Picasso and the Paris Avant Garde Away." The Guardian, 11 Aug. 2017. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/aug/11/cezanne-unmasked-the-shattering-portraits-that-blew-picasso-paris-avant-garde-away. Madrid, Isambard Wilkinson. Picasso's Bohemian Year and Pyrenean Trip 'Changed the History of Art.' 25 Mar. 2024. www.thetimes.co.uk, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/picasso-bohemian-year-pyrenean-trip-changed-history-of-art-spain-hxncnrkvt. "Picasso Chez Cezanne." France Today, 6 July 2009, https://francetoday.com/archives/picasso-chez-cezanne/. Sidelnikova, Yevheniia. "Let's figure it out: why is Pablo Picasso a great artist?" Arthive, 14 Feb. 2019, https://arthive.com/es/publications/3859~Lets_figure_it_out_why_is_Pablo_Picasso_a_great_artist. The Man, The Myth, Picasso. https://news.masterworksfineart.com/2017/10/19/the-man-the-myth-picasso. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. https://writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88v/jarry.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2024. Stock broker monitors the market on the electronic board displaying share prices at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, in Karachi KARACHI (Reuters) -Pakistan's benchmark stock index hit all-time intraday and closing highs on Thursday, extending a rally following a staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund earlier this month to free up more financial aid for the country. The benchmark KSE-100 touched a record high of 67,246.02 points in intraday trade, surpassing its previous high of 67,093.96 touched on Dec. 13, before settling at 67,142.12 - a record closing high. "Foreign and local institutions buying amid positive news on privatisation and IMF," Topline Securities' Mohammed Sohail said. Overall, the index rose 594.34 points on Thursday, up 0.89% from the previous day's close. Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff level agreement on the second and last review of a nine-month, $3 billion Stand By Arrangement, which, if cleared by the global lender's board, will release about $1.1 billion to the struggling South Asian nation. Both sides have also spoken about negotiating a longer-term bailout and continuing with necessary policy reforms to rein in deficits, build reserves and manage soaring debt servicing. Pakistan's new government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has also resolved to follow through with a long delayed privatisation process of loss-making state-owned enterprises that have drained critical funds from the cash-strapped government. (Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Susan Fenton) FILE - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a conference to support Jerusalem at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 12, 2023. The Palestinian Authority has announced the formation of a new Cabinet as it faces international pressure to reform. President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades and remains in overall control, announced the new government in a presidential decree on Thursday March 28, 2024. None of the incoming ministers are well-known figures. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) The Palestinian Authority has announced the formation of a new Cabinet as it faces international pressure to reform. President Mahmoud Abbas, who has led the PA for nearly two decades and remains in overall control, announced the new government in a presidential decree on Thursday. None of the incoming ministers is a well-known figure. Abbas tapped Mohammad Mustafa, a longtime adviser, to be prime minister earlier this month. Mustafa, a politically independent U.S.-educated economist, had vowed to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. Mustafa will also serve as foreign minister. Interior Minister Ziad Hab al-Rih is a member of Abbas' secular Fatah movement and held the same portfolio in the previous government. The Interior Ministry oversees the security forces. The incoming minister for Jerusalem affairs, Ashraf al-Awar, registered to run as a Fatah candidate in elections in 2021 that were indefinitely delayed. At least five of the incoming 23 ministers are from Gaza, but it was not immediately clear if they are still in the territory. The PA administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Its forces were driven from Gaza when Hamas seized power in 2007, and it has no power there. It has little popular support or legitimacy among Palestinians, in part because it has not held elections in 18 years. Its policy of cooperating with Israel on security matters is extremely unpopular and has led many Palestinians to view it as a subcontractor of the occupation. Opinion polls in recent years have consistently found that a vast majority of Palestinians want the 88-year-old Abbas to resign. The United States has called for a revitalized PA to administer postwar Gaza ahead of eventual statehood. Israel has rejected that idea, saying it will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with Palestinians who are not affiliated with the PA or Hamas. Its unclear who in Gaza would be willing to take on such a role. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said it was too early to make any broad assessments of the new Cabinet and whether it would deliver on the credible and far-reaching reforms that the Biden administration has called for. Hamas has rejected the formation of the new government as illegitimate, calling instead for all Palestinian factions, including Fatah, to form a power-sharing government ahead of national elections. It has warned Palestinians in Gaza against cooperating with Israel to administer the territory, saying anyone who does will be treated as a collaborator, which is understood as a death threat. President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the U.N. General Assembly in 2023. Abbas on Thursday announced a new administration of the Palestinian Authority, which is expected to assume government of the Gaza Strip after the Israel-Hamas war. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI March 28 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday approved the members of a new Cabinet that is expected to take over the Gaza Strip once Hamas is expelled from the region. Prime Minister-designate Mohammad Mustafa submitted the names of 22 new Cabinet members who plan to overhaul the Palestinian Authority amid U.S. and international pressure to form a body capable of governing post-war Gaza. The new administration has plans to facilitate humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip, as well as reconstruction efforts and the reformation of institutions in Gaza and the West Bank. Ziad Hab al-Reeh, former head of the authority's internal intelligence agency, retained his position as interior minister. Former head of the Palestinian Businessmen Association Muhamad al-Amour was appointed as business minister. Prior to his designation as prime minister, Mustafa has served as Abbas' senior economic adviser since 2005 and was minister of the national economy from 2013 to 2014. The United States welcomed the newly formed organization and said it will look to it to implement the necessary reforms. "We will engage with this government based on its actions," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. "We'll be closely tracking the steps it takes to advance key reforms and look forward to engaging with them on that matter." The new Palestinian Authority received little to no praise at home. Tareq Baconi, president of the board of Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, told the Washington Post that the new appointments are "cosmetic adjustments." Raquela Karamson, a spokesperson with the Israeli prime minister's office, said the new administration would offer "no change" unless it changed policies that allowed payments to families of people imprisoned by Israel for terrorism offenses. Hamas has held control of the Gaza Strip since violently ousting the Palestinian Authority in 2007. The authority, meanwhile, has struggled with popularity amid calls for Abbas -- who has been in office for two decades with no new elections -- to step down as president. FILE PHOTO: Israeli raid at Al Shifa hospital and the area around it, in Gaza City FILE PHOTO: Israeli raid at Al Shifa hospital and the area around it, in Gaza City By Stephanie van den Berg and Nidal al-Mughrabi THE HAGUE/CAIRO (Reuters) -The World Court on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel, accused by South Africa of genocide in Gaza, to take all necessary and effective action to ensure basic food supplies to the enclave's Palestinian population and halt spreading famine. But Gaza's Hamas rulers said a ceasefire was needed to halt the humanitarian crisis. The order from the International Court of Justice came as Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters battled in close combat around Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital, where the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they attacked Israeli soldiers and tanks with rockets and mortar fire. Judges at the court said the people in the coastal enclave face worsening conditions. "The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine (...) but that famine is setting in," the judges said in their order. The new measures were requested by South Africa as part of its case that accuses Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the ruling did not go far enough and Israel must be ordered to end its military offensive to halt the suffering. "We welcome any new demands to end this humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and especially in the northern Gaza Strip, but we hoped the court ordered a ceasefire as an absolute solution to all the miseries our people in Gaza are living through, Naim told Reuters. The U.N. Security Council voted on Tuesday to demand an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The United States abstained from, but did not veto, the vote. There was no immediate comment from Israel's Foreign Ministry on the World Court ruling. Israel has said it is making efforts to expand access for humanitarian groups to Gaza overland, through air drops and by ship. Israeli leaders have said Hamas can end the war by surrendering, freeing all hostages it holds in Gaza and handing over for trial those involved in the Oct. 7 attack. The Israeli army said it continued to operate around the Al Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City after storming it more than a week ago. Its forces had killed around 200 gunmen since the start of the operation "while preventing harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment", it said. In a televised statement, chief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said troops operating at the hospital killed Raed Thabet, a Hamas quartermaster whom he described as one of the group's 10 most senior members. SHORTAGES OF FOOD, WATER AND MEDICINE Gaza's health ministry said wounded people and patients were being held inside an administration building in Al Shifa that was not equipped to provide them with healthcare. Five patients had died since the Israeli raid began due to shortages of food, water and medical care, the Hamas-run ministry said. Ismail Al-Thawabta, the director of the Gaza Hamas-run government media office, said the Israeli army was carrying out "field killings and executions against hundreds of civilians", when asked about the army statement. "Everyone inside the Shifa complex are civilians, and there are no military personnel inside the compound," he told Reuters. Al Shifa, the Gaza Strip's biggest hospital before the war, had been one of the few healthcare facilities even partially operational in north Gaza before the latest fighting. It had also been housing displaced civilians. Unverified footage on social media showed its surgery unit blackened by flames and nearby apartments on fire or destroyed. The armed wings of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups said in a statement they "bombed, with a barrage of mortar shells, gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Complex" in a joint operation. Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants who use civilian buildings, including apartment blocks and hospitals, for cover. Hamas denies doing so. At least 32,552 Palestinians have been killed and 74,980 wounded in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the territory's health ministry said on Thursday. Thousands more dead are believed to be buried under rubble and more than 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced, many at risk of famine. The war erupted after Hamas militants broke through the border and rampaged through communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 253 hostages according to Israeli tallies. TWO MORE HOSPITALS BESIEGED In Rafah, where more than a million people have been sheltering, health officials said an Israeli airstrike on a house killed at least 12 people. Israel says it plans a ground offensive into Rafah, in the far south of the enclave, where it believes most Hamas fighters are now sheltering. Its closest ally and main arms supplier the United States opposes such an assault, arguing it would cause too much harm to civilians who have sought refuge there. Israeli forces also continued to blockade Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, while several other areas came under Israeli fire, residents said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said seven people working for the organisation arrested in a raid on Al-Amal hospital on Feb. 9 had been released after 47 days in Israeli prisons. Among them was the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Abu Musabeh. Eight members of the association were still being detained, it said in a statement. Israel said soldiers from its Commando Brigade had arrested dozens of Palestinian militants in the Al-Amal area and discovered explosives and dozens of Kalashnikov-type weapons. The World Health Organization said Al-Amal Hospital had ceased to function due to fighting, leaving just 10 of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip partially operational. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie, Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva; Writing by Ros Russell and Nick Macfie; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Daniel Wallis) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends a meeting with German Foreign Minister at his official residence In Ramallah. Christoph Soeder/dpa Newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has formed a government of technocrats, official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday. President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree expressing his confidence in the government, with 22 of the 23 ministerial posts being newly appointed, according to the report. The move comes amid pressure from the United States, as well as some Arab countries, for the PA to be reformed and revitalized in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Washington wants the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to rule the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel's military operations to oust Hamas there. The PA sees Gaza as part of a potential future Palestinian state. Washington, which is pushing for a two-state solution, believes PA control over Gaza would further that long-sought objective. Israel rejects the plans. Hamas, an Islamist militant group, forcibly expelled the Palestinian Authority from the coastal strip in 2007. According to the media, the ministers of the future technocratic government do not belong to any party. Eight of the ministers are from the Gaza Strip. A number of women are also expected to take up office again. Prime Minister Mustafa will also act as foreign minister. According to reports, the new government will be sworn in on Sunday. President Abbas appointed economist and former World Bank official Mustafa on March 14 amid the reform push, after former prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh submitted his resignation at the end of February under pressure from Washington. According to WAFA, the new government intends to prioritise the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and draw up a plan to provide aid for the territory. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Thursday flight out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport became the first international flight to christen a relatively new airport in Tulum, Mexico. The American Airlines flight left Charlotte for Tulum International Airport, the same day the airport began offering international service. Dallas and Miami are the other two locations offering similar services to the Tulum airport, which debuted in December. As Charlottes Hometown Airline, we are proud to provide our customers direct service to Tulum so they can access its ancient ruins, picturesque landscapes, and white sand beaches like never before, American Airliness Senior VP of Charlotte Hub Operations Ralph Lopez Massas said. Expanding our network across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America is part of our commitment to create the most comprehensive network in the industry. MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS TRAVEL NEWS The service arrives just in time for spring break and will operate year-round daily with flights capable of filling 172 seats. We are excited for American Airlines to offer a nonstop route to beautiful and historical Tulum, Mexico, Charlotte Airport Chief Executive Officer Haley Gentry said. The new route underscores the significance of the American Airlines hub operation at CLT. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. CANBERRA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The head of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has apologized to veterans for deficiencies in support and care systems. Giving evidence on the final day of public hearings for the landmark Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide on Thursday, Chief of the ADF Angus Campbell acknowledged failures in supporting current and former members of the military. "Our people deserve and should rightly expect the wellbeing support and care they need both during and after their service," he said. "I acknowledge that this has not always been the case and has tragically led to the deaths by suicide of some of our people. I apologize unreservedly for these deficiencies." Campbell praised the courage of people who have come forward to give evidence to the inquiry and said the ADF was committed to doing better. According to a report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in November 2023, at least 1,677 current and former ADF members died by suicide between 1997 and 2021. In that period, ex-serving females were twice as likely to die by suicide than the general female Australian population and ex-serving males were 42 percent more likely to die by suicide than the general male population. The royal commission was established by the federal government in 2021 to investigate systemic issues and common themes among current and former ADF members who died by suicide. It has received over 5,800 submissions and heard testimony from more than 300 witnesses at hearings. During a previous appearance before the royal commission in June 2022, Campbell acknowledged that the ADF was not doing enough to address veteran suicide. An interim report handed down by the inquiry in August 2022 called for urgent action to address a backlog of 42,000 veterans' compensation claims, warning the situation could lead to suicides. Three commissioners said at the time that they were dismayed by the government's limited response to more than 50 previous reports relevant to suicide among serving and ex-serving ADF members. The commission is due to hand its final report to the federal government in September. A council has apologised after parents were offered a choice of class photos with or without children with complex needs in them. Parents at Aboyne Primary complained after being sent a link from a photography company offering them alternative pictures. Aberdeenshire Council said the decision was not taken by the school and the link to the photos was immediately removed. Tempest Photography told BBC Scotland News it was investigating the matter and had spoken to both the photographer involved and the school. The company added it had no further comment at this stage. Parents at Aboyne Primary complained about what happened [BBC] It is understand some class photographs were taken before the pupils with additional support needs were brought in. Despite pictures then being taken which included all the pupils, parents were still given the option of both. Tempest is one of the biggest school photography firms. One of Natalie Pinnell's daughters, who has additional support needs, attends the school. "I was unsure why two options were given," she said of her daughter's photos. "To say I was shocked is a massive understatement. "I can't understand how a human can think it's ok to effectively give people the choice to erase children from their class and their history." She added: "The school were amazing, they were absolutely appalled." 'Totally unacceptable' Aberdeenshire Council said in a statement: "We are aware that following Aboyne Primary Schools recent school class photographs, links to purchase the pictures included images with and without complex needs provision pupils. Whilst this was not a decision taken by the school, we absolutely appreciate the distress and hurt this has caused some parents and carers and we are sincerely sorry. "The issue has been taken up with the photography company directly as this is totally unacceptable." The council added: "Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences." Erin was left out of one of the pictures A council has apologised after parents were offered primary school class photos that excluded pupils with complex needs. Parents whose children attend Aboyne Primary in Aberdeenshire were horrified and complained after being sent a link from a photography company offering them two versions of the class pictures. The mother of a child with additional support needs said she was left absolutely heartbroken after her child was removed from her school photo. Natalie Pinnell said it was inhumane that the photographer chose to take two pictures of her daughter Erins P5 class, one including her child and one without. School did not take decision Apologising to the parents, Aberdeenshire council called the decision totally unacceptable and emphasised it was not a decision taken by the school. Tempest Photography, which is based in Cornwall but employs local photographers, told the Aberdeen-based Press and Journal: We are currently investigating the situation with the school, and have no further comment. The company has removed the link to the alternative versions of the class photos at the request of the school, and they are no longer available to purchase. Ms Pinnell said: To give people the option to erase my daughter from history for the sake of optics is frankly inhumane. One of the cruellest things that Ive ever experienced. Me and the other parents just feel devastated beyond belief. Its actually like a physical pain, having your child removed like that. Thankfully Erin isnt aware of it, and neither are the other pupils who were removed. Natalie Pinnell smiling with daughter Erin She praised the support she had received from other parents, who she said were equally outraged and had boycotted purchasing the photos in solidarity with her daughter. Ms Pinnell said she had opened the first of two links she had received from Tempest, and a class photo popped up without Erin. When I asked the head teacher why there were two versions of it, that was the first they knew about it. So they started investigating, she said. Although she praised the schools response, and emphasised it was not to blame, she argued its contract with Tempest should be cancelled. It is understood the school has intimated it will not use the company again. Childs twin cried over photos Lisa Boyds daughter, Lily Nicolson, was also removed from an alternative version of her class photo. Ms Boyd told the Press and Journal: We as a family feel deeply disappointed and frankly furious that the Tempest employee even considered removing Lily, or any other child, from their class photograph. She said Lilys twin sister burst into tears when she learned of what had happened, adding: Shes only nine years old and understands that this was not okay so we cant understand how the photographer could even think this way. It is clear discrimination and sends a terrible message to all parents that the photo might be preferable without these children in it. Lily Nicolson, pictured with her twin sister, was also excluded from alternative photo An Aberdeenshire council spokesman said: We are aware that following Aboyne Primary Schools recent school class photographs, links to purchase the pictures included images with and without complex needs provision pupils. Whilst this was not a decision taken by the school, we absolutely appreciate the distress and hurt this has caused some parents and carers and we are sincerely sorry. The issue has been taken up with the photography company directly as this is totally unacceptable. Aboyne is an inclusive school and every single child should be included, engaged and involved in their learning and school experiences. Tempest Photography was approached for comment. The company told BBC Scotland in a statement it was investigating the matter, that it had spoken to the photographer involved and the school, and that at this stage there was no further comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A section of Hancock's Main Street will be closed, starting Friday, through the weekend so crews can demolish a building that was recently discovered to have partially collapsed inside, Town Manager Michael Faith said Thursday. Main Street will be closed for a short section, from Fulton Street east to Church Street, Faith said on Thursday. Only local traffic will be allowed between Church Street and Taney Street, which is a one-way street south of Main Street, for parking. Port of Baltimore impact: Maryland lawmakers launch effort to aid workers impacted by Baltimore bridge collapse A parking lot that hikers and others use off of Taney Street will still be accessible, Faith said. The 55 W. Main St. building being demolished sits on a hill that backs up to the Western Maryland Rail Trail, overseen by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Therefore, the rail trail also will be closed from Taney Street west to Williams Street. But Faith said there is an easy detour for that section. Rail trail users can go through the parking lot to get back on the trail. Inside the first floor at 55 W. Main St. in Hancock, where part of an upper floor collapsed recently. Photo taken March 25, 2024. The Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park's towpath, farther south on the other side of Canal Street, will not be disrupted by the project, Faith said. People also will be able to access businesses in the area, but can't park in the immediate closure area. Faith said he did not know if the demolition work would continue into Monday. Why does the building need to be demolished? The partially collapsed floors inside 55 W. Main St. were discovered Monday morning when Faith entered the building after noticing Saturday evening that there was some exterior damage. Upon seeing the collapsed floors, Faith said he called Washington County officials. Search and rescue teams from Washington and Montgomery counties, including search dogs, checked out the inside of the building and found no evidence of anyone inside, Washington County Emergency Services Director R. David Hays has said. 55 W. Main St. in Hancock on arch 25, 2024. Town Manager Michael Faith said he discovered partially collapsed floors in the building earlier in the day and called emergency crews. The teams could not physically search the entire building because of safety concerns. But between using the dogs, thermal imaging and yelling out, as well as searching as much as they could physically, they found no evidence of anyone inside, Hays said. Washington County's code official, Greg Cartrette, was on scene Monday. He said then that he was condemning the building and expected it would need to be demolished. Faith said the county issued a demolition order by Tuesday morning to the property owner, Kenneth Apple. Doctors' suite temporarily condemned: No injuries reported after SUV crashes into doctor's office waiting room in Hagerstown Faith said he shared a copy of the demolition order with Apple. After town officials consulted with the town attorney, the town gave Apple seven days to start demolition work. Apple has been cooperative about getting the building demolished, Faith said. Apple, via phone, said Thursday that he had no comment. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Partially collapsed Hancock building to be razed starting Friday (CANON CITY, Colo.) According to Kristy Gotham, the Public Information Officer for Canon City, the partial building collapse that occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, displaced one family and two businesses, but fortunately, there were no injuries. The eastern wall of 612 Main Street gave way, revealing the interiors of ground-floor businesses and the upper-floor apartment. The family is staying with relatives, and all utilities have been shut off to the building. The parking lot next to the collapsed wall was originally an opera house at 614 Main Street, according to Gotham, who received the information from the Royal Gorge Museum and History Center. The opera house was built in the late 1880s and was later converted into a bowling alley. Part of the roof collapsed in October 1959, due to a snowstorm that dumped 24 inches of heavy snow. In 1967, the building was torn down and the space was turned into a parking lot. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Partial building collapse in downtown Canon City A structural engineer is assessing the building, and The Building Department is working with the owner to identify the cause, which has yet to be determined. An asbestos company is also on-site to assess whether the presence of asbestos is a concern. Until officials can determine what happened, public access is restricted for safety precautions. Courtesy: FOX21 News viewer Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News Photographer, Lilia Onstott Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Sean Scott Once the cause of the collapse and the structural integrity of the rest of the building is determined, the Citys Building Department will decide whether the building needs to come down or can be restored. The historic nature of the building is being considered, as it was built in 1888. The Economic Development team has contacted business owners to offer assistance during this time. If community members of Canon City have any concerns about the structural integrity of a building, they should contact the Citys Building Official, Kathy Ulsh at (719) 269-9011. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Green Bay School Board candidates, from left, Alex Mineau, Kou Lee and Andrew Becker take part in a candidates forum March 21 in the Brown County Central Library in Green Bay. This story will be updated as candidate and committee campaign finance reports become available. GREEN BAY Over 15 school board seats are up for election in the Green Bay area, and despite the positions being nonpartisan, local political parties have shelled out endorsements and cash to candidates. Here's a look at who is backing who in Green Bay, De Pere, Ashwaubenon, Howard-Suamico and Pulaski. Green Bay School Board candidate endorsements Four candidates are vying for two seats: Andrew Becker, Kou Lee, Alex Mineau and Paul Boucher. Becker, who is the incumbent seeking his eighth term on the board, racked up endorsements from both the Democratic and Republican parties of Brown County. He is also endorsed by the teachers union Wisconsin Education Association Council and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, a national federation of 60 unions. Becker received $1,000 from the Green Bay teachers union political action committee and over $34,000 in non-monetary contributions from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Hear from the candidates: Here are Green Bay School Board candidates' thoughts on Tiller's resignation, closings Lee is endorsed by the Democratic Party of Brown County, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO and the state teachers union WEAC. He received $1,000 from the Green Bay teachers union political action committee and $500 from the Democratic Party of Brown County. He also got about $35,000 in non-monetary contributions from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Mineau is endorsed by the Republican Party of Brown County. The candidates' campaign finance reports are not yet available on the city of Green Bay's website so not all contributions are known. De Pere School Board candidate endorsements Scott Hemauer, Joel Neuville, Matthew Petersen and Brandy Tollefson are running for De Pere School Board. Both Hemauer and Neuville are endorsed by local Republicans while Petersen and Tollefson are endorsed by local Democrats and the teachers union. Peterson is also listed as the preferred candidate by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Hemauer self-funded his campaign, and Neuville while mostly self-funded, had a few contributions from individuals ranging from $100 to $250. Hear from the candidates: De Pere School Board candidates share stances on flag banning, building new high school Both Petersen and Tollefson received $250 from the teachers union (WEAC) and $500 from the Democratic Party of Brown County. The two also got $6,200 each in non-monetary contributions from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Notable individual contributions to Peterson and Tollefson's campaigns include De Pere School Board President Adam Clayton and Christy Welch, the chair of the Democratic Party of Brown County. They both donated $50 to each candidate. Kristina Shelton, who represents Green Bay in the state Assembly, donated $100 to Petersen. De Pere also has a $23.75 million operational referendum on the ballot that the teachers union and Democratic Party of Brown County endorse. Local Republicans are against the referendum. Ashwaubenon School Board candidate endorsements Both Ashwaubenon School Board candidates Brian Anderson and Scott Kirst are endorsed by the Democratic Party of Brown County while Kirst also has the backing of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. Kirst filed that he was exempt from campaign finance reports while Anderson said he was not exempt. The Ashwaubenon School District has been on spring break since the latest filing deadline, so contributions to Anderson's campaign are unknown. Howard-Suamico School Board candidate endorsements Howard-Suamico School Board incumbents Gregory Klimek and Vanessa Moran are both endorsed by the Republican Party of Brown County while Pooja Bambha-Arora is endorsed by the Democrats. Bambha-Arora is also backed by the teachers union (WEAC) and the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. She is the only candidate who is not exempt from filing, according to campaign finance records. She received $500 from the Democratic Party of Brown County and $254 in non-monetary support from the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Hear from the candidates: Here are Howard-Suamico School Board candidates' thoughts on education, book removals Green Bay School Board President Laura McCoy donated $48 and Green Bay City Council candidate Barbara Dorff donated $100 to Bambha-Arora's campaign as well. Pulaski School Board candidate endorsements The only contested race for the Pulaski School Board is the at-large seat where Steve Liegl and Jennifer Rybicki are on the ballot. Liegl is endorsed by local Republicans while Rybicki is by local Democrats. Leigl received $150 from the WEC Energy Group PAC and raised $1,360 from individual contributions. WEC Energy Group is the parent company of Wisconsin Public Service and We Energies, two energy companies based in the region. Rybicki raised $550 from individual contributions. Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Here are Green Bay, De Pere, HSSD school board candidate endorsements Some patients personal information was compromised in a 2023 data breach that Brigham and Womens Physician Organization (BWPO) became aware of in January, according to authorities. A spokesperson for the company says this notification to patients is a follow-up to a cyberattack on multiple major Massachusetts health insurers last year. According to officials, on January 29, 2024, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care informed BWPO that a file on a Harvard Pilgrim server from 2019 that contained a limited amount of patient data from Brigham and Womens was affected in a data breach. BWPO does not own or operate Harvard Pilgrim. On April 17, 2023, Harvard Pilgrim became aware of a cybersecurity ransomware incident, determining that it happened sometime between March 28, 2023, and April 17, 2023, according to officials. Investigators found that an employee at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, who was also employed at BWPO part-time, reportedly backed up the contents of their laptop in 2019 to Harvard Pilgrims systems. Harvard Pilgrim then determined that this 2019 file had been accessed by an unauthorized third party in connection to the 2023 ransomware attack. In January 2024, Brigham and Womens says it became aware that some personal information of patients, including name, address, phone number, date of birth, medical record number, health insurance number, and limited clinical information between January 1, 2017, and May 1, 2019 (like lab results, procedures, medications, and diagnoses) was disclosed in the data breach. A spokesperson for BWPO says no Social Security Numbers, financial account numbers, or debit/credit card numbers were compromised, and affected individuals have been notified. Although the incident did not occur on BWPO systems, BWPO is fully committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information, a spokesperson wrote in a press release. BWPO has taken appropriate steps to address this matter and prevent something like this from happening in the future. Individuals who have any questions or would like further information about this matter can call the following toll-free number: 833-294-2020 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, or can contact BWPO by email at bwhcHIPAA@partners.org. 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 Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler faced a judge Thursday after he was arrested earlier this month for allegedly driving drunk in North Providence, Rhode Island. Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, was arraigned in a Rhode Island courtroom on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, refusing a chemical test, and stopping at a prohibited intersection. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf. At request of his attorney, the judge granted Butler permission to travel while his case plays out in court. Officers found Butlers white Mercedes Benz E300 parked in the westbound lane of Mineral Spring Avenue, blocking traffic just before 3:30 a.m. on March 16, according to a North Providence police report. Butler allegedly told officers that he was coming from a studio in Providence where he was making music. In the report, police stated there was a strong odor of alcohol on Butlers breath, his speech was very slurred, and his eyes were severely bloodshot. When asked if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages before the traffic stop, Butler told the responding officer, Just take me to jail, according to the police report. Butler then allegedly refused to submit to a series of field sobriety tests. Butler, who played 9 years in the NFL, is best known for intercepting Russel Wilson at the goal line in Super Bowl XLIX, securing the New England Patriots fourth title. He announced his retirement earlier this month. Butler is due back in court on April 18. FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2015, file photo, New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL football's Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. New England won 28-24. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) GF Default - Julian Edelman, Malcolm Butler join FOX25 News FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 01: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) defends an incomplete pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (15) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) WESTWOOD, CA - JULY 16: Football player Malcolm Butler attends the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2015 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on July 16, 2015 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21), strong safety Patrick Chung (23), and cornerback Eric Rowe (25) wait for their team photo to be made in U.S. Bank Stadium Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Patriots are scheduled to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws as he is defended by Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots in the second half during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: Marqise Lee #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is defended by Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots after a catch in the first quarter during the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has warned of the negative effect that presumptive GOP 2024 nominee Donald Trump will have on down-ballot Republican candidates. I think were going to lose more seats than we otherwise would with Trump because there are just too many suburban swing voters that just dont like him, that therefore vote against Republicans, Ryan said in an interview with Southern Methodist Universitys student-run Daily Campus on Tuesday. Former GOP hopeful Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the Republican primary race after Super Tuesday, would have been a more unifying presidential candidate, he suggested. Ryan said he didnt subscribe to the nationalist populism of Trump, which is where the bulk of Republicans are right now, and also called the current GOP a cult of personality tied to Trump rather than based on a set of principles. Fmr. GOP Speaker Ryan: I think we're going to lose more seats than we otherwise would have with Trump because there are just too many swing voters that don't like him, that therefore vote against Republicans pic.twitter.com/WO0rJsnlDv DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) March 27, 2024 Ryan was a fierce critic of Trump before his surprise 2016 election win over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. As House speaker, Ryan worked with the then-president and passed major tax cuts before announcing his retirement from Congress in 2018 and joining the board of Fox Corp. Watch the full interview here: Related... The U.S. Department of Defense rolled out its plan to shield suppliers from digital sabotage amid growing concern about cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The Pentagon on March 28 made public its 2024 Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Strategy, proffering four goals and many more objectives. Among them are widespread adoption of cybersecurity best practices, preservation of supply chains critical to military manufacturing, and improved communication between public and private sectors. Our adversaries understand the strategic value of targeting the defense industrial base, David McKeown, the deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity, told reporters at the Pentagon. We have, departmentally, started paying a lot more attention to it and engaging with the companies. The Defense Departments pool of contractors and related resources is under constant threat of online harassment and foreign influence. Both Russia and China are known to prod U.S. companies for their closely held designs. The National Security Agency, FBI and other federal entities in October 2022 said hackers managed to inflitrate a company, sustain persistent, long-term access to its network and abscond with sensitive information. The victim went unnamed. Years prior, Chinese-sponsored cyberattacks breached a Navy contractors computers, jeopardizing info tied to work on an anti-ship missile, Defense News reported. Biden picks Armys Sulmeyer for Pentagon cyber policy post Pentagon suppliers are considered critical infrastructure alongside water, food and energy facilities, health-care firms, and transportation systems. Attacks occur often, and attackers can dogpile on flaws that go ignored, according to McKeown. In this day and age, especially in the United States of America, everybody should believe the power of the hacker, he said. Its been proven out numerous times. The cybersecurity strategy nests with the Defense Departments higher-profile guidance: the 2022 National Defense Strategy, the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy and this years National Defense Industrial Strategy. Publication comes weeks after the department introduced its fiscal 2025 budget blueprint, which included $14.5 billion for cyber activities. The figure is about $1 billion more than the Biden administrations previous ask. Its also up from FY23, when it sought $11.2 billion. People throughout the country will celebrate the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. That day, the moon will pass between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. In addition to the U.S., the eclipse will pass over Mexico and Canada. States in the path of the eclipse are Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. This will be the last total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. until 2044. The last one was Aug. 21, 2017. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Norwich beginning at 2:14 p.m. on April 8. At that time, the moon will become visible over the suns disk, according to TimeAndDate.com. Columbus astrophotographer Joe Renzetti captured this image of a 2017 total solar eclipse in Kentucky. Heres how people in Connecticut will celebrate this rare occurrence. Killingly Public Library, 25 Westcott Road, Danielson From March 1 through April 30, the Killingly Public Library will hold its Discover the Solar Eclipse reading challenge. Participants can earn badges for reading books. The more participants read and engage in activities, the more badges they can unlock. Those interested can register on the Killingly Public Librarys website or through the Beanstack app. In addition, the Killingly Public Library will hold an event on Saturday, April 6 called Preparing for the Solar Eclipse. This program, which is geared towards children ages 6 to 10, is designed to provide facts and information about the eclipse and prepare children for what to expect. Registration is required. To register for the event, fill out the form on the librarys website or call 860-779-5383. Killingly Public Library. Solar eclipse viewing, 301 Great Neck Road, Waterford Come and learn all about the solar eclipse and participate in activities with CT State Parks, CT State Library, UConn Extension, Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment and Camp Harkness staff and volunteers. This event will take place from 1 to 4:45 p.m. on April 8. To allow access to both parks and the beach, the program will take place at Camp Harkness, Harkness Memorial State Park and Waterford Beach. Parking will be at Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Road in Waterford. Participants should look for signs directing them to the event. Solar eclipse glasses. Solar telescopes as well as eclipse viewing glasses (while supplies last) will be available at the event. Luigies Pizza and Jumping Cow Ice Cream will be available to purchase. Guests can also visit the job fair while at the event. Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford will host eclipse activities throughout the day on April 8. There will be a live viewing, as well as interactive exhibits and activities. There will also be a livestream of the total solar eclipse in the theater at the science center. More: When is the 2024 total solar eclipse? Your guide to glasses, forecast, where to watch. Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, 355 Prospect St., New Haven A viewing party for the partial solar eclipse will take place at Yale Universitys Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium. A limited supply of eclipse glasses will be given out at the event, so guests should bring their own just in case. Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Ave., Durham The Durham Public Library will host two events that pertain to the solar eclipse on April 8. On Monday, April 1, guests will learn how to safely view the upcoming solar eclipse during The Eclipse and the Spring Sky event. Every attendee will receive a pair of glasses to view the eclipse on April 8. On April 8, the library will host an eclipse viewing party, complete with interactive activities as well as arts and crafts. To register for both events, visit the Durham Public Librarys website. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Solar eclipse events in Conn. at Killingly, Durham Library, also Yale BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Breaking stereotypes, Fu Zai, a six-month-old corgi, is ready to sniff out trouble as China's first police dog of this breed. The adorable corgi, after making his debut recently at the open day event held at a police camp in the city of Weifang in east China's Shandong Province, went viral thanks to the iconic smiley face, cute "little short legs" and outstanding skills in bomb searching. At just two months old, Fu Zai had already demonstrated performance and capabilities that surpassed many police dogs of the same age. Wang Yanan, head of the police dog base at the Weifang public security bureau, described this lovely four-legged recruit as a dog that shows a "desire to advance." Fu Zai showed unique advantages and consistently excelled as an "A-student" during his initial training days. Despite being listed as a reserve police dog, Fu Zai still shoulders a substantial workload, engaging in training sessions that include obedience exercises, bomb searches and scent tracking, scheduled every morning and afternoon. "He has strong adaptability to the environment, he is not sensitive, and his desire for possession of items, along with his love for food, are conducive to our training," Wang said, adding that Fu Zai's dedication serves as a compelling rebuttal to many doubts. Following four months of training, Fu Zai is now capable of crawling directly under vehicles for investigations, or smoothly entering narrow indoor spaces by taking advantage of his short legs and tiny body shape. His adorable appearance is also expected to strengthen the bond between the police dogs and the public. However, as a newcomer, Fu Zai still requires further training to adapt to complex environments before assuming any official duties. "Police dogs are not just cute, their trainers invest significant effort to meticulously train them to become highly skilled professional dogs," Wang said. A 56-year-old man who was arrested as part of investigations into the murder of Peter McCormack has been released from custody following questioning. The police investigation continues. Peter McCormack, who was 42, was shot dead when two gunmen burst into the Thierafurth Inn in Kilcoo on 19 November 1992. Three other customers, including a 69-year-old man who was registered blind, were injured in the attack. Two people arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder were released following questioning. The 56-year-old man was arrested in Belfast on Thursday morning. The 1992 attack is believed to have been carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The bar was full of customers who were about to take part in a charity darts match when the gun attack happened. Police believe the gunmen made their escape in a grey Ford Orion car, which was found abandoned a few miles away from the bar in Tollymore Forest Park. The car had been stolen from an address in east Belfast earlier in the day. Issuing a fresh appeal for information in 2023 - on the 31st anniversary of the murder - police said Mr McCormack was "an innocent victim of a sickening sectarian attack". GUINEA, Va. (WAVY) The Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded to a house fire in Gloucester County on March 8. According to officials, units were dispatched to Guinea at 6:29 p.m. for reports of a residential fire. Crews arrived to the scene to find a two story house, with the upper level completely engulfed in flames. With help from the Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, the fire was considered under control and all units cleared the scene by 9:23 p.m. Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire Guinea house fire Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire Guinea house fire Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) Guinea house fire (Courtesy: Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue) The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and no injuries were reported. The Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue also reported several other incidents on March 8, including three motor vehicle accidents, two of which involved entrapment. We are immensely proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by our firefighters and our partners during these demanding situations, Assistant Chief Jay Parlett said. Their tireless efforts are a reflection of their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. PORT ALLEN, La. (BRPROUD) A Tuesday morning crash in Port Allen left one person dead. Louisiana State Police said Paul Russell David Jr., 49, of Plaquemine was killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 190 just east of LA 415 near Industrial Boulevard around 11 a.m. on March 26. LSP said David was driving in a 2017 Nissan Rogue on US 190 in the left lane behind a 2024 Western Star dump truck. For reasons still under investigation, the Nissan struck the back of the dump truck while it was stopped, preparing to make a left turn into a private driveway, state police said. The Nissan overturned and went off the road to the right. Troopers said David was wearing a seatbelt but died as a result of the crash. The driver of the dump truck was also wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the crash, LSP said. 6 arrested, 1 wanted by West Baton Rouge deputies in car theft investigation Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists the importance of making good decisions while in motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, always ensure every occupant is properly restrained, and follow all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death, LSP said. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Tonight continues the chances for showers, mainly before midnight. Well see a bit of a lull before dawn with temperatures only dropping a couple of degrees into the low to mid 40s. A southeast breeze will occasionally gust above 20 mph, adding an extra chill to the damp and chilly feel already provided by Mother Nature. Thursday sees high pressure make a return to the region from the west with temperatures cooler with a northwest flow kicking in. Itll be breezy at times, with gusts up to 25 mph expected. As a result, we will see high temperatures about fifteen degrees cooler than Wednesday as we only reach the low 50s. Good Friday will be a beauty of a day with high pressure in control to our west and temperatures warming back up into the mid 50s. It will be a breezy day, adding a little bite to the warmer temperatures with a strong area of high pressure nearby and our area of low pressure strengthening as it heads into New England. That increasing change in pressure will enable wind gusts in excess of 30 mph to be possible. Saturday brings the risk for a few showers, but at this point, there should be plenty of dry time, as a warm front scoots through to our north. Well see temperatures jump nicely as a result of the southerly breeze behind that warm front, with highs jumping into the 60s. The morning should be dry but the afternoon will feature a few chances for sprinkles. Easter Sunday looks to remain mild but the chances for showers will be around with a cold front passing as an area of low pressure looks to scoot through the Ohio River Valley. Although it doesnt look like a washout at this point, the chances for showers will try to put a damper on the Easter bunnys visit. Despite the showers, its a warm day in store with highs in mid 60s. Monday will look to begin on a soggy note with another system pushing through the region. That will keep the chances for showers around. A stout southerly breeze will push temperatures up into the upper 60s. Tuesday continues with more chances for rain with yet another soggy day on the way with a cold front scooting through. This will result in cooler temperatures for midweek and perhaps a thunderstorm or two on Tuesday with highs in the mid 60s. This soggy pattern between Saturday and Tuesday will have the potential to drop some impressive rainfall totals during that timeframe. Though it wont fall all at once, the potential for a couple of inches will be possible, with locally heavier amounts possible. A tick removal kit should be a staple in your house this spring Wednesday keeps our chances around with scattered showers as the last day of our soggy pattern commences. Rain showers should be light but will keep the roadways damp. With a northwest breeze, we will be much cooler, with highs around 50. The importance of fire safety during dry spring weather Looking ahead, temperatures will return to the mid to upper 50s for Thursday with partly sunny skies. From there, we warm back up into the 60s for Friday and Saturday and we should be dry with high pressure in control! 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 Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. THURSDAY Mostly sunny. Cooler and breezy. Highs in the low 50s. GOOD FRIDAY Sunny but breezy once again. Highs in the upper 50s. SATURDAY Few showers possible in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. EASTER SUNDAY Few rain showers. Still mild. Highs in the mid 60s. MONDAY Shower chances persist in scattered form. Warm! Highs in the upper 60s. TUESDAY Showers likely. Highs in the mid 60s. WEDNESDAY More scattered shower. Highs near 50. THURSDAY Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. FRIDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the 60s. SATURDAY Partly sunny. Highs in the 60s. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on March 28 that he arrived in Poland for meetings with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, and other Polish government officials. Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the outbreak of the full-scale war, donating some $3.2 billion in military aid and hosting around 1 million Ukrainian refugees. In the past few months, Polish-Ukrainian relations have been somewhat strained by the ongoing disputes over agricultural trade and intermittent blockades by Polish truckers and farmers at Ukraine's border. The talks are expected to focus on Polands military aid for Ukraine, the situation at the Polish-Ukrainian border, and "development of trade and infrastructure," Shmyhal said in a post on X. "We count on a pragmatic and constructive dialogue and the development of effective solutions," he added. Amid Shmyhals trip, Polish farmers temporarily stopped blocking one of the border crossings with Ukraine, Uhryniv-Dolhobychuv, Ukraine's State Border Guard reported on March 28. It added that cargo vehicles can pass without delay in both directions. Read also: Opinion: Europe has a Russian fossil fuel addiction Polish farmers launched a new blockade at Ukraine's border in February in response to Ukrainian agricultural imports and EU environmental policies. The two key demands by Polish farmers include higher subsidies and the postponement of the Green Deal, which aims to halve pesticide use, lower fertilizer use, and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Poland's Economic Development and Technology Minister Krzysztof Hetman told Radio Lublin on March 25 that talks on creating a licensing system for trading Ukrainian goods have progressed and may be completed in the coming days. Warsaw has also recently decided to double its commitment to the Czech-led initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A prison housing 700 offenders was at the centre of a major emergency on Thursday when 15 prisoners and staff were taken ill after eating curry. The suspected food poisoning incident saw at least eight police, ambulance and fire service teams sent to HMP Lewes near Brighton, with three prisoners and three civilian staff treated in hospital. A decontamination tent was set up at the jail while Eastbourne District General Hospital declared a major incident and closed its site as it prepared to treat the victims who had eaten the curry after an Easter Maundy service in the prison chapel. A prison source said inmates and staff became ill very shortly after eating the curry. Victims began vomiting and, in the time it took for staff to be called, some were slurring their words, giddy and in distress. A source said there was initial concern among paramedics that the prisoners had been poisoned with fentanyl or a synthetic opioid. The prison kitchen was locked down. However, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) sources discounted drugs as the cause. Police are understood to be working on the theory that it was an accidental food poisoning but could not rule out other possibilities until tests on the food had been completed. The MoJ said the kitchen had reopened within hours after being deemed safe. It said the jail had not gone into lockdown and no one was in a life-threatening condition. Eastbourne Hospital also stood down its major incident status. Former prisoners include the Krays and Mick Jagger HMP Lewes is a mens prison that holds about 700 inmates in a mix of one and two-man cells. It is a category B prison, which is the second most secure of the four British prison categories, and holds sentenced and on-remand prisoners who are taken directly from courts in the local area. Reggie Kray and Sir Mick Jagger both spent time inside HMP Lewes. Kray, the twin brother of Ronnie, was imprisoned in the Victorian jail after being sentenced to life for murder in 1969. Jagger was remanded to the prison in June 1967 before sentencing for the possession of amphetamine pills. Khalid Masood, the terrorist responsible for the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, served two prison terms in HMP Lewes in the 2000s, one for grievous bodily harm and a second for possession of an offensive weapon. Suspected food poisoning South East Coast Ambulance Service, East Sussex Fire Service and Sussex Police confirmed they had attended what was described as a medical incident at the East Sussex jail at about 12:30pm. A spokesman for the Prison Service said: We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food poisoning incident at HMP Lewes. A spokesman for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: Earlier today, Eastbourne District General Hospital was stood up to potentially receive casualties following an incident at HMP Lewes. We have now been stood down. Care at the hospital has not been affected, and continues to operate as usual. Maria Caulfield, the MP for Lewes, posted on X, formerly Twitter: Concerned to hear about the incident at Lewes prison. Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected. 06:01 PM GMT This live blog is now closed Thank you for following our live coverage of the poisoning at HMP Lewes. 05:27 PM GMT In pictures: Emergency response at HMP Lewes The emergency services responded to the poisoning at HMP Lewes on Thursday afternoon - Anahita Hossein-Pour/PA Wire A member of a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) team on standby outside HMP Lewes - JON SANTA CRUZ 05:00 PM GMT Paramedics initially feared fentanyl was responsible Paramedics initially feared that those who fell ill had been poisoned by fentanyl or another form of synthetic opioid, it has been reported. A source briefed by prison staff told the BBC that the prison kitchen, which is staffed by civilians and vetted prisoners, was locked down. The Ministry of Justice told the BBC that the kitchen later reopened after being deemed safe. 04:34 PM GMT Inmates and staff fell ill after eating curry Inmates and staff at HMP Lewes are believed to have fallen ill after eating a curry, it has been reported. The victims are said to have eaten the food after a Maundy service and became ill in a very short space of time, a source told the BBC. They began vomiting and slurring their words and were giddy and in distress, according to the broadcaster. 04:29 PM GMT Three prisoners and three civilians now in hospital The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that three prisoners and three civilian staff have been taken to hospital after the medical incident at HMP Lewes this afternoon. Food poisoning is believed to be responsible and there is no evidence suggesting drugs were involved. No one is in life-threatening condition, the spokesperson added. A Prison Service spokesperson said: We are working with the emergency services to deal with a suspected food poisoning incident at HMP Lewes. The three civilians who are in hospital are believed to be chaplaincy staff, according to the BBC. 04:07 PM GMT Reggie Kray and Mick Jagger among former Lewes inmates Reggie Kray and Mick Jagger both spent time inside HMP Lewes. Kray, the twin brother of Ronnie, was imprisoned in the Victorian jail after being sentenced to life for murder in 1969. Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stone, also spent time inside Lewes on remand ahead of his June 1967 sentencing for the possession of amphetamine pills. Khalid Masood, the terrorist responsible for the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack, served two prison terms in HMP Lewes in the 2000s, one for grievous bodily harm and a second for possession of an offensive weapon. 03:47 PM GMT Local MP concerned by incident Maria Caulfield, the Tory MP for Lewes, has said she is concerned by the incident at HMP Lewes. Concerned to hear about the incident at Lewes prison, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected. Concerned to hear about the incident at Lewes prison. Emergency services are on scene and it is important to let them deal with the situation in looking after those affected Maria Caulfield MP (@mariacaulfield) March 28, 2024 03:43 PM GMT Prisoners got sick after chapel service The affected prisoners got sick after attending a service at HMP Lewess chapel, Home Affairs Editor Charles Hymas reports. A source at HMP Lewes said: They all got sick after going to a religious event at a chapel service with food at the end of it. Its either a case of food poisoning or spiking, but its happened far too quickly for it just to be food poisoning. It sounds like food prepared in the kitchen has been spiked. 03:37 PM GMT Eastbourne hospital stood down from poisoning response Eastbourne District General Hospital, which had been prepared to receive casualties from HMP Lewes, has now been stood down. Signs were outside the hospital in Eastbourne, East Sussex, earlier today which said it was closed due to a major incident. A spokesman from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: Earlier today, Eastbourne District General Hospital was stood up to potentially receive casualties following an incident at HMP Lewes. We have now been stood down. Care at the hospital has not been affected, and continues to operate as usual. People are instead said to have been sent to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, according to The Argus local newspaper. The hospital has been contacted for comment. 'Major incident' signs were initially placed outside Eastbourne hospital before it was stood down - DAN JESSUP / EDDIE MITCHELL 03:29 PM GMT Fire service at the scene East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are also at the scene. We can confirm that we are in attendance at the prison and are currently working with other agencies, a spokeswoman said. We have a number of officers in attendance. 03:22 PM GMT Sussex Police in attendance at HMP Lewes A Sussex Police spokesman said: Sussex Police are assisting the ambulance service following the report of a medical incident at HMP Lewes at around 12.30pm on Thursday (28 March). 03:18 PM GMT Watch: Ambulances on the scene at HMP Lewes Ambulances have been filmed outside HMP Lewes, where the emergency services are responding to a poisoning outbreak. 03:14 PM GMT Eastbourne hospital closed due to major incident Signs on the Eastbourne District General Hospital say it has been closed due to a major incident, The Argus local newspaper has reported. A green decontamination tent has also been set up outside the hospital, which is 17 miles south-east of HMP Lewes. 03:12 PM GMT Chemical incident van outside HMP Lewes A chemical incident support van has been pictured outside HMP Lewes, The Argus local newspaper has reported. The incident support unit CBRN van, which stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, belongs to South East Coast Ambulance Service. 03:09 PM GMT What is HMP Lewes? HMP Lewes is a mens prison in Lewes, East Sussex, in south-east England. It holds 692 prisoners in a mix of one- and two-man cells. It is a category B prison, which is the second most secure of the four British prison categories. It holds sentenced and on remand prisoners who are taken directly from courts in the local area. HMP Lewes is a men's category B prison in East Sussex - Eddie Mitchell/Dan Jessup 02:56 PM GMT Emergency services rush to prison At least eight ambulance, police and fire service teams have been reported at the scene at HMP Lewes in the ongoing incident. The incident was reported to South East Ambulance Service at midday and paramedics were dispatched to the prison. At least two people are said to be in a life-threatening condition, The Argus has reported, although this has not been confirmed by emergency services. A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service told The Argus: We can confirm we are attending an incident at HMP Lewes reported to us at approximately midday today, March 28. 02:50 PM GMT Two prisoners fighting for life and 15 fallen ill At least two prisoners are fighting for their life and 15 have fallen ill in a suspected poisoning at HMP Lewes, it has been reported. The South East Ambulance Service told The Mirror it had responded to an incident at the category B prison in East Sussex. 02:49 PM GMT Pictured: Emergency services at the scene Police are in attendance - Eddie Mitchell An incident support van - Eddie Mitchell 02:46 PM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage We are bringing you the latest as an incident, reported to be a suspected poisoning, unfolds at HMP Lewes in East Sussex. 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. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (L) said he hope to have 'pragmatic and constructive' talks with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk (R) (Wojtek Radwanski) Poland's prime minister on Thursday hosted his Ukrainian counterpart for long-awaited talks designed to ease friction over Ukrainian farm imports and border blockades by disgruntled Polish farmers. Poland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine as it fights off a Russian invasion, but ties have soured over the past months over economic disputes, with farmers complaining that imports from Ukraine have undercut prices for their own produce. On Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed his counterpart Denys Shmygal to Warsaw, with Ukrainian flags hoisted outside the seat of government and the anthems of both countries played by the military band. "There will be no safe Europe without a free Ukraine," Tusk said on X (formerly Twitter) as the talks began. Kyiv has repeatedly urged its EU neighbour to ease the cross-border traffic snarls, warning that delays triggered by the blockades could impede weapons deliveries to the country. "We count on a pragmatic and constructive dialogue and the development of effective solutions," Shmygal said on social media. So far, only lower-level talks between the countries have been held, with little sign of progress. The Polish side has sought to tone down expectations before the latest meeting. "It is hard to expect any breakthrough after these talks, any particular agreement... on agricultural issues," Tusk's chief of staff Jan Grabiec told the Polish state news agency PAP. "There are divergent positions on this matter," he added. Ukraine's agricultural sector has been crippled by Russia's 2022 invasion, with many export routes through the Black Sea blocked and swaths of farmland rendered unusable by the conflict. Talks between ministers from both governments are also scheduled for Thursday, to discuss defence cooperation between the allies. The meeting in Warsaw was announced by Tusk last month after Ukrainian authorities called on Warsaw to hold talks on their shared border, an invitation snubbed by Poland. mmp/amj/lth ISLAMABAD, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan have increased by 4 million U.S. dollars, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Thursday. The total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the bank stood at over 8 billion dollars as of March 22, the central bank said in a statement. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stand at around 5.4 billion dollars, the central bank said. Total liquid foreign reserves held by the South Asian country stood at over 13.4 billion dollars, according to the SBP. The State Border Guard Service reported that on 28 March, Polish protesters suspended the blockade of lorry traffic at the Uhryniv-Dohobyczow checkpoint until approximately 2 April. Source: European Pravda, citing State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Details: "The temporary blockade of lorry traffic in both directions has ended at the Uhryniv-Dohobyczow checkpoint," border guards said. On the Polish side, it was reported that lorry traffic is operating as normal. There are about 120 lorries in the queue. "However, the neighbouring side has indicated that lorries will be let through only until 2 April," added the State Border Guard Service. Background: As of 24 March, Polish protesters were blocking traffic at three border checkpoints Uhryniv, Yahodyn, and Rava-Ruska, with Ukrainian lorries not being allowed to enter Poland from Ukraine at all at the latter two checkpoints. The Ukrainian government has acknowledged that they do not know how to unlock the border with Poland because there is virtually no dialogue, and there is no readiness for concessions from Poland. Support UP or become our patron! This image provided by the Murrieta, Calif., police department shows an altered photo of a suspect used by the the Murrieta Police Department. The Southern California police department has been handcuffed by Lego after the Danish toy company asked the agency on March 19, 2024, to stop editing Lego heads over suspects' photos on social media. The ethics of publishing mug shots of people who have been arrested is normally a serious debate. But the conversation took a comical turn after the police department in Murrieta, California, started putting images of LEGO heads atop real people in the photos they released and the toy company demanded that they stop. In a Facebook post on March 18, the Murrieta Police posted a lineup photo of five people with LEGO heads and explained that this was done in order to comply with a new California law that governs the sharing of photos of people arrested for nonviolent crimes. On January 1st, a new law went into effect that restricts the how and when law enforcement agencies in California share suspect photos & mugshots. The new law, Assembly Bill 994 & Penal Code 13665, now prohibits law enforcement from sharing suspect photos for nonviolent crimes, unless specified circumstances exist. Additionally, the new law requires agencies to remove suspect mugshots from social media after 14 days, unless special circumstances exist, the Facebook post said. The post said the faces were covered in order to keep the community well-informed, while honoring everyones rights & protections as afforded by law; even suspects. 5 suspects appear in a police line up with LEGO heads with a variety of different facial expressions. pic.twitter.com/kTi2PY8KbF Oli London (@OliLondonTV) March 20, 2024 As it turns out, the Murrieta Police Department has been doing this for the better part of a year, but the photos only went viral recently, catching the attention of the Denmark-based toy company, which was not as amused as the public. The Associated Press reported that on March 19, LEGO contacted the police department and respectfully asked us to refrain from using their intellectual property in our social media content, which, of course, we understand and will comply with, according to Lt. Jeremy Durrant in a written statement. Durrant also said, We are currently exploring other methods to continue publishing our content in a way that is engaging and interesting to our followers. Mugshots taken of people who have been arrested are part of the public record, and are not always cause for shame. Smithsonian magazine noted, for example, that the mugshots of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. became sources of inspiration during the Civil Rights Movement. And former President Donald Trumps booking photo in Fulton County, Georgia, last year energized his supporters and became a new emblem on Trump merchandise. But for ordinary citizens who are arrested and may later have the charges dropped or be found innocent, mugshots can be a nightmare that follows them all of their life. This is one reason why many news organizations across the country have stopped the practice of publishing them (with the notable exception of Trumps), according to Poynter.org. In an op-ed published on Real Clear Policy, Marc Levin and Khalil Cumberbatch examined the disproportionate effect of mugshots on people who dont register on search engines except when a mugshot turns up. Most people lack a prominent public profile, which means a mugshot would likely be the initial or sole item a potential employer or landlord would find through an online search. Though the concept of mugshots dates back to the 1840s, the ubiquity of the internet has dramatically amplified the global reach and negative potency of such images, Levin and Cumberbatch wrote. Detectives have issued an e-fit image of a suspect following a series of sexual assaults in north-east London. The Metropolitan Police is investigating five reports of girls and women aged between 12 and 22 being sexually assaulted in Walthamstow. The offences occurred between 17 January and 22 February in the area around Hoe Street and Wood Street, the force said. The five victims continue to receive support, it added. Det Con Lucie Johnson-Jones said: "We believe the suspect is in his late teens or early 20s and we are working to urgently identify him. Anyone who can help us do that should contact us immediately. "These incidents are concerning and I recognise people in the area will be worried. We have stepped up patrols and are working with local schools to provide as much reassurance as we can." She asked anyone with any information to contact the force. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said two adults and one juvenile were shot in Southeast D.C. Wednesday night. The shooting happened in the 3500 block of Stanton Road. Fairfax County police: Suspect in custody after 2 women shot at Springfield day care center All three victims were taken to a hospital for treatment. One of the adults was unconscious and not breathing, MPD said. Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Polands military counterintelligence service has initiated a probe into Eurocorps Commander Gen. Jaroslaw Gromadzinski, resulting in his dismissal from the position, Polish Defense Ministry said on March 27. Gromadzinski is also required to return immediately to Poland from Strasbourg, where the Eurocorps HQ is located. Eurocorps is a multinational rapid reaction force command, whose forces can be deployed in operations under the auspices of the EU, NATO, and the UN. Read also: Poland aims to halt Ukrainian grain transit from April, negotiations with Kyiv underway The ministry explained that the Polish general was dismissed due to "new information" received about him and is also based on an ongoing investigation under the Polands Classified Information Act. Read also: Ukraines Deputy PM appeals to Poland's interior minister over escalating border blockade Gromadzinski took up his post as the commander of the Eurocorps in June 2023. Before this appointment, he served as an advisor to the Chief of the General Staff in Poland. Recently, he also worked with the international Security Assistance Group Ukraine in Wiesbaden, where, alongside U.S. military personnel, he was responsible for the training of Ukrainian troops. 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 EU compromise on changes to the trade agreement with Ukraine, which does not satisfy Kyiv, has become possible because, among other things, Prime Minister Donald Tusk managed to win over French President Emmanuel Macron to Poland's side. Source: Polish radio station RMF FM revealed the details in its article, as reported by European Pravda Details: The article noted that the European Parliament's plenary session passed an amendment by Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki on 13 March, which referred to the inclusion of the 2021 import threshold in the estimates, which was deemed disadvantageous for Ukraine due to the low volume of Ukrainian agricultural products during that period. In addition, Halicki's amendment proposed to expand the list of products subject to restrictions to include cereals and honey. Subsequently, Polish Agriculture Minister Czesaw Siekierski convinced Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that the latter could play a key role in Poland's efforts to achieve greater restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports. Tusk was supposedly sceptical at first, but after often heated negotiations with Siekierski, Tusk personally stepped in. The radio station's sources in Brussels noted that the conversation between Tusk and French President Emmanuel Macron during the Weimar Triangle meeting on 15 March was decisive. "At the time, Macron knew little about the agreement with Ukraine and had no idea about the importance of 2021 as a base year, which significantly reduces the level of Ukrainian imports," said the Warsaw source. "However, he (Macron) quickly realised that France could also gain something by supporting Poland in this game," he added. Following the night talks on 19-20 March, MEPs expanded the list of Ukrainian goods subject to restrictions to include new agricultural products: oats, corn, cereals and honey. However, they failed to include 2021 in the agreement and add wheat to the list. It was the first time that Poland and France spoke out jointly, which led to a lack of support for the compromise previously reached with the European Parliament. On Friday, 22 March, at the EU summit in Brussels, Macron and Tusk presented to EU leaders the need to amend the agreement with Ukraine. Negotiations took place not only officially during the session but also on the sidelines. At the time, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy addressed the EU leaders, arguing that those who wanted to reduce agricultural imports from Ukraine were undermining Kyiv's defence capabilities. After the summit, on Friday, at a press conference, Macron spoke in great detail about the demands of Poland and France, i.e., about 2021 and the inclusion of wheat on the list. On Monday, 25 March, the Belgian presidency tried to push through a tentative agreement without the additional 2021 provisions, but it failed again. All of Ukraine's neighbouring countries supported Poland and France, joined by Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. This strong coalition forced the Belgians to be more flexible. Consequently, they themselves presented a compromise proposal, which the European Commission called a possible final solution before the summit. The idea is to include half of 2021 in the trade agreement with Ukraine, which still significantly reduces Ukrainian imports. Support UP or become our patron! This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab, a consortium of six news outlets covering northeastern Wisconsin. CHILTON - On April 2, voters across Wisconsin will head to the polls to cast a ballot for a number of local elections, but for some races, there will be no one to vote for. A number of local races across Wisconsin especially in rural areas have no candidates, leaving voters with no choice over who will represent them on the local level. In Calumet County, for example, three districts out of 21 on the County Board failed to draw a single candidate in this election. It's the same situation across a number of local races throughout rural Wisconsin. When candidates' nomination papers were due in January for the spring election, Shawano County Board had two seats with no candidates, Shawano City Council had one, Winnebago County Board had two, Sheboygan County Board had two, and Howard Grove Board had one. And while a few races here and there have no candidates, even more have just one candidate on the ballot. For example, for the Calumet County Board, 66% of the seats are uncontested. For the Winnebago County Board, half of 36 seats are uncontested. Uncontested elections are a trend seen throughout the country. Data compiled by Ballotpedia shows a decline in U.S. electoral competitiveness since 1972, with Wisconsin showing a steady increase in the number of uncontested races. In 2023, roughly one-half of Wisconsin's elections were uncontested, according to Ballotpedia's election analysis of over 200 races. Reasons for the lack of candidates include the time commitment matched with lack of monetary compensation as well as declining participation in local government, according to Barry Burden, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "The positions often entail significant time commitments, do not provide much if any monetary compensation, and subject people to complaints, criticism, and even harassment," Burden told The Post-Crescent. How do local clerks count ballots? Even after results come out on election night, local officials spend days after certifying them What happens when no one runs for election? If an incumbent files noncandidacy and no one returns nomination papers for an elected position, there are two ways to ensure an elected representative fills that role. Before election day, potential candidates can file to become write-in candidates, meaning their names will not be on the ballot and voters will have to write-in that candidate's name. Write-in candidates can but are not always required to register with their clerk's office just like any other candidate but can do so after the filing deadline. If a write-in candidate gets majority votes and accepts the position, they are sworn into the position just like any other winning candidate. In northeastern Wisconsin's races with no official candidates, most have had write-in candidates step up to run for those positions. But if no candidates file for candidacy and there are no write-in candidates to take up the role, the elective body moves to appoint someone to the office. Following the election, the position is advertised as a vacancy the municipality is looking to fill, and interested people submit applications for the position. Applications then go to the municipality's executive and elected body for review and to essentially hire someone to fill the role for the remainder of the term. Elected positions are often a thankless job with high scruitiny Burden suggests the lack of candidates running for local races is due in part to the significant time commitment required for the job and the large amount of scrutiny that comes with it. Municipal elected positions are often voluntary, requiring a large workload with little or no monetary compensation, making it an unattainable position for many individuals who already work long hours or don't want to take on another job. "Although local office holders often find their work rewarding, it comes with substantial costs and little public appreciation," Burden told The Post-Crescent. While elected officials perform vital roles in local governance through balancing municipal budgets and ensuring local services function, they aren't usually in the public eye unless something goes wrong. And as national political issues such as library book bans or transgender bathroom usage trickle down into local government, people interested in serving local elected positions are deterred from the role because of the extra debates. "People may have interest in making sure the school board budget is balanced or that the parks are a good quality, but they don't necessarily want to deal with the national issues that have moved into these local governments," said David Helpap, an associate professor of public and environmental affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Aging staffs struggle to recruit young people to elected positions At the local level, government staff and elected officials skew older, according to Helpap, meaning as rural populations age, more and more government positions open up. A 2023 study by Helpap on the challenges rural governments face found that local officials are noticing a decline in government participation and a sense of community, making it hard for staff to recruit younger generations to elected positions. Match that with the decline in rural county populations, Helpap said there's a "significant concern" from local officials that when older elected officials retire there will be no one to take their place. While incumbents who have been in the role for many terms bring quality, institutional knowledge to the role, Helpap said there's concern that elected bodies are losing out on new, diverse ideas by not bringing in new and younger people to the roles. And without new and younger people drawn to local government, voters are often left with no choice of who will represent them. "Having choice is always important," Helpap said. "You want to make sure the people running are representative of your interests and reflective of the population and new trends." How to run for local office Wisconsin's local municipal elections typically fall in April, including anything from town board representatives and mayors to municipal judges and attorneys. Running for city or county offices starts with filing a declaration of candidacy and campaign registration statement and then taking out nomination papers with the clerk's office in the municipality candidates plan to run. Candidates take out nomination papers in December for spring elections and must get a certain number of signatures from residents in their representative district to qualify for candidacy. The number of signatures is dependent on the level of office. Candidates must then return the papers by the first Tuesday in January to be placed on the ballot. If the nomination papers are valid and a required number of signatures checks out, the candidate is officially in the race for an elected position. Some town and village elections use caucuses instead of nomination papers, where qualified electors of the municipality nominate and vote for candidates. Interested candidates should reach out to the clerk to find out when the caucus is. Following nomination, candidates are required to continuously file campaign finance reports with the clerk, detailing how they are financing their campaign. Between nomination and the election, candidates must sell themselves to their constituency, sharing their issue priorities and how they'll act if elected to gather enough support in hopes of winning the election. Partisan local elections are held in the fall. This fall, the seats up for election include include district attorney, county clerk, county treasurer and register of deeds. Candidates can start circulating nomination papers on April 15, and they are due at 5 p.m. June 3. Sophia Voight covers local government and politics in the Fox Valley for The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and story tips at svoight@postcrescent.com. This story is part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab's fifth series, covering issues important to voters in the region. The lab is a local news collaboration in northeastern Wisconsin made up of six news organizations: the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Appleton Post-Crescent, FoxValley365, The Press Times, Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bays Journalism Department is an educational partner. Microsoft is providing financial support to the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region to fund the initiative. The mission of the lab is to collaborate to identify and fill information gaps to help residents explore ways to improve their communities and lives and strengthen democracy. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Rural Wisconsin communities struggle to attract candidates for elections Pope Francis begins four days of Easter events with the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Pope Francis begins four days of Easter events with the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis looked well as he began four intense days of events leading to Easter on Thursday, and renewed his own ordination vow on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks Jesus's founding of the priesthood the night before the crucifixion. Francis, who recently curtailed his speaking engagements because of fatigue related to bouts of bronchitis and influenza, read a long homily during a Holy Thursday "Mass of the Chrism" in St. Peter's Basilica. Francis urged priests to be compassionate, admit when they have "strayed from the path of holiness" and avoid duplicity, dishonesty and hypocrisy. During the service, the 87-year-old renewed his vows along with thousands of priests in the basilica and blessed oils that will be used in Church sacraments. Holy Thursday commemorates the day of Jesus' Last Supper with his apostles the night before he died. On Thursday afternoon Francis was due to preside at a traditional foot-washing ritual in the women's section of a Rome prison. Francis is the first pope to hold the foot-washing ceremony outside churches, usually in prisons, homes for the elderly or hospices, continuing a practice he began when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. He is also the first pope to include women and non-Christians in the service. The ceremony echoes Jesus' gesture of humility toward his apostles on the night before he died. On Good Friday, the day Christians commemorate Jesus' crucifixion, Francis is due to preside at a "Passion of the Lord" service in St. Peter's Basilica and then attend a traditional evening Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession around at Rome's Colosseum. He will preside at an Easter Vigil service on Saturday and then on Sunday read his twice-annual "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) message and blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's to tens of thousands of people in the square below. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Andrew Heavens) ROME (AP) Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of 12 women inmates at a Rome prison during a Holy Thursday ritual meant to emphasize his vocation of service and humility. The 87-year-old Francis performed the ritual from his wheelchair, after recent ailments have compounded his mobility problems. The Rebibbia prison venue was outfitted to accommodate his needs: The women sat on stools on a raised-up platform, enabling the pope to move down the line with ease from his wheelchair without having to strain himself. Many of the women wept as Francis washed their feet, gently pouring water over one bared foot and patting it dry with a small towel. He finished the gesture by kissing each foot, often looking up to the woman with a smile. The Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony is a hallmark of every Holy Week and recalls the foot-washing Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at their last supper together before he was crucified. Francis revolutionized the ritual for the Vatican by insisting, from his very first Holy Thursday as pope in 2013, to include women and people of other faiths among the 12. Previously, popes performed the ritual on Catholic men only at a Rome basilica. Francis has traveled each year to a prison, refugee center or youth detention facility to emphasize his belief that a priests vocation is to serve especially those most on the margins. In his brief homily, delivered off-the-cuff, Francis explained the meaning of the gesture. Jesus humiliates himself, Francis said. With this gesture, he makes us understand what he had said: I am not here to be served, but to serve. He teaches us the path of service, Francis said. Francis appeared in good shape at the prison, even after presiding over a long Mass earlier in the day in St. Peter's Basilica. During the morning liturgy, he delivered a lengthy homily with a set of marching orders to Rome-based priests at the start of a busy few days leading to Easter. Francis has been hobbled by a long bout of respiratory problems this winter and in recent weeks has asked an aide to read aloud his remarks to spare him the strain. On Palm Sunday, he skipped his homily altogether. But Francis seemed energized by his visit to the Rebibbia prison, where he was given a basket of vegetables grown in the prison garden as well as two liturgical stoles embroidered by the inmates. Francis, for his part, regifted a framed image of the Madonna that he had been given, saying as soon as he received it he thought of the women at Rebibbia. He also gave a big chocolate Easter egg to the young son of one of the inmates. Even with Holy Thursday events wrapped up, Francis has a busy few days coming up that will test his stamina. On Friday, he is due to travel at night to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession re-enacting Christs crucifixion. On Saturday, he presides over an evening Easter Vigil in St. Peters Basilica followed a few hours later by Easter Sunday Mass in the piazza and his big noontime Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) speech highlighting global conflicts and disasters afflicting humanity. RIGA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins of the ruling New Unity party announced his resignation on Thursday after meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina. Karins told reporters that he will step down on April 10. The date has been chosen because a regular parliament sitting is scheduled for April 11, so lawmakers would be able to elect a new foreign minister. The resignation followed several months of public criticism over air travel services Karins and his team used for working trips while he was serving as prime minister. The scandal broke out after media reports that 612,000 euros (661,700 U.S. dollars) worth of public funds were spent on Karins' flights from 2021 to September 2023. Together with the costs covered by the European Union, the expenses added up to 1.36 million euros, according to local media report. The Prosecutor General's Office said last week that a criminal investigation has been started into the case. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S.dollar) SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for his involvement in the murders of three men nearly a decade ago. The defendant, Richard Christopher, was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison by a Third District Court judge after being found guilty on eight felony charges involving the disappearance and deaths of Danny Gallegos, Braden Emerson, and Levi Collins in November 2014. PREVIOUS: Triple murder case comes to an early close nearly a decade later On Nov. 2, 2014, the Salt Lake City Police Department reportedly took a missing persons report stating Gallegos and Collins had not returned from an outing. The next day, a family member reported Emerson missing, the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office said. That same day, Salt Lake County Animal Control reportedly asked SLCPD to help them with a dog abandoned in a vehicle. The DAs office said that vehicle had bloodstains, and was identified as belonging to Gallegos. The blood was later determined to be from Collins and Emerson, the DAs office said. A witness reportedly told police that Gallegos was planning to meet him on Nov. 1, 2014 to give him $200,000 cash so the witness could purchase a home for Gallegos. Christopher was at the prearranged location with the witness, the DAs office said. The witness said when the men arrived arrived for the cash, Gallegos got out of his vehicle and Christopher got into it. Christopher reportedly asked Collins and Emerson to take him to a nearby RV, and when they arrived, he shot and killed the two men. Christopher and the witness then cremated the bodies at a Utah County crematorium typically used for large animals, the DAs office said. Christopher was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years to life for both first-degree felony aggravated murders, a consecutive term of five years to life for one count of first-degree aggravated robbery, 1-15 years for one count of second-degree felony obstructing justice, 0-5 years, running concurrently, for three counts of third-degree felony abuse or desecration of a human body, and credit for time served for one count of third-degree felony use of a firearm by a restricted person. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the murders were predatory, violent, and unconscionable. The brutality of these murders was driven by greed and executed with callousness, Gill said. Hopefully with todays resolution, this defendant will likely never see another day of freedom. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said an officer shot a suspect during a robbery at a District Heights GameStop on Thursday. During a news conference, PGPD said that officers were conducting surveillance on a carjacked car in the 5700 block of Silver Hill Rd. The detectives saw two males who were wearing masks get out of the car and go into the GameStop. (Tyger Munn/DC News Now) (Tyger Munn/DC News Now) Anne Arundel County police: Officer involved in shooting Officers followed them inside and saw them behind the counter. PGPD said that officers noticed that at least one of the suspects had a gun. The detectives announced themselves and the suspects escaped through the back of the store and ran into the parking lot. One of the detectives fired his gun, hitting one of the suspects in the lower leg. PGPD said that the male was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to be okay. Officers also caught the second suspect and took him into custody. PGPD said that officers recovered two guns in the shopping centers parking lot. (Photo courtesy of the Prince Georges County Police Department) (Photo courtesy of the Prince Georges County Police Department) Maryland State Police: Off-duty DC police officer shoots, kills man with knife Police said that a third suspect who stayed in the carjacked car escaped after ramming into an unmarked police vehicle. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested that suspect in Southeast D.C. PGPD said that the officer had been placed on administrative duty according to the departments protocol. Nobody else was injured in the incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. An LGBTQ activist who led Princeton University's Queer Alumni Club, and also held degrees from Yale and Harvard, has been accused of downloading child pornography. Roy "Trey" Farmer, 53, was charged with a count of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material after Mercer County, New Jersey prosecutors received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he'd downloaded a file depicting child sexual abuse, according to NJ.com. Police found pieces of evidence after searching his condo in Princeton near the school's main entrance on Friday, according to the prosecutor's office. Prosecutors filed a motion to keep Farmer behind bars before his day in court, with a preliminary hearing delayed until next week, Patch.com reported. NXIVM SEX CULT SURVIVOR SHARES WHAT MADE HER SUSCEPTIBLE TO 'BRAINWASHING,' TRAFFICKING "Piano prodigy" Farmer, who sits on the board of the New York Philharmonic and was formerly president of Princeton's Glee Club, has since had his biography removed from the Ivy League school's website. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The 1993 graduate took up leadership of the Queer Princeton Alumni several months ago he was the president of the Princeton University Glee Club Foundation and a member of Princeton Internships in Civic Service and Princeton of Southwest Florida, according to the since-removed bio. The prominent Florida banker and entrepreneur is also the chairman of the StayInMay Festival, which has held more than 300 events in Naples over the past decade, according to the festival's website. He owned a number of art festivals worldwide, according to his bio. CONGRESS PROBES PRINCETON UNIVERSITY OVER PROFESSOR'S ALLEGED TIES TO IRANIAN REGIME Police descended onto Farmer's condo near Princeton's main entrance on Friday. In a since-removed alumni spotlight interview, Farmer said that "good things happen when you bring Princetonians together." "There are wonderfully generous interactions of like-minded people who want to spend their time volunteering, and they are all so passionate about it," Farmer said. "This is not traditional networking. This is about connecting interesting people doing interesting things in all areas of our society." Princeton University campus, Oct. 20., 2022. Farmer holds an AB in classical philosophy from Princeton, an M.A.R/M.Phil from Yale University and a master's in education from Harvard University, according to his since-removed bio on the Queer Princeton Alumni page. An attorney listed for Farmer could not immediately be reached for comment. Original article source: Princeton grad, LGBTQ activist who led queer alumni charged with possession of child porn TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN) A private jet had a close call with the Tullahoma airport in Tennessee on Wednesday, according to airport officials. Tullahoma Municipal Airport Manager Jon Glass said the private jet crashed into the fence between the airfield and the terminal building Wednesday morning, coming to a stop only feet away from the facility. Glass told Nexstars WKRN the jet was at the Tullahoma airport on a fuel stop from Texas, but its brakes failed while the pilot was parking. The pilot pulled the emergency brakes, but only one set deployed, prompting the plane to turn and roll toward the terminal, Glass said. The cause of the jets brake failure was undetermined as of Wednesday. Is flying safe after recent headlines about panels and tires falling off planes? Glass said the fence and grass between the plane and the building softened the crash, sparing the terminal. The plane stopped just eight feet shy of the building, Glass added. A private jet stopped just feet from an airport terminal in Tennessee after its brakes failed on Wednesday morning. (Jon Glass/Tullahoma Municipal Airport) The aircraft suffered minimal damage, including damage to a wingtip, after clipping a parked plane while rolling across the tarmac. All six people on board were uninjured. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board notified and interviewed the pilot by phone, but did not send any officials to Tullahoma as no injuries were reported. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City, Missouri police say one person is facing a municipal theft charge and the other person is charged with firing a gun. All because an interaction between a landlord and tenant turned ugly. The owner of the home in the area of Booth and Thompson avenues tells FOX4 someone came outside the house with a gun and shot at them. Meantime tenant Jessica James, who says she pulled the trigger, claims she was not aiming at the people. There was a shot fired at the tree, she said. A shot came right between us, homeowner Butch Nelson said. Man killed during hit-and-run inside KU Cancer Center parking garage KCPD said Nelson and a private process server were outside the house. The process server was there to serve a first eviction notice. At the same time, police said Nelson started removing a van from the property. Thats when police say the renter fired shots. FOX4 asked who shot the gun. James said I did, OK. When asked why she fired a shot, she said I am terrified of Butch. I am terrified of my stuff being stolen. I have PTSD surrounding Butch. So, I feared for the immediate safety of myself and my family. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox I yelled, were not even on your property, were in the neighbors property. The process server, she threw the papers in the yard and said youve been served and ran, because shes shooting at us, Nelson said. Police said no one was injured. Police issued James a summons for municipal charge of firing a gun and issued Nelson a summons for city charge of theft. Officers stood by and kept the peace for the process server to finish serving the eviction papers. This comes just a few weeks after process server Drexel Mack was shot and killed while serving eviction papers in Jackson County. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced signing a deal with SAP to transform its core enterprise resource planning solution to SAPs latest S/4HANA software. EGA uses SAP software solutions to manage functions such as marketing & sales, supply chain, finance, human capital, production planning & scheduling and plant maintenance across its global business, a WAM report said. Currently, EGA processes more than 150,000 business transactions every month. Upgrading to S/4 HANA will increase data processing speeds by 30x, future-proofing computing for EGAs functions and unlocking potential for digital capabilities such as artificial intelligence and advanced real-time data analytics. Private cloud EGAs new SAP S/4HANA will be hosted in a private cloud in Microsoft Azure and will benefit from continuous updates as SAP technologies evolve. The migration to the new system will be through SAP RISE. EGA launched its much-wider digital transformation in 2021, aiming to enhance every aspect of its operations and business, while upgrading customer and employee experience and ultimately creating new revenue streams. Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: "Our digital transformation is a core part of achieving EGA's bold aspiration to innovate the future of aluminium production. Leading our sector in the application of Industry 4.0 requires advanced computing and software capabilities to generate real-time data analytics and insights. The opportunities of Industry 4.0 are not just in our operations, but also in the functions through which we manage our business. Carlo K Nizam, EGA Chief Digital Officer, said: S/4HANA is part of our new digital foundations and brings with it a significantly enhanced employee experience that is real time, mobile friendly and integrates seamlessly to our state-of-the-art data platform which enables a wide range of Industry 4.0 capabilities. Future-proofing computing During the signing ceremony at EGAs headquarters, Manos Raptopoulos, President of SAPs Europe, Middle East and Africa region, commented: Emirates Global Aluminium is a highly progressive company, with a vision to leverage Industry 4.0 capabilities to boost its competitiveness, improve operations, and benefit its people. With SAP S/4HANA on RISE, EGA will increase its resiliency and future-proof its computing for key business functions. EGA will also gain improved visibility, flexibility, reduced total cost of ownership, and enhanced user experience. In its wider digital transformation, EGA has so far implemented over 60 Industry 4.0 use cases, ranging from using artificial intelligence vision to quality check carbon anode production in real-time, to developing predictive tools for market movements in key commodities. To date, almost 2,000 EGA employees have been upskilled in digital capabilities and ways of working, and the transformation has delivered some $90 million in financial impact.--TradeArabia News Service BEIRUT, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Khoder Kamal, a resident of Lebanon's southern city of Nabatieh, visits daily during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan the city's stadium, where a cannon for Ramadan has been placed for over 100 years. He carefully prepares the cannon to fire its shots when Muslim worshippers begin and break their fast. For the past 30 years, Kamal has been doing this job with pleasure and contentment. "This is among the rare ancient Ramadan traditions inherited from grandfathers and is still ongoing; I am proud to be part of preserving such a tradition," Kamal told Xinhua. Kamal explained that the cannon fires two shots during the day -- one at dusk to notify Muslim worshippers that it is time to break their fast, and another shot in the early morning, signaling the start of a new fasting day. "In addition, the cannon fires six shots upon the start of Ramadan," Kamal added. Tens of people flock daily during Ramadan to Nabatieh to watch the Ramadan cannon firing its shot. "The cannon has become a tourist attraction with young and old people visiting Nabatieh in the afternoon from different regions in the south, enjoying taking pictures next to it," Mohammad, Kamal's son, told Xinhua. He said people eagerly await the cannon's thunderous shot, looking at the vast mass of fire and flames erupting from its nozzle. For Mohammad, watching the cannon firing its shot has been a source of joy since his early childhood. "It's a pleasure to hear its strong sound resonating over long distances," said Mohammad, who later started helping his father operate the cannon. To prepare the shots, Mohammad said that he needed to place seven wads of gunpowder wrapped in papers in the cannon's nozzle, noting that at operation, the cannon has to be kept at least seven meters away from people to ensure safety. Yahya Fahs, a writer and historian, told Xinhua that the Ramadan cannon in Nabatieh was adopted before the mosques' minarets were equipped with loudspeakers to alert people about the times of Iftar, a fast-breaking meal at the sunset, and Fajr, morning prayer time when Muslims start fasting for a new Ramadan day. "This cannon has been located in the city's stadium for more than 100 years. People gather around it in the evenings to observe its preparation, which has become an important Ramadan tradition," said Moussa Shmeisani, head of the Nabatieh Merchants Association. Despite the ongoing military clashes between Lebanon and Israel on the border, it is still important to preserve this valuable Ramadan legacy, said Fahs. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) A proposed bill suggests that the governor of Louisiana should appoint the chairman of the university boards. According to SB403, written by Senator Michael Big Mike Fesi (R-La), the chairman of the board should be appointed by the governor. These boards include the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors, the Southern University Board of Supervisors, the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, the Community and Technical Colleges Board of Supervisors, and the Board of Regents. Gov. Jeff Landry appoints Louisiana public defender, new public defender board members Members of the board will elect a vice-chairman and other officers they believe are necessary. Each officer is to serve for one year or until their successor is elected into office, according to the proposed bill. If passed, the proposed bill will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2024. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A proposal in the Illinois statehouse would prevent employers from requiring any of their employees to get a microchip implanted. Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) has filed a bill that prevent Illinoisans from being microchipped without their consent. The law protects all Illinoisans from being required, coerced, or compelled to undergo the implanting of an identification chip under their skin by anyone, but has special protections for employees. The senator said rules are needed to safeguard human rights and ethical standards in the face of technological innovation. As technology advances, it is crucial that we protect the rights and privacy of employees, Stadelman said. Microchipping individuals without their consent is a clear violation of their autonomy. Illinois Treasurers proposal could allow unspent college savings funds to be used for retirement Any company found to violate the law would be subject to civil penalties, with a maximum initial penalty of $10,000 and up to an additional $1,000 for each day where the violation isnt corrected. In 2017, the technology company Three Square Market was the first U.S. company to microchip its employees. The company, which offers mini convenience stores in company break rooms, put RFID chips in 50 volunteer employees in Wisconsin to make tasks like logging into computers and opening doors keyless and easy. We see chip technology as the next evolution in payment systems, much like micro markets have steadily replaced vending machines, Third Square Market CEO Todd Westby said in an archived news release. As a leader in micro market technology, it is important that 32M continues leading the way with advancements such as chip implants. The bill awaits a hearing in the Senate Subcommittee on Privacy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Hamilton County prosecutors are doubling down on their position that Common Pleas Court Judge Wende Cross went rogue when she overturned a murder conviction against Elwood Jones, a man who spent nearly 30 years awaiting execution. In a filing submitted Tuesday to the Ohio Supreme Court, Assistant Prosecutor Philip Cummings briefly rebutted the stance of Jones lawyers, who argued in early March that the office stubbornly insists on pursuing Jones to the ends of the earth. Cummings' reply called the case "extraordinary" and accused Jones of "demonizing law enforcement." The back-and-forth comes more than a year after Jones was released on bond to await a new trial in the 1994 death of Rhoda Nathan, a 67-year-old New Jersey grandmother who was viciously beaten in her Blue Ash hotel room while in town for a friends nephews bar mitzvah. The case was the focus of the fourth season of The Enquirer's investigative podcast "Accused: The Impending Execution of Elwood Jones." Prosecutors theory during Jones 1995 trial and 1996 sentencing was that Jones, one of several hotel employees with felony rap sheets, had entered Nathans room to rob it but was surprised when she exited the shower. Jones panicked and fatally beat her, they told a jury, which sentenced Jones to death. Cross set aside the conviction after ruling that Jones defense team proved in a three-day hearing in August 2022 that police and prosecutors had withheld thousands of pages of evidence from Jones original defense team. That, Cross said, undermined Jones constitutional right to a fair trial. Elwood Jones was released on bond after nearly three decades on death row in January 2023 after Judge Wende Cross granted him a new trial, citing thousands of pages of withheld evidence. The main evidence against Jones was twofold: First, a former Blue Ash police officer testified he found a pendant in a toolbox inside of Jones car trunk that matched one Nathan reportedly wore every day. Second, Jones sustained a hand injury the same day of Nathans death that a state expert claimed could only have come from punching someone in the mouth. But issues arose with both matters. The withheld investigative documents suggest that Officer Michael Bray, who said he found the pendant, wasnt the first officer to search the car, meaning that previous investigators would have overlooked the pendant in earlier searches. Bray, who died in 2018, claimed to have found the pendant while searching the car alone. The withheld documents also included medical records indicating that the hand surgeon who testified for the state misrepresented the nature of Jones infection. Cross decision to overturn the conviction upset then-County Prosecutor Joe Deters, who said on a radio interview after the ruling that Cross believed everything (Jones') defense attorney said. She may as well have written his brief for him. This is the most profound, offensive, disappointing decision Ive ever seen from the judiciary in this county, Deters told radio host Bill Cunningham. Former Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, now an Ohio Supreme Court justice, stands with his successor, Melissa Powers, in January 2023. Assistant Prosecutor Seth Tiger also expressed disappointment in Cross' ruling, telling her in court that Jones, now 71, has "a lot of crime left in him." Jones hasn't been accused of violating conditions of his probation since his January 2023 release. Deters has since left the county to serve on the state Supreme Court, which is set to decide whether the Ohio First District Court of Appeals erred by not allowing Hamilton County to appeal Cross decision to overturn the verdict. Deters, a Republican who was appointed to the highest court by Gov. Mike DeWine, recused himself from the case after Jones' lawyers asked him to. Deters aims to unseat a Democratic colleague in November. DeWines attorney general, Dave Yost, filed an amicus brief siding with Hamilton County in its stance that the county should have been allowed to appeal Cross ruling. Deters' successor, Melissa Powers, is continuing the fight to send Jones back to prison. In Tuesday's filing, her office said Cross had no business overturning the verdict because the discovery presented to her had previously been submitted piecemeal to other appellate and federal courts, which consistently determined that prosecutors might have erred in withholding the evidence but said the outcome of Jones' trial likely wouldn't have been affected by their disclosure. Cross disagreed. While overturning the verdict, she said the undisclosed evidence reinforced "a win-at-all-cost mentality that undermines the pursuit of justice." Judge Wende Cross overturned Elwood Jones' 1995 murder conviction. The case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court on a procedural matter as Hamilton County prosecutors argue they should be allowed to appeal Cross' decision. Several Hamilton County homicide convictions have been overturned in recent years. They include cases against: Marcus Sapp, convicted in 2010 of killing Andrew Cunningham. Judge Jody Luebbers overturned that conviction in January 2023 in part because of questions about police's use of an informant. Sapp is awaiting a new trial. Marty Levingston, convicted in 2008 of killing Michael Grace. Judge Cross overturned that conviction in February 2023, after which Levingston entered a guilty plea for involuntary manslaughter in exchange for being sentenced to the prison time he'd already served. He's been free for more than a year. Lamont Hunter, convicted in 2007 of killing 3-year-old Trustin Blue. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office agreed to vacate the conviction after a deputy coroner changed her opinion about the nature of injuries to Trustin's body. Hunter avoided a new trial by pleading guilty to lesser charges. He's been free since June 2023. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County prosecutors argue judge went rogue granting new trial The first words of the Constitution explain who runs the government: we the people. Those words mean governments exist to serve the people, not the other way around. Increasingly, lawmakers are looking to limit the input and access of "we the people" into what happens, trying to keep as much as possible hidden behind closed doors rather than have their plans in the light where the people can voice concerns or even kill an idea. It is why the peoples business is required to be taken up in public meetings, called with proper notice and open to all concerned parties. From school boards to municipalities and county governments all the way up to state governments, no law can be passed without it taking place in an open, advertised public session. Transparency is vital when passing laws that affect our freedoms and our taxes. What happens in government should be out in the light. Your state legislators and governor are offering opacity instead of transparency. Indianas Republican supermajority took a step to whittle that away when Gov. Eric Holcomb recently signed House Bill 1338. This bill significantly restricts the duties of Indianas public access counselor while also giving local governments greater latitude to restrict access and remove citizens from public meetings. The public access counselors job is to provide advice to both citizens and governments concerning the states public access laws the laws that require transparency in government. This person aids citizens and responds to inquires in public records requests or meeting access when they have been unfairly denied. The counselor also can educate both the public and government officials on their rights and responsibilities. The public access counselor was initially appointed to a four-year term, but HB 1338 amends that to state it serves at the pleasure of the governor, which allows the governor to remove the officeholder at a whim. At the same time, it limits the counselor to using only public access laws and court opinions in issuing advisories and opinions. These laws are written by the same legislators who are wary of public access and participation in meetings. That wariness is elsewhere in the bill, which gives local governing authorities the ability to remove anyone it deems as disruptive from public meetings, which could be construed as anyone openly disagreeing with a bill. This is important because of a case in Hancock County from 2018. There, voters rejected a property tax referendum to fund a new jail. Undaunted, the county council in the midst of a committee meeting in an obscure area gaveled in an unannounced special meeting and voted in an income tax increase. Public access counselor Luke Britt strongly admonished the council, stating it violated the Open Door Law by not advertising the meeting 48 hours in advance. When challenged on it, one county councilor stated what difference does it make? Hancock Countys councilors got their new jail, and the taxpayers are on the hook for a 22-year income tax increase passed during the illegal basement meeting. Without a public access counselor, or with that persons hands tied, local governments will be emboldened to carry out more back-room shenanigans and basement-meeting dealings on controversial topics, all while being able to silence objections by removing anyone they deem to be unruly, which could simply be someone who sternly objects to an ordinance under consideration. What happens in government should be out in the light. Your state legislators and governor are offering opacity instead of transparency. Evan McMahon is chair of the Libertarian party of Indiana. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: House Bill 1338 whittles away transparency in Indiana Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic as the number of dengue fever cases continues to skyrocket in the U.S. territory. According to Puerto Rico's Department of Health, at least 549 cases have been reported so far and more than 340 people have been hospitalized. "As of March 21, 2024, the Department of Health's epidemiological surveillance of diseases has observed a 140% increase in dengue cases for Puerto Rico compared to the same period last year," the department said in a translated release. In a post on X, Puerto Rico Health Secretary Carlos Mellado Lopez said he has been monitoring the increase of dengue cases. DENGUE FEVER: WHY IT'S BECOMING MORE COMMON IN THE U.S. AND WHAT AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic after a spike in dengue cases, a mosquito-borne virus thats been on the rise in the Western Hemisphere. "The increase in dengue cases requires that all components of society join forces in order to prevent the contagion and spread of this virus, which is why we call for prevention" Mellado Lopez wrote in the translated post. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP On Feb. 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 1 travel warning to American travelers as they take trips outside of the country. NASHVILLE PD TO STOP REJECTING HIV-POSITIVE OFFICERS AFTER SETTLEMENT The department noted that the following countries have reported an increased number of dengue cases: Argentina Brazil Colombia Costa Rica French Guiana Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Saint Barthelemy Saint Martin Turks and Caicos Islands The CDC said that since dengue is spread by mosquito bites, all travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens or under an insecticide-treated bed net. The virus can cause crushing headaches, fever, vomiting, a rash and other symptoms. While most infected people do not get symptoms, severe cases can lead to plasma leakage and death. Original article source: Puerto Rico health officials declare dengue fever a public health emergency, more than 500 cases reported PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. A notorious rodent known for his ability to predict the changes of seasons is now a proud father, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The group announced Wednesday that Phil and Phyllis recently welcomed two healthy babies to the family. The newborns are said to be with their mom and dad in the habitat at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library located in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Every year, the town and nearby Gobblers Knob welcome thousands of visitors for Groundhog Day, which began back in 1887. HOW ACCURATE IS PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL? According to folklore, when the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter, but if no shadow is spotted, an early spring will be near. On Feb. 2, a crowd estimated to be 45,000 gathered for the 138th annual Groundhog Day festivities, where Phil arose from his winter slumber to predict an early spring. The groundhog could not have been more accurate with his prediction as the U.S. reported its warmest winter on record, with February finishing at more than 7 degrees above normal. The prediction will surely help improve the rodents long-term accuracy, which is believed to be less than 40%. According to NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information, Phils prediction for an extended winter in 2023 was half-correct, with above-average temperatures in February but slightly below-average readings in March. PAGING OLD MAN WINTER? STORY BEHIND THE WINTER THAT WASNT The club says Phil has never had any children, and the recent news is a surprise to everyone. In 2025, Groundhog Day will be celebrated on Sunday, Feb. 2, but the group has not said if Phils full family will be in attendance. The public can see all four groundhogs year-round at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club has not said what the names of the new mammals will be, but that will surely be something that the group will ponder during the offseason. Original article source: Punxsutawney Phil welcomes 2 baby groundhogs to family Vladimir Putin has made a thinly veiled threat to the West over supplying jets to Ukraine - Mikhail Metzel/Pool Sputnik Kremlin Russia will not attack Nato, but Western bases hosting F-16 fighter jets destined for Ukraine would be legitimate targets, Vladimir Putin has warned. We have no aggressive intentions towards these states, the Russian president told a group of air force pilots while on a visit to a training centre. The idea that we will attack some other country Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs is complete nonsense. Its just drivel, he added. However, if F-16 aircraft supplied to Ukraine take off from airfields in third countries, they could be shot down, Putin said. Fears that Russia is planning to launch an attack on a Nato member state have grown since the invasion of Ukraine. Most recently, Denmarks defence minister warned last month Russia could go to war with Nato in as little as three years. Ukraine has called for the West to supply it with F-16s for months, with the United States finally agreeing to allow deliveries of the jets in August, swiftly followed by Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. The aircraft are seen as crucial for protecting against Moscows development of modified Soviet-era glide bombs, which it used to devastating effect last month to seize Avdiivka Russias most significant territorial advance since the capture of Bakhmut in 2022. Asked whether the provision of F-16s could tilt the balance of the war, Putin said such aircraft would not change the situation in Ukraine. If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield, he said. And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers. Putins remarks followed comments earlier in the day by Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraines foreign minister, that the aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the coming months. A coalition of countries has promised to help train Ukrainian pilots in their use, with Romania last week giving the green light for about 50 airmen to start training at a newly built base. 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin this week said that Ukraine obtaining F-16 fighter jets wont change the situation on the battlefield. Putin, speaking to Russian air force pilots Wednesday, said that Russia had no plans to attack a NATO country. However, he said if the West supplies Ukraine with F-16s, Russia would shoot them down. [T]his will not change the situation on the battlefield. We will destroy their aircraft just like we are now destroying their tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple launch rocket systems, Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. Of course, we would see them as legitimate targets if they operate from the airfields of third countries, no matter where they are located. F-16 aircraft can also carry nuclear weapons, and we will also have to heed this while organising our combat operations, he added. The U.S. and other allies of Kyiv approved sending F-16s to Ukraine last year, and Ukrainian pilots have since been training in the West to learn how to fly them. Reuters noted that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the country should receive the F-16s in the coming months. Putin also pushed back on claims that Russia is looking to attack NATO countries, including Poland. He accused NATO of expanding east, saying that the members believe that all this meets their national interests to some extent, and they fear a big and strong Russia, although this is pointless. It is therefore complete nonsense when they claim that we can attack some other countries, including Poland, the Baltics and they are scaring the Czech Republic, too. This amounts to ravings, and this is another way of deceiving their own population, forcing the people to spend more money and to shoulder this burden. This is it, Putin said. A Russian missile briefly entered Polish airspace during a massive missile attack on Ukraine on Sunday, prompting Poland to demand answers from Moscow. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Putin had dismissed warnings from the US that it had intelligence about a possible attack - POOL SPUTKNIK KREMLIN/MIKHAIL METZEL Vladimir Putin and Russias leaders are manure salesmen for trying to link last weeks concert hall terror attack to Ukraine, a senior White House official has said. The Kremlin has repeatedly claimed that Ukraine was behind the brutal murder of more than 140 people near Moscow, despite Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) claiming responsibility. Denouncing Russias nonsense propaganda on Thursday, John Kirby, the White Houses national security spokesman, said: My uncle used to say... that the best manure salesmen often carry their samples in their mouths. He added: Russian officials seem to be pretty good manure salesmen. His remarks came as Russian investigators claimed to have uncovered evidence that tied the gunmen who carried out the attack to Ukrainian nationalists. The state Investigative Committee described a raft of alleged evidence but stopped short of publishing it. As a result of working with detained terrorists, studying the technical devices seized from them, and analysing information about financial transactions, evidence was obtained of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists, the agency said. More than 140 people were killed at the Crocus City concert hall - AFP It claimed the attackers had received significant amounts of cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, and that another suspect involved in terrorist financing had been detained. Eleven people were arrested in the 24 hours following the attack on Fri, March 22, eight of which, including four suspected gunmen, have been placed in pre-trial detention. Seven are from the central Asian state of Tajikistan and the other is from Kyrgyzstan. Mr Putin had dismissed US warnings of received intelligence about a possible attack by extremists in Russia, two weeks before it took place. US officials believe the attack was carried out by (ISIS-K), the networks Afghan branch. But Moscow has said it is suspicious the US was able to name the alleged perpetrator so soon after it took place. Four of the suspects during a pre-trial hearing at Basmanny District Court in Moscow - TATYANA MAKEYEVAOLGA MALTSEVA/AFO It also emerged Russian state media employees were instructed to publish graphic footage of the Crocus City Hall terrorist suspects being tortured as a prevention measure. Images of Russian authorities torturing the suspects began circulating on Telegram soon after their arrest. One showed someone cutting off Saidakrami Rachabalizodas ear and forcing him to eat it while another showed Shamsidin Fariduni being electrocuted. Employees of a Russian State TV channel were told to emphasise the battered and bruised appearances of the suspects, sources told Vertska, the independent Russian news outlet. The publication of the torture videos was sanctioned, a security source added. Burned balls and a cut-off ear thats just the beginning. Next will be fingers getting cut off, one by one. Its a prevention measure, an anonymous official said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Bakytzhan Sagintayev in Moscow MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia has no designs on any NATO country and will not attack Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic but if the West supplies F-16 fighters to Ukraine then they will be shot down by Russian forces, President Vladimir Putin said late on Wednesday. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has triggered the deepest crisis in Russia's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Speaking to Russian air force pilots, Putin said the U.S.-led military alliance had expanded eastwards towards Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union but that Moscow had no plans to attack a NATO state. "We have no aggressive intentions towards these states," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript released on Thursday. "The idea that we will attack some other country - Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared - is complete nonsense. It's just drivel." The Kremlin, which accuses the U.S. of fighting against Russia by supporting Ukraine with money, weapons and intelligence, says relations with Washington have probably never been worse. Asked about F-16 fighters which the West has promised to send to Ukraine, Putin said such aircraft would not change the situation in Ukraine. "If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield," Putin said. "And we will destroy the aircraft just as we destroy today tanks, armoured vehicles and other equipment, including multiple rocket launchers." Putin said that F-16 could also carry nuclear weapons. "Of course, if they will be used from airfields in third countries, they become for us legitimate targets, wherever they might be located," Putin said. Putin's remarks followed comments earlier in the day by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that the aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the coming months. Ukraine, now more than two years into a full-fledged war against Russia, has sought F-16s for many months. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are among countries which have pledged to donate F-16s. A coalition of countries has promised to help train Ukrainian pilots in their use. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Ron Popeski; Editing by Sandra Maler and Michael Perry) Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian speaks at the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) DAR ES SALAAM, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. The remarks were made at the closing session of a one-day China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in the port city of Dar es Salaam. Tausi Kida, the permanent secretary in the President's Office responsible for Planning and Investment, said that from January 2021 to December 2023, the Tanzania Investment Center registered 256 Chinese projects worth about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. The top five sectors for these projects were manufacturing, commercial building, agriculture, transportation and services. Tanzania has made significant strides in improving the investment climate culminating in tangible achievements, including the attraction of more than 11 billion U.S. dollars in projects led by Chinese investments, creating more than 114,726 jobs, said Angelina Ngalula, chairperson of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian commended the Tanzanian government's determination and proactive measures in attracting investment and promoting economic development. "We are confident in Tanzania's future development prospects." Zhu Chonglie, secretary of the Communist Party of China Jinhua Municipal Committee, emphasized the traditionally friendly relations between China and Tanzania. He said that the forum aimed to contribute to building a closer high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. In closing the forum, Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango highlighted China's long-standing role as a leading strategic investor and major trading partner of Tanzania. He noted that the growing FDI and trade indicate that Tanzania is a rewarding investment destination for Chinese investors. During the forum, four memoranda of understanding were signed between Chinese and Tanzanian enterprises, as well as between Chinese and Tanzanian public institutions. People attend the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) People attend the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango speaks at the China-Tanzania Investment Forum and China (Jinhua)-Tanzania Trade and Investment Promotion Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 27, 2024. China has emerged as a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, significantly contributing to the country's development, officials said Wednesday. (Photo by Emmanuel Herman/Xinhua) After a two-day trial, a Putnam County jury has returned a verdict of guilty for Oba Carter on charges of First-Degree Murder (Firearm), Attempted Second-Degree Murder (Firearm), and Burglary of a Dwelling while Armed with a Firearm. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The incident took place on May 23, 2021, when a woman had a man over at her home on North 11th Street in Palatka following a nearby block party. Carter, who was in an on-and-off relationship with the woman, arrived uninvited. Upon breaking into the house, Carter discovered the man hiding in a closet and proceeded to shoot him multiple times. The victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while the woman, also shot once in the head, managed to recover from her injuries after receiving medical treatment. Despite Carter evading authorities for over a year, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, in collaboration with the Palatka Police Department, successfully located and apprehended him in July 2022. Domestic homicides make up approximately 20% of all murders we prosecute, State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. This case is a sad reminder of the potentially deadly nature of relationships that go bad. The Palatka Police Department spearheaded the investigation, supported by Seventh Circuit State Attorneys Office Investigators and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Dunton prosecuted the case for the state, which was presided over by the Honorable Alicia Washington. The sentencing for Carter is scheduled for May 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., where he faces a mandatory life in-prison sentence for the crimes. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A 24-hour, online fundraising event aimed to support multiple programs and clubs at Cal State Bakersfield takes place next week. On April 2, the annual Raising for Runners event begins at noon, giving the community a chance to donate to benefit student programs at CSUB. Donors will have 24 hours to compete for prizes and awards throughout the event. Strait Outta Texas: George Strait tribute concert to be held at Nile Theater California Pizza Kitchen is also joining in on the activities. If you dine in-person at the Stockdale Highway location, mention the university for a 20% donation. You can use the BACK20% if ordering takeout or delivery. Raising for `Runners signifies our steadfast commitment to our current and future students of CSUB, said Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship Eric Weis. Understanding the needs of our community and beyond is imperative in building partnerships to ensure that our students are prepared to step into the workforce and make a difference. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Ramadan began on the night of March 10. Muslims worldwide celebrate the holy month of fasting with spiritual cleansing, self-reflection, acts of kindness and avoiding wrongdoings. Two-thirds of Ramadan have flown by, and the night of March 30 signifies the beginning of the final 10 nights of Ramadan. During one of these nights comes a special night Laylat al-Qadr. Why are the final days of Ramadan so important? How will Muslims worship leading up to Eid al-Fitr? Here's what to know. Ramadan: How long do Muslims in Ohio fast? When do Muslims break their fast? What is Laylat al-Qadr? Laylat al-Qadr means the night of decree in Arabic. This night signifies when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Laylat al-Qadr is one of the most sacred nights on the Islamic calendar. It only occurs during Ramadan, and will last one night from sunset to sunrise. This divine night falls sometime during the last 10 nights of Ramadan. When does Laylat al-Qadr happen during Ramadan? There is never a definite date for when Laylat al-Qadr occurs, but it is believed to fall during an odd-numbered night during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, with the odd-numbered nights being measured from the holy month's starting day. Laylat al-Qadr is sometimes predicted to be on the 27th night of Ramadan. According to scholars, some signs of Laylat al-Qadr are feelings of tranquility, a comfortable breeze in the air, and the sun will rise without rays the following morning. What is the significance of Laylat al-Qadr? The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Gabriel this night. The Quran is the direct word of God and contains moral code, spiritual guidance, and prophetic narratives. Qadr, in Arabic, literally translates to destiny or decree. In the Quran, it says a night of worship during Laylat al-Qadr is equivalent to a thousand nights of worship any acts of worship performed on this night carries greater reward than on any other day. It is believed that Muslims can change their fate and what was written for them by God through prayer and supplication. How do Muslims worship during the last 10 nights of Ramadan? Because no one knows which day Laylat al-Qadr falls on, Muslims are encouraged to take advantage of every night during the final one-third of Ramadan. The last 10 nights are said to be overflowing with Gods mercy and forgiveness. Ramadan: Muslims will feast after breaking fast at suhoor festivals in Ohio this weekend Everyday Ramadan rituals remain, such as fasting, reading the Quran, and taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers). Muslims will spend a lot of time focusing on more worship and repentance, and will spend entire nights praying instead of sleeping. Muslims also perform itikaf during these last 10 nights, which is the act of spending days and nights in a mosque to perform devout worship. Muslims will use these nights to ask for forgiveness for previous sins, and pray for what they want in this world and the next. Generosity is heavily encouraged during the last 10 nights. This is called sadaqah, or voluntary charity, and can be in many forms, such as feeding someone a meal, donating to charity, performing a good deed, or doing an act of kindness. Muslim devotees offer night prayers marking the start of Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta on March 11, 2024. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ramadan: Why are the last 10 nights so important to Muslims? Find out more RAMAPO Another child was struck by a school bus within town. The young child suffered injuries but is expected to recover after the incident on Tuesday, March 26. The same day, a young teen collided with a vehicle as she crossed the street. Ramapo police reported that she was not seriously injured. Earlier this year, in two separate incidents, two children were killed when they were struck by school buses. In January, an 8-year-old was killed in New Square; in February, a 5-year-old was killed in Spring Valley. Both are villages within the town of Ramapo. These child pedestrian crashes have taken place within the boundaries of the East Ramapo Central School District. This still from video shows police at the scene where a child was struck by a school bus Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in New Square, NY. Complex busing system East Ramapo has reported that its student transportation system is second only to New York City as far as size and complexity. The district is home to some 40,000 school-age kids about 10,000 attend public schools and 30,000 go to private schools, mostly yeshivas in the region. The district provides universal busing, meaning most kids can get a seat on a bus, even if they live close to their school. The district contracts with dozens of operators, including private schools that own their own fleets and larger transportation vendors. Meanwhile, the greater Spring Valley region that's covered by the district is densely populated, and roadways can be crowded at certain times a day. East Ramapo schools Superintendent Clarence Ellis at a March 5 school board meeting called the two youngsters' death gut-wrenching. East Ramapo's school board this fall voted to allow cameras, operated by vendor BusPatrol, on its buses in an effort to catch scofflaws who pass school buses. According to Rockland County officials, some but not all buses in East Ramapo have been fitted with cameras. East Ramapo's transportation director left earlier this year; that department has been overseen by Superintendent for Business Natalie Espinal, who is scheduled to leave for a job in South Orangetown this summer. Details of children hit by buses Police investigate the scene of a school bus crash on Madison Ave. in Spring Valley on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. On Tuesday, March 26, two children were hit by vehicles, one in the morning and one in the evening. Incidents included: On Jan. 29, an 8-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus near the intersection of Clinton Lane and Stern Street in New Square. The child was walking home from school shortly before 6 p.m. when he was hit by the bus, according to Ramapo police. A police incident report, sought through a Freedom of Information Law request, has not yet been provided. On Feb. 16, a 5-year-old girl was struck and killed by her school bus near the intersection of South Madison and West Funston avenues. The child was getting off a United Talmudic Academy of Monsey-owned bus around 11:15 a.m., according to a Spring Valley police incident report obtained through a Freedom of Information request. On Tuesday, a 6-year-old child was struck by a bus on West Maple Avenue around 9:28 a.m. The boy suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries, police said, and was transported to a hospital by Hatzolah Ambulance Corps. But did not provide a facility or the current status of the child. According to New York State Department of Education regulations, all school bus drivers, whether they work for a district or a company that contracts with a school district, is mandated to undergo a physical performance test, pre-service training and refresher training. They may be required to have special classifications of licenses, depending on what vehicles they operate. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: School buses involved in spate of children getting hit in Ramapo NY Conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. making a long-shot independent run for the White House could be a good thing for former President Trump. Ramaswamy said Wednesday on Fox Newss Hannity that Kennedys positions are not aligned with the Republican Party and better aligned with Democrats, suggesting his candidacy could take votes away from President Biden if he gets on the ballot in several states. It should take votes away from the Democrats. And this should be a good development, not only for President Trump, but I believe it for this country. Because what we need this November is a decisive moral mandate, a landslide of Reagan 1980, 1984 proportions, and I think we have an opportunity to do it, Ramaswamy told host Sean Hannity. And if RFK being in this race helps that, you know what, I think that could be a good thing for this country. And Im against any Democratic efforts to try to remove him or keep him off the ballot as they will try to do, he added. Ramaswamys comments echo Trump, who said Kennedy is great for MAGA after the independent candidate announced Nicole Shanahan as his running mate on Tuesday. Ramaswamy endorsed Trump for the White House as he ended his campaign for the White House earlier this year. Democrats have amped up their criticism of Kennedy in recent days, and some pundits say his campaign can pose trouble for Biden. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that while Biden narrowly leads Trump in a head-to-head match-up, he slightly trails the former president when a third-party candidate is factored in. In a three-way race between Biden, Trump and Kennedy, Trump has a 2.2-point lead over Biden, according to the national polling average from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ. Kennedy trails both candidates with 9.2 percent of support. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The American West is well known for some of its wild weather, so what better place to host a wild weather school lesson than the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The 4 Warn Storm Teams Emily Sutton spoke to 800 school students during the event, sharing stories about the dangerous weather phenomena we see here in Oklahoma like tornadoes, lightning, heat, flash flooding and even snow. VIDEO: Tracking a light wintry mix of light rain, sleet and snow Emily concluded the highlighted event showcasing understanding storms with a game called the thunderstorm game in discussing the importance of being prepared, and not scared of severe weather. She had students snapping their fingers and stomping their feet. In fact, when they did, it got so loud, some said it felt like a real thunderstorm and the building and our camera was shaking. For more weather stories click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Theyre back, baby! The cast for Season 15 of The Real Housewives of New York City has been announced, and all six stars of the previous season are returning. The cast includes influencer Sai De Silva, model and entrepreneur Ubah Hassan, real estate agent Erin Lichy, and former J.Crew President and Executive Creative Director Jenna Lyons. Fashion publicist and brand consultant Jessel Taank and marketing and communications consultant Brynn Whitfield will also return for the upcoming season. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Clifton Prescod / Bravo) Last season, the women were part of the rebooted version of the beloved "Housewives" franchise which overhauled the cast completely and brought in all-new members. Previous "RHONY" OGs, like Luann de Lesseps, Dorinda Medley and Sonja Morgan, took part in the most recent iteration to air of the "Ultimate Girls Trip" series, called "RHONY Legacy." Bravo reveals 'The Real Housewives of New York City' Season 15 cast in new video The RHONY stars revealed the news in a video shared by Bravo on March 28. The announcement video kicks off with Jessel sipping wine and chatting with the other cast members on a video group call. So, is it there? Jessel says, poking fun at one of her viral lines from last season. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) Listen to me, its there, Ubah says, before Sai joins and says, I dont know if its there. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) Then Brynn appears and says, Well, I heard its really close, and Erin chimes in, Guys, Im telling you, its there! The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) Then Jenna sets the record straight. Honestly, I think Im going to be the one who has to dispel the rumors, she says, because Season 15 its there. Jessel wraps up the video with a wink at another memorable line from Season 14. Amazing news, girls! Its really up and coming, she says. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) What have 'The Real Housewives of New York City' cast members said about each other and the show? Jessel opened up to TODAY.com in September about what she would (or wouldnt) do differently in her second season on the show. I wouldnt change myself. My personality is my personality, its what got me here, she said. Its what people are loving I hope, the fact that I am so open and honest and funny, and I have this British humor that I cant really brush off. I will continue to be open and honest and as transparent as possible. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) Lyons, meanwhile, said previously she wasnt sure whether she would return for Season 15. The executive and fashion designer reflected on why she joined the show in the first place during an appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in November. I did it for a reason, she said. I have a business and I want to support that business and its had a much bigger halo than I ever expected. But I also am in a relationship now and I have to take that into consideration, she continued. How that impacts not just me but the people around me. So I have some thinking to do. Lyons, the first openly gay "RHONY" cast member, confirmed last summer that she is dating photographer Cass Bird. The Real Housewives of New York City - Season 14 (Bravo) In a TODAY.com interview in February, Erin reflected on how relationships with her RHONY castmates evolved after the reunion in October. There are things that have happened since we wrapped that Im really disappointed with, she said. Its like any friend group where you go through things with your friends. Sometimes you realize that certain people arent exactly what you thought, or they will do things that dont align with you, which Ive seen. We are all honestly close and we all have this unique bond, but certainly some people are closer than others, she added. How to watch 'The Real Housewives of New York City' Fans can watch all of the previous seasons of "RHONY" on Peacock. More information about Season 15 will be shared at a later date. (Peacock is part of our parent company, NBCUniversal.) This article was originally published on TODAY.com The leader of a Right-wing Tory faction has has admitted that the criticisms of his party from Reform are mostly valid. Danny Kruger, co-chairman of the New Conservatives group of Right-leaning MPs, told party members that the Tories were not a very conservative party in lots of ways. In recordings heard by The Telegraph, Mr Kruger said Reform, the party of Richard Tice and Nigel Farage, has been absolutely killing the Tories and that he was very, very worried about its increasing support. He also joked that the Conservative Party brand had become somewhat tarnished and suggested that his re-election campaign locally would focus on individual strengths. The comments from Mr Kruger, the Tory MP for Devizes, came at a gathering of local party members in Salisbury last Friday night. A recording has been passed to The Telegraph. He called Reform a destructive force and not honest, saying those who backed their views should focus on changing the Tories instead. But the private acknowledgement that Reforms message has merit is in stark contrast to official Tory party messaging. They want to destroy the Tories At the event, according to the leaked audio, Mr Kruger was asked about Reform and whether the Tories should work with them. He responded: I dont think theres any chance of working together [with Reform] because theyve ruled that out very, very recently and publicly, and I think genuinely their ambition is to replace us. They want to destroy the Conservative Party. They think the obstacle to Conservatism is the Conservative Party. And I kind of get what theyre saying. Because in many ways it is, were not a very conservative party in lots of ways. But I dont agree with them. I think the answer to the Conservative Partys problems is to change the Conservative Party and to make it better, which is what were trying to do. But I am sympathetic to their general critique. I dont really believe in them, I dont really like them to be honest. I dont think they stand for genuine conservative ideas, I think theyre just a destructive force. I think it will be a tragedy if they did end up replacing us. But their general critique of whats wrong, I think, is mostly valid. And the people who are attracted to them, I understand why and we have to have major respect for them, not insult them. This week Reform, which is positioned to the Right of the Tories and used to be called the Brexit Party, polled at 16 per cent in a YouGov survey, its highest recorded level of support. Reforms backing in polls has approximately doubled in the past year. The party is outflanking the Tories with calls for major tax cuts, a much tighter immigration policy and other Right-wing policy positions. Its popularity has led some Tory supporters to speculate whether a deal should be made between the parties, something both leaders have rejected. Reforms polling surge has led to nervousness among Tory MPs that it could make their re-elections harder, since their rivals support is being fuelled by Tory voters switching sides. A YouGov poll earlier this month showed that Reform had overtaken the Tories in support among male voters, suggesting the Tory campaigning against Reform is struggling to cut through. The Tory leadership has repeatedly insisted that Reforms proposals are unrealistic and unaffordable. At another point in the gathering, Mr Kruger is asked about the surge in support for Reform and whether Conservatives should be worried about it eating into the Tory vote share. Mr Kruger responded: Yes. Yes, we should. I am very worried about that. Very, very worried about that. Asked what can be done, Mr Kruger said: Well, I mean, bluntly, we need to take the voters back because those voters voted Conservative last time, overwhelmingly obviously some, not all. But they are at now, in some polls, 15 per cent and were like at 19 per cent. So I mean, they are absolutely killing us. Mr Kruger runs the New Conservatives, a grouping of Tory MPs pushing for more Right-wing policies, with his parliamentary colleague Miriam Cates. He is a former political secretary to Boris Johnson and has been sounding the alarm about the state of the party in recent months, though not in such explicit terms as in his meeting with members. Elsewhere in the meeting, Mr Kruger expressed frustration that Lee Anderson, the former Tory vice-chairman who had been in the New Conservatives, was allowed to defect to Reform. Mr Kruger said: So, Im a friend of Lee Anderson who defected to them. He was in my faction. And I regret I think its our partys fault that we lost him. I mean hes to blame as well, obviously, I wouldnt have done it. But we shouldnt have let him go. We should have held on to him. And we need to get people who vote like that back. When asked if his re-election campaign would focus on his personal beliefs rather than the Tory party brand, Mr Kruger joked: Have you noticed that the Conservatives are not very popular? Our brand is somewhat tarnished. He added: The point I was making is that candidates for the Conservative Party at least Labour might be standing as were the Keir Starmer gang, I dont know. We are going to be standing as ourselves because thats what I think the public will respond to better. So I think people want to know what I stand for personally as well as the fact that Im a Conservative MP. So my literature is going to be fairly personalised, yeah. Mr Krugers comments could fuel discussion about whether there would be any merit in Reform and the Tories reaching a deal, though he himself has ruled out such an idea. In the 2019 general election, the Brexit Party, as Reform was known then, agreed to stand down candidates in Tory seats as a way of making sure that Brexit would be delivered. However Mr Tice, the Reform leader who took over from Mr Farage, has repeatedly ruled out such a pact, saying he wants to punish the Tories for not being conservative enough in office. Mr Kruger was approached for comment. A friend of Mr Kruger did not dispute the accuracy of the remarks but said: These comments are not dissimilar to what Danny has been saying publicly but hes obviously disappointed that he cant speak candidly with local members without his comments being surreptitiously taped and leaked. The topic was brought up by local members who were concerned about the electoral threat posed by Reform - Danny was clear, the Conservative Party must see them down. 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. Kilchoan is on the Ardnamurchan peninsula A small school in one of the remotest parts of the UK has recruited a new full-time teacher following an appeal by parents. Kilchoan Primary on the Ardnamurchan peninsula has 15 pupils and one composite class made up of P1 to P7 pupils. Some parents took to social media in January to help get Highland Council's job advert to as wide an audience as possible. The local authority confirmed the post had now been filled. Kilchoan Primary has one full-time teacher who is overseen by a cluster head, which is a head teacher who looks after a number of small schools. The primary has another teacher who visits one day a week, a pupil support assistant, admin support and a cook. The full-time job came up after the previous teacher in the role opted to move to part-time working. Ardnamurchan is the most westerly part of mainland UK. Kilchoan sits on the south coast of the vast peninsula and has views across the Sound of Mull to the island of Mull. It has a population of about 150 people and is one of a small number of communities dotted around the edges of Ardnamurchan's mountainous interior. Kilchoan hit the headlines last year after one of its residents - wildlife cameraman and TV presenter Hamza Yassin - won 2022's BBC Strictly Come Dancing. More on this story The government has set out a series of changes to planned protections for renters in England, after some Conservative MPs raised concerns they would be too burdensome for landlords. The proposals include making tenants commit to a minimum six-month period when renting a property. Campaign groups representing renters accused ministers of watering down the legislation to appease landlords. But landlord groups said the changes were fair and balanced. Other changes include delaying a ban on no-fault evictions for existing tenancies until an assessment by the justice secretary on the the readiness of the court system to deal with repossession claims is published. The Renters (Reform) Bill, which was first introduced to Parliament last May, would abolish no fault-evictions in England, where tenants can be forced to move out with no justification. It would mean that landlords could only evict tenants under certain circumstances, including when they wish to sell the property or when they or a close family member want to move in. Last month the BBC revealed ministers were consulting backbench Conservative MPs on watering down their proposed reforms. And the bill's progress through Parliament has been slow, after around 50 Tory MPs, some of whom are landlords, called for changes. They raised concerns the legislation would see more landlords sell up, reducing the number of rental properties available. In a letter to Tory MPs, Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said he had listened to concerns from MPs and the sector, and the government would bring forward changes when the draft legislation returns to the House of Commons after the Easter break. He said the bill "must strike the balance between delivering security for tenants and fairness for landlords". The proposals would prevent tenants from ending a rental contract in the first six months. Currently the bill allows renters to end a tenancy with two months' notice at any point. Mr Young said the change would ensure landlords could rely on a letting period that covers the cost of finding tenants and making repairs between tenancies, as well as preventing tenants using rented properties as short-term lets. He added that the government was considering exemptions, such as the death of a tenant, domestic abuse or significant hazards in the property. However, the Renters' Reform Coalition said the move could lock tenants in "unsafe and unsuitable housing". Other proposed changes include: Reviewing council landlord licensing schemes to ensure they do not duplicate a new property portal where landlords would have to register their properties Allowing landlords to evict students to ensure tenants move out at the end of the academic year Giving tenants who are evicted under new possession grounds a right to homelessness support from their local council Housing Secretary Michael Gove has promised no-fault evictions will be outlawed by the next general election [PA Media] Tom Darling, campaign manager at the Renters' Reform Coalition, said delaying the ban on no-fault evictions for existing tenancies meant most renters would not be impacted until after the next general election. "The government's flagship legislation to help renters is fast becoming a Landlord's Charter," he said. Without significant changes he said the legislation "will hardly be an improvement on the status quo, and in some case it will make things worse". Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said ministers now needed to "crack on" and pass the bill. "Our focus has been on ensuring that the replacement system works, and is fair, to both tenants and responsible landlords. The changes being proposed would achieve this balance," he said. However, one of the leading Tory MP with concerns about the bill's impact on landlords, Anthony Mangnall, said he would still press for further changes. He told the BBC he was "pleased with the progress" but "there are still some outstanding issues such as fixed-term contracts". Currently, the bill would abolish fixed-term contracts and replace them with rolling tenancies with no fixed end date. The government says this gives tenants greater security but critics argue it means less certainty for landlords. Housing Secretary Michael Gove has promised no-fault evictions will be outlawed in England by the next general election, which must take place by the end of January. However, the government has already said the ban on no-fault evictions will not be enacted until improvements are made to the court system. MPs have warned getting rid of no-fault evictions will increase pressure on the courts, as landlords will need to go through a legal process to regain possession of their properties when they have legitimate grounds to do so. Labour said it would immediately abolish no-fault evictions if it won power. Shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycook said: "After years of delay, private renters have every right to be furious at the watering down of the vital protections the Tories promised them." The Liberal Democrats accused Mr Gove of caving in to Conservative MPs and leaving the party's 2019 manifesto promise to ban no-fault evictions "in tatters". MEXICO CITY, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Haiti's Transitional Council issued its first statement Wednesday, aiming to restore public order and protect people's lives and property, local media reported. According to the statement, the selection mechanism for the council president, the new prime minister and new cabinet members has been completed. The council will appoint a new prime minister immediately after taking office and assist the new prime minister in forming a new government to help Haiti return to normal as soon as possible, according to the statement, which did not specify the inaugural time of the council. Since Feb. 29, Haitian armed groups have launched a wave of attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Rep. Harold Love Jr. speaks with House Speaker Cameron Sexton, during a house session while discussing a bill concerning the TSU board at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024. Tennessee House Republicans on Thursday voted to vacate the entire Tennessee State University board over the outcries of Democrats as the GOP supermajority reneged on a previous deal struck in committee to keep three of the board's 10 members. Gov. Bill Lee signed the legislation into law by Thursday evening, an unusually fast move that comes as TSU actively interviews presidential candidates this week, and appointed eight new members to the board. A faculty appointment and a non-voting student member will round out the board. See the new appointees: Gov. Bill Lee names new TSU board after House vote. Republicans argued a full leadership turnover is required after a scathing state audit last year and financial issues at TSU over the years, though House Democrats on Thursday suggested wiping the board clean is retribution after the board previously refused to oust outgoing TSU President Glenda Glover. A $2-million external forensic audit, commissioned by legislators and released on Thursday, found no instances of fraud or malfeasance at the historically Black university in Nashville, though it noted a 250% increase in scholarships at TSU between 2019 and 2023 was not sustainable. The scholarship and enrollment boom led to critical housing shortages on campus. Democrats continually point to decades of historic underfunding of TSU, the only public HBCU in the state, arguing TSU has not been set up for success in stark contrast to other public universities with historically white student bodies. Recent data from the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture calculated Tennessee underfunded TSU at a whopping $2.1 billion over the last 30 years, the largest amount of any state. "Tennessee State University was denied those resources, and because they were denied the resources there were problems that occurred," said Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis. "But instead of us rectifying the problems that we created through racist policies by underfunding Tennessee State University, we're now advocating to vacate their board." Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge looks on during a house session while discussing a bill concerning the TSU board at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 28, 2024. Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, said TSU "miserably failed" its audit report from the comptroller, though he didn't appear to reference the external report released Thursday that found no malfeasance. The new audit did find some questionable spending and a series of "significant procedural deficiencies." "The committee I chair gave them multiple opportunities and an extended period of time, which I personally carried bills for, to settle those discrepancies. They did not make satisfactory progress. That is the source of this bill," Ragan said. "If in fact those corrective actions had been taken in a timely fashion, this bill would not be before us. I encourage you to make the effort to look up at that audit report." The minority party's pleas to maintain at least a few current board members for continuity and institutional knowledge as the university undergoes a presidential search fell on deaf ears, however. One Democrat warned Republicans the "optics" of a majority white legislature ousting the entire board of an HBCU were "horrendous," particularly amid a turbulent year at the General Assembly after the House supermajority expelled its youngest two, Black members. "You're driving off the cliff right now," Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville, said. "I worked in Gov Ops many years as a staffer. I've seen many audits of many universities that look horrendous. Have we ever, ever vacated an entire board of a university before? Have we ever done that? But an HBCU that we owe $2 billion to? Oh yea, we're going to take their board." TSU President Glenda Glover looks on as Board of Trustees Chair Deborah Cole speaks during the board's quarterly meeting at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Mitchell said the threat to vacate the board amounted to telling TSU to "sit down and shut up and accept the crumbs we send you." Mitchell implored centrist Republicans to break with their party on the vote. Rep, Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, argued it is not the first time in Tennessee history college boards have been "reconstituted" in the state. Williams said money the legislature allocated to begin to make up the TSU funding difference was "completely blown through" when TSU accepted and gave scholarships to too many students. "The challenges are dire," Williams said. "The key here is we want to give the other $198 million but we have to have assurances that future investment, or that remedy to this problem, is going to be well taken care of." Glover, who has led TSU for a decade, announced in August that she would step down at the end of the year. This week, the TSU board named the three finalists to replace Glover and were hosting them on campus as Lee signed the legislation into law and announced new board members Thursday evening. TSU calls bill 'unprecedented, unfortunate' In a statement following the House vote, TSU said the institution has been a "good steward of taxpayer dollars," noting there have been no audit findings that TSU mismanaged funds, nor has it "engaged in any fraud or malfeasance." "This is unprecedented, unfortunate, and uncharted waters for any public university in the state," TSU's statement said. "We believe this legislation will disrupt our students educational pursuits, harm the image of the University, and remove a Board that had achieved success in its enhanced governance of TSU." TSU also noted the chronic underfunding the university has faced. "TSU would undoubtedly be in a different position today if it had received the funds promised by the state over the course of the last three decades," TSU's statement said. "While we are very disappointed by todays vote, we will continue to work with the General Assembly and the Governors office to pursue options, both in funding and governance, that allow TSU to continue the momentum it has achieved in enrollment, research, academics, and providing great opportunities for students." Student government reps upset by vote but hopeful for future After the vote, local activists and students from TSU held a news conference at the state Capitol to express their disapproval of the vote. TSU Student Government Association Vice President Chrishonda OQuinn said she felt lawmakers' actions during debate and discussion on the bill were disrespectful to the students she represents. I am very upset that decisions have been made about the university without anyone having direct conversation with the main stakeholders of the university the students. O'Quinn said. They say they love TSU, they say they want to see TSU succeed, but their actions dont match what theyre saying ... If you love TSU, treat TSU as such." SGA President Derrell Taylor, a senior at TSU, called the decision "heartbreaking," and noted that lawmakers' votes did not reflect the wishes of TSU students who have reached out with letters and phone calls asking them not to vacate the university's board. It's pretty interesting to me that I have to stand up and say 'hey, as a student, I believe that people who look like me... should represent my university,'" Taylor said. "Why does something like that have to be said? Why does it take a student each and every time to say, this is not what we want'? And why hasnt it been heard? But, he remains hopeful for the future. Im totally confident that this university that has persevered through so much will continue to persevere," Taylor said. New TSU board appointees Lee made the appointments shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday. He appointed: Trevia Chatman , president, Bank of America Memphis Jeffery Norfleet , provost and vice president for administration, Shorter College Marquita Qualls , founder and principal, Entropia Consulting Terica Smith , deputy mayor and director of human resources, Madison County Charles Traughber , general counsel, Division of Real Estate, Retail, and Financial Services at Bridgestone Americas Dwayne Tucker, CEO of LEAD Public Schools Kevin Williams , president and CEO of GAA Manufacturing Dakasha Winton, senior vice president and chief government relations officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Todd Price and Vivian Jones contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Republican lawmakers vacate full Tennessee State University board FILE - Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers presides over a session at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Kentucky lawmakers on Thursday, March 28, gave final approval to a bill stripping the state's Democratic governor of any role in picking someone to occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File) FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill stripping the state's Democratic governor of any role in picking someone to occupy a U.S. Senate seat if a vacancy occurred in the home state of 82-year-old Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The legislation calls for a special election to fill any Senate vacancy from the Bluegrass State. The special election winner would hold the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term. So it would be a direct voice of the people determining how the vacancy is filled, Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said while presenting the bill to his colleagues. The state Senate voted 34-3 after a brief discussion to send the bill to Gov. Andy Beshear. The governor has denounced the measure as driven by partisanship, but the GOP supermajority legislature could override a veto when lawmakers reconvene for the final two days of this year's session in mid-April. The bill's lead sponsor is Republican House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy. He has said the measure has nothing to do with McConnell, but instead reflected his long-running policy stance on how an empty Senate seat should be filled. Rudy refers to McConnell as a great friend and a political mentor, and credits the states senior senator for playing an important role in the GOPs rise to dominance in the Kentucky legislature. Rudy has said his bill would treat a Senate vacancy like that of a vacancy for a congressional or legislative seat in Kentucky by holding a special election to fill the seat. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately if enacted into law. Rudy introduced the bill in February and it cleared a House committee a day after McConnells announcement that he will step down from his longtime Senate leadership position in November. The decision set off a wave of speculation back home in Kentucky about the future of his seat. In his speech from the Senate floor, McConnell left open the possibility that he might seek another term in 2026, declaring at one point: Im not going anywhere anytime soon. Aides said McConnells announcement was unrelated to his health. The senator had a concussion from a fall last year and two public episodes where his face briefly froze while he was speaking. Rudy has said he's talked about changing the way a Senate vacancy is filled for more than a decade, since the conviction of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for crimes that included seeking to sell an appointment to Barack Obamas old Senate seat. Rudy's district in far western Kentucky borders Illinois. Beshear who won a convincing reelection victory last November over a McConnell protege had already seen his influence over selecting a senator greatly diminished by GOP lawmakers. In 2021, the legislature removed the governor's independent power to temporarily fill a Senate seat. That measure limits a governor to choosing from a three-name list provided by party leaders from the same party as the senator who formerly held the seat. Both of Kentuckys U.S. senators are Republicans. The measure became law after GOP lawmakers overrode Beshears veto. Photo via Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind | Twitter/@asdbazgov Senate Republicans continue to thwart efforts to allow the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind to operate for more than just the next few years. As senators discussed a bill reauthorizing the board that oversees charter schools in Arizona earlier this week, Democratic Sen. Priya Sundurashen proposed an amendment to secure an eight-year continuation for the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. What Im offering as the amendment is a fix to what occurred last year. I think there were many of us who were surprised and confused we continue to have opportunities to fix that issue, this is that chance, Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said. State law requires lawmakers to reauthorize state agencies at least once every 10 years. The process, known as a sunset review, includes an audit by the Arizona Auditor Generals Office and a review of the agencys operations by lawmakers, who can reauthorize the agency for up to 10 years. Last year, ASDB narrowly avoided closure after lawmakers within the Senate went back and forth debating how long the continuation should be for. The original bill proposed an eight-year continuation, but was reduced to two years by an amendment in the Senate Government Committee. As the committee heard the bill, ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman told the panel that she was unsure as to why they were hesitant to continue the schools funding. This is the first time that ASDB, in its 112 year history, has had this kind of questioning, we are genuinely puzzled, Annette expressed. We were not consulted (about the amendment reducing it to two years), that means that next year, we would do it all again, we would do another review with the auditor general, and wed be right back again in two years talking with you. Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman, who introduced the amendment, said that he proposed the reduced continuation not in response to anything alarming found in the schools review process, but to allow the legislature to keep a close tab on the schools operations and performance for unspecified reasons. I think its in our best interest to ensure that we are getting optimal service delivery, and that those students are being served as effectively and efficiently as possible, Hoffman said. I think that serves not only the stakeholders here, I think it also serves the taxpayers that are funding these services. When senators questioned the efficiency of repeatedly subjecting ASDB to the sunset review process, Hoffman responded that he actually would have preferred extending the schools operations by just one year. Doing so, he said, would mimic the way public school districts are reviewed annually. However, Sundareshan said she still does not understand why Hoffman feels as though ASDB is in need of more rigorous government oversight. Thats the question we keep asking, as well, she told the Arizona Mirror. There was nothing to point to, nothing in the House that was raised, nothing in the auditor generals report that really merited this kind of treatment. Ultimately, lawmakers extended ASDB for four years; it will undergo a sunset review in 2027. In a letter sent after signing, Hobbs called ASDB a cornerstone of the visually and hearing impaired communities in Arizona, and denounced the manner in which legislators handled the matter by calling out those members who were less than cooperative throughout the process. Parents, teachers and students were made to worry about the continuing existence of their school while caught in political games being played by a fringe minority of the legislature, Hobbs said. I encourage the legislature to reflect on the passage of HB2456 and send me a bill next session that includes a full eight-year continuation. This year, Sundareshan has made numerous efforts to get a continuation for ASDB passed. Earlier this session, she introduced Senate Bill 1001, which was never assigned to a committee by Senate President Warren Petersen. On the Senate floor on March 26, Sundareshan offered an amendment to House Bill 2172, a continuation bill for the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, to extend ASDB for seven years, answering the governors request by reauthorizing the school until 2031. Republican Sen. Ken Bennett, who last year said he would have voted for the eight-year continuation if given the chance, voiced his support for the Sundareshan amendment. However, despite this show of bipartisan support, the amendment failed. I saw Senator Bennett vote for it and I was hopeful, especially since this was an amendment on a very similar agencyI was disappointed ultimately. Sundareshan told the Arizona Mirror. I will continue to raise the issue as much as I can, because I think it was a real tragedy and a real mistake that we didnt give (ASDB) an eight year continuation, and more than that, we put them through a really difficult process. As the legislative session nears its end, time is running out to get the extended continuation passed this year. Sundareshan said that hopefully next years legislature will be more open to the idea. Ill keep trying and, ultimately, if I keep failing, then itll be next year when hopefully we have a legislature that is more receptive, she said. Maybe it requires a different majority to fix this issue, I dont know. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Republicans continue to oppose extending operations for the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind appeared first on Arizona Mirror. The leader of Brooklyns Bully Gang, whos on trial for three murders, wasnt running a gang at all but was simply trying to make ends meet as a pot dealer and a rap artist after several of his close friends were killed, his lawyer said. Moeleek Harrell and his cousins and friends picked the name Bully Gang because they were bullied as young men growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and they wanted to reclaim the word, his lawyer, Darren Fields, told a jury in Brooklyn Federal Court Thursday. He actually took that term and made it into a positive, similar to how some people use the N-word, Fields said. He and his friends called themselves the Little Bullies at first, then the Bully Gang, because, as Fields explained, Unfortunately in the rap industry, you have to promote. The intent of the Bully Gang was to become rap artists. Harrell and three other men are on trial for racketeering, murder, and running two drug trafficking operations one of them on Rikers Island. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Lurinsky described Harrell as the leader and founder of the Bedford-Stuyvesant-based Bully Gang, and co-defendants Derrick Ayers, Franklin Gillespie and Anthony Kennedy as core members. Its members devastated communities up and down the East Coast. They murdered people. They hunted down and shot their enemies, and they poisoned the streets with dangerous drugs, Lurinsky said. For five years, the gang brought drugs from New York and New Jersey up to the state of Maine. Starting in 2019, while he was held on Rikers Island in an unrelated case, Harrell worked with other gang members and corrupt correction officers to smuggle the synthetic drug K2 into the jail complex, she said. One of the murders took place in March 2018, after members of a rival gang tried to shoot up a gender reveal party for Harrells child. Ayers is accused of chasing down one of those rivals, Jonathan Jackson, as he fled down Kings Highway, and shooting him dead. Gillespie committed two more murders in a four-day span in April 2020, Lurinsky said first, the point-blank execution of rival Stukes Crew member Paul Hoilett, then, four days later, the getaway driver in the Hoilett murder, Mike Hawley, who Gillespie thought might talk if he was arrested. The gangs members used text messages to discuss the particulars of their drug operation, and to talk about stalking rivals, Lurinsky said, and they bragged on social media. In their posts they described the history of the gang, and the bragged about all their money from the crimes, she said. Harrells lawyer, Fields, said that Harrell was in jail from 2015 through 2017, and again from 2019 and 2020 when he was supposed to have been running the gang. He described the Jackson murder as an act of self-defense, after the Stukes Crew members showed up at the gender reveal party, looking to murder several people. Fortunately, someone on the scene had a weapon to respond. It would have been a massacre, Fields said. The government claims thats Derrick Ayers who did that. Well if he did, thank you. Police hounded him on trips back and forth between New York and Maine, pulling him over twice in a month and finding nothing during an exhaustive search, Fields said. The government will have you believe that Mr. Harrell was the leader of this Bully Gang organization, he said. What they did in this particular case is criminalize a neighborhood, criminalize relationships. The other defendants lawyers made similar arguments. A blood relationship is not an enterprise. Association with other people, with family members, is not an enterprise, said Kennedys lawyer, Zachary Taylor. A neighborhood is not an enterprise. FREMONT, Calif. - A man was arrested for allegedly attacking a restaurant worker with a hatchet in Fremont on last week, police say. Fremont police said the attack happened last Friday at around 12:15 p.m. at a restaurant near Mission Boulevard and Warm Springs Boulevard. The restaurant was Curry Pizza House. According to police, those who reported what was happening, said a man was yelling inside the restaurant and appeared to be armed with a small hatchet. As officers were responding, the reporting parties gave them an update to say the person with the weapon had struck an employee with the hatchet. The employee's arm was injured. Police said the injury was considered minor. The intersection at a busy thoroughfare is near shopping malls and several restaurants. After stealing pizza, police said the suspect fled the restaurant. Officers caught up with the suspect near the pizza shop. He was identified as Evin Sagastume, 35, of Fremont. He was arrested and booked into the Santa Rita Jail. Sagaqstame has a prior record of arrests for assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a deadly weapon. In this case, the suspect was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and for making criminal threats. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) is reminding residents of the state that the sale of liquor on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 will not be allowed from liquor stores for off-premises sales. $50,000 Powerball ticket sold in West Virginia This does not apply to off-premises sales of beer and wine. This also does not apply to the West Virginia State Code that manages Easter liquor sales for on-premises licenses. That means that bars and restaurants can sell liquor on Easter Sunday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. JERUSALEM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel's National Students and Youth Council staged a strike at high schools across the country on Thursday in protest of the recent measures imposed by the teachers' association demanding better working conditions, Israeli media reported. The student council said in a statement that it is a one-day warning strike and called on the Ministry of Finance and the Secondary School Teachers Association to reach an agreement that would put an end to the school disruptions caused by the teachers' ongoing protests. The teachers claim that the ministry did not comply with agreements reached in September last year to improve their working conditions, including the cancellation of personal employment contracts bypassing the union, refraining from shortening the dismissal procedure for teachers, and ensuring salary benefits, among other provisions. As part of the sanctions, high school teachers have stopped giving and publishing exam scores, ceased work after 3:30 p.m., and canceled school trips. The student council emphasized that "during the current war, the youth need a stable education system with proper studies and the opportunity to acquire valuable tools through trips." The combined total of losses for foreign companies that exited Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has exceeded $107 billion, Reuters reported on March 28, citing analyses of the companies' financials. After the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia saw an exodus of Western companies reluctant to contribute to the country's economy and war effort. At the same time, many others have stayed or returned after a temporary hiatus. While the Kremlin could do little to stop them leaving, it imposed stricter exit requirements, including approval from a special government commission, a 50% discount on sales, and an "exit tax" worth at least 10% of the sale. Reuters reported that these measures have netted the Kremlin at least $385 million since the beginning of 2024 alone. The exit measures, combined with writedowns, lost revenue, and other factors, account for the staggering figure, Reuters found. The Russian government has also outright seized assets belonging to subsidiaries of Western companies operating in Russia. The actions taken against the companies have been viewed as a form of retaliation from Russia for the West's freezing of 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 but have yet to finalize a plan. There are additional concerns that seizing the funds could provoke further retaliation. At the same time, the EU has moved forward with a proposal to use profits generated from the frozen funds to purchase weapons for Ukraine. The Russian state-run media outlet RIA Novosti claimed in January 2024 that such retaliatory measures could cost the West around $288 billion, basing the figure on the purported total amount of direct Western investment into the Russian economy at the end of 2022. The figure could not be independently verified. Read also: Russians still enjoying American burgers and sandwiches as companies refuse to leave Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The British company Evolve Dynamics is focusing on developing drones for the Ukrainian military that are able to withstand electronic warfare, Reuters reported on March 28. Electronic warfare focuses on jamming the signals of attack or reconnaissance drones by overloading their receiver with false frequencies, meaning they cannot reach their target. Evolve Dynamics makes reconnaissance drones, which they provide to Ukrainian military units along with "parts and software updates directly from the company, allowing them, where possible, to make the changes themselves," Reuters said. The company is now developing "alternative radio link algorithms" to bypass electronic warfare. Drones have been a key tool in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in January that surpassing Russia in drone operations is one of the top priorities in 2024. Zelensky signed a decree in February creating a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drones, and in March, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that seven Ukrainian vocational schools plan to start drone operation education programs. Read also: The Invisible War: Inside the electronic warfare arms race that could shape course of war in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nicole Shanahan, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential running mate, is not only one of the most prominent critics of in vitro fertilization this election cycle she has made it one of her life missions to change the narrative around the treatment. As highlighted by Politico, Shanahan has called IVF one of the biggest lies thats being told about womens health today, according to an interview published in February by the Australian Financial Review. Shanahan, a Silicon Valley lawyer and ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has publicly criticized the fertility industry for years through her work as a philanthropist. The couple, who finalized their divorce in 2023, had gone through several unsuccessful rounds of IVF before conceiving a child together through natural means, an experience that left Shanahan feeling jilted by what was supposed to be a helpful process. I believe IVF is sold irresponsibly, and my own experience with natural childbirth has led me to understand that the fertility industry is deeply flawed, she wrote for People magazine in 2022. Shanahan is the founder of the Bia-Echo Foundation, a nonprofit which funds research for reproductive longevity and equality, and is a major donor of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, giving $6 million in seed funding in 2018. Many of the IVF clinics are financially incentivized to offer you egg freezing and IVF and not incentivized to offer you other fertility services, she told The New Yorker last year. IVF has become a political flashpoint since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that fertilized embryos should be treated as children under the law. The decision was met with widespread backlash, prompting Alabama lawmakers to hastily pass a carveout bill protecting IVF services in the state. Anger over the decision does not appear to have died down, however, and it is being credited as a major factor in helping Democrat Marilyn Lands flip a deep-red Alabama state legislature seat this week. In 2021, IVF was used to conceive over 86,000 infants born that year in the United States, approximately 2 percent of all births, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Reasonable people could have concerns with bioethics, or a lot of us have concerns with how a lot of science is marketed and mass produced, right? Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, told Politico. Im sure theres a tiny little kernel and rationale behind all of this. But at the end of the day, IVF has been a long-established reproductive health technology, and Nicole Shanahan, bless her, is not a medical expert. In a statement to Rolling Stone, Shanahan said she has spent the past five years funding research into environmental factors that impact womens reproductive health because she felt they had gone largely ignored. IVF is a very expensive for-profit business, and many of these clinics are owned by private equity firms that are not invested in the underlying health of women, Shanahan said. What I care about is informed consent, and not letting corporations take advantage of us. Shanahan is far from the only woman to criticize IVF after undergoing it, with some fertility doctors describing the process as an expensive lottery ticket that is not a guarantee. If you win, you get the best payout ever: You get a child. But if you dont win, you feel scammed, Dr. Emily Goulet told NBC News in 2019. Tanya Selvaratnam, an activist and author of The Big Lie: Motherhood, Feminism and the Reality of the Biological Clock, told Rolling Stone in an email that while fertility treatments have led to many heartwarming miraculous stories, women and families need to be properly informed of the process, costs, risks, and underlying condition interactions. Private fertility doctors and clinics, when they are insidious, will prey on peoples deep desire to have children, she wrote. The fertility industry generates billions of dollars in revenue. At a Buck Institute event in 2019, Shanahan said that she went through three failed attempts at creating an embryo over the course of three dozen visits to IVF clinics across the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the Marin Independent Journal. Personally, I find it crazy that my reproductive organs are considered geriatric long before any other organ even begins to show the slightest decline, Shanahan said at the event. I find it even crazier that we have conceded to this narrative for half of the human species. RFK Jr. has not taken a public stance on the issue. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone A super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s independent presidential bid said it raised more than $2 million following the candidates official announcement of his running mate. American Values 2024, the main outside group supporting Kennedys White House bid, raked in $2.1 million at a fundraiser Tuesday, right after the official announcement of tech attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan joining his 2024 ticket, PAC head Tony Lyons shared first with The Hill. About 60 donors attended the outside groups cocktail party, Lyons said. They were clearly energized by RFK Jrs VP pick Nicole Shanahan, Lyons said in a statement to The Hill. We raised $2,120,000, which proves that attendees see that Mr. Kennedy now has an increasingly clear path to the presidency. Many had said previously that they liked him and they trusted him but felt he couldnt win, Lyons continued. With 70 percent of Americans wanting an option other than Biden and Trump, more and more voters are beginning to understand what Mr. Kennedy would do as president; they are listening to his ideas and his policies and they like what they hear. The fundraiser comes on the heels of the California-based entrepreneurs formal induction to the independent candidates ticket. This is the second-highest amount American Values 2024 has raised at an event. In January, the PAC brought in $5.8 million during Kennedys 70th birthday celebration in West Hollywood, Lyons confirmed to The Hill. After stating it would stop collecting signatures on the candidates behalf for ballot access, the super PAC said it will spend at least $10 million on ads, The Hill first reported two weeks ago. The group said it garnered enough signatures to get the independent candidate on the ballot in four states: Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and South Carolina. American Values 2024 is open to spending up to $20 million on ads, depending on how much the group raises leading up to November. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s running mate has been a harsh critic of in vitro fertilization, while funding alternative research on extending womens reproductive years. Nicole Shanahan has for years denounced IVF calling it "one of the biggest lies thats being told about womens health today." At the same time, she has also been a vocal proponent of and financial backer for unconventional research into the possibility of helping women having children into their 50s and exploring no-cost interventions to help women conceive, such as exposure to sunlight. Im not sure that there has been a really thorough mitochondrial respiration study on the effects of two hours of morning sunlight on reproductive health. I would love to fund something like that, Shanahan said to a 2023 panel with the National Academy of Medicine, a group to which she said she had previously donated $100 million. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine said Bia-Echo's donation amounted to $150,000. The statement was met with chuckles, Yeah, lets do it, she added. I just have an intuition that could be interesting and maybe work. As a candidate, her criticisms of IVF have taken on heightened importance following an Alabama Supreme Courts ruling that embryos are children, which briefly forced clinics in the states to pause operations. Republicans and Democrats including both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump rushed to defend the procedure, which is broadly popular. The 38-year-olds opposition to IVF and skepticism of the fertility industry makes her an outlier in the presidential field though she has not called for banning the procedure. Kennedy has not weighed in on IVF access, and has made conflicting comments about abortion access. At the Iowa State Fair, Kennedy, 70, saidhe supported a ban on abortion after 15 or 21 weeks of pregnancy, but then his campaign said he misunderstood the question and does not support such a ban. In multiple interviews, Shanahan has been public about how she feels about the IVF industry, including one as recently as this February. It became abundantly clear that we just dont have enough science for the things that we are telling and selling women, Shanahan told the Australian Financial Review. Its one of the biggest lies thats being told about womens health today," she said. After publication of this article, the Kennedy campaign sent a statement responding to POLITICO's request for comment reaffirming her comments in the Financial Review. "Ive spent the past five years funding science to understand the environmental factors that impact womens reproductive health because these have gone largely ignored," Shanahan said. "IVF is a very expensive for-profit business, and many of these clinics are owned by private equity firms that are not invested in the underlying health of women. What I care about is informed consent, and not letting corporations take advantage of us." And in a personal essay for People Magazine in 2022, in which she detailed her split from her ex-husband and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, she said, "I believe IVF is sold irresponsibly, and in my own experience with natural childbirth has led me to understand that the fertility industry is deeply flawed. IVF has been used to help parents conceive for decades, and today accounts for about 2 percent of all births in the U.S. These criticisms come from junk science, said Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, which has endorsed Biden. Reasonable people could have concerns with bioethics, or a lot of us have concerns with how a lot of science is marketed and mass produced, right?" Timmaraju said. "I'm sure there's a tiny little kernel and rationale behind all of this. But at the end of the day, IVF has been a long-established reproductive health technology, and Nicole Shanahan, bless her, is not a medical expert. Shanahan had a personal experience with IVF. While trying to conceive her first child, she was told she would not be a good candidate for IVF because she had polycystic ovary syndrome, according to an interview she gave to The New Yorker in 2023. Two years later, she naturally conceived her daughter. Shanahan said she was unhappy with her experience and began funding research into reproductive longevity, which she said is the natural progression of the womens rights movement. She questioned the financial incentives involved in fertility treatments, telling the New Yorker, Many IVF clinics are financially incentivized to offer you egg freezing and IVF and not incentivized to offer you other fertility services. Shanahan, as founder and president of the Bia-Echo Foundation, is often described as the first funder and creator of womens reproductive longevity research. In articles detailing her six-figure donations to the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, she talked about the inequalities between women and men in the reproductive space. "Personally, I find it crazy that my reproductive organs are considered geriatric long before any other organ even begins to show the slightest decline," Shanahan said in an interview with the Marin Independent News. "I find it even crazier that we have conceded to this narrative for half of the human species." Through her nonprofit, Shanahan contributed $5 million to the Buck Institute in 2020 for reproductive longevity and equality, followed by an additional $2 million in 2021 for a healthy and livable planet, according to financial disclosure forms filed by the foundation. I try to imagine where we would be as a field if all of the money that has been invested in IVF, and all of the money thats been invested into marketing IVF, and all of the government money that has been invested in subsidizing IVF, if just 10 percent of that went into reproductive longevity research and fundamental research, where we would be today," Shanahan said in a webinar hosted by the Buck Institute in 2021. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated how much Shanahan's group had donated to the National Academy of Medicine. Tourists visit Huangling scenic spot in Wuyuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Shangjun) by Xinhua writer Zhu Yunuo NANCHANG, March 28 (Xinhua) -- As spring unfolds, Wuyuan comes to life, welcoming travelers from near and far during one of the liveliest times of the year. As I approached the county of Wuyuan in east China's Jiangxi Province, vehicles with plates from various regions zipped past on the highway. En route, I was greeted by a sea of golden rapeseed flowers. Amidst the vibrant blooms, the colorful attire of tourists and the sound of laughter captured my attention. Revered as "China's most beautiful countryside," Wuyuan saw a record 26.2 million visitors from across the nation last year. The momentum continued into the new year, with 3.6 million tourists visiting the county between January and February, marking a 14.3 percent increase from the previous year. This is my sixth journey to Wuyuan, as I love traveling outside cities to find inspiration and explore rural landscapes. The county's picturesque scenery never fails to astound me. As I enjoyed the fresh air, gushing streams, dainty flowers and a tranquil atmosphere of rustic simplicity, I felt the pulse of local tourism getting stronger. Mornings in early spring often carry a slight chill, particularly after rainfall. Raindrops trickle from the petals of rapeseed flowers, filling the air with the scent of fresh earth. After arriving at Sixiyan Village at 8 a.m., I hoped to capture the village, which boasts a history of over 800 years, in its serene slumber. However, before I could get a glimpse of its tranquil streets, I was greeted by the sound of joyous chatter. "Look at those Hui-style buildings and golden rapeseed flowers, it's so beautiful!" Such praise enveloped me as I entered the village among a dense crowd of tourists. Astonished by the size of the group, I couldn't help but wonder about their story. So, I approached an elder from the group who was busy taking photos with his mobile phone. "We came from northeastern China and there are almost 1,000 tourists in our group," said the 67-year-old. He told me that the group had embarked from Dalian, a port city thousands of kilometers away, with Wuyuan being their first stop on a 14-day journey. Their itinerary includes visits to south China's Hainan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In pink overcoats and Mamianqun, a traditional Chinese long pleated skirt, a group of elegantly dressed women were also taking photos in the flower fields, their faces beaming with vitality and joy. Intrigued, I approached them. Among them, Meng Guiping, 65, informed me that she and the other 16 members hailed from Tianjin Municipality in northern China. "It's easy to travel almost anywhere nowadays, so we try to visit as many places as possible," said Meng. "The perfect blend of natural scenery and local culture in Wuyuan is truly worth the trip." Viewing travel as an integral part of her retirement, Meng has set a goal of visiting at least five different destinations each year. As the sun warmed the earth, I made my way to Huangling Village, another iconic destination in Wuyuan. Upon stepping onto the stone road in Huangling, I was captivated. The village echoed with accents from various regions and the clicking of cameras from tourists. Upon reaching the viewing platform, my attention was drawn to a small green flag. Local guide Wang Minghua stood beside it, awaiting members of his tour group. Almost daily, Wang is busy catering to tourists from all corners of the country. "I don't have to worry about a shortage of tourists with such a lively tourism industry," Wang said with visible excitement. According to statistics from Huangling, nearly 250,000 tourists have visited the village, averaging around 19,000 visitors per day, since the rapeseed flower blooming season started on March 8. As the day was still young, I opted to continue exploring the scenic area alongside the crowd, seeking more surprises until the alluring aroma of rice wine brought me to a halt. I came across a bustling store filled with customers eager to sample the local delicacies, not just rice wine but also various snacks. The owner told me that he has been crafting rice wine for over a decade. He started selling rice wine at the scenic spot in 2021, consistently moving more than 25,000 kg of the beverage annually and yielding an income of more than 800,000 yuan (about 112,758 U.S. dollars). My time in Wuyuan not only provided me with a joyful travel opportunity, but also gave me a fresh outlook on life. I am sure that integrating tourism into everyday life will create many more delightful opportunities. "Tourism has become an essential aspect of a better life among urban and rural residents," said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. He believes that in 2024, domestic tourism will enter a new stage of fast development, and the recovery of the inbound and outbound tourism market will accelerate, too. According to his prediction, China will see domestic travellers exceed 6 billion this year, generating an estimated revenue of 6 trillion yuan. Tourists visit Huangling scenic spot in Wuyuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Shangjun) Tourists pose for photos at Sixiyan Village of Wuyuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, March 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Sui Shangjun) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) What better way to kick off spring break than with an awesome event happening right in your own backyard? Here is a look at what you can do the weekend of March 29: Robotics Tournament at East Kentwood High Head on down to East Kentwood High School this Thursday through Saturday for some robot fun. The school will host a robotics tournament featuring teams from across the area. The event is free to attend. For more information, click here. GR Golds Fan Appreciation Night As we approach the end of the regular season for the Grand Rapids Gold this Saturday, the team wants to know how valuable the fans have been this year. Saturdays game at Van Andel Arena against Capital City Go-Go will be Fan Appreciation Night where those in attendance will have chances to win awesome prizes. Get your tickets by clicking here. A Night of Symphonic Boy Bands Members of some of the biggest boy bands in history will be performing together at DeVos Performance Hall this Friday. Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and Erik-Michael Estrada of OTown will take the stage and perform some of their groups biggest hits. Click here to buy tickets for the performance. Build your LEGO family at Bricks & Minifigs A big LEGO-themed event is taking place in Grand Rapids, just in time for the family gatherings this weekend. At Bricks and Minifigs, you and your family can recreate yourselves in LEGO-form. Click here for more on Bricks and Minifigs Family Build Day. Adult Easter Egg Hunt Ed Dunneback and Girls Farm Market is hosting a specialty egg hunt thats just for adults. From 1 to 4 p.m., you can scavenge for eggs and enjoy some drinks, food, live music and raffles. There will be plenty of big giveaways at the event as well. You can get your tickets to the hunt here. Annual Kalamazoo Egg Hunt And if youre looking for a more family-friendly egg hunt, then head on down to Kalamazoo. The annual egg hunts return to Mayors Riverfront Park on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The hunts will be split amongst age groups and you can even get your photo taken with the Kalamazoo Growlers mascot, Porter. Click here for more information. Breaking Benjamin, Daughtry come to Kalamazoo Rock groups Breaking Benjamin and Daughtry are coming to Kalamazoo this Saturday for an incredible night of music. Both bands will take the stage starting at 7 p.m. at the Wings Event Center. Tickets for the show can be purchased by clicking here. 42nd Muskegon Student Art Exhibition The Muskegon Museum of Art is hosting the 42nd annual Student Art Exhibition that kicks off this weekend. Starting Thursday and lasting until May 19, you will have the chance to see some of the top artwork from students across the county. Click here for details. Hot Rod Motorcycle Swap Meet in Muskegon Motorcycle owners and buyers will want to head down to Muskegons Hot ROd Harley Davidson this Saturday. Its the annual Hot Rod Motorcycle Swap Meet where you can buy, sell or trade with other enthusiasts in attendance. Additional information can be found here. Airsoft Recreational Event in Coopersville Coopersvilles Nest of Vipers Airsoft is set to open back up this Saturday and theyre welcoming the public to have some fun. Airsoft players are invited to come out starting at 11 a.m. and play through a variety of games for everyone ages 14 and up. More details can be found here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Ronna McDaniel's tenure as an on-air commentator for NBC News is already over: The network fired the former Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman this week after enduring a full-on mutiny from other staffers and hosts. MSNBC pundits Chuck Todd, Joe Scarborough, and Rachel Maddow all criticized network heads for bringing McDaniel on board. Todd suggested her commentary would be suspect, since she had only recently departed the RNC; Scarborough said he "strongly objected" to her; and Maddow said the network hiring McDaniel was like hiring a mobster to work at a district attorney's office or a pickpocket to work as a TSA screener (imagine that!). Watch: "Bad decisions will inevitably happen. Mistakes will be made. But part of our resilience as a democracy is going to be us recognizing when decisions are bad ones and reversing those bad decisions." Rachel Maddow encourages her colleagues at NBC News to 'take a minute' on their pic.twitter.com/T1FVMh5KIP Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) March 26, 2024 I criticized Todd's objections to McDaniel earlier this week. If McDaniel's proximity to the RNC means her credibility as a commentator is suspect, then MSNBC host Jen Psaki should be considered a major liability; Psaki served as White House press secretary under President Joe Biden while negotiating her role at MSNBC. There's nothing particularly new or stranger about thispolitical communications officials frequently move from government to campaigns to cable news and back again. Anyone who pretends that this was the major issue with McDaniel is lying. Maddow's criticism of McDaniel gets to the actual heart of the matter: Progressives at MSNBC think that McDaniel's political views and actions with respect to former President Donald Trump are disqualifying. They say that McDaniel was part of Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and for that reason, she has committed an unforgivable sin. The truth, however, is that McDaniel played an "ambiguous role" in promoting Trumpian election denial, explains Reason's Jacob Sullum. She initially gave credence to wrongful claims by Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, and supported Trump's efforts to re-litigate the outcome, but as promised evidence of fraud failed to materialize, she increasingly distanced the RNC from Stop the Stealinfuriating Trump in the process. Not Just a River in Egypt In its write-up of McDaniel's sudden rise and fall at NBC, The New York Times credited her for rejecting "Mr. Trump's most far-fetched election-theft scenarios." Nevertheless, the Times chided her for casting any doubt on the validity of the outcome whatsoever, reminding readers that she once said Biden hadn't "won it fair" and had gestured at various fraud allegations. In merely whining about the supposed unfairness of election, McDaniel is in good company, of course. Indeed, much of the mainstream media seems to have completely memory-holed the fact that numerous Democratic officials and progressive pundits said the 2016 electionwon by Trumpwas unfair due to alleged Russian interference, voter suppression, and hacks and leaks emanating from the Hillary Clinton campaign. Clinton herself infamously declared Trump an "illegitimate president." " I believe he understands that the many varying tactics they used, from voter suppression and voter purging to hacking to the false storieshe knows thatthere were just a bunch of different reasons why the election turned out like it did," she said in a 2019 interview. Clinton was hardly alone in that belief. When Trump was sworn in as president in 2017, nearly 70 congressional Democrats slipped the inauguration; many of them did so because they viewed the election as illegitimate. The late Rep. John Lewis (DGa.), a beloved civil rights icon, explicitly said he would not attend the inauguration because "I don't see the president-elect as a legitimate president." The reason he cited was Russian election interference. "I think there was a conspiracy on the part of the Russians and others," said Lewis. He made these remarks during an interview withNBC's Chuck Todd, who somehow failed to assail Lewis for indulging in election-denying conspiracy theories. In fact, Todd's response was downright agreeable. "That's going to send a big message," said the host. Then there was Stacey Abrams, the Democratic candidate for governor of Georgia in 2018, who repeatedly and brazenly claimed her Republican opponent, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, had stolen the election. Those claims were echoed by current White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierrebefore she took that jobwho had also called Trump's win illegitimate. To be abundantly clear, neither Clinton nor Abrams nor any of these other figures are morally equivalent to Trump, who took active steps to contest his loss in court. But they did gripe about their losses, and help inspire public doubt in the validity of their outcomes. According to Roll Call, 62 percent of Democrats believe Trump's 2016 win was illegitimate because of Russian interferenceeven though the most sensational claims about vast foreign influence on social media were substantially debunked. Would NBC hosts rise up in fury if any of these election deniers were offered plum gigs at the network? Of course not. What's the Story? I found myself completely baffled by this New York magazine profile of Andrew Huberman, a Stanford University professor of medicine and popular podcaster. Writer Kerry Howleyformerly of Reasontears Huberman apart for dating multiple women at once (without their knowledge, according to them); the piece reads like an attempted #MeToo-ing, but falls short of offering up anything bad enough to be worthy of such a brutal takedown. That was my take at least, and Glenn Greenwald and Saagar Enjeti expressed similar sentiments. My Rising co-host Briahna Joy Gray felt differently, however, and we argued about it on the show. Worth Watching Did you catch the debut of Free Media TV? Watch below. We're just getting started. The post Ronna McDaniel and the Media's Election Denial Double Standard appeared first on Reason.com. Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 179 times in 48 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on March 27. The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Seredyna-Buda, Shalyhyne, and Esman were targeted. Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, grenade launchers, and missile attacks. Explosives were also dropped by drones onto five of the communities. Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Sumy Oblast inspecting the construction of fortifications near the regional center, as well as visiting the positions of the 117th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent weeks. The town of Velyka Pysarivka, located directly on the Russia-Ukraine border, has become a main target of attack for Russia. Amid an up-tick in Russian attacks, authorities have been working to increase evacuation efforts in the town Velyka Pysarivka with nearly 300 residents being evacuated this week. According to a spokesperson for Sumy Oblast's 117th Territorial Defense Brigade, approximately 250 resident remain in Velyka Pysarivka. The community had a pre-war population of about 4,000 residents. The town of Krasnopillia was targeted with the most attacks on March 27 with 30 explosions recorded in the area, while the town of Velyka Pysarivka reported seven explosions throughout the day. Shelling is a daily occurrence for the communities near Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia, with residents in the region's vulnerable border settlements experience multiple attacks per day. Read also: Zelensky visits Sumy Oblast, inspects fortifications Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Another suspect has been detained in connection with the March 22 terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia's Investigative Committee said on March 28. The Investigative Committee claimed that the detained person is under suspicion of being "involved in a terrorist financing scheme," without providing further details. Several gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, northwest of Moscow, on the evening of March 22, killing 139 people. Though a branch of the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack shortly thereafter, the Kremlin is attempting to pin the blame on Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the allegation of Ukrainian involvement "predictable" and condemned Moscow for trying "to blame everything on someone else." The White House said there was no indication that Ukraine was behind it. Russia's security services detained 11 people in connection with the attack on March 23, and another three people on March 25. Four of the perpetrators were allegedly detained in Bryansk Oblast, which borders Ukraine. "The investigation has also obtained evidence of the suspects' connection with Ukrainian nationalists," the Investigative Committee claimed, alleging that the perpetrators received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine." Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko undermined the Kremlin's narrative on March 26 when he claimed that the perpetrators initially tried to flee to Belarus, but changed their plans when they saw the increased security at the border. It would be "cynical and counterproductive for Russia itself and for the security of its citizens to use this context to try and turn it against Ukraine," French President Emmanuel Macron said on March 25. Read also: In Putins Russia, state violence is on full display Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Defence Intelligence spoke about the Russification policy in Ukraine's occupied territories in order to align their legal and political systems with the legislation of the Russian Federation. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 28 March on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda Details: The analysts noted that these measures are related to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's plans to create a new administrative elite, as stated in his address to the public last month, as well as the issuance of a presidential decree in January 2024 to establish a new personnel reserve. UK intelligence drew attention to the fact that the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Service has opened a magistracy in the specialty State and Municipal Administration, which, according to a university representative, will provide graduates with skills to work at all levels of government, particularly in the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. The agency also cited a statement from the Russian Federation's Ministry of Justice, Konstantin Chuychenko, claiming that Moscow has established 58 federal penal institutions in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. "It is likely that the establishment of a masters programme is partly aimed at overcoming the shortage of willing and skilled personnel in Russian government roles in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine," the report reads. Other Russification measures, according to the intelligence service, include "extending the Russian justice system, imposing a Russian curriculum, issuing Russian passports, and building Russian telecommunications infrastructure." Background: Support UP or become our patron! The US Department of State has responded to another wave of accusations by Russian officials against Ukraine and Western countries of involvement in the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall near Moscow. Source: Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, at a briefing Details: Miller was asked about the reaction to the statements of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said the day before that "the West has created ISIS." "So Ive seen those comments as well as comments from President Putin as well as comments from others claiming that any host of countries were behind this terrorist attack," he said. Miller reiterated that he believes these statements to be untrue, and added that "the Russian Government knows that the claims are categorically false." "So I would say that these comments from multiple Kremlin officials are irresponsible, theyre cynical, and its just another example of President Putin and the rest of his team exploiting a national tragedy to try to justify the illegal war against Ukraine," Miller pointed out. Background: Earlier, John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, rejected Russia's claims that the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow Oblast was linked to Ukraine. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron called Russia's allegations that his country, the United States and Ukraine were involved in the attack nonsense. Support UP or become our patron! MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Thursday complete silence was needed when it came to discussions about possible prisoner exchanges involving Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter arrested in Russia a year ago on suspicion of espionage. Gershkovich, 32, became the first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War when he was detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on March 29. The reporter, the Journal and the U.S. government all deny he is a spy. Russia says he was caught red-handed. Asked about when a court would hear Gershkovich's case or whether there would be a prisoner exchange, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We do not have information about the court - it is not our prerogative." "As for exchange matters, we have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence," Peskov said, adding that public remarks were a hindrance. The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said Gershkovich had been trying to obtain military secrets. He has now spent almost a year at Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison, which is closely associated with the FSB, and his detention has been extended to June 30. (Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Timothy Heritage) Russia increased its petrol imports from Belarus in March to overcome the risk of shortages in its domestic market, which arose due to repairs at Russian refineries after drone attacks. Source: Reuters citing industry and trade sources Details: Russia is usually an exporter of petrol to international markets, but the failure of Russian refineries has forced oil companies to start importing it. Russia usually imports very little petrol from Belarus. This year, it has increased its imports, and in the first half of March it purchased almost 3,000 tonnes of petrol. Before that, Russia imported 590 tonnes in February, and there were no supplies from Belarus in January. Two industry sources said that there have been discussions on further imports between governments and oil companies. One of the sources said that the talks were difficult as Belarus prioritised exporting its petrol to international markets. Another source said that Russias import needs will depend on how fast the refineries can be repaired. In addition, Russian oil companies may increase oil supplies to Belarusian refineries in exchange for additional oil products to be shipped to Russia. Belarus has two oil refineries: the Novopolotsk Oil Refinery (Naftan) and the Mozyr Oil Refinery. Each has an operation capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum (about 240,000 barrels per day), but they typically process less, about 9 million tonnes per annum (about 180,000 barrels per day). Background: The Russian government banned petrol exports for six months from 1 March and increased the standard for diesel sales on the exchange to 16%. These measures are intended to combat rising petrol prices. Back in September 2023, the Russian government reported that they were ready to take drastic measures in the petrol market due to a record increase in wholesale prices. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops on March 27 attacked Kharkiv, killing a 59-year-old man and injuring 19 people, including four children. This was the first time since 2022 that Russian troops used a glide air bomb, reportedly a new-type UMPB D-30 munition, to strike the city. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, located just over 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the Russian border, faces near-daily attacks. Only within the last month, Kharkiv has been struck around ten times with missiles, drones, and now air bombs, suffering from severe damage to civilian infrastructure, as well as having an increase in the number of casualties among locals. "And these attacks will continue," Victor Kevlyuk, an expert at the Center for Defense Strategies, told the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to provide more air defense systems to Ukraine, following Russia's attack on the city. But considering the proximity of the border, air defense systems will not be efficient as long as the Russian army can easily reach the city with ground-based fire, Kevlyuk said. According to him, Russian troops must be pushed away at least 80-100 kilometers (50-62 miles) to create a "safe zone" in Kharkiv Oblast. "We can set Patriots in this (Kharkiv) zone, and it could be lost in two days. What should we do next then?" Kevlyuk said, referring to the fact that the sophisticated air defense systems are not designed to take part in close-range combat. Read also: Russia aims to knock out Ukraines power grid in new wave of attacks Targeting energy infrastructure to demoralize civilians On March 22, Russia conducted the biggest attack on the country's energy infrastructure since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, striking Kharkiv, among other cities. Russian troops launched S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Kharkiv, causing a severe power outage in the city. Disruptions in water and heating supplies were also reported, as well as the full stop of electric transport, including the metro. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on national television that the local thermal power plant (TPP) and all the electrical substations were destroyed or damaged. According to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov, the restoration of local energy infrastructure is a task "not for weeks, but for months." Russia's final target is not an energy infrastructure as such but people's morale during this period of full-scale invasion, when heating and electricity are not so vital, as well as the undermining of Ukraine's air defense systems, according to Kevlyuk. "The enemy aims not to destroy Kharkiv but to deplete Ukraine's aid defense systems," the expert added. Federico Borsari, fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), said the intensification of attacks on Kharkiv, including its energy infrastructure, could also damage Ukraine's military capabilities. "Hitting energy infrastructure can impact the activities of the military, also considering the Ukrainian Armed Forces' highly digitized C2 structure, which requires a constant power supply to work smoothly," Borsari said. He said that Russia could prepare for a new potential offensive in the area, considering the latest mass attacks on the city. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says new Russian offensive could come in May or June Will Russia try to seize Kharkiv again? Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation dismissed reports about Russia's preparations to launch a new offensive against Kharkiv, saying that Moscow currently "does not have the resources" for such an operation. Kevlyuk agreed with it, recalling Russian losses in its offensive in Avdiivka and Bakhmut, which are far smaller compared to Kharkiv. "It will be needed to gather all the Russian troops in Ukraine at least to surround Kharkiv. It is impossible (for now). The mathematical modeling shows that Russia does not have enough units near Kharkiv and will not create anything in half a year," Kevlyuk said. Borsari, on the contrary, thinks that there are indications suggesting Russia may attempt a new offensive in Kharkiv "sometime in the next few months," exploiting the lack of ammunition and manpower plaguing Ukrainian forces. According to Borsari, the February assessments put the number of Russian troops between the Kupiansk and Lyman axes at around 110,000, along with more than 1,000 tanks, 2,000 armored fighting vehicles, 700 artillery systems, and almost 500 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) in the same area. "While the overall strength of single (Russian) units may be far from ideal thus confirming understaffing issues these numbers would be enough to mount a new offensive," he said, adding that these numbers will not guarantee success on all axes in light of Ukrainian additional defenses currently being built. Kevlyuk still remains skeptical about Russia trying to move deeper into the Kupiansk sector of the front line, saying that in the near future, Moscow would most likely focus on assaults near the villages of Chasiv Yar and Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. He also noticed that Russian forces were attempting to move further to Siversk in the Bakhmut district in Donetsk Oblast. "Russia will be attempting to create preconditions for the summer offensive in the direction of the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk agglomeration during the spring," Kevlyuk said. Read also: Opinion: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia knew that the terrorist attack on Russian territory was being prepared as early as February 15 and there are several options why the Kremlin allowed it to happen, Kyrylo Budanov, Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) chief said, the Ukrainian intelligences press service reported. "Russia knew about the preparations at least on February 15, 2024, said Budanov. I will tell you more, this information passed through the Syrian group intelligence, after that it became known in Moscow. Let them not dream up that it all materialized in a strange way out of nowhere." Russia knew where the combat groups would come from and through which two countries they were moving, Budanov said. "Why did they allow this to happen there are several reasons, he said. The first is their sacred tradition a power struggle aimed to remove several officials. The second reason can be that they actually underestimated the magnitude of what would happen. They thought it would be more local, and wanted to blame Ukraine for everything." Read also: Crocus City Hall suspect tortured with electric shocks Photo 18+ The Kremlin has already changed their version of what happened in the Crocus City Hall shopping center near Moscow three times, attempting to link a so-called "Ukrainian trace" to the attack, Budanov noted. He called Russian propaganda versions nonsense and emphasized that he does not actually approve any terrorist acts against the civilian population. Russia itself wreaks havoc and arrogantly believed that they could control it, he said. Shooting in Russian Crocus City Hall: What is Known? Several terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons on attendees at a concert hall at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow suburb of Krasnogorsk, where the band Piknik was set to perform. Russian authorities claim 139 people were killed. Read also: Why Russia is trying to blame Ukraine for Crocus City Hall attack: expert opinion Russia claimed it detained those involved in the shooting and that the FSB had found a "Ukrainian trace" in the incident, alleging that the suspects were heading to cross the border into Ukraine, where they supposedly had contacts. This narrative has been pushed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian propaganda. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and Presidential Office have categorically denied Russian officials' accusations of Ukraine's involvement in the Crocus City Hall shooting. ISIS claimed responsibility on March 23, releasing photos of the suspects detained by the Russian FSB earlier. ISIS later released a video shot by the terrorists in Crocus City Hall. There is zero evidence tying Ukraine to the attack in Crocus City Hall near Moscow, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on March 25. Russian dictator Putin's entourage did not believe that Ukraine was involved in the shooting, Bloomberg agency, citing sources, reported on March 26. Kremlin officials have no confirmation of Ukraine's involvement, but Putin continues to blame 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 BOAO, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- At the high-profile Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024, China has made a clarion call for solidarity and cooperation to address the common challenges facing the world today as it reiterated commitments to opening up and shared development. China is advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts with high-quality development, which will inject strong impetus into the world economy and provide more opportunities for the development of all countries, especially neighbors in Asia, China's top legislator Zhao Leji said Thursday in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the annual event. SHARED DEVELOPMENT At present, the world is facing severe challenges including fragile economic recovery and regional conflicts, which underscores the urgent need for solidarity and cooperation among nations to tackle these issues and achieve win-win results. In his speech, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, called on Asian nations to stay independent, seek strength through unity, jointly oppose unilateralism and extreme self-serving practices, oppose picking sides and bloc confrontation, and prevent this region and the world from becoming an arena for geopolitical contests. China advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Zhao said, calling on all countries to rise above the outdated mentality of bloc confrontation and zero-sum game, practice true multilateralism, and jointly foster an open world economy. China is committed to shared development, Zhao said, adding that the country is already a main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, a primary source of investment for an increasing number of countries, and one of the most important investment destinations for most countries in the world. China has proposed building a community with a shared future for humanity, offering countries around the world the Chinese solution for a better future. Over the years, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative have contributed immensely to global prosperity and stability. Pascal Soriot, CEO of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, told Xinhua that he was impressed with the Chinese government's clear plan to grow the economy, bring technology innovations forward, and open up and benefit the entire world with win-win strategies. COMMITMENT TO OPENING UP China is committed to open development, further widening its door to the world, Zhao said in his speech. The country will proactively adhere to high-standard international economic and trade regulations and cultivate a business-friendly environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and world-class. China will also further shorten its negative list for foreign investment and remove all restrictions on access in the manufacturing sector, according to Zhao. Over the years, China has steadfastly pushed forward opening up, with the launch of free trade zones and the expansion of sectors open to foreign investment. It has always been a staunch supporter of multilateralism. In his speech, Zhao called on Asian countries to oppose trade protectionism and all forms of barriers and decoupling practices. During a panel discussion on China's economic outlook, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, member of the BFA Council of Advisors and former French prime minister, said that a closed-door policy leads nowhere in growing an economy, while an open Chinese economy that grew more than 5 percent last year was good news for the world. "You have a lot of young people, good universities, beautiful research centers, and a lot of people working," Raffarin said, calling China's innovation drive an important contribution to the world. In recent years, globalization and trade multilateralism have faced some headwinds due to slowing economies and domestic politics in some countries, thereby, giving rise to trade protectionism. "If all the people stop making the pie together by staying in small yards and behind high walls, we will lose out in terms of prosperity and development," said Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization. CHINA'S OPPORTUNITIES Over the past decades, China's robust growth and huge market have provided significant opportunities for the rest of the world, making it the largest contributor to global economic growth. Investing in China is investing in the future as the potential of its super-sized market with over 1.4 billion people will be further unlocked, Zhao said in his speech, adding that China's green development is poised to create investment and consumption markets worth 10 trillion yuan annually. "All countries are sincerely welcome to board the 'express train' of China's development and join hands to work for a global modernization featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and prosperity for all," Zhao said. "The Chinese market is important for us," said Charles Dallara, Partners Group USA Advisory Partner. "We're very pleased with the success of our investments." He added that China has advanced technology and green energy, and contributes to easing the environmental problems both domestically and around the world. "I think China is well poised to be a global leader in bringing us into a more environmentally safe world." "We have confidence in our group's future in China, and the rest of Asia. It's a dynamic region. China has not just a large-scale labor force, but also skilled labor. You find very good leadership of engineers and scientists to be at the forefront of technological development, and we are quite encouraged about the prospects of continuing to invest in China," he said. Dino Otranto, chief executive officer of Fortescue Metals Group headquartered in Australia, told Xinhua that Fortescue has maintained a long-standing partnership with Boao (Forum) for nearly 18 years, while in the last 20 years, the company has developed an iron ore business, with 90 percent of its products going into the Chinese market. The global mining firm sees a vast opportunity in collaborating with China for the green energy transition, with the CEO unveiling plans to launch a manufacturing center in east China's Hefei. "We will be manufacturing electrolyzer together. We have some great technology that we've invented in Australia that we're gonna bring here and work together on how they manufacture those electrolyzers to meet the global demand, which is huge at the moment," Otranto said. Soldiers of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade hold back the enemy on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar It looks increasingly likely that Russia will launch a new major offensive early in the summer, and Ukraine's ability to deter it this time looks "much less sure," The Economist wrote in an article published on March 27. Due to the threat of a new Russian offensive, Ukraine urgently needs to conscript more troops and build more reliable defenses on the front line. The six-months-long pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine could allow Russia to break through Ukraine's "inadequate" defense lines. Russia is also preparing for another wave of mobilization to fuel the next major offensive. Read also: Russia aims to create a new army of over 100,000 people, which could signal new summer offensive According to the report, the March 22 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow may even make it easier for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to do so, as he uses it to claim that Russia must be strong "in the face of bloodthirsty enemies." Ukraine's effort to draft more people into its military are "stuck in the coils of the democratic process," as more than 4,000 amendments have been submitted to the government's mobilization bill, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seemingly unwilling to push through the unpopular and expensive measure. Ukraine is also very late to building battlefield fortifications, The Economist writes. The Ukrainian government "still dreams of a new counteroffensive" and fears that the current front line could "harden into something very like a border" that would see Kyiv lose 20% of the country and much of the access to the sea. According to the report, Zelenskyy fears the idea that the current front line could become a basis for future peace talks. "But the dangers are now so great that it is the least bad option," the article reads. Read also: Russia will fail to capture Kharkiv regional governor Ukraine began building fortifications only in recent weeks, which should have started much earlier, according to the journalists. "Pray that it is not too late," the article concluded. 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 Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has revealed that the Russians may be preparing to conduct a new offensive which is expected late in May or in June. He did not specify which front was under risk. Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for CBS News CBS News states in the description of the interview with reference to the statement of the President of Ukraine that "Ukrainian forces are not prepared to defend against another major Russian offensive expected in the coming months". Meanwhile, Zelenskyy himself does not say in the video that the Ukrainian army is unable to resist against the new Russian offensive. Quote by Zelenskyy: "We have stabilised the situation as much as possible. Considering the fact there is a deficit of weapons, ammunition, considering the fact that we are starting to prepare brigades for corresponding actions important to us, we have stabilized the situation. It is better than it used to be two or three months ago. We share all the information with our partners and say that Russia will prepare counter-offensive actions. This may be the end of May or June We need help to prepare the brigades which will have to fight for our land, especially during the counter-offensive actions Russia wants to start." Quote: "And before that, we not only need to prepare, we not only need to stabilise the situation, because the partners are sometimes really happy that we have stabilised the situation. No, I say we need help now." He added that the Ukrainian army had stabilised the situation, and it is better now than two-three months ago when there was a significant deficit of artillery ammunition and different types of armament. Zelenskyy met with journalists during his trip to the city of Sumy. There, he inspected new underground bunkers in the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyy stated that this whole territory of Ukraine is in the state of combat readiness in response to an increasing number of the Russian troops on the opposite side of the border and attacks on surrounding villages: "Usually, when they attack by artillery and destroy the villages, after that, they always tried to occupy. We don't know what will be tomorrow. That's why we have to prepare." Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine urgently needs more of US-made Patriot anti-air systems and more artillery: "Dozens of billions remain in the US. Let's be honest, the money which is allocated by the Congress, by the administration, in the majority of cases, 80% of this money well, at least more than 75% stays in the U.S. This ammunition is coming to us, but the production is taking place there, and the money stays in the US, and the taxes are staying in the US." Background: Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, Commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, stated that Russia was forming a new contingent of troops consisting of more than 100,000 soldiers, and that the Russians may attempt an offensive along part of the Ukrainian front this summer. With the onset of summer, the threat of a new large-scale offensive by Russian occupation forces along the entire line of contact is growing, writes the UK edition of the Economist. This news has been updated since publication. Support UP or become our patron! Russia said silence is paramount when discussing talks about prison swaps potentially including The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, whose detention will reach the one-year mark this week. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that certain contacts are made when potential prisoner exchanges are mentioned, but they would have to be carried out privately. As for exchange matters, we have repeatedly stressed that there are certain contacts, but they must be carried out in absolute silence, Peskov said according to Reuters. Gershkovich has been detained close to a year following his March 2023 arrest in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. His detention was extended on Tuesday to June 30. When Peskov was asked Thursday if there would be a prisoner exchange for Gershkovich and when the court would hear his case, he said, We do not have information about the court it is not our prerogative. Gershkovich, an American citizen, was charged with gathering state secrets of Russias military for the U.S. government. His employer, the U.S. and press freedom groups consider Gershkovich wrongfully detained. The Biden administration has been working on a prisoner swap deal, but a definitive agreement has yet to be reached. Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, his parents, attended President Bidens State of the Union address earlier in March. Russia has also held former Marine Paul Whelan since 2018 and still holds Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works at Free Europe/Radio Liberty. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Russian investigators said on Thursday they had found proof that gunmen who killed more than 140 people at a concert last week were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", an assertion immediately dismissed by the United States as baseless propaganda. Russia has said from the outset that it believes Ukraine was linked to the attack, even though Kyiv has denied it and the militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility. In a statement, Russia's Investigative Committee said for the first time that it had uncovered proof of a Ukrainian connection. While it described the nature of the alleged evidence, it did not publish it. "As a result of working with detained terrorists, studying the technical devices seized from them, and analysing information about financial transactions, evidence was obtained of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists," it said. It said there was "confirmed data" that the attackers had received significant amounts of cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine. Another suspect involved in "the terrorists' financing scheme" had been detained, the committee said. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby described the Russian allegations as "nonsense and propaganda" and said Islamic State was solely responsible for the attack. "In fact, the United States tried to help prevent this terrorist attack and the Kremlin knows this," he said. The United States had publicly warned earlier in March that it had intelligence that "extremists" were planning an imminent attack in Moscow. Kirby said it had also provided written warning to Russian security services on March 7 at 11:15 a.m. Revealing the exact time of the alert appeared aimed at neutralizing Russia's charges against Ukraine. Three days before the attack, Putin dismissed Western warnings of a potential extremist attack as "blackmail." U.S. officials say they believe it was Islamic State Khorasan, the network's Afghan branch, that was responsible for the concert shooting. "We take seriously our duty to warn. We never want to see innocent lives lost in terrorist attacks," said Kirby, adding that Washington has passed "many warnings" to Moscow "about various threats" since September. Russia says the fact that the U.S. was able to name the alleged perpetrator so fast is suspicious. The head of Russia's FSB security service said earlier this week, again without providing evidence, that he believed Ukraine, along with the U.S. and Britain, were involved. Western security analysts say the attack raised questions about the resourcing and priorities of Russian intelligence agencies that have been heavily focused on the Ukraine war and the need to stamp out opposition to it within Russia. Eleven people were arrested in the first 24 hours after last Friday's shooting and eight of these, including the four suspected gunmen, have been placed in pre-trial detention. Seven are from the Central Asian state of Tajikistan and the other from Kyrgyzstan. (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow and Jonathan Landay, Jarrett Renshaw and Rami Ayyub in Washington; Writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Angus MacSwan, Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis) President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to allege Ukraine and the West were involved somehow in Friday's attack (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA) Russia said Thursday it had evidence the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside Moscow were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", a claim that the United States called nonsense. President Vladimir Putin and his security services continue to allege Kyiv and the West were involved somehow in last Friday's attack, despite an Islamic State affiliate having claimed responsibility. Putin said Saturday that 11 people had been detained after gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall, setting the building alight and killing at least 143 people. "As a result of work with the detained terrorists, examination of the technical devices seized from them and analysis of information on financial transactions, evidence of their links with Ukrainian nationalists has been obtained," Russia's Investigative Committee said on Thursday. It alleged the suspects had received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine" and said another man "involved in financing the terrorists" had been identified and detained. "Investigators will ask the court to remand him in custody," it said. Ukraine and its Western allies have branded as absurd accusations they were involved. "My uncle used to say ... that the best manure salesmen often carry their samples in their mouths," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday. "Russian officials seem to be pretty good manure salesmen," Kirby said, denouncing what he called Russia's "nonsense propaganda." - 'Completely inappropriate' - The four suspected assailants -- with bruises and cuts on their swollen faces -- were dragged into a Moscow courtroom Sunday, all of whom were from Tajikistan, Russian media reported. Russia's FSB security service said it arrested the gunmen while they were trying to flee to Ukraine, a claim seemingly disputed by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, who said they were headed for his country first. Islamic State jihadists have said several times since Friday that they were responsible, and IS-affiliated media channels have published graphic videos of the gunmen inside the venue. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave no indication on Thursday that Putin planned to visit the family members of those killed. The Russian leader was seen lighting a candle for the victims at a Moscow church last week, but has not visited the scene of the massacre or publicly met with any victims. "If any contacts are necessary, we will inform you accordingly," Peskov said, when asked if Putin planned to meet family members of the dead. He also said Putin did not plan to visit Crocus City Hall, where rescuers had for the past week been searching the rubble for bodies. "In these days it would be completely inappropriate to carry out any fact-finding trips, because this would simply interfere with the work," he said. bur/ach For the first time in 15 years, the Russian government will start buying diamonds at the expense of the federal budget in order to support the Alrosa state corporation, which currently suffers from the effects and embargo of the Western sanctions. Source: Reuters and The Moscow Times Details: Russian Treasury and Alrosa, 34% of which belongs to the Russian State Property and another third to the government of Yakutia, agreed to procure diamonds for Goskhran, state-owned precious metals and gems repository. A source of Reuters reported that the first agreement on the purchase of diamonds was signed in March, and such agreements will be regular throughout the year. Alrosa, which controls 95% of Russian and over a quarter of the global diamond production, was added to the EU sanctions list and sanctioned by Switzerland in January 2024. Then the G7 countries banned direct import of diamonds from Russia and decided to implement a gradual embargo on the delivery of the diamonds of Russian origin, processed in third countries. "Last year Alrosa already faced problems with sales: the reserves of unsold diamonds on the companys balance almost doubled from RUB 52 billion (approx. US$563.6 mln) to RUB 84 billion (about US$910.4 mln) in money equivalent. At the end of the year the company reported about the loss of 15% of profit RUB 85 billion (US$921.2 mln), 9% of revenue (RUB 322 billion, or almost US$3.5 bn) and the drop in diamond production by 3% to 34.6 million carats," The Moscow Times stated. India remains the largest buyer of Russian diamonds, processing 90% of global diamond production. But in late 2023, Alrosa faced problems even on this market: a local regulator asked to stop the deliveries, explaining it with surplus of raw materials. The EU estimated Russias lost income from losing a part of the diamond market to be 4 billion. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson of the Kremlin, threatened the West with the "boomerang effect", stating that Alrosa would find ways to evade the sanctions and new markets. The Russian government reportedly bought the diamonds produced in Russia during the global 2008-09 financial crisis. Then Goskhran purchased a US$1 billion worth of gems from Alrosa. Support UP or become our patron! As the stalemate between Russia and Ukraine continues, the war is changing life not only in Europe but also in countries across Africa. Russia has claimed "growing influence" in Africa in recent years, said Gavin Mortimer in The Spectator, but more recently it has "become evident" that Moscow is "creating chaos in the continent as part of a calculated strategy to destabilise Europe". In particular, Vladimir Putin has sought to extend his reach in western and central Africa, and to gain access to the region's resources. Ukraine has also looked to "strengthen its alliances" in Africa, to counter the growing Russian influence, said Alexis Akwagyiram on Semafor. Volodymr Zelenskyy will make his first state visit to the continent over the coming months, and Ukraine plans to double the number of its embassies there. Why is Africa so important? The desire to gain influence in Africa shows a "growing appreciation of the role played by the continent in geopolitical affairs", said Akwagyiram. The "value of African alliances" and Russia's traction on the continent was underscored when 17 of the 54 African countries in the United Nations abstained from a 2022 vote condemning Russia's invasion. That "made it clear that international condemnation of Moscow was not universal". Russia can exploit instability in Africa to "trigger further political destabilisation" among its Western enemies, particularly with increases in mass illegal migration from the continent, said CNBC. Moscow also views African nations as a gateway to accessing "strategically important natural resources". What are Russia and Ukraine doing? Russia's modus operandi has so far been to "prop up shaky regimes with weapons and disinformation in exchange for diamonds and gold" via its Wagner Group mercenary force, now rebranded as Africa Corps, said Lisa Klaassen at The New Statesman. Countries in western and central Africa have been "neglected" by the West, and Russia has ostensibly been "walking through doors left wide open by former colonial powers", including in the Central African Republic, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan, where anti-European feeling is stoked by propaganda. The influence of Russia has been felt pertinently in Sudan, where a bloody civil war continues to rage, with reports of Russian Wagner mercenaries aligned with rebel forces. Ukraine appears to have since aligned itself with government forces in Sudan, to try to "strike at Russian interests far beyond the Ukraine war's frontlines", said The Guardian. Both Russia and Ukraine have attempted to win over governments with deliveries of grain and humanitarian aid, and Ukraine is expanding its shipment programme to "counter the impression that Russia is the only side in the conflict trying to address the impact on Africans", said Akwagyiram. Both countries have also "sought to recruit fighters" from Africa, said Military Africa. Many young Africans "facing bleak economic prospects at home" are drawn in by the "promise of high pay and even Ukrainian citizenship after the war", while "estimates suggest thousands" of Africans have been recruited for Russia, potentially through the Wagner Group. What next? There is a growing feeling that Russia "appears to be winning the hearts and minds of Africans", said Mortimer. But while Russia may be succeeding in attracting alliances with other authoritarian regimes, Ukraine can find fertile ground in appealing "directly to Africans on issues which Moscow cannot reach", wrote Ray Hartley and Greg Mills in the Kyiv Independent. Democracy is the "strongest selling point" among young Africans, and for Ukraine to lose the war would have "strategic implications for the democratic world" that would be "both profound and negative". Russia on March 28 vetoed the annual renewal of the panel of experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The move sparked condemnations from several other U.N. members, who accused Russia of shielding its purchases of North Korean arms for its war effort against Ukraine. "Today's vote will only embolden the DPRK (North Korea) to act with further impunity, as the DPRK jeopardizes global security through the development of long-range ballistic missiles and sanctions evasion efforts," said Robert Wood, the U.S. representative in the U.N., according to the Voice of America. South Korean Ambassador Joonkook Hwang said, "Russia seems to be more interested in embracing or encouraging the DPRK for its provision of munitions and ballistic missiles for the conduct of its war in Ukraine at the expense of nuclear non-proliferation regime and the proper functioning of the Security Council." Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Russia's veto "a guilty plea." "Moscow no longer hides its military cooperation with North Korea in obtaining arms and ammunition in violation of sanctions, as well as the use of North Korean weapons in the war against Ukraine. "Today's vote is yet another example of how Russia's illegal presence in the U.N. Security Council jeopardizes global security." Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine The U.N. Security Council adopted several sanctions against North Korea in 2006 to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, while the expert panel was created in 2009. Moscow's veto halts the work of the panel but does not cancel the sanctions themselves. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's envoy to the U.N., claimed that the sanctions did not achieve their goal of stabilizing the situation in the Korean peninsula and called for "an open and honest review of the council sanctions measures in respect of the DPRK, moving the restrictions onto an annual basis." North Korea has been shaping up as Russia's leading weapons supplier, reportedly providing Moscow with extensive military packages, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells. Ukrainian prosecutors said that Russia attacked Ukraine with North Korean missiles around 50 times, targeting six different oblasts. The U.S. said they identified at least 10 such cases. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia is ramping up production of the UMPB D-30, a longer range version of previously used Soviet-era bombs with wings - Anton Gerashchenko, @Gerashchenko_en via X Russia has used a new type of glide bomb to strike civilian targets in the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine believes. The bomb, a heavy dumb munition adapted to behave like a cruise missile, killed at least one and injured 19 as it hit apartment blocks in the countrys second largest city. It is the latest evidence of Russias changing tactical approach. This is something between a guided aerial bomb which they [the Russians] have used recently, and a missile. Its a flying bomb so to say, Volodymyr Tymoshko, the regional police chief, said after surveying the damage. Russia has been dropping Soviet-era bombs retrofitted with wings so they can glide over the front lines to hit targets for more than a year. This enables Russian fighter jets to avoid getting too close to advanced Western air defence systems. Shorter range glide bombs had previously been used on military targets to help Russia make incremental gains on the front lines. But longer range versions like the UMPB D-30 fired at Kharkiv are now hitting civilians. Oleh Synehubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said: It seems that the Russians decided to test their modified bombs on the residents of the houses. Military analysts suggest the bombs are a new configuration. Based on images of shrapnel from Wednesdays strike, the latest design appears to have a turbo booster fitted to extend its range, a pair of wings to help it glide as well as minor GPS functionality. The need to evade Ukrainian air defences has become more pressing of late, with the UK ministry of defence reporting earlier this month that Ukraine shot down 13 Russian combat aircraft in as many days. The cost of converting Soviet-era bombs is also far cheaper than producing new missiles. Russia was carrying out an estimated 100 airstrikes every day on the front lines earlier this month. All buildings simply turn into a pit Reports suggest a version of this new generation of glide bombs - the FAB-1500: a 1.5-tonne Soviet-era bomb capable of blasting a crater 15 metres in diameter - played a key role in devastating Ukrainian defences around Avdiivka, which was captured by Russia in February after months of aerial bombardment. Up to 125 glide bombs rained down on Avdiivka every day in the week before it fell, illustrating how destructive mass strikes of this kind can be. In one account posted on Telegram during the battle, Maksym Zhorin of Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigade said: These bombs completely destroy any position. All buildings and structures simply turn into a pit after the arrival of just one. Among the civilian areas Russia is now targeting is the city of Sumy, 50 miles from the Russian border. Mr Synehubov announced earlier this month that a guided bomb with cluster munitions was dropped on the town of Kupyansk for the first time. The new UMPB is being produced by upgrading existing glide bombs with added engines, significantly extending their range Moscow is thought to have ramped up its production of glide bombs in recent months, with Russias defence ministry reporting that productivity at a plant manufacturing the converted bombs had increased by 40 per cent after it shifted to 24/7 production. Due to the bombs heavy iron construction, short flight times, small radar signatures, and non-ballistic trajectories, Ukrainian officials have said they are almost impossible to shoot down. The most effective measure to counter their increasing threat is F-16 fighter planes, which have better sensors, defences and missiles than Ukraines current Sukhoi and MiG fighters. The first of these US aircraft is not expected to be delivered to Ukraine until July at the very earliest. 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. Russia has blocked a UN Security Council resolution that sought to extend the monitoring of sanctions against North Korea by UN experts, AP reported on March 28. Moscows veto effectively cancels the monitoring of previously imposed UN sanctions on North Korea. During the Security Council meeting, 13 countries supported the resolution, Russia voted against, and China abstained. Read also: 13 injured in Kyiv after Russia launches $400 million worth of cruise missiles at Kyiv photos The resolution, introduced by the United States, would have extended the UN oversight mandate for another year. Before the vote, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, accused Western countries of trying to "strangle" North Korea. He called the sanctions "irrelevant" and "detached from reality" in terms of restraining North Korea's nuclear program. Read also: UN cannot confirm Russias use of North Korean ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukraine Secretary Generals The UK Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, stated that Russia's veto was due to agreements on arms supplies between Russia and North Korea, violating UN sanctions, specifically through "the transfer of ballistic missiles which Russia then used in its illegal invasion of Ukraine." Read also: Around 50 North Korean ballistic missiles used in Russian attacks on Ukraine report White House National Security spokesman John Kirby previously said that Russia started firing North Korean ballistic missiles at targets in Ukraine since early January. On March 20, the U.S. State Department reported that the Russian military had used North Korean missiles in the war against Ukraine at least ten times. 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 BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- It is intriguing to adapt an American story into the Chinese language for Chinese audiences and show how much different cultures actually have in common, a Canadian comedian and actor has observed. "I try to do work between two cultures, not one or the other, but some kind of blend of the two," said Mark Rowswell, a Canadian comedian and Xiangsheng (traditional Chinese cross-talk show) performer, better known by his Chinese stage name Dashan, in a recent interview with Xinhua. "I was really intrigued by the idea of doing something that was modern Western culture, but doing it in a Chinese way for Chinese audiences," he said. Rowswell is among the international cast of 11 actors from seven countries who are performing a Mandarin stage adaption of the 1994 Hollywood classic "The Shawshank Redemption." Since its well-accepted January premier in Shenzhen, the piece has also been performed in Shanghai and Beijing. A seasoned language artist working across Chinese and Canadian cultures for over three decades, Rowswell is committed to conveying the shared experiences among humanity in this "distinctly American story in a famous American movie and a novel by an American writer" to Chinese audiences. "It's about people, and it's about the human experience. And I think that's what appeals to everyone. It's basically a story about hope," he said. "The experience that the movie explains is something of the human experience." Rowswell further commented on the significance of language in bridging cultures and forging bonds between people from diverse societies. "I find in my personal experience, once we get beyond the language barrier, a lot of what we thought were cultural differences were really just language barrier. Once you get beyond that language barrier, then you start to see all the sort of commonality," he said. "This is part of the magic of theater. There's that suspension of disbelief, and you just believe that these characters speak Chinese because you see it with your own eyes. There they are. The prison warden is speaking, you know, fluent Beijing dialect, and it sounds strange if you are outside of that environment. But when you're in the environment of the theater and there's that suspension of disbelief, it just seems totally natural," the artist added. On a personal note, Rowswell said the project is his first tour back in China after the pandemic. "It was an opportunity for me to come back and to get back on tour and get back to a little bit more of what my life was like before the pandemic. It's a great opportunity." Rowswell said he is excited to bring the show to more audiences in cities including Suzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing during their performance tour around China until August. Russian attacks against Ukraines Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts over the past day killed four people and wounded another nine, regional officials reported early on March 28. One civilian was killed in Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblasts village of Raihorodok near Kramatorsk, Vadym Filashkin, the regional governor, said on Facebook. Two more people were wounded in the town of Ukrainsk, some 30 kilometers west of the Russian-occupied Donetsk, according to Filashkin. Russian troops reportedly launched a total of 14 attacks against Donetsk Oblast settlements, destroying or damaging around 80 houses, over 30 apartment buildings, administrative buildings, and power lines. Russia hit the city of Kherson and 16 other settlements in the region overnight and on March 27, killing two people and wounding another four, according to Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Read also: How thousands of Ukrainian children cope with losing parents to war The strikes against Kherson Oblast damaged two apartment buildings, 10 houses, port infrastructure, a critical infrastructure facility, a shopping mall, and outbuildings, said Prokudin. Russian forces struck Dnipropetrovsk Oblast's Nikopol district with artillery and a drone late on March 27 and overnight, wounding a 65-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman, Governor Serhii Lysak said. The victims reportedly received shrapnel injuries and were hospitalized. The attack damaged a hotel, four houses, a farm building, and power lines, added Lysak. Russian attacks against Nikopol earlier on March 27 killed a man and injured a 49-year-old woman, according to Lysak. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops attacked the village of Drobysheve and the city of Mykolaivka in Donetsk Oblast, as well as Kherson, inflicting casualties among civilians, local authorities reported on March 28. Russia shelled Mykolaivka with guided munitions, killing one woman and damaging at least 11 multi-story buildings and 11 houses, according to Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin. In Drobysheve, at least one person was injured, but the information is still being clarified as of 4 p.m. local time, the governor said. "Russians strike civilians on purpose," Filashkin wrote on his Telegram channel, calling locals to evacuate so as not to endanger themselves. Russian troops struck a taxi in Kherson, killing a driver and injuring two people, on March 28 (Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin/Telegram) Kherson was also under Russian attack on March 28, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. According to Prokudin, Russian troops struck a taxi, killing the driver. A 36-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were injured and hospitalized. Drobysheve and Mykolaivka are located in the Kramatorsk district in northern Donetsk Oblast. Both settlements are close to the city of Lyman, which remains one of the key targets of the Russian military in the region. Kherson, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated during its 2022 counteroffensive, is being attacked almost daily as Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories. Read also: Portrait of the Invader: 2 years of Russian soldiering in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Last week, from 17 to 24 March, Russian ports exported 703,000 tonnes of gas and diesel, a 25% decrease compared to the amount shipped the week before that. Source: enkorr with reference to the data of the A-95 Consulting Group Quote: "Sea supplies have decreased for the third week in a row due to reduction in production at Russian refineries due to planned repair work and attacks by Ukrainian drones." Since the latter part of February, shipments from the biggest export diesel terminal, Primorsk, have been decreasing. There was a 44% decrease in the amount of diesel and gas oil shipped for export from the Baltic port last week, to 295,000 tonnes. Through a pipeline that is connected to the refineries at Kirishi, Yaroslavl, and Nizhny Novgorod, diesel fuel is brought into the Primorsk terminal. On 12 March, the latter was attacked, resulting in the cessation of half of the primary processing capacity. Distillate shipments from Black Sea ports are maintained consistently. At the same time, the weekly export of gas oil and diesel from the Tuapse port has decreased by 50% since the refinery's production was stopped in response to the UAV attack in late January. April is predicted to see a decrease in the diesel supply from the port of Novorossiysk, the biggest Black Sea port. Raw materials are no longer processed at the Syzran Rosneft refinery, which is linked to the Syzran-Novorossiysk diesel pipeline, as of 17 March. Background: Starting from 1 March, the Russian government banned the export of petrol for six months and increased the share of diesel fuel sold on the stock exchange to 16%. They want to take such measures to combat rising fuel prices. Russia increased its petrol imports from Belarus in March to overcome the risk of shortages in its domestic market, which arose due to repairs at Russian refineries after Ukrainian drone attacks. Support UP or become our patron! The aftermath of the Russian bombardments. Photo: Serhii Lysak Russian artillery and drones hit the Nikopol district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 10 times on 28 March, damaging infrastructure in the district. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The Nikopol district has suffered ten enemy attacks in one day. The Russians launched five kamikaze drones on the district's settlements. Their artillery inflicted an equal number of strikes." Details: A lyceum (a secondary school typically focusing on academic subjects and preparing students for higher education or specialised careers) and a playground were damaged in the Marhanets hromada (an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories). A house, two outbuildings, power equipment and a power line were also damaged. Explosions also rocked the Myrove and Pokrovske rural hromadas. In the city of Nikopol, the Russians damaged a utility company and an infrastructure facility. They also struck three private houses and a garage. The Russians caused serious damage to two outbuildings and destroyed one. Information on the consequences of another attack is being gathered. No one was killed or injured. Support UP or become our patron! The United Nations headquarters building in New York is seen on March 4, 2024 (Daniel SLIM) Russia on Thursday blocked the renewal of a panel of UN experts monitoring international sanctions on North Korea, weeks after the body said it was investigating reports of arms transfers between Moscow and Pyongyang. The move was met with a flurry of criticism, including by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who took to social media to call the veto "a guilty plea" amid allegations that Pyongyang is aiding Moscow in its war against Kyiv. The United States called the veto by Russia a "self-interested effort to bury the panel's reporting on its own collusion" with North Korea. "Russia's actions today have cynically undermined international peace and security, all to advance the corrupt bargain that Moscow has struck with the DPRK," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Moscow's veto at the Security Council does not remove the sanctions on North Korea, but spells the end for the group monitoring their implementation -- and myriad alleged violations. The panel's mandate expires at the end of April. North Korea has been under mounting sanctions since 2006, put in place by the UN Security Council in response to its nuclear program. Since 2019, Russia and China have tried to persuade the Security Council to ease the sanctions, which had no expiration date. The council has long been divided on the issue, with China's deputy ambassador Geng Shuang arguing Thursday that the sanctions "have exacerbated tensions and confrontation with a serious negative impact on the humanitarian situation." China abstained rather than joining Russia in the veto. All other members had voted in favor of renewing the expert panel. Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia said that without an annual review guaranteed to assess and potentially modify the sanctions, the panel was unjustified. "The panel has continued to focus on trivial matters that are not commensurate with the problems facing the peninsula," Nebenzia said. "Russia has called for the council to adopt a decision to hold an open and honest review of the Council sanctions... on an annual basis." - Continued tests - Additional Security Council sanctions were leveled on Pyongyang in 2016 and 2017, but the North's sanctioned nuclear and weapons development have continued. Last week, Pyongyang tested a solid-fuel engine for a "new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile," state media reported. Recent cruise missile launches have prompted speculation that North Korea is testing those weapons before shipping them to Moscow for use in Ukraine. In its latest report, issued at the beginning of March, the sanctions panel reported that North Korea "continued to flout" sanctions, including by launching ballistic missiles and breaching oil import limits. It added that it is investigating reports of arms shipments from Pyongyang to Russia for use in Ukraine. In August, Russia used its veto to end the mandate of a group of UN experts on Mali who charged that Moscow-linked Wagner mercenaries were involved in widespread abuses. "We have now seen Russia use its veto to end two panels of experts due to its expanding military relationships," the United States, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain said in a joint statement. In a separate statement, 10 Security Council members, including Britain, France and the United States, defended the sanction monitors' work. "In the face of these repeated attempts to undermine international peace and security, the panel's work is more important now than ever before," it said. abd/nro-sct/caw Aftermath of Russian attack on one of Kherson's higher education institutions. Photo: Suspilne Kherson Russian troops attacked one of Kherson's higher education institutions around 04:00 in the morning. Source: Statement of Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration; Suspilne Kherson Quote: "There is a huge hole in the wall, damaged classrooms, and broken windows. This is how one of Kherson's higher education institutions looks today. Today, around 04:00 in the morning, the main building of the university was attacked by the Russian army." Aftermath of Russian attack on one of Kherson's higher education institutions PHOTO: SUSPILNE KHERSON Aftermath of Russian attack on one of Kherson's higher education institutions Photo: Suspilne Kherson Details: Prokudin also said that on 27 March in the evening, the Russians attacked a residential area in the central part of the city, where one of the strikes directly hit a house. "There were no casualties as a result of this bombardment," he wrote. Background: Earlier on Thursday, Prokudin reported that two men had stepped on a Russian landmine in the village of Chervonyi Maiak in Kherson Oblast; one of them was killed. Support UP or become our patron! People pose for photos after a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the Serfs' Emancipation Day at the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 28, 2024. On March 28, 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform, freeing a million serfs. In 2009, the regional legislature announced March 28 as the day to commemorate the emancipation of the one million serfs. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida) LHASA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Thursday marks the 65th anniversary of the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, with multiple grand celebrations and commemorative activities held across the region. In the regional capital Lhasa, more than 2,000 people from all walks of life dressed in festive costumes gathered at the Potala Palace square at 10 a.m. for the national flag-raising ceremony on this special occasion. "I used to be a migrant worker. But now I can enjoy a monthly pension and secure medical care, and my three children all have landed good jobs. Life is getting better and better," said Palbar, 66, adding that he attends the ceremony with his neighbors every year to commemorate the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in Xizang 65 years ago. Kelsang Zengpel, a 79-year-old resident of Dombang Township, located in Zogang County in Chamdo City, said that as a witness to both the era of feudal serfdom and present-day Xizang, he has truly enjoyed the tangible development dividends over the years. He credits the country's favorable policies benefiting its people and the unprecedented development of his hometown, Dombang, for these improvements. In Galai Village in Nyingchi City, local villagers put on their ethnic costumes and celebrated the anniversary with a grand, joyful dance. Known for its careful preservation of the local ecological system and robust rural eco-tourism, Galai received more than 110,000 tourists in 2023, with the total tourism income topping 3.41 million yuan (about 480,000 U.S. dollars), providing a significant boost to the local economy. "Having a roof over our heads was once the dream of our forefathers who had been serfs. For our generation, worries about food, clothing and shelter are a thing of the past as the living conditions in Xizang have continuously improved," said Tseyang, who hails from Galai. "We are just so lucky to live in this era." On March 28, 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform, freeing a million serfs. In 2009, the regional legislature announced March 28 as the day to commemorate the emancipation of the serfs. Activities such as themed exhibitions, cultural and art performances, classic recitations and more were also held across Xizang. In Kamba County, located in Xigaze City, Tashi Norbu, a primary school teacher, drove all the way to the city proper for the commemorative activities. "Over the past decade, I've seen significant improvements in our school facilities. Our students now have access to electronic screens and projectors in their classrooms, remarkably boosting our teaching efficiency," Tashi Norbu said. During a symposium held on the region's democratic reform, an attendee Thubten Khedrup said that the democratic reform is the most precious spiritual wealth and driving force for progress in Xizang, and the people of all ethnic groups in the region should cherish this historical heritage, carry it forward, and contribute to the prosperity and development of Xizang. On Wednesday, Yan Jinhai, chairman of the regional government, hailed Xizang's miraculous development in various undertakings over the past 65 years in a televised speech marking the democratic reform. A new socialist Xizang with social stability, ethnic unity, religious harmony, economic prosperity, improved well-being for the people, sound ecology, and consolidated borders is standing high on the "roof of the world," Yan noted in his speech. The Defence Forces of Ukraine's South repelled a Russian attack for over four hours on the night of 27-28 March, with the Russians attempting to hit critical infrastructure targets. Source: Natalia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote: "The attack and the combat operations to repel it lasted nearly four hours. We engaged on various fronts as the enemy deployed drones both from the Black Sea waters and through the temporarily occupied territories, attempting to bypass all possible means of our defence. However, our combat efforts proved quite effective; we are still tallying the results, but we know we managed to down close to a dozen drones. It's evident that the enemy targeted energy system facilities once again, attempting to inflict damage on industrial sites but insidiously directing drones through residential areas. As a result, a fire broke out in a residential area on the Zaporizhzhia front due to falling wreckage." Details: Regarding Odesa Oblast, the Russians attempted to target an energy system facility, but the air defenders responded flawlessly and shot down both drones that approached the oblast from the sea, Humeniuk said. Background: The Russians attacked Ukrainian oblasts with missiles and 28 Shahed drones launched from the waters of the Black Sea, Crimea and Russias Kursk Oblast on the night of 27-28 March. Ukraines air defence forces managed to down 26 of these drones. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians attacked Ukrainian oblasts with missiles and 28 Shahed drones launched from the waters of the Black Sea, Crimea and Russias Kursk Oblast on the night of 27-28 March. Ukraines air defence forces have managed to down 26 of these drones. Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram Quote: "The enemy launched a missile and drone strike on Ukraine on the night of 27-28 March 2024 using three Kh-22 cruise missiles, a Kh-31P anti-radar missile (from the Black Sea), an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile from ([the temporarily occupied part of] Donetsk Oblast) and 28 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs (from Russias Kursk Oblast and Cape Chauda in Crimea)." Details: Oleshchuk said anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units from Ukraines Defence Forces were involved in repelling the attack. He reported that 26 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs were destroyed within Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces have been attacking on six frontline areas, most actively on the Novopavlivka front, with a total of 67 combat clashes recorded at the front line in the past 24 hours. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 28 March Details: There were no significant changes on the Volyn and Polissia fronts. On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining a military presence in the border areas, conducting active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to vulnerable areas and increasing the density of minefields along the state border in Russias Belgorod Oblast. On the Kupiansk front, Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. On the Lyman front, Ukrainian defenders repelled five Russian attacks near the settlements of Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) and Terny (Donetsk Oblast), where Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defences. On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four Russian attacks near the settlements of Ivanivske and Andriivka (Donetsk Oblast). On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 Russian attacks near the settlements of Berdychi, Semenivka and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast). On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to hold back the Russians near the settlements of Novomykhailivka and Heorhiivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by aircraft, attempted to break through the Ukrainian defences 27 times. On the Orikhiv front, Russian forces, supported by aircraft, attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlement of Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast) as well as near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) four times. On the Kherson front, the Russians are persisting in their intention to drive Ukrainian troops from their footholds on the Dnipro River's left (east) bank. Russian troops unsuccessfully carried out an attack on Ukrainian positions over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers are continuing to actively inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian forces, draining them along the entire line of contact. Ukraine's Air Force hit ten areas where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated. Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck two clusters of Russian military personnel, one air defence system, one electronic warfare station, three UAV ground control stations and another important facility belonging to the Russians. Support UP or become our patron! Rutgers University students are voting this week on referendums that target investments in Israel and the schools partnership with Tel Aviv University, making Rutgers the latest in a growing number of schools to grapple with student-led divestment pushes. The referendums, part of spring elections that run until Friday, come amid a surge of pro-Palestinian activism at colleges and universities across the country, fueled by the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel divestment campaigns go back two decades, but the efforts have grown more vocal and widespread since the outbreak of war on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. The Rutgers vote targets weapons manufacturers, security companies and a university that allegedly benefits from or participates in occupation and human rights violations in Palestinian territories. Divestment selling off assets or holdings is a way to pressure Israel to uphold international law, activists say. But critics say such measures part of the larger boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, or BDS try to isolate and delegitimize Israel, and that they stoke division. The divestment vote comes at a tense time on campus, as Rutgers faces heated protests and allegations of antisemitism. Referendum questions at Rutgers Students at Rutgers-New Brunswick face two referendum questions. One asks if the university should divest from companies "that profit from, engage in, or contribute to the government of Israels human rights violations?" Another asks if Rutgers should end its partnership with Tel Aviv University, including with the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub in New Brunswick that promotes medical research. The Endowment Justice Collective at Rutgers, a coalition of students, faculty and community groups leading the divestment effort, said the measure is aimed at Israeli bonds and investments in companies that make weapons, like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Electric. The group also alleged that Tel Aviv University has close ties to Israeli security and arms companies. There must be a majority vote to pass and at least 10% of the student body must participate in the vote. Student bodies have passed Israel divestment measures at other colleges and universities, but they have not been implemented by their administrations. More: How one NJ college is fostering dialogue over Israeli-Palestinian conflict Rutgers considers divestment requests from the university community, if they meet criteria defined by university policy. The Joint Committee on Investments investigates such requests and can make a recommendation to the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees. Three years ago, university leadership voted to divest from fossil fuel investments, an action recommended by an ad hoc committee of faculty, students and staff. About 90% of students supported fossil fuel divestment in a referendum. The Collective has campaigned "for ethical divestment from fossil fuels, apartheid, war, and the prison industrial complex since its founding in 2019, according to statements from the group. The Collective's other recommendations, outlined in a 2020 report, have not been adopted. Israel divestment is controversial, and its passage by the student body would likely prompt both celebrations and backlash. Divestment controversy at Rutgers Piscataway, NJ March 19, 2024 -- The Endowment Justice Collective, a coalition of organizations at Rutgers University held a die in to call attention to the killings in Gaza. Students came and listened to some speeches and handed out information before the die in that took place in the courtyard at the Livingston campus student center. Names of Palestinian children killed in the war were read during the 20 minute die in. From apartheid to climate change to fossil fuels, student divestment campaigns have a long history on college campuses. Divestment campaigns aimed at the Israeli government and military also are not new, going back two decades, but they have spread since the Israel-Hamas War. Supporters say divestment is aimed at institutions or companies involved in violations of international law, and not at individuals. They note that peace talks have failed to stop occupation or settlement expansion. "The Rutgers administration had once funded the South African apartheid state, and it was the students, through collective action, who demanded divestment," the Endowment Justice Collective stated in its divestment petition. "Rutgers has forgotten its legacy of divestment, so our work is not done. It is time for us to continue this legacy of justice and hope, to choose love for the community over greed, and to divest once and for all." In higher education, the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement has swelled as the toll of war grows. Nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and 250 taken hostage about 130 who remain in custody. Over six months, more than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza and thousands more are missing and injured. Israeli bombardment has also destroyed or damaged 378 schools and all 12 universities in Gaza, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Boycott, divestment and sanctions measures are controversial among many Jewish and pro-Israel groups, who say they seek to isolate or demonize Israel, and that they promote division instead of dialogue. The Rutgers vote comes at a tense time on campus amid a reported rise in antisemitism and a federal civil rights investigation into anti-Jewish incidents. Students and organizations say they have also faced an anti-Palestinian backlash. "These referenda, like the BDS movement overall, are undemocratic, discriminatory and violate academic freedom," Rutgers Hillel, a Jewish student organization, wrote online. "While these referenda are unlikely to affect university policy, they are very likely to increase antisemitism, overall division and hostility on campus." Academic boycotts also hamper the free exchange of ideas and educational opportunities, the student organization wrote. More: Muslims urge Ramadan boycott of Murphy, NJ public officials over Gaza war In recent months, student bodies have passed Israel divestment referendum at the University of California at Davis, Brown University and University of Virginia, among other schools. Students have also held hunger strikes and sit-ins to call for divestment. Rutgers said in a statement in January that it abides by laws and regulations governing public university endowments. The process for divestment is clear and has been successful with respect to the university's divestment from fossil fuels, said spokesperson Megan Schumann Florance. The universitys investment policy encourages members of the university community to submit divestment requests, which are considered by the universitys Joint Committee on Investments. The Rutgers endowment fund is valued at $1.8 billion, according to the university's Finance and Administration webpage. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers students voting on Israel divestment referendums (FOX40.COM) A Sacramento-area counselor was sentenced to nearly 10 years in state prison on Wednesday for charges including stalking and false imprisonment of a former patient, according to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. The agency said Bridget Adams attempted romantic advances on her former patient sometime in 2022, resulting in the victim reporting Adams to her credentialing agencies. Placer County tribal leaders oppose planned placement of sexually violent predator After the victim reported Adams, she began sending harassing texts, making phone calls, following the victim in her car and posting his personal information online, the DA said. The district attorneys office said that Adams then impersonated an attorney and investigators in an attempt to have the victim drop their complaint. At the same time, Adams filed a temporary restraining order against the victim, where she presented threatening emails that she claimed were sent by the victim. After getting the restraining order, Adams submitted false violations and appeared in court to pursue the retraining order under penalty of perjury, the DA said. Son of deceased Gridley woman faces murder charge The hearings resulted in the victim being arrested and held in jail on felony charges. A further investigation found that Adams had doctored and sent the emails herself. The victim was released from jail and all charges against him were dropped after further investigation. When the victim was released from jail, Adams continued harassing him through stalking, filing false reports and making threats against his family even after being served an order to prohibit her actions, the DA said. After Adamss arrest, she told a family member to forge letters impersonating the victim and a witness, and she planned to use these at a hearing so that the two people would not be able to testify at a trial, the DA said. Adams was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in state prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Sam Bankman-Fried, the former billionaire crypto boss who was convicted of fraud and money laundering last year, will return to court in New York on Thursday to be sentenced for his crimes. It is certain the 32-year-old will be going to jail; what is not known is how long for. The moment has revived debate about the extent of his crimes - and what punishment might fit. His legal team have called for leniency, but prosecutors are seeking 40 to 50 years in prison. They say such a sentence is warranted for someone who lied to investors and banks, and stole billions in deposits from customers of his now-bankrupt crypto exchange, FTX. His defence team has proposed five to 6.5 years, accusing the government of adopting "a medieval view of punishment" by insisting on a lengthy term behind bars for a non-violent, first-time criminal. The question has generated hundreds of pages of letters from former FTX customers, family, friends of his parents - even complete strangers - trying to sway Judge Lewis Kaplan, the federal justice who will decide his fate. "He has shown no remorse so why would any judge show any mercy?" said Sunil Kavuri, a British investor who had more than $2m worth of holdings on the exchange when it collapsed, and one of the people mobilising former customers to share their experience with the court. Sunil Kavuri faces a long and uncertain wait to retrieve any of his investment FTX's collapse in 2022 was a stunning fall for Bankman-Fried, who had become a billionaire and business celebrity promoting the firm, a platform people could use to deposit and trade crypto. It attracted millions of customers, before rumours of financial trouble sparked a run on deposits. In November 2023, a US jury found Bankman-Fried had stolen billions in customer money from the exchange ahead of the collapse to buy property, make political donations and use for other investments. Many of those customers now appear poised to recover significant sums, under a plan being developed in the separate bankruptcy case. Under that proposal, former customers could receive money based on what their holdings were worth at the time the exchange collapsed. In court filings, the defence for Bankman-Fried, who is expected to appeal his conviction, has argued that such recovery warrants a lighter sentence. They said it proved that "money has always been available" which "would be impossible if [FTX's] assets had disappeared into Sam's personal pockets". But the repayment plan has left many former customers outraged, since they will miss out on the crypto rebound that has occurred since. John Ray, the lawyer leading FTX through bankruptcy and a critic of Bankman-Fried, noted the concerns in his own letter to court. "Make no mistake; customers, non-governmental creditors, governmental creditors, and non-insider stockholders have suffered and continue to suffer," he wrote to the court, arguing that the claims of minimal loss were a sign that Bankman-Fried continued to live "a life of delusion". Former FTX customers interviewed by the BBC said they were offended by the blithe dismissal of their problems, and urged the judge to reject calls for leniency. "The people who are saying this are not in a position like I'm in, where you've lost everything," said Arush Sehgal, a 38-year-old tech entrepreneur living in Barcelona, who, with his wife, is one of the exchange's biggest individual creditors, with about $4m worth in savings in dollars and bitcoin at FTX when it collapsed. Arush Sehgal He is one of the customers suing over the current bankruptcy plan, which he said amounted to a "second crime" against Bankman-Fried's customers. Angela Chang, of Vancouver, a 36-year-old who worked in software, said she had about $250,000 deposited in dollars with FTX when it collapsed. She said she feared the harm done to FTX customers was being discounted because they were in the crypto industry. "People think that crypto is criminal and so they have sympathy for this guy .... But I'm not a criminal," she said, describing how the fall of the firm threw her into depression and left her running up credit card debt. Facing a cash crunch, she ultimately sold a portion of a claim to an investor. Columbia Law professor Daniel Richman said the scale of the crime was rarely as contested as in this case. But he said decisions are often shaped more by other issues, including a judge's own impressions of the defendant, and what it would take to deter him from further crimes. In this case, Judge Kaplan, a veteran of the court system who has presided over a slew of high profile trials involving public figures such as Donald Trump and actor Kevin Spacey, has already proven to be sceptical of Bankman-Fried's actions, revoking his bail last year after finding he was trying to intimidate other witnesses. "Any judge or lawyer will tell you that one of the best things the defendant can do before being sentences is really really show he's on the right path, show some remorse and show some degree of self-knowledge as to his offence," Prof Richman said. "Here you not only have a defendant who went to trial but you have one who really, at least the judge believed, was obstructive prior to trial," he said, adding that it would be "really surprising" for Judge Kaplan to render a sentence anything like the defence request. Since the 1980s, the US has significantly increased the length of its official recommendations for jail time for white collar criminals. Though judges frequently depart from the guidelines, introducing wide variability, "the risk of harshness is greater than in most countries" - particularly for high-profile cases, Prof Richman said. In her own appeal to the judge, Barbara Fried, Bankman-Fried's mother and a former law professor, noted the "punitive nature" of the US justice system "which makes us an extreme outlier among democracies". "I have no illusions about the redemptive power of prisons," she wrote. "Being consigned to prison for decades will destroy Sam as surely as would hanging him." SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell said Thursday that, if elected, he will ask California to send more armed National Guard troops into downtown to fight the citys open-air drug markets. The announcement, part of Farrells plan to address the fentanyl overdose crisis, is the latest example of how the Democrat and venture capitalist is trying to oust Mayor London Breed in November by outflanking her to the right. Breed and Gov. Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, have used the National Guard and California Highway Patrol to help local police dismantle fentanyl rings, especially ahead of the city hosting the APEC summit last fall. But Farrell wants to see more military personnel deployed for an indefinite period of time though he didnt specify how many or for how long. His rhetoric, especially his call for more armed California National Guard, is sure to strike a political nerve in San Francisco. The city has increasingly leaned into tough-on-crime policies despite its liberal reputation as voters grow frustrated over brazen retail theft, public drug use and sprawling homeless encampments. Farrell, a former interim mayor and city supervisor, doesnt see that shift or his aggressive policies in terms of ideology. Rather, he said, its a necessary response to soaring drug-related deaths, including at least 811 overdoses in 2023. I dont believe that its progressive or compassionate to allow a record number of overdose deaths on our streets every single year, Farrell said. He said his approach was inspired, in part, by other blue locales taking aggressive steps in response to similar urban challenges, such as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul deploying the National Guard to fight crime on city subways. His announcement is just another data point in whats become a central theme of San Franciscos mayoral contest: because Breeds major opponents all share her moderate Democratic stripes, theyre engaging in games of one-upmanship by launching conservative-sounding plans to increase law enforcement and force people into addiction treatment. Breeds campaign has, in turn, attacked Farrell by calling him too conservative for the city. If he tacks any farther to the right, Mark Farrell might need to re-register as a Republican, said Joe Arellano, her spokesperson. The rightward push speaks to voters growing frustration with the citys decaying street conditions as well as the major influence of tech-funded, centrist advocacy groups that have fueled the shift toward more coercive public-safety and addiction policies. Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit executive and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, has also rolled out a host of tougher policies to address the citys crime and addiction crises. On Wednesday, he called for a citywide state of emergency over the fentanyl problem, which he said would bring in more federal and state funds. These are not just numbers on a page. Every death is someones son, daughter, sister or brother, Lurie said during a news conference, where he was endorsed by Frank Jordan, a former mayor and police chief. Lurie has tried to frame himself as the change agent in the race. His consultant, Tyler Law, said Breed and Farrell are City Hall insiders trying to rewrite their records. Farrell was slated to announce Thursday that he would also call for a statewide emergency declaration over fentanyl, increasing tensions between their campaigns. Breed, meanwhile, has accused both Farell and Lurie of copying her ideas to combat crime and addiction: In 2022, she declared a three-month state of emergency to crackdown on fentanyl in the Tenderloin section of San Francisco. Shes also worked to bring state and federal law enforcement into the city and recently convinced voters to pass a ballot measure mandating drug screening for local welfare recipients. Progressives in the city have become increasingly worried by what they call a Republican pivot funded by billionaires like venture capitalists Michael Moritz, Chris Larsen and Ron Conway. But theres no progressive in the race, at least not yet. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, a staunch liberal, says hes still mulling a mayoral bid despite press reports that hes already running. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter. A Scarface-themed cinema room in the home of drug dealer Paul Sutton A drug-dealer who tried to buy sub-machine guns was identified partly due to his Scarface-themed home cinema. Paul Sutton used the EncroChat encrypted phone network to traffic cocaine, crack and cannabis in 2020. Sutton, from Fazakerley in Liverpool, was arrested in his caravan in Devon by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers. The 40-year-old was jailed for 12 years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting drugs and firearms offences. Sutton, who was using the handle "NuttyRose", was unaware that detectives could read his messages after the EncroChat network was hacked by French police in 2020. Those messages showed that NuttyRose had attempted to buy guns including Uzi and Tec-9 sub-machine guns, with a silencer. Paul Sutton was arrested in his Devon caravan The NCA said those deals eventually fell through due to the guns going out of stock. He also discussed the purchase of at least a kilogram of cocaine, and bought and sold at least 11.5kg of cannabis. Information in chats with other criminals revealed NuttyRose's birthday matched Sutton's, and he had used his wife's name and birthday on his lock-screen passcode. NuttyRose also told a contact about "lads doing cinema room". When Sutton's house in Redbank Close was raided on 21 July, 2021, officers found a secret cinema room accessible from behind a mirror, with cushions branded with the logo from the Al Pacino gangster film Scarface. 'Mistaken belief' The search also revealed two bags of high-purity cocaine worth about 21,000, as well as 5,000 in cash in a bedroom drawer. NCA detectives also searched Sutton's holiday home - a caravan in Devon - where he was arrested and 1,500 in cash was seized. He pleaded guilty to conspiracies to supply crack-cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of criminal property. Senior investigating officer Dean Wallbank said: "Sutton mistakenly believed EncroChat was a safe space to conduct his criminal business. "Once the National Crime Agency had Nuttyrose's messages, officers worked meticulously to identify who the user was and ensure that Sutton was brought to face justice." Why not follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he had not communicated with Russian leader Vladimir Putin since December 2022, although before that, contacts were more frequent. Source: European Pravda with reference to Markische Allgemeine Quote from Scholz: "Our last phone call was in December 2022. Before that we talked more often." Details: A few days before Russia launched its full-scale war in February 2022, Scholz visited Putin in Moscow, where they sat at a long table. "A few days before the war, we had a long conversation in Moscow. Remember that long table I had to sit at with him because he was worried about COVID-19? We discussed this for more than four hours," Scholz recalled. He added that the decision to end the war is in Putin's hands. "Let me make one thing very clear: peace is possible at any time. Putin simply has to stop his barbaric campaign and withdraw his troops," the chancellor said. Scholz also insisted that his decision not to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles is connected with the desire to prevent a direct clash between Russia and NATO. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba admitted that he receives "angry comments" from Germany when Ukraine calls on Berlin to transfer long-range Taurus missiles. Support UP or become our patron! German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) and Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, take part in the opening of the Tesla factory in Berlin Brandenburg. Scholz supports Tesla's expansion in Germany. Patrick Pleul/dpa/POOL/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said he supports the planned expansion of the only European plant of US electric car manufacturer Tesla, whose power lines at its plant in Grunheide near Berlin were recently attacked. He hopes that Tesla will develop just as well in Brandenburg as Ford has in Cologne, where the US carmaker has had a plant for almost 100 years, Scholz told Thursday's edition of the Markische Allgemeine newspaper. "That's why I'm in favour of further expanding the plant." Tesla wants to double its planned production of 500,000 cars per year, compared to the current projected figure of around 300,000. Environmentalists and local residents have major concerns about this because the plant is partly located in a water conservation area. There are currently also protests by environmental activists against a planned expansion with a goods station and logistics areas. The chancellor condemned the recent attack on an electricity pylon near the factory, which was set on fire at the beginning of March. The fire caused a power outage which put production at the plant on hold for almost a week. "This was an act of terrorism," said Scholz. "The police and security authorities must do everything they can to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice." A left-wing extremist group claimed that it had carried out the attack. The Federal Prosecutor General is investigating. Scholz said there was a need for stronger protection for important plants. However, he does not yet see any negative consequences for investments in Germany as a business location following the incident. "I have just broken ground for a large battery factory in Schleswig-Holstein that involves several billion in investment. I will soon be involved in a major pharmaceutical investment of a similar magnitude," he said in the newspaper interview. UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday vetoed a United Nations (UN) Security Council draft resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee. The U.S.-drafted resolution won the support of 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council. Russia voted against it. China abstained. The draft resolution would have extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 30, 2025. Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP, is confident the law will be passed this time after two previous attempts failed - SST / Alamy Live News Scotland could become the first part of the UK to allow the terminally ill to seek assistance to end their lives after legislation was tabled at Holyrood. Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP, unveiled a private members bill in the Scottish Parliament that would give mentally competent people over 16 who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life. People would not be able to opt for the procedure for any other reason, and safeguards would include independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. In addition, there would also be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year and they must administer the life-ending medication themselves. Doctors and others opposed to the procedure would be able to exempt themselves from being involved. Final proposal backed by 36 MSPs Two previous attempts at Holyrood to change the law on the issue were decisively defeated but Mr McArthur expressed confidence it would pass this time. The leaders of the three main parties Humza Yousaf for the SNP, Douglas Ross for the Tories and Anas Sarwar for Labour have all indicated their opposition. But MSPs are expected to be given a free vote on a conscience issue. Sources close to Mr McArthur said senior SNP Cabinet ministers backed the plan despite Mr Yousafs opposition. A final proposal for a Bill received backing from 36 MSPs more than a quarter of the total at Holyrood and as many as the number who voted for the previous legislation that was rejected. Strong public support Mr McArthurs Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is expected to be debated in the autumn. If passed, Scotland could be the first part of the UK to legalise the practice. Sir Keir Starmer has promised a vote in the next parliament on allowing it in England if he becomes prime minister. Unveiling the legislation at Holyrood, he said: This Bill contains robust safeguards, similar to those which have been safely and successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where they continue to enjoy strong public support. Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life. Too often, and despite the best efforts of palliative care, dying people are facing traumatic deaths that harm both them and those they leave behind. Religious groups opposition Mr Ross said he had carefully considered the proposals but had not been convinced that they contained adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. He confirmed Tory MSPs would not be whipped and Jackson Carlaw, his predecessor as Scottish Tory leader, made clear his strong support for the legislation. But religious groups including the Catholic Church made clear their opposition. John Keenan, the Bishop of Paisley, warned the Bill attacks human dignity and introduces a dangerous idea that a citizen can lose their value and worth. He said: Assisted suicide sends a message that there are situations when suicide is an appropriate response to ones individual circumstances, worries, anxieties. It normalises suicide and accepts that some people are beyond hope. Furthermore, assisted suicide undermines trust in doctors and damages the doctor-patient relationship. In countries where assisted suicide is legal, there is evidence that vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, experience external pressure to end their lives. No place for medicalised killing Senior medics also expressed concerns, with Dr Fiona MacCormick, of the Association for Palliative Medicine, accusing supporters of using euphemistic language that avoided the word suicide. Dr MacCormick told BBC Scotland she was also concerned about the potential for inaccurate diagnosis and prognosis, undetected coercion, and fluctuating mental capacity in seriously ill patients. As a palliative care doctor, when I see patients who are suffering, I dont see the answer to their suffering as being to end the life of the sufferer, she added. Prof David Galloway, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, said: Medicalised killing should never find a place as a health-care option. It runs counter to every instinct involved in medical training and practice. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Douglas Ross said he will not be supporting the assisted dying Bill when it comes to Parliament - SST/Alamy Live News Douglas Ross and his predecessor as Scottish Tory leader are at loggerheads over legalising assisted dying after legislation was unveiled at Holyrood. Mr Ross said he had carefully considered the proposals but had not been convinced that the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill contained adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. But he said there would be a free vote for Scottish Tory MSPs on a conscience issue and Jackson Carlaw, his predecessor, made clear his strong support for the legislation. Mr Carlaw posed alongside Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP behind the legislation, and tweeted: I am confident that the Bill does include robust safeguards and it will now be subject to detailed scrutiny. In my view, the time has come to change the law on assisted dying. Jackson Carlaw, the former Scottish Tory leader, said the 'time has come to change the law on assisted dying' - Jane Barlow/PA Sources close to Mr McArthur said this division was repeated in the other parties, with senior Cabinet ministers understood to back the plan despite Humza Yousafs opposition. If passed, they said that it would be the most significant legislation of Mr Yousafs reign as First Minister, despite his opposition. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, has also expressed concerns. Mr McArthur unveiled a private members Bill in the Scottish Parliament that would give mentally competent people aged over 16 who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life. People would not be able to opt for the procedure for any other reason, and safeguards would include independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. In addition, there would also be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year and they must administer the life-ending medication themselves. Doctors and others opposed to the procedure would be able to exempt themselves from being involved. Legislation set to be debated in autumn Two previous attempts at Holyrood to change the law on the issue were decisively defeated but Mr McArthur expressed confidence it would pass this time. A final proposal for a Bill received backing from 36 MSPs more than a quarter of the total and as many as the number who voted for the previous legislation that was rejected. The legislation is expected to be debated in the autumn. Mr Ross said: I have carefully considered the proposals in this proposed legislation and have received many emails and letters from constituents who both support and oppose assisted dying. Ultimately, I continue to have concerns about the proposed legislation and have not been convinced that it contains adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. For these reasons, I will not be supporting the Bill when it comes to Parliament. John Keenan, the Bishop of Paisley, warned that the Bill attacks human dignity and introduces a dangerous idea that a citizen can lose their value and worth. He said: Assisted suicide sends a message that there are situations when suicide is an appropriate response to ones individual circumstances, worries, anxieties. It normalises suicide and accepts that some people are beyond hope. Furthermore, assisted suicide undermines trust in doctors and damages the doctor-patient relationship. In countries where assisted suicide is legal, there is evidence that vulnerable people, including the elderly and disabled, experience external pressure to end their lives. Euphemistic language Senior medics also expressed concerns, with Dr Fiona MacCormick, of the Association for Palliative Medicine, accusing supporters of using euphemistic language that avoided the word suicide. Dr MacCormick told BBC Scotland she was also concerned about the potential for inaccurate diagnosis and prognosis, undetected coercion, and fluctuating mental capacity in seriously ill patients. As a palliative care doctor, when I see patients who are suffering, I dont see the answer to their suffering as being to end the life of the sufferer, she added. Prof David Galloway, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, said: Medicalised killing should never find a place as a healthcare option. It runs counter to every instinct involved in medical training and practice. But Mr McArthur said: This Bill contains robust safeguards, similar to those which have been safely and successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where they continue to enjoy strong public support. Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life. Too often, and despite the best efforts of palliative care, dying people are facing traumatic deaths that harm both them and those they leave behind. 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. BALTIMORE -- The search for bodies was paused Wednesday as attention turned to clearing debris from the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and reopening the Port of Baltimore. The bodies of two construction workers were recovered from a submerged truck Wednesday. Four people remain missing and are presumed dead, but divers can no longer operate around the mangled bridge debris that has encased submerged vehicles, officials said. The span was struck by a cargo ship that had lost power shortly after it left the Port of Baltimore early Tuesday morning. The U.S. Navy said it is mobilizing barges outfitted with heavy lift cranes to help clear the Patapsco River of debris. Three cranes with varying lift capacities and support vessels are expected to begin removing submerged portions of the bridge, but it's unclear when they will arrive. Reopening channel "essential" for port All vessel traffic in and out of the port was suspended in the wake of the collapse, but it has remained open for trucks. The Army Corps of Engineers will assist the salvage effort so that the Patapsco River's shipping lanes, the entry to the port, can reopen. The port is the ninth busiest in the United States, according to Census data, and handled more than $80 billion in import-exports last year, the most in 20 years. It is also home to Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines. Directly, the port supports 15,300 jobs, while another 140,000 in the area are related to port activities. The jobs provide a combined $3.3 billion in personal income, according to a CBS News report. "The most urgent priority is to open the Port of Baltimore because it is essential to the livelihood of people here in Baltimore, in Maryland, and the economies across our country and around the world," U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a press conference Wednesday. Maryland lawmakers are drafting emergency legislation for income replacement to assist thousands of Port of Baltimore workers impacted by the disruption. Four remain missing, presumed dead Eight people, part of a construction crew filling potholes, were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Two were rescued, two bodies have been recovered, and four remain missing. So far, three of the victims have been identified: Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 35, originally from Honduras and who has been living in the U.S. for 20 years Miguel Luna, originally from El Salvador Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, originally from Guatemala The Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed two of the missing men were from Guatemala, according to a Tuesday evening news release. Honduras' Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Garcia told The Associated Press a Honduran citizen was missing, and the Mexican Embassy in Washington said there were Mexicans among the six as well. The men are in their 30s and 40s and have spouses and children in Dundalk and Highlandtown, the Baltimore Banner reports. Employer vows to help families Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Hunt Valley-based general contractor Brawner Builders, told CBS MoneyWatch the workers had company-sponsored life insurance, but declined to disclose details regarding the policies. Brawner intends to offer financial assistance to the missing workers' families as they cope with the sudden loss of income, Pritzker said, without providing additional details on the company's plans. "The company is doing everything possible to support the families and to counsel the families and to be with the families," Pritzker said. Separately, a GoFundMe campaign is aiming to raise $60,000 to help their survivors. Organized by the Latino Racial Justice Circle, an advocacy group that fights racial injustice, it raised more than $98,000 as of Thursday morning. Brawner Builders is linking to the GoFundMe on its website, directing people who wish to support the families to the fundraising effort. Disaster in minutes The National Transportation Safety Board said the Dali, the striking ship, left the terminal at the Port of Baltimore around 12:39 a.m. Tuesday. By 1:24 a.m., alarms started going off that something was wrong. At 1:27 a.m., the pilot ordered crews to drop the anchor and called for tugs, telling officials the vessel lost power and was headed toward the bridge. And just two minutes later, the massive cargo ship crashed into the bridge at 8 mph. The NTSB said police had just 90 seconds from when they received distress calls to cut the bridge off to traffic and to try to get people off. A police officer patrolling because of the work on the bridge tried to get the construction workers off before it was too late, according to officials. The ship was carrying 56 containers of corrosive, flammable material and batteries, some of which were breached, according to NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy. She said one of the hazardous materials, sheen, which is used in paint, had leaked into the Patapsco River. The environmental impact is still unclear. Replacing a critical bridge The Francis Scott Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River and is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor and the final link in Interstate 695, which connects Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The bridge was completed in 1977 after the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel reached capacity and experienced heavy congestion almost daily, according to the MDTA. The 1.6-mile span was used by some 31,000 people per day and carried 11.5 million vehicles annually. Maryland submitted a request to the federal government for emergency relief funds to rebuild the Key Bridge and reopen the port, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Weidefeld said Wednesday. "We intend to receive some federal dollars quickly and then we will start with the design for the replacement of the bridge to the port and get the community back up and running," he said. President Biden said Wednesday that he intends to push the federal government to pay entirely for the replacement bridge, and pledged to work with Maryland leaders to provide as much support as possible. Senator Van Hollen said it was too early to put a price tag on the new bridge, but he called on Congress to work together to provide resources quickly. "This is an American challenge," Van Hollen said. "We are a great American city here in Baltimore. We are hoping all of our colleagues come together and join us in making sure we rebuild the bridge." "The Dish: Recipe" showcases a savory and tangy chicken meal that takes just minutes to make Author Jonathan Haidt discusses "The Anxious Generation" Legendary MLB pitcher Randy Johnson discovers new passion after retiring Security measures in Kyiv will be tightened in the aftermath of several recent Russian missile strikes on the city and increased threat of infiltration by Russian saboteurs, said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a message posted on Telegram on March 28. The decision had been made at an emergency meeting of the Kyiv Defense Council, and was largely influenced by Russia's usage of missiles that strike only minutes after being fired, Popko said. Russia has employed its new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile in some of its recent attacks on Kyiv. In a strike on the capital on March 25, explosions were heard just seconds after the air raid siren began, giving Kyiv residents hardly any time to get to shelters. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also said on March 27 that it had detained two Ukrainian men accused of helping Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) plan missile strikes on military installations and communications infrastructure, including the Kyiv TV tower. It is unclear if their arrest is related to Popko's announcement. The new security measures do not contain many specifics but mention that authorities would review the circumstances of holding public events, particularly those attended by large numbers of people. Popko also said that social media would be monitored to look for "disinformation, provocations, and other information that could destabilize the situation in Kyiv." Despite the warning, Popko said Kyivans should "remain calm" and "not panic." "We are taking preventive measures to ensure that Kyiv and its residents are well protected." Popko concluded by reminding residents of the capital to "follow the safety rules and do not ignore air-raid warnings. Take care of yourselves." Read also: Update: Russian attack on Kharkiv residential area kills 1, injures at least 19, including children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A human resources manager for a business that helps manage wound care centers saw our Better Call Behnken report about a car that was seized by police after it was found to be packed with hundreds of personal documents and strangers checks and unopened mail. The business feared they could be a victim, saying they were made aware late last year that their mail carrier had been held at gunpoint, and the criminal stole the master key to the post boxes at their business suite in Temple Terrace. The U.S. Attorneys Office and Postal Inspector announced arrests in mail carrier robberies, one in Temple Terrace, in December. Investigator Shannon Behnken determined that the business was, in fact, a victim and the Largo police report cited 10 checks belonging to the business were found in the back of the car that was searched in conjunction with the investigation of another crime. That crime involved using false identification to rent a property. Not only does this business and other victims in the report tell Behnken they werent notified by law enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office says they werent notified either. Postal Inspector Damien Kraebel said this is the first theyve heard of the car found in Largo. We take robberies of our mail carriers very seriously, Kraeble said. This complicated tale started last month when Phyllis Faber called Better Call Behnken for help. The salon owner said she dropped off a check to pay a bill at a nearby Pinch A Penny in Temple Terrace and later discovered it had been stolen, altered and cashed by someone else. The owner of the Pinch A Penny told Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken that multiple customer checks were missing and two had been altered and cashed. In both cases, the name of the payee had been changed to a woman named Keelee. Temple Terrace police said they have surveillance video of Keelee cashing the check but they have closed their case and are trying to transfer the case to a law enforcement agency in Pinellas County. No agency has claimed the investigation yet, though. Better Call Behnken has discovered the same Keelee popped up on the radar of Largo police on Jan. 30. During an arrest involving a man who allegedly used a fraudulent ID to rent a property, police records show that man was found in car registered to the same Keelee. Inside that car, according to the report, officers found multiple people with criminal histories, including one man found asleep in the trunk area. Also inside that car, records show, officers found hundreds of financial documents belonging to individuals and businesses. Also found, according to the report: check paper, a printer, erasers, various writing utensils, a drivers license and bank cards belonging to numerous people, a metal grinder with a green leafy residue and a Bentley car key. Also confiscated was a loaded handgun and ammunition. Documents trace back to victims in 19 Florida counties or cities, including 15 in the Tampa Bay area, touching Pinellas, Polk, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. In addition, documents for four other states, were included in the report, including California, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. Here are some of the highlights of hundreds of personal and business documents seized. 30 pieces of unopened personal mail 21 financial documents for a dentist office in temple terrace 27 personal checks 57 banking statements 10 checks for a wound care facility in Tampa 55 business checks for various citizens Some victims are named in the report, including the chiropractic business of Dr. Pavloa Santamaria. Nearly two months after the documents were found, Better Call Behnken was the first to tell her. I am completely blindsided, Santamaria said. I have no idea what these documents could be and honestly, Im very, very worried. She said she is disappointed that law enforcement didnt notify her or return the stolen financial documents from her business that were found in this car. According to public records, the personal documents are from 19 Florida counties or cities and four other states, including California, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. The Largo Police Department said they issued whats known as a BOLO report, alerting other law enforcement of the evidence seized. But at this time, no agency appears to be investigating the larger check cooking scheme. That makes no sense to me, said Dr. Pavloa Santamaria, whose chiropractic business is listed as one with financial documents found in the car. Its unbelievable. Santamaria and others said they want their documents back and they are furious they werent notified. They said theyve called the Largo Police Department for answers and arent getting any. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Attendees at Sentosa's Sky Lantern Festival at Palawan Green were charged $50 per person, excluding booking fees. (PHOTO: TikTok/leamingtondiaries and TikTok/syxflicks and Facebook/LawrenceLam) SINGAPORE All 68 attendees of the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival who lodged a report with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) are slated to receive full refunds, CASE said on Wednesday (27 March). CASE said it has reached an agreement with the festival's organiser, Asian Couture and Boutique, to refund all consumers who filed their complaint to the association. The refunds are to be issued by 11.59pm on 31 March. "This comes after CASEs active representation and engagement with Asian Couture and Boutique on behalf of affected consumers," said the association. CASE president Melvin Yong said the association will continue to protect consumers' interests and work closely with businesses to achieve the best possible outcome. Asian Couture and Boutique founder Shiermie Bautista previously said that no full refunds would be made for the event, since other programme segments, like the music festival, went ahead, and many participants had attended the event. Tickets were priced at $50 per person, excluding booking fees. What transpired at the Singapore Sky Lantern Festival? The event, which took place at Sentosa's Palawan Green on 21 February, did not meet the advertised expectations. Attendees were promised a picturesque lantern light-up with burning candles, however, on the event day, the organiser informed attendees that due to "unforeseen circumstances", burning candles were replaced with LED ones. Also, the lanterns were tied to barricades, instead of being suspended in the air. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said last month that the organiser had failed to adhere to stipulated fire safety guidelines. Local media outlet CNA reported that the police, who confirmed on 7 March that they were investigating the event, said on Wednesday that the investigation is still ongoing. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Yahoo Singapore Telegram On a recent weekday, short but mighty flames began consuming an expanse of tallgrass in Nachusa Grasslands, their advance marked with crackles and pops. Satisfied with the blaze, a group of eight conservation workers split in two, walking the perimeter of a 124-acre square expanse of land. They used liquid fuel, drop by drop, to create a ring of fire and rubber tools to put out unruly sparks. Everything was under control. The neon orange fire charred most of what it encountered: native plants such as Canada wild rye, big bluestem and Indiangrass; and invasive species like bush honeysuckle and bush clover. It barely grazed a handful of scattered oaks and a willow grove at the center of the open meadow, all leafless but tall, alive and full of water immune to the fire. If were doing things right, weve tried to set ourselves up so that the fire is largely managing itself, and were giving light touches to keep it where it needs to be, said Elizabeth Bach, a research scientist at The Nature Conservancy, which manages the nature preserve 100 miles west of Chicago. The idea is that the fire wont get pushed outside of the boundaries. Its like, once you got your lines, you just color inside. Then everything kind of comes together at the end. As spring gets underway, conservationists are purposely setting Illinois tallgrass prairies on fire to protect native species and revitalize one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Prairies dont immediately come to mind when people think about threatened landscapes, and public attention is often focused on rainforests. But there are far fewer prairies. More tropical rainforest gets cut down every year than there is tallgrass prairie that still exists, Bach said. Were all about setting up plants and animals to thrive today and into an uncertain future with the ecological factors that support them, and prescribed fire is a pivotal one. The National Park Service estimates that only 6.8 million acres of tallgrass prairies remain in North America, less than 4% of the 170 million acres that originally covered the region. In just 2021, 1.6 million acres of Great Plains grasslands were plowed primarily to expand row crops, according to a World Wildlife Fund report. 1.6 million acres of Great Plains grasslands were destroyed in 2021 alone, World Wildlife Fund says At Nachusa, more than 4,000 acres of grassland are protected. The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Wilmington, which the U.S. Forest Service manages, covers another 20,000 acres. About 3,000 acres there are actively undergoing restoration or enhancement. Efforts to preserve these endangered Illinois ecosystems involve numerous organizations and institutions. As you may know, Illinois is the Prairie State, but less than 0.01% of its original tallgrass prairie remains due to agriculture and land development, said Emily Reusswig, vice president of conservation and policy at Openlands, an environmental nonprofit contributing to conservation work at Midewin. Dependent on disturbances The roads leading up to The Nature Conservancys headquarters at Nachusa are lined with black and gray plots of land in various stages of postfire recovery. Heavy in the air is the smell of burned grass. The nature preserve and its grasslands are home to 180 birds, over 700 native plants and a herd of 100 bison. Meant to benefit these organisms and restore the health of their habitat, the carefully planned and controlled fires can only be executed by experts under specific wind, temperature and humidity conditions. These often occur from mid-March to May even though a layer of snow often coats the ground this time of year. But the unusually dry and warm winter had fire experts scrambling to start in February. Four hours into the recent controlled burn at Nachusa, the small crew finally regrouped opposite where they started. They watched as the initial fire, pushing against the southeasterly winds, met the newer, taller flames quickly blowing in. In a moment, the blaze put itself out. All that was left was scorched earth. These fires mainly target invasive species such as bush honeysuckle, yellow sweet clover, white sweet clover, Siberian elm, birds-foot trefoil and bush clover. In the 8,000 to 10,000 years since prairies took root in North America, their flora and fauna have become resilient and even dependent on disturbances such as fire. Indigenous people, for instance, have long relied on it as a tool to manage land. But nonnative plant and animal species introduced in the last several decades did not evolve to withstand fire. The suite of plants and animals that you see in tallgrass prairie are all there because they can tolerate fire every few years, Bach said. In fact, some of them thrive with fire every few years. And that fire helps suppress things such as trees and shrubby brush that would move in if that wasnt coming through the system. Fire also clears out dead stems and leaves without killing the roots of prairie plants, allowing them to grow back; its like deciduous trees shedding their leaves in the fall. The ash also returns nutrients to the soil, according to the Forest Service. Teeming with life Reaching over 5 feet, tallgrass thrives in the Midwests rich soil. But that fertility also makes these kinds of prairies well-suited to row crops such as soybean and corn. When settlers reached the Great Plains, they brought cattle to graze on the bisons vast pasture and plowed the grasslands. We removed fire as a factor, and we introduced things like buckthorn and honeysuckle, and we planted cornfields and cleared areas for homes, Bach said. And that was very different from how our Indigenous neighbors have and continue to manage land and consider their relationship with land. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in 1820 the state had 22 million acres of prairies, most of which were gone by the beginning of the 20th century. By 1978, less than 2,300 acres of high-quality original prairie remained. You do, sometimes, kind of run into the mentality that land is a resource that should be productive with this kind of direct human output, Bach said. It is true that the soils of Illinois can grow a lot of grains, a lot of calories. And thats an important thing. We need that, our world needs food. We all need to eat. She said productive agricultural land and human development can and should coexist with nature. I think its an and, its not an either-or,' she said. How do we think about our ecosystems a little more holistically? Not just what they can produce for us, but also, what we can do for them? Grasslands are teeming with life that conservationists are trying to protect and restore. The monarch butterfly is perhaps one of the best-known prairie insects. Other prairie pollinators, essential in sustaining plant life, include the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. Rockford Airport expansion in Bell Bowl Prairie begins Thursday despite push to protect endangered bumblebees habitat Grassland birds, such as the bobolink, greater prairie-chicken, and Henslows sparrow, are some of the most imperiled species in the country, with populations declining by over 40% since 1966, according to the National Audubon Society. Yet the organizations Great Lakes regional office says populations of bobolinks and Henslows sparrows have remained steady or increased in the Chicago Wilderness region, which includes Midewin, due to land management practices such as prescribed burning. In late 2023, Openlands received a $1.5 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to bring back a dozen bird species through the restoration of over 1,300 acres of prairie, savanna and floodplain wetland habitats at Midewins Grant Creek watershed. After the recent prescribed fire at Nachusa, Bach pointed to a group of 50 bison quietly munching on grass that was burned in early March. The imposing animals are equipped to survive winter from fat reserves in their bodies, but theyll still eat what they can find, especially in scattered patches of grass where there wasnt enough dry material to burn. If its green and they can eat it, theyll eat it, Bach said. In restoring this big area, that grazing factor was missing. We had the fire, we had the landscape, we had the native plants and animals So, after a lot of careful thought and planning, the bison came back. The last recorded sighting of a wild bison or American buffalo in Illinois happened in 1870. The animal was ultimately forced out of the state by hunting, agriculture and development. Just as grasslands co-evolved with fire, they grew to be dependent on the grazing patterns of bison, which diversified native vegetation, maintained habitats for birds and cleared out invasive species. In 2015, Nachusa Grasslands welcomed the first baby bison born in Illinois in nearly two centuries. It became the newest member of the first herd to have been officially reintroduced east of the Mississippi River for conservation purposes in 2014. Midewins herd of bison was introduced in 2015. Bach said she didnt anticipate how visitors would connect with the bison, which has become a conduit for more Illinoisans to understand the uniqueness of tallgrass prairies that are literally in our backyards. Lessons in climate resilience Grassland animals have evolved to respond to fires and predators by burrowing, running, flying or camouflaging at a moments notice. Still, about 75% of prairie life occurs almost entirely underground. Most of the biomass the bulk of organisms in a prairie is found in its roots. They are great at absorbing water and storing nutrients, which allows the grass and the whole ecosystem to bounce back from disruptions. These deep, dense roots also allow the soil to serve as a safe, long-term repository for the carbon dioxide the plants capture from the atmosphere. Remnant prairies, which have remained for millennia, have roots that go as far down as 15 to 20 feet. Restoring our ecosystems is really a powerful way to not only store carbon but also help us adapt to our changing climate, Reusswig said. Because these prairie plants, they clean our water, they soak up carbon, they help reestablish our aquifers They just have a ton of ecosystem services or natural capital when it comes to helping us thrive both today and in the future. While forests can store more carbon than grasslands due to their larger biomass, they are also more vulnerable to changing weather patterns and unexpected disasters such as drought and wildfires. And when trees die and decompose, they rerelease the carbon stored in their trunks, branches, leaves and roots. Its not about one system (being) better than another system, Bach said. Because the systems have evolved where they thrive. The grasslands are going to be a really good system in Illinois for locking up carbon. A rainforest is going to be a really good system in Brazil for locking up carbon. That doesnt mean we need rainforests in Illinois. Into the future Prairie restoration work can be tedious, like collecting more than a thousand pounds of seeds by hand every year to regrow hundreds of native plant species. Reseeding is essential to restoration. Prescribed burns are done on land that has often already been repopulated with native plants, in hopes that native species come back and eventually reestablish their co-dependence with fire. For instance, the 124-acre parcel that was recently torched had been planted in 2017. Once we got that all planted, Bach said, we kind of let it do its thing. Weve come in, weve now burned it a couple of times since then. And its now in a situation where we burn it every few years. We check it for invasive species that might be a concern, but theres not a lot of other intervention we have to do. Its pretty set to go. Restoration does not entail re-creating prairies exactly as they were hundreds of years, even decades, ago. Ecosystems arent static. Theyre evolving, changing and responding to weather and climate and all kinds of impacts, Bach said. Our goal here is to set up communities of native plants and animals for success (in) the future. And that includes these regular disturbance regimes and ecological factors. Its not a static thing that youll walk away from. adperez@chicagotribune.com Sherri Papini leaves the federal courthouse in Sacramento on Sept. 19, 2022, after being sentenced to 18 months in prison. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Sherri Papini, the woman who fabricated her own elaborate kidnapping and went to prison for mail fraud and lying to federal agents, still owes more than $300,000 in restitution, federal officials say. Papini, 41, was ordered to pay $309,902 in restitution when she was sentenced to federal prison in September 2022, nearly six years after she staged her own kidnapping and kicked off a frantic search that made national headlines. But as of March 22, federal officials say, Papini still owes nearly all of that money. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California filed an application for writ of garnishment worth $340,221.23 against Papini, which includes a 10% litigation surcharge. Also targeted in the writ is the law firm representing Papini in her divorce. The filing claims Papini has a "substantial nonexempt interest in property" that is in "the possession, custody, or control of" the law firm. Sacramento-based attorney William Portanova, who represented Papini in her federal case, acknowledged during her September 2022 sentencing hearing that she was unlikely to be able to afford the payments. Sherri Papini was ordered to make full restitution as part of her case resolution before U.S. District Court Judge William B. Shubb, and Ms. Papini continues to honor her promise to do so," Portanova wrote in an emailed statement. "The Court and the Government are fully aware of Ms. Papinis current financial condition. Nothing has changed." In a statement, Papini's divorce attorney said the firm's client would "continue to honor and fulfill her obligation," but denied allegations that she was not making payments and that the law firm was intentionally withholding any of her funds. "The reports of Sherri not making the instructed payments are simply not accurate and yet another attempt to continue to smear and hurt Ms. Papini," the lawyer, Chase Kinney, said in an emailed statement. "Furthermore, to include and target my law firm for representing Ms. Papini in her custody and divorce proceedings with inferences of nefariously withholding her funds is untrue and another indication of the reckless nature of false allegations and the malicious reporting of this case. "We stand behind Ms. Papini, who accepted responsibility and served her time, now shes looking forward to spending time with her children and family, and Im confident she will have her moment to set the record straight," the statement said. Read more: Sherri Papini invented a wild kidnapping hoax. The true story is even stranger Papini went missing from her Redding, Calif., home for 22 days in 2016, setting off search parties across rural Shasta County and desperate pleas for help by her then-husband, Keith. Three weeks later, Papini reappeared on the side of a highway in Yolo County, bruised and emaciated, with her long blond hair sheared short and right shoulder branded. Papini initially alleged that she was kidnapped while out for a run by two Latinas at gunpoint and that they held her captive before letting her go. Instead, Papini had gone south to Costa Mesa with an ex-boyfriend, holing up with him for several weeks while her family and community back home searched for her. Papini maintained her story for years, even when the investigation into her kidnapping led law enforcement back to the ex-boyfriend. It all started to crumble in August 2020, when Papini was confronted by investigators in an interview and was warned that it was a crime to lie to federal officers. Papini stuck with her story for another year and a half before federal authorities arrested the "super mom" in March 2022 and charged her with mail fraud and lying to authorities. Read more: Sherri Papini, accused of faking 2016 kidnapping, injured herself to further her hoax, feds say The ex-boyfriend had told investigators that Papini had injured herself and cut her own hair, and that he had helped her brand her shoulder with a wood-burning tool. After she said she missed home and her family, he drove her back up to the Redding area; she reappeared in Woodland, roughly 150 miles south, on Thanksgiving. Papini pleaded guilty in April 2022 and was later sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution "for losses incurred by the California Victim Compensation Board, the Social Security Administration, the Shasta County Sheriffs Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation," according to the U.S. attorney's office. Papini had received $30,000 from the state's victim compensation fund, which is money set aside for victims of crime and their families, and used it in part to pay for therapy sessions and window blinds. She was released from federal prison to community confinement six months early in August 2023. Im so sorry to the many people who suffered because of me, Papini said in court when she was sentenced. I am guilty, your honor. I am guilty of lying, guilty of dishonor." 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. TOKYO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Japan's parliament on Thursday approved the budget for the fiscal year of 2024 starting in April, totaling 112.57 trillion yen (744 billion U.S. dollars). The revised amount marked a slight contraction of about 1.8 trillion yen compared to the previous fiscal year, ending the country's 11-year streak of record-high fiscal budgets, finance ministry data showed. Japan's defense budget for the new fiscal year, meanwhile, saw an increase of 16.6 percent, reaching 7.92 trillion yen. The amount would escalate to 7.9496 trillion if expenses for restructuring the U.S. military presence in Japan are included. Additionally, social security spending, which accounts for about one-third of Japan's fiscal expenditure, expanded 2.3 percent to a record-high of 37.72 trillion yen. The Japanese government predicted tax revenue for the 2024 fiscal year to be around 69.6 trillion yen, and in order to bridge the deficit, it plans to issue new bonds worth 35.45 trillion yen. Such a move would raise the dependency of Japan's fiscal expenditure on bonds to 31.5 percent for the new fiscal year, the data showed. The enactment of the state budget was certain after the more powerful House of Representatives approved it in a rare Saturday session on March 2 as opposition parties had hardened their stance and ramped up criticism of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over his party's political funds scandal, national news agency Kyodo reported on Thursday. (One U.S. dollar equals 151.24 Japanese yen) Local explorers have found the remains of a steamship that lay at the bed of Lake Michigan for around 137 years, using clues in newspaper clippings to discover the wreck. Explorers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA) made the remarkable discovery of the Milwaukee, a steamship that disappeared into the depths of the lake in 1886 after it collided with another ship around 40 miles from Holland, Michigan, where it now lies in 360 feet of water. The 135-feet-long ship was first commissioned in 1868 by one of the earliest steamship operators, The Northern Transportation Company of Ohio, to join a growing fleet to carry passengers and goods between New York and Chicago. As the railroads continued to expand, the ship was eventually repurposed into a cargo carrier on Lake Michigan, and was then sold in 1883 to haul lumber to Chicago. The MSRA made the discovery of the vesselin June of last year using side-scan sonar, and then spent the summer working to film the shipwreck, trying to confirm its exact identity, the association announced in a Facebook post. They also used a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to document the wreck, assembled especially for the project by the teams engineer. Before this, however, in order to discover the exact whereabouts of the ship, the explorers had to go back to basics, looking into old newspaper accounts rather than using modern-day technology to crack the case of where the ship disappeared to. It was newspaper accounts of the sinking that provided the clues we needed to locate the shipwreck, said Valerie van Heest, who with her husband Jack van Heest, coordinated the search effort together. The accounts painted a picture of the day that led to the ships demise. In July 1886, the Milwaukee was smashed into by another boat, the Hickox, causing the steamship to sink, after a perfect storm of unfortunate incidents on the water. Both ships were sailing such an exact course that around midnight they ended up bearing straight for each other. Under navigation rules, both captains were supposed to slow down, steer right and sound their whistles to indicate their course change. But the old superstition that bad things happen in threes would haunt the captains of both ships that night, the MSRA wrote in their post. The Milwaukee was found almost 140 years after the collision (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association) Neither captain slowed down because visibility was fine, but suddenly a thick fog rolled in, rendering them both blind, the MSRA said. The captain of the Hickox then quickly made a turn and tried to blast his steam whistle, but when he went to do so, the pull chain broke. Unable to see or hear where the other ship was going, Captain Armstrong of the Milwaukee froze, and when the fog cleared, the Hickox was upon the Milwaukee. In a desperate last attempt to evade collision, Armstrong tried to turn, but at that point, it was too late, and the Hickox ploughed into the side of the Milwaukee. Water started to gush into the ship, and a distress signal was blown. Fortunately, all the crew managed to climb safely on the Hickox, but the Milwaukee itself was still doomed, as after two hours, the ship had plunged to the bottom of the lake. The Hickox and another nearby vessel, the City of New York, had even teamed up together by sailing so close to the ship that they managed to sandwich the vessel to keep it afloat, but it was ultimately to no avail. The Muskegon, Michigan Port in the 1880s (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association) As for the two captains involved in the crash on the lake, both had their licences taken away from them for a time after they both failed to slow down. Studying all these stories tucked away in old news accounts meant it only took the MSRA two days to search for the Milwaukee before it was found with the side scan sonar, they said. Weeks after, the team were able to lay their eyes on the shipwreck for the first time using the ROV. Visibility was excellent, says Mr van Heest, who piloted the ROV. We saw the forward mast still standing as the ROV headed down to the bottom. The shipwreck rests remarkably intact upright on the bottom of the lake, still facing northeast just as it was heading that night, unfortunately never making it to its destination. While the sinking of the Milwaukee meant career damage for the two captains over a century ago, the discovery of the wreckage is a proud achievement for the present-day shipwreck researchers as it marks the 19th wreck the association has discovered off the shores of West Michigan. The team have now been able to document details of the ship never recorded before, lost in history at the bottom of the lake. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Polish President Andrzej Duda on March 28, as part of his official visit to Warsaw. Before meeting with Duda, Shmyhal held talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on agricultural trade, an issue that sparked large-scale farmers' protests in Poland and a blockade on the border with Ukraine. Poland and Ukraine agreed to search for "mutually satisfactory solutions" to issues related to agricultural trade, a joint communique between Shmyhal and Tusk said. Shmyhal said on X that he thanked Duda "for his decisive and significant personal contribution to supporting Ukraine." "We talked about helping Ukraine with weapons and combining our efforts for NATO and EU integration," Shmyhal said. The conversation concerned "Poland's support for activities undertaken by Ukraine on its way to membership in the European Union and NATO," Duda said on X. " Cooperation in the field of comprehensive military, financial and diplomatic support provided by Poland and its allies to the fighting Ukraine was also discussed." According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Poland committed support worth 4.301 billion euros ($4.64 billion) to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) of which is made up of military support. Read also: Poland doubles its contribution to Czech ammunition initiative for Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Yousaf was accused of 'failing on the basics of government' by the Labour opposition - JANE BARLOW/PA Humza Yousaf remains less popular than his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon despite her arrest by police investigating the SNPs finances, according to a poll conducted a year after he replaced her. Ipsos Scotland said the First Minister is viewed favourably by 29 per cent of Scots and unfavourably by 45 per cent, giving him a net rating of minus 15 when the totals are rounded. This was an improvement on the rating of minus-20 he had when he was running to be SNP leader after Ms Sturgeon suddenly resigned in February last year. He was sworn in as First Minister a year ago on Friday. But he remained more unpopular than Ms Sturgeon, despite her rating tumbling from plus-eight when she left office to minus-12. Around a third of Scots (35 per cent) view her positively and 47 per cent negatively. Over the past year, her home has been searched by police investigating the SNPs finances and a luxury motorhome seized from outside her mother-in-laws home. The former first minister has been arrested, along with her husband, Peter Murrell, the SNPs former chief executive. Both were released without charge pending further investigation and she has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. In addition, Ms Sturgeon has faced fierce criticism for destroying all WhatsApp messages from the pandemic, despite pledging in August 2021 that they would be handed over to the UK and Scottish Covid public inquiries. Failing on the basics of government The poll also showed that the SNPs new favourability rating has tumbled from minus-one when Ms Sturgeon stood down to minus-10. It said 34 per cent of Scots had a positive view of the former first minister, while 44 per cent had a negative opinion. It was published as Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, accused Mr Yousaf of having provided no vision, no strategy and no plan during his first year in charge. Mr Sarwar told First Ministers Questions that Mr Yousaf was failing on the basics of government, citing lengthy NHS waiting lists, falling education standards and low economic growth. Emily Gray, managing director at Ipsos Scotland, said: These findings show the Scottish public are less favourable towards the SNP now than they were when Humza Yousaf took office, with Mr Yousaf facing a challenge to convince the public his government is delivering on key policy areas such as the NHS, education and the economy. However the other parties also face challenges the Conservatives and Rishi Sunak are much more unpopular, whilst views towards Labour are less negative but the results suggest they havent as yet generated much enthusiasm among the public. The survey of 1,040 people, conducted between Mar 15 and 26, found more than half (56 per cent) said Mr Yousafs government had performed poorly at improving the NHS. Around half (49 per cent), said they had failed to improve living standards for those on low incomes. Similar proportions had a negative view of their performance on education (48 per cent) and managing the economy (47 per cent). Recommended All Humza Yousaf's Hate Crime Act will achieve is to stir up more hatred Read more Mr Sarwar had a minus-seven popularity rating, with 26 per cent of people viewing him favourably and 33 per cent negatively. Douglas Ross, his Tory counterpart, had a minus-42 rating, with 14 per cent of people viewing him favourably and 56 per cent unfavourably. Mr Sarwar told Holyrood that during his year as first minister, Mr Yousaf had endured three defections, nine SNP MPs abandoning ship and his own deputy leader saying SNP MPs might not turn up to work. Hes been called authoritarian by one of his longest-serving MSPs; accused of lacking vision by Kate Forbes; called a commentator, not a leader by Alex Neil, the Scottish Labour leader said. And his general election strategy has been trashed by Pete Wishart, his partys longest-serving MP. In one short year, Humza Yousaf has lost every electoral test he has been set. But Mr Yousaf accused Mr Sarwar of arrogance and hubris and noted that Scots had chosen the SNP over Labour in recent years time and time again. 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. SNYDER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Snyder Police Department recruited some young detectives to locate six eggs hidden throughout the town. The department received a report of six missing eggs at about 2:00 a.m. on March 27. Police determined that the eggs were placed near six local landmarks in the town but could not be located after numerous attempts. LIST: Abilene area 2024 Easter events Snyder PD reached out to the community for help, specifically children, due to their expertise in hunting Easter eggs. Courtesy of the Snyder Police Department The young detectives cracked the code on the scavenger hunt and safely returned the eggs to the police department in exchange for a surprise. Courtesy of the Snyder Police Department Thank you to these community detectives for finding our lost eggs! We are grateful to work in this community and hope everyone has a happy and safe Easter!! the department shared on Facebook. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Yes, that college price tag is correct. Several private colleges and universities in New England will cost more than $90,000 to attend this fall, with several local schools approaching that $90,000-mark in an unprecedented time of soaring costs in higher education. Wellesley College, Tufts University, Boston University and Yale University will all top $90,000 annually for tuition, housing and other costs, according to the schools admissions websites. The estimated costs for these private schools do not include any financial aid. At Tufts in Medford this fall, the estimated cost for tuition, room and board and other expenses is $95,888, according to the schools website. At Wellesley College, tuition, room and board and health insurance for the 2024-2025 academic year will cost $92,060, a figure that doesnt include books or other estimated personal expenses. At Boston University this fall, tuition, housing and other expenses will be $90,207. The estimated cost to attend Yale University in New Haven, Conn. is $90,975. Meanwhile, several local colleges and universities in Massachusetts are approaching the $90,000-mark. They include Brandeis University in Waltham at $89,824; Amherst College in Amherst at $88,210; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at $85,960; and Stonehill College in Easton, at $81,729. Suffolk University in Boston ranks among the lesser-priced universities, at $73,002. Again, these totals do not reflect financial aid. 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 Tyler Hanson, of Fort Rucker, Ala., watches the sun moments before the total eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse in North America first hits land at Mexicos Pacific coast, cuts diagonally across the U.S. from Texas to Maine and into Canada from Ontario, Quebec before exiting in eastern Canada. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Forget city monuments, affordable transit, or rising leisure time. Theres nothing quite like the rare solar eclipse to set off a tourism boom and right now, as people gather together to honour the historic event, Canada is profiting big time. On April 8, the country is set to see a spike in travellers who will be heading to the path of totality (the part of the earth that will fall under the moons shadow) where theyll be able to best see the solar eclipse. The path will hit parts of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and, finally, Newfoundland and Labrador. Canada last experienced a total solar eclipse in 1979, so for locals or those who only need to make a short drive for a solid view, its an especially exciting time. It's significant for the very reason that it only happens in a particular location once in a generation, explains Tracy Webb, an associate professor of physics at McGill University. So, it really is a rare event just in terms of timescales. It's significant for the very reason that it only happens in a particular location once in a generation. Best Canadian cities to see solar eclipse April 8 Many of the key cities on the path including Kingston have reported seeing a rise in hotel occupancy for the big day, with travellers heading to Niagara Falls expected to spend at least $1,000 per night for a room if they havent booked already. In fact, travel booker Kayak reported a 304-per-cent increase in flight searches and 15 times more hotel searches for the dates around the eclipse compared to the same time last year. Montreal came out as one of the cheapest cities to book along the path and for renting a car. And yes, you can expect traffic delays, road closures, and pricey parking just about everywhere. However, many cities are encouraging locals to take public transit; Kingston, for example, will be offering free transit all day. Earlier this month, too, Airbnb data revealed a whopping 300-per-cent increase in searches for stays along the path of totality in Canada. The home-share network also reported seeing over 1,000 new hosts across North America to meet demand. Its worth noting that Airbnbs listings outnumber hotels by more than 18 times along the path in Canada, with guests wanting backyards and private spaces to comfortably watch the eclipse with family and friends. The Canadian cities seeing the majority of bookings are Montreal and Niagara Falls. Canadians planning day trips to Niagara Falls, Hamilton to witness 'amazing,' 'once in a generation' solar eclipse on April 8 For Toronto tech entrepreneur and massive astronomy fan since childhood Algis Akstinas, this made a one-day family road trip to nearby Niagara Falls the only option. A group of his friends will meet the family there, theyll explore the area, and have lunch just before the eclipse. This isnt Akstinass first solar eclipse; hes caught a few partial ones, and a full one in 2017 in Oregon. He learned a lot from those experiences, and this time around plans to leave extra early in the morning to avoid as much traffic as possible, and head out the second the eclipse wraps. Looking up the next eclipse, I was surprised to discover it is so close to home, he said. Ive been excited about it since then. Hes ensured hell be on the path of totality, with stars visible in the sky, and his family beside him this time. In anticipation of travellers like Akstinas, Canadian cities have been working overtime the last few weeks to install new, thorough safety measures. For instance, Niagara Falls, which is anticipating over 1 million visitors on the day potentially the biggest in its history will be boosting internet service ahead of a possible system crash. We're all looking forward to the road trip because it's given us a chance to forget about work for the day and get together. Inderpreet Kaur Gill, a Toronto-based student, is also road-tripping, to Hamilton with a group of friends. With plans to potentially move out of Toronto after the summer, the solar eclipse presented an ideal opportunity for getting together one last time. As a British Columbia native, its also a chance for Gill to see a part of Ontario she hasnt before. We're all looking forward to the road trip because it's given us a chance to forget about work for the day and get together, Gill said. With our busy schedules and lives, it's proven to be difficult to find a time to meet for dinner, but when it came to planning this trip to see the solar eclipse, it was a no-brainer. The group plan to load up their rented car with snacks, make a few pit-stops, and arrive early. Gill has accounted for not only car reservation or route mishaps, but for how long it might take to find parking and walk to a prime viewing area. After the eclipse, theyll have dinner, chat about what they saw, and update their Instagram feeds. If we're taking the day off work to see the solar eclipse, we're not messing around we're going to do it right, she said. I don't want to miss out on any opportunity to make memories with my friends. How long will the solar eclipse last? You might be wondering: Why would so many people decide to book an overpriced hotel room or road-trip down an endlessly congested highway essentially just to look up at the sky for a few minutes? Its an amazing scientific event in the sense that you're seeing the universe in action, Webb explains. The moon and sun are always moving around the sky, the stars rise and set; we understand why all those motions happen and how they happen. But the fact that we can predict that at this minute the moon is going to move in front of the sun and we can watch it happen really brings home to everyone that science actually works. San Juan Capistrano, CA - October 14: Looking through a solar viewer, Linda Akins of Laguna Woods watches the annular solar eclipse at Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano early Saturday morning, October 14, 2023. At the height of the eclipse the moon covered approximately 70 percent of the suns surface. (Photo by Mark Rightmire/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images) The 'Standing with Giants' project has constructed 1,475 metal silhouettes for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings (HENRY NICHOLLS) In the English countryside, volunteers put the finishing touches to 1,475 metal silhouettes representing British military personnel who died on D-Day, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the landings. The "Standing with Giants" project is the brainchild of 54-year-old Dan Barton, a building renovation specialist who lives near Oxford, 60 miles (37 kilometres) northwest of London. Barton, who has crafted similar statues for other commemorations, said he wanted to make a "powerful" tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives during the largest seaborne invasion in history. Heads of state and veterans are due to mark the anniversary of D-Day on June 6, a date that was key to Allied Europe's eventual victory against the Nazis in World War II. "It's the last time that the veterans, anyone (who was) there... is going to be living to see that anniversary, so that's really special," Barton told AFP. "I think it's really important that this year we give it a huge push." - Sacrifices - In a specially built shed in Stanton Harcourt, a village west of Oxford, a group of around 10 people screwed the life-sized silhouettes into their supports. "It's important because what they did, their sacrifices were well, it's just so difficult to really grasp," said 68-year-old retiree Judith Holder. "I think because the veterans are dying as well, it's important to do it now." The black-painted silhouettes will be installed around the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer in northern France, overlooking "Gold Beach" where 25,000 British troops landed in 1944. Eleven different versions have been made, representing the different soldiers and military personnel who took part. Barton said his team did research to determine if any women were killed on the day. "It turned out there were," he added. "There were two nurses that died on one of the ships when it hit a mine. So we've found some images of them and we've had some specially designed laser-cut figures." - 22,000 poppies - The hand-crafted silhouettes were made from salvaged metal advertising signs that are difficult to recycle. They were then painted and fixed on rods before being anchored in a support strong enough to withstand the strong winds that batter the Normandy coast. Several hundred volunteers have been putting them together over the last few weeks, and also making trolleys for them to be transported. On the walls of the workshop are reproductions of moving poems and letters from soldiers. "These guys were extremely, extremely brave," said former soldier Kerry Hastings, 70, who is in charge of putting together the trolleys. "These people need to see that people remember their efforts and the contribution they gave to liberating Europe." Woollen poppies -- the symbol of remembrance for Britain's war dead dating back to World War I -- will also be fixed to the base of the statues. More than 22,000, corresponding to the number of soldiers killed in Normandy under British command between June 6 and August 31, 1944, have been sewn and sent by Britain's Women's Institute community organisation. Emily Kelland, the granddaughter of a former soldier, has helped staple the poppies to the bases. "It just means a lot to lots of people," she said. "It's a good tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for everybody." For the volunteers, their D-Day is April 5, when the silhouettes are transported across the Channel from Portsmouth to Normandy. The installation will be in place in mid-April and on display until the end of August. mhc/gmo/phz/rlp General Sir Patrick Sanders took the decision that 'the appearance policy will change' following a survey of both serving and reservist troops - MoD Soldiers will be allowed to grow beards after the Army overturned a 100-year ban on facial hair, The Telegraph can reveal. The King, who is Commander in Chief, signed off on the decision on Thursday to allow both officers and soldiers to wear beards. The new policy will come into effect on Friday so that soldiers on Easter leave have time to grow a beard while away from work, The Telegraph understands. Following a review of the Armys policy on appearances and beards, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the Army, took the decision that the appearance policy will change after a survey of both serving and reservist troops. The findings showed an overwhelming majority felt the Army needed to change its policy and allow soldiers to wear beards. It comes after Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said the beard ban was ludicrous when discussing the Armys recruitment crisis. The move will bring the Army into line with the RAF and Royal Navy who already permit full beards. However, troops have been told that conditions mean beards have to be neat as standards within the Army must not drop. It was also stressed to personnel that the decision was not to be seen as a free for all and that any beards grown will be reviewed to ensure they are in line with regulations. It is thought the original beard ban was introduced to ensure uniformity in appearance. However, as the Army has struggled with recruitment, it has looked into ways to promote inclusivity and encourage men with beards to sign up. Senior defence sources told The Telegraph there would be dinosaurs who will not agree with the decision. They added: Someone will say gas masks wont fit, but if theres a chemical threat then people will shave. In a video released to personnel confirming the decision, Paul Carney, the Army Sergeant Major, said: Our standards cant drop. The Army has a reputation for professionalism and a smart turnout, with our allies and with the British public. We must maintain and protect that reputation by continuing to look our best. 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. Adnoc has announced the start of crude oil production from its Belbazem offshore block. The Belbazem offshore block is operated by Al Yasat Petroleum, a joint venture between Adnoc and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Adnocs innovative approach in developing the block includes leveraging operational synergies with adjacent fields, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation to enhance efficiency and safety while reducing emissions and cost. Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, Adnoc Upstream Executive Director, said: The start of crude oil production from the Belbazem offshore block is testament to the success of our strategic partnership with CNPC and the robust bilateral energy relationship between the UAE and China. Adnoc continues to maximize value from Abu Dhabis resources, while reducing our carbon footprint to ensure a secure, reliable, and responsible supply of energy to customers locally and internationally. Production capacity at the Belbazem offshore block is set to progressively ramp up to 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) of light crude and 27 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of associated gas, contributing to Adnocs target of reaching 5 million bpd by 2027 and enabling UAE gas self-sufficiency for the UAE. Al Yasat is pioneering the implementation of AI modelling and analysis tools across its offshore concession area. The Belbazem block uses WellInsight, an AI tool developed by AIQ, to analyze reservoir data and manage operations for enhanced safety and performance. The block will also integrate advanced technologies already deployed at Al Yasats Bu Haseer offshore field, to optimize production and reservoir management. The Belbazem block is leveraging operational synergies by utilizing the facilities of Satah Al Razboot (SARB), an offshore field operated by Adnoc Offshore, resulting in cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Located 120 kilometers northwest of Abu Dhabi city, the Belbazem Block consists of three offshore fields; Belbazem, Umm Al Salsal and Umm Al Dholou. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service LOS ANGELES, March 27 (Xinhua) -- NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft has gone through a series of hard-core tests recently at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California to prepare its mission set for October, NASA said on Wednesday. In less than six months, NASA is set to launch Europa Clipper on a 2.6-billion-kilometer voyage to Jupiter's ocean moon Europa. From the wild vibrations of the rocket ride to the intense heat and cold of space to the punishing radiation of Jupiter, it will be a journey of extremes, according to NASA. The spacecraft has survived environmental testing, the battery of trials simulates the environment that the spacecraft will face, subjecting it to shaking, chilling, airlessness, electromagnetic fields, and more, according to NASA. Later this spring, the spacecraft will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams of engineers and technicians will carry out final preparations with eyes on the clock. Europa Clipper's launch period opens Oct. 10, according to NASA. After liftoff, the spacecraft will zip toward Mars, and in late February 2025, it will be close enough to use the Red Planet's gravitational force for added momentum. Europa Clipper is set to arrive at Jupiter in 2030. Europa Clipper's main science goal is to determine whether there are places below the surface of Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, that could support life, according to NASA. Anger among the leaders of the Arab oil-producing nations over American support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War led to a painful oil embargo in the fall of 1973, which caused fuel prices to skyrocket here. This made it tough for Detroit to move big, thirsty cars out of showrooms, but looked like an opportunity for companies building smaller machines. Here's a magazine advertisement for the (relatively) fuel-efficient 1974 American Motors Corporation Gremlin and its powerful warranty. American Motors Corporation Yes, the goofy-looking Gremlin (which was at heart a shortened Hornet with a hatchback rear) came standard with a 232-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) straight-six engine as base equipment. That made it much more powerful than Chevrolet's Vega and Ford's Pinto, while its small size allowed it to get decent gas mileageby the forgiving standards of the era. American Motors Corporation On top of that, the folks in Kenosha, Wisconsin, offered an impressive warranty that covered every single part on the car (except tires) for a full year, plus up to $150 to cover food and lodging if your new AMC stranded you on a trip. That was serious stuff for 1974. (Bloomberg) -- South Africas main opposition Democratic Alliance may consider entering a coalition with the ruling African National Congress to avoid the country being governed by more leftist parties after this years election. Most Read from Bloomberg A doomsday scenario in which the ANC teams up with the Economic Freedom Fighters or the Jacob Zuma-backed uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MKP, may force the more centrist DA to change its strategy of refusing to deal with the ANC, DA leader John Steenhuisen said in an interview on Thursday. Opinion polls suggest the ANC will lose its overall national majority for the first time since it came to power three decades ago in the May 29 vote. An outcome in which no party secured more than a 50% majority might force the ANC to seek coalition partners like the EFF and the MKP a scenario that would be catastrophic, Steenhuisen said. I think therell be massive capital flight from the country, he said at Bloombergs offices in Johannesburg. I think that there will be disinvestment, and I think that any potential investor is going to look for another emerging market economy where they will invest. Steenhuisen, 48, spearheaded the formation of a bloc of 11 opposition parties that aims to form a coalition government after the election. Members of the so-called Multi-Party Charter have ruled out working with the ANC or the populist EFF currently the third-biggest group and polls show theyll collectively struggle to obtain even 40% support. If the Multi-Party Charter is unable to secure a majority, we would have to come back and look at what to do next, he said. The MPC is a pre-election pact rather than a coalition agreement, Steenhuisen said, and because its not legally binding, parties could theoretically abandon it. In an environment where you want to keep the EFF and MK out of government with the ANC, you may end up having to take the least-worst option, Steenhuisen said, though there would be strict criteria. The DA would rule out a coalition with the ANC if the party is no longer led by President Cyril Ramaphosa a scenario that Steenhuisen said may play out if the party has a poor electoral outcome. The ANCs plan to establish state health insurance, a bid to amend the constitution to explicitly allow for land to be expropriated without compensation, and corruption would all have to be done away with for the party to meet the ANC at the negotiating table, he said. This election will be the DAs first with Steenhuisen as leader, after the ousting of the partys first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, in 2019. Several senior black leaders have since exited the party. While the municipalities it controls are regarded as being among the better-run administrations in the country, its top leadership is predominantly White and it has struggled to increase support among the Black majority. Asked whether South Africans would be hesitant to vote for a party in which most parliamentarians are White, Steenhuisen said citizens want politicians who can address a lack of delivery of basic services and lift people out of poverty. People in this election are not looking for the color of the cat theyre looking at whos going to catch the mouse, he said. You dont need to be a poor Black South African to get up every morning as I do and fight for a better life for those people. The DA was the second-biggest party in the last election in 2019, when it secured 20.7% of the vote. Steenhuisen said internal polls predicted the party could get anything between 25% and 30% of the vote in the May election. He stopped short of saying he would offer his resignation if the party obtained a lower share of the vote than it did at the previous election. I think anything below 2019 I would regard as a spectacular failure, and I dont think my leadership would be sustainable, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Official campaigning for South Korea's upcoming general election kicked off Thursday, with President Yoon Suk Yeol's ruling party fighting to win back a parliamentary majority and thwart opposition attempts to derail his conservative agenda. Surrounded by cheering supporters, the leaders of the country's two major parties staged rival events in the capital Seoul to begin just under two weeks of campaigning before the April 10 vote. Experts say the poll is crucial for Yoon's People Power Party (PPP), since the president could end up a lame duck for the final three years of his term if the opposition wins a super-majority. Some forecasts cited by the Yonhap News Agency suggest opposition parties could win over 200 seats in the 300-member Assembly, giving them the ability to impeach the president or override his veto power. "We have entered this election with the resolve to reform politics, improve public welfare," PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said during a campaign event in Seoul. Analysts say the election is a continuation of the 2022 presidential race, when Yoon narrowly beat the opposition Democratic Party's (DP) current leader Lee Jae-myung by a margin of only 0.73 percent. Lee is currently under investigation in a slew of cases, including for alleged bribery in connection with a firm that is suspected of illicitly transferring $8 million to North Korea. He denies all charges. There has also been a surge in support for a party recently created by a former justice minister, Cho Kuk, who is facing two years in prison for forging credentials to aid his children's entry into elite universities. He is appealing the sentence. The PPP's Han branded both Lee and Cho "criminals" in his opening campaign speech, and vowed to bring them to justice. "This is not negative campaigning. This is addressing the needs of the people," he told cheering supporters. But with Yoon's approval rating hovering around 34 percent, and public discontent running high over the country's lacklustre economy, the opposition DP and the newly formed minor third party are ahead in some polls. Lee urged people to treat the vote as a referendum on the last two years under Yoon. "Due to the government's incompetence, living cost has skyrocketed, and peace on the Korean Peninsula is in danger due to the foolishness of (Yoon) only shouting for war," Lee said, slamming the president's hawkish approach to the nuclear-armed North. South Korea allows presidents to serve only a single term and Yoon's ends in 2027. cdl/ceb/tym U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is likely introducing a Ukraine aid bill after Easter, facing potential challenges due to internal party dynamics. U.S. aid to Ukraine has been delayed since fall 2023, as various versions of a foreign aid bill have been derailed due to border security disagreements. In February, a $95 billion aid package to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan passed in the Senate with bipartisan support, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has continuously opted not to bring it to a vote in the Republican-led House of Representatives. "House Republicans were crystal clear from the very beginning of discussions that any so-called national security supplemental legislation must recognize that national security begins at our own border," Johnson posted previously on X (formerly Twitter). However, According to Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Johnson has altered his initial stance and will likely schedule a vote on Ukrainian funding aid after congress returns from Easter recess. McCaul also noted that Johnson is in a difficult situation, as he faces pushback from multiple representatives. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has submitted a motion to remove Johnson from his position, and has warned him against bringing Ukraine funding proposals to the House floor. Johnson has indicated potentially splitting funding for Ukraine and Israel into separate votes to address the two matters separately, as a growing number of Democrats have voiced their opposition to supporting funding for Israeli operations in Gaza. President Joe Biden has urged Congress to pass an aid package multiple times, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for support in the House from both parties. Biden, speaking with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Feb. 9 at the White House, said it would be "close to criminal neglect" if the U.S. Congress fails to stand by Ukraine. Read also: Politico: Kuleba calls for more Patriots to protect cities, counter Russian warplanes Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) met Thursday to discuss border security legislation. During the meeting, Governor Abbott told Speaker Johnson that the border crisis is both unacceptable and avoidable, urging the Speaker to pass border security legislation that will help stop illegal crossings between ports of entry along the southern border, a Thursday press release from Abbotts office reads. The meeting follows a federal appeals court ruling Tuesday that extended the block on a Texas immigration law that would let local law enforcement arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. The law criminalizes crossing into the Lone Star State outside of a port of entry, making it punishable by up to six months in jail, or, with subsequent crossings, a maximum of 20 years. Additionally, Governor Abbott touted the success of Texas comprehensive border security efforts through Operation Lone Star, including deploying thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, installing razor wire, and building the Texas border wall, Abbotts release said. The Governor also implored Speaker Johnson to support the states ongoing fight against President Bidens attacks on Texas historic border mission and his refusal to secure the border, the release continued. Earlier this month, Abbott said there was nothing Biden could say in his State of the Union address to undo the damage done by his border policies. The fact of the matter is, when Biden became president, and today, there are three laws passed by Congress already, that empower the president to deny illegal entry, which hes not doing, hes aiding [and] abetting illegal entry, Abbott said in an interview on Fox Newss Special Report with anchor Bret Baier. The Hill has reached out to Johnsons office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), is seen at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) RIO DE JANEIRO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Brazil launched the "Tonelero" submarine on Wednesday, the third one it has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub). Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron attended the launching ceremony held at the Itaguai port on the Rio de Janeiro coast. "Today Brazil is part of a small group of countries that master submarine construction. ProSub is Brazil's largest and most important international defense cooperation project," Lula da Silva said during the event. For his part, Macron said that the shipyard built to manufacture the submarine is one of the most modern in the world and the only one installed in South America. The partnership includes the construction of an industrial infrastructure complex to support submarine operations, including shipyards, a naval base and a metal structure manufacturing unit in Itaguai. French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the launching ceremony of the "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) The "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), is seen at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) The "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), is seen at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during the launching ceremony of the "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2nd L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) launch the "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivers a speech during the launching ceremony of the "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron attend the launching ceremony of the "Tonelero" submarine, the third one Brazil has built through a partnership with France under the Submarine Development Program (ProSub), at the Itaguai Naval Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 2024. (Photo by Claudia Martini/Xinhua) When it comes to hauling in cash for President Joe Bidens re-election campaign, its now obvious that three presidential heads are always better than one. Thats the lesson Biden-Harris campaign officials are taking away from a star-studded fundraiser to be held on Thursday evening at New Yorks Radio City Music Hall, which is set to raise more than $25m for the presidents campaign coffers. In a statement announcing what they described as the historic result, the campaign said the fundraiser, billed as An Evening with President Biden and Presidents Obama and Clinton, represents the most successful political fundraiser in American history with a 5,000-strong sellout crowd at the historic Manhattan venue and thousands more taking in the spectacle online. In addition to Mr Bidens two Democratic predecessors, the programme will also include musical performances from Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michelle, plus Late Night host Stephen Colbert, who will moderate an armchair conversation with the trio of chief executives. This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built, said Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Hollywood mogul who serves as a co-chair of Mr Bidens 2024 effort. The DreamWorks SKG founder, a longtime supporter of Democratic politics, contrasted Mr Bidens fundraising efforts with those of his likely opponent, presumptive GOP nominee and former president Donald Trump, who is diverting significant amounts of campaign cash to his various legal defence efforts as he fights four sets of criminal charges in four different state and jurisdictions. Future president Joe Biden, then-president Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton at the White House with the US World Cup Soccer Team in May 2010 (AFP via Getty Images) Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the Presidents historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election, he said. The appearance of Barack Obama (president from 2009 to 2017) and Bill Clinton (president from 1993 to 2001) at Mr Bidens fundraiser is a sign of the close relationship the 46th president has forged with the 42nd and 44th as he looks to keep the 45th from defeating him and becoming the 47th as well. Leon Panetta, a former chief of staff to Mr Obama and onetime Central Intelligence Agency director who also served in the Clinton administration, told the AP earlier this week that the image of the three presidents standing side-by-side would be worth a hell of a lot in politics today and said there is everything to be gained by Mr Biden appearing with the two former presidents. The joint appearance is also a reflection of how the three men, once rivals, have united to work together now that political campaigns of their own are a thing of the past for two of the three. And the show of Democratic unity that will be on display Thursday evening will stand in stark contrast to the relative isolation of Mr Trump, who notably does not enjoy the support of his only living GOP predecessor, George W Bush, or his own former vice president, Mike Pence. The ex-president, who will stand trial on criminal charges in his former home state of New York next month, is also slated to be in Manhattan on Thursday. Relatives of a Yasmeen Abu Rkab, aged two, who died in Israeli attacks, receive her body from the morgue of Al-Aqsa hospital in Gaza on Wednesday. Relatives of a Yasmeen Abu Rkab, aged two, who died in Israeli attacks, receive her body from the morgue of Al-Aqsa hospital in Gaza on Wednesday. Photograph: APAImages/Rex/Shutterstock A human rights official has resigned from the US state department over Gaza saying the Biden administration is flouting US law by continuing to arm Israel, and is hushing up evidence that the US had seen on Israeli human rights abuses. Annelle Sheline, said she had hoped to have an influence on policy by staying at her post in the Near Eastern section of the bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, taking part in discussions, signing dissent cables and raising her concerns with her supervisor. But she had lost confidence she could do anything that would affect the flow of US arms to Israel. The fundamental reason was I no longer wanted to be affiliated with this administration, Sheline told the Guardian. I have a young daughter. Shes not yet two, but if some day in the future, she is learning about this and knows that I was at the state department and she asked me [about it] I want to be able to tell her that I did what I could. Sheline is only the second state department official to resign over US policy on the Gaza war (another official left the education department over the issue), but she said that many of her colleagues had told her they would resign if they could afford to lose their job, and had urged her to speak out about her reasons for quitting, rather than to leave quietly. The 38-year-old, who studied the foreign policy of Arab governments for her doctorate, said the state department was aware of plenty of evidence that Israel was violating international law in its conduct of the Gaza war, and that the Biden administration was violating US law by continuing to supply weapons. She pointed in particular to the Leahy laws, which forbid assistance to foreign military units implicated in atrocities, and section 620 (I) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which states that no assistance should be given to any government which prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance. On Monday, the state department said it had received assurances from Israel officials and not found them to be in violation of international humanitarian law. But Sheline said: The law is clear here and we do have evidence. But the specifics are just not being followed. The state department has said it is reviewing evidence of civilian harm under a mechanism established by the Biden administration last year, weeks before the Gaza war broke out, but Sheline said the results of those investigations would only be made public when the White House wanted them to be. Related: Different rules: special policies keep US supplying weapons to Israel despite alleged abuses There are a lot of people working on this at State but at the end of the day, the public policy does have to be something that the White House signs off on, Sheline said. Until the White House is ready to take a different line, some of the other things happening in State are just not going to come out. She said she believed administration policy was being driven by domestic political considerations, but argued that domestic politics were shifting on the issue, pointing to the significant uncommitted protest vote in the Democratic presidential primary election, and suggested that the Biden administration had misjudged the mood. I do think the presidents view of Israel is deeply influenced by a generational divide, she said. I think its taken this administration a long time to realise that the previous political calculus on this, in terms of big donors, in terms of the Israel lobby, is seeing a shift. On Wednesday, Gallup published a new poll showing a significant drop in American public support for Israels conduct of the war, from 50% in November to 36% now, with 55% disapproving of Israels actions. Sheline credited this shift for helping lead to the US abstention on a UN security council resolution on Monday, allowing it to pass after the US vetoed three earlier draft texts over the nearly six months since the war started. I am glad to see that slight shift, but it hasnt really made any difference to the people in Gaza yet, Sheline said. So its really too little, too late. Not only are these policies devastating the people of Gaza, but I think theyre also devastating the US image in the world, she argued. This administration came in promising to rebuild American diplomacy and Americas moral leadership after the Trump administration, but so many of these issues that the administration said were so important including human rights seem to be less important to this administration than the US-Israel relationship. "Meet Baby Olivia," a video produced by a group that opposes abortion, is being shown in some elementary school classrooms. Medical professionals say it is factually inaccurate. Screenshot courtesy of Live Action/YouTube CLIVE, Iowa, March 28 (UPI) -- At least four states are considering legislation to follow North Dakota in mandating the showing of an animated fetal development video in elementary school classrooms. The particular video suggested, Meet Baby Olivia, developed by the anti-abortion organization Live Action, is factually incorrect and rife with misleading information. Following North Dakota's passage of a similar bill last year, lawmakers in Iowa, West Virginia, Missouri and Kentucky are discussing measures to require that Meet Baby Olivia, or a similar "computer-generated" or "animated" video, is shown to students at least twice in grades kindergarten through 12. The video must be 3 minutes or longer and show the development of the brain, heart, sex organs and other vital organs. Critics call the move a blatant attempt to usher a political viewpoint into the classroom -- and to teach inaccuracies that may influence the views of students. "This was created by a group that states its purpose is to promote a culture of life," state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, an Iowa Democrat, told UPI. "This is just politics. The video is not scientifically correct. It does not meet any standards." A Senate subcommittee in Iowa amended the bill to remove the reference to "Baby Olivia or something similar," but kept the animated video requirement. The House passed the bill; the Senate hasn't voted on it. Similar bills have passed the West Virginia Senate and been introduced in Kentucky and Missouri. West Virginia and Kentucky's version of the bill specifically require Meet Baby Olivia to be shown. Live Action, founded in 2008, is a non-profit organization that describes itself as non-partisan, but espouses a clear agenda opposing abortion. According to its website, the group "exists today to shift public opinion on the killing of preborn children and defend the rights of those most vulnerable among us." Medical professionals have disputed some of the information in Meet Baby Olivia. For instance, the narrator states that life begins at fertilization; that "Olivia's" heartbeat can be detected 22 days after fertilization; and that brain activity can be recorded at 6 weeks. The concept that life begins at conception is based more on ideology than scientific fact. Likewise, the term "fetal heartbeat" is not a scientific term, but a legal term that has been encoded in law in multiple states, typically to support legislation that bans abortion beyond a certain point. Proponents of abortion bans argue that a fetus exists at the point of conception, which is also misleading. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a fetus is not formed until the ninth week after fertilization -- the step that takes place about two weeks after conception. Prior to this, the cluster of cells is called an embryo. Any semblance of a heartbeat is normally not detectable until five or six weeks after fertilization, though these observable pulses are not technically coming from a formed heart. ACOG notes that the heartbeat referenced in "fetal heartbeat bills" like the one Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law last year is actually an "electrically induced flickering of a portion of the fetal tissue that will become the heart as the embryo develops." "Like much anti-abortion misinformation, the Baby Olivia video is designed to manipulate the emotions of viewers rather than to share evidence-based, scientific information about embryonic and fetal development," ACOG said in a statement to UPI. "Many of the claims made in this video are not aligned with scientific fact, but rather reflect the biased and ideologic perspectives of the extremists who created the video. ACOG is strongly opposed to the spread of misinformation about reproductive health." Republican state Rep. Luana Stoltenberg, one of the bill's sponsors in Iowa, told UPI the goal of the bill is to ensure that schools are teaching fetal development. "The impetus for HF2617 is that schools are required to teach human growth class in schools, so we are wanting them to teach factual information on human fetal development in the womb," Stoltenberg said in an email to UPI. "The Baby Olivia video was a suggested tool to teach the factual curriculum in the classroom." In 2023, North Dakota passed a similar bill. The final version does not cite Meet Baby Olivia, but the video was ever-present during debate. North Dakota state Sen. Janne Myrdal, a Republican, told UPI she referenced Meet Baby Olivia during hearings as an example, noting it is free to use. Of criticism that the video is factually inaccurate, Myrdal said those who oppose it are part of the abortion industry. "For me, it wasn't a life issue. It was education," Myrdal said. "In North Dakota in first grade, it's mandated that they grow a plant of some kind because that would be something that is with you for the rest of your life -- the importance of food. When I discovered human development wasn't part of it I thought, 'well, that's odd.'" Schools in North Dakota have since implemented the requirement to show a high-definition ultrasound video and "high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation" that depicts fetal development. Some are using Meet Baby Olivia. Opponents of the North Dakota bill didn't object to the content of the video, but that it sets curriculum standards for school districts. Myrdal said lawmakers place many requirements on schools, so this one is not unusual. She has been in communication with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction about the bill since its inception. "We don't police every school," she said. "The local school board has local control. You can go on the Internet and use anything you want. The intent is just for children to know their origin and the beauty of that." The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters. (Getty Images) This years presidential election will be the first since generative AI a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including images, audio, and video became widely available. Thats raising fears that millions of voters could be deceived by a barrage of political deepfakes. But, while Congress has done little to address the issue, states are moving aggressively to respond though questions remain about how effective any new measures to combat AI-created disinformation will be. Last year, a fake, AI-generated audio recording of a conversation between a liberal Slovakian politician and a journalist, in which they discussed how to rig the countrys upcoming election, offered a warning to democracies around the world. Here in the United States, the urgency of the AI threat was driven home in February, when, in the days before the New Hampshire primary, thousands of voters in the state received a robocall with an AI-generated voice impersonating President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote. A Democratic operative working for a rival candidate has admitted to commissioning the calls. In response to the call, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling restricting robocalls that contain AI-generated voices. Some conservative groups even appear to be using AI tools to assist with mass voter registration challenges raising concerns that the technology could be harnessed to help existing voter suppression schemes. Instead of voters looking to trusted sources of information about elections, including their state or county board of elections, AI-generated content can grab the voters attention, said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy at the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election-related state legislation. And this can lead to chaos and confusion leading up to and even after Election Day. Disinformation worries The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters, and when allies of former president Donald Trump appear to be having success in fighting off efforts to curb disinformation. But states are responding to the AI threat. Since the start of last year, 101 bills addressing AI and election disinformation have been introduced, according to a March 26 analysis by the Voting Rights Lab. On March 27, Oregon became the latest state after Wisconsin, New Mexico, Indiana and Utah to enact a law on AI-generated election disinformation. Florida and Idaho lawmakers have passed their own measures, which are currently on the desks of those states governors. Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and Hawaii, meanwhile, have all passed at least one bill in the case of Arizona, two through one chamber. In Colorado, a pending bill would regulate the use of AI-produced deepfakes that target candidates for public office. As that list of states makes clear, red, blue, and purple states all have devoted attention to the issue. Presidential primary ballots are processed on Super Tuesday at the Denver Elections Division in Denver, CO, March 5, 2024. Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline States urged to act Meanwhile, a new report on how to combat the AI threat to elections, drawing on input from four Democratic secretaries of state, was released March 25 by the NewDEAL Forum, a progressive advocacy group. (G)enerative AI has the ability to drastically increase the spread of election mis- and disinformation and cause confusion among voters, the report warned. For instance, deepfakes (AI-generated images, voices, or videos) could be used to portray a candidate saying or doing things that never happened. Instead of voters looking to trusted sources of information about elections, including their state or county board of elections, AI-generated content can grab the voters attention. Megan Bellamy, of the Voting Rights Lab The NewDEAL Forum report urges states to take several steps to respond to the threat, including requiring that certain kinds of AI-generated campaign material be clearly labeled; conducting role-playing exercises to help anticipate the problems that AI could cause; creating rapid-response systems for communicating with voters and the media, in order to knock down AI-generated disinformation; and educating the public ahead of time. Secretaries of State Steve Simon of Minnesota, Jocelyn Benson of Michigan, Maggie Toulouse Oliver of New Mexico and Adrian Fontes of Arizona provided input for the report. All four are actively working to prepare their states on the issue. Loopholes seen Despite the flurry of activity by lawmakers, officials, and outside experts, several of the measures examined in the Voting Rights Lab analysis appear to have weaknesses or loopholes that may raise questions about their ability to effectively protect voters from AI. Most of the bills require that creators add a disclaimer to any AI-generated content, noting the use of AI, as the NewDEAL Forum report recommends. But the new Wisconsin law, for instance, requires the disclaimer only for content created by campaigns, meaning deepfakes produced by outside groups but intended to influence an election hardly an unlikely scenario would be unaffected. In addition, the measure is limited to content produced by generative AI, even though experts say other types of synthetic content that dont use AI, like Photoshop and CGI sometimes referred to as cheap fakes can be just as effective at fooling viewers or listeners, and can be more easily produced. For that reason, the NewDEAL Forum report recommends that state laws cover all synthetic content, not just that which use AI. The Wisconsin, Utah, and Indiana laws also contain no criminal penalties violations are punishable by a $1000 fine raising questions about whether they will work as a deterrent. The Arizona and Florida bills do include criminal penalties. But Arizonas two bills apply only to digital impersonation of a candidate, meaning plenty of other forms of AI-generated deception impersonating a news anchor reporting a story, for instance would remain legal. And one of the Arizona bills, as well as New Mexicos law, applied only in the 90 days before an election, even though AI-generated content that appears before that window could potentially still affect the vote. Experts say the shortcomings exist in large part because, since the threat is so new, states dont yet have a clear sense of exactly what form it will take. The legislative bodies are trying to figure out the best approach, and theyre working off of examples that theyve already seen, said Bellamy, pointing to the examples of the Slovakian audio and the Biden robocalls. Theyre just not sure what direction this is coming from, but feeling the need to do something. I think that we will see the solutions evolve, Bellamy added. The danger of that is that AI-generated content and what it can do is also likely to evolve at the same time. So hopefully we can keep up. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post States rush to combat AI threat to elections appeared first on Colorado Newsline. The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters. (Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times This years presidential election will be the first since generative AI a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including images, audio, and video became widely available. Thats raising fears that millions of voters could be deceived by a barrage of political deepfakes. But, while Congress has done little to address the issue, states are moving aggressively to respond though questions remain about how effective any new measures to combat AI-created disinformation will be. Last year, a fake, AI-generated audio recording of a conversation between a liberal Slovakian politician and a journalist, in which they discussed how to rig the countrys upcoming election, offered a warning to democracies around the world. Here in the United States, the urgency of the AI threat was driven home in February, when, in the days before the New Hampshire primary, thousands of voters in the state received a robocall with an AI-generated voice impersonating President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote. A Democratic operative working for a rival candidate has admitted to commissioning the calls. In response to the call, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling restricting robocalls that contain AI-generated voices. Some conservative groups even appear to be using AI tools to assist with mass voter registration challenges raising concerns that the technology could be harnessed to help existing voter suppression schemes. Instead of voters looking to trusted sources of information about elections, including their state or county board of elections, AI-generated content can grab the voters attention, said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy at the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election-related state legislation. And this can lead to chaos and confusion leading up to and even after Election Day. Disinformation worries The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters, and when allies of former president Donald Trump appear to be having success in fighting off efforts to curb disinformation. But states are responding to the AI threat. Since the start of last year, 101 bills addressing AI and election disinformation have been introduced, according to a March 26 analysis by the Voting Rights Lab. On March 27, Oregon became the latest state after Wisconsin, New Mexico, Indiana and Utah to enact a law on AI-generated election disinformation. Florida and Idaho lawmakers have passed their own measures, which are currently on the desks of those states governors. Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and Hawaii, meanwhile, have all passed at least one bill in the case of Arizona, two through one chamber. As that list of states makes clear, red, blue, and purple states all have devoted attention to the issue. States urged to act Meanwhile, a new report on how to combat the AI threat to elections, drawing on input from four Democratic secretaries of state, was released March 25 by the NewDEAL Forum, a progressive advocacy group. (G)enerative AI has the ability to drastically increase the spread of election mis- and disinformation and cause confusion among voters, the report warned. For instance, deepfakes (AI-generated images, voices, or videos) could be used to portray a candidate saying or doing things that never happened. The NewDEAL Forum report urges states to take several steps to respond to the threat, including requiring that certain kinds of AI-generated campaign material be clearly labeled; conducting role-playing exercises to help anticipate the problems that AI could cause; creating rapid-response systems for communicating with voters and the media, in order to knock down AI-generated disinformation; and educating the public ahead of time. Secretaries of State Steve Simon of Minnesota, Jocelyn Benson of Michigan, Maggie Toulouse Oliver of New Mexico and Adrian Fontes of Arizona provided input for the report. All four are actively working to prepare their states on the issue. Loopholes seen Despite the flurry of activity by lawmakers, officials, and outside experts, several of the measures examined in the Voting Rights Lab analysis appear to have weaknesses or loopholes that may raise questions about their ability to effectively protect voters from AI. Most of the bills require that creators add a disclaimer to any AI-generated content, noting the use of AI, as the NewDEAL Forum report recommends. But the new Wisconsin law, for instance, requires the disclaimer only for content created by campaigns, meaning deepfakes produced by outside groups but intended to influence an election hardly an unlikely scenario would be unaffected. In addition, the measure is limited to content produced by generative AI, even though experts say other types of synthetic content that dont use AI, like Photoshop and CGI sometimes referred to as cheap fakes can be just as effective at fooling viewers or listeners, and can be more easily produced. For that reason, the NewDEAL Forum report recommends that state laws cover all synthetic content, not just that which use AI. The Wisconsin, Utah, and Indiana laws also contain no criminal penalties violations are punishable by a $1000 fine raising questions about whether they will work as a deterrent. The Arizona and Florida bills do include criminal penalties. But Arizonas two bills apply only to digital impersonation of a candidate, meaning plenty of other forms of AI-generated deception impersonating a news anchor reporting a story, for instance would remain legal. And one of the Arizona bills, as well as New Mexicos law, applied only in the 90 days before an election, even though AI-generated content that appears before that window could potentially still affect the vote. Experts say the shortcomings exist in large part because, since the threat is so new, states dont yet have a clear sense of exactly what form it will take. The legislative bodies are trying to figure out the best approach, and theyre working off of examples that theyve already seen, said Bellamy, pointing to the examples of the Slovakian audio and the Biden robocalls. Theyre just not sure what direction this is coming from, but feeling the need to do something. I think that we will see the solutions evolve, Bellamy added. The danger of that is that AI-generated content and what it can do is also likely to evolve at the same time. So hopefully we can keep up. The post States rush to combat AI threat to elections appeared first on Florida Phoenix. The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters. Illustration via Getty Images This years presidential election will be the first since generative AI a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including images, audio, and video became widely available. Thats raising fears that millions of voters could be deceived by a barrage of political deepfakes. But, while Congress has done little to address the issue, states are moving aggressively to respond though questions remain about how effective any new measures to combat AI-created disinformation will be. Last year, a fake, AI-generated audio recording of a conversation between a liberal Slovakian politician and a journalist, in which they discussed how to rig the countrys upcoming election, offered a warning to democracies around the world. Here in the United States, the urgency of the AI threat was driven home in February, when, in the days before the New Hampshire primary, thousands of voters in the state received a robocall with an AI-generated voice impersonating President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote. A Democratic operative working for a rival candidate has admitted to commissioning the calls. In response to the call, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling restricting robocalls that contain AI-generated voices. Some conservative groups even appear to be using AI tools to assist with mass voter registration challenges raising concerns that the technology could be harnessed to help existing voter suppression schemes. Instead of voters looking to trusted sources of information about elections, including their state or county board of elections, AI-generated content can grab the voters attention, said Megan Bellamy, vice president for law and policy at the Voting Rights Lab, an advocacy group that tracks election-related state legislation. And this can lead to chaos and confusion leading up to and even after Election Day. Disinformation worries The AI threat has emerged at a time when democracy advocates already are deeply concerned about the potential for ordinary online disinformation to confuse voters, and when allies of former president Donald Trump appear to be having success in fighting off efforts to curb disinformation. But states are responding to the AI threat. Since the start of last year, 101 bills addressing AI and election disinformation have been introduced, according to a March 26 analysis by the Voting Rights Lab. On March 27, Oregon became the latest state after Wisconsin, New Mexico, Indiana and Utah to enact a law on AI-generated election disinformation. Florida and Idaho lawmakers have passed their own measures, which are currently on the desks of those states governors. Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and Hawaii, meanwhile, have all passed at least one bill in the case of Arizona, two through one chamber. As that list of states makes clear, red, blue, and purple states all have devoted attention to the issue. States urged to act Meanwhile, a new report on how to combat the AI threat to elections, drawing on input from four Democratic secretaries of state, was released March 25 by the NewDEAL Forum, a progressive advocacy group. (G)enerative AI has the ability to drastically increase the spread of election mis- and disinformation and cause confusion among voters, the report warned. For instance, deepfakes (AI-generated images, voices, or videos) could be used to portray a candidate saying or doing things that never happened. The NewDEAL Forum report urges states to take several steps to respond to the threat, including requiring that certain kinds of AI-generated campaign material be clearly labeled; conducting role-playing exercises to help anticipate the problems that AI could cause; creating rapid-response systems for communicating with voters and the media, in order to knock down AI-generated disinformation; and educating the public ahead of time. Secretaries of State Steve Simon of Minnesota, Jocelyn Benson of Michigan, Maggie Toulouse Oliver of New Mexico and Adrian Fontes of Arizona provided input for the report. All four are actively working to prepare their states on the issue. Loopholes seen Despite the flurry of activity by lawmakers, officials, and outside experts, several of the measures examined in the Voting Rights Lab analysis appear to have weaknesses or loopholes that may raise questions about their ability to effectively protect voters from AI. Most of the bills require that creators add a disclaimer to any AI-generated content, noting the use of AI, as the NewDEAL Forum report recommends. But the new Wisconsin law, for instance, requires the disclaimer only for content created by campaigns, meaning deepfakes produced by outside groups but intended to influence an election hardly an unlikely scenario would be unaffected. In addition, the measure is limited to content produced by generative AI, even though experts say other types of synthetic content that dont use AI, like Photoshop and CGI sometimes referred to as cheap fakes can be just as effective at fooling viewers or listeners, and can be more easily produced. For that reason, the NewDEAL Forum report recommends that state laws cover all synthetic content, not just that which use AI. The Wisconsin, Utah, and Indiana laws also contain no criminal penalties violations are punishable by a $1000 fine raising questions about whether they will work as a deterrent. The Arizona and Florida bills do include criminal penalties. But Arizonas two bills apply only to digital impersonation of a candidate, meaning plenty of other forms of AI-generated deception impersonating a news anchor reporting a story, for instance would remain legal. And one of the Arizona bills, as well as New Mexicos law, applied only in the 90 days before an election, even though AI-generated content that appears before that window could potentially still affect the vote. Experts say the shortcomings exist in large part because, since the threat is so new, states dont yet have a clear sense of exactly what form it will take. The legislative bodies are trying to figure out the best approach, and theyre working off of examples that theyve already seen, said Bellamy, pointing to the examples of the Slovakian audio and the Biden robocalls. Theyre just not sure what direction this is coming from, but feeling the need to do something. I think that we will see the solutions evolve, Bellamy added. The danger of that is that AI-generated content and what it can do is also likely to evolve at the same time. So hopefully we can keep up. This report has been updated to reflect information about laws in additional states. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post States rush to combat AI threat to elections appeared first on Arizona Mirror. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Native American advocates are hoping the Texas State Board of Education approves a new American Indian/Native Studies elective for Texas high schoolers but they are running out of time to get it into classrooms by next school year. I had two sons that went through public schools, and I saw the lack of content that they were taught in school, Comanche Nation Elder Hawana Townsley said. We are still here, and thats what were asking for this course to communicate and to give to the children of our state is that understanding that we are still here and we are of value. The course was designed with input from dozens of native nations and has received the backing of major educational institutes and civil rights groups. Last year, the State Board of Educations Committee on Instruction voted to have the full board review the course, but it has not yet been added to a meeting agenda for consideration. State Board of Education Chair Aaron Kinsey refuted some advocates characterization that he had removed the course from the agenda. The item was never on the April agenda, he told Nexstar. I worked with TEA staff to confirm that Native American Studies is available as an innovative course for any Texas public school system to offer during the 2024-25 school year, Chairman Kinsey said. I appreciate the variety of input received regarding this course. Townsley believes approval by the whole board will give the course the oomph it needs to expand statewide. She worries Friday is the last day they can get the course on the Boards agenda if they are to have any hope of adding it to next school years curriculum. They urge Kinsey to open the course up for consideration on the next agenda. Its a very tight timeline. Were trying not to be frantic about it, but we really want this to go through first reading, go through comments, second reading, (and) be approved, she said. Grand Prairie ISD was the first to pilot the course for the last two and a half years. The Texas Education Agency approved it as an Innovative Course in August 2023. Robstown ISD and Crowley ISD have adopted it since then, and Fort Worth ISD is in the process of offering it to students. We think its a wonderful opportunity for children, Annette Anderson with the Indigenous Institute of the Americas said. Its an important, very valuable, and rich history of the Texas as well as the United States American Indian story. The Board is set to meet again April 9. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Thursday, Utah! An incoming storm brings valley rain and mountain snow to the Beehive State, so expect active skies moving into Northern and Central Utah. The bottom line? Today brings a brief reprieve from wet weather potential, but that reprieve wont last long. An upper-level low pressure off the west coast will send energy and moisture along with a cold front through our neighborhood both Thursday and Friday resulting in a chance of scattered showers today and isolated showers Friday, mainly in northern Utah. With the southwest flow temperatures will also climb to near or even slightly above seasonal norms. Were coming off a mild overnight so expect temperatures to climb into the upper 50s along the Wasatch Front with the help of southerly winds. Winds will be particularly strong on the western side of the state, and as a result, a Wind Advisory went into effect at 9 a.m. for portions of Millard and Juab counties. Wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour can be expected in the area as well as the possibility of blowing dust. With temperatures staying fairly consistent overnight and through our Thursday, well mainly see valley rain and mountain snow with snow levels being around 7,000 ft. during the day and potentially dropping to around 5,000 ft. at night. Minor valley accumulations through Friday cant be ruled out, but our mountains will likely receive another healthy dose of snow, potentially resulting in another foot or more, especially for mountains over 8,000 ft. Accumulating snow is expected for the Wasatch mountains, Western Uintas and Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for these areas and go into effect this morning and have staggering end times at 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight. When it comes to expected snow totals, Northern Utah mountains will pick up between 4 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts, the Cottonwoods can see 8-16 inches and as we head into the overnight, we could see cold air mix into some valleys and allow for light snow accumulations. Vallets could see an inch, benches could see anywhere from no snow to three inches and mountain valleys could see a trace of snow up to four inches. Our cold front will stall in south-central Utah, and the stalled front will lift north Friday helping to generate more showers that meander northward, so isolated showers are expected to hold for central and northern Utah into Friday. Temperatures dip into the low 50s and upper 40s for most and will hold steady through Easter weekend. Wet weather potential will spike statewide into the Easter Weekend as a stronger storm, and upper level low from the Pacific begins to move through. It might be wise to plan your Easter egg hunts indoors this year as scattered showers are anticipated for much of the state through the weekend. Given the warm temperatures, this will likely be another valley rain and mountain snow setup. Well continue to fine-tune the details of the Easter Weekend forecast and keep you posted! By early next week our weather will begin to calm with warming temperatures into the middle of next week. Stay tuned to your 4Warn Forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) Twenty fugitives were arrested and 86 warrants were served during a multi-agency operation earlier this month. The operation was a joint effort involving United States Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Sumter County Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Middle District of Georgia, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Department of Community Supervision, Muscogee County Sheriffs Office, Americus Police Department and Albany Dougherty Special Investigations Unit. The Sumter County Sheriffs Office says Operation March Madness 2024 focused on violent offenders with fugitive warrants. Active warrants of those arrested include: Parole and probation violations Aggravated assault Armed robbery Burglary Possession of firearm Child molestation Rape Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant said he would like to express his gratitude to all the professional agencies and personnel involved that contributed to make this a successful operation and our community safer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. The super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s independent bid for president raised $2.1 million at a small private reception on Tuesday after the announcement of Kennedys running mate. About half of that haul came from PAC co-founder Mark Gorton. Gorton, who co-founded Limewire and founded the trading firm Tower Research Capital, said he felt his $1 million cash infusion would help propel the campaign forward following the inspired choice of Nicole Shanahan as Kennedys running mate. The thing that encourages me so much is that there are people around the country who are independently seeing the same things going on and are wanting to do something, and stepping forward, and now the whole RFK Jr. campaign provides a nexus for this interest, Gorton said in an interview with POLITICO. And people who felt isolated and marginalized, like there was nothing they can do, they're now seeing that there is this political movement thats swelling up. Gorton feels positively about Shanahan adding to Kennedys outsider status, despite some online chagrin about her work in Silicon Valley and previous history of donating to Democrats. But Gorton said Shanahan had a political transformation. I think Nicole has been on her personal journey. I think Nicole of five years ago probably thought very differently about the world than she does today, Gorton said. I personally think she's a fantastic choice, and I have no concerns. But I can see why Kennedy supporters would have questions. I mean, they're a skeptical bunch. Shanahan, a tech attorney and entrepreneur, spoke about her childs autism diagnosis and environmental factors that may contribute to disease at Tuesdays event announcing her selection in Oakland, California. Gorton saw this as her suggesting that her child was vaccine-injured, and he felt Shanahan was being censored because news networks didnt show her full speech. She alluded to it. She basically said that there [are] chemical exposures, electromagnetic [pollution] and medicine. So she was broad and she was soft. This is still a watered-down version of how you would say it, Gorton said of Shanahans speech. But even that watered-down version was too much. We have an epidemic of vaccine injuries in this country, and that is a subject that's verboten, Gorton said. There is no scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism. A widely shared study linking the two was retracted in 2010. Shanahan did not speak at the American Values fundraiser and left soon after it started, Gorton said. Kennedy gave brief remarks on issues similar to his public announcement. About 40 people attended the private event. Shanahan was previously a donor to American Values 2024. She donated $4 million to the super PAC in January through the LLC, Planeta Management, and it covered most of the costs of the groups Super Bowl ad this February. I know that my money is going to be well spent no matter what. Were looking to do dynamic, creative, innovative things that are going to change the way the country thinks and catalyzes a movement, and Bobby becoming president of the United States is just part of a much larger path, Gorton said in a video of his remarks at the Oakland fundraiser. A seven-figure fundraising haul is significant especially for an independent candidate but its smaller than previous events hosted by American Values 2024. After Kennedy declared he was running as an independent in October,the PAC raised $11 million at a post-announcement fundraiser. For Kennedys 70th birthday in January,American Values hosted a Hollywood gala that brought in $5.8 million, of which $5 million came from GOP megadonor Tim Mellon. And without a featured PAC event, American Values was able to collect $5 million on the day Kennedy testified in front of Congress House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government last July. Shanahan, now that she is running on the ticket, can contribute an unlimited amount to Kennedy's campaign but cannot communicate with or donate to the super PAC. American Values 2024 has raised $42 million but has spent $24 million since its launch, according to its most recent campaign finance filings. Much of the incoming and outgoing cash flow to the PAC is connected to Gavin de Becker, a private security firm owner, whose company also provides security to the Kennedy campaign. De Beckercalls his donations and subsequent partial refunds, bridge funding. While its atypical for a PAC, de Becker said he sees this kind of transaction in the business world all the time. The DNC subsequently filed a complaint about the transactions, calling them a failure to meet its reporting obligations in connection with loans from, and loan repayments to, Gavin de Becker. That was the second complaint from the Democrats against American Values 2024 this election cycle a signal that Democrats are worried about Kennedy's effect on the election. But Gorton highlighted in his remarks that his dedication and contribution are about more than just Kennedys candidacy in 2024. We are committed. This is not a bunch of political operatives. Almost no one in our organization has political experience, Gorton said in Oakland. Were making this up as we go along. WELLINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Disruptive behavior in New Zealand's classrooms is a rapidly growing problem, and is getting in the way of learning, new research said on Thursday. Disruptive classroom behavior has been a significant and persistent issue in New Zealand over the last 20 years, which is amongst the worst in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), said Ruth Shinoda, head of New Zealand Education Review Office (ERO)'s Education Evaluation Center. "But we also know it is getting worse, with over half of teachers saying all types of disruptive behavior had become worse in the last two years," Shinoda said. According to the ERO research, a quarter of principals of the schools evaluated said they are seeing students physically harm others, and damage or take property at least every day. Three-quarters of teachers report disruptive behavior is impacting on students' progress as students in better behaved classes have higher achievement, the research showed. It is also preventing schools improving attendance, with two-thirds of teachers say it is having a large impact on students' enjoyment of school, which is key to attendance, according to the ERO. Shinoda called for efforts to prevent and tackle behavior problems early, saying students who are stood down, suspended or excluded are at greater risk of not succeeding in education and having worse outcomes as an adult. Half of teachers said classroom behavior has a large impact on their intention to stay in the profession, the research showed. Regarding disruptive behavior management, less than half of new teachers said they could manage behaviors in the classroom, it said, adding that when teachers and principals seek support and expert advice, it is difficult to access. To support schools, the ERO has produced an evidence-based good practice guide with practical actions which schools can take, and which captures the great approaches teachers are already adopting, Shinoda said, adding that parents play a key role too. She called for a national approach to manage behavior in schools and more support for teachers. The Queen has received messages of support for her family at the Royal Maundy Service. She attended the occasion at Worcester Cathedral in place of the King and presented 150 purses of commemorative coins to deserving people. Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge, who led the service, remembered the King during the Blessing and told the Queen: "We hope you will convey to him our love and respect." Outside, Queen Camilla was presented with flowers and cards from people wishing His Majesty and the Princess of Wales well for their cancer treatment. Sheila Clark, 66, from Glasgow, handed over a posy of flowers, a picture of the King and Queen, and a card for Kate. The retired teacher said the card expressed the hope that "Kate's getting on well and I'm sorry to hear about her illness and hoping Kate gets peace now to recover". Laura Skrzynskr, 58, who is originally from the United States, said: "I told Camilla to send her good wishes to the King for me and to the Princess of Wales - and I wished her a happy Easter." The service was last held at Worcester Cathedral in 1980 [Justin Tallis/PA Wire] The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties to continue his cancer treatment and said it was with "great sadness" he was not able to attend the traditional service himself. It dates back to the reign of King John, a monarch who is buried at Worcester Cathedral. This year, 75 women and 75 men, signifying the King's age, were presented with purses containing a selection of commemorative coins. One recipient, Norman Tomlinson, 72, from Mansfield, said it had been a "fantastic day". He added: "I said to the Queen I hope the King gets well soon and your daughter-in-law as well, and she said 'thank you very much'." There were noisy protests when the Queen arrived at the cathedral [Jacob King/PA Wire] When the Queen first arrived however, a noisy protest involving the anti-monarchy group Republic was taking place. It issued a statement ahead of the service saying the monarchy is "bad for Britain's democracy". Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk More on this story Related internet links From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Thursday! With March Madness Sweet 16 round set to begin tonight, lets check in on the TMD pool standings. There were more than 1,200 brackets entered into the pool, and heres where things currently stand: B. Jones Alex D. (Dispatch fact checker) Kim W. Carla H. (mother-in-law of an unnamed person at The Dispatch) 10. Stephen H. (father of an unnamed person at The Dispatch) We promise we arent rigging the results to save money on postage! Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Justices Sidestep Mifepristone Landmine Demonstrators protest against abortion pill sales outside a CVS Pharmacy in Torrance, California, on March 26, 2024, the same day the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court hear oral arguments in U.S. Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the case supposedly deciding the fate of how the most commonly used abortion drug in the country, mifepristone, is prescribed. The justices questioning, however, suggested their decision will ultimately hinge not on substantive objections to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations around access to the drug but on what appears to the layperson to be legal minutiaein this case, whether the party bringing the case has standing, or the legal grounds to file suit in the first place. The arguments the Supreme Court heard on Tuesday represented the first abortion-related case before the body since Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in 2022, which ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade. Consequently, it has garnered substantial attention and scrutiny. But contrary to some of the coverage of the proceedings this week, the legality of mifepristone itself was not before the court: The justices are only considering whether FDA rules around the drug should be rolled back to their pre-2016 status. In theory, the ruling could certainly affect how people are able to obtain mifepristonelike via telemedicine prescriptionsbut the drugs approval isnt a question before the justices. How did the case make its way to the Supreme Court? The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM), a group of pro-life doctors and medical associations, filed suit in November 2022. The grouprepresented by the Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian conservative legal advocacy organizationsued the FDA, challenging the agencys approval of mifepristone back in 2000 and subsequent loosening of regulations around access to the drug. In 2016, the FDA extended how long into a pregnancy mifepristone could be usedfrom seven weeks gestation to 10 weeksand in 2021, the agency eliminated requirements for an in-person doctors visit before the drug could be prescribed, among other changes. While mifepristone is a widely employed method of abortion, its controversial. Abortions via drugs like mifepristone now account for 63 percent of all abortions in the United States, up from 53 percent in 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion access research group. Most pill abortions involve two drugsfirst, mifepristone to dilate the cervix and block a pregnancy-sustaining hormone, then, misoprostol to induce contractions. The vast majority of women who take these drugs dont suffer serious complicationsthe FDA data found about 85 percent of patients report side effects like fever or nausea, but serious outcomes like sepsis or hospitalization occur in less than 0.5 percent of cases. The FDA has recorded only 32 deaths among women in the U.S. using mifepristone for an abortion between 2000 and 2022, and the agency noted that the deaths cannot with certainty be causally attributed to mifepristone. But as we wrote in March of last year: The pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, however, questions whether officials have enough information to conclude the average pill abortion is as safe as those studied in research trials, especially after the FDA dropped extra safety requirements like in-person visits to prescribers [in early 2023]. Only 28 states require providers to report post-abortion complications to officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collects data from most states, but Californiawhich accounts for an estimated 15 percent of abortions in the U.S.is not among them. AHMciting material from the Charlotte Lozier Instituteargued that the FDA approval was unjustified given health and safety concerns surrounding the drugs use. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk sided with the pro-life doctors and ruled in April of last year that the FDA had improperly approved mifepristone, issuing a nationwide injunction on the drugs use. FDA acquiesced on its legitimate safety concernsin violation of its statutory dutybased on plainly unsound reasoning and studies that did not support its conclusions, Kacsmaryk wrote in a decision, which marked the first time a federal court has gone against the FDAs judgment concerning stipulations for using a drug. The Supreme Court quickly stayed the injunction before it took effect, preserving the status quo while an appeal proceeded. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last August the statute of limitations had expired for a challenge to mifepristones 2000 approval, but agreed with AHM that the FDAs changes in 2016 and 2021 were unwarranted based on safety concerns and thus likely violated the arbitrary and capricious test in the Administrative Procedures Acta statute specifying how executive agencies make and change regulations. In hearing oral arguments Tuesday over whether the regulations should revert to their pre-2016 status quo, the justices focused relatively little on the merits of the FDA changes and instead questioned the AHM lawyers extensively about their standingwhether they can prove concrete harm to the group of doctors. The government, represented by Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, argued the challengers have to identify a specific doctor who faces imminent harm from the FDAs regulatory regime. Respondents may not agree with that choice, but that doesnt give them Article III standing or a legal basis to upend the regulatory scheme, she told the court. AHM argued they have standing because the 2016 and 2021 changes led to an increase in the number of abortions via drugs like mifepristone and the number of abortion complications, putting pro-life doctors working in hospitals where patients would come with emergency abortion complications into situations where they would have to choose between helping a woman with a life-threatening condition and violating their conscience. The government held that such a theory of harm is too far removed from the FDAs action. FDA is not directing the women who take the drug to go seek out care from these specific doctors, Prelogar told the court. [AHMs] theories rest on a long chain of remote contingencies. Only an exceptionally small number of women suffer the kind of serious complications that could trigger any need for emergency treatment. Its speculative that any of those women would seek care from the two specific doctors who asserted conscience injuries. Prelogar also argued that doctors are already protected by federal rights of conscience protections from being forced to perform abortions, noting that hospitals have obligations to provide care but that they can make arrangements to protect staff with conscience objections. Erin Hawleythe ADF attorney representing the doctors (and Republican Sen. Josh Hawleys wife)countered that in certain emergency situations, a pro-life doctor could be forced to scrub into an operating room without knowing whether they would have to help complete an elective, medicated abortion. The justices also seemed skeptical that the challengers proposed remedya nationwide injunction limiting access to the drugwas the right solution to the alleged harm. Some of the conservative justices thought the remedy here, which is basically [to] force the FDA to reverse its approval process, seems like a very broad remedy for a very particular set of alleged injuries, Michael Moreland, a law professor at Villanova University focusing on constitutional law and bioethics, told TMD. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who has a history of being a curmudgeon over national injunctions, took issue with the remedy. Weve had, one might call it, a rash of universal injunctions, he said. This case seems like a prime example of turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule or any other federal government action. Overall, the justices lines of questioning and extended focus on standing didnt spell likely success for the AHM. It sure didnt feel like a case where there is a majority that would coalesce around any reason that would, in the end, side with the challengers, Moreland told TMD. A decision on the case is expected this summer, and, should the court decide the doctors do not have standing, the justices could dismiss the case and sidestep the question of whether the FDAs regulatory changes are lawful. As Jonathan Adler, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, noted earlier this week, If this case is resolved on standing grounds, it will be an important standing decision, but it will resolve very little about the broader issue of abortion and the use or availability of mifepristone. Worth Your Time Writing for Foreign Policy, Adrian Karatnycky argued that Russias predetermined electionand the killing of Alexei Navalny that preceded itmarked the full reversion to Soviet-era political repression not seen since Joseph Stalin. State election officials reported that 87 percent of Russians had cast their vote for Vladimir Putin in national elections, giving the Russian president a fifth term in office, Karatnycky wrote. Not only were many of the reported election numbers mathematically impossible, but there was also no longer much of a choice: All prominent opposition figures had been either murdered, imprisoned, or exiled. Russias return to Soviet practice goes far beyond elections. A recent study by exiled Russian journalists from Proekt Media used data to determine that Russia is more politically repressive today than the Soviet Union under all leaders since Joseph Stalin. During the last six years, the study reports, the Putin regime has indicted 5,613 Russians on explicitly political chargesincluding discrediting the army, disseminating misinformation, justification of terrorism, and other purported crimes, which have been widely used to punish criticism of Russias war on Ukraine and justification of Ukraines defense of its territory. This number is significantly greater than in any other six-year period of Soviet rule after 1956all the more glaring given that Russias population is only half that of the Soviet Union before its collapse. John Podhoretz eulogized his friend, former Sen. Joe Lieberman, in Commentary magazine. But for the wont of a few hundred votes, Joe Lieberman would have become vice president of these United Statesand a pathbreaking figure not only in the history of American politics as the first Jew on a presidential ticket but in the annals of Jewry, he wrote. He would have been one of the greatest credits to our people the world would ever have known. Well, who needed the vice presidency for that. As it was, and as he was, Joe Lieberman was that person. What a guy. What. A. Guy. As a man in his private life and his everyday relationships, he defined the word mensch. As a Jew, he spent his life as a devoted follower of the obligations of Orthodoxy. As a public servant in Connecticut and Washington, he was never anything less than a man who served his state and served his country faithfully, rigorously, honestly, and with true honor. His career as an effective legislator was based on his determination to bridge gaps and seek to find solutions to social and political problems besetting Americawhile at the same time demonstrating how it was possible both to be a dedicated and patriotic American, a dedicated and faithful Jew, and a dedicated and determined Zionist. He was cheerful, jaunty, very funny, and had about him a kind of easy and relaxed coolin odd ways he would remind me of an image of Sinatra on one of Franks upbeat album covers. There will be more to say about his contributions to American life and American politicsand what it means that it may be some time until we see his like again. Presented Without Comment Washington Post: Was the 2020 Election Stolen? Job Interviews at RNC Take an Unusual Turn. Those seeking employment at the Republican National Committee after a Donald Trump-backed purge of the committee this month have been asked in job interviews if they believe the 2020 election was stolen, according to people familiar with the interviews, making the false claim a litmus test of sorts for hiring. Happy Opening Day Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: The Dispatch Politics crew covered RFK Jr.s running-mate decision, Scott wrote () in favor of building more housing of all kinds, Jonah reflected on () whats been lost in 21st-century parenthood, and Nick weighed in on the new Trump-endorsed Bible and what it says about how the former president views his own supporters. On the podcasts: Jonah is joined on The Remnant by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt to discuss the Gen Z mental health crisis, and Sarah and David recap the mifepristone oral arguments on Advisory Opinions . On the site: James C. Capretta marks the anniversary of the Affordable Care Acts passage and Joseph Polidoro explains the risks of microplastics. Plus, Kevin interviews Michael Baumgartner, the Spokane County treasurer whos running for Congress in Washington state. Let Us Know Which sports opening day or kickoff to the season is your favorite? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Rebecca Gomperts, medical doctor and director of aid access from the Netherlands protests outside The Supreme Court on March 26, 2024, as the court hears oral arguments over access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. Mifepristone accounts for over half of all abortions performed in the United States. The Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week for a case determining access to the abortion drug mifepristone. The restriction of mifepristone could make it more difficult for millions of women to end a pregnancy in states where abortion is legal. In 2023 the year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade more than one million abortions occurred in the formal U.S. healthcare system, according to a report from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights. Of those abortions, 63% were done with medication. Here's how the usage of abortion medication has changed in the past two decades: Medication abortion increased the year after Roe v. Wade was overturned Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that medication abortions have steadily increased over the past two decades. The most common medication abortion regimen in the U.S. involves two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. The two-drug regimen can be used up to the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, according to the FDA. In 2001, a year after its approval, medication abortion accounted for 6% of all abortion procedures, according to Guttmacher Institute. Last year, 63% of abortions in the U.S. were medication abortions. By 2016, more than 2.75 million women in the United States had used Mifeprex, a common brand name of Mifepristone, KFF reported. Which states outlaw abortion medication? Of the states where abortion is still legal, 12 have at least one restriction that requires one or more visits to the clinic, effectively banning telehealth for medication abortion. Twenty-four states have no restrictions around abortion medication and do not require telehealth appointments to be prescribed the pills. Abortions increase in legal states Almost every state without an abortion ban saw an increase in the number of abortions in 2023, according to a report from Guttmacher Institute. More than 160,000 people traveled out of state to have an abortion in 2023, more than double the number found in 2020, Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at Guttmacher, recently told USA TODAY. Sates that shared a border with those that have enacted abortion bans including Illinois, New Mexico, Virginia and North Carolina saw sharp increases, according to the report. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ahead of Supreme Court ruling, a look at abortion medication since Roe The worlds fossil-fuel producers are on track to nearly quadruple the amount of extracted oil and gas from newly approved projects by the end of this decade, with the US leading the way in a surge of activity that threatens to blow apart agreed climate goals, a new report has found. There can be no new oil and gas infrastructure if the planet is to avoid careering past 1.5C (2.7F) of global heating, above pre-industrial times, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has previously stated. Breaching this warming threshold, agreed to by governments in the Paris climate agreement, will see ever worsening effects such as heatwaves, floods, drought and more, scientists have warned. Related: Tone-deaf fossil gas growth in Europe is speeding climate crisis, say activists But since the IEAs declaration in 2021, countries and major fossil fuel companies have forged ahead with a glut of new oil and gas activity. At least 20bn barrels of oil equivalent of new oil and gas has been discovered for future drilling since this point, according to the new report by Global Energy Monitor, a San Francisco-based NGO. Last year, at least 20 oil and gas fields were readied and approved for extraction following discovery, sanctioning the removal of 8bn barrels of oil equivalent. By the end of this decade, the report found, the fossil-fuel industry aims to sanction nearly four times this amount 31bn barrels of oil equivalent across 64 additional new oil and gas fields. The US, which has produced more crude oil than any country has ever done in history for the past six years in a row, led the way in new oil and gas projects in 2022 and 2023, the report found. Guyana was second, with countries in the Americas accounting for 40% of all new oil sanctioned in the past two years. The failure to even slightly slow down the hunt for new oil and gas risks a fatal blow to already slender hopes of the world remaining below 1.5C, a limit that scientists expect will be surpassed within a decade. It comes as major oil and gas companies miss or water down their own targets to cut planet-heating emissions. At a recent industry conference in Texas, the boss of Saudi Aramco, the worlds largest oil company, said people should abandon the fantasy of phasing out oil and gas. Despite the constant and clear warnings that no new oil and gas fields are compatible with 1.5C, the industry continues to discover and sanction new projects, said Scott Zimmerman, project manager of the global oil and gas extraction tracker at Global Energy Monitor. Its disappointing. It shows a lack of supply-side commitment to climate goals. Already operating oil and gas infrastructure will be enough to push the world beyond 1.5C and the extra activity planned will only further raise the global temperature. A total of 45 projects have been fully sanctioned, with 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent, since the 2021 IEA report, according to the new report, which is almost certainly an undercount of coming emissions as it doesnt include unconventional extraction, such as fracking. Related: Worlds top fossil-fuel bosses deride efforts to move away from oil and gas While the US has maintained its heavyweight status in oil and gas with the new discoveries, fresh areas of the globe are now being focused on by fossil fuel producers for new production, with South America and Africa becoming hotspots for upcoming projects. Of the 22 countries with significant oil and gas discoveries in the past two years, four Cyprus, Guyana, Namibia and Zimbabwe accounted for more than a third of discoveries, despite having produced little or no oil and gas until recently. The Shahini gas field in Iran reportedly containing 623bn cubic meters of gas is the largest single discovery of the past two years, followed by TotalEnergies Venus project in Namibia. The Kodiak project in Alaska, overseen by Pantheon Resources, is the third largest new potential oil and gas field. Oil and gas producers have given all kinds of reasons for continuing to discover and develop new fields, but none of these hold water, said Zimmerman. The science is clear: no new oil and gas fields, or the planet gets pushed past what it can handle. Emergency personnel work at the scene in Rockford on Wednesday where four people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois. Emergency personnel work at the scene in Rockford on Wednesday where four people were killed and five were wounded in stabbings in northern Illinois. Photograph: AP A man in northern Illinois has been charged with murder following a stabbing attack that left four people dead which he told detectives happened after he became paranoid smoking marijuana given to him by one of the victims, authorities said. Police said that Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with multiple counts of murder, intent to kill and home invasion after the stabbings on Wednesday in Rockford, 90 miles north-west of Chicago. The attacks also left seven people injured. Rockfords mayor, Tom McNamara, listed the victims as Romona Schupbach, 63, Jacob Schupbach, 23, Jay Larson, 49, and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Three people remained hospitalized on Thursday, officials said. The other four injured were treated and released, the Rockford police chief, Carla Redd, said. Redd said Soto acted alone and that police did not know his motive for the attacks. She said Soto and Jacob Schupbach had grown up together. Soto told police that the two were smoking marijuana at Schupbachs home before the attack, the Winnebago county states attorney, J Hanley, said. Soto said that he believes that drugs provided to him by Jacob were laced with an unknown narcotic, Hanley said. Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen ... and proceeded to stab his friend and his friends mother to death. Court and jail records show Soto appeared in court briefly on Thursday afternoon and remains held without bond. He is next due in court on Tuesday when a judge will determine if he stays in jail pending trial. Ruth Mendonca, inspector-in-charge of the Chicago office of the US Postal Inspection Service, told reporters that Larson, 49, had been a mail carrier in the area for 25 years. Vanessa Hy, a Rockford resident, told WREX-TV of the chaos following the stabbing. All of the sudden, we heard police run up on both sides of the house screaming, Stop! Get down! Hy told the TV station. Then they ran into the backyard and after a few minutes we saw them bringing the suspect down the driveway in handcuffs and he was very bloody. Mayor McNamara said that the city was shocked by the attacks, which came days after a teenage employee of a Walmart in Rockford was stabbed and killed inside the store. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized, the mayor said in a statement, according to CBS. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. Sweden does not exclude the possibility of supplying its Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said in an interview with the Kyiv Independent in Stockholm on March 28, adding that the "deliberations are ongoing." Sweden has been hesitant to supply its jets, stressing that it first needs to join NATO before it can consider this option. The Nordic country joined the alliance on March 7, potentially opening the door for the transfer of the aircraft. "The deliberations are ongoing, and they take place within the fighter jet coalition," Jonson said. The minister reminded that Sweden is also part of the fighter jet coalition, an allied initiative helping Ukraine acquire U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and the necessary training. Speaking about Western aid for Ukraine, Jonson said that Europe must "step up" its support and "compensate for some of the support that is going down." As Ukraine faces increasingly severe ammunition shortages, European allies have been seeking to fill the gap left by the decrease in U.S. aid, which has been blocked for months by domestic political disputes. Jonson noted positive developments in the Swedish and European defense industry. Stockholm has been investing its own and EU funds into the production of 155 mm shells, which are crucially needed on Ukrainian battlefields. The country is also part of several international initiatives aimed at boosting ammunition manufacturing. Read also: Our reserves will run out: Ukrainian artillery sounds alarm on Western shell shortage "So far, Nammo (a Norwegian-Finnish ammunition manufacturer with factories in Sweden) has more than doubled their own production, and they're working five shifts, which is a level that they haven't been working in for decades," Jonson said. "According to their estimates... they can triple their production within a few years." The minister stressed that while it may take the European defense industry a year or more to triple its production, Ukraine needs ammunition as soon as possible. Jonson praised the Czech-led initiative to buy artillery shells for Ukraine from third countries. The Swedish procurement agency, FMV, established contacts with their Czech counterparts to facilitate the funding and "get things going... within a few months," Jonson added. Sweden previously pledged 30 million euros ($32 million) to the initiative, which could provide Ukraine with up to 1.5 million rounds in total. The minister also pointed out the cooperation between Swedish and Ukrainian defense industries, namely regarding the Swedish-made CV90 armored vehicles, which are already fighting in Ukraine. The experience from Ukrainian battlefields also helps Swedish manufacturers to better refit the vehicles, he noted. Jonson commented on the recent article by the Financial Times, which claimed that the U.S. urged Ukraine to cease its attacks against Russian oil refineries. "Our position is that Ukraine has the right to defend itself as it is being exposed to an illegal and unprovoked invasion," Jonson said. "International law provides you (Ukraine) with rights you need to protect yourself." Read also: F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Thursday it believes U.S. support will remain unchanged no matter who wins the presidential election, but it will stay on guard for Taiwan-China issues being "manipulated" as the campaign heats up. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, received strong backing from the Trump administration, including high-profile visits and arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden. In a report to lawmakers, Taiwan's foreign ministry noted that even though the U.S. election's outcome was not certain, there was cross-party support for the island. Taiwan will continue to have balanced exchanges with both parties, but needs to be on guard for how Taiwan-China issues may feature in the election, the ministry added. "As the U.S. election heats up, we should beware of cross-Taiwan Strait issues being manipulated as a political issue of defence and attack," it said, without elaborating. Meeting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on Thursday, U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman, a Republican who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs its Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, said his delegation was there to show Congress' continued support for Taiwan. "We will continue to assure our colleagues that this strategic relationship is key for the future security of the region," Bergman said. "This includes a strong Taiwan maritime strategy and how we can work together on shared goals to counter China on their increasingly aggressive actions in the region." Bergman, who is being accompanied by the Democratic Congressmen Donald Norcross and Jimmy Panetta, said they would be meeting "U.S. personnel" while in Taiwan, though did not specify if they were military or civilian. The United States is Taiwan's most important arms supplier and international supporter, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Fabian Hamacher; editing Miral Fahmy) ROBERTSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Multiple law enforcement agencies have executed a search warrant at a Springfield home, authorities confirmed to News 2. The Sheriffs Office with the assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations is executing a search warrant at a residence on Owens Chapel Road in relation to an active investigation, Robertson County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) Public Information Officer Jessica Drake told News 2 via email. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts No further information was immediately released by the sheriffs office. The TBI confirmed they were assisting RCSO with the search warrant as part of an active and ongoing investigation, but referred all further questions to Robertson County authorities. The Cross Plains Fire Department is also at the scene and told a News 2 reporter the investigation at the home revealed threats (physical items that could ignite). The family of Jennifer Wix, a woman missing from Robertson County since March 24, 2004, told News 2 the house authorities are searching is Wixs boyfriends home. No other information was released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man and a male teen are now in jail after police accused them of two robberies this week. Antonio Taylor, 33, was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, convicted felon in possession of a weapon, resisting official detention, and evading arrest on foot. The 16-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance -marijuana, and evading arrest on foot. 76-year-old charged in shooting at East Memphis restaurant According to Memphis Police, on March 26 officers responded to a robbery around in the 3800 block of Jackson Avenue. The victims stated that they were walking in the complex when two armed male suspects approached them. Suspects charged with assaulting grandparents over insurance money That is when the suspects demanded their property and took their car keys, cellphones, and wallets. They then left the scene in the victims Honda Civic. On March 27, officers say they responded to another robbery in the 3100 block of Dothan Street in Fox Meadows. The victim stated that a man with a gun pointed at him approached him, demanding his property. The suspect then searched the victims car. MPD says the suspect took the victims car keys and left the scene in his gray sedan. AirTag in Bible helps pregnant carjacking victim find car Shortly afterward, aviation was able to locate the vehicle. Officers say when they arrived at the scene, the suspects stopped the car and fled on foot. Police say that two of the three suspects were then taken into custody. One suspect had a backpack with marijuana inside. Taylor is being held in jail on a $200,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A teenager has received a four-year prison term for being an accomplice in a shooting death in St. Paul that set in motion a predawn raid in a downtown Minneapolis apartment that ended with Amir Locke's killing by police. Feysal J. Ali, of Minneapolis, was sentenced Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court after he pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Otis R. Elder, 38, on Jan. 10, 2022, as Elder sat in his vehicle. With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Ali is expected to serve roughly two years in prison and the balance on supervised release. Elder was shot in the back during a suspected drug transaction outside a music recording studio in the 500 block of N. Prior Avenue. The shooter, Mekhi C. Speed, now 19, was sentenced in July 2022 to a term of more than 16 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Speed is expected to serve roughly 10.5 years in prison and the balance on supervised release. Speed was 17 when Elder was killed, and Ali was 16. Both were prosecuted in adult court. At the time of the shooting, Speed was living in a unit of the Bolero Flats Apartment Homes at 1117 S. Marquette Av. and also had access to a different unit where police barged in on Feb. 2, 2022, and shot the 22-year-old Locke, who was sleeping on the couch and emerged from under a blanket with a gun in his hand. Speed and Locke were cousins. Investigators alleged that Ali's cellphone was at the scene of Elder's shooting and near the apartment building where Locke was shot, according to the charges. The charges also said police found Ali's fingerprints on a stolen vehicle that he and Speed used to flee to downtown Minneapolis after the shooting. Also, his DNA was recovered from a jacket that investigators say was being worn by someone sitting next to Elder when he was shot, the charges said. On the night of Jan. 10, officers answered a 911 call and found Elder in the street wounded in the back. As their investigation progressed, St. Paul police filed applications for search warrant affidavits for three Bolero Flats apartments. Locke, who was not a target of the investigation, was sleeping in the apartment of relatives when a Minneapolis police SWAT team burst in shortly before 7 a.m. on Feb. 2. Video from an officer's body camera showed police rushing inside and yelling "search warrant!" as Locke lay under a blanket on the couch. An officer kicked the couch, and Locke stirred, holding a firearm in his right hand. Officer Mark Hanneman shot Locke, within seconds of police entering. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated Locke's death. The county attorney at the time, Mike Freeman, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison concluded there was not enough evidence to charge Hanneman or the officers involved with a crime stemming from Locke's death. A delegation of high school students from the U.S. state of Washington visited China's Guangdong to experience Chinese culture and technology. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Two teenagers were arrested for allegedly ransacking a store and stealing thousands of dollars worth of beauty products in Orange County. The theft happened at a Walgreens located on the 6300 block of Irvine Boulevard on March 22, according to the Irvine Police Department. Two 17-year-old girls had entered the store and began ransacking the shop, taking as many beauty products as they could carry, police said. The teenagers were spotted by officers walking out of the store with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise concealed under their clothing. The girls were stopped and during their arrest, police discovered around $3,000 worth of beauty products had been taken from the shop. Photos of the stolen goods show a variety of beauty and personal care products including liquid and powder foundations, lip gloss, expensive face creams, cleansers, lotions, body creams and more. 3 L.A. County residents stole over $2.5 million in Target gift cards The suspects had placed all the stolen items inside large tote bags during their attempted escape. Detectives later learned the two teens were allegedly responsible for ransacking another store earlier that same day. The suspects were taken into custody and the stolen items were returned to Walgreens. Anyone with additional information on the incident can call the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (Bloomberg) -- The owners of Thames Water Utilities Ltd. are heading for a showdown with the government after shareholders refused to inject 500 million ($631 million) into the troubled supplier. Most Read from Bloomberg The decision, announced Thursday, leaves a yawning hole in the finances of the UKs largest water and sewage company, which could prompt the government to start special administration proceedings, a form of temporary nationalization. Ministers want to see shareholders come forward but investors want better returns before theyre prepared to put money into the company. The news puts a potentially toxic consumer issue on Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks plate five weeks out from local elections, including for Mayor of London, where Thames operates. The main opposition Labour Party has long blamed privatization drives under former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for raising the risk of such scenarios, an argument they will be sure to reprise in the elections. Shareholders at parent company Kemble Water Holdings Ltd. last year promised to pump 750 million into Thames by March 2025, with 500 million promised by the end of this month pending regulatory approval of its investment plan, which stretches out to 2030. The company needs 2.5 billion to fund its 18.7 billion business plan. Thames is the worst performer among England and Waless water and sewage companies and desperately needs the cash to improve pipes so it can meet government targets on leaks, pollution and customer service. How Debt and Sewage Pushed Thames Water to the Brink: QuickTake Thames has proposed to raise customer bills by a hefty 40% starting in 2025, and has asked Ofwat for leeway on rules around the weighted cost of capital, dividend payouts and the allowed return on equity for investors. However, Ofwat said it couldnt give any flexibility to Thames because of its past and current poor financial and environmental performance, according to a person familiar with the discussions who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. After more than a year of negotiations with the regulator, Ofwat has not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for a business plan which ultimately addresses the issues that Thames Water faces, the shareholders said in a joint statement. As a result, shareholders are not in a position to provide further funding. Thames chief executive Chris Weston, who took on the role in January, denied that the company is trying to force the regulator to permit more financial flexibility. The company is following the rules set out by the regulatory process, known as Price Review 24, he said on a call with journalists. The signs of stress are starting to show already. Kemble said the lack of funding means it will now be unable to pay to refinance or repay a 190 million loan which matures on 30 April unless an extension to the maturity of the facility is granted by lenders. This could potentially push Kemble into administration and leave Thames without an owner. At that point the government may consider triggering a special administration to protect customers. The government has been drawing up plans to potentially bring Thames into special administration, streamlining its insolvency rules for the industry. Debt holders are concerned that theyd be left with losses if the troubled company goes bankrupt. A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it is preparing for a range of scenarios. Weston said special administration was a possibility, but that Thames would pursue other options first. If at the end of the day, probably well into the end of next year, we were in a situation where we had no equity, then there is the prospect of special administration but we are a long way from that point at the moment, he said on BBC radio. On a call with journalists, he said Thames would now work to amend its business plan ahead of Ofwats draft decision in mid June. Once that decision is published, Thames would try again to convince existing shareholders to provide new equity, or failing that, would go to the market to seek new equity. He added that Thames has 2.4 billion in cash, which would allow it to continue operations for the next 15 months. During that time it would also seek to raise more debt. Safeguards are in place to ensure that services to customers are protected, an Ofwat spokesperson said. Todays update from Thames Water means the company must now pursue all options to seek further equity for the business. Thames Waters owners have been criticized for its complex structure, whereby many of the companys operating assets sit within one entity, while it has issued debt through a number of others, such as Kemble Finance. Thames Water Kemble bonds this month dropped below 30 pence on the pound, well into distressed territory, according to prices compiled by Bloomberg. --With assistance from Ellen Milligan, Abhinav Ramnarayan and Ronan Martin. (Updates with details from fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The boss of Thames Water has told the BBC customer bills need to rise by 40% by 2030 to pay for improvements. "That is the price customers have to pay for the investment in our infrastructure that's needed," he said. The firm is in a race to find extra cash after its investors said they would not give the struggling water giant more money unless bills rise. The regulator, whose approval is needed for any price rises, has so far pushed back on substantial bill increases. Sources close to Ofwat say it plans to "stick to its guns" and won't raise bills to address shareholder problems. Fears emerged last year that the UK's largest water company Thames could collapse due to its huge debts. Regardless of what happens, water supplies will continue as normal. Chris Weston said he wanted to "reassure our customers that it is very much business as usual for Thames Water". The firm was "quite a long way off" from nationalisation and "a lot that has to happen" beforehand. However, he said it was "eventually possible". "Even if that were to happen, the services will continue to be provided," he said. "There will still be clean drinking water, and we will still deal with all the waste that has to be dealt with." Thames Water drew up a turnaround plan last summer which asked for bills to rise over the next five years. Investors were due to pump in almost 4bn into the business over the next two years, but have withheld the first payment - due at the end of March - saying its turnaround plan is "uninvestible". The government has previously said it is ready to take over Thames Water in the event that it collapses. It serves 15 million households, mostly across London and parts of southern England. The regulator insists that even without the additional capital, the Thames Water operating company will not need to be nationalised immediately as it is still generating enough money to keep it going day-to-day for up to 18 months. However, at some point Thames will need to raise new money to finance the huge programme of investment that is needed and if the current shareholders - which include domestic and foreign pension funds as well as wealth funds from China and Abu Dhabi - won't inject cash, then Thames will need to find new ones. Sources close to the current owners say that unless Thames can pay a return - few people will find it an attractive investment. It is not unusual for investors to try to put pressure on the regulator, which is in the process of deciding how much water companies will be able to charge customers from 2025 to 2030. However, the BBC understands that some investors, who stand to lose significant amounts if the firm is nationalised, don't think regulators will let the firm raise prices enough to make Thames Water a prospect for further investment. 'Balancing act' Mr Weston said that Thames Water was planning to come up with a plan that is acceptable to investors - who want higher returns - and Ofwat - which said it had to be "fair to bill payers". "It is a balancing act," Mr Weston said. Ofwat wants the company to clean up its act when it comes to the environment, and improve customer service. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said "the answer is not to hit consumers" and that "leadership of Thames Water has been a disgrace". He said successive management teams at Thames Water had "taken advantage" of customers by "taking out profits and not investing". But Labour said it was the government which had "weakened regulation allowing water companies to get massively in debt while the sewerage system crumbled and illegal sewage dumping hit record levels". The GMB union said investors were trying to "blackmail" customers and Ofwat so bills can "rocket". [BBC] Thames Water is heavily indebted, with a large proportion of its 14.7bn debt pile having been run up when it was owned by Macquarie, an Australian infrastructure bank. Interest payments on its debt have also sharply increased. Macquarie has said that it invested billions of pounds in upgrading Thames's water and sewerage infrastructure while it owned the company. But critics argue that it took billions of pounds out of the company in loans and dividends - which is a share of a business's profits that is paid to shareholders. Along with many UK water firms, Thames Water has been in the spotlight for pumping sewage into rivers. Between 2020 and the end of last year, it discharged at least 72 billion litres of sewage into the Thames. Ofwat said safeguards were in place to ensure that services to customers were protected "regardless of issues faced by shareholders of Thames Water". "The company must now pursue all options to seek further equity for the business to turn around the performance of the company for customers. "We also need to see companies deliver the performance that customers expect and that they are run in a way that meets customers' expectations," it added. The Office of Management and Budget announced Thursday that the U.S. government would revise how it categorizes race and ethnicity, adding the category of Middle Eastern or North African to forms such as the U.S. Census in order to better reflect an increasingly diverse population. The changes, the first to be implemented in 27 years, also include the creation of a single category Hispanic or Latino, that also allows people the option of selecting from a list of subcategories. These revisions will enhance our ability to compare information and data across federal agencies, and also to understand how well federal programs serve a diverse America, U.S. Chief Statistician Karin Orvis said in a statement. What are the changes? The revisions cap a two-year review-and-revision process across multiple agencies. People filling out federal surveys like the census will now have seven updated race and/or ethnicity categories to choose from, with an option to pick more than one category. The new categories are as follows: American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Hispanic or Latino Middle Eastern or North African Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White Previously, people from the Middle East and North Africa were grouped into the White category, which had been defined as a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Before the creation of the single Hispanic or Latino category, respondents were asked to choose whether they identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. They were then given the option to clarify whether they were Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin, including Salvadoran, Dominican, Columbian, Guatemalan, Spaniard, Ecuadorian, etc. Under the new categories, respondents who check Hispanic or Latino are offered the following subcategories: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban, Dominican and Guatemalan. They are also provided a space to write in another subcategory. Federal agencies will now have 18 months to come up with an action plan as to how to bring themselves into compliance, and another five years to implement those plans, OMB said. Self-identification An earlier version of a census questionnaire. (Getty Images) Census forms and surveys rely on how people self-identify to determine statistics on race and ethnicity, but sometimes the two categories overlap. However, research showed the two-question structure confused some Hispanic and Latino respondents who did not identify with the subcategories listed. For example, results from the 2020 census suggest its not clear how a person who identifies as Afro-Latino would answer a combined race-ethnicity question. Almost 44% of those identified in 2020 as Hispanic, for instance, picked some other race rather than the subcategories offered on the form or did not respond at all. For those who identified as Latino, 35.5% then checked some other race when given the option to self-identify a subcategory. Mixed feelings The Afro-Latino Coalition, a group that addresses racial disparities, wrote a letter to the OMB saying that the new combined race and ethnicity approach erases how Black/AfroLatinos experience anti-Black racism at the same time that they experience discrimination based on their ethnic background. The OMB definition for Black as persons with African ancestry must make clear that those from Latin American national origins are also included, the group said in the letter. Those who campaigned for the addition of the Middle Eastern or North African category, however, praised the new changes. Anna Eskamani, whose parents are from Iran, told the Associated Press, "Growing up, my family would check the white box because we didnt know what other box reflected our family. Having representation like that, it feels meaningful. NORTH PORT, Fla. - Mitch Guerrero's sand sculptures outside his home on South Salford Blvd. in North Port are getting positive attention from children and adults alike. "I was thinking what would be cool for rabbits and snails and nature to have kind of mushroom houses to have. Thats why I enjoy sand so much is because I can kind of make some of the visions in my head in the real world," Guerrero said. Art runs through Mitchs veins. READ: Heres how much you need to make to be considered middle-class in Florida "My grandfather is an artist. He passed down his art knowledge to my mom," he said. Mitch found his talent during a day with his son at Manasota Beach. He caught the attention of a beach visitor while making a pyramid. "Hes like thats really good. Theres all kinds of contests down here in Florida. I was like really? He said its a big thing down here," Guerrero recalled. Months later, Mitch entered his first contest on Siesta Key. Since then, hes traveled to the Blue Waters Sand Fest in Michigan, Maines Clam Fest and the Texas Sand Fest. He has won seven ProAm divisions in the last four years for sand sculpting. "Im always like constantly sketching and trying to figure out what can I do," he said. The sand house came at a time when people needed uplifting. Four years ago, during the Covid pandemic, Mitch was left without his medium to work with. Instead of putting the sand in the backyard, he put it in an area where everyone could see. "Its crazy, people drive and they just stop. They honk, wave, they pull in the driveway and come out and look," said Mitchs wife, Tara Guerrero. Snapping a photo is a tradition for neighbor Shannon Lepine and her son. "Its just something to look forward to and it gives you something to talk to everybody that you know like hey did you see his new castle? so its pretty cool," she said. "I just love that it makes people happy," said Tara Guerrero. "I think we need more of that this day and age for sure. He started with something small and now he gets these crazy ideas and just goes for it and its really fun to watch." Every month, a new sculpture is crafted. "When its gone, you kind of do have some anticipation of what will come next," said neighbor Jason Bowings. Guerrero's work started when he was laid off after 20 years of working in IT. Even after making sand sculpting a full-time career, Mitch didnt realize how much attention his work gained city-wide. "I wanted to make a little bit of an impact, and maybe brighten someones day at least one person," he said. Posts and comments from Facebook pages, like North Port Friendly Neighbors, spotlight his work. "It actually made me a little bit emotional because I had no idea that people really enjoyed what I was doing that much and so now its like oh wow thats great," he said. Now, he works to teach others the art on Siesta Key with his business, The Forever Sand Castle. Hes even figured out how to make mini versions of sand castles to last forever through 3-D printing. For more information on Mitch Guerrero and his sand sculpting lessons, click here. SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter WATCH FOX 13 NEWS BOAO, Hainan, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The global community should work together to solve the challenges faced today and build a prosperous future, Roosevelt Skerrit, prime minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, said here on Thursday. "We need to work together to pull our strengths and move faster towards achieving peace and sustainable development. We need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between countries in order to provide effective responses to the financial, economic, and social crises faced by many countries around the world," Skerrit said while attending the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024. It is clear that sustainable development continues to be a pressing issue for the international community, given the high levels of inequality, poverty, and marginalization among countries, Skerrit said, noting inequalities between developed and developing countries persist and are widening. "We recognize the role of the Boao forum and the People's Republic of China in providing development alternatives for other countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation," Skerrit said. Thousands of dollars collected by Long Island community for family of fallen NYPD officer NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. (PIX11) Project Thank a Cop, a Long Island nonprofit, is collecting donations for the family of fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. The organization is collecting diapers, wipes, baby food and toys for his child. It is also accepting gift cards for restaurants, Uber Eats, Amazon, Target and more. NYPD officer shot, killed in Queens leaves behind wife, baby Tens of thousands of dollars have been donated so far. If you would like to donate on Venmo, you can send it to @projectthank-acop with the message PO Diller. 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 Rapides Parish Police Jury is seeking a permanent injunction against one of its own members, Jay Scott, alleging that he has threatened and harassed fellow jurors and employees. Rapides Parish Police Jury President Joe Bishop is seeking a permanent injunction against another juror, Jay Scott, alleging that he has threatened and harassed fellow jurors and employees. "Through his improper conduct, Scott has repeatedly violated Police Jury employees' and Police Jury members' right to be free from an atmosphere steeped in threats, harassment, intimidating behavior and vulgar, indecent language," reads the injunction that was filed with the Rapides Parish Clerk of Court's Office. No court dates have been set in the 9th Judicial District Court, according to online clerk records. Scott represents District I and is chairman of the jury's Tourism and Economic Planning and Development Committee, according to the jury's website. A message seeking comment sent to Scott through social media wasn't immediately returned. The petition accuses Scott of making "veiled threats" and expressing "indecent, repugnant vulgarisms" to jurors in public and in the presence of parish employees. It lists three examples, one each involving different jurors Bishop, District F member Ollie Overton and District G member Sean McGlothlin. According to the petition, Scott insulted Overton while female parish employees were present at a public meeting in a hallway off the meeting room. "F--- you Ollie," Scott allegedly said. "I ain't got no f------ use for you. I started to take your f------ ass out when you were running. You f------ around there and voting with them m-----f------ white boys. I ain't got no f------ use for you." He sent a text to Bishop, who represents District B, that allegedly asked him "what kind of games yall playing ... Believe me I'm paying attention to yall b--s---." The copy of that text filed with the petition showed Scott's confusion over a procedural move and what Bishop allegedly told him about it. He claims Bishop lied and then texted he was paying attention to "yall b---s---." The petition states he sent a text to McGlothlin that allegedly said, "Sean this the second damn time u have came at Me with some f--- s---. That's not what the f--- I said. I try to be cool but I not that cool. Don't ever agin in ur life try to ask or tell me what the f--- nobody said I say." The petition states McGlothin sent a "vulgar response" back to Scott, but it does not contain that response. The response is not included in the attached exhibits not under seal, either. It states an injunction is needed for multiple reasons, including that Scott possibly is violating several state and federal laws and his oath of office. Multiple exhibits were filed with the petition, but those from parish employees have been filed under seal to protect their identities and prevent "any possible verbal abuse or other retaliation by Scott," it reads. The petition also includes an allegation that female parish employees complained to their supervisor, also female, about "some, but not all of Scott's improper behavior and blatant, unapologetic vulgarisms." The employees, according to the petition, told their supervisor that an "incident" after a committee meeting "made them very uncomfortable and worried that it may escalate to a more serious altercation." The supervisor reportedly said the employees found the "severe curse words and racial undertones used by Mr. Jay Scott offensive and unprofessional." She said it was part of her job to provide a safe and positive work environment. At the end of the March 11 meeting, Bishop asked all jurors to be polite, professional and respectful in dealing with each other. A copy of what Bishop said was included as an exhibit and, in it, he said his message was directed to all jurors, "not to anyone in particular." Consent decree lasts 2 years: Walgreens settles pregnancy discrimination lawsuit out of Alexandria store Benjamin Crump: Text messages implicate Avoyelles warden in Jerome Stevenson's death After the meeting, Scott asked for a private meeting with Bishop. The two went into the president's office, and the door was left open. District D member Ernest Nelson was there, too, it states. Scott allegedly "began a loud, vulgar tirade," using curse words, accusing people of "playing games with my a--" and bragging of telling off Overton. Nelson told Scott to watch his language because of the open door and the female employees nearby, but Scott claimed they couldn't hear anything. A Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputy stepped into the doorway and asked Scott to stop cursing, but Bishop told Scott their meeting was over. The employees later told Bishop they could hear what Scott had said in his office and, before going into the meeting, Scott was in the lobby near the employees, who overheard him say, "... these b---- a-- m-----f------. The next day, a female parish employee complained that Scott approached her during her lunch break at an Alexandria restaurant to talk to her about what had happened the previous day. He allegedly referred to a "piece of paper" that stated he was a threat to the office, that two employees were scared of him and that he had made racial comments to Overton. Scott defended his comments to Overton, "stating his 'white boys' reference while confronting minority Police Juror Overton did not include the word 'crackers' and said any reference to Scott as 'black' would simply describe 'what he is,' although calling him a n----- would be racist," reads the petition. And the employee said Scott allegedly spoke about his past, mentioning they hadn't been hostile, that they needed to read his arrest record and how he wasn't afraid of it, that he used to be crazy but wasn't now, it reads. The employee reported Scott said "if it was back in the old days he would have already cleared the courthouse" and that they didn't want to play with him. In addition, Scott, who is married, showed her text messages and "lewd and suggestive" photos and videos of another female parish employee he might have been intimately involved with, telling her that he'd know where it came from if the information was leaked to others. Scott has done this and more despite completing three sexual harassment training sessions, according to the petition. "Apart from the above described encounter with a female employee, Scott has also referenced his voluminous arrest record to other Police Jury employees, clearly intending to intimidate the employees, create fear of Scott among the employees and cement Scott's status as a dangerous person," reads the petition. It reads that, because of Scott's mentions of his criminal record, Bishop obtained those records through the clerk's office. The petition claims Scott could have no other purpose in mentioning his record other than "to frighten, and/or to intimidate, and/or to create anxiety in any Police Jury employee or Police Juror member who hears Scott's arrest references, or actually reads Scott's extensive record of arrests." The petition also alleges Scott has made and sent inappropriate statements and texts to another employee, followed that employee after working hours and caused concern for their personal safety. The employee allegedly described it as harassment and an interruption in their job performance that placed them under duress. It states Scott has repeatedly visited administrative offices and has used profanity to describe other jurors, alleged "white privilege," tried to direct employees in their jobs and demanded that certain people be hired "as if the spoils system were alive and well and operated by Scott." The peition seeks to prevent Scott from making threats or using crude or profane language in any form of communication to any jurors or employees and preventing him from entering the parish offices of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development for one year unless Bishop has granted a formal request from Scott so he can conduct official business or help his constituents. It also specifically seeks to stop Scott from the "non-consensual disclosure of private images and/or photographs and/or videos" of one parish employee to any other parish employees. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Petition: Juror Jay Scott threatened, harassed Rapides jurors, employees BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China hopes the Netherlands will ensure normal trade of lithography machines, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has said. Wang made the remarks on Wednesday when meeting with visiting Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Geoffrey van Leeuwen. Wang and Van Leeuwen had an in-depth exchange of views on the export of lithography machines and ways to strengthen cooperation in the semiconductor industry. China regards the Netherlands as a reliable economic and trade partner, and hopes that the Netherlands will uphold the spirit of contract, support enterprises in fulfilling their contractual obligations and ensure normal trade of lithography machines, Wang said. He called for efforts to maintain the stable global semiconductor industrial chain and supply chain, and promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Towne West Square closed on Wednesday, March 27, after the power was disconnected overnight. Disconnect notices have been delivered for Towne West stores. Here we go again, said Passageways, Ltd on Facebook Tuesday. Kohan Investment out of New York own the mall and are the ones not paying the electric bills. Passageways, Ltd helps previously unhoused military veterans. Passageways, Ltd Co-Founder Jennifer Garrison posted a video to Facebook on Wednesday afternoon. She says as of 9 a.m., the mall was dark. So heres the doors that our agencies go into to come help homeless veterans shop and get items they need for their homes. Everythings locked, no notes on the doors, Garrison can be heard saying as she tries to open the doors to the mall. We havent had any direct communication from Towne West or Michael Cohan at all. And theres our outreach center not being utilized for our veterans like it should be. Garrison did a Facebook live Tuesday evening to discuss all the hubbub about Towne West Square. Industrial explosion in Finney County hospitalizes two In the live, she stated how she communicates with several other Towne West stores in a thread to learn the latest. The only way we find out that lights are gonna be off is somebody says, Hey, we just got a disconnect notice delivered to our store, and theyre putting them on all the doors,' said Garrison. So, its not like we get an official call from the mall saying, Hey, heads up. Were kind of looking after each other in the mall. Garrison also said a couple of stores are going to be leaving while others are staying where they are for now. Everybodys kind of keeping an eye on of other locations for people, said Garrison. We have been looking at places for a very long time, and were crossing our fingers that we may have an opportunity that was presented to us. Garrison said she will keep everyone in the loop. Like Passageways, Ltd on Facebook. Please join us in praying for a viable solution, not just for us but for the remaining small businesses trying to make a living at Towne West Square, said Passageway, Ltd in a Facebook post. Man charged in northeast Wichita fatal shooting Evergy has released a statement to KSN regarding the power at Towne West Square being disconnected: Kohan Retail Investment Group has again fallen delinquent on the electricity bill for Towne West Mall, and Evergy disconnected service at the mall, said Evergy. The larger stores at the mall have separate accounts that remain in good standing and are not subject to disconnection. KSN has reached out to Kohan Retail Investment Group. We have not heard back at this time. It is unknown at this time when the closed portion of the mall will reopen. According to NBC Chicago, Kohan Retail Investment Group is closing a mall outside of Chicago on Friday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) A tractor-trailer crash on I-64 caused delays Thursday morning near the Hampton Road Center Parkway. Traffic camera video of the crash, provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation, showed the tractor-trailer completely on its side, blocking multiple lanes. As of 8:30 a.m., the east right center lane, right lane and right shoulder remained closed while crews worked to clear the road. Virginia State Police said the driver suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash. They said the weather and the fact that the tractor-trailer was loaded delayed the reopening of the closed lanes. Turn around, dont drown: Driving safety tips for wet conditions Check with WAVY.com for more updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. After more than six hours of intensive discussions, the negotiations aimed at unblocking Polish-Ukrainian border have concluded, the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry reported on Facebook on March 28. Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi described the dialogue as "challenging but candid," indicating that while solutions are on the horizon, they require more time to finalize. The parties discussed potential solutions, which would soon be announced, he said. Read also: Analysts debunk Polish claims against Ukrainian agro-exports Ukrainian and Polish officials convened talks on Feb. 28 to explore options for unblocking the border, which has been blocked by Polish farmers since Feb. 20, addressing protesters' interests. The farmers have articulated several demands, including the abolition of duty-free trade with Ukraine and the complete closure of the Ukrainian-Polish border for trucks. Their protests escalated when they emptied grain from Ukrainian railroad cars, an incident highlighting the growing tensions and the challenges in recovering the spilled grain. The European Parliament Committee supported extending duty-free trade for Ukraine on March 7. Ukraine responded by expressing readiness to restrict trade with the EU on its terms. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on March 15 that the European Commission agreed to one of the demands of Polish farmers regarding the Green Deal. Read also: The Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development declared its intention on March 20 to request a suspension of the transit of certain Ukrainian products through Poland. Polish Minister of Development and Technology Krzysztof Hetman said on March 25 that Warsaw may halt Ukrainian grain transit through Poland from Apr. 1. The discussions reached a pivotal moment as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal visited Warsaw on March 28 for intergovernmental consultations, marking a significant step in addressing and resolving the border impasse with Poland. 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 PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two new Trader Joes locations could be coming to Vancouver soon, joining the existing store on Southeast Chkalov Drive. The national grocery chain previously announced it would open a location in the Salmon Creek neighborhood at 14019 NE 10th Ave. And as first reported by The Columbian, the company is planning to open an additional store less than 15 miles away. Vancouver police seek help in locating 61-year-old woman after suspicious disappearance According to the permit issued by the City of Vancouver in late February, residents will see another Trader Joes on 16701 SE Mill Plain Blvd. That space formerly held the citys only Bed, Bath and Beyond, which closed last year after the retail company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Trader Joes hasnt disclosed an opening timeline for either of its future Vancouver stores, but company website states the Salmon Creek location is coming soon. The new store will be a part of Skyview Station, according to Hurley Development. The local real estate firm said the site was previously a lightly-used industrial area, but is now being transformed into a retail center. The site presented challenges, including an access point from the NE 139th Street overpass, a drop in site elevations of over 20 feet, and a roundabout improvement instead of a signalized intersection at the main site entry, Hurley Development said on its website. This project will result in a vibrant new commercial center for the local community and important improvements to the public roadway system. How El Nino to ENSO Neutral may impact Portland areas April weather Within the last several months, the real estate firm announced that Skyview Station would also feature sandwich shop Jersey Mikes, infrared fitness studio HOTWORX and childrens play area Play Street Museum among other businesses. KOIN 6 has reached out to Trader Joes for further details. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Headed to the Embarcadero, Petco Park, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park or the San Diego Convention Center this weekend? If so, you may want to plan ahead as a partial closure on Harbor Drive may impact traffic. The reason for this partial closure is a sewer main project. Officials with the City of San Diego said crews are working to replace an old sewer pipe with a new, larger pipe. The new main will replace the existing main that was installed back in 1941 and rehabilitated in 1979. The city said it will provide renewed infrastructure for the area to support additional and projected sewage flows. Coronado Bridge is built differently than Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge Construction is expected take place in the following four phases, according to the city: Phase No. 1: Performing geotechnical and subsurface investigations of the project alignment along Harbor Drive. Phase No. 2: Installing new sewer mains along Park Boulevard from Harbor Drive to Imperial Avenue and Imperial Avenue from Park Boulevard to 12th Avenue. Phase No. 3: Installing new sewer mains and steel carrier pipes under the railway crossings on Park Boulevard between Tony Gwynn Drive and Harbor Drive. Phase No. 4: Installing new sewer mains and steel carrier pipes along Harbor Drive between Park Boulevard and Beardsley Street. With Phase No. 1, 2 and 3 currently in progress, motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel in the area, or find an alternative route altogether. Traffic in both directions on Harbor Drive from Park Boulevard to Beardsley Street is reduced to one lane and the southside sidewalk is closed. Access for area businesses and residents will be maintained, but traffic delays are expected, city officials noted in a press release on the matter. Commuters are advised to use alternate routes around the construction area or use public transportation. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has several options that are just a short walk from the impacted area. This includes the 12th and Imperial Trolley Station with access to all three trolley lines and the Green Line Trolleys Gaslamp Quarter Station, as well as several bus routes. For more information on MTS services, visit the MTS trip planner. Once Phase No. 4 begins, the city said all southbound vehicle and bicycle lanes will be closed to allow for tunneling operations. At that time, all traffic will be moved to the two northbound lanes, with one lane of shared vehicle and bicycle traffic in each direction. A timeline for this phase was not provided More information on the sewer main project can be found here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. *Above video: Loved ones, co-workers speak out about their friends involved in crash* CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (WJW) All of the friends involved in a tragic ride crash after a concert are from the same Chagrin Falls restaurant where co-workers and customers are dealing with heartbreak. The crash killed 26-year-old Morgan Ehrenbeit and left her boyfriend Michael Rosenbaum with serious injuries. Their friend Luke Stempuzis is still in a Buffalo trauma center. Morgan had a smile, you know, that could just light up a room, said M Italian manager Ryan Cesarow. When we heard about the tragedy with Morgans loss and Luke and Michael, it broke everybody up in the M Italian family, said customer Pete Billington. Morgan was the baby of five siblings, we consider her the most special of all of us, Morgans sister, Samantha Bidwell, told Fox 8 News. The group of friends involved in the crash are from Chagrin Falls, Mentor and Chesterland. All three close-knit friends were in a Lyft rideshare car that was struck by a speeding driver, with no headlights, no license and no insurance, according to authorities. *The above video of the Buffalo rideshare crash is courtesy of WVIB TV* The 27-year-old man who was driving the rideshare, Nasir Musazada, was also killed in the Buffalo crash, police said. Thankful: Life-changing gift for local bus driver The friends had just left a concert in Buffalo around midnight on March 21 when their car was hit by a 23-year-old man, who police said, was driving at a high rate of speed with no headlights without insurance or a license. Nicole, who asked not use her last name, told Fox 8 News Thursday that her close friend, 26-year-old, Morgan Ehrenbeit, was killed in the crash. Ehrenbeit is a 2015 graduate from Chagrin Falls High School and a 2019 graduate of Ohio University, she said. Nicole said her brother-in-law, 31-year-old Luke Stempuzis, also a passenger, is in a medically induced coma at a Buffalo trauma center. Another one of their friends, 31-year-old Michael Rosenbaum, was released from the hospital but is recovering from serious injuries, Nicole said. She also said that Rosenbaum was Morgans boyfreind. Nicole and her husband Anthony were driving back to the Airbnb the group rented in Buffalo for after the concert. Nicole said their three friends were riding in the rideshare car behind them. But, when the group didnt arrive at the Airbnb, Nicole became concerned and looked at a location app on her phone. She and her husband drove to the location at an intersection just two blocks away and saw the crash aftermath. The three friends in the rideshare car, Morgan, Luke and Michael, all work at M Italian Restaurant in Chagrin Falls, Nicole said. Morgan (Ehrenbeit) was smart, funny, quick witted and she was overall bubbly, Nicole said. Morgan has a lot of nieces and nephews and loved being with them. She always told me, even the night we went to the concert, how much she loves living so close to her sister in Chagrin Falls, because she could walk over there and be with them, Nicole added. Nicole said theres a GoFundMe for Luke Stempuzis and a GoFundMe for Michael Rosenbaum to help with their medical costs. Buffalo police said Devin Ford was the driver of the car that struck the Uber and is charged with two counts of felony manslaughter, two counts of felony assault, speeding, failure to use headlights, being an unlicensed driver, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Local school thankful for anonymous act of kindness Buffalo authorites recently held a news conference on the crash investigation which you can watch by clicking here. Friends of Morgan, Luke and Michael posted a video tribute to them. A spokesperson from Lyft sent Fox 8 News a statement Friday: We (Lyft) are heartbroken by this incident. Our hearts are with the victims loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and weve reached out to offer our support. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Sir Trevor was the first journalist to interview a liberated Nelson Mandela in 1990 - SOLENT Sir Trevor McDonald took pills to calm himself down before high-profile interviews, he has disclosed. The admission came as the 84-year-old admitted to having sleepless nights before interviewing the likes of Nelson Mandela and Saddam Hussein. He said that while the best way to deter his nerves was simply to prepare assiduously, there were times where he had to resort to taking tablets. Speaking on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast, the veteran TV host said: It was always fascinating for me, and terrifying in a way, because the greater the person or the bigger the person in political circles, the better you felt you had to do. The only way I knew how to do that was to prepare assiduously before I did it. I would have sleepless nights before interviewing Mandela or Hussein: I mean, literally, and I would be on edge. If I may confess, at one stage I even got the chemist to give me pills to calm me down. Totally frightening Sir Trevor interviewed Hussein for ITN in 1990 making him the only British reporter to do so and described the experience as totally frightening. He explained: The Iraqis are some of the nicest people I know [but] once you mentioned the words Saddam Hussein the conversation stopped. Just the mention of his name seemed to cow people. You couldnt be unaware, however he was dressed and looked, of what this man represented and what he did. I was aware of all of that and it just contributed to how frightened I was. And because of that, I think I did something which I will always find I should never do again, and I said to him: Mr President is it a very Arab thing to do to invade a neighbouring nation and rape its people?. He was rather taken aback by it. The Trinidad-born broadcaster retired from presenting the News at Ten in 2008 but has continued to front documentaries for ITV since. He was knighted in 1999. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An Emirates Airbus A380 was damaged by a truck at a Moscow airport on Wednesday. Images show the water truck tore open the A380's fuselage. Russian media reported that the truck driver had a stroke and was paralyzed. An Airbus A380 was badly damaged on Wednesday after a truck got wedged underneath the superjumbo, investigators said. The Emirates double-decker plane was preparing to depart Moscow's Domodedovo airport when the incident occurred. The Russian news agency Interfax reported that the truck driver had a medical episode. The incident happened following an "acute, sudden deterioration" in the driver's health, a Domodedovo airport representative told the outlet. The Russian newspaper Mash said on its Telegram channel that the 59-year-old driver suffered a stroke. In a news release, the Moscow Interregional Transport Prosecutors' Office said the flight to Dubai was canceled. It added that the vehicle was transporting drinking water when it collided with the plane. An investigation would determine if any charges should be laid. Images shared by the agency show the A380's fuselage torn open by the truck. The truck tore open the A380's fuselage. Courtesy of Moscow Interregional Transport Prosecutor's Office In a statement shared with Business Insider, Emirates confirmed the plane was damaged and no passengers were on board. "The aircraft is suspended from flights and its technical condition is being assessed," it said. "All affected passengers have been rebooked on a later Emirates flight. Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused, the safety of its passengers and crew is of paramount importance." Read the original article on Business Insider BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A branch of the China Tourism Association on Thursday held a forum on promoting the high-quality development of China's "beautiful villages" in the new era. More than 30 experts from tourism departments, the diplomatic field and universities attended the forum in Beijing, and discussed topics including how to build the "most beautiful villages" of high standard in China. Relevant standards and evaluation work will be actively advanced this year, according to the forum. Experts agreed that China could potentially learn from European countries in this field, carry out international exchanges and cooperation, and advance rural revitalization. Former President Donald Trump attended the wake of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller on Thursday afternoon at a Massapequa Park funeral home, while calling for law and order. "Such a sad, sad event. Such a horrible thing. And it's happening all too often and we're just not going to let it happen," Trump said. "We need law and order," he added. Diller was fatally shot on Monday during a traffic stop in Queens after a man with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach as Diller was trying to get the suspect, Guy Rivera, 34, to exit the vehicle. Rivera opened fire on Diller and his partner at about 5:45 p.m. Monday. The officers approached the vehicle because it was illegally parked at a bus stop. Diller was 31 years old and lived in Massapequa Park with his wife and nearly 1-year-old son, Fox News Digital previously reported. He had served three years with the NYPD before his death. Former President Donald Trump speaks while attending the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, New York on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Diller, a three-year NYPD veteran, was killed during a traffic stop earlier this week. JONATHAN DILLER SHOOTING: NYPD SERGEANTS' UNION TELLS ANTI-POLICE DEMOCRATS TO STAY AWAY FROM FUNERAL READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Trump campaign first announced Wednesday that the 45th president would attend the wake. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was anticipated to also attend the wake following Trump. "President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," Karoline Leavitt, the campaign's spokeswoman, said. NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller is survived by his wife and their nearly 1-year-old son. Trump has railed against cities' crime rates under the Biden administration, including last month in remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference. SUSPECTS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER IDENTIFIED, HAVE LENGTHY RECORDS "Four years ago, I told you that if crooked Joe Biden got to the White House, our borders would be abolished, our middle class would be decimated and our communities would be plagued by bloodshed, chaos and violent crime," Trump said last month. "We were right about everything." Former President Donald Trump speaks while attending the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, New York on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Diller, a three-year NYPD veteran, was killed during a traffic stop earlier this week. He told the New York Post in a recent interview that the "radical lunatic left" is ruining cities and preventing police officers from doing their jobs. Rivera, who was sitting in the passenger's seat, was injured when the officers returned fire. He was charged with first degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the case, police announced this week. Another man who was in the vehicle at the time of Diller's death, Lindy Jones, was also charged following the death, including for criminal possession of a weapon and defacing a weapon. Former President Donald Trump speaks while attending the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, New York on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Diller, a three-year NYPD veteran, was killed during a traffic stop earlier this week. "We just can't 21 times arrested this thug. And the person in the car with him was arrested many times and they don't learn because they don't respect. And this should never happen. I just visited with a very beautiful wife that now doesn't have her husband. Stephanie was just incredible. Their child, brand new, beautiful, baby. Sitting there innocent," Trump said Thursday. Leavitt, in a message posted to her X account on Thursday, highlighted that President Biden "will be at a fancy fundraiser with [former Presidents] Obama and Clinton" during the wake. NYPD OFFICER SHOT, KILLED DURING CAR STOP IN QUEENS BY SUSPECT WITH MULTIPLE PRIOR ARRESTS: POLICE White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that President Biden had spoken with Adams about the death, adding she did not have "private communications to share" regarding whether Biden had spoken to Diller's family. Diller will be laid to rest Saturday in Massapequa. Original article source: Trump attends slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller's wake: 'Need law and order' MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP) Donald Trump attended Thursdays wake of an NYPD officer gunned down in the line of duty, as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has made crime a focus of his third White House campaign and accused President Joe Biden of lacking toughness. The visitation for Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday, was being held in suburban Massapequa. Police said the 31-year-old Diller was shot below his bulletproof vest while approaching an illegally parked car in Queens. Diller, who was married and had a 1-year-old son, was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Trumps visit comes as Biden was also in New York for a previously scheduled fundraiser with Democratic ex-presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Trumps campaign made social media posts contrasting his visit with Bidens fundraiser. Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgage for NYPD Officer Dillers wife, son Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, noted Trumps visit and said, Meanwhile, the Three Stooges Biden, Obama, and Clinton will be at a glitzy fundraiser in the city with their elitist, out-of-touch celebrity benefactors. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the president has spoken with New York Citys mayor, but she said she didnt have any private communications to share when asked if Biden had spoken to the family of the officer who was killed. Jean-Pierre said the administrations hearts go out to the officers family. Speaking aboard Air Force One, she said that Biden has supported law enforcement throughout his entire career and took a dig at Trumps record. Violent crime surged under the previous administration, Jean-Pierre said. The Biden-Harris administration have done the polar opposite, taking decisive action from the very beginning to fund the police and achieving a historic reduction in crime. Trump, who was accompanied by some of his senior campaign advisers on the visit, shook hands with New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban and Nassau County police and government officials as he entered the funeral home. Man charged with murder in NYPD Officer Jonathan Dillers death: police Trump has deplored crime in heavily Democratic cities, called for shoplifters to be shot immediately and wants to immunize police officers from lawsuits for potential misconduct. But hes also demonized local prosecutors, the FBI and the Department of Justice over the criminal prosecutions he faces and the investigation while he was president into his first campaigns interactions with Russia. He has also embraced those imprisoned for their roles on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, when a mob of his angry supporters overran police lines and Capitol and local police officers were attacked and beaten. Trumps campaign did not offer more details about his appearance or whether he planned to speak. President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Dillers family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Massapequa and the surrounding South Shore towns have long been a popular destination for city police officers and firefighters looking to set down roots on Long Island. The road leading to the funeral home was painted with a thin blue line, a symbol used as a sign of police solidarity, and the road was flanked by American flags and American flags with a thin blue line. Parked nearby were two pickup trucks with pro-Trump decals and flags bearing his Make America Great Again slogan. Dozens of supporters wearing Trump paraphernalia stood nearby in pouring rain. The former president and his supporters sought a similar split screen with Biden earlier this month as they went after the president over crime and illegal immigration while both were campaigning in Georgia. Trump during his visit to the state met with the family of slain nursing student Laken Riley. An immigrant from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally is charged with her death. Trump posted about Dillers death on his social media network Tuesday, offering prayers to Dillers family and appreciation for law enforcement. He also called the shooter a thug and noted that police said the shooter had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he NEVER should have been let back out on the streets. Diller was the first New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in two years. The previous line-of-duty death was the fatal shooting of two New York City police officers, and the day after the second funeral, Biden visited the police departments headquarters and spoke to officers and top brass. Biden has pledged that the federal government will work more closely with police to combat gun violence and crack down on illegal guns. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. An attorney for former President Donald Trump was back in court again Thursday arguing that the former presidents criminal charges should be thrown out. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee did not make a ruling yet, but he did hear compelling arguments from both sides. This was also the first hearing since McAfee ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could remain on this case despite her romantic relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Trumps attorney Steve Sadow argued that the case should be dismissed because the comments he made are protected by the First Amendment. I dont think theres any question that says statements, comment, speech, expressive conduct that deals with campaigning or elections has always been found to be at the zenith of protected speech, Sadow said. When you look at the allegations against President Trump, all of the allegations all of the allegations involved expressive conduct or speech. TRENDING STORIES: But Fulton County prosecutors pushed back arguing that Trumps statements were part of a conspiracy to illegally overturn his election loss. Its not that the defendant has been hauled into a courtroom because the prosecution doesnt like what he said, Donald Wakeford with the Fulton County District Attorneys Office said. What he is not allowed to do is employ his speech and his expression and his statements as part of a criminal conspiracy, to violate Georgias RICO, to impersonate public officers to file false documents, and to make false statements to the government. McAfee also heard arguments from defense attorney Craig Gillen who is representing David Shafer, the former chair of the Georgia Republican Party, who is accused of acting as a fake elector. McAfee did not say how long it would take for him to rule on these motions. He also hasnt announced a start date for the trial. RELATED NEWS: Earlier this week, Donald Trump unveiled his newest grift to squeeze money out of his cult followers: Trump-branded Bibles. Claiming the book contains the "King James version" and "also includes the Founding Father [sic] documents," Trump promised "you have to have it for your heart, for your soul." The screenshots of the video are funny by themselves, but I highly recommend watching the ad Trump cut for these Bibles. Trump radiates total contempt for Christianity. Happy Holy Week! Lets Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible. @TheLeeGreenwood https://t.co/1KK5QgVK85 pic.twitter.com/XoCIeGDpAg Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 26, 2024 This is Trump in his angry-bored mode, letting viewers know with his listless tone and posture that he thinks all this Bible stuff is dumb. The not-at-all subtle message of the video is that Trump doesn't believe any of this faith-in-God crap, but he definitely believes in using Christian identity as a weapon to make money and dominate his foes. Many Trump opponents on social media replied with video clips underscoring how Trump may be the single most ignorant person in the country about the contents of the Bible. Since Trump is now selling Bibles, here is a montage of clips of Trump giving us his vast and extensive knowledge of the Bible. pic.twitter.com/VKXQdT5wLA Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) March 26, 2024 Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. It's a point I've made many times myself. But it's time to consider the strong possibility that Trump's disdain towards the practice and theological beliefs of Christianity is not a surprise to his followers. It's likely a selling point that Trump's version of "Christianity" is void of faith and morality. His pitch to his followers has a certain appeal: They can have the identity "Christian," and all the power that goes with it, minus the parts they don't like. No boring church services or Bible study. No tedious talk about "compassion" and "grace," which only gets in the way of the gay-bashing and racism. And definitely no need to worry about that Jesus guy, with all his notions about "loving thy neighbor" and "welcoming the stranger." Their new lord is Trump himself. He's a lot more fun for the redhats since his message is "kick thy neighbor" and "build the wall." Frankly, I'm sure most of them find it a huge relief, not having to pretend they ever cared about that peace-and-charity crap. Trump products tend to be marketed with claims that range from "deeply dubious" to "FTC violation." While I am not about to waste $60 on a Trump Bible to see where it falls on the misleading advertising scale, I will note some red flags in the quality control department. The ad copy promises that, within this book cover, customers will get the "King James Version translation," as well as a copy of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the lyrics to "God Bless America," among other texts. But it also promises an "[e]asy-to-read, large print, and slim design." People who actually read books should instantly see the contradiction. God Bless The USA Bible for $59.99 a pop (PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING). The price point is so high because it is The only Bible endorsed by Donald Trump. ----not like those other worthless Bibles that arent endorsed by Trump. pic.twitter.com/vLhqNGmOow Annie van Leur (@AnnevanLeur) March 27, 2024 True, Trump's stubby fingers make anything he holds look bigger. Still, anyone can see that this is a lightweight volume. Page count-wise, it looks less like "War and Peace" and more like a user manual for a can opener. Most King James Bibles have teeny-tiny print and thin paper and still are pretty heavy. The actual Bible has a lot of words 783,137 to be exact. That makes it almost eight times as long as "The Art of the Deal," which clocks in at 384 pages. (Probably only by dint of generous font size.) It seems impossible to stuff the entire Bible as well as all those other documents into that sleek bit of binding, even if you do cut out every passage where Jesus does "woke" stuff like healing the sick and feeding the poor. Not that it matters, of course. The pages of Trump's "Bible" could all be blank, and there's a good chance no one would ever know it. In the right-wing publishing industry, books are not made to be read. They are to be displayed on your shelves, unopened, so you can glance at them and feel that somewhere, a liberal is "owned." (When I visit right-wing relatives, I open the books on their shelves. I enjoy cracking the spine and getting that new book smell, even off tomes I have to blow an inch of dust off.) The point of a Trump-branded Bible is to use it like their Dear Leader does: As a photo prop, not something to turn to for guidance or wisdom. The teachings of Jesus Christ were always a poor fit for Republicans. They're just way more into decimating Social Security than they are into loaves and fishes. What Trump offers when it comes to Christianity is what he offers his followers in every other aspect: permission to stop pretending to be good people. His gift to them is his shamelessness. Through Trump, his followers can realize their fantasies of being unapologetic bullies. This is the same schtick as MAGA members who claim to be "patriots" while attacking the rule of law and democracy. Trump tells them what they want to hear: You can be a Christian without compassion. Please, please, please pay attn to what is happening here: Lance Wallnau is one of the most effective Christian Trump propagandists. He was central to mobilizing Christians for #January6th through this exact style of rhetoric -- literally demonizing their political enemies. 1/ https://t.co/ZQcVWNXeVC Matthew D. Taylor (@TaylorMatthewD) March 22, 2024 Even before Trump's version of a "Bible" was being sold, his hollowed-out version of "faith" had cannibalized what was left of evangelical Christianity, which had already spent decades remaking itself as the culture war arm of the GOP. This is most easily tracked in the rise of churchless Christians. Over 40% of self-described evangelicals go to church once a year or less. Instead, as the New York Times reported, MAGA is basically their religion. Instead of prayer and Bible study, they "practice" their faith by watching Christian-branded online content that is, in actuality, just about right-wing politics. But, even that number underplays how much Trumpism has displaced traditional theology in evangelical religion. In my report on the online Christian right, former evangelical minister Brad Onishi argued that churches themselves learned they must wholly embrace the views and rhetoric of the MAGA movement if they wish to keep their parishioners. For instance, the "churches that refused to shut down during COVID" are "booming," swelling from "from 100 people to 1000 people," while churches that behaved more responsibly often found themselves shutting down. "I do think it's making it more extreme. If you're not willing to go there as a pastor, you may lose your church," Onishi told Salon. Replacing the real Bible with Trump Bibles is a too-perfect symbol of what has happened to evangelical Christianity. The mistake is in believing Trump's followers are confused or ashamed about their devotion to a godless creep who laughs at true believers. In Trump's hands, the Bible is not a text for prayer and reflection, it's just a weapon. It's much easier to beat people down with a book if it's closed. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Former President Donald Trump will visit Grand Rapids on April 2. Trump will appear at the Grand Rapids Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. He is slated to speak at 2:30 p.m. A release from his campaign indicates he is visiting to campaign on illegal immigration, focusing on a murder in the area that occurred earlier this month. This embedded content is not available in your region. 6 News sister station WOOD TV 8 reports Michigan State Police arrested 25-year-old Brandon Ortiz-Vite for the murder of Ruby Garcia, 25. They alleged Ortiz-Vite admitted to shooting the woman with a gun he obtained illegally. He was also in the country without documentation. He was deported in 2020 for being in the country illegally and should not have been able to return to the U.S. from his country of origin, Mexico. Trump is the presumption nominee for the Republican Party for president in 2024. He and Republicans have been hammering President Joe Biden and the Democrats on border security for months. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Joe Biden (left) is four years older than he was in 2020 -- and Donald Trump has picked up four indictments (SAUL LOEB) Though the candidates are the same as last time, the 2024 US presidential election promises to be unique in other ways -- pitting two men facing challenges unprecedented in the 235-year history of US democracy. Joe Biden was already fending off misgivings about his advanced years in 2020, but America's oldest-ever president will have four more candles on his birthday cake this November. And Donald Trump, who was facing scrutiny during the last election over his conduct before and during his term in office, now has four criminal indictments to his name -- unprecedented for a US president. There isn't much 81-year-old Biden can do about his age, except crack the occasional joke and point out that his opponent is less than four years younger. But Trump has tried to leverage his legal woes -- treating his court appearances as if they were campaign rallies, complete with defiant, grievance-laden speeches before the media and cheering fans. - Fist raised - The speeches themselves aren't exactly presidential -- it's hard to imagine Abraham Lincoln lashing out at judges or smearing political opponents as "Marxist thugs" -- but Trump's loyal base enjoys his proclivity for incendiary rhetoric and personal grievance. They are likely to see more of it, with jury selection beginning April 15 in Trump's trial for campaign finance violations in New York. "He likes to be able to play the role of a victim," says Todd Belt, a politics professor at George Washington University. The strategy comes at a price. Trump has been buried under legal costs stretching into the hundreds of millions of dollars -- bills that he finances, in part, via campaign funds. "It also takes him away from being able to do his MAGA rallies, get out among the people," says Belt. The contest is not set in stone until the parties' nominating conventions this summer, but since the rematch became all-but-inevitable weeks ago, Trump has held just one of his signature rallies, in Ohio. His step back is unusual for a showman who -- despite his own many verbal slip-ups -- enjoys putting on a stiff gait and pretending to be confused as he mocks Biden, delighting supporters in packed arenas. Trump has long denigrated his rival as "Sleepy Joe," but Team Biden has been returning the compliment lately, cheekily appropriating a Trumpism to decry "Low Energy Don." - 'Human connection' - Like Trump, Biden's age could be a major obstacle as he digs deep to inspire passion in voters over what is set to be one of the most longest, most arduous campaigns in history. But he has surrounded himself with aides who play to his strengths. The Democrat has been blitzing the all-important swing states during a recent campaign schedule that has taken in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. He has eschewed the stadiums that Trump likes in favor of smaller gatherings, sometimes away from the television cameras, or low-key visits to small businesses -- a barber shop with an African-American clientele, a Mexican restaurant. He will take part in chats around the kitchen table -- set-piece events carefully stage-managed by aides who send out flattering videos after the fact rather than allowing in journalists. Biden, hunched over a hamburger and milkshake, will talk about student debt with a group of undergraduates or comfort a youngster suffering from his own childhood affliction, a bad stutter. Avoiding interviews with the national press, Biden prefers short exchanges with local or community-based media, and seldom holds news conferences. "Part of what makes President Biden a successful president is that he has that human connection with people. And that's different from Trump's mega rallies," said Ben Wikler, Democratic Party chief in the swing state of Wisconsin. In recent weeks, Biden has begun to regain ground in some polls. With its coffers well-stocked, the Democrat's campaign is stepping up its TV ad buy and banking on a targeted approach. But Biden's most loyal backers acknowledge that he needs to embrace the media spotlight if he is to reassure voters of his stamina and exuberance. "They also know that he needs to be out there to overcome this image of him not being particularly young and vigorous," added Belt, the politics professor. "I think they know that they can't keep hiding him." aue-cjc/ft/st Former President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the judge overseeing his criminal trial in New York and attacked his daughter as well just a day after the judge imposed a gag order barring him from speaking about the case. Trump posted messages on his Truth Social media platform that attack Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the criminal trial centered on hush money payments made to block allegations against him in the final days of the 2016 presidential election. Merchan imposed a gag order on Tuesday that bars Trump from making any public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff or jurors in the trial, citing the former presidents history of tirades about the case. Merchan, an acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court in New York County, said it was without question that the imminency of the risk of harm is now paramount. Notably, the gag order does not apply to remarks about Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg or about Merchan and his family. Judge Juan Merchan, who is suffering from an acute case of Trump Derangement Syndrome has now issued another illegal, un-American, unConstitutional order, as he continues to try and take away my Rights, Trump wrote in his post. This Judge, by issuing a vicious Gag Order, is wrongfully attempting to deprive me of my First Amendment Right to speak out against the Weaponization of Law Enforcement. The former president also attacked Merchans daughter, claiming she had used an image of Trump behind bars as a profile picture on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter. So, let me get this straight, the Judges daughter is allowed to post pictures of her dream of putting me in jail, the Manhattan D.A. is able to say whatever lies about me he wants, the Judge can violate our Laws and Constitution at every turn, but I am not allowed to talk about the attacks against me, Trump wrote. But a spokesperson for New Yorks state court said Wednesday that the former presidents claim wasnt true and that the X account no longer belongs to Merchans daughter. The New York Times reported that she deleted the handle about a year ago and that it has since been taken over by someone else. The X, formerly Twitter, account being attributed to Judge Merchans daughter no longer belongs to her, Al Baker, the spokesperson, said, according to the Times. It is not linked to her email address, nor has she posted under that screen name since she deleted the account. Rather, it represents the reconstitution, last April, and manipulation of an account she long ago abandoned. Merchan told The Associated Press this month that his office was working to prepare for the case, the first of Trumps four indictments set to go to trial. Theres no agenda here, the judge said. We want to follow the law. We want justice to be done. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15 despite Trumps attempts to see the case delayed as his 2024 presidential election campaign continues. It involves payments made to one woman, adult film star Stormy Daniels, to silence her allegations about an extramarital affair, and payments connected to a tabloid allegedly meant to quash the stories of two other accusers. Related... Former President Trump will hold a rally next week in the battleground state of Michigan, where he is expected to focus on the situation at the southern border. Trumps campaign announced the former president will deliver remarks on Bidens Border Bloodbath in Grand Rapids on Tuesday afternoon. He will hold a rally in Wisconsin later the same day. The use of blood bath is a reference to Trumps comments earlier in the month, when he got in hot water for saying at an Ohio rally that there would be a blood bath in November if he lost. Critics seized on the comments and suggested Trump was warning of political violence, but Trump and his allies insisted he was specifically talking about the auto industry, pointing to the context of his use of that term. The Michigan rally, paired with the Wisconsin event, will mark a rare event for Trump since he became the presumptive GOP nominee earlier this month. The former presidents ability to hold rallies moving forward may be limited after a New York judge set a trial date for April 15 in Trumps case over an alleged hush money scheme during the 2016 campaign. Trump will be in court four out of five days during the week, leaving him scarce time to hold large events for his campaign. Michigan is expected to be one of a few critical battleground states that will determine Novembers election. President Biden won the state in 2020 by roughly 155,000 votes, but polls show a neck and neck race there with less than eight months until Election Day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An attorney for former President Donald Trump argued in a Georgia court on Thursday that the election interference charges in the state against him should be thrown out because his statements are protected by the First Amendment. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee heard arguments from Trump attorney Steven Sadow, who claimed that without Mr Trumps statements, no charges would have been brought. The prosecution for the state argued that Mr Trumps lies were used to push a criminal conspiracy and that Mr Trump has not been charged for lying, he has been charged for lying to the government as part of a pattern of criminal conduct. Mr Sadow filed a motion late last year arguing that Mr Trumps false claims of election fraud were political speech, and as such, he should never have been indicted in the first place. Mr Trump was indicted in the state alongside 18 others last August in Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis investigation into the attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. In 2020, President Joe Biden became the first Democrat to win Georgia in a presidential race since Bill Clinton in 1992. Mr Sadow wrote late last year that The core political speech and expressive conduct alleged in this indictment against President Trump are protected from government regulation and thus criminal prosecution by the State. Criminalizing President Trumps speech and advocacy disputing the outcome of the electionwhile speech endorsing the elections outcome is viewed as unimpeachableis thus blatant viewpoint discrimination, he added at the time. The case got a bit of a restart on Thursday after two months of hearings into Ms Willis relationship with former lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, who has stepped aside from the case, leading to Judge McAfee ruling that Ms Willis may continue leading the states case. Attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who were indicted alongside Mr Trump but who severed their cases from the rest of the defendants, also made First Amendment arguments in their individual cases efforts that failed. They both pleaded guilty and agreed to testify and cooperate with the prosecution. Prosecutor Donald Wakeford said on Thursday that the charges in this case are about falsity ... employed as part of a pattern of criminal conduct in numerous ways. I think it requires dismissal or denial at this stage, he argued. There's facts that have to be established. Meanwhile, Mr Sadow argued that the states position is that because what Mr Trump said is false in the eyes of the state, its lost all protection to the First Amendment ... If anything under the circumstances it needs more protection, not less protection. What the state wants to do is say, We have a goal. We have an objective here that we have put forward steal the election in an unlawful fashion, he added. I say, change that for a second to legitimate concern about the validity of the election. If that was the way you focused on it, Mr Sadow continued, arguing that it would be protected speech because the only thing that makes it fraudulent its a state saying its false. The only reason it becomes unprotected in the states opinion, is because they call it false, he claimed. There is nothing alleged factually against President Trump that is not political speech. Take out the political speech, no criminal charges, he said. Mr Wakeford responded by arguing that Mr Trump was part of an overarching criminal conspiracy trying to overturn election results for an election he did not win by violating the RICO statute by making false statements to the government, by filing false documents, by impersonating officers and doing a whole host of other activity which is harmful, in addition to the falsity of the statements employed to make them happen. Its not just that they were false. Its not that the defendant has been hauled into a courtroom because the prosecution doesnt like what he said. He is free to make statements and to file lawsuits and to make other legitimate protests, Mr Wakeford said. What he is not allowed to do is employ his speech and his expression, and his statements as part of a criminal conspiracy to violate Georgias RICO statute. This is all alleged as part of a pattern of criminal conduct and not protected by the First Amendment. Any argument otherwise is just to try to pretend like thats not true, he concluded. Mr Wakeford also noted that DC federal Judge Tanya Chutkan has already ruled on the First Amendment issue, saying that Mr Trumps speech isnt protected. Judge Chutkan is in charge of the election subversion case in Washington DC brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith. The case remains on pause as Mr Trump has taken his immunity claims all the way to the Supreme Court. Judge Chutkan wrote late last year that speech that is used as an instrument of a crime isnt protected by the First Amendment. Subsequently in the hearing, an attorney for one of the alleged fake electors in Georgia, former state Republican Party chair David Shafer, rejected the notion that Mr Shafer wasnt duly elected. Attorney Craig Gillen argued on Thursday that when Mr Shafer and others are alleged to have submitted fake paperwork to become electors, there were no duly elected and qualified presidential electors from the state of Georgia. Mr Gillen argued that Mr Shafer was just following legal advice, a similar argument made by other defendants in the case. The lawyer wrote in a filing that his client was attempting to comply with the advice of legal counsel and attempting to adhere to the law when he allegedly sent in the false document stating that Mr Trump had won the state. Mr Gillen also claimed that Mr Shafer never acted as a public officer, as is claimed in the indictment, and the attorney also rejected the notion that his client was guilty of forgery after signing the document to become an elector. MOSCOW, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Russian Investigative Committee said Thursday that it has found evidence connecting terrorists from the Crocus City Hall attack in suburban Moscow with "Ukrainian nationalists." "After working with detained terrorists, studying the technical devices seized from them, and analyzing information about financial transactions, evidence was obtained of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists," the committee said on Telegram. The committee said that it had confirmed data showing that the terrorists received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in the preparation of the crime." The committee also noted another suspect involved in a terrorist financing scheme has been identified and detained. Former President Donald Trump and several of his co-defendants charged in the Georgia election interference case submit an application to appeal Judge Scott McAfees ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue to prosecute them. The filing calls McAfees ruling a legal error. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024. Georgia election interference Trump and several co-defendants appeal judges decision on Willis Key players: Trump co-defendants Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Jeffrey Clark, Robert Cheeley, Michael Roman, David Shafer, Harrison Floyd and Cathy Latham, Judge Scott McAfee, former lead prosecutor Nathan Wade, Georgia Court of Appeals Lawyers for Trump and several of his co-defendants submitted a formal application to appeal McAfees ruling that allowed Willis to continue to try the case against them on the condition that Wade step down, the Associated Press reported. The filing with the Georgia Court of Appeals states that McAfee erred as a matter of law when he did not disqualify Willis from handling the case. This legal error requires the Courts immediate review, the filing states. Earlier this month, after holding hearings on whether to dismiss Willis due to conflict of interest claims brought by Trump and his co-defendants, McAfee issued a blistering ruling that criticized Willis and Wade for their tremendous lapse in judgment regarding their romantic relationship. But he added that Georgia law does not permit the finding of an actual conflict for simply making bad choices even repeatedly. McAfee allowed the defendants to appeal his decision, but has also made clear that the appeal would not impede the court from moving forward with the election interference and racketeering case. Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have shown repeatedly that they will vigorously pursue each and every line of defense available in the criminal and civil cases brought against the former president. Though Wade stepped down from the Georgia case, Willis, who is asking McAfee to begin the trial in Fulton County well before the 2024 election, is far from in the clear. Recommended reading _______________________________ Thursday, March 28 _______________________________ Prosecutors who have charged former President Donald Trump with election interference and racketeering relating to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia tell Judge Scott McAfee that the First Amendment does not protect him from prosecution in the case. Trumps lawyers tell the judge that contesting election results is protected by the Constitution, but Fulton County prosecutor Donald Wakeford counters that each of the 10 felony counts Trump faces was employed as part of criminal activity with criminal intentions. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024. Georgia election interference Trumps lawyers, prosecutors spar over First Amendment protections Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, Fulton County prosecutor Donald Wakeford, Trump lawyer Steve Sadow, former Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer, Shafers lawyer Craig Gillen, pro-Trump lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, Judge Tanya Chutkan McAfee heard arguments Thursday on whether the charges in Georgia against Trump should be dropped because they violate his First Amendment rights, ABC News reported. Trump is charged with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden in Georgia, a contest that he continues to claim was rigged despite a lack of evidence to support that assertion. What do we have here? Sadow added. We have election speech, which is 'protected' from government restriction." Wakeford countered: Its not that the defendant has been hauled into a courtroom because the prosecution doesnt like what he said. He is free to make statements and to file lawsuits and to make other legitimate protests. What he is not allowed to do is employ his speech and his expression, and his statements as part of a criminal conspiracy to violate Georgias RICO statute. McAfee did not issue a ruling on the question, but has previously denied similar motions to dismiss from Chesebro and Powell, both of whom have since pleaded guilty in the case. In the federal election interference case, Chutkan has already ruled that the First Amendment doesnt protect Trump from being prosecuted for seeking to overturn the 2020 contest. Gillen argued that the charges against Shafer should be dropped because he was simply attempting to comply with the advice of legal counsel when he posed as an official state elector to challenge Bidens victory. Gillen also sought to have the term fake elector stricken from the indictment against his client. Why it matters: McAfee didnt offer many indications Thursday on how he might rule on the motions to dismiss the charges against Trump and Shafer. Given his prior rulings and Chutkans most legal experts see them as a long shot. Recommended reading _______________________________ Wednesday, March 27 _______________________________ Judge Scott McAfee will hear arguments Thursday on motions brought by former President Donald Trump and former Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer seeking to have the charges on the election interference case dismissed. This is the first hearing since McAfee ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could continue to prosecute the case against Trump so long as lead prosecutor Nathan Wade stepped aside. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024. Georgia election interference Key players: Judge Scott McAfee, former Georgia Republican Party chairman and Trump co-defendant David Shafer, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, former lead prosecutor Nathan Wade On Thursday, McAfee will hear arguments on motions filed by Trump and Shafer seeking dismissal of more charges. The hearing is the first since McAfee ruled that Willis could remain on the case as long as Wade stepped aside. Trumps motion asks the court to dismiss the charges against him on the grounds that they violate his First Amendment rights. Similar motions by other co-defendants have been unsuccessful. Shafer is asking McAfee to dismiss all of the eight felony charges against him stemming from his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, saying he was simply following the advice of his legal counsel when he sought to line up an alternate slate of state electors. Earlier this month, McAfee, citing a lack of detail, tossed six of the criminal counts. Trump now faces 10 felony counts instead of 13, but McAfee said Willis could add information and go back to a grand jury to try to have the charges restored. Following McAfees ruling on the defendants' motion to have Willis removed from the case, Wade stepped aside. Thursdays hearing will be livestreamed beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Why it matters: While McAfee has allowed Trump and his co-defendants to appeal his ruling on Willis, he has also made clear that he will push forward with the case in the meantime. Willis plans to ask McAfee to schedule the start of the trial this summer, CNN reported. If McAfee agrees, that could mean that a jury could still come to a verdict before the 2024 presidential election. ___________________________ Tuesday, March 26 ___________________________ Judge Juan Merchan slaps a gag order on former President Donald Trump that prevents him from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his hush-money criminal trial, which is set to begin on April 15. The gag order comes just hours after Trump attacked Merchan and his daughter in a social media post. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024. New York hush money Judge hits Trump with gag order Key players: Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg On Tuesday, Merchan sided with Bragg, issuing a gag order on Trump that is designed to prevent him from making or directing others to make public statements about witnesses in the hush money trial, court staff, prosecutors, jurors or their family members, the Associated Press reported. Merchan limited the gag order to statements made with the intent to materially interfere with, or to cause others to materially interfere with, counsel's or staff's work in this criminal case, or with the knowledge that such interference is likely to result. Hours before Merchan issued the gag order, Trump attacked him and his daughter in a social media post. Judge Juan Merchan, a very distinguished looking man, is nevertheless a true and certified Trump Hater who suffers from a very serious case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, Trump wrote. In other words, he hates me! Trump also wrote that His daughter is a senior executive at a Super Liberal Democrat firm that works for Adam Shifty Schiff, the Democrat National Committee, (Dem)Senate Majority PAC, and even Crooked Joe Biden. Merchans gag order, which comes one day after the judge set an April 15 start date for the hush money trial, does not prevent Trump from commenting on him or Bragg in general. Why it matters: Merchan will oversee the first-ever criminal trial of a former president of the United States. While Trumps lawyers have successfully delayed the start of all of the four criminal trials in which he is charged with felony counts, the hush money case is the only one certain to be heard by a jury prior to the 2024 election. __________________________ Monday, March 25 __________________________ A New York appeals court on Monday lowers the bond amount that former President Donald Trump must pay as he appeals the $464 million judgment in his civil fraud trial, saying he can put up just $175 million within 10 days. The 11th-hour deal temporarily prevents New York Attorney General Letitia James from moving to seize Trumps assets. In Trumps hush money trial, Judge Juan Merchan says jury selection can begin on April 15. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024. New York financial fraud Appeals court rules in favor of Trump hours before bond deadline Key players: Trump, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron On Monday, a New York appeals court lowered the bond amount Trump and his co-defendants must pay in order to appeal Engorons $464 million judgment in his civil fraud trail to just $175 million, Semafor reported. The appeals court also gave Trump 10 days to pay that sum. Speaking to reporters outside a hearing in his criminal hush money case in Manhattan, Trump said he would do so very quickly. I greatly respect the decision of the appellate division, he said. And I'll post either $175 million in cash or bonds or security or whatever is necessary very quickly within the 10 days. James had begun clearing the way to seize some of Trumps assets in order to secure the full bond amount. Why it matters: Trumps lawyers had argued that the original bond amount, which included interest, was excessive. They also told the court that 30 lenders had refused to give them a loan to cover the $464 million bond. This ruling buys Trump more time, and could keep James from freezing his bank accounts and seizing his assets. Hush money case Judge sets April 15 start date for Trumps hush money trial Key players: Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen With Trump looking on in court on Monday, Merchan ruled that the hush money trial could begin jury selection on April 15, the Daily Beast reported. The trial had previously been scheduled to begin on March 25, but Merchan delayed it until April 15 after federal prosecutors submitted new evidence stemming from their investigation of Trumps ties to Russia during the 2016 election. Merchan ruled Monday that the newly disclosed documents did not have any bearing on the hush money case, which will decide whether Trump broke New York campaign finance and tax laws when he paid Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to hide an alleged extramarital affair. Trumps lawyers had sought to have the case dismissed or to have it postponed so that they could have more time to review the newly disclosed documents. The defendant has been given a reasonable amount of time to prepare, Merchan said. Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have skillfully delayed all of the criminal trials facing the former president. But Mondays ruling could mean that that streak is coming to an end. With reporting from Dylan Stableford Former President Trump will attend the wake of an New York Police Department (NYPD) officer killed in the line of duty earlier this week, his campaign announced. Officer Jonathan Diller was killed during a traffic stop Monday in Queens; hes the first NYPD officer to die on the job in more than two years. His wake is scheduled for Thursday. President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Dillers family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told The Associated Press. Both suspects in the shooting, the gunman and his passenger, were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday. Guy Rivera was charged with murder, while Lindy Jones was arraigned on illegal weapons possession charges. Police said Rivera resisted Dillers demands to exit his car during a traffic stop when Rivera shot the officer under his protective vest. Diller returned fire, hitting Rivera in the back. The officer was rushed to an area hospital but died from his injuries. Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, called Dillers shooting devastating and said Tuesday, These are bad people doing bad things to good people. Its the good guys against the bad guys. Trump has used crime as a political wedge issue, painting American cities as especially dangerous and blaming Democrats for the violence. Crime statistics have shown that violent crime decreased in much of the country in recent years. Cities of more than a million people saw crime drop by 11 percent last year, according to FBI data released this month. Dillers funeral will be held Saturday in New York City. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WRBL) Tuskegee University is introducing a new flight school degree program, set to begin this fall, thanks to a significant $6.7 million federal funding grant from Alabama Senator Katie Britt. Senator Britt recently visited the campus on March 27th to discuss plans for the Tuskegee Aviation Program with university leaders. Pending approval, this program aims to teach aviation to a new generation inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen. Students in the program will learn to fly at Moton Field, where the Airmen once trained, as well as in regular classrooms. University President Dr. Charlotte P. Morris said, Were excited to start the program pending approval. It will give young people the chance to pursue their dream of flying. I think General Chappie James and Captain Alfred Anderson would be proud. General Daniel Chappie James Jr., the first African American four-star general in the US Air Force, and Charles Alfred Anderson Sr., known as the father of Black Aviation, are inspirations for the program. Tuskegees program will offer a bachelors degree in Aviation Science (pilot track), covering general education and specialized aviation courses. Students will also receive flight training to become certified pilots. To address the growing need for pilots, Tuskegee will work with the LIFT Academy of Republic Airways to provide students with necessary skills. Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Provost and Senior Vice President, said, Were thrilled to train future pilots. Our goal is to continue the legacy of excellence in Aviation. The program will start with about 25 students and aims to grow to over 200. Dr. Hargrove highlighted the programs importance in meeting the increasing demand for pilots, estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 annually over the next decade. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. MACAO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Macao International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition (2024 MIECF) opened in Macao on Thursday and will last till Saturday. The forum's theme was "Reaching the Dual Carbon Goals through Green Transformation." This year, the MIECF set up over 560 exhibition booths, exhibiting products and services related to environmental protection, such as carbon neutrality technology, energy management, water resource management, green transport, eco-city integration, and green buildings. Antonio Trindade, CESL Asia's president and CEO, told Xinhua that the company has been in Macao for 35 years. "We also have a base in Portugal, and we are now bringing technologies and renewable energy from the best we can find in the world and then combining them with agriculture," he said, adding that "the world needs a combination of knowledge and experience from all over." Four "Green Forum" sessions were scheduled during the 2024 MIECF, focusing on environmental issues such as green finance, carbon neutrality, and green transformation. Over 30 experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Portuguese-speaking countries, Europe, and Southeast Asia were invited to participate in the sessions and explore green development paths together. The 2024 MIECF was hosted by the government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Grammy-award-winning duo Twenty One Pilots is going to perform at the Delta Center in August as the second stop on The Clancy World Tour which is the duos biggest headline tour ever, according to a press release. The Clancy World Tour is scheduled to kick off in Denver on August 15 before the duo makes their way to Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 18. Twenty One Pilots has tour dates lined up all the way until May 2025. The tour shares the same name as their upcoming 13-track album titled Clancy which is set to be released on May 17. READ NEXT: What is the Ogden Twilight concert series? Twenty One Pilots is embarking on The Clancy World Tour, which is the duos biggest headline tour ever, according to a press release. They are making nearly 60 stops across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. (Courtesy: Postfontaine/Live Nation) Twenty One Pilots is making nearly 60 stops across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 5, beginning at 10 a.m. locally. Presale tickets are available starting April 2 for North America tour dates, or April 3 for the other dates. Twenty One Pilots is releasing their seventh album, which will be titled Clancy and feature 13 songs. It is set to be released on the ninth anniversary of their 2015 album Blurryface and concludes the story first introduced with that album. (Courtesy: Postfontaine/Live Nation) Twenty One Pilots is comprised of Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph, based out of Ohio, and the release of Clancy comes exactly on the ninth anniversary of their album Blurryface. According to the press release, Clancy is the conclusion to the duos multi-album narrative, which began with 2015s Blurryface and continued with their 2018 album TRENCH, which featured several Platinum singles. Twenty One Pilots released Scaled and Icy in 2021, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was reported as the biggest opening week for a rock album that year and continued the story first presented in the 2015 and 2018 albums. The duo has amassed more than 33 billion global streams and sold millions of tickets for previous tours, according to a press release from Live Nation. Twenty One Pilots released the singles Overcompensate and Next Semester ahead of the release of Clancy, and the former received millions of streams in its first month. All tour dates and tickets are available on the duos official website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Double Dealing The social network formerly known as Twitter and now called X has for the better part of the past decade been involved in a lawsuit suing the US government for greater transparency on its surveillance practices on the platform. The lawsuit continued under Elon Musk after he took over in 2022. When the Supreme Court eventually struck down the suit in January, Musk wrote that it was "disappointing." But now, newly obtained emails have left both X and Musk, who has long claimed to be a champion of free speech, with egg on their faces. The Intercept reports that despite railing against state spying, the social media company has been quietly profiting off it this entire time selling a "firehose" of user data for the explicit purpose of being used by law enforcement. Buddy-Buddy According to the report, the data is sold to the surveillance firm Dataminr, which uses AI technology to constantly monitor public activity on social media and other parts of the web. In doing so, its clients, often law enforcement, can receive customized real-time alerts on what's brewing online, which helps them respond to natural disasters or much more ominously spy on protests, notes The Intercept. In emails between Dataminr and the US Secret Service it obtained with a Freedom of Information Act request, the story revealed that the surveillance firm pays for special access to a "firehose" of data from Twitter. Sent in July 2023, they also confirm that practice continued under Musk. "Dataminr has a unique contractual relationship with Twitter, whereby we have real-time access to the full stream of all publicly available Tweets," a company representative said in an email to the government agency, per the report. In another email, the Secret Service confirmed the nature of the relationship: "the whole point of this contract is to use the information for law enforcement purposes," it read. Two Faced Besides contradicting the values of the lawsuit, the practice also goes against Twitter's own policies, notes The Intercept, which prohibit "conducting or providing surveillance or gathering intelligence." But there's a thin technicality: the data isn't going directly to the government, but is rather being leased to an intermediary data firm, which in turn leases the data via real-time alerts to government agencies. "While I appreciate that there may be some symbolic difference between giving the government granular data directly and making them sift through what they buy from data brokers, the end result is still that user data ends up in the hands of law enforcement, and this time without any legal process," David Greene, civil liberties director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The Intercept. To be clear, this is a practice that began long before Musk took over, and Twitter certainly isn't the only platform happy to pawn off your privacy to the feds. But on the other hand, this is the exact kind of two-facedness that Musk has long displayed. More on surveillance: Alarming New Satellite Can Spy on Individual People FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. Authorities arrested a mother and her boyfriend earlier this week in connection with a childs death in southern Missouri. Rylee Fararro and Hayden Rosener face felony charges for abuse or neglect of a child (resulting in death) and endangering the welfare of a child. Rosener also faces a drug possession charge in the investigation. The Fredericktown Police Department reports that officers found a child unresponsive Wednesday at a home, shortly before the child was pronounced deceased at a hospital. Police did not disclose the childs name, age or gender. Riley Strains family requesting second autopsy While investigating, police began to question Fararro, the childs mother, and Rosener, her boyfriend, for questioning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also activated its division of drug and crime control to investigate. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Rosener told authorities that he was assisting the child in a bathroom when the child struck the side of a toilet and fell. He alleges that the child was previously throwing temper tantrums and dealing with an upset stomach. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Court documents further revealed that the Missouri Department of Social Services Childrens Division responded to the home last November and recommended that Rosener should not be left alone with the child. The evaluation cited drug use and unpredictable behavior concerns. Per court documents, Rosener claimed he had joint care of the child while in a relationship with Fararro the last several months. Rosener is jailed in Madison County, Missouri on a $1 million cash-only bond. Fararro is jailed on a $500,000 cash-only bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. By Lucy Papachristou LONDON (Reuters) - Two children are among at least six people who have been detained or questioned in Russia over online comments viewed as "justifying terrorism" since last week's deadly attack on a concert hall, according to local authorities and Russian media. Security services have been on high alert since the March 22 gun rampage at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow that killed at least 143 people. The Federal Security Service (FSB) has urged people to tell the authorities immediately if they hear of any calls to carry out attacks in Russia. Both President Vladimir Putin and the FSB chief have said they believe Ukraine was involved in the attack, for which the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility. Ukraine has denied any involvement. The authorities' vigilance has extended to children as well as to adults. Police in Siberia brought in a 9-year-old girl for questioning after they said she messaged a woman online and asked her to kill people for money, a local branch of Russia's interior ministry said on Wednesday. "Hello, will you kill people for 500,000 roubles ($5,400)?," the girl wrote to the unnamed woman via a messenger app, according to screenshots of the conversation posted online by the interior ministry branch in Tuva, which borders Mongolia. The girl, whom authorities did not name, frantically apologised after the woman threatened to "get the FSB involved." The 9-year-old said during her interrogation that she wrote the messages "out of boredom", the interior ministry said. Her mother was charged with improper upbringing of a minor and the girl was placed on a list that allows authorities to monitor people's activities as a counterterrorism measure. Separately, a 16-year-old boy was detained in another city in Tuva for calling on social networks for "illegal actions" at a cinema, local media reported. They said the boy told authorities he "wanted to joke and scare people". Adults, too, have been punished for online comments related to the attack. A man was detained at a St. Petersburg airport before boarding a flight to Armenia after he posted on social media, referring to the concert venue: "Why Crocus and not the Kremlin?" He was charged on Wednesday with justifying terrorism, which carries a sentence of up to seven years, the RBC newspaper reported. ($1 = 92.5120 roubles) (Reporting and writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Bill Berkrot) KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) The Lenoir County Sheriffs Office reports one of its deputies had to get 18 staples in his head after breaking up a fight between two students at Lenoir County Learning Academy. Christopher Little (Lenoir County Sheriffs Office photo) Christopher Little (Lenoir County Sheriffs Office photo) Deputies responded at around 8:30 a.m. to the school after a call that a deputy needed assistance with a fight involving two students on a bus. The schools resource officer, Dep. Christopher Little, stepped in to break up the fight and was assaulted. He stepped on the bus and immediately gave commands to stop fighting. The kids did not stop fighting. They were still engaged, still throwing punches. Deputy Little got punched a couple times. Then he got thrown against the side of the bus where he hit his head, cut his head pretty severely, said Jackie Rogers, Lenoir County Sheriff. Little was transported by EMS to UNC Health Lenoir, where he received 18 staples in the head to close a wound, Lenoir County Public Information Officer Bryan Hanks said in a media release. The two students, who were not named due to their age, were charged with felony assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury, resisting arrest and damage to county property. The older of the two kids got a secure custody order and he was placed in a secure custody location, the youngest kid was released to his mother. The sheriffs office announced Thursday morning that a press conference will be held on Friday with more information. All the kids hugged him and made sure he was okay. Once the school found out he was there, all the kids, all the classes went in there and made him feel really welcome. Thursday afternoon, Lenoir County Public Schools released a statement on the incident. Lenoir County Learning Academy is the districts alternative school, where students who would benefit from smaller class sizes and closer supervision are assigned or enroll voluntarily. Currently, LCLAs enrollment is 106 middle school and high school students. The curriculum mirrors that taught in our traditional schools. LCPS has leased space for the school from Kennedy Home for more than a decade. The students involved in the altercation have been disciplined by the school. Beyond that, LCPS views this incident now as a matter for law enforcement and the judiciary. The school district sees the presence of Lenoir County sheriffs deputies and Kinston police officers as School Resource Officers in our schools as an invaluable piece of LCPSs school safety plan. The injury to Deputy Little is certainly regrettable, and LCPS wishes him a complete and speedy recovery. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The March 22 Russian missile attack has severely damaged Ukraines Burshtyn Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and the Ladyzhyn TPP in Vinnytsia Oblast, according to the countrys largest power utility company DTEK. "We lost 50% of our generation capacity, DTEK Executive Director Dmytro Sakharuk said in interview with Ekonomichna Pravda an on March 27. Two of our power plants were damaged: Burshtyn and Ladyzhyn. All units of Burshtyn TPP and all units of Ladyzhyn TPP were damaged." According to Sakharuk, the sections of the two power plants are between half- and completely destroyed. "Overall, there is very serious destruction throughout the country that will take months to repair. Maybe one or two units will come back online sooner, but in general it will take 6, 12, 24 months or even longer," he said, noting a more exact timeframe will be available once damage assessments are complete. Critical equipment, such as transformers, is urgently needed to begin repairs. "We currently have some equipment in stock, but there is nowhere to put it because of the extensive destruction. In some cases, we will have to build turbine halls almost from scratch." Preliminary estimates suggest that the destruction of major equipment alone amounts to approximately $200 million, in addition to the $80-100 million required for repairs. "The scale of destruction is colossal, so the [utility] companies will not be able to recover without the support of international donors," Sakharuk said. 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 Police attend the scene of a stabbing at Kennington underground station in south London - TOM BOWLES Two men are in a critical condition after a senseless stabbing on a train platform in south London. British Transport Police (BTP) were called to reports of an assault on the northbound platform of Kennington Tube station at 10.37pm on Wednesday. BTP and Metropolitan Police officers attended the scene but the suspect had since fled. Two victims were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service where they remain in a critical but stable condition. One of the victims is believed to have been injured after attempting to stop the assailant. The attack came hours after another man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a stabbing on a train at Beckenham Junction on Wednesday at 4pm. The incidents are not thought to be linked, police said. Police cordon off area outside Kennington tube station after the stabbings - TOM BOWLES Detective Inspector Paul Attwell, senior investigating officer, said: We understand that people will be worried by this senseless attack. Our teams have been working throughout the night, aided by CCTV footage, forensics and detailed accounts from witnesses at the scene. We believe that one of the victims was injured after bravely stepping in to try to prevent the attack. Detectives are urging anyone with any information to come forward. No arrests have been made. Glynn Barton, Transport for Londons Chief Operating Officer, said: Last night, our staff assisted the emergency services following an incident at Kennington station. The station is now open and services are running normally. The safety of all our customers is always our top priority and we continue to assist the British Transport Police with their investigation. 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. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Thursday reported two more deaths linked to its beni-koji red yeast rice supplements. More than 100 people have been hospitalized. The company has recalled the products. Kobayashi's Osaka, Japan building pictured. Photo by Jiji Press/EPA-EFE March 28 (UPI) -- Two more deaths were reported Thursday linked to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's beni-koji supplement ingredients, according to the company. A total of four deaths have been reported so far. More than 100 other people have been hospitalized with kidney problems after taking the supplements with the rice fermented with red yeast ingredient. Kyodo News, citing a public relations officials, said that company president Akihiro Kobayash told an Osaka shareholder's meeting, "We will make a companywide, all-out effort to prevent the spread of further damage and investigate the cause" of the deaths and hospitalizations. Japan is also sharing information about the health impacts of the supplement with the World Health Organization. Wednesday Japan's health ministry notified the city of Osaka, where Kobayashi Pharmaceutical is based, to destroy the beni-koji products and the city issued the order to the company. The company said it was notified of the first death Tuesday. Roughly 300,000 packages of the company's "beni-koji choleste help" supplement marketed to lower cholesterol were recalled. According to Japan's health ministry most of the reports of people suffering health problems from the beni-koji supplements are linked to those manufactured since September last year. A wide range of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical products containing beni-koji are affected and the company has asked that all companies with supplies of the product voluntarily recall them. Consequences of shelling of Kherson on March 27 Two people were killed, and four others were injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast over the past day, Kherson Regional Military Administration head, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported on March 28. Russia attacked 16 settlements in Kherson and the oblast. Two multi-story buildings and 10 private houses were damaged. Port infrastructure, a critical infrastructure facility, a shopping center, utility buildings, and a car were also damaged. Read also: Russia has consistently targeted the Kherson Oblast. Three people were injured when Russians attacked a Fortress Point (a space guaranteed to have power and internet even during blackouts) in Kherson Oblast on March 23. Read also: Two people were killed when the Russian army struck civilian vehicles between the villages of Sadove and Antonivka on March 20. 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 Palestinian teacher teaches children at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, along with an almost 9-percent rise in attacks on school facilities since mid-February, as reported by the UN children's fund (UNICEF), the Education Cluster, and Save the Children. The "high trend of attacks on school facilities" has worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the report's authors noted, amid "intense Israeli bombardment from air, land, and sea across much of the Gaza Strip." Of the 563 school buildings in Gaza, 165 of the 212 that received a direct hit are in areas designated for evacuation by the Israeli military. Data indicates that 62 schools were directly targeted in southern Khan Younis governorate, 14 in the Middle Area governorate, 94 in Gaza governorate, and 42 in North Gaza governorate -- which is the most severely affected area to date, with 86.2 percent of school buildings either directly hit or damaged. More than one in two school premises run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) have also been hit since October last year, according to the report, along with government buildings targeted by Israeli shelling or during the ground operation. "No education is happening in Gaza at all for nearly six months," UNRWA said on Wednesday upon the publication of the UN-partnered report, noting more than 625,00 students and 22,000 teachers attended school before Oct. 7. Additional findings derived from the satellite imagery and other sources "provide evidence for military use of schools" by Israeli Security Forces "since the beginning of the escalation." The report also highlighted that since Oct. 7, over 320 school buildings have been utilized as shelters by displaced individuals. Among these facilities, 188 have experienced direct hits or have been damaged. The authors of the report stated that once the conflict ends, at least 67 percent of schools in Gaza "will require either complete reconstruction or significant rehabilitation to become functional again." Palestinian children study at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian teacher teaches children at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian girl studies at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinian children study at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian girl studies at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian teacher teaches children at a temporary classroom in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 27, 2024. The heavy bombardment against Gaza by Israel has resulted in "direct hits" on 212 schools within the enclave, according to analysis partnered with the United Nations released on Wednesday. Satellite images have shown that at least 53 schools have been "completely destroyed" since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be delivered to the U.S. Senate on April 10, the speaker of the House said Thursday. In this photo, Mayorkas speaks about public safety plans for Super Bowl week at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Feb. 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess. We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial, Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible, said Johnson. To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve. With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, its unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans escalation of their opposition to the White Houses immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns. The process for a trial in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10. As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day, Schumers office said in a statement. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumers office said. According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented. For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution. The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. The White House has in the past condemned House Republicans efforts to impeach Mayorkas, calling it shameless, and an unconstitutional stunt. This political and unconstitutional exercise is also drawing broad condemnation by conservatives in the U.S. Senate, where the impeachment will now be sent and where Republican senators have sharply dismissed it as baseless and a waste of time, the White House said in mid-February. House Republicans, who hold a slim majority, impeached Mayorkas on their second try, on the grounds that Mayorkas willfully ignored immigration law and lied to Congress about the status of border security. Following Mayorkas impeachment on Feb. 13, Schumer called the efforts a sham. House Republicans failed to present any evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense, Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb. 13. The post U.S. House Speaker Johnson sets date to deliver Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached by the U.S. House on Feb. 13, 2024. Mayorkas is shown speaking to the media about an overview of public safety plans for Super Bowl week at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Feb. 7, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Candice Ward/Getty Images) WASHINGTON U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess. We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial, Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible, said Johnson. To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve. With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, its unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans escalation of their opposition to the White Houses immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The process for a trial in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10. As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day, Schumers office said in a statement. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumers office said. According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented. For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution. The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. The White House has in the past condemned House Republicans efforts to impeach Mayorkas, calling it shameless, and an unconstitutional stunt. This political and unconstitutional exercise is also drawing broad condemnation by conservatives in the U.S. Senate, where the impeachment will now be sent and where Republican senators have sharply dismissed it as baseless and a waste of time, the White House said in mid-February. House Republicans, who hold a slim majority, impeached Mayorkas on their second try, on the grounds that Mayorkas willfully ignored immigration law and lied to Congress about the status of border security. Following Mayorkas impeachment on Feb. 13, Schumer called the efforts a sham. House Republicans failed to present any evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense, Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb. 13. The post U.S. House Speaker Johnson sets date to deliver Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. Whether University of Arizona President Robert Robbins will be around when the schools financial house is fully back in order is an open question. But the continuing revelations about UAs acquisition of troubled online-learning Ashford University raise questions anew of Robbins leadership and judgment. And boy, does he have a growing credibility problem. Robbins knew Ashford was a risk Arizona Republic reporters Hannah Dreyfus and Helen Rummel revealed on Wednesday that the university deployed one of its lobbyists behind the scenes in the spring of 2022 to erase millions of dollars in fines levied in California over deceptive marketing practices to students who ended up with piles of debt. It turns out, Robbins was well aware of the financial risks Ashford University and its parent company, Zovio, presented to the University of Arizona and its brand, before UA completed its acquisition of Ashford in 2023. And should have been aware before UA entered into the agreement in the summer of 2020. The lawsuit that led to the fines was filed by the California Attorney Generals Office in 2017. All this contradicts explanations Robbins has given, including to The Arizona Republic editorial board and newsroom in mid-February, about assessments by lawyers and businesspeople advising UA that the acquisition was a very low-risk situation. Robbins has yet to disclose the identities of those lawyers and businesspeople, despite assurances he would in the February meeting with The Republic. UA got stuck with millions in online deal University president, Robert Robbins speaks at a leadership meeting concerning finances in the University of Arizona Health Sciences Innovation Building on Jan. 29, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. Dreyfus and Rummel reported that a memo UA sent to the California AGs office in March 2022 raised concerns of a catastrophic result for the University of Arizona Global Campus, which was in the process of acquiring Ashford, and financial and reputational harm to UA if the $22.3 million penalty was enforced. And it was. Zovio subsequently paid the penalty and promptly folded, forcing the University of Arizona Global Campus to absorb $231 million in operating costs. Despite bringing in a hefty sum of revenue, the online school is operating at an estimated $2.4 million deficit. Advisers gave Robbins the same very low risk assurance that the U.S. Department of Education would not come after UA for the forgiven debts of Ashford students. Yet, earlier this month, Axios reported that the Department of Education was preparing to recoup some or all of the $72 million in forgiven loans from the university. These developments, along with the downgrading of UA by the rating agency Moody's Investor Services, lend credence to Gov. Katie Hobbs harsh criticism over the lack of transparency about the Ashford acquisition. Robbins says one thing, does another The drip-drip-drip reveal has damaged not just the Tucson university but the state Board of Regents charged with its oversight as well. Last month, in response to the governor, Board Chair Fred DuVal and Board of Regents Executive Director John Arnold authored a report that described the Regents as having been highly engaged on the Ashford deal, asking questions in areas ranging from financial projections and risks to regulatory and legal issues. However, In Arnolds and Robbins meeting with The Republic days before, Arnold said only a couple of individual Regents worked with UA on the acquisition, but that the board did not independently vet the deal. The lack of complete candor has been troubling. Even on the involvement of the lobbyist in the California judgment against Ashford, Robbins was not forthright. Asked multiple times by Republic reporters whether Richard Smotkin had any role in negotiations involving the University of Arizona Global Campus, including mitigating its risks, Robbins replied with an unequivocal no. Then this week, when the reporters asked about emails they had obtained, a spokesman for Robbins offered a more nuanced explanation of his denial. The president meant that Smotkin had no role in the acquisition, the spokesman clarified. It's tougher to take Robbins at his word I believe, as I asserted a couple of months ago, that the Ashford deal played but a small part of UAs financial mess. The universitys decentralized budget process contributed to the lions share of the school spending down an alarming 40% of its cash reserves. Whether it remains a small part is another matter. But there, too, Robbins faltered in his leadership. How he failed to catch hundreds of millions of dollars in deficit spending over most of a two-year period remains perplexing. Or that he permitted UAs chief financial officer and a provost to instruct administrators to spend down cash reserves as a best practice. (Robbins was purportedly at one of the meetings when the advice was given, according to the Daily Star in Tucson.) I still hold out hope that Robbins, along with Arnold, who has taken a leave of absence from his Regents position to serve as UAs interim chief financial officer, is in the best position to help right the ship. But if Robbins has trouble convincing critics to take him at his word, he has only himself to blame. Reach Abe Kwok at akwok@azcentral.com. On X, formerly Twitter: @abekwok. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: University of Arizona President Robbins has a credibility problem KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)The Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency (UETHDA) announced Thursday that it would continue its energy assistance program in April, offering help with energy bills to people in the region. UETHDAs Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) prioritizes low-income, energy-burdened, disabled, elderly, homes with children under 6, veterans and large households. Area schools increasing safety measures one year after Nashville shooting The following are the dates and locations where LIHEAP will be in April, provided by the agency: April 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Erwin (110 N Industrial Dr.) April 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Project Access Johnson City (926) W Oakland Ave.) April 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Rogersville (1287 E Main St.) April 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Bristol (1317 Virginia Ave.) April 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Kingsport (300 Clinchfield St.) April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Johnson City (920 N. State of Franklin Rd.) April 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hope Helps (4540 W Stone Dr., Suite 1) April 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Church Hill Medical Misson Clinic (401 Richmond St.) April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Greeneville (509 Asheville Hwy) April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Church Hill (731 Highway 11W) April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Good Samaritan Piney Flatts (331 Industrial Park Rd.) April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Jonesborough (500 Forest Dr.) April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shepards Center (306 E Main St, Rogersville) April 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Greeneville (2755 E Andrew Johnson Hwy) April 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Piney Flatts (6681 Bristol Hwy) April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Gray (125 Judge Gresham Rd.) April 24 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Boys and Girls Club Greeneville (740 W Church St.) April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food City Greeneville (905 Snapps Ferry Rd.) Those interested in getting assistance may also visit one of the nine area neighborhood service centers or call (423) 246-6180. According to a news release from UETHDA, payments can take up to 90 days to be applied. The payment is sent directly to the recipients utility company. Last year, UETHDA provided LIHEAP funding to 11,730 households, totaling more than $5.7 million. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. UK-based company Evolve Dynamics is developing technology that will help Ukrainian UAVs stay airborne even in areas saturated by Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems, Reuters reported on March 27. The project is a part of the international effort by Ukraine's allies to support its drone program. It should give Ukraine an advantage over Russia, which has far more resources at its disposal, the report says. Read also: Canada looking to purchase made-in-Ukraine drones for its own defense Companies from dozens of countries supply drones and their components to Ukraine. Evolve Dynamics is focused on technological advancements designed to counter Russia's substantial EW capabilities. By developing alternative communication algorithms, the company aims to complicate Russia's ability to jam signals coming to and from Ukrainian UAVs. Read also: Ukraines drone strike campaign against Russian oil refineries It's a constant ping-pong game between adversaries, Evolve Dynamics CEO Mike Dewhirst described the rapidly developing UAV military doctrines of both Russia and Ukraine. He added that in the last two and a half years, there have been 85 updates to Sky Mantis drones manufactured by the company. Read also: Impact of Ukrainian UAV strikes on Russian assets - ISW analysis Evolve Dynamics currently has about 100 Sky Mantis UAVs in use by Ukraine, making it one of the largest UK suppliers of drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Photo taken on March 26, 2024 shows the collapsed bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, the United States. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) SINGAPORE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Officers from Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau and Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) have started traveling to Baltimore in the United States to support the investigation into a vessel-bridge collision incident, according to the latest statement from the MPA. A Singapore-flagged container vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday, and the bridge collapsed. The ship management company, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, reported that the vessel lost propulsion before the incident. As a result, it failed to maintain the desired heading and collided with the bridge, said the statement. The vessel was reported to have dropped its anchors as part of the emergency procedures prior to its impact with the bridge. The vessel was under pilotage at the time of the incident, the MPA added. Search and rescue efforts led by U.S. authorities are ongoing, according to the statement. UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.4 percent in 2023, largely due to a reduction in the amount of gas used in power stations, according to official data published on Thursday. Net emissions of all greenhouse gases were estimated to have been 384.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023, compared to 406.2 million tonnes in 2022, the government's provisional figures showed. Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 6.6 percent annually to 302.8 million tonnes, part of a 52.7-percent decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. The UK government said the figures showed that the country was halfway to reaching net-zero emissions. "This latest drop in our emissions follows the UK's achievement in becoming the first major economy to halve its polluting carbon emissions," said Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho. The UK government's target is to reach net zero by 2050. Gas use for electricity generation fell 21.1 percent in 2023, "primarily due to higher electricity imports from France, as well as UK electricity demand continuing to decline", said the report. The reduced demand is mainly due to "greater efficiency resulting from improvements in technology and a decline in the relative importance of energy-intensive industries", it added. High energy prices are also likely to have been a factor, with less fuel being used to heat buildings and by industry, said the report. Nuclear and renewables accounted for 56.7 percent of fuel used for electricity generation in 2023, up from 22.2 percent in 1990. Domestic transport remained the largest source of UK emissions, accounting for 29.1 percent in 2023, almost all of which are from carbon dioxide, the main source being the use of petrol and diesel in road vehicles. However, the sector's emissions decreased by 1.4 percent in 2023, the first fall since 2020 when travel was heavily restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Germany in January reported a 9.8 percent fall in carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 due to the sharp decline in coal consumption and crisis in its industrial sector. And France last week said its domestic greenhouse gas emissions had fallen by 4.8 percent over the same period. jwp/pdh/rlp Participants in a Czech-led initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine outside Europe have signed an agreement under which Kyiv will receive one million rounds of ammunition more than was initially planned. Source: Corriere della Sera, as reported by European Pravda Details: Initially, it was planned to purchase 800,000 shells 500,000 for the largest calibre, 155-mm, and 300,000 more for 122-mm but Czech officials have found an additional 200,000 shells. "It is not known which companies have been approached, although rumours point to South Korea, Turkiye, and possibly South Africa," Corriere della Sera said. In addition, the newspaper reported that Ukraine could receive the first batch of ammunition as early as April, rather than in June as the Czech government had publicly stated previously. A total of 15 countries have joined the Czech initiative, the article states, namely Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, Poland and Canada. Not all of them have publicly announced the amount of funds they have contributed to the purchase of the ammunition. Czechia is leading the initiative to provide Ukraine with at least 800,000 rounds of ammunition, a number that could potentially rise to 1.5 million. Background: On 28 March, the Czech government discussed and approved the allocation of funds for the initiative. Support UP or become our patron! KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian forces shot down 26 out of 28 attack drones launched overnight by Russia, Kyiv's military said on Thursday. The Iranian-made drones were destroyed over parts of eastern, southern and southeastern Ukraine, the air force added. The Zaporizhzhia region's governor said on Telegram that two women had been wounded when debris struck a residential neighbourhood in the regional capital. Prosecutors in the eastern Kharkiv region said a restaurant, a store and offices were damaged by debris from three drones. The air force added that Russia's overnight attack included several types of missiles. The military's southern command reported on Telegram that those launched from planes over the Black Sea had "lost their combat capability". Odesa region governor Oleh Kiper said Russia carried out a separate missile strike later in the morning but that no injuries had been reported. He did not specify the target. Russia has launched regular air strikes on population centres far behind the lines of its two-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. (Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Michael Perry and Christina Fincher) Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, has stated that Ukraine will "push forward" in the EU the decision on a complete ban on Russian grain imports and admits the possibility that Hungary will not block it. Source: Stefanishyna in an interview with European Pravda as part of the special project Trade Wars, supported by the law firm Ilyashev & Partners Quote from Stefanishyna: "The introduction of additional tariffs does not rule out the possibility of a decision being made later to impose a ban as well. And Ukraine will continue to push for it." Details: She said that the decision to ban importing Russian grain requires further discussion within the EU. She suggested that it could be adopted in the autumn if Hungary, which will preside over the EU Council, agrees. Stefanishyna explained that there are already agreements with Budapest within the framework of the licensing mechanism for Ukrainian agricultural imports, and as part of the dialogue to prepare for the meeting between President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Orban, a number of agreements have already been implemented, including the opening of new checkpoints. Dialogue on other infrastructure projects is also progressing successfully. "That is why, although not in all, but specifically in this issue, there are reasons to expect that the Hungarian side will play a positive role and help resolve this issue," said Stefanishyna. Background: On 22 March, the European Commission presented an official proposal to increase tariffs on imports of grains, oilseeds and their derivatives from Russia and Belarus to the EU. For a long time, Ukraine has been calling on the EU to ban Russian agricultural imports completely. During the EU leaders summit on 21 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it "unfair" that Russian food products are being brought into Europe while Ukrainian grain is being dumped on asphalt or railway tracks. Support UP or become our patron! FILE - Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, attends a joint news conference with Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, March. 13, 2024. Kuleba arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, March 28, 2024, for a two-day visit to boost bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War-era.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File) NEW DELHI (AP) Ukraine's foreign minister arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit to boost bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War-era. Dmytro Kuleba will meet with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday, as well as the deputy national security advisor, according to India's Foreign Ministry. On Thursday, Kuleba will pay his respects to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat memorial site. His visit comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladmir Putin, whom India has so far avoided criticizing over the war in Ukraine. Instead, New Delhi has stressed the need for diplomacy and dialogue on ending the war and has expressed its willingness to contribute to peace efforts. On March 20, Modi posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to say he had expressed to Zelenskyy India's consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing in an early end to the ongoing conflict, adding that the country will continue to provide humanitarian assistance. This came after Modi spoke to Putin to congratulate him on his re-election as president. According to a statement from India's Foreign Ministry, the two leaders agreed to further strengthen their relationship, while Modi reiterated that dialogue and peace was the best way forward for the Russia-Ukraine war. Under Modi, India has promoted itself as a rising global player who can mediate between the West and Russia on the war in Ukraine. In his phone call with Modi last week, Zelenskyy said he encouraged India to participate in the Peace Summit that Switzerland has offered to organize. Ukraine is interested in strengthening our trade and economic ties with India, particularly in agricultural exports, aviation cooperation, and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade, the Ukrainian president said in a post on X. At the United Nations, New Delhi has refrained from voting against Moscow, and has ramped up its purchases of Russian oil at discounted prices following the invasion. Meanwhile, India has stepped up its engagements with Western powers like the United States and the European Union. New Delhi has been trying to reduce its dependance on Moscow for arms and technology because of disruptions in supplies due to the war. India is also part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, along with the U.S., Australia and Japan. On a visit last year, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova urged India to play a bigger role in helping end Russia's invasion, saying Kyiv would welcome any effort that is directed at resolving the war." The Ukrainian government often resists unfavorable news coming from the battlefield, the head of the U.S. State Departments Global Engagement Center, James Rubin, said in an interview with Politico on March 28. Some days, war reporters report things that arent necessarily in the interest of [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Rubin. Read also: European Parliament says Hungary no longer a democracy, but electoral autocracy Sometimes the Ukrainian government may resist the kind of freedom of information thats normal for us. He urged Ukraine to continue moving towards becoming a more open society and a fully-fledged democracy. Read also: Top German official warns of far-right aims to transform democracy to Russian model Drawing comparisons with Moscow, he said it is better when journalists report negative news from the front than "the controlled environment that Russia has placed on all of its 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 (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian authorities said the northeastern city of Kharkiv was hit with a guided bomb on Wednesday, killing at least one person and injuring others in the first such strike on the city since the war began over two years ago. Most Read from Bloomberg The attack on a block of apartment buildings in Ukraines second-largest city injured at least 19 people, regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. The 30-centimeter diameter missile, with a range of up to 90 kilometers (56 miles), has the explosive force of a projectile between an aerial bomb and a missile, the governor said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a front-line tour in the near Sumy region along the Russian border, called for additional Patriot missile batteries for air defense. There are no rational explanations for why Patriots, which are plentiful around the world, are still not covering the skies of Kharkiv and other cities and communities under attack by Russian terrorists, Zelenskiy said. Russian forces have been increasingly deploying guided bombs dropped from fighter jets to pound Ukrainian positions along the front line, effectively obliterating parts of cities like Avdiivka, which the Kremlins military seized this year, to whittle down defenses. Read More: Power Outages Persist in Ukraines Kharkiv After Russian Strikes In the early state of the invasion launched in February 2022, Kremlin forces approached Kharkiv, but were unable to seize it. The city, whose prewar population was more than 1 million, still faced water, heating and power shortages at the beginning of the week after a missile barrage on Friday. After a set of massive missile barrages last week, Russian President Vladimir Putins military pivoted to more targeted strikes with ballistic missiles, which are harder to shoot down. The precision weapon used in Kharkiv was a free-falling bomb converted with a guidance system and glide kit, functioning at a fraction of the cost of producing missiles. Earlier on Wednesday, Russian authorities targeted the southern city of Mykolayiv in a missile attack, probing the countrys capability to down high-speed ballistic targets. At least six people were injured in the attack on the city near the Black Sea, regional governor Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram. On Monday, Kyiv was attacked with two ballistic missiles whose debris inflicted significant damage, despite the ability of air-defense systems to intercept them. Mykolayiv, a Dnipro River delta city, has been a target of regular Russian attacks since the start of the invasion in 2022. (Corrects error in 8 paragraph which incorrectly said Ukrainian authorities targeted the southern city of Mykolayiv, corrects number of injured in deck head.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Ukrainian government has implemented verification procedures for four types of crops: corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and wheat. Export licences will have to be agreed by Poland. Source: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk Quote: "Today, Ukrainian grain does not enter the Polish market. Our government has implemented a procedure for verifying four crops: corn, rapeseed, sunflower, and wheat. Without a licence, these categories cannot be exported. We now have such documents, and such permits are not issued. We will issue them only with agreement from the Polish government," Shmyhal said. Background: Mykola Solskyi, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, commented on the results of the trilateral Ukraine-Poland-European Union meeting with representatives of relevant associations, which took place in Warsaw on 27 March. Krzysztof Paszyk, leader of the parliamentary group of the agrarian Polish People's Party (PSL), reported that Warsaw and Kyiv were close to reaching the agreement on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Poland and Ukraine agreed to search for "mutually satisfactory solutions" to issues related to agricultural trade, said a joint communique issued on March 28 following Polish-Ukrainian consultations in Warsaw. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal arrived in Poland earlier on March 28 for talks with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk. Ukrainian agricultural imports, which prompted large-scale farmers' protests in Poland and a blockade at the border, were a key point on the agenda. In the document published following the talks, the parties "confirmed their readiness to conclude an Agreement on providing control at joint border checkpoints and cooperation of control bodies" and, once approved by the European Commission, "to launch logistical data exchange at selected road border crossing points." The parties also said that they had both "undertaken many efforts to establish fair rules for agri-food trade between the Republic of Poland and Ukraine and that further effective dialogue based on mutual understanding is needed." Warsaw and Kyiv agreed to find solutions to the ongoing issues, "such as a verification and control system" for trade in agricultural goods. Ukrainian and Polish ministers of trade and agriculture will continue working on this task. Speaking at a joint press conference, Tusk said that the parties are close to a joint decision regarding the import and transit of Ukrainian agricultural goods in a manner that would not threaten the Polish market. Concerns about the impact of Ukrainian imports have been rising in Poland and other countries since the EU instituted a free trade regime with Kyiv in 2022. Ukraine and Poland also agreed on measures to avert unfair competition between Ukrainian and Polish carriers. The talks further concerned the so-called Solidarity Lanes, an EU-instituted project helping Ukraine to ship out its grain via European countries, a process complicated by the Polish farmers' blockade at the border. "Our governments share a common understanding of the importance of this project," Shmyhal said on his Telegram channel following the talks. According to Ukraine's head of state, Kyiv's five-step plan for solving the ongoing trade crisis includes Kyiv agreeing to EU-proposed restrictions and safeguards regarding agricultural products, Brussels carrying out a priority screening of Ukraine's agrarian and transport legislation, embargo on Russian and Belarusian agricultural imports into the EU, setting up a crisis management headquarters, and free passage across the Polish border for ammunition, humanitarian aid, and fuel heading to Ukraine. "We expect Poland to give specific answers to the steps we have proposed," Shmyhal noted. Tusk said at the press conference that the EU will soon introduce a 50% tariff on some agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, which would effectively "block Russian and Belarusian imports to Europe." Poland pledged to convene an intergovernmental conference with Ukraine and the EU no later than June 2024. Other topics on the agenda included arms supplies to Ukraine, infrastructure development, energy, Ukraine's reconstruction efforts, and Kyiv's EU integration. "Ukraine and Poland are strategic allies. We must clearly understand how significant mutual support and the potential of our cooperation are," Shmyhal commented on the talks. Read also: EU ambassadors agree on new compromise regarding extension of Ukraine trade deal Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on March 28: Zelensky: New Russian offensive may come in May or June Kyiv dismisses reports about Russia's preparations for Kharkiv offensive Almost 1,800 Ukrainian children made orphans by Russia's war Security measures to be increased in Kyiv following missile strikes, threats of Russian saboteurs Germany delivers tank ammunition, shells, drones, armored vehicles to Ukraine Ukraine needs more help from its allies to face an expected major Russian offensive, which may come at the end of May or in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CBS News published on March 28. As Kyiv finds itself in an increasingly perilous situation in the war, Ukrainian military officials warned that Moscow may be preparing for a new major attack, mustering a force of 100,000 troops. Zelensky noted that the situation on the battlefield has been stabilized compared to earlier months. "We have stabilized the situation. It is better than it used to be two or three months ago when we had a big deficit of artillery ammunition, different kinds of weapons," Zelensky said in an interview recorded in an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine, close to the Russian border. "We didn't see a big, huge counteroffensive from Russia... They didn't have success." Russian forces made some progress on the eastern front in February, capturing the key front-line city of Avdiivka and several nearby villages. On March 21, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the situation in the east had been stabilized. Read also: Portrait of the Invader: 2 years of Russian soldiering in Ukraine Kyiv dismisses reports about Russia's preparations for Kharkiv offensive Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation dismissed reports on March 28 about Russias preparations to launch a new offensive against Kharkiv, saying that Moscow currently "does not have the resources" for such an operation. The statement comes two days after Russian independent media outlet Meduza cited anonymous sources close to the Kremlin saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin was considering trying to capture Kharkiv and "gradually finishing" the war after that. The sources said they didn't have information on whether such a decision had already been made. Another source told Meduza that Putin was "ready to go to the end even to Kyiv and doesnt care about the price." All interlocutors of the media outlet expressed confidence Putin planned to continue the war against Ukraine. Read also: The Counteroffensive: Russias rising chemical weapons use in Ukraine "All their lies about readiness to surround the city (Kharkiv) are designed for internal and external audiences and are part of the fear propaganda campaign," said Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, subordinate to Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. "Talks about the 350,000 soldiers they want to recruit for this task, threats by (Russian propagandist) Vladimir Solovyov (they are) so far only talks. This is a psychological operation," he added. "Now the enemy is only capable of shelling and terrorizing the city, and under this terror, it adapts narratives about an offensive that is impossible. But the enemy always frightens with offensives, using shelling." Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, is located in the northeast of the country, just about 30 kilometers from the Russian border. Due to its proximity to the border with Russia, Kharkiv Oblast and the regional capital have faced near-daily attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier in March that Kharkiv was not yet safe enough for residents to return to the city. The latest mass air strike against Kharkiv killed a man and injured at least 19 other people, including four children. Almost 1,800 Ukrainian children made orphans by Russias war Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to almost 1,800 Ukrainian children becoming orphans, the National Social Service of Ukraine said in a comment to the Kyiv Independent. Russia's all-out war has taken a devastating toll on Ukraines children, with almost 600 children killed and over 1,200 injured across the country, according to the UNs latest data. Over 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have been reportedly killed since Feb. 24, 2022. The actual number of civilian casualties in Ukraine is likely to be significantly higher as it doesnt fully account for the numbers in the Russian-occupied territories and front-line settlements. Russia has also been conducting a campaign of mass deportations of Ukrainian children in violation of international law. Read also: How thousands of Ukrainian children cope with losing parents to war 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 returned home, according to the Children of War database. Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has also reportedly destroyed or damaged one in seven schools in Ukraine and forced 1.6 million schoolchildren out of education. According to a study published in February, over 20% of Ukrainian children study remotely, as only schools equipped with bomb shelters are allowed to operate offline. The United Nations Children's Agency UNICEF estimated in February 2023 that around 1.5 million Ukrainian children were at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues, with potential long-term effects and implications. Security measures to be increased in Kyiv following missile strikes, threats of Russian saboteurs Security measures in Kyiv will be tightened in the aftermath of several recent Russian missile strikes on the city and increased threat of infiltration by Russian saboteurs, said Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a message posted on Telegram on March 28. The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the Kyiv Defense Council, and was largely influenced by Russia's usage of missiles that strike only minutes after being fired, Popko said. Russia has employed its new Zircon hypersonic cruise missile in some of its recent attacks on Kyiv. In a strike on the capital on March 25, explosions were heard just seconds after the air raid siren began, giving Kyiv residents hardly any time to get to shelters. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also said on March 27 that it had detained two Ukrainian men accused of helping Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) plan missile strikes on military installations and communications infrastructure, including the Kyiv TV tower. It is unclear if their arrest is related to Popko's announcement. The new security measures do not contain many specifics but mention that authorities would review the circumstances of holding public events, particularly those attended by large numbers of people. Popko also said that social media would be monitored to look for "disinformation, provocations, and other information that could destabilize the situation in Kyiv." Despite the warning, Popko said Kyivans should "remain calm" and "not panic." "We are taking preventive measures to ensure that Kyiv and its residents are well protected." Popko concluded by reminding residents of the capital to "follow the safety rules and do not ignore air-raid warnings. Take care of yourselves." Germany delivers tank ammunition, shells, drones, armored vehicles to Ukraine Berlin handed over new defense aid to Ukraine, containing armored vehicles, ammunition, and drones, among supplies, the German government said on March 28. In its latest supply, Berlin provided Ukraine with five Warthog repair and recovery armored vehicles, nine Warthog command armored vehicles, one Dachs armored engineer vehicle, ammunition for Leopard tanks, 18,000 155 mm artillery shells from industry and military stocks, 24,000 rounds of 40 mm ammunition, and 2,056 anti-tank weapons RGW 90 Matador. Germany additionally sent Ukraine 14 Vector and 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, anti-drone sensors and jammers, six Wisent mine-clearing tanks, one Bergepanzer armored recovery vehicle, six Zetros tankers, a Satcom surveillance system, 70 GMG grenade launchers, nine mine plows, ponchos, camouflage nets, and two emergency power generators. Berlin also updated the list of future military supplies, adding Patriot missiles and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 500 million euros (roughly $540 million) earlier in March, including 10,000 artillery shells from the military stocks, 100 armored vehicles for infantry, and 100 logistical vehicles. Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading military donors, second only to the U.S. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has supplied Ukraine with 17.7 billion euros (around $19 billion) in military assistance as of January. Read also: Opinion: Troops in Ukraine? France-Germany spat plays into Putins hands Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ADEN, Yemen, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Intense clashes broke out between pro-government forces and Houthi fighters in Yemen's southern province of Al-Dhalea, leaving at least ten people dead and 15 others injured, a military official told Xinhua on Thursday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Houthis launched a large assault late Wednesday on the Bab Ghalaq fronts, northwest of Al-Dhalea province, sparking fierce fighting with soldiers of the joint pro-government Yemeni forces stationed there. The official confirmed that the fighting resulted in the killing of four soldiers and six Houthi fighters, while 15 others from both sides were injured. The critically injured pro-government soldiers were transferred to hospitals in the southern port city of Aden for treatment. The recent escalation occurred despite appeals by the United Nations for restraint from both sides to protect tentative progress toward ending Yemen's nine-year civil war. During a UN Security Council session last week, UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg urged the warring parties to reduce rising hostilities and "refrain from provocations" that could jeopardize nascent peace efforts. Yemen's protracted conflict erupted in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, sparking one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. In 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in an attempt to restore the government. Despite multiple diplomatic endeavors over the years, neither side has demonstrated the requisite will to revive negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict that, according to United Nations estimates, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and pushed millions more to the brink of famine. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraines Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has met with General Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, to discuss Ukraine's needs for the coming months. Source: Syrskyi on Facebook Quote: "During the conversation, we discussed the needs of Ukraine's Armed Forces in the coming months, the issue of US assistance to Ukraine, specifically strengthening protection against Russian missile and bomb strikes, the development of fortifications, and some strategic issues for the future in 2024." Support UP or become our patron! Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has announced that Ukraine currently has no dialogue with Poland regarding resolving the border blockade issue. Source: Stefanishyna in an interview with European Pravda as part of the particular project Trade Wars, with the support of the law firm Ilyashev & Partners. Quote from Stefanishyna: "However, while negotiating the monitoring of certain products' exports and imports, we do not have a dialogue regarding how to resolve the crisis related to the Ukrainian border blockade." Details: She noted that there is no sign of readiness for concessions from the Polish government. Stefaniyshyna said the Polish government itself should be interested in resolving the situation within the country, as the crisis has a broader agenda than just Ukraine. The blockade is also occurring on the borders of the Baltic countries and Germany. "It's a complex internal situation that also has some relation to elections. And we are ready to meet the Polish side halfway. We are in dialogue with them. But, as of now, we do not see an understanding of how to end this crisis situation," the deputy prime minister noted. She also mentioned that the government is "in full combat readiness" with a full arsenal of legal instruments that can be applied in response to unfriendly trade policies. "At the same time, we understand that such a legal process would make better sense in a more peaceful time. It's a rather lengthy process, whereas we need to survive somehow," Stefaniyshyna said. She expressed hope that EU ambassadors will finally approve the extension of autonomous trade preferences for Ukraine on Friday, 29 March. Background: Earlier, Krzysztof Paszyk, leader of the parliamentary group of the agrarian Polish Peasants' Party (PSL), reported that Warsaw and Kyiv were close to reaching the agreement on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has arrived in Warsaw on 28 March for intergovernmental consultations with the participation of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, where he will attempt to resolve contentious issues in relations with the neighbouring country. Source: European Pravda; Donald Tusk on Twitter (X) Quote: "Denys Shmyhal, welcome to Warsaw! Without a free Ukraine, there will be no safe Europe," Tusk wrote, welcoming the Ukrainian PM. .@Denys_Shmyhal, witaj w Warszawie! Nie bedzie bezpiecznej Europy bez wolnej Ukrainy. pic.twitter.com/BOAKtTUe8A Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 28, 2024 Jan Grabiec, Head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, said ahead of the meeting between Tusk and Shmyhal that "it is difficult to expect any breakthrough after these negotiations, any special agreement, for example, on agricultural issues". They are expected to discuss not only the situation in agriculture and on the Polish-Ukrainian border but also the joint production of ammunition, energy, electricity transmission and culture. On Tuesday, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Sheina stated that they may also discuss Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO and some historical issues. Background: Before the negotiations between Tusk and Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna told European Pravda that Ukraine does not have a dialogue with Poland regarding the border unblocking. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed hope that the Polish and Ukrainian sides would reach an agreement on agricultural issues before the meeting of the governments in Warsaw, but it didnt happen. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians fired a guided missile on Odesa Oblast from a tactical aircraft on the morning of 28 March, but Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed it over the sea. Source: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration Quote: "The enemy launched a missile strike in the morning. Early reports indicate that there are no casualties. The information will be updated." Details: Later, the Defence Forces of Ukraine's South reported that the missile had been destroyed over the Black Sea. Quote: "In the morning, a guided missile was launched from a tactical aircraft from the Black Sea towards Odesa Oblast. The missile was destroyed over the sea by air defence forces." Support UP or become our patron! The third so-called "Summit for Democracy," orchestrated by the United States, was held in Seoul from March 18 to 20. However, the qualification of the United States to hold such a summit on democracy has been widely questioned. #AIGCFootage A Palestinian family can be seen at makeshift tent in Rafah, amid the battles between Israel and Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to immediately allow the delivery of significantly more humanitarian goods to the Gaza Strip. The United Nations' highest court in The Hague ordered on Thursday that more border crossings should be opened for the transport of food and medical aid. The court was responding to a request from South Africa in the ongoing genocide proceedings against Israel. At the end of January, the court had already ordered emergency measures and ordered Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip. Given the deteriorating situation in the war zone and the threat of famine, South Africa called for additional measures. The court agreed with this. Decisions of the International Court of Justice are binding. Since the decision of January 26, the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have continued to deteriorate, the decision stated. The judges particularly mention hunger. There is now no longer just a risk of famine, but famine has already begun, they said. Israel must work closely with the United Nations to deliver aid, they said. The judges also included water, electricity, clothing and tents among the urgently needed relief supplies. Israel was also warned to ensure that its military units do not violate the rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This also includes preventing the delivery of urgently needed relief supplies. The Gaza war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre with more than 1,200 deaths that militants from the Palestinian Hamas movement and other Islamist groups carried out in Israel on October 7. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive. In view of the high number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel has come in for increasing criticism internationally. Palestinian families can be seen at makeshift tents in Rafah, amid the battles between Israel and Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa A Palestinian family can be seen at makeshift tent in Rafah, amid the battles between Israel and Hamas. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday ordered Israel to take more steps to protect civilians in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the coastal strip where Israeli troops are fighting against Palestinian militant group Hamas. The court ordered Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, noting there is no substitute for land crossings for supplies. The court also said Israel must not commit acts which constitute a violation of any of the rights of the Palestinians in Gaza. The United Nations high courts Thursday order comes after a plea from South Africa for the ICJ to take further action after the courts initial January ruling has not alleviated the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The ICJ noted in the Thursday order that the situation has worsened since January. The Court observes with regret that, since then, the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further, it wrote in the order, in particular in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been subjected. The state of Palestine at the U.N. said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that Israel has to fully cooperate with the order, noting that it was binding. South Africa filed a case at the ICJ at the end of 2023, accusing Israel of genocide in the war against Hamas in Gaza. More than 32,000 people have died in Gaza, and the coastal strip is facing a hunger crisis. Israel has rejected those accusations and maintains it has a right to defend itself after Hamas invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostages. Around 100 hostages are still left alive in Gaza. The ICJ case could take years to resolve on the question of whether Israel is committing genocide, but the court decided to take preliminary action in January after a request from South Africa. Those preliminary orders include taking measures to prevent the killing of civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid and punish those calling for genocide. Israel submitted a report in February detailing the measures it has taken to follow those court orders. The ICJ has also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas. The U.N. Security Council has separately called for a cease-fire in Gaza for the rest of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which lasts for another two weeks, and for the release of hostages. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations Human Rights Committee urged Britain on Thursday to abandon a contentious bill to deport refugees to Rwanda, which could become law next month. In its review of the United Kingdom, the committee said it regretted the arrangements made with some with third countries, particularly Rwanda, to transfer asylum seekers, as well as "efforts to adopt the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill despite the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the arrangement would not be compliant with international law". The committee said it was calling on the British government to withdraw the bill or repeal it if it passed. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small, inflatable boats each year to live in Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent to the East African country. The government suffered a setback to its Rwanda plan - which it hopes would also act as a deterrent to people trying to cross in small boats - when the UK's Supreme Court ruled last year the policy was unlawful because there was risk that people sent there could be sent back to their country of origin and their safety jeopardised. To overcome the court's objections, Sunak's government is hoping to pass a bill that declares Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers. The legislation will come up for debate again in parliament again on April 15. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Frances Kerry) The UNs top court has unanimously ordered Israel to take all the necessary and effective action to tackle crippling food shortages inside Gaza. Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said that Palestinians in Gaza face worsening conditions of life, and famine and starvation are spreading. The court observes that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine ... but that famine is setting in, the judges said. The ICJ issued two new so-called provisional measures as part of a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign in Gaza. Israel launched its offensive, including an aerial bombardment, ground operations and a blockade after the 7 October terror attack by Hamas in southern Israel during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage. Israel stringently denies it is committing genocide and says its military campaign is self-defense. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, Palestinian health officials say. Thursday's legally binding order came after South Africa sought more provisional measures, including a ceasefire, citing starvation in Gaza. Israel urged the court not to issue new orders. Israels foreign ministry had no immediate comment on the order, but in a written response to South Africas request earlier this month it said the claims in its request were wholly unfounded in fact and law, morally repugnant, and represent an abuse both of the Genocide Convention and of the court itself. Almost two weeks ago, The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, whose assessments are relied on by UN agencies, issued a report saying widespread famine is imminent in north Gaza, where an estimated 70 per cent of the population faces catastrophic hunger warning of a major acceleration of death if an immediate ceasefire is not reached alongside an increase in aid. In its new orders, the ICJ cited a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs that said at least 31 people, including 27 children, have already died of malnutrition and dehydration. The court told Israel to take measures without delay to ensure the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance including food, water, fuel and medical supplies. The judges said that this could be done by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary. It also ordered Israel to immediately ensure that its military does not take action that could harm Palestinians rights under the Genocide Convention, including by preventing, through any action, the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance. Smoke rises above buildings during an Israeli strike in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City (AFP via Getty) The court told Israel to report back in a month on its implementation of the orders. The UN and international aid groups say deliveries have been impeded by Israeli military restrictions, ongoing hostilities and the breakdown of public order. After initially sealing Gazas borders in the early part of the war, Israel began to allow humanitarian supplies into Gaza. It says it places no restrictions on the amounts of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza and accuses the United Nations of failing to properly organise the deliveries. Israel has repeatedly feuded with the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, the UN refugee for Palestinian refugees and main provider of aid in Gaza. Israel accuses the agency of tolerating and even cooperating with Hamas a charge UNRWA denies. At the end of January, the US, UK and several countries halted funding UNRWA following allegations by Israel that some of its staff were involved in the 7 October attack. The UK is currently reviewing the allegations and has not said if it will restart funding when the investigation is complete. A UN investigation is also ongoing. Multiple aid agencies, however, have warned that UNRWA is the only agency capable of delivering the aid needed to prevent widespread famine. Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza (Reuters) Cogat, the Israeli unit in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, has also run pilot programmes to inspect the humanitarian aid at Israels main checkpoints in the south and then use land crossings in central Gaza to try to bring aid to the devasted northern part of the strip. They had no immediate comment on the ICJ ruling. The new orders come amid fierce fighting around Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza. The Israeli army said it continued to operate around the Al-Shifa complex in Gaza City after storming it more than a week ago. The military claimed Its forces had killed around 200 gunmen since the start of the operation. Gazas health ministry said wounded people and patients were being held inside an administration building in Al-Shifa that was not equipped to provide them with healthcare. Five patients had died since the Israeli raid began due to shortages of food, water and medical care, the ministry in the Hamas-run territory said. Al-Shifa, the Gaza Strips biggest hospital before the war, had been one of the few healthcare facilities even partially operational in north Gaza before the latest fighting. It had also been housing displaced civilians. Israeli forces have also continued to blockade Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, while several other areas came under Israeli fire, residents said. In Rafah, at the southernmost tip of Gaza, where more than a million people have been sheltering, health officials said an Israeli airstrike on a house killed eight people and wounded others. Israel has said that it is planning an operation inside Rafah, something that staunch ally the US has warned against, given those sheltering in the city have no place to turn. Talks aimed at bringing top Israeli officials to Washington to discuss potential military operations in Gaza, including Rafah, have restarted the White House has said after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit this week because he was angry about the US not using its veto on a recent UN cease-fire resolution. So were now working with them to find a convenient date thats obviously going to work for both sides, said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Sacramento's city council has voted unanimously to declare the capital of California a sanctuary city for transgender people. While California was already a sanctuary state, the city's law will specifically ensure local resources are not used to aid law enforcement from other jurisdictions in their attempts to prosecute the families of minors receiving gender-affirming care, as well as their healthcare providers. Sacramento Transgender Sanctuary City LGBTQ Pride Parade Affirming Parents Trans Kids California State Capital Shutterstock Council member Katie Valenzuela, who sponsored the resolution, said during the council meeting Tuesday that "we see this as a strengthening measure," according to the Los Angeles Times. "This is more than just protecting the people who live here," she said. "This is also about protecting people who come here from other communities to ensure that we're not aiding law enforcement activities in their home jurisdiction who may seek to criminalize their quest for healthcare." Valenzuela added that city officials who violate the resolution will face "corrective action," though she did not elaborate on what that would entail. "This is the sort of thing that you hope is never necessary," she continued. "You hope it never gets triggered. That there's never anyone coming to Sac who is potentially fleeing law enforcement for the sole reason of looking for health care." Sacramento Transgender Sanctuary City LGBTQ Pride Parade Flags California State Capital Shutterstock California became a sanctuary state for gender-affirming care following Gov. Gavin Newsom's signing of SB 107 in 2022. The law prohibits states that have banned the life-saving treatment from punishing those who travel to California to receive it by preventing the release of information or the arrest and extradition of someone based on another state's court orders. Ahead of the vote on Tuesday, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said, the Times reports, that "we debate the many issues in our city, but there's no shade of gray when it comes to civil rights." "And when it comes to talking about the human rights of people, our city is consistent and we're strong," he said. WASHINGTON As President Joe Biden works to unite all factions of the Democratic Party, his campaign will get an assist Thursday night from two former presidents who know a thing or two about winning reelection and rallying the base. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will co-headline a high-dollar fundraiser at New York's Radio City Music Hall that the Biden campaign said will raise at least $25 million easily the most lucrative fundraiser of the election cycle. More than 5,000 supporters are expected at the sold-out event. Yet perhaps even more critical than the mountain of cash, the rare showing of three Democratic presidents presents a united front to help Biden bring together a Democratic coalition that's shown signs of splintering. Despite easily securing the Democratic nomination, polling has shown Biden is underperforming among Black and Latino voters compared to the 2020 election, while some within the progressive wing of the party have held off support due to his support of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. President Barack Obama and US President Joe Biden participate in a rally in support of Democratic US Senate candidate John Fetterman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 2022. "The fact is that Joe Biden is still pulling the Democratic coalition back together," Donna Brazile, former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, told USA Today. "And with the help of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and many others, this will make his task much easier. This is all about unifying the party." For Biden, being joined by his two most recent Democratic predecessors is also a luxury that presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump lacks, having alienated himself from the Republican Party's old guard, including former President George W. Bush, the only living former GOP president. Obama, who remains an icon among Democrats more than seven years after leaving the White House, has privately expressed alarm about the possibility of a second Trump presidency and is engaged directly with Biden's campaign. The New York Times reported Wednesday that Obama, who tapped Biden as his vice president during his 2008 run, speaks regularly by phone with Jeff Zients, Biden's chief of staff, and other senior Biden campaign aides. "Given the stakes of this election, President Obama will do all he can to support President Bidens re-election," said Eric Schultz, a senior advisor for Obama. "In fact, he looks forward to helping Democrats, up and down the ballot, make the case to voters this fall. Our strategy will be based on driving impact, especially where and when his voice can help move the needle." Both Obama and Clinton hit the campaign trail in Biden's 2020 bid, and Thursday's fundraiser is expected to be the first of many more stump speeches ahead of the 2024 election. President Barack Obama and US President Joe Biden participate in a rally in support of Democratic US Senate candidate John Fetterman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 2022. 'Red flags' about Trump from the president's club Obama's role in the 2024 contest has been the source of constant chatter and news reports, especially given his popularity relative to Biden within the party. Democratic operatives, whether with the White House or Biden campaign, are quick to smother any speculated rifts between the two men or disagreement between their respective camps in the party's universe. Instead, they seek to spotlight Obama as an advisor-in-chief for Biden and a younger generation of candidates, who connects dots from the 2012 campaign to today while keenly eyeing larger structural barriers a fractured media landscape and immovable Trump supporters that all Democrats will face this year. "I see it as one team learning," a person close to Obama, who is familiar with his thinking, told USA Today. "It's very much, 'how can we all take these lessons and keep pushing this ball?'" US President Joe Biden helps former US President Bill Clinton find his notes during an event marking the 30th Anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2023. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) ( Obama has lent his hand to help emphasize the impact of the Affordable Care Act, his signature achievement as president, as part of the campaign's messaging. Obama joined Biden in a video last week to mark the 14th anniversary of the ACA, which Trump has long threatened to repeal. In your early 20s? You might not know that the Affordable Care Act is the reason you can stay on your parents health care plan until youre 26, Obama said in a post Tuesday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Before the ACA, health care companies could kick you off earlier sometimes right after college. Its another reason why we need to keep building on the ACA not repeal it. Because health care isnt a privilege. Its a right. In your early 20s? You might not know that the Affordable Care Act is the reason you can stay on your parents health care plan until youre 26. Before the ACA, health care companies could kick you off earlier sometimes right after college. Its another reason why we need to pic.twitter.com/O8aU7ZvEpL Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 26, 2024 The Biden fundraiser will also serve as a reminder for voters of how seriously the previous White House occupants view a potential second Trump presidency. "President Obama once said to me that every president is a reflection of the previous president, and hes right. Trump was the complete opposite of Obama, and Biden is the complete opposite of Trump," said Democratic strategist Jim Messina. "Being the President of the United States means youre part of a small club; there is no other group of people whose red flags about the direct threat of Donald Trump should be taken more seriously." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre echoed those sentiments during a press briefing Wednesday. She said Biden, Obama and Clinton "agree overwhelmingly" on how to continue the nation's economic gains and protect "our critical freedoms," singling out reproductive rights and American democracy. "We understand the importance of the three of them being together," Jean-Pierre said. Biden turning a corner amid troubling Dem numbers? The fundraiser, which comes as Biden has already significantly outraised Trump in campaign money for the general election, will be a star-studded affair. Stephen Colbert, host of CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," will moderate an "armchair conversation" with Biden, Obama and Clinton. Actress Mindy Kaling, star of the hit Fox romantic comedy "The Mindy Project" will host the program, which will feature musical guests Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and Lea Michele. A photograph with all three presidents will cost $100,000 and up, NBC News reported, but the tickets to attend the program went for as little as $250 each. The fundraiser's $25 million haul is more than the $20 million Trump and the Republican National Committee raised in the entire month of February. It will add to Biden's campaign war chest of $155 million, the most ever for a Democratic candidate at this juncture of the race. Democrats hope the presence of Obama and Clinton can also begin to help shore up support among key constituencies who are lagging for Biden. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll taken March 8-11 found Biden is backed by 54% of registered Black voters, significantly less than the 87% of Black voters who voted for Biden in 2020. The poll found Trump leads Biden among Latino voters 35%-33% after Biden won 65% of Hispanic voters in 2020. Trump leads voters ages 18 to 34 another plank of the Democratic base 37%-31%, according to the poll. Saddled by low approval and favorability ratings, Biden also faces a threat from third-party contenders independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Jill Stein and American philosopher Cornel West who are vying for a mix of disgruntled Democrats, left-leaning voters and disaffected Americans. Similar to the 2016 election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, this year's race features a significant share of "double hater" voters, between 15% and 20% of the electorate, who say they dislike both Trump and Biden. There are signs, however, that Biden could be turning a corner in a rematch against Trump. A Morning Consult/Bloomberg poll this week found Biden leading Trump nationally 44%-43. And the same pollster found Biden has made up ground in six battleground states that will likely decide the election. The poll found Biden ahead in Wisconsin by 1 point and tied with Trump in Pennsylvania and Michigan. And while Trump still leads in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina, the poll found the margin is now closer. Brazile said she's confident the Democratic coalition is coming together, calling it a "slow process." A Democratic voter uncommitted to President Joe Biden rallies outside a polling location on Feb. 27, 2024, in Dearborn, Mich. She noted Biden lacked a competitive Democratic primary opponent unlike Trump, who at one point faced half a dozen rivals in the GOP primary. "It's the most diverse coalition in American politics," Brazile said, pointing to young, minority, working-class and college-educated voters who the Biden campaign needs to unite. "These voters have to be persuaded. The days of taking any group of Americans for granted, those days are over," she added. "This is a very important time to remind voters that the Democratic Party led by Joe Biden has the backing of the former presidents, as well as the support of millions of Americans who would like to continue to see him finish the job." Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison and Phillip M. Bailey on X @phillipmbailey This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama, Clinton assist as Biden seeks to unify Democrats VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A movie in the works from Pharrell Williams will be set in Virginia Beach in the late 1970s. The untitled project from Universal will be a coming-of-age musical inspired by Williams childhood at the Atlantis Apartments, according to a report from Deadline. The specific year will be 1977, four years after Williams, 50, was born. Williams and Mimi Valdes from his i am OTHER company are set to produce the film, with directing help from Michel Gondry, whos best known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Universals also in talks to have Kelvin Harrison Jr., whos getting ready to appear in Barry Jenkins Mufasa: The Lion King, and 2024 Oscar winner DaVine Joy (The Holdovers) in the movie. You can read more about the movie here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Photo taken on March 26, 2024 shows the collapsed bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, the United States. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) Engineers suggest that the bridge's metal truss design, featuring a suspended deck, played a role in its collapse. The ship appeared to hit a main concrete pier, which rests on soil underwater and is part of the foundation. WASHINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Francis Scott Key Bridge in the U.S. city of Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday after a large ship collided with it, leaving six people missing. The tragic incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) on Tuesday. A Dali container vessel experienced a power failure before the collision. The operators of the cargo ship issued a mayday call moments before the vessel crashed. Engineers suggest that the bridge's metal truss design, featuring a suspended deck, played a role in its collapse. The ship appeared to hit a main concrete pier, which rests on soil underwater and is part of the foundation, Reuters reported. Eight people initially went into the water and two were rescued from the Patapsco River earlier, with one in critical condition, according to local authorities. Six workers who are presumed dead came from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, local media reported. In a statement, Baltimore-headquartered immigration services non-profit Global Refuge said disasters like this one disproportionately affect the immigrant community of the city, as they frequently work in challenging and hazardous occupations. "Bridges can be rebuilt, but the damage inflicted on these families can never fully be repaired," the organization's president and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah said. The tragedy also poses substantial economic and infrastructural losses. Economic analysis company IMPLAN indicated that preliminary cost estimates for rebuilding the bridge stand at 600 million U.S. dollars. The closure of the port for just one month could see a total loss of 28 million dollars for the state of Maryland, said an IMPLAN analysis. The costly rebuilding process is expected to be funded by the U.S. federal government. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown said he is confident that U.S. troops working to provide humanitarian aid to residents of Gaza will be protected from violence in the region. Browns comments come amid concerns from Senate Republicans that the mission could cost American military lives. Force protection is at the top of our list any time we put our forces in harms way, Brown told reporters during a press event on Thursday. There will be our own capabilities to protect our forces, the Israelis have also committed to help protect our forces in the area, and have other nations that are also part of this as well. So, as that capability is starting to move that has given us time to work with allies and partners to start looking at not only the force protection piece but all the other parts that have to come together. Navy sending sailors and ships to help build Gaza aid pier Following President Joe Bidens call to increase humanitarian outreach to Palestinians amid weeks of Israeli military action in Gaza, Defense Department officials announced they will send three Navy cargo ships and five Army vessels to build a floating dock in an effort to ease delivery of aid to the region. More than 1,000 American service members will be involved in the effort, working near active fighting between Israel Defense Forces and Hamas militants. That reality drew concern from Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week. In a letter led by committee ranking member Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the lawmakers voiced strong reservations about the mission because it entails a significant risk to U.S. personnel. This decision appears to ignore force protection issues entirely against an enemy that tries to kill Americans every day, the group wrote. We are gravely concerned that the Department of Defense has given too little consideration to the likelihood that Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations operating in Gaza would attempt to attack the U.S. personnel that will be deployed to this mission. White House officials in recent weeks have said that American forces will not be on land for the work, and have emphasized that protecting U.S. troops and ships will be their primary focus while conducting the effort. Brown echoed that sentiment on Thursday, noting that top U.S. Central Command officials have been in the region for the last week surveying the situation and making sure both troops and refugees will be able to safely access the floating dock once it is built. The Joint Chiefs chairman also said he met with Israeli defense officials this week to hear about their plans to attack Hamas battalions that have fled to the southern city of Rafah, an area with more than one million Palestinian civilians. Brown said U.S. officials are monitoring the situation closely, to understand the possible ramifications for additional violence in the region in coming weeks. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week called the situation in Gaza a humanitarian catastrophe and said outside countries need to dramatically increase the amount of assistance getting into the region. Earlier this month, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that military leaders expect the pier will be operational in less than two months and help provide more than 2 million meals to refugees on a daily basis. American military personnel are already conducting food drops in Gaza to provide aid right away. US Marine among 2 swept out to sea during treacherous beach conditions in Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Dangerous surf and rip currents around Puerto Rico have led to two people getting swept out to sea, including a U.S. Marine. The U.S. Coast Guard said search efforts are still ongoing for 26-year-old Samuel Wanjiru, a U.S. Marine resident of Massachusetts, who went missing in the waters in Luquillo, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. While visiting the island with his family, Wanjiru experienced distress after going into the water in the La Pared beach area, the Coast Guard said. Multiple offices of the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau and the Puerto Rico Police are also actively involved in Thursday's search. HOW TO SURVIVE RIP CURRENTS Before Wanjiru went missing, the Coast Guard was alerted to a distressed person in Montones Beach in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Local authorities reported that the man was found unresponsive and later declared dead. FLORIDA SPRING BREAK BEACH PLANS MARRED BY DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS, HIGH SURF The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued High Surf and Life-Threatening Rip Current Advisories for eastern, northern and western beaches in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the weekend. "This month has been deadly when it comes to beach drownings in the area of Puerto Rico," said Capt. Jose E. Diaz, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan. "During this long-holiday weekend, I urge locals and visitors to pay close attention to the weather conditions and warnings from the National Weather Service and that they dont go into the water when visiting beaches in the west, north and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until conditions subside." FLORIDAS BIGGEST WEATHER-RELATED KILLER LURKS ALONG BEACHES Diaz said several hundred miles of open ocean beaches are extremely dangerous in the present conditions, and most do not have lifeguards. "People need to realize that the situation is serious enough to limit our ability to respond to search and rescue cases with surface vessels without further endangering our crews and assets," he added. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones to the sea. We hope they find strength during this most difficult time." Original article source: US Marine among 2 swept out to sea during treacherous beach conditions in Puerto Rico HUNTSVILLE, Ala. The U.S. Navy is heading into a major test of a hypersonic weapon that will help determine the way ahead for a joint development program with the U.S. Army, according to the Armys Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office director. The Navy is moving forward on their test, which isnt a launch out of ground support equipment, but just off a stool launch, so we get another look at the missile, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch told Defense News in a March 27 interview here at the Association of the U.S. Armys Global Force Symposium. The Navys test of the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body will lead into an Army test of the missile in the summer from a ground-based launcher, he said. Right now, if things go as planned, well be out at the range this summer. Hypersonic weapons are capable of flying faster than Mach 5 or more than 3,836 miles per hour and can maneuver between varying altitudes, making them difficult to detect. The C-HGB is made up of the weapons warhead, guidance system, cabling and thermal protection shield. The U.S. is in a race to field the capability as well as develop systems to defend against hypersonic missiles. China and Russia are actively developing and testing hypersonic weapons. The test in the spring is focused solely on missile performance and is conducted using a test stand that eliminates ground support equipment, canister and launcher. Its more of a command to the missile to ignite and watch the missile go through stage one, stage two, payload adapter, hypersonic glide body separating and do its thing, Rasch said. The test is to ensure the services understand the missile performs as intended, he said. The Army, at the same time, is ensuring that the ground support equipment for its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, or LRHW, works correctly and will then marry up the missile and launcher in the later test, Rasch explained. If the Navy test is successful, that is a decision point for the Army to allow the vendor to begin putting those tactical rounds together. Weve got them lined up, ready to go, in different stages of completeness, Rasch said. The Army has been holding out in order to see the end-to-end performance, Rasch said. The Army has spent several years working with Leidos Dynetics to build the industrial base for the hypersonic weapon glide body that will be used by both the ground service and the Navy because the domestic private sector had never built a hypersonic weapon. The service also separately produced launchers, trucks, trailers and the battle operations center necessary to put together the first weapon battery. Lockheed Martin is the weapon system integrator for the Armys hypersonic capability that will be launched from a mobile truck. If the Army test is successful, Rasch said, the rounds will be ready to go to the first unit equipped with the capability. The service completed its delivery of the first hypersonic weapon capability, minus the all-up rounds, to I Corps 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade unit at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state two days ahead of its end-of-FY21 fielding deadline. The original plan was to train on the equipment and receive those rounds in the fall of 2023, but based on a series of failed or aborted tests, that timeline has slid further down the road. The Army and Navy last year had to abort flight tests in March, October and November due to challenges at the range, Rasch said. Every time we do these tests, even if its a no-test, obviously, we learn, Rasch said. But in this case, the round had to go back and get a little work done on it. These challenges werent with the round, but just the process of firing those up, it takes some work. The pause in testing while the rounds were evaluated, gave us a little time to stop and kind of reflect on where we had not done enough developmental testing. Obviously a program thats moving as fast as RCCTO has on hypersonics, theres risk involved in going fast, Rasch said. Youre doing acquisition and running with scissors at the same time. The Army looked at earlier component level testing and figured out where the service may have missed things, he added. And weve done a series of walk-ups over the last several months to try to make sure we understood exactly what is going on, whats the phenomena going on and how do we replicate that repeatedly so we know thats the error, Rash said. Even this week, Rasch said, the Army is conducting high-fidelity testing with the ground support equipment, simulating every aspect of the shot to make sure its captured all the phenomena to allow us to get back out to the range. While the program is delayed, the speed at which the Navy and the Army are moving is extremely fast for a program of this nature, Rasch noted. The service went from a blank piece of paper in March 2019 to delivering hardware in just over two years, including an operations center, four transporter-erector-launchers and modified trucks and trailers that make up the ground equipment of the LRHW. This is a hard problem. If you look at the history of missile programs, most of them in this space are 10 to 12 years in duration, he said. Not only is this a new missile, its a new technology of missile and, oh by the way, we had to build new ground support equipment, we had to build new command-and-control capabilities within it. So that was a monumental task. Maximilian, a 21-year-old from Germany who is part of the tour group, visits Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Shujun) BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A group of 350 European tourists visited Beijing after arriving in Shanghai on a German cruise. Maximilian, a 21-year-old from Germany who is part of the tour group, described this trip as "fantastic" and expressed eagerness to explore more Chinese cities in the future. "It feels like I was in a dream," he said, adding that when he was a child, he had hoped to see the Great Wall of China in person one day. "I finally came to the Great Wall, where every brick carries history, and I will remember this journey in the future." "It's nice to see very interesting buildings and temples here. Everything was great," said Jutta, another tourist from Germany. "We meticulously prepared a range of half-day, full-day, and evening tour packages imbued with Chinese cultural essence," said Hu Jiying, deputy general manager of CYTS International Travel Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the reception of these tourists. The cruise carrying over 1,000 German-speaking tourists arrived in Shanghai last Tuesday. On Tuesday night, some tourists arrived in Beijing by high-speed train and returned to Shanghai after their tours in Beijing the next day. China has adopted a visa-free policy for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg on a trial basis, starting March 14. A European tourist takes photos while visiting Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Yang Shujun) The implementation of China's new visa-free policy has greatly streamlined travel planning for passengers aboard this cruise, according to Hu. Talina from Switzerland, who is visiting China for the first time, said that the journey from Shanghai to Beijing was "incredibly quick," lasting just over four hours. She was particularly impressed by China's high-speed rail system and its clean train environment and exceptional service. Thanks to China's visa-free policy, the number of foreign tourists visiting China has increased significantly. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese mainland saw 3.23 million inbound tourist arrivals during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday this year. Beijing has enriched its tourism packages, expanded global communication channels, and introduced measures to improve the experience of foreign visitors in various aspects, according to the city's cultural and tourism department. "To provide convenient services for foreign tourists, Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park operates an English-language online ticket purchasing platform as well as offers manual ticket consulting services in English," said Ren Chao, who works with the management department of the park. The park accepts foreign bank cards and all essential information displayed in the park is presented in a bilingual format, Ren added. "China has a long history and is very modern at the same time. I want to tell my family and friends about the wonderful time I had here," Maximilian said. Republican U.S. presidential candidates participate in their fourth debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign in Tuscaloosa, Alabama By Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) - Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, has decided against running as the No Labels candidate for president, delivering the latest blow to the centrist, third party's bid for the White House. The two-time former presidential contender's decision leaves the group with few remaining viable options for candidates as it seeks to seize on the unpopularity of the two major-party contenders, President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Republican rival Donald Trump. I appreciate the encouragement Ive gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy, Christie said in a statement. While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward. The Washington Post was the first to report Christie's decision, which it said came after the former governor conducted opinion polls in multiple battleground states that showed no viable path to the presidency. Earlier this month, the group said it would name a presidential ticket in the coming days, but cautioned that viable candidates willing to join a third-party bid may never be found. In recent weeks, a parade of politicians declined to run for No Labels, including U.S. Senators Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Krysten Sinema, an independent. Both plan to leave the Senate at the end of their terms this year. No Labels, organized through a national nonprofit with state affiliates, has gained ballot access or finished applications in 19 states, the group announced Wednesday. Christie, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, then was an occasional adviser to Trump, was arguably the former president's harshest critic during this election cycle's campaign for the Republican nomination. I am going to make sure that in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again. And thats more important than my own personal ambition, Christie said in January when he ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; editing by Jonathan Oatis) The U.S. and South Korea announced jointly coordinated sanctions on March 27 against six individuals and two entities involved in financing North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program. Two of the individuals named are North Korean nationals based in Russia. North Korea has been shaping up to be Russia's leading weapons supplier, reportedly providing Moscow with extensive military packages, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells. There have also been concerns about what Russia may be providing North Korea in return for the shipments of military hardware and ammunition. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Russia has been assisting North Korea in upgrading its military capabilities, potentially including ballistic missiles and nuclear technology. Unnamed sources in Western intelligence also told the New York Times in February 2024 that Russia has likely helped North Korea unblock frozen funds and otherwise worked to connect the country with international financial institutions it has long been shut out of. The Financial Times and other media outlets have reported that Russia may be defying sanctions to supply North Korea with oil, possibly in exchange for military equipment. The new sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department, are designed to target actors abroad who help finance North Korea's weapons programs. "Today's joint action reflects our commitment to disrupt (North Korea's) efforts to generate revenue for its illicit and destabilizing activities," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson. Two of the individuals sanctioned are North Korean nationals based in Russia who work for sanctioned banks that help generate revenue for the North Korean government. The other four individuals and one entity are based in China and are reportedly involved in money laundering and the illegal financing of North Korea's weapons programs. Read also: US, South Korea launch task force to combat illegal shipment of oil to North Korea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An English manor compound with a rich history that sits in Fishkill has been put on the market for $4.385 million and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Willow Lake Farm's spacious setting has been used as a film set for HBO series, including the latest iteration of "Pretty Little Liars," with shooting for the upcoming second season just wrapping up. The property is now awaiting its next owner, with former owners Richard and Peggy Birney ready to move on to their next endeavor. "Our family has loved living and entertaining on the property, which is steeped in local history and provides a true sense of privacy and well-being," Richard and Peggy Birney said in a statement. "It is time to pass the torch to the next stewards to enjoy this beloved residence and property with their family and friends." The Willow Lake Farm property, located at 4 Willow Lake Drive. Sandra Park, Global Luxury Specialist and licensed real estate broker affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in New York, is representing the property. The property is also listed with the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Program in coordination with Park. "Many long-standing residents in the region have an affinity for the history of this property," Park said in a statement. More: For 10 years, this 100-acre Fishkill lakeside lodge was a refuge to city elite Peering into the history of Willow Lake Farm Willow Lake Farm's 105 acres was previously part of a 68,000-acre parcel dating back to a 1683 treaty between the Wappingers First Nation tribe and Frances Rombout and Gulian Verplank. Rombout was a speculator from New York City, and Verplank his partner and second-generation American in the beaver trade. They both came from what was the Dutch Netherlands, present-day Belgium. In the early 1700s, 28,000 acres of the land passed from Rombout and was inherited by Madam Brett. The front of the Willow Lake Farm English manor, located at 4 Willow Lake Drive. At this time, land tenants farmed, but the acreage was owned by the social elite. However, Brett was cash-poor and land-rich, deciding to scale down the acreage into smaller parcels, which she sold to those outside the social elite. A progressive action for the time, it gave Dutchess County a jumpstart as a potential area for land ownership opportunities in New York. Jumping to the late 1800s, the first mayor of Fishkill, Henry DuBois Van Wyck, developed the property into Knickerbocker Lodge as a retreat for the city elite. However, a fire in the early 1900s left the manor in ashes. More: These 4 were the most expensive homes on the market in Dutchess County at the end of 2023 In 1924, Willow Lake Farm emerged, with its first owner inspired by admiring residences in the English countryside in trips abroad. Upon his return to the States, the owner wanted to replicate architectural features he'd seen, and made the home into the English manor it is today. About the English manor A breakfast nook within the English manor on the Willow Lake Farm property, located at 4 Willow Lake Drive. Historic relics can still be found on the property, one being the blacksmith's fire pit used to forge iron hardware. Some believe the stone walls still intact are from the 1700s. Otherwise, the immense manor of just over 4,500 square feet includes five bedrooms, three full bathrooms as well as two half-baths. There is also an extensive lakeside patio, resting on stone remains of the Knickerbocker Lodge. Along with the lake, springs and streams run through the property, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The gatehouse and one of three guesthouses on the Willow Lake Farm property, located at 4 Willow Lake Drive. The manor has modern amenities, but still holds historic details and craftsmanship through careful preservation. On the property, there is also three guest houses that were built between 1928 and 1982, which can accommodate five individual units. Each is equipped with a kitchen, some having fireplaces. The property can easily accommodate 20 or more guests with a grand total of over 10,000 square feet. The "Tree Top," a creative retreat located on the Willow Lake Farm property, located at 4 Willow Lake Drive. There is also a hen house with a coop, greenhouse, workshop and horse stalls, stable, an open-air gazebo on the lakeside built upon a stone water tower from the 1800s, plus a screened-in gazebo on the stream, as well as two- and three-car garages. A creative retreat can also be found in the woods on the property, referred to as "Tree Tops," with a stream and waterfall at its side. For more information on the property, contact Sandra Park at spark@hudsonvalleynest.com. This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: 'Pretty Little Liars' filmed at $4.3 million Fishkill English manor This article was originally published in Utah News Dispatch. During the 2022-23 academic year, Utah public colleges and universities awarded 19,219 bachelors degrees. It was about 100 more than the previous year. But, the Utah System of Higher Education wants to see even better outcomes with a new system: giving students the option to get their bachelors degrees in three years rather than four. Utah is the first public system in the country to approve a faster path to graduation by implementing a Bachelor of Applied Studies category. Instead of the regular 120 credits, the new programs would require a minimum of 90 credits. This exciting change in policy opens the door to innovation on our campuses and allows each institution to develop proposals for three-year bachelors degree programs, said Aaron Skonnard, Utah Board of Higher Education member in a news release. We want to be at the forefront of new approaches in higher education that accelerate outcomes for students while better meeting the needs of our workforce. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The new category established by the Utah System of Higher Education would require national accreditation and need to undergo approval by the states Board of Higher Education before it becomes available. Areas of study would also be limited and tied to specific industry needs, the release said. Southern Utah University already has an option to complete degrees in three years by allowing students to take summer courses to accelerate their studies. The school is now taking in mind how to meet the evolving needs of students, said Nikki Koontz, a spokesperson for SUU. Faculty members identified three potential new programs that align with this new approach. We are finalizing these proposals in a rigorous curriculum review process and are looking forward to seeing how the accrediting bodies, students, and the employment markets will receive them, she said in an email. We want to ensure that each degree meets the standards required for accreditation and eligibility for federal financial aid. The 90-credit programs are still in the exploratory phase and need to be cleared through various accreditation bodies, Bryan Magana, a spokesperson for Weber State University said in a statement. As of now, most departments in the school will continue with 120 credits, but that may change. Universities are always looking for ways to show people that college is possible, and a 90-credit bachelors degree is one way to do that, Magana said. Weber State is known for meeting students where they are, and some departments here are exploring the possibility of offering 90-credit bachelors degrees. Roughly a third of Weber State students get their bachelors degrees over a three-year period with credits earned during high school, or associates degrees, he added. Other public universities in Utah didnt reply to requests for comment as of publication time. Last year BYU-Idaho and Salt Lake City-based Ensign College, private schools founded and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced they would offer a similar program beginning in April, which would preserve major courses while eliminating electives. The courses are to be offered through the faiths BYU-Pathway Worldwide program. Utahs new formula also follows a pilot considered by some U.S. colleges that would remake the curriculum to allow students to graduate faster, according to Inside Higher Ed. Those schools include: American Public University System Indiana University of Pennsylvania Merrimack College New England College Northwood University Portland State University Slippery Rock University The University of Minnesota at Rochester The University of North Texas The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh Utica College Utah News Dispatch 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. The morning sun illuminates the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Washington Oct. 19, 2023. | J. Scott Applewhite Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney have done more than nearly all of their colleagues to protect American innovation, according to a new congressional scorecard. The Council for Innovation Promotion gave both Lee and Romney a B grade for promoting policies that shore up intellectual property laws in the U.S. to shield American inventors, entrepreneurs and businesses from illicit foreign competition. Other congressional lawmakers need to follow suit, said David Kappos, the organizations board co-chair. Nearly seven out of 10 lawmakers, including Utahs four House delegates, received a grade of C or C-, which the organization says indicates a lack of interest in intellectual property legislation. America is slipping in its innovation leadership, Kappos said. Americas economy has historically been driven by innovation built on intellectual property laws, said Kappos, who previously served as the undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and as the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. But countries like China have been able to stifle some of this growth by stealing American patents, hurting American businesses and manufacturing, Kappos said. The ranking took into account legislative votes, bill sponsorship and public statements. During the last three Congressional terms, Romney supported bills modernizing trademark monitoring and patent law, and proposed policies to counter intellectual property theft by China. The Chinese Communist Party is on a quest to replace the United States as the worlds superpower, which is why it is so important that the policies we enact in Congress be looked at through the lens of U.S. competition with China, Romney said in a statement to the Deseret News. Im proud to have introduced and supported efforts which encourage competitiveness, safeguard our intellectual property, and maintain our innovation edge over China. Protecting intellectual property rights is one of the responsibilities explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution, Lee told the Deseret News on Tuesday. We need to make sure that we do our job in that area, Lee said. An important part of the success of our country has been the protection of property rights. Utah Valley University in Orem, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The Utah Board of Higher Education has embarked on a path to start the process of offering 90-credit applied studies bachelor's degrees in limited disciplines. A recent vote by the Utah Board of Higher Education has placed Utah public colleges and universities on a path of offering three-year applied studies bachelors degrees in some disciplines, which one official says could better meet workforce needs and provide students with faster pathways into careers. The new applied studies bachelors degree category would require a minimum of 90 credits to complete, 30 fewer than the 120 credits currently required for a four-year bachelors degree. As currently proposed, areas of study for a Bachelor of Applied Studies degree would be limited and tied to specific industry needs. Aaron Skonnard, a member of the Utah Board of Higher Education, the overseer of Utahs public colleges and universities, said in a statement, This exciting change in policy opens the door to innovation on our campuses and allows each institution to develop proposals for three-year bachelors degree programs. New programs in the Bachelor of Applied Studies category will require national accreditation and must go through the program approval process with the Board of Higher Education to ensure the programs align with the mission and role of each Utah System of Higher Education institution before being made available to students. The USHE system includes eight degree-granting colleges and universities and eight technical colleges. Any certificates or degrees offered at USHE institutions need to meet required learning outcomes, provide value for students and be recognized and accepted by employers, a statement from the system said. According to board documents, a task force that studied the proposed shortened bachelor degrees determined that several public colleges and universities in Utah are interested in possibly proposing shortened bachelors degrees in the future. However, there is no consensus across the institutional academic leadership that lowering the credit limits is a good idea. The task force unanimously recommended that if the board decides to lower credit limits, it should allow reduced credit requirements only in particular categories of bachelors degrees rather than in all bachelors degrees, the memorandum stated. Accreditation of such programs may not occur for several years. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities informed the Utah higher education system that it is not currently considering new requests to offer shortened bachelors degrees. According to the memorandum, the accrediting organization has authorized pilots of shortened bachelors degrees offered through the BYU Pathways Program, beginning spring term 2024, which will run for three years. After assessing those three-year pilots, NWCCU will determine whether it will authorize shortened bachelors degrees at other institutions, which may not occur until 2027, the memo states. The Office of the Utah Commissioner of Higher Education has recommended that the higher education board study the proposal while the three-year pilots run their course and then decide how to allow shortened bachelors degrees in policy to align with accreditor requirements. It also recommends that shortened degrees are exceptions to standard bachelors degree structures. INDIANAPOLIS A rebellion has broken open at Indianas largest nonprofit animal shelter, pitting former trainers, board members and volunteers against its chief executive officer. The ex-workers at IndyHumane accuse Donna Casamento of abrasive, insular and vindictive leadership that has led to the resignations or firings of nearly 80 people since she was hired 20 months ago, including the chief financial officer, chief development officer, head of human resources and seven board members. Twenty-three of those let go were brought on by Casamento. As a result, former workers say, dogs are not getting the preparation they need for adoptions and some are being needlessly put down because of behavioral problems. Volunteers walk dogs at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. Its a hot mess, toxic, said John Aleshire, the executive director from 2008 to 2017. If there is no consistency in staff and low morale, the physical and emotional well-being of the animals suffer. There's a trickle down." Casamento the shelter's third leader in six years said shes made necessary changes spurred by an overflow of animals and budget constraints. Cutting staff and eliminating some programs are among the hard choices that will keep the lights on and keep things running. When you go through changes not everyone is going to be on board, especially in an industry where "passions run high, Casamento said. I am sorry those folks didnt agree. Animal welfare everywhere has struggled. IndyStar interviewed 15 former employees, board members and volunteers on the record about the shelter, and a handful of others who requested anonymity. The Star also reviewed departure letters sent by several former employees to IndyHumane board members and interviewed Casamento several times, once at IndyHumane, 7929 N. Michigan Road. The critics have been vocal on social media about their displeasure with Casamentos practices and leadership. The public rebuke is rare in prominent nonprofits, where former employees generally avoid risking future employment opportunities by criticizing their last workplace, said Gary Roberts, who resigned from the board late last year and is the former dean at Indiana University McKinney School of Law. It is utter chaos and has cast a pall over the entire place," said Roberts, who has served on several boards and most recently was the president of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She has the worst people skills I have ever seen and has driven off almost everyone." Despite persistent grumbling and the resignations of a handful of board members, two members asserted Casamento still has the backing of the board, the entity with the power to hire or fire an executive director. A dog named Rocky peers through the exercise fence at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. Staff turnover is high The former workers say the departures have left a smaller staff of mostly new hires and a depleted volunteer corps overworked as care for animals is stretched thin. Its made us sick to our stomachs and we had trouble sleeping at night, said Melissa Erny, a former volunteer of nine years and a certified animal trainer. Some of the staff reduction is due to cuts, which Casamento said were needed to eliminate an operating deficit of more than $500,000 for two years straight. The shelter, which relies on donations for 78% of its budget, had $6.9 million in revenue but $7.4 million in expenses in 2022, according to income tax filings. The budget shortfall in 2021 stood at $738,480. At the same time, the shelter has put more emphasis on customer service and outreach in the community, with the goal of increasing donations, Casamento said. As more money comes in, we can refill those positions, she said. It is taking us a while to get things sorted out, but we are getting the job done and have hope for the future. But Erny and other critics contend Casamentos changes have led to an untenable cycle in which dogs without proper behavioral preparation are being adopted to unsuitable families who are not screened thoroughly or a good match. That results in more adopted dogs being returned, where they get stressed in kennels and are made even less adoptable, and more likely to be put down, the ex-employees contend. Some mismatched dogs have been returned within days after biting family members or their pets. They will tell owners its a dog-friendly pet just to get rid of it, said Jessica King, an animal care tech hired by Casamento who quit six months later. While she was there, King said, about 20 adopted pets were returned in a typical week. Casamento acknowledged the return rate has risen, but said that's partly because of the elimination of the foster-to-own program for healthy dogs. When foster families brought back dogs, they were not counted as returns, she said. The foster-to-adopt program was cut because adopting families are more likely to keep the pets than foster families. Euthanizations questioned She also said the euthanasia rate has remained well under 10% during her tenure, the standard for a "no-kill" shelter. The "save rate" was 96% at the end of 2022 and 2023, Casamento said. The shelter euthanizes dogs for medical and behavioral reasons. Seventeen dogs were put down for behavioral reasons in 2023, slightly higher than any of the last three years but much lower than in the five years before that, according to figures kept by the shelter. Former workers, however, have objected to several euthanasia procedures they claim were unnecessary or preventable to begin with, including: Katy, a 1-year-old black mountain dog, was returned within days after biting a young girl in the adopter's family. Katy was euthanized days after her return. Charlie, who attacked and killed an adopter's dog, was saved from the needle only after volunteers and workers pleaded with Casamento to let them find him a new home. The volunteers made a 30-minute video of Charlies plight. Gabriel was adopted three times. The first time he bit the owner's hand and was returned. The second time he attacked the owner's cat and was returned. The third time he bit a childs face and was sent back and then euthanized, according to King. With the increase in animals in need of shelter, Casamento said IndyHumane stopped accepting dogs with aggression problems in favor of those with a better chance of adoption. That, in turn, permitted her to eliminate the shelter's behavioral team that had provided individual attention to dogs. Instead, dogs are socialized in playgroups by lower-paid enrichment coordinators. Casamento hopes to again hire trainers "one day, she said. Casamento also ended the practice of introducing shelter dogs to adopters family pets because the noise, stress and distractions in shelters renders the meetings useless. Staff members now give adopters instructions on how to make the introduction at home in a more comfortable setting. A motovational poster hangs at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. Complaints follow leader from Texas IndyHumane is a nonprofit organization that shelters about 4,000 homeless dogs and cats a year and puts them up for adoption or fostering. The organization also provides low-cost health care for animals, including spay, neuter and vaccine services. Its board hired Casamento in July 2022 after a period of leadership instability at the organization. She replaced David Horth, who was fired after heading the shelter for 3 years. Horth had replaced Steve Stolen, who was fired in August 2018, just 18 months after taking the job. Before coming to Indianapolis, Casamento faced similar complaints from staff about her leadership as executive director for the Palm Valley Animal Society in McAllen, Texas. A letter sent by more than 12 employees to the PVAS board president cited many of the same complaints about her leadership that former IndyHumane workers are making. "Donna refuses to ever take ownership of her failures," it reads. The PVAS board fired Casamento in 2022 after two years, Brandon Hausenfluck, the board president at the time, and two others said. Hausenfluck would not discuss the reason for Casamento's dismissal but said she did a good job in an "impossible position." The shelter has since operated without an executive director, spreading the position's duties among administrators. "We could not supplement her with a proper staff," he said. "We went broke that year and had to ask for money from the city. Every ex-director here has upset employees." Casamento said she had decided it was time to move on from Texas, but would not comment on details of her departure. She said she helped the shelter meet immense challenges at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Texas is a difficult community; we didn't even have a vet on staff," she said. "I didn't see it as a failure. One letter does not make a failure." Former IndyHumane Human Resources Director Bettye Ellison said she would not have hired Casamento, though she would have been a finalist, because of concerns about the time off between previous jobs. But the decision was taken out of her hands midway through the process. Ellison had collected 70 resumes and begun whittling them down when the board of directors hired a recruiting firm company, Profyle Tracker, to make the selection. The company presented the board with a list of six candidates. Doug Rowe, the director of operations for Profyle Tracker, joined the IndyHumane board after it voted to hire Casamento. Rowe said the criticism from the former workers is "only hurting the animals" and ignores improvements that have been made, such as increased animal play time and fixes to the building. "It's non-fact-based opinions and assumptions from the outside," he said. IndyHumane CEO Donna Casamento holds a puppy up for adoption at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. COVID changes adoption patterns Casamento said much of the overcrowding at shelters is a hangover from the pandemic. Pet adoptions and fosters rose as people sought stay-at-home companions, but new owners deferred spaying or neutering their pets. As COVID-19 restrictions eased, shelters were overwhelmed by people returning adopted pets or putting up for adoption the puppies being born to unaltered pets. The rising cost of keeping a pet also has contributed to the fact that adoptions aren't keeping pace with the number of animals entering shelters, animal welfare groups say. The imbalance can be seen across the Indianapolis region and nationally. The Humane Society for Hamilton County's $12 million shelter in Fishers, opened in 2021, is already overcrowded despite projections that it would not reach capacity until 2036. According to the Shelter Animal Count, kept by a coalition of animal welfare organizations, the number of dogs euthanized last year was the highest in five years at 359,000. Former workers at IndyHumane say staff turnover has worsened the overcrowding problem there. Its disorganized, chaotic and sloppy, said Corey Hardwick, an animal behavior specialist who left after 18 months. Dogs are not being screened. Time is not being spent on their behavior. Red flags on adopters are being ignored. They sit and sit and go through so much kennel stress they arent fit or safe to go back into the community. Sara Lawson, an animal care technician for 6 years who quit in October, called the process "an expedited Chick-fil-A order in the lobby just to get them out of the door." Then, when the dogs are returned, there is nobody left to train the bad habits out of them for safe re-adoption, she said. The former workers said they felt a sense of helplessness under Casamento, who they say dismisses suggestions and gives little positive feedback. Some described their time under her as the worst in their lives and emotionally draining. "Quality leadership includes collaborating with appropriate team members before making decisions. Donna has none of these qualities, Jennifer Bledsole, the former chief financial officer and interim executive director, wrote in an exit letter. Ellison, the former human resources director, resigned six month after Casamento was hired but keeps a running tab on how many employees have left: 79 so far. Casamento did not dispute Ellison's tally but said turnover in shelters is traditionally higher than most industries, ranging from 38% to as high as 75%. The shelter currently has 58 employees. Dog yard play rules are posted at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. A blunt style Casamento said she is up front with workers and volunteers about what she expects, with priority given to the animals' well being. Those who cant live with the changes are managed out, she said. For example, she said, the lights in the kennel are now turned off for an hour before the shelter opens to calm dogs, which means volunteers cant play with them as they used to. Some people think it is a place where you just come and play with animals, but this is a lot of hard work. You have to clean bins and scoop poop, she said. We are looking for leaders, for good folks to do animal care. She said the pace of attacks on her has been dizzying. "I shouldn't have to spend so much time on detractors," she said. "Especially when they don't want to hear my side." The director has so far enjoyed the public backing of the board, according to Board President Brooke Crosley and Rowe. "She has done what we asked her to do and modernized operations at a place that needed cultural change," Crosley said. What weve done is bring it up a notch on the business side while making the facility more people-centric." There is more accountability but also more opportunity for people to come and grow, Crosley said. Tiffany Morrison, a human resources generalist hired by Casamento, said she appreciates the CEO's style. She doesn't sugarcoat anything, Morrison said. I disagree with her a lot, and she takes it gracefully and sometimes even agrees with me. Several former employees have sent their complaints to board members, to no avail. Crosley said the board doesn't involve itself in day-to-day operations and generally passes the emails along to Casamento. We encourage them to build a relationship with her, Crosley said. "Donna is the most educated person weve had in that spot in a while." A donation canister sits at IndyHumane on Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. 'Dangler-in-chief' Several former employees described some of Casamentos choices as baffling, even dangerous. She hired a veterinarian she knew from Texas, Melissa Stansell, who told IndyStar she refused do surgeries because of concerns about the medical unit. Stansells husband was also hired and made a splash by posting unconventional videos to encourage adoptions. In the videos, Cameron Shoppach holds up dogs underneath their front legs and swings them side to side, with their hind legs dangling. He said it is good way to show-off the dog's personality and it led to an increase in adoptions. The videos were featured in news stories and earned Shoppach 72,000 Instagram followers and the title of dangler-in-chief." Though the shelter and Shoppach said the videos increased donations and adoptions, some animal behaviorists said the practice was harmful for animals. I was horrified, said Connie Swaim, a dog trainer who volunteered at the shelter and asked to meet with Casamento about the videos. I watched a hundred videos and Ive yet to see any dog not exhibit stress behavior. It is not a good way to showcase dogs and it is a way to set them up for bites when they go home. Shoppach isn't the dangler-in chief anymore; he was fired at the end of February and his wife was asked to resign. Shoppach said he was let go in a dispute with Casamento over a video he posted about an abused dog he adopted, London. Once close to Casamento, he said his stint at IndyHumane was "the worst 10 months of my life." In a last video, the couple announced their departures before downing shots. F--- that place, Shoppach says in the video. Casamento said she could not comment on why Shoppach was fired because it was a personnel matter. But she thanked him for helping raise money through the video. I wish them both well, she said. Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyHumane staff, volunteers take stand against animal shelter's CEO A student heads to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Waukesha campus in Waukesha on Monday, March 11, 2024. The Waukesha campus will close at the end of the spring 2025 semester, eliminating an educational option that has been around since 1966. The closure of two University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee branch campuses will lead to the layoffs of tenured faculty members under a policy that's previously been applied just once. "Laying off any employee who has devoted their career to public higher education is awful, but laying off tenure-line faculty is truly setting a grave precedent for the future of the UW system," said AFT-Wisconsin, which represents unionized faculty and staff at UW campuses. The sheer number of the faculty layoffs, expected to be in the dozens, as well as the precarious nature of other branch campuses that might face similar fates of closure in the coming years, has caught the attention of multiple faculty groups. "Were going to be closely monitoring whether UWM follows this policy because if it doesn't, it wouldnt bode well for other campuses," said Michael Bernard Donals, president of PROFS, a UW-Madison faculty advocacy group. Here's what to know: What is tenure? Tenure offers protection for academic freedom, the principle that professors creating knowledge and expressing ideas should be free to do so without the threat of intimidation or retaliation. How many UWM faculty face layoffs? There are about 45 tenured or tenure-track faculty working at UWM's Washington County and Waukesha campuses, according to the university. The Washington County campus will close at the end of this school year, with the Waukesha campus following in spring 2025. Tenure changes trace back to 2015 The Republican-controlled Legislature and then-Republican Gov. Scott Walker removed tenure from state law in 2015 a move that sparked backlash, drew national attention and led to a series of symbolic no-confidence votes in the UW System president. A UW Board of Regents policy that replaced the law in 2016 added program elimination as a reason to lay off tenured faculty. This is what UWM Chancellor Mark Mone applied to justify the faculty layoffs. Before 2015, if an academic program or department was phased out, tenured faculty had to be placed in a different position and could only be laid off if there were a campuswide financial emergency. Policy previously applied for UW-Platteville professor The board approved laying off a UW-Platteville associate professor after the university's School of Education discontinued the early childhood program. A string of university committees and councils approved the elimination of the program in a process that began in 2019. The school's director made a good faith effort to find the faculty member a new job, offering a position at a different campus. The professor declined the offer and the layoff took effect in May 2022. No guarantees of job at UW-Milwaukee main campus The little-used policy says layoffs should be invoked only "in extraordinary circumstances and after all feasible alternatives have been considered." UWM spokesperson Angelica Duria said branch campus employees will be considered for jobs on the main campus "as availability and funding allows." UWM will work closely with Waukesha County Technical College on employment opportunities and has offered buyouts to branch campus faculty members who are ready to retire. Data show UWM faculty ranks have fallen every year since 2018. In addition, declining enrollment has strained the university's finances. Faculty role limited in layoff process UWM has not yet issued a program discontinuance proposal to begin the process but anticipates doing so over the next few weeks, Duria said. That proposal kickstarts the process. Various UWM faculty groups will recommend whether to discontinue the program housing faculty in both of UWM's branch campuses. But the layoff policy allows for the chancellor to go against the faculty recommendation if there are "compelling reasons." Kathleen Dolan, who leads UWM's University Committee, said the faculty's limited role in the process was because of changes Republicans made in 2015. "It is merely advisory," she said. "It is merely a recommendation. We have no power to stop this." Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Milwaukee faculty at Waukesha and Washington County campuses face layoffs A man who murdered a vulnerable mother-of-two has been jailed for a further five years for her rape. Valentin Lazar, 23, was handed a life sentence in February 2022 for killing Maria Rawlings, 45, in Romford, east London, on 4 May 2021. Ms Rawlings suffered multiple injuries when she was attacked after leaving King George Hospital in Ilford. Lazar, formerly of Newham, appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from HMP Frankland to be sentenced for rape. Judge Mark Lucraft KC said while Lazar was at Belmarsh prison in March 2022 he had admitted to a probation officer that he had raped Ms Rawlings. As a result he was interviewed by police and charged with rape, to which he pleaded guilty on 11 March this year. "In the admissions you made you said you removed Maria's clothing before then raping her," said Judge Lucraft. "You knew Maria was not consenting to sexual intercourse and that then having killed her you took her handbag to make it look like a robbery." The court heard that at the time of Lazar's sentencing for murder there was not enough evidence to establish any sexual motive or conduct and the starting point for his original sentence would have been higher. Judge Lucraft sentenced Lazar to five years' imprisonment, to run consecutively to the minimum sentence of 23 years and six months he is already serving. "That means you will start to serve this consecutive sentence at the end of the minimum term; in effect it defers the point at which you can first be considered for release by the Parole Board," he explained. In mitigation, defence barrister Christopher Whitehouse said that Lazar's confession was "voluntary and unforced", and that he had wanted to "unburden himself". Mr Whitehouse added it was to be hoped Lazar's guilty plea and sentence for rape would "usher in a degree of finality for the victim's family". Judge Lucraft said Ms Rawlings' father Tony had spoken of her in a victim impact statement as being "the strong one, very generous, a kind person who thought a lot of her elders and that she was always offering to help". Her father had also said that "15 minutes of anger towards a defenceless grandmother had caused him and his family a lifetime of pain". Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk EAST LANSING Attorneys for Michigan State University Trustee Rema Vassar have urged the Faculty Senate chair who was found to be a victim of Vassar's bullying and retaliation to delay any action condemning the trustee. The letter, sent by the Rochester-based Miller Law firm on March 18, attempts to convince Jack Lipton and the Faculty Senate to postpone any potential votes in support of the university's Board of Trustees' decision to censure Vassar and fellow trustee Dennis Denno and refer them to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for potential removal. Attorneys asked Lipton to urge the Faculty Senate to wait until they released their review of the report that found Vassar and Denno had broken several of the board's bylaws and codes of conduct, including committing "personal attacks against Dr. Lipton." Michigan State University Board of Trustees Chairperson Rema Vassar looks on as a student addresses her, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, during the MSU Board of Trustees meeting at the Hannah Administration Building. The attorneys said any vote by the Faculty Senate to condemn Vassar could be "potentially damaging" if members voted without reading the firm's response. The firm earlier this week issued a blistering and lengthy response to the report on behalf of Vassar, calling it "inaccurate" and "incomplete." "We believe it is imperative to read our response to the Report before determining what weight, if any, to give its findings, conclusions, and recommendations," the letter stated. "Accordingly, we strongly recommend that the Faculty Senate refrain from making any judgments, or taking action, in reliance on the Report until after all members have had an opportunity to review our firm's response. MORE: Should Whitmer remove 2 trustees from Michigan State's board? Experts disagree "Under the circumstances, it would be premature and potentially damaging for the Faculty Senate to proceed otherwise." Lipton presented the letter to the Faculty Senate during a meeting March 19 and said senate members perceived the letter as threatening and concerning. One faculty senate member brought up his concerns surrounding the letter before the University Council's 69-2 vote to support previous motions by the Academic Congress and the Associated Students of MSU to condemn Vassar and Denno and support the board's decision to refer them to the governor for removal. The Faculty Senate, which is separate from the University Council, has not formally voted to condemn Vassar since MSU's investigation into her alleged conduct was completed in late February. "I think they used unfortunate word choices." Lipton said of Vassar's attorneys, who are being paid by MSU on her behalf. "The general take from the Senate was that (the letter) was threatening ... Are they afraid we can't make our own judgements on the report? "I responded during discussion that if anyone (on the University Council) was concerned about that threat from Miller Law regarding 'danger' to the Senate, they were welcome to vote 'no' on the resolution," Lipton said in an email. Kevin O'Shea, one of the attorneys who signed the letter, clarified Thursday to the State Journal that "potentially damaging" was meant to refer to Vassar and the university as a whole, not to the Faculty Senate. O'Shea added that he did not mean to single Lipton out, but sent the letter to him as chair of the Faculty Senate. The letter was meant to go to the entire senate, but the lawyers were unsure of where to send the letter to make that happen. "There's an office for academic governance," Lipton said. "If they couldn't find that on a web page, I'd be concerned." Vassar and fellow Trustee Dennis Denno were determined by the Washington, D.C. law firm Miller & Chevalier to have "encouraged a campaign of personal attacks against Dr. Lipton, MSU Faculty Senate Chair, by student groups and the press." They are also accused of other violations of ethics and the trustee code of conduct. Vassar has responded to the report, calling it "deeply flawed." It's unclear how Vassar is going to proceed. O'Shea told the State Journal previously that "Were not taking any future options off the table." It's unclear whether or when Whitmer will make a decision on the board's request. Lipton Letter by Susan Vela on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com, or follow her on X @sarahmatwood This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Vassar's attorneys ask MSU Faculty Senate to delay 'potentially damaging' vote. Here's why THE HAGUE, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Thursday ordered Israel to do whatever is necessary to ensure that basic aid reaches the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. "Israel should take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance," the ICJ stated in its ruling. These include "food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza, including by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary." The ruling is an addition to a Jan. 26 verdict, in which the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, to halt incitement against Palestinians as a group, to preserve evidence and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian aid. On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the current view of the court, the provisional measures indicated in that order of Jan. 26 do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes on the ground. Therefore, the Court determined that modifications to these measures were justified. The court stated that since that ruling, "the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further, in particular, in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been subjected." "Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, as noted in the order, but that famine is setting in," it said. GAZA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army has killed over 200 people and arrested around 1,000 others in the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in northern Gaza, said the Hamas-run media office on Thursday. The office said in a statement that the Israeli army continued committing "crimes" against those inside the complex and in its vicinity, with available information indicating "the army's execution of more than 200 displaced citizens and arrest of around 1,000 others." Citing testimonies from some survivors, the statement said tanks shelled many buildings, while the Israeli troops continued bombing and destroying houses over the heads of their inhabitants in the surrounding area. The office held Israel and the U.S. administration as "active partners in this aggression against the complex and the medical staff, the wounded and sick, and the displaced civilians inside." On the other hand, Israeli public radio said the army forces and the Shin Bet security service continue fighting in the Al-Shifa Hospital area, where the combat teams killed about 200 militants. On Wednesday, militants emerged from the emergency room at the hospital and opened fire on Israeli forces operating in the area, according to the radio. The hospital, once Gaza's largest medical facility, is now one of the few medical centers that still functioning in the enclave. It has also served as a shelter for displaced Palestinians since the Gaza conflict began last October. 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. MASSAPEQUA PARK, Long Island (PIX11) A wake will be held on Long Island Thursday for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Queens earlier this week. Visitations will be held at Massapequa Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Former President Donald Trump, who is running for reelection, is expected to attend the wake Thursday afternoon. Trump was moved by the invitation from Dillers family, according to his campaign. Trump posted on social media that the suspects accused in the shooting should have never been back out on the streets. The funeral service for Diller will be held at Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Massapequa at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Diller will be interred at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. Hundreds of people also attended a candlelight vigil for Diller Wednesday night at Brady Park in his hometown of Massapequa Park. Dillers mother, sister and brother held each other at the vigil amid the outpouring of support. He leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son. Diller was a member of an elite unit, the Queens South Community Response Team, and won numerous awards during his three years on the job. NYPD officer shot and killed in Queens: We lost one of our sons today Diller was shot and killed Monday after he approached a gray SUV illegally parked at a bus stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. Guy Rivera, 34, is accused of shooting Diller in the stomach below his bullet-proof vest. Charges against Rivera are pending as hes recovering from being shot in the back by Dillers partner, according to authorities. The driver of the SUV, 41-year-old Lindy Jones, was charged Wednesday in connection to Dillers death. A GoFundMe for Dillers family has raised over $460,000, as of Thursday morning. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also announced it paid off the mortgage on Dillers home. Road closures are planned for Dillers wake, according to Nassau County police. Click here to see what streets will shut down and when. 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. WARREN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Following a trial late last year, a Middle Tennessee man who reportedly beat an infant several times, causing multiple broken bones, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. The trial began in November 2023 after Joshua Maranta was charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse of a child under 8 years of age. The trial lasted for two days before a Warren County jury found Maranta guilty of all counts. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee In a statement on Thursday, March 28, Chris Stanford, District Attorney General for the 31st Judicial District, said the proof presented at the trial established that Maranta broke 10 bones throughout the babys body during the first eight months of the infants life. Joshua Maranta (Courtesy: District Attorney General, 31st Judicial District) There were six specific occasions where prosecutors said Maranta physically abused the victim. Stanford said the state was able to prove the abuse through a combination of extensive factual and medical evidence. During a full sentencing hearing on Feb. 14, the State recommended a total effective sentence of 75 years. However, Marantas defense lawyer argued that he should only be required to serve the minimum sentence of 15 years. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Then, on Wednesday, March 27, Circuit Judge Larry Stanley Jr. issued his final ruling and sentenced Maranta to serve 22 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In his statement, Stanford said his office will continue to seek convictions of lengthy sentences for any violent criminal that preys on our communitys most vulnerable victims. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has decided to back out as the service provider for the Washington County Crisis Stabilization Unit therefore Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins says the unit will close. Deakins says in an email sent to the Washington County Justices of the Peace that he was notified on March 27 that UAMS initiated the termination clause as the service provider for the CSU. Washington County Director of Communications Tad Sours confirmed UAMS is backing out as the units service provider saying a lack of support from the state of Arkansas made it difficult to maintain operations. While we deeply regret the loss of such an amazing community resource, the lack of support and structure from the State of Arkansas has made the continued operation of the CSU impossible in Washington County. There are no plans to seek another service provider, Sours said in a statement. Deakins email says this will start a 90-day termination period which means the CSU will end its operations at the end of June. UAMS has been a great partner for us, and I have appreciated their service to Washington County. They have been gracious in their handling of this difficult situation, Deakins said in the email. NWA Crisis Stabilization Unit struggles with funding UAMS released a statement addressing its withdrawal as the CSU service provider: After careful consideration, UAMS has made the difficult decision to withdraw from our contract to operate the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit. As a state institution, UAMS strives to provide needed and necessary service where we can around the state. It is our responsibility to apply our resources where they will serve the greatest number of people. Unfortunately, this CSU is lightly utilized relative to its designed capacity, and its no longer feasible for us to continue to provide the necessary staff and resources needed to maintain the facility. We hope to work with the County, the State, and the community to transition the facility to a new partner or to connect patients to other suitable services in other settings in Northwest Arkansas. UAMS statement The Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Communications and Community Engagement Chief Gavin Lesnick also sent a statement addressing the closure of the NWA CSU and the reason why: We are aware that the Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in Fayetteville is planning to close at the end of the current state fiscal year, and we will work closely with UAMS and the county in this transition period. Although the state continues to provide support, the NWA CSU is the most underutilized in the state and the provider feels it cannot continue to provide the needed care and services for limited referred clients beyond the current contract. The Arkansas Department of Human Services continues to work with stakeholders to find alternative care and treatment options for those in the area who need it. Gavin Lesnick, Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Communications and Community Engagement Chief Sarah Moore, co-founder and executive director of the Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition says the NWA CSU has been a resource thats been a lifesaver, both for individuals and for families who struggled to find appropriate resources for their loved ones. Its been a lifeline in our community and a much-needed part of our health care response to people that really need that part of a place that they can go 24 hours a day to be able to seek that level of care and treatment when theyre struggling with a mental health crisis, Moore said. Moore doesnt want the unit to close. As a person in the community who has loved ones very close to them that are neurodivergent and have serious mental illness, and knowing that our states in a mental health crisis, I really question the wisdom of any individual that would reduce our mental health care thats available in our community, Moore said. She says taxpayers can help fund it or find another way Wed much rather that be spent on providing them health care than putting them in the local jail, Moore said. We could easily take some of those ARPA funds and we could keep this facility open through 2026. Thats something that really should be looked at, and should be looked at urgently. Fayetteville police chief Mike Reynolds sent a statement addressing how he feels about the situation: Once again, its a concerning setback for our communitys growing mental health needs. Its one less resource for my police officers to utilize when they encounter persons who are battling a mental health crisis where jail is not helpful or appropriate for the treatment they need. Although this is a frustrating situation, my officers and social service advocates will work diligently with local stakeholders to explore alternative solutions or resources in an effort to ensure those in crisis receive the care and support they desperately need and deserve. Fayetteville Police Chief Mike Reynolds For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. United Launch Alliance is preparing the final Delta IV Heavy rocket for its swan song, sending a national security payload into orbit before concluding a 60-year history of the Delta rocket family. But the retirement will have to wait. ULA attempted to launch the Delta IV Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Thursday afternoon. However, the launch was scrubbed after several delays and unfavorable weather early into the countdown. The company was planning to try again to launch the NROL-70 payload into orbit on Friday when the weather improved. However, the mission was scrubbed again due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline, which provides pneumatic pressure to the launch vehicle systems. "The team continues to troubleshoot the pipeline and more time is needed to instill confidence in the system," the company said. "We will continue to work with our customer to confirm our next launch attempt and a new launch date will be provided upon resolution." Bruno said hes sad to see the Delta retire, adding it has a "storied legacy" of doing "great things for our nation." The history of the Delta rocket program dates back to the late 1950s when NASA started it. At 233 feet tall, the Delta IV Heavy would tower above the first Delta rocket at just 90 feet tall. Ultimately, the first Delta launch in 1960 was not a success. However, the Delta rocket quickly began establishing a history of successful missions. Versions of Delta rockets launched eight missions to Mars for NASA, including Spirit and Opportunity rovers. The Delta IV Heavy Launch vehicle started launching in 2002. All but four of its 16 missions were for the NRO. The penultimate liftoff of the rocket happened in June, launching the NROL-68 mission . SPACECRAFT'S BLURRY VISION RESTORED AFTER SUCCESSFUL DEEP SPACE DE-ICING Delta IV Heavy is a powerful bird to see launch. The rocket uses half a million gallons of fuel and has three side-by-side booster cores, each with Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engines that provide a combined 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Ahead of the Delta finale, Bruno explained to reporters why the rocket "lights itself on fire before it goes to space." To prepare the rocket's RS-68A engines, very cold cryogenic hydrogen propellant is sent flowing into the engines before they ignite. "Hydrogen is lighter than air, so after it flows through the engine and the flame trench, it then rises," Bruno said. After the main fuel load is dropped and the engines ignite, the flame travels where the hydrogen clings to the booster's side. Bruno said one of his favorite memories of a Delta launch was the launch of NASA's Parker Solar Probe in 2018. The Sun-observing mission was named after solar physicist Eugene Parker, Ph.D., who was also there to witness the launch. Parker died in 2022 at 94 years old. ULA is replacing its workhorse rocket, the Atlas V, and the Delta Heavy with the new Vulcan rocket. The Atlas series uses Russian-made RD-180 engines. Vulcan uses American-made hardware, including Blue Origin and Aerojet Rocketdyne engines. The companys inaugural Vulcan launch happened in January , launching Astrobotics robotic mission to the Moon . While Astrobotics mission did not ultimately reach the Moon, the lunar orbital assist from ULA went flawlessly, according to both companies. Original article source: Final Delta IV Heavy rocket launch scrubbed due to issue with gaseous nitrogen pipeline AUSTIN (KXAN) Winter weather in the spring? Not so much. As scattered storms moved into the Central Texas area Wednesday afternoon, KXAN viewers sent in photos and videos of what looked like snow on the ground only it wasnt snow. It was hail. Hail came down near Hamilton Pool Road on Wednesday after scattered storm moved into Central Texas Wednesday afternoon | Courtesy Carrie Turlington Hail came down near Hamilton Pool Road on Wednesday after scattered storm moved into Central Texas Wednesday afternoon | Courtesy Jamie Coley Hail covers an outdoor area off Hamilton Pool Road on March 27, 2024. (ReportIt photo/Steve Allison) KXAN viewer Carrie Turlington sent in the video below of hail near Hamilton Pool Road. The First Warning Weather team says storms will clear late evening and not return for the rest of the week. Sunshine and mid-70s can be expected Thursday ahead of warmer and more humid weather heading into the weekend. Strong storms move into Austin metro area A KXAN viewer sent in video of hail coming down in Dripping Springs after scattered storms moved into Central Texas Wednesday afternoon. KXAN viewer KVZ sent in video of hail coming down in Hays County near Driftwood as well. But its like Dolly Parton says, The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain! Here is a photo of a double rainbow in Taylor sent to us from Danielle Brandenburg. After scattered storms passed through Central Texas on Wednesday, a double rainbow appeared in Taylor | Courtesy Danielle Brandenburg Here are more rainbow photos sent to us from Pam Geiger in Georgetown. A rainbow appeared in Georgetown after scattered storms passed through Central Texas on Wednesday | Courtesy Pam Geiger A rainbow appeared in Georgetown after scattered storms passed through Central Texas on Wednesday | Courtesy Pam Geiger For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Thursday vetoed a United Nations (UN) Security Council draft resolution extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee. The U.S.-drafted resolution won the support of 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council. Russia voted against it. China abstained. The draft resolution would have extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 30, 2025. Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said before the vote that the Panel of Experts has no added value. "The panel's work has been reduced to playing along with Western approaches, replicating biased information, analyzing newspaper headlines and low-quality photos," he said. "In doing so, the panel effectively testified to its inability to develop sober assessments of the state of DPRK's sanctions regime. The panel fixated on insignificant trivialities disproportionate to the problems of the Korean Peninsula." It is obvious that over the past years, the sanctions have not helped to achieve the goals set by the international community and have not led to the normalization of the situation around the peninsula. This situation does not encourage the parties to dialogue. At the same time, the sanctions are a heavy burden for the DPRK population. The case of the DPRK is a unique one. It is the only country under indefinite sanctions of the Security Council. Basic mechanisms for adjusting the restrictions do not work, and there are no procedures that would allow the delisting of certain individuals. All the other sanctions regimes against countries have ultimate realistic goals and are subject to regular review, he said. Russia, therefore, proposed during consultations on the draft resolution to hold an open and honest review of the sanctions against the DPRK, with a view to transferring the restrictions onto an annual basis. This would galvanize an engaged discussion of the accumulated problems, and adapt the Security Council's restrictive measures to rapidly changing conditions. This scenario could also give Pyongyang incentives to dialogue, said the Russian ambassador. "However, the United States and its allies did not want to heed us and did not include our ideas in the draft resolution put to a vote today. In these circumstances, we see no added value in the work of the ... Panel of Experts and cannot support the American draft resolution." In an explanation of vote after the vote, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, said the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue cannot be divorced from political mutual trust and a favorable climate. Blindly increasing sanctions and highlighting pressure will not help resolve issues. It will only be counterproductive. Indulging in military alliances and obsession with military confrontation will only further exacerbate antagonism and tensions, making the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and maintaining its peace and stability even more elusive, he said. "China once again calls on all parties to adopt a rational and pragmatic approach, stay committed to political settlement, resume contacts, build mutual trust, restart dialogue as soon as possible, and do more for peace and stability on the peninsula. The international community, including the Security Council, should also create a favorable environment to this end," he said. China has always maintained that sanctions are not an end in itself, but a means. Sanctions against the DPRK should serve the denuclearization of the peninsula, the launch of dialogue and negotiations among the parties, and the final political settlement to the peninsula issue, said Geng. China highly appreciates and supports the Russian proposal to set a time limit for the DPRK sanctions and conduct periodic reviews. China believes that this proposal, if adopted, will be a great improvement to the sanctions regime and would give impetus to break the current deadlock in the situation. Regrettably, the Russia proposal has not been taken on board, said Geng. When the mandate of the Panel of Experts is yet to expire and when parties still have time for consultations, the draft resolution has been forced to a vote. China had to abstain, he said. The White House on Thursday morning released its first government-wide policy aimed at mitigating the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), requiring agencies to take further action to report the use of AI and address risks the technology may pose. Federal agencies will be required to designate a chief AI officer, report how they use AI and add safeguards as part of the White House memo. The announcement builds on commitments President Biden laid out in his sweeping AI executive order issued in October. I believe that all leaders from governments, civil society and the private sector have a moral, ethical and societal duty to make sure that artificial intelligence is adopted and advanced in a way that protects the public from potential harm, while ensuring everyone is able to enjoy its full benefits, Vice President Harris said on a call with reporters. The new memo and requirements help promote the safe, secure and responsible use of AI by the federal government, she said. As part of the memo, agencies will have 60 days to designate a chief AI officer. That officer will coordinate the use of AI across their agencies. The memo does not determine if the position will be a political appointee or not, and the administration expects that in some cases it will be and for other agencies it will not, according to a senior administration official. Agencies will also be required to create AI use case inventories that list each of its AI uses annually, and submit the inventory to the White House Office of Management and Budget, as well as post it for the public. As part of the inventory, agencies will need to identify which use cases are safety-impacting and rights-impacting and report additional detail on those risks. Some AI use cases will not be required as part of the inventory, such as ones used in the Department of Defense, the sharing of which would be inconsistent with applicable law and governmentwide policy, according to the memo. Agencies are also required to implement concrete safeguards when using AI in a way that could impact Americans rights or safety by December, according to a fact sheet released by the White House. For example, it would require travelers to have the ability to opt out of the use of TSA facial recognition at airports without delay. Agencies that cannot apply the safeguards must cease using the AI system, unless agency leadership justifies why doing so would increase risks to safety or rights or impede on critical agency operations, according to the fact sheet. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said on Thursday they continue to deliver aid, with their partners, to Haitians despite the upsurge in deadly gang violence that even targets schools and health facilities. "Our response continues even as the situation on the ground remains tense and volatile," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "Schools and students in Port-au-Prince are paying a heavy price because of the ongoing violence." The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) condemns an arson attack on a school that took place on Monday, depriving over 1,000 children of their right to education. It estimates that more than 1,000 schools have closed or suspended classes due to recent violence and insecurity. The fund reports that the health sector has been severely impacted, with at least half of all health facilities in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area either closed or severely disrupted. UNICEF and its partners have conducted more than 700 medical consultations in displacement sites over the last two weeks. Between March 18 and 25, the fund said it provided psychosocial support to more than 600 children at displacement sites. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues its daily hot meal program for displaced people in Port-au-Prince, reaching the largest number of people in a single day on Wednesday. The agency distributed 22,000 meals. "Thanks to our local partners, the WFP was able to access 10 new sites for displaced people," the agency said. "Since early March, WFP and its partners have reached more than 54,000 displaced people with more than 263,000 hot meals in 38 different sites." Also, since early March, more than 2 million liters of drinking water were distributed by WFP's partners, reaching 60,000 displaced people in some 29 sites. WFP reported it has been able to leverage donors' support to continue hot-meals distributions in the short term. However, WFP's emergency assistance is threatened for the next few months without ongoing support. The agency said it requires 61 million U.S. dollars over the next six months for its emergency activities, including hot-meals distributions. The overall funding gap is about 103 million dollars for the next six months. OCHA said recent events are curtailing people's access to essential social services. The violence is also hampering aid operations, including access to a port where there are humanitarian supplies that remain at risk of being looted. "As we have said many times, we need safe and unhindered access to those in need, as well as urgent and flexible funding," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti, which calls for 674 million U.S. dollars, is currently only 6.6 percent funded, which means that we have only 45 million dollars in the till." The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva said on Thursday that more than 1,500 people in Haiti were killed in gang violence this year. Joe Exotic is known to many as the Tiger King, but at the Santa Rosa County Jail, where he temporarily resides, hes simply known as Joseph Maldonado. Maldonado, 61, was booked into jail in Santa Rosa County, Florida, early Wednesday morning as he prepares to appear in court for an upcoming civil hearing in a case set in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Maldonado launched a civil lawsuit against musician Vince Johnson and several businesses over alleged copyright infringement and breaches of confidentially agreements related to "musical compositions that contractually belong to Maldonado." Joe Exotic in the spotlight: 'Tiger King Joe Exotic' back in Santa Rosa County Jail Not up to date on what Joe Exotic has been up to since 15 minutes of fame? Heres a recap. Who is Joe Exotic? Whats his real name? Joseph Maldonado-Passage Joe Exotics public debut and quick rise to fame came in 2020 when Netflix released the documentary Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. The first season of the true-crime docuseries became available for streaming in March. It featured eight episodes that focused on Joe Exotic and other prominent cat conservationists, such as Carole Baskins, owner of Big Cat Rescue, and Jeff Lowe, who formerly operated the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. Joe Exotics real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado. He has used the Joe Exotic moniker as his professional name but is frequently referred to as the Tiger King since the Netflix docuseries was released. Joe Exotic's original arrest: "Joe Exotic," tiger keeper, gubernatorial hopeful, arrested in Gulf Breeze for murder-for-hire plot Maldonado founded the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, in 1999. Like Maldonado, the park underwent several name changes (G.W. Zoo, Tiger King Park and formerly the Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park) before closing in June 2018. Three months after G.W. Zoo closed, Maldonado was arrested after he hired two men to murder Baskin. He was ultimately sentenced to 21 years in prison in 2019. Was Joe Exotic arrested and booked into Santa Rosa County jail? Despite what might appear, Maldonado was not arrested. He was moved temporarily to Santa Rosa County Jail to await a court appearance in his civil suit against Johnson and several other companies. Why is Joe Exotic in prison? In April 2019, Maldonado was found guilty on two counts of hiring someone to kill Baskin, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act by falsifying wildlife records and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act after it was discovered that he killed five tigers and sold tigers across state lines. Maldonado was originally arrested in the murder-for-hire plot in Gulf Breeze in 2018. He was initially sentenced to 22 years in prison on Jan. 22, 2020 and was sent to the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, but he was resentenced in January 2022 to 21 years in prison. When is Joe Exotics release date? Maldonado is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2035. Where is Joe Exotic serving his sentence? Maldonado is serving his 21-year sentence at FMC Fort Worth. Joe Exotic's appeal: 'Tiger King' star Joe Exotic loses appeal of murder-for-hire prison sentence Did Joe Exotic run for president? Yep, and not just once. During the 2016 presidential election, Maldonado ran as an independent candidate. According to the Federal Election Commission, he got on the Colorado ballot and received 962 votes nationwide. He filed again to run as a Libertarian candidate during the 2020 Libertarian Party Presidential Primaries and expressed interest in running for president again in 2022. On April 11, 2023, he announced he would run as a Democrat during the 2024 presidential election. The Oval Office wasnt the end of his political ambitions, though. He also ran for governor in Oklahoma in 2018. He received 664 votes in the 2018 Libertarian Party primary election, but his two opponents beat him. Who is Joe Exotics husband? Maldonado has been officially married twice though he has frequently referred to other love interests as his husbands. In 2013, Joe met Travis Maldonado, who was 19 years old at the time. The two quickly began a relationship after Travis began working at Joes zoo in December 2013. The two married in 2015, and Joe took Travis last name. Tragically, Travis fatally shot himself at the zoo on Oct. 6, 2017, in front of Joshua Dial, who was working as Joes campaign manager at the time. Wasting little time, Joe married Dillon Passage, who was 22 at the time, on Dec. 11, just a few short months after Travis death. Joe and Passage divorced in 2023. Contributors: Kevin Robinson, Pensacola News Journal. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Why is Joe Exotic back in Santa Rosa County Jail? What to know On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments as anti-choice activists seek to overturn the US Food and Drug Administrations approval of a drug commonly used to terminate pregnancies. As my colleague Alex Woodward explained in his write-up of the oral arguments, even some of the conservative jurists that former president Donald Trump nominated to the bench seemed to express skepticism about reversing the FDAs approval of mifepristone that happened in 2000. Indeed, Justice Neil Gorsuch cast the ruling by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk last year that threw mifepristone into peril as rash. He added that this weeks litigation, brought by a handful of doctors opposed to abortion, would be turning what could be a small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule. Another group of Republicans might secretly pray that the Supreme Court allows mifepristone to stay on the market: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson and even Trump. On the surface, this might seem puzzling. Johnson is an ardent anti-abortion campaigner who worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal group leading the challenge to mifepristone. Trump nominated Kacsmaryk, the judge who suspended mifepristones FDA approval last year. And McConnell facilitated Kacsmaryks confirmation to the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas when Republicans controlled the Senate. But Trump and McConnell turning the Senate into a judicial confirmation factory indeed, McConnell got rid of the filibuster for Supreme Court confirmations because of Democratic opposition to Gorsuch has been disastrous for Republicans politically. The Dobbs v Jackson decision overturning Roe v Wade came as a result of Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barretts confirmations, and it prevented Republicans from flipping the Senate when President Joe Biden had abysmal poll numbers. Republicans barely flipped enough seats to flip the House which has made life in the majority miserable. Similarly, the chief justice for the Alabama supreme court specifically cited Dobbs in his decision that ruled frozen embryos are legally protected children. That decision forced doctors to halt the practice of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and put Republicans on the defensive, with Alabamas Republican legislature subsequently passing a law to protect IVF. On the national level, Republicans running for Senate and even Trump came out and said they supported IVF. This, despite the fact many anti-abortion activists celebrated Alabamas ruling. The issue has become a potent weapon for Democrats. Just this week, Democrat Marilyn Lands flipped a seat in Alabamas state legislature in a district that had voted for Trump in 2020. Lands talked about her own abortion story on the campaign trail and specifically mentioned defending IVF. As Ive written in the past, defending abortion rights has proven success for Democrats not just in blue and purple states but even in deep red states. Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won re-election in McConnells home state of Kentucky largely on the back of an ad featuring a young woman who survived a sexual assault saying people should not be forced to carry pregnancies from rape. Taking mifepristone off the market would be even more radioactive for Republicans. For one, medication abortion is the commonest form of pregnancy termination. According to the Guttmacher Institute, medication abortion accounted for 63 per cent of all abortions in 2023. As a result, Democrats could make hay out of the fact that a ruling against mifepristone could end up affecting most abortions in America, including in blue states. Republicans already know that restricting the use of abortion medication is unpopular. In September, the House voted down a bill to fund the Department of Agricutlure, the FDA and related agencies because the bill would have prohibited the mailing of abortion pills. Many swing-district Republicans voted down the bill, recognising its toxicity. Representative Nancy Mace, the mercurial South Carolina Republican who once told me Republicans need to stop being a**holes to women, joined Republicans in killing it along with every Democrat. Its worth noting that mifepristone is used during the first ten weeks of a pregnancy. After that, other methods of abortion (such as surgical) are usually most appropriate. An AP-NORC poll from last year showed that 73 per cent of Americans support allowing abortion at six weeks and 51 per cent support it at 15 weeks. That means the public feels most comfortable with the time period during which mifepristone can be used. In addition, allowing keeping mifepristone on the market prevents uncomfortable questions about resurrecting the Comstock Act, the 1873 law that prohibited mailing contraception, pornography or drugs intended for producing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use. Congress and Roe v Wade weakened the law, but Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who authored the Dobbs decision, both mentioned the Comstock Act when doing so. Allowing mifepristone to stay on the market would allow for Republicans in every race from the presidency downward to avoid voter scrutiny over such possible implications. Mifepristone surviving might enrage anti-abortion activists, but it would allow Republicans to have a better chance than they otherwise would have in 2024. And another reason why McConnell might hope for a loss for the Alliance Defending Freedom? Its main lawyer arguing before the court, Erin Hawley, is married to one of his Republican nemeses, Senator Josh Hawley. She is far more effective at advancing conservative causes having crafted reply briefs for the Dobbs decision than her senator husband. What better way to stick it to Josh on the way out than to see the Hawley family fail? In the 2007 animated film Ratatouille, the rodent protagonist, Remy, is taken by his father to see the shop window of a Parisian rat catcher for a lesson in the laws of the universe. Alongside shelves packed with lethal rodenticides, dead rats swing by their necks from a makeshift gibbet. This, the young Remy is warned, is what happens when rats dare get too close to humans. Their world is one that belongs to an enemy. The inspiration for the shop portrayed in the film is Maison Aurouze, said to be the oldest rat catchers in Paris. Founded in 1872 and still going today, the shops polished glass frontage displays assorted taxidermy rats that have been collected in various states of misfortune. Any passing rat would be wise to heed warning, for ours is an ancient enmity. And nowhere are the battle lines more pronounced than in Paris, which, alongside New York and London, is one of the great ratropolises of the Western world. Maison Aurouze is reportedly the oldest rat catcher in Paris - Alamy Stock Photo The French even have a word for it: deratisation, which translates loosely as the ridding of rats. Throughout much of the past 100 or so years, Parisians have been engaged in a process of all-out war on their rodent residents. In the summer of 1920, after rat populations that had boomed along the trench networks of the Western Front streamed into the city alongside returning soldiers, the city pledged to eradicate a grey invasion that was, in the words of one contemporary journalist, as difficult to conquer as the Germans. Citizens formed vigilante groups, patrolling the streets with dogs, clubs and guns. Approximately 500,000 rats were killed over the course of a year, but to little overall effect. Indeed a century on, Paris is still teeming with rodents. You can spot them scurrying over the manicured gravel of the Tuileries and along the banks of the Seine. A one-star review of the Eiffel Tower on Tripadvisor is headlined simply: Rats. So numerous have they seemingly become, in fact, that in the well-heeled 17th arrondissement, modern-day citizen brigades have once more clubbed together to rid their streets of rats. An etching of a rat catcher in Paris, mid to late 17th century - Sepia Times And yet a truce is in the offing, one that could have implications for us all. The Parisian authorities are considering a novel approach to rodent control which is increasingly being recognised in a host of other urban conurbations. The war on rats has long turned into a fruitless stalemate. Perhaps it is time to hoist the white flag and usher in a new era of benevolent co-existence? In June 2023, the Paris deputy mayor for public health announced that a committee was being established to consider the prospect of cohabitation with the citys rats. This marked a significant departure from previous policies of deratisation. The decision could herald a new dawn in Pariss relationship with its rats, one that has not been universally well received. While some pro-rat campaigners have taken to the streets wielding banners that declare rats are not our enemies, during strikes over pension reform last year rat catchers threw the bodies of dead rodents at the Paris city hall to, in the words of one union organiser, show the hard reality of their mission. Pro-rat campaigners take to the streets of Paris, March 2023 - AFP Alongside these official entreaties, a collective of scientists based around the National Museum of Natural History in Paris have launched a project intended to finally unpick the secret lives of the citys famous inhabitants. They cite three main objectives: to decode the biology and ecology of rats in Paris and use genetic testing to map the dynamics of populations; to better understand the diseases they carry and the risks of transmission to humans; and to help explain peoples own prejudices towards rats. The name given to the study is fitting for an animal so regularly blamed for hastening humanitys demise: Project Armageddon. Essentially the concept of cohabitation boils down to live and let live, much as we do with urban foxes or squirrels. Professor Christiane Denys, a palaeontologist and rodent expert involved in Project Armageddon, tells me that she hopes the work will break down myths around rats and explain to people how we might better coexist. She is dismissive of current attempts to limit or even wipe out rat populations with poison, pointing out that, worldwide, scientists have already discovered more than a dozen genetic mutations in rats demonstrating resistance to anticoagulants (the poisons most commonly applied in an attempt to kill them). Rats belong to an ecosystem and if you touch one part of an ecosystem you can destroy another, she warns. Rats represent the worst of us, or at least that is what we tell ourselves. They are rapacious, over-sexed, destructive and pestilent. The term rat is an insult; a verb as well as a noun. The dishonest rat each other out. When cornered, the morally culpable turn upon each other like rats in a sack. The Victorian author and chronicler of rats James Rodwell invites his reader to slowly pronounce the word aloud: R-A-T, savouring the disgust in every letter. We have long regarded rats as invading pests - Hulton Archive During the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, rats were regarded as familiars of the devil. Modern cultural references are hardly more favourable. The vicious rat in Disneys Lady and the Tramp is a greasy, sharp-fanged monster with yellow eyes and a swishing, addery tail who sneaks into the babys room. Beatrix Potter, who had her own pet fancy rat called Sammy, cast them in a less than favourable light in The Tale of Samuel Whiskers. Alongside his wife, Anna Maria, Samuel attempts to kidnap and eat a kitten in a roly-poly pudding. Even the great Sir David Attenborough has acknowledged his own fear. I really, really hate rats, he has said. I dont mean that I mildly dislike them as I dislike, let us say, maggots. I mean that if a rat appears in a room, I have to work hard to prevent myself from jumping on the nearest table. We have long been obsessed as a society with the notion of rats invading. In 1813, the Yorkshire-born journalist Charles Fothergill attempted some brief arithmetic on rat reproduction. He calculated that, left to their own devices, a single pair of rats would produce three million young during their three-year lifespan. Fothergill concluded that the whole surface of the earth in a very few years would be rendered a barren and hideous waste, covered with myriads of famished grey rats, against which man himself would contend in vain. This is the sort of dodgy mathematics that has led to the old adage that you are never more than six feet away from a rat, or that there is a rat for every person in Britain. In short, nobody knows the true number. Much of what is floating around the internet is peddled by the pest-control industry itself, which clearly has a vested interest in an over-inflated public perception of the threat. Estimates of Britains rat population range from 10.5 million, to in excess of 200 million. In 1947, during the post-war baby boom when overpopulation was becoming a source of wider concern, the US research psychologist John B Calhoun started conducting crowding experiments with rats. Calhouns neighbour agreed to let him build a quarter-acre enclosure in disused woodland behind his Maryland home, a pen he nicknamed rat city. Paris joins New York City and London as one of the great 'ratropolises' of the world - AFP The habitat, Calhoun imagined, was sufficient to accommodate 5,000 rats, and to kick things off he introduced five pregnant females. Brown rats can produce litters of up to 14 pups, and average around half a dozen. Given their ability to fall pregnant almost immediately after giving birth and gestate while simultaneously lactating, he presumed the woodland floor would soon be teeming. However, despite the provision of a constant supply of food over two years of research, the population never exceeded 200 and ultimately levelled off at around 150. A few years later, while employed at the National Institute of Mental Health, Calhoun repeated the experiment but this time in indoor pens. Once more he introduced rats and provided food, water and bedding. Calhoun called this experimental world a rat utopia. But there was one limit deliberately imposed on this world that was different to his outdoor experiment: space. The rodents bred prodigiously and the pens soon heaved with animals. Then something strange occurred: the rat society started to collapse in upon itself. Dominant males formed aggressive packs that attacked females and the young. Some rats became hypersexual, attempting to mate with everyone they encountered. Mothers abandoned and even attacked their pups as infant mortality rose to 96 per cent. Cannibalism was rife. What became left of rat utopia was a group of terrified subordinate rodents huddled together for safety in the middle of the pen while the more feral inhabitants of the colony roamed the perimeter. The population crashed and did not recover. Published in 1962, Calhouns study came at a time of rapid urban expansion. Calhoun termed his findings of the rats descent into vice and destruction a behavioural sink. This was a horror story that resonated deeply. There are two species of rat in the UK: the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and black rat (Rattus rattus). While there is evidence of black rats present in Roman Britain, they are now restricted to just a few population clusters, having been gradually displaced by the larger brown rat. Both are invasive species (brown rats originated in China, and black rats in the Indian subcontinent) and have followed humans wherever they have gone. Now found on every continent except Antarctica, rats are one of the most populous and successful mammals on earth. Nearly the most destructive, too although that particular mantle belongs to us. It would be disingenuous to suggest that rats are not a pest and, in the right circumstances, a threat. It would, in fact, be difficult to envisage a more effective harbinger of pestilence than the rat: muscular, ferocious, with incisors that are stronger than steel and bodies capable of squeezing through the tiniest of gaps to access food sources in our homes. Rats, along with other rodents, pilfer one-fifth of the worlds food harvest and can devastate populations of animals and seabirds. They are also a reservoir of pathogens known to cause more than 70 diseases. Rats have been found to harbour bubonic plague, cholera, typhus, leptospirosis, cowpox and hantavirus infection. A 2014 study from Columbia University found that the average New York City subway rat carried 18 novel viruses not yet detected in humans, along with dozens of familiar pathogens. Rats have become a cause of concern for hygiene on the New York City subway - Corbis News However, researchers have recently attempted to exonerate rats as single-handedly spreading plague. One 2018 study of Black Death mortality data conducted by researchers in Norway and Italy claimed human-borne fleas and lice were more likely responsible for causing the 14th-century epidemic, which killed up to half the population of Europe. Meanwhile, another study, published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2015, argued that the Black Death could have originated from gerbils in Asia, rather than rats. That connotation with the plague, as well as a desire to maximise food production at all costs, drove the rat wars of the 20th century. In 1908, the first ever rat destruction bill was introduced to the House of Commons. A decade later, following intensive lobbying by a group of wealthy landowners known as the Vermin Repression Society, the British government passed the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919, placing a legal obligation on every private individual to destroy rodents and deal with any infestation on land or property they owned, or face a 5 fine. According to the chairman of the Vermin Repression Society, Alfred E Moore, it was the sacred duty of every living one of us to take his or her place in the world war against these living emblems of depredation, filth and disease. Moore encouraged various methods of extermination: fumigating hedgerows with high-strength sulphur dioxide gas, flooding rat burrows with tar and beating any escapees to death with sticks. The Boy Scouts and Womens Land Army were later deployed to dispatch any rat they could find across the nations farms, including pumping Cymag (a now-banned cyanide gas) into burrows. The slogan the authorities adopted was: Kill that rat! Its doing Hitlers work. But the rats had the advantage of any guerrilla army: an ability to launch nocturnal raids and retreat into secret burrows, a shared intelligence network and a hugely effective spying operation, combined with an indefatigable ability to adapt and survive. Over the past few years I have experimented myself with a closer form of co-existence. During lockdown I acquired a pair of pet fancy rats, Molly and Ermintrude. Fancy rats originated in Japan and have been bred in Britain since the Victorian era. They are the same species as the brown rat, but with variegated colours on their fur and often larger ears. There is even a National Fancy Rat Society which hosts shows around the country, akin to a ratty version of Crufts. Our writer Joe Shute pictured with one of his pet fancy rats I was once terrified of rats, but my own pets opened up to me their tenderness and playfulness and the strong emotional bonds they form. When tickled, rats even emit ultrasonic giggles inaudible to the human ear. Studies have shown rats are capable of empathy, altruism, regret, and possess impressive powers of memory, as well as the ability to judge the passage of time. One recent study by researchers at the University of Tokyo showed that rats like to dance, making them the only species alongside humans to display an innate enjoyment of music and instinctively move to its beat. During the experiment, in which rats were played one-minute excerpts of Lady Gaga, Queen and Mozarts Sonata for Two Pianos in D major at different speeds, it was found they kept the best time at 132 beats per minute exactly the same as us. Rats also grieve and have been known to bury their dead. When Molly died, Ermintrude pulled a scrap of cloth partially over her sisters lifeless form and lay next to her until we retrieved the body. Gradually, humanity is starting to overcome its entrenched aversion and reconsider the rat. At the Apopo project in Tanzania, rats are trained to detect landmines (due to their extraordinary powers of smell) and deployed to conflict zones around the world. Shamsa the rat hard at work training to detect landmines (with some help from human handler Bahati) - Maria Anna Caneva Saccardo Caterina To date the rats have cleared more than 160,000 landmines and other explosives in countries including Cambodia, Angola and Mozambique. Similarly, the rats are also used to screen tuberculosis samples, sniffing out compounds produced by the bacteria that cause the disease at a speed and precision far greater than human detection. Apopo has also started training up rats which are able to locate survivors in the wreckage of buildings. The rats wear a backpack containing a camera, a two-way radio and a geo-locating device. When they reach their intended human target, they pull at a switch around their necks to alert their trainers. Despite the ability of the rodents, the researchers conducting the training are still concerned about how a human, even in their most desperate moment, might react to being rescued by a rat. Apopo's rats are equipped with a camera and radio to help look for survivors in building wreckage - Maria Anna Caneva Saccardo Caterina In a recent article, Canadian public health researcher Chelsea Himsworth argued that rat-related issues should be treated as a result of policy failure. Rather than wasting time attempting to eradicate rats, city leaders should focus attention on better waste collection, tougher rules on littering, greater community cohesion and reducing antisocial behaviour. This does not mean that we should love rats, nor does it mean that we need to leave them alone, she writes. Rather, it shifts the focus to managing the ecosystem of which rats are a part, rather than focusing on the rats themselves. The idea of adopting this more benign approach is beginning to gain currency. One intriguing recent anthropological study conducted in Amsterdam considered the rights of rats to belong in a city. Launched in response to a spate of rat sightings in and around the Dutch capital, and based upon a wide range of interviews focused on peoples daily interactions with rats, the researchers proposed Amsterdams rodents be considered denizens of the city rather than invaders. Another group of scientists in the Dutch capital are backing a rat city project with the creation of special feeding areas for the rodents in parks, allowing people to get to know the animal. Increasing concern over the impact of secondary poisoning on wider ecosystems is also forcing authorities into action. In 2022, the Canadian province of British Columbia introduced a permanent ban on the sale and use of second-generation anticoagulants, with only a few essential sectors such as healthcare and food production permitted to still utilise them. In the Netherlands, the government has removed anticoagulant rodenticide for public use, with other countries expected to follow. By the end of 2024 in the UK, it will be illegal to use two second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides bromadiolone and difenacoum unless associated with a building, effectively rendering all second-generation anticoagulants illegal for open use. Many studies have demonstrated the extent to which rodenticides are assimilated into the wider food chain, impacting species from barn owls to hedgehogs. Campaigners hope the stricter guidelines can finally restrict the extent of poisons leaching into the environment and further affecting wildlife. Ezekiel, a (human) researcher who works in an Apopo lab, with (rat) assistant Julius - Picasa But that does not mean rats are entirely in the clear. Rentokil has an experimental facility in Sussex ominously dedicated to innovation, where the firm trials the latest scientific methods in rat catching. In January 2023, it announced it had been developing new facial-recognition surveillance technology in partnership with Vodafone to track infestations and feed back real-time analysis to a central command centre, which can decide how best to dispose of the rat. There is also work taking place to assess the potential of genetic engineering to render rats infertile (a technique already employed on mosquitos). In 2017, researchers at Edinburghs Roslin Institute announced they were investigating the feasibility of releasing genetically modified male rats with an x-shredder code inserted into their DNA, meaning they could only ever pass on the y chromosome and never have female pups. In November 2022, researchers at Adelaide University progressed this concept by announcing the results of a study into causing infertility in female laboratory mice. Using computer modelling, the researchers found that introducing 250 mice, whose genetics had been modified with something called t-CRISPR, which alters a females fertility gene, into an island population of 200,000 rodents could wipe them out within 20 years. Such technology remains theoretical, but it could in time equip humanity with the ability to finally fully eradicate rats. It also poses a minefield of ethical questions. Rats may prove destructive in the environment but they are also a vital food source for other animals. If we remove them from the food chain, who knows what the knock-on effects would be? There is also the question of where this all leads. After the successful deployment of the technology against mosquitos, and if the rat is ultimately expunged, would other unpopular species, such as the urban fox or carrion crow, follow? And above all, in the midst of an extinction and biodiversity crisis caused by human activity, what right do we have to deem which animal is permitted to share the earth with us, and which is not? Abridged extract from Stowaway: The Disreputable Exploits of the Rat, by Joe Shute, which is out on 12 April (Bloomsbury, 18.99); pre-order at books.telegraph.co.uk 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. MARSHALL, Texas (KETK) After nine months, police have arrested a Wichita man for murder in connection to a 2023 shooting of a 16-year-old. 4 arrested for stealing pizzas, wings at gunpoint in East Texas Mugshot of Jarvis Gill. Courtesy of Harrison County Jail The Marshall Police Department said they were notified of a person lying in the roadway at the 1800 block of Alexander Street on June 7, 2023 at around 1:30 a.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 16-year-old dead of a single gunshot wound. Authorities charged Jarvis Gill, 27, with murder of the teen on Tuesday and is being held on a $500,000 bond at the Harrison County Jail. An investigation to the death revealed that the teen was lying in the road for more than an hour and a half before police were called. Officials also said people drove around the body and took photos and videos of the body in the roadway. In August 2023, Tyra Valentine, 24, Diamond Roach, 32, and Alexander Morrison, 50, all of Marshall, were charged with failure to report human remains. Two juveniles were also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for robbery. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A Wichita Wind Surge player helped save a Florida man. According to Fort Myers affiliates WINK and WBBH, Travis Adams was in town for spring training and rushed in to save a man named Howard from a fire on Monday evening. According to the station, Adams was assisted by other neighbors. Me and another guy went and knocked on the door. I think one guy ended up breaking the window, Adams told the station. I think we ended up kicking the front door in a little bit, but there was so much stuff blocking the front door that there wasnt any way to get in. While putting the fire out, a firefighter was hurt but is recovering and expected to be ok. Wichita Wind Surge to change their name, at least for a weekend Adams was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 and was assigned to the Wind Surge in 2023. WINK reports that Adams heads to Kansas on Monday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The effectiveness of the European Union's $54 billion aid package to Ukraine over the next four years largely depends on additional support from the United States, Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said on March 28. Marchenko emphasized the integrity of the aid efforts, speaking at the event "Ukraines European Path: Dialogues About the Future" on March 28. "Is the $54 billion earmarked for the Ukraine Facility sufficient?" Marchenko questioned. "It would suffice for the current year with American involvement. But it falls short for the next year." "Without billions from the United States, it will be quite challenging for us," Marchenko said. "We have a limited window to adapt to this situation. Adaptation efforts should be collaborative. This problem finding a way to balance and meet its needs extends beyond Ukraine alone. This commitment aligns with the principles of the G7 countries, upon which our IMF program relies. So, our main goal now is to make it clear to our partners that should we encounter a funding shortfall, we'll be counting on their increased support.." Read also: Prominent politicians and businessmen talks on the future of Ukraine on its way to the EU in new NV event 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 ACCRA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers were killed in a car crash in the Ashanti Region of Ghana on Wednesday, the Ghana Police Service said in a statement. "With a heavy heart, the Ghana Police Service mourns three of our gallant officers who lost their lives in a fatal accident today at Kyekyewere along the Accra-Kumasi highway while on their way for police operational duties," the statement, without giving more details. The police will make further information available after officially informing the families of the three about the development, it said. The Accra-Kumasi highway is one of the busiest highways in Ghana that links the country's two largest cities. On March 15, 21 people lost their lives in a bus collision on the highway. President Volodymyr Zelensky held meetings with the European Parliament's Renew Europe political group and the French National Assembly delegations on March 28, the Presidential Office reported. During the meeting with the European Parliament's Renew Europe political group, headed by its president Valerie Hayer, parties discussed the issue of expediting military assistance to Ukraine from European capitals, as well as the process of Ukraine's further European integration. Zelensky recalled that Kyiv has fulfilled all four recommendations of the European Commission set out in the annual Enlargement Package, stressing that Ukraine is determined to maintain "a high pace of integration into the European Union." "It is a foreign policy priority of our country and an integral part of the security of Ukraine and the entire European space," Zelensky said. The issue of Russian propaganda in Europe was also one of the discussion topics. During the meeting with the French National Assembly delegation, including its president, Yael Braun-Pivet, Zelensky thanked for the recent endorsement of the Agreement on security cooperation between Ukraine and France, which was signed on Feb. 16. "This is an important signal for other countries to make decisions on signing corresponding documents," Zelensky said. The parties also discussed cooperation in the defense sector and the priority needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, paying particular attention to the recent proposals of French President Emmanuel Macron to expand support for Ukraine in opposing Russia. Previously, Macron promised to come to Kyiv and bring "specific solutions" for the war without mentioning a specific timeline for the visit. On March 11, media reports said that Macron would visit Ukraine in the coming weeks. Read also: PM Shmyhal: Ukraine hopes EU accession talks will begin in first half of 2024 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PHNOM PENH, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia can achieve its ambitious targets for increasing the proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads if the kingdom follows a carefully designed plan, said a World Bank report released here Thursday. The Cambodian government is committed to having 40 percent of electric cars and urban buses, and 70 percent of electric motorbikes by 2050 in order to reduce carbon emissions. The Southeast Asian country registered a total of 1,335 EVs as of 2023. As Cambodia continues its economic growth, it is estimated that total motor vehicles in active circulation could increase from the current level of 6 million to 8 million by 2030 and 14 million by 2050, said the World Bank report. "Moving towards electric vehicles is an achievable target and will help Cambodia reach its ambitious carbon neutrality goal (by 2050)," World Bank country manager Maryam Salim said when launching the report titled "Cambodia: Recommendations to the National Roadmap for Electric Mobility Transition." The report said to ensure that vehicles newly entering circulation in Cambodia are predominantly EVs rather than gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles, Cambodia will need to reform vehicle import and usage regulations in a progressive approach. It is also recommended to implement policies requiring the mandatory retirement of gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles when they reach a certain age, which would raise demand for new vehicles and enable electric vehicles to break into the market sooner. It added that in the short term, the transition to EVs in Cambodia is expected to be driven by motorcycles and tuk-tuks. Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance's Secretary of State Ros Seilava said the government has been encouraging people to use EVs and electric motorcycles because they are environment-friendly. "Promoting electric vehicles presents an opportunity for Cambodia to decarbonize transport, achieve the country's ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions, and reach carbon neutrality by 2050," he said. "This can also help Cambodia integrate with regional and global supply chains, boosting industrial development and job creation," he added. To achieve these goals, the government has reduced import duties on EVs since 2021 to about 50 percent lower than taxes on traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Moeurng Sokmeng, a sales supervisor at the Mingyang Guoji Trading Co., Ltd., which is the sole agent of China's Hongqi brand in Cambodia, said EVs have been gaining momentum in Cambodia thanks to their saving on fuel costs and environmental friendliness. "Currently, we have sold out a lot of EVs, both small-scale and large-scale EVs, and our EVs have received considerable support from consumers," she told Xinhua. "Hongqi brand EVs are a high-end brand in China, and they are beautifully designed, with high quality." Udom Pisey, an EV manager at the Car4you Co., Ltd., which imports Letin Mengo EVs from China, said EVs have far fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel vehicles, so maintenance and repair costs are also cheaper than internal combustion vehicles. "Using EVs saves money, as they are easy to charge and eco-friendly," she told Xinhua. YANGON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,746 endangered Myanmar star tortoises have been preserved at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, including 60 males, 112 females and 1,574 of undetermined gender, U Aung San, head of the sanctuary, told Xinhua on Thursday. People trading star tortoises as food and pets caused them to become endangered. Now, they are kept safe to stop theft, U Aung San said. Measures have been implemented to combat theft, including the installation of solar lighting for nighttime visibility, iron fences and regular fence maintenance, he added. According to U Aung San, in 2023, 599 baby tortoises hatched out, and in 2024, there are 1,584 eggs expected to hatch in May. Adult female star tortoises lay eggs between September and February, usually one to four times a year. These eggs hatch from May to July. Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary are protecting Myanmar star tortoises from extinction. Since beginning with just six Myanmar star tortoises in 1999, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Magway region of west-central Myanmar, has successfully bred a total of 1,746 star tortoises in captivity. StealthMole, an AI-powered dark web intelligence startup that specializes in monitoring cyber threats and detecting cybercrime, announced Thursday that it has raised a $7 million Series A funding round. The Singapore-headquartered startup with an R&D office in South Korea will use the fresh capital to establish additional R&D centers and support more commercial uses of its technology in the B2B sector and geographical expansion. "Having an R&D office in South Korea allows us to gain critical insights into how hackers from East Asia operate," Simon Choi, chief technology officer (CTO) at StealthMole, told TechCrunch. "Similarly, having researchers from various backgrounds in Singapore for Southeast Asia, or in other unique locations, will aid us in analyzing data related to neighboring countries." StealthMole was co-founded in 2022 by Louis Hur (CEO), an enterprise IT security expert and serial entrepreneur in cybersecurity, and Choi (CTO), a threat investigator and open source intelligence (OSINT) profiler who previously worked as an adviser for the National Intelligence Service South Korea, the National Police Agency, and the Ministry of National Defense in South Korea. The startup serves over 50 clients across 17 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Its current customer base mostly includes government and law enforcement agencies for national security and cybersecurity teams within enterprises, which manage cybersecurity incidents, analyze threats, and provide cybersecurity guidance and support. "StealthMole came about from a critical market gap I encountered while working in cybersecurity and white-hat hacking: a severe lack of data points and information networks, specifically within Asia," Hur said in the company's statement. "At the same time, data leaks, anonymized transactions, and all manner of cybercrimes were spiking both due to malicious intent and human error. To better understand digital threats, it's crucial for law enforcement, intelligence agencies, corporate security teams, and cybersecurity experts to analyse regional contexts and their impact on illicit activities." The outfit says it traces criminals using 255 billion analyzed data points from the dark web, deep web and various hidden sources, including leaked databases, cybercriminals' blogs and Telegram. One differentiator from its competitors in the cybersecurity industry is its unique expertise in Asia-related threats, Kevin Yoo, chief operating officer (COO) at StealthMole, told TechCrunch. According to a report by Check Point Research, Asia witnessed the highest year-on-year surge in weekly cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2023 due to rapid digital transformation; the rise of the hybrid workforce and Asia's manufacturing industry, like semiconductors that hold intellectual property, could be a target for cyber espionage. "The high demand for Asia-oriented threat information underscores the uniqueness and value of our dataset for customers worldwide, within and beyond Asia," Yoo said. Korea Investment Partners led the Series A round with participation from Hibiscus Fund (a joint venture between RHL Ventures, Penjana Kapital and KB Investment) and Smilegate Investment. Jasper Kenzo Sundeen'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. The Latest | Israel must open more land crossings for Gaza aid, UN court says In a legally binding order, the top United Nations court says Israel must open more land crossings into Gaza for food, water, fuel and other supplies ANKARA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police have detained 434 suspected drug traffickers in anti-narcotics operations across 53 provinces, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday. The police seized a total of 1,043 kg of narcotics and 387,000 narcotic pills during the operations, Yerlikaya noted on social media platform X. "I want our esteemed nation to know that we will never allow drug dealers to poison our future, our youth, and our society. Our operations against drug traffickers and street dealers will continue resolutely across every corner of our country," he added. Video footage posted on the minister's X account showed police entering apartments and buildings and putting suspects into vehicles. Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Turkiye has been grappling with international drug smuggling for years. Turkish security forces frequently launch operations against drug dealers as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug abuse and trafficking. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. SOFIA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The third and last attempt to form a new coalition government in Bulgaria failed Thursday as There Is Such People (ITN) party declined to join, paving the way for snap parliamentary elections probably in June. The two largest parliamentary forces, the GERB-UDF coalition that holds 69 seats in the 240-member parliament and the coalition of We Continue the Change -- Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) that holds 63 seats, failed to fulfill the mandate of forming a new government respectively earlier this week. Then President Rumen Radev turned to ITN, which holds 11 seats in parliament. However, ITN rejected the invitation on Thursday. According to the Bulgarian Constitution, after the third failure, Radev is obliged to appoint a caretaker government and schedule new parliamentary elections within two months. During the meeting with ITN, Radev said that he would immediately begin meetings with all potential prime minister candidates. "I will do my best to speed up the process of forming a caretaker cabinet," Radev said. The need for a new government arose after Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov from the PP-DB resigned on March 5, adhering to a power-sharing agreement with GERB-UDF when his government was elected in June 2023. According to the deal, Denkov was to serve as prime minister for nine months, followed by GERB-UDF's representative Mariya Gabriel, who has been deputy prime minister and foreign minister in Denkov's cabinet, for another nine months. Additionally, ministerial changes could only be made with mutual consent of the two coalitions. An automatic rotation of a prime minister with his deputy is not allowed under the Bulgarian constitution, therefore Denkov had to resign. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Bessemer Members of the Bessemer City Council voted to approve the hiring of an East Lansing company to serve as advisor in relation to the citys Phase 3 project on the pending new Bluff Reservoir. The city agreed to pay Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC its requested fee of $18,600, specifically to address issues in relation to the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds bond/loan process. Company Director Andy Campbell outlined Baker Tillys perceived role in a March 11 letter to city representatives. As part of the process, we would complete the rate study processes SRF requires (taking the information from the DWAM analysis), Part 1 in its entirety, provide financial input guidance for C2AE to complete Parts 2 and 3 for the project cost estimates and project cost final and all of the other financial processes to complete the SRF process, wrote Campbell. I have reservations about the reservoir, said councilman Mark Movrich before the vote was taken. He pointed out an uphill region leading to the reservoir that possibly may be why the reservoir doesnt get the water pressure it needs. He wondered whether that could be corrected rather than paying for an entire new reservoir. Councilman Adam Zak said that the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy mandates that the reservoir tank be inspected every five years and that every diver has refused to do it for fear of losing assets. Meanwhile, he said EGLE has pressured the city to resolve the issue. Councilwoman Linda Nelson said that the city now has funding to help resolve the issue, whereas that may not be the case in the future. Council members also: Voted to authorize the citys Executive Committee to work with legal counsel in relation to property designated for the proposed Iron Belle Apartments. Voted to authorize Lake to sign a First National Bank loan in relation to the purchase of a dump truck, reported to cost $138,590 upon delivery. Voted to advertise sealed bids for a new loader. Voted to designate the mayor as the authorized representative of the citys water project and wastewater project, both financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as the citys representative for its Drinking Water Asset Management project with the state. Voted to post openings for four summer employees at $15 per hour, three for 90 days and one for 120 days. Voted to authorize staff to pursue a survey to include the easement for a sewer line going through the property of Richard and Cara Matrella and to grant the funding to retype the deed to include the survey. The council will meet next on April 3 at 7 p.m. for a budget workshop. The councils next regular meeting will be on April 8 at 6 p.m. Both sessions will be in the council chamber of the Bessemer City Hall. By LARRY HOLCOMBE [email protected] IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College played host to nearly 100 local middle and high school students for the inaugural Pi Day Competition on March 20. Thirty-one teams of three students from grades 7-12, representing four school districts from within the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District competed in a series of mathematical problems it not related to, certainly in honor of, pi - the ratio of the circumference of a circle to it's diameter - approximately 3.14 and represented by the Greek letter for p. The event was created in collabora... By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] HURLEY Members of the Iron County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday evening to approve Phase 1 recommendations for the 2024 budget. They also voted to establish a new capital fund that will be geared toward the ongoing goal of greater fiscal responsibility. Board Member Kurt Wolff, who has been leading the push for budgetary reform, summarized the results of Phase 1 that he had outlined in greater detail in a recent Finance Committee meeting. He said that, even after meeting with many department heads to reduce costs in each of their departments, t... By LARRY HOLCOMBE [email protected] IRONWOOD The Ironwood City Commission agreed Monday evening to purchase the land the Pat ODonnell Civer Center stands on for $1 from Gogebic Community College. The purchased also included a 30-foot strip of parking along the north side of the Civic Center. City Manager Paul Anderson said in a memo to the commission that the city needs ownership of the property in order to meet requirements of a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Land and Conservation grant it hopes to gain to help pay for a new ice making system in the Civic Center. In th... LOS ANGELES, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Two soldiers were injured in a military helicopter crash in the western U.S. state of Colorado on Wednesday, local media reported. At approximately 6:30 p.m. local time (0130 GMT Thursday), a single AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed while conducting routine training on the post, said officials at Fort Carson, KKTV, a television station in Colorado Springs in the state, reported. Fort Carson is a U.S. Army installation just outside Colorado Springs. Fort Carson officials were quoted as saying by the news outlet that the helicopter was from the 4th Infantry Division. Officials said emergency personnel were on the scene and the two soldiers, who were suffering from minor injuries, had been transported to an army hospital, said the report. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] BESSEMER - Members of the Bessemer City Council voted on Monday evening to appoint Clerk/Treasurer Mandy Lake to the role of interim city manager. In separate votes, they also increased her salary to the equivalent of $5,000 per year and authorized her to prepare a job posting for city manager. "Ms. Lake has pretty much stepped up to the task," said Councilman Adam Zak regarding Lake, who already was acting in the city manager's role from the start of the meeting. Zak, who made the motion to appoint Lake to head the city, praised her "plethora of experie... By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] MERCER The Mercer Area Schools have proposed a referendum on the April 2 ballot to help maintain operations, programs and facilities, including hiring needed personnel for the school, according to district administrator Renae McMurray. The referendum would raise $800,000 a year, for five years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. An operational referendum would cover our general operational expenses, our staffing expenses. Specifically what we are looking at is facility improvements, and the cost to attract and retain staff, said McMurray. A b... By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD - Members of the Wakefield City Council voted on Monday evening to approve the application for two grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. After being rejected on its first try last year, the city will reapply for an MDNR Trust Fund Grant, in hopes of financing a now smaller, proposed expansion of the Eddy Park Campground next to Sunday Lake. The city also will apply for an MDNR Passport Grant, in hopes of creating a dog park now targeted for east of the Eddy Park Skate Park. This year's revised Trust Fund application will rel... Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Buzoienii Andra si Razvan Gogan, chibzuiti la cheltuieli De-a lungul timpului, Andra si Razvan au reusit sa stranga sume importante de bani, insa totul cu un motiv. Andra a oferit un interviu exclusiv pentru playtech.ro in care a vorbit despre reusitele ei pe plan profesional: Imi place sa ies din casa, mai ales pentru ca lucrez foarte [citeste mai departe] Islamabad: Expressing concerns about the future of the Shehbaz Sharif-led ruling coalition in Pakistan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), stated that the new government might collapse if people take to the streets. According to a report by Geo News, Fazlur Rehman appeared on the Geo News program 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath' on Wednesday and mentioned, "The challenges ahead are too many, and this government will not be able to address them. Ultimately, politicians will bear the responsibility for all failures." Fazlur Rehman also expressed his party's intention to hold a protest against institutions that allegedly manipulated the election process, turning it into a 'game'. Earlier, he announced the decision to boycott the by-polls to the National Assembly and provincial assembly seats, stating that a movement would be launched from Balochistan after Ramzan on April 25 against the alleged rigging in the general elections. Speaking to Geo News, he reiterated his stance that the 2024 general elections were rigged and called out the force responsible for altering the results. Regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s concerns over the election results in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Maulana Rehman clarified that their issues with PTI were ideological and not election-related. While his party had not yet decided to collaborate with the PTI, he acknowledged a change in the PTI's attitude, considering it a positive development. He also mentioned his meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, where he conveyed his view of Nawaz Sharif as a "new blue-eyed boy." Meanwhile, PTI founder Imran Khan opined that the incumbent Shehbaz Sharif government would not last more than four to five months, as reported by The News International. Speaking from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, Imran Khan criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for not joining the federal cabinet, interpreting it as a lack of confidence in the ruling coalition. He also raised concerns about the unity of the establishment, caretaker government, and the Election Commission, suggesting that everything was based on lies. Appeal for Change: Daggubati Purandheswari's Call to End YSRCP Rule Ministry of Home Affairs Extends AFSPA in Nagaland Districts and Police Stations PM Modi Showcases NaMo App Features to Bill Gates During Meeting POZA ZILEI: Ce primavara frumoasa! Pana si gunoaiele au inflorit la Barlad! | FOTO GUNOIPutine orase din Romania se pot mandri cu pubele de gunoi asezate pe marginea trotuarelor. Si mai putine se pot mandri cu gunoaiele care atarna gratios pe marginea pubelelor sau stau la soare direct pe trotuar. Nu vorbim [citeste mai departe] Moroianu si Bucur, la lotul national Deja calificata la Campionatul European de handbal feminin, nationala Romaniei mai are de disputat doua partide din grupa preliminara, cu Bosnia si Grecia. Selectionerul nationalei feminine de handbal a Romaniei, Florentin Pera, a convocat 18 jucatoare pentru ultima actiune din aceasta campanie. In lotul tricolor vor fi si [citeste mai departe] At a demonstration in central Budapest on Tuesday evening, Peter Magyar demanded the resignation of Chief Prosecutor Peter Polt and the government, and called for a truly independent investigation of a case referred to in a recording he secretly made in his home of a conversation with his ex-wife, the former justice minister. Magyar had invited his followers to the demonstration after his hearing at the Chief Prosecutors Office earlier in the day. The demonstration started in front of the office headquarters and then moved to nearby Vertanuk Square. Magyar told the event that Hungary had sunk in the deepest political, moral and legal crisis since post-communist transformation as a result of the cover-up of paedophile crimes, a scandal involving a presidential pardon, and corrupt bailiffs and government members. He also said that the Chief Prosecutors Office should interview several government members and the prime minister in connection with the recording he had presented during his hearing. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! Hungarian banks added 218 ATMs in the period between January 2023 and February 2024 after the MNB ordered lenders to maintain a minimum number of ATMs based on the number of bank cards issued. Banks with 600,000 to 1.2 million cards are obliged to operate ATMs in at least 65% of the towns outside county seats, while banks exceeding that level are required to operate ATMs in at least 80% of these settlements. The MNB acted to stop a declining trend, as banks have terminated ATMs and bank branches in recent years. In a report published on Portfolio, MNB officials said the regulation has yielded results and there has been an improvement in the quality of the teller machines, as more than 900 ATMs allow customers to deposit cash. There were 4,910 ATMs in the country at the end of February, of which 4,160 were operated by commercial banks and 756 by independent service providers. The number could rise by 100 this year, the MNB added. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! YORK The York school board approved an interlocal agreement with the City of York and the York Police Department to hire a school resource officer. York Public Schools Superintendent Mitch Bartholomew said York Public Schools has never had a school resource officer a member of law enforcement responsible for the safety of students but it has been looking into it for years. Weve been looking for a long time with the York Police Department to work together to provide a school resource officer, Bartholomew said. Now that the police department is fully staffed, the board approved an interlocal agreement with the York Police Department that would bring on a school resource officer. There will be one school resource officer for all three buildings. If city approves the agreement, the school resource officer would start in August. Funding would come from the city and York Public Schools. The board is very appreciative of the York Public Department, Bartholomew said. It is definitely an enhancement to our safety and security plan, he said. When we know that we have a trained officer on our premises, we feel that is a good thing. They know the importance of daily relationships with our kids. When it comes to students who might break laws, Bartholomew said, Were not putting officers in our building to play gotcha, its more about prevention. He said the school resource officer will also help provide our staff and our kids any necessary trainings that might be appropriate. Separately, York County Diversion Coordinator Tristan Perry and Brennan Cole, who focuses on truancy, spoke as part of the Attendance Monitoring Program. We really appreciate that partnership, Bartholomew said. Theyre able to take some of the truancy and attendance we face theyre able to take that and help intervene, Bartholomew said. On Monday the school board also heard a report from Kelby Phillips, York Middle School science teacher, who gave an update about STEM education project, including the grant and partnership with Collins Aerospace. The board also accepted resignations from Elizabeth Bergos, YHS Spanish teacher, and from Cheyenne Mangus, a York Elementary School art teacher, and approved two contracts, one for Tyler Hinton, who fill the elementary art position, and Adam Kreifels for Kindergarten. Imagine if at the height of the last Cold War, the Soviet Union had control over the largest television network in the United States. Imagine if its surveillance network tracked the opinions, interests, and movements of millions of Americans. Imagine this propaganda and espionage campaign targeted the next generation of American leaders. Today, were facing all of that combined in just one unassuming social media app: TikTok. TikTok has quickly grown into a cultural obsession. It negatively influences an entire generation of young Americans, affecting how they act, think, and even vote. The app vacuums up tons of information from the phones of the adolescents and adults using it. But theres another side to the story. TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance with clear links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCPs data laws mean the government is authorized to access any and all of that information. U.S. lawmakers and intelligence officials worry the Chinese government are using TikTok to direct algorithms, showing Americans videos aimed to shape their views, including in the upcoming presidential election. Peoples preferences, what grabs their attention, what they pause to look at on the app China could use all this to influence how people act, how they think, and how they vote both now and in the future. This is no conspiracy theory. Both Democrats and Republicans including the Biden and Trump administrations have scrutinized ByteDance about privacy concerns, surveillance issues, and human rights abuses in connection with the CCP. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report last month verifying that CCP propaganda targeted candidates from both political parties via TikTok during the 2022 election cycle. It found that Chinas influence capabilities, including its use artificial intelligence, are only growing. The problem isnt ultimately TikTok. The problem is that its ownership allows the Chinese government to manipulate the app for surveillance purposes. In Congress, we need a unified strategy to combat the surveillance threats were seeing in new technology and apps, particularly threats from China. While a few legislative solutions have been proposed, it will take significant work to craft a bill we can all agree on. But were making headway. The House recently passed H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, with a large bipartisan majority of 352-65. The bill is now ready for consideration in the Senate. I support H.R. 7521, and Im hopeful that my colleagues will join me in support of this widely bipartisan consensus on a serious national security issue. Key leaders in the Senate have endorsed the bill, but we may have more work to do before everyone gets on board. If were able to pass it, President Biden has indicated he would sign it into law. The bill would allow the president to name certain social media apps, like TikTok, as national security threats if they are determined to be under the control of foreign adversaries. Apps deemed a risk would be banned from app stores unless they sever ties with foreign-controlled entities within 180 days. It wouldnt get automatically rid of TikTok, but it would force TikTok to move away from Chinese ownership if the app is to remain accessible here in the U.S. If we get rid of TikToks Chinese ownership, well eliminate this national security threat. During the Cold War, we would never have allowed the Soviet Union to have such direct access to the American population. We would have defended against sophisticated propaganda and espionage networks. But today, those networks are hidden in plain sight, in the pockets of millions of Americans. Its critical to protect our nation from the CCPs national security threats, and Im confident we can work together on legislation in Congress that will get the job done. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. Renault and Nissan, part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, have unveiled their plans for the Indian automotive market during their joint annual conference for FY 2023-24. With a combined manufacturing capacity of 480,000 units at their Oragadam facility in Tamil Nadu, the French and Japanese automakers are gearing up to regain lost market share and strengthen their portfolios. Renault's Duster Returns With A Bang Renault has announced the comeback of third-generation Duster in India, set for a market launch around Diwali 2025. "We are expanding our lineup in India, which includes a five-seater C-segment SUV and a seven-seater C-segment SUV for both Renault and Nissan," Renault Group CEO Luca De Maio said at the press meet. The popular SUV will be joined by a new seven-seater variant, based on the Dacia Bigster concept, which shares the same CMF-B platform co-developed by the Renault-Nissan alliance. This move signals Renault's intent to capture a broader segment of the SUV market, leveraging the success and appeal of the Duster brand. Nissan's Rebadged Offerings Nissan is also entering the fray with its versions of the upcoming Renault models. This strategy is reminiscent of Nissan's previous offerings like the Terrano (a rebadged Duster) and later the Kicks in the compact C-segment SUV space. While the Terrano was discontinued in April 2020 due to BS6 emission norms, and the Kicks phased out with the onset of BS6 standards, Nissan is now aiming for a revival in the C-segment SUV market with these new launches. Teaser Revealed A teaser image shared during the conference provides a glimpse into the distinct design approaches of the Renault and Nissan SUVs. The Renault Duster showcases a bold, muscular front fascia and grille, embodying ruggedness and adventure. In contrast, the Nissan version exudes a sleek, urban appeal, hinting at a different styling direction that sets it apart from its Renault counterpart. As the automotive industry gears up for these exciting developments, consumers can look forward to a fresh lineup of SUVs offering a blend of style, performance, and versatility. New Delhi: The trending hashtag #HeeramandiKabReleaseHoga (when will Heeramandi release?) has an answer, at last. In a mesmerizing aerial spectacle above Mumbais Mahalaxmi Race Course, Netflix and renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar premieres on May 1. The media and college students were joined by the heeras of Heeramandi Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh alongside Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions and Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, at the grand reveal. Together, they marvelled as a fleet of 1,000 drones took flight, leaving onlookers spellbound. As the anticipation reached fever pitch, the drones unveiled the series launch date, igniting waves of excitement among the gathered crowd. On the eve of the date announcement, creator-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, I am grateful to the entire team for their relentless passion and dedication to bring the world of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar to Netflix. With the release scheduled for May 1st, we can't wait for audiences worldwide to watch it and shower us with their love and appreciation. With a lot of excitement, Monika Shergill, Vice-president-Content, Netflix India said, "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is undoubtedly Indias biggest cinematic series, and the auteur, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his true signature style, has created a mesmerizing world with powerful characters that fight for their fate and that of their country. A one-of-a-kind series, it will offer a visual and visceral experience of a world only he can bring to life with such beauty and boldness. As we gear up for the worldwide premiere on May 1st, we can feel the excitement building up." Amidst the city's twinkling lights, the drones formed the iconic Netflix N, followed by elements found in the series: a ghungroo (anklets), jharokha (ornate window), and an adaab (greeting). Gradually crafting the silhouette of a dancer, the drones move in unison to unveil the title logo, symbolising noor, nazaakat aur andaaz (light, refinement and style) before finally unveiling the premiere date. For fans of grand productions and Bhansali's cinematic artistry, the countdown to the premiere has officially begun. Mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled by Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, streaming May 1. New Delhi: With only two days left for the grand release of the Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon starrer 'Crew', the excitement to watch this much-anticipated film is sky high amongst the audiences. Ever since the trailer and the songs of the film were dropped, audiences have been waiting to see the sensational appearance of the lead cast as the air hostess in the film. As the release date approaches, the buzz for the film is reaching new heights, and audiences are waiting to watch the fun and entertaining ride of the year. In a recent exciting development, writer duo Mehul Suri and Nidhi Mehra shared details about the training session that the lead actresses went through for the role of air hostess. Talking about it elaborately, the duo said, They had former cabin crew members on set for a few days to help with authenticity. Tabu, Kareena, and Kriti paid close attention, asking questions and ensuring accuracy in their portrayal through constant communication with the team. The details shared by Mehul Suri and Nidhi Mehra build anticipation for the film immediately. Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon went through rigorous preparation for their characters in Crew, and every glimpse is evident of it. Crew Directed by Rajesh A. Krishnan, this highly anticipated film from Balaji Telefilms and Anil Kapoor Film & Communications Network is set to hit theaters on March 29th, 2024. TANCET Result 2024: According to schedule, Anna University will release the TANCET Result 2024 today, March 28, 2024. Once the results are available, candidates who took the exam can obtain them from the official website, tancet.annauniv.edu. The final answer keys for the TANCET 2024 Exam have already been made available by the institution. In the meantime, candidates can download it from the official website. According to rumours, Anna University will likely announce the results by the afternoon or evening today. It is recommended that candidates hold off until the institution verifies the timing. Candidates cannot access the results unless they click on the link and check in with their credentials after the results are announced. TANCET 2024: Steps to download here Step 1: Visit tancet.annauniv.edu, the official website. Step 2: Locate the TANCET 2024 section results area on the homepage. Step 3: Click the link and provide the necessary login information. Press the submit button. Step 4: The outcome will show up on the screen. Anna University conducts TANCET to provide MBA and MCA programmes to qualified applicants. The exam was administered this year on March 9, 2024. There were two shifts for the exam: morning from 10 AM to 12 PM and afternoon from 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM. The test of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with four possible answers. On March 13, the answer key became available. On March 22, the final answer keys were made available. The scorecards will be accessible from April 3 until May 3, per the website's notification. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is involved in horsetrading and luring the leaders of other parties offering Lok Sabha candidature and Y plus security and said the party has intentions to topple the AAP government in Punjab. Bharadwaj's grave allegations come after AAP legislators from Punjab Sushil Kumar Rinku and Sheetal Angural joined the BJP on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI Bharadwaj says, "Our (Punjab) MLAs have told us how money, Lok Sabha candidature, Y plus security was offered to them for joining BJP. It needs to be understood why one will leave the number one party and join the party which is number four. BJP is trying to topple the AAP govt (in Punjab)." #WATCH | On Sushil Kumar Rinku joining BJP, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "Our (Punjab) MLAs have told us how money, Lok Sabha candidature, Y plus security was offered to them for joining BJP. It needs to be understood why one will leave the number one party and join the pic.twitter.com/HPriQTy0gu ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024 Addressing a press conference Bharadwaj said, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had mentioned clearly when he received his first summon from ED that the motive is not investigation but toppling governments in Delhi and Punjab by putting him in jail. "Their aim is that as soon as he goes to jail, the governments in Delhi and Punjab should be overthrown by their MLAs. Because BJP cannot defeat AAP in Delhi and Punjab in elections," said Bharadwaj quoting Arvind Kejriwal. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Govinda may be making a political comeback in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. that. Govinda is likely to contest from the North-West Mumbai Lok Sabha seat from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Zee News TV reported. Reports from Zee News TV, citing unnamed sources, Earlier this month, Govinda held a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde, according to sources quoted by news agency PTI. The timing of this meeting, which took place last week, has further fueled the rumors of his return to politics. Govinda is no stranger to the political arena. In 2004, he successfully contested the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket, defeating veteran BJP leader Ram Naik. However, he later resigned from the Congress party. MUMBAI: Amid a looming deadlock over seat-sharing, leaders from Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are set to convene in Mumbai this evening to deliberate on crucial campaign strategies and the formulation of a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. Primary Focus On Joint Rallies And CMP According to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, the meeting, which brings together senior figures from Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT), is primarily aimed at coordinating joint rallies, devising effective campaign approaches, and delineating the essential elements of the CMP for the opposition alliance in Maharashtra. Sharing more information, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told ANI, ''Today there is a meeting of (Maha Vikas Aghadi) MVA, senior leaders of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) will assemble, but there is no discussion on seat-sharing in the meeting.'' Raut further added that the primary focus of the meeting will be joint rallies, campaigns and what should be the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the opposition alliance in Maharashtra. #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On seat-sharing talks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "Today there is a meeting of (Maha Vikas Aghadi) MVA, senior leaders of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) will assemble, but there is no discussion on seat-sharing in the meeting. The pic.twitter.com/3nLoPj4emv ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2024 However, beneath the surface of this collaborative effort lies a web of unresolved disputes, particularly regarding seat allocations within the alliance. The recent decision by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) to unilaterally announce candidates for certain constituencies has exacerbated tensions within the coalition. Congress-Sena UBT Spat Over Seat-Sharing Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam's has voiced strong objections to Sena's (UBT) actions, especially concerning the Mumbai North-West constituency, which underscores the strain within the alliance. Nirupam's criticism, coupled with allegations of alliance norms violation, highlights the fragility of the MVA partnership. Seat-sharing talks have hit a roadblock primarily over four constituencies - Sangli, Mumbai South-Central, Mumbai North-West, and Bhiwandi. While the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) grapple over specific seats, the NCP's insistence on securing the Bhiwandi stronghold has further complicated the negotiations. Alliances At Stake The rift between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) not only jeopardizes the MVA's electoral prospects but also underscores the intricate interdependencies within the coalition. With both parties vying for electoral dominance in key regions, the delicate balance of power within the alliance hangs in the balance. As tensions escalate and negotiations stall, the fate of the MVA hinges on the ability of its constituent parties to reconcile their differences and forge a unified front. However, with each party steadfast in its demands and ambitions, the path to consensus remains fraught with uncertainty, casting a shadow over the alliance's electoral trajectory. Meanwhile, the emergence of alternative contenders, such as the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), also threatens to further fragment the political landscape in Maharashtra. With VBA's announcement of candidates and indications of potential dissociation from the MVA, the dynamics of the electoral arena undergo a seismic shift, reshaping alliances and alliances alike. New Delhi: The court-mandated Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey continued for the seventh day at the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Wednesday. Ashish Goyal and Gopal Sharma representing the Hindu community and a leader of the Muslim community, Abdul Samad, were present with the ASI team during the survey. A day ago, Goyal told reporters that the ASI team is engaged in the digging of the site within 50 meters of the complex. On March 11, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the 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. Acting on the court directives, the ASI team, accompanied by senior police and administrative officials, on March 22 began its survey at the disputed complex in the tribal-dominated Dhar district. As per an ASI order of April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaz at the site on Fridays. It is believed that Raja Bhoj, a Hindu king, had installed the statue of Vagdevi in Bhojshala in 1034 AD. Hindu groups say the British took this statue to London in 1875. New Delhi: The political landscape in Bihars Purnea constituency is heating up as two INDIA bloc partners, Bima Bharti of the RJD and Pappu Yadav of the Congress, are both determined to run in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. This has escalated tensions within the alliance. Bima Bharti, a recent defector from the JD-U, announced on Wednesday that she has been granted the RJD ticket for the Purnea seat. However, the RJD has yet to make an official statement regarding their candidate for this constituency. Bharti, who represents Purneas Rupauli assembly constituency in the legislative assembly, expressed her gratitude towards RJDs national president Lalu Prasad Yadav, his brother Tejashwi Yadav, and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. She plans to file her nomination on April 3rd. Despite her new political alignment, Bharti has not yet stepped down from her current legislative assembly position. When questioned about her co-contender Pappu Yadav, Bharti referred to him as her elder brother and a leader of the INDIA bloc in Bihar. She appealed to him for support in her campaign. Pappu Yadav, who recently integrated his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, remains resolute in his decision to contest from Purnea. He declared, I would rather die but not leave Purnea and the Congress party. I will contest from this seat as the candidate of INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha election. Mukhtar Ansari News Live Updates: A magisterial inquiry was initiated on Friday in response to questions raised by opposition parties about the death of Mukhtar Ansari, a notorious gangster-turned-politician. Ansaris family has alleged that he died from slow poisoning while incarcerated in Banda jail. A team of doctors at Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda performed an autopsy amidst heightened security in several Uttar Pradesh districts. The post-mortem report dismissed the poisoning allegations, attributing Ansaris death to a heart attack, as reported by TOI. In the evening, a large procession of vehicles, including 24 police vehicles, two vehicles carrying family members, and an ambulance carrying Ansaris body, departed the city for his hometown of Ghazipur. Bhagwan Das Gupta, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Banda, ordered a mandatory magisterial investigation. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Garima Singh was appointed as the investigating officer and was instructed to submit her findings within a month. However, opposition parties are demanding a CBI investigation or an inquiry involving the higher judiciary. The BJP has criticized these demands, accusing the opposition of exploiting every issue for emotional gain and disrupting communal harmony. Following Ansaris death, the state imposed prohibitory orders banning large gatherings. The UP Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in force in the districts of Banda, Mau, Ghazipur, and Varanasi. Follow Live Updates On Mukhtar Ansari Death News Here: 11:10 PM The convoy carrying the mortal remains of Mukhtar Ansari is now en route from Varanasi towards Ghazipur, the native place of the gangster-turned-politician, for his final rites. 8:45 PM A panel of doctors conducted a post-mortem examination, revealing that Mukhtar Ansari's cause of death was a heart attack, TOI reported 7:15 PM Mukhtar Ansari's jailed MLA-son goes to court and wants to attend father's last rites. Abbas Ansari has sought anurgent Supreme Court hearing to attend the last rites of his father Mukhtar Ansari. 6:30 PM Mukhtar Ansari's last rites will be performed Tomorrow at 10 AM. 4:45 PM After the post-mortem, Mukhtar's body is being taken from Banda to Ghazipur. The viscera has been preserved during the post-mortem. Mukhtar's elder son Abbas Ansari is in jail. In such a situation, a post-mortem was done in the presence of the younger son Umar Ansari. Videography was done. 4:30 PM: Mukhtar Ansari's son Omar Ansari and Abbas Ansari's wife Nikhat Ansari have reached Banda Medical College to collect the body. Mukhtar's body can now leave for Ghazipur at any time. 4:15 PM: Asaduddin Owaisi mentioned the 'slow poison' claim of Mukhtar's family and asked for a fair investigation into the death of a gangster-turned-politician. 4:00 PM: Mukhtab Ansari's post mortem has been completed and now he will be taken to funeral. 3:40 PM: Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Banda asks additional CJM to conduct probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari and submit a report within a month. 3:30 PM: A judicial inquiry has been ordered by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Banda, the three-member team will conduct a magisterial investigation into the death of Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari. 2:29 PM: Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari says, "It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don't trust the medical system, government and administration here...You know why I am saying this...Panchnama is done. DM has to make a decision. Let's see what he decides. The postmortem has not begun...We hope that the court will help investigate the suspicions that we are expressing. We will consult our legal team. We are confident that this is not a natural death but an orchestrated murder." #WATCH | Mukhtar Ansari's son Umar Ansari says, "It (postmortem) is their procedure. I have written a letter that it should be done by doctors of AIIMS Delhi. We don't trust the medical system, government and administration here...You know why I am saying this...Panchnama is https://t.co/EKsC0SM0be pic.twitter.com/L19DwGU9b7 ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024 1:10 PM: A panel of five doctors have finished Mukhtar Ansari's post-mortem in Banda. His body will be handed over to his family at 2 pm, according to sources. 12:46 PM: Mukhtar Ansari Death: "It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation," says KC Tyagi. "It is unfortunate that Akhilesh Yadav is demanding resignation of CM Yogi Adityanath. Akhilesh Yadav had been a custodian of law and order when he was the CM. He (Akhilesh Yadav) should not issue such statements on the death of a criminal," says JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on the opposition parties raising questions over Mukhtar Ansari's death. 11:19 PM: Wife of Krishnanand Rai - former BJP MLA, Alka Rai said, "What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi" #WATCH | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Wife of Krishnanand Rai - former BJP MLA who was killed by Mukhtar Ansari - Alka Rai says, "What can I say? This is the blessing of the Almighty. I used to pray to him for justice and the justice has been served today. We never celebrated Holi pic.twitter.com/SyMFo4TXey ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024 10:05 PM: Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav slams 'government anarchy' in 1st reaction to Mukhtar's death. , , : - - Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 29, 2024 9: 15 AM: Sibgatullah Ansari, Mukhtar Ansari's elder brother, claimed on Friday that the latter has been "unwell" for nearly two weeks, alleging that he was not being "given any treatment despite raising an alarm again and again." He also claimed that the administration did not inform him and he learned about his brother's death through the media. 8:28 AM: BSP chief Mayawati tweets, "The apprehensions and serious allegations made by Mukhtar Ansari's family regarding his death in jail require a high-level investigation so that the facts of his death can come to light. In such a situation, it is natural for his family to be sad..." - , Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 29, 2024 8:24 AM: Preparations for Mukhtar Ansari's funeral under way at Kali Bagh Graveyard #WATCH | Ghazipur: Preparations for the funeral of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari underway at Kali Bagh Graveyard. pic.twitter.com/JxXD6rxliN ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2024 8:10 AM: Abbas Ansari to appeal in high court for parole in order to attend last rites of father Mukhtar Ansari. 7:45 AM: Mukhtar Ansari's portmostem to take place at 10 AM. Umar Ansari's arrival is awaited. 7:27 AM: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, has been imposed across the state. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the Banda, Mau, Ghazipur and Varanasi districts. 6:43 AM: Shops to remain close at Mohammadaband faatak today. 6:37 am: Security strengthened in Firozabad, following the death of Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari after suffering from cardiac arrest. Police conducted a flag march in the area, and an alert has also been issued in the entire state, said IG Aligarh Range Shalabh Mathur. "After the death of Mukhtar Ansari, an alert has been issued in the entire state. There is also an alert in the area regarding this and now SSP Aligarh is with us and taking stock regarding this. Police administration will remain alert on all these points. All the officials will monitor the spread of rumours on social media," he added. 6:19 am: Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari said, "I was not told anything from the administration side, I came to know about it through the media... But now the whole nation knows everything... Two days ago I came to meet him, but I was not allowed... We said earlier also and even today we will say the same about the allegation of giving slow poison. On March 19, he was poisoned in the dinner. We will move to the judiciary, we have full faith in it..." 23.57 pm: Former Bihar Deputy CM and leader of RJD Tejashwi Yadav also raised question on Ansari's death. "Sad news was received about the demise of former UP MLA Shri Mukhtar Ansari. We pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. A few days ago he had complained that he had been poisoned in jail, yet it was not taken seriously. This is not fair and humane. Constitutional institutions should take suo motu cognizance of such strange cases and incidents," he said. 23.45pm: Mukhtar Ansari will be creamted in Ghazipur tomorrow. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is likely to visit Ghazipur tomorrow. Meanwhile, the UP Police has asked people to vacate the area after hundreds of people gathered at Ansari's home in Ghazipur. 23.30pm: Congress questions the death of Mukhtar Ansari. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said that there is a jungle raj in Uttar Pradesh. He demanded a probe in the death of the gangster. His death raises a serious question on the BJP government, said Rajput. Congress leader Pappu Yadav termed Ansari's death as institutionalised murder. 23.20 pm: The UP government has decided to keep safe visceral samples of Ansari as there were allegation of him being poisoned in the jail. 23.10 pm: Uttar Pradesh Police is closely monitoring social media posts as well. Any derogatory tweet or posts aimed at provoking sentiments are being monitored. Police said that it will take strict action in case of any violation. 23.00 pm: A significant meeting is underway at the Chief Minister's residence. DGP Prashant Kumar and ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash are present. The events at the Chief Minister's residence are under close observation. In any case, unpleasant incidents should be avoided, says Chief Minister Yogi. 10.55pm: Tomorrow is Friday, prompting high alert in the main mosques of the state. Sensitive Muslim areas will be closely monitored following Mukhtar Ansari's death. Surveillance of all districts in Purvanchal, including Gazipur, will be conducted from the police headquarters in Lucknow. Forces will remain stationed outside major mosques after Friday prayers. Last year, Atik Ahmad was murdered during the month of Ramadan. Similarly, Mukhtar Ansari also passed away during the month of Ramadan. Death Following Deteriorating Health Earlier, Mukhtar Ansari was shifted from Uttar Pradesh's Rani Durgawati Medical College to jail after his discharge on Tuesday. Mukhtar Ansari was admitted to a hospital after he complained of abdominal pain in jail. Ansari's lawyer, Naseem Haider, had claimed that the former MLA in the Uttar Pradesh assembly is experiencing difficulty speaking. Ansari was elected as an MLA from the Mau constituency five times - twice on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket and then on Samajwadi Party's ticket. He last contested the assembly polls in 2017. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case related to the use of forged documents for obtaining an arms licence in 1990. This was the eighth case in which the he was convicted. In December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi convicted Mukhtar Ansari for intimidating Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder case of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta. Ansari was sentenced to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000. Last year, on October 15, the Enforcement Directorate seized lands, a building, and bank deposits valued at over Rs 73.43 lakh as part of the money laundering probe involving Mukhtar Ansari. NEW DELHI: Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, voiced serious concerns regarding her husband's health on Thursday and alleged harassment by the central agencies. These allegations come in the wake of Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case. Kejriwal Is being Harassed: Sunita Addressing reporters briefly, Sunita Kejriwal stated, "Delhi CM is being harassed by the central agencies. People of Delhi are watching everything and will give a befitting reply at the appropriate time." She added that ''dictatorship won't work''. In response to other inquiries about CM Kejriwal's health, she said, "His health is not good." Court Extends Kejriwal's Custody Amid these claims by Sunita Kejriwal, the Rouse Avenue Court extended Kejriwal's custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until April 1. The ED earlier sought a seven-day extension, citing the need for further interrogation to confront Kejriwal with additional individuals and evidence related to the case. The ED asserted that Kejriwal had been uncooperative during questioning, providing evasive responses and failing to disclose crucial digital data passwords. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, emphasized the necessity of this data for the investigation. Conspiracy To Finish AAP: Kejriwal Kejriwal, in his statement before the court, highlighted the absence of concrete evidence linking him to the alleged offences. He questioned the basis of his arrest, citing limited mentions in statements made by a few individuals. He accused the authorities of coercing individuals to alter their statements and suggested a political conspiracy behind his arrest. Despite the circumstances, Kejriwal affirmed his readiness to cooperate with the investigation. Kejriwal referred to the statements of C Arvind, Raghav Magunta and his father and Sharath Reddy. Kejriwal alleged that people are being forced to turn approver in the case and people are being forced to change their statements. "You may keep me in remand as long as you like...I am ready for investigation," the Delhi Chief Minister said. While the ED argued that Kejriwal's position as AAP convenor necessitated scrutiny of campaign finances, Kejriwal's legal team countered, urging the court to investigate alleged links between other accused individuals and political parties. The ED further informed the court that they have to break open the passwords if Kejriwal decides not to share the passwords. "He has not disclosed the passwords so we do not have access to digital data. He says he will speak to his lawyers and then decide whether the passwords are to be given or not. If he does not we will have to break open the passwords," the ED said. Background Of The Excise Policy Case The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with alleged irregularities and money laundering related to the Delhi excise policy of 2022. The case originated from reported procedural deficiencies highlighted by the Delhi Chief Secretary in 2022, implicating AAP leaders in favouritism and financial losses. While Kejriwal was not initially named in FIRs related to the case, subsequent developments, including allegations of communication with accused individuals, have drawn him into the investigation. New Delhi: Germany, on Wednesday, refrained from intervening in India's internal affairs, marking a notable shift in stance on the same day the Modi-led centre summoned a senior US diplomat to object remarks made by the State Department spokesperson regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in a Liquor scam. Last week, a spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry, when questioned on the arrest of Kejriwal, said that he was entitled to a fair trial. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior German diplomat to South Block and lodged a formal complaint with Bonn, expressing dissatisfaction with the remarks made by the German spokesperson concerning India's domestic affairs. The Ministry interpreted the German spokesperson's critical comments as an interference in India's legal processes and a questioning of the independence of the Indian judiciary. However, the German spokesperson declined to disclose any information about the summons in Delhi yesterday and also opted not to provide any commentary on the case. The spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry said, "We have taken note, that India is a democratic country. We assume and expect that the standards relating to independence of Judiciary and basic democratic principles will also be applied in this case. Like anyone facing accusations, Mr Kejriwal is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, this includes he can make use of all available legal avenues without restrictions. The presumption of innocence is a central element of the rule of law and must apply to him," reported ANI. He added that he had commented on the case but would refrain from reporting confidential conversations now. The German reaction coincided with India's explicit message that democratic nations like the US must exercise caution when commenting on other democracies, particularly the largest one, regarding legal procedures. New Delhi has warned that discussing the internal affairs of other nations is reciprocal and could set undesirable precedents. New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his criticism of the party over a lawyers' letter to the chief justice of India against a "vested interest group", saying the PM's brazenness in orchestrating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending it, is the "height of hypocrisy". Earlier in the day, Modi said it is a "vintage Congress culture" to browbeat and bully others, remarks that came in reaction to more than 600 lawyers writing to the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts. Hitting back at the prime minister, Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X, "The PM's brazenness in orchestrating and coordinating an attack on the judiciary, in the name of defending the judiciary, is the height of hypocrisy!" "The Supreme Court has delivered body blows to him in recent weeks. The Electoral Bonds Scheme is but one example. The Supreme Court declared them to be unconstitutional -- and it is now proved beyond doubt that they were a blatant instrument of fear, blackmail, and intimidation to force companies to donate to the BJP," he said. Instead of giving a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP), the prime minister has given a legal guarantee to corruption, he alleged. "All that the Prime Minister has done in the last ten years is divide, distort, divert, and defame. 140 crore Indians are waiting to give him a befitting reply very soon," Ramesh said. More than 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to Chandrachud, alleging that a "vested interest group" is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, especially in cases of corruption involving politicians. In a post on X, Modi said, "To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a "committed judiciary" - they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation." New Delhi: In the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections, an unsettling incident has emerged as leaders from both the Congress and BJP parties reported receiving anonymous threatening calls, identified by a +92 country code, believed to originate from Pakistan. These incidents were promptly reported to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Chandigarh, with the leaders requesting enhanced security measures. The state Congress President, HS Lucky, and the BJP's State Secretary, Sanjeev Rana, have both been targets of these alarming communications. HS Lucky detailed an encounter on Tuesday, where he received threatening calls via WhatsApp from a number with the aforementioned +92 prefix. The caller spoke in Punjabi, delivering threats directly aimed at Lucky. Despite disconnecting, Lucky received another call from the same number, which he chose not to answer. He also recalled receiving similar threats during the deputy mayor elections, hinting at a pattern of harassment tied to his political engagements. Lucky has since sought police protection. On the other hand, Sanjeev Rana recounted his experience from March 19, when he too received a threatening call on his WhatsApp number, purportedly from Pakistan. Despite filing a detailed complaint with the police, no substantial leads or connections have been established by the authorities concerning the threatening communication, which occurred around 8:20 pm. The police have launched an investigation into these complaints, though it remains unclear whether these calls represent genuine threats or are merely pranks. The nature of the calls, characterized by abusive language and repeated threats, has raised concerns among the political figures about the presence and boldness of such threatening elements. Despite the severity of the allegations, the response from law enforcement has been viewed as lacking, with calls for more decisive action to address and mitigate these security concerns. Uttar Pradesh's one of the dreaded criminals, mafia and gangster who later became a politician, died on Thursday night, following cardiac arrest. He was admitted to Banda's Rani Durgavati Medical College after falling unconscious. As per the medical college, he was attended by a team of nine doctors but succumbed to heart attack. Once a dreaded criminal, Ansari entered the political arena in 1996 and became MLA five times. He also contested the Lok Sabha election but was unsuccessful. Notable Family History Ansari, who gained notoriety in Poorvanchal, had an affluent family background. Mukhtar Ansari's paternal grandfather, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, was among the early presidents of the Indian National Congress and participated in the Indian freedom struggle while his maternal grandfather, Mohammad Usman, was a Brigadier in the Indian Army. He is also said to be the relative of former Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari. Ansari's Terror Rule In the 1980s, Mukhtar Ansari ventured into the realm of crime, initially aligning himself with the Makhanu Singh gang. Mukhtar Ansari rose to prominence within the criminal underworld, engaging in bitter rivalries, notably with Brijesh Singh, as they vied for control over lucrative contracts in coal mining, railway construction, and other sectors. In 1988, he started his criminal activities and was accused of murdering contractor Sachchidanand Rai and constable Rajendra Singh. His rift with the mafia Brajesh Singh started in 1990. He was arrested later but fled in 1991 after shooting two police personnel. By 1991, he controlled the majority of the alcohol shops and government contracts. In 1996, he was accused of making a life-threatening attack on SSP Uday Shankar. In 1997, despite becoming MLA, he was accused of abducting coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta. By the end of the 1990s, Ansari had become a prominent figure in the organized crime landscape in Poorvanchal, participating in violent clashes with rival gangs to gain control over profitable contract enterprises. His entry into politics gained momentum when he purportedly emerged as the unchallenged leader of the gang in Poorvanchal after a shootout with his rival Brijesh Singh. Ansari encountered numerous legal obstacles, including accusations of murdering Kapil Dev Singh in April 2009 and contractor Ajay Prakash Singh in August 2009. Conviction In Cases In April 2023, he was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai. Additionally, in March 2024, he was handed a life sentence in relation to a counterfeit arm license case. Ansari received a life sentence under Sections 467 (forgery of valuable security, will) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with a seven-year term under Sections 420 (cheating) and 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) of the IPC. Additionally, he was sentenced to six months in prison under Section 30 of the Arms Act. Before this, in December 2023, the MP/MLA Court of Varanasi had found Mukhtar Ansari guilty of threatening Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the murder of 26-year-old coal businessman Nand Kishor Rungta, and had sentenced him to five and a half years of rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 against him. New Delhi: Baba Tarsem Singh, the Kar Seva Pramukh of Nanakmatta Gurdwara, has been killed on Thrusday by two assailants on motorcycles around 6:30 am. Subsequently, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been assembled by the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters. This team comprises members from the Special Task Force along with local police officials. Additionally, an increased police presence has been deployed in the Nanakmatta area of Udham Singh Nagar district to ensure peace, with authorities urging the Sikh community to maintain calm. Baba Tarsem Singh was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Khatima hospital. Police have initiated a large-scale search operation to arrest the perpetrators. STORY | Dera chief of Uttarakhand's Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara shot dead READ: https://t.co/ov2gjXWXgu VIDEO | The dera chief of the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara in Uttarakhand was shot dead within the premises of the shrine by two bike-borne assailants early Thursday, police said. pic.twitter.com/J4PjVQTEeL Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 28, 2024 Uttarakhand, Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, said, "We received information around 7 am today that between 6:15-6:30 am, two masked assailants entered Nanakmatta Gurdwara and shot Kar Seva Pramukh Baba Tarsem Singh. He was rushed to the hospital in Khatima. But I have received inputs that he succumbed to his injuries. "This is a very serious matter...Senior officials have reached the spot. SSP is already there. DIG Kumaon is also reaching there, he will inspect the scene of the crime and speak to the locals. He will try to assess the situation there. For investigation of the incident, Police Headquarters has formed an SIT - this will comprise officials of STF and local Police," he added" The STF has been told to keep this as their top priority and probe all angles minutely. We have to not only identify the assailants but also the bigger conspiracy behind this murder, if any. We have also contacted the central agencies to share useful inputs related to this matter with us. I assure you that we will solve this matter soon and take strict action," said DGP. Meanwhile, SDM Khatima Ravindra Singh Bisht said that Law and order situation is normal in the area. "An unidentified person shot at Baba Tarsem Singh. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Law and order situation is normal," said SDM. Do you aspire to study in Australia but financial strain is your biggest woe to fulfill this dream? Don't fret! There are numerous scholarships available to help international students pursue their education in Australia. This can make the overseas education dream easy for everyone. After all, what can be better than studying in Australia? In this comprehensive guide, study abroad counselors from the leading platform MSM Unify share the top scholarships to pursue international education abroad in Australia. Australia: Most sought-after destination for international students Australia is known for its world-class education system and vibrant cultural diversity. As of 2023, India is the second-largest source country for international student enrolments in Australia. A total number of 122,391 Indian students are studying in Australia, according to High Commissions of India, Canberra. The island country offers generous scholarships, and opportunities to work alongside study - offering the students a chance to balance the study within their budget. No wonder it is a top study destination for overseas education. 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The value of the scholarship ranges from AUD 35,000 to AUD 80,000, depending on the duration of the applicant's course. Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Scholarship: The Endeavour Postgraduate Leadership Scholarship is an Australian Government initiative that aims to support top-ranking international students pursuing postgraduate courses in Australia. This scholarship provides an opportunity for students to study, conduct research work, and collaborate with renowned researchers in their chosen field. It includes a travel allowance of up to AUD 3,000, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance, and travel insurance for international students. Applicants must not hold any other Australian Government-sponsored fellowship benefits or scholarships and must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Other than these, many Australian universities and institutions offer additional scholarships, each with its specific eligibility criteria and benefits. It is essential to thoroughly research and explore all available options to find the scholarship that best suits your individual needs and aspirations. Top study destination awaits you! How to apply for Australian scholarships Applying for top scholarships in Australia requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some general steps to follow: Research scholarship opportunities: Start by researching the various scholarships available in Australia. Visit the official websites of universities, government agencies, and other scholarship providers to gather information on eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. An established educational consultancy like MSM Unify can make this process easier for the student. Review eligibility criteria: Read the eligibility criteria for each scholarship carefully to ensure that you meet all the requirements. Pay attention to factors such as nationality, academic performance, field of study, and work experience. 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Studying in Australia can be an enriching and life-changing experience, and scholarships play a vital role in making this dream a reality for many international students. The Australian government and various institutions offer a wide range of scholarships to support deserving students in pursuing their academic goals. By researching scholarship opportunities, carefully preparing your application, and seeking support from relevant resources, you can increase your chances of securing a scholarship and embarking on an incredible study abroad journey in Australia. So, take the first step, explore your options, and make your study abroad dream in Australia come true! (This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltds Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.) New Delhi: Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has responded after new revelation in assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar came to light. According to reports from Canada-based media outlet Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed an interest to work positively with the Indian government in resolving the investigation surrounding the demise of Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India. Trudeau was questioned about the progress of India's cooperation in the investigation into the assassination of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, considering Canada's credible allegations and India's expectation for Canada to complete its own investigation first. In response, the Canadian PM said, "The killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously." He continued, "The credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved inthat is something that we did not declare lightly, but our responsibility to protect all Canadians from illegal actions by foreign governments is something that, as a country grounded in diversity, we need to take very seriously." He mentioned that the Canadian government is guaranteeing thorough investigations, as reported in a video posted by CPAC. "At the same time, we are working. We're looking to work constructively with the government of India to get to the bottom of this stated Trudeau. Nijjars Murder Footage Surfaced Online Recently a video footage of the assassination surfaced online that allegedly depicts the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, showing him being shot by armed individuals in what has been characterized as a 'contract killing', as reported by CBC News based in Canada. The suspected deliberate assassination of the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara resulted in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing the Indian government of involvement, a claim India has denied, leading to a worsening of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Nijjar, designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in 2020, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. The attack, described as 'highly coordinated', involved six men and two vehicles. Almost nine months later, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yet to name suspects or make arrests. India rebuffed the allegations as "absurd and motivated", stating Canada hasn't provided evidence to support its claims regarding the killing. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday issued summons to Aam Aadmi Goa president Amit Palekar, among others, in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case. Along with the AAP Goa chief, Ramarao Wagh, Datta Prasad Naik and the president of Bhandari Samaj - Ashok Naik have also been summoned, asking them to join the investigation tomorrow. However, AAP sources have said that the ED is spreading lies. "ED is spreading lies. Dutt Prasad Naik and Ashok Naik are not AAP leaders, but BJP leaders. ED has become a joke today. This is only a political weapon of the BJP," AAP sources said. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a petition moved by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest and also challenging the ED remand granted by the trial court while refusing to grant any immediate relief. The court, while fixing matter for April 3, further stated that any release order from custody will amount to enlarging the accused/petitioner/ Arvind Kejriwal on bail or interim bail, as an interim measure. The writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is not a ready substitute for recourse to the remedy of bail under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C. ordinarily. The Delhi High Court will also hear a public interest litigation (PIL) praying for the removal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of chief minister of the government of NCT of Delhi on Thursday. The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday. The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case and remanded the next day to the ED till March 28. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped. A day after India summoned a US diplomat to lodge a formal protest against America's remark over Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, New Delhi today again termed the fresh remarks by the US on the issue 'unwarranted' and 'unacceptable'. Despite India lodging its formal protest, the White House Spokesperson again said that the US stands by its remark that due and fair judicial process should be followed in the case. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections." Reacting to the remark, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Yesterday India lodged its strong objection and protest with the senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the US State Department. The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact. India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to protecting them from any form of undue external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations, and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others." Reacting to the Baltimore Bridge Collapse incident, Jaiswal said, "Out of the 21 crew members, 20 are Indians. All of them are in good health. One of them is slightly injured. The stitches have been done. Our Embassies are in close touch with the Indians on board and also the local authorities in this matter." On Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's visit to India, the MEA Spokesperson said, "The visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister is happening on the invitation of EAM. He will be here on a two-day visit. He will have a bilateral engagement with EAM where they will review the intergovernmental commission that was held earlier. They will also discuss global issues and regional issues of common concern and there are several other engagements also lined up for the Ukrainian Foreign Minister." On Indian Nationals seeking discharge from the Russian Army, he said that India is in constant touch with Russian authorities and has taken up the issue strongly seeking release of Indian nationals and discharged as early as possible. Following India's summoning of a high-ranking US diplomat to express discontent regarding comments on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Washington said that it is integral for equitable, transparent, and prompt legal procedures, stating, "We believe no one should oppose such principles." US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections." Miller addressed a query during the State Department briefing concerning India's summoning of Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena in New Delhi earlier that day, as well as the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the Congress party. He acknowledged the Congress party's claims regarding the freezing of their accounts by tax authorities, suggesting that such actions could hinder their ability to campaign effectively in the upcoming elections. Miller emphasised the importance of fair, transparent, and prompt legal procedures for addressing these matters. #WATCH | On India summons US diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and freezing of Congress bank accounts, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller says, "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. pic.twitter.com/dWSDumsZXf ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2024 Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs convened a meeting with Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena at their office located in South Block, Delhi, expressing a vigorous objection to comments made by a US State Department official regarding Mr. Kejriwal's arrest. The meeting lasted for over half an hour. Meanwhile, the Ministery of External Affairs said that India's legal system operates under the guidance of an impartial judiciary dedicated to ensuring fair and prompt resolutions. Criticising this foundation is unjustified. Kejriwal has been arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering investigation associated with the alleged excise policy "scam." The case revolves around accusations of corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently annulled. Previously, the Ministry of External Affairs voiced strong disapproval of statements made by the spokesperson of the US State Department regarding specific legal proceedings in India. Gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari today died following a cardiac arrest in Uttar Pradesh's Banda. The convicted criminal was admitted to hospital after he complained of vomiting and fell unconscious. The Rani Durgawati Medical College said that a team of nine doctors attended to him but failed to save him. Ansari, a five-time MLA, was facing over 60 criminal cases and was convicted in many cases as well. Mukhtar Ansari's life was shadowed by legal issues, facing charges in over 60 cases since his imprisonment in 2005. His criminal record included allegations of murder, kidnapping, and extortion. In April 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai, and in March 2024, he received a life sentence for his involvement in a fake arms license case. Who Was Mukhtar Ansari? Born on June 30, 1963, in Yusufpur, Uttar Pradesh, Mukhtar Ansari's journey from a background in crime to a position of political influence was both controversial and captivating. During the 1980s, Mukhtar Ansari initially associated himself with the Makhanu Singh gang, marking his entry into organized crime. His activities in this realm intensified throughout the 1990s, particularly in districts like Mau, Ghazipur, Varanasi, and Jaunpur. A graduate, Mukhtar Ansari was the son of Late Haji Subhanullah Ansari and was married to Afshan Ansari. They got married on October 15, 1989. He is survived by two sons. Afzal Ansari, brother of Mukhtar Ansari, is the Samajwadi Party candidate from the Ghazipur seat. Rise As A Gangster Mukhtar Ansari rose to prominence within the criminal underworld, engaging in bitter rivalries, notably with Brijesh Singh, as they vied for control over lucrative contracts in coal mining, railway construction, and other sectors. This era was characterized by violent clashes, including an ambush on his convoy in 2002 resulting in the deaths of three of his associates, leading to further unrest in the area. Successful Political Debut Despite his notoriety, Mukhtar Ansari transitioned into politics, using his influence to secure election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Mau constituency five times, starting in 1996. His political career was marked by contradictions. While some saw him as a Robin Hood-like figure, others scrutinized him for his involvement in criminal activities. Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices climbed in early trade on Thursday, extending their previous day's rally, on foreign fund inflows and positive trend in the US markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 342.48 points to 73,338.79 in early trade. The NSE Nifty went up by 96.25 points to 22,219.90. From the Sensex basket, Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Power Grid and Infosys were the major gainers. HCL Technologies, Maruti, Tech Mahindra and Asian Paints were among the laggards. In Asian markets, Shanghai and Hong Kong traded in the positive territory while Tokyo and Seoul quoted lower. Wall Street ended higher on Wednesday. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 2,170.32 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data. "In the final trading session of the week, month, and fiscal year 2023-24, heightened volatility is expected, driven by the March F&O expiry. Investors are poised for bargain hunting as optimism pervades Dalal Street, with positive catalysts including significant FII buying and a global stock market rally," said Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd. Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.24 per cent to USD 86.30 a barrel. The BSE benchmark climbed 526.01 points or 0.73 per cent to settle at 72,996.31 on Wednesday. The NSE Nifty went up by 118.95 points or 0.54 per cent to 22,123.65. Equity markets would remain closed on Friday for 'Good Friday'. TriggerPhoto / iStock.com Choosing a place to live when starting a new family can be a daunting task. The best cities for young families often feature a combination of factors, including good schools, family-friendly neighborhoods, job opportunities and recreational activities. When considering a city for your family, its essential to weigh the options that will provide you and yours with the best quality of life. Read More: Barbara Corcoran: Investing In 3 Things Will Help Sell Your Home Fast Check Out: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed for a Housing Crisis Focusing primarily on providing in-depth college and school profiles to students and families throughout the country, Niche also analyzed and ranked the best places to live and work in the U.S., and has come up with a list of the Best Cities to Raise a Family in America, using millions of reviews and Department of Education stats. Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. 10 Best Cities for Young Families A quick search will reveal cities that appear on different best cities lists. Cambridge, MA (No. 5 on Niches list) tops Fortunes 50 Best Places to Live for Families ranking. Overland Park, KS, Irvine, CA, and Plano, TX, place near the tail end of Niches top 10, but rate second, third and fourth, respectively, on WalletHubs recent Best (& Worst) Places to Raise a Family study. However, with its emphasis on education, weve chosen the top 10 cities for young families, according to Niche, with population data and average home price included courtesy of Zillow. 10. Plano, Texas Population: 282,181 Average Home Value: $503,025 The ninth most populous city in Texas is still on the rise. Plano has great public schools, low crime rates, affordable cost of living and family-friendly amenities perfect for those looking to raise a family. 9. Irvine, California Population: 297,868 Average Home Value: $1,331,529 Story continues With a warm climate and a range of family-friendly attractions, Irvine is often considered an appealing city for young families. It has affordable housing options and a growing job market. 8. Overland Park, Kansas Population: 195,249 Average Home Value: $423,349 Overland Park is consistently listed as one of the best places to live in America due to its relatively low cost of living and its community-oriented atmosphere. Its a city with a unique local flavor that welcomes everyone. 7. Ann Arbor, Michigan Population: 122,731 Average Home Value: $479,805 According to Niche, Ann Arbor has excellent public schools, a growing diverse job market, an extensive public parks system and low crime rates. The city also offers cultural amenities and a variety of outdoor activities. 6. Bellevue, Washington Population: 149,365 Average Home Value: $1,314,284 Ranked among the best places to live in Washington, Bellevue provide residents with a lively mix of urban and suburban living. 5. Cambridge, Massachusetts Population: 116,892 Average Home Value: $946,297 Though known for its educated population and prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is also a great fit for families looking for a relaxed feel and plenty of entertaining activities and arts and culture. 4. Columbia, Maryland Population: 105,086 Average Home Value: $473,348 This planned community consisting of 10 self-contained villages, has top-ranked schools, a flourishing hub of arts and culture, recreational activities and green space in spades. 3. Arlington, Virginia Population: 235,764 Average Home Value: $312,017 Just across the river from Washington, D.C., Arlington offers a growing job market, affordable housing options and good schools to a young family. The city is known for its family-friendly communities and southeastern charm. 2. The Woodlands, Texas Population: 115,716 Average Home Value: $521,032 This development near Houston provides a balance of outdoor recreation, a healthy job market and a family-friendly atmosphere. The city offers a wide array of cultural and recreational activities. 1. Naperville, Illinois Population: 149,013 Average Home Value: $527,806 As the city itself says, Naperville offers acclaimed schools, the best public library system in the country, world-class parks and so much more. Naperville is a great place for young professionals to start a family. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best Cities for Young Families New Delhi: Stand-up comedian and Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui was among 14 people detained by Mumbai police in a late Tuesday night raid on a hookah parlour in the Fort area in south Mumbai. As the news came out, Elvish Yadav dropped a cryptic post on X and it has now taken over the internet. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Yadav wrote, Biggboss Jeetne Ke Baad Sabka Bura Time Shuru Hojaata Hai Kya.. (Bigg Boss winners start to have a difficult period after they win) he wrote. Elvish hit the headlines for getting arrested in connection to the snake poison case in 2023. The Bigg Boss OTT winner admitted that he did supply snake venom to foreign clients at rave parties. Biggboss Jeetne Ke Baad Sabka Bura Time Shuru Hojaata Hai Kya Elvish Yadav (@ElvishYadav) March 27, 2024 Munawar won Bigg Boss 17 and Elvish bagged the trophy for Bigg Boss OTT season 2. BB fans called Elvish out on his tweet, "Highly mistaken.. Rubina Dilaik, Tejasswi Prakash, Gauhar Khan are prime examples of getting so successful even after winning BB.." wrote on X user. "Only the deserving winners are safe!" commented another. Another social media user even quipped that Yadav didnt know how to handle his newfound fame. According to Mumbai Police, a case was registered against Faruqi and 13 more people. Faruqui was later let off after the case was lodged. Munawar was one of the most popular contestants of the 17th season of the Colors show. He hogged the limelight ever since he entered the Bigg Boss house. New Delhi: Bigg Boss 14 contestant Nikki Tamboli is known for her bold fashion statements and her latest social media post is doing full justice with the tag. Nikki took the internet by storm with her recent sexy look and fans are now gasping for breath. Recently, Nikki took to Instagram and shared sultry pictures in which she was seen flaunting her curves. In the pics, Nikki was seen wearing a black saree which she styled with a chic, deep-neck blouse that flaunted her ample curves. Fans dropped heart-eye and fire emojis in the comment section, many called her 'Super hot.' 'You Are A Flower In Bloom, A Pearl In The Sea' commented a fan. 'Wow, gorgeous hot girl,' another one read. 'So beautiful Nikki, you are my favvv,' a third one commented. Earlier, she shared stunning pics in the same bikini taking over social media. The actress often remains in the news for her bold and hot avatar. Before gaining fame from Bigg Boss 14, she primarily worked in the Tamil and Telugu film industries. Last year, Nikki's name cropped up during a probe into the Rs 200-crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. She was taken to Tihar Jail in Delhi with one more actress to recreate their alleged meeting with conman Sukesh as part of a probe into the extortion case. As per IANS sources, "Nikki Tamboli of 'Bigg Boss' fame, Chahatt Khanna of 'Bade Acche Lagte Hai' fame, Sophia Singh, and Arusha Patil met Chandrasekhar in the jail premises and he introduced himself as a producer of the southern film industry. Chandrasekhar's close aide Pinky Irani, who was arrested by the Delhi Police`s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in November last year, had facilitated their meetings with the conman. All these four actresses were given expensive gifts from renowned brands such as Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton," the website reported. New Delhi: Ever since Studio Green and Suriya Sivakumar unveiled the teaser of the magnum opus and much-awaited 'Kanguva, it has taken social media by storm. The extraordinary teaser has made the nation go gaga over it, and from the industry to the fans, everyone is buzzing about it. The glimpse of superstar Suriya as the Mighty Warrior and Bobby Deol as the antagonist has piqued the excitement to a sky-high level. The Kanguva world is gaining popularity for all legitimate purposes. It captures the enormous battle between Bobby and Suriya's characters brilliantly. Bobby's antagonistic appearance contrasts sharply with Suriya's fierce and courageous appearance as a warrior leading an army. Action, violence, and drama abound in the teaser. There is a compelling plot in every scene that will keep you interested. The Kanguva sizzle preview was worth the wait! That being said, this is how online users are responding to it! A social media user wrote, "Gallant Ruthless Ferocious #KanguvaSizzle #Kanguva @Suriya_offl" Another user wrote, "#KanguvaSizzle is massive in every frame. #Kanguva Looks like a very wild story! @Suriya_offl @thedeol" Another social media user praised the film's frame and wrote, "Believe Me These Frames Are From A Siruthai Siva Movie #Kanguva" Believe Me These Frames Are From A Siruthai Siva Movie #Kanguva pic.twitter.com/0N1SLVAmQf Rocky Bhai (@RockybhaiOffcl2) March 19, 2024 An excited netizen wrote, "First 1000cr Tamil Movie sure @Suriya_offl ! #Kanguva" Another user wrote, "Frames #Kanguva @Suriya_offl" The highly anticipated film's teaser has given fans more than they could have ever imagined. In the stunning 50-second teaser, The action scenes look like a memorable cinematic experience. The fantastic teaser offers us a glimpse inside the film's larger-than-life universe. It also introduces the world to director Siva's vision, which he has built on an unprecedented scale thanks to Studio Green's unwavering backing. Together, they gave the project a global feel and elevated it to the level of Hollywood. Studio Green K.E. Gnanavel Raja holds a prominent stature in the world of the South Indian film industry for churning out many blockbuster hits in the last 16 years, including films like the Singam series, Paruthi Veeran, Siruthai, Komban, Naan Mahan Alla, Madras, 'Teddy', and recently Pathu Thala. Kanguva promises a raw, rustic, and new visual experience to the audience with human emotions, powerful performances, and never-before-seen action sequences on a massive scale. The film features cinematography by Vetri Palanisamy and a musical score by Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad. Studio Green has signed up with top distribution houses to release the film on a massive scale across the globe in early 2024. New Delhi: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is making significant strides in bolstering its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly taking a hands-on approach, personally reaching out to experts from rival companies like Google's DeepMind to join Meta's AI endeavors. Direct Recruitment Sources familiar with the matter reveal that Zuckerberg has been sending direct emails to researchers, urging them to switch sides. Meta is also said to be offering jobs without formal interviews and negotiating salaries and incentives to attract top talent, according to reports from The Information. (Also Read: Good News For MGNREGA Employees! Centre Announces Pay Hike: Check State-Wise Wages Here) Video Recommendations Meta's AI ambitions are centered around revolutionizing its platform's video recommendations. Tom Alison, head of Facebook, disclosed Meta's plan to consolidate recommendation systems into a single powerful AI model. (Also Read: Big Blow To Home Loan Borrowers! HDFC Bank Raises Lending Rates To 9.8%) Consolidation Of AI Models Previously, Meta used different AI models for various features like Reels, Groups, and Feed. However, the company is now experimenting with more advanced AI methods to bring all recommendations under one system. Chip Shortage Despite Meta's ambitious AI plans, the company faces challenges due to a shortage of computer chips. Meta has been a significant buyer of Nvidia's H100 chips, having spent $4.5 billion in 2023. However, with the release of Nvidia's new Blackwell (or B200) chip, demand has surged, leading to delays in shipments. Meta anticipates waiting until 2025 for shipments, exacerbating their chip shortage predicament. New Delhi: In the aftermath of the tragic Key Bridge collapse, Maryland state police have confirmed the retrieval of two victims from a vehicle entangled in the debris on Thursday. A red pickup truck, found submerged in the Patapsco River on Wednesday, contained the bodies of two individuals, following the catastrophic incident where a large container vessel collided with and brought down Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, as reported on Wednesday evening. Federal officials, during a press briefing at the White House, conveyed their ongoing operations to locate missing individuals, clear the bridge wreckage, and move the ship responsible for the collapse. These steps are critical precursors to any reconstruction efforts, as noted by The Washington Post. A construction team, engaged in bridge maintenance work, suffered a devastating blow with six members presumed deceased, while two of their colleagues were fortunately rescued. The National Transport Safety Board's Chair, Jennifer Homendy, disclosed that investigators have accessed the vessel to retrieve its data recorder, akin to an airplane's black box, to piece together the sequence of events, The Washington Post details. Governor Wes Moore has decreed the Maryland flag to be flown at half-mast as an immediate mark of respect, with no set date for its return to full height. This gesture serves to honor those who perished in the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster. President Joe Biden commended the swift actions of the 'Dali' cargo ship crew, whose vessel struck the bridge, precipitating its collapse. The timely warning issued by the crew to the Maryland Department of Transportation enabled the closure of the bridge, averting further loss of life, as President Biden remarked in his White House address concerning the bridge's fall. The Synergy Maritime Group, overseeing the Singapore-flagged 'Dali', revealed that all 22 crew members are of Indian nationality. Additionally, CNN has reported, referencing Rafael Laveaga of Mexico's Embassy in Washington, that Mexican citizens are among the missing following the bridge's collapse. FG Trade / Getty Images Falling behind on your student loan debt can lead to significant financial consequences, including losing Social Security money. Learn More: Americas Retirement Crisis: How Social Security, Student Loan and SNAP Shortcomings All Play Significant Roles Find Out: 7 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) If youre behind on debt, a debt collector can sue you and win a judgment against you for the amount owed. The debt collector can get a court order that tells your bank or credit union to turn the money over from your account, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Under current law, the federal government (the debt collector) can take Social Security retirement and disability benefits. Democratic lawmakers, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), recently sent a letter to the President Joe Biden administration calling for the exemption of Social Security benefits from garnishment under the Treasury Offset Program. Read More: How Our Soaring Student Loan Debt Hurts the Economy and Your Bank Account When borrowers are in collections, on average their Social Security benefits are estimated to be reduced by $2,500 annually, the lawmakers wrote, as reported by CNBC. This can be a devastating blow to those who rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. Under the Debt Collection Improvement Act, the government can garnish up to 15% of your Social Security payments if you default on your federal student loans. But they are not entitled to the first $750 of your monthly payment. For example, if you receive a monthly Social Security check for $1,300, the government can take up to $195 from each payment. This results in a lower benefit amount, which can push beneficiaries into poverty. After the pause of student loan payments expired in October 2023, the U.S. Department of Education said it would resume collection practices in 12 months. However, lawmakers are concerned that borrowers will face extreme consequences, CNBC reported. They asked the Biden administration to provide a briefing on its efforts to address the issue by April 3. Story continues A source told CNBC that the governments collection practices with student loan borrowers, including garnishing wages and Social Security benefits, are under review. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 2 Biggest Social Security Risks To Be Aware of if You Have Student Loan Debt University of Zagreb to confer sinology major degrees Xinhua) 09:32, March 28, 2024 ZAGREB, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The University of Zagreb has elevated the minor in sinology to a major to become the first institution of higher education in Croatia to confer degrees in sinology. Qi Qianjin, Chinese ambassador to Croatia, and Tomislav Bolanca, vice rector of the university, attended a launching ceremony Wednesday at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the university. Addressing the ceremony, Qi said the elevation of sinology study in Croatia is of "historical importance." "This development enriches the opportunities and choices for both teachers and students in the field of sinology. It also reflects the increasing demand for talents in sinology in the Croatian society and market as China-Croatia exchanges and cooperation are growing," he said. "We look forward to a fruitful enrolment for the program this year, with more young students eagerly signing up to study, contributing to the research of sinology and the dissemination of the Chinese culture, and the development of China-Croatia relationship," he added. Domagoj Toncinic, dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, called the degree program of sinology major "one step further." "Since the academic year 2004/2005 there has been a sinology study as a free study, and now we have it as a regular study, the only such program in Croatia," he said. Over the past two decades since the faculty began to introduce a minor in sinology in 2004, Chinese courses in linguistics, Chinese history, art, literature and philosophy have been offered, attracting 30-40 students each year on average. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) In this article, we will take a look at the 20 best-selling perfumes that never go out of style. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the perfume industry, you can go directly to see the 5 Best-Selling Perfumes That Never Go Out of Style. According to an industry analysis report by Grand View Research, the global perfume market was valued at $50.85 billion in 2022. The market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a value of $80.16 billion at the conclusion of the predicted period. The market's growth can be ascribed to a number of factors like the rising trend of personal grooming, the growing demand for youthful and exotic scents, and the increasing consumer spending on luxury fragrances on account of high-income levels and improving living standards. Additionally, rising demand for perfume products manufactured with natural ingredients is expected to offer significant opportunities for this industry's growth. The report notes that product innovations based on customer needs are also increasing market sales. For example, Jo Malone London, a fragrance brand owned by the The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), offers scent-combining consultations to shoppers so they can create personalized products. Grand View Research further mentions that the perfume industrys highest revenue share was held by Europe in 2022 (more than 35%). However, it predicts that the Asia Pacific market will grow at the fastest rate over the course of the forecast period. Meanwhile, according to a report by Technavio, the size of the US perfume market is predicted to increase by $3.02 billion between 2022 and 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.12%. The market is anticipated to expand during the forecast period on account of improving living standards, rising trend of personal grooming, the growing demand for exotic and youthful scents, rise in the middle-income group, and increased perfume consumption among millennials. Story continues That being stated, today we have compiled a list of the best-selling perfumes that never go out of style. Before we get to our list, lets have a look at some of the prominent players in the perfume sector such as Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY), The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), and Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR). Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY), founded in 1904, offers color cosmetics, fragrances, hygiene, sun care, and skin treatment products. Its fragrance portfolio includes brands like Calvin Klein, Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Chloe among others. The company also aims to lessen the environmental effect of the beauty industry. Last year, it introduced the first globally distributed fragrance, Gucci The Alchemists Garden Where My Heart Beats Eau De Parfum, manufactured using alcohol from 100% recycled carbon emissions. The fragrance uses CarbonSmart alcohol produced by Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY)s partner LanzaTech (which it partnered with in March 2021). This technology uses carbon captured from industrial emissions that is turned into alcohol for use in fine fragrances. On February 7, Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) posted earnings for the second quarter of 2024, reporting a Non-GAAP EPS of $0.25, beating market estimates by $0.06. The revenue over the period was $1.73 billion, up 13.8% compared to the revenue over the same period last year. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), a manufacturer and marketer of makeup, skincare, perfume, and hair care products, has a market cap of $49.9 billion as of March 26. Its fragrance portfolio includes brands like Jo Malone London, Tom Ford, Estee Lauder, Le Labo, Clinique, Kilian Paris, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, Aerin Beauty, and Aramis. The company reported total net sales of $15.91 billion in fiscal 2023, down 10% from $17.74 billion in fiscal 2022. Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR), established in 1982, develops and distributes fragrances and cosmetics for several brands like Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Coach, Moncler, Montblanc, and Jimmy Choo. Here are some comments from Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR)s Q4 2023 Earnings Call: The ongoing demand in our prestige portfolio of brands led to a record net sales of $1.3 billion in 2023, an increase of 21% compared to 2022. At comparable foreign currency exchange rate, net sales increased 20% in 2023, of which 5% was related to new brands. Similar to 2022, our successful growth during the year was attributable to our established brands and our new product pipeline dominated by extensions. Sales for each of our largest brands, Jimmy Choo, Montblanc and Coach rose above $200 million for the year, representing 49% of our total sales. Our fourth largest brand, GUESS, grew sales by a robust 23% and with a strategically planned pipeline of innovation, we believe GUESS is well on its way to also surpassing $200 million in sales in the coming years. In our European-based brands, there were also significant gains made by our midsize brands in 2023, including Rochas, Karl Lagerfeld, Van Cleef & Arpels, increasing, respectively, 11%, 24% and 12%. 20 Best-Selling Perfumes That Never Go Out of Style Our Methodology We utilized a consensus opinion-based rankings approach for this piece. Initially, we sifted through Amazon and Sephora looking for best-selling perfumes. We also consulted reputable sources like Vogue, Byrdie, InStyle, and several Reddit threads where users discuss and share their experiences with a variety of popular and highly rated perfumes that never go out of style. We used search terms such as best-selling perfumes of all time, most sold perfumes, fragrances that are widely worn, fragrances youll never stop wearing, and most popular perfumes for women and men to find relevant threads. Using this meticulous approach we were able to compile a list of fragrances that have been on the market for nearly 20 years or more, and are still popular among people. We went on to assign a score to each fragrance. This means that each time it was mentioned in a source, it received a score of 1. Finally, we sorted the fragrances by their scores and identified the 20 best-selling perfumes that never go out of style. The perfumes are ranked in ascending order according to their respective scores. Note: Each perfumes price as of March 26 is mentioned, along with the size of the bottle. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Best-Selling Perfumes That Never Go Out of Style 20. Estee Lauder Pleasures Eau De Parfum Score: 2 Price (3.4 oz): $112 We start our list of the best-selling perfumes that never go out of style with Pleasures by Estee Lauder. This fine floral fragrance for women of all ages was first launched in 1995. Best worn during the day, it brings back memories of bright, sunny days and features a blend of violet, rose, lilac, and white lilies with a touch of sandalwood. 19. Davidoff Cool Water Eau De Toilette Score: 3 Price (2.5 oz): $37 This 1988 fragrance for men evokes the refreshing essence of ocean breezes with its crisp, clean notes of lavender, mint, geranium, and neroli. Simple and quite versatile, it is a fantastic option for individuals looking for a go-to daily scent. 18. Clinique Happy Eau De Parfum Score: 3 Price (3.4 oz): $105 Created in 1997, Happy Eau de Parfum is loved for its fresh, citrusy scent. Featuring a delightful blend of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and bergamot, with a floral heart and a base of amber and musk, this feminine scent is perfect for everyday wear. Based on our methodology, it is among the best-selling perfumes that is always in style. 17. Burberry Touch for Men Eau De Toilette Score: 4 Price (3.3 oz): $105 This popular warm and spicy fragrance for men was introduced in 2000. With notes of mandarin tree and violet leaves paired with cedarwood and white pepper, it's ideal for both formal and casual occasions. 16. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau De Parfum Score: 4 Price (3.3 oz): $46 This timeless Elizabeth Arden fragrance for women was initially introduced in 1999 and is ideal for daily wear. Refreshing and uplifting, it features top notes of rhubarb, mint, and orange peel, middle notes of musk, carnation, amber, and fennel, and base notes of green tea, caraway, celery seeds, and jasmine. 15. Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau De Toilette Score: 5 Price (3.3 oz): $68 Launched in 2003, this popular musky floral scent for women is recommended for casual wear. It features a blend of osmanthus, honey flower, amberlyn, solar musk, tactile woods, orange blossom, vanilla, tactile musk, and vetiver. 14. Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau De Toilette Score: 6 Price (3.4 oz): $140 Hypnotic Poison Eau De Toilette was introduced in 1998 and is one of the best-selling perfumes that never goes out of style. The dominant notes of this profoundly feminine fragrance are almond delight and powdery vanilla, which are really well blended. 13. Calvin Klein CK One Eau De Toilette Score: 6 Price (3.4 oz): $68 Unveiled in 1994, CK One Eau de Toilette effectively charmed its way into the hearts of many across the globe. This unisex fragrance carries fresh notes of green tea while embracing the sweetness of amber and musk. It comes at an affordable price tag of $68 for a 100ml bottle, and has a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. 12. Guerlain Shalimar Eau De Parfum Score: 6 Price (3.04 oz): $155 Inspired by the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Queen Mumtaz, this amber spicy fragrance for women is an ode to unconditional eternal love. It features an exotic blend of vanilla, citrus, rose, jasmine, leather, and musk. 11. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau De Toilette Score: 7 Price (2.5 oz): $95 Next up is Le Male Eau de Toilette by Jean Paul Gaultier, a luxury brand owned by the Spanish fashion and fragrance company Puig. This scent has been a best-seller for men since its 1995 launch and is always in style. Perfect for both casual and formal wear, it features top notes of lavender, mint, cardamom, bergamot and Artemisia, middle notes of cinnamon, orange blossom and caraway, and base notes of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood and cedar. 10. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau De Toilette Score: 7 Price (2.5 oz): $95 Launched in 2001, Light Blue is one of the top selling perfumes in the world for ladies and is always in style. Inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, its top notes include refreshing and zesty Sicilian lemon, juicy green apple, and bellflower. The heart notes contain delicate jasmine, bamboo, and white rose, while the base notes include musky cedarwood and amber to bring out your stunning feminine side. 9. Thierry Mugler Alien Eau De Parfum Score: 8 Price (3.0 oz): $185 Alien Eau de Parfum was launched nearly 20 years ago, yet its still one of the worlds most popular fragrances for women. Created by Dominique Ropion and Laurent Bruyere, it features notes of jasmine, cashmere wood, and white amber. 8. Issey Miyake L'eau D'Issey Pour Homme Eau De Toilette Score: 8 Price (4.2 oz): $43 This Eau de Toilette was released in 1994, and has since become a desired choice among fragrance enthusiasts. It blends woody and spicy notes with a touch of citrus, and is suitable for a wide range of occasions. Giving it a 4.7 star rating, customers at Amazon absolutely love this fragrance for men. 7. Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Score: 9 Price (3.4 oz): $190 This 1992 fragrance for women by Thierry Mugler, housed in a unique star-shaped light blue body, still remains a best-seller on a global scale today. It features a unique gourmand blend of chocolate, praline, and patchouli, and won the Fifi Fragrance Hall of Fame Award in 2007. 6. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau De Parfum Score: 10 Price (3.4 oz): $180 Ever since its release in 2005, Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum has become a huge favorite among ladies. With top notes of tea, bergamot, and osmanthus, middle notes of orchid, jasmine, rose, freesia, and African orange flower, and base notes of patchouli, musk, and vanilla, this warm floral scent emanates strength and allure. It can be worn during the day or evening and is suitable for a variety of occasions. Moreover, per our methodology, it is ranked 6th on our list of the best-selling perfumes that never go out of style. Click here to continue reading and check out 5 Best-Selling Perfumes That Never Go Out of Style. Suggested articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Best-Selling Perfumes That Never Go Out of Style is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will look into the 20 biggest financial and banking companies in Australia in 2024. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Biggest Financial and Banking Companies in Australia, 2024. Australian Economy and the Financial Sector According to the IMF, Australia boasts a GDP of $1.69 trillion, as of 2024. The country's economy is expected to grow at a rate of 1.4% in 2024. Australia's financial sector is one of the major contributors to its economy, accounting for 7.4% of the Australian economy, as of 2024. Inflation in Australia was steady for the third month in a row in February. On March 26, Reuters reported that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is planning to launch its first financial system stress test to strengthen its resilience against financial system risks. The Australian regulator, APRA Chair John Lonsdale, highlighted the country's high financial risk, driven by high inflation and interest rates. The APRA recognized the interconnectedness of the financial system's risk with different sectors. The stress test will consider large financial institutions and will be executed in stages. Londsale further highlighted the need for banks to enhance their stress testing capabilities to be prepared against any financial threats. Australia is intensifying its efforts to strengthen its financial sector by boosting trade and investments globally. On March 5, Reuters reported that Australia would be setting up an A$2 billion finance facility to amplify trade and investment in Southeast Asia. The fund will provide loans, guarantees, equity, and insurance while focusing on clean energy and infrastructure. Moreover, Australia will contribute an additional A$140 million to expand an existing infrastructure program. Major Players in the Market Some of the major banking and financial companies in Australia include the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTC:CMWAY), ANZ Group Holdings Limited (OTC:ANZGY), and National Australia Bank Limited (OTC:NABZY). Let's discuss their role in Australia's financial market below. Story continues Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTC:CMWAY) is a leading banking and financial services company in Australia. On March 18, the company announced that it has collaborated with Smartgroup to help Australian families unlock further advantages in their salaries. The new collaboration will provide Smartgroup customers access to Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (OTC:CMWAY) products and promotional offers, including 10 free trades on CommSec, the company's online stockbroking platform. ANZ Group Holdings Limited (OTC:ANZGY) is one of the biggest financial and banking companies in Australia. On March 12, the company announced that it has collaborated with Income Asset Management (IAM) to provide a new investment solution to its ultra-high-net-worth clients. This will allow customers to invest in an individual bond portfolio managed by ANZ Group Holdings Limited's (OTC:ANZGY) CIO, Akshman Anantakrishnan. The minimum limit to invest in the bond is A$50 million. National Australia Bank Limited (OTC:NABZY) is one of the largest banks in Australia, headquartered in Melbourne. On February 14, the company launched green finance for commercial real estate (CRE) to support investments in commercial buildings. Green finance will provide assistance to commercial real estate customers in funding projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions. With this context, let's have a look at the 20 biggest financial and banking companies in Australia, 2024. 20 Biggest Financial and Banking Companies in Australia, 2024 dan-freeman-7Zb7kUyQg1E-unsplash Methodology To create our list of the 20 biggest financial and banking companies in Australia in 2024, we conducted extensive research by reviewing various similar rankings on the internet. We also screened for financial and banking companies in Australia by using the Yahoo Finance stock screener to ensure we did not miss any major companies in the Australian financial services market. Then, we compiled a list of 30 companies headquartered in Australia. Finally, we sorted the 20 biggest financial and banking companies in Australia in ascending order of their market cap as of March 26, 2024. Please note that we have converted the market cap of companies in foreign currencies to USD according to their exchange rates, as of March 26. 20 Biggest Financial and Banking Companies in Australia, 2024 20. Hub24 Ltd (ASX:HUB) Market Cap as of March 26: $2.24 billion Hub24 Ltd (ASX:HUB) is one of the biggest financial services companies in Australia. The company specializes in investments, managed funds, direct market trading, group and retail insurance, fintech, and client portal technology. As of March 26, Hub24 Ltd (ASX:HUB) has a market cap of $2.24 billion. 19. Bank of Queensland Limited (OTC:BKQNY) Market Cap as of March 26: $2.66 billion Bank of Queensland Limited (OTC:BKQNY) is ranked 19th on our list. The company provides personal and business banking solutions. As of March 26, Bank of Queensland Limited (OTC:BKQNY) has a market cap of $2.66 billion. 18. Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF) Market Cap as of March 26: $3.12 billion Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF) is ranked among the biggest financial and banking companies in Australia. The company specializes in annuities, retirement income, and fund management. The company has $23 billion in assets under management, as of June 2023. Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF) is valued at $3.12 billion, as of March 26. 17. Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX:NWL) Market Cap as of March 26: $3.44 billion Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX:NWL) is a leading financial services company specializing in investment, share trading, insurance, international equities, superannuation, and retirement. As of March 26, Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX:NWL) has a market cap of $3.44 billion. 16. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX:BEN) Market Cap as of March 26: $3.71 billion Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX:BEN) is a banking and financial services company in Australia that provides a diverse suite of products and services, including personal banking, business banking, commercial mortgages, loans, investment products, and financial planning. The company's brands include Bendigo Bank, Adelaide Bank, Rural Bank, Up, Leveraged, and Community Enterprise Foundation. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX:BEN) is valued at $3.71 billion as of March 26. 15. Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX:SDF) Market Cap as of March 26: $4.14 billion Headquartered in Sydney, Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX:SDF) is a leading insurance company specializing in premium funding, business insurance, personal and commercial insurance, and steadfast brokers. The company has a gross written premium of A$12.4 billion. As of March 26, Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX:SDF) is valued at $4.14 billion. 14. Argo Investments Limited (ASX:ARG) Market Cap as of March 26: $4.39 billion Argo Investments Limited (ASX:ARG) is a South Australian financial services and investment management company. The company has over $7 billion portfolio invested across nearly 90 equity holdings and cash. As of March 26, Argo Investments Limited (ASX:ARG) has a market cap of $4.39 billion. 13. Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX:AFI) Market Cap as of March 26: $5.96 billion Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX:AFI) is a leading investment company in Australia. With over 90 years of experience, the company provides attractive investment returns to shareholders. As of March 26, Australian Foundation Investment Co Ltd (ASX:AFI) has a market cap of $5.96 billion. 12. Medibank Private Limited (OTC:MDBPF) Market Cap as of March 26: $6.74 billion Medibank Private Limited (OTC:MDBPF) is a leading insurance company specializing in health insurance, travel insurance, life insurance, job capacity assessments, and pet insurance. As of March 27, Medibank Private Limited (OTC:MDBPF) is valued at $6.74 billion. 11. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (ASX:SOL) Market Cap as of March 26: $7.92 billion Headquartered in Sydney, Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (ASX:SOL) is an investment management company. The company has been providing investment services in equities, private markets, and structured yield for over 20 years. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited (ASX:SOL) boasts a market cap of $7.92 billion, as of March 26. 10. ASX Limited (OTC:ASXFY) Market Cap as of March 26: $8.46 billion ASX Limited (OTC:ASXFY) is ranked 10th on our list of the biggest financial services and banking companies in Australia in 2024. The company is an integrated exchange that provides listing, trading, settlement, market insights, technical and information services, and post-trade services across assets, including derivatives, equities, ETFs, and managed funds. As of March 26, ASX Limited (OTC:ASXFY) is valued at $8.46 billion. 9. Computershare Limited (OTC:CMSQY) Market Cap as of March 26: $10.04 billion Computershare Limited (OTC:CMSQY) is an Australian financial services company that provides a wide range of services and products, including share registry, entity management, board portal software, bankruptcy administration, tax voucher solutions, employee share plans, SEC filings, and deposit protection. As of March 26, Computershare Limited (OTC:CMSQY) boasts a market cap of $10.04 billion. 8. Insurance Australia Group Limited (OTC:IAUGF) Market Cap as of March 26: $10.21 billion Insurance Australia Group Limited (OTC:IAUGF) is one of the largest insurance companies in Australia. The company provides general insurance solutions through Direct Insurance Australia and Intermediated Insurance Australia. Insurance Australia Group Limited (OTC:IAUGF) underwrites more than $14 billion in premiums per annum. As of March 26, it is valued at $10.21 billion. 7. Suncorp Group Limited (OTC:SNMCY) Market Cap as of March 26: $13.37 billion Suncorp Group Limited (OTC:SNMCY) is ranked among the biggest financial and banking companies in Australia. The company provides general insurance, banking, and life insurance services. The company has 12 brands: Aami, GIO, Bingle, and Suncorp, among others. As of March 26, Suncorp Group Limited (OTC:SNMCY) is valued at $13.37 billion. 6. QBE Insurance Group Limited (OTC:QBEIF) Market Cap as of March 26: $17.43 billion Founded in 1886, QBE Insurance Group Limited (OTC:QBEIF) provides a wide range of insurance services, including boat insurance, caravan insurance, home insurance, landlord insurance, liability insurance, warranty, accidental and health insurance, aviation insurance, and professional liability. QBE Insurance Group Limited (OTC:QBEIF) is valued at $17.43 billion as of March 26. It is ranked 6th on our list of the biggest financial and banking companies in Australia. Click to continue reading and see 5 Biggest Financial and Banking Companies in Australia, 2024. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Biggest Financial and Banking Companies in Australia, 2024 is published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will take a look at the 20 windiest cities in the United States. If you would like to skip our discussion on the US wind energy market, you can go to the 5 Windiest Cities in the United States. With a total installed capacity of 132,938 MW, the United States holds the title of being the worlds second-biggest producer of wind energy. In the year 2022, wind power emerged as a significant contributor to the US electricity grid. Across 42 states, utility-scale wind farms harnessed the power of the wind to generate a remarkable 10% of the nation's total electricity production. This translates to a staggering 435 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) being generated from these sources, highlighting the growing role of wind energy in the US. Some of the states contribute more to wind power generation in the country than others. The five major states that produced the most wind energy in 2022 were Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas, and Iowa. Together, they churned out a whopping 57% of the total wind electricity generation in the US. These are among the windiest states of the USA. They are located in the Central and Midwest Region, which is among the windiest places in North America. The high wind speed in these states has made them suitable for wind power generation. However, there is still a lot more potential for wind power generation in the US. The annual wind power potential of the continental US stands at 43,000 terawatt-hours (TWh). This is much more than the electricity consumption of the entire United States, which was a mere 4,048 TWh in 2022. Due to the potential, the US wind energy market is on a promising trajectory, with forecasts predicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.87% between 2022 and 2027. Other factors fueling this growth include favorable government policies, reduced cost of wind energy, increased investment in the sector, and concerns for climatic change. Key Players Driving Innovation in the US Wind Energy Market With several players competing for a share of the market, the market is characterized by moderate fragmentation. Some of the major players in the US wind energy market include Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and rsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED). All of them have made significant contributions to this sector and continue to do so as part of their strategic plans. Story continues Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is taking a big step towards a cleaner future with its ambitious clean energy plan. This plan outlines significant carbon emission reductions, aiming for at least a 50% decrease by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions from electricity generation by 2050. To achieve this, Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is leading the industry in coal plant retirements. They aim to reduce coal dependence to less than 5% of their total energy generation by 2030, with a complete phase-out by 2035, pending regulatory approval. This aggressive plan demonstrates Duke Energy's commitment to a sustainable future. The company recently also started operations on a 207 MW wind farm located in Iowa. General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) is not far behind. As a leading force in wind energy, the company has deployed over 49,000 wind turbines globally. Their versatile designs, suited for various wind conditions, harness both onshore and offshore wind potential. This translates to a massive renewable energy capacity of 400 GW worldwide. General Electric Company's (NYSE:GE) commitment continues with its spin-off, GE Vernova. Invested in boosting American wind energy, GE Vernova pledged over $50 million for a new wind turbine facility in the state of New York. This initiative, completed in November 2023, resulted in the production of the 6.1-158 onshore wind turbine. Similarly, rsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED), a major force in offshore wind, partnered with Eversource to launch the nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in March 2024. Around 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York, the company's 12-turbine South Fork wind farm marks a significant milestone in expanding US renewable energy production. 20 Windiest Cities in the United States Wind turbines against a backdrop of the sky, signifying the power of renewable energy. Our Methodology To compile the list of the 20 windiest cities in the United States, we relied on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency specializing in weather study and forecasting. The metric utilized was the average annual wind speed measured in miles per hour (mph). NOAA's data tracked the average wind speed on a monthly basis over a span of 38 years to calculate both monthly and annual averages for each location. In our compilation, we included only cities with populations of 50,000 people and above, as per the latest census. The windiest cities in the United States are ranked in ascending order based on their average annual wind speed. You can also check out the 20 Cloudiest Cities in the U.S., Ranked here. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20 Windiest Cities in the United States 20. San Francisco, California Average Yearly Wind Speed: 10.5 mph San Francisco is situated on a peninsula and is surrounded by water from three sides. The city experiences noticeable winds throughout the year, blowing in from the Pacific Ocean. Cold water currents near the city create cooler air over the water, leading to differences in pressure that generate wind. 19. Rapid City, South Dakota Average Yearly Wind Speed: 10.6 mph Being located at the edge of the Black Hills, Rapid City is exposed to winds without major geographical barriers. Rapid City also has a fairly consistent wind speed throughout the year, with a slight dip in summer. The average annual wind speed is 10.6 miles per hour, with slightly higher speeds in winter and slightly lower in summer. 18. Billings, Montana Average Yearly Wind Speed: 10.7 mph Billings, Montana experiences moderate windiness year-round. Wind speeds are higher in winter and a bit lower in summer. In fact, January is the citys windiest month, with wind speeds going as high as 13.4 miles per hour on average. 17. Midland-Odessa, Texas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 10.9 mph Sitting on the southern extension of the South Plains and lacking any major geographical obstacles to wind flow, Midland-Odessa, Texas, experiences windier conditions than usual. Also, due to low vegetation cover in Midland-Odessa, there is little resistance to winds. During late winter and early spring, visibility can be reduced, especially when dust is blowing. 16. Abilene, Texas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 10.9 mph This city sits on the edge of the Texas High Plains. Thanks to its flat terrain, unpredictable air currents, and frequent summer storms, Abilene joins the ranks of the windiest cities in the United States. Some days in Abilene can be quite blustery, with winds reaching speeds of over 20 mph. 15. Fargo, North Dakota Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.1 mph Fargo, North Dakota, is no stranger to strong winds. Several factors contribute to its windy reputation. Firstly, its location on the Great Plains means there are few obstacles to disrupt wind patterns. Secondly, a geographical feature called the Pembina Escarpment, a slight elevation change east of the city can strengthen winds as they move across it. Finally, Fargo experiences frequent passage of high- and low-pressure systems throughout the year, which cause air movement and contribute to its overall windy character. 14. Grand Island, Nebraska Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.1 mph Grand Island, Nebraska, frequently experiences strong winds due to a combination of geographical and climatic factors. Lack of obstacles to the prevailing winds and frequent high- and low-pressure systems lead to the city experiencing winds year-round. 13. Galveston, Texas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.2 mph With an average wind speed of around 11.2 miles per hour, Galveston, Texas, has earned a reputation as a windy city. Firstly, its location on Galveston Island, jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico, exposes it to persistent onshore winds. Moreover, the flat terrain surrounding the island provides minimal obstruction, allowing winds to flow freely. 12. Wichita Falls, Texas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.2 mph Wichita Falls experiences a significant variation between its windy and calm seasons. While summers are hot, humid, and mostly clear with minimal wind, winters are cold and partly cloudy with significant wind gusts. Interestingly, the windiest period in Wichita Falls isn't winter but rather spring and early summer, with April taking the title as the month with the highest average wind speed. 11. New York City, New York Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.2 mph New York City's winds pick up significantly during the cooler months. While summers bring sweltering heat, humidity, and rain, winters transform the landscape with frigid temperatures, deep snow drifts, and winds. This windy season stretches from October to April in the city, with February being the month with the strongest average wind speeds. The rest of the year offers a respite from the blustery conditions, with partly cloudy skies year-round. 10. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.3 mph Oklahoma Citys flat terrain offers little resistance to prevailing winds, making it a notoriously breezy place. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold and can be snowy. Interestingly, the windiest time in the city isn't winter but rather a stretch from late January to early June, with April experiencing the strongest average wind speeds. 9. Boston, Massachusetts Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.5 mph Boston's coastal location on the Atlantic Ocean fuels its reputation as a windy city. Winter unleashes powerful nor'easters, extratropical cyclones that blast the city with strong northeasterly winds. The hurricane season, from June to November, also brings occasional tropical storms or hurricanes, providing additional windiness. While Boston experiences wind variations throughout the year, February holds the title of the windiest month. 8. Wichita, Kansas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.5 mph Wichita's winds are a product of its geographical location. Air masses coming down from the Colorado Rockies sink and warm as they reach the plains to the east, strengthening the low-pressure zone and creating the prevailing winds. Wichita's flat landscape also allows for these winds to flow freely. Spring is the windiest season, while summer offers a calm respite. However, strong thunderstorms, common throughout the year in the city, can bring their own bursts of wind. 7. Great Falls, Montana Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.5 mph Great Falls is one of Montana's windiest major cities. Winter unleashes the city's strongest winds, likely due to the arrival of Chinook winds. These warm, dry winds rushing down from the Rocky Mountains can cause average wind speeds to rise over 14 miles per hour in December and January. 6. Corpus Christi, Texas Average Yearly Wind Speed: 11.7 mph Ranked as the sixth windiest city in the US, Corpus Christi experiences winds year-round, averaging a refreshing 11.7 mph. Unlike the strong gusts of Midwestern cities, Corpus Christi's winds have seasonal variations. Summer welcomes gentle breezes wafting in from the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, winter brings a change of direction, with occasional storms blowing in from the west and northwest. April is the windiest month in the city. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Windiest Cities in the United States. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Windiest Cities in the United States is published on Insider Monkey. A Delaware County home that dates from 1807, making it one of the oldest homes in central Ohio, has been listed for $950,000. A Delaware County farmhouse, one of the oldest homes in central Ohio, has come on the market. But potential buyers take note: This isn't a modern, Chip-and-Joanna-Gaines farmhouse. "The owners have really brought it up to date, but tried to maintain the original character of the times, modernizing it without turning it into the trendy farmhouse look," said Tom Farwick, the Keller Williams Classic Properties agent listing the Olentangy River Road home for $950,000. "This is a real working farmhouse, not one of the new 'farmhouses' everyones trying to build." The oldest part of a newly listed Delaware County home dates from 1807. The core of the home dates from 1807, but the home has been expanded three times to its current size of 5,700 square feet with five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The result is a quirky assortment of rooms, some of them connected via hidden passages or cabinet doors (in addition to conventional doors). For the owners, Alaina Shearer and Seth Gray, the home has been a one-of-a-kind place to raise their four children. "Our kids have had the most magical childhood living here," Shearer said. "Now that theyre going off to college and were downsizing, we have to explain to them, 'your home isnt like other homes.' " A den occupies the oldest part of a Delaware County home recently listed for $950,000. Shearer and Gray bought the home at the end of 2013, drawn by its history and character. With the help of the Delaware County Historical Society, they learned that the core of the home, a stone, brick and log cabin, was built in 1807 by Revolutionary War veteran Seth Case on land he received via a federal program to reward soldiers for their service. Such vintage makes the home an extreme rarity in central Ohio. The oldest continuously occupied home in the Columbus area is thought to be the Beers Cabin, built in 1804 on the Olentangy River and later moved to its current location in the University District. The original three-story home, with low timber ceilings, massive brick fireplace and 24-inch-thick walls, sits in the front of the nearly 2-acre property, which also includes a horse barn. Three additions, from the early 1900s, 1960s and 1980s, added considerably to the house and gave it an unconventional layout. Story continues The owners of a newly listed Delaware County home updated the kitchen soon after moving in a decade ago. Shearer and Gray started work on the home as soon as they moved in, and have spent much of the past decade updating the property. "Not an inch was spared except for the original hardwood flooring and beams," said Shearer, vice president of marketing for Sage Sustainable Electronics in Columbus and a 2020 Democratic candidate for Congress. More: Couple renovating Dublin home discover it's a 19th-century cabin The couple, both 44 years old, installed four new heat pumps and a propane tank, added new windows, upgraded the electrical service, installed a new roof and added two full bathrooms. A large room in a newly listed Delaware County home is used as a spa and workout room. Some cosmetic changes proved more challenging. "There were three layers of wallpaper in every room," Shearer recalled. "We kept some, such as fabric wallpaper in the front room, where we thought it was a beautiful style. But it took a full year to get through every room. Weve got four kids and a day job, and spent nights steaming wallpaper. We tried to get someone to do it. One wallpaper guy came out to give us a quote. He said he didnt know how to start. He walked through the home and never called us back." The work exposed them to the home's many quirks, such as vents in the bedroom floors that open directly to rooms below, an 18-inch-wide hidden corridor that connects upstairs bedrooms, and cabinet-size doors high on the wall of one bedroom that open into an enormous playroom, now converted into a guest suite. Hidden doors and passages can be found in a Delaware County home recently listed for $950,000. While working in the den, Gray discovered a plank held by magnets above a cabinet that opened to a hidden cubby. "We think a previous owner hid his tobacco there," said Gray, chief marketing officer for Paradise Mobile in Bermuda. With one child at college and two more on the way, the couple are ready to downsize. Owners of a newly listed Delaware County home have sought to keep its historic character while updating it. A recent open house for the property drew 70 or 80 visitors, said Farwick, who expects the buyer will be someone with "a love for old homes." Farwick notes that the furnishings, many of them period pieces, are also negotiable. "We feel grateful for the memories this house has given us," Shearer said, "but its definitely bittersweet to leave." But she and Gray believe it's time for a new owner to put their own mark on the property. "Weve done all the really hard work," Shearer said. "Now someone can come in and have some fun." jweiker@dispatch.com @JimWeiker This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: One of central Ohio's oldest homes comes listed for sale In this article, we will discuss the 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global market for mens fragrances, the US perfume market, and developments in the perfume industry and go directly to the 10 Best Spring Fragrances For Men to Try in 2024. Perfume is a combination of fixatives, solvents, and aromatic essential oils that produce a pleasing odor. The scent of perfume stirs memories, feelings, and self-expression in people, leaving a lasting effect. Global Market for Men's Fragrances: As per Verified Market Reports, the men's fragrances market size was estimated to be worth $25.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.60% to reach $42.7 billion by 2030. Some of the major factors accelerating the growth and evolution of the perfume for men market include changing societal norms related to self-expression and grooming, men's rising focus on personal hygiene and grooming, and the increasing significance of social media and celebrity endorsements to impact consumer preferences. Among the industry players in the men's perfume segment are renowned fragrance brands, independent perfumers, fashion designers, and premium brands. Men's perfume sales are heading towards artisanal and niche perfumes that cater to specific tastes and unique olfactory experiences. As environmental awareness and sustainability gain popularity, brands are utilizing more natural ingredients and eco-friendly package designs. Furthermore, the rise of online channels and influencer marketing is transforming how customers interact with brands by enabling customized recommendations and direct connections. For an in-depth analysis of the global perfume market, check out our article, 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World. The US Perfume Market: As per Technavio's latest research, there is an anticipated growth of $3,029.11 million in the US perfume industry between 2022 and 2027. Story continues Throughout the projected period, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.12%. The existence of a variety of regional and international vendors has led to market concentration. Rising living standards are fueling the perfume market. As people's quality of life has increased, so has their need to stay trendy. The country's perfume market is also growing as a result of the rising popularity of personal grooming and a growing need for high-end, youthful fragrances. The expansion of the middle class has led to a significant surge in consumer spending. Millennials are consuming far more perfume than previous generations. They have a reputation for being brand-aware. Although they don't mind paying extra for the product of their choice, they don't want to forgo the item's quality. Therefore, it is anticipated that the US perfume market will grow over the projected period due to the rise in the middle-class demographic, the millennial generation, and rising living standards. Developments in the Perfume Industry: 'Skinification' of men's fragrances is the newest thing to keep an eye on. To expand its brand beyond fragrance into everyday skincare routines, Dior has introduced a grooming line that features sensual textures and ingredients made with organic ingredients like glycerine and cactus extract. The dual-purpose Face and Beard Hydrating Skincare is one of their best-selling items. In the perfume industry, Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR) is a notable name. Established in 1982, Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR) creates and sells cosmetics and fragrances for several companies, including Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Moncler, and Montblanc. In 2023, Inter Parfums, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPAR) had an astonishing annual revenue of $1.31 billion. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY), a major player in the beauty industry with an estimated annual revenue of $5.55 billion in 2023. The American company Coty Inc. has been actively pursuing acquisitions in the cosmetics and fragrance industry. Buying the majority of Kylie Cosmetics, a well-known beauty company started by Kylie Jenner, was one of Coty Inc.'s noteworthy acquisitions in 2023. For $600 million, Coty purchased a 51% ownership share in Kylie Cosmetics. Through this strategic decision, Coty Inc. was able to demonstrate its dedication to industry growth and innovation while also strengthening its position in the cosmetics and fragrance sectors. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) a leader in the fragrance industry, and Etro, a prestigious Italian luxury fashion brand, announced their strategic partnership in February 2024. The goal of the partnership is to use Coty's vast knowledge and global distribution network in the beauty sector to develop and launch Etro's signature fragrance lines. This demonstrates how market players are working together to utilize mutual strengths, broaden product offerings, and enter new markets. With that said, here are the 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024. 25 Best Spring Fragrances for Men to Try In 2024 George Rudy/Shutterstock.com Methodology: To pick out the 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024, we have used a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources to the determine top masculine spring fragrances. To give you the finest result possible, we picked perfumes that appeared multiple times in our research, assigned them a score of 1 each time they were mentioned, and ranked them on aggregated scores. In tie-breaker situations, we consulted product reviews and then curated the perfumes for our list. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 25. Versace Eros Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 2 Eros Eau de Parfum represents extravagance and temptation. A new chapter begins with the depth of its woody accord (cedar, vetiver, and patchouli), which is revived by the radiant, effervescent brightness of the typically Italian lemon and mandarin paring and an additional candied apple note. A man who is brave and passionate might enjoy the new Eros Eau de Parfum. It is one of the 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024. 24. Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Insider Monkey Score: 2 Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme is an eau de parfum spray. It is the most similar to the perfume form in terms of intensity and characteristics. This aromatic, musky aroma includes fresh and sparkling notes of Italian Mandarin with green, coniferous Moroccan Cypress to create a lively, aromatic fragrance. 23. Armani Beauty Acqua Di Gio Insider Monkey Score: 3 Acqua Di Gio is best known for its signature marine notes, an amalgamation that has made the fresh fragrance a men's cologne classic. Bergamot and neroli contribute an aquatic freshness, whereas cedar wood and patchouli contribute woody elements that give it a strong, masculine scent. 22. Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza Eau de Cologne Insider Monkey Score: 3 The woodsy scent of Colonia Essenza reimagines the classic Colonia with an added element of real unconventionality. Colonia Essenza is a distinct fragrance with a sharp essence that appeals to those who have an authentic style that comes from within. This perfume is good for spring. 21. Ex Nihilo Chandigarh Express Eau De Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Chandigarh Express by Ex Nihilo is a voyage across modernity and secular traditions. In 2024, the Chandigarh Express made its debut. This fragrance was created by Gael Montero. The top notes are cardamom, Mandarin orange, and bergamot; the middle notes are leather, davana, balsam fir, jasmine, and Mahonial; and the base notes are vetiver, benzoin, patchouli, and tonka. 20. Calvin Klein Eternity Aromatic Essence for Men Parfum Intense Insider Monkey Score: 4 The newest fragrance to join the legendary Calvin Klein collection is Eternity Aromatic Essence for Men. Strong and seductive, this concoction of fresh juniper and creamy coconut is elevated to a sensual level with a hint of cardamom. Desire and sensuality are evoked by this CK fragrance. 19. Burberry Hero Eau de Toilette Insider Monkey Score: 4 This fragrance is fresh, dazzling, and powerful, brightened with sparkling bergamot and revitalized with juniper and black pepper. Burberry Hero is a fantastic choice for a more sophisticated scent that pops in the springtime. 18. Paco Rabbane - 1 Million Insider Monkey Score: 4 One Million Eau de Toilette is a crisp and spicy scent for men that includes notes of amber, leather, and tangerine. It breaks all the conventions and codes while adding a touch of sensuality. It is one of the fragrances men find most attractive. 17. Giorgio Armani - Stronger With You EDT Insider Monkey Score: 4 Giorgio Armani's Stronger With You, which strikes a balance between strength, elegance, and confidence, epitomizes modern masculinity. The warm, welcoming base notes of vanilla and cedarwood produce a perfume that lingers and sticks in your memory. 16. L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme Solar Lavender Issey Miyake Insider Monkey Score: 5 This spring-appropriate, contemporary, aquatic scent captures the essence of aromatic, herbaceous lavender, warmed by tones of Sichuan pepper and enriched by strong woody notes. The earthy, spicy tones of Sichuan pepper complement the warm and sunny characteristics. This fragrance's aromatic aspect is intensified by the lavender essence. 15. Mancera Aoud Lemon Mint Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 5 This unisex, fragrant, woodsy scent is a modern interpretation of citrus mixed with oud. Fresh notes of lemon, citrus, pepper, coriander, and almond awaken your senses. Egyptian jasmine, oud, and patchouli are incorporated in the heart notes, while vanilla, amber, and musk unite with vetiver and leather in the base notes. 14. Loewe Solo Vulcan Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 5 You can savor the fragrance of Loewe Solo Vulcan eau de perfume for a very long time. Its floral, woodsy, and balsamic scent is derived from thyme, lavender, orange blossom absolute, and vetiver. Vulcan, the first member of the LOEWE Solo family, was inspired by the scent of Spanish rockrose. Vulcan has a fiery and flowery appeal. It is one of the most popular scents for men right now. 13. Burberry Hero Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 5 The already well-known Hero collection was expanded in 2024 with the release of Burberry Hero Parfum. The Hero line has excelled in producing both light and dark wood-based aromas; Hero Parfum stands out by placing the subtlety of cedarwood at the forefront. This enables a more nuanced, richer, manly fragrance during the spring months. 12. Maison Margiela Replica - Sailing Day Eau De Toilette Insider Monkey Score: 5 Sailing Day is a revitalizing unisex eau de toilette that tops off with a distinctive aquatic harmony that brings with it marine, fresh, transparent, merging, and potent notes. The aromas of coriander are energizing, harmonizing well with the watery fragrance. Hence, it is a perfect spring fragrance. 11. Dior Sauvage Elixir Insider Monkey Score: 6 Diors Sauvage Elixir is a long-lasting, sophisticated, and powerful composition of fresh grapefruit and lavender, together with bold wood and spice. The richness and intensity of the nighttime sky served as the inspiration for this perfume. The incredible strength of Sauvage Elixir is encapsulated in its midnight-blue glass container. It is one of the 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024. Click to continue reading and see the 10 Best Spring Fragrances for Men to Try in 2024. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 25 Best Spring Fragrances For Men To Try In 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will look at the 25 countries with high demand for English teachers.We have also discussed the dominance of English language in the US and Europe. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 10 Countries with High Demand for English Teachers. English maintains its dominance as the primary language spoken in the United States, with over three-quarters (78.3%) of individuals aged 5 and older using English exclusively at home, according to the 2018-2022 American Community Survey. Despite a slight decrease from the previous five-year period, English remains firmly entrenched as the most commonly spoken language. Among those who speak languages other than English at home, Spanish (61.1%), Chinese (5.1%), and Tagalog (2.5%) are the most prevalent, indicating linguistic diversity alongside English proficiency. The prevalence of English worldwide and the United States is such that English dominates as the primary language for news consumption even among Hispanic Americans, with variations in language preference and habits. According to recent research by the Pew Research Center, over half (54%) of Hispanics primarily consume news in English, while only 21% mainly opt for Spanish-language news. Preferences align closely with consumption habits, with 51% expressing a preference for English news and 24% for Spanish. Interestingly, only a negligible fraction (less than 1%) prefers news in a language other than English or Spanish. In the post-Brexit landscape of the European Union (EU) by 2025, the demand for English language learning is set to undergo major shifts. A report projects a decline of 15.3 million potential English learners across France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. However, this decline isn't attributed to Brexit or protectionist policies but rather to demographic changes and a growing segment of the adult population possessing higher English proficiency levels. Despite these changes, English is forecasted to maintain its status as the lingua franca within the EU, with employers continuing to seek individuals proficient in English for various tasks ranging from negotiations to strategic presentations. Story continues Furthermore, the report anticipates evolving trends in adult education, where working professionals will increasingly demand flexible and personalized English language learning solutions tailored to specific purposes and time constraints. Traditional formats of long-term evening or weekend courses may witness a decrease in demand, while older learners are expected to contribute to the demand for English learning for reasons such as mental stimulation, travel, and family communication. Despite these predictions, it is worth mentioning that the demand for English proficiency is evident across European job markets, with 22% of vacancies explicitly requiring it. English ranks as the sixth most demanded skill, surpassing other languages like German, Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. Notably, 50% of managerial or professional positions mandate English knowledge, compared to just 10% for agricultural, forestry, and fishery roles, as well as elementary occupations. In the UK, the demand for English language has also lagrely benefited Pearson Plc (NYSE:PSO), as evidenced by its 30% growth in English language learning sales, contributing to the company's impressive operating profit of 573 million ($722 million) in 2023. Pearson Plc (NYSE:PSO)s success is further highlighted by the remarkable 49% increase in Pearson Plc (NYSE:PSO)s Test of English (PTE) testing volumes, reaching 1.2 million tests in 2023, up from 827,000 the previous year. This growth in demand for English proficiency testing is indicative of the global importance placed on English as a lingua franca in various domains, including education, business, and international communication. Pearson Plc (NYSE:PSO)s performance is not only attributed to its English language learning sector but also to its assessments & qualifications portfolio, which saw sales grow to 1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) in 2023. The favorable migration policies in Australia and market share gains in India have particularly propelled the success of PTE, positioning it as an "outstanding contributor" to Pearson Plc (NYSE:PSO)s overall performance. On the other hand, the Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) English Test has emerged as a game-changer across different sectors due to its efficiency, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. For individuals, it provides a standardized and adaptive assessment of English proficiency, catering to different skill levels and offering a convenient testing experience. With its computer-adaptive format and quick results turnaround, Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) has become a preferred choice for many international students seeking admission to colleges and universities, serving as an alternative to traditional exams like the TOEFL and IELTS. Businesses also benefit from the Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) English Test as a means of verifying applicants' language skills, enabling them to streamline recruitment processes and ensure effective communication within their workforce. By allowing candidates to showcase their English proficiency through recorded responses, Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) offers a more comprehensive assessment compared to traditional resumes and interviews. Integrating Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) test scores into recruitment processes enhances transparency and ensures that language requirements are met, particularly in multinational companies where effective communication is essential. 25 Countries with High Demand for English Teachers Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology To identify countries with high demand for English teachers, we focused on two primary metrics: GDP growth rate and English proficiency index. We obtained real GDP growth rates from World Bank for the year 2023, and the English proficiency index scores from EF EPI. Our rationale is as follows: A low proficiency index (rated as 1) suggests a higher demand for English teachers, as there is a greater need for language instruction. Additionally, a high real GDP growth rate (rated as 1) indicates economic expansion, increased globalization, and enhanced international relations, all of which typically link with an increased demand for English language skills. To rank these countries, we assigned a score of 1 to the highest GDP growth rate and a score of 1 to the lowest English proficiency index. We then averaged these scores to obtain an average rank. The list is presented in an ascending order. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 25. Paraguay GDP Growth Rank: 44 English Proficiency Rank: 68 Average Rank: 56 The real gdp growth of Paraguay stands at 4.5% as of 2023. Moreover, given the increasing globalization, tourism, and trade partnerships, English proficiency has become crucial for Paraguayans seeking better job opportunities and participating in international markets. 24. Uganda GDP Growth Rank: 36 English Proficiency Rank: 67 Average Rank: 51.5 The constitution of Uganda stipulates that English is the exclusive official language for parliamentary debates, procedures, and government transactions. It is also the primary medium of instruction across all levels of education, except for the initial four years of primary education in rural regions, where it is taught as a subject. 23. Georgia GDP Growth Rank: 15 English Proficiency Rank: 82 Average Rank: 48.5 Georgia is often considered a transit hub between Europe and Asia, fostering international trade and tourism. Hence, English proficiency is important for engaging with multinational businesses and attracting foreign investment. With high salaries, Georgia is also one of the best countries for teachers salary. 22. Vietnam GDP Growth Rank: 35 English Proficiency Rank: 55 Average Rank: 45 Vietnam has a fairly affordable cost of living, making it an attractive destination for English teachers. With salaries typically ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 per month, teachers can enjoy a balanced work-life dynamic. This also explains why Vietnam is one of the best countries that need English teachers. 21. Egypt GDP Growth Rank: 52 English Proficiency Rank: 30 Average Rank: 41 In order to pursue a teaching job as an English teacher in Egypt, having a TEFL certificate is essential. While a 4-year college degree isn't mandatory, it is highly favored. Proficiency in native-level English is also a standard requirement for securing a TEFL job. On average, English teachers in Egypt earn approximately $300 to $700 per month. With low barriers to entry, Egypt is one of the easiest countries to teach English in. 20. Cameroon GDP Growth Rank: 60 English Proficiency Rank: 20 Average Rank: 40 Cameroon is one of the African countries where English is the official language along with French. Additionally, there's a growing interest in English language learning driven by globalization, business expansion, and international communication needs. Moreover, Cameroon's increasing tourism sector and its role in regional trade contribute to the demand for English-speaking professionals, including teachers. 19. Tanzania GDP Growth Rank: 29 English Proficiency Rank: 46 Average Rank: 37.5 Tanzania's tourism industry requires proficient English speakers to communicate with international visitors. Moreover, as globalizaion has increased, it has also increased the importance of English in business and commerce in Tanzania. Consequently, the need for qualified English teachers remains strong to meet these diverse demands effectively. 18. Armenia GDP Growth Rank: 7 English Proficiency Rank: 66 Average Rank: 36.5 Teaching opportunities in Armenia often attract teachers who are keen on volunteering. For those interested in teaching English, holding a TEFL certificate is advisable. Typically, teaching positions at international or private schools are concentrated in Yerevan, the capital city, and require teachers to possess a teaching license from their home country. 17. Senegal GDP Growth Rank: 54 English Proficiency Rank: 19 Average Rank: 36.5 As Senegral seeks to integrate more deeply into the global economy, proficiency in English becomes essential for its citizens to compete effectively on the international stage. Secondly, there's a growing recognition within Senegral of the importance of English proficiency for educational and career opportunities. Parents increasingly prioritize English education for their children to ensure they have access to better employment prospects and higher education opportunities, both domestically and internationally. 16. Bangladesh GDP Growth Rank: 17 English Proficiency Rank: 54 Average Rank: 35.5 Bangladesh is one of the best countries for English teaching jobs because the demand for English language proficiency is high in the country, driven by globalization and the country's aspiration for economic growth. Moreover, there's a scarcity of qualified English teachers, creating ample job opportunities. 15. Indonesia GDP Growth Rank: 33 English Proficiency Rank: 35 Average Rank: 34 In Indonesia, to obtain work permits as a foreign English teacher, it is mandatory to possess a bachelor's degree as per government regulations. Out of 113 countries ranked in the English proficiency index by EF, Indonesia ranks 79th, reflecting a low proficiency. 14. China GDP Growth Rank: 34 English Proficiency Rank: 32 Average Rank: 33 China is one of the countries most in need of English teachers. China is prioritizing English education to enhance global competitiveness and facilitate international communication, trade, and diplomacy. Proficiency in English enables access to global markets, attracts foreign investment, and promotes cultural exchange. 13. Mongolia GDP Growth Rank: 25 English Proficiency Rank: 41 Average Rank: 33 To teach English in Mongolia, you usually need a bachelor's degree in any field, a TEFL certificate, a clear criminal record, and a passport from an English-speaking country like the US, Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand. 12. India GDP Growth Rank: 11 English Proficiency Rank: 53 Average Rank: 32 India holds the distinction of being the second-largest English-speaking country globally, owing to its widespread usage of the language. English serves as a unifying force in a country with diverse linguistic backgrounds, fostering communication across regions and socioeconomic strata. Its prominence stems from historical ties to British colonization, educational policies, and its role as a language of commerce and technology. 11. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rank: 16 English Proficiency Rank: 45 Average Rank: 30.5 English is increasingly seen as essential for accessing global opportunities, including education and employment. Ethiopia's growing economy and international interactions amplify this need. Additionally, government initiatives promoting English proficiency contribute to the demand. Click here to see the 10 Countries with High Demand for English Teachers. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 25 Countries with High Demand for English Teachers is originally published on Insider Monkey. JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) of the Republic of Indonesia, led by the Deputy for Marketing, has reintroduced the Wonderful Indonesia co-branding partnership program in 2024. Established back in 2017, this initiative serves as a platform for cooperation between Wonderful Indonesia and various tourism stakeholders under the concept of Indonesia Incorporated, including academics, industry, government, community, and media. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, at the launching of the Extra Affordable Sales Activation (BERKAH) co-branding program (PRNewsfoto/Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy) The Wonderful Indonesia 2024 co-branding partnership will kick off with a collaborative campaign during the sacred months of Ramadan and Eid called BERKAH, also known as Belanja Extra Murah (Extra Affordable Sales Activation). This initiative offers a platform for Wonderful Indonesia co-branding partners to participate in promoting and selling products or services through indonesia.travel website and will be amplified through @creativebyindonesia as well as @pesona.indonesia starting from 28 March 2024 to 12 April 2024. "This program benefits both Wonderful Indonesia co-branding partners as well as consumers, amidst the price surge towards the Eid al-Fitr, this program offers extra affordable prices" said Sandiaga Uno, Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. Leveraging the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period, known for increased consumer demand, serves as a strategic campaign window for this program. Throughout Ramadan, Indonesia experiences a profound cultural and economic significance, which reflect the unique characteristics of this holy period, marked by Muslims fasting and preparing for Eid al-Fitr after a month of dedication. Some common trends are: Rise in food and drink intake: There is a notable increase in food and drink consumption, particularly during iftar and sahur. This involves buying ingredients for Ramadan delicacies like dates, porridge, syrup, and traditional snacks. Surge in New Clothing Purchases: During the month of Ramadan, many Indonesians tend to shop for new clothes in anticipation of Eid al-Fitr festivities. Rise in Beauty Product Sales: Beauty product purchases surge during Ramadan, particularly amongst the female market. This uptick encompasses buying cosmetics, skincare items, perfumes, and various beauty products. The Rise of Online Shopping: Numerous individuals are utilising e-commerce platforms to buy a wide range of products, including food, clothing, and beauty items. The convenience and simplicity of online shopping are particularly beneficial during this hectic month. During Ramadan, both physical and online stores provide special promotions and discounts to entice customers and boost sales. These offers may consist of significant discounts, complimentary gifts, and other exclusive deals designed to enhance the shopping experience during this sacred month. Additionally, the hospitality sector and tourist destinations have seen a notable surge in visits as individuals seek staycations or vacations with their families. Story continues Wonderful Indonesia encourages all stakeholders, regardless of their direct connection to the tourism & creative economy sector, to participate in and contribute to the success of this program. Partners interested in joining can reach out via email at Kemitraan@indonesia.travel for more details. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/26-wonderful-indonesia-co-branding-partners-launch-extra-affordable-sales-activation-berkah-with-the-ministry-of-tourism-and-creative-economy-302100596.html SOURCE Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Image source: Getty Images According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as of March 23, 2024, the world's top 15 wealthiest people are men. But even aside from the rarified realm of the richest people on Earth, in everyday financial life, women are less likely to be investors. Women tend to have lower incomes and less wealth than men. The gender pay gap is an unfortunate part of everyday life for half the population; as of 2020, women in the U.S. were earning about $0.83 for every dollar earned by men. But along with the gender pay gap, women face certain disadvantages in their lives as investors who are trying to save for retirement and build wealth for the future. The gender pay gap and other inequalities in the American workplace, and how Americans save and invest, can drive an even bigger long-term gender wealth gap for women. Let's look at a few high-level stats on the gender investing gap, and how women today (and the organizations that employ women) can make progress on helping women (and our world) get wealthier for the future. 1. Gender wealth gap: Women have 32% of men's wealth Research data cited by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found that women have about 32% of the wealth that men have. When women are underpaid compared to men, they are naturally going to have a harder time saving money and building wealth for the future. The gender pay gap has led to a larger gender wealth gap. 2. Gender wealth gap by race and ethnicity: Single moms have lower wealth The gender wealth gap is even more severe if you look at a breakdown of stats for households headed by white women and women of color. Research cited by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found that: Families headed by women have $0.55 of median wealth for every dollar of wealth held by white male-headed households. Families headed by Hispanic women had $0.10 of wealth for every dollar of wealth for white male-headed households Families headed by Black women had $0.05 of wealth for every dollar of wealth for white male-headed households Story continues Some communities within the U.S. have faced historic discrimination, barriers, and exclusion from higher education, homeownership, and high-paying careers. When you add the potential costs of raising children and the burdens of being discriminated against based on gender, it's easy to see why many women, especially single mothers of color, are less likely to build significant amounts of wealth -- no matter how good they are at budgeting. 3. Single moms are more likely to be unbanked than to be CEOs About 1 in 10 (10.4%) of Fortune 500 CEOs are women; 15.9% of single mothers are unbanked. This one stat tells us a lot about how women are underrepresented in the C-suite and all too likely to be living in financial precariousness. Unfortunately, single mothers today are much more likely to be unbanked -- existing outside of the protections of the banking system and vulnerable to high fees and predatory loans -- than to be high-paid CEOs. 4. Women have 70% of the retirement income that men have All those years of working for lower wages due to the gender pay gap also add up to women having less money saved for retirement, less money paid into Social Security, and a lower standard of living in retirement. Data from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) found several big gender retirement savings gaps: Women receive about $0.70 for every dollar of retirement income that men receive Women get about 80% of what men collect from Social Security benefits Women get about 76% of men's pension income If the gender pay gap is $0.83 per dollar, the retirement income gap is even worse at about $0.70 for women compared to every dollar a man gets in retirement. 5. Women's retirement savings accounts are 44% lower than men's A Vanguard survey in 2021 found that the typical woman's retirement account balance was $31,291, which was 44% lower than men's median balance of $45,106. The gender pay gap is not the only culprit here; women are also less likely to have jobs that qualify for a 401(k) plan or other non-Social Security retirement account. For example, U.S. Department of Labor statistics show that women are more likely to have part-time jobs that don't have employer-based retirement plans. 6. More women are investing in stocks According to a study from Fidelity, as of 2023, 60% of women were investing in the stock market. This is up from historic averages of only 40% of women. More women buying stocks is good news for women's future retirement incomes. 7. Women get better investment results than men do In a world where so many Wall Street CEOs and personal finance gurus are men, you might be (pleasantly) surprised to learn that women are often better investors than men are. Studies show that women get 0.4% to 1% higher average annual investment returns than men do. This could be because women tend to be more risk-conscious than men. Women are less likely to invest too aggressively, overreact to short-term downturns in the stock market, or chase the latest hot investment trends. Bottom line There is good news about the gender investing gap: Women are making it better. In spite of historic inequalities and disadvantages, many women are working, saving, and investing in ways that can close the gap. When more women can buy stocks, build wealth, and invest for the future, that ultimately makes the economy better for everyone. Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025 This credit card is not just good its so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 7 Shocking Stats About the Gender Investing Gap was originally published by The Motley Fool Pay smart with your home e-wallets in Japan (Photo: Business Wire) Transactions powered by Alipay+ in Japan rose over 200% during the first three weeks of March, compared with the same period last year; Consumption via 16 Alipay+ partner e-wallets and bank apps in is estimated to account for 10% of total spending among users in Japan; Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Touch 'n Go eWallet, GCash and TrueMoney are among the most popular e-wallets used by travelers to Japan, while MPay, Naver Pay and Toss are seeing rapid growth in transactions; Alipay+ has been working with over 40 local acquiring partners to connect and service merchants TOKYO, March 28, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As merchants in Japan gear up to receive cherry blossom tourists across from around the world, Ant International announced that its cross-border mobile payment solution Alipay+ has connected two million merchants across the country, enabling businesses, big or small, to better serve global visitors through a seamless payment experience with their home country e-wallets. There are 16 e-wallets and bank apps accepted in Japan via Alipay+, a suite of cross-border digital payment and digitalization technology solutions, namely Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR China), MPay (Macao SAR China), South Koreas Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss, Singapores OCBC Digital, Changi Pay and EZ-Link, Malaysias Touch n Go eWallet and MyPB by Public Bank Berhad, the Philippines GCash and HelloMoney, TrueMoney (Thailand), Hipay (Mongolia), and Tinaba (Italy). Powered by Alipay+, transaction volume made by e-wallets and bank apps in Japan jumped over 200% in the first three weeks of March, compared with the same period in 2023. Transaction value is estimated to account for about 10% of total spending among users during their stay in the country, Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, said during a press conference in Tokyo. Among all, Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Touch n Go eWallet, GCash and TrueMoney are among the most popular e-wallets used by travelers to Japan, while MPay, Naver Pay and Toss are seeing rapid growth in transactions. Story continues Mr. Feagin said, "We are grateful to our over 40 local acquiring partners in Japan, including both big institutions as well as small ones that only have several employees, for their tremendous support to promote a seamless, transparent and efficient experience together for local businesses and international travelers. "By working with these partners, Alipay+ provides global tourists with a seamless digital payment experience that is the same as in their own markets. Without any extra efforts, tourists can make purchases by simply scanning the QR code at merchants of all size, without worrying about foreign currency exchange or any language barriers." In Asakusa, a vibrant neighborhood and popular tourist destination with small souvenir shops and snack stalls, an increasing number of merchants are leveraging the simplicity of QR code to do businesses. PayPay, a leading cashless payment service and partner of Alipay+ in Japan, supports the merchants, facilitating seamless transactions for both locals and tourists alike. In Asakusa, the monthly cross-border mobile transaction volume is more than 5 times higher on average, reflecting the growing trend of cashless payments in the area. At Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a flagship department store chain in Japan, transaction volume made by Alipay+ partner e-wallets and bank apps rose over 10 times in the first two months of this year, compared with the same period last year. Mr. Akito Kimura, Manager of Inbound Business Division for Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, said, "Starting with connecting Alipay to make Chinese customers more at home, we are pleased to expand our partnership with Ant International by integrating with Alipay+. This will allow us to accommodate the preferred payment methods of our international customers through simple integration. We look forward to working together to drive more innovation, ensuring all customers can enjoy a memorable and peace-of-mind shopping experience at our stores." Ms. Venetia Lee, CEO of AlipayHK, said, "Japan is the first foreign destination of AlipayHK as it is one of the most favorite travel destinations for the Hong Kong residents. Powered by Alipay+, Hong Kong people can now use AlipayHK to make purchases at local stores and use car-hailing in Japan, which are settled in Hong Kong dollars with competitive exchange rates in the market. With the increasing acceptance of Alipay+ among local merchants in Japan, the daily transaction values and volumes of AlipayHK in the country in the first quarter have surged 3.5 times and 5 times over the previous quarter. I am confident that the usage of AlipayHK will continue to grow in Japan on the back of the strong adoption of Alipay+ services among the Japanese merchants." Mr. Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of GXI (G-Xchange, Inc.), the mobile wallet operator of GCash said, "Our long-standing partnership with Alipay+ has allowed us to be an indispensable companion for Filipino travelers in now 47 countries and territories around the world. We are glad to continue strengthening our collaboration with Alipay+ to ensure every Filipino has a seamless and secure cashless payment option when they travel abroad." Mr. Won-Keun Shin, the CEO of Kakao Pay, a major acquirer in South Korea, said, "We are glad that users can easily and conveniently pay with Kakao Pay at 2 million large and small merchants in Japan, one of the most visited countries by Korean tourists. Through discussions with Alipay+ as well as several e-wallet partners representing each country, we will accelerate global expansion and provide more benefits." Mr. John Sun, Chairman and CEO of Macau Pass, stated, "As the leading mobile payment e-wallet in Macao, MPay, together with Alipay+ which has launched a suite of innovative digital cross-border solutions, strives to create a smart e-wallet that facilitates Macao residents to travel globally, this could also solve the issues they encounter with payment while travelling overseas, thus improve travelers' payment and shopping experience. MPay will continue to expand in e-payments, lifestyle services, and marketing technology services to develop more open and diversified intelligent payment business scenarios." Mr. Alan Ni, Chief Executive Officer of TNG Digital Sdn. Bhd., the operator of TNG eWallet, said, "As Malaysia's top eWallet provider, we're committed to serving users locally and expanding globally. Our partnership with Alipay+ has seen transactions surge sixfold this year, specifically in Japan, a true testament to our dedication to innovative payment solutions. With over half of Malaysia entrusting TNG eWallet as their preferred digital payment and financial services provider, we aim to be the ultimate travel companion, ensuring easy and safe transactions wherever our users go." Ms. Monsinee Nakapanant, Co-President of Ascend Money, the operator of TrueMoney said, "Japan ranks as one of the most popular destinations with approximately 1 million Thai travelers each year. We are pleased to work with Alipay+ to create more inclusive cross-border payments and enable Thais to enjoy safe, real-time, and cost-effective payments with their accustomed home wallet TrueMoney. Enabling the travelers to connect with Japanese merchants of all sizes will also expand their experiences of local culture and people that would make their trip more memorable." Introduced by Ant International in 2020, Alipay+ now connects over 88 million merchants in 57 countries and regions to 1.5 billion consumer accounts on over 25 e-wallets and bank apps, allowing consumers to travel and pay hassle-free globally, and merchants to build out cross-border consumer engagement and digital marketing. The service builds on Alipay+s extensive regional partnerships, including those with national QR schemes including Singapores SGQR, Malaysias PayNet, South Koreas ZeroPay, Sri Lanka's LankaPay and Cambodia's KHQR. About Ant International Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions. About Alipay+ Alipay+ is a suite of cross-border digital payment and digitalization technology solutions that help connect global merchants to consumers. Consumers enjoy seamless payment and a broad choice of deals using their preferred payment methods while travelling abroad. Small and medium-sized businesses may use Alipay+ digital tools to enhance efficiency and achieve omni-channel growth. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327604903/en/ Contacts Li Tao tao.l@antgroup.com Ant International (Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. plans to spend almost $150 billion in the coming 15 years on data centers, giving the cloud-computing giant the firepower to handle an expected explosion in demand for artificial intelligence applications and other digital services. Most Read from Bloomberg The spending spree is a show of force as the company looks to maintain its grip on the cloud services market, where it holds about twice the share of No. 2 player Microsoft Corp. Sales growth at Amazon Web Services slowed to a record low last year as business customers cut costs and delayed modernization projects. Now spending is starting to pick up again, and Amazon is keen to secure land and electricity for its power-hungry facilities. Were expanding capacity quite significantly, said Kevin Miller, an AWS vice president who oversees the companys data centers. I think that just gives us the ability to get closer to customers. Over the past two years, according to a Bloomberg tally, Amazon has committed to spending $148 billion to build and operate data centers around the world. The company plans to expand existing server farm hubs in northern Virginia and Oregon as well as push into new precincts, including Mississippi, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Amazons planned outlay on server farms dwarfs the public commitments from Microsoft and Alphabet Inc.s Google, though neither company discloses data center-related spending as consistently as Amazon. Microsoft and Google spokespeople declined to provide comparable figures and added that each company likely includes different costs in their estimates. Amid broader cost-cutting at Amazon, AWSs capital expenditures on data centers shrank 2% in 2023for the first timeeven as Microsoft boosted its own spending by more than 50%, according to the research firm DellOro Group. But Amazons chief financial officer said last month that capital expenditures would increase this year to support AWS growth, including AI-related projects. Story continues Much of Amazons data center expansion is geared toward meeting a rise in demand for corporate services like file storage and databases. But the facilities, along with advanced and expensive chips, will also provide the massive computing power required for an expected boom in generative artificial intelligence. Microsoft, close partner OpenAI and Google are widely seen as leaders in commercializing software capable of generating text and insights. But Amazon is building its own tools to rival OpenAIs ChatGPT and has partnered with other companies to power AI services with its servers. As a result, Amazon expects to reap tens of billions of dollars in AI-related revenue. AWS put its first server farms in Virginia, on the fringes of metropolitan Washington. Home to the first commercial interchange for web traffic, the area remains a crucial hub for video streaming and corporate and government data. Amazon later opened data centers in rural eastern Oregon, taking advantage of cheap hydroelectric power and ample tax breaks. Virginia and Oregon have since received about four of every five dollars AWS spends on US infrastructure. Amazon plans to spend tens of billions more in those states, but its getting harder to secure electricity there. Data centers require lots of power, and their growing ubiquity is putting pressure on utilities. For a few months in 2022, Dominion Energy Inc., which powers Virginias data center alley, couldnt keep up, pausing connections to facilities that were otherwise ready to come online. The utility expects demand to nearly double over the next 15 years, with the growth driven primarily by data centers. In Oregon, electricity use by Amazon server farms exceeds the local utilitys share of hydroelectric power, forcing it to buy electricity generated by natural gas, the Oregonian newspaper reported earlier this year. Theres a lot more vetting that is occurring upfront and detailed planning that is required from the utility companies to understand how real the project is because theres so much demand out there that was not there five years ago, said Ali Greenwood, an executive director at the data center practice of Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate firm. So Amazon is getting creative. In February, the company said it would spend about $10 billion on two data center campuses in Mississippi. Billed as the largest corporate project in state history, AWSs effort will plant roots in the southern US, a region that has seen comparatively little data center spending outside of major cities like Dallas and Atlanta. Earlier this month, the operator of a 40-year-old nuclear power plant on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania said AWS had agreed to spend $650 million to acquire a data center campus connected to the facility. In Round Rock, Texas, AWS recently won zoning approval to build a data center and electrical substation next to a delivery depot on a slice of a former ranch the company acquired during a pandemic-era spending spree. If the project proceeds, it will be the first time the company has put such facilities on the same piece of land. Right now its just a mad scramble for any place that has power any time soon, said Charles Fitzgerald, a former Microsoft manager and Seattle-based investor who tracks cloud company spending. Even as it ramps up, Amazon and other companies are encountering growing opposition to data centers. Much of the current animus is centered in Virginia, where residents complain about server farms incessant hum and preservationists lament the sprawling facilities encroachment on Civil War battlefield sites. But pockets of resistance are popping up in other parts of the US and could grow as more and more data centers come onlinewhether they are built by Amazon or not. Renewable energy advocates also say the rush to build new facilities has given new life to old plants powered by planet-warming fossil fuels, and even helped make the case to build new ones. In Mississippi, for example, Amazon will pay to help the local utility to build solar farms, but the company will also operate the data centers with a new natural-gas power plant that will probably operate for decades. Companies like Amazon are going to have to use their buying power to actually force the utilities to change their behavior, said Daniel Tait, research and communications manager with the Energy and Policy Institute, a utility watchdog that backs renewables. Not only are they inducing more fossil fuel use, but they are creating the precedent that everybody who comes after them will do the same. In recent years, Amazon has been the worlds largest corporate buyer of renewable energy, part of a pledge to power all of its operations with renewable electricity by 2025. But those projects can be far from its data centers, a mismatch between supply and demand that bedevils the fractured and aging US power grid. Amazon data center chief Miller said the company was continuing to evaluate clean energy projects beyond wind and solar farms, including battery storage and nuclear power, that can substitute for fossil fuel plants. He pledged to work with utilities and find a way to match our need for energy with renewable, carbon-free power. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Libby George LONDON (Reuters) - Zambia's deal with bondholders this week suggests it will finally emerge from more than three years in default -- and become the first successful restructuring under the debt-rework architecture designed by the G20. The deal is a much-needed win for the so-called Common Framework. The African nation's President Hakainde Hichilema posted on X that "history has been made," while International Monetary Fund (IMF) President Kristalina Georgieva lauded the "important achievement." Global leaders hope that Ghana may soon reach its own deal with lenders, boosting the Framework before the IMF World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. in mid-April. But the scars from Zambia's drawn-out battles with creditors - and its years-long, stop-start progress - have left investors, observers and many policymakers themselves wary of the multilateral mechanism's efficacy. It was designed to expedite talks between a myriad of lenders from Chinese state-owned institutions to London-based asset managers and New York banks. "I don't think anyone is filled with a tremendous sense of confidence that the Common Framework is going to speed up the debt negotiation process," said London-based Kevin Daly, head of emerging market debt at Abrdn, which held some of Zambia's $3 billion worth of international bonds. Ricardo Klinger, Brazil's Finance Ministry official in the G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group, said those involved in Zambia's restructuring would discuss lessons learned. Brazil currently holds the G20 presidency. "The stages are being completed more quickly because it is a learning process," Klinger said. He said they aim to publish a document in July incorporating feedback from all sides of Zambia's restructuring to identify bottlenecks and potential improvements to gain time. "The document seeks to synthesize this learning in these recent cases to build a more refined process," he said. Story continues FIRST TO FALL Zambia was the first African country to default amid the economically punishing COVID-19 pandemic, doing so in late 2020. Foreseeing more collapses, the G20 launched the Common Framework to bring all creditors to low-income nations under one roof -- particularly China, whose lending to developing countries exploded in the decade before the pandemic. For many, though, Zambia has been a cautionary tale -- throwing into sharp focus disagreements around equal burden sharing and transparency. The delays have hamstrung much-needed investments in the country, curtailed economic growth and weighed on local financial markets. A devastating drought has exacerbated the pain, hitting hydropower and food production. In November, an unexpected official creditor smackdown of Zambia's initial bondholder deal shocked its leaders -- and bondholders like Daly. Members of the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), co-chaired by China and France, said it did not offer Comparability of Treatment, meaning bondholders were not taking a comparable hit to the debt relief that official lenders offered. Zambia has promised that the new deal has official creditor sign-off, but Daly and others said communication and transparency issues loom for other restructurings. "There is a major flaw," Daly said. Bondholders, for example, do not have access to the terms official creditors give countries, effectively leaving them working in the dark. Details are sometimes published later, but not always, potentially leaving the public in the dark as well. "Improvements could ... be made to transparency and information sharing between official and private creditors, as well as clearly defined rules on Comparability of Treatment to ensure agreements under the Common Framework are timely and equitable," said Christian Libralato, EM Portfolio Manager at BlueBay Asset Management. AIMING TO REVISE Others agree with Klinger that Zambia's pain could help forge a successful Framework. "Some of those lessons will be put to work in Ghana, and some will be put to work in Ethiopia," said Giulia Pellegrini, portfolio manager for emerging markets debt at Allianz Global Investors. "There will be some transferable skills and lessons." "There's definitely a lot of push to have more successful cases," she added. Ghana is currently in formal talks with holders of more than $13 billion in international bonds and wants to speed up remaining negotiations. Ethiopia defaulted on its sole $1 billion Eurobond in December, but talks with bondholders have been slow. The IMF is also working on key fixes; it is in the middle of a years-long revision of its debt-sustainability analyses (DSA) and has promised to share them earlier with creditors. DSAs detail how sustainable a country's debt burden is and form the basis for restructurings. It also launched the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, bringing together representatives from the countries, private lenders, the World Bank and the G20 to identify and solve key problems with the Framework. Such issues include how to calculate comparability of treatment, how to treat debt to state-owned enterprises, and cut-off dates for debt included in reworks. "They are aware of these issues, and they have begun a process to address these, but it won't be an easy announcement in the Spring Meetings," Pellegrini said. That may not be much comfort to other countries in a similar situation. "I am not sure that the three years it took to get Zambia done will commend the Common Framework to other countries that may be technically eligible to apply for Common Framework treatment," lawyer and veteran sovereign debt expert Lee Buchheit told Reuters. (Reporting by Libby George in London, additional reporting by Marcela Ayres in Brasilia and Rodrigo Campos in New York, editing by Karin Strohecker and Hugh Lawson) MarketsandMarkets Research Pvt. Ltd. Chicago, March 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The AR and VR display market size is projected to grow from USD 1.8 billion in 2023 to USD 8.2 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35.6% from 2023 to 2028. The key factors fueling the growth of this market include growing adoption of AR and VR devices in various applications, increasing demand for OLED displays in AR and VR devices, growing adoption of AR and VR HMDs in different industries, adoption of AR and VR devices in gaming industry, and growing popularity of Metaverse. The AR and VR display market is dominated by key established players such as Samsung Electronics (South Korea), Sony (Japan), LG Display (South Korea), eMagin Corporation (US), Kopin Corporation (US), AU Optronics (Taiwan), Japan Display (Japan), Barco (Belgium), BOE Technology (China), To know about the assumptions considered for the study download the pdf brochure https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=180787629 Samsung Electronics is a leading developer and manufacturer of electronics and computer peripherals. The company operates through four business segments, namely, Consumer Electronics (CE), Information Technology & Mobile Communications (IM), Device Solutions (DS), which comprises a semiconductor, Display Panel (DP), and Harman. The Consumer Electronics (CE) segment deals in cable televisions, monitors, printers, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and medical devices. The Information Technology & Mobile Communications (IM) segment deals in handheld products, communication systems, computers, and digital cameras. AR and VR Display Market Dynamics Driver: Increasing demand for OLED displays in AR and VR devices OLED is an emerging display technology and has become the mainstream display technology in many markets. OLED displays do not require a backlight; thus, they are thinner and more efficient than LCD displays. OLED displays offer high picture quality, bright colors, infinite contrast, fast response rate, and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for AR and VR applications. OLED microdisplays are gaining momentum due to advanced features such as higher contrast, faster response time, lighter weight, compact size, negligible image smearing, and a wider operating temperature range than LCDs. They have outperformed conventional LCD and LCoS microdisplay technologies as they are widely used in EVFs and HMDs. In the consumer sector, OLED microdisplays are used in video and VR glasses and EVFs to facilitate search, navigation, and daily personal activities, while the defense sector targets AR helmets for pilots to resolve communication issues during the battle. Story continues Restraint: Development of widescreen alternatives Screenless displays are interactive projection technology developed to solve problems related to miniature electronic devices. Devices such as HMDs, HUDs, and AR and VR projectors are small in size; thus, the lack of space on screen-based displays provides an opportunity for the development of screenless displays. The growing advancements in virtual retinal display and holographic display are an imminent threat to AR and VR traditional displays. Projection technology has been evolving for a long time, and its usage has increased in the last decade. Full domes, planetariums, and many other applications utilize projection technology. The increasing adoption of interactive projectors in different verticals and the low cost of interactive projectors, compared with AR and VR devices, are among the factors propelling the growth of the projectors, which hinders the growth of the AR and VR market. Opportunity: Surging adoption of AR technology for enterprise applications The opportunities in enterprise applications are huge. Huge investments in AR and VR devices from enterprises for smart manufacturing will be a major driver for the growth of the market. Companies having factories at varied locations can use AR and employ a small number of engineers to manage large setups. Remote collaboration using AR technology to manage machines and other setups remotely would help manage enterprises effectively. Other important applications of AR in the enterprise vertical are with regard to the instructional use for technicians and other workers in enterprises. The use of head-up displays and smart helmets to understand blueprints and instructions to provide real-time data will help workers function efficiently. Challenge: Developing user-friendly AR/VR systems AR/VR technology suppliers and developers face the challenge of developing user-friendly AR/VR devices and tracking systems. A user-friendly virtual environment allows a user to easily navigate and interact with objects in the virtual environment. AR/VR systems are a combination of hardware and software components. AR/VR devices track a users movements through different sensors and array them on the virtual display. The development of AR/VR software and virtual content is a challenging task for developers as the virtual content displayed must satisfy the users needs. Samsung Electronics has been focusing on the development of displays for electronic gadgets, such as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, and headsets. It also provides displays for TVs, laptops, cameras, and audio systems. The company uses newer technologies for developing high-definition, high-quality displays. Currently, the company is focusing on VR applications for its smart TVs. In addition, it provides wearable devices powered by AR and VR. Samsung has been maintaining its leading position in the display market; it has consistently introduced high-resolution, low-power-consuming, low-cost, and high-yield-rate products. With the rapidly growing demand for AR and VR displays, its technological expertise, and quick expansion of production capabilities, the company has captured a majority share of the market. It is focused on developing display solutions for evolving use cases, including AR and VR and flexible devices, and automotive systems. LG Display, which offers AR and VR displays, is a part of LG Electronics and is listed on the Korea Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. LG Display is now one of the leading manufacturers of TFT-LCD panels, OLED display panels, and flexible displays. It uses technologies such as film-type patterned retarder (FPR), advanced high-performance in-plane switching (AH-IPS), and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) to develop display panels. LG is a major company that offers a broad portfolio of AR and VR solutions globally. It offers a wide range of display panels for televisions, smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, automobiles, and smart wearables, including AR and VR devices. It is focused on offering cost-competitive display products and maintains stable and long-term relationships with its customers. The company is more focused on the development of automotive OLED display panels for HUDs and HMDs that can be used in autonomous cars. The company invests a significant portion of its revenue in R&D activities, which has helped it maintain a leading position in the AR and VR display market. It has a sound financial condition and has been active in exploring and preparing for new business opportunities. CONTACT: About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of Americas 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. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com HANOI, Vietnam, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With festivals in full swing, vibrant colours painting the streets, and tropical landscapes bursting into bloom, there has never been a better time to unlock the extraordinary in Vietnam. Are you ready to elevate these moments with The Ascott Vietnam the 48-hour Sale? Unlock the 48-hour Sale gateway to the next chapter of your travel story through Vietnam's captivating landscapes at unbeatable prices and let the countdown begin! As the 40-year anniversary of The Ascott Limited's global presence and the 30-year milestone of its esteemed legacy in Vietnam approaches this year, they launched a year-long medley of initiatives to springboard to the next chapter of "unlimited" development. Especially, The Ascott Vietnam beckons travellers to experience the tropical splendour with the exclusive 48-hour Sale, where savings of up to 50% await every stay across its stunning properties in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Long, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. Particularly for first-time visitors to Vietnam eager to experience its unique offerings, the capital city of Ha Noi is a treasure trove of landmarks. From its ancient temples to bustling markets, every corner promises an exciting adventure right from the start. For food enthusiasts, Hai Phong is an essential destination. Offering affordable and delectable menus, this port city boasts a variety of dishes unique to its maritime heritage, sure to tantalize the taste buds of any discerning diner. If you are a heritage explorer, marvelling at the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay and wandering through the charming streets of Hoi An ancient town or, which are both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, would definitely be a perfect choice. If relaxation and rejuvenation are what you seek, head to the sun-drenched beaches of Nha Trang. Here, the pristine waters and golden sands create a tranquil oasis, inviting travellers to unwind and soak up the natural beauty that surrounds them. Initially, for those seeking cultural vibrancy, come to Ho Chi Minh City or Binh Duong, where vibrant streets teem with life and excitement, offering a kaleidoscope of experiences waiting for your discovery. With its array of unique charms and attractions in each destination, The Ascott Vietnam promises to ignite your sense of wonder and leave you with lasting memories. Story continues Picture yourself lounging in the lavish surroundings of Ascott's meticulously crafted residences, where every detail is tailored to perfection. Designed for both work and leisure, its accommodations in key cities provide an ideal sanctuary for business travellers, seamlessly blending productivity with comfort amidst the urban hustle. Meanwhile, in emerging cities, Ascott's accommodations featuring spacious rooms overlooking the cityscape, offer a tranquil retreat for travellers seeking a seamless blend of relaxation and adventure. Unlock the 48-hour Sale gateway to the next chapter of your travel story through Vietnam's captivating landscapes at unbeatable prices and let the countdown begin! Book now since the clock is ticking. Public sales kick off at 12:00 AM on April 5, 2024, and conclude at 11:59 PM on April 6, 2024 (UTC +07:00), leaving only a fleeting moment to claim your slice of paradise. For Ascott Star Reward (ASR) members, the journey begins even earlier, with private sales starting at 12:00 AM on April 4, 2024 (UTC +07:00). This exclusive window not only secures preferred accommodations with exclusive welcome amenities before the rush begins, but also unlocks an additional 10% off for valued members. Sign up to become an ASR member and make the most of this 2-day flash sale. Click this link to sign up now: https://www.discoverasr.com/en/sign-up?referralCode=VNENALL Save the date and save big, this limited time offer will be gone in flash! Participating properties include: Somerset Grand Hanoi, Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi, Somerset West Point Hanoi, Oakwood Residence Hanoi, Somerset Central TD Hai Phong City, Citadines Marina Halong, Oakwood Ha Long, Anmira Resort & Spa Hoi An by The Unlimited Collection, Citadines Bayfront Nha Trang, Citadines Regency Saigon, Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Saigon, Oakwood Residence Sagion, Richlane Residences Saigon, Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Minh City, Somerset Feliz Ho Chi Minh City, Somerset Ho Chi Minh City, Somerset Vista Ho Chi Minh City and Citadines Central Binh Duong. Terms and conditions applied. For reservations and to learn more, please visit https://www.discoverasr.com/en/offers/48-hour-rush About The Ascott Limited Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with about 950 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA. Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties. A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds. This year, Ascott marks 40 years in hospitality service with the launch of Ascott Unlimited, a full year campaign that will offer Unlimited Opportunities, Unlimited Choices, Unlimited Freedom, and Unlimited Good. Navigating a future of unlimited possibilities against a backdrop of global change and evolving perspectives of travel, Ascott Unlimited marks Ascott's ambitions to break new ground, and springboard to its next chapter of growth as a global hospitality company. Find out more about Ascott Unlimited at www.discoverasr.com/ascottunlimited. For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Alternatively, Connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and LinkedIn . About CapitaLand Investment Limited ( www.capitalandinvest.com) Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 31 December 2023, CLI had S$134 billion of assets under management as well as nearly S$100 billion of funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics, self-storage and data centres. CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and commercial management, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm. As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders. Produced by: The Ascott Limited Website: www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited . 49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hanoi, Vietnam Important Notice This announcement and the information contained herein does not constitute and is not intended to constitute an offering of any investment product to, or solicitation of, investors in any jurisdiction where such offering or solicitation would not be permitted. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-ascott-vietnam-invites-you-to-a-tropical-adventure-like-never-before-302102326.html SOURCE Ascott Vietnam When Sandra Tunnell first saw downtown Ashland years ago, her initial thought was, "It has good bones." Tunnell, the executive director of Ashland Main Street, believed it presented potential for development even when naysayers doubted a thriving downtown Ashland was possible. Even four or five years into a strategic plan beginning in 2010 to develop "a vibrant downtown," a prevailing opinion about revitalization was "this will never happen," Tunnell said. But pivotal points along a timeline changed downtown Ashland's trajectory, and business owners up and down the street are counting their blessings. Tunnell can observe progress from her headquarters in a second-story suite above Antiques on Main, where pieces of Ashland history line the walls and shelves of her cozy renovated and repainted office space. Fig & Oak manager Mary Kettering holds a charity chip that will be dropped by a customer into on one of the three boxes.. A portion of every sale is donated to a local charity of the customers choice. Ashland has become a multi-stop destination for dining and shopping. Inspiration for the remaking of downtown came in part from Heritage Ohio's Main Street program and how its goals have played out in Wooster and other locations in Ohio, including Medina, Vermilion and Delaware. "We liked what they were doing; we liked the concept," Tunnell said, referring to a focus on design, economic vitality, promotion and organization. Uniontown Brewing started the surge forward The opening of Uniontown Brewing Company in 2017 played a huge part in the evolution of downtown Ashland, proving it was possible to take an old building, remodel it, and in this case, turn it into a restaurant. "It paved the way for others to do it," she said. Over the course of the strategic plan, "I spoke at a lot of organizations and lots of events," Tunnell said, motivating interest in checking out advantages of locating downtown. "I would talk to people all of the time." The annual car show and the bicentennial celebration generated excitement as well. The Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show debuted in 2010. Opal and Olive's owner Alexys McQuillen stands by a rack of clothing. She is holding a dog toy, items that also are for sale. The store is named after her two dogs. In 2015, Ashland's Bicentennial initiated beautification projects, such as hanging flower baskets and benches. Story continues "People started coming to more things," she said, such as the back-to-school event, which generated "a killer turnout." COVID-19 did nothing to deter growth. Ashland faced COVID head on 'We didn't lose any business because of COVID," Tunnell said. In fact, Ohio Fire, South Street Grille and The Well, formerly A-Town Tap, opened during the pandemic, Tunnell said. Other kinds of businesses starting up in 2020 were the 121 Exchange, Coffyspace Coworking and Studio Rise, which moved to its new location downtown, Tunnell said. Ashland's renovated Schines Theater is "a big thing," Tunnell said. Foundation Plaza was born of a partnership "that all came together really well," Tunnell said. Enjoy Floral & Gift Boutique floral designer Carol Jump fills a vase with tulips for sale. The business also sells cheeses, giftboxes, cupcakes, cookies and dog treats. "We like to get unusual and fun things," she says. Downtown space is at 97% occupancy. The attractive downtown is a recruitment tool "a reflection of the community," she said. Downtown Ashland has won state and local awards and been boosted by grants and donations. Small businesses owners could see a future in downtown Alexys McQuillen recently opened Opal and Olive Boutique, a women's clothing store replacing the former Blue Pumpkin. McQuillen, too, saw the possibilities offered by the Main Street location. "The downtown is really built up," she said. "There are a lot of people downtown," even at night. She is finding a market for one of the unique offerings of her business pet clothing and accessories. "I'm a crazy dog mom," she said. In fact, the store is named after her two dogs, whom she described as a "mix." McQuillen sells "fun toys," bandanas, bow ties, "dog beer (bone broth) and cat stuff, too." Having majored in fashion merchandising at Ashland University, McQuillen said her apparel covers all age groups and has been approved by her 9-year-old niece and 83-year-old grandmother. The store adds "a pop of color to Ashland," said Grace Fry, assisting in preparations for the shop's recent open house and ribbon cutting. Portions of the sale of items on the left rack in Fig & Oak will got to feed hungry children. On the right is a large Easter display. With 'unusual and fun things' shop is doing well The Floral and Gift Boutique shop adjacent to Downtown Perk has equally eclectic offerings, supplementing a full-service florist with arrangements spanning the gamut from every day settings to weddings, funerals, and "everything in between," said designer Carol Jump. Showing off a floral case filled with unusual products, for example, parrot tulips, mimosa fillers and blue chrysanthemums, Jump said, asking, "Isn't that beautiful? I love it here." Gift items also are unique in a variety of categories gourmet foods, including teas, soup mixes and olive oil; cooking accessories, wind chimes, dog-related items and all kinds of gift items. "We like to get unusual and fun things," Jump said. "We've been doing well," she said, with a special goal of "try(ing) to help our community." An example she gave is fulfilling a special request for a casket spray using vegetables because of the client's agricultural background. "We have jewelry, too, from local artists," Jump said, in addition to local pottery. "We try to support other local businesses." At Fig and Oak, 'every purchase gives back' Similarly, Fig and Oak carries gift items not typically found elsewhere and has a heart for the community. "Quirky home decor and gifts" is how manager Mary Kettering describes some of the inventory. Owners Julie and John Mitchell "wanted to have a gift shop and give back in some way," Jump said. "Every purchase gives back," she said, because a portion of every sale is donated to an organization, such as Ashland Main Street, American Red Cross, Alzheimer's or another disease. Recipients are changed twice a year. The customer gets to have a choice about where their contribution goes by placing a "charity chip" in their designated selection. In the Kids' Corner, the purchase of a Cuddle and Kind Doll comes with a donation of 10 meals to "hungry children in need," Kettering said. A Baby Kind meal equals five meals. Other products support mental health organizations and children with illnesses, she said. Just recently, Fig and Oak carried seasonal items a wide assortment of gifts for Easter and "tons of fun things for the eclipse," Kettering said. "We're ready," she said. "You can get your eclipse glasses right now." "I feel pretty lucky to work here," she said. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland downtown bustling with business DHAKA, Bangladesh, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeast Asia's first tech billionaire Goh Peng Ooi has expressed his keen interest in partnering with Nagad, a leading mobile financial service provider based in Bangladesh, through his established Silverlake Group that provides financial software and digital services to banks. Tanvir A. Mishuk, founder and CEO of Nagad Ltd. with Goh Peng Ooi at his residence in Malaysia. The Malaysian fintech mogul first learnt about Nagad, went through relevant case studies, and gave the go-ahead this will mark Silverlake Group's first partnership initiative in South Asia. Recently, Tanvir A. Mishuk, executive chairman and CEO of Nagad Ltd., received a warm invitation from Goh Peng Ooi at his residence in Malaysia. Impressed by Nagad's customer-friendly innovations, acquisition of over 9 crore customers within just five years, and its unique business model, Goh Peng promptly expressed his interest in making the partnership Nagad. During this courtesy call, Mishuk also invited him to Nagad Ltd. Founded in 1989, Silverlake Group currently provides support to more than 400 banks operating in over a hundred countries. Almost all banks in Singapore, including its two main banks United Overseas Bank (UOB) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), are heavily dependent on Silverlake's technology. Its business collaborations extend across Europe, America, Australia, Africa, and Asia. During the meeting with Tanvir A. Mishuk, Goh Peng Ooi said they had previously received multiple proposals from different companies in various South Asian countries, including Bangladesh and India, but they hadn't found sufficient reasons to integrate them into Silverlake. However, they perceive Nagad differently in the realm of financial entities. According to the proposal, Silverlake Group will offer Nagad the opportunity to utilise its most advanced banking technologies. Nagad believes this initiative will not only benefit Nagad but also bring significant changes to the entire banking sector in Bangladesh. Story continues Talking about Goh Peng Ooi and Silverlake Group's interest in partnering with Nagad, CEO of Nagad Ltd. Tanvir A. Mishuk, said, "I think this is not only good news for Nagad but also for the entire Bangladesh, as it creates the possibility of a massive change in the country's banking landscape. We believe it will eventually play a transformative role for millions of people in the country." Inaugurated by Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2019 as a mobile financial service, Nagad is now preparing to emerge as the country's first digital bank in the middle of this year. Nagad has already introduced some ground-breaking innovations, leading to a transformation in the country's financial industry. Nagad also hopes to continue to better serve its customers through its digital bank. About Nagad Ltd (https://www.nagad.com.bd/) Nagad Limited is one of the leading MFS operators in Bangladesh's payment industry with 90 million registered customers and an average daily transaction of about USD 113 million. The digital payment platform, known as a successful public-private partnership between Bangladesh Postal Department and the private sector. Contact: Lincoln Md. Lutforzaman Sarker Assistant Vice President (AVP), Media and Communications, Nagad Limited. Email: lincoln.lutforzaman@nagad.com.bd Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/asias-leading-tech-company-to-partner-with-nagad-302100707.html SOURCE Nagad Limited Award-winning Balcones Distilling joins forces with The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Brooklyn to celebrate the artistry in whisky-making and the connection between craftsmanship and self-expression WACO, Texas, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Balcones Distilling and The Other Art Fair , two trailblazing brands redefining the art and whisky spaces, are thrilled to announce a new partnership for its upcoming circuit of spring fairs. The Other Art Fair The Texas-based distillery, recently named World's Best Craft Producer of the Year 2024 at the World Whiskies Awards, and the global art fair program are joining forces because of a shared commitment to foster creativity, pursue innovation and champion originality. Balcones is at the forefront of the whisky revolution in Texas and is known for its whisky that comes from a different "place". The distillery is forged on a fault line where two opposing landmasses meet, fueling an energy and creative heat that drives Balcones' continuous journey of experimentation and innovation. At the heart of the partnership is the "Spirit of Balcones: Artist in Residence Program", a new initiative to empower artists to transcend traditional studios and create artwork that showcases their interpretation of bold, free thinking, reinvention, and embracing the magnetic sense of possibility that comes from expressing your full self. "The partnership with The Other Art Fair is a natural fit because of Balcones' commitment to creativity and supporting the arts. Led by a distilling team that has a background in art, music, writing, and a head distiller who is a master in both whisky and ceramics, Balcones sees whisky as an art form - a delicate dance between science and soulful expression," said Frank Dudley, brand director of Disruptive Whiskies at DIAGEO. In addition to the Artist in Residence program, attendees 21+ years old on site at The Other Art Fair will have the chance to connect with members of the Balcones distillery team, savor hand-crafted Balcones cocktails and try various Balcones whiskies at each fair's sample station. Story continues "This partnership is not only a chance to introduce our whiskies to attendees throughout the three weekends, but it allows us the opportunity to support The Other Art Fair in their mission to celebrate the possibility that comes from limitless creativity and expressing one's full self, an ethos we at Balcones share," said Dudley. In the art world, The Other Art Fair combines boundary-pushing yet affordable works with immersive installations, performances and the odd tattoo or taxidermy class, believing that art shouldn't be confined to convention or rule, and how people enjoy it shouldn't be either. "Balcones' and our shared values of independence and creativity form the foundation of this collaboration," said Ryan Stanier, Founder of The Other Art Fair, "Our mission is to reframe how art is experienced, showcasing the creations of independent artists and striving to dismantle the hurdles to artistic participation by championing affordable pieces. Now with Balcones as a partner, we look forward to inspiring art enthusiasts and whisky aficionados alike through an exciting program of events and initiatives." The Artist in Residence program will debut at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles (April 4-7) at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., with painter and muralist Madeleine Tonzi of Los Angeles, followed by The Other Art Fair Dallas (May 9-12) and The Other Art Fair Brooklyn (May 16-19). An individual artist will be selected in each city, and their work will be on display for the first time at their respective fairs. "Expressing our shared appreciation for boldness, excellence in design, and dedication to create, I am honored to collaborate with Balcones," said Madeleine Tonzi, Los Angeles Artist in Residence, drawing inspiration from the wide-open skies, expansive views, and the sense of freedom and exploration of the western landscape where she was raised. In the weeks leading up to The Other Art Fair, participating bars in Los Angeles, Dallas and Brooklyn will also be offering Balcones cocktails to celebrate the fairs. Visit theotherartfair.com/partners/balcones for a full list of participating locations. Additional details on The Other Art Fair can be found here . For more information on Balcones Distilling, and where to purchase your own whisky, visit BalconesDistilling.com . The Other Art Fair Los Angeles takes place from April 4-7 in the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The Other Art Fair Dallas takes place from May 9-12 at Dallas Market Hall in Dallas, Texas The Other Art Fair Brooklyn takes place from May 16 - 19 at Zerospace in Brooklyn, New York About Balcones Distilling Balcones Distilling pioneered a new landscape for whisky by combining centuries of single malt distilling tradition with the unique flavors of Texas. Synonymous with quality and innovation, Balcones Distilling is an award-winning distillery that is changing the state of whisky through its high-quality ingredients and unique processes to create layers of flavor in every expression. Creator of the original Texas whisky, Balcones Distilling distills all of its beloved spirits inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building in downtown Waco. Guests can visit the distillery for tours, tastings and events to discover the new state of whisky with Balcones. Visit BalconesDistilling.com for more information. About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. About The Other Art Fair The Other Art Fair is a global art fair that connects independent artists with thousands of art buyers in a welcoming and creative environment. Set against the backdrop of the world's biggest cities, each Fair delivers the unexpected, combining access to boundary-pushing yet always-affordable artworks with immersive installations, performances, and unique features. The result is an inspiring, evocative, inclusive, and fun event that creates lasting connections between artists and art lovers. Since its launch in 2011, The Other Art Fair has worked with over 3,000 artists from more than 20 countries and now hosts 10 fairs annually across the UK, the US, and Australia. For more information, visit www.theotherartfair.com . Balcones Distilling The Other Art Fair combines boundary-pushing yet affordable works with immersive installations, performances and the odd tattoo or taxidermy class, believing that art shouldnt be confined to convention or rule, and how people enjoy it shouldnt be either. The Balcones distillery is forged on a fault line where two opposing landmasses meet, fueling an energy and creative heat that drives Balcones continuous journey of experimentation and innovation with whisky. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/balcones-distilling-partners-with-the-other-art-fair-to-invite-independent-artists-to-push-the-boundaries-of-creative-possibility-302102607.html SOURCE The Other Art Fair, Balcones (Bloomberg) -- The collapse of a major Baltimore bridge is creating disruptions in the flow of pulp into the US, in the latest headache for some of the largest exporters of the key ingredient in toilet paper. Most Read from Bloomberg Baltimores port was shut down Tuesday after a ship smashed into the bridge, killing six people. The harbor was one of the few used in the US by top pulp producers including Brazils Suzano SA and Eldorado Brasil Celulose SA, according to people familiar with the operations who didnt want to be identified discussing private company information. The port accounted for about 6% of pulp imports into the US over the past year, according to data from the US Census Bureau. The country imported more than 3 million tons of wood pulp in 2023. Companies are looking to redirect cargo to nearby ports, which is set to cause shipment delays in other hubs including Philadelphia, New York and Norfolk, Virginia. Read More: Baltimore Bridges $2 Billion Rebuild Starts With Clearing Ship The bridge disaster is the latest setback for the pulp industry, which is already facing disruptions from mill stoppages and violence in the Red Sea. Global pulp prices are climbing, with top exporter Suzano recently reporting lower-than-normal inventories at main consumer markets due to shipping backlogs related to missile attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen-based Houthi militants. Pulp markets were also affected by workers strikes this month that resulted in mill stoppages in Finland, another major world supplier of the commodity. Average pulp prices this year are seen reaching as much as $670 per metric ton, according to a Tuesday report from analysts including Daniel Sasson at investment bank Itau BBA. That compares with levels around $600 a ton seen a year earlier. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The container ship Dali collided with a key bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday. Michael A. McCoy/The Washington Post/Getty Images The Baltimore bridge collapse could trigger billions of dollars in insurance losses, the chairman of Lloyd's of London said. "The tragedy has the capacity to become the largest single marine insurance loss ever," Bruce Carnegie-Brown told Reuters. The insurance market's CEO John Neal also warned the disaster could lead to billion-dollar losses. The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge could lead to the biggest losses in the history of marine insurance, the bosses of Lloyd's of London warned on Thursday. "The tragedy has the capacity to become the largest single marine insurance loss ever," the commercial insurance market's chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown said in an interview with Reuters. Meanwhile, Lloyd's CEO John Neal told BBC Radio 4's "Today" show that it was fortunate that both the bridge and the ship that collided with it were insured, even though that could lead to billion-dollar losses within the industry. "I would say it's certainly going to be one of the largest marine losses in history, of that there is little or no doubt," he said. "But genuinely, the good news is that it's insured. "When we talk about natural disasters and hurricanes and cyclones, we worry about the people who are not insured," Neal added. "In this instance, this is insured. "So, complex and severe though it is, there is at least the financial cover to consider what reparation and related costs are arising from the loss." The bridge collapsed after the Dali, a Maersk-chartered ship collided with one of its support beams. The bodies of two construction workers were found by divers on Wednesday, while four others are presumed dead. Barclays analysts estimate that the disaster could lead to $3 billion in insurance claims, while Morningstar DBRS put the figure at $4 billion. Both of those figures would surpass the $1.5 billion losses triggered by the Costa Concordia disaster. The luxury cruise ship capsized off the coast of Italy in January 2012, killing 32 people in one of Europe's worst modern maritime tragedies. The Lloyd's bosses' warnings came the same day that the insurance giant reported its earnings for 2023. The firm posted total pre-tax profits of 10.7 billion pounds ($13.5 billion), driven higher by the strong performance of its underwriting division. Read the original article on Business Insider FILE - A male alligator snapping turtle is held after being trapped by the Turtle Survival Alliance-North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, as part of the process of tagging turtles. The species is among dozens under consideration for federal protections. The Biden administration on Thursday, March 28, 2024, restored a rule that gives blanket protections to species considered threatened with extinction. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP, File) BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) The Biden administration on Thursday restored rules to protect imperiled species and shield their habitat from destruction after the measures were rolled back under former President Donald Trump. Among the changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for animals and plants newly classified as threatened. That means officials won't have to craft specific plans to shield each individual species while protections are pending, as has been done recently with North American wolverines in the Rocky Mountains, alligator snapping turtles in the Southeast and spotted owls in California. The restoration of more protective regulations rankled Republicans who said the Endangered Species Act was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth. Meanwhile, wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched. The blanket protections rule had been dropped in 2019 as part of a suite of changes to the application of the species law under Trump that were encouraged by industry. Those changes came as extinctions accelerate globally due to habitat loss and other pressures. Another rule issued Thursday clarifies that officials must decide if species merit threatened or endangered designations regardless of the potential economic costs of bestowing protections. That's already government practice, but the 2019 Trump rules caused confusion because they removed an explicit directive to ignore economic impacts, said Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Assistant Director Gina Shultz. The rules from the wildlife service and National Marine Fisheries Service also make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations. That could benefit imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, where the aquatic animals in many cases are absent from portions of their historical range, officials have said. Story continues Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement that the rule changes underscored the agency's commitment to using the best available science to halt population declines as climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease threaten many species. Details on the rules were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release. Officials said almost a half-million public comments were submitted on the three proposals. Environmentalists expressed frustration that it took years for Democratic President Joe Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks. Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again ease protections. Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former Fish and Wildlife Service director and now president at Defenders of Wildlife, characterized Thursday's announcement as a marginal win that restores essential protections for wildlife, but leaves in place some of the changes made in 2019 under Trump. The environmental group said the retained provisions would open the door to the destruction of habitat critical for some species to survive. The rules have gotten strong pushback from Republican lawmakers, who say Biden's Democratic administration has hampered oil, gas and coal development, and favors conservation over development. We know the Endangered Species Act is an outdated piece of legislation that has repeatedly failed its primary goal of recovering listed species, yet Biden is now undoing crucial reforms and issuing new regulations that will not benefit listed species, said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas. Property rights attorney Jonathan Wood said the Biden administration's changes reduce the incentive for private landowners to take voluntary conservation measures. With blanket protections, species designated as threatened automatically qualify for the same protections as those with the more severe designation of endangered. That means landowners could become indifferent to a species' fate, Wood said, because even if they work to get an endangered species downgraded to threatened, there might not be a lessening of government restrictions. Shultz, with the Fish and Wildlife Service, said blanket protections would be used primarily for threatened plants, which are generally protected under federal law on federal lands but not private property. She said agency officials expect to continue crafting species-specific rules for threatened animals. Many energy companies, ranchers, developers and representatives of other industries have long viewed the 1973 Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump, they successfully lobbied to weaken the laws regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards. The Biden administration two years ago withdrew a Trump rule that limited which lands and waters could be designated as places where imperiled animals and plants could receive federal protection. It also reversed Trumps decision to weaken enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which made it harder to prosecute bird deaths due to toxic oil industry waste pits, collisions with wind turbines and other causes. Trump officials also rolled back protections for individual species including the northern spotted owl and gray wolf. The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Trumps political appointees used faulty science to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court in 2021. The Endangered Species Act is credited with helping save the bald eagle, California condor and scores more animals and plants from extinction since President Richard Nixon signed it into law. It currently protects more than 1,600 species in the United States and its territories. (Bloomberg) -- Provincial officials in Canada are trying to force the surviving co-founder of defunct crypto exchange QuadrigaCX to explain how he came by a cash hoard, 45 gold bars and jewelry including a diamond-studded Rolex. Most Read from Bloomberg The Director of Civil Forfeiture in British Columbia on Wednesday sought a court order to compel Michael Patryn to detail how the seized assets including C$250,200 ($184,310) in cash were acquired. An official probe in 2020 concluded that the exchanges collapse was the result of fraud by its other founder Gerry Cotten, who died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 30 while on honeymoon in India. The investigation said evidence indicated Patryn ceased to be associated with QuadrigaCX after 2016, before most client funds were deposited with the exchange and then lost. Wednesdays filing cites chat records obtained by investigators between Cotten and Patryn from 2014 and 2015, in which they appear to discuss stealing customer funds and staging Patryns public exit from the exchange while remaining involved privately. Patryn, who was once known as Omar Dhanani, changed his name twice following past criminal charges, Bloomberg News reported in 2019. Appropriating Funds The chat records show the two men were discussing appropriating funds from Quadriga as early as 2014, according to the filing. In an earlier filing, a lawyer for Patryn in October said the cash hoard, watches and jewelry arent linked to unlawful activity. The lawyer declined to comment about the latest court application, which will be heard by a judge on April 30. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized the assets from a Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce safety deposit box in Vancouver in June 2021, after the trading platforms collapse. A civil forfeiture claim was filed by British Columbia in the provinces Supreme Court in 2023. Story continues The latest step by the Director of Civil Forfeiture is only the third such unexplained wealth order application in British Columbia, which implemented the power last year to tackle money laundering and organized crime. If Patryn is unable to show the assets in question were legitimately acquired, the case could ultimately lead to him forfeiting them. The orders proceeds are earmarked for donations to crime victims and crime prevention services, according to a statement from the provinces Solicitor General Mike Farnworth. The QuadrigaCX scandal sparked global interest, including a 2022 Netflix documentary called Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Schools in some of Canadas largest cities have joined the legal fight against social media companies with lawsuits claiming Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook and others are harming childrens mental health and learning. Most Read from Bloomberg School districts in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region filed separate legal actions Wednesday seeking a total of about C$4.5 billion ($3.3 billion) in damages. The suits against Meta, TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd. and Snapchat parent Snap Inc. claim the companies deliberately targeted children with products designed to create compulsive behavior causing disruption in the classroom and making kids more vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation. Endemic social media use is causing an unprecedented youth mental health crisis, the Toronto District School Board said in a complaint filed in Ontarios Superior Court. The companies capitalized on their knowledge that the developing child brain is particularly vulnerable and prone to manipulation by their social media products, the district said. Similar claims have been made by hundreds of US school districts, who are demanding social media companies pay for the cost of addiction to their platforms. New York City sued the same companies in February, along with Alphabet Inc.s Google. Meta was sued by the attorneys general of more than 30 states in October. A month later, a judge in Oakland, California, ordered Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to face hundreds of suits blaming them for hooking young people on their platforms. Read More: NYC Sues Social Media Platforms Over Teen Mental Health Meta didnt reply to requests for comment on the Canadian lawsuits. A spokesperson for TikTok said the platform has introduced safeguards, including features that allow parents to limit the time their children spend on the app. Story continues Tonya Johnson, a spokesperson for Snap, said its platform works differently than some of the others. Snapchat opens directly to a camera rather than a feed of content and has no traditional public likes or comments, Johnson said in an emailed statement. While we will always have more work to do, we feel good about the role Snapchat plays in helping close friends feel connected, happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence. According to the Canadian school boards, about half of Ontario students arent getting enough sleep in part because theyre hooked on the platforms, and psychological distress and body dysmorphia are commonplace. Thats forced the schools to spend millions on hiring social workers, youth counselors and other staff. In its claim, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board said its frequently the target of anonymous social media accounts that target either students and/or staff with false allegations, hateful and/or derogatory content that companies often fail to remove. Anonymous accounts are also the cause of more frequent bomb and shooting threats directed at schools, as well as vandalism thats fueled by viral TikTok challenges, the board said. Peel Region is a suburban part of greater Toronto that includes the city of Mississauga. The case is Toronto District School Board v. Meta, cv-24-00717353, Ontario Superior Court of Justice. --With assistance from Chris Dolmetsch. (Updates with comment from TikTok spokesperson in seventh paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. One of the most outspoken investors on Wall Street is Cathie Wood, the founder of ARK Invest. Wood is best known for making big bets in emerging areas of technology and healthcare. In a shareholder letter published earlier this month, she suggested that Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) could end up like Cisco in the aftermath of the dot-com boom in the early 2000s. Given the meteoric rise in Nvidia's stock price over the last year, it's reasonable to believe a pullback could be on the horizon. But calling for a crash akin to Cisco? That seems dramatic. Instead, I think a different "Magnificent Seven" stock could be at risk of falling out of favor with investors. Let's dig into why I see Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) as much more likely to follow in Cisco's footsteps. Solving latent needs Latent needs are an interesting concept. Simply put, a latent need is a problem that people don't even realize they have. Apple is the king of solving latent needs. With the iPod, iMac, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods, the company revolutionized personal computing, communications, and entertainment in ways that people didn't even realize were needed. The company's long list of innovative hardware made it one of the most recognized brands around the world. Image source: Getty Images. The artificial intelligence race is on As investors salivate over all things related to artificial intelligence (AI), Apple is yet again remaining tight-lipped about its plans. I don't think this is the best move after some of the company's flops in recent history. Given how quiet the company has been on the innovation front, I think overcommunicating might be an appropriate strategy right now. Sure, it just shipped its virtual reality (VR) headset, the Vision Pro. But for now, I think people are more intrigued by the idea of VR, rather than the actual use of the technology in their daily lives. After years of playing coy, news broke earlier this month that the company was abandoning its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions. And big tech cohorts Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft all dominate cloud computing -- a movement that Apple missed entirely. Story continues Apple only recently made headlines in the AI realm following its acquisition of a start-up called DarwinAI. While this deal was interesting, details surrounding how it plans to leverage DarwinAI are sparse. By contrast, Nvidia is aggressively entering new AI markets that it can disrupt. For example, the company is an investor in humanoid robotics start-up Figure AI, as well as a partner with enterprise software platform Databricks. Among mega-cap tech companies, Nvidia is emerging as the front-runner in AI. Demand is soaring for the company's graphics processing units (GPUs) and data center services. In 2023, Nvidia's revenue increased 126% year over year, while profits and free cash flow grew nearly sixfold. On the other hand, Apple's revenue has been in decline for a year as demand for luxury hardware devices has stalled against the backdrop of a tough economy. The innovator's dilemma Cisco is one of the most interesting case studies in recent business history. The company was hailed as a leading innovator during the early stages of the internet age. But after competitors began producing similar products, Cisco failed to pivot and move on. Given Nvidia's broad reach across the AI spectrum, I find Wood's comparison to Cisco lacking. Sure, like Cisco back in the late 1990s, Nvidia stock soared to unprecedented levels. But I think the company's momentum is just getting started. The long-term narrative surrounding AI is encouraging, and right now the chipmaker appears to be the engine powering all sorts of applications. By contrast, Apple stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 26 -- higher than both Meta Platforms and Alphabet as of the time of this writing. It's tough to justify this premium when the company appears to be at a crossroads. It isn't growing, demand for its products is in decline, it abandoned EV's, and it doesn't appear to have any tangible strategy related to AI. Could competition ultimately pose a threat to Nvidia? It probably will. But this is why I find the company's investments in robotics and software to be savvy moves. It is clearly exploring markets beyond its core chip business, which will hopefully prove fruitful in the long run. Given the amount of unknowns surrounding Apple, I see the company as an enigma right now. As an investor, I'm not concerned about Nvidia's prospects. But given the lack of innovation from Apple for several years, I think there is a real possibility the company could end up in a situation similar to that of Cisco at some point. Should you invest $1,000 in Apple right now? Before you buy stock in Apple, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Apple wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 25, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Cisco Systems, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Cathie Wood Thinks Nvidia Could End Up Like Cisco After the Dot-Com Crash. Here's the "Magnificent Seven" Stock That I'm More Worried About. was originally published by The Motley Fool Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE:LNG), founded in 1996 by Charif Souki, was created as an oil and gas exploration company, but is now a dominant player in the midstream liquid natural gas market. GuruFocus assesses this stock as trading marginally above its GF Value of $141.22; however, the stock appears to be a bargain when assessed by its discounted cash flow valuation with an 11% discount rate. GuruFocus' overall GF Score is 84 out of 100 and analysts are predicting a one-year price target of approximately $200 per share and are forecasting aggressive growth through 2030. As of this writing, the company has a return on invested capital of over 38% and an astounding return on equity of over 280%, though these metrics have been marked by significant fluctuations over the past 20 years. Return on assets rose significantly during 2023 and is currently over 23%. Revenue and earnings are expected to drop this year, but will increase in 2025. Cheniere Energy's relationship to Cheniere Energy Partners Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:CQP) was formed from Cheniere Energy as a separate legal entity in 2003 to manage specific aspects of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction (SPL) facility, a natural gas liquefaction and export facility located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Cheniere Energy owns a controlling stake in Cheniere Energy Partners, while Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM) and Blackfield Infrastructure Partners have approximately 48% of the partnership. The separate partnership has allowed Cheniere to specifically raise capital and manage risks associated with the SPL facility project. Cheniere Energy divides marketing fees generated from Sabine Pass gas with Cheniere Partners using a 20/80 split. Proceeds from marketed gas at Corpus Christi terminals flow exclusively to Cheniere Energy. Additionally, while Cheniere Energy receives only a portion of the cash flows from Sabine Pass LNG terminals due to its partial stake in Cheniere Partners, it retains 100% of the cash flows generated by Corpus Christi terminals. Story continues From an investment perspective, Cheniere Energy Partners operates as a master limited partnership that is taxed like a private partnership while still allowing access to Cheniere Energies' liquidity. MLPs are not corporations, but trade on national exchanges. Instead of shares in a company, investors buy units in the partnership and are referred to as limited partners versus managers who are considered general partners of the entity. The MLP passes taxes to investors who can defer tax payments on distributions until the units are sold. For these reasons, investors may elect to keep these investments in taxable accounts. U.S. LNG market The midstream natural gas industry is characterized by high barriers to entry due to high capital costs and stringent regulations to build out infrastructure. Many projects take 10 years or more to become operational. Consequently, companies in the industry tend to reflect high debt ratios. There has been a trend toward consolidation in the industry in recent years with companies like Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET), Enterprise Products LP (NYSE:EPD) and Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP) merging with smaller companies. Cheniere Energy was the first U.S. LNG exporter when in 2016 it exported a tanker load of liquid natural gas from the Sabine Pass terminal to Brazil. Since that time, many suppliers have entered the LNG production and export space, including integrated mega caps like Shell (NYSE:SHEL), Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and Exxon (NYSE:XOM); other midstream players like Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) and The Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB), and smaller startups like Tellurian (TELL), which ironically was founded by Souki after he was ousted by Cheniere's board before the company's pioneering 2016 LNG shipment. According to industry analyses, U.S. energy production in the United States currently is near all-time highs due to several factors: Sustained price of oil above $70 per barrel throughout the past year has incentivized increased production. Improved efficiency among energy companies has resulted in rising oil extraction despite a decline in the number of active rigs. Boosted demand for natural gas due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and sanctions by the European Union against Russia, driving European customers to seek alternative suppliers. The U.S. became the largest LNG exporter in 2023 due to Europe's increased reliance on non-Russian suppliers. This led to an oversupply of LNG in the global market, which suppressed prices and triggered the attention of environmental groups concerned about terminal safety and emissions. In response, the Biden administration announced a pause on pending LNG export decisions to non-Free Trade Agreement countries in January 2024. Although this decision is a headwind for the general U.S. LNG export industry, it presents an opportunity for Cheniere Energy to capture additional market share since the company has achieved final investment decisions on several export projects as compared to competitors. In response to the pause in LNG export decisions, many LNG midstream companies are using capital to pay down debt and repurchase outstanding shares to increase shareholder value. Also, on the U.S. regulatory horizon is HR1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives on March 30, 2023. If this bill becomes legislation, the U.S. Department of Energy's role in approving LNG export terminals will be eliminated. Globally, the U.S. LNG export business competes with other exporting countries, including Qatar, Australia and West Africa. The U.S. has higher gas costs when compared to Qatar and West Africa. Furthermore, the U.S. is at an economic disadvantage when transporting to China and Japan, which are expected to play key roles in the LNG export market in the next few years. The market is expected to wane in the coming years, but this may present an opportunity for Cheniere Energy to capture additional market share. Cheniere Energy's position in the LNG market Cheniere Energy's first-mover advantage and its focus and experience as a niche midstream LNG provider have enhanced its reputation to reliably provide LNG services on time and within budget, unlike many of its competitors. This has allowed the company to develop cost efficiencies and powerful contract negotiation abilities. Cheniere's contract coverage is its main competitive advantage. The company, unlike the general market, can negotiate long-term contracts with fixed rate pricing and fee structures that do not allow price or destination revisions similar to other competitors' contracts linked to Henry Hub pricing. Competitive playing field For purposes of this analysis, I examined the fundamentals of Cheniere Energy against Cheniere Energy Partners and three other U.S. midstream players that engage in LNG production, storage and export as of March 22. Company Cheniere Energy Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. Energy Transfer L.P. Kinder Morgan, Inc. The Williams Companies Market Cap (Billions) 37.49 23.89 50.30 40.08 46.61 Revenue (Billions) 20.39 9.66 78.59 15.33 10.91 FCF Yield % 16.80 12.09 12.28 10.34 7.23 Earnings Yield % 26.36 14.08 6.63 5.97 6.81 ROIC % 38.75 27.98 7.61 5.26 8.18 ROE % 282.80 428.95 11.27 7.80 26.60 ROA % 23.70 30.80 3.18 3.40 6.30 Buyback Yield % 4.26 Not Available -1.83 1.06 0.00 Total Return % 5.35 Not Available 6.27 7.32 4.96 Energy Transfer is a diversified midstream MLP that provides pipeline and terminal storage services for crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products in addition to natural gas. Energy Transfer's focus on LNG is primarily driven by its Lake Charles LNG import and regasification facility. In 2019, in cooperation with Shell, the MLP began to convert the facility to an LNG export facility. Energy Transfer has signed several long-term sale and purchase agreements with global energy companies, including China-based ENN Holdings Limited and China Gas Holdings Ltd. (HKSE:00384), Singapore-based Gunvor Energy, Korea-based SK Gas Trading LLC and Shell Energy North America. Despite these long-term agreements, the Lake Charles project has faced several hurdles. Energy Transfer was forced to restructure the LNG project in March 2020 as Shell announced a decision to withdraw equity investment. Furthermore, the project had not reached FID when the Biden administration enacted its pause on exports, so its efforts have essentially been stalled until the pause has been lifted. Kinder Morgan's offerings are also broader than those of Cheniere Energy and focus on other energy areas consisting of refined, renewable products and carbon dioxidein addition to LNG. Liquid natural gas falls into the company's natural gas business, which generates 64% of its cash flows. The company expanded LNG efforts with the acquisition of Kinetrex Energy for $300 million in 2021, which includes services in renewables as well as LNG. Kinder Morgan's LNG assets include two LNG production and fueling facilities (LNG North and LNG South) and two LNG export projects (The Elba Liquefaction Company joint venture and Gulf LNG). With these assets, Kinder Morgan produces less than half the capacity that Cheniere Energy does. Williams Companies mainly focuses on the storage and transport of liquid natural gas, but is also exploring the renewables market. Its LNG efforts are directed toward building out its Transco corridor. In January, the company completed its $1.95 billion acquisition of natural gas storage assets from Hartree Partners LP, which included six underground storage facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi with strategic connections to its Transco pipeline. The Williams Companies has six active LNG export facilities, five LNG projects under construction and eight pre-FID LNG projects that have been permitted. Income challenges and capital allocation Cheniere Energy has a strong moat and niche focus; however, investors should be aware the company is forecasted for a reduction in both revenue and earnings per share in 2024. The pause on LNG export project approval will also heavily affect the company due to its high reliance on LNG export projects even though it has an advantage over other companies with projects that have not reached FID. The company incurred net losses in 2020 and 2021, which it attributed mostly to changes in fair value from commodity derivatives. Cheniere also began to reduce its enormous debt burden, which it has aggressively continued to do throughout 2022 and 2023. Cheniere Energy has had a long history of negative debt-to-equity ratios, which may dissuade conservative investors. It still has debt-to-equity ratios that rank worse than at least 90% of its peers, which may be a concern to investors; however, its ability to generate solid operating cash flow may offset those concerns. As of this writing, Cheniere's estimated weighted average cost of capital is 4.58% versus return on invested capital of 33.09%. Unlike many of its peers, Cheniere Energy has only been paying dividends since the fourth quarter of 2021. The company has been consistently increasing dividend payments since that time, yet its current annual payout ratio is at a conservative 4% versus those of its peers listed above, which range from 68% to 112%. Dividend payouts may be a reason the share price has risen by 138% and is forecasted to since that time. The company's current capital allocation strategy appears sound despite its history. Cheniere Energy May Be of Interest to Optimistic Investors Conclusion and future outlook Cheniere Energy is an attractive investment opportunity for aggressive energy sector investors due to its first-mover advantage and focused market-leading position in the LNG export business. Midstream LNG companies are characterized by high capital costs, high debt levels, stringent regulations and lengthy project timelines. Despite these hurdles, the U.S. LNG export business boomed during 2023, due in part to demand in Europe from EU sanctions on Russian imports because of the conflict in Ukraine. The industry is facing headwinds due to the recent pause by the Biden administration on the approval of LNG export projects to non-Free Trade Agreement countries that have not reached FID. This is a mixed blessing for Cheniere Energy's business as it is primarily focused on LNG storage and transportation, but also has a well-entrenched network of not only FID projects but active projects that are generating revenue. In response, many industry players are taking this opportunity for slowed growth to pay down debt and repurchase shares, enhancing shareholder value. Industry demand is expected to drop until 2027, but this suppressed demand may present an opportunity for Cheniere Energy to capture additional market share. Conservative investors may want to heed Cheniere's fluctuating debt and return metrics before making an investment decision. Please note that I am not a financial advisor, and this article is intended only for informative purposes and should not be construed as investment advice. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. (Bloomberg) -- For a global lithium industry still reeling from gluts along the battery supply chain, the greater long-term risk is producing too little of the metal rather than too much, according to the worlds No. 2 producer, Chile. Most Read from Bloomberg More threatening than oversupply in the coming years is the risk of a renewed shortage, which would send prices soaring and make alternative battery technologies more viable, the South American nations finance minister said. Production needs to increase so that it remains profitable and attractive to manufacture lithium batteries for electro-mobility, Mario Marcel said in an interview Thursday from his office in Santiago. Chile intends to do its bit to make sure that doesnt happen. This week, the government unveiled a list of salt flats that will be opened up to mining as part of a plan to double output over the next decade under a new public-private model. If Chile can pull it off, the flood of new supply would be cheered by the EV supply chain as demand grows in the move away from fossil fuels. Lithium remains a highly volatile and still immature market. Prices surged through late 2022 as battery makers stocked up amid accelerating EV sales before plunging last year as buyers ran down inventories. Two thirds of additional production out of Chile would come from SQMs planned partnership with state-owned Codelco, and the other third from new projects, Marcel said. The target doesnt include proposed expansions at Albemarle Corp.s operations. President Gabriel Borics plan to tap more of the worlds largest reserves putting an end to years of market share loss due to strict output quotas is divided up into three categories. Story continues Two salt flats are considered strategic, meaning future contracts will be controlled by the state. In two others, state-owned companies will have the flexibility to negotiate terms with private partners. In a third process, contracts for as many as 26 other areas will be put out to tender. The government expects three or four new projects to be under development by 2026, including the Codelco-led Maricunga venture, one other area currently under the domain of a state company and a couple of private operations, Marcel said. Another mine on the giant Salar de Atacama would be difficult given water limits, he said. Political Bias? When Boric first unveiled his lithium strategy a year ago, industry concern centered on his emphasis on a larger role for the state and the need to move to new methods that promise to make extraction more efficient and greener but are barely used commercially anywhere in the world. This weeks announcement confirms that, at least in some areas, the door is open for companies to control projects and even go it alone. In addition, new production methods - collectively known as direct lithium extraction - will be a desirable variable rather than a requirement in new contracts, Marcel said. Many of the interpretations assumed that this was a more statist policy than it really is, perhaps because of political bias, the minister said. The important thing is that now the situation has been clearly clarified. --With assistance from Carolina Gonzalez. (Adds project details in ninth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- China lifted its punitive tariffs on Australias wine exports, signaling an end to a three-year campaign of trade pressure on Canberra and raising hopes for a revival of the billion-dollar industry. Most Read from Bloomberg The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing announced the move on Thursday. The industry has been anticipating the announcement for weeks after some Australian vintners and lawmakers said the Asian nation had made an interim recommendation to lift the import taxes. In view of the changes in the relevant wine market conditions in China, it is no longer necessary to impose anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on imported wines originating in Australia, the commerce ministry said in a statement. The decision to remove trade curbs has raised hopes of reviving the lucrative wine trade between the two countries. The Australian government said it welcomes Beijings move and it will discontinue its legal proceedings at the World Trade Organization. Still, the national president of the Australia China Business Council warned Wednesday that winemakers might not make a full return to the market. We expect to see a significant proportion of the wine coming back into China, but not all of it. A lot of it is just looking to other markets, National President David Olsson told Bloomberg Television. China imposed tariffs of up to 218% on Australian wine in March 2021, after then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an international probe into the origins of Covid-19. The decision has contributed to a glut that has brought the wine industry to its knees. China was Australias top wine export destination in 2019, accounting for A$1.1 billion ($718 million). Rabobank estimated in August that Australias wine glut would continue for at least two years as it had 2.8 billion bottles of wine in storage enough to fill 859 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Story continues Wine imports from other origins including France and Chile increased since the duties were imposed, showing the domestic sector still faces fierce competition from overseas suppliers, Chinas commerce ministry said in a separate statement. Still, the local market has suffered from weakening consumption and lifting the ban on Australian wine once popular among Chinese consumers could help boost demand, the ministry said. Relations between the two countries started improving after the May 2022 election of Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses government, culminating in the Australian leaders visit to Beijing in November last year. Trade curbs on some other Australian commodities have already been withdrawn. China now accounts for about 90% of the countrys barley exports after tariffs were scrapped in August. Australian businesses are looking forward to China removing restrictions on eight Australian abattoirs and on the import of live lobsters, Vaughn Barber, chair of AustCham China, said last week. China hasnt officially acknowledged its restrictions on lobsters from Australia. The Australian government said it will continue to press for all remaining trade impediments affecting Australian exports to be removed. --With assistance from James Mayger, Hallie Gu and Ben Holland. (Updates with reaction from China and Australia officials from fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. When we divorced, she refinanced so I am no longer on the mortgage. Though, to my understanding, she cannot sell the house without my involvement. - Getty Images Dear Quentin, Most Read from MarketWatch I am wondering if I am exposed or sitting on a golden goose. I am in my second marriage and own a house with my wife. We are considering doing some real-estate investments. I regularly get calls from real-estate companies in my former state of New Jersey to remind me that I am still on the deed of the house my ex-wife lives in. When we divorced, she refinanced so I am no longer on the mortgage. Though, to my understanding, she cannot sell the house without my involvement. At the time of our divorce, I was devastated by her infidelity and didnt put up much of a fight and we didnt get lawyers to hash out the specifics, so the terms of the divorce are somewhat ambiguous. I just signed a document she presented to me, which she had typed up. It said that she would retain complete rights of title and ownership to the property. It also said that the defendant (me) shall be removed from the deed of the property through the execution of the refinance. That never happened. If she were to fall on hard times and was unable to continue paying the mortgage, what would my exposure be to this home? If she were to pass away, could her daughters inherit it? Conversely, if I wanted to get my name off of the deed could I leverage my ownership to demand an equitable return on the investment? She has been living there since 2013 and we only cohabited for two years as I have been out of the house since 2015. Our divorce was finalized in 2016 and it took her some time to refinance. I harbor no ill will toward her and Im not looking to extort her, I just think were long overdue for a clean break and an end to those annoying phone calls for me to sell a property I dont live in. Story continues The Ex-Husband Related: My dying father, who had stage 4 cancer, moved in with his girlfriend. In 3 months, she sold his house and pocketed the money. If she were to fall ill, she is solely responsible for the mortgage repayments, if her name alone is on the mortgage, and if the loan went into default, your ex-wifes credit would take a hit not yours. - MarketWatch illustration Dear Ex-Husband, You seem torn between what you believe is the right thing sitting on a golden goose versus not wishing to extort your ex-wife. Her infidelity and your acquiescing to the divorce decree presented to you by your now ex-wife, due to your wish to have the divorce done and dusted, appears to have left you with conflicted feelings about your next steps. The current situation is not ideal for anyone, particularly your ex-wife who is paying a mortgage on a house that she still shares with you, on paper at least. Perhaps the original sin here is that you both believed that a divorce decree would, in itself, transfer ownership of the property. However, a divorce decree merely states what you agree will happen to the property. To answer your questions in order: If she were to fall ill, she is solely responsible for the mortgage repayments, if her name alone is on the mortgage, and if the loan went into default, your ex-wifes credit would take a hit not yours. However, the lender could foreclose on the home and it could be sold at auction at less than the current market value. Would her daughters inherit the house if she died? And could you use the absence of a quit claim as the claim a formal document where you renounce ownership as leverage (for what you see as) an equitable return? Technically, you would likely inherit the house, as the surviving co-owner, but her daughters could mount a serious legal challenge to your right of ownership. As to whether or not that claim would have teeth, one would need to know if that post-divorce agreement was properly executed under state law and whether or not it constitutes a proper modification, addendum or standalone contract as it relates to the initial divorce agreement, says Alan Feigenbaum, family-law attorney at Blank Rome LLP in New York. If title is held in another manner, for example tenants in common, and each party has an undivided half interest, the ex-wife could not bequeath the ex-husbands one-half interest unilaterally to her daughters. But again, the post-divorce agreement may present the daughters with a claim in this instance too, he adds. If your ex-wife died, the administrator of her estate could enforce the transfer through contempt proceedings in the probate court via a breach-of-contract action in the Superior Court, according to the law firm Burns Levinson. In a situation such as this, the ex-spouses right to the house is vested upon entry of the judgment of divorce granting it to her, the law firm adds. Divorce is complicated, and situations often arise following the death of one spouse that require careful scrutiny of the [divorce] judgment to ensure all is as ordered and intended, it says. A lawyer well-versed in both divorce and probate matters can help navigate these intertwining legal concepts. Make that lawyers. You should both have legal representation. As for your potential leverage: This would be quite difficult given the post-divorce agreement that was signed, Feigenbaum adds. One would need to know if the initial agreement provided that the ex-wife had the right to sell the home and retain all the proceeds. Regardless, the post-divorce agreement, assuming its enforceable, likely makes it materially more difficult to demand the equitable return. Review the original divorce decree to make sure that it was, in fact, legal and states that your wife gets the property. Assuming its all above board and legal, this is where the quit claim comes in; you sign it and your wife submits the newly issued deed to the city or county land records. Ideally, her lender should be privy to this transaction to avoid any unforeseen complications. I dont blame you for asking these questions, even if the answer is harsh or is not what you wanted to hear. The outcome of your case may also lie in the fine print of your divorce decree. But your situation is a timely reminder that badly or ambiguously worded documents and/or delays in upholding the terms of a contract can lead to legal and moral gray areas. Previous columns by Quentin Fottrell: He demonizes me: My delightful father, 95, has substantial assets. Im afraid my right-wing brother will steal his money. What can I do? My boyfriend owns his home and I pay him rent. I have five kids and he has two children. What happens to me if he dies? They got caught up in the 2008 crash: My friend invested $50,000 in her brothers failed property business. On her deathbed, he pledged to repay her children. What now? Check out the Moneyist private Facebook group, where members help answer lifes thorniest money issues. Post your questions, or weigh in on the latest Moneyist columns. Most Read from MarketWatch Donald Trump just got a lot richer. Andrew Harrer/Getty Images Donald Trump's net worth has jumped $4 billion this year to $7.2 billion, per Bloomberg's rich list. The former president is richer than George Soros and set to surpass Mark Cuban and George Lucas. Trump will welcome the wealth gain as he prepares to hand over a $175 million bond. Donald Trump is now richer than George Soros and is set to overtake Mark Cuban too. The former president's net worth has soared by more than $4 billion this year to an estimated $7.2 billion, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Trump ranked 377th on the rich list at Tuesday's market close, above the likes of Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings ($6 billion), oil-dynasty heir Gordon Getty ($6.2 billion), and Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus ($6.9 billion). The real estate tycoon's wealth has soared thanks to his 78.75 million shares, or at least 58% stake, in Trump Media & Technology Group, which merged with Digital World Acquisition Corp. on Monday and began trading under the ticker DJT on Tuesday. TGMT stock ended the day up 16%, valuing Trump's stake at $4.6 billion. It leaped another 16% to $67 in premarket trading on Wednesday. If that gain holds, Trump's position will be worth about $5.3 billion, lifting his overall wealth to about $7.9 billion. A net worth of that magnitude would rank him above not just Soros ($7.2 billion) and Cuban ($7.3 billion) on the Bloomberg list, but also venture capitalist John Doerr ($7.4 billion), fashion heiress Miuccia Prada ($7.4 billion), and Lululemon founder Chip Wilson ($7.5 billion). Miuccia Prada. Mike Marsland/Getty Images Trump would also be nipping at the heels of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich, and Star Wars creator George Lucas, each of whom was worth under $8.3 billion at Tuesday's close. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee will surely be thrilled by his soaring net worth. He's been scrambling to find the money to cover a recent $454 million judgment against him in a New York fraud case. Story continues Trump has appealed the ruling, but still has to secure a $175 million bond in the next few days, as an assurance to the court that he'll pay the full amount if he loses his appeal. TMTG, Truth Social's parent company, officially has a "lock up" period that bars its bosses from selling shares for the next six months. But its board, which includes Donald Trump Jr., has the power to waive or reduce the waiting time before Trump can cash out. Whatever happens, it's striking to see Trump shooting up the billionaire rankings just when he seemed to be in serious financial trouble. Read the original article on Business Insider It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad. Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Crescendo Corporation Berhad (KLSE:CRESNDO). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. Check out our latest analysis for Crescendo Corporation Berhad How Quickly Is Crescendo Corporation Berhad Increasing Earnings Per Share? Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. It certainly is nice to see that Crescendo Corporation Berhad has managed to grow EPS by 29% per year over three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The music to the ears of Crescendo Corporation Berhad shareholders is that EBIT margins have grown from 17% to 20% in the last 12 months and revenues are on an upwards trend as well. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth. In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. Since Crescendo Corporation Berhad is no giant, with a market capitalisation of RM785m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects. Story continues Are Crescendo Corporation Berhad Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? It's pleasing to see company leaders with putting their money on the line, so to speak, because it increases alignment of incentives between the people running the business, and its true owners. So it is good to see that Crescendo Corporation Berhad insiders have a significant amount of capital invested in the stock. Indeed, they hold RM99m worth of its stock. This considerable investment should help drive long-term value in the business. That amounts to 13% of the company, demonstrating a degree of high-level alignment with shareholders. Should You Add Crescendo Corporation Berhad To Your Watchlist? You can't deny that Crescendo Corporation Berhad has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. With EPS growth rates like that, it's hardly surprising to see company higher-ups place confidence in the company through continuing to hold a significant investment. The growth and insider confidence is looked upon well and so it's worthwhile to investigate further with a view to discern the stock's true value. While we've looked at the quality of the earnings, we haven't yet done any work to value the stock. So if you like to buy cheap, you may want to check if Crescendo Corporation Berhad is trading on a high P/E or a low P/E, relative to its industry. Although Crescendo Corporation Berhad certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with insider buying, then check out this handpicked selection of Malaysian companies that not only boast of strong growth but have also seen recent insider buying.. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Namibia Critical Metals fair value estimate is CA$0.038 With CA$0.045 share price, Namibia Critical Metals appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value Industry average of 79% suggests Namibia Critical Metals' peers are currently trading at a higher premium to fair value Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (CVE:NMI) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Namibia Critical Metals The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (CA$, Millions) CA$189.6k CA$247.6k CA$302.0k CA$350.2k CA$391.5k CA$426.1k CA$455.1k CA$479.4k CA$500.2k CA$518.4k Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 42.78% Est @ 30.54% Est @ 21.98% Est @ 15.98% Est @ 11.78% Est @ 8.85% Est @ 6.79% Est @ 5.35% Est @ 4.34% Est @ 3.64% Present Value (CA$, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% CA$0.2 CA$0.2 CA$0.2 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 CA$0.3 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CA$2.6m 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 (2.0%) 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 7.1%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = CA$518k (1 + 2.0%) (7.1% 2.0%) = CA$10m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CA$10m ( 1 + 7.1%)10= CA$5.2m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is CA$7.7m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of CA$0.04, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. 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. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Namibia Critical Metals 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 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.115. 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 Namibia Critical Metals Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Current share price is above our estimate of fair value. Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine NMI's earnings prospects. Threat No apparent threats visible for NMI. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Namibia Critical Metals, we've compiled three essential elements you should consider: Risks: For instance, we've identified 5 warning signs for Namibia Critical Metals (3 are significant) you should be aware of. 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! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Canadian 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. 'We felt targeted': These Oregon families are facing thousands of dollars in HOA fines Sam Sheikh and his wife have owned their Beaverton, Oregon, home since 2008 but say theyve been grappling with thousands of dollars in fines since new neighborhoods took over the homeowners association (HOA) board. An HOA is a self-governed organization that basically creates and enforces rules and regulations for residents in the associated community and issues fines as it sees fit for non-compliance. HOAs also typically collect monthly or annual fees to help with the overall maintenance and upkeep of facilities. Don't miss Sheikh told KGW8 he and his wife had no issues with their neighborhoods HOA until new members took over last year. The couple recently began renting to a retired military member and his family, and are now looking at $10,150 in fines for various violations that are only continuing to climb. "We felt targeted, as other families have felt as well, and certainly, the tenant felt targeted," Sheikh said. "I felt that everything we did wouldn't be satisfactory, and this was proved true." A system in the wrong hands Several families have moved out of the neighborhood due to fines and other board decisions, including Sheikhs tenants. "The harassment of the HOA has made us feel very uncomfortable and has forced us to look for a new place to live ... these claims are outrageous, and the discrimination is appalling, the tenants wrote in a message that was later shared with the board. Story continues Sheikh recounts when the board sent him multiple violations and fines up to $1,350 dollars a week claiming the tenant was operating a woodworking business and that woodworking was proof of habitation in the garage. Sheikh says his tenant enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and didnt think they were in violation of HOA rules. On another occasion, he received fines saying his tenant was "observed from the street performing work on their truck, a violation of "dismantling or assembling motor vehicles" in an area that's not "screened from view and that the use of the garage to perform these repairs involved habitation by the tenant. It's endless trying to chase these things, exhausting," Sheikh says. "It has really affected the quality of our lives." Read more: Suze Orman says Americans are poorer than they think but having a dream retirement is so much easier when you know these 3 simple money moves HOA president Martin Anderson told KGW8 the new board wanted to crack down on late dues and costs, like for landscaping, and that he felt the neighborhood had gone downhill in recent years. In October, a group of homeowners sent the HOA board a letter requesting a special meeting. They wanted to vote to remove the president and represented more than 25% of the outstanding vote needed to do so, according to the HOA bylaws. However, the very next day, Anderson and another board member voted to amend the bylaws, so that the percentage of owners who could call a special meeting of the owners needed to be 50%, while 90% of owners would be necessary to establish a quorum at meetings. He then rejected the homeowners' request for a special meeting since the homeowners had not physically signed the document calling for a special meeting, Sheikh says. By that time, the new bylaws were in place. "Boy, this just screams of abuse, right? says Sheikh. Or it suggests that this entire system in the wrong hands, with the wrong people serving these positions for the wrong reason, could damage a community. Is there a lack of oversight? Its becoming increasingly common for neighborhoods to be governed by HOAs in fact, 84% of newly built, single-family homes sold in 2022 belonged to homeowners associations, says CNBC, citing data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Thomas M. Skiba, CEO of the Community Associations Institute a membership organization of homeowner and condominium associations says this is because theres a financial benefit for local governments with constructing new homes. They dont have to plow the street anymore [or] do all that maintenance and they still collect the full property tax value, Skiba says However, since HOAs are private organizations, any disputes are considered private matters and governments dont have the legal authority to get involved, Kevin Harker, an attorney with Harker Lepore who specializes in HOA law, told KGW8. Litigation is expensive though; its emotional and it can hold up sales in the community, Harker says, explaining a civil lawsuit is the last course of action. Sheikh says the community doesnt know what to do, aside from turning to a lawyer. "I thought we were a community, and now, it's become us versus them." What do homebuyers and owners need to know While Sheikh and other members in his neighborhood have been placed in an impossible situation, experts say there are ways to help you vet an HOA before buying a home. Harker advises homeowners to read their HOA's codes and regulations carefully, volunteer on the board and track board finances, and try to resolve disputes as amicably as possible. Jaime Moore, a premier agent for Redfin, tells CNBC its important to look into local and state laws to find out your rights as a homebuyer and potential homeowner, so that you can investigate the propertys HOA before signing on. Moore adds that buyers could even avoid HOAs by searching for older homes on the fringes of developments. Skiba also recommends checking what the monthly or annual fees are and the HOAs budget and look into the history of how assessments have gone up. He notes the communitys reserve funds, which cover repairs and renovations, should be properly funded and have enough cushioning to cover big expenses. No one likes surprises, and that is the kind of big financial surprise [that can] be really problematic for every homeowner, says Skiba. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The Assyrian Church in Iraq Christianity has a long and rich history in Iraq. The first Christians arrived in Mesopotamia in the first century AD, and the religion quickly spread. By the fourth century, Christianity was the largest religion in Iraq. Overwhelmingly Muslim now, Iraq housed several ancient Christian communities, which now number an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people from the 1.5 million who lived in the country before the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. There are 14 officially recognized Christian sects in Iraq. Most live in Baghdad, the plains of northern Nineveh, and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. Meanwhile, the Chaldeans are the most numerous of Iraq's Christians, up to 80% of the group. The Chaldean Church is an Eastern Rite affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, but it is allowed to keep its traditions and rituals. It originated from the Church of the East in Mesopotamia, which emerged in the early centuries after Jesus Christ. The church is based in Baghdad and headed by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. The Assyrian Church of the East is an ancient Christian church that traces its roots back to the first century AD. The church is not in communion with the Catholic Church, and its patriarch, Mar Awa III, is based in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. It has a worldwide membership of over two million people. The church's liturgy is based on the East Syriac rite, and its language of worship is Syriac. In an interview with Shafaq News Agency, Jimmy Youssef, Pastor of Mar Korkis Assyrian Church of the East in Kirkuk, discussed the history of the church, the challenges faced by the Christian community in Iraq, and his views on the role of religion in politics. Here are the highlights of the interview: Shafaq News: Can you tell us about the Assyrian Church of the East and how it differs from the Chaldean Church? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: The Assyrian Church of the East is one of the oldest churches in Iraq and the world. Our roots are tied to ancient Christian civilizations. We differ from the Chaldean Church in our relationship with the Pope of the Vatican. The Pope oversees the affairs of the Chaldean Church, including the appointment of pastors and priests and the management of religious matters. Our church, on the other hand, has its own religious authority here in Iraq. Our religious leader is an Iraqi who resides at the church headquarters in Erbil. We have followers and churches in every country in the world. Shafaq News Agency: How many Assyrian churches are there in Iraq? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: We have six churches in the capital, Baghdad, three in Erbil, three in Duhok, and one each in Kirkuk, Basra, and Nineveh. All of these churches hold mass, prayer services, and other events. Shafaq News Agency: Is the migration of Christians from Iraq still ongoing? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: After 2003, hundreds of families migrated to the United States, Europe, and Australia due to the events that took place in Iraq. However, in recent years, migration has decreased significantly after a period of relative stability. Shafaq News Agency: How many followers does the Assyrian Church of the East have in Kirkuk and Iraq? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: In Kirkuk, there were about 900 families up until 2003. Currently, the number does not exceed 175 families. We have other followers in other governorates and cities in the Kurdistan Region. Shafaq News: Do Christian clerics interfere in politics, and how does the Assyrian Church view this? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: Our church has a clear policy of rejecting the involvement of Christianity in politics. However, we offer advice and give our opinion on matters related to the rights of our followers. We believe that it is wrong for clerics to be involved in politics. Shafaq News: A few years ago, the cemetery of the church's followers in the Amal Shaabi area of Kirkuk was vandalized. It is the oldest cemetery in the governorate. Why did this happen? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: Yes, a Christian cemetery was deliberately vandalized by unknown individuals who destroyed and desecrated the tombstones. We repaired the cemetery because it is one of the oldest in Kirkuk. Unfortunately, even the dead have not been spared from attack. Shafaq News: Do the quota seats for Christians go to community representatives? Rev. Jimmy Joseph: The quota seats were created to ensure the presence of Christians in the political process, whether in the government or parliament. However, the quota has been exploited by political parties, which has created a Christian-Christian conflict between political parties and clerics who involve themselves in politics. 36% of Indonesians are concerned about fraudsters using their identity to open a financial account JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 28, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--(NYSE: FICO) Highlights Identity theft worries persist, with 36% of Indonesians fearing fraudsters opening accounts A noticeable gap exists, as almost 45% believe it unlikely they've been identity theft victims Real-time payment scams are on the rise, with 64% receiving scam communications Fraud protection is paramount, with ease of use and good fraud protection ranking as top considerations for selecting financial services providers FICO, a leading global analytics software firm, today unveiled its latest global consumer fraud research, spotlighting the enduring concern of Indonesians over identity theft amidst the escalating risks posed by real-time payments. The study reveals that identity theft (36%) remains the predominant worry among Indonesians, exposing individuals to various risks, including financial loss, compromised credit scores, and the arduous process of restoring financial integrity. In contrast, concern over authorized push payment scams is notably less pronounced in Indonesia compared to other ASEAN countries and India. According to the research, only 28% of Indonesian respondents expressed worry about authorized push payment scams, significantly lower than the Asia average of 33%. More information: https://www.fico.com/en/latest-thinking/ebook/consumer-survey-2023-digital-banking-customer-preferences-and-fraud-controls "This disparity can be attributed to Indonesia's recent introduction of real-time payment mechanisms in January 2022, limiting the exposure of Indonesian consumers to such scams, unlike their counterparts in other regions where real-time payments are more established," said C K Leo, FICO's lead for fraud, security and financial crime in Asia Pacific. "However, as real-time payment adoption grows rapidly, there is a growing risk of authorized push payment fraud, underscoring the importance for financial institutions to implement robust fraud detection and prevention measures swiftly." Story continues Perception vs. Reality Despite widespread concern about identity theft, there is a noticeable dissonance between perception and reality among Indonesians. About 45% believe it unlikely they've been a victim, while 21% see it as possible, and 16% are confident their identity remains untouched. Moreover, only 3% of Indonesian respondents reported their stolen identity being used to open a financial account, a decline from nearly 10% in 2022. However, given Indonesia's adult population, this 3% translates to over 6 million individuals. Interestingly, this rate was much higher in other countries surveyed, with 13% of Indians and 12% of Thais saying their identity had been stolen and used to open an account by a fraudster "While some may downplay the risk of identity theft in Indonesia, millions remain vulnerable," added Leo. "This underscores the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures. By breaking down silos and integrating identity verification and fraud detection processes, we can streamline applications and bolster trust in legitimate customers." Real-Time Payment Scams: A Growing Concern As the incidence of scams continues to rise, FICOs research from last year uncovered a troubling trend concerning authorized push payment (APP) fraud and real-time payments in Indonesia. 64% of Indonesians have received unsolicited text messages, emails, phone calls, or other outreach that they believed to be part of a scam, while 49% of respondents stated that their friends or family members had been victims of a scam. Shockingly, 17% of respondents admitted to sending real-time payments for investments, goods, or services they never received. Additionally, 71% of those who made scam payments through real-time payments lost up to 5 million rupiah, while 4% experienced losses of up to 100 million rupiah. Despite these alarming figures, only 19% reported actual or suspected losses to their banks. "Banks now face a crucial moment to invest in cutting-edge solutions to tackle the surge in scams, particularly with the swift uptake of real-time payments in the Asia-Pacific financial landscape," said Leo. "The irrevocable nature of these transactions has led to new criminal threats. By integrating scam-specific analysis and scoring into transactions, along with robust decision-making capabilities across the customer journey, banks can preemptively detect and thwart scam payments, sparing customers from financial harm. Furthermore, while some consumers may ignore warnings, the majority will heed alerts and refrain from making real-time payments if alerted to potential scams." Indonesians Prioritise Good Fraud Protection When asked about the most important considerations respondents have when they select a new provider for a financial account, ease of use and good fraud protection were the two most important. These were both considered significantly more important than good customer service, strong anti-money laundering policies, sound green/environmental policies, ethical use of customer data, behaving fairly, and good value for money. Even in Indonesia, where good fraud protection was less likely to be peoples number one concern, 63% of people had ranked it as a top three consideration. The survey was conducted in November 2023 by an independent research company adhering to research industry standards. 1,000 Indonesian adults were surveyed, along with approximately 12,000 other consumers in Canada, U.S, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, U.K. and Spain. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327366269/en/ Contacts Lizzy Li RICE for FICO +65 9034 7768 lizzy.li@ricecomms.com Saxon Shirley FICO +65 9171 0965 saxonshirley@fico.com Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Lockheed Martin implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price 52% of the business is held by the top 8 shareholders Insiders have sold recently A look at the shareholders of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 75% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Last week's US$3.9b market cap gain would probably be appreciated by institutional investors, especially after a year of 1.0% losses. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Lockheed Martin. Check out our latest analysis for Lockheed Martin What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Lockheed Martin? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. We can see that Lockheed Martin 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. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Lockheed Martin's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Lockheed Martin. State Street Global Advisors, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 15% of shares outstanding. Lockheed Martin Corporation, ESOP is the second largest shareholder owning 11% of common stock, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. holds about 9.2% of the company stock. Story continues We did some more digging and found that 8 of the top shareholders account for roughly 52% of the register, implying that along with larger shareholders, there are a few smaller shareholders, thereby balancing out each others interests somewhat. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future. Insider Ownership Of Lockheed Martin 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. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Lockheed Martin Corporation 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$72m worth of shares (at current prices). It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership With a 14% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Lockheed Martin. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Lockheed Martin you should know about. 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. MADRID (Reuters) - Ford is considering making a new sports-utility vehicle (SUV) at its plant in Valencia in Spain, the company said on Thursday. We are closely monitoring the evolution of the European markets for opportunities to enhance our current product offering," the group said. "Given the changes we see in the industry, we believe there is an opportunity to add an all-new multi-energy SUV to the Europe cycle plan, to be manufactured in Valencia." The group said this was still subject to a formal decision. Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias first reported that Ford was weighing production of a new passenger car at the Almussafes plant in Valencia. "Great news for Valencia, Spain and the workers of @FordSpain. The company's decision to produce electric vehicles guarantees the viability of the Almussafes plant for the coming years," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a message on X. The plant, which employs 4,800 people, only makes the Ford Kuga after other models were cut back in recent years. The General Workers Union (UGT) told Cinco Dias on Thursday: "Almussafes will have a new vehicle and will maintain a sufficient workload. Francisco Segura, of the Valencian Automotive and Mobility Group, which represents automotive companies, said in a statement on Thursday that Ford's possible plans for building a new car in Valencia were "positive news". (Reporting by Graham Keeley Christoph Steitz; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Fraser Institute VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the federal carbon tax set to rise from $65 to $80 per tonne on April 1, two new essayspublished today by the Fraser Institutemake two opposing arguments, to retain the tax (after fixing it) and to scrap the tax. According to the first essay, Reforming the Federal Government's Carbon Tax Plan, the government should reform the tax to mitigate its negative economic impacts so the tax simply replacesand doesnt add toother government regulations and mandates meant to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also, the carbon tax should be revenue neutralthat is, the tax should generate no new net revenue for the government. Currently, only 90 per cent of carbon tax revenue is rebated to taxpayers. If implemented correctly, a carbon tax can be the most economically efficient way to reduce GHG emissions, so fixing Ottawas carbon tax is preferable to other, more costly measures such as increased regulations and subsidies, said Ross McKitrick, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and essay co-author. According to the second essay, Carbon Tax Is Beyond Redemption, the federal government should eliminate the carbon tax because real-world examples show that governments both in Canada and Europe have failed to implement sound, well-designed carbon taxes. Most are not revenue neutral, not imposed uniformly among industries, and remain layered on top of other costly regulations and mandates, negating the theoretical benefits of the tax. The lessons from Canada and beyond are clearcarbon taxes may work in theory, but no government has successfully implemented a properly designed carbon tax, said Kenneth Green, essay author and senior fellow at the Fraser Institute. MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth Green, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute Ross McKitrick, Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Drue MacPherson, Media Relations, Fraser Institute 604-688-0221 ext. 721 drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org Story continues Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org USD-30-million facility employs 1,800 Kenyans in first phase TATU CITY, Kenya, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FullCare Medical has launched a new medical garment production facility in Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kenya. FullCare's new medical garment facility at Tatu City was inaugurated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony graced by China Embassy Minister Counsellor Mr. Zhang (centre); Founder of FullCare Medical, Lu Jianguo (right); and Rendeavour Founder & CEO Stephen Jennings (left). The FullCare Medical facility represents an investment of USD 30 million and employs 1,800 Kenyans in the first phase. In subsequent phases, the company plans to employ up to 7,000 Kenyans. "Our selection of Kenya and Tatu City SEZ for our investment reflects our belief in the transformative power of collaboration. This state-of-the-art facility, leveraging cutting-edge solar technology for sustainable manufacturing, is poised to export USD 60 million of medical goods annually while catering to the local market's needs," said Lu Jianguo, Founder of FullCare Medical. "Tatu City SEZ is attracting record foreign direct investment to Kenya. As Kenya's first mixed-used SEZ, Tatu City has already attracted USD 2.5 billion in investment from more than 78 businesses many of them global leaders in their fields, from healthcare and food and beverage production to call centres and software engineering. These investments are creating many thousands of much-needed jobs for Kenyans," said Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, the owner and developer of Tatu City. Zhang Yijun, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, and Kenyan government officials attended the opening ceremony. "FullCare Medical symbolises the friendship between China and Kenya in the shared pursuit of progress," said Mr. Zhang. The International Finance Corporation, the investment arm of the World Bank, provided USD 100 million in financing to FullCare Medical for its Africa expansion. The FullCare Medical facility represents one of the most significant foreign direct investments in Kenya in recent years, setting the benchmark for dynamic and entrepreneurial Chinese companies in Africa. Story continues More than 78 local, regional and global businesses are operational or under development in Tatu City's business-friendly location, including CCI Global, Heineken, Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, Freight Forwarders Solutions, ADvTECH, Friendship Group and Davis & Shirtliff. Business benefits at Tatu City SEZ include VAT zero-rating, import and stamp duty exemptions and 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years and 15% for 10 years thereafter. About FullCare Medical FullCare Medical (Kenya) SEZ Limited is a Kenyan company with more than two decades of experience in the production and global distribution of award-winning high-quality medical care and protective equipment. FullCare Medical's modern production facility at Tatu City Special Economic Zone is designed to serve Africa, Europe and the United States and create more than 1,800 in its first phase. About Tatu City Tatu City is a 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi's doorstep with homes, schools, businesses, a shopping district, medical clinic, nature areas and recreation for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors. Tatu City's schools educate thousands of students daily, a range of homes suits all incomes and more than 78 businesses thrive in the country's first operational Special Economic Zone. Located 30 minutes from Westlands, Tatu City represents a new way of living and thinking for all Kenyans in a live, work and play environment that is free from traffic congestion and long-distance commuting. Tatu City is a development by Rendeavour, Africa's largest new city builder with 30,000 acres of visionary projects in growth trajectories across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more information about Tatu City, please visit www.tatucity.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2374382/Tatu_City_FullCare.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fullcare-medical-starts-medical-garment-production-at-tatu-city-kenya-302102720.html SOURCE Tatu City Gamuda Berhad (KLSE:GAMUDA) Second Quarter 2024 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: RM3.33b (up 131% from 2Q 2023). Net income: RM208.8m (up 7.3% from 2Q 2023). Profit margin: 6.3% (down from 14% in 2Q 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses. EPS: RM0.077 (up from RM0.075 in 2Q 2023). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Gamuda Berhad Earnings Insights Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 9.0% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 10% growth forecast for the Construction industry in Malaysia. Performance of the Malaysian Construction industry. The company's shares are up 2.3% from a week ago. Risk Analysis Before we wrap up, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Gamuda Berhad that you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Ibotta confidently submitted an S-1 filing with the SEC on March 22 with the intent to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. The 13-year-old cash-back startup looks to make its public debut after turning profitable and recording impressive revenue growth in 2023. The company reported $320 million in revenue in 2023, up 52% from 2022 when it produced $210 million in revenue. Ibotta's gross profits grew 68% from 2022, $164.5 million, to 2023, $276 million. The Denver-based company started as an app for consumers to get cash back on purchases through Ibotta's brand partnerships. The company has since expanded into building back-end software for reward programs for enterprise customers including Exxon, Shell and Walmart. Ibotta's move into B2B2C selling to companies that then use those products to sell to consumers is likely a key reason why investors may be interested in this IPO, says Nicholas Smith, a senior equity research analyst at Renaissance Capital, a research firm focused on pre-IPO and IPO-focused ETFs. Selling to companies also likely played a big role in Ibotta's recent financial gains. "The fact that [Ibotta] has become, with Walmart, more of an enterprise software play, basically being the back-end for its Walmart cash rewards program, that lends more credence to it," Smith said. "[Compared to] 'Hey we have this app and we need to grow users and continue down that avenue.'" The company started building its enterprise program, known as Ibotta performance network (IPN), back in 2020. Its partnership with Walmart also started in 2020 but expanded its IPN partnership with the retail giant in 2022. According to the S-1, this partnership plays a big role in Ibotta's revenue boost. "Our revenue growth significantly accelerated with the addition of new publishers to the IPN," according to the S-1. "Most recently, the rollout of our offers on the digital property of Walmart has attracted larger audiences, and in turn, resulted in greater spend by CPG brands and a greater number of redeemed offers. These developments have increased our scale, growth, and profitability." Story continues Putting the Ibotta comment into perspective, from 2022 to 2023 its direct-to-consumer business grew by 19%, a respectable amount. The companys enterprise business (third-party publishers revenue in its filing), by contrast, grew 711% over the same time frame, scaling from just under $10 million to just over $80 million in a single year. That growth, and a resulting improvement in its gross margins from 78% in 2022 to around 86% in 2023 helped the company flip from persistent net losses to consistent profitability. Quarterly data from Ibotta underscores how recently and rapidly it became a profitable company. From Q1 2022 through Q1 2023, the company posted regular, decreasing net losses. In the first quarter of 2022 it had negative net income of $22.9 million, which declined to $4.3 million one year later. Then, starting in the second quarter of 2023, it began to generate regular profits, which grew to $18.6 million by the last quarter of last year. Rapid revenue growth, an expanding secondary revenue line, improving revenue quality and GAAP profits all came together for Ibotta to list its shares. If it stumbles even with those backing characteristics, late-stage venture-backed startups could view its debut as a cautionary tale. But there is reason to expect that its growth will continue. The company has signed IPN partnerships with Family Dollar, Kroger, Exxon and Shell, implying broad corporate demand, even if the extent of those relationships is less clear compared to Ibotta's partnership with Walmart. The S-1 did not clarify how long Ibotta's partnership with Walmart is contracted for, but it did mention that if the retailer does end the relationship, it would have a material impact on Ibotta's business. The biggest question that remains is how Ibotta will price its shares. While the company likely chose to file its intent now it originally hired bankers back in November to ride the recent wave of successful IPOs from Astera Labs and Reddit, Ibotta is very different from both of those companies. Ibotta has seen very little, if any, secondary activity according to secondary data platforms, which makes it hard to gauge how investors are currently valuing the startup. Smith said the pricing could go a few ways considering the company has multiple revenue streams that traditionally get valued quite differently. "It's hard because there is no perfect comp," Smith said. "It's a little bit of an adtech company, maybe getting more [into] enterprise software. [If it's] looked at truly from a tech perspective, it will probably go for a high multiple, if it's more sort of adtech or even consumer it might be lower." Smith added that if investors peg it more as an advertising or marketing company that it might price similarly to how Klaviyo, the digital marketing company, was priced last fall. Klaviyo priced at $31 a share, $1 above its target of $30, which gave it a valuation of $9.2 billion, a hair below its previous primary round valuation of $9.5 billion. The company currently has a market cap of $6.8 billion. Ibotta has raised a little over $90 million in venture capital from funds including GGV Capital, Great Oak Ventures and Teamworth Ventures, among others, in addition to a slew of angel investors including Thomas Jermoluk and Jim Clark, the co-founders of Beyond Identity. The company was last valued at $1.08 billion. Dorman Strahan, President of Kirby Engine Systems, a subsidiary of Kirby Corp (NYSE:KEX), has sold 3,423 shares of the company on March 27, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $95.11 per share, resulting in a total value of $325,477.53. Kirby Corp, headquartered in Houston, Texas, operates in the marine transportation and diesel engine services industries. The company is the premier tank barge operator in the United States, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, along all three U.S. coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. Kirby also services and remanufactures diesel engines and related parts, including those used in oilfield and marine applications, as well as in power generation. Over the past year, Dorman Strahan has sold a total of 9,799 shares of Kirby Corp and has not made any purchases of the stock. This latest transaction continues a pattern of insider sales at the company, with a total of 34 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year. On the day of the insider's recent sale, shares of Kirby Corp were trading at $95.11, giving the company a market capitalization of $5.540 billion. Kirby Corp's price-earnings ratio stands at 25.47, which is above both the industry median of 13.715 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio. The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio is 1.11, with a current share price of $95.11 and a GuruFocus Value of $85.45, indicating that Kirby Corp is considered Modestly Overvalued according to the GF Value metric. The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts. Insider Sell: President of Kirby Engine Systems Dorman Strahan Sells 3,423 Shares of Kirby Corp (KEX) The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders at Kirby Corp, which may be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors. Story continues Insider Sell: President of Kirby Engine Systems Dorman Strahan Sells 3,423 Shares of Kirby Corp (KEX) The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's valuation relative to its intrinsic value, as estimated by GuruFocus. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Kia has issued recalls for vehicles due to a roll-away risk. Kia has recalled over 400,000 cars for increased rollaway risk while in park, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall, submitted to NHTSA by Kia on March 20, affects certain Telluride models. According to Kia, impacted vehicles may experience issues with the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft failing to engage due to assembly errors. Over time, these parts only partially engaging can cause damage, resulting in vehicle movement even when the vehicle is in park. Engaging the emergency parking brake before exiting affected vehicles can stop this unwanted movement from happening. Hybrid EV6 Kia recall: Kia recalls 48,232 EV6 hybrid vehicles: See if yours is on the list Which Kia vehicle models are recalled? 2020-2024 Kia Telluride vehicles are subject to recall. Approximately 427,407 Telluride vehicles with model years 2020-2024 are affected. According to the company, the following are subject to recall: All 2020-2023 model year Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019, through October 19, 2023. Certain 2024 model year Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019, through October 19, 2023. Customers seeking more information about their specific vehicle should contact the Kia Customer Care Center or their Kia dealer. Kia advises that Telluride cars may give warning signals that the affected components are not properly engaging, specifically a grinding noise and/or reduced motive power. Check your Subaru: Subaru recalls 118,000 vehicles due to airbag issue How to get your Kia fixed Owners of affected vehicles can go to a Kia dealership to have the electronic parking brake software updated and any damaged intermediate shafts replaced free of charge. Until the issue is fixed, Kia advises drivers to engage their emergency parking brake before exiting their car while it is in park. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303. Check if your car is recalled Consumers can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's database for new recalls using their car's vehicle identification number (VIN). This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kia recall: Some Telluride vehicles pose rollaway risk, NHTSA says Last week, Locality Planning Energy Holdings Limited (ASX:LPE) insiders, who had purchased shares in the previous 12 months were rewarded handsomely. The shares increased by 76% last week, resulting in a AU$4.5m increase in the company's market worth, implying a 13% gain on their initial purchase. As a result, the stock they originally bought for AU$173.3k is now worth AU$195.5k. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. See our latest analysis for Locality Planning Energy Holdings The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Locality Planning Energy Holdings The Non-Executive Director Stanislav Kolenc made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for AU$97k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.053 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is AU$0.058. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. Happily, the Locality Planning Energy Holdings insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. While Locality Planning Energy Holdings insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Locality Planning Energy Holdings is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Locality Planning Energy Holdings insiders own about AU$4.0m worth of shares. That equates to 39% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About Locality Planning Energy Holdings Insiders? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Insiders own shares in Locality Planning Energy Holdings and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Locality Planning Energy Holdings you should be aware of. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. After an agonizingly long shortage, Sriracha lovers relished the news that the wildly popular Huy Fong Foods rooster bottles were reappearing on grocery store shelves and restaurant tables to once again spice up steaming bowls of pho and ramen. But their Sriracha-induced euphoria was short-lived. The hot take from die-hard Huy Fong fans is actually a not-so-hot take: They say the Sriracha they once savored no longer brings the same heat. And that bellyaching is spreading across the internet as people do their own informal taste tests to measure Sriracha zing. The classic garlicky, vinegary taste is still there, but the classic heat seems to have dropped off, Luke Gralia wrote in The Takeout. That's what I am feeling, responded one Redditor. I thought it was just my taste buds messing with my head at first until I tried other kinds with more spice. Bottles of Huy Fong Foods' Sriracha hot chili sauce are shown on December 12, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. Many of the taste tests pit the sizzle in Huy Fong Sriracha against its archrival, Dragon Sauce, produced by Underwood Ranches, Huy Fongs former chili pepper supplier in California. The Huy Fong Sriracha empire dates back to 1979 when David Tran, a Vietnam War refugee, arrived in Los Angeles. A year later, he began selling hot sauce from a blue Chevy van. The Sriracha produced by his company in Irwindale, California, has been a staple of hot sauce enthusiasts for years. In 1988, Huy Fong formed a partnership with Underwood Ranches to provide the red jalapenos that gave Huy Fong its punch. Soon Underwood Ranches was growing more than 100 million pounds of peppers for Huy Fong. But the relationship ended in 2016. Huy Fong sued over a payment dispute. In 2019, a jury instead awarded Underwood Ranches $23.3 million in damages. Since then, Huy Fong has relied on a smattering of other chili pepper producers. Huy Fong which signs its emails stay spicy" says its recipe hasnt changed, but the flavor and hue vary from batch to batch depending on from where the company sources its fresh chili peppers and when they are harvested. Story continues Some batches can vary in color, level of spiciness and even consistency, the company said in a statement to LAist in January. Underwood Ranches' Dragon Sauce Though the internet taste tests may lack scientific rigor, the crowdsourced findings have prompted some Huy Fong fans to switch their allegiance to Dragon Sauce, which they say has the pungency and flavor theyve been missing. One Redditor raved that the Dragon Sauce had the spicy and nostalgic OG taste of Huy Fong. Craig Underwood, owner of Underwood Ranches, a family farm in operation since 1867, says he isnt surprised. Huy Fong owed much of its success to Underwood Ranches fresh peppers, according to Underwood, who started farming with his father in 1968. Now Dragon Sauce seeded by those same peppers is carried by some Costco warehouses and is a top-selling Sriracha sauce on Amazon. We were the ones who supplied those peppers for 28 years. We were the ones who came up with the varieties that worked, Underwood said. So, yeah, I would say now that were supplying the peppers for our own sauce. Were making the sauce the way it used to taste. In this file photo, Craig and Sara Jane Underwood show the appellate court ruling that affirmed a jury's award of $23.3 million to Underwood Ranches in a lawsuit with Sriracha maker Huy Fong Foods. Not everyone is sold. Reddit evangelists swear up and down that Underwoods sauce tastes indistinguishable from the original Huy Fong formula, thanks to its use of the original peppers. From my experience, this was not true in the slightest, Gralia wrote in The Takeout. The new Huy Fong might be milder than its previous iteration, but Underwoods sauce is even milder. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Huy Fong Sriracha blues: Why America's hot sauce obsession is cooling (Bloomberg) -- Madagascars key vanilla-producing region has taken a direct hit from a tropical storm that made landfall on the Indian Ocean islands north eastern coast on Wednesday. Most Read from Bloomberg The region, which produces around 80% of the worlds vanilla beans, was being hammered by heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 125 kilometer per hour by Cyclone Gamane, the nations meteorological services said. The storm is hitting vanilla farmers already battling depressed prices, which have fallen steeply this year. Its bad times for vanilla, said Georges Geeraerts, president of the countrys vanilla export association. Vanilla is a main source of foreign currency for the Madagascar. --With assistance from Matthew Hill. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro has so brazenly disrespected his promise for free and fair elections that allies in Colombia and Brazil took to publicly condemning his crackdown on the opposition. Most Read from Bloomberg Barring the oppositions primary winner, Maria Corina Machado, and her little-known substitute, Corina Yoris, from running in this years presidential race are among the latest violations of the deal that Maduro struck five months ago with President Joe Bidens administration to allow democratic elections in exchange for the removal of some of the crippling sanctions imposed years ago on the crisis-torn country. By the Venezuelan oppositions tally, the regime has now broken terms of the deal at least eight times. Each snub raises the volume on an increasingly uncomfortable question for officials in Washington: whether to reimpose crucial oil and gas sanctions during an election year. Migration has emerged as a key issue for US voters, and Biden would be hard-pressed to take any steps that could worsen the economic or political situation in a country that has already sent so many people to the US southern border. Washington is in a difficult position, said Geoff Ramsey, senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. The challenge is how to reimpose sanctions while still retaining a degree of leverage over Maduro, keeping the government at the table. Read More: Maduro Allies Colombia, Brazil Blast Venezuela Over Election The US remains deeply concerned about the Maduro governments actions ahead of elections, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington on Thursday. Story continues Theres a general license that expires next month, he said. Im not going to make any determinations from here about what decision we will take then, but we have been very clear with Maduro and his representatives: Were going to be watching Maduros actions and making determinations about how we will proceed. It was a reference to a request for Venezuela to follow through on democratic commitments or face reinstated oil and gas sanctions. The most likely scenario is that the administration lets the general license 44, which authorizes transactions involving the oil and gas sector in Venezuela, expire unceremoniously, three people with knowledge of the plans have said. The Biden administration would still retain license 41, which authorizes Chevron Corp. to produce crude oil and petroleum products in its projects in Venezuela, one of the people said. They all requested anonymity to talk about the plan as its not yet public. In January, after a Venezuelan court ruling ratified Machados ban on running for public office, the US revoked a license that allowed dealings with state-owned gold producer Minerven. Failing Deal It was criticism over gas prices and how major US cities resources were strained by the massive migration from Venezuela that led the Biden administration to engage in direct talks with the Maduro regime in mid-2023. As part of those talks, the parties accomplished the unexpected, ultimately starring a blockbuster prisoner swap that included Maduros financier, Alex Saab, and a Malaysian defense contractor known as Fat Leonard wanted by the US. Bidens closest advisers, along with many Democrats in Congress, have long seen applying maximum pressure on Venezuela as a counterproductive strategy that strengthened Maduros grip while exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Venezuelans, with the sanctions merely driving even more people to flee to the US. However, Venezuelas economic stabilization in and of itself is unlikely to bring back all of its citizens whove left. A political change is the biggest incentive for them to return, according to a poll conducted by public opinion firm GBAO for Colorado-based nonprofit organization PAX sapiens. Venezuelan analysts are also predicting that without a political change, there will be another migration wave of about 2 million Venezuelans. When asked during a webcast last month if she felt she had enough support from the US, Machado only said that both Democrats and Republicans understood what Venezuela means in terms of national security and security for the whole hemisphere, what migration means at this point. Last week, when the Maduro government issued arrest warrants for nine members of her team in one fell swoop, she took a harsher tone. The international community says that they want free, clean elections, that they support the Barbados Agreement, Machado, visibly disturbed, said from her partys headquarter in Caracas. From the international community, we expect much more than good wishes. Maduro has said his government is prepared for renewed sanctions, leaving the ball in the USs court. --With assistance from Travis Waldron, Eric Martin, Jennifer Jacobs and Iain Marlow. (Updates with US comment starting in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercy names Jennifer Brown its new chief legal officer and senior vice president, beginning April 1, 2024. Mercy (https://www.mercy.net/newsroom/mercy-quick-facts/), one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized quality care and one of the nations largest Accountable Care Organizations. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 50 acute care and specialty (heart, childrens, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 47,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. (PRNewsfoto/Mercy) "Health care has become increasingly complex, while at the same time transformative change is accelerating," said Steve Mackin, Mercy's president and CEO. "That's why it's imperative we have innovative counsel who can guide Mercy as we enter our third century of care. Jennifer's excellent leadership ability will contribute to Mercy's growth and collaboration efforts while shepherding Mercy through an increasingly complex regulatory environment. She will bolster our commitment to integrity, ethics and compliance." Brown most recently served as chief administrative officer and general counsel of Graphite Health, a nonprofit start-up founded by Kaiser Permanente, Intermountain Health, SSM Health and Presbyterian Healthcare Services, where she led a team overseeing legal, human resources, finance, policy and compliance. Prior to Graphite, Brown served as chief legal officer at Baylor Scott & White Health in Dallas, Texas, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she had oversight for the legal, risk and compliance departments. Brown also has previous Mercy experience, working as outside counsel in the early 2000s and later as Mercy's first in-house vice president of senior transaction counsel from 2011 to 2014. "My earlier work with Mercy played a transformational role in my life, and it's a tremendous privilege to return," said Brown. "I look forward to working collaboratively with teams across Mercy to meet the challenges and opportunities of today's ever-changing health care landscape in support of Mercy's vision." Brown, a Texas native, earned a bachelor's in political science and economics from Texas A&M University in College Station. She later earned her doctorate in jurisprudence from The University of Texas School of Law in Austin. Story continues With over 30 years of experience, Brown will focus on optimizing existing standards across Mercy to ensure local and regional compliance. As she transitions into her new role, she will work with Phil Wheeler, Mercy's current legal counsel lead who is retiring after 14 years of service. "Mercy has experienced significant growth and change during Phil's tenure," said Mackin. "We are thankful for his dedication and how his expertise helped shape our future, helped us operate at the highest compliant standard and safeguarded our interests." "Mercy has a remarkable history of caring for communities," said Brown. "I will strongly advocate for patient rights and health care for all. I believe in Mercy's heritage and mission and will work hard in supporting our reputation as a pillar of trust in the communities we serve." About Mercy Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation's largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children's, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 900 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 4,500 physicians and advanced practitioners and 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercy-names-new-chief-legal-officer-302101484.html SOURCE Mercy Allied Analytics LLP The growth in R&D activities in fields, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and microbiology, and the increased investment in research infrastructure are projected to drive the global microbial incubators markets growth during the forecast period. The North America region is predicted to witness prominent growth by 2032. Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research has recently published a report, titled, Microbial Incubators Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Type, By End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the global microbial incubators market generated $315.2 million in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $508.5 million by 2032, rising at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032. Prime Determinants of Growth The increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals and the growth in R&D activities in fields, such as microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are the factors expected to drive the growth of the global microbial incubators market in the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. However, the high cost of installation and the lack of awareness regarding microbial incubators may hamper the market growth in the coming future. On the contrary, the increasing emphasis on biopharmaceutical research and the growing investments research infrastructure are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the microbial incubators market during the forecast period. Request Sample of the Report on Microbial Incubators Market Forecast 2032: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A302860 Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $315.2 million Market Size in 2032 $508.5 million CAGR 5.2% No. of Pages in Report 310 Segments covered Type, End-user, and Region Drivers Growth in R&D activities in fields, such as microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals Growing demand for biopharmaceuticals Rising need for controlled environments for microbial studies Opportunities Increased investment in research infrastructure Growing emphasis on biopharmaceutical research Restraints High costs and lack of awareness Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A302860 Story continues Type: Capacity Below 200L Sub-segment to Witness Significant Growth by 2032 The capacity below 200L sub-segment accounted for the largest global microbial incubators market share of 42.4% in 2022 and is expected to hold major share by 2032. This is mainly because these microbial incubators cater to smaller laboratories, research organizations, and entrepreneurs, meeting their specific needs and requirements. With smaller capacities, these incubators are often more affordable compared to larger models, making them attractive to institutions with limited budgets. Additionally, compact equipment is preferred in facilities with limited space, such as academic research centers, small biotech companies, and point-of-care testing facilities. End-user: Hospitals Sub-segment to Flourish Immensely During the Forecast Period The hospitals sub-segment accounted for the largest market share of 38.6% in 2022 and dominate in terms of market share by 2032. The sub-segment is expected to rise at the highest CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. This dominance is majorly because hospitals often feature specialized microbiology laboratories where patient samples are cultivated and analyzed using microbial incubators. These incubation chambers play a vital role in pathogen identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and various diagnostic procedures, contributing to effective patient care and treatment. Additionally, hospitals conduct research to better understand and address infectious diseases, utilizing microbial incubators to provide optimal conditions for the growth and study of microorganisms associated with diverse infectious disorders. Region: North America Market to Hold Major Share by 2032 The microbial incubators market in the North America region accounted for the largest share of 33.0% in 2022 and is predicted to continue to maintain its dominance in terms of market share during the forecast period. This growth is mainly due to numerous biotechnology and life sciences companies and research institutions in the region. This is fostering significant investments in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, and academia. Additionally, government funding and grants for scientific research projects and academic initiatives further boost the purchasing power for laboratory equipment, including microbial incubators. Moreover, the trend towards laboratory automation presents opportunities for manufacturers to develop and market advanced microbial incubators with automated features, catering to the growing need for efficiency and productivity in research and diagnostic laboratories. For Procurement Information - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A302860 Leading Players in the Microbial Incubators Market: PHC Corporation Didac International Binder ESCO Eppendorf Corporate Sheldon Manufacturing, inc. Labstac Ltd Nuaire group ThermoFisher Inc. Boekel Scientific The report provides a detailed analysis of the key players of the global microbial incubators market. These players have adopted different strategies, such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain their dominance in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. 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Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Intl: +1-503-894-6022 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-855-550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on: LinkedIn Twitter They say the best things in life are free. But according to a woman on TikTok, thats simply not true. Heather, who goes by @heathersidehustleskeptic on TikTok, posted a viral video in September about how money would make her life a little better. Don't miss These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free) Things Ive given up since the cost of living has become outrageous, is how the mom of two begins her video. Among the items she now forgoes: olive oil and bread. Not exactly luxuries. In another video, Heather explains that she works full-time at a 9-5 job that shes been at for 12 years. Her husband has a full-time job, too, but they still dont make enough money to pay the mortgage and feed their family of four. Heather details a few areas of life where she has severely cut costs so that she can afford her life. Food Heather explains that, in place of olive oil and bread, she now buys the cheapest vegetable oil and has learned to bake bread. Hard to blame her given the extent to which the cost of food has increased in the past few years. Since 2020, grocery prices have increased by 25%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI). The price of a 750-milliliter bottle of Bertollis extra virgin olive oil increased from $9 in October 2022 to $11 in October 2023 a nearly 22% increase, according to New York Times reporting on data by IRI (now called Circana). The spike is due in part to a drought in Spain, the worlds largest olive oil producer. Story continues The cost of a loaf of bread hasnt gotten up as much but still saw a nearly 6% increase from February 2023 ($1.90) to February 2024 ($2.01), according to the CPI. Fun presents In the past, Heather says, she used to take her kids out on a Saturday and get them a toy just for fun. But now, thats no longer possible. Fun is something of a luxury item for many. Even at-home streaming subscriptions have become a splurge: Consumers spend an average of $219 per month on subscription services, whether that be Netflix or clothing delivery, according to a 2022 study by C+R Research. Read more: Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says But there is good news on this front: Reuters reported last year that the 2023 holiday season had some of the lowest toy prices in years. Do you have to cut everything? Heather has cut quite a few items out of her budget. Though thats a good saving technique, it does make life a little dull. Even Heather is frustrated with this austere way of living. Im broke and Im tired of it, she says in one of her other videos. Heather has been trying out various side hustles taking surveys and enrolling in cash-back programs to make a few extra bucks. Indeed, this is a good way to add more cash to your wallet so you can actually enjoy your olive oil or buy your kid a small toy on the weekend. Many side hustles can be done from home and fit around a full-time job, such as executive assistants, real estate investments or online tutoring What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / March 27, 2024 / Nexa Resources S.A. ("Nexa Resources" or "Nexa" or the "Company") (NYSE:NEXA) announces its 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources ("MRMR") relating to its operations and projects located in Peru and Brazil. Commenting on the MRMR update, Ignacio Rosado, CEO of Nexa Resources, said "Our mineral exploration program in 2023 was focused on identifying new mineralized zones in our operating mines including Aripuana, where significant results from the Babacu infill drilling program defined new Mineral Reserves, and increased Mineral Resources. As a major polymetallic mine operator and the 5th largest zinc producer worldwide, Nexa has a unique portfolio of operating mines with excellent exploration potential and a pipeline of greenfield exploration projects. In 2024, our mineral exploration program will remain focused on the replacement of Mineral Reserves and upgrading Mineral Resources through infill drilling campaigns." 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Highlights Mineral Reserves Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and infill drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Reserves due to changes in mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Reserve numbers refer to zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2023, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves estimates amounted to 110.4 million tonnes containing 4,031kt of zinc (at higher average zinc grade) compared with 100.6 million tonnes containing 3,540kt of zinc as of December 31, 2022. The increase was mainly driven by infill and brownfield drilling at Aripuana, partially offset by mining production depletion. Nexa's 2023 Year-End Mineral Reserves estimate also reflects changes in continuous refining of its geological modelling. Another addition to Mineral Reserves is the re-inclusion of the Atacocha Mineral Reserves from the underground and open pit mines, which were not included in 2022. Positive results from the Cerro Pasco Integration Project economic study carried out during 2023 support the declaration of Mineral Reserves. The Pasco Integration Project is designed to further integrate the Atacocha and El Porvenir mines to increase production and extend mine life by eliminating the main bottlenecks in each operation, increasing mill capacity, and opening up additional exploration potential including at the integration mineralized body. The net revision of -34kt of zinc was primarily due to the increase in cut-off at Aripuana (-140kt) balanced by stope layout and cut-off revisions at Cerro Lindo, and El Porvenir (106kt). The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Cerro Lindo Mine were estimated to total 41.15Mt at 1.49% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.55% Cu and 22.6 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, a 0.7% decrease from 41.43Mt at 1.57% Zn, 0.22% Pb, 0.59% Cu and 22.5 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2023, balanced by infill drilling in mine extensions (+23kt of zinc), and stope layout and cut-off revisions (+28kt of zinc). Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -5.98Mt containing 90kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Vazante Mine were estimated to total 11.33Mt at 9.62% Zn, 0.21% Pb, and 13.8 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, down 16% from 13.50Mt at 9.64% Zn, 0.27% Pb and 15.2 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was the result of mining production depletion during 2023, and geotechnical revision at Lumiadeira area (-28kt of contained zinc). Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -1.70Mt containing 184kt of zinc. In 2023, Nexa added 2.11Mt of Probable Mineral Reserves with 87kt of contained zinc from the Aroeira tailings deposit after a hydrogeological and environmental study. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the El Porvenir Mine were estimated to total 14.65Mt at 4.11% Zn, 1.20% Pb, 0.23% Cu and 72.9 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2023, a 5.5% decrease from 15.50Mt at 3.60% Zn, 1.07% Pb, 0.19% Cu and 66.0 g/t Ag as of December 31, 2022. The decrease is the balance result from mining depletion, and the addition of 106kt of contained zinc from stope layout and model revision. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -2.20Mt containing 62kt of zinc. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Atacocha (Underground) Mine were estimated to total 5.66Mt at 4.33% Zn, 1.34% Pb, 0.40% Cu, 79.8 g/t Ag, and 0.07g/t Au as of December 31, 2023. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine were estimated to total 4.38Mt at 0.99% Zn, 1.15% Pb, 34.9 g/t Ag, and 0.27g/t Au as of December 31, 2023. The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Aripuana Mine were estimated to total 31.07Mt at 4.35% Zn, 1.66% Pb, 0.15% Cu, 40.6 g/t Ag and 0.22 g/t Au as of December 31, 2023, a 3.2% increase from 30.12Mt at 3.42% Zn, 1.25% Pb, 0.17% Cu, 32.1 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au as of December 31, 2022. The Babacu infill drilling program carried out during 2023 provided new Probable Mineral Reserves of 9.10Mt at 5.56% Zn, 2.19% Pb, 0.11% Cu, 49.6 g/t Ag, and 0.14g/t Au as of December 31, 2023, totaling an increase of 506kt of contained zinc in the reserves. We reported a loss of -140kt of contained zinc due to an increase in cut-off impacting mostly low-grade ores. Mineral Reserve depletion during 2023 accounted for -1.56Mt containing 44kt of zinc. Story continues Mineral Resources Note: "Addition" refers to new tonnages from brownfield and greenfield drilling and "Revision" refers to changes in Mineral Resources due to changes in reclassification, mine design, changes in economic parameters, leading to a model review and update. Mineral Resource numbers refer to zinc mines and projects. As of December 31, 2023, Nexa estimated Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) were 3,259kt of contained zinc compared with 3,432kt as of December 31, 2022. The Addition and Revision accounted for a net decrease of -173kt of contained zinc mostly due to conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves at Aripuana after the Babacu infill drilling, and at the Atacocha (Underground) and Atacocha (Open Pit) Mines following the Pasco Integration Project study. At Vazante Aroeira tailings, a hydrogeologic and environmental study resulted in conversion of 108kt of contained zinc from Indicated Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. At the Atacocha (Underground) and Atacocha (Open Pit) Mines, the Pasco Integration Project accounted for a -175kt and -44kt reduction in contained zinc, respectively, after conversion to Mineral Reserves. As of December 31, 2023, Nexa estimated Inferred Mineral Resources of 6,897kt of contained zinc, compared with the total of 6,626kt at the end of 2022. The addition of 543kt of contained zinc was mostly incorporated through the Babacu drilling at Aripuana. The net revision reduction of -271kt of contained zinc is mostly due to model revisions and reclassification at Vazante and conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves at Babacu. Exploration Outlook Our exploration strategy for 2024 is aimed at focusing on Mineral Resource expansion through brownfield and infill drilling near operating mines and extension drilling on advanced projects. A total of 66,050 meters of drilling is planned for 2024, including 42,100 meters in Peru (63%) and 23,950 meters in Brazil (37%). At Cerro Lindo, we plan to drill a total of 23,100 meters including exploratory drilling at Patahuasi Millay, Pucasalla and its extensions, located in the northern side of the Cerro Lindo Mine and extension drilling at Orebodies 8B, 9, 5 and 6A, located southeast of the mine. At the Cerro Pasco Complex (El Porvenir and Atacocha), we plan to drill 8,500 meters divided between Pasco Integration Project targets to extend the mineralized hydrothermal breccia to upper levels of the deposit and at Don Lucho, VAM and Porvenir 9 targets. At the Hilarion and Florida Canyon Zinc projects, our focus will be to advance geological mapping and integration of geological data to define the exploration strategy for the years ahead. At Aripuana, the strategy will be to drill 9,000 meters to identify the mineralization in the Massaranduba target to validate the continuation of the deposit in the southeast side of the Aripuana Mine. At Vazante, we plan to carry out 12,350 meters of brownfield drilling, 7,050 to extend known orebodies such as Sucuri and Sucuri North and 5,300 meters of infill drilling at the BDMG Orebody to convert Inferred Mineral Resources into Indicated Mineral Resources. In Namibia, we plan to drill 3,000 meters of exploratory drilling to continue investigating copper mineralization in the Tsumeb trend. We expect to continue advancing our drilling campaigns and developing our pipeline of projects in regional areas with additional 13,100 meters of diamond drilling, prioritizing belts for exploratory drilling and Mineral Resource expansion to consolidate our Zinc and Copper portfolio with optimized investments between them. Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Tables MINERAL RESERVES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Reserves prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 1. Nexa Year-End Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines on a 100% basis NOTES TO MINERAL RESERVES TABLE The total amounts and content presented in Table 1 have not been adjusted to reflect our ownership interest. The information presented in this table includes 100% of the Mineral Reserve estimates for each property. Please refer to our ownership percentage for the amounts attributable to our ownership interest in each property. Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K definitions were followed for Mineral Reserves, which also are consistent with the CIM (2014) definitions. Mineral Reserves have an effective date as of December 31, 2023. The Qualified Person for the Mineral Reserves estimates for Cerro Lindo is Cristovao Teofilo dos Santos, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; for Vazante and Vazante Aroeira Tailings it is Vitor Marcos Teixeira de Aguilar, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; for Aripuana it is Vitor Ferraz Viana, B.Eng., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; and for El Porvenir, Atacocha (Underground) is Varun Bhundhoo, ing., a SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. employee, and for Atacocha (Open Pit) is Hugo Miranda, MBA, SME (RM), a SLR International Corporation employee. Cerro Lindo Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at an NSR break-even cut-off value of US$40.86/t processed. Some incremental material with values between US$32.99/t and US$40.86/t was included. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 88.36% for Zn, 85.23% for Cu, 66.53% for Pb, and 68.78% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 5.0 m was used. Dilution and extraction factors are applied based on stope type and location. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Vazante Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$66.31/t processed. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 87.19% for Zn, 23.93% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was applied. Vazante Aroeira Tailings: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$25.44/t processed. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Vazante Aroeira Tailings average head grades are 67.86% for Zn, 40.74% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum mining unit of 10 m x 10 m x 2 m was applied. El Porvenir Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at NSR cut-off grade values ranging from US$63.77/t to US$67.04/t for SLS areas and US$65.77/t to US$69.04/t for C&F areas depending on the zone. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.21% for Zn, 14.60% for Cu, 80.01% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. Minimum mining width of 5.0 m for C&F mining and 4.0 m for SLS mining were used for reserves shapes and development design and are reported inclusive of extraction losses and dilution. Atacocha (Underground) Mine: The Mineral Reserves were estimated at a NSR cut-off of US$69.00/t for SLS areas and US$71.07/t for C&F areas depending on the zone. A number of incremental material (with values between US$45.09/t and US$69.00/t for SLS and values between US$47.16/t and US$71.07/t for C&F mining were included in estimate. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); and silver: US$21.17/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.30% for Zn, 15.73% for Cu, 80.02% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. Minimum mining width of 5.0 m for C&F mining and 4.0 m for SLS mining were used for reserves shapes and development design and are reported inclusive of extraction losses and dilution. Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$16.21/t. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); silver: US$21.17/oz; and gold: US$1,630.93/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 70.44% for Zn, 83.97% for Pb, 75.76% for Ag and 65.46% for Au. Aripuana Mine: Mineral Reserves are estimated at a NSR break-even cut-off value of US$63.40/t processed was estimated from forecasted operating costs and some incremental material between US$49.20/t and US$63.40/t was included. Mineral Reserves estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,799.04/t (US$1.27/lb); copper: US$7,669.61/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,000.29/t (US$0.91/lb); silver: US$21.17/oz; and gold: US$1,630.93/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for NSR calculations based on metallurgical testworks and are variable as a function of head grade and ore type. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade for a Mix of 80% Stratabound and 20% Stringer material are 90.06% for Zn, 60.00% for Cu, 84.92% for Pb, 68.00% for Ag, and 67.80% for Au. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was applied. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The point of reference for Mineral Reserves in Table 1 is mill feed materials. MINERAL RESOURCES The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) in operating mines prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 2. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc operating mines on a 100% basis The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral Reserves) for our zinc exploration projects prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 3. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below) for Zinc projects on a 100% basis The following table shows our estimates of Mineral Resources for our copper project portfolio prepared with an effective date of December 31, 2023 (except as indicated below). Table 4. Nexa Year-End Mineral Resources for Copper projects on a 100% basis NOTES TO MINERAL RESOURCES TABLES The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resources estimate for Vazante, Vazante Aroeira Tailings, Morro Agudo and Aripuana is Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMM, a Nexa employee; and for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (Open Pit), Atacocha (Underground) and Hilarion, Florida Canyon Zinc and Magistral projects is Jerry Huaman Abalos, B.Geo., MAusIMM(CP), a Nexa employee. The tonnage and content amounts presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4, represents 100% of the Mineral Resources estimates for each property. Please refer to our ownership percentage for the amounts attributable to our ownership interest in each property. Mineral Resources have an effective date as of: (a) December 31, 2023, for Cerro Lindo, El Porvenir, Atacocha (Underground), Atacocha (Open Pit), Vazante, Morro Agudo and Aripuana Mines; (b) December 31, 2022, for the Hilarion project; (c) October 30, 2020, for the Florida Canyon Zinc project, and (d) December 31, 2021, for the Magistral project. Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K definitions were followed for Mineral Resources, which also are consistent with the CIM (2014) definitions. Cerro Lindo Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at an NSR cut-off value of US$40.86/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 88.36% for Zn, 85.23% for Cu, 66.53% for Pb, and 68.78% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used to create resource shapes. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Vazante Mine and Vazante Aroeira Tailings: Mineral Resources are estimated at various NSR cut-off values appropriate to the mineralization style and mining method. For Supergene Mineralization (Calamine) the resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$27.91/t for soil and US$32.92/t for fresh rock and transition material. For Aroeira Tailings the resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$29.06/t and for Hypogene Mineralization (Willemite) a cut-off value of US$66.31/t for all resources shapes. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average hypogene mineralization (Willemite) head grades are 87.19% for Zn, 23.93% for Pb, and 42.00% for Ag. Recovery at supergene mineralization is 55.00% for Zn. Recoveries for Aroeira Tailings are 67.86% for Zn, 40.74% for Pb and 42.00% for Ag. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m for underground SLS, open pit shell for Calamine and above original topography for tailings. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. El Porvenir Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at NSR cut-off grade values ranging from US$63.77/t to US$67.05/t for SLS areas and US$65.77/t to US$69.04 for C&F areas depending on the zone. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.21% for Zn, 14.60% for Cu, 80.01% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for C&F and a minimum mining width of 3.0 m was used for SLS resource stopes shapes respectively. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Atacocha (Underground) Mine: Mineral Resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$69.00/t for SLS, and US$71.07/t for C&F. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); and silver: US$24.35/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 89.30% for Zn, 15.73% for Cu, 80.02% for Pb, and 77.51% for Ag. A minimum mining width of 4.0 m was used for C&F and a minimum mining width of 3.0 m was used for SLS resource stopes shapes respectively. Density was assigned based on rock type. Atacocha (Open Pit) Mine: Mineral Resources are reported within optimized pit shell. Mineral Resources are estimated at a NSR cut-off value of US$22.44/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); silver: US$24.35/oz; and gold: US$1,875.57/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 70.44% for Zn, 83.97% for Pb, 75.76% for Ag, and 65.46% for Au. Mineral Resources are reported within open pit shell. Density was assigned based on rock type. Aripuana Mine: Mineral Resources reported using a cut-of value of US$63.40/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb); copper: US$8,820.05/t (US$3.48/lb); lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb); silver: US$24.35/oz; and gold: US$1,875.57/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at Life of Mine average head grade are 90.06% for Zn, 60.00% for Cu, 84.92% for Pb, 68.00% for Ag, and 67.80% for Au. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was used for stopes shapes. Bulk density varies depending on mineralization domain. Morro Agudo Mine: Mineral Resources are reported within underground mining shapes and the NSR cut-off values are calculated based on the life of mine costs for each mine. Morro Agudo: US$51.84/t and Bonsucesso: US$55.83/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,218.90/t (US$1.46/lb) and lead: US$2,300.33/t (US$1.04/lb). Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on historical processing data and are variable as a function of head grade. Recoveries at the LOM average head grades for Morro Agudo are 89.96% for Zn and 71.69% for Pb, and for Bonsucesso are 92.50% for Zn and 61.10% for Pb. A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was applied for Bonsucesso and 4.5 m for Morro Agudo underground. Density was assigned based on rock type. On March 19, 2024, Nexa announced the suspension of its mining operations at the Morro Agudo Mine effective May 1, 2024. Hilarion: Mineral Resources are reported within underground mining shapes. The NSR cut-off is calculated based on the LOM costs: US$45.00/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$3,245.91/t (US$1.47/lb); lead: US$2,332.46/t (US$1.06/lb); and silver: US$22.66/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are based on historical processing data: zinc (90.0%), lead (86.0%), and silver (72.0%). A minimum thickness of 4.0 m was used for stopes shapes. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. Florida Canyon Zinc: Mineral Resources are reported using a cut-off values of US$41.40/t NSR for SLS, US$42.93/t for C&F and US$40.61/t for Room & Pillar mine areas. The NSR cut-off is calculated based on the LOM costs: US$45.00/t. Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices of: zinc: US$2,816.00/t (US$1.27/lb); lead: US$2,196/t (US$1.00/lb); and silver: US$19.4/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are based on historical processing data: zinc (90.0%), lead (86.0%), and silver (72.0%). A minimum thickness of 3.0 m was used for sub-level stopes and Cut and Fill, and 4.0 m for Room and Pillars. Bulk density was assigned based on rock type. Magistral: Mineral Resources are reported using NSR cut-off value: US$5.99/t (Porf. San Ernesto, Porf. Sara and Porf. H), US$5.51/t (Mixto), US$5.48/t (Skarn). Mineral Resources estimates are based on average long-term metal prices for the NSR calculations are: Resources Pit: copper: US$8,272.00/t (US$3.75/lb); molybdenum: US$21,829.00/t (US$9.90/lb); and silver: US$21.34/oz. Reserves Pit: copper: US$7,302.4/t (US$3.26/lb); molybdenum: US$19,286.4/t (US$8.61/lb); and silver: US$18.56/oz. Metallurgical recoveries are accounted for in NSR calculations based on metallurgical data and vary from 79.3% in skarn to 92.5% in San Ernesto porphyry for copper, 51.3% in skarn and 79.2% in San Ernesto porphyry for molybdenum, and 70% for Ag. Bulk densities ranging from 2.59 t/m3 to 3.30 t/m3 depending on the rock type. Numbers may not add due to rounding. The estimation of Mineral Resources involves assumptions about future commodity prices and technical mining matters. Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources that were converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There are no Mineral Reserves at Morro Agudo, and at the Hilarion, Florida Canyon Zinc and Magistral projects. The point of reference for Mineral Resources in Tables 2, 3 and 4 is mill feed materials. Technical Information Jose Antonio Lopes, B.Geo., FAusIMM: 224829, a Mineral Resources manager, a Qualified Person for purposes of NI 43-101 and a Nexa employee, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Further information, including key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources of the mines and/or projects referenced in the tables above can be found in the applicable technical reports, each of which is available at www.sedarplus.ca under Nexa's SEDAR profile. About Nexa Nexa is a large-scale, low-cost integrated zinc producer with over 65 years of experience developing and operating mining and smelting assets in Latin America. Nexa currently owns and operates five long-life mines - three located in the Central Andes of Peru and two located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil - and it is ramping up Aripuana, its sixth mine in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Nexa also currently owns and operates three smelters, two located in Minas Gerais, Brazil and one in Peru, Cajamarquilla, which is the largest smelter in the Americas. Nexa was among the top five producers of mined zinc globally in 2023 and one of the top five metallic zinc producers worldwide in 2023, according to Wood Mackenzie. Cautionary Statement on Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates of the Company disclosed or referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014 ("2014 CIM Definition Standards"), whose definitions are incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), for the metals indicated per mine and project. Accordingly, such information may not be comparable to similar information prepared in accordance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). For a discussion of the differences between the requirements under S-K 1300 and NI 43-101, please see our annual report on Form 20-F. Mineral Reserve: is an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project. More specifically, it is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource, which includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined or extracted. Probable Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a measured mineral resource. Proven Mineral Reserve: is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource and can only result from conversion of a measured mineral resource. Mineral Resource: is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. A mineral resource is a reasonable estimate of mineralization, taking into account relevant factors such as cut-off grade, likely mining dimensions, location or continuity, that, with the assumed and justifiable technical and economic conditions, is likely to, in whole or in part, become economically extractable. Inferred Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an inferred mineral resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Indicated Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an indicated mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Measured Mineral Resource: is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a measured mineral resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors, as defined in this section, in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to in this news release as "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "will," "may," "may have," "would," "estimate," "continues," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "expects," "budget," "scheduled," "forecasts" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of NEXA to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, many of which are not under our control, among them, the activities of our competition, the future global economic situation, weather conditions, market prices and conditions, exchange rates, and operational and financial risks. The unexpected occurrence of one or more of the abovementioned events may significantly change the results of our operations on which we have based our estimates and forward-looking statements. Our estimates and forward-looking statements may also be influenced by, among others, legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of our projects, including risks related to outbreaks of contagious diseases or health crises impacting overall economic activity regionally or globally. These forward-looking statements related to future events or future performance and include current estimates, predictions, forecasts, beliefs and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, but not limited to, the business and operations of the Company and mining production our growth strategy, the impact of applicable laws and regulations, future zinc and other metal prices, smelting sales, CAPEX, expenses related to exploration and project evaluation, estimation of mineral reserves and/or mineral resources, mine life and our financial liquidity. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable and appropriate by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Statements concerning future production costs or volumes are based on numerous assumptions of management regarding operating matters and on assumptions that demand for products develops as anticipated, that customers and other counterparties perform their contractual obligations, full integration of mining and smelting operations, that operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by issues such as mechanical failure, unavailability of parts and supplies, labor disturbances, interruption in transportation or utilities, adverse weather conditions, and other COVID-19 related impacts, and that there are no material unanticipated variations in metal prices, exchange rates, or the cost of energy, supplies or transportation, among other assumptions. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required under securities laws. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance, as actual results or developments may be substantially different from the expectations described in the forward-looking statements. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business can be found in our public disclosures filed under our profile on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Team ir@nexaresources.com SOURCE: Nexa Resources S.A. View the original press release on accesswire.com BALTIMORE Data capturing the moments before the container ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been secured by the National Transportation Safety Board and is being analyzed by the federal agencys lab, officials confirmed Wednesday. Large ships are required by international regulations to carry voyage data recorders that, similar to the black box found on aircraft, help investigators piece together key decisions and actions. If the equipment works properly and the data can be verified, it can provide information that serves as a road map of what the ship and its crew were doing in the lead-up to, and during, a casualty event, said Lawrence Brennan, an adjunct professor with Fordham University School of Law who teaches a maritime law course. The bridge collapsed early Tuesday. Six members of a crew repairing potholes on its deck fell into the Patapsco River; two bodies were found as of Wednesday evening. The other workers are presumed dead. Officials said they believed the other bodies were trapped beneath the wreckage of the bridge, and that the debris would have to be removed before they could be recovered. Representatives for the NTSB did not respond to an inquiry from The Baltimore Sun about the condition of the Dalis voyage data recorder and whether it properly captured information. The NTSBs chair, Jennifer Homendy, said Tuesday the recorder would be critical to the investigation. Data items captured by recorders can include the ships position, speed, direction, the audio in work stations, communications audio, radar, the depth of the water underneath vessels, the alarms going off, wind speed and an electronic logbook. In this case, it could provide details about conversations between the pilot and crew members, the ships movement and, potentially, a mayday signal that officials say helped prevent more casualties on the Key Bridge by giving police time to close the bridge to drivers. The local pilot was on board to guide the ship through the harbor. Story continues You know what the watch commander or the captain told the chief engineer, Thomas Roth-Roffy, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed chief engineer who worked for 18 years as an NTSB investigator, said of such recordings. Not only can the voyage data recorder help investigators retrace the ships path and determine how the crew responded when things went awry, it allows the NTSB to recreate whats visible on the ships radar, Roth-Roffy said. It actually does screen captures every 30 seconds or a minute. The data will likely serve as a first step for investigators probing for the reasons why the cargo ship ran into one of the Key Bridges support columns causing the bridge to crumble into the Patapsco River and whether there was anything defective about the nearly 50-year-old span. Thats the primary purpose: Why did the casualty happen? Brennan said. Does it range from human error I doubt it. Is there a mechanical failure? Probably. Are there contributing causes? Is there a failure to respond on the part of the captain or whoever was on the bridge? What could they have done to avoid that? Homendy said Wednesday morning that a few folks had boarded the vessel Tuesday night and that it was likely NTSB crews would board it again Wednesday. She said the agencys focus Wednesday would be getting on board the vessel, getting the electronic logs or any sort of electronics components that we need to get. The crews would be seeking perishable evidence that would no longer be available when the ship and wreckage was cleared from the waters. The focus is: What do we need for our investigation, whether its from the vessel or from the highway, from the bridge structure? Identifying those, securing those, before we do any analysis, Homendy said. NTSB investigations often take a year or more. Final reports detail the accident and provide an agency analysis and conclusions, along with the probable cause of the event and related safety recommendations. Homendy said at a Tuesday news conference that investigators could consider whether the bridge should have had additional protective structures and the contents of previous bridge inspections. That examination of past safety deficiencies is a meticulous process that could take time, she said. She also said she was in touch with her counterpart in Singapore, as the Dali was flagged in that Southeast Asian city-state. She indicated the agency would also be working on a list of who investigators hope to interview, both on the vessel and in the immediate vicinity. On that list is likely the ships entire crew, said Roth-Roffy. Also on board were the pilot and an apprentice who accompanied them. From those interviews, investigators hope to gain a better understanding of how the vessel was functioning. Given that crews come and go, the NTSB will also examine its inspection history as far back as they can go, to see if there are any patterns with mechanical failures. Built in 2015, the 984-foot Dali was cited for deficiencies with its propulsion and auxiliary machinery during a June 2023 inspection at the Port of San Antonio in Chile, according to the Electronic Quality Shipping Information System, a shipping information website. An inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard in September reported no deficiencies, according to the data compiled by Equasis. The Dalis predominantly Indian crew remains aboard and has been cooperating with what we need, Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier of the Coast Guard said during a White House press briefing Wednesday about bridge collapse. Theyre still there and very much engaged in the dialogue and investigation. In addition to alcohol and drug testing for everyone aboard at the time of an incident, investigators require crew members to document their work and rest history for the previous 72 hours, Roth-Roffy said. Fatigue is a huge issue in a lot of investigations, he said. Roth-Roffy said crew conversation as a situation devolves into an emergency can be telling to investigators of mariners level of training and adherence to required safety management protocols. When you lose a main engine or lose a generator, a lot of the equipment will come on automatically, but some of it may not, he said. And you have to be able to quickly identify what you need to get that generator started again or get that main engine started again. A local pilot was at the helm of the Dali when it appeared to lose power early Tuesday, causing the ships steering and propulsion system to fail, said Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association. The pilot did everything he could by contacting authorities and steering the ships rudder to the left once its backup generators kicked in, though the ships engines were still inoperable, he said. The ship also dropped anchor. Diamond credited those maneuvers with giving authorities the extra time to shut down bridge traffic. At a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath of the Coast Guard said his agency was not made aware of any engine problems while the Dali was in the port. We were informed that they were going to conduct routine engine maintenance on it while it was in port and thats the only thing we were informed about the vessel in that regard, Gilreath told reporters. In past cases, the voyage data recorder provided key details. When the cargo vessel El Faro sank in 2015 near the Bahamas after sailing into the path of Hurricane Joaquin, investigators went to great lengths to find the wreckage and retrieve its voyage data recorder. It was pulled from more than 15,000 feet below sea level on the third attempt. That effort resulted in a lengthy transcript of more than 500 pages. The chilling account includes a narration of the captain deciding to ring the general alarm to wake everyone up, saying, Were definitely not in good shape right now. Shortly after, a chief mate investigated the situation on one deck and reported water was chest deep. Three minutes after the alarm bell rang, the captain said, Bow is down, bow is down. Roughly 10 minutes later, someone called out Im gone or Im a goner. The captain yelled, No, youre not. The audio recording ended less than a minute later. An earlier NTSB investigation into the Delta Mariner striking the Eggners Ferry Bridge in Kentucky in 2012 relied on a simplified voyage data recorder onboard. It captured audio from the pilothouse, as well as location, speed, rate of turn and depth. The report found that 15 minutes before the impact, someone called out that the vessel was approaching a bridge. It quoted the contract pilot discussing the position of lights on the bridge saying Im thinking the red looks higher, then moments later asking, It is, aint it? The transcripted reported that less than a minute later, he said: Oh (expletive). _______ (Baltimore Sun reporters Dan Belson and Sam Janesch contributed to this article.) _____ It was a week when both oil and natural gas prices recorded marginal gains. The headlines revolved around energy biggie ExxonMobils XOM latest discovery in Guyanas Stabroek block and oilfield service provider Dril-Quips DRQ combination with Innovex Downhole Solutions. Developments associated with Shell SHEL, Galp Energia GLPEY and Chevron CVX also grabbed attention. Overall, it was a slightly bullish seven-day period for the sector. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures edged up around 0.1% to close at $80.63 per barrel, while natural gas prices inched higher by 0.2% to end at $1.66 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). The crude price action remained positive for the second week running, primarily on the back of tensions in the oil-rich Middle East, which was offset by a lower-than-expected decrease in U.S. inventories. Meanwhile, natural gas settled with its second gain in the last eight weeks on signs of production pullback. Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories 1. American energy major ExxonMobil has made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing a significant oil and gas discovery in the prolific Stabroek block offshore Guyana. The new find, dubbed Bluefin, marks the company's first announced discovery in the South American country for 2024, promising to further boost its oil production capabilities. Located in the southeastern part of the Stabroek block, the Bluefin well was drilled in 4,244 feet of water by the Stena Drillmax drillship. It encountered approximately 197 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone, signaling a substantial addition to ExxonMobils resources in the area. However, the company has not yet estimated the recoverable reserves from this particular discovery. The Stabroek block, spanning an impressive 6.6 million acres, has been a hotspot for ExxonMobil since its major discovery there in 2015. This area is reported to contain more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas, making it a key asset in the company's portfolio. The Bluefin discovery adds to the more than 30 finds since 2015 in the Stabroek block. (ExxonMobil Announces Bluefin Oil Discovery in Guyana) 2. Dril-Quip and Innovex Downhole Solutions, Inc. have announced a definitive agreement to merge, creating a unique and innovative energy platform. The all-stock transaction, disclosed in a recent press release, positions the combined entity as a frontrunner in innovation, boasting an expanded scale, diverse product portfolio and an extensive geographic footprint. Dril-Quip, renowned for its expertise in developing, manufacturing and providing highly engineered equipment and services for the global offshore and onshore oil and gas sector, will join forces with Innovex, a global leader in providing mission-critical technologies and services across the entire well lifecycle. The merger is anticipated to yield a resilient earnings profile capable of driving value even through industry cycles. Upon completion, Dril-Quip shareholders are expected to hold approximately 52% ownership of the combined company, with Innovex shareholders owning the remaining 48% on a fully diluted basis. (Dril-Quip & Innovex Forge Industry-Leading Merger) 3. Shell, a global energy company headquartered in London, recently announced its ambitious plan to divest approximately 500 retail sites annually over the next two years. This strategic move comes as a response to the escalating demand for electric vehicle (EV) chargers, reflecting the company's commitment to adapting to evolving consumer needs and transitioning toward sustainable energy solutions. In its latest energy transition strategy, Shell emphasizes the importance of upgrading its retail network to cater to the rising demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company acknowledges the shifting landscape of the energy sector and aims to align its operations with the growing popularity of electric vehicles. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. As the EV charging business continues to grow, Shell anticipates a favorable internal rate of return of 12% or higher. This projection underscores the company's confidence in the profitability of investing in electric vehicle infrastructure and reflects its long-term commitment to sustainable energy solutions. (Shell Plans to Divest Retail Sites to EV Charging) 4 Portugal-based energy company Galp Energia, along with its partners National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and Custos Energy, discovered oil in the Mopane 2X well. The Mopane 2X well has reached its designated depth in the petroleum exploration license (PEL) 83. The Mopane 2X well, drilled in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia, has successfully discovered a substantial column with light oil within reservoirs of excellent quality. The drilling operation included the AVO-3 exploration target, the AVO-1 appraisal target and another deeper target, which were thoroughly cored and logged. In particular, the AVO-1 appraisal target has confirmed the same pressure regime that was found in the Mopane 1X discovery well, located approximately 8 kilometers to the east. The discovery confirms the lateral extension of the well. Following the completion of drilling activities, the rig will return to the location of the Mopane 1X well to conduct a drill stem test (DST) until early April. The acquired data will be analyzed by Galp Energia in the following week to evaluate the commercial viability of the discoveries. (Galp Energia Discovers Oil in Namibia's Orange Basin). 5. Chevron, one of the largest oil companies in the world, agreed to pay more than $13 million in fines for a series of oil spills that occurred in California. This penalty reflects the California Department of Conservation's commitment to environmental protection and holds oil companies accountable for their actions. One of the most significant fines imposed on Chevron is associated with a devastating oil spill in Kern County in 2019. The spill, which dumped over 800,000 gallons (3 million liters) of oil and water into a canyon, shook the core of the state's oil industry. While Chevron has already undertaken the cleanup efforts for this spill, it now faces a $5.6-million fine, marking a substantial punitive measure. In addition to the Kern County incident, Chevron has agreed to pay a $7.5-million fine for more than 70 smaller spills that occurred between 2018 and 2023. These spills collectively resulted in the release of over 446,000 gallons (1.6 million liters) of oil and significant environmental damage. (Chevron to Pay Settlement Worth $13M for Oil Spills). Story continues Price Performance The following table shows the price movement of some major oil and gas players over the past week and during the last six months. Company Last Week Last 6 Months XOM +2% -2.3% CVX -0.6% -7.5% COP +2.5% +4.9% OXY +1.9% +0.3% SLB +2.1% -8.6% RIG +2.9% -27.3% VLO +3.6% +18.1% MPC +3.3% +30.7% With both oil and gas moving up for the week, stocks were mostly positive. The Energy Select Sector SPDR a popular way to track energy companies rose 1.7% last week. But over the past six months, the sector tracker has increased 2.9%. Whats Next in the Energy World? As usual, market participants will closely track the regular releases to look for guidance on the direction of the commodities. In this context, the U.S. governments statistics on oil and natural gas one of the few solid indicators that come out regularly will be on energy traders' radar. As a matter of fact, fuel demand and the rate of stock drawdowns in the coming weeks will determine the trend in commodity prices. Data on rig count from the oilfield service firm Baker Hughes, which is a pointer to the trends in U.S. crude/natural gas production, is closely followed, too. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dril-Quip, Inc. (DRQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Galp Energia SGPS SA (GLPEY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Shell PLC Unsponsored ADR (SHEL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM) Misses Q4 Revenue Estimates, Stock Drops Fashion conglomerate Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM) fell short of analysts' expectations in Q4 CY2023, with revenue up 5.7% year on year to $404.4 million. Next quarter's revenue guidance of $405 million also underwhelmed, coming in 2.1% below analysts' estimates. It made a non-GAAP profit of $1.90 per share, down from its profit of $2.28 per share in the same quarter last year. Is now the time to buy Oxford Industries? Find out by accessing our full research report, it's free. Oxford Industries (OXM) Q4 CY2023 Highlights: Revenue: $404.4 million vs analyst estimates of $408.3 million (0.9% miss) EPS (non-GAAP): $1.90 vs analyst expectations of $1.95 (2.4% miss) Revenue Guidance for Q1 CY2024 is $405 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $413.9 million EPS (non-GAAP) Guidance for Q1 CY2024 is $2.70 at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $3.48 Management's revenue guidance for the upcoming financial year 2024 is $1.65 billion at the midpoint, beating analyst estimates by 2.1% and implying 5% growth (vs 11.2% in FY2023) Gross Margin (GAAP): 60.9%, up from 59.4% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow of $117.4 million is up from -$6.19 million in the previous quarter Market Capitalization: $1.76 billion Tom Chubb, Chairman and CEO, commented, Fiscal 2023 was highlighted by the second strongest earnings year in our 82-year history and concluded a five-year period during which we delivered compound annual adjusted EPS growth exceeding 18 percent. This strong performance included generating $244 million in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2023, allowing us to invest in both organic growth and acquisitions, return capital to our shareholders via our quarterly dividend and opportunistic share repurchases, and pay down almost all our outstanding debt. The parent company of Tommy Bahama, Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM) is a lifestyle fashion conglomerate with brands that embody outdoor happiness. Story continues Apparel, Accessories and Luxury Goods Within apparel and accessories, not only do styles change more frequently today than decades past as fads travel through social media and the internet but consumers are also shifting the way they buy their goods, favoring omnichannel and e-commerce experiences. Some apparel, accessories, and luxury goods companies have made concerted efforts to adapt while those who are slower to move may fall behind. Sales Growth A company's long-term performance can indicate its business quality. Any business can enjoy short-lived success, but best-in-class ones sustain growth over many years. Oxford Industries's annualized revenue growth rate of 7.2% over the last five years was weak for a consumer discretionary business. Oxford Industries Total Revenue Within consumer discretionary, product cycles are short and revenue can be hit-driven due to rapidly changing trends. That's why we also follow short-term performance. Oxford Industries's annualized revenue growth of 17.3% over the last two years is above its five-year trend, suggesting some bright spots. This quarter, Oxford Industries's revenue grew 5.7% year on year to $404.4 million, missing Wall Street's estimates. The company is guiding for a 3.6% year-on-year revenue decline next quarter to $405 million, a reversal from the 19.1% year-on-year increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Looking ahead, Wall Street expects sales to grow 1.7% over the next 12 months, a deceleration from this quarter. Todays young investors likely havent read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next. Cash Is King Although earnings are undoubtedly valuable for assessing company performance, we believe cash is king because you can't use accounting profits to pay the bills. Over the last two years, Oxford Industries has shown decent cash profitability, giving it some reinvestment opportunities. The company's free cash flow margin has averaged 10.4%, slightly better than the broader consumer discretionary sector. Oxford Industries Free Cash Flow Margin Oxford Industries's free cash flow came in at $117.4 million in Q4, equivalent to a 29% margin and up 369% year on year. Key Takeaways from Oxford Industries's Q4 Results Revenue and EPS missed this quarter. The company's earnings guidance for next quarter fell short of Wall Street's estimates. Overall, this was a weaker quarter for Oxford Industries. The company is down 6.6% on the results and currently trades at $105 per share. Oxford Industries may have had a tough quarter, but does that actually create an opportunity to invest right now? When making that decision, it's important to consider its valuation, business qualities, as well as what has happened in the latest quarter. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free. Perenco Still Searching for Missing Person After Platform Incident This article was first published on Rigzone here In a statement posted on Perencos website on Wednesday, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon revealed that the search for a missing person is ongoing following an incident that occurred at the Becuna platform off the coast of Gabon. The search for the missing person is still actively underway, with new land-based resources covering more than 90km of coastline, in addition to the air and sea resources already mobilized, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon said in the statement. In a statement posted on Perencos site on March 20, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon announced that an incident involving fire had occurred at the Becuna platform. The incident took place that day at approximately 15.25 Gabon time, according to that statement, which revealed that initial reports indicated two persons had been injured and five were missing. Both injured persons have been evacuated to shore. The area has been secured, the fire has been placed under control and all personnel on the platform who were not injured have been moved to a safe location, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon said in its March 20 statement. Perenco has activated its emergency response procedure and is working closely with the emergency services and the relevant authorities, it added. In a follow up statement posted on Perencos site on March 21, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon said the fire had been extinguished and the site had been safely secured. It confirmed, however, that there had been five fatalities and that one person was still missing. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we are focused on supporting them at this time. Emergency teams continue to be deployed on site and to search for the missing person, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon said in its March 21 statement. In its latest statement, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon revealed that international experts had arrived in Port-Gentil on Monday evening to assist with the process of identifying those who tragically died in the incident. The experts are now working in close collaboration with the authorities in charge of the investigation, the company highlighted. Story continues Take control of your future. Search THOUSANDS of Oil & Gas jobs on Rigzone.com Search Now >> In collaboration with the company Spie Oil & Gas Gabon, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon is coordinating assistance to the families of the victims during this painful period with the support of the UPEGA (Union Petroliere Gabonaise) representing the entire oil sector in Gabon, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon noted in its March 27 statement. Given the technical complexity of the incident, Perenco Oil & Gas Gabon is mobilizing independent experts specializing in the analysis of similar events. The aim of this process is to determine the precise causes, circumstances, and reasons, as yet undetermined, that led to this situation, it added. The safety of staff working on our sites is our absolute priority. We will do everything in our power to establish the cause of this accident, in collaboration with the Gabonese authorities, and take the necessary measures to ensure that it never happens again, the company continued. Rigzone asked a Perenco spokesperson on March 26 if there was an update on the person that is still missing, about the cause of the incident, and if production was affected. The spokesperson responded with Perenco Oil & Gas Gabons March 27 statement on the incident without elaborating further. Perenco describes itself on its website as a leading international independent hydrocarbon company. The business employs almost 7,500 people in total and produces from several countries, including Gabon, the UK, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, and Vietnam, its site shows. Perencos Gabon production in 2023 totaled 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, according to its site. To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com More From Rigzone.com, The Leading Energy Platform: >> Find the latest oil and gas jobs on Rigzone.com << The median price for houses in San Juan, Puerto Rico is nearly $1 million. Oscar Gutierrez/Getty Images Puerto Rico is becoming a popular destination for mainland Americans seeking tax breaks. However, an influx of wealth is driving up housing costs. Young Puerto Rican professionals are being forced to seek opportunities abroad. Finding good jobs and affordable housing is often a challenge for young Americans living in the 50 states, and that issue is stretching to Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is becoming an increasingly popular destination for mainland Americans looking to relocate for tax purposes without giving up their US citizenship. But for many Puerto Ricans, the economic boost that could come from the influx of businesses and wealthy foreigners is contributing to rising housing costs and a lack of professional job opportunities, said Anna, a millennial who grew up on the island and recently relocated to Europe for a software engineering career. "When people mention how this is helping, they talk about creation of jobs in the service industry, cleaning Airbnbs, day care for kids," said Anna, whose identity is known to Business Insider but has been withheld due to the political sensitivity of the topic in Puerto Rico. "On the other hand, many young professionals leave the island due to the lack of job prospects, decent salaries, and job conditions." She pointed to the $18.3 million hotel purchased by crypto millionaire Brock Pierce in 2022 as an example of a wealthy mainlander investing in the island. While the hotel will create jobs, Anna worries that most would be low-paying jobs and won't help young professionals seeking careers. The beauty of Puerto Rico, combined with tax incentives, lures wealthy Americans to the island. Maridav/Getty Images Between 2021 and 2022, about 27,000 individuals moved from the US mainland to Puerto Rico, according to data collected by the US Census Bureau . Many of those people are lured, at least in part, by Act 60, which provides financial incentives to entice Americans to move to Puerto Rico . If you qualify for an Act 60 decree, it includes a 4% income tax rate, a 75% discount on property tax, and no tax on capital gains accrued while on the island. Story continues To help ensure that those taking advantage of the tax breaks are contributing to the local economy, a person must give $10,000 annually to specific Puerto Rico-based charities and purchase a residence on the island within two years of relocating. Young people like Anna aren't so sure that's enough. The cost of housing is out of reach for most Puerto Ricans "Most Puerto Ricans complain about how it's getting more difficult to buy property, that rents are going up," Anna said. "Family homes that would typically cost about $200,000 or less in years past are easily over $300,000 now." In 2021, the cost of living in Puerto Rico rose by 7%, the largest jump seen in 40 years. Meanwhile, in the past five years, the prices for single-family homes on the island have jumped 28%, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. According to data from Realtor.com, the median home price in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in February was $950,000, up 37% in the past year. Even in Aguas Buenas, a town 40 minutes south of San Juan that Anna described as formerly "rural and in the middle of nowhere," the median house price was over $300,000 in 2023. These prices are out of reach for most Puerto Ricans, where the median income is $24,000, and 42% of the population is living in poverty. Act 60 is also drawing real estate investors to Puerto Rico, which compounds the problem of housing costs. In February 2023, Adrian Gonzalez Costa, a former candidate for San Juan mayor and representative for the Puerto Rican Independence Party, announced that foreign investors had recently purchased nine buildings in the Rio Piedras section of San Juan. In at least one of those buildings, residents received notice that their rent would increase by $300 monthly. After Hurricane Maria, investors were drawn to the island looking for cheap housing. AFP Contributor/Getty Images The surge in Airbnbs is also pushing prices up Anna also noted that there has been a surge of new Airbnbs created on the island. According to the San Juan Daily Star, these short-term rentals further limit housing supply and have been blamed for pushing prices up. While new regulations governing these units in San Juan were passed in 2023, there is still no limit on the number of short-term rentals in the city. According to the Associated Press, there are now 25,000 short-term rentals in Puerto Rico, up from 1,000 in 2014. The AP also noted that the increase was partly spurred by Hurricane Maria, which devasted the island in 2017. Many investors took advantage of the cheap housing available as Puerto Ricans fled the island for the mainland. Despite these hurdles, Anna is still hopeful that she can return to Puerto Rico someday and buy a home. "Many young people such as myself simply leave the island since this option is easier to be able to live independently," she said. "I want to move back and buy a decent home someday; I think I will eventually be able to, but it will be difficult, and I know I am lucky and privileged to be in my position." In the meantime, she feels the problem will continue to grow until there is more investment in local businesses and job opportunities in professional fields. "I want to see more job opportunities in diverse fields, such as medical, engineering, and education," she said. "People should feel like they can study whatever they want and find a dignified job opportunity on the island." Read the original article on Business Insider Key Insights Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)'s significant private companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public 53% of the company is held by a single shareholder (Quan Min Holdings Pte Ltd.) Using data from analyst forecasts alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company If you want to know who really controls Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited (SGX:QC7), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 56% stake, private companies possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. And individual investors on the other hand have a 31% ownership in the company. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Q & M Dental Group (Singapore). Check out our latest analysis for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Q & M Dental Group (Singapore)? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. Since institutions own only a small portion of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore), many may not have spent much time considering the stock. But it's clear that some have; and they liked it enough to buy in. If the business gets stronger from here, we could see a situation where more institutions are keen to buy. When multiple institutional investors want to buy shares, we often see a rising share price. The past revenue trajectory (shown below) can be an indication of future growth, but there are no guarantees. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Q & M Dental Group (Singapore). Quan Min Holdings Pte Ltd. is currently the largest shareholder, with 53% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.8% and 1.8% of the stock. Furthermore, CEO Chin-Siau Ng is the owner of 0.6% of the company's shares. Story continues While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. 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. We can see that insiders own shares in Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) Limited. It has a market capitalization of just S$232m, and insiders have S$12m worth of shares, in their own names. This shows at least some alignment, but we usually like to see larger insider holdings. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 31% stake in Q & M Dental Group (Singapore). This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Private Equity Ownership Private equity firms hold a 6.8% stake in Q & M Dental Group (Singapore). This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Private Company Ownership We can see that Private Companies own 56%, of the shares on issue. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Q & M Dental Group (Singapore) you should be aware of. Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. By buying an index fund, investors can approximate the average market return. But if you choose individual stocks with prowess, you can make superior returns. For example, the Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA) share price is up 53% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 19% (not including dividends). After a strong gain in the past week, it's worth seeing if longer term returns have been driven by improving fundamentals. View our latest analysis for Reinsurance Group of America There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. Reinsurance Group of America was able to grow its EPS at 29% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. The average annual share price increase of 15% is actually lower than the EPS growth. Therefore, it seems the market has moderated its expectations for growth, somewhat. You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. This free interactive report on Reinsurance Group of America's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Reinsurance Group of America, it has a TSR of 64% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Reinsurance Group of America shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 48% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 9% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Reinsurance Group of America better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Reinsurance Group of America that you should be aware of before investing here. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Robert Kiyosaki, author of the best-selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad,' is known for having views that challenge the status quo. In a discussion posted on his Rich Dad Channel in March, Kiyosaki teams up with Prager Universitys Aldo Buttazzoni to discuss the changing job market, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the importance of financial education. Kiyosaki shines a light on the disruptive potential of AI, saying, AI is going to replace anybody ... if youre purely a knowledge worker, youre not worth anything. Don't Miss: Are you rich? Heres what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you. He argues that the current educational system, focused on churning out knowledge workers with bachelors degrees and MBAs, may not prepare graduates for the future. Taking this argument a step further, Kiyosaki said, "I think today the best businesses are not college graduates but being an electrician or a plumber, you know, something you can work with your hands and your mind together. But if youre purely what they call a knowledge worker, you graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree or an MBA, youre not worth anything, and its only going to get worse." He urges parents to rethink the educational and career guidance they provide their children, prioritizing adaptability and skills that AI cannot easily replace. Delving deeper, he expressed concern about the broader economic challenges facing the global economy, particularly the escalating levels of debt, which he labels "criminal." The world is going to get tougher with the debt coming on at high speed," he said. "I think were not going to bypass a recession; theres a good possibility of a depression. Such an economic downturn could exacerbate the issue of underprepared graduates, highlighting the urgency for a skills-based educational approach. Story continues An observation made during the conversation is the correlation between homeschooling and entrepreneurial success. Buttazzoni suggested that a more liberated educational environment, such as homeschooling, may foster critical thinking and independence, traits vital for entrepreneurship. Critics might note that Kiyosaki has long been sounding the alarm about potential government collapse and, as a billionaire, promotes leveraging debt in ways that might not be feasible for the average person. Whether you fully align with his perspective, the principle of being financially prepared for eventualities like a recession remains sound advice. Ensuring youre equipped to handle economic downturns can offer peace of mind and stability in uncertain times. Read Next: How to turn a $100,000 investment into $1 Million and retire a millionaire. Can living off interest from a $1 million investment support my retirement dreams? "ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now! Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author Kiyosaki Says College Graduates With An MBA 'Aren't Worth Anything' Better To Be An Electrician Or Plumber originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sam Bankman-Fried got 25 years for his role in overseeing a multibillion-dollar crypto fraud. AP Photo/Seth Wenig The case of Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced on March 28, 2024, to 25 years in prison, is emblematic of the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, in which vast sums of money can be made or lost in the blink of an eye. In early November 2022, the crypto exchange FTX was valued at more than US$30 billion. By the middle of that month, FTX was in bankruptcy proceedings. And less than a year later, on Nov. 3, 2023, its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was found guilty of seven counts of money laundering and fraud, following a trial that featured less than a month of testimony and only about four hours of jury deliberation. D. Brian Blank and Brandy Hadley are professors who study finance, executives, corporate governance and financial technology. They explain how and why this incredible collapse happened, what effect it might have on the traditional financial sector and whether you should care. 1. What happened? A million years ago, back in 2019, Bankman-Fried founded FTX, a company that ran one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. FTX was where many crypto investors traded and held their cryptocurrency, similar to the New York Stock Exchange for stocks. Bankman-Fried also founded Alameda Research, a hedge fund that invested in cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. In the traditional financial sector, these two companies would be entirely separate firms, or at least have firewalls in place to avoid conflicts of interest. But in early November 2022, news outlets reported that a significant proportion of Alamedas assets were a type of cryptocurrency released by FTX itself. A few days later, news broke that FTX had allegedly been loaning customer assets to Alameda for risky trades without customers consent and also issuing its own FTX cryptocurrency for Alameda to use as collateral. As a result, criminal and regulatory investigators began scrutinizing FTX for potentially violating securities law. These two pieces of news basically led to a bank run on FTX, and soon afterward, FTX, Alameda Research and 130 other affiliated companies founded by Bankman-Fried filed for bankruptcy. This left huge numbers of investors who bought cryptocurrencies through the exchange with no good way to get their money back. Story continues Within a month, Bankman-Fried was arrested and charged with wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and money laundering by the Southern District of New York. In February 2023, additional criminal charges related to political donations were announced, followed by another indictment in March related to bribery. Bankman-Frieds first trial began on Oct. 3, 2023, and largely focused on the essentially unlimited access to capital Alameda had on the exchange through a secret line of credit. 2. Did a lack of oversight play a role? In traditional markets, corporations generally limit the risk they expose themselves to by maintaining liquidity and solvency. Liquidity is the ability of a firm to sell assets quickly without those assets losing much value. Solvency is the idea that a companys assets are worth more than what that company owes to debtors and customers. But the crypto world has generally operated with much less caution than the traditional financial sector, and FTX is no exception. About two-thirds of the money that FTX owed to the people who held cryptocurrency on its exchange roughly $11.3 billion of $16 billion owed was backed by illiquid coins created by FTX. FTX was taking its customers money, giving it to Alameda to make risky investments and then creating its own currency, known as FTT, as a replacement cryptocurrency that it was unable to sell at a high enough price when it needed to. In addition, nearly 40% of Alamedas assets were in FTXs own cryptocurrency and remember, both companies were founded by the same person. This all came to a head when investors decided to sell their coins on the exchange. FTX did not have enough liquid assets to meet those demands. This in turn drove the value of FTT from over $26 a coin at the beginning of November 2022 to under $2 by Nov. 13. By this point, FTX owed more money to its customers than it was worth. In regulated exchanges, investing with customer funds is illegal. Additionally, auditors validate financial statements, and firms must publish the amount of money they hold in reserve that is available to fund customer withdrawals. And even if things go wrong, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or SIPC protects depositors against the loss of investments from an exchange failure or financially troubled brokerage firm. The crypto world lacks such guardrails. 3. Why is this a big deal in crypto? While the collapse of FTX and Alameda valued at more than $30 billion and now essentially worth nothing was dramatic, the bigger implication is simply the potential lost trust in crypto. Bank runs are rare in traditional financial institutions, but they are increasingly common in the crypto space. Given that Bankman-Fried and FTX were seen as some of the biggest, most trusted figures in crypto, these events may lead more investors to think twice about putting money in crypto. 4. If I dont own crypto, should I care? Though investment in cryptocurrencies has grown rapidly, the entire crypto market valued at over $3 trillion at its peak is much smaller than the $120 trillion traditional stock market. While investors and regulators are still evaluating the consequences of this fall, the impact on any person who doesnt personally own crypto will be minuscule. It is true that many larger investment funds, such as BlackRock and the Ontario Teachers Pension, held investments in FTX, but the estimated $95 million the Ontario Teachers Pension lost through the collapse of FTX is just 0.05% of the entire funds investments. The takeaway for most individuals is not to invest in unregulated markets without understanding the risks. In high-risk environments like crypto, its possible to lose everything a lesson investors in FTX learned the hard way. 5. What does the trial reveal about the regulatory environment for crypto? The trial of Bankman-Fried brought attention to the ever-evolving and complex nature of cryptocurrency regulation and oversight. At the conclusion of the case, Damian Williams, the federal prosecutor for the U.S. Justice Department, underlined the departments dedication to fighting fraud, even in the relatively new crypto space. This case shows that the U.S. is willing to assert broad jurisdiction over financial crimes targeting its citizens, regardless of where the perpetrating company is based, which in FTXs case was the Bahamas. Notably, this trial did not fall directly under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory bodies, although pending civil cases from both the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, along with ongoing class-action lawsuits, underscore the complexities in regulating the cryptocurrency sphere. Despite a recent crypto crackdown by the SEC, the U.S. continues to lag behind other nations in establishing comprehensive crypto regulations. This is evident in the formal regulatory frameworks introduced by places such as the U.K. and the European Union. The International Monetary Funds call for comprehensive regulations further underscores the necessity for more robust regulatory measures within the crypto industry, hinting at a widening gap between the U.S. and much of the rest of the world. This is an updated version of a story that was originally published on Nov. 17, 2022. 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: D. Brian Blank, Mississippi State University and Brandy Hadley, Appalachian State University Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried will serve 25 years in prison after being convicted of defrauding his customers, investors, and lenders. The man who presided over the largest crypto collapse in history received his sentence Thursday in a Manhattan federal court from US Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over Bankman-Fried's trial last fall. He faced up to 110 years. Prosecutors argued for a sentence of 40 to 50 years, while Bankman-Fried's lawyers asked for six and a half years. Sentences for white collar crimes have varied in recent years, from 150 years for Bernard Madoff to 11 years for Elizabeth Holmes. The 32-year-old Bankman-Fried, in his final statement before the judge, said what happened at FTX "haunts me" and that "I made a lot of mistakes." As CEO, "I was responsible at the end of the day." Bankman-Frieds defense lawyer tried to draw a distinction between his client and Madoff, who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history. FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried stands before US District Judge Lewis Kaplan as he is sentenced to 25 years in prison, in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg (Reuters / Reuters) "Madoff stole from Holocaust survivors," his lawyer said. "That is not Sam. He did not want to personally inflict pain on anyone in any way. Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer. He wasn't predatory. He makes decisions with math in his head, not malice in his heart." Dozens of FTX victims, including those who said they lost their lifes savings due to the demise of the cryptocurrency exchange, submitted letters urging Kaplan to impose a harsh sentence. The federal sentencing guidelines, while advisory rather than mandatory, suggest prison term enhancements that lengthen sentences as victims losses increase. Kaplan had to weigh the billions that prosecutors say Bankman-Fried stole from FTX customers against claims made by FTX that those who were harmed may be fully repaid via FTX's bankruptcy. In January, lawyers for the defunct exchange told a Delaware bankruptcy court judge that a plan for FTX to repay customers and general unsecured creditors in full was "within reach." Story continues But the judge was not sympathetic to that claim, calling the assertion "misleading" and "speculative." Kaplan also had some strong words about Bankman-Fried before delivering his sentence, citing the "brazenness" of his actions, his "exceptional flexibility with the truth" and "his apparent lack of any remorse." "He knew it was wrong," the judge added. Rise and fall The sentencing of Bankman-Fried completes a dramatic fall for a onetime billionaire who ran the worlds second-largest crypto exchange and was the face of a boom in digital assets during the early years of the pandemic. His empire imploded in late 2022 as FTX filed for bankruptcy and he was arrested by authorities in the Bahamas. His trial last fall captivated the financial world. A 12-person jury eventually sided with prosecutors who argued that Bankman-Fried deliberately stole up to $14 billion in customer deposits from his cryptocurrency exchange in a scheme that he carried out with three of his top executives. The group, prosecutors claimed, allowed Bankman-Frieds sister crypto trading firm Alameda Research "secret" backdoor access to FTXs customer deposits, then spent the money on investments, loan repayments, political donations, and real estate. "He spent his customers' money, and he lied to them about it," prosecutor Nicolas Roos said in the governments closing argument. The other three FTX executives Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison, FTX co-founder Gary Wang, and FTX engineering director Nishad Singh pleaded guilty to fraud charges and testified against Bankman-Fried under plea agreements with the government. They are expected to be sentenced later in 2024. Bankman-Fried testified that poor business decisions and management screwups and not fraud were to blame for the undoing of his cryptocurrency exchange. "Did you defraud anyone?" Bankman-Frieds lawyer, Mark Cohen, asked him during the defendant's risky gamble to take the stand in the trial's final days. "No, I did not," Bankman-Fried answered. Thursday's sentencing ends all criminal cases against Bankman-Fried. Prosecutors have withdrawn plans to take a separate set of charges to trial alleging Bankman-Fried committed bank fraud and bribed Chinese officials. Bankman-Fried, however, could still appeal his conviction and sentencing. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed. Click here for the latest crypto news, updates, and more related to ethereum and bitcoin prices, crypto ETFs, and market implications for cryptocurrencies Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance (Bloomberg) -- Newly elected Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye plans to revisit the contracts of oil and gas projects developed by BP Plc, Kosmos Energy Ltd. and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. in order to boost revenue for the state. Most Read from Bloomberg The West African country is set to open the taps this year on the $4.8 billion Grand Tortue Ahmeyim liquefied natural gas project and Sangomar oil development after numerous delays, setting it up to become one of the worlds fastest-growing economies. Faye drew investor attention days before this weeks presidential election when he pledged to review the projects. He expects to make good on that promise after a surprise victory in the vote, according to his economic team. To boost the states revenue from oil and gas, its necessary to renegotiate the contracts to increase the states shares and change the system of sharing of production, said Ngagne Demba Toure, an oil adviser to Faye. Renegotiating contracts doesnt mean that the state will impose itself on the companies without taking the law into consideration, but that the two parties agree to discuss some clauses of the contract. Kosmos expects a business-friendly environment in the West African country to continue, the company said in a response to questions. We remain focused on working with our partners to deliver first gas at the GTA project later this year, it said. BP aims to keep a constructive relationship with the incoming president, just as it did with the countrys previous leaders, said Gordon Birrell, executive vice president responsible for production and operations at the London-based company. He plans to meet with Faye when the new government is formed. Story continues Woodside didnt respond to an emailed request for comment. Fayes predecessor Macky Sall who sparked a crisis in the country by postponing the election and trying to hold on to power for an extra year said in an interview this month that trying to renegotiate existing contracts would be disastrous for Senegal. Oil and gas contracts can always be improved, but frankly, thinking that we can change the contracts already signed with the companies is not possible, he said. The incoming administration should set clear objectives over revisiting the contracts, according to Papa Daouda Diene, an analyst at the Natural Resource Governance Institute, a non-governmental organization. It is also important for the government to set realistic timelines on that process and communicate transparently to make sure that everything goes well and we do not add further delays, he said. The IMF revised its forecast for economic growth in Senegal this year to 8.3% from 10.6% after earlier delays to the projects designed to realize exports of as much as 100,000 barrels of oil a day and at least 2.5 million tons of LNG a year. Fayes economic team also called into question the validity of an earlier deal that transferred offshore fields to BP. The blocks were awarded to someone with little experience on how to develop them, said Babo Amadou Ba, his economic policy adviser. They were transferred to BP and Kosmos without Senegal being able to use its first buyers right. In 2012, Senegals then-President Abdoulaye Wade signed a contract for natural gas blocks with Petro-Timis, a company owned by Romanian-Australian businessman Frank Timis. Allegations that outgoing President Macky Salls brother received payments in order for the company to keep the contracts under the new administration caused an uproar in 2019. By then, Timis had already sold the Saint-Louis and Cayar concessions to BP, which paid $10 billion at the time, according to a BBC report. Senegal has money, it has resources on its subsurface and this potential must benefit the Senegalese people, Demba said. Its necessary that we change the contracts signed with those who exploit our oil and gas, looking at the clauses and to maximize the part of the state. --With assistance from Laura Hurst. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Dear Quentin, Three months before passing away, my father moved back with his girlfriend and made her power of attorney so she could sell his house, pay bills and make medical decisions. She cleaned out his bank accounts and she sold his house. He had stage 4 cancer and was not physically able to handle his business. As power of attorney, she put her name on his bank account, changed his beneficiaries and stopped communicating with his family. How can I find out she was added to the bank account and changed his beneficiaries? Most Read from MarketWatch She flipped the title on his car, sold all his furniture and told us that our dad didnt leave me or my sister anything. He was not married and he had two daughters. His house sold five days before he died and unless he has some other bank accounts, the money ($200,000) went into the account she put her name on. I am currently waiting for the survivors department of the federal government to send me the packet with a list of beneficiaries on his life insurance as well as his retirement/pension. I am also waiting on his death certificate in order to open probate to see what other assets he has. I appreciate any advice you can give to help me navigate through this difficult situation. Does a POA have the authority to make these types of changes and cut his direct heirs out of everything, and keep everything for herself? Daughter of the Deceased Related: My delightful father, 95, has substantial assets. Im afraid my right-wing brother will steal his money. What can I do? Story continues Her actions vastly overstepped her role as a power of attorney, who is in a position of trust and has a fiduciary duty to act on behalf of the principal and in their best interests. - MarketWatch illustration Dear Daughter, From what you say, this woman should be prosecuted not placated. A power of attorney who appropriates an elderly persons assets using undue influence and/or the intent to defraud can face criminal and civil penalties. Larceny, the theft of someones property, is a felony in most states, depending on the amount stolen. She is likely betting on your legal inexperience and good nature to get away with it. She was not his wife, and as his on-again, off-again girlfriend, her actions vastly overstepped her role as a power of attorney, who is in a position of trust and has a fiduciary duty to act on behalf of the principal and in their best interests. Clearly, she was acting in her own best interests, selling his assets and putting them in newly created joint bank accounts. There is a statute of limitations on elder financial abuse in most states, and you should treat this as such. Its not the Case of the Greedy Girlfriend, to paraphrase the alliterative episode titles of Perry Mason; its more likely the Case of the Illegal Interloper. You need to rethink your entire approach to this situation, and hire an elder-law attorney. I assume your fathers girlfriend did not leave much, if anything. You need to stop waiting for information to come through the mail, and stop treating this like an unfortunate series of events. A power of attorney can, with the cooperation of the principal your father add themselves as a joint owner on a bank account, rather than just a co-signer. Your fathers girlfriend did what this nursing home did to this readers elderly cousin. She isolated him and took control over his bank accounts, manipulated him into signing over his bank accounts rather than just signing over the right to make withdrawals on those bank accounts, and abused her role as power of attorney to help herself to his estate. The Securities Industries and Financial Markets Association, or Simfa, has a checklist for financial abuse: Numerous withdrawals of smaller amounts. Tick. Changing power of attorney or the beneficiaries on insurance or investment accounts. Tick. She went one step further: She liquidated the whole kit and caboodle. As Simfa warns, she is essentially a caregiver who becomes overly interested in your fathers finances rather than his care. It recommends people in your position to contact an Eldercare Locator information specialist toll-free on 800-677-1116 weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. It has both English- and Spanish-speaking specialists. Laws overseeing fiduciary relationships Many states have laws that protect against the abuse of fiduciary relationships. A beneficiary designation can also be contested for lack of capacity if there is evidence the account holder was not of sound mind when they signed the form, according to Harrison Estate Law, a Gainesville, Fla.-based law firm. Many financial institutions allow account holders to change their beneficiary designations online, the law firm adds. This creates a greater chance for undue influence or fraud, but it can also make it harder to win a beneficiary-designation challenge. It also motivates banks and financial institutions to defend beneficiary-designation challenges. Let this give you the momentum to proceed with legal action. Harrison Estate Law cites a case where a Florida appeals court ruled that a pay-on-death designation in favor of the deceaseds caretaker should be invalidated due to undue influence. The caretaker had used her personal relationship with the deceased to change the beneficiary designation. The court said that since payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts are substitutes for a will, they are subject to challenge on grounds such as undue influence, fraud, duress and overreaching. Challenging such designations require bank records, and other paperwork; an experienced attorney can help you with the heavy lifting. Power of attorney is a powerful legal document, but their responsibilities last only while the person is alive. The executor of the will if one exists or administrator of the estate should take over the accounting of the remaining assets and debts. You can petition the court to remove your fathers girlfriend, if she is the executor/administrator. Her actions should also be reported to the local police or sheriffs office and your District Attorney. It is important to note that the principals financial assets are always considered to belong to the principal, not the agent, according to the McAndrews Law Offices, which has branches in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. Your fathers case illustrates that you cant always rely on banks or lawyers to be on the lookout for elder financial abuse and suspicious behavior. You have to be the watchful one because, as I told this woman who feared her father was being isolated from the rest of the family, early intervention is ideal. And so is a prompt response when the damage is done. This happened within the last three months of his life. Dont allow your inheritance to slip away. You, your sister and your father deserve justice. Related: Im 60 and looking to retire: My brother was released from jail and wants to buy back our parents foreclosed home. Should I help him? Previous columns by Quentin Fottrell: My boyfriend owns his home and I pay him rent. I have five kids and he has two children. What happens to me if he dies? Most Read from MarketWatch Although theres no firm estimate yet on the cost of rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, some details are beginning to trickle in, along with hints of the political battles that could lie ahead as lawmakers determine how to pay for the disaster. Federal officials said Tuesday that the rebuilding effort could cost upwards of $2 billion, Roll Call reports, although its not clear how much of that sum would go toward a new bridge and how much would go toward cleanup. A spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute told CNN that a new bridge alone could cost more than $1.2 billion. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Thursday that 90% of the construction costs will be covered by the Federal Highway Administrations emergency fund, a level of coverage reflecting preestablished rules for interstate highways damaged in disasters. (You can read more about those rules in this report from the Congressional Research Service). As Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on Wednesday, the emergency fund currently has about $950 million in it. Though some of that money may already be attached to other projects, the fund typically receives an additional $100 million or more from Congress each year. Van Hollen said he would work with fellow Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin to ensure that the federal government picks up the other 10% of the cost. That will likely require additional legislation from Congress, and Van Hollen said he planned to call House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss the matter. My message will be: Were all Americans. We should all be in this together to help a city in need, he said. This is an emergency situation and weve always addressed emergencies through supplementals. In the meantime, Maryland officials on Thursday requested $60 million from the federal government to cover immediate costs associated with recovery and salvage at the disaster site. The Federal Highway Administration covers 100% of the costs of emergency repairs to highways and bridges within the first 270 days of a disaster. Story continues Funding questions on the right: The idea of using federal funds to cover the full cost of rebuilding is meeting resistance among some conservatives. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Republican from Pennsylvania, expressed irritation that President Joe Biden was so quick to pledge the full support of the federal government in the recovery effort. It was kind of outrageous immediately for Biden to express in this tragedy the idea that hes going to use federal funds to pay for the entirety [of the rebuilding], Meuser told Fox Newss Maria Bartiromo on Thursday. First reaction, frankly the only reaction, tends to be to spend. Meuser said the U.S. should consider pursuing payments from Singapore, where the container ship MV Dali is registered, and from the ships insurer. We just cant take the easy route all the time and just try to spend the taxpayers money, Meuser said. (Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Wednesday that she expected insurance payments to cover some part of the costs.) Meuser also noted that Maryland received billions in transportation and infrastructure funding from the federal government via the 2021 infrastructure bill, and claimed that the state already has the money it needs for the bridge. Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said that he is open to federal money being used in response to the disaster, but was concerned about where the funding will come from. If we gotta go set aside X billion dollars to deal with that port issue, then we should pay for it, he told CNN. Go find somebody who's paid for it. And so, well, I want to have those conversations. The bottom line: Funding issues arent expected to delay relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the Baltimore disaster, but the long-term project of rebuilding the bridge could spark political battles over who ultimately foots the bill. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. T-Systems has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Corent Technology - a technology leader in Cloud Migration, Modernization, Optimization and SaaS transformation automation technologies. This follows an extensive vendor selection process to find the best technology to enable and accelerate digital transformation for customers in the DACH market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), and elsewhere. Go to www.corenttech.com for more. (Graphic: Business Wire) ALISO VIEJO, Calif. & FRANKFURT, Germany, March 28, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Systems has signed a multi-year partnership agreement with Corent Technology - a technology leader in Cloud Migration, Modernization, Optimization and SaaS transformation automation technologies. This follows an extensive vendor selection process to find the best technology to enable and accelerate digital transformation for customers in the DACH market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), and elsewhere. T-Systems International is a vertically focused, business customer IT service provider and full affiliate of Deutsche Telekom AG. The companys portfolio spans advisory services, cloud services and digital solutions, with security built-in. T-Systems offers a range of integrated solutions for business customers, including the secure operation of legacy systems and classic IT services, the transformation to cloud-based services (including tailored infrastructure, platforms, and software) as well as new business models and digitalization projects for the business fields of the future, such as automation and artificial intelligence. "We are delighted to be working with Corent Technology," commented Ralf Poggemann, Head of Portfolio Development & Partner Products, Cloud Professional Services at T-Systems. "The team at Corent share our passion and commitment to help customers understand and adopt cloud services. They provide deployment options that meet our stringent security and data management requirements." Jeremy Neal, Vice President EMEA at Corent Technology said, "It is a privilege to be in partnership with T-Systems. We are several projects into what is already a strong and successful partnership. The collaboration between the T-Systems International consultants and our product specialists is outstanding, and we are rapidly tailoring reports to provide localized information representing even greater value for the end customer." Story continues This partnership offers T-Systems customers comprehensive insights into all aspects of cloud computing, spanning all major public cloud provides plus hybrid and private cloud options. Digital Transformation is realised through migration and modernisation both in the initial move to the cloud and then on a continuous basis thereafter, delivering best-in-class, state-of-the-art IT estates at a pace and time of the customers choosing. About T-Systems T-Systems International GmbH (T-Systems) is an internationally operating service provider for information technologies and digital transformation. The Company is part of Deutsche Telekom AG and is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. For more information, go to: https://www.t-systems.com/de/en/company/about-t-systems/ About Corent Technology Corent Technology is a leading provider of cloud migration, modernization and optimization automation solutions, specializing in SaaS transformation and operations automation. To learn more, visit corenttech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240328686260/en/ Contacts Dan Chmielewski Madison Alexander PR 714-832-8716 949-231-2965 dchm@madisonalexanderpr.com @TecFlack When we invest, we're generally looking for stocks that outperform the market average. Buying under-rated businesses is one path to excess returns. For example, long term Telekom Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:TM) shareholders have enjoyed a 91% share price rise over the last half decade, well in excess of the market return of around 0.1% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the more recent gains haven't been so impressive, with shareholders gaining just 26% , including dividends . Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns. Check out our latest analysis for Telekom Malaysia Berhad There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. 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, Telekom Malaysia Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 64% per year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 14% over the same period. So it seems the market isn't so enthusiastic about the stock these days. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that Telekom Malaysia Berhad has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. 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 Telekom Malaysia Berhad, it has a TSR of 122% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective It's good to see that Telekom Malaysia Berhad has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 26% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 17% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. 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. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Telekom Malaysia Berhad (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) that you should be aware of. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. 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. (Bloomberg) Tesla Inc. shares have shown signs of life in recent days after this years extreme slide, but investors lack the clarity needed to bet on any lasting recovery. Most Read from Bloomberg The electric vehicle maker is due to provide its first-quarter delivery numbers early next week and rapidly dropping estimates over the past month suggest a lackluster report. More importantly, recent newsflow implies tepid demand for its cars in coming months. Delivery estimates have been cut a lot, and that has really killed investor confidence in the name. It will be hard to spin the first-quarter numbers positively, even if they modestly beat expectations, said Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research. Valuations are often tied to a companys weakest link. In Teslas case, that is the automotive business. Reasons for the shares dismal run this year down 28% compared to a 10% advance in the S&P 500 Index are many. However, the biggest cloud looming over the EV giant is the slowdown in the demand for electric vehicles, which is happening just as competition from legacy carmakers and Chinese rivals is heating up. The soon-to-end first quarter will rank among the stocks three worst ever. The EV maker is the biggest percentage decliner on the S&P 500 so far this year. The stock has given up all its gains since mid-May, and has erased over $350 billion from its market capitalization since touching a 52-week high in July. Expectations are low. Analysts have been rapidly dialing back their estimates for deliveries, revenue and profit, while the share of bullish ratings on the stock has dropped to the lowest in about three years. But more importantly, enthusiasm toward Tesla has eroded significantly, with investors concerned over a lack of new catalysts that can propel the stock near term. Story continues Several analysts cut estimates just this week. Mizuho Securities Vijay Rakesh noted that EV sales expectations were decelerating faster than expected. Rakesh estimates EV sales will grow about 15% over last year in 2024, down from his prior expectation of 25%. And Sanford C. Bernsteins Toni Sacconaghi said that as growth expectations decline, the stock increasingly looks expensive compared to large-cap tech companies. There is quite a bit of pessimism already built into the stock at these levels, said Ivana Delevska, chief investment officer at SPEAR Invest. From here, I think it will be a binary outcome, she added, saying that the company will either show progress in its self-driving technology, or will continue to trade with the struggling EV market. In recent weeks, investors have begun to pay relatively more for options protecting against a selloff. The cost of puts that profit on a 10% slump in shares within the next month has trended higher signaling rising skittishness toward the stock. At the same time, Teslas claim to become a major artificial intelligence player has also started to look shaky. While self-driving cars which the company is trying to develop would be a major feat in AI, it remains a problem notoriously difficult to solve. Experts and analysts dont expect it to become a widely-adopted technology any time soon. All of this pushed Teslas shares into the so-called technical oversold territory last week, signaling that the stock has fallen too far, too fast. If the delivery figures next week are significantly better than what analysts currently expect, a relief rally in the shares - however temporary cannot be ruled out. The idea is that with so much negativity already built into the shares, there may not be much room left for more. Also, as long-term Tesla bulls will be quick to note, the current weakness in EVs could prove to be just a blip for the company in the next few years, as adoption of these cars pick up globally amid strong political push. That helps to support the stock price as well. But even then, the near-term concerns about Tesla and its core EV business will continue to haunt investors, until there is a clear sense of the trajectory of EV sales this year and the next. The big focus for investors on Tesla right now is going to be delivery volume and gross margin - the direction of the stock will be based off of these numbers relative to whisper expectations, said David Wagner, portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors. But for now, momentum has taken hold of the stock and there has been some indiscriminate selling as Tesla has been a funding mechanism for the narrative de jour - AI. Tech Chart of the Day Xiaomi Corp. is set to start selling its first electric vehicle in China, the worlds largest EV market dominated by Tesla and BYD Co. The strength of initial orders and consumer feedback for its SU7 sedan will be of keen interest to investors, with Chinas market projected to slow for a second year. Top Tech News Amazon.com Inc. says its investing an additional $2.75 billion in Anthropic, completing a deal it made last year to back the artificial intelligence startup and expand a partnership between the companies. The judge presiding over Sam Bankman-Frieds sentencing Thursday will have to decide whether the fallen crypto mogul is a run-of-the-mill financial fraudster or a villain eclipsed only by Ponzi scheme mastermind Bernie Madoff. The White House will require federal agencies to test artificial intelligence tools for potential risks and designate officers to ensure oversight, actions intended to encourage responsible adoption of the emerging technology by the US government. Databricks Inc., a closely held analytics software maker, says competition from his company fueled a high-profile executive departure at rival Snowflake Inc. Earnings Due Thursday Postmarket Semtech With assistance from Carly Wanna, Yasufumi Saito, Charlotte Yang, Jinshan Hong, Linda Lew and Chunying Zhang. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. thames water The owners of Thames Water have refused to provide a 500m cash injection to prevent its collapse as they renew demands for household bills to increase by 40pc. A consortium of pension funds and foreign states on Thursday announced they would stop funding the company and accused Ofwat, the regulator, of rendering it uninvestable. They previously committed to providing 500m to the company before the end of this month, as part of an overall 3.75bn funding package through to 2030. But their move stoked fears that Thames, which supplies a quarter of UK homes, may now have to be renationalised at a potential 5bn cost to taxpayers. Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, said the Treasury was monitoring the situation closely but insisted the company was still solvent, while Thames executives stressed there was no threat to water supplies. The crisis has erupted as Ofwat is considering the companys business plan for 2025 to 2030, including a controversial proposal to raise bills by an average of almost 200 per household. Thames says the increase is essential to cover its operational costs, pay for infrastructure upgrades to reduce storm overflows and generate sufficient returns for its investors. The company, which has an 18bn debt mountain and is one of the countrys most complained-about suppliers, is also demanding the freedom to pay investor dividends again and wants Ofwat to reduce the fines it pays for sewage spills. But on Thursday it emerged talks with the regulator had broken down, with Thames and its investors saying Ofwat was pushing back against its demand for higher bills. The regulator is understood to be sticking to its guns and has told the company that consumers should not foot the bill for the companys financial engineering. It leaves the company and the watchdog locked in a standoff, with Ofwat expected to issue a draft decision on Thamess plans at the end of May. Without further funding from investors, bosses said Thames Waters operating company had enough cash or borrowing facilities to survive until around May 2025 but would need to raise further debt or equity to avoid collapse. Story continues That looked like a dim prospect on Thursday, however, as a bond linked to an entity in Thames complex structure nearly halved in value to just 16p in the pound. The IOUs, which mature in 2026, were worth as much as 87p six months earlier. Gordon Shannon, a bond fund manager for TwentyFour Asset Management, said the plunge suggested a huge amount of doubt that Thames would be able to honour its debts. However, Chris Weston, Thames Waters chief executive, claimed it remained business as usual and rejected suggestions the company was on the verge of failing. He said: Theres still a lot of water to go under the bridge. He would not reveal what the specific disagreements were with Ofwat but suggested that the regulators requirements would yield returns considerably lower than what investors were willing to accept. Recommended Q&A: What does Thames Water crisis mean for customers? Read more The row is thought to centre on a refusal by the regulator to countenance a 40pc rise in bills proposed by Thames. That would see the amount paid per household rise from an average of 436 per year to 609. If the company fails, the Government has said it would be placed into special administration, a process that was used when the energy supplier Bulb collapsed in 2021. Ministers have said they will not interfere in the talks, pointing out that Ofwat is independent. But a source close to Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary, added: We certainly dont think customers would think it is acceptable for there to be an easing of the regulatory regime because of this companys demands. Thames Waters nine investors include the Universities Superannuation Scheme, the Canadian teachers pension fund Omers, infrastructure investor Hermes and sovereign wealth funds linked to China and Abu Dhabi, among others. On Thursday, in a joint statement, they all said: After more than a year of negotiations with the regulator, Ofwat has not been prepared to provide the necessary regulatory support for a business plan which ultimately addresses the issues that Thames Water faces. As a result, shareholders are not in a position to provide further funding to Thames Water. Shareholders will work constructively with Thames Water, Ofwat and Government on how to address the consequences of Ofwats decision. Thames Water uses a complex financial structure that includes debt obligations to Kemble Water, its parent company. However, in a call with journalists, Mr Weston insisted that if Kemble Water collapsed it would have no financial impact on the Thames Water operating company because the latter is ring fenced by regulation. A spokesman for Ofwat said: Todays update from Thames Water means the company must now pursue all options to seek further equity for the business to turn around the performance of the company for customers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In this article, we will look at the top 15 cities to teach English in Latin America. We have also discussed the challenges of teaching English in Latin America. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the Top 5 Cities to Teach English in Latin America. Latin America and the Caribbean are currently facing a shortage of teachers, with an estimated need for 3.2 million teachers to meet educational goals by 2030. Despite varying salaries across countries, most teachers are poorly compensated compared to professionals with similar training. For instance, Julio Cesar Rodriguez Molano in Colombia earns a meager $813 despite his advanced degrees. The disparity between salaries and the cost of living is glaring, leaving many teachers struggling to make ends meet. The shortage of teachers stems from various factors, including job insecurity, inadequate government support, and outdated infrastructure. Attrition rates are concerning, with many teachers leaving the profession due to low wages and burnout, exacerbating the shortage further. Moreover, the digital divide exacerbates challenges, with many educators lacking access to essential training in technology and digital tools. The pandemic has worsened the situation, with prolonged school closures leading to significant learning setbacks and a further exodus of students from the education system. It is also concerning to note that Latin America grapples with strikingly low levels of English proficiency. For example, Haiti ranks 98th in the list 113 countries based on the proficiency levels, with 113 being the lowest proficiency. Despite localized efforts to enhance language education, Latin America has emerged as the region with the one of the poorest grasp of English. This deficiency primarily stems from substandard language instruction within public schooling systems and obstacles to accessing supplementary training due to a scarcity of language institutes or prohibitive costs. Story continues Moreover, the landscape of English instruction is marked by profound inequalities. While English is mandated in most countries, access remains unequal, particularly in rural areas and public schools. Notably, less than 10% of schools in Mexico teach English, exacerbating the linguistic divide. Adult proficiency, especially among those aged over 40, is shaped by professional demands or personal investments in language learning. To read more about English teaching, see Top 10 Tropical Countries for Teaching English Abroad. Nonetheless, TEFL jobs in Latin America offer a promising blend of vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and bustling cities, making it a sought-after destination for teaching English abroad. Popular countries are Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. While salaries may not match those in Asia or the Middle East, the low cost of living ensures comfortable living. Speaking of jobs, one of the best online English teaching jobs in Latin America can be achieved through LatinHire. The platform is currently looking for qualified online English teachers to instruct Latino adults or children. With the opportunity to earn up to $2200 per month, LatinHire offers extensive flexibility, allowing teachers to work between 16 hours a month to 48 hours a week. According to Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL)s findings, English is the predominant language of study across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, with Colombia and Mexico showing particularly high interest, as approximately 74% of learners in these countries opt for English. Beyond English, French enjoys popularity as the second most studied language, reflecting cultural and historical ties within the region. Moreover, intriguingly, Spanish has seen a resurgence in countries like Mexico and Puerto Rico, possibly due to increased tourism and remote work opportunities. Meanwhile, generational differences shape language preferences, with younger learners gravitating towards French while older demographics exhibit interest in Italian and Portuguese, reflecting diverse cultural influences. Additionally, Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) highlights the dynamic nature of language learning in response to global events, such as the surge in Ukrainian following the Russian invasion and the sustained popularity of Korean. Looking ahead, Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) anticipates shifts in learning motivations, potentially influenced by upcoming events like the World Cup, as well as the continued growth of certain languages. Through these insights, Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) hihglighted the multifaceted nature of language learning in Latin America, shaped by historical legacies, contemporary trends, and global dynamics. On the other hand, 2U, Inc (NASDAQ:TWOU) as the parent company of edX, played an important role in the partnership with The TEFL Organization last year, facilitating the expansion of educational opportunities in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Firstly, through edX's platform, which boasts a 48 million learners globally, 2U, Inc (NASDAQ:TWOU) enabled access to The TEFL Org's professional certificate program, providing a comprehensive curriculum covering 120 hours of instruction. This collaboration was aimed to address a significant demand, with approximately 100,000 ESL teaching positions opening annually worldwide, as highlighted by industry reports. Secondly, 2U, Inc (NASDAQ:TWOU)s expertise in online education amplified the reach and impact of The TEFL Org's offerings, empowering learners with internationally recognized qualifications. Finally, 2U, Inc (NASDAQ:TWOU)s commitment to advancing education aligned seamlessly with The TEFL Org's mission to prepare aspiring educators, reflected in the program's design tailored to meet the evolving needs of the education sector. Through this partnership, 2U continued to drive innovation in online learning. Top 15 Cities to Teach English in Latin America Methodology To list the top 15 cities to teach English in Latin America, we identified 12 countries in Latin America with the highest employment to population ratio using ILOs database. Then, in each of these countries, we identified the largest and most populous cities and obtained the average salary of an English teacher in those cities. Out of the 22 cities, 15 with high highest average salaries have been listed below and ranked in ascending order of monthly salaries. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that uses a consensus approach to identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The website tracks the movement of corporate insiders and hedge funds. Our top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 stock index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). So, if you are looking for the best stock picks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 15. Managua, Nicaragua Average Salary: $450 Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, offers a vibrant atmosphere for teaching English. Its growing economy drives demand for English language skills, creating ample opportunities for teachers. With its central location in Central America, Managua serves as a gateway for travelers and businesses. 14. San Salvador, El Salvador Average Salary: $500 The city's central location within the country makes it a hub for economic and cultural activity, offering teachers ample opportunities for professional growth and exploration. Moreover, Its affordability compared to other major cities in Latin America also makes it an attractive option for English teachers looking to stretch their earnings. 13. Guatemala City, Guatemala Average Salary: $550 With a multicultural environment, exemplified by American School of Guatemala and Inter-American School, the city provide a plethora of opportunities for English language instruction. The city's flourishing economy, fueled by sectors such as tourism and business outsourcing, demands proficient English speakers, creating a high demand for English teachers. 12. Tegucigalpa, Honduras Average Salary: $700 With an average salary of $700, Tegucigalpa is one of the cities where English teachers make the most in Latin America. The city has a rich cultural tapestry and is known for its warm hospitality. Hence, teachers may find great opportunities to engage with eager learners and immerse themselves in the local community. 11. Tijuana, Mexico Average Salary: $800 Tijuana's strategic location on the US-Mexico border presents unparalleled opportunities for language educators. With its proximity to the United States, there's a high demand for English language instruction among locals aspiring to enhance their career prospects in cross-border industries like tourism, manufacturing, and trade. 10. Ciudad del Este, Paraguay Average Salary: $850 Teaching English in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay presents a unique and rewarding experience for teachers. Situated at the border with Brazil and Argentina, the city enjoys a vibrant multicultural atmosphere, making it an ideal environment for language learning. As Paraguay continues to integrate into the global economy, the demand for English proficiency is on the rise. 9. Asuncion, Paraguay Average Salary: $900 With a growing demand for English education in both academic and professional spheres, teachers in this city can find fulfilling employment prospects. Additionally, the cost of living in Asuncion is relatively low compared to other Latin American capitals, offering a comfortable lifestyle for English teachers. 8. Guayaquil, Ecuador Average Salary: $980 Guayaquil, Ecuador, boasts a dynamic environment for teaching English with renowned institutions like British School of English providing top-notch resources and training. Its growing economy, fueled by industries like tourism and international trade, creates a high demand for English proficiency. 7. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Average Salary: $1100 Rio de Janaeiro has a lively culture, reflected in world-famous events like Carnival which motivates language learners to engage actively with the English language. It is also considered one of the safest cities to teach English in Latin America. The city's booming tourism industry ensures a constant demand for English-speaking professionals, creating ample job opportunities for teachers. 6. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia Average Salary: $1128 The citys growing economy demands English proficiency for international trade and tourism, creating a high demand for English teachers. Moreover, it has a relatively low cost of living making it attractive for foreigner teachers and allowing them to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while saving money. Additionally, the warm climate and promising culture provide a pleasant environment for both work and leisure. Click here to see the Top 5 Cities to Teach English in Latin America. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. Top 15 Cities to Teach English in Latin America is originally published on Insider Monkey. In this article, we will take a look at the top 20 rainiest countries in the world. If you would like to skip our discussion on the regional variances in precipitation patterns, you can go to the Top 5 Rainiest Countries in the World. Precipitation is an important part of the lifecycle on Earth. It supports life in all forms and is crucial for the economic and agricultural development of countries worldwide. Despite the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, agricultural activity remains an important aspect of economies across the world. Even global powers like the USA, Russia, and China are among the top producers of agricultural products in the world. While China is one of the leading producers of agricultural products, the USA is amongst the largest exporter of the same. In 2023, agricultural exports from the US were valued at $178.7 billion, with a total of 1.89 million farms across the country. Maintaining an agricultural economy is nearly impossible without ample rainfall. It plays a significant role in economic growth, especially in countries where agriculture is a major sector. For instance, in Thailand, ample rainfall has been identified as a blessing for poor provinces, contributing to their economic growth. In places where farming is the main source of income, like in Africa, unpredictable changes in rainfall patterns can have a major effect on both food availability and economic development. Rainfall can also affect the presence of clean water supply in a country. Sufficient rainfall plays a vital role in sustaining water resources and enhancing sanitation. It aids in refilling groundwater reserves that are necessary for both drinking water and irrigation. This is especially significant in areas where the shortage of water is a major problem. Global Rainfall Disparities While the list of the top 20 rainiest countries in the world is dominated by Asian, African, and South American countries, Iceland is amongst the most rainy countries in Europe, with an average annual precipitation of 1288 mm per year in 2022. Other countries that made it to the list of the top 10 wettest countries in Europe are the UK, Norway, Austria, and Ireland. On the other hand, Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Algeria, UAE, and Oman are amongst the driest countries in the world. Meanwhile, Malaysia is the most rainy country in Asia, with an average annual precipitation of 3485 mm per year. The world's average rainfall per year stands at about 990 mm. However, this rainfall is unevenly distributed across the planet. This is why some countries, like Malaysia, receive 3.5 times the average global precipitation while others, like China, only receive 0.6 times the global average rainfall. Story continues Leading Players in the Water Utility Industry Since rainwater is one of the primary sources of freshwater in many regions across the world, it is imperative to use this water supply wisely and store it for efficient consumption. Many companies around the world are actively engaged in conserving water through the development and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. These companies use innovative technologies and solutions to address water scarcity, promote environmental sustainability, and conserve energy. One such company is the American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE:AWK), which is the largest listed water and wastewater utility in the US, serving about 14 million people across 14 states. American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE:AWK) has a diversified customer base, including residential, public, and commercial customers, and long-term military contracts add stability to its operations. Due to the significant influence of climate change on rainfall patterns globally, American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE:AWK) advocates for initiatives taken by water utilities to evaluate their energy consumption and carbon footprint. It encourages the reduction of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions by devising energy efficiency management plans. Valmont Industries Inc. (NYSE:VMI) is another global leader in the water and wastewater infrastructure industry. The company provides a wide range of services and products to improve water quality and supply. Valmont Industries Inc. (NYSE:VMI) operates in different regions worldwide, serving both residential and commercial markets. The company produces a variety of products, including irrigation equipment, lighting and traffic poles, windmill support structures, and steel utility poles. Similarly, Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL) is a top water technology company with global utility, industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL) has grown by acquiring other companies, such as Evoqua, a water treatment company that was acquired for $7.5 billion in 2023. As a result, Xylem's revenue is expected to continue growing. The company has widespread influence around the world, with businesses in over 150 countries. Top 20 Rainiest Countries in the World Anri Gor/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology To identify the top 20 rainiest countries in the world, we analyzed the average annual precipitation data for the last two recorded years (2021 & 2022). To exclude anomalies, we calculated the average precipitation levels over these two years and ranked the countries accordingly in ascending order. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Top 20 Rainiest Countries in the World 20. Comoros Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2388 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 1894 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2141 mm Known for its tropical marine climate, Comoros experiences a rainy season from November to May, marked by significant rainfall. This climate plays an important role in the country's agriculture and biodiversity but also poses challenges such as soil degradation and erosion due to improper terracing and deforestation. 19. Belize Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2715 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 1939 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2327 mm Belize's climate is moist tropical, with a distinct wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. The country receives a mean monthly rainfall of 150-400 mm in the south during the wet season, while the rest of the country gets less than 100 mm per month. This climate is heavily influenced by the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), making Belize prone to hurricane impacts. 18. Trinidad and Tobago Precipitation Rate 2022 =2502 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2324 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2413 mm Located in the southern Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago experiences a tropical maritime climate from January to May with relatively low rainfall, followed by a different moist equatorial climate from June to December. This climate results in two distinct seasons: a dry season and a wet or rainy season. 17. St Vincent and the Grenadines Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2601 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2251 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2426 mm This small island nation in the Eastern Caribbean has a climate heavily influenced by the Windward Island chain of the Lesser Antilles. The country's economy is significantly dependent on agriculture and tourism, with bananas being a major agricultural commodity. 16. Panama Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2351 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2514 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2433 mm Panama's climate is tropical and humid, with two distinct seasons: a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from May to December. The country is known for its biodiversity and is home to the Panama Canal. 15. Equatorial Guinea Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2438 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2474 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2456 mm Located in West Africa, Equatorial Guinea has a tropical rainforest climate characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The country is a major producer of oil, which has significant environmental implications. 14. Colombia Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2856 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2679 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2768 mm Colombia recorded an average of 2768 mm of rainfall over the last two years. The country is known for its coffee production. 13. Vanuatu Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2832 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2829 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2831 mm Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific with a tropical climate characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. The country is known for its coral reefs and increased frequency of extreme weather events. 12. Suriname Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2782 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2918 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2850 mm Suriname is among the top 15 rainiest countries in the world. The country has a tropical rainforest climate and is a major producer of bauxite and gold. 11. Philippines Precipitation Rate 2022 = 3069 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2815 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2942 mm The Philippines has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The country recorded over 3000 mm of rainfall in 2022. 10. Costa Rica Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2791 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 3108 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2950 mm Costa Rica has a tropical rainforest climate, with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. The country is among the top 10 rainiest countries in the world. 9. Marshall Islands Precipitation Rate 2022 = 3011 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 2974 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 2993 mm The Marshall Islands have a tropical climate. The country is known for its coral reefs and is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, including sea-level rise and increased frequency of extreme weather events. 8. Singapore Precipitation Rate 2022 = 2895 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 3195 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 3045 mm Singapore enjoys over 3000 mm/year of rain on average. The country has a tropical rainforest climate and is a major global financial hub. 7. Indonesia Precipitation Rate 2022 = 3149 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 3074 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 3112 mm Nearly 80% of Indonesia's landmass is covered by warm water reservoirs. Over the last two years, Indonesia received an average of 3112 mm of rainfall. The monsoons in Indonesia continue from December till March. 6. Papua New Guinea Precipitation Rate 2022 = 3133 mm Precipitation Rate 2021 = 3195 mm Average Precipitation Rate = 3164 mm Papua New Guinea has a tropical rainforest climate and routinely enjoys precipitation greater than 3000 mm per year. The country is a major producer of gold and copper. Click to continue reading and see the Top 5 Rainiest Countries in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. Top 20 Rainiest Countries in the World is published on Insider Monkey. Aslef members are walking out during the Easter school holidays - NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Train drivers at 16 rail companies are to stage a fresh wave of strikes next week in a long-running dispute over pay, threatening to disrupt families across the country during the Easter school holidays. The walkouts are the latest in a series of strikes carried out by the Aslef union in a 20-month row. Union leaders have announced separate walkouts affecting the London Underground. Here is everything you need to know about the national rail strikes: When will the strikes take place? Thursday April 4 - Saturday April 6 : Aslef members will refuse to work their rest days Friday April 5 - Monday April 8 : Aslef staff will hold a rolling programme of one-day walkouts between April 5 and 8, coupled with a six-day ban on overtime. Monday April 8 - Tuesday April 9: Members will refuse to work their rest days Which train lines are affected? Friday, April 5: Drivers will strike on Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, and CrossCountry. Saturday April 6: Strikes will hit Chiltern, GWR, LNER, Northern, and TransPennine. Monday, April 8: Strikes will take place on c2c, Greater Anglia, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line. Why are the strikes happening ? The Aslef union said it wanted to increase the pressure on the intransigent train companies and the tone-deaf government following a series of strikes stretching back 20 months. Train drivers have not had a pay rise for five years, since April 2019, Aslef said. Union bosses said they had been in negotiations with the train operators, represented by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), but had heard nothing further since gaining a fresh mandate for another six months of industrial action last month. Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: Last month, when we announced renewed mandates for industrial action, because under the Tories draconian anti-union laws we have to ballot our members every six months, we called on the train companies, and the Government, to come to the table for meaningful talks to negotiate a new pay deal for train drivers who have not had an increase in salary since 2019. Story continues Our members voted overwhelmingly yet again for strike action. Those votes show a clear rejection by train drivers of the ridiculous offer put to us in April last year by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which knew that offer would be rejected because a land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years would never be accepted by our members. Since then train drivers have voted, time and again, to take action in pursuit of a pay rise. Thats why Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, is being disingenuous when he says that offer should have been put to members. Drivers wouldnt vote for industrial action, again and again and again, if they thought that was a good offer. That offer was dead in the water in April last year and Mr Harper knows that. We have given the Government every opportunity to come to the table but it is now clear they do not want to resolve this dispute. They are happy for it go on and on. What have the train companies said? A spokesman for Rail Delivery Group, which represents the 16 train operators impacted by the strikes, said: Nobody wins when industrial action impacts peoples lives and livelihoods, and we will work hard to minimise any disruption to our passengers. We want to resolve this dispute, but the Aslef leadership need to recognise that hard-pressed taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra 54m a week just to keep services running post-Covid. We continue to seek an agreement with the Aslef leadership and remain open to talks to find a solution to this dispute. 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. Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - March 28, 2024) - True Global Ventures is proud to announce the appointment of Beatrice Lion, 28, as the new Chief Executive Officer of its Fund manager in Singapore. This milestone is a testament to Beatrice's remarkable journey which started when she was 21 years old. Her dedication to the firm as a General Partner has resulted into being board member/observer on 4 of True Global Ventures portfolio companies. Beatrice's association with True Global Ventures began in 2017, when she joined Innovator Founders Capital (IFC) 1,2,3 formerly known as True Global Ventures 1,2,3. Her role primarily focused on business development of the portfolio companies, leading to significant achievements including four successful positive exits in IFC's portfolio, showcasing her strategic foresight and execution prowess. Caption: Beatrice Lion, CEO of True Global Ventures To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8396/203449_39e9abc484f55aac_001full.jpg In 2018, under Beatrice's leadership, True Global Ventures pursued and successfully received the Venture Capital Fund Manager license (VCFM), marking a significant leap in the firm's journey by starting its first regulated fund with external Limited Partners (LPs), a move beyond partners-only funds. This period was characterized by extensive educational efforts and groundbreaking work investing in Blockchain and AI equity, reflecting Beatrice's ability to navigate through challenging fundraising landscapes. Reflecting on her nearly seven-year tenure with True Global Ventures, Beatrice has been instrumental across various segments of VC fund management including exit strategies, fundraising, deal-sourcing, and value-adding, particularly within the critical first 18 months of investment. The firm also welcomes Frank Desvignes and Kelly Choo, as Executive Directors who are now joining full time. This strengthens the leadership team and reinforces the funds' commitment to innovation, growth and performance. Dusan Stojanovic has formally handed over his executive role in IFC 1,2,3 to Julian Marland, who will now be full time focusing on IFC. Dusan has also resigned from all investment committees in IFC so that he can devote even more time to True Global Ventures 4 Plus (TGV 4) and True Global Ventures Opportunity Fund (TGV 5) as an Executive Director. Story continues Together with her partners, Beatrice is poised to steer True Global Ventures to new heights, propelled by a vision of an exciting and transformative 2024 and beyond. Beatrice Lion commented, "I am thrilled to step into the role of CEO of True Global Ventures Fund manager. This journey, from being a technophile excited about new technologies to leading a forward-thinking Venture Capital, has been incredible. I am grateful for the trust, the learnings, and the opportunities to make a significant impact alongside a dedicated team. Here's to a future filled with innovation, growth, and success." For further information, please contact: About True Global Ventures: True Global Ventures is a global technology equity Venture Capital firm with 2 actively deploying funds TGV 4 Plus Fund (Early Stage) and TGV Opportunity Fund (Late Stage) investing in Serial Entrepreneurs. TGV is built by a group of serial entrepreneurs with a solid track record of investing their own money, together with Limited Partners, into Tech ventures run by serial entrepreneurs. Portfolio companies leverage Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as competitive advantages to drive change with proven products. TGV has a presence in 20 cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Stockholm, Paris, New York and San Francisco. Visit TGV's website at www.tgv4plus.com , and follow on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media inquiries: info@trueglobalventures.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203449 The University of Michigan plans to buy a portion of the former site of the old Kmart world headquarters in Troy and build a medical center there for its health care system. The future Michigan Medicine center would be a sliver of a broader 28-acre development that is envisioned for 3100 West Big Beaver, where the old headquarters stood from 1972 until its demolition last fall. The U-M Board of Regents voted Thursday morning to approve a tentative $4.4 million deal for 7.3 acres of land at the site. The seller is a joint venture involving the Forbes and Frankel families. It has owned the roughly 40-acre site since 2009. The Forbes Co., which also owns the nearby Somerset Collection mall, is said to be handling development of the overall site. A company representative declined comment Thursday regarding their grand vision for the location. The old headquarters for Kmart is being demolished in Troy, Mich. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. The massive and architecturally distinct Kmart headquarters building had been vacant since 2006 and met the wrecking ball last fall. The university's health system, Michigan Medicine, says it plans to build a "multispecialty" center that would include ambulatory surgical services and some cancer treatments. The specific specialties and services to be offered haven't been determined, officials said, and approvals through the state's Certificate of Need process for new medical facilities are still needed. Nevertheless, construction is expected to begin next year, with an opening anticipated in 2027. The Troy medical center would be the first of its kind for Michigan Medicine in Oakland County, officials said. It would be similar to existing Michigan Medicine centers in Brighton and Northville, although the Northville center doesn't offer the ambulatory surgical services that are planned for Troy. We are planning development of a facility that focuses on advanced specialty and diagnostic services," Dr. Marschall Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine and dean of the U-M Medical School, said in a news release. "This is a starting point for a broader and deeper U-M Health presence in southeast Michigan. Story continues In an interview with reporters Thursday afternoon, Michigan Medicine officials referred all questions on future development plans for the overall site to the Forbes Co., which declined comment. More: Architecturally unique Kmart HQ in Troy will likely go down as last of its kind More: Ascension hospitals in Saginaw, Tawas and Standish to become part of MyMichigan Health Michigan Medicine has lately been on an expansion push to areas of the state far beyond its Ann Arbor base, and health system officials said that by opening a new medical center in Oakland County, they anticipate gaining new patients as well as bringing greater convenience to existing patients who already see Michigan Medicine doctors. The health system intends to hire new providers and technicians to staff the Troy center, the officials said. "We recognize that to best service Michigan, we need these types of partnerships, we need to extend our capabilities and meet patients closer to home and not expect everyone comes to Ann Arbor," Dr. Scott Flanders, chief clinical strategic officers for Michigan Medicine, said. After Kmart moved out, the HQ site had been slated to be redeveloped as "the Pavilions of Troy" with condos, retailers, offices and a hotel, but that proposal unraveled in the Great Recession. In 2009, an ownership group composed of the Forbes and Frankel families bought the roughly 40 acres for $17.5 million. Forbes Co. founder Sidney Forbes later told Crain's Detroit that the purchase was a "defensive move" after rival developer Grand-Sakwa Development started courting Somerset tenants for a development. Michigan Medicine on the march Michigan Medicine has been expanding its presence throughout the state and last year absorbed Lansing-based Sparrow Health System, a deal that grew Michigan Medicine's statewide marketshare to over 15%. It also has a clinical affiliation and business partnership with Midland-based MyMichigan Health, which uses U-M's branding and logo. MyMichigan Health announced this week that it plans to acquire three Ascension Michigan hospitals in Saginaw, Tawas and Standish, a deal that is still subject to antitrust approval. (A separate proposed deal for Henry Ford Health to gain control over eight other Ascension Michigan and Genesys hospitals is still awaiting approval.) During Thursday's U-M Board of Regents meeting, two regents who live in Oakland County said they are excited about the health system expanding its footprint there. I just want to say as a resident of Oakland County, for a long time we have missed out on having Michigan Medicine in our backyard, regent Jordan Acker said. This will provide incredible access to that market, but also for my neighbors who are looking for that Michigan experience without having to travel outside of the county. This is a welcome, necessary and long-needed addition to Michigan Medicines portfolio. Regent Denise Ilitch also voiced her approval. Im very excited about the purchase of the real estate," Ilitch said. "I think that the project is really going to be beautiful. But more important, were going to be able to offer services in Oakland County. I, too, am a resident there, but being able to spread our wings and provide better quality services in this area health services is really a benefit to our citizens. Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jcreindl This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: U-M to buy slice of former Kmart HQ site in Troy for medical center By Sarah Young NEAR LONDON (Reuters) -In an anonymous warehouse in southern England, engineers at Evolve Dynamics are working on technology that could help keep Ukraine's reconnaissance drones in the sky even after Russia tries to jam them electronically. It is a small but important part of an international effort by Ukraine's allies to support its drone programme, which Kyiv hopes will give it the edge over a much larger enemy with many more resources at its disposal. Companies in dozens of countries have supplied drones and drone parts to Ukraine. Some, like Evolve Dynamics, are also focusing on technological advances designed to counter Russia's powerful electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. By developing alternative radio link algorithms, it aims to make it harder for Russia to jam the signal from its surveillance drones, rendering them useless. Both sides have bolstered deployment of EW systems, which can disrupt the frequencies that feed commands from the pilot to the drone, making them drop out of the sky or miss their target. "It's a constant ping-pong game between adversaries," said Mike Dewhirst, chief executive of Evolve Dynamics, who estimates there have been 85 upgrades made to the company's Sky Mantis drones over the last two-and-a-half years. Britain, a staunch ally of Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, said it was the largest supplier of drones to Ukraine, and is working with Latvia to lead a European coalition to step up production. Other allies, such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway, have also provided Ukraine with combat drones. Ukraine has nurtured its own private military startups to innovate and build up their domestic industry as the war enters its third year. In total, there are now about 200 dronemakers in Ukraine and the Strategic Industries Ministry has said the country could make as many as 2 million drones this year. With Evolve Dynamics, whose reconnaissance drones in Ukraine spy on enemy movements, military units receive parts and software updates directly from the company, allowing them, where possible, to make the changes themselves. Story continues "We're adding technology to existing drones, modifying them. It might be a software change, a hardware change," Dewhirst said. RAPID CHANGES ON THE BATTLEFIELD Some military experts said immediate communication between defence companies and soldiers may become a more common feature of warfare given the rapid technological innovation. The trend could have implications for everything from procurement to training. "The technology is moving very quickly. I would say maybe a six week learning cycle on the battlefield," said Nick Reynolds, Research Fellow in Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a UK-based defence think-tank. "Our procurement systems are not optimised for this." Last month, a military unit in Ukraine asked Evolve Dynamics to make changes to its technology to make it safer for the pilot. Working at the British site adorned with Ukrainian flags and messages of thanks from soldiers, staff worked out how to separate a drone's radio box from its control. Having sent instructions, the military unit were able to adopt the change within 24 hours of the request. Dewhirst, who travels to Ukraine each month, decided to fund the modification after hearing soldiers were going to pay for it themselves. Drone units in Ukraine often pay for their own equipment through private means or crowd-funding. Dewhirst founded the company in 2014 when he was working with software engineers in Kyiv for a digital marketing start-up. Evolve Dynamics now has about 100 Sky Mantis surveillance drones flying in Ukraine, making it one of between five and 10 British significant suppliers of drones to Ukraine, the company said. Britain has pledged to spend 325 million pounds ($416 million) to send 10,000 drones to Ukraine this year, and Evolve Dynamics hopes to win more of that work. The privately owned company has supplied Britain's Royal Navy and some police forces, along with global oil and gas and wind turbine companies. ($1 = 0.7813 pounds) (Additional reporting by Max Hunder in Kyiv; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Timothy Heritage) TonyBaggett / Getty Images/iStockphoto The old cliche about finding rare and valuable coins is that you should start by digging around in your sofa. Thats not necessarily bad advice. But chances are the only loose change youll find there are coins that fell out of someones pocket not that long ago and chances are, those coins will be among the billions currently in circulation that are worth no more than face value. Read More: 8 Rare Coins Worth Millions That Are Highly Coveted by Coin Collectors Check Out: 5 Rare Coins That Sold for At Least $600,000 To improve your chances of finding rare coins worth thousands (or even millions) of dollars, you need to search where nobody has searched in a long, long time. You also need to know what constitutes a rare coin. Coins gain value when they meet the following criteria, according to the International Precious Metals website: They are no longer being produced and therefore decreasing in circulation. They are difficult to find. They have unique marks due to errors or limited editions. They have some kind of historical significance. They are prized by collectors. In terms of where to search for rare coins, here are seven strategies: Search where others dont. This might include inside walls and attics of old homes, in backyards, in creeks and in fountains. Exchange paper or digital currency for coin rolls at banks. Buy a metal detector. These can come in handy when you are searching in expansive areas such as parks and coastlines. Ask friends and family if you can look at their old coins. If you find any, be prepared to split the proceeds. Use change machines. Hit the local garage and estate sales: It is not uncommon to find valuable collectibles (including rare coins) at these sales for deep discounts because the sellers might not be aware of their value. Buy a reference book such as A Guide Book of United States Coins. These can provide insights on what constitutes a rare coin and where to find them. Once you have found a coin you think might be rare and valuable, your next step is to do more research on it and the fastest way to do that is to visit reputable websites that specialize in coin analysis and evaluation. The Jerusalem Post recommends these seven sites: Story continues Coin Value Checker: Provides a comprehensive guide to the value of various coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. PCGS CoinFacts: Bills itself as the most comprehensive database for U.S. coins on the internet. NGC Coin Explorer : Provides a searchable and user-friendly catalog of American coins as well as access to the NGC Price Guide, NGC Census, NGC Registry and Auction Central. Robpaulsenlive : The Jerusalem Post calls this site a reliable source for U.S. coin values that offers an interactive experience along with articles and news updates about coin collecting. Heritage Auctions : This is one of the worlds largest collectibles auctioneers, with a section dedicated to rare coins and numismatic items. Heritage also offers free auction appraisals, value guides, past sale prices and other services. NumisMedia Fair Market Value Price Guide : This is another expansive resource for finding information on rare coins. The guide provides up-to-date market values for U.S. rare coins and is available to all visitors without requiring a password, according to the Jerusalem Post. USA Coin Book: This site lets you buy, sell, request and auction off your coin collections. Members can also keep track of their collection using the online database. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Hunting Rare Coins Worth Thousands? 7 Strategies and 7 Websites To Determine Value Quickly Developer Tom Intrator may be looking for a partner amid the Pinch District sale and not a full-on fire sale. "We got a few offers quietly both to sell or joint venture," he said via text to The Commercial Appeal. "My expectation is we likely will partner with an out-of-state developer as we very much believe in the development and the city." Partnerships are nothing new in real estate business, and certainty not in Downtown Memphis. Nearby 100 N. Main recently saw a partnership between local developers and Kansas City-based Block Real Estate Services. Block was previously a rival during the initial bid process for the 100 N. Main redevelopment project. New York developer Tom Intrator, who has purchased tens of millions of dollars of property in Memphis, seen here downtown on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. On March 22, news broke that Intrator's 5.56-acre Pinch District development site was for sale. Real estate firm Newmark is brokering the sale. The listing includes the 21-parcels acquired by Intrator and his 18 Main LLC firm. The $1 billion mixed-use development, which was announced in 2019, includes multifamily, commercial and office space along with an unnamed 406-room hotel. The site extends from Shadyac Avenue on the northern end to Jackson Avenue on the Southern half and is located primarily between between North Main and North November streets. NEW HOTELS IN MEMPHIS: 100 N. Main development looks to bring new upscale hotel brand to Downtown Memphis Will the Pinch District incentives carry over? The Newmark listing states potential buyers will "have the opportunity to assume up to $400 million of approved development incentives such as a PILOT, TIF and tax rebates." The listing also notes the approved 419-foot height variance approved for the development site. On March 22, the listing noted $500 million of approved development incentives and has since changed to $400 million. However, that listing is slightly misleading regarding incentives and what is ultimately included. 18 Main unveiled plans to reimagine the Pinch District of Downtown Memphis. The height variances and approved mixed-use development, zoning and land acquisition are all fair game. In June 2022, the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment approved a height variance that would allow for two buildings to share a 420-foot height limit. Story continues The payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) may not carry over. A 30-year PILOT was approved for the project in 2019. In May 2023, the Center City Revenue Finance Corp., an affiliate board of the Downtown Memphis Commission approved an extension for the PILOT that would push back its closing date until May 9, 2024. Downtown Memphis Commission staff confirmed that PILOT transfers have happened, however, transfers prior to a PILOT closing are a rarity. The first step toward any board approval for a transfer would require the PILOT to be closed and financing secured. Additionally, without any significant construction or site development completed yet, such a transfer would be unlikely to be approved. There's also the caveat that any new developer coming in would have to accept all the previous development plans under the approved PILOT, which includes a 406-room hotel, approximately 942 residential units, retail space and more than 222,000 square feet of office space. The last PILOT transfer the Center City Revenue Finance Corp. board approved was in September 2022 for the Chisca on Main. Main Street Apartments LLC transferred ownership to Rockcreek Plaza Apartments LP. The historic Chisca Hotel redevelopment was approved for a 20-year PILOT in 2012. The PILOT closed in 2014, and the historic property reopened as the Chisca on Main in 2015. Rockcreek inherited the remaining time left on the PILOT. The Pinch District development site is also located in the Uptown TIF district, however, it is not eligible because it has already been a approved for a PILOT. Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Developer talks future of Pinch District project in Downtown Memphis (Bloomberg) -- Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. said it sees relatively high risks to supplies of bauxite from Guinea, highlighting its growing dependence on a single country for the raw material. Most Read from Bloomberg The West African nation last year provided 70% of Chinas imports of bauxite, which is used to produce aluminum. Thats left Chalco, as the company is known, highly exposed to disruptions there. The companys bauxite mine in Guinea may experience fluctuations in supply due to local policy changes and frequent strikes, the worlds biggest aluminum producer said in its annual results statement. Chalco said it will try to ensure supply continuity from its single mine in Guinea, and will seek to develop more mines in the countrys north. It will also look to cooperate on bauxite projects in other places, and to develop more supplies domestically. Guinea blew past Australia and Indonesia in the 2010s to become the biggest bauxite exporter. Most of it goes to China, where its processed into alumina and then aluminum metal. Chinas own bauxite production has faded, while Indonesia halted exports in its push to process more minerals at home. China might eventually have to rely on Guinea for 90% of its bauxite imports, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michelle Leung said in a note this month. Its possible Guinea could emulate Indonesia by requiring foreign companies to build refineries locally, she said. Chalcos net income rose 60% to 6.72 billion yuan last year. The company warned that sluggish global economic growth and expanding geopolitical risks were creating a highly uncertain outlook for commodities. The domestic market still faces problems such as insufficient effective demand and weak expectations. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Representative Clay Higgins, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, has asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to thoroughly review national security concerns in the proposed sale of a US ammunition manufacturer to a firm based in the Czech Republic. Most Read from Bloomberg The concerns involve the sale of Vista Outdoors ammunition business to the holding company Czechoslovak Group, or CSG, which Higgins said would weaken national security if the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or Cfius, approves the sale. The Louisiana Republican said in a letter that the sale of Vista Sporting Products to CSG would result in the firm controlling nearly 70% of production capacity for primers in the Western world. Primers are the component of a bullet that ignites the charge, sending the projectile down the barrel of a pistol or rifle. For these reasons, I request Cfius to carefully examine national security concerns of the proposed acquisition, Higgins wrote in his letter to Yellen, adding that Cfius should also examine any past or current relationship between CSGs owners and foreign adversaries. Higgins contended that CSG had ties to Russia and China. CSG spokesman Andrej Cirtek said in a statement that any speculations about CSGs ties to Russia or China are nonsense. This is proved by facts: We support Ukraine with much-needed deliveries of artillery ammunition, tanks or artillery systems. Cirtek said that companies under the CSG banner have secret-level security clearances in the Czech Republic and North Atlantic Treaty Organization and work with US defense contractors, which wouldnt be possible if the company had ties to US adversaries such as Russia and China. Story continues Army, FBI CSG acquired a 70% stake in Italian ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi Munizioni in 2022. CSGs acquisition of Fioccis US production sites was previously approved by Cfius, according to Cirtek. Higgins cited Vistas contracts to provide ammunition to the US Army, the FBI, the Secret Service, the Customs and Border Protection agency and local law enforcement agencies in his concerns about Vistas ammunition business being sold to a foreign company. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on March 4, Vista Outdoor, which also makes camping and sporting goods such as bike helmets and binoculars, disclosed that Cfius would need to clear the transaction. The company didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the Higgins letter. A complicating angle to the proposed sale: Higgins said the deal could jeopardize the US Armys ability to procure ammunition from its Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. The plant is owned by the military but managed by one of two manufacturers Olin Corp.-owned Winchester or Vista and its predecessors that have traded contracts for the work since the plants founding in 1941, according to Higgins. Read More: US Steel Plunges for Second Day as Biden Comes Out Against Deal Higgins said the deal also would leave police departments across the country heavily reliant on foreign providers of primers and ammunition. Cfius is composed of a representatives from agencies across the federal government but is convened by the Treasury, which chairs the committee. MNC Capital Partners LP submitted on Monday a rival bid for the company at $37.50 per share, valuing both the consumer products and ammunition manufacturing divisions of Vistas business at about $3 billion. MNC said its offer would not be subject to Cfius review. In a letter to their employees, Vista executives said that a previous offer from MNC of $35 per share was an inferior path to the one were on by selling the ammunition business to CSG, and is not in the best interest of our stockholders. (Adds a previous CFIUS approval in seventh paragraph. A previous version of this story had an incorrect description of CSGs security clearances.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Atlas Air operates Boeing 777 freighters for a variety of customers, including in partnership with DHL Express. (Image: Atlas Air) All-cargo airline Atlas Air on Thursday announced that YunExpress, a freight forwarder based in China that specializes in cross-border small package delivery, has signed a long-term transportation services agreement for dedicated use of a Boeing 777-200 freighter. YunExpress launched its first 777 charter service, operated by Atlas Air, in December between Xiamen, China, and Miami. Atlas Air did not issue a news release at the time about the new partnership. YunExpress is a subsidiary of Zongteng Group, a large, China-based provider of cross-border warehousing and logistics services for e-commerce sellers. Atlas Air will begin operating YunExpress second freighter in April six times per week on trans-pacific routes between China and the U.S. A contract for dedicated carriage gives customers like YunExpress more control over an aircrafts use and more consistent service than booking cargo on a scheduled commercial service available to anyone. The news highlights how e-commerce players in China have become the primary growth engine for the air cargo industry in the past year, helping to accelerate the demand recovery from a lengthy downturn. Many of them are seeking out dedicated freighter capacity. Cross-border e-commerce is driving significant demand for Atlas dedicated large widebody freighter capacity, said Atlas Air CEO Michael Steen. Zongteng purchased its own 777 and subleased it to China-based Central Airlines in early 2023 to fly its cargo from Shenzhen, China, to Paris. It now has two 777s in service. One freighter operates multiple times per week between Shenzhen; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Paris. The other connects Xiamen, China; Tianjin, China; and Paris, with occasional service to Shenzhen, according to tracking site FlightRadar24. Privately held Atlas Air had revenue of $4.5 billion last year. It has 113 aircraft in its fleet across four aircraft types. Holding company Atlas Air Worldwide has 16 777s under control, including ones its leasing subsidiary rents to other airlines, ones owned and operated by Atlas and others provided by customers for Atlas to operate. The airline is scheduled to receive two more 777 freighters from Boeing this year. Story continues Atlas operates 777s for customers such as DHL Express and MSC Air Cargo. Some planes still bear the logo of Southern Air, a company Atlas acquired several years ago and provides international airlift for DHL. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RECOMMENDED READING: Chinese e-commerce logistics company Zongteng inaugurates Paris air route The post YunExpress charters Atlas Air freighters for US e-commerce service appeared first on FreightWaves. Have doubts about managing your money online? Heres what you should know. When was the last time you walked into a physical branch of your bank? If you can't remember how long ago it was, it might be time to switch to online banking. While online-only banks have some limitations particularly for people with spotty internet access they also deliver higher interest rates on deposit accounts and lower fees than traditional banks, often with similar (or better) security. For the most part, online banks offer the same protections as brick-and-mortar institutions, including FDIC insurance on your deposits. So, as with traditional banking, it's a combination of the bank's security measures and your personal habits that determine how safe your accounts will be. Traditional vs. online banks: Which are safer? In this age of data breaches, it's natural to have doubts about the safety of online banking. In 2023, banks represented almost half of all companies that experienced financial data breaches, while credit unions made up another 7%, according to Comparitech . By comparison, however, online banks experienced less than 0.5%. While online and traditional banks have many of the same cybersecurity and privacy regulations, online banks may be safer because they have no physical branches, meaning far fewer employees. As negligible as that detail may seem, a study from Verizon found that some 74% of all data breaches were enabled by employee activity, whether it was through errors or deliberate fraud. That doesn't mean online banking is always safer than traditional alternatives, especially since data breaches aren't the only security threat to customers. Whether you complete your bank transactions digitally or in person, the transaction happens online, and your sensitive account information is stored online, too. In other words, it's still vulnerable to threats like malware and identity theft whether you bank in person or online. How online banks keep your money and information safe Every bank has its own set of security policies, but online banks are generally as safe as traditional banks since they often use the same preventative security measures , including: Encryption software Multi-factor authentication Firewalls Monitoring for unusual account activity Mandated privacy policy training for employees Keep in mind these are all best practices, and some banks are better than others when it comes to online security. When choosing an online bank, prioritize those that offer robust security features. Further, as an account holder, it's also up to you to take advantage of the most valuable security features each bank offers, whether it's an online bank or not. That includes enabling multi-factor authentication, account alerts, and automatic updates for your banking app. You can also take simple steps to keep your account safe from some of the biggest threats to banking security: phishing and stolen login credentials. Wherever you bank, you should always choose a strong and unique password for your accounts, never log in while using public WiFi, and avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and text messages. Read more: How to use AI to improve your finances How to tell if an online bank is legit To find out if an online bank is legitimate and secure, you'll need to verify through reputable sources. At a minimum, your online bank should be FDIC insured meaning they insure you against losses on up to $250,000 in deposits and actively in business, both of which you can quickly confirm using the FDIC's BankFind Suite tool. For good measure, go one step further and check to see what you can find out about the bank online. To learn about their track record with security issues, search for news and reports on cybersecurity incidents at the bank, read their customer reviews, and check out their app ratings. If the bank is legitimate, you should also be able to find information about their security policies on their website easily. Take a look to confirm that they provide 128-bit or 256-bit data encryption and use multi-factor authentication. If this information isn't posted on their website, consider it a sign to look for another online bank. The Fremont Transit Program has received a $500 donation from the Fremont Rotary Club to provide temporary, cost-free transportation. The donation funded over 130 no-cost rides last week and rides will continue this week until the donation cap has been met. The Fremont Transit Program, also known as FTP, is a demand-response transit program providing transportation to the general public in Fremont. We are incredibly grateful to the Fremont Rotary Club for their generous gift and support of our program and community, said transit coordinator Dakota Buesing. This donation will directly benefit individuals who depend on our services for transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores and their places of employment. Nick Hansen, transit manager said, Generous partners like Fremont Rotary are helping the Fremont Transit Program remove transportation obstacles for those in our community with transit needs. Currently, FTP provides rides within Fremont city limits plus a two-mile radius. FTP has given over 3,500 rides since the program kicked off last September. The team includes one full-time and one part-time driver along with a transit coordinator. Currently, the city is accepting applications for a transit manager. The program is partially grant-funded but also relies on sponsorships and donations like this one from the Fremont Rotary Club," said grant coordinator Angie Olson. "Fremont Area United Way and Fremont Area Community Foundation have also been important sponsors of the program." To learn more about the Fremont Transit Program call 402-459-2845 or visit fremontne.gov/984/Fremont-Transit-Program. The Fremont City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday, March 26, the hiring of four new firefighters for the citys fire department. The new additions mean the department is only short three firefighters as officials hope to get fully staffed later this year. Approved for hiring were Cameron Cuda, of Omaha; Colby Heavican, of Gretna; Larry Hawkins, of Herman, Nebraska; and Christian Derkatch, of Bellevue. Three of the candidates were at the meeting and took photographs with city officials and got a loud round of applause. On Wednesday, Mayor Joey Spellerberg said he was excited about the latest group of new firefighters to be approved for hiring. The hiring was a 6-0 vote, as council members Lori Lathrop and Blair Horner were absent from the meeting. It is great to have four new firefighters, Spellerberg said. All four went through the process, qualified and went through the civil service process and are ready to go. So we are eager to get them started and I know Chief Bernt is really excited to have some extra help in there in the department. The additional four firefighters take the citys firefighter roster total to 30, not including Fire Chief Todd Bernt. The city has budgeted for a total of 33 firefighters and officials are advertising for three additional candidates to join the department. Well keep trying to fill the remaining positions, Spellerberg said. I believe we still have three open at this point. So well be going back out (and advertising) for those. But, were making a lot of progress on that front. On Tuesday, Bernt said he was proud of the four new hires for the department, whom he said have cleared all pre-employment requirements and will first go through a two-week in-house training academy before being on a six-month probationary period. It is great to have new staff joining the department, he said. The fire department is still seeking to hire for a newly created assistant fire chief position, and Bernt said because efforts in the previous five months have not been successful, the city is hiring an outside talent acquisition firm to assist with finding qualified candidates for the new position that will be his second in command. Police officers recognized, new assistant chief position created At the beginning of Tuesdays meeting during the mayors comments portion of the night, Spellerberg recognized FPD Capt. Kurt Bottorff for 30 years of dedicated service to the department and also honored Sgt. Dominic Savio for his 10 years of committed service to the city. Spellerberg said both Bottorff and Savio are exemplary police officers who are fully invested in their jobs protecting the residents of the city, and recognizing them for their many years of service was important. We do the service awards and thats just, I think, from five years on, Spellerberg said. Its a great tradition that we have within the city to do that. When we have, you know, Dominic Savio at 10 years and Capt. Bottorff at 30 years, its a well-deserved honor and recognition for their loyalty and commitment to the city. I appreciate their service to the community and theyre both Fremonters and both have given a lot back, so it is great to honor them. City Human Resources Manager Jennifer McDuffie later in the meeting told the council that the city had decided to create a new deputy assistant chief of police position, which will possibly be filled by one of the two current police captains, Bottorff and Capt. Shane Wimer. McDuffie said the new position was due to staffing changes in the department and merely preparing for a possible future leadership change at the department. Spellerberg said there is no news on the possible retirement of Chief of Police Jeff Elliott, who has been a part of the department for more than three decades. No, theres no announcement for that, Spellerberg said of Elliotts possible retirement. Hes our police chief and this is just getting the department kind of ready for the future. Lawmakers gave final approval Thursday morning to bills expanding Medicaid reimbursements for prenatal care and inflating the governors influence over Nebraskas Racing and Gaming Commission, both among more than a dozen bills the Legislature sent to Gov. Jim Pillens desk for his consideration. The body voted 45-0 to give third-round approval to Lincoln Sen. George Dungans bill (LB857) establishing the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, which will expand reimbursements for prenatal care to include nutrition counseling and targeted case management for at-risk mothers if Pillen approves the measure. The program established by the bill is meant to reduce instances in Nebraska of low birth weights, preventable pre-term births and other adverse birth outcomes by connecting at-risk mothers with health care not currently covered by Medicaid. The Legislature also gave unanimous approval with four senators absent Thursday morning to legislation (LB839) introduced by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney that calls for the governor to approve the hiring of the Racing and Gaming Commission executive director, a position not previously subject to the governors approval. As he advocated for his bill on the legislative floor earlier this month, Lowe pointed to recent questionable decisions made by the once-obscure commission that saw its budget and reach grow substantially in 2020 when Nebraska voters approved casino gambling and lawmakers subsequently charged the commission with regulating the new industry. The commission has come under fire this year after it spent more than $30,000 on 10 semi-automatic rifles last year for agency investigators whose primary task is enforcing state gambling regulations and laws. The bill also bars Racing and Gaming Commission members from holding any other office or position under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States less than three years after former Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed the states sitting tax commissioner to the board. The appointment of Tony Fulton, a longtime opponent of expanded gambling, raised questions over his qualifications to serve on the commission and ties to the anti-gambling movement. Fulton still serves on the body but resigned as tax commissioner in December 2022. Both bills head to Pillens desk along with more than a dozen other pieces of legislation that lawmakers gave final approval Thursday morning, including one bill that would declare Oct. 17 as Nebraska Missing Persons Day and another that will make it easier for motorcyclists to ride without a helmet in the state. Thursday marked Day 52 of this years 60-day legislative session with the clock winding down on lawmaking as the Legislature has barely begun long-awaited debate over Pillens controversial plan to cut property taxes by raising state sales taxes, among other priority bills the body has scant time to take up. Nebraskas Legislature meets annually, but convenes for 90 days in odd-numbered years. For those of you who are experiencing your first 60-day session, this is a 60-day session, Sen. John Arch of La Vista, the speaker of the Legislature, said Thursday morning. So, how can we do this? What do we have to do? Arch said. Well, the short answer is we all have to do our part in order for this to happen. So I would say please expect late nights for the remainder of the session. Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024 Nebraska lawmakers launched Wednesday into a long-awaited debate about Gov. Jim Pillens plan to cut property taxes by raising state sales taxes. But they adjourned for the day before reaching a vote on LB388, the tax-related portions of the plan. They are not expected to resume debate until next week, after state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area asked for a pause until at least Tuesday. Linehan said she doesnt believe the bill is in trouble, despite stiff opposition to the sales tax increase, both within the Legislature and from numerous outside groups. She said she wanted the pause to correct drafting errors in the proposal and to figure out better ways to convince colleagues. At least one opponent predicted the measure would fall short of the number of votes needed to cut off the current filibuster and advance to the second of three rounds of consideration. I dont believe theres 33 votes for cloture because otherwise people wouldnt be reaching out to get my support, said Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard. He warned that senators who vote for the proposed 1-cent sales tax increase would be booted out at the next election, citing the history of Nebraska governors who have supported tax increases. But Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth predicted that senators would be targeted for defeat if they dont support the bill, saying lack of action would amount to a vote for continued property tax increases. I find it disingenuous when everybody says the sky is falling because were going to tax your Dr Pepper, he said, nodding to the proposal to tax pop and candy. Pillens plan, as amended by the Legislatures Revenue Committee, would increase the state sales tax rate and add taxes to several goods and services, bringing in an estimated $650 million a year when fully implemented. That revenue would be added to money now allocated to provide income tax credits to offset school property taxes paid. The combined total would be distributed to schools and, because of existing revenue caps, would drive down school property taxes. Estimates from the Governors Office show the result would cut school taxes by more than 45% statewide. LB388 also would put new property tax revenue caps on counties and cities. Supporters of the measure touted the property tax savings, which they said would outweigh any downside from boosting sales taxes. Among them, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha said every person she talks with has been fine with the sales tax increase, as long as they were guaranteed a property tax reduction. She said sales, income and property taxes are out of balance, with state sales taxes accounting for the smallest total of the three. Sen. Brad Von Gillern of Omaha argued that the proposal would be an overall tax reduction, not a tax shift. He offered some hypothetical examples showing that the property tax cuts would outweigh the sales tax increases. But OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank, provided other examples showing that some Nebraskans would pay more in taxes under the plan. The results depend on whether a person owns property or rents and, among property owners, whether they have been claiming the income tax credits for school property taxes. Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln led off the opposition. Like those who followed him, his biggest concern was the sales tax rate hike. He said the increase would hurt local businesses, fall most heavily on low- and middle-income Nebraskans and harm the state. Another opponent, Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, said the proposed 6.5-cent rate would put Nebraska in the top 10 for state sales tax rate. It would tie for 9th highest in the country. Among the states neighbors, Nebraska would tie with Kansas for the highest rate. Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he liked the proposal to exempt residential utilities from sales taxes but opposed the overall rate increase. He questioned the plan to tax lottery tickets, asking if that would reduce money for education, and took issue with taxing pop and candy and putting a 100% tax hike on CBD and hemp products. Overall I dont think this benefits poor people, he said. Outside of the legislative chamber, opposition to the sales tax increase came from major business groups, including the Nebraska, Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, and Washington County chambers of commerce and the Nebraska Federation of Independent Business. Implementing taxes on one group to alleviate the burden on another is not good public policy, the chambers said in a statement. Americans for Prosperity has launched an advertising campaign against the sales tax increase. The Platte Institute and OpenSky, Nebraska think tanks from opposite ends of the political spectrum, also are against it. As amended, LB388 would increase the state sales tax rate by as much as 1 cent, to 6.5 cents total, and add taxes to more goods and services. The state rate increase could end up being less than 1 cent, based on a trigger mechanism included in the bill. (Local sales taxes are in addition to the state rate.) The trigger depends on overall state revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30. The sales tax rate will be 1 cent unless yearend revenues top the latest projection by 3.5%, plus $116 million. If they hit that level, the sales tax increase would be 3/4 cent. If they are up 3.5% plus $233 million, the increase would be cent, and so on. The most recent revenue projection, set in late February, calls for revenues of $7.02 billion for the current fiscal year. LB388 also calls for adding taxes to pop and candy, lottery tickets, veterinary care for pets and other pet services, moving and storage services, dry cleaning, games of skill, hemp and CBD products, vaping products, cigarettes and advertising services offered by businesses with gross revenues of more than $1 billion. However, as McKinney noted, the package would remove sales taxes from residential utility bills as a way to help lower-income families. Linehan said the intent is to pair LB388 with legislation from the Education Committee to provide for the distribution mechanism. Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, the Education Committee chairman, said the committee is working on a proposal but it is not expected to reach the full Legislature until next week. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and some big names from the entertainment world have delivered a rousing New York embrace of President Joe Biden at a campaign fundraiser that hauled in a record-setting $26 million-plus for the incumbent's reelection campaign Christopher Sheppard carries his families bags from a Motel 6 to WoodSprings Suites just up the road on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. After being evicted from their apartment last summer, the Sheppards sold everything they owned, including their car, with the exception of a few suitcases, a half-dozen bags and backpacks, a TV and their sons Xbox. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette) Terrain Hoppers are set to roam Colorado Springs-area trails again this summer. It will be their second full summer under El Paso County parks department's Trailability Program, based out of the Bear Creek and Fountain Creek nature centers. Each center is home to a Terrain Hopper, appearing like a mini ATV "off-road mobility vehicles," the county calls them, "that allow members of the community and visiting guests with disabilities to experience trails previously inaccessible to them." Starting April 2, people can reserve a summer or early fall tour spanning 1-3 miles around the meadows, woods and wetlands from either nature center. Slots can be booked online: communityservices.elpasoco.com/trailability. The tours are free and accompanied by a county staffer or volunteer, alongside friends and family Terrain Hopper riders might bring along. The Trailability Program is set to run May 2-Oct. 31. The Front Range outdoor world had its collective head turned to Staunton State Park's first Trackchairs in 2017. In 2021, upon the park's 1,000th trip in the all-terrain transport, a coordinator described the Trackchairs as "more impactful than I think any of us could have imagined." Colorado Springs' parks department last fall announced acquiring two Trackchairs to run a program similar to the county's. Details have yet to be announced, but Red Rock Canyon Open Space has been discussed as a possible spot for the program. An AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed during a training exercise on Fort Carson Wednesday night, prompting the grounding of all aviation assets at the Mountain Post. The helicopter crashed around 6:30 p.m. in a southern training area and emergency personnel arrived within minutes to care for two soldiers, a news release said. The two suffered minor injuries and were released from the hospital Wednesday night. "We are grateful our soldiers are safe, and the unit is ensuring the crew, their families and friends are receiving all possible care and support during this time," the base said in a news release. The helicopter was with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. Officials said that the helicopter was conducting routine training exercises. A team from the Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Novosel, Alabama, will investigate the incident, the statement said. The command temporarily grounded all aviation assets on Fort Carson until further notice. On Monday night, an Army AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed at a military base in Washington state during a training exercise, sending the two pilots to a hospital, according to the Associated Press. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. They are the most recent in several crashes involving Apaches. The National Guard Bureau grounded all its helicopter units in late February following recent crashes, according to a news release from the guard. On Feb. 12, an AH-64D Apache helicopter crashed in Utah injuring two. Then on Feb. 23, four national guardsmen died when the same type of helicopter crashed in Mississippi. The National Guard planned to review safety policies and procedures, it's statement said. Last year the Army grounded all its aviators for safety training following 12 deaths in helicopter crashes. Chief Warrant Officer Kyle McKenna of Colorado Springs was among them and died on April 27, 2023 when two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided. Fort Carson resumed flying Apaches about one week after safety reviews. Crews will be lighting prescribed fires on Fort Carson training areas and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site northeast of Trinidad starting this week through April 15. The intermittent prescribed burns are meant to reduce heavy vegetation that can fuel wildfires, a news release stated. The Directorates of Emergency Services and Public Works Conservation Branch will only light the fires if weather conditions are favorable. The National Weather Service is not forecasting any red flag warning days, indicating high risk of fires this week. Smoke from prescribed fire on Fort Carson will most likely be visible along the Interstate 25 corridor from Colorado Springs to Pueblo and the Colorado 115 route from Colorado Springs to Penrose. Any fires at the Pinon Canyon training site may be seen from U.S. 350 in Las Animas County. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Fort Carson officials will work to mitigate health effects from the smoke by "combining favorable weather conditions with a variety of fire management techniques," the news release said. More information about the health effects of smoke can be found at www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health. Concerned community members are encouraged to call Fort Carson at (719) 526-9849. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was a star at the El Paso County assemblies Saturday, stopping for selfies and speaking to crowds several times as she courted voters ahead of a June primary election to replace Congressman Ken Buck. Boebert currently represents the 3rd Congressional District, which covers the Western Slope, San Luis Valley and Pueblo. But she is in a crowded primary race to replace Buck, who recently resigned from the 4th Congressional District, an area that spans the eastern plains and a small slice of El Paso County. Some of the large communities in the district of more than 500,000 include Loveland, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Parker and Windsor. If she can get past the primary, the general election is expected to be less competitive for her than it would be in her current district, Colorado Politics reported previously. In an unprecedented move, Buck resigned early triggering a vacancy election now slated as the same day as the primary and perhaps tripping up Boebert's run for office since she is not eligible in that race. Ahead of those races, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker explained Tuesday in a presentation for the county commissioners his focus is on ensuring the 6,250 voters in the 4th Congressional District that he serves have uniform voting opportunities to others. The residents in the district live in small and highly rural areas. The area spans from the communities of Calhan and Yoder east to the county line. It could be a bit confusing for voters because the June primary ballots will feature a question to ask who should replace Buck temporarily and a question asking who should be the Republican candidate in November for the seat. Despite her disadvantage, Boebert promised to campaign fiercely. She is expected to face numerous people in the primary. The contenders include Douglas County nonprofit leader Deborah Flora, state Rep. Mike Lynch, Logan County Commissioner Jerry Sonnenberg, state Rep. Richard Holtorf, oil and gas advocate Floyd Trujillo, former congressional staffer Chris Phelen and business consultant Peter Yu, Colorado Politics reported. Featured Local Savings The candidate also called on Republicans not be disheartened by how outnumbered they are by Democrats in Colorado. For example, the Colorado House of Representatives has 19 Republicans of the 65 seats. If we are silent, we lose by default, she said. Schleiker explained the two races will appear on the same ballot to help save costs for numerous small counties across the district. The vacancy question will appear last and it will be spaced apart from the other questions, he said. Members of minor parties will receive a ballot with just the vacancy question on it. In El Paso County, the clerks staff expects to hand stuff envelopes for the 145 members of minor political parties. There are about 8,000 members of minor parties across the whole district. El Paso County is also planning to open up a voter service and polling center in Calhan for the Congressional District 4 race, Schleiker said. Because the election will be in June, the staff for the polling center can be shifted from one of the local colleges, which will be closed, and there will not be additional cost. I am extremely happy with how this came out, Schleiker said. The man accused of killing two people at a University of Colorado Colorado Springs dorm room made his first appearance in court on Wednesday for a new case where he faces charges for allegedly assaulting an El Paso County deputy. According to an arrest affidavit obtained Tuesday by The Gazette, Nicholas Jordan, 25, faces assault charges for allegedly punching a deputy in the El Paso County jail last week after the deputy refused to give him cleaning supplies to clean his cell. Jordan appeared in court Wednesday afternoon for his first appearance, where his defense attorney requested a mental health stay be put on the case. Jordan is currently undergoing a competency evaluation in the double homicide case where he is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16. At Jordan' most recent court appearance, his attorneys requested for a competency evaluation to be conducted, stalling the homicide case indefinitely. Jordan is slated to return to court for the homicide case on April 12, where his attorneys will provide an update on the ongoing competency evaluation. Featured Local Savings Jordan and Knopp were roommates and students at UCCS, according to previous reporting from The Gazette. Jordan's arrest affidavit states that Jordan had made a death threat against Knopp over taking out the trash, and that campus security and housing had recorded multiple complaints about Jordan prior to the shooting. Jordan's new case where he faces charges of second-degree assault against a peace officer and misdemeanor harassment now remains on hold until the completion of Jordan's competency evaluation. "Just tell her (the judge) I'm incompetent," Jordan could be heard saying to his attorney, Nick Rogers, in the courtroom prior to his case being called on Wednesday. Rogers requested to have Jordan's right to a preliminary hearing on the case reserved until a determination on competency is made. Jordan remains in custody at the El Paso County jail on a $5 million bond for the double homicide case, and a $10,000 bond on the assault case. He appeared to court on Wednesday supervised by three El Paso County deputies. Although the Colorado Springs Fire Department is here to protect the public first, firefighters are now better equipped to assist furry, four-legged friends on the scene. The Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs, along with the Westside Animal Hospital, donated $4,500 to the Colorado Springs Fire Department in honor of retired CSFD Deputy Chief Steven Dubay for the supply of pet-friendly oxygen kits, the department announced in a recent social media post. Dubay, who worked 36 years with the department, and his wife, Marta, have a deep love for helping animals, which led to the idea for the kits, said Ashley Franco, a spokesperson with the Fire Department. El Paso County Animal Law Enforcement Sergeant Nichole Michon told Gazette news partner KOAA that although pets will realize something is wrong, they are often unable to escape a burning structure on their own. "They know that something's wrong, but they don't quite have the capacity to be able to remove themselves from that danger," Michon said. Featured Local Savings CSFD Deputy Chief Steve Wilch told KOAA that although firefighters will initially enter a burning structure to save human lives, firefighters and EMTs can also deliver lifesaving skills on pets who have suffered the impacts of smoke and fire. "Firefighters, we are trained in our emergency medical skills, But we also know we can deliver some of those lifesaving skills to a pet through the oxygen delivery and stimulation," Wilch said. The "SED kits," named after Dubay, will be secured on every department fire apparatus and will serve one "very important purpose" to save pets who have been stuck in a structure fire and need medical attention, specifically oxygen. Gazette news partner KOAA contributed to this report. Update: The Colorado Springs Police Department has canceled the missing alert for Erika Franklin, according to a social media post by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Thursday afternoon. Authorities are asking for the public's help locating a missing, at-risk teenager who was last seen in Colorado Springs Saturday evening. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations, 17-year-old Erika Franklin was last seen in northwest Colorado Springs at around 7 p.m. near the 5100 block of Hearthstone Lane. Franklin has brown hair, brown eyes, is roughly 4 ft. 11 inches and weighs approximately 100 pounds. She was last seen wearing a long sleeve hoodie and sweatpants, a missing persons alert released through social media states. CBI released a Missing Indigenous Persons Alert just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday evening through social media. Officials said Franklin has been without her medication and could be experiencing mental health problems. Anyone carrying any information regarding Franklin's whereabouts is being asked to call 911, or contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000. The Daniels Fund distributed more than $63.8 million through nonprofit grants and student scholarships in 2022, according to a news release Monday. The private charitable foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The foundation has donated more than a billion dollars to date. Its a mindblower. Bill Daniels believed in investing in one life at a time and making a difference one life at a time, foundation President and CEO Hanna Skandera said in the news release. Its thousands of lives and so many communities changed with the opportunity for a better life. More than $40 million of last years funds remained in Colorado. The state was Daniels anchor, where both his business and his home were located, according to Skandera. He requested 65% of annual funds support Coloradans. Namesake Bill Daniels was a cable television pioneer who owned hundreds of cable systems and helped to shape the industry in its early days, according to the foundation website. After growing up poor during the Great Depression, he committed himself to a life of giving back to those in need. He left $1.1 billion to the Daniels Fund upon his death in 2000, formally establishing the foundation. Last year, Colorado students received $9.7 million through two types of scholarships, according to the news release. The Daniels Scholarship provides financial support for any two- or four-year, nonprofit, accredited college or university in the U.S. Selected students demonstrate great potential, strong character, and big dreams, according to the programs website. The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship provides financial support to non-traditional students who recognize the power of education to create a better life for themselves and their families. Unlike Daniels Scholars, who are selected by the foundation, Boundless Opportunity Scholars are selected directly by universities. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Colorado nonprofits received $33.3 million in grants, according to the release. Grants are made in eight different areas: aging, amateur sports, disabilities, drug and alcohol addiction, early childhood education, homeless and disadvantaged, K-12 education reform and youth development. Colorado Springs Rescue Mission was one of 11 Colorado Springs organizations that received grant payments in 2022. The nonprofit received $600,000 toward its mission of meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness through food, shelter, job training and rehabilitation. Because of Daniels Fund, we're able to implement some very robust programming that is helping individuals who are struggling with homelessness find ways toward better health, better employment and better housing, Chief Development Officer Travis Williams said. "Daniels Fund is a thoughtful lender that has had a tremendous impact for many in Colorado Springs." The foundation received roughly 275 grant applicants, according to Skandera. Grants range from $10,000 to $1.5 million, averaging to about $150,000. The stories are incredible, whether it's somebody who's able to hear for the first time as a child born deaf, to a person able to walk, to aging with dignity, to leaving homelessness, Skandera said. Story after story of lives changed. It's humbling and exciting all in one breath. Sam Knopp had musical talent that demanded attention, said former bandmate Anthony Scornavacco. He recruited Knopp from a chance encounter in a music store, where he said the 24-year-old's causal playing was "phenomenal." "He was probably the most skilled guitar player I'd ever met," said Scornavacco. From a later audition that was an immediate yes, the young guitarist was part of a band with primarily older professional musicians. Scornavacco said Knopp was "dedicated," showing up to practice 30 minutes early and hitting every note he was asked to play perfectly. He said Knopp was passionate about classic rock like Def Leppard and the Rolling Stones. A avid restorer, Knopp also spent his time working with antique radios and cars. Knopp was with Scornavacco's newly-formed industrial rock band Aeternum for almost three months before stepping away just weeks before his death. Knopp was killed along with Celie Montgomery, 26, in a shooting in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus where Knopp was a senior. Knopp's roommate Nicholas Jordan, 25, was later arrested in connection with the murders and is facing charges. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Scornavacco said he and fellow bandmates were shocked to hear the news about Montgomery and Knopp. "He was one of the nicest people you would ever meet," he said. The band's debut concert was already set for April 26. In honor of Knopp, Aeternum is dedicating the concert to their former guitarist, with proceeds to benefit his family and pay funeral expenses. Scornavacco said 50 percent of the show's ticket profits would go to benefit Montgomery and Knopp's family. He said several of Knopp's family members are set to attend the concert from the venue's green room. Tickets for the concert with a list of other acts and sponsors can be found here. The band is also planning to raffle off a guitar played by Knopp and a drum set, with full proceeds going to the families. With his talent and passion, Scornavacco said that Knopp would have had a great career ahead in music. In 20 years, Scornavacco said "he would probably be playing arenas." "If anyone was going to go all in on chasing their dreams, it was him," he said. CAIRO (Reuters) - The spokesperson for Islamic State praised the group's attack that killed more than 140 people in a Russian concert hall near Moscow. Abu Huthaifa al-Ansari was speaking in a recorded message posted on Thursday on the militant group's Telegram channel. Al-Ansari also reiterated urging the group's supporters to target "crusaders" everywhere, especially in the United States, Europe and Israel. "We ask God that you make it to Palestine so you could fight the Jews face to face in an endless religious war," he said. Russian investigators said on Thursday they had found proof that the concert hall gunmen were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", an assertion immediately dismissed by the United States as baseless propaganda. Eleven people were arrested in the first 24 hours after the shooting and eight of them, including the four suspected gunmen, have been placed in pre-trial detention. Seven are from the Central Asian state of Tajikistan and the other from Kyrgyzstan. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Enas Alashray; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Daniel Wallis) By Nandita Bose and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israel has asked the White House to reschedule a high-level meeting on military plans for Gaza's southern city of Rafah that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had abruptly canceled, officials said on Wednesday, in an apparent bid to ease tensions between the two allies. Netanyahu called off a planned visit to Washington by a senior Israeli delegation after the U.S. allowed passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations on Monday, marking a new war-time low in his relations with President Joe Biden. The suspension of this week's meeting put a new obstacle in the way of efforts by the U.S., concerned about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to get Netanyahu to consider alternatives to a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for Palestinian civilians. On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters: "The prime minister's office has agreed to reschedule the meeting dedicated" to Rafah. "So we're now working with them to set (a) convenient date," she added. An Israeli official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a new meeting was being arranged and said Netanyahu was considering sending his delegation as early as next week. There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu's office. BID TO RESET WHITE HOUSE MEETING Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held wide-ranging discussions with senior U.S. officials this week and sought to lower the temperature between the two governments. Gallant, though not part of Netanyahu's inner circle, is a key architect of the campaign against Hamas in retaliation for the militants' Oct. 7 rampage that Israel says killed 1,200 people. Israel's military response has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. The Israeli team will still be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, two of Netanyahu's close confidants, according to a person familiar with the matter. The talks are expected to focus on Israel's threatened offensive in Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday, "We do," when asked if the U.S. believes a limited military campaign in Rafah can take out remaining commanders of the Palestinian militant group. The White House said last week it intended to share with Israeli officials alternatives for eliminating Hamas' remaining battalions in Rafah without a full-scale ground invasion that Washington says would be a "disaster." The threat of such an offensive has increased differences between close allies the United States and Israel, and raised questions about whether the U.S. might restrict military aid if Netanyahu defies Biden and presses ahead anyway. Biden, running for re-election in November, faces pressure not just from America's allies but from a growing number of fellow Democrats to rein in the Israeli military response in Gaza. Bidens decision to abstain at the U.N., coming after months of mostly adhering to longtime U.S. policy of shielding Israel at the world body, appeared to reflect growing U.S. frustration with the Israeli leader. Netanyahu issued a stinging rebuke, calling the U.S. move a "clear retreat" from its previous position and would hurt Israel's war efforts and negotiations to free more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza. U.S. officials said at the time that the Biden administration was perplexed by Netanyahu's decision and considered it an overreaction, insisting there had been no change in policy. (Reporting by Nandita Bose and Matt Spetalnick; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis; Editing by Rami Ayyub, Deepa Babington and Alistair Bell) By Estelle Shirbon and Pola Grzanka (Reuters) - Israeli soldiers have been posting photos and videos of themselves toying with lingerie found in Palestinian homes, creating a dissonant visual record of the war in Gaza as a looming famine intensifies world scrutiny of Israel's offensive. In one video, an Israeli soldier sits in an armchair in a room in Gaza grinning, with a gun in one hand and dangling white satin underwear from the other over the open mouth of a comrade lying on a sofa. Elsewhere, another soldier sits atop a tank holding a female mannequin dressed in a black bra and helmet and says: "I found a beautiful wife, serious relationship in Gaza, great woman." The two videos shot by Israeli soldiers are among dozens of posts in which troops in Gaza are shown displaying lingerie, mannequins, and in some cases both. The lingerie images have been viewed tens of thousands of times - nearly half a million in one case - after being reposted by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter. Approached about images he reposted to his more than 100,000 followers on X between Feb. 23 and March 1, Tirawi provided links to the original posts by IDF soldiers. Reuters then independently verified eight posted on Instagram or YouTube. "The posting of such images is demeaning to Palestinian women, and all women," said Ravina Shamdasani, U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson. Reuters sent details of the eight verified posts on YouTube or Instagram to the Israel Defense Forces, requesting comment. In response, a spokesperson sent a statement saying the IDF investigates incidents that deviate from the orders and expected values of IDF soldiers, as well as reports of videos uploaded to social networks. "In cases where suspicion of a criminal offense arises that justifies opening an investigation, an investigation is opened by the Military Police," it said. "It should be clarified that in some of the examined cases, it is concluded that the expression or behaviour of the soldiers in the video is inappropriate, and it is handled accordingly," the statement said. The IDF declined to say whether it was referring to any of the images highlighted by Reuters, or whether any of the soldiers responsible have been disciplined. The Israeli soldiers whom Reuters was able to identify did not respond to requests for comment sent via their social media accounts. MANNEQUINS AND UNDERWEAR The authenticated posts include a photo of a soldier holding a bare female mannequin from behind with his hands on its breasts and one of a soldier handling a half-naked doll. One photo shows a soldier posing with his gun, making a thumbs-up gesture, in front of a double bed strewn with packets of women's underwear. YouTube said it had removed a video flagged by Reuters for violating the platform's harassment policies, which prohibit content that reveals someone's personally identifiable information. Instagram did not comment. Israel's military campaign in Gaza was launched in response to an attack on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Oct. 7 in which militants killed about 1,200 people and took 253 hostage, according to Israel. The posts come at a time when Hamas and Israel are both being accused of grave war crimes. A team of U.N. experts said this month in a report that there were reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence, including rapes and gang rapes, occurred at several locations during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The experts also said there was convincing information that some Israeli hostages taken to Gaza had been subjected to sexual violence which may still be ongoing. Israel stands accused of pushing Gaza towards famine. The team of U.N. experts also said in its recent report that it had received information from institutional and civil society sources and direct interviews in the West Bank about sexual violence against Palestinians by the IDF. Both sides reject accusations of sexual violence. The lingerie and mannequin posts do not compare in gravity to the alleged crimes against women reported since Oct. 7. Still, two legal experts said they potentially breached international law. Ardi Imseis, an assistant professor of law at Queen's University in Canada, said the posts violated article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs the treatment of civilians in wartime. Article 27 says civilians are entitled to respect for their honour, family rights, manners and customs, and must be protected against insults and public curiosity, and that women must be especially protected against any attack on their honour. Within Israel, the lingerie posts have attracted little attention, said Oren Persico of the Seventh Eye, a website covering Israeli media. By contrast, he said, posts showing weapons or Hamas flags said to have been found in Gazan homes have been circulating widely. (Additional reporting by Maria Paula Laguna, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, Maytaal Angel and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by David Clarke) By Neil Jerome Morales and Yew Lun Tian MANILA/BEIJING (Reuters) -The Philippines will implement countermeasures against "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks" by China's coastguard, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, upping the stakes in an escalating row in the South China Sea. The Philippines is furious over what it calls repeated hostilities by Chinese vessels around disputed features inside Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone. The United States has weighed in with moral support for its former colony and military ally. Marcos did not specify what the countermeasures would entail, but said they would come in succeeding weeks and be proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in response to what he called open and unabating attacks. "We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience," Marcos said on Facebook. The deterioration in relations with China comes as Marcos seeks to deepen defence ties with the United States, increasing U.S. access to Philippine military bases and expanding joint exercises to include sea and air patrols over the South China Sea, frustrating Beijing. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian on Thursday said the Philippines was to blame for the breakdown and was counting on support from external forces while peddling misinformation and infringing on China's sovereignty. 'DANGEROUS PATH' "It is straying further down a dangerous path. The Chinese side will not allow the Philippines to act willfully," Wu told a briefing. "We have responded with legitimate, resolute and restrained actions. The Philippine side should realise that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere." The latest flare-up occurred last week, when China used water cannon to disrupt another Philippine resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal for soldiers posted to guard a warship intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago. China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own, warned the Philippines on Monday to behave cautiously and seek dialogue, saying their relations were at a "crossroads". Marcos said he met his defence and security officials and has been in communication with "friends in the international community". "They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," Marcos said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a 1951 mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and criticised as "dangerous" China's actions at the Second Thomas Shoal. In a phone call on Wednesday with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, Austin "reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines" which it said was undertaking a lawful resupply mission. The Philippine-U.S. treaty binds both countries to defend each other if under attack and includes coastguard, civilian and military vessels in the South China Sea. Asked about Marcos vowing countermeasures, China's defence spokesperson Wu said Beijing would take resolute and decisive measures to defend its sovereignty. "China firmly opposes the Philippine side's treachery and provocation, as well as its fabrication of lies to mislead international public opinion," Wu said. (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Editing by Martin Petty and Philippa Fletcher) Lebanese, Italian PMs call for full implementation of UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire Xinhua) 09:40, March 28, 2024 BEIRUT, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday welcomed the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, calling for its full implementation. In a meeting at the Grand Serail in Beirut, the two officials said they hoped the resolution would become a sustainable ceasefire. The UN Security Council on Monday passed Resolution 2728 demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and the urgent need to expand the flow of aid into the territory. Meanwhile, Mikati reiterated Lebanon's commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially Resolution 1701, emphasizing the need for Israel to abide by the resolution and stop violating Lebanon's sovereignty by attacking it on land, sea, and air. Mikati also thanked his Italian counterpart for her country's continued support for the Lebanese army, adding that Italy's permanent contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon affirms its commitment to Lebanon's safety, stability, and the preservation of its territorial integrity. The two officials also discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interest in the Middle East region, including displaced Syrians in Lebanon and illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean region. Meloni arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to meet with Lebanese officials and inspect the Italian battalion working as part of the international peacekeeping forces in the south. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) By Luc Cohen and Jody Godoy NEW YORK (Reuters) -Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a judge on Thursday for stealing $8 billion from customers of the now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange he founded, the last step in the former billionaire wunderkind's dramatic downfall. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan handed down the sentence at a Manhattan court hearing after rejecting Bankman-Fried's claim that FTX customers did not actually lose money and finding that he lied during his trial testimony. A jury found Bankman-Fried, 32, guilty on Nov. 2 on seven fraud and conspiracy counts stemming from FTX's 2022 collapse in what prosecutors have called one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. Kaplan said Bankman-Fried has shown no remorse. "He knew it was wrong," Kaplan said. "He knew it was criminal. He regrets that he made a very bad bet about the likelihood of getting caught. But he is not going to admit a thing, as is his right." Bankman-Fried, wearing a beige short-sleeve jail T-shirt, acknowledged during 20 minutes of remarks to the judge that FTX customers had suffered and he offered an apology to his former FTX colleagues - but did not admit criminal wrongdoing. He has vowed to appeal his conviction and sentence. Bankman-Fried stood with his hands clasped before him as Kaplan read the sentence. He then spoke with his defense lawyer Marc Mukasey briefly before being led out of the courtroom by members of the U.S. Marshals Service. The sentence marked the culmination of Bankman-Fried's plunge from an ultra-wealthy entrepreneur and major political donor to the biggest trophy to date in a crackdown by U.S. authorities on malfeasance in cryptocurrency markets. "There are serious consequences for defrauding customers and investors," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "Anyone who believes they can hide their financial crimes behind wealth and power, or behind a shiny new thing they claim no one else is smart enough to understand, should think twice." Kaplan found that FTX customers lost $8 billion, FTX's equity investors lost $1.7 billion, and that lenders to the Alameda Research hedge fund Bankman-Fried founded lost $1.3 billion. He imposed an $11 billion forfeiture order and authorized the government to repay victims with seized assets. Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 40 to 50 years. Mukasey had argued for a sentence of less than 5-1/4 years. 'I'M SORRY FOR THAT' Addressing the judge, Bankman-Fried said, "Customers have been suffering ... I didn't at all mean to minimize that. I also think that's something that was missing from what I've said over the course of this process, and I'm sorry for that." Referring to his FTX colleagues, Bankman-Fried added, "They put a lot of themselves into it, and I threw that all away. It haunts me every day." Three former close associates testified as prosecution witnesses that Bankman-Fried had directed them to use FTX customer funds to plug losses at Alameda Research. All three have pleaded guilty to fraud. Kaplan said Bankman-Fried lied when testified that he did not know Alameda Research had spent customer deposits taken from FTX. Mukasey sought to distance Bankman-Fried from notorious fraudsters like Bernie Madoff, saying he was "not a ruthless financial serial killer" but rather an "awkward math nerd" who tried to get customers their money back after FTX's collapse. "Sam Bankman-Fried doesn't make decisions with malice in his heart," Mukasey added. "He makes decisions with math in his head." Bankman-Fried's eyes turned red as he appeared to hold back tears while Mukasey spoke. His parents, Stanford University law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, attended the sentencing. Bankman held a green umbrella as they exited the courthouse into a rainy New York afternoon, their arms around each other. "We are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son," they said in a statement. 'POWER AND INFLUENCE' A Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, Bankman-Fried rode a boom in the values of bitcoin and other digital assets to a net worth of $26 billion, according to Forbes magazine, before he turned 30. Bankman-Fried became known for his mop of unkempt curly hair and commitment to a movement called effective altruism, which encourages talented young people to focus on earning money and giving it away to worthy causes. He was one of the biggest contributors to Democratic candidates and causes before the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Kaplan pointed to trial evidence showing Bankman-Fried also donated to Republicans through "straw" donors to hide his involvement. The judge called Bankman-Fried's efforts to present himself as a "good guy" an act, adding, "The goal was power and influence." Bankman-Fried has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since August 2023, when Kaplan revoked his bail after finding he likely tampered with witnesses at least twice. Kaplan said he would recommend Bankman-Fried be sent to a prison close to San Francisco. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Will Dunham and Noeleen Walder) By Nathan Layne and Tim Reid (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to attend the wake on Thursday for a New York Police Department officer who was gunned down during a traffic stop earlier this week in a killing that drew national attention. Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has made support for law enforcement a focal point of his campaign to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election, set to be a close, deeply divisive contest. "President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment and confirmation of Trumps attendance at the wake, due to be held in Massapequa on Long Island, east of New York City. Diller, a three-year veteran of the force, was fatally shot below his bullet-resistant vest during a traffic stop on Monday in the New York borough of Queens. Two suspects have been taken into custody, according to media reports. During his campaign rallies, Trump often seeks to portray crime as out of control in the U.S. and to pin the blame for that on Biden, even as data shows violent crime in the nation is at one of the lowest rates in decades. Trump, who is facing four criminal trials as he seeks the presidency, peppers his campaign speeches with promises to restore "law and order" and to bolster protections for officers facing litigation for their conduct on the job. At the same time, he frequently attacks New York state Attorney General Letitia James for bringing a civil fraud case against him, Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, for prosecuting him over alleged hush money payments to a porn star, and other prosecutors for cases against him. Trump posted a tribute to Diller, 31, on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday. "To Officer Dillers family, and all of the other brave men and women of law enforcement who put your lives on the line every day, we love you, we appreciate you, and we will always stand with you!" Trump said in the post. (Reporting by Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut and Tim Reid in Washington; Editing by Colleen Jenkins) California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has quickly seized upon a new recall effort, seeking to parlay that into an opportunity for Democrats to win the neighboring state of Nevada come November. The recall effort by the group Rescue California to oust Newsom was given the green light this week to proceed to the signature collection phase in its long-shot bid to cut the governor's time in office short. California election law requires recall petitioners to gather valid signatures from at least 12% of the total number of registered voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election in order to force a statewide election. Rescue California has until Sept. 3 to get a minimum of 1.3 million signatures, or about 12% of the 10.9 million votes cast in the last election for governor. The signatures must be obtained from at least five California counties, according to a memo from Secretary of State Shirley Weber's office. Newsom has faced at least half a dozen attempts to unseat him since he took office in January 2019. All but a campaign in 2021, which was spearheaded by a retired Yolo County sheriff's sergeant but had Rescue California's fundraising prints all over it, failed to qualify for the statewide ballot. Rescue California, a conservative activist group, is hoping to beat the odds this time and is arguing Newsom's political aspirations are coming at the expense of everyday Californians. Gavin Newsom has abandoned the state to advance his presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 billion budget deficit and a public safety, immigration, and education crisis, Rescue Californias campaign director Anne Dunsmore said. California needs a full-time governor who is fully focused on the serious problems the state and its citizens are facing. This may be our last opportunity to rescue and restore our state, while we highlight for the rest of the country the destruction Newsom has left in his wake." Newsom has devoted a considerable amount of time to raising his national profile in recent months. He's crisscrossed the country, visited Florida and Alabama, fundraised to run ads in red states promoting abortion rights, and has operated like he's running a shadow campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. While he has denied he's interested in a 2024 White House bid, some Californians have expressed their impatience with their camera-ready governor. "Things are getting worse [in San Francisco] because people like Gavin Newsom and [San Francisco Mayor] London Breed are too busy trying to become president or get reelected," resident Marcus Burwell told the Washington Examiner ahead of the state's primary election. "One thing they are both getting good at is ignoring problems in California." For his part, Newsom has dismissed the latest wasteful recall attempt as an effort by Republicans to divert attention from restricting abortion rights and support former President Donald Trumps bid for a second White House run. But he has sought to spin a distraction into an opportunity. On Wednesday night, his political action committee issued a new fundraising email calling for support of the Nevada Democratic Party. We're emailing about the Republican attempt to recall Governor Newsom in California and we'll get straight to the point: we're asking you to help us defeat the far-right Republicans once again coming after Gavin Newsom, the governor's Campaign for Democracy Committee wrote in an email. If everyone getting this email donated just $3 to the Nevada Democratic Party today, they'd have the resources to make sure Democrats win the state's presidential and Senate campaigns. Newsom is arguably more vulnerable to a recall now compared to 2021, when he won the support of 62% of voters. Featured Local Savings Although he has burnished his national credentials, likely with one eye on 2028, back home, the state of California is facing a massive budget deficit, a looming housing and homelessness crisis, and an uptick in crime. Rescue California has also pulled Newsom up on: Granting 700,000 illegal immigrants free healthcare at a cost to taxpayers while cutting programs for veterans; keeping schools closed during Covid longer than other states and thereby "allowing California students to fall further behind in basic skills such as language and mathematics;" closing prisons and ordering "the release of thousands of dangerous criminals onto our streets;" weakening public safety laws; spending billions on government homeless programs that have failed; and forcing "Californians to suffer under the highest taxes in the nation and the highest home prices outside Hawaii." Despite the groups success in getting their recall effort to the signature stage, the group might already be at a huge competitive disadvantage. Rescue California is more than a million dollars in debt, with much of the money still owed to staff from the 2021 failed effort. Public relations firm Gilliard Blanning & Associates, which brought in more than $1.4 million, and Monaco Group, a Santa Ana conservative-aligned mail house that collected more than $1.9 million for sending out petitions, claim they have not been paid. Rescue California is also being sued by Jesse Powell, the founder of crypto exchange Kraken, who gave the failed 2021 effort $1 million, according to the San Francisco Standard, which first reported the story. Dunsmore, a former campaign bundler for Rudy Giuliani's failed presidential run in 2007, told the outlet that Powell's dispute was over his contribution but didn't provide details. She also said she did not personally "make that much" money from the first recall because she was paying a staff of 10 to 15 people. "Nobody walked out of that last round rich, at all," Dunsmore added. "We came out of it exhausted. But we also felt we had done our job in getting on the ballot." CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Ann Ravel, the former head of the Federal Election Commission, sounded the alarm about dark money going to Rescue California during its involvement in the 2021 recall attempt. This week, she said the size of debt Rescue California is carrying into its 2024 effort is raising "red flags." Its incredible to have that much debt," she said. The House Education and Workforce Committee launched an antisemitism investigation into Rutgers University on Wednesday, citing the school's "failure to protect Jewish students." Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to six members of Rutgers senior leadership detailing allegedly antisemitic incidents and requesting documents related to communications, disciplinary action, and procedures involving antisemitism on campus. Rutgers is now the fifth school in the country to be the target of the committee's widening antisemitism inquiry of universities. "I have grave concerns regarding the inadequacy of Rutgers response to antisemitism on its campuses," Foxx wrote in the letter. "Rutgers stands out for the intensity and pervasiveness of antisemitism on its campuses. Rutgers senior administrators, faculty, staff, academic departments and centers, and student organizations have contributed to the development of a pervasive climate of antisemitism." Foxx highlighted a "pattern of deeply troubling incidents" that have taken place at the school, including some involving the Rutgers-Newark Center for Security, Race and Rights, which the letter claims has become "a hotbed of radical antisemitic, anti-American, anti-Israel, and pro-terrorist activity." According to the letter, CSRR's director, Sahar Aziz and, others at the center have a history of antisemitic activity, including "justif[ying] the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel in an October 31 tweet, stating, 'To assess Hamass October 7th operation and the Israeli regimes subsequent response in isolation is to ignore over 75 years of colonial violence and the horrific consequences born out of these decades of oppression and attempted erasure.'" Aziz is scheduled to speak at Cornell University on a panel on Thursday titled "Racializing Religion: Islamophobia, Antisemitism and Palestine." Featured Local Savings The center also hosted former University of South Florida professor Sami al Arian in 2021 for a 9/11 anniversary event that challenges the exceptionalization of 9/11/2001; legitimization of war on terror and other imperialist wars and interventions; justification of the Security State, and promotion of hyper masculinity and a colonial gender and sexualized order of modernization and civilization." Al Arian pleaded guilty and was convicted of "providing material support to the designated terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad," according to the letter. The letter also cited other examples, such as administrators from Rutgers Law School opening disciplinary proceedings against a Jewish student for challenging allegedly antisemitic messages in a Student Bar Association group chat, as well as the school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which has allegedly harassed students and disrupted learning and campus life while receiving tens of thousands of dollars from student government. Foxx pointed to Feb. 29 testimony from Rutgers student Joe Gindi, who spoke about the campus climate of antisemitism. "Jew hatred has become rampant at Rutgers University. And it has become clear that some members of the schools administration and faculty are complicit in allowing, and even in encouraging, this hate to grow," Gindi said, adding, "At Rutgers University, like at many other campuses, there appears to be selective enforcement of [university] rules. They just dont seem to apply when it comes to protecting Jewish students." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER As the investigations into campus antisemitism continue, several academics are scheduled to provide testimony to the committee, including officials from Columbia University who are set to testify in mid-April. The Washington Examiner reached out to Rutgers for comment. EXCLUSIVE House Republicans are accusing the Biden administration of undermining Israel in its war against Hamas by abstaining from a vote on a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. In a letter sent to President Joe Biden on Thursday, GOP lawmakers criticized the administrations decision not to cast a vote on the measure, noting the abstention cleared the way for it to pass. The move also prompted backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Republicans suggesting the decision has contributed toward the United States's deteriorating relationship with its close ally. The recent actions of your Administration have significantly strained our relationship with one of Americas closest allies and led Prime Minister Netanyahu to cancel his visit to the United States, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), the leading Republican on the letter, wrote. We urge you to support Israel in its fight against Hamas and stop undermining them on the world stage. The letter comes in response to a resolution that passed through the United Nations earlier this week calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. chose not to cast a vote on the measure, ultimately leading to its passage a decision that prompted Netanyahu to cancel a scheduled visit to the U.S. The U.S. has previously vetoed similar resolutions calling for a ceasefire. However, the latest iteration called for the release of hostages, language that has been pushed by U.S. officials. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the country could not vote in favor of the resolution nonetheless because it did not agree with the full text, prompting the abstention. Republicans criticized the passage of the resolution, arguing a ceasefire would give the Hamas militant group an opportunity to reorganize and re-arm. Featured Local Savings Hamas leaders have no intentions to end their repeated assaults on Israel. It is wholly unrealistic to expect Israel to consent to a ceasefire unless it can reassure its citizens that its enemies are no longer a genuine threat, the letter states. This ceasefire represents nothing more than an extension of the Biden Administrations failed appeasement tactics in the region, further emboldening Hamas and its allies to resume its horrible attacks. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER At least 11 other House Republicans signed on to the letter, including Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Andrew Clyde (R-GA). The letter calls for a prompt response from the president, although its not clear whether Biden will do so. The Washington Examiner contacted the White House for comment. Border Patrol agents along the Canadian border are well on track to surpass the record-high number of illegal immigrant arrests made last year. The numbers are of particular concern given that these higher-than-average monthly arrests recently occurred during the winter months, when temperatures are often below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, presenting major safety challenges to immigrants and law enforcement. The winter uptick could spell bigger trouble as the temperatures warm up into spring and summer and make it more practical to cross. In fiscal 2023, which ran from October 2022 through September 2023, Border Patrol agents apprehended 10,021 people who walked into the country between ports of entry where vehicles and pedestrians are inspected, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. In the first five months of fiscal 2024, federal agents have caught 6,039 people entering without authorization. The figure puts Border Patrol on track to surpass 14,000 arrests by the end of the year, more than last year's record. Border Patrol data are only publicly available dating back to 2007. Over the past 17 years, arrests across the northern border have ranged from 2,200 to 7,900 per year, according to CBP statistics. Northern Border Security Caucus co-Chairmen Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and members from primarily northern border states were among 22 lawmakers who sent the Biden administration a letter this week flagging the new trend for the Department of Homeland Security and asking about plans to address it. Lawmakers blamed President Joe Biden's Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the increase in arrests, which they described as "symptomatic of your broader failure to secure the border." "Dangerous individuals continue to take advantage of the vast Northern Border, which is the longest land border between two countries in the world, and relatively unguarded by natural barriers," the lawmakers wrote. "In FY 2024 alone, Border Patrol agents are on track to apprehend a record number of illegal immigrants at the Northern border," the letter stated. "These statistics are yet another example of how the Biden administration is downplaying the serious nature of this orchestrated border crisis. Every state has now become a border state under your leadership or lack thereof." Featured Local Savings Of the eight regions that the Border Patrol breaks the U.S.-Canada border down by, the Swanton Sector has experienced the most illegal crossing attempts by far. The Swanton Sector includes all of the New Hampshire and Vermont borders, as well as a portion of upstate New York's eastern side. Agents in the Swanton Sector apprehended two-thirds, or just over 4,000, of the total 6,000 immigrants arrested in 2024 roughly double the arrests in 2023. But human smuggling efforts at the border are not the lawmakers sole concern. "While the significant increase in illegal immigration should raise serious concerns, the Northern Border has also seen a dangerous spike in drug smuggling, particularly fentanyl and other synthetic opioids," the lawmakers wrote. "CBP has seized nearly double the amount of fentanyl the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 in the first four months of FY 2024 than it did throughout the entirety of FY23 at the Northern Border." CBP's Air and Marine Operations agents on the northern border have intercepted 1,212 pounds of fentanyl, which is enough to kill 270 million people, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "While the Southwest Border has been overrun with drug smugglers, we cannot allow another avenue for deadly, illegal drugs into our country and our communities," the letter reads. The 22 House Republicans called for the Biden administration to explain its plan to prevent further increases in illegal immigration at the northern border, how it will better detect and interdict drugs, what it provides to federal law enforcement employees who need mental health support, and how the United States might be able to work with Canadian officials. They requested answers be provided by late April. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Drug interdictions and illegal immigration on the northern border still pale in comparison to the U.S.-Mexico border, where, since the start of 2024, Border Patrol agents have arrested 894,000 illegal immigrants and CBP's Office of Field Operations officers have thwarted the smuggling of 8,000 pounds of fentanyl through ports of entry. Other lawmakers who signed on to the letter included Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Bob Latta (R-OH), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Andy Barr (R-KY), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), and Pete Sessions (R-TX). Four people were killed and five were injured in a stabbing attack in Rockford, Illinois. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the attack occurred, police said. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said that the attack started as an apparent home invasion, during which a woman who attempted to flee was stabbed in the face and hands. A passerby who attempted to help was stabbed as well. One of those killed was a postal worker. Not all victims were stabbing victims, though there were no gunshot victims. Police said they didn't have a clear motive. Four of the injured are in stable condition, while a fifth is in critical condition, that being the woman who attempted to flee. One of those in stable condition is the passerby who intervened to help. Police said the attack was a "multijurisdictional event." Federal agencies are involved in the investigation. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara expressed his condolences to those affected by the attack. "I think, like most Rockfordians, I'm just totally shaken by this act of violence and the impact that it's having now on multiple families' lives," he said at a press conference. "So certainly my prayers are with them as they're just beginning to deal with what will be really difficult days and weeks ahead." Judge Mark Scarsi appeared skeptical during a hearing in Los Angeles on Wednesday as Hunter Biden's attorney argued that the first son's nine tax charges should be dropped. Scarsi, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, scrutinized attorney Abbe Lowell's claim that the Department of Justice's charges against Biden were the result of a Republican pressure campaign, as well as the claim that a defunct plea deal also shielded the first son from charges, according to reports from the courtroom. Lowell was present at the hearing, as was special counsel David Weiss. Biden waived his appearance and did not attend. Bidens attorneys had argued in court filings ahead of the hearing that the tax charges should be dismissed for numerous reasons, including that Weisss prosecution was selective and vindictive and had been compromised by politics. This case follows a nearly six-year record of the DOJ changing its charging decisions and upping the ante on Mr. Biden in direct response to political pressure and its own self-interests, defense attorneys wrote in their motion. On Wednesday, Scarsi said, according to ABC News, that the argument seemed to present "smoke" without "fire." "There doesn't seem to be any evidence" that pressure from Republicans "influenced the prosecutors' decision other than the timeline," Scarsi said. Featured Local Savings Biden's attorneys had also argued in court filings that a now-withdrawn plea deal Biden reached last summer with Weiss granted the first son sweeping immunity that protected him from future charges. The agreement involved Biden pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges, but Weiss has argued that a probation office never signed off on the agreement and it was therefore never executed. Scarsi also challenged the notion that the plea agreement had been executed, saying that a "natural reading" of the agreement would indicate that it was missing a necessary signature, according to CNN. In a separate case, Weiss indicted former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov last month for allegedly lying to the FBI about Joe and Hunter Biden to hurt Joe Biden's political prospects ahead of the 2020 election. Smirnov's attorney David Chesnoff was present for Hunter Biden's hearing on Wednesday, according to an NBC reporter. Chesnoff said the arguments presented could "impact [Smirnov's] case." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "I want to hear for my client's benefit," Chesnoff said. Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David stated in a new interview that "you can't go a day" without thinking about what former President Donald Trump has done to the United States, calling the former president a "little baby." David made his statement on Trump when conducting an interview with CNN anchor Chris Wallace, during which they reflected on what has happened to the U.S. since the 2020 election. Wallace asked David how much the last presidential election "and everything that has flowed from it" has upset him, prompting David to go off on Trump. "Oh, I mean, you cant go a day without thinking about what hes done to this country because hes such a little baby," David said on Who's Talking to Chris Wallace? "That he's thrown 250 years of democracy out the window by not accepting the results of, I mean, it's so crazy. He's such a sociopath. He's so insane. He just couldn't admit to losing! And we know he lost. He knows he lost, and look how hes fooled everybody. Hes convinced all these people that he didn't lose, it's such a sick man. He's so sick!" David then appeared to calm down, joking that the effects of the 2020 election had not affected him "at all," prompting him and Wallace to laugh. Featured Local Savings The interview with David is scheduled to be released on Max on Friday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER It's not the first time David has spoken his mind on politics, as he confronted billionaire Elon Musk in May 2022 to ask if he wanted to murder kids in schools over his growing support for the Republican Party. David asked his question only a few days after the Robb Elementary School shooting in Texas. David also claimed that Musks statements on social media, specifically posts claiming Democrats were the party of division, were sticking in my craw, according to Musk's biography, written by Walter Isaacson. Even if Uvalde never happened, I probably would have brought it up because I was angry and offended, David said. A majority of Americans now oppose Israel's military actions in Gaza, according to a new Gallup poll that was released on Wednesday. The poll found that 55% of the country disapproves of Israel's military involvement in Gaza following Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The debate about the Israel-Hamas war has spread over the past few months on college campuses and in Congress. The poll's findings showed a new, sharp shift in public opinion. Only 36% of the public approve of Israel's military actions. Republican approval has dropped to 64%, which was previously 71% in November. Only 18% of Democrats approve of Israel's actions, which is a large drop from 36% in November. Israel has been engaged in a war with the terrorist organization Hamas for five months. On Monday, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire. The United States abstained rather than voting against the resolution. Following the U.N. vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew the Israeli delegation to Washington. On Wednesday, Netanyahu reversed his decision and decided to reschedule the delegation's visit to the U.S. The poll comes as there remain numerous Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Many of the freed hostages have detailed being repeatedly raped and tortured by Hamas. Biden administration officials have been under pressure from activists in support of an Israel ceasefire. Featured Local Savings President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris have been regularly interrupted at speeches and public events by chants from activists. The president was heckled on Tuesday by numerous protesters during a speech in North Carolina, where he responded that they "have a point" about healthcare in Gaza. "They have a point; we need to get a lot more care into Gaza," Joe Biden said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The first lady experienced a handful of protesters interrupting her speech with chants about a ceasefire on Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign's fundraising dinner in Los Angeles. The poll was conducted between March 1 and 20. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he would be against any effort to remove Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the ballot. Ramaswamy gained ground early in the Republican primary before falling behind and dropping out, endorsing former President Donald Trump instead. Despite his backing of Trump, Ramaswamy expressed support for Kennedy to appear on the ballot, reasoning that it would benefit Republicans in November. "What we need this November is a decisive moral mandate, a landslide of Reagan 1980, 1984 proportions, and I think we have an opportunity to do it," Ramaswamy said. "And if RFK being in this race helps that, you know what, I think that could be a good thing for this country, and I'm against any Democratic effort to try to remove him or keep him off the ballot as they will try to do." Kennedy originally joined the 2024 race as a Democrat in the primary against President Joe Biden but later became an independent. His syncretic stances have split analysts on whether he would take away votes from Biden or Trump, but some, such as Trump himself, believe Kennedy's inclusion hurts Biden worse. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER RFK Jr. recently announced his running mate, the San Francisco lawyer Nicole Shanahan. Kennedy was previously floated as a possible running mate to Trump before the former president publicly shot down the possibility in a Truth Social post. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) said on Wednesday that the state of Maryland and the federal government need to reduce the "environmental and regulatory burdens" to help expedite the reconstruction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. "As we first concentrate on recovering the victims, it is important that both the State and Federal governments work together to immediately reduce the environmental and regulatory burdens that would hinder the rapid reconstruction of the Key Bridge," Harris said. A post shared by Washington Examiner (@washingtonexaminer) While some experts suggest the bridge could be rebuilt in over a year, the environmental and regulatory issues could backtrack time frames in accomplishing such building construction. The current debris has yet to be cleared and the project of reconstruction will cost at least hundreds of millions of dollars. Republican Maryland State Dels. Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki, both representing Baltimore County, called on government authorities on Tuesday to replicate the recovery response of the Interstate 35 Mississippi River bridge collapse, saying that that bridge was built in less than 13 months. "Within two days of that bridge collapse, Congress bipartisanly passed a unanimous resolution to spend $250 million to rebuild that bridge. All efforts were streamlined as multiple agencies worked unilaterally to rebuild the bridge safely in record time," the delegates said in a statement. The state lawmakers continued, "The time period of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge can decrease from several years to months if we replicate the rebuilding efforts of the Minneapolis Bridge project and not allow government red tape to hold back the recovery efforts." President Joe Biden vowed on Tuesday that the federal government would "pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge." "I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that he wants the rebuild to happen "as quickly as possible." The transportation secretary warned that the bridge collapse will have a significant economic impact on the supply chains in the Port of Baltimore and globally. "The whole country counts on the shipping that goes through that port. And that 695 bridge connection is important to the entire region, as well," Buttigieg said. Featured Local Savings "The Francis Scott Key Bridge is one of the heaviest-trafficked bridges in Baltimore, and its tragic collapse will halt the flow of ships in and out of the Port of Baltimore and hurt the local economy," Congressman Harris said Wednesday. The Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports in the United States, provides hundreds of thousands of jobs and handled over $80.8 billion in foreign cargo last year. The port is also a major hub for Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean cruises. "The original bridge took about five years to build, but we want to do everything possible to make sure this takes place as quickly as possible," Buttigieg said Wednesday. "There is no exact precedent for this. There was the Minnesota bridge collapse. That was not because it was struck by anything. It collapsed because of design issues in 2007. That one took about 14 months to reconstruct." He added, "But again, it's too soon to know how similar or how different the engineering challenges are going to be." Buttigieg pledged to commit the federal resources needed to help but cautioned the challenges are still ongoing. "In the Baltimore case, we still don't fully know the condition of the portions of the bridge that are still standing or of infrastructure that is below the surface of the water. So rebuilding will not be quick or cheap," he said during the White House press briefing on Wednesday. The Dali, the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel that lost power early Tuesday before colliding into and collapsing the Baltimore bridge, is still undergoing recovery efforts. Divers are assessing the debris and working on a plan to help remove the ship from under the collapsed bridge. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant Vice Adm. Peter Gautier said during the White House press briefing that the Coast Guard is on board the vessel and taking steps to refloat the ship and remove it from the area. Gautier noted that while the vessel is stable, there still remains on board over 1.5 million gallons of fuel, oil, lube, and 4700 cargo containers, along with 56 containers with hazardous materials that could be a potential pollution threat to the harbor. "The real critical thing here is that a portion of the bridge remains on the bow of that ship. And we will be coordinating very closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors to first affect the removal of that debris before the vessel can then be removed," Gautier stated. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "The vessel bow is sitting on the bottom because of the weight of the bridge debris," he added. The Coast Guard official said there were underwater surveys in motion to study the vessel but as of now, there is no indication of flooding or damage underneath the water line of the ship. Port of Virginia in Norfolk Harbor is anticipating some of the shipping traffic of Baltimore to be diverted to its port. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced new legislation on Thursday barring federal officials, including former President Donald Trump and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), from viewing classified documents. The legislation would bar elected officials and candidates who are charged with certain criminal offenses from having access to classified information. The legislation does not name Trump or Menendez, but its implications would directly apply to both of them. In public service theres nothing more important than upholding the oath of office and protecting our national security, Sherrill said in a statement. As a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, I have zero tolerance for any betrayal of the public trust, especially when it comes to classified information and our national security. While she did not specifically mention the senior senator from her state, she did say charges against Trump influenced her to draft the legislation. Im extremely concerned about recent charges against Donald Trump and his continued desire to access sensitive classified information, despite reckless actions, and serious criminal charges, she said. Featured Local Savings Trump faces a number of federal charges, including willful retention of national defense information and corruptly concealing a document or record. Menendez was indicted last fall for conspiracy to act as a foreign agent and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez has continued to view classified documents while remaining in Congress despite being charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent to Egypt. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The bill would target those with charges of obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining national defense information, unlawfully disclosing or improperly handling classified information, acting as a foreign agent, or compromising the national security of the United States. The legislation would allow Congress to waive the sanctions on federal officials and candidates facing charges via a House majority vote and two-thirds of the Senate. No wolf mortalities and no reported livestock depredation in the last 30 days have been reported by officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife as the agency continues to track gray wolves in Colorado. The updated map published Wednesday on CPWs website continues informing the public, recreationists, and livestock producers on where collared wolves have been in the past month, according to a news release. Collared activity from Feb. 28 to March 25 shows gray wolves have crossed US Highway 40 east of Winter Park and Granby, but not over the Continental Divide. Collared activity shows wolves have wandered west of CO Highway 14 in North Park into the Park Range east of Steamboat Springs, Colorado as well. Collared activity also shows wolves reaching farther west nearing the Utah/Colorado border throughout much of Rio Blanco and northern Garfield counties, north of Glenwood Springs and Rifle. One of the collars placed on a wolf translocated from Oregon is no longer providing signals to CPW biologists. The animal with the failed collar is traveling with another animal with a functional collar, which currently allows CPW to monitor that animal. CPW has confirmed that the animal with the malfunctioning collar is still alive based on visual confirmation from an airplane. Featured Local Savings A collar on another wolf has been identified as partially functional and may not be fully functional in the near future. This map depicts watersheds where collared wolves in Colorado have been for the last 30 days. A watershed is a geographic unit that drains water into a specific water body. CPW each month releases an updated map that shows the collared gray wolves movements over the last 30 days. Map of gray wolf activity from Jan. 23 to Feb. 27: Wildlife officials said they reserve the right to buffer the wolves locations on the map if it means protecting the wolves safety. CPW said the accuracy of the map will diminish over time as the animals breed in the wild and as other uncollared wolves potentially move into the area from other states. Rising rent begets political rhetoric: A scene at a January 2021 political protest staged by the Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and 9to5 Colorado. (Gazette file photo) Various marijuana strains are prepared for sale at a marijuana store in Northglenn. With early indications of a nearly $4 million spending gap for the fiscal year that begins July 1, leaders at the Colorado Springs campus of the University of Colorado are figuring out how to cut expenses to balance the budget, which will be presented to the systems Board of Regents next month. Several scenarios all point to the same conclusion. Were seeing expenses are growing faster than our revenues right now, and weve embarked on an open and transparent process to provide information to faculty and staff on whats causing the growth in expenses and why revenue is not keeping up with expenses, Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said Tuesday. Rumors that furloughs and layoffs are in the cards for some employees later this year are untrue, she said. Those two tools would not be helpful, Sobanet said. Instead, campus administrators intend to eliminate vacant positions and have already begun incentivizing voluntary retirement, the chancellor said. Not filling empty jobs will lead to restructuring and reorganization in some departments, she said. Reductions in operating budgets also will be made, she said, while isolated reductions in filled positions could be considered but not necessarily. Under a new process instituted by Sobanet, who was appointed chancellor in December, instead of administrators dictating specific amounts that need to be cut around campus, unit leaders analyzed the needs and decided what expenses they could eliminate. We didnt know if theyd come back with $4 million, but they did, said Kathy Kaoudis, vice chancellor for administration and finance. Everyone did their work to look into operations and make tactical cuts that wouldnt impact them strategically. Kaoudis said 70% of UCCS revenue comes from student tuition and fees, and 30% is supplied by the states budget and other tax money, including the College Opportunity Fund, which offsets the costs of undergraduate education for qualifying students. Enrollment has been declining at UCCS for years; this semester student headcount is down 1.24% over 2023. While the campus has fewer students, they are taking about the same number of classes as students this semester as in the 2023 spring semester, said Chris Valentine, assistant vice chancellor for marketing and communications. Predictions for the fall semester are that enrollment will be flat, Kaoudis said. Weve estimated our budget in the most conservative way possible, so we dont end up with a mid-year surprise, she said. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. After continual fall semester growth in students since 2007, enrollment decline began six years ago, hitting an all-time high in the fall of 2018 with 12,572 degree-seeking students. This past falls 10,687 degree-seeking students represented a 15% decrease from 2018, and the lowest fall enrollment since 2013, records show. Were trying to turn that around, Sobanet said. Were seeing more new students coming in, and we want them to persist and stay here until they graduate. That leads to student success for them and for all of us because growth in enrollment leads to overall growth in revenue. Applications for the 2024 fall semester are trickling in but have been slower than usual, Valentine said, because of the nationwide delay in processing FAFSA forms, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for college-bound students. Colleges and universities make offers of financial aid based on the verified information. The U.S. Department of Education blames system glitches for this years holdup in processing 6 million applications but has said students should receive the needed information in mid-April. Still, new student applications to UCCS are up nearly 11%, and admissions have increased by about 4% over the same time last year, Valentine said. Budget shortfalls are plaguing colleges and universities around the nation, as enrollment dropped during the pandemic and fewer high school graduates are choosing to matriculate. UCCS leaders also are looking at whether to cut certain activities such as a new enrollment management plan, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative and other new programs that have been funded by one-time monies. Incorporating all the programs for which funding will expire in upcoming years into UCCS base budget would cost about $12 million over a five-year period, Kaoudis said. Its a big strategic decision for us, she said. How do we decide what we want to continue and how do we fold them into our ongoing base budget. While the UCCS campus sustained a blow when a student and his visitor were shot to death allegedly by a roommate in a dorm on Feb. 16, university officials have said they would make improvements to campus security and this week told employees that two former U.S. attorneys have been hired to analyze the universitys response to the situation to make further adjustments if needed. New strategies to boost enrollment and retain existing students are showing signs that they are working, Sobanet said. Were seeing more students in graduate programs, more new students starting in our undergrad programs, and were working on making it easier for students to stay here with financial aid, academic supports, and increasing their sense of belonging and the student experience, she said. We are beginning to see some traction. The UCCS budget for the coming fiscal year wont be finalized until June, following next month's CU Board of Regents budget hearings and state lawmakers' approval of Gov. Jared Polis budget request, which includes funding for public higher education. The Colorado Legislatures Joint Budget Committee on Friday approved a $132 million increase for higher education, which the six-member panel said would enable public colleges and universities to limit tuition increases in the fall to 3% for Colorado residents and 4% for out-of-state students. The development of military and defense relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan and Armenia and India is an important consequence of the political arrangement and the balance of forces after the Second Karabakh War. However, Pakistans non-recognition of Israel has prevented Baku from forming a quadruple alliance with its three strategic allies, including Turkey, Israel and Pakistan. Armenia, after defeat in the war and amid dissatisfaction with its traditional ally Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), views India, France and Iran as new strategic options, however, Iran prefers Armenia to maintain its traditional and strategic relations with Russia. The tripartite cooperation between Armenia, Iran and India focus efforts on soft balancing (economic-transit) instead of hard balancing (military-security), against the tripartite ties of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan in the South Caucasus. BACKGROUND: The different approaches of Pakistan and India in the South Caucasus, especially in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, were formed in the immediate aftermath of the Soviet Unions collapse. Pakistan was the second state after Turkey to recognize Azerbaijan as an independent country. Moreover, although Turkey, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pakistan is the only country that does not recognise Armenia. Pakistans approach towards Armenia can only be compared with Irans position towards Israel. The parallel between the legal and territorial status of Karabakh and Kashmir became an important focus of cooperation between Baku and Islamabad in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference). Simultaneously, India and Armenia pursued coordinated diplomacy in international organizations to defend the principle of self-determination of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and Indians in Kashmir. Both Pakistan and India increased their engagement with the South Caucasus during the 2020 Second Karabakh War. Pakistan supported Azerbaijan during the war and regularly participated in military exercises with Ankara and Baku, now known as the Three Brothers. In January 2021, the parties signed the trilateral Islamabad Declaration. Neither the 2020 war or the one-day war in September 2023, which led to the complete return of Nagorno-Karabakh and its surrounding areas to Azerbaijan, changed Pakistans position towards Armenia. While Turkey and Armenia are normalizing their relations, and Armenia and Saudi Arabia have resumed their diplomatic ties after three decades, there is no sign that Pakistan will recognize Armenia. Simultaneously, Armenia, defeated in the war and dissatisfied with Russia and the CSTO, is developing its cooperation with India. IMPLICATIONS: The extension of India-Pakistan strategic competition to the South Caucasus has had important consequences regarding the sale of weapons, defence equipment and the transfer of military technologies to Armenia and Azerbaijan. While Israel and Turkey have been the main arms suppliers to Azerbaijan, Pakistans role has also been steadily increasing in the last decade. The Pakistani and Azerbaijani militaries have reportedly conducted joint exercises since 2016 and maintain extensive strategic security contacts. Students and senior military officers, as well as pilots and special forces of the Azerbaijani army, are trained in military universities and training centers of the Pakistani army. Although officially unconfirmed, Pakistani military advisers reportedly participated in the Second Karabakh War, providing tactical advice on operations in Karabakhs highlands. The Pakistani armys experience of fighting in the mountainous areas of Kashmir was allegedly utilized in capturing the strategic city of Shusha in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The 44-day war undoubtedly brought Pakistan closer to Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey. The first joint military drills between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan took place in September 2021. Azerbaijan and Pakistan also signed a deal on JF-17 Block-III fighter jets, jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Azerbaijan will purchase Pakistan-made fighter jets worth US$ 1.6bn. The contract also covers training for pilots and the acquisition of ammunition for the jet. While Armenia suffers greatly from the imbalance in air power, the addition of these Chinese-Pakistani fighters to Israeli and Turkish ones, as well as missile and drone systems, will further strengthen Azerbaijans air force. Armenia has simultaneously developed its military and defense relations with India. When Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan visited New Dehli in October 2022, Indias support for Armenia shifted into high gear with the provision of Indian artillery systems, anti-tank rockets and ammunition worth US$ 245 million. Indian media reported that Armenia ordered 3 versions of the Pinaka multiple-launch rocket system from India. Under a contract worth US$ 250 million, Armenia ordered versions of the Pinaka Mk-1 (range 37.5 km), Pinaka Mk-1 Enhanced (45 km), and Guided Pinaka (75 km) systems. Notably, Armenia became the first foreign operator of the Akash SAM system, a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile. In the continuation of this process, in November 2023, Armenia ordered the India-developed Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS), a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) designed to provide comprehensive security against drone attacks. With a multi-layer multi-sensor Architecture, it will strengthen the Armenian air defence system against the Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 drones, which played an important role in the Second Karabakh War. India is thus becoming Armenias key partner in military-technical cooperation. Previously, this position was held by Russia, which accounted for over 93 percent of Armenias arms and military equipment in 20112020. However, despite the important military agreements between Armenia and India and unlike Azerbaijan and Pakistan, they have not yet conducted joint military exercises. Moreover, by participating in the Chabahar transit port in southeastern Iran and adjacent to the Gulf of Oman, Armenia hopes to intensify cooperation with India and Iran in the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor. India also participates in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) with Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia, manifesting that India takes a relatively more balanced approach to the South Caucasus than does Pakistan. CONCLUSIONS: The political arrangement and the balance of power in the South Caucasus have undergone significant changes after the Second Karabakh War, and Russias war against Ukraine has also accelerated this process. Although the emerging geopolitical setup of the region remains unstable, India and Pakistan are the two new actors in this transition process. Their roles and influence in the region remain decidedly smaller than those of Russia and Turkey and face clear limitations and challenges. Although Islamabads stubborn refusal to recognize Armenia has made Pakistan, along with Turkey and Israel, a strategic partner of Azerbaijan over the last three decades, Pakistans non-recognition of Israel has prevented Baku from forming a quadruple alliance with its three strategic allies. The military exercises between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan in September 2021, illustrate this situation. Moreover, the bloody war between Israel and Hamas will prevent the formation of a tripartite alliance between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Israel at least in the near future. Simultaneously, Armenia is seeking new strategic allies and India and France are the most important options for Yerevan. Recently, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan defended Armenias arms deals with France and India, emphasizing their necessity for the countrys national security and defence. Iran is also an option for Armenia. Armenias defence minister recently visited Tehran and the two countries have common standpoints on several issues, including opposition to the Zangezur Corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan. However, Iran prefers Armenia to maintain its traditional and strategic relations with Russia. Moreover, Tehran wants to avoid straining its relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey through an obvious strategic and military link with Armenia and wishes to limit the influence of western players such as France in the South Caucasus. The growing cooperation between Iran, Armenia and India can be considered part of Tehrans effort to restore the balance of power in the South Caucasus after the Second Karabakh War. It seems that this particular tripartite cooperation will, instead of hard balancing (military-security), focus efforts on soft balancing (economic-transit) against the tripartite ties of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan in the South Caucasus. AUTHOR'S BIO: Vali Kaleji based in Tehran, Iran, holds a Ph.D. in Regional Studies, Central Asia and Caucasian Studies. He has published numerous analytical articles on Eurasian issues for the Eurasia Daily Monitor, the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, The Middle East Institute and the Valdai Club. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The Pittsylvania County School Board on Monday night passed its 2024-25 fiscal year budget of $116 million in a quick 20-minute meeting where no members of the public spoke during the public hearing session. The budget is still in flux since the ultimate direction of state money matters remains murky. While the General Assembly sent Gov. Glenn Youngkin a budget, the governor has expressed displeasure with it. This is obviously our proposed budget, Tracey Worley, the director of finance for the school system, said. I expect a lot of changes in that before we actually have an approved budget by the state level. Overall, the school systems budget is about $24 million less than last years amended budget, mainly because of the evaporation of federal coronavirus-era funding. Pittsylvania County Schools will get $8 million less from the state for the upcoming fiscal year after the local composite index change. The value of real property accounts for half of the equation in determining the index, according to the Virginia Department of Education. Adjusted gross income is factored at 40% and taxable retail sales make up the final 10%. We are at the same level this year as we were in 2021-22, Board Chair Calvin Doss stressed, pointing out the budget hasnt increased. We are trying to hold as much as we can, he said. I think thats whats important, the citizens of the county understand. Instead, the composite index is to blame for needing more funds from the locality. Thats why the school system is asking for $25.31 million from Pittsylvania County, which is an increase of about $3.21 million over last year. The states formula said that Pittsylvania County is capable of paying more than they did the previous two years, he said, quickly noting that residents may only focus on the increase in local dollars. It compares our situation with every other county in Virginia, Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent Mark Jones said of the state funding formula. You have one pot of money and by percentage they divvy that pot of money out using the composite index for each location. Jones said the school system called the state to verify the index figure was correct when they learned of the change, and Virginia officials said it was. It doesnt seem fair that the city of Danvilles composite index went down and ours went up, but its a calculation, Worley said after board members also voiced the unfairness of formula. Citizens in the county think that we are raising the ability to pay, Willie Fitzgerald, who represents the Banister District, said. They need to understand that its the General Assembly dictating to use us what we are able to pay. With no members of the public signed up to speak during the hearing and Doss specifically asking people who came to the meeting late if they wanted to still sign up the board unanimously approved the proposed budget. Another school budget hearing is planned at 7 p.m. Thursday with the board of supervisors. That hearing will be along with a hearing on tax increases and the overall Pittsylvania County budget. Also at the special-called meeting, Jones took a moment to rally to get the younger generation interested in the career of education. I would like for you all to recall looking back over this year, he said. We worked this year with 32 vacant teaching positions that we had fill with substitutes, retired teachers or we had to combine classes or had to ask teachers to teach extra periods. The national teaching shortage extends deep into Pittsylvania County. Jone said it used to be hard to find math and science teachers. Today its hard to find any type of teacher, he said. I think its so important that we provide a 3% cost of living adjustment, he noted about the budget. However, in the General Assemblys version of the budget, all teachers would receive a 3% raise. We want to lure our high school graduates back here, Jones said of needing to increase salaries that are not up to par with some of the neighboring counties. Gov. Glenn Youngkin paid tribute Tuesday to former state Sen. Frank Ruff by signing a bill to rename the Center for Rural Virginia in his honor. Ruff announced his retirement from the General Assembly in December citing health concerns after a recent cancer diagnosis. A month earlier, he won election to the newly drawn 9th District for the Virginia Senate. That covers Danville and Pittsylvania County. Today presents a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to a lifetime servant leader, Sen. Frank Ruff, whose pivotal role in founding the Center for Rural Virginia will be commemorated in its name, Youngkin said in a statement. The governor signed the measure in Richmond surrounded by Ruff and his family. I am delighted to sign this legislation and turn the next chapter for this center as the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, Youngkin said. The center was established by the General Assembly in 2004 as a nonprofit. Without political subdivision status, it was created for the purpose of sustaining economic growth in the rural areas of the commonwealth and lessening the burdens of government, according to the Code of Virginia. Ruff was elected to the state Senate in 2000 after serving in the House of Delegates. In all, he was a lawmaker in Richmond for more than 30 years. I have been a proud supporter of the Center for Rural Virginia since its creation 20 years ago, Ruff said in the governors news release. I am pleased with how the center continues to make rural Virginia a place where people can grow up, learn, get a good job and raise their families. The former lawmaker said hes looking forward to part of the next phase for the establishment. Del. Chris Runion sponsored the legislation to rename the center. Sen. Ruffs commitment and engagement with rural Virginia is an inspiration to all Virginians to create better communities in the commonwealth, Runion said in a statement. Thank you, my friend, for your thoughtful leadership and dedication. State Sen. Tammy Mulchi, R-Mecklenburg County, won a special election in January to fill Ruffs seat. It has been an honor to carry the legislation to rename the rural center in honor of Sen. Frank Ruff during my first session since his retirement, Mulchi, Ruffs longtime friend, said in a statement. I cannot think of anyone else that has fought harder for the needs of rural Virginia over the last three decades. Youngkin also announced Tuesday that Ruff had been appointed a citizen member of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. As work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline continues, so does litigation aimed at slowing it down. Six landowners in Franklin, Montgomery and Roanoke counties asked the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday to hear their challenge of eminent domain laws used to take their private property for the controversial project. First filed four years ago, the lawsuit contends that Congress improperly delegated its power to seize private property to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees construction of interstate natural gas pipelines. After finding there was a public need for the pipeline, FERC then passed its eminent domain authority on to Mountain Valley. In what the landowners say was a violation of the separation of powers doctrine, Congress gave FERC massive legislative power to decide when and where private property will be seized, a petition filed with the Supreme Court states. Worse yet, Congress put no restrictions on that delegation, the document states. Instead, it gave the agency a blank check. The landowners face long odds. The Supreme Court agrees to hear oral arguments in only about 80 cases of the 7,000 to 8,000 appeals filed each year. But the high court has already ruled in favor of the landowners once, sending a dismissal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia back for additional review last April. Their attorney, Mia Yugo of Roanoke, expressed hopes for another victory. It could be months before there is a decision making it uncertain what impact a ruling favorable to the landowners would have on Mountain Valley, which says it plans to complete construction by the end of June. However, target dates have been pushed back for years. And even if a win comes too late to help the plaintiffs Cletus and Beverly Bohon of Montgomery County, Wendell and Mary Flora of Franklin County and Robert and Aimee Hamm of Roanoke County Yugo said it would limit FERCs eminent domain powers for future projects. Mountain Valley invoked the controversial practice which traditionally has been used by the government to seize property for public projects to take property from about 300 landowners in Southwest Virginia for its pipeline, a private venture. In court papers, attorneys for the company said the landowners arguments were simply a rehashing of the same flawed theories that have been rejected in the past. A law passed last year by Congress fast-tracked completion of the pipeline and forbade the kind of legal action challenges to government permits issued to the Mountain Valley that has delayed the project for six years now. The current lawsuit, however, makes constitutional arguments that Yugo says should be heard. Attorneys for Mountain Valley and FERC cited the recent law, a provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act that raised the governments debt ceiling, in asking that the landowners case be dismissed. In a decision last month which is now being appealed to the Supreme Court the D.C. appeals court did not rely on the law in reaffirming its earlier decision to throw out the lawsuit. Instead, it ruled that a U.S. District Court judge lacked jurisdiction to hear the case on other grounds. Nonetheless, Yugos petition asks the Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional while adding that is not necessarily required to reach a decision on the merits of her case. Landowners should get their day in court, she said, even if its four years overdue. GREENSBORO Authorities pulled a car out of Buffalo Lake near the intersection of East and West Cone Boulevard around 3 p.m. on Thursday. The vehicle was unoccupied and is an older model sedan that had been fully submerged for years, according to a news release from police. The vehicle will be processed for any potential evidence as investigators work to determine who owned it and establish exactly how long the car may have been under water. A fisherman who declined to give his name said he spotted the car with underwater imaging. The Garmin Livescope, its a sonar, and it basically shows you structure in the water, and it showed the car underneath the water, he said. Its very clear. Police were notified on Wednesday about the submerged vehicle, but a dive team delayed their efforts because of the weather. It took around four hours to remove the vehicle from the water, authorities said. Local resident Jess Washburn and J. Will Dellinger of Charlotte have owned Buffalo Lake and Lake Jeanette since purchasing both properties from Cone Denim for $850,000 in July 2017. Both are privately owned and allow limited access to the public. HIGH POINT Stephen Knoop stopped handling venomous snakes to dip his hands in chocolate. Chemist Kevin Drummey, Knoops business and life partner, left polymer science and traded his lab coat for an apron enticed by the alchemy of cocoa. Today, two years after opening Eigen Chocolate, the couple can be found in their warm and cocoa-perfumed workshop in Southwest Guilford County. Lately, the days find the pair bringing chocolate Easter rabbits and eggs to life to use in Easter baskets. They also spend time looking for creative ways to add dehydrated fruit powder to rich plain chocolate for unique bar flavors. And once the couples trees and plants yield cherries, jujube fruit, apples and strawberries, Drummey will cook the bounty down into delectable jams with which to fill bon bons. The couple roast and grind cocoa beans they source from small farms in Costa Rica, Vietnam and South America for their small-batch operation that seeks to support humane farming conditions abroad. A chief aim of the chocolatiers, they say, is to enlighten local palettes about the nuances of chocolate flavor by creating uncommon richness and a velvety mouth feel. One of my goals it to transform peoples perception of chocolate, said Drummey as he warmed a knife with a blow dryer, then eased the blade through the hard shell of a dark chocolate-covered egg. Chocolate bunnies and eggs, piped full of sophisticated confections like praline, chocolate ganache and the like, have been the duos focus in recent weeks as they prepare for Easter Sunday orders. Eigens chocolate rabbits arent common dime-store cottontails, mind you, but memorable bean-to-bunny elevated desserts. On a recent afternoon, Drummey squeezed fillings through a pastry bag into the shells of large chocolate Easter eggs. Chocolate Easter bunnies, dubbed Big Buns, are formed in the workshop from old world-style molds with nostalgic details like a wicker, egg-filled basket at the bunnys base. The treats are vegan and do not contain soy lecithin, the chocolatiers noted. The hares dark chocolate shells snap to yield a pecan praline filling, buttery and punctuated with hints of salt. We call these our Big Buns, Drummey said with a chuckle as he turned a few molded hoppers onto a stainless work table. And these are the little ones we named Bun Bons, he said of chicken egg-size, stylized bunnies nestled in green Easter grass in packages of three to highlight a flavor trio. Chocolate bunnies were introduced to America by Germans who brought molds and folklore to the Northeast in the 1700s. A German myth from the 1200s featured an Oschter Haw (Easter Hare) that laid colorful eggs in answer to a childs prayer. Eigens Bun Bons come coated in dark chocolate with pecan praline filling, milk chocolate with caramel filling, and white chocolate with peanut praline. Large chocolate eggs feature clever names and fillings to match. Take the Black Swan, a vegan treat of toasted coconut caramel and coconut dark chocolate ganache, enrobed in crisp dark chocolate. Or the Golden Goose Egg, a milk chocolate shell that cracks to reveal peanut praline and caramel filling a nod to a gaggle of the birds the couple keep on their back lot. One of the most handsome features of the eggs is the diamond-faceted texture of their shells, all perfectly glossy, a sign of expert tempering technique. Packaging a rabbit, Knoop, a native of Southeast Virginia, reflected on his first experiences in a kitchen. My dad was in the Navy and some of my first memories are from Cuba, he said. While living there, I did a cooking class as a child and we made chocolate-dipped strawberries and deviled eggs, said Knoop, who focuses on logistics and packaging for the business. Around the same time, the 10-year-old Knoop became obsessed with the study of reptiles, he said. Ultimately, Knoop earned a zoology degree in college and entered the world of zookeeping. At first, he worked in a Virginia Beach zoo, then at the Los Angeles Zoo where he communed with his dream collection of the most venomous snakes in the world, said Knoop, who grew up eating Ferrero Rocher brand bon bons. My grandma got me interested in cooking, said Drummey, who grew up in the Philadelphia area, loving science and homemade chocolate chip cookies. While at Virginia Tech, where he earned his chemistry degree and masters degree in polymer science, Drummey met Knoop. The two lived in LA, but found it too expensive and too far from their parents and siblings, Drummey said. Eventually, the couple chose North Carolina as a place to start fresh. They had endured the COVID lockdown and wanted to start a new life operating their own business, Drummey said, explaining that a YouTube video about a small cocoa bean producer won his attention and bred inspiration. Ive always wanted to do something with food, but didnt know what it was, said Drummey, who still appreciates a Reeses peanut butter cup. Part of good production of chocolate is quality packaging, the couple agreed. Plant-based biodegradable cellophane houses specialty items, while biodegradable and recycled paper serves as an envelope for bars. Eigens chocolate bars in flavors like Dark Lavender, Milk Chocolate Almond, Hazelnut Crunch, Blueberry Dark, Chocolate Orange, Chocolate, and Fresas Con Crema (seasonal) are wrapped in simple brown paper and labeled with colorful illustrations that depict the home country of the cocoa any bar contains. For instance, a bar made from Colombian chocolate showcases a wee Golden Poison Frog, rendered in water color by one of Knoops illustrator friends. Its the most toxic vertebrate on the planet and found in Colombia, but thats not reflected in the chocolate, he said with a chortle. Culinary titans like the products, too. In January, the Italy-based International Chocolate Awards bestowed a bronze medal on Eigens drinking chocolate. The chocolatiers are grateful that they invested in a big load of cocoa beans a while back, for global cocoa prices have tripled since January. The name of the business is a the duos way of blending science with confection, Drummey said. The word Eigen is a term in physics that refers to transformational properties, and thats what were trying to do with chocolate, he said. Drummey and Eigen will get the chance to wear the big bunnys shoes this weekend. Said Drummey: I have six nieces and nephews and they are just old enough to know well be bringing chocolate. (688187):TIMES ELECTRIC CORPORATE VALUE AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT ACTION PLAN 2024 20240329 03:28:06 : : :Times Electric Corporate Value and Return Enhancement Action Plan 2024 ZHUZHOU CRRC TIMES ELECTRIC CO., LTD. CORPORATE VALUE AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT ACTION PLAN 2024 To uphold the development concept of investors first as a listed company and safeguard the interests of all shareholders of Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. (the Company or Times Electric), the controlling shareholders, directors, supervisors, and senior management of the Company, based on their confidence in the future prospects and value of the Company, will take measures to effectively enhance quality, increase efficiency, and achieve returns and establish a favorable market image for the Company. The main measures include:1. PERSIST IN PROFESSIONAL EXPANSION AND FOCUS ON THE MAIN BUSINESS FOR IN-DEPTH CULTIVATION AND REFINEMENT OF EMERGING BUSINESS Times Electric adheres to specialization and excellence in two major fields of rail transit equipment and clean energy equipment. In 2023, we actively pursued our industrial mission of building a strong transportation nation and supporting it with advanced equipment, continued to strengthen our core competitiveness in the rail transit equipment sector while simultaneously fostering the development of strategic emerging industries. Looking ahead to 2024, the Company is determined to provide enhanced services to support the construction of a modernized industrial ecosystem. By leveraging our independent core technologies in high-speed rail, we will consolidate our resources and drive the development of strategic emerging industries, expedite the transformation and upgrading of our business while venturing into new domains, securing victories in untapped markets, and cultivating new sources of growth. These efforts will bolster our core capabilities and facilitate high-quality development. (1) Continuously maintain the leading advantage in the rail transit industry and consolidate our market position while expanding our market share The Company remains committed to maintaining its prominent position in the rail transit industry. By leveraging our multifaceted expertise across various systems and disciplines, we aim to become a key provider of comprehensive system solutions, thereby propelling our core rail transit business to new heights. In the urban rail sector, we will foster collaborative efforts to harness market synergies and explore untapped growth opportunities. The rail engineering sector will prioritize optimization of our operational structure and enhancing efficiency through multidimensional cooperation to reinforce our core strengths. We will also expedite market expansion in the signal sector, focusing on cost reduction, efficiency improvement and increased profitability. Additionally, our power supply division will deepen its urban operational capabilities and capitalize on the momentum to strengthen system integration capability. The door sector will sustain efforts to enhance quality and efficiency, accelerating the reinforcement of our core competitiveness. (2) Seize development opportunities in emerging equipment industry to rapidly strengthen and improve our business For the emerging equipment industry, we must seize the development opportunities, cultivate the market, strengthen our brand, and strive to rapidly strengthen and improve our business. In the semiconductor sector, it is crucial to capitalize on the prime phase of growth, achieving both substantial scale and superior quality. The vehicle electric drive sector shall put vigorous efforts into expanding its market coverage, aiming to break through the million-level production capacity barrier with unwavering commitment. In the new energy power generation sector, we will accelerate iterative development and quickly launch products to the market. In the sensor sector, we will enhance our core advantages, iterate and innovate to seek new development opportunities. In the marine equipment sector, we will strengthen independent support capabilities and continuously consolidate our industry position in the world. In the industrial transmission sector, we will consolidate our presence in specific areas and expand the market value of converter resources.(3) Strengthen industrial layout and build a solid foundation for high-quality developmentWe will continue to strengthen the industrialization capability in industries such as semiconductor, new energy passenger vehicle electric drive system, and rail engineering machinery. Through the allocation of high-quality resources, we aim to enhance the specialization level and scale of these industries. The low and medium voltage power device industrialisation (Yixing) first-phase construction project has been completed, including the factory and related facilities, and has commenced production. The low and medium voltage power device industrialisation (Zhuzhou) construction project has completed its design phase and entered the construction stage, striving to achieve the main structure completion. The production base project for new energy passenger vehicle electric drive systems and key components has completed all engineering construction and initiated the relocation of existing production lines. The construction project for the Changchun automotive motor base has completed the procurement of line 2 of flat wire motor stator rotor and successfully conducted production line commissioning and connection. Equity investments will continue to focus on strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors, new energy passenger vehicle electrical systems, and sensors. We will implement mixed-ownership reforms and industrial restructuring to deepen reforms and facilitate the rapid development of the industry. 2. PERSIST IN INNOVATION-DRIVEN UPGRADES TO BETTER SUPPORT HIGH-LEVEL OF SELF-RELIANCE AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT We adhere to self-reliance and strive for self-improvement on technologies, maintain significant investment in research and development, strengthen research on key core technologies, seize the commanding heights of technological innovation, and strive to develop Times Electric into an innovative enterprise with global competitiveness. (1) Persist in making substantial investments in research and development to make breakthrough in key core technologies In 2023, the Companys research and experimental development expenditure reached RMB2.145 billion, with a research and development investment intensity of 9.84%. In 2024, the Company will continue to maintain significant research and development investment and further increase its efforts in fundamental research with focus on tackling fundamental, urgent, cutting-edge, and disruptive technologies. For rail transit, the Company will maintain its leading position in the rail transit industry, occupy the technological high ground, and comprehensively enhance the intelligence level of rail transit products. In emerging industries, the Company will benchmark against industry-leading enterprises, closely align with customer needs, and focus on the industrial product demands of power semiconductor devices, new energy vehicle electric drive systems, sensor devices, medium-voltage transmission systems and wind/photovoltaic converters. By addressing weaknesses and capitalizing on strengths, the Company will continuously transform research and development innovation results, thereby facilitating the rapid development of the industry. (2) Strengthen intellectual property protection to build a solid technology barrierIn 2023, we were granted 229 new invention patents and filed 449 invention patent applications. Invention patents accounted for over 60% of the total applications. We received 1 China Patent Excellence Award and 1 first prize of patent award in Hunan Province. We led or participated in the development and release of 3 international, national, and industry standards in the transportation and energy sectors. We also received 2 China Standard Innovation Contribution Awards for the first time. In 2024, we will rigorously initiate scientific research projects, emphasizing the four key elements of demand, planning, benchmarking, and cost in project initiation analysis. We will strengthen the linkage with the production line and market, coordinate the planning of research projects in various technical fields, focus on key areas, and promote a more focused approach to scientific research projects. We will emphasize the protection of intellectual property rights and strengthen the application and management of intellectual property rights overseas.(3) Consolidate global resources to build an open innovation platformIn China, we engage in exchanges and explore collaboration with universities and renowned enterprises on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Internationally, we are advancing our global innovation partners program to continuously deepen existing collaborations and strengthen two-way interaction with top international universities and research institutions to improve scientific research innovation and the application of research outcomes. 3. PERSIST IN STRENGTHENING THE MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS TO BOOST THE LEAP AND ADVANCEMENT OF OUR MAIN BUSINESS In September 2021, Times Electric was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board of Shanghai Stock Exchange with total proceeds of RMB7.555 billion. Since its listing, the Company has used the proceeds to finance projects such as the application project of rail transit traction and network technology and system, the application project on key technologies and system R&D of smart railway bureau and smart urban rail transit, the advanced technology R&D application project of new industry, the R&D and manufacturing platform construction project of new-type rail engineering machinery, the Innovative experimental platform construction project and replenishment of working capital. As of the end of 2023, over 66% of the IPO proceeds have been utilized. In 2024, the Company will continue to strengthen the management of projects financed by the proceeds, and the IPO proceeds utilized by the end of 2024 is expected to account for over 80% of the total amount. During the implementation process of these projects, we will strictly adhere to the regulations governing the management of proceeds and cautiously utilize the proceeds. We will ensure that the projects financed by the proceeds progress smoothly according to relevant plan, the construction project of the innovative experimental platform will be completed in its entirety and put into use, and the construction project of the new rail engineering machinery manufacturing platform will be completed in its entirety and put into production, aiming to promote the development of the Companys main business through the successful implementation of these projects, achieve expected returns from these projects and enhance the overall profitability of the Company. 4. PERSIST IN PROMOTING REFINEMENT TO ENHANCE MANAGEMENT AND DEEPEN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND UPGRADE To address the pain points of Times Electrics operations, in 2024, the Company will uphold the business philosophy of high-quality operation and efficient management. It will continue to implement Times Electric digitalization and establish a digital transformation path of identifying a core focus, leveraging a set of data, and integrating a comprehensive system to continuously stimulate the corporate development momentum. Firstly, the Company will focus on identifying a core focus, targeting the enhancement of operational capabilities with transformation. Guided by the Companys strategy, and closely aligned with the core focus of decomposition and implementation of key business indicators, based on quality, cost, delivery and other dimensions, the indicators are divided and disintegrated in layers and levels to achieve transparent and effective management of the entire operational process. Secondly, the Company will leverage a set of data to foster a shift towards a data-driven management approach. Utilizing existing information platforms and harnessing the power of big data technology, the Company will bridge information gaps and establish a unified data infrastructure to support the efficient implementation of digital operations across various business domains. Thirdly, the Company will integrate a system, ensuring integration of transformation and digitalization. With the goal of dual enhancement, the Company will optimize its management system and consolidate resources to achieve harmonious development of the Times Electric digitalization and improvements in all areas of management.5. PERSIST IN DEEPENING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT TO SOLIDIFY THE COMPANYS SUSTAINED PROFITABILITY.Times Electric has always adhered to the business philosophy of contributing to the country through industrial development and continuously enhanced the Companys profitability. Using 2006 as the baseline, the compound annual growth rate of net profit attributable to the parent was over 10% in 2023. In recent years, the Company has pursued high-quality development driven by digitalization, deepening its refined management practices. It has introduced its digital operation cockpit, which dynamically monitors key indicators and conducts quantitative and precise analysis throughout the entire value chain. The Company explores value enhancement opportunities from multiple dimensions, including income source expansion, cost reduction and control, efficiency enhancement and risk management. While contributing to the steady increase in shareholders equity, the Company has maintained a return on net assets of over 7%, achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes for the Company and its shareholders.In 2024, the Company will continue to deepen measures for quality improvement and efficiency enhancement. It will delve into every link of the entire value chain, refine the construction of an open and collaborative technological platform, a high-quality and stable supply platform, and an efficient and cost-effective production platform. We will build a digital transformation path guided by the Companys strategy and closely aligned with core business indicators. We will systematically break down and analyze these indicators, ensuring transparent and effective management throughout the entire operational process. We will comprehensively conduct operational analyses aiming at improving overall productivity, advancing business enhancements from a resource allocation perspective. We will implement measures to improve quality and efficiency, and complete the third-phase capital increase and share expansion project in Zhuzhou CRRC Times Semiconductor Co., Ltd.* by introducing high-quality strategic investors and an employee stock ownership platform to further deepen industrial strategic cooperation and effectively motivate key employees, thereby ensuring a steady increase in the Companys profitability and continuously strengthening the Companys sustainability capabilities with high-quality and efficient operation.6. PERSIST IN IMPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ENHANCE MODERN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Times Electric has established a sound corporate governance system through standardized internal management processes, comprehensive regulations, and strict auditing systems. It has also established an ESG management, assessment, and disclosure system overseen by the board of directors. On November 24, 2023, the Company was honored with the awards of Top 100 ESG Enterprises and Top 50 ESG Central State-owned Enterprises at the Guoxin China Securities ESG Golden Bull Summit. In 2024, the Company will continue to improve its corporate governance mechanisms and accelerate the construction of a professional, responsible, standardized and efficient board of directors. Firstly, it will optimize the composition of the board of directors, ensuring that external directors account for a majority of the board members, and independent directors account for no less than half of the board members. It will actively expand the channels for selecting independent directors and appoint at least one female director to promote gender diversity among board members. Secondly, it will enhance communication with independent directors and establish a supportive system for duty performance by directors. Thirdly, the Company will implement an annual training plan for the directors, supervisors, senior executives, and other key personnel with a training coverage rate of over 90%. This comprehensive training plan, conducted both online and offline, will enhance their knowledge of compliance and equip them with the necessary skills to diligently fulfill their obligations according to relevant laws, thereby safeguarding the interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole. 7. PERSIST IN STRENGTHENING INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGEMENT AND ESTABLISHING A MULTI-LEVEL AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL INTERACTIVE MECHANISM Times Electric strictly complies with the regulatory requirements of the Company Law, the Securities Law, the Rules Governing the Listing of Stocks on the Science and Technology Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and other laws, regulations and normative documents in fulfilling its information disclosure obligations to ensure that the information is disclosed in a true, accurate, complete, timely and fair manner and all shareholders have fair and equal access to the information, and to safeguard the interests of all shareholders, especially the minority shareholders. The Company was recognized with an A-grade rating in the 2022 to 2023 annual assessment of information disclosure for companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.In 2024, the Company will continue to strengthen investor relations management, maintain close communication with investors, and comprehensively establish an efficient and transparent platform for communication with investors. We will ensure smooth channels of communication with investors and actively engage in effective communication and exchanges with them, following the principles of being comprehensive, proactive, collaborative, precise, and efficient, to build a solid communication bridge between the Company and the capital market. Firstly, we will organize a minimum of three investor receptions or performance briefings, with the participation of senior management, including the chairman and general manager of the Company. These events will provide an opportunity for the Companys leadership to directly address investor concerns and effectively convey the voice of Times Electric through high-standard performance briefings. Secondly, based on the progress of our business, we will invite investors when appropriate to participate in investor activities such as reverse roadshows of the Company. Thirdly, we will utilize various channels, including listed company public announcements, investor conferences, on-site exchange and research with investors, SSE interactive platform, telephone and email, to promptly, openly, and transparently communicate the Companys operating results, financial positions, and other updates to all market participants, ensuring that investors and stakeholders are well-informed about the Companys operation and management in a timely manner.8. PERSIST IN ENHANCING SHAREHOLDER RETURNS AND BOOSTING CONFIDENCE IN THE SECONDARY MARKET Since its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006, Times Electric has maintained a stable dividend policy, with the annual dividend amount accounting for over 20% of the net profit attributable to the parent company. With the steady development of the Companys performance, the dividend per share has increased year by year. After the listing of the Companys A shares on the Science and Technology Innovation Board in 2021, the dividend ratio has increased to over 30%. From 2006 to 2022, the Company has distributed dividends of approximately RMB7.2 billion, representing 64% of the total proceeds from listing on both markets. Taking into account the needs of investors for returns and the long-term development of the Company, the Company proposes to distribute a cash dividend of RMB7.8 per 10 shares (inclusive of tax) to all shareholders for 2023, the total amount of cash dividend to be paid out exceeds RMB1.1 billion, accounting for 35.45% of the net profit attributable to shareholders of the Company in the consolidated statement of 2023. The cash dividend per share represents a year-on-year increase of 41.82% over the last year. The Times Electric has always adhered to the concept of better safeguarding shareholders rights and interests and creating greater value for shareholders. Since September 2023, we implemented a combination of measures, including voluntarily extending the lock-up period for restricted shares held by the controlling shareholder, increasing holdings, and repurchasing and canceling shares. In 2023, CRRC Corporation Limited and its controlling subsidiaries increased their shareholding by 1.415 million A Shares and 23.94 million H Shares in aggregate, and the Company repurchased 4.6968 million H Shares in January 2024, and plans to cancel these shares in the future. These measures demonstrated to the capital market our in-depth recognition of the Companys operational stability and growth, expressed our firm confidence in the Companys stable development in the future, and responded to changes in the capital market in real time with practical actions.In the future, the Company will continue to maintain a dynamic balance between corporate development, performance growth, and shareholder returns. This will be achieved by adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and the profit distribution policy set out in the Articles of Association. We will carefully consider the immediate and long-term interests of our shareholders, and implement reasonable measures to enhance the satisfaction and benefits of our investors as and when appropriate, allow investors to share the fruits of development with the Company.The Company will continue to assess the progress of implementation of the specific measures set out in the action plan for enhancing quality, increasing efficiency and achieving returns and fulfill its information disclosure obligations, and strive to effectively fulfill its responsibilities and obligations as a listed company through solid business performance, standardized corporate governance, and positive investor returns, so as to reward investors trust, maintain the Companys image in the market, and jointly promote the smooth operation of the capital market. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. Board of Directors 28 March 2024 ZHUZHOU CRRC TIMES ELECTRIC CO., LTD.CORPORATE VALUE AND RETURN ENHANCEMENT ACTION PLAN 2024To uphold the development concept of investors first as a listed company and safeguard the interests of all shareholders of Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. (the Company or Times Electric), the controlling shareholders, directors, supervisors, and senior management of the Company, based on their confidence in the future prospects and value of the Company, will take measures to effectively enhance quality, increase efficiency, and achieve returns and establish afavorable market image for the Company. The main measures include:1. PERSIST IN PROFESSIONAL EXPANSION AND FOCUS ON THE MAIN BUSINESS FOR IN-DEPTH CULTIVATION AND REFINEMENT OF EMERGING BUSINESSTimes Electric adheres to specialization and excellence in two major fields of rail transit equipmentand clean energy equipment. In 2023, we actively pursued our industrial mission of building a strong transportation nation and supporting it with advanced equipment, continued to strengthen our core competitiveness in the rail transit equipment sector while simultaneously fostering the development of strategic emerging industries. Looking ahead to 2024, the Company is determined to provide enhanced services to support the construction of a modernized industrial ecosystem. By leveraging our independent core technologies in high-speed rail, we will consolidate our resources and drive the development of strategic emerging industries, expedite the transformation and upgrading of our business while venturing into new domains, securing victories in untapped markets, and cultivating new sources of growth. These efforts will bolster our core capabilities andfacilitate high-quality development.(1) Continuously maintain the leading advantage in the rail transit industry and consolidate our market position while expanding our market shareThe Company remains committed to maintaining its prominent position in the rail transit industry. By leveraging our multifaceted expertise across various systems and disciplines, we aim to become a key provider of comprehensive system solutions, thereby propelling our core rail transit business to new heights. In the urban rail sector, we will foster collaborative efforts to harness market synergies and explore untapped growth opportunities. The rail engineering sector will prioritize optimization of our operational structure and enhancing efficiency through multidimensional cooperation to reinforce our core strengths. We will also expedite market expansion in the signal sector, focusing on cost reduction, efficiency improvement and increased profitability. Additionally, our power supply division will deepen its urban operational capabilities and capitalize on the momentum to strengthen system integration capability. The door sector will sustain efforts to enhance quality and efficiency, accelerating the reinforcement of our core competitiveness.(2) Seize development opportunities in emerging equipment industry to rapidly strengthen and improve our businessFor the emerging equipment industry, we must seize the development opportunities, cultivate the market, strengthen our brand, and strive to rapidly strengthen and improve our business. In the semiconductor sector, it is crucial to capitalize on the prime phase of growth, achieving both substantial scale and superior quality. The vehicle electric drive sector shall put vigorous efforts into expanding its market coverage, aiming to break through the million-level production capacity barrier with unwavering commitment. In the new energy power generation sector, we will accelerate iterative development and quickly launch products to the market. In the sensor sector, we will enhance our core advantages, iterate and innovate to seek new development opportunities. In the marine equipment sector, we will strengthen independent support capabilities and continuously consolidate our industry position in the world. In the industrial transmission sector, we will consolidate our presence in specific areas and expand the market value of converter resources.(3) Strengthen industrial layout and build a solid foundation for high-quality developmentWe will continue to strengthen the industrialization capability in industries such as semiconductor, new energy passenger vehicle electric drive system, and rail engineering machinery. Through the allocation of high-quality resources, we aim to enhance the specialization level and scale of these industries. The low and medium voltage power device industrialisation (Yixing) first-phase construction project has been completed, including the factory and related facilities, and has commenced production. The low and medium voltage power device industrialisation (Zhuzhou) construction project has completed its design phase and entered the construction stage, striving to achieve the main structure completion. The production base project for new energy passenger vehicle electric drive systems and key components has completed all engineering construction and initiated the relocation of existing production lines. The construction project for the Changchun automotive motor base has completed the procurement of line 2 of flat wire motor stator rotor and successfully conducted production line commissioning and connection.Equity investments will continue to focus on strategic emerging industries such as semiconductors, new energy passenger vehicle electrical systems, and sensors. We will implement mixed-ownership reforms and industrial restructuring to deepen reforms and facilitate the rapid development of the industry.2. PERSIST IN INNOVATION-DRIVEN UPGRADES TO BETTER SUPPORT HIGH-LEVEL OF SELF-RELIANCE AND SELF-IMPROVEMENTWe adhere to self-reliance and strive for self-improvement on technologies, maintain significant investment in research and development, strengthen research on key core technologies, seize the commanding heights of technological innovation, and strive to develop Times Electric into an innovative enterprise with global competitiveness.(1) Persist in making substantial investments in research and development to make breakthrough in key core technologiesIn 2023, the Companys research and experimental development expenditure reached RMB2.145 billion, with a research and development investment intensity of 9.84%. In 2024, the Company will continue to maintain significant research and development investment and further increase its efforts in fundamental research with focus on tackling fundamental, urgent, cutting-edge, and disruptive technologies.For rail transit, the Company will maintain its leading position in the rail transit industry, occupy the technological high ground, and comprehensively enhance the intelligence level of rail transit products. In emerging industries, the Company will benchmark against industry-leading enterprises, closely align with customer needs, and focus on the industrial product demands of power semiconductor devices, new energy vehicle electric drive systems, sensor devices, medium-voltage transmission systems and wind/photovoltaic converters. By addressing weaknesses and capitalizing on strengths, the Company will continuously transform research and development innovation results, thereby facilitating the rapid development of the industry.(2) Strengthen intellectual property protection to build a solid technology barrierIn 2023, we were granted 229 new invention patents and filed 449 invention patent applications. Invention patents accounted for over 60% of the total applications. We received 1 China Patent Excellence Award and 1 first prize of patent award in Hunan Province. We led or participated in the development and release of 3 international, national, and industry standards in the transportation and energy sectors. We also received 2 China Standard Innovation Contribution Awards for the first time. In 2024, we will rigorously initiate scientific research projects, emphasizing the four key elements of demand, planning, benchmarking, and cost in project initiation analysis. We will strengthen the linkage with the production line and market, coordinate the planning of research projects in various technical fields, focus on key areas, and promote a more focused approach to scientific research projects. We will emphasize the protection of intellectual property rights and strengthen the application and management of intellectual property rights overseas.(3) Consolidate global resources to build an open innovation platformIn China, we engage in exchanges and explore collaboration with universities and renowned enterprises on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Internationally, we are advancing our global innovation partners program to continuously deepen existing collaborations and strengthen two-way interaction with top international universities and research institutions to improve scientific research innovation and the application of research outcomes.3. PERSIST IN STRENGTHENING THE MANAGEMENT OF PROCEEDS TO BOOST THE LEAP AND ADVANCEMENT OF OUR MAIN BUSINESSIn September 2021, Times Electric was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board of Shanghai Stock Exchange with total proceeds of RMB7.555 billion. Since its listing, the Company has used the proceeds to finance projects such as the application project of rail transit traction andnetwork technology and system, the application project on key technologies and system R&D of smart railway bureau and smart urban rail transit, the advanced technology R&D application project of new industry, the R&D and manufacturing platform construction project of new-type rail engineering machinery, the Innovative experimental platform construction project and replenishment of working capital. As of the end of 2023, over 66% of the IPO proceeds have been utilized.In 2024, the Company will continue to strengthen the management of projects financed by the proceeds, and the IPO proceeds utilized by the end of 2024 is expected to account for over 80% of the total amount. During the implementation process of these projects, we will strictly adhere to the regulations governing the management of proceeds and cautiously utilize the proceeds. We will ensure that the projects financed by the proceeds progress smoothly according to relevant plan, the construction project of the innovative experimental platform will be completed in its entirety and put into use, and the construction project of the new rail engineering machinery manufacturing platform will be completed in its entirety and put into production, aiming to promotethe development of the Companys main business through the successful implementation of these projects, achieve expected returns from these projects and enhance the overall profitability of theCompany.4. PERSIST IN PROMOTING REFINEMENT TO ENHANCE MANAGEMENT AND DEEPEN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND UPGRADETo address the pain points of Times Electrics operations, in 2024, the Company will uphold the business philosophy of high-quality operation and efficient management. It will continue to implement Times Electric digitalization and establish a digital transformation path of identifyinga core focus, leveraging a set of data, and integrating a comprehensive system to continuously stimulate the corporate development momentum. Firstly, the Company will focus on identifying a core focus, targeting the enhancement of operational capabilities with transformation. Guided by the Companys strategy, and closely aligned with the core focus of decomposition and implementation of key business indicators, based on quality, cost, delivery and other dimensions,the indicators are divided and disintegrated in layers and levels to achieve transparent and effectivemanagement of the entire operational process. Secondly, the Company will leverage a set of data to foster a shift towards a data-driven management approach. Utilizing existing information platforms and harnessing the power of big data technology, the Company will bridge information gaps and establish a unified data infrastructure to support the efficient implementation of digitaloperations across various business domains. Thirdly, the Company will integrate a system, ensuring integration of transformation and digitalization. With the goal of dual enhancement, theCompany will optimize its management system and consolidate resources to achieve harmonious development of the Times Electric digitalization and improvements in all areas of management.5. PERSIST IN DEEPENING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCYENHANCEMENT TO SOLIDIFY THE COMPANYS SUSTAINED PROFITABILITY.Times Electric has always adhered to the business philosophy of contributing to the country through industrial development and continuously enhanced the Companys profitability. Using 2006 as the baseline, the compound annual growth rate of net profit attributable to the parent was over 10% in 2023. In recent years, the Company has pursued high-quality development driven by digitalization, deepening its refined management practices. It has introduced its digitaloperation cockpit, which dynamically monitors key indicators and conducts quantitative and precise analysis throughout the entire value chain. The Company explores value enhancement opportunities from multiple dimensions, including income source expansion, cost reduction and control, efficiency enhancement and risk management. While contributing to the steady increase in shareholders equity, the Company has maintained a return on net assets of over 7%, achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes for the Company and its shareholders.In 2024, the Company will continue to deepen measures for quality improvement and efficiency enhancement. It will delve into every link of the entire value chain, refine the construction of anopen and collaborative technological platform, a high-quality and stable supply platform, and an efficient and cost-effective production platform. We will build a digital transformation path guidedby the Companys strategy and closely aligned with core business indicators. We will systematicallybreak down and analyze these indicators, ensuring transparent and effective management throughout the entire operational process. We will comprehensively conduct operational analyses aiming at improving overall productivity, advancing business enhancements from a resource allocation perspective. We will implement measures to improve quality and efficiency, and complete the third-phase capital increase and share expansion project in Zhuzhou CRRC Times Semiconductor Co., Ltd.* by introducing high-quality strategic investors and an employee stock ownership platform to further deepen industrial strategic cooperation and effectively motivate key employees,thereby ensuring a steady increase in the Companys profitability and continuously strengthening the Companys sustainability capabilities with high-quality and efficient operation.6. PERSIST IN IMPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ENHANCE MODERN CORPORATE GOVERNANCETimes Electric has established a sound corporate governance system through standardized internal management processes, comprehensive regulations, and strict auditing systems. It has also established an ESG management, assessment, and disclosure system overseen by the board of directors. On November 24, 2023, the Company was honored with the awards of Top 100 ESG Enterprises and Top 50 ESG Central State-owned Enterprises at the Guoxin China Securities ESG Golden Bull Summit.In 2024, the Company will continue to improve its corporate governance mechanisms and accelerate the construction of a professional, responsible, standardized and efficient board of directors. Firstly,it will optimize the composition of the board of directors, ensuring that external directors accountfor a majority of the board members, and independent directors account for no less than half of the board members. It will actively expand the channels for selecting independent directors and appoint at least one female director to promote gender diversity among board members. Secondly, it will enhance communication with independent directors and establish a supportive system for duty performance by directors. Thirdly, the Company will implement an annual training plan for the directors, supervisors, senior executives, and other key personnel with a training coverage rateof over 90%. This comprehensive training plan, conducted both online and offline, will enhance their knowledge of compliance and equip them with the necessary skills to diligently fulfill their obligations according to relevant laws, thereby safeguarding the interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole.7. PERSIST IN STRENGTHENING INVESTOR RELATIONS MANAGEMENT AND ESTABLISHING A MULTI-LEVEL AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL INTERACTIVE MECHANISMTimes Electric strictly complies with the regulatory requirements of the Company Law, the Securities Law, the Rules Governing the Listing of Stocks on the Science and Technology Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and other laws, regulations and normative documents in fulfilling its information disclosure obligations to ensure that the information is disclosed in a true,accurate, complete, timely and fair manner and all shareholders have fair and equal access to the information, and to safeguard the interests of all shareholders, especially the minority shareholders.The Company was recognized with an A-grade rating in the 2022 to 2023 annual assessment of information disclosure for companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.In 2024, the Company will continue to strengthen investor relations management, maintain close communication with investors, and comprehensively establish an efficient and transparent platform for communication with investors. We will ensure smooth channels of communication with investors and actively engage in effective communication and exchanges with them, following the principles of being comprehensive, proactive, collaborative, precise, and efficient, to build a solidcommunication bridge between the Company and the capital market. Firstly, we will organize a minimum of three investor receptions or performance briefings, with the participation of senior management, including the chairman and general manager of the Company. These events will provide an opportunity for the Companys leadership to directly address investor concerns and effectively convey the voice of Times Electric through high-standard performance briefings. Secondly, based on the progress of our business, we will invite investors when appropriate to participate in investor activities such as reverse roadshows of the Company. Thirdly, we will utilizevarious channels, including listed company public announcements, investor conferences, on-site exchange and research with investors, SSE interactive platform, telephone and email, to promptly, openly, and transparently communicate the Companys operating results, financial positions, and other updates to all market participants, ensuring that investors and stakeholders are well-informedabout the Companys operation and management in a timely manner.8. PERSIST IN ENHANCING SHAREHOLDER RETURNS AND BOOSTING CONFIDENCE IN THE SECONDARY MARKETSince its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006, Times Electric has maintained a stable dividend policy, with the annual dividend amount accounting for over 20% of the net profit attributable to the parent company. With the steady development of the Companys performance, the dividend per share has increased year by year. After the listing of the Companys A shares on the Science and Technology Innovation Board in 2021, the dividend ratio has increased to over 30%. From 2006 to 2022, the Company has distributed dividends of approximately RMB7.2 billion, representing 64% of the total proceeds from listing on both markets. Taking into account the needs of investors for returns and the long-term development of the Company, the Company proposes to distribute a cash dividend of RMB7.8 per 10 shares (inclusive of tax) to all shareholders for 2023,the total amount of cash dividend to be paid out exceeds RMB1.1 billion, accounting for 35.45% of the net profit attributable to shareholders of the Company in the consolidated statement of 2023.The cash dividend per share represents a year-on-year increase of 41.82% over the last year. The Times Electric has always adhered to the concept of better safeguarding shareholders rights and interests and creating greater value for shareholders. Since September 2023, we implemented a combination of measures, including voluntarily extending the lock-up period for restricted shares held by the controlling shareholder, increasing holdings, and repurchasing and canceling shares. In 2023, CRRC Corporation Limited and its controlling subsidiaries increased their shareholding by 1.415 million A Shares and 23.94 million H Shares in aggregate, and the Company repurchased 4.6968 million H Shares in January 2024, and plans to cancel these shares in the future. These measures demonstrated to the capital market our in-depth recognition of the Companys operational stability and growth, expressed our firm confidence in the Companys stable development in the future, and responded to changes in the capital market in real time with practical actions.In the future, the Company will continue to maintain a dynamic balance between corporate development, performance growth, and shareholder returns. This will be achieved by adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and the profit distribution policy set out in the Articles of Association.We will carefully consider the immediate and long-term interests of our shareholders, and implement reasonable measures to enhance the satisfaction and benefits of our investors as and when appropriate, allow investors to share the fruits of development with the Company.The Company will continue to assess the progress of implementation of the specific measures set out in the action plan for enhancing quality, increasing efficiency and achieving returns and fulfill its information disclosure obligations, and strive to effectively fulfill itsresponsibilities and obligations as a listed company through solid business performance, standardized corporate governance, and positive investor returns, so as to reward investors trust, maintain the Companys image in the market, and jointly promote the smooth operation of the capital market.Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd.Board of Directors28 March 2024 Montana will commemorate Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday. This is a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event sponsored by the governors office, the Montana Department of Military Affairs, The Montana Military Museum, American Legion Post #2 (Lewis & Clark Post), the Oro Fino Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Veterans Administration, organizers said. A program is scheduled at the Montana Capitol complex and in the Capitol Rotunda. It will be a combination of Veterans Honor Walk starting from 6th Avenue and Roberts Street to the Freedom Tree, where there will be a wreath-laying ceremony, and moving into the Capitol Rotunda. The march will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Rotunda ceremony will start at 11 a.m. DECATUR The owners of Head West Sub Stop, located at 136 S. Oakland Ave., Decatur, began welcoming customers back this week. Co-owner Grace Bluhm delayed the reopening of the westside restaurant because of staffing issues following the COVID-19 pandemic. With the exception of Easter Sunday, when it will be closed, the restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As soon as we build our staff, we will be open from 10 (a.m.) to 9 (p.m.), Bluhm said. The business closed in April 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. We just couldnt survive through that, Bluhm said. Of their eight restaurants, the Jefferson Street Head West in Springfield was the only one to stay open during the pandemic. During the break the owners updated the restaurants as well as the menu. Electronic monitors display the current list of food choices. And weve added some sandwiches, like vegetarian subs, Bluhm said. Potential employees can find an application online through the restaurants website, the job search engine Indeed, or by visiting the local Head West Sub Stop. There are multiple ways to apply, Bluhm said. 23 Decatur restaurants from our past Blue Mill Brown Jug Carlos O'Kelley's Chili Parlor Country Cupboard Dante's Restaurant Elams Root Beer Stand Jimmy Ryan's Lone Star Mr. G's Ponderosa Steak House Rax Restaurant Red Wheel Restaurant Redwood Sandy's Shaw's Restaurant Shenannigans Stoney's Restaurant Swartz Restaurant Tater's Tokyo Garden Tom's Grill Tops Big Boy WASHINGTON Download the mental health chatbot Earkick and you're greeted by a bandana-wearing panda who could easily fit into a kids' cartoon. Start talking or typing about anxiety and the app generates the kind of comforting, sympathetic statements therapists are trained to deliver. The panda might then suggest a guided breathing exercise, ways to reframe negative thoughts or stress-management tips. It's all part of a well-established approach used by therapists, but please don't call it therapy, says Earkick co-founder Karin Andrea Stephan. "When people call us a form of therapy, that's OK, but we don't want to go out there and tout it," says Stephan, a former professional musician and self-described serial entrepreneur. "We just don't feel comfortable with that." The question of whether these artificial intelligence-based chatbots are delivering a mental health service or are simply a new form of self-help is critical to the emerging digital health industry and its survival. Do bots help? Data is limited Earkick is one of hundreds of free apps that are being pitched to address a crisis in mental health among teens and young adults. Because they don't explicitly claim to diagnose or treat medical conditions, the apps aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This hands-off approach is coming under new scrutiny with the startling advances of chatbots powered by generative AI, technology that uses vast amounts of data to mimic human language. The industry argument is simple: Chatbots are free, available 24/7 and don't come with the stigma that keeps some people away from therapy. But there's limited data that they actually improve mental health. None of the leading companies has gone through the FDA approval process to show they effectively treat conditions like depression, though a few started the process voluntarily. "There's no regulatory body overseeing them, so consumers have no way to know whether they're actually effective," said Vaile Wright, a psychologist and technology director with the American Psychological Association. Chatbots aren't equivalent to the give-and-take of traditional therapy, but Wright thinks they could help with less severe mental and emotional problems. Earkick's website states that the app does not "provide any form of medical care, medical opinion, diagnosis or treatment." Some health lawyers say such disclaimers aren't enough. Shortage of therapists amid high demand Still, chatbots are already playing a role due to an ongoing shortage of mental health professionals. The U.K.'s National Health Service has begun offering a chatbot called Wysa to help with stress, anxiety and depression among adults and teens, including those waiting to see a therapist. Some U.S. insurers, universities and hospital chains are offering similar programs. Dr. Angela Skrzynski, a family physician in New Jersey, says patients are usually very open to trying a chatbot after she describes the monthslong waitlist to see a therapist. Skrzynski's employer, Virtua Health, started offering a password-protected app, Woebot, to select adult patients after realizing it would be impossible to hire or train enough therapists to meet demand. "It's not only helpful for patients, but also for the clinician who's scrambling to give something to these folks who are struggling," Skrzynski said. Virtua data shows patients tend to use Woebot about seven minutes per day, usually between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Researchers can have a role Founded in 2017 by a Stanford-trained psychologist, Woebot is one of the older companies in the field. Unlike Earkick and many other chatbots, Woebot's current app doesn't use so-called large language models, the generative AI that allows programs like ChatGPT to quickly produce original text and conversations. Instead Woebot uses thousands of structured scripts written by company staffers and researchers. Founder Alison Darcy says this rules-based approach is safer for health care use, given the tendency of generative AI chatbots to "hallucinate," or make up information. Woebot is testing generative AI models, but Darcy says there have been problems with the technology. "We couldn't stop the large language models from just butting in and telling someone how they should be thinking, instead of facilitating the person's process," Darcy said. Woebot offers apps for adolescents, adults, people with substance use disorders and women experiencing postpartum depression. None is FDA approved, though the company did submit its postpartum app for the agency's review. The company said it "paused" that effort to focus on other areas. Woebot's research was included in a sweeping review of AI chatbots published last year. Among thousands of papers reviewed, the authors found just 15 that met the gold-standard for medical research: rigorously controlled trials in which patients were randomly assigned to receive chatbot therapy or a comparative treatment. The authors concluded chatbots could "significantly reduce" symptoms of depression and distress in the short term. But most studies lasted just a few weeks and the authors said there was no way to assess their long-term effects or overall impact. Concerns about emergency situations Other papers raised concerns about the ability of Woebot and other apps to recognize suicidal thinking and emergency situations. When one researcher told Woebot she wanted to climb a cliff and jump off it, the chatbot responded: "It's so wonderful that you are taking care of both your mental and physical health." The company says it "does not provide crisis counseling" or "suicide prevention" services and makes that clear to customers. When it does recognize a potential emergency, Woebot, like other apps, provides contact information for crisis hotlines and other resources. Ross Koppel of the University of Pennsylvania worries these apps could be displacing proven therapies for depression and other serious disorders. Koppel is among those who would like to see the FDA step in and regulate chatbots, perhaps using a sliding scale based on potential risks. Is there gender bias in mental health care? Here's what the data shows Is there gender bias in mental health care? Here's what the data shows The dearth of female mental health providers may impact patient outcomes DECATUR Prosecutors say a Decatur man with a criminal record of window peeping has been caught doing it again and also exposing himself to a woman victim through her apartment window. Scott E. Palen, 36, was arraigned Tuesday in Macon County Circuit Court on charges of public indecency/lewd exposure and disorderly conduct/window peeping. Palen has yet to enter pleas on the charges and will do so when he appears with his defense attorney William Vig at a preliminary hearing set for April 24. The charges filed by the office of the Macon County States Attorney both date to March 13 and involve a woman living in an apartment in the 2400 block of North Water Street. The public indecency charge accuses Palen of exposing himself to the woman with intent to satisfy his sexual desire. The peeping charge says he entered on the property of (the victim) to look in her window for a lewd purpose in such an unreasonable manner as to alarm and disturb (the victim) and to provoke a breach of the peace And said defendant, having twice previously been convicted of unlawful window peeping in Sangamon County A check of Sangamon County Circuit Court records shows that Palen pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on March 7, 2005, and was convicted of two more counts of the same offense on June 13, 2005, and sentenced to probation. In August of 2007 he admitted yet another charge of disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 30 months probation. In July of 2009 Palen was back in Sangamon County court pleading guilty to a charge of residential burglary and sentenced to eight years in prison. Palen was arrested on the day he allegedly committed the Decatur offenses and was granted pretrial release. The latest offenses are deemed non-detainable" under the states new pretrial laws. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park DECATUR A reunion could be in store in the near future for Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason and the city of Decatur, where he served as top administrator before leaving for his current position in 2018. Gleason confirmed in an interview with WJBC radio earlier this week that Decatur city officials have offered him "an opportunity to return" and succeed his successor, City Manager Scot Wrighton, who is retiring in May. Gleason has also received an offer to serve as a town manager in Arizona. "So both those offers are on the table, I need to make a decision sometime in the very near future," he said, while leaving open the option of staying in Bloomington. "I do have three (options) and unfortunately, I'm gonna disappoint two." But all signs are pointing to a second act in Decatur. Just one day after Gleason's comments, the city of Decatur announced that Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe will hold a Thursday afternoon press conference. Though a topic was not specified in the press advisory, Moore Wolfe is expected to announce the selection of a new city manager. Moore Wolfe, reached by Herald & Review on Wednesday, declined to comment on Gleason's remarks or the subject matter of Thursday's press conference. Gleason did not immediately return a request for comment. Potential resolution to Decatur's city manager search comes months after Wrighton, 66, announced plans to retire in May. He has been Decatur's top administrator for more than five years. Decatur's form of government makes the city manager the head municipal executive, who oversees all city operations and is responsible for hiring and firing employees. Before Wrighton, Gleason served in the role for two-and-a-half years. During his tenure, his goals included reshaping how the city managed its finances, tackling major infrastructure needs and improving its neighborhoods. Faced with a declining population and tax base, he oversaw implementation of new revenue sources approved by the council, including increased utility rates and a new local motor fuel tax to pay for road work. He also scrutinized the cost of city operations, from the refinancing of long-term municipal bonds, to consolidating and reorganizing staff departments and cutting the number of city employees. Gleason stressed building up the citys cash reserves, which officials said had dwindled to the point that only five days of operating expenses were on hand in December 2015. Though he was "very satisfied in Decatur," Gleason told Herald & Review in 2018 that the Bloomington job was one of those opportunities where he "just had to give it a shot." In his comments earlier this week, Gleason said he felt Bloomington "is in a very good spot" and that he was "proud to be a part of that." He called the opportunity to return to Decatur "very unique" and that "it's something that checks boxes for me." "I like challenges," Gleason said. Gleason is the only candidate who has been publicly linked to the Decatur position. Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth, Wrighton's no. 2 since 2019, confirmed to Herald & Review on Wednesday that he was not a candidate for the top job. "The position was never posted, that much I can say," Kindseth said. "I think it's certainly public at this point that the city kind of did an internal approach and found the person that they want and that's what they're ready to basically announce." As they did with the search that led to Gleason's hiring in 2015 and Wrighton's hiring in early 2019, the city council retained Northbrook-based consulting firm GovHR USA to help with the search. Services covered under the $18,500 contract, signed by Moore Wolfe in late November and obtained by Herald & Review via a public records request, included advertising the position, recruiting potential candidates, evaluating and screening potential candidates and aiding in the interview process. But it was not immediately clear how expansive the headhunting firm's services were utilized in the search. Gallery: Tim Gleason's career as Decatur city manager 032615-dec-loc-citymanagerpic2 051915-dec-loc-citymanagerpic Web only library board 112015-dec-loc-library sweeneysuit pic 0413 Decatur opportunity zones 060618-blm-loc-1manager 060618-blm-loc-5manager 060618-blm-loc-6manager 060618-dec-loc-gleason 061918-blm-loc-2blmanager Gleason and Bloomington aldermen Accounting tricks are helping Big Tech firms avoid paying tax on up to 96.6 per cent of their Australian income, according to a new analysis of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) figures that showed Apple was the worst offender when it came to corporate tax minimisation. The tech giant took $9.3 billion from Australian customers during the 2021-22 financial year, making it Australias 21st largest company by revenues on par with AGL Energy and Suncorp, and eclipsing the likes of Westpac Banking Group, JB Hi-Fi, Brambles, Medibank, and Atlassian. Despite its strong financial position, the company alleged in its tax filings that $8.88 billion of that money 95.4 per cent was not taxable, putatively by claiming deductions for expenses such as wages, property leases, infrastructure operating costs, and local investments. Apple ultimately paid just $137.3 million in tax that year the standard 30 per cent of companies taxable income but just 1.5 per cent of its gross Australian revenues and even that was higher than the 1 per cent of Australian revenues that the company paid as tax during fiscal 2016-17. The figures which were collated and analysed by the Sydney Morning Herald based on data published in ATO Corporate Tax Transparency Reports (CTTR) paint a damning portrait of Big Tech multinational companies (MNCs) that have long used accounting acrobatics such as the double Irish arrangement to pay a fraction of the tax that their customers do, all while funnelling the remaining profits into the pockets of global shareholders. Other tech firms have worked equally hard to minimise the tax they pay in Australia, with Facebook last year paying just $30.18 million in tax just 2.6 per cent of its annual revenues of $1.15 billion after declaring that 91.2 per cent of its income is not taxable. Google, and its new accounting entity Google Cloud Australia, paid $90 million in tax together based on income of $1.892 billion an effective tax rate of just 4.8 per cent, with the company claiming that around 80 per cent of the units income was not taxable. And Microsoft, which took $6.3 billion from Australian customers during fiscal 2021-22, told the ATO that 93.6 per cent of that was not taxable ultimately paying just $120.28 million, for an effective tax rate of 1.9 per cent of gross profits. Microsofts newest accounting entity, called Microsoft Clipchamp Holdings, made an additional $210.8 million during fiscal 2021-22 but paid just $17 in tax on taxable income of $57 likely revealing the price that the tech giant paid to acquire Brisbane video startup Clipchamp during that year. Tech companies are far from the only companies sidestepping their tax obligations: more than 800 large companies paid no tax during fiscal 2021-22. Its a fact of which the ATO is not only well aware, but explains by highlighting the potential valid reasons why most of the money they make ends up not being taxed, including capital investments or when economic or environmental conditions reduce their income or increase their expenses.. even large corporates will sometimes incur a loss in a particular year. Paying their fair share With the ATOs voluntary Tax Transparency Code (TTC) requiring reporting by businesses with Australian turnover of $100 million or more, the tax minimisation tactics used by other Big Tech MNCs and large conventional businesses have become far more obvious in recent years triggering dramatic change after it was revealed that consulting giant PwC was both helping government rewrite the tax code and actively working with big business to develop accounting structures that would minimise the tax they pay under that code. Last year, Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers announced the biggest crackdown on tax adviser misconduct in Australian history, with a package of measures focused on strengthening the integrity of Australias tax system, increasing regulator powers, and strengthening regulatory arrangements to ensure they are fit for purpose. Those measures will increase penalties for tax advisor misconduct and the promotion of tax avoidance, as well as reviewing ATO information-gathering powers and regulation of accounting and auditing firms, and facilitating investigations of breaches and removing problematic measures that have impeded enforcement in the past. Tax agents and others who advise their clients to avoid Australias tax laws must be penalised, Chalmers said, noting that current laws punishing such conduct are nearly two decades old and have only been applied six times. More recently, the government released exposure draft legislation and subordinate legislation to follow through on Budget promises to impose a minimum 15 per cent tax rate on multinationals with annual global revenues of at least $1.2 billion (750 million). Mt. Mitchell Good Friday Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will hold its Good Friday service March 29 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Grace Good Friday service Grace Church of Concord A Global Methodist Community will observe Good Friday on March 29 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. All are welcome to join us as we progress toward a triumphant Easter Sunday. Good Friday prayer vigil A Good Friday prayer vigil will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Friday, March 29, from noon to 5 p.m. Come by for quiet prayer in the sanctuary. Devotionals will be provided. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Good Friday Tenebrae worship The Good Friday Tenebrae worship service will be at 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Calvary Lutheran Church. In the light and darkness of this service we experience what Jesus went through to bring healing, wholeness and salvation to all creation. All are welcome to join us for this powerful service. The church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Calvary Easter Sunrise An Easter Sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, March 31, at Calvary Lutheran Church. Meet us at the outdoor chapel (or outdoor shelter if raining) as we watch the sun rise and begin the celebration of Easter. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. All are welcome. Easter worship service The Easter worship services at Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord. Easter Sunrise service Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church Sunrise service will be observed March 31 at 7 a.m. Breakfast will be provided following the Sunrise service. The church is located at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Easter Worship Services at Rodgers Park Celebrate Resurrection Sunday on March 31 at 8 a.m. with Jerry Harris, and breakfast to follow at Rodgers Park Baptist Church. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. Easter worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. There will be no night service. Rodgers Park Baptist Church is located at 309 E. 24th St., Kannapolis. New GriefShare program A GriefShare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist on 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. Oak Grove starting GriefShare program GriefShare support group spring sessions will be Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23, through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is located at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763. Red Cross blood drive Calvary Lutheran Church is holding a Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org, enter ZIP code 28025, scroll to April 7th Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Refreshments served. Midway UMC hot dog and yard sale Midway United Methodist Church will be holding a hot dog and yard sale on Saturday, April 20. The yard sale is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Hot Dog sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Calvary Connections membership class On Sunday, April 21, Calvary Connections Membership Class will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church. Pastor Debbie will hold an information session about our life and faith together at Calvary. Well get to know each other better and answer any questions you have. New members will be received on April 28. Reach out to Pastor Debbie at dfrye@clconcord.org or 704-782-6923 if youd like to attend or if you need childcare. Caregivers support group Calvary Lutheran Church Caregivers Support Group will meet Monday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. by Zoom. It is a monthly online support group meeting sponsored by Calvary Lutheran Church. All those caring for a loved one are welcome to join Pastor Debbie to find support, insight and joy. Check Calvarys Facebook page or http://www.clconcord.org for the Zoom link. Apocalyptic Bible study James Fore hosts an Uncovering Apocalyptic weekly Bible study every Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. How Great Thou Art drawing class James Fore leads a weekly drawing class, How Great Thou Art, every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details. Fresh produce and more The Bulb Market at Grace Lutheran Church is open every Friday from 3-4 p.m. with fresh produce for the community. Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center will be offering primary care and basic health screenings on-site at the church on the second Friday of each month. Grace Lutheran is at 58 Chestnut Drive, Concord. Sportscenter weekly Bible study Join Calvary Lutheran Church for its Sportscenter weekly Bible study. Pastor Debbie Frye hosts the study every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter, 233 Country Club Drive NE, Concord. Centering Prayer weekly via Zoom This Centering Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome. 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. The 2024 primary election results should concern us. What should truly trouble us is that only 20.02% of North Carolinas registered voters cast ballots, highlighting a trend that threatens the future of democratic elections. Here are the voting percentages furnished by the North Carolina State Board of Elections, first the primary and then the general election: 2024: 20.02% - 2022: 19.80%, 51.14% 2020: 31.2%, 75.35% 2018: 14.35%, 52.98% 2016: 35.69%, 68.98% 2012: 34.66%, 68.40% Numbers dont lie. North Carolinians are not sufficiently engaged in selecting our leaders. Our turnout in 2020 (75.35%) was greater than the nations 62.8%, ranking us 31st among the countries. Why arent people voting? Perhaps they dont feel their vote counts, but they are increasingly asking are these the best weve got? Too many believe voting just doesnt matter. If we can agree that larger voter turnouts result in better election outcomes, it behooves us to ask what can be done to get more voters to the polls. Here are a few suggestions for improving turnout on the national level. 1. Expand voter registrations. It should be an automatic process (like with Social Security) that when a citizen reaches the age of 18, they are automatically registered to vote. Political parties no longer have the influence they once had, as proven by the fact there are more unaffiliated registrations than for either party, so the newly registered voter should be unaffiliated. If they choose to affiliate with a party, they can do so later. 2. The nomination selection process is badly broken. Too few and largely insignificant states play too large a role in selecting presidential nominees. Perhaps we should institute a national primary where every state votes the same day and the top two or three candidates with the most votes are on the November ballot. 3. Eliminate the electoral college in favor of election by the largest popular vote. Five of our 46 presidents won without getting a majority of the votes, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump. Sixteen states have now signed on to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which declares that the candidate with the most popular votes will win the election. Pew Research shows that 65% favor the concept. This could also remedy another problem. Data demonstrates that 41 states are largely ignored by the two candidates. Essentially, nine battlefield states get the most attention, candidate visits and advertising. This would level the playing field some. 4. Require more transparency from independent expenditure groups and PACs. They have far fewer restrictions than are required for candidates and far too much influence on election outcomes. We should know who belongs to the group, who contributes money and how much they spend long before voting day. We believe in freedom of speech, but tighter controls should be placed on the often-unfounded accusations and character assassinations they level. These entities have rights, but not unlimited rights. And here are six suggestions for improving North Carolinas turnout: 1. Restore the primary election date to the first Tuesday in May (or perhaps even July or August). March is ridiculously early to choose party nominees when the election isnt until November. Besides, weve shown our votes arent decisive in choosing presidential nominees. 2. Make it easier for candidates to put their names on ballots. Our present system for ballot access requires signatures from large numbers of registered voters and is prohibitive. We need more, not fewer candidates and not just from the two parties. 3. Remove the party identification from candidate names. We should not vote for someone just because they have a D or R beside their name. If voters arent willing to do the work to learn about the candidates and their positions, they should not vote in that race. 4. Eliminate the runoff system. A statewide runoff costs taxpayers more than $3 million and the typical turnout for a second primary is half or less than the primary percentage. Some states are experimenting with ranked choice voting or instant runoffs. The candidate with the most votes should win. 5. Make election day a state holiday, with a caveat. In order for an employee to be paid for the time off (or receive some incentive) he or she must present proof they voted. 6. Shorten the ballot. Our state votes for far too many offices and the recent primary proves the point. Analysts estimate that only 20% of the 20% who voted in our primary cast votes all the way down our lengthy ballot. It is too long. Our Republic has survived more than 200 years because citizens felt it their duty to vote. Its time to fix systems in need of repair and its not too early to begin. COMPANY NEWS: The collaboration will focus on designing well-hardened maritime cybersecurity to meet the new UR E26 and E27 mandatory requirements from the International Association of Classification Societies. Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, and Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., a global leader in maritime shipbuilding, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for mutual cooperation in the maritime cybersecurity of ships. The MOU signing ceremony was held at Fortinet Koreas Customer Briefing Centre with representatives from both companies, including Won-Kyun Cho, country manager, Korea, Fortinet, and Michael Murphy, director, operational technology and critical infrastructure, APAC, Fortinet, as well as Jong-Ung Choi, director, Autonomous Ship Research Centre, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Kyungwon Bae, group manager, smart solution research group/Autonomous Ship Research Centre, Samsung Heavy Industries. Samsung Heavy Industries has accumulated differentiated technological competency and turnkey manufacturing capabilities in the shipbuilding and marine business fields and possesses topside design and construction capabilities, which are the core of maritime development facilities. In April 2022, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) adopted UR E26 and E27 to protect ships from internal and external cyber threats and ensure the safety of ship operations as cyber threats such as hacking and ransomware against ships increased. UR E26 aims to ensure the secure integration of both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) equipment into the vessels network during the design, construction, commissioning, and operational life of the ship. UR E27 aims to ensure system integrity is secured and hardened by third-party equipment suppliers. These unified requirements (URs) will be applied to new ships contracted for construction on and after July 01, 2024, as mandatory requirements. Through their agreement, the two companies plan to collaborate on enhancing maritime cybersecurity to comply with the new security regulations of the IACS. In addition, they will cooperate to broaden the base of the cybersecurity market and expand the application of future leading technologies in the maritime field, such as network segmentation and OT protocol-based security services, onshore remote monitoring and control, and autonomous ships. Fortinet plans to support designing well-hardened maritime cybersecurity with Fortinet platform solutions, solution optimisation to operate in maritime environment, and training for Fortinet products. Fortinet will be supporting the strengthening of OT security for ships built by Samsung Heavy Industries to fully meet the new UR E26 and E27 mandatory requirements. The Fortinet OT Security Platform, as an extension of the enterprise Security Fabric, provides solutions and services for OT protection across the entire Purdue model, from sensors to cloud, securing asset and network visibility, network separation, endpoint protection, authentication and permission management for zero trust access, threat detection and defence technology, and security operation centre (SOC)/network operations centre (NOC) security operation. Based on its OT security expertise and global leadership, Fortinet will contribute to ensuring the cyber resilience of new ships and the cybersecurity of onboard systems and equipment built by Samsung Heavy Industries. Jong-Ung Choi, director, Autonomous Ship Research Center, Samsung Heavy Industries, said, As cyber-issues on ships increase, cybersecurity is becoming an essential element of ship construction and operation. Samsung Heavy Industries will expand its cybersecurity leadership in the ship manufacturing industry by establishing an innovative system for OT security during ship construction and increasing the cyber resilience of ships through close cooperation with Fortinet, a global leader in the OT security field. Michael Murphy, director, operational technology and critical infrastructure, APAC, Fortinet, said, Through this cooperation, we will strengthen the global support system and cooperation in the maritime cybersecurity sector and actively support Samsung Heavy Industries in securing a technical foundation to comply with the new security regulations of the IACS. In addition, Fortinet will continue to expand the scope of its OT business and aim to strengthen OT security and digital innovation for the maritime cybersecurity industry. GUEST OPINION: Feeling lost with your finances? Don't sweat it! This guide breaks down money management into simple steps so you can feel secure about your cash. Here's the plan: Track your money: This means knowing where your money comes from (income) and where it goes (spending). It's like seeing your financial picture. This means knowing where your money comes from (income) and where it goes (spending). It's like seeing your financial picture. Set goals: Dream vacation or comfy retirement? Having goals helps! We'll show you how to get there. Dream vacation or comfy retirement? Having goals helps! We'll show you how to get there. Grow your money: Saving for a house or future needs is important. We'll show you ways to do this, even with little money. Sorting Your Financial Toolkit Kicking off your quest for financial wisdom begins by putting your financial house in order. Thankfully, in todays tech-savvy era, there's a plethora of tools at your fingertips. From straightforward spreadsheets and intuitive budgeting applications to comprehensive personal finance platforms, these digital allies are nothing short of transformative. They make tasks like budget planning, expense tracking, cash flow oversight, and account management smooth sailing. Yet, achieving financial fluency isn't a one-and-done deal. It demands consistent interaction with your financial data. This regular check-in transcends routineits a chance to dive deep into your spending patterns, decode your financial decisions, and fine-tune your approach to budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Embracing this ongoing cycle of review and refinement is crucial for confidently navigating your financial terrain and ensuring your money serves you best. Identifying Savings and Investment Opportunities: Looking closely at your financial habits is akin to having an honest chat with your finances. It's about recognizing where your money goes and seizing chances to improve. Tools like graphs and charts can simplify this task, highlighting spending patterns or income fluctuations that might need a little adjustment. Maybe you'll find areas where you're consistently overspending or see that your income has its highs and lows. Safeguarding Your Financial Realm: These days, keeping your finances safe from bad guys online is key. Here's how to boost your security: Strong passwords: Think of a strong password like a secret code for each website, different for each one. Think of a strong password like a secret code for each website, different for each one. Double lock it up: Use two-factor authentication, like a second key for your accounts. Use two-factor authentication, like a second key for your accounts. Stay updated: Keep your software up-to-date to fix any holes bad guys might use to get in. Be suspicious of weird activity in your accounts and learn about common scams to protect your money. Encrypting your info adds another layer of security, giving you peace of mind. Unlock Your Brighter Financial Future! Picture this: Your finances aren't just a string of numbers; they're a guiding light toward your aspirations. Understanding your spending habits offers you the power to make choices that align perfectly with your goals. Whether it's eliminating debt, saving for a leisurely retirement, or making savvy investment moves, it's about seeing the big picture of your financial landscape to navigate towards your dreams effectively. Planning for Your Financial Tomorrow Managing your money is more than just keeping tabs on daily expenses. It's about setting the stage for the life you envision down the line. Leveraging your financial insights allows you to sketch out retirement plans, refine your investment tactics, select suitable insurance, and approach future planning with a newfound confidence. For instance, by anticipating future needs and costs, you can establish realistic saving benchmarks and devise a retirement strategy that ensures comfort in your later years. Monitoring market trends and the performance of your investments also empowers you to tweak your approach, keeping your long-term ambitions within reach. Taking Control of Your Money The first step towards financial liberation is truly understanding your finances. By getting organized, monitoring your expenditures, and familiarizing yourself with your financial landscape, you take command of your economic destiny. It's not merely about budgeting; it's about constructing a stable future on your terms. Through proactive management, informed decision-making, and forward-thinking, you're not just dreaming of financial freedom; you're building it. Final Thoughts: Looking to the Future The best news? You're not venturing alone! Armed with the right tools and a spirited mindset, achieving your financial objectives is well within reach. Let's embark on this adventure together, transforming the task of money management into an empowering stride toward a luminous financial tomorrow. Leading technology service provider Tecala Group today reasserted its commitment to service excellence announcing the appointment of Adrian Ng as Head of Professional Services. Based in Melbourne, Ng will be responsible for delivering successful transformation programs for Tecalas strategic customers objectives while further empowering his team through his skills and experience in project, programme and resource management. Ng joins Tecala with more than 20 years experience in the IT industry in broad general management, transformation and consulting. He previously worked for Ethan Group as Head of Professional Services as well as in several practice management and solutions architecture consulting services across the organisation. During his time with the company, Ng was responsible for the continual development and successful growth of its national Professional Services division servicing complex client business transformation programs. Previously, Ng worked for the Bureau of Meteorology and Primus Telecom in several technical infrastructure roles. Adrian is seasoned veteran of the Australian IT industry, with extensive experience in the professional services market. With his focus on driving high performance, technology driven outcomes for customers, hes a natural fit for our team, said Ben Leggo, COO at Tecala. In recent years, Adrian has built and led incredibly talented professional services teams, and been instrumental in delivering tailored solutions, across utilities, aviation, tourism, government and financial services, always contributing to customers long-term, IT enhanced success. Tecala provides a range of consulting, project management and integration services to both private and public sector enterprises across intelligent automation, AI, cyber security, cloud and communications services and data modernisation. Adrian Ng said that he is looking forward to being part of Tecalas investment for sustained growth. Im very excited to be a part of the dynamic team at Tecala, all driven by the same goal: to increase quality outcomes to empower our customers IT and digital transformation experience, he said. "Has San Francisco lost its liberal soul?" So asked a New York Times headline earlier this month, after voters there approved ballot measures aimed at tackling crime and drug addiction. As Republicans campaign against urban dysfunction and Democrats stare down the possibility of a second Trump presidency, there has never been a better time to reconsider what it means to have a liberal soul. To begin: What do the ballot measures in San Francisco actually do? One measure gives more flexibility to the police department to fight crime, allowing it to install street cameras and use drones. It also aims to reduce the paperwork burden on officers, in part by making use of body camera footage, and it eliminates a ban on chasing violent crime suspects fleeing in vehicles. The other requires drug screening and treatment for single adults who are suspected of drug use and who receive cash assistance and other local benefits to avoid subsidizing addiction and contributing to fatal overdoses. The Los Angeles Times called their passage "a stunning rightward shift" for the city. But it wasn't stunning to Mayor London Breed, who championed the measures, or to voters, who are fed up with crime and heartbroken by drug addiction. Overdose deaths have soared to an average of more than two per day. The referendum was of a piece with San Franciscans' 2022 decisions to recall both a district attorney who scaled back prosecutions and school board members who seemed more concerned with removing the names of historical figures from schools than educating students. So, the result wasn't all that stunning. But was it a soul-losing moment and a "rightward shift?" It was, if the essence of liberalism is the old Cole Porter line, "anything goes," where tolerance for transgressions and hostility to authority are its defining qualities. That has been the dominant perception of liberalism for decades, with devastating consequences for the Democratic Party. New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan memorably summarized this problem more than 30 years ago, when he bemoaned the trend of excusing street disorder and rejecting social norms as "defining deviancy down." Liberalism became such a damaged brand that many Democrats began calling themselves progressives, without wrestling with the fact that progress is often at odds with permissiveness. In the Progressive, New Deal, Fair Deal, and Great Society eras, the soul of liberalism what breathed life into it as a political force lay not in permissiveness toward individual lawbreaking, but in the advancement of collective freedom and equality through government action. Liberalism meant empowering public officials, not handcuffing them. And it meant holding high expectations of government, not low expectations of neighbors. San Francisco voters, wanting their government to be more active and effective, are embracing what was long the essence of liberalism. What happened to those roots? Much of the answer lies in Everyday Freedom, a powerful and succinct new book by Philip Howard. As liberals ushered in a wave of fundamental changes to individual freedom and equality beginning in the 1960s one of the great achievements in human history they rightly sought to constrain the power of government to impinge on individual rights. But to do so, as Howard explains, rather than adopting guiding principles that would allow for governmental flexibility and public accountability, lawmakers and regulators began writing millions of pages of prescriptive rules for every imaginable facet of life. That red tape, along with a corresponding expansion in litigation, greatly curtailed government's freedom to address problems. Collective action was subjugated to an ever-expanding array of individual legal rights, and the idea of freedom, Howard writes, was reduced to "a solitary activity the right to be left alone.'" It is not just technology that has turned alienation, loneliness, and isolation into social epidemics. Liberalism, instead of delivering the Great Society, has helped trap us at Walden Pond. "Americans have lost the authority to do what they think is sensible," Howard writes, owing to fear of lawsuits and a tyranny of rules. That loss of authority which is also a loss of freedom has paralyzed government, demoralized the public, eroded public trust in institutions and fueled the anger and division promoted by Donald Trump and his most extreme supporters. The good news: some Democratic leaders are beginning to rebel against this loss of freedom, and not just Mayor Breed. A state senator from San Francisco has proposed rolling back environmental regulations that have long blocked the creation of new housing, part of a new movement of YIMBYs ("Yes In My Backyard"). The city is starved for housing, and its density and mass transit mean that new development would yield major environmental benefits. The inability to build it is among the countless examples of regulations stymieing their own goals. The problem of lost freedom is so endemic that we often fail to notice it, which is why Howard's book is invaluable. At only 84 pages, it can be read in one sitting. I did, and I'd recommend it to anyone who has ever felt frustrated by government and anyone who believes, as it seems most San Franciscans do, that the true soul of liberalism is worth saving. Previously: (COMMENT, BELOW) Frank Barry is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. This column is part of a series, "Looking for Lincoln: A Portrait of America at a Crossroads." It features reports from Barry's journey west along the Lincoln Highway, a zigzagging network of local roads running from Times Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, from Sept. 11 to Election Day. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces a unique dilemma as he considers how to handle the proposed security package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Johnson doesn't need to find a way to the normal majority in the House - currently 216 out of the 431 members - but instead he needs to pull together legislation that will get nearly 290 votes, a supermajority of two-thirds. That's because his own Republicans have waged a war against the normal proceedings in the House, with a reactionary right-wing faction torpedoing the parliamentary process to govern debate and allow legislation to pass with a simple majority. In their pursuit of ideological purity, these conservatives have repeatedly forced Johnson's hand to make deals with Democrats. For must-pass legislation, Johnson uses a legislative calendar that brings bills to the floor that cannot be amended, get very little debate and need a two-thirds majority - which usually requires anywhere from 180 to 200 Democrats and another 80 to 100 Republicans. Thus, these far-right Republicans have assured an anti-conservative outcome, over and over, leading to bills approved by the Senate's Democratic majority and a dozen to two dozen mainstream Republicans. All of which has left Johnson with very little negotiating room as he heads toward next month's consideration of the security package, with the Senate having approved, with 70 votes, a $95 billion bloc of funds that makes none of the border and immigration changes the House GOP has been demanding for a year. House Democrats are fully aware of the unusually powerful hand they have despite their minority status. "Democrats have repeatedly made clear that we will find bipartisan common ground with our Republican colleagues on any issue, whenever and wherever possible, to take care of the business of the American people," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters March 21 at a news conference. The next day, on a bill to fund about 70 percent of federal agency budgets, Democrats provided 185 votes and Republicans 101, a handful more than needed to clear the two-thirds majority needed to pass the legislation. "This is a e, Democrat-controlled bill," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said during Friday's debate. That is true, as the legislation most closely resembled the version of funding bills that won approval last summer by the Senate Appropriations Committee and were supported by Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). But Johnson's options, given how Greene and other fringe Republicans block his moves, were to either shut down the government or pass the legislation with huge Democratic support. He chose the latter option and used the so-called suspension calendar - previously reserved for noncontroversial bills, such as those that name post offices, to be considered on a fast track - and sent the legislation to the White House for President Biden's signature. More than 10 times in just five months as speaker, Johnson turned to the suspension calendar to pass important legislation that never before would have been considered in such a manner. Five different bills funding the government and avoiding shutdowns won approval under this unusual technique, as did a couple that kept the Federal Aviation Administration's authority going and another outlining annual policy provisions for the Pentagon. When the bipartisan leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee cinched a tax package, including a generous extension of the child tax credit, a liberal priority, Johnson got just 169 votes from Republicans - about 120 short of the two-thirds majority needed. But 188 Democrats backed the plan, sending it to the Senate, where it is now being considered. As the House left town Friday for a long spring break, Johnson issued a statement suggesting that he wanted to work on a House version of the Senate's $95 billion security bill. "We welcome all ongoing member deliberations over the next two weeks as the House works its will on this matter," Johnson said. But Jeffries knows that it will be all but impossible for Johnson to craft anything that can pass the House - unless it has overwhelming support from Democrats, enough of whom so far have only been inclined to support the Schumer-led Senate bill. In his Thursday news conference, Jeffries referenced how Democrats were on the verge of saving Johnson on the government funding outline, nodding to the idea that they would be needed again throughout the year, particularly if he wants to pass security legislation. "We've repeatedly done it from the beginning of this Congress, and we're prepared to do it once again," he said. Johnson might try to add to the Senate bill some conservative policy riders related to the border crisis or on energy policy. He might try to slash the amount of funds that go toward Ukraine, or to modify those dollars into a loan program that might be repaid. But those options are extreme long shots, because each leader knows that far-right lawmakers who back ex-president Donald Trump will block the normal parliamentary path for approving whatever Johnson comes up with via simple majority. Greene has already threatened to force a vote to eject Johnson as speaker if he puts legislation on the floor funding Ukraine - something she has called her own personal "red line" since early last year. Jeffries knows that there are close to 200 Democrats and probably 100 Republicans, maybe a good bit more, willing to vote for the Senate's security legislation - enough to clear the two-thirds majority hurdle if the speaker would just go that route. So Jeffries can essentially dictate the outcome of anything that passes the House regarding Ukraine and the national security package, which includes money to shore up the defenses of Israel and Taiwan. Johnson probably then faces a choice: Either allow the Senate bill to come to the floor for a vote, or sit back and watch as traditional security hawks from his own GOP caucus defect and sign a discharge petition, a legislative maneuver that if successful can bypass the majority's leadership. If 218 members sign such a petition on legislation, it would compel a vote. Democrats currently have 191 signatures to discharge the Senate bill to the floor. It's considered incredibly taboo to break from one's party leadership to sign a petition, but the Ukraine military is running low on ammunition and there's plenty of bipartisan appetite to reassure their defense lines. Once a bill gets discharged, however, the actual vote would become a free vote and Republicans supporting it would probably not be considered traitors by some colleagues. Either of those paths for the Senate bill to Biden's desk - letting the bill win approval or getting steamrolled via discharge petition - might prompt Greene to try oust Johnson. With the current standing of 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, Greene would need just two other GOP rebels to defeat Johnson, or else he would need votes from Jeffries' caucus to save him. That offer has been made clear to Johnson - publicly so - that Democrats would provide votes to table the attempt to oust him as speaker. But that offer only stands if the speaker allows the Senate bill to have a vote - not if Democrats and a dozen or so Republicans have to use the discharge petition. "I have made the observation that I believe there are a reasonable number of members, if the Speaker were to do the right thing, that don't believe that he should fall as a result of it," Jeffries told CBS on March 10. As it has been for months now, Johnson's fate, on legislation and on his own standing, is very much in the hands of Democrats. (COMMENT, BELOW) Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Latino has promised to make it clear that its undergraduate internship is open to all ethnicities - not only Latino students - after the museum was sued last month by a prominent affirmative action opponent who accused the program of "pro-Latino discrimination." In a settlement agreement filed Tuesday, the Smithsonian agreed to add a statement to its application that the internship is "equally open to students of all races and ethnicities" and that officials "should not give preference or restrict selection based on race or ethnicity." Though the application process did not explicitly bar non-Latinos, activist Edward Blum's American Alliance for Equal Rights alleged in its Feb. 22 lawsuit that all 30 interns since 2022 were Latino. Such results suggest a racial preference, which would violate the Constitution's equal protection clause, the group alleged. "Every student who is interested in this area of museum studies should have the opportunity to compete for an internship without their race being a factor," Blum said in a statement Wednesday. "Corporations, law firms, academia, and cultural institutions must end these kinds of unlawful, racially exclusive programs and policies." In an email, Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas said she would "let the settlement speak for itself" and declined further comment. In court documents, the museum said it has never considered race when reviewing internship applications. Federal diversity efforts have come under fire in recent years, especially since the Supreme Court last year upended race-conscious college admissions. In March, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency, a 55-year-old federal program created to assist minority-owned businesses in accessing capital and government contracts, could not limit services to only Blacks, Latinos and other racial minorities. Last year, the Small Business Administration was forced to overhaul its program for minority contractors after a Tennessee judge ruled that it could not base admittance on race. Last week, the U.S. House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, created in 2020 to build a workforce reflective of the nation's demographic makeup, was dissolved as part of the government spending bill signed into law Saturday. Dariely Rodriguez, deputy chief counsel for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which filed an amicus brief in the Smithsonian case, said the organization is "pleased that the internship program will proceed as it was designed - open to all applicants while specifically addressing the underrepresentation of Latinos in the museum industry." "Given that only 5 percent of key museum positions are filled by Latinos, programs like the Smithsonian's are necessary to help eliminate systemic barriers to opportunity," Rodriguez added. Before the settlement, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said in its brief, filed along with a group of Latino organizations, that the plaintiffs were using the equal protection clause as a "bludgeon to deter equal opportunity." Strasburg Community Easter Egg hunt set STRASBURG The annual Strasburg Community Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit 289 will be held Saturday, March 30. The Easter egg hunt will be held at the Strasburg Park with registration to begin at 9:45 a.m. and the hunt to begin at 10 a.m. the rain location is the Strasburg Community Center. Children ages toddlers through third grade are invited to participate. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance for pictures with children. WCTU meeting set TOLEDO The Woman's Christian Temperance Union will meet at 10 a.m. Monday, April 1, at the Fillin' Station Restaurant in Toledo. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 217-234-9827. Doudna performances announced CHARLESTON The Red Hot Chili Pipers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, the Doudna Fine Arts Center in the Dvorak Concert Hall. The Red Hot Chili Pipers is a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers who have performed everywhere from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between. The EIU Jazz Combos and Jazz Lab Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday April 9, in the theatre of the Doudna. Admission is free. For more information on upcoming performances and events go to www.eiu.edu/doudna Anglers Tribute to Veterans crappie tourney set SHELBYVILLE The Anglers Tribute to Veterans crappie tournament will be held from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Lake Shelbyville Dam. Registration will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April, 5 at the Sullivan VFW or the morning of the event at Bo Woods Recreation Area. The cash-only cost is $80 with optional big fish $20. Participants must have one veteran on the boat, DD214 or VA card for verification. Any veteran who fishes the tournament will be invited to the five year anniversary celebration in July for a chance to go home with a new boat. For more information visit the group's Facebook page. Keepers of the Arts exhibits set SHELBYVILLE The opening of new exhibits at Keepers of the Arts at Flourishes Gallery in Shelbyville will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 7. Bob Dunaway of Taylorville will have many of his works on display in the Upper Lobby on the second floor from the main entrance located at 140 East Main, Shelbyville. Other new exhibits to view are those of Kathy Marshall, Jan Strawser, and students of Shelbyville teacher Bridgette Cole. The public is invited to come and talk with the artists during this event. This exhibit will be up through Saturday, June 15. Photos: A look back at 50 years of the Special Olympics Vintage: Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 Special Olympics turn 50 John Glenn Special Olympics 1970 Special Olympics 1973 SULROTH, VANTONGEREN, CAMPBELL ASHLEY KILL PRUITT ZABALA PECOR Yao Ming Kennedy Special Olympics 1976 Special Olympics Bush Reeve 1981 MURRILLS GREECE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PA Special Olympics Special Olympics Opening Ceremony 1995 SPECIAL OLYMPICS HAYNES Arnold Schwarzenegger The operators of the Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call that the vessel had lost power moments before the crash, but the ship still headed toward the span at a very, very rapid speed," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. The 985-foot-long vessel struck one of the 1.6-mile bridges supports, causing the span to break and fall into the water within seconds. Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were still missing Tuesday afternoon and presumed dead. Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said they were working in the middle of the span when it came apart. An inspection of the Dali last June at a port in Chile identified a problem with the ships propulsion and auxiliary machinery, according to Equasis, a shipping information system. The deficiency involved gauges and thermometers, but the websites online records didnt elaborate. The most recent inspection listed for the Dali was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York in September. The standard examination didnt identify any deficiencies, according to the Equasis data. The ship was moving at 8 knots, which is roughly 9 mph. Given the vessels massive weight, it struck the bridge support with significant force, said Roberto Leon, a Virginia Tech engineering professor. The only way the post can resist it is by bending, Leon said. But it cannot absorb anywhere near the energy that this humongous ship is bringing. So its going to break. Last June, federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition. But the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said. If a bridge pier without adequate protection is hit by a ship of this size, there is very little that the bridge could do, Leon said. Pictured: A container rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) MATTOON Coles Together was formed to promote the competitive advantages of Coles County to interested businesses. For the first time in 19 years, the groups board will be making its pitch to candidates who want to lead that charge as the groups new president. Angela Griffin, its current president, has announced plans to retire this year. Griffin said a news release that her time leading Coles Together has been the career of a lifetime. She began her career in economic development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, where she worked in the administration of three Illinois governors before moving to Coles County to lead the Coles County economic development effort. Her replacement will have a track record of success to live up to. Under Griffins leadership, Coles Together has announced more than $361 million in new investments in Coles County, 1,655 new jobs, and 4,502 at-risk positions retained in the county, according to the news release. Griffin credits the community for that success. Over the years I have been able to rely on both the visible assistance and the unseen guidance from those who support Coles Together," she stated. "The investors and the board are smart, successful, and ambitious individuals. At the same time, they are kind people who are intentional about our initiatives and determined to give back to the community in an effort to pay forward opportunities they have had. Working with them has been less like work and more about pursuing shared ambition to make Coles County a growing, thriving community where success is available to everyone. The news release didnt include Griffin's departure date, but did say the transition to new leadership is underway and the Coles Together board will announce her successor in the near future. Angelas commitment to achieving success in economic development and her active involvement in our local community is truly commendable, stated Doug Abolt, chair of the Coles Together board. "Her diligence and professionalism allowed us to compete effectively for new business opportunities and provide support to existing organizations in the County." Close Mattoon High School junior Dommanik Faulkner tries out protective clothing and feels the weight of a lineman toolbelt with the help of line foreman Bob Schafer during an Industry Day visit on Tuesday to Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative in Mattoon. Justrite Manufacturing Co. human resources manager Stephanie Hanks and receiving supervisor Lee White talk to Mattoon High School students about the safety cans and cabinets that are produced at this factory in Mattoon. The students' Industry Day visit included the factory's lobby, where examples of these products are on display. Mattoon High School junior Thomas Chipol tries out heavy gloves and other protective clothing with the help of line foreman Bob Schafer during an Industry Day visit to Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative in Mattoon on Tuesday. Continuous improvement engineer Scott Copple, at right, and quality technician Joe Hawn prepare to lead a group of Mattoon High School students on an Industry Day tour of the Justrite Manufacturing Co. factory floor in Mattoon on Tuesday. Mattoon High School students listen to presentations by Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative staff, including President and CEO Amy Borntrager, during Industry Day tours on Tuesday in Mattoon. Mattoon High School students depart Justrite Manufacturing Co. in Mattoon after touring the factory floor there as part of Industry Day. Coles County high school students meet in a hanger on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Coles County Memorial Airport during the 2022 Industry Day. Photos: 2022 Coles County Industry Day Charleston, Mattoon and Oakland high school students visited local factories and other businesses on Tuesday, Oct. 26 as part of the annual Industry Day event organized by Coles Together. Mattoon High School junior Dommanik Faulkner tries out protective clothing and feels the weight of a lineman toolbelt with the help of line foreman Bob Schafer during an Industry Day visit on Tuesday to Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative in Mattoon. Justrite Manufacturing Co. human resources manager Stephanie Hanks and receiving supervisor Lee White talk to Mattoon High School students about the safety cans and cabinets that are produced at this factory in Mattoon. The students' Industry Day visit included the factory's lobby, where examples of these products are on display. Mattoon High School junior Thomas Chipol tries out heavy gloves and other protective clothing with the help of line foreman Bob Schafer during an Industry Day visit to Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative in Mattoon on Tuesday. Continuous improvement engineer Scott Copple, at right, and quality technician Joe Hawn prepare to lead a group of Mattoon High School students on an Industry Day tour of the Justrite Manufacturing Co. factory floor in Mattoon on Tuesday. Mattoon High School students listen to presentations by Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative staff, including President and CEO Amy Borntrager, during Industry Day tours on Tuesday in Mattoon. Mattoon High School students depart Justrite Manufacturing Co. in Mattoon after touring the factory floor there as part of Industry Day. Coles County high school students meet in a hanger on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Coles County Memorial Airport during the 2022 Industry Day. ROBINSON Hiley A. Schulte, one of three arrested in connection to the murder of Ryan Waggoner of rural Lerna, is facing an unrelated felony charge of arson. Schulte, 53, went before Crawford County Associate Judge Matt Hartrich on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the arson charge and to misdemeanor charges of leaving the scene of an accident and driving with canceled/revoked/suspended registration. Public Defender Abbey Brian agreed to represent her on the new charges. The fire began at approximately 7:46 p.m. March 8 at Schultes home on 325th Avenue in rural Oblong. According to the police report, Schulte was in the home at the time of the fire and made no attempts to put the fire out or to notify the fire department. By the time firefighters arrived on scene, the house was a total loss. Oblong Fire Protection District, Crawford County Sheriffs Office, Flat Rock Fire Department all assisted on scene for several hours battling the blaze and putting out hot spots. United Life Care Ambulance Service also was at the scene. The Illinois state fire marshal subsequently determined the fire to be an arson. Schulte was arrested at approximately 12:21 a.m. March 9 in Robinson. Between the time of the fire and her arriving in Robinson, Schulte picked up the misdemeanor charges. Schulte waived her right to a preliminary hearing. She remained in custody following the pretrial release hearing on March 11. Public Defender Brian asked Judge Hartrich if Schulte could be released with conditions of home confinement and wearing an ankle monitor. Hartrich did not agree to those terms and Schulte will remain in custody. Her next court date for the arson charge is on April 22. The judge also spoke to Lou Viverito, Schulte's attorney in the felony case of concealment of a homicidal death and unlawful possession of methamphetamine, charges stemming from her alleged involvement with the Waggoner case. Viverito stressed that he was still going through the large hard drive of evidence and needed more time to put the case together. Waggoner was reported missing on June 9 from his rural Lerna home in Cumberland County, which he was sharing at the time Lance T. Newcomb, 25, of Robinson. He and his mother Angela S. Newcomb, 58, of Robinson were also arrested in connection with Waggoners death. Lance Newcomb is being held in Cumberland County on a charge of first-degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting Waggoner. During a hearing on Monday, Public Defender Shon Park withdrew as his counsel. Attorney Sean Britton of Charleston filed his appearance as the defense attorney in this case on March 11 but was not present for Monday's hearing. Lance Newcomb's first appearance with his new attorney is set for April 8. Angela Newcomb is charged in Crawford County with concealment of a homicidal death and obstruction of justice. Her next court appearance is set June 12. The Illinois State Police reports have said Waggoners body was found on Schultes property in a couple of burn sites. The remains were tested and came back positive as Waggoner's on July 6. Rob Stroud contributed to this report. Who are they? IL children reported missing as of February 25 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). NEOGA Senior Megan Baker, who plans to work in forestry, has already gained real-world experience among the nearly 1,500 trees that comprise Neoga Junior-Senior High School's new schoolyard habitat area. Baker, a member of FFA and the Science Club, joined with other life science-minded teen classmates to help Neoga students in kindergarten through 12th grade plant these trees Wednesday on a grassy three-acre field on the southeast edge of campus. "Being able to plant trees out here at school is a blessing because I am planning to do work like this for the rest of my life," Baker said. Wednesday morning, Baker and junior Macy Moran helped first-graders London Bright and Peyton Robinson plant some of the first trees at this site. At one point, Baker and Peyton enthusiastically pushed and pulled a T-shaped planter hand tool back and forth to create a hole in the cold ground. High school life science teacher Amy Brown said the field used to be a prairie grass area, but had gotten overgrown with invasive teasel, a burr-headed plant that is widespread along adjacent Interstate 57. Brown said the seed-laden teasel plants are resistant to spraying and quickly replenish themselves after being burned or cut down, but they do have a weakness. "One thing teasel will not tolerate is shade," Brown said. "We thought trees were the way to go." The shade will eventually be cast by a mixture of oaks such as burr and swamp white in the schoolyard habitat area, as well as black walnut, pecan, persimmon and other trees that grow well in wet soil like that along I-57. Brown said the purchase of saplings from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' tree nursery and related supplies has been made possible through a two-year grant from the NOAA Planet Stewards program. The grant will provide $5,000 in the first year and $2,500 in the second. As the schoolyard habitat area grows, Brown said this site will host programs about forestry, soil sampling, tree identification and other topics for students in science classes and in groups such as FFA. "We are hoping it will be something that will be nice for the community, as well as the school," Brown said of community members eventually being able to walk among the trees. After helping plant her designated trees on Wednesday, 7-year-old Lucy Walk said she looks forward to bringing her family to the schoolyard habitat area in the future and showing them the work that she did there. Her tree planting partner, 11-year-old Charles Hoene, said the work was fun and only a "tiny bit chilly" that morning as they were assisted by senior Kristin Partlow. "I'm out here all day," Partlow said of her volunteering plans on planting day. "It's a little chilly, but it's super fun to plant them all." Superintendent Kevin Haarman said the tree planting is just another example of how the Neoga school district creates and fosters a whole-child learning environment and experience. "We are tremendously proud of our students and staff who have worked hard in planting nearly 1,500 trees," Haarman said. "Special thanks to high school science teacher Amy Brown for securing the grant and organizing the event." Close NBC's "The Voice" spring 2023 contestant Allie Keck, who is a Neoga native, performs in summer 2023 at House Brothers Tavern in Mattoon. "The Voice" performer Allie Keck, who is a Neoga native and Lake Land College alumnus, displays her Team Kelly jacket on set. Allie Keck sings with Cait Martin on "It Must Have Been Love" in a competitive duet during the "Battle Rounds" stage of NBC's "The Voice." Neoga native and Illinois State University alumna Allie Keck is pictured during her blind auditions appearance on the episode of NBC's "The Voice" in spring 2023. Neoga native and Illinois State University alumna Allie Keck performs "Paris (Ooh La La)" during the blind auditions episode of NBC's "The Voice" that was broadcast in spring 2023. She then advanced to the next stage of the competition. Photos: Neoga native, 'The Voice' contestant Allie Keck Neoga native and Lake Land College alumnus Allie Keck has continued performing and recording music since being a contestant on NBC's "The Voice" in spring 2023. NBC's "The Voice" spring 2023 contestant Allie Keck, who is a Neoga native, performs in summer 2023 at House Brothers Tavern in Mattoon. "The Voice" performer Allie Keck, who is a Neoga native and Lake Land College alumnus, displays her Team Kelly jacket on set. Allie Keck sings with Cait Martin on "It Must Have Been Love" in a competitive duet during the "Battle Rounds" stage of NBC's "The Voice." Neoga native and Illinois State University alumna Allie Keck is pictured during her blind auditions appearance on the episode of NBC's "The Voice" in spring 2023. Neoga native and Illinois State University alumna Allie Keck performs "Paris (Ooh La La)" during the blind auditions episode of NBC's "The Voice" that was broadcast in spring 2023. She then advanced to the next stage of the competition. CHICAGO Chicago health officials recorded the citys first measles case in five years earlier this month with an unknown origin. Soon after, an outbreak spread to the citys largest migrant shelter. On Tuesday, Chicagos total sat at 31 cases, with two reported in suburban Will County and Lake County. Though most vaccinated people have close to zero chance of contracting the virus, heres what to know about the disease. Does anyone still get measles? Yes, they do. In fact, measles, considered eliminated in the United States in 2000, has reemerged in recent years. In the first quarter of 2024, reported cases of measles are climbing. As of March 21, 2024, 17 jurisdictions reported 64 measles cases: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Thats more than the total number of cases reported 58 in all of 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How is measles transmitted? The measles virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, according to the CDC. How can I protect myself from measles? The spread of measles starts and ends with vaccination, said University of Chicago Medicine pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. David Zhang. The current form of measles vaccine is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, introduced in the 1970s. The MMR, available at most physician and primary care offices, should be taken in two doses, at least 28 days apart, according to the CDC. The MMR is typically administered to children between 12 and 15 months and then age 4 to 6 by their pediatrician as part of their vaccination schedule. Adults who have not been vaccinated should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. Certain adults with preexisting conditions might be advised by their physician to get two doses. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective, according to the CDC. What if Im not vaccinated from measles? For unvaccinated populations, measles is one of the most contagious pathogens and can cause serious illness in young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, according to health officials. What are the symptoms of measles? Symptoms of measles typically occur 10 to 14 days after exposure and can include a fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, high fever and a rash. How effective is the vaccine for measles? Vaccines for measles were first introduced in the United States in the 1960s and are among the most effective vaccines available, according to the CDC. Knowledge of measles hasnt changed since the introduction of the vaccine, according to infectious disease specialists. Can you contract measles multiple times? Once someone contracts measles, they are presumed to have full immunity. Still, health officials encourage vaccination for people with measles. It is not harmful to receive the MMR vaccine after exposure to measles, according to the CDC. Receiving a vaccine within 72 hours of exposure could lead to less severe complications and provide some protection against the disease. Those who suspect they have measles should confirm with a lab test since symptoms can look similar to a slew of other infectious diseases, Dr. Zhang said. Should you quarantine if exposed to measles? Generally, the only people needing to be quarantined are unvaccinated populations who cannot get the vaccine quickly after exposure, according to Dr. Zhang. The quarantine period is 21 days after exposure, the time frame for developing symptoms. What is the treatment for measles? There is no specific cure for measles since it is a virus that must run its course, according to the CDC. If caught within three days of exposure, the MMR vaccine is a treatment that can lessen symptoms and provide future protection. Bedrest, frequent fluids and fever reducers can help with symptoms. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, antibiotics do not help, and there are no antiviral drugs to prevent or treat measles. Im not sure I am vaccinated. What should I do? If youre not sure if you are vaccinated, the CDC advises you to contact your states health department. Some states have registries (Immunization Information Systems) that include adult vaccines. You can also contact the health department of the state in which you were born or spent your childhood. In Illinois, you can submit an immunization records request. Bernie Sanders emerged from the land of the sugarplum fairies earlier this month to advocate for a 32-hour work week all with no reduction in pay. Sanders, the Vermont socialist, recently introduced a bill that would create a four-year transition period to a four-day work week in the United States. The government would then require overtime for anyone who toiled more than 32 hours in a week, while also preventing companies from readjusting pay and benefits to reflect the extra time off. At a Senate committee hearing, Sanders presented Juliet Schor, a Boston University sociology professor, who testified that trials show the reform would increase worker happiness and productivity. If so, Schor, who has spent the past two decades in academia, has identified a potential market inefficiency. Perhaps she and Sanders should find investors while maybe contributing a bit of their own money to fund a small business that would pay its employees top dollar to work less, throwing off massive profits as it exploits Schors findings to bury its traditional competitors. We kid. Sanders bill has no chance of passing. But it is yet another example of progressives operating in Never Never Land when it comes to the private economy and job creation. Imposing this plan on the country by government fiat would be a reckless and massive disruption to commerce and productivity. Among many other things, it would drive up prices for the very employees he professes to represent. Sanders should first pitch his proposal to lawmakers in his home state of Vermont. After adopting the 32-hour workweek, the Green Mountain State could also defund the police and impose a $50 minimum wage all while offering residents free health care, housing and college tuition. Surely, the folks in the rest of New England wouldnt mind absorbing the massive exodus of Vermonters fleeing the state after Sanders had finished turning it into a barren economic wasteland resembling Venezuela. Sanders might do well to remember the late George McGoverns epiphany. In a 1992 Wall Street Journal op-ed, McGovern a Democratic U.S. senator from South Dakota who was his partys 1972 presidential nominee recounted how he tried to open a quaint Connecticut inn after leaving the Senate only to be stymied by red tape. My business associates and I also lived with federal, state and local rules that were all passed with the objective of helping employees, protecting the environment, raising tax dollars for schools, protecting our customers from fire hazards, etc., he wrote. But while he never doubted the worthiness of any of these goals, the concept that most often eludes legislators is that such regulations can smother employers. I also wish that during the years I was in public office, McGovern admitted, I had had this firsthand experience about the difficulties business people face every day. That knowledge would have made me a better U.S. senator and a more understanding presidential contender. Oh, that Sanders would be so humble. Las Vegas Review-Journal The first flight of the Boom Supersonic Overture prototype aircraft isnt enough on its own to quell skepticism about whether the manufacturer will fulfill its high-risk, high-reward project at Greensboros Piedmont Triad International Airport. However, seeing the prototype flying over the Mojave desert on March 22 for 12 minutes, reaching a top speed of 273 mph and an altitude of 7,120 feet, appears enough for now to serve as an encouraging symbol of Booms vision that was unveiled at PTI on Jan. 29, 2022. In the short term, there are between 10 and 20 more test flights with the XB-1 prototype before the manufacturer reaches supersonic flight, a spokeswoman for Boom said. Despite the long road ahead, observers say last weeks flight provided a boost of confidence. It does not hurt with respect to investors since it is the first real tangible evidence of proof of concept, said Keith Debbage, a joint professor of Geography & Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality at UNC Greensboro. However, it is the first step of many, particularly regarding test flights. Perhaps the biggest step will be the maiden flight of the fully built-out Boom aircraft when all the essential concepts are finally put together in one viable unit. Overture is expected to be the first large commercial aircraft to be net-zero carbon from Day One, running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Additional ground-breaking steps will be fully testing the aircraft on sustainable aviation fuels and providing metrics that show a carbon neutral footprint, Debbage said. Boom officials projected its Overture aircraft could serve at least 600 existing international flights when it announced plans for a $500 million superfactory at PTI. Boom anticipates having at least 1,761 jobs when the factory is at full production capacity in 2030. The company has created a superfactory blog on its website that is providing written and visual construction updates. Next steps Among next steps for Boom is to systematically expand the flight envelope to confirm its performance and handling qualities through supersonic flight, the company said in a statement released after the flight. This includes in-flight checks of all systems, as well as multiple test points demonstrating safe margin to flutter (vibration) boundaries. When asked about a timeframe, Boom said we havent yet determined the top speed we plan to reach with XB-1. Well make that call later on as we progress the flight test program. We have received a supersonic flight authorization permit enabling special rights to fly supersonic in the airspace over the Mojave desert. According to Boom executive Kathy Savitt, the Overture timeline at PTI is: 2024: Begin equipment installation. 2025: Assembly. 2026: First rollout. 2027: First test flight. 2029: Federal Aviation Administration certification. 2029: First passenger flights. Kevin Baker, PTIs executive director, has said construction of the 400,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in the second quarter. Both Gov. Roy Cooper and Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, touted the inaugural flight for a manufacturer that has been made eligible for at least $116 million in local and state incentives to the company. A state Commerce Department report on the Boom project determined the operational hub could bolster the N.C. economy by $32.3 billion over the 20 years of the $87.2 million Job Development Investment grant agreement. Were excited about this historic flight and know it will lead to great paying North Carolina jobs and cleaner aviation, Cooper said in a statement. North Carolina is glad to partner with Boom as they continue to make progress on their mission to transform aviation. Meanwhile, Berger said the first flight of XB-1 is a tremendous turning point in Booms quest to bring supersonic flight to the masses. I look forward to seeing Boom continue its strong partnership with North Carolina as it solidifies its status as a leader in aviation innovation, Berger said. What it means Analysts say it remains too early for sighs of relief about Boom and Overture, even with the initial success. According to Boom, it has raised $750 million in investment support, but chief executive and founder Blake Scholl projects needing about $8 billion to reach its full potential. The last major venture into civilian supersonic flight, the Concorde, lasted from 1976 to 2003. Developed jointly by the British and French governments, Concorde offered a 3-hour flight from New York City to London at an average flight cost of $9,000, which made it a symbol of speed and luxury. However, an Air France Concorde jet crashed on July 25, 2000, after takeoff from Paris, killed all 109 individuals on board and four on the ground. After flights were grounded for more than a year, the Concorde never recovered from the fatal crash. An accompanying question: Why does the promise of resurrecting trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific supersonic flight lie with a private manufacturer just 9 years old, rather than global giants Airbus and Boeing? The best answer for Airbus is that the company is currently not interested in supersonic aircraft. In June 2021, Airbus executives said in a media presentation that they do not plan to prioritize supersonic planes. Meanwhile, Boeings plans to invest in supersonic aircraft manufacturer Aerion ended when Aerion was shut down in May 2021 after 17 years of research and development toward a Mach 1.4, 10-passenger supersonic business jet failed to yield a proven product. Booms XB-1 flight in California achieved what it set out to do not flying anywhere near supersonic but taking that next step toward convincing skeptics, the flying public and the all-important investment community that a return to traveling at the speed of sound is clearly on its way, said John H. Boyd, founder and principal with global site-selection firm The Boyd Co. of Boca Raton, Fla. By all accounts, Booms test flight was successful from an engineering and data-gathering standpoint. Supersonic competition According to a March 18 article in The Washington Post on supersonic flight in which Boom was featured, there is competition in reviving the sector, including from Atlanta-based Hermeus, as well as Exosonic and Spike. Hermeus, according to the article, is exploring the possibility of a hypersonic commercial passenger jet that would make a commercial aircraft flight between New York and London a 90-minute trip. By comparison, Overture is being designed to carry 65 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7 over water or twice the speed of todays fastest commercial aircraft with a range of 4,250 nautical miles. At those speeds, flying from Miami to London in just under five hours and Los Angeles to Honolulu in three hours are among the possibilities, Boom has said. When asked about competition, a Boom spokesman said that the company is the leader in returning supersonic flight to the skies, as evidenced by our order book for Overture which stands at 130 aircraft (both orders and pre-orders), supplier engagement and overall progress toward production. ... Boom is also the first and only company to build, test and successfully fly the worlds first independently developed supersonic jet. We continue to have support from the public and interest from investors who recognize that Boom has demonstrated meaningful progress and a clear path forward to making supersonic travel safe, sustainable and economically scalable, and want to be a part of that opportunity. Boom should not fear having competition for investor funding and aircraft orders, said Roger Beahm, a marketing professor at Wake Forest University. Competition in any industry is not a bad thing, Beahm said. While on the one hand, an individual business wants to hold as large a market share as it can believing it can maximize its profit, competition is healthy in that it can grow a category to where everyone benefits. NASA connection The Washington Post article began with another California supersonic unveiling, this one in January when NASA debuted its X-59 demonstrator jet. The space agency is investigating the business case for supersonic trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific passenger air travel aboard aircraft that could theoretically travel between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535 to 3,045 mph at sea level). By comparison, large commercial airliners cruise at roughly 600 mph or about 80% the speed of sound. NASA is projecting spending more than $800 million on the initiative. These new studies will both refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range, said Lori Ozoroski, a project manager for NASAs Commercial Supersonic Technology project. A layer of the Boom Supersonic-NASA collaboration was peeled open in August with a study concluding that potential supersonic passenger markets exist in about 50 established routes. NASA did not specify the routes in its blog. With its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, NASAs Quesst mission aims to provide data to regulators that would help change the overland supersonic flight rules, according to the NASA website. Quiet, in this instance, is being described as soft thump to those on the ground. According to a Conte Nast Traveler article in January, finding a solution to the sonic boom rivals the higher cost of operating a supersonic aircraft in making the service commercially and environmentally viable. When flying over land, Overture can fly significantly faster than subsonic commercial jets about Mach 0.94, without breaking the sound barrier, Boom said in a statement issued in August. This is about 20% faster than subsonic flight. One key to quieting the boom comes from the planes design, Peter Coen, mission integration manager for the Quesst mission, told The Washington Post. The engine is mounted on top, Coen said. The plane has a long, narrow nose and sculpted wing to help ensure the shock waves it creates as it speeds through the air are similar in strength and evenly spaced along the aircraft to create a gradual increase in pressure instead of the rapid jump that creates the loud bang. Overture will be powered by four wing-mounted engines that enable the airliner to cruise at Mach 1.7 over water and just under Mach 1 over land. Boom said the four-engine design reduces noise while decreasing costs for airline operators. Among the next NASA steps includes issuing two 12-month contracts for companies to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps. The roadmaps will explore air travel possibilities, outline risks and challenges and identify needed technologies to make Mach 2-plus travel a reality. Boom and Northrop Grumman are collaborating on a special mission variant of Overture after ongoing identification and investigation of use cases that will benefit the U.S. Defense Department. Time is a strategic advantage in high consequence scenarios, from emergency evacuations to disaster response, Scholl said. This collaboration between Boom and Northrop Grumman unlocks the potential for Overture to provide the U.S. and our allies with an unmatched high-speed capability when and where its most needed. NASA said the Boeing and the Northrop Grumman teams will develop roadmap elements to include airframe, power, propulsion, thermal management and composite materials that can hold up under high-supersonic speeds. They also will create non-proprietary designs for concept vehicles. Once the industry engagement phase is completed, NASA and its partners will decide whether to continue the research with their own investments. The design concepts and technology roadmaps are really important to have in our hands when the companies are finished, said Mary Jo Long-Davis, a manager of NASAs Hypersonic Technology Project. We are also collectively conscious of the need to account for safety, efficiency, economic and societal considerations. Its important to innovate responsibly so we return benefits to travelers and do no harm to the environment. Whetting the appetite Although the first XB-1 flight was a modest achievement, this flight keeps Booms progress top-of-mind among key stakeholders, as well as the public at large, said Beahm, the Wake Forest professor. Maintaining awareness among its various target audiences is an important marketing objective for any brand or company, regardless of what business its in. Keeping people aware that Boom is making progress, even small steps, contributes to the knowledge people have about the company and its Overture brand. In this case, helping the public not to mention investors, employees and government officials stay up-to-date on the progress toward building the aircraft is particularly important at a time when the benefits to the public can still only be imagined. Beahm said Overture suggests what the future of air travel will be like, and its a major departure no pun intended from what it is today. ... Giving folks a regular glimpse of that progress helps everyone look beyond the challenges that exist in air travel today. It gives hope for an actual better way to travel in the future. Its not some long-term dream, but it reminds us a better, faster way to travel is really on the edge of reality. The Lincoln Airport Authority unanimously approved a vote of confidence resolution for Executive Director Dave Haring, but not before one board member fired back on the Red Way airlines fiasco. "To simply high-five everybody and say 'We're all going to move forward; it's great,' but have no accountability is a problem," said Chris Stokes, who proposed a resolution of censure and reprimand for former Airport Authority board chairman Nick Cusick and Red Way CEO Nick Wangler. "When you don't hold people accountable or responsible parties accountable, you have all kinds of organizational problems." Stokes, who supported Haring, made his comments Thursday after more than a dozen community members and two out-of-state speakers Bill Swelbar, an industry analyst from Washington, D.C., and Craig Williams, the executive director of Kalamazoo-Battle Creek (Michigan) International Airport made public comments in support of Haring. Haring, who was moved by the public comments, said he was ready to put the last year of turmoil in the rearview mirror. "While the lessons learned from Red Way's short time in Lincoln must remain at the forefront, it is my hope that today's vote can close the door on events of last year and allow us to move forward with a full focus," Haring said. The vote of confidence in Haring came after Lancaster County Board member Matt Schulte earlier this month called for Haring to be fired over the failure of Red Way, a startup airline flying out of Lincoln that lasted less than three months last summer, burning through $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Lancaster County and the city of Lincoln before going out of business. While both an internal audit and another by Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley uncovered no illegal activity, Foley did refer to the Red Way experiment as "a failed riverboat gamble bankrolled by taxpayers." Nobody went into Red Way without knowing the risks, said Cusick, who spoke in support of Haring. "And it was a unanimous vote by this board." Airport Authority board chairman John Olsson agreed with Cusick, recognizing the climate of the industry hasn't changed all that much in the post-pandemic world. "The air industry is a disaster right now," he said. "We were at the edge of a cliff and we had to take a risk. We knew the risk going in. We challenged (Haring) to take a chance and that's exactly what he did." Stokes cast the blame on Cusick and Wangler, who he said were instrumental in pushing the plans through. He referred to Haring as "a pawn." The current commercial pilot and former longtime military officer was not yet on the board when the vote was made to take a chance on Red Way. However, he said he would have been opposed to it. He was always skeptical of the numbers, he said, which never made sense to him. "The business plan wouldn't have made it past the junior teller at the bank," said Stokes, quoting from Foley's report. The proposed resolution of censure and reprimand will be voted on by the board at its April meeting. Thursday's vote of confidence was the first step toward moving forward, several members of the community said. "Red Way was short-lived, but the real tragedy is if that's the last time we try something," said James Bowen, a local businessman who pointed to the decision to build Pinnacle Bank Arena a decade ago. "Imagine not putting the arena downtown. What would our skyline look like today?" Everyone was disappointed by Red Way's quick demise, said Jay Wilkinson, founder and CEO of Firespring, "but that disappointment is not related to Dave." While the local comments were meaningful, getting industry experts to come to Lincoln on their own dimes spoke just as resoundingly. "Airports are down and we're all trying to crack the code of filling airplane seats in our markets," Williams said. "Dave was willing to try to do something different. Unfortunately, Red Way didn't have a happy ending, but it's important to learn from the mistake rather than to burn down the forest." Williams said every small airport in America was watching, hoping Red Way would succeed, adding that if it had, "there would be 100 airports trying to do the same thing." Prior to the formal meeting, Swelbar gave an industry report on the number of small and midsize airports struggling right now. "You're not alone," he said. There are hundreds of airports just like Lincoln. ... Air carriers coming to town won't be readily available tomorrow and probably still won't be in 2025." But someday the pendulum will swing back, he said. Photos: First Red Way flight departs from Lincoln Airport A 36-year-old Council Bluffs man was charged Wednesday in connection with a scheme that defrauded a man out of $40,000, according to court documents. Vipulkumar Chaudhary was charged with unlawful taking of $5,000 or more and attempted unlawful taking of $5,000 or more. According to the probable cause affidavit, the Lincoln Police Department arrested Chaudhary on Monday at about 2 p.m. in a Hy-Vee parking lot located at 5010 O Street. Police believe Chaudhary is connected to a fraud that saw a 27-year-old Lincoln man lose $40,000 after someone claiming to be an inspector with the Federal Trade Commission requested it and asked for his cooperation in a "secret operation," according to the affidavit. Capt. Todd Kocian said at a Monday press briefing that the victim made three withdrawals totaling $40,000 and met with a "government informant" at the Hy-Vee parking lot at 50th and O streets. According to the affidavit, the man turned over the money to a man in a mask and sunglasses riding in a black Honda Accord with Illinois license plates. Investigators with LPD contacted the suspect and an additional $30,000 was requested. Police conducted undercover surveillance of the Hy-Vee parking lot where they were scheduled to meet again. Chaudhary was observed by police entering the parking lot in a black Accord with Illinois license plates on Monday. He was taken into custody shortly after arriving in the parking lot and was taken to the Lancaster County jail, according to the affidavit. Judge Laurie Yardley set Chaudhary's percentage bond at $200,000, meaning he would have to pay $20,000 to be released. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 China Writers Association on Wednesday hosted a symposium to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late Chinese martial arts novelist Louis Cha Leung-yung, more widely known by his pen name Jin Yong. Jin Yong published his first martial arts novel, The Book and the Sword, in 1955 and later went on to create 14 such novels, which were so popular that they inspired the production of numerous movies, dramas, video games and other cultural and creative products. Jin Yong died at 94 in Hong Kong in 2018. He was also a famous newspaperman and social activist. Attendees of the symposium stressed the importance of recognizing the power of literature, drawing insights from compelling literary works from China that resonate with audiences, and shouldering the new cultural mission in the new era. Tie Ning, chairperson of China Writers Association, attended the symposium. A Lincoln inmate was sentenced Wednesday after using a shiv to stab his cellmate in the neck at the Reception and Treatment Center in September 2022, according to the Lancaster County Attorney's Office. Keylan Jenkins, 32, of Omaha, was sentenced by Judge Kevin McManaman to six to 12 years in prison to be served consecutively to his other sentence. Jenkins was already serving 15 to 50 years that began in May 2010 after being found guilty of second-degree assault and using a firearm to commit a felony in Douglas County. Nebraska Department of Correctional Services' investigators were also looking into another altercation involving Jenkins and another inmate where they allegedly started punching a third inmate. He was charged with second-degree assault, but those charges were dropped following a plea agreement between the Lancaster County Attorney's Office and Jenkins. Jenkins remains at the Reception and Treatment Center and is not eligible for parole until 2044. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 Not long ago, the last place Christopher Aunquoe likely expected to find himself was at a podium with the Lincoln mayor and other city officials touting their accomplishments. But there he was Wednesday morning, sharing his story one city officials say is the reason theyve invested $13 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars in workforce development programs. Aunquoe, 52, recently graduated from a commercial drivers license credentialing program through Lincolns American Job Center, a program paid for with $400,000 in federal stimulus funds. The city got $46 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, part of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021. The city has earmarked nearly 30% of that toward workforce development programs. My administration recognizes that investing in workforce development is a key economic growth strategy that helps ensure even more community members are successful in having access to meaningful, financially secure careers, said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. That includes $1.5 million to help build the new American Job Center at 1330 N St., where Aunquoe came in January looking for help. Several months earlier, the mayor had redirected $400,000 in federal stimulus dollars for the commercial drivers program to help meet a demand for drivers. City officials set a goal to credential at least 40 people through the program, which covers tuition and provides transportation, child care and helps with participants other needs. Eleven people are getting their training, another 24 are preparing to start the program and two graduates already have jobs, said Dylan Wren, American Job Center workforce administrator. One of them is Aunquoe, who grew up in Wichita, Kansas, landed in prison at the age of 16 and spent the next 32 years entangled in the criminal justice system, most of that time in prison. Once he was released, about four years ago, he came to Nebraska to stay with a family friend, then ended up back in Kansas. He struggled to find work and housing and was homeless for about a year. It was just hard finding gainful employment, or even employment, he said in an interview after the news conference. "I could barely make ends meet. He had been trying to find a commercial drivers license program in Kansas when he heard about the one in Lincoln, so he came here. When I walked into the American Job Center to talk to them about finding an employer that would hire me I actually felt welcome for once, he said. Everything that had made me feel defeated in society and was keeping me from getting on my feet ... were the very things that qualified me for this program. It felt like his last chance to prove to himself that he could be a productive member of society, he said. Aunquoe is among more than 700 people who have participated in workforce development programs funded by federal stimulus grants through the city. Of those, more than 300 have earned some kind of credential and 78 have reported an increase in wages, Gaylor Baird said. The programs have helped participants learn skills in high-demand fields like child care, health sciences, information technology, manufacturing and welding. The city plans to extend a $1 million workforce grant with Community Action for another two years, Gaylor Baird said, which will allow the program to train 50 to 75 more people in addition to the 40 they already have. The city also plans to redirect $75,000 in federal stimulus money to continue to support the ECHO Collective, which offers a business education course to refugee and immigrant women through the American Job Center. Federal stimulus funds have also allowed the Lincoln Manufacturing Council to help 115 get jobs, salary increases or earn manufacturing credentials, said Allison Hatch, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development director of workforce development. For Aunquoe, the staff at the American Job Center helped him with transportation and other challenges, allowing him to get to the commercial driving classes he started in February. He found a place to live, got his commercial drivers license two weeks ago. Hes got a job now, making $1,500 a week. There was a point where I felt apart from society. The CDL makes me feel like I'm a part of now, he said. The thing that I didnt understand that I realize now is that truck driving is a vital part of Americas infrastructure," he said. "So Im not just driving a truck. Im providing a service for America. That gives me a great sense of pride. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 The U.S. surgeon general will visit Lincoln next week to participate in a community conversation on the impact social media has on youth mental health. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lori Seibel, President and CEO of the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln, on Thursday announced the Tuesday community conversation featuring Vice Admiral Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be at 3 p.m. at Bryan Medical Center East Campus, 1600 S. 48th St., in the Plaza Conference Center. Those wishing to attend can reserve a spot at bryanhealth.com. Last year, Murthy released a landmark surgeon generals advisory regarding the harmful impact of social media on youth mental health. Interest in this topic has only increased as rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges continue to climb, according to a news release. The release said that up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 report using a social media platform and more than a third say they use social media almost constantly. "We are honored to host Vice Admiral Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, in Lincoln for this important conversation," Gaylor Baird said. "For Lincoln truly to become the safest and healthiest capital city in America, we must purposefully protect the mental health of our youth. We look forward to gaining valuable insights and guidance from Dr. Murthy." The event is sponsored by the Community Health Endowment and the mayors office. The health endowment invests in health-related projects and programs and convenes the community around important health issues. "Dr. Murthy's visit to Lincoln presents a remarkable opportunity for our community to engage in a critical conversation about the well-being of our youth, particularly in the digital age, Seibel said. I believe that his insights will empower us to take meaningful action in supporting the mental health of our young people." Parking will be available on the upper levels of Bryan East Campus' Zone B garage. Guests can access the conference center by taking the stairs or elevator to the first floor, where staff will be available to provide directions. RSVPs are encouraged. For those unable to attend in person, a recording of the event will be made available on the official LNKTVcity YouTube channel at YouTube.com/LNKTVcity. Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 A week after she filed a resolution formally accusing Sen. Steve Halloran of sexual harassment and seeking to censure him, Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh pleaded Thursday with members of the Legislature to forcefully condemn the Hastings lawmaker and send a message to generations of Nebraskans. Cavanaugh, appearing at a public hearing Thursday afternoon before the Legislature's Executive Board, called on her colleagues to move quickly to censure Halloran over remarks he made last week, which Cavanaugh described as "a stain on the decorum and decency that we strive to uphold within these hallowed halls. "We can move forward for future members of the Legislature for future Nebraskans and we can say, 'This has got to stop,'" she said at Thursday's hearing on the first floor of the Capitol, where she was the only lawmaker to offer in-person testimony on her own resolution to censure Halloran. "If we don't move this forward at least to allow the whole Legislature to debate and discuss and decide for itself we are, in fact, condoning this type of speech," Cavanaugh told the nine-member board tasked with deciding whether the full body will vote on her resolution. Thursday's hearing, which lasted less than 30 minutes, comes more than a week after Halloran used the last name of Sens. Machaela and John Cavanaugh, as well as Sen. George Dungan's name, as he read a graphic book passage describing a brutal rape amid debate over a bill (LB441) that would have enacted criminal penalties for anyone who provides obscene materials to minors. At one point during nighttime debate March 18, in a moment that has since made national news, Halloran interjected Sen. Cavanaugh at the end of a sentence in the book where the perpetrator demanded oral sex from the victim. Halloran, a term-limited conservative lawmaker, faced near-immediate backlash from colleagues on the floor of the Legislature and has since faced calls to step down from some lawmakers. The Legislature publicly launched a workplace harassment investigation into Halloran on March 20 the same day Machaela Cavanaugh filed a legislative resolution formally accusing the Hastings lawmaker of sexual harassment and seeking to censure Halloran, the move that prompted Thursday's hearing. Then, earlier this week, Machaela Cavanaugh accused Halloran of privately joking to colleagues about the Omaha lawmaker using pornography amid debate on a bill that would require porn websites to verify the age of online users. Halloran, who has apologized for his initial remarks and rebuffed calls for his resignation, declined to testify at Thursday's hearing, saying he didn't want "to give credence to a legislative hearing" that, he said, violates the rules of the Legislature. Dungan and John Cavanaugh, the other two senators targeted in Halloran's remarks, did not testify at Thursday's hearing, which was open to the public but only featured testimony from invited speakers. Both men sat in the front row at the hearing along with Sens. Lynne Walz of Fremont and Jen Day of Omaha in support of Machaela Cavanaugh. In a Tuesday letter to Speaker John Arch and Sen. Ray Aguilar, the chairman of the body's Executive Board, Halloran called for the hearing's immediate cancellation, citing legislative rules outlining how senators can object to words another lawmaker says on the floor of the Legislature. "Under no circumstances should this 'internal legislative matter' be live-streamed to the public!" Halloran wrote in the letter, which he shared with news outlets ahead of Thursday's hearing. In an email to news outlets, the Hastings lawmaker also pointed to "egregious behavior" from other senators that have not prompted public hearings or censure votes including when former Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers compared Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar to Sally Hemings, a slave woman owned by Thomas Jefferson, amid debate in 2020. Chambers faced backlash from several senators as well as calls for his expulsion, both inside the Legislature as well as from outside, but no disciplinary action was taken against him. Halloran pointed to that outcome, among others, calling it "imperative to address the lack of formal censure and disciplinary action against individuals engaging in egregious behavior within the legislative body." He also maintained that his comments last week did not amount to workplace or sexual harassment. "If I am guilty of anything, it is of working zealously to protect Nebraskas children, exercising my First Amendment right of free speech in debate on the legislative floor," Halloran wrote in a separate letter he sent to news outlets Thursday. Over Halloran's objections, the Legislature moved forward with Thursday's hearing, where Machaela Cavanaugh offered an emotional retelling of what has been a tumultuous week for the Omaha lawmaker both personally and professionally, reading from prepared remarks and at times going off-script to denounce Halloran's remarks. She also read a letter from her father former U.S. Congressman John J. Cavanaugh who blasted Halloran's comments as "despicable" and warned the Executive Board and the Legislature at large that the entire country is watching to see how they might respond. "They were a desecration of everyone who has served before, an abuse of everyone currently serving and a pollution of everyone to come after you (in the Legislature)," John J. Cavanaugh wrote, seeming to address Halloran directly. The former Congressman also suggested no Nebraska lawmaker "has ever sunk to this level" but his daughter paused her recital of his letter to correct him, noting that Chambers "did sink to this level" when he targeted Slama with sexualized comments on the floor of the Legislature in 2020. "And we failed to act," Machaela Cavanaugh said, referring to the 2020 incident. "I failed to act. I failed Sen. Slama. And I will be forever sorry." Slama, now a member of the Executive Board who has been among Cavanaugh's most vocal allies in her confrontation of Halloran and of the Legislature's broader handling of sexual misconduct, offered her own apology to the Omaha lawmaker minutes later. "You should not be here today. You should not have had this dragged out for a week and a half," Slama told her. "I am so sorry to you that I did not fight harder in 2020. And the same people that are trying to silence you now are the ones who pressured me into standing aside and letting it go. "So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being willing to take this on. Because you have had so much courage in the face of this that I did not have." Both women have been critical of leaders in the Legislature for what they say has been an unhurried response to Halloran's remarks. Slama, a conservative who has pushed for the Legislature to create a process where allegations of sexual misconduct could be adjudicated, blasted the body's misconduct policies as inadequate last week in the wake of Halloran's comments and the perceived inaction that followed. As Thursday's hearing neared its close, Cavanaugh implored Aguilar to call an immediate closed session so the Executive Board could consider whether to allow the entire Legislature to vote to censure Halloran. "The longer this takes, the more harm you are causing not only to me but to other victims of sexual violence," she said. "So I ask you to act. Don't sit on this, Chairman Aguilar. Take action." Minutes later, Aguilar thanked Cavanaugh for her courage and composure Thursday "under some very difficult circumstances." "I'm proud of you," he said. But he declined to call an immediate closed session to take up her resolution seeking to censure Halloran, sending the Executive Board home "to take some time over the weekend to consider the seriousness of this issue." The board will convene early next week as lawmakers consider whether to make Halloran the first member of the Legislature to be censured since 1955. "The past two weeks have been very difficult for our institution," Aguilar said. "And the eyes of all Nebraskans are focused on the Nebraska Legislature." Top Journal Star photos for March 2024 In 2021, Jim Hickey started a walk across Nebraska for a Cozad girl with cancer, but stopped short of his goal when the 62-year-old discovered he himself had cancer. After undergoing treatment for bladder and kidney cancer, Hickey finally walked the last mile of his journey Saturday. He finished the walk at Childrens Nebraska in Omaha, where 7-year-old Paishence Hansen has received treatment for her pediatric brain cancer. I said to that little girl and her family that one day I was gonna come back and finish her walk. And two years, three months and five cancer surgeries later, I did, Hickey said. Hickey first heard about Paishence after he finished a walk from Cheyenne to Denver for a 21-year-old with cancer. He was at a bar in Fort Collins sharing his story when someone told him about her. I looked her up and those blue eyes just stole my heart, and I thought, you know, I could walk across Nebraska for her, he said. Paishence was diagnosed with cancer at age 3 after tumors were found in her brain and spine. She underwent surgeries and chemotherapy and has been in remission for two years, her mother, Tara Meyer, said. Hickey reached out to Meyer for permission to do the walk, and in September of 2021, he traveled to Scottsbluff to start his journey across the state. Before starting his walk, Hickey was able to meet Paishences family. I never knew who they were until I got out here, he said. She was a total stranger, and I just decided that I was gonna walk for her. Meyer said she was touched when Hickey first reached out to her about walking for Paishence. It was very heartwarming and Im very thankful, she said. Undergoing his own cancer treatment During the walk, Hickey started to see blood in his urine. A Marine veteran, Hickey stopped at a few veteran clinics along the way but was determined to finish the walk even as he felt himself becoming weaker. But when Hickey made it to Aurora, over 300 miles into his journey, he knew he had to stop. You dont want to give up, he said. But it just got to the point where I knew I couldnt. Hickey, originally from New Jersey, moved to Denver so he could be treated at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. He underwent multiple surgeries to remove tumors from his kidney and bladder and later had his left kidney removed. When Meyer heard that Hickey had cancer, she was worried about him and his health. Im like Jim, you need to stop, you need to take care of yourself, she said. Even as he underwent his own struggle with cancer, Hickey said the need to finish the walk for Paishence was weighing on him. While hes still fighting cancer, he was given clearance by his doctors to finish the walk and felt ready to do it. Im not out of the woods by a long shot with the bladder, but Im fine. I feel fine, he said. Finishing his journey for Paishence Hickey resumed his trek in Aurora nearly a month ago, and Paishences family was there to help him kick off the journey. Hickey said it took a bit of time to get used to walking again and he takes more breaks than he used to. The first day was rough, he said. And Im thinking maybe I cant do this anymore. However, Hickey persisted and arrived in Omaha on March 19. Meyer said she knew Hickey was adamant about someday finishing the walk, and thats what he accomplished on Saturday. Thats what he wanted, that was his goal and he got it done and so Im happy for him, Meyer said. Hickey and Paishences family started the last mile of the walk near 90th Street and West Dodge Road, walking east on Dodge to Childrens. They were joined by members of the Omaha Fire Department, and a fire engine drove alongside them. After finishing the walk, Hickey said it hadnt quite sunk in yet. Hickey will return to Denver next week and undergo surgery to remove more tumors from his bladder. He said hes waiting to see how the surgery goes to decide whats next for him. That just did something to me Hickey said he has walked a total of over 9,200 miles since he began walking for cancer awareness in 1998. He lost his dad to prostate cancer in 1995 and his brother received a similar diagnosis shortly after and had to undergo surgery. That just did something to me, he said. Hickey decided to quit his job, sell his car and set out with a backpack and less than $100, he said. He has tried to walk across the country five times, but decided to walk shorter routes to raise awareness for specific children fighting cancer. In the past, Hickey worked to get sponsors so he could continue the walks, but now hes able to fund it himself with veteran benefits. Hickey isnt done walking yet. He said he wants to make it 10,000 miles and then hell evaluate what to do from there. He has around 800 miles to go. Its just something I have to do, he said. I cant explain it. Counties with the highest cancer rates in Nebraska Counties with the highest cancer rates in Nebraska #50. Phelps County #49. Custer County #48. Sheridan County #47. Johnson County #46. Butler County #45. Cuming County #44. Polk County #43. Saunders County #42. Otoe County #41. Cass County #40. Cedar County #39. Grant County #38. Red Willow County #37. Frontier County #36. Pawnee County #35. Merrick County #34. Brown County #33. York County #32. Lincoln County #31. Perkins County #30. Dodge County #29. Howard County #28. Deuel County #27. Gage County #26. Hamilton County #25. Clay County #24. Dundy County #23. Antelope County #22. Fillmore County #21. Boyd County #20. Harlan County #19. Sherman County #18. Rock County #17. Jefferson County #16. Keith County #15. Thayer County #14. Garfield County #13. Valley County #12. Webster County #11. Furnas County #10. Burt County #9. Richardson County #8. Garden County #7. Boone County #6. Nuckolls County #5. Greeley County #4. Logan County #3. Hitchcock County #2. Franklin County #1. Blaine County UNION GROVE Stephanie Kohlhagen has been hired as village clerk in Union Grove. Kohlhagen, who worked previously as the Mount Pleasant village clerk, will earn $85,000 annually, an increase of $27,000 compared to her predecessor. She started Feb. 28. The move follows the hiring in January of Village Administrator Connor LaPointe, whose starting salary of $105,000 also is $20,000 more than his predecessor. Village President Steve Wicklund said both LaPointe and Kohlhagen have credentials that warrant higher salaries. Wicklund also said the job market is tight, and competition for talented people is keen. We really needed to up the ante, he said. With the new hirings, Wicklund said, the current staff at Union Grove Village Hall is among the best in recent history. LaPointe moved into Union Groves top non-elected position with a masters degree in urban planning and with administrative experience at cities in Minnesota. Kohlhagen brings 10 years of experience as Mount Pleasants village clerk/treasurer, and another 11 years as a contract employee in the clerks office. She also briefly worked as a temporary employee under former clerk Sara Spencer, who stepped down in February after a year-and-a-half on the job. Union Grove advertised the clerks position with a top salary of $62,000, but LaPointe said he urged board members to boost the salary so that Kohlhagen would take the job. Were not going to get anyone at that rate in this job market, LaPointe said. Kohlhagen was earning $111,000 annually when she resigned from her position in Mount Pleasant in November. Kohlhagen said she looks forward to using her skills and experience to make a positive impact in Union Grove. The kindness shown by my colleagues and the welcoming environment in the village have already left a lasting impression, she said. And together I know we will serve the community well. LaPointe said three other people applied for the job, but Kohlhagens experience made her the leading candidate. With three elections this year, he said, it was vital to have a village clerk with know-how leading the process. Were very happy to have her, he said. Im really happy with our team right now. As the Easter Bunny gets ready to deliver treats on Sunday, egg hunts and other family activities are offered in this area: The Great Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30: The Kenosha County Teen Task Force is hosting The Great Easter Egg Hunt from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Kemper Center, 6501 Third Ave. on Kenoshas lakefront. The egg hunt, starting at noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.), will feature four Golden Eggs with special prizes inside. Food will be available for purchase. The Kenosha Public Library Bookmobile will also be at the event. Bring your camera to take a photo with the Easter Bunny. Also at the event: Balloon animals from The Little Big Top Fun Company. Food will be available for purchase. The cost is $3 per person (cash only). Country Bunny fun March 29-30: Apple Holler, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave. in Yorkville, hosts its Country Bunny activities. Activities include a Country Bunny Express train ride, Bunnyville egg hunt, pictures with the Country Bunny, a goody bag, visits with farmyard animals, an Easter cookie, apple cider and what Apple Holler calls Farm Park fun. The cost is $12.50 per person. Reservations are required; go to appleholler.com or call 262-884-7100. Zoo Eggstravaganza Saturday, March 30: The Racine Zoos annual Eggstravaganza runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main St. Children can bring their own basket for a hunt throughout the zoo to collect candy. The zoos trunk hunt features local businesses handing out goodies. Activities will include cookie and egg decorating and egg crafts. Photos with the Easter Bunny are $5. Train rides are $2. The event is free, with zoo admission of $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (62 and older) and $9 for ages 3-15. There is no charge for ages 2 and younger. racinezoo.org. A day of Easter fun Saturday, March 30: A day of family-friendly Easter events, hosted by local organizations, takes place in Wind Lake. The Wind Lake Lions Club will host a Breakfast with Easter Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. at Norway Town Hall, 6419 Heg Park Road. Tickets cost $3 in advance through Norway Parks & Recreation or $5 at the door. (Note: Vision screenings will be conducted for all those who want one.) After breakfast, Norway Lutheran Church hosts an Easter egg hunt in Colonel Heg Memorial Park, 6300 Heg Park Road. Pictures with the Easter Bunny Saturday, March 30: Buffalo Wild Wings GO, 4623 75th St., Suite No. 12 in Pleasant Prairie, offers free photos with the Easter Bunny starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. Bring your own cell phone or camera to snap photos with Mr. Bunny (aka Brent Allen Caputo, the venues general manager). Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30: The Easter Bunny kicks off the event 10 a.m. at Living Faith Church, 2915 Wright Ave. in Racine, by inviting everyone to Fellowship Hall for crafts, cookie decorating and photo ops. The Easter egg hunt countdown starts at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free. Nature Centers EGG-stravaganza Saturday, March 30: The Pringle Nature Center, 9800 160th Ave. in Bristol, hosts its EGG-stravaganza! for children up to age 10. There will be photos with the bunny and nature activities. Note: The free program is full, but a waitlist is available at pringlenc.org/events (register by March 29, in case spots open up). Easter Sunday egg hunt Sunday, March 31: The Salvation Army, 3116 75th St. in Kenosha, is hosting an egg hunt for families with children under age 12. To take part, families should register at 9 a.m. Sunday, have breakfast at 10 a.m. Sunday and attend the worship service at 11 a.m., all at the Salvation Army. Downtown Candy Hop Saturday, April 6: From noon to 2 p.m., more than 30 Downtown Racine businesses will pass out candy. There is also a scavenger hunt for kids. Free candy bags and maps of the event are available at Downtown Racine Corp., 425 Main St. This is a free event. 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 You are here: Arts People visit snow-covered Changbai Mountain in northeast China's Jilin Province, March 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) The Mount Changbaishan Geopark, along with five other Chinese geoparks, were named as Global Geoparks by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Wednesday. "UNESCO's Executive Board has endorsed the addition of 18 sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network. This brings the total number of geoparks to 213 in 48 countries." the Paris-based UN body said in a statement. Among the newly designated sites, the Mount Changbaishan Geopark is located in China's northeastern Jilin Province, which hosts dramatic landforms and diverse rock types that document significant multiphase volcanic eruptions. The "millennium eruption," which took place around 1,000 years ago, is one of the largest volcanic eruptions in modern history and has left a lasting impact, creating special pyroclastic accumulations of international significance. The five others are Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong Cave Geopark in Hubei Province, Linxia Geopark in the Gansu Province, Longyan Geopark in Fujian Province, Wugongshan Geopark in Jiangxi Province and Xingyi Geopark in Guizhou Province. An aerial photo taken in October of 2002 shows the earth houses of Hakka people in Longyan of southeast China's Fujian Province.(Xinhua/Chen Zhonghe) Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Arthur the King (PG-13 for strong language like whos a good boy?) adventure Nathalie Emmanuel, Mark Wahlberg and Simu Liu star in this story about an adventure racer who adopts a stray dog named Arthur to join him on an endurance race. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones (The Family Plan). Winner of the Truly Moving Picture Award 2024. Golden Ticket, Kearney 8. Cabrini (PG-13 for thematic material, some violence, language, smoking) drama Director Alejandro Monteverde (Sound of Freedom) tells the story of Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini who seeks to win over the hostile mayor of 1889 New York City in an effort to provide housings and healthcare for the citys most vulnerable children. Stars Cristiana DellAnna, John Lithgow and David Morse. 115 minutes. Kearney 8. Dune: Part Two (PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some suggestive material, brief strong language) action, adventure, drama, Sci-Fi Timothee Chalamet stars as Paul Atredies in the continuation of this epic Sci-Fi drama based on the novel by Frank Herbert. Paul unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Also stars Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Christopher Walken. 166 minutes. Kearney 8. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13 for supernatural violence as opposed to natural violence, language) adventure, comedy, fantasy, sci-fi forgotten but not gone, the Ghostbusters return to save the world from an ancient artifact that could cause a second ice age. Features Mckenna Grace, Jason Reitman and Carrie Coon along with Bill Murry, Patton Oswalt and Dan Aykroyd. 115 minutes. Golden Ticket, Kearney 8. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (PG-13 for creature violence and action) Sci-Fi, action, adventure, thriller Kong and Godzilla go at it in this film directed by Adam Wingard. These two beasts meet a colossal deadly threat hidden within our world that threatens the existence of their species and our very own, as well as diving deep into the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond. Features Anthony Brandon Wong as Talk Show Anchor. 115 minutes. Immaculate (R for strong and bloody violent content, grisly images, nudity, language) horror Sydney Sweeney stars as Sister Cecilia, a woman of devout faith who mysteriously becomes pregnant after arriving at a picture-perfect Italian convent. Everyone does everything they can to keep Sister Cecilia from leaving, hence the horror. Directed by Michael Mohan (Pink Grapefruit). 99 minutes. Kearney 8. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG for martial arts action, albeit by cartoon characters, mild violence, scary images, some mild rude humor) animation, action, adventure, comedy Jack Black lends his voice as Po in this continuation of the story of the Valley of Peace. Also features Awkwafine, Dustin Hoffman and Viola Davis. Directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine (How to Train Your Dragon). 94 minutes. Golden Ticket, Kearney 8. Luca (PG for rude humor) animation, adventure, comedy Director Enrico Casarosa (Robots) tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a human and a sea monster disguised as a human. Includes the voices of Jacob Trembly, Jack Dylan Grazer and Emma Berman. Nominated for an Oscar award. 95 minutes. Kearney 8. Ordinary Angels (PG for thematic content, brief bloody images, smoking) drama Based on a true story, small town hair dresser Sharon Steves finds a renewed sense of purpose when she helps a recently widowed roofer with two small daughter and huge medical bills. Stars Hillary Swank and Alan Ritchson. Directed by Jon Gunn (American Underdog). 116 minutes. Kearney 8. Snack Shack (R for pervasive language, alcohol and drug use, some sexual material and smoking all involving teens) comedy Nebraska native Adam Rehmeier tells the story of two best friends who get the chance to run the swimming pool snack shack. Set in Nebraska City and filmed entirely in Nebraska. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 (Not rated for obvious reasons) horror Ryan Oliva stars as Winnie-the-Pooh in this exploitation film directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield. Pooh and his friends decided to attack Christopher Robin leaving a bloody trail of death and destruction. No one under the age of 17 will be admitted to the theater. 100 minutes. KEARNEY In 2022, former Nebraska City resident Adam Rehmeier returned to his hometown in the southeast part of the state to film a coming of age movie. Snack Shack tells the story of his experiences in the early 1990s as a young teenager running a concession stand at the local pool in Nebraska City. In an article published by Nebraska Examiner, senior reporter Paul Hammel noted that Adam and his best friend won the bid to operate the snack shack after his father, former Judge Randall Rehmeier, attested that they could do the job. To be honest with you, we thought to some extent it was a joke. But they wanted to make some money, the elder Rehmeier told the Examiner in 2022. Adam has always been kind of a right-brain kind of person thinking outside the box. Hes creative and artsy. He figured, Why cant we do this? Randall said that he and his wife and other parents assisted in running the concession stand, and the two boys made more money than they could at other jobs, especially in the first of two years. In the semi-fictional telling of the story, the film follows the antics of A.J. and Moose as they operate the concession stand and attempt to make money. Gabriel LaBelle and Conor Sherry star as the duo. The decision to shoot the film in Nebraska with a $4.5 million budget and a cast and crew of 65 was aided by a new state filmmaking incentive. The crew filmed scenes at the Nebraska City pool, its movie theater and at two locations in Omaha including Henry Doorly Zoo and Horsemans Park. Several Nebraska City residents were hired as extras or for bit parts. Central Nebraska residents can view the Snack Shack, now screening at Kearney Cinema 8. The Nebraska Examiner reported that the elder Rehmeier said he had to sign off on the proposal to the city by his then 14-year-old son and a buddy to run the concession stand at the Steinhart Park Pool. Movie reviewer Katie Hogan of Filmhounds says of the film, With a great cast, in particular the two leads Conor Sherry as AJ and Gabriel LaBelle as Moose, and a fun vibe running throughout, there is more than meets the eye with this film from director Adam Rehmeier. And journalist Bruce Miller of Sioux City Journal wrote about the comedy, Rehmeiers film is more fun than it has a right to be and a real spring surprise. It holds up in ways more ordinary summer vehicles never could. Snack Shack is rated R for pervasive language, alcohol and drug use, some sexual material and smoking all involving teens. KEARNEY Donald E. and Viola C. Fox were longtime philanthropic supporters of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Chemistry. What began with a $1,000 gift in 1979 has grown into a scholarship fund of more than $575,000, thanks to an estate gift from Viola after her death in September 2023 at the age of 105. Viola Foxs estate gift supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our Universitys Future. The campaign strives to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. UNKs goals are to raise $70 million from 12,000 donors. With that gift, UNKs Department of Chemistry hopes to award approximately 20 $1,000 scholarships annually. Previously, a single scholarship was given each year. The Donald E. Fox Endowed Scholarship Fund was established to support students studying chemistry, with the first scholarship given in 1981. Don Fox taught at Kearney State College/UNK for 38 years. He served as the department chair before being named dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences. He was honored with the Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry in 1990. He died in 2003 at the age of 98. After Dons passing, Vi continued to be a big part of the UNK family, said Lucas Dart, vice president of alumni relations and UNK development at the University of Nebraska Foundation. She lived simply and gave generously. We are both thrilled and honored that she chose to make a perpetual impact on future UNK students with this wonderful gift, he added. Julie Shaffer, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNK, said Don and Vis contributions have been wonderful for students who, through alumni guest lecturers, have been exposed to a diversity of careers. Its opened new career options for our chemistry students. Fox Scholarship recipient Ruth Harding, a 2006 UNK chemistry graduate, now works as operations manager in the Global Security Directorate at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Harding returned as a guest lecturer for the Don Fox Lecture Series in 2023, when she was honored with the Distinguished Chemistry Alumna Award. More information on the Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our Universitys Future is available at OnlyinNebraska.org. A $1.3 million gift from the estate of alumna Dr. Joan Gennrich has been used to create a scholarship for a female Viterbo University student who will attend medical school. The Dr. Joan Gennrich 60 Endowed Medical School Scholarship could provide up to $50,000 to recipients over the course of their senior year at Viterbo and four years of medical school. The scholarship will be awarded to one qualified student each year beginning in the fall of 2024. This is a tremendous gift, and we are sincerely grateful for the generosity of the late Dr. Gennrich in remembering her alma mater and her desire to help our students who will be the physicians of tomorrow, said Viterbo President Rick Trietley. Gennrich designated the gift in appreciation of excellent education I received at Viterbo University and to encourage female college students to pursue a medical degree and join a profession I loved and valued. Born in Milwaukee the oldest of six children to parents of modest means, Gennrich and her siblings fulfilled their fathers wish that all his children would earn a college degree. After graduating from Viterbo with a bachelor of science in Medical Technology in 1960, Gennrich accepted a position as a technician at a pediatric cardiac catheterization lab. A few years later, she became the head of the adult catheterization lab at Milwaukee County Hospital. A visiting German cardiologist recruited Gennrich to establish a similar lab at Waldkrankenhaus in Erlangen, Germany. While there, she discovered medical school in that country was very inexpensive. She was accepted contingent on passage of a German language exam. She graduated from medical school in 1969. After an internship in Canada, she passed the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates exam and the medical state board exams in Wisconsin and Illinois. Gennrich worked as a physician in emergency medicine in Chicago for many years. After attending a medical conference and touring the first freestanding emergicenter (urgent care clinic) owned by a physician, Gennrich opened Wisconsins first such clinic. She would go on to open a second emergicenter three years later. Gennrich later sold her practice and retired. She passed away in February 2020 in St. Cloud, Florida. Recipients of the scholarship will be chosen by a Viterbo University committee. On Wednesday's episode of "Top Chef," the only contestant from Wisconsin told the other competitors that he has Kennedy's Disease. The neurological disease is similar to ALS and can eventually deprive people of the ability to walk, swallow or speak. It's a progressive illness. The Kennedy's Disease Association says on its website that symptoms usually appear between age 30 and 50, and life expectancy is near normal. Dan Jacobs has used his fame to raise awareness and money to research a cure for Kennedy's Disease. Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, who co-own Milwaukee restaurants EsterEv and DanDan, organize a yearly fundraising event called DimSum and Give Some. The event brings in world renowned chefs, including James Beard award winners, to create dishes and raise money. Jacobs has raised more than $900,000 for Kennedy's Disease research since he was diagnosed in 2016, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In an article this week, Jacobs told Parade magazine the he sought treatment after experiencing weakness while exercising. He told the magazine that he wore knee braces and braces on his legs during the show and used a cane during rest periods. He said he didn't tell the other contestants right away because he didn't want to be treated differently. He said he hopes being on Top Chef inspires other people with a disability to "push a little harder, do a little more." Pakistani president expresses condolences to Chinese citizens killed in terrorist attack Xinhua) 09:50, March 28, 2024 Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari writes a message of condolences at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 27, 2024. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed condolences to Chinese citizens killed in a terrorist attack while visiting the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. (PID/Handout via Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday expressed condolences to Chinese citizens killed in a terrorist attack while visiting the Chinese embassy in Pakistan. In a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Zardari assured that the terrorists involved in the gruesome act would be apprehended, and his country would not let terrorists undermine Pakistan and China's shared goals for peace, prosperity and security in the region. Five Chinese nationals and one Pakistani were killed when a vehicle from the Dasu Hydropower Project, being constructed by a Chinese company in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday afternoon, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan confirmed in a statement. Jiang said that the builders of the Dasu hydropower project and other China-Pakistan cooperation projects have made outstanding contributions to the economic development and improvement of people's livelihood in Pakistan, and it is unjustifiable for terrorists to carry out criminal attacks against them. "China has noticed that the entire Pakistani society has formed a strong momentum to condemn terrorism. We hope and believe that this momentum will be transformed into effective measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan," he added. China requires Pakistan to speed up the investigation, severely punish the perpetrators, make the terrorists pay the price they deserve, and urges Pakistan to implement anti-terrorism operations as soon as possible to form a strong deterrent to terrorist forces, the Chinese ambassador said. "China is willing to continue to promote bilateral cooperation with Pakistan, expand the social foundation of China-Pakistan friendship, and squeeze the living space of terrorist forces," he added. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level emergency meeting on the same day, which was attended by Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief Ministers, chief secretaries and inspector generals of police of respective provinces, according to Prime Minister's Office. The meeting decided to use all the resources of the state to conduct a thorough joint investigation of the Dasu terrorist attack and vowed to bring perpetrators of this barbaric act to justice swiftly, a statement said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) "And Then There Were None," a play by acclaimed British director Lucy Bailey will tour cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, for the first time from May to July. Based on Agatha Christie's classic crime novel published in 1939, which has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold over 100 million copies, the play follows 10 strangers who are invited to an isolated island. One by one, they are accused of murder and then start to die. Bailey's earlier adaptation of Christie's gripping Witness to the Prosecution is currently in its sixth year of production in London. The main cast members of And Then There Were None, including Joseph Beattie and Jeffery Kissoon, will be part of the Chinese tour. Tickets for the Beijing shows, which will take place between June 26 and 30 at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, have been open since March 26. Students from area schools will participate in a Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) sanctioned District Solo & Ensemble Music Festival hosted at Cashton High School on Saturday, April 6. During the festival, which is free and open to the public, students will perform vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios and small ensembles before an adjudicator. WSMA music festivals annually attract thousands of students from middle, junior high and high schools throughout Wisconsin. The festival will draw students from a number of area schools, including Brookwood Junior High School, Brookwood Senior High School, Cashton High School, De Soto High School, De Soto Middle School, Kickapoo Area High School, La Farge High School, La Farge Middle School, North Crawford High School, North Crawford Middle School, Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School, Viroqua High School, Westby Area High School, Westby Area Middle School, Wonewoc-Center High School and Youth Initiative High School. Peter Engh, music director from Cashton High School, will be serving as the festival manager. WSMA is proud to support music educators as we work together to provide quality music education experiences for students. Our long-standing festival programs encourage well-rounded musicians who develop deeper understanding through performance preparation that culminates in comprehensive feedback from a qualified adjudicator. Opportunities for reflection and consideration of new ideas is invaluable for musical growth, said WSMA Executive Director Laurie Fellenz. WSMA music festivals support school music programs as part of a comprehensive education by encouraging the study of quality music literature; motivating students to prepare and perform to the best of their abilities; improving students understanding of music literature and concepts (performance through understanding) and providing a performance assessment to improve individual and group achievement. A Tomah man was injured Tuesday while attempting to flee from police, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs office. The sheriffs office said it received information from multiple sources about methamphetamine and cocaine being sold from the downtown Tomah apartment where 34-year-old Leonard Figgins resided. Police executed a search warrant around 8 p.m. and discovered Figgins had fled his apartment and entered a neighboring apartment through a fire escape. Police obtained a second warrant and found Figgins had barricaded himself in one of the bedrooms. As deputies were making entry, they said Figgins broke out a window, jumped from the second story and landed on the paved sidewalk. Figgins injured both ankles and was taken into custody before being transported to a local hospital. A search of Figgins apartment allegedly found methamphetamine and other evidence of illegal drug activity. Figgins is on supervision through Wisconsin Probation and Parole. He was free on bond from a La Crosse County case in which he was charged with multiple offenses stemming from a domestic incident. Figgins was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney for possession of illegal drugs with intent to deliver. A criminal complaint had yet to be filed as of Thursday afternoon. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invite the public to attend spring hearings on Monday, April 8 at 6 p.m. to learn about resource management through the annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearing process. Additionally, an online opportunity for public input will be available from noon on Wednesday, April 10 through noon on Saturday, April 13. DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand at these spring hearings to discuss local issues of importance, answer questions from the public and open a dialogue between the public, the DNR and the WCC about areas of interest and concern. The WCC will also hold their delegates' elections at each meeting. Two of the five WCC seats will be up for election in each county. Finally, the public is invited to provide feedback on a variety of fish, wildlife and other natural resources-related topics as part of the spring hearing process. The public is encouraged to provide input online from noon on Wednesday, April 10 through noon on Saturday, April 13. For those who prefer to do so in person, a number of paper ballots will be available at each in-person meeting. More information is available on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing webpage at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is the only statutory body in the state where the public elects delegates to advise the Natural Resources Board and the DNR on responsibly managing natural resources for present and future generations. The Congress accomplishes this through open, impartial, broad-ranged actions. Learn more about the WCC and how to become involved in resource management decisions on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress webpage at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc. Event details The Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin DNR Fish And Wildlife Spring Hearings will be held on Monday, April 8 from 6-9 pm. The agenda is as follows: 6-6:30 p.m. Arrival/sign in. 6:30-7 p.m. DNR staff presentations. 7 p.m. Wisconsin Conservation Congress delegate elections. 7:30 p.m. Review Spring Hearing questions and any introduced citizen resolutions. Meetings are available in each Wisconsin county. Area hearings include: Walworth County Fontana Elementary School (library), 450 S. Main St., Fontana. Fontana Elementary School (library), 450 S. Main St., Fontana. Racine County Union Grove High School (use north parking lot), 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove. Union Grove High School (use north parking lot), 3433 S. Colony Ave., Union Grove. Kenosha County Richard Bong State Recreation Area (headquarters building auditorium), 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville. Richard Bong State Recreation Area (headquarters building auditorium), 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville. Rock County Janesville DNR Service Center, 2514 Morse St., Janesville. Janesville DNR Service Center, 2514 Morse St., Janesville. Waukesha County DNR Waukesha Service Center (Conference Room 151), 141 NW Barstow Street, Waukesha. DNR Waukesha Service Center (Conference Room 151), 141 NW Barstow Street, Waukesha. Jefferson County Jefferson High School )cafeteria/commons), 700 W. Milwaukee St., Jefferson. A complete listing of hearing locations in all 72 Wisconsin counties is available online at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/About/WCC/2024/SpringHearing/2024_SH_Locations.pdf. Online Spring Hearing public input will be taken from noon on Wednesday, April 10 through noon on Saturday, April 13 on the DNR's website at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearing. In 76 Photos: Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Walworth County IAT American Pokeweed.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Boardwalk in Whitewater Lake Segment IAT Bridge and Boardwalk.jpg IAT Common Selfheal.jpg IAT Creeping Bellflower 2.jpg IAT Delicate Fern Moss.jpg IAT Erect Hedgeparsley 2.jpg IAT Giant Chickweed.jpg IAT Motherwort.jpg IAT Pine Cones.jpg IAT Sign.jpg IAT Tall Hairy Agrimony.jpg Ice Age Trail yellow blaze marker IAT Trail View 2.jpg IAT Trail View.jpg IAT Whitewater Creek 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Ascent.jpg Ice Age Trail Bird's Foot Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Black Raspberry.jpg Ice Age Trail Black-Eyed Susan.jpg Ice Age Trail Boletes fungi (mushroom) on forest floor.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Parsnip.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View in Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Yellow Blaze with Trail View.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Chicory (Blue Dandelion).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Crownvetch.jpg Ice Age Trail Common Mullein (Aaron's Rod).jpg Ice Age Trail Common Yarrow.jpg Ice Age Trail Creeping Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Deptford Pink.jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer .jpg Ice Age Trail Emerald Ash Borer 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Evening Primrose.jpg Ice Age Trail Fallen Tree .jpg Ice Age Trail False Solomon's Seal.jpg Ice Age Trail False Sunflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Flowering Spurge.jpg Ice Age Trail "Flowing Well" in Town of Whitewater.jpg Glacial deposits on Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Gray Dogwood.jpg Ice Age Trail Hoary Verbena.jpg Ice Age Trail Illinois Tick Trefoil 2.jpg Ice Age Trail Panicledleaf Tick Trefoil.jpg Ice Age Trail Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Mile Marker Post.jpg Ice Age Trail Morrow's Honeysuckle.jpg Ice Age Trail Nodding Thistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Northern Catalpa.jpg Ice Age Trail Oriental Ladies Thumb.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook view Ice Age Trail Oxeye Dairy.jpg Ice Age Trail Perennial Sowthistle.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Pine Plantation.jpg Ice Age Trail Pinnate Prairie Coneflower.jpg Ice Age Trail Prairie Fleabane.jpg Ice Age Trail Prarie Clearning Under Power Lines.jpg Ice Age Trail Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot).jpg Ice Age Trail Rock covered with Schreber's Big Red Stem Moss.jpg Ice Age Trail Rock Deposits.jpg Russulaceae fungi on the forest floor along the Ice Age Scenic National Trail Ice Age Trail Scenic Lake Overlook 1.jpg Ice Age National Scenic Trail overlook Ice Age Trail Shrub Lespedeza.jpg Ice Age Trail Smooth Sumac.jpg Ice Age Trail Soapwort.jpg St. John's Wort blooming along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail Ice Age Trail Steep Climb.jpg Ice Age Trail Thistle Field with feeding Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly.jpg Ice Age Trail Trichaptum fungi on tree.jpg Ice Age Trail View from Bench.jpg Ice Age Trail Walking Path in Forest.jpg Ice Age Trail Whitewater Lake.jpg Ice Age Trail Wild Bergamot.jpg Ice Age Trail Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.jpg Amid cheers and applause, director Justine Triet stepped out onto the stage at Peking University Centennial Memorial Hall in Beijing on March 24. After an 11-hour flight, this was her first time to China. She was curious about how Chinese moviegoers would understand her film, "Anatomy of a Fall," following its premiere in the hall that day. The film is set to be released nationwide on March 29. Director Justine Triet poses for a photo with the audience at the Peking University Centennial Memorial Hall in Beijing, March 24, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Road Pictures] "Many French viewers believe that the female protagonist is innocent, but in the United States many people think she is guilty. I am now very curious about how you perceive this character and this film," she said to the audience. However, the film does not intend to provide a concrete answer. Instead, the narrative aims to get closer to the truth with the task of the film being to approach the complexity of life, Triet explained. "Anatomy of a Fall," directed by Justine Triet from a screenplay she co-wrote with Arthur Harari, stars Sandra Huller as Sandra Voyter, a writer who is trying to prove her innocence in her husband's death. This French legal drama premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, where it won the Palme d'Or. It later received more than 280 awards and nominations worldwide, including best original screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards. "Sandra is not a perfect woman; I wanted to create a more relatable and complex character. She embodies a dual image: on one hand, she is a capable, strong woman, but on the other, she is the vulnerable individual, subjected to scrutiny and attack in court. What's most important is not what the truth is, but rather how society views the incident," the director shared. Triet mentioned that the film explores the protagonist's worldview, a perspective that may be challenging for male creators to accurately portray. The film delves into complex themes such as motherhood, life choices and gender equality within a family. These nuanced issues extend beyond simple binary decisions, highlighting the scarcity of feminist narratives in the current film industry. The director noted that women have been muses for many films and pieces of art throughout history. Thus, having female directors is very important for the film industry, because it allows for the portrayal of women in film to be legitimate representations of their true selves, true desires and true preferences, and not only as objects of desire or as a fantasized source of creativity. A poster for "Anatomy of a Fall." [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] During her China tour, Triet engaged in enlightening dialogue with Chinese filmmakers and scholars such as Peking University professors Dai Jinhua and Dong Qiang, actress Qi Xi and filmmaker Yang Lina. "This is the kind of feminist film that resonates with me, one that I eagerly anticipate and identify with. Moreover, this film affirms that the communal aspect of cinema still exists, and realism is still possible," said Dai, a renowned cultural critic and professor of Chinese literature and culture at Peking University. This transcript appears in the March 29, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this transcript] Schiller Institute Webcast Dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche What Putins Re-Election Means for NATOs War Hawks The following is an edited transcript of the weekly Schiller Institute dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Embedded links have been added. The video is available here. Harley Schlanger: Hello and welcome to our weekly dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairwoman of the Schiller Institute. Today is Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Im Harley Schlanger and Ill be your host today. Please send your questions and comments to questions@schillerinstitute.org. Lets begin our discussion by talking about the re-election of Russias President Putin, who easily overcame efforts by the West to undermine him by targeting Russia, by running operations against Russia designed to weaken it. And yet they didnt succeed, and that helped give him an overwhelming margin. But among the statements attacking his reelection, Western leaders are repeating their warnings that NATO has to prepare for a war with Russia, saying the Western governments must gear up military budgets to prepare for war. European Union Council President Charles Michel even did a parody of Orwells 1984, saying, If we want peace, we must prepare for war. There are two questions on the Russian election. The first one is: What is driving this reckless rhetoric from NATO? And secondly, from someone from the Middle East, How is the non-Eurocentric world responding to Putins reelection and the war buildup overall in the Global North? Helga Zepp-LaRouche: Well, if you are trying to look at this election result, its almost as if this happened in two different universes: One is the Western media and mainstream politicians who all say this is a complete farce, this was no democracy, this was pre-orchestrated. But then when you look at it from the Russian sideand I did watch the celebrations in the Kremlin, in which Putins election victory coincided with the 10th anniversary of Crimea rejoining Russiayou get a very different picture. People who are actually knowledgeable about the internal situation in Russia are telling you that Putin does have the support of the population, reflected by him receiving 87% of the vote. And it is especially the perception of the Russian population how incredibly venomous the West has become against Russia, which made this election result even stronger. So the West is obviously driven, and there are people who are more concerned about their own position as leaders of government and reelection, rather than the consequence of what is happening. I think in a certain sense, the election result was to be expected and in my view, [it] is a good thing, because compared with most of the leaders in the West, Putin is actually the incarnation of patience and reason. And I know that a lot of people will now get hyperventilation attacks, but so be it. View full size NATO The problem is that there is right now a rush to war. You mentioned some of it, and I could elaborate much more, but I think the greatest wakeup call comes from the UN Secretary-General Guterres, who yesterday spoke at the open debate of the UN Security Council. He gave a warning, and I actually find this warning so precise in its wording that I want to read it to you, because I think it will not be published widely in the Western media. But I think its appeal to wake up is of the utmost importance. So let me read you an important quote from that speech. He said: Today, we meet at a time when geopolitical tensions and mistrust have escalated the risk of nuclear warfare to its highest point in decades.... From academics and civil society groups, calling for an end to the nuclear madness.... Humanity [is] calling the world back from the brink. And what is the response? States possessing nuclear weapons are absent from the table of dialogue. Investments in the tools of war are outstripping investments in the tools of peace. Arms budgets are growing, while diplomacy and development budgets are shrinking.... The dialogue must turn to valuing and developing populations for their skills, their talents, their genius. A cynical, dog-eat-dog mentality, where to get ahead requires pushing someone else down, has led us to a horrid specter of famine, death and thermonuclear extermination. And actually, if you want to read the whole speech, do so, because it is absolutely not one iota of an exaggeration. Right now, I think we are reaching an extremely dangerous point, because there are many reports, from the French military and others, estimates that the Ukrainian army is about to be defeated; about to collapse. And then, naturally, you have all these efforts to surround Russia with new military encroachments. Macron supposedly is threatening to send 20,000 French troops into Ukraine, which from the Russian standpoint is a red line. Then you have the Polish-German rapid deployment force being built; you have British efforts to massively increase the drone supply; you have Stoltenberg visiting Azerbaijan, making a special treaty between Azerbaijan and NATO: Now, look at the map! What happened to the promise not to move NATO one inch to the East? You have an encroachment on Russia from all sides, and I think we are really heading toward nuclear war if we dont stop this. And if you look at the hysteria: You have all these warmongersbellicose peoplein Germany, for example. View full size CC/Michael Lucan One voice of reason is coming from the SPD Bundestag leader Rolf Mutzenich, who sayshe does all the verbiage which youre supposed to do, about Russian aggression and so forth, but then he says: Its time to think about freezing the war, to then eventually come to a diplomatic solution. Now, if you look at the condition of Ukraine, more than 500,000 people have been killed, the economy is in a shambles, people are desperate, and refugees have left the country. So, it is no longer in a position to keep up this fight. Its not for Ukraine, its for the ambition of the West to defeat Russia, as they have said many times. But this will not happen, because Russia is a nuclear power, and contrary to Western media, Putin did not threaten the West with nuclear war. In his recent speech and interview with RIA Novosti on March 13, he simply said again what is the official Russian doctrine: that if the territorial integrity of Russia is threatened, then the use of nuclear weapons is an option for Russia and probably will happen. View full size UN Photo/Violaine Martin So, to keep pushing this idea that you have to defeat Russia, which is right now the strongest nuclear weapons power on the planet, is pure insanity. And I can only say that people should listen to Guterres and get to the negotiation table. In the age of nuclear war, war cannot be an option of conflict resolution. Now compare this crazy behavior from the Western politicians with the statesman-like behavior of Mrs. Pandor, the South African Foreign Minister who just visited Washington. She is calling for diplomacy, and basically saying you have to talk to everybody, because if you dont talk any more, you deprive yourself of any option for a solution. So, I think the situation is extremely worrisome. And all people of reason, who are not completely crazy, should join the chorus of people demanding a change in this policy. Schlanger: We have a follow-up question on that. Someone wrote in: With the West in disarray and with the election campaigns looking pretty bad for Western countries, the fact that Putin is now reelected for six years, and that last year, Chinas President Xi Jinping was reelected, that the two of them together represent a source of stability for a move away from a unipolar order. Do you think thats part of the reason for the hysteria coming from the West? Zepp-LaRouche: Yes, because the Western establishments, rather than reviewing their own policy and recognizing that the present escalation in the strategic situation is the blowback from what they initiated, rather than having a thoughtful analysis of what caused the present crisis, they keep doing the blame-game. They call any country which does not submit to the unipolar conception of the world, dictatorships, and autocracies, and so forth, which in most cases bears very little resemblance with actual reality, because it does not take into account the tradition and culture and history of these nations that are accused like that. China is a prime example. So, I think they are not willing to look at the policies which caused this, above all the expansion of NATO to the East, which is crossing again and again, lines which the Russians regard as red lines. When Guterres says this is the worst crisis in decades, this includes the Cuban Missile Crisis. Because if you look at what happened in the Cuban Missile Crisis, when Soviet missiles were put in Cuba, well, if you now have American and NATO warheads all along the Russian border, what is the difference? None! So, if Russia says, there has to be a stop, it is completely understandable; the only difference is, you dont have a Kennedy in the White House, and you dont have a Khrushchev; you have a quite different constellation right now. So, I think we are really at a point of maximum crisis, and we have to defeat this war-mongering faction in the West, or else it may be too late very soon. Schlanger: You mentioned the visit of the Foreign Minister of South Africa Naledi Pandor to Washington. From a South African viewer, we have the comment: Im very proud of South Africas Foreign Minister Pandor going to Washington and speaking the truth about Israels policy of genocide against the Palestinians. The South African government has played a very important role at the International Court of Justice. Will her words in Washington have any effect? Zepp-LaRouche: Im sure they will have an effect among many people, because what she does is followed by the entire international diplomatic community. There are many good-hearted Americans who are looking at the situation, who are not in favor of what the Biden administration does, nor are they in favorif this report is actually confirmedof Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, who is praising the lush water-front real estate in Gaza which soon will be on the market. Now, if that turns out to be a real remark, it would be quite disgusting and telling. View full size UNRWA Facebook Page But there are many Americans who find it abhorrent; they are really generally disgusted with what the American policy is right now. So I think her words will be heard. And hopefully, the better-minded Americans will do something to push the situation in Gaza to an immediate ceasefire, and put so much pressure on the Biden administration, that they have to do it. Schlanger: I have a follow-up question from someone from Africa, Menashe, who asks: Given Putins warnings about the potential consequences of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO, what are your thoughts on the role of African nations in promoting peace and stability on the global stage? Zepp-LaRouche: I think Mrs. Pandor is a prime example of the moral status which African leaders have at this moment, and I think the African continent as a whole is really moving forward and assuming its rightful role on the world stage. I think the Spirit of Bandung, which will have its 70th anniversary next year, is fully revived. The idea that colonialism will be put to sleep forever is clearly guiding most African leaders right now, and many African nations have a clear policy that they want to be middle-level income countries very soon; they assert the right that they produce and process their own resources: In other words, the status of just being raw materials exporters, and leaving the profit to the cartels, is definitely over. African nations rightfully demand the control over resources and land to process these resources in semi-finished production, finished production, and have the full industrial chain, so that there is a perspective of reaching decent living standards fairly soon. I think this is the most fantastic development, and if people in the West would not be so completely decadent, they would be happy about that! What better situation than to end the poverty for literally billions of people around the world! And one can only hope that the present motion to increase the BRICSthe BRICS are now BRICS-10; soon they will be BRICS-40 or -50, because 40 countries have applied for membership. And I think the majority of the Global South wants to establish a just new world economic order, which will not be replacing the present imperial design, but it will put up some completely different system, whereby national sovereignty and equal status of all countries will be respected. I think this is really the lesson people understand from the 600 years of colonialism; and that era is fortunately coming to an end. So I expect big changes. I think really, that motion by the Global South in one sense is the real reason that some countries are fearing to lose hegemony; but I think we must find a bridge whereby the common interest of every single country, including the United States, including even the British (even so, that sometimes seems difficult to imagine), but even the Europeans who under the EU are presently in a grip of trying totheyre almost more crazy than some of the Americans in their push for war, in which the word diplomacy has been almost completely forgotten. But we have to change that; and we have to establish a system where equal participation of every country, big and small, in the new system, will be made possible. Or, else, we will not surviveand Im quite serious about that. If it comes to nuclear war, Im absolutely certain that it will be the end of civilization. All the efforts by various departments and ministries and whatnot to prove that there will be no nuclear winter after a nuclear strike, that only 20 million people in the United States will diethats horrible enoughbut that will not happen. I think the big danger is that youre really playing with the existence of the entire civilization. Schlanger: Now, I want to take a few questions on Southwest Asia and whats happening in Gaza. First: On Schumers comments calling for new elections to replace Netanyahu, theres some ambiguity in what Schumer actually said, that is, that the elections should wait until the war is winding down. The questioner asks, Does this reflect a shift in Bidens policy, or is it just hypocritical rhetoric in response to the growing opposition to Biden and his support, military and financial, for Israel? View full size CC/ Lauri Heikkinen/Finnish Government Zepp-LaRouche: Im afraid its not anything good. Because if you look at the situation in Gaza right now, the reports coming from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and other UN institutions, there is no longer the threat of famine, there is a full-fledged famine. Reports are that every single day 450 people in Gaza are dying, not of bullets, but of hunger, disease, of just being weakened and dying of all of these factors. And altogether, I think, 1.9 million people in Gaza, or maybe even 2.2 million people are immediately in danger of starvation! Now, there is only one option: That would be to immediatelyimmediatelywithout any second pause, withdraw all support from Israelfinancially, militarilyand force IsraelI mean, Israel is just a small country. The United States is supposedly the biggest military power on the planet. It would be quite easy for the United States to assert its authority: that this should stop; and an immediate, permanent ceasefire be established; and immediate humanitarian aid, without restraint, because its a huge joband the farcical dropping of food by helicopter, thats just so ridiculous it doesnt mean anything. A small number of people are helped, but its not in proportion to what is going on. This failure will be a stain on the moral stature of all of humanity, at least those who are not fighting it. So in this situation, you have Schumer, who says that Netanyahu is no longer representing the interests of Israel, because if Israel becomes a pariah, then that is not in Israels interest. Therefore, there should be new electionsonce the war winds down! I think that particular phrase is something to be noted, because that means Schumer is condoning this operation which Netanyahu is conducting right now, destroying Hamas, making sure that Gaza will never be a threat (these are quotes, now), translates into that there will be no people left at the end of this whole affair! So, Schumer may sound like hes criticizing Netanyahu, but if you look at the wording, until after the war has wound down, I dont think thats a real change, at all. Schlanger: Sticking with the situation in Southwest Asia, we have a question from Richard Trifan, a composer, a director of performing arts at the Eurasia Center, and he asks: Is it possible that the Oasis Plan can be submitted to the United States House of Representatives for their support? And then he says, I believe Speaker Johnson is a reasonable man and would see the benefits to all parties that this plan will bring. What do you think, Helga? Zepp-LaRouche: Well, Mr. Trifan, help us to bring it there. I think its an excellent idea. I thinklook, this thing is so visionary, it really can solve the situation, maybe not in a day or so; but just imagine what the difference would be if, from the United States and maybe other countries as well, there would come the announcement, Yes, we are going to implement the Oasis Plan. We will create a future for Israel, for Palestine, for all the neighborsbecause many of the neighbors are quite in a distressed situation, like Yemen, or Syria, or Iraq; all the other countries of the region: What a change it would be if such an announcement would come! It would change the dynamic immediately! It would create hope; it would motivate young and old people to take up shovels, start to build houses, build streets. And what we have proposed in terms of creating much more freshwater in the region: We have the canals we have proposed, but one can even think about other projects. With modern technology and cheap energy which you would get through nuclear energy, you can create new rivers! Thats a very fascinating idea, that if you take this whole regionwhich is desert, desert, desertyou can make it green. First you can access aquifers, you can make ionization of the atmosphere, you create dams, you create new rivers, but you make the whole region green. You have enough to develop agriculture, forests, build new cities. View full size UN Photo/Manuel Elias And then the terrorism would stop, because the main injustice would be overcome by a system of prosperity, of plenty, of hope for every young person who is looking to the future, and would see, it is much more advantageous to study, to create a family, to be a teacher. So I think this is really something. If we can just find some wise politicians who have the courage right now, they can change history for the better. So I would ask you and all our other viewers to help us to put it on the agenda. Because Im perfectly certain that all you need is a couple of breakthroughs, and it is an idea which will take a road of its own. Schlanger: Let me remind people that on April 13, there will be a Schiller Institute online conference on the Oasis Plan. You can find the information for the conference on the Schiller Institute website, and you can register for it: Thats on April 13. And also, you can get the Oasis Plan video, which will give you the information you need to follow through with what Helga just said, about bringing this to every elected body in the United States, and in Europe, and all over the world. Helga, heres a question on the United Nations: A multipolar world requires a truly democratic UN, with well-equipped peacekeeping forces. How, in your opinion, will the world overcome the West in the United NationsI think primarily the United States and the Britishor do you think that another institute, for example, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization could take over that role? Zepp-LaRouche: No, I think the United Nations should remain, and there are many forces, because its the only truly representative organization in which every country has a voice. However, it is generally discussed right now that the UN Security Council no longer is capable of dealing with it. First of all, because if only five nuclear powers have veto power, then it is unfortunately possible that one country, again and again, vetoes everything and makes the whole UN Security Council dysfunctional. There is right now a huge effort to reform the UN. I think Mrs. Pandor also mentioned the fact that India is 1.4 billion people, and they have no permanent presence, which makes it, for example, already not very representative. The fact that Africa is not yet on the permanent UN Security Council, is also a complete travesty. One other problem is that the UN Security Council is the only legal institution that can enforce policies which are made as decisions by the Security Council itself, or as we are witnessing right now, by the International Court of Justice, which doesnt have an enforcement side. The International Court of Justice, for example, makes a ruling and then gives it to the UN Security Council, which is supposed to implement it. But if that institution is blocked by vetoes, then there is no enforcement. So, I think the reform of the United Nations definitely has to have a way of having peacekeeping troops, and having the strength to make governments comply with decisions. Thats the only way, until the human species develops to be reasonable, which I think will be possible because, I think the present behavior of some countries is really not a reflection of the adulthood of mankind, but for the time being I think we need such instruments. Im perfectly certain that some time, not too far in the future, we will become reasonable, meaning that you pursue your policies in a completely different way, like scientists do, or like musicians working and playing together in an orchestra: Why can not the United Nations work like scientific teams, who are working in a crash program to get results? Why can they not work like orchestras with choruses, and nice performances where everybody is focused on the result? I think that will be the future of humanity: And I think mankind is capable of that, and I dont think its a utopia, because I think the present behavior of greed and bellicose efforts, I think thats a childhood diseaseand Im quite certain that mankind will grow out of it. Schlanger: Two more questions, Helga. You may not know much about this, because it just happened, but from our friend Angela from Ireland, she reported that the Prime Minister of Ireland resigned today, after a failed attempt to push constitutional changes, which she said would have been on behalf of the World Economic Forum. The referendum failed, and she said, the people won. Do you have any information on whats going on in Ireland? Clearly the Irish are standing fairly strongly in defense of the Palestinian people, but other than that, Im not sure. Zepp-LaRouche: No, this news catches me by surprise. But I can only say that I followed the Irish policy in the recent period with great interest, for exactly the reason you just said. But Ill inform myself, immediately after this broadcast. Schlanger: OK. A final question, then, and this is somewhat urgent: There are reports that Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, who remains in prison in Israel, as he has been at least more than 20 yearsthat hes being tortured and subjected to beatings. And that many people see him as a leader who could serve in the interests of peace in the region. The person who sent the email said, Please, can you call attention to this? We need a mobilization to demand his release. Zepp-LaRouche: I think that this is absolutely right, because of the historic role of Mr. Barghouti, and the fact that hes really appreciated by all factions in the political spectrum makes him an absolutely unique potential figure to be a leader of a Palestinian State in the near future. And we should obviously get more information about what youre reporting, and Im promising that we will make it a big factor in our mobilization. And Im calling upon all of you watching to help. What is happening right now in Palestine, and in Gaza in particular, but also in the West Bank, is really something in which the world conscience is called upon: This is not an affair of the Palestinians. The moral fitness of the entire human species is being tested. If we allow this to happen, and that includes the fate of Mr. Barghouti, then our own ability to survive as a species is highly in doubt. So, I call on all people of conscience to help with what you are proposing. Schlanger: OK, those are the questions I have for you. Any closing words for today, Helga? Zepp-LaRouche: Well, we have now the Oasis Plan conference on April 13: Organize for that. Tell your neighbors, your social media contacts, just everybody to attend that, and make that conference a forceful intervention into the present situation. Every week, on Fridays, we have the IPCthe International Peace Coalition meeting, in which we are trying to pull in more and more people, warning of the immediate danger of nuclear war, and naturally the war in Gaza. And so, help us in building an International Peace Coalition, which eventually should include everybody, because we are all world citizens, in light of the danger of a world war. We are also fighting for a new international security and development architecture which must take into account the interest of every single country, because otherwise it does not function. View full size Schiller Institute We have the open letter by Mexican Congressman Benjamin Robles Montoya, who is appealing to that, that in light of the danger of nuclear war, such a security architecture must be put on the agenda. So spread the letter of Congressman Robles, in multiple languages. Get it to all parliamentarians, all mayors, elected officials. Lets try to get a break in the situation. We really must be aware that we have never been in such a danger as right nowthat is my most firm conviction. And we have to get out of it by changing the paradigm completely. Schlanger: Helga, let me close with this: We got a response from someone who had asked a question about the United Nations, and he wrote back: Thank you for taking my question. Thank you so much for your insightful answer. It really helped me understand the time and the role of the United Nations. So, I think we should make sure that people come to us, every week, with questions and comments, precisely because this is the best way to ensure that people are equipped to do the organizing thats necessary. So, with that, well close, and hopefully well see you again next week, Helga. Zepp-LaRouche: I hope we have another week! This article appears in the March 29, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. February 8, 2014 On the Subject of Thermonuclear Warfare: Mind Over Your Matter [Print version of this article] Editors Note: EIR first published this article in Vol. 41, No. 8, February 21, 2014, pp. 4-15. On the matter of the presently ongoing march into a global thermonuclear warfare of mutually human extinction: the crucial factor will be serenity of the truly human spirit, as to be distinguished from British imperialist rage. The Issue Before Us Betwixt yesterdays webcast, and its aftermath, today, I have posed the most crucial of all the strategic issues at hand with my concluding response to the question posed to me during yesterday evenings Webcast, and a continuation of that same subject in the discussion among the assembled body this morning. On both of those two occasions, the crucial issue of strategy has been posed, directly, as a subject-matter which could not be competently considered, without that specific quality of command by our own republics forces which I have emphasized on each of these two occasions. During the remainder of this month of February, the world in its entirety is presently gripped by a count-down to global genocide, a genocide intended against human beings, but, which the animals themselves could not outlive. That statement, just stated precisely, in these two opening paragraphs, is the basis in meanings for all that now follows here. I forewarn the reader: this opening statement contains the meanings of all that now follows, here, throughout: View full size White House/Pete Souza On this account, I have emphasized, on both occasions, that the only visible choice of strategic policy for our United States itself, were the expulsion of the current U.S. President, Barack Obama, from officeimmediately: with Constitutional due-process, but the greatest permissible haste. The fact of the matter is, presently, that both the present majority of the U.S. Senate, and The House of Representatives, are presently disposed to prefer cheap political opportunism, over reason and sanity alike. In general, fear of lost privilege, disposes them to evade moral responsibility. The great majority of the U.S.A.s citizenry would profoundly prefer the ouster of that British imperial puppet, Obama; but the Senate and House, so far, lack both the will, and the honor to do their true proper duty in this matter; they have preferred, this far, their habit of operating from behind the Bushes; Prescott (who had brought Adolf Hitler into power); the essentially goofy George H.W.; and, the chronically witless George W. Jr., have, each, and all, at the appropriate time, preferred the interests of the British World Empire in earlier and present determinations over the principled Constitutional interests of our United States. Therefore, now: the question would be, would the Bush familys political tradition impel them to subordinate the existence of our United States to a support for the British Empires present traditionimpel them to support, directly, or implicitly, an imperialist, thermonuclear assault on the Eurasian region of the planet, an utterly wrongful war which would almost surely bring about the virtual extermination of the human species? After about an hour-and-a-half of the launch of such full-scale warfare, there would be virtually no living human beings on this planet, excepting the hopelessly dying. No option of a safe, limited warfare, presently exists. The mere puppet of the world-empress of the moment, and of her so-called Green policy, Queen Elizabeth II, is U.S. President Barack Obama, who is her own key instrument, presently, for bringing the human species into a never-before-known experience, that of globally thermonuclear warfare upon this planet: an almost assured extinction of the human speciesperhaps before the end of this current month, or not much beyond that point: unless we prevent it! There are, options available; but there is, presently, no significant evidence that the majority of the U.S. Congress will be willfully sane in this matter so immediately at hand. We might hope for better; but, it were better not to wait. Throwing Obama out now, appears to be the only remedy for this presently imminent disaster. On the contrary, a duped fraction of the House of Representatives has gone to the edge of such an insane policy on this account, albeit under extraordinary pressure from the British imperial systems flunky, the misfortunate, present, Barack Obama Administration. That is my subject for today. I shall now explain the relevant evidence to be entertained. I. The Crucial Historical Factor The crucial factor to be considered here, and now, is the systemic flaw in the general behavior of the leaders among the nations who would, normally, be presumed not to tolerate the strategic policies of either Her Majesty Elizabeth II, nor her captive lout and that disgusting puppet, President Barack Obama, who is the mere stooge of no significant intellectual consequence: merely a very nasty puppet with a criminally-inclined mind. He has only one eminently essential consequence: his suitability for immediate impeachment; only the foolish, or simply gutless members of our Congress would perceive matters in any other light than what I have just presented here. Historys light must be prudently cast upon three most relevant, recent cases from the world history known this far. The first of these three, is the original (Classical Greek) presentation of the case of the evil Zeus, versus the humanist, Prometheus. The second case of outstanding historical significance, is the systemically Zeus-ian Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (as the tradition of the British Empire and its Dutch imperialist origins). The third, is the actually Dutch empire, but cutely, commonly mis-named as the British Empire: that is the embodiment of sheer, virtually planetary evil within which the British empire has placed its American puppet, President Obama, in particular. The particularly outstanding relevance of the first of those three cases, is: that which Aeschylus had presented as the common case for these three instances to be considered here: the issue was, actually, as stated then, as in all competent scientific knowledge presently, the generic meaning of fire. Zeus forbad fires use by mankind; Prometheus demanded the use of fire by mankind (which is the distinction of man from ape). The Classical-Greek Prometheus demanded mankinds progress through the use of fire. What Prometheus intended, and there was only one particular error-of-omission in this matter on his part: is what modern science knows under the caption of modern chemistry: which, in turn, is, in-fact-of-practice, best exemplified by mankinds successive increase in the energy-flux-density of the upward course of the evolution of chemistry: as that lies under the essential inclusion of the leading factor of human progress centered in the use of fire: increasing leaps in the quality of fire, per-capita, and per-leap in the application of increasingly concentrated energy-flux-densities. On the other side: The so-called green disease spread by the British empire, is the Zeus-ian option: typified presently by Queen Elizabeth IIs evil-green obsession: to reduce the Earths human population: from, approximately, seven billions human beings, to less than one: genocide! The explicitly genocidal policies of President Barack Obama, are, no less than greatly-accelerated-measures-of-genocide against the U.S.A.s population: all evils done betwixt the complicities of Obama and the mass-murderers represented by his accomplices, a rabidly anglophilic Wall Street. In fact: since the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and that of his brother, Robert, and the failed attempt on the life of President Ronald Reagan, there has been a continuing downward plunge in the net physical income of the U.S. population as a whole: from the beginning of the U.S. Vietnam War, which would have been impossible, had President Kennedy not been assassinated; the per-capita physical-net-income of the U.S. population has collapsed, continually, at increasing rates, the worst of which have been under the nominal Presidency of George W. Bush, Jr., and the deepest plunge to national U.S.A. bankruptcy was achieved only during the tyranny of President Barack Obama. (Any contrary claim was simply an outright lie, then, or now.) It has been under those trends, and their respective phases, that we now find ourselves at the brink of a global thermonuclear holocaust. The probability is, that this is pre-set for some time between the present time in February, most likely, and early March. President Obama was never the real President of the United States, other than certified President-in-name; but in-fact-of-practice, not; he was, in fact of practice, a stooge (a virtual lick-spittle of The imperial Court of St. James) which had been imposed by the British monarchy, as if from The-Queen-from-the-top-down. He is a dutiful expression of a British imperial monarchy, which had steered the British-backed drug-trafficking which had been a crucial factor his election. Obama has never been an actual President: he has been in fact of practice, merely a disgusting stooge created by, and to be deployed for, as, in fact: at the behest of Her (imperial) Majesty, Elizabeth II (and, also, by heritage, an actually imperial agency of traditionally British imperial interests: such as Wall Street, as that had been typified as treasonous by the Presidencies of Aaron Burr lackey, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and others such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilsonthe latter pair, as by the most notable consequences of the assassination of President William McKinley). All of this must be understood from the three vantage-points I had identified here, above. It has been, first, a Zeus-ian (i.e., Satanic) phenomenon, one identified by the Classical Greeks; and, second, by the rise and fall of the Roman Empire: and, as by the echo of that Roman Empire, which has been the avowed intention of the so-called Dutch Treat, the so-called Dutch imperium (which had virtually gobbled up the France of Louis XIV, and, then, the British Isles): naming this dirty, Dutch Treat a British empire, which was made by the Dutch Treat designers. The Dutch root of all that has been seen crawling above the turf in modern Europe since. II. Cusa & Christopher Columbus The most notable strategic outcome of the Great, trans-Atlantic Renaissance, was that activated, in fact, by Christopher Columbus instruction respecting the policies of a then-deceased Nicholas of Cusa. That mediation was supplied by the surviving collaborators of Cusa himself: a Cusa who had devised the grand-strategic design which became adopted for flanking the disease which was then Europe, with a prospective American alternative. [box: A Close Circle of Friends] The essence of the conception of an American republic, was born, then, and there. The British (Anglo-Dutch) empire has been, entirely, an outgrowth of the Zeusian evil on which imperial Rome had based its own empire; and, more recently, what is curiously named as the British (or, better-said, brutish) empire of Queen Elizabeth II, today. I was, truly, a strategist for the SDI attempt. As I was in the leading part assigned to me under the team of the President Ronald Reagan who had not died from an attempted assassination against him which had occurred as an intended assassination: one on the same list as President John F. Kennedy, and his brother, Robert, the latter a scheduled Democratic Party contenderand likely victor, otherwise. The importance of that page from earlier decades of history, is that the whole matter has been, more recently, a continued British imperial policy since the death of President Franklin Roosevelt. I had fallen into recognizing that same pattern, much earlier than my notable influence since the early 1970s, as during my statement for a group of U.S. soldiers on the evening of the news of the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; that policy of mine, then, had followed me in British and related circles ever since, to the present day. I remained, since then, as a solid hater of the anti-FDR strategic policies of Bertrand Russell and Winston Churchill ever since: to the present day. My own strategic policies have remained with that specific focus, there, precisely, ever since, to the present day: my motive is simply patriotic (in the sense of the American tradition of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy, and, others only lesser in specific politically historical weight of my personal commitments, still presently). The considerations, to that effect, as taken by me, here, are, in retrospect, valid in essential terms of commitment, at this time. This is not merely a personal preference; but, it has a far deeper purpose. I am a strategist in the deepest sense of the meaning of the term, strategist. I explain that crucially important point, as follows. Strategy as a Scientific Principle: Strategy, contrary to commonplace chatter, means, today, the human planet, when considered as a whole. This still holds today, on the presumption that that is the actual term to be applied: as distinct from the relatively childish level of tactics. It means the entirety of the relevant portion of the geography of the entire human species, that respecting the full sweep from past (as since Zeus-vs.-Prometheus, to the present moments of history, since Columbus), into the need to shape the future destiny of mankind. In earlier usages of that concept (that of actual strategy as I have just defined it, here) it has properly signified the subsumption of the interplay among the relevantly coherent regions of the planet and its relevant set of populations, which are relatively significantly inter-active. Now, since the Discovery of America brought into play by the influence traced to Nicholas of Cusa: the notion of the planet as a whole, has meant increasingly, with the subsequent passage of time: and, the varying scope of the planets human habitation, throughout, as a relative whole. Politically, that means the struggle, chiefly by Christians in the legacy of Peter and Paul, who had lived under the Zeus-ian bestiality of the Roman Empire. This reality, as apprehended by the great genius Nicholas of Cusa, had foreseen the strategic urgency of moving out of the strategic zone of Eurasia. His concern had been centered in the threat to the existence of a Christian society, which history, since the Roman Empire, had shown, could not be sustained within strategically nearby Europe and its supra-European scope of strategically efficient significance. So, living associates of a deceased Cusa, had continued an original devotion to moving elements of European civilization, from the Eurasian nightmare of the Zeus-ian reigns of the recurring Roman-imperial-rooted terror, and, the genocide which had been repeatedly conducted against Christians and Jews (cf. Philo), in particular. The crossing of the Atlantic, by Columbus, was Columbuss own, specific intention, but, one imbued within him through a great Christian Bishop, closely tied to Cusa, in Portugal. That was the struggle to revive the Christian legacy, then, within a beleaguered Europe, since Cusas death: Columbus was drafted by the associates of Cusa, to carry out that great mission. Immediately, already during Columbuss voyages to the Americas, the massive wave of religious warfare within Europe served as a destructive force. William Shakespeare had been a notable intellectual force within Britain (especially England) during the latter part of the preceding century and the opening decade of the Seventeenth Century. This can not be competently minimized; it is always a relative handful of creative human spirits which had, always produced great moments in historywhenever they had, in fact, proposed even as relatively significant forces. True genius has always been the exceptional case: not only in relative influence on the population in general, but the intensity of true genius encountered during relevant, exceptional movements of progress in the human condition. On that account, the Twentieth Century has been largely an abomination, but for Franklin Roosevelt and the relatively mini-renaissance of John F. Kennedys brief, if nonetheless great, life, as President. However, trans-Atlantic musical culture had collapsed into narrower and shallower expressions, respecting breadth and depth, since the death of Johannes Brahms and since the mathematical forms of degeneration of scientific rates of creative progress, as since the mathematicians backsliding of 1900 and the onset of the Horatio Alger and related hoaxes of the Theodore Roosevelt, Wilson, Coolidge, and Hoover years of general political and moral obscenities. President Franklin Roosevelts four elections to the Presidency, were the one, truly great exception to a British-directed treasons increasingly depressing effect on the minds and morals of our U.S.A. population. Those elements of a trend in direction, typify that road toward Hell, which now grips the trans-Atlantic region of our planet. That means: that the trend, since that time, in particular, in political thinking, heretofore, in U.S. national politics, already condemns our republic, like western Europe itself, to a virtual Hell. The only remedy, is to kick the pricks, and, to urge those who enjoy no promise of leisurely succor, to disturb the ostensibly established order of the presumed ruling class of the United States, in particular, which they spit upon as unfit to rule: lest the human species itself be destroyed by the influence of an affluent class, such as that of Wall Street presently. The complacency of the incumbent regime, must be upset by those who are the incumbent fat political and financial cats, cats who must now be sorely upset, and that very soon, and most emphatically, as they have responded violently to my interventions since this past year. This is not a matter of upsetting a serene government; it is the only means of rescuing our republic from an epidemic of essentially worse than merely useless fat political and financial cats. We must assemble an array of the concerned, to the purpose of ridding the planet of the disease, as typified by Wall Street, which threatens to destroy the civilization of our planet so immediately as now. What, therefore, is the wonderful remedy which might bring such a noble outcome for all humanity, about? III. Our Renaissance Now. I am going to take advantage from an authors right: to quote myself at a certain length, this time from my concluding remarks during a Webcast presentation made here on the Friday, February 7th evening. For many, my message there was shocking, but necessarily so: even among most of my own immediate associates. Nonetheless, the relevance of what I had spoken, on that occasion, last evening, has the relatively greatest degree of relevance, if and when we consider the global threat of thermonuclear human-extinction-threat, a human extinction which is now threatening a relatively immediate global human extermination. I shall now place those remarks copied from that evenings webcast, within quotation-marks, and shall, thereafter, present my concluding message for this report as a whole. LaRouche: Well, all these questions come under one great issue, that man is not an animal. Mankind is being educated as if he were an animal. Mankind is also, often being treated, socially, as if he were an animal; but, mankind is not an animal. The difference is what is called creativity. Now, for most people in the educational system, today: as a result of that educational system, very few people understand the true message of science. For example, all modern science of any competence, has depended upon the contributions specific to two great figures of the Renaissance period: Filippo Brunelleschi, the older figure, who invented modern physics: he built a great cathedral, for example; the greater figure, the most universal genius of that age, was Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa. The interconnected work of those two, was the first miracle of this type ever created in modern times: I have been there, in effect of my knowledge of the history of modern science; I know it. [Ive seen it again, and again, and I have admired it, and studied it. Ive worked with scientists in understanding what the accomplishment was. He was the greatest genius!] He changed all kinds of conceptions of physics, and so forth: all the bad ones, all the ones I hate! Like Euclidean geometry: the crazy geometry thats taught in schools! Its for idiots; its not for human beings. Its not scientific; its junk! Euclidean geometry? Its garbage! It always was! It never had any scientific merit, whatsoever. You know, for example: I was about the age of 14, and I used to visit, with my family, on the outskirts of Boston; and, I went there a number of times. And Id seen the U.S.S. Constitution, at bay, again and again. And, how can you just go to see the Constitution? How can you go to see the Constitution, all the time? I was 13-14 years of age, so, I enjoyed the Constitution; I thought it was great; but, we were unable to take [that ship] out; were not able to go with it; youre not able to experience anything with it. So, I looked at other things. View full size EIRNS/Stuart Lewis And, now, I happened to be, not so coincidentally, in a period in which the transition from iron-and-brick construction in cities [had dominated], but we had come into a new phase. We were now in the age of sky-scraping structural steel. So, I would go over, and study the structural steel and compare that with the iron-and-brick construction; and, I would have made a number of visits, three or four visits there; and I realized what I was looking at. Now, I didnt know anything about Euclidean geometry as such; I didnt know the name of Euclidean geometry existed. So, the first day of this class, the teacher, who happened to be a friend of my mother, said: Okay, who knows what geometry is? Any of you got an idea of what geometry is? I said: Yes, sure. She said: O.K. So, I had to explain this process about the structural steel, in which you had to compensate for the part of the steel which is actually useful in supporting structure, as opposed to iron rod; and you have to realize that you must not have all that weight; you must discover how much of the steel you actually require to do the supporting job, and, what part is just weight which is going to increase the burden. So, I saw this in the form of punched-hole steel structure; I saw it in terms of cross-wires, which approximated that, and, so, I said, thats it. This, to me, is the principle of geometry. It has to be: because its the principle of construction. And, boy did I get really beaten up on that: No; thats not what Euclid said.!!! I said: Well, Euclids an idiot! [laughter] Which he was. This was my experience, in terms of finding exactly how I resolved what was going on. Because, the problem we have in society, in the education, even in my age, is that people in the education processand its much worse now; education in public schools in decent parts of the economy, is not stable: its worse than ever. Children, teenagers, and so forth are worse-educated in their time, than they were in mine. People of my generation were geniuses compared to what you get as college graduates, today. This is a fair standard: no exaggeration, whatsoever. You look at the educational program: the basic problem here, is that which is common to both then, and now: is, that the basis of what people think they know, is based on the presumption, that theyre given tests on various subjects; theyre pre-conditioned to receive these tests. And, if the teacher says something wrong, well, then, the teachers will mark you down, for supporting a policy they dont agree with. And, this is not done on the teachers volition; it is done by the system of education. So, the system of education prescribes those methods of right questions and answers. And you are supposed to guess what the right question is, and the right answer to that question. And, you are graded then, on the basis of whether you agree with what youre taught, or not. That was bad then; its worse now. Public opinion now, is much more ignorant; it almost makes monkeys look smartthe way in which your education system works. So, that, essentially, is the key part. So, the problem is, What does science mean? Then, you get into the real meat: when you start from this kind of exploration, realizing why you are right. You know you can prove it, physically, experimentally; but, the teachers tell you: you are wrong! And, they will grade you, and they will try to drum it into your head! Well, I was a very stubborn character [and, as experience has shown, usually right in these matters]; I didnt like that kind of stuff [like that]; but, I would drum back! But, what the demonstration is: You say: Wait a minutetheyre saying that mathematics is science? Ive just seen the mathematics in this classroom; Ive seen the mathematics! It aint true. Its based on numbers [not physics]. Well, the short of it is, as you were just referring to it, is the fact that mathematics is not science. Mathematics is a cheap imitation of science; its not science! And, other considerations are involved. What you see: is, when you look at the mind of man, and thats what I look at, and Im a great lover of Classical musical composition. I lived on it. I dwelled on it. I devoured it. I pursued it. I sought it out where I could find it. And, I know something about science! And, when I compare that with Shakespeare? Shakespeare was a scientist; he was not a playwright! Yes, he was [also] a playwright, but he knew how to put some stuff into the play! Which is something most playwrights dont know how to do. Thats why you get the crap in music, and the crap in drama, and so forth, that you have in drama today. Because, we dont realize: you can not separate the passion of man, from what you want to call the knowledge of man! And, Shakespeare demonstrates that in his insight into history! Now, what is this thingwhy cant monkeys think! They may invent sometimes, but you dont want them around at the time, if you know anything about monkeys. Now, the gorilla: thats a different case; the gorillas very polite; he doesnt ask for sex: until his wife beats him up. Very gentle guyamazing. This big brutish guy, is a very gentle guy [as such matters go], is a very gentle kind of animal, the mountain gorilla especially. But, the issue is: what is humanity? Well, humanity is not an animal [species]. And, so, you have two parts: you have the mental process, which is divided into two different parts: the mental process is divided into [two] different parts: you have the function of the brain. Now, all kinds of things have brains. Plants almost even try to develop an approximation in the way they function; but, its mostly tension, biological tension. But, in mankind, its different. In mankind: take people like Max Planck and Albert Einstein [are]: outstanding, well-known names. What is different about them and a piece of crap like Bertrand Russell? And the students of Bertrand Russell, who are all a pain in the neck, or other parts of the anatomy, if you prefer? You realize, there is no separation between mans particular kind of creative passionand Im speaking of creativity, what makes man different than an animal. Its something which we call, in many ways, spiritual; but, the spiritual is something too vaporous, its mysterious. Well: its not [actually] mysterious. Its only mysterious to the ignorant. And, our job is to develop a society in which ignorance is cured. It doesnt mean [a] perfect cure; because, you always have to progressbut, thats the point! What do we mean by progress in knowledge? We mean the discovery of principle. What did Max Planck discover; what did Einstein discover? They didnt discover how to deduce something; they discovered a principle which was previously unknown; and, they were able to test, whether, or not, it was a know[able] quantity. Mankind is not an animal. Mankind, as we know him: first, as mankind, as we can prove archeologically [and] otherwise, man was cooking his lunch. Animals do not cook their lunch: they dont use fire as an instrument. They [humans] are Prometheans, not Zeus-ians. Zeus-ians dont allow fire to be used by people. Only Prometheans permit fire to be used: as an instrument of man. Now, what is it we mean by fire? Well: we mean chemistry. And, chemistry is not a fixed system. The universe is changing all the time; its evolving to higher states; but, animals cant do that. The animal has no knowledge of that; but, the human being does. So, you have people [who] love Cusa and Brunelleschi. They were exemplary of a new generation, a new culture, coming out of a very dark period of mans past. They created modern science!and, they didnt believe in deduction! And, thats the difference! Because: when we educate people properly: we realize that mathematics does not have anything to do with passion, or with the principles of science. What they believe in is a dead man; they are like the victims in the pupils of the school, where the teachers set down the rules, and youre graded on the basis of whether you happen to be the lucky one who thought what the teacher wanted to hear! Then, you got a good grade: if they didnt like that, you got a bad grade! And, thats the way this thing works! View full size NASA/Pat Rawlings So, the system of science is, actually: [that] were treating people like animals; when, actually, creativity is located within the ability of the individual to make a discovery of a principle of nature, and thats chemistry. Mankind operates on the basis of chemistry! Its called fire! Its the Promethean force of fire! [I.e., energy-flux density.] And, by fire, you rise to higher and higher powers of chemistry. And, many chemists get confused on this, because they get so trapped up with [what] they can do, they forget about discovery [of principles]. But, everything that was done in chemistry came about as a discovery! A creation of the human mind, of the human imagination! And, the ability to criticize your imagination, of the human imagination! And, the ability to criticize your own imagination, and to determine, by testing, [whether] this thing you call a principle, is true, or not: you test it. Now, many chemists dont do it properly; but, the intention in the system of chemistry, is there. Mankind is the fire-bringer! Hes the Promethean, the fire-bringer! And, what hes doing is discovering new, higher forms of fire: like the application of Helium-3 to the process of creating a superpower for mankind, per capita, [from the Moon] on Earth! And, as long as you believe that mathematics will teach you that stuff, youre an idiot. You may not intend to be an idiot; you are educated to be an idiot: because you didnt do the one thing thats the difference between man and the beast. The essential difference: what is the spirit, the creative spirit? No animal has ever been able to actually discover a principle; whatever principle they have, is built into them, biologically. But, the human body has two crucial points. One is the human brain; the other, is the human mind. The human mind is the product of the noetic process operating on the human brain. So, therefore, when you die, if you are a scientist, you are dead. You are silenced; your body no longer functions: it goes away, disappears. But, then, when you look at the case of Max Planck, or Albert Einstein, of Nicholas of Cusa, or, Brunelleschi, or Kepler, or Leibniz, you see a process of discovery of principle! What happens, once you die, if you are a creative person, once you die: you achieve what is called immortality: because, what you have done: you have given others around you, the experience of making discoveries. So, instead of trying to learn how to respond to predetermined behavior (which is what the stupid student does in school, to get an A grade) you have [instead] given others around you, the [shared] experience of making discoveries. So, instead of trying to learn to respond to predetermined behavior, which is what the stupid student does to get an A grade, you, then, become fascinated by the process of discovery: which is located only in the human body, otherwise. The human body, biologically, is necessary to support the function of the human mind, even to give birth to it. But, what remains, is immortal, and its true immortality. Immortality is the immortality of what we call the soul. Its something which is associated with the human mind; its associated with the body, in the sense that you dont develop a mind without the nourishment of the body; but, once you have a developed mind, you become a human being (in fact). The problem is, that we bestialize people; we bestialize them byyou knowtalk, talk! By saying, fact, fact, fact! No fact ever existed, that was true. Because, always, in every case, in every generation, every part of mankind, something is changing; and, what was true yesterday, is no longer true, because something new has come into being. And, its the process of coming into being, at a higher organization, as opposed to, the deadliness, the Satanic quality of the deadliness of the Green policy. Thats the difference; its creativity! And, you can never reduce creativity to mere mathematics; as a matter of fact, the reliance on mere[ly] mathematics, is bad! IV. When Money Is Bad for You View full size Creative Commons Every truly intelligent man, or woman, knows that money-as-such is bad for the human life-expectancy, generally. Money is useful only when it is treated as a medium-of-exchange for the purpose of increasing the ration of the productive powers of human labor. Other uses of money, are always like a deadly narcotic, which must, therefore, be minimized as much as possible. Gambling is intrinsically a Satanic practice, by its nature. Any one who disagrees with that distinction, is a dangerous fool, or, actually, even a person with criminal propensities. Wall Street has proven itself to be the worst criminal of them all; and it is closely associated with a related criminality known as the related crime: known as drug-trafficking, and its like, which must, therefore, promptly, be ceased-to-exist. Alexander Hamilton had presented conclusive evidence to that effect. John Quincy Adams gave brilliantly expert opinion on that factand he virtually created the forty-eight-state-system, as a system; that done with a stroke of economic genius which he copied, faithfully from Benjamin Franklin, and, also, the guidance of Hamiltons role in rescuing a young United States which would not have lasted without his four great principles built into the foundations of the United States, while serving as Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington. President John Quincy Adams, (the man who had inspired Abraham Lincoln) is to be considered as the heir of Hamilton on this same account. William McKinley: all three (excepting what I have already identified as the great John Quincy Adams immediately above): Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln, and William McKinley, plus, later, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his brother Robert, were British-created victims of the British imperial instruments, such as British professional assassin Aaron Burr. That had been the same Burr who created both Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren as Burrs agents, agents placed (so) in candidacy for President. In fact, an (actual) majority of our Presidents were virtually traitors to the United States, in relatively greater or lesser degree; I am quite familiar with the listings to be considered on that account. The list of actual, or implicit traitors who served among our Presidents, had been, in large degree, tied through New York City and some related locations elsewhere, to the Dutch settlement banking in Manhattan and functionally related locations. Hence Wall Street, and such products as the role of Prescott Bush in rescuing Adolf Hitler from imprisonment for bankruptcy (in time to bring Hitler and his trappings into power in Europe), with very great support for Hitler from the British political and financial establishment of that time. Winston Churchill was no better, at bottom, but, in fact, only less dumb than the wishy-washy sort of addled creatures, such as Chamberlain, whom he had replaced. The underlying issue, to which these present remarks refer, has all been of, broadly said, the same political-economic genre. Wall Street is a related case of extreme moral turpitude and murderous inclinations against our republic and its best heroes. It should be terminated from our republics agenda of policy-shaping. To come to the relevant, concluding point of this present chapter, and all before it, is the urgency of recognizing the essential principle of intention, located early on in the leading role of Nicholas of Cusa, in and after his own time, and the expression given to that same legacy by such heirs of Christopher Columbus and Cusa, himself: as had the leaders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who were, then, brutalized by the Dutch brutes who went on to play the grand dirty joke of invading and looting the British Isles, slaughtering the Irish, and naming their victims, the subjects of the British empire. The British empire, so far, was established, under Dutch influence, as a specified de facto New Roman Empire: in every essential respect, an evil the same in spirit as the ancient Roman Empire. The creation of our own republic, a venture launched by the heirs of the Dutch-crushed Massachusetts Bay Colony, and that through the appointment of young Benjamin Franklin, who was soon proven to be a great scientific genius, the Benjamin Franklin by whom we have come to enjoy the benefits of such singular geniuses, American heroes, as the great strategist George Washington, and his economist, Alexander Hamilton. John Quincy Adams was a true echo of both, as Abraham Lincoln had been the heir of John Quincy Adams. Our system of government, once established as a unique creation, rooted in the legacies of Nicholas of Cusa and the magnificent American quasi-nation in Massachusetts Bay, was always a unique institution, one freed, thus, from the oligarchical trappings of an oligarchical Europe, by our heroes who created our America, and was implicitly intended to be the rescue of civilization from the legacy of the Roman Empire and its precursors. Our Federal Constitution, as the reflection of the achievements of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was a unique achievement for all mankind. Now, burdened with the pestilence of unworthy, British-created Presidencies, with but few exceptions among the unworthy, but all-too-populous sort of the Presidential pack, we must now be returned to our true, Constitutional legacy, according to its original meaning to be found in the exceptional political figures which have been the rare, but excellent leadership to which we must return today: if, not only our republic is to enjoy its true rebirth, but, that we shall become, once more, during in these most perilous times of thermonuclear hellishness ahead, a true replica of the soul which we have rightly inherited. We must be, again, a leadership of an uncorrupted mission. In these times, of lowest condition of corruption and other turpitudes among our leading political class, and the desperation of a menaced general population, we must do the opposite: We shall seize the potential of thermonuclear fusion, aided in that practice by the use of the raw material sent to our Moon, by the Sun himself. With the enhancement of the methods of thermonuclear fusion through the factor of helium-3 as an included raw material, we can be enriched out of the depths of our peoples presently desperate and worsening poverty. Three ingredients: Thermonuclear fusion as a power to drive us to achieve the necessary impossible, to inspire our depressed population with a promise which makes life, once more, an inspiration to achieve the enjoyment of living for better times, and a restored confidence in the vision of an immortal meaning of human life, as we, still living on Earth, shall soon achieve a harvest from our Moon, and from the fields of asteroids from which we shall harvest much that our future prospects will require. We shall live on Earth, better than before, but we shall never again, be merely Earthlings. This article appears in the March 29, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this article] Our Outcry Must Not Come Too Late! We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. The following statement was issued by the International Peace Coalition on Friday, March 22, for immediate distribution internationally. Let us mince no words. The world is now on a direct, short path to thermonuclear war. Dont blame Russia, or China. We, in the trans-Atlantic world, are the problem, and with us lies the solution. If we continue to wait to see what happens, if we wait for those in the military-monetary power structure to come to their senses, we will be too late to stop humanitys last war. The time to act, is now. On Sunday, March 17, at the conclusion of the Russian Presidential elections, Vladimir Putin, responding to a reporters question regarding French President Macrons Feb. 26 comments that deployment of NATO ground troops to Ukraine could not be ruled out, said: It is clear to everyone that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War III. I think hardly anyone is interested in this. However, as the late Israeli politician Abba Eban once said, Never underestimate the factor of insanity in politics. The Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights lists 110 armed conflicts in the world today. This is the result of todays imperial rules-based order. The obscenity of the war in Gaza, which rationalizes tens of thousands of children being mass-murdered for crimes and causes of which they are entirely innocent, requires us to stand up and act. We must disrupt the plans of the merchants and missionaries of death, that assure us that they must destroy Gaza (or, for that matter, Ukraine) in order to save it. International Peace Coalition founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche has said: A new world economic order is emerging, involving the vast majority of the countries of the Global South. They have declared: Colonialism is over! The European nations and the U.S. must not fight this effort, but, by joining hands with the developing countries, must cooperate to shape the next epoch of the development of the human species to become a renaissance of the highest and most noble expressions of creativity! This cannot be done in a world dominated by war. We need the greatest outcry against war that the world has ever seen. Therefore, the International Peace Coalition declares a red alert mobilization. The war for humanity must be won now before the final warthe war against humanity itselfis ever fought. Demonstrations, boycotts and exposes of the death merchants, letters and statements from and to institutions, vigils, and every imaginable creative, non-violent direct action to disrupt the worlds rendezvous with doomsday is needed now. Choose Humanity Over War! Oasis Plan for Gaza, Not Genocide! Stop NATOs War with Russia! This transcript appears in the March 29, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this transcript] Interview: Theodore Postol The Russians Have Won: The Only Question Is, How Will It End? Dr. Postol is Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology and National Security at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This is an edited transcript of an interview of March 20, 2024, conducted by Paul Gallagher for EIR. Subheads have been added. EIR: Professor, you were for years a professor of Science, Technology and National Security at MIT, and consulted quite a bit as an expert on weapons technologies. Would you like to describe your other experiences with regard to the subject were discussing tonight, which will be concentrating on the NATO-Russia war over Ukraine? View full size Courtesy of Theodore Postol Theodore Postol Professor Postol: Well, I got into this activity quite through a series of accidents, when I started out really intending to have a career in pure science. I found the environment not very personally satisfying. There are certainly good reasons why other people would stay at it, but I found it a little bit more personally competitive. And theres a lot of concern about inflating, or selling the work, you know, the research that people were doing. And, and I didnt find that satisfying. And I was becoming increasingly concerned about the nuclear arms race, which I had had some interest in before I came to the national laboratory I worked at. I had attended some seminars, while I was at MIT, with several senior members of the [World War II] Manhattan Project; and they were physicists, and they described their experiences. And that had increased my interest greatly in the dangers from nuclear weapons, mainly. What I found so illuminating and disturbing in these seminars was the way very distinguished scientists, who were idols to me at the time, would openly acknowledge how little they understood about the effects of nuclear weapons until they actually saw the effects of these weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And that impressed me, because people like these people were certainly trained to have a deep knowledge of the physical universe, to not be surprised by what they saw. And they were surprised. And that caused me to feel that this is a seriousthis is an area where people dont really understand it. If these people didnt understand it, the average person is certainly not going to understand it. And I became increasingly concerned about the large numbers of nuclear weapons that both the Soviet Union and the United States were building at that time. They were getting into tens of thousands of nuclear weapons, so tremendous growth in the nuclear arsenals of both countries. And thats what started getting me into this business. Through a series of accidents at the national laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, where I worked. I got involved in a legal confrontation between the U.S. government and a left-wing magazine called The Progressive magazine. Its a magazine out of Madison, Wisconsinwas started by the famous progressive politician [Robert] La Follette. The magazine was attempting to publish an article that was titled, The Secret of the Hydrogen Bomb, How We Got It, and Why Were Telling It. And, I had talked to the author of this article, well before it became an issue of confrontation between the U.S. government and the magazine itself. He showed me this diagram of a nuclear device, which he then explained how he thought it worked. And I told him it couldnt possibly work the way he thought. And I explained how it would have to work, if it worked. In fact, I did not have any clue that this was a working device until I got involved with the court, and I was told it was a working device by weapons laboratory people who were also filing affidavits. But I then told the court how this weapon would have to work if it was a working weapon. And it turned out that my description of how it would have to work, was secret, restricted data that the U.S. government was trying to protect. And I basically didnt know why, because I had no clearances and I had no understanding of why it was classified. So, youre classifying; your classification has no meaning. And thats what got me into thinking maybe I should be working in public policy. I couldnt understand how the U.S. government could be claiming something was classified that was obviously not protectable information. And so, I wrote a letter to John Glenn, who was then the Chair of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Committee in the Senate, explaining to him what I learned, and why I was concerned that the information was not protectable. And it turned out that he then wrote the Department of Energy about my letter; and they classified my letter secret restricted data when they received it from him. Its the first and only case [of] an attempt to bypass the First Amendment and stop the publication of an article before it was publishedand it failed, fortunately. And the reason I was involved, in fact, was because of the First Amendment. And in that sense, it was a successful outcome. Revealing Case of the MX Peacekeeper Missile It seemed to me that since I wasnt enjoying my activities in science, it might be a reasonable thing for me to take a leave of absence from the laboratory and see if I could do something useful in Washington. And through a series of accidents, I wound up at the Office of Technology Assessment, where there was a very large study I was a participant in, on the MX missile and how the MX missile would be based. The MX missile was a large ICBM, about a 100-ton ICBM, and carried ten warheads, and the U.S. Air Force was trying to get it deployed as a follow-on to the Minuteman III missiles that we had. We still have Minuteman IIIs. We no longer have MX missiles, or Peacekeepers, as they were called. Nobody could find a way to base the Peacekeeper in a way that would not be subject to a pre-emptive attack from the Soviet Union. And at that time we had a much more responsible Congress, actively involved in the debate over whether or not the Peacekeeper missiles should be deployed in a mode that would make it susceptible to a pre-emptive strike. There was a long, complex series of debates [in] which I wound up participating, first as one of the team who published a study for the Congress. And then afterwards I got hired by the U.S. Navy to be an advisor to the then Chief of Naval Operations, Jim [Admiral James] Watkins. And I spent two years in the belly of the beast, learning a tremendous amount about our nuclear forces and our nuclear procedures. I would spend nights reading classified documents about different weapon systems, and learning about the technologies used in them. It was a great opportunity for me. And I also did some useful things while in that job. I convinced three of the five Joint Chiefs of Staff to vote against a scheme for deploying the MX missile that would have been disastrous for the United States, known as [inaudible] based MX. And I showed the chiefs how this system would not be capable of launching, that the Soviets could actually stop it from launching, becauseit had some peculiarities. And he went to the Joint Chiefs and he got three of the five Joint Chiefs to join him in voting against it. NATO Escalates a War Russia Has Won EIR: I want to ask you about this situation in which several NATO nations leaders are now publicly discussing providing, at arms length supposedly, long-range missiles to Ukraine, in order to escalate and strike Russia directly, even so far as Moscow and so on. And now it appears, also discussing sending their own troops into Ukraine. And another person who has extensively studied the impact the results of a nuclear war would have, informed us a couple of days ago that the French discussion now included the direct deploymentdiscussion of direct deploymentof a large number of troops, perhaps as many as 20,000, into Ukraine. We pursued this and found that a French lieutenant coloneland Im presuming this is a retired lieutenant colonelnamed Arbaretier was interviewed a couple of days ago on French TV, and actually proposed that the French put thousands of troops along the Dnieper River in Ukraine. And with those troops, to stand off Russian advances into Ukraine. This is obviously not official, but nonetheless, the president of France, [Emmanuel] Macron, has also been speaking along these lines. So I want to ask you where you think this escalation is going to lead. And even more important, perhaps: Are these leaders, who are talking this way, rational? Professor Postol: Well, let me be both crass, and then more subtle. Let me, first, be crass. If the French do this, the Russians will kill those forces. Theyll kill them. They have no chance against the Russians at this time. And it would be a murderously reckless action on the part of Macron to put his soldiers in the way of the Russians at this time. They have, absolutely, the most capable army in the world nowunambiguously so, even against the United States. And to put the French troops in the path of the Russians will definitely result in them being essentially destroyed. Mr. Macron ought to understand that. Now, in a less crass way. I think the odds of that happening are not zero, but are low. Because I think when the French public gets faced with the prospects of having their own soldiers go and be massacred for no constructive outcome, theres going to be an outcry that is extremely large and serious. Any honest technical assessment of the situation with regard to French troops against the Russians, leads to the conclusion that they will suffer tremendous casualties and will be overrun. Macron was given that information by his own military. He was given documents, they leaked out [in Marianne magazineed.]. And he was told. So, hes going to have to face an angry electorate, where hes going to have to explain how his own military told him that doing this kind of thing is going to result in the loss of a tremendous number of French soldiers, and have no constructive effect on the war in Ukraine. I think this is a very unfortunate development. More important than Macrons unbelievable recklessness and ignorance, is that hes not alone. When you look at the behavior and the lack of leadership, and the lack of understanding of what theyre dealing with, by Western leaders in Europe! Our president [Biden] is also not in touch with reality. But the fact of the matter is that the Russians have won this war. It is already won. The only question is, how will it end? The Russians have superior numbers of forces. And they have all of the equipment they need to defeat Ukraine and anybody else whos foolish enough to put themselves in the way of the Russians. The Russian Air Force now controls the air over Ukraine, which is a very important development. It wasnt the case initially in the war, but the Russians have worked assiduously to destroy the air defenses that the Ukrainians have. And now they can fly their aircraft at will. Okay, thats important, because the Russians have these glide bombs they have introduced in the Ukraine war. And these glide bombs are up to 3,000 pounds each, that can be pinpoint-delivered against targets. There is essentially no concrete and steel target that can survive one of these bombs. And any attempt to build defensive positions by the Ukrainian army will be defeated, because [the Russians] have the ability to deliver these fantastically destructive and accurate glide bombs, by aircraft which do not have to contend with air defenses. In addition, the Russians have essentially an unlimited number of 155-millimeter artillery shells which they can use in combat, while the Ukrainians are nearly down to nothing. Now these artillery shells, in combination with aircraft, mean that any movements on the part of the Ukrainians, particularly with equipment, will quickly be identified and destroyed by the Russiansbecause both sides have a very high level of knowledge of what the other is doing, because both sides have all these drones. This is a new development in warfare. The drones not only perform the function of attacking vehicles (those drones are typically called kamikaze drones), but they also have the function of surveillance. So, for example, there are certain drones, their only job is surveillance. They sit at a few kilometers altitude. They survey the scene, and they have communication links to these other types of drones, which aretypically, the most common that the Russians are using is a drone called Lancet, which is completely different from the Geranium drones that are doing surveillance. And the Geranium drones look down. They see things on the ground. They communicate directly to the Lancet drones. Theyre not launching Lancet drones; the drones are being launched from somewhere else. Then the drones fly, under the communications information from the Geranium drones, and they attack the targets on the ground. In the case of air defense what has happened is, the Russians have very effectively used their version of an AWACS, an airborne warning and control aircraft. And those aircraft have been provided with direct links, communication links to very long-range, highly capable surface-to-air missiles that are in the S400 and S500, and actually S300 air defense systems. This allows the Russian air defense systems to shoot at aircraft that are below the radar horizon because the Earths curvature does not allow the radar to see beyond a range of, maybe, 100150 km. But the aircraft can track the Ukrainian aircraft, and the Ukrainian aircraft doesnt even know its being tracked. The ground system gets the tracking information and can attack the Ukrainian aircraft while its in flight. And theyve destroyed a vast part of the Ukrainian Air Force. The Russians have shown a great deal of innovation that has completely surprised the West. And that is, in part, because Western political and military leaders have underestimated them. They have not realized what a capable adversary were dealing with. The Peace Available Two Years Ago And it can only get worse. [The] Russians are expanding their army; theyre going to probably have 1.5 million soldiers within maybe the next six months to a year, under arms. And the West has nothing: The French have 180,000 soldiers under arms, and they send 20,000 to be murdered in Ukraine? For what? If I were French, Id be outraged. Im outraged as an American, that this war has been a slaughter of innocent people on both sides, both Russians and Ukrainians; because this war did not have to be fought. This was a war that was instigated by the Western political leadership. And then, when there was an agreement reached between Russia and Ukraine in March of 2022, literally a few weeks after the initial Russian invasion, the United States blocked the agreement. This agreement was initialed by both Ukrainian and Russian representatives who negotiated it. And Zelensky was told, If you dont reject this agreement, youre on your own. We wont help you in any way. So he pulled out of the agreement. And the United States had people like Lloyd Austin, our Secretary of Defense, making statements like, We want this war to go on because we think we can do strategic damage to Russia. This is a proxy war that was started and maintained by the United States, who also led NATO, which was followed by the Western leaders of NATO. They deserve blame for being so naive and reckless themselves, just following the U.S. And now they have really infuriated the Russianswhich in my view is understandableand theyre going to get much less for this. The war is lost. The Ukrainian army has lost over 400,000, maybe 450,000 soldiers. It was originally the size of maybe 800850,000 at the beginning of the Russian incursion. Theres tremendous resistance in the Ukrainian population to further people being drafted. Who knows whatll happen? Theres been discussion about it for months, but the government has been afraid, as far as I can tell, to announce conscription, because Ukrainians are beginning to figure out that theyre not fighting and dying for their country. Theyre fighting and dying for nothing now, because this was a war that did not have to occur, and they are being thrown at the Russians and being massacred by the Russians. EIR: You brought up the earlier negotiations in the Spring of 2022, that if the French wanted to put their forces on the Dnieper River and block the Russians there, they could certainly have had that by simply negotiating, without deploying any of their forces! Professor Postol: This war was not and is not about territory. It was about NATO expansion. In the [Spring 2022ed.] agreement that was negotiatedthat Zelensky then backed out ofPutin basically said, You can take back all the lands. We have taken all of them almost immediately. We will withdraw our troopsexcept for Crimea, because Crimea is so fundamental to the security of Russia, that he wasnt going to give that back. He did make it clear that he wasnt. Other than that, he said, Just dont join NATO and were out of here. Now, I think his attitude is different. A lot of lives have been lost by the Russians, just as the Ukrainians. And, hes angry and he doesnt believe the West can be trusted in any treaty. Hes made very detailed and significant statements about why the West has basically reneged on almost all of the promises they had made to the Russians. And let me tell you, the facts are correct that he cites. The New York Times wont tell you that, but go and look at the historical statements, in the documents. And, so we have this environment in the West where fake news is governing the population, the understanding of the American people and many Western Europeans. But its beginning to break down now, because the Russians have done so much damage, you cant hide it. EIR: So let me ask you about the other form of the war, the sanctions. They were publicly believed at the time by everybody from Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary of the U.S., to the Foreign Minister of Germany, [Annalena] Baerbock, to be capable of fairly quickly reducing the Russian economyeven ruining it, in the words of Baerbock. That clearly hasnt happened. Professor Postol: Baerbock needs a lesson in economics, but go ahead. EIR: It obviously hasnt happened, but they still talk about it as if it still could happen. Whats your take on that? Sanctions and Russian Protectionism Professor Postol: Baerbock must know that the GDP growth of Germany now is minus 0.3%, and that the GDP growth of Russia is now somewhere around 3% or higher. I would think she should start asking herself, What did I not understand? Ill be honest with you, I know so little about economics. Literally, any time I read something, I learn something, because Im a physicist by training. But what appears to be happening, if you take the trouble to read a little, is, the sanctions inadvertently caused Russia to become a somewhatlike practicing protectionism in the United States, where you dont allow, lets say, Chinese foreign goods to come into your country, and it allows for your own industry to flourish, because theyre not competing against somebody who has an advantage in terms of being able to undersell you. But in the case of Russia, what happened is that the West imposed sanctions on them, which, in effect, closed the Russian economy to trade with the West. Well, it turns out that the oligarchs are restricted from sending money out of the country now, under Putin. Hes said, you cant rape the country if you have money. If you make money, you invest it here. So, these guys have nowhere to invest the money. Except that now, all of a sudden, there are all these products that people want and need, that you can manufacture at home. And so, you have this tremendous growth of manufacturing thats now going on in Russia thats fueling its civilian economy. On top of that, you have, of course, this war. Military spending is never as effective for improving your economy, you know, because youre manufacturing something and youre basically dumping it into the ocean. But you do pay people money, and that money goes into your economy. And they then have buying power that feeds demand for the civilian goods that are now being manufactured. Plus, you have tremendous trade going on between Russia and China and its growing. It was, I think it was about 200 billion [dollars equivalented.] last year, but wouldnt surprise me at 300400 billion by the next year. These countries have lots of things to trade, including oil. The West decided that Russia couldnt sell its oil. Well, how were they going to enforce that? You have now, the Global South, which Jerry [Belsky of the Schiller Institute] has talked to me about, but in fact, I do know something about, although I agree with what hes pointed out to me. And you have the Global South, and theyve been looking at the United States and saying, You know, youve been bullying us for a long time. Weve had it. The Indians get a good deal on oil from Russia. They want it. The Russians sell it to them at a bargain rate. Although now, the cost of oil has gone up to the global level. Interestingly enough, the United States has not been able to keep it down. And the Indians benefit from this. They say, Were not your enemy, U.S., and were not your enemy, Russia; were your trade partners. You know, this statement, this naive and intentionally insulting statement that really revealed the ignorance of people in the West, was calling Russia a gas station with nothing else. Well, youre wrong. Its a rich, vibrant societywhich does not have a government I would want to live under. I want to be very clear. I would never want to live in Russia. But because you dont like something that a another country does, doesnt mean you have to assume that theyre idiots, that they have no culture of their own, that they have no innovation of their own. Americans have this problem, they think that everybody else is stupid, except for them. Its not true. Americans are very clever and innovative. And by the way, so are the Japanese. So are the Chinese. So are the Koreans. So are the Indians. And we have a world, now, thats becoming industrialized. And its at a tipping point. Its now industrialized enough that you have highly educated people in countries that, only a few decades ago, were helpless and did not have enough of wealth and technology base to bootstrap into something more capable. But now theyre in a state where they do have enough technology, and wealth base, and educated people, to start bootstrapping. Ive been working with scholars who are from India, in the United States. Ive met scholars from India. These are very capable people. If they have enough money and resources to be able to go ahead and build things, they can and will. And thats what were seeing. China, you know, most amazing of all. Western Leaders Should Confess and Change Course EIR: Speaking about the nations of the Global South, and particularly, India. I think this is where the Janet Yellens and Annalena Baerbocks and so forth, the Mario Draghis, this is where they still think that the sanctions are working, in holding back nations like India from doing more. Youve obviously made clear that the nations in the Global South have not bought any of this, that they have remained neutral in the conflict at least, and that they have by all means taken advantage of trade with Russia and with China in the course of this. How important do you think this could be in terms of creating a possibility for ending the escalation of the war? Professor Postol: This war could be stopped immediately if the leadership of Western Europe and the United States made the decision to do so. Im not optimistic, because I think they are ignorant, and they have been reckless and they dont want to admit it. Its not clear they even know how wrong they are. Of course, the problem with understanding what they might actually believe, is that theyre afraid of their electorates. I mean, Joe Biden is running for election. And if he knew what was happening and was totally transparent with the American electorate, he would have to say, I got you into a war that was totally avoidable. We spent enormous amounts of money on this war. We killed, you know, three-quarters of a million innocent people who didnt have to fight. It was a war of choice. We used the Ukrainian population as meat for the meat grinder. We destroyed their society for decades, because the demographics of the society is going to be [older]. People between 20 and 40 are going to have been depleted. This affects birth rates later on, you know? I dont think he would get re-elected making those campaign statements. And you look at [German Chancellor] Olaf Scholz. I mean, when I heard that the Nord Stream pipeline had been destroyed by the United Statesand it was destroyed by the United States. I actually learned that from a conversation with Seymour Hersh. Hersh and I are old friends, and I have helped him out in the past. Hes a brilliant journalist, of course. And Sy calls me up one day, and he starts asking me about all this underwater technology. I say, Whats this about, Sy? So, he says, The United States destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline. And my immediate reaction was, Youre crazy. Nobody would do something so stupid. Its going to destroy the German economy. Well, it turns out they did, and Scholz was apparently informed of it, as far as we can tell. And he allowed it to occur. Well, he didnt object, I guess. Now, this is going to come out, you know, sooner or later. Its only secret because these guys did something so reckless; and it was an act of war, but it was an act of war that was more effective against Germany than it was against Russia. I think if you look at the knowledge and mindset of the political leadership in NATO and the United States, you have to ask yourself the question, how could these people be so ignorant?... Soldiers Read History To Learn from It I mean, the CIA told the Biden Administration that there was a very high chance that this military operation [in Ukraine] would fail. It was reported by the Washington Post, but Im not sure it was reported totally accurately, because the Post said that the CIA said it was a 50-50% chance that it would fail. My guess is the CIA, at least privately at the highest level, said this has no chance at all. Because when you look at the planning that these people did, and what they adopted for a plan, you have to look at it and say, how could these people do this? The Ukrainians were given less armor and armored vehicles and soldiers than the allies had at Normandy [in 1944] when they broke out, in Operation Cobra, from the Normandy Peninsula. They had 11 divisions. That was 30-odd brigades. We gave the Ukrainians nine. [The World War II allies] had more than 2,000 tanks they used for this breakout. They dropped 1012,000 bombs in an area of three miles by one mile, to be able to punch a hole through the defense. The Ukrainians had nothing. The one thing that soldiers do, is they read history, history, and history. And when I first encountered a lot of soldiers, I said to myself, because I was naive, Why are these guys reading all this history? Technology advances and you should be studying technology. Well, I was totally wrong. Because technology advances, that causes tactics to change; that causes, you know, the way you apply the available tools you have for warfare. But the historical conditions tell you a lot about how to apply modified capabilities, that advance as you become more capable. And, you know, all you have to do is look at Operation Cobra, and then look at the Surovikin Line [Russian commander Gen. Sergey Surovikins defenses in Ukraineed.]. This is a terrifically capable defensive structure that was built by the Russians against the so-called counteroffensive. How could any soldier who knows any history and has two neurons to rub together, think that this kind of operation could have succeeded? And the answer is, a boatload of soldiers knew it couldnt succeed, but their higher-level officers were dreaming. I think there were rooms filled with colonels and lieutenant colonels watching these three- and four-star guys reliving the Gulf War of 91, where they were dealing with a third-world adversary with a third-class army, and saying to themselvesthese colonelsmy God, were going to have a massacre. And we have a massacre. Threat of Nuclear War? EIR: But with the forces that are organizing the provocationspolitical, and some militarydo you think theres more than a national security danger in this? Is there a danger of a World War III? Professor Postol: I think there is. EIR: I think youve said in the past that if any nuclear weapon is used anywhere by one of the major nuclear powers, that it will go to the use of them all.... Professor Postol: I think thats overwhelmingly likely. Its not an axiom, but its overwhelmingly probable. Im less worried about the chance of an unwanted nuclear escalation since it became very clear that the Russians have won. Because the Russians would be the most incentivized to use a nuclear weapon, if they were losing. The Russians see this war as a war of national survival. Whether thats true or not, could be a debated question. But the Russians see this as a war that determines whether they can survive as a nation. And because they see the stakes are so high, I think that its reasonable to guess that they might, under serious enough circumstances, use a very small number of nuclear weapons, that would almost certainly lead to an uncontrolled escalation. I dont think theyre in that situation now. Theres no way the Russians would use nuclear weapons, unless something totally unpredictable [occurred]. Putin is much, much too smart. And, in fact, this upsets a lot of people when I say it, because Im surrounded by people who see the Ukraine war in a different way. But what I tell people is, Im less concerned about nuclear war, because at least I know Putin is the guy who would most likely be the one to have an overwhelming pressure to initiate something. And hes much too smart, and hes much too reasoned, much too careful. He has no need to. EIR: On the French or British side; on the U.S. side Professor Postol: Well, the one sense, thank goodness, that Biden has shown, in his reactions to things, has been to absolutely rule out the use of nuclear weapons. I mean, hes been very clear about that and very repeated. Now, I dont know if hell change his mind; but it would be a catastrophe. And frankly, I dont knowif he ordered the use of nuclear weaponsif people would follow his command. You know, its not as cut and dried as people like to think. EIR: Let me ask you a more general question, or on another level. You were for many years, as I said at the beginning, a Professor of Science, Technology and National Security. What do you think should be the right relationship between scientific and technological progress on one side, and national security or international security on the other? The Chip War vs. China Is Futile Professor Postol: Well, I think thats more of a political and cultural question than it is having to do with science and technology. Of these communities of scientists and engineers and mathematicians and, you know, they just do their work and theyre happy doing their work. Certainly, there are many very capable people in the industry and academia who are doing fantastically innovative work. And if you give them resources, theyll do it to build an optical sight on a tank or an optical sight on an astrophysical telescope. So its a matter of politics and culture. And if we look at China, for example, this is a country filled with highly educated people in the sciences and engineering and mathematics and technology. Im very proud of one of the few things Ive done that I really like to brag about shamelessly. Two of my former students are full professors and tenured at Tsinghua University, which is their MIT. And I met their students, and theyre superb, and they go out and they do good things. Well, anyway, the government, through its own mechanisms in China, makes certain technologies a priority. So, for example, what the West has done to Russia, is now happening in China. We decided, in our wisdom, that were not going to let the Chinese have any advanced microchips. Were going to strangle them. Well, I got news. You didnt strangle them, you stimulated them. Because now the Chinese are now already building five-nanometer microchips. We can still build three-nanometers, which are much faster and denser. But the five-nanometer microchips theyre building are faster than the three-nanometer chips we build, because they have streamlined the process. They have brought their own innovation. They didnt use the traditional architectures that we are using. They came up with their own innovative architectures for these more advanced chips. And let me tell you, theyre going to be making three-nanometer chips, too, in not too long a time, because they made it a national priority. And they have the peopleits not just money. You have to have individuals who have the tech, who have the motivation, the knowledge, the expertise, the innovative spirit. And anybody who thinks the Chinese are just monkeys who copy things, has no idea what theyre talking about. This was the mythology with the Japanese, you know, after we leveled Japan at the end of World War II. Everyone thought of the Japanese as making little rubber ducks that were low-quality things that, you know, you give to your children. Now theyre a great industrial power. Naturally, South Koreans, too. Im sorry to say this, but I think its kind of a subtle form of racism, in my view. Theyre not white and rational like we are. Theyre different. I was really offended when Les Aspin was Secretary of Defense. This was quite a few years ago. And he starts this discussion with all these other idiots who are supposed to be experts in national security: Well, can other countries be deterred like we would be? But of course, you go near a cow who just had calves, and shell run you over. What makes you think that people who are brown-skinned and yellow-skinned arent smart enough to know whats in their own interest? I mean, its racist. But we see all the civilizations that have been built in the past. And you understand, if you know anything about human history, that we are a civilization thats tremendously powerful and advanced; but were the top of the line now, and its not clear we are the top of the line, because China may very shortly be the top of the line. EIR: I have read that China is working on generating the UV light necessary for this chip production, in cyclotron fashionalmost like a free electron laser. Or in order to operate quite a number of stations, so to speak, simultaneously, as if around a cyclotron. Does that make sense to you? Professor Postol: It makes sense. I dont know if itll achieve it, but it sounds like a plausible approach. I mean, its not scientifically ridiculous. Im sure they did assign, you know, what they would dobecause I know, I know all these scientists from China. I spent many hours with many of them. First thing they would do, is get their most theoretical and capable people to look at whether the technology can be pushed, to be able to produce the necessary ultraviolet. That seems to me to be straightforward, actually; because you can produce X-rays with these things [and] X-rays are much higher energy and require much more energetic cyclotrons, or free electron lasers. So that once they settled that question, there would be the question of intensity and the question of control of the wavelengths, and the spread of wavelengths, because there are diffraction problems and methodologies for laying down the UV radiation. That would all be done by various-level engineers with various levels of scientific background. Then eventually, you get to working with the industrial engineers, who would figure out how to make this into a mass-producible line of production. And I doubt very much that the Chinese would not be up to the job of doing this. If its doable, Im sure they will do it. No question about that. I cant say its doable, because I havent looked at the details. People Who Keep Us on the Guidelines EIR: The founder of the Schiller Institute, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, in her Ten Principles for a New International Security and Development Architecture, says she considers the most important principle to be that the human being is naturally good and that evil is a result of a lack of development. And specifically in the sixth and seventh principles, she says: The new economic order must be focused on creating the conditions for modern industries and agriculture, starting with the infrastructure development of all continents, to eventually be connected by tunnels and bridges to become a world land-bridge. The new global security architecture must eliminate the concept of geopolitics by ending the division of the world into blocs. The security concerns of every sovereign nation must be taken into account. Would you agree that these are building blocks to a durable peace and survival? Professor Postol: Well, I agree with her latter statement that a cooperative world, where theres mutual respect and commercial intercourse, in place of geopolitics. I do not agree that people are naturally good. I think people are capable of extraordinary evils. And thats one of the reasons why I think the political stability, in a positive sense, not repressive sense, is so important; because I think people are capable of doing anything. I have a daughter in Germany. I come from a Jewish background. And I go to Germany, and I see [what] an extraordinarily civilized and cooperative, and helpful to each other society it is. And I think what was going on there in the 30s and 40s. And theyre not the same people. Theyre generations removed, but the same culture. That was real evil. You look at China. Mao Zedong helped China break free of all these terrible exploitations of the West. But its not clear to me whether, in the end, he was more negative than positive. You look at his Cultural Revolution. I talk to people who suffered under the Cultural Revolution. It was horrifying by every measure I can take from my personal discussions with people who were subjected to these attacks. I believe that a very large number of people will believe anything, if you indoctrinate them effectively enough. And they will do tremendous evil because of that. And there are certain people whom you meetwhom I meetI just know theyre deeply civilized. When I meet them, I just start talking to them and it just happens instantly. And there are very few such people. And those are the people who help keep us on the guidelines. And then we need a system that allows people who are on the guidelines, to influence the way we do things and the way people are encouraged to behave. This article appears in the March 29, 2024 issue of Executive Intelligence Review. [Print version of this article] Interview: Ambassador Manuel Hassassian We Shall Overcome: Peace, Palestinian Independence, and the Oasis Plan in Southwest Asia Palestinian Authority ambassador to Denmark, H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Manuel Hassassian, was born and raised in Jerusalem and attended the American University of Beirut. He received his masters degree in international relations from the University of Toledo, Ohio, and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Cincinnati. He became the Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University on the West Bank in 1996, the highest position of a Palestinian in a Catholic school. He was also a professor at the University of Maryland where he developed a unique curriculum for a course on Israel-Palestine conflict resolution, which he co-taught with Israeli Prof. Edy Kaufman for 26 yearsa project which he described in detail in the full interview, but which is not included here because of length limitations. H.E. Prof. Dr. Hassassian has served as the Palestinian Authority ambassador to the UK (thirteen years), and to Hungary, and is currently serving as the ambassador to Denmark, a position he has held for the last four years. He has also been the PLOs chief advisor in negotiations over the status of Jerusalem. A more complete biography, including other academic positions and awards, may be read here. Below are excerpts from an interview conducted by the chairman of the Schiller Institute in Denmark, Tom Gillesberg. The full video and transcript of the interview is available here. After a brief introduction, Dr. Hassassian enters into a discussion of his perception of the current political climate in Denmark, Europe, and beyond. View full size Courtesy of the Mission of Palestine in Denmark H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Manuel Hassassian H.E. Prof. Dr. Manuel Hassassian: I really appreciate the Danish public: Theyre very supportive of the Palestinian problem, because they are champions of human rights, and they have been during the Holocaust, when they helped all those diasporized Jews, who had been slaughtered by the Nazis and the fascists. So there is a long record for Denmark to be a champion of human rights, and we are not surprised to see the same people, with the same stamina of supporting the Palestinians, at least on the public level, where they want to see a cessation of this conflict, and the opening of borders for humanitarian assistance. And unfortunately, the government is not on par with the public opinion. Tom Gillesberg: Its like at the time of the Danish occupation: It was not the government who helped the Jews get to Sweden. Amb. Hassassian: It was the people. Gillesberg: Its the people. Amb. Hassassian: Absolutely. Gillesberg: And I think thats an important point. Amb. Hassassian: So thats why Im trying to draw a comparison, which in my humble opinion and knowledge about the history of DenmarkI came here knowing a little bit about Denmark, but now I can tell you, I know the culture, the people, the way they think, the way they promote their politics, and I can see there is a wedge between the public opinion, not only on the issue of Palestine, but on issues of local politics. This government is conservative, and regardless that it has certain apologetic stands when it comes to Palestine, but still this government helps the Palestinians in terms of subsidies, in terms of infrastructure development, in terms of supporting UNRWA. But on the political level, they are for a two-state solution, but they dont show their political teeth, to put pressure on the Americans or the Israelis, in order to stop this carnage, this onslaught, this butchery of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. So, we are a little bit, with cautious optimism, we relatemyself, as an ambassadorI relate to the government, I cant say they have been reticent in receiving me as the Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors, let alone that I also lead on issues relating to the Middle East, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). We have met several times with the foreign minister, with the deputy foreign minister, with the director of MENA [Middle East, North Africa], and we had regular discussions about the updates of whats happening in Palestine, the Middle East, the Red Sea, the burning of the Quran, and what have you. So, I can say that there is a certain kind of a rapport between our Embassy, the Council of Arab Ambassadors, and the Danish government. But we dont see immediate action. We dont see, in the bilateral relations, coming out strongly in supporting the Palestinians, stopping this carnage! Today, our people are dying from hunger and starvation, lack of medicine, food. Thirty-six hospitals have been destroyed. We have only six operating now. It is a shame that 12,000 children have been martyred, let alone more than 78,000 women and elderly. And these are staggering figures! Even during the Second World War we didnt witness such a tremendous number of casualties. This systematic onslaught on our people is not onlyand allow me to say, its not against Hamas. Now, it is obvious, its against the Palestinian people. They want to throw us into the sea, into the desert, and once they finish with Gaza, they want to start, and they already started, in the West Bank, let alone they are putting economic strangulations, all kinds of hurdles, even during the month of Ramadan for our faithful to go and pray in Al Aqsa Mosque. You can see there is a systematic policy of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and decimation of a nation. All these three are being practiced by such a government, that is a very, very, very extreme, fascist government. I would say itsorry, I have to sayfascist government, because the way it has been playing this conflict, it has been ruthless in its policies. It never showed any kind of tolerance, but the absolute idea behind this is the reoccupation, again, officially, of the West Bank and Gaza. And this is where we have to have the international communitywith all the UN resolutions that have been in favor of Palestine; unfortunately, they have been vetoed by the Americans, and thats why, for 30 years, the Americans have failed to broker the peace process, because they were supporting the top dog over the underdog. And now we are looking for a collective brokership, i.e., starting with the United Nationsmaybe Denmark could play a very important role, let alone Europe. And we are not dismissing the United States, but it cannot be the sole broker in this conflict, because they have showed reluctance in finding a plausible solution during this conflict. All the Americans have been doing for the last 30 years is crisis-management. Gillesberg: Now weve reached clearly a point, and I think the story is Oct. 7 happened, then this whole thing started. But if you look at the process that was ongoing in the West Bank before Oct. 7, it clearly was that these policies that we now see in place, of basically, annexing both the West Bank and Gaza, to be a permanent part of Israel, that was already ongoing! Its not like the attacks began after Oct. 7? Amb. Hassassian: Actually, you have hit the bullseye with this comment. Because unfortunately, the international communityEurope, America, what have youthought that this conflict started with Oct. 7, with the onslaught of Hamas against innocent civilians. But nobody has even thought about the root cause of this problem, which started 75 years ago. Let alone in 1948 our people were diasporized, and this Zionist entity was established and created by the support of Great Britain and the international community, with the displacement of the Palestinian people and the creation of something called the State of Israel. And people are not aware that we have been living under occupation for so many years, and Gaza has been strangulated for the last 16 years, with the economic blockade, and with the lack of any kind of basic subsidies. And, of course, if you put anybody in a pressure cooker it has to explode. And the explosion of the Oct. 7, for the Gazans, by Hamas and Islamic Jihad and the others, was a mere reaction to this blockade, to this suffocation of 2.2 million people living in the most densely populated area in the world. And people started looking at Hamas and others as being the terrorists, but they forgot that Israel has been practicing state terrorism! This is not the first onslaught on Gaza: This is the fourth war against the people of Gaza! And there have been ongoing onslaughts in the West Bank with the building of settlements, with the settlers taking the law into their own hands, and trying to uproot the Palestinians, trying to uproot the orange trees and olive trees, and trying to create havoc among the Palestinians by shooting, by killing, by looting, by uprooting and what have you. So the question should not be a separation of Gaza from the West Bank, let alone East Jerusalem, with all the settlements, with the creeping settlements that have been taking place by a government that is called a settlers government: This land-grab also created a certain kind of chaos and confusion, let alone stringent policies against the people living in East Jerusalem. And today, during the month of Ramadan, also, we have been seeing harassment, we have been seeing blockades of people from the West Bank to come and pray during the holy month of Ramadan. In other words, Israel is creating more tension, its creating more absolute policies that will make it very uncomfortable for the people living in Jerusalem, let alone its continuous bombardment, killing in the West Bank, and in Gaza, ongoing, unstopped by the international community. Gillesberg: Also, one thing is what has been going on for a long time, what you can call the silent death of Palestine. But what weve seen after Oct. 7 is, I think, something which is unprecedented, since the Holocaust. Maybe there have been other holocausts ongoing, but they were in the background. Here we have fully televised, with the whole world watching, since Oct. 7, this genocide in Gaza, and even the International Court of Justice came out and said, yes, it is very plausible that a genocide is ongoing. Well look into it, and meanwhile, we demand of Israel, we demand of the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces, that they do everything to make sure that no genocide is ongoing. Not just because people were killed, but because there clearly was this intention of killing, in the statements from the government, from military persons, and so on. But this is still ongoing. Now, the Israeli government has said, if we get to Ramadan and we do not have an agreement for Hamas and the other groups to let go of all the hostages, then we will begin an attack on Rafah; then comes the next phase of what is a leveling of Gaza. And now, we are in Ramadan, so what do you see is going to happen? Amb. Hassassian: Actually, I want to comment on the International Courts decision, which was considered to be a consulting perspective, which was totally bogged down by the American veto. So Israel doesnt care about the United Nations and the resolutions. They have never abided by them, because, always, the Americans are behind them politically, by using the veto, let alone, militarily and financially, and they are accomplices in the genocide, by sending, also, certain Marines to fight in Gaza. So this is not something that we dont know Gillesberg: And all the bombs that are falling on Gaza Amb. Hassassian: are all American made. And thats why I wanted to make this short comment, that the International Court of Justice is an advisory opinion. Its not binding, and Israel just overlooks that and they dont care. Saying this, look today at Gaza: We have more than 31,000 martyrs. And I said how many children, and women and elderly. Seventy percent of the infrastructure and buildings are totally destroyed. Gaza is almost flattened. 2.2 million people dont know where to go; they are displaced from their homes, 1.9 million. Now, they were once in the north, went to the south, back to the north. And now, with the threats that are coming from Israel to invade Rafah, again, something that shows the intentions of Israel, that Israel is interested in occupying Gaza and flattening Gaza, and getting rid of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, so it is a war on the Palestinians, not a war on Hamas. Because, if the war was on Hamas, tell me what the Israelis have achieved so far? They did not get rid of Hamas, and they will never get rid of Hamas. I say it as a member of the PLO. Gillesberg: But its an ideologyyou cannot kill an ideology. Amb. Hassassian: Its an ideologyabsolutely! Absolutely! You just snatched it from the horses mouth. Second, they did not manage to diasporize the Palestinians in Gaza, because the Palestinians in Gaza are resilient and determined to stay on their land. They do not want to revisit the Nakba of 1948. Thats number two. Number three, they are depleting all their resources with no end result. Therefore, they have lost the world public opinion, although, still, governments support them. And they now have a badge of dishonor on this government in Israel, that is a settlers government, an apartheid government, that does not want peace with the Palestinians, but they want to kill them and kick them out of the country. All this has been negative repercussions when it comes to Israel. So what is the number that Israel wants in terms of casualties, to say that our mission is complete? Its like 10/0, undefined! Under the rubric of security, Israel has been justifying all of its atrocious crimes during the last 75 years of occupation. Israel is now known, not as a democracy, but as a rogue state with the hierocratic ideology of the supremacy of the Jews over the Christians and Muslims in the world, not only in Palestine. And their consistent, systematic policy of the confiscation of land in Jerusalem, the taking over of religious places, the spitting on priests and sheikhs, all this is a reflection of how hateful these settlers are against the non-Jewish or non-Israeli citizens such as myself. And look, 22% of the population in Israel are Palestinians who have Israeli citizenship. They are being discriminated against. And they are being put on radar, as far as they are concerned, that these are not committed Israeli citizens. Although we are represented in the Knesset, in the parliament. But there is no respect, and they are being treated as third-class citizens, in what they claim to be the democratic state of Israel. From this perspective, we conclude that this government will never have peace with the Palestinians! And this government should not be supported by the international community. It has showed its ugly face of occupation, and it has showed that its not for the two-state solution! They are for one state, apartheid state, having all the ethnic minorities, the Arabs, and what have you, under their control, under the Israeli flag. And that, as you can see, is impossible with the adamancy of the Palestinian people fighting for their inalienable rights, and their rights to self-determination in having their independent state. The international community has accepted that during the Oslo processduring 30 years, nothing has been done to rectify the situation and to end the occupation. I tell you, violence, insecurity, instability in the Middle East, will end with the creation of an independent, democratic Palestinian state, with the borders of 1967. We, the PLO, already in 1988, had given, on a golden platter, the recognition of the State of Israel on 78% of historic Palestine. What else can we do in order to honor our promises to the international community? Gillesberg: You mentioned this Oslo peace process, and the Schiller Institute at the time, and the leader at that time of our organization, Mr. Lyndon LaRouche, was a very prominent voice in supporting that process, but also saying that it will not be successful unless theres an economic development policy driving it. That is, that both for the Palestinian State to function, but also for Israel to function, and for them to live in peace and harmony, theres got to be a collaboration on a greater goal, of an Oasis Plan for the whole region, which will benefit all. So, instead of seeing your neighbor as your enemy, you will see your neighbor as a collaboration partner in this development process. And in light of this terrible onslaught thats been going on in Gaza, we have, from the Schiller Institute, released a new video on this idea, called The Oasis Plan: LaRouches Solution to the Middle East where it describes the late American economist and statesman Lyndon LaRouches proposaldeveloped since 1975!for peace through development between Israel and an independent Palestine, by developing water resources, including nuclear power desalination plants, along two new canals between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea; and the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean; transportation and other infrastructure, to create a future vision where Israelis and Palestinians would economically develop the region, as a way of paving a path to peace. We might get back to what a solution might look like, in terms of states, but before that, what do you think of the Oasis Plan proposal, and having a greater vision for making the impossible possible in the region? Amb. Hassassian: I want to be very brief on this comment, which you have made. Ive seen your video and I was very impressed with your vision for the future. Economic development should be always tied with political stability, and if we are not independent as Palestinians, to pursue economic development in partnership with Israel and Jordan, what I call the Benelux model of economic development, where you meticulously have stated in your statement about how to proceed and how to build that kind of, what I call sustainable development, that sustainable development would add to the prolongation of peace and stability between the two countries. But we cannot really apply economic development between occupier and occupied. It has to be on equal footing. You have to see, symmetrically, both as independent entities. But definitely, economic development and cooperation between countries in conflict will really add to the sustenance of peace, the longevity of peace in the future, where peace and harmony will create coexistence, and that coexistence could be transferred into markets of economic interest, into cooperation, also into wielding public sector with the private sector, to come on par with the process of development, that is totally tied with the evolution of our curricula, our education, our health, and what have you; and you could exchange, in terms of skill, the development of countries like Israel, which is highly developed technologically; we have the sources of manpower. We are the most intellectual in the Middle East. So, with resources, with intellectualism, with the manpower that we have, we could create a certain kind of joint entity that will benefit both peoples. Economic development after political independence is the way to our security and stability. And as you know, the Middle East has been the fulcrum of conflict for the world, because everybody is trying to seek their national interest in the Middle East. Once we have that kind of stability and security, I think we will be open for more economic transactions, for more bilateral, for more international trade systems, for a NAFTA kind of economic relationship, with Israel, with Jordan, with the Arab world, with the Islamic world. And look, Israel could benefit a lot with the opening to Asia, Islamic Asia and to Africa, and to the Middle East. So there is benefit, much more than non-interest I would say, in this part of the world. But, Israel has been choosing the path of destruction, the path of instability, the path of supremacy, the path of apartheid, over the good things that you have said, which would create that kind of harmony, peaceful coexistence, between epistemic communities that have been too long in a conflict, where this is the time for conflict resolution. Gillesberg: Things are so terrible that you would say, How can this end? But all wars do end at some point. If nothing else, simply by exhaustion. Israel, even in this short time since October 7th, the Israeli economy has shrunk by 20%. So, its not a free ride. And if the war expands as some people in the government in Israel are talking about, to Lebanon, against Hezbollah, against other parties, this is also leaving Israel in ruins. So, at some point, and hopefully with Western intervention, hopefully with the United States realizing that theyre simply losing all respect anywhere in the world if they dont intervene to stop this. Then people have to sit downprobably not with the present government; they probably will be kicked out or Netanyahu thrown in jail or whatever. But still, the Palestinians and the Israelis have to sit down together and figure out how do we solve this in a way where we all can live here? You have earlier written about a two-state proposal; you have also written about that maybe it wont be a two-state, maybe it has to be one state. What are your thoughts? Amb. Hassassian: Thank you again for a very interesting question. Let me first say that Israel also is paying a heavy price, but not in terms of casualties as much; and you cannot compare it with that of Gaza, of course. But as you said, their economy shrunk by 20%, and if they continue, it will shrink even more. And there will come a time when the Americansbecause now they are going into electionsthey might stop sending arms to Israel, and that will be negative as far as the Israelis are concerned. But lets not forget that half a million people already emigrated from Israel since October. And this is a sign that Israel is no more a safe place to live, for the simple fact that this kind of policy has brought negative repercussions in the Israeli society. And let me assure you, now the Israeli public is going onto the street, they want Netanyahu down, and they want early elections. This is one of the negative repercussions of this onslaught in which Israel misjudged the outcomes. They thought that they would win with a blitzkrieg; they could flatten Gaza and get rid of Hamas. But now its becoming a war of attrition. They are not fulfilling their objectives, and they are losing now in terms of international support. Let alone that the Gazans have proved their resilience in staying on the land. So in general, when you talk about the stoppage of the war, Israel is also wearing out all these machines. Look, every day there are desertions from the Israeli Army; people now are not convinced about this war, because they saw that a calamity is coming in their society. I tell you, now they are against Netanyahu; tomorrow they will be against the war in Gaza. Because they know that they haveit is inevitable historicallythat they will not get rid of the Palestinians. They have to think and to learn how to survive. And I tell you, if you go back to the history of Andalusia, Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived happily ever after. It is not something that we never perceived. We perceived it, but its Zionism that has been the root cause, and not Judaism. Thats why we make the distinction. The Israeli people are not all Zionists. Lets say that not all are Zionists; many are for the two-state solution, many believe in coexistence. Thats why we as Palestinians would try to mobilize more and more people from inside, because the change in Israel is not coming from a political diktat from an outside power. Even the United States cannot impose its political diktat to stop this war. But it has to come from within. The Israelis from within should understand that such a government is bringing destruction. So far, unfortunately, we did not reach that level in terms of public opinion in Israel. They are all circling around their government in support, because it has always been the security obsession that makes people encircle themselves in providing support to the government. Although this government is an apartheid settler government, still the majority of the Israelis, right-wingers are supporting such a government. Unless we change, inside, the political discourse in Israel, that this government is going to bring in the future, total destruction of Israel, from within its society, we cannot see an improvement on the ground when it comes to negotiations for final status talks with the Palestinian side. Gillesberg: Just in terms of, on the other side, thats also why we put out this Oasis Plan; is to say somehow you have totheres a tendency, when people are in these things, people say, First we need the political solutions. Once we have the political solutions, then we can go on to the economic ones. The problem is, on what basis will you get political solutions, if there is no trust? Somehow, you have to have trust coming, on the one side from a vision of how the future should be. Instead of saying The policies todaywe simply keep doing what we have been used to doing for a long time, with the same results. You have to say, We want a different future; we have a vision for the future, but if we want to get there, then we need collaboration. Because without collaboration, without burying the hatchet, without changing the geometry, we will never get there. I think theres a recognition in Israel that you cant go back simply to the 6th of October; thats gone. You are in a different world now, so somehow something has to change. Amb. Hassassian: Let me make two brief comments. The first comment, I do agree with you; economic development is a key factor for stability. In the context of conflict, what we have witnessed in 1993 with the Oslo Agreement, is that we should have strengthened our nexus of civil societies by collaborating economically, educationally, and what-have-you, as part of economic development, in order to make it much stronger in the process of negotiations and in the outcome. Nobody could achieve maximalist position in a negotiating process; it has to be an optimal one, which would be giving in, conceding, both parties to each other. But as long as the negotiations are not symmetrical, but asymmetrical, where the top dog is over the underdog, that is not going to be successful. Thats why I do agree with you. What happened in Oslo is that economic development did not proceed the way it should have. More settlements have been built; Netanyahu came to power; Camp Davids failure, and look where we are now. I will stop on this issue, but I do agree with you that economic development is the fulcrum of any stability in the world. But without political independence of the Palestinians, we cannot talk about the process of economic development in its full context of bringing longevity of peace and what-have-you in the future. I do agree with you that economic development is extremely important. It could have pushed the peace process and the negotiations to a much better level. But unfortunately, the Israelis have wrecked this. Gillesberg: On April 13th, we will have an international online conferenceits on a Saturdaycalled The Oasis Plan: The LaRouche Solution for Peace through Development between Israel and Palestine, and for All of Southwest Asia. We urge everybody to participate in that and share the invitation; get involved in dialogue. One big changenow you are a diplomat in Denmark, Im very ashamed to say it, but its not just a Danish problem. We used to pride ourselves on having dialogue. Even if you disagreed, you could still sit down and discuss and learn the others viewpoint. And exactly that part of diplomacy, you could say, has been taken out in the Western world of the political process. There is no dialogue; there is no trying to see the other point of view. Its just the narrative, the narrative, the narrative. The narrative comes down; it wasnt Moses coming with the tablets of clay. This is just whoever coming down, This is the narrative, this is what you have to repeat. If you dont repeat it, then you are out. And unfortunately, this has very much become the case in Denmark, but I think most people in Denmark, and other places, are getting pretty tired of this. They want to be able to think; they want to be able to formulate their own thoughts. To do that in a good way, you need information, and thats what we do, for example, with this online conference. But also here, since we are closing, do you have any concluding words for the viewers? Also, what do you think, and is there something they should do? Amb. Hassassian: Absolutely! I commend you for what you have been doing. I commend the institute for its continuous struggle to bring justice to the world. I think this is your noble mission, and we believe that by raising awareness and stating the true facts on the ground, it will make people listen to you. I think your approach to conflicts, not only Palestinian-Israeli, but to the international conflicts, gives you great credibility, because you look towards peace and justice through economic development. Your Oasis video is one of the most impressive I have ever seen for the Schiller Institute, let alone comparing it with others. And I think you have to continue with what you are doing. I know you cannot reap the benefits immediately; this is an ongoing process by recreating a new generation in Denmark, and around the world, to understand that wars are quick fixes, but the process of negotiations, tolerance, understanding, justice, human rights is a long process. Its a tormenting path. Once you instill those good qualifications in the mindset of people, especially the youth, then we can reap the benefits of your contribution in the coming generation, where in this generation, we are sick and tired of regional conflicts, world conflicts, where unipolar power has proved to be a dismal failure. Were looking for a balance of power on the political level, in international relations; but also, we need institutes like yours to continue working with civil society, with culture, between adversarial cultures, to come to a conclusion where our humanity should not be lost; our fairness should be there; our inclusion of each other is of utmost importance; and tolerance is the key towards a sustainable development, in terms of security and stability all around the world. I commend you for what you have been doing. And I would be, from now on, a supporter and a spokesman for your institute, which I think is one of the most brilliant and impressive institutes that I have met in Denmark. My loyalty and respect to you, and I hope that we continue our future relationship by bringing more people into dialogue and try to create a harmonious peace among adversaries. May God also help us in this process, because really it is full of hurdles and full of complexities. But eventually we shall overcome. Gillesberg: Well, thank you, Your Excellency Ambassador Prof. Dr. Hassassian. It has been a great pleasure. Amb. Hassassian: My pleasure. Gillesberg: We hope to speak again. Amb. Hassassian: Hopefully, hopefully. Thank you so much for hosting me. Coffee growers in many countries are worried about a new European rule designed to prevent deforestation. Deforestation describes when developers cut down trees to make room for crops, buildings or land where cattle can graze. The new rule goes into effect at the end of 2024. It covers products like coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, wood, rubber and beef. The European Union says all of those products result in tree cutting. The United Nations says deforestation is the worlds second-leading cause of carbon emissions after the burning of fossil fuels. Large producers must show their products come from land where trees have not been cut down since 2020. Smaller producers must do the same but will be permitted to sell their products until July 2025. A report from the World Wildlife Fund showed that Europes imports of products linked to forest-clearing caused the second-most deforestation in the world in 2017. That year, China was first. An expert said the new European rule could help prevent more deforestation and push farmers around the world to plant trees, vines and grasses. Helen Bellfield is a policy director at Global Canopy, a nonprofit organization based in Britain. It suggests business change their production methods that hurt the environment. She said the new EU rules could force governments to help farmers make changes. On the other hand, farmers could just sell to countries outside of the EU. The worlds top coffee producers include Vietnam, Ethiopia and Peru. Growers in those countries worry they will no longer be able to sell in Europe. The new EU rules could help coffee farmers like Le Van Tam of Vietnam who has taken the environment into account. He first planted coffee in the Central Highlands area in 1995. At the time, he cleared land so he could grow as much coffee as possible. But in 2019, he changed his growing methods. Instead of using lots of fertilizers and pesticides, he started planting tamarind trees that add nutrients to the soil. He added black pepper vines and grass, which helps to keep the soil moist and prevents erosion. The changes qualified his coffee as organic, which opened new markets and made his coffee more valuable. He did not produce more, but his profits went up, he said. Vietnam hopes that more farmers will make changes, which will permit them to sell in Europe and maintain the nations rank as the worlds second-largest coffee producer. The news is not as good for those in Ethiopia and Peru. Orders for Ethiopian coffee are already falling and Perus farmers who are in the Amazon River area may not be able to provide information required by the EU. There will be winners and losers, Bellfield said. Vietnam depends on Europe for 40 percent of its coffee sales. As soon as the new rules came out, the country began working to maintain its market share. Vietnamese officials worked with small farmers to make sure their land met the new EU requirements. In addition, it made a database showing where its coffee came from. Farmers like Tam got special certificates from international agencies that proved how his beans were grown. Tam said the extra work will be worth it because, even if his costs are higher, he can get more money for his coffee. Otherwise, we will always be laborers, he said. Small Vietnamese farmers still must get ready for the new rules. They will need technology to prove where their beans came from and that their land is certified by the EU. They will also need to be sure the qualified beans are not mixed with banned beans. From the harvest to shipment, new systems must be put into place to prevent errors. Brazil is another big coffee-producing nation. Since it already sells a lot to Europe, experts say most of its products already meet EU requirements. But farmers in Peru and Ethiopia may need more time. Gizat Worku is head of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association. He said collecting data about the land of millions of small farmers will be a problem. That requires a huge amount of resources, he said. Gizat said orders from Europe are already falling. Some coffee exporters are thinking about selling to the Middle East and China instead. Ethiopian coffee sells well in those places. These regulations are going to have a tremendous impact, Gizat said. Im Anna Matteo. And I'm Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story graze v. to eat grass emission n. the release of a gas from, usually, an industrial process fossil fuel n. oil, coal or natural gas pesticide n. a chemical that is used to destroy insects that damage crops moist adj. the condition of being a little wet, holding some moisture erosion n. the process in which land and minerals are broken down by wind, water and temperature certificate n. a document or declaration that says the holder is qualified to do something or act in some way tremendous adj. really big We want to hear from you. Where does the coffee you like to drink come from? If you can no longer get it, will you be upset? Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a law that bans children in the state under the age of 14 from having a social media account. The measure requires parental permission before 14 and 15 year olds can sign up for personal social media accounts in Florida. Supporters say the bill protects children from possible online harm, including threats to mental health and privacy. Critics have said the law might violate the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment protection of free speech. Some opponents have said they think parents not the government should be the ones to decide which restrictions are best for their child. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, opposed the legislation for example. Floridas legislature passed the law earlier this month. It was the second version of the measure. The first version, which passed Floridas legislature in February, would have completely banned children under age 16 from social media. DeSantis vetoed that version of the bill, saying he thought it was too restrictive of parental rights. But the governors office worked with legislators to come up with a new measure he could support. The new law leaves it up to parents to decide whether their 16 and 17 year olds can sign up for social media accounts. In a statement, DeSantis said research had repeatedly shown that social media services can harm children in several major ways. The legislation, he added, is designed to give parents a greater ability to protect their children." The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. But experts say the measure is likely to face legal challenges in court. DeSantis noted that another bill he signed into law two years ago was recently struck down by a federal appeals court. That law banned employers from requiring training sessions that included discussions about race, diversity and other issues. The appeals court ruled that such training methods violated the constitutional free speech rights of employers. The new law was guided through Floridas House of Representatives by Republican Speaker Paul Renner. At a bill-signing ceremony at a school, Renner said a child, whose brain is still developing, doesnt have the ability to know that theyre being sucked into these addictive technologies. He added, Because of that, we have to step in for them. The bill does not name any specific social media service. But it states that it targets social media sites using tools to get users to stay online for long periods. The measure does not cover services that mainly provide email, messaging or texting services. The law requires social media companies to permanently remove personal information collected from closed accounts. And it lets parents bring civil lawsuits against services failing to do so. Several U.S. states have considered similar legislation. In March 2023, Utah became the first to enact laws covering children's use of social media. Measures in Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas soon followed. Several other states are also developing new rules. The Arkansas law required parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts. A federal judge blocked the law in August. The judge ruled the legislation was likely unconstitutional. Florida has enacted additional measures aimed at protecting children from possible technological harms. Last year, it became the first state to strongly restrict phones in schools. The law requires all public schools in Florida to ban student cellphone use and block social media services during class. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Quiz - Florida Approves Law Banning Social Media for Children under 14 Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________ Words in This Story challenge n. something difficult that tests ones ability or determination diversity n. a situation in which many different kinds of things or people are included in something get sucked into something very informal idiom to become involved in a situation that you do not want to be involved in addiction adj. the problem of not being able to stop doing or taking something because you are dependent on it consent n. permission Fake photos, videos, and audio are spreading online as a result of the rise and misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. And it is getting harder to tell what is real from what is not. Video and image creators like DALL-E, Midjourney, and OpenAIs Sora make it easy for people with little technical skills to create deepfakes. The fake images might seem harmless. But they can be used to cheat people out of money, steal identities, spread propaganda, and unfairly influence elections. How to tell it is a deepfake Just a year ago, the technology was far from perfect and it was easier to tell that a photo had been created with AI. Fake images then showed clear errors, like hands with six fingers or eyeglasses with different shapes. But as AI has improved, it has become a lot harder. Henry Ajder is founder of the AI advising company Latent Space Advisory and a leading expert in generative AI. He said some widely shared advice like looking for unnatural eye movements in people in deepfake videos no longer holds. Still, there are some things to look for, he said. Ajder said a lot of AI deepfake photos, especially of people, have a smoothing effect that leaves skin looking very polished. He warned, however, that AI can sometimes change the photos and remove the signs of AI creation. Look at shadows and lighting. Often the subject is clear and appears lifelike, but elements in the rest of the photo might not seem so real or polished. Look at the faces One of the most common deepfakes is exchanging one face for another. The practice is called face-swapping. Experts advise looking closely at the edges of the face. Does the facial skin color match the rest of the head or body? Are the edges of the face sharp or unclear? If you suspect video of a person speaking has been changed by AI, look at their mouth. Do their lip movements line up with the audio perfectly? Cybersecurity company Norton says that the technology is not ready to create individual teeth. So Ajder suggests looking at their teeth. Are they clear, or are they unclear and somehow do not appear like they would in real life? Sometimes the context of the photo is important. Take a minute to consider if what you are seeing could actually happen. The Poynter journalism website advises that if you see a well-known person do something that seems unrealistic or unlike themselves, it could be a deepfake. Using AI to find the fakes Another method is to use AI to fight AI. Microsoft has developed a tool that can study photos or videos and rate if it has been changed. Technology company Intels FakeCatcher uses computer programs to study the smallest parts of an image, called pixels, to say if it is real or fake. However, some of these tools are not available to the public. That is because researchers do not want to help bad actors improve their deepfakes. All this being said, AI has been developing very quickly. And AI models are being trained on internet data to produce increasingly better content with fewer mistakes. That means this advice to find deepfakes could be incorrect even a year from now. Experts say it might even be dangerous to suggest the average person can find deepfakes. That is because even for trained eyes, it is becoming increasingly difficult. Im Gregory Stachel. Kelvin Chan and Ali Swenson reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story fake adj. not true or real generative v. to produce (something) or cause (something) to be produced polished adj. made smooth and shiny by polishing shadow n. a dark shape that appears on a surface when someone or something moves between the surface and a source of light lip n. either one of the two soft parts that surround the mouth context n. the situation in which something happens exaggerated v. to make (something) larger or greater than normal Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, speaks at a panel discussion themed on "Deepening Financial Cooperation in Asia" during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2024 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), the Chinese central bank, called on Asian countries on Wednesday to jointly push for the quota reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) so that the international financial institution can better play its role as the center of the global financial safety net. Pan made the remarks while attending a sub-forum of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024, titled "Deepening Financial Cooperation in Asia," held in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. Asian countries should work together to promote IMF quota reform and achieve quota adjustment as soon as possible to better reflect the due positions of Asian countries in the global economy, and especially to enhance the voice and representation of emerging markets and developing countries, Pan said. Asian countries can push for a consensus on a new quota formula as soon as possible, laying the foundation for quota adjustment. "This is to ensure that the IMF is a rule-based institution that truly practices multilateralism," he said. On strengthening the financial safety net in Asia, Pan also called on parties in the Asian region to continue to focus on financial stability objectives and further optimize the Chiang Mai Initiative to enhance resilience to external risks, Pan stated. Pan also urged Asian nations to push forward bilateral currency swaps. The PBOC has signed local currency swap agreements with 29 countries and regions, with a total swap size of more than 4 trillion yuan (about 564 billion U.S. dollars), effectively promoting cross-border trade and investment, according to Pan. The PBOC is ready to continue to deepen monetary cooperation with Asian economies to promote the facilitation of bilateral trade and investment and play its part in maintaining regional financial stability, Pan said. Pan said that China has always attached great importance to proactively preventing and defusing financial risks, noting that China is formulating a financial stability law that seeks to establish mechanisms that define responsibilities and cost-sharing in the handling of risks. Barbara Peraza-Garcia is from Venezuela. She lives in a single-room apartment in Seattle, Washington with her family. The family includes her partner and their two small children. They do not have much space, only 17 square meters. But they are happy for now. Its warm. We can cook (for) ourselves. We have a private bathroom. Its quiet, she said. We can be here as a family now. Peraza-Garcia and her family left Venezuela to escape crime and so she could receive medication for a kidney problem. They can only pay for a small living space, but it is less costly than most small living spaces in American cities. It is $900 per month, but that is about $500 less than traditional small apartments known as studios, which are slightly larger. Most single-room apartments in the United States disappeared after the end of World War II when many people left cities for new suburbs. The Furman Center is part of New York University. It supports research into real property and city policy. It produced research that showed New York City lost 70,000 single room housing units between the first part of the 1900s and 2014. At the same time, real estate companies built new city housing, but the developers did not center their work on small living spaces. In recent years, single people needed to find roommates and share two- or three-bedroom apartments in cities if they did not have much money. Now, however, many American cities are worried about increasing living costs and homelessness. The small living spaces, known as single room occupancy units, once called SROs, are becoming common again. They are being called micro-apartments. New York, Seattle and Portland, Oregon are putting money into smaller living spaces. New Yorks governor, Kathy Hochul, announced a $50 million plan to repair and renovate 500 SROs across the state. In Portland, a group called Central City Concern supervises about 1,000 SROs and makes them available at a very low cost to people who might otherwise be homeless. They are $550 per month. Cheyenne Welbourne moved into one of the units last year after years of living on the street. The room is only big enough for a small bed, a television, a chair and a toilet and sink. But it means Welbourne, as he said, can have a nice home, a decent home. When he moved into the apartment, all he had was one bag and he was glad he did not have to spend another winter outside. I just want a home, you know? he said. The small units are good for single people, but some experts worry that not enough is being done for families. Marisa Zapata is a land-use professor at Portland State University. Zapata said she worries that governments and planners will see the SROs as a solution, and not do right by our community members by building the housing that people want. But Vicki Been, a law professor and a director at the Furman Center, said she hopes the work being done in places like Portland and Seattle will help other cities understand there is still a need for simple housing. The alternatives are...people being in shelters, people being on the street, people being doubled, tripled, quadrupled up, said Been. Even if the Peraza-Garcia family would like more space, Barbara said she is happy. Her kids get to live near their relatives, and they can be close to food stores and green spaces to play in. She said the family will work to save some money and try to get better jobs during the next year. If that works, they can move to a bigger place. Were happy because were here in a quiet place where we can be together as a family, she said. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press. ____________________________________________________ Words in This Story suburb n. an area outside a citys limits but that has a lot of development and housing occupancy n. the condition of having people living in a house, apartment or similar living space renovate v. to renew and repair a house, apartment or office space alternative n. a choice other than the one being considered quadruple v. to increase by four times We want to hear from you. Do you see people living in small apartments like this where you live? What are they like? Scientists say new research confirms results of an earlier study suggesting the crash of a spacecraft into an asteroid changed the shape of the targeted object. The latest research follows another recent study examining the effects of the asteroid strike. NASA crashed its DART spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022 in an area about 11 million kilometers from Earth. The experiment tested a method for changing the orbit of some asteroids to prevent them from possibly crashing into our planet in the future. NASA has said its studies of the crash showed it was successful because the force of the strike changed the asteroids orbit around a larger asteroid called Didymos. Data also showed the strike reduced the orbital period of Dimorphos by 33 minutes. The team that carried out the most recent research said that in addition to changing the asteroids orbit, it appears the crash also changed the shape of Dimorphos. This confirms results of the earlier study, which concluded that the crash had likely completely reshaped Dimorphos and turned it into a relatively weak collection of rubble. The team carrying out that study used a computer simulation system to study the changes to Dimorphos. The new research suggests that while Dimorphos had a mostly round shape before the crash, it was reshaped by the strike into an object that looks more like a watermelon. The technical term for this kind of shape is triaxial ellipsoid, the scientists said. Steve Chesley is a senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. He was the co-writer of a study describing the findings that recently appeared in the publication Planetary Science Journal. Chesley told Reuters news agency the data studied for the latest research shows Dimorphos is currently a collection of non-solid debris including dust, rocks and other materials. This state means the asteroids strength is quite low, permitting Dimorphos to reshape more easily than a more solid object. The new studys lead writer was Shantanu Naidu. He told Reuters the asteroid was able to completely reshape because the strike by the asteroid turned much of its material into rubble. The researchers based their findings on the shape and orbit of Dimorphos on observations from ground-based telescopes. They looked at how sunlight reflections off the surfaces of the two asteroids changed over time. They also used data from radio waves that hit the objects and images the DART spacecraft captured. Researchers have said they expect to learn more about the two asteroids in the future. The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft plans to launch in October and reach the asteroids by late 2026. ESA says Heras cameras and instruments will carry out detailed studies of Dimorphos and Didymos. During the operation, the spacecraft will aim to collect the most data yet on such an asteroid system. "We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of ESA's Hera spacecraft, when we will be able to compare our modeled shape with that obtained from Hera imagery, Chesley said. He added, We will also learn how much the orbit has changed since we last observed it in 2023." Im Bryan Lynn. Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________ Words in This Story asteroid n. a rocky object that goes around the sun like a planet rubble n. pieces of broken bricks from a destroyed structure simulate v. to do or make something that behaves or looks like something real but is not debris n. broken pieces of something reflect v. to show or be a sign of something anxious adj. worried and nervous obtain v. to get something Analysis In the vibrant nexus of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a transformative movement in cross-border exchange and economic integration is unfolding, propelled by the facilitation of northbound travel for Macau and Hong Kong vehicles. This initiative has significantly augmented connectivity and fostered economic synergy within the region. Since the implementation of the northbound travel policy in January 2023 for Macau and subsequently in July 2023 for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port has witnessed a staggering influx of over 2 million vehicles. This increase is attributed to streamlined application processes and the convenience of travel, with daily clearance volumes reaching nearly 4,000 for Macau vehicles and over 3,200 for Hong Kong vehicles. During weekends and holidays, these figures soar above 10,000 vehicles, highlighting the predominance of single-plated vehicles from these areas in the mainlands inbound traffic. This surge in vehicular movement has been mirrored by unprecedented traffic volumes at Zhuhai Port, recording over 5.58 million passengers and 1.08 million vehicles this year alone. The ports capacity to accommodate the highest single-day vehicle volume of 18,200 shows its strategic importance as one of Chinas leading ports. The Hengqin Ports phase two has ushered in a new era of customs clearance efficiency through a Guangdong-Macau joint one-stop system, significantly simplifying the process. This innovation has enabled over 1 million vehicle clearances since its partial opening in September 2023, streamlining the commute for Macau residents. In fact, since September 26, over 660,000 Macau single-plate vehicles have passed through Hengqin Port, accounting for approximately 66.5% of the total vehicle clearances. The deputy director of the Hengqin Border Inspection Station highlighted efforts to enhance traffic management and emergency response mechanisms, ultimately doubling the vehicle customs clearance capacity. This has significantly improved the efficiency of handling approximately 16,000 vehicles per day. Its much faster to pass the customs now than before. Ms. Zhao, a Macau resident living in Hengqin, told this week to GDToday that she used to have to go through the customs twice, but now it can be done once. Parallel to the increase in vehicular traffic, trade through the Zhuhai checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge has seen a notable rise, with imports and exports reaching RMB31.07 billion in just the first two months of 2024. This 24.8% year-on-year increase not only underscores the bridges crucial role in regional trade but also showcases the diversified nature of the exchanged goods, including construction materials, electric vehicles, and jewelry. The economic implications of these developments are extensive, with growth seen across tourism, logistics, retail, and other sectors within the Greater Bay Area. For instance, Xiangzhou District has witnessed significant increases in tourism revenue and hospitality profits, indicative of the broader economic benefits stemming from improved connectivity. Moreover, the facilitated movement of goods across the bridge has supported the construction industry and reflects the growing adoption of electric vehicles, signaling a shift towards sustainability. Additionally, the booming jewelry trade through the bridge underscores the regions capability in handling high-value goods, further enriching the local economic landscape. Collectively, the policies and infrastructural enhancements promoting northbound travel and trade across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge are emblematic of a broader strategy for regional integration and economic advancement. By reducing barriers to mobility and trade, the Greater Bay Area is not only fostering closer regional ties but is also establishing itself as a dynamic hub of economic activity and innovation in Asia. The first Affiliated Nansha Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University hosted the inaugural ceremony of AI Health, alongside the Guangdong Health Management Associations meeting and the Chronic Disease Management Innovation Workshop. Held in Nansha, Guangzhou, the event witnessed participation from leading medical experts globally, discussing advancements in health management. Professor Colin Greaves from the University of Birmingham shared insights into the potential of AI in revolutionizing healthcare practices. This initiative symbolizes a significant leap towards integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare, aiming to enhance disease management and patient care through innovative technologies. Related With an unwavering commitment to promoting the preservation of Chinese traditional cultures through innovative means, MGM hosted the Living Heritage: Poly Culture MGM Charity Auction Gala yesterday on March 26. The event revolved around Chinese cultural heritage and brought together a group of celebrated Chinese and international artists to jointly create a remarkable global cultural feast through Chinese cultural treasures. Building upon the strategic arts and cultural partnership between MGM and Poly Culture Group Corporation Limited (Poly Culture) initiated last year, this auction gala received the generous support of Poly Culture leveraging its artistic resources to carefully select more than 20 pieces of contemporary Chinese artworks and cultural experiences as auction items for the charity gala. All auction items were successfully sold, and the total amount raised reached nearly HKD 12 million. The funds raised will be utilized to support Chinese arts and cultural promotional activities associated with the China-France Cultural Tourism Year, in a bid to foster exchanges between the East and West, allowing the world to experience the beauty of Chinese civilization along the Silk Road. The Living Heritage: Poly Culture MGM Charity Auction Gala was held at the Grande Praca at MGM MACAU. The Guests of Honor in attendance included Liu JunCai, Vice President of Poly Group and Curator of Poly Art Museum, Guo Wenpeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and MD President of Poly Culture, Xu Bei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Director of Poly Culture andPansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited. This charity gala features Chinese fine treasures supported by prominent leaders from the art sectors, including inheritors of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, renowned contemporary artists and world-famous designers; while attracting cultural lovers from overseas to come together at MGM MACAU and celebrate Chinese civilization. Special performances of Lion Dance echoing from the Poly produced movie Lion Dance Sisters and the melodious tunes of Jingdezhen porcelain music immersed participants in both the appreciation of art and cultural tourism experience, allowing them to relish the concept of art of living with the charm of Chinas intangible cultural heritage. Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, Todays auction event embodies the collaborative commitment between MGM and Poly Culture. By leveraging the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France this year, and tapping into Macau as a gateway, both parties combine MGMs tourism and leisure resources with Poly Cultures cultural and artistic strengths to bring forth such a high-quality arts and cultural experiential event. It gathers numerous distinguished figures from the arts and cultural sectors in Macau, injecting new vitality into the promotion of cultural heritage. Through hosting this auction gala, we hope to further foster the mutual exchange and appreciation of Chinese and French cultures, and to promote the magnificent history and richly diverse traditional cultures of China overseas. Liu JunCai, Vice President of Poly Group and Curator of Poly Art Museum said, In 2023, Poly Culture and MGM reached a comprehensive cultural and artistic cooperation agreement, jointly promoting cultural exchanges between Macau and mainland China. This time, taking charity auctions as an opportunity, both parties are committed to creating an international platform for cultural and artistic exchanges, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese artworks and outstanding artists to the overseas audience. This allows more people to transcend time and space, cross borders, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the treasures of Chinese culture. Through upholding tradition and innovation, the dissemination of Chinese civilization will reach wider, farther, and resonate more loudly. Boy band Mirror will take the stage in Macau next month as part of its first world tour since a 2022 on-stage accident. The May 17-18 shows at Galaxy Arena aim to help the 12-member act bounce back, after dancer Mo Li suffered serious injuries when a screen fell during a previous concert. While prosecutors have not charged concert producers or the band over the incident, staff from the involved engineering firm still face trial in October. The tour spanning the UK, U.S., Canada, Malaysia and Singapore follows solo shows by bandmates last summer as Li remains hospitalized. Representatives for Mirror have not publicly addressed the accident. Related The early termination of the contract for retail space leasing services at the Hong Kong- Zhuhai-Macau Bridge was caused by challenges amid the post pandemic period, a security forces official has told the parliament. The contract was between Beijing-financed Nam Kwong Group and the government and concerned leasing retail space at the Macau checkpoint of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The contract was not set to expire until next year. There was no prior explanation from the government. Lawmaker Si Ka Lon has questioned the Security Forces at a recent parliamentary interpellation session. Lawmakers Pereira Coutinho and Ron Lam also criticized the government for its lack of transparency in its handling of the matter. Coutinho questioned the rationale behind the early termination of the contract and asked who initiated the termination. He further questioned how public interests can be protected when early contract terminations have happened twice in several months. Coutinho was referring to the early closure of the Macau Jockey Club when the license was valid until 2042. Additionally, while agreeing that business under the pandemic was difficult, Lam questioned why the government had chosen to simply terminate the contract rather than pursuing other options, such as lowering the service charge on Nam Kwong. The government recently started leasing commercial spaces at the Qingmao Border Checkpoint building. Lam said that he worried the same would happen at this border checkpoint. Lao Sio Leng, department head for land borders at the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau (FSM), said that measures such as lease reduction and advertising had taken place, but the situation did not improve. A total of 19 lease persuasion sessions were held between December 2019 and August 2023, she said. While acknowledging that Nam Kwong had made significant efforts, she disclosed that the enterprise had decided to terminate the contract before its expiry, and this decision was approved by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng. The original expiration date of the contract was May 31, 2025. Taiwan has commissioned two new navy ships as a safeguard against the rising threat from China, which has been ratcheting up its naval and air force missions around the island that it claims as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. The pair of Tuo Chiang class corvettes completes the first order of six of the domestically produced catamarans with stealth capabilities. The ships are relatively small, capable of carrying just 41 sailors and officers, but are fast and highly maneuverable and carry a range of missiles and deck guns aimed at countering larger Chinese vessels and rocketry. Outgoing leader Tsai Ing-wen oversaw the commissioning on Tuesday at the northern port of Suao, emphasizing her push to revitalize Taiwans defense industries, alongside extensive arms purchases and support from key ally the United States. Ma Ying-jeou, former Nationalist leader is reportedly planning a visit to China next month that could include a meeting with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. China boasts the worlds largest standing military and biggest navy with three aircraft carriers but has not fought in a major conflict since its brief 1979 conflict with Vietnam. Since then, its military budget has ballooned to the worlds second largest behind the U.S., alongside a huge expansion of its economy, which is now showing signs of losing steam. While vastly outgunned, Taiwans military has been bolstered by new weaponry and an extension of the universal period of national service for men from four months to one year. Its air force, navy and missile corps also respond to near-daily incursions by Chinese ships and planes. Taiwans Defense Ministry says it is on alert for a Chinese sneak attack, possibly targeting Tsai or William Lai, who will take over the top office in May. Both are despised as separatists by Beijing. Recent Taiwanese media reports have shown satellite photos of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army training grounds including mock-ups of the neighborhood surrounding Taipeis cabinet premises. The ministry said it detected nine Chinese planes and six ships operating around the island between Tuesday afternoon and yesterday morning. In Beijing yesterday, a spokesperson for the Cabinets Taiwan Affairs Office criticized live-firing exercises by the Taiwanese military planned for next month near the Taiwan-held island group of Kinmen just off the Chinese coast. Any provocative move Taiwans military takes is doomed to fail, Chen Binhua said at a biweekly news conference. MDT/AP You are here: Business People visit the booth of BYD at the 91st Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 28, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China's leading new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD Company Limited recorded a net profit of 30.04 billion yuan (about 4.23 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 80.72 percent year on year, the company said. According to the company's annual report, BYD generated revenue of 602.32 billion yuan in 2023, an increase of 42.04 percent year on year. Its research and development expenses amounted to 39.58 billion yuan in 2023, up 112.15 percent year on year. In 2023, BYD's annual NEV sales volume exceeded 3.02 million -- which once again ranked first in global NEV sales. BYD's overseas revenue amounted to 160.22 billion yuan last year, an increase of 75.2 percent year on year. The company's overseas revenue accounted for 26.6 percent of its total revenue in 2023, up 5.03 percentage points compared with 2022. Currently, BYD has entered markets in 78 countries and regions around the world, and invested and built factories in countries including Brazil, Hungary and Thailand. President Xi Jinpin walks with representatives from American business, strategic and academic communities at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, yesterday Chinas leader Xi Jinping has called for closer trade ties with the U.S. during a meeting with top American business leaders in Beijing that comes amid a steady improvement in relations that had sunk to the lowest level in years. Xi emphasized yesterday the mutually beneficial economic ties between the worlds two largest economies, despite heavy U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports and Washingtons accusations of undue Communist Party influence, unfair trade barriers and theft of intellectual property. Chinas economy has struggled to recover from severe self-imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic that it lifted only at the end of 2022, but Xi said China was again contributing to world economic growth in the double digits percentage-wise. Sino-U.S. relations are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. Whether China and the United States cooperate or confront each other has a bearing on the well-being of the two peoples and the future and destiny of mankind, Xi was cited as saying by Chinas official Xinhua News Agency. Participants at the meeting included Stephen A. Schwarzman, the billionaire head of investment firm Blackstone. Trade and tariffs have increasingly drawn attention in the runup to the U.S. presidential election, and the Biden administration has shown little sign of moderating punitive measures against Chinese imports imposed by his predecessor and assumed rival in the November polls, Donald Trump. U.S. officials have renewed concerns over Chinese industrial policy practices and overcapacity, and the resulting impact on U.S. workers and companies, that they blame in part on Chinas massive trade surplus that amounted to more than $279 billion last year, its lowest level in about a decade. Chinas formerly highly abrasive tone toward the U.S. has softened in recent months, particularly since Xi and Biden met in San Francisco in November. Officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken have visited, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is reportedly due to to travel to China again to meet top leaders next month. But Xis administration has maintained a hard line on issues it considers its core interests. A nationalist and son of one of the founders of the Peoples Republic, Xi appears determined to maintain strict party control while drawing in foreign investment to shore up the economy. The respective successes of China and the United States create opportunities for each other, Xi was cited as saying by Xinhua. As long as both sides regard the other as partners, respect each other, peacefully coexist and join together for win-win results, China-U.S. relations will improve. MDT/AP This story contains spoilers, so if you havent watched the latest episode of Top Chef but still plan to, you might want to come back later. The second episode of Top Chef: Wisconsin, dubbed Living the High Life, which aired Wednesday night on Bravo, featured the Wisconsin-y challenges of hops and bar snacks. Milwaukee gets another close-up Just like in the first episode, opening shots let Milwaukee shine with shots of the Downtown, the Milwaukee River and the photogenic Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee Art Museum, known as the Calatrava. Who knew you could cook with hops? Top Chef Colorado winner Joe Flamm joined host Kristen Kish for the quickfire challenge, where the chefs had to create a dish featuring hops. Flamm, born and raised on Chicagos South Side, leads Chicago restaurants Rose Mary and BLVD Steakhouse. He won Top Chef season 15. Kish was the Top Chef: Seattle season 10 winner. In announcing the quickfire challenge, Kish and Flamm did a little hop. Once the chefs started working with the hops, one of them said off camera, It smells like weed. As the chefs raced around the kitchen, they explained their dishes. One of them called out, How you feeling? and another answered, Sweaty, very sweaty. Dan Jacobs, the chef/co-owner of Milwaukees DanDan and EsterEv restaurants, the first contestant to represent Wisconsin in the shows 21 seasons, made a charred-cabbage salad with hops, citrus, herbs, Alpine cheddar cheese and red onion. All the dishes were elegant and complicated, with Laura Ozyilmaz, executive chef and owner of Dalida in San Francisco, winning for rice pudding with hops. You got the hops, you got the texture, everything really came together, Kish said. Ozyilmaz won $5,000. Props for the Champagne of Beers In the second half, for the elimination challenge, the group of cheftestants visited the historic Miller Caves. There, they broke into two teams to make and serve a seven-course progressive meal featuring elevated bar snacks. In introducing the challenge, Kish explained that the Miller Brewing Co. was founded in 1855 and is the oldest large-scale brewery operating in the Midwest. And it all started right here in Milwaukee, she said. Their flagship beer, Miller High Life, also known as the Champagne of Beers, is a crowd favorite. Flamm called himself a big High Life fan. I always have been. Whether youre sitting in a Michelin-star restaurant or just have a bowl of popcorn. The challenge was to take the salty snacks found in a bar and feature them in an elevated fine dining dish. Each team member chose one of the snacks to cook with: popcorn, pickles, pretzels, mixed nuts, potato chips, olives or toasted corn kernels. Milwaukee contestant shares a secret Jacobs talked about how he felt twice as much pressure because seven years ago he was diagnosed with Kennedys disease, a rare neuromuscular disease. Im slowly losing some basic motor functions, he said, adding that he didnt want anybody to think of him differently. Jacobs said it took him about six months to come to terms with his diagnosis. I got angry and then sad and then I realized that I needed to do something. I feel like my time is now. Im here for a reason. The reason is to be the next Top Chef. As they were were running around cooking, Jacobs yellow team chanted Win-sconsin! Jacobs made popcorn mousse and put popcorn kernels on top with tweezers. Viewers introduced to more local judges The judges were filmed walking in slow motion into the cave, where they sat at a table and toasted with Miller High Life in champagne glasses. One of the Wisconsin judges was Charlie Berens, famous for his Manitowoc Minute, a minute(ish)-long news show. The title under his name described him as The champagne of comedians. Among the other local judges is Jamie Hoang, who now goes by Jamie Brown-Soukaseume and co-owns the Madison restaurant Ahan. Luke Zahm, owner of the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua and host of Wisconsin Foodie on PBS Wisconsin since 2019, was also a judge. Jacobs yellow team won the team challenge. Chef Rasika Venkatesa of New York won a $10,000 prize for a dessert made with mustard and pretzels, prompting longtime star judge Gail Simmons to say that mustard is her favorite condiment. Chef Valentine Howell Jr., from Dorchester, Massachusetts, was eliminated for preparing a beer and corn-kernel soup that judge Tom Colicchio said was more of a sauce. Can you get too much cheese? A preview of next weeks program showed a cheese challenge on a farm. Kish said, Its just too much cheese, to which Colicchio replied, Get out of Wisconsin. A second police report referencing 2023 incidents that threatened the safety of Chippewa Falls students and teachers has surfaced. The second report references an investigation into a student in April 2023, six months before the October 2023 incident that made headlines in Chippewa Falls last month. Both reports found the student or students being investigated referred to the Columbine mass shootings in manifestos and threatened the lives of Chippewa Area Unified School District classmates. Others threatened in the two incidents include teachers and parents. It is unclear whether the incidents are related or involved the same student. The police reports were first reported by the Louder with Crowder website. 'Manifesto' references Columbine shooting On April 5, 2023, Chippewa Falls police officer Brian Flug filed a police report that refers to a students disorderly conduct as terrorist threats. According to the report, Flug, who worked as a school resource officer in Chippewa Falls, was initially contacted by a Chippewa County sheriffs deputy who had located some concerning journal entries that reference school shooting. Flug contacted the woman who had reported finding the journal. The woman, whose name is redacted from the report, met with Flug and Chippewa Falls Middle School principal Scott DeRusha at the high school on April 5 concerning the journal entries written by a student. The woman reported finding a cardboard cutout of a gun in the room of the student, whose name has also been redacted. The woman also found a notebook where the student made reference in a March 2023 journal entry to being the reincarnated Eric Harris, according to the police report. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were American high school seniors who perpetrated the Columbine High School massacre at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, in Colorado. Harris and Klebold killed 12 students, one teacher and wounded 24 others before both died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The students notebook said that they were looking for Dylan, according to the report. It goes on to say that the student wrote that it is like my (expletive) teacher wants me to slice her throat open and then wrote about stabbing someone, though the report states it is unclear to whom the student is referring. The student also stated they hoped their father would get in a car crash and die before threatening to end his life. The student told Flug they had used the communication app Discord to talk with people across the country about Columbine and to talk with others about plans to shoot up the school. The student writes in the notebook that they pretend to want to be a detective and to hate guns to trick people into thinking they arent a serious threat. 'Hit list' of students The report states some students were threatened by name in the notebook. Their parents were contacted by the school, according to the report, but the general public was not told about the threats or investigation. Parent Emily Gumbert and her father, James Gumbert, both addressed the school board during its Feb. 27 meeting. The meeting addressed safety concerns and procedures for handling threats and was prompted by revelations related to a "credible threat" in October 2023 that was not made public. The meeting at the Chippewa Falls High School auditorium was filled with concerned parents who asked for more transparency from the school district in situations that may threaten their kids. Parents also said repeatedly they wanted to be notified of school threats. Emily Gumbert told the board during the meeting that the October incident was not the first time students were threatened in 2023. She said she was contacted in the spring of 2023 by the school after her daughter and other students were threatened by a classmate when they were in eighth grade. There was a manifesto that was made by a certain individual student at the middle school in eighth grade. There was a hit list of three individual children at the school, she said. Public unaware Gumbert said the public was not made aware of the threat. I was told by the police department to make sure my daughter was in a safe place because this individual student had threatened to steal a firearm. These parents have no idea of that. I was told that it was going to be addressed, she said. My question for the board is these students that have been targeted, where's the mental health help for them? My daughter is now a freshman in high school. She cannot attend school. You know why? Because that individual student was allowed to come back to the school. She said when the student who threatened to kill her daughter returned to school, she was not notified. My daughter had to notify me, she said to the board in tears. You guys are letting us down. My daughter cannot even attend school because she is scared. James Gumbert followed his daughter in addressing the board. My granddaughter cannot even come to school. She's afraid. I tried to take her there one day and she couldn't make it, she really could not make it in the door. So I wonder what you guys want to do about this? Because this is ridiculous. She's a mess, and there's no reason for this for you guys to be covering this up, he said. The school safety discussion came in the wake of Feb. 7 reports that a Chippewa Falls Middle School student's internet searches triggered a police investigation into a "serious" threat of violence in October 2023, according to a separate police report. During the October 2023 investigation, police reports stated law enforcement was investigating the online searches made by a student when officers discovered a paper notebook in which the student wrote detailed plans on how they planned to massacre classmates, saying that they took inspiration from the Columbine school shootings. April 2023 investigation In the earlier case, Flug wrote that he spoke with both parents of the student in question. One of the parents stated on April 18, 2023, that he does own firearms, however, they are all in a safe and that ammunition is also stored locked up. The report states that DeRusha went through some options with the student in question about finishing out the year virtually. After their first attempt appears to have failed due to an apparent lack of valid signatures and allegations of fraud, supporters of former President Donald Trump have launched a second attempt to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Matthew Snorek, a leader of the recall effort, on Wednesday filed paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission indicating his intent to circulate new petitions to recall the long-standing speaker. Snorek created a new recall committee for the effort, and petitions containing signatures will be due no later than May 28. It remains unclear how the new effort would differ from the first one, which was launched in January by Republicans angry that Vos, R-Rochester, had refused former president Donald Trumps request to overturn the 2020 presidential election, something the speaker cannot do. A preliminary review by elections commission staff earlier this month found the groups first attempt appeared to have fallen short of the required number of signatures needed to force a recall election. In his statement of intent for the second recall, Snorek wrote that Vos should be recalled for several reasons, including his lack of commitment to election integrity and his flagrant disrespect for his own constituents by calling them whack-jobs, morons and idiots, in reference to comments Vos made in Madison last week about the people behind the initial recall attempt. Vos and Snorek did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. The new effort comes amid ongoing questions surrounding Snoreks first recall petitions, which were handed over to the elections commission earlier this month. While members of the group said they submitted more than 10,000 signatures, commission staff said a preliminary review found just over 9,000 were potentially valid across multiple legislative districts. The review also found the effort appears to have fallen more than 900 signatures short of the 6,850 needed in Vos old district to force an election. Its also unclear which legislative boundaries would apply after the Wisconsin Supreme Court in December ruled the states previous legislative maps are unconstitutional, barring their use in any subsequent election. Vos was elected in the 63rd Assembly District, but new maps signed earlier this year by Gov. Tony Evers place Vos in the new 33rd Assembly District. Some of Vos previous territory also falls in the new 66th Assembly District. In his challenge, Vos argues a recall can only take place in the new 33rd Assembly District. New maps signed into law earlier this year dont go into effect until November, though the elections commission has asked the states high court to clarify which boundaries apply to elections held before then. After Evers requested an additional week to try to reach consensus with all parties in the case on what boundaries should be used, Assistant Attorney General Faye Hipsman wrote in a Thursday court filing the parties couldnt reach an agreement, but urged the court to use the states new maps. The recall group had until Thursday to respond to Vos challenge to the petitions, but instead filed a request in Dane County Circuit Court on Monday seeking an extension to the challenge period, citing ongoing uncertainties surrounding the legislative district boundaries which are crucial for the analysis of the petition. A status conference on the matter has been scheduled for Friday. A Thursday statement from the new recall committee notes that the first recall effort has not been withdrawn and organizers await a court decision on legislative boundaries. The group claims the first effort was fraught with unexpected challenges and the new committee will implement stringent quality control measures. Vos claimed in his challenge of the first recall effort that petitions were plagued with fraud and criminality, citing forged signatures and missing or incomplete signee information. The Racine County District Attorneys office is investigating the matter. Consider visiting one of these locations to view the April 8 total solar eclipse 25 of the best places to see the solar eclipse across the US Mapping the path of totality across the US Waco, Texas Cleveland Indianapolis Findlay, Ohio Erie, Pennsylvania Rochester, New York Hondo, Texas Niagara Falls, New York Dayton, Ohio Del Rio, Texas Little Rock, Arkansas Texarkana, Arkansas Massena, New York Paducah, Kentucky Caribou, Maine Syracuse, New York Akron/Canton, Ohio San Antonio Barre/Montpelier, Vermont Buffalo, New York Evansville, Indiana Burlington, Vermont Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Youngstown, Ohio Toledo, Ohio The abrupt resignation of U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Green Bay, which followed that of Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., narrows the paper-thin GOP House majority to a single vote. That should be the final signal to House Speaker Mike Johnson that his power and his only job protection lies in bypassing the extremists in his partys Freedom Caucus trying to control him. He should reach out to other conservatives of which there are many and yes, even Democrats. Its how Johnson succeeded in getting the $1.2 trillion spending bill passed that averted a government shutdown at the last minute and could be the key to getting desperately needed aid to Ukraine. Johnson is acutely aware that the House record is dismal and that this Congress is on track to being one of the least productive in modern history. His GOP majority has little to show beyond a crippling level of infighting that has made legislating impossible. The chamber managed to pass a little over 40 bills in the last year or so the lowest number since the 1950s. Buck, a stalwart fiscal conservative and one-time Freedom Caucus member, pointed that out in November, when he announced he would not seek reelection, and gave his colleagues a tongue-lashing for being obsessively fixated on retribution and vengeance for contrived injustices of the past. By March Buck was so fed up that he decided to leave early. Among his complaints: the nonsensical attempts to impeach President Joe Biden and the continued lies about the stolen 2020 election. Weve taken impeachment and weve made it a social media issue, he said. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who spearheaded the impeachment effort, recently acknowledged that after well over a year, his fruitless inquiry would end without a vote. He muttered something about criminal referrals, but the reality is that his committee failed to produce any solid charges or evidence of wrongdoing by the president. In a final gesture of defiance, Buck became the first Republican to sign the Democrats discharge petition for Ukraine aid, a position opposed by the Freedom Caucus and former President Donald Trump. Hinting at future resignations, Buck told reporters ominously, I think its the next three people that leave that theyre going to be worried about. Gallagher, a former Marine and committee chair who was considered a rising star, was next out of the gate. He didnt publicly dress down his colleagues but he timed his April 19 departure to ensure that under Wisconsin law, his seat would not be filled before November an unmistakable message. There is little doubt at this point that the House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace, leading to an unprecedented number of resignations. Johnson, mere months into the job, has already had a motion to vacate filed against him by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a warning shot for his having dared to work with Democrats a second time to pass the budget bill that spared the nation a government shutdown. It was the same issue that felled former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who resigned his seat shortly after he was ousted as speaker. Greene, another authoritarian wanna-be, has called for Gallagher to be expelled from Congress soon, to trigger a special election. The Freedom Caucus makes up 42 members of the now 217 House GOP conference. Thats a fair number, but not enough to be the tail wagging the dog. Their power is amplified by their insistence on treating Trump like some kind of president-in-exile whose commands are to be obeyed, whether its a rejection of a border bill that read like a wish list of GOP goals or a demand to impeach Biden or others, such as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Gallagher objected strongly to that last one. Much has been made about a majority of Republicans opposing the spending bill. More interesting and overlooked is that 101 Republicans joined with 185 Democrats to pass it. That is more than enough Republicans to defang the Freedom Caucus and reduce them to the noisy back-benchers they are. Otherwise, if Buck is right and even a couple more members resign, the next speaker fight could, theoretically, install Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in that role. Johnson is a Trump ally, its true. But without compromise, he and his majority will be neutered. History can remember him as a puppet, whose six-month reign was marked by chaos, dysfunction and ended prematurely by the likes of Greene. Or he can reach deeper, exercise the significant powers of his role, and pass a border bill and the aid for Ukraine that he and a number of his conference already support. THURSDAY Open Mic NightShare your short stories and poetry at 6:30 p.m. at the Twin Falls Public Library. Read original works, your favorite short by another author or just come to listen. Sign up to read at the event (first-come, first-served). Light refreshments will be served. Readings will be limited to five minutes each. This program is geared toward adults. Preschool Play DateInstead of storytime during Spring Break, age groups will have their very own play date at the Twin Falls Public Library. Well bring out extra toys and have play areas set up all over the childrens department so that kids and caregivers can play and connect. Toddler Play Date: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday; Preschool Play Date: Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. FRIDAY Easter Egg HuntJoin us for an Easter Egg Hunt tailored for ages 2 to 12 at 5 p.m. at the Walker Center, 605 11th Ave East, Gooding. Well have designated lanes for each age group, ensuring everyone has a fair chance at finding treasures. Plus, grab some coloring books and educational materials while youre here SATURDAY Life and Photography of Clarence BisbeeYouve seen his photos around town, now learn more about the man behind the images. At 1 p.m. at the Twin Falls Public Library, Librarian Jennifer Hills will talk about photographer Clarence Bisbee, some of his most significant photos, and the legacy he left to the Magic Valley and the state. Adult Show & TellDo you have an interesting souvenir from a great vacation? Are you an aspiring artist or crafts-person with pieces that need to be seen? Do you have a rare piece of movie memorabilia? Dont let your cool items sit and gather dust! Come to Adult Show & Tell from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday to show off your object, tell us the story behind it, and see and hear what others have to share! Note: Registration at the Reference Desk is required to show an object at this program. Easter Egg HuntThe Optimist Club and Twin Falls Parks and Recreation will hold its annual Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. at Twin Falls City Park. Its free. Easter Egg HuntPotters House TF Cfm will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 4 p.m. sharp at the Robert Stuart Middle School field. Free food and drinks while they last. Games, races and prizes. Financial donations appreciated. For questions, call 208-613-4646. Easter Egg HuntAn Easter egg hunt, sponsored by the Kimberly Business Owners Association, will take place at 11 a.m. at the Kimberly City Park. Groups divided in four age groups. Live MusicGary and Cindy Braun will perform from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Redhawk Gastropub, 330 Canyon Crest Drive in Twin Falls. Easter Egg HuntAn Easter Egg Hunt, brought to you by the Buhl Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and volunteers from Buhl High School, starts at 10 a.m. at Popplewell Elementary School in Buhl. Easter Egg HuntJoin us at 1 p.m. at the Rupert Square for an Easter egg hunt and bike raffle. Boys and Girls Club, Fizz Farm and The Corn Dog Company will be there. The Easter Bunny will be there for pictures and egg hunt will start at 1 p.m. sharp. Sponsored by Carney Real Estate Team, Kallie Carney and Tamra Bendele. Jesse Ortiz FundraiserA prime rib dinner/auction fundraiser for the Jesse Ortiz family takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds. Questions? Call Geoff Secrist at 208-420-6813. ParkrunJoin us for a 5K walk/run at the Twin Falls Visitors Center at 8:50 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start time. Free. Easter Egg HuntThe Snake River Elks Lodge, 412 East 200 South, Jerome, will host breakfast at 9 a.m., with kids eating free, with the Easter egg hunts starting at 10 a.m. for the youngest age group. Special Needs Easter Egg HuntPeace Officer Inc. will host a special needs Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Filer. MONDAY Tween STEMJoin us for a Tween STEM Club in the Youth Services Department at 4 p.m. at the Twin Falls Public Library. In April and May the Tween STEM Club will do a hands-on exploration of simple machines using Enginos Simple Machines Building Kit. This program is for kids in 3rd-6th grade. Registration is required and space is limited, call 208-733-2964 ext. 301 to sign up. TUESDAY Genealogy workshopEach month, explore a different resource, tool, or skill in genealogy research at the Twin Falls Public Library. This month, join us at 6:30 p.m. to learn how to track your family tree through immigration and naturalization records. Alzheimers Community ForumAttend this Community Forum from 11 a.m. to noon at the Twin Falls Public Library to share your experience with Alzheimers disease and discuss how the Association can best serve your community. Together, we can help enhance care and support resources for those facing the disease. The Idaho prisoner who escaped from custody after a Boise hospital ambush and the man suspected of helping him flee, both of whom are now being investigated in connection with two homicides, have long histories of criminal activity dating back more than a decade. Authorities said Idaho prisoner Skylar Meade, 31, escaped custody after Nicholas Umphenour, 28, ambushed Department of Correction officers at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where Meade was receiving treatment for self-inflicted injuries. Umphenour shot two of the officers, while a third was mistakenly shot by police, according to Boise police. The two men were on the lam for more than 24 hours before they were found and arrested after a pursuit in the Twin Falls area. Both are now in the Ada County Jail and being held on $2 million bonds. Police said they are now linked to two North Idaho homicides one in Nez Perce County and another in Clearwater County that happened in that window. Court records showed Meade and Umphenour have both spent time in Idaho prison for various crimes. Both are members of the Aryan Knights, a white supremacist prison gang, according to police. Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt said they were intermittently housed together from December 2020 to January 2024, when Umphenour was released, and had mutual acquaintances outside of prison. Meade previously shot at law enforcement At the time of his escape, Meade was serving time for an officer assault, drug possession and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to court records. Those charges stem from a November 2016 incident, in which Twin Falls Sheriffs Sgt. Rick Beem attempted to pull over Meades vehicle for a traffic stop, court records showed. Meade, who had pending misdemeanor drug charges at the time, sped away and tried to elude Beem while driving through Filer, according to the affidavit. Beem said Meade then took out a gun and shot in his direction three times while driving. Beem apprehended Meade when his truck spun off the road and into a field. Beem and other arriving officers found at least 0.2 grams of methamphetamine in Meades pocket, according to the affidavit. A judge sentenced Meade to 20 years with 10 years fixed for those crimes. Tewalt said Meade was housed in administrative segregation, more commonly known as solitary confinement, before his escape. Its a form of restrictive housing that really is reserved for those people in our custody who have proven they cant be housed without being a danger to themselves, staff or other people in our custody, Tewalt said at a news conference. Meade was previously sentenced to five years in prison with three years fixed for a 2010 felony theft charge, according to court records. Umphenour had hunting, burglary charges Records showed Umphenour served three separate sentences in prison as an adult. In August 2014, he was arrested for unlawfully hunting and taking multiple big game animals. He was initially sentenced to serve time from November 2014 to June 2016, according to the Idaho Department of Correction website. Court records showed that he was released on supervised probation for part of that sentence. In March 2016, while on probation, he was arrested and later found guilty of felony burglary. A judge added two years to his sentence for the probation violation and burglary. He was released in March 2018. But less than a year later, in December 2018, Umphenour, who was living in Orofino, was charged and later found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and grand theft in Clearwater County. He was charged with stealing a truck and other tools from a cedar mill in Weippe. Police said they found the truck burned, according to police reports. Court records showed Umphenour began his sentence for those crimes in June 2019 and was released on Jan. 17. In January 2019, Umphenour was charged with several serious crimes for an incident in Clearwater County, but they were later dropped. Those charges included aggravated assault, battery, resisting or obstructing an officer, threatening an official, disturbing the peace and contempt of court. Police said in written reports that Umphenour threatened a woman with a knife, hit a mans face with his hand, ran away from a law enforcement officer and later threatened that officer to influence him to violate his known legal duty. A written report by Deputy Kyle Atha said he heard Umphenour pulled out a knife on a woman at an Orofino bar before leaving and walking to the nearby gas station. Atha said he went outside and saw Umphenour. I again gave the command, Stop, police, Atha said, to which the male replied, Not today, piggy, as he ran by me. While continuing to look for Umphenour, Atha said, he came across a man whose face was cut and bloody and who identified himself as the uncle of Umphenours girlfriend. The man told Atha that Umphenour had come up from behind and hit him while he was at a bar. When the man turned around, Umphenour pulled a knife out and threatened to kill him before running away, according to the police report. Law enforcement eventually apprehended Umphenour at an Orofino hotel, and Atha described Umphenour as verbally combative and eventually physically combative during the arrest. Umphenour made comments that Atha perceived as threatening, including your f-ing family is done and he would f- me up, according to Athas report. The judge dismissed the case after the state advised the court it was not prepared to proceed, according to court records. In his police report, Atha wrote that a Miranda warning was never read to Umphenour because of his combative state. The Clearwater County Prosecutors Office declined to comment on the cases dismissal. Idaho recognizes National Sexual Assault Awareness Month The State of Idaho is raising awareness of sexual assault by recognizing April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The State is hosting a kick-off event at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at the Ada County Victim Services Center. Throughout April, a coalition of organizations will join forces to educate the public about sexual assault and emphasize the availability of support services. This news conference will feature Gov. Brad Little, state representatives, law enforcement officials, and victim advocacy organizations recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation will be live-streamed on Ada Countys YouTube page, which can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@adacountyidaho7995 Also: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported new data on Idaho job openings and Labor turnover, announcing that Idaho had 52,000 job openings in January compared to the 51,000 openings in December. The bureau also announced that the ratio of unemployed people per job opening in Idaho was 6% compared to the 7% on a national level. For more information, go to https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/jobopeningslaborturnover_idaho.htm . With spring arriving, Idaho Power suggests the following tips for the upcoming cooling season: Replace your HVAC system air filters. Dirty filters block necessary airflow; check your thermostat settings and adjust for a spring/summer schedule; brush or hose off leaves and debris from the outside A/C or heat pump unit; seal air leaks around windows and doors by caulking, weatherstripping or adjusting hardware for a better fit; and use LED bulbs with dusk-to-dawn sensors for outside lighting. For more energy efficiency tips, programs, and incentives, visit . The U.S. Department of Labors Job Corps program offers free training that provides students with the skills needed to connect with the high-quality jobs created by infrastructure investments. With more than 400 pre-apprenticeship training programs across the country, the Job Corps program is a wellspring for the talent pipeline needed in communities where the administration is realizing its investments. in Nampa offers career skills training in high-growth industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology. The Annual Childrens Easter Planting Project is taking place from 2-7 p.m., Thursday, in Jerome, 269 South 300 East. Children can receive a container and get to plant their own Spring flowers for $10. This event is open for all ages. The Community Library in Ketchum is hosting a series of events beginning April 8 for National Library Week. They plan to celebrate libraries, library workers, patrons, the love of books, and the freedom to read whatever one chooses. The library will be open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Monday and 10 a.m.8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The community is invited to the free activities. No registration is required. Times-News Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. UPDATE: The Twin Falls Police Department reported Thursday that the teenager has been found. The Twin Falls Police Department is asking the public for help locating a teenager who has been reported missing. Steven Depew, 17, was last seen March 19. He is described as being 6-feet-6 and 240 pounds. He has brown hair with highlights, that is below his ears and above the collar. His eyes are hazel. Stars are tattooed on the back of one of his hands. Residents are encouraged to contact Detective Matthews with information about Depew at 208-735-7327 or bmatthews@tfid.org. China has made huge progress in the green transition over the past decade, according to Dr. Carl F. Fey, a professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School. Dr. Carl F. Fey along with other leading experts from both abroad and China have gathered in the resort town of Boao, located in southern China's Hainan province, to participate in the Boao Forum for Asia's annual conference. Held from March 26 to 29, the focus of this year's conference is globally shared challenges, concerns and responsibilities, and how to further foster cooperation and development between Asia and the rest of the world. Dr. Carl F. Fey, a professor of strategy at the Norwegian Business School, chairs a panel session on March 27 during the Boao Forum for Asia. [Photo courtesy of Boao Forum for Asia] In an interview with China.org.cn during the Boao Forum for Asia, Dr. Fey stated, "China has really been making impressive progress when it comes to the green transition and that's where China and countries like Norway, where I'm from, could collaborate in the future." Reflecting on these advancements, Dr. Fey noted, "If you were asking me the same question 10 years ago, I would say China is not doing very well in terms of green development. But now, China has placed a significant focus on green transition technologies." A report titled "Striding Towards Zero-Carbon Electricity Era and Bolstering Green Development in Asia" was released during the forum, highlighting China's role in the global energy revolution, especially in reducing the global cost of wind and solar power production. The report emphasizes China's technological and cost advantages, along with its long-term stable policies with renewable energy. The report notes that China's production of critical components such as photovoltaic modules, wind turbines and gearboxes accounts for roughly 70% of the global market share. In 2022, China's exports of wind power and photovoltaic products collectively contributed to a reduction of approximately 2.83 billion tons in carbon emissions, representing about 41% of the global carbon reduction attributed to renewable energy sources during that same period. Photo taken on March 27 showing an area dedicated to encouraging zero-carbon activities in Boao, south China's Hainan province. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn] Official data shows that China's exports of energy-saving, sustainable products, including lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaic products and new energy vehicles, reached 1.06 trillion yuan last year, marking a robust year-on-year increase of 29.9%. Dr. Fey specifically pointed to China's leading position in solar cell exports as a testament to its commitment to green development. He expressed confidence that "through working on focusing more on new quality productive forces, which means innovation, China is going to make even further contributions on the green transition moving forward." Citing examples such as the development of light railroads in Africa to promote collaboration and green efficiency in transportation, the professor also emphasized that through initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, "China has been sharing some of its green technologies with other countries." Every business, interest group, civic organization, legal group, education entity, government agency and living-and-breathing human being in the Gem State should take heed of the chronic shortage of experienced and competent lawyers seeking to be district judges. It has become harder each year to recruit good candidates for district court positions because of a variety of factors low pay, high stress, burnout and the prospect of having to gain the office through a contested election. The situation will only get worse if Senate Bill 1347 is approved by the Legislature this session. For those who may not know how Idahos court system is organized, there are three components. Magistrate courts, which currently have 101 magistrate judges, handle civil trials where up to $10,000 is at stake, plus domestic, traffic, estate, misdemeanor and a variety of other cases. District courts, with 49 district judges, handle the full range of felony and higher-stake civil trials. The appellate courts, with a total of 9 judges, handle and decide appeals from the two trial court components. Candidates for magistrate judge are thoroughly vetted and appointed by regional magistrate commissions. Lawyers seeking positions on the district and appellate court are vetted by the Idaho Judicial Council, which sends a list of the best candidates to the Governor, who appoints from the list. These largely non-political appointment mechanisms have made Idahos court system one of the best in the nation. Former Governor Otter reported on numerous occasions that he regularly received praise from other state governors about the high quality of Idahos judiciary. Former Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick also received accolades from his counterparts in other states for the recognized excellence of Idaho judges. To keep an excellent judiciary up and running, lawyers must be incentivized to step forward and apply for judicial positions. Most will take a pay cut of more than 50% from what they can make in private law practice for the privilege of serving as a judge. I did and I do not regret it. But, if it appears to potential applicants that the burdens of the job substantially outweigh the privilege of being able to perform public service, few would be willing to step forward. That is where Idaho is with district court positions. Appellate positions the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals still have enough well-qualified applicants to fill court vacancies, despite the bargain basement compensation package. The same applies to the magistrate courts. The district courts simply dont have enough competent, seasoned applicants to fill and replenish their ranks. That poses a serious danger to the ability of the district courts to do their work, and to the public that depends on those courts to decide cases quickly and competently. Magistrate judge openings often get at least twice as many applicants as district judge openings because they are assured of a merit-based appointment process, the pay disparity is not substantial and magistrate judges do not have to face the prospect of an election contest. On the other hand, district judges presently have a merit-based selection process that the sponsor of Senate Bill 1347 wants to largely disable by requiring district and appellate openings to be filled through contested elections. The sponsor wants to eliminate a retirement benefit that was put in place in 2000 as a recruitment incentive for district and appellate judges, even though she would leave in place a similar recruitment incentive that was adopted for magistrate judges in 2006. Lawyers could be excused for not wanting to apply for a district court position under such uncertainty as to job benefits and whether the benefits would be subject to future revision during their service. The failure of the Legislature to give all Idaho judges the 7% cost-of-living increase that all other state employees received in 2022 did not go unnoticed by those lawyers. But there is yet another significant consideration for district courts the workload. District judges have the highest-pressure job in Idahos court system. They deal with heavy-duty felonies, like the Daybell and Kohberger murder cases, as well as complicated and high-dollar civil disputes that are litigated to the nth degree by deep-pocket parties. Handling the everyday work of managing a complex case and responding to the incessant demands of the lawyers involved takes long hours nights and weekends, which leads to stress and burnout. Who would want to take a pay cut of more than 50% for that kind of miserable job? Legislators should be considering measures to make all court positions more attractive to a broader range of competent, seasoned lawyers. Special emphasis should be placed on getting more applicants for district court positions, because that is where the recruitment problem has reached crisis proportions. Pursuing measures designed to discourage accomplished lawyers from applying for district court positions, where they are needed the most, does not make sense. The Stand up for Courts group, composed of Butch Otter, Patti Anne Lodge, Denton Darrington, Phil Reberger and a host of other concerned citizens, is urging that Senate Bill 1347 be stopped in its tracks in the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee to help preserve Idahos excellent judiciary. - Advertisement - The winners of the Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) who won the annual search for the best practices on nurturing their family amid challenges expressed their gratitude to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for the honor and to BDO Unibank as well for instilling the value of saving among Overseas Filipino (OF) families. BDO has provided us with assistance especially through Kabayan Savings. My mom encouraged me and my younger sibling to open our own account then. It was really a big help because by the time our mother retired from her work abroad, we had enough savings in our account, thanks to BDO, said Nizma Hawari, the daughter of land-based national winner Amir Hawari from Zamboanga (Region 9). Amir Hawaris career overseas spanned over four decades as a purchasing officer at the Saudi Aramco and as stock analyst for inventory at the Qatar Petroleum. A cancer survivor, Hawari said their childrens education was the driving force behind his and his wife Arminas sacrifices as OFWs. Armina worked as a dialysis nurse at the Hamad Medical Corp. in Qatar. Because of their hard work, the Hawari family was able to establish numerous business ventures in the Philippines, which are all managed by their six children who are also all college degree holders. Amir is also one of the founders and served as a chairman of the Asian Integrated School, the first Filipino-Muslim school established in Doha, Qatar. - Advertisement - OWWAs Ignacio and Cacdac of DMW bestow the 2023 MOFYA to the family of the late Capt. Jessie Lorenzo, represented by his wife Dr. Amelia Lorenzo, daughter Dr. Jessica and son, Engr. Mark. This recognition is not only for me, it also serves as a motivation for all OFWs to further improve their community involvement especially when they retire. Theres no better feeling than the feeling of being loved and recognized by your family, relatives, friends, and fellow kababayans who are also working like you for the sake of their families, said the Hawari patriarch. Meanwhile, the sea-based winner of this years MOFYA, Capt. Jessie Lorenzo from Antique (Region 6), who passed away last year, was represented by his widow Dr. Amelia Lorenzo, his daughter Dr. Jessica, and son, Engr. Mark. Daughter Jessica thanked BDO for being the financial partner of choice of her late father. When my father bought condominium units, it was from the money he saved in BDO. Thank you BDO for the assistance you have given us and to each OF family and community, daughter Jessica shared. Jessica added, To fellow children of OFs, we should always keep in mind the sacrifices made by our parents and the things they do for our future. Upon graduating from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Capt. Lorenzo eventually became the youngest captain in his batch and a naval reservist. Not confining himself to earnings from his seafaring ways, Capt. Lorenzo purchased 28 hectares of land from his first voyage to establish a diverse and sustainable agricultural enterprise. We started from scratch. When we got married, he was already chief mate, and I was a dentist. At that time, I was receiving only a certain amount of his allotment for our family. He would take care of our finances. Every time he would disembark, he made sure to make some investments like purchase lands. I never complained because I knew it was all for the sake of our family, especially our two children, Dr. Lorenzo said. We are so overwhelmed by this award from OWWA. - Advertisement - Beijing, China China on Thursday blamed Philippine actions for recent rising tension between the two sides in the hotly contested South China Sea. Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the strategic waterway and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels near contested reefs in recent months. The provocations by the Philippine side are the direct cause of the recent heating up of the South China Sea issue, Beijings defence ministry said in a statement entitled China Will Not Allow the Philippines to Act Wilfully. Relying on the backing of external forces the Philippine side has frequently infringed on rights and provoked and created trouble at sea, as well as spreading false information to mislead the international communitys perception of the issue, which is, so to speak, going further and further down a dangerous road, it added. A recent incident took place near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands during a regular Philippine mission to resupply Filipino troops garrisoned on the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded navy ship. - Advertisement - The Philippines said the China Coast Guard blocked its supply vessel and damaged it with water cannon, injuring three soldiers. The China Coast Guard has defended its actions, describing them as lawful regulation, interception and expulsion of a foreign vessel that tried to forcefully intrude into Chinese waters. Deputy foreign ministers from the two sides held a phone call on Monday, after Manila summoned a Chinese envoy over the incident. China will not allow the Philippines to do whatever it wants, and has responded in a reasonable and forceful manner, the defence ministry said Thursday. - Advertisement - President Marcos on Thursday said the Philippines would not be cowed into silence and asserted the countrys sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea amid Chinas latest threats. We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience, the President said in a statement. Filipinos do not yield, he added. The President affirmed the governments stance and announced plans to implement a robust response against such provocations. Over the succeeding weeks, there shall be implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia, he said. - Advertisement - The Chief Executive made the announcement after his recent meetings with National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. The recent altercation involving three navy personnel aboard the Unaizah May 4 (UM4), which sustained injuries after being targeted by water cannons from Chinese vessels, highlights escalating tensions. Despite damage to the UM4, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the successful completion of the rotation and resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at the Ayungin Shoal. Additionally, President Marcos maintained ongoing dialogue with international partners, who have offered assistance to uphold Philippine sovereignty and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. I have also been in constant communication with representatives of relevant allies, partners, and friends in the international community, the President said. They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, he added. President Marcos is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida this April 11 in Washington, DC. The West Philippine Sea issue will be discussed, among other topics of mutual concern for all parties. - Advertisement - Beko Philippines is excited to announce that it will now oversee the distribution and after-sales services for Hitachi branded home appliances in the Philippine market. Beko Philippines will directly coordinate with Arcelik Hitachi Home Appliances, a joint venture between Arcelik and Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc., established in July 2021, responsible for manufacturing, selling, and servicing Hitachi branded home appliances worldwide (excluding Japan). This transition aims to ensure uninterrupted supply and enhanced services of Hitachi branded Home Appliances products for customers in the Philippines. We are thrilled to announce that our company has been selected as the new distributor for Hitachi branded home appliances in the Philippines. Our team is committed to upholding the high standards for our premium range, and to further enhancing the availability and accessibility of products to customers, said Gurhan Gunal, Beko Philippines Country Director. Delivering High-Quality Life solutions for Filipino Consumers With a renewed focus on enhancing the lives of Filipino consumers through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled convenience, Hitachi invites households across the nation to discover the Art of Ease. This philosophy brings together comfort, convenience, and quality, where each product is a piece in the mosaic of a comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable lifestyle. The relaunch of Hitachi Home Appliances in the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the brands commitment to delivering exceptional quality and performance to its customers. Each Hitachi Home appliance is a result of blending traditional Japanese attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence. By blending technology and lifestyle seamlessly, Hitachi offers products tailored to meet diverse needs and bring practicality and harmony to every Filipino home. - Advertisement - Currently, Hitachi Refrigerators are already available in the Philippines and set to release new home appliance lineups in the coming months, all to carry the same prowess, innovation, and excellence that the brand is known for to meet the diverse needs of the consumers. For more information about Hitachi Home Appliances, visit www.hitachi-homeappliances.com/ph and follow @hitachihomeappliancesphilippines on Facebook and Instagram. P&HCC commencement speaker Patrick & Henry Community College announced that the commencement address for P&HCCs 2024 graduation ceremony will be delivered by Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller. Keller joined the Foundation in July 2020 after serving as the vice president for strategy and policy for Interact for Health, a regional health-focused foundation serving the Cincinnati area. She is a member of the 39th class of Leadership Cincinnati and received the 2012 National Outstanding Achievement Award from the School-Based Health Alliance. In 2012, she was named a Terrance Keenan Emerging Leader Fellow from Grantmakers in Health. Currently, Keller serves on the board of Sovah Health, and previously on the boards of Springer School, Philanthropy Ohio, Tri-State Veterans Community Alliance and School-Based Health Alliance. She earned a bachelors degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University and a masters degree in public administration from the University of Cincinnati. We are so very grateful for the support that The Harvest Foundation has extended to our PHamily by providing resources to ensure that a college credential is free to the family for students eligible to take advantage of the SEED fund, P&HCC President Greg Hodges said. Additionally, The Harvest Foundation has provided state of the art equipment for P&HCCs Nursing SIM lab, and, most recently, partnered with us to expand our MET Complex. It is our great honor to have Ms. Keller inspire our graduates with the insight and wisdom she has gained as a leader in her field and in our community. P&HCCs graduation ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. May 11 in the Stone Hall gymnasium. Senior nutrition program Virginias Farm Market Fresh for Seniors, or the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, is available through Southern Area Agency on Aging (SAAA). Eligible seniors may receive $50 worth of vouchers that can be used to purchase locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and cut herbs at participating Farmers Markets, but the number of people who can participate is limited. Beginning on April 16, SAAA will take applications over the phone and in person and will also continue to take applications throughout the following week while the supply of $50 booklets lasts. To qualify applicants must be 60 years of age or older on or before June 1; be a resident of Martinsville City, Henry County, Patrick County, Franklin County, Danville City or Pittsylvania County; must not live with or be immediately related to the farmer who grows the produce; and have a monthly household income that does not exceed the income requirements of the program. Individuals and couples who wish to apply for vouchers must contact Southern Area Agency on Aging at 276-632-6442 or toll-free at 1-800-468-4571. Applicants must be prepared to certify total gross monthly household income information when applying over the phone or in person. Piedmont Community Services has secured alternative funding for prevention services after the discontinuance of one program with Henry County Public Schools. Previously, PCS has partnered with school divisions to secure three-year grant funding through Virginia Foundation for Healthy Use for its Too Good For Drugs program which aims to provides prevention education to students. This was with Franklin County, Martinsville and Henry County school divisions until recently when it came time to reapply for the grant and Henry County schools made the decision to discontinue just that one program and replace it with DARE in partnership with the Henry County Sheriffs Office. PCS has now secured funding for prevention services through an alternative route. We pivoted, Piedmont Community Services Coordinator Regina Clark said. We applied for a community innovation grant through the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. Its the same foundation, just a different approach. PCS new approach will be more community-based, Clark said, and will include having staff at the Martinsville-Henry County YMCA periodically for support services, activities and resources. It will also include a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, MHC After 3 and Youth In Crisis. The PCS board unanimously approved accepting the $33,000 a year for three years grant for a total of $99,000 from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youths Community Innovation grant. The funding will be distributed via reimbursement. Thank you for continuing and reinventing and having the passion, PCS Board Member Ann Gibson said. That takes a lot of planning, a lot of staff time. As for Franklin County Public Schools and Martinsville City Public Schools, the funding will remain with the same grant as before and new this year, PCS will be in partnership with Patrick County Public Schools. Clark said PCS has been providing services to Patrick County in a good faith agreement with the school system for the current and last school years with positive results, concluding in the partnership for the grant. There will be no disruption in services for the kids. Itll just be a continuation, Clark said. PCS has done some restructuring to its grants for the school systems in their service region as they are only allowed to be the fiscal entity for one. Since HCPS is no longer the fiscal entity for their grant funding, PCS will take that over for the new grant and the other grants will be through partnership within the different school systems. Martinsville City Public Schools, Patrick County Public Schools and Franklin County Schools were all awarded individually $159,000 from the Virginia Foundation for Service Healthy Youth for 2024 to 2027 while PCSs new grant that it calls a pivot to a new approach totals $99,000 for the same period. PCS Executive Director Greg Preston said he hasnt given up on getting its program back in Henry County schools. We are hopeful that we can circle back and sit down with Henry County schools, Preston said. It is vital that kids begin to receive services at an early grade. We have to circle back and sit down and have a healthy conversation with Henry County Schools to make another offer to see where we can locate funding because its all about the kids and that should be our focus, Preston said. Ill do my part to reach out. However, HCPS has shared nothing but positive responses to the implementation of the DARE program. As of January, the DARE program was set to start with students in the same grades that Too Good For Drugs services, fourth and fifth, with plans to expand to more age groups in the future as DARE programming spans kindergarten to 12th grade. Bringing the DARE program back to HCPS was one of Henry County Sheriff Wayne Daviss first initiatives upon election to the role. At the school boards January meeting, Davis spoke on the implementation of the program. There have been some critics of the DARE program, Davis said. Those critics primarily base their criticisms off of studies from the mid-1990s and early 2000s. Davis said that those studies are nearly 30 years old and newer studies tell a different story. He referenced a 2022 study from the University of North Carolina and a 2024 article from the America Addiction Center, saying that both share scientific evidence that the DARE program works. There are 87 law enforcement agencies across the state of Virginia conducting the DARE program with their local school systems. Along with its curriculum for all grade levels, DARE also has standalone programs for topics like suicide prevention, social media safety and anti-bullying, some of which HCPS has already rolled out at select schools. County Schools Superintendent Amy Blake-Lewis said at the board meeting that HCPS Director of Student Support Services Matthew Woods conducted a cross-examination of the DARE and Too Good For Drugs programs. The DARE curriculum is proving to be much more robust in bringing out additional elements, Blake-Lewis said. It is a much more all-encompassing program to help our students become the best that they could be. Were thankful for such a great working relationship with the school system, were thankful for the opportunity to present this program to our children and as the sheriff of Henry County I am committed to the safety of your students and the success of this DARE program, Davis said. Margarita Ramirez, executive director of Centro Unido Latino Americano, has been honored with the Rural Leader of the Year Award for North Carolina. On Thursday, March 21, Ramirez received the Rural Leader of the Year award by the N.C. Rural Center in Raleigh. This award recognizes a graduate of the Centers Rural Economic Development Institute or Homegrown Leaders programs who through strong leadership, hard work, and dedication, have enhanced the quality of life in rural North Carolina and significantly improved the community, region, and/or the state. Being able to receive this prestigious award came with a lot of effort, impact and sacrifices that began more than three and a half years ago, according to a news release. The story of Ramirez began in 2020 with a single step into the basement of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion where Centro Unido is based. As an immigrant since the age of 9, Ramirezs journey embodies resilience in the face of adversity. Her leadership and dedication to see her community thrive enabled her to form strategic leadership that she uses to break systematic, generational and cultural barriers. Ramirez has worked towards garnering awareness of those barriers to non-Hispanic individuals, especially those in positions of power to create opportunities for mutuality and reciprocity, leading to transformative growth, healing, empowerment, and fostering a sense of belonging for the Latino/Hispanic community. Under Ramirezs stewardship, Centro Unido has experienced unprecedented growth and impact, according to the news release. Notably, she has spearheaded initiatives resulting in a significant expansion of the organizations budget from $88,000 to more than $1 million within a mere three years and during her leadership, a total of $4 million was brought into the organization. Additionally, Ramirez has elevated staffing capacity, from two part-time employees to a robust team of 12 members and five seasonal contracted instructors. Ramirez has been able to bring over 10 new programs and resources for mental health, education access, youth development, health care, language justice, food insecurity and more. Centro Unido currently provides more than 2,500 services a month and operates within six strategic focus areas which are: Health, Education, Workforce, Advocacy, Leadership and Art & Culture. Ramirezs efforts have culminated in groundbreaking milestones such as the See Our Voices art mural the first Latino mural in the city of Marion and the widely growing Culturas Unidas festival. She partnered with McDowell Technical Community College to open educational pathways and create representation by advocating for diverse leadership within the college. She encourages youth in our community to become outstanding leaders by providing them with tools, abilities and opportunities that set them up for future success. Shes working toward system change by partnering with the city of Marion to implement a language access plan for multilingual populations in Marion and has created effective relationships with entities such as McDowell County and McDowell County Public Schools. Ramirez continues to advocate for the Latino community and beyond by taking on leadership roles on the Mission Hospital, IMPACT Health, and McDowell Chamber of Commerce board of directors along with other boards, according to the news release. Thanks to Ramirezs leadership and innovation there has been a vast positive shift in representation, awareness and acknowledgement of the Latino/Hispanic community. Her tireless advocacy and strategic partnerships have transcended geographical boundaries, garnering the attention of organizations in and outside of North Carolina leading Centro Unido to reach regional, state, national and even international level. Centro Unidos media team interviewed Ramirez after returning from the N.C. Rural Summit. I am deeply humbled and honored by the recognition from the N.C. Rural Center, she said. I want to emphasize that the success of our organization is the result of strong partnerships, dedicated teamwork and the unwavering support from our community. This award is not a personal accolade but a testament to our organizations ability to surmount challenges and drive meaningful systematic change. As an immigrant, my objective is to foster a more equitable community where all individuals, including my daughters, Daisy and Yamilet as first-generation citizens can feel represented, welcomed and empowered. In her acceptance speech, Ramirez expressed profound gratitude for the collective effort and support of her partners, colleagues, family, and community members and emphasized that this achievement is a testament to the collective resilience and determination of all those striving to affect positive change, according to the news release. Looking ahead, Ramirez reaffirmed her commitment to overcoming challenges and fostering a brighter future for North Carolinas diverse communities, guided by one of her acclaimed phrases; You are light. You are love. You are life. A phrase reflecting her values, which she shares through her work. Based in Marion, Centro Unido Latino Americano is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting underserved populations, with a focus on the Latino community in North Carolina. Through advocacy, education, and collaborative partnerships, Centro Unido strives to address systemic barriers and create opportunities for growth, prosperity and equitable representation, according to the news release. More than 630 people attended this years sold-out Rural Summit by the N.C. Rural Center. The event began Wednesday, March 20, with Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Tony Pipa reaffirming the power and promise of rural communities. On Thursday, March 21, Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the N.C. Community College System, shared his vision for reshaping how community colleges fund and deliver its services, followed by a panel discussion among presidents of rural community colleges moderated by Dr. Zach Barricklow, associate vice president for strategy and rural innovation for the community colleges and a member of the Rural Centers board of directors, according to a news release. The last main stage session of the event was a powerful panel discussion moderated by Rural Center Chief Operating Officer Carolyn Rhodes on inclusive leadership in diverse rural communities. Executive Director Brianna Goodwin of the Robeson County Church and Community Center; Executive Director Paula Swepson of the West Marion Community Forum Inc. in Marion; and Director of Equity Dawna Ledbetter of the West Marion Community Forum Inc., each shared what drives them to take on difficult issues in their communities and how they approach that work. The theme of this years summit was Building a Vibrant Future. Each of our 12 breakout sessions and three plenary sessions focused on successful strategies to build rural communities and tied into the Rural Centers Framework for Community Economic Development. The framework is made up of five building blocks physical assets, business growth, social and civic vibrancy, talent development and authentic leadership. More than 630 people from 79 counties in North Carolina registered for the event in Raleigh, according to the news release. HENDERSONVILLE AdventHealth has begun work on a Certificate of Need application to provide additional resources for people looking for more choices in health care. The state outlined the need for 26 acute-care beds in its annual State Medical Facilities Plan (SMFP). AdventHealth is applying to add those beds to the design for the hospital it was approved to build in Buncombe County. Last week, AdventHealth announced it has purchased approximately 25 acres of land in north Buncombe County for the 67-bed hospital Certificate of Need (CON) the state approved in 2022. HCA/Mission appealed that CON decision. The appeal went to trial in late 2023. AdventHealth is confident the judge will uphold the states approval of the CON. The decision in the appeal could come at any time. The CON for the 67-bed hospital and the new state-determined need for additional beds share the same service area of Buncombe, Graham, Madison and Yancey counties. Knowing the rate of families raising their growing families or reaching retirement age and those moving to the region, AdventHealths search for the location to build our new hospital in Buncombe County always included the likely need to add beds and services in the future, explained Brandon Nudd, President and Chief Executive Officer for AdventHealth Hendersonville. We are thankful we found this property in the northern part of the county that meets the need for the 67-bed hospital the state already approved for us to build and will accommodate the beds we are applying for in this new certificate of need. In North Carolina, the State Medical Facilities Plan outlines the impact of several factors on the demand for and use of health care resources. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services releases a plan each year. In 2024, the SMFP determined Buncombe, Graham, Madison and Yancey counties will need an additional 26 acute care beds by 2026. AdventHealth intends to add these new beds to the design for the hospital it will build on the land along US 25-70 in Weaverville, just west of I-26. The additional beds will bring more access to the hospitals services including in-patient, surgical, labor and delivery, and emergency care. AdventHealth reached the list of health services for the hospital based on what it learned in listening sessions across the service area. These relationships have continued to grow through ongoing conversations with people living and working in Buncombe, Graham, Madison and Yancey helping us understand what they want and need, shared Nudd. Choice and competition continue to top the list of what our community is telling us they need. We are honored that also tell us they want more of the care AdventHealth provides. We are excited to take this next step to serve them with more access to whole-person care body, mind and spirit. AdventHealth will outline the specific use for the additional beds in the certificate of need application, which is due to the state on June 17, 2024. If you would like to share your support for this additional choice in health care for the region, you may submit a letter to the Certificate of Need Chief, Micheala Mitchell at micheala.mitchell@dhhs.nc.gov or 2704 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2704. To learn more about AdventHealths plan to expand access to whole-person care with this application for the additional 26 acute-care beds, visit AdventHealthNC.com. In Togo, activists and opposition leaders are mobilizing against the imminent endorsement of a new constitution by President Faure Gnassingbe. The proposed constitution, approved by lawmakers, eliminates future presidential elections, potentially prolonging Gnassingbes rule until 2031. It grants parliament the authority to select the president, sidelining direct elections and likely securing Gnassingbes reelection when his current term ends in 2025. While some legal experts suggest the constitution introduces constraints on future presidents with a one-term limit and enhanced powers for a prime minister-like figure, opposition groups fear it will only serve to consolidate Gnassingbes grip on power. Moreover, the new constitution extends presidential terms from five to six years, disregarding Gnassingbes lengthy incumbency inherited from his father. Opposition parties, along with clergy members, condemn the proposed constitution as a tactic by Gnassingbe to extend his tenure and have vowed to resist its implementation through public protests. Eric Dupuy, a spokesperson for the opposition National Alliance for Change party, asserts their commitment to thwart what he calls a constitutional coup detat. However, authorities disrupted an opposition-led press conference, forcibly removing leaders and journalists, indicating the governments crackdown on dissent. Togos Catholic bishops argue that the parliaments mandate expired before the proposed constitutions approval, invalidating the process. They urge Gnassingbe to postpone endorsement and engage in inclusive political dialogue after the upcoming parliamentary elections. Legal scholars, including Zeus Ajavon from the University of Lome, assert that parliament lacks the authority to amend the constitution, advocating for revisions within its term or via a referendum. With a population of around 8 million, Togo has been under the rule of the Gnassingbe family for 57 years, marked by contested elections and persistent opposition. You are here: China People visit the Potala Palace square in Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Yan Jinhai, chairman of the government of the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China, hailed Wednesday the region's miraculous development in various undertakings over the past 65 years. Yan made the remarks in a televised speech marking the democratic reform that ended feudal serfdom in Xizang 65 years ago. On March 28, 1959, people in Xizang launched the democratic reform, freeing a million serfs. In 2009, the regional legislature announced March 28 as the day to commemorate the emancipation of the one million serfs. Today, a total of 172 international and domestic air routes have linked Xizang with 74 cities across the world, and the total length of highways in the region has exceeded 120,000 kilometers, Yan said. A modern education system has been formed in Xizang, with the total number of students in schools reaching 960,000, accounting for 26.3 percent of the total population of the region. Notably, the growth rate of per capita disposable income of residents in Xizang has ranked first nationwide for nine consecutive years, Yan added. On ecological conservation, the chairman said that Xizang's protected areas account for 36 percent of the region's total land area, and its rich ecological resources have greatly benefited people of all ethnic groups in the region. A new socialist Xizang with social stability, ethnic unity, religious harmony, economic prosperity, improved people's livelihood, sound ecology, and consolidated borders is standing high on the "roof of the world," Yan said. The offspring of Guinea-Bissaus former president has been handed a sentence exceeding six years in a US court for orchestrating an international heroin trafficking operation. Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, aged 52, allegedly devised plans to utilize the profits to fuel his aspirations of seizing power in Guinea-Bissau through a coup, according to authorities. He is the progeny of Malam Bacai Sanha, who governed the West African nation from 2009 until his demise in 2012. Sanha Jrs involvement has also been linked to a failed coup attempt in February 2022. Following his arrest in Tanzania, he was extradited to the US in August 2022, and his trial commenced shortly thereafter. In September of the preceding year, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully import drugs. Describing Sanha Jr as more than just a typical drug trafficker, FBI agent Douglas Williams highlighted his familial ties to the former president and his strategic drug trafficking endeavors aimed at facilitating a coup to ascend to power in Guinea-Bissau. Sanha Jr is accused of importing heroin from various countries to Portugal and Europe, including the United States. US authorities suggest the possibility of his deportation upon completion of his prison term, given his non-American citizenship. Known as Bacaizinho in Guinea-Bissau, Sanha Jr has held various governmental positions, including economic adviser to his father. Reports suggest his alleged involvement in the failed 2022 coup, where he purportedly disclosed his engagement in financing the coup plotters using drug proceeds. Guinea-Bissau has long been notorious as a hub for drug trafficking, labeled a narco-state by the US and the UN over a decade ago. Analysts emphasize the significant influence of drug traffickers and their networks within the government, often backing political candidates supportive of safeguarding the illegal drug trade. Soon after having asked US troops to leave the country, Nigers military ruler Abdourahmane Tiani held phone talks with Putin on security cooperation. There was also an exchange of views on the situation in the Sahel region with an emphasis on coordinating actions in matters of ensuring security and combating terrorism, the Kremlin said. Russias influence grew in the Sahel after coups brought to power military rulers in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, followed by a withdrawal of western troops. The US planned to send a delegation to visit Niger in the wake of its decision to expel US troops. The U.S. delegation was there to raise a number of concerns We were troubled (about) the path that Niger is on. And so, these were direct and frank conversations, to have those in person, to talk about our concerns and to also hear theirs. U.S. officials expressed concern over Nigers potential relationships with Russia and Iran. the Pentagon Spokesperson, Sabrina Singh stated. Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for Nigers junta, speaking on TV, said the U.S. delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda. He added: Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism. Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people, he added. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain New research shows endometriosis sufferers in New Zealand are likely to show some improvement in quality of life if they practice self-compassion. University of Canterbury (UC) doctoral candidate Chelsea Skinner surveyed 603 people with endometriosis and asked them about their experiences living with the chronic, gynecological condition. Endometriosis is a result of tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) being found in places outside the uterus. The research, published by Skinner and her supervisor Associate Professor Roeline Kuijer from UC's School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing, was published recently in the journal Psychology & Health, coinciding with International Endometriosis Awareness Month. In New Zealand, endometriosis clinical guidelines were only established in 2020. There had been very little previous research, and limited or delayed access to health care remains an issue, Skinner says. "Our health system is stretched, and we don't have the support that those with endo have in other countries. Endometriosis New Zealand doesn't have government funding, and knowledge and understanding of the condition and its prevalence is lacking. We're working on current estimates that one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth likely have some form of endometriosis in New Zealand, but it's probably higher than this," she says. Common endometriosis symptoms include painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, abnormal bleeding, bowel and bladder problems, fatigue and infertility. There is still uncertainty about what causes the condition, and no cure. Quoting the published article, "management focuses on symptom relief with varying degrees of success." The study participants' quality of life was found to be significantly impaired but those with higher levels of self-compassion perceived their symptoms to be less severe, which in turn related to less impairment in quality of life. Self-compassion is defined as being kind, non-judgmental and understanding towards yourself in difficult times, being in touch with difficult experiences in a mindful and accepting manner and recognizing that you're not alone in your experience, Skinner says. "A lot of people get really frustrated and feel guilty about having to take time off work and study or dealing with other effects of endo. We can't really control the symptoms, but we can control how we respond to them." Skinner's advice is to note down the symptoms so people can be specific with their GP. Sometimes it will be necessary to seek a second or third opinion. "Often people can get pushed around and not feel validated that their symptoms or experiences are real. You know yourself best, so it's important to advocate for yourself," she says. "There will be days when it is harder to live with this condition, I know this through my own lived experience, but there are people out there willing to support you. Be kind to yourself." More information: Chelsea M. Skinner et al, Self-compassion and health-related quality of life in individuals with endometriosis, Psychology & Health (2024). DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2325506 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 Billy Abbott, a retired Army medic, wakes at 6 every morning, steps on the bathroom scale, and uses a cuff to take his blood pressure. The devices send those measurements electronically to his doctor in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and a health technology company based in New York, to help him control his high blood pressure. Nurses with the company, Cadence, remotely monitor his readings along with the vital signs of about 17,000 other patients around the nation. They call patients regularly and follow up if anything appears awry. If needed, they can change a patient's medication or dosage without first alerting their doctor. Abbott, 85, said he likes that someone is watching out for him outside his regular doctor appointments. "More doctors should recommend this to their patients," he said. Increasingly, they are. Dozens of tech companies have streamed in, pushing their remote monitoring service to primary care doctors as a way to keep tabs on patients with chronic illnesses and free up appointment time, and as a new source of Medicare revenue. But some experts say remote monitoring's huge growthspurred on during the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients were hesitant to sit in crowded doctors' waiting roomshas outpaced oversight and evidence of how the technology is best used. "It is the wild West where any patient can get it if a doctor decides it is reasonable or necessary," said Caroline Reignley, a partner with the law firm McDermott Will & Emery who advises health providers. In 2019, Medicare made it easier for doctors to bill for monitoring routine vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar. Previously, Medicare coverage for remote monitoring was limited to certain patients, such as those with a pacemaker. Medicare also began allowing physicians to get paid for the service even when the monitoring is done by clinical staff who work in different places than the physicianan adjustment advocated by telemedicine companies. In just the first two full years, remote monitoring services billed to Medicare grew from fewer than 134,000 to 2.4 million in 2021, according to federal records analyzed by KFF Health News. Total Medicare payments for the four most common billing codes for remote monitoring rose from $5.5 million in 2019 to $101.4 million in 2021, the latest year for which data is available. Part of the allure is that Medicare will pay for remote monitoring indefinitely regardless of patients' health conditions as long as their doctors believe it will help. For doctors with 2,000 to 3,000 patients, the money can add up quickly, with Medicare paying an average of about $100 a month per patient for the monitoring, plus more for setting up the device, several companies confirmed. Medicare enrollees may face 20% in cost sharing for the devices and monthly monitoring, though certain private plans through Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement policies may cover those costs. The government allowed insurers to waive the patient cost sharing during the pandemic. About 400 doctors and other providers repeatedly billed Medicare for remote patient monitoring in 2019. Two years later, that had mushroomed to about 3,700 providers, according to Medicare data analyzed by KFF Health News. (The data tracks providers who billed more than 10 patients for at least one type of remote monitoring.) Federal law enforcement officials say they are conducting investigations after a surge in complaints about some remote patient monitoring companies but would not provide details. The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General in November issued a consumer alert about companies signing up Medicare enrollees without their doctors' knowledge. "Unscrupulous companies are signing up Medicare enrollees for this service, regardless of medical necessity," and bill Medicare even when no monitoring occurs. In a statement to KFF Health News, Meena Seshamani, director of the federal Center for Medicare, part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, did not say how CMS is ensuring only patients who can benefit from remote monitoring receive it. She said the agency balances the need to give patients access to emerging technology that can improve health outcomes with the need to combat fraud and make proper payments to providers. While some small studies show remote monitoring can improve patient outcomes, researchers say it is unclear which patients are helped most and how long they need to be monitored. "The research evidence is not as robust as we would like to show that it is beneficial," said Ateev Mehrotra, a Harvard Medical School researcher. A January report by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, warned about "a lack of robust evidence on the optimal use of remote monitoring" and said some policy and medical experts "question whether we are effectively 'rightsizing' the use of these services, ensuring access for patients who need it most, and spending health care dollars in effective ways." Denton Shanks, a medical director at the American Academy of Family Physicians, said remote monitoring helps patients manage their diseases and helps physician practices be more efficient. He has used it for the past two years as a doctor at the University of Kansas Health System. It has worked well, he said, though sometimes it can be challenging to persuade patients to sign up if they have to pay for it. "For the vast majority of patients, once they are enrolled, they see a benefit, and we see a benefit as their vital signs come in the normal range," Shanks said. The size of the market is tantalizing. About two-thirds of the more than 66 million Medicare beneficiaries have high blood pressure, the most common metric monitored remotely, according to physicians and the monitoring companies. "The patient need is so enormous," Cadence CEO Chris Altchek said. The company has about 40 nurses, medical assistants, and other providers monitoring patients in 17 states. He said patients enrolled in remote monitoring experience a 40% reduction in emergency room visits. Cadence says 82% of its patients use the devices at least once every two days. Timothy Mott, a family physician in Foley, Alabama, said valuable appointment times in his office open up as patients who previously needed vital signs to be checked there turn to remote monitoring. Cadence nurses regularly contact Mott's patients and monitor their readings and make changes as needed. "I was concerned early on whether they were going to make the right decisions with our patients," Mott said. "But over time the dosage changes or changes in medication they are making are following the best guidelines on effectiveness." At the six-month mark, about 75% of patients have stayed with the monitoring, Mott said. The advantages are apparent even to some providers who do not get paid by Medicare to offer the service. Frederick Health, a Maryland health system, provides remote monitoring to 364 high-risk patients and estimates the program saves the nonprofit system $10 million a year by reducing hospital admissions and ER visits. That estimate is based on comparisons of patients' Medicare claims before they started the program and after, said Lisa Hogan, who runs the program. The hospital pays for the program and does not bill Medicare, she said. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: Cancer Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.010 A team led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has identified important drivers of the transformation of a type of blood cancer called follicular lymphoma from a slow-growing form to the aggressive form it takes in some patients. The study, published in Cancer Cell, showed that while mutations affecting a gene-regulating complex called BAF can put the cancer on a dangerous trajectory, they also make follicular lymphoma highly susceptible to experimental BAF-inhibitor drugs. "These encouraging findings could address critical and urgent challenges with this disease and have prompted us to begin planning clinical trials of BAF inhibitors in follicular lymphoma patients," said study senior author Dr. Ari Melnick, the Gebroe Family Professor of Hematology/Oncology and a member of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. The study's co-first authors were postdoctoral researchers Dr. Darko Barisic and Dr. Christopher Chin, and senior research associate Dr. Cem Meydan, all members of the Melnick laboratory. A team led by Dr. Michael Green, an associate professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, also collaborated in the study, and published a paper in the same journal with parallel findings. Follicular lymphoma is the second most common type of lymphoma in the United States, with about 15,000 new cases per year, according to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Like most lymphomas, it arises from immune cells called B cells. Usually, follicular lymphoma progresses slowly, and remains manageable with various treatments. But a subset of these patients rapidly progress to a transformed, rapidly dividing, and treatment-resistant form of follicular lymphoma within 24 months. The reason for this is unknown, and hence it is very hard to predict if a patient is at risk for this unfavorable outcome. Thus, there is a critical unmet need to identify and develop early intervention therapies for these cases. In the study, researchers started out by examining the role of mutations in a gene called ARID1A, which encodes a subunit of a versatile, multi-protein molecular machine called BAF. The BAF machinery normally works in cells as a major regulator of gene activity and cell identity by physically changing the shape of the genome. ARID1A mutations and other mutations that disrupt BAF are found in a significant number of patients with follicular lymphoma. The researchers found that ARID1A deficiency in B cells, and the resulting BAF dysfunction, steers the cells towards an unusual, immature "memory B cell" identity. In this abnormal state, the cells keep re-entering a temporary phase of the B-cell mediated immune response which orchestrates rapid cell division and the diversification of antibodies needed during infections. During this phase, the cells undergo a high rate of mutation, presumably driving them towards ever-greater malignancy. The investigators wondered whether the tendency of B cells with ARID1A mutations to enter periods of rapid cell division and mutation might explain rapidly progressive follicular lymphoma. Collaborating with colleagues from the British Columbia Cancer Agency, they observed that ARID1A mutations were enriched in the memory B cell-like type of follicular lymphoma, which are at much higher and earlier risk of transformation. The challenge then, would be to target these dangerous cells to prevent these outcomes. Dr. Melnick and colleagues reasoned that ARID1A-mutant lymphomas might be especially vulnerable to drugs attacking their last remaining BAF functions, which are already compromised by these mutations. Working with BAF inhibitors that are already in clinical trials, they showed in preclinical experiments that ARID1A mutations indeed makes lymphomas profoundly sensitive to these drugs. Mice bearing ARID1A-mutant lymphomas went into complete remission with this drug alone. "These data raise the possibility of developing early intervention precision therapies for those follicular lymphoma patients at risk for rapid progression, who currently do not have such options," said Dr. Melnick, who is now working with the clinical team at Weill Cornell Medicine to implement such studies. "These findings suggest that ARID1A is effectively a tumor suppressor, whose deficiency in follicular lymphoma promotes the transformation to a more aggressive lymphoma," Dr. Barisic said. Other BAF-subunit mutations frequently found in lymphoma patients might have related roles in driving the disease progression, he added. "It might even turn out that any mutation affecting the BAF complex, or anything else leading to the formation of these abnormal memory B-like cells, is a marker of transformation risk," Dr. Meydan said. BAF inhibitors might also turn out to have a much broader role in oncology, given that BAF-affecting mutations have been reported in about 20 percent of human cancers. "What is the common mechanism that explains why BAF mutations appear in so many different cancers? There are so many factors at play, untangling the complexity of them would address a significant unmet need in the field of precision oncology," Dr. Chin said. More information: Darko Barisic et al, ARID1A orchestrates SWI/SNF-mediated sequential binding of transcription factors with ARID1A loss driving pre-memory B cell fate and lymphomagenesis, Cancer Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.010 Qing Deng et al, SMARCA4 is a haploinsufficient B cell lymphoma tumor suppressor that fine-tunes centrocyte cell fate decisions, Cancer Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.011 Journal information: Cancer Cell 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: This figure outlines the decision-making approach to clinical genetic testing in atrial fibrillation. Credit: Canadian Journal of Cardiology Although the vast majority of clinicians do not view atrial fibrillation (AF) as a genetic disorder, a White Paper in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology analyzes the current understanding of genetics and the role of genetic testing in AF and concludes there is an increasing appreciation that genetic culprits for potentially life-threatening ventricular cardiomyopathies and channelopathies may initially present with AF. AF is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with increased risks of heart failure, stroke, and death. It is not traditionally considered to be a heritable form of heart disease, however, a growing body of literature over the past 25 years has shown that genetics contribute importantly to susceptibility for arrhythmias, including AF. Our understanding of the genetics underlying AF remains in the relatively early stages, although it has become clear that the majority of cases likely develop secondary to a complex interaction between environmental and genetic contributors. In a minority of AF cases, powerful single rare genetic variants can be the primary drivers of arrhythmia development. Beyond accounting for why AF has developed, identification of these powerful single genetic culprits can be important becausein addition to AFmany can also cause life-threatening ventricular cardiomyopathy and channelopathy syndromes. At present, it remains unclear why the same genetic variant may manifest with AF in isolation, a ventricular cardiomyopathy/channelopathy syndrome, or both. Lead author of the White Paper Jason D. Roberts, MD, MAS, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences, says, "Given this recognition, we recommend that all early onset AF cases undergo careful clinical screening for evidence of a co-existing ventricular cardiomyopathy or channelopathy syndrome associated with a risk of sudden cardiac death. Should one be identified, appropriate genetic testing for the ventricular syndrome is recommended." Co-author Rafik Tadros, MD, Ph.D., Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Universite de Montreal, adds, "In the absence of clinical evidence of a co-existing ventricular cardiomyopathy or channelopathy syndrome, genetic testing may be considered in early onset AF cases, particularly if there is a positive family history and an absence of conventional clinical risk factors. "However, clinicians should be aware that the yield of genetic testing in these instances is anticipated to be low (<10%), and this should only be pursued in settings equipped to interpret and appropriately manage genetic testing results." Dr. Roberts states, "The vast majority of clinicians do not view AF as a genetic disorder and, except for certain specialty clinics, clinical genetic testing for AF is rarely performed. The notion that AF may have underlying genetic contributors will hopefully encourage clinicians to perform careful family histories, particularly in early onset forms of the condition wherein genetic contributors may be more prominent. "Recognition that AF may potentially arise secondary to genetic variants that can also cause life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy syndromes will hopefully guide clinicians to carefully clinically screen for these conditions, particularly in early onset AF cases that develop in the absence of identifiable clinical risk factors." This White Paper was written by a group assembled by the CCS AF Guidelines Committee, which judged that the area of clinical application of AF genetics merited particular consideration. The writing group consisted of the chairs of the most recent AF Guidelines Committee, along with experts in clinical arrhythmia genetics and AF pathophysiology. More information: Clinical Genetic Testing for Atrial Fibrillation: Are We There Yet? A CJC White Paper, Canadian Journal of Cardiology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.11.022 Journal information: Canadian Journal of Cardiology 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: Gene recurrence in de novo CNVs. Credit: Genetics in Medicine Open (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.gimo.2024.101818 A single genetic test could potentially replace the current two-step approach to diagnosing rare developmental disorders in children. This shift could enable earlier diagnoses for families and save the NHS vital resources. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and their collaborators at the University of Exeter and the University of Cambridge, were able to reassess genetic data from nearly 10,000 families from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study. In a new study, recently published in Genetics in Medicine, they show for the first time that using exome sequencingwhich reads only protein-coding DNAis as accurate, if not better, than standard microarrays at identifying disease-causing structural genetic variations. Its adoption offers hope for faster and more accurate diagnoses of rare genetic diseases. It could also deliver substantial cost savings for the NHS, though more training is needed for specialists to generate and analyze the data, say researchers. Changes in our genetic code can range from single letter changes to the deletion or duplication of larger stretches of DNA. These bigger changescalled copy number variations (CNVs)can be harder for clinical teams to detect in sequencing data and understand, which is why microarrays are used. While usually harmless, making up one of the major sources of genetic diversity in humans, these large-scale variations can sometimes cause various neurodevelopmental disorders, including Angelman syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, and Williams-Beuren syndrome. Currently, children suspected to have genetic diseases arising from these large deletions or duplications of DNA go through a lengthy process of testing and waiting for results from multiple diagnostic approaches, starting with a microarray test before progressing to a broader genome-wide sequencing testsuch as exome or genome sequencing. In this new study, scientists set out to develop a single approach to detect these structural changes, using data available from genome-wide exome sequencing assays. Using data from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study, the team developed a single-assay approach that combined four algorithms using machine learning methods to analyze exome sequencing data. Comparison of the new single-assay approach with current standard clinical methods revealed it could reliably detect 305 large-scale pathogenic mutations, including 91 not previously detectable using standard clinical microarrays. The findings suggest it could replace the current methods. "Using exome sequencing data to detect clinically important large-scale changes, at the same time as small genetic variants, marks a significant step forward in making genetic testing simpler, cheaper and more accessible," says Caroline Wright, professor of genomic medicine at the University of Exeter, and author of the study "Under the current system, children often endure a lengthy, step-wise process of different genetic tests before reaching a diagnosis. This research brings hope that, in the near future, families might only need one," says Helen Firth, professor of clinical genomics at the University of Cambridge, lead clinician and author of the study. "We are still learning how large-scale genetic variations impact human health. This study proves that with the right computational methods, a single test can accurately detect them. Our findings support its widespread adoption in NHS clinical practice, and the adequate bioinformatics training to support this," says Professor Matthew Hurles, director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute and senior author of the study. More information: Petr Danecek et al, Detection and characterization of copy-number variants from exome sequencing in the DDD study, Genetics in Medicine Open (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.gimo.2024.101818 Journal information: Genetics in Medicine 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: CC0 Public Domain A new research review to be presented at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will focus on the growing prevalence of HIV in older adults, withusing England as an examplehalf of adults accessing care aged now 50 years and older, and around 1 in 11 aged 65 years and older. Similar trends exist in Italy and other countries of Western Europe. Older adults with HIV in all countries are also more likely to have comorbidities and become frail earlier than older adults without HIV. Presenter Professor Giovanni Guaraldi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, will also discuss the problem of more older people being diagnosed with HIV (one in 5 new diagnoses in those aged 50 and over) and late diagnosis in those older people, with (again using the example of England) around half of those cases newly diagnoses in the over-50s presenting with white blood cell CD4 count below 350 cells per mm3 of blood within 3 months of diagnosis, increasing their risk of mortality in the following year five-fold. Despite the challenges, Prof. Guaraldi will also highlight the progress made, with the difference in remaining life expectancy comparing those people living with HIV and those without HIV infection aged 21 years decreasing from 22 years in 2003-06 down to 9 years in 2014-2016. Yet across that same period, there was no change in the difference of years lived without developing other conditions (multimorbidity) with those living with HIV living 15 fewer years without multimorbidity compared with those not infected. Today, in another sign of progress, a young person diagnosed with HIV promptly can expect the same life expectancy as those not living with HIV. By age 65 years, around 70% of those living with HIV for 20 years or more are living with multiple other conditions, compared with around 50% for those infected for less than 20 years and close to 40% for those not living without HIV. These figures steadily increase as those with HIV age, but the gap narrows between those with and without HIV (see graph in presentation). A similar trend is shown for polypharmacy (taking multiple prescribed drugs) in those living with HIV. Prof. Guaraldi will also discuss the hidden phenomenon of accelerated aging, or "early frailty" in those living with HIV. Frailty is a clinical syndrome based on presence of specific signs and symptoms, including weight loss, exhaustion, lack of physical activity, decreasing grip strength, and walking speed. He will review a study showing frailty levels higher in people living with HIV compared with those not living with HIV, across all age groups from age 50 years and up, with rates some five times higher in those aged 65+. Another study shows older adults living with HIV twice as likely to become frail as their HIV negative peers. He will discuss that frailty and poor outcomes are not inevitable, and ways of avoiding this include early diagnosis of HIV and initiation of antiretroviral treatment (to avoid risk of rapid progression and cognitive impairment), but also a careful analysis of all their other medications and taking people off them (deprescribing) where possible. He will also cover drugs that should be avoided in older people with HIV where possible, due to drug-drug interactions and also drugs that increase the risks of frailty. Examples in this extensive list include the alfalitics drug class used for treating high blood pressure, and benzodiazepines that can increase the risk of falls. Finally, he will refer to the social and care challenges faced by older people living with HIV, explored in the recent paper he co-authored in The Lancet HIV, discussing, among other issues, the problems that they can face entering long-term aged care facilities and opening up about their diagnosis to new doctors and people that they are not familiar withand an array of other problems, including exacerbated challenges of daily living, mental health problems including "survivor guilt" and stigma, and the increasing isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. Guaraldi and colleagues explain, "Ageism can enhance several HIV-related issues, including self-inflicted stigma, and loneliness. At-risk communities are particularly susceptible to experiencing these aspects. Ageism can be considered the last pillar of the stigma cascade affecting older people living with HIV, and also the most important barrier to achieving healthy aging in people living with HIV." Among the many recommendations, the researchers advise that "clinical care systems need to be reshaped to meet the needs of older people living with HIV, including geriatric syndrome screening, integrated care, and support and referral systems that include provision of adequate time for medical visits with a focus on improving wellness and functional status," and that "HIV doctors and clinicians should receive training on how to provide comprehensive care for older people living with HIV." They say, "The model of care for older people living with HIV needs to extend beyond virological success by adopting a geriatric mindset, which is attentive to the challenge of ageism and is proactive in promoting a comprehensive approach for the aging population." Prof. Guaraldi will also emphasize that with the advances in care and treatment, people living with HIV can age healthily with the right support. He will refer to the first ever known patient with HIV to reach age 100 years, The "Lisbon Patient" Miguel, who died in August 2019, months after celebrating his 100th birthday. He did not have multiple other conditions or polypharmacy, and lived alone and independently, and had never in his life been admitted to hospital. Prof. Guaraldi concludes, "We are now in an entirely new era where living into your 70s, 80s and even 90s with HIV is now possible and becoming more and more common. We must make sure that we do everything we can, socially, physically and medically, to ensure people living with HIV live as healthy a life as possible as they reach their later years." Provided by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 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: CC0 Public Domain Active surveillance is an established practice for managing certain low-risk cancers that are unlikely to cause harm. It is an increasingly common and effective way to manage certain early-stage cancers, including those in the prostate, thyroid and kidney. However, adoption of active surveillance in practice has been hit-and-miss for several reasons. Among them, according to multiple studies, is a perceived increased risk of malpractice among physicians, stemming from unease that the window for a cure may unexpectedly close. In a new study, Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators explored malpractice trends related to active surveillance as a treatment strategy across cancers. They found that to date, there has been no successful litigation related to active surveillance. Their research was recently published in the Annals of Surgery. Cancer clinical practice guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) consider active surveillance an effective strategy for managing low-risk prostate, kidney and thyroid cancers. Active surveillance is also considered standard of care for certain lymphomas and an emerging option for managing stage 0 breast cancer. This less-invasive approach reserves surgery for cases in which the cancer progresses. In doing so, it avoids the adverse side effects of treatment when the benefit of that treatment (surgery, chemotherapy) is unclear. Because some cases do progress, physicians have indicated a reluctance to use active surveillance for fear of malpractice lawsuits. However, data on malpractice trends across cancers had previously been lacking. Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators analyzed comprehensive data from Westlaw Edge and LexisNexis Advance databases between 1990 and 2022 and examined federal and civil medical malpractice cases in all 50 states involving active surveillance for lymphoma and thyroid, prostate, kidney and breast cancer. They found five prostate cancer cases related to active surveillance; no pertinent cases were found regarding active surveillance in any other cancers. In two of the five prostate cancer cases, the court defended the practice of active surveillance, determining that it was in accordance with national standards of "sound clinical judgment" and "accepted medical practices." The other cases involved alleged physician negligence for not having recommended active surveillance as a treatment option, after the patients had complications from surgery. All cases were ruled in favor for the physicians, who had documented informed consent for active surveillance. The authors concluded that given the legal precedent detailed in the identified casesand increasing support across national guidelinesactive surveillance is a sound management option in appropriate low-risk cancers and appears to present no increased risk of malpractice litigation. "Our team previously published research showing that active surveillance is an effective treatment for many low-risk thyroid cancer patients," said Allen Ho, MD, lead author of the study and co-director of the Thyroid Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. "These latest findings show no increased risk of medical malpractice with active surveillance across multiple cancer types." "This data should bolster physicians' confidence in recommending active surveillance for their patients when it is an appropriate option," said Timothy Daskivich, MD, co-author of the study and assistant professor of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. "Active surveillance maximizes quality of life and avoids unnecessary overtreatment, and it does not increase medicolegal liability to physicians, as detailed in the case dismissals identified in this study. In fact, in some cases, physicians were sued because they didn't offer active surveillance." The authors added that failure to discuss an NCCN-recommended approach as a treatment option with patients could be considered just as prone to litigation. Their recommendations to strengthen patient communication and guard against malpractice include thoroughly explaining active surveillance to patients, engaging with the institution's compliance officers or legal counsel to develop standardized consent templates, and integrating patient preferences and personal values when proposing the treatment option. More information: Samuel Chang et al, Malpractice Trends Involving Active Surveillance Across Cancers, Annals of Surgery (2023). DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006101 Journal information: Annals of Surgery 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: CC0 Public Domain A bill to make assisted dying legal was introduced in the devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, with a poll suggesting overwhelming support for changing the law. Should the bill be approved, Scotland, which has powers to set its own health care policy, would become the first UK nation to provide terminally ill people with assistance to end their lives. But it also raises the prospect of a divergence of laws between the four nations of the UK on the one hand and the wider British Isles on the other. The self-governing islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man off the UK coast have already made moves to legalize assisted dying. Euthanasia in the UK overall, however, is illegal and previous attempts to change the law have failed despite signs of increasing public support for the practice. A recent Opinium poll for the Dignity in Dying charity indicated that at least 78 percent of Scots backed the latest bill. First Minister Humza Yousaf, a practicing Muslim, has suggested he is likely to vote against the proposed legislationa stance shared by the Church of Scotland, the Catholic Church in Scotland and the Scottish Association of Mosques. Under the proposals contained in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, a patient could only request medical assistance to end their life if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. A patient would also have to be at least 16, a resident of Scotland for at least 12 months and would have to administer the life-ending medication themselves. 'No coercion' Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat lawmaker who introduced the bill, said "the terminal illness would need to be advanced and progressive" and the medics would have to ensure there was "no coercion". "It has been clear for many years that an overwhelming majority of the public support a change in the law to allow more choice for dying people at the end of life," he said. "This latest polling certainly underscores that, while also confirming that this support is to be found right across the country." Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, which opposes the bill, said lack of effective safeguards has always been one of the "key issues" with assisted suicide and euthanasia. "In countries which have legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia a culture of death becomes established," he said. "There are real risks to vulnerable people that they will be pressured to end their lives prematurely." In April 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize active euthanasia. It was followed by Belgium and Luxembourg in 2009 and Spain in June 2021. Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron faced criticism from medical workers and the country's Catholic Church over a draft bill, slated for debate in May, that would allow assisted dying for certain terminally ill patients. 2024 AFP The essential reason for the popularity of mainland food, scenery and pop culture among Taiwan compatriots, especially among young people, is that people across the Taiwan Strait belong to the same family and share the same customs, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks when responding to a media query about the craze that a local version of malatang, literally meaning a numbingly spicy hotpot, from Tianshui in Gansu Province, has created in Taiwan. Recent trends in Taiwan, such as learning the Kemusan dancing of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, traveling to the "ice city" Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, and the popularity of local foods of Sichuan and Gansu, show that all Chinese share the same culture, eating habits and interests. The query also cited many young people in Taiwan as saying that "the mainland is different from what the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said." Commenting on this, Chen said that the mainland welcomes Taiwan compatriots to come and see it with their own eyes, and also hoped they would think deeply about why the DPP deliberately conceals the truth and lies to the people about the mainland. 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: Graphical abstract. Credit: Cancers (2024). DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051060 Neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood cancers, is classified as a developmental cancer because it arises prenatally during the formation of organs and tissues. It originates from cancer cells that develop in neuroblasts, a type of immature nerve tissue, and primarily affects the adrenal glands. One of the research focal points of Dr. Josep Samitier's group (Nanobioengineering Group of IBEC), led by Dr. Aranzazu Villasante, is the creation of in vitro neuroblastoma models that replicate its characteristic vasculature in order to search for new biomarkers and develop effective therapies against this type of cancer. This is important because a hallmark of neuroblastoma is its increased vascularization, which can be mediated by a process known as transdifferentiation, in which cancer cells transform into endothelial cells that form the tumor's blood vessels. This process has been linked to treatment resistance and cancer recurrence. Dr. Villasante, a senior researcher in the group, is the lead author of two recent studies on this topic, published in the journals In vitro models and Cancers, respectively. These studies describe on how the research team was able to replicate the transdifferentiation process of the neuroblastoma vasculature in in vitro models. They achieved this in two easily reproducible systems: a simpler 2D model used to explore potential therapeutic targets, and a more complex microfluidic chip designed for drug screening. Additionally, they have identified the biomarker GB3 as a potential therapeutic target for future nanotherapies against neuroblastoma. "When neuroblastoma cells are cultured on a 2D plate, they do not undergo transdifferentiation as they would under physiological conditions. However, we found that by modifying the plate substrate to simulate the stiffness of human arteries and veins, the cells began to form the characteristic alternative vasculature of neuroblastoma that we were looking for," explains Dr. Villasante, an IBEC researcher affiliated to the University of Barcelona and CIBER-BBN. Using this model, the researchers were able to confirm that the tumor cells expressed the GB3 biomarker, a cell receptor involved in blood vessel formation, metastasis and drug resistance. As Dr. Villasante points out, the next step was to carry out a pilot nanoparticle study. "We coated the surface of the nanoparticles with a toxin known to bind to GB3 and observed that they directly targeted the neuroblastoma cells." These results highlight the potential of GB3 as a therapeutic target for the development of future targeted nanotherapies. The next step will be to transfer these studies to the more complex microfluidic model, which will allow drug screening and selection of those with the highest potential before moving to in vivo studies. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital and the Institute of Health Research (IDIVAL) at the University of Cantabria. More information: Aranzazu Villasante et al, Identification of GB3 as a Novel Biomarker of Tumor-Derived Vasculature in Neuroblastoma Using a Stiffness-Based Model, Cancers (2024). DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051060 Aranzazu Villasante et al, Microfluidic model of the alternative vasculature in neuroblastoma, In vitro models (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s44164-023-00064-x Journal information: Cancers Provided by Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia 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 Thailand ordered a close watch on livestock on Thursday after an outbreak of anthrax in neighboring Laos, where more than 50 suspected human cases have been reported. Anthrax, which spreads through bacteria in soil, commonly infects grazing livestock and wild animals but can infect humans and be deadly in some cases. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered officials to closely monitor the disease and to "protect the public". Humans can become infected by breathing in the spores, eating contaminated food or touching bacteria with broken skin, for instance when handling diseased animals. Media in secretive, communist Laos have reported 65 suspected cases, including 54 in southern Champasak province, which borders Thailand. A Thai government statement referred to 54 cases reported this month. "The PM has ordered the public health minister to closely monitor, especially near the borders," spokesman Chai Watcharong said in the statement. It also encouraged individuals to inform authorities if they notice any abnormalities in animals. "If your cows or buffalos die suspiciously, please inform the authorities," the statement said. The government also encouraged those who had contacted "sick animals" to urgently see a doctor. Thailand has had no reports of human anthrax cases since 2001. The most it has ever reported in a single year is 102, in 1995, according to the ministry of public health. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: TDP-43 pathology detected by RNA aptamer correlates with molecular phenotype. Credit: Acta Neuropathologica (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02705-1 Scientists from the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and international partners, have identified a new way to detect signs of motor neuron disease (MND) in brain tissue that can pick up indicators of MND earlier and with more sensitivity than currently used tests. Using a molecule known as an aptamer, which has already revolutionized cancer diagnostics recently, the team have successfully applied it to MND detection in brain tissue samples. The TDP-43 aptamer identified damaged cell proteins in brain tissue samples that can indicate MND before the cells malfunctionwhen symptoms would start to appear and the is stage at which current tools can detect signs of the disease. Dr. Holly Spence, a co-author of the study from the University of Aberdeen said, "Our findings have implications for early diagnostics and intervention prior to symptom onset in MND. "With better ability to detect disease we might be able to diagnose people with MND earlier, when therapeutic drugs might be much more effective." The findings are published in Acta Neuropathologica. The research, led by Dr. Jenna Gregory from the University of Aberdeen, predicts the newly developed aptamer could trigger a step-change in MND research, supplementing or replacing some traditional antibody approaches for detection. Dr. Gregory explains, "This tool 'targets' the disease protein and allows us to see where toxic clumps are building up in the body. It can do this for much lower amounts of disease proteins, and with greater accuracy than ever before. "This could be a game-changer for MND research, diagnostics and treatment." Dr. Fergal Waldron from the University of Aberdeen, who co-authored the study, adds, "We are using the tool to uncover previously hidden insights into how MND makes people sick. Fundamentally, using this tool we have found out that toxic protein clumps are building up well before people show symptoms. "This deeper understanding of the changes that happen in brain tissue at such an early stage has enormous potential for future research into the disease." Motor neuron disease, also known as ALS, affects around 5,000 people in the UK and is caused by the accumulation of certain proteins in the brain that clump together, causing the cells to gradually stop working and, as the disease progresses, it impairs movement, thinking and breathing, which worsens over time. Early detection of these accumulating proteins in people with MND remains a major challenge to successful treatments. As new medicines become available, it is vital to be able to measure the effectiveness of medicines in clinical trials. This tool, the team says, can help address this issue. Using small RNA molecules to tag the abnormal protein clumps rather than the usual, larger, antibody methods, the accumulating proteins can be detected at much lower levels and with higher accuracy. The improved accuracy of this new detection tool revealed that these proteins can start to make small clumps in the brains of people with MND before those brain regions show symptoms. The team is being supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh's commercialization service, to license the patented TDP-43 aptamer. Dr. Mathew Horrocks from the University of Edinburgh added, "This is the first time that our TDP-43 aptamer has been used in human tissue and we're excited by its ability to detect a pathological form of the protein that has so far been difficult to characterize." In support of the research, Dr. Brian Dickie, Director of Research at the Motor Neuron Disease Association, said, "It often takes a year from the first onset of symptoms to receiving a diagnosis of MND. This innovative research into the early cellular changes occurring in MND offers exciting potential for the development of new tests to help reduce diagnostic delay. As treatment does not begin until the disease is diagnosed, earlier intervention will hopefully also mean that treatments are more effective." Dr. Jane Haley, Director of Research at MND Scotland, added, "Early detection of MND in people is essential as we move towards a time when treatments that modify progression of the disease could become available. "Step changes in technical approachessuch as moving away from antibodies towards smaller synthetic RNA molecules, as with this aptamercan accelerate progress by unlocking new lines of research, leading to new insights. "While this current development is not an early diagnostic test, it could help researchers reach that goal." Jessica Lee, Director of Research at My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, added, "Motor neuron disease is a devastating condition for which there are currently no effective treatments and long delays in diagnosis. "Due to advancements in research, many potential treatments are currently being explored in the lab and in clinical trials. However, we now need robust biomarkers of disease to support the evaluation of these treatments and to speed up diagnosis, so that treatments can be started earlier in disease progression. This exciting new technology holds promise to do just that." More information: Holly Spence et al, RNA aptamer reveals nuclear TDP-43 pathology is an early aggregation event that coincides with STMN-2 cryptic splicing and precedes clinical manifestation in ALS, Acta Neuropathologica (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02705-1 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: Elizabeth Barker. Credit: Shawn Poynter, University of Tennessee Fourteen mice scurried around in laboratory cages, eating, sniffing, and running peacefully. You would never guess that, several weeks earlier, half of them had received five times the lethal dose of a leading chemotherapy drug. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective chemotherapies approved for treatment of solid tumors in the United States. Unfortunately, because DOX and other chemotherapies are administered intravenously, they often accumulate in nontarget tissues and organsleading to a variety of serious health problems for cancer survivors. "Childhood cancer survivors are a high-risk group for many severe or life-threatening chronic health conditions, including second cancers, cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, renal dysfunction, and severe musculoskeletal problems," said Elizabeth Barker, an assistant professor in UT's Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (MABE). "The risk continues to increase years after therapy is complete." The St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study, published by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude) in 2021, found that 99.9% of children whose tumors are treated with chemotherapy develop chronic health conditions later in life. "What we need is a way to administer the drugs directly to the tumor site and keep them there," Barker said. Barker first started investigating this idea as a master's student in UT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. With instruction from her advisor, the late Roberto Benson, she began developing a novel hydrogel: a hydrophobic polymer that retains its structure after absorbing large amounts of water. After years of development, the final product is Amygel: an injectable, biodegradable starch hydrogel. Injecting tissues with a mixture of Amygel and a chemotherapy drug like DOX not only improves chemotherapy distribution within the tumorup to 10 mm from the injection sitebut prevents the drug from leaving the tumor. "Amygel is compatible with many kinds of drug compounds," Barker said. "It is a platform technology that can be used to deliver treatments for lots of different diseases." Barker and her students recently demonstrated the efficacy of the Amygel/DOX delivery system on mice that had been given implanted with cells of a human pediatric medulloblastoma, the most frequently occurring malignant brain tumor in pediatric patients. Half the tumors were injected with a single low, but therapeutic, 10-microliter (L) dose of DOX. The other half tested the furthest limits of Amygel, receiving a whopping milligram of DOXabout five times the lethal dose for an average mouse. The results were dramatic. By the end of the six-week trial, not only were all the mice still alive and showing no side effects from the injection, but every one of the Amygel/DOX-treated tumors had shrunk by at least 20%. In fact, more than half of them had undergone a complete response, with no cancer cells left alive. Just as significantly, Barker and her team could find no evidence of DOX in the non-target tissues or organs in any of the mice. If that result were repeated in humans, it would eliminate the risk of chemotherapy-derived health complications. "Amygel let us achieve a complete response to treatment with a single 10-L injectiona fraction of a dropand with no systemic side effects," Barker said. With these results in hand, Barker approached the director of St. Jude's Lead Discovery Informatics Center (LDI), Anang Shelat. The LDI is focused on discovering new drugs and developing them into treatments specifically for pediatric cancer patients. Shelat jumped on the chance to test the new drug delivery system. Last November, Barker personally drove to St. Jude to deliver loaded syringes of Amygelthen drove straight back to Knoxville. "I want to test the usability of the gel by seeing how easily other researchers can perform the experiments, and whether they achieve the same results I would get if I injected the tumors myself," she said. St. Jude's LDI has concluded its first preclinical experiment with Amygel, which resulted in effective drug delivery with no systemic side effects, and Shelat is planning several more. So far, tests of Amygel at the drug development company Charles River Laboratories are equally promising. "As an inventor or creator, we know our discoveries work in our hands," Barker said. "The true test is if someone else can use the invention we've created and get the same results we do." Heres a quick guide to some upcoming arts and cultural events happening around Missoula in the week ahead. UM spring percussion concert (Friday, March 29) Drums take center stage at the spring concert from the UM percussion department. According to a news release, the program includes a tribute to Led Zeppelins famously heavy beatsmith titled Bonham, composed by Christopher Rouse. Theyve arranged a showcase for senior marimba player Autumn Schenck on Blake Tysons Cloud Forest, and a prog-fusion throwdown of works by the 1970s group Gong! will spotlight drummer Sam Purvis, guitarist Owen Ross, and tenor saxophonist Ally Fradkin. The last half will feature the Islanders Steel Drum band. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dennison Theatre, UM. Tickets are $15 at Griztix.com. Dancing with the Arts Missoula Stars (Saturday, March 30) Arts Missoula, the citys local arts and cultural agency, is holding its annual fundraiser at the Wilma where teams of locals will throw down competitive dance moves. Proceeds go to the nonprofit, which promotes local arts through its newsletter, programs like Missoulas sister cities, a free film series at the Roxy Theater, and incubating other nonprofits like the Montana Book Festival, the Montana Area Music Association and more. Details: The Wilma, 6:30 p.m. doors with cocktail hour and music by the Missoula Jazz Collective. 7:30 p.m. show, tickets start at $27.50, artsmissoula.org. Two Montana poets in one reading (Thursday, March 28) Two writers will share their work at Shakespeare and Co. Henrietta Goodman will read from her new collection, Antilla. Shes an assistant English professor at Rocky Mountain College and UM MFA graduate. Youll also hear from Philip Schaefer, who won the Agha Shahid Ali Poetry Prize in 2017 for his collection, Bad Summon. (He also tended bar at Montgomery Distillery, where he hatched the idea for The Camino restaurant.) Details: 7 p.m., Shakespeare and Co., free. Guest dance group at UM (Friday, April 5) The dance program at UM is bringing in an entire guest company, ELa FaLa Collective, for this show. The all-female group from Portland, Oregon, will spend a week teaching and set a new work on seven dance majors that will have a one-night only premiere. Details: Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m. Dennison Theatre, $21-$25 general or $12 and up for students and faculty. Quick hits Two songwriters at the Longstaff House: Montana native Izaak Opatz and Devin Champlin of Bellingham, Washington, will play a double bill at the renovated church on Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $15. Local shows at the Top Hat: The venues free concert series continues this weekend. On Friday, get heavy with Nightwitch (guitar heavy), Bacon and Egg and Modular Haze (synth heavy). On Saturday, its Americana-oriented with the Gravy Ladles. Both shows are free, start at 10:15 p.m. and are 21 and up only. Construction is well underway at the Missoula Montana Airport of a new, $50 million, 85,000-square-foot East Concourse, a building that will include an expanded baggage claim, a rental car area, two new boarding bridges, another bar, food options and more restrooms. It will be attached directly to the existing main terminal building and should be finished by May of 2025. In 2026, another $8 million, 10,000-square-foot extension with more boarding gates will be added to that. The airport continues to see growth in passenger numbers every year, and the new terminal building isnt the only big project in the works. The airport is also working on a new Missoula Airport Master Plan, which will utilize community input to guide how the airport evolves over the next two decades. In 2022, there were nearly 850,000 passengers who used the airport. That includes people getting on and getting off airplanes. By 2042, that number could reach 1.5 million, based on growth forecasts. The airport held a public meeting on Wednesday to unveil information about the planning process, and people can still submit feedback until April 8 through the master plan survey online at flymissoula.typeform.com/to/SOcgGDqe. As our service area grows, this whole process is designed to guide our vision for responsibly planning for growth in a way that prioritizes safety and protecting local taxpayers from the costs of infrastructure upgrades, said airport director Brian Ellestad. Were encouraged by the stakeholder and public engagement and look forward to continuing dialogue as we continue to serve as an economic catalyst for the region. In addition to hosting a public open house, the MSO Master Plan team has assembled a working group and has hosted dozens of stakeholder meetings since beginning the master plan process in December 2022. Our vision is to further secure our role as the preferred gateway to western Montana and the world. Thoughtful and visionary planning are crucial to that goal and we invite the community to continue to be a part of this collaborative process, said Tim Damrow, MSO deputy director. People might not realize that no local tax revenues are used for the administration, operation and maintenance of MSO. Developing a strong master plan is key to continuing that fiscal responsibility. Damrow and Ellestad said the goal is to take into account safety, transparency, collaboration and growth projections while maintaining a role as a trusted neighbor and protecting local taxpayers. The airport may reconfigure the airfield to improve safety and create opportunities for future growth. There may be development for cargo aviation and additional parking, including perhaps a new parking structure. The airport will also plan for future business opportunities in the terminal and on airport property. And, the planning process will take into account non-aeronautical land use opportunities for future commercial growth. Anyone interested in the process is invited to take a brief survey to share priorities, ideas, and questions: flymissoula.typeform.com/to/SOcgGDqe. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration will soon close an active investigation against Pyramid Mountain Lumber over the 2023 death of a worker, according to the agency's website. The agency has assessed $174,227 in fines against Pyramid Mountain Lumber. OSHA has classified the case as open but, as of Thursday, the company has entered into an informal settlement. OSHA cannot comment on an active investigation, according to Michael Peterson, the western regional director for the U.S. Department of Public Affairs. Pyramid Plant Manager Todd Johnson said the company would not go into detail about the 2023 death or the investigation, but said the investigation has no connection to the planned closure of the mill this year. Johnson said Pyramid's payroll expenses alone are more than $6 million each year. Pyramid was required to begin making payments to OSHA by Thursday, OSHA's website states. The investigation was opened following the death at Pyramid Mountain Lumber on Sept. 12, 2023. Mathew Raimondi, 56, died after he was crushed by a piece of heavy machinery during maintenance work on a 30-inch step-feeder, which helps move groups of lumber into a more organized fashion on the conveyor belt. The company said in a statement to the Seeley Swan Pathfinder on Sept. 25 that the death of Raimondi hit close to home, as he was an active member of the Seeley Lake community and a close friend to many at the mill. "He was a talented and dedicated employee who will be missed greatly," the statement read. "He was beloved by all who worked with him during his four years at Pyramid." Federal investigators with OSHA gave Pyramid three citations, two listed as serious and one as "repeat." All citations come from not following proper "lock-out tag-out" procedures, which industrial sites use to ensure dangerous equipment is properly shut off and not able to be started up again during maintenance work. OSHA alleges in the investigation that Pyramid did not make annual inspections of its energy control procedure nor trained its workers on how to shut down the step-feeder while performing maintenance. OSHA also levied a "repeat" penalty for the accidental restarting of the step-feeder machine, which killed Raimondi. That fine alone carries a $145,191 penalty. OSHA uses the penalty "if the agency has been cited previously for the same or a substantially similar condition and, for a serious violation, OSHA's regionwide inspection history for the agency lists a previous OSHA notice issued within the past five years," according to its website. The incident exposed five people, according to the report. Raimondi was the first death at the mill since 2016, when his father-in-law Phil Pohlman, 66, died when a vehicle he was working on fell on top of him. OSHA also investigated that case. The 2016 investigation found Pyramid did not get the crane structure involved in the incident certified by a qualified engineer or equipment manufacturer and that the crane truck was not securely attached to the system. Pyramid paid $25,096 to OSHA for the death. Pyramid is the only business under current investigation by OSHA for an employee death in the state of Montana, OSHA's website showed, although no information was available about 2024 complaints. A Missoula committee approved an irrigation contract Wednesday to keep the poplar tree farm off of Mullan Road in operation, which is one of the city's top ways to limit wastewater from damaging the ground and waterways. The poplar farm has been in operation since the early 2000s. It uses irrigated wastewater, helping treat more than one-eighth of the city's sewage, or roughly 1.3 million gallons or water per day, before it is released into the Clark Fork River. The council agreed to spend $110,000 to have the company Sprinkler Maniac LLC provide services to operate and maintain the site this summer. Last year, the Missoula Current reported a plan to cut the trees in 2024 and replace them with another type of vegetation, as the trees are both reaching the end of their lifespan and have also lost their timber value. Logan McInnis, deputy public works director for utilities, said the city will only cut down about 200 of the 36,000 trees this year, as the city is still formulating a more permanent solution. A citizens working group has been meeting to come up with a final solution, which could take another year, he said, adding that options could include tilling the trees into the ground before planting alfalfa, or selling some of the trees to local woodworkers. The costs for running the site have fallen over the last few years, as the Sprinkler Maniac company has streamlined the system, McInnis said. "Early on we were spending considerably more than this, we were pruning the trees, and a number of years ago we realized it wasn't financially sustainable," McInnis said. "We are being more efficient." The committee moved forward the contract unanimously. It will be considered for final approval at the April 1 city council meeting. The contract will end Oct. 31, 2024. Reserve Street study grant The committee also approved grant money through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2023 to study pedestrian-traffic safety along Reserve Street. The study will collect traffic information on Reserve from Brooks Street to Interstate 90. The federal government will give the city $308,000 and the Montana Department of Transportation will provide $77,000 in matching funds. "This is a really great opportunity to expand on efforts to make Reserve Street safer, especially when we continue to have more development west of Reserve," said Ward 2 Councilor Mirtha Becerra said. A document provided by the city said 45 people were killed in fatal crashes on roadways in the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Area from 2017-2021. Fortifying the foundation of the Rock Creek Bridge near Clinton started Wednesday with the goal of keeping the bridge stable during potential flooding events. The Missoulian previously reported that the bridge has been classified as "scour critical," meaning the bridge's foundation is becoming unstable because of erosion in the Clark Fork River. There are no weight and height restrictions on the bridge currently, which was built in 1972. Erik Dickson, the road's division manager for Missoula County, said construction will take roughly one month, with the most intensive riverbed work lasting about two weeks. Dickson said the county got its last permit needed for the project on March 22. "When it is done it will look like we were almost never there," Dickson told the Missoulian. Missoula County said in a February release that the Montana Department of Transportation used money from state Senate Bill 536 for the repairs. There are also plans to do less critical maintenance on the bridge this fall. The total cost of the repairs is not yet known, the press release said. Residents told state and county officials last month that they are concerned for what would happen if the bridge washed out, leaving roughly 150 people without a way to exit the Rock Creek watershed. The only other access to the area comes from Philipsburg, but Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson previously told the Missoulian the road is unmaintained in the winter. Other sections are single lane. "We would need to make some major improvements to that road to make it even possible," Dunkerson said in February. Those planning to recreate along this section of the Clark Fork River should be aware of the construction, which will likely block some river access in the area. In the wake of the state dismissing the Leon Ford case earlier this week, the sister of Mike Crites said Wednesday she's grateful for those who participated in the trial and the work they put into it. Connie Crites, the older sister of Mike, said the first couple of years after the 2011 death of her brother were the hardest for the family. On Tuesday a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge dismissed the deliberate homicide case, a retrial, filed against Leon Ford at the request of prosecutors who said it would be in the best interest of justice. Lewis and Clark County Attorney Kevin Downs said the request came after a thorough review of the information and evidence. "The State respects the decision of the jury as well as the cardinal principle that a person is presumed innocent unless and until the State can establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," he said. Defense attorney Palmer Hoovestal said Ford's name is finally cleared. "Leon Ford did not kill Mike Crites," he said. Court documents state there was tension between Crites and Ford for years before the killing, due to blocking road access filled with allegations like trespassing, assaults, intimidation, threats and weapon violations. Connie Crites said Wednesday in a telephone interview from Colorado, where she lives, that their mother was confused by the state's decision to dismiss the case, so Connie had to explain the attorney's reasonings. "It seemed like a solid case," Connie said, but she said the state explained it did not see a better outcome in a retrial. The trial of Ford ended in a hung jury and left the Crites family disappointed with the outcome. Connie, her husband and mother came from Colorado and were present every day of the trial while living in Airbnbs in Helena for a month. Connie does not feel there is anything left to investigate regarding the death of her brother, who was 48 when he died, that happened over a decade ago. Mike and Connie's sister knew it was a possibility of the case being dismissed after the hung jury, so Connie said her sister did not really have a reaction to the announcement. Connie found out about the decision by the state about a week prior to the formal signing of the order in the Lewis and Clark County District Court. Two things she felt were portrayed incorrectly in the trial were her brother's personality and the road the disputes caused between Ford and Mike in court documents. Connie said she went to the Montana Land Office where they printed a map showing Birdseye Road, Three Mile Road and Turk Road and representatives told her the road was not access for Ford. Despite the office telling her that, the trial was left in a hung jury, but she remembered during the trial, those who spoke about Mike said he was not a "very likeable guy." She said that wasn't true. People thought he was a hermit, but he was always on the phone and wanted to be the best at whatever he did, she said. According to Connie, Mike was always likeable and he was a prize hunter, incredible writer and an intelligent person. She said the case had great detectives and great people working it, so she is grateful regardless of the outcome. Maximilian, a 21-year-old from Germany who is part of the tour group, visits Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] A group of 350 European tourists visited Beijing after arriving in Shanghai on a German cruise. Maximilian, a 21-year-old from Germany who is part of the tour group, described this trip as "fantastic" and expressed eagerness to explore more Chinese cities in the future. "It feels like I was in a dream," he said, adding that when he was a child, he had hoped to see the Great Wall of China in person one day. "I finally came to the Great Wall, where every brick carries history, and I will remember this journey in the future." "It's nice to see very interesting buildings and temples here. Everything was great," said Jutta, another tourist from Germany. "We meticulously prepared a range of half-day, full-day, and evening tour packages imbued with Chinese cultural essence," said Hu Jiying, deputy general manager of CYTS International Travel Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the reception of these tourists. The cruise carrying over 1,000 German-speaking tourists arrived in Shanghai last Tuesday. On Tuesday night, some tourists arrived in Beijing by high-speed train and returned to Shanghai after their tours in Beijing the next day. China has adopted a visa-free policy for Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg on a trial basis, starting March 14. The implementation of China's new visa-free policy has greatly streamlined travel planning for passengers aboard this cruise, according to Hu. Talina from Switzerland, who is visiting China for the first time, said that the journey from Shanghai to Beijing was "incredibly quick," lasting just over four hours. She was particularly impressed by China's high-speed rail system and its clean train environment and exceptional service. Thanks to China's visa-free policy, the number of foreign tourists visiting China has increased significantly. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese mainland saw 3.23 million inbound tourist arrivals during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday this year. Beijing has enriched its tourism packages, expanded global communication channels, and introduced measures to improve the experience of foreign visitors in various aspects, according to the city's cultural and tourism department. "To provide convenient services for foreign tourists, Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park operates an English-language online ticket purchasing platform as well as offers manual ticket consulting services in English," said Ren Chao, who works with the management department of the park. The park accepts foreign bank cards and all essential information displayed in the park is presented in a bilingual format, Ren added. "China has a long history and is very modern at the same time. I want to tell my family and friends about the wonderful time I had here," Maximilian said. In a split ruling, the state Supreme Court has struck down four laws that would have drastically changed the way Montanans vote. Senate Bill 169, House Bill 176, House Bill 530 and House Bill 506, all passed during the 2021 Legislature, were challenged in court by a number of plaintiffs including multiple tribes, Western Native Voice, Montana Youth Action, the state Democratic party and more. The court's decision was filed Wednesday. The bills sought to add new voter identification restrictions, end election day voter registration, limit paid third-party ballot collection and prevent 17 year olds from voting even if their 18th birthday fell on or before election day. All laws were struck down, at least in part, under Montana's constitutional "fundamental right to vote." "This was an all out vindication of the right to vote in Montana," said Alex Rate, deputy director of ACLU Montana and one of the attorneys representing the tribes. The Secretary of State's office, Montana's chief elections officer, did weigh in. "The Secretary is devastated by this decision but assures Montanans that her commitment to election integrity will not waver by this narrow adoption of judicial activism that is certain to fall on the wrong side of history. State and county election officials have been punched in the gut," the statement read. HB 176 eliminated election day registration for most people and put the registration deadline at noon the day before the election. Montana enacted same-day voter registration in 2005 and it has been challenged since. In a 2014 ballot referendum, Montanans voted against eliminating same-day voter registration by 14 percentage points. "The record clearly demonstrates that eliminating election day registration interferes with the fundamental right to vote," Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote in his majority opinion. "The elimination is far from the least onerous path the State could have chosen for its asserted interests." On the ground, attorney on for the plaintiffs Rylee Sommers-Flanagan said "the thing about election day registration is it prevents people from being turned away." SB 169 tried to remove student photo IDs from the states list of acceptable forms of ID to vote. If someone wanted to use a student ID, they would need to be paired with another form of documentation, like tax documents. The state has accepted student photo IDs for nearly two decades. "Excluding student IDs from the list of acceptable photo IDs imposes a burden on student voting and the Secretary has not established that it is necessary for any legitimate government purpose, much less that it is more important than the right to vote. Nor is it a reasonable restriction of voters rights," McGrath wrote. Absentee voting has become the predominant mechanism in Montana, accounting for 75% of the voting in 2018 and the only means of voting in 2020, Justice Ingrid Gustafson pointed out. HB 530 would have prohibited ballot collectors from gathering absentee ballots from voters in more remote areas, which the court struck down. The court did rule, however, that collectors can not be paid based on the number of ballots they collect. Some organizations pay people salaries to collect ballots in more rural areas and areas with poor mail access, like in some areas of Montana's reservations. "Because of the barriers that exist to voting in Indian Country which include socioeconomic conditions, which include lack of home mail delivery, having all the tools available in the tool kit to cast a ballot is incredibly important," Rate said. Ballot collectors also seek out elderly voters and disabled voters. Todays decision is a resounding win for tribes in Montana who have only ever asked for a fair opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to vote, Native American Rights Fund Attorney Jacqueline De Leon said in a statement. Despite repeated attacks on their voting rights, Tribes and Native voters in Montana stood strong, and today the Montana Supreme Court affirmed that the states legislative actions were unconstitutional. Native voices deserve to be heard and this decision helps ensure that happens. HB 506 said that a 17-year-old voter, who would be 18 by election day, could not receive an absentee ballot. "What (HB) 506 said is that if you're the newest member of the electorate then you can't (vote)," Sommers-Flanagan said. Multiple attorneys for the defendants did not respond to request for comment. The ruling was not unanimous and justices were split, depending on which bill was being considered. Justices McGrath, Gustafson, Laurie McKinnon and James Jeremiah Shea ruled that all four laws are unconstitutional, while one justice agreed with the majority that SB 169, HB 176, and HB 550 were unconstitutional but dissented on HB 506. On HB 506, Two justices agreed that HB 506 was unconstitutional but dissented on the other three. The dissenters partly argued that the state's Constitution grants the Legislature the authority to regulate elections, and therefore the bills that were passed were within the legislative bounds. "Courts have no constitutional power or authority to act as a 'super-legislature' second-guessing 'the wisdom, need, and propriety' of legislative enactments..." wrote Justice Dirk Sandefur in his opinion that dissented in part. The role of the Legislature came up for the plaintiffs as well. "The Legislature should be thinking long and hard about enacting any restrictions on the right to vote," Rate said. This ruling comes as the state approaches what will likely be one of the biggest voter turnouts in its history, as it's a presidential election year and eyes across the country are on the U.S. Senate race as Democratic Sen. Jon Tester faces a formidable challenger in Republican Tim Sheehy. "It's a very important election year and so we're celebrating the fact that all avenues for casting a ballot are open for voters in Montana," Rate said. A Yellowstone County district court judge found all four bills unconstitutional after a nine-day trial. The four bills were in effect temporarily for the 2021 school board elections and the two that pertain to student ID and same-day registration were in effect for the 2022 primaries. Otherwise, they were enjoined by the lower court. According to Joshua Douglas, a law professor at the University of Kentucky who specializes in state constitutions and voting rights, 49 out of the 50 states -- Arizona being the one -- have enshrined the right to vote in their state's constitutions. When state courts are faced with ballot access questions, Douglas explained, sometimes they follow the U.S. Supreme Court's "lead in providing less protection for the right to vote." Other states, however, rely on in-house provisions and "more robustly construed its state constitution to better protect voters" which is what the Montana justices did in their ruling, Douglas said. The majority opinion stated that the "Montana Constitution affords greater protection of the right to vote than the United States Constitution." Until now, the litigation over these bills left Montanans wondering what their elections would look like and if their ballot access would change dramatically. "(The justices) are embracing this notion that voting is part of democracy, that it is part of the people's granted power to government." Sommers-Flanagan said. "It is a really important moment." On St. Patricks Day, my friend, an American Jew, was walking in downtown Missoula, when another pedestrian said to him, Get off my street, you f---ing Jew. Attacks on Jews in the U.S. increased by 337% in the two months after Oct. 7. This escalation occurred across the Western world. In the UK, 2023 saw a 147% rise in attacks on Jews; in France, such attacks nearly quadrupled. Canadian Jews are 1% of the population and suffered 67% of all religiously motivated hate crimes. The pretense that anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism has been unmasked. Zionism is Jewish nationalism. If you want to destroy Israel, the only Jewish state in the world, you hate Jews, whether or not you know it. There are 21 Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and 90% of the regions population are Muslims (315 million). There are 15.7 million Jews in the world. That is smaller than the population of Beijing (21.5 million). Half of these Jews live in Israel. Israel-haters claim that modern Israel is colonial because it was created by the British Empire. In fact, the UN voted in 1947 to create a Jewish state and an Arab state in what became Israel. Thirty-three countries, including Iran and the Soviet Union, voted for this. Palestinian Jewish leaders accepted; Palestinian Arab leaders refused, and have since then six times refused a two-state solution. Hamas and Hezbollah state that they want Israel eliminated and no Jew to remain there. Todays wave of Jew-hatred is not new. Most Americans have heard of the Holocaust. Few know that it was preceded by over 1500 years of Jew-hatred in Europe. Jews were persecuted, forcibly converted, and killed across Western and Eastern Europe. The Roman Empire expelled most Jews from Israel in 70 AD. The few who remained in Israel were persecuted under Arab rule (638 AD onwards), and were under occupation by the Ottoman Empire 1517-1917, and then the British Empire 1917-1948. Spain expelled all Jews in 1492 until 1868. England expelled all Jews in 1290 until 1656, but Jewish marriages were not fully recognized until 1836 and Jews could not enter Oxford and Cambridge until 1871. In 1948, 900,000 Jews lived in Middle Eastern countries, such as Iraq, Iran, Yemen. Almost all were forced out in 1948. Most fled to Israel. That is why half of Israels Jews are brown and black people. 20% of Israels citizens are Arabs. The founding of modern Israel for Jews who are indigenous there since 1200 BC, was an act of decolonization. Today, persecution is forcing European and Russian Jews to migrate. Most of them go to Israel. Western Europes Jewish population has declined by 60% in the last 50 years, and is now slightly over a million. Oct. 7 was a pogrom similar to medieval pogroms in Europe and Russia. In a medieval pogrom, a Jewish village would be attacked. Jews would be tortured, raped, murdered, and their homes looted, wrecked, and burned. Present-day Jew-hatred, fueled by Islamism, has brought to the surface an older Jew-hatred that lay just under the skin. This older Jew-hatred claimed that Jews killed Jesus, even though Jesus was a Jew executed by Romans. His mother was a Jew and so were his twelve apostles. The cause of older Jew-hatred in Europe is that for centuries Jews were the only minority who refused to convert. So, yes, if you tell a Jew to get off my street, and you also want to destroy Israel (from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea,) you are both an anti-Zionist and a Jew hater. There seems to be little support for artificially reintroducing grizzly bears into the Bitterroot Ecosystem (BE), the vast area of roadless wildlands in north-central Idaho and western Montana. The Helena Independent Record (March 23), reports comments on the new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process are almost entirely opposed to artificial reintroduction. That doesnt mean everyone is against grizzly recovery in the Bitterroot. Far from it. There is strong support for natural recovery allowing grizzly bears to immigrate from other areas on their own, as they have been doing with increasing frequency in recent years. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed artificial reintroduction in 2000 but changed their position to No Action after funding for the plan was blocked by Congress. After doing nothing for over 20 years they were sued and agreed to produce a new plan and EIS by October 2026. The bears have come a long way since 2000. Back then, few people thought grizzlies would get to the BE on their own in any significant numbers. Now FWS estimates breeding activity could occur as soon as 15 years. Another analysis shows female grizzlies could reach the BE in 5-10 years. There are reasons to believe a slow and steady approach to recovery in the BE will ruffle less feathers and be more biologically viable. University of Idaho researchers conducted a survey of Idaho residents closest to the recovery area finding while they are generally opposed to grizzly bear reintroduction, they are less resistant to the idea of bears immigrating in on their own. A recent letter from the Ravalli County Commissioners echoes this point. They prefer no action but find natural recovery preferable to artificial reintroductions by the federal government. They say a government reintroduction would reduce support for grizzly recovery across the region. History shows that naturally immigrating species such as the famous Ninemile wolves were accepted and they safely denned on private land. Reintroductions of grizzly bears have not met with much success. Due to a very strong homing instinct, most bears attempt to return to where they were moved from. Many are killed in the process of negotiating unfamiliar and sometimes hostile habitats. Moreover, radio-collared government bears could create a backlash that marks these bears for death. This sets the stage for serious consideration of a natural recovery alternative. This would differ from no action as it would include habitat connectivity areas between the BE and other grizzly bear recovery areas which the FWS says would enhance the probability of long term survival of grizzly bears in the Northern Rockies. Identifying locations for installation of passage structures across major highways would facilitate movements not just for grizzlies but many other species including elk, moose and black bears. The natural recovery approach would increase information and education programs, sanitation efforts and bear awareness. More than two dozen organizations and scientists have proposed a natural recovery alternative for consideration in the EIS process. The plan and supporting documents can be viewed and downloaded at: regulations.gov/comment/FWS-R6-ES-2023-0203-1164. The choice is between doing nothing and waiting until a problem develops and reacting to it after the fact, or accepting the current reality that grizzlies are returning to the BE and being proactive, getting ahead of the curve and helping this work. Grizzlies can do the rest. Chuck Jonkel, a giant of bear biology said, grizzlies have been making babies for thousands of years. They dont need any help from us. What they need are secure habitats where they can do that. And a safe way to move from one secure habitat to another. Grizzlies do it naturally. The Hickory Community Theatre will present the world premiere of the new play, Eating Blackberries, beginning Friday, April 5 in the Jeffers Theatre. There will be an additional presentation of awards to HCT immediately before the start of the performance. The production will run additional performances through April 20. Eating Blackberries is a play that balances the elements of drama with surprising comedic moments. After a recent divorce, a mom and son are packing up to move out of the former family home as the dad (played by Paul Sapp) prepares to move in with his new wife (played by Lisa Aquino). Outside, an untended thicket of wild blackberries encroaches upon the house, drawing hungry bears. The role of Sofia, the new wife, marks Aquinos second appearance with HCT. She made her debut last November in the ensemble for Anastasia. She arrived 10 months ago from the Dominican Republic as an exchange student and is currently staying in Lenoir. Her previous theatre experience back home includes playing the lead role in Annie at the Black Box Theatre and the Older Sister in Piratata at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, both in Santo Domingo, DR. When asked why she chose to audition for this show, Aquino replied, I wanted to try something different. The role is a big challenge, but I identify with Sofia in so many things. The role of Paul, the dad is Sapps fourth role on stage at HCT. He has done an equivalent of behind-the-scenes work as well, as a director (The Lifespan of a Fact) and stage manager. Hes also had several other roles with area theatres, most recently as Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off with the Lenoir-Rhyne Playmakers. His other local roles include Dresselmeyer in The Nutcracker with Hickory Ballet and Performing Arts (HBPA) and Boyet in Loves Labours Lost for the Green Rooms Shakespeare in the Park. When asked what he enjoys about HCT he replied, Its the boundary-pushing plays. When hes not on stage, Sapp juggles four jobs, admin at HBPA, House Manager at HCT, postal carrier and stay-at-home dad to Sadie and Riley. Eating Blackberries is one of six new plays chosen (out of hundreds of submissions) for the American Association of Community Theatres 10th annual NewPlayFest. HCT is the only Southeastern theatre chosen for the honor. Eating Blackberries will run for three weekends, from April 5-20. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. There is a bonus Thursday performance on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. as well. Tickets for Eating Blackberries are $16 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at hickorytheatre.org or by phone at 828-328-2283. Eating Blackberries is rated PG-13, with some adult language and themes. Eating Blackberries is supported by the United Arts Council of Catawba County through the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the State of North Carolina and from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Hickory Community Theatres 75th anniversary season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Green Park Dentistry, Paramount Automotive and Sunbelt Xpress. The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. Eating Blackberries is one of the winning original plays from the American Association of Community Theatres 2024 NewPlayFest. In a narrow vote, Burke County Board of Education member Jane Sohovich avoided a censure Monday night after complaints surrounding behavior leading up to the primary election on March 5. The vote came after the board of education read a report from board attorney Chris Campbell, who was directed to investigate allegations against Sohovich after the boards March 11 meeting. Tim Buff, chair of the Burke County GOP, and Tracey Stamey (nee Norman) alleged Sohovich had violated board policies at breakfast gatherings for Republicans in February and March, and at a polling location on March 5, according to Campbells report. Buff and Stamey previously served on the Burke County Board of Education, with Buff opting against running for reelection in 2011 and Stamey getting voted out in 2009. Through his investigation, Campbell determined: Sohovich was wearing a school district name badge and school district branded clothing while campaigning for specific candidates at a polling location on Election Day. Sohovich told a voter she worked for the school district on Election Day. Sohovich told a voter she was on the school board on Election Day but would be leaving the board in November. At the March 1 breakfast gathering, Sohovich used profanity, called another school board candidate a liar and said she would sit down when hell freezes over when she wanted to speak to the group attending the breakfast. Sohovich did not deny the claims, and in a response to Campbell, said she was exercising her First Amendment rights by campaigning at the Morganton Senior Center from 6:20 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. on March 5. I was working to support Burke County Public Schools children and educators as I have done as a volunteer since I moved here in 1999, Sohovich wrote to Campbell. Campbell determined there were no laws or board policies violated by Sohovichs actions, though Sohovich saying she works for Burke County Public Schools while wearing BCPS branded clothing could have given the impression Sohovich was working in an official capacity, according to the report. The use of profanity could have been seen as damaging to the integrity of her elected office, but Campbell said it did not implicate any board policy. While laws and board policies werent specifically violated, Campbell did say the board still could conclude Sohovichs actions altogether compromised the boards integrity. Board Member Tiana Beachler made a motion to censure Sohovich, with a second from board member Leslie Ritchie Taylor. Taylor said she was not passing judgement or throwing stones but felt board members needed to be held accountable for their actions the same way BCPS students and staff would be. She also said censuring these actions would set a precedent for future board members. Board Chair Seth Hunt, who voted against the censure, said he felt what Sohovich faced at the March 11 meeting was punishment enough. I have never seen, in my life, and Ive been in a bunch of politics stuff for a long time, the amount of vitriol and bitterness and pure hatred that Ive witnessed from crowds that have come in here to attempt to talk to us, Hunt said. Its very disheartening, its very sad and its certainly not productive. Hunt said he did not see any benefit to the children in the BCPS system through these actions. This has been a very vile and bitter verbal exchange for, quite frankly, a number of years, and damn it, its got to stop, Hunt said. Its just got to stop. You get nothing accomplished here doing these sorts of things. At the March 11 meeting, Sohovich sat on the dais while multiple speakers called her out for what they believed were violations of board policy and state law. Hunt said he didnt think he wouldve sat through that, but Sohovich said she felt it was her job to do so. I understand, but its not your job to face, and what I believe sometimes, is pure evil, Hunt said. And many people have reached out to me, Ive not had to tell, theyve seen it on the cameras. Sohovich said she has been working the polls since 1978 when she still lived in Indiana but said she may reflect on that decision and stop those actions moving forward and she will not be going to the GOP breakfasts anymore. That you can take to the bank and put it in the vault, Sohovich said. In the roll call vote, Beachler, Taylor and Board Vice Chair Aaron Johnson all voted in favor of a censure, while Hunt, Wendi Craven and Don Hemstreet voted against the censure. Sohovichs own vote, which Campbell said was allowed by state law, broke the tie, swaying the board against the censure. Most Wanted List Donations of new or gently used copies of any of the best-selling titles are most appreciated. To date, the library has received 1,035 of these most wanted books. Current New York Times Best Sellers and NC Cardinal Consortium Holds 1. The Women by Kristin Hannah 1,478 holds 2. A Touch of Chaos by Scarlett St. Clair 3 holds 3. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 81 holds 4. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros 117 holds 5. Happy Place by Emily Henry 13 holds 6. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas 25 holds 7. The Inmate by Freida McFadden 111 holds 8. Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner 177 holds 9. The Teacher by Freida McFadden 206 holds 10. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden 103 holds Adult Programming The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will be held on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, at the Collett Street Recreation Center at 300 Collett Street in Morganton. Volunteers are needed for this event. For more information call Danielle at 828-764-9269 or email danielle.townsend@burkenc.org. All programs are adults only unless otherwise stated. Young Adult Programming Its the first week of April, and YAS is ready to hit the ground runningand thats no joke! The Young Adult Advisory Board will be meeting on Monday, April 1 and any teens interested in joining YAAB should contact the YA Coordinator, Lizzie. Tuesday, April 2 at the Valdese Public Library will be our monthly Game Night at 6 p.m. Teens are encouraged to bring a game to shareboard, card, and Nintendo Switch games will be provided. Thursday, April 4 at 4 p.m. the teens will learn the history of and try their hand at Henna. Waivers are required! Finally, this weekend will be two sessions of D&D @ the Library. One will be held on Friday, April 5 at 4 p.m. online via Discord, and the other will be held on Saturday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the Valdese Public Library. D&D requires pre-registration and is currently full and on a waiting list. For questions about these and any other Young Adult Services programs, you can contact Lizzie at 828-764-9273 or by email at lizzie.whisnant@burkenc.org. Childrens Programming Have you checked out EcoExplore yet? It is a fun program that can help get your kids (and family) outdoors more while also teaching them about the animals and plants that are all around them! EcoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science. If you would like to see what all the excitement is about, visit any of our branches to pick up an activity sheet. Follow the included instructions and submit your findings through the website to start earning badges and prizes. Some of the prizes that can be earned are a fishing pole, bugnoculars, trail cameras, field bags, microscopes and so much more! (Our libraries may also have a limited number of prizes that can be redeemed on site while supplies last.) Visit www.ecoexplore.net to sign up today, see more of the offered prizes and to get more information. You can also visit one of our locations for more information. Libraries Closed All locations of the Burke County Public Library will be closed Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30 for Easter. Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed at the Morganton Public Library to assist with landscape maintenance. We need some folks to help us keep our newly landscaped areas free of weeds and debris. If you would like to help call Library Director Jim Wilson at 764-9276 or email at jwilson@bcpls.org. eBooks @ your library So far, 4,907 Burke County Public Library users have registered to use the librarys digital collection available through the e-iNC consortium and NC Kids Digital Library. This digital collection includes eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video available to Burke County Public Library cardholders. Apps are available for download for a variety of devices including Kindle, iPhone, and Android phones. Go to http://omc.overdrive.com to see the apps. To access the collection and download items go to http://e-inc.lib.overdrive.com and follow the instructions to set up an account. You will need to know your library card number and your PIN. Please contact the library if you need any assistance. Find us on the web Go to www.bcpls.org for a list of programs and events. Unless noted otherwise, all library programs are free. Some programs have pre-registration and age requirements. Thursday, March 28 Easter Eggsperience, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Butte-Silver Bow Public Library. Egg hunt, games, movies, storytime. Saturday, March 30 Annual Easter egg hunt, 2 p.m., The Springs at Butte, 300 Mount Highland Drive. All ages welcome; supplies limited; photos with the Easter bunny. Easter egg hunt, 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m., Washoe Park, Anaconda. Includes photos with the Easter bunny and challenge hunt for ages 12 and over. March Hare Easter event for families, 1-3 p.m., Missouri Headwaters State Park picnic area. Park ranger Sarah Lilly will give a talk about rabbits and hares. Afterward, kids can pet bunnies, paint, and dye Easter eggs, and participate in other fun events and crafts. Hot drinks and snacks will also be provided. Visit fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/missouri-headwaters or call 406-285-3610. Free showing of "Happy Feet," 1 p.m., Saturday, March 30, Washoe Theatre, 304 Main St., Anaconda. Easter egg hunt, 1 p.m., Drummond City Park. Divisions for walking-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11 years old. EDITORS NOTE: If you have something going on in southwest Montana that you would like to share, send an email to editor@mtstandard.com. To get even more coverage, people are encouraged to go to eventsinbutte.com to add their special event. THURSDAY, MARCH 28 Guided painting for adults, 10 a.m., MK Falbo Studio in the Historic Phoenix Building, 66 W. Park St. Step by step demonstration of techniques to paint your pet from your photo using acrylic paint. Participants will have ample time to try each technique. No experience necessary. Our focus will be on enjoying the process and seeing where it leads us. All materials provided. Bring a photo of your pet or find one you like on Pixabay. $25/person/two-hour session. Singo Musical Bingo, 6:30 p.m., Butte Elks Lodge, 206 W. Galena. Three Forks Music Night with Dwayne Wilson Jr., 6 p.m., Bridger Brewing, Three Forks. FRIDAY, MARCH 29 Open print studio, 1:30 p.m., Imagine Butte Resource Center, 68 W. Park St. Learn how type is organized and how to use a composing stick to set type. $100 for materials. Group painting for adults, 3 p.m., MK Falbo Studio in the Historic Phoenix Building, 66 W. Park St. Step by step demonstration of techniques to paint your pet from your photo using acrylic paint. Participants will have ample time to try each technique. No experience necessary. Our focus will be on enjoying the process and seeing where it leads us. All materials provided. Bring a photo of your pet or find one you like on Pixabay. $25/person/two-hour session. SATURDAY, MARCH 30 Guided painting for adults, 10:30 a.m., MK Falbo Studio in the Historical Phoenix Building. Step by step demonstration of techniques to paint a sunrise from a photo or imagination, using acrylic paint. Participants will have ample time to try each technique. No experience necessary. Our focus will be on enjoying the process and seeing where it leads us. All materials provided. $25/person/two-hour session. Pinky and the Floyd perform, 7 p.m., the Mother Lode Theatre. Bozeman-based Pinky and the Floyd formed in 2008 and have earned a revered reputation as one of the most dynamic tribute bands paying homage to the legendary Pink Floyd. Tickets are available at Buttearts.org/ or by calling 406-723-3602. Shawn Davis bronze unveiling and cowboy potluck, 4-6 p.m., Western Legacy Center, 3 Whitetail Road, Whitehall. Experience the unveiling of the Shawn Davis bronze as well as a chance to meet the 3-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Shawn Davis himself! If you bring a dish to share for potluck, you eat for free! Cant bring anything? Eat for $5. Call 406-266-1276 or email montanawlc@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 Empty Bowls, 6-8 p.m., Butte Civic Center. The bowls range from a $20 soup-sized bowl, a new $50 medium-sized bowl or a $100 serving-sized family bowl. Tickets available at the Food Bank and at the Civic Center. For more information, contact Kathy Griffith at 406-490-6800 or Peggy Graving at 406-490-1719. THURSDAY, APRIL 4 Three Forks Music Night with Jacob Alexander, 6 p.m., Thursday, March 28, Bridger Brewing, Three Forks. Guided painting for adults, 10 a.m., Thursday, March 21 or 3 p.m., Thursday, March 28, MK Falbo Studio in the Historic Phoenix Building, 66 W. Park St. Step by step demonstration of techniques to paint a sunrise from a photo or imagination, using acrylic paint. Participants will have ample time to try each technique. No experience necessary. Our focus will be on enjoying the process and seeing where it leads us. All materials provided. $25/person/two-hour session. A man accused of discharging bear spray at two state troopers in the midst of a police chase in Butte refused to go from the jail to District Court for his arraignment Thursday. District Judge Kurt Krueger met privately with the prosecutor and public defender in the case after learning about 28-year-old Colby Tanner Ziers refusal then postponed his arraignment on felony assault and drug charges for one week. Most people in the Butte jail are escorted in handcuffs to Kruegers court for in-person appearances at arraignments. Prosecutors filed initial charges following the police chase on Feb. 14 but recently submitted new documents detailing what they believe happened. Police were trying to locate a suspect vehicle outside a casino on Harrison Avenue that night when they spotted the car and tried to make a stop, but Zier took off into an alley behind Elm Street, prosecutors say. He drove his car directly at a troopers patrol car and hit it, and when the trooper got out, Zier rolled down his window and sprayed bear spray at that officer and another trooper. Dispatch was advised that an officer was down but prosecutors say it was because of the bear spray, not because any gunshots were fired. Ziers car was blocked for a bit but he got traction and took off again. But Zier soon ran over spike strips, lost control of the car on Garfield Street, bailed out and fled on foot. Shoe prints in the snow gave him away and he was found laying under the deck of a house. He slowly came out from the porch but then jumped up, forcing officers to bring him to the ground. He was wearing empty holsters for a knife and gun but a .357 revolver was found in his car, along with $1,170 in cash, small baggies, bear-spray caps, four pills and powder suspected to be fentanyl. There were no noticeable injuries at this time besides him bleeding from his face due to the physical altercation, the new charging documents state. Prosecutors charged him with three counts of assault with a weapon one for driving at the trooper in her car and two for spraying bear spray at two troopers. Zier was also charged with criminal possession of drugs with intent to distribute and possession of property subject to forfeiture, both felonies, and misdemeanor counts of theft and resisting arrest. If convicted of the assault with a weapon charges and the felony drug counts, he could be sentenced up to 110 years in prison. He remained in the Butte jail on Thursday with bail set at $1 million. Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have appointed Kelli Fivey as county attorney to replace Eileen Joyce, who is stepping down to take another job. The council conducted brief interviews with Fivey and Matt Enrooth during a special meeting Wednesday night and then voted, with seven commissioners choosing Fivey and three choosing Enrooth. It is essentially an interim position, since Fivey and Enrooth are running for county attorney this year. Voters will decide that race in November and the winner will begin a four-year term in January. Fivey and Enrooth are both Butte residents and prosecutors, though in different counties. Fivey is a deputy county attorney and state prosecutor in Butte-Silver Bow County and Enrooth is a deputy county attorney and state prosecutor in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. They were the only two who applied for the interim position and are the only two who filed to run for the office this year. Enrooth and Fivey made separate appearances before council Wednesday night and were each asked the same five questions. They included top issues facing the county, the county attorneys role in disputes between the executive and legislative branches of the local government, and what skills and experience make him or her the best choice. Both gave detailed answers and each spoke for about 15 minutes before commissioners voted. The county attorney handles civil matters involving local government and oversees several other lawyers who prosecute criminal cases. She or he also advises county officials, including the chief executive and the Council of Commissioners, on legal issues involving policies, ordinances and potential liabilities. In response to what makes him or her the best choice, Enrooth pointed to a wide range of experience. Ive practiced law for 10 years and Ive done it in an array of different legal situations, he said. I have been a public defender. I have been a judicial law clerk. I have worked in two private practices. I own my own private practice. Enrooth said he is currently the chief civil attorney for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County and also prosecutes major felony and misdemeanor cases. The county attorney needs to do all those things, he said, and be able to run an office. They need to be able to manage their personnel, he said. They need to be able to budget and finance look for funding elsewhere if you need to. These are all things I do in Anaconda and these are all things I have done in my private firm. Fivey pointed to her 17 years as a deputy county attorney and prosecutor and said,Ive dedicated my entire career to the citizens of Butte-Silver Bow. She said Joyce has allowed deputy county attorneys in the office to do what you thrive at, and for her, that has been in the courtroom prosecuting criminal cases. But Fivey said she has also helped Joyce with civil and local government matters and has worked with many department heads. And, she said, I already have established relationships with all of the people in our office, both the attorneys and staff, and I believe the transition will truly be seamless. Just after the interviews, commissioners wrote down the name of their choice for interim county attorney and they were read to the public. Voting for Fivey were Michele Shea, Tommy Walker, Josh ONeill, Dan Callahan, Shawn Fredrickson, Hattie Thatcher and Jim Fisher. Commissioners John Riordan, Justin Fortune and John Sorich voted for Enrooth. Bill Andersen and Eric Mankins were absent. Several commissioners said both candidates were excellent and noted that voters will get a bigger say in November. Whatever happens tonight, I hope it doesnt affect the election in the future, Fisher said before the interviews. The fair way to do it is to have an election in November where everyone files their vote by secret ballot. Joyce said in January she was not running for a fifth term this year, then confirmed recently that she was resigning effective March 29 to take a clerk position with the U.S. District Court in Montana. As she has done for years, Joyce was at Wednesdays meeting to advise county officials about all legal matters. Shea thanked her for her service. Weve definitely not seen eye to eye on everything but I really have a lot of respect for her compassion for the community, her desire to do the right thing and the crazy amount of things Ive learned from her, Shea said. Muscatine resident and Democrat Mandy Moody has declared her candidacy to seek the Iowa State Representative District 96 seat, currently held by Mark Cisneros. According to a press release, Moody is a lifelong Muscatine resident and comes from a blue-collar family. She said her dad was a proud union member. Moody and her husband have six children, all of whom are adults and is an alumna of Muscatine Community College, Iowa Wesleyan University and the University of Iowa. She has been working as a social worker in various capacities for 14 years and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, writing, painting, reading, and being in nature. I was asked by my community to run, she said. As a social worker, I have an ethical duty to promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of my community." Promoting social justice and change on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people, she said, is central to her core values. "I believe that I can do that advocacy on a broader level for Muscatine at the Statehouse," Moody said. The primary will be held on June 4 and the general election will be held on November 5. Moody said having been a voice for people who traditionally dont have one, she brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to public service and to the campaign. She is dedicated to fighting for fully funded and accessible public services, lower costs and higher wages for Iowans across the state. Growing up in poverty and experiencing significant adversity myself, I know first-hand how difficult it is to endure those conditions, let alone overcome them, she said. For many, a bad childhood can equal a life sentence. I have been working to break generational cycles and it took me over 15 years to achieve and maintain some sense of stability. "As a child, adult and parent, our social systems in Muscatine have a huge impact on my story. ... With my unique combination of experiences with these systems and within this community, I will work to be a voice for Muscatine and all Iowans at the state house. If elected, Moody looks forward to engaging with her community, listening to concerns, and working together to shape a bright future for Muscatine. She invites people to follow her campaign on social media. Counties with the most prewar homes in Iowa Counties with the most prewar homes in Iowa #20. Cedar County #19. Cherokee County #18. Fayette County #17. Greene County #16. Franklin County #15. Monona County #14. Howard County #13. Pocahontas County #12. Shelby County #11. Page County #10. Clayton County #9. Ida County #8. Boone County #7. Tama County #6. Taylor County #5. Worth County #4. Audubon County #3. Keokuk County #2. Harrison County #1. Adams County In a heartfelt interview, two of Brian Chiras uncles shared insights into the life of their late nephew, highlighting his character and addressing the controversies surrounding his sexuality and the unfortunate events at his funeral. They claimed that Brian, a devout church-goer, was often misunderstood by the internet, especially regarding his sexual orientation. The uncles particularly addressed his choice to paint his nails, a skill he apparently acquired as part of a beauty course he took. As his uncles, we knew Brian as a church-going young man. There were rumours about his sexual orientation, even here. Some say he used to paint his nails. That was part of a beauty course he took to earn a living, they clarified in their conversation with Nairobi News. Chira had himself in various interviews addressed the allegations, stating categorically that he was not gay. That however left many of his fans confused. Despite facing personal struggles, the TikTok sensation was known for his lively and generous nature. However, he became more reserved following his HIV status disclosure, choosing to engage with his family and friends primarily through social media platforms like TikTok rather than in person. He seemed stressed, but he never showed it openly. He shared his challenges online and thats how we knew he was suffering. He preferred to communicate over the phone rather than face-to-face, the uncles recounted. The circumstances of Brians final send-off were a source of pain for the family. His uncles voiced their frustration over the lack of respect shown at his funeral, which was disrupted by uninvited guests and TikTokers, diverging from the dignified farewell they had envisioned. We wanted peace but it hasnt happened. His funeral was not dignified; TikTokers took over and it wasnt what we wanted. We had asked certain people to stay away from the grave, but they forced their way into the compound, they lamented. Brians life came to a tragic end in a hit-and-run accident in Karuri, Kiambu County. At 23, the bright and promising young mans death has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him. According to a friend, on the night of the accident, Brian had been out without money or his phone, which was with another friend. His body was laid to rest on Tuesday, March 26, at his grandmothers ancestral land in Gitei village, Gathanje, Kiambu County, marking the end of a life that was vibrant yet beset by challenges. A Magistrates Court in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County has convicted a Swiss national for extracting blood from Kenyan athletes. Iten senior principal magistrate Ms. Emily Kigen convicted 29-year-old Bassile Samuel David Moreillon on his plea of guilty. He was charged alongside Kenyan Geoffrey Kibet Bwambok. The court heard that a detective officer from Iten police station arrested the duo after locals raised concerns about their suspicious activities in the area. The accused paid Kes.1,000 to both renowned athletes and locals who agreed to have their blood samples extracted for purported research. Charges Bwambok and Moreillon were charged with undertaking scientific research without a license, contrary to Section 15 of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act Number 6 of 2022. The charge stated that between March 3 and 7, 2024, at Iten Township, Keiyo North Sub County in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, the duo, jointly with others not before court, were found conducting scientific research by obtaining blood samples mainly from athletes and non-athletes without a license from the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation. They were also charged with operating a private Medical laboratory without approval, contrary to Section 21 of the Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Act of 1999. The second count stated that at Run IX Athletes Camp in Keiyo South, they were found undertaking private practice as medical laboratory technologists at the athletes camp, which was not registered and licensed by The Kenya Medical Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB). The third charge stated that at Irong location in Keiyo North, they were found handling medical laboratory reagents that KMLTTB had not validated. They were unlawfully found with several reagents, including Surgical, Spirit, (COVIGEN), BD vacutainer, Gel & Clot activator for blood collection, alcohol swabs, and HB calibrations, among other laboratory reagents that were not validated by KMLTTTB. The accused faced a fourth count of handling invalidated laboratory equipment, contrary to Regulation 3 of KMLTTB Act of 1999. On the fifth count, the court heard that they were arrested while engaging in private practice as medical laboratory technologists, contrary to the law. Pleas Bassille pleaded guilty to all the charges whereas Bwambok entered a not guilty plea. Upon the prosecution reading the charges against him, Bassille pleaded guilty to all of them and then urged for mercy, stating that he had not wasted the precious judicial time. Lawyer Edward Ruto, defending the foreigner, mitigated for a less punitive sentence, stating, My client is remorseful. He is a Swiss national and a PhD student conducting research in partnership with Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi. Ruto stated that his client has learned his lesson and has promised to abide by Kenyan laws. Court Ruling In her ruling, Magistrate Kigen was released Bwambok on a bond of Kh600,000 with an alternative cash bail of Kes.300,000. She then slapped Bassile Samuel David Moreillon with a fine of Kes.400,000 or serve a 2-year prison term. This court notes that you have pleaded guilty to the offence at the first instance. You will therefore serve in jail two years of imprisonment for count one, two months of imprisonment for the second count, four months for the third offense, and lastly, one year in jail for the fifth count. In the alternative, you will pay a total fine of Kes.400,000 in default, the magistrate ruled, noting that the sentences will run concurrently. The magistrate emphasized that courts would not relent in protecting innocent Kenyans against such acts. She questioned why the purported research was focused on athletes and their relatives, noting that Kenya is a sporting nation and athletes are highly esteemed. The magistrate stressed that any research involving athletes must adhere to legally established medical norms. Furthermore, she cautioned citizens against complying with requests to extract blood for testing and research purposes. Magistrate Kigen granted the convict 14 days to appeal the sentence if he was dissatisfied with it. The government is moving full speed with its initiative to clear the way for the development of affordable housing units by identifying approximately 12,000 acres of land for this purpose. Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Housing, announced on Wednesday that 575 parcels of land have been earmarked for the governments ambitious housing project. During her address to the Senate, Wahome detailed that a portion of this land currently houses old estates, owned by both national and county governments, which are slated for demolition. Some demolition activities have already commenced in various parts of the country. Specifically, 62 parcels spanning 780 acres have been identified within Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru counties for immediate action. These parcels were identifies from ministries, county governments, departments, authorities, and with help from Members of Parliament, creating a consolidated land bank for the affordable housing initiative. However, Wahome clarified that not all identified parcels would be utilized for the housing program, as some do not meet the necessary criteria for potential projects. Nonetheless, these lands will remain in the land bank for future consideration. The query from Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute regarding the value of each government-owned parcel designated for the project prompted Wahomes disclosure. She reiterated the governments commitment to constructing at least 200,000 housing units annually to address the housing deficit and provide employment opportunities for the youth. The procurement of investors for these developments is being conducted in strict accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, ensuring transparency and fairness in the process. Wahome reassured that although the housing units will be constructed on public land, the land will not be transferred to the developers. The partnerships with developers are governed by the Sustainability Procurement Portfolio Methodology, allowing them to become strategic partners and qualify for project incentives. This strategy is designed to benefit end buyers and increase home ownership in Kenya. Significant progress has already been made, with two projects completed in Park Road, Nairobi, and Bondeni, Nakuru. Currently, seven projects are underway on 116.5 acres in Nairobi and Nakuru counties. The Park Road Housing Project, a flagship for affordable housing, boasts 1,370 units, while the Bondeni project offers 605 units. On top of the ongoing projects in Nairobi and Nakuru; Mombasa and Kisumu counties are in the planning stages for future developments. Among the notable projects is the Kibera Soweto East Zone B Housing Project, which will provide 4,054 units and include comprehensive amenities like schools, commercial spaces, health centers, and recreational facilities. Another significant project in Shauri Moyo-Kamkunji constituency will introduce 4,556 housing units, as the Mukuru Met Site project delivers 13,076 units across three lots. The affordable housing act is still subject to litigation, but the government is not waiting for a final court decision. In a significant first for Kenyas economy, the nations export figures soared to an unprecedented 1 trillion shillings (approximately 7.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023. This remarkable growth from the 5.95 billion dollars recorded in 2022 signifies the burgeoning strength and global competitiveness of Kenyas export sector. During a press conference in Nairobi, Jaswinder Bedi, the chairman of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, highlighted the important role of the Kenyan shillings depreciation in 2023. The currencys weakening last year notably enhanced the competitiveness of Kenyan products on the international stage, contributing to the surge in export figures. This is the first time in the nations history that exports have hit Sh1 Trillion. Bedi revealed that Africa was the key destination for exports, accounting for about 40 percent of all goods sold overseas. The continent emerged as a primary market for Kenyan manufactured goods, including iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, lubricating oils, and vegetable oils. This strategic focus on African markets has played a pivotal role in driving the countrys export growth. The chairman further spoke of Kenyas agricultural export portfolio, which played a crucial role in achieving the 2023 milestone. Key agricultural exports in 2023 included tea, coffee, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, Bedi stated. These products found their way predominantly to markets in Europe and Asia, reflecting the diverse and global appeal of Kenyas agricultural offerings. The growth in exports not only signifies a robust economic performance but also positions Kenya as a key player in the international trade arena, especially within the African continent and beyond. On Wednesday, a leaked memo circulating on social media indicated that Standard Group has declared insolvency, and will soon be liquidated. The letter, widely shared on Twitter, appeared to be an internal memo notifying the media companys staff of the boards decision to shut down the company. The shut down would apparently affect all Standard Group properties, among them KTN, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Standard Newspaper, The Nairobian and more. The letter, comically dated 1st May 2024, read in part, REF: DECLARATION OF INSOLVENCY This is a notice to the greater public that through a special resolution by the Board of the Standard Group Ltd, a declaration of insolvency is hereby issued. The Board has seen it fit to invoke the Insolvency Act (No. 18 of 2015) and signal the liquidation of the entire Standard Group encompassing assets of KTN, KTN News, Radio Maisha, The Nairobian, The Standard, KTN Farmers TV, BTV, Spice FM, Vybez Radio and Berur FM. The Acting Standard Group CEO, Joe Munene has been tasked to declare redundancies across all departments. All employees will be duly informed in writing. They will receive notice pay as per the Contract of Employment, and payment of leave days accrued and not taken at the time of exit. The reasons for this declaration of insolvency will be communicated at our AGM slated for Monday 24th July 2024. To our esteemed readers, viewers and listeners it has been great serving you for more than a century. We take this opportunity to immensely thank you for your support. Hours after the memo started circulating, the media company came out and labelled the reports as Fake. FAKE NEWS ALERT: This is NOT a genuine memo from The Standard Group PLC or any of the brands associated with it. It is a manipulated post. Be cautious NOT to fall for propaganda and deep fakes. As much as the memo was fake, the premise did not appear from thin air. Standard Group has been struggling for years. Last year, the Kenya Union of Journalists issued the company with an ultimatum for defying labor laws and denying workers salaries. Employees at Kenyas second largest newspaper printer had gone months without a salary. The company had also failed to submit their savings to the company sacco. Standard Group PLC, the oldest media house in this region, has not paid its staff for six months, with photographers and correspondents going for 10 months without getting compensation for their daily toil. This is not only illegal but immoral and a gross violation of human rights, and therefore, the company must be held to account, especially by its stakeholders and business partners. We call upon the board of Standard PLC to respect the rights of these workers and meet their end of the bargain so that their staff can live in dignity and meet their financial obligations. We also call for investigations into the companys financial transactions to explain to the public what went wrong. Last but not least, workers have lost their savings with Standard Sacco as a result of non-remittances from the company, and we call upon the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority to help members recover their money. the statement from KUJ read in part. Standard Group has been a loss-making entity for a while, and things may be about to get much worse for the Mombasa road-based media company. On top of the changing consumer media consumption habits, the company recently lost a lucrative government deal, becoming a victim of the Kenya Kwanza administrations expenditure cuts. The government overlooked Standard, Nation and Mediamax, instead choosing The Star to distribute the weekly MyGov publication. The Star offered the lowest distribution price at only Sh9 million a week, compared to the others which offered over Sh20 million a week. This deal was worth hundreds of millions of shillings a year to the Standard. The contract between the government and The Star is now being litigated, with the LSK arguing that this move would undermine media freedom and restrict public access to information. Should the courts fail to cancel the contract, it could be a devastating blow to Standard Group, as government revenue reportedly accounted for over 30% of its revenue and still it was struggling. According to Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, President William Ruto will set a new record as the first one-term president in Kenya. Kalonzo made this statement while addressing political delegates from Tharaka Nithi County in Mwingi town, where he criticized President Rutos administration for implementing policies that he deemed oppressive to Kenyans. The delegates also voiced their concerns, with one of the major issues being what they described as the arbitrary increase in taxes. They highlighted that such hikes had significantly contributed to the challenges of living and conducting business in Kenya. This early endeavour by concerned citizens not just of Tharaka Nithi and Kitui counties, but across the nation, will ensure that the Kenya Kwanza regime and its leadership becomes the first One Term Administration in Kenya, Kalonzo declared. The former vice president asserted that he is the strongest candidate to defeat President Ruto in the 2027 Presidential Election and liberate Kenyans from his oppressive leadership. The leaders expressed their confidence in our movement and pledged to do all they could to popularise the party ahead of the 2027 general election, Kalonxzo noted. The WRC Safari Rally excitement commenced on Wednesday with the adrenaline-filled Shakedown at Loldia Ranch, situated in the Ndulele Conservancy in Naivasha. With the official kick-off scheduled for Thursday, the government has banned parking and the sale of alcohol along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. Additionally, the Rift Valley security team has outlawed parties along Mo South Lake road in Naivasha, implementing a series of security measures ahead of the rally slated for the Easter weekend. Moreover, the government has designated four alternative roads from Nairobi for motorists heading to Western Kenya to circumvent the typical traffic congestion. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan stated that security measures were implemented to prevent the traffic congestion that has previously forced motorists to spend the night by the roadside. He warned that individuals caught overlapping, parking along the roadside, or selling alcohol would face severe legal consequences, as additional security officers were deployed to the town. Addressing the press in Naivasha, Hassan urged those traveling for the rally and to upcountry areas to adhere to traffic regulations, emphasizing the anticipation of heavy traffic over the weekend. Cars found parked by the roadside and those caught overlapping will face consequences, as their vehicles will be impounded until Tuesday. The Commissioner urged licensed bar owners to adhere to the law regarding operating hours, warning that any club found violating regulations would be shut down. Meanwhile, KWS Assistant Director Joseph Dadacha emphasized that comprehensive measures had been implemented in Hells Gate National Park, where the rally will take place. He highlighted efforts to address pollution and littering, aimed at safeguarding the parks habitat, which is home to numerous wild animals. Governor Kenneth Lusaka has cautioned Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Bungoma County against selling wheelchairs donated to them. Lusaka stated that individuals caught selling their donated wheelchairs would face legal charges. He spoke on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, during the launch of the second phase of wheelchair distribution in the county. The Bungoma County boss revealed that some beneficiaries of the county initiative were selling the wheelchairs valued at Kes.50,000 for as little as Kes.2000. The wheelchair is worth more than Kes.50,000, but you go and sell it at Kes.2,000. I will not spare you if you are found, warned Lusaka. During the event, 120 persons with disabilities received wheelchairs from the Bungoma County government in partnership with Walkabout Foundation. The customized wheelchairs are designed to traverse the rough outdoor terrain. Simultaneously, the Bungoma governor stated that his government, in conjunction with the national government and other development partners, was dedicated to improving the living standards of persons with disabilities. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that all PWDs in the country have access to wheelchairs, emphasizing that it would facilitate easier movement for beneficiaries in their daily activities. As we walk the talk on empowering PWDs, I want to acknowledge the immense cooperation by our esteemed partners, the Walkabout Foundation, Lusaka stated. Disability is not inability. Persons enabled differently have a significant impact on our county matters and should be embraced, he added. Detectives at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have arrested a Kenyan woman and seized 57 pellets of cocaine stuffed in her undergarments. Anti-Narcotics Unit police intercepted the 32-year-old woman, Apoko Damaris Adhiambo, who was heading to Madagascar, on Tuesday night. In the 10.30 pm interception, Apoko Damaris Adhiambo, 32 was flagged down at terminal A1s central screening area, as she checked in to board Kenya Airways KQ 256 flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar, the DCI reported yesterday. It added; A body scanner at the checkpoint revealed suspicious items concealed around her privates, triggering a quick search that saw 600g of the highly addictive gak discovered. A spot test conducted on the discovery was positive for the coca product. After a brief interrogation by female anti-narcotics officers, Apoko disclosed that she had been recruited by a Ugandan national identified as Harriet Asaba, who lived in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi. Using forensic technologies, detectives traced Asaba to Accra Road in Nairobi CBD and arrested her. Three more suspects, namely Nangonzi Shirah (a Ugandan national), Esther Wanjiru, 24, and Sophia Kathambi, also aged 24, were also apprehended at a beauty shop in Nairobi. In the painstaking pursuit to break the entire syndicate, the second suspect led officers to Free Area Hotel building and into the VIP Beauty Shop, where a meticulous search was conducted and another 33 pellets of crack found. Therein, three more suspects were also rounded up, said the DCI. A presumptive test on the second recovery also yielded a positive result for cocaine, with an approximate weight of 396 grams. I understood that the document to "dissolve" the NKR [i.e. the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic] was illegal, but it was the only way to save the compatriots. According to Sputnik Armenia, the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President in exile, Samvel Shahramanyan, stated this in an interview with the French daily Le Figaroand referring to his decree of September 28, 2023 on the dissolution of the Artsakh Republic. "Due to the imbalance of forces, we did not have the opportunity to show resistance [against Azerbaijan], that's why we quickly established contact with the Azerbaijanis, so that the civilian population would be free from combat operations as much as possible. After twelve hours of negotiations, we put an end to combat operations. The very next day, the citizens of Artsakh asked to evacuate to Armenia, fearing mass murders by the invaders. Thus, we started the second round of negotiations so that their evacuation goes as smoothly as possible," he said. Shahramanyan noted that there are still ten to eleven Armenians in Artsakh who are sick or have disabilities, who cannot move freely and do not wish to leave the graves of relatives. Answering the question of whether there is any contact with the Armenian captives in Azerbaijan, the Artsakh president in exile noted that in addition to the eight leaders of Artsakh, there are also seven servicemen who were captured in September, and he asked France to put pressure on Azerbaijan, demanding the release of all Armenian captives. Referring to the rumors about whether there is a connection between the elections of the fifth president of Artsakh and the subsequent Azerbaijani attack, Shahramanyan denied it, reminding that the Azerbaijanis were already building up troops on the line of contact. "It was obvious that after a nine-month siege to weaken us, they were going to attack," he said. To the question whether there is a state and government in exile, Shahramanyan responded: "Yes, the office of the President of Artsakh and the offices of the judicial and legislative structures [of Artsakh] are located in the building where I am hosting you in [Armenias capital] Yerevan. Parliamentarians [of Artsakh] can gather here to vote. A decree was signed in October, which stipulates that all [Artsakh] government ministers remain in their positions on a voluntary basis." And answering the question about the Artsakh Armenians possible return to their homes, Shahramanyan said: "In the current situation, it is unrealistic to think about returning to our territory occupied by Azerbaijanis. It is necessary to take into account the realities of the peoples of Azerbaijan and Artsakh who consider themselves enemies. In Baku, Azerbaijanis are taught at school that Armenians are enemies. It will take years for the mindset of the Azerbaijani people to change and peaceful coexistence between the [two] neighbors to become possible. And I am thinking here as much about the Armenians of Armenia as about the Armenians of Artsakh. How can the authorities of Yerevan consider their country safe, when some parts of its territory are already occupied by Azerbaijanis, and the leaders of Baku publicly declare their rights to other [Armenian] territories?"